Wandering Eyes

Zac Purton reached another Hong Kong first on his way to a three-timer and Mark Newnham gained even more momentum with his first treble of the year at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. After surpassing Douglas Whyte’s all-time Hong Kong win record last season, Purton became the first jockey to reach 1,900 victories in the city when he saluted aboard the Danny Shum Chap-shing-trained Talents Supremo in the Class Five Success Handicap (1,200m). “It’s a really good number to get to. Obviously I...View the full article

Harry Eustace trainee Docklands (Massaat) exited his fourth-place run in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day in good order and is still on target for Japan's G1 Mile Championship on November 23, according to his trainer. A winner of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, the OTI Racing colourbearer will be ridden by Australian Mark Zahra in the one-mile race at Kyoto, which offers over £890,000 in prize-money for first place. After his Royal Ascot tally, the five-year-old ran fifth in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in July, and was fourth in Deauville's G1 Prix Jacques le Marois in August. “He seems his usual self so all good there,” Eustace said. “I thought he ran super. Tom [Marquand, jockey] actually felt although visually it looked a slightly troubled passage, it was more the tacky ground that actually blunted his finish than the trip he got. “I thought with either a perfectly clear trip or better ground he might have been third and sort of stay on to the line, but we were delighted with him.” Added Eustace, “I thought he looked as good as ever and as long as he's in good form, he'll still go. He flies on November 7 and then he runs on November 23. “I'm pretty sure Mark Zahra's going to come and ride him. We are delighted with that, he messaged after watching the race and he's looking forward to it too.” The post Docklands On Track For Japan’s Mile Championship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 edition of The Real Rider Cup held at the MARS Maryland 5 Star event at Fair Hill raised over $130,000, according to an organization release Wednesday. Honors were given for the top three individual and team entries, as well as to the rider with the highest-grossing fundraiser. Team SMACC Down retained its winning team result from 2024, anchored by the repeat individual champion Gabby Nguyen and Pet Me Pet Me. Team Pastured Place Two (the growing aftercare organization fielded 10 riders for this year's competition) took second place and Team Poplar Place Stables/Stirrup Some Fun took third. Kayleen Kollasch and American Cougar and Sandi Norris and Nakamura took home the second and third-placed individual results, respectively. Returning rider Michelle Hurley achieved the honor of the highest grossing fundraiser by raising $15,925, which also gained her entry to a small club of riders who have each raised over $20,000 over their years of RRC participation. The entry list included stakes horses Flash McCaul, Ninety One Assault, Nakamura, Call Provision, Target Sighted and Talk Or Listen (IRE). Connections represented by entries included PTK LLC, Pope McLean, Jonathan Sheppard, Graham Motion, Chad Brown, Klaravich Stables, Country Life Farm, Dixiana Farms, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, Harris Farms, Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, West Point Thoroughbreds, and more. WBAL Radio Baltimore's Scott Wykoff and renowned equestrian commentator Charlotte Skinner-Robson jointly covered emcee duties, providing lively color commentary while a cadre of Thoroughbred-loving celebrity team captains offered their expert guidance during the group course walk: Phillip and Olivia Dutton, Buck Davidson, Alex Conrad, Lynn Symansky, and respective 3 Star (CCI3*-L) and 5 Star (CCI5*-L) leaders following cross country, Isabelle Bosley and Monica Spencer. Full results and are available at www.therealridercup.com with updates about 2026 events to come. Proceeds of the Real Rider Cup benefit the Retired Racehorse Project, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program and Beyond the Wire. The post The Real Rider Cup’s Maryland 5 Star Event Raises Over $130000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing in Kentucky shifts from Lexington to Louisville Oct. 26 as Churchill Downs opens its 26-day fall meeting with an 11-race "Stars of Tomorrow I" program for 2-year-olds, highlighted by the Street Sense (G3) and Rags to Riches Stakes.View the full article

The prospect of testing conditions for Saturday's William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster could scupper plans for two of the four entries not trained by Aidan O'Brien, including the Andrew Balding trainee Item, who is set to bypass the final Group 1 of the British Flat season if the ground is heavy. The son of Frankel is unbeaten in two starts to date, having followed up his debut victory at Kempton with a dominant performance at Bath last time, drawing right away in the final furlong to win by three and a half lengths. All roads now lead to Doncaster as the Juddmonte team seeks its fifth win in the Futurity Trophy – and first since American Post struck for Criquette Head-Maarek back in 2003 – but Barry Mahon, Juddmonte's European racing manager, revealed that the possibility of heavy downpours on Town Moor could force connections into a rethink. “Our intention is to go and we're going to declare tomorrow [Thursday],” Mahon told Sky Sports Racing. “Thursday is going to be the make or break day. There's anywhere between 10-30mm of rain forecast so, if the ground was to be heavy, I don't think we would run. If it's soft or good to soft, we'll most definitely run. “Andrew has been very happy with him and he worked well this morning. He's obviously lacking a bit of experience, hence why we went to Bath – we were very keen to get him on grass. He's a horse that only went into training in July, so he's relatively unexposed. Andrew has felt that, every time he's run, his work has improved after it. Again, this morning he was very positive so, fingers crossed, we're all set for Saturday.” The ground at Doncaster on Wednesday was described as heavy, soft in places. Should Item not take his chance on Saturday, Mahon confirmed that the son of GI Natalma Stakes winner Capla Temptress (Lope De Vega) will not run again this season. He added of future plans, “I think he's definitely going to get 10 furlongs and, just speaking to Andrew this morning, we felt there was a good chance he could even get 12 furlongs. Hopefully, he's a horse that could start off in a Derby trial next season and build his way up from there. If the ground came up heavy [at Doncaster], we wouldn't run and he'd be finished for the year.” Similar comments apply to the John and Thady Gosden-trained Oxagon (Frankel), who ran well on his previous visit to Doncaster when filling the runner-up spot in the G2 Champagne Stakes, won by the subsequent G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere hero Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett). Prince Faisal's homebred again performed with credit when last seen finishing fifth in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, passing the post three and a half lengths behind Champagne also-ran Gewan (Night Of Thunder), but it remains to be seen whether conditions at Doncaster will allow him to make a quick return to action. “We're all on weather watch,” said Prince Faisal's racing manager, Ted Voute. “There are nine in of Aidan O'Brien's, and 13 in all, and I've been in communication with Peter [Shoemark, racing secretary] at John Gosden's. They're watching the weather. “I'm currently driving to Deauville for a runner that we've got and the weather's fine, but it's meant to hit tomorrow and come up through the country into England, so I would think it depends on that. But it will be quite soft anyhow. “It's up to John and his view of the weather. When we were in the Dewhurst, everybody felt that an extra furlong and a little more juice in the ground would do quite nicely. But whether this much juice is what is required, we'll leave that to John.” The betting for the Futurity Trophy is headed by O'Brien's G2 Beresford Stakes winner Hawk Mountain (Wootton Bassett) at a general 5/4, with stablemate Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel) next best at 3/1. Oxagon is available to back at 4/1, ahead of Item at 9/2. The post Futurity Trophy Starts in Doubt for Item and Oxagon Due to Wet Forecast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A traceability survey has been launched by The Jockey Club. The survey records the status of a Thoroughbred, including the horse's use and location, so that the industry can better understand the whereabouts of Thoroughbreds that have retired from breeding and racing. The Jockey Club Traceability Initiative helps track Thoroughbreds after their breeding and racing careers, estimate the current population, and improve traceability. Analysis of information submitted through the initiative will enable The Jockey Club to more effectively direct information and resources regarding a horse's transition from racehorse to second career. The Jockey Club requests all Thoroughbred owners complete the survey, which should take only a few minutes per horse, by June 30, 2026, but the survey will remain open so owners can update their horse's future status. In July, The Jockey Club will assess the survey responses, and an analysis of the responses will be provided at the 2026 Round Table Conference. An Interactive Registration (IR) account, which is free at www.registry.jockeyclub.com, is required to complete the survey. Once logged on to IR, click Traceability Survey. “With the traceability survey, we hope everyone who owns, leases, or boards a retired or unraced Thoroughbred will voluntarily report the horse's status to help us improve traceability,” said Kristin Werner, deputy general counsel and director of Industry Initiatives, The Jockey Club. “Understanding where Thoroughbreds go after their racing and breeding careers will advance the entire industry's aftercare efforts and support welfare, accountability, and public trust in the sport.” For horses with no survey response, The Jockey Club Registry will follow up with emails to the last known connections of horses born in 2017 and prior with paper certificates of foal registration that do not have a Thoroughbred Incentive Program number or Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance activity and have not been reported as exported, deceased, or breeding stock. Connections of horses with a digital certificate will also receive follow-up notices from the Registry. Resources for horse owners looking to find new careers for their Thoroughbreds can be found on The Jockey Club's website, click here. Owners wishing to retire their horse from racing should use the Transferred as Retired from Racing process, which will permanently retire the horse. The post The Jockey Club Launches Traceability Survey appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This Saturday at Santa Anita could prove something of a watershed moment in North American horse racing-the carding of two handicaps built upon a new national ratings system. One race, a $35,000 handicap over 6 furlongs for dirt horses rated between 70 and 79, has drawn seven entries. The next race on the card, a $65,000 handicap over 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course for fillies and mares rated between 80 and 95, has drawn six entries. The impetus for launching a ratings system in the U.S. has been well documented. Aside from helping racing secretaries card a suitable set of races for their backstretch inventory, such a system gives the connections of a claiming class of horse options to run without fear of losing it. One thing it's not designed to do, those familiar with the system stress, is replace these claiming races, which has long proven the backbone of the U.S. product. While North American is one of the last major jurisdictions to use such a ratings system, it appears to be the first to use an algorithm to generate the numbers (the others use human handicappers). “It's novel to my understanding,” said Chance Moquett, senior manager of strategic solutions at Equibase, the company responsible for building the algorithm. “I believe it's the only algorithmic rating of a population of racehorses in the world right now.” For any such system to work, however, the industry needs to have trust in it. “There's no right or wrong way. But the right way is one that works and people have confidence in,” long-time track executive Rick Hammerle told Steve Byk's radio show last Thursday. “You're only as good as the number.” Hammerle was involved in the building of a previous iteration of the ratings system which fell by the wayside earlier this year, but not with the version that has just launched. According to Moquett, Saturday's ratings-based races are part of a soft launch of a system meant to be refined and improved over time and with experience. “It's not necessarily a polished thing at this point in time. We wanted to make sure that we are continuing to work on it, and that people understand that,” said Moquett. “Feedback is important,” Moquett added. “Feedback in any form is good feedback.” The Building of the System Since February, around 40 to 50 industry stakeholders within four different “cohort” groups have been working on the system, said Moquett, estimating around “50 formal meetings” as it came together. These four groups comprise the worlds of data science, competition (including trainers and track executives), handicapping and wagering, and the international community. In April, the racing secretaries from 12 different tracks or jurisdictions sent to Equibase a batch of around 20 horses for the team to rate. (The 12 participating racing offices were at Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Gulfstream Park, Maryland, Oaklawn Park, Sam Houston, Prairie Meadows, NYRA, Canterbury, Assiniboia Downs, Del Mar and Santa Anita) “Then we would give back the ratings and ask, 'how does this look? Does this look right?' We worked with each one of those racing offices individually,” said Moquett. That process took a couple months. And then, when Equibase “felt like all the regional racing secretaries were largely pleased with how their selected bands seemed to seem to be rated,” they went back to test five years-worth of data on an individual yearly basis, said Moquett. “That means we took every horse and ran it through a ratings history process for each race,” said Moquett. “We basically re-ran every race for every horse for the calendar year 2020 forward, caught out any outliers.” What were some of those outliers? “We did correlation analysis between purse earnings versus what their figure was at any point in time, to make sure the horses that generally were earning more money were in line [ratings wise]. And we identified that our turf horses seemed to be rated a little bit higher at first,” said Moquett. More broadly, “I think another thing that we found, our rating was a little more volatile to surface switch and performance, and it had a hard time differentiating good horses from the elite level,” said Moquett. The modified result is a multi-factor algorithm that gives horses a numerical rating (from 0-150) based on performance metrics, race class adjustments, surface and distance factors, track-specific variability, and recent form. For a horse to be rated, they must have at least two North American starts. It's updated daily to reflect ongoing race results, so, even if a horse remains in its stall, its rating might fluctuate as its former rivals go out to compete. The formula is based on three main buckets, with the “performance score” providing the core of the ratings. “This has a litany of other factors peppered into it, but in essence, it's how fast did a horse run and how many lengths did it win or get beaten by,” said Moquett. The second is the “race strengths adjustments” component, which looks at things like the class of the race and field strength. The “track and distance adjustments” factor in information like track variance and bias, as well as post position. (A breakdown of the formula can be found here in an FAQ of the new system) The computer algorithm won't be open-sourced-Moquett pointed to the proprietary nature of the system. That said, “we welcome people to come under the hood, see what's going on,” he added. The theoretical ceiling is 150. “I think the highest rating we had during the annual testings was Flightline, who was 136. That's the highest it's ever gotten,” said Moquett. One thing stakeholders should bear in mind, Moquett stressed, is that a numerical rating is different from a speed figure. “A speed figure looks largely at time components of a single race,” said Moquett. “Whereas the Equibase rating takes the body of work in totality and grades aptitude.” As to how the rating stack up to a corresponding weight, that will be up to the individual jurisdiction. “This is not a handicapping tool, nor is it something that Equibase is trying to force on any institution,” Moquett explained. “We do not know yet how close or competitive these things are going to be from a weight standpoint,” Moquett added. “We are intentionally leaving that to the racing offices and the racing secretaries to do as they see fit.” Actual Numbers For those horses eligible for a rating, these numbers have already been displayed on their Equibase page. While some ratings have raised a few eyebrows, in some cases there appear to be explanations. Take leading middle-distance turf runner (and dual Breeders' Cup winner), Rebel's Romance (Dubawi), rated 90. In comparison, the four-year-old filly Antifona (Recoletos), whose entered in this Saturday's handicap on the downhill turf, is rated 95. Antifona is a stakes-winner who has not yet won a graded stake in three tries. For one, Moquett admits “we are not very good yet at international play.” Furthermore, the Godolphin runner has only had one run so far this year in North America. As Moquett puts it, the algorithm is more accurate the more recent North American starts a horse makes. “We reward consistent activity” said Moquett. In comparison, Antifona has not had a single start in 2025. But the algorithm also factors in the frequency and quality of official works. In Antifona's case, she boasts a busy work-tab leading up to her first run in over 14 months. “Her rating says this filly's working and working well. The last time she ran she was fast. And so, that's how this thing sees it,” said Moquett, explaining Antifona's 95-rating. “Right out the gate, we've got a horse coming off a 14-month layoff,” Moquett added. “Did we give that horse enough of a negative impact or not enough of one? We'll learn. If she wins the race by five lengths, I'm going to feel like we did not do a good job.” Another frequently raised example concerns top three-year-olds Sovereignty and Journalism, who have butted heads twice this year. Both times the Godolphin runner came out on top. And yet, Journalism is rated 104 while Sovereignty is rated 103. “The algorithm isn't saying that Journalism is head and shoulders above Sovereignty. They're relatively equally matched all things considered,” said Moquett. “What makes sense whenever you actually look at the form is our rating gives a little bit of extra credit for Journalism running against older horses in the Pacific Classic,” said Moquett. “What I would challenge people to think about is that we're not saying that horse A is faster than horse B,” Moquett added. “What we're saying is that we believe those two horses are relatively evenly matched within so many points.” The “loudest glaring mistakes” are most likely “fringe players on our rating system,” said Moquett, adding that the system build out so far has focused primarily on the population of horse most likely to fill races, typically at the lower end of the rating range. Attitudes towards the new system among Santa Anita's backstretch community has varied wildly. But if there's one main throughline, it's perhaps one of wait-and-see. “I'm not sure exactly how it's going to work here yet,” said trainer Sean McCarthy. “But I don't have an issue with it. It's one way to keep onto a horse.” “I don't feel like so far I have a great understanding of it. We're just feeling the water out,” said trainer John Sadler, who has Topalo (Tapiture) entered in the dirt handicap. “It's interesting. But it doesn't change the reality of California [a shrinking horse population].” With the launch looming, another question being asked is this: is the system ready? “We'll find out Saturday,” replied Moquett. “I think there's consensus in the industry that a new type of race and a new alternative to run horses is needed.” He added, “I would rather have something delivered and work through a soft launch with racing offices during a time of need-be able to better manage a horse population-than be able to say I can answer every question and defend every example that you bring me because I don't know that we'd ever get to that.” The post Equibase’s New Ratings System Launches Saturday. Is It Ready? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing in Kentucky shifts from Lexington to Louisville Oct. 26 as Churchill Downs opens its 26-day fall meeting with an 11-race "Stars of Tomorrow I" program for 2-year-olds, highlighted by the Street Sense (G3) and Rags to Riches stakes.View the full article

Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away. The five-year-old son of Tavistock ran out a ready winner of the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m), defending his crown, despite having gone winless in the ensuing 12 months. “It has been good to us that day. Over the last three years we have won two King Charles and an Everest (Think About It), but our luck will run out eventually on that day. It’s been a good run,” Pride said. “It’s 12 months ago now that he won that race and, in the period in between, for two preparations, he’s put in some runs that have had me scratching my head and thinking was there a chance that that was just him at his absolute best. “To see him do it again last Saturday gives me great confidence that going forward, we’re still working with the same horse, and a horse that is going to win most races that he competes in when he performs to that level.” Pride will now set his sights on the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m) on the final day of the Flemington carnival. “It is unusual for one of mine to have had this many starts (24) and not had a trip away, but I’d love to bring him down to Flemington,” Pride said. “I’d say we’ll stick to the mile. He’s won three Group Ones at a mile now, and although I do need to see him at 2000m again at some stage, I don’t think it needs to be straight away. I’d say we’ll be down to Melbourne for the Champions Mile.” Pride would dearly love to set the gelding for the 2026 Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) but given there is only seven days between the King Charles and the Cox Plate, it is a case of one or the other. “To have a crack at the Cox plate, I’m going to have to forgo the chance to run for a third King Charles,” he said. “I’m going to have to be convinced in the autumn that he runs a strong 2000m to set him for the Cox Plate, because I’m not going to sacrifice that chance to win that race again for an outside chance of winning a Cox Plate.” “It will probably be in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in the autumn, but, if he shows me that he’s really strong at 2000m, I’ll give it a go.” Ceolwulf was bred by Cambridge Stud owners Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay and is a son of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas. The gelding is a graduate of the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, where Pride and part-owner Leighton Howl went to $170,000 to secure him from Riversley Park’s draft. Ceolwulf has now had 24 starts for six wins, seven placings and A$9.13 million in stakes, plus a one-off $750.000 Emerald bonus for winning both the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap and King Charles last spring. View the full article

Ten years on from the first of their four Cox Plates together, the band of Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman is getting back together. Bowman will jet in from Hong Kong to ride ATC Derby winner Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) in Saturday’s weight-for-age championship, which will be the first time that he’s ridden the four-year-old mare. “Obviously, I have a wonderful history in the race with Chris Waller of course,” Bowman said from Hong Kong. “Aeliana herself has been ultra impressive, I think, certainly at the back end of her three-year-old career and I think there’s been a lot of merit in all her runs this time in. “Obviously, Damian Lane being committed to Treasurethe Moment has had Chris Waller in the position where he’s needed a jockey, I’m really grateful and proud that he gave me the opportunity to come back and ride her. “There’s a great feeling about it and let’s hope that Aeliana puts her best foot forward. If she does, I certainly think she can be competitive.” Bowman’s previous experience with Waller has also given him extra confidence heading into Saturday’s $6 million contest. Aeliana is one of three Cox Plate runners from the Kiwi expat’s stable, with his attack on the race headlined by defending champion Via Sistina. “Although I’ve had nothing to do physically with Aeliana, it’s quite obvious to me looking back on her races that she appears to be going every bit as good as Via Sistina,” Bowman said. “She obviously lacks the maturity and the strength of her, her opposition but she’s a horse on the rise and having worked so closely with Chris and his stable for so many years, I do know one thing; he wouldn’t be taking her to the races unless she was a genuine, competitive, winning chance and in a physical and mental state to run to a premium, so that in itself gives me a great deal of confidence.” Saturday’s meeting at The Valley will be the last at the track in its current configuration, a venue where Bowman has ridden 14 winners, including his four Cox Plates on Winx. “It’s interesting; of all of the metropolitan tracks in Sydney and Melbourne, it’s probably my least acquainted because I probably go there once, maybe twice, maximum three times a year, so I haven’t ridden there much to be honest!” Bowman said. “It’s been a beautiful hunting ground, I do really love it, it’s got a great feel about it for obvious reasons. When I go to Moonee Valley, or walk onto the track, it brings back an abundance of emotions that are really good and positive. Let’s hope we can add to them this weekend.” Sportsbet has Aeliana at $8.50 in its Cox Plate market. View the full article

Northern Farm hosted its mixed sale at the Northern Horse Park on Tuesday which featured a 100 per cent clearance rate for the 66 weanlings offered. These were led by the Kitasan Black colt out of the Listed winner and G1 British Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes runner-up Delphinia (Galileo), who was bought by Louisville Racing for ¥460m (approximately €2.6m). The same buyer had also signed up the first foal through the ring, a colt by Epiphaneia from the champion Argentinean two-year-old filly Carta Embrujada (Storm Embrujada) for ¥220m (€1.25m). The demand for youngsters by Kitasan Black remains strong, and the Shadai stallion's four weanlings sold throughout the session returned an average of ¥205m (€1.16m). Iridessa (Ruler Of The World), the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner of 2019, was represented in the catalogue by her colt foal by world champion Equinox, who was sold for ¥92m (€522,928) to Tsuyoshi Suzuki. Equinox is also the sire of a grey colt out of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Incarville (Wootton Bassett), who brought the hammer down at ¥170m (€966,450) in favour of Masahide Abe. The turnover for foals amounted to ¥43bn (approximately €25m) at an average price of ¥65.79m (€373,884), a decrease of 3.8 per cent, and median of ¥49m (€278,418), which was up by 16.7 per cent. Of the 43 fillies and mares offered, eight failed to reach their reserve and the session was topped by the 10-year-old Danon Grace, a daughter of Deep Impact and the G1 Oaks d'Italia winner Cherry Collect (Oratorio) who was Grade 3-placed and a four-time winner. She was sold in foal to the young Frankel stallion Grenadier Guards for ¥40m (€263,560). The average for the broodmare session fell slightly by one per cent to ¥11.5m (€65,343) and the median was up by 22.5 per cent at ¥9.5m (€53,979). The post Northern Farm Mixed Sale Sees 66 Foals Sold for Equivalent of €25m 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 Monday will mark 70 years since the first running of the Ashburton Flying Stakes. In that time only 11 horses have won the race and then gone on to win the New Zealand Cup in the same year. Only two horses have done it twice – Lazarus in 2016 and 2017 and Terror To Love in 2012 and 2013. The first horse to do the Stakes- Cup double was Our Roger. He won the very first Ashburton Flying Stakes on Oct 1, 1955 for driver Chief Stipe Watts in 2:53 and then went on to win the 1955 New Zealand Cup five weeks later in 4:12.2. Technically Jack Litten trained the quinella in the Flying Stakes with Our Roger and Caduceus though Caduceus dead heated for second with Johnny Globe who started off the back mark of 30 metres and had just run a world record of 2:50.2 for the mile and three furlongs (2200 metres approx)! Watts won the Stakes the very next year as well with Caduceus. They were his only wins in the race. He drove in the New Zealand Cup 27 times. As well as winning with Our Roger in 1955 he was also successful with Integrity in 1946. In the very first edition of the Ashburton Flying Stakes front marker Gay Lyric, one of the outsiders in the 18-strong field, led and set a hot pace and around the final turn was the one to catch along with Recent Choice. Our Roger, Ohio, Thelma Globe, Au Revoir, Caduceus, Johnny Globe, and Rupee were the most prominent of the rest until Watts shot Our Roger clear at the 200 metre mark as the leaders started to tire. Caduceus and Johnny Globe issued their challenges wider out but it was Our Roger who had their measure, winning by a length. Favourite Rupee was the day’s hard luck story. He was checked and lost ground around the 1200 metre mark but staged a remarkable recovery, making up eight lengths in the home straight before finishing fourth. Rupee was second in Our Roger’s New Zealand Cup, beaten by two lengths. Our Roger had settled just off the pace before overhauling Rupee and Excelsa to win going away by two lengths. It was Our Roger’s 15th and last career success as it turned out – not bad for a horse that had been written off earlier in his career because of a “wind affliction”. Horses to have completed the Ashburton Flying Stakes – IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup double : Lazarus – 2016/17 Adore Me – 2014 Terror To Love – 2012/13 Flashing Red – 2006 Yulestar – 2000 Christian Cullen – 1998 Iraklis – 1997 Trusty Scot – 1978 Lordship – 1962 False Step – 1960 Our Roger – 1955 To see the field for this Monday’s Ashburton Flying Stakes click here View the full article

Trainers who line up their horses in the up-coming World Driving Championship will be in the running for a “cash” bonus. Five Garrards vouchers, each worth $500, will be won by trainers, with each starter entered automatically into the draw for the following meetings : Kaikoura (November 2 and 3) Cambridge (November 5) Winton (November 9) Addington (November 7) Addington November 11 There’ll be one winner at each of the above, with all five drawn on Wednesday, November 12. The results will be announced on hrnz.co.nz “We want the best horses possible to be driven by the world’s top drivers throughout the WDC so we want to encourage trainers to get involved in what will be massive week or so for the sport throughout the country,” says HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden. “The vouchers are additional to the stakes increases the WDC has already seen across the series of heats. They are rating penalty free as well.” Over the nine days 10 of the globe’s best drivers including New Zealand representative Blair Orange will battle it out, with the champion being crowned on IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day. The schedule for the WDC (20 heats) is : 3 heats at Kaikoura on Sunday, November 2 2 heats at Kaikoura on Monday, November 3 5 heats at Cambridge on Wednesday, November 5 5 heats at Addington on Friday, November 7 4 heats at Winton on Sunday, November 9 1 heat at Addington on Tuesday, November 11 For more information contact matthew.peden@hrnz.co.nz View the full article

The Nepheti (NZ) (Charm Spirit) of old showed her colours at Te Aroha on Wednesday, the mare kicking off her five-year-old campaign with a powerful victory in The George Abernathy and Associates 1150. Stakes-performed at three, Nepheti performed solidly without reaching those same heights last term, but looked ready to get back to the winner’s circle with two good trials this time in. In a competitive Rating 70 field, Nepheti’s $15 opening price was snapped up by punters, closing near the $7 mark. After a key rival in Magice was late-scratched at the gates, the mare got away well under jockey Joe Doyle and settled into the trial of pacemaker Oban, who ran along a good tempo alongside Mr Fortrus. Oban came well off the rail on straightening, leaving a big gap for Doyle to kick through and head for home on Nepheti as she started to go through her gears. Just as a competitive finish was shaping up across the track, Nepheti hit another gear, striding clear of her rivals to score by three-quarters of a length to Miss Madridista and Mr Fortrus. Her co-trainer Shaune Ritchie identified where he thought it might’ve gone wrong last prep, but couldn’t have been happier with how she returned as an older mare. “She was stakes-placed as a three-year-old and we thought she was going to be much stronger at four, but we just flatted her first-up running from a wide gate on an off track and she worked hard,” said Ritchie, who trains in partnership with Colm Murray. “That knocked her over as a four-year-old, so she’s come back stronger as a five-year-old. “There was a lot of depth in those trials and she was strong at the line, and when they trial like that, they never run poorly. “He’s (Doyle) given her a lovely ride. She looked a bit flat at the top of the straight and I was wondering if she was going to get into that next gear, but she did and the $15 looked good.” Nepheti brought her win tally to four from just 14 starts, carrying the silks of breeders Windsor Park Stud who race her alongside the Galaxy Racing No.7 Syndicate. View the full article

Michael Kent Jnr says he’s confident Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit) will be cleared to take his place in the Cox Plate this Saturday. But the stable will accept whatever decision Racing Victoria’s vets come to on Thursday. The Group 1 winner must be given the tick of approval after an “irritation” was detected in a fetlock joint on Monday. One of Globe’s trainers provided a positive update on The Verdict podcast on Wednesday morning. “As of this morning, Max rode him and said he felt fantastic – he’s his regular rider – and thought he was very sound, full of energy,” Kent Jnr explained. “He’s hopped on the truck and gone down to Seaford beach for a paddle, again. “We are really happy and we’d expect he’d get through the 9.30am vet check, on Thursday, no problem.” Globe’s connections paid a $200,000 late entry fee for the Cox Plate after he defeated the likes of Treasurethe Moment and Buckaroo in the G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield. He’s drawn barrier seven for Saturday’s race and looks the natural leader. “I think Moonee Valley is a good track for him,” Kent Jnr said. “The rain is very welcome. “I didn’t think he could win a big race on a Good 3, but he did, and he ran a career-best, last start. “He is a really, really good wet-tracker. “It has just been the most remarkable rollercoaster, with Globe. “He won his first four starts, then had an issue in the Feehan when he was third favourite for a Cox Plate, a few years ago. “He’s had water-walker accidents, been up and down, and now he wins a Group 1 and here we are, on the rollercoaster again.” View the full article

It was a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday when Avantaggia (Wootton Bassett) broke through for her maiden win in the Donaghys Moxipor (1150m). The blue-blooded filly is a daughter of Coolmore’s ill-fated stallion Wootton Bassett and Te Akau’s former nine-time Group One winner Avantage. Following her stellar racing career, Avantage was bought by Tom Magnier and global breeding giant Coolmore off New Zealand Bloodstock’s online platform Gavelhouse Plus for $4.1 million. Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis went to last year’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he purchased her first progeny, Avantaggia, for A$2.1 million. Avantaggia has shown trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson plenty, winning an 800m trial as a juvenile before returning at three where she won both of her trials over 800m and 850m. She then finished fourth on debut over 1200m at Ellerslie last month to subsequent Group Two winner Well Written and was subsequently backed into $1.90 favouritism for her second-up test. From her ace draw, she settled on the fence, a couple of lengths off pacemaker Earlicheer. In the home straight, jockey Opie Bosson weaved a path between runners and unleashed Avantaggia, who opened up several lengths on her rivals, and held off the late challenge of Confesara to win by three-quarters of a length. Bosson was pleased with her winning performance and said she had improved since her debut effort. “In her first start she had to work quite hard from the gate and probably used up a little too much petrol,” he said. “She bounced out of that race well and her work has been quite nice and barrier one was a big assist (today). “They were going quite quick and had her off the nickel most of the way, but she is a real professional and went through the gap as good as gold and the only thing she did wrong was look at the winning post.” Co-trainer Bergerson was rapt with the result and said it was a sentimental win for the stable. “It’s a bit of a full-circle moment,” he said. “We had so much to do with her mum and she has got plenty of her traits. “She was aided by a very good ride by Opie. He got a lovely track into the race and saved all the ground, which was probably the winning of it. “I think it was a sharp enough field, so hopefully she can go on with it. I am excited to see what is next.” Stakes assignments now await Avantaggia, but Bergerson said they will let the dust settle before making any firm plans. “We will just see how she comes through it,” he said. “The goal for her is certainly black-type and there are plenty of races coming up over that Christmas period, so hopefully we can steer her towards one of those.” View the full article

Levin trainer Josh Shaw will head to New Plymouth on Friday with a trio of runners, including two maideners he is hoping can breakthrough for an elusive win. Sweet Envy (NZ) (Sweet Orange) has been knocking on the door for some time, placing in five of her last six outings, and Shaw is hoping she can finally deliver for her connections in the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m). “She has been going good races,” Shaw said. “We would ideally have liked to have gone to Otaki a couple of weeks ago when they were called off. With five weeks between runs, I have freshened her up a little bit and dropping back to 1200m in what looks like a pretty good field, she should be half a chance.” Sweet Envy has drawn barrier one and will be ridden by Joe Doyle. “It’s not the best place to be, but she usually jumps the lids pretty quick,” Shaw said. “If she can jump clear of them, she might be able to work her way off them and get into a position where she needs to be.” Stablemate Predecessor (NZ) (Eminent) has placed in just one of her 14 starts to date, but TAB bookmakers have installed her a $3.70 favourite for Friday’s Bryce Revell (1600m), and Shaw shares their confidence. “She has had a good break after her last run at Hawera, which wasn’t too bad, and she has come back and put on really good condition,” Shaw said. “Amber (Riddell, apprentice jockey) takes a couple of kgs off, so she gets down to a nice, luxurious weight (54.5kg). “She has had the work put into her. Even though she hasn’t had a public trial, she has had three good, solid jumpouts, so she won’t lack for fitness. “I think she can really put her foot in the till, and I think we will see a different horse this campaign.” Shaw’s team on Friday will be rounded out by Billy Easton (NZ) (Road To Rock), who will be second-up in the Janelle Millar (1800m) after finishing last in his first-up assignment over 1700m last month following an 18-month break. “He is a mate. After Hinepara and Faraglioni have gone, he’s been there right the way through,” Shaw said. “He is just here to keep everyone in check. “I put him aside and gave him a long break, he had been in the stable from a two-year-old to a six-year-old, so he enjoyed a bit of downtime. “In-between times he came in and did a bit of work with the babies and got them going. He has always been in and around the stables, I have just never really pushed the button on him. This time he has filled out a little bit and he is going very well. “Whatever he does on Friday, he will improve on.” Meanwhile, Shaw has been pleased with the way Chart The Stars has come through her last-start victory over 1200m on Awapuni’s synthetic track last month. A half-sister to Shaw’s former Group One performer Faraglioni, Chart The Stars has shown Shaw plenty at home, but he said he is playing the waiting game with the four-year-old daughter of U S Navy Flag. “She has come through that win really well,” Shaw said. “She is a bit above average in ability. “She has gone to another level. I gave her 10 days in the paddock after that race, and I am just really waiting for better tracks. “It is a bit of a pain having to sit on your hands waiting for the better tracks, but they will come eventually and when they do, she will be putting her best foot forward.” View the full article

Edited Press Release The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA) marked its 10-year anniversary in North America on Oct. 21 in Lexington, Kentucky by once again honoring and awarding the individuals that make the Thoroughbred industry the unique and special industry it is. Winners were announced in a total of seven categories with a total of $122,000 awarded. Scott Hazelton, FanDuel TV analyst, served as the master of ceremonies. Joe Clancy, publisher and co-owner of the Saratoga Special, and this year's judging panels chair, said, “I commented earlier in July the difficult task in determining the three finalists in each category. I must admit we were presented with an even harder assignment in trying to choose the actual winners in each category. It's rare for a triple dead heat in our business but that's pretty much what we faced with these fantastic and talented individuals in each category. They truly are the backbone of our industry and are great ambassadors and representatives of our sport.” The full list of winners, finalists, and runners-up are as follows: Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland Winner: Isabel Escobar (Todd Pletcher Racing Stable) Finalists: Vicki Forbes (Thoroughbred Daily News), Sandy Martin (Race Track Chaplaincy of America) Runners-up: Lacey Coler (Barton Thoroughbreds), Lauren Monnet (National HBPA) Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing Winner: Lynne Hewlett (Hagyard Equine Medical Institute) Finalists: Robert “Elmo” Richardson (KatieRich Farms), Nathan Stephens (Stephens Farrier Service, Inc.) Runners-up: Mary Perkins (Keeneland Association), Steve Peterman (Gulfstream Park) Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds Winner: Sara Patterson (Cedar Run Farm) Finalists: Juan Piedra (Stone Bridge Farm), Mario Ponce (Coolmore American) Runners-up: Luis Sanches (Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable), Alan Shell (Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable) Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by the NTRA Winner: Fiona Goodwin (Jena Antonucci) Finalists: Jackie Dayutis (WinStar Farm), Carlos Alarcon (D/M Racing Stables) Runners-up: Rafael Fernandez (Herringswell Stable), Lee Vickers (Miguel Clement Racing Stable) Managerial Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Winner: Jesus Pinales (Mulholland) Finalists: John Motaung (Sequel Bloodstock), Duane Reed (Coolmore America) Runners-up: Kali Kleinfelt (Stone Bridge Farm), Edwyn Kiely (Hunter Valley Farm) Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRABets Winner: Kinnon LaRose (Tom Amoss Racing Stables) Finalists: Braden Heath (Three Chimneys Farm), Ivanna Rabii (WinStar Farm) Runners-up: Madison Jackson (Churchill Downs), Maxine Pina (Taylor Made Sales Agency) Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs Winner: Nancy Turner (This Old Horse) Finalists: Peter Drumsta (Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program), CJ Wilson (Win Place Home) Runners-up: Victoria Mangini (Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Assoc.), Caroline Tatum (Sterling Equestrian) The post Godolphin Names 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award Winners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LEXINGTON, KY – The four-day Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale reached its halfway point in Lexington Tuesday and continued to produce figures significantly ahead of its record-setting 2024 edition. Through two sessions, 540 yearlings have grossed $33,091,000 for an average of $61,280 and a median of $30,000. At the same point last year, 544 horses had grossed $28,753,000 for an average of $52,855 and a median of $20,000. The 2024 auction concluded with a cumulative record gross of $58,575,500 and a record average of $52,206. “The second session of the 2025 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale was another strong session,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “It posted increases in the average price, the median, and gross sales and the RNA rate was acceptable. Strong bidding continued again throughout. We've seen these same trends really from start to finish in the 2025 yearling marketplace. There were no real surprises. But it's always encouraging to feel the enthusiasm, to see the crowd that is here and to see just the overall level of activity. It felt good and we are looking forward to the next two days.” With 151 horses reported not sold, the two-day buy-back rate stands at 21.9%, just off last year's corresponding figure of 20.1%. A pair of colts topped Tuesday's session when selling for matching $500,000 bids just minutes apart. Gustavo Delgado's OGMA Investments was first to hit that mark for a son of Life Is Good consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. A few hips later, Mahmud Mouni bid $500,000 to acquire a colt by Into Mischief from the Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services consignment. Thank you for joining us for the second session of the Kentucky October Yearlings sale! @btbrowning recaps. pic.twitter.com/yLqF5S5SQA — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 21, 2025 Through two sessions, 37 yearlings have sold for $200,000 or more, up from 34 at the same point a year ago. Fergus Galvin of Hunter Valley Farm has experienced the market as both a seller and a buyer this week. “There are horses at all ends of the spectrum here, so it's a little bit hard to get a gauge on the market when you are looking at the results,” Galvin said. “But as sellers, it's the carry over from September. The good horses are making all the money and there is less and less tolerance for average horses.” As a buyer, Galvin signed for a $400,000 filly by Uncle Mo and a $290,000 daughter of Life Is Good. “We bought a couple of fillies last night for Qatar Racing and we are very happy with both purchases,” Galvin said. “Sheikh Fahad wanted a couple of well-bred fillies. Again they were about where we thought we would have to be. We bought some in September and we knew we would have to stretch on the good ones and the same applied here.” The Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale continues through Thursday with sessions beginning each day at 10 a.m. 'Looks like a Million Bucks': Life Is Good Colt to Delgados “He looks like a million bucks–thank God we got him for half,” Gustavo Delgado, Jr. said with a laugh after signing the ticket at $500,000 to acquire a colt by Life Is Good (hip 576) from the Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa consignment. Delgado did his bidding out back alongside his father, trainer Gustavo Delgado, Sr. The dark bay colt is out of stakes winner and graded-placed Shippy (Midshipman). He was bred by Vinnie Viola's St. Elias Stables, which purchased the mare for $130,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton February sale. Hip 576 c. LIFE IS GOOD o/o Shippy sells for $500,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings! Congrats to the connections: B: OGMA Investments C: @HillnDaleFarm, agt Br: St. Elias Stables#FasigKY @WinStarFarm @LlcOgma pic.twitter.com/w4fV8QbIbH — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 21, 2025 “We were fans of Life Is Good,” Delgado said. “We wanted one, but unfortunately we couldn't get one at Keeneland. It was very competitive. This colt looks like the kind of frame we look for. We are looking for two-turn horses, fast, and hopefully the ones that can take you to the Saturday races.” Also on Tuesday in Lexington, the Delgados' OGMA Investments purchased a filly by Epicenter (hip 471) from the Gainesway consignment for $95,000. “Thank God we have been able to get a few. It's very competitive,” Delgado said of the October market. “And more importantly, we have to say thank you to our partners. That's the main thing. You have to hook up with the right people. If you think you are going to do it alone, forget it.” Of the partners on hip 576, Delgado said, “We are still figuring it out. But it's already the existing partners that we have campaigned horses with. It's always a good feeling when you get the horse you want.” Just a few hips after Delgado made his winning bid, Libyan bloodstock agent Mahmud Mouni also went to $500,000, securing a colt by Into Mischief (hip 579) from the Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services consignment. Bred by Newtownanner Stud Farm, the yearling is out of Shopit (Yes It's True) and is a full-brother to stakes winner and multiple Grade I-placed Shoplifted. Mouni purchased another full-brother to the colt at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale for $450,000. That colt is now named Tanarout. Hip 579 c. INTO MISCHIEF o/o Shopit sells for $500,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings! Congrats to the connections: B: Mahmud Mouni C: Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services, agt Br: Newtownanner Stud Farm#FasigKY @spendthriftfarm pic.twitter.com/PDJ8nUYuE5 — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 21, 2025 $425k Flightline Colt to Morplay The final first-crop yearling by Flightline (hip 512) to sell at auction this fall will be heading to the Ocala base of Morplay Racing after bringing a final bid of $425,000 Tuesday in Lexington. “What's not to like about him?,” said Morplay managing partner Cameron Dulgar, who signed the ticket as Colorful Farm. “He is striking physically, with a big walk. That physical is hard to come by, especially with that page. We had to have him.” Hip 512 c. FLIGHTLINE o/o Safwah sells for $425,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings! Congrats to the connections: B: Colorful Farm C: @CrestwoodKY, agt#FasigKY @LanesEndFarms pic.twitter.com/fTtv5MzDnB — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 21, 2025 The bay colt is out of Safwah (Medaglia d'Oro), a half-sister to GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) and Grade I winner Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union). He was bred by RMJ Stables and was consigned by Pope McLean's Crestwood Farm. The yearling had RNA'd for $385,000 at the Keeneland September sale last month. “For us, we have been eye-balling pretty much all of the Flightlines to come through these sales and this one we really liked,” Dulgar said. “We had to reach in the pocket a little bit, but we were prepared to do that. We are just happy we got him.” Of plans for the colt, Dulgar said, “We will have to talk internally. We will bring him back to Ocala to our farm and just give him a once over and give him some time and make a decision from there.” While Dulgar and Morplay founder Rich Mendez are busy shopping at the October sale, they are looking ahead to a trip out west where Shisospicy (Mitole) is a contender in the Nov. 1 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. “To be honest with you, it's great to be here, but the Breeders' Cup is on my mind for sure,” Dulgar said. “The whole family is going out there, so it will be a really awesome moment.” Owned in partnership with Qatar Racing, Shisospicy is coming off a win in the GII Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs. “She's doing amazing,” Dulgar said. “We saw her this morning. She is looking great, coming in sharp. She will work in the next couple of days and then she will ship over. We have high hopes, but just to be a part of it is really awesome.” 'Beautiful Horse': McCrocklin Strikes for $400k Omaha Beach Filly Ocala horseman Tom McCrocklin, who went to $400,000 to secure a filly by Omaha Beach (hip 455) early in Tuesday's second session of the Fasig-Tipton October sale, admitted its been tough buying at the yearling sales all season. “It's been extremely bullish all year,” McCrocklin said. “There is a lot of money still out there and I am just fighting for a little piece of the pizza at this point. I never feel like I have to buy horses, but Keeneland was record-shattering difficult and I am in the horse business and I need horses. And I have people who want to support our program, so we are actively trying to buy good horses and there will be more to come this sale.” Hip 455 f. OMAHA BEACH o/o Ready for Charm sells for $400,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings! Congrats to the connections: B: Tom McCrocklin, agent C: @TaylorMadeSales, agent for @WinStarFarm Bred & Raised Br: WinStar Farm#FasigKY @spendthriftfarm pic.twitter.com/EXdZDjkpyS — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 21, 2025 Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency on behalf of her breeder, WinStar Farm, hip 455 is out of Ready for Charm (More Than Ready). The mare, a half-sister to stakes winners Praetereo (Giant's Causeway) and Simply Spiteful (Speightstown), was purchased by WinStar for $120,000 at the 2022 Keeneland January sale. “Everything,” McCrocklin said when asked what attracted him to the filly. “Pedigree, conformation. She was a superior physical with big upside. And looks like a dirt horse. I didn't want to buy a filly with the perception that it was Omaha Beach and a turf horse. I think they come in both types. But I prefer her physical type. Beautiful horse.” While Fasig-Tipton will conduct its under-tack show at next year's Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale without timed workouts, McCrocklin said he has not changed his approach to buying yearlings this season to resell next spring. “I am not a believer that there are going to be a whole bunch of horses galloping,” he said. “The key phrase in that whole format is 'untimed.' There will still be a lot of stopwatches clicking in the grandstand. I can't pay $400,000 for this filly and keep her until Maryland in May and gallop. I am not disparaging anybody who wants to gallop their horse and I applaud Fasig for going out on a limb and trying something different. Historically, what brings money at 2-year-old sales? Fast horses, not good gallopers.” McCrocklin continued, “My position is, if we are going to do it? Let's do it across the board. OBS, Fasig–and what you will see is purchase for resale will become extinct. The breeders will need to start training horses to sell their offspring that they don't get sold in the yearling sales because there are some very good horsemen who have produced some really high-quality horses, Classic horses, that went through their programs for breezing. I still believe–and numbers for 2-year-old sales verify it–horses that breeze well and perform well at a 2-year-old sale turn out to be better racehorses relative to the other set of the population. I think it's out there in black and white. People don't like the process, go buy yearlings.” Mystic Guide Continues to Reward Investors For the second day in a row at the Fasig-Tipton October sale, a yearling from the first crop of G1 Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide rewarded pinhookers who invested in his weanlings last fall. This time it was a pinhooking syndicate which purchased a filly by the sire for $100,000 at the Keeneland November sale and returned her to the ring Tuesday as hip 541 to realize a final bid of $245,000 from Legion Bloodstock. Hip 541 f. MYSTIC GUIDE o/o Seabrook sells for $245,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings! Congrats to the connections: B: @HunterValleyKY, agt C: @LegionBldstk, agt #FasigKY @DarleyStallions pic.twitter.com/473wZjmhzR — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 21, 2025 “One of the partners picked her out last year,” said Fergus Galvin of Hunter Valley Farm, which consigned the filly. “She had a lovely frame and physique. She did great in the interim. We had a ton of action on her. We went from yesterday evening with one or two vets on her to maybe she had 12 or 15 by the time she got up to the ring. And there were several bidders on her. She was a lovely filly and a great advert for the sire. ” Hunter Valley had already had success with Mystic Guide at the Keeneland September sale. The operation sold a colt by the sire, purchased by Paul Neatherlin for $45,000 at the 2025 Keeneland January sale, for $425,000 to trainer Bob Baffert and The Three Amigos. “They have a great physique to them,” Galvin said of Mystic Guide's first crop of yearlings. “They have loads of stretch to them and great body. He was a good physical himself, but I think his offspring are a great reflection of him.” During Monday's first session of the October sale, Vinery Sales sold a colt by Mystic Guide for $150,000. The yearling had been purchased by a pinhooking partnership for $22,000 at Keeneland last November. The post $500K Colts on Top as Fasig-Tipton October Sale Maintains Record Pace appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Riverton stayer Vamos will stay close to home over the next couple of weeks as he aims to finish a successful preparation on a winning note. The big-striding Vadamos gelding is a specialist on rain-affected tracks, with five of his seven career victories coming on heavy ground. While there was the option of racing further north this week, his trainer Kelvin Tyler opted for Thursday’s Auto Funds Open (1800m) at Gore and a similar contest next Sunday at Riverton where the ground will be more to Vamos’ liking. “He’s a lovely big horse, he’s at the top of the weights again this week but I think if I brought him up here (Canterbury) on the really firm tracks, he wouldn’t cope,” Tyler said. “We’re a bit restricted to where we race him, so we’ll run at Gore and then probably head to Riverton next week for an Open 2200m. After that, I might give him a freshen-up and bring him in for the autumn, looking to target some nice races then. “He’s definitely a staying horse, when the tracks are as heavy as they’ve been he can get away with a mile or 1800m, but he’s ideally looking for 2000m. “He’s thriving at the moment, he’s put on weight and racing well.” Southern apprentice Floor Moerman will claim three kilos off the six-year-old’s impost, bringing his weight down to a competitive 57kg. Tyler has been in Christchurch over the past couple of days with his trio of contenders for Saturday’s Riccarton meeting, including Four The Moment, who will take his place in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m). It all went pear-shaped from the jump for Four The Moment last start in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m), but Tyler has faith his homebred three-year-old can bounce back from the run. “He reared at the start and lost three lengths, then was hunted up and had the breaks on to slow him down,” he said. “He did a bit of work and the track was probably a bit firm for him as well, it just didn’t pan out on the day. “We put a line through that and he’s come through it well, I have a lot of faith in him so hopefully he can show his best colours this week. He’d probably want to go further, he’s really matured since being up here and works around like a nice old stayer now. “He’s doing everything right and I have no doubt he’ll get over ground.” Open class geldings Master Marko and Prince Alby are set to take on the Listed Sothy’s Spring Classic (2000m), with the latter building up to a tilt at the Gr.3 Martin Collins 162nd New Zealand Cup (3200m) three weeks later. “Marko does his best everywhere he goes and he’s come through his run (third in Ashburton Cup) really well,” Tyler said. “I was a bit disappointed with Alby’s run last start but looking back, the firm track probably wasn’t to his liking and he didn’t seem to want to let down on it. I guess he’s a smart one that looks after himself. “He had a nice gallop on the course proper and he’s well, he’s hopefully heading towards the New Zealand Cup.” Further north at Trentham, Tyler considered a black-type target for Freddie Time on Sunday in the form of the Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m), but is favouring the Rating 75 event over 1400m on the undercard. The talented Time Test gelding defeated a tidy field in the identical race last Saturday, capping off a run of good form in the Central Districts. “I was home on the couch watching and it was great, he’s a good horse and we were expecting a good run,” Tyler said. “I wasn’t too sure how it would pan out with the inside draw if the track got a bit wet, but it worked out really well. “While he’s still eligible to run in 75 grade with a two-kilo claim off down to 57.5kg, I’m swaying that way and I’d think he’d be pretty competitive. The Thompson has come up quite strong, so my gut feeling is staying in the 75. “He’s one of those perfect horses, nothing worries him. He just eats, drinks and races really well and he’s come through it well. “There’s no reason why he couldn’t back up I wouldn’t think.” View the full article

5. SKELLIG MICHAEL, GP, 10/18, 7 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-82 (g, 3, by Battalion Runner–Miss Monk, by Blame) O-Saint Celestine Thoroughbred Management. B-St Elias Stables (Fla). T-Victor Barboza Jr. J-Ernesto Jaramillo. The 4-5 pacesetter looked beaten at the quarter pole, but responded when set down by Jaramillo and kicked away to a five-length victory. The gelding is another bargain from Vinnie Viola's blue-collar stallion Battalion Runner: originally bought for $1,200 as a yearling, then pinhooked for $17k as a June 2-year-old. 4. CONFESSIONAL, KEE, 10/16, 7 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-85 (c, 2, by Essential Quality–Speedy Vanessa, by American Pharoah) O-Steve Landers Racing. B-Breed First (Ky). T-Brad Cox. J-Axel Concepcion. Congratulations to bettors who reasoned that a Cox-trained 2-year-old first-timer was value at 12-1 odds. He settled just behind the leading trio, shouldered for room 5/16ths out and won nicely. His workouts weren't flashy and six others in the field sold for more than his $160k yearling pricetag (including a $1.2-million yearling and a $975k 2-year-old buy), but that didn't matter. 3. PALADIN, BAQ, 10/17, 1 mile (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-86 (2nd to 1st by DQ) (c, 2, by Gun Runner–Secret Sigh, by Tapit) O-Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith and Summer Wind Equine. B-Summer Wind Equine (Ky). T-Chad Brown. J-Flavien Prat. The $1.9-million Saratoga Brant-Coolmore collaboration contested the pace with Prat in his debut, responded when Renegade and John Velazquez charged up from the inside leaving the eighth pole, and took a light bump just before he was overtaken at the wire by a head. Stewards lit the inquiry sign (this wasn't the Kentucky Derby) and reversed the order. Given the Beyer, these are definitely two juveniles worth keeping an eye on. Advice: don't search for Paladin on Google unless you're a Dungeon and Dragons gamer. 2. RENEGADE, BAQ, 10/17, 6 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-86 (1st to 2nd by DQ) (c, 2, by Into Mischief–Spice is Nice, by Curlin) O-Robert and Lawana Low and Repole Stable (Ky). B-Robert and Lawana Low. T-Todd Pletcher. J-John Velazquez. We can debate whether Paladin or Renegade ran the better race; Paladin did dirty work on the pace and Renegade waited and came through between horses. Renegade also had one previous start – a distant 3rd in It's Our Time's runaway Saratoga win. Regardless, both were impressive. Repole signed the $975k ticket for yearling Renegade at Keeneland September, and the breeders bought back in, the Lows having raced his graded stakes-winning dam they acquired for $1.05 million from Bobby Flay. 1. DR. KAPUR, KEE, 10/16, 7 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-87 (c, 2, by McKinzie–Ava's Kitten, by Kitten's Joy) O-Ken Ramsey. B-Ken and Sarah Ramsey (Ky). T-Saffie Joseph, Jr. J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. It doesn't take much to get Ramsey excited, but with this colt (named for Dr. Sandip Kapur, who performed Ramsey's 2024 kidney transplant surgery) he has good reason. In the second division of split maiden races at Keeneland, this 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' went 7 furlongs in 1:23.71 compared to Confessional's 1:23.84. And he was beaten a neck at Saratoga in his debut with an 84 Beyer, missing that week's Five Fastest Maidens by a fraction of a point. This time, he finishes on top, and Ramsey says he is now being pointed for the Nov. 29 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. The post Five Fastest Maidens, Presented By Taylor Made: Oct. 13-20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Compiled by America's Best Racing, a rundown of this week’s horse racing coverage on TV, streaming, and radio.View the full article

Three-year-olds Gosger and Bracket Buster are entered for their first test against elders in a competitive edition of the $350,000 Fayette Stakes (G3) at Keeneland Oct. 25.View the full article

It's rare for a racehorse to have the same exercise rider for his entire career. It's almost unheard of for one rider to have been with a horse since the first time a saddle was on his back. But such is the case for Breeders' Cup hopeful Nakatomi (Firing Line). Jose Hernandez was the first person to ride the Grade I winner when he was just a yearling at Wesley Ward's farm, and five years later, he's still the one galloping him each morning at Keeneland. From the first time he sat on Nakatomi, Hernandez had a gut feeling about the oftentimes-fiery chestnut. “I remember when I got on him, I told one of the other guys that I really liked this horse because he felt so strong,” he recalled. “I got on him every day after that. Three months later he moved to the training track here at Keeneland and then he won his first start.” That winning debut came in April of 2021. In the years since, Nakatomi has grown into the star veteran of Ward's barn. As consistent as he is fast, the seasoned sprinter is Ward's all-time leading earner and has raced on three different continents. After a trip to Royal Ascot as a 2-year-old, Nakatomi won the 2021 Bowman Mill Stakes. Later as a 4-year-old, he placed in four graded stakes including the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Last year at five, he traveled to Dubai to run third in the G1 Golden Shaheen before earning his first graded victory in the GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap for owners Qatar Racing and Mrs. Fitriani Hay. With each passing season, Nakatomi seems to get sharper and tougher. After finishing second in his return trip to Dubai for the 2025 Golden Shaheen, the gelding turned in one of his best performances yet with his win in the GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes on Oct. 3. The six-furlong contest was a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. As Nakatomi gears up for his third consecutive trip to the Breeders' Cup, his rider believes that at 6 years old, he may have his best shot yet. “He's getting better and better,” said Hernandez. “He's really quiet when we go to the track, but then when he steps onto the track he's jumping around and ready to go.” With nearly three decades of experience, Hernandez knows when a horse is ready to run. Hernandez and Golden. Pal ahead of the 2022 Breeders' Cup | Coady Originally from Mexico, Hernandez moved to Texas 25 years ago and got a job breaking Thoroughbreds. Though he had worked with ranch horses back home, riding racehorses was completely different. At first, Hernandez worried he had made a mistake taking the job. “I've always liked horses,” he said. “But when the guy put me on the horse for the first time, the saddle was completely different! I fell off maybe three or four times that day. It was kind of scary.” Hernandez stuck with it, and it didn't take long before he was thriving in the role. After 10 years he moved to Florida. There he met Wesley Ward, who encouraged him to come ride for him in Kentucky. Hernandez has now worked for Ward for 13 years. His job is unlike most regular exercise riders, who ride only during morning training. Ward has a year-round base at Keeneland as well as a farm where he breaks yearlings. Hernandez has an important role at both locations. During the fall months when Ward's team is busy breaking babies, Hernandez starts his morning at Keeneland at 6:30. He rides seven or eight horses there, then moves over to the farm to work with the yearlings around 11:00. Hernandez with Wesley Ward and fellow Ward team veteran Osman Quevedo | Katie Petrunyak Hernandez said that working with the young horses is his favorite part of his job. “I've been breaking babies for a long time,” he said. “When you get on them for the first time, you never know what the horse is going to do. Not all the babies are the same. It takes a lot of patience.” He explained that the goal is to keep the youngsters calm and engaged, making every day a positive experience for them. Initially, the yearlings are saddled two to a stall to help them stay relaxed. They progress to being ridden up and down the barn aisle, and by the time they're ready to leave the farm about three months after arriving, they can gallop in a group in the pasture After the breaking process is done each day, Hernandez spends the afternoons filling whatever role is needed on the farm. He helps maintain the grounds, mowing pastures and seeding grass, and works closely with the mares and foals, ensuring the younger horses get the attention and handling they need. “I'm with the horses all day,” he said. “I see them when they're babies and see how they grow. I think you learn more that way.” Nakatomi and Hernandez preparing for the 2025 Breeders' Cup | Sara Gordon During his time with Ward, some of the most memorable horses he has worked with include Like the King (Palace Malice), who won the 2021 GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks and went to the GI Kentucky Derby that year, and champion Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), winner of the 2020 GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. “Golden Pal had a lot of talent,” Hernandez recalled. “I really liked galloping him. He was easy.” Hernandez is hoping that in a few weeks, he can add a second Breeders' Cup winner to his resume. Following his Grade II score at Keeneland, Nakatomi breezed a sharp five furlongs in :59.20 on Monday, Oct. 20 in one of his final works before he ships to Del Mar. “Julio Garcia is the one who breezes the horse and I always ask Julio after he breezes how he did and he always tells me he was good,” said Hernandez with a proud smile. “I'm so happy and so glad Nakatomi got to win the race at Keeneland and now he is going to the Breeders' Cup. I feel good for him and I hope we can bring the victory to the barn.” Nakatomi's career reflects both his talent and the experience of the rider who has been with him from the very beginning. Their rare bond, built through years of steady training and shared triumphs, has brought Nakatomi to the sport's top level and a chance to secure a long-awaited Breeders' Cup victory. The post Nakatomi’s Rider Has Been With Him Since Day One appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group sire The Grey Gatsby will stand for an unchanged fee of €12,000 at Haras du Petit Tellier, Jour de Galop reported on Tuesday. The grey, who covered over 90 mares this term, now has 17 stakes horses–nine of them stakes winners–on the Flat. In the jumps sphere, he is credited with nine black-type progeny including stakes winner Isis d'Inor, who was graded placed. “The Grey Gatsby remains at the same stud price as in 2025 for the 2026 breeding season,” said Patrick Chedeville. “He will continue to stand at Haras du Petit Tellier. The stud is for sale, but it hasn't been sold yet, so we are continuing to stand at the stud. In the event of a sale, the different timeframes mean we could go through the breeding season.” The post The Grey Gatsby To Remain At €12K At Haras Du Petit Tellier appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article