Wandering Eyes

What Moonee Valley Races Where Moonee Valley Racecourse – Gate 2 Feehan Ave, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 When Friday, November 22, 2024 First Race 6:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Horse racing in Victoria heads to Moonee Valley on Friday night for a competitive eight-race meeting. A scorching top of 35 degrees is forecast for Melbourne, meaning the Good 4 track rating will likely be upgraded to a Good 3 at some point. The rail comes out 7m for the entire circuit, with the action set to get underway at 6:15pm AEDT. Best Bet at Moonee Valley: Spione Spione could not have been more impressive on debut when scoring by a narrow margin at the Moonee Valley 1200m. Having sustained a long sprint from the rear of the field, the four-year-old gelding won by just a half-head but arguably would have been further had the runner-up not laid out on him in the home straight. The son of Showtime returns to the same course and distance on Friday night, and with a repeat effort, Spione should remain undefeated through two starts. Best Bet Race 7 – #9 Spione (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Jordan Childs (60kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Moonee Valley: Exopipi Exopipi has been a shade unlucky in her last two starts at Morphettville. Jake Stephens’ mare was crucially held up for a run two starts back when a moral beaten, and then struggled to cut back the deficit last time out when settling at the rear of a seven-horse field in a leader-dominated affair. Barrier one is a touch concerning, but with the in-form Lachlan Neindorf making the trip across the border, Exopipi will just need clear air at the right time to be bringing up an overdue success. Next Best Race 5 – #10 Exopipi (1) 6yo Mare | T: Jake Stephens | J: Lachlan Neindorf (57.5kg) Bet with Playup Best Value at Moonee Valley: Wild Ruby Wild Ruby has not had much luck in any of her three starts, but the way she keeps hitting the line once in clear air suggests she will not remain a maiden for long. The four-year-old mare should have won at Echuca on November 5 when held up until the 200m mark, flashing home to be beaten by the barest of margins. Alana Kelly should keep her out of trouble from barrier 12 this time, and if Wild Ruby can replicate the same turn of foot she produced at Echuca, she looks over the odds with BlondeBet. Best Value Race 2 – #8 Wild Ruby (12) 4yo Mare | T: Mitch Freedman | J: Alana Kelly (57.5kg) Bet with BlondeBet Friday quaddie tips for Moonee Valley Moonee Valley quadrella selections Friday, November 22, 2024 1-8-10 1-2-4-6-8 2-8-9 1-2-5-8-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

The 90th running of the Longacres Mile Stakes headlines a 20-race stakes schedule worth $1,075,000 for Emerald Downs at the 51-day meeting from April 27-Sept. 7, 2025.View the full article

Veteran jockey Tim Thornton recorded his 3,000th career win Nov. 14, leading the panel of racing experts to vote Thornton Jockey of the Week for Nov. 11-17.View the full article

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

Karis Teetan has claimed the final International Jockeys’ Championship spot. Hugh Bowman and Karis Teetan have clinched the final two places in the International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) on December 4 as Tony Cruz celebrated his best meeting of the 2024/25 season with a quartet at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Bowman, who won the IJC in 2016, returns for the seventh time, while 2019 IJC champion Teetan will compete for the sixth time in the 12-jockey competition after surviving Matthew Poon’s challenge for the final spot in the lucrative series. The pair joins fellow Hong Kong-based jockeys Zac Purton, who qualifies for the IJC as last season’s Hong Kong’s champion rider, and Vincent Ho, who last year created history by becoming the first homegrown Hong Kong rider to win the IJC. The quartet will compete against an illustrious cast of international rivals – Ryan Moore, William Buick, James McDonald, Colin Keane, Yuga Kawada, Hollie Doyle, Rachel King and Mickael Barzalona – in the four-race series, where jockeys receive 12 points for a win, six points for second and four points for third across four races at Happy Valley next month. The series boasts total prize of HK$1 million. The winner receives HK$600,000, while second and third collect HK$250,000 and HK$150,000, respectively. With Purton a clearcut leader of the 2024/25 Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 40 wins and Ho (16 wins) assured his place as defending IJC champion, the final two places were decided on the jockeys’ championship standings after tonight’s standings. Bowman (19) was comfortably placed before the meeting and, while unable to add to his tally, duly secured his spot, while Teetan (15 wins) staved off Poon (14) with Take Action’s fighting victory for John Size. “I’m thankful for all the support I get. Without the support of people of like Mr Size, you cannot have any success,” Teetan said. “The IJC, all the guys want to ride in it. It’s always a fantastic night organised by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and you just want to be part of it. I’ve ridden in a few of them, so I know how it feels – it’s very exciting.” Bowman said: “It’s a huge honour. This is the first time to represent Hong Kong. I was injured last year and couldn’t take my place. It’s a wonderful night. It’s a great showcase of international racing and it’s the benchmark of jockey challenges around the world, in my opinion. “To be part of it once again is a huge privilege.” Cruz dominated tonight’s meeting with a quartet. “I’m very happy, the stable is going very well,” Cruz said. “The horses seemed to enjoy the softer track tonight.” The veteran handler first struck with former Australian galloper Viva Graciousness, who notched a maiden win in Hong Kong under Matthew Chadwick. Formerly known as Bulikov when trained by Robert Heathcote in Queensland, the Deep Field gelding was having his 14th start in Hong Kong. Cruz’s double came via Lovero, who was second past the post under Angus Chung but was awarded the Class 3 Hung Shui Kiu Handicap (1650m) after an objection was lodged against Super Unicorn, ridden by Purton, for a late shift. Brenton Avdulla chimed in with the third leg of Cruz’s treble, before Chung guided Gustosisimo to victory to present dual Hong Kong champion trainer Cruz with his 14th win of the campaign. A three-time winner in Australia, Exceed And Excel gelding Gustosisimo earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million for the breakthrough success. McDonald followed a Group 2 double at Sha Tin on Sunday on Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble with the first Happy Valley brace of his short-term stint. The New Zealander scored aboard Storming Dragon for compatriot Jamie Richards before partnering Danny Shum-trained Yee Cheong Spirit. Luke Ferraris and Mark Newnham teamed up for their sixth win of the season together when Super Charizzard capitalised on barrier one. “This horse was probably overdue for a win, but he’d never really pulled a good barrier until now so he got the gun run, the run opened up for him and he got a saloon passage through,” Ferraris said. “This win will do his confidence the world of good – he lacks of bit of confidence – but credit to Mark and his team.” Chris So and Keagan De Melo combined with Holy Roman Emperor gelding Cervin. Horse racing news View the full article

Matamata trainer Pam Gerard will head to Pukekohe on Saturday to tackle a couple of feature targets with her emerging mares Shoes(NZ) (Derryn) and Reputation(NZ) (Iffraaj), and she is under no illusion about the size of the task ahead of them. Fresh off her first solo Group One triumph in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) with Savaglee, Gerard will change tack with a pair of rising talents facing sizzling fields, firstly with Shoes in the Gr.3 Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m). Always a mare she rated, Shoes has come into her own in recent starts, winning three on the bounce, including over subsequent winner Twain at Tauranga. Gerard has been delighted with the daughter of Derryn’s recent progress but recognises the challenge the likes of Crocetti and Babylon Berlin present. “She’s just gaining confidence all the time, but I have to admit, I’m not so confident when I saw the noms come out and the field,” Gerard said. “There are four Group One horses in there and we may be asking a bit much of her at this stage. Sometimes this race can come up not as strong, but it’s a super field this weekend so I’m not sure we’ve quite made the right decision. We’ll have to see.” Shoes is often setting the pace in her races, but Gerard is unsure whether that will be the case on Saturday where she will be ridden by Kelly Myers. “You can’t really do much different with her race pattern, but there is a lot of speed in the race, so it’s a really tricky one,” she said. “She’s coming out of 75 grade, it would’ve been nice to give her a little run in an Open without too much pressure on. She will be up to them at some point, whether it’s Saturday, I’m not sure.” Her older stablemate, Reputation, has been lightly raced with just nine starts under belt, but secured a bid in the Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) with a commanding win first-up at Te Rapa. “She was super, she’s really a staying mare and we gave her the run because we missed another at Te Rapa before that,” Gerard said. “I was actually quite surprised to see how well she put them away, that’s not usually her pattern of race or what she’s meant to be doing.” The Iffraaj five-year-old is contending a number of elite-level horses in the fillies and mares’ contest, but with a black-type focus this campaign, Gerard is happy to give her the opportunity. “Obviously it’s very tough at the even weights with some very good hoses in this race, so it’s another hard decision,” she said. “I’m not sure she’s quite up to them at 1400, but the way she won the other day, I’m welcoming her to prove me wrong. “We’re in there and we’ll have a go, but the main thing for her this season is getting black-type. I don’t know where, but she’s going super.” Gerard’s other representative at Pukekohe will be Pericles, the winner of last season’s Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m), who contends with a horror outside draw in the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Qualifier (1400m). “A very tough gate, he hasn’t had a lot of luck with a big weight and that gate,” Gerard said. “There’s not a lot of things going in our favour, but he’s a horse with a lot of ability.” Meanwhile, Gerard’s star colt Savaglee is enjoying a short break at The Oaks Stud following his Guineas success, with plenty of discussion to come around his summer campaign. “He flew home on the Monday and has been back at the Oaks having a little rest,” Gerard said. “He’ll be back in next week, Rick (Williams, The Oaks Stud General Manager) is keeping a good eye on him. “Nothing is confirmed yet for him, we will sit down with Rick and work that out. There is a lot of water to go under the bridge before then, I’m just looking forward to getting him back in the stable and seeing how he’s come through it. “He’ll have to keep going in the right direction to be competitive in Australia or wherever he goes, but once he comes back and we assess him, we’ll finalise things.” In winning the $650,000 classic, the son of Savabeel earned Canterbury Jockey Club’s slot in the $4.5 million NZB Kiwi (1600m) in March, but no deal has been finalised at this stage. “It’s really up to Rick and Dick Karreman (owner), I’ll just do my bit in training the horse and they can point me in the right direction,” Gerard said. “It is a huge honour to be offered the spot, but we have to remember he has stallion potential, and that race doesn’t have any black-type attached to it that can enhance his career and value. Whether he needs that or not, I’m not sure.” View the full article

The four-time Group 1 winner City Of Troy (Justify) has been named Cartier Horse of the Year at the 34th Cartier Racing Awards in London on Wednesday evening. Trained by Aidan O'Brien for the Coolmore partners Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, who received four awards on the night, City Of Troy was last year's Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt. No horse other than Frankel (GB) has won both those titles in successive years. Winner of the Derby, Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International this year, City Of Troy takes the Cartier Horse of the Year award ahead of stable-mate Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), multiple Group 1-winning miler Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}). He also took the title of Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt over Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Calandagan (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}). Charyn, owned by Nurlan Bizakov and trained by Roger Varian, received the Cartier Older Horse award following three Group 1 wins in the Queen Anne Stakes, Prix Jacques Le Marois and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The four-year-old got the nod over Bluestocking, King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and Godolphin's globe-trotter Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Kyprios, owned by the partnership of Moyglare Stud Farm, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg and winner of the Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, Irish St Leger and Qatar Prix du Cadran in 2024, was named Cartier Stayer for the second time. The Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly is Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio), also a treble Group 1 winner this year of the Coronation Stakes, Falmouth Stakes and Matron Stakes. Owned by a partnership that includes Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing, Steve Weston and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, the Donnacha O'Brien-trained filly prevailed over fellow Group 1 winners Tamfana (Ger) (Solider Hollow {GB}), Ramatuelle (Justify) and Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}). The Cartier Sprinter award was given to the Archie Watson-trained Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), winner of the Nunthorpe Stakes and Flying Five for Victorious Racing. Runners-up in the category were Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}), Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}). In the juvenile division, Godolphin's Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt after becoming the second two-year-old in 42 years to win both the Middle Park Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes. Also in contention were Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never). The unbeaten Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), whose top-level wins came in the Cheveley Park Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, was named Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly over Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) and Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) The recipient of the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit in 2024 is Jessica Harrington. A former international three-day eventer for Ireland, she has become one of her country's most successful trainers across both Flat and National Hunt racing. “We are thrilled to celebrate another tremendous year of European racing and our congratulations go to all of this year's winners at the Cartier Racing Awards,” said Laurent Feniou, managing director of Cartier UK. “City Of Troy looked an exceptional colt throughout the season and he is a worthy recipient of the Cartier Horse of the Year award. We are honoured to be able to present the Cartier/The Daily Telegraph Award of Merit to Jessica Harrington, who has proved such an inspirational figure across the equestrian world.” The post City Of Troy Crowned Cartier Horse of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)-related rulings from around the country. Among this week's rulings, trainer Paul Valery has been banned a total 108 months and fined a combined $75,000 for several medication violations. His suspension period began on May 14 this year and concludes May 14, 2033. According to the five separate resolutions listed on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU)'s website, the Valery-trained Quincy Café and Pure Speight tested positive for Formestane and 4-Hydroxytestosterone–both banned steroidal substances–after winning at Gulfstream Park on Mar. 13 and Apr. 21 respectively. According to HIWU, Valery administered several controlled and banned substances to Quincy Café, who finished fourth at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 7, within the race-day period when just feed, hay and water are permitted. He was also found in possession of two products containing Dehydroepiandrosterone (a banned substance) at Gulfstream Park on May 14. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the HIWU “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 11/19/2024 Licensee: Isidro Castro, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Triamcinolene-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Bourbon Delight, who finished third at Hawthorne on 9/8/24. Date: 11/19/2024 Licensee: Cirilo Gorostieta, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 20, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Tramadol-a controlled substance (Class B)-in a sample taken from Certain Victor E, who finished second at Belterra Park on 9/26/24. Date: 11/18/2024 Licensee: Christopher Davis, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 19, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Morunning, who finished second at Keeneland on 10/10/24. Date: 11/15/2024 Licensee: Ruby Thomas, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Crystal Proof on 10/13/24. Date: 11/14/2024 Licensee: Kelly Von Hemel, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 15, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)-a controlled substance (Class B)-in a sample taken from Jackie Sparrow, who finished second at Prairie Meadows on 8/25/24. Date: 11/14/2024 Licensee: Efren Loza, trainer Penalty: Equine anti-doping notices withdrawn. No consequences imposed. Explainer: There had been alleged vets' list medication violations for the presence of Clenbuterol-a banned substance except in strict circumstances-in samples taken from Lucago on 8/5/24 and again on 9/3/24. Date: 11/14/2024 Licensee: Robert Hess, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Tranexamic Acid-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Handy Dandy, who won at Del Mar on 8/25/24. Date: 11/14 and 11/15/2024 Licensee: Paul Valery, trainer Penalty: 108-month suspension for multiple violations, $75,000 fine (combined). Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Formestane and 4-Hydroxytestosterone-both banned substances-in a sample taken from QuincyCafe, who won at Gulfstream Park on 3/13/24, and from Pure Speight, who won at Gulfstream Park on 4/21/24. Race-day medication violations for the use or attempted use of two banned substances-Gamma Aminobutyric Acid and Prasterone-as well as three controlled substances on Quincy Café, who finished fourth at Gulfstream Park on 1/7/24. And charged with possessing two products containing a banned substance on 5/14/24. Date: 11/13/2024 Licensee: Allan Shuchman, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 14, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Capsaicin-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Wahoowa Wahoowa, who won at Penn National on 10/23/24. Date: 11/13/2024 Licensee: Chief Stipe O'Neill, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on I'llhaveanotherwon during the race period on 8/24/24. According to the case resolution, “on August 24, 2024, prior to Race 10 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California, an employee of Mr. O'Neill administered an equine supplement product to the Covered Horse I'llhaveanotherwon,” when “only feed, hay, and water are permitted during the Race Period.” Pending ADMC Violations 11/19/2024, Amador Sanchez, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Lidocaine-a controlled substance (Class B)-in samples taken from Mayheminthepalace, who won at Remington Park on 10/4/24, and from Excuses, who finished second at Remington Park on 10/6/24. 11/15/2024, Matt Hebert, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a controlled substance (Class C)-in a sample taken from Ranch Badge, who won at Remington Park on 9/5/24. 11/15/2024, Efron Loza, Jr., trainer: Provisional suspension for the use or attempted use of Clenbuterol-a banned substance except in strict circumstances-on the horse Lucago on an event dated 8/5/24. Violations of Crop Rule Due to current technical issues with the HISA rulings website, we will update next week's weekly rulings with any crop violations from this week. The post Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Nov 14-20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A deep nine-race card, including two stakes, kicks off opening day, Nov. 22, of the 153rd season of racing at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans. View the full article

The last few weeks have been and will continue to be important ones for Mark Cornett's C2 Racing Stable, which he owns alongside his brother Clint. A few weeks ago, the Cornett brothers won the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint with longshot Soul of an Angel (Atreides). And later this week, their stable's star, GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio (Race Day), will have first start since finishing a disappointing fifth in the GI Metropolitan Handicap June 8. He'll run in an allowance race Friday at Gulfstream Park, one that will, Cornett said, go a long way toward determining his future. To talk about White Abarrio, Soul of an Angel and why, with White Abarrio, they have been playing musical chairs when it comes to their trainers, Mark Cornett joined our team his week on TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. “Not only does [White Abarrio] have to run well Friday, he's got to run great,” Cornett said. “We got a lot of balls in the air right now. We've got the Japanese looking at him to buy him as a stallion prospect. So, that's one option we've got. Then we have a partner on the horse, [His Royal Highness] Prince Faisal [bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud]. The whole point is we're here in this race to run him one more year and then turn him over to the breeding shed.” White Abarrio was trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr. for about a year-and-a-half before he was replaced by Richard Dutrow Jr. The Cornetts did not want to replace Joseph but their hands were tied when he was temporarily banned by Churchill Downs because he had two horses euthanized during a period in 2023 where horse safety had become a huge issue for Churchill. Neither horse passed away due to a muskoskeletal injury. At first, it appeared to be a smart move as Dutrow was able to win the 2023 GI Whitney Stakes and the Classic with White Abarrio. But he wasn't the same horse when kicking off his 2024 campaign. He was tenth in the GI Saudi Cup and a non-threatening fifth in his return trip to the Met Mile. “I just wasn't happy after the Met Mile performance,” Cornett said. “I'm big on getting information. I manage all my own horses for the stable C2. And if you can't get accurate information, it's puts you in a bind on managing the horse. Whether it's running times, whether it's running in the right race, mapping out a campaign, selling the horse at the right time. Whatever it is, you have to get accurate information. It's the very small details that matter in this business. If you can't get the small details right, then you're at a disadvantage. “One thing Saffie and I built up is a relationship where I get very accurate information and what he tells me turns out to be the case,” said Cornett. “When I buy a horse, I have expectations for that horse and what I think the horse can accomplish. We have a very good dialogue and game plan on that. Information is the key to clicking on all cylinders.” Soul of Angel has improved dramatically in her last two starts and it appears the reason why is the decision to turn her back to sprinting. Prior to the Breeders' Cup, she earned her ticket by capturing the Princess Rooney Stakes at Gulfstream, which was also at seven furlongs. “I told Saffie when we bought her that one turn is what we want to do,” he said. “How short? We don't know, but let's take a shot in the [GII] Ruffian [Stakes], which she won. That kind of proved our thought process there. She ran so good there, bu there were really no one-turn races coming up. So what we decided to do is stretch her out around two turns. She ran okay in the Personal Ensign. But, yes, the Breeders' Cup win proved she's much better around one turn.” In our 'Breeding Spotlight' section we looked at the WinStar stallion Nashville, and in the 'News You Can Use' segment, presented by Darley Europe, Emma Berry joined to discuss the European foal and breeding stock sales. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, WinStar, Darley America, the KTOB and XBTV.com, the team of Zoe Cadman, Bill Finley and Randy Moss expressed their opinions on the comeback of GISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), a daughter of the great Beholder. Making her 2024 debut, the filly lost by a nose against optional claimers at Del Mar on Friday, Nov. 15 when she was beaten by the undefeated Sandy Bottom (Omaha Beach). Moss and Finley said they were disappointed by the effort, while Cadman said she expects to see a much improved Tamara when she contests the GI La Brea Stakes next month in Arcadia. Sticking with the California theme, Santa Anita ran a pair of stakes races for 2-year-olds over the weekend and even though he did not win either of them, Bob Baffert dominated the entries. The Hall of Famer had four of the five starters entered in Saturday's Desi Arnaz Stakes at the seaside oval. Though this is clearly not his fault, Baffert's dominance is a problem. To have one trainer control so many top horses can lead to nothing short of an unappealing racing product. What can be done about it? Probably nothing. But Moss suggested that tracks should look into a rule that would put a cap on how many different horses a trainer can run during a given meet. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To view the show as a podcast, click here. The post Mark Cornett Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Accumulating $158,000 by betting More Than Looks in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T), Steven Wells, a bar owner from Fordville, N.D., won a record-setting edition of the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge.View the full article

Rigney Racing's 'TDN Rising Star' Jonathan's Way (Vekoma), seventh at a well-backed 5-1 in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, is being aimed at the GII Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs Nov. 30. The previously unbeaten GIII Iroquois Stakes winner returned to trainer Phil Bauer's Louisville base with a five-furlong bullet in :58.80 (1/76) Nov. 16. “Hopefully, we'll put that behind us and run well in the Jockey Club,” Bauer said. “He's shown great energy since he shipped home. That's the main reason why we even considered it. This last breeze didn't seem to take anything out of him. He's indicating to us that he's in good shape and ready to go.” The $290,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase kicked off his career with an eye-catching, come-from-behind debut victory going six furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 17, then wired 10 rivals in the one-turn mile Iroquois beneath the Twin Spires Sept. 14. Headstrong beneath Joel Rosario in the early stages of the Juvenile, Jonathan's Way raced in between horses in fifth through fractions of :23.44 and :47.89 and never really got going while finishing seven lengths behind front-running winner Citizen Bull (Into Mischief). The Juvenile was Jonathan's Way's first try around two turns. “Overall, pretty disappointed in the whole trip out there,” Bauer said. “Definitely think he's way better than that. Turn the page. We talked long and hard after the Breeders' Cup–the goal is the (Kentucky) Derby–so we felt like sitting on him until the end of January for the first Fair Grounds prep might not be in his favor coming off a race like that.” Bauer continued, “We tried to educate him a little more the other morning getting him behind some horses and he seemed to handle it better than he did in the race. I think everything is natural progression with racing and young horses. Hopefully, he'll learn from it and both our team and Joel learned a little more about him, too.” Bauer concluded, “We're gonna run in the Jockey Club and hopefully end the year on a better note than the Breeders' Cup.” One of five stakes winners from the first crop of Vekoma, Jonathan's Way was produced by the stakes-winning Indian Charlie mare Female Drama. The post Disappointing Seventh in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, ‘Rising Star’ Jonathan’s Way Targeting Kentucky Jockey Club appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a son of G1 Coronation Stakes winner Fallen For You (GB) (Dansili {GB}). 6.00 Southwell, Novice, £6,300, 2yo, 8f 13y (AWT) WRITTEN FOR YOU (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is a notable debutante for John and Thady Gosden during a spell that warrants close attention paid to the yard's runners as a son of the G1 Coronation Stakes heroine Fallen For You (GB) (Dansili {GB}. Normandie Stud's homebred, who is also a half-brother to the multiple group winner Glorious Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), is up against the experienced Charlie Johnston runner Pride Of Donegal (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), the 12th foal out of the G1 Champion Stakes heroine Pride (Fr) (Peintre Celebre). 5.30 Southwell, Novice, £6,300, 2yo, 8f 13y (AWT) GAMRAI (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is another newcomer from the Gosdens' Clarehaven base to catch the eye on this card, being a half-brother to the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes winner Aljazzi (GB) (Shamardal). Imad Al Sagar's homebred encounters the race-fit Ar Rayyan (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Al Shaqab's son of their G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Prix Rothschild heroine Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) who was fourth on debut at Kempton last month. The post Lope De Vega Son Of Fallen For You Debuts At Southwell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The win by More Than Looks (More Than Ready) in the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile netted $158,000 for Steven Wells's bankroll in the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC), pushing him to a win in the Nov. 1-2 contest. Wells, a 51-year-old bar owner from Fordville, North Dakota, topped a record 585 entries to win the 16th annual BCBC, Thoroughbred racing's biggest live-money tournament. “I am very satisfied,” said Wells. “I've won a lot of live money tournaments, but this is the biggest.” With tournament players wagering on the 41st Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar, each player was required to fund a $2,500 buy-in and a $7,500 betting bankroll. All buy-in monies were applied to the prize pool, making a record total prize pool of $1,462,500. Players made real wagers with their bankroll over the two days and 22 races, keeping all wagering earnings. The 2024 tournament players generated nearly $7.3 million in wagering handle. Combined with his first-place prize of $421,200, Wells earned $573,200 from the BCBC. Runner-up was Tyler Sprague of Las Vegas, Nev., who took home a total of $411,400. Tyler Hoffman of Sylmar, Calif. was third and earned $267,600. In addition to those wagering at Del Mar, players participated in the BCBC from official satellite locations at Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, and Santa Anita Park, as well as online. Complete tournament results are available here. The post Bar Owner from North Dakota Wins Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the first time since the spring of 2021, when he began serving what was ultimately more than a three-year suspension by track operator Churchill Downs Inc., Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has a horse in competition at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Barnes (Into Mischief), an unraced 2-year-old colt who sold for $3.2 million as a FTSAUG yearling in 2023, has been entered by trainer Bob Baffert and owner Zedan Racing Stables in a 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight sprint at Churchill Downs next Wednesday. The start will be Baffert's first at the Louisville track since Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) on July 19, 2024, announced the lifting of a corporation-imposed three-year suspension that had kept the Hall-of-Fame trainer from racing in the GI Kentucky Derby and at any of CDI's tracks nationwide. CDI had ruled off Baffert in June 2021 because of a string of drug positives in horses Baffert trained, including two in CDI's most prominent races, the 2020 GI Kentucky Oaks and the 2021 Derby. The colt who tested positive for an overage of betamethasone in the 2021 Derby, Medina Spirit, was owned by Zedan. According to Churchill's Nov. 20 media notes, Barnes is named in honor of Baffert's longtime assistant, Jimmy Barnes. “Break will be important being inside in the 3 hole,” Baffert told TDN via text message, adding that, “5 1/2 little short but it's a good starting point. “Distance will be his friend,” Baffert continued. “He has a great mind and a beautifully made horse. Exciting to see how he handles the ship and run first time out.” Nooni | Benoit Barnes is expected to ship to Kentucky Nov. 21 along with stablemate and 'TDN Rising Star' Nooni (Win Win Win), who most recently ran sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Race 7 on Nov. 27 drew a field of 11 and will go at 3:55 p.m. Eastern. Jockey Martin Garcia is named to ride. Barnes worked a half-mile “handily” at Santa Anita on Wednesday in :48.60 (9/12). The first foal out of the unplaced mare All American Dream (American Pharoah), Barnes was bred in Kentucky by Jeff Drown and Don Rachel. As TDN reported at the time of the auction, the colt, consigned by Indian Creek, sold as hip 228 in the waning moments of his sale session with the ticket officially being signed by Donato Lanni as an agent for Zedan Racing. The post Baffert’s First Churchill Starter Since Lifting Of 3-year Ban Will Be $3.2m Colt Owned By Zedan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Brigette Solomon After combining with local trainer Stephen Doody for four second placings on day one at Manawatu, junior driver Crystal Hackett looks well placed to go one better on several runners tonight. “It was pretty frustrating for both me and Stephen running four seconds on Tuesday, but they all raced well and some should have improved off those runs,” says Hackett. All but one of Hackett’s drives tonight are for Doody, and she starts the evening with Mr Monty in Race 1, the Happy Birthday Brian Gemell Handicap Trot over 2500 metres. The Majestic Son gelding finished second on Tuesday, and although he was 17 lengths behind the runaway winner Quercus Rubra, he trotted well to run a solid race and finish 1.75 lengths ahead of the third placed Cosmic Angel. He starts tonight’s race off a 30 metre handicap. “He did a good job on Tuesday, and it could be a winnable race for him tonight with a bit of luck, but so long as he trots the whole way we’ll be happy with him,” says Hackett. In the Matt Hickey New Patron Mobile Pace, Hackett combines with Million Dollar Chic who is another of Tuesday’s bridesmaids when beaten 1.5 lengths by the House-trained Vincent Reactress. The Bettor’s Delight filly races a similar field tonight but starts the race off a more favourable draw of two. “She’s one that has surprised us the last couple of starts and really shown some improvement,” says Hackett, “I don’t think a win is far away for her and hopefully tonight’s the night.” Also second placed on day one was Jetasi, who Hackett drives in Race 3, the Life Member Don Haydock Mobile Pace. The two-year-old filly has had five starts for three placings and has shown improvement with each outing. She was beaten just a length on Tuesday after being briefly held up when awaiting the passing lane and chasing hard in the home straight giving an honest performance. “She’s a nice wee filly but it’s a niggly draw for her tonight starting from six,” says Hackett, “There was a bit of driver error last start too which didn’t help, so I’ll be doing my best to give her every chance tonight.” In the feature race of the night, the Palmerstonian Prelude Mobile Pace, Hackett drives Rough And Ready for Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly. The gelding finished fourth in the Wairarapa Cup on Tuesday after sitting parked the trip and although he didn’t disgrace he failed to kick on in the home straight. “He was a bit keen sitting out parked on Tuesday and had to roll on a bit, but I think he’ll definitely show benefit from the run,” says Hackett. It’s in race six, the Happy Birthday Stephen Gillies Mobile Pace, that Hackett drives what she thinks is her best chance of the night, Doo You Want Me. The two-year-old by Captain Crunch has shown ability in his five starts to date and was a winner here on November 4 when he dictated terms in front to claim an easy maiden victory. “It is going to be a bit harder for him tonight from the wide barrier (6) but he’s a nice horse and I think he’s capable of getting over top of this field,” says Hackett, “He’s a horse that I’m looking forward to driving and hoping to stick with in the future.” Hackett’s other drives for the night are Inlouof (7) in race five, and Baliey’s Pitch (3) in race seven. “Inlouof will find it tough starting from the wide draw, but Bailey’s Pitch will give a good account of himself, he’s an honest horse and always running on in the finish.” Racing action gets underway tonight with Race 1 at 5.43pm. View the full article

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There was a buoyant atmosphere at the Lane's End Farm stallion complex on Tuesday as a steady stream of breeders came to admire new arrival More Than Looks (More Than Ready), but a few hundred miles away in Atlanta, Georgia, the dreary weather matched Anthony Bartolo's mood. The managing partner of Victory Racing Partners, Bartolo had gotten the call from trainer Cherie DeVaux at 6:30 in the morning the day before informing him that their stable's Breeders' Cup champion had an injury that would delay any possible return to the races. “Five hours later we had pretty significant offers on the table, but that didn't mean anything to me honestly,” Bartolo said. “It hit me hard and it becomes real when it's in print.” So Tuesday was a bit of a reality check for Bartolo, a chiropractor by trade, as the news spread of More Than Looks's retirement. He was a long way from sunny Del Mar, where just a few weeks ago More Than Looks had stormed down the lane to claim the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, but the memories of that afternoon were at the forefront of his mind as he went about his normal day, reminding him just how fortunate their partnership has been to enjoy the ride with their stable star for the past two years and ultimately go out on top. “That's the pinnacle of what you're looking to attain,” Bartolo explained. “Just to get to the dance has always been something that as a partnership we aspired to do, but this game is very difficult. As a managing partner, gosh, maybe eight times out of 10 you bring bad news. A lot of things occur in horse racing that make it very difficult on the faint hearted and I think just getting to that day after being the bearer of bad news for so many years, the emotions were definitely built up. The feeling of pride for me was tremendous, as well as just reflecting back on where we've been since 2015.” From left: Scott Clifton, Anthony Bartolo, Jerry Caramelli and Douglas Dunan at the Breeders' Cup | Breeders' Cup Eclipse Sportswire Victory Racing Partners was the brainchild of Bartolo and friends Scott Clifton, Douglas Duncan and Chris Brothers. A lifelong racing fan, Bartolo grew up following his father Raymond Bartolo, who was a jockey agent for riders like Helidoro Gustines and Angel Santiago, around the backside of Belmont Park. After dabbling in racing partnerships in the mid-Atlantic region for several years, Bartolo and his friends Chief Stipe Duncan and Scott Clifton decided to get more involved. They enlisted the help of Chris Brothers, president of Xavier Bloodstock, and got Victory Racing Partners off and running. Their first two horses Mr. Dougie Fresh (Ghostzapper) and Always a Suspect (Exchange Rate) both earned over a quarter of a million dollars for the fledgling group. As their success continued, they decided that they would start advertising and selling shares in their horses but keep the majority of the ownership within their own small group. “The partnership has grown over the last nine years now,” said Bartolo. “We have had a few hundred partners over the course of that time. With most horses, we may have between ten to up to 25 or 30 partners in a horse. We've always prided ourselves on keeping a large piece of the horse. We're not here to sell out shares. It's a very intimate group of people and the people that stay in usually get into the next horse with us, so it has been a lot of fun.” A few years ago when Chris Brothers decided to take a step back, Victory Racing sought the help of David Ingordo to purchase horses for their partnership. One of the first yearlings that Ingordo landed on was a More Than Ready colt that they bought at the Keeneland September Sale for $135,000. A few months later when the group went to visit the colt, they came by his name almost by accident. “He is a very impressive horse,” said Bartolo. “He's a dark bay, almost black. He's absolutely gorgeous. Being a More Than Ready, I turned and looked at Maude Walsh, our Partner Relations Representative, and I said, 'Gosh, I hope he's more than looks.' And that stuck.” Victory Racing and trainer Cherie DeVaux gave More Than Looks plenty of time to develop, letting him work through some baby issues as a 2-year-old. “David kept telling me, 'You know, he's acting like a good one,'” Bartolo recalled. “Hearing that from Ingordo, who has bought greats like Flightline and Zenyatta and so many good horses, it kind of makes your ears perk up.” The colt finished a well-beaten eighth in his debut going five furlongs in February of his 3-year-old year, but the move he had started to put in going around the turn showed that he had plenty of potential with added distance. Sure enough, in his next start stretching out over a mile, More Than Looks made the same move around the turn and charged down the stretch to get up by a neck. “He just had a closing kick like nobody's business,” Bartolo recalled. “He came from way out of it and ran them down. Our partnership was all going crazy. With his running style, it was the most exciting thing.” More Than Looks put in one good performance after another throughout last year's season, winning the GIII Manila Stakes and the Jefferson Cup Stakes, placing in the GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes, and finishing the year with a fast-closing sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile just a few lengths behind winner Master of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Everyone had high hopes for More Than Looks's 4-year-old season coming into this year until the colt threw a leg over the webbing of his stall, incurring an injury that set him back several months. Then he was entered in the Lure Stakes at Saratoga in August, but the race was rained off the turf. More Than Looks claims the 2024 GI Breeders' Cup Mile | Horsephotos The backup plan was to map out a journey to get to the Breeders' Cup as the third start off a nine-month break. The ambitious plan started with the GI Fourstardave and More Than Looks came through with a runner-up performance behind Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). He then finished second to the same rival in a slow-paced GI Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes. “Everything fell kind of not the right way for us,” Bartolo recalled of the race at Keeneland. “With his closing style you need some speed up front and it was just not there. When [jockey Jose Ortiz] got off the horse, he told me that we could win the Breeders' Cup. This whole time, the plan was to get to the Breeders' Cup with him peaking. Cherie told me that things were falling into place where if we could get the right trip, we could be right there.” More Than Looks finally got the pace he was looking for in the Mile and after settling in the back of the pack he was able to do what he does best, making a move on the final turn and angling out wide to pick off rivals. He tore past Johannes (Nyquist) and Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) to get the win, handing DeVaux her first Breeders' Cup victory. “That was a big deal,” said Bartolo. “I knew she had four runners that day and I'm obviously rooting for her on every race she runs in, but I was hoping that we could be the one to do it. She's on such a great trajectory that for us to be part of that was something that we'll have forever.” When the decision was made for More Than Looks to retire, sending the champ to Lane's End was an easy choice for the Victory Racing partnership. They regularly consign horses with the farm and Bartolo makes a habit of visiting any time he is in Lexington. At Lane's End, More Than Looks will stand for a fee of $15,000 in his debut season and is the first Victory Racing Partners graduate to become a stallion. “His future is extremely bright,” said Bartolo. “Our partners are thrilled to be able to go visit him. You buy a horse and you always have the aspiration to run on these top days, so for a horse to deliver on that is very special.” The news is out, More Than Looks left this weekend to start his new career as a stallion @LanesEndFarms. Incredibly thankful to this wonderful guy that brought our team to the biggest stage winning the @BreedersCup Mile. I look forward to seeing his offspring on track. Thank… pic.twitter.com/hf0bhauHJO — Cherie DeVaux (@reredevaux) November 18, 2024 Bartolo is sure that their partnership will end up racing some of More Than Looks's progeny someday, but for now they have plenty to look forward with their current crop of racehorses. The partnership normally campaigns between half a dozen to a dozen horses at one time. Victory Racing has a 2-year-old filly named Close Up (Demarcherlier {GB}) who is expected to make her second career start next weekend at Churchill Downs. The DeVaux trainee was a closing fourth on debut at Kentucky Downs in September. Looking ahead to 2025, they also have a 2-year-old Maclean's Music colt named Rock It preparing for his debut for DeVaux at Fair Grounds and a soon-to-be 2-year-old Twirling Candy colt who is looking promising in his early training in Ocala. While they wait for their next trip to the winner's circle, Bartolo and the rest of the Victory Racing partners still have plenty of celebrating left to do after that memorable day at the Breeders' Cup. “Probably the biggest moment was when he turned for home,” Bartolo reminisced. “I knew he was going to run them down. When he turned for home and he was in striking distance, I said that we were going to win this thing. Even before the eighth pole, I said we're going to win this thing. He was passing everybody and we were all jumping up and down before the wire. That memory will stick in my mind forever.” The post Aptly Named More Than Looks One to Remember for Victory Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-AQU, $90k, Msw, 2yo, f, 1m, post time: 12:10 p.m. ET KEEPTHEDREAMALIVE (Into Mischief) makes her first trip to the races for owner/breeder Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and trainer Bill Mott. Tommy Town acquired dam It Tiz Well (Tiznow) for $230,000 at the 2015 Keeneland September sale and campaigned her with Jerry Hollendorfer to five wins from 10 starts, including a two-length upset of eventual champion Abel Tasman (Quality Road) in the 2017 GI Cotillion Stakes. The homebred outworked 142 other horses when breezing a half-mile in :48 1/5 (17/159) over the Belmont training track Nov. 16. Delicious Diva (Hard Spun) was the third-priciest of her sire's 56 yearlings reported as sold in 2023 (69 through the ring) and his most-expensive filly when hammering to Ken McPeek for $400,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. Also a $160,000 Keeneland November weanling, the early March foal is a half-sister to SW & MGSP Cautious Giant (Giant's Causeway). Both will have the rail-drawn Kiss Me Slow (Into Mischief) to beat. The St Elias homebred was a low-odds fourth behind likely champion Immersive (Nyquist) on her lone appearance at Saratoga July 21. TJCIS PPs The post Thursday Insights: Tommy Town Homebred Gets Started at Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Strong international fields take on some dominant local runners, including Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising, in the Longines Hong International Races Dec. 8 at Sha Tin Racecourse.View the full article

The racing world is mourning the loss of Australian champion racehorse Elvstroem. The globetrotting superstar died at the age of 24 last week in France, where he had been standing at stud since 2016. View the full article

Motivator (GB)'s son Jigme (Ire) will anchor the Haras du Hoguenet roster in 2025, Jour de Galop reported on Wednesday. His fee will remain €8,000, and he covered 126 mares this term. Roster veteran Motivator, rising 23, will stand for €5,000. He has sired 82 black-type Flat horses and 8.8% stakes winners per starter over jumps. He is joined by Penny's Picnic (Ire) at €3,000. The sire of G3 Prix du Petit Couvert heroine Pradaro (Fr) on the Flat, the son of Kheleyf has also sired a pair of NH black-type horses, while Doha Dream (Fr) also remains at €3,000. Young sires Moises Has (Fr) at €5,000 and Magic Dream (Ire) at €3,500 will have their first 3-year-olds and first 2-year-olds, respectively. Rounding out the roster is Texas (Fr) at €3,800. His first foals arrived in 2024. The post Haras Du Hoguenet’s 2025 Roster Revealed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If there is one criticism about this bloodstock game of ours, it's the fact that we never seem to need a second invitation for a backslap and oftentimes we can portray things as being rosey in the garden when the opposite may well be true. Not at Goffs on Wednesday where the highest-ever turnover, average and median was achieved at the November Foal Sale. Even the biggest of hitters in this business, like Coolmore's MV Magnier and Baroda Stud boss David Cox, admitted to being genuinely bowled over not only by the demand for foals at Kildare Paddocks, but by the huge cohort of young pinhookers and traders who rolled up their sleeves and got in on the action. It was Cox who sold the most expensive foal through the ring at Goffs on Wednesday, a Sea The Stars (Ire) colt that went the way to Godolphin for €1 million. A brother to Group 1 winner Teona (Ire), he was sold on behalf of Yuesheng Zhang's Yulong operation, who sourced the dam [Ambivalent (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}), herself a Group 2 winner] carrying the foal at Tattersalls last December for 925,000gns. It was a result befitting of what has been extraordinary trade and Cox, not a man who goes all soppy easily, said he was blown away by the level of trade at every level this week. Speaking about the top lot, he said, “When you get a foal that looks like he does, with his quality, strength and movement, and then you x-ray him a week before the sale and find out he's clean and has a good scope, it's some relief. You come here thinking you have a chance of having the best foal in the sale. When I got here, it was pretty evident after a couple of days that we did have the best foal in the sale.” It was Anthony Stroud, bidding on behalf of Godolphin, who saw off another powerhouse owner-breeder in Juddmonte for the blue chip colt. Stroud commented, “He is a very nice individual [who] walked very well. [He has] a lot of presence and a lot of body. He is by Sea The Stars who is a Derby winner and he is out of a Group winner who has produced a Group 1 winner. All of the stars aligned. He has a wonderful temperament. We looked at him on many occasions and saw him in the pre parade ring and he was very relaxed. The pedigree and the conformation matched together. I think, from that point of view, he's a horse who will complement our homebreds. It [the market] looks very competitive. Prices are good and people are getting well paid if they have a nice horse.” The fact that two major outfits locked horns on the colt came as a relief to Cox who admitted to being unsure how to price the top lot prior to the sale. He also went on to offer his tuppence worth as to why he thinks foal buyers turned out in their droves at Goffs this week. He said, “It was hard to price him and I'm delighted that Juddmonte and Godolphin took each other on and that he made his money. Fair play to Mr Zhang, Paul Curran and Vin Cox, they have supported us and that's the second millionaire we've had for them this year. We sold a Frankel (GB) at Tattersalls earlier on in the year to Amo Racing and, as I said, we're grateful for the support. “Mr Zhang paid 925,000gns for the mare and they've got their money back with one foal. She's back in foal to Sea The Stars and is carrying a colt. This sale gives them options. It's a worldwide operation and, with Vin leading the charge and Paul looking after Europe, they buy and sell mares, foals and yearlings.” On the market, Cox continued, “Goffs is especially unique to any other sales house and maybe it's an Irish thing as well. We've all grown up with ponies and are a bit closer to farm life than the English. There are more people involved with horses in Ireland and, every year, I see new faces all with the same dream of buying a foal and turning it into money as a yearling. That's what keeps the game going at the middle to lower levels. This year, we had foals there with 150 first shows. I mean, the dream is really alive the further you are from putting on the saddle! You get to the yearling sales and it narrows [the amount of buyers] and then on to the breeze-ups it's narrower again. Like, we'd an ordinary foal the other day with 130 first shows. He wasn't a good-looking foal so he didn't get many second looks but for him to get that many first shows was amazing and illustrates just how many people were here this week. I think it's something that English people must be worried about. They don't seem to have as many young people coming through in the game as we do in Ireland. It's the same with staff. When you go to the sales in America or Australia, you see all the Irish faces working the sales. We're very close to the horse and are exporting a lot of good horse people as well as horses.” There is still one more day of foals on Friday, but at the close of play on Thursday, Baroda Stud had netted €1,618,000 for 17 lots sold. The Sea The Stars became the second millionaire lot the outfit sold in 2024 following on from the 1.1 million gns sale of the Frankel colt to Amo Racing at Book 1 last month. Of course, days like Wednesday are tinged with sadness given David's Dad Dermot passed away earlier this summer. Cox concluded, “We were involved in the Niarchos dispersal last year and I can remember thinking, 'how are we going to find another millionaire horse?' It's happened twice this year and it was days like this where I'd get the text off Dad saying 'well done'. I miss those texts. I'd a point-to-pointer who sold well last week and I know he'd have been on the phone straight away after that. Days like that are tough. But look, it's been a good year business wise and we have a great team with Padraic Gahan, Noel McDonnell and all the staff. It's a travelling circus, really, and we're on the road the whole time.” Of the 180 lots offered on Wednesday, 158 were sold at an 88% clearance rate. The turnover rested at €18,246,500, which is up 47% on last year. Meanwhile, the €115,485 average was up 61% and the median climbed by 64% to €82,000. €1,000,000 from Godolphin buys Baroda Stud's Sea The Stars own brother to Group 1 winner TEONA, out of Group 1 winner AMBIVALENT.@nickluck spoke to Anthony Stroud about his stellar purchase at #GoffsNovember. pic.twitter.com/6ZhdZg2SLF — Goffs (@Goffs1866) November 20, 2024 Magnier: 'It's Great To See The Amount Of Young People Coming Into The Business' MV Magnier echoed Cox's sentiments regarding the vibrancy of the sales ground this week after signing for a Camelot (GB) half-brother to Mother Earth (Ire) from Grenane House Stud for €420,000. It's been an amazing year for the stallion, who deserved his €25,000 bump to a 2025 covering fee of €75,000 after a slew of high-class winners, most notably with Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking (GB). Magnier commented, “He's a very nice horse. Sure Mother Earth was one of those special fillies and Camelot is enjoying the best year he's had since he's gone to stud. In fairness, Adrian and Mark [Wallace] have been great supporters of ours and we're just delighted to be able to support them. Mother Earth has a Frankel foal at foot and is in foal to Justify. The Camelots have been selling well all year and he's just gone into that elite status now. He can get you a high-class Classic type of horse.” On trade, he added, “It really is fantastic how it has gone from Monday, Tuesday–the whole way through. From the lesser foals up to the better-bred horses on Wednesday, it really has been very strong. The best thing about it is the amount of young people around here. That's the best sign–the amount of young people coming into the business. It's a great thing to see and, in fairness to Goffs, they have been encouraging these young lads and girls to buy horses. It can't always be about us old lads anymore!” Memorable Trade For Young Vendor With Three Six-Figure Lots At just 30 years of age, Adam Morgan of Greenville House Stud ranks as one of the youngest vendors on the sales circuit. Youth proved no barrier to success as Morgan enjoyed a banner sale with three six-figure lots–a Lope De Vega (Ire) filly to Newtown Anner Stud for €450,000, a Blue Point (Ire) colt to Sumbe for €320,000 and a Mehmas (Ire) colt to Katsumi Yoshida for €100,000–going through the ring within the space of just 20 lots of each other. Indeed, Morgan was destined to make it in this business. The son of Isaac, who bred Fast Company (Ire), Morgan spent time working at Rathasker Stud and clearly wasn't walking around with his eyes closed. He commented, “It's only a small farm at home and we try to do the simple things right. We're just lucky that breeders and owners have stuck by us and sent us good stock. Dad [Isaac] bred Fast Company while my aunt [Mary Morgan] bred [Cheltenham Festival winner] Shattered Love. We've been quite lucky with our breeding. The broodmare band has always been quite small at home. I spent time with Maurice Burns and I learned a lot there.” He added, “We never expected what happened here today. The footfall has been crazy and it's only when you come out the other side of the ring when you realise how good of a horse you had.” The Lope De Vega rightly created the biggest stir. Out of proven producer Ayr Missile, who is the dam of two high-class horses by Bungle Inthejungle, lot 574 was very much the jewel in Greenville's crown. Morgan said, “Patrick Burns owns Ayr Missile. She wasn't an expensive mare and he sent her to Bungle Inthejungle and she came up with Living In The Past and then Jungle Drums won a Listed race earlier this year. It's just been a very lucky family for him and he bought her Lope De Vega. It was an end user's foal. A lot of the pinhookers wanted to get her but, at the end of the day, she's a breeding prospect. You dream of these sorts of things.” He added, “We were very busy. Some people were left waiting a little longer than they should have but the staff we have are excellent and all of the buyers were very understanding. A special thanks must go to my partner Jillian Murphy who plays a massive role in the operation. She's a massive part of my life and what she does for me. “I think everyone has been very happy with the trade overall. In other years, there might be some people who had a good sale but they'll say it was great. Others will have had a bad sale and they might say it was fine. But I do think across the board that everyone has got their fair share of money. It's been a great week.” Talking Points It wasn't just the domestic pinhookers who were out in force at Goffs this week. In fact, it was Scandinavian buyers John Christensen and Alice Weiste of the JC Organisation along with Goffs agent Filip Zwicky who lit the touch paper on Wednesday when going to €550,000 to secure a Night Of Thunder (Ire) colt out of a full-sister to Group 1 winner Gear Up from Castlebridge. Connections have one eye on a return to Goffs Orby Book 1 next year where a tried and trusted path to success may be followed. “We had our eyes on the Kingman [half-sister] in Japan and we are looking forward to bringing him back to Goffs next year,” Zwicky said. “We will see what happens and how he develops. He will board here in Ireland and we will see how he goes. Obviously a few years back we took a chance on a €300,000 pinhook and now we have upped the game.” That €300,000 at the 2020 Goffs November Foal Sale for a Footstepsinthesand half-brother to Lucky Vega returned to Goffs the following autumn and connections more than doubled their money when selling the colt to Yulong for €630,000. You don't see key figures jumping by 50 and 60 per cent very often. But that's the kind of mind-boggling market we were dealing with at Goffs this week. The extraordinary became the ordinary. The scary thing is that trade could have been even better had some of the higher-profile lots not been withdrawn. There was nobody nipping out to the car parks early on Wednesday, which was good, because Philip Stauffenberg added some excitement deep into the session when going to €440,000 for a Night Of Thunder (Ire) colt bred by Swordlestown Little. Lot 753 is out of a sister to Lilbourne Lad (Ire) and represents the most expensive lot that Stauffenberg, who has spent €910,000 on seven foals this week, added to his haul. He said, “I was waiting for that colt the whole day. I think he's a standout colt–very well-muscled and well-made Night Of Thunder. We have been very lucky with Night Of Thunder and bought Romantic Style (Ire) here as well. She was a little bit cheaper at €240,000 but she turned out to be a good pinhook [sold for 550,000gns] and a good racehorse so hopefully we can do it again.” Alice & John Weiste Christensen of the JC Organisation & Goffs Scandinavia Agent @FilipZwicky secured a Night Of Thunder Colt for €550k from @TheCastlebridge. The colt is a half brother to #GoffsNovember foal & unbeaten 2YO in Japan Pretty Diva. pic.twitter.com/jVtz4hXseJ — Goffs (@Goffs1866) November 20, 2024 Buy of the Day Just because you buy cheap, it doesn't mean you buy value and, even at €205,000, the case can be made that legend of the game Timmy Hyde unearthed a potential gem in the shape of lot 634, a colt by Blue Point. Described by a respected agent as “one of the best-walking foals in the sale,” the Blue Point attracted plenty of attention and Camas Park Stud had to see off the attention of emerging pinhooker Hanshen Tham as underbidder. Consigned by Knocktartan House Stud, the colt is from a fast family that features Laugh Out Loud (GB). A smart colt, no doubt. Thought for the Day Whilst enjoying one or two post-sale pints with some agents and trainers on Tuesday, the topic of conversation turned to buying the wrong horse at the sales. Surprisingly, everyone at the table had done it at least once. And in one case, the agent in question turned a lot of money through sheer luck. It seems as though, when buying a large number of horses, and through the different goings on at the sales, it's somewhat inevitable that human error comes into play at some stage. So credit where it's due to Henry Beeby who, after a number of withdrawals on Wednesday, took the time to remind buyers to concentrate on the lot numbers a little harder than usual. It might seem a very simple thing for an auctioneer to do but you never know, it may well have saved a buyer's blushes. The post Record-Breaking Day At Goffs Headed By Millionaire Sea The Stars Colt To Godolphin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A field of talented 3-year-olds will ship to Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course Nov. 25 as they host their feature race: $300,000 Steel Valley Sprint Stakes.View the full article