Wandering Eyes

Darley's Too Darn Hot (GB) has been crowned as the Champion Australian First Season Sire by earnings, becoming the first British-bred stallion to achieve that feat. Too Darn Hot was represented by 12 individual winners of 18 races from 41 runners. His progeny earned a total of A$4,151,305, with his standout performer, Broadsiding (Aus), contributing A$1,944,675. Broadsiding's victories included the G1 Champagne Stakes and G1 J J Atkins, while Arabian Summer (Aus) was another flagbearer for Too Darn Hot as the winner of the Listed Magic Millions National 2YO Classic, the Ballarat Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the Gold Pearl on the Gold Coast. Too Darn Hot will not be returning to Darley's New South Wales base for the upcoming breeding season, though he will be available to cover on Southern Hemisphere time at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket for £50,000. Tassort (Aus), who sired the Group 1 winner Manaal (Aus), was runner-up to Too Darn Hot with A$2,159,935 in prize-money, while Pierata (Aus) rounded out the top three with A$1,917,525. Meanwhile, Yarraman Park Stud's I Am Invincible (Aus) has been crowned the Champion Australian General Sire for the third time. I Am Invincible was represented by 175 individual winners of 290 races from 375 runners during the latest season, with 15 individual stakes winners across 29 stakes races. In total, his progeny amassed A$32,117,645 in prize-money. Finishing behind I Am Invincible on the Leading Australian General Sires table were Widden Stud's Zoustar (Aus) (A$23,955,179) and Coolmore's So You Think (NZ) (A$21,265,152). The post Too Darn Hot Named Champion Australian First-Season Sire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.- When Joel Rosario arrived in California as a virtually unknown jockey from the Dominican Republic in 2006, his mission was simple: survive. Eighteen years after his first races at Fairplex and Golden Gate Fields, Rosario will be inducted Friday into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame. He was elected in his first year of eligibility. “I never thought I was going to be where I am today,” Rosario said. “I thought I would come here and try to make a living. Riding horses and trying to make a living.” Rosario, 39, has done that, for sure, and much more. In California, he quickly emerged as one of the premier riders of his generation and since 2012 has been primarily based in the East. Through Sunday, he ranks just outside the top 100 in career victories at 3,632, but with $322,237,757, he is fourth on the career earnings list. He was 95 Grade I victories. Forevermore, he is Hall of Fame jockey Joel Rosario. “It means a lot for me,” he said. “For me and my family and the other people in Dominican Republic who follow me and follow the racing, it's great. I'm the first from my country to become a Hall of Fame jockey, so it's even more special.” Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy) and 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner (Candy Ride), also elected the first time they were on the ballot, join Rosario as the group of contemporary division inductees this year. Also being saluted and welcomed into the Hall of Fame in the nine-member class are: jockey Abe Hawkins and racehorses Aristides and Lecomte, selected by the Pre-1900 Historic Review Committee; and from the Pillars of the Turf Committee, Harry F. Guggenheim, Clement L. Hirsch, and Joe Hirsch. Gun Runner was bred by Ben Leon's Besilu Stables, acquired by Three Chimneys Farm as part of major bloodstock purchase with Leon and raced in a partnership with Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC. Trained throughout his career by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, he won 12 of 19 starts, six of them Grade I, and earned $15,988,500. Brazilian Goncalo Borges Torrealba and his family bought a controlling interest in Three Chimneys Farm in the summer of 2013. Torrealba said the first task was to change the farm's focus away from being a boarding operation. A year later, he and Leon had reached an agreement on the sale of the Besilu holdings. “Slowly but surely, we got into the market to buy a good, respectable broodmare band and so on,” Torrealba said. “This was, very frankly speaking, a turning point for us. “He was going out of the business. He had put together, in a very short amount of time really, an amazing bunch of horses. We did the deal by which we bought all 52 horses of his. Gun Runner was a yearling. His dam (Quiet Giant) was there. His granddam (Quiet Dance) was there. And the sisters to him. It was a stellar group of horses really. He's stayed in. I liked him. He was a good friend.” The agreement with Besilu was finalized on Aug. 4, 2014, 10 years to the week before Gun Runner's induction. Three Chimneys was intending to sell Gun Runner as a 2-year-old in training, but reached a private deal with owner-breeder Ron Winchell. “Winchell came to us and made the proposal for us to be partners,” Torrealba said. “Him being the owner of Tapit fit 100% the description of what we're looking for in a partner, someone who's invested in the deal. And it turned out really great, because as part of the deal, he went to Steve.” Torrealba said he could spend a couple of hours praising the way Asmussen trained and managed Gun Runner. “He did a great job,” Torrealba said. Gun Runner was a top 3-year-old in 2016, but became an elite runner in 2017. He finished second in the G1 Dubai World Cup when Arrogate turned in a jaw-dropping performance after stumbling leaving the gate. Arrogate was never the same, but Gun Runner finished the year with four straight Grade I wins–by a total of 24 3/4 lengths–capped by the Breeders' Cup Classic. Torrealba said the championship-clinching win at Del Mar was a very proud moment. “But the wins at Saratoga were fantastic, when he won the older horse races, the Whitney and the Woodward,” Torrealba said. “It was incredible. When he came back from Dubai, the amount of confidence we had on him, he just couldn't lose.” Gun Runner closed his career with a score in the $16.3-million 2018 GI Pegasus World Cup and went home to Three Chimneys, where he has quickly become a standings-topping stallion. “Well,” Torrealba said, pausing ever so slightly to make his point, “I think he's as good as they come.” Gun Runner | Coglianese John Gunther and his daughter Tanya bred Justify, who finished first in all six of this career starts for the ownership group of China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners LLC, Starlight Racing and WinStar Farm. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert developed the 13th Triple Crown winner–the second he handled in a span of four years–whose purse earnings were $3,798,000. The Gunthers's 2015 foal crop was beyond-belief amazing. Not only did they have Justify arrive that spring, but Grade I winners Vino Rosso (Curlin) and Without Parole (Frankel) were dropped, too. Vino Rosso won three Grade I races, topped by the Breeders' Cup Classic, and earned $4.8 million for Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable. The Gunthers raced Without Parole, winner of the G1 St. James's Stakes at Royal Ascot and he is now standing at stud for them in England. Gunther said that Justify was a standout from the start. “As a foal, he did a lot with Vino Rosso in the same paddock, and Justify knew he was the king between the two of them,” Gunther said. “He was always anxious to go out. He was just an unbelievable foal. We had both of them at the yearling sale and my daughter didn't want to sell either one of them.” Gunther said he put high reserve prices on the colts, figuring they would take them home. He was wrong. WinStar bought Justify for $500,000 and Repole-St.Elias paid $410,000 for Vino Rosso. “My daughter, she actually cried when we lost both of them,” he said. “It was quite a year.” Gunther said his son thought he was crazy when he predicted that the colts, unraced at the time, would both run in the Derby. He was correct and after the Derby win, he said publicly that Justify would win the Triple Crown. “I really felt that way at the time,” Gunther said. “Then he won the Preakness and we flew to New York for the Belmont and I just knew he was going to pull it off.” Rosario grew up on a farm in a massive family–he said his mother Angela had 15 children–and like many of the boys in his country, spent a lot of time playing baseball. He was introduced to racing as a young teenager by a brother and attended his country's jockey school. He said his parents had to sign papers that permitted him to begin his professional riding career as a 14-year-old. “My mom didn't want me to go and do it,” he said. “She had seen me riding horses all the time, but it's a little bit different, racing and riding on the farm. She was a little bit worried about it, but in the end, she was fine with it.” Rosario rode for six years in the Dominican Republic and was the leading jockey the last four seasons. With Dominican trainer and bloodstock agent Herbert Soto providing some guidance, the 20-year-old Rosario made the move to the U.S. He started out at the Northern California tracks, Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields and on the fair circuit. In less than a year, veteran jockey agent Vince DeGregory convinced Rosario to move to Southern California and the top-level tracks of Hollywood Park, Del Mar and Santa Anita Park. Riding morning works and DeGregory's years of contacts helped introduce Rosario to the trainers in Southern California to get him mounts in the afternoon. Rosario credits John Sadler with putting him on horses and getting him rolling. “He was my main guy,” Rosario said. “If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have been able to make it to where I am today. He really gave me a big chance with his horses. He gave me the first call on his horses that had a good chance to win. That helped. When you have somebody like that, it helped.” Sadler was well aware of what Rosario was doing at the San Francisco-area tracks. “I sent a horse up to Northern California and he rode it for me,” Sadler said. “I think the horse got beat a nose, but I was very impressed with him even before he got here. When he came down, I think one of the very first horses I put him on he won and he got going from there.” Sadler recognized what other top trainers like Bobby Frankel were seeing and Rosario was an immediate hit. In 2007-08, he finished fourth in the Santa Anita standings. “He was just so strong, such a good rider, and looked so good on a horse right away he caught my eye,” Sadler said. “When he came down to Southern California, when he made the transition down, I started riding him more and more and more. He rode a lot of great horses for me.” Joel Rosario | Lauren King The Sadler-Rosario team has compiled some notable statistics. According to Equibase, Rosario has ridden 245 winners from 1,030 starts for Sadler, a 24.7% rate, finished in the money at a 58.4% clip and earned $21,361,905 in purses. In stakes, they are 48 for 227, 21.1%. Rosario has won 14 Grade I races on 10 different horses for Sadler. In 2008, his first full year in California, Rosario jumped to 20th nationally in purse earnings. He was fifth in 2009 and has not been lower than sixth since. He led the nation in 2021 and earned the Eclipse Award as the outstanding jockey. In 2013 on Orb (Malibu Moon), he won the GI Kentucky Derby for trainer Shug McGaughey. Earlier that year he won the G1 Dubai World Cup on Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}). Rosario has two wins in the GI Belmont Stakes and 15 victories in the Breeders' Cup. Success has not changed Rosario, Sadler said, that he is the same friendly, upbeat, humble man he met nearly two decades ago. Rosario said he has maintained the same habits that he developed in the Dominican Republic, where he realized that he was too small to be a major league baseball player and embraced another sport. “There was a lot of hard work, a lot of dedication and a lot of help from people that I appreciate,” he said. “They give me the horses to get me there. So many people. At my young age, I never thought so early, I was going to be in the Hall of Fame. It's very exciting. The hard work paid off and I'm very excited about it.” The ceremony at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion will begin Friday at 10:30 a.m. The post Rosario, Justify, Gun Runner Reach Hall of Fame in a Hurry appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking) took the first step in a long road leading to the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) with an exhibition gallop between races at Tauranga on Wednesday. The son of Shocking earned his place in the iconic November feature with victory in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) in March, with his first public appearance off a spell pleasing co-trainer Roger James. “I was very happy with the way he worked and the way he pulled up,” said James, who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood. “With the weather conditions, we’ve been very careful with him at home, and I wanted what we did today to bring him forward, not knock him. They are often pretty vulnerable when they’re three-quarters ready, so we have to be pretty careful. “Masa Hashizume rode him and he couldn’t have ridden him better for what we were wanting. He went 1200m going 15 seconds through the first three furlongs, then worked home in 38.4. He was still picking up and working through the line, he went right around past the gates at the 1400m. “He trotted him all the way back around, and by the time he got back to me, he was only just having a healthy blow and nothing that would indicate he had been over-extended. “That should bring him on greatly.” James said Mark Twain would be Melbourne-bound at short notice, with nominations for the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2050m) a back-up plan for the gelding. “Hastings is a back-up, you never know with horses what is around the corner tomorrow but it’s not our first intention,” he said. “At this stage, he will most likely run first-up in Melbourne on the 24th of August over 1500 metres after a trial (in New Zealand).” View the full article

Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald have formed a training partnership in time for the new racing season. The couple gained official approval from Racing NSW on Tuesday for their training partnership to commence from the opening day of the 2024-25 season on Thursday. Neasham has quickly emerged as one of Australia's leading trainers since branching out on her own in August, 2020, preparing a winner with her very first starter, Commanding Missile at Scone. In four seasons, the Warwick Farm-based Neasham has trained 468 winners including 10 at Group 1 level for stable earnings of more than $55 million. She has prepared some of the nation's best racehorses during this period including four-time Group 1 winner Zaaki, Mo'unga, Lady Laguna, Sunshine In Paris, Bois D'Argent and Fawkner Park. “Forming a partnership with Rob was the next logical step for our business,” Neasham said. “As we continue to grow and operate across multiple states, Rob's expertise will be crucial in maintaining a hands-on approach to training, as well as playing a fundamental role in managing our team of horses and staff. “Rob has built an excellent rapport with our owners and is committed to achieving outstanding results for our clients.” Archibald, a former professional polo player, has worked for trainers David Simcock and Hugo Palmer in the UK, followed by the Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott stable and for Coolmore before joining Neasham Racing as Racing Manager in Australia. Neasham and Archibald will have their first runners together at Hawkesbury and Cranbourne on Thursday. “Annabel's business has grown rapidly since she started and I think with stables in Melbourne and Brisbane as well, we can share the workload,” Archibald said. “The role of a trainer has always been very demanding but there is so many different areas to focus on these days. “With the business growing, Annabel and I started talking about this around Christmas time and thought it was a good time for this (training partnership) to happen. “I've always wanted to train although I didn't know where or when but deep down I have always had aspirations to train racehorses. My whole life has been around horses so this is a huge honour. Annabel and I are looking forward to what's ahead for the business.” The post Annabel Neasham And Rob Archibald Form Training Partnership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Newtown Anner Stud's homebred Darnation (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}–Monday Monday {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) will make a second visit to Dusseldorf this Sunday–for an enticing renewal of the €500,000 166th G1 Henkel-Preis der Diana (German Oaks)–and May's G2 German 1000 Guineas heroine is set to encounter 15 rivals as part of a fully subscribed cast of 16 in the Grafenberg venue's 11-furlong annual highlight. The Karl Burke-trained G3 Prestige Stakes and G2 May Hill Stakes winner ran second when stepping up to 10 furlongs for Newcastle's G3 Hoppings Stakes last month and is set to make first start beyond that trip. Adrie de Vries, in the plate for her 2 1/4-length Classic win, renews his association with the 3-1 morning-line favourite, who will bid to become the third elite-level winner for her Dalham Hall Stud-based sire (by Dubawi {Ire}) from stall five. The two lowest-rated of the 18 overnight nominees, Ninna Best (Ger) (Best Solution {Ire}) and Fang Mich (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), did not have their entries franked. Darnation is part of an international quartet also featuring the Fabrice Chappet-trained G1 Prix de Diane sixth Bubble Gum (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}), recently acquired from breeder Rashit Shaykhutdinov by the shrewd operators of Australian Bloodstock. The Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett vehicle has a perfect three-for-three tally and its prior renewals have come by way of Salomina (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}), who won sporting the Gestut Bona silks in 2012, Turfdonna (Ger) (Doyen {Ire}) in 2015 and Toskana Belle (Fr) (Shamalgan {Fr}) in 2022. Jamie Spencer is booked to become the filly's fifth different rider in as many starts. “We are incredibly excited about Bubble Gum's prospects in the German Oaks,” revealed Murrell. “Our success in this race has been unparalleled, and we have high hopes that she will continue this tradition. Fabrice Chappet has done an exceptional job in preparing her for this moment, and we are confident she will deliver a strong performance. Bubble Gum is one of the most exciting and promising horses we have purchased in the last four to five years. She was behind Sparkling Plenty in the French Oaks and that horse has since been sold for a fortune. Importantly, other runners in that French Oaks have won, franking their form, this shows you the level of racing she has performed at.” Chappet added, “Bubble Gum has shown tremendous promise and has been in excellent form leading up to Sunday. We are looking forward to a competitive race and are hopeful for a successful outcome. Barrier draws will be crucial at Dusseldorf. She is still in the [G1 Prix de l'] Arc [de Triomphe], so we have a big opinion of her.” Connections' hopes for a favourable berth were dashed as Bubble Gum drew stall 12. Dream of owning a Group 1 winner? Don't pass up Bubble Gum! A truly special horse awaits. Contact us now for info! Or read more https://t.co/pQQaVq4hcM#HorseForSale #DontMissOut pic.twitter.com/mJN8E5GQ1w — Australian Bloodstock Updates (@ausbloodstock2) July 26, 2024 Video: G1 German Oaks-bound Bubble Gum (red cap) exercises at Chantilly recently Kirsten Rausing's Lingua Franca (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), a Sir Mark Prescott trained-homebred who broke through at stakes level when saluting in one of two prior runs over this race's 11-furlong distance, is drawn in seven while Joseph O'Brien's well-travelled G2 Ribblesdale Stakes fifth Je Zous (Ire) (Zoustar {Aus}) completes the foreign raiding party and gets stall 11. The domestic defence is headed by Gestut Rottgen's G3 Diana-Trial victrix Erle (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), who has been allocated the inside gate and will be joined by Rottgen's Maxim Pecheur stablemate and G1 Deutsches Derby ninth Weltbeste (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). Andreas Suborics was successful aboard Amarette (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) in 2004, but is thus far winless in the role of trainer. His two entries are German 1000 Guineas seventh and G3 Diana-Trial runner-up Lady Mary (Ger) (Lawman {Fr}) and G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis runner-up Diamond Crown (Ger) (Cracksman {GB}). The latter is drawn widest of all in stall 16. Andreas Wohler, the leading active conditioner with six prior victories, will send out Spanish Eyes (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}), Hope And Believe (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Night Of Laki's (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}). The line-up is completed by Princess Valentina (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Sweet Summer (Ger) (Waldgeist {GB}), the Sarah Steinberg duo Diya (Ger) (Dubawi {Ire}) and New York City (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and Listed Dusseldorf Diana-Trial winner Ashana (Fr) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}). Ashana will have the assistance of Andrasch Starke, who has garnered a record six prior renewals. The post German 1000 Guineas Heroine Darnation Heads Fully Subscribed Field for Sunday’s G1 German Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mark Twain during his exhibition gallop at Tauranga on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Mark Twain took the first step in a long road leading to the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) with an exhibition gallop between races at Tauranga on Wednesday. The son of Shocking earned his place in the iconic November feature with victory in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) in March, with his first public appearance off a spell pleasing co-trainer Roger James. “I was very happy with the way he worked and the way he pulled up,” said James, who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood. “With the weather conditions, we’ve been very careful with him at home, and I wanted what we did today to bring him forward, not knock him. They are often pretty vulnerable when they’re three-quarters ready, so we have to be pretty careful. “Masa Hashizume rode him and he couldn’t have ridden him better for what we were wanting. He went 1200m going 15 seconds through the first three furlongs, then worked home in 38.4. He was still picking up and working through the line, he went right around past the gates at the 1400m. “He trotted him all the way back around, and by the time he got back to me, he was only just having a healthy blow and nothing that would indicate he had been over-extended. “That should bring him on greatly.” James said Mark Twain would be Melbourne-bound at short notice, with nominations for the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Group 1 Livamol Classic (2050m) a back-up plan for the gelding. “Hastings is a back-up, you never know with horses what is around the corner tomorrow but it’s not our first intention,” he said. “At this stage, he will most likely run first-up in Melbourne on the 24th of August over 1500 metres after a trial (in New Zealand).” Horse racing news View the full article

Stakes winner Collect Your Cash will continue his racing career in Sydney. Photo: Monica Toretto Stakes winner Collect Your Cash will continue his racing career in Australia after recently being purchased out of former trainer Shankar Muniandy’s Wingatui barn by leading Sydney trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The son of Rageese was bred by Windsor Park Stud and was offered through their ‘Racing, Racing and Beer’ South Island Sale as a yearling in 2022 where he was purchased by Ben Kwok, under his Lionrock Bloodstock banner, for $15,000. He was subsequently sold to a client of Muniandy’s, for whom he won two and placed in one of his six starts, including the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) in February. Muniandy was looking forward to campaigning the rising four-year-old this season, but said Waterhouse and Bott came knocking at an opportune time. “He was a horse I was looking forward to, but the offer came at the right time, and I think he will go well in Australia,” Muniandy said. “He is a half-brother to Debt Collector, who was a Champion Singapore Three-Year-Old. “He handles all sort of ground and he is pretty laid back, you can race him anywhere. He is up to the Sydney grade, he is a Group horse. “He has gone to the right stable and will get every opportunity.” Horse racing news View the full article

Divine Essence winning at Tauranga on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Moira and Kieran Murdoch completed the racing season in winning fashion, with Divine Essence scoring her maiden victory at Tauranga on Wednesday. Only lightly raced for a rising five-year-old, Divine Essence was having her fifth raceday start and second under the Murdoch’s care, with her most recent effort finishing back in the field on the Cambridge Synthetic. The mare looked to have gained clear improvement from the fresh-up run when trialling well in the heavy conditions at Avondale a fortnight ago but was among the middle-market paying $12.10 with horse racing bookmakers, while Led A Merry Dance jumped the $2.10 race favourite. After jumping well from barrier three, Divine Essence was steadied into third-last position on the rail by Jasmine Fawcett, with Led A Merry Dance firmly in her sights one spot closer to the pace. Teak led the field throughout the running and into the home straight, and while Led A Merry Dance quickly moved into contention at the 200m mark, Divine Essence was right on her tail and caught the favourite in the final bounds, with the final margin just a nose. Moira Murdoch said that the improved performance was expected, with Divine Essence showing plenty of promise before bringing that to race-day. “I thought it was a fantastic effort, very narrow obviously but she was really brave to the line,” she said. “She’s had so much promise and she’s finally put it together, which is really pleasing to see. “I think she will go on a better track as well, but I don’t think the poly really suited her, she got a bit of interference and it’s quite a tight track, so we opted to come here. “We’ll see how she comes through this and tick her over until the tracks improve a little bit. We were lucky to be the first race with the rail out wide.” Horse racing news View the full article

Ngakau Hailey winning aboard Bell Time Potae at Tauranga on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Lenny Winters has recorded two wins apiece in the last two seasons, and he left it to the last possible moment to equal that tally this term. The Kumeu trainer had been winless heading into the final day of the season at Tauranga on Wednesday, but he was hopeful of getting on the board with his two representatives. Bell Time Potae was the first to jump, where he was taken straight to the front by apprentice jockey Ngakau Hailey, who dictated terms throughout and guided his charge home to an impressive 8.5-length victory. The 17-year-old hoop donned Winters’ silks once again in the following race, aboard Ocean Road, where they posted a 1.25 length-victory. Winters was duly rapt with his two-win haul on the final day of the season. “It was pretty cool to get two,” he said. “I only get two a year and I got two in the one day on the last day of the season, which is pretty awesome.” Bell Time Potae was having his first run since September last year, but took pleasing trial form into Wednesday, having finished runner-up at Pukekohe over 800m last month before winning his 800m heat at Avondale earlier this month. “He has improved off both of those trials,” Winters said. “At Puke he ran second and we didn’t think he handled the track (Heavy 9) that day and we were a bit concerned, but he then won at Avondale. “We galloped him at the beach with Ocean Road on Saturday and we put the blinkers on him, and he was doing better than Ocean Road. That told us that he had improved quite a bit.” Winters was just as pleased with the winning performance of Ocean Road, who was also first-up after similar trials performances, including winning his 950m heat at Avondale. The son of Shamexpress had been struggling to find form since his maiden win last year, and Winters said heading out to the beach every day has been instrumental in rejuvenating the rising five-year-old. “He has turned the corner a bit too. He goes out to the beach and rolls three or four times every day, and he is quite happy,” Winters said. “He was a bit naughty in the gates and we have taken him back there and put him in a few times and he was good in the gates today. I just think he is in a happy place.” Winters is hoping to better his customary season tally of two wins next term, and he believes he has the firepower to do so. “Tu Meke Potae is back in work,” he said. “We went to Ruakaka a month or so ago and he didn’t go so well, he had a few problems, but I three-quartered him on the beach the other day and he felt awesome. “We have got a half-brother to him by Jon Snow, Lord Commander, and he ran second at the trials at Avondale when those other two won. He is a really nice, big, strong horse, and I really like him too. “We have got a couple of young ones there as well that are ready to come back in work. I am looking forward to next season.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group 2 winner, Antino. Photo: Grant Peters Smart galloper Antino is building towards a return to the racetrack with an early season Group One target high on the agenda. The Tony Gollan-trained gelding has had a short break after contesting three races across the Queensland Winter Carnival, with a strong win in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm back in May the highlight in a campaign which culminated in a luckless 12th in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). “He raced in the worst part of the track in the Stradbroke,” Gollan told Radio TAB. “He should have come out from the corner and raced in the centre but his sectionals were still unbelievable for a horse that put himself in such a bad spot. “He is coming along well. He feels really good off a short lay-off and he will tackle some of the big guns first up in the Memsie Stakes in Melbourne.” The Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) will be run at Caulfield on August 31, with Antino to have a jumpout in a fortnight to prepare. “I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t run well,” Gollan said. “It looks like Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside are going to be in it but I expect him to race well and then he will step up to the mile at Flemington in the Makybe Diva (Group 1) a couple of weeks after that and then we can shape his preparation from there. “He is highly rated for a lower level Group handicapper and he is probably just on the cusp of being a weight-for-age rating. He sits in that tricky rating point at the moment where set weights and penalties races suit him well. “I just felt we’d kick him off in a couple of weight-for-age races, particularly with that winter residual fitness while the other horses are coming off autumn preparations. They are very good horses but I thought the winter preparation just helps you quite early in the spring.” Horse racing news View the full article

Jason Collett lifts Manaal (outside) to Group 1 success in the ATC Sires Produce Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW Michael Freedman has announced that his Group 1-winning filly, Manaal, will compete against her own age group at the start of next season. The Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 24 is likely to be her spring debut. “There are options. The Princess Series is the obvious one with the Furious, the Tea Rose and the Flight, but there’s also the option of having a look at the Run To The Rose, Golden Rose as a pathway,” Freedman said. “I think we’ll just see how she returns and make firmer decisions after that.” The Group 1 Sires’ Produce (1400m) winner showed promise when finishing fourth in a trial behind Schwarz (Zoustar) over 900 metres at Warwick Farm last Friday, a performance that pleased Freedman. “Really nice. She went around, had a really easy one, I’ll probably give her another one in a couple of weeks’ time with the view to running first up in the Silver Shadow,” Freedman said of the rising three-year-old. “I thought she was pretty unlucky in the Golden Slipper from a horrible draw and you probably couldn’t read anything into the Champagne run, the track was so heavy which she didn’t handle. “She gives me every indication that a mile is within her scope so that leaves the Princess Series as a possibility.” Horse racing news View the full article

Coleman ridden by Ben Melham winning the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Kerrin McEvoy will reunite with Coleman when the rising three-year-old competes in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 7. The Matt Laurie-trained colt had an impressive first season, winning the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) and Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m). He also placed second in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) and third in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), which was his most recent start. McEvoy fell in the final race at Rosehill on Golden Slipper day, suffering a spinal fracture that forced him to relinquish the ride on Coleman two weeks later in the Sires’ Produce to Damian Lane. “I don’t think it’s necessary to run in races like the Vain (Stakes),” Laurie told Racing.com. “He’s already done that and he’s better than that. He’s a Group 1 horse and that is what we are going for, and this (Moir) is an opportunity to knock that off. “The Coolmore (Stud Stakes) is miles away, and obviously that is on the cards and part of the program, but we’re hoping he can do it (win a Group 1) before then. “We’ll trial him and then get him to The Valley for a look. The Moir leads into the Manikato over 1200 metres three weeks later and that, too, looks a really suitable Group 1.” Coleman is listed as an $11 winning chance with horse racing bookmakers in Moir Stakes futures markets. Horse racing news View the full article

Tattersalls has appointed Dr Caroline Scott as its new finance director, it was announced on Wednesday. Scott is a chartered accountant and has been head of finance at Tattersalls since 2023, having first joined the sales organisation in 2006 as the assistant financial controller. In addition to her new role as finance director, Scott has been appointed as company secretary and her appointment also holds significance as the first woman to join the Tattersalls board in its 258-year history. Besides her longstanding role at Tattersalls, Scott's broad engagement with racing and bloodstock has included success as an amateur jockey and owner/breeder. She is also a Doctor of equine physiology. “It is an enormous privilege to be appointed as finance director of Tattersalls,” said Scott. “Having joined the company back in October 2006, I have enjoyed my time working in various roles within the finance department which have allowed me to gain a thorough understanding of Tattersalls and the industry it serves. “My wider industry experience as an amateur jockey, a doctor in equine physiology and an active owner/breeder will also serve me well in my new role and I am looking forward to embracing the challenges that come with this appointment.” Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony added, “Caroline Scott has been a key member of the Tattersalls finance team for many years and has a profound understanding not only of the Tattersalls ethos, but also the international bloodstock industry. She brings a wealth of experience to the role of finance director and will be a valuable addition to the Tattersalls board.” The post Dr Caroline Scott Named as Tattersalls Finance Director and Company Secretary appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zhijun Zhao secured Group 1-winning sprinter Espiona (Aus) (Extreme Choice {Aus}) for A$4.15 million (€2,490,512) at a standalone virtual sale held by Magic Millions on Wednesday. Trained by Chris Waller for Denise Martin's Star Thoroughbreds, Espiona won seven of her 24 starts and earned over A$3.3 million in prize-money during her illustrious career, with her biggest success coming in 2023 when she defeated the multiple Group 1 heroine Pride Of Jenni (Aus) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) by a nose to win the G1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill. Offered by Glenesk Thoroughbreds on behalf of her ownership group at Magic Millions, Espiona attracted strong interest from online and phone bidders before being bought by Zhao, who in May partnered with Yulong to purchase the 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) for a record A$6.6m (€4,039,810) at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. “We are elated,” Martin said of the sale. “We were hoping for A$3 million but to get A$4.15 million is beyond our expectations. “We had 10 of her ownership group together in Sydney along with trainer Chris Waller to watch the sale and it was just amazing. I don't think any will be heading back to work or home soon!” Espiona was purchased for A$190,000 by Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock Agency's Brett Howard from the Torryburn Stud draft at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is out of a full-sister to the Listed-winning Bonny O'Reilly (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), while her second dam is a half-sister to the multiple top-level winners Glamour Puss (NZ) (Tale of the Cat) and Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}). “She had everything that the breeders want,” Waller said of Espiona, who was also placed at the top level on multiple occasions. “She had performance, she has the pedigree and the type and that's what Star Thoroughbreds buy. “It's a bitter sweet moment, but she won't be lost to the industry and now we can go back to Magic Millions and buy some more Espionas.” Barry Bowditch, Magic Millions managing director, added, “We are so thrilled for Denise Martin and her ownership group. The mare was a sensation on the track and we now hope she can do likewise at stud for her new connections.” The post Australian Sprinting Star Espiona Sold Virtually by Magic Millions for A$4.15 million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion Irish handler expects classy filly to handle distance challenge in Goodwood featureView the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, August 1, 2024 First Race 12:30pm AEST Visit Dabble NSW provincial racing returns to Hawkesbury Race Club on Thursday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program set for decision. The rail is out +2m between the 1100m to 450m markers, while the remainder is in the true position. The track is currently rated a Soft 7 at the time of acceptance, but with clear skies and warm weather forecast in the lead-up, participants should be racing on Good ground for the opening event at 12:30pm local time. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: House Of Cards House Of Cards returns after a 199-day spell and has been trialing exceptionally well heading into this first-up assignment. The son of Exceed And Excel put them away with ease at Randwick on July 19, careering away to score by a length as Tommy Berry had the four-year-old under a stranglehold the entire 840m journey. His form from last preparation reads terrific for this BM64 contest, and with barrier three allowing Berry to lob into the perfect stalking position, watch for House Of Cards to surge over the top to secure his second career victory. Best Bet Race 7 – #8 House Of Cards (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Michael Freedman | J: Tommy Berry (58.5kg) +210 with Bet365 Next Best at Hawkesbury: Visual Visual appears to have an element of class debuting for the James Cummings barn, hitting the line well to score by 1.4 lengths in a recent jump-out at Warwick Farm on July 15. She’s the first foal out of Godolphin’s three-time Group 1 winning mare Alizee, and she showed similar raw ability in her work, stalking her rivals before pouncing in the final furlong. Expect her to be ridden quietly throughout the 1000m journey by Kerrin McEvoy, but provided she gets clear running late, Visual should be exploding down the centre of the course. Next Best Race 3 – #12 Visual (5) 3yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: Kerrin McEvoy (55kg) +125 with Unibet Next Best Again at Hawkesbury: Literature Tycoon Literature Tycoon looks primed for a first-up assault after two impressive barrier trials at Newcastle. Her most recent piece of work came on the course proper, with the daughter of Written Tycoon striding through the line under her own steam to get within 2.8 lengths of Spywire. Tyler Schiller takes the reins from stall five, and provided he can slot her in for cover throughout the 1300m trip, Literature Tycoon should be right there when the whips are cracking. Next Best Again Race 2 – #10 Literature Tycoon (5) 3yo Filly | T: Nathan Doyle | J: Tyler Schiller (55kg) +200 with Neds Hawkesbury Thursday quaddie tips Hawkesbury quadrella selections Thursday, August 1, 2024 6-9-10-11 2-3-5-7-8 6-8-9 3-4-6-7-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Lenny Winters has recorded two wins apiece in the last two seasons, and he left it to the last possible moment to equal that tally this term. The Kumeu trainer had been winless heading into the final day of the season at Tauranga on Wednesday, but he was hopeful of getting on the board with his two representatives. Bell Time Potae was the first to jump in the Ultimate Mazda Maiden 3YO (1200m), where he was taken straight to the front by apprentice jockey Ngakau Hailey, who dictated terms throughout and guided his charge home to an impressive 8-1/2 length victory. The 17-year-old hoop donned Winters’ silks once again in the following race, the Food 101 1200, aboard Ocean Road, where they posted a 1-1/4 length victory. Winters was duly rapt with his two-win haul on the final day of the season. “It was pretty cool to get two,” he said. “I only get two a year and I got two in the one day on the last day of the season, which is pretty awesome.” Bell Time Potae was having his first run since September last year, but took pleasing trial form into Wednesday, having finished runner-up at Pukekohe over 800m last month before winning his 800m heat at Avondale earlier this month. “He has improved off both of those trials,” Winters said. “At Puke he ran second and we didn’t think he handled the track (Heavy9) that day and we were a bit concerned, but he then won at Avondale. “We galloped him at the beach with Ocean Road on Saturday and we put the blinkers on him, and he was doing better than Ocean Road. That told us that he had improved quite a bit.” Winters was just as pleased with the winning performance of Ocean Road, who was also first-up after similar trials performances, including winning his 950m heat at Avondale. The son of Shamexpress had been struggling to find form since his maiden win last year, and Winters said heading out to the beach every day has been instrumental in rejuvenating the rising five-year-old. “He has turned the corner a bit too. He goes out to the beach and rolls three or four times every day, and he is quite happy,” Winters said. “He was a bit naughty in the gates and we have taken him back there and put him in a few times and he was good in the gates today. I just think he is in a happy place.” Winters is hoping to better his customary season tally of two wins next term, and he believes he has the firepower to do so. “Tu Meke Potae is back in work,” he said. “We went to Ruakaka a month or so ago and he didn’t go so well, he had a few problems, but I three-quartered him on the beach the other day and he felt awesome. “We have got a half-brother to him by Jon Snow, Lord Commander, and he ran second at the trials at Avondale when those other two won. He is a really nice, big, strong horse, and I really like him too. “We have got a couple of young ones there as well that are ready to come back in work. I am looking forward to next season.” View the full article

Apprentice jockey Sima Mxothwa ended the season in perfect fashion at Tauranga on Wednesday when recording his first win in the saddle aboard Hit The Switch in the Gartshore Construction (1400m). The expat South African was having his fourth raceday ride, and second aboard the Bob and Jenny Vance-trained Hit The Switch. The pair ran second at Pukekohe earlier this month, but were not to be outdone on Wednesday, running away to a one length victory over Koro’s Princess. “It’s good to finally get the monkey off the back and I can just focus on the future now,” Mxothwa said. “I was second on the same horse at Pukekohe and got beaten by Mighty Bright. The owners were happy with the ride and the run, and Mr Bob Vance said he would give me the ride next time. “It worked out quite well today and I followed the instructions. I just rode him the way I rode him last time. They told me I mustn’t fight him because once you fight him, he just grabs the bit, fights you the whole way, and he will come out on top. “He is a horse that doesn’t give up, he just keeps on fighting. When I asked him to kick, he did give me a kick and he kept on going and went a really good race.” Mxothwa is pleased he ended the season on a winning note and he is hoping his victory will help open up more riding opportunities for him in the new season. “It was great to get my first win on the last day of the season,” he said. “I am going to keep my head down and hopefully doors will start opening in the new season.” Mxothwa, who is apprenticed to Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, said he appreciates all the support he has received during his time in New Zealand. “It’s always good to have people supporting you because it is not always easy for trainers and owners to give young apprentices a shot when they aren’t experienced,” he said. “I came to New Zealand with no experience at all, I joined the (jockey) academy and I have got some really good people supporting and mentoring me. I’ll do my best to make them proud.” Mxothwa is hoping he can quickly add to his win tally when he heads to Ruakaka on Saturday to ride debutants For Honor and Eva Magical in the Kainui Pack & Cool (1600m) and Aotea Electric In Waipapa (1200m) respectively. View the full article

Moira and Kieran Murdoch completed the racing season in winning fashion, with Divine Essence scoring her maiden victory at Tauranga on Wednesday. Only lightly raced for a rising five-year-old, Divine Essence was having her fifth raceday start and second under the Murdoch’s care, with her most recent effort finishing back in the field on the Cambridge Synthetic. The mare looked to have gained clear improvement from the fresh-up run when trialling well in the heavy conditions at Avondale a fortnight ago but was among the middle-market paying $12.10, while Led A Merry Dance jumped the $2.10 race-favourite. After jumping well from barrier three, Divine Essence was steadied into third-last position on the rail by Jasmine Fawcett, with Led A Merry Dance firmly in her sights one spot closer to the pace. Teak led the field throughout the running and into the home straight, and while Led A Merry Dance quickly moved into contention at the 200m mark, Divine Essence was right on her tail and caught the favourite in the final bounds, with the final margin just a nose. Moira Murdoch said that the improved performance was expected, with Divine Essence showing plenty of promise before bringing that to race-day. “I thought it was a fantastic effort, very narrow obviously but she was really brave to the line,” she said. “She’s had so much promise and she’s finally put it together, which is really pleasing to see. “I think she will go on a better track as well, but I don’t think the poly really suited her, she got a bit of interference and it’s quite a tight track, so we opted to come here. “We’ll see how she comes through this and tick her over until the tracks improve a little bit. We were lucky to be the first race with the rail out wide.” By Iffraaj, Divine Essence was purchased by Brewers Bloodstock out of co-breeder Haunui Farm’s Karaka Yearling draft in 2021 for $80,000, with her dam a two-win O’Reilly mare Our Essence. The Murdochs will head north from their base at Karioitahi Beach to Ruakaka on Saturday with two runners, including a well-bred three-year-old debutant Horrie in The Homestead Sports Bar & Bistro (1100m) and consistent gelding Loose Change in the Kainui Pack & Cool (1600m). A son of American Pharoah, Horrie is the first foal out of talented race mare Contessa Vanessa, a winner at Group Two and Three level during her career. “We’ve got a nice first starter with a reasonable draw (three),” Moira Murdoch said. “I haven’t had any involvement with his owners previously, but they opted to bring him out to me, which was very nice of them, they’re a lovely bunch of people. “Loose Change is always very honest, so we’ll hope for good races.” View the full article

Stakes winner Collect Your Cash (NZ) (Rageese) will continue his racing career in Australia after recently being purchased out of former trainer Shankar Muniandy’s Wingatui barn by leading Sydney trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The son of Rageese was bred by Windsor Park Stud and was offered through their ‘Racing, Racing and Beer’ South Island Sale as a yearling in 2022 where he was purchased by Ben Kwok, under his Lionrock Bloodstock banner, for $15,000. He was subsequently sold to a client of Muniandy’s, for whom he won two and placed in one of his six starts, including the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) in February. Muniandy was looking forward to campaigning the rising four-year-old this season, but said Waterhouse and Bott came knocking at an opportune time. “He was a horse I was looking forward to, but the offer came at the right time, and I think he will go well in Australia,” Muniandy said. “He is a half-brother to Debt Collector, who was a Champion Singapore Three-Year-Old. “He handles all sort of ground and he is pretty laid back, you can race him anywhere. He is up to the Sydney grade, he is a Group horse. “He has gone to the right stable and will get every opportunity.” While he has lost the services of his stable star, Muniandy said he has plenty to look forward to this coming season, particularly with two-win mare Lucienne (NZ) (Proisir), who finished fifth in the Gr.3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), and promising rising three-year-old Enterprise (NZ) (U S Navy Flag). “Lucienne had a good spell and has been in work for four weeks,” Muniandy said. “I’ll get her up and going for Cup Week, we are looking for black type with her. “Enterprise ran second to Nucleozor in a two-year-old race first-up, and the Te Akau horse went on to win two more after that, including the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m), so he has got good form behind him. “He is back in the stable and will go to the Ashburton trials in two weeks. He will be ready to rock and roll for Cup Week.” Meanwhile, Muniandy will be hoping to kick-off the new season in style when he heads to Riccarton on Saturday with I Hope I Never (NZ) (Ghibellines), who will contest the Group 1 Raceday Party – 14 September Rating 65 (1600m). “She has loved the wet tracks and her run at Oamaru last start was super, she got back and ran home strong,” he said. “The wetter the better for her, and if she goes well on Saturday, I might race her again on the last day over 1800m.” View the full article

The stage is set for redemption with Kiwi-bred sprinting star I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) and Trackside Media teaming up again to chase glory in this year’s A$20 million The Everest at Randwick in Sydney on 19 October. The Waikato Stud-bred speedster went agonisingly close to winning the 2023 edition of the world’s richest race on turf, only getting clear late to fly into 2nd, less than half a length away from the winner, Think About It. Trackside Media, the broadcasting arm of Entain Australia and New Zealand, who also operate the New Zealand TAB, have again secured a slot in the world’s richest race on turf. Entain Australia and New Zealand, Managing Director – New Zealand, Cameron Rodger, said the results from last year spoke for themselves, as New Zealanders embraced the race like never before. “Turnover on The Everest doubled from 2022 to 2023, with turnover on the race easily setting a new record, while the number of customers engaged on the race was also twice that of 2022,” Cameron Rodger said. “Turnover on the entire Everest meeting at Randwick also saw a massive increase, up more than 57 percent on the previous year. This momentum has continued since then, and The Everest is now a race clearly marked on the calendar of all New Zealand racing fans. “We’re delighted to be involved with Wish again, together with the team at Waikato Stud and Moody Coleman Racing. His win in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup in Brisbane last month showed us he’s going to be perfectly primed to climb the Randwick mountain in October and we’re sure he’s going to have plenty of Kiwi fans cheering him on too.” I Wish I Win’s breeder and part-owner Mark Chittick, of Waikato Stud, said the opportunity to combine with Trackside Media for The Everest in 2024 is the perfect approach for this year’s edition. “Wish has given us one hell of a ride from life as a foal through to performing at the elite level. Joining forces again with the Trackside Media team to put things right sets the scene nicely for 19 October. “I’ve seen plenty of racing fans around the country wearing the I Wish I Win caps from last year’s quest, and I have no doubt New Zealand will get behind him again.” Fellow owner Peter Moody, who trains I Wish I Win with training partner Katherine Coleman, is relishing the chance for another crack at The Everest. “We’re fired up about re-joining the journey with Trackside Media. I’ve been affiliated with Entain for a long time, and that relationship was only made stronger with the terrific experience we had last year. We went so close in 2023, and I am hopeful that we can go one better in just under three months.” Racing fans won’t have too long to wait to see Wish back at the track, with the gelding likely to begin his ascent towards The Everest from early September. View the full article

Gifted short course specialist Master Fay (Deep Field) might not be fully wound up if he steps out at Ruakaka on Saturday, but that doesn’t mean he won’t prove a handful for his rivals. The lightly tried six-year-old has delighted Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby with his progress since returning from a break and with conditions to suit, he’s likely to kick off in the Alibaba’s Flying Carpets Kerikeri Cup (1100m). “We’ll be trying to avoid the wet tracks with him at this stage of his campaign, Ruakaka might be the best one but I’m not in any rush either,” Ormsby said. “If he runs, there’s no doubt he will be in the mix. He’s that way inclined when it comes to race day, he just goes out there and gives it everything and Ace Lawson-Carroll would ride him.” Master Fay was purchased by Ormsby under his Riverrock Farm banner for $100,000 out of Highden Park’s Karaka draft in 2019 as a pinhooking prospect but didn’t make it back to the auction ring. He was subsequently sold to clients of Caspar Fownes’ Hong Kong stable after three trial wins and made a successful debut at Sha Tin before he was laid low by soundness issues. The gelding returned to Ormsby and claimed the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) off the back of a Rating 75 win and suffered his only defeat in the autumn when he finished off the pace in the Gr.1 Newmarket (1200m) at Flemington. “He really did well during his break, he is just a bigger and stronger horse now,” Ormsby said. “He is still 30 to 35kg heavier than he was when he won on Karaka Million night, whether he has got more weight to strip off I’m not sure as he’s just a bigger horse. “He’s really well and if he runs on Saturday, it will be a stepping stone but we haven’t got any plans just yet. “There are options in Australia but not until later in the year and early next year.” Ormsby does have an eye on the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa with Master Fay, but again the weather will have the final call. “We’ve got to get the ball rolling a bit first and take each run as it comes, obviously the Foxbridge is there but that’s generally run on a heavy track or close to it, which is what we’re trying to avoid so we’ll see how we go,” he said. Stablemate and promising stayer Outovstock (NZ) (Tavistock) has also returned to the fold. “He’s been back in work for about three weeks now and is looking fantastic and we’re excited about him for the spring and summer,” Ormsby said. “Our initial thoughts were that he would be going back to Australia, but there’s also a good amount of cash to race for here so he could race in New Zealand more than we had originally anticipated.” The son of Tavistock won the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) in the autumn before a midfield finish in the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m). Another exciting young prospect is Street Boss’ daughter Sister Ping (NZ), who broke her maiden earlier this month on the all-weather track at Cambridge where she beat the older horses after rearing at the start and losing five lengths. “She had a two-week break after her win and at this stage she’ll head toward the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m),” Ormsby said. View the full article

Smart galloper Antino (NZ) (Redwood) is building towards a return to the racetrack with an early season Group One target high on the agenda. The Tony Gollan-trained gelding has had a short break after contesting three races across the Queensland Winter Carnival, with a strong win in the Gr.2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm back in May the highlight in a campaign which culminated in a luckless 12th in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). “He raced in the worst part of the track in the Stradbroke,” Gollan told Radio TAB. “He should have come out from the corner and raced in the centre but his sectionals were still unbelievable for a horse that put himself in such a bad spot. “He is coming along well. He feels really good off a short lay-off and he will tackle some of the big guns first up in the Memsie Stakes in Melbourne.” The Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) will be run at Caulfield on August 31 with Antino to have a jumpout in a fortnight to prepare. “I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t run well,” Gollan said. “It looks like Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside are going to be in it but I expect him to race well and then he will step up to the mile at Flemington in the Makybe Diva (Gr.1) a couple of weeks after that and then we can shape his preparation from there. “He is highly rated for a lower level Group handicapper and he is probably just on the cusp of being a weight-for-age rating. He sits in that tricky rating point at the moment where set weights and penalties races suit him well. “I just felt we’d kick him off in a couple of weight-for-age races, particularly with that winter residual fitness while the other horses are coming off autumn preparations. They are very good horses but I thought the winter preparation just helps you quite early in the spring.” Bred by Blossom Trading & Breeding Company Ltd, Antino is by Westbury Stud stallion Redwood and out of a full-sister to Group One gallopers Hurrah (NZ) (Bahhare) and Best Gift (NZ) (Bahhare). Antino is another quality graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, purchased for $27,000 by New Balance Racing at the 2020 edition from the draft of Cheltenham Stables. View the full article

Race 5 PLUNKET ELECTRICAL 2200m MILFORD SOUND (A Goindasamy) – Trainer Ms. A Tuthill advised Stewards, that upon return to the stable the gelding underwent blood tests which revealed a respiratory infection, further blood tests will be taken Wednesday 31 July. A Tuthill further advised MILFORD SOUND has been treated with antibiotics for the infection and will continue on with the gelding’s current preparation. The post Oamaru Jockey Club @ Oamaru, Sunday 21st July 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a half-brother to a Group 1-winning juvenile filly. 6.55 Sandown, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, 7fT KING'S CHARTER (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) is a significant newcomer for Godolphin, being their €650,000 Goffs Orby Book 1 purchase who is a half-brother to the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy). Also a half to the former Charlie Appleby runner Victory Dance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was second in the G2 Superlative Stakes, and full-brother to the dual group-placed TDN Rising Star Skellet (Ire), he will have to be smart to deal with Marc Chan's Starzintheireyes (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), a Ralph Beckett-trained relative of Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) who was second in the hot Newmarket July Festival maiden won by TDN Rising Star Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). 14.05 Redcar, Novice, £8,000, 2yo, 5f 217yT ARABIAN ANGEL (IRE) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is a half-brother to the G3 Palace House Stakes-winning first-season sire Far Above (Ire) (Farhh {GB}) and a full-brother to the TDN Rising Star Night Raider (Ire) who debuts for Linden Bloodstock and the Karl Burke Stable. Among his peers is Amo Racing's similarly-unraced Diablo Rojo (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}), a Raphael Freire-trained half-brother to the dual Group 1-placed San Donato (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire) who cost 325,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 2. The post Godolphin Introduce 650k Goffs Orby Half To Skitter Scatter appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article