Wandering Eyes

Two of Japan's contenders for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) came up short in their prep race Sept. 25 at Funabashi Racecourse, but connections maintain positive feelings about the big race.View the full article

Last week saw the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Unit (HIWU) and the University of Kentucky issue their reports into alleged misconduct and mismanagement at the university's Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab (EACL) under the leadership of former director, Scott Stanley. The allegations levelled towards Stanley and the lab's operations include misrepresentation of its ability to test for specific substances such as erythropoietin (EPO), and the “intentional misrepresentations” of positive tests as negative. Questions arising from operations at HIWU's fleet of contracted laboratories isn't confined just to the UK Lab, however. At the start of September, the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) issued a 60-day accreditation suspension of the University of Illinois Chicago Analytical Forensic Toxicology Laboratory. At the time, the RMTC did not publicly undisclosed the reasons for the temporary accreditation suspension. Just prior to that, HIWU said that it had granted a temporary stay of enforcement to connections in six pending total carbon dioxide (TCO2) cases, all of which are out of Pennsylvania, in order to conduct a review of TCO2 analysis at the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory (PETRL). More broadly, the TDN has also reported on lab variability issues arising from different facilities using different testing equipment, different testing methodologies, and different sets of staff interpreting the results. To discuss the fallout from the UK report, the issues at the Illinois and Pennsylvania laboratories, and the topic of lab variability more generally, the TDN spoke Monday with Mary Scollay, HIWU's chief of science, and Ben Mosier, HIWU's executive director. The following has been edited for clarity and brevity. TDN: Now the dust has settled a little into what allegedly transpired at the UK lab under the direction of Dr. Stanley, what are your main takeaways from this whole affair? Mary Scollay: I think there's added emphasis on the verify, for the trust and verify. Harmonization is so important, and consistent performance across the laboratories is so important. Ben Mosier: I think my takeaway from this is that we now have a system in place where you know there's one organization with more oversight over the laboratories, with the upcoming accreditation model that requires oversight and more communication and more working together. TDN: There were so many alleged failures at the UK lab covering so many aspects of the lab's operations under Dr. Stanley that appeared to have occurred over many months. Why did it take so long to identify a problem? MS: I think the short answer for me is that negative results are not subject to the level of scrutiny as the positive tests. Positive tests, they're subject to scrutiny through the B sample analysis, attornies will have their expert packets, and so, positives undergo tremendous scrutiny. Negative tests are pretty much accepted at face value. I think we have learned to be more rigorous with negative samples as well. BM: Well ultimately, what triggered the investigation was just general unprofessional behavior with the lab and then some general reporting issues. They weren't requesting extensions for reporting. It was really performance based why we made the decision to move samples away from the lab. And it was after that, that we uncovered that the suspect EPO sample hadn't been analyzed. Obviously, the program had been up and running for roughly eight months before we even came to that point. Now, the investigation itself entailed an extensive amount of data and information that had to be compiled. Ultimately, we had to go through every bit of that data to ensure that we were doing the most detailed comprehensive investigation that we possibly could have. The sheer volume of the samples we had to go back and sort through as part of this investigation, I mean, we're talking about nearly ten-thousand samples. TDN: Just to note, my question wasn't on why the investigation took so long. It was more about why it took so long to identify the failures in the first place. But I appreciate your answers here. Let's move onto Illinois. What specific issues led the RMTC to suspend its accreditation of the Illinois Chicago Analytical Forensic Toxicology Laboratory? BM: We were informed of the suspension just like all the other clients of that laboratory on the same day. What they referenced to us was multiple violations of their code of standards. We were made aware afterwards that there were several external quality assurance samples that were failed. We don't know if it was more than that–if there were other issues. Ultimately, it was left pretty vague in the reasoning. We're working with Illinois to gather information and understand more of what we ultimately need to review and look into. TDN: Those multiple quality assurance samples that the lab failed, by that, you mean single and double-blind proficiency tests, correct? BM: That's correct. TDN: How many is multiple? MS: I don't think that was disclosed to us. it was mentioned elsewhere in the trades–I think three–but can't confirm that because that wasn't shared directly with us. TDN: Do you know what the substances involved were? MS: No. If we knew that, we'd know how many. TDN: Okay, so what can you tell us about the sorts of substances employed in these quality assurance tests? MS: They can be controlled medication and banned substances. There is a list of candidate analytics and that expanded tremendously this year as we prepare for HEAL accreditation. TDN: What are you doing to ensure that the samples processed through the Illinois lab were handled correctly? Are you currently conducting an audit of the samples that have been processed by the Illinois lab, for example, like you did for the UK lab? BM: The first step is to gather as much information as we can from the laboratory in terms of overall inventory of the samples that they have still retained, start potentially gathering instrument data, other types of information from the lab when they're assessing samples. It's important to know, as Mary described earlier, that the adverse findings coming out of that laboratory have been under extreme scrutiny already, just because of normal process of adverse findings, right? There are legal teams, both the defense and on our side, that are looking at very detailed lab data packets both for A sample and B sample analysis. It doesn't mean we might not go ahead and re-check some of those adverse findings, just out of fairness for the horsemen. If there are failed quality assurance samples, that's indicative of the need to look into failed negative samples conducted at that laboratory. TDN: Are there similar personnel issues plaguing the Illinois lab? More pointedly, are you satisfied that lab director Brendan Heffron is capable and qualified to do the job? BM: We have no indication of personnel issues. We've not had any personal challenges with behavior. Our working relationship with Brendan has been very professional. TDN: The FTC recently overturned trainer Chris Hartman's case for an acepromazine positive after the labs the A and B samples were processed by both lost their RMTC accreditation (Hartman was originally suspended 15 days and fined $1,000). Do you expect, and are you prepared for, a number of other lawsuits challenging the findings of samples processed by either the UK lab of the Illinois lab, or both? BM: I don't think we're expecting any new lawsuits–I mean, we've certainly been in communication with the cases coming out of those laboratories. I think all I can say to that is we're working closely with those cases and interested parties in those cases. TDN: This is a question for Mary Scollay. When the RMTC's Horserace Testing Laboratory Committee (HTLC) voted whether or not to approve suspending the lab's accreditation, you abstained? Why? MS: Because we are a client and I felt that a vote I cast in either direction could be perceived as having some bias, rather than simply an assessment of the scientific information in front of the committee. TDN: What's the status of the pause in enforcement of the TCO2 tests processed by the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory? MS: I understand the horsemen are involved with investigating matters on their end. Likewise, we are investigating and undertaking some experiments on our end across the laboratories to determine if there is non-conformity across the laboratories, what the significance of it is, and to the extent that it might exist, how to remedy it. TDN: What instrument was Pennsylvania using to conduct TCO2 tests? MS: They are currently using a radiometer. And they are in the process of validating a method on a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) Headspace. TDN: What will you do if you find that covered persons were suspended through a flawed TCO2 test processed by the HIWU lab? BM: I think we would have to work with HISA on what could be rectified through the situation. There's no other way around it. I think it's important to say here, we have already conducted a review and an investigation, if you will, on questioning the TCO2 testing at the Pennsylvania laboratory. And we're comfortable with what they have provided us in terms of their own lab. The exercise we're conducting now, which we think is the right thing to do and fair for the program, is to ensure uniformity and that deep samples would result in the same level, or have the same result, at all of the other laboratories We are very comfortable with what the laboratory has been able to do thus far–we're just taking it an extra step to ensure fairness. MS: To be clear, the data packets from the laboratory has been reviewed with no evidence for error, aberration or inconsistent analytical approach. TDN: Would the lab packets show if there was a problem with the instrument itself? MS: A component of performing the analysis is using internal calibrators at known concentrations. And so, if the result of one of those internal calibrators doesn't meet criteria, then you know that you do have a problem with the Instrument. TDN: Do you have any concerns with any other areas of the Pennsylvania lab's set-up? For example, you've both talked publicly about how different labs are equipped with different testing instruments, some older, some newer. Are the instruments the Pennsylvania lab uses to test either the blood or the urine as technically advanced as, say, the Maddy Lab at UC Davis? MS: If you're asking if I've done a one-on-one comparison across the laboratories with respect to instrumentation, the answer is no I haven't. But the lab has a strong research division. They're on the cutting edge of a number of fields, and they have the instrumentation to support that. So, I have every confidence that their instrumentation meets the requirements of the industry. TDN: Has the Pennsylvania lab ever failed single or double-blind proficiency tests since the advent of the ADMC program? BM: Not we've been made aware. MS: Off the top of my head, I don't recall. The lab is required to disclose to us [if they've failed such a proficiency test]. I don't have those results in front of me. TDN: You've stated that HISA's new Equine Analytical Laboratory (“HEAL”) accreditation begins early next year. How will that program differ from the RMTC's accreditation program? I think what we've learned is to put more emphasis on negative samples. The passed sample exchange–and that has already been expanded per HIWU's request to the RMTC-but the passed sample or negative sample exchange occurs every month where the labs are assigned a certain number of samples to send to another laboratory. This lab screened a negative, and they're being sent to another laboratory to undergo screening. This is one of the ways that we can double check on our negative samples. It allows us to see if we have inconsistent sensitivity at screening for certain analytes. That's being done on a monthly basis. In the past, it was not a component of the RMTC accreditation program. Labs did it between themselves without disclosing results to their clients. And because we are directing it, we can instruct which laboratories are sharing which samples with each other. So, it can certainly be a round-robin way of checking all of the labs in a systematic manner. TDN: Will the RMTC still have a role in the accreditation process? MS: They'll administer the external quality insurance program under our direction. We will select the analytes and they will handle the mechanics of procuring external quality assurance samples, circulating them, and receiving the information from the laboratories when they report. All of that information then will come to us, we will perform the assessment, and our lab expert group will establish the criteria for acceptable corrective action plans if there's a deficiency. This will also allow us to identify not just deficiencies but best practices, so, if we see someone who has more efficient approach to a specific analyte, we can require all the labs to adopt it. TDN: If you could start the ADMC over from scratch, would you do anything differently when it comes to your selection of laboratories, and what you've required of them? BM: If I think of individual laboratories, it's hard to speculate any different. We were certainly in a position where we were working closely with Dr. Scott Stanley. He was on the ADMC committee. As we worked towards May 22, 2023, we had every reason to believe that that lab was going to be a great laboratory under the program. All of the other labs were very compliant that we ended up signing agreements with, have been able to handle the volumes we send them. Now, just more extensive quality assurance measures has uncovered some deficiencies it sounds like at the Illinois laboratory specifically. But the Kentucky lab situation was less about that and more about deceitful behavior. So no, I'm not sure much could have been done differently. We approached it to the best of our ability, and put a very thoughtful strategy into how we selected the labs. TDN: Final question, if cost was not an option, what would your ideal set-up be for American racing? One primarily focused on a single centralized laboratory? MS: Last year, I was in Hong Kong for the international conference of racing analysts and veterinarians. One of the talks was on a laboratory in Australia and they discussed the design of a new building holding their thirty six—thirty six—liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) units. I sat in the audience and I wondered how many of our labs do we have to put together to come up with thirty LC-MS or GC-MS units. The international community has got so much more money to apply to research and innovative testing and exploring specific samples that show elevated concentrations of testosterone. Money is no object? That's not achievable. The industry is going to need to recognize that to combat the doping which is I think the largest concern within the industry, a lot more resources are going to have to be directed to the laboratories. The fact now that we have laboratories cooperating and collaborating means that we can establish centers of excellence so different labs are working on different areas of research interest, that we're not getting redundant efforts, and instead we can really dive into and solve some of those problems that we believe are out there–ones we have not yet had the resources or the opportunity to address. The post HIWU Q and A On Lab Issues: We are investigating for “Non-Conformity Across the Laboratories” appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four wildcards have been added to the catalogue for the Arqana Arc Sale and will go under the hammer at Saint-Cloud Racecourse on Saturday, October 5. They include the Hedi Ghabri-trained Al Jafara (GB) (lot 21), who shed her maiden tag at the second attempt at Chantilly earlier this month. The two-year-old daughter of Pinatubo (Ire) is out of a full-sister to the Oaks heroine Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and hails from the family of Group 1 winners such as Brian Boru (GB) and Workforce (GB). Alessandro and Giuseppe Botti's Presage Nocturne (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) will be offered as lot 22 after his third-place finish in the G3 Prix Gladiateur at Longchamp, while fellow three-year-old Shootout (Ire) (Areion {Ger}), lot 35, produced a career best on his most recent outing when filling the runner-up spot in the G3 Kölner Sprint Trophy at Cologne. Finally, Yann Barberot will offer Ci Mer (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) as lot 36. The three-year-old filly followed her first career victory at Saint-Cloud in June with a fourth-place finish in the G3 Prix Chloe at Chantilly. The full catalogue can be viewed here. The post Four Wildcards Added to the Arqana Arc Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Ack Ack is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In, with the victor of Saturday's race gaining an automatic and free entry into the Dirt Mile (G1) Nov. 2 at Del Mar.View the full article

A stallion share in North American record holder and GISW Cogburn (Not This Time) will be sold at the inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Del Mar, site of the 2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 1-2, according to a Wednesday release by Keeneland. The 5-year-old, who has amassed nearly $2.4 million in earnings over 15 starts, has won all three of his 2024 races: the GI Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga in North American record time of :59.80 for 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; the GII Ainsworth Turf Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs; and the GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes at Churchill Downs. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Cogburn is targeting the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Nov. 2 at Del Mar. Afterwards, he will be retired to WinStar Farm in Versailles, Kentucky for the 2025 breeding season. Consigned by EliTE, the share being offered in the Championship Sale is an original one in the horse and does not need to clear the syndicate. The new shareholder will be entitled to 1/40th of all the stallion income and associated expenses starting with the 2025 breeding season. “We are super excited to be standing the fastest horse in the world,” WinStar Farm President/CEO & Racing Manager Elliott Walden said. “We have had a lot of interest for shares, and not many will be available, so we thought it best to give everyone a shot at it through Keeneland's unique sale at the Breeders' Cup.” “Keeneland thanks Clark Brewster, Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt, WinStar Farm and Lindy Farm for the opportunity to offer this share in Cogburn, one of the most talented horses racing today,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “This Championship Sale offering is made even more exciting because it is the only share in Cogburn available for trade prior to his retirement.” The release also said that any questions or inquiries about the syndicate agreement should be directed to Bradley Weisbord at (516) 297-5021. Click here to learn more about the Championship Sale. The post Keeneland’s Championship Sale Offers Stallion Share In Breeders’ Cup Hopeful Cogburn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four-time champion trainer and star Australian rider light up city circuit, thanks to wins from Sky Song, Noble Pursuit and Rocket Spade.View the full article

Guest speakers include Carrie Brogden, David Ingordo, Damon Thayer, Dr. Alex Sano, Anna Seitz Ciannelo, Leif Aaron and more. The clinic is open to the public, with a special discount for TOBA members.View the full article

Fosnic Racing's multiple group winner Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {Ire}) is eyeing another G3 Bengough Stakes win this autumn, trainer Mick Appleby revealed. The 5-year-old won that six-furlong race last October, before taking second in a Lingfield listed race in his 2024 debut. Successful in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint in February, the entire was unplaced in the G1 Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock in September, but displayed a return to form when third in the G3 World Trophy Stakes on Sept. 21. He has also been penciled in to contest the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot on Oct. 19, with another trip to Saudi Arabia to defend his 1351 Turf Sprint crown also in the cards. “He ran very well, we were very pleased with him,” said Appleby. “He was probably drawn on the wrong side and the [heavy] ground was a bit against him, but he ran well. “He's in the Bengough at Ascot again, so we'll decide whether we are going to go there or not, then there's Champions Day and we'll probably go and have another tilt in Saudi with him, I would think. “He got murdered at Haydock, so it was nice to see him run a good race on Saturday.” Appleby also had a positive bulletin regarding his pair of Breeders' Cup-bound RP Racing-owned horses–Grade I winner Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and G3 Molecomb Stakes hero Big Mojo (Ire) (Mohaather {GB}). The former landed the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, and is now targeting the GI Turf Sprint, while the latter will try to give Appleby consecutive wins in the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar in November. “They're both good and they're both going straight there now,” Appleby added. “They're both in good order.” The post Autumn Plans Revealed For Mick Appleby Stars appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wathan Racing's latest star turn, G3 Prix Eclipse hero Electrolyte (Ire) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), is pointing toward the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly on Oct. 12, according to racing advisor Richard Brown. One of two group winners for his first-year sire, the son of the winning Bibury (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}) graduated at Ayr in June, before running second, by only a nose, to Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in the G2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot for Archie Watson. Kept busy with a fifth-place appearance in the G2 July Stakes at Newmarket and a sixth in the G2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood at the end of that month, he won the Eclipse off a 53-day break. “We were absolutely delighted with his run, we'd given him a break after Goodwood and he went to Hillwood Stud and spent some time in the field,” said Brown. “That freshened him up and it was a very pleasing performance. I thought Mickael Barzalona gave him a brilliant ride, he just let him settle in front. “Six [furlongs] is definitely going to be his game, we tried seven and it didn't work. We were very happy and it was a good performance. “The most likely race for him is the Group 2 back at Chantilly, the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte, that's what we're aiming for now.” The post Criterium De Maisons-Laffitte Next Target For Electrolyte appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Favored at 2-5 in defense of his title in Wednesday's Listed Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Race Track outside Tokyo, Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) was produced wide into the stretch and kicked home smartly, but was forced to settle for second behind all-the-way winner William Barows (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), who scored the upset as the 7-1 third choice. Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) chased the early pace, but weakened in the straight to finish fifth, beaten 8 1/2 lengths. William Barows, a Group 2 winner on dirt earlier this year, was kicked straight into the lead from barrier two by Forever Young (Jpn)'s jockey Ryusei Sakai and he was pressed along by Derma Sotogake, last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up who was having his first run since a distant sixth in the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 30. Ushba Tesoro, a well-beaten second behind Laurel River (Into Mischief) in the World Cup, was outrun and settled in an unhurried seventh and midfield down the back of the left-turning track, a good 10 lengths off the lead. William Barows was still going well as they hit the stretch and while 5-2 second favorite Derma Sotogake had run his race by then, Ushba Tesoro was finding his best stride beneath Yuga Kawada. Despite closing his final 600 meters in a race-best :37.3, Ushba Tesoro couldn't quite bridge the big deficit and settled for a strong second over a distance short of his best. “The trainer and I talked about making the lead and it went just as imagined,” the winning jockey said on the Funabashi Race Track X account. “He responded well when he turned into the straight and I thought he'd be able to hold on.” Derma Sotogake's rider Christophe Lemaire was seeing the glass as half-full following the performance. “We were in the right spot, but when the pace picked up, I had to get busy,” he told Netkeiba. “We tried to the end and I think he'll be better next time. I'm not worried about the dirt in the U.S. because he can run better.” Wednesday's Results: NIPPON TV HAI (Jpn-G2)-Listed, ¥68,000,000 ($471,512), Funabashi, 9-25, 3yo/up, 1800m, 1:52.8, ft. 1–WILLIAM BAROWS (JPN), 126, h, 6, Mikki Isle (Jpn)–Diana Barows (Jpn) (SW-Jpn, $537,781), by Symboli Kris S. O/B-Hirotsugu Inokuma; T-Hiroyuki Uemura; J-Ryusei Sakai; ¥40,000,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Jpn, 19-8-5-1, ¥236,736,000. 2–Ushba Tesoro (Jpn), 128, h, 7, Orfevre (Jpn)–Millefeui Attach (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). (¥25,000,000 Wlg '17 JRHAJUL). O-Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co Ltd; B-Chiyoda Farm Shizunai; T-Noboru Takagi; J-Yuga Kawada; ¥14,000,000. 3–Meisho Hario (Jpn), 126, h, 7, Pyro–Meisho Ohi (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). O-Yoshio Matsumoto; B-Mishima Bokujo; T-Inao Okada; J-Suguru Hamanaka; ¥8,000,000. Margins: 1, 4, 1. Odds: 7.00, 0.40, 14.30. Click for the goracing.jp chart. The post Ushba Tesoro Falls Short In BC Classic Prep, Derma Sotogake Unplaced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A public hearing at City Hall in Lexington, Kentucky is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26 at 1:30 p.m. ET. concerning the expansion of industrial-scale solar development in the county, the Fayette Alliance said in a release last week. After the comment phase is complete, a future vote by the LFUCG Urban County Council will take place on the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment proposed by the solar development company Silicon Ranch. The Fayette Alliance is a non-profit committed to achieving sustainable growth in the city of Lexington while advocating for the protection of farmland. The post Public Hearing Set Discuss Industrial Solar Development In Fayette County Sept. 26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Many well-known figures from across the racing industry are making their final preparations for the Racing Welfare Jurassic Coast Challenge, which takes place on Sunday, September 29. Sky Sports Racing presenters Josh Apiafi and Alex Hammond announced they were taking part in the challenge live on-air on Saturday. “You and I and 50 others from around the racing world are walking the Jurassic Coastal Challenge next Sunday in aid of Racing Welfare–a fantastic cause,” said Apiafi. “We both started off working in a yard so it's great to be giving something back.” Hammond added, “It's a wonderful charity that supports a broad church of people in the racing industry. That's why I'm doing it, that's why you're doing it. It will be a challenge by the way folks, because this is not a flat 22 miles.” Following a route along the South West Coast Path, the challenge will start at Durdle Door and finish in Swanage, covering a distance of 20 miles and 1,443 metres of ascent. Training duo Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero are among the other members of the racing industry who will be taking part, along with former trainer Harry Dunlop and Brittany Rushworth, who is a barn leader at Newsells Park Stud. Jo White, Racing Welfare corporate fundraising and events manager (south), said, “This is the first time we've run the Racing Welfare Jurassic Coast Challenge and we're really looking forward to it. We'd like to thank Josh and Alex and all of the participants who have signed-up to take part in what will be a tough but rewarding adventure. “We rely on fundraising events like the Racing Welfare Jurassic Coast Challenge to ensure we can continue to support the workforce of British horseracing and are hopeful it will be a great success for the charity and for all the participants, too.” Visit www.racingwelfare.co.uk/challenges to find out more, or click here to sponsor Apiafi and Hammond. The post Sky Sports Racing Duo Signed Up for Racing Welfare Jurassic Coast Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It's taken a while but the 4-year-old colt Crupi is finally living up to his name. His next start comes Sept. 28 in the $400,000 Woodward Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

Brilliant Group 1-winning filly Autumn Angel (Aus) is set to be offered for public auction in a boutique Inglis Digital Online Sale early next week. Bidding opens at 9am (AEDT) on Monday, September 30 and runs until 4pm (AEDT) on Tuesday, October 1. Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, Autumn Angel won four of her 11 starts and earned over A$1.1 million in prize-money during her illustrious career, with her biggest success coming in April this year when she defeated high-class performers such as Zardozi (Aus) (Kingman {GB}) and Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) to win the G1 Australian Oaks at Randwick. On Tuesday it was announced that she'd suffered a tendon injury, bringing her racing career to a premature end. “I've had some good ones and, trust me, this girl was right up there in the top bracket,” said Moody. “She was a special racehorse who had so much ahead of her on the track, but now it's time for her to become a mum. She'll be one heck of a broodmare.” Autumn Angel was purchased by Moody and managing owner Wylie Dalziel for A$230,000 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She is one of four winners out of the Group 3 winner Angel Of Mercy (Aus) (Hussonet), who was also runner-up in the G1 Tattersalls Tiara. When Autumn Angel won the Australian Oaks she became the first top-level winner for her sire, The Autumn Sun (Aus). Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch said, “Autumn Angel has consistently impressed throughout her career. Her race record doesn't fully reflect her ability, but she possesses a pedigree that includes Redoute's Choice, Galileo and Hussonet, making her an appealing prospect for breeders.” The post Australian Oaks Winner Autumn Angel to be Offered by Inglis Digital appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Phillip Stokes acknowledges Climbing Star (NZ) (Zoustar) will be stepping up to another level when she runs in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at weight-for-age on Friday night at The Valley, but he’s upbeat about her chances. So much so that he’s giving a good push for punters who like value. “She’s 50-1 in the betting and I can see her running in the top four,” Stokes said. Last preparation, Stokes decided to keep Climbing Star to sprint races and this strategy paid off handsomely as she elevated herself to one of the better sprinters in the land with her four-run campaign over the Adelaide Carnival at Morphettville. She won the Listed Matrice Stakes first-up and finished second to Benedetta in the G3 Irwin Stakes before taking out the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes and then completing her campaign with a third placing behind Benedetta and stablemate Stretan Angel in the G1 The Goodwood. “I trained her differently and kept her fresh to 1200m and she obviously came a long way last preparation and probably took people by surprise,” Stokes said. Stokes suggested that the Adelaide form shouldn’t be overlooked. “They were Group 1s in Adelaide, but a lot of good sprinters were there and she raced and beat some top horses,” he said. “She’s got stronger again after that preparation.” Stokes said he has a multitude of options for Climbing Star and her performance in the Manikato will decide which races he targets with her. “This is a good starting point as to which way we go. I’ll have a pretty good idea after she runs in it,” he said. Climbing Star is likely to go back from a wide barrier draw of 11, but Stokes pointed out that she can race forward or back. “I think we’ll just look at this. Looking at it now, it looks like it will be a high-pressure race, so I’d say we’ll probably be going back,” he said. Dan Stackhouse has been riding Climbing Star in her recent jumpouts and will be in the saddle for the first time under race conditions on Friday night. “He’s keen and he’s in good form. He’s desperate to ride his first Group 1 winner,” Stokes said. View the full article

A benchmark race at Rosehill is the preferred starting point for Group winner Good Banter (NZ) (Tavistock). Taking on the likes of Tropical Squall and Amelia’s Jewel in the Golden Pendant is Plan B for Adrian Knox Stakes winner Good Banter, with connections hoping she can kick of her spring campaign on a softer note. The mare is safely in the field for Saturday’s Group 2, 1400m feature, but co-trainer Tom Charlton says their first preference is the Irresistible Pools and Spa Handicap (1400m) for which she is second emergency. “We put a last-minute acceptance in for the Golden Pendant because it looked like she was going to be an emergency in the (benchmark) 88,” Charlton said. “It is very much our preference to run in the 88, but it’s also very important she has a run this weekend. “It’s the softer option for sure, that Golden Pendant is like a Group One.” A field of eight was accepted for the Golden Pendant (1400m) with multiple Group 1 placegetter Semana and promising mares Makarena and Arctic Glamour adding depth to the line-up. Good Banter underlined her promise in the autumn with a decision over subsequent ATC Australian Oaks winner Autumn Angel in the Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) and Charlton said she did so on raw ability. “Physically, she has been a shell of a filly and has always been going to get better with time,” he said. “Even when she won the Adrian Knox, she was just not there yet. I definitely expect her to have a really good four-year-old season. “Ideally, she might be one to head to an Angst (Stakes) on Everest day and maybe a Matriarch (Stakes) beyond there.” The stable will have at least one runner in the benchmark race with Charlton confirming Premise will take her place despite drawing wide in barrier 15. “She goes on a similar path, all being well, so she needs to run this weekend,” Charlton said. “The barrier has dictated her chances a bit and she’s probably not at her best if we get wet ground. “But when she gets circumstances go her way, she is capable of running well in some black-type races.” View the full article

Promising filly Donna Chiara (NZ) (Belardo) put her hand up for upcoming stakes assignments with a dominant performance in the Seahorse Supplements Maiden 3YO (1200m) at Timaru on Wednesday. The daughter of Belardo competed in strong company as a juvenile, placing behind subsequent Group One-performer Red Sea before heading for a spell. Returning as a three-year-old, Donna Chiara made her first appearance for Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton arm on the synthetic, where she finished runner-up to Robdontess. Reverting back to her own age group, Donna Chiara was heavily favoured to break maidens closing at $2.90, with jockey Wiremu Pinn showing plenty of intent early to sit outside the pacemaker in Holdem. The filly shook off Holdem turning into the straight and she was simply cruising from the 200m, being eased down by Pinn at the post to score by 1-½ lengths to a fast-closing Kaiseda. Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, who lead the Te Akau stable from Matamata, were represented at the Phar Lap Raceway by stable foreman Hunter Durrant. “She (Donna Chiara) took a lot of improvement from her first-up run and I think the addition of blinkers by Mark and Sam was the key,” Durrant said. “It was good to see her get the job done quite easily in the end. We’ll see how she pulls up before deciding what we aim her for in the future.” Walker was equally impressed by the performance, indicating the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) on October 12 was the likely target for his filly. “It was a really good win by Donna Chiara and a good ride by Wiremu to put her in the race,” he said. “He was positive from the gates and that was the winning of the race. “She’s getting stronger and more mature, as time goes on, and the win should give her a lot of confidence. She’ll go on to bigger things now and hopefully head towards the Barneswood Stakes at Ashburton. “It’s great to get another win for Lib Petagna, in his colours, and we always appreciate the support of breeders like him. He’s got the breeding operation in full swing at Elsdon Park, and has an outstanding stud manager in Kerrie Cox.” Bred by Little Avondale Trust out of a Zabeel mare in Bellabaci, Donna Chiara was purchased by Bruce Perry for $90,000 at the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sales and is raced by Petagna’s JML Bloodstock. The Eldson Park principal acquired Kevin Hickman’s Valachi Downs property in 2022 and is expanding his broodmare band, which would be greatly enhanced with black-type honours for Donna Chiara. “We bought her to be a nice filly and she’s out of Sam’s (Williams) great family,” Perry said. “Lib has a great setup on a beautiful farm at Elsdon Park, and Kevin Hickman (Valachi Downs) had done an amazing job there. “Lib is fortunate to have stallion shares in the likes of Savabeel, Per Incanto, Alabama Express, Ardrossan, Super Seth, and Noverre, which makes life a lot easier when it comes to breeding rights. “Donna Chiara might have a crack at the Barneswood, which won’t be easy, but it’s a suitable stakes race. In order for Donna Chiara to earn her keep as a broodmare at Elsdon she probably has to be a black type filly. “It’s nice to have a filly out that family and if she can get some black type as a three-year-old, whether it’s in the spring, or in the autumn leading up to the Warstep Stakes, it would be great. “She’s a big leggy filly and there should be no reason, if she settles, that she wouldn’t get a mile and a bit further, especially as a three-year-old against her own age group, which is sometimes when they can get a distance that they may not ever get at any other age.” View the full article

There has been another injection of Kiwi flavour to the A$20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick next month, with the Cambridge Stud-owned Joliestar securing a slot in the world’s richest turf race. The four-year-old daughter of Zoustar will take up the Chris Waller Racing and Partners slot, which comprises of her trainer Chris Waller, Neville and Jenny Morgan, Peter and Patricia Tighe (Magic Bloodstock), Noel and Maria Greenhalgh, and Ingham Racing. Joliestar put herself on the map as a three-year-old when winning two and runner-up in three of her five starts last season, including victory in the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m). She returned in winning style as a four-year-old at Randwick last month when taking out the Gr.2 Show County Quality (1200m) before placing in the Gr.2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill 10 days ago. “A proven elite performer at three, Joliestar has returned as a four-year-old with dynamic performances, showing her talent with a dominant victory in the Gr.3 Show County (Quality) followed by a gutsy second-up effort in the Gr.2 Sheraco Stakes,” Waller said in a statement. “She is a mare that looks to have it all before her and we are delighted to have her represent our slot in the world’s richest turf race.” Joliestar will head into The Everest in a fresh state, with Waller electing to give his mare one trial prior to her Randwick assignment. “Following some very good work on Monday morning, she will have a trial on the eighth of October, and then straight into The Everest,” Waller said. “Both of her last two first-up runs were fantastic so we feel she is best to go to The Everest fresh.” Joliestar was purchased out of Segenhoe Thoroughbred’ 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale draft for A$950,000 by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, and she will carry their familiar gold and black silks in the rich feature. Two of New Zealand’s leading stud farms are set to clash in this year’s edition of The Everest, with last year’s runner-up I Wish I Win having already secured Trackside Media’s slot. The Waikato Stud-bred and part-owned gelding will carry the Matamata Farm’s silks in the race, setting up a mouth-watering spectacle between the two Kiwi thoroughbred powerhouses. View the full article

Champions Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) have seemingly scared away the majority of their opposition in Friday night’s Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley. Just four horses have accepted for the A$500,000 race, which features win-and-you’re-in status for the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m). As expected, Craig Williams has been booked to ride Mr Brightside from barrier three, while the Trelawney Stud-bred Pride Of Jenni and Declan Bates will jump from barrier one. Tony Gollan’s Antino (NZ) (Redwood) will jump from barrier two with Blake Shinn, while Attrition (Churchill) jumps from barrier four with Beau Mertens. View the full article

Each race in Evaporate’s (NZ) (Per Incanto) winning streak has been a new test and Lindsay Park will take his education to a new level this Friday night. The son of Per Incanto will chase a fourth-straight win in the $300,000 Group 2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley. The Valley has been the scene of three-year-old handicap wins for Evaporate at his past two starts, victories that followed a Cranbourne maiden success, and Ben Hayes said he had earned a shot at Stakes company. The 1600-metre event will double as a Caulfield Guineas audition. “He just keeps improving, he’s got a good record at The Valley and I think it’s a good opportunity to head there,” Hayes said. “It will be a harder race, but he deserves to be tried in harder comp. “The Valley’s a unique track, not all horses like it, and I think it’s a good opportunity for good prizemoney and it’s one of the lead-ups to the Guineas, so it keeps the dream alive.” Hayes, who trains in partnership with brothers Will and JD, said Evaporate had similar ability to Tijuana, who won the 2022 Stutt Stakes before finishing fifth in the Caulfield Guineas won by Golden Mile. Last year’s Stutt Stakes was won by Griff, who then became the 11th horse complete the Stutt Stakes-Caulfield Guineas double. “Tijuana ran really well in the Caulfield Guineas, he was only beaten a length, so he was thereabouts and, this horse, I think is very similar ability to him,” Hayes said. “It’s actually a proven formula, it nearly worked for us, so we’ll stick to it.” Michael Dee retains the ride on Evaporate on Friday night with the pair to jump from barrier two in the field of nine. Rivals include blueblood colts Dawn Service (seven) and Daggers (one), Anthony and Sam Freedman’s Spring Champion Stakes prospect Henlein (nine) and Detroit City (three) View the full article

Well-known racing photographer Peter Rubery is used to being behind the lens capturing the action for winning owners, but at Waverley on Tuesday he was able to experience that winning feeling himself. Rubery, who operates racing photography business Race Images NZ, is part of the ownership group of Churchill gelding Super Gold, who broke through for his maiden win in the Matty Neil Building (1650m) for trainer Nicky Goss and apprentice jockey Toni Davies. It was Rubery’s first win as an owner, and he said he was delighted to experience the joy of winning a race for himself. “I was thrilled, it was really huge,” he said. “I haven’t had a winner with a horse before and I was a wee bit nervous about taking photographs if he got up to win, but I went into automatic mode, and it was amazing to be involved. “I have been going to Waverley for many years and the Club always looks after owners and everyone on course. There were lots of congratulations from people, it was really cool, I am used to being on the other side of it.” While Rubery has been involved in racing as a photographer for a few decades, he only decided to venture into ownership at the turn of the decade when seeing a number of owners reduce their investment in the industry. “I made a decision to get involved when we went into COVID lockdown,” he said. “I ended up being very busy going around stables photographing horses to be sold. There were a lot of people reducing the number of horses they were racing, and I thought I needed to put my hand up, step in and get involved.” Rubery had formed a close association with trainer Nicky Goss during her time as a racing photographer, and he approached her to find a horse to race. “I have known Nicky for many years,” Rubery said. “She came out here to ride, and she was riding over jumps in the mid-nineties. For a short while, back in the film days in the nineties, she worked for us as a photographer. I have always kept up a connection with her. “I encouraged Nicky to find a horse, and this (Super Gold) is the second one that we have had, and we are looking forward to the future.” Super Gold was previously trained by Mark Forbes, placing in one of his four starts for the Cambridge horseman before being offered on Gavelhouse.com earlier this year where he was purchased by Goss for $3,900. Rubery said Super Gold’s success showcases that people can enter racehorse ownership at an affordable level. “I deal with a lot of owners who have small shares in horses and they are getting just as much of a thrill out of it as those forking out a lot of money,” he said. “It is just getting a group of people together and taking a share.” Rubery has enjoyed the social aspect of racing a horse with a group of friends and said ownership can help attract more eyes to the industry through supportive friends and family. “It is a very social group of owners who are involved in the horse,” he said. “It has been really cool. I am sending photographs out to my non-racing friends, my daughter and all her workmates in Wellington played it (race) live in their workplace and they were all punting it. “It shows the spirit when someone owns a horse, the actual people who come in who may not normally come into the industry and bet or follow horses will follow them. I am proud to say there have even been people who have opened up betting accounts. They are all the knock-on things that happen (with ownership).” Rubery is looking forward to continuing his ownership journey with Super Gold but said he may now head to the spelling paddock for a well-deserved break. “We are really pleased to get him out of maidens and that just gives her (Goss) some more opportunities to find another race for him,” Rubery said. “He is by Churchill and he is bred to go over distance. Nicky gets the fitness into her horses, and he has recently started swimming as well, which he is loving. “He has all of a sudden come together and he is a nice horse. He has been up for a wee while and he possibly deserves to have a break now.” While rapt to get his first win as an owner, Rubery was straight back to business in the following race at Waverley and will head to Hastings on Saturday in high spirits to capture Group One racing action on Arrowfield Stud Plate Day. “I have always used the analogy that raceday photography is like a game of golf – every race is like another hole, and you are trying to get your perfect set of photos for each race,” Rubery said. “You go to each race trying to get that really good action shot, win shot, a strong striding photograph of the horse coming back after a race, saluting, and the owners with the horse and presentations. You do that race after race, and every race you are trying to do it better than the race before.” Rubery loves his job and said there is no better place to be on raceday to take in the excitement of the finish. “I stand right down on the winning post every raceday,” he said. “I am about as close as you can get to the final stages of a race without being a jockey. You hear it all, you feel the horses’ hooves, and everything that is happening as they head to the winning post. It is an amazing place to be.” View the full article

What Geelong Races Where Geelong Racecourse – 99 Breakwater Rd, Breakwater VIC 3219 When Thursday, September 26, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble Geelong Racecourse hosts a competitive eight-race meeting this Thursday afternoon from 1:30pm AEST. Clear skies are forecast throughout the day, with the track likely to stay as a Good 4. The rail comes out 9m from 1400m-800m and out 11m for the remainder, which could favour leaders early on in the card. Best Bet at Geelong: Illative Illative has warmed up for her return run with a smart trial victory over 800m at Cranbourne. Despite not featuring in the top three in two previous fresh runs, she simply looks like the best horse in the race. Ben Melham will have her settled towards the rear of the field, but armed with a swift turn of foot, Illative will have no issues in overhauling her rivals. Best Bet Race 5 – #6 Illative (7) 4yo Mare | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Ben Melham (59kg) Bet with Dabble Next Best at Geelong: Kodiak Bear Kodiak Bear put a big space on his rivals at the Geelong 2460m on September 13. The five-year-old gelding put three lengths on subsequent Sandown winner Muktamil, which franks the form nicely. Blake Shinn sticks on board, and from barrier three he will have plenty of options. Outside of any bad luck, Kodiak Bear simply looks to be the best stayer amongst this lot. Next Best Race 6 – #1 Kodiak (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Symon Wilde | J: Blake Shinn (60kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value at Geelong: Champagne Jenni It was a tough watch for those who took the big price available with horse racing bookmakers about Champagne Jenni at the Geelong 1140m on debut. The three-year-old filly saw nothing but backsides throughout the home straight, eventually going to the line untested to be beaten by five lengths. The 1447m trip should suit her perfectly, while barrier 14 should mean she avoids trouble this time around. Best Value Race 2 – #2 Champagne Jenni (14) 3yo Filly | T: Alex Rae | J: Declan Bates (57kg) Bet with Neds Thursday quaddie tips for Geelong races Geelong quadrella selections Thursday, September 26, 2024 5-6 1-3 1-2-5 1-2-6-8-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, September 26, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEST Visit Dabble Provincial racing returns to Hawkesbury Race Club on Thursday afternoon, with a bumper eight-race program set for decision. The rail is out +2m between the 1100m to winning post, while the remainder is in the true position. The track is rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, however, with plenty of rain forecast on race morning, punters can expect a downgrade into the Soft or Heavy range prior to the opening event at 1:15pm local time. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Red Force Red Force returns after a 361-day spell and looks prepared for a first-up assault after being transferred to the Ciaron Maher barn. The son of Cosmic Force powered through the line in a recent trial at Warwick Farm on September 13, showing a terrific turn-of-speed with James McDonald in the saddle. McDonald elects to stick aboard and make the trip to Hawkesbury, which is a glowing endorsement of this progressive three-year-old, and provided he can slot in from barrier four, Red Force will prove hard to hold out despite the lengthy absence. Best Bet Race 3 – #4 Red Force (4) 3yo Colt | T: Ciaron Maher | J: James McDonald (56.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Hawkesbury: Admitted After undergoing a gelding operation during his 46 weeks off the scene, the James Cummings-trained Admitted appears ready to strike first-up. The three-year-old caught the eye in a recent trial at Randwick on September 9, matching motors with the likes of Need Some Luck and Punch Lane throughout. Zac Lloyd gets legged aboard in this BM64 contest, and provided he can land into the one-one from barrier five, Admitted should simply prove too classy for this lot. Next Best Race 6 – #8 Admitted (5) 3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (57kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Hawkesbury: Fiftyfivechevy Fiftyfivechevy couldn’t have been more impressive, blousing his rivals to score by 1.8 lengths at Muswellbrook on September 10, breaking his maiden status in the process. The gelding by Puissance De Lune was only building the revs as he went through the line over 1500m, suggesting a step up to 1800m should be no issue for the progressive three-year-old. Tommy Berry gets legged aboard in this BM64 contest, and although this is clearly his toughest test to date, Fiftyfivechevy should be up to the task. Best Value Race 5 – #12 Fiftyfivechevy (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Tommy Berry (55kg) Bet with Dabble Thursday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury Hawkesbury quadrella selections September 26, 2024 7-10-12 7-8 1-6-8-9-10 6-7-10-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Don Chiara winning at Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images South Promising filly Donna Chiara put her hand up for upcoming stakes assignments with a dominant performance in the Maiden 3YO (1200m) at Timaru on Wednesday. The daughter of Belardo competed in strong company as a juvenile, placing behind subsequent Group 1-performer Red Sea before heading for a spell. Returning as a three-year-old, Donna Chiara made her first appearance for Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton arm on the synthetic, where she finished runner-up to Robdontess. Reverting back to her own age group, Donna Chiara was heavily favoured to break maidens closing at $2.90, with jockey Wiremu Pinn showing plenty of intent early to sit outside the pacemaker in Holdem. The filly shook off Holdem turning into the straight and she was simply cruising from the 200m, being eased down by Pinn at the post to score by 1.5 lengths to a fast-closing Kaiseda. Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, who lead the Te Akau stable from Matamata, were represented at the Phar Lap Raceway by stable foreman Hunter Durrant. “She (Donna Chiara) took a lot of improvement from her first-up run and I think the addition of blinkers by Mark and Sam was the key,” Durrant said. “It was good to see her get the job done quite easily in the end. We’ll see how she pulls up before deciding what we aim her for in the future.” Walker was equally impressed by the performance, indicating the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) on October 12 was the likely target for his filly. “It was a really good win by Donna Chiara and a good ride by Wiremu to put her in the race,” he said. “He was positive from the gates and that was the winning of the race. “She’s getting stronger and more mature, as time goes on, and the win should give her a lot of confidence. She’ll go on to bigger things now and hopefully head towards the Barneswood Stakes at Ashburton. “It’s great to get another win for Lib Petagna, in his colours, and we always appreciate the support of breeders like him. He’s got the breeding operation in full swing at Elsdon Park, and has an outstanding stud manager in Kerrie Cox.” The Eldson Park principal acquired Kevin Hickman’s Valachi Downs property in 2022 and is expanding his broodmare band, which would be greatly enhanced with black-type honours for Donna Chiara. “We bought her to be a nice filly and she’s out of Sam’s (Williams) great family,” Perry said. “Lib has a great setup on a beautiful farm at Elsdon Park, and Kevin Hickman (Valachi Downs) had done an amazing job there. “Lib is fortunate to have stallion shares in the likes of Savabeel, Per Incanto, Alabama Express, Ardrossan, Super Seth, and Noverre, which makes life a lot easier when it comes to breeding rights. “Donna Chiara might have a crack at the Barneswood, which won’t be easy, but it’s a suitable stakes race. In order for Donna Chiara to earn her keep as a broodmare at Elsdon she probably has to be a black type filly. “It’s nice to have a filly out that family and if she can get some black type as a three-year-old, whether it’s in the spring, or in the autumn leading up to the Warstep Stakes, it would be great. “She’s a big leggy filly and there should be no reason, if she settles, that she wouldn’t get a mile and a bit further, especially as a three-year-old against her own age group, which is sometimes when they can get a distance that they may not ever get at any other age.” Horse racing news View the full article

Cambridge Stud principal Brendan Lindsay pictured with Joliestar following her win in last year’s Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m). Photo: Scott Barbour (Racing Photos) There has been another injection of Kiwi flavour to the A$20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick next month, with the Cambridge Stud-owned Joliestar securing a slot in the world’s richest turf race. The four-year-old daughter of Zoustar will take up the Chris Waller Racing and Partners slot, which comprises of her trainer Chris Waller, Neville and Jenny Morgan, Peter and Patricia Tighe (Magic Bloodstock), Noel and Maria Greenhalgh, and Ingham Racing. Joliestar put herself on the map as a three-year-old when winning two and runner-up in three of her five starts last season, including victory in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m). She returned in winning style as a four-year-old at Randwick last month when taking out the Group 2 Show County Quality (1200m) before placing in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill 10 days ago. “A proven elite performer at three, Joliestar has returned as a four-year-old with dynamic performances, showing her talent with a dominant victory in the Group 3 Show County (Quality) followed by a gutsy second-up effort in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes,” Waller said in a statement. “She is a mare that looks to have it all before her and we are delighted to have her represent our slot in the world’s richest turf race.” Joliestar will head into The Everest in a fresh state, with Waller electing to give his mare one trial prior to her Randwick assignment. “Following some very good work on Monday morning, she will have a trial on the eighth of October, and then straight into The Everest,” Waller said. “Both of her last two first-up runs were fantastic so we feel she is best to go to The Everest fresh.” Two of New Zealand’s leading stud farms are set to clash in this year’s edition of The Everest, with last year’s runner-up I Wish I Win having already secured Trackside Media’s slot. The Waikato Stud-bred and part-owned gelding will carry the Matamata Farm’s silks in the race, setting up a mouth-watering spectacle between the two Kiwi thoroughbred powerhouses. Horse racing news View the full article