Wandering Eyes

Tweenhills owner David Redvers has applauded Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony for speaking out against the government's budget announcement that limits inheritance tax for farms to £1m. Despite having just overseen another memorable sale at Park Paddocks, where a new record was broken for the highest-priced horse sold at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale at 1.3 million gns, Mahony used that platform to highlight changes made in the budget that he says will have a “negative impact on the whole racing and breeding sector” in Britain. Agricultural property has been passed on to heirs tax-free for decades, but from April 2026, farms and other business property will fall within inheritance tax. Inheritors will have to pay 20% of the value of the agricultural and business property above £1m. Redvers says that the announcement is “an attack” on Britain's rural economy and the changes made to inheritance tax is just the largest hammer blow to the thoroughbred breeders within the country. Mahony agrees. “I think that sums it up,” Mahony said. “More immediately, the national insurance rise and changing of the minimum wage is probably going to impact on studs and trainers in particular. The changes to capital gains tax and business property relief is more of a long-term problem. With the changes to business property not due to come in until April 2026, I am assuming there will be a period of consultation on that and hopefully sense will prevail. But look, it seems to be a budget that has gone completely in the wrong direction in terms of business, the cultivation of individual aspiration, economic growth-all the things they spoke about before the election, really. That's where I was coming from [in highlighting the budget post-sale].” For years, the APR tax relief has enabled small family farms-including land used for crops or rearing animals, as well as farm buildings, cottages and houses-to be handed down through the generations. Redvers says that the changes made in the budget has the potential to render most of his life's work pointless as there would be no other option but to put Tweenhill up for sale, like a lot of his neighbouring farmers have been forced to do in recent years. He explained, “Nothing has upset me and my apple cart more than this announcement in the budget. My entire life's work has revolved around keeping a family farm-which has been in the family for generations-going. Apart from Hartpury College, which obviously has over 4,000 students, we are the biggest employers in our area. All of the smaller dairy farms have had to sell up because they weren't viable at 150 acres.” Redvers added, “I am very conscious that I am only a custodian of the place. That has been the driving force for me in business. I have three children, some of whom want to keep the business on and keep the link with the land that we have had for years. This announcement will undoubtedly change the look of the countryside and it's an attack on the rural community. The thing that makes it particularly galling is that the Prime Minister is on the record in saying that this wasn't going to happen before the election. The sense of anger that is building within the countryside is something that he will deeply regret causing.” Redvers and Mahony acknowledge that the changes made in the budget comes as the latest blow to what is an already struggling cohort of breeders in Britain. Mahony in particular was keen to highlight that, while the Book 1 and 2 sessions to the October Yearling Sale stole the headlines, he is acutely aware of smaller breeders who are on the brink. Mahony explained, “There are a lot of breeders who are hanging on by their fingernails. It's great when you see Book 1 and 2 and all of the other sales taking all the headlines, but it's the guys in Book 3, Somerville-it's those sorts of sales that are representative of the smaller breeders who are the backbone of the industry. They are really struggling and this is another nail in the coffin if you like.” On top of the changes made to inheritance tax, thresholds for employers' National Insurance contributions will drop from £9,100 to £5,000 from April 2025. Employers' NI rate will increase from 13.8% to 15% in April 2025 while the employers' allowance (the amount an employer can deduct from their NI contribution to HMRC) will increase from £5,000 to £10,000. Meanwhile, the National Living Wage increased by 6.7% in April 2025, on top of a 9.8% increase in 2024. Redvers concluded, “All you have to do is look at the number of British breeders, which is in steep decline, to realise that the future of the industry is in a perilous situation. I can think of a lot of British breeders in this industry who are close to going out of business. That's against a backdrop of a declining economy where people have less spare cash than they used to. I had conversations with two top-notch British breeders in recent days and they explained to me that they are down 20 mares and are barely breaking even. That's not even scratching the surface on the situation. This is a cataclysmic situation here.” The post ‘An Attack On The Rural Community’ – Redvers Hits Out At Budget Announcements appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After winning his first Breeders' Cup race when Moira triumphed in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Del Mar, trainer Kevin Attard takes multiple shots at three graded stakes Nov. 9 at his customary base at Woodbine.View the full article

Fresh off a strong runner-up performance in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T), grade 2 winner May Day Ready will carry the American flag across the Pacific Ocean to race in Japan.View the full article

Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby hailed a “truly international buying bench” at the conclusion of the Autumn Yearling Sale on Thursday. Turnover climbed by 15% to €3,735,200 while average was up by 4% to €8,748. The median matched last year's figure of €5,000 while the clearance rate was up marginally [1%] to 77%. Beeby commented, “All corners of the globe. 2025 will see Goffs Autumn graduates race all over the world following the last three days. Our job as Ireland's premier auction house since 1866 is to work in the best interests of Irish breeders and, for this week especially, that means driving the greatest number of buyers to Kildare Paddocks. In our endeavours we are lucky to have the team at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing to assist the work of the Goffs Purchaser Attraction Team as well as our network of overseas agents. It is clear that they have worked tirelessly with great success as we have welcomed a truly international buying bench that is the measure of any sale with horses heading to China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, UAE and, of course, the UK.” He added, “A staggering 125 have been bought to go to Eastern Europe and we extend our particular thanks to Kishore Mirpuri who has coordinated an enormous group of enthusiasts who have added character alongside some serious bidding to the week. The home team have been proactive too with eight of the Top 10 yearlings staying in Ireland, whilst one heads to the UK and another to Italy, a country that has also proved a major contributor accounting for a further 55 yearlings. Another 15 will race in China.” While Beeby was keen to pay tribute to the foreign buyers, the top end of the market was dominated by domestic spenders. Bloodstock agent Kevin Ross and Gavin Cromwell were the third busiest buyers with five yearlings added to the team for a total spend of €108,500. Meanwhile, top lot of the entire sale, a Mohaather (GB) filly consigned by Derrinstown Stud, went the way of Jack Davison and Barry Lynch on Tuesday for €110,000. Fellow Irish-based handler Sheila Laver signed for the top lot on Thursday, a colt by first-season sire Pinatubo (Ire), who was consigned by Castlebridge and fetched €75,000 in the ring. Beeby continued, “A marginally improved clearance rate of 77% is acceptable as it demonstrates trade and underlines the depth and breadth of buyers, but it must be noted that although the average has improved and the median held steady, they are hardly a cause for celebration and are at the lower end of the scale. In that context our overseas buyers have been absolutely vital as a market without them would be unimaginable so our investment in this sector has been more than justified and we repeat our thanks to each one as well as our appreciation of every vendor for the trust they have placed in us once again. “We now turn our attention to our market leading November Sale which features the cream of the Irish foal crop and some beautifully bred mares and fillies in a fortnight.” The post Beeby Hails “Truly International Buying Bench” At Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mill Ridge Farm extends an invitation to join them starting on Thursday, Nov. 7 through Nov. 14, for their stallion open house from 12:00 to 2 p.m. ET daily, the farm said via a press release on Thursday. The three horse roster on display features MGISW Oscar Performance (by Kitten's Joy), whose stud fee is listed at $45,000 LF. The third-crop sire stands alongside millionaire GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Aloha West (by Hard Spun), who is listed at $8,500 LF. Newly-added to the slate this year is four-time Grade I winner Casa Creed (by Jimmy Creed), who comes in at $10,000 LF. Mill Ridge is located at 2800 Bowman Mill Road, Lexington, Kentucky. For more information contact Kim Poulin at (859) 231-0606 or by email kpoulin@millridge.com. The post Mill Ridge To Hold Week-Long Open House appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fresh off a strong runner-up performance in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T), grade 2 winner May Day Ready will carry the American flag across the Pacific to race in Japan.View the full article

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Tokyo and Fukushima Racecourses: Saturday, November 9, 2024 4th-TOK, ¥10,480,000 ($68k), Maiden, 2yo, 1600m GOLDEN KITE (c, 2, Tapit–L' Age d'Or, by Medaglia d'Oro) sold to Steven Venosa's SGV Thoroughbreds for $200,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale and made for a nice profit when hammering to trainer Mitsu Nakauchida for $600,000 at this year's OBS March Sale. The Apr. 21 foal's dam is a daughter of GI Humana Distaff Stakes winner Mona de Momma (Speightstown), most notably the dam of dual Grade I winner and top young sire Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}). Blandford Bloodstock signed the winning ticket on L' Age d'Or at $600,000 with this foal in utero at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. The chestnut has one start under his belt, a sound third going 1800 meters at Chukyo Sept. 28 (see below, SC 9). B-Newstead Corp (KY) 9th-TOK, ¥20,370,000 ($133k), Allowance, 2yo, 1400m POULSEN (c, 2, Into Mischief–Separationofpowers, by Candy Ride {Arg}) looks to take his record to two wins from as many starts, having crushed a field of newcomers by six lengths going 1200 meters at Niigata Oct. 6. Most recently sold for $925,000 at this year's OBS April sale, the bay is the only foal to make the races to date out of his dam, winner of the GI Frizette Stakes at two and the GI Longines Test Stakes at three who changed hands for $2.1 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Poulsen was led out unsold on a bid of $535,000 at Keeneland November in 2022 and fetched $350,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga in the summer of 2023. Sunday, November 10, 2024 6th-FKS, ¥13,720,000 ($90k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1700m TSAGAAN SAR (JPN) (f, 2, Not This Time–Mongolian Changa, by Brilliant Speed) is a half-sister to GI Awesome Again Stakes winner, GI Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up and 2021 GI Kentucky Derby first-past-the-post Medina Spirit (Protonico), and was acquired in utero for $1.05 million by Katsumi Yoshida at Fasig-Tipton November three years ago. Like the late Medina Spirit, Tsagaan Sar–who debuts in the Sunday Racing colors–is by a son of Giant's Causeway and Mongolian Changa has produced one foal since her export, a filly by Rey de Oro (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) born this past Apr. 9. B-Shunsuke Yoshida The post Medina Spirit Half-Sister Down To Debut at Fukushima appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With three separate requests involving three different federal appeals court cases pending before the Supreme Court of the United States to take up the question of whether or not the Horseracing and Safety Integrity Act (HISA) is constitutional, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority on Wednesday told the nation's highest court that the one involving a lawsuit spearheaded by the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) is the one that should take precedence. In two separate legal filings Nov. 6, the Authority made its case for the Supreme Court to grant the “writs of certiorari” that the Authority and the federal government have both requested to re-examine a Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals opinion that had struck down the constitutionality of HISA's enforcement provisions. One of the Authority's Wednesday filings involved a different lawsuit out of the Sixth Circuit, in which the states of Oklahoma, West Virginia and Louisiana are the entities asking for the Supreme Court to intervene. Those two cases-plus a third one out of the Eighth Circuit–are similar in nature in that they all want clarification on whether HISA is constitutional. But they differ on details, such as which party is making its plea for the Supreme Court's attention and exactly which legal questions the Supreme Court should rule on. “Beside this [Sixth Circuit] rehearing petition, the Court now has before it certiorari petitions from the Fifth and Eighth Circuit cases presenting the same question regarding the facial constitutionality of HISA's enforcement provisions,” stated the HISA Authority's response to the Sixth Circuit petition backed by Oklahoma, West Virginia and Louisiana. “Although the Authority welcomes consideration of that question presented through any of the three cases, the petitions filed by the Authority and the Solicitor General in [the NHBPA case] present the best vehicle for resolving it,” the filing continued. “Granting [the Fifth Circuit] petitions would allow for direct review of the reasoning of the only court of appeals that has held the Act facially unconstitutional.” Although the NHBPA and the HISA Authority are at odds over whether the federal law that regulates the sport is constitutional, both organizations have stated for months now in court filings and media interviews that the Supreme Court needs to be the entity that resolves the current “circuit split” in which different U.S. appeals courts have issued conflicting opinions. How the Supreme Court will handle the multiple cases filed by different petitioners is a legal hurdle that first must be cleared before the Supreme Court makes any decision on HISA's constitutionality. Capitol Building | Getty Images The Supreme Court could choose to individually hear (or deny hearing) any of the HISA constitutionality cases. Or, if it deems the questions of law are similar, the Supreme Court could decide to combine or consolidate them into one larger case and come up with one common judgment that addresses all of the issues that have been raised. A Fifth Circuit appeals court panel opined July 5, 2024, that even though HISA's rulemaking structure is constitutional, HISA's enforcement provisions are unconstitutional. A Sixth Circuit appeals court panel opined in a different case Mar. 3, 2023, that Congressional changes to the law in 2022 made all of HISA completely constitutional. The plaintiffs in that case already once asked the Supreme Court to hear the case, but were denied on June 24, 2024. Then, after the Fifth Circuit opinion was issued, creating a circuit split of differing opinions at the appeals court level, the Sixth Circuit plaintiffs on July 18 asked the Supreme Court to reconsider hearing the case. Separately, a group of plaintiffs led by Bill Walmsley, the president of the Arkansas HBPA, and Jon Moss, the executive director of the Iowa HBPA, on Oct. 15, 2024, filed a writ of certiorari in a different case asking the Supreme Court to review judgment by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. That Eighth Circuit opinion had affirmed a ruling out of a lower federal court in Arkansas denying a preliminary injunction the horsemen had sought to halt HISA and its Anti-Doping and Medication Control program. The Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Circuit appeals courts have all agreed that HISA's rulemaking structure is constitutional. Only the Fifth Circuit has disagreed, in part, by opining that HISA's enforcement provisions are unconstitutional. “The Court should grant the petitions [in the Fifth Circuit case] and hold the petition in this [Sixth Circuit] case pending resolution of the merits in those cases,” the Authority's Sixth Circuit filing stated. The three states in the Sixth Circuit case disagreed with this line of reasoning when they filed their July 18 petition for rehearing. They wanted their writ of certiorari acted upon ahead of any others. “This case also presents a clean vehicle to resolve the constitutional question,” the three states had argued. “There is a threshold jurisdictional issue in the Fifth Circuit case concerning the finality of the district court's decision which could prevent this Court from reaching the merits. And a similar challenge to the constitutionality of HISA [that was at the time] pending in the Eighth Circuit arises in an interlocutory posture. This [Sixth Circuit] case, by contrast, cleanly presents the constitutional question after a final judgment on the merits without any complicating vehicle issues.” The Authority's Nov. 6 filing relating to the Sixth Circuit writ offered an alternative. “If the Court does grant certiorari in [the Sixth Circuit] case, it should reformulate the question presented to limit its review to the only issue on which the courts of appeals are divided: whether HISA's enforcement provisions are facially unconstitutional under the private-nondelegation doctrine,” the Authority's filing stated. A separate Nov. 6 reply brief filed in the Authority's case out of the Fifth Circuit stated that, “The case for this Court's review is about as clear as it gets…. The only remaining point of dispute [is] whether to inject additional constitutional claims the lower courts have rejected uniformly [and] there is no need to complicate this case by incorporating those peripheral issues.” The post Authority Tells Supreme Court That Of Three HISA Constitutionality Cases, Fifth Circuit Dispute Should Take Precedence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Yeomanstown Stud has released its stud fees for next season, with champion sire-elect Dark Angel (Ire) unchanged at €60,000 and this year's G1 July Cup winner Mill Stream (Ire) introduced at €12,500. It will be the fifth consecutive year that Dark Angel has stood for €60,000 and it follows a stellar season on the racecourse with the likes of Charyn (Ire), who registered three Group 1 successes in the Queen Anne Stakes, Prix Jacques le Marois and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Now 19, Dark Angel covered 134 mares earlier this year and is set to end it as Britain and Ireland's champion sire for the first time, with a margin of roughly £365,000 currently separating him from his closest pursuer, Dubawi (Ire). Mill Stream, a half-brother to the G2 Richmond Stakes hero and sire Asymmetric (Ire), was trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam for owner Peter Harris and retired as the winner of five of his 16 career starts. As a three-year-old he gained his first Group-race victory in the G3 Prix de Meautry, while this year he also won the G2 Duke Of York Stakes and finished third in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, before making the breakthrough at the top level at Newmarket. The Yeomanstown roster is completed by first-season sire Shaman (Ire) and G1 Middle Park Stakes winner Supremacy (Ire), who was represented by his first yearlings at the sales this year. Shaman, the sire of 10 individual two-year-old winners in Europe at the time of writing, including the G3 Sirenia Stakes third Brian (Ire), remains unchanged at €5,000, while the fee for Supremacy has been reduced to €8,000 from the €10,000 he stood for this season. The post Dark Angel Unchanged at €60,000 as Yeomanstown Announce Fees for 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland has supplemented 10 horses to its Horses of Racing Age Sale scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14, the sales company said in a Thursday press release. A total of 234 horses have been cataloged to the single-session auction, which will begin at noon ET. Additional supplements will be considered until the day of the sale. Trained by Kevin Attard and owned by X-Men Racing, Madaket and SF Racing, Tripolina is a 3-year-old by Constitution. The filly won the Display Stakes and was the runner-up in the GIII Mazarine Stakes to close out her juvenile year at Woodbine. Consigned by Grovendale Sales, agent, she is a half-sister to MSW Miss J McKay. Tripolina is out of the Street Boss mare Ballykiss and she is entered in the GIII Bessarabian Stakes on Saturday in Toronto. Also added is Fleet Street, a 2-year-old daughter of Street Boss, won her most recent start by six lengths at Horseshoe Indy Oct. 30. Consigned by Lantern Hill Farm Raised & Raced, she is out of the wining Summer Front mare Summers Hope. Newly-listed and consigned by Scott Mallory, agent, Determined Kingdom is a 5-year-old gelding by Animal Kingdom, who cleared the allowance level at Keeneland Oct. 25. The remaining supplements are by Audible, Catalina Cruiser, English Channel, Justify, Munnings and Palace Malice. Click here for the online catalog for the November Horses of Racing Age Sale, which features Daily Racing Form and Equibase past performances along with Thoro-graph and Ragozin sheets, race replays and more. A print catalog for the auction with Equibase past performances for the entrants is available for pickup at Keeneland. Click here for past performances and other information to assist with pre-sale shortlisting. Most horses will be stabled at Keeneland in Barns 18-26 with some horses offered remotely from their training locations. Internet and phone bidding will be available. The post Keeneland Supplements 10 To November Horses Of Racing Age Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Acknowledging that Rich Strike (Keen Ice) will soon be “officially” retired,” owner Rick Dawson said Thursday that he has been talking to stallion farms in both Kentucky and New York and hopes to strike a deal shortly so that his 2022 GI Kentucky Derby winner will be available for the upcoming breeding season. “The only reason I haven't officially announced his retirement is that I'm waiting to come to an agreement for stallion rights,” Dawson said “Then I can do it all at once, make the announcement that he has been retired and that he's going to stand at XYZ farm. But for all intents and purposes he has been retired.” Following the stunning victory at 80-1 in the Derby, nothing has gone right for the now 5-year-old. He failed to win in six tries after the Derby and was beaten by 16 3/4 lengths in what will be his last career start, the 2023 GII Alysheba Stakes. It was later discovered that he was battling tendon issues in his front legs. Dawson sent the horse to Margaux Farm to recover from the injury with the intent of bringing him back to the races. He also fired trainer Eric Reed, over a dispute involving the rights to a movie about Reed and Rich Strike, and turned him over to Bill Mott. He made progress under Mott's care, working four times at Saratoga for the Hall of Fame trainer. Rich Strike owner Rick Dawson with the Derby trophy | Coady Photography “He came close to running again,” Dawson said. “He had four official works and Bill was real excited about his conditioning. Bill visited Rich Strike two, three months before he started training him and he was pleasantly surprised that he had not gotten fat and lazy looking. He keeps his form really nicely. He's an athlete, for sure. Bill was optimistic.” However, after an Aug. 7 work, Mott noticed a new problem with the ligament. Dawson said the two injuries, though to the same ligament, were unrelated. Dawson then sent Rich Strike back to Margaux Farm near Midway Kentucky and started the process of trying to make a deal with a stallion farm. The process, he said, is ongoing. “Right now, I'm entertaining a number of stallion opportunities,” Dawson said. “Just trying to find the right spot for him. Hopefully, something will get done pretty quickly. We certainly want to make the 2025 breeding season and have an opportunity with some of the better mares. They're going to start committing pretty quickly, so we want to get into the loop. Just a few weeks ago, I thought I was within hours of getting that done and it all fell apart. That's the horse business. You think you have a deal set and then something comes up to change it.” Dawson said his preference is that Rich Strike stands in Kentucky. New York, he said, is his second option. “I am not interested in international markets, just because I'd like to keep him in America,” Dawson said. “It's mainly Kentucky and second would be New York. I just want to find a good spot for him. I have no interest in him covering 150 mares. But I'd like to see him cover 25 or 30 really good ones. He's going to have to build his legacy now through his offspring versus what he could do on the racetrack.” The post Dawson Hoping To Strike Stallion Deal For Rich Strike appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

May Day Ready (Tapit), the runner-up in last Friday's GI John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar, will make her next start in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies at Kyoto Racecourse in Japan Dec. 8, according to a tweet on X by her trainer Joseph Lee. Lee posted, “After discussing May Day Ready's future with Mr. and Mrs. Doyle and George Barnes @katierichfarms, the decision has officially been made to ship her to JAPAN to run her in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies on December 8th.” The group race in Japan is set for 1600 meters–about eight furlongs–around a right-handed turn on the grass. Initially a $60,000 buy at the Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale, the juvenile was purchased by KatieRich Stables for $325,000 at the OBS April Sale. Smith sent her to Saratoga Aug. 4, where as a 25-1 shot, the filly broke her maiden by a nose over Love Tempo (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). Climbing the class ladder, the 2-year-old won the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Fillies Stakes Sept. 8 and then captured the GII Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 4. With regular rider Frankie Dettori aboard, May Day Ready rallied for second behind favorite Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the Breeders' Cup on 'Future Stars Friday' at odds of 13-1 to hand Lee his first win at the championships. After discussing May Day Ready's future with Mr. and Mrs. Doyle and George Barnes @katierichfarms the decision has officially been made to ship her to JAPAN to run her in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies on December 8th. : Anne M. Eberhardt pic.twitter.com/tjCqUXHMxr — Joseph R. Lee Racing (@josephleeracing) November 7, 2024 The post May Day Ready To Ship To Japan For G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Says Trainer Joseph Lee appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) recognized the top Thoroughbreds at the 2024 Dutta Corp United States Eventing Association's (USEA) Young Event Horse (YEH) East Coast Championships, held Oct. 17-18, 2024, in Elkton, Maryland, at Fair Hill, the Jockey Club of America said in a Thursday press release. Emily Bradford won the 5-year-old championship title riding her Thoroughbred mare Rose Traveler (registered as Rossie'slastdance), securing a victory over 41 other 5-year-old horses of all breeds. The pair were also awarded the T.I.P. high point Thoroughbred award. Rossie'slastdance, who was unraced, is a 2019 bay mare by War Dancer. Margaret Goodale claimed the T.I.P. high point Thoroughbred title in the 4-year-old division on Ema Klugman's Thoroughbred gelding Wood's Hole. Her mount is registered with The Jockey Club as Super Salvatore–a gelding by Super Saver–who raced twice as a juvenile for owner Bloom Racing Stable LLC (Jeffrey Bloom). The YEH championships are for horses four and five. Riders are asked to compete in three sections: Dressage, Conformation/Type, and Jumping Test/Gallop/General Impression. The post T.I.P. Awards Top Thoroughbreds At USEA Young Event Horse Championships appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Classic winner Study Of Man (Ire), whose breakthrough season included a Group 1 victory for Kalpana (GB) on Qipco British Champions Day, will stand at the increased fee of £25,000 next season at Lanwades Stud. The son of Deep Impact (Jpn) covered his biggest book of 123 mares in 2024 – the first time it stretched into three figures – following the encouraging results of his first crop of two-year-olds. Having stood at £15,000 in his opening season, he had subsequently been advertised at £12,500. His five black-type winners include the Group 2 winners Birthe (Ire) and Deepone (GB). His stud-mate Sea The Moon (Ger), the sire of four Group 1 winners, has had his feet cut to £22,500 for 2025, from £32,500. Bobby's Kitten, whose multiple group-winning daughter Sandrine (GB) flew the flag for Lanwades' owner Kirsten Rausing, will stand for a fee of £5,000. The post Study Of Man to Stand at £25,000 for 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Outgoing Kentucky State Senator Damon Thayer has been named the recipient of the 2024 Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award by the Louisville-based Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners (KTO), which will be presented on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Kentucky Derby Museum, the organization said via a release Thursday morning. The KTO's Warner Jones award recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to Kentucky racing and sharing the passion exemplified by Jones, who spent 50 years on the Churchill Downs board, including eight as chairman during the track's resurgence in the late 1980s. Jones was the inaugural award winner in 1988, six years before his death. Thayer, who announced last December that he was not running for re-election, has advocated for the horse racing, breeding and overall equine industries throughout his time in the state senate, representing his home county of Scott, Grant and parts of Fayette and Kenton. “It's a great honor to win an award named for Warner Jones, who was a legendary horseman and had the respect of so many people from various facets of the industry,” Thayer said. “To be on the list of those who have been honored with the award is a real privilege to me. Next to my two adult children, Daniel and Katie, horse racing is my first love. I'm just an old 4-H horse-club kid. To be honored by this group and to be considered a horseman is pretty special.” The cost to attend the event is $150 per person, with cocktails at 6 p.m. ET and dinner at 7 p.m. ET. The deadline for reservations is Nov. 14. For more information, call Marlene Meyer at (502) 458-5820 or email nanainky@att.net. The post KTO’s Warner Jones Awarded To Damon Thayer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1-winning two-year-old Bucanero Fuerte (GB) has been retired to stand at Tally-Ho Stud next season, owners Amo Racing announced in partnership with the County Westmeath operation on Thursday. Bucanero Fuerte, who was bred by Gestut Zur Kuste AG from the Elusive City mare Frida La Blonde (Fr), was bought by Robson Aguiar for €165,000 at the Arqana August Yearling Sale and subsequently won four of his nine career starts for trainer Adrian Murray. Following a successful debut at the Curragh when winning the first two-year-old race of the Irish Flat season, the son of Wootton Bassett (GB) was sent to Royal Ascot where he finished third in the G2 Coventry Stakes, before returning to the Curragh to gain the two most significant victories of his career. After beating the subsequent GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) by a short head to win the G2 Railway Stakes, Bucanero Fuerte then made the breakthrough at the top level when winning the Phoenix Stakes by four lengths from top-class filly Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio). He also won the G3 Lacken Stakes on his return to action as a three-year-old, lowering the six-furlong track record at Naas. “Bucanero Fuerte is a hugely important horse for Amo Racing,” said founder Kia Joorabchian. “His Group 1 win in 2023 where he dominated the Phoenix Stakes was a truly outstanding moment for us all. “We are proud to retire him alongside King Of Steel at one of Europe's premier nurseries. As a top-class two-year-old who showed he had trained on superbly when breaking the track record at Naas on his comeback in May, we feel he has the requisite blend of qualities to excel in his new career. “Significantly, he is the first Group 1-winning juvenile by his sire to retire to stud in Ireland and we are committed to supporting him fully on all fronts over the coming years.” Roger O'Callaghan of Tally-Ho Stud added, “Bucanero Fuerte possessed huge class, pace and durability. Few two-year-olds are able to win on the first day of the season and then go on to Group 1 success; Bucanero Fuerte was an easy winner on both occasions, especially when scoring so emphatically over a top-class field in the Phoenix Stakes. “We are delighted to be standing such a talented two-year-old and look forward to working with Amo Racing in supporting him strongly at stud.” One of four winners from five runners out of Frida La Blonde, Bucanero Fuerte is a full-brother to the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye hero and first-season sire Wooded (Ire), as well as the G3 Sovereign Stakes runner-up Beat Le Bon (Fr). Frida La Blonde, in turn, is out of the Listed winner and G2 Premio Regina Elena runner-up Firm Friend (Ire) (Affirmed), whose other notable offspring include the Listed winners Fred Lalloupet (GB)–also by Elusive City–and Mon Pote Le Gitan (Thunder Gulch), both of whom were also placed at Group 3 level. A stud fee for Bucanero Fuerte will be announced at a later date. The post “Top-Class Two-Year-Old” Bucanero Fuerte Retired to Tally-Ho Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1-winning stayer Technician (Ire) has moved from Manton Park to stand in Ireland at Knockmullen House Stud in Co Wexford for 2025. The son of Mastercraftsman (Ire) will stand for €2,000 alongside fellow Group 1 winner Mekhtaal (Ire), also at €2,000, and Silas Marner (Fr), a Group 3-winning son of Muhtathir (GB), at €1,200. “I am extremely grateful to Martyn Meade and the team at Manton Park for sending the horse to us,” said Gordon Doyle of Knockmullen House Stud. “Technician was a top-notch, Classic-winning racehorse of the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak. He completed the Prix Royal-Oak and Prix Chaudenay double at Longchamp, a notable achievement also completed by top sire Turgeon. He was undefeated at Longchamp in three races and he loved soft ground, an attribute that is so important in National Hunt racing.” Now eight, Technician spent his first two years at stud in France at Haras de Montaigu before returning to the stallion operation of his former trainer Meade. His eldest crop will be two-year-olds in 2025. Doyle said, “Technician has a wonderful pedigree to match, being out of a stakes-winning daughter of Sadler's Wells, the most important National Hunt influence of the last 20 years. It's the family of Group 1 winner Recoletos and top stayer Crimson Tide and further traces back to the Aga Khan family of Derby winner Shahrastani.” He added, “I hope our fees set for 2025 are very competitive as it gives breeders access to two Group 1 winners and a unique opportunity to access the Doctor Dino sire line.” The post Group 1 Stayer Technician Joins Knockmullen House Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Matt Laurie‘s talented filly Treasurethe Moment continued her impressive run of wins this spring, claiming the 2024 VRC Crown Oaks with a dominant performance at Flemington on Thursday to salute for the punters in style. Ridden by Damian Lane, the daughter of Alabama Express extended her winning streak to four, showcasing her class and potential. […] The post 2024 VRC Crown Oaks Results: Treasurethe Moment Salutes for Punters appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Treasurethe Moment ridden by Damian Lane winning the Group 1 VRC Oaks at Flemington. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) After claiming the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) on Saturday, the Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment ($3.10) has backed it up five days later to secure victory in the $1 million Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) on Thursday afternoon. The daughter of Alabama Express is the first horse since Willowy (2021) to do the Wakeful/VRC Oaks double and did so in relatively painless fashion thanks to an expert steer by Damien Lane. The star hoop was able to lob the $3.10 favourite with Marantelli Bet into the one-one throughout the journey, landing in an almost identical position as he did in the Wakeful on Saturday. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Killcare Beachgirl ($21.00) was the lamplighter and strode out at a moderate clip under Tim Clark, with Inevitable Truth ($34.00) and Too Darn Discreet ($11.00) landing in the trail. Powers Of Opal ($3.70) had no luck early in the race, being forced to sit three-wide without cover for the first 1000m of the journey before slotting in the back-half of the field. Inevitable Truth was first to mount a challenge and gave a strong kick under Jye McNeil, attempting to give the well-supported favourite with horse racing bookmakers the slip at the top of the straight. Lane was always in striking distance aboard Treasurethe Moment, however, and once popped the question, the three-year-old was happy to oblige as the pair bolted clear to claim the 163rd edition of the time-honoured VRC Oaks. 2024 Group 1 VRC Oaks Replay – Treasurethe Moment Matt Laurie was emotional as he spoke post-race and couldn’t believe how well things panned out on Thursday. “I can’t really put it into words. I’m still shaking,” Laurie said. “It was a painless watch. It is a dream to win a Group 1 in this week. “It is 20 years of work really trying to achieve something like this. I’m just so grateful to my team at home and to Team Yulong. They have supported me. This is a home–bred. To watch her progress to win a G1 is incredible. “She is obviously very talented. She just aids herself in the way she just goes to sleep in the run. She conserves all her energy. She lets down. It was very painless. “I’m still shaking a little bit. I will enjoy it. It’s a dream. We will celebrate long and hard I can guarantee that.” Damien Lane was elated with the win and was quick to credit the Laurie camp. “She is a beauty,” he said. “Just kept improving this preparation. Matt said to me before I rode her last start he thought that she was a really good horse in the making. She has proved them right. She is a bloody ripper. “I just whipped her into the three back, one off position as you do. She jumps well so it gives you a good option in the first part of the race. I got a nice bit of speed where I could tuck in. Travelled perfectly throughout the run. “It is a tried and tested method (the Wakeful). I did the same on Aristia. I was confident that was the right form. A couple of other horses coming through which you weren’t sure of – the Spring Champion and the Ethereal. “I was as confident as you can be.” Horse racing news View the full article

Amelita ridden by James McDonald winning the Red Roses Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Chris Waller & James McDonald combined with Amelita ($10.00) to claim victory in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Thursday afternoon, with the daughter of Zousain producing a stunning turn-of-foot to secure her second career win. The three-year-old filly, who was sent out as an each-way hope with Marantelli Bet, initially seemed to have it all to do after drawing barrier one on the unfavourable far side of the straight course. However, ‘J-Mac’ had other plans, deliberately manoeuvring his mount to the grandstand side of the course in the first 200m. It proved to be a crucial decision by the star hoop, with Amelita latching onto the back of a genuine speed, courtesy of the Lindsay Park-trained Bold Bastille ($4.60), rolling forward under Mark Zahra. The well-supported favourite with horse racing bookmakers was fading quickly in the final 400m when pressured by a wall of horses, allowing the likes of Tobeornottobe ($19.00) and Bridal Waltz ($13.00) to cruise on by to fight out the finish. It was Amelita surging through a gap in the final furlong that got the upper hand, however, with the fast-finishing Vestas ($7.00) settling for second-place honours after producing a barnstorming finish. 2024 Group 3 Red Roses Stakes Replay – Amelita Chris Waller was on course to breakdown the win post-race and was quick to praise the tactics of McDonald. “It looks like it could be a little bit better out wider,” Waller said. “Whether it is wind related, I think more than anything. He (McDonald) made a beeline straight for it after the jump to get himself set out wider, then had to aim towards a few gaps. “We drew barrier one on the furthest part of the track and James said to be pre-race, ‘I think it is better out wider and I’m going to try and come across’. “He did exactly what he said. Found his way through. “Fortunately he had the horse under him to take those gaps. A little bit of buffering with 100 (metres) to go and she was too strong. Dug deep. “There was enough confidence to down come here with her and pick up a nice race to up her value and most importantly to give her some confidence. We see her as a nice filly going forward by Zousain who I trained – a son of Zoustar. It is a bit of a family affair. “She’s come of age. Still a three-year-old filly.” James McDonald spoke to the tactics and suggested the hot tempo played into his mounts favour. “Not really a plan (to come to the outside),” he said. “Just go with the flow with her. She wasn’t best to step away. So I reverted to just going back and following them through. The pace was strong and she was electric. “She didn’t leave us with many options, to be fair. She wasn’t really quick away so we just bided our time and the pace was nice and strong. She finished really well. “She trialled in those jumpouts with the Coolmore horses (Switzerland that morning) and she went terrific. The writing was on the wall.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Champions Stakes Day 2024 Where Flemington Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria When Saturday, November 11, 2024 First Race 12:40pm AEDT Visit Dabble VRC Champions Stakes Day brings to a close an action-packed Melbourne Cup Carnival on Saturday at Flemington, where a nine-race card is set to kick off at 12:40pm AEDT. The Group 1 events, each worth $3 million, headline proceedings with a competitive undercard set to farewell Cup week in style. Perfect conditions will once again be the theme of the day, with the track rated a Good 4 and the rail out 8m for the entire circuit. Race 1: BM84 Handicap (1600m) Angland simply does not know how to run a bad race, and brought up a third career win at start six at Murray Bridge last time out. Having settled closer to the speed with blinkers on for the first time, the son of Ace High never looked like losing when saluting by two lengths. Whether Mick Dee opts to ride him close to the speed or just off it, Angland has gears that some of his rivals simply cannot match. Selections: 9 ANGLAND 4 FIRE OF ETNA 5 PRICE ERIC 7 ANAHITA Next Best Race 1 – #9 Angland (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Damian Lane (54.5kg) +250 with Playup Race 2: Inglis Banner (1000m) It took a barnstorming finish from Miss Celine to roll Bubion on debut at Caulfield, and race experience could be key in the two-year-old race on Saturday. The filly was next to last when turning for home last time out but produced a strong turn of foot to reel in the leaders, only to be bloused late. Craig Williams sticks on board, and as long she handles the straight at the first time of asking, Bubion can go one better. Selections: 5 BUBION 8 CHISHOLM 11 WITHIN THE LAW 3 LATIN BOSS Race 3: Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2800m) Serpentine was taking ground of Okita Soushi in impressive fashion last time out in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500) when second, and he can go one better in the 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The eight-year-old’s form was franked when Okita Soushi ran third in the Melbourne Cup, and despite needing to lug 58.5kg, he has the class to be able to handle the top weight. James McDonald on is an added bonus, and if race favourite Kinesiology shows any chinks in its armour, Serpentine will pounce on the opportunity. Selections: 1 SERPENTINE 7 KINESIOLOGY 3 AMADE 2 BERKELEY SQUARE Queen Elizabeth Stakes Race 3 – #1 Serpentine (7) 8yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: James McDonald (58.5kg) +400 with Dabble Race 4: Listed Always Welcome Stakes (1200m) Rey Magnerio has been beaten a combined half-length in his last three starts, with his last two coming by the barest of margins. His run two back was massive behind the classy Estriella when held up at a crucial time before missing to Maharba in a driving finish. He draws out wide in barrier 15, which seems perfect this week at Flemington down the straight, and with a bit more luck on Saturday, Rey Magnerio should go one better this time. Selections: 4 REY MAGNERIO 1 FRONT PAGE 9 NADAL 6 BARBER Best Bet Race 4 – #4 Rey Magnerio (15) 5yo Gelding | T: Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock | J: Jye McNeil (55kg) +380 with Neds Race 5: Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) Punters are getting a massive price from Bet365 about Molly Bloom. The four-year-old mare had her first start the Victorian way at Moonee Valley when defeated 1.6 lengths behind some horses she meets again, but at a track that should better suit her racing pattern, she will no doubt improve for the outing. If Molly Bloom is within striking distance on the turn, she can launch down the heart of the track to score in the 2024 Matriarch Stakes. Selections: 2 MOLLY BLOOM 4 LADY JONES 7 HINGED 11 LIEVORE Matriarch Stakes Race 5 – #2 Molly Bloom (16) 4yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: Nash Rawiller (59.5kg) +1600 with Bet365 Race 6: Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) Overpass may just have won The Everest had he gained a slot. Already a winner down the ‘Flemington Six’, the son of Vancouver put a space on his rivals in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) first-up from a six-month spell. He has won his last three in fine style, albeit spaced over the last 11 months, but if Overpass produces anything near his best, the likes of Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick struggle to run him down in the 2024 Champions Sprint. Selections: 2 OVERPASS 5 BELLA NIPOTINA 1 GIGA KICK 12 BELLATRIX STAR Champions Sprint Race 6 – #2 Overpass (2) 6yo Gelding | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Joshua Parr (58.5kg) +450 with Picklebet Race 7: Group 1 VRC Champions Mile (1600m) The 2024 Champions Mile may just be the race of the spring, and Fangirl looks the goods as she returns to Flemington. The six-year-old mare runs into Pride Of Jenni once again, and with others peppering the champion a long way out, Fangirl may just get the last look at her. This girl is electrifying on her day, and back on firmer going, she could prove too hard to hold out this time. Selections: 10 FANGIRL 1 MR BRIGHTSIDE 13 BROADSIDING 4 ANTINO VRC Champions Mile Race 7 – #10 Fangirl (9) 6yo Mare | T: Trainer | J: James McDonald (57kg) +650 with Boombet Race 8: Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) Punters need a sure thing after somewhat of a tough week, and in the 2024 Champions Stakes, Via Sistina is just that. She embarrassed her rivals in the Cox Plate (2040m), and as long as that hasn’t knocked the stuffing out of her, Via Sistina’s rivals will not see which way she goes when asked for the ultimate effort. Moral. Selections: 10 VIA SISTINA 6 ELIYASS 11 ATISHU 3 ARAPAHO Champions Stakes Race 8 – #10 Via Sistina (4) 7yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (57kg) -142.86 with Marantelli Bet Race 9: BM80 Handicap (1100m) Fresh from a spell, the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Keenan looks the best way to round out the Melbourne Cup Carnival. The four-year-old has been gelded during his seven-month spell and returns after a couple of handy jumpouts. He is drawn perfectly out in barrier 16 down the straight, and with plenty of pressure expected throughout, look for Keenan to be storming home down the outside rail. Selections: 5 KEENAN 10 PISANELLO 16 TRAPEZE WARRIOR 12 KIKO Saturday quaddie tips for Flemington Flemington quadrella selections Saturday, November 9, 2024 1-2-4-5-6-12 1-4-6-9-10-13 10 5-10-16 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Saturday, November 9, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin on Saturday afternoon, with a competitive 10-part program set to get underway at 1pm local time. The rail is in the A+3 position for the meeting, and although some rainfall is expected on race-day morning, punters should be safe doing the form for a genuine Good 4 surface. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Charity Gain The David Eustace-trained Charity Gain appears poised to claim back-to-back wins after dismantling his rivals at Happy Valley on October 27. The son of Twilight Son rounded them up stylishly to score by two lengths and looked to be travelling even stronger at the end of 1800m. Back to Sha Tin shouldn’t be an issue for this lightly raced five-year-old, and provided Vincent Ho can gain an economical run from gate four, Charity Gain should prove too strong for Class 4 company. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Charity Gain (4) 5yo Gelding | T: David Eustace | J: Vincent Ho (61kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Voyage Samurai Voyage Samurai is yet to miss the frame in six career starts and punters can expect that trend to continue in the Sha Tin finale. The Dissident gelding was brave, clinging onto a second-place finish at this course and distance on September 28, sticking on gamely after setting a strong tempo throughout. Derek Leung should have no issues sliding across to lead from stall four, and with less pressure drawn around him, watch for Voyage Samurai to drop his rivals turning for home to secure his first win of the season. Next Best Race 10 – #3 Voyage Samurai (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Frankie Lor | J: Derek Leung (59.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Sha Tin: Magic Control Magic Control beat home all but one rival in the Group 3 National Day Cup (1000m), with Beauty Waves getting the upper hand in the concluding stages. The son of Sioux Nation was gallant in defeat, however, fending off the remaining six rivals with relative ease. Matthew Chadwick has the option to lead or take a sit behind Wunderbar as Zac Purton looks to cross to the front, and with the likely favourite with horse racing bookmakers some query stepping back in trip, Magic Control should be able to take advantage of the ideal setup. Best Value Race 6 – #6 Magic Control (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Cody Mo | J: Matthew Chadwick (57.5kg) +400 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections November 9, 2024 1-6-7-8-11-12-14 1-5-7-14 2-3-4-5-6-12 3 Horse racing tips View the full article

Crocetti and Sacred Satono during an exhibition gallop at Pukekohe Park on Thursday. Photo: Trish Dunell Group 1 star Crocetti moved a step closer to his return to racing with a pleasing exhibition gallop between races at Pukekohe on Thursday. The son of Zacinto was one of the standouts of New Zealand’s three-year-old crop last season, winning six of his seven starts including the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), Group 2 Sarten Memorial (1400m), Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) and Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). His only defeat in that campaign was a runner-up finish behind Bonny Lass when he took on older horses in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m). Trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata were initially aiming Crocetti towards a shot at last Saturday’s A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney, but he was instead sent for a three-week spell after a disappointing seventh as favourite in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on September 7. Crocetti’s stylish hitout on Thursday indicated that he is building nicely towards feature targets on New Zealand’s late spring and summer calendar. “He went very nicely today,” Walker said. “I was really happy with him and he seems to be coming up well ahead of a summer campaign. “We’ll possibly look to kick him off in the Counties Bowl (Group 3, 1100m) later this month and then take it from there. With that in mind, it was a good chance for him to have a bit of a look around Pukekohe today.” The Counties Bowl will be run at Pukekohe on November 23 and is the first qualifying race for the new Champion Sprint Series, which also comprises the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie, the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui, the Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham, the Group 1 Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie, the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa and the Group 3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie, along with four races in Australia. Points will be allocated to the first four placegetters in each race, with a bonus pool of $500,000 to be shared amongst the owners of the three highest point-scorers of the series. Bookmakers expect Crocetti to be a significant player in that series, currently rating him a $4 favourite for the Telegraph on January 4 and a $4 equal favourite for the Railway on January 25. He shares Railway favouritism with three-year-old filly Alabama Lass. Horse racing news View the full article

Well-known racing photographer Trish Dunell had a day to remember on Tuesday, recording success as a breeder on racing’s biggest stage at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day. Following a busy day plying her trade at the Ellerslie races, Dunell was able to watch Fancify take out the Gr.3 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) in the hands of Joe Bowditch for trainer Michael Hickmott. Dunell had raced the daughter of Niagara up until recently before selling to a client of Hickmott’s, and while disappointed she wasn’t able to enjoy the success as an owner, breeding a stakes winner on Melbourne Cup Day is something she will never forget. “I don’t own her anymore, which is a bit sad, but I still have her mum (Laced Up), and she is due to foal next week to Ocean Park,” Dunell said. “I have never had one race at Flemington on Cup Day, so that is an achievement, let alone win a black-type race.” Dunell bred Fancify out of Keeninsky mare Laced Up, who she purchased for $5,000 out of Lime Country Thoroughbreds’ 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale draft. Dunell was a shareholder in Lime Country’s freshman sire Niagara and was looking for mares to send to the Group Two winner, and was put onto Laced Up by farm principals Greg and Jo Griffin. “Laced Up had been in work and she had only had two starts,” Dunell said. “She was a half-sister to Jimmy Choux, and then Miss Wilson popped up and won a Group One as well, so she is a half-sister to two Group One horses. “I have to thank Jo and Greg (Griffin) because they put me onto her.” Dunell said Laced Up is a quirky mare, but luckily Fancify hasn’t inherited that family trait. “She (Laced Up) is a bit of a trick, she is quite antisocial and hard to catch. She lives at Haunui Farm and they know her well,” Dunell said. “She (Fancify) looked really nice. She was with Ilone Kelly and won a trial and beat a horse (Rockburn) that ended up racing in the (New Zealand) Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) for John Bary. “She was always an angel to do anything with, she was just lovely.” Impressed with her trial performance, Dunell elected to test Fancify’s talent across the Tasman and sent her to be trained in South Australia by good family friend Michael Hickmott. She won five races before her sale, and she has since gone on to win two of her following three starts, including Tuesday’s Group Three. “Michael has always had a good opinion of her,” Dunell said. While no longer racing Fancify, Dunell has a couple of her younger siblings to look forward to, including a three-year-old Belardo gelding called Talk About Bruno, and a yearling full-brother to Fancify. “The Niagara yearling is a really nice colt, he is lovely,” Dunell said. “He has got all the white that Fancify has got as well. She (Laced Up) seems to throw a lot of white.” Tuesday’s win was also a tonic for Fancify’s sire Niagara, who stands at Vicki Wilson’s Hau Ora Farm in Kahuranaki, south of Hastings, for a fee of $2,500. The son of Encosta de Lago has now sired six stakes winners, with his daughter Raziah also being a timely boost, with the Tony Pike-trained filly scoring victory in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) and Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) ahead of next week’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). Dunell has been an active breeder, with both thoroughbreds and standardbreds, over several decades and said Tuesday’s win is amongst her biggest highlights. “Currently she is number one, but Spalato (Singapore Champion 4YO and Champion Polytrack Horse) will always be pretty huge,” Dunell said. “Even back in the trotting days, Silver Wheels won 10 races, and he was really special. “Every now and then you get a special one that spoils you, which means you have to keep on breeding.” View the full article

Group One star Crocetti(NZ) (Zacinto) moved a step closer to his return to racing with a pleasing exhibition gallop between races at Pukekohe on Thursday. The son of Zacinto was one of the standouts of New Zealand’s three-year-old crop last season, winning six of his seven starts including the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 Sarten Memorial (1400m), Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) and Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). His only defeat in that campaign was a runner-up finish behind Bonny Lass when he took on older horses in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m). Trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata were initially aiming Crocetti towards a shot at last Saturday’s A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney, but he was instead sent for a three-week spell after a disappointing seventh as favourite in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on September 7. Crocetti’s stylish hitout on Thursday indicated that he is building nicely towards feature targets on New Zealand’s late spring and summer calendar. “He went very nicely today,” Walker said. “I was really happy with him and he seems to be coming up well ahead of a summer campaign. “We’ll possibly look to kick him off in the Counties Bowl (Gr.3, 1100m) later this month and then take it from there. With that in mind, it was a good chance for him to have a bit of a look around Pukekohe today.” The Counties Bowl will be run at Pukekohe on November 23 and is the first qualifying race for the new Champion Sprint Series, which also comprises the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie, the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui, the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham, the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie, the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa and the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie, along with four races in Australia. Points will be allocated to the first four placegetters in each race, with a bonus pool of $500,000 to be shared amongst the owners of the three highest point-scorers of the series. The TAB expects Crocetti to be a significant player in that series, currently rating him a $4 favourite for the Telegraph on January 4 and a $4 equal favourite for the Railway on January 25. He shares Railway favouritism with three-year-old filly Alabama Lass. View the full article