Wandering Eyes

The announcement that Joe Osborne is to step down from his role as managing director after more than three decades with Godolphin Ireland brings to a close a significant chapter, both for that operation and in Irish bloodstock more generally. “This is my 32nd year with the firm, whether as Darley or Godolphin. I'm 62 now and I suppose I have got to a point in my career where I feel I've got more to give but I'd like to just pivot to do something different,” he says. “I just want to pursue other opportunities, which I know can be a bit of a euphemism, but in my case that is the genuine truth. I feel I've got plenty of energy and enthusiasm and I can do some good, but just maybe it's time to do it outside of Godolphin.” Doing some good has been a mantra not just for Osborne himself but for his wider family. His father Michael, who died almost 20 years ago, was renowned as a founder of a number of important seats of learning within the industry, including the Irish National Stud's famed Thoroughbred breeding management course and Kildare's Racing Academy & Centre of Education (RACE), along with his work for Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum in developing Godolphin and the Dubai World Cup. A former manager of the Irish National Stud and equine vet, Osborne Sr was followed in these interests by three of his five children. Joe's sister Meta, a vet who specialises in equine reproduction, became the first female senior steward of the Irish Turf Club, a position her father also held. She has also developed a podcast series called Changing The Rein which deals with many important topics around the racing industry and equine welfare. Brother John, also a vet, was chief executive of the Irish National Stud between 2009 and 2017 before joining Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) as director of equine welfare and bloodstock. “I'd be the first to acknowledge that I've had a charmed run,” Osborne says. “Over those 32 years, I've been given some fantastic opportunities in terms of international involvement, in terms of specific projects – Flying Start being one – but even just setting up Godolphin in Australia, myself and Olly Tait got that going from the ground up, and I was involved in the early stages in Japan and in America, in France. “Godolphin is at a different stage of its evolution now. The time is right to try something different rather than just saying I'll wait out my last four years. It's an amicable situation.” The breeding wing of Godolphin was originally known as Darley – a name still used for the stallion operation which has spread from Newmarket and the initial purchase of Dalham Hall Stud by Sheikh Mohammed in 1981, to Ireland, France, America, Australia and Japan. Some 40 years after that acquisition, Dubawi, a son of the sheikh's outstanding but ill-fated homebred Dubai Millennium, became the champion sire of Britain and Ireland in 2022. Dubawi's son Night Of Thunder is currently leading this year's sires' championship. Osborne says, “We went from passive to commercial literally like flicking a very powerful light switch. Cape Cross was the first stallion that we had [in Ireland], and we gave him a very strong commercial push right from the start. He got the support, and was champion first-season sire, and then to do what very few sires do, to build on that, to become a breed-shaper, there was gratification in that.” He continues, “When you have a stallion, every single runner of his means something to you when you pick up the paper. So whether it's Space Blues this year, whether it's Night of Thunder, what he's achieved, you know, a great sense of satisfaction comes from that. “I'd like to think that down the years we've been good at nurturing those clients and making sure that they can continue to access the horses. That's down to the level of cooperation between the Newmarket and the Irish office, France included, it's the same team, even though the stallions are in different physical locations.” Satisfaction, too, is drawn from the nurturing of the two-legged members of the bloodstock industry. During Osborne's time with Godolphin he has been heavily involved with the Flying Start training programme, which is now in its 22nd year and has already been a launchpad for a number of people now in key positions within the business, including the current champion trainer-elect in France, Francis Graffard, a graduate of the inaugural course along with his wife, Lisa-Jane. “It all came together very quickly back in 2002,” Osborne recalls. “The conversations with Sheikh Mohammed were to develop the next cohort of industry leaders. People need a wider skill-set than just bloodstock knowledge, so that's what Flying Start did, and the genesis of that was about giving a good and holistic education in terms of not just bloodstock, but entrepreneurship, leadership, HR management, finance, marketing, all of the different skills that they get along the way, and learning best practise, not just within Godolphin, but in the wider industry as well. “It's been incredible. Up to this date, there have been 248 graduates of 21 nationalities and 90 per cent retention in the industry. For any graduate programme, to say they've got 90 per cent within their sector is unique. Then just seeing how graduates employ graduates, how graduates mentor current trainees, how graduates interact with each other in terms of different synergies, that's been great.” He adds, “Within Flying Start itself, it's something that we stress with the trainees and the graduates, that you've got to be giving something back. It's not that take, take, take mentality.” The training element is not just reserved for those on the Flying Start course, but is rolled out across Godolphin Ireland through an in-house programme called Race for Excellence. “We take people from all different departments and, over a six-month period, upskill them and help them to understand the company better, but also give them a sense of their own capabilities,” Osborne explains. “We've got a long track record of people who have worked for us in Ireland and have gone on to other employers, to successful careers, and that's something we'd all encourage.” For Osborne, the development of young talent has been a theme running through much of his life, as exemplified by his late father's exploits. “We grew up as teenagers, living on the Irish National Stud when he was the manager there, and he got that trainee management programme up and running, and so that was our foundation – the three of us who got into the industry. In my case, that was ten years, from age nine to 19, formative years. It was just inspirational for us all,” he says. And, joking that he is merely rewiring rather than retiring, Osborne adds, “The next step for me, I would see it as probably being a portfolio of involvements. I'm not going to rush into anything. I'll talk to people and just see what's there. But I'm leaving on good terms, not just with colleagues in Godolphin, but also with friends, so it's a nice situation to be in.” The post Rewiring, Not Retiring: Joe Osborne Reflects on His Decades-Long Involvement With Godolphin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ombudsman will not race again this season after connections opted out of a Japan Cup rematch with his Ascot conqueror, Calandagan (Gleneagles), in favour of a return to action in 2026 when the Godolphin-owned colt is set to continue his racing career as a five-year-old. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Ombudsman was bidding for his third Group 1 success of the campaign when he lined up as the 13/8 favourite for Saturday's Qipco Champion Stakes, having already announced himself as one of the world's premier middle-distances horses with victories in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and Juddmonte International. In the event, Ombudsman had to settle for the runner-up spot at Ascot, two and a quarter lengths behind French raider Calandagan, but there should be more good races to be won with the son of Night Of Thunder next season, with the Clarehaven team not ruling out the possibility that he could have more to offer after just nine career starts. “Ombudsman ran a great race against a very good horse in Calandagan,” Thady Gosden reflected, before confirming that the four-year-old won't be sighted on a racecourse again in 2025. “There are not really the races for him, definitely not in this country, but abroad [as well]. We discussed the Japan Cup earlier in the year, but he had a hard enough race on Saturday. Hopefully, there will be more improvement in him next year. “He progressed enormously last year, and again through this year, and has always been a very talented colt. He's by a sire who can do no wrong at the moment and he is rated 128 now, which is pretty serious stuff.” Gosden also confirmed that no decision has been made yet on the future of star miler Field Of Gold (Kingman), who appeared to pay the price for the lack of a recent run when finishing sixth in Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The post Ombudsman to Skip International Targets in Favour of 2026 Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders' Cup unveils the official race order, post times, and wagering menu for the 42nd Breeders' Cup World Championships Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif. View the full article

A total of 207 pre-entries from around the globe–including some 52 from overseas-based gallopers–was announced Wednesday afternoon for the 14 races comprising the 42nd running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships to be held Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. The GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic is the richest of the weekend's contests at $7 million and has attracted 11 pre-entries, headed by Godolphin's dual Classic winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who will look to make the 10-furlong contest his fourth Grade I conquest and give him a leg up on Horse of the Year honors to go with his likely laurels as champion 3-year-old. Back to defend his title is 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), this year's winner of the GI Whitney Stakes, and also back are the two classy horses that rounded out the minors 12 months back in the form of 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Fierceness (City of Light)–the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner and making the final start of his career before heading off to Ashford Stud to begin his second career–and Japan's Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), winner of a G1 Saudi Cup for the ages this past February and returning to Del Mar off a successful prep at home early this month. In addition to the swan-songing Fierceness, Repole Stable is also represented by 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Mindframe (Constitution), who is campaigned in partnership with St Elias Stable and looking to become a treble Grade I winner at three different distances this season. Joining Sovereignty as part of a tremendous class of sophomores in 2025 is Journalism (Curlin), thrilling winner of the GI Santa Anita Derby, GI Preakness Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes; and the multiple Classic-placed Baeza (McKinzie), who celebrated a coming-out moment of sorts in the GI Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 20. 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Locked (Gun Runner) is a second Classic starter for his sire and one of four overall from the Todd Pletcher barn, alongside GI Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Antiquarian (Preservationist). GI Goodwood Stakes upsetter Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach) represents the always-dangerous Bob Baffert shedrow and the field is completed by Contrary Thinking (Into Mischief), who is entered to ensure a good pace for stablemate Sierra Leone. “The incredible group of horses pre-entered for this year's Breeders' Cup reflects the unmatched quality and global prestige of the World Championships,” said Drew Fleming, President & CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited. “The divisions are loaded with champions, classic winners, and international stars. We are deeply grateful to the owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, and teams, whose dedication and care make it possible for these extraordinary Thoroughbreds to put on an incredible show.” Fleming continued, “Our thanks also go to Del Mar Thoroughbred Club for their partnership, to our nominators for their vital support, and to the passionate fans and bettors whose enthusiasm continues to drive our sport forward. We can't wait to deliver another unforgettable edition of the World Championships at Del Mar.” Post positions for all 14 championship races will be assigned Monday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. ET. This story will be updated The post Racing’s Elite Assembles At Del Mar For Breeders’ Cup 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Joe Osborne will leave Godolphin Ireland in November after 32 years of service, the company announced on Wednesday. Jimmy Hyland will replace him as head of the organisation. Osborne joined Darley in 1994 from Kentucky. He led operations at Kildangan Stud for many years and was also closely involved in the development of racing and breeding operations in France, America, Australia and Japan. Osborne said, “This is my 32nd year with the company and I have had a great career journey both locally and internationally. I am very grateful for the varied and rewarding opportunities I have been given. “I have enjoyed focussing on the Irish activities for the last few years and I am now keen to consider other opportunities. We have a great team of people at Godolphin Ireland, and I am confident that they will continue the successes of the world-class company we have built together.” Jimmy Hyland has 38 years of experience with Godolphin Ireland and previously served as stud director. Hyland said, “I'm honoured to be part of such a dynamic organisation. I'm excited to continue working with our great people, elite bloodstock and world-class facilities as we pursue further success.” The post Osborne Ends 32-Year Godolphin Tenure, Hyland Takes Helm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-KEE, 110K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 1:32 p.m. The 2-year-old half-brother to MGISW Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), LEADING CHANGE (Gun Runner) was an $800,000 acquisition for Case Clay Thoroughbred Management from Keeneland September last year and makes his debut Thursday for trainer Brad Cox, who also trained his Kentucky Oaks-winning half-sister. First dam Starship Warpseed, who sadly passed away last year, has a perfect six-for-six strike rate of runners to winners with GSP Mojovation (Quality Road) and GSP 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Star of Wonder (Uncle Mo) also amongst Leading Change's half-siblings. Yet another of his half-sisters, Moonstone (Gemologist), has produced GISP La Wally (Constiution) in her own broodmare career. Leading Change will face several well-met and equally-pricey rivals including Refined Design (Twirling Candy) for Ken McPeek and N Theory Racing. This $800,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga grad (purchased by Resolute Bloodstock) is out of a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Furthest Land (Smart Strike) and SW/MGSP Luck Money (Looking At Lucky). Maximum Effort (Maxfield), a $600,000 KEESEP purchase for Winchell Thoroughbreds, will be the first foal to the races out of a stakes-winning first dam who earned north of $400,000 in her own racing career. Frank Fletcher homebred Forever Rocket (Into Mischief) is a full-brother to MGSW/MGISP Frank's Rockette. Riley Mott, whose father Bill trained that millionaire, takes the reins here for this son of GSW Rocket Twentyone, a mare purchased as a 2-year-old by Fletcher for $300,000 at OBS in 2011. TJCIS PPS 9th-KEE, 110K, Msw, 3yo/up, f, 1mT, 5:16 p.m. Closing out the action in Kentucky Thursday, The Palace Girl (Ger) (Arelon {Ger}) makes her North American debut having last raced over one year ago in her sole start, a second after completely missing the break at the Curragh for Kevin Coleman behind this year's Oaks Trial winner Giselle (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), a daughter of Newspaperofrecord (Ire). First dam Tres Magnifique (Fr), who has already produced G1 winner Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), was picked up by Coolmore for €1,400,000 at the December Arqana Sale last year. TJCIS PPS The post Thursday Insights: Half To Oaks Winner Shedaresthedevil Leads Quartet At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The official race order, post times, and wagering menu for the 42nd Breeders' Cup World Championships Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar were released by Breeders' Cup Limited Wednesday. The 2025 World Championships will feature 14 Grade I races and more than $34 million in purses and awards. Del Mar will host the Breeders' Cup for the fourth time on the heels of a record-setting edition in 2024 that achieved a new global wagering benchmark of $203.7 million. The $7 million GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic anchors a 3.5-hour NBC broadcast window on Saturday (12:30-4:00 p.m. PT / 3:30-7:00 p.m. ET) as Race 9 with a post time of 3:25 p.m. PT / 6:25 p.m. ET. Five Championships races precede the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic and three follow, with the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic kicking off the Late Pick 4 and serving as the second leg of the Late Pick 5, which begins with Race 8. The World Championships begin Friday with a 10-race card anchored by the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. First post is 11:35 a.m. PT / 2:35 p.m. ET, with five undercard races preceding the first Championships race – the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, Race 6, with a post time of 2:45 p.m. PT / 5:45 p.m. ET. The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Race 10, will wrap the day with a post time of 5:25 p.m. PT / 8:25 p.m. ET. The 12-race Saturday card begins at 10:05 a.m. PT / 1:05 p.m. ET with three undercard races before the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, Race 4, kicks off the Championships action with a post time of 12:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. ET. There will be three Breeders' Cup races after the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, as follows: Race 10: $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile at 4:05 p.m. PT / 7:05 p.m. ET; Race 11: $2 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at 4:45 p.m. PT / 7:45 p.m. ET; Race 12: $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at 5:25 p.m. PT / 8:25 p.m. ET NBC Sports will produce more than 10 hours of racing coverage during the World Championships, airing live across NBC and USA Network. NBC's full coverage will also be simul-streamed on Peacock, providing live, continuous coverage of all 14 Breeders' Cup races. In addition to the Classic, the 3.5-hour NBC broadcast window on Saturday (12:30-4:00 p.m. PT / 3:30-7:00 p.m. ET), features four other Championship races. FanDuel TV will also present live, continuous coverage of every Championship and undercard race through the Breeders' Cup Players' Show, available on FanDuel TV, BreedersCup.com, the official Breeders' Cup app, Breeders' Cup YouTube, Facebook, and X social channels, all major ADW platforms, and simulcast outlets worldwide. Breeders' Cup Wagering Schedule This year, 43 international jurisdictions are set to wager on the Breeders' Cup World Championships through common- and separate-pool wagering, including Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Ireland, Mexico, and Turkey. The 2025 wagering menu for the two-day World Championships will include a total of 10 Pick 4's, six Pick 5's, two Pick 6's, and four special daily doubles. On Friday, there will be a Breeders' Cup $3 All-Turf Pick 3. The three Grade I races, in order, are: Race 6: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint Race 8: John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Race 10: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf The Breeders' Cup All-Turf Pick 4 on Saturday is a $.50 minimum wager and will package four of the best turf races in the world together with full fields of international competitors. The four Grade I races, in order, are: Race 5: Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Race 8: Longines Breeders' Cup Turf Race 10: FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile Race 12: Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf The Breeders' Cup will also offer the Breeders' Cup All-Dirt Pick 4 on Saturday, which is a $.50 minimum wager. The four Grade I races, in order, are: Race 4: PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Race 6 Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint Race 7: Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff Race 9: Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Breeders' Cup will also offer three Pick 5's on Saturday. The early Pick 5 will be Race 1 through Race 5. The middle Pick 5 will start with Race 5, the Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and end with Race 9, the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. The late Pick 5 will start with the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf and end with the final race of the day, the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. There will be four Special Daily Doubles (SPDD) across the two days as follows: Friday R9: FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile with Saturday R9: Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Friday R10: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with Saturday R8: Longines Breeders' Cup Turf Friday R7: NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies with Saturday R7: Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff Saturday R7: Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff to Saturday R9: Longines Breeders' Cup Classic For the complete race rundown including post times and TV schedule, click here. The post Breeders’ Cup Order, Post Times and Wagering Menu Released appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a landmark achievement for the Henry Cecil Open Weekend [September 20-21] in Newmarket, £107,454 was raised for charity – a 20% increase on last year's total of £89,196. Proceeds will be donated to the Newmarket Housing Trust and long-term charity partner Racing Welfare. Charlie Fellowes, chairman of the Henry Cecil Open Weekend, said, “We're absolutely thrilled with the success of this year's Open Weekend. To raise over £107,000 is an incredible achievement and a real testament to the generosity of the racing community and the public. “It was fantastic to see so many people – from racing fans to local families – enjoying what makes Newmarket such a special place. I'm especially proud of the introduction of our autism-friendly yards, which marked an important step towards making the event more inclusive. Huge thanks to all the trainers, sponsors and supporters who helped make the weekend such a memorable one.” The post Henry Cecil Open Weekend Raises Record £107,454 in its 11th Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Green family's DJ Stable went to $850,000 to secure a colt by Candy Ride (Arg) (hip 843) early in Wednesday's third session of the Fasig-Tipton October Yearlings Sale in Lexington. The yearling, consigned by Gainesway and bred by Liberty Road Stables, is out of the unraced Unrivaled Princess (Tapit), who is a daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song) and a full-sister to champion Unique Bella. The colt became the second-highest price so far at the four-day auction. A colt by Curlin sold for $90,000 during the sale's first session Monday. The post $850k Candy Ride Colt to DJ Stable appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna will be honored in a special retirement ceremony during the sixth race at Churchill Downs Oct. 26 before she begins her second career as a broodmare at Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa in Lexington.View the full article

Journeyman jockey Floyd Wethey Jr. got a head start on his 36th birthday celebration, winning three stakes races on the Oklahoma Classics card Oct. 17 at Remington Park. The panel of racing experts voted Wethey Jockey of the Week for Oct. 13-19.View the full article

Monmouth Park's 2025 meet ended Sept. 14, but 38 days later some horsemen are still looking to get paid. Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development, the operator of Monmouth Park, vowed that the money will be available shortly. Drazin said the problem is that the state has been late in turning funds over to Monmouth for the horsemen. The process is a complicated one. “The process with purses is that we collect money, from account wagering, live handle, our OTWs,” Drazin said. “We do seven-day reports and send them to the state and they have to reconcile all the numbers. Then they send us money back. I think we sent them money again last Friday. We're waiting to get more money from them and then we will pay purses. There should be no concern whatsoever that purses won't get paid. Drazin estimated that it has been “two to three weeks” since money was received from the state to fund the purse account. But one new Jersey horsemen who spoke on the condition of anonymity said he has been waiting more than seven weeks for his money. In addition, people who have had horses claimed off them toward the end of the meet have not been able to withdraw that money from their accounts. With New Jersey horsemen about to scatter across the country for the winter, some are saying that money is essential to pay for the costs of shipping out and re-establishing themselves at a new track. “It has all been straightened out and [the state] is probably going on a month-to-month basis,” Drazin said. “It's not just us, it's the Meadowlands and all the OTWs that have money coming to them. Drazin said he did not know how much money was still owed. Monmouth receives a $10 million annual subsidy from the state each year to help fund the purse account. The money for the 2026 meet will be available shortly, but Drazin said he did not want to dip into that fund. “This has nothing to do with annual subsidy the state pays Monmouth,” he said. The subsidy is for next year's purses. Even if I had that money I wouldn't eat into it to pay this year's purses. If I used $2 million for this year, I'd only have $8 million for next year and we'd have to lower purses. Monmouth also runs a nine-day all turf meet at the Meadowlands over a five-week period. Drazin was less optimistic that money would arrive shortly. He said that in addition to receiving money from the state, HISA must also clear the payments and will not do so until all the drug tests from the Meadowlands races have been completed. The post Monmouth Yet to Pay Out Purses From End of Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Royal Ascot hero and prolific Bahrain winner Isle Of Jura (New Approach) has been retired from racing after suffering another setback. The five-year-old enjoyed a stellar 2024 season, notably securing the Bahrain Triple Crown, before returning to Britain to provide trainer George Scott with a first Royal Ascot triumph when beating the subsequent G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes. Isle Of Jura spent 15 months on the sidelines following that landmark success, before returning last month with a runner-up finish in the Listed Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket. Scott had been looking forward to returning to Bahrain with his stable star this winter, but those plans have now had to be shelved. “Sadly, Isle Of Jura won't race again,” said the Newmarket trainer. “He picked up a niggle and it's unfortunate. Having spoken to Shaikh Nasser [of owners Victorious Forever], we just don't want to go through the process again. “It's happened in the last few days and it's nothing serious but just enough to say it's time to stop. He retires with a future ahead of him and he will go down the whole retraining of retired racehorses route. “It's heartbreaking. I know there are bigger things in life, but it is very sad because he was my favourite horse and a favourite for all of us at the yard. Now, we have to try to find another one like him.” Scott will forever be indebted to Isle Of Jura, who retires as the winner of eight of his 14 starts and over $600,000 in prize-money. He added, “He has done more for us than we could have asked. He won the Triple Crown in Bahrain which really cemented my relationship with Shaikh Nasser which has led to everything that is happening for me now. “Then, the day he gave me when winning the Hardwicke I will never forget. I was stood on the lawn with my dad watching the race and Shaikh Nasser was there. It was a special day. “It's sad, but these things happen and we look forward to seeing him enjoying a full retirement now.” The post Another Setback Brings the Curtain Down on Isle Of Jura’s Career appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Conditions were desperate at Deauville on Wednesday and while there won't be any prizes handed out for time performances Prince Faisal's homebred filly Sindalah (Dubawi) shaped with promise on her winning debut. Allowed her own way in front under Maxime Guyon in the mile debutantes race for fillies, the Andre Fabre-trained half-sister to the international heavyweight Mishriff (Make Believe) held on to prevail by a head from Flash Girl (The Grey Gatsby). A descendant of the Prix de Diane heroine and stellar broodmare Rafha, the winner returned at 4-1. The Aga Khan Studs representative Calasita (Zarak), a half-sister to Calandagan, was the 6-4 favourite but could never get involved and finished seventh. A very well-bred filly! A half-sister to Mishriff, SINDALAH (Dubawi x Contradict) makes a winning start for @maximeguyon_off and Andre Fabre… pic.twitter.com/jVUkyYmdYM — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 22, 2025 The post Mishriff’s Half-Sister Sindalah Off The Mark At Deauville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) will be honored in a special retirement ceremony during Race 6 on Sunday at Churchill Downs before she begins her second career as a broodmare at Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa in Lexington, Ky. Last year's GI Kentucky Oaks heroine will walk over with the field for Race 6 at approximately 3 p.m. (all times Eastern) and remain in the Churchill Downs paddock for approximately 20 minutes until the race is completed at 3:26 p.m. Trainer Kenny McPeek announced Thorpedo Anna's retirement from racing Oct. 15. Now 4, she concluded her three-season career with a record of 16-12-2-0 and $5,440,913 in earnings. “I've used this analogy a lot in my career: horses are like surfing and you're trying to catch a big wave. This filly has been the most amazing wave I've ever been on,” McPeek said. According to McPeek, the champion will also be available to meet fans from 11am to noon at his Keeneland barn (25, Stall 1) on Oct. 25. Thorpedo Anna retires as a 10-time graded stakes winner, including seven Grade I victories, for owners Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings of John G. Sikura, breeder Judy Hicks, Mark Edwards and Sherri McPeek's Magdalena Racing. A 20% ownership share of Thorpedo Anna will be auctioned at Keeneland's Championship Sale on Oct. 29 at Del Mar. Her 3-year-old season included wins in the GII Fantasy, GI Kentucky Oaks, GI Acorn, GI Coaching Club American Oaks, GI Cotillion and GI Breeders' Cup Distaff as well as a narrow head defeat in the GI Travers. This year, Thorpedo Anna posted victories in the GII Azeri, GI Apple Blossom, GII Fleur de Lis and GI Personal Ensign before finishing fourth in the Oct. GI Spinster at Keeneland. The post Thorpedo Anna To Be Honored in Churchill Retirement Ceremony appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zac Purton reached another Hong Kong first on his way to a three-timer and Mark Newnham gained even more momentum with his first treble of the year at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. After surpassing Douglas Whyte’s all-time Hong Kong win record last season, Purton became the first jockey to reach 1,900 victories in the city when he saluted aboard the Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained Talents Supremo in the Class Five Success Handicap (1,200m). “It’s a really good number to get to. Obviously I...View the full article

Harry Eustace trainee Docklands (Massaat) exited his fourth-place run in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day in good order and is still on target for Japan's G1 Mile Championship on November 23, according to his trainer. A winner of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, the OTI Racing colourbearer will be ridden by Australian Mark Zahra in the one-mile race at Kyoto, which offers over £890,000 in prize-money for first place. After his Royal Ascot tally, the five-year-old ran fifth in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in July, and was fourth in Deauville's G1 Prix Jacques le Marois in August. “He seems his usual self so all good there,” Eustace said. “I thought he ran super. Tom [Marquand, jockey] actually felt although visually it looked a slightly troubled passage, it was more the tacky ground that actually blunted his finish than the trip he got. “I thought with either a perfectly clear trip or better ground he might have been third and sort of stay on to the line, but we were delighted with him.” Added Eustace, “I thought he looked as good as ever and as long as he's in good form, he'll still go. He flies on November 7 and then he runs on November 23. “I'm pretty sure Mark Zahra's going to come and ride him. We are delighted with that, he messaged after watching the race and he's looking forward to it too.” The post Docklands On Track For Japan’s Mile Championship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 edition of The Real Rider Cup held at the MARS Maryland 5 Star event at Fair Hill raised over $130,000, according to an organization release Wednesday. Honors were given for the top three individual and team entries, as well as to the rider with the highest-grossing fundraiser. Team SMACC Down retained its winning team result from 2024, anchored by the repeat individual champion Gabby Nguyen and Pet Me Pet Me. Team Pastured Place Two (the growing aftercare organization fielded 10 riders for this year's competition) took second place and Team Poplar Place Stables/Stirrup Some Fun took third. Kayleen Kollasch and American Cougar and Sandi Norris and Nakamura took home the second and third-placed individual results, respectively. Returning rider Michelle Hurley achieved the honor of the highest grossing fundraiser by raising $15,925, which also gained her entry to a small club of riders who have each raised over $20,000 over their years of RRC participation. The entry list included stakes horses Flash McCaul, Ninety One Assault, Nakamura, Call Provision, Target Sighted and Talk Or Listen (IRE). Connections represented by entries included PTK LLC, Pope McLean, Jonathan Sheppard, Graham Motion, Chad Brown, Klaravich Stables, Country Life Farm, Dixiana Farms, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, Harris Farms, Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, West Point Thoroughbreds, and more. WBAL Radio Baltimore's Scott Wykoff and renowned equestrian commentator Charlotte Skinner-Robson jointly covered emcee duties, providing lively color commentary while a cadre of Thoroughbred-loving celebrity team captains offered their expert guidance during the group course walk: Phillip and Olivia Dutton, Buck Davidson, Alex Conrad, Lynn Symansky, and respective 3 Star (CCI3*-L) and 5 Star (CCI5*-L) leaders following cross country, Isabelle Bosley and Monica Spencer. Full results and are available at www.therealridercup.com with updates about 2026 events to come. Proceeds of the Real Rider Cup benefit the Retired Racehorse Project, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and Beyond the Wire. The post The Real Rider Cup’s Maryland 5 Star Event Raises Over $130000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing in Kentucky shifts from Lexington to Louisville Oct. 26 as Churchill Downs opens its 26-day fall meeting with an 11-race "Stars of Tomorrow I" program for 2-year-olds, highlighted by the Street Sense (G3) and Rags to Riches Stakes.View the full article

The prospect of testing conditions for Saturday's William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster could scupper plans for two of the four entries not trained by Aidan O'Brien, including the Andrew Balding trainee Item, who is set to bypass the final Group 1 of the British Flat season if the ground is heavy. The son of Frankel is unbeaten in two starts to date, having followed up his debut victory at Kempton with a dominant performance at Bath last time, drawing right away in the final furlong to win by three and a half lengths. All roads now lead to Doncaster as the Juddmonte team seeks its fifth win in the Futurity Trophy – and first since American Post struck for Criquette Head-Maarek back in 2003 – but Barry Mahon, Juddmonte's European racing manager, revealed that the possibility of heavy downpours on Town Moor could force connections into a rethink. “Our intention is to go and we're going to declare tomorrow [Thursday],” Mahon told Sky Sports Racing. “Thursday is going to be the make or break day. There's anywhere between 10-30mm of rain forecast so, if the ground was to be heavy, I don't think we would run. If it's soft or good to soft, we'll most definitely run. “Andrew has been very happy with him and he worked well this morning. He's obviously lacking a bit of experience, hence why we went to Bath – we were very keen to get him on grass. He's a horse that only went into training in July, so he's relatively unexposed. Andrew has felt that, every time he's run, his work has improved after it. Again, this morning he was very positive so, fingers crossed, we're all set for Saturday.” The ground at Doncaster on Wednesday was described as heavy, soft in places. Should Item not take his chance on Saturday, Mahon confirmed that the son of GI Natalma Stakes winner Capla Temptress (Lope De Vega) will not run again this season. He added of future plans, “I think he's definitely going to get 10 furlongs and, just speaking to Andrew this morning, we felt there was a good chance he could even get 12 furlongs. Hopefully, he's a horse that could start off in a Derby trial next season and build his way up from there. If the ground came up heavy [at Doncaster], we wouldn't run and he'd be finished for the year.” Similar comments apply to the John and Thady Gosden-trained Oxagon (Frankel), who ran well on his previous visit to Doncaster when filling the runner-up spot in the G2 Champagne Stakes, won by the subsequent G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere hero Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett). Prince Faisal's homebred again performed with credit when last seen finishing fifth in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, passing the post three and a half lengths behind Champagne also-ran Gewan (Night Of Thunder), but it remains to be seen whether conditions at Doncaster will allow him to make a quick return to action. “We're all on weather watch,” said Prince Faisal's racing manager, Ted Voute. “There are nine in of Aidan O'Brien's, and 13 in all, and I've been in communication with Peter [Shoemark, racing secretary] at John Gosden's. They're watching the weather. “I'm currently driving to Deauville for a runner that we've got and the weather's fine, but it's meant to hit tomorrow and come up through the country into England, so I would think it depends on that. But it will be quite soft anyhow. “It's up to John and his view of the weather. When we were in the Dewhurst, everybody felt that an extra furlong and a little more juice in the ground would do quite nicely. But whether this much juice is what is required, we'll leave that to John.” The betting for the Futurity Trophy is headed by O'Brien's G2 Beresford Stakes winner Hawk Mountain (Wootton Bassett) at a general 5/4, with stablemate Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel) next best at 3/1. Oxagon is available to back at 4/1, ahead of Item at 9/2. The post Futurity Trophy Starts in Doubt for Item and Oxagon Due to Wet Forecast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A traceability survey has been launched by The Jockey Club. The survey records the status of a Thoroughbred, including the horse's use and location, so that the industry can better understand the whereabouts of Thoroughbreds that have retired from breeding and racing. The Jockey Club Traceability Initiative helps track Thoroughbreds after their breeding and racing careers, estimate the current population, and improve traceability. Analysis of information submitted through the initiative will enable The Jockey Club to more effectively direct information and resources regarding a horse's transition from racehorse to second career. The Jockey Club requests all Thoroughbred owners complete the survey, which should take only a few minutes per horse, by June 30, 2026, but the survey will remain open so owners can update their horse's future status. In July, The Jockey Club will assess the survey responses, and an analysis of the responses will be provided at the 2026 Round Table Conference. An Interactive Registration (IR) account, which is free at www.registry.jockeyclub.com, is required to complete the survey. Once logged on to IR, click Traceability Survey. “With the traceability survey, we hope everyone who owns, leases, or boards a retired or unraced Thoroughbred will voluntarily report the horse's status to help us improve traceability,” said Kristin Werner, deputy general counsel and director of Industry Initiatives, The Jockey Club. “Understanding where Thoroughbreds go after their racing and breeding careers will advance the entire industry's aftercare efforts and support welfare, accountability, and public trust in the sport.” For horses with no survey response, The Jockey Club Registry will follow up with emails to the last known connections of horses born in 2017 and prior with paper certificates of foal registration that do not have a Thoroughbred Incentive Program number or Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance activity and have not been reported as exported, deceased, or breeding stock. Connections of horses with a digital certificate will also receive follow-up notices from the Registry. Resources for horse owners looking to find new careers for their Thoroughbreds can be found on The Jockey Club's website, click here. Owners wishing to retire their horse from racing should use the Transferred as Retired from Racing process, which will permanently retire the horse. The post The Jockey Club Launches Traceability Survey appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This Saturday at Santa Anita could prove something of a watershed moment in North American horse racing-the carding of two handicaps built upon a new national ratings system. One race, a $35,000 handicap over 6 furlongs for dirt horses rated between 70 and 79, has drawn seven entries. The next race on the card, a $65,000 handicap over 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course for fillies and mares rated between 80 and 95, has drawn six entries. The impetus for launching a ratings system in the U.S. has been well documented. Aside from helping racing secretaries card a suitable set of races for their backstretch inventory, such a system gives the connections of a claiming class of horse options to run without fear of losing it. One thing it's not designed to do, those familiar with the system stress, is replace these claiming races, which has long proven the backbone of the U.S. product. While North American is one of the last major jurisdictions to use such a ratings system, it appears to be the first to use an algorithm to generate the numbers (the others use human handicappers). “It's novel to my understanding,” said Chance Moquett, senior manager of strategic solutions at Equibase, the company responsible for building the algorithm. “I believe it's the only algorithmic rating of a population of racehorses in the world right now.” For any such system to work, however, the industry needs to have trust in it. “There's no right or wrong way. But the right way is one that works and people have confidence in,” long-time track executive Rick Hammerle told Steve Byk's radio show last Thursday. “You're only as good as the number.” Hammerle was involved in the building of a previous iteration of the ratings system which fell by the wayside earlier this year, but not with the version that has just launched. According to Moquett, Saturday's ratings-based races are part of a soft launch of a system meant to be refined and improved over time and with experience. “It's not necessarily a polished thing at this point in time. We wanted to make sure that we are continuing to work on it, and that people understand that,” said Moquett. “Feedback is important,” Moquett added. “Feedback in any form is good feedback.” The Building of the System Since February, around 40 to 50 industry stakeholders within four different “cohort” groups have been working on the system, said Moquett, estimating around “50 formal meetings” as it came together. These four groups comprise the worlds of data science, competition (including trainers and track executives), handicapping and wagering, and the international community. In April, the racing secretaries from 12 different tracks or jurisdictions sent to Equibase a batch of around 20 horses for the team to rate. (The 12 participating racing offices were at Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, Maryland, Oaklawn Park, Sam Houston, Prairie Meadows, NYRA, Canterbury, Assiniboia Downs, Del Mar and Santa Anita) “Then we would give back the ratings and ask, 'how does this look? Does this look right?' We worked with each one of those racing offices individually,” said Moquett. That process took a couple months. And then, when Equibase “felt like all the regional racing secretaries were largely pleased with how their selected bands seemed to seem to be rated,” they went back to test five years-worth of data on an individual yearly basis, said Moquett. “That means we took every horse and ran it through a ratings history process for each race,” said Moquett. “We basically re-ran every race for every horse for the calendar year 2020 forward, caught out any outliers.” What were some of those outliers? “We did correlation analysis between purse earnings versus what their figure was at any point in time, to make sure the horses that generally were earning more money were in line [ratings wise]. And we identified that our turf horses seemed to be rated a little bit higher at first,” said Moquett. More broadly, “I think another thing that we found, our rating was a little more volatile to surface switch and performance, and it had a hard time differentiating good horses from the elite level,” said Moquett. The modified result is a multi-factor algorithm that gives horses a numerical rating (from 0-150) based on performance metrics, race class adjustments, surface and distance factors, track-specific variability, and recent form. For a horse to be rated, they must have at least two North American starts. It's updated daily to reflect ongoing race results, so, even if a horse remains in its stall, its rating might fluctuate as its former rivals go out to compete. The formula is based on three main buckets, with the “performance score” providing the core of the ratings. “This has a litany of other factors peppered into it, but in essence, it's how fast did a horse run and how many lengths did it win or get beaten by,” said Moquett. The second is the “race strengths adjustments” component, which looks at things like the class of the race and field strength. The “track and distance adjustments” factor in information like track variance and bias, as well as post position. (A breakdown of the formula can be found here in an FAQ of the new system) The computer algorithm won't be open-sourced-Moquett pointed to the proprietary nature of the system. That said, “we welcome people to come under the hood, see what's going on,” he added. The theoretical ceiling is 150. “I think the highest rating we had during the annual testings was Flightline, who was 136. That's the highest it's ever gotten,” said Moquett. One thing stakeholders should bear in mind, Moquett stressed, is that a numerical rating is different from a speed figure. “A speed figure looks largely at time components of a single race,” said Moquett. “Whereas the Equibase rating takes the body of work in totality and grades aptitude.” As to how the rating stack up to a corresponding weight, that will be up to the individual jurisdiction. “This is not a handicapping tool, nor is it something that Equibase is trying to force on any institution,” Moquett explained. “We do not know yet how close or competitive these things are going to be from a weight standpoint,” Moquett added. “We are intentionally leaving that to the racing offices and the racing secretaries to do as they see fit.” Actual Numbers For those horses eligible for a rating, these numbers have already been displayed on their Equibase page. While some ratings have raised a few eyebrows, in some cases there appear to be explanations. Take leading middle-distance turf runner (and dual Breeders' Cup winner), Rebel's Romance (Dubawi), rated 90. In comparison, the four-year-old filly Antifona (Recoletos), whose entered in this Saturday's handicap on the downhill turf, is rated 95. Antifona is a stakes-winner who has not yet won a graded stake in three tries. For one, Moquett admits “we are not very good yet at international play.” Furthermore, the Godolphin runner has only had one run so far this year in North America. As Moquett puts it, the algorithm is more accurate the more recent North American starts a horse makes. “We reward consistent activity” said Moquett. In comparison, Antifona has not had a single start in 2025. But the algorithm also factors in the frequency and quality of official works. In Antifona's case, she boasts a busy work-tab leading up to her first run in over 14 months. “Her rating says this filly's working and working well. The last time she ran she was fast. And so, that's how this thing sees it,” said Moquett, explaining Antifona's 95-rating. “Right out the gate, we've got a horse coming off a 14-month layoff,” Moquett added. “Did we give that horse enough of a negative impact or not enough of one? We'll learn. If she wins the race by five lengths, I'm going to feel like we did not do a good job.” Another frequently raised example concerns top three-year-olds Sovereignty and Journalism, who have butted heads twice this year. Both times the Godolphin runner came out on top. And yet, Journalism is rated 104 while Sovereignty is rated 103. “The algorithm isn't saying that Journalism is head and shoulders above Sovereignty. They're relatively equally matched all things considered,” said Moquett. “What makes sense whenever you actually look at the form is our rating gives a little bit of extra credit for Journalism running against older horses in the Pacific Classic,” said Moquett. “What I would challenge people to think about is that we're not saying that horse A is faster than horse B,” Moquett added. “What we're saying is that we believe those two horses are relatively evenly matched within so many points.” The “loudest glaring mistakes” are most likely “fringe players on our rating system,” said Moquett, adding that the system build out so far has focused primarily on the population of horse most likely to fill races, typically at the lower end of the rating range. Attitudes towards the new system among Santa Anita's backstretch community has varied wildly. But if there's one main throughline, it's perhaps one of wait-and-see. “I'm not sure exactly how it's going to work here yet,” said trainer Sean McCarthy. “But I don't have an issue with it. It's one way to keep onto a horse.” “I don't feel like so far I have a great understanding of it. We're just feeling the water out,” said trainer John Sadler, who has Topalo (Tapiture) entered in the dirt handicap. “It's interesting. But it doesn't change the reality of California [a shrinking horse population].” With the launch looming, another question being asked is this: is the system ready? “We'll find out Saturday,” replied Moquett. “I think there's consensus in the industry that a new type of race and a new alternative to run horses is needed.” He added, “I would rather have something delivered and work through a soft launch with racing offices during a time of need-be able to better manage a horse population-than be able to say I can answer every question and defend every example that you bring me because I don't know that we'd ever get to that.” The post Equibase’s New Ratings System Launches Saturday. Is It Ready? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing in Kentucky shifts from Lexington to Louisville Oct. 26 as Churchill Downs opens its 26-day fall meeting with an 11-race "Stars of Tomorrow I" program for 2-year-olds, highlighted by the Street Sense (G3) and Rags to Riches stakes.View the full article

Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away. The five-year-old son of Tavistock ran out a ready winner of the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m), defending his crown, despite having gone winless in the ensuing 12 months. “It has been good to us that day. Over the last three years we have won two King Charles and an Everest (Think About It), but our luck will run out eventually on that day. It’s been a good run,” Pride said. “It’s 12 months ago now that he won that race and, in the period in between, for two preparations, he’s put in some runs that have had me scratching my head and thinking was there a chance that that was just him at his absolute best. “To see him do it again last Saturday gives me great confidence that going forward, we’re still working with the same horse, and a horse that is going to win most races that he competes in when he performs to that level.” Pride will now set his sights on the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) on the final day of the Flemington carnival. “It is unusual for one of mine to have had this many starts (24) and not had a trip away, but I’d love to bring him down to Flemington,” Pride said. “I’d say we’ll stick to the mile. He’s won three Group Ones at a mile now, and although I do need to see him at 2000m again at some stage, I don’t think it needs to be straight away. I’d say we’ll be down to Melbourne for the Champions Mile.” Pride would dearly love to set the gelding for the 2026 Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) but given there is only seven days between the King Charles and the Cox Plate, it is a case of one or the other. “To have a crack at the Cox plate, I’m going to have to forgo the chance to run for a third King Charles,” he said. “I’m going to have to be convinced in the autumn that he runs a strong 2000m to set him for the Cox Plate, because I’m not going to sacrifice that chance to win that race again for an outside chance of winning a Cox Plate.” “It will probably be in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in the autumn, but, if he shows me that he’s really strong at 2000m, I’ll give it a go.” Ceolwulf was bred by Cambridge Stud owners Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay and is a son of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas. The gelding is a graduate of the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, where Pride and part-owner Leighton Howl went to $170,000 to secure him from Riversley Park’s draft. Ceolwulf has now had 24 starts for six wins, seven placings and A$9.13 million in stakes, plus a one-off $750.000 Emerald bonus for winning both the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap and King Charles last spring. View the full article

Ten years on from the first of their four Cox Plates together, the band of Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman is getting back together. Bowman will jet in from Hong Kong to ride ATC Derby winner Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) in Saturday’s weight-for-age championship, which will be the first time that he’s ridden the four-year-old mare. “Obviously, I have a wonderful history in the race with Chris Waller of course,” Bowman said from Hong Kong. “Aeliana herself has been ultra impressive, I think, certainly at the back end of her three-year-old career and I think there’s been a lot of merit in all her runs this time in. “Obviously, Damian Lane being committed to Treasurethe Moment has had Chris Waller in the position where he’s needed a jockey, I’m really grateful and proud that he gave me the opportunity to come back and ride her. “There’s a great feeling about it and let’s hope that Aeliana puts her best foot forward. If she does, I certainly think she can be competitive.” Bowman’s previous experience with Waller has also given him extra confidence heading into Saturday’s $6 million contest. Aeliana is one of three Cox Plate runners from the Kiwi expat’s stable, with his attack on the race headlined by defending champion Via Sistina. “Although I’ve had nothing to do physically with Aeliana, it’s quite obvious to me looking back on her races that she appears to be going every bit as good as Via Sistina,” Bowman said. “She obviously lacks the maturity and the strength of her, her opposition but she’s a horse on the rise and having worked so closely with Chris and his stable for so many years, I do know one thing; he wouldn’t be taking her to the races unless she was a genuine, competitive, winning chance and in a physical and mental state to run to a premium, so that in itself gives me a great deal of confidence.” Saturday’s meeting at The Valley will be the last at the track in its current configuration, a venue where Bowman has ridden 14 winners, including his four Cox Plates on Winx. “It’s interesting; of all of the metropolitan tracks in Sydney and Melbourne, it’s probably my least acquainted because I probably go there once, maybe twice, maximum three times a year, so I haven’t ridden there much to be honest!” Bowman said. “It’s been a beautiful hunting ground, I do really love it, it’s got a great feel about it for obvious reasons. When I go to Moonee Valley, or walk onto the track, it brings back an abundance of emotions that are really good and positive. Let’s hope we can add to them this weekend.” Sportsbet has Aeliana at $8.50 in its Cox Plate market. View the full article