Wandering Eyes

In response to news reported by several outlets on Monday, Nov. 18 that the Birmingham Race Course would be sold to PCI Gaming, a subsidiary of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Alabama's HBPA expressed hope for the future of the state's long-dormant horse racing industry, the association said in a statement released on Wednesday. After more than 25 years since racing was last held in Alabama, the sale of the Birmingham Race Course marks what the organization says is a potential turning point in efforts to revive the sport. “We are excited to engage with PCI as they take over the Birmingham Race Course, and we are optimistic that this will be the first step in bringing horse racing back to Alabama,” said David Harrington, president of the Alabama Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. “With the right leadership and investment, we believe that Alabama's horse racing industry has the potential to thrive once again, providing economic benefits and creating jobs for many years to come.” Wind Creek Hospitality, owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and the McGregor family, owners of Birmingham Racecourse and Casino and Victoryland Casino, entered into an agreement Nov. 18 under which Wind Creek will acquire the Birmingham Racecourse for an undisclosed amount. The sale is expected to be finalized by early 2025. The post Alabama HBPA Hopes Purchase Of Birmingham Track Signals Industry Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wednesday marked the third day of the Arqana Autumn Sale, and the session, which featured National Hunt-bred yearlings, was topped by lot 650, a son of Galiway (GB) who sold to Mandore International Agency for €255,000. Consigned by The Channel Consignment and already named King Dalee (Fr), the bay is a half-brother to G1 Deutsches Derby hero Sisfahan (Ger) (Isfanhan {Ger}). Under the second dam is Grade 1-winning jumper Beaumec De Houelle (Fr) (Martaline {GB}). “I've bought him for some clients of Nicolas de Watrigant,” said Yannick Fouin. “His family is one I know well because I part-bred him. He really stood out today. We're very happy to be able to create a partnership, notably with Mr. Jathiere.” A filly by perennial sales favourite Doctor Dino (Fr) was knocked down to Saubouas Bloodstock for €142,000. Offered by Haras des Sablonnets, the daughter of No News (Fr) (Gentlewave {Ire}) (lot 702) is a half-sister to G3 Prix Sagan heroine Messagere (Fr) (Saint Des Saints {Fr}) and Grade 3 hero and young sire Paradiso (Fr) (Kapgarde {Fr}). “She's a lovely filly. She has a lot of class and walks well,” said Paul Basquin. “We have his half-brother Novak in training, and he has shown a lot of quality. She'll also be trained in France.” Doctor Dino's lot 647, Keep It Simple (Fr), caught the eye of BLM Bloodstock for €110,000 from the Haras de Clairefontaine draft. The colt's dam, Kalmia (Fr) (Authorized {Ire}) was placed twice at the graded level, and farther back, this is the family of G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner and sire Silverwave (Fr). “He's a super yearling that comes from a good stud,” said Bertrand le Metayer. “He'll stay in France and be trained by Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé.” The fourth six-figure lot on Wednesday was lot 745, a son of Blue Bresil (Fr) and the Motivator (GB) mare Stormy Ireland (Fr), who won the G1 Mares Champion Hurdle. Goldford Stud sent the bay through the ring, and NBB Racing paid €105,000 to acquire the April foal. “He's a lovely horse, with good size and out of a great racemare, said Nicolas Bertran de Balanda of NNB Racing. “I've bought him for a partnership between Frédéric Hinderzé and the MacLennan Family.” During Wednesday's session, 76 yearling sold from 119 offered (64%) for a gross of €2,393,500 (-27.6%). The average dropped 15.3% to €31,493 and the median was €20,000 (-16.7%). Over the three-day stand, 313 lots sold of 427 offered (73.3%) for an aggregate of €9,055,000 (-27.2%). The average was €28,930 (-20.3%) and the median was €15,000 (-25%). Sales action in Deauville will continue on Thursday with the Arqana Autumn Breeding Stock Sale, which begins at 11 a.m. The post Galiway Half-Brother To Deutsches Derby Hero Sisfahan Stars At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Canterbury Park racing officials submitted a request to the Minnesota Racing Commission for a 51-day Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse season in 2025. The season would run from Saturday, May 24, through Saturday, Sept. 20. View the full article

Veteran jockey Tim Thornton recorded his 3,000th career win Nov. 14, leading the panel of racing experts to vote Thornton Jockey of the Week for Nov. 11-17.View the full article

How did we get hooked on this sport? We all have stories about how our love affair developed and blossomed. The TDN will be reaching out to numerous notable people in the industry to get their stories to find out how they got hooked and stayed hooked on the sport. Richard Migliore My first memories of racing were watching the Channel 9 show every Saturday at 6 o'clock on WOR with Frank Wright, Charlsie Cantey, and Dave Johnson. I just got enamored with that show. No matter what I was doing, maybe playing stickball out in the street or running around, when it was 6 o'clock on Saturdays I was going to be in front of the TV to watch. They always showed the eighth race, which was the feature, they had a feature in between, and then the ninth race triple. That was my introduction. I knew that I wanted to learn more about it and get involved. I started riding ponies and got involved with pony racing. I was doing this on a farm in Long Island and they were telling me I should be a jockey. But If you want one singular moment that absolutely galvanized it in my mind it was the 1976 Marlboro Cup. Forego caught Honest Pleasure right on the money. The last jump. Honest Pleasure was a good horse and he was loose, 3 ½ in front at the eighth-pole and here comes that big train Forego on the outside and he nailed him in the last jump. I was with friends of mine, Carlos and David Figueroa, and I told them at that moment that I'm going to be a jockey, I'm going to do what Shoemaker just did. That sealed my fate, that I was going to be a part of this industry. For the next two years, I worked on farms on Long Island. I was a groom and then I worked my way up to being an exercise rider at a place called Lakeview Farm. A man named Bill Church gave me an opportunity there. I also worked at the Quarter Horse track, Parr Meadows, that had a brief run on Long Island. Dennis and Julia Brida, they opened their home to me and David Figueroa. We moved in with them for the summer. I worked with horses all summer. I went back to school and the following year when school was out I got the job with Steve DiMauro at Belmont. I was 15 and I started galloping horses for him. A year later I started riding races. My first mount was in September, 1980. Give or take a week, it was four years from that Marlboro Cup when I knew what I wanted to do and then was able to do it professionally. Sol Kumin | Sue Finley Sol Kumin For me, it was Lady Eli that got me hooked. It was the ups and downs of that racehorse after she developed laminitis in both front feet. She was in the first group of horses that we ever owned. We got to have the feeling of being 6-0 and winning the Breeders' Cup when we barely knew what the Breeders' Cup was. Then the lows, showing up at the barn while she's having her legs soaked in ice buckets and everyone wondering if she was going to live. Maybe she could make it back, and that would have been a win. But we never thought she'd make it back and race at a high level. It was so great to be a part of her courageous comeback and to watch her win another Grade I, getting named a champion at five and being one of only a few fillies in history to win Grade I races at 2, 3, 4 and 5. That was it for me. That feeling of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. She was the first horse I ever owned where I really understood her personality and spent time with her. She was in the first group of horses we ever owned. My buddy Jay Hanley introduced me to racing and introduced me to Chad Brown. We ended up buying some horses together with Chad. That's where it started. We did pretty well with the first group and because of that I wanted to spend a little bit more and get more involved, so we ended up buying more horses. I always wonder if we didn't have that experience the first time would we be where we are today? You never know. l I know people who have come in and not had a good experience at the beginning and they just disappear. With her, it wasn't just the winning. That was part of it, but so was the journey. To share your own story of how you got hooked on racing, email suefinley@thetdn.com. The post How I Got Hooked On Racing: Richard Migliore, Sol Kumin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) and Leaf Trading Cards have struck a deal for an exclusive license, which will create a range of the first-ever horse racing trading cards next spring, according to a press release from the league on Wednesday. Through the partnership, the cards will depict horses, jockeys, owners and their uniform swatches just like collectibles do in other sports. “We are excited to partner with the National Thoroughbred League,” said CJ Breen, director of marketing and licensing at Leaf Trading Cards. “This exclusive partnership allows us to bridge the passion of horse racing fans with the world of trading cards, delivering a product that captures the excitement and prestige of the sport.” The 10-member league includes investors/team owners such as NFL star Lamar Jackson, NBA Hall of Famer Julius Erving and a host of other celebrities. The post National Thoroughbred League Partners With Leaf Trading Cards To Roll Out Racing Collectibles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Classic hero Metropolitan (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), who will stand at Haras d'Etreham beginning next year, will be available for viewing at Haras du Thenney on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7, during the Arqana Vente d'Elevage from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Metropolitan won the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and was third in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was also a close second in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, and will be available for €15,000 in 2025. Etreham's Nicolas de Chambure said, “I would like to thank David Salabi, our partner in Metropolitan's stallion career, for welcoming us to Haras du Thenney. “We wished to make him available for viewing to as many people as possible by showcasing him during the Breeding Stock Sale. The stud is just a 15-minute drive from Deauville–don't miss the chance to visit.” The post Metropolitan Available To View At Haras Du Thenney During Arqana’s Vente d’Elevage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Canterbury Park is proposing a 51-day Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet for 2025 that will trim three dates off the schedule that was conducted at the Minnesota track in 2024 while also including a nine-day break in the middle of next year's season. The schedule, which will be up for approval at the December meeting of the Minnesota Racing Commission, will run from Saturday, May 24 through Saturday, Sept. 20, beginning one week later and concluding one week earlier than this past season. Racing would be conducted primarily on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 5 p.m. (CT) and Sundays at 1 p.m. Thursday programs at 5 p.m. are planned for six dates (July 3, 10, 24; Aug. 7 and 21, plus Sept. 18), and the nine-day break is slotted from July 14-22. “We have proposed a calendar that works well for our horse population and offers multiple opportunities to enter and race,” Canterbury president Randy Sampson said. “We look to build on the success of last season with continued handle and field size growth.” The recently concluded meet saw a 13% increase in handle and a 13% increase in Thoroughbred field size. Canterbury ran 54 dates in 2023 and 2024 and had been approved for 65 dates as recently as 2022 and 2021. Stall applications will be available in March and are due in mid-April. The stable area is expected to be open for arrivals in the second week of May. The first condition book and stakes schedule will be released in the first quarter of 2025. A $15 million stable area and racing infrastructure improvement project is nearing completion. The project began in 2023 with the addition of a 36-unit dormitory, a complete replacement of the main track lighting system, and a reconfiguration of the training track. This past season saw the opening of three new barns that provided a summer home to more than 300 horses, the installation of a new safety rail on the main track, the relocation of the stable entrance gate, and construction of a main track chute to accommodate races at seven furlongs. Expected to be completed in May is a 33-pad permanent RV park and newly paved circulation roads throughout the backside and barn areas. “We believe improvements and changes made to our backstretch and racing infrastructure make Canterbury Park the best and safest place to train and race in the Midwest,” Sampson said. The post Canterbury Park Proposes 51-Day Meet For ’25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Khozan, Florida's leading general sire annually since 2020, has relocated from Journeyman Farm and will stand the upcoming breeding season at Ocala Stud for $6,000 S&N, the breeding outfit said in a Wednesday press release. “We're excited to welcome Khozan to Ocala Stud,” said David O'Farrell. “He has proven his ability to sire top-class racehorses, and we're looking forward to offering breeders the opportunity to breed to the state's leading sire.” By Distorted Humor out of the MGSW A.P. Indy mare Delta Princess, Khozan was Florida's leading first-crop Sire in 2019 and has topped the state's list each of the last four years. Journeyman's Brent Fernung said, “Standing stallions is a seven-day-a-week job. Crystal [Fernung] and I decided towards the end of last breeding season that it was time for us to redirect our energy elsewhere. When we discussed where to move Khozan to, Ocala Stud was the only choice. The O'Farrells do a great job, and we know we are leaving Khozan in the best of hands.” The post Multiple Leading Florida Sire Khozan Relocated To Ocala Stud For 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner and G1 2000 Guineas third Al Wukair (Ire) will stand at Yeguada La Serreta in Spain, the stud announced on X on Wednesday. The son of Dream Ahead was previously based at Al Shaqab's Haras de Bouquetot. Trained by Andre Fabre, the bay won both of his starts at two including the Listed Prix Isonomy. At three, he added the G3 Prix Djebel, before running third to Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the 2000 Guineas. Second in the G3 Prix Messidor later that summer, he added the G1 Prix Jean Prat in August of 2017. He was retired to Haras de Bouquetot for the 2018 season. The sire of 98 winners from 193 runners, the 10-year-old is credited with a trio of stakes winners. La Mehana (Fr) won the GIII Waya Stakes in the U.S., while Princess Badee (Fr) struck in the G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis. Al Wukair's eldest foals are 5-year-olds of 2024. He stood for €5,000 this term. A fee will be announced at a later date. The post Group 1 Winner Al Wukair On The Move To Spain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

OwnerView announced today that the 2024 New Owner of the Year is being awarded to John Stewart and Jayson Werth.View the full article

Florida-based owner/trainer Paul Valery has been suspended by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit until May 13, 2033, for a series of infractions involving his horses and controlled and banned medications, including steroids. View the full article

Multiple Group 1 winner Elvstroem (Aus) (Danehill) has died at the age of 24, according to published reports. He was standing at Haras du Petit Tellier in France. Trainer Tony Vasil said of Elvstroem to Racing.com, “You could watch a movie with him sitting on the couch beside you. He was such a gorgeous horse. He was an extraordinarily smart horse.” Well traveled throughout his 32-start career, Elvstroem won his first Group 1 in the 2003 Victoria Derby, before adding the G1 Underwood Stakes and G1 Caulfield Cup in 2004. The G1 C. F. Orr Stakes went his way in 2005, and he would later travel to win the G1 Dubai Duty Free and be named a champion in the UAE. Placed an additional four times at the highest level, he took second in the Prix d'Ispahan and third in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes in consecutive starts in Europe after his Nad Al Sheba heroics. His record stood at 32-10-4-5 with $4,231,468 in earnings. Nine of his wins were at stakes level. Added Vasil, “Winning in Dubai then off to Hong Kong and then off to Europe racing in France and England. It was an amazing time. Again, he made my dreams come true. I'm travelling the world and I'm riding him in work on the world's greatest tracks on a champion horse.” Retired to stand at Blue Gum Stud in 2005, Elvstroem sired 12 Southern Hemisphere stakes winners, six of them at group level. His best was G1 Emirates Stakes hero Hucklebuck (Aus), while Viking Legend (Aus) placed in the G1 Randwick Guineas, G1 Victoria Derby and G1 AJC Spring Champion Stakes, and Carrara (Aus) was second in the G1 Caulfield Guineas. Switched to Haras du Petit Tellier in the Northern Hemisphere in 2016, the bay remained there until his passing, and he was priced at €2,000 this term. He left French listed winner Watch Him (Fr). Bred by Frank Tagg, the son of Circles Of Gold (Aus) (Marscay {Aus}) was passed in at A$300,000 as an Inglis Easter yearling in 2002 and he would eventually be trained by Vasil for the Elvstroem Syndicate. Of Elvstroem's trip through the Inglis ring, Vasil said, “I said I don't think he'll get that [big figure] as he had a few issues. He got passed in and [trainer] Bede Murray put forward an offer to [owner/breeder] Frank Tagg which kept him in the horse, so I lost him again. Bede got him vetted and Randwick Equine didn't pass him and said he would never race. From the moment I worked him the first time, I knew he was special.” His dam won the G1 AJC Australian Oaks, and his half-sister was responsible for group winner Decircles (Aus) (Encosta De Lago {Aus}), while his Fusaichi Pegasus half-brother Haradasun (Aus) gained champion status in Australia and Britain with a trio of Group 1 wins to his name. Elvstroem's full-sister, the multiple stakes-placed Hveger (Aus), left four stakes winners anchored by outstanding international Group 1 winner Highland Reel (Aus) (Galileo {Ire}). Added Vasil of Elvstroem and Haradasun, “They were the best, but the most memorable one was Elvstroem. I spent the rest of my career trying to get another horse to take overseas but that never happened.” The post ‘He Made My Dreams Come True’ – Tony Vasil Remembers Elvstroem appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) took to the grass at Tokyo racecourse on Wednesday ahead of the last race of his career in the Japan Cup on Sunday. His trainer Aidan O'Brien has also arrived in Japan to oversee the final stages of his preparation. “He did a lovely seven furlongs on the grass this morning, just to show him the track, and he looked comfortable,” said O'Brien. “He's a horse that has speed and class, has long strides and a big action and is great at the mile-and-a-half distance, so I think the course here at Tokyo and the Japan Cup will suit him.” The six-time Group 1 winner will face 13 challengers in the Japan Cup, including one each from France and Germany in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), who is now owned by John Stewart of Resolute Racing in partnership with the horse's breeder Philip von Ullmann, and the Sarah Steinberg-trained dual Group 1 winner Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), owned by Liberty Racing. Goliath's trainer Francis Graffard was also in Japan to watch the four-year-old at exercise on Wednesday in partnership with Christophe Soumillon. He said, “The horse is in good form and we are very satisfied with how he ran on the turf course this morning. “This year after winning the King George, we concentrated on preparing him for the Japan Cup. I think he's the best horse I've brought here so far and have been very much looking forward to coming to Japan.” Soumillon added, “The horse looks stronger than he did back home. This morning, [stable-mate] Le Nomade led and they ran smoothly in a good pace. “The turf condition is not bad and since he goes well on softer ground, I'm hoping that it stays the same up to Sunday. “You need a good horse with speed and the stamina to sustain that speed to win the Japan Cup. We are here with Goliath because we have the confidence that he will perform well.” All systems go Auguste Rodin goes through some faster work on the turf track at Tokyo as he builds up to Sunday's Japan Cup The final race of his great career pic.twitter.com/IVPafq89Ea — Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) November 20, 2024 The post European Challengers Warm Up for Japan Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

OwnerView named Resolute's John Stewart and former MLB star Jayson Werth as the co-winners of the 2024 New Owner of the Year Award, sponsored by 1/ST RACING, the Jockey Club of America said via a press release on Wednesday morning. A lifelong racing fan, Stewart bought his first horse at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. From his farm in Midway, Kentucky, the owner of Resolute Racing focuses on breeding to race instead of to sell. “It's very important as I grow the breeding program at Resolute Racing to breed to race,” Stewart said. “I am trying to breed quality horses that can go on to win graded stakes. Starting off in this industry can be intimidating, but once you're in, you're hooked. It's a wonderful sport, and I hope more people take the time to get involved.” Werth starred on Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies, and his racing venture–Two Eight Racing LLC–is named after the number he wore. The co-owner of this year's GI Belmont Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes winner Dornoch (Good Magic), Werth says he has been able to share his passion for the industry with his friends and family. “The Thoroughbred industry is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It is a sport that I have quickly fallen in love with,” Werth said. Prior award winners include MyRacehorse, LNJ Foxwoods, Sol Kumin, Boat Racing, Pat Kearney and Alex Bregman. The post Stewart And Werth Share New Owner Of The Year Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mauritian rider guides Take Action to victory at city circuit to qualify for prestigious competition.View the full article

A total of 56 horses from eight racing jurisdictions–some 26 of which have struck at the Group 1/Grade I level–including 31 overseas gallopers, have been extended invitations to the Longines Hong Kong International Races, to be staged Sunday, Dec. 8 at Sha Tin Racecourse. With Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})–a top-level winner in Hong Kong earlier this season and last seen taking out the GI Breeders' Cup Turf–passing the meeting, Resolute Racing's Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) is the biggest name among those invited from abroad. The on-the-bridle winner of the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, the 4-year-old added the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris Oct. 20 and his participation in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase will be dictated by his performance in Sunday's G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo. Should he make the trip, he could be joined by G1 Melbourne Cup hero Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}); G1 Grosser Preis von Baden winner Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}); dual G2 Yorkshire Cup victor Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}); and Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}), who is slated to make a fourth trip to Hong Kong, but making his first appearance over the Sha Tin 2400 metres. After just missing in last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is engaged for the Vase, as is his Classic-winning stable companion Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) won this year's G1 Oka Sho and is one of a pair of Vase chances for Japan. Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) leads the home defence as he looks for an unprecedented third win in the Cup, at HK$40 million (£4.06m/$5.14m) the meeting's richest event. Victorious over the past weekend in the course-and-distance lead-up, he could face two-time G2 Bahrain International Trophy scorer Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Japanese Triple Tiara heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and her compatriot Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), the 2023 G1 Tokyo Yushun winner and latest runner-up in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) in late October. Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Wingspan (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) are engaged for Ballydoyle, while The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) was given a supplemental entry on the back of his three-length defeat of Dubai Honour in the Listed Churchill Stakes over the Newcastle all-weather last Saturday. The retirement of Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) dictates that no fewer than six foreigners are set to challenge the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile. Nurlan Bizakov's Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) is a most intriguing proposition for trainer Jerome Reynier, having won six from six at home, including a three-length romp in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in August. He tasted defeat for the first time in his career when narrowly second in the 1500-metre Golden Eagle at Rosehill Nov. 2. Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), fourth to Golden Sixty in last year's Mile, returns to Sha Tin after posting his first elite-level success in last weekend's Mile Championship at Kyoto. Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) is one of a handful of Australian raiders and earned his ticket to the Mile with an eye-catching victory in the G1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield Oct. 12. Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) and Galaxy Patch (Aus) (Wandjina {Aus}) rate the best chances among the locals. Arguably the likeliest banker of the meeting comes in the form of Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, who ran his record to eight wins from 10 starts in last weekend's G2 Jockey Club Sprint. But that hasn't stopped the connections from a half-dozen international invaders from taking a crack, among them the last two winners of the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Nobals (Noble Mission {GB}) is set to become the first American runner in the HKIR since 2017, while Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) has been supplemented for the Arc-winning team of trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan following his success at Del Mar on Nov. 2. A neck separated Lugal (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and Toshin Macau (Jpn) in the G1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama in September, and the progressive Satono Reve (Jpn), a son of two-time Sprint winner Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), seeks to improve off his seventh in the same heat. “The Longines Hong Kong International Races are one of the most important racing events on the global calendar and this year we look forward to hosting a decorated line-up from many corners of the globe,” said Andrew Harding, executive director, racing, for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “We are excited by the quality of selected runners for this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races and the presence of so many of the stars is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence.” HERE THEY ARE! Selected runners for ALL four G1 races at #HKIR worth a total HK$126 million… HK$26m Hong Kong Sprint HK$36m Hong Kong Mile HK$24m Hong Kong Vase HK$40m Hong Kong Cup Sha Tin, 8 Dec | #競馬 | @LONGINES | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/qaSUT5w6hM — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 20, 2024 The post Goliath Heads International Challenge For HKIR, Romantic Warrior In Search of History appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Renee Geelen/The Thoroughbred Report David Ellis smashed the record for the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, purchasing lot 174, an I Am Invincible (Aus) colt from dual Group 1 winner Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) for NZ$1.65 million. The previous highest price at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale was NZ$825,000 for Megastar Heart (Aus) (Star Turn {Aus}) who won a listed race last season at two. “I've been buying at this sale for a lifetime and that's the most impressive colt I've seen at this sale,” said Ellis. “He's just as nice a colt as you'd ever see. The staff have all seen him and are excited to have him in the stable. He'll sell very quickly, the interest in him is already strong.” The colt was catalogued as a yearling by Segenhoe Stud but didn't sell, being withdrawn from Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and passed at Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. He was offered in the Kiltannon Stables draft. “He'll go to Te Akau Stud tomorrow and we'll give him a short spell, then we'll race him,” he added. “We trained Shillelagh at two and three, and then she went to Chris Waller. She's an attractive looking Savabeel mare, and colt like this, well, if they race like they ought to, like they've shown so far, then they are worth serious money. “This is an exciting colt and I can't wait to have him in the stable.” The colt breezed in an impressive :9.97s which was the fastest time recorded in the catalogue. Shillelagh won her first three races in succession at three and four, then moved to Australia as a spring 5-year-old where she went on to win the G1 Cantala S. and G1 Empire Rose S. retiring with eight wins and over A$1.8 million in prize-money. Her first foal is Group 3-placed winner 4-year-old mare Irish Legacy (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) while her second foal, 3-year-old filly Kilkenny (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}), debuted on Wednesday for Chris Waller. Shillelagh is a full sister to Group 2 winner Tullamore (NZ) and listed winner Grazia (NZ). On the first day, David Ellis purchased five lots for a total of NZ$2.39 million. The post Te Akau’s Ellis Sets New Benchmark With NZ$1.65m I Am Invincible Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione, unseated in the third race at Churchill Downs Nov. 16, "feels really beat up" from his fall but escaped serious injury, agent Matt Muzikar said. He is off his Nov. 17 mounts and will resume riding next week.View the full article

The Wednesday session of the Goffs November Foal Sale is quickly living up to its lofty billing as, just over an hour into the action at Kildare Paddocks, a Sea The Stars (Ire) colt consigned by Baroda Stud was knocked down to Godolphin for €1,000,000. The colt boasts a glittering pedigree being a full-brother to Teona (Ire). Trained by Roger Varian, Teona won the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille before lighting up the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year when knocked down to Juddmonte for 4.5 million gns. It was Juddmonte who put up the most resistance to Godolphin and filled the role as underbidder to Anthony Stroud, who secured the millionaire lot on behalf of Godolphin. TEONA's full brother sells for €1,000,000 @Goffs1866 November Foal Sale. Godolphin won the war with this colt by Sea The Stars who was consigned by Baroda Stud. Juddmonte were the underbidders. pic.twitter.com/sbpezTSX7e — TDN (@theTDN) November 20, 2024 Stroud commented, “He is a very nice individual [who] walked very well. [He has] a lot of presence and a lot of body. He is by Sea The Stars who is a Derby winner and he is out of a Group 1 winner who has produced a Group 1 winner. All of the stars aligned. He has a wonderful temperament. We looked at him on many occasions and saw him in the pre parade ring and he was very relaxed. The pedigree and the conformation matched together. I think, from that point of view, he's a horse who will compliment our homebreds. It looks very competitive. Prices are good and people are getting well paid if they have a nice horse.” The post Goffs Off To A Flyer As Godolphin Goes To 1 Million For Sea The Stars Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The racing community is mourning the loss of champion galloper Elvstroem, who passed away last week in France, where he had been standing at stud since 2016. A son of the legendary Danehill, Elvstroem was purchased at auction for $300,000 and rose to become one of Australia’s most decorated racehorses. Over his illustrious career, he notched up 10 victories from 32 starts, amassing a total of $5.7 million in prize money. Under the guidance of trainer Tony Vasil, Elvstroem claimed a series of major victories, including the 2004 Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the 2003 Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m). Following his Caulfield Cup triumph, Elvstroem competed in Australia’s biggest races, finishing eighth in the Cox Plate behind Savabeel and fourth in the Melbourne Cup behind the legendary Makybe Diva. In 2005, he embarked on an international campaign, capturing the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes and later racing in Hong Kong, England, and France. Throughout his career, Elvstroem enjoyed a strong partnership with jockey Nash Rawiller, with the duo combining for four Group 1 wins from 17 rides together. After retiring from racing, Elvstroem began his stud career at Blue Gum Stud in Victoria before moving to France, where he stood at the Haras du Petit Tellier breeding farm. His passing marks the end of an era for a horse who left an indelible mark on the racing world both on the track and at stud. Horse racing news View the full article

Goliath will be the highest-rated international runner at HKIR in nearly a decade.View the full article

Exciting battle awaits between even batch of locals and strong overseas contingent in 1,600m showpiece.View the full article

Half a dozen raiders are set to tackle David Hayes’ red-hot speedster in the HK$26 million feature.View the full article

Japan’s Triple Tiara winner among a host of overseas gallopers eager to dethrone the local champion in the HK$40 million Hong Kong Cup.View the full article