Wandering Eyes

Junior Alvarado wasn't among this year's class of inductees over the weekend at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. But the 38-year-old veteran put on a mini-clinic across the street at Saratoga Race Course that underscored his versatility as an unheralded rider on an ultra-competitive circuit who consistently coaxes the best out of his mounts, regardless of surface, distance, running style or odds. Although the headline-grabber among his trio of victories was Saturday's decisive wiring of the GI Whitney Stakes aboard the older-horse division's newest phenom, Arthur's Ride (Tapit), Alvarado also orchestrated an impeccably timed, come-from-behind drive to narrowly capture Friday's GII Hall of Fame Stakes with Neat (Constitution). And earlier that afternoon, he helped second-time-starter Two Sharp (Twirling Candy) attain 'TDN Rising Star' status by guiding that 3-year-old filly to an 11 1/4-length tally in a maiden special weight (MSW) sprint. Of those three, only Two Sharp was favored to win. Alvarado let this $925,000 KEESEP filly roll out of the gate on the inside in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint, shrugged off mild early pressure, then allowed her to open up at will on the far turn and kick clear through the lane under her own power. “Absolutely devastating,” was how track announcer Frank Mirahmadi described Two Sharp's victory at 1-2 odds. The only thing that Alvarado might have hampered while keeping his filly under wraps as she sailed solo past the wire was her Beyer Speed Figure, which was assigned as 98 and certainly would have ticked into triple digits had Alvarado nudged her along a little faster. But what would have been the point? Alvarado came from much farther back and had to go after multiple targets on the turf to nail the win with Neat in the Hall of Fame, rating from third-last in a field of eight. That was a change in tactics from when he last rode the 3-year-old colt to a win in the GIII Manila Stakes June 29 at Aqueduct by pressing the pace in a five-horse race. Again tasked with a mile, the 7-2 Neat broke alertly but was rated towards the rear by Alvarado. He edged closer down the backstretch, tipped five wide for the drive, but didn't seem truly in it to win it until the final 50 yards when Neat surged with purpose to wrest control in a three-horse photo. Neat, who sold for $200,000 at both KEENOV and KEESEP, is now 6-for-9 lifetime, adding a Grade II victory to two previous Grade III wins and two other non-graded stakes, all on the grass. He's won the three graded races by a neck, a nose, and three-quarters of a length. He earned a career-best 87 Beyer in the Hall of Fame Stakes. “When I turned for home, I tipped him out and he was so game, he kept fighting and grinding and kept going after the horse in front,” Alvarado said. “Eventually, he put his head in front right in front of the wire. I love this horse. He is my kind of horse–you can feel he has the fire to win.” Arthur's Ride might turn out to be Alvarado's kind of horse, too. Maybe even the one that earns him his best shot yet in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Alvarado has partnered with this gray for trainer Bill Mott in four straight races since the 4-year-old recovered from a tendon strain that sidelined him from February 2023 until March 2024. This $250,000 KEESEP colt started his career with a pair of seconds in two seven-furlong MSW contests at Saratoga in the summer of 2022 before resurfacing at Gulfstream on Feb. 11, 2023, in a one-turn mile. In that race, Arthur's Ride caught the eye by taking pace pressure at the rail from the 6-5 favorite for most of the race, then clawing back the lead not once, but twice, after losing it in the stretch. That maiden-breaking effort earned him a berth in the TDN Derby Top 12 rankings, but the tendon trouble kept Arthur's Ride out of action until a Mar. 16, 2024, blowout return win at Gulfstream by 7 1/2 lengths in a first-level allowance, another one-turn mile. On the Friday before the 2024 Derby, Arthur's Ride wanted no part of racing in the slop at Churchill Downs, finishing ninth, beaten 23 lengths, in a second-level, one-turn mile allowance. Brought back at the same condition but at 10 furlongs during the GI Belmont Stakes festival at Saratoga June 7, Arthur's Ride rebounded with a 12 3/4-length drubbing that yielded a 111 Beyer. Going into Saturday's Whitney, bettors had to balance Arthur's Ride's sharp comeback race and his affinity for the Spa with the knowledge that he'd once again have to deal with an “off” racetrack and Grade I stakes company for the first time, with several other projected speedsters, including the .95-to-1 favorite National Treasure (Quality Road), drawn to his inside. The wagering public figured just a decimal point under 7-1 was a square mutuel for the prospect of Arthur's Ride out-gunning a fairly deep field from post nine over a muddy, sealed surface. Arthur's Ride strikes a post after winning the GI Whitney Stakes | Tod Marks Alvarado knew that he needed to seize control of the pace from the outset for Arthur's Ride to have his best shot. He outbroke National Treasure, but had to deal with the pesky presence of Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) before clearing the field. Arthur's Ride cranked out consecutive quarter miles of :23.26, :23.37 and :23.65 while under legit pace pressure, yet turned for home with his ears pricked through a fourth-quarter split in an understandably slower :24.88 while responding to Alvarado's rousing to stay strong on the lead. Arthur's Ride then left some pretty accomplished stakes horses in his wake, finishing up with a final furlong in :13.38 and a nine-furlong clocking of 1:48.54 that translated to a 110 Beyer while 2 1/2 lengths in front. Galloping out on the turn, Alvarado displayed another form of athleticism by sprinting alongside Arthur's Ride for half a furlong after the colt unexpectedly ducked out and dislodged him. “He just decided to spook and dropped me,” Alvarado said while being interviewed back aboard Arthur's Ride on the Saratoga simulcast feed, remounting as if nothing had happened. “But I still had a hold of the reins, and he made me run with him for a sixteenth of a mile.” The Whitney is a “Win and You're In” qualifying race for the Breeders' Cup Classic, a stakes that has been won twice in the past three years by grays who first captured that year's Whitney–White Abarrio (Race Day) in 2023 and Knicks Go (Paynter) in 2021. Unlike White Abarrio last year, who did not race between the Whitney and the Breeders' Cup, Mott said post-win that his gray could start next in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga Sept. 1. If you can't wait another four weeks to see a Mott-trained offspring of that Tapit-Points of Grace mating in action, you're in luck: Arthur's Ride's younger sister, a 3-year-old filly named Genetics, is dual-entered in allowance races Monday at both Ellis Park and Horseshoe Indianapolis. The May 27 foal broke her maiden last time out at Indy in career start number seven, by four lengths at 1-10 odds. Glassman Racing LLC, the same connections who own her older brother, bought Genetics for $525,000 at KEESEP back in 2022 when Arthur's Ride was still a maiden. The post The Week In Review: Big Wins At The Spa Show Alvarado Isn’t Just Along For The Ride appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky Downs will play host to the inaugural FanDuel TV U.S. Open Turf Championships Sept. 7. The event will feature six graded stakes races offering over $2m apiece for Kentucky-breds. In addition to the three Breeders' Cup 'Win and You're In Races', Kentucky Downs will pay the pre-entry and entry fees towards the Breeders' Cup for the winners of three additional stakes should they make a Breeders' Cup field at Del Mar Nov. 1-2. FanDuel TV has also been announced as the title sponsor for the GI FanDuel TV Kentucky Turf Cup, a WAYI for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf. There will be over $13m in purses offered on the card for Sept. 7, potentially making it America's richest day of racing outside of Breeders' Cup Saturday. “We are pleased to again partner with Kentucky Downs to provide winning connections with fantastic incentives and awards via the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President & Chief Racing Officer for Breeders' Cup Limited. “The commitment of Kentucky Downs and FanDuel to recruiting international contenders aligns perfectly with our approach as a global festival of racing, and we look forward to welcoming contenders who find success at this meeting to the Breeders' Cup World Championships in the fall at Del Mar.” Kevin Grigsby, Executive Producer for FanDuel TV added: “We are delighted to be the title sponsor of the inaugural FanDuel TV U.S. Open Turf Championships. Our collaborative relationship with Kentucky Downs for the past three years has been popular with our account-holders and viewers alike and we are looking forward to bringing world-class turf racing to our audience. This spectacular day of racing will serve as a key stepping stone on the road to the Breeders' Cup World Championships in November and we are excited to showcase Kentucky Downs' full fields and quality racing with full coverage every day of the prestigious meet.” The post KY Downs Launches FanDuel TV U.S. Open Turf Championships Sept. 7 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GSW/MGISP Breaking Lucky (Lookin At Lucky) was euthanized Saturday, Aug. 3 due to complications from colic at the age of 12 according to a release by Blue Star Racing who stood the stallion in Louisiana. Through a five-year stallion career in both Florida and Louisiana, he was the leading second crop sire by winners in Louisiana and the southwest region. “Our entire family is heartbroken,” said Blue Star Racing's Dex Comardelle. “Lucky was such a loved member of our family and local community. We are still trying to process that he is gone. I want to wish a heartfelt thank you to all the breeders, trainers, and owners who have supported him in Florida and in Louisiana during these last five years. We are also very thankful to the vets and surgeons who tried everything they could to save him.” Breaking Lucky, who raced for the partnerships of West Point Thoroughbreds, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Eric Young, and R.A. Hill Stable, was the 2015 Prince of Wales Stakes winner and took the GIII Seagram Cup Stakes a 4-year-old while also placing in the GI Clark Handicap, the GI Whitney Stakes and the GI Stephen Foster Handicap. The post LA Stallion Breaking Lucky Euthanized Due To Colic Complications appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Shadwell star Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will target the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes later this month, racing manager Angus Gold confirmed on Sunday. The 5-year-old Owen Burrows trainee won his third race in four starts on the Knavesmire, his second G2 York Stakes last month. Gold said, “He's a real trooper and Owen said that so far, touch wood, he has come out of it well. “We're going to head on now to the International if all stays well before then and I see no reason to not go there. We kept him in training to have a bit of fun with him and you always need these good older horses. “I'm not saying he's going to win it, but I hope he can be competitive at least. Hopefully he can go there and not be too far away. He's a good old stick and the sort of horse you need to give everyone some good days out.” Alflaila also the 2022 editions of the G3 Strensall Stakes and G3 Darley Stakes to his credit. After his 2023 York Stakes triumph, he ran fifth in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes. Put away for the year, he resumed behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) once again when fourth in the June 19 G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. The post Alflaila To Chart Juddmonte International Path appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-ELP, $71K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 3:52 p.m. ET. ZANDVOORT (Good Magic) makes the races for owner Kaleem Shah, who took the colt home in May at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale for $525,000–the top juvenile price for his sire this year. Initially purchased by Superfine for $220,000 during Fasig-Tipton's October Yearling Sale, the Steve Asmussen trainee is out of a Discreet Cat mare who is a half-sister to a pair of multiple-stakes winners. TJCIS PPS The post Monday’s Racing Insights: Good Magic Colt Makes First Start At Pea Patch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Over a decade on from Pathfork recording a memorable Group 1 triumph in the National Stakes at the Curragh, the American-based Bonnie and Tommy Hamilton of Silverton Hill Farm are dreaming of further big-race riches in Europe with Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}). If it has been a while between drinks for the Hamiltons in Ireland, Hotazehll appears as though he was worth the wait. Like Pathfork, Hotazhell is trained by Jessica Harrington. He announced himself as a pretty serious colt with genuine Classic aspirations when landing the G3 Tyros Stakes–a race that has been won by Teofilo (Ire), New Approach (Ire), Gleneagles (Ire) and more–at Leoparstown last Thursday. Bonnie Hamilton is rightly excited about what the future might bring for the son of Too Darn Hot, who was shrewdly sourced by Harrington from Eddie Linehan's Lackendarra Stables at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale for 200,000gns in the spring. “As Christophe Clement always says, the dream is still alive until it's not,'” Hamilton said. “From a distance, and from talking to Richie [Galway] and Jessie, they feel like Hotzhell is really only starting to tap into what he could be as a racehorse. It would be great if he turned out to be a Classic horse. That's what we're after.” Hamilton added, “We've always dealt with really great people in Ireland who have made the whole experience really special. I feel like they are honest with us as well. The Irish really appreciate racing and there are very good horses over there. The whole experience is so good.” Things could get even better for Hotazhell, who Harrington reports to be under consideration for the Futurity and the National Stakes at the Curragh. He would not look out of place in the line-up for Group 1 races this term judging by how he accounted for some well-touted rivals at Leopardstown and Hamilton has even pledged to be there in person for his next appearance. She said, “You'd always be wishing that maybe he could come over here for the Breeders' Cup at some point but, the type of ground that he likes, I don't think that would lend itself to the Breeders' Cup in California this year. I think we're pretty good owners-we think it's best to listen to the trainer who knows best. If you have trainers you trust and stay out of their way, you will probably do much better in the long run. We're going to try and get over to see him run come hell or high water.” Eddie Linehan [right]: sold Hotazhell at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale Linehan is another man keeping a close eye on what Hotazhell can go on to achieve. One of the leading young handlers on the breeze-up circuit, the County Cork native describes Hotazhell as just the type of colt that he had been searching for in order to get his consignment to the next level. “We were very bullish about this lad at the sales,” Linehan explained. “We knew he was a very special horse from day one and, as soon as we pressed a button, we knew he was different to anything we had before. I've sold nine black-type fillies in nine years at the breeze-ups but this is the type of horse we have been searching for and hopefully he can elevate us to the next level at the breeze-ups. I think he's the horse we've needed to try and get up the ladder.” Linehan added, “They seem to be very bullish about him at Jessica Harrington's. We were probably a bit disappointed that he only made 200,000gns at the Craven, but it was early in the sale, so maybe that counted against him. But when we heard he was going to Harrington's, I couldn't have been happier. The best horse my father ever sold was a horse called Oscars Well, who won two Grade 1s over hurdles for Jessica Harrington, so that was my first thought when Hotazhell went there. “Before he ran in the Tyros, they were listing out some of the horses who had won the race down through the years on Racing TV. I was thinking to myself, 'if he can win this, he really could be anything. Sure enough he did and I think he could be a proper Group 1 horse now.” It is Galway, a key cog in the wheel at Harrington's world-famous yard, that has been credited by Hamilton for finding Hotazhell at the sales. However, the instruction to go and find another Pathfork only came about by chance. Hamilton explained, “It's really interesting because we've been to Royal Ascot four or five times with runners and of course we love that. We said a few years ago, why don't we try and get a runner ready for that again. We have a homebred two-year-old here in the States and he is out of a mare who ran respectable at Royal Ascot so we thought he might fit the bill. We asked Richie last autumn if they would take him and he said they'd love to have him. Well, I think I put the jinx on the horse because he was just not an early two-year-old. Of course, I was disappointed and when I rang Jessie and Richie, they said, 'why don't you just let us buy you something?'” She added, “We weren't going to be spending seven or eight hundred thousand on something but they went to Newmarket for the Craven Breeze-Up Sale and called us with their list. The first one went through for too much money and I was pretty bummed. Then Hotazhell came through and Richie just said, 'you got him'. Really all of the credit needs to go back to Richie.” Those renowned pink Silverton silks are regularly sighted at the big meetings in America but, make no mistake, Hotazell's emergence as a genuine Group 1 contender in Ireland means just as much to the owners. “We've been doing this long enough to know how difficult it is [to find good horses],” Hamilton said. “We've had runners in the Kentucky Derby and, you know what, we probably didn't appreciate that enough at the time. It's very special to have a horse like Hotazhell because there is such a high level of racing in Ireland. There's a fine line between being excited and expecting but maybe he really is as good as we were hoping he would be. It's truly just as exciting watching him in Ireland as it would be if we had one over here in Kentucky. A good horse is special anywhere in the world, especially in Ireland.” The post ‘Maybe He’s As Good As We’d Hoped’ – Hamilton Excited About Hot Prospect appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Flying the flag for Germany on Sunday, Gestut Rottgen's G3 Diana-Trial winner Erle (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}–Kizingo {Ire}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) made the most of her favourable inside draw and her abundant ability to make all in Dusseldorf's G1 Henkel-Preis der Diana. Always happy navigating the tight circuit under Martin Seidl, the Maxim Pecheur-trained 6-1 shot turned it on from the top of the straight and was soon beyond recall. At the line, the homebred had a length to spare over the closing Spanish Eyes (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}), with 3 1/2 lengths back to Lady Mary (Ger) (Lawman {Fr}) in third. This was a seventh renewal of the 11-furlong Classic for the historic and esteemed operation and the fourth since Diu (Ger) captured it in its first year as a group race in 1972. G1 166th Henkel-Preis der Diana – Oaks over 2200m at Düsseldorf ERLE 3yo f by Reliable Man SPANISH EYES 3yo f by Zarak LADY MARY 3yo f by Lawman ERLE is bred and owned by Gestüt Röttgen, trained by Maxim Pecheur and was ridden by Martin Seidl pic.twitter.com/HxBjiU8Oce — Deutscher Galopp (@DeutscherGalopp) August 4, 2024 Sunday, Dusseldorf, Germany 166TH HENKEL-PREIS DER DIANA – GERMAN OAKS-G1, €500,000, Dusseldorf, 8-4, 3yo, f, 11fT, 2:14.00, g/s. 1–ERLE (GER), 128, f, 3, by Reliable Man (GB) 1st Dam: Kizingo (Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB) 2nd Dam: Enora (Ger), by Noverre 3rd Dam: Enrica (GB), by Niniski 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Gestut Rottgen (GER); T-Maxim Pecheur; J-Martin Seidl. €300,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, €338,750. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Spanish Eyes (Ger), 128, f, 3, Zarak (Fr)–Sortilege (Ire), by Tiger Hill (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€95,000 RNA Ylg '22 ARQOCT. O/B-Gestut Karlshof (GER); T-Andreas Wohler. €100,000. 3–Lady Mary (Ger), 128, f, 3, Lawman (Fr)–La Reine Noir (Ger), by Rainbow Quest. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Graf & Grafin von Stauffenberg (GER); T-Andreas Suborics. €50,000. Margins: 1, 3HF, HF. Odds: 5.80, 29.10, 6.00. Also Ran: New York City (Ger), Darnation (Ire), Je Zous (Ire), Weltbeste (Ger), Princess Valentina (Ger), Bubble Gum (Fr), Diamond Crown (Ger), Hope And Believe (Ire), Ashana (Fr), Lingua Franca (GB), Night Of Laki's (Ger), Diya (Ger). Scratched: Sweet Summer (Ger). The post More Diana Glory For Rottgen As Reliable Man’s Erle Makes All appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maintaining his unbeaten sequence in style, Nurlan Bizakov's Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}–Lastochka {GB}, by Australia {GB}) proved the slight drop in trip to be no problem as he dominated Sunday's G1 ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. Having captured the seven-furlong G3 Prix Djebel here in April and the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac at ParisLongchamp in June, the Jerome Reynier-trained homebred had a question to answer taking on the pure sprinters over this 6 1/2 furlongs but travelled equally as strongly as them before taking approaching the 300-metre marker. Staying on powerfully to the line, the 100-30 second favourite had three lengths to spare over Exxtra (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), with Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) 3/4 of a length behind in third. The G1 July Cup winner Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) was only fifth. LE GRAND EXPLOIT DE LAZZAT (A. Orani / @EcurieReynier) reste invaincu en crucifiant ses adversaires dans l'Arc Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr.1) à Deauville. 6⃣ courses 6⃣ victoires 1⃣er Groupe 1 pour Lazzat et pour Antonio Orani pic.twitter.com/dv34Rytlty — Equidia (@equidia) August 4, 2024 Sunday, Deauville, France ARC PRIX MAURICE DE GHEEST-G1, €380,000, Deauville, 8-4, 3yo/up, 6 1/2fT, 1:15.82, g/s. 1–LAZZAT (FR), 126, g, 3, by Territories (Ire) 1st Dam: Lastochka (GB), by Australia (GB) 2nd Dam: Lashyn, by Mr. Greeley 3rd Dam: Sleepytime (Ire), by Royal Academy 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Nurlan Bizakov; B-Sumbe (FR); T-Jerome Reynier; J-Antonio Orani. €217,132. Lifetime Record: 6-6-0-0, €351,132. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Exxtra (Fr), 127, f, 4, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Rolling Stone (Ire), by Raven's Pass. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€26,000 Ylg '21 ARQOCT; €150,000 RNA 2yo '22 ARQDEC). O-Anja Wilde; B-Mme Isabelle Corbani & SARL Jedburgh Stud (FR); T-Carlos & Yann Lerner. €86,868. 3–Beauvatier (Fr), 126, c, 3, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Enchanting Skies (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). TDN Rising Star. (€160,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Philippe Allaire & Haras d'Etreham; B-Ecurie des Monceaux, Qatar Bloodstock Ltd & Mme Barbara M Keller (FR); T-Yann Barberot. €43,434. Margins: 3, 3/4, HD. Odds: 3.30, 16.00, 11.00. Also Ran: Flora Of Bermuda (Ire), Mill Stream (Ire), Saint Lawrence (Ire), Matilda Picotte (Ire), Puchkine (Fr), King Gold (Fr), Khaadem (Ire), Classic Flower (GB), Game Run (Fr), Bellano (Fr), Havana Cigar (GB), Great Generation (Ire). Scratched: Shouldvebeenaring (GB). . The post Territories’ Lazzat Wins The Maurice De Gheest For Nurlan Bizakov 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 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 5, 2024 Ellis 7, $71k, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 3:52 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Correlation (Complexity), OBSAPR, 35,000, :10 C-Grassroots Training & Sales, agent; B-Mike Maker, agent Cyberbeast (Global Campaign), OBSAPR, 100,000, :9 4/5 C-Top Line Sales LLC, agent; B-Mike Waters Quintillion (Maclean's Music), OBSAPR, 350,000, :9 4/5 C-Top Line Sales LLC, agent; B-Taproot Bloodstock, agent Sexagenarian (Practical Joke), FTMMAY, 70,000, :21 3/5 C-Golden Rock Thoroughbreds, agent; B-Michael Maker Zandvoort (Good Magic), FTMMAY, 525,000,:10 2/5 C-Wavertree Stables Inc (Ciaran Dunne), agent; B-KSI The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored By OBS: August 5, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following its launch phase in the U.S. in April, 2024, Light Up Racing will launch Phase 2 of its program, which includes further website development and new personnel, the organizers announced in a press release Sunday, “The initial phase highlighted the crucial need for transparency and effective communication within the racing industry, with millions turning to LUR for reliable updates and insights,” the company said in the release. “LUR is ready to build on this success, driving further innovation and progress in the months ahead. During Phase 1, Light Up Racing provided timely updates on high profile horses, catering to the public's appetite for transparency and information. The organization highlighted the journeys of both winners and losers alike from major races during their recovery days, offering simplified explanations of medical issues. Valuable resources were created to address common concerns within the industry. These efforts enabled participants to confidently disseminate accurate information, effectively sharing industry progress while addressing misinformation.” Price Bell, the LUR Chair, said, “We learned a lot in our first six months. We are encouraged by what we learned during these initial months of Light Up Racing. Because of everyone who volunteered, donated, learned, and most importantly engaged in the programming, we look forward to driving onto a follow up phase. Our initial work allowed us to try a variety of initiatives and determine what made real impact, and now, we are excited to continue this work into 2025.” Bell continued, “As fundraising efforts prove to be successful, Light Up Racing will expand other programming areas proven to be impactful during Phase 1. Leveraging the power of social media is a clear area the Board identified for continuation as there is a tremendous need to to push out fresh content that speaks to the truth of horse racing. Bell noted, “It is important that the public hears about what we do from us. We get to tell our own story, authentically and transparently.” LUR also said that they planned to continue to develop the website “into a comprehensive resource hub.” Bell added, “Today's public expects immediate access to information, and silence during crises only fuels suspicion. We've been dedicated to helping industry organisations with guidance and arming our Light Up community with the right messaging to address misinformation and false narratives.” Vicky Leonard, owner of the industry marketing company Kick Collective, will continue to play an instrumental role in shaping Light Up Racing's strategic direction. Light Up Racing has retained Amy Brin as a contracted interim Executive Director through Envision Consulting LLC. Brin brings over 20 years of national experience in building non-profit organizations and programming. Bell said, “Another thing we learned is that we need someone running the daily operations to really push things forward. It is important in a build that we capitalise on momentum.” A full-time executive director will be recruited during Phase 2. To keep up to date with Light Up Racing plans, events and resource updates, visit www.lightupracing.com The post Light Up Racing Launches Phase 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Adrian Bull celebrates with jockey Kelly Myers after Jay Bee Gee won the Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton. Photo: Race Images South The opening stakes race for the season delivered an incredible finish between a trio of talented gallopers, but after a tense wait, the Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m) went the way of Adrian Bull’s Jay Bee Gee. Jay Bee Gee had run in just one race since finishing back in the field in the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) last November, with Bull returning to Riccarton to win the Amberley Cup (1600m) in June before preparing him for Saturday’s contest, concluding with a trial victory at Foxton on July 26. The unique preparation turned out to be the perfect winning formula for the son of Complacent, who got in on the minimum of 53kg under Kelly Myers, while defending champion Belardo Boy was tasked with the 60kg top-weight and sat a $5.50 second-favourite, with Freeze Frame on top of the market at $5 with horse racing bookmakers. Jumping from barrier 16, Myers ensured she wouldn’t be caught wide going forward to sit outside the early leader in Green Luck, with the initial pace short-lived as Craig Grylls sent Bradman onto the speed at the 1000 metre mark. Bradman left much of the field flat-footed and Jay Bee Gee went with him, the gelding looking to be running into second for much of the straight before Freeze Frame came scorching down the outside and the trio went to the post in unison, with a photo-finish required between the latter pair leaving an anxious wait for connections. The judge’s call eventually announced Jay Bee Gee the victor, with Te Akau’s charge Freeze Frame going down by the barest of margins and Bradman a further nose behind in third, while Justaskme was gallant running into fourth. Hunterville-based Bull and his emerald green colours are no stranger to the winner’s circle at Riccarton Park, having won the 2017 edition with former star Nashville, a horse Myers fittingly rode to victory in the Group 2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) and the Group 1 Otaki WFA Classic (1600m) over a decade ago. Myers cut an emotional figure post-race, paying tribute to Bull’s late wife Robyn, who sadly passed in late September last year. “I’m just so over the moon, I can’t explain how happy I am for Adrian and his family, Robyn will be up there looking down on us,” she said. “They are great family friends of ours, and they’ve been huge supporters of myself and Rosie (Fell, sister). We love winning a maiden race in these colours, so to win a Winter Cup for them is very special. “I didn’t think we were going to get past Bradman, he put up a really tough fight. I think Warren helped us more than anything, finishing down the outside and I had a feeling I had my nose in front, but I saw Warren throw his hand in the air and I thought oh well, he’s obviously thought he’s got it. “I was just really quietly hopeful cantering back. I thought it was a dead-heat and I would’ve been happy with that, but to get it on our own is just awesome.” The victory capped off a wonderful return to race riding over the past eight months for Myers, who made a much-welcomed comeback to the jockey ranks in December and picked up 30 winners in the second-half of last season. “I’m just really happy to be out there again,” she said. “My manager asked me what my goals are for the season and I think I’d like to double last season’s tally so about 60 winners, and a Group One would be nice.” Horse racing news View the full article

Rider Penalties T Newman | Tauranga 31 July; use of whip; suspended 8-9 August inclusive and fined $500. B Jacobson | Tauranga 31 July; use of whip; fined $350. T Moodley | Whangarei 3 August; use of whip; fined $750. A Najib | Canterbury 3 August; use of whip; suspended 8-21 August inclusive. R Muniandy | Canterbury 3 August; use of whip; suspended 4-11 August inclusive. B May | Canterbury 3 August; careless riding; suspended 8-21 August inclusive. H McNeill | Canterbury 3 August; failed to retire runner when out of contention; fined $900. T Jonker | Canterbury 3 August; use of whip; fined $250. W Kennedy | Canterbury 3 August; use of whip; fined $500. K Murray | Non-raceday dated 31 July; failed to ride trackwork while free of prohibited substance; suspended 9 July – 20 August inclusive and costs of $187.50. E Sole | Egmont 4 August; careless riding; suspended 5-11 August inclusive. A Mudhoo | Egmont 4 August; medical clearance required. J Mudhoo | Egmont 4 August; medical clearance required. T Moodley | Egmont 4 August; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalties S Ralph | Tauranga 31 July; late rider declaration; fined $50. B McDermott | Non-raceday dated 30 July; failed to present runner free of prohibited substance; fined $6,000. D Howard | Non-raceday dated 31 July; failed to train horse while free of prohibited substance; suspended 9 July – 27 August inclusive and costs of $187.50. Horse Penalties LIGHT SLEEPA | Whangarei 3 August; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. TREATY OF PARIS | Canterbury 3 August; slow recovery; veterinary clearance required. DONARDO | Canterbury 3 August; lame; veterinary clearance required. BELFIE | Egmont 4 August; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. Protest GREY INVADOR | Rangitikei 18 May; raced with prohibited substance in system; disqualified from 1st. The post 29 July – 4 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Crocetti (inside) dives to victory over Master Fay in the Kerikeri Cup (1100m) at Ruakaka. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) Crocetti, one of the brightest stars in last season’s outstanding three-year-old crop, showed he was back bigger and better after he provided a display of guts and determination to take out Saturday’s Kerikeri Cup (1100m) at Ruakaka. Taken north by trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata for a firmer surface to kick off his new campaign, that plan almost came unstuck as steady rain throughout the day saw stewards downgrade the official track rating to a Heavy 8 before start time in the feature flat event. Walker rolled the dice and left the strapping son of Zacinto in the field and he duly obliged under apprentice Triston Moodley in a driving finish with another class galloper in Master Fay, who was also kicking off his latest campaign. Moodley had Crocetti nicely placed in third along the rail throughout and elected to stay closer to the rail in the home straight, as the rest of the field swung wide for better going. Just as he hit the front with 200m to run, Crocetti was challenged by Master Fay who stormed down the outer to join issue as the pair slugged it out to the winning post, where the decision went in the favour of Crocetti by a head at the line. Walker breathed a sigh of relief after the judge confirmed the placings in a race which is quickly taking centre stage as a major lead-up event to the early spring features with horse like Imperatriz and Dragon Leap successful in recent years. “He hated that track as he was dipping and diving in it but he’s a tough bugger,” Walker said “Turning for home he (Moodley) was planning to come out to the middle, but they were all there and he would have looked stupid doing it, so he had to take that (inside) run. “That’s why they are good horses but if we got beaten, I would’ve been happy though I’ll never run him on a track like that again. “He could go to the Tarzino next, but the track would have to be good.” Walker was referring to the first Group One feature of the new racing season, the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on September 7 where his charge sits as the $3.50 equal Fixed Odds favourite with glamour mare Legarto. Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer Penalties J Lane | Non-raceday dated 30 July; failed to present runner free of prohibited substance; fined $1,000 (fine suspended for 12 months). A Roberts | Christchurch 1 August; failed to scratch runner by prescribed time denying a reserve a start; fined $300. Dog Penalty OUR SARA | Christchurch 2 August; marring; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. Protest GO RUBY | Christchurch 14 June; raced with prohibitive substance in system; disqualified from 1st. General Race 11 at Christchurch GRC on 2 August was declared a no-race after the lure lost power. Race 10 at Auckland GRC on 4 August was declared a no-race after the lure lost power. The post 29 July – 4 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties A Poutama | Auckland 26 July (heard Auckland 2 August); careless driving; fined $500. D Ferguson | Auckland 2 August; careless driving; suspended 7-16 August inclusive. S Hill | NZ Metropolitan 4 August; use of whip; suspended 5-16 August inclusive. The post 29 July – 4 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

West Coast powering to victory in the Koral Steeplechase at Riccarton. Photo: Race Images South Outstanding steeplechaser West Coast laid down the gauntlet to fellow superstar jumper The Cossack for supremacy in next weekend’s Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) in emphatic fashion at Riccarton on Saturday. Shooting for his second win in three attempts at the traditional lead-up event, the Koral Steeplechase (4250m), the nine-year-old son of Mettre En Jeu never looked like he got out of third gear as he ambled around behind pacemaker Al’s Red Zed before making his bid for victory at the top of the home straight. Regular pilot Shaun Fannin eased him over the final two fences before allowing him to stride clear in the dash to the post where he won comfortably by two lengths from Country Bumpkin, with a similar margin back to the late closing Captain’s Run in third. Fannin, who will attempt to make it a three-peat aboard West Coast in the Grand National Steeplechase after their victories in 2022 and again last year, was delighted his tactics aboard the Mark Oulaghan-trained runner played out perfectly. “He has sort of had a tendency to hit a flat spot in his races, so I rode him right behind the speed and was happy to forego five or six lengths if he did, but he never hit it today that’s for sure,” Fannin said. “This was a super run and gives me great confidence heading into the National as he jumped super and when I gave him a squeeze up after the last, he went away on them again. “I’m keeping pretty fit at home to be ready for a week like this and I’d do anything to ride a good horse like this.” Oulaghan, who will also provide the favourite for the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) next Saturday in Berry The Cash, was pleased what he saw from his charge. “It was a very business-like run, and he got the job done at the end,” he said. “He travelled well, jumped well and got the good result. “It’s always good to win and that was pretty exciting. We like to bring a few horses down for the National and this race is such a natural lead-up for the big one.” With no disrespect to the other contenders for the Grand National, horse racing bookmakers anticipate a two-horse war between West Coast and the Paul Nelson runner The Cossack, with the pair listed at -166.67 and +160 respectively on the Fixed Odds market ahead of Captains Run at +900. Horse racing news View the full article

Medatsu was a gritty winner at Rosehill on Saturday. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au The Chris Waller-trained Medatsu ran out a gritty winner at Rosehill on Saturday as the four-year-old gelding recorded his first Sydney metropolitan victory. Medatsu commenced his career in New Zealand under the tutelage of Clint Isdale for whom he had placed in three of four starts, including finishing third in the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m). Transferred to Waller’s Sydney operation last spring, the Kiwi import was a good winner at Kembla Grange over 2000m before finishing down the track in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m). After a lengthy spell, the son of Staphanos was sent out a $21 chance fresh-up and came from last to loop the field just before straightening under a clever Tommy Berry ride and fought gamely to defeat Until Valhalla and Autumnation. “There was good pace early but they backed off through the mid-stages and Tommy had the initiative to get rolling a bit earlier,” Waller said. “I didn’t know if he would sustain the run because he did get going early but to the horse’s credit he certainly did. “Tony Muollo and his brother Luigi thought enough of him to send him to Australia and have a little look at those spring three-year-old races, but he must have just had a little problem. He has had a decent break, and he has shown why he was brought to Australia with his performance today.” Winning jockey Tommy Berry confirmed that Waller had given him an open book to put the gelding into the race a little bit early. “I’m not sure if he would have liked it to be as early as I did, but I just thought because they had gone very steady, I didn’t want to make my move a bit late and have everyone start popping before the corner,” Berry said. “I made my move when it was a bit early for everyone else to make their runs and he sustained it really well. “Full credit to Chris and his team. They had a really good foundation in this horse first-up. “He is a progressive staying type and obviously Chris had a big opinion of him running him in a Group One at his second start here in Australia which you don’t see him usually do. He has had a little bit of time off and matured quite nicely and this is the start of what is to come from him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Rise At Dawn lead throughout to land the VRC Season Premiere Race Day Plate (1620m). Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Consistent galloper Rise At Dawn was in the winner’s circle at Flemington on Saturday when leading throughout to land the VRC Season Premiere Race Day Plate (1620m). Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, the son of Almanzor has raced well through the winter months and took on older rivals for the first time after turning four this week. The gelding has now won five of his 10 starts and been placed on a further two occasions, with his only disappointing performances coming in the autumn where he pulled up sore after trailing the field home in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1600m). “He’s building a lovely record,” JD Hayes said. “He’s so consistent and had nice residual fitness under him. He did really well at the farm with a month between runs and he was rated beautifully out in front and gave a strong kick so I know the owners here got a big thrill. “We’re very blessed with the facilities we’ve got to be able to keep them up and he’s one that absolutely thrives. He’s done a terrific job and long may it continue because the way that he runs, he is an awfully consistent animal, so I dare say he’s got a few more wins in-store off the back of that.” Winning jockey Daniel Stackhouse took luck out of the equation from the widest gate of barrier nine, crossing over to lead with ease. “He’s always shown promise his whole career and he’s just such a gem of a ride too,” Stackhouse said. “You ask him to quicken and he always finds for you and that’s all you can ask from a horse really. “I wanted to be positive and take it up and get away early and then be able to control it and come back. I heard Le Zebra come close to me and I just increased the tempo every time. I could see it’s head just in the corner of my eye and I think that’s where we won the race tactically. “Getting those other horses off the bridle, I knew my bloke was tough. He fights very hard when you need him. He’s just so well and going super.” Horse racing news View the full article

Horrifying made it back to back victories at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Talented stayer Horrifying caused a minor upset when defeating highly-regarded galloper Berkshire Breeze at Flemington on Saturday. The seven-year-old son of Shocking was having his third start for Warrnambool conditioner Lindsey Smith, having previously been trained by Mark and Levi Kavanagh. Beach life has given Horrifying a new lease on life as he made it back to back victories at Flemington after breaking a long run of outs a fortnight ago when successful over 2000m at the premier Melbourne racecourse. Horrifying ($9.50) sat outside Berkshire Breeze ($1.45) in a moderately run staying contest and jockey Blake Shinn ensured there was just enough pressure applied to the leader rounding the home bend before Horrifying proved too slick late to score by two and a half lengths. “We thought we’d be on the speed, similar to the other day,” Smith said. “Blake thought that he’d be one or two early and he’s obviously done his form on this horse. He said he can sprint a little bit and he trusted the horse’s fitness. “Obviously he’s back to his best, so that’s a good result for the owners and myself and the stable. We didn’t change much in the two weeks between runs. “It was just a case of keeping him happy and that’s what we’ve done down at the beach. Everyone’s been happy with him. I think he’s done one little bit of bowling in the heavy sand in the 14 days since his last run, so we’ll stick to that plan and see what turns up next.” Winning jockey Blake Shinn notched his first victory at Flemington for the season and was impressed with Horrifying, who has now recorded seven wins from 35 starts with a further eight placings. “Full credit to the horse and also Lindsey Smith and the team,” Shinn said. “That was a great effort. It’s great to see the horse returned to form and you know full credit to Lindsey last start but then having to back that up today with a performance up in distance and second-up, it’s a great effort. “We had moderate sectionals for the first part. We sat outside the favourite but we picked it up nicely. He’s a good stayer on his day and he displayed a great turn of foot and sustained it to the line. “He’s got more to offer this horse and if they can keep placing him right, he can keep winning.” Horse racing news View the full article

It was an emotional John Leek after Affluential (NZ) (Zed) provided him with what he described as the best moment of his training career with his tough win in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown Lakeside. The win also gave former English jockey Will Gordon his first feature win as a jumps jockey in Australia. Gordon said it was an amazing effort by Affluential as he over-raced for most of the race and then had to fight in the closing stages to hold off a late challenge from runner-up The Good Fight. It was Leek’s second Grand National Hurdle win with his other success in 2004 with Team Heritage when the race was held at Flemington. As Leek pointed out Team Heritage was ridden by his wife Andrea on that occasion. Leek’s relationship with Perth‘s leading owner Bob Peters over the past two years was the reason he secured the younger brother of 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant. Leek said Affluential was the only horse Peters had sent to him to train as a jumper. Leek identified the Grand National Hurdle as Affluential’s main target at the start of the campaign. Affluential (NZ) and connections celebrate their win. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Affluential began his career over jumps at Pakenham in April and is now undefeated in four starts over the jumps. Affluential hit the front early in the straight, which concerned Leek as he knew he had raced fiercely and also he has a habit of stopping when he hits the front. “He was on the steel. When the other horse came to him I thought, ‘Oh God,’ but he had something left in the locker,” Leek said. “He does switch off a bit, he doesn’t stop trying, but he doesn’t try as hard when he hits the front.” Gordon said it was a tough ride as Affluential wanted to over-race throughout. “At no stage did I feel comfortable,” Gordon said. Gordon said he wanted to get a major race on his CV and was glad he had finally done so. “This is super satisfying. We targeted this race from a long way out so it’s pretty special,” Gordon said. Affluential was purchased out of Grangewilliam Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $140,000 by bloodstock agent John Chalmers, on behalf of leading Perth owner Bob Peters. View the full article

It was an emotional John Leek after Affluential (NZ) (Zed) provided him with what he described as the best moment of his training career with his tough win in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown Lakeside. The win also gave former English jockey Will Gordon his first feature win as a jumps jockey in Australia. Gordon said it was an amazing effort by Affluential as he over-raced for most of the race and then had to fight in the closing stages to hold off a late challenge from runner-up The Good Fight. It was Leek’s second Grand National Hurdle win with his other success in 2004 with Team Heritage when the race was held at Flemington. As Leek pointed out Team Heritage was ridden by his wife Andrea on that occasion. Leek’s relationship with Perth‘s leading owner Bob Peters over the past two years was the reason he secured the younger brother of 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant. Leek said Affluential was the only horse Peters had sent to him to train as a jumper. Leek identified the Grand National Hurdle as Affluential’s main target at the start of the campaign. Affluential (NZ) and connections celebrate their win. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Affluential began his career over jumps at Pakenham in April and is now undefeated in four starts over the jumps. Affluential hit the front early in the straight, which concerned Leek as he knew he had raced fiercely and also he has a habit of stopping when he hits the front. “He was on the steel. When the other horse came to him I thought, ‘Oh God,’ but he had something left in the locker,” Leek said. “He does switch off a bit, he doesn’t stop trying, but he doesn’t try as hard when he hits the front.” Gordon said it was a tough ride as Affluential wanted to over-race throughout. “At no stage did I feel comfortable,” Gordon said. Gordon said he wanted to get a major race on his CV and was glad he had finally done so. “This is super satisfying. We targeted this race from a long way out so it’s pretty special,” Gordon said. Affluential was purchased out of Grangewilliam Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $140,000 by bloodstock agent John Chalmers, on behalf of leading Perth owner Bob Peters. View the full article

It was an emotional John Leek after Affluential (NZ) (Zed) provided him with what he described as the best moment of his training career with his tough win in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown Lakeside. The win also gave former English jockey Will Gordon his first feature win as a jumps jockey in Australia. Gordon said it was an amazing effort by Affluential as he over-raced for most of the race and then had to fight in the closing stages to hold off a late challenge from runner-up The Good Fight. It was Leek’s second Grand National Hurdle win with his other success in 2004 with Team Heritage when the race was held at Flemington. As Leek pointed out Team Heritage was ridden by his wife Andrea on that occasion. Leek’s relationship with Perth‘s leading owner Bob Peters over the past two years was the reason he secured the younger brother of 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant. Leek said Affluential was the only horse Peters had sent to him to train as a jumper. Leek identified the Grand National Hurdle as Affluential’s main target at the start of the campaign. Affluential (NZ) and connections celebrate their win. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Affluential began his career over jumps at Pakenham in April and is now undefeated in four starts over the jumps. Affluential hit the front early in the straight, which concerned Leek as he knew he had raced fiercely and also he has a habit of stopping when he hits the front. “He was on the steel. When the other horse came to him I thought, ‘Oh God,’ but he had something left in the locker,” Leek said. “He does switch off a bit, he doesn’t stop trying, but he doesn’t try as hard when he hits the front.” Gordon said it was a tough ride as Affluential wanted to over-race throughout. “At no stage did I feel comfortable,” Gordon said. Gordon said he wanted to get a major race on his CV and was glad he had finally done so. “This is super satisfying. We targeted this race from a long way out so it’s pretty special,” Gordon said. Affluential was purchased out of Grangewilliam Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $140,000 by bloodstock agent John Chalmers, on behalf of leading Perth owner Bob Peters. View the full article

It was an emotional John Leek after Affluential (NZ) (Zed) provided him with what he described as the best moment of his training career with his tough win in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown Lakeside. The win also gave former English jockey Will Gordon his first feature win as a jumps jockey in Australia. Gordon said it was an amazing effort by Affluential as he over-raced for most of the race and then had to fight in the closing stages to hold off a late challenge from runner-up The Good Fight. It was Leek’s second Grand National Hurdle win with his other success in 2004 with Team Heritage when the race was held at Flemington. As Leek pointed out Team Heritage was ridden by his wife Andrea on that occasion. Leek’s relationship with Perth‘s leading owner Bob Peters over the past two years was the reason he secured the younger brother of 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant. Leek said Affluential was the only horse Peters had sent to him to train as a jumper. Leek identified the Grand National Hurdle as Affluential’s main target at the start of the campaign. Affluential (NZ) and connections celebrate their win. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Affluential began his career over jumps at Pakenham in April and is now undefeated in four starts over the jumps. Affluential hit the front early in the straight, which concerned Leek as he knew he had raced fiercely and also he has a habit of stopping when he hits the front. “He was on the steel. When the other horse came to him I thought, ‘Oh God,’ but he had something left in the locker,” Leek said. “He does switch off a bit, he doesn’t stop trying, but he doesn’t try as hard when he hits the front.” Gordon said it was a tough ride as Affluential wanted to over-race throughout. “At no stage did I feel comfortable,” Gordon said. Gordon said he wanted to get a major race on his CV and was glad he had finally done so. “This is super satisfying. We targeted this race from a long way out so it’s pretty special,” Gordon said. Affluential was purchased out of Grangewilliam Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $140,000 by bloodstock agent John Chalmers, on behalf of leading Perth owner Bob Peters. View the full article

Two promising additions to Allan Sharrock’s stable made a winning start to their campaigns at Hawera on Sunday, in the form of Street Gossip (So You Think) and Confetti (NZ) (Ocean Park). A five-year-old by So You Think, Street Gossip had raced in Australia for the duration of her 15-start career, winning the Listed Princess Stakes (1615m) and was third in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) in the care of Mark Newnham. The mare had her final start for her most-recent trainer Joe Pride for third in a Benchmark 94 contest in April, before being sold to Dianne McDonald at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale and crossed the Tasman to join Sharrock’s New Plymouth barn. Her first public appearance on New Zealand soil was a comfortable win at the Foxton trials on July 26, giving punters enough confidence to start her a $2.60 equal-favourite under the 59kg top-weight with Sinbin in the Paul Jones Construction 1200. Storming out of the gates under Lisa Allpress, Street Gossip had the early lead before Papa Surf crossed to take over, the grey maintaining a solid tempo up-front to the home turn. Street Gossip loomed up outside of Papa Surf at the 200 metres and her class was evident in the finish, pulling away to score with her ears pricked by 1 ½ lengths. “She was really good, I used it as a trial as she’s only had that one trial for me, so we went in a little bit blind,” Sharrock said. “She was comprehensive and we’ll probably look for an open class or black-type race for her now, she’s a nice mare. It would be good to get some more black-type for her. “Dianne McDonald purchased her and decided to leave her with me which I was proud of, so let’s hope it works out well going forward.” Earlier on the New Plymouth card, Sharrock and Allpress combined to take out a competitive Peter Kuklinski Retirement Maiden (1200m) with Confetti. A lightly-raced four-year-old, Confetti had three starts for Peter and Dawn Williams with her most recent run a bold performance for second at Te Rapa in May. After the successful couple’s retirement from training, Confetti was transferred to Sharrock and was also a trial winner at Foxton prior to having her fresh-up run at the Taranaki venue. The race was predicted as a three-horse contest between Confetti and promising types He’s Lucid and Belles Fate, and it panned out as expected with Confetti and Belles Fate fighting out a tight finish with the former prevailing by a neck, with He’s Lucid running gamely into third from back in the field. “She did a great job, I’ve always respected Peter Williams throughout my career and he passed this horse onto me with his retirement,” Sharrock said. “He said to me that it would win first-up and he’s a very good judge, so I’m happy to have her in the stable and happy to have another one for Waikato Stud.” Racing in the colours of the Matamata nursery, Confetti is a daughter of Ocean Park out of an unraced Rock’N’Pop mare Party Popper. “It’s a family that Waikato Stud have had for a while and they’d like to get some black-type at some stage, it wouldn’t be in this prep, but maybe next autumn,” Sharrock said. “She won’t do a lot (in the interim) as I don’t know how adept she is in heavy ground, it was nice to strike a (Soft) 7 today but we won’t be getting too many of those in the next couple of months. “We’ll just have to pick and choose a little bit as to where we go. “I like her, she’s a really nice mare.” Another of the stable’s representatives, Explosive Impact (NZ) (Staphanos), completed a winning treble for Allpress and Sharrock as the odds-on favourite in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1600m), earning her deserved maiden success by 2 ¼ lengths to fellow local Keen On Bubbles. A four-year-old by Staphanos, Explosive Impact was bred and raced by Explosive Breeding Ltd, as the first foal out of Jakkalberry mare Jakkie’s Dancer. View the full article

The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man) has stamped himself as a potential star jumper of the future winning Sunday’s BM120 Hurdle (3400m) at Sandown. The Patrick Payne-trained emerging jumper remained undefeated over the hurdles, making it two-from-two to start his jumping career after winning a 3200m maiden hurdle last start at Pakenham. Well-schooled in hurdle trials prior to his first jumps preparation, the eye-catching grey looked like a seasoned campaigner over the jumps in his handling of the majority of the obstacles. The six-year-old settled at the rear in the small field but steadily moved his way through the field and was in a threatening position with two flights remaining. Ridden by Will Gordon, the leading jumps rider allowed The Cunning Fox to challenge the leading pair of Hit The Road Jack and Treasured Crown approaching the home turn and the Reliable Man gelding strode clear in the straight to win by 12 lengths. Point Nepean jumped his way out of contention in the back straight but made amends on the flat to grab second from Hit The Road Jack in the final few strides. Representing the Payne stable, Neil Greaves, was full of praise for how the Reliable Man gelding handled the challenge. “The team have done a great job here with this horse, he had sort of reached his mark on the flat, but this seems to have given him a new lease on life. “He trialled quite a while back at Warrnambool and jumped terrific. “This was a good race today, good tempo on and he stood up to the pressure and Will Gordon rode him terrific, he was very impressive.” Will Gordon was impressed with how much the hurdler was enjoying the experience. “He’s pretty good this fella, I think he just enjoys the job,” Gordon said. “I think this job with the jumping just keeps him very interested, he seems to love it. “He was super today, and he was pretty dominant late.” Racing in the silks of managing owner Joe O’Neill’s Prime Thoroughbreds, The Cunning Fox had recorded four wins on the flat from 25 starts before being aimed over the jumps. The Cunning Fox was bred by Sven Hanson and was a $34,000 yearling purchase by O’Neill on the Gold Coast. Hanson and wife Carina bred and raced Reliable Man, who stands at Westbury Stud in New Zealand. View the full article