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Wandering Eyes

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  1. By Michael Guerin There was a lot of head shaking going on in the Addington stabling block after Oscar Bonavena finally restored some level of New Zealand harness racing pride on Friday. The reigning Trotter of the Year raced like it for the first time in months when he sling-shotted Aussie hero Just Believe in the $100,000 New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All. After Muscle Mountain led and kept running Just Believe had to race parked and a pearler of a drive from Blair Orange saw Oscar Bonavena stalking him on his back. At the 400m it looked like Muscle Mountain had them all in trouble before his lack of recent racing saw him peak and Just Believe gathered himself and raced to the lead . But if there is one open class trotter in Australasia you don’t want sitting on your back in that situation it is a healthy and happy Oscar. When he let down he was simply too fast, reminding us what a weapon his raw speed has been during his rollercoaster career. There have been times it felt like we would never see the best of Oscar Bonavena and entire years when he struggled to win a race. So to bounce back to something like that best and beat a champion had both his trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon shaking their heads. “It is so satisfying to see him race like that again, he has been such a wonderful old horse,” said Nathan Purdon. Oscar Bonavena will now return north with Mark Purdon this weekend and spend much of the summer being trained at the Matamata galloping track, where Purdon believes he can keep him soundest. “We have the soft surface there to work him on and the pool to swim him in,” says Mark Purdon. “So he can race around Alexandra Park and Cambridge. But we are so proud of him because he just keeps turning up after all these seasons.” Also shaking his head was Greg Sugars, driver of Just Believe who knew a day like this had to come. “Eventually he was going to have to race parked with the wrong horse on his back and today was that day,” said the Victorian. “But he was very brave and at least he wasn’t on Tuesday,” he said in reference to the Dominion they won on Cup Day, worth four times more than Friday’s 1980m mobile. Sugars and his wife Jess now have some thinking to do because they are torn between staying in New Zealand for the next month and heading back to Sydney to try for an Inter Dominion threepeat. “We are going to need to think about that and quickly,” said Sugars. “The other day we were certain we were staying but we have a few other things to weigh up so to be honest I don’t know what to do now.” View the full article
  2. White Abarrio, the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner, is scheduled to make a long-awaited return to action Nov. 22 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article
  3. White Abarrio (Race Day), winner of the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic, is scheduled to return to action next Friday at Gulfstream Park. The 5-year-old is entered in a seven-furlong optional claiming allowance, in which he is scheduled to make his first start since returning to trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr.'s stable. White Abarrio was 10th in the G1 Saudi Cup Feb. 24 and fifth in the GI Metropolitan Handicap June 8 at Saratoga. He had previously won the 2023 GI Whitney Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Classic after being transferred from Joseph to Rick Dutrow, Jr. earlier in that year. “Obviously, we're glad to have him back. He's a top-class horse–those are the kind of horses you want to train,” Joseph said. “He's coming off a couple of disappointing runs, but hopefully, he'll rebound. When you come off those kind of runs, you're always a little bit reserved to have a strong opinion, but he seems to be working well enough. It's time to get him back started. Hopefully, he'll get a win and go on to bigger things from here.” The post White Abarrio Entered to Return Next Friday at Gulfstream Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  4. Globetrotting Spirit Dancer becomes the first dual winner of the $1 million Bahrain International Trophy (G2) Nov. 15 with a remarkable come-from-behind success.View the full article
  5. Kovanis (Fr) (Tunis {Pol}), one of 10 lots to bring £100,000 or more during Friday's Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale, topped proceedings at £330,000 to Gordon Elliott Racing. Consigned by Gerald Quinn's Caherty Stables, lot 8 won on debut in a Portrush point-to-point and is from the same family as Friday's G2 Cheltenham Schloer Chase hero Jonbon (Fr) (Walk In The Park {Ire}) and Grade 3 hurdle winner Discover D'Auteuil (Fr) (Mistigri {GB}). “He is a nice horse, he has come well recommended and he travelled in his race like a good horse,” said Elliott. “I will imagine he will go for a bumper in the spring, he looks a nice big horse and one to go forward.” Second on the buyers' sheet was wildcard Reckless Spending (Ire) (lot 7) who was sold to Nicky Henderson and Jerry McGrath Bloodstock for £200,000. Part of the Jonathan Fogarty Racing draft, the 4-year-old son of Sholokhov (Ire) was second when unveiled at Umma House on Oct. 20. “He's for owner Martin George,” said McGrath. “The winner of that race and this horse pulled 10 lengths clear of the third. Nicky Henderson has had brilliant luck with the sire; he can get you a Champion Chaser or a Gold Cup horse. Hopefully this will be a nice horse going forward.” Jonathan Fogarty Racing also offered lot 25, Hank West (Ire) (Westerner {GB}), who sold for £195,000 to Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins. The gelding won at first asking at Lisronagh. “Westerner has been very lucky for us and we bought the Grade 1 winner Ferny Hollow (Ire) from here,” said Kirk. “This gelding is out of a Montjeu (Ire) mare, and he is another sire we have been lucky with via Hurricane Fly (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). We loved this horse as an individual, and he won his race well. This is the first we have bought from Jonathan.” From seven fewer lots catalogued than last year, the sale's clearance rate rose to 87% with 33 lots sold of 38 offered for a gross of £3,085,000 (+34%). The average and median both increased by over 20% apiece at £93,485 (+26%) and £72,000 (+24%), respectively. Shirley Anderson-Jolag, Tattersalls Cheltenham sales manager said, “It has been fantastic to be back at the Home Of Jump Racing for the Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale and we have had a sale fit for the occasion. “We wanted to ensure that this first catalogue of our sales year was select and we concentrated on cataloguing only the very best young jumps horses. I think that goal has been achieved with a top lot of £330,000, seven sold for £150,000 and above and ten six-figure lots. “The team has worked hard since the beginning of October to deliver buyers an outstanding catalogue of young NH horses and that has been achieved. I am thrilled to see that our consignors have been rewarded with such great results today. “We all enjoyed watching the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale graduate Potters Charm (Ire) (Valirann {Fr}) win so impressively today [in the G2 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle] and we are looking forward to seeing Tattersalls Cheltenham graduates go on to achieve at the highest level over jumps and win on the biggest stages.” The post Kovanis Leads Strong Tattersalls Cheltenham November Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  6. Rojo Rita (Volatile) gave her connections something to celebrate here as she cruised home the easiest of winners in this unveiling, and secured her nod as the newest 'TDN Rising Star' in the process. An $80,000 Keeneland September purchase in 2023, Rojo Rita has been working steadily at Palm Meadows before this debut, with her Nov. 1 five-furlong work over that main track in :59.35 being rated as the fastest of five on the morning. Her Nov. 8 four-panel breeze went in :48.25, and she was rated fourth fastest of 33. The works that day were led by 'TDN Rising Star' Shisospicy (Mitole), who worked the bullet in :46.90. Sent off here as the 7-5 second choice behind 6-5 favorite Reputation (Bolt d'Oro), Rojo Rita set the tempo through :22.19 and :46.40 early splits along the rail. Lingering on her left lead but giving her competition the slip, she had built up a seven-length margin entering the stretch. Switching to the correct leg late but still in complete control to the wire, it was a long way back to Snitch Dorada (Maximus Mischief) in second, 16 1/4 lengths to be exact, as the favorite could only manage third. Rojo Rita is her sire (by Violence)'s third 'TDN Rising Star'. The victress is the most recent offspring to reach racing age for her dam, D'ya Knowwhatimean. From four foals to survive, all of them have gotten their picture taken with the eldest being Answer In (Dialed In), GSP, $445,580, tus far the only one to earn black-type. The mare, herself three-times placed against stakes competition, most recently produced a yearling full-sister to Rojo Rita. She did not produce a foal this year after a visit to Olympiad and was sent to Dialed In for 2025. This is the extended family of GSW Classy Edition (Classic Empire) and her half-sister MSW Newly Minted (Central Banker); GISP Golden Post; and GSW Miss Union Avenue, who in turn produced GII American Derby hero Union Avenue. Watch this debut! #4 ROJO RITA ($4.80) got to the lead early and ran up the score late winning by double digits in race 6 at Gulfstream Park. The 2yo daughter of Volatile was ridden by @zayas_edgardo and is trained by @SaffieJosephJr. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/3q8FwYO4mg — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 15, 2024 6th-Gulfstream, $40,000, Msw, 11-15, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:11.43, ft, 16 1/4 lengths. ROJO RITA, f, 2, by Volatile 1st Dam: D'ya Knowwhatimean (MSP, $125,520), by Broken Vow 2nd Dam: Tamina, by Dixie Union 3rd Dam: Top Tip, by Lost Code Sales history: $80,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $24,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree. O-Kamil Ozhan; B-Glen Oak Farm & Two Stamps Stables (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.. The post Cheers! Rojo Rita is Volatile’s Newest ‘TDN Rising Star’ at Gulfstream Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  7. In this series, we will have a look at American-bred first-time juvenile starters (through the end of 2024) and debuting 3-year-olds in maiden races at the tracks of the Emirates Racing Authority, with a specific focus on pedigree and/or performance in a sales ring. The flagship venue for racing in the United Arab Emirates is Meydan Racecourse, which will host racing predominantly on Fridays, with the exception of Super Saturday Mar. 1 and Dubai World Cup night Apr. 5, 2025. Here are the horses of interest for the Saturday card at all-dirt Jebel Ali: 3rd-JEB, AED60,000, NH2yo/SH3yo, 1200m (straight course) MATCHABLE (Omaha Beach) is one of two in the race for trainer Salem bin Ghadayer and has the inside barrier for this first go. Runner-up in an 800-meter trial at this venue on Nov. 6 (see below), the May 11 foal is kin to two winners from four to race out of My Philly Girl (Empire Maker), also the dam of this year's GIII Chillingworth Stakes victress One Magic Philly (Good Magic) and SW My Philly Twirl (Hard Spun). A $115,000 Keeneland September yearling, Matchable was hammered down to Rabbah Bloodstock for €125,000 at this year's Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale (see below). The deeper female family includes three-time G1 Dubai Turf hero Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Stablemate Gallant Blade (Maximum Security) was fourth, a length behind Matchable in the Nov. 6 barrier trial. A $110,000 KEENOV weanling turned $230,000 OBS April breezer (video), the chestnut is out of a half-sister to champion MG1SW Japanese dirt horse Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid), who swansongs in defense of his title in the G1 Champions Cup in early December. The Grade III-winning third dam Harpia (Danzig) was a full-sister to the irrepressible Danehill. Rammayy (Win Win Win) was produced by a full-sister to MSW Pretty Perfection (Majesticperfection) and cost trainer Michael Costa $250,000 on behalf of Jebel Ali Stables at last year's Keeneland September Sale, while $25,000 Fasig-Tipton October and $50,000 OBS June grad Nedawy (Instagrand) completes the field. WATCH: Nov. 6 trial featuring Matchable (2nd) and Gallant Blade (4th) The post Desert Debuters: Compact Quartet Looks Evenly Matched appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  8. First-season sire Van Beethoven will stand for an increased fee of €6,000 at Karwin Farm in 2025. The news was first reported by Jour de Galop. The son of Scat Daddy has 40 foals in his first crop, and, from 11 runners has a trio of winners. His Ciaran (Fr) was second in the Listed Prix des Jouvenceaux et Jouvencelles. A winner of the G2 Railway Stakes, the dark bay was second in the 2019 GI Secretariat Stakes in the U.S. After starting his stud career at Haras de Grandcamp where he stood 2021 and 2022 at €6,000, Van Beethoven moved to Karwin Farm beginning with the 2023 season. His fee was €4,500 in 2023 and 2024. The post Van Beethoven’s Fee Increased To €6,000 At Karwin Farm Following His First Runners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  9. The Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority board of directors on Nov. 15 approved reducing Thoroughbred race dates in Maryland next year, with racing pausing in the summer to avoid competition with Colonial Downs in Virginia. View the full article
  10. After a nine-day delay to fix safety concerns that pushed back the opening of the 2024-25 racing season at Turf Paradise from Nov. 2 to Nov. 11, horsemen, jockeys, regulators and track management were all largely in concurrence Friday that the first four days of racing at the Arizona track this past Monday through Thursday were conducted in safe and sustainable fashion. The largely positive reviews and glowing articulations of cooperation at the Nov. 15 Arizona Racing Commission (AZRC) meeting stood out in contrast to the contention and infighting that had become routine at commission meetings since the start of the 2020s decade. Recent disputes often pitted horsemen against track management over issues having to do with everything from purses, race dates, simulcasting rights and track safety, all while the beleaguered Turf Paradise bounced through a years-long cycle of potential and scuttled sales to a series of buyers who eventually fell by the wayside, leaving longtime owner Jerry Simms still at the helm. Simms, who often weighs in at commission meetings, was not a major participant during Friday's session. But his name came up often in terms of appreciation uttered by various stakeholders for his role in seeing Turf Paradise through its latest crisis, which was sparked by an Oct. 31 recommendation by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) that Turf Paradise delay the start of its racing season because of problems with the dirt surface. “It was quite some trying times,” said Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA) president J. Lloyd Yother. “We had some issues with the track that we were late in opening the meet, but we worked through those and things seem to be running very well.” Last year, prior to the start of the 2023-24 season, the AZHBPA and the Jockeys' Guild had complained to state regulators that the main track rail was not up to spec even after HISA had issued a non-compliance warning to Turf Paradise and track management had made what it thought was adequate repairs. A HISA inspection in the spring of 2023 had turned up “numerous gaps and exposed edges in the railing material that could inflict serious harm upon jockeys.” And then, just prior to the start of the current meet in the fall of 2024, four horses died at Turf Paradise. Two occurred as a while training prior to the meet's opening, according to Sue Gale, the Arizona Department of Gaming's chief veterinarian. Gale said on Friday that Turf Paradise has had seven equine fatalities so far in 2024, dating back to the previous meet in the spring when two horses perished from illness and one from injury. “Since that time, we've had two horses that had catastrophic limb injuries during training,” Gale said. “We had one other horse have a traumatic episode flipping over. And then we had, just recently, a horse that suddenly died [in the stable area] that we're investigating. They're all being necropsied, and those reports are pending.” J. Lloyd Yother | Coady Photography Over the first four days of racing, Gale said Turf Paradise took 340 entries. Of those, 33 horses were scratched (three pre-race unsound, three on the track as unsound or injured, and the remaining reasons being “stakes, stewards, illness, that sort of thing.”) Gale said no horses were vanned off Nov. 11-14, although one was reported unsound after racing. Six others, she added, are to be given follow-up exams by the commission's vet team. There was one injury during training. Juan Estrada, the assistant director for the Arizona Department of Gaming, told the AZRC that track management, state officials, and HISA have all been making progress together to ensure the main track and the meet stays safe. “We're going to continue to monitor, document and report anything that we see. Turf is steadily addressing some of the major concerns we have,” Estrada said. Darrell Haire, the western regional manager for The Jockeys' Guild, checked in with a brief report that amounted to a thumbs-up from riders. “A lot of our concerns have been addressed, and [the fixes] are ongoing,” Haire said. Two issues did percolate to the surface as needing more attention, though: Backstretch security and the track's ailing fleet of four water trucks. AZRC chair Kandace French Contreras said that over the past week, while monitoring safety work at Turf Paradise, she has walked into the backstretch area at least six times via the north stable gate without once being checked for a license, and she stated she was certain nobody who saw her coming or going knew she held a VIP position with the racing commission. “There was no security, no staff, nobody that stopped me from even going through the gate and going into the backside, and that concerns me,” French Contreras said. “Security goes a long way toward track safety, and I have concerns about somebody just being able to go into the backside without any questions.” In response, Turf Paradise general manager Vincent Francia told the commission he would be instructing his security team to address that issue. French Contreras then asked Yother to speak about his concerns related to the water trucks, which were not a problem that Yother had mentioned when giving his report just minutes before. “I personally am not satisfied with the water trucks,” Yother said. “They're old water trucks. They've got issues [and] they break down quite often….They've got severe water leaks.” Francia told commissioners that he has mechanics working to fix the problems while he tries to buy, lease or borrow secondhand water trucks from other tracks. He added that he has a lead on equipment that Freehold Raceway in New Jersey won't be needing after that harness track's planned closure at the end of 2024. As Yother put it, “The four that we have we're going to have to make do with. It's not ideal, but it keeps us in business.” The post After Track Woes Delay Meet, Turf Paradise’s First Week Of Racing Reported As Safe appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
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  12. 7th-DMR, $54K, Msw, 2yo, f, 5fT, 6:30 p.m. ET. MADAME SECRETARY (Constitution) makes her first start for MyRacehorse and Brook Smith after she was purchased at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale for $900,000 by Rocket Ship and Gandharvi. Sent to Richard Mandella, the filly is out of MSP Nina Fever (Borrego), who was taken home by Blandford Bloodstock for $500,000 while Madame Secretary was in-utero. This dam produced GI Frizette Stakes heroine and $3 million Fasig-Tipton Mixed Sale buy Nickname (Scat Daddy), who herself is responsible for Irish group stakes winner Ides of March (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Nina Fever claims current 3-year-old filly Citational (Into Mischief)–a $1.35-million Keeneland September grad–and a yearling filly by Justify. The latter was purchased by Resolute Bloodstock for $775,000 at this year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Also confirmed for her unveiling is American Privilege (American Pharoah). Owned by C R K Stable and trained by John Shirreffs, the bay was bought by Mayberry Farm for $525,000 during Keeneland's September Sale. The filly's dam, SW Ladies' Privilege (Harlan's Holiday)–a full-sister to MGSW Takeover Target–had her stock improve when her current 4-year-old colt More Than Looks (More Than Ready) captured the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile a few weeks ago at Del Mar. Ladies' Privilege foaled a colt by Gun Runner last year who was hammered down to Tomoyasu Sakaguchi for $700,000 during Keeneland September. TJCIS PPS 3rd-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 1:58 p.m. ET. Homebred Tears in Rain (City of Light) debuts for Andrew Warren and trainer Rick Dutrow at Churchill Downs. The filly's dam is MGISW Balance (Thunder Gulch) whose half-sister is 2016 Hall of Fame entrant Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}). TJCIS PPS 7th-GP, $65K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 3:16 p.m. ET. A $700,000 pick at the OBS April Sale, Commendatore (Twirling Candy) is the first to the races for his unplaced dam Bite the Stars (Flatter). Her female family includes half-sisters MGSW Stanford (Malibu Moon) and SW Hedge Fund (Super Saver). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday’s Racing Insights: Gate Appointment For Madame Secretary Confirmed At Seaside Oval appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  13. An 11-time winner this year, Tennessee Moon travels from Colorado's Arapahoe Park to compete Nov. 16 in the $100,000 Claiming Crown Glass Slipper, bringing her connections to the big stage of Churchill Downs for the very first time.View the full article
  14. Europe's top miler, Charyn, visits Japan to take on the top locals in the Nov. 17 Mile Championship at Kyoto Racecourse.View the full article
  15. Back in mid-October, trainer John Kirby claimed a horse named Tricolour (Hard Spun) at Parx out of a $10,000 maiden claimer. Not everyone thought that was such a good idea. “The first time we ran him, the guys on TVG said, 'Who in their right mind would claim a horse that was 0-39?'” said Kirby, who is also the horse's owner. The answer: a smart trainer. Tricolour was on his way to becoming the sport's next Zippy Chippy (Compliance), who went winless in 100 career starts. Purchased for $140,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September sale, Tricolour debuted in 2021 and had been with five different trainers before being claimed by Kirby. In career start 39, he finished second for trainer Phil Aristone before being claimed. In his first start for Kirby he was second in a maiden special weight race. Kirby wasn't the least bit discouraged, noting that he won a five-way shake the day he claimed the 5-year-old. “The reason why I wasn't discouraged is that while he was 0-for-39, he had finished in the money more than 50 percent of the time,” he said. “When I claimed him he had earned something like $132,000 without ever having won a race. And I claimed him for myself. I figured that if he would pick up a check half the times I led him over there that would be fine. I also liked his pedigree, Hard Spun and Empire Maker on the dam's side. He was hitting the board going long, going short, on dirt, on turf, on synthetic. He was very versatile.” He just wasn't winning, but Tricolour kept knocking on the door. On Tuesday, that door finally opened. In his 42nd career start, he won a one-mile maiden special weight race at Parx, earning $30,000. Remarkably, the losing streak didn't discourage the betting public. He was sent off at even-money. Tricolour finished seventh in his career debut, a 2021 maiden special weight race at Delta Downs for owner Donegal Racing and trainer Dane Noel. He was claimed out of his third lifetime start by Joe Sharp, who had him for four races. “What attracted us to the horse was he was the kind of horse that would always make a run,” Sharp said. “He was one of those horses who always seemed to be coming at the end, but just couldn't quite get there. As long as they have a willingness to run it's not so frustrating. It can be tough when they aren't able to win, but as long as they have a willingness to try and put forth the effort you're ok. It's nice to have a horse like that at any level. I'm not surprised that he won. I was more surprised to learn he was still running all this time and hadn't won yet. I remember being a fan of Zippy Chippy as a kid when I was in high school. He was always a horse you pulled for to win once you knew his story.” The barns would change but not the story. In his first 41 career starts he ran second 14 times and third nine times. Prior to coming into the Kirby barn, he had also been trained by Kenny Miller and Steven Krebs. Kirby claimed the horse off of Aristone. Then something just clicked. He ran a career-best Beyer figure of 71 in his final start for Aristone and then a 72 in his first start for Kirby. He ran a new career-best number Monday in the victory when earning a 77. “I had hopes for him,” Kirby said. “Once we got him back to our barn you could tell he had some class to him. Almost every day leading up to that first race we ran him in we thought we'd try some different things with him. Training him different ways, training with different equipment.” He also discovered a breathing issue. “The first time we ran him we had Paco Lopez on him and he said that he ran good and that he really liked the horse,” Kirby said. “I have a good rapport with Paco. He's pretty spot on so far as what he tells me after a race. He said there was one problem, that he heard a little noise in his breathing. We scoped him and he was full of mucous. It was like a three on a scale of five. We put him on antibiotics, cleared that up and then just took it easy coming into his next race.” Tricolour has made $40,000 in his two starts for Kirby, more than justifying the $10,000 claim. And it's not out of the question that he could begin a winning streak. For whatever reason, in start 39 and late into his 5-year-old campaign he was a new horse and he has maintained that form ever since. There are plenty of conditions at Parx for horses who have won just one race. There are also options in the starter allowance category for a horse that started recently for $10,000. “Now that he's over the hump I think I can win a few more with him,” Kirby said. His career earnings now stand at $172,216, not bad for a horse that had been a chronic loser, the horse they told John Kirby he never should have claimed. The post For Tricolour, the 42nd Time Was the Charm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  16. In 2023, Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) parlayed a victory in the G2 Fuji Stakes en route to a neck defeat of Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) in the G1 Mile Championship. This term, the top Japanese pair face a tougher ask, as Europe's Champion Miler elect Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) attempts to become the first international winner of the race since it was opened to worldwide participation in 1998. Trained by Tomokazu Takano, the 5-year-old mare will have pilot Cristian Demuro at the controls and they will break from stall four. Third to Hong Kong wunderkind Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile last December, the bay went one better in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March. Unplaced in the G1 Victoria Mile, Namur was only a half-length behind reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the G1 Yasuda Kinen over this trip in Tokyo on June 2. Sunday is her first run back. Takano said, “She is coming off a layoff, but she's had regular work and I figured she didn't need to do any really fast work. She actually has more muscle mass now and I hope that will show itself in a powerful performance. She's much more experienced and I can feel that. I'm sure the late Kota Fujioka [who rode in the Mile Championship last year] will be cheering us on and, as the defending champion, I don't want to lose. Multiple group winner Soul Rush has frequently clashed with Namur, and has a chance to turn the tables on Sunday. Fourth in the aforementioned Hong Kong Mile, he defeated 2022 Mile Championship hero Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) when winning his second G2 Yomiuri Milers Cup in three years this spring, before taking third behind Romantic Warrior and Namur in the Yasuda Kinen in June. He warmed up for this with a second to Jun Blossom (Jpn) (World Ace {Jpn}) in the G2 Fuji Stakes over this trip at Tokyo on Oct. 19. Assistant trainer Yuki Iwasaki said, “With an eye to this race, we had him at a little less than peak condition for the Fuji Stakes. Everything has gone well. He's gotten the same preparation as he always has and last year he finished a very frustrating second. I really want him to get a Group 1 title.” Nurlan Bizakov's Charyn got his 4-year-old season going in March with a listed win, and he has finished first or second in all seven 2024 appearances. The G1 Queen Anne Stakes and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois went his way in succession in June and August, respectively. Second when given too much to do in the G1 Prix du Moulin, the grey won the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in what will surely be contrastingly soft going on QIPCO Champions Day at Ascot on Oct. 19. The Mile Championship is his swansong, before beginning stallion duties for Bizakov's Sumbe at Haras de Montfort et Preaux for €35,000 next year. Trainer Roger Varian said, “He's given us some brilliant days and hopefully there is one more to come. He has come out of Ascot so well and we were always keen to come. It is a challenge and it's a sporting challenge. It's admirable of his owner Nurlan Bizakov to support that challenge. Nurlan is here and is very excited. “It's a very different style and tempo of racing and while Charyn is the highest-rated horse in the race, we're not underestimating the challenge he faces.” “He's in great form, he has an unbelievable temperament and a very relaxed mentality,” continued Varian of his charge, who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. “He's took the long journey and quarantine in his stride. Of course, you never quite know until the gates open, but for all the world he looks in great nick and hopefully that proves to be the case. It's nice to have a good one competing on Japanese soil and we keep our fingers crossed for Sunday.” The ultra-consistent Brede Weg (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is another to watch in the Mile Championship. Flying the Sunday Racing colours, the 4-year-old filly, a Group 1 winner in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup last year, has made only one start this season when winning the G2 Fuchu Himba Stakes on Oct. 14 and will be trying a mile for the first time. The post Namur And Soul Rush Clash With Europe’s Star Mile Charyn In The Mile Championship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  17. Twice grade 1-placed, McKinzie Street holds a definitive class edge over his five rivals in the $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes (G3) Nov. 17 for 2-year-olds at Del Mar. View the full article
  18. The Tin Cup Chalice Stakes, the final stakes race on the 2024 Finger Lakes calendar, kicks off the season's penultimate week of racing at the track.View the full article
  19. This past year marked a new record for Spendthrift Farm when they came just six short of covering 3,700 mares during an exceedingly busy breeding season. After adding three new recruits for 2025, they'll likely surpass that eye-watering number next year with a growing roster of 29 stallions. It's the biggest sire lineup in Spendthrift's history since the farm was purchased by B. Wayne Hughes 20 years ago. With such a wide array of stallions, open house season is a busy time at Spendthrift. As the Keeneland November Sale transpired some 15 miles away over the past two weeks, a steady stream of breeders swept through the gates at Spendthrift. Popular requests included champion Into Mischief, who is leading the general sires list once again this year, the fast-starting stallion Vekoma, who is currently in a tight battle for leading first-crop sire, as well as the quartet of Arabian Lion, Forte, Taiba and Zandon, who will all see their first foals next year. But nearly all of the breeders in attendance were there to get a good look at Spendthrift's trio of new, Grade I-winning sires. Belmont Stakes hero Dornoch (Good Magic), Preakness Stakes winner National Treasure (Quality Road) and Stephen Foster Stakes victor Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo) took in all the activity in stride. After inspecting the three sires, Kip Knelman of Farfellow Farms in Paris, Ky. said that their boutique operation will likely be sending mares to each of the three newcomers. “Dornoch and Kingsbarns are both physically imposing,” the breeder said. “They're different from one another, but both fantastic physically. We also like National Treasure. He is also just a beautiful horse. We expect big things from all three of them and we think there are good fits for all three of them with our mares.” Spendthrift's Mark Toothaker said that the new recruits' books are filling at lightning speed. “The demand out here has been crazy and that's what you hope for,” he explained. “Any time that you've got these new horses coming in, you hope that breeders are going to love them as much as you do. I guess the problem that we all have is that we have way more requests than we have actual spots, so that's the tricky part, but we're so thrilled to be able to have them here and show them to our breeders.” Dornoch heads back to the stallion barn after inspection | Sara Gordon One of the leaders of this year's class of incoming sires with a stud fee of $40,000, Dornoch is nearly tied with his full-brother Mage as Good Magic's highest-earning performer. After breaking his maiden by six and a half lengths at Keeneland last fall, Dornoch stepped up to graded company in the GII Remsen Stakes, where he battled future Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and came out with the win by a nose. “This horse was very game all the way through his 2-year-old year,” said Toothaker. “His race in the Remsen was amazing with the tenacity he showed to be able to come back and beat Sierra Leone. It put him on our radar that this is a horse with guts and a big pedigree to go along with it.” This summer, Spendthrift announced that Dornoch would eventually stand at Spendthrift after he had collected Grade I wins in the Belmont, where he handed trainer Danny Gargan his first Classic win and defeated both of the other Classic winners, Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and Seize the Grey (Arrogate), and then the Haskell Stakes. After a fourth-place finish in the GI Travers, Dornoch was forced to miss the Breeders' Cup Classic when he was diagnosed with bone bruising. Along with West Paces Racing, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing and Pine Racing Stables, Dornoch's ownership group included Randy Hill's R.A. Hill Stable, which also co-campaigned dual Grade I winner Vekoma before he retired to Spendthrift in 2021. “We kind of had an inside tract with Randy and so we were able to get a deal done after the Belmont,” said Toothaker. “He would come back a month later to win the Haskell in a very game fashion so that added another Grade I to his resume, along with winning Grade II races in the Fountain of Youth and the Remsen.” Mallory Mort, the longtime manager of Marlene Brody's Gallager Stud in Ghent, New York, was in Lexington for the breeding stock sales last week and made the trip to Spendthrift to visit the newcomers. He said that he was impressed by what he saw in Dornoch. “He's a good-sized boy,” he said. “He moves out nicely and he's correct up front and behind. Sometimes with these racehorses, especially the big ones, they don't have a huge amount of muscle definition behind, but he's got plenty of engine back there so I was really impressed with him. National Treasure, who will also stand for a fee of $40,000 in 2025, was another physical standout according to Mort. “He looks very much like a Quality Road,” he noted. “A long-bodied horse with a nice, short back and short cannon bones for a good-sized horse. He's very attractive and balanced. I liked him very much as well.” A $500,000 yearling bred by Peter Blum, National Treasure broke his maiden on debut before earning Grade I placings at two in the American Pharoah Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The Bob Baffert trainee scored a breakout victory the following season in the Preakness, where he defeated Kentucky Derby winner Mage and became Quality Road's only Classic winner. Toothaker said that the Spendthrift scouting team visited National Treasure and Arabian Lion at Baffert's barn at Pimlico the following morning. Kingsbarns strikes a pose for breeders | Sara Gordon “We were able to work out a deal on both of those horses,” he said. “We brought Arabian Lion in last year and then National Treasure got to run for another year, which was a lot of fun. He just got beat by champion Cody's Wish by a head in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last year. He would go on this year to win the GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream and the Met Mile, which was a very exciting race, and he ran a super race in the GI California Crown.” After a runner-up performance in the inaugural California Crown, National Treasure retired with earnings of over $5.5 million. He raced strictly in Grade I company since the spring of his 3-year-old season and finished in the money in 9 of his fifteen career starts. Rounding out the newcomers at Spendthrift, Kingsbarns will stand for $20,000 next year. He will join Yaupon, whose first yearlings averaged over $165,000 this year, and Mo Donegal, whose first yearlings will be on offer next year, as sons of Uncle Mo on the Spendthrift roster. Toothaker said that Kingsbarns stands out as a rare 2-year-old purchase for Spendthrift. After the colt worked a quarter in 20.3 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale, Spendthrift went to $800,000 for the son of graded stakes-placed Lady Tapit (Tapit), a half-sister to Grade I victress Gozzip Girl (Dynaformer). Trained by Todd Pletcher, Kingsbarns won his first three career starts at three, culminating with a decisive score in the GII Louisiana Derby. As a 4-year-old, he won the GIII Ben Ali Stakes, ran second to Pyrenees (Into Mischief) in the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes, and then defeated that same rival in the Stephen Foster. Kingsbarns was a top contender in the older male dirt division going into the Breeders' Cup Classic, but retired to Spendthrift after developing a ligament injury during training. “He's a beautiful horse and he's a fast horse that could carry his speed,” said Toothaker. “We've brought him in here for $20,000 and we're very excited for the breeders to come see him. He's been very well received.” Along with welcoming the new recruits at Spendthrift, Toothaker said that the farm has a lot more to look forward to in 2025. “We have 29 horses that are all here for great reasons,” he said. “We look forward to seeing where the season goes and what pops up out there in 2025. Maybe Authentic will have a horse on the Derby trail like Vekoma has [in GIII Iroquois Stakes victor Jonathan's Way]. Thousand Words has a very good filly in [Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up] Vodka With a Twist, so we'll see what happens. Hopefully we'll have something in the Oaks and the Derby that will give us some things to really look forward to for the spring of 2025.” The post With Three Newcomers, Spendthrift Gearing Up for Another Busy Breeding Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  20. The Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA) has approved the state's Thoroughbred racing calendar for 2025, which includes six days during the week of the 150th running of GI Preakness Stakes before the site is redeveloped, the authority said via a press release on Friday. The first under new leadership and a refitted organizational structure, the MTROA's calendar includes 114 racing days at Laurel Park. Preakness week will constitute the final running at Pimlico prior to a forward-looking rebuild and redevelopment of the Park Heights property, which is intended to improve racing and boost community economic benefits. The calendar will also include seven racing days at the Maryland State Fairground in Timonium, Maryland. Developed in coordination with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA) and the Maryland Breeders Association, the 2025 calendar has been streamlined from the prior year and is intended to create an enhanced Thoroughbred racing product. “All stakeholders have come together to agree on a schedule that positions Thoroughbred racing for success and that recognizes the changes that are ahead,” said MTROA Chairman Greg Cross. “Oars are pulling in the same direction for the best and most sustainable product for racing afficionados and the industry. This cooperation and coordination gives me tremendous hope for the future of our industry.” “This schedule not only ensures year-round access to high-quality racing opportunities for our horsemen in the region but also supports the successful launch of the new non-profit operating entity,” said Katharine M. Voss, president of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to forward-thinking in a rapidly evolving industry. Together with the MTROA and other industry stakeholders, we are excited to shape a vibrant future for Maryland racing–one that supports our state's horsemen, breeders, and entire racing community.” Under the 2025 calendar, racing will be suspended at Laurel Park in July and August, a period when Colonial Downs in Virginia will hold scheduled racing days. “The Maryland Thoroughbred racing industry is developing a plan for Maryland breeder incentives to be offered when there is no live racing at Laurel, and the MTROA is supportive of that effort,” Cross said. The post Maryland Authority Approves Six Days At Pimlico During Preakness Before Redevelopment Phase Begins appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  21. Run under lights for the first time, the $1-million G2 Bahrain International Trophy featured some familiar faces in the winner's circle once the dust settled, as co-breeder Sir Alex Ferguson, and co-owners Ged Mason and Peter Done's SPIRIT DANCER (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Queen's Dream {Ger}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) became the first dual winner of the 2000-metre affair at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club in Bahrain on Friday. Just like the 2023 edition, the gelded son of Frankel defeated a runner sent out by John and Thady Gosden, with Juddmonte homebred and early stretch leader Lead Artist (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) succumbing in the final 75 metres to the determined drive of the winner. Victorious Racing's Group 1 winner Calif (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) was third. Winning the break, Spirit Dancer drifted back through the field under Oisin Orr and stayed there for much of the contest. Mounting a challenge on the final turn, he gained on the leaders with every stride upon straightening out in the centre of the course, and unleashed a determined rally to prevail inside the final half-furlong. Lifetime Record: 28-9-6-2, $2,731,263. O-Done/Ferguson/Mason. B-Sir Alex Ferguson & Niall McLoughlin (GB). T-Richard Fahey. Fergie Time in Bahrain Spirit Dancer wins successive renewals of the G2 Bahrain International Trophy @BahrainTurfClub | @RichardFahey pic.twitter.com/Ge6AoLGaIn — Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 15, 2024 The post Frankel’s Spirit Dancer Doubles Up In Bahrain International Trophy For Sir Alex Ferguson And Co. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  22. Europe's top miler, Charyn, visits Japan to take on the top locals in the Nov. 17 Mile Championship at Kyoto Racecourse.View the full article
  23. The unmistakably charismatic Stradivarius (Ire) became one horse to buck the trend of the top stayers being shuffled off to National Hunt studs after glorious careers on the Flat when his owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen elected to stand him at the National Stud in Newmarket. In his first two seasons there he has covered 220 mares and now foal judges and pinhookers will have their first chance to set eyes on a bunch of his debut crop at Tattersalls in just over a week's time, when 14 of his 80 weanlings come under the hammer during the December Foal Sale. In those first two years at stud, breeders were given extra enticement to use the son of Sea The Stars (Ire) with Nielsen's introduction of a series of bonuses which mean that the breeder of any member of those crops who wins a Group 1 in Britain, Ireland or France at two or three will receive £250,000, while the breeders of any Group 2 and Group 3 winners will receive £100,000. Furthermore, there are £25,000 bonuses for the breeders of his first ten juvenile winners in Britain, Ireland, France or Germany from each crop. That will certainly have helped to focus people's attention, and there are some notably shrewd names among the breeders of Stradivarius foals in this year's Return of Mares, but to a certain extend the horse sold himself. Plenty of folk who went to see him at the National Stud were quickly won over by the Stradivarius's swaggering walk, which is coupled with the character that enabled him to become one of the most beloved racehorses of the last decade, with seven Group 1 wins and a further 11 group victories to his name. Whether he imparts those same characteristics to his stock will be seen in the years to come, but early reports and feedback from breeders have been pleasing both the National Stud team and Nielsen. “I am not a judge of a yearling or a foal or anything like that,” Nielsen admits. “I'm just going on what people who've come up to me have said, and I keep hearing, 'Wow, we've got this fantastic foal'. And that's from people who know the time of day. So it's going to be really interesting, because the feedback I've had is that he's had a lot of quite big, strong foals with great walks, like him.” The National Stud's Jamie Jackson has seen 'the Stradivarius effect' firsthand. As much as he is standing as a commercial stallion, the star stayer has also been a huge tourist attraction. The signpost on the roundabout near to the National Stud points visitors to the 'Home of Stradivarius' and the number of people taking the stud tour has grown since his retirement. “When we announced that he was coming to the stud he was still at Mr Gosden's at that stage but people were turning up here, expecting to see him,” Jackson recalls. “The tour buses are generally about 20-seaters and they were getting larger and larger, and there were more and more of them. When people come here they make a beeline to see him. He's in the first paddock on the left now, so he's demanding people give him attention. I was only down there earlier for a stallion show and he was making sure his presence was known.” He continues, “But they want to see him, they know who he is, and that's huge for the stud, to involve and engage people who naturally perhaps aren't too much involved in the breeding side of things.” The National Stud consigns three of the Stradivarius foals to Tattersalls, including a half-brother to the listed winner and Group 2-placed Biographer (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), who is lot 1053 and was bred by Nielsen. Jackson says, “When you're selling at Tattersalls you can see how many people have looked at the pedigrees [online] and, funnily enough, all of our foals that are by Stradivarius have had about three times more people look at the pedigree, which is quite interesting. “We're selling one on the Saturday and he's had near enough 150 more people look at his pedigree than the rest, just because he's by Stradivarius. That's the effect that he's having.” Lot 696, a colt out of Greatestshowgirl, from Salcey Forest Stud | Melanie Sauer Among those breeders who signed up mares to visit Stradivarius is Sir Alex Ferguson. His filly foal is a half-sister to the treble Group 2 winner Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and has already been named Harmony Row after the Glasgow-based youth football club based at Alex Ferguson Park in the renowned football manager's home city. The Burns family of Lodge Park Stud have a colt out of the Oaks fourth and listed winner Vow (GB) (Motivator {GB}), while Kildaragh Stud, Ringfort Stud, Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs, Kingsclere Stud, Wretham Stud, Mount Coote Estates and Ashbrittle Stud all feature on Stradivarius's list of patrons. Among his 86 mares in foal this year, perhaps the most notable is Copgrove Hall Stud's La Pomme d'Amour (GB) (Peintre Celebre), a Group 2 winner herself who is now the dam of G1 Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). If the resultant foal is not a flashy chestnut there will certainly be questions asked in the house. The Knox family's Spinatrix (GB) (Diktat [GB}), the dam of the G3 Athasi Stakes winner Twilight Spinner (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}), is another to have visited him earlier this year. Nielsen has of course supported his stallion himself, including with his Royal Ascot winner Agrotera (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who hails from a terrific family which includes Sea The Moon (Ger) and this season's G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Sosie (Ire), both of whom are by Sea The Stars. He says, “Unfortunately, I lost one, but I've got three or four in the first crop, and I have another three or four [mares] in foal. I'm going to send good mares to him again this year. Agrotera is going back to him and I'm also sending [her half-sister] Jeanne d'Arc, who is by Le Havre, as well as a couple of French mares from good families that I bought especially for him.” Nielsen remains convinced that Stradivarius will be capable of breeding good runners on the Flat. He says, “The one difference between him and any so-called stayer that I've ever seen is his turn of foot. Most other stayers, nearly all of them are grinders and they can never be anything but National Hunt stallions, because they don't have the turn of foot. And they just turn up the heat and gallop on and gallop on. But he has that conformation too. He looks like a miler.” Nielsen adds, “The difference between the great and the good, whether it's human beings or horses, is the brain and the way they relax, and everything is different in the great sportsmen and the great horses. Much less fazes them than fazes the rest of us. And he was certainly… He didn't care, did he? He just walked around like he owned the joint.” By all accounts, Stradivarius is still behaving in this manner, the racecourse now replaced by the stallion yard and paddocks of the National Stud that make up his new fiefdom. The post The Stradivarius Effect: ‘People Want to See Him and That’s Huge for the Stud’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  24. Following the news that age restrictions might be loosened to allow under 18s to attend the races in Hong Kong, a slew of improvements to Sha Tin Racecourse geared toward a younger demographic have been announced by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The news was first reported by the South China Morning Post. In an interview with the SCMP, the HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said his organisation was “grateful that the government endorsed this and made this part of its policy address”. “[You only have to] look at the whole excitement which has been created by the news that Hong Kong racing will be part of an official tourism offer,” he added. “We wanted to create a completely new arrival and new experience for tourists, because what we have currently is not what we think will be a holistic tourist experience.” “We have a lot of new people come to Hong Kong [that] were not familiar with racing,” he added. “So what kind of experience do you have to create for them?” Some of the planned improvements are new restaurants targeted toward young people, and a digital version of Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) that will greet guests at the course in advance of the 2025-26 season, and a “Pony World” in the Sha Tin infield. Happy Valley will also offer new amenities, including a digital parade ring and AI-generated racecards. The planned improvements are scheduled to be completed by December of 2025. “Our most attractive offering we see when we do carnivals or in the public riding schools is taking photos with ponies,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “So this is a value proposition which obviously works, and for pony rides you always have a long queue. So this will be part of this entertainment experience for the public and especially with families. “There is no betting. We will create a completely new zone. It's completely different from the normal racecourse experience. But we feel with this strategy, we want to create an experience for tourists which will be unique. “When you look at Hong Kong racing, we want to promote the sport and sports entertainment. This is our key value proposition and this is for all segments.” The post Hong Kong Jockey Club Aiming To Attract Younger Racegoers With Sha Tin Improvements appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
  25. Jim Reilly, a master farrier, has retired after 52 years in the position. From Clonsilla in Dublin, he followed his father's career path. Reilly has been shoeing horses for trainer Jim Bolger since 1972. In 2015, he was awarded the Ancillary Services Award at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards. Bolger said, “Jim Reilly shod the first horse for me in 1972 and since then had shod 56 Group 1 winners and 12 Classic winners including two world champions–St Jovite and New Approach (Ire). He also shod two champion hurdle winners and two Epsom and Irish Derby winners. In all he has shod 2,860 winners for us. “He has now decided to take things a little easier and let some rust gather on his anvil. I am delighted to see him retire in good health, never having been injured while shoeing 5,000-plus horses and I wish him a very long and happy retirement. “Jim is a thorough gentleman and a great friend to Jackie, me, my family and staff. I don't think there has ever been a better farrier anywhere in the world. He never missed a day in 52 years and I am sure Willie Mullins, Aidan O'Brien and many others have learned much from Jim.” The post Master Farrier Jim Reilly Retires After 52-Year Career appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
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