Wandering Eyes

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Gypsy Woman at Del Mar this past weekend. Cotai Glory Filly Comes Good In California Fresh off siring a 'TDN Rising Star' on Sunday, Cotai Glory (GB) is also the sire of Del Mar allowance heroine Gypsy Woman (Ire), who won over a mile later that day for trainer Mark Glatt (video). Raced by Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners and Rancho Temescal, LLC, the 4-year-old filly was making her second start in the U.S. Bred by the Highest Praise Syndicate, the bay brought €68,000 as a Goffs Sportman's yearling from Joe Foley. Gypsy Woman made eight starts in Ireland for Clipper Logistics and Ger Lyons, winning twice, before changing hands after a second in a Gowran handicap in April. The fourth foal out of Highest Praise (GB), she is one of five winners for the daughter of Acclamation (GB), whose best is the Listed Blenheim Stakes hero Megarry (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}). Gypsy Woman is from the same family as triple group winner Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), who was also runner-up in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas. Tally-Ho Stud sire Cotai Glory has seven U.S. winners from 11 runners (59%). Of his trio of black-type horses, the son of Exceed And Excel (Aus) counts multiple graded stakes-placed Spirit And Glory (Ire), and listed winner Sunset Glory (Ire) as stakes winners. The view from above is always a treat! Watch trainer Mark Glatt's GYPSY WOMAN (IRE) ($4.20) run down the pacesetter and win the 7th at @DelMarRacing! @Antonio1Fresu is on the reins. Play the bailout daily double: https://t.co/CDoj9VG9iY pic.twitter.com/taN1p4kuKF — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 19, 2024 Repeat Winners Godolphin's Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) won the GI Arlington Million in style at Colonial Downs earlier this month (video). The Charlie Appleby trainee was winning his fourth top-level race, after capturing Group/Grade 1s at Saratoga (in 2022), and in Germany and Canada last year. Another Grade I winner, e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), strutted his stuff in the GI Fourstardave Stakes at Saratoga (video). Trained by Chad Brown, he has won four American stakes. Making Waves regular Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) added another graded victory to her haul in Del Mar's GII Yellow Ribbon Handicap (video). The three-time Grade I winner is raced by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trained by Leonard Powell. Showcasing (GB)'s Fandom (GB) returned a winner in the Mahony Stakes at Saratoga recently (video). Trained by Brad Cox for Stonestreet Stables, the colt won the Palisades Stakes earlier this year. The Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Bruce Treitman-owned Sunset Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) won her third consecutive race and first stakes in the Listed CTT and TOC Stakes at Del Mar this month (video). She is trained by Mike McCarthy. Stakes winner Breath Away (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) returned a winner of a Saratoga allowance (video). The Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Tango Uniform Racing and Steven Rocco silksbearer first featured here when taking the Sanibel Island Stakes last spring. The post Making Waves: A Gypsy Life For Me appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At the start of this year's Saratoga meet, jockey Dylan Davis had a goal of beating the 19 wins he came home with last year. With two weeks still left to go before the NYRA circuit heads back downstate, Davis has already accomplished what he set out to do. He has scored 23 wins, including multiple stakes victories and his first Grade I in the U.S., and is currently ranked fourth in a highly competitive Saratoga jockey colony. The 29-year-old has finished in the money in 45% of his 119 starts and his average win payoff of $19.90 is best among the top 15 riders this meet. Those stats are all well and good, but Davis is more excited about the type of horse he is landing here in Saratoga. “It has been incredible,” shared the jockey who graduated just a few miles from the track at Saratoga Springs High School. “I've already had a four-winner day, so that's new. My best was a three-winner day. The quality of horses I've been riding has improved and I'm having a lot of success, so I'm just continuing to ride the train.” Davis inherited a thrill-seeking nature from his father, retired jockey and trainer Robbie Davis. Growing up, the younger Davis fulfilled his innate need for speed through the world of motocross, a type of off-road motorcycle racing. When he turned 16, Davis bumped up to a class that required him to have a bigger, more powerful bike. “I asked Dad for a bigger bike and it's a funny story because he said that it was too dangerous because a bigger bike would mean bigger jumps and more speed,” recalled Davis. “I started laughing because what he did for a living was horse racing.” Instead of purchasing a bike with more horsepower, Robbie Davis suggested that his son consider some literal horsepower. Davis learned the ropes of becoming a jockey by jogging through the back fields of Saratoga behind the annex and having his dad pony him around the track. After graduating from Chris McCarron's North American Racing Academy, Davis earned his first win in 2012 at Suffolk Downs. From the start, Davis's goal was to follow in his father's footsteps and ride the NYRA circuit. It was slow going at first, but over the past few years with the help of agent Mike Migliore, Davis's dedication and talent is starting to show on the big stage. “It's a very prestigious circuit, especially Saratoga,” said Davis. “It took three or four years of a lot of hard work to really build the foundation and build the business to where it is today. It wasn't an overnight thing. You definitely ride waves in racing. You have lulls, but we were able to stick it out, push through and always look on the other side of the fence.” Davis is a year-round presence in New York, where he has competed again his sisters Katie and Jackie and brother-in-law Trevor McCarthy. He earned his first riding title at the 2021-22 winter meet at Aqueduct and scored his 1,000th career victory in May of 2022 at Belmont Park. Against a brilliant backdrop, Davis and Carson's Run score in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes | Sarah Andrew That first Grade I score eluded Davis until 2021, when he ventured out of New York to Woodbine Park and piloted Mutamakina (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) to victory in the E.P. Taylor Stakes for Christophe Clement. He scored another Grade I at the same Canada track with the same trainer in 2023 aboard Carson's Run (Cupid) in the Summer Stakes. Carson's Run took Davis to his first Breeders' Cup last year for the Juvenile Turf. While the West Point Thoroughbreds and Steven Bouchey-campaigned colt finished a disappointing ninth at Santa Anita, he more than made up for it this summer when he handed Davis his first stateside Grade I victory in the Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes on Aug. 11. “For my first Grade I in the states to be at Saratoga, in my hometown, I can't even put it into words,” said Davis. “It was an incredible feeling and I'm so happy that it all worked out to be in Saratoga.” Davis said that this year, Carson's Run has had a habit of getting himself worked up during races. Davis's key to the win in the Saratoga Derby was helping the 3-year-old relax and then switch on at the right moment. Davis patiently navigated Carson's Run from last to first, angling five wide at the top of the stretch and then edging past Legend of Time (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) before hitting the wire. “I ended up finding myself last in the race but I was very happy with the way he was handling himself and then we just worked a trip out from there saving ground and then tipping out to the outside, which is the position he likes,” explained Davis. “Finding myself on top was an incredible feeling. There were so many emotions with all that hard work I put in and then to finally get there, there was a lot of gratitude and thanks to everybody.” Davis has had plenty of other winning rides at the stakes level this meet, including two victories aboard The Queens M G (Thousands Words). The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained juvenile filly finished last in the Astoria Stakes on Belmont weekend prior to Davis obtaining the mount for the current meet, where the pair has reeled off wins in the Schuylerville Stakes at 44-1 odds and then the GIII Adirondack Stakes. “She was a longshot in the Schuylerville and I was lucky to get on her,” Davis said. “She had run poorly in her previous start after shipping out that week and she just never handled it. There was too much with the crowd and the heat. She was able to stay here afterward and get accustomed to the course. Saffie told me to make sure she gets relaxed and make a nice, steady run down the lane. When you're at the right place at the right time, especially in Saratoga, you can get lucky and pick up a good horse.” Dylan Davis breezes in company with sister Katie Davis over the Oklahoma | Sara Gordon Also this meet, Davis was aboard Pounce (Lookin at Lucky) for her victory in the GIII Lake George Stakes for Mark Casse and Resolute Racing and he rode the Brad Cox-trained, Stonestreet Stables-owned Fandom (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) to a front-running score in the Mahony Stakes. At odds of 22-1, Davis piloted Parnac (FR) (Zarak {FR}) to a runner-up performance in the GII Glens Falls Stakes. The highly regarded $1.2 million 2-year-old purchase Sandman (Tapit) was among the half-dozen maiden winners Davis has had this meet. As he continues to build a reputation, Davis said he hopes he is recognized for his patient riding and an ability to connect with his mount. “I think my specialty is being able to get a horse to relax and get them to finish well,” he said. “For me personally, I am disregarding what others are doing and riding my own horse, almost like I'm by myself in the race. I get the horse to get comfortable, wherever that is, and then just relax and wait for the stretch run.” On Travers day this coming Saturday, Davis will return to the Grade I level with Shidabhuti (Practical Joke) in the Ballerina Handicap. Earlier this year, he rode the Chad Brown trainee to a win in the Distaff Stakes at Aqueduct. The jockey also has the mount on Full Screen (ON) (Big Screen) in the GI Forego Stakes for Mark Casse. Once the Saratoga meet has concluded, Davis will have his eye on the Breeders' Cup. After racing in his first championship meet last year, he is hopeful that some of the horses that have performed well for him here in Saratoga will make it to Del Mar come November. “That's a long-term goal for me to win at the Breeders' Cup,” he said. “And then another is to just continue to ride well and get those big horses, maybe find a Kentucky Derby mount for next year. But it's been a phenomenal meet so far and the Grade I really tops the charts with Carson's Run. Now that I've done it, I want to look for more and keep continuing on that incline.” The post Hometown Jockey Dylan Davis on a Tear in Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Ellis, $70,880, Msw, 8-19, 2yo, 1mT, 1:35.17, fm, 1 3/4 lengths. POSTER (c, 2, Munnings–Pin Up, by Tapit), a 5-1 first-time starter for Godolphin, broke with speed from the rail but had company right away from Xavi (Great Notion) to his outside. Pressed through fractions of :22.81 and :47.12, he put that rival away off the turn and stayed away from a closing Turnbuckle (Global Campaign) despite ducking out a bit close to home to win by 1 3/4 lengths. Pin Up, who sold for $130,000 at KEEJAN this year, is a half to MGISW and champion 3-year-old Bernardini (A.P. Indy) and to the dam of MGISW Love and Pride (A.P. Indy). The winner has a Nyquist half-brother born this year with his dam due back to Maclean's Music. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $41,895. Click for the Equibase.com chart. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Eoin G. Harty. On debut #1 POSTER ($13.28) by Munnings had the lead and kept on going in the stretch to win race 5 at Ellis Park. Rafael Bejarano was in the irons for Eoin Harty. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/d432tnt2eq — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 19, 2024 The post Godolphin Homebred Poster Off The Mark Early At Ellis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A rematch that deserves center stage will receive just that when champion Idiomatic faces two-time grade 1 winner Randomized in the $500,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) Aug. 23 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Just seven horses have captured the Haskell and Travers, and Dornoch vies to add his name to the list that includes Holding Pattern, Wajima, Wise Times, Forty Niner, Holy Bull, Coronado's Quest, and, most recently, Point Given. View the full article

Although she made history last year with a horse named Arcangelo (Arrogate), trainer Jena Antonucci hardly ever watches replays of the 2023 GI Belmont Stakes or GI Travers Stakes. She'll tell you why. She has a love for the horses, a love for competition, and, oh, she was good enough to seriously consider a career as a professional golfer. Here it is, the TDN's Saratoga Conversation. TDN: You were the master of ceremonies at the annual trivia contest at the Racing Museum last month. Asked all the questions. One of the questions was–and it was a layup–who did you train to win the Belmont and the Travers last year? One team got it wrong. JA: Yes. They did. One team got it wrong. TDN: Did that surprise you a little bit? JA: No. It would be rather narcissist to feel like everybody would know that information, even in racing. If you don't have an interest in those things or details, I could see it getting by. TDN: But they were in a contest at the RACING MUSEUM. You would think they would know the answer was Arcangelo. Do you remember what answer they came up with? JA: I don't, but it definitely wasn't the right answer (smiles). TDN: You must have chuckled inside. Just a little bit. JA: Oh, you have to. You have to have humor and laugh about it. TDN: Speaking of Arcangelo, what did he do for your career? JA: Time will kind of tell on that a little bit more. I think all it did was probably open the windows a little more and pull the shades back to what we have been doing … to have a horse that showed off the talent of this team. There have been some added opportunities and conversations that may not have happened without the success of that horse. We are in the developmental stages of a lot of that and bringing young horses along that we may or may not have had that opportunity with. TDN: It seemed like a lot of women–even little girls–gravitated to that story. That was pretty cool for you, wasn't it? JA: Yes. It has been neat, and it has been a different hat to wear. There have been some fun little stories that I have heard or experiences that I have had. TDN: Any little kids come up to you and say, 'I want to do what you do?' JA: I heard about it happening at the breakfast at the track. Laura (Simiele), who runs that now, said there was a little girl, who was four–if I am telling it right–told her 'when I get older, I am going to be Jena Antonucci.' That's pretty mind-blowing to be honest. Four years old! TDN: The fact that what you have done has reached out to someone that young must make you feel pretty good. JA: You and I have talked about this. I was not raised around the Thoroughbred industry. I was raised in the show horse world. My trainers when I was young were all female. The male dominance does not really exist. I did not grow up with that optic. This industry is still very much male dominated and male driven. If our story and other women's stories in what we are accomplishing allows young girls and young women to see this industry without a gender barrier, then we are doing our job. We are doing what we need to be doing and to grow this industry and grow the sport and make it appealing to more females. TDN: You look at women in this industry: You, Cherie DeVaux, Brittany Russell, Linda Rice … there are plenty of women trainers in the industry and they are doing well. What does that tell you about the way the game has evolved? JA: Change is inevitable. I think we are creating opportunity by proving it out. The biggest difference is men, by default, had the opportunity and women are creating the opportunity and that is probably the biggest difference. Most women are not going to go the bar and have beers with the guys and shoot the poo and generate business in that capacity. Women are creating opportunity in different ways than maybe men have been able to create it. TDN: Do you still see barriers? JA: I don't know if I would use the word barriers. People love to rest on the laurels of statistics. Statistically, we have a lower population of horses that we are training. It's not a fair, genuine way, in my opinion, to compare. How you are going to grow, what opportunity are you going to give people? TDN: Did you ever find any resistance from male trainers when you got into this? JA: I don't know. I don't listen to a lot of that stuff. I definitely had a couple of confrontations with people calling them out on their behavior. But it's a 'them' problem and I don't pay much mind or dwell upon it. If they are talking about you, it's clearly because you are making them uncomfortable. TDN: What is your favorite part about being here in the morning? JA: The horses. Easy. It's more intimate. You have more relationships with the horses and your team. Playing with them in their stalls and watching them and their personalities. You love all their little personalities even the ones you don't love their personalities. You are watching and nurturing and bringing them along and listening for when they are not thriving. The unspoken part of the morning is probably the best part. TDN: Is there one horse you have trained that had a quirkiness about him or her? JA: Doctor J Dub. He went from an eight claimer to a Grade III winner (2016 Turf Monster Stakes at Parx). That was our first graded stakes winner. Watching that horse transform mentally and trust us and trust the process and give us the very best of his ability … He was hard, but he was fun. He knew we got him and respected him. He was fast. Cool horse. He was a New York-bred. He is retired on the farm, and he'll live out his life with us. TDN: It's important for you to do that, isn't it? JA: You have to. He didn't owe us anything. It's how we leave the conversation with any new owner. I think that is the biggest fail. Historically, trainers were afraid to have that conversation first because they didn't want to do anything to deter them from getting in and getting involved. In doing that, we shorted the horse. We have always said that winning is easy, acquiring the horse is easy. We have to talk about the last time they go through that finish wire, what we do after that part. The transition point is the most important part of them leaving this career and going to their next career. TDN: Do you still play golf? JA: I would love to still play golf. I still have my clubs. TDN: When is the last time you played? JA: Too long. Way too long. It's been a couple years, for sure. TDN: You were pretty good, right? JA: Yes. I was a single digit handicap. I played on the amateur side of things and did Futures Tour stuff. I loved it, but I didn't love it. I enjoyed the challenge, I enjoyed that it was all on you and the mind balance with it and the art of the game. How to read courses and how and why things are put in play. It all compelled me, but you don't have the relationship with the animals on the golf course. I have always been a competitor; I have always played sports. I did a lot of competitive shotgun shooting before that. TDN: Wait. What? JA: Competitive shotgun shooting. TDN: What the heck is that? JA: I did Sporting Clays and all that stuff. I don't kind of do anything. If I am going to do it, I am all in. TDN: What other sports did you do? JA: I grew up playing softball, soccer, volleyball … pretty much anything, really. I have always been an athlete. TDN: What was your best sport? JA: As a child, probably softball. TDN: Could you hit the long ball? JA: Yeah. I played catcher, first base, some outfield. Wherever I was needed. TDN: Fierce competitor? JA: Yes. TDN: You don't want to lose at anything. JA: No. TDN: You are playing someone in checkers, you want to win. JA: Why would you not? I competed my entire life. I liked team sports, but I ended up with golf and shooting and showing horses. TDN: Is there the competitiveness with the horses, too? JA: Absolutely. It's our work that is getting them there and then trying to find the best and the placement and figuring out the why and the what. That's what drove me to train–the rehabbing and foaling and raising and sales prepping and doing all that stuff inside the industry. That was probably the vein that drove me to go and take my test and become a trainer. I can do all this stuff and I am good at it. And I can compete? That's interesting. That is very organically how I backed into training horses. TDN: For a while you thought you might make a living playing golf. JA: There was definitely heavy consideration. Obviously, sponsors in that conversation is a little easier in a golf club than it is in Thoroughbred racing. Golf is an extremely transient life, more so than it is in this world. At least with horse racing, if you are up at Saratoga, you are here for an X-block of time. Same with Kentucky and Florida. With golf, you are basically on the road for 30 to 40 weeks a year if you want to be serious at it. That is very difficult to have any kind of life or normalcy. I gave it a serious go for about two years, mostly through Florida because there were so many opportunities. TDN: How many holes-in-one you have? JA: I think we had one. TDN: Most people don't have any. JA: Most people don't have a Belmont win either (smiles). TDN: There are two questions I ask everyone. The first is if there was a movie made about your life and you could pick the actress to play you, who you got? JA: Jennifer Garner. She just gets it. She is rooted and down to earth. TDN: The other question is, if you could have dinner with three people–living or dead–who would they be? JA: Dinner with my grandfather again would be a definite. You always want to have that one more conversation. Probably someone along the lines of a Queen Elizabeth or a Margaret Thatcher. One, because of their leadership through adversity. Being females in positions that they had to eat a lot of poo to navigate things and see the bigger picture to be able to make big decisions and make things happen. There is always a lot to learn from those kind of people. And someone like an Elon Musk, who is very big-minded to navigate life and business and make things that are bigger than themselves, that will impact people for the long haul. TDN: Is there a place on earth that you have not been to that you want to go to? JA: I'm sure there is. Somewhere warm and somewhere quiet and somewhere that has fishing and pretty water. TDN: Sounds like a deserted island. JA: That would be great! TDN: What is your taste in music? JA: All over the place. You name it, it doesn't matter. It depends on my mood. I have a very weird brain that I can hear a song a handful of times and the lyrics stick. I like everything. TDN: You like Bruce Springsteen. JA: I do. TDN: Taylor Swift. JA: I do. Everything. TDN: Last concert you saw live. JA: Pink. Elton John was right before that. TDN: I've asked this to a few people, too. Baseball players have walk-up music. What would be your walk-up song if you were bringing a horse to the races? JA: This goes back to the (2023) Belmont. This would not be a song that I would ever have picked, but whoever put it in for Fox (coverage of the Belmont) did a great job. “The Bones” by Maren Morris. It's the music behind the interview that Maggie (Wolfendale) did with me. The story telling in that song was excellent. TDN: You can't say horse racing and you can't say golf. What is your favorite sport? JA: To watch? Football. To partake in? I don't care. Anything competitive. TDN: Favorite football team. JA: I have shifted over the years between pro and college. Being in north Florida most of the time, I do enjoy the Gators. I am from South Florida, so I always have an eye on the Dolphins. But they break your heart so often that it's hard to be a diehard. (laughs) But I do love their new coach (Mike McDaniel). He is pretty phenomenal. He gets it. TDN: Do you cook? JA: I do. I can cook anything. I enjoy it. Usually when you have teenagers around, you make what they will eat. It's the biggest adaptation in life. TDN: Tell me about your other two 'children.' JA: The dogs? (smiles). They run my life. Lucy is now three and Mando is about a year and a half. TDN: How much joy do they bring you? JA: Tons. It would suck to be up here for an extended period of time without them being here even though they drive me crazy. It's always nice to have that comfort spot when the day has gotten quieter or whatever you are dealing with in the racing world. They don't care. TDN: What is your thought about the filly in the Travers? JA: It's not my decision. It's above my paygrade. TDN: Is it pretty cool to have a filly in the race? JA: I have very opposing opinions on the topic. One, I don't know that there is much of a gain to do it for the filly. Part of my enthusiasm is a little bit tempered by the immense scrutiny that our industry is navigating. I feel we are all trying to make responsible, good decisions to highlight how everything is really going the right way for these horses and how the public feels about us. It's great, it will be fun. She is a tough filly, she is super classy. I don't have any doubt or question about her ability and how good she is. But then I take that step back and say, ok, let's look at the bigger picture. How does this help us as an industry and how does it help us? I'm torn on it. TDN: How often to you watch last year's Belmont or Travers? JA: Rarely. I lived it. The other side is, emotionally, it brings you back to that point in time every single time you watch it. And, obviously, there is a lot that happened in the Belmont and the Travers. I will forever be grateful for it, but I'm very much a person who looks ahead. I will never take it for granted. TDN: Favorite horse racing movie. JA: It wasn't a horse racing movie, but “The Horse Whisperer.” It was a real cool movie because it was about the connection between humans and horses. A well-done movie. TDN: The job you have, there are no days off, very few vacations–I would assume. JA: You could ask a lot of people this. We do six days, we have a walk day. And when I first did that, I felt so guilty. That I should be there, we should be there working every day. That is so unhealthy. TDN: If you have a day all to yourself, what are you doing? JA: A quiet day is lovely and sometimes doing absolutely nothing is doing something. The post The Saratoga Conversation: Jena Antonucci appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, France–The V2 session of the August Yearling Sale at Arqana brings an entirely different clientele to town. Many new faces-be that trainers, agents and breeze-up handlers-have been spotted sifting through nearly 200 yearlings that will be offered under the hammer here on Tuesday. There are some new faces in the consigning ranks as well. Sebastian Defontaine will offer a filly by Goken (Fr) and a colt by Armor (GB), the first yearlings his Hestia Farm has brought to the market, and the excitement is building towards what the French native hopes to be a profitable sale. “This is my first time consigning yearlings in August,” he said. “We have sold some mares here in December but these are our first pinhooks, so that is exciting. We bought the Armor colt here in December for €13,000. We also bought the Goken here in December for €11,000. “The Armor is a lovely colt and it's the stallion's first crop. We really like the horse–he's very nice and has a great walk. He was very nice as a foal so I was afraid that he may not progress but, actually, all he has done is improved. He looks precocious and could be a horse for the Irish and English buyers and maybe even for the breeze-ups. Goken is a very good stallion here in France and the filly is also an early type. It seems to be what the market wants right now so we're excited to see them here tomorrow.” Consigning under his own banner has always been the objective for Defontaine. After cutting his teeth working for some of the biggest consignors in the business, the Defontaines purchased their own farm in Normandie. Substantial investment has been put into Hestia and now the team are ready to rock. The 36-year-old said, “I worked at Haras du Quesnay for five years before going travelling. I went to Indian Creek in America, where I spent three years, and I also spent a year in Australia. I always wanted to come back to France and, when I did, I spent five years working as a manager at Haras de Montaigu. The dream was to start something on my own so last year my wife Camille and I bought a 60-acre farm in Normandie.” He added, “Everything is brand new. We are re-doing the entire place, which is almost finished. That's exciting and has kept us very busy for the past while. It's a good area, right in the middle of Normandie, so we look forward to building the business. We already have a few clients but would obviously like to grow and get more clients. We have 10 mares on the farm and the plan is to try to grow to 20 mares in time.” A good sale on Tuesday would mean a lot to this burgeoning operation. The couple, who have put horses first their whole lives, are expecting their first baby in November. Now its time for the horses to repay the favour. He concluded, “Camille is pregnant with a baby girl. That's also very exciting and gives us an extra kick to get the farm up and running. We have been living in a very modest place for a long time because we had always been putting the horses first. The horses feed us, so we need to look after them and that is why we put everything back into the farm.The farm is almost finished so it would be nice to have a good sale here on Tuesday.” The post Hestia Farm Bids To Begin First Yearling Offering With A Bang At V2 Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Set to go as the opening event of the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown on Saturday, Sept. 14, nominations for the Goffs Champions Sale are now open, the auction house announced via presser on Monday. Offering a boutique selection of high-class Flat and NH prospects, the sale will take place in the winners' enclosure before racing is conducted. The Irish Champions Festival features prize money of €4.5-million with a programme headed by six Group 1 races, including the G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champions Stakes on the Saturday card at Leopardstown, and the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes and G1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger on Sunday, Sept. 15 at the Curragh. “Goffs Champions Sale is small in numbers but high on results, as proven many times over the past decade,” said Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby. “Vendors at Goffs boutique auctions are regularly rewarded with maximum prices for quality horses, as our “right time, right place” format at major race meetings creates a vibrant ready-made marketplace–whether at London, Ascot, Leopardstown, Punchestown, Aintree or Newbury.” Nominations are now being taken and anyone wishing to apply may enter online or by contacting Nick Nugent, Joey Cullen, Tadhg Dooley, or Kevin O'Ryan. The post Nominations for Goffs Champions Sale at Leopardstown Open appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The connections of Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), who was humanely euthanised on Saturday morning after a short battle with laminitis, confirmed the final foal, a Snitzel colt, of the unbeaten mare has also died. “The owners are saddened to advise that Black Caviar's foal, a colt sired by Snitzel, passed away last night,” the statement said on Monday. “He received around-the-clock, world-class veterinary care, but unfortunately could not be saved. The ownership group would like to thank the entire veterinary team who dedicated their time and efforts to caring for Black Caviar and her colt. The ownership group would also like to acknowledge and thank the Australian public and the racing public globally for the many tributes to Black Caviar. She was much loved and admired.” The post Black Caviar’s Final Foal Dies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Scott Hazelton, a FanDuel TV racing host and reporter, will host the 39th annual Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's National Awards Dinner at Fasig-Tipton Sept. 7. Hazelton has covered horse racing since 2004 and has been part of FanDuel's coverage of the Triple Crown, Dubai World Cup and Royal Ascot. He also works for Keeneland as a pedigree announcer, as well as host for Keeneland's simulcast broadcast. Tickets are available to the public for both the Sept. 6 luncheon honoring state and Canadian breeders of the year at the Thoroughbred Club of America, and the Sept. 7 national awards dinner, with a discounted price for TOBA members. Registration for both events is due by Aug. 22 and available online at www.toba.org/awards. The post Scott Hazelton to Host TOBA National Awards Dinner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features runners with American connections as well as the half-sister to dual Group 1 heroine Integral (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}). 14.58 Deauville, Mdn, €30,000, 2yo, c/g, 6fT Repole Stable's 280,000gns Craven Breeze-Up acquisition BENNY THE WAITER (IRE) (Blue Point {Ire}), who first went through the ring for €72,000 as a Goffs Orby yearling, is a half-brother to this term's G2 King Edward VII Stakes second Space Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The April-foaled bay, named in honour of owner Mike Repole's father, receives a two-kilogram allowance as the lone debutant in a field of nine and has drawn stall one. “My Dad was born in Nice, France,” Repole tweeted back in May. “He came to the US in his early 20s with no money and didn't speak any English. He was a waiter in New York City for over 45 years, working lunch and dinner six days a week and over 60 hours a week. He turned 84 [in May], Thank you God, and 60 years later he “barely” speaks English now. My Dad's story inspired me to take chances and work my ass off. Maybe I'll name one of these colts after my Dad, Benny the Waiter.” Opposition to the Jerome Reynier nominee includes Imad Al Sagar's once-raced Prix de Crevecouer fourth Burhan (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), who fell short of reserve when stalling on 120,000gns at the same Craven fixture. The Andre Fabre-trained homebred is out of a granddaughter of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Classic Park (GB) (Robellino). Ironico (Gift Box), a close-up debut third for the Fabrice Chappet stable over this course and distance last month, gets a second attempt at becoming the first European scorer for his Lane's End-based freshman sire (by Twirling Candy). 18.30 Wolverhampton, Mdn, £6,300, 2yo, 7f 36y (AWT) Cheveley Park Stud homebred ENCLOSURE (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) is an unraced daughter of G1 Matron Stakes heroine Echelon (GB) (Danehill) and thus a half-sister to G1 Falmouth Stakes and G1 Sun Chariot Stakes victrix Integral (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and the multiple stakes-placed Provenance (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). She is, like all three before her were, conditioned by Sir Michael Stoute and encounters nine in this debut. Rivals include the Ollie Sangster-trained debutante Rock Diva (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), who is out of a half-sister to the dual Group 1-placed Nugget (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). The post Repole Stable’s 280k Craven Breezer Benny The Waiter Set for Deauville Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, France–As of Tuesday morning it's been six days since Adam Potts landed in Deauville, but there's no time to slow down as the newest recruit to the team of bloodstock agents at BBA Ireland. With the Arqana August Sale fast disappearing in the rear-view mirror, attentions now turn to the v.2 Yearling Sale and the catalogue of 189 lots scheduled to go through the ring when bidding gets underway at 11am local time. For Potts the task until then is simple: to get through as many of the lots as is physically possible. It's a painstaking process but all part of the ethos which has served him so well in his career thus far, with no reason to abandon it after he was headhunted for his new position during the breeze-up sales earlier this year. “I think looking at as many horses as possible gives you the best chance to unearth value,” Potts explains. “I always think the more horses you see the more you learn. It's a useful exercise even for next year when these yearlings run at two and you see a horse that has won. You can go back on your notes and find that you've either been vindicated in that you liked it or, if you didn't, you can find out why and try to keep training your eye. “I suppose your eye is an ever-evolving thing and it's a bit like the 10,000-hour rule where they say if you want to master anything, you have to spend 10,000 hours doing it–maybe you have to look at 10,000 horses! It does take time [viewing all of the horses at a sale]. If I go from morning to evening, you can maybe do 150 horses, but you have to keep at it.” At the current rate Potts will surely take no time to reach that 10,000 figure, if he hasn't already, with last month's Irish Oaks third Purple Lily (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) perhaps the standout name among the horses he's sourced to date. It's a transaction Potts remembers fondly, even if the €17,500 foal he bought didn't do much for his own bank account when selling for €24,000 as a yearling. “Purple Lily was a funny one,” says Potts. “Although you haven't been rewarded financially, you've been vindicated in what you bought because the end result was that of a very good filly. I remember after we sold her as a yearling, we sat down and discussed where we went wrong and why we shouldn't have bought her. Two years later we were discussing why she was so great!” One way or another, Potts has certainly shown himself to be a fine judge of a Thoroughbred, with the results of his pinhooking venture with Danny O'Donovan and TDN colleague Brian Sheerin there for all to see. At this year's Goffs UK Doncaster Breeze-up Sale, for example, they offered a Sioux Nation filly who realised £300,000, having been picked up a few months earlier for just €45,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale. Potts was a one-time colleague of Sheerin at the Racing Post, just one step on a journey in racing which has involved a variety of roles and many people to thank along the way. “It's been with plenty of help and support from a lot of different people over the years,” Potts begins when explaining how he came to be in the position he finds himself in today. “I spent three or four years with Ken Condon and he's been brilliant. He's a very composed and measured trainer who was always there to give good advice. Michael Magill of Bellewstown Farm Stud has always been a brilliant help as well, from when I was a bit younger. He brought me around the sales when I probably wasn't so sharp on Flat horses. He really trained my eye and made me look at pedigrees in a totally different way to what I did. “I spent time with other trainers like Emmet Mullins, who was great as well, while my parents [Barry and Suzy] have always been very supportive of me going into bloodstock and making a go of it. They've all been a massive help.” Suzy was there with him at Leopardstown last month when the Kevin Coleman-trained Latin Fever (Ire) (Equiano {Fr}), the filly he owned along with O'Donovan and Sheerin, defied odds of 80-1 in making a successful racecourse debut. It's been quite the year for the trio on the pinhooking side of things, but that evening at Leopardstown is clearly uppermost in Potts's mind when asked to reflect on his own personal highlights. “Latin Fever winning at Leopardstown was just a brilliant day,” he sums up. “I'm from Derry which would be a fair trip away from Leopardstown, but growing up I would always have gone to the Irish Champion Stakes and just been in awe of the whole spectacle. “At that time it would have been beyond my wildest dreams to ever have a winner at Leopardstown, so it was just an amazing thrill to win a race there and to be able to enjoy the day with my friends who were in on the horse and my mum who would have driven me to Leopardstown for all those Champion Stakes as a kid. It was great to be able to share that experience with her, too.” Explaining what drew him to the filly in the first place, he adds, “Equiano mightn't have made that many people's lists, but I just saw her on the path and she really caught my eye. She just had a lot of qualities that you'd want in a racehorse and her pedigree is actually very good. She's a half-sister to a stakes winner by Markaz and from a deep American pedigree that has always popped up with a good horse. “I weighed it all up and thought that at a level she'd be well worth chancing. Thankfully, she fell within our budget and the rest is history. Kevin is an excellent trainer and has really made a mark in such a competitive country. Horses are happy in his place and he already had luck with Danny and Brian on other horses-in-training- so it made sense to send her to him when we knew she wasn't getting into any breeze-up sale. It doesn't always go right in this game, but when it does it goes really right and that's the beauty of it. You go through so many hard days to get the euphoric day.” And did that euphoric day at Leopardstown also involve a return trip to the betting ring, after having cheered on a filly who'd traded at three-figure odds before settling on her SP of 80-1? “A few of us had to put manners on the bookmakers!” Potts confirms, before telling a story which suggests one of the owners must have returned home from Dublin that night with a sore shoulder–and no doubt a sore head, too. “They were in the parade ring for the first and Brian hadn't arrived,” he adds. “He had work to finish at home and needed to be persuaded to come, so he got in with his laptop bag just as the jockeys were legged up. He left the track lopsided with the laptop bag weighing him down–it didn't leave his sight that night!” Latin Fever, having been bought for just €27,000 at the same sale where the team picked up the Sioux Nation filly–since named Khaldiya (Ire)–who starred at Doncaster, has since been sold to continue her racing career in America, with the announcement of her sale coming just a few days after Potts himself had been stateside for the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, one of his first big international assignments in his new role with BBA Ireland. “It definitely took a bit of adjusting,” he says of that experience. “They had an outstanding bunch of horses, but the yearlings have different conformation traits that you have to hone in on [compared to in Europe]. I thought the standard of the sale there was incredible and the show they put on was something else. “I worked closely with Michael Donohoe and we came away with a Justify colt. He was bought for $250,000, which by Justify's standards wasn't all that expensive. The sire is obviously exciting, so fingers crossed he can do well.” Potts barely had a chance to get his feet under the table at home before he was on his way out to Deauville, where BBA Ireland signed for three yearlings–by Frankel, Mehmas and Wootton Bassett–for just shy of €800,000 combined. He may be living out of a suitcase of late but don't expect to hear Potts complaining anytime soon, with the chance to travel more said to be just one of the many reasons why the role with BBA Ireland was so attractive to him. “It didn't take much deliberation to take up the job,” he sums up. “It was very appealing to join a great company, one of the biggest in Ireland for so long, and it was a chance to be able to buy more horses, worldwide as well. I wouldn't have travelled much, so it was a great opportunity to go and travel the world. “And I'm really looking forward to working with all the other agents, the likes of Michael Donohoe, Patrick Cooper, Eamon Reilly, John Tyrrell and Adrian Nicoll. All of them have bought some fantastic horses over the years and you'd always have looked twice when they bought something.” After this year similar comments certainly apply to any horses bought by Potts, O'Donovan and Sheerin, especially if it's a King Of Change (GB) filly–the team sold three such juveniles at this year's breeze-up sales for a grand total of over half a million, having sourced them for 67,000gns combined. It was an impressive feat of navigating choppy waters, an unavoidable challenge in the current climate and one Potts has enjoyed ever since he bought his first horse aged 16. “The bloodstock game at the moment is probably becoming a bit all or nothing,” he says of the market. “If you tick all the boxes and jump through all the hoops, you can get extremely well paid, more so than ever before. But if you're not, it's probably more difficult than ever. You just have to adapt to that and try to box clever. “But I've always loved markets, being invested in it and having skin in the game. I've been buying horses since I was 16, so I couldn't see myself ever not being in the game. It's the great challenge to come to a sale and try to unearth value.” The post ‘Unearthing Value Is The Great Challenge’ – Meet BBA Ireland’s New Agent Adam Potts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum has removed his horses from leading Newmarket trainer Roger Varian, bringing an end to an association that had lasted nine years. The news comes after Amo Racing's Kia Joorabchian also removed his horses–including Group 1 winner King Of Steel–from the Newmarket handler back in May. Varian has trained many high-class horses for Sheikh Obaid, headed by Postponed, who won the Dubai Sheema Classic, Coronation Cup and Juddmonte International back in 2016. Revealing the news, Varian said, “I can confirm that Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum has ended his support of my stable. The ten horses that he currently had in training with me departed today. I would like to convey my sincere thanks to Sheikh Obaid for all the opportunities that he has given me over the last nine years. Together we have had a long and fruitful association, enjoying many wonderful days in Britain – not least at Royal Ascot – and overseas, including seven Group 1s. “Sheikh Obaid is a passionate and committed supporter of racing across the globe and I wish him and his horses all the best in the future.” He added, “It is important for me to add that myself and the team here at Carlburg remain fully focused on continuing our own successful season. Our stable currently houses a top-class miler in Charyn and a British Classic winner in Elmalka, as well as a list of other highly talented horses. We are very grateful to all of our owners and look forward to rewarding their ongoing support over the coming months and years.” The post Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Removes Horses From Trainer Roger Varian appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Coolmore's G1 Derby and G1 Eclipse hero City Of Troy (Justify) is set to face one dozen rivals from stall five in Wednesday's G1 Juddmonte International after 13 were declared for the £1.25-million feature on the opening day of York's Ebor Festival. Trainer Aidan O'Brien will also be represented by Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}) after trimming weekend winner Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and G1 Irish Derby victor Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) from his overnight team of four. The home defence is headed by G1 Derby runner-up and G1 Irish Derby third Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), drawn in stall two, and the race sponsor's G1 Pretty Polly Stakes victrix and G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes runner-up Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}), who has been allocated stall four. France has not won the extended 10-furlong contest since the iconic Triptych (Riverman) prevailed in 1987 and is represented this year by wide-margin G2 King Edward VII Stakes victor Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes runner-up Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr). They have drawn stalls seven and nine, respectively. Carrot Farm's Durezza (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), successful in last year's G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) and drawn alongside City Of Troy in stall six, will bid to go one better than compatriot Zenno Rob Roy (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), who was a neck shy of glory when second in 2005. Black-type action on the Knavesmire will be set in motion by the G3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes over seven furlongs. Recent winners of the juvenile contest include Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). This year's renewal will witness a clash of 'TDN Rising Stars' as both Ruling Court (Justify) and The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) feature in the 11-runner line-up. The aforementioned Juddmonte International absentee Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is one of three nominees for Aidan O'Brien, who accounts for half of the six-runner field, in the G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes. He is joined by G1 Grand Prix de Paris runner-up Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and likely pacemaker Euphoric (GB) (Frankel {GB}). The Ballydoyle trio is opposed by G1 Derby fourth Deira Mile (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), G3 Hampton Court Stakes and G2 York Stakes runner-up King's Gambit (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) and Wathnan Racing's G2 King Edward VII Stakes runner-up Space Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The post Stellar International in Store, City Of Troy Heads Baker’s Dozen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Danny Shum’s speedster is set to make his second trip to Japan this year after running third in March’s Group One Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1,200m)View the full article

The shock death of iconic Australian racehorse Black Caviar has taken an even more tragic twist after the foal she gave birth to on Saturday also died. View the full article

Some of Australian racing’s biggest names ramped up their spring campaigns on Monday and Antino (NZ) (Redwood) hinted that maybe he is ready to step into the top echelon with an impressive jumpout at Cranbourne. The Queenslander pressed his Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) claims with a solid hitout against Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai). The leading Horse Of The Year contender won the 800m trial narrowly, but had Antino closing late under little riding from Jamie Kah. The performance affirmed Antino’s liking for the Melbourne way of going and revived Tony Gollan’s hope that he might be set to break his Group One hoodoo. “In a season of a lot of winners last year, I just felt without winning a Group One with him it didn’t feel like a good season,” Gollan recently said of Antino, a winner of 10 of his 17 starts. “I felt like I didn’t get the job done, to be honest, so he’s been the negative in what has been a good year so it’s really unfinished business “I really want to win a Group One (with him). I’m under no illusions of how strong the Memsie is going to be, I know what’s in it and it’s a hell of a strong race. “But he loved his time in Melbourne last year, he raced really well on his Melbourne leg and I’m keen to see if he can mix it with the better horses.” There will be no shortage of them waiting for him in the $750,000 Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 31, headlined by Pride Of Jenni and last year’s winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars). View the full article

Archaic Smile (Saxon Warrior) held her own among the top juveniles last season and she will kick-off an exciting spring three-year-old campaign in the Taupō Pak ’N’ Save 3YO Fillies (1100m) on Wednesday. The daughter of Saxon Warrior earned her maiden success at start two last November and her upward trajectory continued, winning the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) and finishing less than a length of star filly Velocious (Written Tycoon) when second in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). A commendable fourth in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) completed her preparation, and Tony Pike, who prepares Archaic Smile out of his Cambridge base, had plenty of praise for her efforts. “She showed early talent and is a very tough, genuine filly. We had no soundness issues with her through her two-year-old season, she just seemed to hold her condition and enjoy her racing,” he said. “She was solid right the way through, winning at Listed level and being competitive in the top two-year-old races. “She seems to have strengthened up nicely over her break and trialled well at Te Rapa under a quiet ride.” Archaic Smile will line-up against a couple of familiar rivals in Velocious and Alabama Lass (Alabama Express), who may also be on a path to the Gr.3 HBPB Breeders’ ASSN Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival on September 7. “This is the lead in to the Gold Trail Stakes so she’s definitely not at peak fitness, but she’s drawn a nice gate (1) and all of these fillies are in a similar boat,” Pike said. “Hopefully the track’s not too bad, I think she’ll run nicely and head through the three-year-old fillies series through the spring and should be competitive.” Ryan Elliot will take the reins aboard Archaic Smile, while her stablemate Cannon Hill (NZ) (Ardrossan), who returns in a fresh state to contest the Waikato Stud (1200m), will be ridden by Matt Cartwright. Cannon Hill was solid in strong company as a three-year-old and Pike indicated the Ardrossan gelding had shown plenty of physical improvement heading into the new racing season. “He’s a horse that has really improved from three to four, he trialled nicely at Te Rapa and I think he’s going to be in for quite a good season,” Pike said. “He’s drawn a wide gate (16), he’s probably going to struggle around the tight Taupo circuit, but we are wanting to get a run under his belt ahead of the Hawke’s Bay carnival.” View the full article

Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking), New Zealand’s leading hope for this year’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), has been ruled out of spring racing with a tendon strain. The five-year-old gelding gained automatic entry into the iconic race with victory in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington in March, which followed his placing in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie earlier that month. Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood were excited about campaigning their charge in Melbourne this spring, however, those dreams have been dashed after the five-year-old pulled up with an injury over the weekend. “He has suffered a setback, he has got a slight tendon strain,” James said. “He presumably did it when working on Saturday morning. “He will probably be off the scene for some time. To rehabilitate 100 percent from a tendon strain he probably wouldn’t be seen in public for 12 months. “It is gutting for the stable and all of his connections as well.” Mark Twain was bred by Taikorea Thoroughbreds Ltd and is raced by Australian syndicator OTI Racing. While one spring campaign has ended, James is looking forward to commencing the preparations of his stable’s two other leading lights, Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) and Dionysus (NZ) (Ocean Park), in the Fiber Fresh Group Trial (1100m) at Taupo on Wednesday. “They are in lovely order,” James said. “We have got ideas on what we might do, but everything runs off the trial and what they do there.” View the full article

The Oaks Stud is hoping Ruakaka’s feature three-year-old event can again provide a springboard to elite level success. The farm’s colours were carried to victory in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) five years ago and the Cambridge operation again had reason to celebrate a top result after Saturday’s contest. The Oaks Stud’s young resident sire U S Navy Flag was to the fore with his progressive son So Naïve (NZ) an impressive winner of the event for trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley. “The Breeders’ Stakes has been a good race for us with Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma) winning it and he went on to greater things so we’re hoping this horse can keep improving and win a big race,” The Oaks General Manager Rick Williams said. The injury-plagued Catalyst triumphed in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) off the back of success in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). “Every stallion needs a big horse, but it’s a sticky time and, talking with other studmasters, it is very quiet apart from the obvious horses,” Williams said. “The numbers being bred is the biggest problem so we need all the good results we can get, and I will have a good draft of U S Navy Flag’s going to the yearling sales. “Thirteen out of the 14 sold earlier this year and they sold very well.” He is the third Southern Hemisphere stakes winner for U S Navy Flag, who has been crowned both a champion first and second season sire. His son Pendragon (NZ) claimed the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) and Chantilly Lace has won twice at Listed level in the Wanganui Guineas (1200m) and Castletown Stakes (1200m), while To Catch A Thief and Aprilia (NZ) have been Group One placegetters. “I hope we can continue the momentum into the spring, you need a big six weeks to get the stallion full and So Naïve has produced exactly the start we wanted,” Williams said. “Every stallion needs a Group One star to really get them rolling.” A son of the late Bernardini mare Altai Rose (NZ), So Naïve was a two-time winner during his first preparation and ran fourth in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) for owner and long-time stable client Able International. He was purchased out of Kilgravin Lodge’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale draft for $37,500. “I know Grant (Cooksley) pretty well and when we looked at him last season, we knew he wasn’t a two-year-old, he was quite a tall, angular colt then,” Williams said. “It’s no surprise he has furnished, I did see him at the trials and he has developed a lot.” U S Navy Flag, who stands alongside The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) and Roc de Cambes (NZ) (Red Ransom), was a multiple Group One-winning son of War Front for master trainer Aidan O’Brien. “We showed him to the Marcus Oldham group on Sunday and I’ve never seen him look better,” Williams said. “I think the fact that he didn’t have to shuttle has helped, he’s really settled in and has just made him. He’s let down now and he’s just a beautiful horse. “For a horse with his record, I would have thought we would have had more mares booked this year and hopefully there will be more activity after the weekend’s result.” U S Navy Flag previously shuttled to Coolmore in Ireland before he was purchased outright by The Oaks and his Northern Hemisphere representatives include the multiple stakes winners Ocean Vision and Love Reigns. View the full article

Amateur jockey Olivia Helagi was thrilled to notch up her first riding win at Arawa Park on Sunday when guiding the Murray Garrett-trained Impaired Vision (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) to victory in the Patrons Race & Flair Amateur Riders (1950m). The pair were caught three wide in the early stages of the race before Helagi asked her charge to improve at the 800m mark to eventually sit parked outside leader Rodolfo (NZ) (Nom du Jeu). They hit the lead with 200m to go and ran out 3-1/2 length victors on the Heavy10 footing. “Murray said to get going early because he (Impaired Vision) takes a little while to get into it,” Helagi said. “I kept him out on the better part of the track, I wanted to get him in but we didn’t get the opportunity to do that. “He was travelling really well. The bend seemed like it was taking forever to get to the straight but he kept slogging it out and kept trying, he is a tough old boy. “I am absolutely stoked to get the win.” Helagi was also rapt to get the result for Garrett and his wife Julie, who also bred and own the six-year-old gelding. “I am incredibly grateful to Murray and Julie for the opportunity to ride Impaired Vision, and all the hard work they have put into him,” she said. Helagi’s win has been a few years in the making, with the Auckland hoop having ridden as an amateur and apprentice jockey in six of the last seven seasons, albeit in a reduced capacity with 15 rides in that time. The 31-year-old rider is enjoying her time in the saddle on raceday, something she aspired to do a decade ago when entering the industry while studying at university. “I have always been involved with horses but I didn’t get into racing until I moved down to Auckland for university,” she said. “Davina Waddell (trainer) was advertising for a trackwork rider, I hadn’t ridden racehorses before but I had ridden really naughty ponies and I was hoping that would translate. “I have been working for Davina for the last 10 years or so. She puts me on at the trials and I have been doing a lot of track work for her. I did an apprenticeship for a little bit that didn’t quite work out, so I got my amateur license again and I am back riding amateur races. “I haven’t been riding consistently on raceday, I am just trying to get back into it.” After getting her first taste of victory, Helagi is keen for more, and is looking to increase her riding engagements in the amateur ranks. “I just want to keep riding as much as I can,” she said. “I just love riding at the trials and races.” View the full article

What Ballarat Races Where Ballarat Turf Club – 240 Kennedys Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 When Tuesday, August 20, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble The all-weather surface at Ballarat will host a competitive eight-race card on Tuesday, August 20, commencing at 1:30pm AEST. Intermittent showers are forecast throughout the afternoon but should not cause any issues in regards to kickback, meaning we should get a fair surface for all. See below for our free Ballarat betting tips and quaddie selections. Best Bet at Ballarat: Excellent Lover Excellent Lover could not have been any more impressive when winning her debut at this course over 1100m. She travelled three wide with no cover and was still too good for maiden company. Considering the Exceed And Excel filly is drawn in barrier three for this 1200m BM58 assignment, Blaike McDougall will give her every opportunity to reign supreme once more. Best Bet Race 8 – #8 Excellent Lover (3) 3yo Filly | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Blaike McDougall (59.5kg) +200 with Bet365 Next Best at Ballarat: Miss Toronado After a dominant maiden win on the Ballarat synthetic on July 14, Miss Toronado headed to Sandown on July 31 and simply never went a yard on the Heavy 8 deck. She now returns to the scene of her debut victory, while barrier one is a big bonus for this 1000m scamper. Alana Kelly should get a cheap lead from the gun draw, and that should prove beneficial inside the final 200m. Next Best Race 7 – #9 Miss Toronado (1) 3yo Filly | T: Tom Conlan | J: Alana Kelly (57.5kg) +200 with Picklebet Best Value at Ballarat: Miss Cheviots Miss Cheviots appeared to take a liking to the Ballarat synthetic when running third in BM58 grade over 1200m on August 13. Despite stepping up to a BM64 on the seven-day backup, the Street Boss mare is rarely beaten by much in this sort of company. She will be making her run from the rear of the field, and if they overdo it out in front, Miss Cheviots will be the one charging home late. Best Value Race 4 – #6 Miss Cheviots (4) 6yo Mare | T: Austy Coffey | J: Harry Coffey (57kg) +1300 with Neds Ballarat Tuesday quaddie tips Ballarat quadrella selections Tuesday, August 20, 2024 2-6-11-12 1-2-4-6-7 1-4-9 1-3-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Archaic Smile will lineup at Taupo on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images PN Archaic Smile held her own among the top juveniles last season, and she will kick off an exciting spring three-year-old campaign on Wednesday at Taupo. The daughter of Saxon Warrior earned her maiden success at start two last November, and her upward trajectory continued, winning the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) and finishing less than a length behind star filly Velocious when second in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). A commendable fourth in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) completed her preparation, and Tony Pike, who prepares Archaic Smile out of his Cambridge base, had plenty of praise for her efforts. “She showed early talent and is a very tough, genuine filly. We had no soundness issues with her through her two-year-old season, she just seemed to hold her condition and enjoy her racing,” he said. “She was solid right the way through, winning at Listed level and being competitive in the top two-year-old races. “She seems to have strengthened up nicely over her break and trialled well at Te Rapa under a quiet ride.” Archaic Smile will line-up against a couple of familiar rivals in Velocious and Alabama Lass, who may also be on a path to the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival on September 7. “This is the lead in to the Gold Trail Stakes, so she’s definitely not at peak fitness, but she’s drawn a nice gate (1) and all of these fillies are in a similar boat,” Pike said. “Hopefully the track’s not too bad, I think she’ll run nicely and head through the three-year-old fillies series through the spring and should be competitive.” Ryan Elliot will take the reins aboard Archaic Smile, while her stablemate Cannon Hill, who returns in a fresh state will be ridden by Matt Cartwright. Cannon Hill was solid in strong company as a three-year-old, and Pike indicated the Ardrossan gelding had shown plenty of physical improvement heading into the new racing season. “He’s a horse that has really improved from three to four, he trialled nicely at Te Rapa, and I think he’s going to be in for quite a good season,” Pike said. “He’s drawn a wide gate (16), he’s probably going to struggle around the tight Taupo circuit, but we are wanting to get a run under his belt ahead of the Hawke’s Bay carnival.” Horse racing news View the full article

Mark Twain has been ruled out of a Melbourne Cup campaign with a tendon injury. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Mark Twain, New Zealand’s leading hope for this year’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), has been ruled out of spring racing with a tendon strain. The five-year-old gelding gained automatic entry into the iconic race with victory in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington in March, which followed his placing in the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie earlier that month. Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood were excited about campaigning their charge in Melbourne this spring, however, those dreams have been dashed after the five-year-old pulled up with an injury over the weekend. “He has suffered a setback, he has got a slight tendon strain,” James said. “He presumably did it when working on Saturday morning. “He will probably be off the scene for some time. To rehabilitate 100 percent from a tendon strain he probably wouldn’t be seen in public for 12 months. “It is gutting for the stable and all of his connections as well.” Mark Twain was bred by Taikorea Thoroughbreds Ltd and is raced by Australian syndicator OTI Racing. While one spring campaign has ended, James is looking forward to commencing the preparations of his stable’s two other leading lights, Orchestral and Dionysus, in the Group Trial (1100m) at Taupo on Wednesday. “They are in lovely order,” James said. “We have got ideas on what we might do, but everything runs off the trial and what they do there.” Horse racing news View the full article