Wandering Eyes

John and Thady Gosden were crowned the leading trainers at the Royal Ascot meet, with their brilliant week headlined by Field of Gold's superstar performance in the June17 St James's Palace Stakes (G1).View the full article

Equine star power will be on display June 28 at Churchill Downs, and not just in the day's feature, the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1).View the full article

Overall attendance across the five-day Royal Ascot meeting rose 4.8% compared to 2024 numbers. The total number of people attending was 286,541, while last year the number was 273,528. During the final day of the meeting, 71,073 people were on hand, up 2.6% on the 2024 total of 69,291. Felicity Barnard, CEO of Ascot Racecourse, said, “It has been a fantastic week with some brilliant sport to enjoy. I think we have been a window for our sport and I am absolutely thrilled. “We have welcomed more than 285,000 people across the site, nearly a 5% increase on last year. I think we have worked really hard across the year to understand what people want when they come to a world class event like this; the right pricing, the right product, and we have worked really hard at the experience. “We want to make sure everyone has a great time, whether they are here for the horses, the food or the fashion. It is a wonderful eco-system and we are already excited for next year.” The post “Nearly A 5% Increase On Last Year”: Royal Ascot Attendance Jumps To 286,541 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Coolmore partners were named the leading owners at Royal Ascot for the third consecutive year and sixth in total, as the five-day stand wrapped up on Saturday. Although they had five victories–the same as runner-up Wathnan Racing–they claimed their latest title by virtue of a countback of placed horses. For Sue Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Westerberg, Gstaad (Starspangledbanner), True Love (No Nay Never), and Charles Darwin (No Nay Never) took the G2 Coventry Stakes, G2 Queen Mary Stakes, and G2 Norfolk Stakes, respectively. Garden Of Eden (Saxon Warrior) and Paul Smith's Trinity College (Dubawi) won the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes and the latter landed the G3 Hampton Court Stakes. MV Magnier of Coolmore said, “It means a lot to everyone. The guys and everyone put everything into this week, and for Aidan and Ryan to do such a good job, it is incredible. We are very grateful. “We are very lucky to have The King and Queen present every day this week. It is a big deal for our business. It has been a great week. It is why we get up in the morning.” Aidan O'Brien trained the Coolmore partners' winning quintet, but finished second in the trainers' standings to John and Thady Gosden. Each operation enjoyed five victories, but the Gosdens had four seconds to O'Brien's three, giving them the trainers' title. Field Of Gold (Kingman) won the G1 St James's Palace Stakes, while Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) claimed the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes. Trawlerman (Golden Horn) captured the G1 Gold Cup after being runner-up in 2024. Other wins at the meeting included Crimson Advocate (Nyquist) taking out the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, and French Master (Frankel) won the Copper Horse Stakes. John Gosden said, “Our week started very strongly with the right races. Everyone working at home had the horses spot-on, and they have run very well since, finishing second and third and second and third, and that of course counts towards winning this when you are at five winners with Aidan O'Brien. “But there is nothing like this meeting, it is our Olympics, and it is great to win this. Without him [Thady], I wouldn't be as on the ball at all. It has been a great combination.” Ryan Moore brought up an even dozen Royal Ascot jockey titles with seven wins total this week. Besides partnering the Coolmore quintet, he took the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes on Ethical Diamond (Awtaad) and the Queen Alexandra Stakes on Sober (Camelot), both for NH trainer Willie Mullins. Moore said, “It is great to ride seven winners. Aidan's horses were in great form all week and, when you are riding for Aidan and Willie, you are going to ride winners.” The post Coolmore, Gosdens And Moore All Take Royal Ascot Titles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GI Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan (Goldencents), will square off against old foe and GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), plus G1 Dubai World Cup champ Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) and GISW sprinter Mindframe (Constitution) in next Saturday's 44th running of the $1 million GI Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs, which is a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Classic. The last time Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone faced one another was in the 2024 Derby, when the former took home the coveted title by a nose over the latter. Run at nine panels, the Stephen Foster headlines a 12-race program beneath the Twin Spires that also includes the 50th running of the GII Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis Stakes, which is a “Win and You're In” race for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff. Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) takes on four others. Supporting stakes on the undercard include the GII Wise Dan Stakes; GIII Kelly's Landing Stakes; American Derby Stakes; and Tepin Stakes. First post is 12:45 p.m. (all times Eastern) with the Stephen Foster scheduled as the 11th race at 6:03 p.m. The post Mystik Dan Faces Sierra Leone In GI Stephen Foster, Saturday Undercard Includes Thorpedo Anna appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, Dortmund, Germany, post time: 14:55, 36TH GROSSER PREIS DER WIRTSCHAFT-G3, €55,000, 3yo/up, 9fT Field: Petit Marin (Ger) (Flamingo Fantasy {Ger}), Best Lightning (Fr) (Sidestep {Aus}), Merkur (Fr) (Kingman {GB}), Muhalif (Ger) (Lawman {Fr}), New Emerald (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}), Calyx Rose (Ire) (Calyx {GB}), New York City (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Zora (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}), Next Mine (Ger) (Dabirsim {Fr}). TDN Verdict: Best Lightning, who won this heat in 2023 and ran third last year, is one of two entries from the Andreas Suborics stable and the 2021 G2 German 2000 Guineas third gets an opportunity of adding to his three prior pattern-race victories in this prime example of an open renewal. Old foe Petit Marin, third here in 2023, is on a roll and heads postward off successes in October's G2 Premio Roma and last month's Listed Koln Cup. Merkur, New Emerald and Muhalif were among the vanquished in the latter contest, while Calyx Rose defeated Zora by a nose over course and distance in last month's Listed Grosser Preis der Sparkasse Dortmund. Next Mine, who is the only sophomore on parade, has run third in both Group 3 outings this season and last term's G1 Preis der Diana fourth New York City makes her first appearance since August. [Sean Cronin]. . Sunday, Milan, Italy, post time: 18:20, PREMIO OAKS D'ITALIA-TATTERSALLS-G2, €418,000, 3yo, f, 2100mT Field: Anatara (Ger) (Best Solution {Ire}), Fast Spirit (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), Grand Byshaman (Ire) (Shaman {Ire}), Ice Capades (Ire) (Kessaar {Ire}), Ismahane (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}), Klaynn (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), Lili Marleen (Ger) (Masar {Ire}), Mystery Of Love (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), Pink Black (Ire) (National Defense {GB}), Place Fontenoy (Fr) (War Command), Queen Of Maybe (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}), Sorceress (Ger) (Belardo {Ire}), Thine Be The Glory (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}). Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Best Lightning Aims For Wirtschaft Double appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A good week for jockey Kieran Shoemark turned into a great one when Noble Champion ran out an impressive 25-1 winner of the Jersey Stakes (G3) at Royal Ascot.View the full article

Globetrotting champion Rebel's Romance stepped into the ring and stamped his authority over the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) June 21, by far the most important victory on home soil for the U.K.-trained horse.View the full article

Lazzat gave France its first success of the week at Royal Ascot June 21 after several near-misses with a victory in the six-furlong Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1).View the full article

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With projected heat indexes in excess of 105 well into the evening, Canterbury Park has canceled the June 21 Northern Stars Turf Festival program that had been scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.View the full article

With excessive heat across much of the eastern side of the United States through the weekend, Canterbury Park has elected to cancel its Saturday card, according to a tweet from the track on Saturday morning. The Northern Stars Turf Festival, which was slated for Saturday, will be rescheduled for June 28 with entries taken June 22. As for the Sunday card, Canterbury plans to move back first post from 1 p.m. CT to 5 p.m. CT. The Minnesota track said, “With projected heat indexes in excess of 105 well into the evening and the safety of horses, jockeys and staff working outdoors being paramount, Canterbury Park has canceled today's races.” Parx Racing outside of Philadelphia has nixed its cards due to extreme heat forecasted for Monday, June 23 and Tuesday, June 24, the track said via X on Saturday morning. Temperatures are expected to reach into the upper 90s. Canterbury Park Cancels Saturday Racing Due To Heat; Sunday Program moved to 5 PM With projected heat indexes in excess of 105 well into the evening and the safety of horses, jockeys and staff working outdoors being paramount, Canterbury Park has canceled today's races. pic.twitter.com/OzLMMBGfbj — Canterbury Park (@CanterburyPark) June 21, 2025 The post Heat Shelves Racing Saturday At Canterbury, Parx Cancels Monday-Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-MTH, $47k, Msw, 3yo/up, 1-1/16mT, 3:25p.m. ET INVESTMENT MANDATE (Constitution) goes to post here for the team of Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown. A $525,000 KEESEP yearling, the gelding is a son of multiple Grade I-placed Faithfully (Smart Strike), herself out of a half-sister to multiple Grade I-winner Good Reward (Storm Cat). The elite black type runs heavily in the family as the third dam responsible for the line is champion 3-year-old filly MGISW Heavenly Prize (Seeking the Gold). In addition to the above mentioned horses, through daughters and granddaughters, the mare claims GISW Persistently (Smoke Glacken); GISW Queen Goddess (Empire Maker); and GISW Instilled Regard (Arch) as immediate and extended relatives. Heavenly Prize was a full-sibling to elite runners as well, namely GISW Oh What A Windfall and GISP Dancinginmydreams, herself the dam of GISW Dancing Forever (Rahy). TJCIS PPs The post June 22 Insight: Constitution Colt Hailing from Grade I-Winning Female Line Debuts in New Jersey appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Simon Sadler's TBT Racing was in the number one spot at Royal Ascot for the first time on Saturday as Noble Champion (Lope De Vega) dominated the G3 Jersey Stakes. Highly-regarded by Ed Walker, the half-brother to seven-furlong specialist Pogo had proved frustrating in three starts this term but not here as he came home alone under Kieran Shoemark. Always travelling easily tracking Godolphin's Spy Chief (Kingman) up the centre, the 25-1 shot swooped approaching the furlong pole and despite veering left from there recorded an emphatic 3 1/4-length success from that 20-1 shot, with another 2 3/4 lengths back to the 11-4 favourite Comanche Brave (Wootton Bassett) in third. “He's driven me mad! He's so talented and it's remarkable that he's come back from those disappointing runs,” Walker said. “I thought he was one of the best horses we've had at home and we felt if it didn't work today it would be back to the drawing board. I'm so pleased for Simon Sadler, he's a top man and is donating his winning to a pancreatic cancer charity. It means a lot, as I lost my father to pancreatic cancer.” NOBLE CHAMPION IS THE JERSEY STAKES HERO! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/byzYHkfV2m — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2025 The post Lope De Vega’s Noble Champion Wins The Jersey For Simon Sadler’s TBT Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes lived up to all the billing, with Lazzat (Territories) denying the Japanese challenger Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa) to provide Wathnan with a fifth Royal Ascot winner this week. Placed on the front end by James Doyle, the Jerome Reynier-trained G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner who was having only his second start over this six-furlong trip had too much power for that 2-1 favourite to prevail by half a length. There was a three-length gap back to Wathnan's other hope, Flora Of Bermuda (Dark Angel), in third. “That's capped an amazing week,” Richard Brown said. “What an amazing horse race, he's locked up with the Japanese horse there and they've gone a long way clear–it was an absolutely phenomenal race to watch and to be on the lucky side is just amazing.” “Japanese horses are very hard to beat, they've got world-class breeding operations and Satono Reve looked a monster walking round here beforehand so that is a very, very brave performance. That's two brilliant rides from James Doyle from the front this afternoon. It's just very exciting and we're very privileged to be involved with a horse of that quality.” LAZZAT WINS THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/QaQZ1vp3M8 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2025 The post ‘That’s Capped An Amazing Week’: Brown Savours Lazzat’s Jubilee Win For Wathnan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bringing an end to a three-year winless streak at Royal Ascot for Charlie Appleby, Dubawi's international heavyweight Rebel's Romance came out punching in Saturday's G2 Hardwicke Stakes. Always travelling easily behind the genuine pace, the 6-4 favourite took control two out and drew away under William Buick to beat Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett) by 1 3/4 lengths, with Ghostwriter (Invincible Spirit) 1 1/2 lengths away in third. “He's a worldwide superstar and I said earlier I have a picture of him on my bedside table, he means so much to us,” Appleby said, whose last win at the meeting came with Naval Crown in the 2022 G1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes. “If one horse was going to pull it out of the bag, it was Rebel's Romance.” The win also takes Godolphin to four wins this week, one short of the Coolmore partnerships in the owners' title. CHARLIE APPLEBY'S WAIT FOR A #ROYALASCOT WINNER IS OVER! REBEL'S ROMANCE TAKES THE HARDWICKE STAKES! pic.twitter.com/aR19759kyu — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2025 The post Rebel’s Romance Comes Out Fighting To End Appleby Royal Ascot Drought appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin ran one-two in the seven-furlong Newmarket opener just not with the horse the market expected, as Pacific Avenue (Dubawi) stole a march on his Charlie Appleby stablemate and 'TDN Rising Star' Wild Desert (Too Darn Hot) to earn a 'Rising Star' badge of his own. The son of G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine and fellow 'Rising Star' Lumiere (Shamardal) settled in a tugging second while keeping a close eye on Commander's Intent (Victor Ludorum) who led the way over Newmarket's July course. A bit keen in the early going, the 9-1 shot focused on business under Dougie Costello and found another gear to challenge the pacesetter inside the final two furlongs. Meanwhile the 30-100 crowd's pick Wild Desert had been trapped against the fence in third throughout and had to wait before shifting off the inside and launching his attack. That delay proved decisive, as Pacific Avenue held the more experienced runner by a head at the line. A Godolphin homebred, the grey is a full-brother to the smart G3 Darley Stakes winner Highland Avenue and a half to G2 Cape Verdi heroine Silver Lady (Sea The Stars). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £5,154. O/B-Godolpin (Ire). T-Charlie Appleby. The post Dubawi’s Pacific Avenue Earns ‘Rising Star’ At Newmarket Over Godolphin Stablemate Wild Desert appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars LO PAN SPIRIT - R3 (2) Drops in grade, finally draws a gate and Purton gets back on Jay Rooney BLAZING WUKONG - R5 (2) Superb debut winner who looks to have improved on his recent trial Trackwork Spy BLAZING WUKONG - R5 (2) Made a perfect start to his career with a barnstorming win and can repeat today Phillip Woo SMART FAT CAT - R7 (9) Caught the eye on debut and looks poised to strike from a better draw Shannon (Vincent Wong) POPE CODY - R10 (5) Step up to 1,600m looks ideal,...View the full article

Emulating his full-brother Holloway Boy, Wathnan's Humidity (Ulysses) was in command in Saturday's Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Unlike his sibling who took this on debut in 2022, the Andrew Balding-trained chestnut had the benefit of a previous outing having won over six furlongs at Newbury last month and was professional in front from the outset under James Doyle. Tackled by Ballydoyle's Moments Of Joy (Justify) and then Thesecretadversary (St Mark's Basilica) at the business end, the 4-1 shot beat the latter by a length, with Moments Of Joy 1 1/4 lengths away in third. The winner is the fourth of the week for Wathnan, who purchased him from his breeders Cheveley Park Stud prior to the meeting. GUTSY! HUMIDITY WINS THE CHESHAM STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/l2smJPUcbj — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2025 The post Wathnan’s Humidity Upholds Family Tradition In The Chesham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four-year-old Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish) returned to winning ways at Flemington, where he again emphasised his depths of stamina, repelling the challenge of Goldenstatewarrior (Golden Horn) and Muktamil (Sea the Stars) under apprentice jockey Thomas Prebble. The Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained son of Embellish dug deep to score over 2540m in his first success since landing the Gr.3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) at Morphettville 14 months ago. Earlier in that three-year-old preparation, he had previously claimed Listed wins in the Tasmanian Derby and the Launceston Guineas. “He was really good through his three-year-old year and then took a little while to measure up as a four-year-old, but it’s great to see him do it here today for owner Graham Cleary,” Michelle Payne said. “It was a terrific ride by Tom. He was a bit nervous as to how he was going to slot in but he did it to perfection and it’s great to see him continuing to progress as a rider. “I love this horse, I had him down in Tassie and in Adelaide last season. Patrick calls him an opportunist as if he can find a way out, he might lean that way, but he is starting to become a really genuine horse now and really wanted that win.” Runner-up on the course at his previous start, Bold Soul answered every call for Prebble in the run home to post the sixth victory of his 18-start career. “We landed in a lovely spot, and I was happy with the tempo,” Prebble said. “He travelled well all the way and was really game late.” Bold Soul was bred by Te Keeti Bloodstock and bought out of their Book 2 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale by Hamish Auret for $20,000. He was a jump-out winner for the Wanganui horseman before his sale and relocation to Payne’s Victorian operation. Bold Soul is by Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish and out of the Irish-bred Singspiel mare Twin Soul (NZ), who was successful on three occasions up to 2400m. View the full article

After hard-luck stories in the Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m) in both of the last two winters, Cork (NZ) (Complacent) made amends in style on Saturday with a $22 upset in the fillies and mares’ feature. Cork had already proven herself as a Tauranga specialist, winning three of her five previous starts at the track including a seven-length Rating 75 romp on the Tauranga Classic undercard in 2022. But the Bay Of Plenty’s midwinter black-type feature had proved frustratingly elusive. The 2023 edition was abandoned and rescheduled for Hawke’s Bay in early July, and Cork was unsuited by the change of venue and battled home in seventh behind Flower Of Wanaka (NZ) (Burgundy). Her tilt at last year’s Tauranga Classic was over almost before it began – getting a long way back after a slow start and making a late run into eighth behind Casino Princess (NZ) (Casino Prince). Saturday, finally, was Cork’s day. The seven-year-old collected the first black-type win of her 27-start, six-win career. The Tauranga Classic was the first raceday appearance in 251 days for Cork, whose last start was in the Staphanos Classic (1950m) at Rotorua on October 13. But she had shown promising signs in a trial placing at Waipa in late May, and trainer Pam Gerard took a quiet confidence into the $80,000 feature. “She’s a great little mare,” Gerard said. “She’s been all over the country and just keeps giving us a thrill every time. We know that she’s very hard to beat when she’s fresh up over 1400m at Tauranga. We were obviously up against some good mares today, but she’s been unlucky in this race a couple of times before. “I’m really stoked for the owners. We’ve been trying to get that black type for so long, and finally we’ve got it today. “Her work had been super leading into this. We’re lucky we got a very heavy track today, which she absolutely loves. “It’s always hard taking on seasoned horses fresh up in these testing conditions, but I know what she can do and I was pretty confident she could be in the first three anyway.” Cork was ridden by Samantha Collett, who has hit stakes-winning form barely a week after returning from an extended stint in Queensland. Collett took up a midfield position in fifth behind Electric Time (NZ) (Telperion), Midnight Scandal (NZ) (Belardo), Tristar (NZ) (Exceedance) and Lux Libertas (NZ) (Almanzor). Cork was well within striking distance all the way, although Collett appeared to be urging the mare along as the field made their way past the golf course down the southern side of the Tauranga track. Electric Time quickly faded out of contention at the home turn and the race changed complexion. Lux Libertas burst through along the inside to take command, with Midnight Scandal and Tristar running on down the middle of the track. Collett angled Cork to the outside, got her balanced up and asked her to quicken. This time Cork had plenty to offer. She charged home out wide on the track and soon swept past Midnight Scandal and Tristar. It developed into a two-horse battle on opposite sides of the track, and Cork out finished Lux Libertas to score by half a length. Lux Libertas crossed the line two and three-quarter lengths in front of the third-placed Midnight Scandal. “It’s fantastic,” said Collett, who also won the last race on the card aboard Kai Moana. “It’s a pretty heavy track, so it really tested my post-Queensland fitness! “This mare’s work had been very good during the week and she toughed it out so well today. “Pam and her team have done a super job. She presented in great order. “I had to work on her a long way out, but I was able to find the fast strip in the straight and she was the toughest one there. She really gave me everything she had.” Gerard is now keen to take Cork to Christchurch for a third shot at the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on August 2. Cork was runner-up to Belardo Boy in the 2023 edition of that time-honoured feature, followed by an eighth behind Jay Bee Gee last August. “That’s where we’ll head again, probably with one more run in the north in between times,” the Matamata trainer said. Cork was bred by Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax and was offered by Blandford Lodge in Book 2 of Karaka 2019, where Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables NZ bought her for $30,000. She has now had 27 starts for six wins, five placings and $188,068 in stakes for owners Dame Sian Elias, Natalie Walker, Ned Fletcher and Hugh Fletcher. Cork is by former Mapperley Stud stallion Complacent, who is the sire of 52 winners from 89 runners including Group Three winners Jay Bee Gee (NZ) and Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ). Cork is the Authorized stallion’s third stakes winner. View the full article

Three-year-old gelding Taken (NZ) (Ardrossan) is proving quite the money spinner for connections, with a victory in Saturday’s Rod Johnson Handicap (1620m) at Flemington the fourth in succession for the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper. The son of Ardrossan carried 60kg topweight under rider Craig Williams, but his push-button style and ability to race on-speed are attributes that go a long way towards winning, as he made it successive wins at Flemington. “He was obviously less dominant than last start but carried a lot more weight and he is deep into a campaign, so you are always wondering when the end is,” Kent Jnr said. “It is so hard to win a race at Flemington, let alone two on the bounce, so it’s a credit to the team at home. “Whether he has one more run, we will just have a look, but he has done a really good job. “He is very tough, very sound and very clean-winded with a fantastic racing style. Any horse that can roll forward in a relaxed manner, drop the bit, conserve energy and then find off the bridle, it’s a great way to win races.” Taken, who races for a syndicate in the colours of prominent owner Carl Holt, has options to step up in distance whether that be in the coming weeks or next preparation. “I think he is a nice horse to go through the grades with,” Kent Jnr said. “We have all spoken about going to ten furlongs at some point in his career and that would open some more doors. “I’d say he deserves a spell at the right time and I wouldn’t be short-cycling into a deep spring campaign. He has got it all ahead of him. He is an immature horse that will be even better next autumn. “For today, we will go to the winner’s room and have a beer and a champagne.” Originally prepared in New Zealand by Sam Mynott, Taken was sold to the Price-Kent stable following a trial win at Tauranga. By Waikato Stud’s emerging young sire Ardrossan, Taken is out of the Henrythenavigator mare Katherine Wright (NZ) and stems from the same family as Ardrossan’s Group Three winner Beau Dazzler (NZ). Taken was bred by the Dewar Partnership, which was put together to support Ardrossan when he launched at stud by some people who raced the Group One performed son of Redoute’s Choice. The Dewar Partnership is managed and part-owned by Bruce Perry with Lib Petagna the majority supporter along with Max Brown, Tony Joyce and Dave and Nicki Wilson. View the full article

Topweight Conor O’Ceirin (NZ) (Dial A Prayer) enjoyed the 3kg claim of apprentice Liam Kauri, which allowed him to carry a manageable 58kg to a solid victory in the feature event at Riccarton on Saturday, the Greenwood Amberley Cup (1400m). The eight-year-old son of Dial A Prayer had earned his original 61kg handicap with nine career victories on the board along with two placings at stakes level, including running third in the 2023 Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at the venue. After doing his early racing from Robbie Patterson’s New Plymouth stable, the versatile galloper has now had four starts for local trainer Anna Furlong, winning his first for her back in March before going on to finish fourth in the Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m) in late April. Furlong turned him out looking a picture on Saturday and he lived up to those looks with a gritty performance that saw him sit wide early on before slotting one out and one back with 700m to run. Kauri took his mount to the outside fence rounding the home bend and briefly conceded a lead to Albatross (NZ) (Sacred Falls), who had snuck through to take over at the 400m. Conor O’Ceirin and Albatross set down to a torrid battle that went right to the wire and finished in favour of the Furlong runner by just a long head. Kauri was rapt to get the victory after having plenty of doubts heading around to the start. “He is an awesome old boy and thanks to Anna for giving me the ride,” Kauri said. “It is the first time I have ever met her, so it’s awesome she trusted me with him. “They must have gone a bit quick for this ground as he settled beautifully. I was worried going to the start as he bolted on me and I’m sure that was what Anna was thinking too! “He was beautiful in the running and he ran on well. I’ve been going through a rough patch, but this has fixed it.” Furlong noted some gear changes had helped her charge out along with a change of scenery. “He was with Robbie, who has been great at giving us horses,” she said. “He thought this guy might like a change of scenery and it has worked brilliantly so far. We took the blinkers off to try and help him settle a little, which also seems to have worked. “I think he has put his hand up for another shot at the Winter Cup, so that is where we will most likely head.” The Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) is the feature flat event on the first day of the Riccarton Winter Carnival that kicks off on 2 August. Bred and raced by the Keenan Family Trust, Conor O’Ceirin made it 10 wins from 45 starts and has now earned over $267,000 for his connections. View the full article

Five-year-old mare She’s Unusual (NZ) (Unusual Suspect) made the most of some cheap sectionals to lead her rivals a merry dance when winning the Elite Sand & Soil Handicap (1800m) on Saturday under an astute front-running ride by Tommy Berry. Prepared by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, She’s Unusual was off and gone rounding the home bend and had just under two lengths to spare at the post from runner-up Gentileschi (Dundeel). A maiden winner in New Zealand for Fraser Auret, She’s Unusual was subsequently purchased by OTI Racing. She’s Unusual was having just her tenth start on Saturday and has now recorded four victories with a further five minor placings. “She’s had a couple of setbacks through previous preparations with us, when already having a really good record,” Charlton said. “She got to probably her favourite trip today on a slightly sounder surface than she’s raced on recently and she was ridden beautifully by Tommy. It was a really pleasing watch. “She broke 34 seconds home, so she’s quite an effective horse. She’s not short on toe, and she can obviously handle herself at this 1800m and 2000m distance, which leaves us a lot of options going forward.” Winning rider Tommy Berry had no doubt the race was done and dusted in the early stages. “I knew we’d be hard to beat after I went across the crossing at the mile,” he said. “It helps when you’ve got a horse that can break away so well and when you find your spot within 100m. “Glen Boss and Corey Brown always said anything from a mile forward, you win the race in the first furlong or furlong and a half, and we did that today. “She got into a lovely rhythm. She gave me a lot of confidence when I rode her on Tuesday morning. Stepping up from 1400m to 1800m is always a bit of a query, but she’s so clean in the wind and when you get away with those sectionals, and quicken up at the 600m, they’re hard to beat.” The winner of an Awapuni maiden over 1400m for Fraser Auret in late 2023, She’s Unusual was bred by Auret’s parents Nigel and Adaire. She’s Unusual is a daughter of Unusual Suspect, who stands at the Auret family’s Letham Stud, where the stallion has carved a good niche producing middle-distance gallopers and is the sire of 48 winners from 83 starters. View the full article

Apprentice jockey Ashlee Strawbridge gained her first victory at Cambridge on Wednesday and didn’t take long to make it two when she guided What A Charma (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) to success in the Seeka Kiwifruit Cup (2100m) at Tauranga on Saturday. In a race filled with drama where Bruno Queiroz – riding eventual runner-up Gallant Hero (Fast Company) – lost the use of his irons for the majority of the contest, Strawbridge was happy to bide her time aboard the Mark Irwin-trained runner at the back of the seven-horse field. Queiroz was having a turbulent time keeping control of Gallant Hero, who loomed up three-wide with 1200m to run before Queiroz remarkably regained his irons passing the 600m mark and immediately poured on the pressure. What A Charma had tracked him up as Strawbridge kept her mount wide to steadily make ground in the home straight. He edged past Gallant Hero and the third-placed King Khan (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) in the shadows of the post to capture his third career victory. Strawbridge, the daughter of former top jumps jockey Michelle Strawbridge (nee Hopkins), was thrilled to get win number two aboard one of her favourite horses. “It was good as I didn’t plan on being that far back but he settled here nicely early on,” Strawbridge said. “He is a horse that will just try and try and try, no matter where you put him. “That is what got him home today. He just relishes the wet ground. “I was quite confident and hoping for the best as I knew how he is. When he comes around the bend, he gives it his all, and that’s what it takes to be a nice horse.” Raced by Irwin along with Cynthia and Craig Horn, What A Charma was bred by Richard Wood under his Chouxmaani Investments banner. He is out of the High Chaparral mare Urulu (NZ), who is the daughter of Gr.2 Waikato Gold Cup (2400m) winner Bak Da Chief (NZ), the dam of multiple Group One winner Te Akau Shark (NZ). View the full article