Wandering Eyes

David Ward's year of celebration with Starman has continued into the run-up to Christmas as his filly Sound And Vision provided the breakthrough first-season sire with his 42nd winner at Southwell on Friday. After watching the Ed Walker trainee collect the five-furlong novice, he was keen to reflect on the season of all seasons. “You go into the year with hopes and dreams, don't you? But in life, hopes and dreams get dashed, never mind in horse racing,” he said. “To come out the other end with those hopes and dreams exceeded is amazing. You have to remind yourself the journey we have enjoyed with this horse ever since Lady Iman won first time out at Dundalk earlier in the year. To where we are now, it has been a white-knuckle ride. Unbelievable.” To illustrate how in vogue Starman is in right now, Tally-Ho Stud made something of an unprecedented move earlier this week to issue a statement saying that the stallion was full at €40,000. Two races after Sound And Vision on the Friday card, the filly Florida Suite made it 43 in the nursery. “They've never had to do that before,” Ward added. “He filled up pretty quickly last year as well, but he has been pretty close to full for the past number of weeks and obviously got over the line the other day. Every day has been Christmas for me for a long time this year. What more can you say? He's remarkable in his temperament and he's remarkable in what he has achieved at stud. Hopefully he will continue to be remarkable.” Restricted Novice Stakes @Southwell_Races Southwell – Classe 5 – 2 ans – 1000m – 8 Pts – 6 197 £ Sound And Vision (f) (Ire) Kieran Shoemark (Starman (Gb) @HoStud – Commodus (Ire) par Australia (Gb)) E Walker @edwalkerracing David Ward pic.twitter.com/pb7ukjDCc9 — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) December 19, 2025 1st-Southwell, £6,300, Novice, 12-19, 2yo, 4f 215y (AWT), :58.71, st. SOUND AND VISION (IRE) (f, 2, Starman {GB}–Commodus {Ire}, by Australia {GB}) Sales history: €21,000 Wlg '23 GOFNOF. Lifetime Record: 4-1-0-1, $6,707. O-David Ward; B-Michael & Martin Butler; T-Ed Walker. The post ‘Every Day Has Been Christmas’: Ward Celebrates Starman’s 42nd – And 43rd – Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club of America has released the list of mares in the 2026 Mare Incentive Program, which waives registration fees for certain 2027 foals of mares that meet the criteria, the organization said on Friday. The list of mares in the 2025 pilot program was searched more than 3,100 times and 228 mares were bred as part of the program. “We were pleased to see how many searches were performed and how many mares were brought back into production,” said James L. Gagliano, president and COO, The Jockey Club. “The feedback has been extremely positive and we look forward to seeing how many more mares are brought back next year.” “This is such a fantastic tool for breeders,” said David O'Farrell, owner and manager of Ocala Stud. “We saw a few very nice mares that were part of the program this year, and we hope to see more from the 2026 list.” The criteria are for mares divided into two age groups. The first are for mares from 6 to 9 years old as of January 1, 2026: A registered Thoroughbred; Name registered with The Jockey Club; No race starts in the past two years (2024 and 2025); Not reported as the dam of a foal in the past two years; Not reported as covered by a stallion in the past two years; Not exported to a foreign country from the USA, Canada, or Puerto Rico with the export as the last movement of record; Not reported dead. The second are for mares from 10 to 19 years old as of January 1, 2026. These mares must meet the criteria above and must have produced a registered foal in 2022 and/or 2023. The 2026 list of mares meeting the criteria comprises 22,243 mares. In 2025, there were 23,090 mares. The report of Mare Incentive Program mares is available to anyone with an IR account and is filterable by 12 data elements, including sire, dam sire, age, money earned, and class of race achieved. Users can also search by mare name. The list includes all mares that meet the criteria for their age group. To learn more about the Mare Incentive Program, visit www.registry.jockeyclub.com. The post Jockey Club Releases 2026 List For Mare Incentive Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After two days of deliberation, on Friday, the Australian Turf Club (ATC) successfully stalled the appointment of an administrator, after the NSW Supreme Court ruled there was no persuasive evidence the club faced imminent insolvency. The decision followed a two-day hearing, culminating in a significant legal win for the ATC, with Justice Francois Kunc granting an injunction preventing Racing NSW from placing the club into administration until a full Supreme Court hearing scheduled for February 18 and 19, 2026. Racing NSW's case to appoint an administrator hinged on the belief that the ATC had not done enough to improve the club's commercial performance or resolve serious financial issues, after issuing the club with a show-cause notice in September. Earlier in the week, Racing NSW announced they would remove the ATC board and install an administrator. In response, the ATC sought an injunction, arguing Racing NSW does not have the legal authority to force the club into administration. Justice Kunc said he would extend the injunction that had been put in place earlier in the week, meaning the ATC's directors will remain in control until the court hands down a final decision. In outlining the ATC's position, ATC's legal counsel Scott Robertson argued Racing NSW had exceeded its regulatory powers, suggesting the move was driven by a breakdown in the relationship between the two bodies following disagreements over the proposed sale of Rosehill racecourse. The sale was ultimately rejected by ATC members in May. “We say this is a regulator that's lost its way in that it's failed to understand the scope of its functions,” Robertson told the court. “It is principally a regulator, and this regulator has taken it upon itself to act as a supervisor of commercial decisions for our client… which goes beyond its scope.” Counsel for Racing NSW, Oliver Jones SC, countered that the Thoroughbred Racing Act required the regulator to act “in the public interest and the interest of the horse racing industry as a whole in New South Wales”. The Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996 is currently under the Hazzard review. Jones argued Racing NSW differed from other regulators due to its broader statutory responsibilities. He stated that Racing NSW was a regulator unlike others “in the sense that its statutory functions include not just a requirement to enforce the law or regulate what people are doing, but in fact to further the commercial aspects of the horse racing industry' for its 'betterment and welfare'.” Jones also raised concerns about Racing NSW's own financial exposure, pointing to its role as guarantor on a $30 million loan the ATC must repay to the Commonwealth Bank by October 10 next year. He said refinancing talks had not advanced sufficiently. In addition, the court ruled the ATC is permitted to fill a member-elected vacancy on its board. “The Board of the Australian Turf Club welcomes today's decision and will now continue to work diligently and collaboratively with all stakeholders to continue normal racing and Club operations,” ATC chairman Tim Hale said in a statement. The post Judge Blocks Racing NSW’s Move Over The ATC appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan, post time: 3.40 p.m., ASAHI HAI FUTURITY STAKES-G1, ¥135,480,000, 2yo, 1600mT Field: Good Piece (GB) (Kingman {GB}), White Orchid (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Ecoro Alba (Jpn) (Mozu Ascot), Cosmo Red (Jpn) (California Chrome), Storm Thunder (Jpn) (Henry Barows {Jpn}), Tagano Aralia (Jpn) (Mr Melody), Corteo Soleil (Jpn) (Win Bright {Jpn}), Cavallerizzo (Jpn) (Saturnalia {Jpn}), Spe Luce (Jpn) (Rey De Oro {Jpn}), Diamond Knot (Jpn) (Bricks And Mortar), Kakuuchi (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}), Admire Quads (Jpn) (Real Steel), Realize Sirius (Jpn) (Poetic Flare {Ire}), Red Ligare (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}). TDN Analysis: Admire Quads looms large here, but only a head separated him and Cavallerizzo in the G2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes. G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup hero Ecoro Alba is another attempting to remain perfect, while the same can be said for the G3 Niigata Nisai Stakes scorer Realize Sirius. There are also a trio of first-out winners stepping up to group class for the first time, including White Orchid and Cosmo Red. Click here for the complete field. Click here for the preview. The post Black-Type Analysis: Admire Quads Rematches With Cavallerizzo In Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Undefeated in two starts, Junko Kondo's Admire Quads anchors the advance markets for Sunday's G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes at Hanshin. The one-mile race looks to be contentious, as the top four betting choices are split by inches by the betting public. By Real Steel, like this year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic/G1 Saudi Cup hero Forever Young, the colt delivered in a Tokyo contest in October, before rattling home in a record 1:33.10 for the 1600 metres at Kyoto in the G2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes on November 15. He had Silk Racing's Cavallerizzo (Saturnalia) back in second that day. Ryusei Sakai has the call, and the duo will leave from stall 12 in the 14-horse field. Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said, “The jockey [Ryusei Sakai] has been working him on the woodchip course and thinks the horse's footwork has improved. He's easy to switch on and off, and there doesn't seem to be any bad points with him. He's relaxed too. Changing to the Hanshin course shouldn't pose any problems either. He's a horse with a lot of speed and power, so I'll look forward to what he can do in a Grade 1 race.” Another unbeaten group winner is Masatoshi Haramura's Ecoro Alba (Mozu Ascot). Triumphant in the G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup over the Asahi Hai Futurity distance in October, the colt was first seen breaking his maiden at Niigata in July. Trainer Yasuhito Tamura said, “His workload's been sufficient, and I think what he's been doing in training has been good enough. The outer course at Hanshin should suit him, and we've considered this when working him. I hope he can run his own race and get a good result.” G3 Niigata Nisai Stakes hero Realize Sirius (Poetic Flare) is also protecting a flawless record. Stepping out in June to win a newcomers' affair over 1600 metres, his group victory was accomplished at that same distance in August. Off since, he will leave from gate 13 under Akihide Tsumura. Said trainer Takahisa Tezuka, “He's improved for his recent work, and despite the ground condition of the training track, his times weren't bad. More than the transportation itself, on arrival at the course, we'll need to keep him calm, so we might put blinkers on him. There are plenty of good horses in the race this time, but if he can be sharp enough and get into the flow of things, he should be capable of running a good race.” Diamond Knot took three tries to find the winner's circle, and, after a second in the Momiji Stakes in October, put his stamp on the G2 Keio Hai Nisai Stakes at Tokyo over 1400 metres in November. The son of Bricks And Mortar represents Kaneko Makoto and will leave from stall 10 under Christophe Lemaire. “He's had a good workload, and there's been no change in the way he's moving,” said trainer Yuichi Fukunaga. “He starts well in his races, so I've thought the shorter trips in his runs would be good, although we've gradually increased the distances of his races and he's been fine. He has a lot of power, and has done everything right leading up to this race.” White Orchid (Kizuna), Cosmo Red (California Chrome) and Red Ligare (Maurice) are entering on the back of first-out wins. The first-named filly won over course and distance in September. Cosmo Red, the other filly in the 14-horse field, has been seen in action once, when taking a Kyoto 1400-metre affair on November 8. Red Ligare claimed a Kyoto contest over this trip at the end of November. The post Much To Admire In Asahi Hai Futurity Field appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jay Rooney INVINCIBLE IBIS - R11 (5) Brilliant winner of his past two starts and can go on with it here Owen Goulding KEMPES - R10 (6) Has finally drawn a barrier and the 1,400m trip might be his sweet spot Trackwork Spy INVINCIBLE IBIS - R11 (5) In red-hot form and looks set to relish the step up to the 1,600m distance Phillip Woo ALSONSO - R4 (1) Is a live chance down in grade over his favourite Sha Tin trip Shannon (Vincent Wong) SUNNY Q - R2 (7) Had excuses last start and should...View the full article

Sir Johnny Weatherby KCVO, owner-breeder and a member of one of racing's most distinguished families, has died at the age of 66. A seventh-generation member of the dynasty which has become synonymous with the administration of British racing and breeding, Weatherby owned Preston Lodge Stud in Oakham and was the breeder of dual Cheltenham Festival winner Presenting Percy as well as Top Wood, who won the Aintree Foxhunters' Chase in his colours during the 2019 Grand National meeting. A keen amateur jump jockey in his younger days, he was appointed chairman of the family firm Weatherbys in 1993, having started work at the company in 1979. His brother Roger is CEO of Weatherbys Banking Group. For nine years, until 2020, Weatherby served as Her Majesty's Representative at Ascot, where he had been chairman since 2008. He was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2020. In an interview with TDN in 2018, Weatherby spoke of his family's deep roots within the sport, which stretch back more than 250 years to when his forebear James Weatherby was appointed secretary of the Jockey Club and Keeper of the Match Book in 1770. He said, “My brother Roger and I are very proud of the longevity of our business and the constant connection with our family through seven generations, as well as our involvement with the origins of the thoroughbred. We are fully aware of our continuing responsibilities to the industry. Our role as custodians of the General Stud Book is very important to us. James Weatherby, the nephew of the business's founder, published the very first volume in 1791 – the founding record of the breed. That's a tangible, vital piece of Turf history, alongside the Racing Calendar, which we also still publish. Tesio enthusiastically referenced those two works as 'the most imposing and dependable source of information the world has ever known'.” A statement released by Weatherbys on Friday morning read, “It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of Sir Johnny Weatherby who died yesterday aged 66 following a life of peerless service to horseracing. “Sir Johnny was a figure of immense stature within our sport. “From his early days as an amateur jockey for David Nicholson to his transformative tenure as Chairman of Weatherbys (1993 – 2022) and his distinguished service as Her Majesty's Representative at Ascot (2011 – 2020), he embodied the very best of the Turf's traditions, while driving the industry into the modern era. “A Member of the Jockey Clubs of both Britain and the USA and Chairman of the International Stud Book Committee, Johnny was a global ambassador for the Thoroughbred. “Yet, he will be remembered most by his friends and peers for his energy, foresight, ambition and unwavering dedication to the integrity of the sport. “He was a man who moved with equal ease through every corner of the racing world. “His loss leaves a significant gap in the administrative and social heart of the industry. “The Weatherby family has requested privacy at this time.” The post ‘A Life of Peerless Service to Horseracing’: Sir Johnny Weatherby Dies at 66 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zac Purton knows how difficult it is to maintain winning streaks in Hong Kong, but the champion jockey is adamant Patch Of Stars can continue his rise with an ounce of luck at Sha Tin on Saturday. With five wins from his past seven starts, the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained gelding’s rating has soared from 50 to 92 in the space of eight months. His ascension continued when he passed his first Class Two test last time out, overcoming gate nine courtesy of a brilliant Purton ride to claim the...View the full article

Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti is back on track for a tilt at the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham in a fortnight following a setback earlier this month. The five-year-old gelding, who last raced in the A$5 million The Quokka (1200m) in Perth in April, was making pleasing progress in his build-up over spring, winning his 1100m trial at Te Rapa in September before he was set to head to Pukekohe to tackle the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago. However, the son of Zacinto’s temperature spiked earlier in the week, forcing trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata to withdraw their charge from his intended first-up assignment. Crocetti quickly recovered and his trainers shifted their sights to the Group and Listed trials at Matamata on Friday to help ready him for Trentham’s feature sprint. In his 1100m heat, he jumped away well under jockey Warren Kennedy and settled in the coveted one-one position. At the 400m mark, Kennedy asked his charge to improve three-wide and he quickly loomed up alongside pacemaker Merchant Queen and Discretion Rules before bounding away to an effortless one length victory under a motionless Kennedy. Owner-breeder Daniel Nakhle was rapt to see his pride and joy in full fettle and ready to tackle next month’s Telegraph. “It is really good to have him back on track,” Nakhle said. “It has been nine months between races, so we are looking forward to Telegraph Day. “He had a nice trial today, he had a little bit of a blow, which he needed. “It was good to have that pipe opener and hopefully have him spot on for the third (of January).” While Nakhle said Crocetti’s withdrawal from his intended first-up run in the Concorde was unfortunate, his gelding’s welfare will always come first, and he is now excited to be marching on towards a feature target. “It was bad timing unfortunately, but that is racing and what is meant to happen is going to happen,” he said. “The main thing is that the horse is alright – you look after the horse and the horse will look after you.” With Crocetti back on track, Nakhle is now hoping the weather can play its part over the coming weeks. “Hopefully we don’t have too much rain between now and then,” he said. View the full article

The Chris Waller-trained John Dory contests the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, with the progressive galloper installed a $3 favourite for the three-year-old contest. The son of Ace High broke maiden ranks in November when winning at Canterbury over 1550m and was a game runner-up in the City To Surf 3YO (1600m) at Doomben at his most recent outing, when giving four kilos to winner Nightline whom he meets again on Saturday at set weights. “He is a really nice progressive horse,” Waller said. “I pick out one horse each year to target this race with the view of the horse having a break and then going back up to Queensland for the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m).” The Grand Prix Stakes switched to a December date in 2019 and has proved to be a pointer towards subsequent Queensland Winter Carnival success. In 2021, David Vandyke’s filly Gypsy Goddess won the Grand Prix before going onto claim the 2022 Queensland Oaks, while Waller produced Kovalica to win in 2022 before going on to win the 2023 Queensland Derby. Waller also used the race as a stepping stone for Queensland Derby placegetter Caboche in 2022. “It has worked with good success in the past,” Waller said. “John Dory is a nice middle-distance bred horse. He is a typical New Zealand product that keeps improving and now is the time that you back the New Zealand bred horses to equal up with the Australians and often go ahead. “At his last start, he had a big weight to carry as topweight and had a gap between runs. He will be better for that experience from a fitness perspective and race experience. “Winkers go on on Saturday, just to sharpen him up a little bit. They went very slow last start, so hopefully he will get a more genuine speed, which would be a big help. “We expect him to be fighting out the finish and not just that, come back a better horse in the late autumn.” John Dory is bred and raced by ex-pat Kiwis Cam and Chas Stewart, who are now based on the North Queensland coast at Noosa where they run a successful seafood business. The Stewarts have previously won the Grand Prix Stakes with venerable galloper Order Again. By Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High, John Dory is out of the winning Pins mare Hirtshals and stems from the family of champion South African filly Petrava. View the full article

Latrelle and Old Bill Bone may not be ideally suited by the conditions of the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham, but there’s belief they can rise to the occasion. They will give trainer Cody Cole a decent hand in Saturday’s Bramco Granite & Marble-sponsored feature sprint at Trentham where he also has black-type contenders Atmospheric and Silhouette. Latrelle and Old Bill Bone will be tested at weight-for-age company, earning the step up after performing well at handicap level. “They’re obviously not that well suited, but I had a feeling the race may lack a bit of depth and it’s come up that way,” Cole said. “It was a really good run at Wanganui last start by Latrelle and she was taking ground off two better performed horses (Spencer, Bedtime Story).” The Redwood mare came from the back to finish third and will be ridden by Samantha Collett while Vinnie Colgan will guide the fortunes of her stablemate. “Old Bill Bone is the improver, he’s still on the way up and always seems to find a way to get in the finish,” Cole said. The son of Swiss Ace is a three-time winner from seven appearances and most recently got home well from a wide gate for third when resuming at Pukekohe. “You never get a good line on him from trackwork, he’s so laid back whereas Latrelle has been working particularly well so they are hard to split.” Atmospheric will fly the stable flag in the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m) with Craig Grylls to retain the ride after they overcame a slow start at Pukekohe to finish runner-up. “He’s in on the minimum and a bit shorter in the market ($4.50 favourite) than I thought, but the numbers were good from him at Counties last start,” Cole said. “He can’t afford to give them a head start like that on Saturday, he’s been to the jump-outs since then and got away cleanly. “He’s got a nice, cosy gate and as long as he gets away with them, I think he’s got to be a very nice chance. He’s had the benefit of a run over ground, so he’s spot on.” Silhouette will return to Trentham for the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) following the Armory filly’s runaway victory on the course in October. “That was the drawcard to have a crack, it’s a nice option for her having been down the chute before,” Cole said. “The margin was bigger than expected but we thought she would run a top race. She had worked well with an older horse leading into it. “The Karaka Millions is a goal along the way, but first and foremost I’d like to get some black type on her page.” Of Cole’s Te Rapa runners, the Matamata trainer nominated his last-start Otaki winner Renovations as his best chance when she steps out in the Cantec Services Handicap (1400m) with Sam Weatherley to ride Ardossan’s daughter. “She can back up with another good performance and I think she’s capable of going on and getting some more black type this season,” he said. View the full article

David Eustace is excited to test Dazzling Fit against “the stand-out” Classic Series contender Invincible Ibis in what shapes as a crucial clash in Saturday’s Class Three Poinsettia Handicap (1,600m) at Sha Tin. Bound for the first leg of the four-year-old series, the Classic Mile on February 1, the Mark Newnham-trained Invincible Ibis chases a third straight victory while Dazzling Fit continued his upward spiral with an incredibly tough win last start. Trapped wide throughout without cover from...View the full article

Former Cantabrian Penvose Lad is loving life in the deep south. Formerly trained by Riccarton horsewoman Anna Furlong, the now five-year-old gelding won three races before joining Ebony Turner’s Riverton barn in search of more forgiving footing in spring. “I got approached by his owners. They felt that the tracks were getting too hard for him up there (Canterbury) and if he was going to be travelling south for softer track conditions, he may as well be trained down here, and I was the lucky one that got the phone call,” Turner said. After running seventh fresh-up at Wingatui last month, he strung together two runner-up efforts over Cromwell’s two-day meeting, much to the delight of Turner. “In that first-up run he couldn’t get any clear running room at all, and it was gutting to see as he went to the line completely untested,” she said. “We were always confident that we were going to see his form turn around and we were pleased that he did it over the two-day meeting at Cromwell with all of his owners there. It made for a lovely weekend away.” Turner has been pleased with the way he has progressed since his Cromwell runs and she is hoping he can go one better at Gore on Sunday when he contests the Dynes Transport Tapanui Cup (1335m). “He has come through Cromwell in super order and we thought why not have a go at the Tapanui Cup?” Turner said. “It is definitely not a weak field, but he has got a good weight (54kg) and he has definitely shown that he can stand up to horses like that.” Penvose Lad has drawn out wide in barrier 10, but that poses no concerns for Turner. “I am not too stressed about the draw,” she said. “He is the kind of horse that you can place wherever you like. He will find his feet and run home.” On the undercard, stablemate Quick Tap will be seeking to record a hat-trick of wins in the AB Lime & RTL 1200. After 18 months away from the track, she won first-up at Cromwell last month before repeating the result at the Central Otago track a couple of days later. “She was very impressive at Cromwell,” Turner said. “It was nice to see off such a lengthy spell. “She has come through Cromwell in excellent order and is firing on all cylinders. It will be pretty cool if we could do a hat-trick on Sunday.” She will be joined in the race by stablemate Miss Pearl, who will be having her first start for Turner. “She is just going around for a run to get a line on her,” Turner said. “She has been getting jogged by a trotting trainer for the last three months and I have only had her for a few weeks. “It is a starting point for her, she is obviously looking for the 1600m. Fingers-crossed we can target the mile series with her.” Turner will also be represented by Whiny Meow in the Rob Dennis Racing & Jad Stable 1800, while she will be a keeping a close eye on the weather ahead of Caffeinated’s tilt at the MLT/Forest Lodge 2000. “I am hoping Whiny Meow will like the 1800m,” she said. “He is no champion, but he always tries hard and he got absolutely no luck at Invercargill last week. I thought we would go to Gore, give him a shot over 1800m and see what he can do. “Caffeinated is in really good order, her fourth in the Cromwell Cup was a massive effort after her run on the first day where she didn’t get time to have a breath at all. “I am a little bit worried about the rain that is in the forecast. If it does come, then she will potentially be pulled out of the race because she doesn’t like much moisture in the track at all. “Her target is more the Summer Cup at Riverton on New Year’s Day.” View the full article

WatchandWager.com has renewed agreements with Monarch Content Management Group and the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to accept wagers on their racetracks in 2026, according to a press release from the betting outfit on Thursday. The renewals with Monarch allow WatchandWager players to place bets at 19 racetracks, including Gulfstream and Santa Anita, while the NYRA deal gives those horseplayers access to 17 racetracks, which includes Saratoga. WatchandWager has obtained renewals of all of its state-by-state ADW licenses for 2026. Among those individual licenses are California, Colorado, Kentucky, New York and Washington. They also received a renewal of its multi-jurisdictional wagering license from the North Dakota Racing Commission for 2026. The post Watchandwager Secures Key Agreements With Monarch And NYRA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What will racing look like in 10 years? We asked some of racing's best and brightest to give us their predictions. Want to submit an answer? Email suefinley@thetdn.com MATT SCULL, FOUNDER, PRESIDENT OF FIRST RODEO RACING The care for the horse comes before all. A greater emphasis is now placed on the competition rather than the business of breeding and sales. The wrinkles in HISA have been ironed out and it has allowed the proper framework for all states/track operators to pull the rope in the same direction, rather than continuing to fight for their piece of a shrinking pie. Regional breeding programs helped to reverse negative trends in the foal crop. Meaningful access to the horse are more readily available across the country. AI has taken over many parts of our lives, creating a larger need for connection to the animal/nature, horse racing capitalized on this. Tracks have successfully placed the proper emphasis on attracting new fans to the track and give them race-day experiences worthy of wanting to come back. Experiences like the Hill at Keeneland are the norm rather than the exception. Wagering menus are modernized and meet people where they are at. You can now add a horse to show on the Sunday card at Oaklawn to your NFL same-game parlay. Access to free data, that is more easily understood by the beginner is distributed widely. Rewards for horseplayers align greater with what is offered at brick and mortar casinos. Top players get comped tickets and a hotel room for the big racing days across the country. Handicapping races had it's “poker stars” moment. Contests are filmed and turned into mini-series on YouTube. Track think more critically regarding how to attract new owners to the sport and focus on the full experience. Rather than looking to attract horses to fill races with just purse strings, they create environments that encourage ownership participation. People begin to see horse ownership as much more than an investment. There is a revival in the interest of racing in the entire US, with new markets added in the Southeast and Midwest (Kansas, Georgia, etc). Momentum East helps California weather the storm and reverse its current trajectory. Horse racing has successfully became the conduit to re-connect more humans to horses. The post Racing In 2036: Matt Scull appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Keeneland Library once again has fielded an ambitious and educationally-minded schedule to start 2026 which includes tours, the Starting Gate Storytime program and its Library Lecture Series, the repository said in a press release on Thursday. The library continues to offer free year-round exhibit tours and a host of other programs geared towards all facets of the Thoroughbred industry's past and present. The popular lecture series includes authors who conducted research at the facility. Tickets are now available for these winter events: 21: Gary O'Dell, Reinventing the American Thoroughbred; 18: Curtis Stock, The Turcottes: The Remarkable Story of a Horse Racing Dynasty; 18: Steve Haskin, Tales from the Triple Crown. Go to their website, www.Keeneland.com/library, for more information. The post Keeneland Library Fields Bevy Of Upcoming Programs And Events For 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Remington Springboard Mile Stakes has yet to be won by the eventual Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, but perhaps this year's race snaps that streak. No trainer is better positioned to come away victorious than Steve Asmussen. View the full article

For the second time in 2 1/2 years, the same panel of three judges on the Sixth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati has affirmed the constitutionality of the Horseracing and Safety Integrity Act (HISA) in a lawsuit spearheaded by the states of Oklahoma, West Virginia and Louisiana. The case had alleged that the HISA Act gave a private corporation–the HISA Authority, which operates under the auspices of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)–far too broad regulatory authority. The plaintiffs claimed that was a violation of the non-delegation doctrine, which bans Congress from delegating legislative power to federal agencies without an “intelligible principle” to guide the exercise of agency discretion. This same Sixth Circuit panel, back on Mar. 3, 2023, had already upheld a lower court's dismissal of the states' lawsuit, ruling that Congressional changes to the law that were made in 2022 rendered the HISA Act completely constitutional. But the case was back before the Sixth Circuit yet again, because on June 30, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court tasked the Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Circuit appeals courts with revisiting their older decisions about HISA in light of a newer Supreme Court ruling in a similar case involving the non-delegation doctrine. (That precedent didn't exist when any of those courts issued their original opinions as far back as three years ago.) The Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Circuit appeals courts have all previously agreed that HISA's rulemaking structure is constitutional. Only the Fifth Circuit has disagreed, in part, by opining that HISA's enforcement provisions are unconstitutional. The two cases that the Supreme Court remanded back to the Fifth and Eighth Circuit appeals courts have yet to reach the oral argument stage. On Thursday, a spokesperson for the HISA Authority issued the following statement (not attributed to any executive within the Authority) on the Sixth Circuit decision: “HISA is pleased with the decision rendered by the Sixth Circuit once again affirming HISA's constitutionality and finding that the private nondelegation challenge against the HISA Act has no merit. “[The Authority] has remained singularly focused on its mission to promote the health and safety of the human and equine athletes at the heart of Thoroughbred racing and has implemented the first-ever uniform national set of rules applicable to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility. These reforms are delivering transformative results, including meaningful decreases in equine fatalities, consistent standards at racetracks, a fairer and more balanced medication and drug-testing framework and an increased focus on jockey welfare. The data is clear that Thoroughbred racing is safer under HISA than ever before.” TDN has reached out to the plaintiffs, requesting their comments on the Sixth Circuit opinion. This story will be updated to include any responses. Regardless of which side won the case, it was always expected that the losing side would appeal the Sixth Circuit decision back to the Supreme Court. But as of deadline for this article, no one on the plaintiffs' side had officially stated that would happen. Going back to the Supreme Court again would likely add yet another year or two to the timetable for resolving the three highest-profile HISA constitutionality lawsuits, two of which were initiated as far back as 2021. The Sixth Circuit's Dec. 17, 2025, opinion was issued relatively quickly after the three-judge panel heard oral arguments from both sides Nov. 12. During those oral arguments, Chief U.S. Circuit Judge Jeffrey Sutton was the only member of the panel to question the attorneys as they made their arguments. Five weeks ago, Sutton seemed to signal where his thoughts were going on the non-delegation issue when he stated, at one point during the arguments, that, “It happens all the time that governments rely on private entities to do things.” On Dec. 17, Sutton put those thoughts in writing as the author of the panel's opinion. “Sometimes government works. And sometimes it works best after a dialogue between and within the various branches,” Sutton wrote. “In 2020, Congress enacted the HISA Act to establish a nationwide framework for regulating Thoroughbred horseracing. That led to several nondelegation and anti-commandeering challenges to the validity of the Act throughout the country,” the opinion stated. “The lead challenge–the facial non-delegation challenge–focused on the reality that the Act replaced several state regulatory authorities with a private corporation, the HISA Authority, which became the Act's primary rulemaker and which was not subordinate to the relevant public agency, the FTC, in critical ways,” the opinion stated. “The first circuit to assess the validity of the law, the Fifth Circuit, declared the Act facially unconstitutional because it gave 'a private entity the last word' on federal law,” the opinion stated. “In response to the Fifth Circuit's decision and after oral argument in a similar case in our circuit, Congress amended the Act to give the FTC discretion to 'abrogate, add to, and modify' any rules that bind the industry,” the opinion stated. “While the Constitution does not require constructive exchanges between Congress and the federal courts, it does not discourage them either, and good government sometimes benefits from them,” the opinion stated. Supreme Court | Getty “A productive dialogue occurred in this instance, and, from our perspective, it ameliorated the concerns underlying the non-delegation challenge,” the opinion stated. [In the 2023 opinion] “we upheld the Act against a facial non-delegation challenge and an anti-commandeering challenge. The Eighth Circuit took the same view. The Fifth Circuit agreed with both courts with respect to the rulemaking power created by the Act. But it facially invalidated the law on the ground that the Act afforded the HISA Authority the power to enforce federal law 'without the FTC's say-so,'” the opinion stated. “The losing parties all filed petitions for writs of certiorari in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court held the various petitions while it considered a separate nondelegation challenge to another federal law that used a private entity in implementing the law,´” the opinion stated. “In FCC v. Consumers' Research, the Court considered an as-applied challenge to the Federal Communications Commission's Universal Service Fund, premised on the reality that the FCC relied on a private administrator's policy recommendations in administering the program. The Court ruled that the program did not impermissibly delegate government authority to a private entity because the FCC retained final 'decision-making authority.'” the opinion stated. “After its decision, the Court [remanded] the three certiorari petitions raising non-delegation challenges to the HISA Act. That is to say, the Court granted each petition, vacated the lower court judgments, and remanded the cases for reconsideration in light of Consumers' Research,” the opinion stated. “That brings us to our second look at the Act. In view of the guidance provided by the Supreme Court in Consumers' Research and other recent decisions, we reject this facial challenge because the Act, as amended, gives the FTC, not the HISA Authority, the final say over the Act's key rulemaking and enforcement provisions,” the opinion stated. “The HISA Authority is subordinate to the agency. The Authority yields to FTC supervision and lacks the final say over rulemaking and enforcement of the law, all tried and true hallmarks of an inferior body,” the opinion stated. With regard to plaintiffs' challenges to rulemaking, Sutton wrote this: “The HISA Act gives the FTC supervision over the rules that govern the horseracing industry. The Act permits the HISA Authority to draft proposed rules on racetrack safety and anti-doping matters. But they are just that: proposals. No such proposal becomes a binding rule until the FTC approves it, and the Act permits the agency only to approve proposed rules if they are 'consistent' with the Act,” the opinion stated. “In addition, the Act gives the FTC authority, as it 'finds necessary or appropriate,' to 'abrogate, add to, and modify the rules.' The FTC's power to review proposed rules, to abrogate existing rules, and to add new rules makes clear who is in charge and who has the final say,” the opinion stated. The post Sixth Circuit Affirms HISA’s Constitutionality A Second Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mister Punch could work out a beneficial stalking trip from the outside post and deserves a long look in the Dec. 20 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds.View the full article

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) has allocated an extra £4.4 million to prize-money for 2026 compared to this year, following a further increase in the Levy yield to just shy of £109 million – the highest since the 2017 reforms that extended the scope of the Levy to overseas betting operators. Details of the statutory Levy – which climbed to £108.9 million, up from £105.3 million the previous year – were released on Wednesday as the HBLB published its 2024/25 Annual Report and Accounts. This increase came despite a third consecutive year of material decline in betting turnover. Higher than anticipated bookmaker gross profits in February and March this year, in particular, pushed income above expectations, according to the Annual Report. HBLB reported total income of £113 million, up from £108.7 million in 2023/24, when taking into account interest on cash deposits, which helped to boost reserves to £58.7 million. It's reported that the Board adopted a prudent approach to its overall financial position and revised its target reserves range from £21m-£31m to £25m-£35m, reflecting increased spending in recent years and the need for a strong financial cushion. This has facilitated the increased contribution to prize-money for 2026, plus an extra £1.2 million for regulatory and integrity services, among other grants. In her statement as interim chair of HBLB during the year, Anne Lambert noted that the Board was delighted to have been able to increase its grant expenditure on the previous year, but noted that “racing is facing significant challenges”. In the year as a whole, average betting turnover per race was down by 8% on 2023/24, representing a 15% fall versus 2022/23 and 19% versus 2021/22. Meanwhile, in his Chief Executive's Report, Alan Delmonte emphasised that the Board's willingness to support funding of more innovative projects such as 'Project Pace' and 'Project Beacon' illustrates that “if racing is to continue to be a leading sport and leisure activity, it needs to ensure that it is presented and structured in a way that is attractive to the modern consumer”. In June 2025, the Board published a new three-year business plan, with progress to be reported in future annual reports. An updated summary of the 2022-2025 business plan is included within the Annual Report. The post HBLB Annual Report Reveals Further Increase in Levy Yield to Almost £109 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association plans to run 196 racing days at Aqueduct Racetrack, Saratoga Race Course, and the new Belmont Park in 2026. View the full article

A chance to travel around two turns as a 2-year-old in a Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying race awaits a field of 12 in the Dec. 20 Remington Springboard Mile at Remington Park.View the full article

7th-GP, $58k, OC 62k/C, 3yo/up, 1m, 3:30 p.m. ET WinStar Farm, CHC, Inc. and Cold Press Racing's Tappan Street (Into Mischief) will make his highly anticipated return facing six rivals in an optional claimer at Gulfstream Park Friday. He is the 4-5 program favorite. Last seen defeating leading Horse of the Year candidate and GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 29, Tappan Street was forced to miss the Kentucky Derby after suffering a condylar fracture in his right front leg. “We've been looking forward to this ever since he got hurt,” WinStar's Elliott Walden said in these pages earlier this week. TJCIS PPs 1st-GP, $56k, Msw, 3yo/up, 1mT, post time: 12:20 p.m. ET Highlands Way (Not This Time), a $1.35-million Keeneland September yearling, debuts for Robert and Lawana Low and trainer Todd Pletcher. The half-brother to GISW Bell's The One (Majesticperfection) is drawn wide in post 11 with Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard. Pletcher will also saddle fellow firster Make It Make Sense (Into Mischief), a $600,000 Keeneland September graduate campaigned in partnership by Repole Stable, Spendthrift Farm, Big Easy Racing LLC and Titletown Racing Stables. The latter is a half-brother to SW & MGISP Shoplifted (Into Mischief). TJCIS PPs The post Friday’s Insights: Florida Derby Winner Tappan Street Returns at Gulfstream Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Tonight is one of the most unique night on the New Zealand racing calendar, bringing the top class and battlers together racing for the same money under the same conditions. The Golden Gait series is designed to reward horses who regularly start at Alexandra Park during the year with 10 mobile mile finals all worth $50,000. That means former Miracle Mile runner-up Sooner The Bettor (R5, No.7) goes around for the same money over the same trip as 10-year-old veteran Benjamin Button (R7, No.8) who will be having his 153rd career start. Here is the best way to tackle tonight’s 10 Golden Gait Finals : Race 1 (R43-51 Pace) : Plenty of early speed here could set the race up for those who stay out of the early burn, the two most obvious being Double Parked and Ultimate Racy Girl. The latter may be slightly the better horse but Double Parked could have tactical advantage. Bet: Double Parked (6) to win. Race 2 (3YO Trot) : One of best fields of night with several future open class trotters. Ya Rite Darl beat the older mares at G1 level last Friday and if she races up to that form can win again but Youneverknow has x-factor and potential to get in front of key rival. Bet: Youneverknow (8) on top but be patient, price could drift closer to start time. Race 3 (3YO Pace) : Again plenty of depth but no doubting Captain Sampson is the best horse here. Faces a second line draw but has won coming wide in fast times before. Bet: Captain Sampson (12) to win but Final Change (7) at $3.10 Top3 also a good bet. Race 4 (2YO Trot) : Save A Prayer galloped in both his last two starts at Addington but before that won well here in good time. Looks the most talented and if he trots throughout clearly the one to beat in a race where manners will be the key. Bet: Save A Prayer (6) to win, Somebody a nice Top3 option. Race 5 (R55-R90 Pace) : Race of the night with Sooner The Bettor coming out of the NZ Cup last start against last year’s winner of this race Jolimont. Sooner The Bettor has great gate speed and won both the Spring Cup and Holmes D G here in the spring so has to be the one to beat. Bet: Sooner The Bettor (7) to win. Race 6 (R55-85 Trot) : Really deep field with all the major players in form. But Hillbilly Blues went to a new level beating Mighty Logan and Oscar Bonavena here last Friday. Has yet to win in three mobile starts but has been quick off the gate when asked so should stay handy. Walkinonsunshine, Belle Neige or American Muscle could all test the favourite if things don’t work out for him early. Bet: Hillbilly Blues (3) looks one of the bets of the night and is a juicy $3 with Box Seat Boost (under Futures on TAB website). Race 7 (R35-42 Pace) : A real “reward for turning up race” for plenty of the Alex Park regulars who have rarely visited the winner’s circle. Dave Duley stands out after being close second in strong and fast run Metro Final last start. Bet: Dave Duley as a multi maker as $1.50 too short for many win punters. Race 8 (R42-53 Trot) : One of the most even races of the night with multiple winning hopes. Bravehearthighlander was fourth in the race Hillbilly Blues won last Friday, Bolt For The Hill has a stack of ability, Shesgold is a sharp sprinter and Loteria could do something special if saved for one 600m surge. Even Westar Milly or Father Barry could win without surprising. Bet: Enough value to back Bolt For The Hill (7), Loteria (11) and Father Barry (1). Race 9 (2YO Pace) : Cyclone Rebel was a certainty beaten here last Friday against older horses when he never got clear. Some handy opponents here but he really should win. American Falcon has gate speed to make his own luck while Prince Lincoln was very brave in smart field last Friday. Bet: Cyclone Rebel (5) should win but again maybe only a multi play. Prince Lincoln Top2 at $1.85 another option. Race 10 (R35-41 Trot) : If you had told people a few months ago Crazy would be a $1.80 favourite to win a $50,000 race they would have thought you were.. um.. crazy. But the veteran troublemaker has found his sweet spot in mobile races and won a strong Metro Final last start yet still sneaks into this race. If he trots throughout he should win, if he doesn’t then Miss Bebe is the clear next best option. Bet: Crazy (7) to win but maybe with small cover on Miss Bebe just in case. View the full article

As usual, we start our annual quest for value among Bluegrass sires by treating the rookies as a case apart. From here we'll work our way through fee tiers of those already at stud, starting with four-figure bargains and working our way up to the big guns. In this notoriously unpredictable environment, there's one certainty on which you can hang your hat. Almost all the horses we examine today are about to cover the biggest and best books of their careers–though charging a fee that few will ever command again. But we all understand how the system works nowadays. Commercial breeders, knowing that they can bank on customers for a new stallion, typically flit from one to the next. As a result, it has become necessary for the stud farms to pay for their stallions more or less in a single season. You can't blame the farms for setting “excessive” fees, then, any more than you can blame commercial breeders for anticipating the most reliable demand. Both camps need to put bread on their tables–plenty of which already have woodworm! The source of the problem is instead at ringside, where investors claim that the unproven sire gives them their one affordable chance of landing on an Into Mischief in the making. That would be a lot more credible if they didn't run away screaming from those same stallions when, though still unproven one way or the other, their fees and books start to plummet pending the appearance of their first runners. Admittedly there is a self-fulfilling element to the equation, in that the quality and quantity of mares sent to a new stallion will represent his best chance of producing a runner. But if farms could rely on solid support right through “the bubble,” then they would not have to launch these horses at such stiff fees. As it is, the stampede is concentrated precisely where investment is most likely to fail–at least in terms of producing a racehorse. I will never tire of reiterating that there should be nothing more commercial than to put a winner under your mare. But a lot of people today instead hope to have won their “Derby” the moment the hammer comes down. As a result, and as can be seen from the way breed-to-race programs are dominating so many big races, there can seldom have been a better time to be an end user. Yet today we'll play the game, attempt the same kind of guesswork as everybody else, and try to land on one or two of the very few that typically last the course. No less than anyone else, we will need to be lucky to do that. As always, this is a notoriously subjective exercise. First and foremost people need to find the right physical match for their mares, and for every Not This Time that I may have stumbled across, I will have recommended a dozen turkeys. Nonetheless… once more unto the breach, dear friends! Sierra Leone | Benoit OVERVIEW OF THE INTAKE The sporting decision by connections of Sierra Leone and Fierceness to continue their rivalry this year certainly paid off for the racing public, and now gives the incoming cohort a star quality somewhat lacking in the previous cycle. Conversely, those whose budget was best served last year, when eight of 23 stallions were introduced between $30,000 and a peak of $40,000, find themselves with a choice of two in that bracket this time round–while as many as four of the 18 newcomers will start at higher fees. SIERRA LEONE has somehow made himself well bought as a $2.3-million yearling, which tag measured his eligibility–in physique and pedigree–to convert any kind of athletic achievement into a stud career. He has filled out the missing element in the equation magnificently, and even contrived to upgrade his page when thwarted, in his GI Breeders' Cup Classic defense, by his own “cousin”! After that, I think most of us would have estimated his start-up fee just where it has ended up, at $75,000. If hardly an obvious type to give you a maiden winner at the Keeneland spring meet, this 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' is assured helpful material and plenty of it. With his length of build and stride, equally, he will surely help some very fast mares to stretch out their foals. Bottom line is that he has everything it takes to figure prominently among sons of Gun Runner aiming to complete his resume now as a sire of sires. LOCKED, a Grade I winner at two and four and fellow 'Rising Star', offers the same cross for $35,000 at Gainesway. The Santa Anita Handicap might not be the race it was, but you try and win it by eight and a half lengths, and tell me how you get on. Don't back off his European granddam, either: she additionally produced a GI Acorn Stakes winner. For bargain access to Gun Runner, meanwhile, you can catch up with IL MIRACOLO in TDN's recent visit to that exemplary farm, Crestwood. Fierceness -at-Ashford-Stud-2_Coolmore_print_Sara-Gordon.jpg" alt="" width="599" height="435" /> Fierceness | Sara Gordon Back at Ashford, Sierra Leone is joined by two champion juveniles. The relative precocity of his old rival FIERCENESS–who these days could probably have found a place at stud straight after his 11-length 'TDN Rising Star' debut success at Saratoga–will keep the door revolving at $50,000. He consolidated unequivocally with maturity, as a Grade I winner at three and four, and it is a stallion's page. Literally, in fact: dam a half-sister to Outwork, granddam a half-sister to Cairo Prince. The other champion 2-year-old entering this roster got very close to our Value Podium. But that already features one son of Into Mischief out of a Distorted Mare, with rather more margin for error in their respective fees. Nonetheless CITIZEN BULL would be my pick of the more expensive covers in this intake, and I feel confident that he will become big value should he end up taking the customary fee clips towards his “bubble.” A revival at the end of his career reiterated all the class he showed as a youngster, and his strength and balance guarantee the breadth of support that can generate its own momentum. With all that juvenile quality on his page–his dam is a half-sister to Moonshine Memories (Malibu Moon), a dual Grade I winner at two, out of a half-brother to Favorite Trick (Phone Trick)–he seems bound to be a player in the freshman title. The arrival of MINDFRAME at Claiborne feels like quite an event and he, like Fierceness, can be confident of astute support from his own camp. He, too, opens at $50,000. That's commensurate with the natural ability that got this 'Rising Star' within half a length of the GI Belmont Stakes (admittedly not a 'real' Belmont!) on only his third start, and the speed that subsequently won him a Grade I at just seven furlongs. On the same farm, JOHANNES combines Nyquist and elite turf performance in a fashion that looks modestly priced at just $10,000. He was beaten by a single horse, at the Breeders' Cup, across six starts in the best of company in 2024 and would certainly have been able to charge rather more had he packed up then. Lane's End are also walking the walk, when it comes to all the talk we hear nowadays about expanding opportunities on grass in North America, with 'TDN Rising Star' CARL SPACKLER (Ire) joining his old rival More Than Looks on the roster that has also lately launched Up to the Mark. At $15,000, Carl Spackler allows Bluegrass breeders to tap into elite European sire Lope De Vega (Ire); while his dam is a Grade II-winning half-sister to a Grade I winner. Carl Spackler | Coady Media He started out in Book I at Tattersalls, but his new buddy RAGING TORRENT–who opens on the same fee–has a very different profile, as a rags-to-riches son of Maximus Mischief with a ton of dirt dash crowned by a frontrunning defeat of Fierceness in the stallion-making GI Met Mile. Airdrie consistently works a great angle for breeders with its imaginative recruitment and both the farm's novices look extremely tempting. If MYSTIK DAN's career proved rather uneven, his Derby form is rock solid and don't forget that he broke his maiden as a 2-year-old by eight lengths over 5.5f at Churchill for a 96 Beyer. On his day he was unplayable, and his granddam is sister to Siphon (Brz). JONATHAN'S WAY also made an explosive start to his career in 'Rising Star' fashion but was then unluckily derailed, and this farm has shown its flair developing this kind of project with Beau Liam. At $8,500, he looks a legitimate roll of the dice from the family that produced Dynaformer and Monarchos. Another recommendation is ARTHUR'S RIDE at Taylor Made: capable of very smart form on his day, from a fine family and a very nice Tapit physically. He looks fairly priced at $12,500. VALUE PODIUM Gold: PATCH ADAMS Into Mischief–Well Humored by Distorted Humor WinStar $30,000 As noted above, this is the same cross as Citizen Bull–who may well end up the pick of the bunch, in the longer term. But this 'TDN Rising Star' is not starting at quite so tough a fee, and in his own right has a great deal to recommend him. First and foremost he received a warm endorsement from one of the best judges of our time, who praises the light, balanced gait with which he carries his brawn. His temperament, moreover, seems to be maintained with similar equilibrium. While Into Mischief has deployed his upgraded mares to turn himself into a legitimate Classic influence, Patch Adams was a throwback to the way he made his name. A 10-length juvenile maiden romp at the home of the Derby (just a tick off Groupie Doll's 7f track record, for a juvenile class high Beyer of 98) prompted an understandable experiment with a couple of the early trials, but while he did end up returning to Churchill on the first Saturday in May, it was in order to drop back to sprinting. That worked out so well that he was elevated to Grade I company at Saratoga for what proved to be his final two starts, winning both the Woody Stephens and the Allen Jerkens with big numbers. The same cross has launched another exciting stallion on this farm, in Life Is Good, and has worked out pretty well for Practical Joke in his second career. But that basic structure supports some solid genetic detail, as the first starter out of a stakes-winning half-sister to Grade I winner American Patriot. Their dam is a sister to G1 Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed (Tiznow), and half-sister to the granddam of Cyberknife (Gun Runner). This farm has loaded a ton of speed onto its roster, with MULLIKIN and STRAIGHT NO CHASER offering affordable access–both $10,000–to two of the fastest sprinters around. But WinStar has put three generations of work into this horse and will surely be giving him every chance to maximize his impact on a fourth. Chancer McPatrick | Sarah Andrew Silver: CHANCER MCPATRICK McKinzie–Bernadreamy by Bernardini Spendthrift $25,000 This is the solitary recruit to the hectic roster of a farm that has dominated the freshman table in recent years and looks a safe bet to thrive as the sole beneficiary of its knowhow this time round. His precocity and powerful build will surely go down well among those who routinely rely on Spendthrift to make the numbers work. He's all business, in every sense: a really purposeful way of going, at the walk, and a blatant commercial profile. A $725,000 juvenile purchase, he followed up his debut 'TDN Rising Star' success at Saratoga by pairing up the two New York juvenile Grade Is. He didn't really build from there, albeit bowing out with a highly creditable effort against the pace in the GI Dirt Mile; and it was a similar story for the best horse on his page, granddam Dream Empress (Bernstein), after emerging among the cream of her crop at two. But that won't trouble many of his clientele in the slightest! Those who do prioritize a second turn at three can find plenty of hope in the seeding of his family: first four dams by Bernardini, Bernstein, Nijinsky, The Axe. His sire remains something of a puzzle, but the good ones appear to be very good; and the damsire, of course, is as solid as they come. In a game of chance, he appeals as the very opposite of a mere Chancer. Bronze: FIRST MISSION Street Sense–Elude by Medaglia d'Oro $10,000 Darley This is a working man's fee for a 'Rising Star' with some fairly aristocratic traits. His orderly mechanics support very smooth motion, which he deployed through three campaigns that left him just shy of elite quality–as, for instance, when taking a step on the podium below Mindframe ($50,000) and Sierra Leone ($75,000) in the GI Stephen Foster Stakes, having won the GII Oaklawn Handicap on his previous start for a 109 Beyer. His pedigree combines two farm legends and taps into a seam of Argentinian gold through his granddam Forty Marchanta (Arg) (Roar), a triple Group 1 winner whose family is saturated with quality performers and/or producers. A lot of smaller breeders–also likely to appreciate the top-class genes and handicap performances of HIGHLAND FALLS at the same fee–will surely be grateful for another young stallion to build up the eventual legacy of Street Sense. Like his buddies Maxfield and Speaker's Corner, of course, he will also benefit from access to the home herd, with all that entails. The post Kentucky Value Sires For 2026–Part 1: New Stallions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article