Wandering Eyes

Pyromancer remained undefeated after three starts and seized the lead in the "Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby" with a victory in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun Dec. 17 at Kawasaki Racecourse.View the full article

Instagrand (Into Mischief–Assets of War, by Lawyer Ron), second on the Second-Crop Sire by winners list with 86, has been added to Taylor Made Stallions' “State-Bred Initiative Program,” according to the farm's release on Wednesday. The program, created to support and incentivize regional markets, allows breeders to send approved mares to a stallion at a set stud fee, which will be waived as a complimentary no-guarantee once the resulting foal is reported as being born outside of Kentucky and supporting documentation for state-bred registration is submitted. Instagrand joins Angel of Empire (Classic Empire), Dr. Schivel (Violence), Idol (Curlin), and Tacitus (Tapit) in the “State-Bred Initiative Program.” Campaigned by OXO Equine, Instagrand wired his foes in the 2018 GII Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar by 10 1/4 lengths in just his second lifetime start. Undefeated at two for trainer Chad Brown, Instagrand was named a TDN Rising Star, sponsored by Hagyard after debuting a 10-length maiden special weight winner, blazing five furlongs in :56 flat and stopping the clock just .32 of a second off the Los Alamitos track record. A $1.2 million Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream sale topper, Instagrand followed up his impressive juvenile season by placing in a pair of key Kentucky Derby preps at three. He placed in the GIII Gotham Stakes and set the pace in the GI Santa Anita Derby in his two-turn debut, finishing just behind GISW Roadster (Quality Road) and defending Champion 2-Year-Old Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}). With two crops of racing age, Instagrand is the sire of 12 black-type horses, including stakes winners Sturgeon Moon, winner of the Audubon Oaks and third in the GIII Indiana Oaks; Superwolf, a two-time stakes winner in 2025; SW Kay Cup and 2-year-old stakes winners Sweet Montreal and Gangster Flash. He is also represented by the graded stakes-placed runners Ourdaydreaminggirl, third in the GI Cotillion Stakes and in the GIII Comely Stakes; Gateskeeper, runner-up in the GII Gallant Bob Stakes and 2-year-old Vost, third in the GIII Iroquois Stakes. “The reception of the new program has been incredibly positive and the addition of Instagrand is a very unique opportunity for regional breeders across the country,” said Travis White of Taylor Made Stallions. “Considering his success as a dirt sprint sire so far with horses like Superwolf, Gangster Flash, and Sturgeon Moon, he should work well with regional markets and add another option for breeders to choose from. He will provide significantly more value to the “State-Bred Initiative Program” with his sire line and progeny success in the dirt sprint division.” For more information on Taylor Made's “State-Bred Initiative Program,” or to submit a mare for consideration, contact Brock Martin or Travis White at Taylor Made Stallions at (859) 885-3345. Space in the program is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis with approval. The post Instagrand Added to Taylor Made’s “State-Bred Initiative Program” appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

We're sliding down the scale slightly for this second part of our look at the sires standing across Europe to those with an advertised fee of £15,000 to £50,000 (approximately €17,000 to €57,000). And how can we not start with the champion sire of 2024, Dark Angel? At €45,000, his fee is the lowest it has been for a decade, and of course the years are marching on, but if there is one thing we have learnt about Dark Angel in his 18 seasons at Yeomanstown Stud it is that he can not only get you a fast and early one but also a durable galloper, as his nine-year-old son Khaadem showed again this year with a Grade II strike at Keeneland and a podium finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. It would be good to see one of the younger sons of Dark Angel pick up their father's mantle, and in this particular group is one of his stars of 2024, the top-class miler Charyn, an exciting recruit to the French stallion ranks in 2025 who remains at his same fee of €35,000 at Sumbe. He covered 177 mares in the spring, making him the busiest Flat stallion in France. In the same intake as Charyn was Auguste Rodin, a son of Deep Impact who owns a first-rate pedigree and has six Group/Grade 1 victories to his credit from a mile to a mile and a half. His starting fee of €30,000 has been trimmed to €27,500 which really should put him in the calculations of many, and particularly for owner-breeders. The Deep Impact line does not always produce the most physically imposing animals and until we see the first foals of Auguste Rodin it is hard to gauge how his offspring might be received at the sales, but we are in the business of breeding racehorses and if you're using unproven stallions, pedigree and performance are all you have to go on. He fulfils both those criteria. Over in Japan, where Deep Impact ruled the roost for many a year, his son Kizuna is about to be crowned champion sire for the second year running, having also been champion first-season sire in 2019. It has been a big year for the family of Vandeek as not only has the dual Group 1-winning son of Havana Grey covered a first book of 161 mares, but his half-brother Gstaad (Starspangledbanner) became the Cartier Champion Two-Year-Old Colt. Plenty of credit is owed to their dam Mosa Mine (Exceed And Excel) and breeder Kelly Thomas, who, along with many, will be hoping to see Vandeek succeed at stud. He'll have had the backing of a decent number of Cheveley Park Stud mares and remains at a reasonable fee of £15,000 in 2026. We didn't see a huge amount of Look De Vega on the track but during his five starts he was a decent winner of the Prix du Jockey Club and turned plenty of heads with his good looks when he retired to Ballylinch Stud for 2025. You can make up your own mind as to whether or not there is such a thing as a 'stallion-making race' but it is hard to argue with a Jockey Club roll call which includes, since the turn of the century, Shamardal, Le Havre, Lope De Vega, New Bay and Study Of Man. Look De Vega joins a list of more recent winners at stud – Mishriff, St Mark's Basilica, Vadeni, Ace Impact and Camille Pissarro – all yet to have runners bar St Mark's Basilica, whose first-crop juveniles included six black-type performers led by G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Diamond Necklace. A terrific start. And it is heartening to see the stallion who was a champion at both two and three remain at €40,000 for a second season, having spent his first two seasons covering at €65,000. Five per cent black-type winners to runners for St Mark's Basilica is the only metric which places him ahead of the champion first-season sire for 2025, Starman, whose 40 individual winners to date include four group winners, led by G1 Prix Morny heroine Venetian Sun. The imposing Starman has truly lived up to his name and has been given a fee hike commensurate with his offspring's impressive results this year, jumping to €40,000 from two years at €10,000, having opened at €17,500. Congratulations to those breeders shrewd enough to use him in 2024 and 2025, and bad luck to those who haven't managed to book a mare for 2026 as Tally-Ho's trusty social media feed duly informed us on Tuesday that his book is now full. It will be fascinating to see which of these young sires really starts to step up next year and one who we will be keeping especially close tabs on is Palace Pier, whose three group winners among eight stakes performers from his first crop represented a highly promising start. Palace Pier was himself unbeaten at two in two novice races and was then really in his pomp at three and four. If his runners follow suit – and there is no reason not to expect to see plenty more from them in 2026 – then he could be in for an exciting time. Having stood at £55,000 at the outset, he has been held at £32,000 for 2026 when he could feasibly have been put back up in price after a decent start. Before we get onto the new entries for 2026 and stallions yet to have runners, there are a number of properly proven sires who are worthy of a mention here, just as they have been in years gone by. Frankel's contemporary Nathaniel tops that list, and he has not only proved his worth as a sire of classy middle-distance performers but also as an increasingly useful broodmare sire. He has lacked a star performer this year and a drop back to £17,500 perhaps reflects that, but Nathaniel, whose fee has remained between £15,000 and £25,000 throughout his 13 seasons at Newsells Park Stud, has simply always been great value. It has been an eventful year for Sands Of Mali both on and off the track. He has jumped up two brackets here when it comes to price following his sale to Yeomanstown Stud, with his fee having increased more than fourfold to €22,500. On paper, he has always been an interesting member of the European stallion ranks: by the unheralded Panis, he is out of an Indian Rocket mare, but even if those names aren't instantly recognisable, some familiarity is found through paternal grandsire Miswaki, and it never hurts to have doses of Mr. Prospector and Indian Ridge in a pedigree, as he does. He measures up physically as well, as Sands Of Mali is a fine individual who was of course a durable Group 1-winning sprinter. He has been given a solid start at Ballyhane Stud and the team at Yeomanstown will doubtless do everything in their power to ensure that he has more group winners to add to the names of Time For Sandals and Copacabana Sands. A ratio of 4.76 per cent black-type performers to runners puts him in the top eight active stallions in Britain and Ireland for 2025. Much was expected of Gleneagles when he retired to stud in 2016. Not only was he a Group 1 winner at two and a dual Classic winner, but he is from a family that frequently churns out classy runners and he bears a striking resemblance to his own vaunted sire Galileo. Well, things didn't go his way straightaway, and that is reflected in the fact that his 2026 fee of €20,000 is a third of his starting fee, but he has steadily compiled a decent record with top offspring across a range of distances. Of course the standout is Calandagan, Cartier Horse of the Year and sensational winner of the Japan Cup. He'll be back for more next year and it would be no surprise to see Ace Impact's half-brother Arrow Eagle step up another gear. He's been a slower burner but could make an impression in the top staying contests of 2026 after winning the G1 Prix Royal-Oak. Study Of Man is already riding the crest of a wave created by his consistent rate of stakes performers from his relatively small early crops, and that could become a tidal wave as the level of support he has been given has increased, resulting in his first two three-figure books of 123 (2024) and 140 (2025). Inevitably his fee has also risen, from £25,000 to £35,000, but it will be a surprise if the support tails off in 2026, especially on the back of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, at which 18 of his weanlings sold for an average of 71,056gns, conceived while the Lanwades sire was standing at £12,500. Sioux Nation has continued to build momentum in his dependable way and was only narrowly denied becoming a Classic sire when his daughter Shes Perfect lost the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in the stewards' room after a dramatic tussle with Zarigana. He has a Guineas contender for 2026, too, in Victorious Forever's G2 Rockfel Stakes winner Zanthos, who cost a hefty €1 million at the Arqana Breeze-up Sale. At €37,500, Sioux Nation is facing into his most expensive stud season to date, up from €30,000. Yearlings incoming Among the group of stallions to be embarking on their third covering season is Chaldean, whose drop in fee at Banstead Manor Stud from £25,000 to £20,000 will undoubtedly have been snapped up by breeders, especially after the reception given to his first foals. His 29 sold returned an average of 107,793gns. Yes, that's only the sale ring and not the racecourse, and his all-important test will come in 2027 and beyond, but opinion counts for an awful lot in this business, and sustained support from some decent mares will give him every chance to succeed. Top miler Modern Games (£27,500) and Arc winner Ace Impact (€30,000) have also been trimmed in price this year, but the most significant drop over the last two seasons has been for Paddington, who is now €20,000 after initially being advertised at €55,000 and then €25,000 for 2025. After a delayed start in 2024, when he covered 70 mares, his book increased to 145 in 2025. A year ahead of them is another Arc winner, Torquator Tasso, who has been priced consistently at €20,000 at Gestut Auenquelle throughout his fledgling stud career to date. The first yearlings of the son of Adlerflug were given a warm reception at the BBAG Sale in September, where a range of international buyers signed for his progeny, leading to an average of €50,231 for 13 sold. Another three sold at Tattersalls for an average of 60,000gns. Class of 2026 A significantly larger general intake of stallions for the year ahead compared to 2025 includes the Group 1 winners Rosallion (£40,000, Dalham Hall Stud), Delacroix (€40,000, Coolmore), Camille Pissarro (€30,000, Coolmore), Henri Matisse (€20,000, Coolmore), Maranoa Charlie (€20,000, Tally-Ho Stud), Diego Velazquez (£17,500, National Stud) and Shadow Of Light (€17,500, Kildangan Stud), who are respectively by the big-name stallions Blue Point, Dubawi, Wootton Bassett, Frankel and Lope De Vega. It's a strong group. We know that they are unlikely all to succeed but trying to work out which of them have the best chances will keep tongues wagging over the next few sales seasons. Value Sires Podium GOLD Study Of Man (£35,000, Lanwades) His most expensive year yet but keep the faith and expect more to come. SILVER Palace Pier (£32,000, Dalham Hall Stud) His promising two-year-olds should develop into exciting three-year-olds. BRONZE Sands Of Mali (€22,500, Yeomanstown Stud) From a low start it's a big leap in price but he's a Group 1 sire now and can build on that. If you missed Part I of our Value Sires series you can find it here. The post Value Sires 2026 Part II: The Mid-Tier appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Size threw out the warning signal that his usual midseason surge was kicking into high gear when he grabbed his first two winners at Happy Valley for the campaign on Wednesday evening. It is a case of better late than never for the 13-time champion trainer, who got off the mark at the Valley this season at the 64th attempt when Amazing Kid shattered his maiden at his eighth start. It was a well-earned success in the third section of the Class Four Albatross Handicap (1,200m), with the...View the full article

Veteran jockey Jareth Loveberry achieved the milestone 2,000th win of his 20-year riding career Dec. 12 and then won the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie Stakes Dec. 13. A panel of racing experts voted him Jockey of the week for Dec. 8-14.View the full article

Saudi Arabia's newest group 1 race has received a huge prize money boost with The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia announcing Dec. 17 that the 2026 Neom Turf Cup (G1T) will be staged for $3 million—an increase of 50%.View the full article

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia has announced that the purse for the Howden Neom Turf Cup, which has recently been upgraded to Group 1 status, has been doubled to $3m for 2026. The 2,100m invitational race will be the first Group 1 to be staged on turf in Saudi Arabia and takes place on the Saudi Cup card on Saturday, February 14. The meeting has been further enhanced by a 50 per cent increase in prize-money for the 1,800m Listed Tuwaiq Cup, which will now be run for $1m. Entries for the dirt contest close on Monday, February 2. Previous winners of the Howden Neom Turf Cup include Shadwell's subsequent dual Group l winner Mostahdaf, while last year the race was won by Japanese contender Shin Emperor. The post Howden Neom Turf Cup Doubles in Value to $3m appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Amid an ongoing lengthy hiatus of meetings of the Australian Pattern Committee, the Asian Pattern Committee has taken the unprecedented “temporary measure” of seizing control of the decision-making progress regarding black-type races in the country. A statement released by the Asian Racing Federation on Wednesday read, “The Asian Racing Federation (ARF) advises that, given the exceptional circumstances that exist, the Asian Pattern Committee (APC) will, for the time being, make decisions regarding the status of all black type races in Australia. “This means that the APC will now be responsible for making status change decisions (including upgrades and downgrades) for all Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Listed races in Australia. These decisions will be reported to the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC) of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, which will subsequently report any significant decisions to the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA), prior to publication in the International Cataloguing Standards Book. IRPAC and SITA have been informed of the ARF's decision. “The APC will commence its decision-making for black type races in Australia so that any status changes are determined prior to the start of the 2026/27 Australian racing season.” No formal meeting of the Australian Pattern Committee has taken place for seven years but despite this lack of oversight of Australia's black-type programme, and following the controversial adoption of Australian black-type guidelines by the Racing Australia board, 17 races in New South Wales were given upgrades in October 2024. These upgrades – which included the upgrading The Everest and the All Star Mile to Group 1 level – were not recognised by the Asian Pattern Committee, the coordinating panel for the region in the same way thatBritain's Flat Pattern Committee is governed by the ground rules of the European Pattern Committee. Arion, the southern hemisphere-based provider of pedigree information, also refused to recognise the changes in race status, meaning that they are not reflected on catalogue pages or in stallion pedigree records. The ARF statement continued, “This course of action has been adopted in circumstances where there has not been a properly functioning black-type quality control system in Australia since as far back as 2017/18. While the ARF has been extremely patient and provided significant assistance to try to resolve this matter, it determined that action now had to be taken. “The action to be undertaken by the APC, under the ARF's authority, is intended only as a temporary measure. The ARF's strong preference is that, as a Part I country, Australia establishes a functioning black-type quality control system operating in accordance with the APC Ground Rules in the near future, and for the above arrangements to end. However, absent such resolution, the ARF will consider other actions that it may need to take.” Australia has for now avoided the threat made during a meeting of the APC in Hong Kong last Friday of being downgraded to a Part II country within the Blue Book of the International Cataloguing Standards. Its fellow Part I countries include Britain, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand and the USA. In August, Racing Australia proposed a vote on new black-type guidelines which would involve the status of races being determined merely on “benchmark ratings” but without the oversight of a formal Pattern Committee. This suggestion was described at the time by Hamish Esplin, president of Thoroughbred Breeders NSW, as “nothing short of a complete bastardisation of the Pattern as it has worked in Australia for over 50 years”. He added, “The Pattern is fundamental; it has existed as long as black type has. What the pattern requires is considered thought and subjective analysis, to ensure racing is structured in a way that each part relates to the other. Without that balance, black type risks becoming cannibalised, uneven, or distorted.” The post Asian Pattern Committee Takes Control of Australia’s Black-Type Races appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Exciting four-year-old Zambardo (NZ) (Belardo) was one of the stories of the spring, progressing from relative obscurity to Group One company in a matter of months. Originally prepared in Ashburton in New Zealand’s South Island, the son of Belardo came from modest beginnings. Sold as a weanling for just $3100 via gavelhouse.com to trainer Emma Wyatt, Zambardo, who raced as Our Martian in New Zealand, was a trial winner and twice placed at Ashburton before he was identified by astute bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo and traded to the stable of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. “He looked like a scruffy weanling when he got down here,” Wyatt recalled. “It was in the winter and he wasn’t much to look at to be fair, but I just liked his breeding, which was what caught my eye.” Zambardo as a weanling Photo: supplied Out of the winning Zabeel mare Zambezi, who in turn is out of triple Group One winner Tall Poppy, Zambardo is a half-brother to Group Two placed stayer Zambezi Warrior. “Time was his friend, and he grew out at my parent’s place,” Wyatt said. “When he had his first proper prep, I thought he was one of the nicest horses I’ve ever sat on. But he was also a real smart arse. When we were getting him ready for the trials he would still try to drop his head and pig root.” Zambardo had just the one trial which he won, but he was still wayward and Wyatt admitted she was hoping to educate him further before his raceday debut. “The trials kept getting cancelled at the time, so we sent him to the races and used it like a trial, and he ran third in both starts before his sale.” Purchased by a syndicate headed by prominent owner Carl Holt, the gelding was re-named Zambardo and joined the Price-Kent stable where he made an inauspicious start. “We bought him, he came across here and no joke, he went in the wind right away and was untrainable,” Kent Jnr told Radio TAB. “The owners were a bit upset about whether we did our due diligence, which we did. But throats are degenerative issues. They get worse over time, and it came out of nowhere. “Because of the lack of oxygen getting into his lungs, he was very hot-tempered. He was untrainable. He used to go sideways. “We did a tie-forward operation, which is probably the lesser of the two main throat ops, and it’s been amazing. He’s a different horse. He can breathe properly, he is super-relaxed, professional, easy to train and clearly the throat is working.” Runner-up on Australian debut in August, Zambardo progressed from a maiden victory on the Pakenham synthetic to win a further three races in succession before stepping steeply in grade to beat all bar Via Sistina in the Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) on the final day of the Flemington carnival. Zambardo netted connections a whopping $540,000 in prize money for that second-placing but has leapt from a 78 rater to 104. “I don’t think is too bad,” Kent Jnr said. “Some people were thinking we might go higher than that because he split Via Sistina (125) and Tom Kitten (114), but they don’t normally punish you too much when you go in off those low ratings. “The track was very heavy which was an unknown, other than we’ve trained a few Belardos now and they all love it. And as Mick says, ‘Kiwis, they’re born in it’.” Kent Jnr drew some parallels with versatile Group One gallopers Mr Brightside and I’m Thunderstruck, who similarly came from modest beginnings in New Zealand. “It’s a remarkable country. I think they have a foal crop of around 2700 and they’ve got a lot of good horses in Australia at the moment,” he said. “Horses like Jimmysstar, Gringotts, Ceowulf and Antino, plus of course Ka Ying Rising, it’s phenomenal really.” Zambardo is still in the spelling paddock, but his trainers are delighted with the way he has continued to furnish. “He had six runs in his first racing campaign with us, culminating in a very heavy track gutsy performance and Group One second to Via Sistina,” Kent Jnr said. “It took a lot out of him and when planning a program for him, the Australian Cup (Gr.1, 2000m) appeared an obvious option. “But I think that race comes around a little too quickly, so doing the right thing by the horse, if he had a normal six to eight week spell, that probably lands him in a Sydney-Queensland campaign. “Depending on how he comes up and what level we want to target, races like the Doomben Cup (Gr.1, 2000m) and the Q22 could suit. “It could be a lovely way to give him the break he deserves but also launch his spring carnival off the back of that, but that is all still to be determined.” Despite the heavy track placing, Kent Jnr is confident Zambardo is a good level horse but he is keen to see him replicate that performance. “He was just winning races so easily, getting to the front and pricking his ears and clocking off,” he said. “Credit to Mick, it was his idea to throw him in the deep end and give him something to properly chase down and gee he was tough. “We didn’t get to the outside of the track like we wanted to and often they just give up but he just kept sticking on. “Possibly a nice handicap might be in his grasp but he has probably got to go and do it again to prove he is a genuine weight-for-age horse, but who is to say he can’t. “We just know how much improvement there is in the horse and he has been going the right way in the spelling paddock. Even Phill Cataldo, who found him, wouldn’t recognise him.” View the full article

The Asian Pattern Committee (APC) has moved to take ownership of the decision-making over the status of black type races in Australia. Coming under the umbrella of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), the APC has declared it has assumed responsibility from Racing Australia for any decisions on the upgrading or downgrading of all Group and Listed races in Australian due to dissatisfaction with the current system. The country’s national racing body, Racing Australia has been dogged by infighting amongst the principal racing authorities about the Pattern and its organisation for several seasons. “The APC will commence its decision-making for black type races in Australia so that any status changes are determined prior to the start of the 2026/27 Australian racing season,” the ARF said in a statement. “This course of action has been adopted in circumstances where there has not been a properly functioning black type quality control system in Australian since as far back as 2017/18. “While the ARF has been extremely patient and provided significant assistance to try to resolve this matter, it determined that action now had to be taken.” The ARF stated this was expected to be a temporary measure taken only until Australia could put in place a black type quality control system that was “in accordance with the APC Ground Rules”. It went on to say that if no resolution was forthcoming “the ARF will consider other actions that it may need to take”. The ARF is a regional body made up of 28 national racing authorities and racing related organisations from Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East and has formal links to the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities. View the full article

Expat jockey Mick Dee is set to return to one of his happiest hunting grounds, Ellerslie, with a full book of rides on Boxing Day headed by El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) in the Gr. 1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m). Melbourne-based Dee may not have the profile of New Zealand’s most famous jockey export, James McDonald, but there’s no denying his success since relocating to Victoria a decade ago. The 29-year-old’s 15 Group One wins include the Caulfield Cup, the Victoria Derby and two editions of the Australian Guineas including New Zealand filly Legarto in 2023. Midway through the year Dee spent several weeks in Japan, where his 81 rides produced five wins and 10 second placings. Dee, who has farming interests in Hawke’s Bay in partnership with his parents Richard and Jo, has made frequent trips back home, most recently to win the Gr. 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) and the Gr. 3 Sunline Vase (2100m) on Island Life (NZ) (Vadamos) at Ellerslie’s inaugural Champions Day in March. He also rode Victorian raider Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) into second place to the Blake Shinn-ridden Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) in The NZB Kiwi. “I had planned to come home for Christmas and spend time with the family, so it works for me to ride at Ellerslie on Boxing Day,” Dee said. “I’ve already got a full book with what looks like some good chances. El Vencedor is one of several I’m riding for Stephen Marsh, plus I’m riding Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes) in the Auckland Guineas for Pam Gerard, so I’m also looking forward to getting on him.” Dee’s book includes last-start winner Dance The Night (NZ) (Almanzor) for Roger James and Robert Wellwood in the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and recent impressive trial winner Pounce (NZ) (Almanzor) (Lance O’Sullivan/Andrew Scott) in the two-year-old race. “We heard Mick was coming home for Christmas and there was a chance he would be riding at Ellerslie, so we had a team talk and decided it would be a good idea to book him for El Vencedor in the Zabeel Classic,” Marsh said. “He’s a top Australian hoop and if we did consider taking the horse to Aussie, he would be able to give us some indication of how he might measure up against their good horses.” Dee’s Marsh-trained mounts also include Sneak Peek in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers Championship Final, Miss Fladgate in the Rating 75 1200m, High Emotion in the Rating 65 1400m and one of the stable runners in the Stella Artois Championship Final. Marsh confirmed that star filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) will definitely be at Ellerslie next week for the Auckland Guineas, a change in plans from the original intention for her first start since winning the Gr. 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) to be on the Karaka Millions programme. “She’s been doing so well we brought things forward to Boxing Day, and while she’ll be vulnerable enough and will be better for the run, she’s naturally athletic and we’re certainly happy to see her lining up. “That will set her up for the Karaka Millions 3YO a month later and we’ll keep her ticking over with a trip up to Ellerslie for a hitout some time in between.” The unbeaten filly dominates early markets for the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO at $1.90 and $2.30 for the NZB Kiwi, in which she will run in the Entain slot. A second Victorian-based jockey planning to be at Ellerslie on Boxing Day is expat Irishman John Allen, who will continue his association with Zabeel Classic runner Kingswood (Roaring Lion). Allen has ridden in Australia since 2011, originally as a jumps jockey when his successes included two editions of the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase before transitioning to flat riding. In an incredible epiphany, he has since ridden the winners of more than 20 Group One races, including the Cox Plate, the Victoria and Australian Derby twice each, and most recently last month’s Victoria Oaks on Strictly Business (Grunt), trained by fellow Ballarat-based expat Thomas Carberry. Kingswood, an English-bred entire, is venturing to Ellerslie in quest of a Group One win to enhance his potential stud prospects. He is trained by one of Allen’s former jumps jockey colleagues, Gavin Bedggood, whose successes in his former role included the 2013 Grand Annual Steeplechase on the John Wheeler-trained Banna Strand. View the full article

While a final adjudication is yet to come, a hearing officer on Dec. 15 determined that HISA had demonstrated good cause to move forward with a provisional suspension of trainer Rudy Rodriguez, who is accused of endangering horses.View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) is opening an investigation into antisemitic comments allegedly made on social media by young trainer Kevin Bond, son of long-time New York-based trainer H. James Bond. Tina Bond, who is the president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) as well as wife to James and mother to Kevin, reached out to TDN, saying her son's Facebook page had been hacked and the comments were not made by Kevin. The aggressively antisemitic remarks allegedly attributed to Kevin Bond were in response to a Facebook post regarding the murder of Hollywood producer, director, screenwriter, and actor Rob Reiner and his wife over the weekend. NYRA president and CEO David O'Rourke quickly released the following statement: “NYRA condemns in the strongest possible terms the vile, antisemitic comments posted today on New York-based trainer Kevin Bond's Facebook account. NYRA has zero tolerance for this kind of hateful speech and will begin an investigation into the matter immediately.” After serving as assistant to his father for several years, Kevin Bond went out on his own in 2024 and has won eight races from 72 starts. The post NYRA Opens Investigation into Trainer’s Antisemitic Remarks, Bond Says Social Media was Hacked appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Dec. 20 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds features a talented cast of eight juveniles, led by Liberty National.View the full article

The Arizona Racing Commission gave official approval for commercial horse racing and teletrack pemits, allowing Skyfall 7 to operate Turf Paradise for three fiscal years and operate a network of 36 off-track betting sites.View the full article

Wednesday, Kempton, post time: 18:10, THE UNIBET WILD FLOWER STAKES-Listed, £50,000, 3yo/up, 11f 219y (AWT) Field: Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), Shader (GB) (Shamardal), Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), Claymore (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), Lion City (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). TDN Analysis: Dubai Honour prepares for another journey to Australia and the four-time Group 1 winner probably only needs a repeat of his defeat of Juddmonte's Shader in last month's Listed Churchill Stakes to make it career success number 11. Ancient Wisdom is a solid benchmark and is having his first run on the all-weather which opens up possibilities for the 2023 Futurity Trophy hero. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete field. The post Black-Type Analysis: Dubai Honour Seeks 11th Career Win at Kempton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An agreement made with housing developer Redrow to retain an option to build on Kempton Park was made "in the best interests of racing," according to a key figure in the discussion.View the full article

A 1/50th share in Zarak headlined Tuesday's Arqana Online December Sale when knocked down to an unnamed British-based buyer for €740,000. Of the 20 lots offered, 14 sold (70% clearance rate) for total turnover of €1,287,000, with the full results available to view on the Arqana Online website. Based at Haras de Bonneval, Zarak has enjoyed notable success with his first four crops and will stand for an unchanged fee of €80,000 next season. The Aga Khan Studs homebred is the sire of last year's Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Metropolitan, along with fellow Group 1 scorers Haya Zark and Zagrey. Meanwhile, breeding rights to Mehmas and Palace Pier, entitling their respective buyers to one nomination per year, also proved popular, with Hamish Macauley Bloodstock securing the Mehmas lot for €160,000 and Elwick Stud forking out €90,000 for the Palace Pier lot. The sire of nine individual Group winners, Mehmas's leading performers in 2025 include the top-level winners Believing and Wise Approach, while Palace Pier is the sire of this year's G2 Lowther Stakes heroine Royal Fixation from his first crop of two-year-olds. The post Share in Zarak Sells for €740,000 to Top Arqana Online December Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which will play host to the fourth annual Countdown to the Triple Crown fundraising event on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, is in need of auction items for the event. This winter fundraiser, scheduled exactly three months prior to the 152nd Kentucky Derby, will look to feature both silent auction items and an online auction of unique items and experience packages to all benefit the Museum. Businesses are encouraged to donate an item, experience, or gift card and contributing businesses will be promoted by the Museum leading up to the event through the Museum's social media channels and through database distribution. Additionally, the Museum will provide contributing businesses with two complimentary tickets to the event. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Guests can attend the event in person at the Museum from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. or bid on special packages online. Cost to attend the event is $25 for Museum members and $40 for non-members. The auction items will be displayed in the Peter McBean Gallery during the event. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets or call (518) 584-0400. The post Racing Museum Seeks Auction Items Ahead Of Triple Crown Fundraiser appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby returns with the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki Racecourse Dec. 17 with none of the runners who contested the first leg in November.View the full article

The Remington Springboard Mile has yet to be won by the eventual Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, but perhaps this year's race snaps that streak. No trainer is better positioned to come away victorious than Steve Asmussen. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Dec. 8-14View the full article

A hearing officer assigned by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has cleared the way for that regulatory body to provisionally suspend New York-based trainer Rudy Rodriguez while a final adjudication plays out stemming from a series of alleged rule violations related to “cruelty, mistreatment, neglect or abuse” of Thoroughbreds. The decision, dated Monday, Dec. 15, and made public Tuesday, Dec. 16, was written up following a Friday, Dec. 12, hearing at which Rodriguez testified that “all [of his] horses were well cared for.” His legal team also presented testimony and affidavits from seven other people involved with his stable who vouched on Rodriguez's behalf, including two veterinarians. Armand Leone, the hearing officer, didn't agree. He wrote in his report that Rodriguez “failed to follow the standard of care required for a Trainer and endangered the welfare of his horses.” Leone's decision continued: “Accordingly, upon review of all the exhibits and testimony and considering the arguments of counsel, the Authority has demonstrated good cause to the comfortable satisfaction of the Hearing Officer that the Request for Provisional Suspension of the Respondent pending a final adjudication should be GRANTED.” TDN is attempting to reach either Rodriguez or his attorney to get a reaction on the decision and to determine what next steps might be pursued. Back on Nov. 21, HISA served Rodriguez, who has between 50 and 60 horses in training on the New York Racing Association (NYRA) circuit, with a “notice of violation and show cause” that could result in serious penalties for the 53-year-old former jockey who has consistently ranked near the top of the New York trainer standings for the past 15 years. Citing examples of 16 different Thoroughbreds, the HISA notice stated that “since Nov. 22, 2024, you have been the Responsible Person for at least 15 Covered Horses that have been placed on the Veterinarians' List. Based on entries to the HISA Portal, none of these horses have had a lameness evaluation or diagnostic work performed since being placed on the Veterinarians' List. “Moreover, you have been the Responsible Person of at least 4 Covered Horses that have suffered catastrophic musculoskeletal injuries since Dec. 13, 2024,” the notice stated. “Taken together, the Authority has reasonable grounds to believe that your actions or inactions present an imminent danger to the health, safety, or welfare of Covered Horses of Riders arising from specific violations of the Authority's Racetrack safety or accreditation rules,” the notice stated. According to the hearing officer's summary of the Dec. 12, 2025, hearing, Rodriguez's legal team attempted to show that “all 16 horses were routinely evaluated and cared for, and all horses were given an opportunity to rest after being placed on the Vet List. The four breakdowns occurred in horses that were all determined after veterinarian evaluation to be fit for racing… “Breakdowns are not exclusively attributable to pre-existing injury,” Rodriguez's legal team summarized at the hearing. “No amount of care can protect a horse against a hole or rock on the track. The Authority has not articulated a cognizable theory of imminent danger as to any of the identified horses. “There are no allegations of non-compliance with procedures by Respondent, the Attending Veterinarian or Regulatory Veterinarians,” the hearing officer continued in his written report, summarizing Rodriguez's response. “There is no allegation that Respondent circumvented these procedures with the intent to work or race unsound horses. The only complaint is that such evaluations must have been uploaded to the Portal, but the rules only require the Attending Veterinarian to submit proof of examination to the Regulatory Veterinarian. The Authority fails to explain how compliance with its own rules presents a danger to horses.” “The Authority is alleging that the mere failure to record a 'diagnostic or lameness evaluation' in the HISA Portal warrants a Provisional Suspension without alleging any violations of record-keeping,” the hearing officer's summary of Rodriguez's response continued. “Instead the Authority tries to argue that omissions in record-keeping constitute a 'deprivation' of 'necessary' care… “All of Respondent's 16 horses were continuously assessed and evaluated, as shown by the Racing Activities sheets, the HISA Portal entries, [and] the Permission to Work forms” that were presented as evidence exhibits, the hearing officer wrote, summarizing Rodriguez's response. “Respondent's horses underwent over 100 diagnostic or lameness evaluations, in addition to day-to-day assessment by the Attending Veterinarian, Respondent and his staff…” Rodriguez is alleged to have violated HISA Rule 2215(a), which states: “No Covered Person acting alone or in concert with another person shall compromise the welfare of a Covered Horse for competitive or commercial reasons or subject or permit any Covered Horse under their control, custody or supervision to be subjected to or incur the following: (1) any form of cruelty, mistreatment, neglect, or abuse; (2) abandonment, injury, maiming, or killing (except for euthanasia for humane reasons and in a manner consistent with the current version of the American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals); (3) administration of any noxious substance; or (4) deprivation of necessary care, sustenance, shelter, or veterinary care.” The notice of violation explained that, “One of the reasons behind HISA's Veterinarians' List rules is to provide a safety net for horses flagged by regulatory veterinarians in the course of their duties who require further veterinary evaluation. Such evaluation is meant to be provided by the trainer's attending veterinarian as outlined in [rules] 2242(b) and (d). As demonstrated [in the notice of violation], such evaluations were not always performed.” Rodriguez could be facing additional penalization as his case moves through the HISA administrative process and possibly the legal system. Beyond the provisional suspension, the Nov. 21 notice of violation stated that, “If it is agreed or determined that one or more Rule 2215(a) violations have occurred, HISA may, in addition to the provisional suspension, seek to impose one or more of the sanctions outlined in Rule 8200 as deemed appropriate by HISA in keeping with the seriousness of the violation and the facts of the case, and that is consistent with the safety, welfare, and integrity of Covered Horses, Covered Persons, and Covered Horseraces.” The hearing officer wrote that, “Mr. Rodriguez states he is not entirely sure what the allegations against him are, but believes he does his best, including instructing his doctors to file all necessary paperwork for HISA records.” The hearing officer then explained his rationale for allowing the provisional suspension to go into effect. “The Authority's basis for suspension is that there is an absence of veterinarian treatment records for multiple covered horses concerning lameness evaluations or diagnostic treatments after being placed on the Vet List in the HISA Portal or produced to the Authority request…” Leone wrote. “The Authority chose to bring its Request for Provisional Suspension solely based on a violation of Rule 2215(a)(4), which prohibits deprivation of necessary care, sustenance, shelter or veterinarian care,” the hearing officer wrote. “Although the conduct in this case could potentially have violated other aspects of the Rule, the Authority limited its charge to this subsection. Accordingly, the decision shall depend only upon an analysis of 2215(a)(4),” the hearing officer wrote. “Rule 2215(a) is a two-part rule. The first sentence is a general prohibition against compromising the welfare of a Covered Horse for competitive or commercial reasons. It establishes a broad duty of care to not engage in any action (or inaction) that endangers the horse's physical, mental, or overall health and safety. This part of the rule does not enumerate the specific acts or omissions required but just requires a showing of facts that the conduct endangered horse welfare for competitive or commercial advantage,” the hearing officer wrote. “Rule 2215(a)(1-4) enumerates specific categories of abuse and endangerment. Intent to endanger horse welfare for competitive or commercial reasons is not required, as this part of the rule rests on strict liability for the enumerated actions,” the hearing officer wrote. “For example, Rule 2215(a)(1) prohibits any form of cruelty, mistreatment, neglect of abuse. Proper fitness conditioning is important to prevent catastrophic injury in Covered Horses. The fatality investigations raised questions about the sufficiency of care exercised in the conditioning programs for Respondent's Covered Horses prior to workouts or races,” the hearing officer wrote. The hearing officer then focused on two of the 16 horses identified in the notice of violation: One was the Rodriguez-trained Jemography, who, according to HISA's notice of violation, “was the subject of a void claim on Mar. 24, 2024, and, as a result, was placed on the Veterinarians' List as unsound. Jemography failed a Veterinarians' List workout for unsoundness on Apr. 29, 2024, and again on Aug. 2, 2024. On Dec. 13, 2024, roughly four months after the last failed workout, Jemography died during or following the eighth race at Aqueduct. There are no diagnostic or lameness evaluations recorded in the HISA Portal for Jemography for 2024.” The other was Secret Rules, who, according to HISA's notice of violation, was “placed on the Veterinarians' List as unsound on Dec. 14, 2024. Secret Rules failed a Veterinarians' List workout for unsoundness on Jan. 11, 2025. The Regulatory Veterinarian required diagnostic imaging following the failed workout. Eight days after failing the workout, Secret Rules died during or following a workout at Belmont Racetrack. There are no diagnostic or lameness evaluations recorded in the HISA Portal for Secret Rules since the horse was placed on the Veterinarians' List on Dec. 14, 2024.” The hearing officer wrote that “Jemography had a pattern of very light training in order to get the horse sound enough to pass the vet. After removal from the Vet List, the horse's training significantly intensified in the time leading up to its catastrophic injury.” Secret Rules “galloped immediately after a 7-day stand down,” the hearing officer wrote. The hearing officer wrote that “Rule 2251 is clear that a veterinary examination is a required reporting event and applies to all veterinarians, both Attending and Regulatory Veterinarians. “However, it appears that Regulatory Veterinarians do not file Pre-Race Inspections for Assessment of Racing Soundness in the HISA Portal as set forth under Rule 2142 but file them in Encompass. Trainer Communication Records are not filed in the HISA Portal. While there may be deficiencies in the reporting system as to where different reports are filed, it is irrelevant to the decision in this case. No timely lameness evaluations were made to be filed. Respondent and his veterinarian were unable to produce any such report,” the hearing officer wrote. “Under Rule 2215(a)(4), the Authority has demonstrated a pattern of failure to have Covered Horses placed on the Vet List timely examined by Attending Veterinarians to assess lameness and prevent further injury. The lack of records in the Portal reflects lack of necessary veterinarian care,” the hearing officer wrote. “Rule 2251(b) is clear that every veterinarian who examines or treats a Covered Horse shall, within 24 hours, submit a report to the Authority,” the hearing officer wrote. The hearing officer then noted that Reyn Andrews, an attending veterinarian for Rodriguez, “acknowledged this requirement and stated that he creates records for examinations and treatments as contemporaneously as possible throughout the day.” The hearing officer continued, drawing upon Andrews's testimony: “If a trainer informs [Andrews] a horse is on the vet's list, he typically examines the horse right away. A delay of a week between a horse being placed on the vet's list and his performing an examination would be because the trainer waited a week to inform him. “There are no timely lameness examinations documented by Dr. Andrews of these horses while on the Vet List,” the hearing officer wrote. “The only reports are soundness evaluations on Veterinarian Work Request forms. There was not one diagnostic evaluation for unsoundness for even one of these Covered Horses while on the Vet List. There was no demonstration that Dr. Andrews examined any Covered Horse while still lame.” That's because, the hearing officer wrote, Rodriguez “never requested” those types of exams. The hearing officer's decision continued: “Respondent's habit was to let the horse rest. If after rest, the horse appeared healthy and sound, nothing further was done and the horse would not be examined until he needed an veterinarian evaluation for a work request. “This failure to have horses on the Vet List assessed by the Attending Veterinarian to identify the lameness while still lame creates an unacceptable risk of serious injury or death to Covered Horses,” the hearing officer wrote. “The events surrounding the fatality of Secret Rules are illustrative of this pervasive problem. Dr. Andrews was never told that Secret Rules was placed on the Vet List on Dec. 14. When Respondent asked Dr. Andrews to evaluate Secret Rules on Dec. 30 for the request to work, the horse was sound from rest and light work,” the hearing officer wrote. “Dr. Andrews was completely unaware that it was the right front limb for which the horse was found grade 2/5 unsound on Dec. 14. His examination was blind and simply documented that the horse 'walks good and jogs good.' There was no focused examination of the right front limb. Dr. Andrews testified that, if the Respondent told him a horse was on the list, he would examine the horse right away. That did not happen for Secret Rules in December 2024.” The hearing officer continued: “[Rodriguez] is an experienced horseman and, as he testified, 90% of lameness goes away with rest without the need for veterinarian treatment. It appears that with rest and time, Secret Rules's symptoms of the acute lameness in the right front subsided by Dec. 30. However, seemingly mild lameness can be a symptom of a more serious underlying soft tissue or bony injury. “Hairline fractures are known to exhibit lameness that can subside with rest in days. Although the lameness may subside, the underlying fracture still exists and is susceptible to complete fracture if stressed prior to healing,” the hearing officer wrote. “The lack of an Attending Veterinarian examination of Secret Rules within 48-72 hours of being placed on the Vet List on Dec. 14 prevented targeted examination of Secret Rules['s] right leg. Dr. Andrews has a mobile practice and can take radiographs and ultrasounds at the barn. The only reason a vet examination of Secret Rules did not occur at that time was that the Respondent didn't request one. “Respondent is not a veterinarian, yet he chooses to self-diagnose and self-treat his Covered Horses, such as occurred with Secret Rules,” the hearing officer wrote. “If Dr. Andrews had assessed Secret Rules or participated in his treatment for the Dec. 14 lameness, a record would have been generated, and a correct diagnosis could have been made,” the hearing officer wrote. “[Rodriguez] created an unacceptable risk that an underlying injury would be masked by rest and minimal work, which would then go undetected during the Attending Veterinarian examination for a Veterinarian Work Request…” the hearing officer wrote. “The unacceptable risks of serious injury or death from [Rodriguez's] failures to have his horses examined by an Attending Veterinarian after being placed on the Vet list caused Secret Rules' catastrophic injury,” the hearing officer wrote. The post Hearing Officer Rules That HISA Can Provisionally Suspend Trainer Rodriguez While ‘Cruelty’ Case Plays Out appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arapahoe Park, along with the Colorado Division of Racing, successfully concluded its ten-week fall 2025 meet with zero catastrophic track injuries. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Bob Butt doesn’t have to do any second guessing ahead of The Lazarus Effect’s Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup quest. The rising star comes into the Southland feature at Ascot Park on Friday with all kinds of ticks next to his name. He’s in great form, has been beginning brilliantly in recent standing starts and has proven himself at Group 1 level. It is the latter of those which means Butt will head into the Invercargill Cup with the utmost confidence in his pacer. A brilliant effort in the recent The Christian Cullen confirmed everything Butt already suspected about The Lazarus Effect. “He did plenty of work and went great, he proved he can tough it out at that level,” Butt said. “I always knew he had plenty of speed, but coming through the grades he was always a hot favourite and he didn’t have to be as tough.” “To run second to Kingman like he did, it showed he is going to be pretty versatile in that top grade.” The way The Lazarus Effect has been beginning, he looks a serious chance of being the first of the big chances to find the front in the Invercargill Cup. Though Butt knows you can’t make too many plans ahead of the tapes releasing in a Group 1 event. “He has been beginning brilliantly but it will come down to what happens on the day.” “He has got the trip down there and it’s a new track and it is a Group 1, anything could ping away fast.” “We have got to hope he does begin as well as he has been because staying in front of the backmarkers is going to be important.” From the front line, The Lazarus Effect gets a 10m buffer on Alta Meteor and a 20m head-start on the favourite and defending champion Republican Party. If the four-year-old can get away quickly and get near the pace, a repeat of Butt’s tactics in his brilliant win at Kaikoura in November could be in order. “We let him roll along at Kaikoura and he was good, it is a similar track and it would be good if he could do something like that.” With just 12 starts, The Lazarus Effect is the baby of the Invercargill Cup field. Wag Star, with 33 starts, is the second least experienced pacer in the Group 1 event. To see the Invercargill Cup field click here View the full article