Wandering Eyes

Taranaki representative Tobias (NZ) (Complacent), carrying the black and gold hoops of the Taranaki province, proved too tough in a slogging finish to the ITM New Plymouth Interprovincial (1600m) on Saturday. Apprentice rider Ellie Sole made good use of her 4kg claim to reduce the seven-year-old’s weight from 61kgs to a more manageable 57kg impost as she sat in third before sending him to the lead at the 600m. With Sole riding hard, the Tony Dravitzki-prepared runner refused to yield as he held out the challenges of Ghazzah (Akeed Mofeed), race favourite Who Knows (NZ) (Redwood) and Drop Of Something (NZ) (Telperion) over the final 200m, taking the event by more than a length and adding a fourth consecutive victory to his career record. An emotional Dravitzki was struggling to come to terms with what the lightly raced son of Complacent had achieved in his recent starts. “That was unbelievable really as I’d never won two races in a row and now this guy has won four,” he said. “He’s been a very tough horse and one of the toughest you could get to break in, but he has grown into himself this year and taken us on an unbelievable trip. “Some people were saying it was 49 days since his last run, but I went on holiday for two weeks and so did he. I wasn’t concerned about that, but it was just the weight. “Ellie has now won three from three on him and I just told her to be positive and go forward. They seem to be winning on the rail so she switched to there in the straight and got the chocolates. “Not in my wildest dreams I could have imagined this.” Dravitzki co-bred the gelding with his brother John and brother-in-law Ian McCaul and they race the gelding with friend Noel George. From the Zabeel mare Zabolta, Tobias is closely related to the dual Group One winner Bazelle (NZ) (Zabeel) and has now won seven races from 25 starts and more than $156,000 in prizemoney for his connections. View the full article

In-form galloper Rise At Dawn is likely to be set for a black-type assignment after notching a comfortable victory at Caulfield on Saturday in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1600m). The four-year-old son of Almanzor is prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, and has now won six of his 11 starts. Ridden by Michael Dee, Rise At Dawn sat outside Keats, who led throughout and applied the pressure upon straightening to score by three-quarters of a length from Kettle Hill and Rhapsody Chic. “Keats got rolling into the bend which probably suited Rise At Dawn, having the race fitness, and that’s how he gets ridden,” Ben Hayes said. “He just gets to that high-cruising speed and holds it right to the line and he’s really gutsy at the end. “I think the mile is definitely his trip but now he’s fit, there’s so many nice options. He’s won a Benchmark 100 today and he is the fit horse on the scene. “He’s been in work a long time so we have just got to manage him run by run. “But if he pulls up well and we’re really happy with him, he probably deserves a shot at a stakes race.” Hayes suggested the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) back at Caulfield in a fortnight could be an option. “It could be suitable for him out there in front with no weight,” Hayes said. “He’s a super horse who has given his whole ownership group a really big thrill. We’ve got a long time employee in Bruno Rouge-Serret in the horse. He’s really looked after us and he taught me how to saddle horses, so it’s good to get a winner for him.” Bred by the Smithies family’s Monovale Holdings, Rise At Dawn was purchased by Lindsay Park for A$90,000 at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. He has now won A$371,335 for connections. By Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor, Rise At Dawn is an older brother of last season’s Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) placegetter Kay’s Ruebe with their dam the Listed Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner and multiple Group One placegetter Kay’s Awake. View the full article

It may have taken a few more races than expected but there couldn’t have been a more fitting result for local trainer Allan Sharrock as his great mate Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) provided his mentor with his 1000th New Zealand win in the training ranks at New Plymouth on Saturday. Sharrock entered the day on 999 victories and was confidently expected to pick up victory in one of the opening races on the card, however, he had to play the bridesmaid role as Tisse (NZ) (Belardo), Bella Timing (NZ) (Time Test) and Indian Gold (NZ) (Ocean Park) all filled the runner-up position in their respective events. By the time the fifth event on the card rolled around many were thinking this wasn’t to be Sharrock’s day, however, the nine-year-old warhorse Justaskme wasn’t having any of that as he produced a typical dogged effort to come from last in the hands of apprentice Rihaan Goyaram to collect career win number 13 and his sixth on his home patch. Despite settling last of the nine runners, Justaskme travelled sweetly in the testing Heavy10 track conditions on offer with Goyaram setting him alight at the 800m to circle the field out wide and hit the front turning for home. Justaskme was resolute in his desire and held all challengers at bay as he coasted home to win the Makita 1800 by just on three lengths from Soldier Boy (NZ) (Proisir), who chased hard down the straight, along with third-placed runner Sacred Pearl (NZ) (Sacred Falls). Sharrock, who numbers 75 Group and Listed wins amongst his 1000 win tally with horses of the calibre of Grout (NZ) (Gold Brose), Kawi (NZ) (Savabeel), Wahid (NZ) (Almutawakel), Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar) and Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed), admitted he had been worried when he couldn’t take a trick earlier in the day. “He’s been a grand horse for me, my brother and one of my best mates in Kempy (Tony Kemp),” Sharrock said. “I came in here all confident and got kicked and kicked and kicked, and I thought this isn’t going the way I saw it. “I had been having a few words to the jockey (Goyaram) throughout the day and I asked him if he had done any video footage and he said to me he was going to ride him like Johnathan Parkes and be into him at the 800m and he did. “We’ll go home and watch the rugby tonight but I’d say we will have a proper event with all my friends and colleagues to celebrate.” Bred by Sharrock, who co-owns him with his brother Bruce and former Kiwi rugby league international Tony Kemp, Justaskme has now won 13 of his 48 starts and more than $538,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Stratford trainer Tina Egan was charging to the bar at New Plymouth on Saturday to celebrate Chajaba (NZ) (Keano) taking out the New Plymouth Building Supplies 1400. The eight-year-old son of Keano jumped well and was taken straight to the front by apprentice jockey Ciel Butler, who quickly handed up to Tavis Court (NZ) (Tavisock). Butler elected to keep to the rail throughout and her decision was rewarded on the Heavy10 footing, hitting the front with 400m to go and maintaining their advantage to the post, winning by half a length over Make Time (NZ) (Makfi). Butler and Chajaba have formed a formidable partnership, recording three wins from nine starts, and Butler was full of praise for the gelding post-race. “Tavis Court came around and I was happy to take a trail. He relaxed and I was very happy, and he kicked nice and strong,” she said. “He is just so tough and he puts in everything he has every time he races, it doesn’t matter what it is. “Tina does a fantastic job, she is such a great horsewoman. He is beautiful to ride.” Egan was delighted to get the winning result with Chajaba, particularly with the less-than-ideal build-up this preparation. “He has had an interrupted prep,” said Egan, who also co-bred and part-owns the gelding. “He pulled a muscle earlier on and I didn’t get to go to the races I wanted to leading into the Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m). “He has had a stone bruise and he hasn’t really been on four feet until today.” Egan had planned on heading straight to next week’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa with Chajaba following his last start placing, but said she was coerced into heading to New Plymouth on Saturday, and she is glad she did. “I wanted to wait until the Foxbridge next week, but my partner wanted her to go this week,” she said. Chajaba means a lot to Egan, who named him after her three children, and she said he is well named given what they do after every victory. “He is named after my three kids – the twins are Chase and Jade, and Bailey – so that is how we got Chajaba, and if he wins, we charge to the bar,” she said. “We will be charging to the bar (now).” View the full article

So Naive winning the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Therese Davis 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 Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), with stable runners So Naive and Toruk Makto. 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 and Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) placegetter Full 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. 2024 Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes Replay – So Naive 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.” Horse racing news View the full article

Rise At Dawn in the hands of Mick Dee scored a comfortable victory at Caulfield. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli In-form galloper Rise At Dawn is likely to be set for a black-type assignment after notching a comfortable victory at Caulfield on Saturday. The four-year-old son of Almanzor is prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, and has now won six of his 11 starts. Ridden by Michael Dee, Rise At Dawn sat outside Keats, who led throughout and applied the pressure upon straightening to score by three-quarters of a length from Kettle Hill and Rhapsody Chic. “Keats got rolling into the bend which probably suited Rise At Dawn, having the race fitness, and that’s how he gets ridden,” Ben Hayes said. “He just gets to that high-cruising speed and holds it right to the line and he’s really gutsy at the end. “I think the mile is definitely his trip but now he’s fit, there’s so many nice options. He’s won a Benchmark 100 today and he is the fit horse on the scene. “He’s been in work a long time so we have just got to manage him run by run. “But if he pulls up well and we’re really happy with him, he probably deserves a shot at a stakes race.” Hayes suggested the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) back at Caulfield in a fortnight could be an option. “It could be suitable for him out there in front with no weight,” Hayes said. “He’s a super horse who has given his whole ownership group a really big thrill. We’ve got a long time employee in Bruno Rouge-Serret in the horse. He’s really looked after us and he taught me how to saddle horses, so it’s good to get a winner for him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Australia’s greatest ever sprint, Black Caviar. (Racing Photos) Australia’s greatest sprinter, Black Caviar, has passed away after a short battle with Laminitis. The unbeaten champion of the turf had been suffering complications due to a milk infection in recent weeks, and after giving birth to a Snitzel colt on early Saturday morning, Black Caviar was humanly euthanised at Scone Equine Hospital. Black Caviar’s connections took to X/Twitter to confirm the news and made a statement on their one-in-a-lifetime mare. “It is with deep sadness that the Madden, Hawkes, Wilkie, Taylor and Werrett families wish to advise that champion mare Black Caviar passed away peacefully today. “Black Caviar was a once-in-a-lifetime horse, most famous for her stellar racing career which saw her undefeated with 25 wins from 25 starts.” The statement went on to describe some of the wonder mare’s greatest achievements, including a win on the world stage at Royal Ascot when claiming victory in the 2012 Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m). Peter Moody spoke to the tragic loss as well, adding. “She was a remarkable horse that gave us all the ride of a lifetime and memories.” During her four years of racing, Black Caviar amassed an incredible $8 million in prizemoney to go along with her 15 Group 1 victories. Black Caviar leaves behind an incredible legacy in Australian racing. Horse racing news View the full article

Illicit Dreams winning at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) 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. 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 and Group Three winner Master Fay. Rae went into Saturday’s event 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 1.75 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. 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. Horse racing news View the full article

Justaskme winning at New Plymouth on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) It may have taken a few more races than expected but there couldn’t have been a more fitting result for local trainer Allan Sharrock as his great mate Justaskme provided his mentor with his 1000th New Zealand win in the training ranks at New Plymouth on Saturday. Sharrock entered the day on 999 victories and was confidently expected to pick up victory in one of the opening races on the card, however, he had to play the bridesmaid role as Tisse, Bella Timing and Indian Gold all filled the runner-up position in their respective events. By the time the fifth event on the card rolled around, many were thinking this wasn’t to be Sharrock’s day; however, the nine-year-old warhorse Justaskme wasn’t having any of that, as he produced a typical dogged effort to come from last in the hands of apprentice Rihaan Goyaram to collect career win number 13 and his sixth on his home patch. Despite settling last of the nine runners, Justaskme travelled sweetly in the testing Heavy 10 track conditions on offer with Goyaram setting him alight at the 800m to circle the field out wide and hit the front turning for home. Justaskme was resolute in his desire and held all challengers at bay as he coasted home to win the Makita 1800 by just on three lengths from Soldier Boy, who chased hard down the straight, along with third-placed runner Sacred Pearl. Sharrock, who numbers 75 Group and Listed wins amongst his 1000-win tally with horses of the calibre of Grout, Kawi, Wahid, Shez Sinsational and Ladies Man, admitted he had been worried when he couldn’t take a trick earlier in the day. “He’s been a grand horse for me, my brother and one of my best mates in Kempy (Tony Kemp),” Sharrock said. “I came in here all confident and got kicked and kicked and kicked, and I thought this isn’t going the way I saw it. “I had been having a few words to the jockey (Goyaram) throughout the day and I asked him if he had done any video footage and he said to me he was going to ride him like Johnathan Parkes and be into him at the 800m and he did. “We’ll go home and watch the rugby tonight but I’d say we will have a proper event with all my friends and colleagues to celebrate.” Horse racing news View the full article

Black Caviar, Australia’s greatest sprinter, has passed away aged 17 following a battle with laminitis. View the full article

Legendary mare Black Caviar passed away peacefully on Saturday, aged 18. View the full article

Chris Waller has unearthed another potential Group 1 star. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) The Chris Waller-trained Autumn Glow ($3.10) produced a statement debut victory at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, careering away with the opening event of the program. The daughter of The Autumn Sun couldn’t have been more impressive, dispatching her rivals by 2.5 lengths, cruising past the well-supported favourite Dawn Service ($2.30) with 200m left to travel. Tyler Schiller manoeuvred the unraced three-year-old into the one-one throughout the 1300m journey, and from there, it was all over as Autumn Glow proved far too classy in the concluding stages. It comes after being a late withdrawal from Wednesday’s Kensington meeting at Randwick, with Chris Waller confirming post-race that the decision was made to head to this BM72 contest amongst concerns a Heavy surface may hinder the unraced filly. “She was entered to race last Wednesday at Randwick on the Kensington track and there was rain on the day,” said Waller. “I just wanted her to have the best possible experience. This track at Rosehill is probably one of the best in the world, it gives horses a great experience, hence the reason why racing’s so good here. “You need horses to have good experiences, so she’s had that today and she’s on her way to bigger and better things.” Waller went on to suggest they wouldn’t rush the three-year-old, but a possible Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) tilt could be on the cards. “We’ll look at how she pulls up because respecting it’s her first preparation, some horses can cope better or worse, some might take the next step, some really struggle, so that will tell us first and foremost. “We’d love to be able to get her to a Flight Stakes if we can.” After Saturday’s impressive victory, Autumn Glow has firmed into $4.50 on the second line on betting with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) on October 5. Horse racing news View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y. – Saturday is going to be a big day for horses being pointed to the $1.24-million GI Travers Stakes. Two key horses for the race–Dornoch (Good Magic) and Fierceness (City of Light)–had their final works switched from Friday to Saturday. They will join Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), Honor Marie (Honor Code) and Batten Down (Tapit), who are all scheduled to have their final Midsummer Derby moves on Saturday. Saratoga did have some heavy rain on Thursday, but the track appeared ok on Friday morning. Danny Gargan, the trainer of GI Belmont Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes champ Dornoch, did not like what he saw. “We got another day (Saturday) and the weather looks beautiful,” Gargan said outside his barn on the Saratoga backstretch Friday morning. “We just decided to wait another day.” Dornoch, who could be made the morning-line Travers favorite when the field is drawn on Sunday, will work four furlongs in company, Gargan said. “Maybe Ringy Dingy (Dialed In),” Gargan said. “She (3-year-old filly) has worked with him many, many times and she has outworked him several times. We are going to try and go :48, :49. He worked fast last week; we don't need another :47.” Two Travers horses did get their final works in on Friday. Chad Brown had unbeaten Unmatched Wisdom (Cairo Prince) work five furlongs in 1:00.41 (3/6) on the main track. He won the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga on July 24 in his last start to run his record to three-for-three. Brown, who also trains Sierra Leone, knows the Travers is a big ask for Unmatched Wisdom, but also is confident the colt has plenty of upside. “He is a beautiful horse who has high expectations,” Brown said at his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track. “It is a huge step jumping up to a Grade I against really seasoned 3-year-olds that are at the top of the division. He has a real tall order there. But I love bringing an undefeated horse to a race like this. He certainly hasn't learned how to lose.” Unmatched Wisdom broke his maiden by 6 1/4 lengths at Aqueduct on May 10 and then won an allowance, also at the Big A, by 5 3/4 lengths on June 24. Then he took the Curlin, going gate-to-wire. Brown though, says he does not have to be on the lead. “He won on the lead in the Curlin because there wasn't much speed in the race,” he said. “I think if he has a target, he is going to be much more effective and he should have one in this race. I do think he is sitting on a big race, and he is going to have to be because this is a big one.” The other Travers horse to work on Friday was Corporate Power (Curlin) for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey. The runner-up in the Curlin went four furlongs in :47.44 (1/45) on the Oklahoma Training Track. A Cinderella Story for Carl Spackler and Chad Brown Of course, the name jumps right out at you. Especially if you are a fan of the 1980 movie “Caddyshack.” Carl Spackler was the hapless groundskeeper at Bushwood Country Club in the iconic flick and was played by Bill Murray. And it is the name of a racehorse trained by Chad Brown and owned by e Five Racing Thoroughbreds. The 4-year-old Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) has won three of four starts this year, the most recent being the GI Fourstardave Handicap last Sunday. Carl Spackler heading to the winner's circle Sunday | Sarah Andrew To paraphrase Caddyshack's Carl, it was certainly a Cinderella Story. Carl's popularity swelled after that race, partly because of his name, mostly because of his ability. The Fourstardave was his first Grade I victory. “He is a fan favorite because of his name and his big, white face,” Brown said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track. “He's a neat horse and he's a neat story.” His jockey, Tyler Gaffalione, is married to the former Cassidy Edwards, daughter of Bob and Kristine Edwards of e Five Racing. Carl Spackler has won three of his four career starts at Saratoga Race Course, all of them in graded stakes races. He won the GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes last year and added the GIII Kelso earlier in the meet and then won the Fourstardave. Overall, Carl Spackler has six wins in nine career starts. For Brown, it was his first-ever win in the Fourstardave. He grew up in nearby Mechanicville and remembers sitting out in the picnic area with his parents and betting on the legendary Fourstardave, who won at least one race at Saratoga every year from 1987-1994. “Growing up and betting on Fourstardave with my parents was a real cool experience,” Brown said. “One of the sure bets of the meet was that that horse would win. They weren't big (bets), I was just a kid. I probably should not have been betting, but they were winners.” Casse, The Last Trainer To Run A Filly in Travers, Weighs In On Thorpedo Anna In 2018, a filly named Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro) captured the imagination of the GI Travers Stakes when she ran in the Midsummer Derby. Mark Casse with Wonder Gadot | Sarah Andrew Before the race, there were buttons made, depicting the filly as Wonder Woman, ala Gal Gadot, the actress who played the Amazon superheroine. Wonder Gadot could not back up the hype as she finished 10th–and last–in that Travers, which was won by Catholic Boy (More Than Ready). Wonder Gadot went off at odds of 11-1, the sixth choice in the wagering. Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) will be the first filly since then to try to conquer the boys in the Travers when she takes a spot in the starting gate next Saturday. “She is pretty impressive,” Casse said of Thorpedo Anna, who has won six of seven career starts by a combined 36 1/4 lengths. Casse's mind wandered back to that day in 2018 when Wonder Gadot took her shot against colts. “She didn't run very well,” Casse said. “We have had great luck with running fillies against colts, but we did not have great luck with that one. Got Stormy beat colts twice, Tepin did it all the time. Of course, those were on grass.” Wonder Gadot had beaten the boys twice in Canada, taking the prestigious Queen's Plate by 4 3/4 lengths and the Prince of Wales Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths. That gave Casse the confidence to try the Travers. It didn't work out. “You can't make horses do things they can't do,” Casse said. “The biggest thing about training horses is keeping them happy and knowing how to keep them happy. Good horses win when everything goes their way; great horses win when they don't.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: It Will Be a Crowded Work Tab For Travers Horses On Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a full-brother to multiple group winner Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). 16.05 Newbury, Mdn, £40,000, 2yo, 7fT FITZMAURICE (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) makes his debut at the track that hosted his multiple group-winning full-brother Chindit (Ire) on five occasions, with a win in the G3 Greenham Stakes and a runner-up finish in the G1 Lockinge Stakes among his efforts here. Bought by Wathnan Racing for 470,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 1, the William Haggas trainee encounters other intriguing newcomers including Ballydoyle's Aftermath (Ire) (Justify), whose dam is a full-sister to Galileo's Group 1 winners Misty For Me (Ire) and Ballydoyle (Ire); Victorious Racing's 500,000gns fellow Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase Into Combat (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a Ralph Beckett-trained son of a half to Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}); and Juddmonte's Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a Harry Charlton-trained son of the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Passage Of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}) whose best progeny so far is Dubawi's multiple group-winning sire Time Test (GB). 16.16 Doncaster, Novice, £25,000, 2yo, 7f 6yT CHANCELLOR (GB) (Kingman {GB}) bids to get back on track as the Gosdens look to restore his confidence after a deflating third when the hot favourite in Ascot's Listed Pat Eddery Stakes last month. Cheveley Park Stud's son of their GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}) had dazzled on debut to join his sire's long list of TDN Rising Stars and while he was overturned on the King George card he lost a front shoe and that form has been boosted this week by New Century (GB) (Kameko). The post Wathnan’s 470k Brother To Chindit Starts At Newbury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Despite coming from a relatively small pool of Canadian-bred 3-year-olds, recent winners from the King's Plate (run as the Queen's Plate from 1952-2022) continue to distinguish themselves in the graded stakes ranks.View the full article

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With York's Ebor Festival drawing the elite performers next week, Saturday's action across Europe is lacking a championship contest but not intrigue as some progressive types put their reputations on the line at Deauville, Newbury and The Curragh. Perhaps the biggest name on the day is Ballydoyle's G1 St Leger hero Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G3 Royal Whip Stakes at the Kildare venue, looking to build on his comeback effort in a renewal of Royal Ascot's G2 Hardwicke Stakes that has taken on extra gravitas with the passing of the last few weeks. Extra intrigue is provided by the G2 Prix du Calvados at Deauville, where the G3 Princess Margaret Stakes winner Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) features among the seven fillies assembled for the seven-furlong contest. Moving up in trip following her Ascot exploits, Al Shaqab's acquisition is bred for the distance and trainer Ollie Sangster has no concerns on that score. “She saw out the stiff six of Ascot well and was doing her best work at the end, so I think this step up to seven furlongs is logical and Ryan [Moore] suggested that as well,” he said. “It looks a nice opportunity and hopefully it will be quick ground and we're looking forward to running her.” France's leading hope is Denford Stud's unbeaten Fraise Des Bois (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), who took the six-furlong Listed Criterium du Bequet by seven lengths at La Teste de Buch last month. Jean-Claude Rouget saddles the exciting prospect and the Stud's Richard Evans is keen to see how she fares against British competition. “Her last race was probably the most impressive when she won by seven lengths and she is a progressive filly now heading to a Group 2 and then after that we can see about some Group 1 entries, depending on how she does on Saturday,” he said. “The race on Saturday will tell us really where we are, I think, and the competition is going to be a lot stiffer obviously. If she can win or even run a good race then I would say she will probably go for a Group 1 in France or we have the Cheveley Park entry as well.” Also at Deauville is the G2 Prix de Pomone, where the Wertheimers' TDN Rising Star Aventure (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) looks the class act, while Newbury's highlight is the seven-furlong G2 Hungerford Stakes. Juddmonte's half-brother to Frankel, Kikkuli (GB) (Kingman {GB}), looks to get back on track after his disappointing effort in the G1 Prix Jean Prat in a weak-looking renewal in a division currently very short on genuine top-level performers. The post Continuous Heads Saturday Cast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The absence of the 'Grizzly Bear' has not put a damper on Saturday's GI Alabama Stakes, neither for the connections in it nor likely for the betting public, but despite Candied (Twirling Candy) being the class of the field, it's not as cut and dry of an affair. Currently sitting cosy at 7-5 on the morning line, Candied is deservedly the one to beat as victory in the GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes, a third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, and a gutsy second to 'TDN Rising Star' MGISW Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks did not happen by accident. Candied earned a 99 Beyer for her effort two back June 8 in Monmouth's Lady's Secret Stakes when she overwhelmed MGSW Honor D Lady (Honor Code) by 4 1/2 lengths. That filly would turn around to produce a masterclass of her own next out July 7 in the GII Delaware Handicap, winning by a widening 5 1/2-length margin over a field including last year's GI CCA Oaks winner and Alabama Stakes runner-up, Wet Paint (Blame). While Candied does need to prove that she can go this distance, her relentless, grinding running style suggests it's in her wheelhouse, and given there's no Thorpedo Anna in here–both literally and figuratively–now is as good a time as ever to secure her second Grade I victory. Her foes will not make it an easy affair, however, as two daughters of the late Arrogate look to give their sire another Grade I winner to his growing tally–Iowa Oaks victress Just Basking and far outside marker Neon Icon, both of whom have already won at this distance by sizeable margins. The former has steadily been improving with every race, and her win in the Prairie Meadows marque contest produced her highest number to date, a 90 Beyer, which puts her right in the conversation. Breaking closest to the rail and another hailing from that CCA Oaks in July is Intricate (Gun Runner) for Brendan Walsh, who is no stranger to a Grade I race in Saratoga and what his horse needs to bring to win it. All things considered, she carries the distinction of being the only runner to ever beat Thorpedo Anna thus far–granted as juveniles in the GII Golden Rod at Churchill Downs–and stubbornly kept on last out to take third, although a long way back. Power Squeeze (Union Rags) dominated early in her career, but had to ramp back into form following a sixth-place effort in the GI Kentucky Oaks, and managed to pick up that all-important Grade I black type when running third in the GI Acorn behind, you guessed it, Thorpedo Anna. The GII Gulfstream Park Oaks victress has a running style shared by many in this field, midpack or further out, which calls into question what kind of pace there will be, especially when California girl MGSW Chatalas (Gun Runner) has shown she has the foot to lead, if necessary. Lone, or uncontested, speed is hard to reel in, especially when they're good at what they do. Chatalas returns to the Mark Glatt barn after taking the GIII Indiana Oaks last out for Grant Forster by a head, and also producing her best number to date in a string of improving ones. To round out the field, Wilton Stakes winner Miss Justify (Justify) would need to overcome not only a jump up in distance, but a fairly large one in class as well, to win. Stakes-placed America's Vow (Constitution) hails from the chaotic July 28 Saratoga allowance where horses broke too soon, were declared non-starters, and there was a disqualification for interference, all in one race. Up-and-Coming Talent Clashes with Proven Form in the Lake Placid… While there has been much talk of the elephant in the room known as 'shrinking fields' in America, the turf division doesn't have that problem this weekend at Saratoga, as most evident by the competitive 11-runner soiree assembled for the GII Lake Placid Stakes, carded to jump just ahead of Saturday's Alabama. With a juvenile win in the GI Natalma Stakes and twice placed at the highest level since then, She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) more than provides the vibe as the horse to beat. The aforementioned two placings were a pair of thirds–in 2023 to wrap her season in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Fillies and last out July 6 in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes behind the heralded GISW Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) while just nosed out for second by GSW Segesta (Ghostzapper). Les Reys en route to victory in the Listed Prix Volterra | Scoop Dyga Even if that overwhelming favorite had not been in the field back in July, the 1 3/16-miles could've arguably been a step too far, as her connections opt to return their filly to a distance more suited to her prior form. At a mile, she has two victories by over four lengths and a Breeders' Cup placing, which provides a convincing enough argument to stay in the mile/mile and change division. To her outside are the second and third choices Beautiful Love (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Dynamic Pricing (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), respectively. The former comes into the race with consistency as her calling card, off the board just once and not by much in fourth, back in 2023 in Newmarket's British EBF 40th Anniversary Montrose Fillies Stakes. She too ran into the titan known as Cinderella's Dream back in February–trainer Charlie Applby has no qualms of running stablemates against each other–when they shared the starting gate in a Meydan allowance to start her year. She turned around two weeks later to win at that level by six lengths and the Godolphin homebred resurfaces here having gone unraced since that triumph. Dynamic Pricing has work to do to prove her win in the GII Edgewood Stakes May 3 at Churchill Downs was not a case of footing she handled better than a struggling field. She had no kick last out in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational to run seventh, and before her Edgewood win, finished in that spot in the GIII Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs in March. The last of the European raiders, and who is making a start for new connections, is French Listed Prix Volterra victress Les Reys (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}), who dons colors for the partnership of West Point Thoroughbreds, Peter Leidel, and Winters Equine LLC for the first time. Moved into the barn of Christophe Clement from Dider Guillemin, she'll have her first chance to make a good impression Stateside for her new team. Del Mar Oaks Provides Grade I Turf Action in California… The 3-year-old turf filles on the West Coast will meet for a chance to claim their highest level black type in the GI Del Mar Oaks at the surfside venue and Iscreamuscream (Twirling Candy) is garnering the lion's portion of attention. Contested at 1 1/8 miles, it's quite telling that she would be the morning line favorite having never gone close to the distance in her three-race career, but having never not found the line first, it's hard to argue with success when it has plenty of speed and a rail spot to compliment it. She likely won't be left to her own devices on the lead with Graded-level newcomer Whiskey Decision (Into Mischief) also coming in with speed, so she'll need to relish this distance if she wants to hold off challengers, late. Iscreamuscream (orange & white cap) lead home the cavalry charge in the GII San Clemente | Benoit Photo That being said, the stablemate to her immediate outside Circle of Trust (Union Rags) has to be given a good look considering the fact that she's run at this distance four times now, and went from breaking her maiden to graded placed to a graded winner in the GIII Honeymoon Stakes in the course of three starts. That victory last out June 1 by 1 1/4 lengths will lead to a rematch with SW & GSP Sakura Blossom (Classic Empire) and Sea Dancer (Mastery), those fillies being neighbors in the gate on the far outside. Medoro (Honor Code) will also prove hard to overlook, and despite her career combined winning margin being less than four lengths in her first four starts, the 5-1 morning line shot will look to rebound from her first defeat last out July 20 in the GII San Clemente Handicap–a race most of this field contested–where Iscreamuscream and Zona Verde (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) had enough of a head start to hold off her furious late charge after a bad trip. East Coast invader MGSW Buchu (Justify) will need a pace to run at in order to produce her best kick and have a chance to win. It's King's Plate Day in Canada… The premier race for our neighbors to the north, the Canadian-bred restricted Listed King's Plate Stakes will see not only the best of the Canadian-bred colts racing for the top prize but potentially continuing the tradition of Woodbine Oaks fillies doing well against the boys. Riding into the race on a three-race streak and with Beyer numbers none of his competition can match, My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince) has been made the commanding 7-5 morning line favorite. After a 6 3/4-length tour de force in the King Corrie Stakes at Woodbine that was awarded a 97 Beyer, the grey has proven impossible to catch and hard to outkick, making it a 'rock and a hard place' situation for anyone hoping to beat him. He's near untouchable at Woodbine, his lone loss on the same synthetic he'll contest Saturday was on debut when he ran second May 2023, and his two trips into Grade I company on the grass were races where he was run down by Grade I-quality competition. There is no shame in being beaten by MGISW Carson's Run (Cupid) in the local GI Summer Stakes and Grade/Group 1 runners Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Mountain Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) at the Breeders' Cup. By the numbers, his closest competition is Essex Serpent (Honor Code), whose win in the GIII Marine Stakes June 29 produced the closest figure of this field at 89. While he's never been off the board, he's got three starts to his name and a big task ahead of him if he wants to beat My Boy Prince. Caitlinhergrtness (Omaha Beach) was caught late on the wire in the similarly restricted Woodbine Oaks, but her form has been steadily improving since making the move to Canada from New York. All things considered, she's in the same boat as everyone else. On the undercard for the King's Plate, the GII Bet365 King Edward Stakes going a mile on the grass will see the elder statesmen of the division line up for a crack at claiming yet another tally to their careers, headlined by MGSW & MGSW-Brz Filo Di Arianna (Brz) (Drooselmeyer). The Mark Casse-trainee has been made the 4-5 morning line favorite with GSW Cruden Bay (Big Screen) the 7-2 second choice, and MGSW War Bomber (Ire) (War Front) made the 5-1 third selection. The sprinters will take to the synthetic in the GIII Bold Venture Stakes and, with a gaudy 103 Beyer from his seasonal debut victory in the restricted Pink Lloyd Stakes, Patches O'Houlihan (Reload) seeks to defend his crown against a field of seven. Playmea Tune (Maclean's Music) will look to build on his rise through the ranks and take down that favorite–along with considerably more seasoned rivals–in just his third start, and has been given a 4-1 chance to do it. Graded Action at the Jersey Shore Grade I form from the West and East Coasts will clash here in the GIII Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park as MGSW & GISP Il Miracolo (Gun Runner) will take on MG1SW-Arg & GISP Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify) for superiority at the Jersey Shore. On paper, GSW Everso Mischievous (Into Mischief) looks to play spoiler if the top two on the morning line can't produce a run. The post Alabama Leads Saturday’s Graded Parade with Candied as Grand Marshall appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Respected racing journalist Howard Wright, one of the founding members of the Racing Post, died on Friday, that publication reported. He was 79, and was writing up until a few months ago. The Doncaster native joined Timeform as a clerk in 1964, before moving to the Sheffield Morning Telegraph as racing editor for 11 years, eventually becoming the deputy sports editor. After a time as deputy racing editor of the Daily Telegraph, he switched to the Racing Post when it began in 1986, alongside the publication's founding editor Graham Rock. Also in 1986, he began serving as a member of the British Flat Pattern Committee, a role which lasted until 2009. Later appointed industry editor at Racing Post, he continued with the paper in that role until he retired in 2012. Wright continued to contribute to various industry publications in a part-time capacity in retirement. “Howard Wright was a legend of the Racing Post and a true journalist's journalist,” RP editor Tom Kerr told the Racing Post. “He was one of the paper's founding staff, possessor of the finest contacts book in the sport and could invariably be spied at racing events around the globe, no doubt having just secured his next scoop. Although he 'retired' in 2012, he was still providing Post readers with the benefits of his immense experience and knowledge as recently as April. “Howard enjoyed the widespread respect and fondness of both his press colleagues and those he reported upon. That was born of his impeccably informed work, his deep integrity and his laconic charm. “On behalf of all at the Racing Post past and present, I extend our condolences and sympathy to Anne, his wife, and Andrea and Karen, his daughters.” A trustee of the National Horseracing College since 1990, he was vice-chairman of that organisation since 2004. “The thoughts of everyone at Doncaster Racecourse are with the family, friends and colleagues of Howard Wright,” the racecourse posted on X on Friday. “Howard was a great friend to racing and Doncaster Racecourse in particular. He will be sorely missed on St Leger Day this year, a day he had not missed since 1948.” The post Former Journalist Howard Wright Dies At 79 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Honoring retired trainer Rick Schosberg, the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund will hold a 'Salute to Thoroughbred Aftercare' from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Sept. 10 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, the fund said in a Friday release. Besides honoring Schosberg, who has exerted a positive influence over aftercare organizations TAKE2 and Take The Lead, attendees will watch the trailer for the documentary “Off Track: Fate of a Racehorse” and hear from the film's director, John Wager. The post Schosberg To Be Honored For New York Aftercare Efforts Sept. 10 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-DMR, $75K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 8:02 p.m. ET. Conditioned by John Sadler, Don Alberto homebred UNIQUE POWER (Into Mischief) debuts for his dam–champion older dirt female Unique Bella (Tapit)–who was acquired by the stable for $400,000 at the 2015 Keeneland September Sale. Her own dam is GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic heroine Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song). Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm took this mare home for $3.8 million at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale. Unrivaled Belle's half-sister, Lemon Belle (Lemon Drop Kid), is responsible for GIII Gotham Stakes champ Raise Cain (Violence). A $700,000 buy for SF Bloodstock, Starlight and Madaket during Keeneland September, Kalea Bay (Authentic) makes the races for trainer Bob Baffert. The colt is out of SW For Royalty (Not For Love), who Jane Lyon at Summer Wind Equine added to her band for $2.1 million at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale. This dam–a half-sister to GI Ballerina Stakes runner-up Kiss to Remember (Big Brown)–has already produced GI La Brea Stakes victress Constellation (Bellamy Road) and MSW Truth Seeker (Into Mischief). Three other Keeneland grads make their first starts to round out the field. Post Game (Nyquist), a $550,000 purchase by Mayberry Farm, is trained by John Shirreffs. The juvenile for C R K Stable is out of a half-sister to MGSW Mr Freeze (To Honor and Serve). Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), another acquisition by SF, Starlight and Madaket, was hammered down for $675,000. The Baffert trainee counts MGISW Moonshine Memories (Malibu Moon) and MGSW Favorite Tale (Tale of the Cat) among his extended female family. Finally, Power Play (Authentic)–bought by Spendthrift $375,000 and trained by Richard Mandella–has MGSW Owendale (Into Mischief) in his family tree. TJCIS PPS 1st-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 12:35 p.m. ET. One half of a coupled entry, Sansone (Uncle Mo) debuts for trainer Shug McGaughey. The colt was acquired for $1.35 million by Chuck Sonson, Woodford and West Point at the Keeneland September Sale. His productive mare Diva Delite (Repent) is also responsible for champion older dirt female Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute), MSW Stage Left (Congrats) and new sire Verifying (Justify). TJCIS PPS 2nd-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:07 p.m. ET. Peter Brant's White Birch Farm bid 250,000 gns during Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for Asbury Park (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Bred by current partner St. Elias, the dark bay is out of French stakes winner Limonar (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}). A half-sister to GI Shoemaker Mile hero Talco (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}), this dam produced the globetrotting Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}) and SW Dude N Colorado (Uncle Mo). Asbury Park heads to the post for trainer Chad Brown. TJCIS PPS 3rd-MTH, $47K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1mT, 1:50 p.m. ET. Another Brown trainee is unveiled in Forward Deployed (War Front). An $800,000 buy for Sean Flanagan at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale, the filly is a half-sister to MGSP Classic Fit (Bernardini) and her second dam produced late sire Scat Daddy (Johannesburg). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday’s Racing Insights: ‘Unique’ Group Of Firsters Shine At The Seaside Oval appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, France–John Stewart has made more of a splash in a year trading in bloodstock than most people will in an entire lifetime and the effervescent character behind the ever-expanding Resolute Racing sent more ripples through the industry by snapping up the €1.4 million Wootton Bassett (GB) top lot on day one of the August Yearling Sale at Arqana. Irishman Gavin O'Connor has been representing Resolute Racing at Arqana this week while Stewart tuned in from his base in America. Bred by David and Diane Nagle at Barronstown Stud, the colt was consigned by Haras d'Etreham. Coolmore filled the role as underbidder. Stewart, who had been placing his bids online, says he felt he got value when you compare the results to that of the recent yearling sales at Fasig-Tipton in America. He explained, “My plans are to bring these [European] horses back to America. I will break them over there, probably in the UK, and they will get their introductory training over there. We think that's the best way to do it. As you know, we mainly focus on turf with our programme because we're doing stuff internationally. “I'm a little surprised, when you compare the Saratoga sale and the Keeneland Book 1, the pedigrees are good, but they're not as standout. This one jumped off the page. Under the first dam, there is already a full-brother who has already done well, and he's the perfect kind of colt for our programme.” Stewart has signed for millions of dollars worth of bloodstock in his short time in the industry. However, Friday's acquisition represented his first foray into buying yearlings at the August Sale at Arqana. He continued, “Arqana was nice enough to fly Gavin [O'Connor] over and they gave him a free trip. We're going to be very selective on yearlings going forward on the purchases I make. I have 35-now 36 going on next year-and it's going to be really hard with Keeneland Book 1 coming up, because the book is a stunner. “He was the perfect specimen. Gavin is looking at conformation, and the physical attributes of the horse. Chelsea [Stone] is as well, here at home, watching the videos, and then Chelsea and I are doing the pedigrees here.” After an admittedly sluggish start, trade did pick up as the session progressed and, of the 133 offered, 96 were sold at a clearance rate of 72%. With some of the best stock still expected to go through the ring over the coming days, it's best not to draw too many comparisons or conclusions, but that clearance rate represented a near 12% drop on the corresponding day's trade last year. The average was down nearly 2% to €226,167 while the aggregate dipped almost 5% to €21,712,000. Yahagi Lands Frankel Filly For €800k Leading Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who sourced Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe contender Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) at this sale in 2022, stated his intent on the eve of the sale when revealing that his main aim coming to Deauville was to find a similarly high-class prospect. Yahagi didn't waste much time in getting in on the action and provided some of the early excitement when signing for a daughter of Frankel (GB) from Haras des Capucines for €800,000. Yahagi said, “I think she's an elegant type of filly, she's faultless,” said Yahagi. “We haven't seen a top, top colt here yet but the standard of yearlings is very good, especially the quality of fillies here.” Offered as Lot 28, the filly out of Waldjagd (GB) (Observatory) is a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Waldbiene (Fr) (Intello (Ger}) and Listed winner Urwald (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) and was bred by Ecurie Calarec. The yearling's two-year-old half-brother Misunderstood (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) was the recent winner of the Prix de Crevecoeur on debut at Deauville. The further family also includes the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Waldgeist (GB) and G1 St Leger winner Masked Marvel (Ire). Talking Points Stewart wasn't the only American buyer in action at Arqana with Mike Repole's buying team sourcing three yearlings-by Wootton Bassett, Mehmas and Lope De Vega–for €690,000. The general consensus among buyers is that the best is still to come with regards to the representation of the first-season sires at this sale, but certainly Victor Ludorum (GB) has got off to a solid start. His three lots sold during the opening session achieved an aggregate sum of €385,000 at an average of €128,333, all from a fee of €15,000 in his first season at Haras du Logis. He will stand at Haras d'Etreham from 2025. It should also be noted that Lucky Vega (Ire) enjoyed a similarly promising start. From just one yearling representative, the Irish National Stud-based stallion enjoyed a €120,000 sale when Karl Burke bought the colt from Baroda Stud. Rumour has it that Jamie Railton's offering by the sire, lot 321, is going down well and should rock into similar money on Sunday. Frankel might be in danger of losing his crown as champion sire in Britain and Ireland this year, but he was recently represented by his 100th group winner and his offspring continue to sweep all before them when it comes to the action in the sales ring. His four lots to sell made a total of €1,860,000 at an average of €465,000, with the filly sold to Yahagi being joined by the likes of Lot 106, a filly out of a half-sister to the Oaks winner Talent (GB) (New Approach), from the Monceaux draft, who went the way of Sackville Donald for €360,000. Dominant National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins is not a man that you'd expect to see signing for yearlings at one of the premier sales but never underestimate the depth of the recruitment drive at Closutton. Through his long-time and trusted agent Pierre Boulard, Mullins bought yearlings by Zarak [a colt for €140,000] and Galiway [a filly for €100,000]. Indeed, Mullins has had plenty of success with the progeny of both sires, with Galway Hurdle winner Zarak The Brave (Fr) and Vauban (Fr) springing to mind. Night Of Thunder Colt Sparks Bidding War Night Of Thunder set pulses racing late in the afternoon when consecutive lots by the Darley stallion sold for a cumulative total of €1,630,000. Richard Knight, standing beside trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy, was the successful bidder on the first of them, Lot 120, a filly consigned by Baroda Stud out of the Listed-winning Encapsulation (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) who reached €780,000. Attempts to get a comment from Knight were cut short when he announced his intention to follow up on the next lot through the ring, a colt out of Ecurie des Monceaux's exciting young mare Enchanting Skies (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The mare's first foal was 'TDN Rising Star' Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), last year's champion two-year-old colt in France and only recently third in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, while her second foal, the Siyouni (Fr) filly Lhakpa (Ire), is hitherto unbeaten in two starts. After a protracted bidding war with Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock, Knight was left with no option but to accept defeat in his attempt to secure a quickfire double on the afternoon, with the gavel eventually coming down at €850,000 in favour of Wathnan Racing–mistakenly according to Brown who refused to be drawn on the identity of his client. “I can't tell you that he's for Wathnan–it was knocked down to Blandford Bloodstock,” he said. “I can't actually say who he's for, but we were delighted to get him. He'll go back to England and Malcolm Bastard will break him. We'll decide [on plans] after that.” Brown added of the battle with Knight, “That was absolutely lights out–it was our last bid, so it was a very close-run thing. We had a very short list for today and he was the colt that we wanted. “I'm a huge fan of Night Of Thunder and the mare is really doing it. Beauvatier was obviously a top-class two-year-old and he's trained on, while the sister looks like she could be pretty smart. I've been told that she's going straight for the Prix Marcel Boussac.” St Lawrence Strikes For Half-Sister To Rashabar It could be quite the week for Haras de Beaufay and their Camelot (GB) mare Amazonka (Ire). This time last year her first foal sold for €120,000 to Sam Sangster Bloodstock and was later named Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), the winner of the G2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and likely to be among the favourites when he returns to Deauville this weekend for the G1 Prix Morny. Victory there would cement Amazonka's status as a top-class producer, but already there seems to be little doubt given how competitive the bidding was when her second foal, a filly by Acclamation (GB), went through the ring as Lot 52. Oliver St Lawrence eventually struck the winning bid at €600,000, acting on behalf of Bahraini buyers who will now be hoping for the ultimate pedigree update on Sunday. “She's a lovely filly and I've been a big fan of Acclamation for ages,” said St Lawrence. “She was a gorgeous filly and, as Brian Meehan just said to me, hopefully we'll be a half-sister to a Group 1 winner after Sunday. “She's been bought for Fawzi Nass and the team. We haven't worked it out, but she'll probably stay in France I should think. She's a filly that can hopefully go to the paddocks. We definitely paid top dollar for her, but she was a queen of a filly.” Fast becoming the queen of the paddocks at Beaufay, Amazonka never made it to the track herself but has three siblings who earned black type, including the G3 Bronte Cup winner River Of Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and the German Listed scorer Apadanah (Ger) by the same sire as Rashabar. Al Shira'aa On The Board With Wootton Bassett Daughter Of Channel Powerful owner-breeder Al Shira'aa Farms has had plenty of success buying at this sale-French 1,000 Guineas third Vespertilio (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) was sourced here–and, while the outfit had to fill the role as underbidder on the half-sister to Rashabar, came up trumps with a Wootton Bassett filly out of Prix de Diane winner Channel (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}). Al Shira'aa's Kieran Lalor said, “Wootton Bassett is a sire that we love. We breed to him, so it makes sense for us to go after these fillies. Channel was obviously a Classic winner, so she suits our programme. We sent the boss a video and she loved her. We tried on the Frankel earlier, and the Acclamation filly. That didn't work out, so we're delighted to have this filly on board.” He added, “She'll go home now to the farm in Ireland. They get turned out there for a couple of months before we decide what we're going to do with them. We're very excited to have her. It's a great family and Nathaniel, the broodmare sire, we're big fans of as well. We use him a lot ourselves. “It's a Wootton Bassett over Galileo kind of cross which has already had success. She's a beautiful filly and she deserved that price. The market is demanding that price for this kind of filly. We'd love to see her as a Classic type. And with the Nathaniel there, you'd hope she could get to a-mile-and-a-quarter or a-mile-and-a-half.” Cool Profit For Sundstrom As Al Shaqab Go To €500k For Blue Point Filly Al Shaqab were one of the major buyers on day one, with the team signing for three speedily-bred yearlings to the tune of €980,0000, headed by the Coulonces-consigned Blue Point filly at €500,000. The leading owner-breeders had already secured a Havana Grey colt for €120,000 and a Starspangledbanner filly for €360,000 earlier in the day. Speaking on the Blue Point filly, Al Shaqab's Benoit Jeffroy said, “All of the team really liked this filly because she is a great mover–very athletic with a big step. Obviously she is by an up-and-coming and very exciting young stallion in Blue Point. It's a good pedigree and Dansili is a very good broodmare sire. Big congratulations to the consignors because it was a very good pinhook!” Anna Sundstrom's Coulonces outfit has a habit of coming up with the goods in France. The Blue Point filly represented another outstanding piece of pinhooking given that she was bought alongside Philip Zwicky for €150,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale. While Al Shaqab will doubtless have much to look forward to next year with its day-one acquisitions, there is plenty of excitement building towards the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe given Al Shaqab and Ballylinch Stud jointly snapped up a majority share in the warm favourite and French Derby winner Look De Vega. Jeffroy concluded, “It's very exciting. It was a privilege to be able to buy into a Prix du Jockey Club winner who is favourite for the Arc right now. We are really happy and we hope he is going to run in September in the Prix Niel. Then we'll be going for the Arc and hopefully we can win it.” The post Stewart Makes A Major Splash At Arqana With €1.4 Million Wootton Bassett Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–A long-term plan and a recent decision brought California-based, Indiana-prepped Chatalas (Gun Runner) the rest of the way across the continent to run in the GI $600,000 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Feeling that she is better on dirt, her owners and trainer Mark Glatt decided last winter to avoid grass racing and point her to 3-year-old filly stakes in the Midwest and East. In her first start in seven months, Chatalas won the GIII Indiana Oaks by a head on July 6. Four weeks later, when trainer Kenny McPeek announced on Aug. 3 that three-time GI winner Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) would face males in the GI Travers on Aug. 24 rather than the Alabama, Chatalas was Saratoga-bound. A field of eight will contest the 1 1/4 miles of the historic Alabama, which was first run in 1872. From the rail out: Intricate (Gun Runner), the only horse to beat Thorpedo Anna, in the GII Golden Rod ; Chatalas, Power Squeeze (Union Rags),winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks and the Delaware Oaks; Iowa Oaks winner Just Basking (Arrogate), who is making her graded stakes debut; America's Vow (Constitution); two from trainer Todd Pletcher, Miss Justify (Justify) and GI Alcibiades Stakes winner Candied (Candy Ride); and Neon Icon (Arrogate), trained by Rusty Arnold. Candied, who drew the rail in her last four starts, will start from No. 7 under Manny Franco and is the 7-5 morning-line favorite. The Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners's filly was second by 4 1/2 lengths to Thorpedo Anna in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks. “She's probably the most accomplished one in the race,” Pletcher said. “I thought she ran well last time, the second-best to Thorpedo Anna, but no disgrace in that. Hopefully she's going to move forward in the Alabama” Trainer Mark Glatt | Benoit Glatt said Chatalas's connections agreed that they should try to play to her strength on dirt. “In Southern California in the summer the 3-year-old filly and colt division actually is centered around turf,” Glatt said. “We ran her on the turf, our final start of her 2-year-old campaign, just to see how she might run on the turf, realizing that the better races for 3-year-olds were going to be on turf this summer. Although she ran well, we didn't think she was quite as effective on turf. She's got natural route speed, but she's kind of a stayer. She didn't show an explosion.” Chatalas was caught near the wire by Medoro (Honor Code), now a GIII winner, and finished second by a neck in that turf test, the Blue Norther Stakes, on Dec. 29 at Santa Anita. It was her sixth start of the season, during which she was 2-1-1 and won the GII Chandelier Stakes. “We felt it was the right time to give her some time,” Glatt said, “let her kind of regroup from that pretty solid campaign as a 2-year-old, otherwise we wouldn't have much come this summer and fall. As she was getting ready, we could tell she was training even better than she did as a 2-year-old. We just felt like trying to see where she fit back there in some of those races initially could help us manage her the rest of the year.” Glatt sent Chatalas to Kentucky to his friend, trainer Grant Forster, at Churchill Downs and nominated her to the Indiana Oaks, the Delaware Oaks and the Iowa Oaks, which were all scheduled for the same weekend. They opted for the Indiana Oaks because it was an easier ship from Louisville. She stayed in Kentucky with Forster, who will saddle her in the Alabama for Glatt. Dan J. Agnew, a member of the Washington Racing Hall of Fame since 2007, bred Chatalas and is her majority owner with Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners and William Chatalas. She is out of Indian Safari (Indian Charlie), who suffered a career-ending injury in a stall accident after winning her debut in 2014 and became a broodmare. Agnew said his wife, Kim, suggested that they name the filly after their neighbor, the late Susan Chatalas. Following her debut victory at Del Mar last summer, Chatalas's husband, William, became a partner in the horse. “He went to the maiden race,” Agnew said.” He used to work at the racetrack 70 years ago so he knew a little bit about it and said 'Gee, I'd like to buy a part of this horse. Will you sell me part?' I said, 'Absolutely.' For a guy like him, who has lost his wife, this filly has given him a little bit of renewal. He gets pretty excited. Something to live for. He's been down to watch her train. He's got a couple of boys who have come to the races to watch her run. He's a wonderful friend, a wonderful guy and a great owner.” Agnew and Chatalas are scheduled to attend the Alabama. Like Just Basking, her breeders-owners, Wendy Schwarz Gilder and her brother Andrew Schwarz, are in their first graded stakes. They operate as Gilder-Schwarz Farms LLC. While growing up in New Orleans, they came to love horses and racing at Fair Grounds. In 2017, under the guidance of Pope McLean at Crestwood Farm, they embarked on their longtime plan to get into the breeding business. Schwarz is in the real estate development business and said he is comfortable with the time it takes–from conception to the sale or racing–in breeding Thoroughbreds. The gem of their band of four broodmares is Spanish Star (Blame), the dam of Just Basking. Spanish Star is a half-sister to 2019 GI Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston (Awesome Again). They bought her in foal to Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) for $275,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale. Spanish Star (Hip 1149) | Keeneland “When you look at Spanish Star, physically, the hips, everything, she's structurally perfect,” Schwarz, 58, said. “We're not the only one who saw that that day because we had to bid for her, but it was our strategy. Can't buy a horse that won the Alabama so we were going for horses on physical and that's what we bought. We paid more than we thought, but physically, you don't see horses like that that often. She never raced, so we thought she was a horse we could afford. It turned out we were right. And how lucky do we get being an Arrogate?” At the 2016 Travers, his first stakes try, Juddmonte's Arrogate turned in a jaw-dropping performance, winning the race by 13 1/2 lengths in the track-record time for 1 1/4 miles of 1:59.36. He went on to win the GI Breeders' Cup Classic and the Eclipse Award as the 3-year-old male champion. Arrogate was retired to stud at Juddmonte in 2017 where he stood for three years before he had to be euthanized. Just Basking is from his final crop. Spanish Star had two foals before being purchased by Gilder-Schwarz. The 2019 now-gelded colt One Timer (Trappe Shot) won the GII Franklin-Simpson at Kentucky Downs and has earned $914,135. The 2020 colt has not raced. Gilder-Schwarz has a business model of selling its colts and possibly retain promising fillies to race. They sold the 2022 filly Kilwin (Twirling Candy) for $225,000. She broke her maiden at first asking in July. Spanish Star's Essential Quality (Tapit) colt is being offered at Keeneland September and they have a Flightline (Tapit) colt on the ground. Schwarz said he may have trouble convincing his sister to sell the Flightline. Schwarz said he and his sister waited until they were in a place in their lives where they could try to breed at a proper level. “I want to breed graded stakes-quality horses and have a lot of fun with my family,” he said. “My big, audacious goal is to someday have a horse in the Alabama. I swear to God, I swear to God I said that.” Just Basking–the name Basking was not available–the second flat horse to run in the stable name, has brought Gilder-Schwarz to the Alabama. She was being prepared to run as a 2-year-old, but got loose at the training center and came out of that jaunt with injuries. Just Basking made her first start for veteran trainer Ian Wilkes with a second over 6 1/2 furlongs at Turfway Park on March 13. She was a closer second at 1 1/16 miles on April 7 at Keeneland and broke her maiden by 7 3/4 lengths at the Alabama's 10-furlong distance against older horses on April 27 at Churchill Downs. Following a fifth in a 1 1/8 miles optional claimer she won the listed Iowa Oaks by 4 3/4 lengths. Schwarz said they would have taken a shot in the Alabama with Thorpedo Anna in the field. “Certainly, that would have been a challenge, but we were going to run against whoever showed up,” he said. “At a mile and a quarter with an Arrogate, you've always got a chance. If you could pick a distance, that's where we would want to send JB. That's her distance, so you've got a puncher's chance, even if I thought Thorpedo Anna was in it. Also, as a breeder, getting some black type, regardless. “Now we think we have a big chance. I don't know if we could get to the wire first, but I know we'll be running probably the fastest with whoever hits the wire first. Hopefully we'll get there in time.” The post Seeking The Dirt, Chatalas Hit The Road For The GI Alabama appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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Wyoming Downs experienced record-setting business in its first Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet under the new ownership of ECL Entertainment and Clairvest Group.View the full article

Out On Bail (c, 2, Tiz the Law–Judge Lee, by Street Cry {Ire}) became the first stakes winner for his freshman sire (by Constitution) by delivering a hard-fought win in Friday's $150,000 Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga. Favored at 3-2 while facing only three rivals, the gray was always traveling nicely while racing in an outside second as Jet Sweep Joe (Frosted) showed the way. The two raced shoulder to shoulder down the stretch, and, after exchanging bumps close to home, Out On Bail got up to win by a head. The result stood following a stewards' inquiry and an objection by the rider of the runner-up alleging interference against Out On Bail. “I just rolled my eyes,” winning trainer Mike Maker said. “You can watch the head-on and see the one horse [No. 1, Jet Sweep Joe] just kept carrying and carrying us. It was kind of puzzling, but it's not the first time I've been puzzled.” On a potential next start in the six-furlong GIII Futurity Oct. 4 at Belmont at the Big A, a 'Win and You're In' for the five-furlong GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in November at Del Mar, Maker added, “The Futurity makes sense.” Judge Lee produced a full brother to the winner in 2023. She was bred to Americanrevolution for 2025. SKIDMORE S., $139,500, Saratoga, 8-16, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:05.00, gd. 1–OUT ON BAIL, 122, c, 2, by Tiz the Law 1st Dam: Judge Lee, by Street Cry (Ire) 2nd Dam: Miss Prado, by El Prado (Ire) 3rd Dam: Northern Swava, by Northern Baby ($40,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG; $110,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Chambers, Case, Paradise Farms Corp. & Staudacher, David; B-Matthew Nestor (NY); T-Michael J. Maker; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-1, $156,000. *First stakes winner for freshman sire (by Constitution). 2–Jet Sweep Joe, 122, c, 2, Frosted–Sister Blues, by Pioneerof the Nile. O-Hall Stables, LLC; B-Hall Stables LLC (KY); T-Paul McEntee. $30,000. 3–Spiralizer, 122, c, 2, Twirling Candy–Jotown, by Speightstown. ($250,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $550,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Wathnan Racing; B-Bridlewood Farm (FL); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $18,000. Margins: HD, 9HF, 3 3/4. Odds: 1.55, 2.15, 2.35. Also Ran: Classic Time. Scratched: Governor Sam, Raise the Bar, Soontobeking. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Down to the wire! OUT ON BAIL, the 2YO son of @coolmoreamerica stallion Tiz the Law, clinches the Skidmore Stakes in a thrilling photo finish with @jose93_ortiz up for trainer Mike Maker. pic.twitter.com/pl128KVqcJ — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 16, 2024 The post Out On Bail Survives Inquiry to Become First Stakes Winner for Tiz the Law appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article