Wandering Eyes

Tajana will contest Saturday’s Group 3 Sunline Vase (1400m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) Fresh is best for top quality three-year-old Tajana who has thrived since her impressive return to competition last month. The Oaks Stud-bred and raced daughter of Darci Brahma was a resuming winner of the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) ahead of a second-up tilt at Saturday’s Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (1400m) at Ellerslie. Tajana, jumping from the seventh gate, is paying $3.20 and is a live chance of winning, according to trainer Shaune Ritchie. “She was very good last time and has done fantastically well, I’m pleased we ran her at Ruakaka,” Ritchie, who trains in partnership with Colm Murray, said. More: How to bet on NZ racing “The four weeks between runs will really suit her. I think she is a natural mile and a-quarter horse, that’s what she’s showing us at the moment. “Keeping her fresh for these shorter distances is the right way to go and I am expecting her to go really super on Saturday. “She is a high-quality filly, no doubt, and she has really come on with the trip up there (Ruakaka) and the time to get over the race to really bring her summer coat through.” Tajana has now won twice from five starts, having broken her maiden last season and placed in the group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and Group 3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m). Her main spring goal is the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and, safely through this weekend, she will have one more outing before the Riccarton feature. “The program we have going forward, which Rick Williams (The Oaks General Manager) and I have discussed, is a good one,” Ritchie said. “She will go to the Soliloquy Stakes (Group 2, 1400m) before we head down to Riccarton. “She is a laid-back filly and lovely to train, she almost trains herself and the only real concern is the 1400m on Saturday far enough, but I don’t think we could have tackled it any other way.” Tajana was ridden to victory at Ruakaka by Wiremu Pinn, who will make way at Ellerslie for Geroge Rooke. “He was promised the ride before he got hurt and he’ll ride her through the season,” Ritchie said. Tajana is currently the $5 second favourite for the 1000 Guineas behind Saturday’s race rival Lollapalooza at $3.20 with PlayUp (Playup review). View the full article

Grade 1-winning 3-year-old fillies Scottish Lassie, La Cara, and Good Cheer have another opportunity for top-level stakes glory when they compete Sept. 20 at Parx Racing in the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1).View the full article

The number of horses eligible for December’s Harness 5000 meeting at Ashburton continues to soar. Every week the Harness 5000 Progress Tracker is updated to show the number of horses who have reached the qualifying threshold for the meeting. Last week the figure was 117. The week before that it was 83. Now it is at 136. The “168” on the tracker signifies all 12 races having full 14-horse fields. It is however anticipated that around 350 horses will be in the mix come December, though this figure could fluctuate. The Harness 5000 is for trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception and to be eligible horses must compete in at least five race day starts between July 3 – December 9,2025. On December 21 there will be $60,000 finals in each of the 12 categories. All will be 1700 metre mobiles. So far the biggest categories are for the 5YO and older Entires and Geldings. There are currently 31 pacers and 30 trotters. To see the Harness 5000 leaderboard click here View the full article

By Adam Hamilton If former star mare Cyclone Kate was human, she would be one heck of a proud mum watching on. Her latest progeny Cyclone Rebel, a colt by Bettor’s Delight, made quite a splash winning his first start at staggeringly big odds at Alexandra Park last Friday week. He steps up quickly again to try and overcome an awful draw (gate 12) and win again in a heat of the Sires’ Stake series at the same track this week. Almost 5400 kilometres away and in a different country, Cyclone Rebel’s older half-brother Cyclone Jordy returns to racing in the $35,000 Battle of Bunbury on Saturday night. The nuggety three-year-old is chasing his 11th successive win, the past nine of those since being bought by clients of champion trainer Gary Hall Sr for a reported $400,000 and joining his stable. Cyclone Jordy had five starts in NZ for three wins and a second before crossing the ditch. Hall Sr doesn’t hide his excitement. “He’s special,” he said. “He’s the equal of any of the best three-year-olds I’ve trained … Alta Christiano, The Falcon Strike and Chicago Bull, none were better than him. “It hasn’t been easy getting races for him with our ratings system. “If the three-year-old races don’t stand-up, and they rarely do when people see him nominated, he’d have to race against free-for-allers because he’s won 10 in a row. I refuse to do that.” Cyclone Jordy will dominate betting again from gate two at Bunbury. The $200,000 Group 1 WA Derby on October 31 is Cyclone Jordy’s most immediate feature target. Beyond Bunbury, there is a WA Derby Prelude slated for Gloucester Park on October 3. In other stable news, 2023 Auckland Cup winner Better Eclipse has joined the growing team of Hall Sr’s son, Gary Jnr. They train from the same property. Better Eclipse won three Group 1 races, including the Chariots Of Fire and Sunshine Sprint, in a phenomenal stint with trainer Jess Tubbs and her late husband, Greg Sugars. He also finished second to Leap To Fame in the 2023 Brisbane Inter Dominion final. Tubbs confirmed he left her stable last month. “It was sad to see him go, he’s been a real favourite, but I’m just glad he’s gone to a good stable and will be well looked after,” she said. Better Eclipse will be set for the $450,000 Group 1 WA Pacing Cup in December. Interestingly, Hall Jr is the regular driver of nominal WA Cup favourite Mister Smartee, who won the huge Nullarbor/Fremantle Cup double in April/May. He returned a spell with a fourth to Magnificent Storm in the free-for-all after sitting outside the leader and winner last Friday night. “I was pleased with the run,” Hall Sr said. “He needed it and Magnificent Storm was race fit and always going to dictate and run along.” Hall has opted to back-up Mister Smartee quickly this week where he will start from outside the front row (gate eight) in an easier free-for-all over 2130m. His most fascinating rival is one-time glamour pacer Captain Ravishing, who has changed ownership and is first-up for the Lindsay Harper stable from gate three. View the full article

Fresh is best for top quality three-year-old Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) who has thrived since her impressive return to competition last month. The Oaks Stud-bred and raced daughter of Darci Brahma was a resuming winner of the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) ahead of a second-up tilt at Saturday’s Gr.3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (1400m) at Ellerslie. “She was very good last time and has done fantastically well, I’m pleased we ran her at Ruakaka,” said Shaune Ritchie, who trains in partnership with Colm Murray. “The four weeks between runs will really suit her. I think she is a natural mile and a-quarter horse, that’s what she’s showing us at the moment. “Keeping her fresh for these shorter distances is the right way to go and I am expecting her to go really super on Saturday. “She is a high-quality filly, no doubt, and she has really come on with the trip up there (Ruakaka) and the time to get over the race to really bring her summer coat through.” Tajana has now won twice from five starts, having broken her maiden last season and placed in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m). Her main spring goal is the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and, safely through this weekend, she will have one more outing before the Riccarton feature. “The program we have going forward, which Rick Williams (The Oaks General Manager) and I have discussed, is a good one,” Ritchie said. “She will go to the Soliloquy Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) before we head down to Riccarton. “She is a laid-back filly and lovely to train, she almost trains herself and the only real concern is the 1400m on Saturday far enough, but I don’t think we could have tackled it any other way.” Tajana was ridden to victory at Ruakaka by Wiremu Pinn, who will make way at Ellerslie for Geroge Rooke. “He was promised the ride before he got hurt and he’ll ride her through the season,” Ritchie said. Tajana is currently the $5 second favourite for the 1000 Guineas behind Saturday’s race rival Lollapalooza at $3.20. View the full article

Rudy Liefting gave up the opportunity to train subsequent Group One winner Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj) a few years ago, and he is being rewarded for his selflessness with the rise of another exciting filly. Liefting purchased Grail Seeker, under his Kakapo Lodge banner, out of Jamieson Park’s 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $130,000 on behalf of clients Sir Trevor Clarke and Chris Jones. While the market proved to be too hot for his initial budget, he managed to coerce his clients to extend a little to secure her. “On the budget I was allocated I was struggling to buy anything,” Liefting said. “I said to Chris, ‘this is hopeless, I can’t get near anything, our budget isn’t even getting a first bid in’. “I did notice that the Iffraaj fillies were good value for money, and I went around and had a look at every Iffraaj filly and I came across this filly. I told Chris that I saw one stunner, I went around and showed him her and he fell in love with her. The reserve was $130,000 and we got her right on the money.” Liefting was rapt to secure the filly, and while he would have loved to have trained her, he advised his clients to put her in the care of a bigger stable, and she found a home with Wexford Stables. She has gone on to win four and place in four of her 14 starts to date for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, including victories in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m), Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) and Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m). “I sat down with Chris and I said a filly like her might be better in a bigger stable,” Liefting said. “I didn’t want to because I have always dreamed of training a horse like her, but I prefer the cheaper ones, it is a bit less pressure.” Liefting found a cheaper one a year later in Unrestrained (NZ) (Time Test), who he purchased as a weanling for Clarke and Jones for $4,000 out of Little Avondale Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling and Broodmare Sale draft. “I said to Chris ‘what about buying a couple of cheapies at the weanling sales?’ and I bought her (Unrestrained),” Liefting said. “Trevor McKee had her grandmother, Royal Tiara (NZ), and she won the Auckland Cup (Gr.1, 3200m). The pedigree all stacked up and she was quite a nice type. We didn’t want to spend a lot of money and she fell into the budget as well.” Liefting said the daughter of Time Test has shown a lot of promise the whole way through but has proven to be a bit of a handful. “She has been really difficult on the ground to handle. We have just had to spend more time with her,” he said. “She got scratched at the barriers twice at the trials because she wouldn’t load. We have got on top of those issues, but she is not easy at home. She is nice to ride, but she is not easy on the ground.” Unrestrained was runner-up in two trials before making her debut over 1200m at Ruakaka earlier this month where she finished runner-up behind Transcend (NZ) (So You Think). “I was really happy with the run,” Liefting said. “I am pretty confident I left a stack of improvement in her that day. It was only her first start on raceday and she got scratched at the trials, so she missed her trial going into it. I think she will get at least one or two lengths improvement out of it.” Liefting will find out if his assessment his correct on Saturday when he heads to Ellerslie with the filly where she will have her first crack at stakes level in the Gr.3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (1400m). “We will get a bit of a measure of her and see if she is up to it or not,” he said. “It’s a good opportunity to get some black-type if we can sneak into a place.” Unrestrained has drawn barrier five on Saturday and will be ridden by Joe Doyle. “I was praying for a good draw and that might give her a chance,” Liefting said. “She seems to have a bit of tactical speed, so she might get into a nice position. Joe Doyle is riding her, he rode her once at the trials.” A day prior at Te Aroha, Liefting will line-up Mont Ventoux (NZ) (Nom du Jeu) in the J SWAP Great New Zealand Hurdle (4200m). “I have got him as good as I can get him,” he said. “I don’t know how he is going to go because it is a bit tougher field than last year, where he ran second. “When he finished fourth last-start (in the Pakuranga Hunt Hurdle), he had come off a bit of a freshen-up, so he will take a bit of improvement out of that. I think he will still be an outside place chance.” View the full article

Multiple Group 1 winner, Antino. (Photo: Bruno Cannatelli) A trio of champions will battle it out to be crowned Queensland Horse of the Year at the 2025 Queensland Thoroughbred Awards. Earlier today, the finalists for this year’s Awards were unveiled ahead of the gala event at The Star Brisbane on Sunday, October 12, recognising the Sunshine State’s most outstanding gallopers and participants over the past season. The race for the top gong is set to be one of the closest in years with all three nominees enjoying Group 1 success last season, as reigning Horse of the Year Antino goes head-to-head with fairytale Melbourne Cup champion Knight’s Choice and star colt Cool Archie. The JJ Atkins winner, Cool Archie, also headlines the nominations for 2YO Horse of the Year, alongside Grafterburners and Sunrays, while Philia, Spicy Martini and Give Me Space will battle it out for the 3YO Horse of the Year honours. Antino and Knight’s Choice also feature in the 4YO and Older Horse of the Year nominations, alongside with Zarastro who came agonisingly close to taking out the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup in June. In total, close to 30 awards will be presented – including Trainer, Jockey and Apprentice of the Year, as well as the Sportsbet Queensland Horse of the Year. The evening will also see four new inductees into the Queensland Hall of Fame. Acting RQ CEO Lachlan Murray said the Horse of the Year finalists are the strongest group seen in recent years, with a cumulative four Group 1 wins and eight black type successes. “The star power on show in Queensland has well and truly come to the fore over the last 12 months,” Mr Murray said. “Knight’s Choice re-wrote the record books by becoming the first Queensland-trained horse to take out the race that stops a nation, whilst Antino’s demolition in the Doomben Cup still sits comfortably within the Longines World’s Best Racehorse rankings. “Cool Archie’s two-year-old season stacked up against the best the nation had to offer last season, with his five-race winning streak culminating in Group 1 glory in the JJ Atkins. “It’s also important that we acknowledge our off-the-track success, and we are pleased to again recognise the Stable Person of the Year for the dedication of those behind the scenes at the coalface of the sport. “Similarly, the vital support the Queensland Off-The-Track Program provides our animals post-racing will be celebrated through the Queensland Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year Award.” Tony Gollan headlines the nominees for the Queensland Trainer of the Year, looking to take out a 12th straight title following another outstanding season in which he notched 134 metropolitan victories. Co-trainers Chris and Corey Munce, as well as the team of Sheila Laxon and John Symons, are also recognised as nominees for their excellent respective seasons in which both stables claimed Group 1 victories. The George Moore Queensland Jockey of the Year title race will also go down to the wire, with history-maker Angela Jones going up against Melbourne Cup champion Robbie Dolan and young gun Emily Lang. Finally, Lang – who finished second in the Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership – has also been nominated for Queensland Apprentice of the Year, with Cody Collis and Bailey Wheeler her rivals. Horse racing news View the full article

Lo Rider seals a quartet for Caspar Fownes. (Photo: HKJC) Reprising his role as ‘King of the Valley,’ Caspar Fownes vaulted to the top of the 2025/26 Hong Kong trainers’ championship with a quartet at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (17 September). Hong Kong’s most successful trainer at the track, Fownes boosted his career tally of wins at Happy Valley to 633 after combining with Ellis Wong to post a race-to-race double with Silver Spurs and Mighty Commander before Hugh Bowman triumphed on Rocket Spade, with Harry Bentley delivering a fourth success on Lo Rider. “Half the card, so very happy – it’s a good night. I thought I would have a good night coming here tonight but racing is racing. You always need some luck,” Fownes said after talented Lo Rider (121lb) claimed a PP Bonus of HK$3 million by winning the Class 2 Shek O Handicap (1650m) to crown a stellar meeting for the four-time Hong Kong champion trainer. “I’m very happy, especially for the last winner (Lo Rider) because the owner (Caspar Fownes Trainer Syndicate) gets a big bonus and the horse is first time at Happy Valley, so it was nice to see a great effort. So, all in all, it’s been a lovely night. “I’m very proud of him and he’s a chance to continue on. He performed very well last season and ran a close fourth in the (BMW Hong Kong) Derby (2000m) and a lot of his runs were very close and obviously in Hong Kong when you have your second season, you can start to settle into the system, especially being a European horse, and progress – and he’s doing that.” Formerly known as Sharinay, the Harzand gelding won twice in Ireland before transferring to Fownes’ stable. Jubilant after firing in a brace, Wong said: “It’s good, especially to have these winners for Caspar, he gives me a lot of support. Both horses ran well, so it’s great.” Silver Spurs (128lb) justified Fownes’ patience with victory in the Class 5 Chung Hom Kok Handicap (1000m). The Charm Spirit gelding suffered a lung infection in 2024 and pastern injuries earlier in 2025 before prevailing at his 11th start. Wong angled Mighty Commander (128lb) away from the fence to have the Artie Schiller gelding in a striking position mid-race before surging to his second win in 16 Hong Kong starts. Rocket Spade (127lb) continued to build a strong record at Happy Valley with victory in the Class 3 Community Chest Cup Handicap (1650m), finishing stoutly to overhaul Star Contact (128lb) and Another Zonda (125lb). Karis Teetan opened his winning account for the season with the spectacular success of Forever Folks (121lb) in the Class 4 Lido Handicap (1800m). A clear last early after missing the start, the Hong Kong International Sale graduate sprinted sharply in the straight on his first start for Danny Shum. “It’s nice to get the first win, it took a couple of meetings. I was close in a couple of races, but you have to be strong mentally in Hong Kong and always try to look forward,” Teetan said. “The owner, Mr So, has been a great supporter and it always helps when you get that support. When the horse caught the field and I pulled him out at the 600m, he was travelling but I thought the straight would be too short. “But he was extending and in the straight, I always thought he would get there.” Teetan and Shum also struck with Master Champion (135lb) in the first section of the Class 4 Hoi Mei Handicap (1200m) before Lyle Hewitson and Mark Newnham prevailed with progressive King Lotus (135lb) to land the third section of the Class 4 Hoi Mei Handicap (1200m). Superb Capitalist (135lb) enhanced his imposing Happy Valley record with his sixth win at the course, clinching the Class 3 Repulse Bay Handicap (1000m) for Tony Cruz and Matthew Chadwick. The six-year-old has two wins at 1000m and four at 1200m as well as another victory over 1200m at Sha Tin with tonight’s success taking the gelding’s prizemoney beyond HK$10 million. Horse racing news View the full article

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Keeneland September Book 5 opened Wednesday with continued strong trade across the board led by a Midshipman colt (hip 3056) who topped the session at $270,000 to trainer Wesley Ward. Increases were seen on all fronts as 303 yearlings sold through the ring for $15,405,500, up 12.09% from last year's Session 9 gross of $13,744,000 for 308 horses. Average price of $50,843 was 13.94% above $44,623 last year and the median increased 14.29% from $35,000 to $40,000. Cumulatively, Keeneland has sold 2,074 yearlings through the ring for $487,629,500 for an average of $235,115 and a median of $150,000. The total is up 23.07% from the corresponding period last year when the gross was $396,213,500 for 2,048 horses. The average rose 21.53% from $193,464 in 2024, while the median increased 36.36% from $110,000. For the session, Legacy Bloodstock led consignors with sales of $1,247,000 for 29 horses. Faris Breeding spent $705,000 on seven yearlings to top buyers. Co-bred and consigned by Nursery Place, the Midshipman colt is the top-priced yearling to sell for his sire, a fact that stunned Nursery's John Mayar. “Darley texted us and said congratulations, he's the highest priced Midshipman [yearling] sold which I find hard to believe for a good sire like that,” he said. The colt's first dam Tiz Rae Anna was stakes placed in the Ruthless, Busher and Cicada all at Aqueduct in her own racing career before producing SP Typhoon Fury (Mitole) as her second foal. “He's a May foal,” Mayar continued. “And he wears that. He's a big, free-ranging mover but he's still an unfinished product. He acts like a rocketship. Rangy but incredibly well balanced and very light on his feet.” Trainer Wesley Ward, who picked up several yearlings earlier in the sale with classic aspirations, should be able to mold this colt to his tastes, Mayar said. “I think he's going to do whatever you ask him to do,” he said. “I think he's very fast but I also think he'll run on [longer]. He'll do whatever Wesley wants him to do. I think he'll be very happy.” As a consigner, Nursery Place has seen plenty of success already this week including selling a Ghostzapper filly (hip 762) for $1,175,000 during the Book 2 opener held last Wednesday. The $270,000 tag on their Midshipman colt matched their co-third highest price of the sale thus far. “He just came together in the last two hours,” said Mayar. “There were a lot of really good people on him. Did I think he could bring [that price]? I don't know. I told [Ward's agent] Louis DuBois, 'you need to look at this colt because he's what I think you all like' and the next thing you know, Wesley's down at the barn an hour before the sale and boom, it's done.” The September Sale continues Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. ET and runs each day through Saturday. Hip 3085, a Knicks Go colt | Keeneland Knicks Go Colt 'Aspires' For More A Florida-bred colt (hip 3085) became the highest priced yearling from the second crop of Horse of the Year Knicks Go when selling for $210,000 to Aspire Equine early in Wednesday's session at Keeneland September. Consigned by Eaton Sales, the colt was making his second trip to the ring this year and provided a solid pinhook for previous owner MJ Stables who picked up the colt at the OBS Winter Mixed Sale in January for just $30,000. Bred by Mast Thoroughbreds, the dark bay or brown colt got a timely update when 3-year-old half-sister Khali J (Khozan) broke her maiden on debut at Thistledown for trainer Robert Gorham Aug. 5. The colt clearly showed well on the end of the shank as Eaton Sales's Reiley McDonald was quick to note. “The horse has been easy from the word go,” McDonald said. “He has a good a profile as you'll see on any horse. Big, strong colt. He has the most beautiful neck and shoulder. [He] should be in the book of conformation.” Knicks Go currently ranks fourth on the first crop sire list by progeny earnings, less than $1,000 out of third-place currently held by Darley's Maxfield. He's currently sired 12 winners led by 'TDN Rising Star' and GII Saratoga Special Stakes winner Ewing along with GI Natalma Stakes third La Culasse. The post Midshipman Leads The Charge As Keeneland Book 5 Kicks Off appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Haulin Ice is the perfect poster horse for Arkansas' breeding program, and is on the cusp of dethroning Nodouble—who last raced in 1970—as the highest-earning Thoroughbred bred in the state. View the full article

The Princess Rooney Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park has seen its grade and purse gradually reduced since it was moved from Calder Race Course a dozen years ago, but the race has experienced a renaissance in its impact on the female sprint divisionView the full article

David Fiske, racing manager for Winchell Thoroughbreds, doesn't have a solid explanation for Magnitude's performance in the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, a third-place finish in a field of five and more than 20 lengths behind Sovereignty.View the full article

Jamie Insole was a man on a mission at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, with the Urloxhey Stables joint-trainer featuring among the buyers at the Kentucky bonanza via a daughter of sire-on-fire Justify. View the full article

The latest twist in the legal odyssey involving Phil Serpe and the agencies that regulate racing at the federal level was made public late on Tuesday, when the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued an order staying the issuance of a $25,000 fine that had been imposed against the veteran Thoroughbred trainer barely one day earlier by an administrative law judge (ALJ). That ALJ, Jay Himes, had been assigned by the FTC itself to adjudicate Serpe's FTC-level appeal of banned-substance charges. In addition to re-imposing the fine that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) had withdrawn earlier this year, the 130-page decision by Himes also criticized various aspects of the agencies' handling of the case. For nearly half a year, Serpe, a currently suspended, 66-year-old, East Coast-based conditioner, has claimed that the non-pursuit of a fine by HISA and HIWU is an alleged end-around by those agencies to stymie his efforts to prove in a federal lawsuit that he has been wrongfully denied a constitutional right to a jury trial. Bradford Beilly, an attorney from Serpe's legal team, told TDN on Wednesday that the FTC's order staying the just-imposed fine was abrupt, unexpected and possibly unprecedented with regard to how the FTC has handled previous ALJ decisions involving banned-substance appeals. “The FTC's so-called 'stay' of the $25,000 fine doesn't change anything,” Beilly told TDN. “The ALJ never said Serpe had to pay it right away in the first place. Under HISA, fines are normally due at the end of a suspension–not up front. I'm not aware of a single case where someone had to pay a fine immediately after getting a two-year suspension. “The FTC's order looks like more of the same tactics we've seen from HISA–an attempt to sidestep Serpe's Seventh Amendment challenge and block the court from addressing the real harm he's facing,” Beilly said. Johnny ElHachem, a lawyer representing HISA, wanted the judge handling Serpe's lawsuit to know right away about this latest development by the FTC. ElHachem wrote in a Wednesday federal court filing that, “Within one business day of the ALJ's decision, the Commission exercised its authority [to] review that decision, issue a briefing schedule, and stay the fine pending its review. That order and the ALJ's decision both underscore why this Court should deny Plaintiff's request for the 'extraordinary and drastic remedy' of a preliminary injunction while administrative proceedings are ongoing…” ElHachem continued: “…the [FTC's] order staying the imposition of the fine effectively puts the parties back into the same position they were in before the ALJ's decision: [HISA] is not seeking (and has not sought) a fine, and Plaintiff does not owe one. So Plaintiff does not face any imminent, irreparable harm connected to his Seventh Amendment claim.” Because the FTC's two-page Sept. 15 order did not state any reasons or findings about why the stay was necessary or appropriate, TDN on Wednesday reached out to April Tabor–the secretary of the FTC, who signed that document–to explain the reasoning behind the order and to put the FTC's decision in context. But that attempt to get the FTC's side of the story did not yield any reply from Tabor prior to deadline for this article. Last year, when Serpe was first charged by HIWU with a clenbuterol positive in one of his trainees at Saratoga Race Course–a violation that carried a possible two-year ban and $25,000 fine as punishment–the case seemed to hinge on whether or not Serpe would be able to disprove or mitigate the banned-substance findings. That seemed like a tall task, because since the effective date of HIWU's rules in mid-2023, 12 of the agency's 15 adjudications for clenbuterol had resulted in fines of at least $15,000 and varying suspensions. In just two instances, the anti-doping violations were withdrawn, and in one other case the split sample did not confirm the presence of the drug, so the charge was dropped. But even as Serpe followed the proper administrative procedures to contest his case via the rules mandated by the FTC, HISA and HIWU, he concurrently filed a federal lawsuit against HISA and the FTC, bringing up a legal point no other trainers facing similar banned-substance penalties had ventured to try: His Oct. 17, 2024, civil complaint cited a United States Supreme Court case that ruled that a federal regulatory agency's enforcement for civil monetary penalties must be brought in a federal court, subject to the Seventh Amendment's jury trial right. Phil Serpe in 2021 | Sarah Andrew Put more simply, if HIWU and HISA were going to threaten a fine against Serpe, the trainer asserted that because of that Supreme Court precedent, he was entitled to have his entire case heard in a federal court before a jury, where broader rules of discovery would be in play. Both the HIWU/HISA proceedings and the lawsuit lingered for eight months until this past spring, when HIWU, at the behest of HISA, withdrew the threat of the $25,000 fine just as Serpe's case was about to go to HIWU arbitration. At that time, attorneys for the FTC and HISA wrote in an Apr. 24 federal court filing that the move to make the monetary fine go away “moots Plaintiff's Seventh Amendment claim and removes any risk of cognizable harm with respect to it.” Subsequently, a HIWU arbitrator issued a decision that meted out the exact penalties sought by HIWU and HISA–a two-year suspension, plus a race disqualification and forfeiture of purse winnings. Over the summer, Serpe's legal team responded with its own series of filings, alleging in a July 15 court document that the agencies' decision to take the fine off the table was “gamesmanship” intended to stymie Serpe's efforts to prove that he has been wrongfully denied a constitutional right to a jury trial. HISA, in an Aug. 15 legal filing, denied those allegations, writing that Serpe “has completely turned this case on its head.” After the decision by the HIWU arbitrator, Serpe next appealed to the FTC. The agency assigned Himes as the ALJ, and his decision (dated Sept. 12 but not publicly released until Monday, Sept. 15) contained scathing criticisms of HISA and HIWU in addition to “modifying” the penalty to add back in a $25,000 penalty. Himes wrote in his decision that HISA's reasoning behind withdrawing the threat of a fine against Serpe “misses the forest for the trees” and put Serpe in a “catch-22” by setting up a situation whereby “Serpe cannot have his Seventh Amendment claim heard either on this review or in his Federal Action.” Hines continued in his Sept. 12 decision: “That cannot be right…..Suffice it to say at this point that, in my view, the Authority and HIWU have sought to deprive Serpe of the opportunity to have his Seventh Amendment claim heard and resolved….As Serpe rhetorically asks in the Federal Action: 'Will Defendants run this set of plays every time a Covered Person is prosecuted under HISA and seeks to vindicate his Seventh Amendment right?….In executing the Authority's directive, HIWU became complicit in the Authority's wrongful conduct.” The FTC's response, dated Sept. 15, was swift: Serpe's fine (but not suspension) was stayed, and the FTC ordered a “further review” that the FTC itself will undertake. The FTC also set a briefing schedule, ordering Serpe's legal team to file the first brief by Oct. 16–but without stating specifically what aspects of the case are going to be reviewed. Meanwhile, in the separate federal court case, Serpe's renewed motion for a preliminary injunction is still awaiting the judge's decision. On Monday–after the ALJ's decision re-imposing the fine, but before the FTC stayed it–Serpe's attorney, Beilly, implored the court to rule in the trainer's favor on the injunction. “No longer 'imminent,' the FTC has now in fact violated Serpe's Seventh Amendment Right,” Beilly wrote. “Regardless of what transpired during the Arbitration hearing, the ALJ has independently (i) found Serpe liable for [the] violation, (ii) confirmed the continuance of the two-year suspension, and (iii) imposed a $25,000 fine–all without a jury trial… “The FTC's violation has caused Serpe irreparable harm through the various injuries arising out of his two-year suspension, which itself was imposed based upon the administrative proceeding rather than a prior jury trial,” Beilly wrote. The post Day After FTC Judge Issues Criticisms Of HISA And HIWU In Serpe Case, FTC Orders Halt To Re-Imposed Fine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz Northern reinswoman Holly Moralde Sands gets a special opportunity at Cambridge Raceway tonight, teaming up with Regal Girl in the Harness Hoedown Skyline Lounge 25th Sept Handicap Trot (6.29pm). The five-year-old daughter of What The Hill is trained by Moralde Sands’ employer Tony Herlihy and while she has had a handful of race-day drives so far, this will be her very first behind one from Herlihy’s team, and her first official drive at Cambridge. Until now, all four of her race day appearances have come aboard her own trotter, Grace N Elegance. She admits she’s still finding her feet in the sport but is relishing every opportunity to learn. “Driving at the races is a lot different to what I expected, it’s a lot calmer and quieter than I would’ve thought,” Holly explained. “It’s a great feeling to be out there on my own horse, she’s a lovely animal and a great teacher.” Tonight she climbs aboard Regal Girl, who has been racing in strong Alexandra Park company in recent weeks. The mare is backing up from her race last Friday in a tough free-for-all assignment, and two starts ago caught the eye when charging into third after an early break cost her valuable ground. On paper, tonight’s field is a drop in grade, but the pair will need to overcome a 35m handicap to feature. Despite the challenge, Holly is upbeat about their chances. “She’s been racing really well, it’s just her last few starts she’s been held up and hasn’t really gotten a run,” Holly said. “She should go well tonight, her best form hasn’t been over the 2700m but compared to what she’s been up against at Auckland this is a decent drop in grade.” The opportunity to drive Regal Girl is made even more special by the fact it comes for Herlihy, who along with his wife Suzanne has played a central role in her career so far. “I’ve learnt most of what I know from Tony. Both he and Suzanne have been massive supporters of mine,” Holly said. “With all of the support that they have given me, it would mean a lot to be able to drive a winner for them.” View the full article

By Jonny Turner Punters shouldn’t be alarmed if they see Matthew Williamson in an unfamiliar spot at Winton on Thursday. The reinsman will reunite with Always Be Batman who could sit well off the pace when he starts from barrier 12 in his first start following a brief freshener. Known as one of the best front-running drivers going around, it could be considered a bit odd to see Williamson well back on a warm favourite though if it does pan out that way there shouldn’t be cause for concern. “I drove him earlier in the year in the Supremacy heats and it is probably fair to say he is the class horse of the field,” Williamson said. “Even if he gets back from the draw, I would think he has the ability to round up a field like that.” “Over 2400m we should have the time to work into it at some stage, if we do end up settling a fair way back.” “He’s got a good turn of foot which is a big help.” He is a $3 favourite for the Book A Marquee for WDC25 Mobile Pace at 4.23pm. Williamson’s last two drives at Winton are for the Jeremy Douglas stable, starting off with last-start runner-up Magic Sign. “His last start was good and he’s drawn the same spot.” “He is a horse that has punched above his weight at times and he is very honest.” “He would have to be a top four chance.” Williamson also links up with two more outside drives at Winton in November Nine and Hacksaw Ridge. “November Nine improved from her first start to win her second, she is definitely not the worst.” “Hacksaw Ridge never gives it away, his first-up run was good and even though he probably won’t be one of the favoured runners he’s a handy chance.” Williamson takes two of his own team south to Winton in Granny Rose and Sargent Best. Granny Rose steps up in grade after producing strong overall form in Canterbury. “It is a harder grade for him but of the horses off the front and 10m, he would be one of the better chances.” “He’s got great manners and I think he can go a handy race.” Sargent Best has been largely luckless in his last two starts, but that could change from barrier 4 on Thursday. “Looking at the field you’d think he would be a great chance if he was in the mood.” “But it depends which version of him turns up.” View the full article

Friday, Ayr, post time: 14:33, THE BRITISH EBF STALLIONS HARRY ROSEBERY STAKES-Listed, £35,500, 2yo, 5fT Field: Boston Dan (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}), Chairmanfourtimes (Ire) (Nando Parrado {GB}), Rikki Tiki Tavi (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), Ipanema Queen (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Arduis Invicta (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), Daneh Of Dandy (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Hanney Girl (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), Lebron Power (GB) (Starman {GB}), Our Cody (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Pearl Fortune (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Shine On Me (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Spicy Marg (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Temple Of Athena (GB) (Magna Grecia {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Never a factor in the Nunthorpe, Spicy Marg still holds considerable street cred having previously upstaged King Power's flying filly Revival Power in Goodwood's Alice Keppel. Third in the G3 Prix d'Arenberg last time, Shine On Me is one of the highest-rated maidens in training and surely warrants one of these. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Spicy Marg Locks Horns With Shine On Me In Harry Rosebery Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After finishing third in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) Aug. 23 off a 4 1/2-month layoff, grade 2 winner Barnes ships back east to Parx Racing for the $400,000 Gallant Bob Stakes (G2) Sept. 20.View the full article

Trainer Jorge Abreu highlights dual grade 1 winner Scottish Lassie's progress since her dominant Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) victory as she trains at Parx Racing for the $1 million Cotillion Stakes (G1) Sept. 20.View the full article

Let go at odds of 24-5 shipping down from Saratoga to debut going a mile on the Presque Isle Tapeta track, the well-related THE BIG CON (GB) (c, 2, Dark Angel {Ire}–Nakuti {Ire}, by Mastercraftsman {Ire}) made an eye-catching sweep for the lead when asked fully three furlongs from home and shot away from his four overmatched rivals to graduate by a highly impressive eight lengths en route to 'TDN Rising Star' honors. Top local jockey Pablo Morales looked to be asking the 115,000gns Tattersalls October graduate for some speed to secure a spot from his rail draw, but the Mar. 18 could not quite go the early gallop and Morales elected to settle him at the tail of the field as the pace was slow to develop. Traveling three or four off the inside, but with cover as they raced into the final four furlongs, The Big Con was edged out widest of all and in the blink of an eye, raced up to the leaders without truly being asked. On even terms passing the quarter pole, The Big Con opened up readily approaching the eighth pole and was taken well in hand for most of the final sixteenth of a mile, while still shading :25 seconds for the last couple of furlongs. The Big Con is the full-brother to Wathnan Racing's Heredia (Ire), recent winner of the GII Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 9. Sales history: 115,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Reeves Thorougbred Racing, Tony Weintraub & Brandon M Dalinka' B-St Albans Bloodstock LLP; T-Miguel Clement. Well done to THE BIG CON, who won impressively on debut today! He was much the best under @Pablojockey88. Congratulations @ReevesThorobred, @pattiannreeves, Tony Weintraub, and @BDalinka! pic.twitter.com/tLilzNLfWS — Clement Racing Stable (@clementstable) September 17, 2025 The post Debuting Dark Angel Colt No ‘Con’ Artist, Becomes a ‘TDN Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a son of dual Group 1 winner Amazing Maria (Mastercraftsman). 5.48 Naas, Debutantes, 2yo, 7fT PORT FERDINAND (IRE) (Camelot {GB}) is a son of the Falmouth, Prix Rothschild and Duke of Cambridge Stakes winner Amazing Maria (Mastercraftsman) and is one of two runners for Ballydoyle in this newcomers' event. The first-string on jockey bookings, the grey is joined by Cape Primrose (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), a son of the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Moyglare heroine Again (Danehill Dancer) whose daughter Delphinia (Galileo) was twice Group 1-placed. The post Port Ferdinand An Eyecatcher For Ballydoyle At Naas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 09/16/2025 Licensee: Dale Romans, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a Class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Defiant Lass, who finished second at Keeneland on 4/11/25. Date: 09/15/2025 Licensee: Billy Miller, trainer Penalty: No consequences, charges removed. Explainer: HIWU alleged that he had breached rule 3510(b), “Refusal/failure to cooperate promptly and completely with HISA/HIWU under the ADMC Program Rules.” Date: 09/12/2025 Licensee: Elias Lopez, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Late Blacksmith, who won at Belterra Park on 8/6/25. Date: 09/11/2025 Licensee: Sergio Morfin, trainer Penalty: Combined 22-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Sept. 12, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a combined fine of $3,500; combined imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Methocarbamol–a Class C controlled substance–in samples taken from Lady Dosia, who finished sixth at Santa Anita on 6/12/25; and when she finished fourth at Santa Anita on 5/16/25. Date: 09/10/2025 Licensee: Hector Palma, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Uncle Evco on 7/30/25. Pending ADMC Violations 09/17/2025, Moises Yanez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from She's Gone Rogue, who won at Colonial Downs on 8/16/25. 09/16/2025, Rasheed Pinnock, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Catalierra on 8/17/25. 09/16/2025, Jose Roberto Gonzalez, trainer: Pending vets's list medication violations for the presence of testosterone–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Ol' McClintock on 4/22/25; and for the presence of Albuterol–a banned bronchodilator–in a sample taken from Discovery N Sight on 7/23/25. 09/15/2025, Jose Miguel Jimenez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Into Inspiration, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 7/28/25. 09/12/2025, Vladimir Cerin, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Saqeel on 8/13/25. 09/12/2025, Harry Lynch, trainer: Pending vets's list medication violation for the presence of Flunixin–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Cutlass King on 8/12/25. 09/11/2025, Eusebio Juarez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Sparteine–a banned Antiarrhythmic–in a sample taken from Desoto's War, who won at Will Rogers on 4/28/25. Violations of Crop Rule Aqueduct Ruben Dario Silvera–violation date Sept. 11; $500 fine, one-day suspension Delaware Park Jean Briceno–violation date Sept. 11; $250 fine, one-day suspension Julio Hernandez–violation date Sept. 11; $250 fine, one-day suspension Cecily Evans–violation date Sept. 11; $250 fine, one-day suspension Los Alamitos Assael Espinoza–violation date Sept. 13; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, Sept. 11-17 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 297-strong catalogue for the BBAG Sale and Racing Festival is now online. Set to begin after the races on October 17-18, the sale features 210 yearlings, three foals, 32 broodmares, and 51 horses-in-training. There is also a breeding right to Tunnes catalogued as lot 236. Most of the yearlings are nominated for the BBAG auction races and some are also nominated for French premiums. Broodmares in foal to Alter Adler, Amaron, Best Solution, Iquitos, Japan, Make Believe, Neatico, Rubaiyat, Torquator Tasso, Van Beethoven and Windstoss will go through the ring. Racing will take place at Baden-Baden on Friday, October 17 and Sunday, October 19. The most valuable 2-year-old race in Germany, the €200,000 Ferdinand Leisten Memorial (BBAG Auction Race), takes place on the opening Friday. Bidding for the sale begins at 5 p.m. on the Friday and at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. The post BBAG Sale And Racing Festival Catalogue Revealed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After racing in the shadows of either Sovereignty or Journalism throughout the spring and summer, Baeza and Gosger have the chance at the spotlight in their absence in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing Sept. 20.View the full article