Wandering Eyes

Bringing up a second renewal of Royal Ascot's Listed Windsor Castle Stakes for Eve Johnson Houghton since 2021, Havana Hurricane (Havana Gold) rounded off day two. Sent off at 7-1 having finished second in Epsom's Woodcote Stakes, the bargain 9,000gns Tattersalls Somerville graduate emerged from the far-side group under Charles Bishop to forge a 1 1/2-length success from Dickensian (Pinatubo), with half a length back to another Havana Grey in Azizam. HAVANA HURRICANE WINS THE WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/c9e327oFDF — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2025 The post Havana Hurricane Wins Windsor Castle For Emotional Johnson Houghton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

ASCOT, UK — From a maiden on May 9 to a Group 2 winner at Royal Ascot less than 40 days later is some going but, as ever with bloodstock, the story reaches back much further than these few glorious weeks. In the case of the Queen's Vase winner Carmers (Wootton Bassett), his owner-breeder Fiona Carmichael bought his dam Signe (Sea The Stars) as a yearling more than a decade ago and, as a half-sister to Group 1 winner Lord Shanakill, she carried the pretty hefty price tag of €1.1 million. But, just 16 days later another of her half-siblings, Together Forever, won the G1 Fillies' Mile, and would later become even more celebrated as the dam of City Of Troy, while four years on yet another, Forever Together, would win the Oaks. It's a family that just keeps giving. Signe herself won her first three starts but never quite progressed enough to gather a bit of black type. Her third foal, however, is making up for that and Carmers can justifiably now be considered a candidate for the St Leger having won his first three starts on the bounce, including breaking the track record in the Queen's Vase. “It's all fairly new to me but I am living the dream, and what has happened today is absolutely amazing,” said Carmichael, standing alongside her trainer Paddy Twomey and bloodstock agent Amanda Skiffington. “It has made me so nervous today. It's what dreams are made of, it's something to look forward to. This helps my mare, and, just the whole programme I've got involved in, I hadn't intended to when I first got involved in racing but it has been fabulous.” Skiffington added, “Fiona named this horse after his husband. That's his nickname, Carmers, and she said we had better find a good one to give that name to.” Signe had been bred at Ballylinch Stud, who consigned her for sale on behalf of her breeders Vimal and Gillian Khosla, and she later returned 'home', where her celebrated dam Green Room (Theatrical) had been a long-term boarder, for the start of her own breeding career. Watching on as the celebrations started for Carmichael and co, Ballylinch Stud's managing director John O'Connor recalled, “Signe was a lovely yearling. Amanda loved her and Fiona backed her judgement and now it's really starting to pay off, because this family has exploded really in the number of years that it's been with us. There's been some amount of high-quality horses to have come out of that family.” He added, “The Khoslas have another daughter [of Green Room] called Fenella, who is also by Sea The Stars, so it's exciting times for them as well. Green Room was just a really special mare.” Ballylinch Stud could also feel some pride in the valiant run in second of Furthur (Waldgeist), who races for Jason Singh's The Merry Pranksters syndicate (fans of Ken Kesey will enjoy the naming of the Andrew Balding-trained colt). Ballylinch consigned Further for breeders Max and Lyn Morris at the Goffs November Foal Sale, where he was bought by the Motherways' TDM Bloodstock. Singh later bought him with Balding at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale – as one would expect of a Tattersalls man. Ombudsman Shines for Father of the Bride Hanly From the previous year's Book 2 has emerged a colt who has almost sneaked his way into the biggest spotlight of all since winning on debut this week last year at Newmarket for John and Thady Gosden. Ombudsman, yet another exciting runner for Night Of Thunder, has done little wrong in the intervening 12 months, winning five of his six starts for Godolphin, culminating in the Prince of Wales's Stakes. The four-year-old son of Night Of Thunder was co-bred by James Hanly of Ballyhimikin Stud and Jono Mills, bloodstock manager of Godolphin and Darley. “James is an amazing breeder and he owns the mare,” said Mills. “The team at Ballyhimikin, Frisk and Helen, did an amazing job with him – he was a lovely yearling and it's all down to them. I was a tiny part of it.” He added, “He really was always a beautiful yearling, Anthony [Stroud] bought him, and the horse has been beautifully managed by John and Thady. They have given him the time he needed to come to the fore.” James Hanly had good reason not to be in attendance at Royal Ascot as he was otherwise engaged at his daughter's wedding. In between the 'I dos', he commented, “It's a major boost. I'm afraid I couldn't make it as I am here at my daughter's wedding in Greece. Duty called! But we watched it on the telly and it's just unbelievably exciting.” Hanly added, “He'll be rated highly after this, I'd imagine. The mare [Syndicate] is a beauty and he is a beauty as well. He made a lot of money [340,000gns] as a yearling and was very, very attractive back then as well. John Gosden is such a good trainer and those good trainers give these horses time if they need it.” Hanly sourced Syndicate (Dansili) from Juddmonte at the 2017 December Mares Sale for just 25,000gns. He recalled, “We picked her out from Juddmonte and sent her to John Feane, who won a race with her. John said 'this is a good filly and you definitely need to breed from her.' It's a good Juddmonte family – it's a right good pedigree. This is what we dream about and sometimes dreams come true. We're very lucky to have her and we've a great team at home minding them. Helen and Diarmuid Jones manage the farm [ Ballyhimikin] for me and they are the key to all of this. It's a team effort.” Away from the roasting action on the track, those at Ascot this week looking for a little calm can take advantage of a special installation of the Queen's Reading Room at the racecourse to mark the 200th anniversary of the Royal Procession. The Queen's Reading Room charity was launched two years ago by Queen Camilla to “promote the power and benefits of reading”. We at TDN encourage you to follow the Queen's lead, and her influence has perhaps spread to the guest list for the royal carriages this year, which have so far included the writers Anthony Horowitz, Robert Harris and William Boyd. And if you are jetting off on holiday after an exhausting week at Royal Ascot, we suggest packing a copy of Boyd's most excellent Any Human Heart. The post Signe of the Times as Carmers Breaks Track Record for Owner-Breeder Fiona Carmichael appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association (PHBA) will host the Commonwealth's first-ever Pennsylvania Yearling Show. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place Saturday, June 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Brandywine Polo Club in New Garden, PA (232 Polo Road, Toughkenamon, PA 19374). Pennsylvania-Bred horses will be vying for more than $5,000 in awards and prizes. Horses will be placed in one of four classes depending on whether they are colts, geldings or fillies, as well as whether they were sired by a Pennsylvania stallion. “We created the Pennsylvania Yearling Show as a way to showcase our Pennsylvania-bred Thoroughbreds and generate interest in horse breeding here in the Commonwealth,” said Brian Sanfratello, Executive Secretary of the PHBA. “Our goal is to build on this inaugural event and expand the size and scope each year to create a major annual showcase of Pennsylvania yearlings. We encourage the public to come out and enjoy a family-friendly day at the Brandywine Polo Club and see some of our Pennsylvania-bred horses up close.” The horses will be judged by Russell Jones, a long-time Pennsylvania breeder and member of the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission. The post PA Horse Breeders Association to Host First-Ever Yearling Show appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

True Love gave Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore a second 2-year-old winner of the week at Royal Ascot with an authoritative performance in the June 18 Queen Mary Stakes (G2).View the full article

The National Thoroughbred League continued its record-breaking 2025 campaign with the June 15 Philadelphia Cup at Parx Racing, drawing more than 6,000 fans, an NTL record, and generating a $1.55 million handle.View the full article

A Father's Day event hosted by The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) at Parx drew over 6000 fans, an NTL record, and generating a $1.55 million handle—a 65% increase over last year's Father's Day card at Parx, according to a NTL release Wednesday. The event was hosted by the Philadelphia Stallions, which is co-owned by retired basketball star Julius “Dr. J” Erving. The California Shamrocks won the Philadelphia Cup with the top four teams finishing within 2 points of each other. The New York Knights remain in first place overall at the midpoint of the league's third season. Numerous celebrities attended the weekend festivities, including Erving, Philadelphia Eagles legends Seth Joyner and Hollis Thomas, Hall of Fame jockey Jose Santos and Jarobi White, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member of A Tribe Called Quest. For more information on the NTL and upcoming events, visit www.NTL.Racing. The post National Thoroughbred League Draws 6,000 Patrons for Philadelphia Cup at Parx appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 06/17/2025 Licensee: Luis Fernando Gonzalez, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone and Flunixin–both controlled substances (Class C)–in a sample taken from Swen on 5/2/25. Date: 06/17/2025 Licensee: Jorge Abreu, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Curlin's Angel on 5/2/25. Date: 06/16/2025 Licensee: Tanner Tracy, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Rockets Sister on 5/8/24. Date: 06/12/2025 Licensee: Carmelo Ortiz-Ruiz, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Boxster on 4/6/25. Pending ADMC Violations 06/17/2025, Natalie Cowan, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Beauty Bolt on 5/2/25. 06/16/2025, Edward Barker, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Mepivacaine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Cajunette, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 5/12/25. 06/13/2025, Ricardo Vega, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Regalpains, who finished fourth at Parx Racing on 5/13/25. 06/11/2025 and 6/17/25, Dr. Donald J. McCrosky, veterinarian: Pending violations for the use or attempted use of the banned substance Testosterone on Tigger Attack for an event dated 10/29/24; as well as for the “Possession of a Banned Substance, and for the “Tampering or Attempted Tampering by a Covered Person with any part of Doping Control or Medication Control,” involving the banned substances Levothyroxine, Ammonium Chloride, Testosterone Cypionate/DHEA, Ammonium Sulfate and Osphos for an event dated 4/22/25. 06/11/2025 and 6/17/25, Angel Sanchez-Pinero, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of bronchodilator Formoterol (Aformoterol)–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Laguardia, who finished second at Parx Racing on 3/26/25; and for the presence of bronchodilator Albuterol (Salbutamol)–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Gone Boy, who won at Aqueduct on 4/19/25. The post Weekly Rulings: National Regulatory Rulings for June 12 -18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Woodbine Entertainment has relaunched the philanthropic initiative Woodbine Cares under a renewed banner: “For the Love of the Horse Racing Community,” according to a track release Wednesday. “This refreshed focus on 'For the Love of the Horse Racing Community' reflects our organization's commitment to what matters most – the people, the horses, and the entire racing community,” said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “By concentrating our efforts on horse welfare and on those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, Woodbine Cares is helping build a vibrant and sustainable future for Ontario horse racing. We're investing in the well-being of our equine athletes and the dedicated individuals who care for them, because their success and welfare are the foundation of our sport's success for generations to come.” As part of the relaunch, Woodbine Cares is donating $250,000 annually towards three key focus areas and invest in major new initiatives across each: Equine Welfare & Aftercare, Food programs and Support for Backstretch Workers and Racing Workforce Development. For more information on the Woodbine Cares initiative, click here. The post Woodbine Cares Relaunched Under ‘For the Love of the Racing Community’ Banner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thursday, Ascot, post time: 16:20, THE GOLD CUP-G1, £650,000, 4yo/up, 19f 210y Field: Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}), Wonder Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Yashin (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). TDN Verdict: No Kyprios, but in Illinois Ballydoyle have a serious follow-up act with this trip looking within his compass. Getting better as the year progressed at three, the St Leger form is looking much better after the Coronation Cup and he sets the standard. Candelari is the unknown quantity, having mastered the newly-promoted G1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier in the manner of a potential staying star, but it is a long time since this had a French winner and the likes of Vazirabad have been found wanting in recent times. Of the outsiders, Wonder Legend has abundant promise as the winner of the All-Weather Championships Marathon Handicap and one who loves the all-weather which seems link so well with this track. [Tom Frary]. Thursday, Ascot, post time: 15:40, THE RIBBLESDALE STAKES-G2, £250,000, 3yo, Open, 11f 211y Field: Caspi Star (GB) (Camelot {GB}), Catalina Delcarpio (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Ecstatic (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Garden Of Eden (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Go Go Boots (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Hollys Graces (Ire) (Australia {GB}), Island Hopping (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Lady Vivian (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Life Is Beautiful (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire]), Serenity Prayer (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Understudy (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). TDN Verdict: This is an open renewal with just the one Oaks runner in Go Go Boots due to the quick turnaround from Epsom this year. Catalina Delcarpio didn't look the strongest stayer when second in the 10-furlong G3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan in April, so it is a surprise to see her here while the G3 Musidora Stakes runner-up Serenity Prayer and Ballydoyle's Listed Naas Oaks Trial Stakes winner Garden Of Eden also move up in trip. The latter is one of three from Ballydoyle, but there is a case to be made for Ecstatic who despite seeming to tread water of late is out of Magic Wand who took a while to fine her feet too. [Tom Frary]. Thursday, Ascot, post time: 14:30, THE NORFOLK STAKES-G2, £150,000, 2yo, Open, 5f 0y Field: Afjan (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Ameeq (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Charles Darwin (Ire) (No Nay Never), Clear Force (Ire) (Supremacy {Ire}), Comical Point (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Exclamation (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), First Legion (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Graft (Ire) (US Navy Flag), Hey Tru Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), Irish Fighter (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}), Lil Brother (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), London Boy (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Naval Light (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Sandal's Song (Mendelssohn), Star Material (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Wise Appraoch (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). TDN Verdict: No Outfielder, so this race has lost a potential superstar but there are still plenty who could emerge just as Gstaad did in the absence of Albert Einstein on Tuesday. Like Wesley Ward's hot prospect, Charles Darwin is another on the TDN Rising Star list who as a full-brother to Blackbeard has all the boxes ticked. Wise Approach is a half-brother to Perfect Power, who won this in 2021, while French interest is in the form of the Chantilly winner Afjan. [Tom Frary]. Thursday, Ascot, post time: 17:35, THE HAMPTON COURT STAKES-G3, £150,000, 3yo, Open, 9f 212y Field: Al Shababi (GB) (Without Parole {GB}), Arabian Force (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Detain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Emit (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Glittering Legend (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Great David (GB) (Ribchester {Ire}), High Stock (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Jackknife (GB) (Kameko), Reyenzi (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Sea Scout (Ire (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Stardrop (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), Tiberius Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Tornado Alert (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Trinity College (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Two colts who showed up prominently in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club renew rivalry in Detain and Trinity College, with the 2,000 Guineas fourth and Derby sixth Tornado Alert bringing the Epsom form to the table. Glittering Legend has been laid out for this following his Listed Burradon Stakes win and shapes as a progressive type who should appreciate this track. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Royal Ascot, post time: 16:20, THE CORONATION STAKES-G1, £725,750, 3yo, f, 7f 213yT Field: Cathedral (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Cercene (Ire) (Australia {GB}), Chantilly Lace (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Duty First (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), Exactly (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Falakeyah (GB) (New Bay {GB}), Flight (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), January (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Kon Tiki (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Zarigana (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). TDN Verdict: All connected with Zarigana will be hoping that the blueblood can finally shine at the top level after two narrow misses with the second resulting in a promotion by the stewards. There is no doubt that she was compromised by Shes Perfect's errant passage late on in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches without stating that she was definitely the better of the pair. What we do know is she is top-drawer material on the clock and she has a distinct edge over her chief rival Falakeyah in that regard, as for all that Shadwell's homebred was impressive in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes it is one thing producing an excellent time performance over 10 furlongs and another to do it over a mile. Kon Tiki has it to do to get to this level despite her obvious promise and is currently a shorter price than Ballydoyle's Pouliches fourth Exactly, who has proven form in some important races and could prove an able deputy for Lake Victoria. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Royal Ascot, post time: 15:05, THE COMMONWEALTH CUP-G1, £725,750, 3yo, c/f, 6fT Field: Ain't Nobody (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Arabie (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Arizona Blaze (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev), Berkshire Whisper (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Big Mojo (Ire) (Mohaather {GB}), Diablo Rojo (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Ides Of March (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Jonquil (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Soldier's Heart (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Strong Warrior (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never), Arabian Dusk (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), Carla Ridge (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Lady With The Lamp (Ire) (King Of Change {GB}), Leovanni (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Rayevka (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Sayidah Dariyan (Ire) (Dariyan {Fr}), Shisospicy (Mitole), Sky Majesty (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Time For Sandals (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}). TDN Verdict: This is as good a Commonwealth Cup as has been run so far and one of the best races of the meeting, such is the depth of quality. Shadow Of Light beat Whistlejacket hollow in the Middle Park and proved in the 2,000 Guineas that he has not taken one step backwards with a huge run in third. Babouche has also dealt with Whistlejacket in both the Phoenix Stakes and in Naas's G3 Lacken Stakes last month and if it wasn't for her below-par effort in the Cheveley Park would be hard to oppose, while Jonquil is may not be quite quick enough even allowing for the stiff nature of this sprint. Ballydoyle's second string Ides Of March retains promise despite his defeats this term, while Rayevka dazzled in Chantilly's Listed Prix Marchand d'Or and is very much a contender. Other Stakes-winning fillies Sky Majesty, Shisospicy, Arabian Dusk and Lady With The Lamp add considerable weight to the line-up. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Royal Ascot, post time: 17:35, THE KING EDWARD VII STAKES-G2, £250,000, 3yo, c/g, 11f 211yT Field: Amiloc (GB) (Postponed {Ire}), Convergent (Ire) (Fascinating Rock {Ire}), Galveston (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Green Storm (Ire) (Circus Maximus {Ire}), Minhad (GB) (Universal {Ire}), Nightwalker (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Opportunity (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Puppet Master (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Regal Ulixes (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) (Kameko), Zahrann (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Amiloc had to miss the Derby, as he is a gelding, so this is very much his Blue Riband and he has looked a formidable talent on the rise in his two starts at Goodwood this term. Given the quality of Aidan O'Brien's middle-distance colts, Puppet Master warrants maximum respect having been targeted at this since his Listed Lingfield Derby Trial win, while The Aga Khan Studs representative Zahrann is another live Irish contender having won Leopardstown's Listed King George V Cup in style. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Royal Ascot, post time: 14:30, THE ALBANY STAKES-G3, £125,000, 2yo, f, 6fT Field: Awaken (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Balantina (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), Bibi Dahl (American Pharoah), Fairy Oak (GB) (A'Ali {Ire}), Fitzella (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Gold Digger (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Green Sense (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Indigo Dawn (Ire) (Nando Parrado {GB}), Ipanema Queen (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Magny Cours (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Nandita (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Oh Cecelia (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Senorita Vega (Ire) (Lucky Vega {Ire}), Signora (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Spinning Lizzie (GB) (Kameko), Tahalel (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Venetian Sun (Ire) (Starman {GB}). TDN Verdict: This looks wide-open, but the money has spoken for the impressive Carlisle winner Venetian Sun and Ballydoyle's Signora who was third on debut behind Lady Iman in Naas's G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Blackbeard Fillies Sprint Stakes. The latter is out of the 2017 Queen Mary winner Heartache, so has the genetics to succeed here and it is obviously expected that she has made significant enough progress from her first day at school to reverse form with that race's runner-up Green Sense. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Open Gold Cup With Kyprios Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thriving for a searching pace made by the Ballydoyle runners, Godolphin's Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) leapt to the fore to win Wednesday's G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes. Anchored behind by William Buick early, the John and Thady Gosden-trained 7-1 shot powered past labouring rivals and beyond the reigning Champion Stakes title-holder Anmaat (Awtaad) to score by two lengths, with 2 1/2 lengths back to See The Fire (Sea The Stars) in third. The 13-8 favourite Los Angeles (Camelot) looked to have gone too fast and paid the price in the straight. Ombudsman, whose career prior to this had been highlighted by a win in the G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange last term and a second to Almaqam in Sandown's G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes last month, ran the race in 2:02.51, the second-fastest since it was staged as a Group 1. He is only the second horse to clock under 2:03 for the prestige event after the stable's course-record holder The Fugue in 2014. “This place tames lions,” said a jubilant William Buick after the race. The win was John Gosden's 70th (solo and in partnership) at the Royal meeting. WOW! OMBUDSMAN THROUGH TRAFFIC TO WIN THE PRINCE OF WALES'S STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/xRL1TAXgbz — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2025 The post ‘This Place Tames Lions’: Buick Relieved As Ombudsman Wins Prince Of Wales’s appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wathnan Racing's Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), who annexed the 2023 G2 Queen Mary Stakes for George Weaver, returned to the scene of her greatest triumph with a decisive victory in Wednesday's G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes. Her 1 3/4-length tally provided the Gosden stable with a record-extending sixth win in the one-mile contest. Crimson Advocate had previously broken through for a second stakes win in Goodwood's Listed Conqueror Stakes last month, her third outing for John and Thady Gosden since joining from the Weaver stable, and the four-year-old landed a monster gamble here after opening the day at long odds. The well-backed 11-2 chance broke alertly from the gates and was reined back by James McDonald to race in rear after the initial exchanges. Placed in snooze mode for the most part, she was the last of seven to come off the bridle when stirred into action soon after passing the two pole and thundered home down the outside to collar last year's winner and stablemate Running Lion (Roaring Lion) with 100 yards remaining en route to a clear-cut success. Godolphin's Grade I-winning 5-4 favourite Cinderella's Dream (Shamardal) outbobbed the rallying 2024 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot) by a head for the runner-up spot as Running Lion's bold frontrunning effort petered out in the dying embers. LAST TO FIRST! CRIMSON ADVOCATE WINS THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/CsUjPX3JUP — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2025 The post Wathnan Racing’s Crimson Advocate Swoops Late for Duke Of Cambridge Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Roel Dill has been appointed the new Chief Financial Officer by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, according to an organization release Wednesday. Additionally, Ann Hall has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Lynn Wright has been pegged as the Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer. Dill formerly served as Qualcomm's Senior Director, Finance of Qualcomm's Technology Licensing business unit and Ventures and Treasury groups. Prior to Qualcomm, he was a Senior Manager at KPMG, where he worked on DMTC's audit team. His full DMTC title, as of June 1, is Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Del Mar's Mike Ernst, who has filled that role for the past 33 years, has been named Executive Vice President, Finance. Hall, who has served in multiple capacities since joining DMTC in its accounting department in 1994, was the track's Senior Vice President for Operations and Administration. Her new role will see her take on the additional responsibilities of all general day-to-day operations of the seaside racing facility that first opened in 1937. Wright, a long-tenured staff member, has overseen DMTC's accounting team for more than a dozen years. She joined Del Mar in 1990, initially as Director of Financial Reporting and Planning. Subsequently, she was elevated to the role of Controller and Vice President. She now oversees the track's accounting, payroll and financial planning functions. The post Del Mar Names Dill New CFO, Promotes Hall and Wright appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The panel of racing experts tied in the voting for Jockey of the Week June 9 through June 15, honoring both Paco Lopez, a 12-time winner this past week, and Umberto Rispoli, a 10-time winner, for their accomplishments.View the full article

Providing owner-breeder Fiona Carmichael with the ultimate thrill on Wednesday, Carmers put another feather in Wootton Bassett's cap by breaking the track record in Royal Ascot's G2 Queen's Vase. Becoming the first to dip under three minutes for the 14-furlong trip here, the unbeaten Paddy Twomey-trained Listed Yeats Stakes winner recorded a 3/4-of-a-length success from Furthur (Waldgeist), with a head back to Rahiebb (Frankel) in third. It was Twomey's first runner at the Royal meeting. A FIRST #ROYALASCOT WINNER FOR PADDY TWOMEY AS CARMERS TAKES THE QUEEN'S VASE! pic.twitter.com/3QImI2FjWz — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2025 The post Wootton Bassett’s Carmers Breaks The Track Record In The Queen’s Vase appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore's twice-raced maiden True Love (No Nay Never) went down fighting when runner-up to G2 Coventry-winning stablemate Gstaad in the second of two starts last month and, hammered down to clear favourite for Wednesday's G2 Queen Mary Stakes, duly delivered a first renewal for Aidan O'Brien. She also restored family honour in the five-furlong dash and eclipsed her sister Truly Enchanting's 13th last year. The race was marred by the fatal injury to the Richard Hannon-trained Harry's Girl (Harry Angel). True Love broke swiftly from stall 25 of 25 and headed the stands' side group in an overall eighth as TDN Rising Star Zelaina (Mehmas) blazed a trail down the centre of the track. Making eyecatching headway into contention once leaving the quarter-mile pole behind, Ryan Moore galvanised his mount into seizing control passing the furlong marker and she kept on powerfully under a continued drive to hit the line with a 1 1/4-length advantage from Amo Racing's 100-1 outsider Flowerhead (Starman). Patrick Biancone trainee Lennilu (Leinster) made a dent for her freshman sire, and the Stateside team, and finished a half-length back on the better end of a three-way photo verdict for third. The well-backed 9-4 chance had previously forced Lady Iman into pulling out all the stops, when runner-up to that subsequent G3 Naas Fillies Sprint winner, in the Curragh's Listed First Flier Stakes on debut. AIDAN O'BRIEN AND RYAN MOORE AGAIN! TRUE LOVE WINS THE QUEEN MARY STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/aBniVaoKpQ — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2025 The post True Love Complements Gstaad With First Queen Mary Triumph for Aidan O’Brien appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Blue Grass Farms Charities, Inc. (BGFC) received a grant from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (HOKC) in the amount of $2,755 to purchase 125 backpacks for their Back-to-School Backpack program for the 2025 school year, the organization announced Wednesday. Throughout Fayette, Bourbon, Scott, Clark, Woodford, and Jessamine counties, 1,300 backpacks will be distributed to area farm and track employees this year. BGFC's mission is to provide health and human services to those who work in the Central Kentucky Thoroughbred industry. In total, HOKC awarded $2.5 million in grants supporting 333 non-profits, impacting more than 4 million Kentuckians. “2024/2025 was a challenging year for fulfilling Grant Requests, with $5 million in total requests,” said Commanding General Gary Boschert. “We were able to distribute $2.5 million through the Good Works Program that each of you generously supports. Every dollar you contribute to the Good Works Program goes out to nonprofits in the Commonwealth. Together we helped support more than 4 million people this year.” The post Blue Grass Farms Charities Among Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Grant Recipients appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 Godolphin Flying Start graduation ceremony took place in the Cape Cross Centre at Kildangan Stud on the afternoon of Friday, June 13. Invited guests included the parents of the graduating class, as well as Godolphin management and University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Business School representatives who have supported the Flying Start trainees throughout their two years on the programme. The 2025 graduates comprised trainees from five countries, including Daisy Fenwick (USA), Sam Baker (IRE), Jake Swinburn (UK), Johnny Marsh (UK), Gerard Donworth (IRE), Harrison Everett (AUS), Anna Cahill (IRE), George Connolly (IRE), Mitchell Whelan (NZ), Harper McVey (USA) Sean Cooper (IRE) and Claire Wilson (USA). The diploma for the top trainee was presented to George Connolly, who achieved the highest grade among the 2025 graduating group, attaining a Distinction award. Hugh Anderson, managing director of Godolphin UK and Dubai and trustee of Godolphin Flying Start, said, “On behalf of the global Godolphin team, I congratulate this graduating class and wish them success and encouragement for their futures in the Thoroughbred industry.” The next opportunity to apply for Godolphin Flying Start is December 2025. For more information about the course, click here. The post George Connolly Leads Godolphin Flying Start Class of 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 29-day Santa Anita Hollywood Meet wrapped up June 15 with Antonio Fresu winning the jockey’s title, Phil D’Amato as top trainer, and Nick Alexander as leading owner. View the full article

Last year's G3 Derby-Trial winner Augustus will be offered as a wildcard during the Arqana Summer Sale, which takes place between Monday, June 30 and Thursday, July 3. The full catalogue is available to view here. The son of Soldier Hollow will be consigned by trainer Waldemar Hickst, having finished third behind the top-class Goliath (Adlerflug) when making his most recent appearance in the G3 La Coupe at ParisLongchamp earlier this month. A Listed-winning juvenile, he followed his Derby-Trial success last year with a third-place finish in the G1 Deutsches Derby won by Palladium (Gleneagles). Augustus is one of five new wildcards added to the catalogue for the Summer Sale, along with four unexposed prospects to go to war with over jumps. That quintet will go under the hammer during the horses-in-training section of the sale, which falls on Wednesday, July 2. The post Group Winner Augustus Added to Arqana Summer Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday's Royal Ascot confirmations have been made and the clash between the Aga Khan Studs star Zarigana (Siyouni) and Shadwell's exciting Falakeyah (New Bay) in the G1 Coronation Stakes is the highlight of the card. The former, who was awarded the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches last month, will attempt to establish herself at the top of the fillies' pecking order in this mile category with fellow TDN Rising Star Falakeyah dangerously unexposed coming back in trip after her scintillating win in Newmarket's Listed Pretty Polly Stakes. Others of note among the 11 contenders include the 1,000 Guineas runner-up Flight (Siyouni) and another Listed winner stepping into the heat of Group 1 battle in Kon Tiki (Night Of Thunder). In the fixture's other Group 1 contest, 22 sprinters take part in the Commonwealth Cup with Godolphin's G1 Middle Park Stakes winner Shadow Of Light (Lope De Vega) the key protagonist dropping back to six having been third in the 2,000 Guineas. Juddmonte hold a strong hand, with the G1 Phoenix Stakes winner Babouche (Kodiac) lining up alongside the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains runner-up and fellow TDN Rising Star Jonquil (Lope De Vega), while Ballydoyle's duo include the G1 Prix Morny winner Whistlejacket (No Nay Never). There are 11 set to feature in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes, where the unbeaten Ralph Beckett-trained Listed Cocked Hat Stakes scorer Amiloc (Postponed) occupies favouritism over Ballydoyle's Listed Lingfield Derby Trial winner Puppet Master (Camelot). Of the 17 2-year-old fillies confirmed for the opening G3 Albany Stakes, Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy's daughter of first-season sire Starman, the Carlisle winner Venetian Sun is the market-leader at present in an open renewal. The post Zarigana and Falakeyah In Line For Coronation Battle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There will be a Hong Kong flavour to Thursday’s Group One Ascot Gold Cup (3,991m) at Royal Ascot but local owner Boniface Ho Ka-kui will no doubt be realistic about the chances of Wonder Legend in a race packed with crack stayers. Trained by James Ferguson with Daniel Muscutt to take the ride, Wonder Legend brings winning form into the race but finds himself on the fifth line of betting in overseas fixed-odds markets at around $34. Leading the way is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Illinois at $2.75,...View the full article

Growing up watching her mum in the saddle lit a fire in Ashlee Strawbridge to become a jockey, and at Cambridge on Wednesday she realised a dream when riding home her first winner. That win came aboard the locally-trained Cheap Sav, and Strawbridge showed the maturity of a more seasoned rider when biding her time at the rear of the field in the Saddlery Warehouse 1300 before unleashing her charge out wide to run over the top of her rivals to score by a long neck over Oban. Indentured to Te Awamutu trainer Debbie Sweeney, Strawbridge was delighted to score her first victory in her home region, with the occasion enhanced by having her mother and employer trackside to celebrate. “That was awesome,” Strawbridge said. “Mum was here and I could hear them all cheering when I trotted back in, so that was awesome to have them all here supporting me.” Trainer Tarissa Macdonald was just as rapt for the 19-year-old apprentice, and believes she has a bright future instore. “We have been watching Ashlee since the start of her riding career. Michelle is a good friend of mine and I am so happy for her,” Macdonald said. “She rode her a treat. Hopefully she won’t forget me and be loyal because she is going places, she is doing a really good job. I am happy for her.” While she grew up riding and helping out in racing stables, a career in the saddle wasn’t assured for Strawbridge, who elected to commence tertiary education before electing to pursue her dream vocation. “My mum, Michelle Hopkins, was a jockey, so I have pretty much been riding horses from the moment I could walk,” she said. “I started riding for Debbie (Sweeney) around high school. I went down to Christchurch and rode for Ross Beckett when I went down for university, but uni wasn’t for me, so I found out more about doing an apprenticeship and moved back home and got started with Debbie. “Mum works for Debbie as well, it’s an awesome work environment, it’s like one big family.” Strawbridge had come close to victory in several of her 30-odd starts before Wednesday’s breakthrough win, and she said she is relieved to finally be on the board. “I have had a few placings now, so it is good to finally get the monkey off the back,” she said. With her first win now on the board, Strawbridge has a hunger for more and is hoping to add to her tally at Tauranga on Saturday. “What A Charma is running this weekend at Tauranga and I think he will be a nice horse going through the grades over winter,” she said. “He went very close last start, so if we can do the same thing in the Kiwifruit Cup (2100m) that would be good. “I am also riding Blackpink Jennie and Digger. Blackpink Jennie is a nice mare who has got a good draw (5) and will get through the wet ground well, and Digger is an honest horse who always tries hard, and he should be right there till the end.” View the full article

After Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) returned his best season as a racehorse as a seven-year-old gelding, owner and syndicate manager Rob Slade is banking on him continuing that upward trajectory. “He’s getting better with age. He’s very lightly raced for a seven-year-old gelding as he has had only 37 starts and most horses his age would be in the 55-to-60-starts bracket,” Slade said of Here To Shock, who has won 13 races and $2.8 million in prizemoney. Here To Shock is back in work and being aimed first-up at the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 17. “That’s a suitable race for him. He loves 1400m at Caulfield, where he has two wins, including the Group 3 Victoria Handicap and two seconds,” Slade said. In the 2024-25 racing season, Here To Shock had seven starts for four wins and two seconds and he secured his first G1 win when he took out the BCD Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in February. In the lead-up to that win, Here To Shock won the inaugural The Supernova at Pakenham over 1400m. After New Zealand, his trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes brought Here To Shock back to Australia to finish second in the G1 Canterbury Stakes over 1300m at Randwick behind Royal Patronage. That was also a significant performance as it was the first time he had been placed at the highest level in Australia. “We’ve never had a real issue with him. He’s very sound, so we think he’s a horse that still races effectively when he’s eight and nine years old,” he said, with the recent results in G1 races convincing connections that’s the level of race they will aim him at during spring. Meanwhile the ownership group has also voted to move rising five-year-old mare Roll On High to Lindsay Park from Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s stables. “They wanted to try Roll On High in a new environment. They had nothing against Moody, but just wanted to change it up,” he said. Roll On High has been spelling since she finished sixth in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes, where she didn’t have a lot of galloping room, and she will resume work this week with the plan to run her at Flemington at their Makybe Diva Stakes meeting on September 13. Here To Shock was purchased by Rob Slade from the Cambridge Stud draft at the 2019 Karaka Yearling Sale (Book 1). View the full article

Knobelas (NZ) (Belardo) has continued the winning form of OTI Racing with victory in a race at Sandown, hours after the colours were worn to success at Royal Ascot. Docklands gave OTI Racing one of their biggest victories when successful in the opening race of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting, the Queen Anne Stakes over the straight mile course on Tuesday night (Australian time). Knobelas won over a similar trip in the OTI Racing colours, taking out the Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1600m) at Sandown on Wednesday. Prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Knobelas, the $2.35 favourite, raced to a 3-¼ length win under Jordan Childs from All Business with Colour Our Word two lengths away third. Knobelas may not reach the same Group 1 heights as Docklands, but there was plenty of merit in the victory, her second from three career starts. “It was very similar to last time,” Kent Jnr said of Wednesday’s win. “She got her own way in front and if you’ve got the tactical speed and you take it up and no one wants to take you on, you deserve that. “She’s got a very good turn of foot. She sustained a solid gallop all-the-way when being up in grade, so that was quite impressive. “She’s won by a big margin again and I know there is still a heap to come with her. “It’s exciting.” Kent Jnr said immaturity had stopped Knobelas from making her debut earlier, but added it was likely Knobelas would continue to race through the winter months. “She’s a very sweet filly, very sound, does everything right,” Kent Jnr said. “I just love her change up gear and that’s going to win you more races than not. “I don’t think she needs to go further than the mile at the moment, so we’ll place her through winter and see if she can win again. “The owners have been very patient, so if she is not training off and while she’s a three-year-old filly, Saturday class beckons.” Kent Jnr said the Silver Bowl Series Final at Flemington on July 5 could be a potential next target. Knobelas was previously trained in New Zealand by Simon and Katrina Alexander and was sold following a trial win at Te Awamutu. View the full article

A month after his barnstorming stakes victory at Ellerslie, smart juvenile Do You Just (NZ) (So You Think) has been sold and will continue his racing career in Hong Kong. The son of So You Think showed promise through his two-year-old season, but it wasn’t until the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) in mid-May that he showed his true colours, leading up and spacing his rivals by 6-½ lengths. That performance came as little surprise for co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan, who shared in the ownership of Do You Just with Waikato Stud, his daughter Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle, and her husband Tom Doyle. “The only surprise about his stakes win was that he hadn’t produced that kind of performance before then,” O’Sullivan said. “We certainly thought he was up to it. “As we went, we found out a bit about him, and the reason why he hadn’t been was because he’d never raced right-handed before that. He trialled particularly well right-handed, and the first start he had right-handed, he did that.” When purchased for $250,000 out of Carlaw Park’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales, connections had hoped Do You Just would race on as a colt, but after being gelded, selling him became an inevitability. “He was purchased as a colt, but once he had to be gelded, he was no real value to Waikato Stud, as they would generally race fillies or colts,” O’Sullivan said. “I also raced 20 percent of the horse myself. “When we sell a horse out of the stable, the one thing we hope is that they turn out really well, so the owners will come back in the future. “It is the way racing is, some people choose to keep them, but this horse was purchased for $250,000 at the sales, and he paid his way and sold for a profit. “Hopefully, we can repeat the same sort of exercise in the future and the horse can remain a colt, but he just wasn’t going to make a racehorse as a colt. “We hope he can go up to Hong Kong and turn into a top horse for his new connections.” View the full article