Wandering Eyes

West Coast (NZ) (Mettre en Jeu) may not have any black-type against his name, but he is proving to be one of best performers for his ill-fated sire Mettre en Jeu. On Saturday, West Coast etched his name into the history books when recording his third consecutive Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) victory at Riccarton Park for trainer Mark Oulaghan. It was the nine-year-old gelding’s 11th career victory, all over fences, and brought his earnings to just shy of $500,000. Breeders Nigel and Adaire Auret, of Letham Stud, were proud as punch watching West Coast’s historic feat from the comfort of their Wanganui property. West Coast is a son of their former resident stallion Mettre en Jeu and out of Grosvenor mare Testament, who they had acquired off Dan Myers several years earlier. “Dan (Myers) suggested she (Testament) might be a nice mating with Mettre En Jeu and he wasn’t wanting to use her at that particular time,” Nigel Auret said. “We went ahead and had about two or three out of her, including West Coast.” West Coast was initially trained by their son Hamish, for whom he had two unplaced starts before Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan enquired whether he could purchase the youngster. “Mark had Des de Jeu at the time and he asked if we would like to offload this one and get on with things. It worked out really well for all of us,” Auret said. “We have never really been into jumping, so good on Mark Oulaghan for spotting him and taking on the journey. “He was a nice horse, he just needed a bit of time, which Mark has obviously given him. It is no surprise that he is a nice, relaxed jumping horse.” His sire Mettre en Jeu had a solid race record himself, winning the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Triple Crown Cup (2100m), and placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Gr.2 Great Northern Guineas (2100m) and Gr.3 Waikato Guineas (2000m). The son of Monjeu retired to Letham Stud where he stood for eight seasons and has sired 40 individual winners to date, including Group Three winner La Fille En Jeu, stakes winner Plays The Game, Group Three performer Overtheriver, and stakes performer Wolfe Tone. “He was never a high-profile horse and did pretty well with the mares he ended up getting,” Auret said. “He was underrated.” Group One winner Unusual Suspect has been the sole stallion standing at Letham Stud over the last few seasons, with stakes winner Unusual Countess and Group Three performer Unusual Culture remaining his highest profile progeny, but plenty of others are leaving their mark on the track, primarily in Australia. “His progeny are going well in Australia, the Aussies love him,” Auret said. “Most of them are ending up there, there aren’t many racing in New Zealand.” “So Unusual won four in a row in Melbourne and he has got a lot of up-and-coming ones. She’s Unusual has had six starts for three wins and three seconds, so she is booming away over there. “Unusual Legacy is working up through the grades for Chris Waller pretty nicely. There is plenty to look forward to.” The breeding season is looming, however, Auret said Unusual Suspect will have a reduced workload this spring, serving just the farm’s own mares. “He’s getting older and I am getting older, so the two of us are trying to retire a little bit,” Auret quipped. “This season we are only going to serve our own mares, we aren’t going to serve any of the public’s. “He was a wonderful racehorse and his progeny are just so easy to deal with. They are relaxed, just like he is. They seem pretty sound and go really well over a trip, so it is working out nicely.” View the full article

Tony Pike is hoping to collect two wins in quick succession with Agera (NZ) (Complacent), who will back up from Saturday’s success into the Richard Bright Memorial (1550m) at Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday. A son of Complacent, Agera faced a decent task in a fresh state at Te Rapa in early July when finishing fifth, but he was back in firing form a month later at the Waikato venue. Stepping up to a mile, Agera was given a comfortable run midfield by jockey Matt Cartwright before coming out on top in a thrilling five-way finish to the Rating 65 contest. Lightly-raced with just 10 starts under his belt as a five-year-old, Agera added a second victory to his record giving Pike confidence to push on to what is a sentimental race for the local horseman. “He probably was a bit unlucky fresh-up, getting caught three-wide and just peaked on his run late,” he said. “He’s been a little bit of an enigma and although his form has always been solid, it’s nice to get another win on the board. “We entered him in the Richard Bright Memorial just to see how he came through Saturday, we thought he could go close to winning and if he won well, it would be a nice race for him. “Although it’s a quick back-up, he’s trialled and done a lot of work at the poly track here at Cambridge so that shouldn’t worry him at all. “Obviously it’s a very good stake and I was a very good friend of Richard Bright’s as well, so it’s nice to have a runner in the race.” The win was the first for Cartwright on New Zealand soil after recently moving over from Australia, and he will take the ride aboard Agera again on at the midweek meeting. “He came to ride trackwork pretty much straight away on the Monday he arrived, and he’s been riding for us since then,” Pike said. “It’s great to give him an early win and get the monkey off his back which is great going into the spring. He should pick up plenty of rides going forward as some of the better horses start coming out. “He should be a good addition to the New Zealand riding ranks over the next few months.” Elsewhere, Pike will have a relatively quiet week on the racing front but is looking forward to a mix of his proven performers and up-and-coming prospects returning to the races in the coming weeks. “We’ll have another couple of trials then head to Hawke’s Bay on the 7th (of September), that will be our time to kick off the spring team,” he said. “We’ll be pretty busy from then on.” View the full article

Mark Oulaghan is among the most successful and humble figures in New Zealand jumps racing, a sport that witnessed a history-making performance by his stable star West Coast (NZ) (Mettre en Jeu) last Saturday at Riccarton Park. West Coast collected a phenomenal third-straight Grand National Steeplechase (5600m), an achievement never before achieved in the 149-year history of the event, while his younger stablemate Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry) also went back-to-back in the Grand National Hurdles (4200m). Reflecting on a successful week in Christchurch, Oulaghan was pleased to defend the titles while adding some history to the iconic feature. “Everyone spoke about making history with the three wins, so to get that done was quite good,” Oulaghan said. “I take satisfaction out of developing horses as they race on through their careers, probably more so with jumpers than flat horses because there is a bit more involved. “West Coast had one or two dents in his armour earlier on in his career and didn’t settle that well, but I thought his run on Saturday was probably the best I’d ever seen him go. He jumped everything well, he was relaxed in a good rhythm and it was close to a perfect performance. “To see those two horses performing like that carrying topweights and as pretty short-priced favourites, it was right up there with one of my best days in racing.” Oulaghan has been travelling to the Grand National Festival for more than 25 years and has made plenty of his own history in that time, winning nine Steeplechase and six Hurdle crowns, the most of any trainer. “When we first started going there, there were a few more local horses going around and more races at the carnival. It’s hard to compare but they were quite hard to win back then, and maybe I didn’t have the horsepower that I have got now as well,” he said. “There hasn’t been a great deal of change otherwise, other than the middle day not including jump races anymore, it’s one of the last jumping carnivals that has really stuck to their guns. “It’s a shame to have lost the Wednesday, but even down to two days of jumping, if they can do that right and carry on, I can’t see why it can’t be a successful carnival in the years to come.” Growing up in Woodville around horses, Oulaghan had followed his father into racing with the guidance of a couple of local legends, including the late Eric Ropiha. “My father originally was a vet in Woodville, he used to do a lot of racehorses in the area and I followed him around a bit which got me into the racing side,” Oulaghan said. “I rode at pony club, went hunting and did a bit of show jumping and things like that, then the natural progression was starting off as an owner-trainer with Dad, we had a few horses together. “It was either racing or farming for me, as a younger person I was keen to go farming but one thing led to another and I got tied up with the horses and stuck to that. “When I started off, there was an old guy there called Ian Bradbury who trained quite a few nice jumpers and I learnt a bit off him. I was involved with Eric Ropiha as well, he had jumping horses too, so they were two that I picked up a few things from. “I started getting a few outside horses and got a public license. I was in Woodville until 1997 and had moderate success there, then I shifted over to Palmy and have been here ever since. “As far as the jumping side goes, my first one or two winners were on the flat, but we always had jumpers in the stable. The first jumper I had was called Borrowdale, he was by a stallion called Acharacle who was owned by Peter Brosnan’s dad Sam. “I’ve always had a handy jumper all the way through, the flagbearer for me was Rand (NZ) (Omnicorp) who raced in New Zealand and we took him overseas and he did pretty well there. I thought I wouldn’t find another like him, but these two horses (West Coast and Berry The Cash) are pretty close. “I’ve focussed on sticking to the basics, if you’ve got a sound horse and you can keep them sound, it’s just a matter of getting them fit and feeding them. Once they’re fit, they should be able to do the rest if they’ve got the heart and ability.” Oulaghan has earned plenty of respect in the flat racing role with Group One wins courtesy of Shadows Cast (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital), while jumping has given several of his horses another avenue to succeed in their racing careers. “When I started training, flat racing was pretty competitive in the Central Districts and there were plenty of numbers. I couldn’t attract the better flat horses at that time, so to stay in the game you get success where you can, which is what we did in the jumping,” Oulaghan said. “Some of the flat horses we had weren’t quite up to scratch in that role, and the jumping side gave them another opportunity. “We had a lot of horses win one or two jumping races which was good, but then there was the likes of Counter Punch (NZ) (Yamanin Vital), Yourtheman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital) and these two now, who were just a cut above.” Former top jumps jockey Tommy Hazlett has been a notable figure in Oulaghan’s career, combining for 22 wins, a figure being hunted down by Portia Matthews, who has progressed swiftly in the riding ranks since working under the Awapuni horseman. “It’s always good to combine with people and achieve a common goal. It’s been good for those riders, but it’s also been good for me as a trainer,” Oulaghan said. “In the earlier days, I helped Chris Allen and Jo Rathbone get going in the riding game, so it’s pretty satisfying to see them succeed. Now with Portia, it’s great to see her achieving what she has. “Tommy was a pretty good rider when he started riding a bit for me. He came back from Australia and I felt his record there wasn’t as good as it could’ve been. When he got back here, he really hit his straps and went very well.” View the full article

Bevan and Robyn Wilson celebrated an almost perfect day at Riccarton with a family that has served them so well for decades. The Ashburton owner-trainers won races on Saturday with homebred half-brothers Victor Rouge and Victorian Charm while their half-sibling Lord Darci finished runner-up. “We were very pleased with the way they all went, they had been racing well apart from Lord Darci who had a bit of a hiccup in the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m),” Bevan Wilson said. “It was nice to see him bounce back in a bit weaker company.” Burgundy’s son Victor Rouge is now a five-time winner, Charm Spirit gelding Victorian Charm has struck twice while Lord Darci, by Darci Brahma, has won four times and was runner-up in the 2023 Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m). The trio are out of the High Chaparral mare Madam Victoria who was successful on eight occasions for the Wilsons. Her record featured Listed victories in the Warstep Stakes (2000m), NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m), NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) and Timaru Stakes (1400m). “We’ve been involved with the family right from the start when my father and I bought a filly at the old Claudelands Sale,” Wilson said. “Her name was Regalitas, she was trained by Pat Corboy and I was too young to be in the book so it was in my mother’s name and the family has all come from there.” Regalitas won five races in the mid-1970s and is the fourth dam of Madam Victoria. Other black type performers from the family they have enjoyed success with are the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Handicap (1600m) winner Nearly Pal’s and his dual Listed winning half-sisters Bashful Lady and Royal Miss. Madam Victoria also has a daughter of Belardo and last season produced a filly by Circus Maximus before missing to Windsor Park Stud’s three-time Group One winner. “We just had to give up on the Belardo and she’ll be a broodmare,” said former All Black Wilson. “She was difficult but a lovely strong type, but there is a wee bit of a streak in them and she’s got every bit of it. “Madam Victoria is up at Windsor Park and we’ll decide whether we sell the Circus Maximus or bring her home and the mare will go back to the stallion this year. “We’ve got two or three more broodmares, but we will cut down. We’re just a bit far away and it’s tough going for a small breeder. “We would like to keep involved with this family, but we will also probably drop out of the training soon. “It’s a big tie and while we enjoy it, there are other things we’d like to have a crack at in retirement.” Wilson’s wife Robyn also has a lifetime involvement in the racing industry as the daughter of the late New Zealand Hall of Fame trainer Rex Cochrane. View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Tuesday, August 13, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEST Visit Dabble Hawkesbury is the destination for NSW racing on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive seven-part program set to kick off at 1:15pm local time. The rail is out +4m between the 1100m and 450m markers, while the remainder is in the true position. Some scattered showers are forecast in the lead-up, but punters should expect the Soft 5 surface at the time of acceptances to hold true. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Mogul Monarch Back-to-back trial victories should have Mogul Monarch ready for a first-up assault. The winless three-year-old impressed in his most recent piece of work at this course on August 5, being pressed on to score by 1.6 lengths under Jay Ford. Barrier four should allow the son of Capitalist to gain the early ascendency, and with the conditions likely to suit, Mogul Monarch should be able to shirk the maiden tag at the third time of asking. Best Bet Race 3 – #7 Mogul Monarch (4) 3yo Colt | T: Kim Waugh | J: Jay Ford (56.5kg) +210 with Bet365 Next Best at Hawkesbury: Threatening Threatening produced a strong effort to find the minor money first-up at Canterbury on July 24. The Joseph Pride-trained gelding savaged the line after travelling worse than midfield throughout, suggesting an immediate step up in trip should suit the lightly raced four-year-old. He draws gate six to hold a position this time, and provided he can show a similar turn of foot turning for home, Threatening should be right in this when the whips are cracking. Next Best Race 4 – #7 Threatening (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: Jay Ford (55kg) +200 with Unibet Next Best Again at Hawkesbury: After Match After Match couldn’t have been more impressive when breaking his maiden at this course and distance on July 21. The son of Zoustar sat outside the leader in the four-horse field before swiftly putting them away to by 3.6 lengths. He looked to have plenty left in the locker as he careered through the wire, and although this Class 1 contest has much more depth, expect After Match to continue his winning ways. Next Best Again Race 6 – #2 After Match (6) 3yo Colt | T: Peter Snowden | J: Jean Van Overmeire (57kg) +360 with Neds Hawkesbury Tuesday quaddie tips Hawkesbury quadrella selections Tuesday, August 13, 2024 4-7-11-14 1-5-7 2-4-6-8 3-4-9-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale kicked off its two-day run with an abbreviated session featuring competitive bidding from start to finish Sunday evening in the Humphry S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga. “It was a strong start to the 2024 Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. “There was very consistent trade from start to finish. I think the thing that was probably most encouraging tonight was the buy-back rate. This sale has traditionally had a little bit of a higher buy-back rate because the breeders have so many opportunities themselves to race these horses. So oftentimes, it is maybe more important for them to have a horse racing in New York than it is to get them sold and move to another state. It was very encouraging to see a very manageable RNA rate tonight.” From a catalogue of 100 yearlings, 87 went through the ring Sunday for a gross of $6,860,000. The session average was $103,939 and the median was $89,000. With 21 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 24.1%. During last year's opening session, 53 horses sold for $5,999,000 for an average of $113,189 and a median of $100,000. The buy-back rate was 34.6%. “We don't make any bold predictions or comparisons with just one night,” Browning said. “We have 200 more to go [Monday]–we are a third of the way through the sale. There was very, very good trade tonight and we are looking forward to tomorrow.” Eddie Rosen and Jacob West | Fasig-Tipton Early in the session, Jacob West and Eddie Rosen, acting on behalf of Mike Repole, paid $300,000 for a colt by Constitution from the Elite consignment. That session-topping price was matched late in the day when trainer Christophe Clement purchased a son of Vekoma from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. A total of 29 horses brought $100,000 or more during the session–the same number as last year's opening session. “We didn't have any “breakouts” tonight, but a bunch of horses sold for over $100,000,” Browning said. “We are pleased with the start and look forward to continue the positive momentum tomorrow.” The Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale continues with a final session Monday with bidding beginning at noon. Constitution Colt Takes the Early Lead A colt by Constitution (hip 315) helped get the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale off to a strong start when selling to Mike Repole for $300,000 early in Sunday's session. Consigned by Elite, the yearling was bred by Ten Strike Racing. He is out of See the Forest (Forestry) and is a half to stakes winners Whittington Park (Midnight Lute), Critical Value (Bodemeister) and Looms Boldly (Goldencents). Hip 315 | Fasig-Tipton “Mike has been a great supporter of the [New York-bred program],” said Repole's advisor Eddie Rosen while seated alongside bloodstock agent Jacob West. “We breed here, we've stood stallions here. We are also hoping in this case that he is a horse who will compete in open competition. Being by Constitution makes you hope that he will be more than a New York-bred.” Ten Strike Racing's founding partner Marshall Gramm claimed See the Forest for $12,500 in 2010. Looms Boldly won the John Morrissey Handicap in the Ten Strike colors just three days ago. Of the process that led the team to bid on the yearling Sunday evening, West said, “When it all gets whittled down and whittled down, he was one that was near the top [of our list].” West came back 40-some hips later to acquire a colt from the first crop of Galilean (Uncle Mo) (hip 350) for $220,000 from the Eaton Sales consignment. The yearling is out of Three AM Tour (Ire) (Strategic Prince) and is a half-brother to stakes-winner Set (Oscar Performance). Clement Strikes Late for Vekoma Colt Trainer Christophe Clement got into the action late in Sunday's first session of the New York-bred Yearling sale, going to $300,000 to acquire a colt by fast-starting freshman sire Vekoma (hip 386) from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. The chestnut is out of the unraced Alana's Allure (Shackleford) and is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Allure of Money (Central Banker). The mare's 2-year-old Leon Blue (Mo Town) was a late-closing second in his debut at Saratoga July 24. Hip 386 | Fasig-Tipton “He looked fast,” Clement said when asked about the yearling's appeal. “It was probably too much money, but we are keeping the dream alive. I liked him very much. He looked very athletic. My son Miguel told me about him. At the moment, I bought him on spec, so I need to find some owners to help me and support me and we will go from there. He is a lovely horse.” In addition to his 13 winners, Vekoma's first crop of 2-year-olds includes stakes winner Louisiana Jess and stakes-placed Bella Sorella and Fortuna Mia. “I train one Vekoma who I like,” Clement said. “But this is a very live family. One horse just won very well from the same family. And unfortunately that's the way it is. You always have to overpay for what you like.” Good Luck Farm purchased the yearling for $100,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton New York Mixed Sale. The post Pair of $300k Colts Pace Solid Opener to Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner Amelia’s Jewel. Since being transferred to the Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald barn in the winter, former Western Australia Group 1 winning mare Amelia’s Jewel has stepped out for the first time at Warwick Farm on Monday morning. She was sent around in heat four on the course proper, with Tommy Berry doing the steering over the 900m journey. The daughter of Siyouni was pushed forward early to sit outside the leader before cruising through the wire under her own steam to finish in second place, while the Michael Freedman-trained Ducasse sat three wide to score by a head under Zac Lloyd. The five-year-old looks on song for a return, with the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) on August 31 earmarked as her return date in preparation for a lengthy spring campaign. Amelia’s Jewel currently sits on the fourth line of betting as a $15.00 chance with online bookmakers for Victoria’s first Group 1 of the season. Meanwhile, the Ciaron Maher-trained Semana caught the eye in the opening trial of the morning, scoring an impressive four-length victory over 1000m with Dylan Gibbons in the saddle. The Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) runner-up was far too strong with residual fitness from her trip to Queensland, making every post a winner to stamp herself as a genuine contender for the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on August 24. Semana shares the third line of betting at $8.00 alongside Celestial Legend for the Winx Stakes, while Fangirl is still a firm favourite at $2.70 for the first Group 1 of the 2024/25 season. Horse racing news View the full article

Muramasa ridden by Daniel Moor winning the 2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Muramasa remains on track for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), despite some lacklustre performances in the autumn, according to co-trainer Trent Busuttin. The five-year-old gelding, a dual Group 3 winner last spring, struggled with an eighth-place finish in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) and a fourth-place finish in the Listed Victoria Gold Cup (2000m) during his brief autumn campaign. “The big dream is the Melbourne Cup, but he needs to get back to his spring form,” Busuttin, who trains in partnership with Natalie Young, told Racing.com. “Over autumn, he didn’t run well in his two races, and he didn’t trial well either, so we pulled the pin. “He was due to kick off in the Heatherlie at Caulfield over 1700 metres (on August 29), but he got a temperature spike, and it knocked him around a little. “But he’s ready to go, and he’ll run at Flemington over the same distance on September 14.” Horse racing news View the full article

Arkansaw Kid. (Photo: George Sal/Racing Photos) Co-trainer Ben Hayes is optimistic that a gelding operation will help Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) placegetter Arkansaw Kid reach his full potential at the top level. The four-year-old gelding impressed on Friday morning with a win in an 800-metre jump-out at Flemington. His rider, Mark Zahra, who guided him to a second-place finish in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) last season, reported positive changes in the horse. “Mark Zahra said he’s a different horse as a gelding and we’re very happy with him,” said Ben Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brothers JD and Will. “I think he’s got the ability to be able to do it (at Group 1 level), and I really feel as a gelding there’ll be a big change in him.” Arkansaw Kid is expected to kick off his campaign in this Saturday’s Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. “We’ve always really liked him. He’s just a good-looking horse, he’s got a good physique on him, and he’s got the ability,” Hayes added. “He’s shown ability at home, and he’s converted it to the racetrack as well. “He’s now a gelding, he’s got a lot of racing left in him, and they can improve (once gelded).” Horse racing news View the full article

Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, the 2-year-old didn't breeze at the 2024 OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, nonetheless impressing buyers and bringing the third-highest price at the sale.View the full article

Nations Pride, under a confident ride by William Buick, surged to victory in the stretch run of the Arlington Million (G1T) Aug. 11 at Colonial Downs.View the full article

The Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) was jockey Dylan Davis' first United States grade 1 win. Davis grew up in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.View the full article

Racing fans at Colonial Downs Aug. 11 were treated to a duel of Canadian horses of the year as the sixth meeting between 2022 winner Moira and 2023 winner Fev Rover came down to the final jumps of the $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G2T).View the full article

7th-Del Mar, $77,000, Msw, 8-11, 2yo, 6 1/2f, 1:17.42, ft, 5 1/2 lengths. GAMING (c, 2, Game Winner–So Stylish {SP-Ire}, by Johannesburg) came out running as the 2-1 favorite but took pressure to the outside into the far turn. As Arrakis (Bernardini) dropped out of it, Gaming kicked for home and outran the field, going gate to wire to win by 5 1/2 lengths over Rank (Honor A.P.). The second winner for his freshman sire (by Candy Ride {Arg}), Gaming was a $250,000 OBS March buy for the Three Amigos. Second dam Tacha, a $2.2m broodmare at KEEJAN in 2000, produced European champion 2-year-old One Cool Cat (Storm Cat). The winner has a yearling full-brother cataloged for KEESEP and a weanling half-brother by Union Rags. So Stylish is due back to Game Winner for 2025. Sales History: $40,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $250,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $45,000.Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Pegram, Michael E., Watson, Karl and Weitman, Paul; B-Mt. Brilliant Farm & Ranch, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. GAMING ($6.60) doesn't play in the 7th at @DelMarRacing. The 2-year-old by Game Winner (@LanesEndFarms) was trained by @BobBaffert and ridden by @JJHernandezS19. Wager on the last Pick 3: https://t.co/CDoj9VG9iY pic.twitter.com/GWjg26ClUP — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 12, 2024 The post Gaming A Debut Winner For Game Winner At Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nations Pride stopped the clock in 2:01.96 under jockey William Buick. Integration finished second and Ancient Rome third.View the full article

The New York Racing Association was crafty in pushing back the Fourstardave Handicap (G1T) by a day due to the prospect of a soggy turf course on Aug. 10. But you can't fool Mother Nature.View the full article

Two New Zealand sourced horses fought out a exciting finish in the $300,000 Raffles Cup at Kranji on Sunday with Lim’s Saltoro (NZ) (Shamexpress) doing what few people thought possible by holding off Lim’s Kosciuszko in a epic contest. It was a remarkable feat given the last-start Singapore Derby (1800m) winner was at his first attempt in the weight-for-age race. Furthermore, his stablemate and 2023 two-time Raffles Cup winner Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec), who was bred by Trelawney Stud, was undefeated in four starts this year and was justifiably sent out as the raging favourite. But Lim’s Saltoro had also built a formidable winning reputation of his own as his only defeat in 10 starts before Sunday was a narrow second to Lim’s Kosciuszko in the EW Barker Trophy (1400m) on 21 April, hence the five-year-old son of Shamexpress was sent out as the second favourite in the elite 10-horse field. On settling, Lim’s Saltoro rolled forward from gate six to pressure the leader. Lim’s Kosciuszko slotted in easily from his good barrier four to sit on his stablemate’s back in third while Cavalry settled fourth on his inside. Things got interesting upon turning for home after jockey CC Wong pushed the button on Lim’s Saltoro and took the lead at the 350m, but there was still ample time for Marc Lerner to show why Lim’s Kosciusko is the reigning Horse of the Year in Singapore. With 100m to go, there was still a gap of one length between the duo and under hard riding by Wong, Lim’s Saltoro proved tough to pass. But champions do not give up easily. Lim’s Kosciuszko made stacks of ground and an epic finish loomed with both horses locked together and the winning post nearing. To the naked eye, it looked like a dead-heat on the line with Lim’s Kosciusko lunging late and Lim’s Saltoro refusing to lie down. However, the photo finish showed the younger Lim’s Saltoro got up by a nose in the last edition of the Raffles Cup. The winning time was 1 min 34.03secs for the 1600m on the Short Course. Lim’s Saltoro’s 10th win, and his second at elite level, took his prizemoney to just under S$750,000 for the Lim’s Stable. It was also Wong’s third Raffles Cup win in a row. The Malaysian jockey ironically won on Lim’s Kosciuszko in the two previous running of the race. “I’m very happy that I can take this race (Raffles Cup) three times in a row,” said the Kedah-born hoop, who was at his first meeting back in Singapore after a five-month stint in South Korea. “And it’s the last time! Today, everything just worked out well. The horse proved himself at weight-for-age scale. “With 58kgs against (Lim’s) Kosciuszko, the best horse, it’s not easy. Today, he proved it again and just gave me everything at the race. “That was my first sit on him. Marc rides him every day. He (Lim’s Saltoro) has a big character and is difficult to ride in the morning, so Daniel decided to let Marc continue riding him (in trackwork). “I have to thank Marc. He shared a lot about the horse’s character and everything else he knew. As a team, I have to thank him (Marc) very much. “Thanks very much to Daniel who always gives me good rides and believes in me.” Meagher, on the other hand, had mixed emotions after the race. “He’s a wonderful horse, isn’t he?” said Meagher, who was at his fourth Raffles Cup win after Lim’s Lightning also won it in 2021. “It’s very emotional because we haven’t got many (races) left and it’s (Singapore racing) been a big part of our life. “Little Kosi’ got beat and he doesn’t deserve it. He ran great. Marc rode him fantastically and I felt for Marc a little because he’s done the work on both these horses. But who do you pick? “They’re both great horses and (Lim’s) Saltoro is a wonderful horse. CC (Wong) was lucky to get on him after Marc has done so much work on him.” When asked about the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (1800m) on 7 September being Lim’s Saltoro’s next assignment, Meagher concurred but also had one eye on the Grand Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) on 5 October. “That’s the plan but the Gold Cup will be the main race for him,” he said. “He’s (Lim’s Saltoro) a superstar and he kept rising to the task. “’Kosi’ getting beaten by a nose hurt a little because he’s such a wonderful horse. We are just lucky to have both of them. “I’m very proud of the boys who have done all the work. It’s a wonderful day.” Bred by Onyx Thoroughbreds, Lim’s Saltoro won two barrier trials while trained in New Zealand by Glenn Old. View the full article

NEW KENT COUNTY, VA — After sending out the beaten favorites in both the GI FanDuel Fourstardave Handicap and GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes at Saratoga, the operation's NATIONS PRIDE (IRE) (h, 5, Teofilo {Ire}–Important Time {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) struck for chalk players hundreds of miles to the south as he quickened up beautifully in the stretch to take out Sunday's GI Arlington Million Stakes at Colonial Downs. With the lights taking full effect as dusk set in over New Kent County, Nations Pride was ridden towards the back of the pack as longshot Sugoi (Karakontie {Jpn}) went off on a wing and a prayer, opening a long lead despite an opening half-mile that was timed in :50.03. Still the better part of 10 lengths clear at the midpoint of the second turn, Sugoi began to toss out some distress signals, and he proved a sitting duck for a class animal like Nations Pride, who shot right past the spent front-runner, then easily held a mild late bid from 2023 GIII Virginia Derby winner and 6-5 second choice Integration (Quality Road). Ancient Rome (War Front) loomed a threat inside the final furlong, as he dove down inside with a menacing bid, but he ultimately was forced to settle for third. Lifetime Record: 18-10-3-2. O/B-Godolphin; T-Charlie Appleby. Grade 1 glory for the boys in blue! @godolphin It's job done for @WilliamBuickX and Charlie Appleby at @ColonialDowns as Nations Pride justifies favouritism in the Arlington Million… pic.twitter.com/tYifADJhWf — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 12, 2024 The post Nations Pride Gives Godolphin A Measure of Redemption In Arlington Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Living up to his name, the 2-year-old son of Curlin bolted out of the starting gate and made easy work of the other three runners lined up with him, winning by 5 1/2 lengths. View the full article

NEW KENT COUNTY, VA — For the second consecutive year, the trophy for the GII Beverly D. Stakes will go back to Canada after the country's reigning Horse of the Year MOIRA (m, 5, Ghostzapper–Devine Aida, by Unbridled's Song) got just the better of a final-furlong battle with defending champion Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}). The Tracy Farmer runner left there running and although she had a bit of pesky early pressure from Libban (Laoban), Fev Rover was a clear leader turning up the backside as Moira set up camp three deep in the breeze. Allowed to slow the tempo through the middle furlongs, Fev Rover was still going very well approaching the stretch, holding a clear tactical advantage over Moira, who was consigned to a ground-sacrificing move around the bend. Moira rolled up to Fev Rover and looked as if she was going to speed right on by, but Fev Rover dug in doggedly, only to go down by a short head at the wire. Moira earns a fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, a race in which she was a brave third in 2023. Sales history: $150,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $3,000,000 HRA '23 FTKNOV. Lifetime Record: 15-6-5-2. O-Lanni Bloodstock, Madaket Stables & SF Racing; B-Adena Springs (ON); T-Kevin Attard. An epic finish in the $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G2) as #6 MOIRA outduels Fev Rover for the win. @jose93_ortiz up for @kevin_attard on the popular Ontario-bred. pic.twitter.com/bKsOxuExug — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 11, 2024 The post Moira Outlasts Pacesetting Fev Rover In Beverly D. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–The baby train continues to chug along for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse at Saratoga Race Course this summer. The latest stop came Sunday and 2-year-old filly La Cara (Street Sense) hopped on board as she pulverized the field in the eighth race maiden special weight. Ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., La Cara went to the lead at the start of the seven-furlong race and stayed there. She won by eight lengths, and it could have been more as Santana Jr. brought her home with a hand ride. “That was impressive,” Casse said by phone. Casse watched this race from home with his wife, Tina. Nothing against the Spa, but he had horses running all over the country–including the big card at Colonial Downs–and decided it would be easier to keep track of them from the comfort of his couch. “I have my TV going, my laptop and my iPad … we are going all over the place,” Casse said. I am in air traffic control.” Casse was going to be back at the track to saddle Strong Quality (Quality Road) in the GI Fourstardave Handicap (he finished fourth). Before that, though he was more than happy to talk about his most recent Saratoga success with the juveniles. La Cara became the sixth horse to win a baby race for Casse, who has 10 winners overall, at this meet. For the year, Casse has started 123 2-year-olds and has 25 wins, 13 seconds and 20 thirds. “We came up with this plan, and we had a lot of people who believed in us,” Casse said. “We went out and got the best bunch of yearlings we have ever got. I said we were going to be ready like never before … when a plan comes together, it's nice.” Mark Casse | Sarah Andrew La Cara is owned and bred by long-time Casse client Tracy Farmer. Casse also trained the dam, Casa Caterina and said this is her first foal. Casa Caterina is a full sister to To Honor and Serve, a multiple graded stakes winner. However, Casse said, Casa Caterina could not run at all. “I could outrun her,” he said. Fortunately, for Casse, La Cara did not inherit the slow genes of her mother. “She is a beautiful homebred,” Casse said. “As impressive as she was running, she is just as impressive to look at.” La Cara was making her fourth career start Sunday. The experience, Casse said, worked to her advantage. The only other filly to run before this race was 18-1 Going Steady (Constitution) and she finished second for Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas. But she was no match for La Cara. La Cara, the 9-2 third choice, carved out fractions of 22.45, 45.44 and 1:10.43 before coming home in 1:23.58. She paid $11.20. Casse said he expected good things from La Cara when he had her on his farm in Ocala, Fla. over the winter. After two starts at Churchill Downs (a sixth on a sloppy track and a second on a fast one) he sent La Cara to Saratoga. However, he did not bring her up early, like he did with many of his young horses. Because the Belmont Stakes Festival was held at Saratoga, Casse left a string of horses here after that four-day meet ended in early June. La Cara showed up in time to run on the third day of the meet and she bombed as the even-money favorite, beaten six lengths while finishing fourth. “I was pretty mad at myself for running her because this is a good filly,” Casse said. “Sometimes, when you have too much confidence, you run a horse and that is what happens.” In hindsight, he would have gotten her better acclimated to Saratoga. After that race, she had two good works and Casse expected her to run better. She sure did. 6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-11, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:23.58, ft, 8 lengths. LA CARA (f, 2, Street Sense–Cara Caterina, by Bernardini) may have been inconvenienced by a wet track when sixth on Churchill debut May 17, but was forgiven for the effort and was a much-improved second over fast dirt June 21. A disappointing fourth on her first local run July 14, the homebred was sent off at 23-5 to make amends and soon led from her low draw beneath Jose Ortiz. By the half-mile on her lonesome in :45.44, she continued to build a big lead approaching the eighth pole and had eight lengths on Going Steady (Constitution), the only other member of the eight-strong field with previous racetrack experience. The winner's dam is a daughter of Pilfer (Deputy Minister), making her a full-sister to MGISW To Honor and Serve and GISW Angela Renee and a half to SW & GISP Elnaawi (Street Sense). Pilfer is in turn a half-sister to GSW India (Hennessy), the dam of Japanese dual Group 1 winner Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}) and the stakes-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Kareena (Medaglia d'Oro). La Cara hails from the same family as a Gun Runner colt out of Secret Sigh (Tapit) that sold to Coolmore and Peter Brant for $1.9 million at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale earlier this week. Bred on the same cross that resulted in GISWs Maxfield and Speaker's Corner and other graded winners like Shared Sense, La Cara has a yearling full-brother. Lifetime Record: 4-1-1-0, $86,575. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Tracy Farmer (KY); T-Mark E Casse. LA CARA, daughter of @DarleyAmerica stallion Street Sense, breaks her maiden impressively in the sixth race with @RSantana_Jr up for trainer @markecasse. pic.twitter.com/uZah5GY8Lj — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 11, 2024 The post Casse Continues To Have Success With His 2-Year-Olds As La Cara Gets To Winner’s Circle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

West Point Thoroughbreds and Steven Bouchey's Carson's Run (c, 3, Cupid–Hot N Hectic, by Henny Hughes), a winner June 23 of the Tale of the Cat Stakes at Monmouth Park, doubled up on his juvenile form, adding the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes Sunday to his GI Summer Stakes victory last year at Woodbine. The chestnut trailed early as Izzy d'Oro (Get Stormy), fourth behind Carson's Run in the Tale of the Cat, set a :23.83 and :48.30 pace while opening up on the field. As they bunched up on the final turn, Carson's Run tipped outside, circled the field, and got up just in time over GII Pennine Ridge Stakes winner and GI Belmont Derby third Legend of Time (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who outfinished GSW Deterministic (Liam's Map), making his second start on the turf after a runner-up finish last out in the GIII Manila Stakes, to the wire. Final time for the 1 3/16 miles was 1:55.81. The Saratoga Derby marked the first Grade I at Saratoga for jockey Dylan Davis, who also won the Mahoney Stakes earlier on Sunday's card with Fandom (GB) (Showcasing {GB}). The race also earned Carson's Run an invitation to Australia's G1 Cox Plate. O-West Point Thoroughbreds and Steven Bouchey; B-Frankfort Park Farm (Ky.); T-Christophe Clement; J-Dylan Davis. CARSON'S RUN wins the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby under @DavisJockey for trainer @clementstable and an automatic invitation to the prestigious Group 1, AUD$5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate at @TheValley in Australia! pic.twitter.com/KZBzPlzH4l — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 11, 2024 Sunday, Saratoga SARATOGA DERBY INVITATIONAL S.-GI, $600,000, Saratoga, 8-11, 3yo, 1 3/16mT, 1:55.81, gd. 1–CARSON'S RUN, 122, c, 3, by Cupid 1st Dam: Hot N Hectic, by Henny Hughes 2nd Dam: Wicked Wish, by Gold Case 3rd Dam: Holy Wish, by Lord At War (Arg) ($35,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN; $67,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL; $170,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-West Point Thoroughbreds and Steven Bouchey; B-Frankfort Park Farm (KY); T-Christophe Clement; J-Dylan Davis. $330,000. Lifetime Record: 7-4-1-0, $719,529. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Legend of Time (GB), 122, c, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Kissable (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (150,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Godolphin, LLC; B-Lordship Stud & Sunderland Holding Inc (GB); T-Charles Appleby. $120,000. 3–Deterministic, 122, c, 3, Liam's Map–Giulio's Jewel, by Speightstown. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. 'TDN Rising Star'. ($625,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, C. Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable; B-Hinkle Farms (KY); T-Christophe Clement. $72,000. Margins: 3/4, 3/4, NO. Odds: 5.20, 1.10, 2.70. Also Ran: Royal Majesty (GB), Izzy d'Oro, Fulmineo. Scratched: First World War, Trikari. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Carson’s Run Gets Up in Saratoga Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade 1 winner Saudi Crown returned from his spring trip to the Middle East with a frontrunning victory in the R. A. "Cowboy" Jones Stakes at Ellis Park, one of six stakes at the Henderson, Ky. track Aug. 11.View the full article

Coming from off the pace Sunday, GI Belmont Derby Invitational winner TRIKARI (c, 3, Oscar Performance–Dynamic Holiday, by Harlan's Holiday) exploded at the top of the Colonial Downs stretch and blew past the early pacesetters to take the GII Secretariat Stakes. The favorites ran one-two as Brilliant Bertie (Noble Mission {GB}) chased Trikari home but had to settle for being second best and was never any real danger to the winner. Lifetime Record: GISW, 8-5-1-1. O-Amerman Racing LLC; B-Michael A Slezak & Amy Boll; T-H. Graham Motion. Sales History: $9,000 ylg '22 KEEJAN, $27,500 ylg '22 OBSOCT. Great ride from @ljlmvel! Trikari shows first and has too much for Brilliant Berti in the G2 Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs… pic.twitter.com/v30Sku15ml — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 11, 2024 The post Trikari Brilliant In Secretariat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was worth the wait. After being rescheduled and run eight days late due to the weather, the GI FanDuel Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga featured a breakout performance by 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (c, 4, Lope de Vega {Ire})–Zindaya, by More Than Ready), who was taking the first Grade I event of his career after winning three other graded races, all at Saratoga. As a 'Win and You're In' race for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, the Fourstardave gives Carl Spackler a fees-paid berth into racing's Championship Day in November. Fresh off a Jul. 13 GIII Kelso Stakes win, Carl Spackler tracked Strong Quality (Quality Road) from the start behind :24.76 and :49.24 fractions. He collared that one at the top of the stretch, opened up, and the race was over, as the e Five Racing Thoroughbreds runner kicked clear to win by about four lengths. More Than Looks (More Than Ready), making his first start since a sixth in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile, closed from the penultimate spot to nab second over favored Ottoman Fleet (GB) (See The Stars {Ire}), who won a pair of graded events at Churchill in his last two. Carl Spackler's win marked the first victory in the Fourstardave for trainer Chad Brown. O-e Five Racing Thoroughbreds; B-Fifth Avenue Bloodstock (Ire); T-Chad Brown; J-Tyler Gaffalione. CARL SPACKLER is taking his superior intelligence and superior horsepower to the @BreedersCup after winning the Grade 1 @FanDuel Fourstardave with @Tyler_Gaff aboard for trainer Chad Brown and @e5Racing! pic.twitter.com/C6ofpM4AZF — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 11, 2024 The post Carl Spackler Wins Fourstardave, Gives Chad Brown First Win in the Race appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article