Wandering Eyes

By Adam Hamilton Emerging Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod faces a tough start to his NSW Inter Dominion campaign. The lone Kiwi in the series, Tact McLeod will start from outside the front row (gate eight) over 2030m in the opening round of heats at Newcastle on Friday night. On a positive note, the Mark Jones-trained pacer, who was a late entry only last week, looks to have landed in the weakest of the three opening night pacing heats. His major dangers will be Zeuss Bromac (gate one), Blacksadance (two), Cantfindabettorman (four) and Curly James (10). As expected, decorated former Kiwi driver Anthony Butt will head up from his Victorian base to drive Tact McLeod through the series. In contrast, top WA trainers Greg and Skye Bond’s late decision to send Minstrel and Tenzing Bromac across from Perth for the series has been rewarded with lovely barriers on night one. Last-start Group 1 WA Pacing Cup winner Minstrel will be a warm favourite from gate one in the first of the pacing heats (race three). Tenzing Bromac, who like Minstrel will be driven by Deni Roberts, has gate two in the second heat (race four). Last-start TAB Eureka winner Don Hugo looks the hardest from Tenzing Bromac to beat from the pole for his trainer-driver Luke McCarthy, who is fresh back from a USA stint. Although Jason Grimson doesn’t have his dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee in the series, he still has four chances to land an incredible third Inter Dominion pacing final win the past four years. He won with Boncel Benjamin in 2021 and I Cast No Shadow in 2022 before Swayzee ran third for him in Brisbane last year. “Curly James, District Attorney and Nerano are my real hopes, Cya Art probably isn’t quite up to them,” Grimson said. “It’s really hard to split my three, they are all snipers and not horses who can dominate their races. Give them the right run and they’ll all be dangerous in a series like this.” District Attorney could use his blazing early speed from gate six against Minstrel in heat one. Nerano will need luck from an outside draw (gate eight) in heat two, while the bad draws continued for Grimson with Cya Art (seven) and Curly James (10) in heat three. In a trotting series missing Just Believe, former top juvenile The Locomotive looks the testing material given his fantastic form since joining NSW trainer-driver Brad Hewitt. The Locomotive looks ideally suited from gate four in a crucial early series clash with another big gun, London To A Brick (barrier five) in the first trotting heat (race six). Kiwi-owned mare Queen Elida gets her chance to lead and take catching in the second heat from barrier five for trainer Brent Lilley and driver Chris Alford. The series then moves to Bathurst next Wednesday night for the second round of heats. View the full article

Defending itself in a constitutionality lawsuit initiated by the trainer Jonathan Wong, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority on Friday told a federal judge in Louisiana that the court should either toss out Wong's case entirely or hold off on letting the litigation proceed while the Supreme Court of the United States decides whether it will take on one of three active requests stemming from different cases whose parties all want the nation's highest court to weigh in on similar constitutional issues Wong raises in his lower-court lawsuit. In a related Nov. 22 filing in U.S. District Court (Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette Division), the Authority also asked the court to deny Wong's motion for a preliminary injunction. As TDN's Dan Ross reported Oct. 19, Wong is currently fighting a two-year ban under Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) rules because of a banned-substance positive test for a human diabetes drug, metformin, that was detected in one of his winning trainees in a June 1, 2023, race at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Wong can, however, start horses in Louisiana and West Virginia, because they're the only two states in America where Thoroughbred medication testing and enforcement are not subject to oversight by the Horseracing and Safety Integrity Act (HISA) and HIWU. A preliminary injunction related to a different case is in effect in those two jurisdictions while a separate HISA-related lawsuit also plays out in federal court. Wong's stable is currently operational in Louisiana at Delta Downs and Fair Grounds. According to the Authority, Wong's decision to file his federal lawsuit in that state is allegedly why it should be tossed out. “First, the Court should dismiss this case under [federal rule, because] venue is not proper in this district,” the Authority's filing stated. “No substantial part of the events giving rise to Plaintiff's claims occurred [in Louisiana], and neither Defendants nor Plaintiff resides here. “Plaintiff's purported Louisiana address is an equestrian facility, which is not Plaintiff's permanent home,” which, the Authority added, “all known records indicate remains in California.” Alternatively, the Authority suggested, “the Court should order limited discovery on the issue of Plaintiff's domicile” to decide whether venue is proper. Next, the Authority argued, Wong's lawsuit doesn't belong in a Louisiana federal court if a different preliminary injunction is already keeping HISA from being the law of the land in that state. “Second, the Court should dismiss this case for the independent reason that the Court lacks personal jurisdiction over the Authority,” the filing stated. “The Authority does not have the requisite 'minimum contacts' with Louisiana because the Authority is not enforcing rules under HISA in Louisiana as to Plaintiff (or anyone else). “Because all the underlying conduct occurred elsewhere-a California trainer was sanctioned after his Kentucky-based horse tested positive for a banned substance at a race in Indiana-this litigation does not arise out of or relate to any Authority contacts with Louisiana either. “Indeed, Plaintiff's suspension under HISA does not even apply in Louisiana,” the Authority's filing stated. “Accordingly, the only connection between this lawsuit and Louisiana is Plaintiff's decision to bring suit here [and] the Court's lack of personal jurisdiction over the Authority compels dismissal of this entire suit.” Wong's complaint, filed Oct. 15, stated that HISA's delegation of federal regulatory power to the Authority allegedly violates the U.S. Constitution's private nondelegation doctrine and the Seventh Amendment's right to a jury trial. “Wong also brings this action because the Authority's enforcement of the HISA Rules against him-through a contracted private entity-violated Wong's Due Process rights,” the trainer's complaint stated. “Relatedly, Wong brings this action to appeal the final decision and civil sanctions imposed against him from the Authority's enforcement action,” the complaint stated. “The Court should declare HISA and the HISA Rules to be unconstitutional, preliminarily and permanently enjoin Defendants from enforcing HISA and the HISA Rules against Wong, and vacate the final decision and civil sanctions imposed against Wong,” the complaint stated. Wong's legal team will have a chance to file a written response to the Authority's motion to dismiss the case. The post Authority Wants Judge to Dismiss Wong’s Lawsuit Against HISA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eighteen point-to-point graduates feature in the catalogue for the Goffs Coral Gold Cup Sale, which takes place after racing at Newbury on Saturday, November 30. Inspections will be open on Friday and Saturday, with showing to take place next to the racecourse stables, before the sale gets underway in the Owners and Trainers facility after the last race at 3.35pm. Goffs UK managing director Tim Kent said, “We have had a very good response to the Coral Gold Cup Sale from the point-to-point handlers and have assembled a strong catalogue of horses to offer on Saturday. The sale got off to a great start last year and that has given vendors added confidence in the venue this time around. “Last week saw graduates from last year's inaugural sale notch up a winning double courtesy of The Bluesman for Paul Nicholls and First Confession for Joe Tizzard, so it's an exciting time for this young sale both in the ring and on the track, and we look forward to seeing everyone at Newbury on Saturday.” The post Catalogue Now Online for the Goffs Coral Gold Cup Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Four weeks removed from a disappointing effort in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar, Rigney Racing's Jonathan's Way is back home and ready to run in the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs Nov. 30.View the full article

Having won three of the six Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep races so far, trainer Brad Cox brings a pair of undefeated fillies, Good Cheer and Eclatant, to the $400,000 Golden Rod Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs Nov. 30.View the full article

Four new sires have joined Gainesway's stallion barn for 2025, bringing their roster up to 12 members. Tapit still reigns supreme at the Paris, Kentucky farm and the leading sire's stud fee will hold steady at $185,000 next year. McKinzie, whose first crop of 2-year-olds include Grade I winners Chancer McPatrick and Scottish Lassie, is in a tight battle for leading first-crop sire and his fee has increased from $30,000 to $75,000. Also in 2025, Raging Bull, a son of Dark Angel (Ire), will be represented by his first 2-year-olds while Olympiad and Drain the Clock will see their first yearlings. Muth (by Good Magic), Seize the Grey (by Arrogate), Tapit Trice (by Tapit) and Charge It (by Tapit) are the latest stallions to join the ranks at Gainesway. As breeders and bloodstock agents have dropped in to visit the new recruits at Gainesway over the past few weeks, it was actually the newcomer standing for the lowest stud fee that seemed to catch people by surprise. Charge It, a Whisper Hill Farm homebred out of a daughter of Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady (Dehere), will stand for $12,5000 in his debut season. “I was impressed with his size,” said Eduardo Terrazas of Terrazas Thoroughbreds. “I didn't expect him to be such a tall horse. He has a beautiful hip on him and a lot of quality. He's got that smart look that I always enjoy seeing on a stallion. I think he should fit a wide variety of mares because he also has plenty of leg under him.” “I thought Charge It has a speedy look to him,” said bloodstock agent Mike McMahon. “He really has a nice bottom line and just looks like he's fast.” Runner-up in the 2022 GI Florida Derby coming off his maiden win, Charge It went on to claim the GIII Dwyer Stakes by 23 lengths, earning a 111 Beyer Speed Figure. As an older horse, the Todd Pletcher trainee won the GII Suburban Stakes and placed in the GII Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes and GIII Westchester Stakes. Tapit Trice takes in the scenery at Gainesway | Sara Gordon Tapit Trice, another son of Tapit new to Gainesway in 2025, will stand for a fee of $20,000. A homebred for Gainesway out of the Grade III-placed mare Danzatrice (Dunkirk), he went through the ring at the Keeneland September Sale and sold to Whisper Hill for $1.3 million with Gainesway staying in for a share. “He broke his maiden at two and at three is when he really started to shine,” said Gainesway's Stallion Director Ryan Norton. “In his first start at three he was named a 'TDN Rising Star.' He won the GIII Tampa Bay Derby, followed it up with a Grade I win in the Blue Grass and went on to place in the GI Belmont and the GI Travers.” Returning to the racetrack this year at four, Tapit Trice won the GIII Monmouth Cup Stakes by over five lengths and then earned another victory in the GII Woodward Stakes. Norton noted that Gainesway's hope is that Charge It and Tapit Trice can someday carry the torch for their perennial leading sire Tapit, who celebrated his twentieth year at stud this year. “We're on a constant search to try to find the next son of Tapit, so with Charge It and Tapit Trice both being well-bred horses and fantastic, brilliant racehorses, I think there's a real opportunity,” said Norton. “Charge It was a brilliantly fast horse, so if you're looking for a stallion that will infuse some speed in your mare I think Charge It is probably where breeders will tend to go. Tapit Trice had a little bit more Classic style. If you look at him, he's got a little bit more of the Dunkirk and Unbridled's Song look. He's a little bit bigger, more of a two-turn horse, so I think he will provide stamina for breeders.” Seize the Grey raced to two Grade I victories for MyRacehorse | Sara Gordon Rounding out the 'grey brigade' amongst the new Gainesway stallions, Seize the Grey will stand for a fee of $30,000. Purchased by MyRacehorse for $300,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, Seize the Grey went on to become the highest-earning son of the late Arrogate when he reeled off victories in this year's GII Pat Day Mile Stakes, GI Preakness Stakes and GI Pennsylvania Derby. “We first noticed Seize the Gray when we were at the Derby and watched him win the Pat Day Mile on the undercard,” recalled Norton. “That's when he first came on our radar here and then obviously after the Preakness, he had really established himself as one of the top 3-year-olds in the country so we contacted MyRacehorse and we were fortunate enough to get a deal done. Being by Arrogate, a horse that left us too soon and was a brilliant racehorse, I think Seize the Grey epitomizes the traits of Arrogate and will hopefully pass it on to future generations.” Seize the Grey is out of a stakes-placed half-sister to Grade I winner and sire Power Broker (Tapit) and hails from the family of Grade I winner Miss Shop (Deputy Minister). “He's the type of horse that we like to buy,” said McMahon after inspecting the newcomer. “He's a racey type and I think breeders who use him will be really happy.” Muth stands out as the only progeny of Good Magic to earn Grade I wins at two and three | Sara Gordon Purchased by Donato Lanni for $2 million as a juvenile, Muth was another 'Rising Star' when he broke his maiden by nearly nine lengths on debut. He continued to build his resume as a juvenile with a win in the GI American Pharoah Stakes and runner-up performances in the GIII Best Pal Stakes and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile behind champion Fierceness (City of Light). Returning to the track at three, Muth claimed the GII San Vicente Stakes and then became the only progeny of Good Magic to earn Grade I wins at two and three when he scored in the GI Arkansas Derby. “The Good Magic start has been fairly incredible and I love that he's a Grade I winner at two and three,” McMahon said when asked about Muth. “He's a lot of horse. He's big and tall and he's got good conformation, great hind leg, went through the 2-year-olds sales, all the things I really look at.” “He's got a lovely hip with great balance,” added Terrazas. “I just like to see that natural muscle formation that they get. He's my type of horse.” Leading his class of newcomers at Gainesway, Muth will stand for $35,000 in 2025. “These open houses have been great and we've been very busy,” said Norton. “With four new stallions, it's going to be an exciting year at Gainesway.” The post New Quartet Drives Breeders to Gainesway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aesop's Fables (Ire) (No Nay Never) will stand at Starfield Stud next season, Compass Stallions announced on Monday. The G2 Futurity Stakes winner will command a fee of €6,500, with limited breeding rights available. Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Aesop's Fables retires as the winner of three of his 17 career starts. He also won this year's Listed Sole Power Sprint Stakes at Naas in May, having produced two of his best efforts at the end of last season when finishing third in both the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp and GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. Micheál Orlandi of Compas Stallions said, “Aesop's Fables promises to be an exciting addition to the stallion roster at Starfield Stud, being such a highly regarded sprinter by a Champion two-year-old sire in No Nay Never. He has been syndicated by a distinguished group of trainers, consignors, breeders and bloodstock consultants, giving him every chance of success at stud. We look forward to showing him to breeders and are confident they won't be disappointed in what they see.” Bred by Barronstown Stud, Aesop's Fables is one of six winners from as many runners out of the Listed-placed How's She Cuttin' (Ire) (Shinko Forest {Ire}), with the others including the Bearstone Stud resident Washington DC (Ire), another high-class sprinter for O'Brien whose victories included the G3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes. The trainer added, “Aesop's Fables is typical of his sire, a big, strong, powerful horse with a good mind. We always thought that he would get very good-looking foals and very mature two-year-olds. He is fast and has some top-class form, a Group 2 winner as a juvenile and placed in the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye and Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint as a three-year-old, beaten just a short distance in both. He has loads of scope and could get very classy horses.” The post Aesop’s Fables Retired to Starfield Stud for 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Wyoming Gaming Commission has approved Wyoming's first mile-long horse racing track for 16 live race dates in 2025, as well as simulcasting and related activities.View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — Among a boutique offering, a half-sister to two Group 1 winners, by the champion sire-elect, was always going to be a standout and the 18-year record for the top price at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale duly fell to Clara Stud's Dark Angel filly, who was sold for 900,000gns. Solo De Lune (Ire) (Law Society), now best known as the dam of Irish Oaks winner Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), held the previous record at 775,000gns back in 2006 as part of the Britton House Stud dispersal. That transaction also contributed to record turnover for that sale, but that marker was also surpassed by three-quarters of the way through Monday's single session at Park Paddocks. The day ended with turnover of 7,105,000gns, up from 4,777,200gns last year, with new record figures set for the median of 30,000gns (+50%) and average of 51,861 gns (+38%). At 82%, the clearance rate was on par with 2023. Henry Lascelles saw off competition from a number of interested parties for the day's top lot, including Oliver St Lawrence, Jason Kelly, Will Douglass and eventual underbidder Yuesheng Zhang of Yulong Investments. Though Lascelles was unable to divulge the name of the filly's buyer, he did confirm that the half-sister to Group 1 winners Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Golden Horde {Ire}) (Lethal Force {Ire}) would remain the UK to be trained for an English owner-breeder. There was a happy sense of deja vu for her breeder James Cloney of Clara Stud, who, since buying the Pivotal (GB) mare Entreat from Cheveley Park Stud for 14,000gns at the 2016 July Sale, has seen the 18-year-old mare's profile soar. Back in 2016 she was carrying to Dark Angel's Group 1-winning son Lethal Force and the resultant foal became known as Golden Horde, winner of the G1 Commonwealth Cup and G2 Richmond Stakes for Clive Cox and now a stallion for Nurlan Bizakov's Sumbe operation. The pedigree has also been upgraded by the listed success of Exhort (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) in the Cheveley Park colours and by fellow listed winner Line Of Departure (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), but it is the mare's most recent runner who is currently the most exciting prospect. Camille Pissarro, a 1,250,000gns Book 1 purchase last year by MV Magnier, won the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere last month and will be one of Coolmore's leading Classic hopes for next season. Cloney said of the filly, who was forced to miss Book 1 herself after getting cast in her box, “Typically, just as you get the update you get a setback. These things happen, but it's great for Tattersalls to put on today and deliver this result.” Of the 18-year-old Entreat he added, “She's some mare, she just pours pure class into her stock. It's an emotional rollercoaster with her but when she does it, she does it so well. As breeders, we're all dreamers and you do kind of dream for this to happen. It's unbelievable that it just keeps happening with this mare. It's kind of exciting, especially because Entreat has travelled to Justify so we're expecting a nice foal by him in early January. She's back with me now, she came back home in May, so she'll be getting an extra scoop of nuts this evening.” Lot 63 came with a lofty reputation ahead of the #TattsDecember Yearling Sale and she did not disappoint. This filly by Dark Angel is a half-sister to G1 winners Camille Pissarro and Golden Horde. She was consigned by Clara Stud and bought by Henry Lascelles for 900,000gns pic.twitter.com/etqaZALPsz — TDN (@theTDN) November 25, 2024 Cloney continued, “Sometimes you get mares who produce good racehorses but they don't perform at the sales. But in my eyes, and I think in a lot of people's eyes, she ticks every box because she's able to throw the stock and then they go and back it up. There are not too many mares with two Group 1 winners under their belt, or four stakes winners, especially all by different stallions. “She stamps her stock no matter what stallion she goes to. This is a big strong filly and I'd draw a lot of comparisons with Camille Pissarro. I know I might sound biased but I actually thought she might be that little bit stronger at the same stage.” A Day of Stars Three of the top five prices in the December Yearling Sale's history were achieved on Monday. Along with the day's leading lady, a filly and a colt by the perennially popular Aga Khan Studs resident Sea The Stars (Ire) brought the morning session to life when selling for 400,000gns and 375,000gns respectively. Lot 53, Norelands Stud's filly out of Crimean Queen (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), was bought by Jamie McCalmont on behalf of owner Marc Chan, who already races the filly's full-brother, the two-year-old Seacruiser (Ire), winner of a Newmarket maiden on debut for Ralph Beckett. “We hope that [Seacruiser] will be a really nice horse for next year,” said the agent. “We bought Sir Dinadan from Norelands last year, and Seacruiser, and Green Impact was raised there. It was a farm that was founded by Harry [McCalmont] and my grandfather, so there is a lot of sentiment, and, more importantly, it seems to be working.” He added, “Marc wants to start breeding horses and Sea The Stars is a a great broodmare sire and if the brother ends up really good, it will be really nice to have a sister. Marc is really happy, he really wanted this filly.” The filly's dam, bred by Hascombe and Valiant Studs, is a half-sister to the Group 2 winners Bronze Cannon (Lemon Drop Kid) and Across The Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and to Crimson Ribbon (Lemon Drop Kid), the dam of Ascot Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Underbidder on the day's top lot, the Yulong team had earlier been successful in signing up lot 46, the Sea The Stars first foal of the Group 3 winner Cloudy Dawn (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), at 375,000gns. Sold as a foal by breeder James Wigan for 100,000gns, the colt is from the family of French Group 1 winners Grey Lilac (Ire) and Golden Lilac (Ire) and will begin his racing career in the UK with the option to race in Australia in the future. Yulong's general manager Vin Cox said, “He's by a good stallion out of a good mare and he's well put together. He fits our plans, which is to try to put together a good batch of horses to go to the races.” Yulong, which has its base in Australia, has made its presence felt at the European sales in recent years, not least when buying Group 1 winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) from last year's December Mares Sale for 2,700,000gns. The six-year-old mare has repaid her new owner handsomely since joining Chris Waller's stable in Sydney. Reflecting on Via Sistina's success in Australia, which includes breaking Winx's track record when winning the G1 Cox Plate by eight lengths, Cox said, “To have bought her last year for the money we did – she had the pedigree and the race record to justify that sort of price – but to end up where she is now is beyond our wildest expectations. She has had seven starts in Australia now for five Group 1 wins. It's a stunning record and we'd have to say she's on the way to being Horse of the Year in Australia, though of course there's a large part of the Australian season still to play out. But also to be rated the top mare in the world is quite phenomenal.” The run of demand for the Sea The Stars yearlings continued later in the session through lot 140. William Haggas knows the family of her dam My Timing (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}) well, having trained all three of her winning offspring to date, all of whom are by Sea The Stars and bred by the Tsui family's Sunderland Holdings. The trainer went to 360,000gns to buy the mare's yearling filly. “She is for one of my owner-breeders,” he said of the sister to Sea On Time (Ire) and Sea Just In Time (Ire). “I know the family well, all of them have been more than useful, the first [foal] was the best. This is a nice, straightforward but backward filly and it will be age three or four before she comes good.” Blue Point Colt for Johnston Charlie Johnston will train the Blue Point colt out of the group-placed Haatef mare Achnaha (Ire) who was bought by Anthony Stroud for 240,000gns. Offered as lot 18 by his breeder Plantation Stud, the colt is the second living foal of the 13-year-old mare, whose filly foal by Advertise (Ire) is in the same stud's draft for Tuesday's foal sale. On behalf of Godolphin, Stroud also signed for a No Nay Never colt (lot 138) out of a half-sister to new Ballyhane Stud stallion Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) for 170,000gns from New England Stud. Golden Touch Dermot Cantillon of Tinnakill House enjoyed a decent pinhooking result with a colt bought back in February at Goffs for €30,000. By Make Believe (GB), he is out of the Moyglare Stud-bred mare Unaccompanied (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who was both a listed winner on the Flat and Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler. Returned to Tattersalls as lot 7, the May-born colt from the further family of Kyprios (Ire) and Search For A Song (Ire) was bought for 125,000gns by John Gosden. He said, “Thady came and found him. He is a lovely sort, scopey, a good mover and, of course, we know the sire well through Mishriff. We will put together a syndicate to own him.” Cantillon added, “I don't pinhook too many foals, but I am a big admirer of that family and when I saw him in the ring in February, I just took a liking to him and bought him. I like stayers and I like late foals, when everyone else is going the other way, I like to buck the trend. “It was always the plan to come to this sale because he was a May foal and he looked like he was going to need every day. It was always the plan – and he has made way more than I was expecting.” Shirley Anderson-Jolag is set to become the first female auctioneer at Tattersalls Anderson-Jolag a Trailblazer An important milestone will be reached on Tuesday when Shirley Anderson-Jolag takes to the rostrum to become the first female auctioneer at Tattersalls. It is believed that she is also the only woman to be currently auctioning horses in the thoroughbred world. An immensely popular member of the sales scene, Anderson-Jolag has a background in performing arts, and in particular opera singing, a talent which will surely aid her performance in the ring at Park Paddocks. She said at Tattersalls on Monday, “I hope by this time next year there will be another woman auctioneer, and then another.” Congratulations and best of luck, Shirley. The post Dark Angel Filly The Star on Record Day at Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 1,088 lots have been catalogued for the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) National Yearling Sale, which is scheduled to take place at Karaka from January 26-30. The catalogue, which is now available to view online, features 661 yearlings in Book 1 and another 427 in Book 2. Previous graduates of the sale include Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars {Aus}), an eight-time Group 1 winner in Australia, in addition to Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) and Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {Aus}), both top-class sprinters in Hong Kong. A full-sister to Lucky Sweynesse will be offered at the 2025 edition of the sale, along with yearlings out of Group 1 winners such as Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) and Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}). This will also be the first time that NZB has combined both Book 1 and Book 2 into one physical catalogue. NZB's managing director Andrew Seabrook said, “Although they still remain separate sales, it was a request made at a post sales vendor meeting earlier this year, so we thought it was worth doing and advantageous from a marketing perspective to have just one catalogue. “Of all the sales in Australasia this year, Karaka saw the biggest increase in average, turnover and median–that was really encouraging. We're incredibly proud of the New Zealand-bred and Karaka graduate results over the last 12 months.” The post Catalogue for the NZB National Yearling Sale Released appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

How did we get hooked on this sport? We all have stories about how our love affair developed and blossomed. The TDN will be reaching out to numerous notable people in the industry to get their stories to find out how they got hooked and stayed hooked on the sport. Dr. Barry Eisaman, Eisaman Equine I've been in the horse world my entire life. So, I think it started just with horses and a love for them in general. That quickly transferred to love of horse racing because in my teenage years, and earlier, I started working around racehorses. But I think as the years would go by, I'm not really remembering, 'oh, that was the moment I got hooked' but instead I get constant reaffirmation of what a wonderful sport this is and what wonderful creatures these racehorses are. A lot of the work that I do is breaking and preparing young horses to go to the races and for rehabilitation. It's just so impressive how tough horses can be, and then the flip side of the coin is how fragile they can be. In my life I've enjoyed trying to help them stay healthy, get them fixed up and get back to their athletic wellness. So, my love of the horse just grew and kept getting reaffirmed over the years. Anytime that I have hands on a young horse or a rehab horse that goes on to be something really special, that's a reaffirmation that this is a wonderful sport. You get the sense of pride that maybe in some way you helped. My whole exposure was when I went to veterinary school and then it was in equine practice at the racetracks in Miami for eight or 10 years. Then I moved to the Ocala area. Those years were spent being impressed by horses from a veterinary standpoint. And then during my years in Ocala, time gradually changed things from a veterinary practice to a training center. My wife Shari [Eisaman] and I run Eiseman Equine, so we have well over 200 horses on campus at any one time. And it's just like a snowball. It just keeps getting bigger as life goes on. Shari has been instrumental in my thinking as she was involved in racing before she and I met. Her background was in horse sales. So, after we got married and over 30 years thereafter I became more involved in sales and getting horses ready to sell. Probably had we not met, I may have stayed in a more conventional veterinarian-only role. But the role that I'm in now is just like the best of all worlds. I get to work with young horses and use my veterinary skills much more than I would in a practice. All the contacts we have continue to reach out to us and that's never really stopped. That's a reason to stay hooked. I have to say that it's not like a Seabiscuit jogging through the dark sort of the moment. But it just continues to be really fun. Nick Tammaro, announcer/handicapper/oddsmaker Once I was old enough to join him on the day trips to racetracks in neighboring states, my Dad decided to bring me to Fair Grounds while we lived in the Dallas area. From the minute we walked in, and I remember it vividly, I was captured by the whole scene. The paddock, the box we sat in, the horses running by, and most importantly the Daily Racing Form. I opened it up and as he explained to me what was on a running line, it all seemed to make sense. From that point forward I asked him to buy me the DRF as often as possible so I could read it and handicap, even if we weren't going to the track. I asked a million questions of the veteran horseplayers we surrounded ourselves with at Trinity Meadows [near Ft. Worth] in an effort to hone my handicapping skills. The process to be a successful horseplayer started for me as a child and will never end. Racing is the greatest game in the world. Needless to say, I was hooked very early! To share your own story of how you got hooked on racing, email suefinley@thetdn.com. The post Hooked On Racing: Dr. Barry Eisaman And Nick Tammaro appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Retired Racehorse Project's 2024 year-end giving campaign will include a total goal of $100,000, including a $38,700 match pledge that will double contributions from donors who support the organization's charitable mission to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing. The campaign comes on the eve of the RRP's 15-year anniversary in 2025. The match pledge is generously donated by Valerie Callcott-Stevens; Copper Beech Stables; The Happy Dog Fund; Hinkle Farms; Dr. Carolyn Karlson; Jen Roytz and Dr. Stuart Brown; and additional Makeover Champions. “The RRP's work spans multiple equine industry sectors, all in effort to ensure positive outcomes for Thoroughbreds who have finished their careers in racing and/or the bloodstock industry,” said RRP Executive Director Kirsten Green. “Initiatives that drive demand benefit the racing industry by facilitating efficient transitions through the aftercare stage of a horse's life and increases the capacity to serve more horses, while our educational programming ensures post-track owners have the resources and support they need to be successful with the breed and provide safe and appropriate homes.” Click here to learn more about the Retired Racehorse Project and its year-end giving campaign. The post Retired Racehorse Project Gets $38,700 Match For 2024 Year-End Giving Campaign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arqana today announced the launch of SirePower+, a tailored financing programme which offers breeders the possibility of having 50% of their 2025 covering fee financed by the Deauville auction house up until the offspring is sold. The initiative is aimed at French breeders with or without a stud, as well as foreign breeders who have mares in France or are planning to have mares in France, who wish to cover their top Flat mares. The programme will concentrate on the top international stallions that are in demand because of their progeny's results both on the racecourse and at the yearling sales. The young stock resulting from this programme will then be offered as foals or yearlings at Arqana. “With this initiative, we want to enable breeders to make their mares' coverings more attractive,” read a statement attributed to Olivier Delloye, president of Arqana, and Freddy Powell, managing director. “By concentrating on good mares and the elite stallions in the European stallion pool, this program is designed to help raise the level of our yearlings on offer and continue to broaden our customer base. “We hope to create a virtuous dynamic, with positive impacts at various levels for future generations and sales.” The post Launch of “Tailored Financing Programme” SirePower+ Announced by Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australia's most decorated racemare, Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), welcomed her third foal, a colt by Snitzel (Aus), on Monday morning. Winx endured a challenging start to her breeding career when her first foal by I Am Invincible (Aus) died shortly after foaling, before making history in April when her second foal by Pierro (Aus) sold for A$10 million (around €6.20 million) at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, a world record sum for a filly. The Pierro filly was bought by Debbie Kepitis, who raced Winx in partnership with Peter and Patty Tighe's Magic Bloodstock and the late Richard Treweeke. Trained by Chris Waller, who is also set to oversee the racing career of the Pierro filly, Winx retired as the winner of 25 Group 1 races, including four consecutive editions of the Cox Plate. “She foaled down just after midnight and by all reports it was very quick,” Peter Tighe told RSN927. “She was a bit late delivering–a couple of weeks overdue–but everything went smoothly and she had a beautiful, really long legged colt. He's still got a few hurdles to get over being so young so all the checks have to be done.” He added, “We're happy to have a colt, especially by Snitzel, because it is a super line of breeding, and Winx deserves every bloody thing she gets. Having a beautiful young boy is exactly what she needed. “She looked a million bucks beforehand yesterday and her coat was gleaming. The team at Coolmore and the vets in Scone are second-to-none–they look after her like one of their own family.” The post Wondermare Winx Welcomes Snitzel Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wyoming's first mile-long horse racing track, Thunder Plains Park, has been approved by the Wyoming Gaming Commission for 16 live race dates in 2025, as well as simulcasting and related activities. While the first racing season will feature temporary structures, the essential components, including barns, racing officials' tower, video patrol towers, and spectator areas, will be in place. The track, located 10 miles east of Cheyenne at Thunder Plains Park, will host its inaugural race day Friday, August 1 with additional race days to follow on August 2, 3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29-31 and September 1. Dates are subject to change per the Wyoming Gaming Commission. “As a fifth-generation Wyomingite, being able to bring this track to our state carries a lot of meaning,” said Thunder Plains managing partner Ryan Clement. “Thunder Plains sees an incredible opportunity to create a positive impact not only on the Wyoming horse racing industry but also the area's economy, in terms of new job opportunities and tourism revenue.” Through partnerships with elite industry veterans and horsemen, Thunder Plains looks forward to bringing high-quality, high-caliber racing to Laramie County. “We've established a strong partnership with 1/ST, North America's preeminent Thoroughbred racing, entertainment and pari-mutuel wagering company,” said Clement. “They've set the standard for horse safety across the nation, and we're looking forward to bringing that strong emphasis on safety and track protocols to Wyoming.” Of the partnership with Thunder Plains, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY's Senior Vice President Jeff True said he sees exciting opportunities ahead. “1/ST has a long history of operating premier racetracks and premier racing events across the country. We are thrilled to be entering the Wyoming horse racing market together with our local Wyoming partners, and we look forward to lending our expertise to help grow Wyoming horse racing.” For all simulcasting operations, 1/ST will leverage the expertise of its affiliates at Monarch Content Management, AmTote International, and PariMAX. “Our racetrack will be operated with numerous horse safety and welfare protocols in place,” said Clement. “The track itself, being a mile long and eighty feet wide, dramatically improves horse and rider safety. Throughout track design and construction, we collaborated with Dennis Moore, a renowned track surface specialist, to ensure the safest, most high-quality racing surface.” Future plans at Thunder Plains Park include building a regional equestrian center and establishing a high-altitude horse training and breeding program. The post Wyoming To Open First Mile-Long Track At Thunder Plains appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Ken McPeek, who campaigned GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and GI Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), will be awarded the 2024 Big Sport of Turfdom award, the Turf Publicists of America announced Monday. The award, which recognizes a person who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media, will be presented at the University of Arizona Race Track Program's annual awards luncheon held Dec. 10. “Ken and his team have had an outstanding year with multiple triumphs on not only our sport's biggest stage in the Kentucky Derby but also in additional Grade I victories across the country with Thorpedo Anna's phenomenal campaign,” said TPA President Najja Thompson. “He is most deserving of this award chosen by our membership for always being welcoming and open to the media and a great ambassador for our industry and sport.” McPeek, who previously won this award in 2002, added: “I am honored and humbled to be given this award. I have loved horse racing ever since I was a young boy. I am proud to continue to promote our great sport.” The post Ken McPeek Wins Big Sport Of Turfdom Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A new record for the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale was set on Monday as Clara Stud's Dark Angel (Ire) half-sister to Group 1 winners Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Golden Horde {Ire}) (Lethal Force {Ire}) was sold for 900,000gns. Henry Lascelles placed the winning bid for the daughter of Entreat (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) but declined to name his client. He confirmed that the filly (lot 63) had been bought for an English owner-breeder and would go into training in Britain. Breeder James Cloney of Clara Stud said that the 18-year-old Entreat, who is also the dam of listed winners Exhort (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and Line Of Departure (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), is now in foal to Justify. Lot 63 came with a lofty reputation ahead of the #TattsDecember Yearling Sale and she did not disappoint. This filly by Dark Angel is a half-sister to G1 winners Camille Pissarro and Golden Horde. She was consigned by Clara Stud and bought by Henry Lascelles for 900,000gns pic.twitter.com/etqaZALPsz — TDN (@theTDN) November 25, 2024 The post Dark Angel Half-Sister to Camille Pissarro and Golden Horde Sets New Record at 900,000gns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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German galloper won’t tackle the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m), while French superstar’s participation remains up in the air.View the full article

Changes have been made to procedures regarding the day and timing of acceptances and nominations. The practice of publishing “last start drivers” will also be discontinued. To see the official release click here View the full article

Friday Night Lights promises to be next level this week. The double-header will see Addington Raceway headline the night’s action with six Group 1s, while at Auckland there’ll be two Northern Metro Finals and two Country Cups. At Addington, Aces and Oaks Race Night will start at 5pm. There’ll be the Group 1 $100,000 Aces of Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds and Spades for the two-year-old trotters and pacers, of both genders, as well as the $140,000 What The Hill New Zealand Trotting Oaks and the $225,000 Tennant Engineering New Zealand Pacing Oaks. The $60,000 Group 2 Continental Event Hire Grand Duchess Mares Handicap Trot will also be held. At Auckland the $35,000 Northern Metro Series Finals for the Trotters and Pacers will be held, as will be the $20,000 Franklin Trotters and Pacers Country Cups. Before then Invercargill will hold a meeting on Wednesday, with Motukarara (Saturday) and Methven (Sunday) both holding grass track meetings over the weekend. Miki B too slick in Nursery Stakes at Timaru By Mike Love Miki B gave Woodend Beach trainers Craig and Aimee Edmonds their eighth win of the season by winning the Brosnan Transport LTD Timaru Nursery Stakes on Saturday. Co-trainer Craig Edmonds was pleased but not surprised by the win. “He is pretty laid back. John (Dunn) said he kicked passed them pretty good though which is great,” said Edmonds. The two-year-old Always B Miki gelding settled toward the rear of the five-horse field with driver John Dunn. They were able to track into the race nicely from the 800m before a dazzling final 800m of 56.5 (off the front) to win by three quarters of a length from pacemaker Chaldon. “He had been a little bit green in his earlier starts so to win like he did was pleasing. He probably came home in 55 seconds from where he was.” The win was part of Dunn’s very good day of driving picking up four winners on the programme including Szybka Lane, Ready Set Jet and Bounce N Beyond. Miki B’s next engagement is likely to be at Addington on Friday night in the Group 1 $100,000 Ace Of Spades. “He was possibly sold but in the meantime we will go Friday night then have a wee bit of a break.” Edmonds will also line up Four Wise Women in the What The Hill New Zealand Trotting Oaks at Group 1 level for a purse of $140,000 on the same night. “There’s something a bit niggly going on with her. She’s working good but hasn’t been able to kick on in her races. But on her day she’s a top four chance.” Craig and Aimee Edmonds have now won 69 races in partnership with stakes just short of $1 million. View the full article

Expat Kiwi hoop James McDonald celebrated winning the 2024 LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award for the second time with a double at Sha Tin on Sunday. McDonald was assured his second LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award when Auguste Rodin finished eighth in the Gr.1 Japan Cup (2400m) in Tokyo on Sunday under Ryan Moore, leaving the New Zealander with 160 points to Moore’s 150 for results in the LONGINES World’s Top 100 Group One races. “It’s a huge honour and it’s just reflective of all the good horses I’ve ridden. I could almost name it the Romantic Warrior Award, to be honest with you, because he was such a huge contributor,” McDonald said. “He’s obviously a world champion in his own right, so you have to be part of those sort of horses, the Via Sistinas of the world, so those two horses (Romantic Warrior and Via Sistina) were huge contributors and it’s a huge honour. “I’m very proud of my year.” McDonald rode nine winners at the highest level since 1 December, with Romantic Warrior providing four of those victories – Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), Gr.1 Citi Gold Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) and Gr.1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m). McDonald, who has ridden three doubles in three successive meetings for six wins from 24 rides since returning to Hong Kong for a short-term stint, previously won the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award in 2022. View the full article

Progressive mare Mi Bella will have to overcome an unfavourable barrier draw if she is to repeat the efforts of her stablemate Lovearoadie at Te Aroha on Wednesday. The pair are prepared by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, with Lovearoadie earning a deserved success in the opener at Pukekohe Park last Saturday. A consistent campaigner throughout her light career, Lovearoadie started a $10 chance in the competitive Rating 65 contest and won with plenty of tenacity, holding out Queen Zou by a half-head. The Inglewood-Stud bred and co-owned mare holds a nomination for the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Final on Boxing Day at Ellerslie, a race Richardson has on his radar. “She was gusty, very gutsy. She’s obviously got a fair bit of ability and tries very hard,” he said. “She is nominated for the Stella Artois Final, so I’ll be sitting down with the owners to talk about that.” Turning their attention to Wednesday’s Te Aroha meeting, Mi Bella will chase her maiden success in the John Revell Memorial 1150, aiming to better her third-placed effort behind Honey Badger at the course on October 30. The Per Incanto four-year-old has drawn barrier 12, Richardson’s main query heading into the race where she will continue her association with Warren Kennedy. “She’s really improved, she’s just got a very bad draw on Wednesday,” he said. “She will be going around though.” Britannia Gold holds a similar fate having drawn the identical barrier in the Racing Te Aroha Life Members 1400, which may mean Volunteer is the stable’s sole representative in the three-year-old maiden event. “I’ve got a question whether to run her (Britannia Gold) this week due to her draw, so I’ve got to see about that,” Richardson said. “Volunteer has got a good draw and I’m really happy with him. “He’s a horse on the go-forward and a real improver, just a beautiful animal.” A colt by Ocean Park, Volunteer (2) ran meritoriously on debut for fifth and has plenty of pedigree on his side, with his dam a half-sister to Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Loire. Later in the day, Permissive will also aim to break maidens in the Ardex Technology Introducing Epona (1400), after coming very close behind This Time Girl at Ellerslie last month. “It was a good run at Ellerslie, she just does a lot wrong on race-day,” Richardson said. “She’s got a good draw (2) so that’s a positive for Wednesday.” Meanwhile, Richardson and Norvall’s Group One-winning mares Bonny Lass and Snazzytavi will appear at the Taupo trials on Tuesday, and emerging filly Romilly will have her first shot in stakes company in Saturday’s Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui. Romilly was an eye-catching 3 – ½ length winner at Te Aroha on October 30, a reward for her trainers after allowing plenty of time for the filly to mature. “When she was immature, she had a few growing problems so I tipped her out for a while and it was the best thing for her,” Richardson said. “She was very unlucky at Taupo and improved so much when she won at Te Aroha that day.” View the full article

Prima Park has accrued an enviable record with their New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale graduates, and farm principal Kelly Van Dyk is hoping they can add another to that list from their 2024 draft. 2019 Hong Kong Champion Sprinter Beat The Clock, 2016 Singapore Horse of the Year Debt Collector, and Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) hero Warmonger sit atop their honour roll of Ready to Run Sale graduates, and Van Dyk believes plenty of quality is set to come out of their draft from last week’s sale, where they had a 100 percent clearance rate. “The most important thing is they go on and win races, so hopefully there is another one in there,” she said. “We sold 100 percent of our draft and that was our goal. We are really happy to clear the decks and everything found a really good home. “We had some really good pinhooks. The Exceed and Excel colt (lot 333) made $370,000 and is going to Hong Kong, we were really happy with that result. “He is a beautiful colt who breezed up really well. Everyone commented on how good his action looked. He is going to Cody Mo (trainer) in Hong Kong, who is training in his second season there. It is nice to see him go to an up-and-coming trainer there.” Van Dyk was also pleased with the six-figure sales of several others in her draft. “The Toronado (gelding, lot 280) made $260,000 and was bought by Go Racing, and he is going to be trained by Chris Waller,” she said. “We had the two fillies that sold well. The Contributer (lot 116) was a $10,000 purchase for a client and made $100,000, while his other filly (Proisir, lot 157) he paid $40,000 for and she sold last week for $280,000. “We are really happy to get them into good stables where they are going to get every opportunity as we want to see them go on and win races.” While pleased with her sale results, Van Dyk said there won’t be much time to celebrate, with the farm already in full swing with yearling sale preparation, on top of their pre-training and training commitments. “We are prepping yearlings at the moment. We have only got six for Book 1 (at Karaka), but six really nice horses,” she said. “Our pre-training and training operation continues but come January we will be looking for the next lot of horses to go to the ready to runs. We try and get around to most of the sales and pick up a few. We will be going back to Australia and Karaka, and then go through the process of breaking them in and preparing them for the sale.” While the sales are a large portion of Prima Park’s business, Van Dyk also runs a boutique training arm, and is looking forward to lining up one of her team at Te Aroha on Wednesday. Three-year-old filly Reggae Queen will have her third start in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1400m), and Van Dyk is confident of a bold showing from the daughter of Exceedance. “Her last run (fourth over 1200m at Pukekohe) was super,” she said. “We rode her back, but didn’t intend on getting that far back. The way that she was coming home was really encouraging. “The step up to 1400m should be ideal and her work has been very good since that race, she came through it super. “I am expecting her to run really well, I think she is a really nice filly in the making. We had a few little niggles to iron out with her, but I think we are on the right track now.” View the full article