Wandering Eyes

Gary Carroll has received a 14-day suspension and a £5,800 fine after being found to have used his whip eight times when partnering Cercene to victory in last week's Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, twice above the permitted level. Carroll revealed to the TDN on Sunday that he was still on a high after the daughter of Australia provided him with a breakthrough success at the top level, but this sting in the tail will now bar him from riding Joe Murphy's stable star if she takes up her next intended engagement in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday, July 19. He will be suspended from July 8-21, inclusive, with the penalty being doubled due to his breach of the rules occurring in a Class 1 race. “Gary Carroll, the rider of the winner CERCENE (IRE), was found to have used his whip twice above the permitted level of six from approximately two furlongs out,” read a summary of the findings of the Whip Review Committee. “Taking into account that this was a Class 1 race, the penalty in respect of the above permitted level was doubled. Therefore, he will be suspended for 14 days from Tuesday 08 – Monday 21 July 2025, inclusive and fined £5,800.” 33/1! CERCENE WINS THE CORONATION STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/cba83YNxWV — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 20, 2025 The post Gary Carroll Receives 14-Day Suspension for Royal Ascot-Winning Ride appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam McNab will always remember his first winner, with the Cambridge hoop having to agonisingly wait to hear the verdict after a photo finish blunder at Pukekohe on Wednesday. The recently licenced apprentice was positive from the outset aboard the John Bell-trained Muscovado in the Sistema 2100, pushing his charge forward early from their wide gate, however, they failed to find the front and were parked out three-wide for the majority of the journey. McNab kept his cool and turning for home he guided his charge to the better footing out wide. They entered a duel with Middle Khan, with the pair going stride for stride down the straight, with little separating them at the finish. Returning to scale, McNab was told he was the winner, however, his jubilation was short-lived when the judge called Middle Khan the victor. Upon review, it was found that the judge had mistaken the horses in the photo finish, and subsequently called the incorrect result, which was then corrected. “The judge called 13, Middle Khan, the winner ahead of Sam McNab’s mount, which was number three, Muscovado,” Stipendiary Steward Brady Jones said. “Stewards queried the photo with the judge into how he had reached that decision, and it was discovered that he had erred in his decision where he misinterpreted the heads in the official photo of the two horses. “He falsely declared Middle Khan, the horse on the inside, as the winner but after reviewing the photo and going through stewards footage, the judge has amended his placings with Muscovado declared the winner.” While anticlimactic, McNab was thrilled to be awarded his first raceday victory within just a few weeks of commencing his apprenticeship. “They told me I had it and I had my head down on the line,” McNab said. “When I was taking my saddle off they said I ran second, so it was a bit of a waiting process, but we got there. “It was good to finally find out the result, and I am really happy. It is good to get the first win out of the way. “I have had a pretty good start, so to get a winner early on is really rewarding.” Being the son of former top jockey Chris McNab and the brother of premiership-winning jockey Michael McNab, Sam was always destined to follow suit, however, the 18-year-old said he took some persuading to enter the family business. “I have always grown up around horses, but it wasn’t until the last year-and-a-half that I started working in Tony Pike’s stable and got the motivation from Michael to give it a go,” McNab said. “I hopped on my first horse and went from there.” McNab is now hoping he can quickly add to his tally when he heads north to Ruakaka on Saturday where he will ride Bad Education in the Croft Poles (1200m) for trainer Joshua King. “He has drawn wide, but I think his last few starts haven’t been too bad,” McNab said. “He got pushed around a bit, and with an uninterrupted run hopefully he can run well.” View the full article

Stars of the future go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale set to commence at 10am. The one-day auction features 118 thoroughbreds after withdrawals including weanlings by a host of proven and emerging sires, with opportunities for pinhookers and end-users alike. Proven sires such as Savabeel, Per Incanto, Proisir, Shocking, Satono Aladdin, Shamexpress, Ocean Park, Spirit of Boom and Almanzor are well represented, along with rising star Super Seth. The second crop of emerging young sires Noverre and Sword Of State will also be keenly sought after while the first stock by Windsor Park Stud’s Group One winning son of Deep Impact, Profondo, will be presented to market on Thursday. Windsor Park’s Marketing Manager Michael Moran was pleased with the foot-traffic at Karaka over the past few days as the Cambridge nursery present a draft of six weanlings including Lot 59, a well-made colt by Profondo “It has been pretty good. We have some nice horses here that have been well found,” Moran said. “We have got a lovely colt by Profondo out of a Shamexpress mare in Shamani. He’s attracted a lot of attention and is a quality colt with a lot of style and is a great representation of the stallion.” Moran said breeders have really taken a shine to Profondo and have voted with mares through the gate. Lot 13, a Per Incanto colt out of the stakes-winning mare London Express Photo: Trish Dunell “He’s been a dream to market. He covered 177 mares in his first year, and 173 in his second year, and we have got over 120 booked in already for him this year. “He is a great-looking horse and was a sale-topping yearling himself and then went on to win at his first start at Randwick. He won a Group One at only his third start in the Spring Champion Stakes, which is a good sire-making race with winners including Savabeel and Dundeel, and Proisir being a runner-up.” Seaton Park are represented by 11 weanlings, including a good-moving colt by outstanding sire Per Incanto out of the stakes-winning Shamexpress mare London Express. “This is our second day up here, and I’m thrilled with the turnout. We have got relevant stallions and that will always get people to the gate and after that, it is all about type,” Seaton Park’s Scott Eagleton said. “I believe the Per Incanto is probably our standout. He is a terrific type. He looks like a horse that the pinhookers will love. He has a lovely big walk on him and you can just see that there will be real improvement to him as a yearling.” Lot 129, a Sword of State half-brother to Torranzino parades at Karaka Photo: Trish Dunell Eagleton stressed there were horses for all budgets and plenty for end-users. “I have been really encouraged. Lisa Latta and a few others have come along and I’ve been thrilled at the response we have had to this point,” he said. Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore was last year’s leading vendor and is represented by an eight-strong weanling draft this year. “I have been very encouraged by the level of inspection. There seems to be very good intent from those inspecting our horses and I feel like our horses are presenting well,” Cunningham said. “You have to be bringing horses to the sales that you’ve got confidence that the market will be there for.” The progeny of Noverre and Sword Of State were well-received by buyers at the yearling sales earlier this year and Cunningham presents two weanlings by each stallion, including a Sword Of State half-brother to Group Three winner Torranzino. Lot 139, a colt by boom sire Super Seth Photo: Trish Dunell “We have got two weanlings by Noverre and two weanlings by Sword Of State and all four of those horses are good genuine prospects,” Cunningham said. “I feel there will be good demand for them on the strength of what they are physically, which is a credit to their sires. Given the way the first crops sold as yearlings, there seems to be a general enthusiasm about the stallions.” All weanlings offered are eligible to be nominated for New Zealand Bloodstock’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Graduates can compete for a share in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) as well as the new $1m Mega Maiden Series comprising of 40 non-Saturday maiden races located throughout New Zealand. View the full article

Changes to New Zealand betting laws which passed in Parliament today will provide a vital boost to New Zealand sporting and racing codes and to the safety of New Zealand bettors when the bill becomes law later this month. Alongside the strengthened harm minimisation protections for New Zealand customers as a result of these law changes, a NZ$100m payment from Entain Group — which will be made after the changes to the Racing Industry Act take effect — will further deepen Entain’s commitment to the New Zealand industry and will boost the fortunes for Kiwi racing participants and national sporting organisations. Entain’s suite of brands in New Zealand includes TAB and betcha, offering Kiwis a choice of bookmaker and betting preferences. Entain’s 25-year strategic partnership with statutory body TAB NZ was established in June 2023 to provide an immediate financial uplift to the New Zealand racing codes and 38 National Sporting Organisations, committing more than $360m to boost the fortunes of racing and sports in the first two years of the partnership, and almost $1 billion in the first five years. Kiwi sporting figures have welcomed the change in betting laws, and the injection to New Zealand sports and racing that follows. “As a former professional athlete, I know how important investment is — not just at the top, but throughout the entire journey,” former Silver Fern netballer Courtney Tairi said. “These changes to the betting laws here in Aotearoa mean more money stays in New Zealand and flows through to the codes and communities that keep sport and racing alive. That’s huge and helps to build a future where every athlete has the chance to thrive.” The payment to racing and sporting codes and ongoing benefits from the law changes plays a crucial role in supporting communities and teams across New Zealand, sitting alongside efforts from government, member participation and sponsorship, Entain Australia and New Zealand’s Managing Director – New Zealand, Sam Moncur said. “Entain is proud to be building on TAB NZ’s legacy of backing Kiwi racing and sport,” Moncur said. “We are also very aware of the privilege we have to provide a world-class betting experience to Kiwis. Entain, through TAB and betcha, will deliver odds as fair and competitive as a customer would find in the highly competitive Australian market. “Kiwis love a fair go, and we’re committed to providing fair odds for our racing and sports fans into the future.” Entain Australia and New Zealand has been relentlessly focused on improving both the betting experience through investment in technology and the TAB retail network, as well as harm minimisation measures for customers since the strategic partnership began. The TAB platform refresh in April 2024 brought with it a world leading suite of safer betting tools available to all customers. These best-in-class tools offer comprehensive choices to help customers tailor the way they manage their betting. These tools also became available to betcha customers upon its launch in August 2024. These include: the ability to set deposit limits, an individual bet limit, curfews, controlling the markets a customer can choose to see, blocking out days of the week, deposit options, self-exclusion and account closure. More harm minimisation options will be introduced to the New Zealand market to add to Entain’s world-class support in this area. “We’re honoured to contribute to the future of the racing codes and play a part in keeping Kiwi sport alive and thriving,” Moncur said. View the full article

Imprevu (NZ) (Wrote) will head north to Ruakaka for just the second time this weekend, and trainer Janenne Dalley is hoping she can capture the lion’s share of the $60,000 purse on offer in the ITM/GIB Sprinters Championship Final (1400m). Dalley has been on the search for better footing for her mare to see out her preparation and she is hoping she is met with just that on Saturday, having bypassed last Saturday’s Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) in favour of the northern assignment. “We looked at the Tauranga Classic, but it was just too wet for her, so we opted to go to Ruakaka instead,” Dalley said. “I am very happy with her. She has only had the one start up there for a fourth and we are happy enough with that to go back up there, and hopefully the track is going to stay a decent (Soft) 5 or 6.” The six-year-old daughter of Wrote heads into Saturday in good form, having placed in her last two outings, including last start at Ellerslie where she finished behind subsequent Tauranga Classic placegetter Midnight Scandal. “She is very well in herself, and she has come through those last two races really well,” Dalley said. Dalley hailed the ITM/GIB Championship Series as a great incentive over winter, and she was delighted to be able to qualify for the final by racing at Ellerslie. “It is a great initiative,” she said. “We did it a couple of years ago and it is a great incentive to get up there when you have got a horse that you can keep ticking over that doesn’t like heavy tracks.” Imprevu has drawn barrier one this weekend, a gate Dalley isn’t particularly sure will suit her mare. “I am not sure about barrier one,” she said. “They haven’t raced up there for a long time and my son, Ethan, when he was riding, he said if you got the ace draw up there you jumped and were on the speed, you were always there. “She can get back a bit but when she drew one at Ellerslie the other day, Hayley (Hassman) rode her well from that one barrier.” Hassman is set to reunite with Imprevu on Saturday and Dalley said she gets a kick out of supporting young apprentice jockeys. “Hayley is going great guns,” Dalley said. “She came over and worked her for me the other day and was very happy with her. She is a nice girl and it is good to be able to give apprentices a chance.” Saturday’s race will round out the season for Imprevu, and Dalley has her sights set on attaining an elusive stakes scalp with her mare in the spring, having previously placed in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m), Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m), and Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m). “She will go out for a break after this and she will look forward to the spring. Whether we kick-off back at Ellerslie for Hawke’s Bay or go to Waikato,” Dalley said. “We will follow the same sort of path that we did last year and try and get her a Group win or placing. She puts her hand up every time.” View the full article

Saturday at Eagle Farm marks the grand finale of the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, culminating in the highly anticipated 2025 Tattersall’s Tiara, the final Group 1 race of the Australian season. All eyes are on the capacity field of fillies and mares vying for the $700,000 prize in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m). Leading […] The post Tattersall’s Tiara 2025 Field & Odds: Firestorm v Floozie appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

CALLMETHEBREEZE RETURNS ON SATURDAY Talented open class trotter Callmethebreeze makes his long awaited race track return on Saturday night at Melton for Andy and Kate Gath. Callmethebreeze, who has raced only 4 times since his brilliant 2nd to now retired champion Just Believe at Cambridge in the TAB Trot, is on an Inter Dominion path which begins the following Saturday night at Albion Park in Brisbane. He lines up in Race 8 at 11.06pm New Zealand time. Also resuming is stablemate and enigmatic pacer Catch A Wave, who was last seen at Gloucester Park in May, running 4th in the Freemantle Cup. He too is on an Inter Dominion path, and lines up in Race 1 at 7.19pm New Zealand time. WAI EYRE ANNOUNCES FEES FOR LAZARUS North Canterbury based Wai Eyre Farm yesterday announced their new stallion recruit, dual New Zealand Cup champion Lazarus, will stand in 2025 for $4,000 (+GST) if paid on a 42 day positive test, or $5,000 (+GST) paid on live foal (POLF). As part of their commitment to making breeding affordable, they also announced that for mares bred to Lazarus at Wai Eyre Farm, prices above will include the vet and breeding package and working fee. Contact the office on 03 312 6338 for more information. CHANGES TO NOMINATIONS/FIELDS NEXT WEEK With the new rating-based system coming into effect from Monday, 30 June, there are some adjustments to nomination and acceptance dates for meetings the following week: Cambridge – Thursday 3 July: Nominations as normal on Monday, 30 June Addington / Alexandra Park – Friday 4 July: Nominations now on Tuesday, 1 July Invercargill / Addington – Sunday 6 July: Nominations as normal on Tuesday, 1 July Processes return to normal the following week, from Monday July 7. For any queries, please contact: bureau@hrnz.co.nz. FEATURE RACE CALENDAR RELEASED The Feature Race Calendar for 2025/26 was released last week with a number of changes implemented for Spring 2025 and beyond. Initially, it has been released without confirmed stakes, as the HRNZ budget remains underway. It is envisaged they will be included in the next 4 weeks. To visit the calendar, click here: https://www.hrnz.co.nz/assets/PDF-Documents/Group-and-Feature-Racing-Schedule-25-26-5.pdf. SOUTHERN SURGE REMINDER Details for the inaugural Southern Surge have been confirmed, with $15,000 heats at Winton on 3 August and Invercargill on 10 August, leading into $25,000 finals at Gore on 24 August. To be eligible, horses must be: Registered through HRNZ with a harness racing trainer based south of the Waitaki River, Or officially transferred via a lodged Horse Movement to a trainer based south of the Waitaki, between 1 July and 24 August 2025. Conditions and full programmes are available at www.hrnz.co.nz. View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz There was no catching St John Eight last night at Cambridge Raceway, with the Andre Poutama-trained runner taking out the TFS Horse Transport Mobile Pace—claiming his third win in seven starts and doing it in commanding fashion. From barrier five, the gelded son of Always B Miki burned early to take the lead, and Poutama said he knew he had the race won the moment he hit the top. “As soon as I got to the top, I knew I had them beat,” said the Pukekohe reinsman. “Whenever they come for him, he just always seems to find more and more.” And find more he did—facing early pressure for the lead and still having the grit to pull away from his rivals in the straight to score by a domineering three-length margin. Although he got things wrong last start at Alexandra Park, Poutama was confident in the gelding’s chances heading into last night’s race. “He galloped last start at Auckland, but he doesn’t really go right-handed, and he just got onto a knee on that last bend. I was hopeful for him heading into last night—I knew he’d be near enough.” Poutama is also looking forward to his sole runner lining up at Alexandra Park on Friday night—Eyeliner, who will contest the Magness Broadcast – End of an Era at Alex Park Mobile Pace (9:24 p.m.) The four-year-old daughter of Lazarus is having her second start back this campaign, and he’s positive she will have derived benefit from her fresh-up run at Cambridge Raceway. “She’d had no trials heading into her last start, and I was pretty happy with the way she went. She was always going to blow out fresh-up, and she’ll only improve,” he said. “We’ll probably drop straight onto the fence on Friday and hopefully trail the trip. If she finds the line well and we can get a bit of the money, I’ll be happy.” View the full article

More than a fifth of the horses going under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday, June 26 will be Next Gen eligible. Harness Racing New Zealand’s ownership model premiered at this year’s NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales at Karaka and Christchurch. It was a big success with 56 Next Gen-sired yearlings being sold. Off the back of that HRNZ extended the scheme to the NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale as well. Of the 89 lots up for sale a total of 19 are from Next Gen stallions. The stallions and lot numbers are as follows : Dancinginginthedark M (Lot 1065) E L Titan (Lot 1040, 1088) King of the North – (Lots 1012, 1036, 1071) Pebble Beach – (Lots 1003, 1035, 1038) Perfect Sting – (Lots 1004, 1016, 1020, 1028 and 1032) Ride High – (1060) Face Time Bourbon (Lot 1085) Ecurie D – (Lots 1083, 1084 and 1087) One yearling (Lot 1082) will also be eligible as his sire Captain Crunch was Next Gen eligible at this year’s National Yearling Sales in February. It’s important to note though they you don’t have to buy one of the 19 horses to get involved in Next Gen. It is one of three criteria. The other two are : Buy any weanling/yearling from the sales and have an ownership group that comprises of at least four people, where the horse is owned 30% or more by people who are born after 1985 or have never previously been registered HRNZ owners. or Buy any weanling/yearling from the sales and have it trained by someone who has not trained a Group 1 winner (as of January 1, 2026) Weanlings/yearlings sold at that sale will be eligible for a range of two-year-old bonuses in 2027 as long as they met those Next Gen criteria. They will be eligible for the three Harness Million races – Colts and Geldings, Fillies and Trotters if paid into the series. A $50,000 bonus ($35,000 will go to the owner, $10,000 to the trainer and $5000 to the breeder) will be awarded to the first Next Gen eligible horse across the line in each of those three races. A $5000 2YO Second Start bonus ($4000 to the owner, $1000 to the trainer) will also be awarded to any Next Gen eligible horses that have two race day starts during their 2YO season. This will be capped at 90 horses, with a total payout of $450,000 per year. To see more about Next Gen click here : https://www.hrnz.co.nz/next-gen-2/ View the full article

A half sister to multiple Group 1 winner Duchess Megxit, Princes Lulu has gone full circle even before she’s even hit the racetrack. Princess Lulu (Captaintreacherous – Kensington Kate) was co-bred by the Patterson Bros Racing Syndicate, the same group that race Duchess Megxit. They sold her, as Lot 147, at the 2025 National Yearling Sale for $250,000 to Duchess Megxit’s co-trainer Barry Purdon. But that was not the end of the story In a bit of a twist her vendors then negotiated a deal to buy her back and she is now in a new and very Next Gen-looking ownership group. “I’d say two thirds to three quarters would be first time owners or under 40,” says syndicate spokesman Tom Patterson. The Patterson Bros Racing Syndicate and the Centaurus Syndicate, who co-race Duchess Megxit, have been joined in Princess Lulu’s ownership by a wide and diverse group. “Three nephews of mine are in and they have 25 or so people in with them, there’s a guy I know who had gallopers and is new to harness racing, plus Maurice McDermott has a syndicate he’s put together and there are others as well,” says Patterson. “Altogether there would be something like 50 people involved.” The Pattersons are well known in both harness racing and hospitality circles. The family owns and runs the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch and they have been associated with a stack of quality horse flesh over the years. Current 3YO Pacing filly of the Year Duchess Megxit is their latest star performer. And the feedback they’ve had about Princess Lulu so far is encouraging. “We’ve been told ‘she is no worse than her sister’ at a similar stage,” he says. That’s a pretty big rap considering Duchess Megxit is a Northern Oaks winner with 12 wins from just 21 starts and more than $1/2m in stakes. But it’s too early to know when she’ll get to the racetrack. In the meantime Patterson is trying not to be tempted by the up-coming NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka on June 26. “I’m thinking I’m not going to buy but I carry the book (catalogue) around with me everywhere I go,” he laughs. Then again he sold Princess Lulu and look at how that ended up! To see more about Next Gen click here : https://www.hrnz.co.nz/next-gen-2/ To see the NZB National Weanling Sale catalogue click here : https://www.nzb.co.nz/ View the full article

Among all the industry heavyweights a hobby trainer will be on debut at the 2025 National Standardbred Weanling Sales at Karaka on Thursday, June 26. The usual suspects – Alabar, Macca Lodge and Woodlands Stud – dominate the sale numerically but that’s not phasing Waikato-based Brendon Laidlaw. “I just want to give it a go and hopefully it will be the start of something,” says Laidlaw. He will offer up Lot 1086, a bay filly by Ultimate Machete out of Asuka. “She has good conformation and seems to have a bit of attitude about her,” says Laidlaw. “She’s a weanling so I’m not expecting a fortune but I won’t be giving her away.” Asuka, a four-race winner for Barry Purdon, was out of the Group 1-winning Lizzie Maguire. She won 12 races including the 2008 Northern Oaks and the 2YO Diamond at the 2007 Harness Jewels at Ashburton. Asuka was bred by Rosslands Stud at Clevedon and returned there when she was retired. She has since produced six foals, the first five at Rosslands Stud and then Woodlands Stud. Her progeny include Jack The Builder (American Ideal – Asuka) who won four from five before injury forced his retirement and four-year-old Bazooka (Bettor’s Delight – Asuka), who has won five from 14 for Steven Reid. “She’s a half to Bazooka and the fact that he’s going so well is great for us .. hopefully that will create a bit of interest.” Laidlaw was given Asuka by owner Marilyn Hoggard who he knew well from his days working with Gareth Dixon at Rosslands Farm. “She was keen for her to go to a good home,” says Laidlaw,” and I had the mare for a year and then put her to foal.” The filly is his first foray into breeding. Brendon followed his brother Kendall Laidlaw into the sport. He was a trainer-driver in New Zealand before heading to Australia. A farrier by trade he’s based in Western Australia where he recently trained the winner of June’s Trotters Cup in Pinjara with Betty Bootz Off. Brendon Laidlaw trains only a small team at Cambridge Raceway around his full-time job as a fencing contractor. One of his team Mr Miki, a four-year-old Always B Miki gelding he co-owns, is not far away from heading to the races for the first time. Right now though the rookie horse breeder is hoping months of preparation and expectation will reap rewards in the ring. “You’ve got to be making money to press on but it (racing) is something we love – it’s a bug isn’t it?” View the full article

The publication is free to access and available now: Click here to read Breeding Matters – Winter 2025 The Winter 2025 edition of Breeding Matters has landed—and it arrives at a pivotal time for the breeding industry. Published by the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Association (NZSBA), the latest issue covers the people, ideas, and initiatives shaping the season ahead. This edition takes a deep dive into the recently announced Harness 5000—a groundbreaking $720,000 race day designed to reward breeders using sires at the more accessible end of the market. We explore how the concept evolved, who it’s for, and why it matters. With 12 Listed races and a clear qualifying structure, it’s already reshaping mating decisions and restoring aspiration across the grassroots. We also preview the 2025 NZB Standardbred Weanling Sale, which continues to punch above its weight. With graduates winning Group races across Australasia, North America, and beyond, Karaka has become a genuine hotbed of opportunity. From $4,000 purchases to $400,000 earners, this sale has proven itself as a launchpad for value and talent. Equine reproductive vet Donna Williamson shares practical advice for breeders preparing mares this season, offering a no-nonsense look at fertility, foaling prep, and husbandry basics that make a difference. It’s a must-read for those wanting to improve outcomes without blowing the budget. The issue also unveils NZSBA’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, a blueprint developed in partnership with HRNZ that sets out key priorities for the next three years. From digital tools and youth engagement to rehoming, syndication, and better support for breeders, it lays the groundwork for a more sustainable future. This isn’t mail—it’s momentum. For breeders, for the industry, and for the ones still pushing forward. View the full article

Pukekohe trainer Rudy Liefting will make the long trek down State Highway One with a couple of his jumpers this week to target Trentham’s Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase Day on Saturday. His charge will be led by nine-year-old gelding Mont Ventoux in the Aztech Engineering Wellington Hurdle (3200m), with the son of Nom du Jeu looking to improve on his last-start third placing in the Waikato Hurdle (3200m). “His last start third was encouraging,” Liefting said. “I have really got to tackle the big ones because he is up in the ratings.” Liefting is wary of a few of his rivals this weekend, but is confident his charge will acquit himself well. “He has beaten Nedwin home in the Northern last year and his form is around Nedwin. Verry Flash looks a good chance, but it’s jumping, so anything can happen,” he said. “We will be looking to get into a nice rhythm and staying out of trouble. “It won’t be easy, but like I said to the owners, if we keep turning up and have him fit and ready, maybe one day the cards will fall our way.” Mont Ventoux will be joined on the float trip south by stablemate Renegade Fighter, who will contest the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (4900m). Liefting admitted to being disappointed with the 10-year-old’s fourth placed performance in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) and is looking for an improved showing this weekend. “There’s a little bit of distance to make up from the winner. He was a shade disappointing, I thought he could finish a touch closer,” he said. “They really clapped on the pace and I think they left him a bit flat footed in the last round. We lost a few lengths when we had to get around The Cossack. “He is thereabouts, and he is weighing in those big ones. There are two hotshots in there, but third is anybody’s.” Liefting’s ultimate goal with the pair is a trip to Christchurch in August for Riccarton’s Grand National Festival of Racing, with the $100,000 and $200,000 respective purses of the Hospitality NZ Canterbury 135th Grand National Hurdles (4200m) and Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m), the major drawcards. “I am going to take them both to Riccarton,” he said. “They are getting older, and the money is up, so we better have a go just in case it is our lucky day.” Following Saturday, Liefting is looking to return to the Central Districts for Mont Ventoux’s final lead-in run to the Grand National but has yet to decide what avenue he will pursue with Renegade Fighter. “Woodville is the plan,” Liefting said. “Because they put up chase fences, I might run Mont Ventoux in the steeplechase there just to keep his rating down. He will be on the minimum if he can get into the big race. “I am not quite sure about the other bloke, I don’t really want to run two horses together. But following Woodville we will return to Auckland and fly them down to Christchurch.” View the full article

Trentham racegoers are in for a treat this Saturday, with Matt Hill, the voice of the Melbourne Cup, on course to call the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (4900m). Hill’s voice is one of the most recognisable in Australian sport, with the Melbournian not only calling horse racing, but also AFL, the Olympics, and since 2012 he has been a commentator and presenter for the Australian Open Tennis. He enjoys the diversity of calling multiple sports and is thrilled to have followed in the footsteps of a couple of his idols. “I have always been a curious soul, and I adore sport, but also our race callers over here (Australia),” Hill said. “I idolised Bruce McAvaney, the sports commentator over here and he was the voice of the Olympics. Bruce was a race caller that became our chief AFL caller, and Ray Warren was a great race caller in the eighties who became the chief rugby league caller. “I was always curious to have a go at other things, and particularly being a Melbourne boy, to have a go at AFL football. I have been able to balance both now by doing football and racing. I am lucky that I have been able to straddle both, which has been really good.” His talent has taken him all around the world covering a myriad of sports, but it is international racing that intrigues Hill the most, and he has now called races in 16 countries and counting. “I have called races in 16 countries, not by design but by being a guest or travelling, I am fascinated by international racing,” Hill said. “When I was young, I was particularly interested in jumps racing and I ended up calling seven Grand Nationals for the BBC and the Velká Pardubická (jumps race) in the Czech Republic.” Having experienced race calling and various other sports around the world, Hill continues to be amazed by the diversity of racing in each country. “A basketball match is a basketball match wherever you watch it, most sports are pretty much the same around the world if they are global sports, whereas with horse racing, every country is different,” Hill said. “The riding styles are different, the racetracks are different, and the way people bet on the races is different. “I am fascinated by world racing and most of my misspent time at night is watching racing overseas.” While he has trekked around the world calling in various racing jurisdictions, he has yet to call a race in New Zealand. Something he is looking to rectify this weekend. “New Zealand is one that I have watched for a long time, especially the jumps with those beautiful big hedges, and I haven’t had a chance to travel over,” Hill said. “It will be a real bucket list item ticked.” The trip has been five years in the making, with the idea first fostered during a zoom call among New Zealand’s race callers during the COVID-19 lockdown. “During COVID, Justin Evans (Central Districts race caller) got all the (New Zealand) race callers together and they had monthly zoom meetings and I was one of their guests,” Hill said. “We talked about calling races internationally, and the one blip that I had not done was call races in New Zealand. Maryanne Twentyman (Entain Media Personnel Manager) and Justin were on the call, and they said they would have to get me over at some stage.” The opportunity finally arose this year and Hill is looking forward to heading to Wellington this weekend to help call the 10-race card alongside Evans. “They have been generous in inviting me, and I will spend a bit of time with Justin as well for a couple of days,” he said. “Justin is a very good, young caller and the more encouragement we can give all of the callers the better because we are a bit of a brethren and it is very rare for race callers from other countries to really get together.” Hill is particularly excited to be involved in one of New Zealand’s premier jumps meetings, and he is looking forward to mingling with the New Zealand jumping fraternity over the weekend. “Trentham his steeped in history and I love the jumps crowd,” he said. “They are so down to earth, and they share a mutual love for it, so it will be really lovely to meet the jumps community in New Zealand as well. “It is going to be great and really good fun.” View the full article

If Sierra Leone is to notch another top-level victory June 28 in the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs, the late finisher will likely have to close from behind an anticipated moderate tempo. View the full article

Ziggity Zag won her career debut June 24 at Horseshoe Indianapolis to give 2021 Horse of the Year and first-crop sire Knicks Go his first winner as a stallion.View the full article

Taylor Made Stallions resident freshman Knicks Go (Paynter) was represented by his first career winner Tuesday when Ziggity Zag came from off the pace to score at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Campaigned by Flying Dutchman, the Kentucky bred filly was installed the 3-1 second choice for this unveiling. Reserved in a stalking position as longshot Dreaming Collect (Collected) carved out an opening quarter mile in :22.50, the grey kept the pacesetter in her sights through a :47.26 half. Asked for more by Nic Juarez turning for home, she found the early leader tough to run down late, however, she was able to get to the front in the final jump, winning by a neck. Favored Nanina (Ger) (No Nay Never) closed to be third. The first foal out of Lounge Act (Creative Cause), Ziggity Zag has a foal sister by Beau Liam. 6th-Horseshoe Indianapolis, $32,000, Msw, 6-24, 2yo, f, 7 1/2fT, 1:29.66, fm, neck. ZIGGITY ZAG, f, 2, by Knicks Go 1st Dam: Lounge Act, by Creative Cause 2nd Dam: Hallelujah Trail, by Gilded Time 3rd Dam: Runaway Aly, by Alydeed Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $19,200. O-Flying Dutchman Breeding and Racing; B-Boardshorts Stables LLC (KY); T-Brian A. Lynch. Click for the Equibase.com chart The post First Winner for Freshman Knicks Go at Horseshoe Indianapolis Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owner Marc Chan's foray into breeding could reap the ultimate reward on June 29 when his first homebred Green Impact bids for classic glory in the Irish Derby (G1).View the full article

Meeting June 24 in New Orleans, the Louisiana Racing Commission formally approved customary race dates for Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, during which the track will race Nov. 22 - March 22.View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of June 16-June 22View the full article

5. SOUPER WILLIWAW, 6/20, MTH, 1 1/16 miles (turf), VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure- 83 (tie) (f, 3, by Hard Spun-Souper Striking, by Brilliant Speed) O-Live Oak Plantation. B-Live Oak Stud. T-Michael Trombetta. J-Paco Lopez. Charlotte Weber may have another nice filly: Souper Williwaw set the pace with Lopez sitting against her, then sprinted away through Monmouth's stretch. Souper Striking won Pimlico's Hilltop Stakes a decade ago, but in 22 starts her best Beyer was 83, which this filly has matched in outing number four. Special thanks to Weber for expanding our knowledge base: a williwaw is a violent windstorm of cold air that occurs suddenly near oceans and mountain ranges. 5. A BOURBON FOR TOBY, 6/20, BAQ, 1 3/8 miles (turf)(3rd), VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure- 83 (tie) (c, 3, by Bernardini-Kitten's Girl, by Kitten's Joy) O/B-Titletown Racing Stables. T-Tom Morley. J-Kendrick Carmouche. This marks the first time a 3rd-place finisher has made our weekly rankings, but he rallied in tandem with winner Mayor of Midnight and battled gamely to the wire in a big-number turf route. He has back-to-back Beyers of 83-82 since Morley added blinkers two starts back. 4. OYAL'S PRIDE (GB), 6/20, BAQ, 1 3/8 miles (turf)(2nd), VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (tie) (c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)-Delta's Royalty (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)) O/B-Besilu Stables. T-Bill Mott. J-Jose Lezcano. A fast-closing runnerup in the aforementioned BAQ race, he carries on the legacy of his star-crossed granddam Royal Delta, the two-time Eclipse champion who died in 2017 of complications from the birth of her only offspring, Delta's Royalty. That daughter of Galileo had little success in Europe as a racehorse, but Besilu owner Benjamin Leon Jr. declared she will “never be sold,” and Royal's Pride is her first foal. The Cuban-American Leon, who bought Royal Delta for $8.5 million during her career and has great affection for the family, was recently named U.S. Ambassador to Spain. Mayor of Midnight breaks his maiden in R2 at BAQ! Flavien Prat was up for trainer Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/nj0OOkROPD — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 20, 2025 3. MAYOR OF MIDNIGHT (Ire), 6/20, BAQ, 1 3/8 miles (turf), VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (tie) (g, 3, by Lope de Vega (Ire)-Amerique (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)) O-Peter Brant and Tony Shafrazian. B-White Birch Farm (IRE). T-Chad Brown. J-Flavien Prat. The fashionably-bred gelding from Brant's European bloodstock wing overcame a wide trip and slow pace to edge the two colts listed above. Brant bought Wildenstein-bred dam Amerique for just over $1 million at Goff's in November 2016. According to official records, this is the first foray into ownership for Shafrazian, a prominent New York art dealer who reportedly was best man at the wedding of Brant and Stephanie Seymour. 2. SPECIAL SESSION, 6/22, WO, 1 1/16 miles (Tapeta), VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (tie) (c, 3, by Constitution-La Gran Bailadora, by Afleet Alex) O/B-Tracy Farmer. T-Mark Casse. J-Patrick Husbands. The half-brother to Farmer's GI Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston needed eight starts to break his maiden, but the proverbial lightbulb may finally have switched on, based on his strong finish Sunday. Every horse on this week's list competed on either turf or Tapeta, and Special Session has raced only on Woodbine synthetic (five times), Woodbine turf (twice) and Keeneland turf (once). Spiced Up scores in his turf debut to graduate in R6 at BAQ for trainer Bill Mott with @juniorandkellya aboard in the @JuddmonteFarms silks! pic.twitter.com/VbUs1P4YLE — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 20, 2025 1. SPICED UP, 6/20, BAQ, 6 furlongs (turf), VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure- 86 (c, 3, by Quality Road-Cardamon, by Pioneerof the Nile) O/B-Juddmonte. T-Bill Mott. J-Junior Alvarado. Spiced Up probably didn't beat much in his turf debut–runner up Cuando is a 14-race maiden. But even on a lightning-fast Aqueduct course, 6 furlongs in 1:07.43 was good enough to put a Mott trainee atop this list for the second time in three weeks. This is the first foal for Cardamon, who wasn't considered a stakes-quality runner by Mott but is contributing to Juddmonte's broodmare band as a half-sister to Emollient (4-time Grade I winner) and Hofburg (3rd in the Belmont Stakes and 2nd in the Florida Derby). The post The Five Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made, for the Week of June 16-22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two weeks after Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) threatened to pull out of racing at Fair Grounds in New Orleans and one week after the gaming company extracted purse-cut concessions from the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (LAHBPA), the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) on Tuesday approved 76 November-through-March race dates for the 2025-26 meet at historic New Orleans track. CDI had informed the commission by letter June 9 it wanted to voluntarily surrender its Fair Grounds license because a March state Supreme Court decision and two recent pieces of legislation, all related to gaming, were allegedly “adverse and harmful to the economic interests of Fair Grounds.” Non-public negotiations involving state leaders and the LHBPA's agreement to “slight” purse reductions subsequently resulted in CDI walking back its threat to close. As TDN's Bill Finley reported June 17, “One factor that may have caused CDI to strike a more conciliatory tone was action taken last week by the New Orleans City Council and state lawmakers to ensure that the property could not be developed for other uses.” Anthony McAuley of the New Orleans digital news site NOLA.com reported that Cathy Beeding, the Fair Grounds general manager, told the LSRC at the June 24 “emergency” meeting that the upcoming racing season would begin as previously planned, on Nov. 20. “We're just happy there's going to be a racing season this year,” Beeding told NOLA.com. LSRC chair Edward Koehl thanked Gov. Jeff Landry for his help in resolving the issue. After the meeting, he underscored to NOLA.com that the state made no concessions of any kind to CDI. Louisiana State Racing Commission approves dates for horse racing at Fair Grounds | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/3KWctSMivv — wdsu (@wdsu) June 24, 2025 The post Louisiana Commission Awards Fair Grounds Dates After CDI Rescinds Threat To Close Track appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Scratched from the GI Woody Stephens S. on the blockbuster GI Belmont Stakes program at Saratoga June 7, 'TDN Rising Star' Colloquial (Vekoma) will be given 60 days off, per co-owner Jack Wolf of Starlight Racing. “He's at Fair Hill right now with Bruce Jackson,” Wolf said. “Dr. Yarborough and (trainer) George (Weaver) didn't like the way that he was moving. Even though–we'd been pointing to that thing for some time–it was a tough call, it was the right call. He'll probably be back in 60 days or something like that. Nothing too terribly major.” The prestigious GI Malibu S., typically held on Santa Anita's opening day program the day after Christmas, will be the long-term target for the Harrell Ventures and Starlight Racing colorbearer upon his return. “I'm sure he'll be ready for the Malibu, or probably a race before then,” Wolf said. “That's sort of what we're thinking anyway. The horse will tell us as you well know.” Colloquial posted four breezes for Weaver following his front-running win in Keeneland's Lafayette S. Apr. 7. He was listed at odds of 6-1 on the morning line in a very deep renewal of the Woody Stephens, which was won by 'Rising Star' Patch Adams (Into Mischief). The $240,000 Keeneland September graduate earned a gaudy 106 Beyer in his prior start, a seven-length maiden win in his sophomore debut off the bench at Aqueduct Feb. 7. Only three 3-year-olds have run faster races on the Beyer scale this year–Sovereignty (Into Mischief) (109), Journalism (Curlin) (108) and Magnitude (Not This Time) (108). Colloquial's debut second–beaten just a nose by Fierceness (City of Light)'s full-brother and subsequent GIII Futurity S. winner Mentee–at Aqueduct last June was highlighted in our 'Second Chances' series. Colloquial hails from the first crop of the promising Spendthrift Farm stallion and Weaver-trained Vekoma, who is already responsible for a quartet of graded winners. He was produced by the John Oxley-bred, two-time winner Terminology (Bernardini). His third dam is Oxley's GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Gal in a Ruckus. He was bred in Kentucky by Michael and J.B. Orem. “Vekoma is the next coming,” Wolf said. Watch the full replay as COLLOQUIAL turns back the challenge and captures the Lafayette (L)! pic.twitter.com/Ax9Xu6fbh1 — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 7, 2025 The post ‘Nothing Too Terribly Major,’ 60 Days Off for Woody Stephens Scratch Colloquial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

However poignant the cue, our collective reflections on the legacy of D. Wayne Lukas will discover much comfort not only in his vital embrace of every moment of a long, fulfilling life but also in the benedictions we can take forward with us. These range from the example he has set us all, in passionate advocacy of our sport, to the more specific conduits of horsemanship he opened in “coaching” Todd Pletcher and so many others. In measuring our gratitude, however, we additionally find ourselves contemplating a curiosity that invites precisely the kind of original thinking he trademarked. For we can at least ask ourselves the question whether the principal genetic bequest of horses trained by Lukas should ultimately be credited to broodmares. Considering the parade of outstanding colts through his hands, none quite reached true greatness at stud. But we will not be surprised, given the tremendous physical constitution that he often discovered in campaigning them so fearlessly, that the best of them tended to impart robustness. Arguably the most successful, in fact, belonged to his second tier of racetrack achievers: the likes of Carson City, Southern Halo (Arg) and Dynaformer. Among his most accomplished runners, Gulch and his son Thunder Gulch certainly had their moments; so did Proud Citizen, Capote and Mt. Livermore. In terms of a lasting impact on the breed, however, might we allow greater resonance to, for instance, Terlingua (Secretariat), Blush With Pride (Blushing Groom {Fr}) and Cara Rafaela (Quiet American)? Now obviously in his pomp Lukas was receiving exceptionally well-bred fillies, whose second careers can always be redeemed even by a single outstanding foal–hardly an indulgence afforded to stallions. All three of the fillies just mentioned, as elite performers, earned corresponding covers. And while their trainer plainly maximized their potential, he can hardly be credited for whatever they could transfer genetically. Terlingua was a $275,000 yearling from Secretariat's second crop, but after she had attested to the quality of her genes–both on the track and then in producing Storm Cat–her half-brother Royal Academy (Nijinsky) would repay even a $3.5 million punt as a yearling. Blush With Pride was also by a young stallion, first of four Grade I winners in Blushing Groom's debut crop, but her dam Best in Show (Traffic Judge) was developing her own dynasty sufficiently to make $650,000 as a yearling. But Cara Rafaela, actually another from her sire's first crop, cost no more than $70,000 and her son Bernardini has built his spectacular success as a broodmare sire from fairly limited family. But what all three had in common is that they stood up to the exacting Lukas regime: Terlingua, seven-for-17 across 20 months; Blush With Pride, six-for-16 across 13; Cara Rafaela, four-for-24 across 29. Now we all know that there are no rules with Thoroughbreds, and that some of the best racemares have proved extremely disappointing producers–to the extent that there's a whimsical theory that the likes of Winning Colors (Caro) or Spain (Thunder Gulch) were too masculine as athletes to excel as mothers! But in exploring a horse's attributes so thoroughly, certainly in a fashion that would unnerve most trainers today, perhaps Lukas did a couple of contrasting things. With colts, perhaps his genius and searching methods together reached parts that other trainers couldn't, while rival stallion prospects may not have reached the same ceilings elsewhere–only for their relative merits to be more truly reflected in their stud careers. With females, on the other hand, the proof of their toughness perhaps helped breeders in their decision-making. Who knows, it may well be that Storm Cat's breeders might have hesitated to use a stallion like Storm Bird, whose unfortunate sophomore career left a query over his constitution, if Lukas had not amplified the compensatory strengths of Terlingua–very possibly the source of the mental toughness we associate with Storm Cat's stock. So let's learn one more lesson from the Coach. Because in an era when trainers keep horses timidly shy of their limits, it has become much harder for breeders to know where to find the real seams of ore. Crimson Advocate | Ryan Thompson An Advocate For Dirt At Ascot Proud Citizen was certainly what the English might salute as a “yeoman” among the stallions from the Lukas barn: not a breed shaper, maybe, but a worthy, middle-ranking influence. In fact, it's almost as though his name flavored his reputation, as a stalwart, upright contributor to the breed. Certainly it feels edifying to find him behind a filly like Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), whose achievement at Royal Ascot last week had a greater significance than was locally granted. When she won at the meeting as a juvenile, she represented an American barn and her dash over five furlongs was duly perceived as “standard issue.” Returning last year, from a new base in Newmarket, she duly persisted at the same distance and made no impact. But this time round, she had been reinvented as a hold-up miler and cut them down stylishly in the G2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes. Only one other Nyquist foal has ever been trained in Britain. Her name is Habooba, and she started her career in Dubai before transferring to a small yard in Newmarket. Last month in a competitive handicap at York, she won for the fifth time since, and has now won one-fifth of her trainer's career prize money to date. As so often, then, a top-class American sire has been given virtually zero chance in this theater, while giving an ample hint as to what he might achieve if given the same kind of opportunity as when dirt-bred sires transformed the European scene a couple of generations ago. Nyquist obviously nailed the dirt grail in the GI BC Juvenile/GI Kentucky Derby double, much as his breeders would have dreamed in sending the daughter of a GII Adirondack Stakes winner to Uncle Mo. But he has actually had a Grade I winner on turf in California, in Johannes, and if he sought some extra chlorophyll for Crimson Advocate then it was available in the daughter of Proud Citizen who produced her. For Citizen Advocate achieved a rare distinction in winning consecutive black-type sprints as a juvenile on three different surfaces: turf, synthetic, dirt. Her half-sister by Dixie Union is the dam of no less a dirt performer than champion juvenile filly Caledonia Road (Quality Road). She also gave us Officiating (Blame), winner of three graded stakes on dirt (albeit also stakes-placed on turf), plus the dam of GII Wood Memorial winner Lord Miles (Curlin). But the next dam is an unraced daughter of the South African import Horse Chestnut (SAF), obviously a grass operator himself, and a Deputy Minister mare who showed a glimpse of ability in a light career. Her name was Sunset Service and, true to the distaff influence of her sire, she stands above several stakes performers and/or producers, notably as second dam of Grade I winners on both surfaces in Hymn Book (Arch) and Data Link (War Front) respectively. Fundamentally, however, the reason this filly is effective in this environment is simply because dirt speed tends to hold up, just about wherever it is given a chance. Complexity | Sarah Andrew Complexity Has Momentum The proudest achievement of Proud Citizen? Two GI Kentucky Oaks winners homebred by Brereton C. Jones, who stood him at Airdrie. That farm continues to do justice to the late Governor's legacy, and last weekend its clients filled the first two places in the GIII Ohio Derby. Mo Plex is by thriving second-crop stallion Complexity, whose seven stakes winners to date leave him behind only the dozen fielded by Vekoma. The leader of this pack is certainly making his volume count, with 83 winners from 125 starters compared to Complexity's 47 from 86. Of the intake's other key protagonists, McKinzie's 39 from 117 starters, four at stakes level, remain unexceptional percentages redeemed by his startling five Grade I performers; Tiz the Law has 41 from 80, six in black-type races. Saturday's runner-up Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) meanwhile resumed his progress after a midfield finish at Churchill. Not even Airdrie could get adequate traction for his sire, since exported, but this $2,500 yearling reminds everyone to persevere right to the end of their consignment when the yearling sales resumes next month. Remember that a $3,000 yearling from the first crop of Beau Liam made $250,000 at OBS last Wednesday after clocking :20 1/5. As for Mo Plex, he is turning out to be much more than the precocious dasher who rolled his first three last summer, including the GIII Sanford Stakes, before placing in the GI Champagne Stakes. With this two-turn debut opening up new horizons, his rise reflects well on a sire here working with only wisps of black type before you reach Mo Plex's third dam Anklet (Wild Again), who won the GIII Florida Oaks and was herself well-related. But we must also give a nod to his late damsire Uncle Mo, whose posthumous legacy had of course been further enhanced by Crimson Advocate as a daughter of his heir Nyquist. The post Breeding Digest: Lukas Showcased Toughness Of Great Broodmares appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-CD, $120,000, Msw, 2yo, f, 5f, 2:23 p.m. Flying Dutchmen's WHERE LUCK LIVES (Nyquist) gets a start for trainer Brian Lynch. A $725,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select yearling purchase, the dark bay is out of SW and GISP Holiday Soiree (Harlan's Holiday). The mare, who sold for $300,000 at Keeneland November in 2023, is already responsible for Grade I scorer Vahva (Gun Runner), who most recently won the GII Chicago Stakes at this venue last weekend in addition to GSP Signal From Noise (Arrogate). TJCIS PPs The post Wednesday’s Insights: Where Luck Lives, Half Sister to Vahva, Debuts at Churchill Wednesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article