Wandering Eyes

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has promoted Rob MacLennan, effectively immediately, to the position of racing secretary, according to a press release from the track on Wedensday. MacLennan joined NYRA in April 2021 as a racing official and was serving as the assistant racing secretary. He arrived at NYRA after employment as the racing secretary at Century Mile and Century Downs in Canada. A licensed racing official, MacLennan joins Keith Doleshel, senior director of racing, who also holds the secretary title in overseeing the writing of condition books and other duties across NYRA's three racetracks. The post NYRA Names MacLennan To Racing Secretary Post appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A Frankel (GB) filly (lot 465) brought €1 million from Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin during the second day of the Goffs Orby Sale Book 1. Consigned by Staffordstown, the bay filly is a half-sister to multiple group winner Sandrine (GB) (Bobby's Kitten), who has been placed in both the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes and G1 Falmouth Stakes for breeder Kirsten Rausing. The dam, four-time winner Seychelloise (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), is a daughter of G3 Prix d'Arenberg heroine Starlit Sands (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Lot 465 is the second seven-figure transaction of the day at Goffs. The sales topper, a €2-million son of Frankel (lot 323), was also purchased by Godolphin. The post Godolphin Adds €1-Million Frankel Filly To Their Collection At Goffs Orby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Forever Young, making his first start since a dramatic third-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1), returned an easy winner Oct. 2 in his prep race for the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar.View the full article

His Highness The Aga Khan's undefeated G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine and Group 1 producer Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) will not be bred next year and has been pensioned, The Aga Khan's Studs announced on Wednesday. The 19-year-old daughter of Zarkasha (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire})'s final foal is a filly by Siyouni (Fr) born on Feb. 2, 2024. Foaled on the final day of March in 2005, the Alain de Royer-Dupre trainee won her seven starts by a combined 16 lengths, all barring her Longchamp maiden made in group company. After a score in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac in her juvenile finale, the bay resumed with a 2 1/2-length tally in the G3 Prix de la Grotte in April and duly added the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in May. Her G1 Prix de Diane victory was Zarkava's largest winning margin, when she prevailed over Gagnoa (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) by three lengths, with subsequent GI Breeders' Cup Mile darling Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) third in June. Given a break during the heat of the summer, Zarkava resumed in September of 2008 with a win in the G1 Prix Vermeille, and became one of just a handful of fillies to win the Arc in her swansong that October. She was named the 2008 Cartier Horse of the Year. With earnings just under $4.8 million, Zarkava was the highlight of her dam's progeny, which also featured G3 Prix Minerve heroine Zarshana (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), herself the dam of G1 Prix Ganay second Zarir (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). At stud, Zarkava foaled a trio of stakes winners anchored by current Aga Khan stallion Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), a winner of the G1 Prix de Saint-Cloud who was second in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Prix Ganay. The other pair were both fillies–listed winner and G1 Prix Vermeille third Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) and listed winner Zaykava (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). Merci #Zarkava The Champion racemare and Gr.1 producer has been retired from breeding after producing a Siyouni?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Siyouni filly earlier this year. Princess Zahra Aga Khan celebrates her outstanding achievements on the track and in the paddock: https://t.co/KKB7BtZOBq — Aga Khan Studs (@AgaKhanStuds) October 2, 2024 The post French Superstar Zarkava Pensioned From Broodmare Duty appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Anthony Farrior, who is on pace for a third straight season of finishing in the top 10 among trainers by wins, nailed down a milestone victory in the second race at Thistledown Oct. 1.View the full article

Trainer Chad Brown only needed a single word to express all of the talent and potential he sees in Senza Parole. View the full article

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, welcomed to its retiree roster Cozmic One (Bernardini), the first foal out of 2010 Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer, Zenyatta, the aftercare non-profit said in a Wednesday release. The 12-year-old dark bay gelding arrived at the farm on Tuesday, Oct. 1, courtesy of his owner, Ann Holbrook, who along with her late ex-husband, Jerry Moss, have been long-time supporters of Old Friends. “We are thrilled to welcome Cozmic One to retired life at Old Friends,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. “As the first-born offspring of the incredible champion and Horse of the Year Zenyatta, Cozmic One holds a special place in the hearts of racing fans everywhere. “We look forward to welcoming all who wish to visit as he embarks on his new all-important role as ambassador for Thoroughbred aftercare,” said Nicholson. “Our everlasting gratitude to Ann Holbrook and Dottie Ingordo for trusting us with their treasured Cozmic One.” The post Old Friends Welcomes Zenyatta’s First Foal To Retiree Roster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's Arqana Arc Sale at Saint-Cloud will now feature the AQPS graded winner Livio (Fr) (Cokoriko {Fr}) (lot 50). A winner of the G3 Prix du Tremblay on debut for trainer Lucie Pontoir, the gelding joins 39 other horses-in-training in the catalogue. Consigned by Etoile du Berger, he is out of a half-sister to graded winner Jazz Manouche (Fr) (Nom De D'La {Fr}) from the family of graded winners SF Kario De Sormain (Fr) (Gunboat Diplomacy {Fr}) and AQPS Gitane Bleue (Fr) (Cokoriko {Fr}). The sale will begin at 6:30 p.m. local time. The post Jumping Prospect Livio Joins Arqana Arc Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders' Cup Limited has formed a new partnership with Cygames, Inc. as an official partner of the 2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships, the company said in a release late Tuesday. Cygames is a Japanese video game publisher and developer that provides video games, comics and animations. Under the agreement, Cygames becomes the name-in-title partner of the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint, which will be held Nov. 2. The partnership with Cygames, arranged in collaboration with leading media rights and sponsorship sales firm JMI Sports, will mark the upcoming launch of the English version of Umamusume: Pretty Derby, a simulation game that debuted in Japan in 2021. “Cygames is a leading brand in the gaming world and, like the Breeders' Cup World Championships, is committed to delivering high-quality entertainment to a global audience,” said Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for the Breeders' Cup Heather Higgins. The post Japanese Video Game Company Cygames Partners With Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

National Hunt stallion Triple Threat (Fr) sustained a mortal injury in his paddock, Capital Stud announced on Wednesday. The 14-year-old son of Monsun (Ger) was standing his first season at the stud for a private fee. “The whole Capital Stud team is devastated by the news,” said the stud's Ger O'Neill. “He was very popular in his first season here and we were looking forward to covering many more mares with him in future, but sadly it wasn't to be. “However, we look forward to seeing his first Irish foals arrive next year and we're confident they will represent him well in the sales ring and on the racecourse in the coming years.” Bred by Team Valor and Gary Barber, the bay son of Drei (Lyphard) won a trio of graded/group races in the U.S. and France, and was also third in the 2015 GI Northern Dancer Turf Stakes at Woodbine. Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, he earned just over $495,000 in 23 starts, and first stood at Haras du Mont Goubert. This year marked his first season standing outside of France. Triple Threat was proving adept with his National Hunt progeny, with his best including graded hurdle winner Sans Bruit (Fr), listed hurdle winner Rosa Kleb (Fr) and graded/listed performers AQPS Jumper Sacre (Fr) and Pacific One (Fr). The post Triple Threat Dies In Paddock Accident appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club projects a North American registered Thoroughbred foal crop of 17,300 in 2025, which is some 700 fewer foals than the 2024 foal crop estimate of 18,000, the organization said in a press release early Wednesday. The foal crop projection is computed by using Reports of Mares Bred (RMBs) received to date for the 2024 breeding season. RMBs are to be filed by Aug. 1 of each breeding season. This year, The Jockey Club has published preliminary statistics regarding mares reported bred by state/province through the current date for 2024, 2023 and 2022. These reports are updated daily and can be found here. For the RMBs received through Sept. 30, The Jockey Club reports that 771 stallions covered 25,301 mares in North America during 2024. The Jockey Club estimates an additional 2,500 to 3,500 mares will be reported as bred during the 2024 breeding season. Over the past 3 years in North America as reported to The Jockey Club through Sept. 30 of the breeding year the number of covering stallions and the number of mares bred were: 880–26,744 in 2022; 825–26,202 in 2023; 771–25,301 in 2024. RMB statistics, sortable by stallion, mares bred, or state, for all reported stallions in 2024 are available through the Fact Book section of The Jockey Club's website by clicking here. Kentucky traditionally leads North America in Thoroughbred breeding activity. During 2024, Kentucky's 192 reported stallions covered 16,543 mares, or 65.38% of all of the mares reported bred in North America. Data based on stallion location is available here. The number of stallions that covered 200 or more mares and the number of mares bred by those stallions in North America as reported to The Jockey Club through Sept. 30 of the breeding year over the past three years were: 16–3,463 in 2022; 14–3,213 in 2023; 10–2,210 in 2024. Practical Joke had the highest number of mare's bred in 2024 with 277 followed by Justify (263), Gunite (256), Golden Pal (209), Elite Power (203), Uncle Mo (202), Gun Runner (200), Pappacap (200), Taiba (200), Vekoma (200). Stallion owners who have not returned their RMBs for the 2024 breeding season are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Interactive Registration, which enables registered users to perform virtually all registration-related activities over the Internet, is the most efficient means of submitting RMBs and is available by clicking here. The 2023 breeding statistics, which includes data for Live Foal Reports for the 2024 foaling season, will be released later this month. The post The Jockey Club Projects Upcoming Foal Crop At 17,300 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last week's G3 Tattersalls Stakes winner The Waco Kid (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) is one of the highlights of the five-day Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, which takes place at Park Paddocks from Monday, October 28 to Friday, November 1. The Waco Kid is rated 109 and will be offered as lot 1059 by the Castlebridge Consignment, who are responsible for the largest draft of 178 horses in training from a catalogue comprised of 1,619 lots. The G3 Thoroughbred Stakes winner Epictetus (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) also features in their offering as lot 1063. Some of the other notable lots include last weekend's impressive Cambridgeshire winner Liberty Lane (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) (lot 753) from trainer Karl Burke's Spigot Lodge Stables; the Juddmonte-consigned Task Force (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (lot 1068), runner-up in last year's G1 Middle Park Stakes; the Galileo (Ire) colt Klondike (GB) (lot 727), who won the G3 Prix de Reux at Deauville in August for William Haggas; and the Coolmore-consigned Mountain Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) (lot 672), who filled the runner-up spot in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and is due to contest Saturday's GI Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland. Last year Balance Play (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) topped the sale when purchased by McKeever Bloodstock, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for 575,000gns. From 1,258 lots offered, 1,089 sold for an aggregate of 33,705,774gns. The average was 30,951gns and the median was 15,000gns. Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said, “Every year horses from the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale create headlines all over the world and since 2021 there have been an extraordinary 69 individual Group/Listed winners from the sale including four Group 1 winners. “Both international and domestic buyers know that there is no other sale in the world quite like the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale and this year's catalogue has all the ingredients to appeal to the usual diverse cross-section of buyers, both Flat and National Hunt.” The full catalogue can be viewed here. The post Tattersalls Stakes Winner The Waco Kid Heads Autumn Horses in Training Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The seven-figure mark was breached in some style at Goffs on Wednesday when a bidding duel between Godolphin and Coolmore resulted in agent Anthony Stroud signing for Croom House Stud's Frankel (GB) colt after making a final bid of €2 million on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed's operation. Lot 323 is the first foal of the Listed winner and Group 3-placed Loch Lein (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire) and was bred under the Brosnan family's Epona Bloodstock banner. The post Godolphin Outbid Coolmore for €2m Frankel Colt at Goffs Orby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Exuberance (NZ) (Savabeel) has given New Zealand trainer Mark Walker something to smile about after a Group 1 defeat in New Zealand. Trainer Mark Walker was enduring a tough day at the office prior to the maiden victory of Exuberance at Cranbourne. Walker was at Cranbourne on Wednesday having overseen trackwork on Tuesday in the lead-up to the Turnbull Stakes Day meeting at Flemington on Saturday. In between races at Cranbourne, Walker was tuned in to watch Group 1 action from New Zealand where he witnessed Skew Wiff run second in the Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata. “I thought she was really brave,” Walker said of Skew Wiff. “She just didn’t have anything that took her into the race and just got left a sitting duck, and she’s only got that short sprint, so we got nabbed close to the line. “So, it’s been a frustrating day, because in the Guineas we missed it by about six lengths as well. “So, it’s one of those days, but this makes it a little bit better.” New Zealand-bred filly Exuberance was the first winner Walker has prepared for a new ownership group in his stable which includes Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill when taking out the Get Your Pinker Pinker Tickets Today Maiden Plate (1200m). Ridden by Craig Williams and sent out the $2.90 favourite, Exuberance defeated Zwasp ($5) with Under My Thumb ($3) in third place. Exuberence, a daughter of Savabeel, was having her second race start having finished third on debut over 1140m at Geelong last month. Walker expects Exuberance to stretch out in distance as she matures. “I think she was headed at about the 200 (metres) but she put her head down and had a real go, so that was good to see,” Walker said. “It wasn’t our intention to lead up today. We were hoping to get some cover, but once she got there, she did it pretty easily and backed off the tempo. “She’s got ability. She just needs to put it together mentally more than anything. “She’s a work in progress and whether she does it this time round or whether it’s more in the autumn, we’ll see, but we do think she’s a nice filly.” View the full article

The Turnbull Stakes at Flemington is a race that will shape the future of a number of spring hopes. The countdown is on towards the feature Cups and the Turnbull Stakes Day meeting at Flemington is moving day in many eyes. The Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on Saturday is a race, in particular, that shines the light on the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 19 with Verry Elleegant (2020) and Incentivise (2021) winning at Flemington and then scoring again two weeks later. It is for that reason many of the leading Caulfield Cup fancies have their campaigns tailored around running in the Turnbull Stakes as their final lead up for two weeks later. Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have specifically tailored their Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, run at Flemington on November 5, program for Queensland Derby winner Warmonger(NZ) (War Decree) around the Turnbull Stakes. After a spell in Queensland following his Derby success in June, Warmonger resumed with a pleasing fourth behind Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 14. “His first-up run was super and was what we wanted to see,” Kent Jnr said. “He carried residual fitness down from Queensland plus a forward spring coat, and he ran accordingly in what was very tough conditions. “They sprinted on the home bend, but then he stayed on well through the line. “His last 200 metres was ideal. It was good to see him go past Via Sistina and he worked home as well as anything in the race. “We wanted to be third-up into the Caulfield Cup and planned the Makybe Diva, the Turnbull, Caulfield Cup. “That gave us three weeks between the Makybe Diva and the Turnbull, which the way it has turned out is nice given the gruelling test that day.” Kent Jnr expects the 2000m on Saturday to be ideal for Warmonger who will also strip fitter for both his first-up run and going forward to Caulfield. The co-trainer is also expecting improvement to come from rivals on Saturday who were below their best on the wet track at Flemington and who, on face value, disappointed in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 21. “He was never going to be competitive over a mile at weight-for-age against the best horses in the country,” Kent Jnr said of Warmonger in the Makybe Diva Stakes. “At 2000 metres he’s more of a chance, for sure he can run well, but he’s becoming a top-level stayer so for us, the mile-and-a-half is what is going to bring him into the race. “I think the Underwood Stakes, there is possibly some hidden runs there as it was run at such a brutal tempo, and it didn’t allow certain horses to get into it. “So, I wouldn’t be surprised if horses like Fawkner Park and Place Du Carrousel really jump out of the ground at their next start. “I’m sure Saturday will tell a story.” View the full article

Making his first start in his home country since last December and his first since that rough-and-tumble third in the GI Kentucky Derby, Susumu Fujita's FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) (c, 3, Real Steel {Jpn}–Forever Darling, by Congrats) overcame a slight stumble at the break and a tricky trip from between horses to prep in victorious fashion for next month's GI Breeders' Cup Classic in Wednesday's Listed Japan Dirt Classic at Ohi Racecourse. Favored at 70 cents on the dollar, the Yoshito Yahagi trainee was away somewhat awkwardly from the inside gate, but recovered nicely and was taken to the outside to stalk the pace from second and raced in the two path and between rivals for most of the journey. He appeared to come off the bridle for a stride or two approaching the straight, but he was back into the bit and on the attack at the 400-meter mark, hit the front shortly after and came away to take it by 1 1/4 lengths. Chief market rival Ramjet (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) made middle move to be in contention four wide on the turn, but he was under pressure when the real running began and stayed on at one pace for fourth. Sales history: $720,603 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL. Lifetime Record: GSW-UAE & KSA, GISP-US, 7-6-0-1. O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern Racing; T-Yoshito Yahagi. FOREVER YOUNG overcomes a stumble at the start and wins the Japan Dirt Classic, handling the 10f well off a 5-month layoff. The great-grandson of 2 @BreedersCup Classic winners, Sunday Silence & AP Indy, now gets his chance! #BC24 #フォーエバーヤング #ブリーダーズカップ #米国… pic.twitter.com/NJ55Mt32El — Michael Adolphson (@AdolphsonRacing) October 2, 2024 The post Forever Young Returns A Winner in Japan Dirt Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) has been supplemented by owners Juddmonte for Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp at a cost of €120,000. Trained by Ralph Beckett, Bluestocking was last seen winning the Prix Vermeille over the Arc course and distance. That was her second Group 1 success of the campaign, having also won the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in June, with a couple of creditable efforts against the boys sandwiched in between as she finished runner-up in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and fourth in the Juddmonte International at York. Connections had been keen to leave a decision on her participation as late as possible, but the likelihood of soft ground at Longchamp has seen the four-year-old added to the field in a bid to provide Juddmonte with a record-breaking seventh win in the Arc. Juddmonte's European racing manager Barry Mahon said, “It's exciting and she is in good form. Ralph has had a good look at her this morning. She cantered, had all her tests done, and he was very happy with her condition. “We feel she is in good form and we're very much looking forward to Sunday. It's going to be a tough task, but she's a filly who runs her race every time and hopefully she will do so again on Sunday.” The number of horses in contention for Europe's middle-distance championship remains at 18 after Opera Singer (Justify) was taken out of the race on Wednesday. She was also withdrawn from the G1 Prix de l'Opera later on the card. Aidan O'Brien is still responsible for four possible runners, although the trainer revealed on Tuesday that Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) are likely to be the only representatives from Ballydoyle. The post Bluestocking Supplemented for the Arc appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Sea The Stars (Ire) colt out of Holy Amaretta (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) is the new market leader at the Goffs Orby Sale after Anthony Stroud bid €900,000 on behalf of Godolphin for lot 267. Consigned by Norelands for his breeder, the Tsui family's Sunderland Holdings, the colt is the second foal of his six-year-old unraced dam, who has been mated exclusively with Sea The Stars since retiring to stud. The mare is a daughter of Gestut Schlenderhan's Amarette (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), whose most notable descendants include Group 1 winner and young Fahrhof stallion Alson (Ger), German 2,000 Guineas winner Ancient Spirit (Ger), and recent G2 Coventry Stakes winner Rashabar (Ire). The further family also includes Melbourne Cup winner Almandin (Ger). The post New Top Lot at Goffs as Godolphin Buy Sea The Stars Colt for €900k appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News desk Red Rackham has started October the way he finished September – and that’s by winning at Cambridge on a Tuesday. The Vincent gelding has turned into a midweek marvel, winning five times there in his past six starts. The only time he didn’t win he was second. Fittingly his success last came in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Tuesday Pacers Final Mobile Pace while the Stephen Doody-trained Sweet Olivia took out the Garrards Horse and Hound Tuesday Trotters Final. The finals were eligible to horses that had had at least two starts at Cambridge since August 1. Both races had stakes of $12,500 and were penalty free to the winner. For all his success the Arna Donnelly-trained Red Rackham still paid $11.40 for the win. “He’s gained a lot of confidence from these Tuesday meetings and he’s racing in a great vein of form,” says Donnelly. Last night Red Rackham was driven for the first time by in-form junior driver Harrison Orange. Drawn seven over 1700 metres, Orange took the four-year-old to the front, as is his usual racing style, and he was looking good turning for home, only to veer out over the concluding stages. Precious Bet looked to actually get his head in front before Red Rackham rallied to win by three quarters of a length. “Once he gets in front he feels pretty big and brave and that’s where he seems to be winning his races,” says Donnelly. Before he started racing at Cambridge on a Tuesday on August 6 he had been winless in his first 12 starts, with his best effort being a second at Alexandra Park in July last year. “He’s found his spot,” says Donnelly. Now Red Rackham has a very handy career record of five wins from 18 starts and earnings of just over $33K. It’s just reward for breeder Bee Pears and owner Kym Kearns. When the horse was sent to Donnelly he had a major health scare. “He pulled a shoe about this time last year and he ended up having surgery because the infection went right up his foot nearly to the pedal bone.” “Kym stuck by him and went ahead with that (surgery) so it’s nice he’s repaid her this way.” Nicknamed after Red Rackham, the pirate captain in The Adventures of Tintin, the horse’s debut run was a sixth at Cambridge in May 2023. Donnelly is still working out where to next for the Cambridge specialist and he may yet be tried again at Alexandra Park. “He’ll be a nice Country Cups horse later in the piece so whether we trek down to Manawatu for some of those Cups later on but the way he’s racing he’s low enough rated (R56) to probably be competitive again at Auckland.” “So it would be nice to spin him around and see how he goes.” View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Classy Kiwi filly Coastal Babe has grabbed favouritism for the Group 1 Victoria Oaks. The absence of Australia’s best filly, Very Pretty, combined with a gun draw in Saturday night’s heat, has Coastal Babe into $1.80 to win the final a week later. Coastal Babe has won five of 12 NZ starts and is raced by the Summit Bloodstock team, who has a strong relationship with champion Aussie trainer Emma Stewart. Coastal Babe has been based with Stewart for a couple of weeks and should use her quick early speed to lead from gate two in Saturday night’s Oaks heat. The other Kiwi flavour in the series is Queensland Oaks winner Aardie B Miki, who will challenge for favouritism in the other Victoria Oaks heat. The Chantal Turpin-trained filly has the speed to take advantage of gate five, but has four talented Emma Stewart-trained fillies to overcome, headed by another former Kiwi, Kiss, from gate one. Stewart also holds the key to the Victoria Derby heats with nine runners across the two heats. The standout is Bay Of Biscay, who turned heads with a slashing and unlucky second in the TAB Eureka at his latest run. He is a hot favourite to win heat two from gate four. X X X New Zealand-bound trotting filly Keayang Zahara should stretch her unbeaten record to eight races in the $50,000 Need For Speed final at Melton on Saturday night. Excitingly, Kiwis will get to see the Marg Lee-trained filly in the $500,000 The Ascent at Addington on November 15. Keayang Zahara, who has been posting open-class trotting times, has the Victoria Oaks and possibly the Victoria Trotters’ Derby to come before crossing the ditch. X X X Over in Perth, former NZ Oaks winner Aardiebytheseaside will be chasing her seventh win from as many starts in WA when she tackles a mares’ free-for-all at Gloucester Park on Friday night. Team Bond think so much of the mare, they are setting her to take on the boys in the $450,000 Group 1 WA Pacing Cup on November 8. That race has been weakened this week by news stars Catch A Wave and Never Ending won’t be running. Catch A Wave is staying in Victoria and will then chase the Sydney Inter Dominion. While a lack of flights has left Never Ending stranded in Sydney since contesting the TAB Eureka on September 7. On the same card, star WA filly Water Lou, who boasts 21 wins from 27 starts, will be a hot favourite in the $150,000 Group 1 WA Oaks. View the full article

THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY are the brand new $500,000 slot races that will be a big part of the Show Day Twilight race meeting at Addington Raceway on Friday, November 15. The slots for the two races for the three-year-old trotters and pacers were snapped up in quick time – so who are the people behind the names? Over the next few weeks we will profile many of the slot holders. Today is Diane Reilly By Adam Hamilton Hugely successful Aussie owner Diane Reilly (pictured above, second from left) has won an Inter Dominion and now she’s got her sights set on a huge new New Zealand race. Reilly, who owned 2022 Melbourne Inter Dominion winner I Cast Now Shadow, is excited to be one of the foundation slot owners in the inaugural $500,000 The Velocity, to be run at the Show Day Twilight meeting on Friday, November 1. “I love New Zealand harness racing, especially Addington in Cup Week,” the Queensland-based Reilly said. “I went to my first NZ Cup about 12 years ago with (the late) Bob McArdle and he showed me what a great week it was, including trips to Ashburton and everything that’s special about the busy week. “I was hooked. I think I’ve been to Cup Week eight times now and I’ll certainly be back this year.” Reilly said the experience with her current best horse, outstanding three-year-old Bay Of Biscay, fuelled her interest in taking a slot in The Velocity. “I was on the other side of the fence with Bay Of Biscay as a part-owner and we went through the slot process for the Eureka. We partnered with Kevin Seymour and it was a great experience, so I thought why not take a slot in The Velocity?” The Emma Stewart-trained Bay Of Biscay finished a luckless second in the Eureka. Despite being a three-year-old pacer, which The Velocity is restricted to, Reilly said Bay Of Biscay would not be a runner in NZ. “No, he’s had a big year already and Emma (Stewart) doesn’t want to take him away from home again. He’s been to Queensland and Sydney and he’s got the Victoria Derby at Melton next month,” she said. “But I’m involved with a couple of other nice three-year-olds based in NZ, including Hezasweetie and Dawson with Barry Purdon, who will get their chance to show if they’re good enough to fill my slot. “If not, I’ve had a few calls from owners of other horses wanting to talk about my slot. “I’m in no rush to decide.” The 83-year-old Reilly says she likes the immediacy of the slot racing concept. “When you’re my age you can’t buy yearlings and wait two years to see if they’re any good,” she laughed. “I’m excited to be part of this race and hopefully I can have a runner who gives it a big shake.” To see the profile of The Pukekohe Punter click here To see the profile of Peter and Janet Argus click here View the full article

The penultimate heat of the Silk Road Northern Spring Series for the Fillies and Mares will be held at Alexandra Park on Friday night. So far there have been three heats, with the first two in each automatically qualifying for the $30,000 Final on Friday, October 18. Those six are Wicked Wanda, Mhai Surfer Girl, Courtney Rose, Always B Stunning , You Little Beauty and Cyren Shard. The series, in its first year, is all about encouraging and rewarding intermediate grade (up to R54) fillies and mares to race at Alexandra Park as part of the Look North strategy to revitalise racing in and around Auckland. The heats so far : Heat 1, September 13 – You Little Beauty, Cyren Shard, Kourtney Kardash Heat 2, September 21 – Courtney Rose, Akatea, Always B Stunning Heat 3, September 27 – Wicked Wanda, Mhai Surfer Girl, Minjee Following the fourth heat this Friday, the final heat will be held on October 11, ahead of the final the following week. Comprising 12 horses, the final will be penalty free for any horse winning both a heat and the final. The meeting on October 18 will not only see the $30,000 final of the Silk Road Northern Spring Series for the Fillies and Mares but also the start of the next Northern Metro Series for the Pacers and Trotters. There will be two $16,000 heats for both gaits on that night, before two $35,000 finals on October 25. All horses racing in both series will be eligible for the new $1m Golden Gait series. The series on December 20 features 10 races, each worth $100,000 – with five pacing and five trotting races, all over a mile. Three-year-old and older horses have to have raced at least six times at Alexandra Park in the qualifying period (January 1 – December 6) while 2YO horses most have a minimum of four starts. To see the fields click here View the full article

Dexter Dunn on fire in the US, Kypros Kotzikas into the Hall of Fame, the NZ Sires’ Stakes latest podcast and Methven gearing up for its biggest race day all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Dexter Dunn goes No 1 in USA Dexter Dunn’s amazing run of success in North America has continued with six more wins at Ohio over the weekend. The former Kiwi champion driver dominated the card with a clean sweep of the four Dayton Derbies. His stellar day was spearheaded by Twin B Joe Fresh, who he co-owns, who won by more than four lengths in a track record 1:48.6. The other winners on the day were Jiggy Jog S, Logan Park, Abuckabett Hanover, Odds on Hialeah and Odds On Chesapeake. Dunn is now the highest earning driver in the USA in 2024 with total stakes of $11.6m and 249 wins. In the last week he has overtaken Yannick Gingras at the top. He is second on 11.1m and 326 wins. Dunn is a four-time Driver of the Year in the USA after first making the move from New Zealand in 2018. Kotzikas into Hall of Fame High profile harness racing figure Kypros Kotzikas has been inducted into the Addington Hall of Fame. Among his most notable achievements as an owner was winning the country’s most prestigious pacing and trotting features. He won the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup with Iraklis in 1997 and the Dominion Trot twice with Master Lavros in 2013 and 2015. He was the first owner to do the double since Allan Holmes in the 1950s. The Lavros and Lavra horses have been his trademark for decades. He has also been a big advocate for Life After Racing for retired horses and is a supporter of the Horse Ambulance Trust. Latest Sires’ Stakes podcast The latest NZ Sires’ Stakes Podcast is out. Hosted by Sheldon Murtha and Martin Pierson, the podcast is the third in their current series and focuses on breeding. It explores different aspects including rock star overseas vs New Zealand stallions, and different theories around spending your stud fee budget. To hear the podcast click here Aussie trotters target Cup week Haras des Trotteurs principal Pat Driscoll is preparing for a two-pronged attack on Addington in November with Callmethebreeze targeting the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot on Tuesday, November 12 and I’m Ready Jet eyeing up the $100,000 Group 1 NZ Trotting Free For All as part of the new look Show Day Twilight races three days later. Callmethebreeze scored a big win in the Kilmore Trotters Cup for his third win in a row since joining Andy Gath’s stable six weeks ago and is a $3 second favourite for the Dominion behind fellow Aussie champ Just Believe. $4000 prize at Cambridge The Framptons are having a good spell of success at Cambridge on a Tuesday. Last night the Rodney Frampton-trained Whitfield won the MVS Neo Natal ICU Mobile Pace and last week wife Paula won $4000 as part of the Trot in to Tuesdays promotion. To enter all racegoers had to do was buy a drink or some food on course and they would go into a weekly $250 draw. Then after four weeks the grand draw was made with the winner walking away with $4000. Three southern wins at Addington Southland certainly made its presence felt at Addington last Friday with three big wins. Trained by Craig Ferguson at Wyndham, Wag Star cleared out by 15 lengths in the Commodore Hotel For Your Cup Week Accommodation Mobile Pace, Kirstin Green trained and drove Fiery Bandito to win the Airpark Canterbury Handicap Trot at double figure odds ($12.30) and then Winton’s Trevor Proctor and his Canterbury-based caretaker trainer Mark Jones produced the impressive Tact McLeod to win the Lamb and Hayward Canterbury Classic by over a length, paying $16.20. Tact McLeod was the first Southland horse to win the Canterbury Classic since Prince Rashad in 1996. Assured now of a start in the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup, Tact McLeod’s next start is likely to be the Kaikoura Cup. Club News : Methven The Methven Trotting Club is gearing up for its big meeting for the year this Sunday. The feature races are the $40,000 Lazarus Methven Cup over 3,000m for the open class pacers and the $25,000 What The Hill Fillies and Mares Trotting Classic (2400m). The track has blossomed over the last month and is certain to be in top order thanks to Laurence Hanrahan, track man Neil Burton and the hard working track committee. The club will also combine with the Canterbury Owner’s association for a complimentary BBQ, late in the day for trainers, stablehands and connections, thanks to Nigel and Brenda Armstrong. Another highlight will be the Entain Methven Punter of the Year. There’ll be prizes up to the value of $5,000, entry fee is $600 (for a team up to four people). Part of the winning prize is a free entry to Addington’s upcoming punting contest. Entry to manager@methventrottinglub or on the day prior to race 1. The competition will be run over the final 10 races on the day meaning that the minimum bet per race will be $60. All entrants will receive a food and beverage voucher each and the event will be hosted in Methven’s Old Tote Building where the TAB will have dedicated windows exclusive to entrants only. View the full article

Check out this week’s The Box Seat with Matt Cross and Greg O’Connor. View the full article

Two races, one at Addington and one in Kilmore in Australia, have had a big bearing on the latest rankings for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 12. The first three from Friday’s Group 2 Lamb and Hayward Canterbury Classic were always going to gain automatic qualification for the Cup, with Tact McLeod, Franco Marek and Alta Meteor duly doing the business. Before the win Tact McLeod was 30th in last week’s rankings while Franco Marek was 24th and Alta Meteor 13th. With that trio confirmed in the field, along with Leap To Fame, Better Eclipse and Dalton Shard, there has been a shuffling further down the leaderboard. For instance Merlin has gone from fourth to seventh. One big mover is Australian Major Moth. He has gone from 28th to 15th and inside the cut-off after winning the Kilmore Cup in Victoria on Saturday night. He was part of a Jason Grimson-trained quinella along with District Attorney, who is now right behind him at 16th in the rankings. Tellingly both beat Auckland Cup winner Better Eclipse, who finished third. Grimson is gunning for back to back IRT New Zealand Trotting Cups following Swayzee’s victory last year, and it was Major Moth’s fourth win from five starts under his care. Major Moth and District Attorney will now head to the $300,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup on October 12. The rankings for the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot are largely unchanged from last week, though Australian trotter Callmethebreeze moves up one spot, to fourth after also winning at Kilmore on Saturday night. The Great Southern Star winner thrashed his rivals in the Group 3 Trotters Cup. And moving ever closer is southern trotter Fiery Bandito. He has improved six places to 20th following his win in the Airpark Canterbury Handicap Trot at Addington on Friday night. The final rankings for both the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot will be decided following Kaikoura’s meeting on Monday, November 4. View the Rankings here View the full article