Wandering Eyes

A strong line up of jockeys have been announced for the 2024 Longines International Jockeys' Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The four races are worth a combined HK$7.5-million (£740,000) in prize-money, and there is a total prize fund of HK$1 million in bonus money for the most successful riders split three ways, with the winner set to receive HK$600,000, with HK$250,000 for second and HK$150,000 for third (£60,000, £25,000, and £15,000, respectively). Vincent Ho, who won this contest in 2023, and seven-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton, a three-time IJC winner (2017, 2020, 2021) will contend against both home-based rivals and eight international rivals. English star jockey Ryan Moore–a two-time winner of this event and a four-time winner of the Longines World's Best Jockey Award (2014, 2016, 2021, 2023)–has signed on, as has the Australian-based New Zealander James McDonald (Longines World's Best Jockey winner of 2022), Norwegian William Buick, who is based in Britain and a two-time champion rider there (2022/2023), as well as female riders Hollie Doyle (placed twice in the IJC already) and Rachel King (third on her IJC debut last year), five-time Irish Flat Champion Jockey Colin Keane, Japan's Yuga Kawada (2019 World All-Star Jockeys' champion), and Frenchman Mickael Barzalona, a champion rider in his native land in 2021. The final two spots on the 12-rider IJC roster will go to the highest-ranked riders in the Hong Kong championship standings at the cut-off date, which follows the race meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Andrew Harding, executive director, racing, HKJC, said, “The Longines International Jockeys' Championship is the most exciting jockey challenge every December. This year's line-up features Ryan Moore, James McDonald and William Buick–who currently fill top three in the Longines World's Best Jockey rankings, and between them this year they have won a string of the world's leading Group 1 contests. They will compete with the world's very best established riders for a thrilling night of great sport.” The post Moore, McDonald, Some Of The International Stars For The Longines International Jockeys’ Championship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hello Youmzain (Fr), the leading first-season sire in France this year, has had his fee increased to €40,000 as he prepares to stand his fifth season at Haras d'Etreham in 2025. The sire of two black-type winners from his first crop, namely the G3 Prix des Chenes winner Misunderstood (Fr)–who also finished third in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere–and G3 Prix Eclipse scorer Electrolyte (Ire), Hello Youmzain was introduced at a fee of €25,000 back in 2021. He remained at that level the following year, before being dropped to €22,500 for his third and fourth seasons, but the success of his first runners has forced a price hike which sees him become one of the most expensive stallions at stud in France. Hello Youmzain is joined on the Etreham roster by five other stallions, including two new additions to the ranks in Victor Ludorum (GB) and Metropolitan (Fr), both previous winners of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Victor Ludorum, whose first yearlings sold for up to €420,000 in 2024, moves from Haras du Logis to Etreham as part of a new partnership with Darley. The son of Shamardal, who also won the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, remains at a fee of €15,000 for the fourth consecutive year. This year's Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Metropolitan will also command a fee of €15,000 as he begins his stallion career at Etreham next season, while another winner of that Classic, Persian King (Ire), remains at €25,000, having produced 13 individual winners from his first crop so far, only four fewer than Hello Youmzain in Europe. Persian King reportedly covered just over 100 mares this season. G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Onesto (Ire) has had a small reduction in his fee at €12,000 (from €12,500), having received 140 mares in his first season at Etreham in 2024, while the roster is completed by City Light (Fr) at an increased fee of €10,000 (from €7,000). He was reportedly fully booked with 150 mares visiting him this season, while on the racecourse his second crop of juveniles included the G3 Prix Miesque winner Mimos (Fr). Etreham's Nicolas de Chambure said, “We are approaching this breeding season with great excitement. Hello Youmzain and Persian King's first two-year-old crops have made remarkable debuts. City Light is again in the spotlight with his second generation and Victor Ludorum's yearlings were very impressive and warmly received by buyers. Onesto was strongly supported for his first year, and we are thrilled to welcome a new top-level sire this season–we couldn't ask for better! “We are delighted to stand sires with these high calibre profiles and, as always, are committed to meeting the expectations and needs of breeders, who we wish an excellent upcoming breeding season.” The post Hello Youmzain at €40,000 as Haras d’Etreham Reveal 2025 Stallion Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Kristen Manning/The Thoroughbred Report Extreme Choice (Aus) made history in the 2024 G1 Melbourne Cup by siring the longshot Knight's Choice (Aus), who stunned as Australia's top stayer. For Sheila Laxon, the first official female trainer to win a Melbourne Cup with Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm) in 2001, this victory marked a triumphant return to Flemington with her husband, John Symons. Owners Cameron Bain, Richard and Kaye Waldron watched their A$85,000 purchase become a A$5.8 million champion, realising breeder Norm Bazeley's vision, who originally acquired Knight's Choice's dam, Midnight Pearl (Aus) (More Than Ready), for just A$1,000. With Knight's Choice's Melbourne Cup victory, Extreme Choice has entered a rare echelon of sires credited with both a Melbourne Cup winner and a Golden Slipper champion–a feat matched only by Sir Tristram (Ire). Newgate's Henry Field couldn't be prouder of Extreme Choice's influence on Australian racing, “I think he goes down as one of the greatest Australian stallions of all time,” Field stated. “To have sired a G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner (Stay Inside {Aus}) and a Melbourne Cup winner from 105 runners; and four Group 1 winners in his first two crops, it is just an amazing achievement.” Extreme Choice's extraordinary success has come despite his relatively limited initial crops, making his impact even more significant. His early success as a sire also included progeny such as She's Extreme (Aus), who won both the G1 VRC Oaks and G1 Champagne S. Knight's Choice, from Extreme Choice's second crop, represents the stallion's fourth Group 1 winner and joins a growing list of stakes winners among his select group of 74 runners, marking Extreme Choice as one of the most efficient and high-performing sires in recent memory. Field emphasised the rigorous management of Extreme Choice's breeding program at Newgate, which has improved the stallion's fertility significantly. “His fertility has never been better,” Field said, highlighting the dedicated and careful oversight that has allowed Extreme Choice's capacity to be maximised. The Cyclical Story of Midnight Pearl Knight's Choice's journey began with his breeder, Norm Bazeley of Elswick Park in Walcha, who discovered his dam, Midnight Pearl, at the 2013 Inglis Great Southern Sale. Bazeley bought her for a modest A$1000, a purchase that would eventually lead to Melbourne Cup glory. For part-owners Richard and Kaye Waldron, their connection to Knight's Choice runs deep, rooted in their history with his dam, Midnight Pearl. “We bred and raced Knight's Choice's dam Midnight Pearl and sold her when she retired,” Richard shared, reflecting on the decision to part with Midnight Pearl but maintain an interest in her lineage. Known for her grit and consistency on Victorian provincial tracks, Midnight Pearl was the very definition of a “gutsy little mare,” as Laxon fondly described her. The breeders of 23 horses, 21 of whom have won, the Waldrons are fans of New Zealand pedigrees. “I loved the stoutness coming through Eight Carat (GB) and Sir Tristram coming through Midnight Pearl's pedigree and I just thought her pedigree needed that bit of zip, and that's Extreme Choice.” When the Waldrons saw her Extreme Choice colt in the Magic Millions catalogue, they were immediately intrigued. “Kaye saw her in the Magic Millions catalogue, and we loved that she'd been to a speed horse like Extreme Choice,” Richard said. They contacted John Symons to take a look, who soon called back to say, “Oh, I bought him!” Teaming up with Michael Kirby, the stable secured the youngster for just A$85,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Now with prize-money exceeding A$5.8 million, Knight's Choice's victory is a testament to the Waldron's commitment. Richard credited the firm track conditions, which Knight's Choice thrives on, explaining, “He likes a proper good track. When he gets that sort of going, he can cover his last 600 metres in :33s, and only a small percentage of horses can do that.” 100% Strike Rate For Sheila Laxon, the Melbourne Cup win with Knight's Choice was also full-circle moment. Known as the first (official) female trainer of a Melbourne Cup winner with Ethereal in 2001, Laxon's return to the winner's circle was monumental. Now in partnership with her husband, John Symons, Laxon has continued her legacy, this time with a horse that was a true underdog. “What a thrill,” Laxon said, elated after the race, and joked about preserving her perfect Melbourne Cup strike rate. “And you know what is great, I love doing it for Australians; an Australian horse with Australian owners.” Symons, who once trained in Seymour and worked with Macedon Lodge's founder Kurt Stern, was delighted yet tense as he watched the race unfold. “I was worried as he'd (jockey Robbie Dolan) got further back than we'd talked about, but what a great ride,” he shared. Dolan Riding A Dream Originally from County Kildare in Ireland, Dolan's journey to the top of Australian racing has been anything but conventional. Known not only for his skill in the saddle but also for his unique voice–Dolan has a side career as a singer, appearing on The Voice Australia–he is as multifaceted as he is talented. But while he's used to the limelight, the Melbourne Cup was something else entirely. When he first moved to Australia eight years ago, Dolan started out just hoping to make a name for himself in the racing world. He's spent years honing his craft, taking on the challenging circuit with a quiet determination. His breakthrough came not only through his skill on the track but also through his work ethic, which caught the attention of top trainers, including Sheila Laxon and John Symons. Knight's Choice wasn't a favourite going into the Cup, but Dolan's confidence in the horse and his own abilities never wavered. He said, “They were so confident in this horse; a lot of people doubted them. I didn't. “I didn't know what to expect, but I feel like I've ridden it 10 times because I have ridden it in my head a hundred times!” Dolan said, recounting how he mentally rehearsed the race over and over, building a picture of every possible turn and move. This preparation became crucial as the race played out, allowing him to stay calm and collected, even as the horse dropped further back in the field than initially planned. In a deeply emotional moment, Dolan was surrounded by his family as he accepted his first Melbourne Cup victory. “To win it with my father here and my little daughter Maisie and my partner Christine, I'm going to cry!” he said. For Dolan, having his father Bobby, a man who'd supported his career from day one, alongside his young daughter and partner, made the victory even more meaningful. Tuesday, Flemington, Australia MELBOURNE CUP-G1, A$8,560,000, VRC, 11-05, 3yo/up, Open Handicap, 3200mT, 3:19.53, gd. 1–KNIGHT'S CHOICE (AUS), 51.5, g, 5, by Extreme Choice (Aus) 1st Dam: Midnight Pearl (Aus), by More Than Ready 2nd Dam: Black Pearl (NZ), by The Commander (NZ) 3rd Dam: Go Minstrel (NZ), by Kreisler (Ire) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (A$85,000 Ylg '21 MMLJAN). O-C A Bain, Mrs K J Waldron & R A Waldron; B-Elswick Stud (NSW); T-J G Symons & S Laxon; J-R Dolan; A$5,210,000. Lifetime Record: 23-6-3-2, A$5,842,400. Click for the free Arion.co.nz catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Warp Speed (Jpn), 54.5, h, 5, Drefong–Deep Love (Jpn), by Deep Impact (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (¥20,000,000 Ylg '20 JRHASEL). O-H Yamada; B-Yasushi Kubota (Jpn); T-Noboru Takagi; J-Akira Sugawara; A$1,100,000. 3–Okita Soushi (Ire), 51.0, h, 6, Galileo (Ire)–Amicus (Aus), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Mrs A M Saini; B-Coolmore; T-C Maher; J-Jamie Kah; A$550,000. Margins: SHD, 3/4, HF. Odds: 90.00, 25.00, 18.00. Also Ran: Zardozi, Absurde (Fr), Circle of Fire (GB), Fancy Man (Ire), Land Legend (Fr), Buckaroo (GB), Kovalica (NZ), Vauban (Fr), Onesmoothoperator, Valiant King (GB), Sea King (GB), Interpretation (Ire), Sharp 'n' Smart (NZ), Trust in You (NZ), Mostly Cloudy (Ire), Manzoice (Aus), Positivity (NZ), The Map (Aus), Saint George (GB), Just Fine (Ire). Click for the Racing Australia chart. VIDEO. The post Extreme Choice’s Son Knight’s Choice Shocks The Field In The Melbourne Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Officials at Gainesway have released the stud fees for four stallions following last weekend's Breeders' Cup. McKinzie (Street Sense), the sire of Grade I winners 'TDN Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick and Scottish Lassie from his first crop, will stand the 2025 breeding season at a fee of $75,000. The first stallion since Mr. Prospector to account for the winners of the prestigious Champagne Stakes and Frizette Stakes in the same season, McKinzie has also proved successful in the sales arena, his yearlings having fetched as much as $975,000 while his first crop of 2-year-olds realized pricetags as high as $750,000. Muth (Good Magic) will serve mares at an introductory fee of $35,000 LFSN. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' for a blowout victory at first asking last June, the $2-million 2023 OBS March topper won the GI American Pharoah Stakes in his first start around two turns before finishing runner-up to Fierceness (City of Light) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. This year's GI Arkansas Derby hero added the Shared Belief Stakes in September and retires with a record of 5-2-0 from nine runs and earnings of $1,589,600. The stud fee for Classic winner Seize the Grey (Arrogate) has been set at $30,000 LFSN. Having defeated future GI Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch (Good Magic) to win his maiden at second asking at Saratoga last summer, the gray colt came from just off the pace to take out the GII Pat Day Mile Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 4 and backed up on two weeks' rest to wire the GI Preakness Stakes. He earned the second elite-level victory when leading all the way in the Sept. 21 Pennsylvania Derby. 'TDN Rising Star' Tapit Trice will stand alongside his sire Tapit ($185,000) and will begin his stud career at $20,000 LFSN. Winner of the GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby and GI Toyota Blue Gass at three, the Gainesway-bred colt was third in the GI Belmont Stakes and GI Travers Stakes. He was a dual graded stakes winner in 2024 and won six of 13 starts for earnings of $1,873,650. The post Gainesway Releases Additional Stud Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Darley has released its stud fees for the upcoming breeding season, with Dubawi (Ire), who remains at £350,000 for the third consecutive year, retaining his position as the joint most expensive stallion standing in Europe alongside Frankel (GB). This year Dubawi was responsible for a pair of British Classic winners in 2,000 Guineas scorer Notable Speech (GB) and Oaks heroine Ezeliya (Fr), plus Group-winning juveniles such as Ancient Truth (Ire) and Delacroix (Ire). Now 22, Dubawi covered 106 mares this season and is set to receive a reduced number again in 2025. Of the other stallions based at Dalham Hall Stud, Too Darn Hot (GB) has had his fee increased to £90,000 from £65,000, while Kildangan Stud residents Night Of Thunder (Ire) and Blue Point (Ire) have also earned significant rises. Night Of Thunder, another 2,000 Guineas winner by Dubawi, will stand for €150,000 (from €100,000), while Blue Point is set to command a fee of €100,000 (from €60,000). Too Darn Hot recently joined an elite group of stallions who have produced a Group 1-winning juvenile in each of his first two crops after Hotazhell (GB) emulated last year's Moyglare Stud Stakes winner, Fallen Angel (GB), by making the breakthrough at the top level in the Futurity Trophy. The son of Dubawi covered 160 mares this season. Night Of Thunder, who received 130 mares in 2024, has had a stellar year on the racecourse with the likes of G1 Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics (GB), plus the exciting juvenile fillies Desert Flower (Ire) and Fairy Godmother (Ire). Desert Flower was unbeaten in four starts, culminating with a wide-margin victory in the G1 Fillies' Mile, while Fairy Godmother was last seen overcoming a troubled passage to win the G3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. As for Blue Point, Rosallion (Ire) was his flagbearer with a pair of Group 1 wins in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes, with the speedy Big Evs (Ire), successful in the G2 King George Stakes, and Kind Of Blue (GB), the winner of the G1 Champions Sprint Stakes, heading a strong supporting cast. The leading first-season sire by number of winners in 2023, Blue Point covered 161 mares this season. Pinatubo (Ire), who is currently tied at the top in the battle to be crowned leading first-season sire by number of winners this year, has had his fee at Dalham Hall reduced to £30,000 from £35,000. Earthlight (Ire), the sire of G3 Prix de Cabourg winner and G1 Cheveley Park Stakes runner-up Daylight (Fr) from his first crop, will command a fee of €12,500 (from €15,000) at Kildangan, alongside Ghaiyyath (Ire) whose first two-year-olds included the G3 Autumn Stakes runner-up Stanhope Gardens (Ire). He will stand for €20,000 (from €25,000). Meanwhile, Native Trail (GB) (179 mares), Triple Time (Ire) (155) and Modern Games (Ire) (141) were all new to Darley for 2024 and received good support with three-figure books of mares. Modern Games and Triple Time remain unchanged at £30,000 and £10,000, respectively, while Native Trail has had his fee reduced slightly to €16,000 from €17,500. Sam Bullard, Darley's director of stallions, said, “To have three stallions of the calibre of Blue Point, Night Of Thunder and Too Darn Hot is a source of immense pride to the whole team, particularly as they are sons of our own breed shapers Dubawi and Shamardal. “Our roster provides breeders with a wealth of choices for their mares, from our proven sires to exciting young stallions and we look forward to showing them in the coming months.” Darley's full list of European fees: DALHAM HALL STUD, UK Dubawi (Ire) £350,000 Too Darn Hot (GB) £90,000, Palace Pier (GB) £32,000 Modern Games (Ire) £30,000 Pinatubo (Ire) £30,000 Cracksman (GB) £12,500 Harry Angel (Ire) £10,000 Iffraaj (GB) £10,000 Triple Time (Ire) £10,000 Perfect Power (Ire) £7,500 Farhh (GB) PRIVATE KILDANGAN STUD, IRELAND Night Of Thunder (Ire) €150,000 Blue Point (Ire) €100,000 Teofilo (Ire) €30,000 Ghaiyyath (Ire) €20,000 Native Trail (GB) €16,000 Space Blues (Ire) €16,000 Earthlight (Ire) €12,500 Naval Crown (GB) €9,000 Raven's Pass €7,500 FRANCE Victor Ludorum (GB) €15,000 – Haras d'Etreham Cloth Of Stars (Ire) €4,000 – Haras de Montaigu The post Dubawi Unchanged at £350,000 as Darley Release Fees for 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With her convincing victory in Saturday's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar, 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) displaced fellow 'Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) atop the final National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll for 2024. The Ken McPeek-trained filly, who received 26 of a possible 30 first-place votes, should be a unanimous choice for champion 3-year-old filly and cemented her case for Horse of the Year with her front-running, 2 1/2-length defeat of Raging Sea (Curlin) in the Distaff, and combined with Fierceness's runner-up effort in the Classic, gallant though it was, ended the season as the queen of the mountain. 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) was no better than 20th in the most recent poll, but catapulted into second courtesy of the Classic, receiving three first-place votes. Fierceness was a clear third ahead of GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf repeater Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (one first-place vote) and the retired Idiomatic (Curlin). Occupying spots six through 10 were Classic third Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}); GI Breeders' Cup Sprint hero Straight No Chaser (Speightster), making his first appearance in the top 10; GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf victress Moira (Ghostzapper); beaten GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint favorite Cogburn (Not This Time); and National Treasure (Quality Road). The post Thorpedo Anna Leads Final NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars FLAMINGO TRILLION - R9 (7) Big run for second first up and has moved well at the trials since Jay Rooney FULL CREDIT - R8 (1) Talented galloper who has drawn to get all the favours in first Valley test Jack Dawling SPEEDY CHARIOT - R3 (5) Never involved last start but looks poised to bounce back from gate two Phillip Woo JOYFUL LIFE - R2 (1) Was unlucky last start after back-to-back seconds and he can win Shannon (Vincent Wong) HO HO STAR - R2 (8) Had an eye-catching run at previous start and can go one better Racing Post Online STORMING DRAGON - R5 (4) Honest galloper has been knocking on the door and should get all favours Tom Wood CHILL CHIBI - R9 (6) Back to Happy Valley looks ideal with Purton in the saddleView the full article

El Vencedor(NZ) (Shocking) is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting. El Vencedor had a breakthrough five-year-old season last term, winning the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) and denying star mare Legarto with a tearaway victory in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at the venue in March. Resuming over 1400m in early September, El Vencedor showed positive signs ahead of the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), and despite finishing midfield in both races, his trainer Stephen Marsh was confident the gelding would strip a fit horse in his return to Ellerslie. Many anticipated El Vencedor to cross and lead from barrier two, but jockey Joe Doyle allowed fellow pacemaker My Maebelline Girl to surge on speed, instead gaining cover behind race-favourite Wolfgang ($2.90). After getting an economical run in transit, the gelding was simply charging into the home turn and Doyle guided him to the centre of the track, where the contest was over in a matter of strides as he powered away from Wolfgang and Terra Mitica by 3-1/2 lengths. Doyle has been El Vencedor’s regular rider through the past twelve months and indicated the lead-in runs had him primed for Tuesday’s feature. “He was very good, we’ve known this performance was in him, but he took a good few runs last year before he really peaked,” he said. “People were possibly doubting him a little bit, but we were always quite confident that it was there, he was just coming right and he showed that today. He’s a very much a horse to be reckoned with. “We thought there was going to be a bit of speed on, so we said if no one wants to go we’ll go, but in an ideal world, we’ll get a bit of cover and it worked out lovely. I was following the horse I wanted to follow and I got a nice drag into the race. “It suits him around there (Ellerslie), he gets into a really comfortable rhythm and the surface is really up his street, it’s consistent and was running a touch on the quick side at that time of the day, which is very much to his liking. “He goes around there like he’s on rails.” Marsh shared a similar opinion in the timing around El Vencedor, who will return to the course in December to tackle the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m). “He was very good today, he’s a horse that’s always taken a few runs to get going, and the Livamol third-up, he probably needed the run,” he said. “The race panned out perfectly, Joe rode him an absolute treat just idling along in the one-one and the horse showed that he’s getting back to his very best again. “Back at Ellerslie, on such a beautiful track, he was really dominant today which was great. I think it sets us up really well for summer racing, come the 26th of December, he’ll be back here for the Zabeel Classic. “We’ll see how he comes through, but we might bring him back to a mile at his next start, just as long as he’s peaking for the Group One at Ellerslie, that’s perfect. “I think the track played beautifully, they were coming off the speed, coming from last, it was as fair a track as you could ask for. We went from a Dead 5 up to a Good 4 during the day, which I think is exactly how racing should be.” El Vencedor has been racing consistently to a high standard since he was a two-year-old, but in recent seasons, Marsh put his rise to the top down to maturity. “He’s always shown us that he’s very good, he’s run 1.08 over 1200m to win, and he’s always gone quite keenly in his races, but he’s really matured now,” he said. “He’s started to race as a nice Shocking should, the mental development has been the big key and he’s gone from looking like he could run in a Railway, to relaxing and racing properly over ground.” Fittingly on Melbourne Cup Day, El Vencedor is a son of 2009 Melbourne Cup victor Shocking, bred and raced by David Price and Mark Freeman. His dam, Strictly Maternal, passed away earlier this year, but was a highly-successful broodmare, also producing Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (2200m) winner Chocante and Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Sky Darci. The gelding’s career earnings are now just shy of $740,000, with eight wins and 13 minor placings from 35 starts. View the full article

Storm Boy (Aus), a Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed when trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, is set to join Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle ahead of a European campaign in 2025, Coolmore Australia announced on Tuesday. The son of Justify is the winner of five of his 10 career starts and was bought by Coolmore and a group of their friends and clients for an undisclosed sum after he made it three from three with his victory in the Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic back in January. On his next start he won the G2 Skyline Stakes, before finishing third, beaten just a length and a quarter, in the G1 Golden Slipper, the world's richest race for juveniles. The first foal out of the winning Fastnet Rock (Aus) mare Pelican (NZ), Storm Boy also won the G3 San Domenico Stakes on his return to action as a three-year-old, before posting creditable efforts in defeat when finishing third in the G2 Run To The Rose and fourth in the G1 Golden Rose. He was beaten around two lengths when last seen finishing eighth in The Everest. Storm Boy, who was initially bought by Waterhouse, Bott and Bruce Slade's Kestrel Thoroughbreds for A$460,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, will follow in the footsteps of So You Think (NZ) and Starspangledbanner (Aus) as elite performers in the Southern Hemisphere to have joined O'Brien at Ballydoyle. In a statement on X, Coolmore Australia said, “Talented three-year-old Storm Boy will travel to Ireland to be trained by Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle, with a view to contesting top sprint races in Europe next season.” The post High-Class Australian Sprinter Storm Boy to Join Aidan O’Brien appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Ramatuelle (Justify) is set to retire to the paddocks after being bought by Coolmore for $5.1 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale on Monday. Trained by Christopher Head for owners including NBA Hall of Famer Tony Parker, Ramatuelle won four of her nine career starts and was last seen making the breakthrough at the top level with an emphatic victory in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp, before being withdrawn from Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar on veterinary advice. The three-year-old was one of the headline lots when she went through the ring at Fasig-Tipton on Monday, with successful bidder MV Magnier indicating that the filly will now visit Wootton Bassett (GB), along with Opera Singer (Justify), the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and G1 Nassau Stakes winner who has also been retired. Magner told Fasig-Tipton's X account, “We had to retire Opera Singer as well, so I think what we will do is send the two of them to Wootton Bassett next year. “That's what the guys want to do at the moment anyway, so I would say that is most likely what will happen.” The post Ramatuelle and Opera Singer Both Retired and Likely to Visit Wootton Bassett appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The final pieces have now been found for the two new $500,000 slot races on Show Day at Addington Raceway. In both the Majestic Horse Floats LP THE ASCENT and the Hill Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY 10 trotters and 10 pacers have been nominated, meaning that unless something unexpected happens those horses will contest the two races on Friday, November 18. Most of the horses had already been confirmed. In THE ASCENT Look To Da Stars, trained by Mark and Nathan Purdon, is the 10th and last trotter to be confirmed while in THE VELOCITY there were three spots still to filled. They have now been taken by Mako, We Walk By Faith and Harrison John. In the latest TAB fixed odds market, unbeaten Australian Keayang Zahara is a $1.70 favourite for THE ASCENT ahead of Empire City ($6) and Tyron Eros ($7.50). Chase A Dream is the $2.10 favourite for THE VELOCITY with Dreams Are Free at $5 and Better Knuckle Up at $9. View the full article

It’s Australian pacers one-two-and three in this week’s final IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup rankings. It’s been a turbulent week with on-going uncertainty about whether the champion Leap To Fame would cross the Tasman and then the sudden re-emergence of defending champion Swayzee, after his connections made the late payment of $28,750. Both, it now seems, will take their place at Addington in the $1m feature next Tuesday. Swayzee, as defending champion, is the top ranked horse ahead of Leap To Fame with Auckland Cup winner Just Believe third. Mo’unga moves into the field at 13th, up three places, following his win in the Alabar Kaikoura Cup yesterday and now looks set to take his place in the field. Aroda, a stablemate of Leap To Fame’s, is also heading to New Zealand though at 16th is not guaranteed a place in the field yet. Among the high profile withdrawals from the Cup this week has been Sooner The Bettor after botching the start of the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales Series Aged Classic yesterday at Kaikoura. He ended up finishing sixth. In the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot Muscle Mountain is now a notable absence. The multiple Group 1 was withdrawn from the race after missing the What The Hill Ashburton Trotters Sprint on Labour Day with a leg injury. Australian trotter Callmethebreeze has also been withdrawn. That has seen the Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained Mighty Logan climb from 11th to seventh after his second in the White Morph South Bay Trotters Cup at Kaikoura yesterday behind Mystic Max. Other trotters that have seen their stocks rise this week include Fiery Bandito from 14th to 11th and Maui from 18th to 14th.The top six ranked trotters remain unchanged. To see the final rankings click here View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Leap To Fame’s New Zealand Cup raid is back on target. Owner Kevin Seymour confirmed a much-anticipated blood test came back all-clear today. “It’s a huge weight off our shoulders. It’s been a stressful few days,” he said. “The blood test was the missing piece. Grant (Dixon) couldn’t fault the horse, but we simply wouldn’t travel with him unless his bloods were good. “They came back at lunchtime and it was great news. We’re full steam ahead again now.” The pleasing blood results capped a big day for Leap To Fame, aka “Larry”, who worked strongly with fellow NZ-bound stablemate Aroda at Menangle this morning. “Grant said his work was fantastic. That gave us more confidence the blood tests would be good,” Seymour said. “The horse has just seemed so well in himself and as Grant said, had he not taken that blood test on Saturday, purely as a precaution, the horse would already have been in NZ.” Leap To Fame will still face a daunting travel schedule, leaving Sydney for Auckland on Sunday and then getting another flight from Auckland to Christchurch. “It’s not ideal, but he’s a sensible horse and seasoned traveller,” Dixon said. Aroda will accompany Leap To Fame across and Dixon hopes he will make the cut for a Cup start. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Now that the main job is done Regan Todd will have a think about the far bigger job. But don’t be surprised to see Alabar Kaikoura Cup winner Mo’unga in next Tuesday’s $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup after a drama-filled day in the lead-up to the iconic race. The Cup market was already in the shadow of the will-he, won’t-he come story of Leap To Fame, something that will be finalized after blood test results on Tuesday afternoon. Then came the left-field stunner that defending champion Swayzee is now likely to come, his connections having to pay a late entry fee. Remarkably he looks likely to race in the Country Cup at Young on Friday night in the second leg of a five-Cup attempt at a A$1m bonus. So Jason Grimson will race him there and fly him to Christchurch via Auckland two days later and then race in the Cup. Admittedly the Young race should be little more than trackwork for him but is still a radical way to defend your title. Not needing to do anything so dramatic are the team behind Mo’unga if, as looks likely, their win and some possible drop outs put him into the NZ Cup field. He used standing start manners and stamina to shoot through on the passing lane with Mossdale Ben booming into second and Better Eclipse the run of the race in third after settling near last after an early gallop then coming wide. The winner may have rated 1:58.1 for the 2400m standing start but it was easy to make the assumption the Cup winner wasn’t in the field. But while that may come from Leap To Fame, Swayzee, Merlin or Don’t Stop Dreaming, half of them aren’t even here yet and have a few hurdles and one Tasman Sea to get over before they deter Mo’unga. “We know how big an ask the NZ Cup is so we will sleep on it and maybe see how a few things pan out in the next day,” says Todd. “This (the Kaikoura Cup) was his main target but if he gets into the Cup field I’d say he is 60-40 to start but we won’t make a definite decision one way or the other until tomorrow.” On a day when the marker pegs were the place to be they also provided the winners of the other two features with Mystic Max defending his title in the $56,000 White Morph South Bay Trotters Cup for trainer Michael Purdon. Like Mo’unga he began well from wide out and driver Blair Orange was in a no-nonsense mood, looking for the lead and once he got there he never looked like getting beaten in a race where plenty of his key rivals did themselves no favours by galloping. Mystic Max now finds himself the $21 equal fourth favourite for the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion next Tuesday which lost both Callmethebreeze and Muscle Mountain over the weekend. Orange was to the fore again when aggressive with Wish Me Luck in the $50,000 NZBS Sales Series Pace for the older horses, continuing the great run for trainer Hayden Cullen. He wasn’t the smoothest away but Orange sent him forward to lead and even though he looked to be headed by Lester at the 100m mark he fought back to relegate Lester to the runner-up role in this race for the second year running. “This is the race we set him for so to get the result is really satisfying,” said Cullen of Wish Me Luck. Hot favourite Sooner The Better was checked early but only battled late, as many coming wide on the day did, but he must now be in some doubt to start in the Cup next Tuesday. View the full article

Big guns Ryan Moore and James McDonald return, while Zac Purton leads Hong Kong contingent.View the full article

The 2024 Melbourne Cup produced a fairytale finish as Queensland raider Knight’s Choice stormed home to claim victory in a thrilling photo finish. Ridden by a jubilant Robbie Dolan, the 90/1 outsider defied the odds to pip Japanese challenger Warp Speed at the post. This marks Dolan’s first-ever Melbourne Cup ride and a truly historic […] The post Knight’s Choice Stuns Flemington in 2024 Melbourne Cup Upset! appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, November 6, 2024 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to the bright lights of Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday evening, with a competitive nine-part program lined up. The rail is in the A position, and with pristine conditions forecast in the lead-up, participants should be racing on a genuine Good 4 surface. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm HKT. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Storming Dragon The Jamie Richards-trained Storming Dragon has finished in the minor money five times across his six starts. The son of Star Turn was no match for Spicy Gold at this course and distance on October 16, although he was clearly finishing off best of the rest along the inside rail. Zac Purton can sit closer from barrier two this time around, and provided he can lob into the one-one throughout, Storming Dragon should finally shirk the maiden tag. Best Bet Race 5 – #4 Storming Dragon (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Zac Purton (59kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Happy Valley: Yee Cheong Spirit Back-to-back minor placings should have Yee Cheong Spirit set to peak third-up. The lightly raced five-year-old was sensational in his most recent effort at this track and trip on October 9, powering through the line from an awful position after drawing gate 12. He should get the ideal run in transit from stall one this time, and provided Vincent Ho can get off the rail at a crucial stage, watch for Yee Cheong Spirit to explode through the gap and claim his first career victory. Best Bet Race 6 – #8 Yee Cheong Spirit (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Danny Shum | J: Vincent Ho (57kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Happy Valley: Illuminous The Frankie Lor-trained Illuminous should relish the step up to 1800m on his first look at Happy Valley. The son of Rock Sturdy was the flashing light behind Bravehearts at Sha Tin on October 20, making significant inroads from the rear of the field. Hugh Bowman can sit handy from gate one, and with Illuminous at peak fitness third-up, he will be hard to hold out at an nice each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 7 – #4 Illuminous (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Frankie Lor | J: Hugh Bowman (58kg) Bet with Dabble Happy Valley quaddie predictions – 6/11/2024 Happy Valley quadrella selections Wednesday, November 6, 2024 1-3-5-8 1-4-5-9 1-3-4-10 1-3-4-6-7 Horse racing tips View the full article

Fancify ridden by Joe Bowditch wins the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) The Michael Hickmott-trained Fancify ($7.00) has made every post a winner in the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Tuesday afternoon, justifying the strong support with horse racing bookmakers prior to the jump. Punters identified the son of Niagara as the logical leader in the event, and with on speed gallopers gaining an advantage throughout the day, it was no surprise to see Joe Bowditch storm across to the early lead from barrier 11. Tiz Invincible ($19.00) was quick to lob onto the leaders back from gate six, while James McDonald and Konasana ($8.50) got the run of the race after crossing into the one-one from stall 10. The race never really changed complexion, with Fancify giving a bold kick at the top of the straight, and although Tiz Invincible and Konasana were making strong inroads late, they were simply no match for Fancify who kept on kicking in the concluding stages. 2024 HKJC Stakes Replay – Fancify Michael Hickmott made the trip to Flemington to represent the stable and spoke post-race. “I’m not going to apologise for getting excited,” Hickmott said. “If you can’t get excited watching your horses win, you shouldn’t be doing it.” “Geez that’s a thrill. We’ve got some wonderful owners in the horse, Mr Andy Yao purchased the horse before she won at Flemington a few runs ago and he’s a new investor in my stable. “It’s going to be hopefully a beautiful building partnership when we go forward together. “We gave her (Fancify) a relatively wide order and gave her a good spell. I elected not to bring her here on Guineas Day, and really just thought stay at home, give her a good run there and she’ll peak second up. “Shout out to my entire team at home. We’ve got a big property there that we’re building into a private training centre and taking a lot of work. “Big shout out to everyone right from the ground up who does all the work at home for us to come here on days like today because, jeez, that’s a bloody thrill.” Joe Bowditch was quick to praise the Hickmott stable and suggested ridding a winner on Cup Day will go down as one of his career highlights. “It was a good win the other day and I said to Michael (Hickmott) that it was my feeling that she still had plenty of improvement in her,” he said. “Michael agreed and said she had trained on really well even though she set a track record, I still thought she’d improve. “Very good trainer, Michael. He obviously identified that she could improve. Probably needed the run the other day, a bit, as well. Very good today. “I’ve ridden at the highest level before and won Group Ones, but it’s nice to come here and do it in front of 90,000 people, especially in Group racing and especially for Michael, who I’ve known since he was probably 12 or 13 years old. “We’ve been mates all that time; I’ve ridden winners for him, his dad, his brother. So, to get one for him on Cup day, it just means the world.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Kyneton Cup Day Where Kyneton Racing Club – 44 Campaspe Pl, Kyneton VIC 3444 When Wednesday, November 6, 2024 First Race 12:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble The $125,000 Kyneton Cup (2006m) headlines a bumper nine-race program in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges on Wednesday. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit, and with no rain forecast on Monday and Tuesday, punters can expect the surface to be upgraded to the Good range on race-day morning. Kyneton Cup Day racing is scheduled to get underway at 12:45pm local time. Kyneton Cup Tip: Mankayan Mankayan looks set to peak third-up after a grinding performance behind Kingswood in Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on October 10. The son of Intello was unsuited to the slow tempo on that occasion but continued to whack away gallantly in defeat. There should be a genuine tempo in this courtesy of Keats and Too Close The Sun, and with Mankayan likely to lob into the one-one under John Allen, this guy should prove hard to hold out in the 2024 Kyneton Cup. Kyneton Cup Race 8 – #2 Mankayan (2) 9yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: John Allen (59.5kg) +650 with Neds Best Bet at Kyneton: Sir Woodpecker The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained Sir Woodpecker debuts in the opening event and looks to have stacks of ability. The three-year-old made a mess of his rivals in a jump-out at Ararat on September 30, bursting clear under minimal riding to score by eight lengths. Harry Coffey should have every available option from barrier one, and whether he elects to lead or take a sit, Sir Woodpecker may prove too classy regardless of tactics. Best Bet Race 1 – #7 Sir Woodpecker (1) 3yo Colt | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: Harry Coffey (58kg) +290 with Picklebet Next Best at Kyneton: Master Montaro With a strong first-up record of three wins from six fresh starts, Master Montaro looks poised to strike after an eye-catching jump-out victory at Pakenham on October 22. Expect Daniel Stackhouse to lob into a mid-field position with cover from barrier five, and provided he gets clear running in the home straight, watch for this eight-year-old gelding to blouse his rivals at a good price with horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Race 7 – #5 Master Montaro (5) 8yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Daniel Stackhouse (60kg) +650 with Dabble Wednesday quaddie tips for Kyneton Kyneton quadrella selections November 6, 2024 2-5-6-8-9 1-4-5-6 1-2-4 1-2-3-4 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

by Jessica Martini, Christina Bossinakis, & Jill Williams LEXINGTON, KY – The Fasig-Tipton November Sale failed to continue its streak of $100-million plus gross results, but did produce a day of vibrant trade from a diverse international buying bench Monday in Lexington. Twenty-five mares sold for $1 million or more during the auction, matching the figure from 2023. Nine sold for $2 million or more and four sold for $3 million or over, compared to 16 and 10, respectively, a year ago. “It was another tremendous November sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. “There was very, very competitive bidding and obviously tremendous support from an international buying base. Our friends from Japan continue to be major supporters of this sale. We also saw European participation. We saw Australian participation. And we saw strong American participation. It was a very broad market.” From a catalogue of 321 head, 172 horses sold for a gross of $93,948,500. The average was $546,212 and the median was $250,000. With 64 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 27.1%. Those figures showed slight declines from the 2023 auction, which saw 154 horses sell for $101,281,000 for an average of $657,669 and a median of $295,000. The buy-back rate a year ago was 24.9%. “The market is certainly not easy and it's discriminating should you have what is viewed as–I'm not even going to call it a hole–but if you might have a little age on a mare or you might have a little questionable produce, if you give them a reason not to bid, they don't bid,” Browning said. “That's just the reality and that's what we've seen. It's a selective marketplace at all levels in everything we do. But when the stars line up, when you lead a beautiful one in there and she has a good race record, and she's carrying a first or second foal and she's the right type, those horses were zooming past their reserves. And other times, it was very sticky to get to the reserve.” Emmanuel de Seroux's Narvick International, acting on behalf of Yoshiyuki Ito's Grand Stud, made the highest bid of Monday's sale, going to $6 million to purchase McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) from the Elite consignment. It was one of three seven-figure purchases for Narvick and was at the top of a powerful Japanese buying bench responsible for nine of the 25 million-dollar mares. Eight of the million-dollar offerings were consigned by Hill 'n' Dale. The November sale opened with an offering of 159 catalogued weanlings and action was slow to pick up with a number of buy-backs in the first grouping of foals. “After about the first 15 foals, it kind of found its feet,” Browning said of the weanling market. “The trade was good, but there were no 'Wow' moments in the weanling market. It was very, very good for the quality weanlings, too.” The first weanling by champion Flightline to be offered at auction in the U.S. was the day's top-priced foal when selling for $675,000 to the bid of bloodstock agent David Ingordo. “The foal market was spotty,” admitted bloodstock agent Ben McElroy. “There were a lot of RNAs. But I think quality sells and obviously, the quality is selling with these top mares.” The Fasig-Tipton November sale grossed over $100 million for the first time in its history in 2021 when 149 horses sold for $103,699,000. It reached that level again in 2022 and in 2023, but just failed to keep the streak going for a fourth year. “Three years ago, we hit $100 million for the first time and had $100 million last year,” Browning said. “Now we have a goal for next year because we just missed the $100 million mark, which will keep us humble and hungry.” Grand Stud Goes Back to Klaravich Well for $6-Million McKulick Yoshiyuki Ito's Grand Stud secured Grade I winner McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) for $6 million late in Monday's Fasig-Tipton November sale. Ito sat alongside bloodstock agent Emmanuel de Seroux during a prolonged bidding duel and saw off persistent challenges from a stubborn online bidder, as well as Kia Joorabchian of Amo Racing. “She is a beautiful filly and she is by Frankel, the best stallion in the world,” de Seroux said after signing the ticket on the racing/broodmare prospect. “She is a Grade I winner. She is fantastic.” Asked if had considered quitting at any point in the bidding, de Seroux said with a smile, “Yes. Several times. Mr. Ito made the decision. He was next to me. Several times he stopped, but then he came back.” The $6-million purchase was the second big ticket item of the sale that Grand Stud purchased from the roster of Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables after de Seroux signed for Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}) for $3.6 million earlier in the sale. Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan purchased McKulick on behalf of Klaravich Stables for 180,000gns at the 2020 Tattersalls October sale. Shipped stateside to the barn of trainer Chad Brown, the bay mare won the 2022 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational, as well as five other graded events. On the board in 15 of starts, she won seven times and earned $1,955,290. McKulick was consigned Monday by Elite Sales. “I wasn't expecting that,” Elite's Brad Weisbord admitted after watching the mare sell. “The reserve was half that. All the credit goes to Seth Klarman, Chad Brown and Mike Ryan. They went over to Tattersalls and bought a beautiful filly. She won a Grade I and we got a chance to sell the only Grade I winner by Frankel. Chad and Seth have been our number one supporter since we started Elite. We have been waiting a long time to get a break out sale for them. We are really happy for Seth and Chad.” Earlier in the boutique auction, Grand Stud went to $3.6 million to secure Surge Capacity (hip 197), also from the Elite consignment. In foal to Into Mischief, the mare is a Grade I winner herself and a half-sister to Grade I winner Ways and Means (Practical Joke). “She was a collection item in our minds,” de Seroux said. “She's a fantastic race mare with a fantastic pedigree. She's young and she's in foal to a great horse. She has everything going for her.” Bred and raced by Klaravich Stables and trained by Brown, Surge Capacity won last year's GI Matriarch Stakes, as well as a pair of Grade III events. Surge Capacity followed her dam Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward), also in foal to Into Mischief, into the sales ring Monday. Strong Incentive had been purchased by Jon Clay's Alpha Delta for $2.15 million at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale and was re-offered this year following the exploits of her daughter, Ways and Means, who won the GI Test S. over the summer. The mare was originally led out unsold at $2.7 million Monday, but was later listed as a $2.75-million sale to Coolmore's M V Magnier and Peter Brant's White Birch Farm. “It's a tremendous privilege to be associated with a mare of her class and quality,” said Price Bell of Mill Ridge, which consigned Strong Incentive on behalf of Clay. “For Surge Capacity to sell for $3.6 million reinforces that this may be the most exciting pedigree in the American Stud book. Full compliments to Chad Brown and Mr. Klarman for developing it from the beginning. She has been purchased by the best in the business and we look forward to their continued success.” Klaravich Stable purchased Strong Incentive for $200,000 at the 2014 OBS April sale. She sold again to dissolve Klarman's partnership with William Lawrence for $40,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November and she is also the dam of graded winner Highly Motivated (Into Mischief). @JessMartiniTDN Japanese Buyers Stay Strong at Fasig-Tipton Yoshiyuki Ito's Grand Stud purchased two of the top four lots at the Fasig-Tipton November sale Monday, going to a sale-topping $6 million to secure McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and $3.6 million for Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}). The pair of seven-figure mares were at the top of a string of high-priced mares to sell to Japanese interests at the auction. Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm purchased five mares, led by Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) for $2.8 million and Queen Goddess (Empire Maker) for $1.5 million. Shadai Farm purchased four mares, led by a pair of seven-figure purchases: the $1.75-million Flying Connection (Nyquist) and the $1.1-million Daddysruby (Frac Daddy). Japan's Lake Villa Farm purchased the first mare through the ring Monday, Neecie Marie (Cross Traffic), for $1 million. Ramatuelle | Fasig-Tipton From Breeders' Cup Scratch to $5.1-Million Filly Group 1 winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Ramatuelle (Justify) has had an eventful 30 days. After romping over older males in the G1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp Oct. 6, she was supplemented to Fasig-Tipton's 'Night of the Stars' and routed to the G1 Breeders' Cup Mile as one of Europe's stronger hopes. However, the day prior to the Breeders' Cup, a PET scan showed bone remodeling, forcing a scratch. She looked like a million bucks in the sales ring, or more appropriately, like $5.1 million. Her connections didn't get a chance at a Breeders' Cup trophy, but they did get a hefty consolation prize after she sold to Coolmore's M.V. Magnier late Monday night. Consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock as Hip 310, the 3-year-old filly was trained by Christopher Head for a large partnership and is out of GSW Raven's Lady (GB) (Raven's Pass). “She's a lovely filly and in fairness to Christopher Head, he's done an incredible job with her,” said Magnier. Ramatuelle had been through the ring once previously, when selling for €100,000 as a yearling at the Arqana August sale. Magnier tipped his hat to Arthur Hoyeau, who had purchased her as agent for MyRacehorse, Monceaux, Hollymount Stud, and partners. “Arthur Hoyeau spotted her as a yearling and everybody else didn't,” said Magnier. “She's a very good filly and well done to them.” In addition to her Prix de la Foret, Ramatuelle captured the G2 Prix Robert Papin and the G3 Prix du Bois Longines Fonds Europeen de L'elevage, as well as placing in three additional Group 1s. “We'll send her to [exceptional Coolmore sire] Wootton Bassett next. That's what the guys want to do at the moment anyway, so that's most likely what will happen.”–@JillWilliamsTDN 'Marvelous' Moira sells for $4.3M at Fasig-Tipton The racing world is chocked full of epic highs and lows and Donato Lanni has surely seen plenty of both. Always sure to be front and center buying many of the nation's elite bloodstock, Lanni latest masterpiece is none other than a Canadian bred that was purchased for what now seems like a bargain-basement $150,000 as a yearling. Now four years removed from that fateful day in September, the 2022 Canadian Horse of the Year Moira (Ghostzapper), a well-time winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare at Del Mar last weekend, capped what started off as a 'little Canadian experiment' to reel in a $4.3 million final bid from Bayles, bidding online, at the tail-end of the Fasig-Tipton November Sale Monday. “It was just time to move on and let her go,” said Lanni, briefly overcome with the raw emotion of the moment. “She is a special filly. She brought us a lot of joy.” Offered as Hip 293 and sold as a racing or broodmare prospect, the Canadian-bred mare was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa acting as agent on behalf of the partnership of Madaket Stables, SF Racing LLC in addition to X-Men Racing, a collection of Lanni's friends and family that the filly was initially purchased for at Keeneland in 2020. “We went in thinking she would be a little Canadian experiment, never thinking that she would take us on a wild ride,” said Lanni. “She is owned by some of my closest friends and family and she gave us a hell of an experience that we'll never forget.” Bred by Frank Stronach's famed Adena Springs, the 5-year-old is out of MSW and GSP Devine Aida (Unbridled's Song), also the dam of SW Jungle Cry (Animal Kingdom). Lanni added, “She was bred by the great Frank Stronach. Adena Springs is such a great breeding operation.” “She was a COVID year yearling, so I think we got lucky buying her at the price we got her for because she was a beautiful filly.” Moira | Fasig-Tipton Sent to Kevin Attard at two, Moira, named after the quirky character Moira Rose on the hit show Schitt's Creek, won Woodbine's Princess Elizabeth in her career debut before finishing runner-up in the GIII Mazarine. At three, she won three of five starts, highlighted by runaway score in the Woodbine Oaks and the Queen's Plate, the first leg of Canada's Triple Crown. Runner up in the GI E.P. Taylor, the bay rounded out the season with a fifth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland, earning Canada's Sovereign Award as the Champion 3-year-old Filly in addition to her Horse of the Year honors. While her 4-year-old year was her least prolific, winning a single race in six starts, she did in fact finish runner up in a trio of Woodbine stakes before taking the GII Canadian. Third behind the 2023 Horse of the Year Fev Rover (Ire) while taking another run at the E.P. Taylor, she filled the same spot in the 10-furlong Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita. Run through Fasig's ring in 2023, she realized a $3 million final bid, however, was ultimately retained by her owners. That proved to be a very wise decision. “Last year, I took a chance and bought her back because I felt she had another year in her,” he admitted. “We got lucky. It doesn't always work out that way.” A close-up second in her 5-year-old bow in the GI Diana in July, she turned the tables on Fev Rover in the GII Beverly D at Colonial this summer before finishing second in her penultimate start in the E.P. Taylor. Sent off at 5-1 for her career finale on last weekend's Breeders' Cup card, she came from just off the pace to triumph by a half-length over Cinderella's Dream and Didia. “I am happy for Kevin and for everyone involved,” he said. “She is a horse of a lifetime.” For a man who has purchased so many top-level horses that have competed at the highest level throughout the continent, he was pragmatic when asked whether the sale was bittersweet. “It's a sad day but it's good for her. She needs to move on and be a broodmare,” he concluded as an elated Tom Ryan from SF Racing walked up and engulfed Lanni in a bear hug for the ages. “This is my man!” Ryan said. Clearly, Lanni fills that bill for a great many in the industry.–@CbossTDN Adare Manor to Japan After Michael Lund Petersen Does It Again One of the more anticipated offerings of the evening was the recently retired broodmare prospect Adare Manor (Uncle Mo). Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent as Hip 214, she'll be headed to Japan after Shingo Hashimoto bought the multiple Grade I winner from Bob Baffert's barn for $2.8 million for Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm. “She looked gorgeous,” said Hashimoto immediately after signing the ticket. “I thought she was one of the best fillies in the market this time, so we're very excited. We're going to take her back to Japan.” When asked if Adare Manor would remain in Kentucky to be bred before shipping to Japan, he added, “We haven't decided that yet. We'll see how it goes after we buy everything.” Before the night was done, Hashimoto and Yoshida also bought GI American Oaks winner Queen Goddess (Empire Maker) (Hip 179) for $1.5 million and an additional three mares for total receipts of $6,350,000. It was the third consecutive year Michael Lund Petersen, who campaigned Adare Manor, sold a multi-million dollar offering and Grade I winner at Fasig-TIpton's 'Night of the Stars' Sale. Last year, he parted with Faiza (Girvin) for $4 million and the year prior, it was champion Gamine (Into Mischief) for $7 million.–@JillWilliamsTDN Spendthrift Extends to $2.8M for daughter of Into Mischief With Fasig-Tipton's November Sale already in full swing, Into Mischief's Denim and Pearls brought $2.8 million from Spendthrift Farm, who stands the powerhouse sire. Victorious in the GII Beaumont Stakes, the 3-year-old, who was bred by Town & Country Horse Farms, is out of Majestic Presence (Majestic Warrior), making her a full-sister to GI Santa Anita Handicap hero Newgate. Offered as Hip 240, the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. “She is a great looking filly,” said Spendthrift's Ned Toffey, who was bidding from the back of the main pavilion. “She is talented, great family and we obviously love the sire.” He added, “What's not to like. She will be a nice addition to the broodmare band.” The mare represented the sole purchase by Spendthrift Monday. “The competition has been strong,” he said when asked about Monday's actiity. “We have been outbid on two so far. But for this caliber mare, the market has been very strong.” When asked who the mare might visit at Spendthrift, he said, “We're not sure what the plan is right now but we have lots of options.” Outlining the game plan for this week, he concluded, “We'll sell a few mares [this week] and try to add a few to the top of our broodmare band. She's a really nice filly that could go to several of our stallions.”–@CbossTDN Lyon Looks to Replenish at FTNOV Monday Summer Wind's Jane Lyon has assembled a broodmare band that many in the breeding industry would give their right arm for. Already responsible for producing the likes of Horse of the Year and the highly in-demand sire Flightline, Lyon arrived at Fasig-Tipton looking to add a mare or two to her broodmare band. Early in the broodmare session, Lyon extended to $2.6 million for Hip 177, Private Mission (Into Mischief), in foal to stalwart Curlin. “I hoped I wouldn't have to spend that much. We never do. But Bobby [Spalding] was in favor of her too. He'll tell me real quick if I like one and he doesn't,” she added with a laugh. Out of the multiple graded stakes-winning mare Private Gift (Unbridled), herself a $2.3 million FTKNOV purchase in 2008, the 6-year-old mare is a half-sister to MSW Secret Someone (A.P. Indy) in addition to Gift List (Bernardini), the dam of GI Alabama Stakes heroine Dunbar Road (Quality Road). Private Mission realized $750,000 at Fasig-Tiptin Saratoga Sale in 2019. This represents the family of Grade I winner Secret Status (A.P. Indy). “A lot of my really good mares are aging out,” explained Lyon. “For instance, I have retired Littleprincessemma [dam of Triple crown winner American Pharoah and GISW Chasing Yesterday who Lyon purchased for $2.1 million at this venue in 2014] and some of my other mares are getting some age on them. I came looking for a horses with a lot of pedigree, that wasn't too old and preferably in foal.” According to Lyon, her latest acquisition will be bred to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic hero. “The ride with Flightline was a dream and that I never expected and will never be repeated in my lifetime. So I am looking for good mares to go to him too,” she said. “In my broodmare band, I have a lot of Tapit mares and Tapit young mares and obviously they can't go to him. So I have to find some others for him.” Amo Buying Spree Continues with $2.55M Eda Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing continued its worldwide buying spree with a pair of seven-figure acquisitions at Fasig-Tipton Monday. The Amo team went to $2.55 million to purchase Grade I winner Eda (Munnings) (hip 244), in foal to Justify, from the Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa consignment and purchased Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio) (hip 215), in foal to Frankel (GB), for $1.4 million from the Hunter Valley Farm consignment. Eda, purchased by Charles and Susan Chu's Baoma Corp. for $550,000 at the 2021 OBS March sale, won that year's GI Starlet Stakes and added three additional graded victories to her career before being bred to Justify last year. “She was a Grade I-winning 2-year-old with a tremendous physical and she's in foal to a stallion who is going from strength to strength,” bloodstock agent Ben McElroy said after signing the ticket on the mare. “She fits the bill for a good long-term investment for Amo.” As for plans for Eda, McElroy added, “We are all going to sit down as a team and decide what the plans for her are. She will stay in the U.S. and we will figure out who she is going to go to next year. We think she is going to have a lot of options.” While Eda will be staying in the U.S., McElroy said Agartha, a three-time group winner in Ireland, will be heading back to Europe. “Kia has some horses racing at the moment and he obviously has some stallions in Europe,” McElroy said. “The plan is, as we go along, we will have some nice horses to retire here. I think getting our foot in the door with mares like this is good to have so they are already in the system.” Rounding out a trio of purchases by Amo Racing Monday was Kaufymaker (Jimmy Creed) (hip 277) who was purchased for $300,000 from the Paramount Sales consignment. Seeing action at the yearling sales, Amo Racing purchased 17 head for over 19.5-million guineas during Book 1 at the Tattersalls October sale and purchased eight head for $5,710,000 at the Keeneland September sale. @JessMartiniTDN HIP 26 – Flightline colt | Fasig-Tipton 'Can't Be Happier with What We're Getting' Ingordo Strikes for $675k Flightline Colt The first weanling by champion Flightline (hip 26) to be offered at auction in the U.S. sold for $675,000 to the bid of bloodstock agent David Ingordo Monday at Fasig-Tipton. The colt, who was consigned by Lane's End, was bred by Jan Vandebos's Ran Jan Racing and is the first foal out of Star of India (Medaglia d'Oro). That mare is a daughter of Up (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was purchased by Vandebos for $2.2 million at the 2015 Keeneland January sale. “I got to watch that horse grow up on the [Lane's End] farm,” Ingordo said of the weanling. “I really liked him. We really like the stallion. We believe in Flightline. So when there is a good one, we are going to try to buy them. And that horse fit what we wanted.” Ingordo is a bloodstock advisor at Lane's End, which stands 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Flightline. “I bought him for a partnership I put together,” Ingordo said of Monday's purchase. “We are going to buy a number of them, if we can, and some of them might come back next year [to resell] and some may go racing.” Flightline had three weanlings go through the sales ring in Japan earlier this year for an average of $974,057, with a top price of $1,305,651. A share in the stallion sold for $2.5 million to top Keeneland's inaugural Championship Sale last week at Del Mar. “They all look like him,” Ingordo said of Flightline's first foals. “I am obviously partial to him. But they are a uniform bunch, with plenty of size, scope, and stretch. I don't think they will be 4 1/2-furlong horses, but they have these big hind ends. Like that horse looks like he will have some get up and go, as do a lot of them. All in all, I couldn't be happier with what we are getting. If we didn't like them, we wouldn't be buying them.” @JessMartiniTDN Logan Saratoga Scheming with Justify Colt Darby Dan Farm's Renee Logan picked up a Justify colt from the Eaton Sales consignment in the name of her Logan Bloodstock for $550,000 about mid-way through the weanling session Monday afternoon. “He'll go to Saratoga,” she said, indicating Fasig-Tipton's Select Yearling Sale slated for next August. “It's for a small group of people that have been clients of the farm for a long time,” continued Logan. “He's just a lovely colt. He's got stretch and scope, he's got the right sire, a nice pedigree, a beautiful neck and shoulder. It was just everything about him; he's a really, really a nice horse.” The Feb. 15-foaled colt is out of unraced Black Valentine (Cindago), herself a half to MGISW Evening Jewel (Northern Afleet), and is a half-brother to SW Rod's Valentine (Vronsky) and two other stakes performers. Bred by Athens Woods, Galtmore Bloodstock, Petaluma Bloodstock, and Kim Valerio in Kentucky, Hip 77 was an $180,000 in utero purchase by St. Ventures at the 2023 Keeneland November sale. “We knew we were going to have to pay for him. Actually, we went a bit over budget,” Logan said with a smile, “but we're okay.”–@JillWilliamsTDN The post $6-Million McKulick Tops Competitive Fasig-Tipton November Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lightly-raced four-year-old meets a strong Class Three field in Wednesday’s Plover Cove Handicap (1,200m).View the full article

Jockey for Melbourne Cup favourite Buckaroo Joao Moreira believes the distance was too much for his horse, while Vauban jockey William Buick also spoke after another disappointing ride. View the full article

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Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick. The lucrative race was the eighth win of a 16-start career for Gringotts, who has placed on another seven occasions. He has now banked A$2.48 million for an ownership syndicate headed by Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill. A creditable second placegetter in the Gr.3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) and the A$1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) in his two lead-up runs, Gringotts was sent out as one of the favourites in a highly competitive third edition of the Big Dance. A horror draw of 19 in a 20-horse field added to the challenge, but jockey Tommy Berry pushed forward and was able to move across to the rail and settle in second behind runaway leader Zouatica. Gringotts dragged the field up behind that tiring front-runner coming up to the turn, and then he took command in the straight. Gringotts kicked more than two lengths clear with 200m remaining, and the five-year-old had more than enough up his sleeve to repel the late-finishing Vivy Air and Suparazi and win by three-quarters of a length. “I hate being in front that far out,” Berry admitted. “We’ve spoken about how many seconds I’ve had in big races over the last 12 months, but I just held my nerve and just got him to get the job done. It’s a nice feeling. “He’s going to be better again next preparation. He’s still learning his craft. Last start he wanted to go a little bit keen, but they put a bit more work into him this time and had him primed for the day. “It’s nice to get one for this team and this ownership group, Ozzie and everyone else that’s involved there. They’re great supporters of mine.” Gringotts is trained by Ciaron Maher, who was represented at Randwick on Tuesday by Johan Gerard-Dubord. “That’s a huge, huge effort,” he said. “Obviously the barrier was always going to be a concern, but we were very confident in where he was going. “Tommy was happy to do a bit of work early. He travelled well and then kicked, and he was just too good for them. Great to get a win for those owners. Ozzie is a great supporter, and there are some very good people in the horse.” Gringotts was bred by Totara Park Stud and is by Little Avondale Stud’s outstanding sire Per Incanto out of the Savabeel mare Miss Bluebell. Herself unraced, Miss Bluebell is a daughter of Operavega, whose half-sister Vegas Showgirl was the dam of the legendary Winx. Miss Bluebell is the dam of two stakes performers from three foals to race. The other is Millefiori, who has won seven races for Te Akau Racing and placed in the Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m). Gringotts was offered by Archer Park in Book 1 of Karaka 2021, where Kasa Bloodstock bought him for $100,000. He was re-offered at the Ready to Run Sale later that year, but failed to meet his $450,000 reserve. He was subsequently sold privately after winning a trial at Waipa for Simon and Katrina Alexander. View the full article

New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland(NZ) (Swiss Ace) proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap. The Gerry Harvey-bred son of resident Westbury Stud stallion Swiss Ace downed his fellow greys in the 1400m event after giving McDonald a hard time before barrier rise. “He’s a quirky bugger and he was pretty hard work going down to the gates,” he said. “He tried to buck me off, which I wasn’t pleased about this early in the carnival, but I managed to stay on.” The Kris Lees-trained Cloudland was all business once the gates opened and showed early speed from a wide gate to enjoy a soft run in third spot away from the fence. The six-year-old ambled to the front 300m from home and held a strong gallop to win by three-quarters of a length. The well-travelled Cloudland has been a five-time winner in New South Wales and his Flemington victory came off the back of two placings during a three-start Queensland campaign. “It looked the right race for him, so it’s a really pleasing result,” stable representative Cameron Swan said. “He can be a bit erratic and did wander around a bit, but he is very consistent and Kris has placed him really well.” Cloudland was purchased by OTI Racing after winning a trial on the all-weather track at Cambridge for trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray. He is out of the stakes performed Congrats mare Commiserate, who is from the family of the Group Two winners Sarson Trail, Arinosa, Sweet Sherry and her daughter Eneeza. Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood went to $240,000 to secure Cloudland’s half-sister by Tarzino, since named Honor Mission, at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in 2023. Earlier this year at Karaka, Ontrack Thoroughbreds secured another half-sister by Tarzino for $140,000 and Commiserate is again due to foal to Westbury’s dual Group One-winning son of Tavistock. View the full article