Wandering Eyes

Pukekohe’s Wednesday meeting marked the end of an era for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, as Ross Coles, a treasured figure in the industry, retired after 60 years as Clerk of the Course. Coles couldn’t have scripted his final day in the role, but despite a few theatrics, it was just another day at the office, and he didn’t have any last-minute reservations about retirement. “You take it as it comes, yesterday had it all, with young Sam McNab having his first winner,” he said. “I listen to George (Simon, commentator) very carefully when he says the winner, because we can’t judge it from where we sit. He said it was tight, but looking at the monitor, Muscovado has got up. “So I said to Sam, you’ve won your first race, we trotted in and I told him where to salute, only to find out when we got to the stables that they’d called it the other way. And, after all that, it was turned over in the judicial room. “I made my mind up about 12 months ago that I was retiring, so I didn’t have any drama with wanting to come back or anything of that nature. “I got out of the saddle yesterday, gave the horse a pat, and said ‘thanks mate, that’s us’.” Coles was just 14 years old when he put on the red coat for the first time, following in the footsteps of his father Ray Coles, who was Chief Clerk of the Course at Ellerslie for over three decades. “I went to Avondale to fill in for someone that was sick in 1963, I was 14 at the time,” he said. “My mother made me a red coat in three days because I was so small and no one had a coat that would fit me. I was tiny, and I’m still not very big now, but I thought, ‘I can ride a horse, I can do that’. “My father had been clerk of the course at Ellerslie since 1953, so I suppose it was a natural progression that once I was strong enough to handle it that I would be available. I didn’t think about whether it was an honour or a possible career, I just filled in for the day and it grew from there. “I became one of the three that clerked in those days, and in 1983 I took over as the boss at Ellerslie. I was already working Pukekohe and Avondale at the time.” While fulfilling his role as clerk of the course, Coles’ presence was felt across New Zealand equestrian sport, firstly as a national show jumping representative in 1972, and later, Chef d’Equipe and team manager for various Olympic and World Championship teams. Coles also tried his hand in raceday riding, which would offer an invaluable insight into how to best assist jockeys and horses in the clerking role. “The two flat races as an amateur were terrifying, but the nine steeplechase rides I had were a lot of fun, I loved it,” he said. “In those days, there were a lot of point to point and picnic meetings, and I rode a lot in those. “I worked for Baggy Hillis when I was about 14, thinking I may like to be a jockey, but other things beckoned. “It gave me a huge understanding of what they are going through, where we can help, and where we can’t. You can’t script it, you just have to think about the safety of the jockey first, and the horse second.” In his role at Ellerslie, Coles had a front-row seat to all of the unforgettable moments, from Great Northern Steeplechases to Derbys. “There are a lot of memories there, in the steeplechasing, there was Hunterville, and then Deductable, who we actually taught to jump, so that was pretty special,” he said. “Another was Lester Piggott coming out from England to ride, he rode four or five winners in the day. He was the James McDonald of 40 years ago, just a super talent. “One year, an Irishman called Paddy Lynch came to New Zealand, he was training and put a horse in the Derby. He sent a photo back to Ireland of ‘Patrick Lynch riding past the post first in the New Zealand Derby’. He didn’t tell a lie, he did go past the post first, it was just on the first lap and then the horse ran last. “It was very funny. There were many one-off things that happened, that you probably won’t see again.” In more recent times, the introduction of Karaka Millions Night, and this year’s inaugural Champions Day, provided a difference perspective on the sport. “It’s what racing’s about now, special days bringing all the people,” Coles said. “On the other days, we are just going through the motions, but having Karaka Millions, and now Champions Day, brings the younger generation back to the races. “On the grey horse, you see it all, the good, the bad and the ugly, but when they come, they’re excited to be there. “They may not know much about a racehorse, but they’re dressed up, enjoying the day and possibly having a bet.” Racing may have evolved over the past six decades, but there was always a constant for Coles, a grey horse clerking at Ellerslie, a tradition introduced by his father. “In my father’s days as an assistant, the clerk of the course would supply the horses, which were black, brown, chestnut, anything – as long as they did the job,” he said. “In those days, the Auckland Star and the Auckland Herald would put a coloured photo of the clerk of the course bringing the winner back to scale in the paper, and my father decided the greys looked the best, and that’s how it’s continued to be.” A countless number of grey horses have assisted Coles in his duties on raceday, but the most popular of them all, ‘Mister Grey’, also retired after 14 years of service on Wednesday. Racing under the same name, Mister Grey won two races in the care of Palmerston North trainer Kevin Gray, before the son of Pins was offered to Coles. “After he retired, the Grays rang the racing club and asked if I’d want him to clerk on at Ellerslie,” he said. “I knew their stable foreman and his wife really well, and he said Mister Grey would ‘suit me down to the ground’. “He raced in July, arrived in early August, and was clerking at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day. “He’s smart, he thinks he’s king of the roost, which makes him better and a bit more showy. He doesn’t like getting beaten, which makes him strong at times, and he will push another horse around if he has too. “He fitted the bill and he’s got better with it, as he’s gotten older. You’ve got to be up and running before the horse gets to you, so when you do get it, you’re going about the same pace. If I catch a horse, once I grab it, I can let the reins go on him, tell him to pull up and he’ll slowly stop. “He watches the horses, you can feel him looking back and waiting for the loose horse. They need the right attitude, and he’s got that.” Coles is taking a deserved weekend away following his retirement, but he doesn’t plan to stay away from Ellerslie for long. “I won’t be missing, if it’s raining or something similar I won’t be going, but I’ll still go for all the big days,” he said. “I enjoy the racing, and for 60 years, I’ve had the best seat in the racecourse.” View the full article

Lyle Hewitson is hoping to be fit and firing for the start of the 2025-26 season after suffering wrist and ankle fractures in a nasty fall at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Hewitson slammed into the turf after Seasons Wit broke down in Wednesday night’s fifth race, with doctors telling the South African jockey he could be sidelined for as long as 10 weeks. “I’m going OK all things considered. It’s so frustrating. Obviously it’s all about perspective and it could have been worse, so I am lucky,...View the full article

Frankie Lor Fu-chuen is confident Horsepower will relish a return to 1,000m and a light weight when the talented sprinter tackles Saturday’s Class One Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup at Sha Tin. A three-time winner from five starts in his first Hong Kong season, the former Australian galloper drops back to the minimum trip after failing on his first attempt at 1,200m last start. Champion jockey Zac Purton told stewards that Horsepower raced too keenly in the early and middle stages and refused to...View the full article

Harness Racing New Zealand has today released the official list of stallion service fees to assist breeders, owners, and trainers in determining eligibility for the Harness 5000 Series. Eligibility for the series is based on stallions that stood for a published service fee of $5,000 or less in the year of conception. The published list provides clarity around which progeny qualify under this criteria. Click here to see the stallion service fees list. In addition, HRNZ has released a list of horses exported since 1 August 2023. These horses may still be eligible for the Harness 5000 Series, provided they return and meet the requirement of a minimum of five raceday starts in New Zealand between 3 July and 9 December 2025. Click here to see the list of exported horses that may be eligible. These releases are part of HRNZ’s ongoing commitment to transparency and supporting participants in planning for this exciting new series. For any queries or clarification, please contact cameron@hrnz.co.nz. View the full article

The crossover between New Zealand’s two equine codes will go to a whole new level with a rare dual-code weanling sale at Karaka today. Participants in either thoroughbred or harness racing investing in what used to be seen as the rival code is nothing new, with plenty of owners having shares in both gallopers and harness horses. The crossover goes right to the top of the two codes too, with one of our most decorated thoroughbred trainers Graeme Rogerson having a long-term, successful standardbred training operation which he has dragged plenty of his galloping mates into. Most recently champion harness trainer Mark Purdon has been seen training gallops winners at Ellerslie, Waikato Stud boss Mark Chittick bought a trotting yearling this year, while numerous harness trainers like Mark Jones, Todd Mitchell and, with a winner last week, Jason Teaz also train at least a few gallopers. But while the crossover in investment is nothing new, selling both breeds of horse on the same day at Karaka, as will happen on Thursday, is. The radical move is made far more seamless now New Zealand Bloodstock runs both the thoroughbred and standardbred sales and by the fact Thursday’s sales are for weanlings – horses born last spring. While thoroughbred yearlings on the whole look more refined and bigger than a standardbred yearling, most weanlings of either code still look very babyish – equine kids rather than teenagers. So the physical disparity won’t be anywhere near as pronounced as it would be selling yearlings on the same day, which would be a step too far by thoroughbred purists. Weanling sales give breeders the chance for a winter cash flow boost as well as an opportunity to reduce the numbers they will prepare for next year’s yearling sales, which is a more expensive process. For buyers it is a chance to purchase horses far cheaper than they could next January or February, while there are obvious opportunities for pinhooking – meaning a weanling purchased this week could be given time to mature and head back to the yearling sales in summer and make many times its purchase price tomorrow. Regardless of the motivations or opportunities a weanling sale provides, it will still be a worldwide rarity to see babies from both breeds being sold on the same complex just hours apart – thoroughbreds in the morning and the standardbreds in the afternoon. New Zealand Bloodstock managing director Andrew Seabrook says while there are economic benefits in the two numerically smaller sales being combined, tomorrow’s test case goes further than that. “We are seeing a lot more cross investment between the two codes which can only be good for racing in New Zealand,” says Seabrook. “Racing is strongest when both codes are strong and we have so many owners, breeders and trainers in both codes who are investing in the other. We expect that to continue this week. There will be a lot of good judges from both codes on the sales ground at the same time and it is only natural they will be talking to each other.” The thoroughbred weanling sale market across the Tasman has been strong in recent months and while buyers, particularly pinhookers, can afford to be selective at a weanling sale, there is still money to be made. Last year’s top price at the Karaka weanling sale was a $170,000 Satono Aladdin filly sold by Brighthill Farm and there is plenty of stallion power in tomorrow’s thoroughbred catalogue, with most of New Zealand’s elite stallions represented. The standardbred weanling sales tend to be cheaper but are well supported by two of the industry’s biggest studs in Woodlands and Alabar because they simply can’t take all the horses they breed through to the yearling sales. Respected Australian breeding operation Yabby Dam Farms will also be selling at tomorrow’s sale. All weanlings purchased today will also be eligible for each code’s sales series races – the Karaka Millions for the thoroughbreds and Harness Millions for the standardbreds. The standardbred weanlings (and yearlings) will also be Next Gen eligible. The thoroughbred sale starts at 10am while the first standardbred will go under the hammer at 2.30pm. View the full article

Stacey White can’t wait to get to Brisbane. The “trip of redemption” as she calls it is about to hit top gear. Not only is star trotter Bet N Win right on target for the Inter Dominion trotting series, but stable newcomer Betterthancash has emerged as a genuine contender for the $350,000 Group 1 Rising Sun. Both will be in action Saturday week and White, along with young sons Lachlan and William, will land in Brisbane the day before that to join husband and co-trainer, David. “After so many years working on the media and marketing side of the sport, it’s weird being on the other side for something as big as an Inter Dominion,” White said. “I grew up watching great horses win the big races and to have one of our own is pretty hard to believe, really. It’s very exciting. It’s the sort of thing you dream of but never think will actually happen.” Bet N Win, who booked his Queensland raid with a timely return to winning form in the Group 1 Rowe Cup on May 2, effortlessly won his only start since with a “stopover” victory in a 2300m Menangle free-for-all last Saturday night. Earlier in the night, Betterthancash ran a slashing second to fellow Kiwi pacer Pinseeker, in the opening race. Betterthancash’s run thrilled the Whites and driver Bob Butt after he spent early petrol to lead and stuck on so well. “They head to Brisbane Friday and David said he couldn’t be happier,” White said. “Bet N Win looks one of the best hopes in a fascinating trotting series. It’s a bit hard to line them up because the key runners are coming from different places and formlines. I’m just thrilled David is so happy with him.” It’s a trip of redemption because 12 months ago Bet N Win brilliantly won the Stellar Square at his first Albion Park run and looked to have the Group 1 Great Square at his mercy the following week. That’s until he developed a hoof abscess which eventually forced him out of the Great Square and ended his Brisbane hopes. “I’ve been saying to people at home, we’re going back to finish what we started,” White said. Betterthancash, who won seven of 25 NZ runs for Regan Todd, will face a star-studded mix of three and four-year-olds in the Rising Sun, headed by the likes of Bay Of Biscay, The Janitor, Rubira and Fate Awaits. “His gate speed was the exciting part the other night, hopefully he draws to use it next week,” White said. “Even though things went wrong in Brisbane last year, David and I still rate that Stellar Square win as one of our greatest moments when we travelled a horse for the first time. It’ll be great to get back and be part of what looks like a terrific few weeks of racing.” The Whites did salvage something last year, picking up three-year-old Major Hot to train before he went on to upset Bay Of Biscay in the Group 1 Queensland Derby. View the full article

Paul Nelson will chase his eighth crown in Saturday’s Aztech Engineering Wellington Hurdle (3200m), and he’ll attempt to do so with a couple of horses that have done it all before. The Hastings horseman won two editions of the feature whilst training on his own, with Solid Steal (2010) and The Shackler (2017). In the following year, he was joined in partnership by long-time stable member Corrina McDougal, and since then the pair have won the race five times in a row, with four different horses. Their dominance began in 2019 with No Tip before the COVID-19 outbreak removed the race from the calendar in 2020. The Cossack picked up his crown in 2021, Suliman in 2023, and Nedwin claimed the top spot in 2022 and 2024. Both Suliman and Nedwin will take their place on Saturday, the latter reverting back to hurdles after kicking off his season over the bigger fences. The son of Niagara starred in his maiden steeplechase at Te Rapa, then returned to the venue to run third in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m), albeit a distance from the first pair. “He punched a fence pretty badly, which just took the stuffing out of him there,” Nelson said. “I feel that, with having had a couple of steeplechases, he’s well enough seasoned to cope with the heavy track that we’ll encounter on Saturday.” A classy hurdler in his own right, Suliman was off the scene last season and has had a couple of conditioning runs on the flat and over hurdles leading into the two-mile contest. “I hope Suliman is going well, his run on the flat the other day was good,” Nelson said. “Both of these horses are proven on the Wellington track, if they handle the going, you can keep going back and have another go.” The stable will also be well-represented in the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (4900m), with their two-pronged attack including defending champion The Cossack. Things haven’t quite gone to plan for the star 10-year-old since his win in last year’s edition, with an untimely injury ruling him out of the Grand National meeting, and the remainder of the season. After undergoing rehabilitation, The Cossack was welcomed back in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa a fortnight ago but fell after jumping awkwardly at the last fence. While disappointed with the result, Nelson and McDougal were happy to see the gelding return home unscathed. “We’re very happy with him, he didn’t appear to have any ill-effects after Waikato,” Nelson said. “Corrina (McDougal, training partner) has been very happy with his work, and that’s all we can go by.” The son of Mastercraftsman will carry a clear topweight under Dean Parker, while a recently returned Emily Farr will continue her association with stablemate The Anarchist. “We’re hoping he can find a bit of new pace and get around there, he’s just an absolutely dour stayer so hopefully he can pick up a bit of money,” Nelson said. “Emily Farr is going to ride him, she does get along well with him, and he seems to run well for her.” View the full article

Michelle Bradley will be looking to representatives from contrasting ends of the experience scale to lead the way for her stable at their home meeting on Saturday. The Ruakaka trainer leaned toward proven performers Bosch, No Plan Be, Shockatillatap and the debutante Iridescent as her leading hopes. Bosch and No Plan Be will clash in the ITM/GIB Whangarei Gold Cup Stayers’ Final (2100m) and both are accorded strong chances. The former has posted all four of his career wins on the course, with a pair of them over Saturday’s distance, and Bradley is prepared to forgive his most recent performance when sixth at Ellerslie. “In in his last run, I thought he would be right among it, but he just didn’t kick like we thought so I’m just putting a line through that,” she said. “He’s come through it well, he gets in with 55.5kg and he loves Ruakaka as we know.” No Plan Be is only a one-win horse but has placed in decent company and was sixth in this race last year. “The key with her is that she’s needs a good barrier and she’s got that (gate four),” Bradley said. “I’ve always said that if she gets a bad barrier, it’s a waste of time. She’s only a little thing and she neds everything to go her way. “She’s been up a while, but I think she can be competitive on Saturday.” Shockatillatap had a tough run when well back last time out and his previous run of three runner-up finishes on the bounce might be a better guide to his chances in the ITM/GIB Progressive Championship Final (1600m). “He’s drawn barrier one and he does jump quite well, but I don’t really want him to be handy,” Bradley said. “He’s better coming from midfield, so we’ll have to work that out on the day.” Wyndspelle filly Iridescent will make her first appearance in the 12 July Northpine Waipu Cup Raceday (1200m). The three-year-old has impressed at the trials with wins from outings on the course and at Ellerslie last month. “Iridescent has got a lovely draw (three) and going on the trials she’s had, she should be a nice chance,” Bradley said. Watermelon Sugar is another who has trialled well ahead of the ITM/GIB 2YO Championship Final. “She’s had two trials, the first one here when she finished second and then I took her to Ellerslie and she won that,” Bradley said. “Saturday will be a test for her up against experienced horses and winners, but she is a nice filly and will be a better three-year-old.” View the full article

Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins bought the top three lots during the opening day of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale on Wednesday. A gelding by Nathaniel from Castledillon Stud caught their eye at €180,000. Sold as lot 138, he is out of the dual listed winner Floressa (Poliglote), who had placed at Grade 1 level over jumps. The gelding was an €87,000 pinhook from Goldford Stud. Earlier in the day, the duo had purchased Miss Mam (Masked Marvel) for €150,000 from Oak Tree Farm, and Mystere Du Chenet (Doctor Dino) for €120,000 from Moanmore Stables. Overall, they bought four lots on Wednesday. Miss Mam was a €47,000 buy as a 2-year-old. Kirk said, “All the horses I am buying here will be purchased with the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland MSL Mercedes-Benz Sales Bumper in mind – moving the race to a December date works well for us and it gives us options.” The inaugural Derby Sale 2-year-old session was topped by an Ectot half-sister to the Grade 1 winner Hearts Are Trumps (Oscar), bought by Dan Skelton and Ryan Mahon for €100,000. Turnover for the first day's trade was €7,142,000 for 150 horses sold from 196 offered (77%). The average was €47,613 (+2%) and the median was €42,000 (+11%). The post Nathaniel Gelding Leads Kirk And Mullins Buying Spree At Tattersalls Ireland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Inglis Digital USA June Sale closed Wednesday, topped by 4-year-old filly Tap the Champagne (Tapit–Champagne Royale, by French Deputy), who was owned, trained, and offered by Pavel Matejka. Sold as hip 6 and most recently placed second in a turf maiden special weight at Churchill Downs June 18 for Matejka, Tap the Champangne brought $350,000 in a final bid from Tropical Racing. The gray is a half-sister to GISWs Majestic Harbor and Danza. The June sale closed with 21 horses sold from 29 offered for a total of $560,000 and an average of $26,666. Horses that finished under their reserves are still available to purchase on the Inglis Digital USA site. It marked the second consecutive Inglis Digital USA sale where a horse has traded for $300,000 or more. “We've had a good run the last two months, but it all comes down to offering the right types at the right time,” said Kyle Wilson, Senior Director of Sales and Recruiting for Inglis Digital USA. “There was a feeling this morning that we were going to have some fun, but you never really know until the sale starts to close. A big thank you to everyone who participated in the sale. On to July now.” Stuart Morris, Director of Bloodstock for Tropical Racing, added: “We were very happy with the process that was provided by Inglis Digital USA. Pavel Matejka was a delight to buy off of, and Inglis provided all the information and customer service you like to see as a buyer, very professional and a pleasure to work with. “I was very happy to advise on the purchase of this lovely filly for Troy Levy of Tropical Racing and Circle 8 Ranch, and this marks another significant purchase in building a super exciting list of horses for Troy and trainer Michelle Nihei.” Tralee Girl (Mendelssohn–Kerry Girl, by Pioneerof the Nile) also surpassed six figures during the sale, selling to James Ensom for $110,000 as hip 7. Consigned by trainer Miguel Clement, the 3-year-old filly broke her maiden June 5 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, winning by a neck on the lawn against New York-breds. “I'm thrilled to get this filly,” said Ensom. “She'll head to Woodbine and be trained by Martin Drexler.” Entries are now open for the Inglis Digital USA July Sale. Entries will close Monday, July 21, with the catalogue to be released Friday, July 25. Bidding will start Wednesday, July 30. The post Tropical Racing Picks Up Tap The Champagne for $350,000 from Inglis Digital USA June Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thursday, Newmarket, post time: 15:35, EMPRESS FILLIES' STAKES-Listed, £40,000, 2yo, f, 6fT Field: Anthelia (Ire) (Supremacy {Ire}), Amberia (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}), Argentine Tango (GB) (Mattmu {GB}), Awraad (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Bella Lyra (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Game Striker (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev), Meelaf (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), Midnight Tango (GB) (Night Of Thunder {GB}), Miss Piggle (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). TDN Verdict: Ryan Moore has been booked to ride the impressive Windsor novice winner Bella Lyra and that may provide a clue as to the regard in which she is held at the Richard Hughes stable. Penalised for her Listed National Stakes win, Anthelia at this stage doesn't know how to lose while Amberia couldn't do any more than win her Leicester maiden by six lengths and could be smart. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Empress Title On The Line At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If Kirstin Green could carry Midnight Babe to victory, she would. The trainer-driver will be doing everything she can to honour the memory of Murray Brown as she combines with a daughter of the trainer’s best pacer. Brown passed away in Invercargill on Tuesday, leaving an indelible mark on southern harness racing. Midnight Babe is from Brown’s Group One-winning star Beaudiene Bad Babe, the best of the many horses he produced to win more than 500 races. When Midnight Babe lines up at Winton on Thursday, Green will wear the same Harness Jewels silks Beaudiene Bad Babe carried to victory in her Group One triumph at Cambridge, setting up hopes of an emotional win. “I hope I can do it for everyone. I will be doing everything I can,” Green said. “Murray was such a great person. He was always there if you wanted advice – he was someone you could always talk to.” Green is one of the many successful horsepeople to have worked for Brown during his outstanding training career. The trainer-driver lines up a big team of 13 horses at Winton on Thursday. Among them are her consistent maidens Heidsieck, Shergar, and Major Burns, who will square off against each other. “They are all racing well and are knocking on the door. You’d think they would all win one soon enough.” Ginerva and Sure To Rise also go head-to-head, with the former set to start a short-priced favourite. “Ginerva went great first-up. The only worry with her is that she is backing up.” “Sure To Rise has been going very honest races, and hopefully she can go another one.” Raspalia and Just Like Jagger will also clash, with the former looking suited to the big Winton track. “I was happy with the way Just Like Jagger ran home last week.” “She has the Silk Road Final next week, so hopefully she goes good and it keeps her ticking over for that.” Emily, Samanthas Moon, and Spiritinthesky will clash again with Princess Sadie in Thursday’s Silk Road Trotting Series Final. Emily got within a neck of the favourite last week and looks the Green stable’s best chance. “She is just trotting so well at the moment. It is not going to be easy again, but she should hopefully go another nice race.” Green also starts Rakero Lightning and Bobbies Rock at Winton. “Rakero Lightning is capable enough. She can spit the biscuit sometimes, but she would be a good chance if she can put her best foot forward.” “The only worry with Bobbies Rock is that he seems to go his best races at Invercargill. Winton hasn’t been his best track and it is a handy enough field.” View the full article

The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation announced amendments to its veterinary examination rules June 25, to take effect July 1, two days before the opening of Ellis Park's summer meeting.View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)-related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU)'s “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 06/20/2025 Licensee: Edward Barker, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on June 21, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Mepivacaine-a Class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Cajunette, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 5/12/25. Pending ADMC Violations 06/25/2025, Francisco Rodriguez, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Driver's Ed on 5/9/25. 06/24/2025, Norm Casse, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Lookster on 5/25/25. 06/24/2025, Brittany Russell, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (GastroGard)-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Magico on 5/20/25. 06/24/2025, Lynn Chleborad, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled substance on Count de Monet during the race period dated 5/17/25. Count de Monet did not make a start that day. 06/24/2025, John Salzman, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled substance on Had to Have Him during the race period dated 5/16/25. Had to Have Him did not make a start that day. 06/24/2025, Manuel Alejandro Chavez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of Caffeine and Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)-Class B and C controlled substances respectively-on Moringa during the race period dated 5/1/25. Moringa did not make a start that day. 06/23/2025, Scott Lake, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Texas Air Force, who finished second at Parx Racing on 5/19/25. 06/23/2025, Saffie Joseph, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Ranitidine-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Whiskey Park, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 4/20/25. 06/23/2025, Dale Romans, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Defiant Lass, who finished second at Keeneland on 4/11/25. 06/20/2025, Ruben Sierra, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-a Class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Juan Mo Time, who did not finish a race at Gulfstream Park on 5/16/25. 06/20/2025, Angel Sanchez-Pinero, trainer: Provisional suspension for a pending medication violation for the presence of bronchodilator Albuterol (Salbutamol)-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Gone Boy, who won at Aqueduct on 4/19/25. 06/18/2025, James Nicholson, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Sheer Dominance, who won at Parx Racing on 5/17/25. Violations of Crop Rule Los Alamitos Ricardo Ramirez – violation date June 21; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post National Regulatory Rulings, June 19 – June 25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The two-for-two 'TDN Rising Star' Here Comes Francis (Improbable) will make his next start in the Carry Back S. going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park July 4. He worked five furlongs in a bullet :58.62 (1/3) in Hallandale Beach June 20. “After the Carry Back, my plan is to run him in the (GI) Allen Jerkens (Memorial S. at Saratoga Aug. 23),” trainer Victor Barboza, Jr. said. “He's run two times and is a very fast horse. I think middle distances–seven furlongs, one mile–are perfect for him. Step by step, he's more focused now.” Here Comes Francis posted a razor sharp, wire-to-wire debut win over next-out winner Pursuitneversleeps (Ghostzapper) going six furlongs at Gulfstream Mar. 15, good for a 97 Beyer Speed Figure. He earned his 'Rising Star' badge by 5 1/4 lengths, also in front-running fashion, in an optional claimer at Tampa Bay Downs Apr. 26. His final time of 1:16.09 for 6 1/2 furlongs that day was just 0.62 seconds off the track record. Jeff Kresnak's Arcadia Michigan Stable went to $250,000 to acquire Here Comes Francis after powering through a :9 4/5 breeze on his left lead at last year's OBS April Sale. He was previously a $100,000 Keeneland September yearling. Here Comes Francis hails from the first crop of the gone-too-soon Improbable. His unraced dam is a daughter of the talented Tar Heel Mom (Flatter), a three-time graded winner at sprint distances and runner-up to Hilda's Passion (Canadian Frontier) in the 2011 GI Ballerina S. “Francis was always the best horse in my barn,” Barboza said. “He's a very professional and smart horse. His first and second workouts were impressive, you immediately knew you had a good horse on your hands.” Barboza is also the previous trainer of this year's GIII Gotham S. winner Flood Zone (Frosted). The $45,000 OBS June graduate was purchased privately by Wathnan Racing and transferred to trainer Brad Cox after breaking his maiden for Barboza at second asking at Gulfstream Park for owners Big Frank Stable, Enrico Ascione, Guy Mancini and Veb Racing Stable Corp. Seventh in the G2 UAE Derby, Flood Zone is entered to make his next start in Sunday's Maxfield S. at Churchill Downs. “Flood Zone is a very good horse,” Barboza said. Here Comes Francis • Samuel Marín • Víctor Barboza, Jr. #TampaBayDowns pic.twitter.com/WD4PLunXn0 — Pascual Artiles (@artilespascualf) May 1, 2025 The post Carry Back Up Next for Unbeaten Here Comes Francis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Amendments to 810 KAR 4:030, Section 17, Entry Examination by Attending Veterinarian, take effect July 1. View the full article

America's Best Racing takes a look at competitive group of nine turf horses ages 4 and older are set to face off in the Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) June 28 at Churchill Downs. View the full article

California stewards suspended trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill seven days and fined him $2,500 for not having the required primary and secondary veterinary examinations of the horse Ivan the Great when the colt resumed training following a layoff this spring.View the full article

Oliver Cole said he is "looking forward to the future" after his Derby-winning father, Paul, announced his retirement with immediate effect June 25.View the full article

Grade 3 winner Hollow Games (Beat Hollow) is one of 103 lots catalogued for the upcoming Tattersalls Online July Sale, which was released on Wednesday. The sale begins at 11 a.m., Tuesday July 1 and concludes beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2. Also placed twice at the highest level, the bay is one of three consigned by Gordon Elliott's Cullentra House Stables. Henry de Bromhead consigns the Grade 1-placed Life In The Park (Walk In The Park), a winner over both hurdles and fences and multiple black-type placed. The 87-rated I Bid You Ajou (Shalaa) has won his last three starts at sprint distances and will be offered by Mark Fahey Racing. Other lots of note include the placed Flawless Fusion (Dawn Approach) from Jim Bolger's Glebe House Stables; broodmare New Romance (Dubawi) in foal to Kingman on Southern Hemisphere time from New England Stud; that mare's January-born yearling filly by Zoustar; and Tinnakill House's Trexie (Australia), a half-sister to G1 Melbourne Cup hero Prince Of Arran (Shirocco). The post Hollow Games Leads Tattersalls Online July Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of HK$1,574.4m (approximately £150m) was bet on the Hong Kong Jockey Club's World Pool type wagers during the five-day 2025 Royal Ascot meeting, an increase of 10% on 2024's figures. Turnover was up year-on-year every day last week with the highlight being Wednesday's record-high of HK$330.7m, the most bet on the second day of the meeting since the inaugural World Pool meeting at Royal Ascot in 2019. Turnover on the 2022 meeting remains the highest at HK$1,609.1m, approximately 2% higher than this year's level. A World Pool Moment of the Day winner was chosen on each of the five days of Royal Ascot, with a total of £20,000 awarded to grooms. Winning grooms collected a cheque for £4,000 as well as entry into the World Pool Moment of the Year competition for the chance to win a VIP trip to Hong Kong next year. The five winners from Tuesday-Saturday were: Docklands and Michael Vokins Havana Hurricane and Tom Clemit Trawlerman and Ben de Paiva Cercene and TJ Comerford Lazzat and Jessy Cabot Sam Nati, head of commingling at the HKJC, said, “Turnover was strong and only marginally below 2022 which, of course, was inflated due to Covid. In terms of quality, quantity and competitiveness, the fields were fantastic all week. There was also some good international representation, both in the horses running and the jockeys taking part, so it was a good mix of key factors for both local and overseas punters.” The post World Pool Betting Figures At Royal Ascot Rise 10% To £150m appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Flint completed his training career officially with 3,551 victories, which ranks No. 28 all time in North America. That includes 501 at Churchill Downs, at the time making him the sixth trainer to reach 500 under the twin spires.View the full article

Booth seeks his fifth straight win and fourth straight grade 3 victory in the $250,000 Kelly's Landing Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs June 28.View the full article

Everett Dobson admits there were a lot of anxious moments on the path to this year's NBA championship. But Dobson, an owner and breeder who operates Cheyenne Stables and Candy Meadows and is a minority owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder, says he was ready for them. “When you have a horse going into the gate for a Grade I race there is a level of anxiety and excitement and your heart is pounding,” said Dobson, who will take over as the Chairman of the Jockey Club this August. “That is what it feels like to be playing in the NBA finals. The difference is an NBA finals game will last almost three hours while a horse race lasts a couple minutes. But it is a similar feeling. You're on edge and you are excited and nervous. It's obviously an incredible experience.” To make it to the championship, the Thunder were forced into a seventh game in two rounds of the playoffs, including the finals against the Indiana Pacers. “Were there anxious moments? To say that least,” Dobson said. “We beat Denver in a Game 7 and we won this series against Indiana in a Game 7,” he said. “It highlights the importance of having the best record in the NBA because you are assured that, if it is a seven-game series, it will be played on your home court regardless of who you are playing. That gave us a little comfort knowing we were going to be in front of our home crowd if this does go to 7. That's exactly what happened. It was an exciting finish, to say the least.” It was a good year for racing people who are involved in other sports. Vinnie Viola, who operates St. Elias Stable along with his wife Theresa, is the owner of the Florida Panthers. The Panthers wrapped up their second straight Stanley Cup final when defeating the Edmonton Oilers earlier this month. The group that owns the Thunder is made up of seven individuals, all of them from Oklahoma. They bought the Seattle Supersonics in 2006 and moved the franchise to Oklahoma City in 2008. The seven owners also make up the board of the Thunder. Dobson is listed as a managing partner. The chairman is Clayton I. Bennett. Forbes estimates the team is worth $3.65 billion. The team was bought for $350 million. “I like the asset class, I like the NBA,” Dobson said. “It's been a very good financial investment. It's been an incredible story.” Oklahoma City is far from a metropolis. Oklahoma City is 20th largest city in the U.S. When it comes to the television it is the 47th largest market. Dobson said that being in a small market can have its advantages. “You wouldn't have thought it was a small town if you rode in the parade,” Dobson said. “They were estimating over a half-million people were at the parade. Now they're estimating that it was more like 600,000, maybe close to 700,000. We are the only big-league sport in the state. We have a population of 4 million in the state and we get the attention of all 4 million. Everybody in the state takes ownership. We don't have to worry about dividing their attention with other big-league sports. If you look at our metrics across things that are relevant like attendance and season ticket sales, we're actually in the top third in NBA.” The NBA does not resume playing until Oct. 21. That should give Dobson time to immerse himself in his new job with the Jockey Club. “It would be aspirational to think that horse racing could grow to the level of our big-league sports like the NBA,” he said. “It is still a very important sport and there are a lot of good things that are happening in the sport right now. I understand that it has its challenges that need to be addressed. “With the horse we have to be able to tell their story quickly because their careers don't last long. But these horses can be compelling stories. The Triple Crown, Saratoga, Del Mar, the Breeders' Cup, those are all compelling stories. Creating stars is a challenge. You just have to step up and deal with it.” Dobson isn't planning on being an absentee chairman when it comes to the Jockey Club. Though not yet officially the organization's chairman, he's already gotten to work. “Racing has its challenges that need to be addressed and will be addressed,” he said. “I'm really optimistic about the future of horse racing.” The post Incoming Jockey Club Chairman Everett Dobson Basking in the Glow of an NBA Championship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jessica Harrington has provided a positive bulletin on Green Impact ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and said that success in Sunday's big race would rival any of her exploits to date. Green Impact is a general 10-1 chance for Irish Derby glory and comes into the race off the back of a confidence-booster in the Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown after losing a shoe at a vital stage of the 2,000 Guineas on his seasonal return. Harrington said, “These are very important races and ones that are recognised worldwide – just like winning a Champion Chase and Gold Cup in the National Hunt sphere, but winning an Irish Derby would be fantastic. It would very much be top of the list, so I would love to win the Irish Derby.” She added, “I wouldn't say he didn't get the run of the race in the 2,000 Guineas as he travelled into the race great, but when he got down to the dip he went to change his legs and went to go and try to win the race and he then just lost a shoe and got a bit unbalanced and ended up finishing sixth. “At the time I was disappointed but coming out of that race afterwards he was sore and so we gave him a bit of time. The intention was to go to the French Derby but we didn't get there, so we gave him the run in Leopardstown and all roads lead to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby after that.” The Wootton Bassett colt prepares to tackle a-mile-and-a-half for the first time in a race that could feature the first three home from the Epsom equivalent. “I think he'll benefit for the step up in trip, he won over a mile as a two-year-old and usually if they do that they stay,” added Harrington. “He's by Wootton Bassett and out of a Galileo mare and he's also a very laid-back character and very relaxed and easy to do anything with, so I think he will stay. “It's a big task and everyone looks and sees only 10 runners, but the majority of those 10 runners are quality horses.” Aidan O'Brien's Epsom hero Lambourn is a general 4-1 chance to complete the Derby double while Lazy Griff and Tennessee Stud, who chased home the Derby winner in that order, are also in contention to run at the Curragh. The post Harrington Talks Up Green Impact Ahead Of Lambourn Clash In The Irish Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article