Wandering Eyes

The 2024-25 Seddon Shields Trotting Championship Series, which will culminate with a $30,000 final in March, will kick off on Alabar Kaikoura Cup day on Monday, November 4. Targetting R51-70 trotters, the series will be held around the top half of the South Island between November this year and March 2025. It will be known as the Seddon Bob Rochford Memorial Trotting Series after the Kaikoura legend who died suddenly at Westport in March this year. Bob was a well-known harness racing stalwart, a former Kaikoura Trotting Club President and Life Member. It’s the second year that the Trotting series is being run and its format has had some tweaks. Kaikoura is included this year after not being in the inaugural series. There will be 10 heats in the series, starting at Kaikoura and going through to Reefton on March 9, each worth either $15,000, $17,500 or $20,000. Instead of an accrued points system to determine the overall winner, there will be a $30,000 final at Addington on March 21. Conditions include that horses must start in a minimum of four races across the five Seddon Venues. The winner of each programmed Trotting Series race will gain automatic entry into the final, with the remainder of the field made up of the highest point earners over the heats. To see the field for Kaikoura click here Points will be awarded as follows : Automatic entry for 1st 5 points for 2nd 3 points for 3rd 2 points for 4th 1 point for 5th The complete schedule is : November 4 – Kaikoura – $20,000 December 26 and 28 – Westport – $15,000 & $20,000 December 30 – Reefton – $20,000 January 10 and 12 – Nelson – $15,000 and $20,000 January 17 and 19 – Marlborough – $15,000 and $20,000 March 7 – Westport – $17,500 March 9 – Reefton – $17,500 The $30,000 final : March 21 – Addington Last year’s series was won by Boyz Invasion. As top points-scorer he earned a $10,000 bonus for his connections. For more information contact Erin Fox – erinkfox24@gmail.com or Seddon Shields Chair Johnny Reedy – jrreedyjnr@gmail.com View the full article

By Mike Love Racey Krusa has beaten the odds by winning the Rakaia Mid-Week Golfers Mobile Trot at Methven yesterday. The seven-year-old Peak gelding was almost retired about a year ago until owner and breeder Bruce Graham decided to opt for a wind operation. “He had a bit of a rough run there for a while, but we got it corrected about a year ago,” said Graham. “It’s one of those things where we decided to bite the bullet and do it.” “I was pleased when we saw this mile race. Methven has always been very kind to me. We’ve always gone well here.” Graham bred, owned and trained Quality Invasion to win the trotters version of the Green Mile back at Methven in 2012. That time of 1.58.6 has only been superseded in 2017 by Green Mile winner Everybody Knows (1.58.4) who now holds the race record. Racey Krusa began well for trainer and driver Amber Lethaby to secure the one by one position throughout, before being left exposed in the parked position after race favourite Moa Mojito made a mistake. Tackling pacemaker Speeding Spirit at the top of the straight, Lethaby and Racey Krusa gained a short margin in front which they maintained to the line winning by half a length. “The owners deserve that one. They’ve been so patient with him,” said Amber Lethaby. “He does a bit of thinking. So I thought while I had him running I would just keep him running instead of grabbing him up then making him sprint again. It’s a mind game with him.” Racey Krusa’s win was his third which tags along with his 13 placings, while it was the 53rd career victory as a trainer for Lethaby, who also placed with Sweet Glory earlier on the card. Other highlights on the programme included junior driver Riley Harrison recording a race day driving double with Jasprit Trouble for local trainer Michael Heenan, and She’s Tough for Brad Mowbray. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Champion pacer Leap To Fame will have a travelling mate when he jets over to Auckland tomorrow (Sunday). Trainer Grant Dixon confirmed his underrated four-year-old Aroda will join Leap To Fame on the flight and, hopefully, in Tuesday week’s $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway. Aroda, a former Kiwi who boasts 13 wins from 38 starts and over $240,000, has enjoyed a terrific season. He is right on the borderline for a start in the Cup. The son of Art Major won the Group 2 Redcliffe Gold Cup on June 29 and backed-up a week later to add victory in the Queensland Sun. Aroda followed those big wins with a terrific third to Wisper A Secret and Don Hugo in the Group 1 Rising Sun at Albion Park. Of course, Don Hugo went on to win the world’s richest harness race, the $2.1mil TAB Eureka on September 7. Crucially, Aroda’s Redcliffe Cup win came from a standing-start and over a staying trip of 2613m. He stepped away brilliantly from the stand to lead throughout in that race. “He’s a good stayer, likes the standing start and he’s really pleased us winning his past couple at Albion Park,” Dixon said. “We know it’s a big step-up, but we think he’ll be suited by the race and very competitive. “It’s also a bit of a dream for Greg, his owner (Albion Park chairman Greg Mitchell) to have a runner in an NZ Cup.” Dixon also has the option of leaving Aroda in NZ for the new $200,000 Group 1 Christian Cullen for four-year-old pacers at Addington on December 6. Leap To Fame has thrilled Dixon since his important and impressive Menangle win last Saturday night. It was the win that confirmed he was over a virus which forced him out of the Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton on October 12. “We were really pleased with the win and he’s done everything right since,” Dixon said. “All going well with the trip across and he’ll go around in the Cup trial at Addington on Wednesday.” View the full article

It was second verse, same as the first for Shadwell's 'TDN Rising Star' Muhimma (Munnings), who put in another exhibition performance beneath the Twin Spires and ran away from her rivals as the 1-5 favorite. Tracking the early leader, she was never truly asked for her best coming off the turn but she made it look easy as jockey Florent Geroux's only task late was to look pretty for the photo. It was a long way back to Liam in the Dust (Liam's Map) in second and Lady Orient (Liam's Map) in third. Sales history: $700,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. O-Shadwell Stable; B-Three Chimneys Farm; T-Brad Cox. #3 Muhimma dominates and stays perfect in R7 at Churchill Downs! Another win on the card for both @flothejock and @bradcoxracing. #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ClUPRjqIP5 — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 1, 2024 The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Muhimma Dominates Again at Churchill Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-Churchill Downs, $118,425, Msw, 11-1, 2yo, 7f, 1:23.88, ft, 3 3/4 lengths. DISCO TIME (c, 2, Not This Time–Disco Chick {MSW & GSP, $735,250}, by Jump Start), who went favored at 2-1 in the final few clicks of the tote, sat a three-wide trip and came away in the final sixteenth of a mile to graduate at first asking Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs. Away alertly from an outside stall for Florent Geroux, the March-foaled dark bay settled just off the pace cut out by the once-raced Troubleshooting (Not This Time) and was content to sit in the breeze into the turn. Warming up to the task midway on the bend, he confronted the front-runner at the head of the lane, but Troubleshooting proved a stubborn rival down to the inside and the duo battled shoulder to shoulder into the final furlong. But Disco Time began to get the better of the tussle and edged away late to post a good-looking 3 3/4-length victory. White Whale (Hightail) was up for second ahead of Perfect Force (Gun Runner) in third. Juddmonte purchased the four-time stakes winner and graded-placed Disco Chick for $180,000 at Keeneland January in 2018 and her first two foals were by the late Arrogate. The mare, sold on for $35,000 at KEENOV in 2022, did not produce a foal the following two seasons and she was most recently bred to Yaupon. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Brad H Cox. Disco Time breaks his maiden first time out with @flothejock aboard for @bradcoxracing! pic.twitter.com/Tn7MmsYaLX — Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) November 1, 2024 The post Not This Time Colt Disco Time Debuts a Winner at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three days after Japanese baseball players Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani celebrated victory in the World Series as members of the Los Angeles Dodgers, more Japanese stars—these of the equine variety—seek to win the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).View the full article

No longer under consideration for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) are Supa Speed, Tigerish, and Acquitted. The Juvenile Fillies Turf is the eighth race on the Nov. 1 card.View the full article

A colt foal by Walk In The Park (Ire) (lot 7) and a Nathaniel (Ire) filly (lot 38) each brought a sale-topping price of £70,000 during Friday's Goffs British NH Breeders' Showcase. The former, consigned by Swanbridge Bloodstock, Ltd., was sold to Gerry Aherne and is a grandson of Grade 1 hurdle winner Quevega (Fr) (Robin Des Champs {Fr}). His dam is a half-sister to Weatherbys Champion Bumper hero Facile Vega (Ire) (Walk In The Park {Ire}). Aherne, a key member of the Coolmore team, said, “He's a beautiful horse with a great pedigree. He's a very slick horse who'll be kept to race, so let's hope he's good. He's been bred and sold by some great people and he'll come back to Ireland now.” Another return customer was the Mariga family of Coolmara Stables in County Cork. Last year they purchased a pair of lots for £109,000. Cathal Mariga, who was joined by his father Kieran and sister Katie, returned to pay £70,000 and secure lot 38, a filly by Nathaniel. Presented by Mill House Stud on behalf of breeder Joss Hanbury, the filly is the third foal out of Atlanta Ablaze (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB}) who won three listed races over fences. This filly also claimed first in the Robert Chugg Fillies' Class during Thursday's British NH Breeders Showcase foal show. Mariga said, “She's a gorgeous filly. She was the pick of the sale for us, and by the sounds of it she was the pick for a lot of other people as well. She's by Nathaniel and out of a good Kayf Tara mare, and there's plenty to happen in the pedigree too. The mare has two sons of Jack Hobbs to run and he's a sire we like. Hopefully those two can do the business and improve the pedigree even more.” Of the 79 horses offered this year, 48 sold (61%) for an aggregate of £929,500 (-27%). The average stayed fairly steady at £19,365 (-1%) and the median of £15,000 was flat. Goffs UK managing director Tim Kent said, “Today's sale is still in its infancy, with the first edition of the British NH Breeders Showcase held just last year, and we would like to thank the vendors who trusted us with some of their best foals by the leading stallions and many out of some truly outstanding race mares. The feedback has been incredibly positive since the release of the catalogue and there was plenty of hype in advance of the sale including the excitement of offering the second foal out of the Grade 1 winning mare Put The Kettle On (Ire) (Stowaway {GB}). “The strength of the catalogue prompted many of the leading buyers to travel to Doncaster and the yards have been busy throughout the day. This resulted in the top of the market remaining incredibly strong with many different purchasers active for the choice lots. Indeed, two foals selling for £70,000 and another for £62,000 are immensely satisfying results whilst the average and median for today are on a par with last year, but it wasn't all plain sailing and today's clearance rate is a graphic illustration of the increased selectivity within this market. “It is too early to draw any firm conclusions, and we will watch with interest over the coming months before working with vendors to paint an accurate picture about the events of today and how best to navigate the challenges going forward.” The post Walk In The Park Colt And Nathaniel Filly Lead Goffs British NH Breeders’ Showcase appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A lawsuit filed in Nelson Circuit Court in Kentucky by multiple parties claims Creech Horse Transportation negligently killed and injured several race horses while en route from Fair Grounds Race Course to Keeneland last year.View the full article

1st-GP, $65k, Msw, 2yo, f, 7 1/2fT, 12:00p.m. ET Sumdge (Quality Road) debuts in Florida on Breeders' Cup Saturday, tabbed at 4-1 odds on the morning line for owner D J Stable and trainer Mark Casse. Sold at KEESEP in 2023 for $525,000, she is a half-sister to the ill-fated GISW Mongolian Groom (Hightail) as well as five-time winner Ice Bar (Keen Ice) and one other winner. Dam Bourbonesque (Dynaformer) is a half-sister to SP Cologne (Horse Chestnut {SAf}), who is the dam of MGSW Dragon Bay (Parading). The is the female line of MGISW Versailles Treaty, who claims GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner and multiple Group 1-placed George Vancouver (Henrythenavigator) to her credit as well as GSW & GISP Saarland (Unbridled). TJCIS PPs 5th-CD, $120k, Msw, 3yo/up, f, 1 1/8mT, 3:27p.m. ET FARFALLE (Medaglia d'Oro), jumping from the middle of the field carrying the colors of owner/breeder Stonestreet, will make her late season debut going long on the grass for trainer Brad Cox. Out of graded winner Electric Forest (Curlin), who is a half-sister to graded winners 'TDN Rising Star' Kentuckian (Tiznow) and Uncle Chuck (Uncle Mo) as well as 'TDN Rising Star' turned sire Maclean's Music (Distorted Humor), Farfalle has a 2-year-old half-brother named Cheever (Into Mischief). That half-sibling sold to Muir Hut Stables this past March at OBSMAR for $700,000 after breezing a furlong in :10.1 under tack. The morning line has this one tabbed at 4-1 odds. TJCIS PPs 8th-CD, $120k, Msw, 2yo, f, 7f, 5:27p.m. ET Momentario (War of Will) will go to post in this seven panel maiden for owner/breeder Phillips Racing Partnership. Trained by Steve Asmussen, her half-sister Islander (Gun Runner) is a $1.5-million KEESEP 2022 graduate and broke her maiden Oct. 30 going a mile over this venue's main track for Asmussen and the partnership of Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm. A yearling half-brother by Omaha Beach changed hands at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale this year for $240,000 going the way of Lee Lewis. Their dam, a two-time winner, is a full-sister to GISW Time and Motion as well has a half-sister to SW Awesome Bet (Awesome Again) and GSP Moment in Dixie (Dixieland Band). This is the family of MGISW Brian's Time and several Grade/Group 1 runners abroad. TJCIS PPs The post Nov. 2 Insights: Well-Bred Fillies Take the Stage on Breeders’ Cup Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) will be a non-runner for Saturday's FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile having been scratched by Aidan O'Brien on Friday morning. ”We just weren't 100 per cent happy with him this morning on the track so we decided to take him out ourselves,” said the trainer. The three-year-old colt is the second withdrawal from the Grade I contest in the last 24 hours after the French-trained Ramatuelle (Justify) was scratched by the vets on Thursday afternoon. O'Brien also had Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) withdrawn from the Filly & Mare Turf earlier in the week after the filly spiked a temperature and was off her food. The post Diego Velazquez out of Breeders’ Cup Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tapiture will relocate from Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Kentucky to stand at Highfield Stock Farm in Alberta, Canada for the 2025 breeding season, The Jockey Club of Canada announced Friday. The son of North American leading sire Tapit has stood at Darby Dan Farm since his retirement to stud in 2016, and stood for a fee of $7,500 in 2024. His stud fee for 2025 will be $6,000 Canadian, the farm said. “Tapiture previously stood at Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky, where he passed down his speed and durability to his progeny,” said Highfield's Adrian Monro. “With 40 black-type winners and average earnings per starter exceeding $68,000, Tapiture will be uniquely positioned in the stallion market in Alberta to provide breeders with exceptional quality.” Tapiture earned over $1.5 million on the track, including graded stakes victories at ages 2, 3, and 4, and finished second behind Goldencents in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. He won or placed in 11 graded stakes. Tapiture's progeny have earned over $35 million, and over $7 million in 2024. He has sired 40 black-type winners from six crops, including millionaire and Grade I performer Jesus Team. He sired a career-high 162 winners in 2023 and has had 157 in 2024. “This move represents an exciting new chapter for Highfield Stock Farm and breeders in Alberta, as we look forward to the significant contributions Tapiture will bring to the Canadian breeding landscape,” said The Jockey Club in the release. “Tapiture is a top-class stallion who produces superb racehorses. He was very successful at Darby Dan, and while we will miss him, we are delighted that Highfield Stock Farm, a highly professional Canadian operation, will continue his stallion career,” said John Phillips. The post Tapiture to Relocate to Canada’s Highfield Stock Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s 10 days to the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 12 so why not look back at the winner of the great race 10 years ago. In 2014 it was Adore Me By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk What a New Zealand Cup it was in 2014. The build-up was dominated by Terror To Love’s quest to become the ever to win four consecutive New Zealand Cups. The aftermath was dominated by glamour mare Adore Me and her world record-breaking in 3:54.6. At the time it was deemed “the greatest performance ever from a pacing mare in the Southern Hemisphere.” Adore Me stepped well from her second line draw and settled midfield on the outer. But the champ was leaving nothing to chance. Terror To Love went to the front a lap out. The crowd wanted to be a part of history. Down the back straight Mark Purdon pulled Adore Me out four wide and they just kept coming. When she have got to the end of her run she just keep finding to triumph by half a head in front of a fast finishing Franco Nelson. Terror To Love wilted to fourth. Her winning time was 1.8 seconds inside Changeover’s record set in 2018. In fact the first 10 runners home were all inside his old mark. It remains the second fastest Cup win ever, only to beaten by the great Lazarus’ 3:53.1 in 2016. It was her 21st win in 27 starts, and Mark Purdon’s first winning drive in the Cup for 18 years. His previous win was his second Cup success with Il Vicolo in 1996. Despite her undoubted ability and a win in the Ashburton Flying Stakes in the build up to the Cup she still ended up paying $7.20 for the win. It was the first Cup triumph by a mare since Mainland Banner in 2005. Other mares like Armalight, Bonnies Chance, and Blossom Lady had also won the great race – but not like this. Adore Me’s win was one of seven the Mark Purdon – Nathan Rasmussen stables had on racing’s biggest day – a phenomenal achievement. Known as the world’s fastest mare, Adore Me retired to the broodmare paddock the winner of 26 races from 36 starts and earnings of $1.67m. Aong her progeny have been Darling Me (13 wins) and All You Need Is Me. Her last race was close to a fairytale. She was a nose second to Christen Me in the 2015 Auckland Cup. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukushima Racecourses: Sunday, November 3, 2024 4th-TOK, ¥13,720,000 ($90k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT CARAVAGGISTI (c, 2, Caravaggio–Tonahutu {Ire}, by Sir Prancealot {Ire}) is out of a mare who was placed twice in graded turf events for Chief Stipe O'Neill and who was purchased by Shadai Corp. for $350,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale. A daughter of Really Polish (Polish Numbers), a Grade III winner and third in the 1998 GI Kentucky Oaks, Tonahutu was exported to Japan after foaling this colt in Kentucky and did not produce a foal in 2023, but is represented by a weanling colt of this year by leading sire Kizuna (Jpn). B-Shadai Corporation (KY) KAFUJI UVA (c, 2, English Channel–Over Served, by Black Minnaloushe) is set to become just the third Japanese starter for his late sire, but packs some pedigree power, as he is a full-brother to Last Call, winner of the 2022 GI Natalma Stakes and a an allowance winner at Woodbine Oct. 26; and to the Grade III-placed English Tavern. An $85,000 Keeneland September yearling, the Mar. 21 foal is out of a half-sister to GSW/MGISP Yearly Tour (Half a Year) and MGSW Victor Avenue (Avenue of Flags). B-English Channel Co-Owners & Jodi Cantwell (KY) 5th-KYO, ¥13,720,000 ($90k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT DACITAPIT (c, 2, Tapit–Dacita {Chi}, by Scat Daddy) is the fourth foal and second to race from his dam, champion 2-year-old filly and a treble Group 1 winner in her native country and later victorious in the GI Diana Stakes and GI Beverly D. Stakes while under the care of Chad Brown. Don Alberto Corp. paid $1.85 million for Dacita at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton November Sale days after she finished a close fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar. Dacitapit was purchased for $210,000 at KEESEP in 2023. B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY) 6th-FKS, ¥13,720,000 ($90k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1700m BLESSED NILE (f, 2, Gun Runner–Pioneer Queen, by Pioneerof the Nile) races as a homebred for Dr. Masatake Iida's Chiyoda Farm, who acquired this dam–herself a $500,000 KEESEP yearling–for $475,000 pregnant to Street Sense at the 2019 KEENOV sale. Pioneer Queen is a half-sister to seven winners, including 2010 GI Travers Stakes hero Afleet Express (Afleet Alex); 2015 GI Alabama Stakes victress Embellish the Lace (Super Saver) and SW/MGSP Reporting For Duty (Deputy Commander). B-Chiyoda Farm (KY) The post Tapit Colt Out of Dacita On Debut at Kyoto appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) fourth-choice Ramatuelle has been withdrawn just a day before the race as a precaution, following a PET scan.View the full article

Owner Clark Brewster of Tulsa, Okla., wanted to name his superstar sprinter Rooster Cogburn because of actor John Wayne's eye patch in his portrayal of that character in the movies.View the full article

DEL MAR, CA – Maiden Special Weight, for 2-year-old fillies that sold or RNA'd for $45,000 or less in their most recent sale. British Idiom (Flashback), a $40,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling graduate, met that criteria and successfully kicked off her career with a stylish, 3 1/2-length debut victory as the 7-2 favorite for trainer Brad Cox at Saratoga in the summer of 2019. The Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb and The Elkstone Group colorbearer, of course, followed up with a win in the GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland and concluded her three-for-three championship campaign with a dramatic win in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita. “We're very fortunate to have some high-priced horses, but when you see a horse get off the van and walk into your barn, one of the first things you do is check Equibase or check with the owner,” Cox said. “Where did you get the horse and what did you pay for them? And when you see $50,000 or less, I immediately perk up and think to myself, 'Alright, mental note, horse is eligible for an auction race.' It's very nice to have that. And it doesn't mean anything in regards to what they're gonna end up being.” Cox continued, “British Idiom, I could remember her working out of the gate with an older horse and holding her own and feeling very confident about shipping her to Saratoga and being competitive in that race. I will tell you this, I do think people really do look for it now when buying horses.” “A lot of good horses have found their way through those auction races,” Cox concluded. Champion British Idiom winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita | Horsephotos Trainer Kenny McPeek would certainly concur. Four-time Grade I winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), the 4-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, also launched her career with a win in a maiden-auction race at Keeneland last fall. She romped by 8 1/2 lengths that day at odds of 4-1. McPeek purchased Thorpedo Anna for just $40,000 out of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling sale. The GI Kentucky Oaks heroine is campaigned in partnership by Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks and McPeek's Magdalena Racing. “The foundation of my business has been middle- and lower-market buyers,” McPeek said. “My first yearling purchase was $8,500 back in the late '80s. I try to do the best I can with sometimes modest budgets, but I've been able to sharpen my eye doing it. I think I'm unique in that because I like picking my own horses and I get to see what works and what doesn't work.” The 2020 champion 3-year-old filly Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil), a $35,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase by McPeek on behalf of owner Peter Callahan, also debuted with a victory in a maiden-auction race at Churchill Downs in the fall of 2019. The chestnut's stacked resume was headed by wins in the GI Preakness Stakes and GI Alabama Stakes. “I'm thrilled they invented those races because it does make sense to give those owners and those horses an opportunity,” McPeek said. “I like those races, and when we have one that fits it, great. I do wish they'd raise the level a little bit because I do think those races would fill even more if they raised it to $75,000. It's a unique place to start a horse and like I said, it's worked out well.” McPeek added with a laugh, “I think I won three out of the first four of them they ever ran. And the only reason I didn't win the fourth one was that I didn't have one in it.” Saturday's Breeders' Cup program also includes Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), a 30-1 longshot for Wathnan Racing and trainer Brian Lynch in the Dirt Mile and maiden-auction graduate at second asking at Churchill Downs back in 2022. Tumbarumba, runner-up in the GIII Ack Ack Stakes last time, brought $30,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall yearling. The post From Maiden-Auction Winner to Breeders’ Cup Champion, British Idiom May Have Company Soon appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Challenge presented by GaineswayView the full article

Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony outlined his concerns arising from the government's budget announcement when reflecting on what proved to be a memorable Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale that saw a record-high price paid for the 1.3 million gns Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) earlier in the week. That Coolmore-owned three-year-old was sold on Wednesday to continue his career in Australia for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and Mahony praised the large cohort of international buyers who made the trip to Tattersalls for what has been another successful sale at Park Paddocks. Despite a smaller [86] offering of horses, turnover climbed 6% to 35,654,200gns. In fact, Tattersalls had already surpassed last year's turnover by close of play on Thursday. The average also climbed by 13% to 34,955gns, the median by 7% to 16,000gns while the clearance rate didn't budge at 88%. The top price on the final day of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale was the three-year-old gelding Melon (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), who will stay in training with Ollie Greenall and Josh Guerriero, but was bought by different owners within the yard at 68,000gns to go hurdling. Reflecting on trade this week, Mahony said, “As ever this unique fixture, the largest and most popular of its type in the world, has attracted an extraordinarily diverse collection of buyers from all corners of the world. Australian buyers have enjoyed outstanding success purchasing at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale with graduates winning 48 Group/Listed races in the last three years, and they have again played a significant role, buying in excess of 30 lots for more than 6,000,000 guineas. “They have been joined by the typically enthusiastic group of buyers from the Gulf region whose respective carnivals have buoyed the market in the Middle East for quality tried horses from Britain and Ireland. We have also welcomed a large contingent of European buyers, especially from Spain and Italy, who have made a significant contribution to the sale, and it was equally encouraging to see such strong domestic demand from both the Flat and National Hunt fraternities. “A record price at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale for Delius and sale turnover that has only narrowly fallen short of the wide margin record set in 2022, have provided a fitting finale to what has been a remarkable month of sales at Tattersalls in October.” He continued, “However, against this backdrop of positivity we can only express concern regarding the government's budget announced on Wednesday. The implications of it will have far reaching effects not only on all businesses in the racing industry but more long term on breeders and trainers who could now be liable for inheritance tax on their assets. The effects of these changes are surely going to have a negative impact on the whole racing and breeding sector in this country.” “We now look forward to the Tattersalls December Foal and Breeding Stock Sale, which annually showcases the very best of European bloodstock to a global audience.” The post Tattersalls Boss Outlines Concerns Arising From The Budget Following H-I-T Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin People kept telling George Breckon he should do something to get young people involved in harness racing. So he did. And at Alexandra Park on Friday night it paid a very noisy dividend. Breckon is one of those Breckons, the oldest son of Ken and Karen of Breckon Farms fame so he has been around horses since before he was allowed to bet. The 26-year-old was constantly being told he should “get your mates involved” and having always been a go getter he was keen, he just didn’t know how. “I want to buy a horse and syndicate it among some mates but I had never bought one before,” says Breckon. “So Phil and Glenys Kennard said they would help so they choose a horse, bought him and told me I could syndicate as much as I want.” The Kennards stayed in for a third while George syndicated the $50,000 Karaka yearling between 24 of his young mates and a couple of Dads (long story, lets not get into that part). Named Double Parked he left maidens at start three on Friday night in the Lather Up Tender Closes Tonight Mobile Pace. He sat parked for trainer-driver Tony Herlihy before holding out a good filly in Tytate. Pacing a 1:59.6 mile rate for the 2200m, his last 800m in 56.1 seconds Double Parked looks a five race winner in waiting at least, which means the people running the Alexandra Park Winner’s Circle Bar might need to stock up. Because 15 of the pacer’s young owners were there with 15 more mates on Friday night and they went, in George’s words, “Off, it was crazy and everybody got into it.” For I think 23 of the 27 people in our syndicate it is there first horse and they are loving it. “The celebrations were posted on the Boys Get Paid social pages and our guys loved. “And it looks like he is not finished winning so we are stoked.” At the other of the racing experience spectrum comes Maria Perriton, owner-trainer-driver of Dolly P, who finally left maidens at start 60 in the race immediately after Double Parked. The little mare who turns up in most Alexandra Park maiden races will have to find a new grade to haunt after cracking her first win as a rising eight-year-old, matching her dam Rocket, who won once in 21 starts. It was Perriton’s first training win since 2017 and while it couldn’t have been more different from the Young Wons Syndicate who own Double Parked, it was satisfying to watch all the same and commentator Aaron White captured the moment with appropriate drama. Later in the night a genuinely good trotter in Dream Of You made it back into the winner’s circle when he overcame a 25m handicap to win the main trot over 2200m for trainer-driver Derek Balle. His case was aided by favourite Pantani galloping, but is was still good to see a lovely horse back in form and if he stays sound Dream Of You is a Rowe Cup contender. View the full article

A raft of new horses have been confirmed for the two new slot races at Addington Raceway’s Show Day Twilight meeting on Friday, Tuesday November 15. Dreams Are Free, Coastal Babe and Renegade will take their place in the $500,000 Hill, Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY while Bounce N Beyond, Judy J and Princess Sadie have all been confirmed for the $500,000 Majestic Horse Floats LP THE ASCENT. The winner of this month’s Southern Trotting Oaks, Princess Sadie replaces the Pukekohe Punter’s original selection, Cyclone Zion W. Trained by Ken Ford and Amanda Tomlinson, Judy J will take up the slot owned by Bond Racing (Greg and Skye Bond) from Western Australia while the Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained Bounce N Beyond will be Small Car World’s representative. The Majestic Son gelding was back in winning form at Addington last Friday. Only one spot remains in THE ASCENT while THE VELOCITY has now had seven places taken, with three remaining. Dreams Are Free, an impressive last start winner at Ashburton in the Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes Sophomore Classic, has taken up the slot purchased by Brendan Fahy along with Nathan Williamson Racing and the Dreams Are Free Syndicate. Renegade was fourth in the same race at Ashburton and will take up the slot bought by Australian Diane Reilly, a hugely successful owner who won the 2022 Melbourne Inter Dominion with I Cast No Shadow. Renegade is trained by Brendon Hill and has won two of his last three starts. Coastal Babe will race for slot-holders ABR and Summit Bloodstock. The multiple Group 1 winner is part owned by the Queensland-based Summit Bloodstock and will head back this side of the Tasman after winning two from two in Australia, including the Victoria Oaks at Melton on October 12. Overall she has won seven from 14. View the full article

Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, has welcomed Oct. 30 MSW Noble Drama (Gone Astray), according to a press release early Friday. The 9-year old dark bay gelding arrived at the farm courtesy of his owner and trainer, David Fawkes. Noble Drama earned his ticket to Old Friends when he won the 2018 FTBOA Silver Charm Florida Sire Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, which had been designated as a “retirement for life” at Old Friends race. “From the day we presented Noble Drama with his Old Friends for Life certificate in 2018, we've cheered his racing successes, and hoped this day would come,” said John Nicholson, CEO of Old Friends. During his 48 races, Noble Drama won five black-types, and the Florida-bred earned $876,562 over the course of his career. “He was a great horse to have in the barn,” said David Fawkes. “He never had a soundness issue. He was very readable. You knew when he was doing good and when he wasn't. He was just so easy to have in the barn. Anybody could ride him. He was a very, very kind horse. The post MSW Noble Drama Comes To Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After celebrating a big race day Oct. 6 at Santa Anita Park, the many common connections behind 2-year-old turf standouts Thought Process and Iron Man Cal will aim to add to that success Nov. 1 at the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.View the full article

Much-loved racing journalist Alastair Down has died, the Racing Post reported on Friday. He was 68 and recently attended the Showcase Meeting at his beloved Cheltenham for a ceremony to mark the renaming of the press room in his honour. Speaking in an interview with ITV Racing on the day of the ceremony, Down said of that tribute, “It's a cliched way to put it, but it's very moving. By the end of the day I may have had a cup of coffee and a glass of champagne, and I may even shed a tear or two–or a bucket. “I'm incredibly lucky to be able to write from a slightly different angle. Some people can run four-minute miles. I can't do that, but what I can do is bring events alive and say 'this is what it felt like to watch it and this is what it sounded like'. Because the noise here is just the greatest symphony in sport.” Down's self-professed ability to “bring events alive” was honed across four decades of writing professionally, initially for The Sporting Life and latterly for the Racing Post. His achievement in being crowned HWPA Racing Writer of the Year on five occasions sees him rightfully stand alone as the most successful member of the racing media in that category, having been awarded the Clive Graham Trophy in 1994, 1999, 2012, 2015 and 2018. Down also became a familiar face on terrestrial television for much of the Channel 4 Racing era and was the lead presenter for over a decade from when he started in 2001. Among those to pay tribute on Friday was Down's Channel 4 Racing colleague Mike Cattermole, who said on X, “So pleased Alastair Down was able to be there for the opening of “his” press room. A giant in our sport, admired and revered by all. A genius with words, both written and spoken, passionate, very funny and yet vulnerable and complicated. We all cared about him. Love to his family.” Derek Thompson, another member of the Channel 4 Racing team, said in his own statement on X, “Just a week ago Alistair Down was honoured in the most fitting way at @CheltenhamRaces and shared his sentiments so succinctly here [in the interview with ITV Racing]. No one could bring racing alive in print in such a tangible and electrifying way. I'm sure Big Mac will have one ready for you in that bar in the sky – RIP big fella. We'll miss you.” The post Tributes Flow For Legendary Racing Writer Alastair Down, Who Dies Aged 68 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Leading European contender Ramatuelle (Justify) has been withdrawn from Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Mile on veterinary advice. Trained by Christopher Head for owners including NBA Hall of Famer Tony Parker, Ramatuelle was last seen making the breakthrough at the top level with an emphatic victory in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp, impressing with her turn of foot as she powered clear in the closing stages to win by three lengths. Connections had been confident of a bold bid at Del Mar after being handed an inside draw but have now been forced to scratch the three-year-old. A statement issued on behalf of Ramatuelle's connections posted on X said, “We are deeply disappointed that Ramatuelle has been withdrawn from the Breeders' Cup, especially with the anticipation surrounding her as a leading contender in this prestigious event. “She has been moving beautifully all week at Del Mar and is in peak physical condition, making today's outcome understandably frustrating for our team. “We have immense respect for the Breeders' Cup's rigorous protocols and the dedicated veterinary team, whose responsibility to protect equine athletes is essential to our sport. “Although Ramatuelle's PET Scan report stated 'no definitive major concern for breakdown was identified', it showed signs of bone remodelling. While this is common in three-year-olds, it prompted the decision to proceed with an abundance of caution and withdraw her from the race.” The statement added, “As a Group 1-winning daughter of Justify, Ramatuelle remains nominated for the Fasig-Tipton November Sale, and we will take a day to carefully consider her next steps.” Head was quoted as saying, “Ramatuelle arrived in good order, she's been training well, and she's been eating up every day. “This is obviously a disappointment and a bit of a shock for all of us, but at the end of the day, she's healthy and well, and that's what really matters. There will be more Breeders' Cups for the stable, and we'll look forward to those opportunities.” The post Ramatuelle Withdrawn from Breeders’ Cup Mile on Vet’s Advice appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article