Wandering Eyes

East Coast-based trainer has dominated the West Coast stakes for distaffers and sends Tax Implications, Gina Romantica, Child of the Moon, and Prerequisite.View the full article

Loved is a Godolphin homebred trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. The 5-year-old mare won the Falls City Stakes (G3) by 3 3/4 lengths. Godolphin's Tarifa finished second.View the full article

Julien Leparoux, a veteran leader in the Churchill Downs jockey colony and two-time Eclipse Award winner, reached an extraordinary milestone Thursday with his 3,000th career win aboard Pike Place in Race 3.View the full article

Julien Leparoux, a two-time Eclipse Award winning rider, collected his 3,000th career win aboard Pike Place (Street Boss) in the third race at Churchill Downs on Thursday, the track said in a press release that same day. Leparoux, 41, launched his career in 2005. Raised in Chantilly, France, Leparoux's passion for horses led him to Southern California in 2003, where he began as an exercise rider for trainer Patrick Biancone. He transitioned to race riding and earned the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in 2006. Three years later he became one of only four riders to also receive the Eclipse as Outstanding Jockey. “I'm very thankful that my family could be here with me today for this,” Leparoux said. “It took awhile to get it done but I'm very happy I was able to do it today. Churchill Downs and Kentucky have been such a big part of my career and it was great to do it at home.” Leparoux's career includes seven Breeders' Cup victories, highlighted by triumphs aboard such notable champions as Tepin, Classic Empire and Forever Together. His international acclaim soared in 2016 when he guided Tepin to victory in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. In addition to his Breeders' Cup accolades, Leparoux has achieved 271 graded stakes victories while amassing earnings $199 million. The post Jockey Julien Leparoux Notches 3,000th Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just three lots after the 650,000gns Camelot (GB) colt, lot 897, a filly by Frankel (GB) and out of In The Mist (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), became the new top lot when selling to MV Magnier for 800,000gns. The half-sister to Cloudy Dawn (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), a winner of the G3 Prix de Lieurey, and the stakes winner Iromea (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), was part of the West Blagdon Stud consignment. Second dam Kenmist (GB) (Kenmare {Fr}) won at listed level in England and placed at group level in Italy. She is responsible for G1 Prix du Moulin heroine Grey Lilas (Ire) (Danehill), herself the dam of three stakes winners, among them G1 Prix de Diane, G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, and G1 Prix d'Ispahan heroine Golden Lilac (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The filly was bred by London Thoroughbred Services. West Blagdon Stud always bring a good draft to the #tattsdecember foal sale and this year's draft has not disappointed. After selling a colt for 650,000gns they now sell a filly by Frankel for 800,000gns. She has been bought by M V Magnier. pic.twitter.com/Lw5XcGxAq4 — TDN (@theTDN) November 29, 2024 The post MV Magnier Acquires 800,000gns Frankel Filly At Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lot 894 was the second horse to break the 500,000gns-mark at Tattersalls on Friday when selling to Anthony Stroud for 650,000gns on behalf of Godolphin. Consigned by West Blagdon Stud, the son of Camelot (GB) is a half-brother to Lope De Vega (Ire)'s duo of GII Royal North Stakes second Sweet Enough (GB) and the listed-placed Enfjaar (Ire). Bred by James Wigan, the colt is a grandson of a full-sister to dual Grade I winner Photo Call (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). His third dam Theann (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) is a daughter of the blue hen Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). Things are hotting up at the #tattsdecember foal sale! This colt by Camelot has been bought by Godolphin for 650,000gns. He was consigned by West Blagdon Stud. pic.twitter.com/cQVlJ2HnAa — TDN (@theTDN) November 29, 2024 The post Godolphin Strikes For Camelot Colt At 650,000gns At Tattersalls December appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The lesser-fancied and less-heralded of an uncoupled Godolphin-owned entry in Thursday's GIII Falls City Stakes at Churchill Downs, the beautifully bred Loved (Medaglia d'Oro) went through her gears in the final three-sixteenths of a mile to cause a mild upset. 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini), the 7-4 favorite exiting a tough victory in the GII Mother Goose Stakes Oct. 26, boxed on for an alibi-free second while no match for the winner. Having earned her first black-type success in the Mari Hulman George Memorial Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis this past July, Loved was the third wagering choice in the Thanksgiving Day co-feature off a sixth to Musical Mischief (Into Mischief) in the local GII Locust Grove Stakes Sept. 14 and a longshot fourth in the GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 6. Settled in mid-division and off the flank of Tarifa early on as Enclosure (Arrogate) took a keen hold beneath Brian Hernandez, Jr., Loved received her cue from Tyler Gaffalione leaving the half-mile marker and rolled up three deep at the three-eighths as Musical Mischief tried to rally from between rivals. Going clearly best of the bunch as they hit the stretch, Loved quickly opened up on her rivals and was not for catching from there. Lexa (Gun Runner) spiced up the triple as the 25-1 longest price on the board. “We were pretty confident with her coming into this race,” winning trainer Brendan Walsh said. “She's been training at Turfway and within the last three weeks really started to put things together. She was training and moving great in the mornings. We're glad she was able to do that when it mattered today and become a graded stakes winner.” Pedigree Notes: A half-sister to Maxfield, who won the GI Clark Stakes on this weekend three years ago, Loved is out of a winning daughter of the wonderful three-time graded winner Caress, a $3.1-million purchase by John Ferguson on behalf of Godolphin at Keeneland November in 2000 who produced future GISW and successful sire Sky Mesa (Pulpit) earlier that year and would also become the dam of MGSW/GISP Golden Velvet (Seeking the Gold), whose six winners include GSWs Lucullan (Hard Spun) and Innovative Idea (Bernardini), MSP Embossed (Medaglia d'Oro) and SP Soft Touch (Uncle Mo). Caress was a full-sister to GSW/MGISP Country Cat and GSW sire Bernstein and a half to GSW/G1SP Della Francesca (Danzig). This is also the female family of champion Outstandingly. The 94th worldwide graded/group winner for her 25-year-old stallion and the 55th worldwide graded/group winner from a daughter of the much-missed Bernardini, Loved has a 2-year-old half-sister named Wondrous (Uncle Mo), a weanling by Curlin and Velvety returned to that Hill 'n' Dale stallion for her most recent covering. Loved wins the G3 Falls City Stakes for @brenpwalsh and @godolphin with @Tyler_Gaff aboard! pic.twitter.com/tGv7R4sXOO — Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) November 28, 2024 The post Medaglia d’Oro’s Loved Leads Home Godolphin 1-2 in Falls City appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The outside post at Fair Grounds proved no issue for first-time starter Deep Manhattan (Justify) who put in a powerful stretch drive to become a Thanksgiving 'TDN Rising Star' for super-sire Justify. Away smartly from post 12, the 3-1 second choice had plenty of early pace past the wire the first time but was outrun by a handful of rivals along the fence into the first turn and opted to take back to rate off longshot frontrunner Sand Cast (The Factor). Shifting down to be three, then two wide into the backstretch, Deep Manhattan finally took up a solo fifth through the opening fractions of :23:96 and :49.45. As the top four began to bunch up around the far turn, Jose Ortiz swung his mount off the rail to put in a rally from the center of the course. Up to tackle the leaders at the furlong marker, Deep Manhattan put them quickly away and came home in style to defeat Tom's Magic (Justify) by five lengths and top a Justify-sired exacta with Shadwell homebred El Muheet (War Front) a further three lengths back in third. The 11th 'TDN Rising Star' for Coolmore's international top sire Justify, Deep Manhattan was bred by Eurowest Bloodstock Services with John Gunther, also Justify's breeder, joining in for a piece of this runner. First dam Take the Ribbon, who took the GIII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes in her own racing career, is already responsible for a trio of talented runners around the globe including fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Take These Chains (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), SP, $201,900, Deep Satin (American Pharoah), SW, $202,700 and Bookrunner (Tiznow), G1SP-Ity, GSP-Fr, $149,856. Additionally, daughter Pretty Paper (Ire) (Medgalia d'Oro), though unraced herself, produced GSW Love and Thunder (Ire) (Siyouni {FR}). Take the Ribbon is also a half-sister to Glinda the Good (Hard Spun) who would foal champion 2-year-old colt and leading young sire Good Magic (Curlin). Deep Manhattan was the last foal for Take the Ribbon. Deep Manhattan was very impressive on debut in R2 at @fairgroundsnola under @jose93_ortiz for trainer @reredevaux! You might want to add this one to your TwinSpires #StableAlerts! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/GtXVsbdx9M — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 28, 2024 2nd-Fair Grounds, $58,000, Msw, 11-28, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:45.06, fm, 5 lengths. DEEP MANHATTAN, c, 2, Justify 1st Dam: Take the Ribbon {GSW & GISP, $372,102}, by Chester House 2nd Dam: Magical Flash, by Miswaki 3rd Dam: Gils Magic, by Magesterial Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $34,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree. O-John D. Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Services; B-Eurowest Bloodstock Services (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. The post Deep Manhattan A Thanksgiving ‘Rising Star’ For Justify appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A filly foal by Wootton Bassett (GB) out of Accolade (Fr) (Orpen) (lot 871) was knocked down to Henry Lascelles for 580,000gns to take the lead mid-afternoon during the third session of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale on Friday. Offered by breeder Awbeg Stud, the filly is a full-sister to Group 3 winner and G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains runner-up The Summit (Fr). Wootton Bassett currently has the first two top lots at the #tattsdecember foal sale. This filly by the sire has been bought for 580,000gns by Henry Lascelles for a British owner breeder. She was consigned by Awbeg Stud. pic.twitter.com/np8JtELlHF — TDN (@theTDN) November 29, 2024 The post Wootton Bassett Full-Sister To Dual Classic-Placed The Summit Brings 580,000gns From Henry Lascelles At Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse racing and bourbon intersect in so many ways, but they really form a nexus around the themes of time and patience. Without either in the breeding shed or in the rickhouse, your chances at success will be severely hampered. There is nothing quite so powerful as a statement of age in the racing form or an age statement out of the barrel. When it comes to Thoroughbreds and specifically placing a strong emphasis on homebreds, John Ed Anthony's Shortleaf Stable personifies what many in the industry think a great recipe should entail–breeding to race with an eye on aftercare. To hear the Arkansas-based octogenarian tell it, there is nothing easy about flying your banner from start to finish, but ever since he lumbered through the days of Loblolly–before transitioning to Shortleaf–Anthony has understood why the homebred approach is so important. “For us [at Shortleaf] we've seen a lot of good horses come and go,” said Anthony. “This broodmare system works, we are committed to it, we've got the aftercare farm outside of Hot Springs and we've been really fortunate to have great partners like Arthur Hancock at Stone Farm.” The all-time winningest owner in Oaklawn Park's history is like a bourbon master distiller. He stays focused, sticks to his mash bill that is tried and true, but is willing to experiment when its required. He says patience. John Ed Anthony with his wife Isabel | Coady Photography “Let's put it this way, over the course of any given four years when it comes to homebreds you always have to kiss a lot of frogs,” he said. “If you are lucky enough to have a 2-year-old who can eventually compete in Classic races, flash speed, showcase some talent, then you are looking at something that's worth bottling.” Speaking of aging, Shortleaf has one its latest expressions ready for a flight on Saturday when 2-year-old filly Quietside (Malibu Moon) returns in the GII Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs. The race is also tabbed as a GI Kentucky Oaks prep race with 10-5-3-2-1 going to the top five finishers. The homebred heading to the post is out of Benner Island (Speightstown), who carried the colors for Anthony to victory in the GII Eight Belles Stakes under the Twin Spires in 2017. A half-sister to current Shortleaf Arkansas sire High North (Midnight Lute) and a full-sister to MGSW Victim of Love, Benner Island's foals have not had the easiest time making the races. “She's been what we call a spotty producer,” Anthony said of the mare, who was named by his wife Isabel for an island off the coast of Maine. “Her first foal by Bernardini never raced and then a colt by Constitution injured himself in one of those freak accidents and passed away. But we are optimistic [for Quietside] despite the fact that we know the Golden Rod is going to be a tough spot.” With Isabel in charge of naming the fillies for Shortleaf, Quietside's name originates from a part of Mt. Desert Island where the Anthony's family summers in Maine. The filly went through Stone Farm and this past June was sent to trainer John Ortiz, who regularly sends out Shortleaf stock. John Ortiz (center) with Quietside at the Spa | Sarah Andrew In her unveiling at Saratoga Aug. 4, the juvenile tasted sweet success when she broke her maiden by 6 1/4 lengths. The effort earned her 'TDN Rising Star' honors and her next start pitted her against Godolphin homebred Immersive (Nyquist) over a muddy track in the GI Spinaway Stakes upstate Aug. 31. The dark bay was bested by 2 1/4 lengths. The pair went at it again–this time trying two turns for the first time–in the GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes Oct. 4. Immersive scooped up that win too, while Quietside finished third. Instead of sending the juvenile to Del Mar to face her rival for a third time, Ortiz opted to give her a break and point to the Golden Rod. “It had been a hard campaign, including that incredible win in her debut, we just thought it was better to give her a break after the Keeneland race, which was her first time stretching out,” said Ortiz. Quietside is going to be up against a pair of strong homebreds from the shedrow of Brad Cox–Stonestreet's Eclatant (Into Mischief) and Godolphin morning-line favorite Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro). Neither have lost a race at this point. Seemingly always of good cheer himself, the trainer said he liked how Quietside has responded over the past month when she started to drill once again. “This is one strong cookie,” he said. “Her body has really developed the way we want to see and she has been training lights out. And I think the checklist is all set for this intelligent filly.” According to Ortiz, Tyler Gaffalione is Quietside's new jockey and the top rider worked his new mount recently at Churchill in preparation for the Golden Rod. As for Shortleaf's owner, he is equally optimistic about his filly's chances in what is shaping up to be a stiff challenge. “We've been patient with her, we are always wanting to face the best the sport has to offer and look forward to these kinds of opportunities,” he said. “Saturday's race will be a great test for her.” Distilling down John Ed Anthony's approach to his homebred program, he is nothing if not patient and that only adds to the potential for a really great pour. The post Shortleaf Homebred Quietside To Taste Golden Rod Pour appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aided by a perfect Zachary Butcher drive, Duchess Megxit has taken out tonight’s $225,000 Group 1 Tennant Engineering New Zealand Pacing Oaks at Addington. The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained daughter of Sweet Lou was positioned four back the running line from her second line draw while hot favourite Treacherous Baby, All You Need Is Me and Coastal Babe tried to dominate from the front. But at the 500 mark Duchess Megxit got a nice drag into the race behind Classic Elegance and then quickly gobbled up the field to dart away for a very impressive victory. It was Butcher’s third Oaks success and his second Group 1 of the night after Meant To Be easily took out the IRT Ace Of Clubs 2YO Colts and Geldings Trot. In the $140,000 What The Hill New Zealand Trotting Oaks superstar Australian filly Keayang Zahara made it 13 wins in a row. The star three-year-old worked her way to the lead and although challenged midrace was far too strong in the end to extend her unbeaten run. Princess Sadie was the best of the rest in second. In the Betavet Ace of Spades for the 2YO Colts and Geldings it was a walk in the park for hot favourite Marketplace. The boom gelding made it five wins in a row and six from just 10 starts by dominating right from the outset for driver Craig Ferguson. View the full article

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Ashford Stud's Practical Joke has enjoyed perhaps his strongest season yet with seven graded stakes winners so far this year. Only four stallions in North America can claim more, while both Quality Road and Not This Time also have seven graded stakes winners to their credit in 2024. Practical Joke, a three-time Grade I winner in his own right, retired to Ashford in 2018 and has produced four Grade I winners from his first four crops. In 2025, the son of Into Mischief's stud fee will increase from $45,000 to $75,000. Coolmore's Adrian Wallace said he believes Practical Joke's upward trajectory is just getting started. “He has always covered great books of mares in terms of numbers and in terms of quality,” he said. “He's got a huge future ahead of him. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a horse that not only maintains this level of stud fee going forward, but if it doesn't grow to $100,000 or more in the coming years.” Practical Joke's first North American Grade I win came from Chocolate Gelato, a member of his second crop, in the 2022 GI Frizette Stakes. The next year his son Practical Move claimed the GI Santa Anita Derby. This year, Ways and Means delivered in the GI Test Stakes and a few weeks later in Saratoga, Domestic Product emulated his sire when got his Grade I score the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes. In 2025, this latest Grade I winner for Practical Joke will join his sire at Ashford Stud. Domestic Product will stand for a fee of $30,000 in his debut season. A homebred for Klaravich Stables, Domestic Product came onto Coolmore's radar when he broke his maiden by over four lengths in October of his juvenile season. Around that same time, the fellow Chad Brown-trained Sierra Leona (Gun Runner) was getting ready to make his debut for the Coolmore partnership, Peter Brant and Brook Smith. Domestic Product joins his sire Practical Joke at Ashford Stud | Sara Gordon “We were obviously in constant contact with Chad for Sierra Leone and the other horses that we have with Chad and he was always speaking about how highly he thought of Domestic Product,” recalled Wallace. “He always rated him very highly and then once we saw him a few times, we were absolutely blown away by his physique. He's 16'2, almost black, a wonderful-looking horse and a great mover.” After battling to win the GIII Tampa Bay Derby, Domestic Product lost a shoe in the Kentucky Derby and was never in contention, but he bounced back when turned back to a mile for the GIII Dwyer Stakes, dominating by over seven lengths. From there he put in his career-best performance in the Allen Jerkens, earning a 106 Beyer Speed Figure as he prevailed over fellow Grade I winners Prince of Monaco (Speighstown) and Book'em Danno (Bucchero). “He beat a well-credentialed field in a very good time,” said Wallace. “The best thing about him was his speed. I think he was tactical in the way he could do it. He could put himself in any position in the race and he was dangerous from any position on the racetrack.” Domestic Product retired to Ashford after finishing third in his career finale in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. “He should be a very easy horse to breed to because, as Practical Joke does himself, he will suit the vast majority of American bloodlines,” said Wallace. “If you look at Practical Joke's graded stakes winners, he works with pretty much every single bloodline going in America. Domestic Product himself is out of a mare by Paynter, so that's the Awesome Again line.” Among Practical Joke's other Grade I winners, Chocolate Gelato's broodmare sire is Candy Ride (Arg), Practical Move's dam is by Afleet Alex and Ways and Means is out of a Warrior's Reward mare. “It's always very gratifying when you stand a stallion and then you're able to bring one of his own sons to stud,” said Wallace. “It's rare that happens. Domestic Product is a horse that has something for everyone. He's got the look. He's got the speed. He's got the balance. He's got a great pedigree behind him and he's one who should be very popular here on the stallion roster.” Sierra Leone at Ashford Stud | Sara Gordon Some of the breeders who have stopped in at Ashford Stud in the weeks since the Breeders' Cup to inspect Domestic Product may have also gotten a peak at one of Domestic Product's former stablemates. Sierra Leona has spent the past few weeks at Ashford enjoying some 'R & R' after his GI Breeders' Cup Classic victory. The 'TDN Rising Star' and dual Grade I winner is scheduled to return to the racetrack in 2025 for a 4-year-old campaign. “We are so proud of Sierra Leone,” said Wallace.” He's taken the ownership group on such a wonderful ride throughout this last year and a half and really put it all together on arguably the biggest day in the calendar when he took on older horses and beat a stellar field in the Breeders' Cup Classic. We're delighted to have him here for the moment and then hopefully we'll be able to take him on a world tour next year.” The post Domestic Product Follows Sire to Ashford appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The sole Grade I winner in Saturday's GI Hollywood Derby lineup, Carson's Run (Cupid) will try to shift his East Coast form to California for Del Mar's nine-furlong turf test. A first-out winner at Saratoga at two, the chestnut took the one-mile GI Summer Stakes at Woodbine later in September. Demoted to fifth in his sophomore bow in the Woodhaven Stakes at Aqueduct in April, the Christophe Clement trainee rebounded to win his next two-a confident score in Monmouth's Tale of the Cat Stakes before closing to a 3/4-length score in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Aug 11. Runner-up in the Aug. 31 GIII Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs, he followed up with another timely victory in the GIII Jockey Club Derby Invitational at the Big A Oct. 5. A four-time winner on the colt, Dylan Davis gets the call. Formidable Man (City of Light) rides a two-race win streak coming into this for trainer Michael McCarthy. Winner of the restricted Oceanside Stakes over a mile at Del Mar in July, the bay eked out a victory over the re-opposing Stay Hot (Summer Front) and Atitlan (The Factor) in the nine-panel GII Del Mar Derby Sept. 1. The latter came right back to hand Stay Hot a 1 1/2-length defeat in the Oct. 26 GII Twilight Derby. Del Mar's Saturday undercard also features the 1 1/16-mile GII Seabiscuit Handicap. Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile), winner of the 10-furlong GII John Henry Turf Cup Sept. 28, showed some early foot in the Nov. 4 GI Breeders' Cup Turf over 12 furlongs, but folded to finish 12th. Trainer Richard Mandella offers a pair in last out Lure Stakes winner Sumpter (War Front) and Seal Team (GB) (War Front), winner of last fall's GIII Twilight Derby, who returned with a fifth behind his stablemate in the Lure in his sole start in 2024. Juvenile graded action is also featured on the card with the one-mile GIII Jimmy Durante. Casalu (Caracaro) gets blinkers off for trainer Bob Baffert following a trailing fourth in the six panel Anoakia Stakes over the Santa Anita dirt Oct. 25. Prior to that, the $775,000 OBS April graduate was runner-up behind the talented Thought Process (Collected) in the grassy GIII Surfer Girl Stakes Oct. 6. Supa Speed (Justify) hopes for a better trip after a challenging trip which resulted in a 12th-place finish in the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes at Del Mar Nov. 1. A debut winner going five panels at Del Mar in August, the John Sadler trainee finished a productive second in the one-mile Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes on Sept. 7. Flavien Prat partners with the filly for the first time. Churchill Highlights Juvenile Stakes over Holiday Weekend With the juvenile titles already decided with the close of the Breeders' Cup earlier in the month, Churchill Downs offers a pair of juvenile tests that have thrown good horses that have gone on to be Grade I winning 3-year-olds including Silverbulletday (1998), Rachel Alexandra (2008) and Carina Mia (2015), all winners of the GII Golden Rod Stakes. Good Cheer | Coady Media Offering the flashiest record to this point is undefeated Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro), trained by Brad Cox. Out of the Grade I-winning mare Wedding Toast (Street Sense), the Godolphin hombred romped by 8 1/4 lengths going a mile in her career bow at Indiana Aug. 5 before inhaling her competition by 17 lengths in a sloppy 1 1/16-mile allowance at Churchill Sept. 28. In her latest start, she took Churchill's Rags to Riches by 4 3/4 lengths Oct. 27. Cox also offers up another undefeated juvenile in Eclatant (Into Mischief), who took her debut in Louisville in June before making it two straight in a six-furlong optional claiming test at Keeneland in October. A full to Grade II winner Mutasaabeq, the Stonestreet homebred will be ridden by Florent Geroux. Quietside (Malibu Moon) finally gets a reprieve by stepping away from juvenile champion filly elect and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Immersive (Nyquist), who defeated her in both of her last starts. Dubbed a TDN Rising Star following a 6 1/4-length score at the Spa Aug. 4, the dark bay had to play the bridesmaid to the MGISW in a muddy renewal of the GI Spinaway Aug. 31. Stretching beyond a mile for the first time for Keeneland's GI Alcibiades Stakes on Oct. 4, the Shortleaf hombred was third. Later on Churchill's card, Jonathan's Way (Vekoma) attempts to regain the winning thread in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club after finishing a flat seventh to Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile three weeks ago. Earning TDN Rising Star status in his debut going six furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 17, the Ohio bred launched his Road to Kentucky Derby 151 campaign with a victory in the one-mile GIII Iroquois Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Sept. 14. “We were obviously pretty disappointed with how he ran in the Breeders' Cup after what he showed us in his first two starts,” trainer Phil Bauer said. “This race will give us a good idea of how to plan his starts over the winter.” “We got him back to Churchill after the Breeders' Cup and he came out of the race in great shape. When we returned him to the work tab, he posted a sharp five-furlong work in :58-and-change. If he breaks like he did in the Iroquois, I'd expect him to be close to the early pace.” The 5-2 morning line favorite will be ridden by his returning pilot Joel Rosario. More Grade I Action at Del Mar Sunday Grade I turf action returns to Del Mar Sunday with the GI Matriarch Stakes. Gina Romantica (Into Mischief), who was forced to miss her engagement in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar three weeks ago, looks to pick up where she left off when winning her latest start in the GI First Lady Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 5. Brown is also represented by GSWs Tax Implications (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) and Prerequisite (Upstart), in addition Child of the Moon (Fr) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}), winner of her last two including the Athenia Stakes Oct. 19. Among those looking to square off with the Chad Brown runner are last year's GI Belmont Oaks Invitational Aspen Grove (Ire) (Justify), Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy), winner in the GII Ladies Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs before finishing a neck back in third in the GI Breeders' Turf Sprint and Kehoe Beach (Omaha Beach), an open-length winner in her last two starts including the most recent a 5 1/2-length score in a one-mile Keeneland allowance Oct. 26. Earlier in the afternoon, juveniles face off on the turf in the GIII Cecil B. DeMille, featuring Speak easy scorer Pali Kitten (Vino Rosso) and graded placed Scipio (Caravaggio) and Clock Tower (Not This Time). The one-mile test drew nine runners. The post GISWs Carson’s Run, Gina Romantica Highlight Del Mar’s Grade I Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two weeks after a highly creditable performance at Group One level, talented filly Connello will continue her black-type quest in Saturday’s Listed The O’Learys Fillies’ Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui. The daughter of Time Test has already delivered an outstanding return for her owner David Woodhouse, who paid just $10,000 to buy her from the 2022 National Weanling Sale at Karaka. She has had 11 starts for three wins, two placings and $93,465 in stakes. A winner at New Plymouth as an autumn two-year-old, Connello resumed this spring with a close fifth in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton before stringing together back-to-back victories at Hawera and Trentham in October. Trainer Lisa Latta sent Connello on another southern mission earlier this month, this time to contest the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) on November 16. She finished a close fifth behind Captured By Love, Alabama Lass, Movin Out and Love Poem. “We thought that was a pretty good run, particularly bearing in mind that she got a fairly decent knock at the top of the straight,” Woodhouse said. “She was also a bit wide coming around the bend, so it was a good effort. “Lisa and her team have been very happy with her since then. The big question will be how much that trip has taken out of her, but Lisa’s seen no signs of any fatigue. “She’s a tough little thing. She tries her hardest every time. She’s needed to grow a bit, because she was quite small as a two-year-old, but she’s furnished into a very nice filly now. “She’s already given a pretty good return for that purchase price, and a bit of black type would be lovely and would really add to her value.” Connello will be ridden by Chris Dell in Saturday’s three-year-old fillies’ feature. The TAB rates her a $4 second favourite behind Te Akau Racing’s last-start maiden winner Celestial Wonder, who heads the market at $2.80. Meanwhile, Woodhouse’s star homebred mare Belclare is set to return to Sydney for a spell after a below-par performance in Saturday’s Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1600m) in Perth. The dual Group One winner ventured west in supreme form, having strung together back-to-back wins in the Gr.2 The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick and the Gr.2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill. But the front-running tactics that delivered those successes brought a very different result at Ascot, with the Per Incanto mare the first one beaten in the straight and dropping out to finish last in the field of 16. “She was very disappointing,” Woodhouse said. “Bjorn (Baker, trainer) said I might have been on to something when I’d previously suggested she’s not as good left-handed, but I’m not sure. “It was her third race within the space of four weeks, which is something we never did with her in New Zealand. She used to come home for a few days in the paddock after every run here, and three weeks was pretty much the shortest gap we ever gave her between runs. I just think it was one race too many. “Perhaps the Gold Rush (Gr.3, 1400m) in a couple of weeks’ time might have been the better race to try to target over there. But hindsight is always easy in the racing game. “Bjorn has Overpass racing in Perth this weekend, and I think they’ll both head back to Sydney after that. I haven’t talked to Bjorn about what we’ll do with her next, but I think she’ll have a good break now. “The risk now is whether the tracks will be too rain-affected for her in the autumn, but we’ll have to wait and see.” View the full article

Pour The Wine heads into Saturday’s NHR Group (1300m) at Ellerslie with an impressive course record, and trainer Barbara Kennedy hopes there could be bigger assignments in store at the Auckland track. Racing in the two-tone blue colours of breeder and co-owner Daniel Nakhle, Pour The Wine has had a total of 20 starts for four wins and seven placings. Her four previous trips to Ellerslie have produced a win and three placings. She won a 1200m open handicap there in February, then finished third behind Jaarffi and Town Cryer in the $350,000 Rangitoto Classic (1500m) in March. Kennedy took over the handling of Pour The Wine when Peter and Dawn Williams retired earlier in the year. The Telperion mare’s debut for her new trainer was a first-up fourth in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa on November 9, where she finished close up behind Babylon Berlin, Imprevu and Geriatrix. “I was really happy with that run,” Kennedy said. “She was definitely in need of it, so the fact that she was able to still finish fourth in such a strong race was very encouraging. “I was also quite mindful of the fact that she hasn’t tended to race all that well at Te Rapa. Getting back to Ellerslie this weekend, where she has such a good record, we’re expecting that she’ll run well.” Pour The Wine will be ridden by Vinnie Colgan on Saturday and is rated a $4.60 favourite by the TAB. Kennedy hopes a strong showing here could be a step towards a possible tilt at the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) on January 25. “Ideally, I’d love to get her to the Westbury Classic on Karaka Millions night,” she said. “We’ll map things out one race at a time and see how she goes in each step along the way, but that’s the long-term goal that I’ve got in the back of my mind.” Pour The Wine will be one of three runners at Ellerslie on Saturday for Kennedy, who also has Marengo in the Cure Kids (1100m) and Lachie in the Prezzy Card (1300m). This will be the first start since March for Marengo, who made a good impression with a win and four second placings from his five starts last season. “He’s had quite a long spell and seems to be building back up nicely,” Kennedy said. “His trial the other day at Waipa was pretty good. In contrast to a lot of his previous racing, where he seemed to often jump quickly from the gates and race up on the speed, he was slowly away that day but then finished it off quite well from off the pace. He’s drawn 12 on Saturday, so we might look to ride him the same way.” Lachie came close to delivering a first Ellerslie winner for Kennedy when he ran a last-start second there on Melbourne Cup Day on November 5. The three-year-old Belardo gelding charged home from third-last and got to within a neck of the winner Texas Hold ‘Em. “That was a cracking run and he didn’t miss by much,” Kennedy said. “We’ll probably try to ride him the same way too, since he’s drawn wide again. Hopefully he’ll settle nicely off the pace and then try to finish over the top of them.” View the full article

Eight-time Group One winner’s Saudi Cup lead-up race will be on turf rather than dirt.View the full article

By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s sole representative at the Inter Dominion series is out because of a hoof abscess. Trainer Mark Jones was left with little choice but to scratch Tact McLeod from the series, which begins at Newcastle tonight, after he was slightly sore leaving his box this morning. “He has an abscess and it would have affected him tonight even though he could be okay in a few days,” says Jones. “So I am pretty sure that puts him out of the series which is a real shame for everybody.” Tonight’s opening round heats will go ahead as Newcastle has been spared the worst of the storm that have hit New South Wales. Tact McLeod’s scratching came after withdrawal time so too late for the emergencies to get back into the series. Before today’s announcement Tact Mcleod was a $4 favourite to win the series. Don Hugo has replaced him as the top pick at $4.20, ahead of Minstrel ($5) and Curly James ($5.50). View the full article

By Brigette Solomon The brand new state of the art complex at Breckon Farms has been officially opened – and it’s “impressive”. Set in the heart of the Waikato at Ohaupo, Ken and Karen Breckon’s newly-completed showpiece was unveiled with friends, colleagues, and industry members this week. “We are absolutely thrilled with it, the whole process and the people involved have been incredible,” said Ken Breckon. With formalities managed by Trackside’s Greg O’Connor and HRNZ CEO Brad Steele officially opening the complex, guests were welcomed to walk through the barns and view Breckon Farms 2025 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales draft in the stables before moving into the function room with its floor to ceiling windows offering picturesque views of the farm. “Ken and Karen are really raising the bar and setting new standards for harness racing,” said Brad Steele, “it’s such an impressive facility and they should be applauded for their efforts.” It features stabling for 48 horses in two wings, one for colts and one for fillies, with each wing including a feed room, wash bays, and tack rooms alongside spacious staff facilities. The central courtyard between the stable wings houses a fully equipped function room with views overlooking the picturesque farm to the west, while the view to the east from the function room deck look out to the barns and parade ring where guests enjoyed a parade of two of Breckon Farms prized mares Twist And Twirl and Millwood Nike. “The idea of this barn first came up about six years ago, but everything got put into a spin when Covid-19 hit and it wasn’t until the world got back to some normality that we really got serious about it,” said Breckon. “We undertook a lot of research and planning as it was important that the facilities were functional as well as beautiful, we would have visited at least 10 thoroughbred studs to view their facilities and get feedback, but the clincher was visiting Cambridge Stud which owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay have extensively updated.” “The Lindsays, alongside their CEO Henry Plumptre and Marcus Corban, were amazing, welcoming us into Cambridge Stud and making their facilities fully available to us to view.” The Breckons then worked with Te Awamutu architect Joanne Chalkley of New Vision Architecture to create their facility, allowing them to stamp their own style into the building. “We wanted the barn to fit in with the surrounding environment of the farm and Karen was adamant on having the brickwork around the lower part of the external walls which looks great,” said Breckon. “The fittings and facilities for the horses also had to be safe and practical and we worked with Phil Hoburn from NZ Equine Solutions who was instrumental in procuring the rubber for the flooring, stables and walkways, as well as connecting us with the internal stable fit out which came from Poland.” And while the planning was a major undertaking in itself, the timeframe allowed for executing the project was just nine months, and it all went without a hitch. “It was absolutely unreal how the build went, the timing was tight as it needed to be complete by mid-November to allow the 2025 yearlings to begin their sales preparation,” said Breckon, “so earthworks started the day after the horses left for sales in February and miraculously everything went to plan, the weather was dry at the right time for pouring concrete, the steel fittings were in on time, it just worked out so well which is never a given with projects like this.” With their impressive new barn safely installed, Breckon is now looking forward to the 2025 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales with plans to expand numbers in coming years. “We have some nice young race mares coming through and with the new barn we’re planning to increase our numbers and hope to eventually have up to 50 Breckon bred yearlings to go through the sales.” “There is a multitude of people to thank from our farm manager Nigel Fahy and the team on the farm, to New Vision Architects, the builders at Construct Advantage, Phil Hoburn from NZ Equine Solutions, all the subcontractors, and so many more.” View the full article

Nonconformist. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Nonconformist, the 2021 Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) runner-up, is set for his first Melbourne appearance since October 2023 in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield this Saturday. The eight-year-old gelding, trained by Grahame Begg, has been campaigning in Sydney and most recently finished midfield in the Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m). Begg is optimistic about a stronger showing this weekend, noting that luck was not on Nonconformist’s side in his previous outing. “He didn’t have much luck in his last start at Rosehill,” Begg said. “He was trapped wide early and rolled forward, and then the race got very messy for him, but he wasn’t beaten all that far at the finish. So, his run was quite good.” To keep the gelding in top condition, Nonconformist had a jump-out at Cranbourne over 1200m last Monday week, which Begg described as “a nice tick over.” “It’s a competitive race, and it’s good to see him back at Caulfield where he’s run well before,” he added. Nonconformist will jump from barrier five, with Harry Coffey booked for the ride. Horse racing news View the full article

Tamerlane. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Godolphin’s Tamerlane, a gelding by Golden Horn, will aim for his first victory at Caulfield this Saturday in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m). Trained by James Cummings, Tamerlane is a dual Listed winner who impressed with a solid fourth-place finish in The Damien Oliver (1400m) on November 2. “His run a few weeks ago in the Linlithgow was good, beaten by two decent horses, and Another Wil was then very good in the Sir Rupert Clarke,” said Nacim Dilmi, Godolphin’s Melbourne foreman. “We gave him a nice jumpout at Flemington last week, but we didn’t have to do too much as he does things pretty easy. “He’s a very big horse. He doesn’t mind a track like Caulfield, and we’ll be quite confident he’ll run a good race Saturday.” Horse racing bookmakers have Tamerlane marked as an $8 in Kevin Heffernan Stakes betting. Horse racing news View the full article

Queen Of Dragons (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Peter Snowden is set to run Queen Of Dragons in Saturday’s Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield, with hopes that the four-year-old mare can build on her recent fourth-place finish in the $350,000 Inglis Bracelet (1600m) on November 7. The daughter of Pierro showcased her ability earlier in the year by winning the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) in March. After a slow start to her preparation with three below-par performances, Queen Of Dragons showed improvement with a strong effort in the Inglis Bracelet. “Her run was enormous in the Inglis race,” Snowden told Racing.com. “I wanted to see that. Now I’ve seen it, I think she’ll hold that form now and continue on. “She has taken a little while to come to hand this preparation.” Snowden left the mare in Melbourne following her last run and has been encouraged by her progress. “Her work has been really good. She worked very well on Tuesday morning, so I think she’s on track to run well on Saturday,” he added. Queen of Dragons is currently a $16 chance with BlondeBet for the Summoned Stakes on Saturday. Horse racing news View the full article

The Perth Summer Racing Carnival heats up this Saturday with the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot Racecourse. A capacity field of sixteen top sprinters will vie for a share of the lucrative $1.5 million prize money, with all eyes on defending champion Overpass. Last year’s victor, the Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass, currently heads the […] The post 2024 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Odds: Overpass Defends Title appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh. Photo: Nicole Troost The best will be seen of promising colt Bourbon Proof when he transitions to middle distance racing, but he is still more than capable of making his presence felt over a shorter trip on Saturday. The son of Justify has yet to breakthrough and his timing will be immaculate if he can shed his maiden tag at Listed level at Ellerslie. Bourbon Proof finished runner-up in his sole appearance last season and was then fourth when resuming before another second last time out over 1400m. “He has drawn poorly every time and never had any luck,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “This time, he’s up to 1500m with a nice barrier and I’d just love to see him bounce and get every chance for the first time. “There’s a couple of really nice ones in it, but he’ll get his opportunity. We’ve run him in some good races and he does have the talent, we really rate him.” He is from the family of dual middle-distance Group One winner Showella, whose daughter Showcause was a former Champion New Zealand Stayer and Marsh believes Bourbon Proof will also shine when stepped up in trip. “We think he is one of those three-year-olds who will love getting over ground and the Derby (Group 1, 2400m) will be his goal,” Marsh said. “He will have a little let-up at some stage and then all systems go for the Derby.” At the other end of the age scale is stablemate Skyman who showed he is close to adding to his winning record with a last-start second over 1500m when conceding the winner Witz End 5kg. The nine-year-old is ideally suited to go one better in the Group 3 Challenge Stakes (1600m). “He always races well at Ellerslie and he’s drawn two, he’s coming from a handicap when he carried a big weight (59kg) and he’s in at set weights and penalties,” Marsh said. “Him and Aegon just get in so well and Warren (Kennedy) has ridden him in a trial and loved the horse, he maps to get a good run and gets in so very, very well.” Marsh will also be represented by a genuine black-type contender at Wanganui when Hitabell steps out in the Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies’ Stakes (1340m). “She won well at Taupo and the just had no luck at all in a good three-year-old race at Ellerslie (Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes, 1400m),” he said. Hitabell again suffered an interrupted run when unplaced last time out and Marsh said she possessed the early pace to hopefully negate a potentially awkward gate (10). “She is going great and has enough tactical speed to cross a few, she’s a really nice filly.” Horse racing news View the full article

Midnight Blue and Daniel Stackhouse winning the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m). Photo: Brett Holburt – Racing Photos Midnight Blue has proven to be an astute purchase by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, and the eight-year-old gelding is looking to continue to prove his worth in New Zealand. Ellis purchased the son of So You Think as a tried horse from Inglis Digital in November last year for $92,500, having already won five races, including the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) and Listed Ascot Gold Cup Stakes (1800m). Since joining trainer Mark Walker’s Cranbourne barn, Midnight Blue has added a further two victories to his record, including the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) last month, accruing more than $220,000 in prizemoney in that time. The trans-Tasman operation have now shifted their attention to New Zealand with the gelding, eyeing the lucrative prizemoney and bonuses on offer as part of the revamped The Rich Hill Champion Middle Distance Series. Walker and his New Zealand co-trainer, Sam Bergerson, have been pleased with the way Midnight Blue has settled into his new environment at their Matamata stable. “We haven’t had him here in New Zealand that long, but he has come over in fantastic order,” Bergerson said. “He seems to be enjoying the New Zealand lifestyle. We train him a bit differently over here, he is out in a paddock during the day, which he really loves. “His work has been good since coming over here, he is a very interesting runner.” Midnight Blue is set to get his first taste of New Zealand racing when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Group 3 Challenge Stakes (1600m). “Off that Seymour Cup form you would think he would be pretty competitive,” Bergerson said. “He is an eight-year-old, but he is bouncy, bright and full of himself here. “We are hoping he can go a nice race and then there are some nice targets for him over summer if he does step up.” Horse racing news View the full article