Wandering Eyes

With more on his mind than most of us could bear, the BBC's racing commentator texted his understudy at Ascot with a few technical tips about the box he would be calling the big race from. On King George day, Darren Owen wasn't expecting help from John Hunt. Who would? On 9 July – 18 days earlier, John's wife Carol, 61, and their daughters Hannah and Louise, 28 and 25, had been fatally injured at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire. John and his daughter Amy were in the vortex of an unspeakable personal catastrophe. As the King George approached, John found a few minutes to help a BBC colleague, who was profoundly moved and grateful. Darren Owen sketched out some words of tribute for Radio 5Live's first racing broadcast since the Royal meeting, where several of us sat in the Ascot press box with John watching an England game at the end of another superb day's racing. Owen wrote: “I dedicate today's racing broadcast to John and his family.” The corporation's regular commentator – the heir to Peter Bromley, and Peter O'Sullevan – wouldn't have been at Ascot to describe Goliath winning the King George. John had carved out a parallel career as an Olympic commentator, chiefly in swimming. He has stretched his expertise too to the Winter Games, with its icy, esoteric challenges. But the racecourse is John's natural habitat. Less than three weeks after Kyle Clifford from Enfield, North London, was arrested on suspicion of three counts of murder, the empathy and sorrow for the Hunt family remain palpable. In the midst of personal calamity, we wonder how much support, messages and love can soften the reality of incalculable loss. Maybe the answer is that they are infinitely better than silence. If they have a chance of making a difference, then they serve a purpose Racing is perhaps the best sport at rallying round the stricken and bereaved. At Ascot on Saturday – as at all race meetings – John's friends and colleagues are grappling with pain and incomprehension that anything so abominable could have happened to such a wonderful family (any family, really). To ask those who know John best how he is coping is to cause tears to flow. Everyone is tight and pained with sympathy for him. All of which offers only a small insight into what he, Amy and his wider family must be enduring. And yet the love from racing has reached him, and is helping, he told two press box friends – Matt Chapman and David Yates, who have conveyed his messages with great sensitivity. Darren Owen too was a fine spokesperson, on a day he must have found immensely challenging, in a commentary box where John has called so many races brilliantly. The help he received from John was in keeping with everything we know about him. John is always interested in others. He always asks how you are, always strikes up a conversation. His warmth and generosity light up a profession he turned to after stints as a trainee nurse and Kilburn police officer – a gig even tougher than calling a 30-runner sprint. It was Carol Hunt who alerted John to a possible career outside the Met. In the Harrow Observer, she spotted a Ladbrokes ad for trainee racecourse commentators. John handed in his badge and displayed a talent for accuracy and lyricism in the calling home of horses, where his rising and resonant voice is the equal of Peter Bromley. Many a car journey has been turned into a thrilling theatrical ride by a John Hunt racing commentary. In the midst of personal calamity, we wonder how much support, messages and love can soften the reality of incalculable loss. Maybe the answer is that they are infinitely better than silence. If they have a chance of making a difference, then they serve a purpose. Through Matt Chapman, John said that “every message that has been sent, every one of those messages feels like a hug.” He urged us all to “make the most of every day.” A fund has been set up to help Amy in the next phase, when coping with so much bereavement may feel like a full-time ordeal. As Chapman said, from the response “we have seen the other side of human nature – it just reminds us there's goodness out there in the world.” Friends talk of the “tiny steps” the Hunt family will try to make. All acknowledge that countless such steps will be required. Racing's extraordinary willingness to rush to the assistance of those in trouble was recently in evidence with the terrible spinal injuries that befell the jockey Graham Lee. Now, it finds another focus, in circumstances awful beyond anyone's imagining. For Radio 5Live listeners the Olympic swimming in Paris is eerie. Something is missing: John's voice, borrowed from racing, a sport that values and needs his authority and verbal skill. John Hunt, racing and Olympic commentator, you couldn't be at Ascot or in Paris, but everyone is with you. The post Missed in Paris and Ascot: John, We Are With You appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Phil Cole and apprentice Emma Lines following the win by Palmerston Sprint prospect Star Magnum at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Picture: Caroline Camlleri (Fotofinish Racepix) He wasn’t at his best in the Palmerston Sprint (1200m) last year, but it could be redemption for Phil Cole’s Star Magnum this weekend. The six-year-old gelding made it back to back wins on Saturday with another impressive win in open company over 1100m at Fannie Bay. It was the final hit out for the speedsters before the $135,000 Palmerston with Star Magnum, who had star apprentice Emma Lines for company, once again showing his rivals a clean pair of heels. The son of Magnus, ninth in the NT’s biggest race for the flyers in 2023, pinged out of a wide gate and found the fence easily before having Expert Witness and Flying Annie for company. From the 800m to the 400m, Expert Witness ($17) sat outside Star Magnum ($7) before Cole’s horse edged clear turning for home. By the 200m, Star Magnum was two lengths clear before getting home by just under a length from Kym Healy’s fast-finishing Pompeii Empire ($7) and Chris Pollard’s Kerioth – the $2.45 favourite with online bookmakers. Kerioth, a last-start winner over 1200m (0-76) a fortnight ago, had a dirty day after playing up in the gates and losing it’s spot at the 600m, so to finish third was encouraging looking ahead to the Palmerston. Cole, who won the 2021 and 2022 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) in Alice Springs with Smuggling, has every right to have confidence in Star Magnum, who has had 15 Darwin starts for five wins and nine minor placings. After missing the Darwin Guineas (1600m) recently with a leg injury, the Kevin Lamprecht-trained Beyond Ready ($3.80) from Alice Springs returned to overcome fellow three-year-olds in a $40,000 event over 1200m. The son of More Than Ready, who had one win from five starts in Victoria, faced fellow three-year-olds in his first two Pioneer Park starts for a win (1200m) and a third (1400m) before coming second in the $50,000 NT Guineas (1600m) behind Better Not Fuss in late March. Beyond Ready won another race against his own age group by 6.3 lengths over 1200m on Alice Springs Cup Day (April 7) before finishing second behind Starton in his Darwin debut (1200m) in June. With the leaders setting a solid pace out in front on Saturday, Beyond Ready’s rider, Mark Pegus, was happy to settle in fourth place on the fence before winding up approaching the home turn. Getting off the fence, Better Ready rounded the leaders before finally shaking off Cole’s hope, Miami Vice ($8.50), who shared the early lead with Wild Beau ($2.25 fav) and Augusta Moon ($21). Better Ready hit the front at the 100m to overcome Miami Vice by half a length, with Kerry Petrick’s Starton ($10), who looked shot at the 400m, before rallying in the home straight to finish third. Horse racing news View the full article

Cambridge Stud Bloodstock Manager Cameron Ring capped off a weekend to remember after taking away the supreme Entain Excellence Award at the inaugural Industry Excellence Awards in Auckland on Sunday. Fresh off winning the Mary-Lynne Ryan Young Achiever Award at the National Breeding Awards on Saturday night, Mr Ring (29) was voted as the winner of the Leadership category before going on to be named the first-ever winner of the Entain Excellence Award, which was decided out of the nine individual category winners. The awards were created by Entain Australia and New Zealand, the operators of TAB, to recognise the emerging leaders and rising stars under the age of 40 in the ranks across all three racing codes. Mr Ring, who was nominated for the Awards by Cambridge Stud CEO Henry Plumptre, recently moved to the role of Bloodstock Manager at the Stud after previously working in sales and nominations. He now not only oversees the extremely valuable horse population at one of New Zealand’s most famous breeding operations but is also responsible for much of the on-farm management of staff. Each category winner received a $10,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $2000 cash. Mr Ring also received an extra $5000 on top of his $10,000 category win, and a $5000 educational package. The Awards also received valued support from key industry organizations IRT, Waikato Stud, Windsor Park Stud and Breckon Farms. “We’ve been absolutely thrilled by the response to our inaugural Industry Excellence Awards,” Entain’s General Manager – New Zealand and one of the judges, Jessica Meech, said. “We had many deserving nominations from all codes, and selecting our finalists and winners has been challenging. We are delighted for Cameron and all of our category winners and look forward to building on the success of these Awards next year.” Popular North Island harness trainer and social media identity Jo Stevens claimed the Administrative and Ancillary Services Award, while Greyhound Racing New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Whelan was named National Racing Woman of the year. Matia Grace, who has made a big impact since entering the racing industry as the track manager at Tauherenikau Racecourse in South Wairarapa, won the Newcomer Award, while the judges could not split two of the finalists in the Care and Welfare Award, with Chanelle Dickie and Anna Baigent both collecting $10,000 prizes for their work in this space. Other category winners were: Michaela Sobieska (Equine Handling (Stud or Stable)), Mikayla Clark (The Greyhound Excellence Award), Ryan Figgins (Dedication to Breeding) and Emma Smith (Dedication to Racing). View the full article

Kevin Myers was at his masterful best at Waverley on Sunday winning all five of the jumping events on the card, and if that wasn’t enough, he produced three quinellas to boot. The Wanganui horseman fittingly took out the first of the day, the Happy 21st Luke Myers (3000m), with his own Mugshot (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven), who won going away from his rivals at the finish to break maiden status in the hurdling role. A son of Echoes Of Heaven, Mugshot was ridden by Dean Parker, who also partnered eye-catching chestnut Run Jakko Run (NZ) (Jakkalberry) to win the Oulaghan Racing (3000m) in similar fashion drawing clear by three lengths to stablemate Khafeef. Parker is based at Myers’ stable alongside fellow jockey Joshua Parker, who also secured a double on the card commenced by a dominant display from Go Butch. The market for the Murdoch Contracting (3000m) was dominated by capable flat performer Kahu Rock, but the $1.70 favourite fell at the fence exiting the home straight dislodging Shaun Fannin, leaving second-fancy Go Butch (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) with all to play for. The Mongolian Khan six-year-old challenged for the lead along the back straight and looked to be travelling like the winner turning for home, with a flying leap at the final fence securing his 4 ¾ length romp. “He’s a tremendous jumper, we’ve known that since day one when I rode him over hurdles and he ran third,” Joshua Parker said. “I told the owners to give me another chance because I thought he could win his next start, where he ran second. I had to ask for one more opportunity and luckily we got the job done today, they have been so patient with me so I really thank them for the support. “He’s an easy ride, not too keen and you know what you’ve got underneath you. Luke and Jason (Myers) told me to keep hold of him as long as I could to fill him with confidence and hopefully I would be in the right spot turning in, and luckily it worked out that way. “He’s got plenty of stamina, but he gains his lengths jumping and really attacks the fences. I think he has a bright future, potentially going over chase fences in time to come as he’s very bold.” The two Parkers went head-to-head in the finish of the Bob Baker Steeplechase (4000m) aboard stablemate Interllectus and Call Me Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry), with just a head separating the consistent gallopers at the finish in favour of the latter. “I adore this horse (Call Me Jack), he’s so laidback and when we ride out in the mornings, he’s that easy horse you can canter along on the buckle,” Joshua Parker said. “His owners have been very supportive of me putting me on at every start, he gave me a win at Te Aroha and I thought he was a really nice type. “The key is to be positive on him, he doesn’t like being passed by horses and backed up which is what happened when he ran fifth at Hastings. I was a bit disappointed because I knew there was a lot more for him to show than he did that day, so I was really pleased he put that on display.” The five-win haul also included a comfortable victory by Lochwinnoch (NZ) (Rios) in the Tracmac Sales Service Wanganui (4000m), the Rios gelding having his first start over the steeplechase fences after showing plenty of ability over hurdles. Ridden by Hamish McNeill, the seven-year-old justified his $2.60 favouritism powering away by 2 ½ lengths, with stablemate Sweet Taboo running into second. The win completed a unique weekend double, with Lochwinnoch’s younger full-brother Quid saluting in the Rating 65 2100m contest at Otaki on Saturday for Myers and his apprentice Lily Sutherland. Dominating the jumping scene is nothing new for Myers having taken out four of the last five Jumping Trainers’ Premierships, a title he secured comfortably this season with 23 wins, with a further 24 on the flat placing him in ninth overall. “Kevin is a master at his work, he knows how to get his horses perfectly fit and jumping brilliantly which he has been proving for years with so many winners. We’ve got a fantastic team which helps, but Kevin’s processes are just superb,” Joshua Parker said. “He cares a lot about his horses and he’s extremely intelligent. Speaking to him, he loves to have a laugh and joke around, but he’s usually just testing whether we know what we’re talking about. “He works very hard doing the cows then onto the horses then back to the farm work, you wonder how he keeps up with it all. But, it’s just second nature to him and that’s reflected in how successful his operation is. “He can read a race unbelievably well, even before it’s been run. I’m only riding one horse, but he knows what every other horse in the field is going to do. “There is never a dull moment with Kevin Myers around.” Parker will be heading to Christchurch with Myers’ team at short notice for the upcoming Grand National Week, commencing next Saturday with key lead-up races to the feature contests a week later. “I’m looking forward to riding in the Koral and Grand National, as a child in the UK all you dream of is riding in that race. Obviously it’s a bit different to the English version, but it’s still ticking off a box on the bucket list,” he said. “Kevin will have some lovely horses heading down there, and I’ve got a great ride in Auld Jock for Peter and Jess Brosnan who have been great supporters of me. He went fantastic at Wellington behind The Cossack, he just keeps improving at every run. I’m feeling very positive about him and cannot wait to get down there. “I got told it’s a bit cold, but it’ll be like being back home. “Stephan (Karnicnik) told me to go in the truck on the way down, he said I would be like a dog out of the window because the views are just amazing. Hopefully we have some nice weather so I get to see it all. “I’ve gotten a lot of race experience that will be a big positive when I head back to the UK, and I can’t wait to come back again next season and hopefully I can bring a few friends (jockeys) over too.” View the full article

Dual G1 Gold Cup hero Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) remains on target for a second G1 Al Shaqab Goodwwod Cup and heads a field of seven declared for Tuesday's renewal of the £500,000 two-mile marathon. The Aidan O'Brien trainee, who continues on a facsimile of his banner 2022 campaign, is the lone Ballydoyle representative after stablemates Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) were deemed surplus to requirements at the confirmation stage. Ryan Moore has been aboard in all 15 of the six-year-old's prior starts and is again on call for this attempt at a sixth Group 1 success. The Singula Partnership's veteran 2021 winner Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) remains engaged and is in line to make his 15th consecutive start with Hollie Doyle in the plate. Andrew Balding will be hoping it's third-time lucky for Mick and Janice Mariscotti's Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who ran fourth to Kyprios in 2022 and finished on the podium last year. John and Thady Gosden will be represented by Normandie Stud's homebred G1 Gold Cup third Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Wathnan Racing's Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), also bred by Normandie Stud, who finished off the radar in the Royal Ascot feature. The line-up is completed by Al Qareem (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), representing the in-form Karl Burke stable, and Brian Ellison trainee Tashkhan (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}), who was a well-beaten eighth last year. Black-type action on the Sussex Downs commences with the G2 HKJC World Pool Vintage Stakes and features this month's G2 July Stakes third and fifth, Aomori City (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and Electrolyte (Ire) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), among a field of eight for the seven-furlong test. Aidan O'Brien, last successful with Battleground (War Front) in 2020, is represented by Gowran maiden winner The Parthenon (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). Eight will also head postward for the G2 HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes, including Marc Chan's 'TDN Rising Star' Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who will be seeking a third triumph in the seven-furlong contest. The post Seven Declared for Tuesday’s Goodwood Cup, Kyprios Remains On Target to Reclaim Crown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year's star juvenile Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) will miss his intended engagement in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville after suffering a setback. The news was released by joint-trainer Ed Crisford on X and came just 24 hours after Vandeek was put through his paces on the July course at Newmarket on Saturday. Ed Crisford said, “Unfortunately Vandeek has met with a setback and it is too early to say how much time he will need before resuming full training. It is very frustrating for everyone concerned as he had looked as good as ever in his recent work.” Vandeek has endured a stop-start three-year-old campaign and Sunday's news is the latest blow to the connections of the dual Group 1-winning two-year-old. Owned by KHK Racing, Vandeek has raced only twice this season, and was last seen finishing two lengths behind Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) when third in the July Cup. The post ‘It Is Very Frustrating,’ – Vandeek To Miss Group 1 Target Following Latest Setback appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Victory Roll (inside) fought back to win against County Kilkenny. Photo: Bradley Photos The decision to buy Victory Roll for just $2250 has paid dividends for the new connections of the Kiwi-bred three-year-old, who scored a hard-fought win at Randwick. After starting his career with four unplaced starts in Queensland, the Belardo gelding was offered in an Inglis Digital online sale in March and was purchased by Goulburn trainer Pat Murphy. Victory Roll has won three of his six starts since then, banking more than $90,000 for his new owners. “One of his owners, Jimmy Bergin, suggested I buy him,” Murphy said. “He told me he’d stay all day and the best was yet to come and he was spot on. “He paid us back when he won his first start at Wagga and now he’s added a Goulburn win and a Highway victory, so we’re over the moon. There’s still plenty more to come too.” Victory Roll was ridden to Saturday’s win by Rachel King, who slid her mount forward to sit on the outside of the leader before going for gold at the home turn. Victory Roll took a clear lead into the straight, but he looked vulnerable when the well-supported County Kilkenny loomed on his outside with 200m remaining. Victory Roll responded to that challenge and lifted again, holding on to win by a head. “When County Kilkenny came at me, I thought I still had something to give,” King said. “Having the blinkers on, he just needed to get a sight of the horse. I let him drift out towards him, and when he got sight of him, he found again.” Horse racing news View the full article

Showmanship returns a winner after a long time between drinks for Damian Lane. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Formerly a rising star of Western Australian ranks, lightly raced eight-year-old Showmanship returned to the winners’ circle for the first time in almost two years at Caulfield. The son of Showcasing races in the colours of leviathan Perth owner Bob Peters. He made a sensational start to his career with victories in seven of his first eight starts, including the Listed Chandler McLeod Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in September of 2020. Showmanship had almost two years off the scene after that, then returned in 2022 with a placing in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) in May and a win in the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick in August. He was later unplaced in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield before another two-year lay-off. Now in the care of Pakenham trainer John Leek Jr, Showmanship finally returned to action earlier this season with a fourth in the Listed Doveton Stakes (1200m) and unplaced finishes in the Wangoom Handicap, a 1400m handicap at Sandown and the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) in Sydney. Showmanship was an overlooked $20 outsider with horse racing bookmakers for his first attempt over 1600m on Saturday, but he turned back the clock and made a triumphant return to form in the hands of jockey Damian Lane. Showmanship was slow to leave the starting gates and settled at the tail of the field, but he warmed into his work down the side of the track and began to make eye-catching progress through the field. The favourite Jimmy The Bear hit the lead and looked the winner at the top of the home straight, but Showmanship emerged as the danger on his inside. That pair fought out a tight tussle to the finish, and it was Showmanship who found that little bit more to claim a narrow win. The third placegetter finished five and a half lengths behind the first pair. Showmanship has now had 16 starts for nine wins, a placing and $520,350 in stakes. “It’s fantastic,” Leek said. “He’s a beautiful horse. He’s had a lot of problems along the way. “He was able to really let down today in that rain-affected ground. I saw him weaving his magic through the field just before the home turn, and I realised we might be actually going to win a race with him. It’s just fantastic. “We worked him up the rise on Tuesday and we’ve just swum him since. We rarely put a saddle on him and just try to keep him happy. “Now that we’ve got him back in winning form, hopefully we might get suitable track conditions again, convince Damian Lane to ride him again and see if we can repeat this result.” Lane was having his first raceday ride on the rising nine-year-old. “I was hoping to settle a little bit closer than he has been lately, but he began poorly so I had to go straight to Plan B straight away,” he said. “But he always travelled well and I was quite confident a long way out. He was picking up very strongly from about the 600m. “One advantage of settling in that back and inside position is that I had the opportunity to cut through the field, rather than having to loop around. “Credit to John. He’s done a great job to turn this horse around.” Horse racing news View the full article

Portia Matthews didn’t believe a Jump Jockey’s Premiership title was even a possibility twelve months ago, but a phenomenal season in the saddle has put any self-doubt firmly to rest. Based with master trainer Mark Oulaghan at Awapuni, the 26-year-old had her first full season riding last term and came away with five winners, a total she more than doubled to finish with 14 winners and a pair of prestige victories in her tally this season over the jumps. “I went into this season with no particular goals, I didn’t think winning the premiership would even be possible,” Matthews said. “My main goal was just to improve my riding and get better and more consistent, I was falling off a lot last year which was tough as I take a lot of pride in turning up and being professional. “I’ve got lovely horses with Mark Oulaghan, I can’t thank him enough for his support because I believe over half of my wins this year have come from him. He’s been an outstanding person in my corner the way through. “For me, the premiership is more about how far I’ve come. I’m not someone who has always had a lot of belief in myself and my ability to ride, my biggest fear with riding on race day was disappointing people. “It feels like a tick in the box that I am good enough to be here and I can do this. Now that I’ve done it once I don’t feel like I need to do it again, but we’ll see what happens.” Oulaghan’s star hurdler Berry The Cash has played an instrumental role in the success of Matthews this season, with their five wins as a combination including the highlight of her career to date, the Grand National Hurdles (4200m). “The Grand National was everything for me. A lot of people probably don’t know this, but in the three meetings leading up to it, I had four falls,” Matthews said. “I had zero confidence in myself, I was doubting whether this was the career for me and I felt like it was the universe telling me so. My body was sore and I was struggling to have much faith, but Mark had every faith in the world in me. “I thought I had ridden the Sydenham really poorly on Berry The Cash for third and I was called into the stipes room because they thought I had not ridden with enough vigour and in reserve. “Going into the National, I told myself, if Mark thinks I can do this then I can, and that race changed the course of my career in such a massive way. “I would not be the rider I am today without that win. “After he won that, that horse owes me nothing. Every win that has come since has just been icing on the cake, I never expect anything from him and I’m so thankful for everything he has done for me.” Matthews and Berry The Cash will return to Riccarton Park over the next fortnight aiming for a defence of their National title, while she has also secured rides in the feature Grand National Steeplechase (5500m) and the undercard hurdle event. “I’m on Berry The Cash in the hurdle, he’ll carry the topweight of 73kg which just slightly more than at Hastings,” Matthews said. “I learnt a lot from that run, I didn’t ride it exactly how I should’ve so I’m going into the National knowing that we’ll both always do our best and if it pays in our favour, that’s perfect. “I’m on Lucy de Lautour’s nice horse Donardo in the open steeplechases, she has been a quiet supporter of mine right from the start. I thank her a lot because she kept putting me back on when I wasn’t riding very well. “Semper Magico is also in the 0-1 hurdle on the second day and he’s an exciting wee horse. A couple of years ago I schooled this horse when I first started at Mark’s, and I told him that if he jump raced, I won’t be riding him because the jumping was such a negotiation. “He went into them full tear, he wouldn’t concentrate and back then, I wasn’t skilled enough to handle him. It’s taken some time to get him at the stage to go to the races, but he’s shown now he’s a serious contender over the hurdles. “He’s turned into a lovely horse that I am lucky enough to pinch from the flat races when I can, as we still feel he has plenty to offer in that role as well.” Behind every success story is a solid support system and for Matthews, there have been several key figures along the way. “My parents have been amazing, everyone knows my mum at the races as she travels far and wide to be there for me. She’ll be coming down to Christchurch for the week, she’s actually been down to every National so far,” she said. “She’s been my number one since day one and she knows how to support me mentally when I get in my head about the races, I can’t thank her enough. “I got a lot of help from Buddy Lammas early in the season, he helped with my high weight riding and learning how to ride out a finish, which also helped me develop more of a style on the horse. “I thought that was really important because I was never a natural-looking rider growing up going through pony club and things. I take a lot of inspiration from Aaron Kuru, I’d love to be able to follow in his footsteps in that regard. “Shelley Houston has also been another massive role model of mine, she’s helped me get involved in the jumps racing community. Although this (the premiership) was never the goal, it came about without me focussing on it because I was trying to better myself and I was trying to emulate these riders as much as I could. “Jess and Peter Brosnan helped me so much in the early days as well, I would have been out there every week schooling anything and everything they had to improve my jumping and eye. They’ve been consistent supporters of mine from day zero and are an asset to the jumps community. “Also to the team at Oulaghan Racing, they are an awesome bunch of girls that work so hard and carry out every bizarre request I have of them. We wouldn’t be able to produce the jumpers and results we do without the team at home, they’ve been a key role in my success and the success of the Oulaghan horses.” After a win aboard Lochwinnoch at Waverley on Sunday, Hamish McNeill finished in second position in the Premiership with ten wins, while Dean Parker’s double took him into third place with eight. View the full article

Matamata trainer Mark Brosnan’s rich vein of winter form continued with an impressive performance by Sterling Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) in Saturday’s Property Brokers & Katie Walker 3YO (1400m) at Te Rapa. Brosnan has trained 12 winners this season, with five of those victories coming since the beginning of June. Grace ‘N’ Glory and Sterling Express kicked off that winter run with a double at Ruakaka on June 8, followed by successes by Diamond Jak at Te Rapa on July 6 and Fly My Wey in the $60,000 ITM/Gib Whangarei Gold Cup/Winter Championship Stayers’ Final (2100m) at Ruakaka on July 13. Sterling Express kept that sequence going with an outstanding come-from-behind performance in Saturday’s $50,000 three-year-old race, while Diamond Jak was runner-up in the $50,000 Callinan Family Taumarunui RSA Gold Cup (2200m) “We’ve been going alright through the winter, and it was another really good day today,” Brosnan said. Sterling Express settled at the back of Saturday’s 11-horse field, then produced a withering finish in the Te Rapa straight. Unleashed down the outside of the track by jockey Warren Kennedy, Sterling Express bounded to the lead and drew away to score by two and three-quarter lengths from Did The Trick and Dior Sauvage. Raced by his breeders Gail Macrae and Joanne McKeagg, Sterling Express has had nine starts for three wins, a second and $79,050 in stakes. The three-year-old Shamexpress gelding is a full-brother to his stablemate Grace ‘N’ Glory, who has also been a three-time winner. “Sterling Express was impressive today,” Brosnan said. “He’s a horse that’s always shown a fair bit of ability, but he’s just had a few things go wrong along the way. He’s starting to put things together now. “I’m not too sure what we’ll do with him next. He’s a year older on Thursday. His rating will go up a little bit from today’s win, but hopefully we’ll still be able to find some nice races for him in that Rating 75 grade in the meantime.” Brosnan was left wondering what might have been with Diamond Jak, who was taken very wide around the first corner but produced a highly creditable performance to get to within a head of the Taumarunui Cup winner Hula Beat. “That was a big effort without a lot of luck,” Brosnan said. “Nine times out of 10, he might have been able to win that race. But that happens in racing, and you have to take the good with the bad. “I’m not sure where we’ll go next with him either. He’s an open-class horse now and there’s not very many options coming up for him. He does like Te Rapa and handles wet ground well. He also appreciates a bit of space between his runs, so we’re happy to take our time in finding something.” View the full article

What Albury Races Where Albury Racing Club – 16-46 Fallon St, Albury NSW 2640 When Monday, July 29, 2024 First Race 12:10pm AEST Visit Dabble The new week of racing gets underway at Albury Racing Club on Monday afternoon, with a competitive nine-race program lined up for punters. The rail is out +7m between the 650m marker to winning post, while the remainder is out 5.5m the rest of the way around. There are only minor showers forecast in the lead-up, so expect the Heavy 10 surface to see some improvement for race-day. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 12:10pm local time. Albury Best Bet: Brial Rose Brial Rose couldn’t have been more impressive returning at Narrandera on July 14, breaking her maiden by 4.4 lengths as she made every post a winner under Jason Lyon. The Ron Stubbs-trained filly seemingly relished the bottomless conditions, and with a similar scenario likely to unfold in this BM58 contest, watch for Brial Rose to head forward from barrier five, proving hard to chase down in search of back-to-back wins. Best Bet Race 3 – #6 Brial Rose (5) 3yo Filly | T: Ron Stubbs | J: Jason Lyon (59.5kg) +170 with PlayUp Next Best: Thoughtful Thoughtful smashed his rivals debuting at Goulburn on July 5, storming down the outside running rail to score by 2.8 lengths. The son of So You Think justified the short quote with online bookmakers on that occasion, with Nick Heywood taking luck out of the equation to lead every step of the way. Expect similar front-running tactics second-up, and provided Thoughtful can cross easily enough from barrier nine, this guy should prove too classy for this lot. Next Best Race 5 – #3 Thoughtful (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Matthew Dale | J: Nick Heywood (59.5kg) +200 with Neds Best Value: Ashau Valley Ashau Valley got a pass mark first-up at Narrandera on July 14, hitting the line well over 1400m to get within 2.8 lengths of Smart Poppy. The firming conditions should be ideal for the son of Outreach, with his best form at the end of last preparation coming over 1600m on top of the ground. The three-year-old should get the gun run throughout under Jake Duffy, and provided he gets the breaks when the whips are cracking, Ashau Valley should figure in the finish at an each-way price with Picklebet. Best Value Race 6 – #5 Ashau Valley (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Craig Weeding | J: Jake Duffy (61kg) +1800 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips – Albury Races Albury quadrella selections Monday, July 29, 2024 1-3-5-9 3-4-5-6-10 2-6-7-10 1-3-6-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Wolfburn, ridden by Jarrod Todd, takes out the $50,000 Metric Mile (1600m) at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Picture: Darwin Turf Club Gary Clarke’s Wolfburn completed his Darwin Cup preparations stylishly on Saturday with victory in the $50,000 Metric Mile (1600m) at Fannie Bay. For the five-year-old gelding, it was his eighth win from 14 Top End starts. The son of Snitzel is a serious contender in the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) on August 5. Clarke will be aiming for his fourth Cup come the first Monday in August following Lightinthenite (2015), Zahspeed (2018) and Playoffs (2022). Darwin’s leading trainer, who claimed his 12th straight Top End and Country premiership, won the 2000 Cup as a jockey on Steve Paynter’s Star Bullet. Jarrod Todd, who sealed the jockeys’ premiership for the fifth consecutive year, partnered Wolfburn – the $2.20 favourite with online bookmakers – in the Metric Mile before saluting by 2.5 lengths. It was Clarke’s fourth win in the Darwin Cup Carnival feature after Austpak (2007), Java (2018) and Savatoxl (2020). Todd won the Metric Mile for Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer in 2017 on Royal Request, a former NT Derby winner, before the trio combined to win the Cup. Apart from Royal Request, Lanson (2005), Nozi (2006), Hawks Bay (2011) and Ihtsahymn (2019) have won the Metric Mile since 2000 before winning the Cup. Jumping from gate three in the seven-horse field on Saturday, Wolfburn led for the first 400m before Chloe Baxter’s He’s The Ultimate ($15), last year’s winner, went four deep before taking over in front once entering the back straight. He’s The Ultimate employed similar tactics in 2023 and led Wolfburn by two lengths for the next 800m with Dyer’s Hettinger ($2.70), Carrol Hunter’s Desert Lass ($26) and Clarke’s Pink Panther ($7) in pursuit. Turning for home and with 350m to go, Wolfburn eyed the leader before taking over at the 100m with Pink Panther storming home to make it a Clarke quinella with He’s The Ultimate third. Hettinger, a spectacular Toyota Finance Cup (1600m) winner on July 17, travelled three deep for the first half of the race before tiring to finish fourth. Wolfburn, a former Darwin Guineas winner, has had five Darwin starts since returning from Phillip Stokes’ Morphettville stable for four wins and a second. Horse racing news View the full article

California-bred gelding has won six straight and 14 of his last 15 races.View the full article

California-bred gelding has won six straight and 15 of his last 16 races.View the full article

Like his sire Ghostzapper did two decades before, the speedy Dr. Venkman showed he was just as capable around two turns as he was around one with a commanding victory in the San Diego Handicap (G2) July 27 at Del Mar.View the full article

THE CHOSEN VRON (g, 6, Vronsky–Tiz Molly, by Tiz Wonderful) will get another chance at the Breeders' Cup as he took Saturday's GI Bing Crosby Stakes, a 'Win And You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Sitting mid pack into the turn, the 3-2 favorite stuck a head in front off the far turn, surged ahead inside the final fulrong and came under the wire well clear, successfully defending his title in a race he won narrowly last year while leading home Closethegame Sugar (Girvin) who was well back in second and Jackstown (Speightstown). This was The Chosen Vron's sixth win in a row dating back to last November's Cary Grant Stakes. Lifetime Record: 24-19-1-2. O-Sondereker Racing LLC, Kruljac, J. Eric, Fetkin, Robert S. and Thornburgh, Richard; B-Tiz Molly Partners; T-J. Eric Kruljac. THE CHOSEN VRON ($5.00)! MAGNIFICENT! He defended his title in the @LanesEndFarms $400,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at @DelMarRacing under @HIBerrios. He's trained by Eric Kruljac. Play the next one: https://t.co/unZBCRthBU pic.twitter.com/Qywrmpk4G8 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 28, 2024 The post The Chosen Vron A Back-To-Back Winner Of The Bing Crosby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3-1 shot Dr. Venkman (g, 4, Ghostzapper–Theory of Change, by Archarcharch) got the better of 2-5 favorite Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) Saturday to take the GII San Diego Handicap at Del Mar. Racing second as the favorite ran to the front, he made his move around the far turn and, as Arabian Knight had little response past the quarter pole, took the lead and cruised home to a definitive win ahead of 20-1 longshot Katonah (Klimnt) with Express Train (Union Rags) closing for third. Lifetime Record: 5-3-2-0. O-Agnew, Dan J., Bunch, Clint, Cohen, Mark and Hailey, James; B-Ghostzapper Syndicate & Hidden Brook Farm; T-Mark Glatt. Sales History: $105,000 ylg '21 KEESEP. The post Dr. Venkman Gets The Better Of Arabian Knight, Cruises To San Diego Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At the National HBPA Conference held at Prairie Meadows, Dr. Chief Stipe Daniels, a horse owner and equine veterinarian in Virginia, was re-elected by unanimous acclamation for a second three-year term as the president and chairman of the board, the organization said in a press release on Saturday. “There was a lot more to do these last three years than I ever dreamt,” Daniels said. “I hope now, in the next three years, it will be a lot less contentious and a lot more meaningful from the standpoint of our horsemen looking forward to positive change. I look forward to doing all I can in the process.” Heading Daniels' agenda is working for passage of the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA), introduced last Sept. 26 by Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana. The RHSA would replace HISA with a system that accomplishes the same goals but with full transparency, much more input by horsemen, science-based regulations and with a far cheaper price tag. Daniels is a member of HISA's Horsemen's Advisory Group. The post Dr. Chief Stipe Daniels Re-Elected National HBPA President appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion 3-year-old male in Canada last year after a King's Plate-winning campaign, Paramount Prince is putting forth another Sovereign Award-caliber season. He won the July 27 Seagram Cup (G2) at Woodbine, his third win in four starts in 2024.View the full article

Repole Stable's Scalable climbed to new heights July 27 when she notched her first graded stakes score in the $255,500 Monmouth Oaks (G3).View the full article

Rebounding from his 15th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Fierceness took the lead leaving the second turn of the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course and outlasted an inside-rallying Sierra Leone.View the full article

Dr. Chief Stipe Daniels, a horse owner and equine veterinarian in Virginia, was re-elected by unanimous acclamation for a second three-year term as the National HBPA's president and chairman of the board.View the full article

SARATIOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.–Give an assist to trainer John Kimmel for fellow conditioner Chad Brown's latest 2-year-old win at Saratoga Race Course. Come again? Well, after the seventh race at the Spa was complete Saturday afternoon and Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) was getting his picture taken, it was rival trainers Kimmel and Brown who were huddled together. They shared some laughs and a handshake. While Brown got Chancer McPatrick ready for his debut, a 6 1/2-furlong $100,000 maiden special weight, it was Kimmel who got the horse to Brown's barn. Chancer McPatrick is owned by Sean Flanagan's Flanagan Racing. It was Kimmel who bought the horse–along with Nick Sallusto–at the 2024 Ocala Breeders' Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training. The price tag was $725,000 for the freshman stallion. Besides training, Kimmel is a bloodstock advisor. “I feel lucky that John found this horse and sent him to us,” Brown said as he walked through the clubhouse after the race. Sean Flanagan, who is from Boston, was not at the Spa to see his rookie run. Wherever he was, suffice it to say, it must have felt like St. Patrick's Day “I've been buying horses for Mr. Flanagan and Flanagan Racing,” Kimmel said, “We thought [Chancer McPatrick] had a fabulous breeze and he passed all our examinations and the other stuff you go through. Really, really nice horse.” Since coming to the Brown barn, Chancer McPatrick has had nine workouts, all at Saratoga. He tuned up for his career debut with a four-furlong breeze in 47.89 seconds (3/138) on July 21. Chancer McPatrick was the 2-1 favorite in the field of 10, which also included Invictus (Into Mischief), a $1.2 million purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale. He finished seventh. It was not a great start for Chancer McPatrick and jockey Flavien Prat, who had plenty to do after some early trouble. “Flavien said he lost his action on the backside when coming out of the chute area,” Brown said. “He was going to be about mid-pack and horse slipped and lost his action. He was way back further than he wanted to be.” As he watched Chancer McPatrick fall 10 lengths behind at the half, Brown was resigned to the fact that perhaps it wasn't his day. But, when Prat got Chancer McPatrick into the clear, he took off and gobbled up all the ground in the stretch. He passed the pacesetter T Kraft (Connect) and won by a length. Chancer McPatrick was timed in 1:17.99. “[Prat] said once he got his feet up underneath him and took him out of the kickback, he made a move you don't see very often in young horses,” Kimmel said. “Once he got into gear, and from what I have seen from in the morning, I knew he had a serious turn of foot,” Brown said. “We like this horse a lot.” The post Give John Kimmel An Assist for Brown’s Maiden Win with Chancer McPatrick appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year's Champion 2-year-old colt and 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (c, 3, City of Light–Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty) got back in the winner's circle with a gutsy win over Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in Saturday's GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga. Perfectly poised in second throughout behind longshot pacesetter Pony Express (Gun Runner), the GI Florida Derby winner left the door wide open off the turn when he drifted out and both Sierra Leone and Batten Down (Tapit) dove inside to come after him. But under a vigorous ride from John Velazquez down the outside, the Repole Stables runner kept his longtime rival at bay to get the win. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2-year-old colt, 7-4-0-1. O/B-Repole Stable; T-Todd Pletcher. What a race by FIERCENESS, the son of @LanesEndFarms stallion City of Light! He pulled away down the stretch to win the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes pres. by @MoheganSun with a perfect ride by @ljlmvel for @RepoleStable! pic.twitter.com/kD83hEW78M — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 27, 2024 The post Fierceness Guts Out Jim Dandy Win Over Sierra Leone appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love Rakaia trainer Warren Stapleton has three chances at good odds today at Addington. In race 1, the Betavet Prepare, He’s Santas Excuse ($21.00FF) will line up for just the second time for Stapleton after things went awry last week. “He was hitting the wheels last week. So we are expecting a more improved run this week. He would be a good place bet.” He’s Santas Excuse will be driven by Warren Frost who also part owns the gelding of Net Ten EOM. Race 5, the Betavet Regumare Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace will see Ivona Dadic ($31.00FF) take on a handy field looking to go back to back after winning her maiden last week at Addington. Although she looks like a nice horse in the making there are a few sharp fillies to contend with, including the in-form Lakelsa ($2.20) and Happy Harper ($2.50). “She’s trained on well and I’m very pleased with her. There’s a couple in there that are alright, but she’s sound and I think the 2600m will suit her much better.” Ivona Dadic will be driven by Kimberly Butt. Finally in race eight the Betavet Thanks Their Staff & Clients, Spirited Lou ($15.00FF), the entire by Sweet Lou will be needing to lift his game to feature. “Jonny (Cox) drove him a treat last time and he didn’t do much so we were disappointed. He won’t have to do much today,” says Stapleton, “He’s going to have to improve a lot but I think he can do that.” He will be driven by Kimberly Butt today. Stapleton trains 14 from his Rakaia base. “Lester (5 wins) is on his way back. We qualified a Majestic Son trotter last Tuesday who can win a race. There’s one or two there that can win races.” View the full article