Wandering Eyes

As we approach this year's season of giving thanks, I am especially grateful for those in the veterinary profession, the dedicated racing connections who stand by their horses for life, and the amazing Thoroughbreds who teach us what really matters. My mare, Sadie's Magic (Street Magician), has taken me on many adventures and taught me a tremendous amount as a rider. What I did not expect were the lessons that she would teach me out of the saddle: lessons in resilience, perseverance, and the perspective on life that would follow after Sadie's unexpected cancer diagnosis and resulting treatment journey. Having earned the nickname “Sensible Sadie” early in life due to her intelligent, kind nature, Sadie was enabled through these characteristics to quickly succeed in a second career. Sadie has always been game to try whatever discipline we throw at her. She's a true example of the versatility and heart of the Thoroughbred and the reason Thoroughbreds will always be my favorite breed. Following her retirement from racing in 2019, Sadie's adventures have spanned from competing at the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover in hunters and jumpers, the Real Rider Cup, hunter derbies, dressage, foxhunting, beach rides, to many happy miles on the trails of New Jersey. In late 2022, we began to dabble in eventing, which seemed to be Sadie's “thing.” After winning her first schooling horse trial, we hoped to continue to explore this new discipline in the future. Our competitive dreams were halted when a small, seemingly innocuous bump presented on Sadie's forehead. Fortunately, Sadie was outwardly unaffected and my husband and I thought we might be overreacting in reaching out to her vet, figuring she had likely just bumped her head in the field (horses, you know?) What started with a text to Sadie's primary veterinarian, Dr. Stefanie DeNoia, prefaced with “I'm probably overreacting, but…[,]” led to a medical journey resulting in Sadie being diagnosed with a rare sarcoma cancer. We are forever grateful for the diligence and dedication of Sadie's veterinarians for making this diagnosis. Without them, Sadie would never have been given the chance to fight this and would potentially not be with us today. It truly took a village to determine the best plan for Sadie. I don't know where we would be if not for the thoroughness of Dr. DeNoia in taking our concerns seriously and taking the initial ultrasound, the brilliance of Dr. Jennifer Smith at New Jersey Equine Clinic for obtaining a biopsy and ultimately catching this rare cancer, as well as Dr. David Levine of the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center in taking Sadie's CT-scan and providing critical input needed to assess treatment options. Following her diagnosis, we quickly began exploring the options with the support of Sadie's team. Unfortunately, Sadie's prognosis without treatment was grim, and a difficult decision had to be made: either allow her to live out whatever time she had left (a heartbreaking proposition looking at this otherwise healthy young horse), or take a risk and pursue treatment with the hope, but by no means guarantee, that treatment would be successful. We accepted that her athletic career may be over and decided that if she could continue to enjoy a good quality of life, however long that may be, that was a win for us. After all, these incredible animals give us so much more than just the time spent in the saddle. I do not wish a decision like this on any horse owner and would never fault anyone for choosing not to pursue treatment. However, in this circumstance, after extensive deliberation, taking into consideration Sadie's temperament, age, and overall health, we chose to take a leap of faith and go all in on fighting this. Following numerous consultations, we were informed that the only option for Sadie's particular cancer was radiation therapy. This already overwhelming proposition was made even more complex by the fact that very few equine hospitals in the United States offer such therapy. The best option for Sadie was Auburn University's JT Vaughn Large Animal Teaching Hospital – an approximately 900-mile, 14-hour trip from our farm in New Jersey. So began the logistical challenge of coordinating Sadie's trip to Alabama for her month-long stay. Taking on this adventure in our two-horse bumper-pull trailer was less than ideal and finding shipping from New Jersey to Alabama proved challenging. Enter Sadie's breeder, Erika Neuberg of Nearaway Farm, who graciously offered her horse trailer, allowing Sadie to make the trip in a box stall. This act of kindness enabled us to make the long trip to Alabama for Sadie to receive treatment. Throughout her treatment, during which she was placed under general anesthesia 10 times, Sadie exhibited the same sensible nature and grit that she did on the track and in her second career. Sadie completed her treatment at Auburn on October 16, 2023. Her incredible team of oncologists and veterinarians even held a graduation ceremony for her, complete with a cap and diploma. It's hard to put into words how grateful I am to the team at Auburn–including but not limited to, Dr. Gregory Almond, Dr. Larissa Pinheiro Muller e Castro, Dr. Lindsey Boone, Dr. Kira Noordwijk, Dr. Kayla Peck, as well as the wonderful veterinary students and staff at Auburn–for their kindness, dedication, and unwavering support through the very challenging time during Sadie's treatment. Sadie continues to defy the odds, constantly exhibiting her resilience and grit throughout her first year post-treatment. We found our expectations once again surpassed when she was cleared to return to work following her post-treatment CT-scans. Her return has been slow and gradual with lots of walking to rebuild her fitness. Throughout her return to work, Sadie continued to show that she was game for more. This culminated in her return to competition this September at the Stone Tavern Schooling Horse Trial at the Horse Park of New Jersey. Sadie picked up where she left off and completed all three phases of the starter division, finishing on her dressage score. After thinking we would lose Sadie last year, I never imagined she would trot down the center line ever again, and cried happy tears after every phase. Moving forward, we will continue to take things day by day and let Sadie tell us what she wants to do. She owes us nothing and we owe her so much. As we enter the holiday season, it's a perfect time to reflect on our past year and be thankful for everything everyone has done for Sadie. I could not be more grateful for the incredible team of veterinarians who have given me the gift of more time with my mare, and all those who supported her in this journey. Without them, we would not be where we are today. The post Sadie’s Squad: The Team Who Saved a Mare From a Rare Cancer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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Turfway Park's Holiday Meet, running through Dec. 29, boasts record-setting purses fueled by support from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. Owners, trainers, and jockeys will compete for more than $7 million in purses across the meet.View the full article

Trainer Brad Cox sends out the top two chances on the morning line for Friday's GII Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs, and those who support the duo from a pari-mutuel perspective will be looking for some positive cashflow to get a head start on their holiday shopping. Since being acquired privately by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's Wathnan Racing earlier this season, Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) has yet to taste defeat in three starts, including the GIII West Virginia Governor's Stakes in August, a neck defeat of Cooke Creek (Uncle Mo) in the GII Lukas Classic Stakes in the local slop at the back end of September and another narrow success over Bolzy (Gun Runner) when last seen in Keeneland's GII Fayette Stakes Oct. 26. Hit Show was bred and raced by Gary and Mary West up to the time of his sale, and the couple is represented by stablemate Most Wanted (Candy Ride {Arg}). The homebred half-brother to MGISW 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief) has an unblemished record of his own from his four trips to the races, including the Aug. 11 Ellis Park Derby and the GIII Oklahoma Derby Sept. 29. “It should be a fun weekend of racing. We've got a lot of nice horses entered,” said Cox, who won the 2018 with another son of Candy Ride, Leofric. “The Clark is always a marquee race in the fall, and both horses fit the race well. We're expecting top efforts from them both.” Rattle N Roll (Connect) made his two most recent starts in the Lukas Classic, finishing fourth in 2023 before returning off a year's absence to finish a sound third to Hit Show Sept. 28. He was entered for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, but failed to draw in off the also-eligible list. Crupi (Curlin) goes out for Todd Pletcher, winner of the Clark in 2005 and again in 2007, and was last seen finishing a distant third to stablemate Tapit Trice (Tapit) in the GII Woodward Stakes Sept. 28. Red Route One (Gun Runner) looks to follow in the hoofprints of his sire, who won this in 2016, and runs for the first time since taking the GIII Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap July 6. Full Field Set For Mrs. Revere A maximum field of 12 sophomore fillies will load the gate for a competitive renewal of the co-featured GII Mrs. Revere Stakes beneath the Twin Spires. Kehoe Beach (Omaha Beach) is a head from being perfect on the grass, but a repeat of either her two most recent efforts likely gets the job done in her stakes debut. All-the-way winner of a seven-furlong allowance at Kentucky Downs Sept. 8, the $450,000 Keeneland September purchase dominated second-level Keeneland allowance foes from the front Oct. 26, scoring by 5 1/2 lengths, but she may have some other speedy types to deal with here. A pair of fillies who have already established their affinity for the Matt Winn turf course are poised to capitalize if the favorite falters. Pin Up Betty (Constitution) is two-for-two at Churchill, having graduated by five lengths before defeating Buchu (Justify) in the GII Regret Stakes June 1. The latter won her maiden over this course last September but is winless since taking out the GII Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland on her seasonal debut back in April. Poolside With Slim (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) ran down Pharoah's Wine (American Pharoah) in the GII Valley View Stakes in Lexington Oct. 25, but has a very difficult draw to defy from gate 12 of 12. Minoushka (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Group 3-placed in France for Carlos and Yann Lerner, overcame trouble to take her U.S. debut in Keeneland allowance company Oct. 10. In graded action on Thanksgiving Day, 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini) takes on Musical Mischief (Into Mischief) and the commonly owned Loved (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GIII Falls City Stakes looking to add to her nose win in the GII Mother Goose Stakes Oct. 26; Implicated (Connect) looks to return to the form that won her the GII Nassau Stakes in the GIII Cardinal Handicap; and Augustin Stable homebred Truly Quality (Quality Road) ships into Del Mar for the GII Hollywood Turf Cup on the back of a late-running success in the Oct. 5 GIII Singspiel Stakes at Woodbine. The post Cox Clark Twosome Look To Keep Backers in the ‘Black’ on Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It's not that Medallion Racing, a branch of Taylor Made, didn't get off to a good start. It was anything but. A racing partnership whose goal is to gets its partners to experience racing at the highest levels around the world, Taylor Made was delivering on that promise. Out of 250 plus starts, Medallion, at one point had raced five Grade I winners, won 28 graded stakes and had 72 top-three finishes in graded stakes. But what it didn't have was a superstar, the type that could win multiple Grade I or Group I stakes. That all changed when Medallion purchased an interest in Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) after she made her first start in a race at the Curragh in 2023. Fast forward to 2024 and, despite an eighth-place showing in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, she's won four Group I races. Her list of stakes victories includes two at the Royal Ascot meet, in the G1 Coronation S. and the G3 Albany S. “It's been great to own her and Porta Fortuna is the culmination of everything we have worked for since we started Medallion seven years ago,” said Taylor Made President and CEO Mark Taylor. “She's the first horse we've had who has won multiple Grade I races and has gotten to the championship level. (Porta Fortuna was named the Cartier Champion 3-year-old Filly of 2024). There were some other horses that we almost pulled the trigger on and, for whatever reason, it was either the price or other concerns, became horses that we missed on. They went on to have these sensational performances. We missed on a few but not with Porta Fortuna. She was a walk-off home run.” Trained by Donnacha O'Brien, Porta Fortuna is being given the winter off before she gears up for her 4-year-old campaign. The first major goal is a return to Royal Ascot. The rest of the season is up in the air, but Taylor said that a return trip to the Breeders' Cup is on his wish list and that there is a possibility she will have a prep in the U.S. before the Breeders' Cup. “You get a horse like her and it's very easy to get ahead of yourself,” Taylor said. “These horses are not robots and they have to tell you what they want to do. It's really exciting for us because Donnacha is a massive talent and I think that with her being one of his first really big-time horses it is going to be something that is going to keep Porta in the conversation for decades to come. When Donnacha wins his 100th Group I race they'll be saying that one of his first very big horses was Porta Fortuna. We're leaving it in his hands and really don't have any concrete races picked out at this point.” There are hundreds of racing partnership out there, but none quite like Medallion. Partners can buy into a horse for a one-time fee of $50,000. The goal is to find ready-made horses who are capable of winning group or graded stakes races immediately after being purchased by Medallion. When the syndicate buys the horse the goal is to have it running in a stakes race in five weeks or less from the time of the purchase. “Any time you start a new venture in business or in life a lot of times you have a vision of how it will evolve, but many times it veers and turns into something different,” Taylor said. “We like to think that think Medallion racing has been one of those special ventures that when we sat down and scratched things out on a piece of paper this is exactly what we wanted to achieve. We want to create a racing partnership that ensures that people are going to get a taste of racing at the very highest level, and we're going to have it at an affordable price point where people can stick their toe in the water without coming off the high dive. “It's really come to fruition. I give a lot of the credit to (Medallion Racing Manager) Phillip Shelton and to our partnerships brand coordinator Molly Hyer. Everybody on our team works together to create a real high level concierge type of service for our partners and we have been successful getting our partners to experience a really high level of racing at some of the best venues around the world.” Taylor said they have never had a purchase who did not make it to the races for Medallion. “Porta was one of the riskier buys because all she had ever done before was to break her maiden,” Taylor said. “Mark McStay brought her to us and was very high on her. Phillip Shelton actually had to talk me personally into it. I was worried that there was a lot of downside. They both loved the horse and thought she'd have massive upside if we get this thing right. I give the team credit because they got it right. That's how it kind of works. If you are an investor and we are building the team, building the stabile, most of these horses will be running in group or grades races within 30 days of us buying them. It's instant action. With yearling or two-year-old partnerships you buy in and then you have this long holding pattern while the horse develops. Those partnerships definitely have their place and you can catch lightning in a bottle, like they did with Flightline. But what we wanted to do is get people in and guarantee them they are going to get to a graded race and enjoy the experience. It's not like it's going to be 'I bought four yearlings and none of them can run.' You know you're going to get a taste of racing at the top level right away. Then you see if you like it and then you figure out if you want to take a deeper dive into the horse racing game in some other way.” The Medallion stable is always developing. On average there are about 12 ½ horses in each new class. The mares are normally sold at the November sales and that money is then reinvested in new acquisitions. A win by Porta Fortuna in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Mile would be the ultimate success story. But let her have another year where she wins three Group I races in Europe and no one will complain. She's only four and has raced just 12 times, winning six Group races. It's possible that she's just getting started. The post Porta Fortuna A Dream Horse for Medallion Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Top UK trainer Jamie Osborne talks through his team for the 2024-25 Dubai Racing Carnival, including Ouzo, Sean and 2-year-olds Heart of Honor and Secret Combination.View the full article

The nominees for the ROA Epsom Awards, sponsored by the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), have been revealed. The awards will take place at Epsom Downs Racecourse on Saturday, Nov. 30, and will celebrate the achievements of Epsom's NH and Flat horses, trainers, and industry staff over the past year. The awards ceremony and dinner will be hosted by Frankie Foster and Mattie Batchelor. The nominees for the awards are as follows: Best 2yo – Beautiful Things (M Attwater), Many Men (J Boyle) Best 3yo -Carnival (J Boyle), Hello Cotai (A West), Mc Loven (S Dow) Best Older Horse – Epsom Faithful (P Phelan), Hodler (J Boyle), Live In The Dream (A West) Best National Hunt Horse – Blue Universe (M Attwater), Classic Anthem (J Boyle), Martin Spirit (A West) Most Improved Horse/Handicapper – Carnival Day (J Boyle), Thursday (S Dow), Tronido (S Dow) Horse of the Year – Cabeza De Llave (M Attwater), Rabinal (S Dow), Smasher (M Attwater) There will also be a 'Horse with the most wins' award presented on the evening. Three human awards will also be given: the Stanley Wootton Award (incorporating the Racing Welfare Dedication to Racing Award) and sponsored by Epsom Downs Racecourse, which will recognise outstanding merit on behalf of Epsom as a racing and training centre; the Howard Wright Special Recognition Award, sponsored by RaceTech, will recognise a person, horse or special achievement that might otherwise slip under the radar of the conventional awards; and the Sir David Prosser Trophy, sponsored by Lady Rosemary Prosser and Orbital Veterinary Services, will be given to the Epsom trainer with the most winners in a calendar year (Nov. 5 2022 to Nov. 4 2023). The judging panel will be Epsom Downs and Sandown Park's Andrew Cooper, the Racing Post's Lee Mottershead, Rishi Persad, and the ROA's Sarah Holton. Dawn Goodfellow, Racing Welfare chief executive, said, “We're delighted to once again be staging the ROA Epsom Awards, and we'd like to wish all of the nominees the very best of luck. We look forward to finding out who the judges have chosen as winners, at what promises to be a wonderful evening of entertainment and celebration and would like to thank our sponsors, hosts and judges for their support.” The post Nominees For ROA Epsom Awards In Aid Of Racing Welfare Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton There are short priced favourites and then there is Keayang Zahara. The unbeaten Australian filly is at $1.04 to win Friday’s $140,000 Group 1 New Zealand Trotting Oaks at Addington Raceway (9.02pm) with Princess Sadie, Empire City and High Step all joint second favourite at $12. That she’s considered unbeatable won’t be a surprise to anyone after her eight length demolition of the field in her New Zealand debut, the Majestic Horse Floats LP THE ASCENT on Show Day, November 15. Driver Jason Lee is back in Christchurch and will consult with foreman and caretaker trainer Antti Ruokonen on the star filly’s final touches before she goes for a 13th successive win. “Antti says she’s been great since the last win. Yes, she was a bit tired after it and a bit stiff, too, but the track was quite heavy through Cup Week and you saw that with slower times they were running,” Lee said. “She bounced back quickly and Antti said everything points to her being as good as ever. “The one thing I’m keen to see myself is how fresh she seems. On the Tuesday before the slot race, she was bouncing around and double barrelling, if she’s like that again I’ll give her a hit out the day before the race (Thursday).” “It wouldn’t be ideal if she was too fresh behind the starting gate.” Lee, who surrendered two key drives on Inter Dominion opening night at Newcastle to partner Keayang Zahara, was pleased with barrier seven for the daughter of Volstead. “It’s about where you’d like and takes the pressure out of potentially having to really use her early,” he said. “I’m sure she’ll have plenty of early speed when we want to use it, and maybe we’ll use some this week, but we’ve spent a lot of time training to settle and relax. “The other top filly (Empire City) is drawn outside us and I’m sure we’ve got the speed to keep them all outside of us as we float forward. “It’s only short (1980m), so we’re best working forward to stay away from any traffic.” Keayang Zahara brilliantly won all 11 Aussie runs, including five at Group 1 level, before becoming the talk of NZ Cup Week. Connections immediately opted to stay in NZ for the Oaks, but will delay a decision on staying another week for the $200,000 Group 1 NZ Trotting Derby. “It really is one race at a time,” Lee said. “It makes sense to stay because we’re here and it’s only another week, but we’re mindful of how far she’s come so quickly and it’s still her first campaign. “Let’s just see how she gets through this week and we’ll make the Derby call by Sunday, I’d think.” View the full article

A barn at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course remained under quarantine through the morning of Nov. 27 for a confirmed case of strangles. View the full article

1st-Aqueduct, $90K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 12:10 p.m. ET. Stonestreet Stables homebred APPLE JAX (Speightstown), a full-brother to Grade I winner Charlatan, debuts for trainer Chad Brown. Out of graded winner Authenticity (Quiet American), the juvenile is also a half to stakes winner Hanalei Moon (Malibu Moon). Brown also saddles firster Munden (Gun Runner), a $300,000 FTSAUG yearling purchase by Jeffrey Drown, Don Rachel, and Richard Schermerhorn. TJCIS PPS The post Friday Racing Insights: Full-Brother to Charlatan Debuts at Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 Henry Cecil Open Weekend has raised a record £89,196–a 68% increase on the amount raised last year–the committee behind the event announced on Wednesday. The money will be distributed to the main charity beneficiary, the Newmarket Housing Trust, which is run by the Newmarket Trainers Group to create a portfolio of much-needed accommodation across the town for racing staff, as well as the long-standing charity partner, Racing Welfare. Trainer Charlie Fellowes, chairman of the Henry Cecil Open Weekend, said, “My sincere thanks go to all those who make this wonderful event possible. It is a huge team effort and without the support of our generous sponsors, advertisers, all the sites that open their doors and my fellow Newmarket trainers and their staff who give up a rare day off to open their yards, this event would not be possible. “It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our sport, the equine stars who are at the heart of it, and all that the headquarters of British horseracing here in Newmarket has to offer. To have raised such an incredible amount of money, more than we have ever raised before, is a testament to all those involved in the weekend, and I am thrilled we can support such a worthy cause in the Newmarket Housing Trust, a critical new project in Newmarket.” The post Henry Cecil Open Weekend Raises a Record Amount for Charity appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was perhaps fitting last week that the inaugural edition of Winter Watch going to print should coincide with the arrival of snow across many parts of Britain, albeit we now find ourselves with one less meeting to report on after the cold snap brought terminal consequences for a certain all-weather track in Nottinghamshire. Consider yourself lucky if you spent that particular Monday evening in the warmth of home, cup of tea in hand ready to find out what this Winter Watch was all about. Meanwhile, all of those involved with putting on the nine-race card at Southwell battled on manfully through gradually worsening conditions to see it through to its conclusion, before another three inches of snow overnight forced the abandonment of Tuesday's fixture. That reduced the number of all-weather meetings staged in Britain last week to 10, including Saturday's cards at Newcastle and Wolverhampton where Storm Bert and its extreme weather posed further challenges for the jockeys, stable staff and many others who come together to give us Flat racing in this country roughly 350 days of the year. Now, we suddenly find ourselves in the middle of the November break, eight rare and thoroughly deserved days for all of those mentioned above to hopefully rack up some air miles, instead of hours in the car travelling the length and breadth of Britain. We'll be keeping a close eye on this week's two meetings at Dundalk, but you can appreciate that there won't be a Winter Watch next week with no other Flat racing to speak of in these parts until Wolverhampton kicks us off again on Monday, December 2. In the meantime, now feels like as good time as any to express our gratitude to everyone in the industry who will continue to put in the hard yards this winter, whatever the elements might have to throw at them. This week is no exception, with horses up and down the country still needing to be fed, mucked out and exercised. Whether it's the care and love shown to their horses by the stable staff, or the dedication and skill shown by the jockeys, we're blessed to follow a sport that has so much to be proud of. It's something that we should never lose sight of, nor the importance of giving our devoted workforce some much-needed respite. Rising Stars Round-Up Speaking of a devoted workforce, Tom Frary and Sean Cronin of Cafe Racing will remain hard at work over the coming weeks and months in the search for more 'TDN Rising Stars' in Europe, the latest of which appeared at Wolverhampton on Thursday when Shadwell's Falakeyah (GB) ran out an impressive winner of the first division of the fillies' maiden over an extended mile. There's no point me copying Tom's homework, with his summary of the performance available here, but the gist is that Falakeyah won by five and a half lengths in the style of a filly with a huge future, in keeping with her blue-blooded pedigree. The daughter of New Bay (GB) is out of the unraced War Front mare Alaflaak who, in turn, is out of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}). Lahudood's other offspring include the Listed winner Aghareed (Kingmambo), who is perhaps best known as the dam of Baaeed (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who was beaten just once in 11 career starts, notably winning six Group 1 races. For good measure, he is a full-brother to the G1 Coronation Cup and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Hukum (Ire), who raced for the same trainer as Falekeyah in Owen Burrows. Incidentally, Falakeyah is the second all-weather winner to have earned 'TDN Rising Star' status in recent weeks after Princess Zahra Aga Khan's Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), who impressed when making a winning debut at Chantilly on November 12. Last winter six horses were nominated as 'TDN Rising Stars' in Europe when winning on the all-weather between the months of November and April. As well as the subsequent G1 2,000 Guineas and G1 Sussex Stakes hero Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), they included the Karl Burke-trained Night Raider (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who is now unbeaten in four starts on the all-weather following his victory in the Listed Golden Rose Stakes at Newcastle on November 16. He's very much a sprinter going places and another example of what we're looking for this winter, even if it didn't work out for him on turf during the summer. Eye-catcher! Falakeyah is impressive on debut as she powers home at @WolvesRaces for @JimCrowley1978 and @OwenBurrowsRace… pic.twitter.com/GVBG3rGh4B — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 21, 2024 Brooklyn One To Follow For Boughey Like Falakeyah, Brooklyn (Ire) kicked off his career in the best possible fashion when winning a seven-furlong novice at Newcastle on Friday, forging clear in the closing stages to land the spoils by three and three-quarter lengths. The similarities with the Shadwell filly don't end there, either, as he's by Darley's Night Of Thunder (Ire), another son of Dubawi (Ire) making a big impression at stud, and the distaff side of his pedigree is littered with some star names of recent years. His dam, the winning Dansili (GB) mare Black Ruby (Ire), is a half-sister to a pair of Group 1 winners by Galileo (Ire) in the Fillies' Mile scorer Together Forever (Ire)–the dam of a certain City Of Troy (Justify)–and Oaks heroine Forever Together (Ire), as well as the G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Lord Shanakill (Speightstown). Bred by Vimal and Gillian Khosla, who raced Black Ruby, a daughter of their outstanding broodmare Green Room (Theatrical {Ire}), Brooklyn was offered by Ballylinch Stud at Book 1 of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale where he was bought by Arthur Hoyeau, on behalf of the Windfield Partners, for €175,000. Clearly, he's a colt who has needed a bit of time, having been described as “very backwards” by trainer George Boughey back in April, but the penny has certainly dropped now judged on the manner of his Newcastle success, looking a thorough professional on his way to justifying odds-on favouritism. He's bred to be suited by at least a mile–Black Ruby gained her sole career win over a mile and a quarter–and there should be good races to be won with him as a three-year-old. A word, too, for Brooklyn's jockey Billy Loughnane, the teenage sensation who revealed in a post on X on Tuesday that he's using his time off to travel to Australia where he'll be based for the next few months. A double on that Newcastle card took his tally of winners in Britain this year to 162, a remarkable haul for a rider in just his second full season with a licence. Champion Performance at Lingfield Lambourn trainer Ed Walker is nearing the end of what is already the best season of his training career, numerically, since he saddled his first runner exactly 14 years ago today [Wednesday], with his tally of 72 winners in Britain surpassing his previous best total of 66 in both 2021 and 2023. A deserved Group 1 win for Makarova (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp was no doubt the highlight, while another notable theme this year has been the success Walker has enjoyed with his two-year-olds, having saddled 22 winners from 108 such runners in Britain at a 20% strike rate. The G2 Lowther Stakes winner Celandine (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is the undoubted pick of that bunch, though a horse like Noble Champion (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) could pose stiffer competition next year after he became the latest juvenile winner from Kingsdown Stables with an emphatic victory in a seven-furlong novice at Lingfield on Thursday. A 500,000gns purchase at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, having first sold at Park Paddocks for 140,000gns at the December Foal Sale, Noble Champion had shown plenty of ability on his debut at Newmarket earlier in the month, travelling as well as any before appearing to get tired in the closing stages, and he showed the benefit of that run with a smooth performance from the front at Lingfield. After hanging right on the home turn, the most striking feature of his success was the turn of foot he then displayed once back on an even keel, drawing right away from his rivals to win by five and a half lengths. There was more than a bit of Pogo (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) in that performance and if he proves anything like as talented as his half-brother, who counts the G2 Challenge Stakes among his eight career victories, then his connections should have plenty of fun days ahead with this colt. Owners Tbt Racing Limited certainly seem intent on making a splash, anyway. They returned to Book 1 this year to buy a Night Of Thunder (Ire) filly for 900,000gns and a Kingman (GB) filly for 750,000gns, among others, giving Walker cause for optimism that his two-year-old team for 2025 could prove a force to be reckoned with once again. Easy as you like! The 500,000 gns purchase Noble Champion gets off the mark in style for @edwalkerracing and @HectorCrouch… pic.twitter.com/2rb6MhQvQc — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 21, 2024 Beckett Bandwagon Rolls On Speaking of powerful two-year-old squads, no trainer has sent out more individual winners from that age group in Britain this year than Ralph Beckett, who has had 43 different juveniles from his yard win at least one race, compared to 39 for Karl Burke, his closest pursuer. Miss Cartesian (Ire) was winner number 43 when making a successful debut in a six-furlong filles' novice on Monday of last week, ultimately winning by three quarters of a length with a bit to spare, despite having taken a while to get the hang of things. In pure form terms, she didn't achieve anything out of the ordinary, but it was a promising start to her career, nonetheless, with enough there in her pedigree to suggest she has the potential to prove a bit above average. Bred by Milestream Stud, who sold her for €50,000 at Book 1 of the Orby Yearling Sale, the daughter of Kodiac (GB) is the second foal out of a Pivotal (GB) half-sister to the 1,000 Guineas heroine Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) and the five-time Group 1 winner and sire Modern Games (Ire). On the same card at Wolverhampton, run in similarly foul conditions to those we saw around 80 miles away at Southwell, Good Banter (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) also deserves a mention after he gained his second win from three career starts with another professional performance in the six-furlong novice. Bought for €70,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, he gave 7lb and a comprehensive beating to a newcomer trained by, you guessed it, Ralph Beckett, making all to win by a length and three-quarters. Good Banter is in equally capable hands with Clive Cox, especially when it comes to this type of horse. He could be one to quickly climb the ranks in three-year-old sprint handicaps for Paul and Clare Rooney, who enjoyed some good days with a similar type this year in James's Delight (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), the Listed winner who pushed his rating from 88 to 110. Dundalk Debrief It wasn't to be for Dancing Teapot (Ire) (Camelot {GB})–one of our 'Winners In Waiting' in the first installment of Winter Watch–when she returned to Dundalk for the first division of the one-mile fillies' maiden on Friday. Once again she found one too good in the Adrian Murray-trained Carolina Jetstream (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), though it was still another promising run, running to a level which should be good enough for her to win a similar event before too long. The second division of that fillies' maiden perhaps wasn't quite so strong as the first, but credit to Mick Halford and Tracey Collins, for whom Empress Artemis (Ire) was their third juvenile winner of the year and first to win on debut. Michael Enright's homebred also added her name to the growing number of two-year-olds winners in 2024 for Mehmas (Ire), with his unprecedented tally now up to 66. Incidentally, the filly who broke the world record for him at Wolverhampton earlier this month, Naughty Eyes (Ire), has been catalogued to sell at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale since we discussed her in these pages last week. As for the final talking point from Friday's card at Dundalk, Juddmonte homebred Purview (GB) (Kingman {GB}) looked very much one to follow when winning the one-mile maiden on his debut for Dermot Weld, staying on well in the straight to land the spoils by two and three-quarter lengths. As you'd expect from one in those silks, he's impeccably bred as a son of the Listed scorer Variable (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) who, in turn, is out of the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Proportional (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}). It's been a quiet enough year for Weld since the retirement of his Oaks heroine Ezeliya (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), and Purview was only his third two-year-old winner of the season after Hazdann (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Swelter (GB) (Kingman {GB}), both of whom have been off the track since maiden wins in the summer. Weld has never been one to overface his horses at two, though, and he'll be hoping that his patient approach with this trio pays dividends in 2025, certainly in the case of Hazdann, who beat the subsequent G2 Champions Juvenile Stakes winner Green Impact (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) when getting off the mark at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend. An impressive debut by Purview in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden with Chris Hayes onboard for the Dermot Weld team! @IrishEBF_ | @DundalkStadium pic.twitter.com/ABxiL9qlip — Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) November 22, 2024 Winner In Waiting Safe Idea (GB) Cracksman (GB)–Bright Flash (GB), by Dutch Art (GB) The second division of the fillies' maiden run at Wolverhampton on Thursday didn't have a horse to take it apart like Falakeyah did the first, but it should still throw up plenty of winners, with Charlie Johnston's Safe Idea arguably shaping like the best horse in the race, despite finishing only fourth. In a slowly-run race she came from much further back than the three who beat her and it was a huge run under the circumstances to be beaten only two lengths at the line, especially as her SP of 40-1 suggests expectations were low. She will stay further and is one to look out for next time. The post Winter Watch: Time to Take Stock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A share in Group 1 winner and sire Zarak (Fr) has been sold privately for €600,000 to Chauvigny Global Equine, Arqana announced on Wednesday. Originally passed in at €650,000 during Tuesday's Arqana Online November Sale, the 1/50th share (lot 1) has now been purchased by Sebastien Desmontils's operation. Based at the Aga Khan Studs' Haras de Bonneval, the son of Dubawi (Ire) and Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) has sired a total of 28 stakes winners, 19 of them at group level or higher. In 2024 alone, the bay had 19 stakes winners through Nov. 27. Among his eight group winners were G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero and now Haras d'Etreham stallion Metropolitan (Fr), as well as G1 Prix Ganay victor Haya Zark (Fr). Zarakem (Fr), Straight (Ger), and Spanish Eyes (Ger) all finished runner-up in Group 1 races–the Prince Of Wales's Stakes, Preis von Europa, and Preis Der Diana, respectively. His current crop of yearlings sold for €360,000, €250,000, €230,000, etc. during Arqana's August Sale. Zarak will stand for €80,000 next year. The post Zarak Share Sells Privately For €600,000 To Chauvigny Global Equine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A perfect three-for-three at Del Mar, Formidable Man will go up against a field that includes New York invaders Donegal Momentum and Carson's Run.View the full article

Grade 1 winner Volatile was represented by his first stakes winner Nov. 26 when the 2-year-old filly Reliable Source romped in the $100,000 Zia Park Princess Stakes.View the full article

A five-win day at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 23 that included a stakes victory earned Manny Franco honors as the Nov. 18-24 Jockey of the Week.View the full article

Dear Horse Racing Enthusiasts and Industry Stakeholders, As I reflect on my first year as a newcomer in the horse racing industry, I wish to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have welcomed me into this sport. Stepping into something unfamiliar can be daunting, especially with the significant investment I have made. The accomplishments I have achieved this year are a direct result of the support and encouragement I have received from many individuals who have helped me establish my operations. I believe it is also important to share my perspective on some of the positive developments occurring within our industry. First and foremost, I extend warm wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving. This year, I am especially thankful for my team at @ResoluteRacingKY. It is astonishing to think that just a year ago, we had no farm and only a handful of horses. Our farm staff has risen to the challenge of supporting the rapid growth of our operations, which now includes over 200 Thoroughbreds in breeding, training, and active racing. Their dedication has been remarkable, and I am particularly grateful for the contributions of Noel Murphy and Gavin O'Connor. Alongside our Thoroughbred activities, Chelsey manages a Saddlebred breeding operation, an active rescue program, and my personal favorite, the trail horses that I taught myself to ride. I take great pride in my daughter Sarah, who shares our passion for animals. Her leadership in our marketing and branding initiatives, as well as her commitment to our rescue efforts for retired racehorses, has been exemplary. I would also like to highlight several significant achievements within the industry over the past year while recognizing that there is still much work to be done to reach our ideal goals. I hope these reflections inspire others to take bold actions to enhance our sport and acknowledge the dedication of many individuals who have devoted their lives to its advancement. This year has marked a pivotal moment for California racing, largely thanks to the support from the @StronachGroup in launching the California Crown. This initiative has been a tremendous success, demonstrating the remarkable outcomes we can achieve when we collaborate as an industry. Belinda, Adrian, and their entire team truly care about horse racing and have invested millions to enhance the fan experience. I witnessed this firsthand at the Pegasus event in January and the Preakness. As a new participant, I have actively sought feedback from members to explore potential improvements. While challenges remain, their commitment to our industry and the significant resources they have devoted to keep racing alive in California deserve commendation. Through constructive dialogue, I am confident they seek further enhancements, though they do not have unilateral control over all decisions. Although the introduction of @HISA_US has encountered obstacles, we have observed a decline in on-track fatalities, and the industry's adaptation to more structured standards is becoming clearer. I acknowledge that improvements are necessary, which is why I have volunteered to serve on HISA's advisory board. I want them to succeed, as they are the most influential body in the U.S. racing landscape. Successful owners continue to invest in the industry, often without seeking recognition or self-promotion on social media. The media has played a crucial role in promoting the sport and addressing complex issues, including aftercare for horses and the implementation of HISA. Jayson Werth, after a successful career in baseball, has experienced the unique fulfillment of competing on the track. Through individuals like Jayson, we have an opportunity to share this narrative with many potential owners, attracting further investment. Additionally, Travis Kelce's entry into horse ownership could have a transformative effect on the sport, similar to what he has done for the NFL. This year, horseplayers have enjoyed greater access to sports betting, thanks to initiatives from @FanDuel and @DraftKings, which have promoted deregulation in this area. While there is still room for improvement, these developments have positively impacted the game. We can also draw valuable lessons from successful models in Australia and Japan regarding the management of gambling revenue, enabling horseplayers to expand their operations and increase profitability. Organizations such as @JockeyClub, @ChurchillDowns, @Keeneland, and @TheNYRA have played a vital role in collaborating with HISA to enhance the safety of our equine athletes. As new leadership emerges, we should rally behind them and amplify our collective voice to effect positive change. Significant investments have also been made in the infrastructure of historic tracks like Churchill Downs, Keeneland and Belmont, creating venues that will captivate the next generation of horse racing fans. This investment is crucial and must extend to improving backstretch conditions to eliminate contamination issues and enhance living standards for both our equine athletes and the dedicated workers who support them. Protecting our collective investment means owners will need to accept increased boarding rates to fund these improvements. We are witnessing new owners making substantial investments in bloodstock, racing, and, most importantly, fan engagement. This is essential for our long-term success. The current fan experience lacks transparency, and owners, jockeys, and trainers need to be more accessible to their fan base. Engaging with fans will create more opportunities for interaction and transparency. Some premium events have become prohibitively expensive for everyday fans, and we must create accommodations to make these events more accessible for families, such as picnic areas in the infield and dedicated seating. I am particularly grateful to Drew Fleming and the team at @BreedersCup for helping us host our inaugural Resolute fan event. Stallion farms are taking bold risks by acquiring horses like Justify, Complexity, McKinzie, and others. These investments are yielding exceptional track performers from first-time sires, exciting racing fans and providing returns for owners and breeders committed to producing top-quality horses. This business is vital, and we must trust these farms, which are the backbone of our industry, to effectively manage their stallion operations. A disciplined approach to breeding top mares with proven bloodlines is essential; however, introducing stallions with alternative bloodlines can diversify the gene pool, making it possible for a broader range of buyers to participate in breeding operations and racing programs. I believe private stallions can also offer solutions for smaller breeders, similar to models from the early 20th century. Moreover, deregulation has enabled racing syndicates such as @MyRacehorse to make horse ownership accessible to a new demographic that once found it unattainable. We need to work with regulators to establish guidelines for horse ownership, as horses should not be classified as securities. The current regulatory oversight stifles investment. Micro-share ownership can significantly broaden the fan experience in a meaningful way. Groups like @LightUpRacing are facilitating discussions about the positive developments within the industry. While there are always areas for improvement, people respond better to positive reinforcement than to unchecked complaints. Given the pervasive grievances in our society, it would be refreshing for horse racing to serve as a unifying force, positioning the industry for the next century. Having worked in business for over 30 years, I have observed that those who complain often lack the drive to implement genuine improvements. The real changemakers are the individuals dedicated to enhancing our industry. I have had the privilege of meeting many dedicated professionals in global equine operations, and it is clear that the industry is filled with individuals who love and care deeply for these animals. Global sales have reached unprecedented heights, increasing value for owners and breeders, thanks to organizations committed to promoting well-bred horses and owners willing to invest in top-quality stock. This economic model has persisted for thousands of years; consumer demand shapes the direction of products, and if consumers were dissatisfied, prices would not be rising. While challenges remain, particularly regarding Thoroughbred aftercare, I firmly believe that collaboration can ensure long-term care for all our equine athletes. We must address the situation in Louisiana, where Thoroughbreds are traded as livestock with little regulation, necessitating accountability. I am confident that with collective efforts, this issue can be resolved. Additionally, I believe we need to collaborate with racing officials to reassess the distribution of purses for allowance and stakes races. While prize money in the U.S. is among the highest globally, the current distribution primarily benefits the winning horse. The significant disparity between first and second place makes it challenging to sustain a profitable racing operation. I propose a more equitable prize pool distribution, where the top share is divided among participants in stakes races to cover at least six weeks of training costs for each horse. This should include incentive funding from states, with the remaining prize money cascading down to lower-placed horses, ensuring the winner receives no more than 50% of the pool. This approach would provide immediate relief to mid-level owners who urgently need cash flow to continue investing in their operations, particularly those without extensive breeding operations to offset racing costs. I agree on the necessity for leadership within our sport. We need leaders of integrity who are not merely in the industry for self-promotion or to belittle others who have dedicated their lives to a sport we all cherish. Such divisive behavior is counterproductive, especially when we need to unite. I encourage everyone to share their thoughts and opinions and foster respectful dialogue. I do not condone disrespectful behavior and will remove individuals from my feed if they cannot engage civilly. I wish each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Despite the challenges our industry and country face, I remain optimistic. I believe our great nation grants us the freedoms and opportunities that many have sacrificed their lives for, and it is our duty to honor their legacy through dedication and hard work. I am reminded of JFK's vision of landing on the moon within a decade: “We choose to go to the moon not because it is easy, but because it is hard. This goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because this challenge is one we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.” I recognize that there are many issues I have not addressed in this message. I know many of you are dedicated to creating change and caring for our equine athletes. I challenge each of us to prioritize the collective industry over individual interests, understanding that our success depends on contributions from everyone. It is easy to be self-centered; the hard path is to work collaboratively. Haven't we had enough of the former? It is not working, so why not try a different approach that encourages collaboration and support? I have no pride of authorship and will endorse any initiative that propels our industry forward. I also want to announce that I will personally fund a comprehensive review of the industry, examining various issues and identifying potential solutions. We can learn from industries that have successfully navigated even more significant challenges than ours. By studying their transformations, we can find methods to benefit the entire industry. For example, the NFL has transformed into one of the most successful sporting operations globally, despite facing lawsuits over concussions and increased scrutiny regarding players' mental health. Similarly, Formula 1, after being in decline a decade ago, has experienced rapid growth and revitalization under new ownership, enhancing both fan engagement and driver safety. I invite all industry participants to support this review, and I pledge to share the findings for the benefit of the entire community. I entered this industry not to win races, not to become a leader or disruptor, but because I love horse racing. I cherish the horses and enjoy spending time with individuals who share my belief in the importance of horse racing for our economy, particularly in the great state of Kentucky. While I am competitive and desire to win races, I measure my success by the positive impact we have on the horses and the industry as a whole. Some may doubt my sincerity, but I challenge you to get to know me and judge me by my actions rather than my words. May God bless you and your families this holiday season. Once again, I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. The post Open Letter To The Industry: John Stewart appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Superstar local jockey reaches the milestone with a swooping victory aboard Pierre Ng’s Healthy Healthy.View the full article

New Zealander James McDonald has won the 2024 Longines World's Best Jockey title with 160 points, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) announced on Wednesday. McDonald previously won the award in 2022. There was a margin of just 10 points back to Englishman Ryan Moore at 150. Moore, a four-time winner of the title, was clear of William Buick in third with 105 points. A ceremony will be held during a gala dinner of the Longines Hong Kong International Races at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to honour McDonald on Dec. 6. Based in Australia, McDonald won nine of the world's Top 100 Group or Grade 1 races, with his qualifying victories coming with Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) (Longines Hong Kong Mile, Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Yasuda Kinen), Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) (Stewards' Cup), Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) (Ranvet Stakes, Ladbrokes Cox Plate, and TAB Champions Stakes), and Sunshine In Paris (Aus) (Invader {Aus}) (Darley Champions Sprint). The awarding of the Longines World's Best Jockey title is based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races as established for the year by the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee. The scoring incorporates races from Dec. 1 of the previous year until Nov. 30 of the current year. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, six points for placing second, and four points for placing third. The post James McDonald Crowned Longines World’s Best Jockey appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Former jockey Aaron Gryder and five-time Eclipse Award-winning writer Jay Hovdey will be on hand at the upcoming Global Symposium on Racing to sign copies of Well Armed: A Thoroughbred of Destiny. The signing will take place on the afternoon of Dec. 10, at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona. The just-published book is a story about the son of Tiznow, bred and raced by WinStar Farm, who overcame many physical setbacks to win the 2009 G1 Dubai World Cup by a whopping 14 lengths. The story is tied into the tragic passing of WinStar principal Bill Casner's daughter Karri, who was killed in a terrorist attack on the resort island of Bali in October 2002. Well Armed was born six months later on what would have marked Karri Casner's 24th birthday. Well Armed: A Thoroughbred of Destiny also tells the story of the journeyman Gryder, winner of 4,000 races over the course of his career who retired from riding in 2020 take the position of Vice President-Industry Relations for 1ST/Racing, with an emphasis on the safety and welfare of participants at the company's widespread racing and training properties. The post Gryder, Hovdey To Sign Well Armed Book at Global Symposium appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group winner Klaynn (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and the stakes-placed Thiene (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) are the newest pair of wildcards to be added to the upcoming Arqana Vente d'Elevage. The former, sold as lot 210 from Baroda Stud, is unbeaten, and has won the Listed Premio Repubbliche Marinare followed by the G2 Premio Dormello. Rated 104, she is a out of a half-sister to three black-type winners including G1 Derby Italiano winner De Sica (Ire) (Sri Pekan). Thiene, second in the Listed Prix Ceres last weekend, will be offered by Alessandro and Giuseppe Botti as lot 140 and is a four-time winner. She is out of a half-sister to top-tier winner Vedelago (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire}). Arqana's Vente d'Elevage will take place in Deauville from Dec. 7-10. Both fillies will sell during the first session on Saturday. The post Group 2 Winner Klaynn And Listed-Placed Thiene Added To Arqana’s Vente d’Elevage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The post The Mating Game appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A high quality 343-lot catalogue has been assembled for NZB Standardbred’s 2025 National Yearling Sale to be held at Karaka and Canterbury Agricultural Park next summer. The refreshed sale format will see selling at Auckland on Saturday, February 15 and in Christchurch, Tuesday February 18. The condensed sale with inspection days between Auckland and Christchurch sessions allows time for travel and inspections. The New Zealand product continues to perform on major race days across Australasia, with NZB Standardbred graduates adding to the blockbuster performances in recent times. Headlined by horses such as Merlin (NZ) (Art Major), Meant To Be (NZ) (Father Patrick), Marketplace (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Rakero Rebel (NZ) (Rock N Roll Heaven), Major Hot (NZ) (Art Major), Cyclone Jordy (NZ) (Art Major), Coastal Babe (NZ) (Downbytheseaside), Don’t Stop Dreaming (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), Millwood Nike (NZ) (Captaintreacherous) and more, the Sale has become an incredible source of racetrack stars. With 130 yearlings set to go under the hammer in Auckland and a further 213 in Christchurch, buyers will have the opportunity to secure top-class yearlings from blue-blooded families, with a number of siblings to Group 1 winners and progeny from Group 1-winning dams. Some of those include: · Lot 9, a full sister to Group 1 Victorian Oaks and Caduceus Club Classic winner Coastal Babe (NZ) (Downbytheseaside) presented by breeders Woodlands Stud. · Offered on behalf of first-time consignors at this Sale in Yabby Dam Farms, Lot 34 is a half-brother to three-time Group1 winner in Australia Cravache Dor (AUS) (Orlando Vici). The colt is by Muscles N Blue and will be prepared by Hollis & Robertson Equine Services. · A rare opportunity is presented with the first ever colt out of Champion mare Adore Me (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) going through the ring as Lot 70. By Captaintreacherous, he will be offered by Woodlands Stud. · Lot 81 is a half-brother to incredible filly Millwood Nike (NZ) (Captaintreacherous). By Art Major, the colt is offered by co-breeders Alabar. · Multiple Group 1-winner Merlin (NZ) (Art Major) has a half-brother catalogued as Lot 134. The Captaintreacherous colt is offered by Laura Smith on behalf of breeders Taffy Ltd. · Lot 142 features an exciting combination, by champion racehorse and freshman sire King of Swing, out of Kate Black (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight), making this colt a half-brother to trans-Tasman Group 1 winner Got The Chocolates (NZ) (Art Major). · Barron Bloodstock also offer a full sister (Lot 301) to the exciting Marketplace (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) who’s had a major pedigree update winning the Group 1 Sires Stakes Series Final since the catalogue went to print. There are 39 stallions represented including champions Bettor’s Delight, Art Major, Captaintreacherous and more, plus the first offering from freshmen Bird Parker, Face Time Bourbon, King of Swing, On A Streak and Zenith Stride. The catalogue also features the first-ever Australian-owned and bred yearlings to be offered, from the world-class Victorian-based Yabby Dam Farms. “The quality of the catalogue continues to make this Sale the best in Australasia,” says NZB Standardbred Manager Cam Bray. “The inclusion of Yabby Dam’s horses in Laura Smith and Hollis & Robertson Equine Services’ draft just adds to some of the incredible yearlings on offer.” “There are some really current performers in the catalogue and we are particularly excited to sell the first colt out of champion mare Adore Me, not to mention the full to the rising superstar Marketplace. “While the condensed catalogue is a reflection of the reduced foal crop, the format is preferable for buyers and the opportunity to buy quality yearlings is limited, so if you want a nice horse, this is the source.” All yearlings will be available for inspection during the on-farm parades, with all prospective buyers welcome to attend to get a head start on inspections and evaluations. NZB Standardbred and New Zealand-based agents and trainers will be available to inspect on behalf of prior to the Sale and on the grounds at the Karaka Sales Centre and Canterbury Agricultural Park. Buyers wishing to purchase remotely can participate via NZB’s user-friendly online bidding platform standardbred.bidonline.nzb.co.nz, while all buyers and agents are welcome to attend the physical sale sessions in person at Karaka and Christchurch. All yearlings purchased at the 2025 National Yearling Sale are eligible for the lucrative $1 million Harness Million Sale Race Series for graduates, consisting of principal two-year-old and three-year-old races for colts and geldings, fillies and trotters individually, plus opportunities for four-year-old and older horses. Selling Schedule : 2025 Auckland Sale at the Karaka · Saturday 15 February, Parades from 10am, selling from 1pm (NZT): Lots 1 – 130 To see the Auckland catalogue click here 2025 Christchurch Sale at Canterbury Agricultural Park · Inspection Days: Sunday 16 February (subject to buyer demand) and Monday 17 February 2025 · Selling: Tuesday 18 February, 11am (NZT): Lots 131-343. To see the Christchurch catalogue click here On-Farm Parade Dates : North Island Tour · Monday 20 & Tuesday 21 January North Canterbury Tour · Monday 3 & Tuesday 4 February Southland Tour · Monday 10 & Tuesday 11 February The online catalogue for Karaka and Christchurch are now available to view online at www.nzbstandardbred.co.nz, on the Equineline app, and with printed copies due to arrive in mailboxes soon. For general sale enquiries or more information, email standardbred@nzb.co.nz or call +64 9 298 0055. View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, November 28, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Provincial racing heads to Hawkesbury on Thursday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program set to get underway at 1:15pm local time. The rail is out +3m between the 1100m to 450m markers, while the remainder is in the true position. The track is rated a Good 4 at the time acceptances, but with plenty of rain forecast on race-day, punters can expect a downgrade into the Soft range at some point throughout the afternoon. Check out our best bets and quaddie selections down below. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Froebel Star The Ciaron Maher-trained Froebel Star returns after a 200-day spell and looks perfectly placed in this BM64 for the fillies & mares. The daughter of Zousain comes through quality formlines last preparation, breaking her maiden status before coming undone on heavy ground in the Group 3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) at the Sunshine Coast on May 11. Her trial at this course on November 14 suggests she’s ready to fire first-up, and with Mollie Fitzgerald taking 3kg off her back, Froebel Star should have issues taking care of this lot. Best Bet Race 6 – #2 Froebel Star (6) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Mollie Fitzgerald (a3kg) (60.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Hawkesbury: Shambretta Shambretta debuts on the back of a barrier trial victory at Randwick on November 11 and should get every chance to make an impression first-up. Kerrin McEvoy will be looking to dictate terms from barrier two, and with a lack of early speed, the son of Shamexpress should have no issues crossing to the front. He lacks race-day experience compared to some key rivals, but provided he can tick over a soft sectional in the middle stages, Shambretta should give a bold sight at a good price with BlondeBet. Next Best Race 3 – #2 Shambretta (2) 4yo Gelding | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: Kerrin McEvoy (59kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Hawkesbury: Miss Jones The Richard & Will Freedman-trained Miss Jones has caught the eye in two recent barrier trials at Rosehill and appears primed for a first-up assault. The unraced three-year-old cruised through the wire in her latest piece of work, getting to within a nose of Burj under a tight grip by Jason Collett. She could have above-average ability, and with Collett likely to lob into the ideal stalking position from stall one, punters can expect Miss Jones to be right in the finish. Best Value Race 4 – #13 Miss Jones (1) 3yo Filly | T: Richard & Will Freedman | J: Jason Collett (55kg) Bet with Picklebet Thursday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury Hawkesbury quadrella selections November 28, 2024 2-5-6 2-9 1-2-3-4 1-4-5-6-7-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray’s stayer Nereus(NZ) (Savabeel) carried the colours of Waikato Stud to win last Saturday’s Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m), and at Te Aroha on Wednesday, their exciting three-year-old Tycoon Prince(NZ) (Written Tycoon) put Cambridge Stud’s name to the forefront with an impressive maiden success. A gelding by Written Tycoon, Tycoon Prince debuted as a juvenile in mid-February before going for a spell, and since returning, his talent has been evident with a runner-up finish to Osteria at Pukekohe on November 7. Starting an equal favourite with Para Para in Wednesday’s December Final Hurrah Of 2024 3YO (1150m), Tycoon Prince flew from the gates, but Ryan Elliot had no intention of leading and allowed a trio of runners to duel for the pace in front. Para Para hit the lead early in the straight with Tycoon Prince in pursuit, and his big, bounding strides were too powerful late to score by a neck, with the third placegetter a further three lengths adrift in Mulan Ardeche. Ritchie couldn’t have been happier with the performance, crediting his training partner and Elliot from an educational point of view. “He’s a big horse and he’s been a little bit claustrophobic in the barriers, so Colm has spent a lot of time teaching him to relax and getting that nervousness out of him,” he said. “It’s paid dividends today. “He’s a lovely big horse and we’re very keen to get him to 1400m, but we just feel he’s over-racing a bit at the moment and sitting outside the leader. “I thought it was a great educational ride by Ryan, just to take that sit on him. He clearly could’ve crossed and led, but it will greatly benefit the horse in the future by letting those three go and sitting in behind them, then coming out on the corner. “Teaching him to follow, I believe, is the key to getting him to 1400m and a mile later on in life, if he can retain that turn of foot over a mile he’s going to be awfully hard to beat in those later three-year-old races, and as a four and five-year-old.” Tycoon Prince was bred by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, who entrusted the gelding in Ritchie and Murray’s care after he was withdrawn from the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. “My understanding is that he went to a sale and unfortunately he didn’t meet what they expected for him, so wisely they decided to keep him,” Ritchie said. “If you’re not going to get the right price, it’s to our benefit if they’re going to retain horses of his quality. “We’re very lucky as trainers though, we are in the situation where we are getting to train for the likes of Cambridge Stud today and we won a Counties Cup for Waikato Stud last Saturday. These are guys that have been in the game and breeding horses from properties that have been around for years and years, and that makes it a privilege to train for them. “It gives you the quality animal you are wanting to work with and it’s so much easier to do the job we do.” Going forward, Ritchie intends to spend as much time in the bright lights of Ellerslie as possible with Tycoon Prince, with the ultimate goal of contesting the lucrative age-group races being staged there in the new year. “He’s good on top of the ground, so we’ll start having a look at Ellerslie as much as we can, given that the better three-year-old money is there,” he said. “We will have a programme to race him there as much as we can on their nice firm track and hopefully that will give the horse his best chance to win the maximum amount while he’s at that prime age. “We’re well aware of how important it is for a three-year-old to get black-type, because once they turn four, it’s not always the easiest year for them. We will try to take advantage of that. “We have spaced his races to this point, so it’ll be interesting to step him up and see how good we are against those better three-year-olds.” Another promising thee-year-old in the stable, Tuxedo, will make his stakes-level debut at Otaki on Thursday, lining up in the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m). The Tivaci gelding won on debut at Te Aroha on October 30 over 1400m, narrowly defeating Withallmyfaith, who went on to win in Premier Rating 65 company at Pukekohe last Saturday. Joe Doyle will retain the ride in the feature where Tuxedo is rated a $6.50 hope in a condensed market topped by He’s Lucid ($5). “I really like this horse, the horse he beat last time has gone on to win two in a row so the form around him is very good,” Ritchie said. “He is a bit green, he gets things a bit wrong and he wanted to over-race early at his first start, and then when he got to the front he wanted to wait a little bit, which he’s mimicking in training. “He’s got a bit to learn so he will be vulnerable, but we see him as a Derby type of a colt and that awkward gate (9) is probably the best thing for him, because we’ll allow him to find his feet tomorrow and I don’t think he’s the sort of horse that we want getting to the front too soon. “It’s a big step, for a horse coming out of a maiden race straight into a Group Three, but having said that, it’s basically a Rating 65 race in his age group. “That little bit of cut in the ground is why we’ve elected to go here instead of the two Ellerslie races in the next couple of weeks, because he’s quite a big horse and we want him to gradually get used to the firmer tracks. A Soft 5 and the rain forecasted tomorrow, it should set up nicely for the firmer tracks over the summer where he hopes he excels over further.” View the full article

Waikato hoop Darren Danis is on the sidelines once more after sustaining a fractured neck following an incident at the Waipa trials last Monday. Danis was about to ride Beau Miller in his first trial for trainer Janenne Dalley, but the three-year-old gelding showed his greenness when entering the gates and took fright, dislodging Danis, who suffered whiplash in the process, resulting in his injuries. “I was riding a first time trialler who got scared going into the gates,” Danis said. “I (fractured) my C4 and C5 (vertebrae), which is right in the middle of the neck, and I have torn some ligaments there. The doctors reckon it is from whiplash.” Danis is now forced to wear a body suit brace for the next six weeks while his injuries heal, which is proving to be a frustrating process for the active horseman. “I am in a body suit, which is like a neck brace but continues down to the chest,” he said. “If someone comes from the side to say hello, I have to turn my entire body to see them, and I can’t drive because I can’t check my blind spots. “Sleeping is the worst. It feels a bit claustrophobic with this thing on 24 hours a day. “Luckily, I have got Hayley (Hassman), my partner, she has been helping me out a lot.” Major injuries are nothing new to the 32-year-old Singapore native, having broken his back several years ago in another riding incident, and he said last week’s pain was nearly identical. “In the ambulance, I was telling the lady (paramedic) that my neck hurt and it was the exact pain as when I broke my back,” Danis said. “I could pinpoint which vertebrae and which spot, it was a similar sharp pain, so I knew it was broken. “But I could feel my fingers and toes, and all the sensations, so that was a good sign.” With multiple injuries over his riding career, Danis said he has built up a high pain threshold, and it’s the limiting ability of the body brace that is the major frustration at the moment. “They were asking me if I wanted more pain killers in the hospital, but I told them it was okay. I have got a high pain threshold as I have been there and done that,” he said. “It is only the brace that is annoying because even when I broke my back, I didn’t have to wear this, I was back up and walking within two weeks.” Danis has recently returned from a riding stint in Singapore and was working hard to reestablish himself in New Zealand’s riding ranks, something he has been forced to do on several occasions. While he still has a passion for horses and riding, he said it will be another test of his tenacity to break into the competitive Waikato riding scene once more after he has healed. “I have been unlucky, it happened just as I started to get on a roll again,” he said. “It was a bit quiet when I came back from Singapore and as I just start to get more rides this happens at the trials. “It has been quite a rough ride with these injuries. There is a lot of competition nowadays and you have to get a roll on and the moment you step out of the scene you lose your spot. That is the difficult part about it. “I still love the game, and I still love the horses. I just have to keep my spirits high and keep my options open.” View the full article