Wandering Eyes

Many pre-race pundits had labelled Saturday’s Ellerslie’s feature, the Gr.3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (1400m) as a two-horse contest between Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca) and Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma), the two hottest three-year-old fillies of spring racing to date. While that ignored the legitimate challenges of several well credentialled rivals, those early predictions played out exactly as expected with the Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-prepared Tajana holding out race favourite Lollapalooza by the barest of margins in a thrilling finish to the black-type event. Both fillies are noted back runners and were expected to be giving their rivals a decent start entering the Ellerslie home straight and so it proved as riders Vinnie Colgan aboard Lollapalooza and George Rooke on Tajana settled second and third last respectively during the first half of the race. Rooke elected to send Tajana towards the outer approaching the home bend while Colgan picked a path between runners as the pair set out after Little Black Dress who had taken over with 200m to run. At the 100m Tajana and Lollapalooza collared Little Black Dress with Tajana thrusting her head down at just the right time to deny the favourite by a nose at the winning post and claim her second stakes victory in succession after taking out the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) a month ago. Ritchie had been adamant throughout the week that they would not change Tajana’s racing pattern for the contest despite knowing she would be giving most of her rivals a head start in the closing stages as her longer term targets are over more ground, including the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton. “She is not a filly we expected to be firing over 1400m, so it really does look good going ahead with her,” Ritchie said. “Isn’t it great to have a couple of top-class fillies going head to head like that. It is good for racing so lets bring it on some more. “She will now take her place in the Soliloquy Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) back here and I really think Riccarton will suit her, but it is a hard race to win that 1000 Guineas.” Rooke admitted he had some pre-race jitters as his mount began to give him some difficulty in the starting barriers, whilst it wasn’t all plain sailing during the running either. “She went in first, she sat down leaning against the side (of the gate), so I got one of the lads to pull her tail and stand her up square,” he said. “She was still slow away and never really travelled during the race while I was in a little bit of trouble finding room around the home bend. “She is hard work but she has ability. If I knew her better I would have waited and not panicked but over a mile she will be better and when I got her clear she felt very good.” TAB Bookmakers now have Lollapalooza and Tajana as equal $3.50 Fixed Odds favourites for the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) on 8 November. Bred and raced by The Oaks Stud, Tajana is by Darci Brahma out of the five-race-winning Sakhee’s Secret mare Sleek Secret (NZ). From a six-start career, she has now won on three occasions while also boasting two placings including finishing third in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and over $231,000 in stakes. View the full article

North Island raids have delivered rich rewards this year for Canterbury mare Ears Back (NZ) (Jakkalberry), who collected her second black-type prize in the Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. Ears Back is trained in Rangiora by her part-owner John Blackadder, who previously took her north in the autumn for a pair of feature assignments. The Jakkalberry mare ran a close fifth in the Listed Rangitikei Cup (1600m) at Trentham, then broke through in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui at the end of May. Blackadder quickly mapped out a plan for a return visit to the North Island in the new season, targeting Saturday’s $100,000 feature second-up after a promising resuming run for sixth at Riccarton on August 30. It all came together on Saturday as Ears Back secured the biggest win of her career. “This is probably the biggest thrill of my life, apart from family,” Blackadder said. “I’m just absolutely ecstatic to be here and to win this race.” Ears Back was reunited on Saturday with Central Districts jockey Mereana Hudson, who had her first two rides on the mare in the Rangitikei Cup and AGC Training Stakes. Hudson took up a position on the outside of the front-running Privy Garden before throwing down a challenge to that rival with more than 600m remaining. Ears Back surged past and took a clear lead coming up to the home turn, then kicked hard at the top of the straight. Privy Garden stuck on bravely just behind her, with Knock Off and Boomtown Boy powering home with big late runs out of the pack, but there would be no catching Ears Back. She crossed the finish line with three-quarters of a length to spare over Knock Off, who edged out Boomtown Boy by a nose for second. Ears Back has now had 39 starts for nine wins, six placings and $344,510 in stakes. “She’s just marvellous, and I think she’s continuing to get better with age,” Blackadder said. “She’s just grown another leg. “It was just brilliant today. I thought the other horse had a reasonably soft lead, but Mereana obviously knew what was underneath her. She gave her a great ride. “I’d like to thank all the staff and all the owners. I’m just so proud of the horse and this win today really means a lot.” Blackadder indicated during the week that the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera on October 4 could be Ears Back’s next target. View the full article

New Zealand-bred gelding With Your Blessing (NZ) (Vadamos) capped a consistent run of form with his first black-type success in Saturday’s A$250,000 Gr.3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Randwick. The Vadamos gelding progressed through the grades last season with a pair of Randwick victories – an 1100m Benchmark 78 handicap on January 4, followed by a 1300m Benchmark 88 just over a month later. Trainer John Thompson then stepped him up into stakes company and he finished second in a photo finish to the Gr.3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick on March 1. After resuming with a fifth in the July Sprint (1100m) at Rosehill, With Your Blessing resumed the previous season’s Randwick form with big runs for second in the Gr.3 Show County Quality (1200m) on August 23 and third in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) on September 6. Saturday brought a richly deserved breakthrough at black-type level. “He’s been going well and this race fit in at the right time,” Thompson said. “He’s just in the zone. He’s going super. It took a couple of Group One horses to beat him in the Tramway the other day (Pericles (Street Boss) and Private Eye (Al Mahar)) and he was gallant in defeat.” With Your Blessing continued his successful partnership with regular rider Alysha Collett, who allowed him to stride forward from a wide gate on Saturday and take up the lead. That was where he stayed, dictating terms out in front and kicking hard at the top of the straight. The challengers tried their hardest to reel the leader in, headed by runner-up Bosustow, but With Your Blessing held on strongly to win by a neck. “He absolutely loves his job,” Collett said. “He loves pinging the barriers, getting to the front, and as long as you sit there and cuddle him and tell him he’s good, he’ll give you a really good effort. “He was a very good winner today and it was very deserved. Thank you to the team for putting me on, and he’s just one of my favourite horses. He just makes life easy.” With Your Blessing was bred by the Hawkins family’s Llanhennock Trust and is by Vadamos out of the Darci Brahma mare Super Trouper (NZ). Herself a five-race winner from a 28-start career in the Llanhennock colours, Super Trouper is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Lim’s Dashing (NZ). With Your Blessing is the best of five foals to race so far for Super Trouper, who is also the dam of the six-time Australian winner Super Alana (NZ) (Belardo). Super Trouper has a three-year-old Ole Kirk filly who has been named Che Ole (NZ), and she produced a filly foal by State Of Rest last spring. Wentwood Grange offered With Your Blessing at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where he was bought for A$70,000. He has now had 33 starts for seven wins, 12 placings and A$788,505 in stakes. View the full article

Newmarket's opening mile novice on Saturday had 2026 Oaks written all over it and it will be no surprise if Godolphin's Romantic Symphony (Dubawi) is one of the main players heading to the Epsom Classic in June. While the newcomer's 3/4-of-a-length winning margin was not flashy, everything about her pedigree suggests this is very much the beginning. Romantic Symphony, a full-sister to fellow Charlie Appleby-trained Group 1 and Grade I winners Yibir and Wild Illusion, was sent off the 10-11 favourite for this contest won in recent times by the stable's subsequent Group winners Magic Lily and Beautiful Love. Always travelling easily for Billy Loughnane, the homebred was able to overhaul the experienced George Boughey-trained Tryst (Sottsass) in the final furlong and stay on best. Another eye-catcher in one truly for the notebooks was the third Forever True (Siyouni), Lady Bamford's John and Thady Gosden-trained homebred who was a head further behind and one we are sure to be hearing a lot more about. YIBIR sister ROMANTIC SYMPHONY wins in debut but boy oh boy was Gosdens FOREVER TRUE a big eye-catcher. Clearly not out to win today but she looked good: pic.twitter.com/YkCTbFKh9M — BGP Capital (@equinties) September 20, 2025 The post Dubawi’s Romantic Symphony 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

Yeguada Centurion's homebred Wootton Centurion (Wootton Bassett) made a mockery of his 6-1 odds and attained TDN Rising Star status with a stunning pillar-to-post victory in Saturday's Prix de Villebon at Chantilly. “He has always been a very straightforward colt since he arrived in training and was one of the first ones I put in serious work,” said trainer Victoria Head. “He showed us that he needed time and we gave him all the time he needed to mature. He is big, athletic, very professional and mentally strong. I didn't know how the race would unfold, but leading didn't prove a problem and he quickened very nicely. Obviously he didn't mind the soft so I imagine he will run again this season.” The eventual winner was swiftly into stride from an inner stall and seized immediate control of this one-mile newcomers' test. In command throughout, he was nudged along passing the quarter-mile pole and thundered clear of toiling rivals under mild coaxing thereafter to easily outclass Roi De La Liberte (Kingman) by an impressive six lengths. What a performance first time up! Wootton Centurion looks a real talent for Victoria Head as the son of Wootton Bassett bolts up on debut at Chantilly! pic.twitter.com/739Duw97xy — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 20, 2025 Pedigree Notes Wootton Centurion is the latest of three foals and second scorer produced by stakes-winning GIII Soaring Softly Stakes runner-up Elevenses (More Than Ready), herself a half-sister to GII Eclipse Stakes victor Treason (Constitution) out of the stakes-winning Cougarstown (Speightstown). The March-foaled bay's third dam is the dual stakes winner Fair Apache (Bertrando), who hails from the family of Grade I-placed sire Diablo (Devil's Bag). 1st-Chantilly, €45,700, Mdn, 9-20, unraced 2yo, 8fT, 1:40.27, gd. WOOTTON CENTURION (IRE), c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Elevenses (SW & GSP-US, $146,365), by More Than Ready 2nd Dam: Cougarstown, by Speightstown 3rd Dam: Fair Apache, by Bertrando Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €22,850. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU; T-Victoria Head; J-Augustin Madamet. The post Wootton Centurion Routs Rivals for TDN Rising Star at Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sir Delius ridden by Craig Williams wins the Underwood Stakes. (Photo: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Sir Delius turned a heavyweight spring test into a staying statement, snatching back the lead after being headed to win the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m). Buckaroo swept past at the 300m and looked the winner, but Craig Williams lifted the Frankel entire late, edging clear with Golden Path grabbing third in a tight finish. Officially, the favourite with horse racing bookmakers saluted by a long neck at $2.10. Williams called the five-year-old “a weapon,” noting the win came despite an awkward draw and at his first start racing left-handed in Australia. He said the plan was to “let him be a really good horse,” and when the chips were down, Sir Delius’ tenacity told. Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse was emphatic in the aftermath, likening Sir Delius to her 2013 Melbourne Cup hero Fiorente and confirming a near-identical path: the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield on October 11, into the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 25, before the “first Tuesday in November.” She praised the horse’s will to win after a less-than-ideal run where he was “not in a good position” before surging again when he saw the post. The market reaction was instant. Futures odds for the Melbourne Cup tightened dramatically, with Sir Delius promoted to the top of betting—around $6 all-in—overtaking Irish raider Al Riffa with horse betting sites. The Underwood success also marked Waterhouse & Bott’s third win in the race in four years, following Alligator Blood’s 2022–23 double, underscoring the stable’s spring stranglehold. 2025 Group 1 Underwood Stakes Replay – Sir Delius https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Caulfield-2025-Group-1-Underwood-Stakes-20092025-Sir-Delius-Gai-Waterhouse-Adrian-Bott-Craig-Williams.mp4 Horse racing news View the full article

Joliestar winning The Shorts. (Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au) Joliestar turned a “mini-Everest” into her own audition, unleashing a booming first-up sprint to capture the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) and stamp herself a key player for October. Parked off a strong speed against fellow slot holders, the Chris Waller-trained mare travelled wide without cover before James McDonald clicked her up at the 250m; she surged past Private Harry and held Briasa late in a statement return. The victory arrived a week after connections locked in the Chris Waller Racing slot for The Everest (1200m), a decision that now looks prescient. Saturday’s win sharpened a looming clash with Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising, with the Australian press declaring the $20 million sprint anything but a one-horse race after Joliestar’s return. McDonald’s steer mixed patience with purpose: keep her balanced three wide, avoid traffic, and expose her late turn of foot. The mare did the rest, reaffirming her Randwick penchant and building on a stellar 2025 that already includes Group 1 successes. For Waller, the box ticked was fitness under race pressure; for horse racing bookmakers, it was enough to tighten her Everest price and reframe the pecking order among the local sprinters. The form lines only add polish. The Shorts brought together multiple Everest slot holders and high-class scalpers; Joliestar beat them on merit despite the wide run and lack of cover, a profile that reads perfectly for 1200m at Randwick. Horse racing news View the full article

Fresh from a stunning four-timer at Happy Valley, Caspar Fownes is confident Dancing Code can help continue his early momentum when the consistent sprinter tackles Sunday’s Class Two Yi Tung Shan Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin. Fownes is dreaming of adding to his four championship wins after soaring to the top of the leaderboard on six wins thanks to his quartet of winners on Wednesday night. Armed with six runners this weekend, the 58-year-old has high expectations for Dancing Code’s return from...View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, September 21, 2025 First Race 1pm HKT (3pm AEST) Visit Dabble Sha Tin Racecourse is the destination for Hong Kong racing this Sunday afternoon, with a competitive 10-race program set for decision. The rail moves to the C course for the meeting, and although some rainfall is expected to hit the track over the weekend, it shouldn’t have any effect on the Good 4 rating listed at the time of acceptances. The opening event at Sha Tin is scheduled to get underway at 1pm HKT. Best Bet at Sha Tin: All Round Winner All Round Winner makes his seasonal return after a 12-week absence and looks well placed dropping back into Class 4 company. The son of Divine Prophet produced two strong barrier trials leading into this first-up assignment, draws to get the run of the race from stall one, and should get the chance to stalk genuine tempo over the 1400m. Keith Yeung will need to circumnavigate the rail at some stage, but provided the breaks fall his way, All Round Winner should give this a real shake at a good price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Bet Race 7 – #5 All Round Winner (1) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Keith Yeung (60kg) Next Best at Sha Tin: Peridot Peridot caught the eye debuting at this course and distance on June 22. The Ribchester gelding relished sitting back off a strong tempo, then hitting the line well despite being forced to overcome some traffic issues mid-race. He has had two trials to prepare for this to offset the three months between runs, and the booking of Zac Purton shows good intent from the David Hall barn; it suggests Peridot is ready to fire on return. Next Best Race 3 – #4 Peridot (1) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hall | J: Zac Purton (58kg) Best Value at Sha Tin: Tomodachi Kokoroe The back-to-back barrier trial wins of Tomodachi Kokoroe have been impressive heading into this Class 2 contest, and it warrants respecting the David Hayes-trained gelding despite failing to post a win across 12 starts last season. Watch for Harry Bentley to be aggressive attempting to land in the first four in running, and with Tomodachi Kokoroe set to show his rivals a clean pair of heels at some stage, this guy will take plenty of chasing at each-way price with Dabble. Best Value Race 9 – #6 Tomodachi Kokoroe (6) 7yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Harry Bentley (56kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections Sunday, September 21, 2025 1-4-5-6-8 2-4-5-7-9 2-3-6 1-3-6-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

Zac Purton is hopeful Chill Kaka can bounce back from a disappointing defeat to end last season when he returns in Sunday’s Class Three Pat Sin Leng Handicap (1,650m) at Sha Tin. An impressive winner of back-to-back dirt races last term, the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained gelding finished his campaign with a well-beaten 12th behind Ariel in June. Purton told stewards that Chill Kaka didn’t handle the wet slow track and might have come to the end of his preparation, while a post-race vet examination...View the full article

Spring racing moved up a notch at Ellerslie on Saturday for Stephen Marsh, who came away from the meeting with three wins and plenty to be excited about through the months ahead. Marsh collected back-to-back successes early in the afternoon with Guineas contenders Well Written (Written Tycoon) and Churmatt (Churchill), then saddled Little Black Dress (Snitzel) for a third placing in the Gr.3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (1400m). But the Cambidge trainer may have saved the best for last, unleashing the exciting four-year-old entire Tardelli (I Am Invincible) for a scintillating first-up victory against open-class opposition in the $65,000 Eagle Technology (1400m). Marsh has always had a big opinion of Tardelli, who joined his stable as a three-year-old last season. He had begun his career with three two-year-old starts in Sydney for John O’Shea, finishing fourth, fifth and sixth and crossing the line less than four lengths from the subsequent Group One star Switzerland (Snitzel). Tardelli won two races last season including the inaugural $100,000 Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) on Champions Day at Ellerslie in March, and he was beaten by a neck by Doctor Askar (NZ) (Derryn) when second against older horses in the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m). He also finished third to Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.2 Levin Classic (1400m) and to Sethito (NZ) (Super Seth) in the Listed (now Gr.3) Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). Tardelli won a trial impressively at Ellerslie on September 9 to set him up for Saturday’s raceday return, which Marsh went into with a quiet confidence that he might be about to do something special. That was exactly what the son of I Am Invincible delivered. Jockey George Rooke slotted Tardelli into fifth spot, one off the rail, as Churchillian (NZ) (Churchill) and Quality Time (Amaron) led the field up to the home turn. Tardelli cruised up alongside the leaders early in the straight while still under a tight hold from Rooke. The brakes were finally released with 200m remaining and the race was all over. Tardelli dashed clear within the space of a few powerful strides. Rooke eased the $3 favourite down in the concluding stages of the race and he cruised to victory by two lengths over Cannon Hill (NZ) Ardrossan) and Livid Sky (NZ) (Proisir). “I was a passenger today,” Rooke said. “My job was just to not get it wrong. He’s really shown us what he’s capable of. “He relaxed beautifully today. He’s obviously matured a lot this time in, and he’s a lot stronger and clearly a lot better as well. “He’s definitely a Group One horse. He’d be up there with some of the best I’ve sat on. I’ve ridden some nice horses over in England too, but this one feels like a very nice horse.” Tardelli has now had 12 starts for three wins, five placings and $216,509 in stakes. He races in the colours of Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock, who shares ownership with Hawridge Developments, Jamieson Park and the Little Avondale Trust. “That was special,” Marsh said. “He’d been coming up so well this time in. I was actually a bit nervous before the race. I expected something along those lines, but you never know. Once I saw him trot up like that in the straight, I knew it was all over a long way from home. “He’s a serious animal and has a lot ahead of him. I told George to just ride him like the best horse in the field, and if he’s as good as we think he is, he’ll do the rest. He really did that and it was a pleasure to watch. “I thought we’d aim him at the Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Group One level, but that’s been downgraded to Group Two now. That was the race I identified as his target about six months ago. But I’m sure there’ll be a Group One for him somewhere.” View the full article

Quality winter sprinter Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) showed he is just as adept on a better surface as he is on the deep winter footing when he bounced back to winning form with a comprehensive performance to take out the CR Grace Ltd & Waterforce Handicap (1200m) at Trentham. The Erin Hocquard-prepared six-year-old hasn’t had things go all his way during his current campaign including finishing near the rear in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) a Te Rapa last month after being trapped wide most of the way.. Hocquard was prepared to forgive the son of Derryn and a win over 850m at the Foxton trials on Tuesday indicated he was ready to perform on his favourite Trentham track, a venue where he had won two of his three starts prior to Saturday. Apprentice Sienna Brown made good use of her 4kg apprentice claim to reduce Spencer’s impost down to 58kgs and had him travelling comfortably on the outer of runners as he tracked pacemaker Farravallo (NZ) (Belardo) into the home straight. Given his head at the 300m by Brown, the strapping gelding powered clear to win comfortably by just on a length from Bold Belle (NZ) (The Bold One) and Marotiri Molly (NZ) (Per Incanto) on the Soft6-rated surface. Hocquard was thrilled to see her charge back at the head of affairs after his mixed form of late. “He has been a bit unlucky with how things have gone as he has been trapped out wide and has had some big trips away,” Hocquard said. “Nothing has really gone to plan like it did last year where it all just fell into place. “Hopefully this will now give him a bit of confidence. “I was happy with his trial and just hoped he hadn’t left it there. Sienna rode him really well last time at Te Rapa so why not put her back on and get the nice claim. “I‘m really happy as I was starting to wonder what it was like to have a winner.” Bred and part-owned by Taranaki horseman Aidan Schumacher, Spencer has now won eight of his 25 starts, including the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa last year and just under $280,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Statistics had previously suggested Diamond Jak was something of a heavy-track specialist, but he added a new string to his bow on Saturday and delivered a special win for his connections in the Stella Artois (2100m) at Ellerslie. The seven-year-old son of Jakkalberry went into the $65,000 open handicap with five wins to his name, and all of those wins had come in heavy conditions – four of them at Te Rapa and one at Matamata. But Diamond Jak brought his A-game to Auckland on Saturday and won on Soft5 ground. He took his career earnings past $200,000 for owner-breeders Gary and Linda Hodel. “This will be a great thrill for the owners,” trainer Mark Brosnan said. “They haven’t had a win at Ellerslie before, so they’ll be rapt to get one.” Diamond Jak had been his own worst enemy at Ellerslie last start, badly missing the start before making up plenty of ground for fifth behind Saturday’s race rivals Bosch and Drop Of Something. It was a different story in the rematch on Saturday as Diamond Jak jumped cleanly and settled much closer in seventh place for jockey Matt Cameron. Bosch held the lead through the early part of the race, then handed up to Quick Fire when that runner pushed forward after being caught wide around the first turn. All of the nine-horse field had a chance as they straightened for home. Quick Fire kicked hard and threw down the gauntlet to her rivals, but Diamond Jak and Pacheco slowly but surely clawed their way up alongside her. It developed into a three-horse war through the last 50m, which Diamond Jak won by a short head. Pacheco took second by a neck from Quick Fire, with last season’s Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Trav producing an eye-catching late run from the back of the field to finish a close fourth. Diamond Jak’s 34-race career has now produced six wins, 11 placings and $234,725 in prize-money. “He’s been a bit of a headache for me, because half the time he doesn’t jump out at the start,” Brosnan said. “If he jumped today, I knew he was a chance. Thankfully he did, so that solved that problem. “He can be a bit of a hard horse to keep condition on, but he’s a good, honest horse when he does things right. “Most of his form is on heavy ground, but he’s shown today that he likes this better ground at Ellerslie too. That might open up some more options for him.” View the full article

Progressive three-year-old Churmatt showed he has the ability to take on some bigger assignments in the future with a comfortable victory in the NZB Ready To Run Sale Trainers Series 3YO (1400m) at Ellerslie. The son of Churchill was sent out a dominant $2 favourite for the contest against his age-group rivals following an impressive debut victory at Rotorua which was followed by a gallant second-placed effort behind smart filly Platinum Diamond in the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) last month. Trainer Stephen Marsh was confident his charge would perform creditably and in the hands of Opie Bosson he did just that as he sat behind the pace set up by stablemate Swiss Prince and the Tony Pike-prepared Storm Front before angling across heels in the straight to issue his challenge. Bosson soon had him in front and in charge and despite a brave fight from Swiss Prince, who filled the quinella, Churmatt held too many guns and cruised to the line to win by just on two lengths in a stylish 1.24.11 for the 1400m journey. Marsh was pleased with the performance of both of his runners who hold nominations for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on 15 November. “Both of our two horses have gone well and the winner ran into a smart filly last time who has won three stakes races on the bounce,” Marsh said. “It’s nice when they can bring their good form to Ellerslie and that was what we were expecting. “It was a nice ride and that’s what you expect when you have Opie on. He got him away quickly from a good gate and won well. “Both horses are nominated for the Two Thousand Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), they are progressive and Swiss Prince will be very hard to beat when he gets back to a maiden. “OTI have bought half of the winner and it’s great to have them on board.” Churmatt is now raced by Terry Henderson’s OTI Management PTY Ltd alongside professional syndicators Raptors Thoroughbreds who purchased him out of the Kaha Nui Farm draft at the 2024 Karaka Book 1 Sale for $80,000. Bosson was also suitably impressed by the effort. “The draw helped and he relaxed beautifully for me,” he said. “He has raw ability and is definitely one to watch.” TAB Bookmakers have Churmatt listed as the $8 Fixed Odds third favourite for the 2000 Guineas whilst Swiss Prince is currently rated a $31 chance. The win provided Marsh with an early double after Written Tycoon filly Well Written bolted home on debut over 1200m one race earlier. View the full article

Alexis Badel will look to continue his rip-roaring start to the new season when he partners the likes of Brilliant Express and The Red Hare at Sha Tin on Sunday. The 35-year-old has racked up four wins to start the campaign, headlined by a treble last weekend that included a remarkable last-to-first victory aboard $66 chance Same To You. His hot start could be set to continue on Sunday, with a strong book of rides that includes the promising Brilliant Express in the Class Two Yi Tung Shan...View the full article

A year after his father won the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2) with Roses for Debra, trainer Miguel Clement earned the top prize with West Point Thoroughbreds, Chris Larsen, and Titletown Racing Stables' Gal in a Rush at Presque Isle Downs.View the full article

Third in the GII Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes last year, Gal in a Rush (m, 6, Ghostzapper–Hudson River Gal, by Dynaformer) went one better in 2025, capturing the Friday evening feature with aplomb. Away from the winner's circle for the past 14 months despite adding several black-type placings to her CV, the Miguel Clement trainee emerged from Friday night's fray with a dramatic inside bid to capture her first win since the 2024 GIII Hendrie Stakes at Woodbine. A closing Ellen Jay (Constitution)–the stakes-winning daughter of Eclipse champion Covfefe (Into Mischief)–was second, while MSW Tricky Temper (Into Mischief) finished third. Gal in a Rush left the gates cleanly at 10-1, dropping back well off the pace set by Mitole Magic (Mitole) in front, who blazed through :22.18 and :44.26 quarters. Coming off the turn, Gal in a Rush–parked several paths off the rail–took a left turn, diving to the inside in an eye-catching move. She flew toward the wire, devouring Mitole Magic while simultaneously holding off the others by a length. The final time for the West Point Thoroughbreds, Chris Larsen, and Titletown Racing Stables runner was 1:14.45 for the six furlongs over the all-weather surface. Bred in Kentucky by Tom and Mary Lou Teal and Adena Springs, Gal in a Rush sold as a weanling for $130,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November sale to De Meric Stables, then went through the OBS March sale in 2021, where West Point picked her up for $375,000. Originally trained by Christophe Clement, she's now hit the board 16 times in 24 starts. While the Masters is only her second graded win following the Hendrie, the bay has another eight black-type placings. Pedigree Notes: Ghostzapper, the 2004 Horse of the Year who stood in 2025 at Adena Springs North after years in Kentucky–first at Adena Springs and most recently at Hill 'n' Dale–is the sire of Gal in a Rush and 106 other black-type winners. His 60 graded winners include 2025 winners Banishing, Dr. Venkman, Segesta, and Ole Crazy Bone, while he is also the broodmare of 2025 graded winners Book'em Danno (Bucchero) and East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro). Even at age 25, he still sent a yearling through the Keeneland ring last week for $1.175 million. Gal in a Rush is one of nine stakes winners by Ghostzapper out of a Dynaformer mare, including Canadian champion Theadora B. Gal in a Rush is the sole black-type winner out of her winning dam, a $200,000 Mike Ryan purchase at Keeneland September in 2013. The mare has a 2-year-old Charlatan filly named Charlat River, who was a $65,000 West Point purchase at last year's Keeneland September sale, and a yearling full-brother to Gal in a Rush, who was an $80,000 Faris Breeding buy at this year's Keeneland sale. Hudson River Gal was bred to Kingsbarns for 2026. GAL IN A RUSH ($22.60) dove to the rail and flew up the pine with @JRosarioJockey in the $300,000 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2) at @PID_Casino. The Ghostzapper mare is trained by @clementstable for owners @westpointtbred, Chris Larsen, & Titletown Racing Stables. pic.twitter.com/9unjo1A7In — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 20, 2025 Friday, Presque Isle Downs PRESQUE ISLE DOWNS MASTERS S.-GII, $301,000, Presque Isle Downs, 9-19, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f (AWT), 1:14.45, ft. 1–GAL IN A RUSH, 119, m, 6, by Ghostzapper 1st Dam: Hudson River Gal, by Dynaformer 2nd Dam: Miss City Halo, by Carson City 3rd Dam: Glimmering Halo, by Halo ($130,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $375,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR). O-West Point Thoroughbreds, Chris Larsen, and Titletown Racing Stables; B-Tom & Mary Lou Teal & Adena Springs (KY); T-Miguel Clement; J-Joel Rosario. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 24-5-7-4, $661,257. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Ellen Jay, 119, f, 4, Constitution–Covfefe, by Into Mischief. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-LNJ Foxwoods (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $60,000. 3–Tricky Temper, 123, f, 4, Into Mischief–Winter Book, by Any Given Saturday. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($97,000 RNA Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $230,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Mark H. Stanley; B-Sequel Thoroughbreds, LLC & Lakland Farm (NY); T-Jeremiah C. Englehart. $30,000. Margins: 1, NO, 2. Odds: 10.30, 2.90, 34.80. Also Ran: Candy Reward, Ticker Tape Home, Mitole Magic, Elysian Field, Stormcast, Ms. Tart, Freedom Speaks, Pandora's Gift (Ire), Naughty Favors. Scratched: Milliat (Ire). Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Ghostzapper’s Gal in a Rush Wins Presque Isle Downs Masters appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The royal blue of Godolphin continued to build on a banner year for the operation as Encino (Nyquist) proved too much for his Presque Isle Mile Stakes competition. Placed in the Mar. 22 GIII Twinspires Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes, and the winner of last season's GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes, Encino won the Listed Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial Stakes two back July 5 and hit the board last out Aug. 2 in the KY Downs Preview Mint Millions Turf Mile Stakes at Ellis Park. Supported here to the tune of 3-5 favoritism, he set up near the rear of the field as Grounded (Medaglia d'Oro) set the pace through :25.15, and a half in :49.78. With six panels sailing by in 1:13.04 and Encino rolling into the lane from five off the fence, he was the looming danger to the longtime leader. Overhauling that one not long after, he quickly put open air on his rivals and was 1 3/4 lengths ahead on the wire. Trademark (Upstart) had to settle for third when Grounded turned away his rally. Out of a half-sister to GI Kentucky Derby hero Street Sense (Street Cry {Ire}), the victor is her first to the races. He has a winning 3-year-old half-sister named Souk Plaza (Street Boss)–who herself has a juvenile full-sister named Tarzana. Glittering Angel has a 2025 filly by Midshipman and was bred to Nyquist for 2026. This is the extended female family of GISP Motown Lady (Uncle Mo) and the immediate one of MGSW & GISP Mr. Greeley. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. ENCINO ($3.20) came flying late after a slow start in the $150,000 Presque Isle Mile Stakes at @PID_Casino. Flavien Prat was on the Nyquist (@DarleyAmerica) colt for trainer @bradcoxracing. Another winner for owners Godolphin! Play the Masters: https://t.co/DLc4oPUnYT pic.twitter.com/JMdU1eZFCf — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 20, 2025 PRESQUE ISLE MILE S., $150,000, Presque Isle Downs, 9-19, 3yo/up, 1 1/16m (AWT), 1:42.24, ft. 1–ENCINO, 122, c, 4, Nyquist–Glittering Jewel, by Bernardini. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat. $90,000. Lifetime Record: GSW, 11-6-2-1, $650,005. 2–Grounded, 122, g, 7, Medaglia d'Oro–Home Rule, by Empire Maker. ($200,000 RNA Ylg '19 FTKOCT; $180,000 RNA 2yo '20 EASMAY). O-Long Shot Racing Stables, LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich III & John D. Fielding (KY); T-Scooter Davis. $30,000. 3–Trademark, 120, g, 6, Upstart–Creative Trick, by Creative Cause. ($37,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $42,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $275,000 RNA 3yo '22 KEENOV). O-BBN Racing LLC; B-Brereton Jones (KY); T-Victoria H. Oliver. $15,000. Margins: 1 3/4, HF, HF. Odds: 0.60, 15.60, 19.10. Also Ran: Tapit Shoes, Twilight Dancer, The Wine Steward, He's a Mess, Anamnestic. Scratched: Boppy O, Read On, Skyro, Spellcast, Surly Furious. The post Encino All Class En Route to Presque Isle Mile Stakes Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin It was the night of the big statements at Addington on Friday. Two young horses in Jumal and Ya Rite Darl sent messages to their age group rivals in two of the best races of the meeting and it was perhaps the one who actually triumphed by the smaller margin who left the greatest impression. Jumal was unbeaten going into the latest Woodlands Sires’ Stakes heat but it looked his biggest challenge, drawn the outside of the front line with two highly talented rivals in Zeus Lightning and Special Occasion drawn inside him. Driver Samantha Ottley made short work of that by leaning forward at the start and while she didn’t have to ask Jumal for his best he soon worked his way across the front of the field. That could have seen the race turned into a procession until Blair Orange launched Zeus Lightning starting the last lap but Ottley was awake to his impending challenge so let Jumal slide and he raced down the back straight in 26.5 seconds, rarified air for any mid-race 400m sectional in New Zealand. That opened up the gaps, allowing Zeus Lightning to drop into the trail but Ottley just kept going and so did Jumal, never looking in danger of defeat while Zeus Lightning’s fan club will only have expanded as he clung bravely to second. Special Occasion was distanced in third in one of the juvenile races of the season so far and one that suggested the first two are very good horses but maybe Jumal is the real deal. “I didn’t really go into the race with a plan but when I looked across at the start and saw a few weren’t coming out I let him run out a bit,” said Ottley. “He did it so easily to get there and then when I saw Zeus Lightning coming down the back I decided to let him run again. “He may have been closing on us at the finish but I think if he actually had another horse go with him he would have more left.” Jumal is turning into a real excitement machine for his connections and trainer Steven Reid, an equine reminder of Reid’s skills at the sales and in the stables. Next stop for most of last night’s main players in the NZBS Harness Million at Addington on October 10 and Jumal is now $2.10 to win that and $2.20 for the Sires’ Stakes Final on Cup Day. Ya Rite Darl may not have had the same level of competition in the Macca Lodge NZ Sires’ Stakes Trotters Classique, especially after second favourite Habibti Pat galloped at the start, but she destroyed her filly rivals. Sent straight to the front by John Dunn she roared clear down the back straight and won by 12 and a half lengths, one of the biggest wins in a group race at Addington this century. The times weren’t overly flash but it was still a brilliant win and one that suggested she will be taken seriously in both The Ascent and NZ Trotting Oaks. Earlier in the night the Brent Lilley-trained Kyvalley Ray was excellent winning his New Zealand debut in a juvenile trot Sires’ Stakes heat while Cath was super impressive winning the two-year-old pacing fillies race for the Hills, Benny training and Seth driving. The father and son team were at it again in the main handicap pace when Arthur Shelby overcame some early tap-dancing to win from a late-charging Rubira, the winner confirming what we have all suspected for a while: he is heading to open class. View the full article

By Michael Guerin It has taken just under eight years for the Purdons to pay Andre Poutama back for the outright Group 1 they cost him. But they paid that back, this time in full, when Shezsofast won the Caduceus Club Classic at Alexandra Park on Friday night. The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained daughter of Vincent led throughout to hold off a brave Lizzie Borden in the Group 1, giving driver Poutama his first full win at the highest level. He won the Group 1 Rosslands Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park in 2017 with Jo’s Dream but had to share that in a deadheat with Partyon, co-trained by Mark. As harness racing tends to do, things change and so do staff and now Poutama finds himself driving often for Mark and Nathan and has snared a Group 1 he doesn’t have to share. Poutama is a good fit for the new northern stable, never scared to take a race by the scruff of the neck and show initiative but you still need the horse to do it and Shezsofast was good on Friday, even though the runner-up was just as brave. The winner is part-owned by thoroughbred training legend Jim Gibbs and his wife Ann, who have dived deep into the harness racing pool over the last decade or more. “They love it and have become good friends,” said Mark. “Jim is so knowledgeable so it is great to get a win like this for them and the other owners. It is a real thrill.” While Shezsofast showed the benefits of being in front in major races they were backed up again by Sooner The Bettor in the IRT Spring Cup, albeit after a few nervy moments. The wonderful sprinter defended his title from last season but had to overcome an early bobble before driver Harrison Orange let him roll to the lead. As well as that all worked out Sooner The Bettor looked likely to be a sitting duck a lap from home as favourite Merlin had secured the one-one from his 20m mark and was set to pounce. But Orange showed he has learned from his first-up win on Sooner The Bettor, knowing to keep him running on tight lines this time and not let his rivals get too close and those tactics proved the winning of the race. He paced his last 800m in 56.2 second and final 400m in 27.8 to hold out The Surfer by a neck with Merlin a good third but yet another favourite to fall victim to the early season curse of the backmarkers. Merlin will of course improve and heads to the Holmes D G on October 3 next and then south to contest the Canterbury Classic on October 17, an earlier than anticipated start to his southern campaign. The Purdon/Phelan stable had a great night with three wins, including War Chief in his Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes heat while Arna Donnelly trained two and had every reason to be happy with her open class horses in the Spring Cup. But one of the wins of the night came from intermediate grade trotter Westar Milly, who flew home making up two lengths in the last 100m to give trainers Derek and Neita Balle a double in around 24 hours after Conrad H won at Cambridge on Thursday. View the full article

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Disco Time (Not This Time) remained perfect via a tour de force performance in the St. Louis Derby at Fairmount. Last seen Jan. 18 when winning the GII Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds, his prior two victories came at Churchill Downs when he broke his maiden last November and then beat optional claiming company 29 days later Nov. 30 from the front end. The even-money favorite here, Disco Time left the blocks on top and never gave the field a chance. Never in any danger after an opening quarter in :23.87 a half in :47.42, and six panels in 1:11.51, the Juddmonte colorbearer strolled home to win by 5 1/2 lengths over fast-closing 'TDN Rising Star' Hypnus (Into Mischief) and Excite (Speightstown) came on well to claim third. The victor is the most accomplished for his dam, but is one of two to make it to the races from three living offspring for their dam. Her 2023 Kantharos foal died, and she was barren in 2024, but Disco Chick finally produced a filly by Yaupon this year. She went to Justify for 2026. Click for the Equibase.com chart. #1 DISO TIME ($4.20) returns to the races victoriously in the $250,000 St. Louis Derby Presented by @FDSportsbook! @Flothejock was aboard for trainer @bradcoxracing and owner/breeder @JuddmonteFarms. Disco Time is a three-year-old colt by @TMStallions' Not This Time. pic.twitter.com/R7XdHXinS5 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 19, 2025 LOUIS DERBY PRESENTED BY FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK, $250,000, Fairmount, 9-19, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.87, ft. 1–DISCO TIME, 123, c, 3, by Not This Time 1st Dam: Disco Chick (MSW & GSP, $735,250), by Jump Start 2nd Dam: Disco Flirt, by Disco Rico 3rd Dam: Survey, by Allen's Prospect O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent Geroux. $150,000. Lifetime Record: GSW, 4-4-0-0, $441,960. 2–Hypnus, 121, c, 3, Into Mischief–Dream Tree, by Uncle Mo. 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Wathnan Racing; B-Phoenix Thoroughbreds (III) LTD (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $50,000. 3–Excite, 121, c, 3, Speightstown–Elate, by Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Claiborne Farm & Adele B. Dilschneider (KY); T-William I. Mott. $25,000. Margins: 5HF, 2HF, 23HF. Odds: 1.10, 2.20, 2.90. Also Ran: Mickswagger, Spellmaker, Extradition, Smoken Boy, Dune a Vetta. Scratched: Admiral Dennis, Brotha Keny, Chunk of Gold. The post Disco Time Remains Perfect, Claims St. Louis Derby at Fairmount appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland September may be winding down time-wise with only one session remaining, but the momentum from the record-breaking sale continued in kind Friday in the 11th session with an 88.57% increase in through-the-ring sales. The session's top price belonged to a colt by Vekoma (hip 4190) as bloodstock agent Mahmud Mouni's buying spree continued. Bred by Seven Springs Farm and consigned by Almar Farm, the colt sold for $220,000 as one of the last hips through the ring Friday. Out of an unplaced Mizzen Mast mare, he is a half-brother to SW En Hanse (Hansen) and from the family of Canadian champion 3-year-old colt Regal Intention (Vice Regent). A total of 301 yearlings sold through the ring Friday totaling $6,728,200, for an average of $22,353 and a median of $15,000. That gross is 88.57% higher than the total of $3,568,000 from the 11th session last year. The average is 29.06% higher than $17,320 in 2024, and the median is 30.43% above $11,500. With one session remaining in the September Sale to be held Saturday, Keeneland has sold 2,674 horses through the ring for $506.944,700, for an average of $189,583 and a median of $95,000. The gross is 23.92% higher than the same period last year when 2,532 horses sold for $409,087,500. The average is 17.34% above $161,567 in 2024, while the median is 18.75% higher than $80,000. Six horses topped the six-figure mark Friday, a mark that easily eclipses the zero figure from the same session last year. Other top hips Friday included a Bedouin Bloodstock-consigned colt by Hard Spun (hip 4052) from the family of Eclipse-winning sprinter Points Offthebench who sold for $170,000 to Al Jawzaa General Trading. Additionally, a Highly Motivated half-brother (hip 3880) to GSW Yes This Time (Not This Time) sold to Stepaside Farm for $140,000. The colt was consigned by Rosilyn Polan of Sunday Morning Farm. Two horses sold for $120,000 apiece. Prestige Worldwide picked up a filly (hip 4002) from the first crop of Cyberknife while Lee Rodgers purchased a filly by Dialed In (hip 4182). Machmer Hall Thoroughbreds topped the session's consigner list with sales of $728,000 for 31 horses and leading buyer Olga Polushkina acquired nine yearlings for $236,000. Saturday is the final day of the Keeneland September Sale, which begins at 10 a.m. Lovely Christina's half-sister sold Friday at Keeneland | Sarah Andrew Ackerley Acquires Half-Sister To Frizette Hopeful Leland Ackerley Racing, owned by Lee Ackerley, picked up the half-sister to their GI Frizette Stakes hopeful Lovely Christina (Vekoma) at Keeneland September in the penultimate session Friday. Bred by Spendthrift Farm and consigned by Legacy Bloodstock as agent, the $100,000 Mo Donegal filly (hip 4090) was Ackerley's sole purchase in Kentucky this month after he opened the year extremely active in the 2-year-old market at Ocala in March. Of the five purchases he made that month in Florida, Ackerley's most expensive was a $425,000 daughter of Vekoma who turned into Lovely Christina. That filly has since broken her maiden for Todd Pletcher at Saratoga in her second start, winning a maiden special weight going 6 1/2 furlongs by 1 3/4 lengths Aug. 31. Both fillies are out of GIII My Charmer Handicap winner Daring Kathy who earned close to a half-million in her own racing career before producing SP How's Ur Attitude (Street Sense). That family connection, and the hope of additional future black type, drew Ackerley to Keeneland. “Someone pointed out that the half-sister was selling today,” Ackerley said. “So I decided to buy her and hope that the family gets a little black-type update. I have the 2-year-old half-sister and she'll run in the Frizette in a week or so.” Ackerley, who had a productive OBS March also picking up 'TDN Rising Star' and GIII Sanford Stakes winner Obliteration (Violence) from that same sale this year, said he typically sticks with buying 2-year-olds. “I just buy to race,” he said. “It's usually 2-year-olds but occasionally, I'll step in for a yearling.” And, as Keeneland crossed the historic half-billion dollar mark during Thursday's 10th session, Ackerley had just one way to describe the market. “It's insane,” he said. “Watching the prices at [Fasig-Tipton] Saratoga and the first two books at Keeneland, it's reassured me that the economy is really booming right now.” The post Keeneland September Continues To Post Huge Increases In Penultimate Session appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stonestreet's Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union–Above Perfection, by In Excess {Ire}) has succumbed to colic complications, the Central Kentucky nursery posted on X Friday. The 18-year-old mare, winner of the GI Spinaway Stakes and GIII Schuylerville Stakes in 2009, was a half-sister to 2017 GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, as well as to additional GSW Positive Spirit. “We are sad to share the passing of Hot Dixie Chick, who was humanely euthanized due to complications from colic. She was 18 years old,” Stonestreet officials said on X. Among the foals Hot Dixie Chick produced for Stonestreet were 2022 GI La Troienne Stakes winner Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), who raced as a homebred and delivered her first foal, a filly by Gun Runner, this year. She also produced MSW & GSP Union Jackson (Curlin) and SP Marsalis (Curlin). Both Union Jackson and Marsalis were named 'TDN Rising Stars', as was Hot Dixie Chick herself when she set a new track record at Churchill Downs on debut. Hot Dixie Chick's final reported foal is a yearling colt by Flightline named Fly Guy, who brought $750,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale last month when selling to Flying Dutchmen for $750,000. We are sad to share the passing of Hot Dixie Chick, who was humanely euthanized due to complications from colic. She was 18 years old. Hot Dixie Chick set a new track record at Churchill Downs when breaking her maiden and went on to win Saratoga's Schylerville (G3) and Spinaway… pic.twitter.com/vT7R2ePZou — Stonestreet (@StonestreetFarm) September 19, 2025 The post Grade I Winner and Producer Hot Dixie Chick Passes at Stonestreet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

C R K Stable's Englishman sparkles on debut at Churchill Downs, zipping seven furlongs in 1:21.35 under Jose Ortiz. View the full article