Wandering Eyes

Mahrajaan will line up at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray scooped the major Cups last season with Mahrajaan, and with the ultimate two-mile contest now on their radar, he will appear for the first time this season at Ruakaka on Saturday. After being purchased out of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale in 2022, Mahrajaan more than proved himself on Kiwi soil last season, winning both the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m). His Cambridge trainers opted to contest the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) after his phenomenal form over the distance, but a long and successful season was telling as he finished back in the field. After a well-deserved holiday, Ritchie and Murray have their sights set on another Australian mission with the son of Kitten’s Joy, this time the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November. The long road to the Cup will commence at Ruakaka, where Mahrajaan has enjoyed a week preparing on the sunny beaches in the north. “He loves getting out on the beach, he’s got Nereus as his sidekick this time around,” Ritchie said. “He does take all of the two miles to get to his best as he’s proven in the past, in fact I think his form is duck-egg, win, duck-egg, duck-egg, win. “So, he’s unlikely to be competitive on Saturday and he’s still got half of his winter coat, which I think is a bit of an English thing with the cold winters up there. Hopefully with the sun on his back up here and a run on Saturday will bring that through. “He’s on a Melbourne Cup campaign and we’re not expecting him to get to his best until he gets to a mile-and-a-half at least, so he’ll get back and run on. If he can pick up a couple that would be nice, but if he follows them around so be it.” Mahrajaan’s classy stablemate Nereus will kick-off his campaign in the race, after a rapid rise through the grades in the second-half of last season. Nereus won four races including the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) and placed in the Remutaka Classic (2100m), with his campaign culminating in a creditable sixth in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) in Victoria. Ritchie said the son of Savabeel would also use the race as a springboard onto further distance targets, but his class places him in the mix at sprint range. “Nereus has got a nice enough turn of foot, he’s a sharp enough horse to be competitive first-up as a stayer but obviously his targets are not this Saturday either,” he said. “Neither of them have had trials so they aren’t tuned up for this race, but they did have an exhibition gallop at Cambridge last week. “I expect them both to hit the line strongly, then we’ll look for some further distances.” Bred and raced by Waikato Stud, Nereus has been nominated for both the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Group 1 Livamol Classic (2050m) during the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, while a trip across the Tasman is also up for discussion. “It sounds like a good lunch over a few red wines with Mark Chittick (owner) to sort out where he may go, but last time we spoke, Melbourne was certainly on the cards,” Ritchie said. “We thought we would see how he performed in his first couple of runs back in, he’ll advance from a 1400m to a mile and then a run over ground. “He’s in a position where we can probably avoid those Group Ones and stay in handicaps, he’s carried 59 and 60 kilos to success at Trentham last year so the weight, despite the fact he’s not the biggest horse, doesn’t seem to bother him. “If we can work his rating up a little bit, we may have a crack at Melbourne.” Horse racing news View the full article

Gentian Blue will contest the Vale Catherine Rae (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Cambridge trainer Maxim van Lierde dreamed of campaigning a horse in Melbourne when he spent time at Lindsay Park last year, and now that has turned into a reality. “Last year I took a horse called Henry Robin over to Lindsay Park and I spent over two weeks with them,” van Lierde said. “I got on quite well with Will (Hayes, co-trainer) especially because I did quite a lot of track work with him. We have become good friends over the last year and the knowledge that they have got is second to none. He is very giving with his advice and knowledge, which has helped us immensely.” With victory at Ellerslie on Derby Day in March and a fifth placing in the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1400m) at Trentham a fortnight later, Gentian Blue identified herself as a possible candidate to campaign in Melbourne, and that fate was sealed with a pleasing first-up placing over 1400m at Ruakaka in June. The six-year-old mare travelled to Melbourne earlier this month where she beat just the one runner home in her Australian debut over 1620m at Flemington, but van Lierde said she can be forgiven for that run. “It didn’t look very good to the eye but she was five weeks between runs and she had a bit of a virus when she got there,” van Lierde said. “We were on the back foot a little bit, but she has come on immensely from the run.” Van Lierde’s wife, Samantha, is currently across the Tasman with their two-win mare, who is set to line up at Caulfield on Saturday in the Vale Catherine Rae (1400m) where she will jump from barrier six with good friend Daniel Stackhouse aboard. “Dan Stackhouse is a good friend of my wife, Sam, they grew up riding ponies together. It is a bit of a full-circle moment having him ride a horse for us,” van Lierde said. “We probably rode her a little outside her comfort zone last start with the hot speed in the race, so we are just going to let her find her feet and hit the line. We are back in trip with the blinkers on, so we are expecting a much better performance.” Initially set to be a two-run campaign, van Lierde said they may extend that on the advice of their Australian host. “The initial plan was to head home after this run, but talking with Will he said the time we had with the virus, she is essentially only second-up on Saturday, so he thinks she will peak third-up over there,” van Lierde said. “We might as well look at one more run, but we will just see how she comes through Saturday.” Van Lierde said they have enjoyed their Australian experience, and he is hoping they can find another horse that is capable of testing their talent in the competitive racing jurisdiction. “If we have got a horse that measures up, we will go over there and chase some prizemoney,” he said. Horse racing news View the full article

Full Force will contest the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Cambridge trainer Hollie Wynyard will attempt to turn the clock back 10 years on Saturday to maintain her perfect record at New Zealand’s most northern circuit. Her hopes will rest with Full Force, who has enjoyed a trouble free preparation ahead of his return to racing at Ruakaka in the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). “It’s a nice race for him and I’ve only ever had one runner at Ruakaka before and that was Vespa and he won,” Wynyard said. She formerly operated in partnership with Johno Benner, who decided to take an indefinite break from training at the end of last season. Full Force will be her first runner in her own right and the son of Cosmic Force measured up favourably against the best of his age group last season. He won once from six appearances and collected three minor placings, including a third in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). “He had a good spell after his two-year-old season and he’s grown a lot and developed,” Wynyard said. “He’s a lot more mature now so I’m looking forward to his three-year-old season. “We’ll just take it one step at a time and there’s plenty of races for him, we’ll kick off on Saturday and then see where we go.” Full Force emphasised his readiness to return when he placed last week in a 900m heat at Te Rapa in the hands of Ryan Elliot, who will be aboard again. “He trialled brilliantly and didn’t have the blinkers on, he’ll have them back on for race day and probably needs them,” Wynyard said. “He just cruised around and had a good blow out. He recovered really well and he’s improved with the trial. “I expect him to go pretty well, he’s fresh-up but he is forward enough.” Previously based at Otaki, Wynyard moved north to Cambridge to establish her solo career. “I’m training out of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young’s old barn behind the pool,” she said. “It’s a good set-up with 20 boxes and they’re pretty much full, I’ve got really good owners, nice horses and great staff so I couldn’t ask for any more.” Among the proven members of the stable back in work are multiple winners Pride Of Aspen and Colorado Silver while two-year-old Toretto is shaping promisingly ahead of his debut. “Pride Of Aspen had a good spell and we’re bringing her up quietly,” Wynyard said. “Colorado Silver had a long break and she’s a talented horse, she’s always been a bit weak and needed time. “Toretto trialled at Te Rapa and hopefully he’ll run at Wanganui, I really like him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Drifting winning the 2024 Magic Night Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW Blake Shinn is feeling confident about his upcoming ride on Drifting in Saturday’s Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield after a recent jump-out at Flemington. The Peter Snowden-trained filly, who won the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) in the autumn, will be making her first appearance of the season from barrier three. “She’s a really lovely filly, this girl,” Shinn told Racing.com. “I jumped her out last Friday, and I was very impressed by the feel she gave me. Physically, she’s a really solid three-year-old, and mentally, she’s really there. She’s got great gate speed, tactically she’s brilliant. “I expect her to put herself in a great position from a good draw. This is a great line-up of fillies, but I think she’s a very talented horse.” Horse racing news View the full article

Godolphin trainer James Cummings. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Tarpaulin, the promising colt by Harry Angel, will remain in Sydney for Saturday’s Listed Rosebud (1100m) instead of travelling to Melbourne for the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m). Trainer James Cummings explained that the decision to withdraw the Godolphin three-year-old from the Caulfield race was made with the horse’s long-term prospects in mind. While Tarpaulin appeared well-suited for the Melbourne race, Cummings opted for Rosehill, where the colt will carry 55 kilograms under the Quality Handicap conditions. “He is quite nicely weighted in the handicaps as a horse on the way through, rather than the set weights and penalties in Melbourne,” Cummings said. Cummings further emphasised the importance of managing the horse’s workload. “It’s probably just as important to keep the horse held together and not travelling too much in case he gets further along in the spring for races like the Danehill (Stakes), which is maybe seven weeks later, or even a Coolmore. “It’s a long spring ahead but there is a chance that if I’m very pleased with him this weekend, I’ve got some time to freshen him up and leave something in the tank for later.” Tarpaulin, out of the Lonhro mare Shelters, closed his two-year-old season with consecutive wins on heavy tracks. He is also a half-brother to Godolphin’s Group 2-winning sprinter, Aft Cabin. Horse racing news View the full article

Amber Riddell may be following her parents’ footsteps into racing, but the newly licensed apprentice jockey is keen to plot her on path in the industry she loves. The daughter of Group One-winning jockey Jonathan Riddell and former jockey and trainer Trina Riddell was always destined for a career in the saddle, however, she was keen to get some qualifications under her belt before she pursued that vocation. The 22-year-old has spent the last few years attending Waikato University but kept her passion for racing alive by competing as an amateur jockey, recording four wins in the last two seasons. Riddell received plenty of support from Central Districts trainers during her time as an amateur, particularly from Wanganui horsewoman Jo Rathbone. “I won four races as an amateur and three of those were for Jo,” Riddell said. “My first win was aboard Quota and I also rode Billy Boy to two wins. “Winning the amateur race at Riccarton (on Bad Flamingo for local trainer Andrew Carston) last year during Grand National week was also really special.” Riddell enjoyed competing as an amateur and said it helps lay a great foundation for young riders. “I don’t think I would have got to where I am without it,” she said. “It has definitely helped, especially on my first raceday as an apprentice, I wasn’t that nervous because I had already ridden on raceday as an amateur. It has been really good to help me transition.” After completing her university degree a couple of months ago, Riddell thought it was the right time to fully commit to racing and give a career as a jockey a go. With the support she received from the Central Districts during her time as an amateur, Riddell felt it was the perfect region to kick-off her riding career in the professional ranks, and she has made the move to Wanganui where she is apprenticed to renowned trainer Kevin Myers. “I would come to ride at the trials down here and I would get a lot of opportunities from a lot of the trainers, so it was an easy decision to come to the Central Districts,” Riddell said. “I have always known the Myers family and earlier this year I went to the Castlepoint Beach races where I rode for them. Kevin is so supportive of all the apprentices he has had, they have all had great opportunities, so I thought it would be a great place to go. “I am really grateful to the Myers family for taking me on as an apprentice. In the short time that I have been here, my riding has improved so much, and every day I learn something new. “They have taken me on like I am a family member, it is really nice to be here and Kevin has given me a lot of opportunities.” Riddell said helping out at Myers’ dairy farm has also added another dimension to her work life. “I am loving learning about farming in general,” she said. “I haven’t done much in the past, so every day I am learning something new. I just learnt to milk the other day, which was fun.” Riddell is pleased she elected to head to university prior to commencing her apprenticeship and said her sport science degree could lead into a career path post her riding career. “I did a human performance science degree at Waikato University and that has really helped with the nutrition and sport side of being a jockey,” she said. “It is a good thing to have as a back-up because you never know what could happen. Maybe after I have retired from riding it could help with a career in helping other jockeys.” Riddell has already had 10 rides as an apprentice this season and said she has leaned on the experience of both of her parents in the last month. “I just go to him (Jonathan Riddell) if I need any advice, he has been really helpful,” Riddell said. “My mum has also given me a lot of advice and she was there on my first raceday as an apprentice. It was good to have her there. “I am very lucky to have my parents in racing.” Riddell has yet to ride home her first winner as an apprentice but could change that at New Plymouth on Saturday where she has three rides, including last start stakes winner Islington Lass for local trainer Allan Sharrock in the New Plymouth Building Supplies 1400. “I am really excited to ride Islington Lass, I think she will be a good chance,” she said. Riddell will also compete against her father in the James Hardie 1400, where she will ride Ocean Road, while Riddell senior will partner topweight Bruno. “I am really competitive, and so is he, so it will be fun racing against him,” she said. “I’d love to try and beat him in a close finish.” Riddell is pinching herself that she is getting paid to ride, a dream that was developed when she first rode track work as a high school student. “I used to get up every morning before school to go and ride track work in Cambridge for Lauren Brennan,” she said. “I love horses and I love riding, so I am glad I can turn that into a career.” View the full article

John Bell came close to picking up a lucrative prize during the week at the Cambridge Synthetic, and he will now switch his focus over the fences on Sunday with rising jumping star Helena Baby (NZ) (Guillotine). Spanish Lad (NZ) (Shocking) represented the local horseman in the Richard Bright Memorial (1500m) on Wednesday after two comfortable victories on the surface at his last two appearances. Among a tidy line-up of seasoned gallopers, the son of Shocking held his own, flying late into second behind the well-performed Monza (NZ) (Rios). Bell was pleased with the gelding having just his seventh start, with plenty to look forward to as the turf tracks begin to improve through the spring. “We got a bit trapped coming down the back behind a wall of horses and pushed wide, but he’s run home beautifully, and it was a nice field,” he said. “He’s proving that he’s got some ability and a stride or two over the line he was in front. “I’m looking forward to the better tracks through the spring and summer months because he’s proved that he can’t handle the wet tracks.” Further down the road at Rotorua, Bell’s quartet of representatives is headed by Helena Baby in the Team Wealleans Hurdle (3000m), having transitioned seamlessly into his jumping role after being a multiple-stakes winner on the flat. A pair of wins at Te Aroha in maiden and open company has set the son of Guillotine on a path towards the Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) in September, however, navigating a path to the feature is proving difficult for Bell. “He’s an athlete, but it’s been difficult with the changing of venues being available to set him for a race,” he said. “With the likes of him, Ata Rangi and Denzel, they’ve been racing on the flat to get them in some sort of shape for their mission on Sunday. “After Sunday, I’m not quite sure where we will go with Te Aroha being out, but they hopefully are fit enough to do well.” Ata Rangi commenced his career over fences with a creditable run in behind two classy types in Dictation and Semper Magico at Hastings, and lines up among the key hopes in the Seeka Limited Hurdle (3000m). “He’s a courageous horse, he’s never afraid of anything and he does from time to time attack his fences,” Bell said. “We don’t have any problems with our horses jumping, it’s just getting them to the fences correctly which they’ve been taught over a number of years. Hopefully that can come together on Sunday for him.” Stablemate Denzel will be on jumping debut in the other maiden event, the Rotorua & BOP Life Members Hurdle (3000m), with jockey Nick Downs a key figure in the development of the Redwood gelding. “He’s a stunning looking animal with a pedigree to stay, hopefully it won’t be too wet for him, but he jumps nicely,” Bell said. “We’ve put a lot of time and effort into him, Nick Downs and my team at home have done a tremendous job with these jobs and put a lot of time and effort into all of them. “Nick’s been a great help and he’s riding all four of ours.” With solid efforts over hurdles to his credit, Curious George will try his hand over the bigger fences in the K.T Myers Racing Stables Steeplechase (3500m), with the potential for a heavy track the only query. “Unfortunately, he didn’t handle the wet track and was pulled up at Te Rapa last time, so he’s over the steeples where they may just go that little bit slower,” Bell said. “He’s more of a firm track horse than the other three.” View the full article

Talented three-year-old I’m All In (NZ) (Zoustar) will be tested in stakes company for the first time at Ruakaka on Saturday, lining up in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Prepared by Stephen Marsh at Cambridge, I’m All In has been successful in two of his five career starts, including most recently in a dead-heat with race-rival Chicago Jack (All Too Hard) at the course a fortnight ago. “We’ll take a dead heat, he didn’t jump from the gates well and it was a funnily run race,” Marsh said. “It was quite blustery and there were a few green, new horses, so he didn’t get much of a chance to get into a rhythm. “Even Sam (Spratt, jockey) said she had to push the button on him a bit early and they had a bit of rain overnight, so there were probably a few things against him. “It looks like we’re going to get a better track with more experienced horses in the field, I think that will help them a lot.” Marsh elected to leave the son of Zoustar in the north following his last-start efforts, enjoying a change of scenery near the beach at Ruakaka. “He’s already been to Ruakaka twice now, he was late scratched the time before, so we didn’t feel like he needed another trip,” he said. “It’s nice to have something new for him and he’s thrived.” With plenty of strong juvenile form amongst the line-up, Marsh is hopeful I’m All In can make a strong showing of himself in the feature. “If he’s on his game and has gone ahead a little bit, which we think he has, he has got to be very competitive,” he said. View the full article

Tony Dravitzki has only one nagging worry with Tobias (NZ) (Complacent) ahead of Saturday’s feature contest at New Plymouth. The Stratford trainer has his son of Complacent in prime order for the ITM New Plymouth Interprovincial (1600m), in which he will chase his fourth consecutive victory. “He’s in really good form and ready to go again, the only concern I have is that even with the four-kilo claim, he is still going to have to carry 57kg,” Dravitzki said. Tobias will be ridden by Elle Sole who partnered the gelding to a last-start victory at Hastings and three runs back over Saturday’s course and distance. Fellow apprentice Ciel Butler successfully guided Tobias in between times, also over 1600m at New Plymouth. “The weight is fair enough, he has earned it but it is still going to make it hard, that’s for real,” Dravitzki said. “We’ve had this race in mind for him for a while and he had two weeks off after his last win and it’s going to be 49 days since he last raced. “That’s not a concern though, he goes well when he’s kept on the fresh side.” Tobias is relatively lightly raced for a seven-year-old as the winner of six of his 24 career appearances. “One year, he was only two races into a campaign when he had a truck accident which put him out for eight or nine months,” Dravitzki said. “That was more the trainer’s fault than the horse, he got cast in my truck after the races at Waverley one day. “He got his front legs and belly over the partition and we had to sedate him to roll him off the truck, it was the only way we could get him off. “He is a very tough horse though and always has been.” With recent racing, Tobias has become easier to work with and evidenced by his golden run of form this preparation. “He can be quite excitable until he’s out on the track. He has settled down quite a bit lately, but he was hard work until this campaign,” he said. “I’m hopeful rather than confident and only because of the weight issue. “He has been racing out of his class and getting in on the minimum and I’ve been claiming on him, but we haven’t had any hiccups since he last raced.” Dravitzki co-bred the gelding with his brother John and brother-in-law Ian McCaul and they race the gelding with friend Noel George. The family has been involved in the industry around the Taranaki region for many years. “We’re related to Sandy and Brendon Dravitzki and Dennis Dravitzki, Claire’s another trainer who has a few in Stratford,” he said. “We’ve all got the racing blood in us and Sandy’s daughter Miranda was a jockey and rode a winner for me very early on in my training career.” View the full article

Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray scooped the major Cups last season with Mahrajaan (Kitten’s Joy), and with the ultimate two-mile contest now on their radar, he will appear for the first time this season at Ruakaka on Saturday. After being purchased out of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale in 2022, Mahrajaan more than proved himself on Kiwi soil last season, winning both the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m). His Cambridge trainers opted to contest the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) after his phenomenal form over the distance, but a long and successful season was telling as he finished back in the field. After a deserved holiday, Ritchie and Murray have their sights set on another Australian mission with the son of Kitten’s Joy, this time the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November. The long road to the Cup will commence in Saturday’s Cloudsoft Accounting and Tax Advisors (1400m) at Ruakaka, where Mahrajaan has enjoyed a week preparing on the sunny beaches in the north. “He loves getting out on the beach, he’s got Nereus as his sidekick this time around,” Ritchie said. “He does take all of the two miles to get to his best as he’s proven in the past, in fact I think his form is duck-egg, win, duck-egg, duck-egg, win. “So, he’s unlikely to be competitive on Saturday and he’s still got half of his winter coat, which I think is a bit of an English thing with the cold winters up there. Hopefully with the sun on his back up here and a run on Saturday will bring that through. “He’s on a Melbourne Cup campaign and we’re not expecting him to get to his best until he gets to a mile-and-a-half at least, so he’ll get back and run on. If he can pick up a couple that would be nice, but if he follows them around so be it.” Mahrajaan’s classy stablemate Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel) will kick-off his campaign in the race, after a rapid rise through the grades in the second-half of last season. Nereus won four races including the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) and placed in the Remutaka Classic (2100m), with his campaign culminating in a creditable sixth in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) in Victoria. Ritchie said the son of Savabeel would also use the race as a springboard onto further distance targets, but his class places him in the mix at sprint range. “Nereus has got a nice enough turn of foot, he’s a sharp enough horse to be competitive first-up as a stayer but obviously his targets are not this Saturday either,” he said. “Neither of them have had trials so they aren’t tuned up for this race, but they did have an exhibition gallop at Cambridge last week. “I expect them both to hit the line strongly, then we’ll look for some further distances.” Bred and raced by Waikato Stud, Nereus has been nominated for both the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2050m) during the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, while a trip across the Tasman is also up for discussion. “It sounds like a good lunch over a few red wines with Mark Chittick (owner) to sort out where he may go, but last time we spoke, Melbourne was certainly on the cards,” Ritchie said. “We thought we would see how he performed in his first couple of runs back in, he’ll advance from a 1400m to a mile and then a run over ground. “He’s in a position where we can probably avoid those Group Ones and stay in handicaps, he’s carried 59 and 60 kilos to success at Trentham last year so the weight, despite the fact he’s not the biggest horse, doesn’t seem to bother him. “If we can work his rating up a little bit, we may have a crack at Melbourne.” View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. –Though he was en route to Toronto Thursday, Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said he had a clear view of She's Got Will's (War of Will) one-length victory in the sixth race at Saratoga Race Course. Casse watched the 1 1/16th miles $100,000 maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies on his iPad on the Queen Elizabeth Way in southern Ontario about 30 miles from Niagara Falls. He was headed from Saratoga to Woodbine Racetrack for Saturday's $1-million King's Plate Stakes, where he will saddle Essex Serpent (Honor Code), Midnight Mascot (Army Mule) and My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince). On the Saratoga simulcast Casse saw She's Got Will come from a couple lengths off the pace under Dylan Davis in the stretch to collar Never Really Know (Ire) (No Nay Never) and win by one length. She's Got Will reached the wire in 1:44.69 and paid $24 as the 11-1 sixth choice in the field of 10 on the inner turf course. “I think, this is the third War of Will (War Front) that we've had win going long around two turns,” Casse said. “They seem to be a really nice bunch. Her race today was very professional. I was impressed. Had a nice trip. The War of Will winners that we've trained just love the two turns. Casse trained War of Will, the first-crop sire at Claiborne Farm, who won the 2019 GI Preakness Stakes and the 2020 GI Maker's Mark Mile Stakes. Gary Barber owns the filly bred by Nicholas Lotz, who sold for $160,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale. She's Got Will broke alertly from the fifth post position and settled into a stalking role along the inside. Never Really Know, co-owned by Casse's brother Justin and trained by his son Norman, led the way through fractions contested by Chelsey's Choice (American Pharoah) of :23.85, :48.79 and 1:13.60 over a surface rated as firm following a downpour. When Davis asked her and tipped her out, She's Got Will accelerated in the stretch, took the lead just inside the 16th pole and was home free. “It's funny, they don't have very good gate speed, normally,” Casse said. “She had a better gate speed today, simply because it was a route of ground, but they kind of have to catch up early.” She's Got Will continued Casse's strong run at Saratoga, delivering his 11 victory this season. She was his fifth winner in 2-year-old open maiden races at the Spa. “I'm really proud of her,” he said. “We brought her to Saratoga because we thought she had a lot of potential, and she proved us right today. That was nice.” Casse's other starter in the race, Wonderland (Medaglia d'Oro) rallied under Jose Ortiz and finished fourth, a head behind Dr. Glick (Constitution) “She was a victim of the post position. She was outside (#10),” Casse said. “She broke just OK, and then Jose elected to take her back and let her learn something and come with a run. Jose rides a lot of horses for us and he knows that I like our young horses to learn to run by horses. I thought both horses performed very well, and I'm excited for Wonderland, as well.” 6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-15, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:44.69, fm, 1 length. SHE'S GOT WILL (f, 2, War of Will–Ruffenuff {MSW, $208,314}, by Dialed In), given an 11-1 chance for this debut, settled in a hedge-hugging stalking position as Never Really Know (Ire) (No Nay Never) showed the way through a :23.85 quarter followed by a half in :48.79. Moved off the inside and asked for more straightening for home, the filly drove up between rivals in the stretch, caught the pacesetter late and forged clear to score by a length. She's Got Will is the sixth winner for her Freshman sire (by War Front). Sales history: $160,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Gary Barber; B-Nicholas M. Lotz (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. The post She’s Got Will Looked Like a Seasoned Pro in Spa Maiden Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Once the $1.25-million GI Travers Stakes is history, 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) will head back to running against fillies. Trainer Kenny McPeek said he has no plans on running his talented miss against the colts after the centerpiece of the summer meeting at the Spa. “No, no, no,” McPeek said outside of his barn at annex off the Oklahoma Training Track Thursday morning. “A 3-year-old filly against the colts in the Breeders' Cup Classic? Unless it fell apart.” The plan moving forward for Thorpedo Anna is for her to run in the $1-million GI Cotillion Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Parx Racing on Sept. 21 and then the $2-million GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar on Nov. 2. Thorpedo Anna has won six of seven career starts–all against fillies–by a combined 36 1/4 lengths. “If everything goes well, she is going to Parx,” McPeek said. Thorpedo Anna will have her final work before the Travers Saturday morning at 7 a.m. on the main track at Saratoga Race Course. It will be her first work on the main; all six of her breezes since coming to Saratoga have been on the Oklahoma Training Track. McPeek said she will work in company with Elko County (Gun Runner), a 3-year-old colt who is winless in eight career starts. “She needs something to run at and something to run down,” McPeek said. “She should handle him pretty easily.” Earlier this year, McPeek spilled of confidence before he sent Thorpedo Anna to the prestigious GI Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Before that race, which she won by 4 3/4 lengths, he used a line that displayed how sure he was that Thorpedo Anna would do what she did. He is bringing the same line out for the Travers. “I said they better bring a bear because I'm bringing a grizzly,” McPeek said, grinning. “She is as good as ever. We haven't seen her best and (jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr.) has not laid a whip on her. She has done everything easy, easy, easy and that is one of the reasons I am not afraid to do it. There is more horse there … how much more can she improve?” With just over a week left until Thorpedo Anna tries to become the first filly since 1915 to win the Travers, McPeek was showing a calmness as he tended to his horses Thursday morning with his dog Sonny shadowing him. No sense getting nervous. “I'm just trying to keep it steady,” he said. “I don't worry too much out of my control. You can't get all wound up about it because the letdown is too hard if it doesn't go right.” Candied Gets Her Chance To Shine In Alabama Four weeks ago, in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher gave his 3-year-old filly Candied (Candy Ride) her shot against Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna). Candied was no match, losing by 4 1/2 lengths to the best filly in the division. “Obviously, we were hoping,” Pletcher said when asked if he thought Candied could upset Thorpedo Anna that July afternoon. “But, no, we were not expecting it. We were hoping for a good effort, and I think we got that. We made a pretty good run at her on the turn, but we just could not sustain it.” letcher and Candied get another chance to take down a big prize in the 3-year-old filly ranks when the $600,000, GI Alabama Stakes is run at Saratoga on Saturday. Candied is the 7-5 morning-line favorite in the Alabama and that makes sense. Thorpedo Anna is not in this race. In the CCA Oaks, Candied tracked Thorpedo Anna but was no match for her. Pletcher, speaking outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track Thursday morning, said he was not sure if Candied would be in the Alabama if Thorpedo Anna was. “I don't know,” he said. “I think it would have been a short field. I certainly have a lot of respect for Thorpedo Anna, and I think you can make an argument she might be the favorite in the Travers.” Pletcher will also run Miss Justify (Justify), who is 6-1 on the morning line, in the Alabama, which drew a field of eight. Miss Justify has won her last two starts, both at a mile. “Pedigree-wise, being a daughter of Justify, you would expect her to handle the added distance,” Pletcher said. “She is coming into this off two good wins, one of them (the Wilton Stakes) over the track here. Brown Well On His Way To Another Saratoga Training Title With 14 racing days left in the 40-day Saratoga meet, Chad Brown has positioned himself to win his seventh training title in the last nine years. After Thursday's card, Brown has 22 wins, seven more than Todd Pletcher. Included in Brown's haul are three Grade I victories. He won the Diana Stakes with Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio), the Test with Ways and Means (Practical Joke) and the Fourstardave with Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). “Just past the halfway point, we have three Grade Is, which is very important,” Brown said outside his barn at the Oklahoma Training Track Thursday morning. “You can go a whole meet without winning any.” Brown ended up tied with Linda Rice for the most wins at last year's meet (35). He set the all-time Saratoga record for wins in 2018 when he visited the winner's circle 46 times. Despite the success in the first half of the season, Brown is not taking any bows yet. He knows there is still much work to do. “If I had my choice, I would be leading trainer every year and it would be something I could count on,” Brown said. “But this is a really tough meet, and things can change quick. We have had a strong meet, but weather can be a factor, you can have illness in your barn or bad racing luck and, all of a sudden it becomes tight.” Brown is preparing two colts for the biggest race on the Spa schedule, one that has eluded him. The $1.25-million GI Travers Stakes will be run next weekend and Brown has one of the main contenders in 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) as well as fellow 'Rising Star' Unmatched Wisdom (Cairo Prince), who has won all three of his starts, including the restricted Curlin Stakes at Saratoga on July 19. Fifteen horses have run in the Travers for Brown. He has finished third twice, with Miles D (Curlin) in 2021 and Zandon (Upstart) in 2022. Sierra Leone may be his best chance ever. Sierra Leone has three wins, three seconds and a third in seven career starts. He was purchased for a sales-topping $2.3 million at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale. After winning the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes this year, he was second by a nose in the GI Kentucky Derby, third in the GI Belmont Stakes and second in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes. “He has proven he is a very consistent, top-level horse,” Brown said. “A couple races, by circumstances, he was not able to get there. I would like him to get the credit he deserves to break through and win a race of this magnitude. He is a real good- looking horse and there have always been high expectations. By the time they break from the gate, that doesn't really matter.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Thorpedo Anna Will Go Back To Fillies After Travers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This year's Troy Stakes will be considered a grade 3 race, while the Galway Stakes will be recorded as a non-listed black-type stakes.View the full article

Ambitious plans for Hawkeye Pierce starting tonight By Michael Guerin Trainer Logan Hollis would love to see talented pacer Hawkeye Pierce race for $900,000 in stakes in just six weeks this summer but he might need your help. Your help meaning if you intend buying a slot in the new Three-Year-Old Pacing slot race to be held at Addington on Show Day (November 15), which is where Hollis would like to see Hawkeye Pierce end up. The exciting pacer resumes in a talented-packed race at Alexandra Park tonight (8.16pm), the Purdon and Phelan Racing Metro Heat No.2, which was designed to bring the very best under R55 pacers in the north together. It looks like it is working as tonight’s heat is a beauty with plenty of open class type ability in the field which gives these horses a chance to qualify for a $35,000 final on September 6, the first of the new finals as harness racing starts to flex the muscle of its new $10million stake increases. Hollis says Hawkeye Pierce is ready to roll as he has been in work since winning here on June 27, beating subsequently impressive dual winner Always A Porsche. “He went well at the workouts two weeks ago, they ran fast sectionals and he was hard held so he is ready to go,” says Hollis, who trains in partnership with Shane Robertson. “He has a wide draw and it is a good field and I will probably drive him myself since Tony (Herlihy) is away but we think he can win.” He does meet some classy pacers including Mako (2 from 3), last-start winner Invisible, Kings Watch (winner of his last two) and Jeremiah, who was just behind the absolute best three-year-olds in races like the Northern Derby. Hollis says Hawkeye Pierce can mix it with that company and winning this heat and final would set him up nicely for a huge summer treble after the sale of his hotshot stablemate Christopher Dance, who has headed to West Australia after being runner-up in the Northern Derby. “We’d love to get this guy a slot in the new $500,000 three-year-old race on Show Day,” says Hollis. “And if he is going well enough to do that we would probably stay down there for the NZ Derby [boosted to $300,000]. “Then he could even come back here for the Golden Gait Finals night which is worth $100,000 so these good three-year-olds can race for big money.” Whether he starts down that path by winning tonight may well depend on tempo and the early scramble as with plenty of fit horses in this field capable of a sub 2:40 for the 2200m mobile, being off the markers may not be a lot of fun. Mr Kaplan returns at Addington tonight By Michael Guerin Nathan Purdon is adamant that Mr Kaplan is ready for her return to racing at Addington tonight (8.08pm). He just thinks she would be even more ready if it was 1980m instead of the 2600m she faces in the race of the night. Mr Kaplan returns in a small but select field, with her biggest dangers looking to be Fernetti, last week’s naughty boy Black Mach and last-start winner Molly Belwin. The former Herlihy-trained Mr Kaplan has always looked a talented mare in the making and Nathan, who still trains in partnership with father Mark, thinks she can be a factor in the best mares races later in the year. “She has some class and she has come up well,” he tells HRNZ. “She has trialled well and I think she can win but with it being 2600m instead of 1980m the tactics could be a little trickier. “Over 1980m with her gate speed I’d be keen to see her go forward and take bad luck out of the equation but being 2600m that might not be the best thing for her.” Not that Purdon has to worry about that much, with multiple premiership winner Blair Orange doing the driving. Purdon will have a surprise driving change on one of three two-year-olds he lines up earlier tonight in Race 3 with father Mark in town and set to drive The Bettor Deal (No.1). As everybody knows Mark is now domiciled in Matamata with a very small star-studded team of harness horses alongside his gallopers. But he has been returning home “every couple of weeks” to drive some horses in work and fancied having a race drive behind one of the two-year-olds. “There isn’t much between them as they are all nice horses but we think The Bettor Deal could develop into a smart horse. “So he could be the one, it will be interesting to see what Dad thinks.” The Bettor Deal made really good ground when fourth fresh up but was lazy at the start from barrier 1, the same draw he faces tonight and will need to get out a lot better (excuse the pun) to secure the right type of run in what looks a very even field. FRIDAY NIGHT BETS 1: Jasinova (Alex Park, R5, No.1) Run down late in far better field last Friday. If she races up to that form should win. 2: Always B Elite (Alex Park, R3, No.6): Raced elite three-year-olds last campaign and second in very quick last 800m workouts a fortnight ago. Has class edge. 3: The Bettor Deal (Addington, R3, No.1): Ran on really strongly on debut and big driving change tonight. If he can stay handier the one to beat. View the full article

The New York Racing Association announced Aug. 15 the stakes schedule for the 31-day Belmont at the Big A fall meet, including four grade 1s and six Breeders' Cup Challenge Series events. The meet will offer 50 stakes worth $10.35 million.View the full article

Trainer Gerald Butler was provisionally suspended by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit for possession of the banned substance levothyroxine.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. Friday's Observations features a Tattersalls October Book 1 millionaire. 17.45 Newmarket, Mdn, £9,000, 2yo, 8fT Godolphin's hitherto untried ARABIAN POET (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), one of two entries from Charlie Appleby's local nursery, made a mark when purchased for the round one million at last year's Tattersalls October Book 1 sale and is one of nine set to line up for no ordinary maiden. This contest's roll of honour is awash with future Group 1 winners and includes Motivator (GB) and Frankel (GB), who earned their 'TDN Rising Star' stripes in this straight one-mile heat, as well as the ill-fated duo Roaring Lion and Coroebus (Ire). Bred by Newsells Park Stud, the May-foaled bay's five black-type siblings include multiple Group 1 winners Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and the Group 2-winning G1 Oaks and G1 Preis der Diana runner-up Secret Gesture (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Opposition features Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's fellow debutant King Of Cities (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is a Richard Hannon-trained homebred son of G1 Prix Jean Romanet victrix Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and thus a half-brother to this term's G1 Commonwealth Cup hero Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal); and Coolmore's once-raced Leopardstown maiden third Scandinavia (Justify), who is a half-brother to G1 Prix Saint-Alary victrix Above The Curve (American Pharoah), representing the Aidan O'Brien-Tom Marquand axis. 15.15 Newbury, Mdn, £12,000, 2yo, 8fT Aidan O'Brien remains on a scouting mission for opportunities abroad and saddles G1 Dewhurst Stakes nominee ISAMBARD BRUNEL (Justify) in a contest won last year by this term's G3 Hampton Court Stakes and G2 York Stakes runner-up King's Gambit (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). Coolmore's February-foaled newcomer is the sixth foal out of G3 Weld Park Stakes victrix and G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes fourth Magical Dream (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself a full-sister to connections' Breeders' Cup Turf and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Found (Ire). His rivals include Godolphin's €650,000 Goffs Orby acquisition King's Charter (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who first went through the ring as a €550,000 Goffs November foal and is kin to four black-type performers headed by G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes victrix Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy). The Charlie Appleby trainee has vital experience and will head postward coming back off an eyecatching debut third over Sandown's seven furlongs at the end of last month. The post Godolphin’s Book 1 Millionaire In Line For ‘Frankel Maiden’ Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are three horse racing meetings set for Australia on Friday, August 16. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Ballarat Synthetic. Friday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – August 16, 2024 Ballarat Synthetic Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on August 16, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Friday, August 16. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for August 16, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Any Australian Racing 3+ Leg Multi | If 1 Leg Fails Bonus Back Up To $50 Place a 3+ leg Fixed Win/Place Multi across Australian Thoroughbred, Harness or Greyhound racing this week and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available once daily. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Friday Bonus Back 2nd ALL RACES at Ballarat Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. Check your Vault for eligibility Login to UniBet to Claim Promo 25% Boosted Winnings – Geelong Paid in Bonus Cash. First Fixed Win Cash Bet. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% of winnings in cash Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds only. PlayUp T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Best Tote and Starting Price Guarantees a dividend equal to the highest of the official win dividend paid by the three Australian TAB pools or the official starting price. Maximum stake: $2,000. 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Top 4 Betting! Bet & win up to 4th place Picklebet Terms and Conditions Apply Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10%. Thoroughbreds only T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for August 16, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

It's not often a stallion based outside the continent gets graded winners in the U.S. keeping pace with the leading sires here. Ireland's Lope De Vega (Ire) is not only keeping pace, but more than holding his own. When Carl Spackler (Ire) won Sunday's GI Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga, he became the second U.S. Grade I winner in 2024 for his sire, joining Program Trading (GB), who won Churchill's GI Turf Classic Stakes on Derby day. For comparison, only one stallion (Gun Runner) has three Grade I winners in the U.S. in 2024. Just five have two: Into Mischief, Uncle Mo, Good Magic, Nyquist, and Lope De Vega. In addition, Lope De Vega's Silver Knott (GB) has won three Grade II events in the U.S. in 2024, including the Man o' War Stakes, which was a Grade I until this year, and another two runners by the stallion have captured listed stakes in this country this season. If sorting all Northern Hemisphere sires solely on racing in North America, Lope De Vega has the highest percentage of black-type winners to runners. Of course, that number is skewed as it's likely owners only go to the trouble of importing horses that are top quality. Regardless, it underpins Lope De Vega's breakout success in the U.S. International race meets–such as the Breeders' Cup–aside, how is it that one horse can accomplish so much on a continent he's never stepped foot on? The answer is twofold, says John O'Connor of Ballylinch Stud, which stands the horse. “I think he's been lucky enough that he's been identified by some very good judges and trainers who have taken his stock over to America. He has a number of things that might be significant to his success in the U.S. They're very athletic horses and have a very high cruising speed. If you can teach to them to settle, they have a very high turn of foot, especially on turf, and that's an advantage.” Indeed, both Carl Spackler and Program Trading are trained by Chad Brown, while Silver Knott is conditioned by Charlie Appleby, both trainers with outsized turf success in the U.S. Although well established in Europe, and a former Australian shuttle stallion at the beginning of his career, Lope De Vega first came to prominence in the U.S. with another Brown trainee in Newspaperofrecord (Ire), whose victories included the 2018 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and the 2020 GI Just a Game Stakes. Another Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner, Aunt Pearl (Ire), won that race in 2020 for Brad Cox. TDN Stallions: Lope de Vega from Thoroughbred Daily News on Vimeo. Lope De Vega is one of Europe's top stallions, standing at Ballylinch for €125,000, but there's a good chance a number of breeders in this country, who are very familiar with his capabilities as a sire, haven't seen him in person. “He's probably a medium-sized horse, just over 16 hands,” said O'Connor Thursday via phone as he was walking into the racecourse at Deauville to watch Lope De Vega's Almaqam (GB) finish third in the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano and his Rose Bloom (Ire) finish second in the G3 Prix de Lieurey. “He's very lengthy, has a very powerful shoulder. When he walks, he has an incredible athleticism and really catches your attention with a big overstep. Many of his stock have the same walk and big stride length.” Lope De Vega won the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains in 2010 as a homebred for Gestut Ammerland. O'Connor said he and SF Bloodstock's Tom Ryan went together to see the chestnut son of Shamardal in Andre Fabre's yard and “were both very taken with him.” It was an easy decision to stand him at Ballylinch. With his first foals born in 2012, Lope De Vega stood his first year for €15,000 and eventually took the customary dip for his third and fourth years at stud, dropping to €12,500. However, once his runners hit the track and his prowess became apparent, the tune changed and his fee steadily rose each year from 2015 until it entered six-figure territory for the 2020 season. He's been holding steady at €125,000 since 2021. His first 2-year-olds sired from that fee are starting now. “He covered 175 mares this year and we'll cut him back a bit next year,” said O'Connor. “He's now covering very elite mares, which is reflected with high-quality stock. “He's very versatile and has worked with a lot of sire lines, but he's been particularly successful with Danehill lines. He gets outstanding statistics with fast mares, but also with more Classic types. He works with a huge spectrum.” Carl Spackler's Fourstardave victory earned him a 'Win and You're In' berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Mile this November | Sarah Andrew Lope De Vega has a small number of early sire sons, including two at the Irish National Stud and two in Britain. O'Connor said it's too soon to determine if those sons are throwing a particular type, but mentioned G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Phoenix of Spain (Ire) “gets a horse that looks quite like himself. They're powerful, good-bodied horses.” Last month, in association with Al Shaqab Racing, Ballylinch purchased a majority interest in Lope De Vega's undefeated G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Look De Vega (Fr). The 3-year-old is currently the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe favorite and will eventually retire to Ballylinch to stand alongside his sire. He's a member of Lope De Vega's first crop resulting from a six-figure fee. From his first 10 crops to race, Lope De Vega has 73 graded/group winners and 134 black-type winners. His 20 black-type winners worldwide in 2024 currently place him third in that category this year among all sires standing in the Northern Hemisphere, just one behind Dubawi (Ire) and two behind Into Mischief. He's tied with Dubawi for the most Grade I/Group 1 winners with four and leads all Northern Hemisphere-based stallions in Group 1 performers with eight. He also currently holds a comfortable lead among all European sires by progeny earnings for 2024, both by European earnings and by European and North American earnings combined. In addition to the heady statistics that are becoming a hallmark of his stallion career, Lope De Vega has no fewer than 22 individual Group 1/Grade I winners, spanning countries on four continents: the U.S., Canada, Britain, Ireland, France, Australia, and Dubai. “He's had success at the elite level in each of those places,” said O'Connor. “We realize how lucky we are to have a horse of this quality.” The post Saturday Sires: Lope De Vega (Ire) appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Belmont at the Big A fall meeting will feature 50 stakes races worth $10.35 million, officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced Thursday. Thirty-one days of racing are scheduled at Aqueduct Racetrack, which will once again stage the meeting due to the ongoing construction at Belmont Park. The meet begins on Friday, Sept. 13 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 3. Three Grade I contests for on the flat and six Breeders' Cup Challenge races are to be run, including the first of the elite-level events, the $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic for older male turf horses at 12 furlongs. Also featured on that Sept. 28 program are the GII Woodward Stakes and a pair of 'Win and You're In' qualifiers–the GII Vosburgh Stakes with an entry into the Breeders' Cup Sprint at stake; and the GII Pilgrim Stakes, which grants the winner a spot in the field for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. The weekend also includes the $250,000 GII Gallant Bloom Stakes and the GII Miss Grillo Stakes, a qualifying race for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. The stakes action continues the next weekend, beginning Friday, Oct. 4 with the running of the GIII Waya Stakes, while juvenile males square off in the GIII Futurity Stakes for a spot in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. The GI Champagne Stakes and its filly counterpart, the GI Frizette Stakes, are carded for Saturday, Oct. 5, with both winners gaining free entry into the corresponding races on Breeders' Cup weekend. Supporting those two races are the GIII Belmont Turf Sprint and GIII Jockey Club Derby. The weekend wraps up with the GII Beldame Stakes and GIII Matron Stakes on Sunday's card. The annual Empire Showcase Day card is set for Sunday, Oct. 27, which includes eight stakes restricted to New York-breds worth a total of $1.6 million. The richest of the day's races are the Empire Classic and Empire Distaff at $250,000. Other highlights of the schedule include the $350,000 GIII Jockey Club Oaks in which the exciting Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) could go for a sweep of the Turf Triple Tiara; the GII Sands Point Stakes, also for 3-year-old fillies on the grass; the GII Mother Goose Stakes for sophomore fillies on the main track; and the GIII Forty Niner Stakes, which offers the top three free nomination to and staring fees for the GII Cigar Mile during the Aqueduct fall meet. Click here for the complete Belmont at the Big A stakes schedule. The post 50 Stakes Worth Better Than $10M At Belmont at the Big A Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gulf Legend (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) topped the Tattersalls Online August Sale when picked up by Qatar-based trainer Gassim Ghazali for 75,000gns on Thursday. Sold as lot 59 from the draft of James Ferguson Racing, the 3-year-old colt has been placed thrice in five starts and carries a rating of 80. He is also a half-brother to G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and the multiple group winner Sacred Life (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). “The Tattersalls Online sales are good for an owner because they don't have to wait until the July or October sales,” said Ferguson after the hammer dropped. “It saves a lot on sales costs but it's also amazing how many people are taking note of them. The two minute extra time rule works great online as it gives people a lot more time to think about it. It's going from strength to strength.” The popular Gigginstown House Stud Annual Dispersal was topped by listed-winning chaser Idas Boy (Ire) (Dubai Destination) (lot 6), who sold for 60,000gns to Tom Malone Bloodstock, who bought the horse for an existing client. Malone said, “I had an order for a horse who could potentially run in the Aintree Grand National. It's a dream for his new owner to have a runner in the race and hopefully we'll be there next April. I did my due diligence, I knew the horse well and Noel Meade was very gracious with his comments on him.” Overall, the Gigginstown House draft grossed 150,500gns for seven lots sold. Grade 3-winning hurdler Frontal Assault (Ire) (Presenting {GB}) (lot 5) made 30,000gns to agent Dan Astbury, while Grade 1 winner Beacon Edge (Ire) (Doyen {Ire}) (lot 3) was knocked down for 20,000gns to Aidan O'Ryan and Gordon Elliott. A son of Kameko, lot 108, brought 41,000gns on the bid of Joseph O'Brien. Consigned by Manton Lodge Stables, the gelding is out of a listed winner and multiple group placed Roheryn (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself the dam of Group 3 winner Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion). At the end of the sale, 90 lots sold for a gross of 667,500gns and averaged 7,417gns. The post Gassim Ghazali Buys Gulf Legend At Tattersalls Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With Thorpedo Anna headed to the Travers Stakes (G1), Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Candied is the one to beat in the Alabama Stakes (G1) Aug. 17 at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

During an Aug. 15 meeting of the California Horse Racing Board at Del Mar, Santa Anita Park general manager Nate Newby outlined the track's desire to use its Tapeta training track during periods of inclement weather.View the full article

Irish Classic hero Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) has been supplemented to Wednesday's G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Aug. 21. The Coolmore partners' runner and Aidan O'Brien trainee was undefeated in two starts at two, including the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud. First up at three, the bay won the G3 Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown in May, before a solid third to stablemate City Of Troy (Justify) in the G1 Derby at Epsom on June 1. He was last seen prevailing in the G1 Irish Derby on June 30, and faces seven rivals on Wednesday while carrying a penalty. Chief among them are his stablemates Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Chief Little Rock (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Euphoric (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and The Equator (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Other entrants are Derby fourth Deira Mile (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), King's Gambit (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), and Space Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The post Los Angeles Supplemented To The Great Voltigeur appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article