Wandering Eyes

Three-time Horse of the Year is honoured at a special ceremony, with fans flocking to see him parade at Sha Tin on Sunday.View the full article

Legendary trainer and Australian jockey land another feature triumph in first Group race of the season.View the full article

Apprentice breaks through with her 12th ride in the city, leading throughout aboard Douglas Whyte’s Cheval Valiant.View the full article

Jarrod Todd, Darwin’s premier jockey, celebrates one of his three wins at Fannie Bay on Saturday aboard the Gary Clarke-trained Change Is Coming. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) There’s no stopping trainer Gary Clarke and jockey Jarrod Todd as they combined for a winning treble at Darwin on Saturday. The pair celebrated success with Shakattak ($2.70), Change Is Coming ($3.10 fav) and Extreme Emotion ($3.40 fav). First up, Extreme Emotion settled second behind runaway leader Ariarne ($4.20) over 1300m before bridging the gap and hitting the front at the 100m to seal victory by 1.7 lengths. For the daughter of Extreme Choice, it was her first win since April. Shakattak won in similar fashion over 1200m when he held down second place at the 700m with Lisa Whittle’s Expert Witness ($15) three lengths clear. The son of Shalaa caught Expert Witness at the 200m, but in the end he only had half a length to spare as Jason Manning’s Bon’s Pride ($5) and Clarke’s Seguso ($5.50) powered home. The victory handed Shakattak a third straight triumph, dating back to the $40,000 Dabble Cup (1300m) during the Darwin Cup Carnival in July. Change Is Coming made amends after being rolled as a short-priced favourite on Darwin Cup Day when controlling proceedings over 1100m, winning by 2.8 lengths. Despite chewing up petrol early in the peace, the son of Capitalist was too good, with Angela Forster’s Zoumist ($5) and Cole’s Tricky Mikki ($18) filling the minor placings. It’s early days in the 2024/25 Top End and Country premiership, but who would bet against Clarke and Todd from topping the charts for a 13th and sixth straight year? Clarke (9 wins) leads Phil Cole (5) and Neil Dyer (5) after six meetings, while Todd (7) leads Stan Tsaikos (4) and Adam Nicholls (4). Dyer had success on Saturday with Yaki Ishi ($2.40 fav), while Tom Logan’s Scudetto ($4) provided respite for the bookies. Horse racing news View the full article

What Warrnambool Races Where Warrnambool Racing Club – 2-64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 When Monday, September 23, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble The Warrnambool Racing Club is the destination for a bumper eight-race meeting on Monday, September 23. With rain falling leading into the meeting, the Soft 7 track rating is likely to only downgrade, while the rail comes out 5m the entire circuit. The Warrnambool races are set to commence at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Warrnambool: Cherokee Brave Cherokee Brave caught the eye when hitting the line nicely at Geelong when resuming from a spell finishing second, beaten a length. The four-year-old gelding has seemingly found the right race to bring up a second career win in, with this 1700m event likely to suit those runners coming from the rear of the field. Billy Egan will look to have the son of Saxon Warrior in clear air approaching the home turn, and if he replicates the same finish that he put forward last time out, Cherokee Brave should be winning. Best Bet Race 5 – #4 Cherokee Brave (12) 4yo Gelding | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Billy Egan (60.5kg) +280 with PlayUp Next Best at Warrnambool: Capulet Resuming from a spell, the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Capulet returns to the track for the first time in six months under raceday conditions. The four-year-old mare has three jumpouts under her belt in the lead-up to this BM58, so she should be raring to go first-up from a spell. Sarah Field, who claims 3kg will likely roll forward on the Extreme Choice mare from barrier 10, and if the pair can land outside the lead, Capulet can pinch a break on the home turn, over main rival Active Duty, who will be stuck on the fence looking for an out. Next Best Race 6 – #2 Capulet (10) 4yo Mare | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: Sarah Field (a3) (62kg) +450 with Dabble Best Value at Warrnambool: Zena Boy Zena Boy was a smart Mornington winner when resuming from a five-month spell, and in BM64 company presents as great each-way value with horse racing bookmakers. The four-year-old gelding is drawn in barrier two, and with all the speed drawn out wide, maps to get a beautiful run in transit just off the pace. If the likes of Rivkin and Call To Glory chop each other up out in front, Zena Boy will only need a gap in the home straight to be overhauling his rivals. Best Value Race 8 – #5 Zena Boy (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Jason Warren | J: Billy Egan (59.5kg) +900 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips for Warrnambool races Warrnambool quadrella selections Monday, September 23, 2024 4-6 1-2 1-2-3-9-10 1-2-3-5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Guy Heveldt, Emily Bosson and Jayne Ivil review the G3 Metric Mile, return to racing at Ellerslie including Orchestral’s first up performance and chat to Andrew Forsman after the win of Positivity. Weigh In, September 22 (youtube.com) View the full article

Lee Callaway has been involved with The Good Shepherd (NZ) (Power) throughout his career and was thrilled to pick up a first success training the gelding at Oamaru on Sunday. Based at Waikouaiti, Callaway balances his race riding engagements with training a small team of horses, which as of June this year, includes The Good Shepherd. Formerly trained by his owner Stephen Blair-Edie, the seven-year-old was transferred into Callaway’s care when he stepped away from training, with the pair recording 21 wins as a trainer-jockey combination. “Steve has been a good friend of mine for a while, he’s given me the opportunity to ride quite a few winners for him over the years,” Callaway said. “I broke in this horse for him as a yearling, so he turned around recently and asked if I’d like to train the horse for him. “He’s awesome to have around the stables, he’s lovely to deal with.” The son of Power had been strong in his first-up effort for Callaway back in June, but since then, had been less effective on heavier surfaces, making Sunday’s Soft 5 an appeal for the open sprint contest. Jumping from barrier four, Callaway showed plenty of intent early aboard The Good Shepherd and found himself in a comfortable position trailing Miss Harley Quinn, who sat outside of the leader in La Bella Nera. Looming closer on the turn, The Good Shepherd lifted strongly down the home straight and powered clear in the final bounds, finishing 1 ¼ lengths ahead of second-placegetter Street Fightin Man. Callaway was pleased with the performance, indicating the switch back to a better surface had benefitted his charge. “He jumped out well, got on the pace and we let one come around us, so we ended up with a nice sit with a bit of cover,” he said. “As we were turning in for home, I asked him to come off and he found a gear, he’s run home really well. “I’m not that confident he’s liking heavy tracks at the moment, his first-up run wasn’t really too heavy when he ran second, then from there, he’s been a bit disappointing in them. “Today, we had a little bit of give in the track and he just seemed to be a better horse for that.” From 44 starts, The Good Shepherd has won seven races, with a further 11 minor placings and over $150,000 in stakes to his credit. Callaway acknowledged the challenges of juggling both professions, but finds a significant thrill when being able to steer home his own horses on race-day. “I’ve always liked the training side of racing and I have five horses in the stables, it’s a great feeling to be able to train and ride them,” he said. “It does make it a bit difficult at times when you’re away riding and things like that, but I have amazing support from my lovely wife Michaela and my daughter, they help me when I’m away. “It’s really good to be doing both.” Earlier in the meeting, Callaway also guided the Nikki White-trained Stop Yelling to score in the Gore Elite Plumbing (1400m). View the full article

Cody Cole had been quietly confident heading into Saturday’s Pilet Contracting LTD / Pioneer Seeds 2YO 800 with Landlock (Merchant Navy), and the debutant duly delivered in an exciting juvenile contest at Wanganui. The first of three wins on the card for jockey Kelly Myers, Landlock entered the race without an official trial and was slightly reserved leaving the barriers, but showed plenty of early clip to get on terms with race-favourite Princess Elsa ($3.30) before the home turn. The pair went head-to-head in the straight and the filly looked like she may be on the front foot at the 150m, before Landlock fought back and found enough in the final strides to score by just a nose. Cole, who trains the son of Merchant Navy out of Matamata, was pleased to see his work in training transfer to race-day in such impressive fashion. “It was a really good effort, he hasn’t done a lot or had a trial, so he was very professional,” Cole said. “Ability probably took him a fair way there yesterday as well, he wasn’t screwed down to win a half-mile race for sure. “We just took him along quietly and every time we asked him to quicken up his work or step up, he’s done that. On Tuesday morning, we galloped him on the grass with an older horse and he worked really well, good enough to probably win if he did everything right. “He did exactly that, so it’s lucky it worked out and Kelly rode him well.” Purchased for $20,000 out of Woburn Farm’s Book 2 draft at the Karaka Yearling Sales in January, Landlock is eligible for the $1m Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) early next year, a race Cole will plan around over the coming months. “He’s a Karaka Million-nominated horse and eligible, so hopefully he can work his way to there,” Cole said. “We’ve got plenty of time up our sleeve and he’s got plenty of improvement and figuring out what he’s really doing between now and then. “We’ll give him a little break to get over this, how long that’s going to be, I’m not sure. He’s had a big long trip down there and he’s a tired wee fella today, so he can have a break before we work out where we go from here.” Bred by Katom, Landlock is the fourth foal out of Blue Blue Sky, a Lonhro mare who produced Listed juvenile winner Bright Blue Sky. “He was well-related and just a neat little type, he looked like he wouldn’t take too long to get up and going and we wanted to find a horse that we could do that with,” Cole said. “We wanted to get him out there quickly for the owners and he’s done exactly that, so it’s worked out very well.” View the full article

Kelvin Tyler’s mare Albatross (NZ) (Sacred Falls) continued her purple patch of form at Oamaru on Sunday, scoring a decisive victory in the Thomas Green (1600m) to open Gore Racing Club’s meeting. The daughter of Sacred Falls had been successful in the heavy track conditions at Wingatui a fortnight ago, and reuniting with winning rider Denby-Rose Tait who claimed three kilograms, she looked a strong hope to go back-to-back. Jumping the second-favourite ($3.10) behind Sacred Dream ($2.10) in a compact field of five, Albatross was away positively and took up her position outside leader Powerful Moss as they rolled along the back stretch. Turning for home, Tait pressed the button on Albatross and she strode to the lead with ease, powering clear of the field in the closing stages to claim the Rating 79 contest by three-quarters of a length to Vague. Riverton-based Tyler had been wary of the improved Soft 5 track for the six-year-old, but a positive game-plan in the running ensured she was on the front foot. “It was a small field and quite a winnable race for her, but my concern had been the better track,” he said. “Coming back to a mile on a better track, I wanted Denby to put the pressure on at the 800 and make it a grind home, not a sprint home. “She’s ridden her really well and has been on her a few times, so she knows what she’s capable of. “She (Albatross) has won nicely, she had a few issues over the last wee while, and since we’ve sorted that out, she’s been running well and is going really well at the moment. “There are some nice races coming up for her and we’ll probably have to come back to 1400 being out of that grade now, so we’ll keep her fresh and look for the right tracks for her.” Bred by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Albatross has won six of her 28 race-day starts and over $85,000 in stakes earnings for an ownership group which includes her trainer. Tyler had watched Sunday’s race from the North Island, where his in-form galloper Master Marko (NZ) (Contributer) may have earned himself a place in next Saturday’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings. Master Marko had won back-to-back contests at Riccarton Park earlier in his preparation, and continued that form with a solid performance into third behind Jay Bee Gee in the Gr.3 Metric Mile (1600m) at Wanganui on Saturday. “He ran well yesterday, he really struggled in the deep track,” Tyler said. “We’re hoping he’ll get into the Group One next week at Hastings, he’ll definitely go there if he does because he’s come through it well and ate his dinner last night. “There’s forecasted to be a bit of rain around during the week, so hopefully we’ll be able to catch it.” View the full article

Soul of and Angel responded well to shortening up to seven furlongs and won the $210,000 Princess Rooney Invitational Stakes (G3) Sept. 21 at Gulfstream Park, earning a fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1).View the full article

Although it wasn't as easy as her three other grade 1 victories this year, Thorpedo Anna's class came through with a narrow score in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) Sept. 21 at Parx Racing.View the full article

Race 6 MILTON PARK STABLES 2140m WHISKEY SOUR (T Taiaroa) – Trainer Mr. C Lupton reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of WHISKEY SOUR, and it is his intention to carry on with the mare’s current preparation. The post Rangitikei Racing Club @ Awapuni Synthetic, Sunday 15 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Asked for speed at the start by jockey Jaime Torres, Seize the Grey fought all the way on the front end and won the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) going away at Parx Racing.View the full article

Bentornato dueled for the early lead from the rail and then fended off a determined stretch bid from 17-1 longshot Sunny Breeze to record a neck victory in the $400,000 Gallant Bob Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds Sept. 21 at Parx Racing.View the full article

Parx Racing crowned a new champ on Saturday in the GI Pennsylvania Derby, as Seize the Grey (Arrogate–Smart Shopping, Smart Strike) outlasted the field and took home his second top level score for his throng of investors. Forwardly-placed from the bell as a 4-1 shot here, the GI Preakness Stakes winner made the lead by the first turn and touched every pole as he circled the track. Down the lane with Stronghold (Ghostzapper) launching his bid, the D. Wayne Lukas trainee responded and got his picture taken over his rival. The final running time was 1:51.89. Lifetime Record: 13-5-0-3. Sales History: FTSAUG '22 $300,000. O-MyRacehorse; B-Jamm Ltd.; T-D. Wayne Lukas. #2 Seize The Grey wins the $1M Pennsylvania Derby (GI) with jockey @jaimetorresjcky in the saddle for Hall of Fame Trainer D. Wayne Lukas and @MyRacehorse.@lizzym333#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/OpcgaHABkJ — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) September 21, 2024 The post Seize The Grey Outlasts All To Win GI Pennsylvania Derby At Parx appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Third at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in February in the G3 Saudi Derby behind Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) and Book'em Danno (Bucchero), who have each distinguished themselves on the world stage since that day, Bentornato (c, 3, Valiant Minister–Her Special Way, by Put It Back) took advantage of his own moment to shine Saturday in the GII Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx. The Florida-bred and Leon King Stable Corp. colorbearer captured his first graded stakes after a string of black-type wins in Florida last year while also keeping his unbeaten streak at six furlongs intact. Bentornato wasn't quickest out of the gate, but stayed glued to the inside of July's Concern Stakes winner Sunny Breeze (Cajun Brreze), who held a head advantage at the :22:01 first quarter marker. Ohio-bred Alwaysintomischief (Maximus Mischief) joined the pair before the :45.08 half, looking every bit a threat, and the three came off the turn together. It wasn't long before Alwaysintomischief waved the white flag as Bentornato and Sunny Breeze matched strides down the lane, separating themselves from the field and brushing in the sort of pulsing stretch battle that doesn't deserve a loser. A dead heat was not to be, as Bentornato finished a determined neck to the better of a very game Sunny Breeze. Buccherino (Bucchero), the Aug. 24 winner of the Salvatore M. Debunda Sprint Stakes over both this surface and over Sunny Breeze, who was third that day, finished evenly for the show spot. “At the farm, he acts like a little baby,” said winning trainer Jose D'Angelo of Bentornato. “When he is supposed to run or train, he is very professional. That is why I went over to Saudi, because he is a horse that is all business when he trains. He is strong, and when you have a strong horse, they can do whatever they want. They help to make things easier for you. When you have the one [post], you have to go from the start and sometimes you have to make fast fractions. We didn't want to use him too much because we knew we had to have horse at the end. The key to the race was the second fraction when he made :45 and he brought it home. He is a nice horse. I am very proud of him. My plan is the Breeders' Cup for him. We have a plan, always. This horse fights all the time and he never gives up.” After making a splash in Florida at two last summer and fall–winning his first four straight, including three black-type events, all at Gulfstream–Bentornato took 2 1/2 months to prepare for the Saudi Derby. He showed the way early in the $1.5-million world event, finally finishing six lengths behind the top pair, who have each made headlines many times over since that day. While Forever Young went on to win the G2 UAE Derby and finish third in the GI Kentucky Derby, Book 'em Danno's victories since have included the GI Woody Stephens Stakes at Saratoga. Bentornato took a more modest approach, returning for a runner-up finish and a career-high 99 Beyer last month in the Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes at Charles Town in his first start since Saudi. The Gallant Bob marked his first try in a graded event domestically. The dark bay, never been worse than third in his eight career starts and three-for-three at six panels, was named Florida's champion 2-year-old male of 2023. Pedigree Notes: Ocala's Bridlewood Farm stands Valiant Minister, a $680,000 OBS 2-year-old buy who won his only career start prior to a stall accident that ended his racing career. The son of Candy Ride (Arg) has had two black-type winners from his four small crops. Bentornato is his first graded winner. Berntornato is also one of 40 stakes winners out of a mare by the late Put It Back. Her Special Way has a 2-year-old full-brother to Bentornato, as well as a yearling filly by Saketini. She was bred to Oscar Performance for next term. The year after Tanma Corp. bred Bentornato, Terry Dyer bought the mare at the 2022 OBS Winter Mixed Sale, carrying the now-juvenile, for $2,500, while Bentornato himself was a pinhook, picked up by Pro Racing Stables at the 2022 OBS Yearling sale for $45,000 and turned around to Champion Equine at the 2023 OBS March sale for $170,000. #1 BENTORNATO ($4.00) wins the battle over Sunny Breeze in the $400,000 Gallant Bob Stakes (G2) at @ParxRacing. The three-year-old Valiant Minister colt was ridden by @iradortiz for trainer @DangeloStable. pic.twitter.com/ZIpysfnjpm — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 21, 2024 Saturday, Parx Racing GALLANT BOB S.-GII, $400,000, Parx Racing, 9-21, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.92, ft. 1–BENTORNATO, 122, c, 3, by Valiant Minister 1st Dam: Her Special Way, by Put It Back 2nd Dam: Inaspecial Way, by Seattle Sleet 3rd Dam: Special Image, by Farma Way 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($45,000 Ylg '22 OBSOCT; $170,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Leon King Stable Corp.; B-Tanma Corp. (FL); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $231,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Sau, 8-5-1-2, $791,830. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Sunny Breeze, 122, g, 3, Cajun Breeze–Love My Sunshine, by Khozan. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Stonehedge LLC (FL); T-Edward T. Allard. $77,000. 3–Buccherino, 120, c, 3, Bucchero–Bellimbusto, by First Dude. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($75,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Happy Tenth Stable; B-Blue River Bloodstock (FL); T-Alfredo Velazquez. $38,500. Margins: NK, 1, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.00, 17.90, 1.80. Also Ran: Maximus Meridius, Alwaysintomischief, Practically Dark, One Sharp Cookie. Scratched: Awesome Ruta. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post From Florida to Saudi to Parx, Bentornato Guts Out Gallant Bob Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There is something about racing at Churchill Downs that seems to bring out sparkling performances from My Mane Squeeze. The 3-year-old filly, who won the Eight Belles (G2) there in the spring, added a second graded win Sept. 21 in the Dogwood (G3).View the full article

Although it wasn't as easy as her three other grade 1 victories this year, Thorpedo Anna's class came through with a narrow score in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) Sept. 21 at Parx Racing.View the full article

Ocean Club joined the ranks of graded stakes winners when she prevailed in a three-way blanket finish to take the Noble Damsel Stakes (G3T) Sept. 21 during the Belmont at the Big A fall meeting. View the full article

Like a torpedo in the water, it was MGISW Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna–Sataves, by Uncle Mo) who got up late to take home the GI Cotillion Stakes at Parx on Saturday afternoon. The accomplished filly who won the GI Kentucky Oaks back in May, was a short-priced favorite in the race. Not backing down from challengers here, the 3-year-old tracked Mystic Lake (Mo Town) into the first turn. Looking for a way through around the far turn, the Ken McPeek trainee finally got free and began to fight alongside Gun Song (Gun Runner). In the end, the so-called 'Grizzly Bear' won out and earned her prize. The final running time was 1:45.45. Lifetime Record: 9-7-2-0. Sales History: FTKOCT '22 $40,000. O-Brookdale Racing, Inc., Edwards, Mark, Hicks, Judy B. and Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek); B-Judy Hicks (KY); T-Ken McPeek. The Grizzly Bear Thorpedo Anna had to claw the lead back deep in the stretch to win the $1M Cotillion Stakes at #parxracing under jockey @b_hernandezjr for trainer by Kenny McPeek. #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/9IpDgZDjaP — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) September 21, 2024 The post Homing Thorpedo Anna Captures Cotillion Stakes At Parx appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With a ticket to the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint up for grabs, the GIII Princess Rooney Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday was won by Soul of an Angel (Atriedes–Factor One, Milwaukee Brew) A 2-1 second choice for this Challenge Series race here, the 5-year-old mare bided her time and allowed favorite Beth's Dream (Jess's Dream) to take the field into the lane. Coming with a late run, the Saffie Joseph trainee grabbed the lead in the final jumps and booked her ticket to Del Mar. The final running time was 1:23.23. Lifetime Record: 40-5-7-5. O-C2 Racing Stable and Agave Racing Stables; B-Westbrook Stables; T-Saffie Joseph Jr. SOUL OF AN ANGEL ($6.40) and @DraydenV navigated their way to the winner's circle in the $220k Princess Rooney Invitational (G3) at @GulfstreamPark. She's headed to @DelMarRacing after this @LanesEndFarms @BreedersCup Challenge Series Race. @SaffieJosephJr trained the 5yo mare. pic.twitter.com/O9kKxgDJ7s — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 21, 2024 The post Soul Of An Angel Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth In Princess Rooney At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale, which surpassed its record gross Thursday with two sessions still to go, concluded its blockbuster 12-day run Saturday in Lexington with increases across the board over its 2023 renewal. In addition to its record gross, the sale produced its highest-ever average and a tied its record median. “The energy here was at times reminiscent of another era,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “When we were on inspections earlier this year, we saw quality and consistency among the crop, and it gave us a lot of excitement. And when the horses showed up at the sale, it verified our expectations. The market was very broad based. We saw new faces and welcomed back people we haven't seen in years from all over the world who returned because of their confidence in the U.S. industry and Keeneland being a global marketplace.” During the 12-day auction, 2,735 horses sold for a total of $411,749,500. The average of $150,548 was up 5.20% from a year ago and the median of $70,000 was up 4.48%. The previous record gross, $405,495,700, and average, $142,429, were both set in 2022, as was the record-setting median. The average and median records were broken in both 2021 and 2022, while the 2022 gross broke the sales record set in 2006. A total of 36 yearlings–led by a $5-million son of Curlin–sold for a million or more during the auction, up from 30 a year ago and second-most ever at the auction behind only 2005. The sale topper was the highest-priced colt sold at September since 2006. There were 185 horses who sold for $500,000 or more at the September sale this year, versus 168 in 2023. “The support of our breeders,” Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach responded when asked what was responsible for the strength of the sale. “It's hats off to them.” Breathnach continued, “We rely, first and foremast, on the support of the breeders and consignors that bring the horses here. And then it's incumbent on us to reinforce the strength of the sale year on year and attract more and more buyers from around the world, as well as domestically. So we are very pleased with how this sale has gone. Not everyone has had an outstanding sale, but overall, this has been an extremely strong and a record September sale.” For the fourth year in a row, the September sale opened with a pair of elite Book 1 sessions, followed by two Book 2 sessions. The format has been steadily gaining traction with both buyers and sellers with a power-packed Book 1 setting the table for the rest of the auction. “The diversity in the horses was what the buyers were looking for and they responded with the way the sale shaped up,” said Lacy. “The Book 1 format–putting the best athletes and best physicals forward–has been very well received. We received many compliments on the quality of the stock and I think you saw it in the results that followed as well. Which is very gratifying.” Lacy added the successful September market reflects a positive state of the industry as a whole and particularly the impact of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. “I think the new medication regulations have given a huge sense of confidence to the buyers,” he said. “It's something they've been looking to for quite a while. I think the industry has responded well to it. It's not a perfect situation, but no growth is without pain. Seeing new people coming in and investing significant amounts of money in the last two weeks was sort of a great illustration of where the industry is going as a whole. It's a great sign of an upward swing and I think we are at the beginning of a potentially very large upswing for the industry and the sport in general. I think we have to be very optimistic as we go forward.” Among the happy consignors leaving Keeneland was Tom Hinkle of Hinkle Farms, which sold all 20 horses in its consignment for $6,175,000, highlighted by a Curlin filly for $1.2 million and a Constitution colt for $1.1 million. “It's been an awesome sale,” said Hinkle. “We budget every year for what we think our yearling crop is going to bring and we're fairly conservative, and it has considerably exceeded our expectations. As far as I'm concerned, Keeneland has done a fabulous job. The way they put together Books 1 and 2 has been really good and everybody has gotten used to it. They have done a heck of a job recruiting active buyers from all parts of the world. If you had the right horse and it met the criteria, you were greatly rewarded.” Broad Buying Base The September sale, which as recently as five years ago was consistently dominated by just two buyers, featured a deep and diverse buying bench in 2024. At the top of the market, the 36 yearlings who sold for $1 million or over were purchased by 24 unique entities. In addition, 96 different buyers spent $1 million or more during the sale, compared to 82 last year. “The stretching and the depth of the domestic market has been outstanding,” said Lacy. “Having 24 individual entities buying a horse for a million dollars or above is an outstanding number. And 48 consignors sold a horse for $500,000 or more. That shows a broadness of the market and how many people got rewarded for the quality product that they brought to the market.” Across the sale, the results sheets featured buyers from 31 different countries. “Our international outreach, I think, is paying dividends,” Breathnach said. “We have had sales team members go all over the world. We had three members in the Middle East for a long stint between the Saudi Cup and Dubia World Cup. We had members in Japan, Eastern Europe, South America and all over the country in the U.S., and also in England and Ireland. We sponsor races around the world. We are really putting our best foot forward, trying to engage the international community, as well as the domestic buying base. I think the most gratifying thing for us is seeing the number of countries that have bought from the September catalogue, which is a couple more than last year and heading in the right direction.” Celebrating the sale of a $1.4-million colt and a $975,000 filly, Blue Heaven Farm co-owner Adam Corndorf said, “We have had a few good ones over the years, but this was the first year we had two high-end horses that got up in the stratosphere. It was a dream come true. There was a good broad base of lookers, including pinhookers, international and domestic buyers. The top end of the market was what we expected, but we were pleasantly surprised with what our horses brought in that second tier, in Book 3.” Strength from Start to Finish Demand, which started out at a fever-pitch in Book 1, remained strong throughout the September sale, with the median increasing year-over-year during each of the 12 sessions of the auction. The auction's fourth session–the second Book 2 session–saw the biggest percentage increase in median at 25% over 2023 figures. “We look at the median because that's more indicative of the power of the middle market,” Breathnach said. “The median and the RNA rate are what allow you to better compare year to year. With our consistent format we can begin to identify trends. With this being the fourth year with the same format, the median has increased every single session.” The session average saw declines in just two sessions–with the auction's ninth session dipping marginally at 0.99% and the final session down 5.08%. The sale's second day average of $611,038 established a session record, bettering the previous mark of $589,814 from the same session in 2006. “Book 1 had one of the strongest groups of physicals I've seen for a while,” said Nick deMeric, whose deMeric Sales purchased eight yearlings for $1,095,000. “Keeneland did a very good job managing it. It wasn't just reflected in the prices, but also in the momentum the sale got from the word go. As we all know, it carries over. It keeps the sale strong when you start off strong. “When enough of us get shut out in the early parts of the sale, we're just going to work harder later in the sale. We got one Wednesday, we paid $110,000 for and we thought we would get it for $60,000. It definitely carried over. The better physicals were well received and hard to buy as a result.” With 804 yearlings reported not sold during the auction, the buy-back rate was 22.72% in 2024. It was 20.22% a year ago. “The RNA rate tended to be a tick higher through the books through each session, which might be a sign that there might be a few more sellers who might not be getting what they wanted out of this,” Breathnach said. “Which is obviously something we will be working on. Also, with the stronger market, you can tend to set a higher reserve. So it's a bit of both.” At the conclusion of Saturday's session, an additional 153 yearlings were reported as post sales for a gross of $16,050,500. Those post sale transactions are not included in the sale's final figures. “Our post sale RNA-to-sale activity is up at least 10% from last year,” Breathnach said. “So we are well north of $15 million in post sales.” Trainer Eddie Kenneally, who purchased 14 yearlings for a total of $1,077,000, agreed there was plenty to attract his attention throughout the auction. “All the way through the sale there were quality horses distributed throughout the books,” Kenneally said during Session 10. “Obviously, there was more pedigree in Book 1 and into Book 2, but there were nice individuals all the way to [the end of the sale]. There is a horse for everybody. There are buyers getting shuffled back every day and they can't get the number of horses they need to get. They're having to spend more time here because it is so competitive with the quality coming through. I think the strength of Kentucky racing right now is a big part of what's driving it all.” The increases can be traced, at least in part, to the depth of quality in a diminishing foal crop, according to Breathnach. “The floor–meaning the bottom sector of the horses coming to market–is so much higher than it was even five or 10 years ago,” Breathnach said. “A lot of older mares whose produce record has shown they are not successful are no longer being bred, or those yearlings are not coming to market. There really is quality right through the end of the sale. The breeders, and we say this all of the time, are very sophisticated. Production costs are high, they cannot afford to raise horses that won't be commercial. So there really is a very high floor and a high ceiling in what is there.” The strength in the middle market reflects Keeneland's commitment to breeders in that segment of the sale, according to Lacy. “That's the core of what we all do,” Lacy said. “That's why we are here. We know the responsibility that Keeneland as an organization has towards the breeders and to the industry as a whole. A lot of the breeders are friends or colleagues over the years. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves knowing that the success of the September sale is a big factor in how their year turns out. They are farmers bringing their crops to market. That is something that is critical to the core of what Keeneland is. We are here to support the market. Everything we do is put back into the market and breeders at all levels, and especially the core breeders in the middle market, are the fabric of what we exist for.” SF/Starlight/Madaket on Top Again For the second year in a row, the stallion-making partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stable was the leading buyer at the September sale. With Donato Lanni as agent, the group purchased 18 yearlings for a gross of $11,330,000. Last year, it purchased 20 head for $12,590,000. “It was one of the strongest sales I've ever seen at Keeneland,” Lanni said. “It was great to see so many people here buying horses and it was extremely competitive. If we wanted to buy a horse, it cost more. You had to be ready to give more than you expected. There were some people at this sale I hadn't seen in long time, so Keeneland did a good job bringing them in as well.” Donato Lanni | Keeneland Belladonna Racing, with trainer Cherie DeVaux as agent, was the auction's second leading buyer with 20 head purchased for $9,845,000. Mike Repole, who alone was the second leading buyer at the 2023 auction, and in partnership with St. Elias Stable was the leading buyer in 2022 and 2021, was the third leading buyer this year with 25 purchased for $9,755,000. A year ago, Repole purchased 35 yearlings for $11,835,000. Taylor Made Leading Consignor Taylor Made Sales Agency was the leading consignor at the September sale for the 25th time since 1988, regaining the title after having an eight-year streak halted by Gainesway in 2023. Taylor Made sold 333 horses for a total of $53,133,200 and an average of $159,559. The gross is the highest for a September sale consignor since Taylor Made grossed $57 million in 2007. “It's been crazy good,” Taylor Made's Frank Taylor said of the sale. “This sale was really, really good. It was way better than I anticipated. It's amazing how strong the market is, with everything that's going on in the world. Racing is good, and there is a lot of enthusiasm. People want to buy racehorses.” Gainesway was the auction's second leading consignor with 125 sold for $39,854,000 and an average of $318,832. 4100 horses into the ⁦@keenelandsales⁩ and the back ring is rocking!! $1 and $1 is adding fuel to the ! ⁦@TaylorMadeSales⁩ pic.twitter.com/hmqCGcnUV1 — Mark Taylor (@TaylorMadeMark) September 21, 2024 Sire Power The diversity in the buying bench was mirrored in the sire ranks, with Curlin–in a tight three-way battle–earning top honors with 44 head sold for an average of $579,432. Into Mischief was second with 42 sold for an average of $535,476 and Gun Runner was third with 62 sold for an average of $526,855. In 2023, Into Mischief was the sale's leading sire with 53 sold for an average of $698,019. His nearest pursuer was Tapit, who had 25 sold for an average of $441,480. Among Curlin's five million-dollar yearlings was the auction's top-priced offering, a son of Cavorting and full-brother to Clairiere, who sold for $5 million to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm. Gun Runner had seven million-dollar yearlings, led by a $2.2-million colt also purchased by Pope. Into Mischief had four yearlings bring seven figures and Constitution, Nyquist and Not This Time had three. Tapit had two. A group of first-crop sires broke into the headlines with million-dollar yearlings of their own. Both Charlatan and Maxfield had a pair of yearlings from their first crops break the seven-figure threshold, while Yaupon came close with a $900,000 colt. Charlatan had 74 through the ring sell for an average of $263,649, while Maxfield had 56 sell for an average of $234,446. “It was a great crop of first-season sires,” Lacy said. “The young stallions with their first runners this year are getting results on the track and gaining a lot of traction in the ring as well. When you look at the beginning of the sale, through the first week, we had a great variety of stallions gaining attention in the market. Having Maxfield and Charlatan having multiple million-dollar-plus horses is a testament to that. It's exciting for the future.” Rock Your World Yearlings Top Final Session A colt by Rock Your World (hip 4228) topped the final session of the September sale when selling for $85,000 to Zap/Murphy for California Racing Partners and Ciaglia. The yearling was consigned by Stoneriggs Farm, Agent III. A filly from the first crop of the GI Santa Anita Derby winner (hip 4337) brought the session's second highest price when selling for $55,000 to Tom Tatum. The bay was consigned by Vinery Sales. During Saturday's final session, 203 yearlings grossed $2,662,000 for an average of $13,113 and a median of $10,000. The average dipped 5.08% from the final session of last year's sale, while the median rose 11.11%. The post Blockbuster Keeneland September Sale Concludes with Record Gross, Average and Median 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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Flying the flag of the Empire State, GSW My Mane Squeeze (Audible–In Spite of Mama, Speightstown) ran like a well-backed favorite as she got the money with a statement surge under the Twin Spires to take home the GIII Dogwood Stakes on Saturday. The 3-year-old filly had some targets to run at as she began to launch her bid around the far turn. My Mane Squeeze came with a strong run down the lane and won by four lengths over the former claimer, Fibber (Frosted). The final running time was 1:22.27. Lifetime Record: 12-6-1-3. O-William J. Butler and WinStar Farm LLC; B-William Butler; T-Michael J. Maker. #5 My Mane Squeeze holds on to win the @FasigTiptonCo Dogwood (GIII) at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old daughter of Audible was ridden by @luissaezpty and conditioned by Mike Maker.#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/yfirQxEnz7 — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) September 21, 2024 The post New York-Bred My Mane Squeeze Rolls Home A Winner In Dogwood At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article