Wandering Eyes

Just a handful of lots into Sunday's session, a filly by Lope De Vega (Ire) (lot 240) brought a cool €1 million from Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock. The daughter of Normandel (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) is the second seven-figure lot of the 2024 Arqana August Yearling Sale. Her dam, best known for winning the G3 Park Express Stakes, is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Mont Ormel (Fr) (Air Chief Marshall {Ire}), who raced in Hong Kong as Helene Charisma. Normandel is also a half-sister to the dam of G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}). The filly was bred and consigned by Ballylinch Stud. The seven figure mark has been broken again at the #AugustSale as lot 2⃣4⃣0⃣, a filly by #LopeDeVega out of Stakes winner NORMANDEL offered by @BallylinchStud, was sold to @OStLawrence for €1,000,000. pic.twitter.com/kiD1amLxiU — ARQANA (@InfoArqana) August 18, 2024 The post Lope De Vega Filly Brings €1 million From Oliver St Lawrence In Deauville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While the key action was taking place at Deauville on Sunday, Britain's Northern track Pontefract delivered something special in its opening six-furlong maiden as the Richard Fahey-trained newcomer Powerful Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}–Wouldntitbelovely {Ire}, by Kodiac {GB}) lived up to his name to earn TDN Rising Star status. Bought for Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum by Blandford Bloodstock for £190,000 at the Goffs UK 2yo Breeze Up, the bay who was bred by the Marnanes tanked his way to the front after the first furlong with Oisin Orr unable to curtail his enthusiasm. Bounding clear from the home turn, the 10-11 favourite devoured the uphill rise to the line to win empahtically by 5 1/2 lengths from the Karl Burke-trained Sands Of Indi (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), with another half length back to the third-placed Dash Dizzy (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the Charlie Johnston-trained half-brother to Sioux Nation. Impressive debut Powerful Glory (Cotai Glory) makes a winning start to his career in the Cure Leukaemia EBF "Newcomers" Maiden Stakes @ponteraces @RichardFahey | @OrrOisin pic.twitter.com/TE5YF0iaKd — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 18, 2024 The post Cotai Glory’s 190K Goffs UK Breezer Powerful Glory A New TDN Rising Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-ELP, $71K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1mT, 3:52 p.m. ET. Shadwell Stables went to $1.1 million to acquire EL JOURY (Medaglia d'Oro) during Keeneland September. Trained by Brendan Walsh, the first-time starter is out of Irish MGSW Up (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was made the $2.2 million sales topper at the 2015 Keeneland January Sale by Jan Racing and Jan Vandebos. A half-sister to English and French G1SW Dutch Art (GB) (Medicean {GB}), this mare also produced GISP Monarch of Egypt (American Pharoah) and GII Lake Placid Stakes victress Aspray (Quality Road). TJCIS PPS 5th-ELP, $71K, Msw, 2yo, 1mT, 2:54 p.m. ET. Poster (Munnings) makes his first start for Godolphin and trainer Eoin Harty. The homebred's second dam is GISW Cara Rafaela (Quiet American), who is also responsible for champion 3-year-old and sire Bernardini (A.P. Indy), and the dam of GI Personal Ensign Handicap heroine Love and Pride (A.P. Indy). TJCIS PPS The post Monday Insights: Pricey Medaglia d’Oro Filly Debuts At Ellis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Firmly back on track following her blip in the Musidora, George Strawbridge's Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB}–In Clover {GB}, by Inchinor {GB}) backed up her latest win in Ascot's G3 Valiant Stakes with another in Sunday's G2 Sumbe Prix Alec Head at Deauville. Returning to the 10-furlong trip over which she had impressed in Newmarket's Listed Pretty Polly Stakes and disappointed in York's Oaks trial in May, the John and Thady Gosden-trained homebred was sent to the front soon after the start by Kieran Shoemark as she had been over a mile last month. There to be shot at in the straight, the even-money favourite kept finding to hold her rivals comfortably at bay and score by a length from Birthe (Ire) (Study Of Man {Ire}), with Candala (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) 1 1/2 lengths further back in third. The post Kingman’s Friendly Soul Wins Again At Deauville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He's been a bit hit-and-miss so far in his brief career, but Ballydoyle's Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never–Adventure Seeker {Fr}, by Bering {GB}) was in front where it mattered in the Peter Brant silks to master his peers in Sunday's stallion-making G1 Sumbe Prix Morny at Deauville. Breaking fast to get the stands' rail, the 27-10 shot was able to force the pace without the kind of pressure he had endured during last Sunday's G1 Phoenix Stakes, the G2 July Stakes winner kept finding for Ryan Moore to get to the line 3/4 of a length ahead of the G2 Coventry Stakes winner Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), with the G3 Prix de Cabourg-winning filly Daylight (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}) doing best of the French the same margin away in third. “He's a very fast horse and Ryan felt that maybe things didn't go perfectly for him last week,” Aidan O'Brien said. “Because he is so fast and so precocious, we thought he could do both races in a week but it's a tough thing to do. Speed is his big thing–he'll probably go to the Middle Park now and then to the Breeders' Cup.” 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗷𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 (RL. Moore /AP. O'Brien) s'adjuge le @sumbe_fr Prix Morny (Gr.1) à Deauville, une semaine après sa place dans les Phoenix Stakes au @curraghrace Une nouvelle fois, les visiteurs s'emparent de cette épreuve. Les n'ont passé le poteau en tête… pic.twitter.com/RpzyOPXvFf — Equidia (@equidia) August 18, 2024 The post No Nay Never’s Whistlejacket Wins The Prix Morny appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Undefeated in three prior starts this term, Baron Edouard de Rothschild's star distaffer Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}–Penne {Fr}, by Sevres Rose {Ire}) registered back-to-back wins in last month's G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville and repeated the dose with a battling performance to defend her title in Sunday's G1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet back at the Normandy venue. The prohibitively priced 1-5 favourite was unhurried at the break and settled at the tail of the five-runner field until well beyond halfway in this 10-furlong contest. Cruising forward once into the home straight, she was ridden to gain a slender buffer entering the final furlong and came under a late drive to prevail by a head and a short-neck from the Joseph O'Brien-trained duo American Sonja (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) and Maxux (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in a three-way photograph. “Everything has been said about this mare and, at the age of five, she is still at the top of her game,” the winning owner commented. “It is a remarkable feat to win the Rothschild and Romanet two years in a row. We never made it a mystery that the [Oct. 6 G1 Prix de l'] Arc [de Triomphe] is the target and that was her last run before October.” Pedigree Notes Mqse de Sevigne is the ninth of 10 foals and one of six scorers produced by Listed Prix de Thiberville and Listed Prix Occitanie runner-up Penne (Fr) (Sevres Rose {Ire}), herself a half-sister to the dam of Listed Prix de la Californie and Listed Prix Omnium II victor Gris Tendre (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}). The February-foaled bay, who hails from the direct damline of G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane heroine Apollonia (Fr) (Djebel {Fr}), is a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Meandre (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}) and Listed River Eden Fillies' Stakes runner-up Dogma (Fr) (Mount Nelson {GB}). ⁦@sumbe_fr⁩ Jean Romanet (Gr1, f3+, 2000m) ⁦@fgdeauville⁩ La fav Mqse de Sevigné (Siyouni) ⁦@EddeRothschild⁩ attaque, domine, puis résiste à une formidable American Sonja (Tasleet) et Maxux (Frankel). Elle réalise pour la 2e année le doublé Rothschild-Romanet. pic.twitter.com/Af4o9AYNV3 — France Galop (@francegalop) August 18, 2024 Sunday, Deauville, France SUMBE PRIX JEAN ROMANET-G1, €250,000, Deauville, 8-18, 4yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:08.86, g/s. 1–MQSE DE SEVIGNE (IRE), 126, m, 5, by Siyouni (Fr) 1st Dam: Penne (Fr) (MSP-Fr), by Sevres Rose (Ire) 2nd Dam: Une Pensee (Fr), by Kenmare (Fr) 3rd Dam: Cleophis (Fr), by Crepello (GB) O-Baron Edouard de Rothschild; B-Ecurie de Meautry (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Alexis Pouchin. €142,850. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 17-8-6-1, €1,024,421. *1/2 to Meandre (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}), MG1SW-Fr & Ger, $1,692,990; and Dogma (Fr) (Mount Nelson {GB}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–American Sonja (GB), 126, f, 4, Tasleet (GB)–Gumhrear (Ire), by Kodiac (GB). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (22,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; £30,000 Ylg '21 TATIRY; 95,000gns 2yo '22 TATBRE). O-Mark Dobbin; B-Whatcote Farm Stud (GB); T-Joseph O'Brien. €57,150. 3–Maxux (Ire), 126, f, 4, Frankel (GB)–Chrysanthemum (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (200,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Alvaro Odriozola Arzallus; B-Barnane Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €28,575. Margins: HD, SNK, HF. Odds: 0.20, 5.30, 11.00. Also Ran: Blue Rose Cen (Ire), Left Sea (GB). The post Siyouni’s Mqse De Sevigne is the Toast of Deauville Again appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Classic winner Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), off the track since sustaining a setback that ruled her out of Royal Ascot, will aim for a start in the G1 Matron Stakes during Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown, according to trainer Karl Burke. Successful in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas in the silks of Clipper Logistics when last seen, the filly has been pleasing Burke during her recovery. The G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine was only eighth in the G1 1000 Guineas as the favourite in early May, before her Irish heroics. “Fallen Angel is in great shape and, touch wood, she seems over all her little problems she had,” said the Spigot Lodge handler. “She's moving really well and is on target for the Matron. That will be her next start and I wouldn't be surprised if she stepped up to 10 furlongs after that, possibly the [G1] Prix de l'Opera on Arc weekend. “She was very good in the Irish Guineas and I don't think she will mind a bit of juice [in the ground]–I don't think we will run her on very fast ground again. Maybe Ascot wouldn't have been her cup of tea this year and sometimes these things happen for a reason. Hopefully she will stay in training next year.” Fallen Angel could face Thursday's G3 Prix de Lieurey scorer Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the Matron. Trainer George Boughey said of the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing runner, “It [Leopardstown] is a possibility, but we will see how she comes out of the race. She has always taken her racing incredibly well–even as a 2-year-old–but it is all up in the air a bit at the moment.” The post Fallen Angel Handed Matron Target appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Charred’s tough victory in the K.T Myers Racing Stables Steeplechase (3500m) at Rotorua marked a number of firsts for trainer Paul Mirabelli and jockey Corey Wiles. Based out of Cambridge, Mirabelli has enjoyed success in the hurdle role including the 2021 Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3100m) with The Midnight Shift, but was yet to score with a representative over the bigger fences until Sunday’s contest. Charred (NZ) (Guillotine) had been a work in progress for Mirabelli and often mixed his jumping in previous starts, but put on a much more professional display in the maiden event, negotiating his fences tidily under Wiles. The $1.50 favourite Invisible Spirit led through much of the opening lap before Uncle Charlie took over, with the entirety of the field remaining in close quarters until reaching the 800 metre mark. Khafeef sped to the lead and looked like he may have Invisible Spirit and Charred covered over the second-last fence, but the big grey found plenty in the final 100 metres and caught Khafeef in the shadow of the post, scoring by a long head. Mirabelli was equally thrilled for the horse as he was for 21-year-old Wiles, who picked up his first win as a jumps jockey with the success. “It was fantastic, I’ve won a couple of hurdle races before but that was my first steeplechase victory, and it was Corey’s as well,” he said. “I was impressed with how he rode this horse, obviously his jumping can be a bit indifferent and Corey’s positive riding into the fences seemed to help him. “He deserved to stay on him to try and get the win, he really tries and does it quite tough with his weight, so he deserves the success he’s going to get.” A four-race winner on the flat, Charred was having his ninth attempt over fences and third in the steeplechasing role, with the win coming as a reward for patience from Mirabelli. “It’s been a bit of a long process with this horse’s jumping because he hasn’t been super natural at it,” he said. “Every time we’ve gone to the races he’s improved a bit more, so it was good to see him show that today. “Going forward, we’ll probably go down to Hawera next Sunday, and then onto the Great Northern.” A son of Guillotine, Charred was bred by Carl Ferguson, who races the nine-year-old with Eddie Carrasco. His dam, Dancing Embers, has produced three race winners including Firestorm, who Mirabelli prepared to run a classy sixth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) last November, before being sold to clients of Chris Waller. “Dancing Embers has been a really good broodmare and most of her foals have won races, Carl keeps breeding from her and so far they’ve had plenty of success,” Mirabelli said. “Charred has won 5, Ember Attack won two or three and obviously Firestorm has been very good, she was sold to Australia and ran in the Queensland Oaks (Gr.1, 2200m). “The best is hopefully yet to come from the mare, it’s been a good ride so far.” View the full article

Top End Darwin trainer Phil Cole and wife Rhonda. Darwin trainer Phil Cole has had his fair share of success on Katherine Cup Day over the years and on Saturday he landed a winning treble. Cole, once again the runner-up in the Top End and Country trainers’ premiership behind Gary Clarke, celebrated wins by Storm The Fortress ($5.50), Moorestown ($3.60) and Awen ($16). Alice Springs apprentice Dakota Gillett partnered Moorestown and Awen, while leading Darwin jockey Sonja Logan was aboard Storm The Fortress. It was a shot in the arm for Cole, who won’t be spotted in the Top End for a few weeks as he embarks on yet another Birdsville Cup campaign in outback Queensland (September 6-7). Storm The Fortress, a five-year-old gelding by Invader, shared the early lead over 1100m (0-70) before hanging on in the home straight to overcome Mr Have A Chat ($2.45 fav) and El Magnificence ($16) by half a length. Cole’s Preconi ($8.50) had a big lead over 1300m (BM54) before Moorestown, a five-year-old gelding by Shalaa, swooped at the 200m to seal victory by three lengths from its stablemate, with Ankle Rolex ($4.20) not far away in third place. Awen, a six-year-old mare by Kodiac, the meat in the sandwich when sharing the early lead with Ariarne ($2.90 fav) and Soul Spirit ($5.50) over 1300m (BM54), went on to topple Ariarne, who never left the fence, by 1.7 lengths, with The Stifmeister ($3.80) working home nicely for third. Neil Dyer’s six-year-old gelding Collison produced the most eye-catching victory of the day when he was at one stage seven lengths behind the leader in seventh place, passing the 600m before storming home to roll To The Point ($3.60) and Lamoree ($11) by 1.7 lengths over 1100m (0-58). Collison, starting at $2.90 with online bookmakers, was the only favourite to win on the eight-event program – not one favourite saluted in seven races on Cup Day last year on Katherine’s sandy surface. Dyer, who won the 2023 Katherine Cup (1700m) with Hettinger, farewelled the NT before heading home to Kyneton with a winning double when Fierce Legend ($7.50), ridden by Stan Tsaikos, led all the way over 1700m (0-64). The five-year-old gelding by Deep Field finally prevailed after 10 Darwin starts and two Katherine starts when he eclipsed fast-finishing pair Dartboard ($5) and A Big Chance ($4.80) by 2.3 lengths. Tsaikos ended the day with a winning double when Full Damage ($4.40), a five-year-old gelding by Lord Of The Sky, who also competed for the early lead, saluted for in-form trainer Chris Pollard in a 1000m maiden by 2.4 lengths after kicking clear half way down the home straight to edge out Desert Safari ($17) and Tortellini ($31). Paul Denton, who won the $30,000 Katherine Cup aboard Kerry Petrick’s Venting, bookended the program when he pinched a winning break at the 500m on Lisa Whittle’s Incivility ($9.50) in the opening race over 1100m (0-58) before triumphing by 5.3 lengths from Daunting Decision ($8) and Get Out Mick ($10). Horse racing news View the full article

Alice Springs trainer Kerry Petrick and jockey Paul Denton combined for yet another victory in the NT on Saturday with Venting taking out the Katherine Cup (1700m). It was another big NT win for Kerry Petrick’s Venting after claiming the $30,000 Katherine Cup (1700m) on Saturday. Ridden by Paul Denton, the six-year-old gelding pounced in the home straight to overcome Gary Clarke’s Pink Panther – the $2.80 favourite with online bookmakers – by 5.6 lengths with Neil Dyer’s Ziggi Rocks ($6.50) four lengths adrift in third place. After winning the 2022 NT Derby (2050m) at Darwin with Denton in the saddle, Venting won the Alice Springs Cup (2000m) in April with Stan Tsaikos on board. Now based in Alice Springs, Petrick and Denton, who have combined to win 126 races in the NT, have both won the Katherine Cup twice. Petrick won in 2016 with Statue Of Warriors, while Denton saluted on Stephen Brown’s Tordean in 2001. Jumping from the inside gate in the eight-horse field, Venting ($10) settled third on the fence behind Chris Pollard’s Hamlet Von Snitzel ($4.40) and Pink Panther. Passing the 1100m, Venting, who had 12 Victorian starts for Stawell trainer Andrew Bobbin, was over-racing before finding his rhythm, and with 500m to go, he made ground on the leading duo. Swinging for home, the son of Star Witness was forced three deep before hitting the front at the 300m. Venting, who made it eight wins from 26 starts for Petrick, had five starts when he returned to Fannie Bay in June with his best effort a third. Subsequently, he missed the Darwin Cup (2050m) on August 5. Denton, who admits Venting is a pest during trackwork and on race day, was not only impressed how the gelding looked on debut in Katherine, but was full of confidence passing the 1000m. “He dropped to 57kg, so his win today probably wasn’t a surprise because at his best he was always a chance,” Denton said. “I wasn’t disappointed with him in Darwin, he drew bad gates and didn’t have much luck. “Kerry took the blinkers off him in the Alice Cup and he won. “He didn’t wear blinkers in Darwin, so we decided to put them back on – it just switched him back on. “I thought he was keen today, it’s probably the best he has settled for me. “The only thing that worried me was that I had to go too soon, once he hits the front he can start looking at things. “I had to get into him, even though he won a by a big margin I knew that he was looking at the crowd and doing his usual bad habits.” Denton is convinced that Venting’s Katherine Cup success was based on his conditioning at Grampians Racing, near Stawell, when under the care of Bobbin. “Katherine’s sand track wasn’t as soft this year as it was the last time I rode here,” he said. “At Grampians, they train and gallop their horses on sand dunes – Venting would be used to the heavy going. “I had seven rides today and he travelled the best out of the whole lot of them on this surface.” Horse racing news View the full article

Driver Penalties A Poutama | Auckland 16 August; breach of push out rule; fined $200. D Grundmann | Auckland 16 August; careless driving; fined $200. K Tomlinson | NZ Metropolitan 16 August; use of whip; fined $250. S Whatuira | NZ Metropolitan 16 August; careless driving; suspended 17-30 August inclusive. L Whittaker | NZ Metropolitan 16 August; failed to activate gear; fined $200. Horse Penalties SOUTHERN DIAMOND | Auckland 16 August; lame; veterinary clearance required. IMPERIAL COMMAND | NZ Metropolitan 16 August; lame; veterinary clearance required. ADORED DREAMER | NZ Metropolitan 16 August; suspected fractured leg; veterinary clearance required. Protests PRESIDENT FLYNNTIN | Waikato Bay of Plenty 13 August; excessive galloping during race; disqualified from 4th. ONE OVER DA LINE | NZ Metropolitan 16 August; lapped on; relegated from 3rd to 6th. The post 12-18 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Catherine Cameron’s stayer Raajoices (NZ) (Iffraaj) was back in the winner’s circle in dominant fashion at Rotorua on Sunday, claiming the Terry Fitzpatrick Memorial (2200m). A son of Iffraaj, Raajoices had been finishing midfield in races throughout his current campaign, but was truly in his element when striking the heavy ten conditions later in the programme. Trailing the field throughout behind a strong tempo set by Shocking Penny, Jay Kozaczek coped plenty of kick back aboard Raajoices but remained patient, allowing the gelding to sweep around the field effortlessly turning for home. Descending down the outside of the track, Raajoices was far too strong for his rivals and continued to pull away by 5 ¾ lengths at the post, with a game Verry Flash running into second while giving away nearly ten kilograms to the winner. Based at Cambridge, Cameron was pleased for Kozaczek who picked up a winning treble on the card, having been involved with her stable since arriving in New Zealand in June. “I was very happy, Jay has had a great day and rides trackwork for us so he knew the horse well,” she said. “This horse has been a bit disappointing this winter, but in fairness he’s been crying out for a horrible, wet and loose track that we got today so thankfully they ran the races. “We’ll see what they give him in terms of points now, but he just needs the really wet tracks and we don’t get to run on them all that often anymore so we’ll see. “He’ll get a good break this summer, last summer I ran him in the Waikato Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) because I thought he may have been good enough over further ground on better tracks, but, he’s just an out-and-out one-pacer who loves the mud. “We’ll see what we can do over the next six weeks and then we’ll bring him back for next winter.” Cameron was a highly accomplished show jumping rider before committing to racehorse training and she hasn’t counted out a possible career over fences for Raajoices in the future. “I’m getting a lot of pressure to jump him and I know some of the owners would love him to go jumping,” she said. “Given that Jay rides work for us, while he’s still here over the next couple of months we might get him popping over some fences. “He could end up being one for a jumping campaign next year.” Bred by Stephanie Hole out of her Group Three-winning mare Choice, Raajoices is raced by an ownership group including Cameron. From 24 starts, he has won three races and over $61,000 in stakes earnings. View the full article

The testing track conditions at Rotorua on Sunday posed no issue for Rudy Liefting’s jumpers, with Mont Ventoux and Renegade Fighter securing the two open contests by sizable margins. The Pukekohe Park horseman struck first in the Team Wealleans Hurdle (3000m) with Mont Ventoux (NZ) (Nom de Jeu), a capable seven-win flat performer who has been a model of consistency in the hurdling role with a win and nine placings to his credit. Entering the open contest, Mont Ventoux was rated a $8.10 third-favourite in a market dominated by previously unbeaten jumper Helena Baby at $1.60, but it became apparent as the field negotiated the fences in the home straight that the favourite wasn’t jumping with his typical flair, eventually being pulled out of the contest with 1000 metres remaining. Meanwhile, Mont Ventoux had been biding his time under Jay Kozaczek and stormed into contention at the 800 metres, putting a significant space on the field that only continued to extend as he eased his way to a dominant victory, the final margin over 20 lengths to Mugshot. Liefting was thrilled with the performance, particularly to pick up momentum ahead of feature targets. “He was good and won well, I’m very happy with him,” he said. “I told Jay not to take on the grey horse (Helena Baby) that likes to lead, just sit back and focus on his jumping and doing things right. “It’s great to see him jumping so well, it took a while and we were very patient with him but he’s standing off his fences a bit more and relaxing in his races. He’s pretty much the complete package now. “There’s only two big ones left, the Pakuranga Hunt and the Great Northern, so after winning like that it shows we’re coming right at the right time.” A son of Nom De Jeu, Mont Ventoux was bred by Bruce Davies, who races the nine-year-old in an ownership group including Liefting’s Kakapo Lodge Ltd. He is out of Davies’ Lord Ballina mare Good Reason, who also produced three-win steeplechaser Coconut. “Bruce has been a long-term owner for me. I broke the horse in as a late two-year-old and told him that I quite liked this horse and to keep him, he’s a lovely big type,” Liefting said. “He’s been sound and is no champion, but he’s won a Kiwifruit Cup and a couple of open handicaps so he’s done a good job. “Bruce had a couple of young ones coming along this year and decided to split a half-share in him, so we took 20% and a few of our friends and owners got together for the rest. We’re having a lot of fun with him now as a jumper.” Liefting’s contender in the Greenlight Insurance Brokers Limited & Rotorua BOP Hunt Cup (3500m), Renegade Fighter (NZ) (Zed), flew under the radar in comparison to his stablemate rated a $17.10 hope, but that didn’t stop him replicating a similar feat in the open steeplechase contest. A ten-year-old by Zed, Renegade Fighter was previously a maidener over fences and travelled quietly at the back of the field in the hands of Kozaczek, before cruising up to the leaders nearing the 800 metres. Taking over from the well-performed Hey Happy near the home turn, Renegade Fighter skipped through the ground with ease and his rivals were no match, winning by seven lengths to Dal Kilchoan. Liefting had been forced to place Renegade Fighter in open company due to issues securing a jockey, a problem he will be unlikely to face again after such a classy display. “I’m just rapt with this horse,” he said. “I’ve had a fair bit of trouble with him because no one would ride him, only Nick Downs and Joshua Parker would ride him previously. “I had to put him in races I didn’t want too, that’s how he ended up in open company instead of a maiden. I’ve been using my other horse (Mont Ventoux) as a bargaining chip, I told the jockeys that they can get the ride on both because they all want to get on him. “I’ve been telling the jockeys that this is a good horse, and I finally got him on a heavy track where he could show his best. “I won’t have any trouble finding one (a jockey) now.” Liefting purchased Renegade Fighter as a jumping prospect earlier this year, racing him alongside Donna and Robert Best. “I bought him off another trainer at Pukekohe at the beginning of the season because I thought he could make a nice jumper, and his previous owner wanted to see him jumping,” he said. “He wants more ground and plenty of rain, so I’m going to give him a go at one of the bigger steeplechases. I might even go at the Great Northern Steeples, because the further he goes, the better.” View the full article

What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Monday, August 19, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble The synthetic surface at Pakenham is scheduled to host an eight-race meeting on Monday afternoon, with competitive fields the theme of the day. A perfect winter day is forecast, so there should be no excuses for fancied runners throughout the day, as action commences at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Pakenham: Si Si Milano Si Si Milano was a dominant Pakenham synthetic 1200m maiden winner on August 5 and as he steps up to the 1400m looks perfectly placed. The three-year-old son of Yes Yes Yes chased home the classy Blue Stratum on debut and clearly looks to be the horse with most upside. Barrier 13 is offset by his desire to get back and run on, and as long as Blake Shinn has him in clear air on the home turn, Si Si Milano should have no issue in overhauling his rivals late on. Best Bet Race 7 – #6 Si Si Milano (13) 3yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Blake Shinn (59.5kg) +140 with Neds Next Best at Pakenham: Muktamil It is last chance saloon for Muktamil as the eight-start maiden looks to finally breakthrough. The five-year-old gelding has been rolled at a short price at all four starts this campaign, but as he gets onto the synthetic, he looks well-placed to exert a bit of his class. He looks like a dour stayer, so the 2200m should be perfect for the son of Sea The Stars. Jamie Mott will have him in the moving line throughout from barrier five, and if Muktamil runs up to his recent form, he should prove too hard to hold out in the Pakenham opener. Next Best Race 1 – #5 Muktamil (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Jamie Mott (59.5kg) +240 with PlayUp Next Best Again at Pakenham: Signal Despite Prinzerro being an odds-on favourite with horse racing bookmakers in the quaddie opener, Signal is a deadset synthetic specialist and can cause a minor upset. The Matt Laurie-trained runner returned from a five-month spell to win by three lengths on the Ballarat synthetic surface and can replicate that form at Pakenham. Ben Allen will have this guy settled outside the lead throughout, and with a bit of a tactical advantage over his key rival, Signal can bring up a fourth synthetic win from six starts. Next Best Again Race 5 – #2 Signal (7) 6yo Gelding | T: Matt Laurie | J: Ben Allen (60.5kg) +450 with Dabble Monday quaddie tips for Pakenham Pakenham quadrella selections Monday, August 19, 2024 2-4-7 1-3-4-5 6-10 1-4-5-6-7-8-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Dog Penalty BIG TIME CURLY | Auckland 18 August; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. The post 12-18 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties J Champion | Non-raceday dated 13 August; failed to ride trackwork free of prohibited substance; disqualified 9 August 2024 – 19 June 2025 inclusive. M Cameron | Non-raceday dated 14 August; failed to ride free of prohibited substance; disqualified 14 August 2024 – 13 May 2025 and costs of $187.50. B Murray | Oamaru 16 August; use of whip; suspended 29 August – 8 September inclusive. D Cooper | Oamaru 16 August; careless riding; suspended 25 August – 7 September inclusive. J Parkes | Taranaki 17 August; failed to make weight; fined $100. C Butler | Taranaki 17 August; use of whip; fined $250. Trainer Penalty K Murphy | Oamaru 16 August; late rider declaration; fined $50. Horse Penalties HAMMER TIME | Waikato 14 August; hoof injury; veterinary clearance required. THE YES GIRL | Whangarei 17 August; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. WHOSHE’S BOY | Taranaki 17 August; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. HELENA BABY | Rotorua 18 August; bled for 2nd time; ineligible to race in New Zealand. The post 12-18 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Iscreamuscream answered the cheers from her hundreds of owners in the Del Mar grandstand loud and clear when she streaked to her fourth straight score in the $301,500 Del Mar Oaks (G1T) Aug. 17. View the full article

Iscreamuscream answered the cheers from her hundreds of owners in the Del Mar grandstand loud and clear when she streaked to her fourth straight score in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1T) Aug. 17. View the full article

When Beautiful Thief (Dialed In) won the 12th race at Saratoga Saturday, a maiden special weight on the turf for fillies three and up, she was doing more than visiting the winner's circle for the first time. Her victory pushed trainer George Weaver over the threshold of 1,000 career wins in North America. “It feels good. It took a lot of years to get here, we've been working hard for many, many years,” said Weaver. “You don't really think about these things until they happen. There was a little gap, it took us a couple weeks, we had some live horses run and just didn't get there. I knew it was going to come and was hoping it would happen here at such a special place.” Weaver went out on his own in 2002–and got his first win that same year–after serving under D. Wayne Lukas, Todd Pletcher, and John Hennig. MGISW Vekoma was one of his trainees, as was GISW Lighthouse Bay and Dubai G1SW Saratoga County. Last year, he trained Crimson Advocate (Nyquist) to a win in the G2 Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, becoming only the third American conditioner to win a race there. “Technically, we won the race at Ascot and one in Dubai, which didn't count, so I've already passed 1,000 wins,” mused Weaver. “When they hold the sign up and announce it, and you look back on all the years we've worked so hard, and so many nice horses and owners, it makes you look back [fondly].” The post 1,000 Wins in North America for Trainer George Weaver appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In her first start since a 33% share of her sold for $330,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midsummer Flash Sale, ISCREAMUSCREAM (f, 3, Twirling Candy–Silver Screamer, by Cozzene) stretched her perfect record to 4-for-4 and picked up her first Grade I win with a tenacious victory in the GI Del Mar Oaks. Sent to the lead, she was challenged midway through by Whiskey Decision (Into Mischief) who went right on by past the half in :48.10. But Iscreamuscream turned the tables right back on her rival, angling outside and driving past off the far turn to come home a winner under Hector Berrios. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0. O-Agave Racing Stable, Little Red Feather Racing, Hundley, Jr., John, Naify, Marsha, Snyder, John and Snyder, Stacey; B-Hunter Rankin & Walker Hancock; T-Philip D'Amato. Sales History: $9,000 RNA wlg '21 KEENOV, $55,000 ylg '22 KEESEP, $145,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR, $330,000 share '24 FTMIDS. ISCREAMUSCREAM ($8.40) served up a delicious win in the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1)! The undefeated filly is by @LanesEndFarms' Twirling Candy. @HIBerrios was in the irons for trainer @PhilDamato11. Congrats to all the partners! @lrfracing pic.twitter.com/uaeLjiQjOn — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 18, 2024 Saturday, Del Mar DEL MAR OAKS PRESENTED BY KEENELAND SALES-GI, $301,500, Del Mar, 8-17, 3yo, f, 1 1/8mT, 1:48.06, fm. 1–ISCREAMUSCREAM, 122, f, 3, by Twirling Candy 1st Dam: Silver Screamer (GSW, $314,245), by Cozzene 2nd Dam: West Sider, by Gone West 3rd Dam: Fariedah, by Topsider 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($9,000 RNA Wlg '21 KEENOV; $55,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $145,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR; $330,000 3yo '24 FTMIDS). O-Agave Racing Stable, Little Red Feather Racing, John Hundley, Jr., Marsha Naify, John Snyder and Stacey Snyder; B-Hunter Rankin & Walker Hancock (KY); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Hector Isaac Berrios. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $369,600. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Medoro, 122, f, 3, by Honor Code 1st Dam: Achira (MSP, $151,852), by English Channel 2nd Dam: Styler, by Holy Bull 3rd Dam: Set Them Free, by Stop the Music 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-C R K Stable LLC; B-Parks Investment Group, LLC (KY); T-Peter Eurton. $60,000. 3–Zona Verde (Ire), 122, f, 3, by Calyx (GB) 1st Dam: Namibie (GB), by Dark Angel (Ire) 2nd Dam: Mambia (GB), by Aldebaran 3rd Dam: Algoa (Fr), by Common Grounds (GB) 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (30,000gns RNA Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, McLean Racing Stables and Michael Nentwig; B-Knockainey Stud (IRE); T-Philip D'Amato. $36,000. Margins: 1HF, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 3.20, 4.50, 11.70. Also Ran: Buchu, Sakura Blossom, Whiskey Decision, Circle of Trust, Sea Dancer. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Iscreamuscream Stays Perfect In Game Del Mar Oaks Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Woodbine, pounded by heavy rain that first resulted in its scheduled turf races being moved to its Tapeta main track, canceled racing for its King's Plate card after the fifth race Aug. 17.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–Trainer Kenny McPeek sat in his office at his barn at the Annex across from the Oklahoma Training Track Saturday morning and began rattling off the names. Ruffian. Genuine Risk. Winning Colors. Rags to Riches. Zenyatta. Rachel Alexandra. Beholder. They are some of the best fillies to ever do it on the racetrack. McPeek is hopeful that, after next Saturday, the name Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) might join that illustrious group. Thorpedo Anna, of course, is attempting to become the first filly since 1915 to win the $1.25 million, Grade I Travers Stakes. It will be run next Saturday and, after entries are drawn Sunday, Thorpedo Anna figures to be one of the top choices on the Travers morning-line. “She is as good as ever,” McPeek said after Thorpedo Anna had her final Travers work, going five furlongs in 59.81 seconds (2/19) on the main track at Saratoga Race Course. “She is just hitting on all cylinders, like she has been all year. Danny (exercise rider Ramsey) seems to think she is better now than she ever has been. She is going to have to be.” Thorpedo Anna worked in company with Elko County (Gun Runner), who had jockey Julien Leparoux on board. The two horses walked down the horse path through the picnic area and made two laps in the paddock before hitting the main track around 7 on Saturday morning. The work had one minor glitch when the two workers had to alter their course at the top of the stretch when they came upon a slower horse. McPeek said it was not a problem. “That's all she needed,” McPeek said of the work. “We just wanted something nice and steady, let her stretch her legs across the main.” Now, the final countdown to the Travers is on. McPeek said Thorpedo Anna will walk on Sunday and, as long as it doesn't rain, will school in the paddock at the second race. McPeek also said that he expects that Thorpedo Anna will stay in Saratoga until she ships to California for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, which will be run on Nov 2. She will also ship from Saratoga to Parx Racing next month for the GI Cotillion. Gargan Confident Dornoch Can Overcome An Obstacle And Win Travers There is no shortage of confidence in trainer Danny Gargan when it comes to talking about his stable star Dornoch (Good Magic). He boldly predicted that Dornoch would be the best horse he ever trained before the horse ever ran a race. So far, so good. Dornoch comes into next Saturday's $1.25 million GI Travers as perhaps the horse to beat as he is coming off victories in the GI Belmont Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes. But he will have to conquer another Grade I race, something that is not lost on Gargan. “It's hard to win three Grade I races in a row,” Gargan said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Saturday morning. “We are hoping he can do it; he has done so much for us. I mean, it's next to impossible to win three Grade Is in a row. If you win three in a row, you are a Hall of Fame horse.” Dornoch had his final Travers work on Saturday, working four furlongs in 47.65 (14/161) with Priscilla Schaefer on board. They worked in company with stablemate Ringy Dingy (Dialed In), a 3-year-old filly who was piloted by Carol Fisher. “He looked great doing it,” Gargan said. “It was just a normal maintenance work. We were trying to go in 48. This is a big-time race; you don't want to go in 51. It was ok. He will need to be fit for this, and he is. I thought he looked amazing.” Once the Saratoga meet ends, Gargan said that he will most likely have Dornoch stay and do his training up to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at the Spa. Pletcher Keeps Hearing the Same Question Over and Over About Fierceness Standing outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track Saturday morning, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher was asked if he was sick of hearing the same question day after day. The question: Why can't Fierceness (City of Light), the top 3-year-old in the barn, put two good races together back-to-back? “I hope HE is getting tired of it, that's what I need,” Pletcher said with a smile. “I need him to step it up.” Fierceness gets that chance next Saturday when he runs in the $1.25 million, GI Travers at Saratoga. If he is able to find the winner's circle, the notion that Fierceness can't put consecutive wins together will finally be a moot point. Fierceness has been near brilliant in his four career victories but not so much in the three career losses. When last seen, Fierceness impressed when he won the GII Jim Dandy at Saratoga by a length over Travers rival Sierra Leone (Gun Runner). The race before that, he was 15th in the GI Kentucky Derby as the favorite. The beat goes on through his entire career although Pletcher will argue the third-place finish in the GIII Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park (which was right before he won the GI Florida Derby by a record 131/2 lengths}) wasn't so bad. “On paper, it's in black and white,” Pletcher said of Fierceness' resume. “I think the Holy Bull gets overly criticized. It was a pretty roughly run race and I don't think he ran that poorly. I think he is giving us all indications that he is sitting on another good race. He just has to go out and prove it.” Fierceness had his final pre-Travers work on Saturday, breezing four furlongs in 48.22 (32/161) with exercise rider Danny Wright. They worked in company with Bright Future (Curlin). “Super happy with it,” Pletcher said. “He went well and finished up strongly and galloped out great. He did it seemingly effortlessly. He has always been a very good work horse.” Sierra Leone, Batten Down, Honor Marie Have Final Travers Works Because he is from nearby Mechanicville, the $1.25 million, GI Travers Stakes has always been a race trainer Chad Brown covets. So far, it has eluded him. Maybe this year the trophy has his name on it. He says Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), the $2.3 million purchase at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale, is his best shot. “He has been pointed to this race for a very long time,” Brown said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track. “Going into the race, it sure looks like he is my best chance to win.” In the nine Travers Stakes that Brown has participated in, he has run 15 horses. Zandon, in 2022, and Miles D in 2021, both finished third. Those are the top results for Brown. Saturday, Sierra Leone had his final Travers work, going four furlongs with exercise rider Kriss Bon in :49.20 (13/70) on the Oklahoma Training Track. Two other horses had their final moves for the Midsummer Derby. Batten Down (Tapit), with regular rider Junior Alvarado on board, worked five furlongs in 1:01.85 (4/15) for Hall of Famer Bill Mott on the Oklahoma. They worked in company with Bendoog (Gun Runner). Batten Down, the GIII Ohio Derby winner, was last seen finishing third in the GII Jim Dandy at Saratoga. Trainer Whit Beckman sent Honor Marie (Honor Code) to his last Travers work Saturday morning on the Oklahoma. With jockey Tyler Gaffalione on board, Honor Marie covered four furlongs in :50.50 (54/70). “Just what we were looking for,” Beckman said by phone. “Just something easy and smooth. Good work, nice gallop out. Nothing flashy.” The draw for the Travers will be held on Sunday. Two other horses–Unmatched Wisdom (Cairo Prince) and Corporate Power (Curlin)–had their final Travers works on Friday. Unmatched Wisdom, also trained by Brown, went five furlongs in 1:00.41 (3/6) on the main track and Corporate Power, from the Hall of Fame barn of Shug McGaughey, had a bullet four-furlong breeze in :47.44 (1/45). He worked on the Oklahoma. The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Thorpedo Anna Getting Closer to Her Bid to Make History in Travers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Argentine champion Subsanador scored his first victory in the United States and could be headed to the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) after posting a 1 1/2-length victory Aug. 17 in the $248,500 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park.View the full article

Flanagan Racing's Grayosh, a work in progress for trainer Chad Brown, put all the pieces together just in time for an upset victory in the $200,000 Lake Placid Stakes (G2T) Aug. 17 at Saratoga Race Course.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. Sunday's Observations features a half-brother to Coolmore sire Sioux Nation. 15.45 Pontefract, Mdn, £22,000, 2yo, 6fT DASH DIZZY (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) represents Nurlan Bizakov and the Charlie Johnston stable and is a half-brother to Scat Daddy's G1 Phoenix Stakes and G2 Norfolk Stakes-winning sire Sioux Nation. Unsold at €475,000 at the Arqana Deauville August Sale, the January-foaled bay encounters some promising types including Edward Ware's fellow newcomer Telepathic (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a full-brother to the G1 Middle Park Stakes-winning sire Charming Thought (GB) from the Simon and Ed Crisford stable. The post Half-Brother To Sioux Nation Debuts At Pontefract appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article