Wandering Eyes

Zac Purton has broken Douglas Whyte's Hong Kong all-time win record of 1,813 after scoring at Happy Valley on Wednesday evening. Purton was aboard Spirit Of Peace (Aus) (Harry Angel {Ire}) in the Class 4 Kowloon Park Handicap over 1200 metres, the third race on the card, when he tied Whyte's record. In Wednesday's finale, the Class 3 Victoria Park Handicap, the Australian booted View Of The World (NZ) (Derryn {Aus}) home to bring his all-win record on the island to 1,814 and take the record outright. A multiple champion jockey in Hong Kong, Whyte retired in 2019. Purton, who moved to Hong Kong in 2007, needed just 73 victories to equal Whyte's tally at the start of the 2024/2025 Hong Kong season. The post Purton Breaks Whyte’s Hong Kong All-Time Win Record appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer confirms star Frenchman will partner Johannes Brahms in the first leg of the four-year-old series.View the full article

Fashion Faux Pas (Flatter), in foal to former champion sire Snitzel (Aus), brought A$1.15 million from Coolmore's Justin Carey to top the Inglis Digital January (Late) Online Sale on Wednesday. Consigned by Newgate on behalf of the James Harron Bloodstock broodmare partnership, the 9-year-old mare is a half-sister to GIII Arlington Oaks third Ire (Political Force), as well as two more stakes-placed half-siblings. One, Flashy Campaign (Political Force), is the dam of two stakes winners that have both placed at graded level. Her third dam is the blue hen Wild Applause (Northern Dancer). Coolmore had also extended to A$1.7 million for Fashion Faux Pas's Snitzel yearling colt earlier this month. “Firstly I want to congratulate James Harron and his partners in Phil Merten, Belinda Bateman, the Doyle family and Love Racing on breeding such a stunning colt that we were so excited to buy a fortnight ago,” Carey said. “We're delighted to have bought this mare off them, a group we've had a great relationship with via the likes of King's Legacy and the very exciting 3YO Espionage. “We look forward with great excitement to the future with Fashion Faux Pas. We have a high opinion of these fast American mares that seem to have good chemistry with Snitzel and it's worked with the likes of [G1-winning Inglis Easter graduate] Switzerland (Aus) so hopefully we can enjoy similar success in the future with this mare. “If we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to stand City Of Troy, who was crowned Cartier Horse Of The Year last night, at Coolmore Australia next year, I'm sure she would be a fabulous mating for him also.” “Our broodmare partnership is a relatively young venture, with our focus always firmly on quality,” Harron said. “We have expanded into the American market, having identified a promising trend in the on-track success of progeny from these mares. Fashion Faux Pas exemplified the vision and standards we strive for. Her Snitzel colt, which sold earlier this year for A$1.7m to Coolmore, was undoubtedly one of the standout colts of the year and her Extreme Choice (Aus) filly foal is also excellent. “Our strategy will be to continue to turn over these mares, and we are hopeful that Fashion Faux Pas will become a blue hen for Coolmore. They are achieving great success, and their hard work and dedication make it well deserved. Inglis Digital's Nick Melmeth was understandably delighted with the result. “We are incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to promote stock of this quality to the market, so a big thank you to James Harron and his partners,” Melmeth said. “A huge amount of work has gone into getting to a point where results like this can be achieved. “I am very proud of the work of the whole Inglis team who contribute to the success of the platform, and in the case of this particular mare, we wish Tom [Magnier] and the whole Coolmore team every success with her.” The sale grossed A$5.46 million. The post Flatter Mare Hammers For A$1.15 Million To Coolmore’s Justin Carey On Inglis Digital appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australian superstar surpasses South African champion’s benchmark for most victories by a jockey in the city.View the full article

Thursday's 54th Annual Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards will honor the memory of the late Edward Bowen who passed away earlier this week. The decision, made by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, will honor the memory of the longtime author, racing journalist, and script writer for the Eclipse Awards since the event's inception in 1971. “For more than half a century, Ed Bowen's words described the most memorable moments of the sport as captured each year during the Eclipse Awards,” said the NTRA's President and CEO Tom Rooney. “His list of accomplishments includes an Eclipse Award for magazine writing in 1972, thousands of articles and nearly two dozen books on Thoroughbred breeding and racing. Before the Internet, Wikipedia and Artificial Intelligence (AI), there was Ed Bowen.” The post Eclipse Awards To Honor The Late Ed Bowen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kyle Clifford, 26, has pleaded guilty to the murders of Carole, Louise and Hannah Hunt, the wife and daughters of BBC and Sky Sports Racing commentatorJohn Hunt. Appearing via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday, Clifford admitted three counts of murder, one of false imprisonment against his former girlfriend Louise Hunt, 25, and two counts of possession of offensive weapons – a crossbow and a knife. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of raping Louise Hunt. The fatal attacks took place at the Hunt family's home in Bushey, Hertfordshire last July. A major manhunt was launched in the wake of the murders, with Clifford eventually being apprehended with serious injuries in Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London, having shot himself in the chest with a crossbow. Last summer, John Hunt, a widely popular member of the racing community in Britain, released a statement with his surviving daughter Amy, which said, “The devastation we are experiencing cannot be put into words.” The post Guilty Plea for Murders of John Hunt’s Family appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club will invest more than $6 million to support initiatives such as equine safety and aftercare, industry growth, promotion of the sport, education, and national and international collaboration as part of its Industry Impact Report released Wednesday. “We are proud of the many initiatives we support and that The Jockey Club's mission has not wavered in more than 130 years,” said The Jockey Club's President and COO James L. Gagliano. “It is so encouraging to see how many other organizations are committed to improving and growing Thoroughbred racing, especially in the areas of welfare of our athletes and promotion of our sport.” As the Thoroughbred breed registry for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, The Jockey Club Registry is a not-for-profit organization with the primary responsibility of maintaining the American Stud Book to ensure the integrity of the breed. Funds from nearly all registry-related transactions are directed toward Thoroughbred aftercare initiatives. In addition, in line with its mission of being dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, The Jockey Club's for-profit subsidiaries and partnerships (TJC Innovations (The Jockey Club Information Systems, InCompass Solutions, and The Jockey Club Technology Services) and Equibase Company) serve the industry with technology services and products, and the profits they create are dispersed back into the sport. The post Jockey Club To Invest $6 Million As Part Of Industry Impact Report appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Florent Geroux, who won both graded stakes Saturday on the “Road to the Derby Day” card at Fair Grounds, earned 'Jockey of the Week' for January 13 through January 19 by a vote of the panel of racing experts.The weekly honor recognizes jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild for significant riding accomplishments. Riding for Brad Cox, Geroux first guided Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) to victory in the GIII Louisiana Stakes and then took the GIII Lecomte Stakes aboard Disco Time (Not This Time) to close out the card. Other contenders for Jockey of the Week included Stewart Elliott with eight wins for the week at Sam Houston, Antonio Fresu with two stakes wins at Santa Anita, Juan Hernandez who won the GIII La Canada at Santa Anita and Flavien Prat who won two stakes at Santa Anita including the GIII Las Cienegas. The post Florent Geroux Named Jockey Of The Week Off Strong Weekend At Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Uncertainty surrounds the future ownership of Steve Parkin's Dullingham Park, with several owner-breeder operations having been linked to its potential purchase in recent weeks. Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing is the latest name to be tied to the 110-acre stallion stud just outside Newmarket, which is currently home to Shaquille (GB) and Soldier's Call (GB). Contacted by the TDN, Joorabchian said that he was “aware of the opportunity of Dullingham Park”. Joorabchian and his associates, which include Nottingham Forest FC owner Evangelos Marinakis, made a splash at last year's bloodstock sales, primarily in Britain, where they spent approximately £36 million on yearlings, foals and broodmares. Around $11.7 million was spent in Kentucky at Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton, while Amo Racing also bought Angelo Buonarroti (Justify) for €1 million at last year's Arqana Breeze-up Sale. Furthermore, Joorabchian is close to completing his multi-million-pound purchase of Sir Michael Stoute's historic Freemason Lodge stable on Newmarket's prestigious Bury Road. He has plans to instal Brazilian-born trainer Raphael Freire, who is currently based in Lambourn and has also previously trained in Norway. “It's not a secret that we are looking at all the stud farms – we have been looking actually for about seven months,” he said. “We haven't decided where we are going to start our operation and it's a little bit immature because, obviously buying a stud farm now when we have put our stallions in Tally-Ho [Stud] and other places, we can't move them. So we'll probably aim to do something towards mid-year, but we do know that Dullingham is an opportunity at the minute. “If a stud farm comes up, everyone knows that we are going to be interested, but we don't know whether that's going to be in Britain or Ireland. I've seen a few farms in Ireland and I've got to go to see Dullingham.” Parkin, who operates under the racing name of his former business Clipper Logistics, bought Dullingham Park from retired trainer Mark Tompkins in 2023. The purchase of Shaquille, in whom original owner Martin Hughes has retained a significant share, swiftly followed and the champion sprinter retired ahead of the start of the 2024 breeding season, with Soldier's Call joining him from his previous base at Ballyhane Stud. With the start of the breeding season now only three weeks away, the management at Dullingham Park has been approached by TDN regarding plans for the stallions but is unable to comment at this time. Eddie O'Leary, who is one of around 20 breeders to have bought a breeding right in Shaquille, said, “There has been no contact whatsoever. We are planning to send mares over to England for him but I don't know if he is going to be at Dullingham or not.” In a TDN interview in September 2023 Parkin spoke of his ambitions for Dullingham Park. He has however subsequently sold off a notable number of horses in training, including his homebred Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who is now owned by Wathnan Racing. The Qatari operation also now owns the broodmares Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) and Romantic Proposal (Ire) (Raven's Pass), both of whom won Group races for Clipper Logistics. Parkin's Irish-based Rathbride Farm was offered at auction last October with a guide price of €4.7 million but was unsold. His main base is the 300-acre Branton Court Stud in Yorkshire. Parkin is currently engaged in a legal case with his former bloodstock advisor Joe Foley of Ballyhane Stud over the disputed ownership of the Ballyhane-based stallion Sands Of Mali (Fr). The case will resume in the Irish High Court on Thursday (January 23). Amo Racing has a burgeoning stallion roster of its own, currently spread across three farms in Ireland. King Of Steel and Bucanero Fuerte (GB) have recently been retired to the O'Callaghan family's Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland, which is also the base of Persian Force (Ire). Another of Amo's star performers on the track, Go Bears Go (Ire), has been retired to Oak Lodge Stud and Derby runner-up Mojo Star (Ire) is at Whytemount Stud. The post Joorabchian ‘Aware of the Opportunity of Dullingham Park’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Shocking Grey (Grazen), winner of Saturday's Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint at Santa Anita, sold for $170,000 to Francoise DuPuis, agent for Rockingham Ranch to top Tuesday's California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Winter Mixed Sale. A 6-year-old out of the Unbridled's Song mare Seoul Unbridled, Shocking Grey was from the Checkmate Thoroughbreds consignment for the dispersal of Valpredo Farms. From the same consignment, her half-sister, a yearling by Corniche, sold for $75,000 to Gayle Van Leer, agent. In total, 83 horses sold for $1,228,200 averaging $14,780 with a median of $8,000. There were 12 buybacks. The same sale last year saw 111 sold for $1,063,800 with an average of $8,568 and median of $6,500 with 25 buybacks. The full results of the sale can be found here. The post Daughter Of Grazen, Shocking Grey, Tops CTBA Winter Mixed Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Former apprentice jockey Gemma Tutty turned her attentions to training when she took over the reins at Trenholme House Farm from her mother, Karen, in 2022. Based in North Yorkshire, Tutty enjoyed notable success with her select team in 2024 and is hoping to pick up where she left off when the Flat season on turf gets underway in less than 10 weeks. The yard sent out 27 winners and won just shy of £400,000 in prize-money in 2024. How do you reflect on last year as a whole? On reflection, it surpassed all expectations by a long way and, hopefully, helped to demonstrate our versatility as a team by ticking some more boxes off. I was concerned after the success of Mostly Cloudy (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}) in my first season that I may be pigeonholed as an expert in 'slow horses' due to him being a two-miler, so to have a progressive sprinter now rated 104 and several juvenile debutant winners in 2024 was really pleasing and a real credit to the team. I daresay we've got our work cut out for this year now, but that's a challenge we're happy to have. What was your highlight of 2024 on the racecourse? We've been very lucky that there are several big days to choose from, but I think I would have to go with Blue Storm (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) winning at Epsom on Derby Day in the 3YO “Dash”. It was my first visit to the track and the whole day was a huge buzz, particularly as the biggest trainers in the game were all present ahead of the big race. How many horses would you currently have in training and do you have ambitions to grow the yard further in the years to come? We started with 18 boxes licensed and have grown that number to 26 boxes currently. I have just submitted planning for 10 more, which we're really hopeful gets permitted. I do have further ideas for expansion in mind if we continue to grow, but I prefer to do so at a pace that feels comfortable to us all. I'm really proud of what we've built as a team and I'm mindful that I don't want to drastically change that. Who has been the biggest influence on your career? I am very lucky that I have had the opportunity to ride out in dozens of yards over the years and travel internationally through racing, seeing many operations across different codes and countries. I've ridden out for Saeed bin Suroor in Dubai, Guillaume Macaire in France, Paul Nicholls, Jonjo O'Neill, Kevin Ryan, Alan Swinbank, David Barron, Mick Easterby, Ruth Carr, et al. I like to think I have taken a bit of everyone's methods forwards, finding what works best for us as a team. I'm not sure I could account the influence to one individual. You also rode 74 winners in Britain as a jockey. What led to the decision to stop race-riding and to start a training career when you took over the licence from your mother, Karen, in 2022? I had already done my training modules whilst I was still riding, so it was a gradual decision that I had been thinking about for a few years. I knew race-riding was never going to be forever for me and it was more of a hobby than a career choice. I was very fortunate that I was in a position to enjoy it for what it was, due to having a degree to fall back on if needs be. I'd taken over a lot of aspects of the training whilst the licence was still in Mum's name, so it didn't feel like a massive change on the practical front, but not race-riding was an adjustment at first. However, I've been far too busy to miss it since! What was your best day in the saddle? Thankfully, I appear to be a much better trainer than I was a jockey, but I did enjoy it, albeit at the lower levels. I think winning on my old stalwart Talent Scout (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) for the 10th time in his 11-year-old season would have to be up there. Winning on horses you absolutely adore is an amazing feeling. And your best day since you started training? There have been a good few highlights, particularly last season, but I think I'll have to go with Mostly Cloudy's fifth consecutive win, which came in the Brown Jack at Ascot on my first visit to the track. It was a pretty special day in my first season training–I was on cloud nine. Give us a dark horse to follow for the year ahead? I'm a big fan of the lightly-raced Thelma's Angel (Ire), a four-year-old filly by Dark Angel (Ire). She's only had two starts, finishing third on debut in a warm heat at Newcastle, followed by a decisive win at Ayr. I think she could be a special one. Who is the best value stallion with the start of the breeding season just around the corner? I would have a few in mind. Rajasinghe (Ire) I believe to be fantastic value at £3,000. He hasn't had many runners, but the statistics for those who have run are quite remarkable–47% of his runners were winners last year, including my own Singoura (GB). I'm also a big fan of Golden Horn (GB) at £10,000. He is consistently producing good-quality stock, year after year. I'll also be following the Ghaiyyath (Ire) three-year-olds closely this year. What would make 2025 a good year for you? I'd really like to get a domestic Group winner on the board. It's obviously not an easy feat, but I do believe I've got several horses for this year who could well be good enough. Aside from that, to keep operating at a healthy strike rate and for our owners to enjoy their season with us. The post In the Hot Seat: Gemma Tutty appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

David Hayes joined Racing Pulse with Michael Felgate to discuss a number of runners and racing topics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. CLICK TO PLAY AUDIO View the full article

Respected New Zealand Bloodstock agent Chris Rutten knows a thing or two about the hard yards. He will meticulously work his way through the catalogue and inspections at the Karaka sales this year – just like he has in previous years. He attributes it as the reason he has been so successful at the sales and is hoping that can deliver more glory on the racetrack come Saturday. Rutten will have a dual-pronged attack on the Karaka Millions 2YO with second favourite Too Sweet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and roughie In The Air (NZ) (Embellish) tackling the race. Rutten paid NZ$50,000 to purchase Too Sweet from Phoenix Park’s draft at Karaka last year and just NZ$27,500 for In The Air from Wentwood Grange’s draft in the 2023 National Weanling Sale. That $77,500 outlay now gives Rutten and connections a huge chance at taking home a champion’s share of the NZ$1 million on offer for the 1200-metre feature. Rutten is no stranger to Karaka Millions success, having won the race with Vespa in 2014, and has collected minor placings with Touche (2013), Kingsman (2016), Yourdeel (2019), Avonallo (2021) and Wolverine (2022). He also won the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) with Scott Base in 2018. “It’s hard work. You go to buy them and you get outbid,” Rutten said. “I pride myself on buying my own horses. It’s proved very well for me. “I look at every horse here. And then I get it to another list and then I go back another two or three times. “You’ve got to give them a chance to settle down and let them show their best. Sometimes they don’t settle down.” Leading New Zealand jockey Michael McNab will ride Too Sweet from a tricky barrier 15 on Saturday. “Too Sweet is a really, really nice filly. I didn’t think I’d get her for what we paid for her,” he said. “I thought we’d have to pay double that and I was prepared to pay double that. I couldn’t believe it. “She is everything I look for in a horse. I was excited when I got her home.” Rutten said a call on tactics will be made following a chat with McNab and trainer Roydon Bergerson. “Do we shoot forward? She did it last start and showed her speed,” he said. “She’s a lovely filly. She has speed and she will settle as well.” In The Air, who has drawn barrier 11, has surprised Rutten with his progression. “We didn’t get him going as early as we should have. He won his last start and got galloped on that race. He should have had another race before this,” he said. “He galloped really well during the week in a really good time and he was strong to the line.” View the full article

Jockeys Beany and Blake Spriggs continue to make progress after their horrifying fall during Friday’s race at Moruya, with updates from Racing NSW and family members offering insight into their recoveries. Beany Panya underwent spinal fixation surgery on Sunday after sustaining fractures to her T6 and T7 vertebrae. Encouragingly, she has already taken her first steps, walking approximately 15 metres on Monday. According to her sister, fellow jockey Deanne Panya, Beany remains in good spirits despite lingering back pain and is eager to return home. Doctors have expressed satisfaction with her progress, though she will stay in the hospital for further monitoring. While Racing NSW have announced “Scans have shown that Beany Panya has no clavicle fracture,” after being announced she was sent for a CT scan. Blake Spriggs, meanwhile, remains in the intensive care unit after undergoing surgeries to address fractures in his clavicle and forearm. He was initially placed in an induced coma but has since regained consciousness. Though still intubated as of Tuesday morning, doctors are hopeful the breathing tube can be removed soon. Spriggs is responsive but heavily sedated as medical teams manage his chest and abdominal injuries, which include internal bleeding and broken ribs. His fiancée, KC Osborne, expressed gratitude to supporters, sharing that Spriggs has shown progress and responsiveness, which has given his family and friends hope. Osborne also posted on social media, thanking followers for their prayers and support while emphasising the importance of patience and rest as Spriggs continues to recover. Her heartfelt updates, along with those from Racing NSW, have united the racing community in their concern and well-wishes for both jockeys. The fall, which occurred when Spriggs’ mount, Blesstas, clipped heels and fell, bringing down Panya’s horse, The Boomerang, led to the abandonment of the final two races on the Moruya program. Despite the severity of the incident, both horses emerged unscathed, offering a small relief amid the turmoil. As both riders navigate their recoveries, updates from family and officials continue to provide hope. The resilience of Panya and Spriggs, coupled with the support from loved ones and the broader racing community, underscores their determination to overcome this challenging chapter. Horse racing news View the full article

Renowned New Zealand punter Ted McLachlan will be wearing two hats at Saturday’s Karaka Millions meeting. McLachlan is one of the key lieutenants in the Boys Get Paid betting syndicate, which will pump through more than NZ$100,000 across Saturday’s six-race card. But he’s also a part-owner in Karaka Millions 2YO contender La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth). It’s going to be a fine balancing act for the respected punter as he prepares to not only back winners, but cheer home the one he owns as well. “I’ve got a horse in the 2YO myself. She’s drawn five and I’m happy with that,” McLachlan said. “The favourite (To Bravery Born) is going to be hard from gate two. That looks the one to beat. “He’s probably a worthy favourite. The second favourite (Too Sweet) has drawn the outside, which makes it interesting. We have barrier five, that gives us options.” McLachlan said Friday will be crucial with the Boys Get Paid syndicate catching up to finalise their betting strategy. “It’s going to be interesting with the last three races in the world pool and the difference it will make. That last race, you could have $5 million or something in the pool,” he said. “They’re pretty even fields this year. There’s going to be a bit of homework that will have to go into it.” McLachlan said the addition of Craig Williams and Blake Shinn to the meeting’s riding ranks will add extra intrigue. Williams will also take the ride on La Dorada on Saturday. “It’s a big night. The place is packed,” he said of the Karaka meeting. View the full article

New Zealand may be synonymous with breeding top-class middle-distance and staying horses, but now it is proving just as dominant with its sprinters. Last year New Zealand-bred Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) was ranked the world’s best sprinter with a rating of 125, and 12 months later compatriots Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) and I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) share top honours with American speedster Cogburn, with ratings of 121, in the latest LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. Ka Ying Rising has been a sensation in Hong Kong for trainer David Hayes, where he has recorded back-to-back elite-level victories, with Sunday’s win in the Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) lowering the Sha Tin track record. “The emergence of Ka Ying Rising under David Hayes and Zac Purton for the Ka Ying Syndicate has been a wonderful success,” Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “Starting out as an unraced import, Ka Ying Rising has surged through Hong Kong’s always competitive sprint ranks to stand as our premier sprinter with his incredible performances, including the setting of a new Sha Tin course record for 1200m, to now be acknowledged as one of the world’s premier sprinters.” While Ka Ying Rising has dominated the sprinting scene in Hong Kong this season, he could have some competition in the form of a renewed Lucky Sweynesse, who is making a pleasing comeback from injury. The multiple Group One winner has been off the scene since last April when he had surgery on his left front fetlock after he was injured when winning the Gr.2 Sprint Cup (1200m). He has pleased with his comeback, including finishing runner-up in a 1000m trial at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning, and is on track to make a return in the Sprint Cup on March 30. View the full article

This time last year New Zealand syndicator Go Racing celebrated one of their biggest moments when Velocious carried their silks to victory in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), and this year, they will be out to add the 3YO crown to their mantle. Velocious, a $190,000 Karaka purchase, was backed into an even money favourite for the rich juvenile feature following victory in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) and placing in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m), and Go Racing general manager Matt Allnutt said he was a relieved man when the world’s leading jockey, James McDonald, guided their charge to a comfortable 2-1/4 length victory. “This time last year I was as nervous as I have ever been going into a race meeting with a favourite,” Allnutt said. “It was a great night last year, it was such a relief and such a thrill to get the win.” Velocious went on to win the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at her next start to cap an outstanding juvenile term. With plenty of lucrative three-year-old targets in front of her this season, Velocious failed to fire in her first two starts and subsequently underwent a wind operation and is making a pleasing return to the racetrack for trainer Stephen Marsh. “She had a jumpout last week and will have a quiet trial next week,” Allnutt said. “She will have two trials and then will be back and ready to race all going well. “Her breathing was really good in the jumpout last week and she certainly hasn’t lost any of her speed. We were more than happy with what she did and are really looking forward to the future with her.” While Velocious won’t get the opportunity to make it back-to-back Karaka Millions triumphs, Go Racing will still have a contender to barrack for in the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) in Fun Never Sets (NZ) (Proisir). Purchased out of HGT Bloodstock’s 2023 New Zealand Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $50,000, the daughter of Proisir has won one of her eight starts for trainer Kylie Hoskin and will jump from the ace barrier on Saturday with premiership-winning jockey Warren Kennedy aboard. While excited to be represented on Karaka Millions night once more, Allnutt said Go Racing are heading into Saturday in a more relaxed state than last year, feeling none of the pressure with their $21 outsider. “We haven’t got anywhere near the expectations this time, we are a lot more relaxed and looking forward to the night,” he said. “She is a filly that doesn’t over-race and she does things pretty right. We have got a good, experienced rider on in Warren Kennedy, and have the shortest way home. Barrier 1 seemed the logical one when they came up and we are rapt to get it. “Last start she was only 0.2 of a length behind Yaldi, who is third favourite for the race, and if she runs up to what she did last start she can be right there I think. “The owners are getting a good ride out of her. She has picked up a maiden win and she has shown us quite a bit. I know Kylie has a good opinion of her and she is a genuine, honest filly and will give the owners something to cheer on Saturday anyway.” Go Racing will also be represented earlier on the card by Imperial Empress in the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m). “She is a really good mare, but she has just been doing things wrong the last couple of starts,” Allnutt said. “She just doesn’t like getting amongst horses. Wiremu Pinn (jockey) has got a really big opinion of her, he loves the horse and is sticking with her. “She is well drawn (2), the blinkers go on for this Saturday, and this will be the first time she races in blinkers, and hopefully they work. It is a big ask with her also, it is a pretty hot field, but we are confident she will acquit herself well.” In the lead-up to Saturday, the Go Racing team will be busy inspecting yearlings at Karaka in search of their next champion. “We will be out here all week,” Allnutt said. “We have teamed up with Stuart Boman from Blandford Bloodstock in the UK. He is a world-renowned bloodstock agent. “We are getting around them all in a couple of teams and we will meet later today and come up with short lists. “We probably see horses two or three times and the ones we like we get them vetted. Then we follow them in (to the sale ring) and hopefully we have enough money to buy them.” Allnutt said they will be on the lookout for up to a dozen yearlings at the sales, which they have found is a good number to complement their other purchases throughout the year. “We have changed the way we do things,” he said. “In past years we have bought the majority of our horses from Karaka in January, and it puts you under a lot of pressure. We spread that out throughout the year now and are buying a lot more horses from the UK, including tried horses.” View the full article

It was luck by name and luck by nature for Ben and Ryan Foote at the barrier draw for Saturday’s $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie. The father-and-son training partnership will prepare Vega For Luck (NZ) (Lucky Vega) for the lucrative juvenile contest, the son of Lucky Vega drawing gate three, outside of Toretto (NZ) (Ardossan) and race-favourite To Bravery Born (NZ) (Snitzel). Vega For Luck was a winner on debut in early October, with three subsequent runs including a third in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) and fifth in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) on New Year’s Day. “It makes you feel like you’ve got a lot more of a chance, when his name was called out early I was pretty happy,” Ben Foote said. “He’s a really good doing two-year-old, he’s had a lot of runs and gallops around Ellerslie, so we think we’re in with a chance. He’s probably not the best horse in the race, but if he puts himself in it from a good barrier, he can be in it for sure. “You’d have to (push forward), it would just be too hard for him to get too far back.” The Foote’s stable star Babylon Berlin has also received a royal opportunity in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) later in the evening, the mare set to jump from barrier two. Babylon Berlin has contested the Railway on three occasions, finishing third behind Entriviere and second to phenomenal sprinter Imperatriz, before an uncharacteristic seventh in last year’s running, held at Pukekohe. At her fourth attempt, Babylon Berlin is currently rated an $8 equal-third favourite after a winning performance in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) and ahead of Saturday’s $700,000 feature, Foote couldn’t be happier with his charge. “She’s flying, everything seems tip-top and drawing barrier two is really good, it’s nice to be going to Karaka Millions Night with two good barriers and two good chances,” he said. “She’ll definitely push forward, she loves the fight and loves being taken on, so good luck to anything that wants to take her on.” View the full article

Lindsay Park will take aim at the first leg of a lucrative New Zealand double when Hello Romeo (NZ) (Hello Yourmzain) steps out at Ellerslie on Saturday. A long-term plan of brothers Ben, Will and JD Hayes will be put to the test with the promising colt making the return trip across the Tasman for a crack at the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). The son of Hello Youmzain is blazing a trail that will be followed by older stablemate Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto), who will run in the TAB slot for Entain New Zealand in the $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m) on Champions’ Day at Ellerslie on March 8. “It’s really exciting and he (Hello Romeo) has raced well in Victoria and has travelled very well,” Ben Hayes said. “He’s handled all his work really well, he’s quite straight forward and flew over without a problem so we couldn’t be happier with him. “We’re all looking forward to it, it’s a good opportunity for our stable and Will and JD will be over for the race day, and I’ll be getting over after the Saturday races here for the sale.” Bred by Jomara Bloodstock, who remain in the ownership group, Hello Romeo was a $150,000 purchase for Lindsay Park out of Hallmark Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft and is a son of the Shooting To Win mare Julieta. She is an unraced half-sister to Humidor, three-time Group One winner of the Australian Cup (2000m), Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and the Memsie Stakes (1400m). “Even at the sale, he was a big, strong type of horse from the first crop of Hello Youmzain and he was just a really nice type,” Hayes said. Hello Romeo finished runner-up over 1000m in his spring debut at Bendigo and went one better over the course and distance at his next appearance. He then finished fourth over 1100m at Ballarat before a break and returned to finish second in a Flemington jump-out over 800m before heading to New Zealand. “He’s got a very high cruising speed and puts himself on pace and I think that’s a good recipe for Ellerslie,” Hayes said. “Matthew Cartwright will ride him, he’s done a lot of riding for us over here.” Meanwhile, the well-performed Evaporate has pleased the stable since his return to work. “He’s in great order and will trial on Friday and will run in either the CS Hayes Stakes (Gr.3, 1400m) or the Autumn Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) before he heads over and target the big race second-up,” Hayes said. Evaporate has won four of his 10 starts, including the Gr.2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) and finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m). The son of Per Incanto was spelled after tailing the field home in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m). He was bought by Lindsay Park for A$330,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was offered by Sledmere Stud on behalf of breeder Little Avondale Stud, who remain in the ownership. View the full article

What Pakenham Races Where Southside Racing Pakenham – 420 Nar Nar Goon – Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3810 When Thursday, January 23, 2025 First Race 5:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble Pakenham is the destination for the sole horse racing meeting in Victoria on Thursday, with an eight-race meeting set down for decision. Showers are forecast on Thursday afternoon, yet the track is not expected to deteriorate too much from its early Good 4 rating. The rail will return to its true position, with the opening event set to jump at 5:45pm AEDT. Best Bet at Pakenham: Leonchroi Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) are set to cut the ribbons on three-year-old gelding Leonchroi, who comes to the Pakenham opener on the back of an eye-catching jumpout victory at Cranbourne. The Contributer gelding showed a strong turn of foot under hands and heels along the rail, and the draw in barrier one for his debut looks ideal. With Damian Lane on board, Leonchroi looks the likely leader and should prove too slick. Best Bet Race 1 – #8 Leonchroi (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Damian Lane (58kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Pakenham: Untapped Untapped could not have been more impressive when breaking maiden ranks fresh from a spell at the Pakenham 1200m on January 10. The son of Foxwedge settled midfield and produced a strong finish to score by 2.3 lengths with plenty left in reserve. The step up to 1400m looks ideal, and if Zac Spain can lob him in a similar position from barrier eight, Untapped should be winning again. Next Best Race 7 – #8 Untapped (8) 3yo Gelding | T: Greg Eurell | J: Zac Spain (58.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Best Value at Pakenham: Sweet As A Kiss With a bit of luck, punters should get an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers on Sweet As A Kiss after she savaged the line in her second career start at Mornington. Having settled at the rear of the six-horse field, the Vino Rosso filly quickened sharply to be beaten under a length. The straight at Pakenham should suit her better than Mornington’s did, and if she produces a similar finish, Sweet As A Kiss will be fighting it out at the end. Best Value Race 6 – #12 Sweet As A Kiss (13) 3yo Filly | T: Jerome Hunter | J: Logan Bates (a2) (56kg) Bet with Picklebet Thursday quaddie tips for Pakenham Pakenham quadrella selections January 23, 2025 1-4-6-7 2-6-11-12 5-6-8 1-2-5-7-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

In Haste powering away with her maiden victory in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m) at Matamata on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) The TAB Racing Club could be in for an exciting couple of months with their juvenile filly In Haste, with the daughter of Snitzel set to tackle some stakes assignments following her dominant win at Matamata on Wednesday. With just a quartet of rivals in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m), In Haste was taken straight to the front where jockey Craig Grylls dictated the pace throughout. In Haste quickly put several lengths on her rivals at the top of the straight and ran out a comfortable 4-1/4 length victor. Grylls was pleased with In Haste’s maiden victory, having guided her to a runner-up result on debut, and the leading Waikato hoop believes a bright future is instore for the filly. “She relaxed really nice, which is good, and she found a really good kick off the turn,” he said. “It was pretty easy and she has got a bright future I think.” Sam Bergerson, who trains In Haste in partnership with Mark Walker, was rapt with the result on their home track and he now has his sights on the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) with his filly next month. “She was very tractable and showed a really good turn of foot,” Bergerson said. “It’s onwards and upwards for her and hopefully we can get her back here in a few weeks’ time for the Matamata Breeders.” Bergerson said it is exciting to have a promising filly for the TAB Racing Club, an Entain Australia and New Zealand initiative which promotes racehorse ownership among TAB customers, mirrored off the success off their Ladbrokes Racing Club in Australia, and is free to join. “What they are doing for racing is massive, so to get a result like that with a filly who’s hopefully going to go on to better things is really exciting,” he said. In Haste was purchased by Ladbrokes Racing Club out of Newgate Farm’s 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $400,000, with the Australian farm remaining in the ownership of the filly. While pleased with In Haste’s performance, Bergerson was left frustrated with stablemate Born To Be Royal’s run, despite her runner-up result. “She seemed to find a lot of trouble unfortunately during the run,” he said. “She looked like she was going to get the gun run in behind the speed, but got shuffled back and on the corner she got held up. “She was good late, she has got a big, lovely stride on her and we certainly think she is capable of better. I think she will take great benefit from today’s outing.” Horse racing news View the full article

Go Racing mare Fun Never Sets will contest Saturday’s $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) This time last year New Zealand syndicator Go Racing celebrated one of their biggest moments when Velocious carried their silks to victory in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), and this year, they will be out to add the 3YO crown to their mantle. Velocious, a $190,000 Karaka purchase, was backed into an even money favourite for the rich juvenile feature following victory in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) and placing in the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m), and Go Racing general manager Matt Allnutt said he was a relieved man when the world’s leading jockey, James McDonald, guided their charge to a comfortable 2-1/4 length victory. “This time last year I was as nervous as I have ever been going into a race meeting with a favourite,” Allnutt said. “It was a great night last year, it was such a relief and such a thrill to get the win.” Velocious went on to win the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at her next start to cap an outstanding juvenile term. With plenty of lucrative three-year-old targets in front of her this season, Velocious failed to fire in her first two starts and subsequently underwent a wind operation and is making a pleasing return to the racetrack for trainer Stephen Marsh. “She had a jumpout last week and will have a quiet trial next week,” Allnutt said. “She will have two trials and then will be back and ready to race all going well. “Her breathing was really good in the jumpout last week and she certainly hasn’t lost any of her speed. We were more than happy with what she did and are really looking forward to the future with her.” While Velocious won’t get the opportunity to make it back-to-back Karaka Millions triumphs, Go Racing will still have a contender to barrack for in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) in Fun Never Sets. Purchased out of HGT Bloodstock’s 2023 New Zealand Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $50,000, the daughter of Proisir has won one of her eight starts for trainer Kylie Hoskin and will jump from the ace barrier on Saturday with premiership-winning jockey Warren Kennedy aboard. While excited to be represented on Karaka Millions night once more, Allnutt said Go Racing are heading into Saturday in a more relaxed state than last year, feeling none of the pressure with their $21 outsider. “We haven’t got anywhere near the expectations this time, we are a lot more relaxed and looking forward to the night,” he said. “She is a filly that doesn’t over-race and she does things pretty right. We have got a good, experienced rider on in Warren Kennedy, and have the shortest way home. Barrier 1 seemed the logical one when they came up and we are rapt to get it. “Last start she was only 0.2 of a length behind Yaldi, who is third favourite for the race, and if she runs up to what she did last start she can be right there I think. “The owners are getting a good ride out of her. She has picked up a maiden win and she has shown us quite a bit. I know Kylie has a good opinion of her and she is a genuine, honest filly and will give the owners something to cheer on Saturday anyway.” Go Racing will also be represented earlier on the card by Imperial Empress in the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m). “She is a really good mare, but she has just been doing things wrong the last couple of starts,” Allnutt said. “She just doesn’t like getting amongst horses. Wiremu Pinn (jockey) has got a really big opinion of her, he loves the horse and is sticking with her. “She is well drawn (2), the blinkers go on for this Saturday, and this will be the first time she races in blinkers, and hopefully they work. It is a big ask with her also, it is a pretty hot field, but we are confident she will acquit herself well.” In the lead-up to Saturday, the Go Racing team will be busy inspecting yearlings at Karaka in search of their next champion. “We will be out here all week,” Allnutt said. “We have teamed up with Stuart Boman from Blandford Bloodstock in the UK. He is a world-renowned bloodstock agent. “We are getting around them all in a couple of teams and we will meet later today and come up with short lists. “We probably see horses two or three times and the ones we like we get them vetted. Then we follow them in (to the sale ring) and hopefully we have enough money to buy them.” Allnutt said they will be on the lookout for up to a dozen yearlings at the sales, which they have found is a good number to complement their other purchases throughout the year. “We have changed the way we do things,” he said. “In past years we have bought the majority of our horses from Karaka in January, and it puts you under a lot of pressure. We spread that out throughout the year now and are buying a lot more horses from the UK, including tried horses.” Horse racing news View the full article

Zou Tiger winning the 2024 Carrington Stakes. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Saturday’s Listed $200,000 Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick has been called off after a lack of acceptors for the event. While six horses had initially accepted for the race, several were also entered in other feature events across the country, including three Listed races over 1400m scheduled for the same day. Among the horses affected, last-start Wyong winner Grand Impact and Richard and Will Freedman’s Elettrica were both entered in the Listed $160,000 Sunshine Coast Cup (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast. Elettrica has also accepted for the Listed $175,000 John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at Sandown, where stablemate Coastwatch has secured a start. Other nominations for the Carrington Stakes, including Just Folk and Chorlton Lane, remained in Victoria. Accredited, an impressive winner of his past three starts, was a clear favourite with horse racing bookmakers in pre-final field betting for the Carrington Stakes, leaving connections disappointed with no race to run in this weekend. The Carrington Stakes, first run in 1930 and won by Pavilion, has a long history, and the cancellation of this year’s edition marks an unusual turn of events for the race. Horse racing news View the full article

Vega For Luck will take his place in Saturday’s $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) It was luck by name and luck by nature for Ben and Ryan Foote at the barrier draw for Saturday’s $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie. The father-and-son training partnership will prepare Vega For Luck for the lucrative juvenile contest, the son of Lucky Vega drawing gate three, outside of Toretto and race-favourite To Bravery Born. Vega For Luck was a winner on debut in early October, with three subsequent runs including a third in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) and fifth in the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) on New Year’s Day. “It makes you feel like you’ve got a lot more of a chance, when his name was called out early I was pretty happy,” Ben Foote said. “He’s a really good doing two-year-old, he’s had a lot of runs and gallops around Ellerslie, so we think we’re in with a chance. He’s probably not the best horse in the race, but if he puts himself in it from a good barrier, he can be in it for sure. “You’d have to (push forward), it would just be too hard for him to get too far back.” The Foote’s stable star Babylon Berlin has also received a royal opportunity in the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) later in the evening, the mare set to jump from barrier two. Babylon Berlin has contested the Railway on three occasions, finishing third behind Entriviere and second to phenomenal sprinter Imperatriz, before an uncharacteristic seventh in last year’s running, held at Pukekohe. At her fourth attempt, Babylon Berlin is currently rated an $8 equal-third favourite after a winning performance in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) and ahead of Saturday’s $700,000 feature, Foote couldn’t be happier with his charge. “She’s flying, everything seems tip-top and drawing barrier two is really good, it’s nice to be going to Karaka Millions Night with two good barriers and two good chances,” he said. “She’ll definitely push forward, she loves the fight and loves being taken on, so good luck to anything that wants to take her on.” Horse racing news View the full article

Hello Romeo will contest the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Brett Holburt (Racing Photos) Lindsay Park will take aim at the first leg of a lucrative New Zealand double when Hello Romeo steps out at Ellerslie on Saturday. A long-term plan of brothers Ben, Will and JD Hayes will be put to the test with the promising colt making the return trip across the Tasman for a crack at the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). The son of Hello Youmzain is blazing a trail that will be followed by older stablemate Evaporate, who will run in the TAB slot for Entain New Zealand in the $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m) on Champions’ Day at Ellerslie on March 8. “It’s really exciting and he (Hello Romeo) has raced well in Victoria and has travelled very well,” Ben Hayes said. “He’s handled all his work really well, he’s quite straight forward and flew over without a problem so we couldn’t be happier with him. “We’re all looking forward to it, it’s a good opportunity for our stable and Will and JD will be over for the race day, and I’ll be getting over after the Saturday races here for the sale.” Bred by Jomara Bloodstock, who remain in the ownership group, Hello Romeo was a $150,000 purchase for Lindsay Park out of Hallmark Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft and is a son of the Shooting To Win mare Julieta. She is an unraced half-sister to Humidor, three-time Group 1 winner of the Australian Cup (2000m), Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and the Memsie Stakes (1400m). “Even at the sale, he was a big, strong type of horse from the first crop of Hello Youmzain and he was just a really nice type,” Hayes said. Hello Romeo finished runner-up over 1000m in his spring debut at Bendigo and went one better over the course and distance at his next appearance. He then finished fourth over 1100m at Ballarat before a break and returned to finish second in a Flemington jump-out over 800m before heading to New Zealand. “He’s got a very high cruising speed and puts himself on pace and I think that’s a good recipe for Ellerslie,” Hayes said. “Matthew Cartwright will ride him, he’s done a lot of riding for us over here.” Meanwhile, the well-performed Evaporate has pleased the stable since his return to work. “He’s in great order and will trial on Friday and will run in either the CS Hayes Stakes (Group 3, 1400m) or the Autumn Stakes (Group 2, 1400m) before he heads over and target the big race second-up,” Hayes said. Evaporate has won four of his 10 starts, including the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) and finished runner-up in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m). The son of Per Incanto was spelled after tailing the field home in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m). Horse racing news View the full article