Wandering Eyes

Runners gearing up towards the GI FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic worked over the weekend with three weeks to the big race. Last year's winner, 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) may not return to defend his title after finishing fourth in the GII San Diego per trainer Bob Baffert. “He's doing fine,” Baffert said. “But I don't know what I'm going to run in the Pacific Classic.” Meanwhile Subsanador (Fortify), one of two Argentine-breds thought to be headed to the Pacific Classic, will instead run in the GIII Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park Aug. 17 according to trainer Richard Mandella. Parenting (Justify), Newgate (Into Mischief) and Reincarnate (Good Magic), all from the Baffert barn, have been mentioned as possible runners in the Pacific Classic. Reincarnate, runner-up to Midnight Mammoth (Midnight Lute) in the GIII Cougar II, put in a five-furlong work Saturday, stopping the clock in 1:01.4. (1/4). Newgate, who hasn't raced since returning from the Middle East where he ran ninth in the G1 Dubai World Cup, returned to the work tab Friday, posting a three-furlong bullet in :36.40 (1/8). Other candidates for Del Mar's marquee race of the summer meet all put in works this week. Dr. Venkman (Ghostzapper) worked Saturday on the main track going four furlongs in :47.60 (9/92). It was his first work since his victory in the GII San Diego last month. Trainer Mark Glatt indicated he was pleased with the work and is pointing to the Pacific Classic. Katonah (Klimt), runner-up in the San Diego, is also being pointed to the Pacific Classic. He put in his first work since the San Diego Saturday going four furlongs in :47.40 (6/92). Midnight Mammoth is pointing to the Classic off of his victory in the GIII Cougar II. Trainer Craig Dollase worked him Saturday, going four furlongs in :48.00 (19/92). Express Train (Union Rags) is another probable participant off of his third-place finish in the San Diego. “He came out of the race fine,” trainer John Shirreffs says, “I thought he ran a credible race and we're looking forward to the next one.” Trainer John Sadler is still uncommitted to running Full Serrano (Full Mast) in the Classic. “He came out of the race well,” Sadler says. “We'll start to breeze him back next week and look for something here, whether it's that (the Pacific Classic) or not, we haven't decided.” The post Pacific Classic Workers Tune Up At Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEW KENT COUNTY, VA — Prior to the running of Sunday's third race on the Colonial Downs 'Festival of Racing' program, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that the track, which has run summer dates since its return to the racing calendar five years ago, would be conducting a 'spring' meeting at the New Kent County track. Youngkin also told the crowd on hand that the Virginia Derby, previously held on the turf, would be contested during the new meeting and that it is to become a points-earning race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen also addressed the crowd, voicing his satisfaction with the progress made at Colonial Downs on the occasion of the second Festival of Racing since Churchill purchased the track in November 2022. This story will be updated as additional information becomes available The post Colonial To Add Spring Dates, VA Derby To Become Derby Points Race appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Josie Carroll recorded her 1,000th career win as a trainer in Sunday's fourth race at Woodbine when the 4-year-old Tapit gelding Spinzar won for LNJ Foxwoods. Carroll, who became the first woman to trainer a King's Plate winner in 2006, also trained this year's Woodbine Oaks winner. Horses racing out of the Josie Carroll barn include names such as two-time Canadian Horse of the Year Mighty Heart (Dramedy), Careless Heart (Stormin Fever), champion 2-year-old colt Avie's Flatter (Flatter), Ami's Holiday (Harlan's Holiday) and champion 3-year-old colt Ami's Gizmo (Giant Gizmo). Carroll has earned nearly $59m in purse earnings with 176 stakes wins and 59 graded wins. She was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2019. The post Hall of Famer Josie Carroll Reaches 1,000 Training Wins appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At a time with no shortage of legal issues for racing, the three-day Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga will open Aug. 12.View the full article

Sierra Leone returned to the worktab Aug. 11 for the first time since his runner-up effort in the July 27 Jim Dandy (G2), completing a half-mile in :49.View the full article

Charyn staked his claim to be the best miler in Europe Aug. 11 with victory in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1), earning him an automatic berth and free entry to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 2.View the full article

2nd-Ellis, $71,000, Msw, 8-11, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:25.32, ft, 2 1/4 lengths. LIAM IN THE DUST (f, 2, Liam's Map–Whisper Louise, by Bernardini) debuted at even-money here. The favorite clung to a tenuous lead nestled between a pair of rivals, which included to her outside up the backstretch Impulse Buy (Speightstown). The 2-year-old secured the top spot around the far turn and past the three-sixteenths pole her overdrive kicked in. Cruising along, the chestnut won by 2 1/4 lengths over Impulse Buy. The winner has a younger full-sister who is now a yearling and her dam foaled her a half-sister by Global Campaign Apr. 24. A half-sister to GSW First Passage (Giant's Causeway)–the dam of GSW Berned (Bernardini)–Whisper Louise was bred to Caracaro for next term. Liam in the Dust's extended female family includes GISW Pinehurst (Twirling Candy), and under her third dam we find sire MGSW Graeme Hall (Dehere) and his half-sister GISW Harmony Lodge (Hennessy). Sales History: $45,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $250,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,505. Click for the Equibase.com chart. O-Storyteller Racing and Schroeck Racing LLC; B-Don Alberto Corporation & W. S. Farish (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset. It was a @BrissetRodolphe exacta in R2 at @ellisparkracing, with #7 Liam in the Dust getting the win over stablemate Impulse Buy! @luissaezpty was aboard the 2YO filly. #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/jtOn7arrEs — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) August 11, 2024 The post Liam In The Dust Left First Start Behind With Ellis Score appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GI Blue Grass Stakes winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) returned to the work tab Sunday morning for trainer Chad Brown ahead of an expected next start in the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes Aug. 24. The $2.3m FTSAUG grad, last seen second to another 'Rising Star' and champion in Fierceness (City of Light) in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes July 27, covered a solo half mile in :49 flat over the Oklahoma training track. “He worked super,” said Brown. “He's come out of his last race well and I'm happy with where he's at.” The Jim Dandy marked Sierra Leone's first start with a ring bit under Flavien Prat. He had also been training solo ahead of that start. “It's an area of his training that he's kind of graduated into,” added Brown. “He's got a lot of experience now and fitness, so at this stage of his career, it seems to be working good for him. We'll see where it takes us. For right now, he's fine doing that. We're very much so on target for the Travers.” Also breezing over the weekend was champion Idiomatic (Curlin) for Brad Cox who went five furlongs in 1:00.40 (3/12) Saturday morning. She'll target a title defense in the GI Personal Ensign Stakes Aug. 23. “Really good breeze on the Oklahoma. She will have one more before the Personal Ensign,” Cox said. 'TDN Rising Star' Showcase (Uncle Mo), a winner in Saturday's GII Saratoga Special, rebounded well from his efforts Sunday according to Todd Pletcher. “He's excellent. He looked really good this morning,” said Pletcher. “We will play it by ear [where to run next].” After Saturday's race, Pletcher indicated that the GI Hopeful Stakes Sept. 2 may be a little quick back. He said he may prefer to wait until the fall and stretch out in the either the GI Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct or the GI Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. The same races are also under consideration for Tenacious Leader (Not This Time) who graduated at second asking Saturday. “I thought that was good,” said Pletcher. “We knew he'd appreciate stretching out. It allowed him to get into a good rhythm. He finished up well. We were happy.” The post Sierra Leone Back Working At Saratoga; Showcase Exits Special In Good Order appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Monday at Ellis Park: Monday, August 12, 2024 Ellis 4, $71k, 2yo, 7f, 2:21 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Authentic Strike (Authentic), OBSMAR. 450,000. :10 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-R Brisset, agent Ann Harrison Desert Aire (Thousand Words)-AE, FTMMAY, 190,000, :10 1/5 C-Shamrock Stable; B-Christina Jelm, agent Mike Puhich Ellis 7, $71k, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 3:52 p.m. ET Rhaenys (Higher Power)-AE, OBSJUN, 120,000, :10 1/5 C-30-30 Ranch, agent; B-Lets Go D. Stable The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored By OBS: August 12, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-ELP, $71K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 2:21 p.m. ET. PUBLISHER (American Pharoah), a $600,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale grad, debuts for owners Gus King and The Estate of Brereton C. Jones. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the bay colt is the first registered foal out of GSP Indian Pride (Proud Citizen), who is a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year Biofuel (Stormin Fever) and Canadian champion 2-year-old filly Tu Endie Wei (Johar). Also to the post is first-time starter–trained by Cherie De Vaux–So Sandy (Omaha Beach), who was initially a 2022 Fasig-Tipton Fall Sale buy for Jack Gallway. Last fall, the colt went through the Keeneland September ring and Lael Stables took him home for $535,000. So Sandy's extended female family includes SW Vodka With a Twist (Thousand Words) and MGSW Midcourt (Midnight Lute). Finally, Authentic Strike (Authentic) makes the races for partners Ann Harrison and Renata Hendrickson, and is trained by Rodolphe Brisset. The colt brought $450,000 during OBS March–the second highest juvenile price for his first-crop sire in 2024. Prior to that, the chestnut was purchased as a yearling by Stonehaven Steadings for $270,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Fall Sale. TJCIS PPS The post Monday’s Racing Insights: American Pharoah Colt Looks To Press The Pace At Ellis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Twelve years the leading consignor at Arqana's August Sale, and usually in October, too, Ecurie des Monceaux will bring 39 yearlings on the short journey from its Normandy base to the sale paddocks in Deauville. Regulars at Arqana cannot fail to be familiar with the Monceaux brand. Its draft occupies the courtyard alongside the Villa Pégase, giving the impression during the last few days of yearling inspection that one is temporarily entering a cloistered world with Monceaux founder Henri Bozo as president. One of the most entrepreneurial members of the French breeding community, Bozo has established a strong council of co-breeders as partners in the operation, many of whom have their own farms but have been happy to invest in the beau ideal of the commercial breeding world in France. While Platonic (GB) (Zafonic), a shrewd purchase from Fittocks Stud 20 years ago, developed a formidable foundation at Monceaux, with such luminaries as the Group 1 winners Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Magic Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) among her descendants, more recently the Monceaux name has been kept in lights by Starlet's Sister (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who died last November at the age of 14. In that relatively short life she made headlines as the dam of Arc winner Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and seven-time Grade I winner Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), while her offspring have topped this sale in 2020 (when run late as the Select Sale during Covid) and 2022, selling for €2.5m and €2.1m apiece to buyers from Bahrain and Japan. Monceaux sold two of the four seven-figure lots at last year's sale, achieving the second- and third-top price for colts by Siyouni (Fr) and Dubawi (Ire), sold to Coolmore and Godolphin respectively. This year its draft includes four of the five Dubawi yearlings in the sale along with 10 by France's leading sire Siyouni, and a liberal sprinkling of youngsters by Wootton Bassett (GB), Frankel (GB), New Bay (GB) and Zarak (Fr) among others. One sad absentee from Arqana this summer will be Lady Chryss O'Reilly, who died last August shortly after the sale had finished and was remembered on Sunday at the racecourse next door to Arqana where the Prix Minerve was run in her name. As well as running her own Haras de la Louvière operation, Lady O'Reilly had been a key partner in Monceaux from its early days. Henri Bozo says: “I think all of us breeders are good at breeding and raising horses but we are not so good at predicting what the market will do, so we will see what happens this week. “We have a strong draft consisting solely of yearlings from our mares and from our clients' mares who have been bred at the farm, so it is a joint effort between us and our partners. I think this year there is a good mix of yearlings from proven mares at the high end, and we have also been trying to invest in young mares and bring new blood to the farm, so there are a number of yearlings who are the first or second produce of young mares. “We are lucky to have support from some very strong partners, and at the same time I am trying to increase the percentage that we own ourselves in the new mares. But the partnerships are very positive. It gives you extra input from different breeders. “Lady O'Reilly was the beginning of the partnership policy that Monceaux had. We started investing in mares and yearlings and at the same time she was also investing and we had the same taste so we decided to go into business together. She was the ideal partner. “We had a long talk with Patricia [Boutin, advisor to Lady O'Reilly] who came to see the stock here in the last few weeks and it will be very different without her. We have a great filly to sell out of Prudenzia from this special partnership. We always speak about Lady O'Reilly and remember her fondly, and I am very pleased to see that there is a race being run in her memory in Deauville. “Our strategy is to keep things simple. I think it makes sense to sell horses that you know and that you've bred yourself. That was the first part of our strategy – to sell only homebred yearlings and not to consign for anyone else – and the second part was to keep things easy and understandable for people. “I have a lot of respect for Tattersalls and Goffs but it was our choice in the beginning to have a clear signal to buyers and to clients that we offer all of our crop at the same place. Some will wait for October to give them more time, but all of them can be purchased in Deauville at Arqana and none of them is sold privately or elsewhere. “We started Monceaux at the same time as Arqana started and there was a common dynamism. I thought it was nice to offer the result of teamwork on the local market, and thankfully it has managed to attract a wide audience. I am always very happy to go to buy a mare or a yearling at Tatts or Goffs, but we want to stick to that plan.” Draft highlights: Where to begin? Perhaps with Lot 178, the half-sister to G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}) from the first crop of St Mark's Basilica (Fr). But then we would have to mention Lot 270, another by the same young stallion and a half-sister to the Irish Oaks winner Chicquita and G1 McKinnon Stakes victrix Magic Wand, out of the aforementioned Prudenzia (Ire) Dansili {GB}). On Friday, Magic Wand's first foal Ecstatic (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) became a TDN Rising Star when winning easily at Tipperary. “He was a hell of a racehorse,” says Bozo of St Mark's Basilica, whose first yearlings will be put to the market test in Deauville. “He was very good at two and three, winning the French Derby, and with a strong pedigree by a stallion who has done us well. We think he has a good chance and we decided to give him a good chance with some proper mares. We are happy with the ones we have.” Along with the draft's four Dubawi yearlings, is a colt by his son Too Darn Hot (GB). Offered as Lot 306, he is out of the dual Group 1 winner Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) whose first foal, Queen Of The Pride (GB) (Roaring Lion), has won the G2 Lancashire Oaks since the catalogue was published. Lot 112 is a filly whose sire was also raised at Monceaux, Sottsass, and she is a half-sister to the G2 Prix de Royallieu winner The Juliet Rose (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}) and this year's G3 Classic Trial winner Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}). “You can guess that we are delighted to see the promising debut of Sottsass's two-year-olds. They are good movers, they are not too heavy, and they are light on their feet,” Bozo adds. Claim to fame: In addition to the success of the aforementioned Sottsass, Sistercharlie, Chicquita, Magic Wand and Feed The Flame, Monceaux and its partners have also bred and raised the Group/Grade 1 winners Paddington (GB), Mangoustine (Fr), Angel Bleu (Fr), Sea La Rosa (Ire), Blowout (GB), Intellogent (Ire), National Defense (GB), Ectot (GB), Charm Spirit (Ire), Most Improved (Ire), and Ancient Wisdom (Fr). Last word: “Our strategy is to try to offer yearlings by proven stallions. We do use a few unproven stallions but most of the yearlings we are offering, especially in August, are by the most proven stallions accessible.” The post The Arqana Lowdown: Ecurie des Monceaux appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At a time with no shortage of legal issues for racing, the three-day Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga will open Monday, Aug. 12.View the full article

Uncertainty hangs over the breeze-up sector ahead of the first major yearling sale of the season at Arqana this week after the Breeze-Up Consignors Association [BUCA] instructed Goffs and Goresbridge not to go ahead as previously planned with its respective new sales in 2025. Goffs chief Henry Beeby and Goresbridge boss Ed Donohoe revealed to TDN Europe back in May that they were planning to hold breeze-up sales in Ireland next year. Both men explained that the decision had been taken after a number of consignors expressed views that there was demand for more than just the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale on the domestic circuit. However, Grove Stud's Brendan Holland, who was voted in as the new chairman at BUCA's AGM a fortnight back, says there is only a finite number of horses that can pass through the breeze-up system every season and the addition of a new sale would be a backwards step for the industry. He explained, “There were 1,100 places offered to the main breeze-up sales in Europe this season and 960 turned up. Only 768 were sold and that follows on from the 760 that sold in 2023. The numbers that are being sold at the breeze-up sales is constant and the market is stable at that level. We can't see how there is room or demand to sell 100 more horses-or any more horses for that matter-and, until we get to a stage where the market expands, I think it is BUCA's responsibility to protect the marketplace that is already in place. We should not be saturating it.” Holland added, “We have spent the past 15 years promoting the breeze-ups as a source of quality. It took a long time to change people's perception of what a breeze-up horse is and what can be found at these sales. In that time, we've had champion two-year-olds, three-year-olds and champion stayers, so it is becoming an easier product to promote because of the success we have had on the track. But we need to protect that.” To that extent, BUCA provided a written mandate to Goresbridge and Goffs and stated “it was unanimously agreed” at the AGM that the number of horses offered at the main breeze-up sales in Europe should not exceed 1,000. However, Donohoe has accused the association of misrepresenting some of its members and insists that the mandate could not have been unanimous given he has fielded a number of calls from consignors stating that they would be supporting Goresbridge if the sales company re-enters the breeze-up market after a seven-year hiatus. “A number of breeze-up consignors contacted me following that meeting to tell me that they didn't agree with the mandate and that they would be supporting our sale. I am not sure that the letter sent to me is representative of all BUCA members,” Donohoe said. He added, “I have replied to BUCA where I expressed my disappointment over the fact that no consignor contacted me to discuss the situation. Goresbridge is a family-run business and I don't see why BUCA feel that they can dictate how we run our business. The Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale catered for 250 horses this year and-up until now-is the only breeze-up sale in Ireland. “A large number of breeze-up consignors, particularly the smaller vendors, were unable to get their horses into this-or indeed any-sale. I intend to cater for this gap in the market and, as I said, I have had written and verbal correspondence from a number of BUCA members explaining that they would be supporting us next year and that they did not agree with the proposals that were raised at the meeting. Having said all of that, I am open to discussion with BUCA and am keen to come to some kind of an agreement as we fully intend on holding a breeze-up sale next year.” While the TDN understands that Goresbridge had been planning an earlier sale date next year, the idea behind the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale at Naas racecourse was that it would be more reactive, in that it would be a small and select offering of later-maturing juveniles and some who had missed previous targets or failed to sell elsewhere. Beeby revealed that, while he still harbours an ambition to stage a breeze-up sale in Ireland that would compliment the company's breeze-up sale at Doncaster, the Goffs chief executive said that he would be working closely with Holland and the rest of the BUCA committee members to find a resolution. Regardless, no announcement as to whether Goffs would be staging a breeze-up sale in Ireland will be made until the Premier Yearling Sale at Doncaster later this month. Beeby explained, “Goffs is in dialogue with BUCA and I plan to meet with Brendan over the next couple of weeks to have a chat. We're not going to make any definitive decisions now-I mean, the sale isn't happening until next June. Also, our AGM takes place after our Premier Yearling Sale, so that will be the earliest that Goffs can announce whether the new sale will go ahead or not. “BUCA has made some relevant points to us about the number of horses being catalogued next year. From a Goffs point of view, we have our established sale at Doncaster and have the opportunity to stage this new sale at Naas but we will obviously listen to our clients and will work collaboratively with BUCA, as we always have done.” Asked how likely he felt it was for the new breeze-up sale to take place next year, Beeby said, “It will appear on our proposed sales dates for next year but, until it happens, it hasn't happened. The yearling sales will be a good time for us at Goffs to interact with breeze-up vendors. A number of people have called me and various views have been expressed. I'm told there was unanimity at the BUCA AGM but then there were people who didn't attend that meeting who have expressed contradictory views. Whether it was National Hunt stores or breeze-ups, everyone saw a tightening of the market and there is a concern that the appropriate measures are taken so that we minimise the impact of that. It's going to be up to sales companies and consignors-as ever-to work together on this.” When tasked with answering the same question as Beeby on whether he felt the BUCA mandate has thrown a spanner in the works with regards to plans for a new sale, Donohoe simply said, “I'd be taking short odds on our sale going ahead next year anyway. And that's from the horse's mouth.” The post BUCA Calls On Goffs And Goresbridge To Abandon Plans For New Sales appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ralph Beckett trainee Matauri Bay (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}–Matauri Pearl {Ire}, by Hurricane Run {Ire}) a 500,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 full-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Aunt Pearl (Ire), made a winning debut in Sunday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Stakes at Leicester. The May-foaled bay, let go as the 2-1 favourite, registered a 1 1/2-length success from Shah (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the straight seven-furlong contest. Matauri Bay puts in a stylish debut performance to come home in front, winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Stakes for the combination of @HectorCrouch and @RalphBeckett pic.twitter.com/sfQlxFMMd1 — Leicester Racecourse (@LeicesterRaces) August 11, 2024 The post Lope De Vega 500,000gns Full-Brother to Aunt Pearl Makes Winning Debut at Leicester appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brought along quietly by the Gosdens so far this term, Godolphin's Ombudsman (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}–Syndicate {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) let the cat out of the bag on Sunday with a command performance in Deauville's Listed Prix Nureyev. Sent off the 1-2 favourite for the 10-furlong contest, the 340,000gns Tattersalls Book 2 purchase who had been educated at Newmarket and Leicester followed the leading trio under Ryan Moore before being stoked up turning for home. Storming to the front a furlong from home, he had opened up a 3 1/2-length margin to compatriot Sons And Lovers (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) at the line. Ombudsman (Ryan Moore) s'impose dans le Prix Nureyvev (Listed) ! Le représentant @godolphin a pris nettement l'avantage dans les 200 derniers mètres pour s'assurer le succès. Ce pensionnaire de John et Thady Gosden reste invaincu en trois sorties. pic.twitter.com/vfVwvXslqE — Equidia (@equidia) August 11, 2024 Sunday, Deauville, France PRIX NUREYEV-Listed, €55,000, Deauville, 8-11, 3yo, 10fT, 2:03.88, gd. 1–OMBUDSMAN (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Night Of Thunder (Ire) 1st Dam: Syndicate (GB), by Dansili (GB) 2nd Dam: Indication (GB), by Sadler's Wells 3rd Dam: Insinuate, by Mr. Prospector 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (340,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-J Hanly (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Ryan Moore. €27,500. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, €38,249. 2–Sons And Lovers (GB), 126, c, 3, Study Of Man (Ire)–So In Love (GB), by Smart Strike. (€40,000 Ylg '22 GOAUYR). O-Hugo Morriss & Kirsten Rausing; B-Kirsten Rausing (GB); T-Jane Chapple-Hyam. €11,000. 3–Stromberg (GB), 126, c, 3, Iffraaj (GB)–Stacey Sutton (Fr), by Tertullian. (22,000gns Wlg '21 TADEWE; €30,000 Ylg '22 TATIRY; €66,667 RNA 2yo '23 GOFFDU). O-Teme Valley; B-Aston Mullins Stud (GB); T-Joseph O'Brien. €8,250. Margins: 3HF, SNK, 1HF. Odds: 0.50, 11.00, 13.00. Also Ran: Involvement (GB), Soft Winds (Ire), Waikato (GB), War Rooms (Ire), Soldier's Gold (Ire), Shiffrin (Ire). The post Godolphin’s 340K Tattersalls Book 2 Night Of Thunder Colt Lights Up Deauville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Proving that the mile-and-a-half trip holds no fears, Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Love On My Mind {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) made his first start in the Masaaki Matsushima silks a resoundingly impressive one as he got back on the group 1-winning trail in Sunday's Grosser Preis von Berlin. Always happy in the box seat under Dylan Browne McMonagle, the Joseph O'Brien-trained Arc hopeful stayed on powerfully to take control 300 metres from the finish and stormed to a five-length success from Narrativo (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), with Best Of Lips (Ire) (The Gurkha {Ire}) beaten another 4 1/2 lengths in third. The win was Al Riffa's first at this level since the G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at two and added ballast to the G1 Eclipse Stakes in which he had pushed City Of Troy (Justify) close last month. “It means a lot to get a winner on my first ride in Germany and he's such a special horse,” the winning rider said. “He was my first group 1 winner as a 2-year-old and he had a little setback last year but has come back as good as ever. It's his first time over a mile and a half and he was very good–we always thought he was going to improve for the step up in trip.” G1 Westminster 134th Grosser Preis von Berlin over 2400m @RennbahnBerlin ALRIFFA 4yo c by Wootton Bassett NARRATIVO 3yo c by Adlerflug BEST OF LIPS 6yo c by The Gurkha AL RIFFA is bred by @Haras_d_Etreham and others, and owned by Al Riffa Syndicate and Masaaki… pic.twitter.com/zuzQu9rbXq — Deutscher Galopp (@DeutscherGalopp) August 11, 2024 Sunday, Hoppegarten, Germany WESTMINSTER 134TH GROSSER PREIS VON BERLIN-G1, €155,000, Hoppegarten, 8-11, 3yo/up, 12fT, 2:30.29, gd. 1–AL RIFFA (FR), 132, c, 4, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Love On My Mind (Ire), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Moments Of Joy (GB), by Darshaan (GB) 3rd Dam: My Emma (GB), by Marju (Ire) (€31,000 Wlg '20 ARQDEC; 150,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Al Riffa Syndicate & Masaaki Matsushima; B-SARL de Chambure Haras d'Etreham, Benoit Chalmel & SARL Compagni (FR); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Dylan Browne McMonagle. €100,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, G1SP-Eng & GSP-Fr, 8-3-3-0, €669,384. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Narrativo (Ger), 122, c, 3, Adlerflug (Ger)–Nicella (Ger), by Lando (Ger). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Gestut Ittlingen; B-Gestut Hof Ittlingen (GER); T-Peter Schiergen. €30,000. 3–Best Of Lips (Ire), 132, h, 6, The Gurkha (Ire)–Beata (Fr), by Silver Frost (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (90,000gns RNA Ylg '19 TAOCT). O-Stall Lintec; B-Stall Parthenaue (IRE); T-Andreas Suborics. €15,000. Margins: 5, 4HF, HD. Odds: 0.60, 12.50, 17.70. Also Ran: Mr Hollywood (Ire), Tunnes (Ger), Lips Prince (Ire), King Of Conquest (GB). The post Wootton Bassett’s Al Riffa Triumphs In The Matsushima Silks In Berlin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

While Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was blowing her history bid at the start of Sunday's G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville, Nurlan Bizakov's G1 Queen Anne Stakes hero Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}–Futoon {Ire}, by Kodiac {GB}) was getting ready to do his thing and wrap up another top-level triumph in contrastingly straightforward fashion. After Cheveley Park Stud's mare had forfeited several lengths out of the gates, this was down to who would profit and the answer was the 9-10 favourite as he supplemented his G1 Queen Anne Stakes success under Silvestre De Sousa. Positioned near the pace as usual, the grey took control passing the two-furlong marker and spread his wings for a three-length verdict over the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Metropolitan (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}). Inspiral, whose profile becomes increasingly mercurial as her career progresses, was only a head further behind in third in what probably amounts to one of her most impressive performances given the distance she surrendered at the start. (Silvestre de Sousa) triomphe dans le Prix du Haras de Fresnay – Le Buffard Jacques le Marois (Gr.1) ! Le pensionnaire de Roger Varian s'est montré impérial pour s'adjuger le premier Groupe 1 de sa carrière en France ! C'est un deuxième groupe 1 consécutif… pic.twitter.com/7XxcOo6MsP — Equidia (@equidia) August 11, 2024 Sunday, Deauville, France PRIX DU HARAS DE FRESNAY-LE-BUFFARD JACQUES LE MAROIS-G1, €1,000,000, Deauville, 8-11, 3yo/up, c/f, 8fT, 1:33.98, gd. 1–CHARYN (IRE), 131, c, 4, by Dark Angel (Ire) 1st Dam: Futoon (Ire) (MSP-Eng), by Kodiac (GB) 2nd Dam: Vermilliann (Ire), by Mujadil 3rd Dam: Refined (Ire), by Statoblest (Ire) (250,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Nurlan Bizakov; B-Grangemore Stud (IRE); T-Roger Varian; J-Silvestre De Sousa. €571,400. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng, 16-6-3-4, €1,669,445. *Full to Wings Of War (Ire), GSW-Eng & GSP-Fr, $532,295. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Metropolitan (Fr), 125, c, 3, Zarak (Fr)–Alianza (GB), by Halling. (€78,000 Ylg '22 ARQDOY). O-Peter R Bradley III & Scuderia Scolari; B-Stuart McPhee (FR); T-Mario Baratti. €228,600. 3–Inspiral (GB), 128, m, 5, Frankel (GB)–Starscope (GB), by Selkirk. O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. €114,300. Margins: 3, HD, HD. Odds: 0.90, 9.00, 2.90. Also Ran: Quddwah (GB), Big Rock (Fr), King Gold (Fr), Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire). Scratched: Haatem (Ire). The post Dark Angel’s Charyn Wins The Jacques Le Marois For Nurlan Bizakov appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Finding his true trip at Deauville on Sunday, the Joseph O'Brien-trained Cowardofthecounty (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}–Hawaajib {Fr}, by Elusive City) turned around recent fortunes to gain a first black-type success in the opening seven-furlong G3 Prix Francois Boutin. Running below expectations when seventh in the G2 Coventry Stakes and G3 Anglesey Stakes having made such a big impression on debut when beating Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never) at The Curragh in April, the colt who represents Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Stables, Tracy Farmer and John Oxley was again sluggish away from the stalls but quickly into racing rhythm under Ryan Moore. Looming on the front end passing two out, the 7-1 shot stayed on strongly to score by 1 1/2 lengths from the 9-10 favourite Houquetot (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). “He was impressive the first time and ran well at Royal Ascot and at The Curragh last time in a race that has worked out well,” Moore said. “The step up to seven suited and he feels like a good horse with a nice future.” Cowardofthecounty (R.Moore) bat le favori Houquetot et s'adjuge le Prix François Boutin (Gr.3) ! Le pensionnaire de Joseph Patrick O'Brien succède à Grey Man au palmarès de cette épreuve. Houquetot Scandalo pic.twitter.com/0I2cotfDhQ — Equidia (@equidia) August 11, 2024 Sunday, Deauville, France PRIX FRANCOIS BOUTIN-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 8-11, 2yo, 7fT, 1:21.53, gd. 1–COWARDOFTHECOUNTY (IRE), 126, c, 2, Kodi Bear (Ire) 1st Dam: Hawaajib (Fr), by Elusive City 2nd Dam: Marie Laurencin (GB), by Peintre Celebre 3rd Dam: Glatisant (GB), by Rainbow Quest 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€98,000 Wlg '22 GOFNOV; 100,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Stonestreet, Oxley, Farmer; B-Lismacue Stud (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0, €51,800. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Houquetot (Ire), 126, c, 2, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Happen, by War Front. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€280,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG). O-Jean-Claude Seroul, Al Shaqab Racing & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Coolmore Stud (IRE); T-Christopher Head. €16,000. 3–Scandalo (GB), 126, c, 2, Siyouni (Fr)–Passing Parade (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (110,000gns RNA Ylg '23 TATOCT; €120,000 2yo '24 GOFAPR). O-Javier Maldonado Trinchant, Novum Stables SL & Mauricio Delcher Sanchez; B-Merry Fox Stud Ltd (GB); T-Mauricio Delcher Sanchez. €12,000. Margins: 1HF, 3, 5. Odds: 6.90, 0.90, 4.30. Also Ran: Hot Cash (GB), Madero (Fr). The post Cowardofthecounty Wins The Francois Boutin For Stonestreet Oxley And Farmer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Endean Ace and Ngakau Hailey winning at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Glen Massey horsewoman Shelley Wright was rapt to kick off her season on a winning note at Te Rapa on Saturday, courtesy of progressive stayer Endean Ace. A gelding by Tarzino, Endean Ace had been knocking on the door to break maiden status with two strong efforts over a mile and 2100 metres this campaign, closing a $4.70 second-favourite to Hootie Johnson ($3.50) with horse racing bookmakers. Endean Ace was trapped wide from an outside barrier in the early stages under apprentice Ngakau Hailey, who soon found cover and settled in midfield. Looming into contention turning for home, Endean Ace kept up a strong gallop down the centre of the straight and kicked clear nearing the post, holding out Our Easy Street by 1.5 lengths. Wright trains the five-year-old for owner-breeders Andrew Burton and Linda Hunt, who she was pleased to deliver the victory for. “It was a nice ride, he settled him nicely and it was good to get the win,” Wright said. “He came from another stable before us, but in those bigger stables, they possibly can’t do the time factor that we can with these kinds of horses. He came out here as well as another one we have for Andrew and Linda, they’re good people. “He was just a very weak horse and needed time to mature, farm life has really suited him and he’s coming along nicely. “I think he’ll be a better horse next winter so he’s a long term type, but we’ll have a look around in the meantime. He likes a good cut out of the track so we’ll probably be able to make the most of that right up until about November.” The win came in 17-year-old Hailey’s first ride for Wright, however the pair have been associated for a long period of time as Hailey learned the early ropes of riding racehorses at her property west of Ngaruawahia. “Ngakau came out here with a crew of kids and did a bit of work for us over the farm, you could see the potential in him back then as a young fella,” Wright said. “We know his mother quite well, so it’s a real family association, and he’s a lovely kid. “We haven’t had a lot of horses out racing and we’ve just got a few coming up now, so he rode for us at the trials the other day and I thought he would be well suited to this horse. He rides with a nice long rein and our horses enjoy that style.” Wright is able to provide her horses with a variety of training between the racecourse and farm environments, a blend that she hopes will prove an effective method heading into the spring period. “We’ve got about 15 in work, mostly homebred horses and a few outside ones too. They seem to thrive on these sort of conditions,” she said. “We go into the track every day, but we have facilities out on the farm as well. I’ve got a lovely bunch of riders here and it’s a bit of a mix for the horses, they get to go out to the paddocks during the day and then into the boxes at night. “It’s totally different training to what a lot of people can do and I think we’ll start to see some nice results soon. “We have a nice Redwood coming up called Janka, he’s a nice staying type as well. We also have Endean Affair for Andrew and Linda, she’s a nice mare.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Muswellbrook Races Where Muswellbrook Race Club – Skellatar Park, 15 Racecourse Rd, Muswellbrook NSW 2333 When Monday, August 12, 2024 First Race 1:05pm AEST Visit Dabble The new week of racing gets underway at Muswellbrook Race Club on Monday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-race program set for decision. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with little to no rain forecast in the lead-up, the current Good 4 rating should hold for race-day. All the action is scheduled to kick off at 1:05pm local time. Muswellbrook Best Bet: Last Frontier Last Frontier returns after a 155-day spell and will be looking to maintain his impressive resume after securing three wins and another minor placing in four starts. The son of Deep Field was terrific when winning at Tamworth on March 10 before being sent to the paddock by the Cody Morgan barn, storming through the wire to claim a Class 2 victory at his home track. His barrier trials leading into this suggest he’s lost nothing in his time away from racing, and although this BM74 contest has more depth than what he’s faced in the past, Last Frontier appears up to the task. Best Bet Race 7 – #8 Last Frontier (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Cody Morgan | J: Siena Grima (a3) (57kg) +350 with Neds Next Best at Muswellbrook: Here Comes Hogan Back-to-back runner-up performances should have Here Comes Hogan ready to peak third-up into the campaign. The Matthew Smith-trained gelding has been beaten less than a length across those two efforts, with the four-year-old son of Shalaa getting nosed out in his latest run at Wyong on July 20. The step back to country grade should be ideal, and with barrier five allowing Mitchell Bell to take up the running throughout the journey, watch for Here Comes Hogan to give a bold sight turning for home. Next Best Race 4 – #2 Here Comes Hogan (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Matthew Smith | J: Mitchell Bell (59kg) +280 with PlayUp Best Value at Muswellbrook: Ancient Egypt Although Ancient Egypt was disappointing first-up at Doomben on July 27 for the Wayne Brown barn, punters can expect this guy to bounce back second-up. The lightly raced six-year-old has a strong second-up profile, with two of his three career victories coming at the second start of the preparation. He should get every chance to stalk the leading pair from barrier one this time, and with race-day fitness on his side, Ancient Egypt should be letting down with a withering burst when asked the question by claiming apprentice Jack Baker. Best Value Race 3 – #1 Ancient Egypt (1) 6yo Gelding | T: Wayne Brown | J: Jack Baker (a2) (62kg) +800 with Dabble Monday quaddie tips – Muswellbrook Races Muswellbrook quadrella selections Monday, August 12, 2024 2-4 1-2-3-4-5 1-4-5-6-9 1-2-4-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Driver Penalties Z Meredith | Waikato Bay of Plenty 6 August; use of whip; suspended 17-27 August inclusive. S Ottley | Invercargill 8 August; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 9 August). S Abernethy | Auckland 9 August; careless driving; fined $300. Trainer Penalty G Smith | NZ Metropolitan 9 August; failed to affix mudguards; fined $50. Horse Penalties OUR SUPERFUND | Invercargill 8 August; broke in running; must complete 2 trials. SPECIAL EFFECTS | NZ Metropolitan 9 August; broke in running; must complete trial. WUDABUBBIT | NZ Metropolitan 9 August; broke in running; must complete 2 trials. BEAT THE COVID | Ashburton 11 August; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. The post 5-11 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Battle Secret (right) strides out in the closing stages under Masa Hashizume at Woodville. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Bill Thurlow’s top performers are still waiting in the wings ahead of the spring racing period, but that didn’t stop the Waverley horseman from picking up an impressive double at Woodville on Sunday. After finishing a narrow second in the opener with Towrope, Thurlow collected his first winner of the meeting with progressive mare Ziggy Khan. The five-year-old daughter of Mongolian Khan was having just her sixth start and broke maiden status a fortnight ago at Waverley, with the step-up to Rating 65 grade posing no issue to horse racing bookmakers who placed her in second-favouritism ($5) behind Moonlight Hustler ($4.20). Apprentice jockey Triston Moodley eased the mare well back in the early stages as Fay Khan It took up the lead at a solid clip. Sliding closer passing the 800 metre mark, Ziggy Khan travelled strongly into the race and chased down Fay Khan It in the straight, crossing the line with her ears pricked and seemingly had plenty left in store. Thurlow indicated the mare had endured an injury earlier in her career and was pleased for her connections, the Crawford brothers, to be rewarded for their efforts. “I thought she went very well, she’s a progressive stayer and has always shown us a fair bit,” Thurlow said. “It’s never easy to step-up from maidens to win your next grade, so I’m very happy with her. “She needed all the time she had, but she did have an injury to her shoulder and the owners were very patient in nursing her back because it wasn’t the best. It’s a great reward for them. “I would think she will go up a grade again now so we’ll just take it race by race with her.” Later on the card, Battle Secret wasn’t to be outdone by his younger stablemate and earned the fourth success of his career. The seven-year-old was among the middle market for the Rating 75 contest, with talented mare Bozo on top in fresh state at $2.50. In the hands of Masa Hashizume, Battle Secret was leisurely away from the gates and remained near the tail of the field through the running, with Carpe Diem taking over the pace making role along the back straight. Battle Secret strode effortlessly into contention nearing the home turn and showed plenty of fight to hold off the charge of Sweetjineen, scoring by a short head at the finish. “I thought he was very diligent, he’s a horse that hasn’t been the easiest and had a tendon injury that set us back with him,” Thurlow said. “We had to take him along very quietly and he’ll probably be a better horse over more ground, but coming back from that injury, he has done very well. “We’ll step up over ground next and play it by air, we’ll keep him in the company that we feel he can be capable of winning in.” A son of Battle Paint, Battle Secret has been successful in four of his 24 starts and earned over $61,000 in stakes for a large ownership group, which includes a number of his breeders. Back in Waverley, Thurlow is hoping to build on what was a highly successful season last term, with Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) winner No Rain Ever and Group One winner No Compromise both set to return to the trials at short notice. “We have a few really nice horses coming back to the trials soon, including No Rain Ever, No Compromise and Frank The Tank,” he said. “We haven’t rushed them, we didn’t bring them back really early but they are ticking over nicely and will probably trial next week at Foxton. “They will miss the early Hawke’s Bay stuff as that wasn’t on our radar, but one of them may be there for the last day. “We’ve got a really nice team building up and we’ll find some nice races for them this season.” Horse racing news View the full article

Blake Shinn wins the Scobie Beasley (Photo by David Geraghty/Racing Photos) Reigning Scobie Breasley Medal winner Blake Shinn has retained Victorian racing’s highest individual honour on a night when the father-and-son team of Anthony and Sam Freedman were feted for their training achievements and their star stayer Without A Fight was named the Victorian Racehorse of the Year. The 2024 Victorian Racing Awards, held in Melbourne on Saturday night, culminated in Shinn – who polled 72 votes to narrowly defeat his nearest rival Damian Lane by just four votes (68) – winning the Scobie Breasley Medal for a third time. The 36-year-old first landed the coveted prize whilst he was still serving his apprenticeship back in 2005. Despite being outpointed by Lane in the Victorian Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership, Shinn was judged to be the rider who had excelled above all others following the counting of votes, which are awarded on a 3-2-1 basis by Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards for the best ride at each metropolitan meeting throughout the 12-month season. The Scobie Breasley Medal top five was rounded out by Daniel Stackhouse (31 votes), Harry Coffey (27) and dual Victorian Apprentices’ Premiership winner Celine Gaudray, who amassed 24 votes to claim fifth place on a countback from Billy Egan and Jye McNeil. In an intriguing battle Lane led his rival 40 votes to 26 at the halfway point of the season, before Shinn powered home through the second half to claim victory. It was a cluttered affair behind the runaway duo with just five votes separating the 10 riders placed from fifth to 14th. Whilst he may have missed out on a first Scobie Breasley Medal, Lane did not leave the ceremony empty-handed, collecting his maiden Roy Higgins Medal for winning the Metropolitan Jockeys Premiership, as well as the overall Victorian Jockeys’ Premiership title, becoming the first rider since Luke Nolen in 2009-10 to claim both in the one season. Lane was back on stage later in the night to claim an award that carried special meaning with the Victorian Jockeys Association’s (VJA) annual peer-voted award renamed the Damien Oliver Most Valuable Jockey in honour of the recently retired champion who, like Lane, hails from Western Australia. Team Freedman were acknowledged by a voting panel of racing media and industry representatives for a stunning season which was headlined by Without A Fight’s historic Spring Racing Carnival campaign. In a close contest, the reigning Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner received 66 votes from the panel to edge out Mark Walker’s sprinting sensation Imperatriz (60) in the race to be crowned Victorian Racehorse of the Year, with mighty mare Pride Of Jenni (41) in third. Their handling of Without A Fight also saw the Freedmans land the inaugural Most Outstanding Training Performance award, having garnered 84 votes from the judging panel ahead of Ciaron Maher (31) for his training efforts with Pride Of Jenni and Henry Dwyer (27) for his international success with Asfoora. That prompted another visit to the stage for Sam Freedman who had earlier received the Colin Alderson Rising Star award, which is given to a Victorian trainer aged 40 or under whose career is on an upward trajectory and has performed with distinction over the preceding 12 months. With Sam playing an instrumental role, Freedman Racing jumped from 13th to third in the Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership and the top five in the Victorian premiership, where their winning strike rate of over 22 per cent was unmatched. Another emerging talent, this time from the riding ranks, was also celebrated when Jaylah Kennedy was voted the VJA Rising Star by her fellow riders. The New Zealand native enjoyed a breakout season in the saddle, notching 21 winners in town among 67 across the state. Kennedy’s fellow Kiwi native Aaron Kuru retained the Tommy Corrigan Medal he won for the first-time last year after he was again judged to be Victoria’s leading jumps jockey across the 2023-24 racing season. Kuru, whose list of achievements included a third straight success in the Two Rivers Steeplechase (3800m) in partnership with Elvison, polled 15 votes to finish five ahead of his nearest challenger, Will Gordon. In the training ranks, Ciaron Maher was feted for another stunning season in which he captured his fifth consecutive Victorian Trainers’ Premiership and a fourth consecutive Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership for which he was presented with the Fred Hoysted Medal. Other repeat winners were Louise Abey and Jessica Cocks, who retained the Racing Victoria Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year and Emerging Retrainer of the Year awards respectively, with the latter open to retrainers in each of the first three years that they participate in RV’s Acknowledged Retrainer program. Following is the full list of awards presented at the 2024 Victorian Racing Awards: Scobie Breasley Medal – Blake Shinn Victorian Racehorse of the Year – Without A Fight Most Outstanding Training Performance – Anthony and Sam Freedman Tommy Corrigan Medal – Aaron Kuru Colin Alderson Rising Star Award – Sam Freedman Damien Oliver Most Valuable Jockey – Damian Lane VJA Rising Star – Jaylah Kennedy RV Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year – Louise Abey RV Emerging Retrainer of the Year – Jessica Cocks Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership (Roy Higgins Medal) – Damian Lane (88 wins) Victorian Jockeys’ Premiership – Damian Lane (148 wins) Metropolitan Apprentices’ Premiership – Celine Gaudray (42 wins) Victorian Apprentices’ Premiership – Celine Gaudray (70 wins) Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership (Fred Hoysted Medal) – Ciaron Maher (107 wins) Victorian Trainers’ Premiership – Ciaron Maher (218 wins) Horse racing news View the full article

Bill Thurlow’s top performers are still waiting in the wings ahead of the spring racing period, but that didn’t stop the Waverley horseman from picking up an impressive double at Woodville on Sunday. After finishing a narrow second in the opener with Towrope, Thurlow collected his first winner of the meeting with progressive mare Ziggy Khan (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) in the Beale Trucking (2200m). The five-year-old daughter of Mongolian Khan was having just her sixth start and broke maiden status a fortnight ago at Waverley, with the step-up to Rating 65 grade posing no issue to TAB bookmakers who placed her in second-favouritism ($5) behind Moonlight Hustler ($4.20). Apprentice jockey Triston Moodley eased the mare well back in the early stages as Fay Khan It took up the lead at a solid clip. Sliding closer passing the 800 metre mark, Ziggy Khan travelled strongly into the race and chased down Fay Khan It in the straight, crossing the line with her ears pricked and seemingly had plenty left in store. Thurlow indicated the mare had endured an injury earlier in her career and was pleased for her connections, the Crawford brothers, to be rewarded for their efforts. “I thought she went very well, she’s a progressive stayer and has always shown us a fait bit,” Thurlow said. “It’s never easy to step-up from maidens to win your next grade, so I’m very happy with her. “She needed all the time she had, but she did have an injury to her shoulder and the owners were very patient in nursing her back because it wasn’t the best. It’s a great reward for them. “I would think she will go up a grade again now so we’ll just take it race by race with her.” Later on the card, Battle Secret (NZ) (Battle Paint) wasn’t to be outdone by his younger stablemate and earned the fourth success of his career in the Tararua Alliance (1600m). The seven-year-old was among the middle market for the Rating 75 contest, with talented mare Bozo on top in fresh state at $2.50. In the hands of Masa Hashizume, Battle Secret was leisurely away from the gates and remained near the tail of the field through the running, with Carpe Diem taking over the pace making role along the back straight. Battle Secret strode effortlessly into contention nearing the home turn and showed plenty of fight to hold off the charge of Sweetjineen, scoring by a short head at the finish. “I thought he was very diligent, he’s a horse that hasn’t been the easiest and had a tendon injury that set us back with him,” Thurlow said. “We had to take him along very quietly and he’ll probably be a better horse over more ground, but coming back from that injury, he has done very well. “We’ll step up over ground next and play it by air, we’ll keep him in the company that we feel he can be capable of winning in.” A son of Battle Paint, Battle Secret has been successful in four of his 24 starts and earned over $61,000 in stakes for a large ownership group, which includes a number of his breeders. Back in Waverley, Thurlow is hoping to build on what was a highly-successful season last term with Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) winner No Rain Ever (No Nay Never) and Group One winner No Compromise (NZ) (Pins) both set to return to the trials at short notice. “We have a few really nice horses coming back to the trials soon, including No Rain Ever, No Compromise and Frank The Tank,” he said. “We haven’t rushed them, we didn’t bring them back really early but they are ticking over nicely and will probably trial next week at Foxton. “They will miss the early Hawke’s Bay stuff as that wasn’t on our radar, but one of them may be there for the last day. “We’ve got a really nice team building up and we’ll find some nice races for them this season.” View the full article

Glen Massey horsewoman Shelley Wright was rapt to kick off her season on a winning note at Te Rapa on Saturday, courtesy of progressive stayer Endean Ace (NZ) (Tarzino). A gelding by Tarzino, Endean Ace had been knocking on the door to break maiden status with two strong efforts over a mile and 2100 metres this campaign, closing a $4.70 second-favourite to Hootie Johnson ($3.50). Contesting the Waikato Draught 2100, Endean Ace was trapped wide from an outside barrier in the early stages under apprentice Ngakau Hailey, who soon found cover and settled in midfield. Looming into contention turning for home, Endean Ace kept up a strong gallop down the centre of the straight and kicked clear nearing the post, holding out Our Easy Street by 1 ½ lengths. Wright trains the five-year-old for owner-breeders Andrew Burton and Linda Hunt, who she was pleased to deliver the victory for. “It was a nice ride, he settled him nicely and it was good to get the win,” Wright said. “He came from another stable before us, but in those bigger stables, they possibly can’t do the time factor that we can with these kinds of horses. He came out here as well as another one we have for Andrew and Linda, they’re good people. “He was just a very weak horse and needed time to mature, farm life has really suited him and he’s coming along nicely. “I think he’ll be a better horse next winter so he’s a long term type, but we’ll have a look around in the meantime. He likes a good cut out of the track so we’ll probably be able to make the most of that right up until about November.” The win came in 17-year-old Hailey’s first ride for Wright, however the pair have been associated for a long period of time as Hailey learned the early ropes of riding racehorses at her property west of Ngaruawahia. “Ngakau came out here with a crew of kids and did a bit of work for us over the farm, you could see the potential in him back then as a young fella,” Wright said. “We know his mother quite well, so it’s a real family association and he’s a lovely kid. “We haven’t had a lot of horses out racing and we’ve just got a few coming up now, so he rode for us at the trials the other day and I thought he would be well suited to this horse. He rides with a nice long rein and our horses enjoy that style.” Wright is able to provide her horses with a variety of training between the racecourse and farm environments, a blend that she hopes will prove an effective method heading into the spring period. “We’ve got about 15 in work, mostly homebred horses and a few outside ones too. They seem to thrive on these sort of conditions,” she said. “We go into the track every day, but we have facilities out on the farm as well. I’ve got a lovely bunch of riders here and it’s a bit of a mix for the horses, they get to go out to the paddocks during the day and then into the boxes at night. “It’s totally different training to what a lot of people can do and I think we’ll start to see some nice results soon. “We have a nice Redwood coming up called Janka, he’s a nice staying type as well. We also have Endean Affair for Andrew and Linda, she’s a nice mare.” View the full article