Wandering Eyes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey expected a solid performance from Concord Green (War Front) in his career debut at Saratoga Race Course Saturday and the bay colt delivered. After breaking awkwardly from the gate that left him 11 1/2 lengths off the pace after a half-mile in :48.74, Concord Green and Dylan Davis moved into contention on the second turn and finished with authority to win by three-quarters of a length over Davy Crockett (Constitution). Concord Green completed the 1 1/16 miles $100,000 maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds in 1:46.22. Sent off at 13-1, he returned $28.40. Stuart Janney bred and owns Concord Green, who is out of the Arch mare Mata Mua. “He's a horse that I've liked all along,” McGaughey said. “I like his pedigree. I like his mother. I like Arch mares and I love War Front. The War Fronts are really nice to train. This horse was a horse I liked all along. When I saw him in Ocala in the winter, he was sort of my pick of Stuart Janney's 2-year-olds. I'm not surprised he ran the way he did, not that he won, maybe, but the way he finished.” Dylan Davis and Shug McGaughey | Sarah Andrew With the early troubles behind him, Davis worked to put Concord Green into competitive position in the run through the backstretch. Sam's Rocket (American Pharoah) was the pacesetter with the first quarter in :23.61, six furlongs in 1:14.93 and still was in front when the field reached the stretch. Sam's Rocket and the others on the lead early paid the price in the stretch when the closers arrived to take charge. Though he was running erratically, Davy Crockett made a strong bid in the stretch and did make it to the front and looked to be in a position to continue on and win. Once Davy Crockett got past him and out of the way, Concord Green turned in a strong rally more toward the center of the course, passed Davy Crockett inside the sixteenth pole and prevailed. “Dylan rode a good race,” McGaughey said. “He saved the ground. He said he was a little spotty kind of down in there. He got him to the outside, he found his stride and he finished up well.” Through the years, McGaughey trained the dam and the granddam, Impressionism (Broad Brush) and their families for Janney. Concord Green is a half to graded stakes winner Scarlett Sky (Sky Mesa). McGaughey said Concord Green has flourished during his time in Saratoga this summer. “I've been happy with the way he's trained up here,” McGaughey said. “I think he's matured a lot since we've been here, which I like. I think that the older he gets, the better, body-wise and stuff he's going to get. I think his future could be in front of him.” McGaughey said Concord Green may go on to the GII Pilgrim Stakes on Sept. 28 at Aqueduct Racetrack or possibly to a 2-year-old stake at Keeneland. “If everything's okay,” McGaughey said, “I'll try to pick out the right spot for him.” 2nd-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-17, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:46.22, fm, 3/4 length. CONCORD GREEN (c, 2, War Front–Mata Mua, by Arch), a 13-1 first-timer, bumped rivals at the start and spotted the field a step before getting his feet under him with only two rivals beaten up the backstretch through an opening half in :48.74. Under a motionless Dylan Davis, the homebred began to pick off the field around the far turn and wove his way through traffic inside the furlong marker to drive past Davy Crockett (Consitution) and edge away for the three-quarter length win. The half to Scarlett Sky (Sky Mesa), GSW, $224,130, Concord Green has a weanling half-brother by Not This Time while Mata Mua visited Life Is Good for next season. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Stuart S. Janney, III LLC (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. The post Concord Green Sparkles in the Stretch for the Maiden Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Royal Ascot hero Shareholder and Whistlejacket will clash again in the Aug. 18 Prix Morny (G1) at Deauville. The race is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T).View the full article

Blue Rose Cen will attempt to turn the tables on defending race winner Mqse de Sevigne in a short field assembled for the Aug. 18 Prix Jean Romanet (G1).View the full article

SARATIOGA SPRINGS — At the top of the stretch of the opener of the Saturday card at Saratoga Race Course, a 2-year-old colt named Jonathan's Way (Vekoma) was fanned six, maybe seven wide. But he was moving and, like a giant tidal wave, gathering momentum with each long, powerful stride. Out in California, Richard Rigney, who owns the colt, was watching the race on a cellphone along with bloodstock agent John Moynihan. They had hope, but they also were realists. After all, the six-furlong race was the first in Jonathan's Way career “I was thinking, 'this horse has to stop at some point,” Moynihan said by phone from the West Coast, “because he is going to get tired at some point.” Jonathan's Way stopped alright. After he won the $100,000 maiden special weight by an emphatic 4 1/4 lengths. It didn't look like he was tired at all. “This,” trainer Phil Bauer said in the Saratoga winner's circle, “was very visually impressive.” “We have been really excited about this horse for a long time,” Rigney said. Moynihan has been working with Rigney for four years and picked out Jonathan's Way at the 2022 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. He was purchased for $290,000. Phil Bauer | Sarah Andrew “John bought this horse as a weanling,” Rigney said. “We bought five or six weanlings at the time and got some real nice Vekomas out of it.” Bauer said that three of the young horses he has in the barn are from Vekoma's first crop. Moynihan was impressed with the look of the young weanling that would become Jonathan's Way when he saw him at the Keeneland sale. “He is a beautiful, beautiful horse,” Moynihan said. “He was the prettiest horse that sold day as I remember. He was later on in the book, by a freshman horse in Vekoma, but he was a gorgeous individual and we thought we would take a swing at him. We were lucky enough to get him. He was absolutely gorgeous; he has been gorgeous all his life.” On Saturday, Jonathan's Way was the third 2-1 third choice in the field of nine. Ridden by Hall of Famer Joel Rosario, Jonathan's Way had an auspicious start when he was taken up while being pinched back between horses and then had to come from off the pace. For a young horse to go through that and then race wide, he showed Bauer, Rigney and Moynihan some raw talent. He ran the six furlongs in 1:10.40 on a track labeled fast and returned $6.40. “He got a little green with the dirt and Joel got into him,” Bauer said. “He put Joel in the backseat. He was fit enough, he was on the bridle and then he was just clearly the best.” Rigney said he named the horse for his 17-year-old son, Jonathan. In fact, he names a lot of his horses for his children. In addition to Jonathan, he has 14-year-old twin daughters Madison and Claire who get horses for their names. Rigney and Moynihan were in California to run Buchu (Justify), a 3-year-old filly, in the $300,000, GI Del Mar Oaks on Saturday. There might be reason for another trip to California in November if Jonathan's Way earns his way to the Breeders' Cup. Of course, that is a long way off. Bauer said the next step for the colt could be the GIII Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sept. 14 or the GI Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland on Oct. 5. “We could not be any happier with how this went,” Rigney said. “We are very fortunate.” The post Jonathan’s Way an Impressive Winner on Career Debut at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australian superstar Black Caviar has died at the age of 18. The mare, winner of all 25 of her career starts, was humanely euthanized at an equine hospital in New South Wales Aug. 17 shortly after giving foal to a Snitzel colt.View the full article

Royal Ascot hero Shareholder and Whistlejacket will clash again in the Aug. 18 Prix Morny (G1) at Deauville. The race is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Race for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T).View the full article

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With a strong mid-race move, JONATHAN'S WAY (Vekoma) took command at the top of the Saratoga stretch and came home impressively, becoming the second 'TDN Rising Star' and 15th overall winner for freshman sire Vekoma (by Candy Ride {Arg}). Facing a pair of well-backed stablemates in the coupled entry of Moment's Notice (More Than Ready) and $1.35m KEESEP first-timer Sansone (Uncle Mo), Jonathan's Way broke from the outer half of the gate in line with the field but got squeezed back to last in the first few jumps and had to work to stay in touch from the rear. Kept along the outside, he regained position into the far turn under Joel Rosario and promptly circled the field while widest of all, fanned out five wide with a quarter left to run. Despite drifting down towards the rail in the final furlong, Jonathan's Way was well clear and home free, checking in 4 1/2 lengths in front of Moment's Notice while Sansone was never involved, eased to the line and walked off. A $290,000 weanling purchase at Keeneland November in 2022 from the first crop of Vekoma, Jonathan's Way is the fifth to the races and fifth winner out of stakes winner Female Drama whose most successful runner to date is Startdfromdabottom (Kantharos), MSP, $275,642. The dam is herself a half to Argentinian MG1SW New Real Deal (Roy), the dam of MGSP Near You (Arg) (Remote {GB}). She produced a yearling Thousan Words filly named Dramatic Charlotte, reported a filly by Nashville this season and returned to the same WinStar Farm stallion for 2025. What a debut! A standout performance from JONATHAN'S WAY, the 2YO son of @spendthriftfarm stallion Vekoma, who breaks his maiden impressively in the opener under @JRosarioJockey for trainer Phil Bauer. pic.twitter.com/894p3qfRZB — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 17, 2024 1st-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-17, 2yo, 6f, 1:10.40, ft, 4 1/4 lengths. JONATHAN'S WAY, c, 2, Vekoma 1st Dam: Female Drama {SW}, by Indian Charlie 2nd Dam: Newhall Road, by Dixieland Band 3rd Dam: Maiden Lane, by Roberto Sales History: $290,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Rigney Racing, LLC; B-Susan L Anderson Racing LLC (OH); T-Philip A. Bauer. The post Jonathan’s Way A Second ‘TDN Rising Star’ For Vekoma appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, France — An important marker in the history of Japanese racing was passed in December 2023 when Kyoko Maekawa became the first woman to be granted a training licence in the country. Now 47, Maekawa has worked at Ritto Training Centre in the Shiga Prefecture in western Japan for 21 years. As she completes her apprenticeship alongside the internationally successful trainer Yoshito Yahagi, Maekawa is in Deauville this week to expand her knowledge of the racing and breeding world in other jurisdictions. “I was granted my licence last year and have not yet started my own training operation but expect to do so from next March,” she told TDN on Saturday. “I have worked as an assistant trainer for several different trainers and after being granted my licence I have to complete a one-year internship so I decided to learn from Mr Yahagi.” Maekawa is one of almost 200 licensed trainers in the Japan Racing Association (JRA) and will remain at Ritto as she establishes her own business. Born in Tomisato in the Chiba Prefecture which neighbours Tokyo, her equine interest was first piqued by the presence of some prominent stud farms in that area. Subsequent riding lessons eventually led to a career in horseracing. There is no doubting Maekawa's commitment to her chosen way of life. Her email address begins 'ilovehorse', but she is impressively phlegmatic in acknowledging her role as a history-maker in her home country. “Since I was born I have been female so it doesn't feel very special to me,” she said with a laugh. “But since I passed my examination to be given my licence lots and lots of people have contacted me and have said that as I am the first female trainer they would like to support me. So now I feel that I am very lucky to be the first.” Though she has previously visited Kildare and Newmarket on a JRA-organised tour, Maekawa had not attended a yearling sale outside Japan until this week and she has had the perfect guide in Yahagi, who has become a regular visitor to the Arqana August Sale. Two years ago he bought the full-brother to Sottsass (Fr), who, now named Shin Emperor (Fr), is a Grade 3 winner and was third in the G1 Japanese Derby. Yahagi is now planning a raid on the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, and he added a new recruit to his stable when buying a Frankel (GB) filly for €800,000 during the opening session of this year's sale. “This has been a great experience for me,” said Maekawa of her first to an Arqana sale. “I have managed to see some yearlings by Frankel and it is a great opportunity to see yearlings by the top European stallions.” And, like her mentor, she has designs on a globetrotting career when she launches her training operation in 2025. She added, “In future I would love to be competitive on all the international stages like Mr Yahagi. When I start training, if I find a suitable race for a horse outside Japan I wouldn't hesitate to go there, and this is why I wanted to learn with Mr Yahagi, as he has so much experience of this.” The post Arqana Welcomes Japan’s First Female Trainer Kyoko Maekawa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Sunday at Saratoga and Del Mar: Sunday, August 18, 2024 Saratoga 1, $100k, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Briland (McKinzie), OBSAPR, 675,000, :10 C-Julie Davies LLC, agent; B-Bradley Thoroughbreds LLC Complex Gal (Complexity), OBSJUN, 90,000, :20 4/5 C-Tom McCrocklin, agent; B-Mazel Stable Partners LLC Rational Theory (Practical Joke), FTMMAY, 525,000, :10 1/5 C-Wavertree Stables Inc (C Dunne), agt; B-Case Clay TB Mgmt Sar 7, Bolton Ldg S., $150k, 2yo, f, 5.5fT, 4:28 p.m. ET Dreamgirl (Mo Town), OBSAPR, 65,000, :10 1/5 C-Grassroots Training & Sales, agt; B-DKW Racing Icona Mama (Maximus Mischief), OBSAPR, 75,000, :10 C-Grassroots Training & Sales, agt; B-Taproot for DeSales 85 LLC Obliging (Munnings)-MTO, OBSMAR, 120,000, :10 C-Wavertreee Stables Inc (C Dunne), agt; B-AMO Racing Viggiedal (Vekoma), OBSMAR, 350,000, :9 3/5 C-Wavertreee Stables Inc (C Dunne), agt; B-CJ Stables LLC Yesterday (American Pharoah), OBSAPR, 190,000, :10 2/5 C-Six K's Training & Sales, agent; B-Gatsas Stables Del Mar 4, $75k, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 6:30 p.m. Tenma (Nyquist), OBSAPR, 850,000, :9 4/5 C-Wavertree Stables Inc (C Dunne), agt; B-Donato Lanni/Baoma The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored By OBS: August 18, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stamping his authority on Saturday's G3 Irish St Leger Trial Stakes, Grosvenor Square (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Wadyhatta {GB}, by Cape Cross {Ire}) added serious ballast to Ballydoyle's Doncaster Classic team with a scintillating 20-length romp. Out on his own from the outset, the 1-2 favourite who had been overhauled in dramatic fashion late on by his top-class stablemate Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Curragh Cup over this 14-furlong trip last month gave Ryan Moore an armchair ride as he came home on his own with the yawning gap to the 80-1 shot Courageous Strike (GB) (National Defense {GB}). IN A ROMP The Irish St. Leger Trial Stakes proves a cakewalk for odds-on favourite 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞, who is now a single-figure price for the St Leger.@curraghrace | @comerhomesgroup pic.twitter.com/LW7Dk6uLju — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 17, 2024 The post Ballydoyle’s Grosvenor Square Sensational In The Leger Trial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cheveley Park Stud's Chancellor (GB) (Kingman {GB}) collected a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette at Doncaster last month, before hitting the board in Ascot's Listed Pat Eddery Stakes, and regained the winning thread with an impressive 3 1/4-length tally in Saturday's British EBF Future Stayers Novice Stakes upon his return to Town Moor. The well-backed 8-13 favourite, who is a homebred son of GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}), was the slowest of four into stride and recovered to claim an early advantage at a modest tempo in this straight seven-furlong test. Untroubled on the lead for the most part, he was shaken up when pressed passing the quarter-mile marker and engaged turbo thereafter to easily outclass Brave Mission (GB) (Frankel {GB}) by daylight. Two wins from three runs! Chancellor bolts up at @DoncasterRaces for The Gosdens and Rab Havlin… pic.twitter.com/WbK2JhPHzd — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 17, 2024 The post TDN Rising Star Chancellor Bounces Back in Style at Doncaster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Getting back on the winning trail in the 10-furlong G3 Royal Whip Stakes at The Curragh on Saturday, Ballydoyle's G1 St Leger hero Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}–Fluff {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) served notice that he is ready for some serious autumn action. Badly needing his reintroduction when fifth in a strong renewal of Royal Ascot's G2 Hardwicke Stakes in June, the 4-7 favourite shadowed the leader Trustyourinstinct (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) before edging ahead three out and forging a workmanlike half-length success under Ryan Moore. CONTINUOUS Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore complete doubles on the Curragh card as last year's St Leger hero 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 justifies short odds in the Group 3 Royal Whip Stakes.@curraghrace | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/FRZ0qDjAm1 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 17, 2024 The post Heart’s Cry’s Continuous Back To Winning Ways At The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's 'TDN Rising Star' and G1 Prix de Diane fourth Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Balladeuse {Fr}, by Singspiel {Ire}), who had dazzled with a seven-length triumph in June's G3 Prix de Royaumont, bounce back in style and surged from last to first for a second pattern-race success in Saturday's G2 Prix de Pomone at Deauville. The 3-5 favourite, the lone sophomore in a seven-strong field, was tucked in behind all six rivals upon leaving the stalls and employed patient tactics racing off a sedate tempo for the most part. Angled out wide for a clear passage passing the quarter-mile marker, she quickened in style to seize control with 300 metres remaining and was pushed out in the closing stages to hold overseas raiders Trevaunance (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) and One Evening (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) by a short-neck and a short-head. “She is such a lovely filly and, after she won the Royaumont so nicely, we tried the [G1] Prix de Diane where she ran a great race again, but it maybe came a bit too soon,” said trainer Christophe Ferland. “She is better over a longer distance, she is a Group 3 and a Group 2 winner now and we will try to win a Group 1 with her. The obvious target is the [Sept. 15 G1] Prix Vermeille [at ParisLongchamp] if she comes out of this one in good form.” Last to first! Aventure just gets her head in front in the Group 2 Prix de Pomone at @fgdeauville for @teamchferland and @pasquito60… pic.twitter.com/TbgawwrrbQ — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 17, 2024 Saturday, Deauville, France PRIX DE POMONE-G2, €130,000, Deauville, 8-17, 3yo/up, f/m, 12 1/2fT, 2:52.03, sf. 1–AVENTURE (IRE), 121, f, 3, by Sea The Stars (Ire) 1st Dam: Balladeuse (Fr) (GSW-Fr, $168,432), by Singspiel (Ire) 2nd Dam: Featherquest (GB), by Rainbow Quest 3rd Dam: Featherhill (Fr), by Lyphard TDN Rising Star. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Christophe Ferland; J-Maxime Guyon. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-0, €223,200. *1/2 to Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), G1SW-Fr, $695,171; Romanciere (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), G1SP-Fr, $135,553; and Bilissie (GB) (Dansili {GB}), SW-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Trevaunance (Ire), 130, m, 5, Muhaarar (GB)–Liber Nauticus (Ire), by Azamour (Ire). O/B-Moyglare Stud Farm (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington. €28,600. 3–One Evening (GB), 130, m, 5, Galileo (Ire)–Seta (GB), by Pivotal (GB). O-Lady Bamford, Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Lady Bamford (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. €13,650. Margins: SNK, SHD, 1HF. Odds: 0.60, 20.00, 9.00. Also Ran: Iznik (Fr), Ottery (GB), Angel Guidance (GB), Sweet Memories (Ire). The post Prix de Diane Fourth Aventure Surges From Last To Seal Pomone Triumph at Deauville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Crack sprinters Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) will square off for the third time in York's G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes on Friday, Aug. 23. The duo feature among 15 confirmations for the sprint contest, with the race an ideal setting to determine who holds supremacy between the pair. The Henry Dwyer-trained filly rattled home fourth in the G2 Temple Stakes at Haydock in May, before taking the G1 King Charles III Stakes by a length at Royal Ascot in June over Regional (GB) (Territories {Ire}) and Big Evs. Mick Appleby's Breeders' Cup-winning charge turned the tables on the Australian raider by a short head in the G2 King George Stakes at Goodwood, with Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) third at the beginning of the month. Big Evs will be ridden by Tom Marquand. Appleby said, “He's in good form. He's all ready for the Nunthorpe. It's going to be another tough race for us, but he can do his running. Hopefully the rain stays away from the course. “It would be an amazing race to win, all Yorkshire trainers want to win the Nunthorpe. It would be a good achievement and I know Paul [Teasdale, owner] has been pretty keen to win the Nunthorpe for years. He lives near York, so it would mean a lot for him to win.” Both last year's Nunthorpe hero Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) and recent French stakes winner and Nunthorpe-placed Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) are also in the mix for trainers Adam West and Archie Watson, respectively. Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), a winner over the minimum trip at listed level at York in July, has also been entered by Ralph Beckett, while Ed Walker will saddle Makarova (GB) (Acclamation {GB}). The post Big Evs And Asfoora Lock Horns In Nunthorpe, As 15 Declared appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Relishing the step up to seven furlongs on Saturday, Al Shaqab's G3 Princess Margaret Stakes winner Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}–Cashla Bay {GB}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) mastered her peers in Deauville's G2 Prix du Calvados. Always travelling easily under Dylan Browne McMonagle tracking the pace, the Ollie Sangster-trained 7-5 favourite cruised to the front two out and was committed soon after en route to inflicting a three-length defeat on the previously unbeaten Fraise Des Bois (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}). 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 (O. Sangster) en démonstration dans le Prix du Calvados (Gr.2) à Deauville. Le jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle signe un beau doublé ce samedi ! pic.twitter.com/WXsCJl92a4 — Equidia (@equidia) August 17, 2024 The post Too Darn Hot’s Simmering Wins The Calvados For Al Shaqab appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ruakaka trainer Kenny Rae has a great record campaigning horses in the South Island and he is hoping that will continue this spring when he heads to Riccarton with Saturday winner Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver). The well-travelled four-year-old had been in great form on her home track over winter, placing in all four of her starts, including a last start third behind Group One winner Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) and Group Three winner Master Fay (Deep Field). Rae went into Saturday’s Mountfield Quarry (1100m) quietly confident, and that was duly rewarded with an all the way victory by his mare in the hands of Waikato hoop Jasmine Fawcett. “She has got a wee bit of class about her,” Rae said. “She is a lovely horse and is easy to do anything with. I have got great partners in the horse with me.” Fawcett shared Rae’s confidence heading into the race and was pleased to get home by 1-3/4 lengths over fellow Ruakaka runner Patricia. “She loves this track, she can gallop, and she got the job done,” Fawcett said. “She ran into a couple of nice horses last start, one of those being Crocetti, so I knew the form was really good today and she performed well.” Rae hasn’t been afraid of travelling with Illicit Dreams in the past, having campaigned in the Central Districts and Canterbury in previous seasons, winning the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton as a juvenile last year before returning to the Christchurch venue last spring where she was runner-up in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) behind Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard). The Northland horseman is now contemplating a return to Riccarton over spring with his charge, with an eye towards New Zealand Cup week. “I think I might have a shot at the Stewards (Listed, 1200m) or something like that later on, but we will just take it one race at a time,” he said. While looking forward to heading to Riccarton with Illicit Dreams once more, Rae said he would ideally like to avoid the country’s leading barn. “She travelled down to Wanganui as a two-year-old and just got beaten by Te Akau (Sky On Fire), she went down a year later to Riccarton and got beaten by Te Akau again (Viva Vienna), so when they are not in the race I have got a chance,” he quipped. View the full article

Joseph O'Brien trainee Apples And Bananas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Simannka {Ire}, by Mastercraftsman {Ire}) followed up a June 29 debut sixth at the Curragh with a breakthrough score at Killarney last month and continued on the upgrade with a career high in Saturday's Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage at Deauville. Breaking well to assert for an early lead, the 2-1 favourite was comfortable on the front end until coming under pressure in the straight and kept on strongly under continued rousting inside the final 300 metres to withstand the late threat of Rose Salvaje (Ire) (Maximum Security) by 3/4-of-a-length in game fashion. “He's a nice colt, he's stepping forward from race to race and this was another step forward from his maiden win last time,” said O'Brien. “It was a strong maiden [at Killarney], he's tough and Dylan [Brown McMonagle] said he kept finding all the way to the line. He looks a nice colt for the future and will probably now go for the Goffs Million.” Apples And Bananas, who becomes the 46h stakes winner for his sire, is the second of three foals and lone scorer produced by Listed Lenebane Stakes third Simannka (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), herself out of a winning half-sister to multiple Group 1-winning sire Sinndar (Ire) (Grand Lodge). The May-foaled bay, whose third dam is stakes-winning matriarch Sinntara (Ire) (Lashkari {GB}), is full to a yearling colt. Double landed! Apples And Bananas makes all at @fgdeauville for @JosephOBrien2 and @DylanBrowneMcM… pic.twitter.com/5WBcSpnbve — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 17, 2024 Saturday, Deauville, France CRITERIUM DU FONDS EUROPEEN DE L'ELEVAGE-Listed, €130,000, Deauville, 8-17, 2yo, 8fT, 1:46.68, sf. 1–APPLES AND BANANAS (IRE), 126, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Simannka (Ire) (SP-Ire), by Mastercraftsman (Ire) 2nd Dam: Simkana (Ire), by Kalanisi (Ire) 3rd Dam: Sinntara (Ire), by Lashkari (GB) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€130,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR). O-MacLennan, Shanahan & Magnier; B-Phoenix Thoroughbred Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Dylan Brown McMonagle. €65,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, €76,200. 2–Rosa Salvaje (Ire), 122, f, 2, Maximum Security–Idle Hour, by Malibu Moon. 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€75,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG). O-Ecurie Francky Defosse, EARL Haras de l'Hotellerie, SNIG Elevage, Frederic Sauque & Christopher Head; B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (IRE); T-Christopher Head. €26,000. 3–Lazy Griff (Ger), 126, c, 2, Protectionist (Ger)–Linarda (Den), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€75,000 Ylg '23 BBAGS). O-Middleham Park Racing & G Griffiths; B-Gestut Westerberg (GER); T-Charlie Johnston. €19,500. Margins: 3/4, 3HF, NO. Odds: 2.00, 2.20, 18.00. Also Ran: Silius (Ire), Cap Saint Martin (Fr), Aloysius (Fr). The post Wootton Bassett’s Apples And Bananas Makes All at Deauville for Black-Type Breakthrough appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gentleman Roy ridden by Mark Zahra winning the P.B. Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) After Mr Brightside claimed back-to-back victories in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m), Lindsay Park have made it a hat-trick, with Gentleman Roy ($5.00) holding on in a grandstand finish at Caulfield on Saturday. The Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained eight-year-old was on deck for his own individual hat-trick of wins on Saturday, with the son of So You Think seeking to continue his rich vein of form from the winter. He was unable to dictate terms this time, with Mark Zahra electing to sit in behind Buffalo River ($11.00) with Ben Melham putting the handlebars down on the returning eight-year-old. It left a stack of rivals bunching up turning for home, causing a somewhat messy finish for some key gallopers in behind. Gentleman Roy was able to avoid the backlash as he hit the front early in the straight, leaving Pinstriped ($7.00) to make a looping run with 400m left to travel, with the Enver Jusufovic-trained gelding hanging in on Jimmy The Bear ($9.00) in the final furlong. Pericles ($2.60) didn’t have much luck when trying to get into the clear, while New Zealand raider Aegon ($17.00) came with a withering burst when it was all over, leaving Gentleman Roy to claim an impressive victory in the 2024 P.B. Lawrence Stakes. 2024 Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes Replay – Gentleman Roy Co-trainer JD Hayes was on course to celebrate the win and credited the entire team for the return to form for Gentleman Roy. “It’s unbelievable just to get him back and firing,” said Hayes. “He had a bit of time of and we nursed him back, it’s just a credit to the team we’re surrounded by and the facilities we’ve got access to be able to get him back. “It’s quite fitting to win it with Gentleman Roy and Mr Brightside the last two because they were really pinnacle horses that were quite key to when we first got handed a license. They were both sitting in the barn as maidens, and looking back now it was quite handy. “This was just perfect in the calendar. It’s good to finally win at Caulfield with the horse, so we’ll see how he pulls up, but I think he’s in for a nice spring.” Mark Zahra was elated with the win of his mount and credited his toughness to claiming victory on Saturday. “He’s a beautiful ride,” said Zahra. “He flies the start and then he’ll come back to wherever you want. “It’s a tough one when Buffalo River is in the race, you’ve got to time it because he can keep going so you’ve got to show him a little bit of respect, and at the 600m I thought I’ve got Buffalo River covered. “I got to the front, and I thought he still had a bit, but when Pinstriped came he just kept fighting and finding. He’s so tough the horse, you know he won’t win by a lot, but when there’s something right beside him he’ll definitely fight it off, he’s very competitive.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Noosa Cup Day 2024 Where Sunshine Coast Turf Club – 170 Pierce Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551 When Sunday, August 18, 2024 First Race 12:54pm AEST Visit Dabble The $50,000 Noosa Cup will headline proceedings at the Sunshine Coast this Sunday afternoon. Due to heavy rainfall during the week, the seven-race meeting will be held on the synthetic track. The rail will be in its true position for the entire circuit, with racing scheduled to kick off at 12:54pm AEST. Noosa Cup tip: Menazzi Menazzi finished as strongly as any of his rivals to run third over the Sunny Coast 1200m first-up, beaten 1.9 lengths by Vetta Velocita. This son of Pride Of Dubai will meet the two runners that beat him last start; however, the rise in trip to 1400m second-up will suit him best. With the aid of Cody Collis’ 1.5kg claim, Menazzi can push forward from barrier 10 and find the gun run behind the speed. Noosa Cup Race 6 – #4 Menazzi (10) 6yo Gelding | T: Stuart Kendrick | J: Cody Collis (a1.5) (60kg) Bet with Dabble Best Bet at Sunshine Coast: Artzino Artzino was slow to get going on the Gold Coast Polytrack on August 3, but he finished off strongly to run third over 1540m. The son of Tarzino showed a liking for the synthetic track, and now that he steps up to 1600m, he will get conditions to suit. If Damien Thornton can get him to jump well and settle midfield, Artzino can record his first win for the Jack Bruce stable. Best Bet Race 5 – #2 Artzino (11) 5yo Gelding | T: Jack Bruce | J: Damien Thornton (57kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Sunshine Coast: Ashfall Ashfall hit the line hard to finish second behind Singer Sargent over the Sunshine Coast 1800m last start, indicating a rise in trip to 2150m will suit him perfectly. Bailey Wheeler sticks aboard for the four-year-old gelding’s first run on the synthetic, and if he can settle in the middle of the pack off the fence, Ashfall’s turn of foot will give him every chance to break through for a deserved win. Next Best Race 3 – #3 Ashfall (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Stuart Kendrick | J: Bailey Wheeler (58.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Sunshine Coast quaddie tips for Saturday Sunshine Coast quadrella selections Sunday, August 18, 2024 1-2-5-6-8 1-2-3-6 1-4-5-6 2-3-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Drifting ridden by Blake Shinn wins the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) A front-running masterclass by Blake Shinn has paid dividends for Drifting ($3.10) to claim the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Zousain was already a Group 3 winner as a two-year-old, with a victory in the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill last preparation. She was forced to lug the top-weight to victory on Saturday, but it didn’t seem to hinder the lightly raced three-year-old, with Shinn taking complete control from the jump. He managed to tick off some manageable sectionals in the middle stages aboard the first-up filly before giving a strong kick in the final furlong, clinging on from the fast-finishing Tasmanian invader Geegees Mistruth ($9.00) The well-supported favourite Kuroyanagi ($2.50) seemingly got every chance under Jamie Kah, with the Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea-trained filly stalking every step of the way from the one-one but didn’t let down with her customary turn-of-foot settling for a fourth-place finish. It was all about the winner in the end though as Peter Snowden praised the win of his filly while keeping his cards close to his chest in regard to where we’ll see Drifting later in the spring. 2024 Group 3 Quezette Stakes Replay – Drifting “It’s good to see her win like that,” said Snowden. “Blake (Shinn) rode her extremely well and I’d been disappointed if she didn’t win come the corner considering the run she had. “She’s got a bombproof attitude, she’s got brilliant gate speed, and that’ll take you a long way. To be able to harness that and bring them back and rate them, and he did that perfectly today and hopefully that’s not her last win. “Hopefully she can keep kicking goals.” Blake Shinn was impressed with the victory as well and credited the Snowden camp having Drifting ready to fire first-up. “Very exciting filly,” said Shinn. “Full credit to Peter (Snowden), he’s placed her really well and she’s just a pleasure to ride, full proof in terms of her manners, and she’s had form around some great fillies. “Although she had to concede some weight to her opposition, we had a nice run in front, and her class shone through. She was fantastic.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Wyong Races Where Wyong Race Club – 71-73 Howarth St, Wyong NSW 2259 When Sunday, August 18, 2024 First Race 12:45pm AEST Visit Dabble Wyong is the destination for provincial racing on Sunday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part program scheduled to get underway at 12:45pm local time. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit, and although the track was rated a Heavy 9 at the time of acceptances, punters can expect an upgrade into the Soft range. Check out our Wyong betting tips and quaddie numbers for the meeting on August 18. Best Bet at Wyong: Memoria Memoria appears set to peak third-up into the campaign after a luckless performance at Rosehill on August 3. The daughter of Caravaggio sat three wide without cover for the entire journey, with the five-year-old dropping out of contention in the home straight. Gate four should allow Benjamin Osmond to find the one-one this time, and with this Class 6 contest lacking depth, Memoria should have the class to dispatch this lot. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Memoria (4) 5yo Mare | T: Kris Lees | J: Benjamin Osmond (a3) (59kg) +340 with Bet365 Next Best at Wyong: Guzumped Guzumped was the last one turning for home at Canterbury on August 7 and looked to be finishing the best of the beaten brigade. The Brad Widdup-trained gelding launched at Victory Roll in the shadows of the post, just missing out by a nose. Stepping up to the 2000m appears ideal, and with Tommy Berry electing to stick aboard this progressive stayer, expect Guzumped to be storming over the top to claim the Wyong Cup Prelude. Next Best Race 7 – #8 Guzumped (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Brad Widdup | J: Tommy Berry (56kg) +190 with Neds Best Value at Wyong: Flying Rani Flying Rani was no match for Zeitung at Canterbury on August 7, but the fast-finishing effort suggests she is worth following in this wide-open BM64 contest. Tyler Schiller will have no choice but to drag back from barrier 15, but with a strong tempo likely in this big field, Flying Rani should get every opportunity to finish over the top and claim her second career win at start seven. Best Value Race 8 – #11 Flying Rani (15) 4yo Mare | T: Matthew Smith | J: Tyler Schiller (57.5kg) +1000 with PlayUp Wyong Sunday quaddie picks – 18/8/2024 Wyong quadrella selections Sunday, August 18, 2024 2-3-5-6-8 2-4-5-12 4-8 1-3-8-11-13 Horse racing tips
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Australia's darling racemare Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}), who carved out a reputation as being one of the world's best sprinters following an unbeaten 25-race career, has died one day shy of her 18th birthday following laminitis disease. The winner of 15 Group 1 races was humanely euthanised at the Scone Equine Hospital on Saturday morning after giving birth to a foal. “You don't think it affects you, but you are being stupid not to think it doesn't,” her trainer Peter Moody told reporters at Caulfield, as reported by Racing.com. “It's impossible not to get attached to most animals, let alone one like her. She had the foal this morning, a colt foal by Snitzel and they put her down shortly after that on humane grounds. “They scanned her feet yesterday and there was no blood flow at all to her feet. There was minimum blood flow to her feet anyhow but there was none and she's such a big girl. I rang all the staff and told them. They were all very upset.” Black Caviar was added to the Australian Racing Hall of Fame after retiring in 2013, amassing nearly $8 million for prize-money. But perhaps she will be best remembered in Europe for her victory in the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes, where a stunningly-cool Luke Nolen stopped riding towards the finish, with the 1-6 favourite holding on to win by just a head from the fast-finishing Moonlight Cloud. Nolen, who guided Black Caviar to the majority of her wins, commented, “It's a hollow feeling. You could say she was just a horse, but she was more than a horse and that's why we're feeling a bit blue. She meant a great deal to us. “She was an integral part of my career but, more importantly, she was so important for racing itself. She was one of our equine heroes. It was great to be a part of her story, but I always felt a bit guilty because anyone could've done the job.” The post Legendary Australian Sprinter Black Caviar Dies Following Laminitis Disease appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Band Of Brothers ridden by Damian Lane wins the Vain Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Matthew Ellerton & Damien Lane have combined with Band Of Brothers ($5.50) to claim the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. The son of Omaha Beach proved far too classy in the three-year-old feature, courtesy of a perfectly timed steer by Lane, landing into the one-one throughout the journey to gain the ideal stalking position. He was able to gain the back of Winchester ($15.00) in the middle stages, who was happy to sit outside the leader, as Interest Point ($4.20) cruised along at a genuine tempo under Michael Dee. The race set up nicely for the back markers to come into play, as the eventual winner came with his run, as did Let’sfacethemusic ($4.40), powering down the centre of the course but unable to reel in the unassailable lead of Band Of Brothers. Meanwhile, the well-supported favourite, Wonder Boy ($3.20), was doing his best work late, charging into third, with the Jerome Hunter-trained gelding already looking for a step up in trip. It was all about the winner in the end though, as Band Of Brotherw never looked in doubt in claiming the Group 3 feature. 2024 Group 3 Vain Stakes Replay – Band Of Brothers Matthew Ellerton was at home celebrating the victory while recovering from a stroke suffered in Bali back in early July, but his calls were heard to apply the blinkers as Lane spoke post-race. “It just switched him on a little bit (the application of blinkers),” said Lane. “He was very hesitant to lead last start and I just felt like he was going to pull up to a trot, he had his ears pricked and he was stopping and starting. “We always liked him but probably to see him winning a Group race was probably a stretch. “Credit to the team identifying this race, we elected to come here rather than the benchmark 64 on Wednesday.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley training partnership had plenty to celebrate on Saturday when they produced a superb quinella in the feature event at Ruakaka, the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), with stable runners So Naive (NZ) (US Navy Flag) and Toruk Makto (NZ) (Eminent). So Naive, a stunning son of The Oaks Stud resident stallion U S Navy Flag, had won twice from four starts during his two-year-old campaign and was fitted for his new season resumption with a comfortable win at the Cambridge trials last month. Rider Craig Grylls sent him forward from barrier rise but found himself out three wide as pacemakers I’m All In (NZ) (Zoustar), racing in the colours of race sponsor Cambridge Stud, and Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) placegetter Full Force (Cosmic Force) setting a steady speed in front. Grylls didn’t panic and had his mount relaxed rounding the home bend as the pressure went on. I’m All In kicked hard at the 200m but so did So Naive as he hit the front shortly afterwards before holding out a late charge from Toruk Makto who closed to within a length with an eye-catching burst from well back in the running. It was the second time the pair have provided the quinella in a race after they finished in the same order over 1100m at Ellerslie in October last year, with Cooksley delighted with both horses. “He (So Naive) has grown and got a bit stronger, so the further he goes the better he will get,” Cooksley said. “Give him another six months and he will be even bigger and stronger but so will the second horse who went good as well. “It’s good to see the two-year-olds come back well as three-year-olds, so hopefully they can keep going. “I’m not sure where we will see them next but we will work it out.” Grylls was also suitably impressed with the victory. “We were drawn towards the outside and with the inside getting a bit cut up now I was happy to stay out three-wide on the train,” he said. “I was just keeping out of the kick back as a couple I had ridden earlier had responded badly to it. I was quite happy out there as he is a beautiful big horse and I was pretty confident a wee way out we would pick them up as he let down well. “He wasn’t real comfortable in it (the wet track) but he showed last season he has a good turn of foot and I think they are going to be in for a lot of fun with him.” Bred by Dr K C Tan, So Naïve is raced by Able International, a long-term client for the stable after being purchased out of Kilgravin Lodge’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft by Wallace Thoroughbreds for $37,500. He has now won three of his five starts and $133,000 in prizemoney. View the full article