Wandering Eyes

Guest speakers include Carrie Brogden, David Ingordo, Damon Thayer, Dr. Alex Sano, Anna Seitz Ciannelo, Leif Aaron and more. The clinic is open to the public, with a special discount for TOBA members.View the full article

Fosnic Racing's multiple group winner Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {Ire}) is eyeing another G3 Bengough Stakes win this autumn, trainer Mick Appleby revealed. The 5-year-old won that six-furlong race last October, before taking second in a Lingfield listed race in his 2024 debut. Successful in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint in February, the entire was unplaced in the G1 Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock in September, but displayed a return to form when third in the G3 World Trophy Stakes on Sept. 21. He has also been penciled in to contest the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot on Oct. 19, with another trip to Saudi Arabia to defend his 1351 Turf Sprint crown also in the cards. “He ran very well, we were very pleased with him,” said Appleby. “He was probably drawn on the wrong side and the [heavy] ground was a bit against him, but he ran well. “He's in the Bengough at Ascot again, so we'll decide whether we are going to go there or not, then there's Champions Day and we'll probably go and have another tilt in Saudi with him, I would think. “He got murdered at Haydock, so it was nice to see him run a good race on Saturday.” Appleby also had a positive bulletin regarding his pair of Breeders' Cup-bound RP Racing-owned horses–Grade I winner Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and G3 Molecomb Stakes hero Big Mojo (Ire) (Mohaather {GB}). The former landed the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, and is now targeting the GI Turf Sprint, while the latter will try to give Appleby consecutive wins in the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar in November. “They're both good and they're both going straight there now,” Appleby added. “They're both in good order.” The post Autumn Plans Revealed For Mick Appleby Stars appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wathan Racing's latest star turn, G3 Prix Eclipse hero Electrolyte (Ire) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), is pointing toward the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly on Oct. 12, according to racing advisor Richard Brown. One of two group winners for his first-year sire, the son of the winning Bibury (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}) graduated at Ayr in June, before running second, by only a nose, to Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in the G2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot for Archie Watson. Kept busy with a fifth-place appearance in the G2 July Stakes at Newmarket and a sixth in the G2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood at the end of that month, he won the Eclipse off a 53-day break. “We were absolutely delighted with his run, we'd given him a break after Goodwood and he went to Hillwood Stud and spent some time in the field,” said Brown. “That freshened him up and it was a very pleasing performance. I thought Mickael Barzalona gave him a brilliant ride, he just let him settle in front. “Six [furlongs] is definitely going to be his game, we tried seven and it didn't work. We were very happy and it was a good performance. “The most likely race for him is the Group 2 back at Chantilly, the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte, that's what we're aiming for now.” The post Criterium De Maisons-Laffitte Next Target For Electrolyte appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Favored at 2-5 in defense of his title in Wednesday's Listed Nippon TV Hai at Funabashi Race Track outside Tokyo, Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) was produced wide into the stretch and kicked home smartly, but was forced to settle for second behind all-the-way winner William Barows (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), who scored the upset as the 7-1 third choice. Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) chased the early pace, but weakened in the straight to finish fifth, beaten 8 1/2 lengths. William Barows, a Group 2 winner on dirt earlier this year, was kicked straight into the lead from barrier two by Forever Young (Jpn)'s jockey Ryusei Sakai and he was pressed along by Derma Sotogake, last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up who was having his first run since a distant sixth in the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 30. Ushba Tesoro, a well-beaten second behind Laurel River (Into Mischief) in the World Cup, was outrun and settled in an unhurried seventh and midfield down the back of the left-turning track, a good 10 lengths off the lead. William Barows was still going well as they hit the stretch and while 5-2 second favorite Derma Sotogake had run his race by then, Ushba Tesoro was finding his best stride beneath Yuga Kawada. Despite closing his final 600 meters in a race-best :37.3, Ushba Tesoro couldn't quite bridge the big deficit and settled for a strong second over a distance short of his best. “The trainer and I talked about making the lead and it went just as imagined,” the winning jockey said on the Funabashi Race Track X account. “He responded well when he turned into the straight and I thought he'd be able to hold on.” Derma Sotogake's rider Christophe Lemaire was seeing the glass as half-full following the performance. “We were in the right spot, but when the pace picked up, I had to get busy,” he told Netkeiba. “We tried to the end and I think he'll be better next time. I'm not worried about the dirt in the U.S. because he can run better.” Wednesday's Results: NIPPON TV HAI (Jpn-G2)-Listed, ¥68,000,000 ($471,512), Funabashi, 9-25, 3yo/up, 1800m, 1:52.8, ft. 1–WILLIAM BAROWS (JPN), 126, h, 6, Mikki Isle (Jpn)–Diana Barows (Jpn) (SW-Jpn, $537,781), by Symboli Kris S. O/B-Hirotsugu Inokuma; T-Hiroyuki Uemura; J-Ryusei Sakai; ¥40,000,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Jpn, 19-8-5-1, ¥236,736,000. 2–Ushba Tesoro (Jpn), 128, h, 7, Orfevre (Jpn)–Millefeui Attach (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). (¥25,000,000 Wlg '17 JRHAJUL). O-Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co Ltd; B-Chiyoda Farm Shizunai; T-Noboru Takagi; J-Yuga Kawada; ¥14,000,000. 3–Meisho Hario (Jpn), 126, h, 7, Pyro–Meisho Ohi (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). O-Yoshio Matsumoto; B-Mishima Bokujo; T-Inao Okada; J-Suguru Hamanaka; ¥8,000,000. Margins: 1, 4, 1. Odds: 7.00, 0.40, 14.30. Click for the goracing.jp chart. The post Ushba Tesoro Falls Short In BC Classic Prep, Derma Sotogake Unplaced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A public hearing at City Hall in Lexington, Kentucky is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26 at 1:30 p.m. ET. concerning the expansion of industrial-scale solar development in the county, the Fayette Alliance said in a release last week. After the comment phase is complete, a future vote by the LFUCG Urban County Council will take place on the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment proposed by the solar development company Silicon Ranch. The Fayette Alliance is a non-profit committed to achieving sustainable growth in the city of Lexington while advocating for the protection of farmland. The post Public Hearing Set Discuss Industrial Solar Development In Fayette County Sept. 26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Many well-known figures from across the racing industry are making their final preparations for the Racing Welfare Jurassic Coast Challenge, which takes place on Sunday, September 29. Sky Sports Racing presenters Josh Apiafi and Alex Hammond announced they were taking part in the challenge live on-air on Saturday. “You and I and 50 others from around the racing world are walking the Jurassic Coastal Challenge next Sunday in aid of Racing Welfare–a fantastic cause,” said Apiafi. “We both started off working in a yard so it's great to be giving something back.” Hammond added, “It's a wonderful charity that supports a broad church of people in the racing industry. That's why I'm doing it, that's why you're doing it. It will be a challenge by the way folks, because this is not a flat 22 miles.” Following a route along the South West Coast Path, the challenge will start at Durdle Door and finish in Swanage, covering a distance of 20 miles and 1,443 metres of ascent. Training duo Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero are among the other members of the racing industry who will be taking part, along with former trainer Harry Dunlop and Brittany Rushworth, who is a barn leader at Newsells Park Stud. Jo White, Racing Welfare corporate fundraising and events manager (south), said, “This is the first time we've run the Racing Welfare Jurassic Coast Challenge and we're really looking forward to it. We'd like to thank Josh and Alex and all of the participants who have signed-up to take part in what will be a tough but rewarding adventure. “We rely on fundraising events like the Racing Welfare Jurassic Coast Challenge to ensure we can continue to support the workforce of British horseracing and are hopeful it will be a great success for the charity and for all the participants, too.” Visit www.racingwelfare.co.uk/challenges to find out more, or click here to sponsor Apiafi and Hammond. The post Sky Sports Racing Duo Signed Up for Racing Welfare Jurassic Coast Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It's taken a while but the 4-year-old colt Crupi is finally living up to his name. His next start comes Sept. 28 in the $400,000 Woodward Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

Brilliant Group 1-winning filly Autumn Angel (Aus) is set to be offered for public auction in a boutique Inglis Digital Online Sale early next week. Bidding opens at 9am (AEDT) on Monday, September 30 and runs until 4pm (AEDT) on Tuesday, October 1. Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, Autumn Angel won four of her 11 starts and earned over A$1.1 million in prize-money during her illustrious career, with her biggest success coming in April this year when she defeated high-class performers such as Zardozi (Aus) (Kingman {GB}) and Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) to win the G1 Australian Oaks at Randwick. On Tuesday it was announced that she'd suffered a tendon injury, bringing her racing career to a premature end. “I've had some good ones and, trust me, this girl was right up there in the top bracket,” said Moody. “She was a special racehorse who had so much ahead of her on the track, but now it's time for her to become a mum. She'll be one heck of a broodmare.” Autumn Angel was purchased by Moody and managing owner Wylie Dalziel for A$230,000 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She is one of four winners out of the Group 3 winner Angel Of Mercy (Aus) (Hussonet), who was also runner-up in the G1 Tattersalls Tiara. When Autumn Angel won the Australian Oaks she became the first top-level winner for her sire, The Autumn Sun (Aus). Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch said, “Autumn Angel has consistently impressed throughout her career. Her race record doesn't fully reflect her ability, but she possesses a pedigree that includes Redoute's Choice, Galileo and Hussonet, making her an appealing prospect for breeders.” The post Australian Oaks Winner Autumn Angel to be Offered by Inglis Digital appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Phillip Stokes acknowledges Climbing Star (NZ) (Zoustar) will be stepping up to another level when she runs in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at weight-for-age on Friday night at The Valley, but he’s upbeat about her chances. So much so that he’s giving a good push for punters who like value. “She’s 50-1 in the betting and I can see her running in the top four,” Stokes said. Last preparation, Stokes decided to keep Climbing Star to sprint races and this strategy paid off handsomely as she elevated herself to one of the better sprinters in the land with her four-run campaign over the Adelaide Carnival at Morphettville. She won the Listed Matrice Stakes first-up and finished second to Benedetta in the G3 Irwin Stakes before taking out the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes and then completing her campaign with a third placing behind Benedetta and stablemate Stretan Angel in the G1 The Goodwood. “I trained her differently and kept her fresh to 1200m and she obviously came a long way last preparation and probably took people by surprise,” Stokes said. Stokes suggested that the Adelaide form shouldn’t be overlooked. “They were Group 1s in Adelaide, but a lot of good sprinters were there and she raced and beat some top horses,” he said. “She’s got stronger again after that preparation.” Stokes said he has a multitude of options for Climbing Star and her performance in the Manikato will decide which races he targets with her. “This is a good starting point as to which way we go. I’ll have a pretty good idea after she runs in it,” he said. Climbing Star is likely to go back from a wide barrier draw of 11, but Stokes pointed out that she can race forward or back. “I think we’ll just look at this. Looking at it now, it looks like it will be a high-pressure race, so I’d say we’ll probably be going back,” he said. Dan Stackhouse has been riding Climbing Star in her recent jumpouts and will be in the saddle for the first time under race conditions on Friday night. “He’s keen and he’s in good form. He’s desperate to ride his first Group 1 winner,” Stokes said. View the full article

A benchmark race at Rosehill is the preferred starting point for Group winner Good Banter (NZ) (Tavistock). Taking on the likes of Tropical Squall and Amelia’s Jewel in the Golden Pendant is Plan B for Adrian Knox Stakes winner Good Banter, with connections hoping she can kick of her spring campaign on a softer note. The mare is safely in the field for Saturday’s Group 2, 1400m feature, but co-trainer Tom Charlton says their first preference is the Irresistible Pools and Spa Handicap (1400m) for which she is second emergency. “We put a last-minute acceptance in for the Golden Pendant because it looked like she was going to be an emergency in the (benchmark) 88,” Charlton said. “It is very much our preference to run in the 88, but it’s also very important she has a run this weekend. “It’s the softer option for sure, that Golden Pendant is like a Group One.” A field of eight was accepted for the Golden Pendant (1400m) with multiple Group 1 placegetter Semana and promising mares Makarena and Arctic Glamour adding depth to the line-up. Good Banter underlined her promise in the autumn with a decision over subsequent ATC Australian Oaks winner Autumn Angel in the Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) and Charlton said she did so on raw ability. “Physically, she has been a shell of a filly and has always been going to get better with time,” he said. “Even when she won the Adrian Knox, she was just not there yet. I definitely expect her to have a really good four-year-old season. “Ideally, she might be one to head to an Angst (Stakes) on Everest day and maybe a Matriarch (Stakes) beyond there.” The stable will have at least one runner in the benchmark race with Charlton confirming Premise will take her place despite drawing wide in barrier 15. “She goes on a similar path, all being well, so she needs to run this weekend,” Charlton said. “The barrier has dictated her chances a bit and she’s probably not at her best if we get wet ground. “But when she gets circumstances go her way, she is capable of running well in some black-type races.” View the full article

Promising filly Donna Chiara (NZ) (Belardo) put her hand up for upcoming stakes assignments with a dominant performance in the Seahorse Supplements Maiden 3YO (1200m) at Timaru on Wednesday. The daughter of Belardo competed in strong company as a juvenile, placing behind subsequent Group One-performer Red Sea before heading for a spell. Returning as a three-year-old, Donna Chiara made her first appearance for Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton arm on the synthetic, where she finished runner-up to Robdontess. Reverting back to her own age group, Donna Chiara was heavily favoured to break maidens closing at $2.90, with jockey Wiremu Pinn showing plenty of intent early to sit outside the pacemaker in Holdem. The filly shook off Holdem turning into the straight and she was simply cruising from the 200m, being eased down by Pinn at the post to score by 1-½ lengths to a fast-closing Kaiseda. Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, who lead the Te Akau stable from Matamata, were represented at the Phar Lap Raceway by stable foreman Hunter Durrant. “She (Donna Chiara) took a lot of improvement from her first-up run and I think the addition of blinkers by Mark and Sam was the key,” Durrant said. “It was good to see her get the job done quite easily in the end. We’ll see how she pulls up before deciding what we aim her for in the future.” Walker was equally impressed by the performance, indicating the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) on October 12 was the likely target for his filly. “It was a really good win by Donna Chiara and a good ride by Wiremu to put her in the race,” he said. “He was positive from the gates and that was the winning of the race. “She’s getting stronger and more mature, as time goes on, and the win should give her a lot of confidence. She’ll go on to bigger things now and hopefully head towards the Barneswood Stakes at Ashburton. “It’s great to get another win for Lib Petagna, in his colours, and we always appreciate the support of breeders like him. He’s got the breeding operation in full swing at Elsdon Park, and has an outstanding stud manager in Kerrie Cox.” Bred by Little Avondale Trust out of a Zabeel mare in Bellabaci, Donna Chiara was purchased by Bruce Perry for $90,000 at the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sales and is raced by Petagna’s JML Bloodstock. The Eldson Park principal acquired Kevin Hickman’s Valachi Downs property in 2022 and is expanding his broodmare band, which would be greatly enhanced with black-type honours for Donna Chiara. “We bought her to be a nice filly and she’s out of Sam’s (Williams) great family,” Perry said. “Lib has a great setup on a beautiful farm at Elsdon Park, and Kevin Hickman (Valachi Downs) had done an amazing job there. “Lib is fortunate to have stallion shares in the likes of Savabeel, Per Incanto, Alabama Express, Ardrossan, Super Seth, and Noverre, which makes life a lot easier when it comes to breeding rights. “Donna Chiara might have a crack at the Barneswood, which won’t be easy, but it’s a suitable stakes race. In order for Donna Chiara to earn her keep as a broodmare at Elsdon she probably has to be a black type filly. “It’s nice to have a filly out that family and if she can get some black type as a three-year-old, whether it’s in the spring, or in the autumn leading up to the Warstep Stakes, it would be great. “She’s a big leggy filly and there should be no reason, if she settles, that she wouldn’t get a mile and a bit further, especially as a three-year-old against her own age group, which is sometimes when they can get a distance that they may not ever get at any other age.” View the full article

There has been another injection of Kiwi flavour to the A$20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick next month, with the Cambridge Stud-owned Joliestar securing a slot in the world’s richest turf race. The four-year-old daughter of Zoustar will take up the Chris Waller Racing and Partners slot, which comprises of her trainer Chris Waller, Neville and Jenny Morgan, Peter and Patricia Tighe (Magic Bloodstock), Noel and Maria Greenhalgh, and Ingham Racing. Joliestar put herself on the map as a three-year-old when winning two and runner-up in three of her five starts last season, including victory in the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m). She returned in winning style as a four-year-old at Randwick last month when taking out the Gr.2 Show County Quality (1200m) before placing in the Gr.2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill 10 days ago. “A proven elite performer at three, Joliestar has returned as a four-year-old with dynamic performances, showing her talent with a dominant victory in the Gr.3 Show County (Quality) followed by a gutsy second-up effort in the Gr.2 Sheraco Stakes,” Waller said in a statement. “She is a mare that looks to have it all before her and we are delighted to have her represent our slot in the world’s richest turf race.” Joliestar will head into The Everest in a fresh state, with Waller electing to give his mare one trial prior to her Randwick assignment. “Following some very good work on Monday morning, she will have a trial on the eighth of October, and then straight into The Everest,” Waller said. “Both of her last two first-up runs were fantastic so we feel she is best to go to The Everest fresh.” Joliestar was purchased out of Segenhoe Thoroughbred’ 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale draft for A$950,000 by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, and she will carry their familiar gold and black silks in the rich feature. Two of New Zealand’s leading stud farms are set to clash in this year’s edition of The Everest, with last year’s runner-up I Wish I Win having already secured Trackside Media’s slot. The Waikato Stud-bred and part-owned gelding will carry the Matamata Farm’s silks in the race, setting up a mouth-watering spectacle between the two Kiwi thoroughbred powerhouses. View the full article

Champions Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) have seemingly scared away the majority of their opposition in Friday night’s Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley. Just four horses have accepted for the A$500,000 race, which features win-and-you’re-in status for the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m). As expected, Craig Williams has been booked to ride Mr Brightside from barrier three, while the Trelawney Stud-bred Pride Of Jenni and Declan Bates will jump from barrier one. Tony Gollan’s Antino (NZ) (Redwood) will jump from barrier two with Blake Shinn, while Attrition (Churchill) jumps from barrier four with Beau Mertens. View the full article

Each race in Evaporate’s (NZ) (Per Incanto) winning streak has been a new test and Lindsay Park will take his education to a new level this Friday night. The son of Per Incanto will chase a fourth-straight win in the $300,000 Group 2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley. The Valley has been the scene of three-year-old handicap wins for Evaporate at his past two starts, victories that followed a Cranbourne maiden success, and Ben Hayes said he had earned a shot at Stakes company. The 1600-metre event will double as a Caulfield Guineas audition. “He just keeps improving, he’s got a good record at The Valley and I think it’s a good opportunity to head there,” Hayes said. “It will be a harder race, but he deserves to be tried in harder comp. “The Valley’s a unique track, not all horses like it, and I think it’s a good opportunity for good prizemoney and it’s one of the lead-ups to the Guineas, so it keeps the dream alive.” Hayes, who trains in partnership with brothers Will and JD, said Evaporate had similar ability to Tijuana, who won the 2022 Stutt Stakes before finishing fifth in the Caulfield Guineas won by Golden Mile. Last year’s Stutt Stakes was won by Griff, who then became the 11th horse complete the Stutt Stakes-Caulfield Guineas double. “Tijuana ran really well in the Caulfield Guineas, he was only beaten a length, so he was thereabouts and, this horse, I think is very similar ability to him,” Hayes said. “It’s actually a proven formula, it nearly worked for us, so we’ll stick to it.” Michael Dee retains the ride on Evaporate on Friday night with the pair to jump from barrier two in the field of nine. Rivals include blueblood colts Dawn Service (seven) and Daggers (one), Anthony and Sam Freedman’s Spring Champion Stakes prospect Henlein (nine) and Detroit City (three) View the full article

Well-known racing photographer Peter Rubery is used to being behind the lens capturing the action for winning owners, but at Waverley on Tuesday he was able to experience that winning feeling himself. Rubery, who operates racing photography business Race Images NZ, is part of the ownership group of Churchill gelding Super Gold, who broke through for his maiden win in the Matty Neil Building (1650m) for trainer Nicky Goss and apprentice jockey Toni Davies. It was Rubery’s first win as an owner, and he said he was delighted to experience the joy of winning a race for himself. “I was thrilled, it was really huge,” he said. “I haven’t had a winner with a horse before and I was a wee bit nervous about taking photographs if he got up to win, but I went into automatic mode, and it was amazing to be involved. “I have been going to Waverley for many years and the Club always looks after owners and everyone on course. There were lots of congratulations from people, it was really cool, I am used to being on the other side of it.” While Rubery has been involved in racing as a photographer for a few decades, he only decided to venture into ownership at the turn of the decade when seeing a number of owners reduce their investment in the industry. “I made a decision to get involved when we went into COVID lockdown,” he said. “I ended up being very busy going around stables photographing horses to be sold. There were a lot of people reducing the number of horses they were racing, and I thought I needed to put my hand up, step in and get involved.” Rubery had formed a close association with trainer Nicky Goss during her time as a racing photographer, and he approached her to find a horse to race. “I have known Nicky for many years,” Rubery said. “She came out here to ride, and she was riding over jumps in the mid-nineties. For a short while, back in the film days in the nineties, she worked for us as a photographer. I have always kept up a connection with her. “I encouraged Nicky to find a horse, and this (Super Gold) is the second one that we have had, and we are looking forward to the future.” Super Gold was previously trained by Mark Forbes, placing in one of his four starts for the Cambridge horseman before being offered on Gavelhouse.com earlier this year where he was purchased by Goss for $3,900. Rubery said Super Gold’s success showcases that people can enter racehorse ownership at an affordable level. “I deal with a lot of owners who have small shares in horses and they are getting just as much of a thrill out of it as those forking out a lot of money,” he said. “It is just getting a group of people together and taking a share.” Rubery has enjoyed the social aspect of racing a horse with a group of friends and said ownership can help attract more eyes to the industry through supportive friends and family. “It is a very social group of owners who are involved in the horse,” he said. “It has been really cool. I am sending photographs out to my non-racing friends, my daughter and all her workmates in Wellington played it (race) live in their workplace and they were all punting it. “It shows the spirit when someone owns a horse, the actual people who come in who may not normally come into the industry and bet or follow horses will follow them. I am proud to say there have even been people who have opened up betting accounts. They are all the knock-on things that happen (with ownership).” Rubery is looking forward to continuing his ownership journey with Super Gold but said he may now head to the spelling paddock for a well-deserved break. “We are really pleased to get him out of maidens and that just gives her (Goss) some more opportunities to find another race for him,” Rubery said. “He is by Churchill and he is bred to go over distance. Nicky gets the fitness into her horses, and he has recently started swimming as well, which he is loving. “He has all of a sudden come together and he is a nice horse. He has been up for a wee while and he possibly deserves to have a break now.” While rapt to get his first win as an owner, Rubery was straight back to business in the following race at Waverley and will head to Hastings on Saturday in high spirits to capture Group One racing action on Arrowfield Stud Plate Day. “I have always used the analogy that raceday photography is like a game of golf – every race is like another hole, and you are trying to get your perfect set of photos for each race,” Rubery said. “You go to each race trying to get that really good action shot, win shot, a strong striding photograph of the horse coming back after a race, saluting, and the owners with the horse and presentations. You do that race after race, and every race you are trying to do it better than the race before.” Rubery loves his job and said there is no better place to be on raceday to take in the excitement of the finish. “I stand right down on the winning post every raceday,” he said. “I am about as close as you can get to the final stages of a race without being a jockey. You hear it all, you feel the horses’ hooves, and everything that is happening as they head to the winning post. It is an amazing place to be.” View the full article

What Geelong Races Where Geelong Racecourse – 99 Breakwater Rd, Breakwater VIC 3219 When Thursday, September 26, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble Geelong Racecourse hosts a competitive eight-race meeting this Thursday afternoon from 1:30pm AEST. Clear skies are forecast throughout the day, with the track likely to stay as a Good 4. The rail comes out 9m from 1400m-800m and out 11m for the remainder, which could favour leaders early on in the card. Best Bet at Geelong: Illative Illative has warmed up for her return run with a smart trial victory over 800m at Cranbourne. Despite not featuring in the top three in two previous fresh runs, she simply looks like the best horse in the race. Ben Melham will have her settled towards the rear of the field, but armed with a swift turn of foot, Illative will have no issues in overhauling her rivals. Best Bet Race 5 – #6 Illative (7) 4yo Mare | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Ben Melham (59kg) Bet with Dabble Next Best at Geelong: Kodiak Bear Kodiak Bear put a big space on his rivals at the Geelong 2460m on September 13. The five-year-old gelding put three lengths on subsequent Sandown winner Muktamil, which franks the form nicely. Blake Shinn sticks on board, and from barrier three he will have plenty of options. Outside of any bad luck, Kodiak Bear simply looks to be the best stayer amongst this lot. Next Best Race 6 – #1 Kodiak (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Symon Wilde | J: Blake Shinn (60kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value at Geelong: Champagne Jenni It was a tough watch for those who took the big price available with horse racing bookmakers about Champagne Jenni at the Geelong 1140m on debut. The three-year-old filly saw nothing but backsides throughout the home straight, eventually going to the line untested to be beaten by five lengths. The 1447m trip should suit her perfectly, while barrier 14 should mean she avoids trouble this time around. Best Value Race 2 – #2 Champagne Jenni (14) 3yo Filly | T: Alex Rae | J: Declan Bates (57kg) Bet with Neds Thursday quaddie tips for Geelong races Geelong quadrella selections Thursday, September 26, 2024 5-6 1-3 1-2-5 1-2-6-8-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, September 26, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEST Visit Dabble Provincial racing returns to Hawkesbury Race Club on Thursday afternoon, with a bumper eight-race program set for decision. The rail is out +2m between the 1100m to winning post, while the remainder is in the true position. The track is rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, however, with plenty of rain forecast on race morning, punters can expect a downgrade into the Soft or Heavy range prior to the opening event at 1:15pm local time. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Red Force Red Force returns after a 361-day spell and looks prepared for a first-up assault after being transferred to the Ciaron Maher barn. The son of Cosmic Force powered through the line in a recent trial at Warwick Farm on September 13, showing a terrific turn-of-speed with James McDonald in the saddle. McDonald elects to stick aboard and make the trip to Hawkesbury, which is a glowing endorsement of this progressive three-year-old, and provided he can slot in from barrier four, Red Force will prove hard to hold out despite the lengthy absence. Best Bet Race 3 – #4 Red Force (4) 3yo Colt | T: Ciaron Maher | J: James McDonald (56.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Hawkesbury: Admitted After undergoing a gelding operation during his 46 weeks off the scene, the James Cummings-trained Admitted appears ready to strike first-up. The three-year-old caught the eye in a recent trial at Randwick on September 9, matching motors with the likes of Need Some Luck and Punch Lane throughout. Zac Lloyd gets legged aboard in this BM64 contest, and provided he can land into the one-one from barrier five, Admitted should simply prove too classy for this lot. Next Best Race 6 – #8 Admitted (5) 3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (57kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Hawkesbury: Fiftyfivechevy Fiftyfivechevy couldn’t have been more impressive, blousing his rivals to score by 1.8 lengths at Muswellbrook on September 10, breaking his maiden status in the process. The gelding by Puissance De Lune was only building the revs as he went through the line over 1500m, suggesting a step up to 1800m should be no issue for the progressive three-year-old. Tommy Berry gets legged aboard in this BM64 contest, and although this is clearly his toughest test to date, Fiftyfivechevy should be up to the task. Best Value Race 5 – #12 Fiftyfivechevy (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Tommy Berry (55kg) Bet with Dabble Thursday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury Hawkesbury quadrella selections September 26, 2024 7-10-12 7-8 1-6-8-9-10 6-7-10-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Don Chiara winning at Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images South Promising filly Donna Chiara put her hand up for upcoming stakes assignments with a dominant performance in the Maiden 3YO (1200m) at Timaru on Wednesday. The daughter of Belardo competed in strong company as a juvenile, placing behind subsequent Group 1-performer Red Sea before heading for a spell. Returning as a three-year-old, Donna Chiara made her first appearance for Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton arm on the synthetic, where she finished runner-up to Robdontess. Reverting back to her own age group, Donna Chiara was heavily favoured to break maidens closing at $2.90, with jockey Wiremu Pinn showing plenty of intent early to sit outside the pacemaker in Holdem. The filly shook off Holdem turning into the straight and she was simply cruising from the 200m, being eased down by Pinn at the post to score by 1.5 lengths to a fast-closing Kaiseda. Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, who lead the Te Akau stable from Matamata, were represented at the Phar Lap Raceway by stable foreman Hunter Durrant. “She (Donna Chiara) took a lot of improvement from her first-up run and I think the addition of blinkers by Mark and Sam was the key,” Durrant said. “It was good to see her get the job done quite easily in the end. We’ll see how she pulls up before deciding what we aim her for in the future.” Walker was equally impressed by the performance, indicating the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) on October 12 was the likely target for his filly. “It was a really good win by Donna Chiara and a good ride by Wiremu to put her in the race,” he said. “He was positive from the gates and that was the winning of the race. “She’s getting stronger and more mature, as time goes on, and the win should give her a lot of confidence. She’ll go on to bigger things now and hopefully head towards the Barneswood Stakes at Ashburton. “It’s great to get another win for Lib Petagna, in his colours, and we always appreciate the support of breeders like him. He’s got the breeding operation in full swing at Elsdon Park, and has an outstanding stud manager in Kerrie Cox.” The Eldson Park principal acquired Kevin Hickman’s Valachi Downs property in 2022 and is expanding his broodmare band, which would be greatly enhanced with black-type honours for Donna Chiara. “We bought her to be a nice filly and she’s out of Sam’s (Williams) great family,” Perry said. “Lib has a great setup on a beautiful farm at Elsdon Park, and Kevin Hickman (Valachi Downs) had done an amazing job there. “Lib is fortunate to have stallion shares in the likes of Savabeel, Per Incanto, Alabama Express, Ardrossan, Super Seth, and Noverre, which makes life a lot easier when it comes to breeding rights. “Donna Chiara might have a crack at the Barneswood, which won’t be easy, but it’s a suitable stakes race. In order for Donna Chiara to earn her keep as a broodmare at Elsdon she probably has to be a black type filly. “It’s nice to have a filly out that family and if she can get some black type as a three-year-old, whether it’s in the spring, or in the autumn leading up to the Warstep Stakes, it would be great. “She’s a big leggy filly and there should be no reason, if she settles, that she wouldn’t get a mile and a bit further, especially as a three-year-old against her own age group, which is sometimes when they can get a distance that they may not ever get at any other age.” Horse racing news View the full article

Cambridge Stud principal Brendan Lindsay pictured with Joliestar following her win in last year’s Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m). Photo: Scott Barbour (Racing Photos) There has been another injection of Kiwi flavour to the A$20 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick next month, with the Cambridge Stud-owned Joliestar securing a slot in the world’s richest turf race. The four-year-old daughter of Zoustar will take up the Chris Waller Racing and Partners slot, which comprises of her trainer Chris Waller, Neville and Jenny Morgan, Peter and Patricia Tighe (Magic Bloodstock), Noel and Maria Greenhalgh, and Ingham Racing. Joliestar put herself on the map as a three-year-old when winning two and runner-up in three of her five starts last season, including victory in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m). She returned in winning style as a four-year-old at Randwick last month when taking out the Group 2 Show County Quality (1200m) before placing in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill 10 days ago. “A proven elite performer at three, Joliestar has returned as a four-year-old with dynamic performances, showing her talent with a dominant victory in the Group 3 Show County (Quality) followed by a gutsy second-up effort in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes,” Waller said in a statement. “She is a mare that looks to have it all before her and we are delighted to have her represent our slot in the world’s richest turf race.” Joliestar will head into The Everest in a fresh state, with Waller electing to give his mare one trial prior to her Randwick assignment. “Following some very good work on Monday morning, she will have a trial on the eighth of October, and then straight into The Everest,” Waller said. “Both of her last two first-up runs were fantastic so we feel she is best to go to The Everest fresh.” Two of New Zealand’s leading stud farms are set to clash in this year’s edition of The Everest, with last year’s runner-up I Wish I Win having already secured Trackside Media’s slot. The Waikato Stud-bred and part-owned gelding will carry the Matamata Farm’s silks in the race, setting up a mouth-watering spectacle between the two Kiwi thoroughbred powerhouses. Horse racing news View the full article

Racing photographer Peter Rubery. Photo: Nicole Troost Well-known racing photographer Peter Rubery is used to being behind the lens capturing the action for winning owners, but at Waverley on Tuesday he was able to experience that winning feeling himself. Rubery, who operates racing photography business Race Images NZ, is part of the ownership group of Churchill gelding Super Gold, who broke through for his maiden win in the Matty Neil Building (1650m) for trainer Nicky Goss and apprentice jockey Toni Davies. It was Rubery’s first win as an owner, and he said he was delighted to experience the joy of winning a race for himself. “I was thrilled, it was really huge,” he said. “I haven’t had a winner with a horse before and I was a wee bit nervous about taking photographs if he got up to win, but I went into automatic mode, and it was amazing to be involved. “I have been going to Waverley for many years and the Club always looks after owners and everyone on course. There were lots of congratulations from people, it was really cool, I am used to being on the other side of it.” While Rubery has been involved in racing as a photographer for a few decades, he only decided to venture into ownership at the turn of the decade when seeing a number of owners reduce their investment in the industry. “I made a decision to get involved when we went into COVID lockdown,” he said. “I ended up being very busy going around stables photographing horses to be sold. There were a lot of people reducing the number of horses they were racing, and I thought I needed to put my hand up, step in and get involved.” Rubery had formed a close association with trainer Nicky Goss during her time as a racing photographer, and he approached her to find a horse to race. “I have known Nicky for many years,” Rubery said. “She came out here to ride, and she was riding over jumps in the mid-nineties. For a short while, back in the film days in the nineties, she worked for us as a photographer. I have always kept up a connection with her. “I encouraged Nicky to find a horse, and this (Super Gold) is the second one that we have had, and we are looking forward to the future.” Super Gold was previously trained by Mark Forbes, placing in one of his four starts for the Cambridge horseman before being offered on Gavelhouse.com earlier this year where he was purchased by Goss for $3,900. Rubery said Super Gold’s success showcases that people can enter racehorse ownership at an affordable level. “I deal with a lot of owners who have small shares in horses and they are getting just as much of a thrill out of it as those forking out a lot of money,” he said. “It is just getting a group of people together and taking a share.” Rubery has enjoyed the social aspect of racing a horse with a group of friends and said ownership can help attract more eyes to the industry through supportive friends and family. “It is a very social group of owners who are involved in the horse,” he said. “It has been really cool. I am sending photographs out to my non-racing friends, my daughter and all her workmates in Wellington played it (race) live in their workplace and they were all punting it. “It shows the spirit when someone owns a horse, the actual people who come in who may not normally come into the industry and bet or follow horses will follow them. I am proud to say there have even been people who have opened up betting accounts. They are all the knock-on things that happen (with ownership).” Rubery is looking forward to continuing his ownership journey with Super Gold but said he may now head to the spelling paddock for a well-deserved break. “We are really pleased to get him out of maidens and that just gives her (Goss) some more opportunities to find another race for him,” Rubery said. “He is by Churchill and he is bred to go over distance. Nicky gets the fitness into her horses, and he has recently started swimming as well, which he is loving. “He has all of a sudden come together and he is a nice horse. He has been up for a wee while and he possibly deserves to have a break now.” While rapt to get his first win as an owner, Rubery was straight back to business in the following race at Waverley and will head to Hastings on Saturday in high spirits to capture Group 1 racing action on Arrowfield Stud Plate Day. “I have always used the analogy that raceday photography is like a game of golf – every race is like another hole, and you are trying to get your perfect set of photos for each race,” Rubery said. “You go to each race trying to get that really good action shot, win shot, a strong striding photograph of the horse coming back after a race, saluting, and the owners with the horse and presentations. You do that race after race, and every race you are trying to do it better than the race before.” Rubery loves his job and said there is no better place to be on raceday to take in the excitement of the finish. “I stand right down on the winning post every raceday,” he said. “I am about as close as you can get to the final stages of a race without being a jockey. You hear it all, you feel the horses’ hooves, and everything that is happening as they head to the winning post. It is an amazing place to be.” Horse racing news View the full article

Snazzytavi will contest the BCD Group Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa on Friday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Quality mare Snazzytavi can put herself in line for another trip away if she performs up to expectations at Te Rapa on Friday. The five-year-old will appreciate a step up in distance in the BCD Group Mile (1600m) and a solid effort will have her in serious contention for the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 12. The Cambridge Stud-owned Snazzytavi resumed on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival and was unplaced after finding the pace too hot in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). “It wasn’t a bad run, it was just a bit short for her in a Group One field and they went 100 miles an hour and she got unbalanced,” said Graham Richardson, who trains the mare in partnership with Rogan Norvall. “She’s improved a lot and is definitely looking a lot better, she’s an absolute darling to do most things with.” Snazzytavi did hold a nomination for this weekend’s Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), but connections opted to start her second-up closer to home. “We just thought we would run her up here and if she goes well enough then we will be looking at the Livamol,” Richardson said. Snazzytavi stamped herself as one of the more progressive horses in the country last preparation and won the Stella Artois Championship Final (1500m) before earning her first piece of black type when third in the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). She ended her campaign with a majestic performance to run away with the Group 3 Easter Handicap (1600m). “I’m very proud of her and when she won the Easter it was a big thrill, I’ve been lucky enough to win it a few times, and she was very impressive,” Richardson said. “I remember winning it with Mike Moroney when it was a Group One, we quinellaed it with Ball Park and Lord Tridan and that was a few years ago (1994) now.” With Norvall, Richardson also prepared Carolina Reaper to claim top honours in the 2022 edition. Snazzytavi’s new stablemate Rocababy will also be in action at Te Rapa in the Risk Management Group Handicap (1200m). The daughter of El Roca finished fourth over the course and distance earlier this month in her first appearance for the stable. “She will improve with her first-up run, she just blew out the last bit,” Richardson said. “Ideally, if there was another race a week later she would probably be better suited, but there isn’t and I am pretty happy with her.” Rocababy has won five races, including the Listed O’Leary’s Fillies’ Stakes (1200m) as a three-year-old. Meanwhile, the stable’s top-rated performer and Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1200m) winner Bonny Lass will shortly return to the stable. She successfully resumed in the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) before finishing sixth in the Tarzino. “She went up to Kylie Hoskins just for a change and a week off at the beach and then she’ll work there for a week or two before coming back and will run in the Sweynesse (Group 3, 1215m) on October 13,” Richardson said. Successful in the Rotorua race two years ago, Bonny Lass will later target the Group 1 Sistema (1200m) and the Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) after placing in both events last season. Horse racing news View the full article

Savaglee will contest the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Some of the country’s most promising three-year-olds have taken out the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) in recent years, and Pam Gerard is hoping Savaglee can join that esteemed group in Saturday’s contest at Hastings. Last season’s Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) winner, Savaglee, has returned as a furnished three-year-old who blew away his rivals first-up at Taupo before storming into second behind Poetic Champion in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival. That performance was more than pleasing for Gerard, who prepares The Oaks Stud-owned colt out of Matamata. “I’m really happy with him, he’s certainly going in the right direction and he looks super well,” Gerard said. “He’s been doing things right in his races and settling, he possibly didn’t get the luck of the draw last time. “I don’t think he needs to do a lot more than he did there, obviously he was running on really well, so it all comes down to draws and a bit of luck in the running. I think that’s all he needs.” The race has also been a key form reference for past winners of the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), with the likes of Pier, Aegon, Catalyst and Madison County going on to take out the New Zealand Cup Week feature. Gerard holds similar aspirations for Savaglee, while she also has an eye on the race for her colt Suit Yourself, who may appear at the Te Rapa meeting on Friday. A son of Savile Row, Suit Yourself gained admirers when breaking maidens impressively last month and has accepted into the SJC Foundation 3YO (1200m), with track conditions determining his start. “He had a few days off after his win and has been a wee while between runs,” Gerard said. “Originally, our plan was to go to Matamata the following week, but he’s doing super well so we’re just trying to work out the best way to get to these better races. “I’m a bit unsure whether he’ll run on Friday, but he’s got a good draw and if the track comes back to a slow track, we would consider running. “He holds a nomination for that race (2000 Guineas) and as many as you can get in a Group One, the better, but he’s probably more of a Derby type of horse. “But he’ll certainly be given his chance to get to the 2000 Guineas and if he’s good enough, he’ll get there. If he needs more time, he’s got plenty of that up his sleeve.” A testing surface would pose no issue to stablemate Step In Time, who was luckless in third at his most recent appearance at Matamata and will contest the Craigs Investment Partners 2100. “He’s had a couple of unlucky runs, when he won he was very good and has been at each run since, just without any favours,” Gerard said. “He’s drawn out wide again which is not ideal, but if we can get things to go our way, he’ll be right there.” On Saturday, Gerard will be also paying close attention to the meeting at Riccarton Park, where her consistent mare Cork will step out in distance in the open 2000m event. The daughter of Complacent was third at her most recent appearance behind talented local Jon Ol Rocco over 1800m, with the potential for a heavy surface a positive for Gerard. “Surprisingly enough, she actually travelled for the first time in the run last time and she’s doing very well down there,” she said. “She was possibly a little bit above herself and got there too early last time, but she’s been crying out for 2000m for quite a while so we’re crossing our fingers the rain is coming. “In her last two starts at Riccarton, the track has just been a little bit too firm for her and she loves it wet.” Completing her representatives will be last-start winner Tonia’s Dragon, who is nominated for the Rating 75 1200m contest following her success in the lower grade on September 14. “She’s finally putting it together down there, we sent her there as she has a lot of ability but lacked a lot of confidence,” Gerard said. “I believe she’s a mare that can really go on with things, but I’m running her in the 75 as I want to keep her at 1200m for the moment. Hopefully she makes the field, but she’s super well and certainly hasn’t taken a back step since winning. “I think she’ll get the 1400 and further in time, but she’s always done a lot wrong up here. She’s starting to do things right and relax in her races, so eventually she’ll definitely get 1400 if not further.” Horse racing news View the full article

The prestigious 2024 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes ignites the Friday night lights at Moonee Valley this week, with a field of 13 top-class sprinters vying for the $2 million prize. Trainer Ciaron Maher takes center stage with Growing Empire, the airborne Zoustar colt heading the Manikato Stakes betting at $4.80 through race sponsor Ladbrokes to post […] The post Friday Night Lights Ignite at Moonee Valley for the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes 2024 appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

by Dan Ross & Jessica Martini POMONA, CA – The Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale, held Tuesday at Fairplex in Pomona, produced figures largely in line with its 2023 renewal, which given the uncertainties in the state's racing industry, was satisfactory, according to Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. “I thought the sale was fine,” said Browning. “The median is the same and the average is basically down slightly. All things considered, it was a productive exercise. It got the vast majority of the horses sold and there will be brisk post-sale activity tonight and tomorrow as well.” A total of 163 yearlings sold during the one-session auction for a gross of $4,781,400. The average was $29,334 and the median was $15,000. From a catalogue of 279 head, 250 went through the ring with 87 failing to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 34.8%. During last year's auction, which included a horses of racing age section, 185 head grossed $5,751,500 for an average of $31,089 and median of $15,000. A colt by Stay Thirsty brought Tuesday's top price of $250,000 when purchased by John Moroney from the Lovacres Ranch consignment. The sale topper was one of eight to bring six figures–down from 12 a year ago–and one of three to top $200,000. With the California racing industry dealing with the closure of Golden Gate Fields and questions about the viability of racing in the northern part of the state, the sale's steady results offered some positives, according to Browning. “There were certainly some bright spots and there were certainly some areas of concern going forward for the entire industry in California,” Browning said. “For you to tell me that we would be this close to last year given the state of things, I would probably have been satisfied with that. You always want to have increases in your averages and medians and so forth, but I think that would have been unrealistic to expect that at this sale. It was similar and consistent to what we have seen in recent years in the California marketplace.” Moroney Makes a Run for Stay Thirsty Colt John Moroney, who owns several Taco Bell franchises in St. Louis, made good use of a trip to the West Coast with the purchase of a colt by Stay Thirsty (hip 96) for $250,000 during the Fasig-Tipton California sale Tuesday. “This colt looked really, really good to us, so we decided it was a good opportunity to try and get him,” Moroney said after signing the ticket on the youngster. “So we did.” The yearling is out of My Fiona (Ghostzapper) and is a full-brother to stakes winner and Grade I-placed Finneus and a half to stakes winner Fi Fi Pharoah (American Pharoah). Moroney said Terry Lovingier, who bred the colt and consigned him under his Lovacres Ranch banner, recommended the yearling to him and he will likely be part of the partnership that will campaign him. “I've been in the [racing] business about 25 years,” Moroney said. “And I've been with Terry about five years. It's been a great partnership. They are just great people.” Of his trip out west, Moroney admitted, “I am in the Taco Bell business back home. I have 23 franchises. My son is kind of running the show now, which is kind of nice. So I can come out here and play.” McKinzie Filly to Blinkers On Scott Sherwood of Blinkers on Racing Stable was underbidder on a filly earlier in the auction, but would not be denied for a daughter of McKinzie (hip 180), going to $200,000 to acquire the yearling from the Barton Thoroughbreds consignment Tuesday in Pomona. “Greg Gilchrist is my bloodstock advisor and he short listed the horse for me,” Sherwood said. “She's a big pretty filly with a big walk, by the right sire. The dam is pretty strong, too, with a couple of runners.” The yearling is out of Tap Tap Ur It (Tapit), who is also the dam of stakes winner Tap Back (Einstein {Brz}) and multiple stakes placed Cholly (Mo Town). From his first crop to hit the track this year, Gainesway stallion McKinzie is already the sire of GI Hopeful Stakes winner Chancer McPatrick and GI Del Mar Futurity runner-up McKinzie Street. Sherwood admitted he had missed out on a filly earlier in the sale, with the $190,000 daughter of City of Light selling to Slugo Racing. “We put this filly in the same category [as hip 86],” Sherwood said. “I was the underbidder on that horse. We actually liked this one a little better, but if I could get that one, that was the one I was going to take. I didn't know if I would be able to get this one. We actually liked this horse's physical a little more, there was a little more to her.” Of his Blinkers On partnership, Sherwood added, “I've been doing it for so long, now it's just a private partnership. There are about 11 or 12 people that are automatically just in on the horse.” Brocklebanks Stay Busy at Fairplex John and Tari Brocklebank, just back from the Keeneland September sale, hit the ground running at the Fasig-Tipton California sale Tuesday, with Tari Brocklebank ultimately signing for 15 yearlings. While most of the group may be destined for resale next year, three of the yearlings were signed for on behalf of a racing partnership. “There is a partnership that we are forming right now,” Tari Brocklebank said. “There are about three or four people in a partnership that John has put together. They got four or five horses in the partnership and hopefully they will do well.” Leading the Brocklebanks purchases for the partnership was a colt by Mitole (hip 104) purchased for $130,000 from the Woodbridge Farm consignment. The yearling is out of stakes winner Obey (Desert Code). Also on behalf of the partnership, Brocklebank signed for a colt by Army Mule (hip 98) from the Rancho San Miguel consignment for $120,000. All of the Brocklebanks' yearling purchases will head to the couple's base in Utah and will be trained by Luis Mendez. “They will train there until the races start in March or April,” Brocklebank confirmed. The post Stay Thirsty Colt Tops Steady Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the country’s most promising three-year-olds have taken out the Gr.2 AHD – Animal Health Direct Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) in recent years, and Pam Gerard is hoping Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) can join that esteemed group in Saturday’s contest at Hastings. Last season’s Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) winner, Savaglee, has returned as a furnished three-year-old who blew away his rivals first-up at Taupo before storming into second behind Poetic Champion in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival. That performance was more than pleasing for Gerard, who prepares The Oaks Stud-owned colt out of Matamata. “I’m really happy with him, he’s certainly going in the right direction and he looks super well,” Gerard said. “He’s been doing things right in his races and settling, he possibly didn’t get the luck of the draw last time. “I don’t think he needs to do a lot more than he did there, obviously he was running on really well, so it all comes down to draws and a bit of luck in the running. I think that’s all he needs.” The race has also been a key form reference for past winners of the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), with the likes of Pier, Aegon, Catalyst and Madison County going on to take out the New Zealand Cup Week feature. Gerard holds similar aspirations for Savaglee, while she also has an eye on the race for her colt Suit Yourself, who may appear at the Te Rapa meeting on Friday. A son of Savile Row, Suit Yourself gained admirers when breaking maidens impressively last month and has accepted into the SJC Foundation 3YO (1200m), with track conditions determining his start. “He had a few days off after his win and has been a wee while between runs,” Gerard said. “Originally, our plan was to go to Matamata the following week, but he’s doing super well so we’re just trying to work out the best way to get to these better races. “I’m a bit unsure whether he’ll run on Friday, but he’s got a good draw and if the track comes back to a slow track, we would consider running. “He holds a nomination for that race (2000 Guineas) and as many as you can get in a Group One, the better, but he’s probably more of a Derby type of horse. “But he’ll certainly be given his chance to get to the 2000 Guineas and if he’s good enough, he’ll get there. If he needs more time, he’s got plenty of that up his sleeve.” A testing surface would pose no issue to stablemate Step In Time, who was luckless in third at his most recent appearance at Matamata and will contest the Craigs Investment Partners 2100. “He’s had a couple of unlucky runs, when he won he was very good and has been at each run since, just without any favours,” Gerard said. “He’s drawn out wide again which is not ideal, but if we can get things to go our way, he’ll be right there.” On Saturday, Gerard will be also paying close attention to the meeting at Riccarton Park, where her consistent mare Cork will step out in distance in the open 2000m event. The daughter of Complacent was third at her most recent appearance behind talented local Jon Ol Rocco over 1800m, with the potential for a heavy surface a positive for Gerard. “Surprisingly enough, she actually travelled for the first time in the run last time and she’s doing very well down there,” she said. “She was possibly a little bit above herself and got there too early last time, but she’s been crying out for 2000m for quite a while so we’re crossing our fingers the rain is coming. “In her last two starts at Riccarton, the track has just been a little bit too firm for her and she loves it wet.” Completing her representatives will be last-start winner Tonia’s Dragon, who is nominated for the Rating 75 1200m contest following her success in the lower grade on September 14. “She’s finally putting it together down there, we sent her there as she has a lot of ability but lacked a lot of confidence,” Gerard said. “I believe she’s a mare that can really go on with things, but I’m running her in the 75 as I want to keep her at 1200m for the moment. Hopefully she makes the field, but she’s super well and certainly hasn’t taken a back step since winning. “I think she’ll get the 1400 and further in time, but she’s always done a lot wrong up here. She’s starting to do things right and relax in her races, so eventually she’ll definitely get 1400 if not further.” View the full article