Wandering Eyes

This year's Breeders' Cup had a touch of deja vu all over again thanks to a series of veterinary scratches in the lead up to the event, some of which didn't exactly sit well with connections. The one that perhaps garnered the most attention is Californian flag-bearer The Chosen Vron's (Vronsky) removal from the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint on official veterinary advice. The horse's connections initially disputed the scratch, arguing he was 100% sound. It later transpired The Chosen Vron had a small ankle problem that necessitated a few months rest. The narrative surrounding The Chosen Vron's scratch was hardly an anomaly. As veterinary scrutiny of horses has increased in recent years, so too has concern amongst the individuals charged with overseeing the everyday health and welfare of the horse that their expert viewpoints and perspectives are being superseded by those with limited understanding of a particular galloper's peculiar way of going. Where heads butt, tempers fray. An anecdotal reading of events can be skewed one way or another. And so, what do the hard numbers tell us? Are scratched horses at a higher risk of facing extended periods of time off, for example? How long do they usually take to get back to the races? How many simply never race again? In summary, the available numbers show that scratched horses are notably more likely to face extended periods of time off than non-scratched horses. They typically take longer to get back on the work tab and to the races. A significant number simply never make it back. Indeed, in one dataset from the past five years, between one-quarter and approaching one-third of the scratched horses studied never made it back to race. In a comparable group of supposedly sound horses, this rate of attrition was in the low single digits. That said, the numbers show room for improvement to ensure sound and healthy horses aren't unnecessarily snagged in this safety net. They also identify a tantalizing window to screen horses with brewing problems early enough so that race-day lameness scratches become as low as possible. National Overview Since the advent of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act's (HISA) drug and medication control program, the racing fatality rate has headed noticeably downwards. In the second quarter of this year, for example, there were 0.76 fatalities per 1000 starts in jurisdictions that fall under the federal program's jurisdiction–a number nearly half the national average last year. As to what's primarily driving this downward trend, concrete answers are difficult to come by. Is it the tightened medication rules? Is it improving track maintenance protocols? Is it the post-entry screening protocols? Or is it increased veterinary scrutiny, with all HISA jurisdictions required to administer pre-race exams the morning of a race (something not always done at certain tracks)? Is it a combination of factors in equal parts? HISA doesn't maintain nationwide data about the time it takes for horses to return to the work-tab and races after a lameness scratch, as the agency doesn't always receive granular information as to the reasons behind each scratch. But it's currently working on a fix. In the meantime, regional datasets that tell similar tales make for fascinating reading. Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park Dionne Benson, 1/ST Racing's chief veterinary officer, has compiled five years of vet scratch data (spanning May 2019 to June 2024) for both Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park. Using the Equine Injury Database (EID), Benson zeroed in on horses that were scratched for unsoundness during a pre-race exam on the morning of the race, or for the same problem during the afternoon immediately before the race went off. She discarded all other reasons for a scratch like a spiked temperature or for rearing over in the gates. For every horse scratched, Benson randomly selected a horse that made a start in the intended race as a means of comparison. We'll call them the “cohort” group. In other words, a cohort of purportedly sound horses. In short, the scratched horses were significantly more likely never to race or work again than the supposedly sounder cohort group. Of those that did compete again, they also took much longer to get back to the races. When asked about the seemingly anomalous statistic out of Gulfstream Park–where 5% of the cohort group never raced again, while 8% never worked again–Benson explained that in Florida, the horses will often race back instead of working again. Churchill Downs Incorporated Will Farmer, Churchill Downs equine medical director, used the EID to screen scratched horses at CDI tracks in an identical fashion to Benson–in other words, he looked only for horses that were scratched for lameness the day of the race. As at Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park, Farmer's numbers show that a significant number of scratched horses never race or work again. They also take much longer than is typically the case to race again and to return to the work tab (using Benson's cohort group as a useful comparison). The State of Kentucky George Mundy is the interim equine medical director of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. Like others, he was mighty curious about what race-day scratches can tell us, and so, ran his own numbers. In one intriguing set of numbers, Mundy used data from HISA's “RegVet-Unsound” designation, which was introduced nationwide in July 2022. His analysis comprises an unnamed Kentucky track and Emerald Downs in Washington State. According to Mundy's statistical breakdown, the lameness veterinary scratches that show the quickest race return-rate are (in order of best to worst) the post parade scratch, then the morning exam, followed by the voided claim (where the claim is voided for lameness), and finally the after-race lameness exam. This sequence mirrors the 2022 findings out of Washington State. Looking once again at the unnamed Kentucky track in 2023 and 2024, 33% and 60% of the horses whose claims were voided for lameness didn't return to race within six months. In Washington State in 2022, 69% of the voided claim horses did not race within six months. It should be noted, however, that the overall numbers of voided claim horses were not large–seven and ten in Kentucky, and 16 in Washington State. Florida Mary Scollay was equine medical director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission when she ran ten years worth of vet scratch data out of Florida–Calder and Gulfstream Park to be exact, between 2000 and 2010. Like the others, Scollay looked specifically at horses scratched solely for lameness in the pre-race exam, the post parade or at the gate. As a means of comparison with the scratched horses, Scollay randomly selected two horses from each race the scratched horses intended to start in. We'll call them once again the cohort group. And once again, a significantly higher number of scratched horses never made it back to the races compared to the cohort group. For those that did race again, the scratched group also took far longer than the cohort group to return to competition. New York Racing Association Which bring us to 2018, with numbers that former NYRA steward Jennifer Durenberger ran. Once again, they comprise horses scratched for lameness on the day of the race. The information is broken into morning and afternoon scratches. It appears to match Mundy's findings in that horses scratched on a morning tend to find a slightly tougher route back to the races than horses scratched of an afternoon. Of the 125 morning scratches during that period, 18% never ran again. Of those that did compete again, 10% were either vanned off or returned lame when they next ran, while 34% had a six month or more layoff. The average return-to-race time was 89 days. Of the 51 afternoon scratches during that period, 16% never ran again. Of those that did compete again, 9% were either vanned off or returned lame when they next ran, while 33% had a six month or more layoff. The average return-to-race time was 94 days. The post In Numbers: Scratched Horses Significantly More Likely To Need Extended Rest appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Recently pensioned stallion Acclamation (GB) died over the weekend, Rathbarry Stud posted on X. The son of Royal Applause (GB) was 25. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Acclamation this weekend,” the stud said on X. “He leaves behind a legacy as a true legend of the Irish stallion ranks. He will be deeply missed by all at Rathbarry Stud but never forgotten.” The sire of successful stallions Dark Angel (Ire) and Mehmas (Ire) was a Group 2 winner himself. At stud, he has sired 68 stakes winners (32 group winners). Of his seven Group 1 winners, his best are current Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior (Ire) and Makarova (GB), who won the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye this autumn. His daughters are credited with 38 stakes winners (19 group) led by Group 1 winners Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Eqtidaar (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The post ‘A True Legend’–Rathbarry’s Acclamation Dies At 25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two-time Eclipse champion sprinter Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) will be covered by MGISW Seize the Grey (Arrogate) this upcoming breeding season. The announcement was made by Resolute Racing's John Stewart on the social media site X Sunday evening. Goodnight Olive, who won her final start in 2023 in the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, sold to Resolute for $6,000,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Night of the Stars sale shortly after. She was bred to Not This Time for her first cover due early next year. Seize the Grey retired to Gainesway last month with wins in the GI Preakness Stakes and the GI Pennsylvania Derby for MyRacehorse and trainer D. Wayne Lukas. He will stand his inaugural season at stud for a fee of $30,000. Responding to comments on the announcement, Stewart noted that he wanted to get access to the late Arrogate and that “Seize the Grey will be more valuable as a stallion. We need more Arrogate in our pedigrees.” He also noted that, while Into Mischief was a popular choice, “I am a big believer in the data for breeding and [Seize the Grey] stacks up strong for her.” The post Goodnight Olive To Visit Preakness Winner Seize The Grey For 2025 Cover appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Michael Shiffman has been appointed Senior Vice President and Executive Producer for FanDuel TV, the company announced Monday. In this role, Shiffman will report to President of Sports Mike Raffensperger and be responsible for leading the creative and operational direction of FanDuel TV's sports and racing programming, overseeing all aspects of production and content strategy, and ensuring the delivery of innovative and engaging content for a diverse audience of sports and horse racing fans. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael to FanDuel,” said FanDuel's President of Sports Mike Raffensperger. “Throughout his career, he has led countless high-profile productions for the industry's most distinguished shows, programming and live events. His invaluable experience and keen expertise were the perfect fit to maintain FanDuel TV's continued growth and elevate the network's opportunities as a leading player in sports betting media.” Shiffman joins FanDuel from ESPN, where he served as Senior Vice President of Production and was responsible for orchestrating the editorial vision, planning, and budget for a variety of live-game and studio productions. In addition, he directed multi-channel strategies to ensure the planning and creation of engaging content across platforms to maximize audience results and oversaw ESPN's digital content. During his 24-year career at ESPN, Shiffman regularly led marquee studio shows including SportsCenter, College GameDay Basketball, NFL Primetime, NBA Countdown, and The Jump and oversaw productions around marquee live events such as the NBA Finals, WNBA Finals, NCAA Women's National Championship Game, the NBA bubble in Orlando, NBA and WNBA Drafts. A four-time Sports Emmy Award-winning producer, Shiffman earned a degree in broadcast journalism at Miami (Ohio) University. He is a passionate New York sports fan with allegiances to the Knicks, Giants and Mets, but most of all, appreciates any team or athlete whose accomplishments make great content that resonates with fans. The post Michael Shiffman Named Senior VP And Executive Producer For FanDuel TV appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the second year in a row, jockey Juan Hernandez has won both the summer and fall riding titles at Del Mar. However, unlike past title runs, he had to rally from behind late in the season to win the Bing Crosby Season title with 21 wins. Hernandez trailed both Antonio Fresu and Umberto Rispoli through much of the fall. But he got hot in the second-to-last week, winning five races and grabbing the lead. He then secured the title with another eight victories in the final week including five on closing day. “I'm very grateful to everybody,” said Hernandez. “I want to thank the owners, the trainers and the grooms. My agent (Craig O'Bryan), he's the one who picks the right horses. I just enjoy riding my horses. I try to do my best in every race. This is for my family here and in Mexico. I'm just excited and looking forward to the next meet.” Hernandez now has won six jockey titles at Del Mar. Rispoli finished with 15 wins while Fresu had 14. Trainer Mark Glatt notched his first Del Mar trainer's title this meet by winning 14 races, five better than runner-up and defending champion Phil D'Amato. Glatt ran horses in 32 races, about half of what D'Amato came with, and posted a 44% win rate. Glatt's title at Del Mar follows his first ever training title at Santa Anita at last year's Autumn meet. Augustin Stables won the owner's title with five wins. Hronis Racing and Nick Alexander were next with four. Godolphin, by way of their success in the Breeders' Cup, won the earnings title with over $4.5 million. The post Hernandez Continues Atop Del Mar Riding Standings, Glatt Top Trainer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the Kentucky Derby still 23 weeks away, the pari-mutuel field of “All Other Colts and Geldings from the 2022 Foal Crop” closed as the 9-5 favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and recent debut winner Barnes (Into Mischief), from the barn of six-time Derby winner Bob Baffert, was the 13-1 second choice. Other horses who attracted interest from bettors include: GI Breeders' Futurity winner East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) (15-1); GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) (16-1); GIII Street Sense winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) (19-1); GI Hopeful and GI Champagne winner Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) (21-1); GI Del Mar Futurity winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Gaming (Game Winner) (21-1); and recent 'TDN Rising Star' Patch Adams (Into Mischief) (22-1). Total handle for the Nov. 28-Dec. 1 KDFW pool–the second of six scheduled wagering pools in advance of the Kentucky Derby–was $289,340 ($230,825 in the Win pool and $58,515 in Exactas), a 39.9% increase from last year's $206,800 ($163,037 in the Win pool and $43,763 in Exactas). This year's early Derby betting menu also included the Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager. “All Other Sires” at 9-2 and Into Mischief at 5-1 attracted the most attention from bettors. Total betting on the Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager was $48,890 ($35,080 in the Win pool and $13,810 in the Exactas), off 53% from last year's $104,112 ($77,417 in the Win pool and $26,695 in the Exactas). However, the KDFW Pool 2 and Sire Future Wager combined to handle $338,230, up 8.8% from last year's $310,912. Upcoming Future Wager dates are set for Jan. 17-19 (Pool 3); Feb. 14-16 (Pool 4); March 14-16 (Pool 5) and April 3-5 (Pool 6). Pool 5 will include the Longines Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. The post ‘All Others’ 9-5 Favorite, Newcomer Barnes 13-1 At Conclusion Of Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER View the full article

Sprinters Stakes winner heads group of internationals at Sha Tin trackwork on Monday morning.View the full article

What Taree Races Where Manning Valley Race Club – Racecourse Dr, Taree NSW 2430 When Tuesday, December 3, 2024 First Race 1:50pm AEDT Visit Dabble Manning Valley Race Club is the destination for country racing in NSW on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive seven-part program set for decision. The rail moves out +2m the entire circuit, and with the surface rated a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances along with predicted rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, punters can expect that rating to hold true on race-day morning. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 1:50pm local time. Best Bet at Taree: Etude Etude was well-supported with horse racing bookmakers debuting at Muswellbrook on June 17, justifying the short price to score by a length before being sent to paddock. The Kris Lees-trained filly won a recent barrier trial at Hawkesbury on November 14 to prepare for this first-up assignment, and with Christian Reith likely to dictate terms from barrier two, punters can expect Etude to take this race by the scruff of the neck and remain undefeated. Best Bet Race 5 – #7 Etude (2) 3yo Filly | T: Kris Lees | J: Christian Reith (55.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Taree: Calido Magic The Karen Owen-trained Calido Magic caught the eye first-up at Port Macquarie November 14, sustaining a tough three-wide run to get within a length of Mizella. She’ll strip fitter for that effort after returning from a 119-day spell, and with Madeline Owen likely to lob into a handier position from stall six, Calido Magic can make amends with even luck second-up. Next Best Race 4 – #2 Calido Magic (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Karen Owen | J: Madeline Owen (58.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Taree: Ostracised Ostracised represents terrific each-way value with Picklebet as he gets set to peak fourth-up in the campaign. The son of Divine Prophet has been taking steady improvement with every start this preparation, with the six-year-old finding the minor money in back-to-back starts. The 1258m at Taree looks ideal, and with the sting out of the ground no issue for Ostracised, punters can expect this guy to be flashing home to finish best at a big price. Best Value Race 2 – #1 Ostracised (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Donna Grisedale | J: Siena Grima (a2kg) (63kg) Bet with Picklebet Tuesday quaddie tips for Taree Taree quadrella selections December 3, 2024 2-3 2-7 2-3-4-5-7 1-3-5-6-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Rider joins forces with Caspar Fownes as he partners Jumbo Legend in the third leg of the HK$1.5 million contest.View the full article

One Australian star is confident after being assigned quality mounts, while another plays down his claims in prestigious contest.View the full article

Sarah Devcich was full of pride witnessing a filly she bred and part-owns in Hitabell win last Saturday’s Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui. At her fourth raceday start, Hitabell was due a change in fortune after a luckless run at Ellerslie behind Costae, and jockey Courtney Barnes took luck out of the equation in the feature, leading from the outset to score over race-favourite Celestial Wonder. Devcich, who owns and operates Henley Park alongside her husband Marc, was delighted with the result, praising the efforts of Hitabell’s trainer Stephen Marsh. “It was very exciting, she’s such a lovely filly and is almost a part of the family,” she said. “She’s very electric out of the gates and Courtney rode her amazingly well, getting her to the front and it all played out perfectly, when the horses came up to attack, she went again. I was very proud. “To see her do what she did on Saturday, it was just amazing, and full credit to Stephen and the Marsh Racing team. They picked this race out for her, they decided to aim for the three-year-old races up here instead of going south for the (Gr.1 New Zealand 1000) Guineas, and it’s paid off.” Devcich had offered Hitabell on the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Online Yearling Sale where she was purchased by Dylan Johnson Bloodstock and Marsh for $9,500, while remaining in the ownership herself. “I wanted to keep some of her, but I had a few horses racing in work, so it was nice to put it out there and have a couple of friends race her with us, and then another client of Marsh Racing,” she said. “We’ve got to know these people and it’s been a fun journey, a few of them are from the South Island as well. “She’s really easy, very intelligent and always wants to please. We gave her a yearling prep even though we didn’t sell her at the sales, we had her as a friend for another filly we took to Australia. The breakers loved her and the Marsh stable have loved her all the way through, I think she’s one of the favourites in there. “She’s come here to the paddock here for a week and as soon as she got off the float, she knew where she was and was very relaxed. “I’m just rapt with her, she’s come a long way in a short time and she’s so professional, she’s like an older-minded horse in a young body. Hopefully, she can continue. “All going well, we hope to get her to the Eight Carat (Gr.2, 1600m) next.” Devcich had purchased Hitabell’s dam Anahita in-foal to the filly for $1,000 through gavelhouse.com, with the resulting offspring impressing the pair enough to return to Cambridge Stud’s resident sire the following season. “I purchased her off gavelhouse in foal, Embellish was a nice stallion that we really liked and we sent the mare back to him because we really liked the style he’d left in this filly (Hitabell),” she said. “He had just gone to stud and my husband was working at Cambridge Stud at the time, so we thought it was a good option for her. “The Stravinsky mare (Anahita) was from a family that we had raced previously and we didn’t have much of the family left, so when she came up for sale, she was a good option. “We retained her next foal but then Marsh Racing purchased her from us as well. At this stage we don’t have a share in her, but that might change.” Anahita has since passed away, and her remaining progeny, a two-year-old full-sister to Hitabell, is named Annie Bling. While enjoying the spoils of owning a stakes-winning filly, the Devcich’s have a busy couple of months ahead, preparing nine yearlings for the 2025 Karaka Yearling Sales, kicking off on January 26. Of their draft, Devcich is particularly excited about Lot 156, a filly by Hello Youmzain, and Lot 209, a Contributer colt closely related to Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) winner Lion’s Roar. “We have a lovely Hello Youmzain filly that is very forward, she looks like she’ll get up early and run,” Devcich said. “We have a really nice Contributer colt who has pleased us from day one, he loves his work and is a great type from a good family. “The whole draft is really nice, but those two are my pick at this stage.” View the full article

A new face will launch her New Zealand riding career this week, with apprentice Nichola Yuen set to ride at the Pukekohe trials on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s meeting at Ellerslie. The 24-year-old recently arrived in New Zealand to further her experience with the long-term aim of gaining a licence in Hong Kong. Yuen is under the wing of former champion jockey Leith Innes, who last year took over the reins at the New Zealand Equine Academy. The Skill NZ NZQA Level 2 course runs out of Byerley Park in Kingseat while the Level 3 and Apprentice Jockey Academy, powered by Entain, operates out of the satellite campus in Cambridge. Yuen’s trial rides on Tuesday will include outings for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, Kylie Hoskin and Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley. “At this stage, it looks like she might have a couple of raceday rides on Saturday at Ellerslie, all going well,” Innes said. “She’s already getting quite good support for the short time she’s been here, and she can ride at 51.5kg.” Yuen moved from Hong Kong to South Australia in 2021 and was attached to the stable of Gary Searle, who trains with wife Nichole and daughter Brittany Callanan. “She has got her New Zealand licence and can claim 2kg, she’s ridden 61 winners in South Australia and had about 700 rides there,” Innes said. “I will be looking after her and she’s got a three-month licence to ride here with the option of a further three-month renewal after that. “All going well, she’ll then hopefully get a licence to ride in Hong Kong, to get a licence there is a pretty big feat.” Yuen arrived in New Zealand at the beginning of last week and has settled in well. “She is currently based at Byerley Park and doing work for Grant Cooksley, Barbara Kennedy, Kylie Hoskin and Donna Logan,” Innes said. “She’ll be there for the next few weeks and then we’ll maybe put her out in the Cambridge or Matamata areas.” Innes will act as Yuen’s agent during her New Zealand tenure, and he can be contacted on 021 798 881. View the full article

Riverton trainer Ebony Turner kicked off summer in perfect fashion when scoring her first quinella at Cromwell on Sunday. Turner was quietly confident heading into the Property Brokers – Ray Kean Rating 65 (2030m) with her two contenders, Caffeinated and Three Ninety, although punters didn’t share her enthusiasm, with her representatives paying $36 and $17.60 on the tote respectively. Three Ninety jumped well and was taken straight to the lead by jockey Yogesh Atchamah before quickly handing up to Sunset Express, while Caffeinated was caught three wide for the first half of the journey, finally making the front at the 1000m mark. Reelrose headed Caffeinated at the 800m, but the Riverton mare recaptured the lead when turning for home and quickly kicked clear by a couple of lengths. Lily Of The Valley looked to be her only worry until Atchamah was able to get Three Ninety into the clear and she was able to close late to get within 2-1/2 lengths of her stablemate, with 1-1/2 lengths back to Lily Of The Valley in third. Turner was duly rapt with the result. “I was so thrilled, it was amazing,” she said. “Off Caffeinated’s track work I was pretty confident that she would be hard to beat. My only question mark were her races leading into yesterday, which were pretty disappointing. “When Three Ninety got in off the ballot I was saying to my partner that if anyone was a threat to her (Caffeinated) it would be Three Ninety off her run on Friday, where she got held up, couldn’t get clear air and was storming down the outside.” While she was confident heading into the race, Turner admitted to being concerned when Caffeinated was caught three-wide, but she knew her staying prowess would hold her in good stead. “I was pretty nervous when I saw Caffeinated three-wide down the straight,” she said. “But the more ground we get her over, the better we are going to see from her, so I thought if she technically ended up going 2100m because she had that wide trip, I didn’t think it was going to knock her around. “With Three Ninety, Yogesh settled her beautifully and all I wanted was for him to get her in clear air early because she is just such an unlucky horse. It was good to see him ride her really nicely. “It’s awesome to get the treats on the feature day.” Sunday’s result capped an enjoyable weekend away for Turner, who was able to enjoy some downtime in the holiday destination. “On Saturday we went up to Lake Tekapo, which was really cool. We had a nice wee holiday between successes,” she said. Turner is now looking forward to racing over the summer months, and is particularly excited about the prospects of Caffeinated and Monte Civetta. “I am really looking forward to Caffeinated on those Good tracks, I think she is going to be really fun this summer,” she said. “Another one I am really looking forward to is Monte Civetta, I reckon she is going to be a lot of fun over those 2400m-2600m trips. I am excited for the summer with those two.” View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, December 4, 2024 First Race 6:30pm HKT (9:30pm AEDT) Visit Dabble 12 of the world’s best jockeys converge on Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday evening, with a bumper nine-race program lined up for the International Jockeys’ Championship. Races four, five, seven and eight are allocated as scoring races in the chase to claim top honours, with James McDonald, Hugh Bowman and Rachel King representing Australia, while Ryan Moore, Yuga Kawada and Zac Purton are just some of the other names set to do battle. The rail is in the A course for the meeting, and with a genuine Good 4 surface expected on Wednesday, the track should play evenly throughout the night. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 6:30pm local time. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Masterofmyuniverse Masterofmyuniverse was ultra-impressive without winning on debut at this course and distance on November 13 and should’ve claimed victory with even luck. The son of Havana Gold was baulked for a run at a crucial stage before Zac Purton navigated a passage to get within a nose of Street Conqueror. He gets a swing in the weights on that key rival, and although barrier 11 could prove tricky to overcome, Masterofmyuniverse should still prove too classy for this lot. Best Bet Race 6 – #4 Masterofmyuniverse (11) 4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (59kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Happy Valley: Circuit Seven Circuit Seven has been building to a peak performance and gets the ideal setup in this Class 4 contest. The seven-year-old was coming with a withering burst at Happy Valley last time out, but simply had too much to do when being dragged back from barrier 11. He draws gate three this time around, and with Colin Keane set to be positive and hold the one-one, Circuit Seven should get every chance to finish off best at a good price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 4 – #8 Circuit Seven (3) 7yo Gelding | T: Cody Mo | J: Colin Keane (56kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Happy Valley: Corleone The Caspar Fownes-trained Corleone had no luck in his latest effort at Sha Tin on November 3, held up for the entire straight when trying to get clear under Hugh Bowman. The Dundeel gelding was never fully tested and appears set to peak third-up in the campaign, and provided he can gain an economical run from barrier seven, expect Corleone to give a good account of himself at a good price with horse racing bookmakers as he takes on Happy Valley for the first time. Best Value Race 3 – #4 Corleone (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Hugh Bowman (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections December 4, 2024 3-4-5-10 5-6-8-9-10-11 2-3-4-5-9 3-5-6-8 Horse racing tips View the full article

Vincent Ho kicks off a three-timer. Photo: HKJC Vincent Ho completed preparations for his defence of the International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night with a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday – a haul matched by Hugh Bowman and Mark Newnham. Four days after becoming only the 11th jockey to ride 600 or more winners in Hong Kong, Ho struck aboard The Boom Box, Vulcanus and Healthy Healthy – who successfully backed up for Pierre Ng after providing Ho’s milestone victory last Wednesday. Restricted to swimming and trotting exercises since his midweek victory, Healthy Healthy posted his fifth win from 22 starts to seal Ho’s treble. “He was actually a bit fresh, that’s why he pinged the gate and was up there on the speed,” Ho said. “He has rarely raced at Sha Tin, so I think he really enjoyed the change of environment. “It’s exciting to be involved in the (International) Jockeys’ Championship, but I just take it race by race and see what happens.” The first homegrown Hong Kong jockey to win the IJC, Ho will be joined in Wednesday’s four-race series by Zac Purton, Bowman, Karis Teetan, James McDonald, Ryan Moore, Hollie Doyle, Rachel King, Yuga Kawada, Colin Keane, Mickael Barzalona and William Buick. Ho guided Chris So’s first-starter The Boom Box to success, advanced to a race-to-race double aboard Me Tsui-trained Vulcanus and then prevailed on Healthy Healthy. With 20 wins for the season, Ho trails only Purton (44) and Bowman (24), who also shone today atop Reliable Profit, Talents Ambition and Dragon Joy. “It’s just nice for the horses to be running well, winning is good,” Bowman, fresh from a Happy Valley double on Wednesday night, said. “It had been a frustrating month but, in saying that, there was only two or three meetings where I really went home thinking ‘what’s wrong?’ “The other times, even if I wasn’t riding winners, I was riding placings. The IJC is going to be more determined by the horses that are drawn – I know I can do the job if I’m on the right horses.” Newnham vaulted into second place in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship behind Ng with a treble. Taking his tally to 20 wins to move within three wins of Ng (22), Newnham struck with Sing Dragon, Talents Ambition and My Wish under Luke Ferraris. “That’s a little bit surreal. One thing that has been really consistent from day one of the season is that our horses have raced well every week,” Newnham said of his stable’s rise to second in the championship. “We haven’t hit any real slumps yet and naturally with the ratings system that will happen at some stage. But we still have some unexposed horses and hopefully they fill the gaps when the others have found their level. “We came with not a lot of runners (today), but we did have genuine chances all day and it couldn’t have gone better.” Newnham is considering a tilt at the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) with My Wish on January 31. “He’s getting up there to a rating which would suggest that’s a good target for him. He’s still got to show he can run a mile, but with the way he settled today there’s no reason not to try it,” the Australian said. Sing Dragon continued to excel on Sha Tin dirt. Ridden brilliantly by Matthew Chadwick, the gelding made it four wins from five starts on the All Weather. Formerly known as Operative when trained by Chris Waller, Sing Dragon was the first leg of a race-to-race double for Newnham before Talents Ambition landed the Class 3 Mody Handicap (1650m, dirt) under Bowman. Reliable Profit continued his searing All Weather form with a dogged victory for Danny Shum and Bowman. A Hong Kong International Sale graduate, Reliable Profit was winless in his first 13 starts, but has hit form with a vengeance. Bowman completed his spree atop Dragon Joy in the Class 4 Nathan Handicap (1400m) for Ricky Yiu. Purton and David Hayes combined to win on Precision Goal, whose head margin denied French jockey Alexis Pouchin a perfect start to his short-term Hong Kong riding stint. “He (Precision Goal) did a good job. At the 600m, Zac thought he was going to win by four lengths. At the 200m, he thought he was going to get beaten by a neck,” Hayes said. Aca Power notched his fourth course and distance win for David Hall and Alexis Badel. “He’s very consistent and he loves this surface,” Hall said of the eight-year-old, who took his Hong Kong earnings to beyond HK$4.5 million with his fifth win from 44 starts. By Zoffany, the veteran won twice and was placed twice when he raced in Australia as Keen Power for trainer Matthew Dunn. Horse racing news View the full article

Attrition. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Ballarat-based trainer Mitchell Freedman has travelled to Perth to oversee the final preparations for his Group 1 winner, Attrition, as the gelding targets a second elite-level victory in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot this Saturday. The son of Churchill, who claimed the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill in October, last raced at the same track in the Listed Five Diamonds (1800m), finishing fourth behind Pericles last month. “He’s settled in really well,” Freedman said. “He just seems to have thrived on travel the whole prep. He’s done a few trips now, but it doesn’t seem to have affected him.” Attrition is scheduled for a final gallop on Tuesday after completing a 1000-metre trial at Belmont last week. “It was a fast horse’s jump-out, and he was actually very good, albeit beaten a few lengths by what some people would consider below his standard,” Freedman noted of the trial, where Attrition finished fourth of four runners. “He is looking for 1800 or 2000 metres. He has got the freshness out of his legs, but his sectionals were very good, and the way he came through it, it was the right thing to do.” Beau Mertens, who guided Attrition to victory in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield last year and in the Hill Stakes, will again take the reins on Saturday. Horse racing news View the full article

"All Other Colts and Geldings from the 2022 Foal Crop" closed as the 9-5 favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and recent debut winner Barnes was the 13-1 second choice.View the full article

Globe. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) After clinching the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) in his latest outing, Globe will aim for back-to-back country cup victories when he lines up for the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday. The six-year-old gelding will be stepping up to 2000 metres for the first time, a distance his co-trainer Mick Price believes he will excel over in the future. “I think 2000 metres for him won’t be a drama – that’s a good way for him to finish his spring campaign,” Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, told Racing.com. “He will have done a good job this campaign and we can reset for the autumn, and that could be Sydney and Melbourne. “I’m pretty confident he’ll get 2000 metres, but he’s going from 1600 metres in two weeks. If he gets grabbed late, so be it.” A five-time winner from just nine career starts, Globe has already proven himself over a slightly longer trip, winning both of his two starts over 1800 metres. Despite his potential, Price is in no rush to push the gelding into the Group 1 ranks too soon. “I’m not in a big hurry to throw him into a Group 1,” Price said. “I enjoy winning with him. He will run in black type races and down the track could end up in a Group 1. He missed a lot of racing due to problems, but he’s been given the chance to mature.” Connections had considered backing up Globe in last Saturday’s Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield but ultimately decided the larger Ballarat circuit would suit him better. Horse racing news View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Former top Kiwi horseman Brent Lilley thinks he can do his part to give this NSW Inter Dominion some serious New Zealand flavour. An untimely setback to Mark Jones’ emerging pacer Tact McLeod robbed the Kiwis of an actual runner in this Inter Dominion, but Queen Elida has very strong ties across the ditch. The star six-year-old mare was bred in NZ by “Boof” McKenzie and is still owned by him, Tony Barron and their families. Throw in the Lilley connection and there’s lots of Kiwi about Queen Elida. “We thought going into the series she was one of the main hopes and that’s certainly how it looks now after her win at Newcastle (last Friday),” Lilley said. “We were pretty happy to see Just Believe stay in NZ. We’ve chased him home in the past two (Inter Dominion) finals and he’s just too good. He sits outside them and does his thing. “But with him not here, our mare has shown time and time again she’s as good as anything else.” Crucially, Lilley said Queen Elida’s feet, which have given her plenty of trouble at times, were “perfect” for this series. “Last year in Brisbane she jarred-up a track at Albion Park which had a loose surface, but was really hard underneath on night one and it was a bit of a battle with her from then on,” Lilley said. “She got a bit better as it went on, but we never had her 100 percent. “It’s different this time. We did have a few little issues when she pulled a shoe going to Maryborough a few weeks back, but she seems perfect again now. “It was great to see her come out and go so well the other night. “She’s drawn well again at Bathurst (Wednesday night, gate four), so hopefully she can jump on the bunny and win again.” Despite cruising home at Newcastle last Friday night, Queen Elida’s 1min57.5sec mile rate for 2030m was much quicker than the 2min0.7sec The Locomotive ran in the other trotting heat. “That’s the mare I love,” driver Chris Alford said. “She began quickly and did it so easily. She felt great.” Alford has won two Inter Dominion pacing finals – Golden Reign (1995) and Lennytheshark (2015) – but is yet to land a trotting final. The best results from his 13 trotting finals drives have been thirds on Queen Elida in the past two finals behind Just Believe. Alford is also a key player in the pacing series, courtesy Isabel Walsh’s former Kiwi pacer Cantfindabettorman, who brilliantly won his opening round heat at Newcastle. The strongest Kiwi flavour in the pacing series is through the largely Kiwi-owned Minstrel for WA team Greg and Skye Bond and driver Deni Roberts. The rising eight-year-old is $3.50 outright favourite for the final after toying with his rivals at Newcastle. Despite drawing wide (gate eight) at Bathurst, Minstrel still dominates betting at $1.35. View the full article

By Mike Love Multiple Group 1 winner Oscar Bonavena turned record-breaker at Methven yesterday. The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained eight-year-old inched ever closer to $1m in stakes earnings with a record third win in the Woodlands Stud Green Mile around the Mt Harding circuit. Blair Orange speared Oscar Bonavena to the lead with arch rival Muscle Mountain sitting parked. Turning for home Oscar Bonavena had a decisive break before Muscle Mountain made his move, cutting the buffer to just half a head at the line. Oscar Bonavena’s winning time of 1:57.59 was a new track record for the trotters over 1609m, beating Everybody Knows’ record (1:58.4) set in 2017. It was substantially quicker than his winning time last year (2:01.00). “He never really settled when he found the front,” winning driver Blair Orange told Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong post race, “but when I needed to ask him for an effort he knuckled down. It was a game effort.” The Green Mile has been an annual fixture on the grass at Methven since 2010 with Oscar Bonavena being the only horse to have won it three times. The 2023 Trotter of the Year has been in brilliant form of late, following up his third in the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot, with an upset victory over superstar Australian Just Believe in the Livamol New Zealand Trotting Free For All on Show Day at Addington. Oscar Bonavena has now won 28 races from 73 starts, with $965,558 in stakes.. His time mirrored that of Better Eclipse and his driver Greg Sugars in the Methven 4 Square Supermarket Green Mile for the pacers. After sitting parked for the majority of the trip the Australian visitors wore down One Change to win by half a length in 1:57.5. “I was lucky enough to come here and drive earlier in the year but didn’t get a win so very happy to get a win on the board,” said Sugars. Better Eclipse will now head to Auckland for the Franklin Cup and then try to defend the Auckland Cup crown he won last year. Methven Trotting Club president Michael Heenan was very happy with how the meeting went, both on and off track. “It was a terrific day. There were people everywhere with caravans, barbecues and the like,” said Heenan. Adding to the day his own horse Shard De Arch was second in the last of the day, the Bayleys Ashburton Mobile Pace. “We were really happy with her,” says Heenan, “she’s a very promising horse and may be the best I’ve had! She will hopefully just keep getting better.” The Methven Trotting Club races next on January 26. View the full article

Cohen formed a partnership group called Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners, which currently has about 17 horses in training. View the full article

Victory came like clockwork for Mrs. Fitriani Hay's Clock Tower Dec. 1 at Del Mar as the 2-year-old Not This Time gelding went gate-to-wire in the $101,000 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes (G3T).View the full article

SACRED WISH (f, 4, Not This Time–Indian Wish, by Indian Charlie) denied the late charge of favorite Gina Romantica (Into Mischief) to win Del Mar's closing day feature, the GI Matriarch Stakes. The speedy A G Bullet (Twirling Candy) went ahead to set the expected pace from the rail with 12-1 shot Sacred Wish poised just behind her at the fence and the favorite another length back as they raced in pairs up the backstretch through a half in :47.57. With the first jump and a ground-saving move off the far turn, the George Weaver runner put away the pacesetter along the rail and found just enough to stay ahead as Gina Romantica charged at her from the outside in a driving finish. Sunday, Del Mar MATRIARCH S.-GI, $303,000, Del Mar, 12-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:34.76, fm. 1–SACRED WISH, 123, f, 4, by Not This Time 1st Dam: Indian Wish, by Indian Charlie 2nd Dam: Sister Girl, by Conquistador Cielo 3rd Dam: Scipio, by Danzig 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($80,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $70,000 RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP; $50,000 2yo '22 EASMAY). O-Black Type Thoroughbreds, Swinbank Stables, Steve Adkisson, Christopher T. Dunn and Anthony Spinazzola; B-John R. Penn (KY); T-George Weaver; J-John R. Velazquez. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 17-4-6-3, $985,138. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Gina Romantica, 123, m, 5, by Into Mischief 1st Dam: Special Me, by Unbridled's Song 2nd Dam: Delta Danielle, by Lord Avie 3rd Dam: Domasco Danielle, by Same Direction ($1,025,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Peter M. Brant; B-Machmer Hall, Carrie Brogden & Craig Brogden (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. 60,000. 3–Ag Bullet, 123, f, 4, by Twirling Candy 1st Dam: Noble Grey, by Forestry 2nd Dam: Never Fail, by Holy Bull 3rd Dam: Peaceful Intention, by Hold Your Peace ($30,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $220,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Calvin Nguyen and Joey C. Tran; B-H & E Ranch (KY); T-Richard Baltas. $36,000. Margins: NK, 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 12.80, 1.30, 3.00. Also Ran: Tax Implications (GB), Aspen Grove (Ire), Child of the Moon (Fr), Mouffy, Nadette (Fr), Aussie Girl (Ire), Prerequisite, Tirupati. Scratched: Kehoe Beach. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Down to the liiiiiine. Sacred Wish storms to victory in the Grade I Matriarch. pic.twitter.com/p0bQvcC7nl — Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) December 1, 2024 The post Sacred Wish Denies Gina Romantica In Matriarch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fitriani Hay's Clock Tower (Not This Time), the 4-5 favorite, glided up and over from his outside post to take the early lead and never looked back in a wire-to-wire victory in the GIII Cecil B. DeMille Stakes at Del Mar Sunday. The dark bay gelding was in control through an opening quarter in :23.62 and was under a strong hold while getting a breather down the backstretch as the half went up in :48.75. Second choice Scipio (Caravaggio) made eye-catching progress on the turn and loomed a threat while rolling up four wide at the top of the lane, but Clock Tower had plenty left in the tank, easily turning back that foe and scampering clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Clock Tower, third in his five-furlong debut over the main track at Churchill May 24, set the pace before settling for second in a one-mile off-turfer at Saratoga Aug. 10. He romped to a 6 1/2-length maiden victory while making his turf debut going one mile at Kentucky Downs Aug. 29 and set the pace before tiring to third in the 1 1/16-mile GII Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 6 last time out. Pedigree Notes: Clock Tower is the 18th graded winner for Not This Time, whose other graded winners on turf include champion Up to the Mark and Cogburn. Hot Stones, winner of the 2014 GIII Bed o' Roses Handicap, was purchased by Clarkland Farm for $250,000 while in foal to Tonalist at the 2016 Keeneland November sale. She has a yearling filly by Authentic, who sold for $80,000 to Barry Berkelhammer at the Keeneland September sale, and a weanling colt by Nyquist. She was bred to Omaha Beach this year. Pouring it on! Clock Tower left plenty in the tank to pull away in the Grade III Cecil B DeMille Stakes with @ljlmvel up. pic.twitter.com/a8wS4u36X6 — Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) December 1, 2024 Sunday, Del Mar CECIL B. DEMILLE S.-GIII, $101,000, Del Mar, 12-1, 2yo, 1mT, 1:36.78, fm. 1–CLOCK TOWER, 120, g, 2, by Not This Time 1st Dam: Hot Stones (GSW, $521,356), by Bustin Stones 2nd Dam: Steamed Up, by Freud 3rd Dam: Midnight Tank, by Tank's Prospect 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($100,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Mrs. Fitriani Hay; B-Clarkland Farm LLC (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward; J-John R. Velazquez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-2, $225,938. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Scipio, 120, r, 2, Caravaggio–Soul Spirit, by Quality Road. ($60,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-Calvin Nguyen and Joey C. Tran; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Richard Baltas. $20,000. 3–Origami (Ire), 117, f, 2, Sioux Nation–Saiddaa, by Hard Spun. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. (€10,500 Wlg '22 GOFNO1; €85,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR2). O-JWS Racing LLC, Jeff Berk, David Grund and Amanda E. Oster; B-Myles Sunderland (IRE); T-Jack Sisterson. $12,000. Margins: 2HF, 1 1/4, NO. Odds: 0.90, 1.60, 6.70. Also Ran: Game Warrior, Snowdonia, Prince Dolce, Lazlo. Scratched: Kale's Angel, Pali Kitten. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post All Along: Clock Tower Goes Wire-to-Wire in DeMille appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article