Wandering Eyes

Few trainers could match Paul Nelson’s record in the Great Northern Hurdle, a reputation he hopes to transfer into the renamed J Swap Great New Zealand Hurdle (4200m), with three contenders in the Te Aroha feature on Friday. The Hastings conditioner won his first Northern back in 2002 with Chibuli and followed the early success with back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007 with Just Not Cricket. Corrina McDougal joined Nelson in partnership in 2019, and the pair doubled that tally over the next four years, with The Cossack (2020 and 2021) and Nedwin (2024). Representing the stable in this year’s revamped Great New Zealand Hurdle contest will be Suliman ($8.50), Taika ($16) and The Bambino ($12), who have taken different paths to their final jumping assignment of the season. Also read: How to bet on NZ horse racing 12-year-old veteran Suliman has found sterling form in the latter part of the year, winning a competitive Grand National Hurdle (4200m) before winding up late to finish third in the Pakuranga Hunt Hurdle (3100m) at the end of last month, a run that impressed his co-trainer. “He was very good in the Pakuranga, considering it was a bit shorter,” Nelson said. “Hopefully for him, the track will be wet and loose again on Friday. “He was a bit slow to start with (this year), but once he’s found his form, he’s gone very well.” The third placegetter in last year’s Northern, Taika, opened his 2025 account on a winning note in May, but has mixed his form at times since then, with the testing ground not to his liking in the Pakuranga. Nelson and McDougal opted to back him up at Woodville in the following weekend and were satisfied with a fourth-placed effort. “I don’t think he enjoyed his run at Pakuranga in the really wet, loose mud, he was covered in it,” Nelson said. “I think if he races handier, he can probably stay away from it a bit more.” The Bambino brings the least amount of experience into the race, but he certainly makes up for that in talent, winning his last two hurdle races and sealing a trip north for his prestige debut. “Ben (Foote), his part-owner, was very keen for him to run in this race, but he had to prove he was up to it,” Nelson said. “I think he’s really done that in his last couple of races. “He’s a funny little horse, he’s not the easiest to work and we try to keep him as quiet and settled as we can. But, when he gets to the races, he settles very well and doesn’t fight the rider. “I think that he’ll be able to do that on Friday, relax and see out the 4200m.” Foote and his son Ryan, who train in Cambridge, are sponsors of the other headlining event of the carnival, the Ben and Ryan Foote Great New Zealand Steeplechase (6200m), where Nedwin will be vying for top honours. The son of Niagara switched between hurdling and steeplechasing in the early part of the season, but now focusing on the bigger fences, he placed third in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) before taking out the key lead-up to Sunday’s event, the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m). Nelson was pleased with how his charge came through the feature but is mindful of the test he faces as a relatively inexperienced chaser. “I’m very happy with his work, he seemed to have come through the Pakuranga race really well and had a nice few days off in a grass paddock, which always helps them,” he said. “We’ll have to see how he goes, he’s still a young steeplechaser but he’s going well. “He doesn’t mind (track conditions), he handles bad ground and if it was a little bit better, it doesn’t worry him. He retains a bit of ability on the flat as well.” View the full article

After his second win in Sunday’s Hannon Memorial, Akuta has climbed up three places in the latest IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup/ Renwick Farms Dominion Trot rankings. Both races, limited to 15 starters, will held at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained Akuta, who also won the 2022 Hannon, was 10th in the rankings before the weekend. He is now seventh. It was his second win this campaign after a long lay-off with a tendon injury. Dalton Shard and Renegade who finished second and fourth in the Group 3 feature have also improved this week. Dalton Shard goes from 20th to 15th while Renegade is now 21st, up three spots. Swayzee, Republican Party, Leap To Fame, Mo’unga and Alta Meteor have already sealed their places in the field. The next automatic qualifier for the $1m Group 1 feature is the Holmes DG at Alexandra Park on October 3, followed by the Canterbury Classic at Addington (October 17) while for the Dominion it is the Worthy Queen (October 10) and then the Canterbury Park Trotting Cup (October 17), both at Addington Raceway. Already qualified for the Dominion are Bet N Win, Arcee Phoenix and Oscar Bonavena. In the latest rankings for the Dominion there are no major moves though Hidden Talent does move one place to inside the top 15, after her third in the Group 3 Jasmyn’s Gift Fillies and Mares Stakes at Oamaru on Sunday. The winner of that race I Dream Of Jeannie improves three to 17 for Team Dunn while northern trotter Belle Neige has gone from 28th to 25th on the back of her third successive win at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Rankings will be updated weekly with the final rankings coming out after the Kaikoura meeting on Monday, November 3. View them here View the full article

Few trainers could match Paul Nelson’s record in the Great Northern Hurdle, a reputation he hopes to transfer into the renamed J Swap Great New Zealand Hurdle (4200m), with three contenders in the Te Aroha feature on Friday. The Hastings conditioner won his first Northern back in 2002 with Chibuli and followed the early success with back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007 with Just Not Cricket. Corrina McDougal joined Nelson in partnership in 2019, and the pair doubled that tally over the next four years, with The Cossack (2020 and 2021) and Nedwin (2024). Representing the stable in this year’s revamped Great New Zealand contest will be Suliman, Taika and The Bambino, who have taken different paths to their final jumping assignment of the season. 12-year-old veteran Suliman has found sterling form in the latter part of the year, winning a competitive Grand National Hurdle (4200m) before winding up late to finish third in the Pakuranga Hunt Hurdle (3100m) at the end of last month, a run that impressed his co-trainer. “He was very good in the Pakuranga, considering it was a bit shorter,” Nelson said. “Hopefully for him, the track will be wet and loose again on Friday. “He was a bit slow to start with (this year), but once he’s found his form, he’s gone very well.” The third placegetter in last year’s Northern, Taika, opened his 2025 account on a winning note in May, but has mixed his form at times since then, with the testing ground not to his liking in the Pakuranga. Nelson and McDougal opted to back him up at Woodville in the following weekend and were satisfied with a fourth-placed effort. “I don’t think he enjoyed his run at Pakuranga in the really wet, loose mud, he was covered in it,” Nelson said. “I think if he races handier, he can probably stay away from it a bit more.” The Bambino brings the least amount of experience into the race, but he certainly makes up for that in talent, winning his last two hurdle races and sealing a trip north for his prestige debut. “Ben (Foote), his part-owner, was very keen for him to run in this race, but he had to prove he was up to it,” Nelson said. “I think he’s really done that in his last couple of races. “He’s a funny little horse, he’s not the easiest to work and we try to keep him as quiet and settled as we can. But, when he gets to the races, he settles very well and doesn’t fight the rider. “I think that he’ll be able to do that on Friday, relax and see out the 4200m.” Foote and his son Ryan, who train in Cambridge, are sponsors of the other headlining event of the carnival, the Ben and Ryan Foote Great New Zealand Steeplechase (6200m), where Nedwin will be vying for top honours. The son of Niagara switched between hurdling and steeplechasing in the early part of the season, but now focusing on the bigger fences, he placed third in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) before taking out the key lead-up to Sunday’s event, the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m). Nelson was pleased with how his charge came through the feature but is mindful of the test he faces as a relatively inexperienced chaser. “I’m very happy with his work, he seemed to have come through the Pakuranga race really well and had a nice few days off in a grass paddock, which always helps them,” he said. “We’ll have to see how he goes, he’s still a young steeplechaser but he’s going well. “He doesn’t mind (track conditions), he handles bad ground and if it was a little bit better, it doesn’t worry him. He retains a bit of ability on the flat as well.” View the full article

Trade remained buoyant at the Keeneland September Sale in Lexington, with statistics continuing to increase over one year ago. With this year's gross having already exceeded figures for the entire sale in 2024, the sale generated $472,224,000 for 1,771 yearlings (through the ring) sold, which is 23.47% higher than the corresponding period last year when 1,740 horses brought $382,469,500. Average price of $266,643 is 21.31% above $219,810 from 2024, and the median of $180,000 is 20% over $150,000 last year. During Tuesday's session, Keeneland sold 276 yearlings (through the ring) for $24,495,000, for an average of $88,750 and a median of $70,000. The gross was 17.61% higher than the eighth session in 2024, when 286 horses sold for $20,827,500. The average was 21.87% above $72,823 in 2024, while the median rose 27.27% from $55,000 last year. With four sessions still to go, a colt by Yaupon realized a $560,000 final bid from Mike McCarty Tuesday. Offered as Hip 2469 by Hinkle Farms, the Jan. 22 foal is out of Media Circus (Mineshaft), who hails from the family of GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner and sire Tapizar. Hinkle Farms secured the colt's unraced dam for $70,000 at the Keeneland November sale in 2021. Leading the fairer set, a Girvin filly brought $535,000 from Winter Creek Stables. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, Hip 2597 is out of Stormandaprayer (Songandaprayer), herself a daughter of GISW Stormy Pick (Storm Creek). The filly is a half-sister to stakes winner Classicstateofmind. Taylor Made Sales Agency was Tuesday's leading consignor, selling 32 horses for $3,241,000. The session's leading buyer was JAS/Costa, who acquired four yearlings for $710,000. The September Sale continues Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET and runs each day through Saturday. Life after Lukas: BC Stables Forges on Few would argue that BC Stables was an important player in the late D. Wayne Lukas's operation in the final years of the Hall of Famer's illustrious career. Over the past several years, a significant portion of the horses purchased by Lukas at public auction was on behalf of John Bellinger and Brian Coelho, the principals of BC Stables. At this year's renewal of the Keeneland September sale, however, Bellinger and Coelho saw one chapter of the BC Stables story end, while ushering in a new one. Over the course of the past week, the sales recruitment team was led by longtime Lukas associate and friend, Bryan Rice and Steve Asmussen, who received the bulk of the BC Stables horses following Lukas's passing in June. The transition to the next chapter wasn't without its challenges, according to Bellinger. “It was different this week. At times during the bidding, I actually wanted to sit some place different than we used to sit with Wayne,” Bellinger said.” I definitely missed working with Wayne. There is no doubt about it.” Bellinger admitted that, while the process has proceeded well overall, there were moments when he struggled with the legendary horseman's absence. “It's still hard to imagine and it doesn't seem real that he's gone. It just happened so fast, with no warning,” he admitted. “Usually, someone you are working with, they retire and they give you some time to adjust. Even though he was 89, we did not expect it.” He continued, “I even caught myself at least once saying to Bryan Rice 'we'll have to get with Wayne to see what he wants.' Instead of saying 'Steve' I said 'Wayne.' It was quite different.” However, despite the stark absence of Lukas, the operation proved active over the course of the initial week of the September Sale, resulting in a total of nine purchases through Tuesday's session for gross expenditures of $3,010,000, averaging $334,444. “We had a productive week,” Bellinger said. “It was really tough last week unless you have a pocketful of money and we don't. So, we had to really look for deals and bargains. We got conformation in all our horses and we may have had to sacrifice pedigree that we wanted. Time will tell.” Heading the team's purchases was Hip 855, a colt by first season sire Corniche, consigned by Taylor Made Sales. The Apr. 11 foal is out of Peaceful Feeling (War Front). With a European flavor to the bottom side of the page, the 9-year-old mare is out of French listed winner Doo Lang (Pulpit), from the family of Group 1 winner War Command. “Steve and Brian were pretty high on that colt,” said Bellinger. “They both had him top of their list. He scored pretty high using their scoring system.” Also from the Taylor Made consignment, BC Stables secured a colt by Uncle Mo (Hip 21) for $500,000 and a colt by Jackie's Warrior (Hip 1480) for $400,000. The former is out of SW and GISP Livemybestlife (The Big Beast), while the latter is out of Crystal Grit (Tapit), a sister to MGSW Blofeld (Quality Road). The May 12 foal has a pair of SP half-siblings in Quality G (Quality Road) and Souper Highvoltage (Brilliant Speed). Additionally, BC Stables haltered a filly by City of Light (Hip 994), a colt by Jackie's Warrior (Hip 1555), a colt and filly by Yaupon (Hip 327 & 352), a filly by Golden Pal (Hip 557) and a colt by Liam's Map (Hip 2245). “We had to go a little bit with [young] unproven sires, so that's where we you get a bit of the discount. The guys with the big pockets want Into Mischief, Flightline etc.,” he said. Of the nine purchases at Keeneland through Book 4, the team secured six colts and a trio of fillies. While there appeared to be a greater emphasis on speed-oriented sires as well as young stallions, Bellinger said the overall strength of the market also dictated the BC Stables' purchases. “The market was insane. More times or not, we were outbid,” he said. “But the top three horses we bought we went to the top of where we were going to go and we got all three of them. After that, it was very difficult. But we believe we bought a good set of horses for a reasonable price.” And while the trainer may have changed, Bellinger explained that the operation's mission remains the same as when Lukas was guiding the ship. BC Stables was represented by Just Steel (Justify) (17th) in the 2024 Kentucky Derby and American Promise (Justify) (16th) in the latest renewal of the Classic. “We want to get back to the Derby and win some Grade Is,” he said. “We didn't buy a horse that we didn't think we could win a Grade I with. Steve wouldn't have put them on his list if he didn't think they could win at the Grade I level.” According to Bellinger, BC Stables also has individual horses with John Ennis, Dallas Stewart, Phil D'Amato and Brian Lynch. “The bulk of the horses went to Steve,” confirmed Bellinger. “Steve just idolized Wayne. I honestly didn't know how the transition would go at first, but it's gone extremely well. Steve has such great respect for Wayne. I think that has helped.” Asked what he would miss most about having Lukas at his side at the sales, Bellinger said, “Wayne had a real knack for looking at a horse, giving it a thumbs up or thumbs down. Last year, I thought we did a really good job of [recruiting horses]. Brian would scout the horses and we had Wayne in a captain's chair out in the last ring and he would give a thumbs up or thumbs down. Forgetting the horse part of it, he was so positive and so inspirational that you can't help miss being around somebody like that.” The post Keeneland September Continues to Roll; Yaupon Colt Heads Book 4 Finale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Check out the great racing offers available from horse racing bookmakers on Wednesday, September 17. Enjoy bonus back deals and other promotions to boost your betting experience. Explore these specials from top online bookmakers and get more value from your bets. Top Australian racing promotions for September 17, 2025, include: Today’s horse racing promotions 25% Boosted Winnings! – Doomben Get 25% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in bet slip. Cash bet only. Max Bonus $250. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Bendigo & Happy Valley (HK) All Races | Same Race Multi 3+ Leg Bonus Back Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Bendigo & Happy Valley (HK) this Wednesday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds T&Cs Apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Canterbury Races 1-6 | Bet Back Run 2nd or 3rd Activate your Bet Back Tool in your Betslip on Races 1-6 at Canterbury this Wednesday and if your runner comes 2nd or 3rd get up $50 back as Bonus Cash. Bet Back Tool is only available to use on the day of race on Fixed Win bets and on races with 5 or more runners. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Wednesday Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd | R1-3 at Bendigo & Canterbury Available from 12:00AM AEST. Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Promotional limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Canterbury Races 1-3 | Run 2nd or 3rd Stake Back 50% as Cash up to $25 If your runner runs 2nd or 3rd in Races 1-3 at Canterbury on Wednesday, get 50% of your stake back as CASH up to $25. PlayUp T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Top 4 Betting! Bet and win up to 4th place! Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Wednesday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Wednesday. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Exotic Boosts Boost your exotics by up to 20%. Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% winnings in cash Max Payout $2000. Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds win bets on Australian thoroughbred races only. Excludes boosted, multi, live and bonus bets. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector | If Your Horse Drifts, You Get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing Fixed Price Win bets placed from 8am AET the day of the race. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets. Eligible Customers Only. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au find these racing offers? HorseBetting.com.au reviews Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers to share the best thoroughbred promotions for September 17, 2025. Bookmakers are always competing, so if one doesn’t have a deal, another usually does. Rely on HorseBetting.com.au for daily racing bonuses and betting specials. Get better value with competitive odds and offers for existing customers. Just log in to your betting account to see what’s available. For extra help picking winners and using your bonuses wisely, check out our daily free racing tips. View all horse racing promotions View the full article

5. NU WHAT'S NEW, CD, 9/13, 6 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (2nd) (c, 3, by Munnings–Heavenly Scat, by Scat Daddy) O-Doubledown Stables. B-BlackRidge Stables (Ky). T-James Divito. J-Walter Rodriguez. On paper and in mutuels, this former Taylor Made-sold weanling was in a different hemisphere than Subito (below) and some others Saturday, and it looked that way at the quarter pole when he was still 7 lengths behind and seemingly going nowhere. Then something ignited, and he stormed up the inside to barely miss catching Subito while blowing past him on the gallop-out. He tried two turns before with a poor outcome, but that was on grass – now he's a gelding with perhaps better focus. 4. SUBITO, CD, 9/13, 6 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (c, 3, by Speightstown–Uno Duo, by Macho Uno) O/B-Juddmonte (Ky). T-Bill Mott. J-Jaime Torres. The half-brother to Juddmonte's Grade I winner Obligatory made this list for his July 4 debut, when he recorded an 85 Beyer despite blowing a 2 1/2-length lead in the final furlong. He opened up again at the eighth pole in his second start and just held on to edge onrushing Nu What's Nu (above). He also changed leads for the stretch run, something he didn't do first time out. 3. GIN'S BEACH ROAD, CD, 9/14, 6 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-84 (f, 3, by Quality Road–Yellow Agate, by Gemologist) O-Live Oak Plantation. B-China Horse Club (Ky). T-Mark Casse. J-Jose Ortiz. Her full-brother Agate Road won the Grade II Pilgrim Stakes on turf but was equally good on dirt. Based on early returns, Gin's Beach Road looks to prefer dirt: she rebounded strongly after a lackluster grass effort at Saratoga to win this by 5 1/4 lengths. Mike Repole and Vinny Viola bought Agate Road for $650k as a yearling; Charlotte Weber paid $650k for this filly at Saratoga from the Taylor Made Sales consignment. 2. ON THE LEVEL, DEL, 9/11, 6 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-84 (c, 3, by Classic Empire–Siena Grace, by More than Ready) O-Three Diamonds Farm. B-Carole I. Fernandez (Ky). T-Keri Brion. J-Jaime Rodriguez. The Wykoff family's Three Diamonds Farm has had numerous successes with long-distance turf runners trained by Mike Maker. But they've also won with Fair Hill-based Brion, former assistant to the late Jonathan Sheppard who has saddled nine Grade I steeplechase winners and now is emphasizing flat racing. On the Level was an unlucky debut loser at Laurel last November then returned to the work tab in July and redeemed himself nicely with blinkers last week at Delaware. 1. SPUN DMC, CD, 9/12, 6 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 85 (c, 2, by Spun to Run–Critic's Choice, by Smart Strike) O-UPcountryfarm and Randy Morse. B-Charles Kidder and Nancy Cole (Ky). T-Randy Morse. J-Jane Elliott. Ollie Besinger's UPcountry Farm in West Dundee, IL, is best known for fresh eggs. But Besinger has also boarded horses and dabbled in racehorse ownership for 20 years. He has never owned a stakes runner, but that might change after the debut of 2-year-old Spun DMC, who attended the pace three-wide then kicked clear in a swift 1:09.76. Spun DMC was bought for a modest $95k earlier this year, but his second dam is two-time Grade I-winning millionaire Starrer. The post Five Fastest Maidens, Presented By Taylor Made: Sept. 8-14 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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

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

At the Santa Anita autumn meet, which opens Sept. 26, seven coveted Breeders' Cup bids will be on the line as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.View the full article

An all-sources handle of $13,026,804 (All figures CA$) ranks the 2025 edition among the top-five Woodbine Mile day handles. The Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1T) generated $2.1 million in wagering, a 23% increase from the 2024 race. View the full article

Division (Kingman), an 800,000gns Book 1 graduate and G1 Middle Park Stakes entry who notched a three-length success at Haydock earlier in the month, broke well and was positioned on the front end racing under a seven-pound penalty in this TDN-sponsored heat. In command through halfway, the 2-7 lock was shaken up soon after passing the quarter-mile pole and ridden out in the closing stages to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths from Shahik (Showcasing). “I was pleased with him and that's another step in the right direction, but he again showed inexperience late on,” said James Doyle. “He dived out to his right, but it's pretty windy and it was lonely for him out there. He's a pacey horse, he's bred to be quick and he's got some fancy entries. Whether or not he's up to it at this stage of his career, we'll see.” Division, the fourth of five foals, is one of three scorers from as many runners out of stakes-winning G3 Summer Stakes third Pepita (Sir Prancealot), herself a half-sister to stakes-winning G1 Criterium International third Redolent (Redback), G3 Albany Stakes third Illaunglass (Red Clubs) and Listed Empress Stakes runner-up Ursulina (Kodiac). Descendants of the March-foaled bay's second dam Esterlina (Highest Honor) include G1 Flying Five Stakes runner-up Son Of Rest (Pivotal) and G2 Gimcrack Stakes second Johannes Brahms (Siyouni). He is a full-brother to 2024 G2 Lowther Stakes winner Celandine and kin to a yearling filly by Starspangledbanner. 1st-Great Yarmouth, £11,900, Nov, 9-16, 2yo, 6f 3yT, 1:12.92, g/s. DIVISION (GB) (c, 2, Kingman {GB}–Pepita {Ire} {SW & GSP-Eng}, by Sir Prancealot {Ire}) Sales history: 800,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $19,783. O-Wathnan Racing; B-Rockcliffe Stud; T-William Haggas. Thoroughbred Daily News EBF Novice Stakes @GTYarmouthRaces Yarmouth – Classe 4 – 2 ans – 1209m – 9 Pts – 11 706 £ Division (m) (Gb) James Doyle (Kingman (Gb) @JuddmonteFarms – Pepita (Ire) par Sir Prancealot (Ire)) W J Haggas @WilliamHaggas… pic.twitter.com/3q2cTYd6QI — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) September 16, 2025 The post Wathnan’s Division Takes Thoroughbred Daily News Novice at Yarmouth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ragtime and Echo Sound—second and sixth, respectively, in the Aug. 2 Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course—meet again Sept. 20 in the Dogwood Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Edited Press Release Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})'s impressive victory in the GI Rogers Woodbine Mile highlighted a strong Turf Champions Day for Woodbine Entertainment. Turf Champions Day featured three Breeders' Cup Challenge Series “Win and You're In” races. An all-sources handle of $13,026,804 ranks the 2025 edition among the top-five Woodbine Mile day handles. The Woodbine Mile generated $2.1 million in wagering, a 23 percent increase from the 2024 race. Among the other wagering highlights was a 64% increase in the GI Johnnie Walker Natalma S. ($1,688,101 vs 1,030,495), a 43% increase in handle for the GI bet365 Summer S. ($2,088,730 vs $1,455,862), and a record Pick-5 pool of $631,211. “Turf Champions Day is one of the most important showcases of our world-class racing program, and this year's results reflect the strength and excitement of the product we are delivering in partnership with our racing community,” said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “From strong wagering and international participation to the success of our new global wagers, we are proud to see Woodbine firmly positioned on the international racing stage. I want to thank our horse racing community, fans, and customers whose support and passion continue to elevate this event and the sport of horse racing in Canada.” The post Turf Champions Day Generates Strong Numbers at Woodbine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Few trainers emerged from the Irish Champions Festival happier than trainer John O'Donoghue who, despite drawing a blank with his only runner across the two-day meeting, walked out of the Curragh racecourse on Sunday in little doubt over the talent his stable star It's A Heartbeat is blessed with. The lightly-raced Too Darn Hot filly could not have been more impressive in swatting away the Johnny Murtagh-trained Shaool by almost four lengths when last seen in a handicap at that track last month. Shaool paid a handsome compliment to It's A Heartbeat by streaking clear of her rivals in the Northfields Handicap at the Irish Champions Festival and now O'Donoghue is rightly dreaming of Group races with a filly he labels as the most talented horse he has had through his hands. “We hold her in pretty high regard,” he explained. “We had her in the Prix Turenne at Saint-Cloud, which turned out to be a pretty hot race with Best Secret and Gethin turning up, and then we decided to sidestep the Irish Champions Festival [where It's A Heartbeat held an entry in the Group 3 CMG Group Stakes]. Looking at her profile, she posted a lovely debut before recording back-to-back wins and I'd love to nail in a Listed win with her now. We're trying to pick our spot and it's likely that we will go for the Group 3 Princess Royal Stakes at Newmarket in two weeks' time.” O'Donoghue added, “I'd love to see her on the Rowley Mile – I think a track like that would bring out the best in her. She'll have some big targets next year. It's all about her four-year-old year as she has a big frame and she is just a bit timely. She's filling out nicely now and is really round and solid. Look, she's just the type of horse that any young trainer like myself would love to have and hopefully she can put us on the map. She's very good and we hold her in the highest of regard. She's certainly the best I have trained.” O'Donoghue and his wife Jodi took over at Currabeg Stables, which will forever be associated with John Oxx and the legendary horses he trained there, back in 2022. The pair enjoyed four winners in that debut season – and came agonisingly close to a dream result in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot when Pearling Path was cruelly denied in the dying strides – but O'Donoghue openly admits to being forced to 'sharpen up' and 'streamline' the operation in recent times. John O'Donoghue: “If we can hit the nail on the head with It's A Heartbeat, it might get us moving up the ladder.” | Tattersalls There has been a shift towards quality runners, which is reflected in the stats given the stable has had just 44 runners domestically this term but has already equaled last year's tally of six wins. O'Donoghue is also operating at an impressive 14% strike rate but, what is more impressive is the fact the stable boasts a 29 per cent winners-to-runners strike-rate. Put simply, O'Donoghue does not rock up to the races for the sake of it. O'Donoghue, who has spent time working with Jamie Osborne, Oxx and David O'Meara, said, “We have three years under our belt and this is season four. Starting off, we said yes to everything and we got in as many as we could and trained absolutely everything, regardless of ability. Over the past two years, we have really streamlined towards the horses that will work in Ireland because there isn't a gap for the middle-to-lower tier horses in this country – A, to run them and B, to make them into a valuable commodity. So we have decided to cut back on numbers and aim higher with regards to quality. We are probably down a bit on runners but our strike-rate is up there in the teens. We've a few that will be dropping into handicaps and we want to push on with those now as well. But the main focus has been on preserving our record with two-year-olds. We've only run four of them and three of those have won. That's the sort of streamlined approach of knowing what we have, placing them right and moving them on when the time is right that we have gravitated towards. We've just sharpened up a bit.” O'Donoghue is a part of the select cohort of trainers who hit the sales hard in search of next year's winners. He has picked up a yearling apiece from the August Sale at Arqana and the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale and says he hopes to be busy at the upcoming Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and the Goffs Orby Sale as well. He explained, “As you can imagine, most of our orders would be for Tattersalls Ireland or Goffs Orby horses as a lot of Irish buyers would prefer to buy in Euro. In saying that, we have been sent a horse from the Arqana August Sale and we picked up an Ardad yearling from Donny, which has always been a lucky place for us. In our first year training, we had Pearling Path, who was sourced by Oliver St Lawrence on behalf of Fawzi Nass at Donny. He nearly pulled off the miracle result in season one when only narrowly beaten in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot so we have always been fond of that sale with a view towards summer two-year-olds. We hope to buy four or five horses between Tattersalls Ireland and the Orby. I'm not sure how the orders will stack up come the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale at Newmarket but we will be there fighting for the good horses.” He added, “We're traders as well. We hold onto plenty of equity in these horses in order to get horses and owners into the yard. Putting it bluntly, we can get fairly exposed around this time of year but look, we're young, and we need to fill the yard here. But to be honest, sourcing the horses is every bit as important as it is training them.” Next week's sale at Tattersalls Ireland represents the first yearling sale in Ireland this autumn. It comes hot on the heels of what was red-hot trade at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale and the Somerville Sale at Tattersalls and, even on an international front, Keeneland has been ablaze this past fortnight with telephone numbers being paid for the big-ticket lots. It is something of an oddity that, while the yearling market has apparently never been in a healthier position, the private market for form horses has slowed up to a certain degree in recent times. O'Donoghue has navigated that private market as well as anyone in his short time as a trainer in Ireland, highlighted by the job he did with Zaphod (Zarak), who was sold to continue his career in Australia following a fine third in the Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown. However, he admitted that the private sale market has become more select, and even shared that recent juvenile scorer L L Koulsty (Coulsty) remains on the market following her Cork success. Jodi O'Donoghue | Tattersalls He commented, “I can remember a time when nearly the first four from a maiden from somewhere like Dundalk would nearly be traded. Not so much anymore. There are cases where horses win maidens and even winners' races and they still don't get moved on. There is such a criteria that needs to be filled and it's not just performance on the track. For example, you have to be big enough, heavy enough and obviously sound enough to get traded on now. And sometimes you can tick all of those boxes but you don't get a good Timeform rating or the form of the maiden takes a knock. So it's become very, very tricky. Everything seems to have become tighter and harder to push through compared to years gone by anyway.” Fortunately for O'Donoghue, stable star It's A Heartbeat is not in the shop window, which means he can dream not only about Newmarket but what may also be in store for the lightly-raced filly next year as well. It's A Heartbeat is owned by Sven Hanson, who has enjoyed considerable success in the bloodstock world and even supplied Sir Michael Stoute with a breakthrough Oaks victory courtesy of 1978 scorer Fair Salinia. The breeder of Reliable Man among other high-class performers, Hanson took notice of O'Donoghue after Pearling Path, a horse he bred under the Fair Salinia Ltd banner, went so close to that Chesham Stakes success in the young trainer's debut season at Currabeg Stables. It has proved a good fit for the owner given he used to have horses with Oxx, who remains a mentor to O'Donoghue at a stable made famous by horses like Sea The Stars, Sinndar, Ridgewood Pearl and more. “He [Hanson] knew the stable and was thinking of having a few more horses in training than he usually does so thankfully he picked a young trainer. It has given us the little injection of quality that, hopefully if we can hit the nail on the head with It's A Heartbeat, it might get us moving up the ladder.” The post O’Donoghue Plotting Breakthrough Group Win With ‘Best I’ve Trained’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fresh off a game effort to win the G2 Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster, Santorini Star (Golden Horn) will target the G1 Prix de Royallieu on Arc weekend, revealed co-owner Tony Bloom's racing manager Sean Graham. The Bloom and Ian McAleavy runner is searching for a first Group 1 triumph and will be routed accordingly. A consistent sort with six wins from 10 lifetime starts, the William Haggas trainee won a Goodwood handicap in May before running fourth in the Listed Pontefract Castle Fillies' Stakes in June and she filled that spot again in the G3 Stanerra Stakes at Fairyhouse a month later. Back on track over a 2m 1/2f handicap at York in August, she withstood the prolonged challenge of Consent (Lope De Vega) in the Park Hill. “Her next race will be the Prix de Royallieu, which is a mile and six on the Saturday of Arc weekend,” Graham said. “I'd say that is probably her last run this year as well. “I suppose she will be brought back next year with the view of trying to win a Group 1. The Prix de Royallieu is a Group 1, but even if she wins that, she'll still be back next year. That's because she didn't run until the October of her three-year-old career, so she's pretty lightly raced and she's open to plenty of improvement. The programme for staying fillies is quite good and there's plenty of opportunity to pick up more black type.” Regarding next year's campaign, he added, “Even races like the Irish St Leger might be on the radar as that's a mile and six. I don't think we will pigeon hole her and just run her at a mile and six because there's probably not enough races at that distance, so she will have races at two miles as well.” The post Park Hill Star Bound For The Royallieu appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

I met Stuart in 1994 when we worked together for Ben P. Walden Jr. at Vinery. Stuart was the broodmare manager, and I was selling seasons to the Vinery stallions. Stuart managed the 150-plus broodmare band which encompassed multiple farms. Stuart was also a farrier; he trimmed all the broodmares which added another layer of responsibility. I quickly learned that Stuart was a tireless hard worker with these responsibilities. Over the years I followed Stuart's professional journey to Watercress, Payson Stud and Taylor Made admiring his accomplishments along the way. Stuart was a mentor to a lot of our young people in our industry as we have read this week. He was also a mentor to someone older. I would call Stuart and get his opinion on a value of a broodmare or a stallion for a mating. He was always willing to help and gave great advice. He never asked for anything in return and was always your biggest cheerleader to succeed. This fall, when Stuart started treatments for his illness, he did it his way. When he started the clinical trial at Sarah Cannon Research Institute, he approached it like he did everything in his life. He worked hard to gather all the information he could about the treatment so he would better understand what was before him. He was determined to beat the odds. He wanted to spend as much time as he could with Drew, Alexa and his two grandchildren whom he dearly loved. He never complained, he never said “Why me”, he just buckled down and went to work to beat the odds. It was a sad day when I received the call from Josie telling me that Stuart had passed. I shed more than a few tears because I had lost a dear friend. Stuart touched a lot of lives and made an impact on our industry and life. To honor Stuart's legacy, we should take a page out of his handbook, mentor others, be respectful, smile, laugh, enjoy good food and life. Remember to live the day we are in as there is no guarantee for tomorrow. I love you, brother. The post Letter To The Editor: Stu Story #13 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Notable Speech at Woodbine. Dubawi Classic Winner Shines At Woodbine Godolphin homebred Notable Speech arrived late on the scene to take the GI Rogers Woodbine Mile for Charlie Appleby on September 13 (video). The son of Dubawi won the G1 2,000 Guineas last year and defeated older milers in the G1 Sussex Stakes. He is a son of the group-placed Swift Rose (Invincible Spirit), herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Desert Wisdom (Dubawi) and to Frankel's GI Natalma Stakes winner Wild Beauty. He has a half-sister to come in juvenile Moonlit Rose (Pinatubo) and a yearling full-sister. Darley's Dubawi has sired 47 winners from 90 runners (52%) in the U.S. and Canada. Notable Speech is his 26th stakes winner and 11th Grade I winner to strike there. Besilu Homebred Graduates In New York Besilu Stables' Noble Dynasty (Kingman) graduated at second asking during the Belmont at the Big A meeting on Saturday (video). Trained by Bill Mott, the homebred juvenile colt is out of Delta's Royalty (Galileo). Second on debut, the maternal grandson of triple Eclipse Award earner Royal Delta (Empire Maker) is a half-brother to the yearling filly Royal Victoria (Into Mischief) and a weanling filly by Gun Runner. Royal Delta, a GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner, was acquired by Ben Leon's Besilu Stables for $8.5 million to top the 2011 Keeneland November Sale. Delta's Royalty is the only foal out of her champion dam, who died from foaling complications after producing her. Juddmonte's Kingman counts Noble Dynasty as his 49th winner from 84 to race in North America (58%). Domestic Spending is his best there, with a tally in the GI Manhattan Stakes, and he is supported by eight additional stakes winners. Repeat Winners No Show Sammy Jo (Lope De Vega) is now a two-time winner of Laurel Park's All Along Stakes after her victory on September 13 (video). Racing for Bridlewood Farm and Madaket Stables, the five-year-old mare–second in the 2024 GIII Long Island Stakes–is trained by Graham Motion. The post Making Waves: Guineas Scorer Adds Woodbine Mile To His Haul appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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

Poll results from leading horses after week 34 of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll are unchanged.View the full article

Sponsored by Pedigrees360. How timely, that the first starting points for the 2026 Classics should be offered at Churchill even as the big spenders were driving each other to record heights up the road at Keeneland in their quest for a horse for 2027. Admittedly Saturday's initial rehearsals offered alternatives to those who cannot spend millions at the September Sale. One winner was out of a homebred Cowboy Cal mare, admittedly using a stallion who banked 12 seven-figure sales at Keeneland; while the other was a $20,000 discovery, inevitably by Kenny McPeek, at Fasig-Tipton last October. And both also showed that if all else fails, you just double down on Giant's Causeway. There was, in fact, remarkable symmetry between the crosses that produced the GIII Iroquois and GIII Pocahontas Stakes winners. For both Spice Runner (Gun Runner) and Taken by the Wind (Rock Your World) are by sons of Candy Ride (Arg) out of mares by a son of Giant's Causeway (Cowboy Cal/First Samurai). Moreover Giant's Causeway also lurks just behind the respective sires, Gun Runner's dam and Rock Your World's granddam both being daughters. But events over the Atlantic, the same day, invite us to view even this double duplication of Giant's Causeway as primarily extending the legacy of his dam, Mariah's Storm (Rahy), who also surfaced as granddam of Classic winner Scandinavia (Justify). We'll have more to say about that horse below. But let's first renew our admiration for a mare who duly formed the mutual bedrock between two emerging American juveniles and the winner of one of the English Turf's most venerable prizes. The first thing that always tickles me about Mariah's Storm is that her family is entwined with that of another great producer in Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) by Itsabet (Heliopolis {GB}), as fourth and fifth dam respectively. Itsabet was the first stakes winner to carry the silks of Harry Isaacs, whose Brookfield Farm initially cultivated both these branches. It was when they had respectively entered other hands, however, that both happened to be seeded by the same redoubtable influence: Mariah's Storm herself and Hasili's dam are both out of Roberto mares. Roberto's sire Hail to Reason, incidentally, is also behind the sire of Mariah's Storm, Rahy, who was out of a mare by his son Halo. Her other strong flavor is Nasrullah (GB), three of whose sons funnel into the page: the Red God line is extended through his grandson Rahy; Nashua is damsire of Roberto; while Bold Ruler's son Chieftain gave us the granddam. It was yet another Nasrullah line, through Nasram, that led to Olympio–whose owner-breeder Verne Winchell supported him, at stud, with the $27,000 purchase of a weanling filly he named Classic Olympio. She went on a roll at Santa Anita as a juvenile (won her maiden by seven, then two stakes) before twice placing at Grade II level, and later produced a couple of stakes winners for the program including Simplify (Pulpit) in a dirt sprint at Saratoga. It was also round one turn at the Spa, but on grass, that Simplify's daughter by Cowboy Cal, Simple Surprise, won the Bolton Landing Stakes on her second start. That earned Simple Surprise a place in the debut book of the Winchells' magnificent Gun Runner. The result was Gunite, who helped to put his sire on the map over three Saratoga summers: GI Hopeful/GII Amsterdam/GI Forego. If that was instructive of Gun Runner's prowess, then let's acknowledge that Gunite's first three dams were all stakes winners. And the functionality of a match, one way or another, has now been corroborated by his brother Spice Runner. Apparently this colt is rather bigger than Gunite, and he's certainly already shown greater hunger for distance. But don't forget that Cowboy Cal spent almost his entire career on turf and synthetics; nor that Simple Surprise also operated on grass. Whatever his younger brother can still achieve, with Giant's Causeway top and bottom, Europeans prospectors should not just move on from Gunite as a trademark dirt sprinter. But that takes me into familiar territory… Spice Runner | Coady Media Staying Power Not 'Just' Stamina And that's because we need to ask where exactly G1 St Leger winner Scandinavia gets his relentless running power. With a dam by Galileo (Ire), not to mention a third dam by Roberto, it would seem pretty obvious. Scandinavia's mother, Fabulous (Ire), is one of four fillies out of Mariah's Storm by her “second husband.” On the retirement of Storm Cat, who had given her seven foals including Giant's Causeway and the famous producer You'resothrilling, she had a brief fling with Sadler's Wells before moving in with his son Galileo. But when You'resothrilling was similarly married to Galileo, his famously sturdy influence could not suppress the speed and precocity of Storm Cat, which she had herself deployed winning two Group sprints. Their three Group 1 winners were either Classic milers, or top juveniles, or both. That, of course, may be largely down to Storm Cat. But meanwhile the principal distinction to date for a full-sister to Fabulous, Butterflies (Ire), is as granddam of reputedly the fastest of the current juvenile crop at Ballydoyle, Albert Einstein (Ire) (Wottoon Bassett {GB}). Remember that Mariah's Storm was by Rahy, whose brand is primarily about dashers such as Serena's Song or Noverre. This is not the kind of dour terrain where Galileo has found his real sloggers–and we should not, therefore, overlook the staying power potentially contributed to Scandinavia, already a winner against his seniors in the G1 Goodwood Cup over two miles, by his sire. Fabulous has already had one elite winner by a Triple Crown winner in Above The Curve (American Pharoah), who largely operated at 10 furlongs. But her son by Justify has shown an absolutely bottomless capacity to maintain a gallop, prominent throughout before stemming all challenges both at Goodwood and again over 14.5 furlongs last Saturday. Now clearly it was sufficiently startling that a son of Scat Daddy (and grandson of Johannesburg) could complete his historic assignment in the GI Belmont Stakes. Nor would any conventional reading find much help in Justify's damsire Ghostzapper, who memorably had to stretch his own speed at the Breeders' Cup. But that's the whole point. Just as breeders (especially in Europe) culpably conflate precocity with speed, so they tend to confuse “run” with mere stamina. Class is an elusive concept but one of the most coherent signposts is the ability to carry speed; to set off fast, and keep going. I'm convinced that the gene pool in Europe, having been invigorated by all that Northern Dancer blood, suffered from the wilful neglect of dirt lines for a generation before Justify was given his opportunity by the reliably far-sighted John Magnier. Justify has responded virtually overnight, providing English Classic winners across the distance spectrum, via Ruling Court, City Of Troy and now Scandanavia; not to mention flyers like Ramatuelle, collared on the line in a Group 1 juvenile sprint and runaway winner of the G1 Prix de la Foret over 7f. During all those years when Magnier's program was dominating Epsom through Galileo and Montjeu (Ire), hardly anyone–including rivals similarly engaged either side of the water–applied the lessons of the dynasty represented by both those horses. None of the most potent American sires of recent times, whether Into Mischief or Tapit or Curlin, has been meaningfully tried in Europe. Not that Europeans are alone in their myopia. Remarkably, not one among all those million-dollar babies at Keeneland was by Justify, albeit a $975,000 filly fell only one bid short. If his local market perseveres in this neglect, maybe Justify should someday court the respect he deserves with a stint in Tipperary. Taken by the Wind | Coady Media Numbers Help Catch The Wind Pocahontas winner Taken by the Wind represents a stakes breakthrough for a stallion launched with the usual commercial stampede in 2022. Rock Your World could trade on the efforts of Gun Runner and Twirling Candy in promoting Gun Runner as sire of sires. After all, he's out of a mare by Empire Maker, half-brother to Twirling Candy's damsire Chester House; and, as noted earlier, his granddam is by Gun Runner's damsire Giant's Causeway. And actually his third dam is by Olympio, securing a second such mention this week after filling the same slot for Spice Runner. All those first three dams having been smart runners, Rock Your World started with no fewer than 219 mares at $10,000. Nearly as predictably, by last year he had slipped to 53 and was duly cut to $5,000 this spring. Taken by the Wind is out of a First Samurai mare who won under a $7,500 tag and has hitherto done little more than might be expected from cheap covers, with the exception of Running Memories (Bahamian Squall), an eight-time winner narrowly beaten in a sprint stakes on turf. There's no black type at all under the second dam, but she's a Saint Ballado sibling to four graded stakes winners out of a Mr. Prospector mare. One of those, moreover, subsequently became dam of triple Grade I winner Society Selection (Coronado's Quest). Taken by the Wind is among nine winners from 35 starters for Rock Your World, but as always we'll need to monitor ratios–rather than mere aggregates–as he proceeds from here. The early pace in the freshman table is set by Spendthrift neighbor Yaupon, whose debut book of 242 mares was exceeded that year only by Gun Runner. His 15 winners from 45 starters include two at black-type level, something hitherto matched only by Beau Liam. The post Breeding Digest: Mariah’s Giant Legacy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two yearlings owned by Ann Hayes, who suffered serious injuries when she was trampled by a horse last week, will sell in the final days of the Keeneland September Sale. Both are consigned by Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services. Hip 3492, from the first crop of Greatest Honour, is the first foal of the More Than Ready mare Willing, from the family of GISWs Constitution, Awesome Humor, and Surfer. The filly is in Barn 32 and sells Thursday. Hip 4593 is a filly by Flameaway out of Differentiate (Include), sells on the final day of the sale, Saturday, and will be in Barn 3. Hayes, a longtime member of the Thoroughbred industry, suffered severe head trauma in the incident and is being cared for in the intensive care unit of the University of Kentucky medical center. Amy Nave has started a fundraiser for Hayes on GoFundMe.com, which reads: “Her family has been by her side, day, and night, facing an extended period of recovery for Ann. The financial burden of ongoing medical bills, and the costs associated with her rehabilitation are significant and we are hoping to ease this stress, so Ann can focus on healing. Ann's influence in the Thoroughbred Community is profound. She has raised and raced her own horses, worked for multiple farms and race tracks, and serves on boards, such as the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Manager's Club. She has been passionate about mentoring young people entering the horse industry through her work with Amplify, BCTC equine, Asbury, and Midway Colleges. For the past decade, she has been a vital part of WinStar Farm, where her compassion led her to the role of Employee Liaison. Ann personally welcomes every new employee and oversees the Stable Recovery program, always putting others first and making them feel valued. Everyone who has met Ann has felt her deep love for people and horses. Now it's our turn to show how much we care for her. Her impact on our community cannot be overestimated and any support will help her and her family through this challenging time.” Click here to see the fundraiser or to donate. The post Two Ann Hayes Yearlings To Sell At Keeneland September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars HONEST WITNESS - R5 (4) Did everything but win last season and has trialled nicely ahead of this race Jay Rooney VULCANUS - R6 (6) Can repeat his last-start win off the back of an impressive trial Owen Goulding VULCANUS - R6 (6) Thrashed his rivals in this grade on his last start and can reappear with a win Phillip Woo SILVER SPURS - R1 (2) Has always promised plenty and gets a golden chance to deliver in Class Five Shannon (Vincent Wong) HONEST WITNESS - R5 (4) Looks to have...View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 280 entries for its upcoming Saratoga Fall Mixed sale, the company announced Tuesday. The sale will run Tuesday, October 14 in Saratoga Springs, New York, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion. “Saratoga Fall is New York's breeding stock sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “There are nearly 230 weanlings catalogued, by top sires both nationally and within New York. There is also a quality group of broodmares in foal on attractive covers.” The company noted that, beginning in 2026, New York-breds will race for equal purse money as open company horses on the NYRA circuit. “With purse parity beginning next year, the New York-bred program will go from strength-to-strength,” noted Browning. “New York-bred weanlings offered at Saratoga Fall will be eligible to compete for these higher purses when they reach the track as two-year-olds. The same applies to foals carried by mares catalogued in this sale. Now is the time to get involved in New York–the future is bright.” The catalogue may now be viewed online and will also be available via the equineline sales catalogue app. Print catalogues will be available by September 18. The post Fasig-Tipton Catalogues 280 Hips For Saratoga Fall Mixed Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Daryz is said to be a likely runner in next month's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, having bounced back to form with a narrow defeat in Sunday's G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange at the same course. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the son of Sea The Stars gained his fourth success from as many starts when winning June's G2 Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud, before forfeiting his unbeaten record with a no-show in the G1 Juddmonte International at York. With connections at a loss to explain that below-par display, Daryz was given another opportunity to show what he can do at the weekend and his short-head defeat to Japanese raider Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black) was certainly a big step back in the right direction. “We wanted to see him run again as things didn't go right at York and we didn't know what to think of it afterwards,” said Nemone Routh, racing manager for Daryz's owner-breeder, the Aga Khan Studs. “We were very happy on Sunday. He had an outside draw, so we were keen for him to find cover as he was a bit keen early on at York, but he settled well. He seemed to handle the really soft ground well, which was pleasing to see. “He quickened up really well and was probably a bit unlucky as he just had to come round the Japanese horse who was hanging a bit. Their jockey got a few days for overuse of the whip as well. So, really Daryz only had a furlong where he was in the clear. He really picked up and just failed to get there, so we were very happy with the run.” Daryz is available to back at around 20/1 for the Arc and Routh confirmed that it's likely to be all systems go for a tilt at Europe's premier middle-distance prize. She added, “We'll see how he comes out of the race but, if he takes it well, then I think we'll probably take our chance in the Arc. We'd hope the ground wouldn't be any softer than the other day as, while it was very soft, it wasn't extreme. “He's only ever run over 10 furlongs but, apart from the race at York, he's always finished his races off well and everything in his pedigree would say he'll get the trip [a mile and a half]. The only reason he hasn't run over it before is he has been keen in his races. I don't think it will be a problem. “He's a lovely horse and he's still learning really. He was a very backward two-year-old and has done a lot in a short space of time. He's always been a horse we thought would be better at four.” The post Daryz Back in the Arc Picture Despite Weekend Defeat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Bendigo Races Where Bendigo Jockey Club – Heinz St, White Hills VIC 3550 When Wednesday, September 17, 2025 First Race 1:10pm AEST Visit Dabble The Bendigo Jockey Club hosts a competitive eight-race meeting this Wednesday afternoon. Despite the track being rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, showers forecast on Tuesday should mean the card will be held on a Soft 5. The rail sticks in its true position, with the Bendigo races on September 17 commencing at 1:10pm AEST. Best Bet at Bendigo: Trembles Trembles had excuses at Caulfield on June 28 before heading for a spell, but prior to that she saluted at Sandown in a strong form race which has produced four subsequent winners. A similar level of output should be too good for this BM66. Mark Zahra will look to cross the field from barrier nine and dictate proceedings; from there, she will be hard to run down in the penultimate. Best Bet Race 7 – #8 Trembles (9) 4yo Mare | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Mark Zahra (59kg) Next Best at Bendigo: Ferocious Frankie Ferocious Me was competitive in defeat at Moonee Valley behind Cherish Me over 1200m, going down by only two lengths in a much tougher race than this midweek BM64. He draws to do no work from barrier four, and stepping up to 1300m should suit. If Blake Shinn can find clear air at the top of the straight, Ferocious Frankie looks to have enough class to overhaul the leaders and bring up a second career win at start three. Next Best Race 2 – #6 Ferocious Frankie (4) 3yo Filly | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Blake Shinn (57.5kg) Best Value at Bendigo: Keep It Real Keep It Real caught the eye when finishing strongly into second at Wangaratta over 1100m last time out. Despite staying at the trip, he looks suited in a field where the exposed form is nothing special and the unraced brigade don’t appear to offer a lot. Daniel Stackhouse can have him settled in a perfect stalking position from barrier two, and if the gaps appear at the right time, Keep It Real should prove hard to hold out. Best Value Race 3 – #6 Keep It Real (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Daniel Stackhouse (57kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Bendigo Bendigo quadrella selections Wednesday, September 17, 2025 3-4-6-7 2-3-4-5-6 8-11-13 4-6-8-14 Horse racing tips View the full article