Wandering Eyes

The Ready to Run Sale’s previous record price of $825,000 was blown out of the water at Karaka on Wednesday as Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis went to $1,650,000 to secure an I Am Invincible colt with a special connection to the stable. The standout colt was offered by Kiltannon Stables as Lot 174 and fetched the highest price ever paid for a two-year-old at a public auction in the southern hemisphere. He is out of the Savabeel mare Shillelagh, who was trained by Te Akau’s former trainer Jamie Richards to win four races from six New Zealand starts for owner-breeders Christopher and Susanna Grace. Shillelagh later crossed the Tasman and joined the stable of Chris Waller, for whom she won the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) and Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). Shillelagh has made a promising start at stud with her first foal to race, the I Am Invincible filly Irish Legacy, placing in the Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie in the Grace colours earlier this year. Wednesday’s sale-topping I Am Invincible colt was originally offered in Sydney as a yearling in April, where he failed to meet his A$420,000 reserve. It was a very different story when he graced the Karaka sale ring seven months later. The crowd swelled significantly ahead of the striking youngster’s arrival, and after starting at $200,000, bids were quickly being fired in from three corners of the auditorium. Ellis appeared to be on the back foot on multiple occasions over a tense next few minutes, but he summoned another couple of $50,000 bids late in the piece to secure the prized colt. “The fact that we trained Shillelagh for Christopher and Susanna Grace makes this quite special for Te Akau, but the simple fact is that I thought he was easily the nicest colt I’ve ever seen at the Ready to Run Sale,” Ellis said. “I was on the toe the whole time he was in the ring, because I really wanted to take this horse home. At one stage my wife Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) said to me, ‘If you really, really like this colt, don’t be beaten.’ That gave me the confidence to put in those last couple of bids. The Kiltannon Stables team with top priced lot, the colt by I Am Invincible out of Shillelagh. Photo: Trish Dunell “I saw the colt when he was in Sydney as a yearling, but things weren’t quite 100 per cent with him at that stage. They took him home and turned him out, and he’s just gone to the next level since then.” Ellis has enormous regard for I Am Invincible, who sired the stable’s 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Move To Strike. “He’s one of the very best stallions we’ve got in this part of the world,” Ellis said. “We’ve obviously had the likes of Imperatriz and Move To Strike in our stable, so he’s a sire that works so well for Te Akau. “Harry and Bill Mitchell, who stand I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park, said to me that this is as nice an I Am Invincible colt as they’ve seen, and they’re going to be taking a share.” The colt’s appeal grew even higher in last month’s breeze-ups at Te Rapa, where he made an enormous impression and clocked the catalogue’s best time of 9.97 seconds. “The breeze-ups are Mark Walker’s area of expertise, he’s an absolute genius,” Ellis said. “He said he hasn’t seen a two-year-old work the way he did for a long time. “Christopher and Susanna Grace are among the best breeders in New Zealand, they’ve been breeding such top-quality horses for a number of years and their results speak for themselves. All of us at Te Akau Racing are just honoured to be taking this magnificent colt home. “He’s likely to enter our system here in New Zealand, where he might be set for something like the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, and then he could join our Australian stable further down the track.” View the full article

The Ready to Run Sale’s previous record price of $825,000 was blown out of the water at Karaka on Wednesday as Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis went to $1,650,000 to secure an I Am Invincible colt with a special connection to the stable. The standout colt was offered by Kiltannon Stables as Lot 174 and fetched the highest price ever paid for a two-year-old at a public auction in the southern hemisphere. He is out of the Savabeel mare Shillelagh, who was trained by Te Akau’s former trainer Jamie Richards to win four races from six New Zealand starts for owner-breeders Christopher and Susanna Grace. Shillelagh later crossed the Tasman and joined the stable of Chris Waller, for whom she won the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) and Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). Shillelagh has made a promising start at stud with her first foal to race, the I Am Invincible filly Irish Legacy, placing in the Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie in the Grace colours earlier this year. Wednesday’s sale-topping I Am Invincible colt was originally offered in Sydney as a yearling in April, where he failed to meet his A$420,000 reserve. It was a very different story when he graced the Karaka sale ring seven months later. The crowd swelled significantly ahead of the striking youngster’s arrival, and after starting at $200,000, bids were quickly being fired in from three corners of the auditorium. Ellis appeared to be on the back foot on multiple occasions over a tense next few minutes, but he summoned another couple of $50,000 bids late in the piece to secure the prized colt. “The fact that we trained Shillelagh for Christopher and Susanna Grace makes this quite special for Te Akau, but the simple fact is that I thought he was easily the nicest colt I’ve ever seen at the Ready to Run Sale,” Ellis said. “I was on the toe the whole time he was in the ring, because I really wanted to take this horse home. At one stage my wife Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) said to me, ‘If you really, really like this colt, don’t be beaten.’ That gave me the confidence to put in those last couple of bids. The Kiltannon Stables team with top priced lot, the colt by I Am Invincible out of Shillelagh. Photo: Trish Dunell “I saw the colt when he was in Sydney as a yearling, but things weren’t quite 100 per cent with him at that stage. They took him home and turned him out, and he’s just gone to the next level since then.” Ellis has enormous regard for I Am Invincible, who sired the stable’s 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Move To Strike. “He’s one of the very best stallions we’ve got in this part of the world,” Ellis said. “We’ve obviously had the likes of Imperatriz and Move To Strike in our stable, so he’s a sire that works so well for Te Akau. “Harry and Bill Mitchell, who stand I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park, said to me that this is as nice an I Am Invincible colt as they’ve seen, and they’re going to be taking a share.” The colt’s appeal grew even higher in last month’s breeze-ups at Te Rapa, where he made an enormous impression and clocked the catalogue’s best time of 9.97 seconds. “The breeze-ups are Mark Walker’s area of expertise, he’s an absolute genius,” Ellis said. “He said he hasn’t seen a two-year-old work the way he did for a long time. “Christopher and Susanna Grace are among the best breeders in New Zealand, they’ve been breeding such top-quality horses for a number of years and their results speak for themselves. All of us at Te Akau Racing are just honoured to be taking this magnificent colt home. “He’s likely to enter our system here in New Zealand, where he might be set for something like the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, and then he could join our Australian stable further down the track.” View the full article

The Ready to Run Sale’s previous record price of $825,000 was blown out of the water at Karaka on Wednesday as Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis went to $1,650,000 to secure an I Am Invincible colt with a special connection to the stable. The standout colt was offered by Kiltannon Stables as Lot 174 and fetched the highest price ever paid for a two-year-old at a public auction in the southern hemisphere. He is out of the Savabeel mare Shillelagh, who was trained by Te Akau’s former trainer Jamie Richards to win four races from six New Zealand starts for owner-breeders Christopher and Susanna Grace. Shillelagh later crossed the Tasman and joined the stable of Chris Waller, for whom she won the Gr.1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) and Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). Shillelagh has made a promising start at stud with her first foal to race, the I Am Invincible filly Irish Legacy, placing in the Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie in the Grace colours earlier this year. Wednesday’s sale-topping I Am Invincible colt was originally offered in Sydney as a yearling in April, where he failed to meet his A$420,000 reserve. It was a very different story when he graced the Karaka sale ring seven months later. The crowd swelled significantly ahead of the striking youngster’s arrival, and after starting at $200,000, bids were quickly being fired in from three corners of the auditorium. Ellis appeared to be on the back foot on multiple occasions over a tense next few minutes, but he summoned another couple of $50,000 bids late in the piece to secure the prized colt. “The fact that we trained Shillelagh for Christopher and Susanna Grace makes this quite special for Te Akau, but the simple fact is that I thought he was easily the nicest colt I’ve ever seen at the Ready to Run Sale,” Ellis said. “I was on the toe the whole time he was in the ring, because I really wanted to take this horse home. At one stage my wife Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) said to me, ‘If you really, really like this colt, don’t be beaten.’ That gave me the confidence to put in those last couple of bids. The Kiltannon Stables team with top priced lot, the colt by I Am Invincible out of Shillelagh. Photo: Trish Dunell “I saw the colt when he was in Sydney as a yearling, but things weren’t quite 100 per cent with him at that stage. They took him home and turned him out, and he’s just gone to the next level since then.” Ellis has enormous regard for I Am Invincible, who sired the stable’s 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Move To Strike. “He’s one of the very best stallions we’ve got in this part of the world,” Ellis said. “We’ve obviously had the likes of Imperatriz and Move To Strike in our stable, so he’s a sire that works so well for Te Akau. “Harry and Bill Mitchell, who stand I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park, said to me that this is as nice an I Am Invincible colt as they’ve seen, and they’re going to be taking a share.” The colt’s appeal grew even higher in last month’s breeze-ups at Te Rapa, where he made an enormous impression and clocked the catalogue’s best time of 9.97 seconds. “The breeze-ups are Mark Walker’s area of expertise, he’s an absolute genius,” Ellis said. “He said he hasn’t seen a two-year-old work the way he did for a long time. “Christopher and Susanna Grace are among the best breeders in New Zealand, they’ve been breeding such top-quality horses for a number of years and their results speak for themselves. All of us at Te Akau Racing are just honoured to be taking this magnificent colt home. “He’s likely to enter our system here in New Zealand, where he might be set for something like the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, and then he could join our Australian stable further down the track.” View the full article

Bloodstock agent Andrew Williams won a spirited bidding battle to secure a well-related Proisir gelding for $650,000 on the opening day of the NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Wednesday. Offered by Riversley Park, the gelding was catalogued as Lot 79 and is out of the unraced Carlton House mare Miss Vegas. That makes him a full-sister to this season’s Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) fourth placegetter Vegas Queen, while Miss Vegas is a half-sister to the dam of emerging Australian star Gringotts. The Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts has won eight of his 16 starts including the Listed Members’ Handicap (1600m) in Brisbane and this month’s A$3 million The Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick. Further down the pedigree page, second dam Operavega is a half-sister to the dam of the legendary Winx. Williams, who secured the high-priced juvenile in partnership with Hong Kong Bloodstock, acknowledged the pedigree credentials but was more taken with the gelding as a physical specimen. “Obviously Proisir is a very good sire, and there’s a very special horse in the family in Winx,” Williams said. “Gringotts has delivered some big results lately too, so there’s good horses throughout the family. “But he’s just a beautiful individual. He’s been one of the standouts from when we started inspecting here on Sunday. We kept on gravitating back to the Riversley barn and seeing him. “He did everything well and, to me, really stood out on the sale grounds. He breezed up beautifully as well, running a good time by himself, and he obviously vetted very cleanly. “It’s just great to be able to buy a horse like this. He’ll go back to the paddocks in Cambridge now, have a bit of a break post-sale and grow out a bit. He may end up starting his racing career in New Zealand or Australia. “His ultimate destination is going to be Hong Kong, but you never know – he could make a Karaka Millions or The NZB Kiwi (1500m) horse beforehand.” View the full article

Champion Australian stallion I Am Invincible sired the two highest-priced lots on the opening day of NZB’s Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Wednesday, including a colt that was snapped up by the high-flying Yulong operation for $675,000. Hours before another I Am Invincible colt shattered Ready to Run records with his $1,650,000 purchase price, all eyes were on Lot 32 in the draft of KB Bloodstock. He is out of the Group One-winning Written Tycoon mare (La) Luna Rossa and was high on Yulong’s wish list in the lead-up to this week’s sale. Yulong’s chief operating officer Sam Fairgray was pleased to hold out underbidder Andrew Forsman and add the colt to Mr Yuesheng Zhang’s impressive thoroughbred portfolio. “He’s a very nice colt out of a good mare, and he breezed up well,” Fairgray said. “We see him as a nice colt to add to the racing team, and then hopefully he might make a stallion prospect further down the track. “The fact that he was a November foal means he’s got a bit of upside. We’ll take him home, be patient with him and see where he ends up.” The colt holds extra appeal for Yulong through (La) Luna Rossa, who was one of the first Group One winners for her sire Written Tycoon when she captured the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in 2016. Written Tycoon is now the sire of 17 Group One winners and is the jewel on the crown of Yulong’s stallion roster. “The fact that he’s out of a Group One-winning Written Tycoon mare certainly adds to his appeal for Mr Zhang,” Fairgray said. “It’s a pedigree that suits Australia well, and the cross with I Am Invincible has worked.” Yulong’s green and white colours have been an unstoppable force in Australia this spring, celebrating Group One triumphs with Via Sistina in the Cox Plate (2040m), Champions Stakes (2000m), Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and Winx Stakes (1400m), Deny Knowledge in the Might And Power Stakes (2000m), Kimochi in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), and homebred filly Treasurethe Moment in the VRC Oaks (2500m). Three-year-old colt Growing Empire has placed in the Gr.1 The Everest (1200m), Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and Manikato Stakes (1200m). “Mr Zhang has put a lot of investment in, so it’s great to see him being rewarded for that with the results we’ve had this spring,” Fairgray said. “Some of those successes have been with yearlings and older horses that we’ve bought, and others are horses we’ve bred ourselves on the farm, so they’ve come from everywhere. “We’re still quite a young operation, but the results are starting to flow, which has been great. Hopefully that can continue with some of our newer recruits, like this colt.” View the full article

Following the retirement of his stakes-winning mare Casino Princess, Cliff Goss turned to New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale in search of another filly, which he found early on day one in the form of Lot 25. Goss was in the spotlight over the past 12 months courtesy of the daughter of Casino Prince, who won the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m), and post-retirement was sold to Windsor Park Stud via gavelhouse.com. At the Ready To Runs, the nonagenarian horseman was on the lookout for progeny of Almanzor and soon settled on a filly by Cambridge Stud’s prominent sire, out of a Keeper mare in Lady Aroha, a half-sister to Gr.2 City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) winner and Group One performer Zarius. “There was a combination of everything, she breezed up very well and she had a good pedigree,” Goss said. “She was a very relaxed filly walking around before her breeze-up, I always like to see them walking around casually, not jumping around too much. She ticked all the boxes really. “It’s a bit of a buzz there (at the sales), everyone is trying to buy a horse and it’s whichever horse suits the person. For me, I wanted an Almanzor because he was a champion two-year-old sire. He’s left a lot of speed horses and you’ve got to have that. “I always preferred colts or geldings, but after I had Casino Princess, I thought she was a good filly, so I’ll settle for another one and hopefully I can find one like her. This filly was the only one I wanted right from the very start, I watched her breeze-up at least 20 times and I thought yes, this is the one. “I said to myself that I would go to $50,000 and I got her for $45,000, so it was good.” Goss indicated the filly will now enjoy a break at his daughter and son-in-law, Cherry and Brent Taylor’s Trelawney Stud, before looking for a possible autumn two-year-old preparation. “She’ll probably be an autumn two-year-old, I’m going to put her out at Trelawney Stud for about a month for a nice freshen-up, then I’ll bring her in and see if she’ll be ready for that,” he said. View the full article

Promising filly Diablo Blanco will kick-off her preparation towards a southern stakes target when she heads to Phar Lap Raceway on Thursday to tackle the McMillan Feeds (1200m). The daughter of Super Seth showed plenty of ability as a juvenile, winning two of her five starts and finished fourth behind subsequent Group One winner Captured By Love in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham last December. She continued her winning form into her three-year-old term, winning over 1200m on the Riccarton Synthetic, but put in an uncustomary poor showing when 10th in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton in September. Trainer Richard Didham has ruled a line through that run and is starting afresh with his filly this week after giving her a freshen-up post her Canterbury Belle run. “Things didn’t really go to plan and we are just forgetting about it and starting fresh,” he said. Diablo Blanco will resume over 1200m on Thursday and Didham is expecting a bold showing, with the aim of having her peaking for the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui next month. “She seems in tip top shape,” he said. “This run should just tighten her up for the three-year-old fillies race at Wingatui on Boxing Day.” Didham has taken plenty of confidence out of last Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) result and believes his charge will be very competitive in her southern stakes assignment on Boxing Day. “Her Wellington form, when she ran fourth, she was only four lengths behind Captured By Love, and we all saw what she did in the Guineas. Her form is definitely pretty strong,” he said. Didham will also head to Timaru with polytrack specialist Chairman, who is set to return to his favoured surface next month after competing in Thursday’s Young Bucks NZ Motor Corporation (1600m). “Timaru is a handy horses track. He will get on speed, and he will give a really good sight,” Didham said. “He went a really good race in the Open 1400m at Riccarton last week. “There is a really nice race on the synthetic at the Christmas meeting on the 6th of December. He has already won three from five on the synthetic.” View the full article

Group One performer Express Yourself has returned home from her spring campaign in Melbourne and is now on a path towards the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on January 4. The six-year-old mare had four starts at Caulfield for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, placing in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) in August and Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) on Caulfield Cup Day. She has returned to part-owner Nikki Hurdle’s Awapuni stable in Palmerston North, and while pleased with her stakes results, Hurdle said her mare didn’t settle into the urban training environment in Australia and is pleased to get her home in a paddock. “She did well (in Australia). The fact that she ran third on Caulfield Cup Day was awesome,” Hurdle said. “I probably underestimated how she would react to the different environment, and they are worlds apart. At my place she has a paddock, and I have only got two horses, whereas it is a huge establishment at Price-Kent Racing. “Your horse is a thinking animal, and I know what makes her tick. He (Price) did try different things for me, but at the end of the day she was still in that very urban setting. I just don’t think it suited her, so the fact she ran those placings was pleasing, and it showed her heart. “We weren’t disappointed in her, I just don’t think we saw the best of her, and that is why I brought her home. We went over several times and I could just see that she wasn’t the horse she is here. They looked after her superbly I just don’t think their regime suited her that much.” Hurdle gave the daughter of Shamexpress a freshen-up on her return to New Zealand and gave Express Yourself her first public hit-out ahead of summer racing at the Foxton trials on Tuesday where she won her 850m heat. While pleased with the win, Hurdle wasn’t overly enamoured with the trial and is hoping her mare returns to her form of old before January’s Group One target, which she was runner-up in earlier this year behind Mercurial. “She came back in nice order and we gave her a couple of weeks off and we are just starting a build-up hopefully towards the Telegraph,” Hurdle said. “I was happy with her trial, but I wasn’t excited. She is not quite there yet, and I don’t know whether she will bounce back, but we have got a bit of time.” Express Yourself’s next target will likely be next Thursday’s Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki, and Hurdle is hoping that brings her on for her summer campaign as she is eager to go one better in the Telegraph in January. “It is a bit of unfinished business when you are beaten a nostril (in the Telegraph),” Hurdle said. “I do think it will be a lot tougher this year, it is going to be a big race with the prizemoney ($550,000), change of date, and sprint series (Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series). “We will head towards it (Telegraph) and see how she is going. I will nominate her next week for the Levin Stakes, and we will just take it one step at a time.” Hurdle is unsure of what targets lie beyond the Telegraph, with the Manawatu horsewoman loathe to return to Ellerslie following Express Yourself’s subpar showing in January’s Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m). “She is quite a hard horse to place now,” Hurdle said. “She is not a horse I really want to travel, she didn’t seem to travel that well to Auckland that time, so opportunities for her aren’t great. “I wouldn’t say no (to the sprint series), but it is not a high priority. I am really worried about taking her back to Ellerslie, she just absolutely hated that track. “I would look at the 1400m (Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint) at Te Rapa, it is a beautiful track and our way around of going, which takes a few of the doubts out.” View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, November 21, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Provincial racing returns to Hawkesbury on Thursday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program lined up. The rail is out +3m between the 1100m and 450m markers, while the remainder is in true position. No significant rainfall is forecast in the lead-up, and with the track rated a Soft 5 at the time acceptances, punters can expect that rating to hold true on race-day morning. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 1:15pm local time. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: I Am Wild The Ron Quinton-trained I Am Wild appears set to peak after finding the minor money in back-to-back starts at Hawkesbury. The I Am Invincible mare closed off best of the rest behind Diddle Dumpling over 1400m and should appreciate getting an extra 100m to chase down her rivals. Louise Day does the steering from gate three, and provided she can navigate to the one-one, I Am Wild can finally shirk the maiden tag at start seven. Best Bet Race 1 – #9 I Am Wild (3) 4yo Mare | T: Ron Quinton | J: Louise Day (57kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Hawkesbury: Ready To Rocket Ready To Rocket debuts on the back of an eye-catching barrier trial at Rosehill on November 4. The daughter of Smart Missile wasn’t asked for much, cruising through the wire under her own steam and making strong inroads towards the end of the 900m journey. Tim Clark gets legged aboard from stall six and should get an ideal run in transit, and although Ready To Rocket lacks race-day experience as the only first-starter engaged, watch for this unraced to four-year-old to be finishing off best at a good price with Picklebet. Next Best Race 2 – #2 Rocket To Rocket (6) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Tim Clark (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Hawkesbury: Aix En Provence The Sara Ryan-trained Aix En Provence represents terrific each-way value in the first leg of the Hawkesbury quaddie. The son of Shalaa only missed the frame once across five starts last preparation, including two wins and another two minor placings to his name before being tipped out for a spell. The 1400m could prove short of his best trip, but with Aix En Provence sprinting well fresh in the past, this guy is worth the risk at the $10.00 available with BlondeBet. Best Value Race 5 – #1 Aix En Provence (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Sara Ryan | J: Reece Jones (59.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Thursday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury Hawkesbury quadrella selections November 21, 2024 1-3-4-8 1-3-6-8-9 1-2-3-9 1-2-4-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What 2024 Railway Stakes Where Ascot Racecourse – Perth, Western Australia When Saturday, November 23, 2024 Prizemoney $1,500,000 Distance 1600m Conditions 3YO & Up | Handicap 2023 winner Bustler (2) | T: Neville Parnham | J: Steven Parnham (53kg) Visit Dabble The 2024 Railway Stakes is set to headline the second day of The Pinnacles at Ascot this Saturday afternoon, with a full field of 16 runners expected to clash in the 1600m contest. With a prize pool of $1.5 million up for grabs, the top trainers from Victoria and New South Wales have launched an assault on the season’s first Group 1 race in Western Australia. The Neville Parnham-trained Bustler claimed victory in the 2023 Railway Stakes, and he will attempt to defend his title. Will the West Australian dominance of the Railway continue, or will one of the interstate raiders claim victory in the feature for the first time since 2015? 2024 Railway Stakes odds Horse racing bookmakers believe the 2024 Railway Stakes is a wide-open affair, with only four runners marked in single figures. The betting market is led by the Ciaron Maher-trained Light Infantry Man at $4, closely followed by Zipaway ($6) and Belclare ($7). Democracy Manifest ($9) rounds out the runners under $10; however, the chances don’t end there, as the likes of Socks Nation ($13), Bustler ($15) and Super Smink ($13) all come through strong form races. 2024 Railway Stakes speed map Belclare, Comfort Me and Searchin Rocs will settle in the first three, with each of those runners drawing middle barriers. From wider gates, expect Socks Nation and Zipaway to push forward and attempt to settle forward of midfield along with the race favourite. Democracy Manifest and Super Smink have drawn horrible barriers, but that won’t worry them too much as they are expected to settle at the rear of the field. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Railway Stakes. Recommended! The Better Bettors! Australian-owned and operated bookmaker! Join MarantelliBet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Railway Stakes 2024 preview & form Zipaway won the Group 2 WA Guineas on this day last year, and he will return to Ascot for his second start of the preparation. First-up, the Neville Parnham-trained gelding was held up at the top of the home straight before switching back to the inside to run home strongly into fourth place. The son of Playing God went within a head of Zaaki and Dom To Shoot in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes last year, and if he brings that form to this contest, he will prove extremely hard to beat. If Zipaway is unable to secure the prize, Socks Nation appears to be a great each-way bet with PlayUp following her third-place finish behind Atishu and Amelia’s Jewel in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes last start. Light Infantry Man and Super Smink are a couple of the main dangers to the top two, and if the leaders run the race along at a strong tempo, look for them swooping home down the middle of the track late. Railway Stakes 2024 selections & best bets Selections: 16 ZIPAWAY 10 SOCKS NATION 5 LIGHT INFANTRY MAN 13 SUPER SMINK $100 betting strategy $50 win Zipaway (#16) @ +500 with Neds $25 each way Socks Nation (#10) @ +1200/+300 with Dabble Horse racing tips View the full article

What was worth noting from all over the country for the week ending 21/11/2024 Seaclusion (4m Sweet Lou – Classy Beach) Tr. G Rogerson Pukekohe (14/11/24) Stepped to the front and set terms over two rivals, sprinted a sharp 400m to keep Invisible (trail) at bay Last 800m in 59.8, 400m in 27.0. Freshened since disappointing last start late October, a race won co-incidentally by Invisible although she did beat the Purdon/Phelan runner the start prior. Neither horse extended in the run home on a sharp sprint home, overall time not quick. Debbie Lincoln (2f Lather Up – Yasmine Bromac) Tr. R Green Soon in front and always going well, only the trailer Beaudiene Hustler could keep up last 400m, strong effort to win MR:2:02.3, 800m in 59.4, 400m in 29.3. Two useful race day efforts against her own sex back in April, the last at Group 2 level and looking to build upon that start to her career, a progressive type that should be a natural improver. Lewey Maguire (4g Sweet Lou – Miranda Maguire) Tr. S & A Telfer Trailed third of 4, able to work onto the back of Leo Lincoln who had improved to sit parked 800m out, solid finish wide out to run the latter to a narrow margin. MR:2:07.6, 800m in 59.9, 400m in 27.5. Now in the northern arm of the Stonewall stable after winning three in the south and establishing a handy race record. Deserves respect when he lines up next. Tyron’s Connoisseur (2f Art Major – Tyron’s Che Bella) Tr. R & J Dunn Gate speed to lead, sprinted sharply 400m out, just did enough to hold out the Green trained The Rascal MR:2:03.0, 800m in 59.0, 400m in 27.9. Hasn’t flattered in eight 2YO starts to date including a couple of unplaced efforts in Group company but nothing beats experience and might be ready to show her true worth. The Rascal, a recent qualifier in early November, got very close after going roughly at the 500m and losing the back of the winner, recovered strongly to just miss and is one to paste away for the future. Levi (3g What The Hill – Fear Factor) Tr. S Wigg Off 30m, giving three rivals a start, got to third with early breaker then trailed after another breaker lost its chance midrace, out to attack 600m, not extended to come clear by 6L at the line. MR:2:12.5, 800m in 64.5, 400m in 31.2. Not short on ability and held in some regard by his connections. Just the one win but with his best manners that record can be improved upon for sure. Chicago Sky (2f Bettor’s Delight – Chicago Blues) Tr K & F Price Winton (14/11/24) Got to trail in five-horse 2YO heat, asked for an effort at the top of the straight and responded, getting the better of the pace making Moon Light Terror in the final 100m MR:2:00.4, 800m in 57.7, 400m in 29.0. Full sister to Chicago Bull (40 wins + $1.8M) and a recent qualifier in early September, whatever she can produce on the track is only going to add to her considerable residual value for her owner/breeders. Always B Paulie (3g Always B Miki – Bubba Ho Tep) Tr. C Ferguson Worked to the front from wide draw soon after the start, rallied strongly at business end when Sporty Charlie (trail) threatened to use the passing lane. MR:2:02.3, 800m in 55.9, 400m in 27.7. Qualified all the way back in early May but as yet unraced, got a mention in this forum last week so race day debut keenly anticipated. In context, Sporty Charlie has won four races but couldn’t get past. ‘Paulie’ won’t be a maiden for long. Nutcracker (5m Bettor’s Delight – Rockin Cullen) Tr. C Ferguson Led out over Nek Time and Miraculous, still there last turn, kept up determined run to hold out Miraculous who put plenty of dash into his finish from three deep last 400m. MR:2:04.0, 800m in 56.1, 400m in 27.0. The Ferguson trained mare has won the six races and freshened since finding the likes of Tact McLeod too strong earlier in the season. Finding suitable races might be a challenge at this stage of her career but any F&M races in the deep south would hold some appeal. Nek Time right there at the finish on a sharp sprint home. Meg’s Boy (3c Always B Miki – Meglea) Tr. R Swain Wyndham (16/11/24) Settled third of 5 but before long elected to pop out and lead 1600m out, cleared out from 600m, far too good, out by 8L at the line. MR:2:05.7, 800m in 55.9, 400m in 28.1. Not yet qualified but with the official margin 8L here over his four rivals, getting his race ticket would seem a formality. Dam won five and although she has left six winners, nothing in her own class to date. This could be about to change. Beach Day (4m Sunshine Beach – Cool Delight) Tr G Hunter Got to trail out of the gate, able to use passing lane to zip through for comfortable win over four rivals. MR:2:05.5, 800m in 57.5, 400m in 28.2. Has won the four races from just 13 starts and a last start winner back in late June, coming to hand nicely for a new campaign and not to be underestimated wherever she goes in the coming weeks It’s A Pleasure (3f Downbytheseaside – Simple Pleasure) Tr. G Hunter Led out before taking a trail after 400m, back to third of 4 when Cock A Hoop improved to lead 600m out, challenged final turn, did enough to just nudge the latter who fought determinedly when headed. Last 800m in 57.3, 400m in 28.9. Showed plenty of promise in her first campaign, placing twice from only three starts, just missing her maiden win last start back in May. Should be improved again this time in and won’t need too many races to snare that first win judging by this workout. Cock A Hoop, a long term maiden (18 starts),put in an improved effort. Kowhai Star (2f Always B Miki – Green Fingers) Tr. M Jones Ashburton (19/11/24) Gate speed to lead out, always going well, too good for four rivals. MR:1:56.4, 800m in 55.2, 400m in 27.2. The Ashburton track is known to be fast but this was nearly 9 secs under the required qualifying time over the short course of 1700m, calling the effort impressive would be an under-statement. Cuban Chrome (3rd=) & Swift Major (3rd=) also qualified and caught the eye running on late on a very fast last 800m. Kowhai Sunburst (2f Creatine – Kowahi Sunrise) Tr. M Jones Left in front when stablemate Ali Son (only rival) off stride soon after start, clear throughout, bold display to qualify with this ‘solo’ effort. MR:2:03.7, 800m in 60.8, 400m in 30.2. Same owners, same trainer as above and the same result! Only the one rival but 12L a fair margin in the end and 6 secs under qualifying time. Newbiemains Arden (4m Bettor’s Delight – Tosca Hanover) Tr. G Payne Led out before taking a trail behind Nasana, popped out 1700m to take back control, sprinted strongly 400m, kept going strongly to just do enough at the line. Last 800m in 57.8, 400m in 27.5. Only had the one start back in June but expected to be much improved this time in. 2YO filly and stablemate Nasana got very close along passing lane, has already qualified way back in March but as yet unraced, nice one to follow. Jukebox Gypsy (3f Rock N Roll Heaven – Gypsy’s Choice) Tr. G O’Reilly Led out over two rivals, still there final turn, not pushed to hold on albeit narrowly. Last 800m in 56.1, 400m in 26.7. Did ok in first campaign winning once from nine starts against some handy types, last start late June, first foal of a dam that won five so can be expected to get better with time. Action Major (trail) & Seacracka (3 deep) both ran on purposefully to be close up Shepherd’s Delight (4g Sky Major – Delightful) Tr. I Court Stepped brilliantly to lead clearly early stages, still had control 400m, kept going strongly to keep his rivals at bay Last 800m in 55.9, 400m in 27.1. Has won the three races + $37k from 21 starts, this effort suggested he would be more than capable of adding to that handy record. My Ten Guitars raced back in midfield, dragged up into 1×1 last 600m, solid finish to be a closing second, nice trial. To see previous Trails reports click here View the full article

Last start Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) winner Town Cryer has another Trentham feature in her sights, taking the next step towards the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at the Foxton trials on Tuesday. In the hands of Lisa Allpress, who made a welcome return to the trials following an injury in August, Town Cryer led up the field in her usual fashion and wasn’t pressured to the line, finishing a narrow second to Vanish. “She did exactly what we thought she’d do, she likes to do her own thing and Lisa said she travelled very keenly to the line,” trainer Roydon Bergerson said. “It was a tick over as there has been a long time between runs for her, from her last start at Wellington to the Group One in a few weeks’ time. We thought we would take her there for a good gallop on the grass, I’m very happy with her and she’s pulled up super.” The daughter of Tavistock placed at the top level behind subsequent dual Australian Group Two winner Belclare in March, and she will be back to go one better on the 7th of December. “She doesn’t take a lot of work once she’s up and racing, but it’s quite a long way when you’re going six weeks into a Group One, and it’s looking to be a top-class field, as you would expect,” Bergerson said. “We try to keep her fresh, we haven’t got a grass (track) to gallop on at Awapuni at the moment so we’ve got to utilise a grass when we can get one. “She’ll probably go to Wanganui on Cup Day (November 30) for one more gallop there in between races, and she should be cherry ripe for Wellington.” Bergerson’s exciting juvenile prospect Too Sweet also had a hit-out at Foxton, putting an extending and sizeable margin on her less-experienced rivals in an 850m heat. The filly by Satono Aladdin won on debut at Trentham on October 27, and she may earn herself a Group Two opportunity with a forward showing at the TAB Mufhasa Classic meeting. “She did exactly what we’d expected as well, she’s got race day form and I thought she’d run away from that more, but the time she’s run and the ease in which she’s done so were pretty impressive,” Bergerson said. “I think she ran nearly a second faster than the open handicappers so that was a good gallop, Lisa said she was just cruising at the line. “Onwards and upwards for her, we’re hoping to get to Wellington on the 7th of December, and then after that, we’ll have a look at the Eclipse (Gr.2, 1200m) at Ellerslie, if she ran well enough and if she pulls up okay. “Then, hopefully on to the big dance ($1 million Karaka Millions 2YO, 1200m).” View the full article

Bill Thurlow couldn’t have hoped for a better week at the New Zealand Cup carnival and is optimistic a more senior member of the team can add a northern feature to the stable’s tally this Saturday. The Waverley trainer collected a brace of wins, a runner-up finish and a treasured Group One placing at Riccarton and is now focused on No Compromise’s tilt at the Gr.3 TAB Counties Cup (2100m). Successful in the Gr.1 The Metropolitan (2400m) during his tenure with Chris Waller, the eight-year-old son of Pins hasn’t won since his return home but has performed with distinction up to the highest level. He was runner-up in Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m), third in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and most recently was also third in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. “Hopefully, there is a bit of moisture around, he needs a bit of dig in the ground,” Thurlow said. Waverley trainer Bill Thurlow. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North “He had a soft trial at Foxton on Tuesday, we gave him a nice hit-out on a track that had give in it. “We were rapt with him, he went around on the bridle and did what was asked of him, so he’ll go north in really good order and we’re looking forward to it. I’m sure he’ll race well.” Ryan Elliot was aboard last time out and will again partner No Compromise, whose longer-term target is likely to be the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). Thurlow was delighted with his Riccarton results with The Entertainer winning on the first and last days, Crunchie Boy finished runner-up and Movin Out ran a gallant third in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). “It was great, the horses really went well and it’s always nice when you travel for them to perform and we thought we took the right horses and it all worked out,” he said. “They all travelled back well and are in the paddock and we’ll plan what we do with them. “The two older horses will bounce through well and the younger filly might just take a bit longer, it’s a big trip for the first time.” Movin Out was at long odds in just her third career start and was coming off a maiden victory at Otaki, but there was confidence in her Classic prospects. “It was a massive step up and we were underdogs, but we wouldn’t have taken her down there if we didn’t think she was up to it,” Thurlow said. “We knew she was good, she has a lot of ability and she just lacked a bit of ringcraft. “She never came up early enough in the spring to get another race or two into her, it wasn’t fitness but just lacking a bit of experience went against her.” Thurlow is confident the daughter of Staphanos can progress further as she is stepped up in ground on her return next year. “She has got at least 2000m stamped all over her, she is just so relaxed with a beautiful stride and gets into a good rhythm and is probably a real Oaks filly,” he said. View the full article

Florida-based owner/trainer Paul Valery has been suspended by the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit until May 14, 2030, for a series of infractions involving his horses and controlled and banned medications, including steroids. View the full article

Group One-performing sprinter Express Yourself. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Group One performer Express Yourself has returned home from her spring campaign in Melbourne and is now on a path towards the Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on January 4. The six-year-old mare had four starts at Caulfield for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, placing in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) in August and Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) on Caulfield Cup Day. She has returned to part-owner Nikki Hurdle’s Awapuni stable in Palmerston North, and while pleased with her stakes results, Hurdle said her mare didn’t settle into the urban training environment in Australia and is pleased to get her home in a paddock. “She did well (in Australia). The fact that she ran third on Caulfield Cup Day was awesome,” Hurdle said. “I probably underestimated how she would react to the different environment, and they are worlds apart. At my place she has a paddock, and I have only got two horses, whereas it is a huge establishment at Price-Kent Racing. “Your horse is a thinking animal, and I know what makes her tick. He (Price) did try different things for me, but at the end of the day she was still in that very urban setting. I just don’t think it suited her, so the fact she ran those placings was pleasing, and it showed her heart. “We weren’t disappointed in her, I just don’t think we saw the best of her, and that is why I brought her home. We went over several times and I could just see that she wasn’t the horse she is here. They looked after her superbly I just don’t think their regime suited her that much.” Hurdle gave the daughter of Shamexpress a freshen-up on her return to New Zealand and gave Express Yourself her first public hit-out ahead of summer racing at the Foxton trials on Tuesday where she won her 850m heat. While pleased with the win, Hurdle wasn’t overly enamoured with the trial and is hoping her mare returns to her form of old before January’s Group One target, which she was runner-up in earlier this year behind Mercurial. “She came back in nice order and we gave her a couple of weeks off and we are just starting a build-up hopefully towards the Telegraph,” Hurdle said. “I was happy with her trial, but I wasn’t excited. She is not quite there yet, and I don’t know whether she will bounce back, but we have got a bit of time.” Express Yourself’s next target will likely be next Thursday’s Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki, and Hurdle is hoping that brings her on for her summer campaign as she is eager to go one better in the Telegraph in January. “It is a bit of unfinished business when you are beaten a nostril (in the Telegraph),” Hurdle said. “I do think it will be a lot tougher this year, it is going to be a big race with the prizemoney ($550,000), change of date, and sprint series (Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series). “We will head towards it (Telegraph) and see how she is going. I will nominate her next week for the Levin Stakes, and we will just take it one step at a time.” Hurdle is unsure of what targets lie beyond the Telegraph, with the Manawatu horsewoman loathe to return to Ellerslie following Express Yourself’s subpar showing in January’s Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m). “She is quite a hard horse to place now,” Hurdle said. “She is not a horse I really want to travel, she didn’t seem to travel that well to Auckland that time, so opportunities for her aren’t great. “I wouldn’t say no (to the sprint series), but it is not a high priority. I am really worried about taking her back to Ellerslie, she just absolutely hated that track. “I would look at the 1400m (Group 1 BCD Group Sprint) at Te Rapa, it is a beautiful track and our way around of going, which takes a few of the doubts out.” View the full article

Race 1 THE GRAND TOUR IN CHRISTCHURCH PREMIER 1000m KINDRED SPIRIT (J Fawcett) – Co-trainer Mr. M Pitman reported to Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, and it is the stables intention to trial KINDRED SPIRIT at the Ashburton RC on Tuesday 26 November. The post Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park, Wednesday 13 November 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Waverley trainer Bill Thurlow. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Bill Thurlow couldn’t have hoped for a better week at the New Zealand Cup carnival and is optimistic a more senior member of the team can add a northern feature to the stable’s tally this Saturday. The Waverley trainer collected a brace of wins, a runner-up finish and a treasured Group One placing at Riccarton and is now focused on No Compromise’s tilt at the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m). Successful in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) during his tenure with Chris Waller, the eight-year-old son of Pins hasn’t won since his return home but has performed with distinction up to the highest level. He was runner-up in Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2050m), third in the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and most recently was also third in the Group 3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. “Hopefully, there is a bit of moisture around, he needs a bit of dig in the ground,” Thurlow said. “He had a soft trial at Foxton on Tuesday, we gave him a nice hit-out on a track that had give in it. “We were rapt with him, he went around on the bridle and did what was asked of him, so he’ll go north in really good order and we’re looking forward to it. I’m sure he’ll race well.” Ryan Elliot was aboard last time out and will again partner No Compromise, whose longer-term target is likely to be the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). Thurlow was delighted with his Riccarton results with The Entertainer winning on the first and last days, Crunchie Boy finished runner-up and Movin Out ran a gallant third in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). “It was great, the horses really went well and it’s always nice when you travel for them to perform and we thought we took the right horses and it all worked out,” he said. “They all travelled back well and are in the paddock and we’ll plan what we do with them. “The two older horses will bounce through well and the younger filly might just take a bit longer, it’s a big trip for the first time.” Movin Out was at long odds in just her third career start and was coming off a maiden victory at Otaki, but there was confidence in her Classic prospects. “It was a massive step up and we were underdogs, but we wouldn’t have taken her down there if we didn’t think she was up to it,” Thurlow said. “We knew she was good, she has a lot of ability and she just lacked a bit of ringcraft. “She never came up early enough in the spring to get another race or two into her, it wasn’t fitness but just lacking a bit of experience went against her.” Thurlow is confident the daughter of Staphanos can progress further as she is stepped up in ground on her return next year. “She has got at least 2000m stamped all over her, she is just so relaxed with a beautiful stride and gets into a good rhythm and is probably a real Oaks filly,” he said. Horse racing news View the full article

Town Cryer winning the Group 3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) in October. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Last start Group 3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) winner Town Cryer has another Trentham feature in her sights, taking the next step towards the Group 1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at the Foxton trials on Tuesday. In the hands of Lisa Allpress, who made a welcome return to the trials following an injury in August, Town Cryer led up the field in her usual fashion and wasn’t pressured to the line, finishing a narrow second to Vanish. “She did exactly what we thought she’d do, she likes to do her own thing and Lisa said she travelled very keenly to the line,” trainer Roydon Bergerson said. “It was a tick over as there has been a long time between runs for her, from her last start at Wellington to the Group One in a few weeks’ time. We thought we would take her there for a good gallop on the grass, I’m very happy with her and she’s pulled up super.” The daughter of Tavistock placed at the top level behind subsequent dual Australian Group Two winner Belclare in March, and she will be back to go one better on the 7th of December. “She doesn’t take a lot of work once she’s up and racing, but it’s quite a long way when you’re going six weeks into a Group One, and it’s looking to be a top-class field, as you would expect,” Bergerson said. “We try to keep her fresh, we haven’t got a grass (track) to gallop on at Awapuni at the moment so we’ve got to utilise a grass when we can get one. “She’ll probably go to Wanganui on Cup Day (November 30) for one more gallop there in between races, and she should be cherry ripe for Wellington.” Bergerson’s exciting juvenile prospect Too Sweet also had a hit-out at Foxton, putting an extending and sizeable margin on her less-experienced rivals in an 850m heat. The filly by Satono Aladdin won on debut at Trentham on October 27, and she may earn herself a Group Two opportunity with a forward showing at the TAB Mufhasa Classic meeting. “She did exactly what we’d expected as well, she’s got race day form and I thought she’d run away from that more, but the time she’s run and the ease in which she’s done so were pretty impressive,” Bergerson said. “I think she ran nearly a second faster than the open handicappers so that was a good gallop, Lisa said she was just cruising at the line. “Onwards and upwards for her, we’re hoping to get to Wellington on the 7th of December, and then after that, we’ll have a look at the Eclipse (Gr.2, 1200m) at Ellerslie, if she ran well enough and if she pulls up okay. “Then, hopefully on to the big dance ($1 million Karaka Millions 2YO, 1200m).” Horse racing news View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Nov. 12-Nov. 17View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Champions Dream (Justify–Dancinginherdreams, by Tapit), winner of the 2022 GIII Nashua Stakes, has been retired and will his stand his first season at stud at Pleasant Acres Stallions in Florida in 2025. He will stand for a fee of $5,000. “It's always a great day when a talented and well-bred stallion arrives at Pleasant Acres Stallions. When a graded-stakes winning, 'TDN Rising Star,' son of Justify arrives, you can imagine our excitement,” said Christine Jones, Director of Stallion Services at Pleasant Acres Stallions. “Champions Dream has an exceptional pedigree with a lot of black-type on his dam side. We are confident he will be a great addition for Florida breeders commercially and at the racetrack.” Champions Dream, a $25,000 KEESEP yearling turned $425,000 OBSMAR breezer, was campaigned by Rosedown Racing Stables LLC. His dam Dancinginherdreams was a fellow 'Rising Star' and captured the 2010 GII Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs. “From the very start, Champions Dream was a special horse. He broke his maiden at first asking in Saratoga and moved forward from there. His last race was another indication of his true ability, determination, and excellent physique. He is intelligent and his demeanor is easy-going,” said Rafael Weiss, Rosedown Racing. “We plan to breed a number of our better mares to him and are purchasing several more for him. We are convinced his brilliant early speed and pedigree are a great fit for Florida.” The post Champions Dream Retired to Pleasant Acres Stallions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pa Doyle could not have said it any better than he did. It was at this sale 12 months ago that, when asked to sum up trade, the Galbertstown boss coined the phrase, “those pinhookers are as brave as lions.” That sentence had as much relevance a year ago as it did on Tuesday when Paul McCartan, Michael Fitzpartick, Barry Mahon and Philip Stauffenberg–absolute titans of their profession–fought it out for some of the best foals on offer at Goffs. It was McCartan, the master breeder and pinhooker who has nurtured the careers of Battash (Ire), Harry Angel (Ire) and Kodi Bear (Ire) to name but a few, who accounted for the most expensive foal through the ring on Tuesday, the Hunting Hill Stud-drafted Sioux Nation filly that went his way at €185,000. But in order to secure that filly, McCartan had to think outside the box–just as he had done 24 hours previously when he took to bidding online to land a Cotai Glory (GB) colt for €88,000. This time, McCartan enlisted the help of top agent Matt Houldsworth–who auctioneer Michael Ryan amusingly pronounced 'Huddlesworth' when dropping his hammer–to see off the attention of Tally-Ho Stud as determined underbidders. The Ballyphilip Stud man commented afterwards, “She's a gorgeous filly. We saw her three or four times and she was better every time we saw her. We love Sioux Nation and we think the best is yet to come. She has a proper pedigree and I said if she wasn't making money as a pinhook we have the option of keeping her for breeding because her pedigree is fantastic and it is so hard to get those pedigrees now.” The Sioux Nation filly is out of Mount Nelson (GB) mare Jolie Chanson (Fr), who Hunting Hill Stud picked up for just 3,500gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2018. She has since gone on to produce Listed winner Majestic Dawn (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) and the Group 2-placed Rousing Encore (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). McCartan continued, “Buyers are hot on Sioux Nation—and with justification—and he has done very well with fillies. I like him and we have been using him. We sold a yearling by him and this year we have a mare in foal to him and we will continue to use him.” Hanshen Tham is in agreement with McCartan on the sire and backed up his opinion to the tune of €130,000. The Malaysian native who lives in London is perhaps best known for owning the classy Listed winner Thornbrook (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) but enjoyed a huge pinhooking profit earlier this year when a Night Of Thunder (Ire) colt that he sourced here for €210,000 rocked into 500,000gns at Book 1 in Newmarket. Tham was reinvesting some of those pinhooking profits on Tuesday and said that the Sioux Nation colt, who is out of a sister to Prince Of Lir (Ire) and was consigned by Ballinafad Stud, would have stacked up favourably with some of the Wednesday foals. “Quality animal,” Tham said. “A very good mover and I thought he stood up well to even the Wednesday foals. The sire is getting there and he's done it the hard way so far. He deserves to be getting the praise that he is getting. He is a very good stallion. They are just racehorses and do it on the track.” Reflecting on the pinhook of the Night Of Thunder that got him off the ground, Tham added, “It was risky but luckily it paid off. It has provided me with a bit more confidence to go again this week and we're just trying to buy the nice foals at prices that we think make sense. We had only two pinhooks last year and I'd like to buy between three and five this year. This is the first foal I have bought this year-it's been hard to buy.” Tham's assessment that it has been hard to buy is representative in the figures. After an extremely strong start on Monday where all of the key figures were on the rise bar the clearance rate, the numbers took another jump on Tuesday, notably the 7% rise in turnover to €8,200,500. The average was up 16% to €42,271 while the median climbed 17% to €35,000. The clearance rate was a healthy 80%. “We're over the moon. We'll be coming back with our nice foals to Goffs, because they can get the result.” Hunting Hill Stud's Sioux Nation filly summons €185,000 from @BallyphilipStud at #GoffsNovember. pic.twitter.com/1Fhq6ST5le — Goffs (@Goffs1866) November 19, 2024 Barry Mahon: 'It's Been Crazy – The Market Is Very Strong' When it comes to pinhooking, Barry Mahon needs no introduction. Signing under Goodwill Bloodstock, he sourced a Blue Point (Ire) colt for €175,000 from Oaklawn Stud. Out of the Street Cry (Ire) mare Aaraamm, who is a sister to the Group 2-placed Saamidd (GB), the Blue Point colt will be offered for resale. Mahon explained, “Blue Point is a very good stallion and is responsible for what is probably as good a three-year-old colt there is around this year in Rosallion (Ire). It's great that Rosallion stays in training next year as well. This horse was bred by very good breeders in the McStays. He's a nice horse and he will be coming back for resale.” On the market, Mahon added, “It's been crazy.The market is very strong but the yearling sales were very good–it was good here at the Orby, it was very good at Newmarket and Keeneland in September and November was strong. There is a lot of positivity and a lot of new people buying horses. There is a good feeling around, which is important.” The sale exceeded all expectations for Oaklawn Stud and the outfit's Killian McStay commented, “Delighted to get a homebred away for such an incredible sum. He was very popular since he got here and I don't think we've ever seen such footfall or had as many shows as we did. Our ceiling was absolutely shattered. It looks like it's going up another level again this year.” “Our ceiling was absolutely shattered, he went beyond that.”@OaklawnStud received an “incredible sum” of €175,000 from Goodwill Bloodstock for their Blue Point colt (Lot 295). pic.twitter.com/72J5yykZfn — Goffs (@Goffs1866) November 19, 2024 Back Of The Net For Begley With Hello Youmzain Colt Stan Begley, grandson of the late Stan Cosgrove, enjoyed a memorable evening when selling a Hello Youmzain (Fr) colt for €120,000 to Corduff Stud [who signed under Blandford Bloodstock]. Consigned by the Irish National Stud, where Begley is based full-time, the Hello Youmzain represented a shrewd piece of business for the youngster who bought the dam Madhulika (Fr) carrying the colt for just €31,000 at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale. “I am absolutely over the moon,” Begley said. “We bought the mare for 31 grand last year in France. Hello Youmzain kicked off then-it was brilliant. He went down very well with everyone.” He added, “The mare was a bit of value, she was in foal to Hello Youmzain, and she was the dam of Madeline who was a Listed winner and placed in a Group 1. She was a lovely mare and the sire clicked. She is in foal to Calyx (GB). “It's great. All week we had all the right people on him, so we kind of knew we were doing well. We just have two mares, but sure we might go pinhooking a few there now!” Hello Youmzain, who Haras d'Etreham bumped from a €22,500 covering fee to €40,000 for 2025, has enjoyed 24 winners from 41 runners in Europe and is well on his way to being crowned champion first-season sire in his native France. Talking Points There were 11 six-figure lots through the ring on Tuesday. Things are hotting up nicely ahead of the much-anticipated Wednesday session, where some of the best-bred foals in the sale will be offered under the hammer. Philip Stauffenberg was responsible for one of those six-figure lots on Tuesday–a €115,000 Starman (GB) colt from Ridge Manor Stud. In fact, Stauffenberg has been quite busy across both days, and signed for four foals to the tune of €235,000. How early is too early to start judging a stallion's progeny? It's hard to know how much can be gleaned at this stage but certainly the Minzaal (Ire) foals seem to be finding themselves on many peoples' lists. Of the 19 offered, 17 have sold at an average of €35,324–including two for €80,000. But the early plaudits must go to Blackbeard. The Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes winner's foals averaged more than any other debut-season sire did this week. Blackbeard also achieved what no other newbie managed by netting a six-figure sale. Step forward lot 471, the Stanley Lodge-drafted colt out of Group 2 winner Pollyana (Ire) (Whipper), who was knocked down to TOHA for €155,000. Blackbeard has averaged €46,091 for 11 foals sold. In terms of this year's crop of first-season sires championship, the cool thing to say is that it has been an open year and no stallion has bopped his head above the parapet. Notching a Group 1 winner with your first crop would qualify as bopping your head above the parapet and Kameko, who achieved exactly that with New Century (GB), is clearly being given the respect he deserves. After a yearling colt of his sold for 1 million gns at Book 2, top pinhooker Michael Fitzpatrick went to €180,000 to secure the Hollyhill Stud-drafted filly by the stallion deep into the Tuesday session. Tweenhills boss David Redvers was on hand to see the filly out of the late Lady O'Reilly's Group 3-placed Roseraie (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) create such a frenzy in the ring. He commented, “She was a beautiful filly and it seems she was on all the best judges' lists.It is a wonderful legacy for the lovely Lady O'Reilly's operation and it a great stamp of approval for a hugely exciting young stallion.” Hayes Celebrates A Different Kind Of Winner With Mehmas Filly Top jockey Chris Hayes sidestepped a trip to India to ride for the winter in favour of seeing his homebred Mehmas filly sell at Goffs this week and that decision was vindicated when she made €150,000 to Alex Butler. Consigned by Boherguy Stud, the Mehmas filly is out of Shahaada (Ire), who Hayes partnered to finish third in the Listed McCalmont Stakes at Gowran Park a couple of years ago. Hayes commented, “That was very exciting-it was a different kick to riding a winner! I was pretty confident in her, Rachel [Hayes's wife] did most of the prep. I just turned up and Clare [Manning, Boherguy Stud] did a great job in getting her sold. We are obviously over the moon and [she is] gone to a good home which is even better.” He added, “She made more than we thought. We were too busy staring in on the filly to see who the underbidder was. I am known for silly celebrations, and all I was short of was doing that. The dam was in Kevin's [Prendergast] and was owned by Sheikh Hamdan. He passed away and Sheikha Hissa took over, and I spoke to Angus Gold, bought the mare privately, and we kept her in training. I put her in foal to Starman, she improved from 73 to 95 and we got her black-type. We have a Starman filly now and enough money to put her in training now. Shahaada is in foal to Mehmas again. “The O'Callaghans have been very good supporters of us from our first foal. They have good stallions, and when they have been good to us, why not support them? Roger kindly offered Mehmas. We like the Starman and decided to keep her, so we are looking forward to putting her in training. She is being broken at the moment and I will sit on her in a fortnight.” Buy of the Day Sarah Dempsey has enjoyed a marvellous year on the pinhooking front under the banner of Tincoon Stables. Her breakout year was highlighted by a €18,000 Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) colt who she sourced for just €200 as a foal. The chips were put back on the table on Tuesday when the County Wexford-based operator went to €33,000 to secure a fast-looking filly by Calyx (GB) and it's hard to say that Dempsey didn't sniff out a bit of value in what has been a bustling market. Consigned by Joe Hernan`s Castletown Stud, the Calyx filly is a half-sister to Mission Command (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), already a dual winner for trainer George Scott and Bahraini-based owners Victorious Racing. It's hardly beyond the realms of possibility that Mission Command–who is already rated 87–can take another step forward next year, which would obviously be a boost. One of 71 foals by a thoroughly respectable stallion, lot 470 wouldn't look out of place in Orby 1 next year on pedigree and might prove another pinhooking profit for the upwardly mobile Dempsey. Thought for the Day Talk of some vendors having 170 or more shows at Goffs this week got me thinking. As a man who dabbles in the odd foal to yearling and yearling to breezer, it remains pretty amusing that, the closer you get to the racetrack, the less people there are to buy the end product. Vendors at the yearling sales would average significantly less shows than at the foal sales and that number is even fewer at the breeze-up sales. Food for thought perhaps. The post Sioux-per Day For Nation As McCartan Bags “Gorgeous Filly” By The Sire At Goffs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

How did we get hooked on this sport? We all have stories about how our love affair developed and blossomed. The TDN will be reaching out to numerous notable people in the industry to get their stories to find out how they got hooked and stayed hooked on the sport. Pat Day: I had no connection to horse racing when I was growing up. I wanted to be a bull rider. When I went to the rodeos, people would ask me did I ever think of becoming a jockey? I'm 4-11, weighed 100 pounds soaking wet. I was an adrenaline junkie and had no fear riding bulls. These people must have seen something in me that led them to believe I could be a jockey and be successful or maybe they recognized I had no ability whatsoever in the rodeo arena and so they were trying to get me out of there before I got seriously injured. I had heard of the Kentucky Derby, but I had never watched it on TV. I had heard of Bill Shoemaker and Eddie Arcaro. That was the extent of my knowledge of horse racing. Through an acquaintance, I got a job on Thoroughbred farm in January of 1973. I told the people at the farm that I wanted to be a jockey and they said, `here is what you have to do: be at the farm for two-three years, learn the job from the ground up and at the end of that period of time we'll send you to a trainer at the racetrack. You will continue to hone your skills, you'll watch the races, study the films. Do that, they said, and within a year I'd be ready to ride.' I didn't last a month. I enjoyed getting on the horses but I didn't care for the menial farm labor. I left. I wasn't going to do this for two, three years. When I left the farm, I had every intention of going back to being a bull rider. Race horses were non-existent to me. I decided to go to Las Vegas over the winter to spend some time with friends. I was going to do whatever I could to feed myself and then when the rodeo season started in early summer, I was going to pursue that. I went to Vegas and couldn't find a job. Back then they had a racetrack in Henderson called Las Vegas Downs. I don't believe they ever had any recognized racing there. But there were people using it for a winter training track and they were desperate to have someone gallop their horses. I went out there and met a fellow named Steve Talbot. He had three horses. He told me that I could gallop his horses for $2 a head. So I did that for a couple of months and I enjoyed that. Steve happened to be the clerk of scales on the fair circuit in Arizona. So when it came time for him to leave Las Vegas and go to Arizona, he asked me to come with him. He told me he'd introduce me to some people and help me get started. Even at that point, I wasn't really hooked. So I made my way to Southern Arizona. The fair circuit, they ran two weekends at each town and then moved on to the next town. So when I got there Steve introduced me to some people and I got on a few horses. After the fairs, they moved to Prescott for summer. I went there with them. I was introduced to a fellow named Karl Pew and he had 30 head of horses. I think he gave me $50 a week to gallop horses for him. Karl was a rodeo hand. He had been a professional team roper before he became a horse trainer. We had a lot in common and hit it right off. Now, you couldn't drive me away from the barn. By mid-summer, I told Karl I want to ride. I was galloping horses, I was working horses, taking horses to the gate. I wanted to get in there. He told me I could ride a few horses for him. On July 29, 1973 I won my first race. That's when I was hooked. I couldn't get enough of it. I wanted to ride every race. I wanted to win every race. Terry Finley: Like a lot of other people, I went to the races with my dad. I grew up in Levittown, Pennsylvania and we went to Liberty Bell, Keystone, Delaware Park, Garden City, Atlantic City and sometimes to the trotters. I remember going to Delaware Park in the afternoon and then heading down the road to watch the trotters at Brandywine at night. Terry Finley | Sarah Andrew Then I started working on a farm while in my teens in Colts Neck, New Jersey. After that I started working on the racetrack when I was 15. That was, obviously, before I enrolled at West Point. When in the Army, every once in a while I would think about getting into racing. I lived in Germany and I knew I wasn't going to stay in the Army. Ironically, every time I went to the Frankfurt Airport there was a big old racetrack right outside the airport. Just seeing that track got me thinking, 'wouldn't it cool to get back in the horse business?' But I think what really got me hooked was the Affirmed-Alydar rivalry. I was at the Affirmed-Alydar Derby and Preakness, but not at the Belmont. That was such a great time for racing back then. Racing was at such a zenith back then. Then you had the Steve Cauthen phenomenon. Back then, in 1978 with Affirmed-Alydar and Cauthen, I knew what I wanted. I just had to figure out how to make a go of it in racing. To share your own story of how you got hooked on racing, email suefinley@thetdn.com. The post How I Got Hooked on Racing: Pat Day, and Terry Finley appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are six horse racing meetings set for Australia on Wednesday, November 20. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Canterbury, Caulfield Heath & Happy Valley (HK). Wednesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – November 20, 2024 Canterbury Racing Tips Caulfield Heath Racing Tips Happy Valley (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top horse racing bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on November 20, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Recommended! Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 4 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 5 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 6 Next Gen Racing Betting pickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

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Edited Press Release Funding for a pair of research studies has been announced by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA)'s Exercise-Associated Sudden Death (EASD) Working Group. The group was formed in October of 2023 to advance research initiatives and collaborate with industry leaders on the critical issue of exercise-associated sudden death. The Working Group is made up of veterinarians and equine researchers focused on the scientific understanding and prevention of sudden, unexpected fatalities occurring during or closely following exercise in Thoroughbred racehorses. “The EASD Working Group is working diligently to address the incidence of sudden deaths, which continue to account for a significant portion of racing fatalities. This ongoing challenge requires increased attention, which is exactly why HISA exists. We are optimistic that this group's research will enhance our understanding and help inform policy changes that will reduce sudden fatalities and safeguard our horses,” said HISA CEO, Lisa Lazarus. The Group is sponsoring two groundbreaking studies, one of which seeks to identify biomarkers that could be used to identify horses at high risk of EASD, while the other focuses on a comprehensive monitoring program using wearable technology. Both are aimed at developing practical screening tools and reducing EASD occurrences. Dr. Sian Durward-Akhurst of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, is working on a multi-omics approach to prediction of EASD in Thoroughbred racehorses by identifying biomarker differences between healthy Thoroughbred racehorses and those that succumb to EASD. The lab's long-term goal is to develop a non-invasive screening test to identify horses at increased risk of EASD. These horses can then be monitored closely, and recommendations can be made for when they are safe to train and race with the goal of reducing the frequency of EASD. Additionally, if there are horses that are considered at high risk of EASD but never have issues, it will be possible to look for protective measures to which those horses may be exposed. Racing authorities and racetracks are currently being recruited to collect samples from horses that have succumbed to EASD and healthy controls. Dr. Cris Navas of New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Durward-Akhurst of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, have begun an Exercise-Associated Sudden Death monitoring pilot program. Collaborating trainers are asked to place the Arioneo Equimetre wearable devices on each horse during training weekly for four-to-six months. For each of the training sessions, ECG, heart rate, stride characteristics (rate, length, symmetry [for trot] and regularity), speed, distance, duration and the relationships and progression of these variables are measured. Enrollment is free and the data is kept confidential between researchers, trainers and the veterinary team of each trainer. In the first eight weeks of the study, they have recruited 193 Thoroughbred racehorses across racetracks in Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland and Minnesota, and 493 training sessions have been recorded so far. They are planning to record 250 horses for the initial phase of the study, giving approximately 4,000 training sessions for analysis. These research projects are ongoing. The initial pilot studies are expected to be completed by December 2025. If data collection and analysis are proven to be feasible in the North American racetrack setting, the goal is to enroll a large enough number of racehorses to allow the identification of risk factors for EASD. If accurate risk factors are identified, these will used to implement prevention programs to reduce the frequency of EASD. The post HISA Exercise-Associated Sudden Death Working Group to Sponsor Pair of Research Studies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article