Wandering Eyes

By Jordyn Bublitz There was no catching St John Eight last night at Cambridge Raceway, with the Andre Poutama-trained runner taking out the TFS Horse Transport Mobile Pace—claiming his third win in seven starts and doing it in commanding fashion. From barrier five, the gelded son of Always B Miki burned early to take the lead, and Poutama said he knew he had the race won the moment he hit the top. “As soon as I got to the top, I knew I had them beat,” said the Pukekohe reinsman. “Whenever they come for him, he just always seems to find more and more.” And find more he did—facing early pressure for the lead and still having the grit to pull away from his rivals in the straight to score by a domineering three-length margin. Although he got things wrong last start at Alexandra Park, Poutama was confident in the gelding’s chances heading into last night’s race. “He galloped last start at Auckland, but he doesn’t really go right-handed, and he just got onto a knee on that last bend. I was hopeful for him heading into last night—I knew he’d be near enough.” Poutama is also looking forward to his sole runner lining up at Alexandra Park on Friday night—Eyeliner, who will contest the Magness Broadcast – End of an Era at Alex Park Mobile Pace (9:24 p.m.) The four-year-old daughter of Lazarus is having her second start back this campaign, and he’s positive she will have derived benefit from her fresh-up run at Cambridge Raceway. “She’d had no trials heading into her last start, and I was pretty happy with the way she went. She was always going to blow out fresh-up, and she’ll only improve,” he said. “We’ll probably drop straight onto the fence on Friday and hopefully trail the trip. If she finds the line well and we can get a bit of the money, I’ll be happy.” View the full article

More than a fifth of the horses going under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday, June 26 will be Next Gen eligible. Harness Racing New Zealand’s ownership model premiered at this year’s NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales at Karaka and Christchurch. It was a big success with 56 Next Gen-sired yearlings being sold. Off the back of that HRNZ extended the scheme to the NZB Standardbred National Weanling Sale as well. Of the 89 lots up for sale a total of 19 are from Next Gen stallions. The stallions and lot numbers are as follows : Dancinginginthedark M (Lot 1065) E L Titan (Lot 1040, 1088) King of the North – (Lots 1012, 1036, 1071) Pebble Beach – (Lots 1003, 1035, 1038) Perfect Sting – (Lots 1004, 1016, 1020, 1028 and 1032) Ride High – (1060) Face Time Bourbon (Lot 1085) Ecurie D – (Lots 1083, 1084 and 1087) One yearling (Lot 1082) will also be eligible as his sire Captain Crunch was Next Gen eligible at this year’s National Yearling Sales in February. It’s important to note though they you don’t have to buy one of the 19 horses to get involved in Next Gen. It is one of three criteria. The other two are : Buy any weanling/yearling from the sales and have an ownership group that comprises of at least four people, where the horse is owned 30% or more by people who are born after 1985 or have never previously been registered HRNZ owners. or Buy any weanling/yearling from the sales and have it trained by someone who has not trained a Group 1 winner (as of January 1, 2026) Weanlings/yearlings sold at that sale will be eligible for a range of two-year-old bonuses in 2027 as long as they met those Next Gen criteria. They will be eligible for the three Harness Million races – Colts and Geldings, Fillies and Trotters if paid into the series. A $50,000 bonus ($35,000 will go to the owner, $10,000 to the trainer and $5000 to the breeder) will be awarded to the first Next Gen eligible horse across the line in each of those three races. A $5000 2YO Second Start bonus ($4000 to the owner, $1000 to the trainer) will also be awarded to any Next Gen eligible horses that have two race day starts during their 2YO season. This will be capped at 90 horses, with a total payout of $450,000 per year. To see more about Next Gen click here : https://www.hrnz.co.nz/next-gen-2/ View the full article

A half sister to multiple Group 1 winner Duchess Megxit, Princes Lulu has gone full circle even before she’s even hit the racetrack. Princess Lulu (Captaintreacherous – Kensington Kate) was co-bred by the Patterson Bros Racing Syndicate, the same group that race Duchess Megxit. They sold her, as Lot 147, at the 2025 National Yearling Sale for $250,000 to Duchess Megxit’s co-trainer Barry Purdon. But that was not the end of the story In a bit of a twist her vendors then negotiated a deal to buy her back and she is now in a new and very Next Gen-looking ownership group. “I’d say two thirds to three quarters would be first time owners or under 40,” says syndicate spokesman Tom Patterson. The Patterson Bros Racing Syndicate and the Centaurus Syndicate, who co-race Duchess Megxit, have been joined in Princess Lulu’s ownership by a wide and diverse group. “Three nephews of mine are in and they have 25 or so people in with them, there’s a guy I know who had gallopers and is new to harness racing, plus Maurice McDermott has a syndicate he’s put together and there are others as well,” says Patterson. “Altogether there would be something like 50 people involved.” The Pattersons are well known in both harness racing and hospitality circles. The family owns and runs the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch and they have been associated with a stack of quality horse flesh over the years. Current 3YO Pacing filly of the Year Duchess Megxit is their latest star performer. And the feedback they’ve had about Princess Lulu so far is encouraging. “We’ve been told ‘she is no worse than her sister’ at a similar stage,” he says. That’s a pretty big rap considering Duchess Megxit is a Northern Oaks winner with 12 wins from just 21 starts and more than $1/2m in stakes. But it’s too early to know when she’ll get to the racetrack. In the meantime Patterson is trying not to be tempted by the up-coming NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka on June 26. “I’m thinking I’m not going to buy but I carry the book (catalogue) around with me everywhere I go,” he laughs. Then again he sold Princess Lulu and look at how that ended up! To see more about Next Gen click here : https://www.hrnz.co.nz/next-gen-2/ To see the NZB National Weanling Sale catalogue click here : https://www.nzb.co.nz/ View the full article

Among all the industry heavyweights a hobby trainer will be on debut at the 2025 National Standardbred Weanling Sales at Karaka on Thursday, June 26. The usual suspects – Alabar, Macca Lodge and Woodlands Stud – dominate the sale numerically but that’s not phasing Waikato-based Brendon Laidlaw. “I just want to give it a go and hopefully it will be the start of something,” says Laidlaw. He will offer up Lot 1086, a bay filly by Ultimate Machete out of Asuka. “She has good conformation and seems to have a bit of attitude about her,” says Laidlaw. “She’s a weanling so I’m not expecting a fortune but I won’t be giving her away.” Asuka, a four-race winner for Barry Purdon, was out of the Group 1-winning Lizzie Maguire. She won 12 races including the 2008 Northern Oaks and the 2YO Diamond at the 2007 Harness Jewels at Ashburton. Asuka was bred by Rosslands Stud at Clevedon and returned there when she was retired. She has since produced six foals, the first five at Rosslands Stud and then Woodlands Stud. Her progeny include Jack The Builder (American Ideal – Asuka) who won four from five before injury forced his retirement and four-year-old Bazooka (Bettor’s Delight – Asuka), who has won five from 14 for Steven Reid. “She’s a half to Bazooka and the fact that he’s going so well is great for us .. hopefully that will create a bit of interest.” Laidlaw was given Asuka by owner Marilyn Hoggard who he knew well from his days working with Gareth Dixon at Rosslands Farm. “She was keen for her to go to a good home,” says Laidlaw,” and I had the mare for a year and then put her to foal.” The filly is his first foray into breeding. Brendon followed his brother Kendall Laidlaw into the sport. He was a trainer-driver in New Zealand before heading to Australia. A farrier by trade he’s based in Western Australia where he recently trained the winner of June’s Trotters Cup in Pinjara with Betty Bootz Off. Brendon Laidlaw trains only a small team at Cambridge Raceway around his full-time job as a fencing contractor. One of his team Mr Miki, a four-year-old Always B Miki gelding he co-owns, is not far away from heading to the races for the first time. Right now though the rookie horse breeder is hoping months of preparation and expectation will reap rewards in the ring. “You’ve got to be making money to press on but it (racing) is something we love – it’s a bug isn’t it?” View the full article

The publication is free to access and available now: Click here to read Breeding Matters – Winter 2025 The Winter 2025 edition of Breeding Matters has landed—and it arrives at a pivotal time for the breeding industry. Published by the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Association (NZSBA), the latest issue covers the people, ideas, and initiatives shaping the season ahead. This edition takes a deep dive into the recently announced Harness 5000—a groundbreaking $720,000 race day designed to reward breeders using sires at the more accessible end of the market. We explore how the concept evolved, who it’s for, and why it matters. With 12 Listed races and a clear qualifying structure, it’s already reshaping mating decisions and restoring aspiration across the grassroots. We also preview the 2025 NZB Standardbred Weanling Sale, which continues to punch above its weight. With graduates winning Group races across Australasia, North America, and beyond, Karaka has become a genuine hotbed of opportunity. From $4,000 purchases to $400,000 earners, this sale has proven itself as a launchpad for value and talent. Equine reproductive vet Donna Williamson shares practical advice for breeders preparing mares this season, offering a no-nonsense look at fertility, foaling prep, and husbandry basics that make a difference. It’s a must-read for those wanting to improve outcomes without blowing the budget. The issue also unveils NZSBA’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, a blueprint developed in partnership with HRNZ that sets out key priorities for the next three years. From digital tools and youth engagement to rehoming, syndication, and better support for breeders, it lays the groundwork for a more sustainable future. This isn’t mail—it’s momentum. For breeders, for the industry, and for the ones still pushing forward. View the full article

Pukekohe trainer Rudy Liefting will make the long trek down State Highway One with a couple of his jumpers this week to target Trentham’s Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase Day on Saturday. His charge will be led by nine-year-old gelding Mont Ventoux in the Aztech Engineering Wellington Hurdle (3200m), with the son of Nom du Jeu looking to improve on his last-start third placing in the Waikato Hurdle (3200m). “His last start third was encouraging,” Liefting said. “I have really got to tackle the big ones because he is up in the ratings.” Liefting is wary of a few of his rivals this weekend, but is confident his charge will acquit himself well. “He has beaten Nedwin home in the Northern last year and his form is around Nedwin. Verry Flash looks a good chance, but it’s jumping, so anything can happen,” he said. “We will be looking to get into a nice rhythm and staying out of trouble. “It won’t be easy, but like I said to the owners, if we keep turning up and have him fit and ready, maybe one day the cards will fall our way.” Mont Ventoux will be joined on the float trip south by stablemate Renegade Fighter, who will contest the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (4900m). Liefting admitted to being disappointed with the 10-year-old’s fourth placed performance in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) and is looking for an improved showing this weekend. “There’s a little bit of distance to make up from the winner. He was a shade disappointing, I thought he could finish a touch closer,” he said. “They really clapped on the pace and I think they left him a bit flat footed in the last round. We lost a few lengths when we had to get around The Cossack. “He is thereabouts, and he is weighing in those big ones. There are two hotshots in there, but third is anybody’s.” Liefting’s ultimate goal with the pair is a trip to Christchurch in August for Riccarton’s Grand National Festival of Racing, with the $100,000 and $200,000 respective purses of the Hospitality NZ Canterbury 135th Grand National Hurdles (4200m) and Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m), the major drawcards. “I am going to take them both to Riccarton,” he said. “They are getting older, and the money is up, so we better have a go just in case it is our lucky day.” Following Saturday, Liefting is looking to return to the Central Districts for Mont Ventoux’s final lead-in run to the Grand National but has yet to decide what avenue he will pursue with Renegade Fighter. “Woodville is the plan,” Liefting said. “Because they put up chase fences, I might run Mont Ventoux in the steeplechase there just to keep his rating down. He will be on the minimum if he can get into the big race. “I am not quite sure about the other bloke, I don’t really want to run two horses together. But following Woodville we will return to Auckland and fly them down to Christchurch.” View the full article

Trentham racegoers are in for a treat this Saturday, with Matt Hill, the voice of the Melbourne Cup, on course to call the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (4900m). Hill’s voice is one of the most recognisable in Australian sport, with the Melbournian not only calling horse racing, but also AFL, the Olympics, and since 2012 he has been a commentator and presenter for the Australian Open Tennis. He enjoys the diversity of calling multiple sports and is thrilled to have followed in the footsteps of a couple of his idols. “I have always been a curious soul, and I adore sport, but also our race callers over here (Australia),” Hill said. “I idolised Bruce McAvaney, the sports commentator over here and he was the voice of the Olympics. Bruce was a race caller that became our chief AFL caller, and Ray Warren was a great race caller in the eighties who became the chief rugby league caller. “I was always curious to have a go at other things, and particularly being a Melbourne boy, to have a go at AFL football. I have been able to balance both now by doing football and racing. I am lucky that I have been able to straddle both, which has been really good.” His talent has taken him all around the world covering a myriad of sports, but it is international racing that intrigues Hill the most, and he has now called races in 16 countries and counting. “I have called races in 16 countries, not by design but by being a guest or travelling, I am fascinated by international racing,” Hill said. “When I was young, I was particularly interested in jumps racing and I ended up calling seven Grand Nationals for the BBC and the Velká Pardubická (jumps race) in the Czech Republic.” Having experienced race calling and various other sports around the world, Hill continues to be amazed by the diversity of racing in each country. “A basketball match is a basketball match wherever you watch it, most sports are pretty much the same around the world if they are global sports, whereas with horse racing, every country is different,” Hill said. “The riding styles are different, the racetracks are different, and the way people bet on the races is different. “I am fascinated by world racing and most of my misspent time at night is watching racing overseas.” While he has trekked around the world calling in various racing jurisdictions, he has yet to call a race in New Zealand. Something he is looking to rectify this weekend. “New Zealand is one that I have watched for a long time, especially the jumps with those beautiful big hedges, and I haven’t had a chance to travel over,” Hill said. “It will be a real bucket list item ticked.” The trip has been five years in the making, with the idea first fostered during a zoom call among New Zealand’s race callers during the COVID-19 lockdown. “During COVID, Justin Evans (Central Districts race caller) got all the (New Zealand) race callers together and they had monthly zoom meetings and I was one of their guests,” Hill said. “We talked about calling races internationally, and the one blip that I had not done was call races in New Zealand. Maryanne Twentyman (Entain Media Personnel Manager) and Justin were on the call, and they said they would have to get me over at some stage.” The opportunity finally arose this year and Hill is looking forward to heading to Wellington this weekend to help call the 10-race card alongside Evans. “They have been generous in inviting me, and I will spend a bit of time with Justin as well for a couple of days,” he said. “Justin is a very good, young caller and the more encouragement we can give all of the callers the better because we are a bit of a brethren and it is very rare for race callers from other countries to really get together.” Hill is particularly excited to be involved in one of New Zealand’s premier jumps meetings, and he is looking forward to mingling with the New Zealand jumping fraternity over the weekend. “Trentham his steeped in history and I love the jumps crowd,” he said. “They are so down to earth, and they share a mutual love for it, so it will be really lovely to meet the jumps community in New Zealand as well. “It is going to be great and really good fun.” View the full article

If Sierra Leone is to notch another top-level victory June 28 in the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs, the late finisher will likely have to close from behind an anticipated moderate tempo. View the full article

Ziggity Zag won her career debut June 24 at Horseshoe Indianapolis to give 2021 Horse of the Year and first-crop sire Knicks Go his first winner as a stallion.View the full article

Taylor Made Stallions resident freshman Knicks Go (Paynter) was represented by his first career winner Tuesday when Ziggity Zag came from off the pace to score at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Campaigned by Flying Dutchman, the Kentucky bred filly was installed the 3-1 second choice for this unveiling. Reserved in a stalking position as longshot Dreaming Collect (Collected) carved out an opening quarter mile in :22.50, the grey kept the pacesetter in her sights through a :47.26 half. Asked for more by Nic Juarez turning for home, she found the early leader tough to run down late, however, she was able to get to the front in the final jump, winning by a neck. Favored Nanina (Ger) (No Nay Never) closed to be third. The first foal out of Lounge Act (Creative Cause), Ziggity Zag has a foal sister by Beau Liam. 6th-Horseshoe Indianapolis, $32,000, Msw, 6-24, 2yo, f, 7 1/2fT, 1:29.66, fm, neck. ZIGGITY ZAG, f, 2, by Knicks Go 1st Dam: Lounge Act, by Creative Cause 2nd Dam: Hallelujah Trail, by Gilded Time 3rd Dam: Runaway Aly, by Alydeed Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $19,200. O-Flying Dutchman Breeding and Racing; B-Boardshorts Stables LLC (KY); T-Brian A. Lynch. Click for the Equibase.com chart The post First Winner for Freshman Knicks Go at Horseshoe Indianapolis Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owner Marc Chan's foray into breeding could reap the ultimate reward on June 29 when his first homebred Green Impact bids for classic glory in the Irish Derby (G1).View the full article

Meeting June 24 in New Orleans, the Louisiana Racing Commission formally approved customary race dates for Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, during which the track will race Nov. 22 - March 22.View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of June 16-June 22View the full article

5. SOUPER WILLIWAW, 6/20, MTH, 1 1/16 miles (turf), VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure- 83 (tie) (f, 3, by Hard Spun-Souper Striking, by Brilliant Speed) O-Live Oak Plantation. B-Live Oak Stud. T-Michael Trombetta. J-Paco Lopez. Charlotte Weber may have another nice filly: Souper Williwaw set the pace with Lopez sitting against her, then sprinted away through Monmouth's stretch. Souper Striking won Pimlico's Hilltop Stakes a decade ago, but in 22 starts her best Beyer was 83, which this filly has matched in outing number four. Special thanks to Weber for expanding our knowledge base: a williwaw is a violent windstorm of cold air that occurs suddenly near oceans and mountain ranges. 5. A BOURBON FOR TOBY, 6/20, BAQ, 1 3/8 miles (turf)(3rd), VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure- 83 (tie) (c, 3, by Bernardini-Kitten's Girl, by Kitten's Joy) O/B-Titletown Racing Stables. T-Tom Morley. J-Kendrick Carmouche. This marks the first time a 3rd-place finisher has made our weekly rankings, but he rallied in tandem with winner Mayor of Midnight and battled gamely to the wire in a big-number turf route. He has back-to-back Beyers of 83-82 since Morley added blinkers two starts back. 4. OYAL'S PRIDE (GB), 6/20, BAQ, 1 3/8 miles (turf)(2nd), VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (tie) (c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire)-Delta's Royalty (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)) O/B-Besilu Stables. T-Bill Mott. J-Jose Lezcano. A fast-closing runnerup in the aforementioned BAQ race, he carries on the legacy of his star-crossed granddam Royal Delta, the two-time Eclipse champion who died in 2017 of complications from the birth of her only offspring, Delta's Royalty. That daughter of Galileo had little success in Europe as a racehorse, but Besilu owner Benjamin Leon Jr. declared she will “never be sold,” and Royal's Pride is her first foal. The Cuban-American Leon, who bought Royal Delta for $8.5 million during her career and has great affection for the family, was recently named U.S. Ambassador to Spain. Mayor of Midnight breaks his maiden in R2 at BAQ! Flavien Prat was up for trainer Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/nj0OOkROPD — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 20, 2025 3. MAYOR OF MIDNIGHT (Ire), 6/20, BAQ, 1 3/8 miles (turf), VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (tie) (g, 3, by Lope de Vega (Ire)-Amerique (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)) O-Peter Brant and Tony Shafrazian. B-White Birch Farm (IRE). T-Chad Brown. J-Flavien Prat. The fashionably-bred gelding from Brant's European bloodstock wing overcame a wide trip and slow pace to edge the two colts listed above. Brant bought Wildenstein-bred dam Amerique for just over $1 million at Goff's in November 2016. According to official records, this is the first foray into ownership for Shafrazian, a prominent New York art dealer who reportedly was best man at the wedding of Brant and Stephanie Seymour. 2. SPECIAL SESSION, 6/22, WO, 1 1/16 miles (Tapeta), VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (tie) (c, 3, by Constitution-La Gran Bailadora, by Afleet Alex) O/B-Tracy Farmer. T-Mark Casse. J-Patrick Husbands. The half-brother to Farmer's GI Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston needed eight starts to break his maiden, but the proverbial lightbulb may finally have switched on, based on his strong finish Sunday. Every horse on this week's list competed on either turf or Tapeta, and Special Session has raced only on Woodbine synthetic (five times), Woodbine turf (twice) and Keeneland turf (once). Spiced Up scores in his turf debut to graduate in R6 at BAQ for trainer Bill Mott with @juniorandkellya aboard in the @JuddmonteFarms silks! pic.twitter.com/VbUs1P4YLE — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 20, 2025 1. SPICED UP, 6/20, BAQ, 6 furlongs (turf), VIDEO Beyer Speed Figure- 86 (c, 3, by Quality Road-Cardamon, by Pioneerof the Nile) O/B-Juddmonte. T-Bill Mott. J-Junior Alvarado. Spiced Up probably didn't beat much in his turf debut–runner up Cuando is a 14-race maiden. But even on a lightning-fast Aqueduct course, 6 furlongs in 1:07.43 was good enough to put a Mott trainee atop this list for the second time in three weeks. This is the first foal for Cardamon, who wasn't considered a stakes-quality runner by Mott but is contributing to Juddmonte's broodmare band as a half-sister to Emollient (4-time Grade I winner) and Hofburg (3rd in the Belmont Stakes and 2nd in the Florida Derby). The post The Five Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made, for the Week of June 16-22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two weeks after Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) threatened to pull out of racing at Fair Grounds in New Orleans and one week after the gaming company extracted purse-cut concessions from the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (LAHBPA), the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) on Tuesday approved 76 November-through-March race dates for the 2025-26 meet at historic New Orleans track. CDI had informed the commission by letter June 9 it wanted to voluntarily surrender its Fair Grounds license because a March state Supreme Court decision and two recent pieces of legislation, all related to gaming, were allegedly “adverse and harmful to the economic interests of Fair Grounds.” Non-public negotiations involving state leaders and the LHBPA's agreement to “slight” purse reductions subsequently resulted in CDI walking back its threat to close. As TDN's Bill Finley reported June 17, “One factor that may have caused CDI to strike a more conciliatory tone was action taken last week by the New Orleans City Council and state lawmakers to ensure that the property could not be developed for other uses.” Anthony McAuley of the New Orleans digital news site NOLA.com reported that Cathy Beeding, the Fair Grounds general manager, told the LSRC at the June 24 “emergency” meeting that the upcoming racing season would begin as previously planned, on Nov. 20. “We're just happy there's going to be a racing season this year,” Beeding told NOLA.com. LSRC chair Edward Koehl thanked Gov. Jeff Landry for his help in resolving the issue. After the meeting, he underscored to NOLA.com that the state made no concessions of any kind to CDI. Louisiana State Racing Commission approves dates for horse racing at Fair Grounds | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/3KWctSMivv — wdsu (@wdsu) June 24, 2025 The post Louisiana Commission Awards Fair Grounds Dates After CDI Rescinds Threat To Close Track appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Scratched from the GI Woody Stephens S. on the blockbuster GI Belmont Stakes program at Saratoga June 7, 'TDN Rising Star' Colloquial (Vekoma) will be given 60 days off, per co-owner Jack Wolf of Starlight Racing. “He's at Fair Hill right now with Bruce Jackson,” Wolf said. “Dr. Yarborough and (trainer) George (Weaver) didn't like the way that he was moving. Even though–we'd been pointing to that thing for some time–it was a tough call, it was the right call. He'll probably be back in 60 days or something like that. Nothing too terribly major.” The prestigious GI Malibu S., typically held on Santa Anita's opening day program the day after Christmas, will be the long-term target for the Harrell Ventures and Starlight Racing colorbearer upon his return. “I'm sure he'll be ready for the Malibu, or probably a race before then,” Wolf said. “That's sort of what we're thinking anyway. The horse will tell us as you well know.” Colloquial posted four breezes for Weaver following his front-running win in Keeneland's Lafayette S. Apr. 7. He was listed at odds of 6-1 on the morning line in a very deep renewal of the Woody Stephens, which was won by 'Rising Star' Patch Adams (Into Mischief). The $240,000 Keeneland September graduate earned a gaudy 106 Beyer in his prior start, a seven-length maiden win in his sophomore debut off the bench at Aqueduct Feb. 7. Only three 3-year-olds have run faster races on the Beyer scale this year–Sovereignty (Into Mischief) (109), Journalism (Curlin) (108) and Magnitude (Not This Time) (108). Colloquial's debut second–beaten just a nose by Fierceness (City of Light)'s full-brother and subsequent GIII Futurity S. winner Mentee–at Aqueduct last June was highlighted in our 'Second Chances' series. Colloquial hails from the first crop of the promising Spendthrift Farm stallion and Weaver-trained Vekoma, who is already responsible for a quartet of graded winners. He was produced by the John Oxley-bred, two-time winner Terminology (Bernardini). His third dam is Oxley's GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Gal in a Ruckus. He was bred in Kentucky by Michael and J.B. Orem. “Vekoma is the next coming,” Wolf said. Watch the full replay as COLLOQUIAL turns back the challenge and captures the Lafayette (L)! pic.twitter.com/Ax9Xu6fbh1 — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 7, 2025 The post ‘Nothing Too Terribly Major,’ 60 Days Off for Woody Stephens Scratch Colloquial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

However poignant the cue, our collective reflections on the legacy of D. Wayne Lukas will discover much comfort not only in his vital embrace of every moment of a long, fulfilling life but also in the benedictions we can take forward with us. These range from the example he has set us all, in passionate advocacy of our sport, to the more specific conduits of horsemanship he opened in “coaching” Todd Pletcher and so many others. In measuring our gratitude, however, we additionally find ourselves contemplating a curiosity that invites precisely the kind of original thinking he trademarked. For we can at least ask ourselves the question whether the principal genetic bequest of horses trained by Lukas should ultimately be credited to broodmares. Considering the parade of outstanding colts through his hands, none quite reached true greatness at stud. But we will not be surprised, given the tremendous physical constitution that he often discovered in campaigning them so fearlessly, that the best of them tended to impart robustness. Arguably the most successful, in fact, belonged to his second tier of racetrack achievers: the likes of Carson City, Southern Halo (Arg) and Dynaformer. Among his most accomplished runners, Gulch and his son Thunder Gulch certainly had their moments; so did Proud Citizen, Capote and Mt. Livermore. In terms of a lasting impact on the breed, however, might we allow greater resonance to, for instance, Terlingua (Secretariat), Blush With Pride (Blushing Groom {Fr}) and Cara Rafaela (Quiet American)? Now obviously in his pomp Lukas was receiving exceptionally well-bred fillies, whose second careers can always be redeemed even by a single outstanding foal–hardly an indulgence afforded to stallions. All three of the fillies just mentioned, as elite performers, earned corresponding covers. And while their trainer plainly maximized their potential, he can hardly be credited for whatever they could transfer genetically. Terlingua was a $275,000 yearling from Secretariat's second crop, but after she had attested to the quality of her genes–both on the track and then in producing Storm Cat–her half-brother Royal Academy (Nijinsky) would repay even a $3.5 million punt as a yearling. Blush With Pride was also by a young stallion, first of four Grade I winners in Blushing Groom's debut crop, but her dam Best in Show (Traffic Judge) was developing her own dynasty sufficiently to make $650,000 as a yearling. But Cara Rafaela, actually another from her sire's first crop, cost no more than $70,000 and her son Bernardini has built his spectacular success as a broodmare sire from fairly limited family. But what all three had in common is that they stood up to the exacting Lukas regime: Terlingua, seven-for-17 across 20 months; Blush With Pride, six-for-16 across 13; Cara Rafaela, four-for-24 across 29. Now we all know that there are no rules with Thoroughbreds, and that some of the best racemares have proved extremely disappointing producers–to the extent that there's a whimsical theory that the likes of Winning Colors (Caro) or Spain (Thunder Gulch) were too masculine as athletes to excel as mothers! But in exploring a horse's attributes so thoroughly, certainly in a fashion that would unnerve most trainers today, perhaps Lukas did a couple of contrasting things. With colts, perhaps his genius and searching methods together reached parts that other trainers couldn't, while rival stallion prospects may not have reached the same ceilings elsewhere–only for their relative merits to be more truly reflected in their stud careers. With females, on the other hand, the proof of their toughness perhaps helped breeders in their decision-making. Who knows, it may well be that Storm Cat's breeders might have hesitated to use a stallion like Storm Bird, whose unfortunate sophomore career left a query over his constitution, if Lukas had not amplified the compensatory strengths of Terlingua–very possibly the source of the mental toughness we associate with Storm Cat's stock. So let's learn one more lesson from the Coach. Because in an era when trainers keep horses timidly shy of their limits, it has become much harder for breeders to know where to find the real seams of ore. Crimson Advocate | Ryan Thompson An Advocate For Dirt At Ascot Proud Citizen was certainly what the English might salute as a “yeoman” among the stallions from the Lukas barn: not a breed shaper, maybe, but a worthy, middle-ranking influence. In fact, it's almost as though his name flavored his reputation, as a stalwart, upright contributor to the breed. Certainly it feels edifying to find him behind a filly like Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), whose achievement at Royal Ascot last week had a greater significance than was locally granted. When she won at the meeting as a juvenile, she represented an American barn and her dash over five furlongs was duly perceived as “standard issue.” Returning last year, from a new base in Newmarket, she duly persisted at the same distance and made no impact. But this time round, she had been reinvented as a hold-up miler and cut them down stylishly in the G2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes. Only one other Nyquist foal has ever been trained in Britain. Her name is Habooba, and she started her career in Dubai before transferring to a small yard in Newmarket. Last month in a competitive handicap at York, she won for the fifth time since, and has now won one-fifth of her trainer's career prize money to date. As so often, then, a top-class American sire has been given virtually zero chance in this theater, while giving an ample hint as to what he might achieve if given the same kind of opportunity as when dirt-bred sires transformed the European scene a couple of generations ago. Nyquist obviously nailed the dirt grail in the GI BC Juvenile/GI Kentucky Derby double, much as his breeders would have dreamed in sending the daughter of a GII Adirondack Stakes winner to Uncle Mo. But he has actually had a Grade I winner on turf in California, in Johannes, and if he sought some extra chlorophyll for Crimson Advocate then it was available in the daughter of Proud Citizen who produced her. For Citizen Advocate achieved a rare distinction in winning consecutive black-type sprints as a juvenile on three different surfaces: turf, synthetic, dirt. Her half-sister by Dixie Union is the dam of no less a dirt performer than champion juvenile filly Caledonia Road (Quality Road). She also gave us Officiating (Blame), winner of three graded stakes on dirt (albeit also stakes-placed on turf), plus the dam of GII Wood Memorial winner Lord Miles (Curlin). But the next dam is an unraced daughter of the South African import Horse Chestnut (SAF), obviously a grass operator himself, and a Deputy Minister mare who showed a glimpse of ability in a light career. Her name was Sunset Service and, true to the distaff influence of her sire, she stands above several stakes performers and/or producers, notably as second dam of Grade I winners on both surfaces in Hymn Book (Arch) and Data Link (War Front) respectively. Fundamentally, however, the reason this filly is effective in this environment is simply because dirt speed tends to hold up, just about wherever it is given a chance. Complexity | Sarah Andrew Complexity Has Momentum The proudest achievement of Proud Citizen? Two GI Kentucky Oaks winners homebred by Brereton C. Jones, who stood him at Airdrie. That farm continues to do justice to the late Governor's legacy, and last weekend its clients filled the first two places in the GIII Ohio Derby. Mo Plex is by thriving second-crop stallion Complexity, whose seven stakes winners to date leave him behind only the dozen fielded by Vekoma. The leader of this pack is certainly making his volume count, with 83 winners from 125 starters compared to Complexity's 47 from 86. Of the intake's other key protagonists, McKinzie's 39 from 117 starters, four at stakes level, remain unexceptional percentages redeemed by his startling five Grade I performers; Tiz the Law has 41 from 80, six in black-type races. Saturday's runner-up Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) meanwhile resumed his progress after a midfield finish at Churchill. Not even Airdrie could get adequate traction for his sire, since exported, but this $2,500 yearling reminds everyone to persevere right to the end of their consignment when the yearling sales resumes next month. Remember that a $3,000 yearling from the first crop of Beau Liam made $250,000 at OBS last Wednesday after clocking :20 1/5. As for Mo Plex, he is turning out to be much more than the precocious dasher who rolled his first three last summer, including the GIII Sanford Stakes, before placing in the GI Champagne Stakes. With this two-turn debut opening up new horizons, his rise reflects well on a sire here working with only wisps of black type before you reach Mo Plex's third dam Anklet (Wild Again), who won the GIII Florida Oaks and was herself well-related. But we must also give a nod to his late damsire Uncle Mo, whose posthumous legacy had of course been further enhanced by Crimson Advocate as a daughter of his heir Nyquist. The post Breeding Digest: Lukas Showcased Toughness Of Great Broodmares appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-CD, $120,000, Msw, 2yo, f, 5f, 2:23 p.m. Flying Dutchmen's WHERE LUCK LIVES (Nyquist) gets a start for trainer Brian Lynch. A $725,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select yearling purchase, the dark bay is out of SW and GISP Holiday Soiree (Harlan's Holiday). The mare, who sold for $300,000 at Keeneland November in 2023, is already responsible for Grade I scorer Vahva (Gun Runner), who most recently won the GII Chicago Stakes at this venue last weekend in addition to GSP Signal From Noise (Arrogate). TJCIS PPs The post Wednesday’s Insights: Where Luck Lives, Half Sister to Vahva, Debuts at Churchill Wednesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

You don't spend 26 years working as travelling head lad for Aidan O'Brien without becoming one of the most recognisable faces on the racing circuit but, after closing the chapter on his career at Ballydoyle last Christmas, TJ Comerford shot to prominence in his own right by consigning two of the most expensive lots at the Goffs Arkle Sale. That debut consignment from Ballintogher Stud, the Monasterevin base that Comerford now operates from alongside his partner Stephanie Ocsko-Moore, featured only two horses – both of which were foal pinhooks belonging to Adrian McAndrew, a close friend of Comerford. The Crystal Ocean gelding sold for €200,000 to Eddie O'Leary, believed to be on behalf of Gigginstown House Stud, to join Gordon Elliott while the Walk In The Park gelding made €155,000 to Megan and Paul Nicholls. If Carlsberg did debut consignments. Comerford said, “We never consigned a horse before the Arkle Sale. It was an amazing achievement but the press interviewed everyone bar us, which we couldn't believe. A friend of mine, Adrian McAndrew, who played hurling for Kildare, bought the two horses as foals. It's funny because a cousin of mine, Andy Comerford, who hurled for Kilkenny, used to manage Kildare. So Adrian came up to me at the Dublin Racing Festival asking me would I pre-train a couple of horses for him. I said I would, no problem, and when he dropped them off, he asked me to come and look at these two horses in the field with him. I didn't think anything of it. But when I got there, I soon realised that these were two fine horses. Adrian was asking who I thought he should give them to for the Arkle Sale and said he'd had no luck with some of the different consignments down through the years. I said, 'sure I'll do them for you Adrian,' and that's how it happened. “The Crystal Ocean was the joint sale-topper in the three-year-old section. Eddie O'Leary bought him for Gordon Elliott. And then the Walk In The Park sold for €155,000 to Megan and Paul Nicholls. It just goes to show you, if you have two of the best horses in the sale, it doesn't matter if they are out in the car park or not. Once they are there, people will come to look at them. Word gets around. I must say, I really enjoyed it. Now, it wouldn't have been enjoyable if you were there trying to sell a bad one. But it was enjoyable.” Comerford has travelled some of the most famous horses of our time to win big races all around the world but admits to being happy with what he describes as a new lease of life in his new home in County Kildare. Joshua Tree winning the Canadian International for O'Brien in 2010 was put forward as Comerford's greatest day in the sport but fellow Ballydoyle-trained inmates like Magic Wand and Adelaide are also particularly close to his heart. However, now his attention has turned to managing Ballintogher Stud along with his partner Stephanie, who he refers to as “the boss”, and the plan is to continue to attract outside clients. Ocsko-Moore explained, “I bought the farm in the fall of 2018 and then Covid hit. I was still in America quite a lot and everything was shut down over here. It wasn't until Jack [three] was born where we decided to give this place more of a push.” Part of that push was the installation of a water treadmill that, by the time it was completed, cost a cool €200,000. That addition has generated plenty of outside business with trainers and breeze-up handlers among the most frequent users. But such an addition also comes in handy with the sales horses. “It strengthens them up,” Comerford explained. “These two [the Arkle Sale duo] were on it and it worked well.” Ocsko-Moore added, “It's fabulous for low impact and excellent for building a top line, building muscle. And you're taking away from joint strain. We actually get a lot of dogs here as well. We get a lot of show dogs here.” Is there anything that you don't do? “We do everything,” Comerford replies. “We pre-train, break in a few for Sheila Lavery, Danny Murphy, Daniel McLoughlin, and have taken in some good horses from other trainers to put on the water treadmill. Stephanie has a licence as well so she's going to run a few. But I'm only a blow-in so all I do is go to Royal Ascot and lead up for a few trainers!” With that, Comerford points to the fact that he has just arrived back from the Royal meeting, where he travelled over Joe Murphy's breakthrough Group 1 winner Cercene 24 hours previously. There was also a separate trip done on behalf of trainer Sheila Lavery, who is another big supporter. He may have stepped off the hamster wheel of Ballydoyle but he will never see anyone stuck. “That was crazy,” says Comerford, reflecting on the Coronation Stakes success of Cercene. “Joe is some man. He beat them all on the big stage at Ascot. Between Joe and Sheila, I have done a bit of travelling to the races since I left Ballydoyle and I've enjoyed that.” Asked if it was a leap of faith to leave Ballydoyle after spending 26 years working for Aidan O'Brien, Comerford replied, “Not really. I never really wanted to leave. Remember, I met Aidan in Jim Bolger's back in 1990. I gave 110 per cent at Ballydoyle but it just fizzled out. Maybe it was my fault. Maybe I made a few little decisions along the way that annoyed people but what do you do? There's no point in dwelling on it. “Never think that racing owes you anything. Look at Joe Murphy for example. That was a great day last Friday with Cercene winning the Group 1. But when five o'clock came, it was all over. They have to drive on now and get the next one. That's what it's all about. I've been doing this job all my life. I drove to England for Joe and, do you think when I got there that I wanted to go to bed? Not a chance. I watched the racing. I didn't want to go to bed. I love this game. I actually enjoy horses. I don't drink and I don't smoke but I eat and drink horses.” He added, “So, just when I packed in Ballydoyle, I went for a job with the IHRB [Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board]. During the interview, I told them that I was leaving Ballydoyle but, whether I got the job or not, I made sure they didn't feel like they owed me anything, because they didn't. I got the job anyway, which involves working at the point-to-points. I've done eight meetings and it's totally different. I was in Ballindenisk the same day as the Guineas and I can remember telling people I would have preferred to be at the point-to-point than in Newmarket. People thought I was mad but I was serious. You're dealing with real people where this is their bread and butter. The people at the point-to-points are there trying their best to get a result. It's been totally different for me and I enjoy it. I just like racing.” Attentions have now firmly turned to the future and things are looking bright for the 51-year-old. He has already been promised three horses for the Orby Sale and, judging by the performance of his debut draft at Goffs, Comerford is expected to be spotted at the sales more frequently going forward. He said, “I've always had horses on the side and done my own thing. We've bred a few and I suppose, when you work with horses, you're always going to try and do different things with them. That doesn't mean that, because you work with horses, you're a big expert. Everyone has an opinion but it's a matter of getting a bit of luck along the way. I'd rather be born lucky than rich. We're getting three horses for the Orby Sale to consign, which is exciting. By good sires, too – one is by Camelot and there's another by Mehmas. We'll try and get a few more. We just need to produce them as well as everyone else and hopefully we can continue to grow.” The post TJ Comerford Opens Up About Swapping Ballydoyle For Growing His Own Operation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year's G3 Prix de la Rochette winner Houquetot (lot 416) is one of 13 new additions to the catalogue for the Arqana Summer Sale, which takes place between Monday, June 30 and Thursday, July 3. Trained by Christopher Head, the son of Wootton Bassett and G3 Athasi Stakes scorer Happen (War Front) was last seen finishing sixth in the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac. He will be offered by Haras de Bouquetot, along with fellow three-year-old Zekret (lot 414), a son of Zarak who recently finished fifth in the G3 Prix Hocquart. Trainer Elias Mikhalides is responsible for the two-year-old Mefie Toi (De Treville), who will be offered as lot 399 after winning his last two starts at Lyon Parilly, while the three-year-olds Boniface (lot 425) and Awaiting Christmas (lot 426) will also be of interest from the stables of Anastasia Wattel and Didier Guillemin, respectively. Make Believe's Boniface was a dual winner as a juvenile, while Awaiting Christmas, a son of Attendu, was Listed-placed at two when third in the Critérium du Languedoc. That quintet, in addition to eight additional wildcards with National Hunt profiles, will go under the hammer during the horses-in-training section of the Summer Sale, which falls on Wednesday, July 2. The post Group Winner Houquetot Tops 13 Wildcards Added to Arqana Summer Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four-time stakes winner Storm Boy will join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025, standing for an introductory fee of A$16,500, or approximately $10,691.View the full article

Metropolitan Handicap (G1) winner Raging Torrent continues to lead the latest National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll ahead of a star-studded renewal of the June 28 Stephen Foster Stakes (G1).View the full article

Following Tuesday's confirmation stage, Derby winner Lambourn (Australia) headlines 10 colts who have stood their ground for Sunday's Irish equivalent at the Curragh, which could bring together the first three from Epsom for the first time since Ruler Of The World, Libertarian and Galileo Rock renewed their rivalry in 2013. Lambourn is a red-hot favourite to succeed where Ruler Of The World failed by completing the double for Aidan O'Brien, who could saddle up to five runners in his quest for a remarkable 17th victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, with the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial hero Puppet Master (Camelot) appealing as the chief supporting act to Lambourn. King George V Stakes runner-up Serious Contender (Wootton Bassett), G3 Queen's Vase fourth Shackleton (Camelot) and G3 Gallinule Stakes winner Thrice (Wootton Bassett) complete the list of possible contenders from Ballydoyle. At Epsom Lambourn produced a dominant front-running display to beat Lazy Griff (Protectionist) by three and three-quarter lengths, with another length back to Tennessee Stud (Wootton Bassett) in third. Whilst Lazy Griff's participation in this Classic is yet to be confirmed, Joseph O'Brien has reported that a rematch with the winner is very much on the cards for Tennessee Stud. “We were very proud of Tennessee Stud's run in Epsom,” said the trainer. “He got back a little bit early, but he came home very strong. The plan is to come back to the Curragh and so far his preparation has gone smoothly. We are excited about a rematch with Lambourn and probably a couple of others.” O'Brien added, “Tennessee Stud is open to a lot of improvement. His first run of the year was off an extended lay off. He came forward a lot from that run in Epsom, where he ran a career best, and we'd love if he could run another career best in the Curragh.” Ralph Beckett could run both Pride Of Arras (New Bay) and Sir Dinadan (Camelot) as he seeks a second success in the Irish Derby after that of Westover in 2022. G2 Dante Stakes winner Pride Of Arras will be on a recovery mission after finishing down the field at Epsom, while Sir Dinadan was last seen finishing second in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood, a race won by the stable's subsequent G2 King Edward VII Stakes scorer Amiloc. Marc Chan, the owner of Sir Dinadan, could also have a second string to his bow in Jessica Harrington's Green Impact (Wootton Bassett), who regained the winning thread after his sixth in the 2,000 Guineas when landing the Listed Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown earlier this month. The post Epsom Hero Lambourn Headlines 10 Irish Derby Contenders appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Spring 2025 cohort was comprised of Ed Brown Fellow Joshua "JC" Berry and Ed Brown Scholar Chris Morales— both Louisville, Kentucky natives with limited prior exposure to the thoroughbred industry.View the full article

Wednesday, Naas, post time: 18:40, AL SHIRA'AA RACING IRISH EBF JANNAH ROSE STAKES-G3, €42,000, 3yo, f, 10f 84yT Field: And So To Bed (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Barnavara (Ire) (Calyx {GB}), Bellacanta (Ire) (Gregorian {Ire}), Bonnie Moon (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Butterfly Wings (Justify), Calrissiana (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Darzina (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Dawn Spirit (Ire) (Australia {GB}), Faiyum (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Medici Venus (Tiz The Law), Tamam Desert (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}). TDN Verdict: Upped in trip after wins at Naas and Killarney, Juddmonte's unbeaten Faiyum is the exciting one in this line-up but she will have to prove herself against a smart yardstick in Barnavara. Third in last year's G2 Debutante Stakes at The Curragh, she was a neck behind the subsequent G1 Coronation Stakes heroine Cercene when they filled the paces in that track's G3 Athasi Stakes before upsetting Faiyum's classy stablemate Red Letter in Navan's Listed Kooyonga Stakes on her last two starts. Also up from a mile, she faces another unexposed type in the Gowran maiden winner Darzina who is bred to relish this kind of trip. [Tom Frary]. Wednesday, Carlisle, post time: 15:45, THE IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF ETERNAL STAKES-Listed, £47,000, 3yo, f, 6f 195yT Field: Glamis Road (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Anshoda (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}), Beaujolais Nouveau (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}), Fleetwater (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Love Talk (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), Saqqara Sands (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), The Third Star (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), Verse Of Love (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). TDN Verdict: TDN Rising Star Verse Of Love returns after a brief break having had two quickfire runs in the spring and retains abundant potential for Godolphin as a relative of the triple Australian Group 1 winner Avilius by Siyouni's sire Pivotal. Her biggest threat may come from Saqqara Sands, who put up a big performance on her seasonal bow when second to Formal in Epsom's Listed Surrey Stakes. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Unbeaten Faiyum Faces Deeper Waters at Naas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article