Wandering Eyes

Hot on the heels of a record-breaking Ready to Run Sale, the cream of New Zealand’s yearling crop has been revealed for Karaka 2025. The world-renowned week of selling in late January is the shop window for the thoroughbred talent that New Zealand produces, and that trend is set to continue with world-class catalogues unveiled. The 99th National Yearling Sales Series will take place at Karaka from Sunday 26 January to Thursday 30 January. The catalogues, which are now available to view online, contain an outstanding selection of 661 yearlings in Book 1 and another 427 in Book 2. “Of all the Sales in Australasia this year, Karaka saw the biggest increase in average, turnover and median. That was really encouraging,” commented NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook. “We’re incredibly proud of the New Zealand-bred and Karaka graduate results over the last twelve months.” New Zealand’s climate and pristine countryside provides a natural advantage as a breeding ground of thoroughbred excellence, and blockbuster performances by Kiwi-bred horses on major stages across Australasia and Asia in recent times have given ample reason for buyers from around the world to converge on Karaka in January. While staying excellence has traditionally been considered New Zealand’s strength, that trend has been bucked by a series of elite sprinters and milers. Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) and Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) have been two of the brightest sprinting talents to grace Hong Kong’s turf in recent years. In Australia’s hotly contested Melbourne and Sydney spring carnivals, there have been Group One mile victories by Kiwi-breds and Karaka graduates Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel), Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) and Antino (NZ) (Redwood) in the last few weeks. Meanwhile, exciting new talents have emerged in the form of Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel), Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel), and ten-length Queensland Derby winner Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree). Other high-class Group One winners to come out of the National Yearling Sales Series in the last few years include Legarto (NZ) (Proisir), Prowess (NZ) (Proisir), Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj), Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer), Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai), and Velocious (Written Tycoon) and more. The pedigrees contained in the catalogues for Karaka 2025 have all the right credentials for many more names to be added to that list. There are siblings to superstars such as Lucky Sweynesse, Orchestral, Prowess, Velocious, Pasadena Girl (NZ) (Savabeel), Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls) and Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock), along with Australian up-and-comers Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto), Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit), Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) and Powers Of Opal (NZ) (Ocean Park). There are also first foals by the likes of star racemares Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux), Zayydani (NZ) (Savabeel) and House Of Cartier (Alamosa), plus progeny of other Group One winners such as Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi), Jennifer Eccles (Rip Van Winkle) and more. Over 100 sires are represented in the catalogues, from big names like Savabeel, Proisir, I Am Invincible, Frankel, Almanzor, Per Incanto, Satono Aladdin and Snitzel to a big line up of first-season stallions with New Zealand-based Sword Of State, Noverre (NZ), Armory and The Chosen One (NZ) to debut. The week of Karaka 2025 is set to kick off in style at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 25 January with the famous TAB Karaka Millions raceday, now worth more than $5 million in prizemoney and headlined by the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) for graduates. That will be followed by Book 1, which runs from Sunday 26 January to Tuesday 28 January with selling starting at 10am each day. The first day of Book 2 will start at 12pm on Wednesday 29 January and continues at 10am the following day on Thursday 30 January. For the first time ever NZB has combined both Book 1 and Book 2 into one physical catalogue. “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,” added Seabrook. “After the record-breaking Sale last week, we are looking forward to seeing that momentum roll into Karaka 2025. Our team will be busy establishing the best buying bench possible from all markets.” All yearlings purchased at Karaka 2025 are eligible for the Karaka Millions Series including the new NZB Mega Maiden Series which sees horses racing for an additional $1m in bonuses across 40 maiden races each season in New Zealand. The catalogues for Karaka 2025 can be viewed online at www.nzb.co.nz, or downloaded on the Equineline app for tablets or Thoroughworks app for mobile, with physical copies set to arrive in mailboxes soon. Online bidding is available for all prospective purchasers via bidonline.nzb.co.nz, plus an extensive online catalogue via www.nzb.co.nz that will host pedigrees, parade videos and photos, updates, and important information to assist buying decisions. All prospective buyers are welcome to attend the on-farm parades, with the schedule to be announced soon. NZB and NZ-based agents are also available to inspect on your behalf should you require a head start on inspections and evaluations. International buyers wishing to physically attend Karaka 2025 can enquire about accommodation options and travel assistance by emailing travel@nzb.co.nz. To request a catalogue or for general sale information, contact info@nzb.co.nz or call +64 9 298 0055. For bloodstock enquiries, contact NZB Bloodstock Sales Manager Kane Jones on kane.jones@nzb.co.nz or call +64 27 274 4985. Sale Schedule TAB Karaka Millions Raceday Saturday 25 January at Ellerslie Racecourse Book 1: Lot 1 – 661 Day One: Sunday 26 January Lot 1 – 250 from 10am (NZT) Day Two: Monday 27 January Lot 251 – 480 from 10am (NZT) Day Three: Tuesday 28 January Lot 481 – 661 from 10am (NZT) Book 2: Lot 661 – 1088 Day One: Wednesday 31 January Lot 662 – 860 from 12pm (NZT) Day Two: Thursday 1 February Lot 861 – 1088 from 10am (NZT) View the full article

Vendor Barry Donoghue enjoyed a lucrative two days at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale last week and he’s now celebrated a significant result in another role. Under his BMD Bloodstock banner, his draft was highlighted by a Toronado colt who was knocked down for $625,000 and hot off the heels of his Karaka success came homebred Globe’s victory in Saturday’s Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m). “I was delighted, I don’t breed many so to be a black-type breeder now is fantastic,” Donoghue said. Globe was initially sold through Cambria Park’s draft at the National Yearling Sale for $22,000 and following a trial win at Taupo from the stable of the late Toby Autridge, was purchased by Roll The Dice Racing in a deal brokered by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo. The son of Charm Spirit has now won five of his nine starts for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, but sadly Donoghue lost the dam Bonnie Doon earlier this year. She was an unraced Don Eduardo mare whose brother Booming won twice at Group One level. “At the end of her last pregnancy we were struggling with her feet and we got her right and in foal to Contributer, but she lost the foal and started going backwards again and unfortunately she died,” Donoghue said. “We have got an Ace High colt out of her going to the yearling sale next year. He’ll be in Book 1 and is a gorgeous horse. “He will go through Fraser Jones’ Cambria Park draft, he owns half of the colt with me.” Donoghue’s focus is on the Ready to Run Sale and was thrilled with last week’s results. “We had a great sale, we’re going in the right direction and that’s very pleasing,” he said. “We had a lovely draft and I was very happy with the product we took there, some got more than expected and some sold to what we expected. “We took home a couple we did think would sell, but that’s all part and parcel of it.” The son of Toronado who topped the draft is out of the Zabeel mare Attractive, a half-sister to the Gr.1 Goodwood Handicap (1200m) winner Velocitea and to the dam of the multiple top-flight winner Loving Gaby. “He was definitely the stand-out, he was always going to be the headline horse for us,” Donoghue said. “He was a gorgeous type and moved really well. He had a good attitude and was by the right stallion to fetch the Hong Kong money. “He was always going to shine for us and we just didn’t know to what extent. It was very rewarding for the clients, it’s important that when they send up these quality horses that we get them to perform to their best so it was very pleasing.” BMD Bloodstock also sold a Wootton Bassett gelding to Victoria’s Lucky Dip Investments for $280,000 while a Per Incanto colt was purchased by Lindsay Park Racing for $260,000 and Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu went to $220,000 for a son of Capitalist. Lot 283, the Toronado colt out of Attractive, was purchased out of BMD Bloodstock’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale draft for $625,000. Photo: Supplied View the full article

Australian import headlines veteran handler’s city circuit team after impressive Hong Kong debut win.View the full article

What Ararat Races Where Ararat Racecourse – Cnr Western Highway & Geelong Rd, Ararat VIC 3377 When Tuesday, November 26, 2024 First Race 1pm AEDT Visit Dabble Racing returns to Ararat on Tuesday afternoon for a competitive nine-race meeting. The track came up a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, but with more rain forecast in the lead-up, it is unlikely to improve. The rail sticks to its true position, with the Ararat races commencing at 1pm AEDT. Best Bet at Ararat: Morthan Efficient Morthan Efficient was a touch unlucky when rolled as favourite at Seymour last time out, but his performance two runs back was impressive. The Savabeel progeny sustained a long run when second at Warrnambool on October 31 and was only gunned down in the shadows of the winning post. The 2200m looks ideal, and if Harry Coffey can land in the one-one upon settling, Morthan Efficient should be more than good enough. Best Bet Race 1 – #8 Morthan Efficient (8) 3yo Colt | T: Robert Hickmott | J: Harry Coffey (58kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Ararat: Tell Us Toll Tell Us Toll caught the eye when hitting the line nicely at Kyneton over 1103m. The five-year-old mare simply got too far back in the field in a race run to suit those up on speed, but she did manage to pick off her rivals smartly. Jarrod Fry will look to have the Nostradamus mare settled a touch closer in the bigger field, and if she can replicate the same finish, Tell Us Toll should prove too hard to hold out. Next Best Race 3 – #14 Tell Us Toll (7) 5yo Mare | T: Mitchell Freedman | J: Jarrod Fry (57.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Ararat: Chelsea Toff Chelsea Toff is hard to catch, winning just three times from 31 starts. Still, the eight-year-old mare has nine minor placings to her name, and the way she hit the line at Benalla last time out suggests a win is close. If Mitchell Aitken can find a midfield spot with cover, Chelsea Toff may well prove to be over the odds with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 8 – #11 Chelsea Toff (8) 8yo Mare | T: Vincent Malady | J: Mitchell Aitken (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Tuesday quaddie tips for Ararat Ararat quadrella selections Tuesday, November 26, 2024 1-2-4-7-8-15 2-4-7-13 2-5-6-7-8-11 10-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Muramasa. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Dual Group 3-winning stayer Muramasa may yet extend his spring campaign, with the five-year-old gelding under consideration for Saturday’s Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield. Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, the son of Deep Impact was ruled out of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Racing Victoria stewards deemed him unsuitable to race. However, he has continued to work off the track and impressed connections with a strong trial at Cranbourne last Monday. “He trialled up really well, and he’s got to pass a trot-up in front of our vets and then be cleared by Racing Victoria vets, and then we’re good to go. We’re really happy with him,” Young told Racing.com. Muramasa has not been seen on race day since his third-place finish in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 23. Horse racing news View the full article

Kintyre returns after taking out the Group 2 Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm. Photo: Darren Winningham Trainer Gary Portelli is optimistic that patient tactics aboard Kintyre will help the four-year-old return to the winner’s circle. After being ridden quietly in a recent trial, Portelli believes the same approach should be applied in Saturday’s Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill. “We have been riding him upside down,” Portelli said. “I had him ridden quietly in the trial the other day, and he absolutely charged through the line, so we will ride him quietly in the Festival. “He is tough enough, and he races well wherever he goes. Given an even opportunity, he will be a good chance. “He’s been going well at home, and his trial was really good.” Kintyre is already a dual Group winner, with his latest victory coming in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) in May. Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer Jonathan Thomas' willingness to ship his horses paid off Nov. 24 as Mrs. Astor worked out a perfect trip to win the $100,000 Red Carpet Stakes (G3T) at Del Mar.View the full article

Looking to snag the first graded stakes score of her career, it was Mrs. Astor (Lookin At Lucky–Causal, by Creative Cause) who came home a winner in the GIII Red Carpet Stakes at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Sunday afternoon. The 4-year-old filly shipped in for trainer Jonathan Thomas and was able to put in a couple of works over the local course in preparation for this particular start. Backed as a 9/2 shot here, the homebred settled towards the rear as the field made their way past the grandstand for the first time and eventually up the backstretch. Towards the far turn, favorite Forever After All (Connect) was forced to check hard when Marksman Queen (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) impeded her path. Mrs. Astor targeted the fading leader down the lane and used her late speed to get up in time by a length over the chalk. The final running time was 2:16.82. An inquiry by the stewards into the aforementioned incident involving Forever After All yielded no change in the results. Lifetime Record: 15-3-4-3. O/B-Augustin Stables; T-Jonathan Thomas. #5 MRS. ASTOR ($11.60) holds on to win the $100,000 Red Carpet Stakes (G3) at @DelMarRacing. This is the first graded victory for the four-year-old Lookin At Lucky filly. @VCheminaud was aboard for @ThomasStables. pic.twitter.com/flY0XA4DVV — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 24, 2024 The post Mrs. Astor Rolls Late In The Red Carpet Stakes At Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edwin Gonzalez claimed his first riding title at Gulfstream Park Nov. 24, prevailing over defending champion Edgard Zayas by one win on closing day of the Sunshine Meet.View the full article

Jockey Edwin Gonzalez and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. have claimed their respective titles for the Gulfstream Park Sunshine Meet, the track announced Sunday evening. Gonzalez won his first riding title at Gulfstream Park in 2024, prevailing by a single victory over defending champion Edgar Zayas–the final tallying being 35 to 34, respectively–despite neither jockey making it into the winner's circle on closing day. “It's a dream coming true,” Gonzalez said. “I've been working hard, working hard every morning. I've been getting good business. The trainers keep giving me opportunities and I'll keep working hard.” Joseph extended his streak of training title victories at the meeting with 39 winners for this season, anchored by Breeders' Cup champions Soul of An Angel (Atreides) and MGISW White Abarrio (Race Day), who made a successful return to the races this past weekend. It is Joseph's 11th consecutive training title at the Sunshine Meet. The post Edwin Gonzalez, Saffie Joseph Jr. Claim Sunshine Meet Titles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Patch Of Theta lands the Chevalier Cup. Photo: HKJC Patch Of Theta continued impressive career progress at Sha Tin on Sunday when the consistent gelding claimed the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Chevalier Cup Handicap (1600m) as Derek Leung and Cody Mo dominated with trebles. Purchased for HK$8.6 million at the 2023 Hong Kong International Sale, Patch Of Theta improved his overall record to five wins and eight minor placings from 13 starts for champion trainer Francis Lui while boosting prizemoney earnings to HK$8.84 million. Posting his first win beyond 1400m, the Zoustar gelding sealed a double for Lui by defeating Voyage Samurai and Sunlight Power in 1m 33.34s. “He’s a nice horse and I think he still has a little bit more improvement. I think he can (go higher than Class 2), but it all depends on the programme. There aren’t many races coming up for him. We’ll see,” Lui said. Rated 52 at the start of last season, Patch Of Theta raced on a mark of 89 today. Leung snared a treble after scoring on the undercard with Cody Mo-trained Super Wise Dragon and Alluring Laos to boost his season haul to 10 wins. “It’s good and I’m very happy. I need to thank again the trainers and the owners for their support. Today is very lucky. I got three winners and a placing – I just need to keep it up,” Leung said. “It hasn’t been smooth the past couple of meetings (with a three-day suspension), but it’s in the past. You’ve just got to move on. Things are getting better and it turned out pretty well today.” James McDonald celebrated winning the 2024 World’s Best Jockey Award for the second time with a double, triumphing on Manfred Man’s Self Improvement and David Eustace’s Swift Ascend. McDonald was assured his second World’s Best Jockey Award when Auguste Rodin finished eighth in the Group 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 World’s Top 100 Group 1 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 December 1, with Romantic Warrior providing four of those victories – Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m), Group 1 Citi Gold Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), Group 1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) and Group 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 World’s Best Jockey Award in 2022. Mo posted a personal best when the second-season trainer slotted his first Hong Kong treble with Super Wise Dragon, Alluring Laos and Offroad Master to continue a strong November campaign. Since the start of the month, Mo has tallied eight winners. Mo struck with Super Wise Dragon and first-starter Alluring Laos, before Matthew Chadwick chimed in on Offroad Master. “It’s my first treble. Conghua is helping the stable a lot and this season my team is good,” Mo said. “Super Wise Dragon had a bit of a breathing problem when he came to me and he struggled with his breathing a bit at Happy Valley. Today, draw one helped and he performed well. “I thought Alluring Laos might run a good race. He showed some speed in his trials overseas and even in Conghua he chased home well. He’s still a bit green and has more room to improve. “I thought he (Offroad Master) could show something on the all-weather track. In his first run he was fourth, which wasn’t bad, and when I saw him trial (on the dirt), I thought he had ability and thought I’d try him on the dirt.” Charming Legend, who was unbeaten in two Australian starts for Les Bridge, continued his winning ways with an impressive Hong Kong debut victory for Danny Shum and Zac Purton. The Deep Field gelding earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million. A potential Four-Year-Old Classic Series contender, Charming Legend could be joined in the HK$52 million three-race series by Sky Trust, who clinched the Class 3 Chevalier Aluminium Engineering Handicap (1600m) for Caspar Fownes and Lyle Hewitson. Chris So scored with Hong Kong debutante Hong Lok Golf. By Grunt, the Australian-bred scored at +4200 with horse racing bookmakers for Harry Bentley before Matsu Victor provided the second upset of the day, prevailing in the Class 4 Chevalier Lifts & Escalators Handicap (1600m) at +4400 for Lui and Keith Yeung. Horse racing news View the full article

There is just one horse racing meeting set for Australia on Monday, November 25. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Grafton. Monday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – November 25, 2024 Grafton Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on November 25, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Recommended! Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 4 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 5 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 6 Next Gen Racing Betting pickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. has pleaded guilty to two charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and is currently serving a week-long prison sentence with work release provisions. View the full article

In the midst of a career-best year in New York, jockey Dylan Davis has decided to spend the winter riding at Gulfstream Park instead of Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

Hot Property (Medaglia d'Oro–Milwaukee Appeal, by Milwaukee Brew) was set for his unveiling and the colt did not disappoint as he tackled two turns on the dirt with success at Fair Grounds on Sunday. The TDN 'Insighted' runner was off as a 4-1 shot here. After the bell, the homebred took the lead into the first turn and continued to make every pole a winning one, despite being pressured through the far turn by So Sandy (Omaha Beach). With more to give down the lane, the 2-year-old got the best of his rival and rolled home a winner by over three lengths. Seattle Road (Quality Road) was up for second. The final running time was 1:45.27. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O/B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc (KY); T-Brad Cox. Hot Property is a debut winner at 4/1 for the @bradcoxracing barn in the fifth race at @fairgroundsnola! @jockeypedrozajr was up. #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/DMMhonMp7I — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 24, 2024 The post Hot Property Tackles Two Turns To Break Maiden On Debut In The Big Easy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Atlantic Six Racing's Book'em Danno is entered in the Nov. 25 Steel Valley Sprint at Mahoning Valley Race Course, but trainer Derek Ryan said he will scratch in favor of the $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack Dec. 7.View the full article

Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald became the first trainers based outside of Western Australia to land the Railway Stakes (G1) since the Lindsey Smith-trained Scales Of Justice in 2016. View the full article

Over the past week, the TDN has been asking racing personalities with no family involvement in racing what the moment was that got them hooked. Jason Beem, track announcer and podcast host I grew up about five miles from Longacres Race Course in the Seattle suburb of Renton, Washington. My dad was a gambler and loved the playing the horses and started taking me from a very early age. I thought jockeys were the coolest thing ever and my dad has photos of me at age three sitting on the back of some horses at Longacres who were trained by a guy he played poker with. My favorite one was a mare named Rascal Rascal. The street I grew up on was a big oval shape, similar to a track, so after the races at Longacres, we'd come home and I would go out on my bike and get a stick and re-do the days races while riding around the oval street. I'd whip my bike with the stick and do my best impression of track announcer Gary Henson calling them home. Longacres was a beautiful place and even though I was only 12 when they shut it down in 1992, I still have so many memories from those days. The poplar trees on the turn, the brick flooring, the green wall that we leaned against to watch the races. (side note, parts of that green wall still stand on the old Longacres land, hidden in the now overgrown woods) My dad would get me the Longacres media guide every year and I would study it and memorize who won the stakes races in what year. My favorite jockey was Gary Boulanger and I had a stuffed jockey teddy bear named “Gary Bearlanger” that Gary autographed. I told him I wanted to be a jockey, but unfortunately at age 10, I was almost as tall and probably weighed more than he did. Once I turned the ripe betting age of 10, my mom would give me $20 to make bets for the card. My dad would take the $20 and he'd make my bets for me and keep track for the day. My favorite horse of all time was the great Captain Condo and in the 1990 Space Needle Handicap he won over another favorite of mine, Grandstand Gabe. The exacta paid $44 and I hit it. It seemed like the most money ever for a ten year-old. Been chasing that $44 ever since. Barry Irwin, Team Valor International Barry Irwin (left) | Sarah Andrew photo Horse racing first came on my radar as a kid growing up in Los Angeles in the early 1950s. My aunt Bertha, widely known in Beverly Hills as the “perfume lady” from behind her counter at Saks department store on Wilshire Boulevard, had a boyfriend that would take her to the races at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita. I saw a few racing movies on television, noticed that “selected workouts” were a daily feature in our local newspapers, and I started following the ponies in about 1951, much to the horror of my mother and father. We had an uncle in our family that went broke as an unsuccessful horseplayer and my parental units lived in mortal fear that I would somehow follow in his footsteps if I got hooked on the horses. The boyfriend allowed me to send $2 bets with him to the races. He marveled at my luck in picking winners and was only too happy to accommodate me, an occurrence that was kept a secret from my disapproving parents and grandparents. Then came Native Dancer on TV. Followed closely by the advent of Swaps. It was Swaps that truly got me hooked on racing. When he won the Kentucky Derby just after my twelfth birthday, I was pretty much both a seasoned race watcher and a degenerate gambler in the making. Along with my best friend Steve Kallman, we made book on weekend feature races at our junior high school and sold tips for 25 cents on the corner of Robertson and National Boulevards where Steve hawked newspapers for years just down the street from Hamilton High School where we would both graduate a few years later. Swaps not only captured the imagination of local racing fans, he had a Hollywood-style PR machine behind him at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita that knew a thing or two about promotion from the movies. Before and after the Kentucky Derby, the name and image of Swaps was everywhere to be found in and around Los Angeles. The 76 gas station chain produced a beautiful 4-color photo of Swaps with Willie Shoemaker in the saddle. It was suitable for framing. When kids and their families went to the Railbird Theatre at the Railbird Club at Hollywood Park, the star of the show was Swaps. There was something about that chestnut California-bred that grabbed me. His demeanor, his speed when asked to run and his sheer brilliance made me proud to be a Cal-bred myself. When he won the Kentucky Derby it was every bit as exciting as UCLA of USC winning the Rose Bowl. To this day Swaps remains my favorite horse. The post Hooked on Racing: Jason Beem and Barry Irwin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-Churchill Downs, $120,685, Alw (NW2X)/Opt. Clm ($125,000), 11-24, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:42.24, ft, 1/2 length. STAR OF WONDER (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Starship Warpspeed, by Congrats) was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following his 3 1/2-length debut victory going one mile at Churchill Downs June 2. He added a seven-furlong allowance tally Sept. 14 before suffering his first defeat when a well-beaten sixth in a nine-furlong allowance at Keeneland Oct. 24. Shedding the blinkers here, the 4-5 favorite lugged in at the break, but straightened out and rushed up to attend the pace while three wide into the first turn. He shadowed the leaders through fractions of :23.69 and :47.79 and surged to the lead into the homestretch before holding Vitality (Street Boss) safe to the wire to win by a half-length. Star of Wonder is a half-brother to Mojovation (Quality Road), GSP, $375,988; and to Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), MGISW, $2,777,458. Starship Warpspeed, who died this year, leaves behind Lady Scuderia (Uncle Mo), an unraced 2-year-old filly who was purchased by John Stewart for $2.5 million at last year's Keeneland September sale, and a yearling colt by Gun Runner, who sold for $800,000 to Case Clay at this year's September sale. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, $220,380. O-Siena Farm LLC & WinStar Farm LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Star of Wonder prevails in the end to win R4 at @churchilldowns under Flavien Prat for trainer @bradcoxracing! The Derby City 6 starts next: https://t.co/vh8sfgc63u #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/RFISWzzvcU — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 24, 2024 The post Star of Wonder, Half to Shedaresthedevil, Back in Winner’s Circle at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fans at Churchill Downs on Black Friday, Nov. 29, will have the opportunity to honor one of the brightest stars in horse racing, Thorpedo Anna, the 2024 Kentucky Oaks (GI) winner and one of the favorites to win 2024 Horse of the Year honors.View the full article

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Bob Baffert told TDN via text last week it would be “exciting” to have a horse run at Churchill Downs for the first time in more than three years. Four months ago, on July 19, the gaming corporation that owns the track rescinded a ruling-off it had imposed upon the Hall-of-Fame trainer in 2021 because of a string of drug positives in horses Baffert trained, including one in Churchill's most prominent race, that year's GI Kentucky Derby. The colt who tested positive for an overage of betamethasone was Medina Spirit, owned by Zedan Racing Stables. Presumably waiting for the right horse and the right spot to return to Louisville, Baffert chose Barnes (Into Mischief), an unraced 2-year-old colt who sold for $3.2 million as a FTSAUG yearling in 2023, to represent Zedan in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight sprint Nov. 27. The entry will add intrigue to an otherwise quiet Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Lost in the drama accompanying Baffert's return from corporate exile is the fact that he'll be looking to build upon an impressive 5-for-7 first-across-the-wire streak that dates back to when he won with the last two starters he saddled at Churchill 42 months ago. On May 8, 2021, Baffert sent out two fillies, Himiko (American Pharoah) and Crystal Ball (Malibu Moon), to favored victories in a pair of allowance/optional claimers at Churchill. Baffert's previous day of racing at Churchill was one week earlier, on the 2021 Derby Day itself. That afternoon Baffert trainees crossed the finish first in three of five races, with Gamine (Into Mischief) in the GI Derby City Distaff S. and Du Jour (Temple City) in the GII American Turf S. winning before the (much later) DQ'd Medina Spirit. Meanwhile, at the Mountain… Without any notice or fanfare, the 10-year-old mare Traumarama (Adios Charlie) became North America's winningest active female horse in terms of victories when she notched her 23rd lifetime trip to the winner's circle last Tuesday night at Mountaineer Park. Her feat was all the more impressive considering that when you look at the list of winningest active Thoroughbreds on the continent with 20 victories or higher, geldings far outnumber intact horses and distaffers. Traumarama wired a crew of $4,000 claimers Nov. 18, going off at relatively high odds of 6-1 in a five-horse field for owner Caleb Bayley and trainer Randy Bayley. In each of the past six seasons, she has reliably churned out three victories per year while competing primarily in lower-level route races in West Virginia, Ohio and Indiana. Tuesday's win edged up her lifetime earnings to $200,763 from 81 starts. Among still-active distaffers, Traumarama had been tied at 22 wins with fellow mares Panamaniac (Wilko), an Ohio-based 10-year-old, and Infinite Patience (Sungold), a 7-year-old recent stakes winner at Hastings Racecourse. There are a handful of geldings ranked above Traumarama who have won between 25 and 30 races (thanks to Equibase for running a special query to create that list). But most of them haven't raced for months, putting in question whether they're still considered “active” or not. Based on horses who have won at least one race in 2024, the 10-year-old gelding Sevier (Union Rags) tops North America with 30 victories. But he hasn't raced since May 8 at Parx. When you consider “active” to mean Thoroughbreds who have made at least one start in the past two months, the continent's leader is Collusionist (EZ Effort), an 8-year-old gelding who won his 25th lifetime race by 7 1/2 lengths in an Arapahoe Park allowance Nov. 15. 100 Wins…And Counting? Another neat story that flew beneath the radar of the racing media this past week was that of Kim Sampson, a 65-year-old jockey based at Fairmount Park who is contemplating retirement. KSDK-TV in St. Louis had the scoop with a well-done profile broadcast Nov. 18 (watch it here). Sampson's career arc is remarkable considering she followed a childhood dream to become a professional jockey at her hometown track in western Illinois. As a teenager in the 1970s, she was initially booed by crowds that at the time weren't used to seeing a female rider in a traditionally male profession. But Sampson worked hard to keep her dream alive, and enjoyed moderate success on her own terms at Fairmount while teaming with her late husband, the trainer Jerry Sampson. She then stepped away from the sport in 1983, first to take care of her family, then to pursue a career in another almost exclusively male-dominated job–as an ironworker. More than 38 years later, in 2022, Sampson returned to riding at Fairmount. And on Oct. 22, 2024, she won her 100th lifetime race. Most of her victories predate Equibase's recordkeeping, which only shows her career totals from 2022 onward. But Sampson has the winner's circle photos and the newspaper clippings to prove she reached the century mark. “I was an ironworker for Local 392 out of East St. Louis,” Sampson told KSDK-TV. “I was tying rebar the first five years, bent over on a bridge deck. But I was stout from galloping these horses. They said, 'The ironworking made you strong for the horses.' And I said, 'No, the horses made me strong for the ironworking.'” Sampson continued: “When I quit riding at the end of October [1983], and I took it from my last win [it] was 38 years and 180 days. So nobody comes back at 62 years old and goes riding races. Any other ladies that rode races at 65, I don't know.” After being recognized in the Fairmount winner's circle for her 100th lifetime win, Sampson said, “It still never even really hit me emotionally until I got back in the jocks' room. And then the tears hit.” As KSDK-TV reported, Sampson is not certain if the 100th victory will be her last. “I got somebody that keeps trying to talk me into it for next year,” Sampson said. “If it's meant to be I'll be back. And if it's not, I'll be gone fishing or something.” Fast starts at Tampa It was no surprise to see jockey Samy Camacho establish himself atop the Tampa Bay Downs standings by winning five races over the first two days of the meet last week. The 36-year-old veteran is seeking his fifth consecutive (and sixth overall) riding title at Tampa. Camacho won four on Wednesday's opening-day card, and while three of those winners were on characteristically well-backed horses, one was a 29-1 pickup victory in a race in which Camacho's original mount had been scratched. Velocissima (Violence) hadn't won in more than a year going into the $8,000 claiming sprint for NW3L distaffers. “[Rafael Romero, the trainer] helped me get started in Venezuela, back in 2012,” Camacho told Tampa's media team, recalling his start in the sport. “He did a lot for me early in my career, so I was happy to do it.” Behind Camacho in the early standings, three Tampa riders are tied with two wins apiece. One of them is newcomer Sara Hess, a 7-pound apprentice. Hess, 26, scored with her first Tampa mount, a 4-1 shot, on Wednesday. On Saturday she piloted a 24-1 firster, He's Side Eyed (First Dude), to an upset win. Hess rode her first lifetime winner May 20, 2023, at Belterra Park. Her lifetime stats are 22-28-31 from 306 starts. “I've ridden at all the Kentucky tracks; Belterra, Indianapolis, Mountaineer, Mahoning Valley and [now Tampa],” Hess said, adding that her goal for the meet is to “learn as much as possible, get as much experience as I can and ride as much as possible. “I'll ride anyplace somebody names me,” Hess said. The post Week In Review: Win Streaks and Milestones, Both High-Profile and Under-The-Radar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Do Deuce's classy international race victory Nov. 24 in a Japan Cup (G1) that included nine other previous grade 1/group 1 winners provided vindication after struggles in overseas races.View the full article

Report from JapanView the full article

Multiple Grade I winner 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) will be paraded at Churchill Downs Friday, Nov. 29 in the paddock during the ninth race, the race track announced Sunday afternoon. One of the candidates for Horse of the Year honors, the presumed champion 3-year-old filly will join the field during the walkover to the paddock and will remain there through the race, from approximately 4:30 to 4:50 p.m. Thorpedo Anna has won five races at the elite level this season, namely the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, DK Horse Acorn Stakes, Coaching Club American Oaks, Cotillion Stakes, and Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff against older mares. She came a dwindling head short of winning the GI Draftking Travers Stakes back in August as well. The post Thorpedo Anna to be Paraded Between Races on Black Friday at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article