Wandering Eyes

What Canterbury Races Where Canterbury Park Racecourse – King St, Canterbury NSW 2193 When Wednesday, August 28, 2024 First Race 1:25pm AEST Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to Canterbury Park Racecourse on Wednesday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set for decision. The rail is out +6m the entire circuit for the meeting, and with no rain forecast throughout the week, the surface should maintain its Good 4 rating. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1:25pm local time. Check out our best bets and quaddie numbers down below. Best Bet at Canterbury: High Dandy High Dandy couldn’t have been more impressive returning at Hawkesbury on August 13. The son of Ace High demoralised his rivals from the jump, making every post a winner as he careered away to score by seven lengths going away in Class 1 company. The four-year-old still has plenty of upside heading into start seven, and provided Tyler Schiller can send this guy forward and adopt similar tactics, High Dandy should prove extremely hard to chase down in the Canterbury finale. Best Bet Race 7 – #9 High Dandy (2) 4yo Horse | T: Brad Widdup | J: Tyler Schiller (57.5kg) +240 with Bet365 Next Best at Canterbury: Mascaret Mascaret was finishing off the best of the beaten brigade at Rosehill on August 17. The six-year-old made a sustained run down the centre of the course, and although she was no match for Etna Rosso, she was clearly the one to take out of the race of those in behind. The Benjamin Osmond 3kg claim should prove vital to her winning chances in this BM72 contest, and provided she can sit closer in transit, Mascaret should be powering over the top to claim her third-career victory. Next Best Race 5 – #3 Mascaret (6) 6yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: Benjamin Osmond (a3) (59.5kg) +550 with PlayUp Next Best Again at Canterbury: Mawjood Mayfair and Mawjood fought out the finish at Rosehill on July 20, with the former just getting the upper hand in the shadows of the post. He was unable to sustain his run sitting outside the leader on that occasion, with the 1200m proving a bridge too far second-up into the campaign. The Hawkes team sent the three-year-old to the trials to keep him up to the mark heading into this 1100m contest, and with Zac Lloyd likely to bound across and lead throughout the journey, Mawjood should give followers a bold sight turning for home. Next Best Again Race 4 – #6 Mawjood (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Zac Lloyd (55.5kg) +130 with Neds Canterbury Wednesday quaddie picks – 28/8/2024 Canterbury Park quadrella selections Wednesday, August 28, 2024 1-6-8 2-3-8-10 1-4-5-10 3-9-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Aegon will contest Saturday’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Stable stalwart Aegon will spearhead a three-strong team for Andrew Forsman at Caulfield on Saturday when he attempts to build on a bold but luckless first-up showing across the Tasman. The seven-year-old will tackle the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) for a third time, while black-type challenges also await his younger stablemates Yaldi and Positivity. Unplaced in last season’s Memsie and fourth in 2021, Aegon opened his Australian campaign when a resuming fourth in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) from a horror barrier. “We were rapt with him, it was a shame he drew the outside and when he does draw wide it means he has to go right back,” Forsman said. “He’s always vulnerable to needing that bit of luck and he didn’t quite get it when he needed it, if he wasn’t held up for those few strides he might have finished closer.” Aegon has done well in the interim, and Vlad Duric will retain the ride on the gelding, who is within touching distance of breaking the $2 million mark in career earnings. “He’s trained on great and we’re really trying to make a point of keeping him as fresh as we can,” Forsman said. “Typically, on a two-week backup he hasn’t produced his best so we’re trying something a little bit different this time around. “It’s race by race with him as it has generally been for the last year or so, we’ll see how he performs on Saturday and work it out after that.” Yaldi and Red Sea were both nominated for the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m), but only the former will take his place on Saturday. “They went to Caulfield this morning (Tuesday) for a gallop and had a nice hit-out and have settled in really well,” Forsman said. “Michael Dee will ride Yaldi who is forward, I just think that there might be a couple a bit slick for him. “It’s very much a run to get his campaign going and we’d like to see him hitting the line well with his main targets the Caulfield Guineas Prelude (Group 3, 1400m) and the Caulfield Guineas (Group 1, 1600m).” Yaldi was a debut winner at Pukekohe last season before the son of Ardrossan was spelled following his third in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. Pierata three-year-old Red Sea ended his juvenile campaign with a runner-up finish in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). “He will have a jump-out at Flemington on Friday and at this stage, he’ll probably kick off in the Poseidon Stakes (Listed, 1100m) on September 14,” Forsman said. Positivity is set to resume in the Heatherlie Handicap (1700m) with Harry Coffey to partner the daughter of Almanzor, who won the Group 3 SA Classic (2500m) at her last appearance. “She’s had a couple of jump-outs and is as forward as we can have her,” Forsman said. “If she is going to do anything as a four-year-old mare, it’s never easy coming out of their three-year-old year, it will be over ground. “This is very much a starting point for her and hopefully we can get a couple of runs into her before we get her out over further.” Horse racing news View the full article

Skew Wiff winning last season’s Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Te Akau Racing are hoping Skew Wiff’s placing in last Saturday’s Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa bodes well for her Group One title defence at Hastings on Saturday-week. The Waikato Stud-bred and raced mare placed in the same race last year before winning the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m), and the now five-year-old appears to be on a similar trajectory. “We are really happy with her. I thought it was a really good first-up effort,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains the mare in partnership with Mark Walker. “She loomed up to win and blew out that last little bit on that testing track (Heavy 9) and the one draw played against us a little bit. “We are really proud of her and the winner (Bonny Lass) was just too good. That should clean her up nicely for Hawke’s Bay, she seems to have come through it well.” Last year Skew Wiff headed across the Tasman where she won the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, but she will likely remain in New Zealand this spring, with plans to be firmed following her Tarzino run. “We will get through the Tarzino and then sit down and have a team talk with Mark Chittick (Waikato Stud principal) and see what he wants to do,” Bergerson said. “Whether they breed her this year or they breed her and keep going, and we map out another plan for her. “I imagine she will stick around here in New Zealand, just what we do after the Tarzino will be dependant on how she runs.” Skew Wiff is currently a $6 second favourite, alongside Bonny Lass, in Tarzino Trophy futures markets with horse racing bookmakers, with the Danny Walker and Arron Tata-trained Crocetti the clear top pick at $2.20. Horse racing news View the full article

Memsie Stakes contender Antino. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Queensland raider Antino will kick off his spring campaign in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) against the likes of Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. The Tony Gollan-trained six-year-old was put through his gears in a recent trial at Cranbourne on August 19 in preparation for his return, with Gollan confirming the son of Redwood has been ticking over nicely since heading to Victoria. “He’s settled in really well,” said Gollan, speaking with Racing.com. “We’re stabled out of Cranbourne this time with Ciaron Maher, and the horse has settled in great to the training centre down there, his jump-out was good, I had a look at him on Saturday morning and thought he looked terrific. “He’s improved off that jump-out, he’ll do a bit of work at Caulfield tomorrow (Tuesday) and make his way back there on Saturday. “He’s got a good overall record and the times he’s been beaten a lot of them you can make a fair few excuses for him as well, he was pretty unlucky a couple times. I thought first-up in this race at 1400m much more suitable than what we saw in the 1200’s at Eagle Farm. Antino has firmed from $9.00 to $6.00 with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes on Saturday, with Gollan likely to chase further Group 1 success as the spring rolls on. “Obviously this is a steep race, plenty of nice horses in there, particularly Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni. “Let’s just see where he sits in the peaking order. “I’ve got a pretty open mind as to where we may go with him, I’ll just let his form tell me where we should go.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group Three winner Sudbina (NZ) (Almanzor) will make her raceday return at Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday, kicking off her new campaign in the Majestic Horse Floats 1300. A daughter of Almanzor, Sudbina won a trio of races through her three-year-old term highlighted by success in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) over subsequent Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) winner Grail Seeker. She was also fourth behind the likes of Lupo Solitario and her high-flying stablemate Orchestral in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) and had the same result behind Molly Bloom in the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m). Roger James, who prepares Sudbina in partnership with Robert Wellwood, was more than happy with her overall performance in a period of learning for both the filly and her trainers. “I thought she had a wicked season, she’s only a wee girl and was learning her trade as she went, and we were learning about her,” James said. “To do what she did was excellent really, she’s won a Desert Gold and fourth in a Bonecrusher, so she’s done very well. “She’s got plenty of length and scope about her, she’s never going to be big but she’s got a decent stride on her and I think we will look to place her carefully later on, where she doesn’t have to carry too much weight.” Sudbina brings a class factor to the Rating 75 contest where apprentice Triston Moodley will claim two kilograms off her 57-kilogram impost, in a race James sees as a nice starting point for the spring. “She hasn’t had a trial, so whatever she does on Wednesday, you would think there would be quite a lot of improvement there, but class does often come through and she does know the synthetic having trialled on it before,” he said. “She’s too good to not be in the hunt, but whether she can win, that’s another question. “A mile is possibly her best distance but who knows, she’s still getting there maturity-wise and I don’t see her being a mature horse until the autumn.” View the full article

Warmonger ridden by Blake Shinn winning the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm. Photo: Darren Winningham Michael Dee is set to ride Warmonger as Blake Shinn, who previously rode the four-year-old to victory in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m), cannot meet the required light weights. Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Warmonger had Shinn aboard when winning a 1200-metre heat at the Cranbourne trials on Monday. Dee will take over for the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on September 14 and will also partner with Warmonger in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m). “He has to be good enough for the race we want, which is the Caulfield Cup where he is going to get 53 or 53.5 kilograms,” Price told Racing.com. “And whilst Blake Shinn won on him, he’s not going to ride 53.5 (kilograms), so we have spoken to Michael Dee and it would be nice to get a continuity of rider. “The Makybe Diva you will see him running on, one would assume, and the same with the Turnbull, and I think he’ll come into his own for the Caulfield Cup. “Want to be careful of the horse and the longevity aspect of him. I think the Melbourne Cup is more gruelling than what people think.” Warmonger is currently a $15 chance for the Caulfield Cup with horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Tramway Stakes contender Amelia’s Jewel. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Amelia’s Jewel showed she’s primed for a return to racing with a smooth victory in a 1000-metre barrier trial at Hawkesbury on Monday. Now under the training of Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, the Group 1-winning mare defeated Group 2 placegetter Too Darn Lizzie by 1.2 lengths, with Tommy Berry in the saddle. She is set to resume at Randwick on Saturday week in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m). “She trialled well,” Neasham told Racing.com. “It was her second trial, so we gave her a bit more of a squeeze and she heads to the Tramway on Saturday week. “We’re just going to kick off in the Tramway and then we’ll figure out where she goes to after that. “All options are open at the moment. I think we’ll just see how the first run goes and we’ll go from there. Horse racing news View the full article

Hayasugi ridden by Jamie Kah returns to the mounting yard after winning the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Although Hayasugi didn’t win one of the competitive 800-metre trials at Cranbourne on Monday, trainer Clinton McDonald was all smiles after the session. The Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) winner gave an impressive performance, finishing third despite settling back in the field. The daughter of Lovatsville-based sire Royal Meeting surged home with minimal encouragement from Jamie Kah, narrowly missing second place to The Astrologist and finishing 2.5 lengths behind Pharari. This trial was Hayasugi’s final preparation before the $750,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 7, and McDonald was pleased with the outcome. “She’s coming along really well, she’s come through the trial well and she’s exactly where we want her,” McDonald said. Hayasugi will make her return to racing after a troubled run in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), where she missed the start and nearly ran through the inside running rail. Prior to that, she had won her previous three starts, including the Blue Diamond Stakes, where she defeated the subsequent Golden Slipper winner, Lady Of Camelot. Following the Moir Stakes, Hayasugi will target the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on September 27. “They’re two nice races, so we’ll get through them and if we’re lucky enough to pick up one we’ll be over the moon, then we’ve got a couple of options which way we can go with her,” McDonald noted. “We’ll get through the first two races and then we can work out whether we want to go to a Thousand Guineas or whether we keep her to the sprint trips.” Hayasugi is listed as a $13 winning chance with horse racing bookmakers for the Moir Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Point King ridden by Jamie Kah winning at Moonee Valley. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) After a dominant win in the Travis Harrison Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley on August 10, Point King may be given a chance to secure a Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) spot for owner Lloyd Williams next month. The gelding, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, could target the $300,000 Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) on September 14, with the winner earning a ballot exemption for the Flemington feature. “Credit to Lloyd and Nick (Williams); both of them said the handicapper got his mark wrong leading into that race, and they were dead right. He was dominant down in the weights,” Sam Freedman told Racing.com. “He has got some scope to get to a pretty good level, I would say. “Whether he’s capable of getting to a Cup or something like that, we will just wait and see, but his form is obviously a mile-and-a-half and beyond. “I wouldn’t rule out that he can get to a good race.” Horse racing news View the full article

Switzerland ridden by James McDonald takes out the Group 2 Todman Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Racing NSW Chris Waller-trained Gatsby jumped to third in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) betting after his first-up win in The Rosebud on August 17. Meanwhile, Gatsby’s Switzerland, who hasn’t raced since finishing eighth in the Golden Slipper, will aim to stake his claim for the Group 1 title in this weekend’s Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m). The $1.5 million yearling has trialled twice over 900 metres at Rosehill in August, finishing fourth each time. “He is ready to go, he has had two trials. We have not pushed him in his trials, as he has a long way to go for the spring. We have kept him nice and fresh,” said Waller. Switzerland is owned by a group led by Coolmore, which also manages Storm Boy, who won 850-metre trials at Randwick on August 5 and 19 and is a contender for Saturday’s Group 3 at Rosehill. “We will decide on Tuesday, but he’s a big chance to run. He trialled well, and he has improved nicely,” said Adrian Bott who co-trains Storm Boy alongside Gai Waterhouse. Mayfair and Anode are Bott and Waterhouse’s other entries for one of two $250,000 Group 3 races for three-year-olds at Rosehill. Horse racing news View the full article

A Trio of European horses running at Kentucky Downs this weekend hit the track for the first time after clearing quarantine at Churchill Downs Monday morning. Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Stromberg (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), who came over for Saturday's $3.1 million DK Horse Nashville Derby, and 2-year-old Black Forza (Complexity), slated for Sunday's $1-million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Sprint, went out together at 9 a.m. ET for some light exercise. They are scheduled to take a two-hour van ride to Franklin, Kentucky after training at Churchill Tuesday morning. The European horses flew via Mersant International horse transportation from the London Stansted Airport, arriving Friday morning in Indianapolis, then vanning to Churchill Downs' onsite Kentucky Import Center to clear quarantine. They will remain under isolation protocol at Churchill Downs before shipping to Kentucky Downs. As a Kentucky-bred, Black Forza runs for the Juvenile Sprint's entire $1-million pot. “We were really pleased with the way he came over,” said Lauryn Faulkner, traveling with Black Forza for Irish trainer Michael O'Callaghan. “He ate everything. He settled right in here. He's nice and relaxed.” Black Forza won the six-furlong G2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood in his latest start Aug. 1. “He's cool; he's a dude,” Faulkner said. “He's chilled out, he's fresh. He gives you the wow factor when you ride him. So he's exciting. We can't wait to get down there. The ground over here will really suit him. The race is 6 1/2 [furlongs]. He's run over six and seven, so we think it's perfect.” As foreign breds, Bellum Justum and Stromberg will compete for the DK Horse Nashville Derby's $1.9 million base purse. “We're very happy with him,” said Christina Thompson, who with Ashley Hussey traveled with Group 3-placed Stromberg for Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien. “He's happy. It's a nice quiet barn. He went to the track today, had a little leg stretch, and he's in good order.” Maddy O'Meara, in with Bellum Justum for Britain's Andrew Balding, said her colt was eager to get to the track Monday. “We've been cooped up in the barn for three days so they were very eager to get to the track,” she said. “He felt brilliant. He's quite a big lad, and he can be quite spirited at times. He managed to keep it together today, and he enjoyed finally being out to stretch his legs. He felt good, felt strong. Bellum Justum, the 7-2 favorite in the Nashville Derby, has been pointed for the DK Horse Nashville Derby even before he finished second in the G3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood on Aug. 1 in Britain. He won the Listed Blue Riband Trial at Epsom in April before finishing third in the Listed Hampton Court at Royal Ascot June 20. “We've planned back and trained him as if he was coming here,” O'Meara said. “That was the plan, and it's worked so far…We feel definitely confident about it. He traveled over well. He's very spritely, and he's eating and drinking. And he'll like the firm ground. He acts better on 'good to firm' so the ground will certainly suit him. He got a good draw [post 6], got a good jockey [Frankie Dettori] on him. Hopefully, it all plays together and ends up in a good result.” The post European Invaders Arrive Ahead of Kentucky Downs Foray appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GRAND PRAIRIE, TX–With a winning bid of $150,000 an El Deal colt, who is a full-sister to 2022 Louisiana Horse of the Year Free Like a Girl, topped the Texas Thoroughbred Association's (TTA) single-session Summer Yearling Sale at the Lone Star Park Pavilion on Monday, Aug. 26. During the sale, which included Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana-bred yearlings, 142 grossed $2,685,200 for an average of $18,910, a median of $13,000 and 45 were listed as not sold. With a smaller catalogue this year, the gross decreased from a year ago when 175 yearlings sold for $3,240,000. Those figures also represented a decrease from 2022 when 161 head sold for a record $3,416,000. “All in all, I thought this was a buyers and sellers market,” said Foster Bridewell, director of horse sales for the TTA. “The topper showed well all week, so I was not surprised he led the way. We always appreciate our buyers and thank you to the consignors for all their efforts, which made this yearling sale happen.” Mansfield Racing, Calhoun Find the Real Deal After a back-and-forth, the top ticket (hip 7) was signed by Josh Stevens, agent, on behalf of Landon Jordan's Mansfield Racing. The new owner is planning to send his latest acquisition to trainer Bret Calhoun. Local to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, Jordan has had prior success at the TTA's sales when haltering Too Much Kiki (Too Much Bling) as a yearling and Free Drop Maddy (Free Drop Billy) as a 2-year-old. Both have won multiple black-type races under Calhoun's care. According to Stevens, the operation set its sights on the Louisiana-bred son of El Deal ever since his dam Flashy Prize (Flashy Bull) foaled the bay Feb. 21, 2023. The colt was consigned by Oakridge Farm, Paul Pruett at Lone Star Park. Josh Stevens and Landon Jordan | JN Campbell “So, we've known this colt has existed since the day he was born and Landon is always looking through who is bred to what,” Stevens said. “We were excited to see if he was going to show up in a sale or they were going to retain it.” The colt's connection to the Pelican State champion was an obvious reason Mansfield entered the bidding. After winning the Misty Bennett Pink Ribbon Stakes at Charles Town last Friday, Free Like a Girl is now the highest earning Louisiana-bred in the history of the state with nearly $2 million in her account. Stevens continued, “We've faced Free Like a Girl before and she's as good a race mare as any. The family is capable and this colt stood on his own four legs. He has the size and scope, and we think the ability, like his full-sister, to stretch out to two turns.” Stevens admitted the sale topping price was not a surprise, and he thought it could have been higher. “I had put this horse in the $125,000 to $150,000 range as far as his on paper value,” he said. “The funny thing about the Texas sale is anyone here can afford any horse, so it comes down to ego and how bad they want it. I've seen it get out of hand here.” A former drag racer, who has also competitively shown dogs, Jordan is passionate about the sport of horse racing. Even though he got into the business only about four years ago, the Texan understood before he bought his first horse that you have to do your research. “I am one of those people who follows things and this colt by El Deal was one we wanted to have,” said Jordan. “His sister is about as good as it gets and is even better than a regional horse. I got Too Much Kiki out of the sale and Free Drop Maddy has done well in Louisiana.” The Mansfield program has focused on buying young regional horses and focused on getting them to the track. Jordan's competitive spirit which was honed partly on a drag strip has fueled the stable's success. “So, there are pluses and minuses to having a drag racing background,” he said. “The pluses are you are used to things not going your way, so you are a little more accustomed to it. The other side of it is that this is very competitive. You know I also came from the show dog world…This [Thoroughbreds] isn't as political, necessarily. I love it. What you have to do is get people around you that know their stuff. Having a great team like I do makes all the difference.” Collected -Texas-Yearlingr_PRINT_Olivia-Friesen-1024x745.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="745" /> Colt by Collected | Olivia Friesen Jordan approached Calhoun to be his conditioner at the beginning and their relationship has blossomed. The Texas and Louisiana-based trainer said he was pleased to see Mansfield win out and was confident the colt was worth the money. “A very, very good prospect who was high-rated on all our charts, said Calhoun. “It's more than he is a full to Free Like a Girl, which is a lot. But he's also a great individual. The pinkhookers couldn't reach that far and so it was going to be an end user. I thought we could get in the range that we went for. He will get broken somewhere else, then come to my barn at the end of the year or in January.” The second highest price at the auction was a colt by Collected (hip 176), consigned by Scott Mallory, agent, who was purchased for $100,000 by SBM, agent, for Ken Reimer. After the yearling sale a separate special dispersal of 10 horses—featuring broodmares and weanlings consigned by CS Sales, agent, for Three Feathers Farm–rounded out the afternoon. Click here for complete sales results. Hip 7 El Deal colt Consigned by Oakridge Sells to @_JoshStevens, agent for @TXRaceHorses pic.twitter.com/WdG8QySuX4 — Texas Thoroughbred (@TTAtexas) August 26, 2024 The post Full To LA-Bred Champion Tops Texas Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An industry veteran, Nick Sallusto's connections and client base put him at the center of purchases of Chancer McPatrick and With the Angels.View the full article

Louisiana-based jockey Chris Rosier, who rode Eclipse champion Summer Bird in the 2009 Kentucky Derby (G1), rode his 1,000th career winner Aug. 24 aboard Lucky Bead Lady in the second race at Evangeline Downs.View the full article

His grandfather managed studs for the late Queen Elizabeth II and his father has a notable track record as a bloodstock agent, so for Conor Norris a life in racing was perhaps inevitable. But he has gone his own way to a degree, and combines his role on Darley's nominations team with his hobby of running the syndicate Keep Kicking Racing. How did you first become involved/interested in racing and bloodstock? I was born and raised around a family passionate about racehorses and heavily involved in the industry. My grandfather, Sean, is a fantastic horseman who worked for HM the Queen from 1969 to 2004, with seven years as stallion man at Sandringham before managing Hampton Court and Polhampton Studs. My father, Liam, was also a stud manager for several years and a bloodstock agent who has purchased a number of Group 1 winners. My mother, Sarah, rode in point-to-points and now works with George Windsor-Clive, and [stepmother] Jenny is the manager of Norris Bloodstock. It was only ever going to be racing and bloodstock for me, and I am very lucky to have picked up useful insights from some of the best horsemen and women out there. What does your role at Darley entail and how did you get to where you are today? I'm on the nominations team at Dalham Hall Stud. It's a fantastically varied job that includes lots of pedigree research, assessing stock, and client relations. I get to sell the best stallions in Europe to the best breeders in Europe, and it's great fun. I work with a team of incredibly knowledgeable people, and I feel like I come home every day having learned something new. I worked on a number of farms growing up, including Whitsbury Manor Stud. I graduated with a degree in Business and Management before completing the BHA graduate programme and entering a placement with Great British Racing in London. I made a conscious effort to get as much experience in as many places as possible. There were endless written letters asking for some unpaid experience that all contributed to widening my eyes to the entire industry and letting me explore different avenues. I spent a year in Australia at Arrowfield Stud before coming back home and commencing a job with Marco Botti as pupil assistant. I am exceedingly fortunate to have the job I do now What prompted you to set up Keep Kicking Racing? I was always mad keen to set up a venture of my own from a young age. The syndicate is my hobby and I absolutely love it. When I first started Keep Kicking Racing, the farm was producing some nice fillies that, in my opinion, weren't making their true market value, so I set up the syndicate to lease one and race her. Our first runner was a second-generation Norris homebred named Vaunted (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), who I sent to Clive Cox. The master trainer won with her on debut. The model of the syndicate has changed slightly over the years; now shareholders purchase equity in the horses I source at the sales as opposed to leasing. We've had some unbelievable luck on the track, winning 13 races, including a number of good maidens and novices, and had a Group 3 runner, all with horses that cost less than £20,000. The syndicate is run to try and make a profit, but we as a collective enjoy the journey more than anything. How have you found the response to syndicate ownership? Has it been hard to find shareholders? It's very hard initially; getting new owners is tricky, but I'm forever grateful that the retention rate of shareholders is high. We've been doing the syndicate now for over four years, and the first people to show an interest back in 2019/2020 are still with me. I hope soon I can find them the big horse they deserve. If you were handed a hypothetical £100,000 sales voucher to be spent at any of the sales – be that yearlings, foals, or mares – what would you look for? I'd love to buy a nice stakes filly from a good family and send her back to Norris Bloodstock, but I would most likely buy four £25,000 yearlings that are nice models from good smaller breeders and with mile to middle-distance pedigrees. The best days I've had in this game have been when I've been involved with winners on the track; I never want to lose sight of that. I want to be buying the best and breeding the best racehorses without breaking the bank. You have to play at the top table to hit the big time, but I have had a lot of luck with trading horses on that have been cheap yearling purchases, so I'd back myself to find some sort of value. Who's the best horse you've ever been involved with? I've managed to work with some fantastic horses hands-on. Giavellotto (Ire) in Newmarket, Profondo (Aus) in Australia, and Glorious Journey (GB), Shalaa (Ire), Saffron Beach (Ire), and Dancing Rain (Ire) are all Norris purchases or graduates. It's very cool being able to nip down and see Dubawi (Ire), Too Darn Hot (GB), and co every day. People sometimes forget just how exceptional these stallions are. The most special horse to me in my career so far would be Maximilian Caesar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Bought for £10,000, we sold him to Australia last year rated 97, and he was magic. We won some nice races with him, including an 8½-length demolition at Doncaster as a three-year-old. I had a part to play in sourcing the horse as a yearling, breaking him in, training, managing the syndicate that owned him, driving the box to the races, and saddling him. He also won a Class 2 at the St Leger meeting ridden by Stefano Cherchi, who was a phenomenal talent in the saddle and a great friend who we will all miss massively. Those are days I will never forget. I'm delighted Maximilian's new owners have sent him to Dom Sutton down in Australia, who is a young name to note in the training ranks in Melbourne. Who has had the biggest influence on your career to date? Marco Botti. I went to work for Marco very green and clueless about the life of a trainer but instantly respected him. He might be one of the most hard-working people I've ever dealt with, first on the yard in the morning and last to leave every day. He is an unbelievable assessor of a horse's physique and movement, and I learned loads about managing horses' soundness in training through him and excellent vet Pete Ramzan. Marco's attention to detail is admirable, and he never misses a thing. He checks every horse in his care every evening, and if he isn't happy with the way something is done, he does it himself. Above all, he respects and rewards those that work hard for him. I was so lucky to say that after a few years with him, I had the opportunity to do everything; I learned an awful lot. Not just as a horseman, but as a businessman as well. How do you feel the bloodstock industry could encourage more of the younger generation to get involved in breeding? A few more of those £100,000 sales vouchers would help! I'm a huge advocate for syndicates, allowing people to get involved in a smaller, less financially risky way. I think there's some real scope for mare syndication in the future, and it might be something I will explore. What is the best advice you have ever been given? Richard Kent: “Everything should always be for sale.” If you don't trade when the time is right, it's a very tricky game to thrive in. If you could swap places with one person in racing or breeding for one day, who would it be and why? Kieran Shoemark. One thing I've never been much good at is riding; very minimal style, and I think I spent more time on the floor as a child than on the horse's back. I respect a talented jockey so much, and I am lucky to be good mates with a few. They're all proper athletes with considerable dedication. I wouldn't mind having that feeling of passing the post in the lead just once, and I think KS will be passing the post in the lead a lot over the next few years. Give us one horse to follow for the remainder of the Flat season… Daylight (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}). The winner of the G3 Prix de Cabourg and third in the G1 Prix Morny, this filly is a smart prospect. The post Young Guns: Conor Norris appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The data captured annually through the Thoroughbred Makeover offers a closer look at how horses are moving into second careers and may provide the most comprehensive picture of the state of Thoroughbred aftercare available.View the full article

Parx Racing and the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association announced a new joint venture to provide a free equine shuttle service between Penn National Racecourse and Parx Racing.View the full article

Two-time NFL MVP and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson joins the National Thoroughbred League as its latest team owner and will launch a program to expose less privileged children to one of Maryland's most storied industries.View the full article

Lu's Time held on by a nose to break her maiden in the ninth race at Prairie Meadows Aug. 25 to become the first winner for freshman sire Timeline.View the full article

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DONCASTER, England–Clive Cox might not have a degree in mechanical engineering, but it's fair to say that there have been few better trainers than him over the years when it comes to masterminding the career trajectory of a 'Donny Rocket'. Think Harry Angel (Ire), the July Cup and Sprint Cup scorer bought by Cox for just £44,000 at the 2015 edition of the Goffs UK Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale, or the Prix de l'Abbaye heroine Gilt Edge Girl (GB) (Monsieur Bond {Ire}), his very first Group 1 winner who he'd bought for 17,000gns at the equivalent sale in 2007. Just last week Cox was celebrating at York again when his Diligently (GB)–a colt by Harry Angel who fetched £100,000 at this sale last year–won the Harry's Half Million By Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes, following up the victory of the stable's Dragon Leader (Ire) (El Kabeir) in the same race 12 months earlier. “I'm really proud to have achieved that, winning it two years running,” the Lambourn trainer said of that feat on Monday morning, less than 24 hours before the first of 463 lots is scheduled to go under the hammer at this year's Premier Yearling Sale. “Harry [Beeby, the late chairman of Goffs] was a very special person to me and just winning it once was great–we'll keep trying to come back and do something similar.” “A bit of luck,” Cox added when asked to pinpoint the secret behind the success he's enjoyed with his recruits from this sale, a list which also includes Reckless Abandon (GB), a dual Group 1-winning two-year-old after being picked up for just £24,000, plus the Al Mohamediya Racing-owned pair of Golden Horde (Ire) and Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), bought for £65,000 and £85,000, respectively. “We've been coming here for many years with the same sort of approach. It's an exciting point in the year–it doesn't always go right, but it's wonderful when it does.” Still a maiden after five career starts, Reposado (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB})–last year's top lot when selling to Robson Aguiar for £200,000–is yet to have things fall right for him, but Aguiar and the Amo Racing team have enjoyed better luck with £82,000 buy Arizona Blaze (GB). He was beaten just a head by Diligently on the Knavesmire last week, having previously won the Marble Hill Stakes and finished third in the Phoenix Stakes. It was around this time last year that Sergei Prokofiev, the sire of Arizona Blaze, was starting to be talked about as a first-season sire to be reckoned with. Twelve months on and it's now clear why, with the Whitsbury Manor Stud resident having produced 15 individual winners in Europe, four more than closest pursuers Pinatubo (Ire) and Sands Of Mali (Fr). Now attentions turn to the first-season sires destined to make a name for themselves in 2025, headed perhaps by Tally-Ho Stud's Starman (GB), the busiest new stallion in Europe in 2022 when covering a bumper book of 254 mares. The July Cup winner is set to be represented by 28 yearlings this week. “I do like the ones I've seen,” said Tally-Ho's Roger O'Callaghan whilst overseeing inspections of their own 25-strong draft, which includes seven yearlings from Starman's first crop. “They've got very good temperaments. They might take a bit of time, like he did himself, but I like what I see–they'll sell well.” That optimism was shared by cousin David O'Callaghan of Yeomanstown Stud, the team responsible for the Middle Park Stakes winner Supremacy (Ire) and six of his yearlings–from a total of 17–set to be offered this week. “I think they're going reasonably well, but we'll know more once the sale starts!” he summed up. “He was a very fast two-year-old who won the Richmond in record time and then went on and won the Middle Park, beating a deep field. If his progeny can match him, everybody will be happy enough.” Supremacy, of course, is another previous graduate of this sale when bought by that man Cox for £65,000 back in 2019. “We've still got a few more to see, but I'd be happy with what I've seen so far,” the trainer added of his former stable star's first crop. “They look very sharp and racy. He was a very fast horse himself and I see no reason why he won't pass that gene on–I really hope so.” Cox was joined on the Doncaster sales grounds by many of his peers in the training ranks, including Karl Burke, Roger Varian, Ed Walker, Hugo Palmer and Harry Eustace, while Adrian Keatley was also back looking for the next Symbol Of Strength (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), last week's Gimcrack Stakes third who was picked up for £100,000 at this sale 12 months ago. Other high-profile graduates include a pair who acquitted themselves well at Royal Ascot this year in the shape of the Windsor Castle Stakes winner Ain't Nobody (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}) and the Queen Mary Stakes third Maw Lam (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), while a mention should also go to the Havana Grey (GB) filly Adrestia (GB). Bought for just £50,000 at this sale, Adrestia then provided Derryconnor Stud's Katie McGivern with a dream result when she returned to Doncaster a few months later to top the Goffs Breeze-up Sale at £420,000. Members of the breeze-up fraternity are becoming an increasingly familiar sight at sales such as this one, with the likes of Katie Walsh and Norman Williamson amongst those in attendance on Monday, while a healthy consignment from the National Stud has been a welcome addition, both this year and last. This week the National Stud is set to offer eight yearlings, with head of bloodstock Joe Bradley highlighting Lot 195, a Night Of Thunder (Ire) filly out of the Prix Bertrand de Tarragon winner Aim To Please (Fr) (Excellent Art {GB}), and Lot 222, a Churchill (Ire) colt out of the Princess Margaret Stakes scorer Angel's Hideaway (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), as ones to watch. “Night Of Thunder has had an amazing year, with his fillies in particular,” Bradley began. “She's out of a Group 3-winning mare. She's been very popular and I think a lot of people will appreciate her–she's sharp. “The Churchill colt, his breeding speaks for itself. Churchill is a very good stallion and Angel's Hideaway was a great mare. We're very happy with him and they're both very nice types who suit the sale.” Bradley also put in a positive word for the National Stud's Lope Y Fernandez (Ire), who will be represented by 14 yearlings from his first crop in the coming days. “We couldn't be happier with Lope Y Fernandez,” he added. “Last year at the foal sales people were very receptive to him and we've got 75 across the yearling sales this year, so there will be plenty of opportunities for people to buy them. His 14 here at Doncaster are all nice, early types. He's ticked every box and, as long as he keeps doing that, we'll be in a great place next year with his runners.” St Mark's Basilica (Fr) was the fastest out of the blocks among the first-season sires when he was responsible for eight yearlings sold at the Arqana August Sale at an average of €446,250 and an aggregate of €3.57 million. This week Lot 459, offered by Gillon Bloodstock, will be a unique commodity as the only yearling by the five-time Group 1 winner in the sale, a colt out of the Listed-placed mare Mighty Spirit (GB) (Acclamation {GB}). Like the yearlings offered by the National Stud, the St Mark's Basilica colt certainly hails from a historic nursery having been raised at Floors Stud since he was a weanling. Christopher Gillon, formerly stud manager, has been operating under his own name out of Floors Stud since the part dispersal of the late Duke of Roxburghe's stock in December 2020. “We're obviously in the same place, so I've tried to keep things exactly how we did them before,” Gillon said of how things have developed in the meantime. “It worked so well before that it seemed silly to change it, and it seems to be working as the quality of mares we're getting in is a lot better now and we're picking up some good-quality young stock to bring to the sales. “We started off with a couple of yearlings to sell and each year we've kind of grown and picked up a few more. Now we're starting to get to some of the bigger and better sales and this year we've got about 10 yearlings to sell which is up from last year. We're back at Book 1 this year and that's the first time under Gillon Bloodstock which is great. We're slowly building which is exactly what it's all about.” As for what the Premier Yearling Sale is all about, that's best left to Goffs chief Henry Beeby, who summed up what prospective buyers have been seeing in recent days, and what we can expect, as the countdown continues to the start of trade at 10am on Tuesday. “It's a good, strong catalogue, full of commercial, good-walking individuals which is what we focus on,” he said. “This sale has the strongest identity of any sale because when people come in here, they walk in and they know what they're going to find. There's some quality in there and some good pedigrees. “We saw at Saratoga across in New York and at Arqana that if everything is in the right place at the right time, horses are selling very well. It's quite a selective market, maybe even more selective than normal, but we major on the individual and the individuals are here, so I'd be hopeful of a buoyant sale.” The post “We’ll Keep Trying” – Clive Cox on the Search for Next ‘Donny Rocket’ at Goffs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Next will remain at the marathon distance in the Sept. 21 Greenwood Cup (G3) at Parx Racing, bypassing the 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga Race Course Sept. 1. However, a trip to the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar could still be in play.View the full article

It’s already been an action-packed couple of days for the country’s leading driver Blair Orange as he heads to Cambridge today to drive at the new Tuesday meetings. Today’s meeting will feature seven races, starting at 4.57pm, to be followed by Winton on Thursday, Auckland and Addington as the venues for Friday Night Lights and then the annual Blue September fund-raiser will kick off at Ashburton on Sunday. Orange has four drives tonight. He drove three winners at Rangiora on Sunday to go to 114 for the year. The six-time New Zealand champion driver has an 11-win in 2024 over closest rival John Dunn. He then headed to Auckland on Monday with fellow Blue September ambassadors Robbie Close and Jonny Cox, only to jump out of a plane at 18,000 feet. The skydive, a first for all three of the high fliers, was all about increasing awareness of prostate cancer and raising funds for the New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation. By all accounts the trio, and Orange in particular, were fair buzzing afterwards. In Race 6 at Cambridge tonight, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Mobile Pace (7.16pm) Close will drive Victor Bravo, while Blair Orange will go head-to-head with his son Harrison Orange, who has sprinted out of the blocks with three wins from his first eight drives. Blair will partner up with Blue Chip Lou while Harrison will drive the favourite, Potter. Says Who is Nicky Chilcott’s best chance at Cambridge tonight By Brigette Solomon Cambridge based trainer Nicky Chilcott has three runners engaged at tonight’s meeting and she’s hopeful all are place chances at least on their home track. The first runner, in Race 3, the Friday Steak Night At The Clubhouse Mobile Pace (2700 metres), is It’s Nae Or Never. The well-bred three-year-old filly, by Art Major and out of Juice Brogden, has a win and two placings from 11 starts but hasn’t had a great deal of luck and on occasion has raced in some quality fields. Her last start on July 26 at Alexandra Park saw her sit three wide without cover for the duration of the race before fading in the home straight. “She hasn’t really had the rub of the green but at the same time there have been occasions where she hasn’t helped herself just not doing things quite right,” says Chilcott, “from the draw tonight I’ll be driving her positively and I’d really like to see her win with a bit of luck.” Up next is Del Shannon in Race 5,the Betavet Prepare Handicap Trot, where he starts off the unruly with a 20 metre handicap. A winner of six races, the Muscle Hill gelding has won on this track over the 2700 metre trip, but his recent performance have resulted in lacklustre finishes. Chilcott admits he hasn’t performed to the best of his abilities in recent starts. “He was awful last start and had every opportunity but just didn’t put in,” says Chilcott, “we’ve really changed things up with his training since then, increasing his workload and doing things a bit differently.” “His work has been good and he’s well, so I’m hopeful he’ll show more interest tonight, as he is more than capable of winning in tonight’s field when he’s at his best.” Chilcott’s final starter of the night is the three-year-old maiden Says Who in Race 7, the Hire A Venue At Cambridge Raceway Mobile Pace. The He’s Watching gelding has had just three starts to date showing improvement on each occasion. He most recently finishing fifth at Alexandra Park on August 16 showing grit to battle on well up the straight and finish 3.3 lengths from the winner Upstage. “He’s quite a nice little horse but has just struggled around the final bend when going right handed at Alexandra Park,” says Chilcott, “he’s also encountered a couple of races with a slow tempo early and a sprint home which doesn’t suit him when he has to balance up on the home turn still and loses a bit of momentum.” “I think he’s probably my best chance of the night, he’s been bright and happy since his last start and back to left handed tonight on his home track he should be a good chance.” View the full article

Parx Racing and the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (PAHBPA) have launched a new joint venture to provide a free equine shuttle service from Penn National Racecourse to Parx Racing. The shuttle service, which will be available on live racing days at Parx, is capable of transporting up to 10 horses. The program will begin on Labor Day, Sept. 2. “This is a win-win situation for both the horsemen and Parx,” said David Osojnak, Parx Director of Racing. “The partnership provides Penn National horsemen with the opportunity to race during their fall break with no transportation cost while helping to grow the field size at Parx Racing. We are thrilled to be partnering with the Penn National horsemen in an effort that will add to the excitement at Parx Racing leading up to and after the 2024 Pennsylvania Derby Day on Saturday Sept. 21st.” The collaboration grew out of discussions between Osojnak and Todd Mostoller, Executive Director of the PAHBPA regarding field sizes and financial barriers to PAHBPA members that could hinder their racing at Parx during their downtime at Penn National. “We are excited about this collaboration with Parx which will provide free, no-cost equine transportation to our PAHBPA owners and trainers,” said Todd Mostoller. “We are always interested in pursuing new, creative opportunities to assist our members and this effort has a lot of promise.” Given the shuttle will be limited to 10 horses per live race day, access will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and is only available to Penn National horsemen for transportation between the track in Grantville, PA and Parx Racing in Bensalem, PA. Horsemen may contact Simoff Horse Transportation at 302-994-1433 or by email at Simoffhorsetranport@gmail.com to arrange their shipping needs once overnights come out. Horsemen with any questions about the shuttle service are encouraged to contact the Parx Racing Office at 215-639-9000, extension 3310 or the PAHBPA at 717-469-2970. The post Parx Racing, Penn National Partner to Offer Free Shuttle Service on Live Race Days appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After slipping and falling in the paddock prior to the Aug. 3 Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, Brightwork is back to take another shot at beginning her 3-year-old season in the $200,000 Prioress Stakes (G3) Aug. 31.View the full article