Wandering Eyes

Max Ciao becomes the initial stakes winner for first-crop stallion Maxfield in scoring a narrow victory in the $101,000 I'm Smokin Stakes at Del Mar.View the full article

Maxfield's first stakes winner as a freshman sire comes in as Max Ciao takes the I'm Smokin Stakes at Del Mar on Friday. Unveiled as a third-place finisher at Santa Anita May 25, the colt was fourth, beaten seven lengths, July 19 by Friday's 3-2 second choice Thirsty Rebel. Max Ciao found himself in the winners circle in career start number three, a six-length victor back here at Del Mar Aug. 8. In his first stakes try, the son of Maxfield broke alertly, stalking just over a length off the speed up the backstretch. In tandem with familiar foe Thirsty Rebel (Stay Thirsty), the duo powered past front-running 7-5 favorite Sammy Davis (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) at the top of the stretch. Shoulder to shoulder at the sixteenth pole, the 7-1 shot just got his nose down on the wire. Saul Elliot (Listing) rallied for third. Bella Ciao is a daughter of Anandi (Anabaa) and is a half-sister to Val's Jazz (Kentucky Jazz), who herself produced stakes winners Grand Reefer (Grand Slam), Boowoogeemalia (El Corredor) and Love That Jazz (Not For Love). The winner's dam is responsible for a pair of Stay Thirsty progeny–currently a yearling colt and a weanling colt. She was bred back to Hopkins for 2026. I'M SMOKIN S., $101,000, Del Mar, 9-5, (S), 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:03.59, ft. 1--MAX CIAO, 121, c, 2, by Maxfield 1st Dam: Bella Ciao (MSP, $201,047), by Flatter 2nd Dam: Anandi, by Anabaa 3rd Dam: Anawac, by Quack ($240,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTCAYR). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Steve Knapp, Terry C. Lovingier, and John Moroney; B-Terry C. Lovingier (CA); T-Steve R. Knapp; J-Armando Ayuso. $57,000. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-0-1, $117,000. 2--Thirsty Rebel, 121, c, 2, Stay Thirsty–Argyle Pink, by Sky Mesa. ($90,000 Ylg '24 FTCAYR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Mark D. Breen; B-Terry C. Lovingier (CA); T-Chief Stipe F. O'Neill. $19,000. 3--Saul Elliott, 121, c, 2, Listing–Cryptic, by Indian Charlie. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Here We Go Brothers and Seymour Jukie and Jack Stable LLC; B-Reddam Racing, LLC (CA); T-Chief Stipe F. O'Neill. $12,000. Margins: NO, 1 1/4, HD. Odds: 7.30, 1.50, 9.60. Also Ran: Fionello, Sammy Davis, Another Bulleit, Pavlovian, Desert Dawg. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. MAX CIAO ($16.60) got his nose down at the right time in the $100,000 I'm Smokin Stakes at @DelMarRacing. The son of @DarleyAmerica's Maxfield is trained by Steve Knapp. @ArmandoAyuso2 had the call. @CTBACalbred pic.twitter.com/nXUWMuxvEx — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 6, 2025 The post Max Ciao! Freshman Sire Maxfield Has First Stakes Winner In I’m Smokin At Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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At the onset of the 2025 season, Rigney Racing could boast having bred Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), winner of last year's GI Hopeful and GI Champagne and a 2024 Eclipse Award winning finalist. Only last month, the Rigney team rolled into Fasig-Tipton with a single yearling to sell at the Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, and its colt by Not This Time out of Rigney's stakes-winning mare Mariah's Princess (Ghostzapper) realized a cool $1.4 million when purchased by the partnership of Repole Stable and Grandview. Backed by an even larger arsenal this time, Richard Rigney's Rigney Racing will offer a total of 17 yearlings at this week's Keeneland September Sale. Denali Stud will handle the selling duties. “It's a nice mix between homebreds and weanling purchases,” said Rigney Racing's private trainer, Phil Bauer. “It's fairly even between homebreds and [pinhooks] this year.” “They both have the physical, which is the main thing and we're excited to see what the public thinks about them.” Early in Monday's session, Rigney Racing will offer Madison's Freggie, who was purchased by Rigney for $425,000 at Keeneland September in 2021. Unraced, Hip 27 is a half-sister to MGSW Canoodling (Pioneerof the Nile) and her second dam, Miz Kella (Harlan's Holiday), is a full-sister to 2-year-old champion and dual Grade I winner Shanghai Bobby. “I had [Madison's Freggie] and she showed a ton of ability and got hurt before she ran so that's why we went ahead and kept her,” explained Bauer. “You keep your fingers crossed that they produce pretty foals and for her first foal, she is a great physical and is by Tapit.” Later in Monday's session, Hip 72, a $190,000 weanling purchase at Keeneland November, is out of another unraced mare, Pioneer Princess (Pioneerof the Nile), who is herself out of a sister to Grade I winner and producer Marylebone (Unbridle's Song). A full-brother to the Apr. 21 foal brought $250,000 at this venue in 2024. Hip 72, a filly by Practical Joke selling on Day 1 “She is a beautiful horse and Practical Joke is picking up enough steam that she'll be sought after as well,” Bauer added. A former assistant to Kenny McPeek, Bauer met Rigney while employed by the Kentucky-based trainer. After undergoing a few growing pains, the partnership between Rigney and Bauer has flourished into a multi-dimensional breeding/selling/racing operation. With 20 broodmares based at Denali Stud in Kentucky, and approximately 100 head throughout the operation, Rigney Racing is poised for bigger and better things. That's high praise for an operation that is already responsible for a seven-figure yearling in Saratoga last month. “We loved the horse on the farm and felt like it went really well up there. He had all the right people on him,” Bauer said. “It's really the perfect storm of what you need to have when you're selling a horse.” He added, “[The sale] was Rigney Racing coming full circle. We bought the mare and won a stake with her. She was the beginning of what we hope will be a glimpse of things to come for us with the breeding program.” According to Bauer, the operation has taken off since bloodstock agent John Moynihan joined the team. “He's steering the boat and we are fortunate enough to be there,” said Bauer of Moynihan. “We work well together. But he's definitely the driving force behind this.” Not to be understated, Bauer explained that the pioneering spirit and passion for the game that Rigney possesses is what propels the success of the operation. “Mr. Rigney is a big-picture kind of guy,” he said. “I think when we're buying these horses as weanlings and yearlings, we anticipate that they will hopefully reach a level where we can bring them to the broodmare band and create a brand that we have worked hard to develop.” “Rigney Racing has reached that level breeding a horse like Chancer McPatrick. With the graded stakes mares on the farm now producing nice foals by really good stallions, so it's definitely a recipe for success. It's coming together and hopefully it continues to do well.” The post ‘Playing at All Levels’, Rigney Racing Hopes to Continue the Hot Run appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bob Baffert will send out a capable quartet in Sunday's closing-day GI Del Mar Futurity, a race he has won the last four years and a remarkable 18 times overall. After sending out future GI Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm (Silver Buck) to scoop the event for the first time back in 1996, he added the next six renewals. His personal honor roll is a veritable Hall of Fame, including champions Midshipman (1998), Lookin At Lucky (1999) and American Pharoah (2014) among the champions to have succeeded at the seaside. The latter won his maiden in that year's Futurity. Baffert has runners for three different clients, and the only one of those to have not tasted Futurity success heretofore is Zedan Racing Stable. That could very well change if $3-million OBS March topper Brant (Gun Runner) can replicate his 'TDN Rising Star' debut back on July 26, when he defeated the re-opposing Chief Stipe O'Neill-trained Civil Liberty (Independence Hall) by better than five lengths in 1:02.63, good for a 101 Beyer Speed Figure. Flavien Prat looks for a third straight victory in the race and his fourth in the last half-dozen runnings. Desert Gate (Omaha Beach) was a smart debut winner at Santa Anita June 13 and validated that performance with a dominating 8 3/4-length score in the Aug. 9 GIII Best Pal Stakes, a victory achieved while getting nowhere near the bottom of him. Juan Hernandez retains the call. Baffert also sends out Balboa (Not This Time, $875,000 KEESEP), third in the Brant maiden and named a 'Rising Star' when galloping away by 7 3/4 lengths here on Aug. 10; and Litmus Test (Nyquist, $875,000 FTSAUG), who draws widest of the six off a 3/4-length debut tally over 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 16. Hernandez had the call on each last time, but Kazushi Kimura rides Balboa and the visiting Tyler Gaffalione gets aboard Litmus Test. Brigante (More Than Ready), a stablemate of Civil Liberty, is a two-start maiden and exits a third in the BestPal. Hey Nay Nay Stretches Out In Juvenile Turf Assuming he can handle a route of ground for the first time in his young career, Hey Nay Nay (Ire) (No Nay Never) is strictly the one to beat in Sunday's GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf. Having broken his maiden at first asking in a five-furlong Santa Anita maiden June 1, the $300,000 Keeneland September acquisition shipped cross-country and made light work of four rivals to take the Aug. 2 Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park by seven lengths. Plutarch (Into Mischief) is the homebred son of champion Stellar Wind (Malibu Moon) and gets the blinkers off after running home nicely enough to be second on his one-mile debut to 'TDN Rising Star' Intrepido (Maximus Mischief) Aug. 23. The turf is the hundred-thousand-dollar question. Won for Lou (Bucchero) was a useful third to Hey Nay Nay in their respective debuts and has the advantage of being one of just two in the field with form over course-and-distance, having bested Born to Rock (Rock Your World) by 1 1/4 lengths July 27. Proletariat (Raging Bull {Fr}) was third in the Desert Gate maiden, but defeated a next-out winner in a five-furlong turf dash locally on Aug. 1. The post ‘Rising Star’ Brant Leads Baffert Brigade Into Futurity appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-DMR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 7:11 p.m. ET. A pair of pricey colts under the care of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert make their first starts as the seaside oval closes out its summer meet on Sunday. BOYD (Violence) is a Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May auction buy for Zedan Racing, who made the chestnut the second topper at the sale when they went to $1.05-million to acquire him. Initially, this future Baffert trainee was an $82,000 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed sale grad then went for $280,000 during Keeneland September. A half-sister to Canadian SW Silver Highlight (Silver Charm), GSW Street Sounds (Street Cry {Ire}) and Canadian MGSW Tower of Texas (Street Sense), unraced dam A Taste of Red (Street Boss) was taken home for $27,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale by Nassar Omirah while Boyd was in-utero. Also poised for his debut is Cherokee Nation (Not This Time). The colt was a $240,000 Fasig-Tipton November purchase, then the bay went to SF, Starlight and Madaket for $1.15-million during Keeneland September. His dam is SW Believe in Charlie (Indian Charlie), a half-sister to MSW Shamrocket (Tonalist). TJCIS PPS We have named our '23 Violence Colt after our dear friend, President and CEO of @FasigTiptonCo Boyd Browning! We are very excited for this colt's future on the track! pic.twitter.com/4uInp0JJcI — Zedan Racing Stables, Inc (@ZedanRacing) August 12, 2025 The post Sunday’s Racing Insights: Pricey Colts From Baffert Shedrow Debut As Del Mar Closes Out Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Everybody had a fair crack at Saturday's Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock and it was the 16-1 shot Big Mojo (Mohaather) who proved the quickest and toughest to register another Group 1 success for some very lucky owners. Following the example of Paul and Rachael Teasdale's Breeders' Cup-winning fairytale story Big Evs, the Mick Appleby-trained three-year-old forged his own day in the limelight as he grafted on the front end for William Buick throughout en route to a 1 1/4-length success. Last year's runner-up Kind Of Blue (Blue Point) was in that spot again, nosing out fellow Wathnan runner Flora Of Bermuda (Dark Angel) while the even-money favourite Lazzat (Territories) was only fifth. “The hardest job was getting him to the start and pulling him up,” Buick said. “He's just a real sprinter, he's got two speeds and he was lovely and smooth throughout the race. He's very genuine and I didn't have a moment's worry.” BIG MOJO Hard and fast up the stands' rail, Big Mojo is much too good in the @Betfair Sprint Cup @haydockraces. A HUGE DAY for the @MickApplebyUK team @WilliamBuickX pic.twitter.com/69efGrkHkT — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 6, 2025 The post More Group 1 Glory For The Teasdales As Big Mojo Prevails At Haydock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for closing day at Del Mar. Sunday, September 7, 2025 Dmr 4, DMR Futurity-GI, $300k, 2yo, 7f, 6:00 p.m. Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Brant (Gun Runner), OBSMAR, 3,000,000, :9 3/5 C-Eddie Woods, agent; B-Donato Lanni, agent Zedan Racing Civil Liberty (Independence Hall), FTMMAY, 160,000, :10 3/5 C-Pike Racing @ Highlander, agt; B-S Rothblum, agt Mark Davis Desert Gate (Omaha Beach), OBSMAR, 260,000, :9 4/5 C-Navas Equine, agent; B-Three Amigos Del Mar 5, $80k, 2yo, (S), 5fT, 6:30 p.m. Ventry Stand (Bolt d'Oro), OBSJUN, 75,000, :10 1/5 C-Grassroots Training & Sales, agent; B-P K Racing Violets Song (Violence), OBSMAR, 75,000, :21 1/5 C-Pick View LLC, agent; B-Jet Horse LLC, Peter Miller, agent Del Mar 6, $100k, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 7:00 p.m. Boyd (Violence), FTMMAY, 1,050,000, G C-Top Line Sales, LLC, agent; B-Donato Lanni, agt Zedan Racing Map Me Sexy (Liam's Map), FTMMAY, 160,000, :22 3/5 C-LG, agent; B-Steve Rothblum, agent for Mark Davis Metate (Vekoma), OBSJUN, 160,000, :10 1/5 C-Envision Equine, agent; B-Robert Hess Jr Sharons Maxfield (Maxfield), OBSMAR, 230,000, :10 1/5 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-Richard Baltas, agent for Panic Stable Stormy Tapit (Independence Hall), OBSAPR, 240,000, :10 1/5 C-Navas Equine, agent; B-Jet Horse LLC, Tim McCanna, agent Dmr 9, DMR JvTurf-GIII, $100k, 2yo, 1mT, 8:30 p.m. Born to Rock (Rock Your World), OBSMAR, 90,000, :10 1/5 C-Really and Truly Thoroughbreds, agent; B-Michael Warnick Conducted (Mendelssohn), OBSAPR, 110,000, :20 3/5 C-Hoppel, agent; B-Danny Eplin Proletariat (Raging Bull {Fr}), OBSMAR, 200,000, :10 C-GOP Racing Stable Corp, agent; B-Dutch Girl Holdings/Irving Ventures, agent Mike Pender The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS: Sunday, September 7, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars INVINCIBLE IBIS - R6 (3) Went close last term and has trialled well ahead of his return Jay Rooney BULB GENERAL - R9 (11) Won impressively last start and can swoop in a race laden with speed Owen Goulding INFINITE RESOLVE - R9 (1) Gone down by narrow margins on both starts and can make amends Phillip Woo AWESOME TREASURE - R6 (5) Looks a winning chance after a solid trial Shannon (Vincent Wong) BULB GENERAL - R9 (11) Had plenty in hand last season and looks ready to go first...View the full article

Considered by most to be mere understudy to Kalpana (Study Of Man) in Saturday's G3 September Stakes at Kempton, last year's Hong Kong Vase hero Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman) had other ideas as he registered a minor upset. Always comfortable tracking the pacemaker for Juddmonte 1-2 market-leader, the Marco Botti-trained 9-4 second favourite outstayed her under Oisin Murphy in the closing stages to score by 1 1/2 lengths as he continues on the road back to Sha Tin. Turned AWAY Giavellotto sees off the challenge from Kalpana to land the September Stakes @kemptonparkrace. The odds-on fav had every chance but just couldn't get by. Is the winner an outside contender for the Arc?@MarcoBotti | @oismurphy pic.twitter.com/hl3ksGejzs — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 6, 2025 The post Hong Kong-Bound Giavellotto Upsets Kalpana In The September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following an impressive debut win at Newbury last month, TDN Rising Star Bow Echo (Night Of Thunder) denied chief rival Publish (Kingman) to double his tally in Saturday's Listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock. Shrugging off that Juddmonte rival inside the final furlong, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's George Boughey-trained 5-6 favourite readily asserted under Billy Loughnane for a length success. 12-1 for the 2,000 Guineas with @paddypower https://t.co/LE3iYNhCr4 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 6, 2025 The post Unbeaten Bow Echo Ascendant At Haydock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Former Kiwi galloper Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) landed a deserved victory in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at The Valley on Saturday for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, digging deep to stave off the challenge of high-class Canadian mare Moira (Ghostzapper). The six-year-old gelding has been unfortunate not to greet the judge first since winning the Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) nearly 12 months ago but has hardly gone a bad race in that time. A Group One winner for now retired trainers Peter and Dawn Williams in New Zealand, Desert Lightning transferred across the Tasman last spring. Given a perfect ride by comeback jockey Luke Nolen, Desert Lightning sat outside the leader Glint Of Silver (Rubick) before finding the front before entering the home straight and after a strong challenge from Moira had a neck to spare on the mare, with Attrition (Churchill) three lengths away in third. “It’s pretty special,” Coleman said. “We’ve got Chris and Sarah Green here from New Zealand, the owners of Desert Lightning and it’s just really rewarding to get the win on the board. “He’s a very special horse to their family, and we’ve got a jockey that’s pretty special to our family on board as well. “It’s fantastic to see both of them back in the winner’s stall. “It was a tough performance from him. He’s a really genuine horse and the Yulong horse (Moira) probably had the softer run than he did and was sort of cruising up on his outside. Our old boy had to really fight hard, so it was great to see.” Desert Lightning, who won a Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) as a three-year-old, is now likely to step up in distance. “We’re thinking that we might look to stretch him out a little bit more this time round and maybe we look to go to an Underwood Stakes (Gr.1, 1800m), but we’ll see how he comes through today and go from there,” Coleman said. Desert Lightning was bred by German native Wessel Van der Scheer under the Mahoenui Partnership and is by Pride Of Dubai out of the High Chaparral mare Isstoora. Presented by Little Avondale Stud as a yearling at Karaka, Desert Lightning was purchased by Peter and Dawn Williams for $150,000 on behalf of Barneswood Farm’s Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer. Desert Lightning is a half-brother to quality sprinter Oak Hill (NZ) (Per Incanto), a seven-time winner that caught the eye when charging through the line in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m), also at The Valley on Saturday. View the full article

My husband and I met Stuart at Giussepe's having dinner at the bar one night. I was immediately impressed by his sincerity and openness. When he found out we bred and raced Thoroughbreds, he shared his story and that he worked for Taylor Made. He and my husband Steve bonded over their love of the stallion Not This Time. We often ran into each other at the sales or at the races and Stuart was always there to congratulate us on our successes and to offer advice only if asked. Stuart always asked after our mares and knew each one and when they were racing. When we found out Stuart was sick, we were moved by his desire to not let it slow him down. I think we heard from him more this past spring that ever before. He came to visit our farm with colleague Steve Castagnola and we were proud to show him our long-anticipated little Not This Time colt born in March (after a 363-day pregnancy!) Soon thereafter, we learned of the seriousness of Stuart's illness and prognosis. We decided to name the colt after Stuart as well as his sire and we have named him “Stuart's Time.” Here is little Stuart this week as a five-month-old weanling. We would often send Stuart pictures and videos of the colt while he was in treatment, hoping he might bring a smile to his face during a difficult time. We have a feeling Stuart might be sending him more than luck and are excited to see where his racing career goes. We are grateful to Stuart for his friendship and guidance. Editor's note: Stuart Angus, a Senior Thoroughbred Advisor for Taylor Made, passed away Aug. 28 at the age of 60. His friends are encouraging those he touched to submit `Stu stories' to the TDN. Please email suefinley@thetdn.com if you have a story to share. The post Letter to the Editor: Stu Story #6, Stuart’s Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby does not officially begin until the end of November with the running of the Cattleya Stakes at Tokyo, but Sanshisuimei Co. Ltd.'s debuting Magna Victor (Maxfield–Eyeinthesky, by Sky Mesa) became one of the earliest to join the party when storming clear to take his 1400-meter debut by the better part of 10 lengths Saturday afternoon at Hanshin. With Yuga Kawada in the irons, Magna Victor was not the quickest away, but he quickly recovered and by the time the field had transitioned onto the dirt track, the colt had poked his head in front. Allowed to cross down onto the fence after racing about four deep through the opening furlong, the bay lobbed them along under a light hold on the turn and when Kawada slipped his mount the slightest bit of rein in upper stretch, the 1.1 (1-10) mortal careered away under hands-and-heels encouragement to score in the time of 1:24.6 on a track rated 'good.' He covered his final 600 meters in a race-best :37 flat, his last 400 in :24.1 while never out of a high gallop. Magna Victor becomes the first 2-year-old to break 1:25 at Hanshin since the subsequent multiple group winner Emperor Wakea (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in November 2022. “There are some difficult aspects to his temperament, but there's no doubt about his ability,” the winning rider told Netkeiba following the race. Kawada also rode $1-million Keeneland September purchase Matenro Da Vinci (Uncle Mo) to a six-length debut victory for trainer Mitsu Nakauchida last weekend. The conditioner has helped orchestrate the careers of the late Liberty Island (Jpn), Prognosis (Jpn) and Serifos (Jpn), among others. Magna Victor is the 11th winner for his freshman sire (by Street Sense) and was a $75,000 Keeneland September yearling before blossoming into a $1-million OBS March juvenile (see below) to top the opening session of that auction. Nakauchida outbid Donato Lanni for the colt. “Physically, he looks really strong and his movement is really smooth–very nice,” the trainer told TDN's Christina Bossinakis at the time of the sale. “I liked his breeze at first and then I looked at the physical and I really liked him. And he's by freshman sire Maxfield and he looks like he will be good.” Dam Eyeinthesky, a stakes-winning and Grade II-placed turf sprinter for Gary Barber and Mark Casse, was purchased by Dana and Gerry Aschinger's War Horse Place for $300,000 carrying to War of Will at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. Not only does Magna Victor carry 4×4 inbreeding to the legendary A.P. Indy, he is also inbred 3×3 to Caress, responsible for Maxfield's dam Velvety and the dam of his broodmare sire Sky Mesa. Eyeinthesky foaled a colt by Candy Ride (Arg) on Apr. 9 and was bred back to Maxfield. 6th-Hanshin, ¥14,250,000 ($96,658), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m, 1:24.6, gd. MAGNA VICTOR, c, 2, by Maxfield 1st Dam: Eyeinthesky (MSW-US, GSP-Can, $301,788) 2nd Dam: Ruliontome, by Lion Heart 3rd Dam: Cahill Connection, by Cahill Road Sales history: $75,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $1,000,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $50,873. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree and VIDEO (SC 10). O-Sanshisuimei Co Ltd; B-War Horse Place (KY); T-Mitsumasa Nakauchida. 強っ#阪神６R#マグナヴィクトル pic.twitter.com/KbmVAnd5GH — 杏仁オブジョイトイ (@anhinPyejoyjoyP) September 6, 2025 2025.09.06 阪神6R メイクデビュー阪神#マグナヴィクトル くん#川田将雅 騎手 めちゃつよかった pic.twitter.com/D6m769BSkE — マリンバ (@maominkanao) September 6, 2025 The post Maxfield’s Magna Victor Monstrous On Hanshin Debut, Becomes a ‘Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He might have room to improve ahead of his tilt at The Everest next month, but David Hayes expects Ka Ying Rising to “run fast time” when the superstar sprinter makes his much-anticipated return at Sha Tin on Sunday. Bidding to become the first ever two-time winner of the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m), Ka Ying Rising will use the season-opening feature as a springboard to the A$20 million (HK$102 million) The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick on October 18. Hayes said the world’s...View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, September 7, 2025 First Race 1pm HKT (3pm AEST) Visit Dabble The 2025/26 Hong Kong racing season gets underway at Sha Tin this Sunday afternoon, with a competitive 10-race program set to commence at 1pm local time. All eyes will be on Ka Ying Rising as he kicks off his 2025 Everest journey in the Class 1 HK Chief Executive’s Cup (1200m). The rail is in the A course, and with minimal rainfall forecast, the surface should be rated a Good 4 throughout the day. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Super Strong Kid Despite suffering a bleed in his post-race assessment, Super Strong Kid was a dominant winner at this course and distance on March 15. He was ultra-impressive and appears to have plenty of upside, as it was only his second career start. The son of Brutal has been kept up to the task in a recent barrier trial at Conghua, and with Zac Purton set to gain the gun run from stall 13, Super Strong Kid should have no issues claiming this lot before stepping up to Class 3 company. Best Bet Race 4 – #3 Super Strong Kid (13) 4yo Gelding | T: Manfred Man | J: Zac Purton (61kg) Next Best at Sha Tin: Invincible Ibis The Mark Newnham-trained Invincible Ibis failed to claim maiden success in his debut season; however, he shouldn’t have lost many admirers in producing back-to-back placings. The Hellbent gelding didn’t have much luck in either start and looks to have recovered nicely trialling on the Sha Tin all-weather circuit. Luke Ferraris just needs to get this guy to jump with them from gate five, and provided the pair can stalk from the one-one, expect Invincible Ibis to go one better at the third time of asking. Next Best Race 6 – #3 Invincible Ibis (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Mark Newnham | J: Luke Ferraris (60kg) Best Value at Sha Tin: Bulb General Bulb General was a smart winner at Sha Tin on July 13, surging to the top at the 200m marker and holding them off impressively to score by 2.5 lengths. This Class 3 contest has plenty more depth compared to what he faced last time out, but with Zac Purton willing to stick aboard, it seems to be a strong indicator that Bulb General can go on with the job to kick off the campaign. Best Value Race 9 – #11 Bulb General (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Zac Purton (56kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections Sunday, September 7, 2025 3-6-9-11-14 1-4-8-9 1-6-10-11 1-2-5-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

Derek Leung Ka-chun is hopeful Lucky Sweynesse can use Sunday’s Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) at Sha Tin as a launching pad to international success later this month. Set the daunting task of taking on the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, on Sunday, Lucky Sweynesse will be out to prove he is on track for his first overseas mission, with the Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) in Japan on September 28 firmly on trainer Manfred Man Ka-leung’s radar. Leung is locked in for...View the full article

The early spring has tended to bring the very best out of Quintessa, and that trend continued at Ellerslie on Saturday with a spectacular last-to-first performance at $36 odds in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate. The $400,000 weight-for-age triumph came almost exactly a year after the Te Akau Racing mare’s last win, which was a first-up victory in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 31 last year. Another 12 months before that, she kicked her three-year-old season off with back-to-back successes at Taupo and in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings. Quintessa headed into Saturday’s Proisir Plate on a seven-race winless streak, during which a third in the Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in February was her only time in the top five. But the Te Akau team approached Saturday with a quiet confidence, boosted by the fact that Quintessa’s three previous starts in a fresh state had produced two wins and a placing. In fact, earlier in the afternoon, co-trainer Sam Bergerson commented that Quintessa was worth “a dollar each way” if she got the right run. That part of the equation was left to jockey Rory Hutchings, who these days is based in Australia but made a flying visit home to take the ride. Quintessa drew gate 15 in a 16-horse field and was taken back to a clear last by Hutchings as Dusty Road and Herbert led the field around the first turn and down the side of the track. The race rapidly changed complexion coming into the straight as the field bunched right up and the leading lights made their moves. Qali Al Farrasha was the first to pounce, quickly joined by El Vencedor, La Crique and Tuxedo. The likes of Grail Seeker, Legarto, Waitak and Tomodachi were searching for runs just behind them. Hutchings opted to avoid all that traffic and switch to the outside, angling Quintessa out to be the widest of all with just under 300m to run. He pushed the button and Quintessa exploded. She roared past all 15 of her rivals in the blink of an eye, opening up a winning margin of a length and a half as Hutchings stood high up in the saddle in a triumphant salute. Quintessa continued the Te Akau stable’s proud recent record in the first Group One race of the New Zealand season, following on from Melody Belle (2018 and 2019) and Skew Wiff (2023). That win by Skew Wiff was the first Group One success for Bergerson, who is now in his third season in partnership with Mark Walker. “Quintessa was incredible today,” Bergerson said. “It was a very patient ride. We left it up to Rory, really. I asked him what he thought, and he said, ‘I’ll go back and will probably ride for luck,’ but then he ended up going the widest. “I was actually watching the other mare (Qali Al Farrasha) for most of the straight, and then at the last minute, she was flashing and we started really screaming. “Fair play to her. She’s come back in fantastic order from Australia. I can’t thank the team at home enough, and the veterinary and farrier team as well. They do an amazing job with her, and she’s just a sound, happy horse. “We were quietly confident coming into today, without being overconfident with the quality of the field. But she’s a fantastic mare and it’s great to see her back in form. “She’s pretty unassuming at home. She’d be one of the worst trackworkers in Matamata. But once those shades go on and she sees the crowd and gets a bit of a buzz for it, she’s just so genuine and tries so hard. That’s always going to hold her in good stead. “It was fantastic to get Rory over. He gave her an A1 ride, so patient. Full credit to the horse and Rory. “It’s special to get this win with my parents here today, and awesome to do it at Ellerslie. We’ve had a bit of a frustrating day until now, just being edged out in the three-year-old races and having a couple of disappointments, but that’s racing. It’s a great leveller. “I’m really stoked and just taking it all in and pinching myself, really.” Quintessa is now rated a $6 chance for the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa on September 27. She shares second favouritism with La Crique, while Legarto heads the market at $4. “I think the mile is the logical next step,” Bergerson said. “But we’re get her home and make sure she’s come through it well and then go from there.” That could throw a spanner in the works for Hutchings, who during the week announced a permanent move from New South Wales to Queensland. Hutchings has now won four Group One races, all of them in New Zealand, having previously taken out the Zabeel Classic (2000m) with Soriano and the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) with Soriano and El Vencedor. “Might have to think about changing those plans now,” Hutchings said. “I love this place. “The plan was to go back today and try to ride for luck, but it got a little bit messy through the middle stages and I decided I’d be better off keeping her out of trouble and getting to the outside. She went past them in a few strides. That was electric.” Quintessa was bred by Peachester Lodge and is by Shamus Award out of the five-race-winning High Chaparral mare Chaquinta. She was offered at Karaka 2022 by Wentwood Grange, who also sold Saturday’s Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) winner Affirmative Action. David Ellis bought Quintessa for $170,000. From a 19-start career, Quintessa has now recorded six wins and four placings. She has earned $1.05 million for her owners the Te Akau Awarded Racing Partnership. Runner-up La Crique continued a remarkable run of second placings at the elite level. She has now done it in five consecutive races, having finished her previous campaign with seconds in the TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m), Zabeel Classic (2000m), Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and New Zealand Stakes (2000m). She has now been runner-up in seven Group One races in her career, which is a New Zealand record. Emerging star Tomodachi caught the eye with her strong finish for third, just ahead of Sterling Express, El Vencedor and an unlucky Legarto. View the full article

Lollapalooza went into Saturday’s Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie as a maiden, but she came out of it as one of the leaders of her generation and the clear favourite for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). The $150,000 three-year-old fillies’ feature was the El Roca filly’s fourth start. She had finished third on debut at Ellerslie in February behind Lucy In The Sky and Miss Ziggy, then struck bad luck in the straight when eighth in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) in her only other two-year-old start. Lollapalooza’s three-year-old return hinted at bigger and better things. Coming up against a strong field of three-year-old fillies at Taupo last month, she flew home from the back of the field for a close second behind In Haste. Saturday’s rematch saw In Haste jump as a $3.40 favourite and Lollapalooza at $5.90, but this time the Taupo result was turned upside down. Lollapalooza was ridden patiently by Vinnie Colgan, who took her back to last from her wide gate. She appeared to have a mountain to climb from the home turn, looking for a run along the inside and coming up behind a wall of horses. In the meantime, the stage was set for an all-Te Akau finish as In Haste and Queen’s Evidence edged ahead of Too Sweet coming into the final 150m. But Colgan had weaved his way through the pack on Lollapalooza, and suddenly she launched a stunning finish from nowhere. She bounded past In Haste and Queen’s Evidence in the last few strides and was three-quarters of a length in front by the finish line. “I opted to ride her quietly from the wide barrier,” Colgan said. “We haven’t seen them winning out wide so far today, so I stayed towards the inside and just hoped for a bit of luck. “She was explosive in the straight. I think getting up over more distance will suit her.” Lollapalooza was bred by Don and Dame Wendy Pye and is out of their Gr.3 Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) winner Carnival. Haunui Farm offered her in Book 2 of Karaka 2024, where Richardson Racing Stables and Social Racing bought her for $30,000. Trained by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall for the Social Racing Premier Dynamic Duo Syndicate and the Richardson Racing Carnival Syndicate, Lollapalooza has now had four starts for a win, two placings and $105,000 in stakes. “We love training good three-year-old fillies, and it was an honour to have three of them in the Gold Trail this year and to win it with Lollapalooza,” Richardson said. “Don and Wendy Pye bred her, and when I went and saw her at Haunui as a yearling, she was a standout from the start. Vinnie gave her a great ride today and we’re thrilled to get the result.” The TAB reacted to Saturday’s win by cutting Lollapalooza from $14 into $3.20 favouritism for the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 8. “This is very satisfying,” Norvall said. “There’s been a lot of talk about her. Her sectional times were very, very good last start. For her to come here today and produce a similar performance, we’re really happy. “She’s doing everything we’ve asked her to do so far. We’ll go one step at a time, we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but this was a great win for her. “She’s nominated for the Guineas. The way she settles and the way she can come home, a big track like Riccarton should suit her.” Lollapalooza continued an outstanding start to the spring for the Social Racing Premier Dynamic Duo Syndicate, which also races the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) runner-up Yokozuna. “Good fillies win this race, and I think we saw another good filly win it today,” Social Racing manager Brent Cooper said. “She may have been a maiden coming into it, but her performance for second last start was outstanding and I was confident. “There are two syndicates that race this filly. Graham Richardson has a syndicate that includes her breeders, Don and Wendy Pye. It’s great to have them in the ownership alongside our Social Racing syndicate. “There are a lot of first-time owners in the Social Racing syndicate, and with Yokozuna as well, they’re feeling lucky so far.” The Gold Trail Stakes was the first leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series. Lollapalooza earned six points with her victory, while In Haste picked up three points and Queen’s Evidence earned one and a half. View the full article

A booming late run out wide on the track has carried promising stayer Crouch to an eye-caching victory in the first run of a new campaign as he took out the feature race at Otaki on Saturday, the Cavallo Farms and Chris Rutten Bloodstock Handicap (1400m). The Mike Breslin-prepared six-year-old rounded out his last campaign with a fourth in the New Zealand St Leger (2500m) at Trentham in March, a track where he performed with distinction by finishing runner up to Wolfgang in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) two months earlier. Despite finishing second in a 1000m Awapuni trial last month, not many expected him to be able to foot it with some capable winter sprinters over 1400m fresh-up although no-one told the Tarzino gelding that. Allowed to settle last by apprentice Toni Davies, Crouch lobbed along without a care in the world before being asked to loop his seven rivals wide out from the 600m. Davies purposely kept him wide around the home turn where he still spotted Make Time, Chajaba and Enrico several lengths as that trio looked likely to fight out the finish, They were still in front with 100m to run however Davies had her mount charging home and a couple of huge bounds saw him hit the front in the shadows of the post, winning by neck from Make Time with a long neck back to Chajaba in third. Breslin had an inkling his charge was ready to run a good race as he has been a different horse during his build up. “I knew he had come back better than ever, so I was expecting a good run even if he has never won over less than a mile in the past,” Breslin said. “He has always had ability but always had to be pushed along, but this time in his maturity has improved and he is doing things far easier than he has before. “You can see it in his trackwork and general demeanour that the penny has dropped with him. “Even though his wins have mainly come on wet tracks, he is also showing he really wants a better surface as he gets up over more distance.” Breslin has a number of options open to him as he plots a campaign path for his charge with the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November one of those options although not a guaranteed target. “We would love to take him to Riccarton but he is a little behind where we would like him to be as there haven’t been any races lately to get him started,” he said. “If everything went one hundred percent right then the New Zealand Cup is on the cards but that is still not confirmed. “If he does miss that race then the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) is likely as I told Roy (co-owner) after he ran second this year we would be back to win it in 2026.” A $20,000 purchase by Breslin out of the Book 2 Westbury Stud draft at Karaka in 2021, Crouch is named after former Liverpool and English international footballer Peter Crouch. Raced by Breslin and Roy Potter, Crouch has now won six of his 25 starts and more than $243,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Trainer Pam Gerard had been confident of a good showing from her lightly raced three-year-old Affirmative Action and that’s exactly what she got when the showy gelding upset the applecart at a Fixed Odds quote of $91 when taking out the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie. The son of the 2019 Everest (1200m) winner Yes Yes Yes had finished third behind To Bravery Born over 1100m at Taupo last month and improved markedly for Saturday’s first stakes race on the Ellerslie card as punters ignored his claims completely. Rider George Rooke took the bull by the horns and went forward at the start to sit outside leader Lady Iris, where his mount relaxed beautifully. Travelling like a winner at the 300m Affirmative Action took control and despite being pushed all the way by He Who Dares, held on to win by a long neck, running a respectable 1.12.54 for the journey on the Soft 6 surface that was slowed by rain throughout the day. Gerard was all smile as she accepted congratulations from a large group of owners. “We’ve been waiting for him for a long time as we had tried to get him going as a two-year-old,” Gerard said “You can see how big and lanky he is and I think if we had of pushed on it could have gone the wrong way for him. “We have been patient, given him a couple of trials and he has not put a foot wrong. “It’s super exciting today as we’ve had a tough time lately and this is a reward for all the staff at home who have been putting in the hard yards. “He is a good horse, we thought he was and it gives us confidence with a win like this.” Rooke admitted the horse had done plenty wrong but just had too much ability for his rivals. “There wasn’t as much pace as I thought there was on paper and ideally I would have liked to be behind one (with cover),” he said “He has done everything wrong, came around the bend on the wrong leg, but I made sure he was balanced and although he waited for a bit of company he has a very big engine. “I think he will get a mile no problem and that gives you plenty of options as he is a very nice horse.” Purchased by Ballymore Stables, Paul Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman for $115,000 out of the Wentwood Grange draft during the Book 2 Sale at Karaka in 2024, Affirmative Action comes from an extended family that includes Fast And Sexy who was placed in Group One company as a two-year-old while dual stakes winner Contessa Vanessa also features. View the full article

Promising gelding Have A Crack retained his unbeaten New Zealand record with a gritty performance to take out the Rich Hill Stud (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The five-year-old son of Zoustar made his way to Chad Ormsby’s Matamata stable after losing his rider during his only start in Australia last year for trainer Simon Zahra. Ormsby has worked hard on improving the manners of the horse and a trial win at Avondale over 1000m in June indicated he had plenty of ability. Taken to the synthetic track at Cambridge for his New Zealand debut, Have A Crack won the maiden 1300m contest with authority and lined up at Ellerslie with plenty of supporters backing him into a solid $4.20 favourite despite starting from barrier 11 in the 13-horse field. Apprentice Tayla Mitchell got him away nicely to sit fourth in the early running before easing through a narrow gap early in the run home to take the lead. Navy Dreams chased hard over the final 200m however Have A Crack had plenty left to hold him out by half a length at the winning post. Ormsby was thrilled his charge could take the step up to triumph at New Zealand racing headquarters after spending plenty of time getting his attitude right. “We have never underestimated this horses’ ability and the perseverance of the owner and his team, who have gone the extra mile to get him here,” Ormsby said. “He has just had some younger horse habits he couldn’t shake and now a little later in life and with some more practice involved, he is starting to piece it together. “Tayla had to be brave from that draw and I just said to trust her horse. She got into a beautiful spot and it was a ten out of ten ride.” Mitchell was quick to thank Ormsby for helping hone her skills in the saddle “Chad told me to be brave and he has helped so much with my riding skills to take me to the next level,” she said. “He has done lots of work with this horse, who didn’t really like racing in Aussie, but is starting to enjoy it now. “He is a really nice horse and was probably waiting for them a little bit as I hit the front a little too soon. When he gets into better races he will be able to chase them down.” Raced by Zahra, Have A Crack was bred by the China Horse Club Pty Ltd out of their race winning Sebring mare Cross Legend. View the full article

Ruakaka stayer Bosch took his best form over the Brynderwyn Hills on Saturday and scored his first Ellerslie victory in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 2200. The Pentire gelding headed into the $75,000 race with five wins to his name, all of them at his home track. His six previous visits to Ellerslie had produced a fourth, a fifth, two sixths and two ninths. It was a different story on Saturday as Bosch produced a relentless front-running performance. Ridden by Samantha Collett for trainer Michelle Bradley, Bosch drew the second to outside gate but jumped well and was able to cross to the rail and take up the lead with a lap to go. The seven-year-old enjoyed a comfortable run through the first half of the race, but that all changed in the back straight as Drop Of Something pressed forward after being caught wide. Collett decided not to hand up the lead to that rival and went with him as they lifted the tempo and moved two or three lengths clear of the rest of the field. Bosch regained a clear lead coming down the side of the track, and then he kicked off the corner. Drop Of Something chased hard down the straight, but Bosch refused to let him pass and held him out to win by a head. King Khan produced a late run into third, three-quarters of a length behind the first pair. Bosch delivered a perfect raceday return to Ellerslie for Collett, whose last Ellerslie ride was before its closure in 2022 for major renovations. Collett has spent most of the last three seasons in Queensland. “I’ve been here a couple of times recently for trials and gallops, but it’s been a hot minute since my last spin around here on raceday,” she said. “It’s nice to know I didn’t get lost! “Michelle has done a great job with this horse, which made my job easy today. He had a break between runs before his last start, which was over 1400m mainly to tick him over, but his run there was actually really good. “I think the key today was being able to get to the rail and let him dictate his own tempo. The track is beautiful out there and he was very comfortable. “I was in two minds when Drop Of Something came up alongside me. I didn’t want him to work me too hard, but my horse – and Michelle will tell you this too – is significantly better when he has the rail to follow. So I wasn’t really keen to hand up and let him go out in front of me. “I knew my horse was good enough to keep going, so I just had him working enough to prove an inconvenience for him and to help my horse along. “I think he can step up in class from here. I know he hasn’t done much away from home before this, but he put them to the sword today.” Bosch has now had 32 starts for six wins, nine placings and $219,355 in stakes. His four starts over 2200m have produced three wins. “For me, this is like winning a Group One race,” a delighted Bradley said. “My main goal with him in this preparation was to win a race here, and we’ve done that, so it’s fantastic.” Bosch’s preparation has been an unconventional but effective one, with a win in an open 2100m handicap on July 12 followed by a fourth over 1400m on August 16. “He won well over ground two starts ago,” Bradley said. “The reason for dropping back in distance last time was that he got in with a nice light weight (54kg) compared to the 62kg he would have had to carry if we ran in a Rating 75. It was a good way of getting another run into him.” Bradley is now keen to raise the bar – potentially with a tilt at the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m), in which Bosch was unplaced last year. “We had a crack at the Counties Cup last year, but I think he’s a much stronger horse this time around,” Bradley said. “That could be an option again. In the meantime we’ll probably come back here in a few weeks and then take it from there.” View the full article

By Michael Guerin As one door closes, another opens. That tells the tale of Cyclone Rebel, who caused a mammoth upset winning on debut at Alexandra Park on Friday night at $70 on the tote. The son of Bettors Delight had to be good too, overcoming a second line draw in the hands of Matty White to divebomb Andretti, whose drive from Andre Poutama to be trailing early from barrier eight deserved better. But the winner did what very few juveniles do, particularly in Woodlands Sires’ Stakes heats and trainer Tate Hopkins admits he was a touch surprised. “I have always liked him but you don’t really expect them to win like that on debut,” he told HRNZ. “When you see them draw the second line in a capacity field for a Sires’ Stakes heat, I’ll be honest I would have been happy to see him running on well for sixth or seventh.” Cyclone Rebel’s case was helped by a searing early speed as three of the favourites all got involved early but he still had to be excellent to win and he is bred to be good. He is the younger half brother to Cyclone Jordy (Art Major) who won the Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes at Alexandra Park last season before being sold for good money to West Australia where he has proven to be one of the best of his age. “At the time this horse was a yearling and the guys who own them, who have been great to deal with for a long time, decided if they were going to sell Jordy they wanted to keep this horse. “So a deal was done where Frank and Ann (Cooney) came in on this horses with the guys who bred him and they now all race him together. “But that meant he didn’t go through the sales so he isn’t Harness Millions eligible.” Hopkins of course worked for Frank Cooney for a long time and was then in training partnership with the popular horseman before Frank took a step back from the business after a race smash. Cyclone Rebel is the fourth foal of Cyclone Kate, who won 21 races here and in Australia for well-known owners Mark Lyon, former All Black Ant Strachan, trainer Gareth Dixon and the famous cricketing brothers Kyle and Heath Mills. “He is obviously very good and I suppose we have to start thinking about the Sires’ Stakes but I will need to give him a couple more starts first to see exactly where he is at,” says Hopkins, who is training 12 at the moment. While he came from a second line draw the night’s other big winners at Alexandra Park were all on the speed. Sooner The Bettor defied a weird odds drift to lead throughout in the main pace with Harrison Orange getting his timing spot on to beat Better Knuckle Up and Jeremiah, with a 26.8 second last 400m as they all prepare for the Spring Cup in a few weeks. Odds-on favourite Castana continued his great run of form after trailing for most of the main trot, things only getting a little tricky when Bolt For The Hill ran to the lead at the 400m but driver Taitlyn Hanara was able to get back to the passing lane to grab the win. And Shezsofast was able to use her speed to lead for most of her Dunstan Feeds Sires’ Stakes heat for the girls to post a 1:56.2 mile rate for the 1700m. View the full article

Excited by a rare opportunity to ride overseas, Jerry Chau Chun-lok has faith that Chancheng Glory and Self Improvement can handle Seoul’s unique sand track when the Hong Kong duo races in South Korea on Sunday. Chau will represent Hong Kong connections abroad for the second time after teaming up with Duke Wai to finish fifth in the Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) at Meydan in 2023. The 25-year-old, who started his career as an apprentice in Australia, cut short his summer holiday to put his...View the full article