Wandering Eyes

Only one part of Skew Wiff’s build-up to the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on Saturday has not gone to plan for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and it is a factor beyond their control. The Trentham track was rated a Soft6 on Friday morning, with MetService predicting heavy rain and possible thunderstorms and hail overnight. Any remaining showers are forecast to ease on the morning of the race. “We couldn’t be any happier with the horse, but we’re just a bit worried about that weather forecast,” Walker said. “She handles soft ground well and has a good record in those conditions, but if the forecast is right, it might end up being heavy. We wouldn’t be as confident in her chances if that happened.” The Telegraph will be Skew Wiff’s second start at Trentham, with both of those appearances coming at Group One level. She lined up in the Levin Classic (1600m) as a three-year-old two seasons ago, finishing a gallant second behind stablemate Romancing The Moon. Skew Wiff went on to prove her big-race quality by winning last season’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings and Gr.3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. As a five-year-old this season, she has added a third in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, a fourth in the Tarzino Trophy and a last-start second in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata on October 2. Walker and Bergerson then decided to freshen the Savabeel mare up for a shot at the $550,000 Telegraph, in which she will be ridden by visiting Australian jockey Luke Currie and is rated a $5 chance in the TAB’s Final Field market. She shares second favouritism with Tarzino winner Grail Seeker, while Crocetti just shades them as the $4.50 favourite. “She has a very strong record fresh, so it made sense for us to set her for this race in that state,” Walker said. “We’ve been really happy with the build-up that she’s had. She was very good in her trial at Matamata (on December 20) and has continued to please us since then. That weather forecast is our only concern.” Skew Wiff will attempt to deliver another Telegraph triumph for her owner-breeders Waikato Stud, whose colours were carried to victory in the race in 1997 by their subsequent superstar stallion O’Reilly. Meanwhile, Walker and Bergerson also have two runners entered for Saturday’s Gr.3 Rydges Wellington Airport Phar Lap Trophy (1600m). This race was formerly known as the Anniversary Handicap, and Te Akau Racing has won it with Abidewithme (2014) and Belle En Rouge (2023). Their contingent in this year’s edition of the race is headed by My Lips Are Sealed, who was a $160,000 purchase by David Ellis at Karaka 2022 and has so far recorded three wins and three placings from a 15-race career. The daughter of Ace High recorded back-to-back wins at Matamata and Te Rapa in September, then placed in her next two before finishing fifth in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) on December 20. My Lips Are Sealed has won two of her three starts on heavy ground, and she was beaten by a nose by Still Bangon in last season’s Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) on a deteriorating Soft7 track at Trentham. “She’s one that we don’t think will have any problem with the conditions,” Walker said. “She gets through wet ground well and was beaten by a lip in the Eulogy on a very testing Trentham track last season. “I thought she was just okay in the Matamata Cup last start, but the track was quite firm by that point of the day and she does prefer having a bit of cut out of the ground.” Talisker was runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) last season and has shown promising signs with strong placings in both of his first two starts this season. “He’s come back in good form this time in, which has been really good to see, but he’s one that might be a bit of a doubtful starter with the weather forecast the way it is,” Walker said. View the full article

Wexford Stables are hoping their purple patch of form can continue at Trentham on Saturday where they will line-up three runners in two of the feature events on the card. Sassy Lass will start one of the best backed candidates in the Listed Lincoln Farms Marton Cup (2200m), while Waitak and Grail Seeker will tackle the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m). Sassy Lass has gone from strength-to-strength in a lengthy campaign that has resulted in four wins from 12 starts since March last year and she heads to Trentham off a fast finishing second in the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) last month. “Sassy Lass has been up a long time but she has been remarkable in how she has just improved all the way through,” O’Sullivan said. “She has an amazing constitution and has taken everything in her stride without turning a hair. “With a little more luck, her winning record would be even better and last time she was desperately unlucky when held up until late in the piece before flashing home to get beaten a nose. “We have been very careful to take her along a race at a time and we won’t be doing anything different on Saturday. “The Marton Cup looks a very nice race for her and although she does hold a nomination for the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) later in the month, we won’t be making any decisions on a start there until we see how she goes on Saturday and crucially, how she pulls up afterwards.” O’Sullivan also believes both of his runners in the Telegraph are winning chances with the right run in transit, however, he cautions that the strength and depth of the field makes winning the race a difficult assignment. “This would be the best Telegraph field we have seen in years, and you do question whether your runners are up to it,” he said. “We believe they are, as both have worked up nicely and deserve to take their places in the race. “Waitak has been getting better and better, his work has been good and is suited by the track and the way the race is normally run with the speed on up front. “Grail Seeker is a mare we have been very patient with, and she is now developing into a very good horse that we hope to get long term rewards from. “We are mindful of not over taxing her as she had a fairly busy season, so we have deliberately spaced her races. “Her last trial was very good where she was finishing off nicely and as she enjoys the Trentham track, we think she can perform to expectations in a fresh state.” View the full article

Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor) has not won since last year’s Coastal Classic (1700m) and the Ciaron Maher stable is confident the race can again bring out the best in the gelding. The son of Almanzor will defend his title against six rivals in Saturday’s $300,000 event over the Geelong 1700-metre circuit. Despite not having won in 10 starts since his win under 53kg in the inaugural Coastal Classic, Holymanz is 60kg topweight for a race that does not have the depth of last year’s race. “He’s got to carry a bit of weight, but I think it’s pretty well spread in terms of what he’s up against,” Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said. “He’s been competing in better races and I would imagine it’s going to be his best opportunity to win this prep.” After winning at Geelong, Holymanz headed to New Zealand, where he ran fourth in the Aotearoa Classic (1600m) before returning to Australia to beat home all bar multiple Group One winner Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m). He has placed just twice in eight starts since, but one of those was last start in the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield, won by stablemate New Energy (New Bay). That was over a month ago, on November 30, but he impressed when winning a 1000m Cranbourne jumpout on December 23. “He won the Coastal Classic and then we took him to Karaka, that bumped up his handicap and that’s made things trickier as well, but we’ve been very happy with the way he’s been racing, albeit not winning,” Turnbull said. Holymanz is one of two Coastal Classic runners for Maher, who also has Night Endeavor (Shalaa) engaged. The imported son of Shalaa finished off well when sixth of eight at his Australian debut, which was his first run since a tendon injury, and Turnbull said the Coastal Classic would bring him on for more suitable assignments down the track. “That was obviously over a trip that well below his best but he showed good sharpness,” Turnbull said of the Aussie debut. “Sometimes those rehabbers can come back pretty one-paced, but he doesn’t seem to have that at all. “Once we get him up to 10 furlongs, that’s when you’ll see him at his best.” Daniel Stackhouse has the ride on Night Endeavour, who has drawn barrier one, while Holymanz will jump from gate six with Saffie Osborne aboard. View the full article

This year has a long way to go to match the thrilling ride of 2024, but the Post has four wishes for the next 12 months.View the full article

Jordan Childs returns to the mounting yard on Cleo Cat after winning at Ballarat. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Unbeaten mare Cleo Cat will aim to extend her winning streak to six when she steps into black-type company for the first time in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes (1200m) at Geelong on Saturday. Trained by Tom Dabernig, the four-year-old has earned her opportunity to tackle higher company following a determined victory against her own sex in Benchmark 78 grade at Ballarat on December 7. “We’re going to give her her chance to try and get some black type,” Dabernig said. “She looks pretty good, but this might be a different test for her. “But still being against mares, it’s worth a try.” The Warrnambool-based mare will jump from barrier six with Jordan Childs, who has guided her to her last two victories, retaining the ride. Cleo Cat is currently a $9.50 hope with Neds for the Listed Black Pearl Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Loch Eagle. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Kris Lees is optimistic about Loch Eagle’s chances in the $500,000 The Wave (1800m) at the Gold Coast this Saturday, with the gelding starting as the race favourite with BlondeBet. The seven-time winner comes into the race on the back of a confidence-boosting victory over the same distance at Eagle Farm on December 14, marking his first win since claiming The Ingham (1600m) in December 2023. “He hadn’t won for 12 months, albeit he had been racing in pretty strong company, so he appreciated that drop in grade and got a bit of confidence,” Lees explained. “He’s probably in pretty well at the weights being a weight-for-age race. “He won that race last start on wet ground, which is probably his preferred surface, and now he’s had that conditioning run at that trip and I think he’ll run well again.” Jason Collett will take the ride, with the pair set to start from barrier four. Horse racing news View the full article

Skew Wiff will contest Saturday’s Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Only one part of Skew Wiff’s build-up to the Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on Saturday has not gone to plan for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and it is a factor beyond their control. The Trentham track was rated a Soft 6 on Friday morning, with MetService predicting heavy rain and possible thunderstorms and hail overnight. Any remaining showers are forecast to ease on the morning of the race. “We couldn’t be any happier with the horse, but we’re just a bit worried about that weather forecast,” Walker said. “She handles soft ground well and has a good record in those conditions, but if the forecast is right, it might end up being heavy. We wouldn’t be as confident in her chances if that happened.” The Telegraph will be Skew Wiff’s second start at Trentham, with both of those appearances coming at Group One level. She lined up in the Levin Classic (1600m) as a three-year-old two seasons ago, finishing a gallant second behind stablemate Romancing The Moon. Skew Wiff went on to prove her big-race quality by winning last season’s Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings and Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. As a five-year-old this season, she has added a third in the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, a fourth in the Tarzino Trophy and a last-start second in the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata on October 2. Walker and Bergerson then decided to freshen the Savabeel mare up for a shot at the $550,000 Telegraph, in which she will be ridden by visiting Australian jockey Luke Currie and is rated a $5 chance in the market with horse racing bookmakers. She shares second favouritism with Tarzino winner Grail Seeker, while Crocetti just shades them as the $4.50 favourite with Neds. “She has a very strong record fresh, so it made sense for us to set her for this race in that state,” Walker said. “We’ve been really happy with the build-up that she’s had. She was very good in her trial at Matamata (on December 20) and has continued to please us since then. That weather forecast is our only concern.” Horse racing news View the full article

Expatriate New Zealander Simon Dunderdale has claimed his maiden Malaysian trainers’ premiership, celebrating his most successful year based in Kuala Lumpur. The well-travelled Dunderdale, who trained in Turkiye for a decade prior to relocating to the Selangor Turf Club in the Malaysia capital eight years ago, prepared 73 winners in 2024, 26 ahead of his nearest rival HY Cheng. Nick Selvan finished third with 42 winners at a time where the trainers’ line-up at Selangor has an influx of former Kranji-based trainers following the closure of racing in Singapore in October. Dunderdale, who hails from Manawatu, won a Selangor Gold Cup, a Sports Toto and the four-year-old championship as well as training five winners in a day at one meeting and twice preparing a quartet of winners to cement his place at the top of the trainers’ table. Antipodean, a New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale graduate, was a revelation for Dunderdale in 2024, winning nine of his 10 starts to emerge as arguably Malaysia’s most exciting horse, while his stablemate Military Flag, another NZB graduate, won five races for the calendar year. Antipodean and jockey Benardo Pinheiro after winning the Selangor Gold Cup. Photo: supplied As well as training the most winners in 2024, Dunderdale also had the highest winning strike rate of any trainer in Malaysia inside the top 20, running at 20.8 per cent with his stable of 60 horses, the maximum allowed at Selangor. Dunderdale, who also worked for four years in Macau before heading to Europe for an extended period, has a wide base of owners from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia and Hong Kong with his stable banking more than 1.6 million ringgit in prize money last year, almost double the amount won by any other trainer in the country. “I’ve had great support from my owners over the past couple of years which has enabled me to grow my stable and also consistently invest in new horses at live sales in Australia and New Zealand as well as at the regular online auctions,” Dunderdale said. “The prize money at Selangor is doubling in 2025, which makes racing in Malaysia a far more attractive option for owners, and I’m excited about what the future holds for the sport here after going through a difficult period during Covid.” Among Dunderdale’s recent haul of six at November’s NZB Ready to Run Sale was the $70,000 US Navy Flag half-brother to Group One-winning stallion Turn Me Loose. Premiership runner-up Cheng, who worked for John and Karen Parsons and Stephen Blair-Edie over a nine-year period, closed out 2024 by winning the local Gr.1 Penang Gold Cup (2000m) on Sunday with Lucky Magic, also an NZB Ready to Run graduate. Dunderdale’s compatriot Sharee Hamilton trained 35 winners for the year to finish seventh in the Malaysia trainers’ title. In an effort to raise the profile of the sport in Malaysia, meanwhile, the Selangor Turf Club will host a new 1 million ringgit Mile Championship for four-year-olds for the first time on July 20 this year, an aspirational race aimed at encouraging new owners to invest in young horses. Malaysia is a jurisdiction that has previously largely relied on a steady supply of aging tried stock from Singapore. View the full article

The Gary Clarke-trained Shakattak, with Jarrod Todd in the saddle, takes out the $40,000 Dabble Cup (1300m). Leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke doesn’t necessarily enjoy seeing stablemates go head to head. With a condensed program during the wet season, which is basically the off-season in the Top End, there are occasions where he has no choice. That’s applicable on Saturday when Clarke’s Doc O’Connor, Patriotic King, Shakattak and Pharoah Magic clash in heat one of the Darwin Turf Club’s Summer Sprint Series over 1100m at BM76 level. All four horses have the form, class and credentials to claim victory, but Clarke’s preference would be to see the stablemates line up in a separate race. There have been occasions when Clarke has started numerous horses in the same race at this time of year. For the first Fannie Bay feature of 2025, Clarke has elected to start his quartet in the six-horse field and predicting the outcome is now the big question. “Splitting Gary’s runners isn’t easy as they’re all capable of winning, they’re good horses,” Thoroughbred Racing NT chief executive officer Andrew O’Toole said. “Over the years, Gary has had plenty of top sprinters such as The Captain, Captain Punch and Syncline, but those facing the starter this weekend boast plenty of quality. “Doc O’Connor has an excellent first up record and is a former winner of the Simone Montgomerie Lightning over 1000m on Darwin Cup Day. “Patriotic King has won three of his past five starts and once held the 1100m track record. “Shakattak won two races during Cup Carnival in July, and returned in September to overcome Jason Manning’s impressive Bon’s Pride. “Second behind Tubthumper on Melbourne Cup Day, Shakattak was less than half a length behind Bon’s Pride and Mr Cashman in third place over 1200m in late November. “Pharoah Magic continues to get better and better since arriving from NSW and in eight starts he has four wins. “The start is the key on Saturday in what should be an interesting betting race – I settled on Shakattak with no real confidence.” Clarke’s No.1 stable rider Jarrod Todd will partner Doc O’Connor, while Patriotic King was the early $1.70 favourite with horse racing bookmakers. “It’s no secret that Gary has a large stable,” O’Toole added. “Subsequently, he has won the Top End and Country trainers’ premiership for the past 12 years. “To be fair, Clarke’s nous, guile, talent and experience has contributed to his success – he has also won a plethora of feature races in the Territory.” Horse racing news View the full article

Breeders' Cup berths are on the line in a pair of top-tier races Jan. 4 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in South Africa when the Cape Town track stages the King's Plate (G1) and the Paddock Stakes (G1).View the full article

Trainer Charlie Appleby saddles a strong pair, headed by Ottoman Fleet, in the Zabeel Mile (G2T) while last year's Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) hero Tuz looks to defend his title in the Dubawi Stakes (G3) Jan. 3 at Meydan Racecourse.View the full article

Races like the Jerome Stakes are considered preps for the Kentucky Derby (G1). But they are actually more of a test to see if a newly turned 3-year-old has what it takes to be a successful runner in longer and richer races in the new year.View the full article

5th-Fair Grounds, $60,000, Alw (NW2$X), Opt. Clm ($50,000), 1-2, 4yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:09.61, ft, 3 1/4 lengths. JUSTIQUE (m, 5, Justify–Grazie Mille, by Bernardini), named a 'TDN Rising Star' on debut for John Shirreffs, was a stakes winner and Grade II placed back in 2022 and added a pair of graded placings on the main track as a sophomore before a switch to the grass. Despite not getting her picture taken in eight tries over the surface, the $725,000 KEESEP yearling hit the board in the GIII Megahertz Stakes and GIII Royal Heroine Stakes and was last seen finishing sixth in the Osunitas Stakes last July. Among a handful of this owner's horses sent to Cherie DeVaux, Justique was the 4-5 chalk cutting back and returning to the dirt here. Hard held near the tail of this compact field down the back, Justique was given her head and made a menacing move three wide nearing the entrance to the stretch. Roused to the lead with a furlong to race, she drifted out fractionally but had 3 1/4 lengths on her competition at the wire. A half-sister to Mo Town (Uncle Mo), GISW, $519,600, and to the dam of SW West Memorial (Caracaro), Justique is out of a winning half-sister to SW & GSP Jaguar Paw (Giant's Causeway) and SW & MGSP Venetian Mask (Pulpit). The dam of an as-yet unnamed 3-year-old filly by the Gunther-bred Justify, Grazie Mille was most recently bred to Into Mischief. Sales history: $725,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW & MGSP, 16-3-2-4, $282,540. Click for the Equibase.com chart. O-C R K Stable LLC; B-John D Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. Justique moves to the Midwest and returns to racing a winner in R5 at @fairgroundsnola for trainer @reredevaux with jockey @jose93_ortiz in the saddle! TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ASY8OJnqNf — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) January 2, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Justique Scores On NOLA Debut For DeVaux appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New Year marks a brave new world for California racing, with one circuit largely consolidated in the South. On New Year's morning, the TDN sat down with Bill Nader, president and CEO of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), to discuss this new landscape. In part one, Nader shared, among other things, how simulcasting monies redirected from the North could benefit tracks and purses in the South to the tune of $20 million annually. Here in part two, Nader discusses expectations about horse inventory, impacts on California's breeders, and Historic Horse Racing. The following has been edited for brevity and clarity. TDN: So far, it's been a real struggle to fill some of the races restricted to the Northern California horses and horsemen and women. Are you expecting that to be an ongoing struggle? BN: We'll see. This weekend, we'll see two races [restricted to the Northern horses] on Friday and then two on Sunday. On Sunday for the first time in over a year [for the Northern horsemen and women], you'll see an allowance race with a purse over $30,000. It was $26,000 at Pleasanton. Golden Gate had to reduce purses in the first half of 2024. We'll see how that race does. The closing day of Golden State Racing was Dec. 18. Their last two days of racing, their entry box was full-it was probably their biggest two days in terms of number horses that participated over their 25-day season. Pleasanton racing | Vassar Photography The landscape has changed quickly, so, for them to fully digest and really understand what was going on, I didn't expect for the first weekend much activity, especially with Dec. 26 being such a blockbuster day. From here on in, we get into a different pattern where it's more normal. With two races on Friday and two races on Sunday, we're going to look at participation. Our expectation is that would grow hopefully over the next weeks as we really get into 2025. TDN: Is any consideration being given to expanding the menu of races on offer at Los Alamitos to further cater to the Northern California horse population? BN: Not at this time. We we would need to have a statutory change to do that. Last weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, there were 23 horses from Pleasanton entered at Los Alamitos. So, it's happening more naturally. Horses are going there and running there. Santa Anita dropped the bottom [claiming race] to $5,000. Initially it was $6,250. And then in consultation with the horsemen up North, the decision was made that the floor should be $5,000. In fact, one of the races on Friday I believe is a $5,000 claimer. Again, in consultation with those in the North, the bottom price for a maiden claiming is now $8,000. That mirrors what it was up North. With that, it covers a large percentage of the horse population up North at Santa Anita. Los Alamitos can cater to some of the other horses. So, we think we pretty much have blanket coverage at this point. But we'll keep an eye on it and see, you know, with the participation rate. Is it working? Does it make sense for both sides as a win-win proposition? TDN: One of the concerns that trainers raised about this new arrangement is the wear and tear on horses traveling up and down the state. In July of 2023, The Stronach Group outlined a $30 million plus investment package for its SoCal properties – proposals that would be extremely beneficial to horse health and welfare. This included an equine swimming pool, barn improvements and horse exercisers. Several of these projects were supposed to have been completed by now. The synthetic track is obviously done. But what about all the other promised improvements that would greatly benefit your constituents and the horses in general? BN: I don't know if the swimming pool is still on the table. Obviously, the Tapeta track has been a big benefit. Now with the travel stipends and the relocation allowance, I know there were some discussions with some trainers up North that will be coming down-those are private discussions with Santa Anita. But everything else, I think we're still waiting to see how those plans actually develop, given that everything seems to be changing pretty quickly. Hong Kong racing | HKJC I looked at races today, on Jan. 1 in Hong Kong, and there were 51 horses entered that had been stabled at Conghua [training facility] since their last start in Hong Kong, that were coming down to run. That is on average a 6 1/2 hour trip each way. For those horses and trainers that do that, they have operations in both places. They move from one to the other. Here, if they come down and stay, and I know this from my time in Hong Kong, doing barn area improvements at Santa Anita becomes a little bit more complicated. To do that work, you need to free up stall space by moving horses. Then there's noise mitigation. TDN: At the same time, would you agree with the many horsemen and women here that improvements to the Santa Anita backstretch are desperately overdue? BN: That's something we'll have to continue to dial up from a 360 view about what we can do. But the focus now has shifted to, 'how do we cater to the population in the North? How do we use all resources efficiently and effectively to keep horses in California?' TDN: What can you share about plans to introduce Historic Horse Racing machines at California tracks, as a possible alternate source of revenues? BN: When we look at 2025, I think where we're going now, I do think there's a great message to get out in that we seem to be moving in the right direction. The single circuit delivers upside to purses, and helps to eliminate all the concerns that we've had over the past several years regarding purse payments, so we can get our financial house in order. But that still doesn't eliminate the need for the big bang secondary stream of income that would come from something like HHR. That still has to be our top priority. But we're still in the early stages in terms of strategic thinking. I can't give you specifics as to when, but there would need to be a very layered approach as to what's necessary. For example, I would expect that we would need to go back to the CHRB [California Horse Racing Board] one more time and get another second set of approvals before we could even consider a soft launch. TDN: What would a soft launch look like? BN: Initially, what the request was forty machines, which is very soft launch for a place this big [Santa Anita]. Really, Santa Anita has done the real work in developing the plan. TDN: Do they have buy-in from Tribal entities? BN: That's the part that's still missing. We're a long way off because those discussions really have not entered the stage where I can really give you a good answer. But yes, you would think you would need some kind of an agreement with the Tribes to be able to launch this thing with the certainty that it's sustainable. TDN: Talking of sustainable, how do you see this one circuit program impacting California breeders? BN: If the buy-in is there and the participation is there and the single circuit works. They can come down now and run in restricted races for higher purse money, with cost of stable and training and transport being picked up. So, the value proposition is as enticing as it can possibly be, and that protects the breeding industry. There are still the opportunities in California. If those races don't fill and there's lesser opportunities… Santa Anita all-weather track | Benoit I mean, the ideal situation would be to expand Santa Anita to a four-day week. We've talked about making 15 races a week available to horses in the North. Now, in order to get 15 races to fill at this stage looks like a tall pass. It's early days. But the effort is being made to deliver as many races as possible for the industry. With the redirect, once we get rid of the purse overpayment, purse money is going to come up. If you look at Santa Anita, and using your scenario where the fairs continue to be in operation, if there's $6 million more in purse money over a, say, 90-day season, that's a considerable increase to purses. And that will benefit California breeders, too. Everybody sees upside. TDN: Finally, what's California racing going to look like when we sit down here in a year's time? BN: We will definitely be stronger in 2026 because I think the overpayment at Del Mar will be gone. The overpayment at Santa Anita will be in check. And Los Alamitos as well. We're going to start reversing that trend that we've experienced over the last three years–we're going to start coming back up. Where we are with that secondary stream of income, I think we will have a much clearer picture of whether it's achievable or not by 2026. To that, I can't give a clear answer. But I would expect that as you look to Jan. 1, 2026, all three tracks in the South are going to be in a much better position than they were at the start of this year. TDN: Will horses still be stabled at Pleasanton in a year's time? BN: I don't know. That's a question for Alameda County Fair. The post Bill Nader Q&A Part 2: 40 HHR Machines “Soft Launch For Place This Big” appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade 3 winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) alum Cutting Humor was represented by his first winner Jan. 2 when 3-year-old filly Basile took the opening race at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.View the full article

The New York Racing Association has reached a settlement with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and has dropped out of a federal lawsuit over how the group that oversees the sport's safety and anti-doping efforts bills tracks.View the full article

Godolphin, which campaigned 22 North American graded stakes winners, including two Breeders’ Cup winners, set a single-season record in earnings as the leading owner for the fourth consecutive year.View the full article

There are six horse racing meetings set for Australia on Friday, January 3. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Wagga. Friday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – January 3, 2025 Wagga Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 3, 2025 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 Next Gen Racing Betting Picklebet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Recommended! 4 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 5 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 6 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

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The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) reached a settlement of their dispute regarding HISA's fee assessment methodology, according to a Thursday press release from the track. As a result of the settlement, NYRA will withdraw from the litigation pending in the Western District of Kentucky and HISA will withdraw the enforcement action initiated against NYRA Nov. 13, 2024. “HISA's ongoing work and overall mission are critically important to the future of thoroughbred horse racing,” said NYRA President & CEO David O'Rourke. “NYRA is pleased to have reached this agreement, which resolves a narrow financial dispute and allows both parties to move forward in the best interests of the sport.” “From the start, NYRA has been an excellent partner to HISA and it is regretful that this financial issue caused a momentary hiccup in the relationship,” said HISA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Lazarus. “However, we are delighted to move forward and to resume our strong partnership grounded in the principles of horse welfare and sporting integrity.” In a story reported in the TDN Dec. 5, Churchill Downs and NYRA had joined to sue HISA and the Federal Trade Commission in federal court, alleging that both the fee impositions and the attempted enforcement actions for non-payment are “illegal.” Prior to that, the two tracks were scheduled to appear at separate enforcement hearings in front of HISA's board to address disputes over their non-payment of assessment fees that are based partially on purses. The post NYRA And HISA Reach Settlement Agreement Over Fee Assessment Methods appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The G2 Zabeel Mile Sponsored by Phi Advertising is the official feature on Friday's 'Sword Of Honour' raceday at Meydan, with last year's winner San Donato (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) featuring in a nine-strong field as he tries to emulate Safety Check (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the only previous dual winner of the race in 2015 and 2016. Successful in 2024 when trained by Chief Stipe Watson, the nine-year-old San Donato is now with Michael Costa and shaped with plenty of encouragement on his first start for the stable when filling the runner-up spot in the Listed Business Bay Challenge. “We're really happy with him,” said Costa. “We ran him first up thinking he would be be too short [on fitness], but we wanted to give his coat a wriggle on. He has come on nicely and will keep getting better with the increase in distance. It looks a firmer race than last year, but the horse is a happy horse.” Safety Check's trainer Charlie Appleby is responsible for both Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Noble Dynasty (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) as he seeks a record-extending seventh win in the race, while Lucia Botti saddles Royal Dubai (Fr) (Seahenge), last seen finishing third in the G2 Al Rashidiya. “Royal Dubai looks fantastic after his impressive Group 2 performance,” said Botti. “It's a short break between two very competitive races, but he's honest and ready for the challenge.” Tuz Primed for Dubawi Defence The other Group race on the card is the G3 Dubawi Stakes Sponsored by Binghatti Developers in which Tuz (Oxbow) is another returning champion. His trainer Bhupat Seemar is seeking a third consecutive win in the race, having also struck with Switzerland (Speightstown) in 2023. Tuz returned from over eight months on the sidelines with an emphatic victory in the Listed Garhoud Sprint, beating the reopposing Colour Up (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) by five and three-quarter lengths. “Tuz is one of the fastest horses in the world and is in good form,” Seemar said of last year's G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner. “He's his usual self so all is good with him.” Tuz's rivals include Desperate Hero (GB) (Captain Gerrard {Ire}), who makes his dirt debut for Salem Bin Ghadayer, having won six of his 24 starts when trained in Britain by Jack Channon. “Desperate Hero has had just one gallop since he came,” said Bin Ghadayer. “He performed well on soft and firm ground in Europe and I'm really happy about him. He's a nice horse and he could develop to become one of the good sprinters here. “This weekend's race is just a starting point for him, as it's a tough field with a super champion [Tuz] in there. But he will be a very nice horse, especially over five furlongs.” The post Returning Winners San Donato and Tuz Take Centre Stage at Meydan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 12/23/2024 Licensee: Guillermo Preciado, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Gordy's Boy, who finished third at Pleasanton on 11/1/24. Date: 12/23/2024 Licensee: Eric Reed, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 24, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Gabapentin–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Lost Bikini, who won at Mahoning Valley on 4/13/24. Date: 12/20/2024 Licensee: Matt Hebert, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 21, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Ranch Badge, who won at Remington Park on 9/5/24. Date: 12/20/2024 Licensee: Robert Medina, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 21, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Forge in Fire, who won at Turfway Park on 2/21/24. Date: 12/19/2024 Licensee: Fernando Bahena, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 20, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Paynt by Letters, who won at Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing on 9/10/24. Date: 12/19/2024 Licensee: Jonathan Thomas, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Mouffy, who won the Perfect Sting Stakes at Aqueduct on 7/4/24. Pending ADMC Violations 01/02/2025, Robert Gherardi, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Caffeine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Little Pinch, who finished second at Albuquerque on 10/18/24. 01/02/2025, Darlene Green, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Caffeine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Lookin at Justice, who finished sixth at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 10/10/24. 12/26/2024, Martin Valdez-Cabral Jr., trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Sapello Sweetee, who won at Albuquerque on 10/19/24. 12/23/2024, Eric Ramaekers, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Hurts So Good, who won at Gulfstream Park on 11/19/24. 12/23/2024, Gary Jackson, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Ipratroprium–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Mywifeknowsitall, who won at Gulfstream Park on 10/13/24. 12/20/2024, Juan Munoz Cano, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Clenbuterol–a banned substance permitted in only limited circumstances–in a sample taken from La Bukana, who finished eighth at Churchill Downs on 10/31/24. 12/19/2024, Karen Jacks, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Halmstad on 11/12/24. The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, Dec. 19-Jan. 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In search of his first Oaklawn Park victory, trainer Chris Davis starts a promising and lightly raced colt named Mo Quality in the Jan. 4 $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes.View the full article

Bet down from a 4-5 morning line to jump at 35 cents on the dollar in a first-level state-bred allowance at Aqueduct Thursday afternoon, Chester Broman's SAND DEVIL (c, 3, Violence–Mineralogist, by Mineshaft) ran up the score through the final furlong and a half en route to 'TDN Rising Star' honors. Having graduated by four solid lengths on six-furlong debut Dec. 8–an effort awarded a field-best 82 Beyer Speed Figure–the homebred drew the inside gate in a field scratched down to five and showed enough speed to hold a spot at the inside through an opening couple of furlongs in :22.90. Jose Lezcano was intent on maintaining that foothold at the fence, and asked Sand Devil to slide up the rail and, though he appeared somewhat reluctant to do so, took the field into the far turn. Smilensaycheese (Solomini), the 2-1 second choice off a third to divisional heavy Sacrosanct (Honest Mischief) in the New York Stallion Series Stakes over seven panels Dec. 14, was poised three wide if the favorite faltered, but no missteps were taken, as Sand Devil quickly opened up on his rivals in upper stretch and won off as miles the best despite being eased right down in the final sixteenth of a mile. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-Chester Broman Sr; B-Chester & Mary Broman (NY); T-Linda Rice. NY-bred SAND DEVIL is now 2-for-2 after an impressive win in Race 2 with Jose Lezcano aboard for trainer @LindaRiceRacing. Keep an eye on this one! pic.twitter.com/CIAIF99vSJ — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) January 2, 2025 The post Violence Colt Sand Devil Dusts Rivals, Becomes A New ‘TDN Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In just her fifth full year of training, Brittany Russell topped the annual standings in Maryland for the second consecutive season, and jockey Jaime Rodriguez also repeated as the state's leading rider, the Maryland Jockey Club said in a release on Tursday. In 2023, Russell ended Claudio Gonazlez's six-year reign atop the leaderboard by notching 118 victories at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, finishing five ahead of runner-up Jamie Ness. Last year, Russell earned 113 victories at Laurel and Pimlico, 16 more than runner-up Ness. Nationwide, she registered 157 wins, 104 seconds, and 89 thirds from 655 starters for earnings of $7,672,690. Russell ranked eighth in the country in wins and 19th in money won. Russell's stable star was undoubtedly Post Time. Owned by Mrs. Ellen Charles's Hillwood Stable, the 4-year-old won Laurel's GIII General George Stakes, Aqueduct's GII Carter Stakes, and Laurel's Polynesian Stakes. The Frosted colt was never off the board over nine starts in 2024, including runner-up efforts in Saratoga's GI Metropolitan Handicap and Del Mar's GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, and a third-place performance in Saratoga's GI Whitney Stakes. Jaime Rodriguez captured the leading jockey title with 177 victories at Laurel and Pimlico. The top rider won the Laurel Park winter meet by a 50-to-28 margin over Jeiron Barbosa, defeated Torrealba by a 45-to-34 mark in the summer standings, and outlasted Torrealba to take the fall title 52 to 46. Rodriguez led the Preakness meet at Pimlico by collecting 12 wins. The post Russell Repeats As Maryland’s Leading Trainer While Rodriguez Named Top Rider Again appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article