Wandering Eyes

Respect. It really is that simple. If we want to be involved with horses in sport we must treat those animals who give us either our pleasure or livelihood – or both – with decency and dignity. There are rogue elements, of course, but it is how the majority of people involved in horseracing feel and act, be they breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys or fans. Perhaps the most touching embodiment of this was witnessed during a recent visit to Sapporo racecourse in Japan, where there is a shrine alongside the parade ring. I watched as various racegoers dropped a coin in the box by the shrine and stood solemnly, bowing their heads in apparent prayer. I asked my friend Mariko whether the shrine was for a particular horse. “It is for all the racehorses,” she said. “To pray for the horses' safety and health.” I didn't grow up in a racing family but ended up drifting to this job eventually with a combined love of horses and writing. I appreciate that not everyone loves racing for the same reason. For some it starts with a 50p bet with a grandparent, and that's great, because racing needs everyone to play their part. For me, though, it started with the horses and it will end with the horses, and in between I will never tire of seeing as many of the good ones as often as it is possible. In that regard, the trip to Southwell on Friday was hugely enjoyable, and in some ways even better than an actual race day. We may have learnt almost nothing of how well suited City Of Troy will be to a dirt track, or more crucially to the kickback on that surface. But we do at least know that he is fit and well and has continued to develop physically – as one would expect of a three-year-old – as the season has progressed and he has continued to train and race. It is fortunate for those of us in England that he has made all bar one of his racing starts here, but not everyone who has wanted to has had the chance to see him in racing action. A couple of people I got chatting to at Southwell on Friday were seeing him in the flesh for the first time, and for free. How fantastic. City Of Troy won't be everyone's favourite, but if you follow the sport and can't appreciate a colt who has won four Group 1s including, crucially, the Derby, then perhaps it's not the game for you after all. Those who did turn out in Nottinghamshire on Friday afternoon clapped City Of Troy all the way down the straight, and that kind of response – that respect – towards horses always brings a bit of a tear to my eye. Sure, it may have been nothing much more than a show gallop in the company of lesser stable-mates but I know I won't forget that elevation in his stride, and the joy his presence gave the onlookers, including this one. Just as I won't forget him proving me wrong after feeling a bit ho-hum when watching him in the parade ring for the Dewhurst last year. But he somehow manages to turn from the ordinary to the extraordinary when let loose with Ryan Moore, and his exuberant flying change half a furlong from the line that day is also burned into memory. While Twitter used to be fun for racing fans, its Musk rebranding now puts the X into toxic, as exemplified by the reaction from some to the City Of Troy public gallop. My mum would have been 80 today and she used to say, 'If you can't say anything nice, better not to say anything at all.' She wouldn't have enjoyed social media. The cribbing of the day as a glorified PR stunt rather misses the point. What this sport needs is positive PR, and one of the best horses in the world appearing on a quiet Friday afternoon, with the gates of the racecourse thrown open to all comers for free is as almost as good as it gets. Then there was the bonus of Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien taking plenty of time after the exercise to fulfil autograph and photograph requests for all those lining the paddock rails. This gallop day was hugely successful PR, not just for Coolmore, but for the accommodating team at Southwell and for racing itself. Can you imagine something similar happening in football, the only sport in Britain with a higher attendance rate than racing? There have been many wonderful opportunities for people who follow the sport in Britain to get close to the stars beyond the racecourse in recent weeks. National Racehorse Week, the brainchild of trainer Richard Phillips, is now in its sixth year and in 2024 more than 100 racing yards and studs took part in open days, welcoming thousands through their gates. This last weekend was the Henry Cecil Open Weekend in Newmarket, which had the extra attraction of John and Thady Gosden's Clarehaven Stables being open for the first time. The early birds could catch another of this season's top three-year-olds, Economics (GB), in action on Warren Hill before the stables opened on Sunday morning for a three-hour stretch. But that was only one aspect of a weekend-long programme of events which included Stradivarius (Ire) and Battaash (Ire) being on show at the National Stud and National Horseracing Museum respectively, a showjumping competition featuring racing personalities, a hotly-contested dog show won once again by William Jarvis's labrador, and showing classes for retrained racehorses. All these types of events offer a golden opportunity for fans to get close to the stars of the show and for racing to showcase what is generally the norm in the day-to-day lives of racehorses: top-class care. It should go without saying that you'll get the best out of a horse by putting the best into a horse, and that starts with how they are treated by those charged with looking after them. We need to show people how well we do that. Ho, Ho, Ho It is unusual to find Con Marnane as the breeder rather than the consignor of a group-winning breeze-up horse, but that was the role 'King Con' played in Powerful Glory (Ire). The winner of the G2 Mill Reef Stakes represents that familiar triumvirate of Richard Fahey, Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum and agent Richard Brown, who were all previously involved in the treble Group 1 winner Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}). The latter was bred by Tally-Ho Stud, who also bred his Overbury-based sire, and the Tally-Ho team played a significant role in the first three home in Saturday's Mill Reef. Powerful Glory's sire Cotai Glory (GB) stands at the stud, as does his damsire Kodiac (GB). The O'Callaghan family pinhooked the colt as a foal and offered him at the Goffs UK Breeze-up in April. The John Ryan-trained runner-up La Bellota (Ire) is by another Tally-Ho stallion, Mehmas (Ire), and was bred at the farm and later sold at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-up. Meanwhile the third horse home, Billboard Star (GB) (Advertise {GB}), may have been a loss-maker for Tally-Ho when pinhooked from foal to yearling, but he has vindicated their judgement nonetheless by winning and twice finishing placed at Group 2 level for Eve Johnson Houghton. Roheryn's Gone Global The 13-year-old Galileo (Ire) mare Roheryn (Ire) is putting in a bold bid for broodmare of the year honours while compiling quite an international reputation. No fewer than four of her offspring have won already this season, in four different countries, with five-year-old Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) leading the pack following his victory in Saturday's G1 Underwood Stakes. The longevity of the mare's runners is noteworthy. Her first foal, Kihavah (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), is now seven and he too won on Saturday, in Scotland, beating another old warrior in Euchen Glen (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) by three and a half lengths when claiming his eighth in the Millar Callaghan 25th Anniversary Handicap at Ayr. The four-year-old Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion) won the G3 Aston Park Stakes in May and was third in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot before leaving the Gosdens to join his co-owner Ciaron Maher's stable in Australia in a planned raid on the Melbourne Cup. Meanwhile the three-year-old filly Siege Of Troy (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) won a Curragh maiden in June for Johnny Murtagh and picked up some black type in America when third in the Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational at Kentucky Downs. Some of the sires represented in Roheryn's matings drop a big hint that the mare, whose offspring are bred under the name of The Roheryn Partnership, is owned by a group involving Qatar Bloodstock, for whom she herself won the Listed King George V Cup, and is based at Tweenhills. The mare is a daughter of the 2005 G3 Albany Stakes winner La Chunga (More Than Ready). Signing Off This column can't sign off this week without acknowledging two retiring heroes: Franny Norton and Not So Sleepy (GB). That Norton, 54, was able to hang up his saddle after a winning treble at his beloved Chester was a proper Hollywood ending to a 36-year riding career. We don't see many horses of Not So Sleepy's ilk these days. The son of Beat Hollow (GB), bred by his owners Lord and Lady Blyth, has been a force to be reckoned with, on the Flat and over hurdles, and indeed for the riders who had to curb his enthusiasm on the gallops each morning. In 69 starts, from a winning debut at two to a successful swansong at 12, he won a dozen races, including the G1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle twice and the Listed Dee Stakes, with a haul of more than £600,000 in prize-money. He will be missed, as will Franny Norton. The post Seven Days: R.E.S.P.E.C.T. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) is hosting a Pedigree & Conformation Clinic at Fasig-Tipton on Monday, Oct. 21, in Lexington, KY, during the auction house's Kentucky October Yearlings sale. The topics and speakers at the clinic include: Pedigrees/Conformation/Horse Selection, presented by David Ingordo (Bloodstock Agent) The Role of an Auction House and the Auction Process, presented by Anna Seitz Ciannello (Fasig-Tipton) and Leif Aaron (Fasig-Tipton) Yearling Prep for the Sales, presented by Carrie Brogden (Machmer Hall) Equine Nutrition, presented by Anthony Koch (Hallway Feeds) The Role of the Veterinarian at Public Auctions, presented by Dr. Alex Sano (Hagyard Equine) Racing Partnerships and Racing & Politics, presented by Kentucky State Senator Damon Thayer Equine Law, presented by Andre Regard (Regard Law Group) Peak Biologics, presented by Jeff Betz (AniCell Biotech) Racing Syndicates Information and Communications, presented by Frank Romeo, Jonathan Romeo & Rachel Dunn (StableConnect) Equineline & Pedigree Resources, presented by Susan Martin (The Jockey Club) The clinic is open to the public, with a special discount for TOBA members. Meals, materials, and a TOBA gift bag are included with registration. Sponsors of the TOBA Pedigree and Conformation Clinic include Achieve Equine, Hallway Feeds, Peak Biologics and StableConnect. Registration is available online until Thursday, Oct. 17, at: toba.memberclicks.net/seminars-clinics. Questions about TOBA's clinics and seminars may be directed to Brooke Purcell at brooke@toba.org or (859) 899-8480. The post Speakers Announced For Pedigree and Conformation Clinic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision–Lucky One, by Best of Luck), champion 3-year-old filly of 2010 and a finalist for the Eclipse Award during her freshman campaign, passed away in April in Japan two days after foaling a colt by Kitasan Black (Jpn), according to Japanese studbook records. Bred in Kentucky by Bill and Terry Baker's Fairlawn Farm, the chestnut filly with a white blaze was consigned by that operation to the 2008 Fasig-Tipton July Sale, where she was hammered down to Juvenal Diaz's Omega Farm for $11,000 and was bought back on a bid of $10,000 at the OBS April Sale the following spring. Acquired privately by a team headed up by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer after breaking her maiden for Diaz by better than 13 lengths for a $40,000 tag at first asking, Blind Luck headed west and was runner-up in the GI Del Mar Debutante before taking the GI Oak Leaf Stakes in her two-turn debut. A troubled third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, she walloped her rivals by seven lengths in the GI Hollywood Starlet Stakes on the synthetic track to enter the Eclipse discussion (video). Blind Luck kicked off her sophomore season in the GI Las Virgenes Stakes, just getting the better of Evening Jewel (Northern Afleet) and won her first graded stakes on the dirt in the GII Fantasy Stakes. The 13-10 favorite in the GI Kentucky Oaks, Blind Luck trailed the field, but came with her trademark flying finish to once again nose out Evening Jewel (video). The 2010 GII Delaware Oaks marked the first of four straight meetings with an upstart filly named Havre de Grace (Saint Liam), where the unexposed Fox Hill runner got first run, but Blind Luck came running late and was on the winning end of the photo. A neck separated the two in a slow-paced renewal of the GI Alabama Stakes, but Havre de Grace turned the tables in the GII Cotillion Stakes, scoring by a neck while in receipt of 10 pounds. Blind Luck was upset at 3-2 in the GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic, with Havre de Grace one spot back in third. Blind Luck dropped her first three starts as a 4-year-old, including a runner-up effort to Havre de Grace in the GIII Azeri Stakes, but she bounced back to avenge her loss in the Ladies' Classic with a half-length defeat of Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song) in the GI La Troienne Stakes. Late-running winner of the GI Vanity Stakes back on the Hollywood synth, she squared off one last time with Havre de Grace in a gripping renewal of the 2011 GII Delaware Handicap. Relying on her closing kick, she ranged up to Havre de Grace at midstretch and the two exchanged blows to the wire, with Blind Luck prevailing narrowly (see below). She retired with 12 wins from 22 starts and earnings of $3,279,520. Part-owner Mark DeDomenico paid $2.5 million to buy out his partners in Blind Luck at the 2011 Keeneland November Sale and she was offered again at the 2015 Keeneland January Sale, where she was led out unsold on a bid of $1.4 million in foal to Midnight Lute. She is the dam of four winners from six to race, including the DeDomenico-bred Kafoo (Curlin), Group 3-placed in Dubai. Acquired privately and sent to Japan in 2019, the mare has been represented by G1 Racing Co. Ltd.'s 3-year-old filly Proven Winner (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), a maiden winner at Hakodate June 30. She did not produce a foal in 2022 and her yearling full-brother to Proven Winner made $335,839 at this year's JRHA Select Sale. Shadai Farm purchased Lucky One for $1.85 million at KEENOV in 2010 carrying a full-sibling to Blind Luck, but that foal passed away at an early age. Lucky One produced two additional foals, but she also died after foaling a Deep Impact (Jpn) filly in 2014. Blind Luck has been a candidate for induction into the Hall of Fame since 2018. The post Champion Blind Luck Dead appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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The unbeaten Defence Minister (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), could become a first Group 1 runner in Britain for Qatar's champion trainer Hamad Al-Jehani in this Saturday's Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes. The winner of both of his starts for Wathnan Racing, Defence Minister also holds an entry for the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes on Thursday, but has now been supplemented for the Group 1 contest. Wathnan Racing's advisor Richard Brown said, “With all the rain and a very changeable forecast we want to have a range of possible targets for Defence Minister. He's a very promising colt but we know he wants decent ground, so we are keeping all our options open at this stage.” Defence Minister was bought by Brown on his owner's behalf for €210,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-up Sale in May from Hyde Park Stud. He won on debut at Newmarket in August and followed that up with success at Haydock earlier this month. The post Wathnan Racing’s Defence Minister supplemented for Middle Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was a bumper day for New Zealand bred gallopers at the Selangor Turf Club’s meeting on Sunday, with seven of the nine winners on the card hailing from New Zealand. These included a pair of feature-race winners in Duma (NZ) (Too Darn Hot), who won the 2024 NZB Ready To Run Sale Trophy (1200m) on debut and Bold Runner (NZ) (Contributer), who won the 2024 NZB Airfreight Trophy (1200m). New Zealand Bloodstock Director of Business Mike Kneebone and New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing Chief Executive Andrew Birch were on-course to present the trophies for the respective races. The Frank Maynard-trained Duma was a brilliant winner of the RM 50,000 feature, charging through the line to get the better of fellow Kiwi graduate Trees of Valinor (NZ) (Telperion) Duma was purchased for $45,000 at last year’s Ready To Run Sale by Esther Quan Hui Lim from the draft of Prima Park. The three-year-old gelding is by popular Dubawi sire Too Darn Hot out of the stakes placed Bel Esprit mare Podravina and was bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd. Winning trainer Frank Maynard has a lot of time for Duma. Puan Sri Louise Cham receives the trophy from Andrew Birch following Bold Runner’s victory in the 2024 NZB Airfreight Trophy (1200m) Photo: Selangor Turf Club “I always knew he wasn’t bad and as I asked a bit more of him, I knew he was good. He had had a few jumpouts and he was pretty well schooled going into the race,” Maynard said. “He will probably race in a month’s time and go through the grades. I think he is a real miler and that is why I wasn’t concerned when he was off the bit on Sunday, because I knew he was going to come with the way he worked. “I’ve got a good opinion of this horse, and I think he will be contesting some of the better races.” With Macau and Singapore both closing this year, Maynard said it was important that young horses continued to be sourced for Malaysia. “I think it is important that these young horses continue to come through. Bold Runner who won yesterday is a nice horse too and even Trees Of Valinor which ran second to us is a nice horse that I had seen at the barrier trials. They have all come from the Ready To Run Sale and all have ability,” he said. “Duma is a good type with good bone and a quality head.” Also successful in a RM 50,000 race was the Ananthen Kuppan-trained Bold Runner, with the son of Contributer narrowly defeating the highly fancied Yes Man to score at first time of asking, backing up his good trial form. Bold Runner is a graduate of Riverrock Farm’s draft at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale where he was purchased for $60,000 by Tan Tiang Huat. Out of the winning Makfi mare McPhoebe, Bold Runner was bred by Simon Niblett. “He is a horse with good ability,” Ananthen said. “I was at the sale at Karaka and I liked him and was recommending him to my owners. “He will have a few weeks break now as I don’t want to push him too hard, but he has a very good future. I think he will get out over 1400m no problem. “I was quite confident heading into the race and he ran a good time on a yielding track.” Both Duma and Bold Runner are raced by RC Stables. Other Kiwi bred winners on the day included One Abracadabra (NZ) (Fabulous), Commander (NZ) (US Navy Flag), Berry Bliss (NZ) (Charm Spirit), Military Flag (NZ) (US Navy Flag) and Limitless Roar (NZ) (Embellish), who was a stunning winner of the last race for leading trainer Simon Dunderdale, who sent out five winners on the day. View the full article

Katherine Coleman says all indications from riding I Wish In Win (NZ) (Savabeel) in work are that he is ready to take another significant step towards his goal of The Everest, when he starts in the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on Friday night at The Valley. I Wish I Win resumed with a fast-finishing fifth in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) behind Mornington Glory (Shalaa) in an effort which pleased the co-trainers Coleman and Peter Moody. “We’re really happy with him. He’s come through that first-up run in good order and he’s bounced through it. He’s jumping out of his skin and is ready to go to the races again,” Coleman said. “He’s still got improvement to come with the view that the Everest in three weeks is his main target, but he’s taken good natural improvement from that first-up run and, if he gets his chance, he should be close on Friday night,” she said. “As long as we see him strong to the line. We want to see him running well and it could be a flashing third depending on how the race pans out.” View the full article

Chad Ormsby was immediately taken when he first viewed Cyber Patch (NZ) and quickly made up his mind to purchase the good-looking son of Ocean Park. The Matamata horseman duly secured the Milan Park homebred for A$80,000 when he was offered by Bhima Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale at the Riverside Stables complex. “He was outstanding, you wouldn’t find a better type,” Ormsby said. “I saw him at the on-farm parade in Cambridge before he went to Sydney and I knew from then that I was going to buy him.” Ormsby subsequently prepared Cyber Patch to win and place at the trials as a two-year-old before he was sold to Hong Kong where he failed to show his true talent. He returned to New Zealand and at Ellerslie on Saturday broke through for his maiden success over 1600m following runner-up finishes in his first two appearances from Catherine Cameron’s Cambridge stable. “It was good to see him hit his straps and since he’s been back from Hong Kong he’s been good,” Ormsby said. Cyber Patch’s impressive frontrunning victory continued Ormsby’s run of success with the family, with his half-sister Pulchritudinous (NZ) (Wrote) winning the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) following success in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2000m) before her sale to Australia earlier this year. “Off the back of knowing the ability he had, we went and bought her as well the following year,” he said. Meanwhile, under his Riverrock Farm banner Ormsby will offer a dozen youngsters at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale in November and singled out juveniles by Star Turn (Lot 49) and Churchill (Lot 288) as leading lights. “Star Turn is a sire that is absolutely on fire and the Churchill is another stand-out in the draft,” he said. “We’ve reduced the numbers to keep the quality up and anybody will be happy to take any of them home.” The son of Star Turn is out of Lots Of Dosh (NZ) (Ocean Park), a three-quarter sister to the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1500m) winner Sacred Park (NZ) (Thorn Park) while the Churchill colt is from the family of Group One winners Delago Deluxe (Encosta De Lago), Duporth (Red Ransom) and Excites (Danewin). Ormsby also has his Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) winner Master Fay (Deep Field) ready to bounce back given the right conditions following his unplaced run on a heavy Te Rapa track in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m). “He’ll run either on Friday at Te Rapa or Saturday at Hastings depending which track will be best for him, he needs the best possible ground,” he said. View the full article

Impending rain had Stephen Nickalls questioning whether to start Chase (NZ) (Zed) in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Metric Mile (1600m) at Wanganui, but the honest galloper looked more than comfortable in the conditions, just falling short to Jay Bee Gee (NZ) (Complacent) in the feature. The son of Zed has been Group One-placed on two occasions at a mile but started in the contest as the $18.80 outsider, with Jay Bee Gee on top at $3.60. As the favourite dictated terms in front, Chase sat midfield under regular rider Kate Hercock and following his usual pattern, looked to be under pressure at the 800m. As he typically does, Chase picked up turning for home and led the charge to hunt down Jay Bee Gee, eventually getting within 1-¾ lengths at the post in a meritorious performance. Stephen Nickalls, who trains and part-owns the eight-year-old, couldn’t have been more pleased with the effort. “We were actually tempted to scratch on the morning of the race, just given the rain around and you’re never quite sure with Wanganui how deep and heavy the track will get,” he said. “He went fantastic and Kate gave him a lovely ride, he’s the kind of horse who tends to hit a flat spot but she knows him so well now that she won’t give up on him. “As they straightened, he really picked up and ran home super well, we were very happy with him.” As of Monday morning, Chase remains in the nominations for the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) this Saturday, but Nickalls may wait on other options unless conditions soften at Hawke’s Bay. “We left him in the Group One nominations with the hope that the rain was going to arrive and give us a track that may slow some of the faster ones down, but it looks to be pretty good sunshine over there,” he said. “He went a super race on the first day, but in that firm track, they just tend to sprint away from him a little bit. “Unless the heavens opened up over there, I probably won’t go. “The hard thing then is where to go next with him, there’s the Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) in a couple of weeks up there which could be an option, but we haven’t really made too many plans for him yet.” Nickalls has also contemplated an attempt over 2000m this season for Chase, but based on past performances, is unsure whether to take the gamble again. “He’s a funny horse because he’s had five tries over 2000m and been honest, but not performed as strongly as he does at a mile, so we’ll just keep him where he’s happy and firing,” he said. “I said the same thing to Kate that he looks like he would love that distance, he drops the bit and relaxes so well. “We’re having a lot of fun with him wherever we go, you’d just want another 100 horses like him in the stable. He’s just so genuine and tries every time, which is all you can ask for in a racehorse.” View the full article

Dictation (NZ) (Tavistock) has made a strong impression over the hurdles this season and Paul Nelson is hoping he can bring that form to the flat when contesting Tuesday’s NZB Airfreight Road To The Jericho (3200m). The unique race has fallen victim to a pair of abandonments, firstly at New Plymouth on the 14th of September, before a storm halted proceedings at Waverley on Sunday. This has resulted in several scratchings already, particularly from northern runners, including Raajoices (NZ) (Iffraaj) and In A Pickle (NZ) (Preferment). Nelson, who trains in partnership with Corrina McDougal, had no intention of entering the New Plymouth edition with the son of Tavistock, but he comes into the Waverley race as a live chance carrying just 54kgs under Kate Hercock. “We’d look at this race for him when it was at New Plymouth, but we decided it was just too far away,” Nelson said. “When it came to Waverley, it looked like a good idea, but I made it to the roundabout at Bunnythorpe before heading home again yesterday. “I was able to turn around there so it was still a couple of hours each way on the truck for him, but the race is late in the day tomorrow, so we’ll head over again.” Despite winning two races impressively this campaign, Dictation hasn’t had all things go his way, dislodging his rider when looking a near-certainty in the Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) at Riccarton, before being hampered by a fallen horse when leading at Woodville last start. “He didn’t get the nicest run in the finish there (at Woodville), the horses seemed to be falling over everywhere around him, so we’ll just forget about that one,” Nelson said. “He’s been very genuine since he’s been hurdling, so hopefully he’ll go on with it on the flat.” The victor of the Road To The Jericho earns a place in the iconic Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool in early December, but Nelson is wary of the contrasting conditions they would face in comparison to the heavy surface at Waverley. “The form of this race is in heavy ground, which is not what you’ll get at Warrnambool,” he said. “But, if he went well tomorrow and we gave him a run on a better track with a similar performance, a trip could be considered.” View the full article

The good times continue to roll for Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain with his first crop Northern Hemisphere representatives breaking new ground. The multiple Group One-winning son of Kodiac is the only freshman sire in Europe to have produced a brace of Group winners following the latest success of Electrolyte. It was a richly deserved victory for the Irish-bred colt in the Gr.3 Prix Eclipse (1200m) at Chantilly at the weekend after his narrow defeat in the G2 Royal Ascot Coventry Stakes (1200m). It was another close call for Electrolyte, but this time he was on the right side of a tight finish. “They were taking their time with the camera angles, and I thought poor horse if he’s been done again,” trainer Archie Watson told the Racing Post. “He deserved that and I think we’re learning more about him. We stepped him up to seven furlongs at Goodwood, but I think he showed there that coming back to six furlongs was the right thing. I think six furlongs on good ground is going to be his thing.” Watson is now considering a return to France in three weeks for the Gr.2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte (1200m). “If the ground was good, that would be our aim. If he doesn’t go there, I would imagine he’ll be put away for next year and hopefully he can be a Commonwealth Cup (Gr.1, 1200m) horse, as we know he likes Ascot,” he said. Should Electrolyte take aim at the Maisons-Laffitte, he would be chasing a notable family double. The sprint feature was claimed in 2018 by his sire, whose son Beau Gars also won in France at the weekend. He has now produced 12 winners in Europe from 31 runners and a tally that features the Gr.3 Prix des Chenes (1600m) victor Misunderstood. Meanwhile, Hello Youmzain’s first Southern Hemisphere crop of two-year-olds are up and running and includes the Darryn and Briar Weatherley-trained Bulgari, a winner at his first trial outing at Rotorua last week. The colt was sold by breeder Jamieson Park at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $220,000 to Weatherley Bloodstock. He is a son of the stakes performed O’Reilly mare O’Naturelle and the family of the stable’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Pier. View the full article

What Swan Hill Races Where Swan Hill Jockey Club – 17 Gray St, Swan Hill VIC 3585 When Monday, September 24, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing in Victoria heads to Swan Hill on Tuesday afternoon, where an eight-race meeting awaits punters. A perfect spring day, with a top of 27 degrees is forecast, and with the track already a Good 4 and the rail out 3m from the 800m-400m and then true the remainder, conditions will be perfect for a competitive day of racing. Action from Swan Hill is set to commence at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Swan Hill: Rockabilly Rebel Rockabilly Rebel has been racing in fine form this time in, winning first-up before finishing in the minor money at her two subsequent starts. The four-year-old mare hit the line strongly at Bendigo last time out over 1300m and despite staying at the trip, shapes as the one to beat in the penultimate event. Brad Rawiller will have her settled towards the rear of the field, but with a strong finish, Rockabilly Rebel should prove too strong late. Best Bet Race 7 – #11 Rockabilly Rebel (7) 4yo Mare | T: Patrick & Michelle Payne | J: Brad Rawiller (57.5kg) +190 with Neds Next Best at Swan Hill: Pride Of Sullivan Pride Of Sullivan was far from disgraced in BM64 company at Bendigo, finishing two lengths off Missed The Mark after racing on a hot speed. Harry Coffey will look to roll across from barrier seven, and with hardly any speed drawn underneath, the four-year-old mare should have no issue in dictating terms throughout the 975m journey. Next Best Race 6 – #6 Pride Of Sullivan (7) 4yo Mare | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Harry Coffey (58.5kg) +170 with Playup Next Best Again at Swan Hill: Street Seeker Street Seeker defeated all but subsequent VRC Oaks Trial winner Hurry Curry at Bairnsdale last time out, and Jason Warren’s mare looks to have found the right race to break maiden ranks in. The four-year-old was left in front a long way out from home and was overhauled inside the final 100m by the winner. She still managed to put 1.8 lengths on the third-placed runner to suggest she was worth following. Lachlan King will likely stalk the speed throughout from barrier two, and with a well-timed sprint, Street Seeker should be winning. Next Best Again Race 2 – #10 Street Seeker (2) 4yo Mare | T: Jason Warren | J: Lachlan King (57.5kg) +170 with Picklebet Swan Hill Tuesday quaddie tips – 24/9/2024 Swan Hill quadrella selections Tuesday, September 24, 2024 1-4-5-11-12-13 1-3-6 6-11 1-3-4-5-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Dog Penalties ALPHA SHELDON | Christchurch 19 September; cramping in running; must complete satisfactory trial. WHAT’S ON | Christchurch 20 September; fell, stood down pending clear x-rays & veterinary clearance required. Trainer Penalty R Wales | Christchurch 20 September; failed to scratch the correct dog; fined $200. General HOMEBUSH ALEC | 16 September (heard 19 September); disqualified from 1st place at the Christchurch GRC meeting on 16 September due to being ineligible as a result of breaching GRNZ’s Safe Return to Racing policy. The post 16-22 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties M House | Rangiora 18 September; drove at trials without a licence; fined $300. K Newman | NZ Metropolitan 20 September; contacted track markers; fined $100. K Newman | NZ Metropolitan 20 September; careless driving; fined $200. C Hackett | Auckland 21 September; careless driving; suspended 22 September – 27 September inclusive. M McKendry | Auckland 21 September; careless driving; suspended 22 September – 27 September inclusive. T Mitchell | Auckland 21 September; half carting; fined $200. Z Meredith | Banks Peninsula 22 September; use of whip; suspended 25 September – 8 October Inclusive. B Hope | Banks Peninsula 22 September; careless driving; suspended 23 September – 10 October inclusive. I Cameron | Banks Peninsula 22 September; medical clearance received. Trainer Penalty K Green | Winton 19 September; failed to affix mudguards; fined $50. Horse Penalties LOUIE V TONNE | Waikato Bay of Plenty 17 September; late scratching, veterinary clearance required. SASSY STAR | Waikato Bay of Plenty 17 September; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. NORTHVIEW STREET | Winton 19 September; broke at start; must complete mobile trial. AIRWAVES | Winton 19 September; late scratching, veterinary clearance required. ANDY HALL | Winton 19 September; bled; stood down until 19 October inclusive; must complete trial & veterinary clearance required. DAISY DIANA | NZ Metropolitan 20 September; bled; stood down until 21 September inclusive; must complete trial & veterinary clearance required. ON REPORT | Banks Peninsula 22 September; bled (2nd time); stood down until 21 December inclusive; must complete trial & veterinary clearance required. General The Auckland TC meeting scheduled for 20 September was postponed until 21 September due to unsafe track conditions as a result of heavy rain in the area. The post 16-22 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties S Weatherley | Waikato 18 September; medical clearance received. T Newman | Taupo 20 September; broken riding engagement; fined $200. J Parkes | Wanganui 21 September; failed to make weight; fined $200. T Newman| Ellerslie 21 September; careless riding; suspended 23 September – 2 October inclusive. W Kennedy | Ellerslie 21 September; careless riding; suspended 29 September – 11 October inclusive. B Jacobson | Ellerslie 21 September; failed to make weight; suspended 29 September – 6 October inclusive & fined $100. D Cooper | Oamaru 22 September; medical clearance required. K Bakker | Oamaru 22 September; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalties D Sweeney | Taupo 20 September; incorrect gear; fined $50. J Dalton | Oamaru 22 September; incorrect number; fined $50. Horse Penalties CONMAN | Waikato 18 September; late scratching after becoming fractious in barrier; must complete trial. MI AMIGO | Taupo 20 September; lame; veterinary clearance required & must complete barrier trial. PIECES OF EIGHT | Taupo 20 September; bucked at start; must complete barrier trial. VIBRATION | Wanganui 21 September; raced greenly in running; must complete satisfactory trial. DAME LILIBIC | Ellerslie 21 September; fractious in barriers; late scratching; must complete barrier trial. HAZEL MAY | Oamaru 22 September; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. General The Waverley RC meeting on 22 September was abandoned after Race 1 due to lightning strikes and deteriorating weather in the area. The post 16-22 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Superstar rider pleased with emerging galloper’s hit-out in preparation for first-up assignment next month.View the full article

The Golden Scenery takes out the Group 3 feature at Sha Tin. Tony Cruz claimed the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) for the third time in four seasons when The Golden Scenery produced a career-best performance under Brenton Avdulla at Sha Tin on Sunday to win the first Group race of the 2024/25 Hong Kong season. Settling near the tail of the field before the seven runners bunched approaching the home turn, The Golden Scenery (121lb) stayed on the rail deep into the straight before cutting between Taj Dragon (135lb) and last season’s winner Healthy Happy (129lb) to continue Cruz and Avdulla’s partnership. A two-time winner in Australia as Dominant King, The Golden Scenery had twice been placed at Group 3 level in Hong Kong – running third in the Celebration Cup last year – and revelled in the rain-affected conditions to win by half a length in 1:22.74 to post his sixth Hong Kong victory. “The Golden Scenery has always been a very honest horse and he’s always good at the start of the season and wins a race. I planned this race for a while and today the give in the ground helped,” Cruz said. Cruz and Avdulla struck twice last season at Group 1 level with California Spangle and Cruz uses the Australian lightweight whenever possible. Cruz previously won the Celebration Cup with Buddies (2021) and California Spangle (2022). On an afternoon when Hong Kong racing celebrated Golden Sixty’s glittering career, apprentice Britney Wong snared her first Hong Kong win with Douglas Whyte-trained Cheval Valiant’s all-the-way victory in the race named after one of the city’s greatest champions – the Class 4 Golden Sixty Handicap (1000m). Wong, 25, is the first Hong Kong-born female jockey to ride a winner in the city since Kei Chiong in July, 2017, and is apprenticed to David Hall after spending two years in Australia where she rode 50 winners. “It panned out perfect for me, actually. To be fair, this horse has natural gate speed and he loves to lead and be left alone. Definitely, the 10-pound (allowance) helped a lot today and also the rain. Mr Whyte gave me very clear instructions before the race – just make sure he jumped clean and if he can get into his own rhythm, he will be happy,” Wong said. “We did everything right and the result came right. “It means a lot to mean and, at the same time, it’s a bit unreal because I’ve only ridden two years in Australia and a little bit of time in New Zealand and it’s such a big step up for me to ride in Hong Kong and also getting my first (Hong Kong) winner in just my third meeting here is really unreal.” Whyte said Wong’s tactical awareness on Cheval Valiant was a key factor. “He’s a good beginner, but he can go too hard sometimes and then he’s vulnerable at the end. Britney did a very good job allowing him not to run away too early. She held him back and from the 600m she started to let him go, which I asked her to do, and she put a gap on them. I think that was the winning move – they had to then chase her as opposed to her being run down,” Whyte said. “All in all, she held herself together very well under pressure, riding a favourite, beginning as best as she could and riding a very heady race. She was composed and she did a good job. “I’ve been impressed with that so it was just a matter of time for her to find the right opportunity and ride with confidence, which she did, and she deserved that.” John Size-trained Wunderbar made a successful return after knee surgery in May, winning under Zac Purton. “He looked good, didn’t he? It was a good effort after eight months off. He looked like he had a class on them so that’s all we can expect. I think that his record says that he’s going to improve,” Size said. “We’ll have a look and see what’s on for him next. Zac seemed happy as well.” Turin Starspangled earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million with success under Purton as trainer Pierre Ng indicated a tilt at the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 23 was a possibility. “He’s still got a lot to learn, but he needs more racing to get him settled and I hope I can do that. The owner bought him for the Derby, so hopefully I can achieve that,” Ng said. Formerly trained by Donnacha O’Brien when he raced as Devious, the gelding was placed at Group 2 level over 1429m in Ireland before export to Hong Kong. Master Mastermind, winner of the Class 4 Swallow Handicap (1400m) for David Hayes and Hugh Bowman, might also head to the Four-Year-Old Classic Series. “I want to see him go through the grades but I haven’t given up on him for the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m),” said Hayes, who also won the Class 2 Woodpecker Handicap (1200m) with veteran Harmony N Blessed under Keagan De Melo. Manfred Man’s progressive three-year-old Patch Of Cosmo extended Luke Ferraris’ fine start to the season with victory as Matthew Poon continued a brilliant start to the season, notching his fifth win of the campaign, when Floof broke through at his seventh Hong Kong start for Ricky Yiu. Hong Kong International Sale graduate Reliable Profit scored his first win at his 14th start for Danny Shum under Hugh Bowman before Sugar Ball became another first-time winner with success for Cody Mo under Derek Leung. Horse racing news View the full article

Antino ridden by Vlad Duric, winning the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm. Photo: Darren Winningham Antino has been crowned QLD Horse of the Year at the 2024 Queensland Thoroughbred Awards. The gelding, trained by Tony Gollan, enjoyed a breakout spring campaign in Melbourne during the 2023/24 season, with a win in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m), followed up by a nail-biting second placing in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). The now six-year-old also finished second in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley before returning to Eagle Farm to claim the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) on the opening day of the 2024 Queensland Racing Carnival. Fittingly, he was also named Queensland 4YO and Older Horse of the Year at Sunday afternoon’s Awards ceremony. Meanwhile, Gollan extended his reign as the state’s premier trainer, claiming the Jim Atkins Trainer of the Year Award for the 11th straight season. Gollan saddled up 186 winners across the state, the most of any trainer, whilst also claiming the Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership with 147 victories – a new benchmark for metropolitan wins. James Orman was rewarded for another exceptional season in the saddle with his third straight George Moore Queensland Jockey of the Year crown, adding to his Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership with 107.5 winners. Rising star Cejay Graham was named the Ipswich Turf Club Ken Russell Queensland Apprentice of the Year after a season that saw her notch 76 wins statewide, finishing second behind Orman in the Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership. Racing Minister Grace Grace was on hand to open the afternoon’s events and present the Racing Queensland Student of the Year Award to Corey Sutherland. “The Queensland Thoroughbred Awards is always a fantastic event for the industry, and a great opportunity to acknowledge the class and quality of both human and equine participants in our sport,” she said. “It has been another terrific season unearthing the next generation of stars both on and off the track, and it is fitting to see more than 400 people acknowledging those achievements. “Congratulations to all winners, and also those who were nominated, and I look forward to another standout Queensland thoroughbred racing season.” The Lawrie Mayfield-Smith-trained Zouna was crowned the 2YO Horse of the Year after a blistering start to his career with two wins and two placings from five starts, including finishing runner-up in the Group 2 Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) in June. The Rob Heathcote-trained Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) winner Abounding held out some strong competition from Cifrado and Miss Joelene to claim the 3YO Horse of the Year. The Magic Millions triumph was complemented by victory in the Listed Gold Edition Plate, as well as placing in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) and a fourth in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m). Abounding was also named the QTIS Horse of the Year. “Queensland racing continues to go from strength to strength, and this is again reflected in the quality of the winners and nominees at today’s event,” Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said. “Antino’s Queensland Horse of the Year Award is thoroughly deserved following a strong showing in Melbourne during the spring. “Away from the track, it was great to be able to acknowledge the hard work of our QOTT Queensland Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year, Deziree Roos, and Jodie Schweida as our Stable Person of the Year.” Horse racing news View the full article

Switzerland winning the Group 2 Todman Stakes at Randwick. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Switzerland is unlikely to line up in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m), leaving Emirate as Chris Waller’s sole contender in this weekend’s Group 1 at Rosehill. Waller is instead considering a switch in plans, with Switzerland likely to target the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on October 12. Switzerland, the Group 2 Todman Stakes (200m) winner, disappointed in his first-up run, finishing last in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m). It was later revealed he had suffered a leg cut that required stitches. Although the wound has mostly healed, Waller is cautious about rushing him back into top-level competition. “It’s unlikely,” Waller said of Switzerland’s Golden Rose chances. “He got a pretty decent cut last start, so it’s likely he will go to the Roman Consul and then to the Coolmore (Stud Stakes) after that. “It needed a couple of staples, but it’s healed now. The staples come out Monday, and he’ll be galloping on Monday, but I’d rather give him a bit more confidence before taking on the big guns. “I think the Roman Consul fits well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Hurry Curry ridden by Jye McNeil wins the Oaks Preview at Flemington. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Danny O’Brien seems to have unearthed another promising staying filly in Hurry Curry, who claimed the Crown Oaks Preview (1800m) at Flemington on Sunday. O’Brien is already eyeing a step up in distance and grade for Hurry Curry’s next start in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 19. Depending on her performance there, Hurry Curry could then proceed to the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 2, with the ultimate goal being the Group 1 Victoria Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on November 7. With Jye McNeil in the saddle, Hurry Curry ($3.80) secured a comfortable 1.5-length victory over Inevitable Truth, with Our Paramour finishing just 0.2 lengths further back in third. O’Brien was pleased with how the filly handled the 1800-metre trip at just her third race start. “The first time at 1200 metres was very much an education run, and her second start at Bairnsdale she won very convincingly,” O’Brien said. “She was having her third start today, and she’s probably won quite soft again. “It’s promising signs, and she’s a filly that will only get better in the autumn. But for now, we’ll give her a chance to push on into the spring,” he added. “She probably won’t race again for four weeks. She’ll go to the race on Caulfield Cup day, then onto the Wakeful, and if everything is going well, the Oaks. “She’s a typical middle-distance horse, and the first time you really get a good look at them is in a mile maiden, which is when they’re suited. If they can handle that, you can step up the pressure and distance. “She looks like she’s going to appreciate 2000 metres and beyond, and that’s the challenge with the Derby and Oaks—testing how quickly they can get to that sort of distance early in their three-year-old season. “She looks like that kind of horse.” Horse racing news View the full article

Luke Nolen returns to the mounting yard on Stylish Secret after winning the Victoria Derby Preview at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Despite Stylish Secret’s impressive win in Sunday’s Victoria Derby Preview (1800m) at Flemington, trainer Mick Nolan is keeping his expectations in check for the gelding. Ridden by Luke Nolen, Stylish Secret secured a 0.4-length victory over Kingofwallstreet, with Politely Dun finishing the same margin behind in third. Nolan expressed pride in the win but remained cautious about future plans. “I’ll celebrate Sunday’s victory before deciding where to go next with Stylish Secret,” he said. “He’s the toughest little horse and the smartest little horse I’ve ever worked with in my entire life. T “his is his first prep. He’s 15.2 hands high, weighs 420 kilos, and this was his fifth start. It’s amazing what he’s achieved.” Among the horse’s owners is former Richmond captain Jeff Hogg, whom Nolan fondly mentioned. “I told them (all the owners) early on that he (Stylish Secret) reminds me of Tommy Hafey—he’s just so tough.” Having claimed the Derby Preview, Stylish Secret is now ballot-exempt from the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m), where he is a +1400 winning chance with horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Apprentice Britney Wong celebrated her first Hong Kong win on the Douglas Whyte trained Cheval Valiant (NZ) (Charm Spirit) in the Class 4 Golden Sixty Handicap at Sha Tin on Sunday. Wong, 25, is the first Hong Kong-born female jockey to ride a winner in the city since Kei Chiong in July, 2017, and is apprenticed to David Hall after spending two years in Australia where she rode 50 winners. “It panned out perfect for me, actually. To be fair, this horse has natural gate speed and he loves to lead and be left alone. Definitely, the 10-pound (allowance) helped a lot today and also the rain. Mr Whyte gave me very clear instructions before the race – just make sure he jumped clean and if he can get into his own rhythm, he will be happy,” Wong said. “We did everything right and the result came right. “It means a lot to me and, at the same time, it’s a bit unreal because I’ve only ridden two years in Australia and a little bit of time in New Zealand and it’s such a big step up for me to ride in Hong Kong and also getting my first (Hong Kong) winner in just my third meeting here is really unreal.” Whyte said Wong’s tactical awareness on Cheval Valiant was a key factor. “He’s a good beginner, but he can go too hard sometimes and then he’s vulnerable at the end. Britney did a very good job allowing him not to run away too early. She held him back and from the 600m she started to let him go, which I asked her to do, and she put a gap on them. I think that was the winning move – they had to then chase her as opposed to her being run down,” Whyte said. “All in all, she held herself together very well under pressure, riding a favourite, beginning as best as she could and riding a very heady race. She was composed and she did a good job. “I’ve been impressed with that so it was just a matter of time for her to find the right opportunity and ride with confidence, which she did, and she deserved that.” Manfred Man’s progressive three-year-old Patch Of Cosmo (NZ) (Super Seth) extended Luke Ferraris’ fine start to the season with victory in the Class 4 Shrike Handicap (1200m). Matthew Poon continued a brilliant start to the season, notching his fifth win of the campaign, when Floof (NZ) (Tavistock) broke through at his seventh Hong Kong start for Ricky Yiu, landing the Class 4 Hwamei Handicap (1650, dirt). Hong Kong International Sale graduate Reliable Profit (NZ) (Reliable Man) scored his first win at his 14th start for Danny Shum, landing the Class 5 Magpie Handicap (1650m, dirt) under Hugh Bowman. Golden Sixty parading for fans at his farewell ceremony. Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club Meanwhile the Hong Kong Jockey Club hosted a farewell ceremony for champion galloper Golden Sixty. The three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year recently retired from racing, and made his final public appearance in Hong Kong on Sunday. An unmatched 26-time winner in Hong Kong, Golden Sixty’s accolades include: Horse of the Year (2020/21, 2021/22 & 2022/23), Most Popular Horse of the Year (2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 & 2022/23), Champion Miler (2020/21, 2021/22 & 2022/23), Champion Four-Year-Old (2019/20) and Champion Middle-Distance Horse (2020/21). Golden Sixty was sold by Riversley Park at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale for NZ$300,000 to trainer Francis Lui. He then went under the early care of Matamata trainer Graham Richardson where he had three educational trials, winning the last of those at Te Teko in August 2018, before being sent up to Hong Kong. He will head to Australia initially before retiring permanently at Northern Farm in Hokkaido, Japan. View the full article

All was well Sept. 22 with classic winner Seize the Grey after his 3 3/4-length win in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing the evening before. Both the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and Dirt Mile (G1) are under consideration.View the full article

The catalogue for the inaugural Buckeye Classic Thoroughbred Sale, to be held Oct. 17 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, is now online at ohio-hbpa.com. Supported by the Ohio HBPA, the catalogue of 86 head includes 73 yearlings, as well as a selection of broodmares, weanlings and 2-year-olds. “From the beginning, this sale came together with people in the industry who volunteered on every level to make it work,” said owner-breeder Steven Chumney, one of the principles coordinating on the auction. “It's reflected by the positive response we've had from the Ohio breeders. We have over 20 breeders represented.” Chumney will offer four yearlings under his Smokin C banner. The sale will also offer online bidding at www.RES.bid. Early bidding will be available starting Oct. 7 through the sales day. Live bidding on-site begins at 2 p.m. Oct. 17. For additional information on the sale, email smokincllc@gmail.com. The post Buckeye Classic Catalogue Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All was well Sept. 22 with classic winner Seize the Grey after his 3 3/4-length win in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing the evening before. Both the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and Dirt Mile (G1) are under consideration.View the full article