Wandering Eyes

A substantial drop in the median, average and overall turnover along with a 72% clearance rate spoke to the struggles facing Irish breeders at Part 2 of the September Yearling Sale at Tattersalls Ireland on Thursday. Trade was highlighted by the Rockview Stables-consigned New Bay (GB) colt [lot 812], who sold to prominent breeze-up handler Thomond O'Mara for €36,000 on a day where all of the key figures were down on last year. Despite 27 more horses going through the ring compared to 12 months ago, turnover dropped by 20% to €1,236,400. The median fell by 33% to €4,000 and the average by 19% to €6,647. Tattersalls Ireland boss Simon Kerins acknowledged the selectivity to the bloodstock market but said he took encouragement from the diverse group of international buyers that stuck around following what was widely accepted as a successful Part 1 session to the September Yearling Sale on Tuesday and Wednesday. He said, “After a hugely successful September Yearling Sale it was always going to be a challenge to match the momentum of the previous two days, but it was encouraging to see a diverse international buying bench, with many clients visiting for the first time and expressing their intent to return next year.” He added, “The market at this level, however, does remain selective, as reflected in today's clearance rate of 72%. History does show us that stakes performers can be sourced at this level of the market too with Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Helvic Dream and Group 1 Matron Stakes winner Champers Elysees both being September Yearling Sale Part 2 graduates. I am confident that today's September Yearling Sale Part 2 will yield winners at all levels in the future.” Despite the dip in the market, there was still room for some nice pinhooking profits. Few are better at turning water into wine than Gerry Burke of Gildawn Stud, who benefited from a nice pedigree update with his Circus Maximus (Ire) filly (lot 772) who was sourced for just €3,000 but sold on Thursday to Mark Johnston for €26,000. Since Burke bought the filly as a foal, her brother Green Storm (Ire) ran out an impressive winner of a Yarmouth maiden for Charlie Johnston, who is reportedly eyeing a tilt at Group races next. Burke commented, “Timing is everything and the recent update was very helpful. She has been a good sort all the way through and we are delighted. We wish the new buyer all the best with her.” The Circus Maximus filly, who was fourth most expensive horse through the ring on Thursday, hails from Banimpire (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), a dual Group 2 winner for Jim Bolger. The post New Bay On Top As Trade Weakens At Part 2 Of September Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rapid Test, fresh off an impressive allowance score at Woodbine, chases his first graded stakes success in the CA$135,000 Durham Cup (G3), a 1 1/16-mile main track event for 3-year-olds and up.View the full article

1st-Belmont The Big A, $90,000, Msw, 9-26, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:16.15, ft, 6 1/4 lengths. STUNNER (f, 2, Girvin–Spun Beauty, by Hard Spun) was made the 4-5 favorite for her Aug. 23 debut at Saratoga, but could do no better than a distant second behind a 'TDN Rising Star' performance from Senza Parole (Gun Runner) while finishing two lengths clear of third-placed Hay Evabody (Mitole). Sent away at 30 cents on the dollar to go one better this time around, the $190,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling purchase won the break beneath Flavien Prat and led through opening fractions of :21.98 and :44.86 as Hay Evabody did her best to keep pace. Given her cue to sprint in upper stretch, Stunner quickly opened up daylight and drew clear to graduate as much the best. Hay Evabody, off at 7-2, completed the chalky exacta. Produced by an unplaced daughter of the stakes-winning Divine Beauty (Divine Park), Stunner has yearling and weanling half-brothers by Win Win Win and Spun Beauty went back to that Ocala Stud-based stallion for her most recent covering. Sales history: $190,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $69,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-LNJ Foxwoods & Church Street Stable; B-Brereton C Jones (FL); T-Brad H Cox. STUNNER gives a stunning performance and breaks her maiden impressively in today's opener with Flavien Prat aboard for trainer @bradcoxracing. pic.twitter.com/zD6mbSw65z — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) September 26, 2024 The post Girvin Second-Timer Stunner Romps at the Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Danny Gargan said the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) hero Dornoch is on track for a run in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 2.View the full article

Being 9-1 on the toteboard was not the only surprising element of Far Bridge's victory in the Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T). View the full article

Dual Grade I-winner Dornoch (Good Magic) has been on downtime at Saratoga in the weeks after finishing fourth in the GI DraftKings Travers Aug. 24. Trained by Danny Gargan, the colt is gearing up for what is expected to be his final career start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar Nov. 2 before retiring to stud at Spendthrift Farm. “He's doing good, and we gave him some time off and are just starting back,” Gargan said. “He'll work three times before the Classic. He's not a horse you have to train a ton and we're just giving him some time to get over it. It's a tough campaign to go through the Derby, Belmont, Haskell, Travers… he'll stay here [at Saratoga] to train.” The full-brother to GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage began this season with a win in the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park in March. The 3-year-old captured the GI Belmont Stakes at the Spa in early June and then won the NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes at Monmouth July 20. Gargan reflected on the campaign that Dornoch has put together by saying it will be bittersweet to prepare him for a final start in what is surely the most significant test of both their careers. “He's a sweet, beautiful horse, and it's going to be sad because he's retiring, but if everything goes well, he'll be a good sire,” Gargan said. “He's bred to be one.” The post Dornoch To Put In Three Works In Preparation For Breeders’ Cup Says Gargan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this Saturday running at Chukyo and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, September 28, 2024 4th-CKO, ¥13,720,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m GOLDEN KITE (c, 2, Tapit–L' Age d'Or, by Medaglia d'Oro), a $200,000 Keeneland September yearling last fall, breezed an eighth of a mile in :10 flat at this year's OBS March Sale and was hammered down to top trainer Mitsu Nakauchida for $600,000. An Apr. 21 foal, the chestnut is out of a daughter of GISW Mona de Momma (Speightstown), whose two winners from two to race includes MGISW and top young sire Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}). L' Age d'Or was sold to Blandford Bloodstock for $600,000 with this colt in utero at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale and her yearling colt by Uncle Mo was purchased by SF/Starlight/Madaket for $385,000 at the recently concluded September Sale. Top jockey Yuga Kawads takes the call. B-Newstead Corp (KY) SPANNEND WILL (c, 2, War of Will–Spank, by Blame) is the latest to make the races out of a winning half-sister to three-time graded scorer Just Jenda (Menifee), herself the dam of the stakes-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Jenda's Agenda (Proud Citizen) and juvenile stakes winner Miss Alacrity (Munnings). Spannend Will cost owner Yoshihiro Tsukada $175,000 at KEESEP last fall. B-Wedgewood Farm (KY) EGYPTIAN BLUE (c, 2, American Pharoah–Interrupted, by Broken Vow), a $130,000 KEESEP acquisition by Katsumi Yoshida, is out of a multiple stakes-winning and Grade III-placed half-sister to GISW Higher Power (Medaglia d'Oro) and GSW 'TDN Rising Star' Alternation (Distorted Humor). This is also the family of Canadian Horse of the Year Peaks and Valleys (Mt. Livermore). Egyptian Blue is inbred 4×3 to Unbridled. B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY) 5th-CKO, ¥13,720,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT ONE HEART (JPN) (f, 2, Karakontie {Jpn}–Divine Presence, by A.P. Indy) is a half-sister to 2022 GIII Dueling Grounds Derby winner Kitodan (Point of Entry) and GSP Market King (Into Mischief) and was purchased in utero for $50,000 at Keeneland November in 2021. Divine Presence is a daughter of Flaxman Holdings' outstanding Divine Proportions (Kingmambo), a dual Group 1 winner at two and victorious in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix d'Astarte in 2005. Two-time GI Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Miesque (Nureyev) appears 4×4 in the pedigree of One Heart, who sold for just over $87,000 as a foal at the 2022 JRHA Select Sale. B-Legend Farm 5th-NKY, ¥13,720,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, f, 1600mT SATONO EVER (JPN) (f, 2, Justify–Chic Nistel {Arg}, by Van Nistelrooy) is the first foal from her dam, four times a winner at group level in Argentina and served by Justify prior to being exported in 2021. Chic Nistel is one of seven winners from seven to race out of a Group 3-winning mare, while third dam Cap Parade (Arg) (Parade Marshal) was a Group 3 winner and twice placed in Group 1 company. B-Tanikawa Stud The post Well-Related Tapit Colt Down To Debut at Chukyo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The $5-million 1/ST GRAND 3 Pick 'Em Challenge reopened Thursday for fans to make their selections in the GI California Crown. The 1/ST GRAND 3 Pick 'Em Challenge will close at 7:40 p.m. ET on Sept. 28, prior to the post time for The California Crown. Five entries who correctly submitted the top four finishers from GI Preakness 149, remain eligible for the $5 million-dollar grand prize. The $5 million grand prize will only be awarded if one of the five remaining entries pick the top four finishers in order of The California Crown and 2025 GI Pegasus World Cup. If the $5 million grand prize is not awarded, a $100,000 guaranteed consolation prize will be awarded to the entry with the most points over the series. Fans who did not enter to play in the Preakness leg of the contest may still earn enough points to win the $100,000 consolation prize pending the results of the California Crown and 2025 Pegasus World Cup. The California Crown will be broadcast live on CNBC and Peacock from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET on race day, Saturday, Sept. 28. For contest and entry rules, please visit www.1st.com/contest. The post 1/ST GRAND 3 Pick ‘Em Challenge Reopens with California Crown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 1,610 entries for its Kentucky October Yearlings Sale, to be held over four continuous sessions starting at 10 a.m. ET. each day from Oct. 21-24 in Lexington, Kentucky, the auction company said in a Thursday release. “We have an outstanding catalogue to offer buyers at this 'grand finale' to yearling sales season,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “Every major sire is represented by multiple offerings, and there are quality yearlings at all levels of the market.” Leading general sires represented include Not This Time (21 yearlings catalogued), Good Magic (21), Twirling Candy (20), Munnings (20), and Justify (19), just to name a few. “Results for Kentucky October graduates on the track have been off the charts over the past year,” said Browning. “These include Thorpedo Anna, winner of this year's Kentucky Oaks [GI] and now a four-time Grade I winner; two Breeders' Cup champions in Nobals and Goodnight Olive, the latter of which won her second consecutive Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint [GI] and Eclipse Award; and Nakatomi, winner of the prestigious Vanderbilt Handicap [GI] at Saratoga. “The strength of our sales graduates makes October one of the most important auctions in the nation,” Browning said. “If you are a major player in our game, you cannot afford to miss it.” The catalogue may now be viewed online, and will also be available via the Equineline sales catalogue app. Print catalogues will be available on-site in Lexington. Online bidding and phone bidding services will be available. The post Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Catalogue Now Online With Over 1600 On Offer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Millionaire Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner–Re Entry, by Malibu Moon) has been cataloged to Book 1 of its November Breeding Stock Sale, which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5. Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, will consign the 5-year-old as a racing or broodmare prospect. “Keeneland is pleased to have such a standout as Shotgun Hottie in our November Breeding Stock Sale,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “She is the first millionaire by Gun Runner to be offered at public auction, and she's sure to have widespread appeal.” Campaigned by Jeff Ganje and Omar Aldabbagh, Shotgun Hottie won or placed in 12 stakes for earnings of $1.1 million at 10 race tracks across the U.S. “Shotgun Hottie has taken us on the ride of a lifetime,” Ganje said. “She's all class and shows up every time she's asked and against top competition. We look forward to following her success in her next chapter.” This past May, Shotgun Hottie won the GIII Allaire DuPont Distaff S. at Pimlico by 5 3/4 lengths to earn a 99 Beyer–second highest figure of the weekend only behind GI Preakness winner Seize the Grey. She also captured the GIII Molly Pitcher Stakes, Lady's Secret Stakes, both in 2023 at Monmouth Park, along with the 2022 Ruthless Stakes at Aqueduct. In the Molly Pitcher, she earned a 98 Beyer while defeating Breeders' Cup-placed Le Da Vida (Chi) and Grade I winner Search Results. Shotgun Hottie has finished second or third in eight stakes, including recent second-place finishes in Saratoga's GII Shuvee Stakes and Churchill's GII Fleur de Lis Stakes. “Great breeders have always sought pedigree, soundness, graded stakes talent and class,” said Taylor Made President & CEO Mark Taylor. “Shotgun Hottie delivers on all counts. We can't wait to present her at Keeneland.” Out of Re Entry, Shotgun Hottie is from the family of Grade I winners Pure Clan and Sky Diva; Grade II scorer Greater Good; and stakes winners Quick Little Miss and Maker's Candy. The catalog for the November Breeding Stock Sale will be available online on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The auction will run nine sessions from Nov. 5 through Wednesday, Nov. 13, with the stand-alone November Horses of Racing Age Sale the following day. The post GSW Shotgun Hottie to Be Sold at Keeneland November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Whatever Next? It's as big a question for the throwback gelding of that name as for his sire, both standing at an exciting crossroads in their respective careers. Next's domination of a niche division of the American Turf is now such that he may now try to adapt to a more competitive, mainstream discipline at the Breeders' Cup. But whether this switch concerns distance or surface, in the Classic or Turf respectively, nobody should be surprised if the gray proves equal to the challenge. For his sire Not This Time has quickly established himself as a conduit not only for the class of Giant's Causeway, but also for his versatility. Since the rise of Up to the Mark and Cogburn, I've heard some people pigeonholing Not This Time as primarily a turf influence, but that just shows how culpably prescriptive we tend to be. This, remember, is the horse that gave us a sophomore dirt champion, Epicenter, whose second to fourth dams were by 2,000 Guineas winner King Of Kings and two European sloggers of the old school in Ela-Mana-Mou (Ire) and Busted (GB). And, even on turf, just look at the standouts just cited: a record-breaking sprinter, and a horse thwarted only by the Epsom Derby winner over 12 furlongs at Santa Anita last fall. In other words, the only limits to Not This Time are those on our own imagination. Giant's Causeway was one of many Storm Cats that adapted their trademark dirt of toughness and speed to the European theater. Quitting the grass only for his final start, he famously ran the dirt monster Tiznow to a neck. At the other end of his career, on debut, he had won a sprint maiden on fast going by seven lengths. Basically he handled anything you threw at him. Not This Time's own career was cut vexingly short, leaving us wondering wistfully how he might have dovetailed the speed of his Tartan Farm family (inbred to Ta Wee) with the Classic flavors brought to Storm Cat by the dam of Giant's Causeway. (Mariah's Storm was by a son of Blushing Groom (Fr) out of a Roberto mare.) But it feels safe to assume that he would have kept progressing with maturity, just like his half-brother Liam's Map–whose daughter Roses For Debra, incidentally, has just won a first Grade II at the age of five. Not This Time | Sarah Andrew Sure enough, whatever credit must go to Chief Stipe Cowans since making that celebrated $62,500 claim in April 2022, Next's latest lap of honor–his second GIII Greenwood Cup, by an aggregate 35 lengths–showed a 6-year-old Thoroughbred in his absolute pomp. Next, indeed, is a member of Not This Time's very first crop. The Taylor Made stallion's rise since has been so stratospheric that we have to remind ourselves that his present yearlings were still conceived only at $45,000. Given that they already include a $3.4 million Saratoga sale-topper, the mind boggles at what Not This Time may yet achieve: he's still only 10, after all, and in principle will benefit from a steep elevation in mare quality after his fee was hiked to $135,000 last year and $150,000 this time round. It doesn't always work out that way, of course. The fact is that Not This Time's five leading earners this year include three members of his debut crop–besides Next himself, GII Shakertown Stakes winner Arzak and dual stakes winner Dana's Beauty–as well as Cogburn from his second. You could argue that they are simply keeping his name in lights, pending the advent of the stock delivered by his upgraded mares. On the other hand, some people believe that the unusual prepotency of certain stallions is such that they supply all the key genetic machinery, more or less passively hosted by mares whose own caliber duly becomes pretty incidental. Even if that were true, of course, Not This Time would still continue to produce elite runners. It would simply mean that breeders have to pay more for access similar outcomes. As it is, his current juveniles already include a G2 Norfolk Stakes winner at Royal Ascot, with less precocious peers lurking in top barns coast to coast. But if we meanwhile revert to the conventional position, and also allow the mare her contribution, we can at least ask whether the dam of Next can offer his connections any help in their decision. Next sadly appears to be the last foal of Bahia Beach, whose sire Awesome Again is one of several sons of Deputy Minister to emulate his distaff influence. She was bought from breeders Adena Springs by Silverton Hill as a $115,000 2-year-old, and won four times besides placing in three stakes, operating chiefly in dirt sprints. Bahia Beach is out of an Alphabet Soup half-sister to Spring Waltz (Silver Charm), winner of the GII Rampart Handicap, as well as Winning Rhythm, a daughter of Giant's Causeway whose podium in the GII Santa Ana Stakes perhaps helped to identify Not This Time as a suitable mate. Cogburn | Sarah Andrew The next dam Relaxing Rhythm (Easy Goer) won her first eight starts, climaxing in the GII Molly Pitcher Handicap, only to derail on her ninth. She was out of Regal Gal (Viceregal), one of four graded stakes scorers produced by Impetuous Lady (Hasty Road). The best of those siblings was probably Impetuous Gal (Briartic), a Grade II winner and dam of three-time Grade I scorer Banker's Gold (Nijinsky) alongside several good producers. Their dam drew on plenty of grass influences, notably through an Argentinian mother, and Regal Gal duly got her graded score (GIII Columbiana Handicap) on “the weeds.” Regal Gal proved very fertile herself, besides Relaxing Rhythm producing two other graded stakes winners in Holy Mountain (Devil's Bag) and Malagra (Majestic Light). Albeit the former was another turf performer, the latter represents a very different brand having won the Count Fleet Handicap in 1:08.8. Given that Next was conceived at $15,000, you unsurprisingly have to delve fairly deep for quality in his family. There's a good dose of chlorophyll there, if you do, but it's pretty remote by this stage. While a granddam by a son of the splendidly flexible Cozzene might assist, more recent evidence is ambivalent. Bahia Beach's two other foals include a modest winner on all three surfaces, albeit by the strong turf influence English Channel. But her half-sister by Macho Uno had also produced a talented foal by Not This Time, Cara's Time, winner of a 7f juvenile stakes on dirt at Aqueduct this time last year, and an allowance winner of another dirt sprint there this summer. Back in the mists of time, of course, Next broke his maiden on turf, on which surface he also won a mile stakes. Really we have to leave the Next move to Not This Time. Personally, I feel that the American Thoroughbred retains capacities we never allow it to explore. Next will introduce a joyous ingredient of adventure to the Breeders' Cup, if hardly an outrageous one if you go back a couple of generations. Just take this snapshot of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, when still run over two miles. Eleven days after Kelso won it for a fifth time, in 1964, he broke the world record for 12 furlongs on turf in the Washington International. A couple of years later, Buckpasser won the Malibu over seven on his next start! And the year after that, Damascus tried to emulate them both, beaten a nose by Fort Marcy at Laurel before winning the Malibu. Remembering those horses, the modern aversion to risk and experiment feels beyond embarrassing. In contrast, Next will be making a fairly marginal switch of lane. But he will certainly carry our ardent support. Seizing the Moment Having previously explored the expertly curated family that produced Seize the Grey, we will instead use his return to form in the GI Pennsylvania Derby as one of the last remaining opportunities to salute his sire. For Arrogate's final crop also includes Dragoon Guard, who missed second at Parx only by a head. Seize the Grey | Sarah Andrew Apart from anything else, the late Juddmonte stallion's example should fortify anyone discouraged by the slow starts made by one or two freshmen this year. Arrogate's first winner did not come until Sept. 6, right at the end of the 2021 Saratoga meet, aptly through a filly named Adversity. Within the hour, he had a second winner at Monmouth, and his run of posthumous success has since been relentless. Arrogate's abrupt and devastating loss the previous year, aged just seven, left us just three crops–each of which contained a Classic winner, including two colts. Arcangelo is already at stud, and Seize the Grey himself has a berth reserved at Gainesway. His Parx success will evidently activate a lucrative clause in that deal and, as Saturday was arguably his best number yet, all parties are entitled to renewed hope that a still bigger bonus could be triggered at the Breeders' Cup. After all, Seize the Grey's promising young trainer is said to be adept at pushing his horses through the kind of flat spots he endured this summer into fresh cycles of improvement… Interesting to see that Charge It will also be joining the Gainesway roster, joining his venerable sire. Antony Beck and his team are clearly determined to meet the challenge awaiting when Tapit is no longer presiding over their stallion barn. On his day Charge It looked a special talent, notably when giving a 23-length impersonation of Next in the GIII Dwyer Stakes, and he's a grandson of Take Charge Lady (Dehere). Among the young guns at Gainesway, the early signs for McKinzie look promising. Entering the fall sales circuit, he heads the second-crop charts at an average $165,708 and median $130,000, followed by Vekoma ($159,312/$120,000–from an amazing 47 sold of 50 into the ring) and Complexity ($117,426/$60,000). It is proving tougher going for Authentic ($117,340/$77,500), at least relative to his higher fee–but just remember that he's made a much better start than Arrogate! Also rooting for Seize the Grey, meanwhile, will be the team that gave $500,000 for an Oscar Performance filly out of his granddam Shop Again (Wild Again)–her final foal–from the Mill Ridge consignment at Saratoga last month. Whatever she can add to her aristocratic page on the racetrack, she will surely pay her way in the excellent program she has joined through purchaser Cindy Heider. Lady Shelia's Triumphs What an exciting Sunday for Sheila Rosenblum, whose Lady Sheila Stable has a stake in both the Saratoga debut winners that blew away stakes competition at Aqueduct on Sunday: the colt Sacrosanct (Honest Mischief) by 12 lengths, and the filly With the Angels (Omaha Beach) by just about 10. With the Angels | Sarah Andrew With the Angels, who had won her maiden by a similarly extravagant margin and earned a 'TDN Rising Star' badge, represents a fifth generation cultivated by the late Alfred DiRico, stalwart of the Maryland Turf, and his family. Her dam Sister Margaret (Pulpit), who won of three of her first four starts, was out of the admirable Dance Gal Dance. A daughter of DiRico's own stallion, Disco Rico, Dance Gal Dance won five of her eight starts (including four stakes) and was second in the other three. Her siblings include the dam of the indefatigable Dr. Blarney (Dublin), who has banked over $750,000 in a 27-for-45 career and appears to be back breezing at Finger Lakes at the age of 11! The emergence of With the Angels contributes to recent consolidation by Omaha Beach, who bestrides the second-crop table with eight black-type scorers this year. Sacrosanct, meanwhile, is from the first crop of Honest Mischief. It has been quite a week for the Sequel New York stallion, who had previously been dining out only on this colt's debut success. He had a maiden winner at Aqueduct on Friday, a first black-type score through Sacrosanct on Sunday, and then the first two in a state-bred stakes at Finger Lakes on Monday. While obviously a commercial proposition, as a stakes-winning sprinter by Into Mischief, Honest Mischief is also a grandson of the great Toussaud. You wouldn't mind keeping one of his daughters. Ned Toffey, Manager of the Year Finally may I add to the many congratulations Ned Toffey will be receiving from the Bluegrass community as Ted Bates Farm Manager of the Year. Ned Toffey | Spendthrift Farm This KTFMC award is surely as meaningful a distinction as can be earned in our business. And even Toffey, a man of stubborn modesty and self-effacement, must allow himself some pride in the esteem it demonstrates among his peers. We all know that the man who hired Toffey to run Spendthrift, the late B. Wayne Hughes, challenged rival farms in a way some of them found deeply uncomfortable. But however determined to rock the boat himself, Hughes could not have made an appointment better calculated to maintain diplomacy and respect in the farm's day-to-day interactions with the rest of the industry. Achieving that balance confirms Ned to have the judgement and intelligence that would have made him just as successful in many other walks of life. As it is, however much we individually admire or resent the business model developed by Hughes, we can all be grateful that Ned ended up in our midst. He gives generously of his time and expertise to numerous bodies serving the collective interest of our industry, while also a devoted family man. We duly thank Katie (and their four children) for “sharing” him with our community during their 32 years together so far. I'm not quite sure what it would do to the industry if every single farm tried to turn itself into a Spendthrift! But a Ned Toffey in every office would be all to the good. The post Breeding Digest: Time For His Next Trick appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jimmy George is to leave Tattersalls at the end of 2024 to take on the role of managing director of the Newmarket-based International Racing Bureau.View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Miriam's Fire in New York. Showcasing Filly On Fire In Debut Pura Vida Investments' Miriam's Fire (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) clawed out a neck victory in her racetrack bow at Belmont at the Big A (video). Trained by Mike Maker, she was bred by Charlotte Greenway. A frequent visitor to the sales ring, the bay was a 30,000gns foal buy at Tattersalls in November of 2022 for Ed Player's Whatton Manor Stud, before selling for 55,000gns to Deuce Greathouse on behalf of Pura Vida as a Book 3 Tattersalls October yearling last autumn. Dam Light My Fire (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}) was third in the G3 Firth of Clyde Stakes, and has a yearling filly by Starman (GB)–a 32,000gns Somerville Sale purchase for SackvilleDonald/Tom Dascombe–and a weanling filly by Sergei Prokofiev yet to race. G3 Prix Berteux hero Samsaam (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) is kin to the winner. Whitsbury Manor Stud's Showcasing is responsible for 15 winners from 29 runners in the U.S. (52%). Of his six stakes winners in that jurisdiction (21%), three of them have won at the Grade II level anchored by Prize Exhibit (GB). Klaravich's Dubawi Gelding Graduates At Aqueduct Klaravich Stables' Passive Management (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) got the job done for Chad Brown during the Belmont at the Big A meeting last week (video). Part of the Rabbah Bloodstock breeding programme, the son of Asanta Sana (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was making his third start after a pair of placed runs upstate at Saratoga. Mike Ryan selected the bay for 500,000gns out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2022 for Seth Klarman's operation. The first winner for his dam, Passive Management is followed by 2-year-old filly Chadleeny (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who has made one start to date, and a yearling half-sister by Wootton Bassett (GB) who has been entered in Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale. Granddam Milanova (Aus) (Danehill) is a G3 Tokyo City Cup-winning and G1 Fruit 'n' Veg Stakes/G1 Schweppes Oaks-placed full-sister to Coolmore Stud sire Holy Roman Emperor (Ire), who struck at the highest level in Ireland and France. Darley's Dubawi now has 45 winners from 86 runners (52%). Of his 23 stakes winners (27%), 10 of them are Grade I winners in the States. Sottsass Filly Debut Winner At The Meadowlands Making her first start, Toodelirious (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}) won a one-mile turf affair at the Meadowlands in the colours of Madaket Stables, Bridlewood Farm, Michael Dubb and e5 Racing on Saturday. Trained by Chad Brown, she was bred by Oceanic BL SARL and PMG Bloodstock, before selling for €130,000 as an Arqana August yearling to Mandore International Agency on behalf of Madaket Group. The daughter of two-time winner Volute (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) is the second winner from three to race for her dam, who has a yearling full-sister to the winner, a €100,000 purchase by John Hammond and Yellow Agency from the 2024 edition of the sale. This is the extended family of group winners Calvados Blues (Fr) (Lando {Ger}) and Volta (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), both placed at the highest level. Coolmore's Arc hero Sottsass sired his first North American winner with Toodelirious. Worldwide, he has five winners split between France (1), Great Britain (2), American (1) and Hungary (1). Repeat Winners Ever So Sweet (Ire) (Calyx {GB}), who races for Gregory Hoffman, R.T Racing Stable and Clay Scherer, won again, this time during Belmont at the Big A's Saturday card for trainer Brad Cox (video). The 3-year-old filly first featured in this column last September. The post Making Waves: Maidens Out In Force appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kind Of Blue (GB), recently beaten a head when second in the G1 Sprint Cup at Haydock, has become the latest in-training signing for Wathnan Racing. The three-year-old son of Blue Point (Ire), who has until now raced for his breeders Michelle Morris and Jan and Peter Hopper, will remain in the stable of James Fanshawe. Kind Of Blue was unraced at two but has made rapid progression since making a winning debut in April. Fourth in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot after two straight wins, he has also been placed in the G3 Hackwood Stakes and G3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes. Wathnan Racing's advisor Richard Brown said, “Kind Of Blue is an impressive horse with a big future. He has been extremely well-handled by James, who knows this family so well. Kind Of Blue's dam is a sister to two former stable stars, The Tin Man and Deacon Blues, both winners of the British Champions Sprint. That could well be the target for this fellow, too.” Wathnan Racing, the operation owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will be represented in both Group 1 races at Newmarket on Saturday, with the unbeaten Defence Minister (GB), trained by Hamad Al Jehani, set to line up in the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes and the G2 Queen Mary Stakes winner Leovanni (Ire) heading to the Cheveley Park Stakes for Karl Burke. Throughout the last two seasons the Wathnan team has won nine group races in Europe, headed by the G1 Gold Cup victory of Courage Mon Ami (GB) at last year's Royal Ascot. Major purchases this year have included Steve Parkin's homebred G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel (GB) and G3 Jersey Stakes winner Haatem (Ire). Asked whether there are plans for the operation to stand some of their best colts at stud in future, Brown told TDN, “At the moment, it's all about racing. Until we are forced to make a decision on something else then [Wathnan representative] Olly Tait has made it very clear that this is a racing stable and that's our focus, to keep trying to produce good results that the Emir and his family can enjoy and be proud of. That's the remit. “If we are in the position where a colt has to retire to stud we'll deal with that as it happens but we're not at that point yet.” The post Kind Of Blue Joins Wathnan Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Registration is open for the International Jockey Concussion, Safety and Wellness Conference, which is set for October 9-11 at Fasig-Tipton's Lexington location, HISA said in a tweet on Thursday. The event is presented by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the Jockeys' Guild of America. According to the HISA website, the agenda will focus on mental wellness, concussion and medical issues affecting athletes with a particular focus on Thoroughbred jockeys. The event includes international speakers and features presentations from Dr. Margot Putukian, Chief Medical Officer at Major League Soccer; and Dr. Steve Broglio, Director of the University of Michigan Concussion Center and the Neurotrauma Research Laboratory, just to name two. Former American jockeys such as Pat Day and Ramón Dominguez will take part in a session on mental health moderated by Donna Brothers of NBC Sports. The HISA website goes on to describe the conference as a way for everyone from medical professionals to racetrack safety directors to jockeys and their families, and a host of other interested parties to engage in the latest research and perspectives on the subject of rider safety and health. These sessions come on the heels of last week's HISA/Jockeys' Guild 'DC Fly-In' where members from both organizations visited members of Congress to discuss the physical and mental well-being of jockeys. Click here to learn more about the Lexington conference, including its agenda and registration. Last week, HISA and @JockeysGuild co-hosted the first “Jockey Health and Wellness DC fly-in” for conversations on the physical and mental well-being of jockeys. We would like to extend our gratitude to@RepAndyBarr and all of the Members of Congress who participated. pic.twitter.com/uDu0eUaTg4 — Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (@hisa_us) September 25, 2024 The post HISA And Jockeys’ Guild Wellness Conference Set For Oct. 9-11 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hugo Palmer trainee The Waco Kid (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}–Catchingsnowflakes, by Galileo {Ire}) served a three-race stakes apprenticeship after graduating over six furlongs at Newbury in July and made a black-type breakthrough with a pillar-to-post triumph in Thursday's G3 Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket. The January-foaled bay bettered an Aug. 2 fifth in Goodwood's G2 Richmond Stakes with a fourth in the Aug. 21 G3 Acomb Stakes at York in his penultimate start and arrived here off the back of a third in this month's Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster. Quickest on the draw from the stalls to claim an immediate lead and a stands' side berth, the 13-2 chance was shaken up when threatened approaching the quarter-mile marker and found deep reserves up the hill to win, going away, by 2 1/4 lengths from the hitherto unbeaten Diego Ventura (Ire) (Mehmas {GB}) for a career high. The 5-4 favourite Monumental (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) held every chance in the closing stages, but lacked the necessary gears and finished 1 1/4 lengths adrift back in third. “I think he's very typical of the stallion, who seems to be taking the mantle of Kodiac,” said Palmer. “You would always think, if someone sent you a Kodiac, there was a ready-made winner for next year. I feel the same about Mehmas, they are just so tough and go on every ground. This has to be a career best and I think what is lovely about this horse is he has produced career best after career best on every start. He's not the biggest in the world and we've tried to make as much of his 2-year-old season as we can and I'm absolutely delighted. He deserves a step up in grade, but I suspect I've made the most terrible mess of it because he did have nice entries. I needed to confirm for the [G1] Dewhurst, and that sort of thing, and I probably took him out and out of the [G1 Prix Jean-Luc] Lagardere as well. There's the Group 1 in France, the [Oct. 27] Criterium International, and we might go there. He is in the horses in training sale at the end of the month and he is likely to be one of Tattersalls' star lots there. We will just have to look at dates, the Breeders' Cup could be an option as well, but we will just have to see. I'm sure we will run again and we have five weeks before Tattersalls get their hands on him.” Hamad Al Jehani was satisfied with the performance of Diego Ventura, who suffered a first reversal in three starts. “It was his first time in a stakes race and I was very happy with him,” the trainer said. “To run in that company of horse, and be second or third favourite on just his third time out, it shows he does his job very well. He handled the seven furlongs well and the ground suited him. I think he deserves to run again at this level, so we will see how he is after a couple of days and make a plan for him.” Pedigree Notes The Waco Kid, full-brother to a weanling filly from the family of G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup heroine Danish (Ire) (Danehill), is the first of two registered foals out of an unraced half-sister G1 2000 Guineas-winning sire Kameko (Kitten's Joy). His Grade III-winning second dam Sweeter Still (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) is kin to G1 Racing Post Trophy victor Kingsbarns (Ire), G3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial victrix Belle Artiste (Ire) (Namid {GB}) and the dual stakes-placed Elizabethofaragon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Tattersalls Stakes The Waco Kid Diego Ventura Monumental@oismurphy | @MHS_HorseRacing pic.twitter.com/zFrBYOOSGp — Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) September 26, 2024 Thursday, Newmarket, Britain TATTERSALLS STAKES (SOMERVILLE TATTERSALL STAKES)-G3, £60,000, Newmarket, 9-26, 2yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:29.97, sf. 1–THE WACO KID (IRE), 128, c, 2, by Mehmas (Ire) 1st Dam: Catchingsnowflakes, by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Sweeter Still (Ire), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire) 3rd Dam: Beltisaal (Fr), by Belmez 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (80,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-The Gene Genies II; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Hugo Palmer; J-Oisin Murphy. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 6-2-0-1, $84,689. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Diego Ventura (Ire), 128, c, 2, Mehmas (Ire)–Leoube (Ire), by Kodiac (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€88,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR; €72,000 2yo '24 TATBRU). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Sean Ronan & Caroline Hanly (IRE); T-Hamad Al Jehani. £12,900. 3–Monumental (Ire), 128, c, 2, Kingman (GB)–Riqa (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). O-Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £6,456. Margins: 2 1/4, 1 1/4, 2HF. Odds: 6.50, 4.50, 1.25. Also Ran: Symbol Of Honour (GB), Assertively (Ire), Balzarini (Ger). Scratched: Huscal (Ire). The post Hugo Palmer Trainee The Waco Kid Downs Rivals in Newmarket Feature appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The recently announced merging of the stables of leading French trainers Jean-Claude Rouget and Jerome Reynier will now not take place. Rouget, the five-time champion trainer in France, has been undergoing treatment for lymphoma and in August announced that he would take out a joint-licence with Reynier from January 2025. He said at the time, “I have known Jerome for some years and when I looked at the way he works, everything about it pleased me.” In the days following the announcement, the Aga Khan Studs relocated its horses from Rouget's stable to that of Francis-Henri Graffard. On Thursday Reynier said that the merger “just wasn't viable”. One of the rising forces of the French training ranks, Reynier, who is based at Calas, near Marseille, added, “It was very hard to organise, financially and structurally, with the staff and everything else.” Reynier was represented on the international stage back in March when Facteur Cheval (Fr) won the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan and more recently notched a top-flight success at home with Lazzat (Fr) in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest. He added, “We tried to put everything in place but it was too much of a nightmare to organise. “I'm going to expand and increase the number of horses in the south of France where I am currently very happy to train and gallop, and I will be creating a satellite yard near Paris within the next few months.” Rouget, 71, whose training business began in Pau 46 years ago, also has a sizeable satellite operation in Deauville and is numerically the most successful trainer in European racing history. In 1991, he set a French record with his 178 wins for the season. He has saddled two of the last four winners of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Sottsass (Fr) and Ace Impact (Ire), and has won the Prix du Jockey Club six times. The post Rouget and Reynier Abandon Plans for Joint-Licence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jimmy George will step down from his role as marketing director of Tattersalls at the end of 2024 to join the International Racing Bureau (IRB) as managing director. He will take over from Alastair Donald, who has held that position since 2001. George, who has been a director of Tattersalls for 23 years, said, “I joined Tattersalls in 1986 and have served on the Board since 2001 so this has not been a decision taken lightly, but I have a long association with the International Racing Bureau which, like Tattersalls, is a great company with a global reputation for excellence and the time is right to take on a new challenge. “I have enjoyed every moment of my time at Tattersalls and will leave with fond memories and in the knowledge that I will continue to have an association with a firm which has always adhered to the very highest standards and commands respect throughout the world.” Alastair Donald said, “After more than 40 years and 23 of them as managing director it is time to move on from the International Racing Bureau and I am delighted that Jimmy will be taking on the role. He has a detailed knowledge of the company and is joining a dedicated and talented group of individuals, all of whom I have thoroughly enjoyed working with and all of whom have played a major part in the lasting success of the International Racing Bureau.” Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony added, “Jimmy has served on the Tattersalls Board with enormous distinction for more than 20 years and I would not only like to thank him for his immense contribution and dedication to Tattersalls over many years, but also to wish him every success in his new role as managing director of the International Racing Bureau. Jimmy has a working lifetime of experience, particularly in a multitude of overseas markets, which we will continue to harness and we are delighted that he will be maintaining an association with Tattersalls.” The post Jimmy George to Succeed Alastair Donald at International Racing Bureau appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The programme for next year's Cheltenham Festival has undergone some key changes in order to improve competitiveness in a number of races. From 2025, the two-and-a-half-mile Turners Novices' Chase will be replaced by a Grade 2 limited novice handicap chase over the same trip, while the National Hunt Chase, which has been contested by amateur riders, will be open to professionals and become a novice handicap chase for horses rated 0-145. Jon Pullin, head of racing and clerk of the course at Cheltenham, said, “We have had to acknowledge that due to the restrictions that were previously applied to the race, there was a limited pool of riders available to ride in it, so this looks the right opportunity to open it up to professionals as well. “Amateur jockeys are a key part of the Festival and we are obviously keen to ensure they continue to have opportunities to ride over the four days. Both the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase and St James's Place Festival Hunters' Chase will continue to be restricted to amateurs. “It is hoped that by creating two novice handicap chases, we will have two competitive races with large fields and encourage the top novice chasers of the season to go down the Graded route in the My Pension Expert Arkle and the Brown Advisory.” Further changes include the Glenfarclas Cross County Chase being made a limited handicap rather than a conditions race. In the mares-only division, the G1 Mares' Hurdle and G2 Mares' Chase have been left unchanged, but conditions for the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle will be altered to remove the penalty structure, resulting in a level weights contest. An alteration has been made to the Pertemps Final, with all winners of series qualifiers now guaranteed a run proved they are within the weights at the declaration stage, and all entries in non-novice Festival handicaps must now run four times over fences and five times over hurdles. In addition to alterations to some races, infrastructure at the track is also being improved following problems caused to in the car parks after heavy rain last March. More hard-standing 'trackway' will be laid in the grass car parks and there will be a new park and ride system. Coach travel options from more than 20 pick-up locations will be offered, with other moves including tickets for the 2025 Festival being frozen at 2024 levels, discounts if purchasing tickets for more than one day at the meeting (excluding Gold Cup day) and if groups of six or more book together. Bar facilities will be upgraded in a bid to provide more choice, offer indoor seating and reduce queues while meal deals will be offered on track as Cheltenham seeks to offer more value for customers. Accommodation prices in the Cheltenham area have also prompted discussion, with the track partnering with Venatour Racing to offer discounted packages that include tickets, hotels and travel. Ian Renton, managing director of Cheltenham, said, “As part of the process of reviewing this year's Festival we analysed data and extensive feedback, including surveys, one-to-one meetings and focus group sessions to seek views ranging from those who come every year all the way through to people who have never visited the Festival to find out why. “Throughout the course of this review process there have been three distinct strands which have been impossible to ignore – value for money, the need to provide the best experience possible and the competitiveness of the race programme. “As with any event of this size, it is never possible to make changes which are welcomed by everyone. However, we have prioritised listening to our racegoers to put them and their experiences at the heart of the Festival, with the ultimate goal of delivering something that not only meets but exceeds expectations.” The post Changes Afoot for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Given a lifeline in June, the veteran handler has started the season in fine style as he takes aim at the Jockey Club’s increasingly malleable trainers’ criteria.View the full article

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and Pride Of Jenni are set to face off again in the Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley. Trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes have decided to tackle three opponents in the Group 2 race over 1600m at Moonee Valley on Friday night. J D Hayes said the decision to run was made as Friday night’s race fits in best with their intention of heading to the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 26. The Hayes brothers are after redemption in the Cox Plate having been beaten by Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior in last year’s edition. “We’re definitely going to take our place,” J D Hayes said of Friday night’s clash with Pride Of Jenni. “It just fits into what could possibly be his next run better. It keeps a lot more options open, staying at the mile for one more.” Options for Mr Brightside after Friday night include the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield or the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill, both on October 12, as the lead-up to the Cox Plate while the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) at Randwick a week later also remains as a possibility. Mr Brightside will renew hostilities with Pride Of Jenni on Friday night, having beaten the mare in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 14. Hayes said having just three opponents will make for a tactical contest, one he is sure jockey Craig Williams will be well up to the task for. “I think a small field suits us better because we won’t have to make too wide a run around them if something does want to give us a cart up to her,” Hayes said. “That would be highly appreciated, but I doubt Antino (NZ) (Redwood) will do that again. “We’ve got a very good tactical jockey on board, Craig Williams. I’m sure he’ll have a plan A, B, C, D and E ready to go. “Our job’s done. The horse is very well. He’s trained on nicely from the Makybe and we’re really happy to run at The Valley tomorrow.” Mr Brightside has an emphatic record at The Valley, winning three times from five starts and one second, with his one ‘miss’ being in the 2022 Cox Plate when finishing seventh. Pride Of Jenni has raced only once at The Valley, at the same meeting last year where she adopted her ‘catch me if you can’ tactics and was run down late by Amelia’s Jewel. “Jenni’s going to do her thing and bowl out in front, so it’s just going to be how we time our run,” Hayes said. “If Mr Brightside’s within four lengths, 400 metres from home, I’d back him in to reel in just about any horse in the country. “Admittedly, she is probably the hardest horse to reel in, and she’s very good around The Valley. “She nearly knocked off Amelia’s Jewel there, this time last year, and that’s when she really springboarded herself into stardom. “It’s going to be so interesting to watch.” View the full article

Tony McEvoy can’t explain it, but he’s certain his talented galloper Rue De Royale (NZ) (Per Incanto) has a different strut after breaking his maiden at his ninth start at Bendigo. Prior to the hollow win over 1300m, Rue De Royale was considered Australia’s best maiden galloper as in his previous eight starts, he had earned $650,000 and finished second three times in the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes, the $1 million Golden Gift and the $2m Inglis Millenium. In the Bendigo race, John Allen took Rue De Royale straight to the front and he toyed with his rivals before going on to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths eased up. “He’s taken a lot of confidence from that win. It’s hard to explain but if they win, they are up and about a bit more,” McEvoy said. “It was so nice to see him dominate what will prove to be a very good maiden,” McEvoy said. Rue De Royale will step up in class and distance again when he tackles the G2 Stutt Stakes at The Valley on Friday night. “He’s trained on well. We’ve stepped up his work,” he said. McEvoy pointed out that The Valley track won’t hold any fears for Rue De Royale. “He finished fourth in The Banner at his first start. Earlier in the year we took him to The Valley for a gallop with Veight and he galloped as well as him,” he said. McEvoy said he and his son Calvin will work out what to do with Rue De Royale after he starts on Friday night, with the Caulfield Guineas looming as a possibility, while a trip to New Zealand to contest the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 9 is also a possibility. Next year the McEvoys are also considering starting him in the inaugural running of The Kiwi, NZ’s newest slot race which will be held on March 8 with prizemoney of more than NZ$3 million, as it’s restricted to three-year-olds who were bred there. Allen will ride Rue De Royale in the Stutt Stakes, where he is an $11 chance. View the full article

Skew Wiff’s (NZ) (Savabeel) quest to double her winning tally at the highest level hasn’t been helped at Hastings by an awkward gate. The high-class daughter of Savabeel is likely to need luck to fall her way if she is to add Saturday’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) to her record that features victory in last season’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy. Skew Wiff was game when fourth in her defence of that title on the opening day of the carnival and has done well since, but barrier 12 has done her no favours. “She has drawn out again, which is a hinderance and that and the mile is the only query,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains the mare in partnership with Mark Walker. “It’s a very tricky start there and we’re probably of the opinion that she is a better 1400m horse, but to be fair she was Group One-placed at a mile in the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes as a three-year-old. “We’ll have to map out a plan as to how we ride, fortunately enough we’ve got Opie (Bosson) on her. He knows her so well, it’s a massive plus having him aboard. “It is a very winnable race for her, she’s absolutely flying at home and we just need some luck from the barrier.” Te Akau also suffered a blow ahead of the Gr.2 AHD Animal Health Direct – Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) with Snitzel colt Unbridled Joy ruled out. “He banged his leg on Wednesday afternoon, it’s nothing major so he’ll go to Matamata next week for a three-year-old race as long as he continues to improve,” Bergerson said. The stable’s Guineas chances will now rest on the shoulders of Captured By Love, who was second when resuming in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m). “Her first-up run was pretty good, obviously she put on a bit of a performance before the start and we just put that down to the small saddle and she was very fresh,” Bergerson said. “She has certainly gone the right way since and Opie galloped her on Wednesday and he was really pleased with her work. “She has got a bit of a niggly gate and we’ll be positive, Warren has rode her as two-year-old so he knows her. “Obviously, she is up against the boys but is probably a deserved favourite off her Gold Trail run and she looks fantastic.” Bergerson is also looking forward to the return of multiple stakes winner and Group One performer Wild Night in the Robyn MacTaggart Cup (1300m). “Obviously, he’s a horse that has struggled soundness-wise in the past and fair play to the team at home who have done a fantastic job with him,” he said. “He looks the best he has ever looked and is a happy and bright horse, fingers crossed he can rediscover the top three-year-old form he had.” Resuming Taupo winner Trobriand is another in grand order for the NZB Ready to Run Trainers Series Premier (1200m). “He was really good first-up and he’s drawn the outside again so he’ll need luck, but he has been in really good form at home,” Bergerson said. Te Akau will also have a big team engaged at Te Rapa on Friday and Bergerson tipped My Lips Are Sealed as a value each way chance in the Craigs Investment Partners Handicap (1400m). “The Wexford mare (Lux Libertas) is going really but, but My Lips Are Sealed won nicely at Matamata and she’s trained on really well,” he said. “There’s a bit of rain forecast on race morning, which would make it interesting and she’s one that gets through wet ground. “She’s got a nice, soft draw and I quite like her as a smokie in what is a strong field.” View the full article

Teddy Ladouceur has added his name to the growing list of successful expat Mauritian jockeys in New Zealand when riding home his first winner at Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday. The 29-year-old hoop was confident from the jump aboard Strong (NZ) (Highly Recommended) in the Equine Veterinary Services Maiden 2200, taking the gelding straight to the front where they dictated terms throughout. Strong came under pressure in the concluding stages but responded to the urgings of Ladouceur to win by a neck over Our Princess Boot. “It was amazing to break the ice. I have been working hard and have been unlucky a few times,” Ladouceur said. Ladouceur was rapt to get the win, but said it was made even more special to do it on his home track for his employer Bruce Tapper. “It is my home track and it was the perfect moment to break the ice,” he said. “The last time I rode him we finished second. I had a good feeling riding him in work and my trainer was happy with him. I didn’t make a mistake on him and it was great to get my first win.” Becoming a jockey has been a lifelong ambition for Ladouceur, who began his riding career in his homeland before moving to New Zealand to further his riding career. “I am from Mauritius and I worked for a trainer there,” he said. “I was a track work rider and then I got a chance to become a jockey. I started to ride in Mauritius and then I came here (New Zealand) to improve, and it is great to get my first win here. “I always wanted to be a jockey, but I was a bit too heavy, but over the years I worked hard (to get on top of my weight).” While Ladouceur is enjoying his time in New Zealand, he said the cold winters have taken a bit to get used to coming from the warmer climes of Mauritius. “The winter was a bit tough for me in the beginning, but I have got used to the local weather now,” he said. Ladouceur is pleased to have got on the board as a jockey and is hoping he can add to his win tally in the near future. “I just need to improve myself, get more rides and more winners,” he said. View the full article

Stephen Marsh believes the El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) that is heading to Hastings for Saturday’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) is barely recognisable as the same horse that has competed during the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival in previous seasons. The son of Shocking was very much a work in progress when he lined up in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) on this day three years ago. Stepping straight into stakes company only two weeks after his maiden win at Taupo, he finished at the tail of the field behind Mana Nui. El Vencedor returned for last year’s carnival and picked up a pair of fourth placings, including in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m). Those races served as a springboard into a career-best season as a five-year-old, winning the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) along with seconds in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m), a third in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) and a fourth in the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m). “He just seems so much mature,” Marsh said. “He’s really developed into the complete racehorse now. I’m looking forward to seeing him run in the Arrowfield on Saturday, and then I’d expect him to be ready to step up to 2000m for the Livamol (Gr.1).” El Vencedor resumed in a 1400m open handicap at Ruakaka on September 7, carrying 60kg into a close fourth behind Arrowfield rival Malt Time. “He ran a terrific race first-up,” Marsh said. “Not much went right for him in the running and he had a big weight, so it was a performance that had a lot of merit. “We sent him up there mainly to build his fitness, and that race has really brought him on a lot. He looks like getting track conditions to suit on Saturday, and going up to the mile will be ideal.” El Vencedor has an outstanding record second-up, recording two wins and a placing from four starts in that state. The TAB has him prominent in the Arrowfield market as a $6 third favourite behind Skew Wiff ($4.20) and Malt Time ($5). “He’s terrific second-up, and I think gate five is probably a perfect draw for him,” Marsh said. “I couldn’t be any happier with him and I’m expecting him to run very well.” El Vencedor is one of two runners at Hastings on Saturday for Marsh, who will also saddle Super Photon in the Gr.2 AHD Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). The Super Seth colt won the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) in a perfect two-from-two campaign as an autumn two-year-old, and his two starts this spring have produced a second behind Savaglee at Taupo and a close fourth in the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1400m) on the opening day of the carnival. “He might have been a bit on the fresh side first-up, and then he didn’t really have any luck on the first day of the carnival at Hastings,” Marsh said. “He had a sticky gate and was caught wide with no cover, but he still got to the line well. “He’s gone the right way since then, and getting up over 1400m is going to suit him. He won over 1400m as a two-year-old. “We were sweating on the barrier draw for him, but he’s drawn nicely this time in gate two. He should be very competitive.” Marsh also has a strong hand in Friday’s meeting at Te Rapa, including highly promising three-year-olds Kiwi Skyhawk and Love Poem. The 1200m three-year-old race at this Te Rapa meeting has been a successful one for Marsh over the years, winning it with the likes of subsequent Group Two winner Sumstreetsumwhere and Mega Bourbon, while subsequent trans-Tasman star Atishu was a placegetter in 2020. Kiwi Skyhawk brings a promising record into this year’s edition of the SJC Foundation 3YO (1200m). The Contributer gelding ran third on debut over this course and distance behind Lux Libertas, who has now won four in a row. In his only start since then, Kiwi Skyhawk stepped up to 1400m and won stylishly on August 10. “We think he’s well above average,” Marsh said. “We’ve freshened him after that last win. The 1200m this week will be short of his best, but he’s a classy horse. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he won, but he doesn’t have to, especially over 1200m. He could carry on down to Christchurch for the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), but a bit further down the track I see him as a real Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) horse.” Love Poem will make her first start in maiden company in Friday’s NZB Mega Maiden Bonus Series Maiden (1200m). The Snitzel filly had three starts last season for three placings, all in stakes company. She ran second in the Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m), third in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and second in the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m). “She’s a lovely filly and is coming up well,” Marsh said. “She’s had the trial to prepare her for this. “I’m hoping that this will be a stepping stone towards races like the Soliloquy (Gr.3, 1400m) and the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m).” View the full article