Wandering Eyes

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

Reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), winner of five elite-level events in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan in 2023-2024, kicks off what promises to be an audacious season in Sunday's G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup over his pet distance of 2000 metres at Sha Tin Racecourse. A history-making winner of the G1 W S Cox Plate at Moonee Valley a little over a year ago, the Tattersalls October and Hong Kong International Sale graduate defended his title in the Longines Hong Kong Cup and added the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and a third FWD QE II Cup before finishing the campaign with a breathtaking score in the Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo. He'll be an unfinished article come Sunday, with the international races three weeks away, but he towers over the competition and should make light work of the task at hand. James McDonald jets up from Australia to renew acquaintances. “He is good and he's had a lot of preparation. (Jockey) Hugh (Bowman) rode him for his trials and we had very positive reports,” said trainer Danny Shum of the 6-year-old, who carries a five-pound penalty. “Of course he's not (100%). But, to be honest, his condition is much better than when he went to Melbourne in the early part of last season. The horse is happy, the jockey is on top form and there's not a really strong field, so I'm confident he can run a good race.” Tentative plans call for Romantic Warrior to focus dirt races in early 2025, with the G1 Saudi Cup and G1 Dubai World Cup potentially on the dance card. “We've got the plan to send him to Dubai and Saudi, so I wanted to trial him on the dirt with the pacifiers and see if it helps,” Shum told South China Morning Post. “Romantic Warrior is very special and the Saudi Cup is the most important race for him. Maybe he cannot win, but if he runs in the first four, it will be a huge achievement.” Romantic Warrior is within shouting distance of Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro)'s world-record earnings, and with that treble HOTY enjoying retirement, Galaxy Patch (Aus) (Wandjina {Aus}) looms the heir apparent in that division and should take all the beating in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile. Group 1-placed behind California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) over 1400 metres last March, he was aggressively spotted just two weeks later in the 2000-metre BMW Hong Kong Derby and came with a late burst to just miss behind Massive Sovereign (Ire) (No Nay Never). Since struggling with the wet ground in the G1 FWD Champions Mile in April, he has rattled off three straight at group level, including a 1 1/2-length defeat of the classy Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) and Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit) in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap Oct. 13. The aforementioned California Spangle, winner of last year's G1 Al Quoz Sprint, makes an appearance in Sunday's G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint, where he will once again have Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) to deal with. Seven-from-nine in his career, the 4-year-old was a Group 3 winner at the tail end of last season and has picked up where he left off this term, with an easy Class 1 score opening day followed by a smooth success at long odds-on in the Oct. 20 G2 Premier Bowl Handicap. Behind him that day were the re-opposing Helios Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) and California Spangle and it will take something unexpected to see him beaten on Sunday. Fields, form and all you need for Sunday's (17 November) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin, featuring a Group 2 triple-header. #HKIR #HKracing Race Card https://t.co/N0u0M9B2mC pic.twitter.com/p2ENpBZ1b8 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 15, 2024 The post Romantic Warrior, Emerging Stars On Trial For Longines HKIR appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Baptiste Henry has been appointed to join the nominations team at Darley in Europe and will be responsible for looking after the stud's French clients. Baptiste, who began his career in racing at Jebel Ali and has race-ridden over jumps in France, has also worked for leading trainer Jerome Reynier and with Sebastien Desmontils of Chauvigny Global Equine at bloodstock sales. He said, “I am delighted to be joining the Darley nominations team and look forward to getting to know the French clients and contributing to their continued success with the Darley stallions.” The post Baptiste Henry Joins Darley Nominations Team appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Time Test (GB) has been sold by the National Stud to continue his stud career in Turkey. A statement released by the Turkish Jockey Club on Friday read, “Another successful name, purchased by the Turkish Jockey Club, is coming to our country to serve our breeders starting from the 2025 breeding season. Time Test, whose import operations are ongoing, will stand in our country in 2025.” A dual Group 2 winner in Britain for his owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms and trainer Roger Charlton, Time Test, by Dubawi (Ire) out of the Group 1 winner Passage Of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}), has been based in Newmarket throughout his European stud career, which began in 2018. He has also shuttled to Little Avondale Stud in New Zealand and is the sire of four group winners: Crypto Force (GB), Rocchigiani (GB), Okeechobee (GB) and Romantic Time (GB). Time Test's juvenile half-brother Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}) won his sole start at Sandown by six-and-a-half lengths for Harry Charlton in September and is currently quoted as 20/1 for next year's 2,000 Guineas. Earlier this year the National Stud sold Mutasaabeq (GB) to stand at stud in India after he covered mares for just one season in England. The champion sprinter-elect Bradsell (GB) has recently been welcomed to the stallion wing of the National Stud, where he will stand alongside Stradivarius (Ire), Lope Y Fernandez (Ire) and Rajasinghe (Ire). The post Time Test Sold to Turkish Jockey Club appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer George Boughey has described Group 2 winner Believing (Ire) Mehmas {Ire}) as the “perfect outcross” for breeders ahead of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. The Highclere Racing-owned four-year-old, who has danced every dance this season and reached a career-high rating of 112, is one of the star attractions of the Sceptre Sessions at that sale and Boughey says that his stable star would be a no-brainer for potential buyers. He said, “With her being a Group 1 filly by Mehmas, who has had a record-breaking season and has become that sexy sire, I've no doubt he's going to become that broodmare sire that everyone wants to be a part of. Graduates of this sale are already winning Breeders' Cups, as we saw with Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) [dam of Juvenile Fillies' Turf winner Lake Victoria (Ire)] this year and a number of others going to the highest level. She is the perfect outcross for any of those modern day stallions.” There are few fillies as battle-hardened as Believing. Having started her campaign in Hong Kong, she went on to race eight times — mostly at the highest level — throughout an exhilarating campaign. Of course, there would have been another Group 1 contested had she not been deemed a late non-runner after getting upset in the stalls ahead of the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, for which Believing was a leading fancy for at Del Mar. Reflecting on that mishap, Boughey said, “It was one of those things that you couldn't foresee happening, really. We did loads of gate work with her to try and get her to jump that bit faster. She stood in there and had a little bit of a fright. One of them a few gates down from her reared and it just set her off. The guys at Highclere were super about the whole thing. She's been a star for them. It's just sad that at the end of the story, with the pace collapse [in the actual race], that it wasn't her in front. But she came back safe and sound and that's the main thing.” Nobody can take away the fact that Believing is a Group 2 winner who hit the frame in no less than three Group 1s this season. Reflecting on that stellar campaign, Boughey said, “It's always a bit of a punt keeping a Stakes-winning filly in training from three to four but she'd shown us the signs, certainly in the winter and into the spring — I must say, I wish I had her in the Al Quoz [Sprint in Dubai] as she was absolutely flying at that stage. She just really thrived through the spring. Her Listed win [at Haydock] was really impressive and set the tone for the season, beating a Group 1 winner. She went to Royal Ascot and what a filly to run well there twice within the week. She's a Group 2 winner and has danced every dance. In jest, I said to Harry [Herbert] at the start of the season that we'd start in Hong Kong and finish in Del Mar. The constitution of the filly allowed me to do that. And also, the belief of the owners to allow me to campaign her so positively.” Asked to sum up the physical attributes that make Believing such a hot commodity, Boughey added, “For me, she's as good a sprinting type as you'll see. She has a deep girth and is a good-moving type for a sprinter. She's not overly big but she has become a more compact individual as time has gone on. We had her on a Guineas preparation after her two-year-old career. She immediately came back to sprinting trips and looks a fast, precocious type, one I'm sure will breed nice stock.” The post Sceptre Sessions-Bound Believing ‘A Perfect Outcross For Breeders’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Blessed Truly (Can) (Super Speedy) and Moraless (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) have been added to the Monday of the Sceptre Sessions at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. Both mares are in foal to Too Darn Hot (GB) on southern hemisphere time. The seven-year-old Blessed Truly, a restricted stakes winner at Woodbine, will be consigned by Culworth Grounds Farm as lot 1485B. The unraced Moraless, now four and in foal for the first time, will be consigned by Imperium Sales as lot 1486B. She is a half-sister to the Group 2-winning duo of Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB) and David Livingston (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) from the family of High Chaparral (Ire). A total of five mares in the December Sale are in foal to Too Darn Hot on southern hemisphere coverings. The young Darley sire is responsible for three Group 1 winners: Fallen Angel (GB) and Hotazhell (GB) from his first two European crops, and Broadsiding (Aus) in Australia. The post Tattersalls Wildcards In Foal to Too Darn Hot on SH Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are 13 horse racing meetings set for Australia on Saturday, November 16. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Caulfield, Newcastle, Ascot, Sunshine Coast & Darwin. Saturday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – November 16, 2024 Caulfield Racing Tips Newcastle Racing Tips Ascot Racing Tips Sunshine Coast Racing Tips Darwin Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on November 16, 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. 2 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. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 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. 5 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. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Oscar Bonavena has done what many thought was impossible – and that’s beat Just Believe – at Addington this afternoon. The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained star was helped by a perfect Blair Orange drive as Oscar Bonavena had his third win in the Group 1 Livamol New Zealand Trotting Free For All. The eight-year-old slotted into the one-one with Just Believe sitting parked outside the pace-making Muscle Mountain. In the end Just Believe, known as “Harry”, just couldn’t finish it off as Oscar Bonavena reeled him in to secure his 27th win. Following his win in the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot on Tuesday Just Believe was a $1.18 favourite to extend his unbeaten run on this side of the Tasman. “He’s a great old campaigner,” Orange said post race of Oscar Bonavena, “and when you give him a sit like that he can be very good.” Oscar Bonavena’s previous wins in the Group 1 were in 2023 and 2021. Just Believe held on for second, ahead of outsiders Midnight Dash and Arcee Phoenix. It was the second Group 1 of the day, after the favourite Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained Meant To Be won the IRT Sires’ Stakes 2YO Trotting Championship, edging out a game Tarrangindi and the previously unbeaten Habibti Pat. View the full article

Former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar(NZ) (Per Incanto) will step up to Group One company for the first time on Saturday when the lightly-raced son of Per Incanto contests the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The winner of two of his three starts in New Zealand for Hastings trainer Guy Lowry, a majority share in Jimmysstar was sold to clients of Ciaron Maher in September of last year and the chestnut has continued on an upward trajectory for his new connections. Now the winner of seven of his 13 starts to date, Jimmysstar was beaten by stablemate Another Wil in the Gr.2 The Damien Oliver (1400m) at Flemington a fortnight ago and will again clash with that key rival, but gets back to his favoured Caulfield track where he is unbeaten in three starts. Maher’s Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull believes there is little between the stable’s trio of runners which includes Group One winner Southport Tycoon, Another Will and Jimmysstar and said the latter will have to overcome a tricky draw in barrier one. “Jimmystar is only a length or two behind Another Wil but I think has drawn a bit sticky in one, given how he normally races,” Turnbull said. “Hopefully we can trifecta the race. We have had a fruitful spring so far.” Turnbull said it was hard to predict where Jimmysstar would be in the run. “It is hard to say where he will be. He is not going be any worse than the second half. He’ll be midfield to box seat around abouts. “But it’s just that element of being too forward and having to ask him to be out of his comfort zone because he is a better chaser and he has run his best races being off them and trying to catch them. “I’m not doubting him by any means, but it would have to work out and flow properly, especially being at Caulfield.” With just 53kgs, Jimmystar has a 1.5kg swing in the weights on Another Wil and will be ridden by Damian Lane. . Jimmystar is not the only former Kiwi to contest the Group One handicap, with War Machine coming off a solid eighth in a strongly-run A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) for trainers Mike Moroney and Glen Thompson. “He came through the Golden Eagle well enough,” Moroney said. “This is going to be his last run this time in and I think he will be better next preparation. He is a really talented horse and he is in with a dangerous weight (52kgs) and he does tick a lot of boxes. “His form is pretty good and it was a really strong Golden Eagle and he acquitted himself well. By Harry Angel out of the winning Hussonet mare Caserta, the gelding was prepared by Jim Wallace in New Zealand and after failing to meet his $100,000 reserve at the Ready To Run Sales, won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase. “We purchased him from the trials through Steven Pinfold who actually worked for me and strapped Second Coming when he won the Derby. He sorted him out for us and he has been a really nice horse. “He is still a little bit unmade and needs to learn to settle a bit, but long-term he will be the best of my three in the race.” View the full article

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Riccarton racegoers could be in for a treat on Saturday when they get to witness one of the burgeoning rivalries in New Zealand racing come to a head. Exciting fillies Alabama Lass and Captured By Love will go head-to-head for just the third time in the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), with the ledger currently being one win apiece. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Captured By Love asserted her dominance in their first meeting when taking out the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) last season, while the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Alabama Lass evened the score when taking out the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) in September. Alabama Lass has had a faultless preparation this spring, winning all three of her outings, while Captured By Love has had a more patchy lead-up. The daughter of Written Tycoon was an eye-catching third in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Matamata last month after missing away by six lengths, and was hampered by the Heavy track conditions in the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m), which was transferred to Te Aroha following several slips at Te Rapa two days prior. “Matamata (Hawke’s Bay Guineas) was a bit of a bugger, but we added the barrier blanket and did a bit more work with her here at home. Fingers crossed she can behave herself again,” Bergerson said. “It was just a pity at Te Aroha that they got the rain. She went to Te Rapa on the Monday and they cancelled the races. She has had a bit of an interrupted prep, but she deserves a bit of luck and hopefully that will come on Saturday.” Captured By Love flew down to Christchurch earlier this week and Bergerson said he has received positive reports from their Riccarton stable foreman Hunter Durrant. “She flew very early on Wednesday morning and Hunter has been really happy with the way she has travelled. She hasn’t missed a beat in the feed bin and looks very bright and well down there,” he said. “She has had a couple of quiet days on the training track and we are happy.” TAB bookmakers have the 1000 Guineas as a two-horse race, with Alabama Lass a $2.45 favourite ahead of Captured by Love at $2.70, with Kitty Flash and Love Poem the next fancied runners at $11. While looking forward to watching the race unfold on Saturday, Bergerson believes there are a number of winning chances in the high-quality field outside of the two Matamata fillies. “Training here at Matamata, we keep a close eye on each other,” he said. “She (Alabama Lass) is obviously a high-class filly. There are quite a few other nice chances in the race. There are plenty of fillies on the up and it looks a really interesting race on paper. “Fingers crossed the rain stays away and they can race on a good track and everyone gets their chance.” Te Akau Racing also feature prominently in the market for the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m), with Mehzebeen rated a $5.50 second favourite behind Beavetown Boy ($4.80) following her last start victory in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m). “I was pleased to see her get that result, she deserved it,” Bergerson said. “Sometimes she hasn’t had the rub of the green, but it was a really good, positive ride from Sam Spratt. “She has come through the run in very good order. The team down there are pleased with her. She gets in on the minimum (53kg), which is a plus. “Barrier 10 gives us some options. We will leave it up to Gryllsy (Craig Grylls, jockey) in that regard. Hopefully she can get a spot one-off somewhere and go to sleep. She does relax lovely, and we are confident that she will see out the two miles. “It is a race that looks quite open on paper, and we are hoping there is no rain about. She looks a really nice chance.” The stable will also be represented in the two-mile feature by Fierce Flight, who will jump from barrier eight with Liam Riordan aboard. “He is one of the few runners that has genuine two-mile form, which I think holds him in really good stead,” Bergerson said. “Last season he ran second in a Wellington Cup carrying top weight and he sneaks in here on 53kg. If he runs up to that performance, he will certainly be in it. “On his day, if everything goes right and he is in the right frame of mind, he is more than capable of winning. “Hunter said he is bright and well and has come through the run. We have varied his training to try and keep him on his toes and thinking a bit. He is hopefully on the right track to run a nice race on Saturday.” The stable will have a three-pronged attack in the Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes (1200m) courtesy of Millefiori, Caravella and Tokyo Tycoon. “It is hard to split them. It is quite an even race on paper and all sneak in with nice, light weights,” Bergerson said. “Up to 1200m really suits Millefiori. She was a little bit disappointing at Wellington (when second to last over 1000m). It was a funny day and tripped up a few of our horses, they didn’t really get through the Heavy going. “She has travelled down well and has been in the south before, and her work has been really good this week. She has got a nice alley and Josh Parr is a massive plus to have on. “Caravalla found the Pegasus (Listed, 1000m) a bit sharp on Saturday but has come through the run well. Up to 1200m suits and on the minimum (53kg) we think she can give it a shake and hopefully sneak some black-type. “Tokyo is a very interesting runner – drawn one with Gryllsy (Craig Grylls) on and 53 kilos. His first two runs he has been in (rating) 75 and had to lug weight. “We made a bit of a blue. He went so well first-up there over 1200m and we backed him up two weeks later thinking he was looking for 1400m and he was a bit disappointing. We gave him a freshen-up down there and kept him very fresh for this race. Back to 1200m with blinkers on, a nice alley (1), hopefully he can rediscover that two-year-old and early three-year-old form, and if he did, we think he is a nice light-weight chance.” Te Akau Racing will utilise the services of Australian jockeys Liam Riordan and Joshua Parr at the meeting, and Bergerson said they both add plenty of quality to the riding ranks over the carnival. “The more jockeys we can get over here the better,” he said. “The more we can add to the riding ranks brings about good competition and lifts the level. “Josh is a Group One-winning rider in Australia, so we are happy to have his experience. Liam is a rider on the up and can ride those light weights, which we need. “They are two jockeys that we are certainly pleased to have over on Saturday. On those big days you do need a bit of luck, but it helps having a good pilot aboard as well.” View the full article

New Zealand raider Dionysus(NZ) (Ocean Park) will attempt to secure stakes success for his connections when he heads to Newcastle on Saturday to contest the Listed The New Zealand Bloodstock Beauford (2300m). Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood had found it hard to place the seven-year-old gelding in New Zealand and looked offshore for potential targets and felt the Beauford presented as an ideal race. “He was getting to the stage where he was hard to place here. He was high up in the handicaps and he is possibly not a true weight-for-age horse, he is not very big,” James said. “A mile-and-a-half seems to be his pet distance and we spotted that one over there for him. He has come in okay at the handicap, it’s 2300m, we discussed it with the owner and thought it was worthy of having a go. “Whenever we have lined him up over 2300m or 2400m he has almost never disappointed us. Hopefully I can be saying the same thing in another 48 hours.” The son of Ocean Park, who was victorious in last year’s Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m), has settled in well across the Tasman and James said they will wait to see how he comes through his weekend run before making any further plans. “We will make a decision once we see the result,” he said. Meanwhile, the stable’s multiple Group One winner Orchestral is enjoying some time in the paddock following an unsuccessful Melbourne Spring campaign, which resulted in a sixth placing in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) and 12th placing in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). “She is home and in the paddock,” James said. “I thought her first run was full of merit, she just never got room. Her second run was probably the worst run of her life. We couldn’t fault her after the run, it’s just one of those headscratchers.” New Zealand targets await the daughter of Savabeel in autumn before a possible campaign in Australia. “There are a lot of opportunities in New Zealand in the autumn, so we will certainly be staying here until we see what her form is like and then work out if we want to go to Aussie from there,” James said. View the full article

Race 6 AUCKLAND CO-OP TAXIS MAIDEN 1600m JUST A KARIN (L Satherley) – Trainer Mr. A Morley reported to Stewards, the mare underwent a veterinary examination on Thursday 7 November, which revealed muscle soreness to the right hind leg and underwent chiropractor treatment for overall general soreness. A Morley further advised it is his intention to carry on with JUST A KARIN’S current preparation. The post Auckland Thoroughbred Racing @ Ellerslie, Tuesday 5 November 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Developments at track geared towards ensuring facility appeals to younger audience should under 18s be allowed to attend.View the full article

Veteran handler says February’s Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) ‘is the most important race’ for his flag-bearer this term.View the full article

Horseshoe Indianapolis, which wrapped its 124-day 2024 season Thursday, has a new leading rider in Alberto Burgos, who won his first career leading jockey title. The Puerto Rico native locked up the title with 81 wins and earnings of more than $2.1 million. Burgos has been riding since 2019 and is in only his second year at Horseshoe Indianapolis. “It's unbelievable,” said Burgos about his first title. “It makes me so happy. There were doubters in the beginning, so I'm glad I stuck with it to get where I am today. This is something I've worked hard for this and it means so much to win this title.” Kerry “Bones” Wirth works as his agent. Overall, the 25-year-old Burgos has 243 career wins and more than $6.6 million in career earnings. He plans to ride at Turfway Park over the winter and return to Indianapolis for the 2025 season, which kicks off Tuesday, Apr. 15. The post Alberto Burgos wins Leading Jockey Title at Horseshoe Indianapolis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Andrew Forsman has won every Group One race for three-year-olds in New Zealand apart from the Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), and the Cambridge trainer hopes Kitty Flash(NZ) (Ace High) might be the filly to give him his missing piece at Riccarton on Saturday. During his highly successful partnership with Murray Baker, Forsman picked up three wins in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) with Turn Me Loose (2014), Madison County (2018) and Aegon (2020). The pair won the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on two occasions with Mongolian Khan (2015) and Vin De Dance (2018), while Bonneval delivered them a Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) in 2017. The Levin Classic (1600m), which held Group One status until its downgrade to Group Two this season, was also won by Madison County in 2019. Forsman’s best result in the 1000 Guineas to date came with Valalie’s runner-up finish behind Media Sensation in 2018, while Mary Shan was a close fifth last year. Kitty Flash has made impressive strides this spring and has done it all in a single preparation, starting with a close fifth on debut in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka in August. The daughter of Ace High recorded back-to-back wins at Taupo and Te Rapa in her next two starts, leading all the way on both occasions. She abandoned those front-running tactics in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on October 26, charging home from the back for a close second behind the 1000 Guineas favourite Alabama Lass. Kitty Flash clocked the fastest sectional times for her last 800m (47.04 seconds), 600m (35.45), 400m (23.76) and 200m (12.34). “She’s done a great job to come all this way in one preparation,” Forsman said. “She seems to be getting better and better all the time, which is very encouraging to see. “The way she found the line at Ellerslie was great. One of the best things about her is how tractable she is. When we’ve changed the way we’ve wanted to ride her, she’s adapted to it very quickly. It was a really good performance in the Soliloquy and exactly what we wanted to see as we prepare to step her up over a mile. “She’s trained on really well since then and handled the trip down to Christchurch perfectly. I think she’s spot on. “I think she can run out a strong mile. You never quite know when you’re going into these Guineas races at Riccarton, where it is quite a tough mile. I think most of the other fillies in this field are in the same boat. But she was very strong at the end of her race over 1400m last start, which gives us a little bit of confidence that the extra 200m will be within her grasp.” Kitty Flash will attempt to complete a 1000 Guineas double for Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High, who also sired last year’s winner Molly Bloom. Meanwhile, Forsman has further feature-race representation at Riccarton on Saturday with Sporting Chance contesting the Gr.3 Martin Collins 161st New Zealand Cup (3200m). The six-year-old Dundeel gelding goes into the race on the back of late-finishing fourth placings at Ellerslie in his two most recent appearances. The first of those was a 2100m open handicap on October 19, which was followed by a 2400m Rating 75 on November 5. “He just got a bit too far back last time and was never really a winning chance from there,” Forsman said. “It was still a pretty strong staying effort in the end. He’ll certainly relax, switch off and give himself every chance of running out a strong two miles on Saturday. His handy draw (gate five) should allow us to settle a little bit closer, somewhere around the first third of the field, which will help his chances.” At Tauranga, the well-performed Saint Bathans is entered for both the Gr.2 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes (1600m) and the Laser Plumbing Waihi Beach (1400m). “I’m probably leaning towards the 1400m race,” Forsman said. “He’s had an unlucky run of bad barriers, and that’s continued with drawing the outside gate for the Tauranga Stakes. It might be a Saturday morning decision, but his better draw for the 1400m race might make that a slightly more attractive option at this stage. “The horse is in good form and has been working really well leading into this. He just hasn’t had much luck go his way lately.” View the full article

Well-bred filly Love Poem will take on some of the best of her generation for the second time in a week when she lines up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm 52nd New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton. The daughter of Snitzel is backing up from last Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), in which she ran a gallant second behind standout colt Savaglee. “I thought it was a brilliant run,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “She was just beaten by the season’s benchmark three-year-old. We went up and had a look at him in the straight, but he just kept finding and won very well in the end. He’s obviously an exciting colt. “But hey, we’ve got a beautifully bred Snitzel filly who’s a multiple stakes placegetter, and that now includes a second in a Group One. That’s a great outcome.” Racing in the colours of Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock, Love Poem was bought by Bruce Perry for A$280,000 as a yearling in Sydney last year. She is a half-sister to the classy Ciaron Maher-trained mare Estriella, whose 12-start career has so far produced five wins headed by last month’s Gr.2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m). Their dam, the Lonhro mare Madrigals, is a full-sister to multiple Group One winner and quality sire Pierro. Love Poem has herself had six starts, winning a maiden at Te Rapa in late September and placing at black-type level in all of the other five. She placed in last season’s Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m), Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m), and she has continued that trend into her three-year-old season with placings in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) and last Saturday’s 2000 Guineas. Marsh has been pleased with the way Love Poem came through the 2000 Guineas, which was run in 1:33.86 – the third-fastest time in the history of the race. “She’s bounced through it beautifully,” Marsh said. “We’re happy to back her up again on Saturday with the addition of side winkers. “She was making up ground behind the favourite (Alabama Lass) in the Soliloquy Stakes a few weeks ago, and I think she’s a better filly left-handed as well, so we’re going into Saturday in good shape. “It’s a quality field with the likes of Alabama Lass, Captured By Love and also Andrew Forsman’s exciting filly (Kitty Flash), but I think we’re going into it with a runner that can be right in the finish again.” Marsh will also be represented in Saturday’s Gr.3 Martin Collins 161st New Zealand Cup (3200m), in which Nest Egg will attempt to go one better than his runner-up finish behind Mahrajaan last year. Nest Egg went into last year’s Cup as the winner of the lead-up race on the first day of the carnival, the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m). He ran in the same race last Saturday and finished eighth behind Mehzebeen. “He probably just over-raced a little bit on the first day,” Marsh said. “This time in, he’s feeling better and going better than he ever has before. He might have just got a bit too keen in the blinkers. The blinkers will come off for the Cup. “He’s come through the first day very well. With that run under his belt, and ridden a bit more neutrally, I think he can be very competitive.” Both Love Poem and Nest Egg will be ridden by Matt Cartwright. The TAB rates them $11 and $12 chances respectively. View the full article

Love Poem will back-up Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Well-bred filly Love Poem will take on some of the best of her generation for the second time in a week when she lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton. The daughter of Snitzel is backing up from last Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), in which she ran a gallant second behind standout colt Savaglee. “I thought it was a brilliant run,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “She was just beaten by the season’s benchmark three-year-old. We went up and had a look at him in the straight, but he just kept finding and won very well in the end. He’s obviously an exciting colt. “But hey, we’ve got a beautifully bred Snitzel filly who’s a multiple stakes placegetter, and that now includes a second in a Group One. That’s a great outcome.” Racing in the colours of Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock, Love Poem was bought by Bruce Perry for $280,000 as a yearling in Sydney last year. She is a half-sister to the classy Ciaron Maher-trained mare Estriella, whose 12-start career has so far produced five wins, headed by last month’s Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m). Their dam, the Lonhro mare Madrigals, is a full-sister to multiple Group One winner and quality sire Pierro. Love Poem has herself had six starts, winning a maiden at Te Rapa in late September and placing at black-type level in all of the other five. She placed in last season’s Group 3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m), Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m), and she has continued that trend into her three-year-old season with placings in the Group 2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) and last Saturday’s 2000 Guineas. Marsh has been pleased with the way Love Poem came through the 2000 Guineas, which was run in 1:33.86 – the third-fastest time in the history of the race. “She’s bounced through it beautifully,” Marsh said. “We’re happy to back her up again on Saturday with the addition of side winkers. “She was making up ground behind the favourite (Alabama Lass) in the Soliloquy Stakes a few weeks ago, and I think she’s a better filly left-handed as well, so we’re going into Saturday in good shape. “It’s a quality field with the likes of Alabama Lass, Captured By Love and also Andrew Forsman’s exciting filly (Kitty Flash), but I think we’re going into it with a runner that can be right in the finish again.” Horse racing news View the full article

Dionysus will contest Saturday’s Listed Beauford (2300m) at Newcastle. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) New Zealand raider Dionysus will attempt to secure stakes success for his connections when he heads to Newcastle on Saturday to contest the Listed The Beauford (2300m). Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood had found it hard to place the seven-year-old gelding in New Zealand and looked offshore for potential targets and felt the Beauford presented as an ideal race. “He was getting to the stage where he was hard to place here. He was high up in the handicaps and he is possibly not a true weight-for-age horse, he is not very big,” James said. “A mile-and-a-half seems to be his pet distance and we spotted that one over there for him. He has come in okay at the handicap, it’s 2300m, we discussed it with the owner and thought it was worthy of having a go. “Whenever we have lined him up over 2300m or 2400m he has almost never disappointed us. Hopefully I can be saying the same thing in another 48 hours.” The son of Ocean Park, who was victorious in last year’s Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m), has settled in well across the Tasman, and James said they will wait to see how he comes through his weekend run before making any further plans. “We will make a decision once we see the result,” he said. Meanwhile, the stable’s multiple Group One winner Orchestral is enjoying some time in the paddock following an unsuccessful Melbourne Spring campaign, which resulted in a sixth placing in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) and 12th placing in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). “She is home and in the paddock,” James said. “I thought her first run was full of merit; she just never got room. Her second run was probably the worst run of her life. We couldn’t fault her after the run, it’s just one of those headscratchers.” New Zealand targets await the daughter of Savabeel in autumn before a possible campaign in Australia. “There are a lot of opportunities in New Zealand in the autumn, so we will certainly be staying here until we see what her form is like and then work out if we want to go to Aussie from there,” James said. Horse racing news View the full article

Darwin trainer Chris Nash with Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc after Mr Have A Chat saluted at Fannie Bay in October. Chris Nash’s Mr Have A Chat will aim to win his first race at the top level in Darwin when he takes on 0-76 opposition this Saturday. The seven-year-old gelding has come close with three minor placings against quality opposition since debuting in the Top End in February. Mr Have A Chat impressed over 1200m in 0-70 ranks a month ago when he chased down Gary Clarke’s Change Is Coming in the home straight. That ended a sequence of finishing second in three consecutive races. It’s a field of six this weekend, and despite drawing the outside gate with Sonja Logan on board, Nash remains optimistic. “He was due, I was getting sick of seeing second next to his name,” he said. “It was good to get a win, he has only missed a place twice in 11 starts since he came to Darwin. “We’ve always ridden him for speed because he is so brilliant out of the gates. “Last start, there was an equally brilliant horse out of the gates in Change Is Coming, so we just took the sit and that worked. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to ride him with a sit from now on.” Nash is expecting another good run from Mr Have A Chat against Mr Cashman, Kerioth, Swing With Junior, Cormorant and stablemate Son Of Bielski. The son of I’m All The Talk has had seven starts since June, and he won’t be heading to the paddock anytime soon. “Every meeting there’s a race for him, so it’s just a matter of managing him, keeping him happy and spacing his runs a bit so that he doesn’t need a spell,” Nash said. “He’s probably the safest bet of running a good race and running top three that you could imagine because he’s so consistent.” Son Of Bielski, who won six straight for Nash from October to June, returns after a three-month spell and will be ridden by Adam Nicholls. The eight-year-old gelding, victorious in the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) in March, probably needs the run despite having success over 1300m. “He had his first spell in 18 months after the Katherine Cup,” Nash said. “He’s working well and he looks good — he might run a good race first-up. “Last year, he arrived with a low rating and that was the way we were able to go through the grades and win those six races.” Son Of Bielski was flying prior to the Alice Springs Cup (2000m) in April, but he didn’t start due to a foot abscess. Horse racing news View the full article

Galaxy Patch lands the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy in style. Pierre Ng hopes the HK$5.35 million Group 2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday will deliver further evidence of Galaxy Patch’s status as a leading contender for next month’s HK$36 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m). To face Group 1 winners Voyage Bubble (128lb) and Beauty Eternal (128lb) for the second time this season, along with Straight Arron (123lb), Beauty Joy (123lb), Happy Together (123lb), Red Lion (123lb), Taj Dragon (123lb) and Chancheng Glory (123lb), Galaxy Patch (123lb) will start from barrier five under Vincent Ho. Ng, who leads the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with 18 wins from Caspar Fownes (16), Mark Newnham (14) and David Hayes (14), believes Galaxy Patch has improved since the gelding comfortably downed Voyage Bubble, Chancheng Glory, Straight Arron, Beauty Joy, Beauty Eternal and Red Lion in the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) on October 13. “Galaxy Patch is doing really well, he has improved from his last run. Hopefully the rain hasn’t affected the track that much,” Ng said. “This is another test for him against those two Group 1 horses (Voyage Bubble and Beauty Eternal) – we’re really looking forward to it as we build up towards the international race.” Ng will also saddle Taj Dragon (123lb), who will jump from barrier three for Andrea Atzeni. Ng is represented by Mugen and Beauty Waves in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) and concedes the task of toppling Ka Ying Rising, devastating last-start winner of the Group 2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m), is formidable. “Beauty Waves is brilliant. Of course, we running against Ka Ying Rising again. Hopefully, he’ll get a placing – second or third, we would be happy,” Ng said. “Mugen trialled pretty well but he needs to pick up his form and I’m looking for a good run. Hopefully, he’ll get fitter after this run.” Group 1 winners California Spangle, Invincible Sage and Victor The Winner head the weights on 128lb, while the rest of the field – Ka Ying Rising, Lucky With You, Flying Ace, Howdeepisyourlove, Mugen, Helios Express, Beauty Waves, Copartner Prance and Majestic Knight – will carry 123lb. Ng will pit Hong Kong Derby (2000m) third-placegetter Ka Ying Generation against champion Romantic Warrior in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m), optimistic his charge will enhance hopes of starting in the HK$24 million Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) next month. “Hopefully, he will get a run (in the Hong Kong Vase). In this race, we hope he can run to his Derby form and get an opportunity against the internationals,” Ng said. Romantic Warrior (128lb) has drawn barrier one for James McDonald and will concede weight to all 10 rivals – Nimble Nimbus, Five G Patch, Encountered, La City Blanche, Sword Point, Ka Ying Generation, Ensued, Money Catcher, Awesome Fluke and Winning Dragon, who are assigned 123lb. Horse racing news View the full article

Costae will line-up in Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Emerging filly Costae has taken the rarest of avenues to the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, where she will bid to deliver a dream result for a new ownership group. The daughter of Ribchester successfully progressed through a poly-track path before an impressive last-start victory at Ellerslie to book her place in Saturday’s Barneswood Farm-sponsored Classic. Trained by Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray, Costae placed in her first two runs on the Cambridge Synthetic track before she won on the Awapuni all-weather. “She was purchased by OTI Racing earlier this week after she came on (agent) Phill Cataldo’s radar after her win at Palmerston North and then at Ellerslie,” Ritchie said. “She will run in OTI’s colours, and it will come down to her performance whether she stays for the Karaka Millions (Listed, 1600m) or transfers to an Australian trainer. “The original owners, including myself, have kept small shares in her.” Costae’s road to Riccarton via a predominantly synthetic build-up was largely determined by the weather. “It’s unusual form for a Group One, apart from her last start, and to be honest I think both Guineas fields may have suffered through wet tracks through the spring,” Ritchie said. “We weren’t comfortable running her on heavy tracks and we’ve got a poly track in our back yard, so it was easier to run her there. “The Pearl Series bonus was why she went to Manawatu, and she was quite dominant in that race. “We didn’t think she was just a poly horse, the way the bonuses set up it was financially more favourable to run her in those races.” Costae subsequently continued her winning trot on the turf with her last start defeat of a handy age group line-up. “We were a little bit cocky when we ran her at Ellerslie and felt she would run a much better race than her form lines would suggest and so it happened,” Ritchie said. “She has come on in leaps and bounds, she’s been interesting and puts herself in the race and she’s drawn a favourable gate (one). “You’d assume she will get the run of the race with a bit of natural gate speed and if it plays like everybody’s map, she’ll follow the favourite (Alabama Lass) and will get every chance. “The only problem with barrier one might be a bit of wear and tear on the rail after two days of racing, but in saying that the track has raced terrific.” Horse racing news View the full article

Ladies Man will contest Saturday’s Group 2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m) at Tauranga. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock is pleased he made a late change to the spring itinerary of Ladies Man, who will now line up in the Group 2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m) on Saturday. The winner of seven of his 29 starts headed by the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings last year, Ladies Man was originally entered for the Group 3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on October 27. However, his rating of 105 would have seen him carry 60kg in that event while most of his rivals had 53kg or 54.5kg. Sharrock eventually decided to scratch the seven-year-old Zed gelding from the Thompson and redirect him to Saturday’s $150,000 feature at Tauranga, which is run under weight-for-age conditions. “Weight-for-age suits him much better than the Thompson would have under that weight, and especially on a Trentham track that was very heavy and became quite arduous,” the New Plymouth trainer said. “I think we pulled the right rein in the end. “He won a jump out last week and worked brilliantly on Tuesday. He can cope with a bit of rain, so I won’t be too worried if they get some of that in Tauranga leading into the race. “Safely through this, we’ll look to step him back up to Group One level for the Captain Cook Stakes (Group 1, 1600m) and then the Zabeel Classic (Group 1, 2000m).” The Captain Cook Stakes is now known as the TAB Mufhasa Classic and will be run at Trentham on December 7, while the Zabeel Classic is back at its traditional home of Ellerslie on Boxing Day after two years at Pukekohe. Horse racing news View the full article

The 2-year-old filly Alyeska (Vekoma), an eye-catching, come-from-behind debut winner carrying the famed Marylou Whitney silks at Churchill Downs Sept. 20, brought a sale-topping $675,000 from bloodstock agent Steve Young at Keeneland's single session November Horses of Racing Age sale Thursday. Fellow Marylou Whitney homebred and the once-raced 2-year-old colt Captain Cook (Practical Joke), a troubled sixth on debut beneath the Twin Spires Oct. 27, was also purchased by Young for $410,000, the second most expensive lot of the day. The duo were both previously trained by Norm Casse and consigned by Gainesway, agent for the Estate of John Hendrickson. Hendrickson, a philanthropist who was the husband of the late Marylou Whitney, died suddenly over the summer in Saratoga. Keeneland sold 105 horses through the ring for $8,613,000, an increase of 9.52% from last year's total of $7,864,000 for 155 horses sold through the ring. The average of $82,029 rose 61.68% from $50,735 in 2023, while the median was up 66.67% from $30,000 to $50,000. The clearance rate was 88%. “The sale today was vibrant from the very get-go,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Every year has a little bit of a different dynamic, but there was very little weakness in that market. We had almost a 90% clearance rate, median jumped 66% and average is up 61%. That's seriously strong. We were $800,000 over last year's gross with a third less horses. It shows the demand for quality stock. I really appreciate the people that supported us because it goes to prove that when you get the right environment, this is the right place to do it. The sellers were extremely happy, and the buyers were delighted to get the horses they got.” “Just to echo what Tony said, there was great excitement in the building and we ran out of horses. That's the best kind of description of the sale,” Keeneland Senior Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach said. “When something goes that well you wish there were two more barns full to lead through because everybody was here right to the end trying to scrap and get quality bloodstock. That's rewarding for us as an entire sales team to see that environment come to life.” This story will be updated. The post ‘Vibrant From the Very Get-Go’ – Led by $675k Alyeska, Juveniles from the Estate of John Hendrickson in High Demand at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article