Wandering Eyes

Owner-breeders David Howden and Jayne McGivern, both of whom are also heavily involved in the eventing world, have unveiled plans for a valuable class for former racehorses at Howden's Cornbury House Horse Trials. The Cornbury Racehorses Eventing Challenge is a joint initiative which will be run at the Oxfordshire event in 2025, offering a first prize of £45,000. The duo hopes that it will help to raise the profile of the suitability of Thoroughbreds for eventing. The class will be run at British Eventing Open Novice level, but using an FEI CCI2*-S dressage test in a long arena. The showjumping phase will be last and run in reverse order. The aim for subsequent years will be to run the class at British Eventing Intermediate level. Entrants must have achieved two Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) as a combination at novice level in the current season (2025). Horses must not have competed at CCI4* level or above in the past two seasons. Riders will be restricted to two entries each, and horses do not need to have raced or to have been in training, but must be registered with Weatherbys or the appropriate Thoroughbred studbook of their country of origin. Howden, the founder and president of Cornbury House Horse Trials whose homebred filly Running Lion (GB) won this year's G2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, said, “I am so excited that we will be introducing this very special class at CHHT in 2025. Jayne McGivern and I share a joint-passion for both eventing and racing and for the amazing horses in those sports, and we hope to draw attention to the wonderful versatility of Thoroughbred – and to encourage our best riders to recognise their suitability for eventing and to reward them for the correct training of them.” McGivern is the owner of Dash Grange Stud and also stands Golden Horn (GB) at Overbury Stud. She added, “There is no doubt that Thoroughbreds can shine at the very top level in eventing, and I hope this class will inspire our top riders and everyone else connected to this fantastic sport to believe in them and give them the opportunities and the best care and training to reach their full potential.” The post Howden and McGivern Back Eventing Challenge for Ex-Racehorses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From its launch in 2019, covering the five days of Royal Ascot, the World Pool has grown gradually to 33 race days this year across eight different countries. It is fair to expect to see that expansion continue apace. The international commingling of betting pools was the brainchild of Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which powers World Pool. Twenty-eight jurisdictions can now bet into that pool. “It is our vision to bring the world's finest racing to domestic customers all year round,” states the World Pool website, but it is not just punters who are benefiting from this increased liquidity in the betting pools. The racecourses included in the World Pool programme, which this year has covered fixtures in Australia, Argentina, Britain, Germany, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE, stand to gain around £500,000 in extra funding per race day. At the Asian Racing Conference, held a fortnight ago in Sapporo, Michael Fitzsimons, executive director of wagering products at the HKJC, outlined how further expansion of World Pool could help to combat the threat to racing's future from the rapid growth of illegal betting markets. He drew a comparison with the collaborative efforts within the music business which have been deployed in the battle against piracy. Fitzsimons said, “As with the music industry, we must innovate together in a manner more compelling than the illegal alternative. To do this, our goal is for World Pool to provide coverage of the IFHA's top 100 races. “To meet the challenge of the illegal market, we can't and won't stop until we too have a convenient product with all the world's best races in one place, available to a global audience, through the national pool operators in every country.” European Involvement British racing – or a section of it – is currently one of the main beneficiaries of World Pool with 18 of the 33 race days this year staged in the country, at Ascot, Epsom, Goodwood, Newmarket and York. Seventeen of the IFHA's top 100 races were run in Britain last year, according to the Longines rankings, while Ireland had three on that list and hosts four World Pool days. France does not yet have World Pool fixtures but Germany's Grosser Preis von Baden card was included in 2023 and there are now six German meetings on the schedule. With World Pool having grown from 27 to 33 race days in the last year, there is speculation that it could double in number before long. Horse Racing Ireland's CEO Suzanne Eade said during a panel discussion at the ARC, “World Pool makes our good days great days.” Its presence will be felt this weekend in particular, with both days of the Irish Champions Festival included, while the sole remaining fixture in the UK this season is British Champions Day at Ascot next month. The appearance of Japanese contender Shin Emperor (Fr) in the Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday will surely only reinforce the desire from the HKJC to encourage the Japan Racing Association (JRA) to get on board with World Pool. “If the Japanese were to amalgamate with the global pools it would increase fivefold,” said Alex Frost, CEO of the UK Tote Group, who was also in attendance at the ARC and described the expansion of the World Pool to date as “breathtaking”. Racing's Silver Bullet? That gathering of racing's leaders included a debate on the relative strength or otherwise of the world's betting markets, along with the looming spectre of the aforementioned competition from the illegal markets, which are believed to be worth an estimated US$1.7 trillion. Peter V'Landys, the CEO of Australia's Racing New South Wales, joined the panel with Eade and was unequivocal in his view of World Pool. He said, “I think it has the potential to save world racing because it really highlights the major events in every country, it puts the focus on that event and punters from all around the world can bet on that particular race.” Frost was particularly encouraged by his comments. “There is a silver bullet for global horse racing and that is tote betting done properly,” he said. “That's the most powerful message that I took out of the conference – that there is a solution.” He continued, “People have been living off steady growth but suddenly there is a bit of a wobble. Betting turnover is down in Hong Kong and Australia and everyone is suffering from a bit of a pull back other than the JRA. I sense that people are really concerned, and when you get the likes of Peter V'Landys standing up and saying there is only one solution, and Japan showing that you need a proper level of reinvestment in the racing product, I felt very invigorated by that.” He also is of the view that Britain is well positioned to benefit further from any expansion. “When you consider our level of reputation and integrity, and the time zone we are in, it is perfect for Asia,” he said. “It is more of a challenge in America.” York's Prize-Money Boost William Derby is the chief executive and clerk of the course at York racecourse, a shining beacon among tracks in the UK. Its recent Ebor meeting featured 28 races across four days, none of which offered less than £100,000 in prize-money. York's rising purses have been aided by the returns from its three World Pool days. “We're delighted to have been involved since the second wave, alongside Goodwood, in 2021,” said Derby. “That global approach is really appealing to us as a racecourse, and having people engaging in betting on our festival racing is something that we really want to encourage. “The York Race Committee took the view that we would invest all that we received in World Pool returns and put that all back into the prize funds. So our prize funds since 2019, which was our last proper Ebor without World Pool, have gone up by what we receive from World Pool. We would love for the Saturday of the Ebor Festival to be a World Pool day as we feel that the Ebor, the Melrose, the Strensall and the City of York Stakes would be really engaging content.” And in a trickledown effect, those big days at York now help to shore up some of the lesser meetings during the year. Derby added, “It has boosted the strength of our entire race programme, not just World Pool days. No race at York is worth less than £20,000 and all grades of racing have benefited, so the sport has benefited as whole, and everyone connected to it – be they owners, trainers or jockeys.” Along with the racecourses receiving a financial boost from World Pool fixtures there is value to be found for punters too. The Racing Post's betting expert Tom Segal referred to the benefits in his column this week. He said, “I invariably find that the horses I'm interested in start at much bigger prices on the World Pool than they do with the traditional bookmakers or on the exchanges, given that the majority of them aren't ridden by William Buick or Ryan Moore and aren't trained by the Gosdens or Aidan O'Brien. “Of course World Pool betting isn't going to suit everyone, with its each-way terms sometimes not that favourable. But the sizeable group of punters who like a medium-sized win bet should certainly consider the World Pool when having a wager at the big meetings.” Unsurprisingly, this is a view which is wholly endorsed by Frost. “I would like people to really get behind it now,” he said. “There are lots of people who like a bet in the UK and Ireland. We've gone beyond the stage of proving the concept. It has shown that it can help enormously, and if we are going to see the roll-out that was talked about at the Asian Racing Conference then we need to be doing everything we can to get behind it.” He continued, “That's the one thing that I would like to impress upon people, that there is a solution. And if people don't believe that the world is moving fast, it's pretty remarkable to have the next [Asian Racing] conference in Saudi. That in itself is a message. To think that wagering is going to be discussed openly in Saudi – who would have thought that even two or three years ago? It's a definite barometer of change.” The post ‘The Potential to Save World Racing’: Views on World Pool Expansion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owners Club, a mobile horse racing game featuring a contest leading up to QIPCO British Champions Day, was launched by the QIPCO British Champions Series, who teamed up with mobile gaming company Invincible GG. The free-to-enter competition aims to enhance the reach and engagement of horseracing to a digitally-minded audience of racing fans. The QIPCO British Champions Day Challenge enables UK and global entrants to own, train and race their very own thoroughbred for a chance to win an exciting prize experience. The interactive racing competition is free to download from the Apple and Google App stores. For more information on the game, please visit the Invincible GG website. Jonathan Strause, Invincible GG CEO, said, “The interactive video game industry has proven to be a powerful platform for engaging with a younger demographic. Horse racing, with its rich history and thrilling dynamics, has the potential to captivate a similar audience. By collaborating with British Champions Series on QIPCO British Champions Day, we are delivering an interactive experience that appeals to both traditional fans and new, younger enthusiasts.” The post Owners Club Mobile Game Launched By QIPCO British Champions Series appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Veteran handler claims back-to-back doubles and looks to feature races with city circuit winners.View the full article

Listed winner Mgheera (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), who ran second in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene in June, will be part of the upcoming Tattersalls Online September Sale catalogue on Sept. 18-19, the sales company announced on Wednesday. Twice placed at group level this term and a winner of the Listed Prix Hampton for Manon Scandella-Lacaille who began training her last summer, the filly is rated 107 by Timeform. She is entered in the G3 Prix du Petit Couvert at ParisLongchamp on Sunday, Sept. 15, as well as the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye on Oct. 6. Mgheera finished third most recently in the Listed Prix du Cercle at Deauville behind subsequent G1 Nunthorpe Stakes hero Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}). A daughter of three-time winner Blue Aegean (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), the 4-year-old filly is a relative of G3 Firth Of Clyde Stakes heroine Distinctive (GB) (Tobougg {Ire}). She was bred by David Redvers and Framont, Ltd. The full Tattersalls Online catalogue will be published on Thursday, Sept. 12. Wildcard entries are still being accepted. For more information on the sale, please visit the Tattersalls Online website. The post Group-Placed Mgheera Confirmed For Tattersalls Online September Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Funeral services for trainer Chuck Simon will be held Monday, Sept. 16 at the Catricala Funeral home, 1597 Route 9, Clifton Park, NY. Viewing hours are from noon to 2 p.m. ET, with a service to follow from 2 to 2:30 p.m. ET. A round-trip private plane from Lexington has been arranged. Individuals wishing further information on that flight should contact Carlo Vacarezza at 561-714-6019. Simon, who trained for 20 years before retiring in 2019, died Sunday in Saratoga Springs, New York after a bout with cancer. He was 57 years old. The post Funeral Services Set For Chuck Simon appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tracy Vigors, who ran Hillwood Stud in Wiltshire with her husband Charlie, has died at the age of 49. A skilled horsewoman who played a key role in the success of Hillwood, one of the leading British consignors and boarding farms, Vigors was also mother to two sons, Harry and Oliver, both of whom compete in pony racing and are actively involved in the stud. A message released by Charlie Vigors on Wednesday read, “Harry, Oliver and I have been overwhelmed by the love, support and kindness shown to us since the sudden passing of Tracy. The messages, letters of condolence and gifts have given us great comfort at this devastating time. “We will be having a private funeral next week and a celebration of her life at a later date. We thank you for respecting our privacy at this desperately sad time for all of us.” The news of Tracy's passing has been met with widespread sorrow by her many friends and colleagues in the racing world. Her dedication, both to her family and to all the horses at Hillwood, was evident in her social media posts, which spoke to her warmth, hard work and great horsemanship. Many enjoyed following the exploits of the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth, who lived out his retirement at Hillwood as a hunter for Charlie and beloved family pet. At the other end of the equine scale was Tracy's adoption of an orphan pony foal called Buttons, who also featured regularly in her bulletins on stud life. The TDN joins many others in the bloodstock industry in offering our sincere condolences to the Vigors family. The post Tracy Vigors Dies at 49 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gouache (Ger), dam of G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes winner Goliath (Ger), is to be sold at the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale A Listed-winning daughter of Shamardal, Gouache is a half-sister to the G2 Gerling-Preis winner Guardini (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}), and she will be offered in foal to Baaeed (GB). The 12-year-old mare will be consigned by Millennium Stud. Bred by the Ullmann family of Gestut Schlenderhan, the mare passed through a sale ring only last December when sold at Arqana for €200,000 to Agrolexica International Trading in foal to Blackbeard (Ire). Goliath was her second foal and she is also the dam of a three-year-old filly named Galaxy (Ger) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}), while the mare's current two-year-old Go Flying (Ger) is a full-sister to Goliath from the final crop of the late Adlerflug (Ger). Gouache also has a yearling filly by Magna Grecia (Ire). Goliath, currently the top-rated older horse in training in Europe, could return to Ascot for the G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes, while the Breeders' Cup and Japan Cup are also under consideration for the four-year-old. American owner-breeder John Stewart of Resolute Racing recently bought a 75% share in the Francis Graffard-trained gelding. “Goliath's stunning victory in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes was one of the performances of the season and the world is his oyster in terms of what comes next,” said Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby. “It is an honour for Goffs to be chosen to sell Goliath's dam Gouache and we are very grateful to her owners for this vote of confidence in our service which follows a record sale in 2023 when we sold the two highest-priced mares anywhere in the world.” The Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale takes place on November 22 and 23. The post Dam of Goliath Catalogued for Goffs November Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Lindsay Park team is confident Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) can give them back-to-back wins in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. The Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington is a race that can shape the spring. The Group 1 race over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday attained Group 1 status in 2013 with horses of the calibre of Fawkner (2015), Humidor (2017), Incentivise (2021), I’m Thunderstruck (2022) and Mr Brightside last year being successful. Going back further when run as a Group 2 race, horses like Sky Heights (1999), Northerly (2002), Weekend Hussler (2008) and Shocking (2010) were successful. Only eight runners will face the starter on Saturday, but all eight will be out to stamp their mark early in the Spring Carnival while also showing connections they are heading in the right direction ahead of bigger targets. The Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will and J D Hayes are expecting Mr Brightside to put his mark on Saturday’s race, just as he did in winning last year’s edition. Mr Brightside defeated Alligator Blood in winning last year, racing third-up which followed a victory in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield the start prior. The Hayes brothers decided on a different program this year, bypassing a first-up run in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m), a race he won last year, electing to go first-up into the Memsie. Pinstriped, an opponent again on Saturday, had the better of Mr Brightside in the Memsie Stakes, but the Lindsay Park boys are confident of their gelding’s ability to improve second-up. Mr Brightside has finished out of the placings just once in six outings second-up, winning on four occasions and finishing second once. “He came through that first-up run excellently, and he’s right on track to head back to Flemington,” Ben Hayes said. “He went into the race first-up not quite ready to go. He’s got natural improvement out of the race, and we have noticed that he has tightened up since the run. “As we have seen in every other prep, he has improved into his prep, and we expect that to be the same again on Saturday. “I’m very confident about the Mr B’s chances.” Mr Brightside draw barrier four in the eight-horse field and will again be ridden by Craig Williams. Pinstriped drew widest in gate eight while imported mare Via Sistina, who has James McDonald aboard, has drew the inside barrier. Pride Of Jenni, who disappointed first-up when finishing fifth in the Memsie Stakes, has gate seven. View the full article

With the submission date now closed, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) would like to provide an update on the next steps of the Future of NZ Jumps Racing consultation process. In total, 240 submissions were received with representation across all areas of the racing industry. “The volume of submissions that we received is testament to the passion of those involved in the racing industry and is further proof of the need for immediate action,” NZTR chief executive Bruce Sharrock said. While there were differing views, 90 percent of the submissions agreed that the status quo was no longer acceptable. “In early August we asked for the industry to have their say, and they delivered with well thought out ideas and responses to support the next stage of our process in this important decision,” Sharrock said. Submissions ranged from owners, trainers, breeders and jockeys and even included racing fans and punters. “Today, a recommendation panel has been announced that will be responsible in reviewing the current state and putting forward a recommendation to the NZTR Board in October aligned to a decision-making framework,” Sharrock said. The independent panel is comprised of those with broad industry knowledge and experience. NZTR chief operating officer Darin Balcombe has been appointed Chair, and will be supported by Mark Chitty, Jessica Brosnan, Regan Donnison, Brad Taylor and Tim Mills. To ensure integrity and robustness of the process Alan Galbraith KC will provide legal overview and endorsement of the decision-making framework. NZTR would like to thank those who took the time to present a submission to the consultation and we look forward to providing more information in the coming months. View the full article

Ellerslie is set to host some of the biggest race meetings on the calendar this season, but for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) chief executive Paul Wilcox, one raceday stands above the rest. The newly installed StrathAyr track is set to host its first meeting of the season on Saturday-week, with many industry participants eager to see how it will cope with the stresses of racing after undergoing remedial work over winter. The new surface hosted its first race meeting in January to much fanfare, however, a fortnight later at the Karaka Millions meeting it came under scrutiny after a couple of horses lost their footing. The track subsequently held a handful of meetings, including Auckland Cup and New Zealand Derby Day, before two meetings in April were partially abandoned due to horses slipping. The track was set to undergo some planned remedial work over winter, however, the club’s last scheduled meeting of the season on May 25 was transferred to Pukekohe Park to allow for the work to commence immediately. Following the remedial work, the track has hosted a number of successful jump-outs and trials, including 22 heats on Tuesday, giving the club plenty of confidence heading into their opening meeting of the season. “There was a surface tension that was created when we were feeding the grass to get it to grow that created a root matting at the top layer,” Wilcox said. “We have done the renovations where we have removed that and yesterday we had no issues. We are relieved.” Wilcox said the club has been canvassing trainers for their feedback from the trials, and they have received positive reports. “So far, so good,” Wilcox said. “Craig Baker (ATR Executive General Manager of Racing) has been talking with some of the trainers this (Wednesday) morning to see how their horses have pulled up and everything seems good there. We are happy.” Over winter, ATR flew in a number of track specialists from Australia to assist with the track renovation, which Wilcox said was hugely beneficial. “We got Chris Hay, who looks after the StrathAyr tracks in Tasmania, and Liam O’Keeffe from Flemington, whose track is a sand profile track and presents the same way as ours does,” he said. “Utilising the skillset of two guys who are at the top of their game is something we are never afraid of. We got them in to help to give us the advice and changes that were needed to make sure we had the surface to present to enable racedays. “Every track has its own intricacies. It doesn’t matter if it is turf, sand or synthetic, you utilise people with the skillsets that have the knowledge of preparation. We used them and they gave us some good advice, and we had a successful day (of trials) yesterday. “We did everything in the book to get it (track) to where it needs to be.” The StrathAyr track has cost the club north of $50 million, which comes with pressure, and Wilcox said the club has felt both support and scrutiny following the track’s performance to date. “The money is irrelevant, it is making sure we have got a surface that can perform on raceday,” he said. “We had a slip, and that wasn’t good enough, so it was making sure that we can get the surface that gives the confidence to the jockeys and horses that are going around. “There has been an element of negativity, but that is to be expected in the industry that we are in. All-in-all the trainers that have been supportive of us are wanting it to go well because they are wanting to have the ability to race at Ellerslie. We have been getting some really good support.” There is plenty to look forward to at Ellerslie this season, including the blockbuster Champions Day in March, which will host the inaugural $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m). However, Wilcox said his team’s primary focus at this stage is their first meeting of the season next Saturday. “We have got the new Champions Day in March, and we are looking forward to that, but I will be a happier man when we get that 21st (of September) meeting out of the way, which is what we are focussing on,” he said. View the full article

Ozzie Kheir has an impressive string of spring contenders to look forward to across Melbourne and Sydney on Saturday, but also front of mind for the successful owner is a comparatively lowly maiden at Geelong on Friday. When Savabeel filly Exuberance (NZ) (Savabeel) contests the race for three-year-old fillies over 1140 metres, it will be the first horse to race in Kheir’s colours for Matamata (New Zealand) and Cranbourne-based trainer Mark Walker. “I met Mark for lunch and really enjoyed his company and passion towards horses,” Kheir said this week. “He is obviously extremely good at his work to achieve what he has in New Zealand and I’m very excited to have him train this filly, who looks a really nice type.” Kheir is not alone in expecting Exuberance to start the relationship with a prominent showing on Friday, as Walker sees plenty of quality in the unraced filly. “She’s shown a lot in our trials in New Zealand and jumped out well at Cranbourne, so we think she’s a nice filly,” Walker said from Cranbourne on Wednesday morning. “She can go a little bit keen, but she’s got a lot of untapped natural ability.” Kheir has also sent Walker a homebred Frankel two-year-old who Walker said is likely to one day make her mark. “She’s more of a staying type of filly,” Walker explained. “We will give her a two-year-old prep just to make sure she knows what she’s doing as a three-year-old as she looks an Oaks filly.” The Cranbourne arm of Walker’s flourishing training business is set to expand this spring after a smaller opening more than a year ago. “We’ve got 30 boxes completed and they’ve started the next stage with an office block and owners’ area and another 40 boxes and hopefully that will be ready in six-to-eight weeks’ time,” Walker said. “We won the (New Zealand) premiership last season again and we had a very good season at home. It’s good to have the best of both worlds racing in New Zealand and Australia. “These days, it’s very easy to bring them across. It’s much easier from Matatama to Cranbourne than it is from Matamata to Trentham. It’s actually easier on them.” On Saturday, Kheir has shares in the likes of highly talented group Daggers, Nadal, Interpretation and Jimmysstar at Flemington, as well as Bustling and Molly Bloom at Rosehill. View the full article

Robbie Patterson will utilise the Taranaki and Te Rapa meetings largely as stepping stones for his talented contingent, which includes the Group One-bound One Bold Cat (NZ) (The Bold One). One Bold Cat had a breakthrough season last term, winning the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) in November before third and fourth placings in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) respectively. Now a six-year-old, the son of The Bold One flashed home late into third over 1200m on August 31, and Saturday’s Seaton Park 1400 at New Plymouth will set him up for a tilt at the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2100m) at Hastings in the coming weeks. “I was super rapt with him fresh-up, 1200m, and even 1400m this week is short of his best, but it’s another step towards the Arrowfield and the Livamol,” Patterson said. “I think he’s matured into his body now, he was never the biggest horse but he’s really developed into his wither, he’s looking great. “He’s working up super, so I’m looking forward to getting him up over a trip.” The race will feature other potential Arrowfield contenders, including Mustang Valley and Hi Yo Sass Bomb, while stablemate Mary Louise will take her place in the field with a different target in mind. Mary Louise collected the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) in convincing style in January, and Patterson is eyeing a return to the two-mile distance in the Gr.3 Martin Collins 161st New Zealand Cup (3200m) in November. “She’s coming up well and she’s finally really maturing into herself, she’s quite a big rangy type of horse,” he said. “At 1400, she’ll just follow them around and probably run past a couple at the finish, but we’re working back from the New Zealand Cup at the moment so it’s just getting miles under belt.” Earlier at the meeting, Ballroom Blitz will take her place in the Wash Squad 1800, aiming to add to her last-start success in the Pearl Series Maiden at Matamata last Wednesday. “We always wanted to get a Pearl Series when she could get up to a trip that suited her, so she’s ticked that box,” Patterson said. “She won well at Matamata, she looked like she was going to win a long way out so if she can take improvement from there, with a nice draw (1), I’d imagine she can be figuring in the finish.” On Sunday, Patterson will venture further afield to Te Rapa with another well-performed trio of runners, including proven mares Contribute and The Hottie. The seven-year-olds both added valuable black-type to their pages last season with Contribute taking out the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and The Hottie placing in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). Patterson indicated this could be the successful pair’s final season on the track and hopes to kick off positively in the Norris Ward McKinnon 1200. “Contribute is coming along well, she’s a seven-year-old mare now so this could be her final year, but we just hope to get some more black-type,” he said. “1200m is well short for her as well, but she’ll go to a 1400m then a mile after this, so the further she goes, the better she’ll get. “The Hottie bled at her last start down at Riccarton after a really good win on the first day, so she went for a spell and we have had no repeat of that since she’s come back. “She’s had a couple of jump-outs and gone well, she’s got a nice handy draw so she may need the run, but I think she could go a cheeky race if she’s not too far off them. “We’ll go to the Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1400m) at her next start, and we’ll see how she goes over that distance there. “I’d imagine now as a seven-year-old she’ll appreciate a little bit further, so we’ll find some nice black-type races around a mile and hopefully she can finish her racing career off with a flourish.” Completing the weekend’s representatives will be Belles Beau, a winner at two of just four starts in an identical record to his full-sister Belles Fate, who won a competitive MAAT race at Hastings last Saturday. The four-year-old will face a strong step-up in class in the Waikato Construction 1400 at Rating 75 grade, however, Patterson holds him in high-enough regard to put in an early nomination for the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) during New Zealand Cup Week. “He’s a really nice horse, he’s getting thrown in the deep end here as he’s won a maiden and a special conditions maiden so far, but I really rate him and we’ll find out exactly where we are with him,” he said. “He’s a full to Belles Fate who won last Saturday at Hawke’s Bay and it’s a nice family, so hopefully he can go on with it. Belles Fate had bone chips in her fetlocks which slowed her up for a year, but they both have taken a while to mature, and we’ve taken our time with them. “They tell us when they’re ready to race, and now they are firing on all cylinders.” View the full article

What Warrnambool Races Where Warrnambool Racing Club – 2-64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 When Thursday, September 12, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble The Warrnambool Racing Club is the destination for a bumper eight-race meeting on Thursday, September 12. With plenty of rain leading into the meeting, the Heavy 8 track rating is likely to only improve to a Soft 6 or 7 come Thursday, while the rail will stick to its true position. The Warrnambool races are set to commence at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Warrnambool: Pendle Hill Pendle Hill has been impressive without winning on his last two starts but should be breaking maiden ranks on Thursday. He was beaten a half-length at Bendigo on August 29 in a race that looks to be a handy guide going forward. Linda Meech will likely stalk the lead from barrier two, and when the gap appears in the home straight, Pendle Hill should have no issue disposing of his rivals this time around. Best Bet Race 3 – #6 Pendle Hill (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Aaron Purcell | J: Linda Meech (59.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best at Warrnambool: Dream Reality Dream Reality was seemingly left flat-footed at Bendigo on August 18 over 1100m, so the step up to 1300m should suit her perfectly. The five-year-old mare was a smart maiden winner on Heavy ground prior to that, so the surface should be no issue for the Redoute’s Choice progeny. John Allen will have her settled midfield, and if the five-year-old mare can hit the line as she has done in both her runs this time in, she should win this. Next Best Race 6 – #4 Dream Reality (6) 5yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: John Allen (59.5kg) Bet with Dabble Next Best Again at Warrnambool: Madame Maserati Madame Maserati was far from disgraced in the Listed Dequetteville Stakes (1000m) at Morphettville on April 6 before heading for a spell. The three-year-old filly has caught the eye in recent trials, and if she can bring that to raceday, she will be the one to beat in the opener. Madame Maserati is bred to handle wet tracks, and if she is anywhere near her best, it should be more than good enough. Next Best Again Race 1 – #11 Madame Maserati (6) 3yo Filly | T: Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans | J: Zac Spain (55kg) Bet with Picklebet Thursday quaddie tips for Warrnambool races Warrnambool quadrella selections Thursday, September 12, 2024 7-8-10-11 4-5 Field 1-3-7-11-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, September 12, 2024 First Race 1:05pm AEST Visit Dabble Provincial racing returns to Hawkesbury on Thursday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part program scheduled to get underway at 1:05pm local time. The rail reverts to the true position, and with pristine spring conditions forecast in the lead-up, punters can anticipate a genuine Good 4 surface. Below are our Hawkesbury racing tips for September 12. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Darling Downs Darling Downs returns after a 163-day spell and looks perfectly placed back in provincial company. The daughter of Deep Field was going through her gears nicely in a trial at this course on August 26, getting to within three lengths of Superb Guy. The 1300m first-up should be ideal, and with Jason Collett engaged from stall two, Darling Downs should get every chance to shirk the maiden tag at start four. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Darling Downs (2) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jason Collett (58kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Hawkesbury: House Of Cards House Of Cards was a shade disappointing second-up at Warwick Farm on August 21, failing to make an impression behind the smart Yorkshire. He was a dominant winner at Hawkesbury prior to that effort, and with a drop back into BM64 company, punters can expect this guy to bounce back. Gate two should allow Rory Hutchings to hold a prominent spot throughout, and when asked for the ultimate effort, House Of Cards should be bounding clear for his third career victory. Next Best Race 8 – #1 House Of Cards (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Michael Freedman | J: Rory Hutchings (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Hawkesbury: Celerity Celerity was impressive first-up at Warwick Farm on August 21 and showed plenty of class to get within a half-length of Enriched and Couples Retreat. The latter has already franked the form, going on to score a dominant victory at Hawkesbury on September 7. Zac Lloyd elects to stick aboard this Godolphin three-year-old second-up, and with barrier three giving the rising hoop all available options, it would come as some shock if Celerity wasn’t fighting out the finish. Best Value Race 4 – #3 Celerity (3) 3yo Filly | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (55.5kg) Bet with Dabble Thursday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury Hawkesbury quadrella selections September 12, 2024 1-2 1-2-3-5-7-10 2-3-4-5-7-11 1-5-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Racing is set to return to Ellerslie next Saturday. Photo: Nicole Troost Ellerslie is set to host some of the biggest race meetings on the calendar this season, but for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) chief executive Paul Wilcox, one raceday stands above the rest. The newly installed StrathAyr track is set to host its first meeting of the season on Saturday-week, with many industry participants eager to see how it will cope with the stresses of racing after undergoing remedial work over winter. The new surface hosted its first race meeting in January to much fanfare, however, a fortnight later at the Karaka Millions meeting it came under scrutiny after a couple of horses lost their footing. The track subsequently held a handful of meetings, including Auckland Cup and New Zealand Derby Day, before two meetings in April were partially abandoned due to horses slipping. The track was set to undergo some planned remedial work over winter, however, the club’s last scheduled meeting of the season on May 25 was transferred to Pukekohe Park to allow for the work to commence immediately. Following the remedial work, the track has hosted a number of successful jump-outs and trials, including 22 heats on Tuesday, giving the club plenty of confidence heading into their opening meeting of the season. “There was a surface tension that was created when we were feeding the grass to get it to grow that created a root matting at the top layer,” Wilcox said. “We have done the renovations where we have removed that and yesterday we had no issues. We are relieved.” Wilcox said the club has been canvassing trainers for their feedback from the trials, and they have received positive reports. “So far, so good,” Wilcox said. “Craig Baker (ATR Executive General Manager of Racing) has been talking with some of the trainers this (Wednesday) morning to see how their horses have pulled up and everything seems good there. We are happy.” Over winter, ATR flew in a number of track specialists from Australia to assist with the track renovation, which Wilcox said was hugely beneficial. “We got Chris Hay, who looks after the StrathAyr tracks in Tasmania, and Liam O’Keeffe from Flemington, whose track is a sand profile track and presents the same way as ours does,” he said. “Utilising the skillset of two guys who are at the top of their game is something we are never afraid of. We got them in to help to give us the advice and changes that were needed to make sure we had the surface to present to enable racedays. “Every track has its own intricacies. It doesn’t matter if it is turf, sand or synthetic, you utilise people with the skillsets that have the knowledge of preparation. We used them and they gave us some good advice, and we had a successful day (of trials) yesterday. “We did everything in the book to get it (track) to where it needs to be.” The StrathAyr track has cost the club north of $50 million, which comes with pressure, and Wilcox said the club has felt both support and scrutiny following the track’s performance to date. “The money is irrelevant, it is making sure we have got a surface that can perform on raceday,” he said. “We had a slip, and that wasn’t good enough, so it was making sure that we can get the surface that gives the confidence to the jockeys and horses that are going around. “There has been an element of negativity, but that is to be expected in the industry that we are in. All-in-all the trainers that have been supportive of us are wanting it to go well because they are wanting to have the ability to race at Ellerslie. We have been getting some really good support.” There is plenty to look forward to at Ellerslie this season, including the blockbuster Champions Day in March, which will host the inaugural $3.5 million The NZB Kiwi (1500m). However, Wilcox said his team’s primary focus at this stage is their first meeting of the season next Saturday. “We have got the new Champions Day in March, and we are looking forward to that, but I will be a happier man when we get that 21st (of September) meeting out of the way, which is what we are focussing on,” he said. Horse racing news View the full article

One Bold Cat will contest Saturday’s Seaton Park 1400 at New Plymouth. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Robbie Patterson will utilise the Taranaki and Te Rapa meetings largely as stepping stones for his talented contingent, which includes the Group 1-bound One Bold Cat. One Bold Cat had a breakthrough season last term, winning the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) in November before third and fourth placings in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) and Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) respectively. Now a six-year-old, the son of The Bold One flashed home late into third over 1200m on August 31, and Saturday’s Seaton Park 1400 at New Plymouth will set him up for a tilt at the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Group 1 Livamol Classic (2100m) at Hastings in the coming weeks. “I was super rapt with him fresh-up, 1200m, and even 1400m this week is short of his best, but it’s another step towards the Arrowfield and the Livamol,” Patterson said. “I think he’s matured into his body now, he was never the biggest horse but he’s really developed into his wither, he’s looking great. “He’s working up super, so I’m looking forward to getting him up over a trip.” The race will feature other potential Arrowfield contenders, including Mustang Valley and Hi Yo Sass Bomb, while stablemate Mary Louise will take her place in the field with a different target in mind. Mary Louise collected the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) in convincing style in January, and Patterson is eyeing a return to the two-mile distance in the Group 3 Martin Collins 161st New Zealand Cup (3200m) in November. “She’s coming up well and she’s finally really maturing into herself, she’s quite a big rangy type of horse,” he said. “At 1400, she’ll just follow them around and probably run past a couple at the finish, but we’re working back from the New Zealand Cup at the moment so it’s just getting miles under belt.” Earlier at the meeting, Ballroom Blitz will take her place in the Wash Squad 1800, aiming to add to her last-start success in the Pearl Series Maiden at Matamata last Wednesday. “We always wanted to get a Pearl Series when she could get up to a trip that suited her, so she’s ticked that box,” Patterson said. “She won well at Matamata, she looked like she was going to win a long way out so if she can take improvement from there, with a nice draw (1), I’d imagine she can be figuring in the finish.” On Sunday, Patterson will venture further afield to Te Rapa with another well-performed trio of runners, including proven mares Contribute and The Hottie. The seven-year-olds both added valuable black-type to their pages last season with Contribute taking out the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and The Hottie placing in the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m). Patterson indicated this could be the successful pair’s final season on the track and hopes to kick off positively in the Norris Ward McKinnon 1200. “Contribute is coming along well, she’s a seven-year-old mare now so this could be her final year, but we just hope to get some more black-type,” he said. “1200m is well short for her as well, but she’ll go to a 1400m then a mile after this, so the further she goes, the better she’ll get. “The Hottie bled at her last start down at Riccarton after a really good win on the first day, so she went for a spell and we have had no repeat of that since she’s come back. “She’s had a couple of jump-outs and gone well, she’s got a nice handy draw so she may need the run, but I think she could go a cheeky race if she’s not too far off them. “We’ll go to the Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (Group 3, 1400m) at her next start, and we’ll see how she goes over that distance there. “I’d imagine now as a seven-year-old she’ll appreciate a little bit further, so we’ll find some nice black-type races around a mile and hopefully she can finish her racing career off with a flourish.” Completing the weekend’s representatives will be Belles Beau, a winner at two of just four starts in an identical record to his full-sister Belles Fate, who won a competitive MAAT race at Hastings last Saturday. The four-year-old will face a strong step-up in class in the Waikato Construction 1400 at Rating 75 grade, however, Patterson holds him in high-enough regard to put in an early nomination for the Group 3 TAB Mile (1600m) during New Zealand Cup Week. “He’s a really nice horse, he’s getting thrown in the deep end here as he’s won a maiden and a special conditions maiden so far, but I really rate him and we’ll find out exactly where we are with him,” he said. “He’s a full to Belles Fate who won last Saturday at Hawke’s Bay and it’s a nice family, so hopefully he can go on with it. Belles Fate had bone chips in her fetlocks which slowed her up for a year, but they both have taken a while to mature, and we’ve taken our time with them. “They tell us when they’re ready to race, and now they are firing on all cylinders.” Horse racing news View the full article

Hi Yo Sass Bomb pictured with trainer Kim Reid. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Kim Reid will get a decent line on Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s prospects at the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival when the talented mare steps out on her home track this weekend. The New Plymouth trainer will run the daughter of Complacent in Saturday’s Seaton Park Handicap (1400m) at New Plymouth where the depth of opposition will prove a handy guide. Reid is keen to test Hi Yo Sass Bomb at the elite level in the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) on the closing two days at Hastings. “I did have half a mind to go to Wanganui next week for the Group Three (Metric Mile, 1600m),” she said. “Then I thought Saturday would be a really good chance to see how she stacks up against these good horses like Mustang Valley, One Bold Cat and Ladies Man. “As long as she’s running strongly to the line, we will be looking toward Hawke’s Bay.” Should Hi Yo Sass Bomb perform to expectations, the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) will be the six-year-old’s targets. The mare has yet to win beyond 1600m and her only previous attempt at a middle distance resulted in a midfield finish at Trentham, but there is confidence in the camp about her staying ability. “Nothing went right that day, she’s quite a routine horse and she lost a shoe prior to going into the birdcage and she never got any time in there,” Reid said. “She was wound up and over-raced the whole way and that’s not her, she used to do that early days but now she’s quite relaxed. “I was a bit gutted because I was really looking forward to seeing her over that distance (2200m). “She’s got a beautiful long stride and she will run it, it’s in her breeding and after her gallops she hardly blows, she’s a very naturally fit horse.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb enjoyed a successful autumn campaign with victory in the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) and finished runner-up in the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m). Following a break, she resumed at the end of last month at Wanganui and came from back in the field to claim top honours in the open handicap over 1200m. “It was the first time I had put her over that distance, I’d never thought of her as a sprinter, and it was a tidy field with a lot of winter fit horses, so I was pretty pleased,” Reid said. “She has trained on very well and it hasn’t knocked her. “She’s a good doer and quite relaxed in general now, she used to stress a bit but she’s really come into herself.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb is very much a family horse as she is raced by Reid with her parents Graeme and Josephine, who also bred the mare. She is out of Hi Yo Soo, a daughter of Spartacus who won on five occasions up to 2200m. “We’ve got a three-year-old brother and he will be coming back in next week and he looks quite a lot like Sass,” Reid said. Horse racing news View the full article

Belclare pictured with breeder and co-owner David Woodhouse. Photo: Race Images Kiwi-bred dual Group 1 winner Belclare is set to get her first taste of Australian racing when she heads to Rosehill on Saturday to tackle the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) for new trainer Bjorn Baker. The now seven-year-old mare had a stellar racing career in New Zealand, winning 11 races for Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta, including the last two editions of the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Owner-breeder David Woodhouse offered Belclare at Magic Millions’ National Broodmare Sale in May where she failed to meet her A$700,000 reserve, and she subsequently joined Baker’s Warwick Farm barn. “I have always had faith in her and all her Group races, apart from the Tauherenikau race (2022 Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1600m), she has won pretty comfortably,” Woodhouse said. “I thought it was a no-brainer that if she didn’t sell I would carry on racing her. I raced her before in partnership with all those fellas and now I am racing her on my own. The training expenses are fairly tremendous, but it is exciting.” She has made an immediate impression on Baker, winning her two trials over 850m and 900m at Randwick last month, and Woodhouse is excited to cross the Tasman to watch his pride and joy make her Australian debut. “He (Baker) just keeps raving about her and Rachel (King, jockey), who rides her in all her track work and trials, seems to be happy,” Woodhouse said. “He (Baker) did hand out a warning that it will be a small and select field. We don’t know whether the 1200m is going to be too short for her fresh-up, but she has been trialling exceptionally well.” Belclare’s spring plans will hinge on her performance this weekend, but Woodhouse said they don’t plan to overtax the mare. “If she comes up like she looks she has come up then we will race her sparingly through the season,” he said. Woodhouse hasn’t ruled out Belclare returning to race in New Zealand this season, harbouring an ambition to record a third successive victory in the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “I dream about bringing her home and having another crack at the Breeders,” he said. “That is what I keep telling Lisa (Latta) to keep her happy, but there are some good races in Sydney at that time of the year as well.” While Woodhouse will be trackside in Sydney on Saturday, he will be keeping a close eye on Riccarton where his black and white colours will be carried by Connello in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m). The three-year-old daughter of Time Test won one of her seven starts as a juvenile and has returned in good form this season, finishing runner-up in her 1000m trial at Foxton last month. “She ran a pretty good trial two weeks ago and we were happy enough with that to be able to send her south,” Woodhouse said. “My cousin has got a half share, he is down in Canterbury, so he is in charge on Saturday.” Horse racing news View the full article

The stage is set for a thrilling clash in the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington this Saturday. A compact but high-quality field of eight horses will vie for the prestigious Group 1 title, marking the first of the Melbourne Spring Carnival‘s elite mile races. Leading the charge is the Chris Waller-trained Via Sistina, currently […] The post Waller’s Via Sistina Favoured in Tight 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes Field appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

by Jessica Martini, Christina Bossinakis & Jill Williams LEXINGTON, KY – Following another day of competitive bidding, the two-session Book 1 section of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale concluded Tuesday with double-digit increases over its 2023 counterpart. A colt by Curlin brought the section's top price when selling for $5 million to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm. The sale topper was one of four by the Hill 'n' Dale stallion to bring $1 million or more on the day and, with a further 16 yearlings bringing seven figures Tuesday, Book 1 had 28 yearlings break that threshold this year. Twenty three hit that mark in the 2023 Book 1. “It was electric,” Keeneland President Shannon Arvin said of the atmosphere in the pavilion Tuesday. A total of 204 yearlings sold during Book 1, for a gross of $119,565,000. The average of $586,103 was up 10.78% from a year ago, while the median of $475,000 rose 18.75%. During the 2023 Book 1 section, 221 horses grossed $116,925,000 for an average of $529,072 and a median of $400,000. “When we were looking at the figures during the day, we could see that it was teeing up to eventually be as good as yesterday and that was a high bar to try to achieve,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “The median of $475,000 is up almost 20% over last year. These are numbers we dream of. But it's not for us. It's for our clients, the people who entrust us with these horses. We are really proud of the people that bring the horses and the buyers that entrust that we are doing the job that will give them the opportunity to buy their next champion. And I think the energy in the pavilion today, that was from another era. It was incredible.” Keeneland has maintained its two-day Book 1 format for the last four years and its 2024 increases provide proof of concept to both sellers and buyers who might be reluctant to participate in the boutique section, according to Lacy. “It was a struggle to put this book together,” Lacy admitted. “We were just hoping it was going to be a good sale. We knew we had a really good crop of yearlings. Over the last few years, we've tried to solidify this format and it's hard to get buy-in because people want to see the facts and the figures. And we have been breaking records every year and it still wasn't enough. Even this year, it was a real struggle. We had fewer horses in Book 1 and that was frustrating, but that's what gave us so much pride in the people who did entrust us with horses and they got rewarded. There were million-dollar horses from later books that we moved into Book 1. People are understanding what we are trying to do. We want that to continue.” There were 372 yearlings catalogued in Book 1, with 286 ultimately going through the ring. With 82 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 28.67%. In 2023, Book 1 had 383 catalogued yearlings, with 302 going through the ring. The buy-back rate for the book was 26.82%. Of the number of outs, Lacy said, “You're dealing with expectations. Some people, if the action is not exactly what they want, they will scratch and they will race. A lot of people have confidence in the racing circuits now and the prize money is there. In some cases, they have high expectations, so they are happy to race. We do keep a close eye on the number of outs, there is no question. But there were a number of outs before the sale. So it was frustrating, but that's a fact of the matter, especially on the high-valued horses because a lot of those people have the ability and the wherewithal to keep and race them.” While the top of the market remained competitive, some consignors observed a familiar polarization in the sale results. Peter O'Callaghan's Woods Edge Farm sold a pair of seven-figure yearlings Tuesday. O'Callaghan agreed there was a very deep buying bench in Book 1, but he worried about the breadth of demand. “It goes to show you just how strong the market in this country is at the top,” O'Callaghan said. “Everybody seems to want to play with the really elite stuff. But there are only a small number of those to go around. It is unfortunate that there were so many late withdrawals Monday and RNAs that were probably perfectly useful horses. It's an all-or-nothing market. It's brilliant at the top ,hopefully the middle market and the lower end will pick up as the weeks go on.” The Keeneland September sale continues with Book 2 sessions Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 11 a.m. Following a dark day Friday, the sale resumes Saturday with sessions through Sept. 21 starting at 10 a.m. The gavel drops at $5 million! Mandy Pope strikes for the Curlin colt out of Cavorting and a full brother to Clairiere, consigned by Indian Creek, agent for Stonestreet. He is the most expensive colt purchased since 2006 at Keeneland and the top yearling price in North America… pic.twitter.com/bekIlod998 — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 10, 2024 $5-Million Colt Caps Big Day for Curlin Mandy Pope, bidding from the newly designed seating area at the back of the pavilion, saw off a determined phone bidder to secure a colt by Curlin (hip 347) for $5 million Tuesday at Keeneland. Out of multiple Grade I winner Cavorting (Bernardini), the chestnut yearling is a full-brother to multiple Grade I winner Clairiere. He was bred by Stonestreet and consigned by Indian Creek. “As one person just told me, he speaks for himself,” Pope said. “We don't need to say anything else. He was awesome.” The bidding was progressing at a steady pace when the anonymous bidder on the phone with Keeneland staff in the press box, jumped the price from $3.7 million straight to $4 million. Pope was undaunted and answered each bid rapidly before signing the ticket on the prized yearling. “I knew he was going to be a lot,” Pope said. “He should be the sale topper because he is the best horse in here. We pretty much knew everybody was going to want to buy him, so they could have the great race record that is in his future and his furtherance in becoming a wonderful stallion.” The $5-million price tag was well off the sale record set when Meydan City (Kingmambo) sold for $11.7 million in September 2006. America's Joy (American Pharoah), the auction's highest-priced filly sold for $8.2 million in 2019. Pope has made headlines over the years buying fillies and mares to add to her glittering broodmare band, but she's shopping at Keeneland for colts. She purchased Monday's $2.2-million session-topping colt by Gun Runner (hip 169). “We are looking for some colts,” Pope said. “We need colts to become stallions to get the numbers to work for us. They are what makes it work. “This is not a short game,” she continued. “Unless you are just getting them to flip them like day trading. But it's a very long game. You can't be faint of heart in this at all.” In total in Book 1, Pope's Whisper Hill purchased four head for $8.2 million. The $5-million yearling marked a momentous few minutes for Barbara Banke's Stonestreet. The operation warmed up for the sale topper when selling a $1.75-million colt by Into Mischief. “I think all two minutes should be that way,” Banke said with a laugh. “It was really good.” Stonestreet purchased Cavorting for $360,000 as a weanling at the 2012 Keeneland November sale and she would go on to win the 2016 GI Ogden Phipps Stakes and GI Personal Ensign Stakes, as well as the 2015 GI Test Stakes, in the farm's colors. Clairiere, the mare's first foal, won back-to-back renewals of the Ogden Phipps, as well as the 2021 GI Cotillion Stakes. “He was the best horse we raised this year,” Banke said. “He's from a great family and he looks great. He eats like a pig. He sleeps. Nothing fazes him. I think he will be a great racehorse. I have high hopes for him.” Of the colt's final price, Banke said, “I was expecting him to be the sale topper. There was a lot of buzz about him.” Earlier Tuesday, Stonestreet sold a filly by Gun Runner for $1.05 million. During Monday's session, the operation sold a filly by Quality Road for $1.05 million. “To some degree,” Banke agreed when asked if it was hard to sell her yearlings. “But I can't keep everything, as my financial advisor and our team tells me. We need to sell to pay the bills so we can make more and do it again next year.” Cavorting has a weanling colt by Gun Runner and was bred back to Curlin this year. Her stakes-winning daughter La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro) has a weanling colt by Curlin. Clairiere was covered by Into Mischief this year. @JessMartiniTDN Monique Delk purchases hip 345, an Into Mischief colt who is a half to Girvin, Midnight Bourbon for $1.75 million. He was consigned by Summerfield for @StonestreetFarm. #KeeSept pic.twitter.com/QRg8IEmQye — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 10, 2024 St Elias Scores with $1.75m Into Mischief Colt At the tail-end of a spirited second session, Monique Delk threw down the gauntlet to land a Hip 345, a colt by Into Mischief, for $1.75 million. Delk, stationed in the new table area at the back of the main ring, was bidding on the phone on behalf of Vinnie Viola's St Elias Stable. “He is a beautiful colt with a fantastic walk,” Delk said. “We fell in love with him right away. We look for the Classic stallion prospect horses and this horse fit what we're looking for.” The Jan. 31 foal was offered by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck's Summerfield on behalf of his breeder, Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings. “Into Mischiefs can be a little different across the board and this one had the beautiful balance and had the right size,” said Delk when asked if the colt lined up well with some of the other good Into Mischiefs. “He is a very Classic-looking horse with an elegant walk. He brought the whole package for us.” The bay is out of Catch the Moon, a $240,000 purchase by Stonestreet while in foal to Shanghai Bobby at the 2015 Keeneland November Sale. Prior to Stonestreet's purchase of the mare, the daughter of Malibu Moon produced GI Haskell Invitational winner Girvin (Tale of Ekati) and Grade III scorer Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John). For Stonestreet, Catch the Moon provided GSW Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow), who sold to Winchell Thoroughbreds for $525,000 at this venue in 2019 before going on to amass over $1.2 million in earnings during his racing career, which was highlighted by runner-up finishes in the GI Preakness, GI Travers and GI Pennsylvania Derby. A colt by Quality Road also brought $1.6 million at this venue in 2021. “Shopping has been tough today, a tough day at the office,” Delk admitted. “We had nice horses on the list and they brought good money. You have to expect to pay those kinds of prices for those sorts of horses. We are all looking for Classic winners.” “There are going to be days when we get what we want and there are days we are going to get outrun. We're excited to be here and love doing this. We'll keep shopping. There are some we will stretch for. We're very disciplined in our buying. We set strict parameters for what we accept physically and the price. It is a long sale and there are plenty of horses and we will get our orders filled.”–@CBossTDN Mischief Maker at Keeneland on Day 2 On the heels of an opening day that saw a single yearling by Into Mischief draw over seven figures, the Spendthrift sire popped early on Day 2 when Hip 210, a filly out of GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Shared Account (Pleasantly Perfect), reeled in a $1.5 million final bid–the third highest price on the day–from David Lanigan acting on behalf of Scott Heider. Into Mischief was represented by a trio of seven-figure yearlings on Day 2, including Tuesday's second highest priced offering, a $1.75 million colt (Hip 345), late in the session. “She's strong, she looks like she could do both turf or dirt.,” said Lanigan, seated alongside trainer Brendan Walsh during the bidding. “She is just a really nice and well-balanced filly. Everyone really liked her.” An earner of over $1.6 million, Shared Account, a half-sister MGSW Sparkle Blue (Hard Spun) and SW and GSP Colonial Flag (Pleasant Tap), is also responsible for millionaire and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Sharing (Speightstown) in addition to stakes scoring Riley's Choice (Distorted Humor). The colt was consigned by his breeder, Gainesway, who purchased the mare in foal to Speightstown for $625,000 at Fasig-Tipton November in 2020. “She was Brendan's pick of the first group that we showed him,” explained Lanigan. “It's important for us that the trainer who will be getting the horse likes them too. It's all well and good if we like them, but if the trainer doesn't like them he's go to look at them for the next three years. So it's important they like them as well. And [Brendan Walsh] was very keen on this one. He was keen to get her.” Among the black-type fillies currently in training domestically for the Heider Family and trained by Walsh, Fancy (Justify) finished a close-up second in the Groupie Doll Stakes at Ellis last month. “He has a number of horses in Europe with Joseph O'Brien, and Mr. Heider is keen to buy a couple more fillies to have in training over here,” Lanigan explained. “He has had a lot of success with Brendan. ” Asked about the overall health of the yearling market at Keeneland this week, Lanigan commented, “Everyone seems to be on the same ones. The ones that jump through all the hoops are making plenty of money, and the ones that don't are falling between a rock and a hard place. It seems to be very strong for the right ones.”–@CBossTDN Bradley Gets More of the Blue Heaven Family Three weeks ago, Pete Bradley and his daughter Devon were in the winner's circle celebrating 2-year-old Briland (McKinzie)'s debut victory at Saratoga. Tuesday at Keeneland, father and daughter were reinvesting in the same family when going to $1.4 million to secure a son of Curlin (hip 284) on behalf of an undisclosed client. The yearling is out of graded-placed Virginia Key (Distorted Humor), a half-sister to Briland's dam Bay Harbor (Speightstown). “Class. Sire power. He comes from a very good breeder. It's what we look for here and you have to stretch for those,” Bradley ticked off the colt's appeal. “This horse was all class from the minute I saw him at the Lane's End barn. He came up here and presented himself like a horse that has a future. So we will see.” Of his client, who also has a small share in Briland, Bradley said, “This is a new player in the game. Someone who has bought a couple of horses and I think we are going to have some fun for him. It's nice to have new people who want to do it the right way. He knows the risks and hopefully he will reap the rewards.” Hip 284 was consigned by Lane's End as agent for his breeder, Bonnie Baskin's Blue Heaven Farm. Virginia Key was third in the Blue Heaven colors in the 2018 GII Gazelle Stakes. Her first foal is stakes-placed Distorted d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro). The 9-year-old mare has a weanling filly by Quality Road and was bred back to Cody's Wish. Virginia Key is a daughter of Our Khrysty (Newfoundland), dam of Grade I winner Grace Adler (Curlin) and graded winner Pyreness (Into Mischief). Through Lane's End, Blue Heaven Farm sold that mare's yearling, a filly by Gun Runner (hip 154), for $975,000 during Monday's first session of the September sale. @JessMartiniTDN Curlin Colt to Coolmore, White Birch Coolmore's M.V. Magnier, in partnership with Peter Brant's White Birch Farm, signed the ticket at $1.3 million to acquire a colt by Curlin (hip 262) from the Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa consignment Tuesday at Keeneland. “He's a lovely horse,” Magnier said. “John Sikura and his son Jes do a brilliant job out there. They're very good breeders. They've raised a lot of very good horses. John was singing this horse's praise to me yesterday. He's just a very nice horse. Curlin is obviously doing very well and so is [his son] Good Magic.” The bay is the first foal out of Thoughtfully (Tapit), winner of the GII Adirondack Stakes in 2020. He was bred by John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and Matt Dorman's Determined Stud. “He is a beautifully bred horse,” Sikura said. “We thought he could break out and make more. He's a sales-topping quality horse. I am very proud of the horse. He's a great mover; a great walker, really athletic and makes great use of himself. Hope he's a star. Very good for the mare to have her first foal sell that well. The tribute goes to Curlin.” In partnership with White Birch Farm, Magnier signed for a colt by Not This Time (hip 238) for $1 million earlier in Tuesday's session. The yearling was consigned by Woods Edge Farm. “Not This Time is doing very well,” Magnier said. “He gets horses on grass and dirt. We will decide in a few weeks whether he will go to Europe or stay in U.S.” During the two Book 1 sessions, Magnier and White Birch acquired five horses for $5.2 million. The partnership purchased three seven-figure yearlings, going to $1.4 million to acquire a colt by Charlatan during Monday's first session of the auction. On his own, Magnier purchased a colt by Maxfield for $1 million. “It's been a good sale,” Magnier said. “There's plenty of good horses here. I hope we got the right horses, I feel that way. We'll know this time next year if we made the right decision or not.” One More Time for Belladonna After coming out swinging early with a $900,000 bid for an Into Mischief colt on Day 1, Belladonna Racing and trainer Cherie DeVaux underscored the point Tuesday when extending to $1.3 million for a colt by Not This Time. Offered as Hip 286, the Apr. 14 foal was consigned by agent Glennwood Farm. Not This Time was represented by a trio of seven-figure yearlings in Book 1. “He was on the top of our list, so we're very happy to have him,” said Belladonna's Paul Manganaro. “He's by a good proven stallion, young pedigree, and has physique. Like the saying goes, “You can't put a saddle on a pedigree,” so the physical was what really made him.” Out of the Empire Maker mare Vivo Per Lei, the dark bay was bred by John Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Services. “He's always had class every time we went to look at him,” Manganaro added. “He looked like he had that 'it' factor in him. We want big races and we want the two-turn dirt type horses, and we think he can be that.” On Day 1, Belladonna secured a colt by Into Mischief (Hip 15) for $900,000. The son of Devil by Design was also consigned by Glennwood Farm. In total, Belladonna secured six head for a total of $3,925,000 through Book 1. Belladonna partner Bruce Fenimore added, “We're looking for quality. We want to win the big races, so we know we have to go out and spend the money on real quality and that's what we're doing. Cherie is our trainer and David Ingordo is the bloodstock agent and Paul is our partner. We have such a great team. I have so much confidence in them. That's why it's easy for me to invest with them.” Through the conclusion of Book 1, Not This Time was represented by 12 yearlings that generated $8,400,000 in receipts for an average and median of $700,000.–@CBossTDN AMO Strikes Again Kia Joorabchian continued to be active at the top level of the U.S. yearling market with the $1.2-million purchase of a filly by Curlin (hip 206) early in Tuesday's second session of the Keeneland September sale. Bred and consigned by Hinkle Farms, the yearling is a half-sister to GI Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist (Uncle Mo). “She's a great physical by a great sire–he is probably as good a dirt sire as there is in the U.S.,” said bloodstock agent Ben McElroy, who stood alongside Joorabchian, Alex Elliott and Robson Aguiar out back during the bidding. “It's a great family. She's a real collector's item. Everybody on the team, myself and Alex and Robson, and ultimately Kia, loved the filly and we are delighted to have her.” Joorabchian's AMO Racing went to $1.35 million to acquire a filly by American Pharoah during Monday's first session of the auction. In Book 1, he purchased five head for $4,325,000. During last month's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, AMO Racing purchased a colt by Not This Time (hip 125) for $900,000 and a son of Yaupon (hip 76) for $500,000. “He loves racing in the U.S.,” McElroy said of Joorabchian. “He is trying to build the stable. And like I said, fillies like these are collector's items. It's a good long-term investment for Kia. Hopefully, she can be a good one.” Of plans for the filly, McElroy added, “We will probably break her down in Florida and make a decision [on a trainer] next spring.” The Hinkle family continued to be rewarded for its $100,000 acquisition of Seeking Gabrielle (Forestry) at the 2013 Keeneland November sale. The family purchased the mare just one hip after her weanling colt by Uncle Mo sold for $180,000. That colt would go on to win the 2016 Kentucky Derby. Hinkle Farms sold the mare's filly by War Front for $1,750,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale and her colt by Tapit for $2.5 million at the 2019 September sale. “That was a great sale,” Tom Hinkle said after the mare's latest seven-figure yearling went through the ring Tuesday. “We're delighted. Seeking Gabrielle has been such a good mare for us. I hope these folks get a champion. She is such an athletic filly. She has a great mind and she never took a bad step. She's a powerful filly who represented her sire well.” Seeking Gabrielle has a 2-year-old full-sister to Nyquist, which the farm has retained, and a weanling filly by Constitution. She was bred back to Gun Runner this year. Hinkle Farms was quick to double up on million-dollar yearlings when selling a colt by Constitution (hip 236) for $1.1 million to Yuichi Fukunaga. @JessMartiniTDN Second Seven-Figure Horse for Hinkle Farms Tuesday It's hard to have a better hour or so in the horse industry than the hour Hinkle Farms experienced Tuesday afternoon. Just 30 hips after the Hinkle-bred and -consigned Curlin half-sister to champion Nyquist brought $1.2 million from AMO Racing (hip 206), another Hinkle product brought $1.1 million as hip 236. The Feb. 11-foaled Constitution colt out of Hinkle homebred Stave (Ghostzapper) went to agent Yuichi Fukunaga. “We don't bring anything here we don't breed and raise ourselves,” said Tom Hinkle. “This family has been really good to us. He was a beautiful colt, moved like a cat, had a great mind. We've got a great team at the farm and we couldn't be any happier with the result and appreciate everything that they do.” Hinkle said his family has had three generations of the colt's family, going back to third dam Affordable Price (Drouilly {Fr}). The Hinkles bred and raced the ensuing generations. Stave was thrice black-type placed, while granddam Buy the Barrel (E Dubai) won the GII Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes. The Hinkle family also owns Stave's half-sister Indian Bay (Indian Charlie), who produced Japanese GSW & G1SP Shivaji (First Samurai) and SW & MGISP Tarabi (First Samurai). Hinkle deferred to his team at the farm for the success of the two millionaires Tuesday, but inferred it takes a unique horse to sell at this level. “The other one was a Curlin filly who was a half to Nyquist and she was special. This one was a horse that you could be really proud of to bring up here. We've got one more to come today and I think he'll sell fine, but not like those two.” That third Hinkle yearling, a Quality Road colt (hip 299) out of MSW & GSP Win the War (War Front), sold for $550,000 to Chad Summers. @JillWilliamsTDN Lee Searing's Team Drives a Hard Bargain Lee Searing of CRK Stables found it hard to resist a sea of females encouraging him to bid as hip 283 went through the ring and subsequently found himself the new owner of a Constitution colt for $1.2 million. “I had five women who scouted him out,” he said with good humor. “How the hell do I not buy a horse when five women say 'this is the best horse we've found so far'? He's beautiful.” April Mayberry of Mayberry Farms signed the ticket on the Mar. 25-foaled chestnut for Searing. The colt was bred in Kentucky by Runnymede Farm, Peter J. Callahan, Ecurie Loick Fouchet, and Meridian International Sarl after Magna Carta Bloodstock purchased his dam, the unplaced Street Sense mare Via Veritas, for $275,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November sale. Runnymede Farm raised the colt and consigned him Tuesday. “From the day he was foaled he was such a big individual. A powerful horse with a lot of bone and a great mind,” said Runnymede's Romain Malhouitre. “If they all could be like him it would be unbelievable. They always exceed expectations. You never know if things will line up. We knew we had the right people on him. He's been unbelievable at the farm and at the sale he was so calm.” Searing did say the $1.2-million price was as far as he was prepared to go. “That was it,” said Searing. “They really wanted the horse. When these people work so hard, you try to buy a horse. I've bought horses like this before; this is a beautiful horse. He will go to Mayberry Training Center to be broken and then he'll stay back East.” The colt's dam is a half to the dams of GI Arkansas Derby winner Magnum Moon (Malibu Moon) and GSW & MGISP Clearly Unhinged (Into Mischief). @JillWilliamsTDN St. George Hits a Flyer on Day 2 at Keeneland Continuing a dream run for Not This Time at the Keeneland September Sale, a colt by the Taylor Made stallion realized a $1.15 million final bid from agent Donato Lanni, acting on behalf of SF Bloodstock, Starlight and Madaket. Bred by Fortune Farms and William Heiligbrodt and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Hip 324 is out of stakes winner Believe in Charlie (Indian Charlie), a sister to MSW and MGSP Shamrocket (Tonalist). The 14-year-old mare, in foal to Corniche, most recently brought $10,000 at Keeneland last November after bringing $90,000 carrying this foal in utero at Keeneland in January 2023. This is the family of Grade I winner Nany's Sweep (End Sweep). “Physically, he was a stunning colt,” asserted SF Racing's Tom Ryan, who handled the signing duties on the colt. “I think Not This Time is proven that he's a very elite stallion at this point. He's flawless. He's a stallion that's demonstrated from lesser mares that he's elite, and with better mares and pedigrees we assume that will continue. I think the initial impression was to put him on the list, put him to our process, and bet him. He didn't stumble at any juncture.” Ryan confirmed the Apr. 15 foal will go to the team's regular trainer, Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. “I feel like it's a very healthy market,” Ryan conceded. “There's a lot of competition for the good colts out of proven sires, as expected.” Also representing a profitable pinhook score for consignor St George Sales, the Kentucky bred was a $240,000 weanling purchase at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale last fall. The colt was a pinhook prospect for Tony and Roger O'Callaghan's Tally-Ho Stud and St George. “Any time a horse brings $1 million it's a surprise,” said an elated Archie St George. “He's a class horse with a great temperament. I feel privileged to sell horses like this. ” “Everything has to go right and most importantly that horse goes on and runs.” When asked about the youngster's sire, St George said, “He's by a phenomenal stallion. They can run long, short, dirt, turf. Hopefully, we'll see this horse live up to his potential.”–@CBossTDN Seven-Figure Success x 2 for Woods Edge A colt by Not This Time (hip 238) helped get the O'Callaghans' Woods Edge Farm consignment off to a heady start to the September sale when selling for $1 million to Coolmore's M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant's White Birch Farm. “It gets the show on the road and keeps us ahead,” Peter O'Callaghan said of the result. The yearling is out of stakes winner Stillwater Cove (Quality Road). He was purchased by O'Callaghan for $375,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale. “He was a beautiful animal,” O'Callaghan said. “He was a stunner the day we bought him. We absolutely reached for him as a foal. He's out of a fast mare and he vetted good and that's what it takes. It all has to add up. They want the sire, they want the physical, and the vetting. There can be no hole in it. And if you have that, you'll get paid, but for anyone involved, breeder, consignor, pinhooker, we are lucky to have one or two of those in any given session.” O'Callaghan said the colt's weanling price tag reflected how competitive the foal market was last season. “It was uber hot,” O'Callaghan said. “It was a lot of money for him at the time. If we didn't know who any of them were by, he was arguably our favorite foal as an individual. Luckily, he grew up as we expected. And the vetting stayed good on him. So we got rewarded. It's a big relief and we are delighted and thank you to M.V.” Woods Edge had its second seven-figure yearling of the session a little later in the day when WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden purchased a colt by Justify (hip 273) for $1 million. The colt out of Undercover Justice (Lawyer Ron) is a half-brother to graded-placed Conquest Babayaga (Uncle Mo). He was purchased for $400,000 at this year's Keeneland January sale. “He's another lovely horse who was liked similarly to the Not This Time colt,” O'Callaghan said. “He's by another brilliant sire. He's a beautiful animal. We bought him in January for $400,000, so that's a big return in a short period of time. In our opinion he was arguably the best foal in the January sale. It worked out.” @JessMartiniTDN Justify Colt Draws A Cool Million at Keeneland Returning to a partnership that has served well in the past, China Horse Club, Maverick Racing and Siena Racing banded together to secure Hip 273, a colt by Justify, for an even million at Keeneland Tuesday. The sale was the leading price for the sire in Book 1. “We just loved his quality,” said WinStar's Elliott Walden, who signed the ticket on the colt. “He's got a great hip, great balance, had the strength that Justify had behind. It's something we look for with those.” Consigned by Woods Edge Farm, the May 20 foal is out of Undercover Justice (Lawyer Ron), dam of GSP Conquest Babayaga (Uncle Mo) and SP Sorrentina Lemon (Lemon Drop Kid). The 15-year-old mare is a half sister to Canadian champion juvenile filly Negligee (Northern Afleet). This represents the extended family of English Horse of the Year Zilzal. Bred by Justice Stables, the chestnut was purchased as a short yearling by Peter O'Callaghan for $400,000 at Keeneland last January. “He's a beautiful horse and had a great hip,” continued Walden. “A horse that we really liked. We saw him on the farm a few weeks ago and just feel like he's a horse that will continue to improve.” Regarding the colt's late foaling date, he added, “It factors in whether he might run in August. As long as he runs at two, I think he's fine. It's tough to buy in there. Maybe because he was a May foal it made him a little more affordable, even though I don't know if a million dollars is affordable, but it seems to be today on the good ones.” Undefeated in six starts on the track while racing for CHC, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing and WinStar Farm, Justify collected four wins at the Grade I level, highlighted by the American Triple Crown and Santa Anita Derby. Retiring with over $3.7 million in earnings, the son of Scat Daddy was secured for stud duty by Coolmore and currently stands at Ashford Stud in Kentucky. Following his retirement, the chestnut has been enjoying a tremendous run in the breeding shed since entering stud in 2019. In Europe, his son City Of Troy has been powering through his sophomore campaign with consecutive victories in the G1 Betfred Derby, G1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes and most recently in the G1 Juddmonte International. The stallion is also represented by Irish and French champion juvenile filly Opera Singer, winner of this season's G1 Qatar Nassau Stakes. Domestically, the Coolmore sire has been represented by a bevy of top-rung stakes performers, including last season's Champion 2-year-old Filly Just F Y I, in addition to Grade I winners Hard to Justify, Arabian Lion and Aspen Grove. Showing the breadth of his influence, the shuttle stallion is also responsible for Australia's 2023 Champion juvenile filly Learning To Fly (Aus). “Justify is doing great and we're really proud of him,” affirmed Walden. “We're proud to have owned him. I'm really happy for Coolmore who stepped up to the plate and bought him [for stud duty]. Mr. [John] Magnier knows what he wants.” He continued, “They came to us after the [2018] Derby and showed a great interest and he knew he needed and wanted him, and he deserves it. We're really happy we're able to breed quite a few each year. We've been really happy with the whole thing, but just really proud of the horse.” At the conclusion of Book 1, a total of eight yearlings by Justify had sold for $4,250,000 for an average of $531,250.–@CBossTDN Another Million-Dollar Maxfield After a first-crop yearling (hip 53) sold for $1 million Monday, the Darley stallion doubled up with a second $1-million colt Tuesday afternoon. Consigned by Gainesway as hip 326, the Apr. 12-foaled colt was a pinhook, purchased by Enfuego Stables for $500,000 at last fall's Fasig-Tipton November sale. Ramspring Farm bred the colt and sold his dam at the same sale, with the unraced Belle's Finale (Ghostzapper) bringing $1.25 million to the bid of Summer Wind Equine while in foal to Not This Time. Belle's Finale is the dam of champion turf male Up to the Mark (Not This Time), a first-year stallion in 2024 at Lane's End. She is a daughter of 1996 GI Test Stakes winner Capote Belle (Capote). M V Magnier signed the ticket for the Maxfield colt Tuesday. “This colt was a very nice horse,” said Magnier. “Brian Graves does a very good job raising yearlings as does everybody in Gainesway.” Magnier said the colt would be sent to Ashford before a decision was made as to his future. When asked his thoughts on what he's seen from Maxfield as a young sire, he said, “Maxfield was a very good racehorse. He's definitely making nice horses and he's having a good sale.” @JillWilliamsTDN Uncle Mo and Into Mischief Colts Headed to Japan Trainer Mitsu Nakauchida, who picked up an Into Mischief colt (hip 167) for $1.25 million and a Curlin colt (hip 1) for $550,000 Monday, added two more big-dollar purchases Tuesday at the tail end of the session. He bought another Into Mischief colt (hip 343) out of Cariba (Cairo Prince) and an Uncle Mo colt (hip 368) out of Spring Eclipse (Unbridled's Song) for $1 million apiece. “It is a competitive (market), but also at the same time there are many good horses in this market so we are very happy with our purchases,” said Nakauchida. “Obviously over here they have good dirt racing, so good dirt pedigrees. Dirt racing is getting more popular all over the world. This sale is basically all good horses with good pedigrees. I haven't come here for maybe four or five years because of Covid and I'm very happy to be back here.” Nakauchida said his purchases will be brought back to Japan. He said he looks for horses “light enough to go on the Japanese turf, but if not we can try on dirt.” Tuesday's $1-million Into Mischief colt was consigned by Candy Meadows Sales, who also consigned a $1.15-million Nyquist colt Monday. Candy Meadows also bred both of those seven-figure colts. Tuesday's Feb. 16-foaled offering is out of a stakes-winning full-sister to MGSW & MGISP Cairo Memories and a half-sister to the dam of GISW Zandon (Upstart). Bred by Camas Park Stud in Kentucky, Nakauchida's Uncle Mo purchase was consigned by St George Sales. The Mar. 29-foaled colt is a half-brother to SW Bet She Wins (First Samurai). Nakauchida, who worked for Bobby Frankel in the U.S. and Richard Hannon Sr. in the UK, among others, launched his stable in Japan in 2014. He is the trainer of Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), winner of the Japan's Triple Tiara last year. The now-4-year-old was last seen finishing third in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March. @JillWilliamsTDN Pinhooks Payoff in Second Session As we did Monday, we've looked at how Tuesday's pinhooks fared and attempted to analyze how the prospects as a whole performed on the day. We've loosely used a cost of $25,000 for each yearling's board, veterinary expenses, farrier work, sales prep, and sales entry fees. Obviously, this amount can vary wildly per offering depending on whether one can keep a horse on their own farm or whether one boards, as well as each horse's particular veterinary needs. A total of 25 yearlings were consigned to Tuesday's second session as pinhooks. Seven were outs and six were RNAs, leaving 12 to represent the pinhook sector. The dozen sold for a total of $7.445 million from a total output of $3.99 million at original purchase. Less $300,000 for the twelve in combined estimated costs, that leaves a profit of $3.155 million for the dozen or an average of just under $263,000. Nine were profitable and three lost money. @JillWilliamsTDN The post $5-Million Curlin Colt Brings Curtain Down on ‘Electric’ Book 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 3 WAHAROA TRANSPORT CO. (1995) LTD MAIDEN 1200m PORT TALBOT (K Myers) – Trainer Ms. P Gerard reported to Stewards, she was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, and it is her intention to continue on with PORT TALBOT’S current preparation. Race 7 WAHAROA HEAVY DIESEL MAIDEN 1600m ESFERA CELESTE (J Doyle) – Stable representative Mr. R Mildon reported to Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, ESFERA CELESTE may have failed to handle the Heavy 10 track conditions. R Mildon further advised it is the stables intention to continue on with ESFERA CELESTE’s current preparation, where they may nominate her for the Racing Taupo meeting on Friday 20 September. The post Matamata Racing Club @ Matamata, Wednesday 4 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Kim Reid will get a decent line on Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s (NZ) (Complacent) prospects at the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival when the talented mare steps out on her home track this weekend. The New Plymouth trainer will run the daughter of Complacent in Saturday’s Seaton Park Handicap (1400m) at New Plymouth where the depth of opposition will prove a handy guide. Reid is keen to test Hi Yo Sass Bomb at the elite level in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) on the closing two days at Hastings. “I did have half a mind to go to Wanganui next week for the Group Three (Metric Mile, 1600m),” she said. “Then I thought Saturday would be a really good chance to see how she stacks up against these good horses like Mustang Valley, One Bold Cat and Ladies Man. “As long as she’s running strongly to the line, we will be looking toward Hawke’s Bay.” Should Hi Yo Sass Bomb perform to expectations, the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) will be the six-year-old’s targets. The mare has yet to win beyond 1600m and her only previous attempt at a middle distance resulted in a midfield finish at Trentham, but there is confidence in the camp about her staying ability. “Nothing went right that day, she’s quite a routine horse and she lost a shoe prior to going into the birdcage and she never got any time in there,” Reid said. “She was wound up and over-raced the whole way and that’s not her, she used to do that early days but now she’s quite relaxed. “I was a bit gutted because I was really looking forward to seeing her over that distance (2200m). “She’s got a beautiful long stride and she will run it, it’s in her breeding and after her gallops she hardly blows, she’s a very naturally fit horse.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb enjoyed a successful autumn campaign with victory in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) and finished runner-up in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m). Following a break, she resumed at the end of last month at Wanganui and came from back in the field to claim top honours in the open handicap over 1200m. “It was the first time I had put her over that distance, I’d never thought of her as a sprinter, and it was a tidy field with a lot of winter fit horses, so I was pretty pleased,” Reid said. “She has trained on very well and it hasn’t knocked her. “She’s a good doer and quite relaxed in general now, she used to stress a bit but she’s really come into herself.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb is very much a family horse as she is raced by Reid with her parents Graeme and Josephine, who also bred the mare. She is out of Hi Yo Soo, a daughter of Spartacus who won on five occasions up to 2200m. “We’ve got a three-year-old brother and he will be coming back in next week and he looks quite a lot like Sass,” Reid said. Fellow Taranaki horsewoman Tracey Bliss has a juvenile brother to Hi Yo Sass Bomb after she purchased the dam in foal to Complacent. View the full article

Kiwi-bred dual Group One winner Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) is set to get her first taste of Australian racing when she heads to Rosehill on Saturday to tackle the Gr.2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) for new trainer Bjorn Baker. The now seven-year-old mare had a stellar racing career in New Zealand, winning 11 races for Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta, including the last two editions of the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Owner-breeder David Woodhouse offered Belclare at Magic Millions’ National Broodmare Sale in May where she failed to meet her A$700,000 reserve, and she subsequently joined Baker’s Warwick Farm barn. “I have always had faith in her and all her Group races, apart from the Tauherenikau race (2022 Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1600m), she has won pretty comfortably,” Woodhouse said. “I thought it was a no-brainer that if she didn’t sell I would carry on racing her. I raced her before in partnership with all those fellas and now I am racing her on my own. The training expenses are fairly tremendous, but it is exciting.” She has made an immediate impression on Baker, winning her two trials over 850m and 900m at Randwick last month, and Woodhouse is excited to cross the Tasman to watch his pride and joy make her Australian debut. “He (Baker) just keeps raving about her and Rachel (King, jockey), who rides her in all her track work and trials, seems to be happy,” Woodhouse said. “He (Baker) did hand out a warning that it will be a small and select field. We don’t know whether the 1200m is going to be too short for her fresh-up, but she has been trialling exceptionally well.” Belclare’s spring plans will hinge on her performance this weekend, but Woodhouse said they don’t plan to overtax the mare. “If she comes up like she looks she has come up then we will race her sparingly through the season,” he said. Woodhouse hasn’t ruled out Belclare returning to race in New Zealand this season, harbouring an ambition to record a third successive victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “I dream about bringing her home and having another crack at the Breeders,” he said. “That is what I keep telling Lisa (Latta) to keep her happy, but there are some good races in Sydney at that time of the year as well.” While Woodhouse will be trackside in Sydney on Saturday, he will be keeping a close eye on Riccarton where his black and white colours will be carried by Connello in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m). The three-year-old daughter of Time Test won one of her seven starts as a juvenile and has returned in good form this season, finishing runner-up in her 1000m trial at Foxton last month. “She ran a pretty good trial two weeks ago and we were happy enough with that to be able to send her south,” Woodhouse said. “My cousin has got a half share, he is down in Canterbury, so he is in charge on Saturday.” View the full article

Al Khali (Medaglia d'Oro–Maya, by Capote) succumbed to a bout of colic this past Saturday, Rockridge Stud announced in a release Tuesday evening. The millionaire multiple graded stakes winner had been standing at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, New York, for the past three seasons. The $15,000 KEESEP yearling carried the colors of owners Brous Stable and Wachtel Stable and was trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott. Al Khali retired to Keane Stud in 2016 with a record of 41-8-5-5 and earnings of $1,019,510. Owner Adam Wachtel said, “We are very sad to lose this well-loved horse. 'Big Al' was a barn favorite at the track.” Al Khali sired 10 winners from only 19 starters in five crops of racing age. The post Millionaire Al Khali Dies from Colic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article