Wandering Eyes

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

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, September 17, 2025 First Race 7:10pm HKT (9:10pm AEST) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley this Wednesday evening, with a competitive eight-part program set for decision. The rail moves out to the B course, and although thunderstorms are predicted to hit the track on Tuesday, it should have plenty of time to dry out courtesy of warm conditions forecast on race-day. Check out HorseBetting.com.au’s best bets for the Happy Valley races on September 17, 2025. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Honest Witness Honest Witness looked to be improving towards the backend of last season when posting back-to-back minor placings. The son of Written By appears to be resuming in superb order after saluting in a barrier trial on the Sha Tin all-weather circuit on September 3. He maps to stalk the speed from gate six, and provided Zac Purton has no issues slotting in for cover, Honest Witness can finally shirk the maiden tag at start six. Best Bet Race 5 – #4 Honest Witness (6) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Zac Purton (57.5kg) Next Best at Happy Valley: Lo Rider The Caspar Fownes-trained Lo Rider was rock solid in his debut Hong Kong campaign despite failing to post a win in his seven starts. The Irish import managed a fourth-place finish in the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) two runs back, then was luckless when held up behind a fall of horses chasing home Light Years Charm at Sha Tin on July 1. He draws to do no work from barrier one as he tackles Happy Valley for the first time, and with 1650m seemingly a perfect trip, Lo Rider gets a terrific opportunity to claim his Hong Kong maiden in the finale. Next Best Race 8 – #10 Lo Rider (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Harry Bentley (55kg) Best Value at Happy Valley: Supreme Agility Supreme Agility caught the eye chasing home S J Tourbillon at this course and distance on July 16 and looks to be doing his best work in Class 4. The six-year-old has now placed twice in three starts since dropping back in grade, and he didn’t seem to be hampered when lugging the 61kg last time out. With a genuine tempo expected in this 1800m contest, it should set up perfectly for Supreme Agility to be flashing home down the centre of track at a good each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 3 – #2 Supreme Agility (9) 6yo Gelding | T: Pierre Ng | J: James Orman (59kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections Wednesday, September 17, 2025 1-4 2-3-4-6-9 1-4-7-8-11 1-2-6-7-10-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Canterbury Races Where Canterbury Park Racecourse – King St, Canterbury NSW 2193 When Wednesday, September 17, 2025 First Race 1:35pm AEST Visit Dabble Canterbury Park is the destination for midweek racing in Sydney on Wednesday, with a competitive seven-race meeting scheduled. Warm conditions and no rain are forecast this week, meaning the track should be a Good 4 despite being a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances. The rail comes out 6m for the entire circuit, with the first race set to jump at 1:35pm AEST. Best Bet at Canterbury: Hidden Motive Hidden Motive went to the paddock following a smart victory at Randwick victory on June 7, closing out an autumn campaign where he was more than competitive in tougher assignments than this midweek BM72. Braith Nock will use his 2kg claim to his advantage and have the son of Capitalist close to the speed throughout. With a swift turn of foot, Hidden Motive should prove too slick for his rivals over 1100m. Best Bet Race 5 – #5 Hidden Motive (3) 3yo Colt | T: Nathan Doyle | J: Braith Nock (a2) (58kg) Next Best at Canterbury: Our Queen Based on a couple of handy trial victories, Our Queen looks ready to strike on her Sydney debut. The former Victorian seems to be a natural front-runner, so barrier one around the Canterbury 1250m should be ideal. The Night Of Thunder mare has won both of her fresh assignments, and despite being short of her best trip, Our Queen should prove too hard to run down in the finale. Next Best Race 7 – #11 Our Queen (1) 5yo Mare | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Tim Clark (57kg) Best Value at Canterbury: Benevac Benevac was only gunned down late when returning from a six-month spell at Gosford last time out, just peaking on his run inside the final 100m. Canterbury should suit him a bit better considering how beneficial it has been to be up on speed in recent times, which should offset the wide draw. With Tim Clark sticking, Benevac is poised to run a bold race at a nice price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 1 – #2 Benevac (12) 3yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Tim Clark (57kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Canterbury Canterbury quadrella selections Wednesday, September 17, 2025 1-2-4-5-7 5-6 4-7-10-11 11-12 Horse racing tips View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk As he vies for a record-equaling third IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup win with Swayzee, Cameron Hart is a man in form right now. The 26-year-old, who steered Swayzee to back to back wins in this country’s biggest race in 2023 and 2024, had a personal best six wins at Menangle in Sydney on Saturday night. “It’s pretty crazy,” he said after his record haul. “It’s a big thrill to get six and for three different trainers who have all been big supporters of mine week in week out so it’s great to get a result for them.” Four of Hart’s winners were trained by old mate Jason Grimson. They were Miki Cohen, Our Sweet Delight, Tuapeka Lou and Hi Manameisjeff. The other winners were Alta William trained by his cousin Chris Judd and the Darren Binskin-trained Our Sadie Kay after a protest. Previously Hart’s personal best was five winners at the same meeting. He did that on four occasions. Saturday night’s performance equalled the six won at the new Menangle track by brothers Todd and Luke McCarthy in 2019 and 2020. In November Hart will again partner with grand old stayer Swayzee in the New Zealand Cup at Addington Raceway. If he wins it again he’ll be just the fourth horse to win three New Zealand Cups in a row, joining Indianapolis (1934-36), False Step (1958-60) and Terror To Love (2011-13). Swayzee is currently a $5 second favourite on the TAB Futures market, with half brother, the superstar that is Leap To Fame at $1.60. And Renwick Farms Dominion Trot contender Arcee Phoenix has shown some encouraging form at a trial at Bendigo in country Victoria this week. The Chris Svanosio-trained six-year-old won the trial, beating another Kiwi-bound trotter in Parisian Artiste. Both are nominated for the Dominion. It reverses the result of a trial last week at Melton. Arcee Phoenix will make his fourth trip to this side of the Tasman in November. The winner of the TAB Trot at Cambridge in April he is currently a $4.20 equal second favourite with Bet N Win, just behind Oscar Bonavena ($4). View the full article

Since his early twenties Raymond Connors has balanced farm life with training a team of racehorses, and his record in major races indicates the latter is far from a second pursuit. Growing up on a dairy farm in Whangaehu, Connors’ family had interest in racing, but as a young teenager he never could have envisioned himself as a jockey. By chance, Connors made a farm-related visit to a nearby property, owned by Kevin Myers and Angela Illston, and not long after he was working for the Turakina couple full-time. “I’d grown up on the farm and was around horses, but it wasn’t until Kevin moved from Hawera to Turakina that I got involved in racing,” Connors said. “Initially, I went over there to get some milk for the calves but then started helping him in the mornings before I went to school. I was probably around 15. “I was always keen on racing, but I never thought I would be a jockey, so Kevin and Angela really got me going. Without them I probably wouldn’t have gone down that track, but once I started jumping, I just got keener and keener. “I ended up leaving school and worked for Kevin on the dairy farm for two or three years, then I would go and help him with the horses.” Having had experience riding on the farm, Connors learned the ropes of trackwork riding and progressed onto his first amateur race on the flat, with his first winner, Say Go, coming under a month later. “I rode a couple of amateur races first, Kevin put me on some of his horses and I think I won on my second ride,” he said. “My parents always had horses, raced the odd one here and there, so once I got involved, we bought a couple of horses and they turned out to be quite handy jumpers.” ‘Handy’ is an understatement, with the two horses, purchased out of Brian and Lorraine Andertons White Robe Lodge, turning out to be Among Thieves and Our Jonty. In the care of Myers, Among Thieves got Connors on the board in the jumping ranks and won seven races in total, while Our Jonty gave Connors his biggest thrill in the saddle, winning the 1998 Great Northern Steeplechase. “Our Jonty was only little, but he loved good ground and he was a very good stayer,” Connors said. “Ian Jones started off training him and he won a flat race, but after he was looking a bit limited on the flat, we started jumping him and turned out to be a good horse – he taught me to ride. “After he won the Northern, Kevin took him over for the Grand National in Australia, so I got to ride around Flemington a couple of times. He wasn’t quite good enough, I think he ran fifth, but it was a great experience.” As well as an insight into the Australian scene, Connors got an opportunity to travel to Europe with Myers, riding the stable’s jumpers in Italy. “I went over to Italy for a couple of months with Kevin, he took a few horses and I rode a few winners,” he said. “The jumping there was very similar, it was an amazing course at Milano and a very professional system. They had more amateur races too, jumping is pretty big in Europe. “I didn’t ride for the money, I just really loved it and it’s a real thrill. Being with Kevin helped and riding at a good stable. I fell off here and there, but I was fortunate not to have any bad injuries.” Through this period, Connors had started to prepare a couple of his own horses from the farm at Whangaehu, and while he enjoyed balancing riding and training for a while, the latter came to the forefront after the 2003 jumping season. “Once I won the Northern, I carried on riding for a bit longer, but I was having to watch the weight a bit to ride,” he said. “After my time at Kevin’s, I came home and did the cows here, and I started training half a dozen horses myself. “I ended up only really riding the horses that I trained or owned, I didn’t ride many outside horses. Eventually, I was pretty busy with training, so I thought I’d let the other guys do it. “I thought I might come back, but once the next season rolled around I just didn’t get around to getting the weight down and getting race day fit. It was putting that effort in to lose ten kilos or so, and I felt like I’d achieved what I wanted too riding-wise.” Focussing solely on training, it wasn’t long before Connors came across a serious talent in the form of King Johny. The son of Seasoned Star finished third to the formidable Xcellent in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), taking Connors on his Australian debut in the training role when third in the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) and fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m). “He was a very good horse, probably one of the better ones I’ve trained really, he ran third in the New Zealand Derby and fourth in the Australian Derby,” Connors said. “He ended up getting injured and he didn’t achieve what he probably could’ve done.” A couple of years later, Connors would unveil another star, but this time, it would be in the jumping caper. That horse went by the name of Hypnotize (NZ) (Yamanin Vital), an unassuming gelding who would develop a love affair with the Ellerslie hill, delivering Connors with three Great Northern Steeplechase crowns and three Pakuranga Hunt Cups in four years. Connors looked fondly back on those efforts, which were made even more impressive considering Hypnotize contested the Northern five times in a row, recording placings in his other attempts. “He was just so tough, very similar to Our Jonty, who probably wasn’t far behind him really (ability-wise),” he said. “The difference between them was that Hypnotize could handle the really heavy tracks. “He loved Ellerslie and going over the hill, there weren’t many with that stamina to keep going. He wasn’t the greatest jumper, but he had an amazing ability to stay. “We targeted that race for him each year, but they’ve got to be sound and have a bit of luck along the way. Some horses don’t have that luck, but he was a very sound horse and we were lucky enough to get there each time. “He was such a genuine horse.” Forever etched in jumps racing history, Hypnotize retired with 13 wins and 9 placings to his name, accumulating just shy of $380,000 for Connors and his father Mark, who shared the spoils with the son of Yamanin Vital. “Initially, I had to have a share in the horses to ride them, and they’ve all been family horses since then really,” he said. “We all work as a team, he lets me do what I want to do and is the number one supporter. “We can’t go too far wrong.” Seven years later, Connors returned to Ellerslie with another progeny of Yamanin Vital in Wise Men Say (NZ) (Yamanin Vital), who developed a similar affinity with the course. He took out the McGregor Grant Steeplechase earlier in the season, and after playing second fiddle to Amanood Lad in the lead-up to the Great Northern of 2017, he took the top spot in seriously trying conditions, crossing the line after nine and half minutes. Wise Men Say missed the feature in the following season and hadn’t produced his best when shooting for a second crown in 2019, but a gun ride from Shaun Fannin made lightning strike twice, bringing his earnings near the $340,000 mark. “It was pretty wet that day (2017), they were lucky to even have the races, but this horse loved the heavy ground,” Connors said. “He was a nice big horse with good stamina and a nice jump, so it all came together. “I probably wasn’t as confident coming into the second Northern win, he wasn’t going as well, but Shaun Fannin rode him and got him out in front, and used his staying and jumping ability. “He helped the horse win that day, he rode him positively and he proved to be the best horse. He needed that sort of ride, he’d just been following them around a little bit.” Winning five Northerns is no easy feat as a trainer, but Connors said that nothing can quite compare to being on board. “It was a great thrill each time (with Hypnotize and Wise Men Say), but riding is definitely the pinnacle, you can’t beat that feeling and I’ll never forget it,” he said. “In saying that, a lot more probably goes into the training side, it takes a lot of time and effort to get them there and try and win. “Winning any race is a thrill, even in a maiden, so winning those big ones keeps you going, it keeps you motivated.” During his time with Myers, Connors forged close friendship with fellow hoop Isaac Lupton, who was in the saddle for much of those ‘big ones’. “I met Isaac while I was working at Kevin’s, he came and worked there for a bit, so we’ve been good friends for a long time,” Connors said. “He was still riding when I gave up and we seemed to click, we had a lot of luck together. “He was a very good jockey and the main rider that I had, but other than that, I would really put on any jockey that I could get. I try not to be too fussy, and when you’ve got a good horse, the better jockeys come to you. “Racing probably got him away from the farm a bit, and the same for me, it’s been good like that. It gets you away and doing something different, like another interest.” Amongst his success over fences, Connors has hoisted a number of New Zealand’s most prestigious flat racing trophies, including two editions of the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and a Gr.2 Wellington Cup (3200m) with Blood Brotha. He completed the trio of two-mile features this year on Champions Day, winning the $600,000 Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) with Trav (NZ) (Almanzor), a homebred by Almanzor. “We try them all on the flat first and usually target the horses that are bred to stay,” he said. “Blood Brotha took a while to get going and initially I didn’t think he would stay, but it wasn’t until he got over a bit of ground that he actually started winning. He was a great horse, we went to Australia with him too and he ran well. “We bred Trav and he won a race as a two-year-old, so he’d always showed ability. (The Auckland Cup) was one of those races that we hoped he’d run well, we weren’t expecting to win, but we had the horse as fit as we could and Masa (Hashizume) rode him very well. “We were just out the back, but when we went up in the stands for the race, there was a big crowd and it was an awesome win. It was great to be a part of a big day like that. “We might take him over to Australia and see how he measures up. We’re probably dreaming, but we would like to give him the opportunity to get to a Melbourne Cup. “We know he can get the distance so that’s a big help.” A common theme throughout Connors’ top representatives has been their southern bloodlines, an association that goes right back to those the two original jumpers. “All of the good horses we’ve had are from White Robe or from the family, with those southern pedigrees,” he said. “When I was still in school, Dad went down and brought Our Jonty and Among Thieves from there, and we’ve been friends ever since. “We bought a lot of horses off them and a couple of fillies, who we are breeding from ourselves now. The breeding side is hard, as is any part of racing really, but we’ve had a bit of luck. We bred Trav and Prince Oz, who ended up down south with Neill Ridley and he won six in a row down there, and he won the Stewards (Stakes, Gr.3) twice. “We go for the best (stallions) we can afford, we look at the newer stallions and support White Robe with their stallions as well. We try to go for the flavour of the month, anything that looks promising, but it doesn’t always mean they’re good. “We’re trying to cut back a little bit as I’ve got six mares here now, which is too many. Two or three would be enough, I’m getting a bit older now, so it’s getting a bit harder. “I don’t mind waiting, I like the staying types and breeding those Derby-Cups types of horses. There’s not much science to it though, it’s a lot of luck.” While his riding career may have come to a close over two decades ago, Connors still rides trackwork and schools his jumpers at Bulls Racecourse, which he purchased to train out of privately. “I was training on the farm at Whangaehu, then a few years ago now, we bought Bulls Racecourse,” he said. “I’ve got a few horses kicking around the track there and it’s worked out pretty well. “I learnt a lot from Kevin and Angela, and from there, I just have learned as I’ve gone along. In training, you never stop learning, the horses will tell you in a lot of ways. “We mainly work on the sand track in the winter, so it’s not too much upkeep, and I’ve got staff helping me out down there. I usually do the cows here first then head down to do the horses, then they’ll feed them up in the afternoon. “I don’t like to count them, but we’re working about 15 down there at the moment, I’ve got a couple of jumps jockeys helping me out which has been good. There are three or four that we’re trying to get jumping, and the rest are flat horses that may jump one day. “We do all aspects of the job, we’re weaning foals off the mares, doing yearlings, breaking in, so we get to know the horses very well.” View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has confirmed two of the nation’s premier Group 1 races will move venues and dates this season in a step to protect their international status and strengthen the industry’s racing calendar. The $1,000,000 Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) will be run at Ellerslie Racecourse on 21 February 2026, two weeks before the $1,250,000 Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Champions Day meeting, while the $600,000 Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) will return to its traditional late-March timing at RACE Awapuni on Saturday 28 March 2026. NZTR Chief Executive Matt Ballesty said the changes were vital race-planning decisions for the country. “NZTR has made necessary adjustments to preserve the quality of New Zealand’s Group One calendar, protect critical breeding pathways, and deliver top-class racing experiences nationwide,” he said. The New Zealand Oaks, long regarded as the ultimate test for three-year-old fillies, faced the risk of downgrade after three consecutive years below the required international ratings, prompting an Asian Pattern Committee (APC) review. Its move to February reflects both recent challenges in attracting top-level fillies and the opportunity to link more naturally with the Trackside New Zealand Derby and Australian Autumn features. The change has been approved for one year, with its position to be reviewed thereafter. Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) Chief Executive Officer Paul Wilcox said the change creates a fresh opportunity for the Oaks to flourish. “The new February timing at Ellerslie strengthens pathways for fillies, creates synergy with the Derby two weeks later, and gives New Zealand’s Classic calendar better alignment with Australia’s Autumn features,” he said. The $150,000 Gr.2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m) will also move to RACE Inc’s Wellington Cup Day on 31 January to sharpen the lead-in to the Oaks. The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, New Zealand’s only Group One race exclusively for fillies and mares, will also undergo a reset. Won in recent years by champions such as Avantage and Imperatriz, the race will return to its traditional March slot at RACE Awapuni, creating a blockbuster Central Districts raceday with five black-type events, including two Group Ones (the Breeders’ Stakes and the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes [1400m]). Supporting pathway races will also be realigned, with the $200,000 Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) moving to RACE Awapuni on Sunday 1 March 2026, the $600,000 Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) shifting from ATR’s TAB Karaka Millions meeting on Saturday 24 January to Champions Day on Saturday 7 March, and the $90,000 Royal Descent Stakes (1400m) moving from ATR’s SkyCity Boxing Day Races to the TAB Karaka Millions. As a part of that same APC review, the Group One classification of five races was considered, including: the New Zealand Oaks (2400m), New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Livamol Classic (2040m), Telegraph (1200m) and Thorndon Mile (1600m). Under APC rules, a vote is triggered when a race records three consecutive runnings below the Group One benchmark and tolerance levels. As a result of the review, the Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) has been downgraded from Group One to Group Two status. The decision reflects the race’s recent performance history. The race will continue to carry prizemoney of $500,000 and will be staged at RACE Trentham on Saturday 17 January 2026. The APC also confirmed continued Group One status, for now, for the New Zealand Oaks and New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, supported by the calendar and venue changes stated above, and for the Livamol Classic and Telegraph, based on overall field quality and historical standing. NZTR’s Senior Handicapper and APC representative Bruce Sherwin said while the downgrade was disappointing, there are encouraging signs for New Zealand racing. “New Zealand’s ratings have been impacted by the recent retirement of top horses, but levels are now rebuilding,” Sherwin said. “Significant prizemoney increases, stronger turnover and renewed investment at the NZB sales are positive indicators. This season has also started strongly with the Gr.1 Proisir Plate at Ellerslie showing excellent depth and quality. “Looking ahead, it is critical our best horses contest Group One races if they are to remain at the highest level,” Sherwin added. Details on nomination and acceptance dates will be included in NZTR’s Racing Programme Guide in due course. View the full list of 2025-26 Group and Listed races here. View the full article

Well-bred three-year-old gelding Kygo Star (Wootton Bassett) is set to shine when he makes his debut in the Fox & Hounds Taupo (1300m) at Taupo on Wednesday. The promising youngster has breeding on his side, being out of in vogue Coolmore stallion Wootton Bassett and out of Group One performer Star Karen, and he has made a good impression on his trainer Chad Ormsby. The Cambridge horseman is looking forward to seeing him step out for the first time on raceday, having pulled him out of his intended debut at Matamata last Friday due to the deteriorating track. “He was due to run last week but it was too wet at Matamata,” Ormsby said. “Hopefully we might have a nice, long campaign in front of him, and we didn’t want to put a gut buster in first-up. “It’s a nice option there (at Taupo) and I expect to know a little bit more about him. We do think he is a horse that will get up over ground. “He will be a better autumn three-year-old. He is a little bit slow-maturing, but he has started to put his hand up, so we are pressing on for now.” Stablemate Dalmatian Coast (NZ) (Ace High), a half-brother to Group One performer Antrim Coast, is also entered for Taupo to contest the DPA Chartered Accountants NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m), but Ormsby said he is likely to be saved for Ellerslie on Saturday after drawing 17 at Taupo. “We threw him in on Saturday at Ellerslie, so we are most likely to go there,” Ormsby said. “We have drawn pretty average tomorrow. “He was in last week (at Matamata) but we don’t want to give him a gut buster first-up and that’s the same sort of deal with drawing wide. The track will probably play a little tricky tomorrow as well.” Looking ahead to the weekend, Ormsby is set to head to Ellerslie with two other runners, including Pieces of Eight (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns) and Unodostrescuatro (NZ) (Savabeel), with all three nominated for the SkyCity 1200. “Pieces of Eight has endless amounts of ability, so I am looking forward to seeing her kick-off her campaign,” Ormsby said. “She is still in that maiden grade so if it’s not Saturday, we will see her break her maiden pretty soon. “Unodostrescuatro has had three runs to date and all have been very good runs. “It is nice to have a couple of nice maideners that should break maiden grade pretty soon.” Meanwhile, Have A Crack (Zoustar), who has won both of his starts for Ormsby, is enjoying some time in the paddock following his last-start victory at Ellerslie earlier this month. “He is really good,” Ormsby said. “I haven’t found the perfect race for him for his next run, so he found himself in the spelling paddock at the end of last week. “He is having a little rest and he should have a nice summer campaign in front of him. We are quite excited about him.” Ormsby is also excited about the summer prospects of his Group Three-winning stablemates Master Fay (Deep Field) and Outovstock (NZ) (Tavistock), with the latter winning his 1100m trial at Ellerslie last week. “Master Fay might go to the Te Rapa trials (next Tuesday),” Ormsby said. “He was due to go to Ellerslie but got eliminated there and had a jumpout at home. He is ticking all of the boxes. “If we can get him anywhere near his best, he is going to be an exciting horse for summer racing. “Outovstock is due to trial again next week as well. If he can find his best form, he is going to be right up there with some of the better stayers this year.” View the full article

Promising mare Gossip (NZ) (Proisir) will be seeking to earn her connections a rich bonus when she heads to Taupo on Wednesday to contest the DPA Chartered Accountants NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m). The Mega Maiden Series allows Karaka Millions eligible horses to race for an additional $1 million in bonuses comprised of 40 non-Saturday maiden races. The series kicks off at Taupo’s midweek meeting, and as a New Zealand Bloodstock graduate and maiden over the age of three, Gossip could earn her owner Gary Harding $20,000 and trainer Danica Guy $5,000 if she were successful on Wednesday. The four-year-old daughter of Proisir, who was purchased out of Fairdale Stud’s 2023 Gavelhouse Plus National Online Yearling Sale by Harding for $110,000, looks a good chance of snaring the cash first-up, having shown plenty of promise to date, placing in all three of her career starts. She returned this season with a pleasing runner-up performance in her 800m trial at Avondale earlier this month and Guy believes her mare is on song for her first-up assignment. “She is coming up really well,” Guy said. “She has had a bit of a long layoff. She had a trial last week so she should be pretty forward for tomorrow. “She is a lovely filly and has done a bit of developing, which she needed to do, so hopefully she runs well.” Guy is hopeful of a bold showing on Wednesday and believes Gossip is in for an exciting preparation. “There are a lot of nice options for her, but we will just get through tomorrow and make some plans from there,” she said. The Matamata horsewoman will take a further four runners to Taupo, including three-year-old filly Licorice (NZ) (Savabeel), who will make her debut in owner Gary Harding’s colours in the Fox & Hounds (1300m). “Licorice is a beautiful, well-bred filly,” Guy said. “She is quality and whatever she does tomorrow she will improve off. “I think she could be a really nice filly going forward to some of the three-year-old races over a bit more ground.” Fierce Impact gelding Snipers Shot (Fierce Impact) will also make his debut in the Prezzy Card Northern Country Cups Series (1300m), while the stable will also be represented by Annabelle (NZ) (Almanzor) in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1400m) and Live On Air (NZ) (Proisir) in the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – 16 Oct (1400m). “Snipers Shot is a nice horse, but he needs good tracks,” Guy said. “He is going to be a nice staying three-year-old and is going to be one to watch when he gets over a bit more ground. “Annabelle is going well. She is pretty forward for her first-up run, so she should give a big of a sight too. “Live On Air is flying. She is one of my better chances tomorrow.” View the full article

David Eustace has Light Years Charm “ready to go” for next week’s Group Three Celebration Cup (1,400m) after the progressive galloper comfortably won a dirt trial on Tuesday. An impressive winner of four Sha Tin races in his first Hong Kong season, the Australian import warmed up for his return with a narrow victory under Zac Purton in a 1,200m trial. “I was happy with his trial. The track was rain-affected, but I thought he got through it well,” Eustace said. “Zac knows him extremely well, he...View the full article

Tony Cruz is optimistic a “better and stronger” Californiatotality can make a big impact on his seasonal return in Wednesday night’s Class Two Shek O Handicap (1,650m) at Happy Valley. A shining light of Cruz’s stable last term, the son of Zoustar proved his toughness with four wins and a pair of placings while earning a crack at the final two legs of the Classic Series. Though he could only manage eighth in the Classic Cup (1,800m) and 11th in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), Californiatotality...View the full article

Zac Purton and Ka Ying Rising are heading to Sydney for the Evereret Carnival. (Photo: HKJC) Ka Ying Rising is expected to arrive in Sydney later this month, before two weeks in quarantine and then a short preparation for the Group 1 Everest. The David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising is the $1.70 favourite for the Everest and is the world’s top rated sprinter after winning 14 of his first 16 starts, including a current run of 13, which has netted more than $10million in prize money. Hayes, who is in his second stint in Hong Kong racing after a successful raid early in his career, is beginning to hit his straps and Ka Ying Rising is undoubtedly his stable star, which is backed up by the decision to bring leading Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton, another ex-pat Aussie out to ride him. Hayes’ star galloper is not the only big name heading out to Australia for the $81million Sydney Everest Carnival, with a select group of gallopers primarily targeting The Group 1 $20 million Everest and Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes at Royal Randwick (18 October) and the $10 million Golden Eagle at Royal Randwick (1 November). Ka Ying Rising, favourite with all Aussie bookmakers, will be the centre of world racing eyes when he touches down in Sydney on September 22 and heads to the Canterbury Quarantine Centre. After spending two weeks in isolation at Canterbury, Ka Ying Rising with his trainer and jockey head to Royal Randwick for a barrier trial and major public event at Royal Randwick on Tuesday, October 7. His preparation will continue to build at Canterbury ahead of the world’s richest race on turf, Sydney’s iconic $20 million Everest at Royal Randwick. UK training maestro William Haggas sends Lake Forest back to Sydney as the stable looks to build on a remarkable record at Autumn and Spring carnivals. Lake Forest won last year’s $10 million Golden Eagle and is being aimed at Group 1 glory in the $5 million King Charles III Stakes at Royal Randwick on Everest Day. Stablemate Sam Hawkens will also travel to Canterbury Quarantine with a primary goal of running in the $500,000 ATC St Leger Stakes, another feature race on the bumper card on TAB Everest Day. The William Haggas stable has won 11 races and two placings in Sydney over the past five years at a whopping strike rate of 45.83%, including six Group 1s. Amongst a second shipment of international runners deeper in the Spring will be a group of high-class Japanese gallopers and other UK horses targeting the $10 million Golden Eagle at Royal Randwick on November 1. Japanese star eyes Group 1 Golden Eagle glory Panja Tower is aiming to be the second Japanese horse in three years to win the Golden Eagle and will be prepared by trainer Shinsuke Hashiguchi. Japanese horse Obamburumai won the Golden Eagle in 2023. Two UK gallopers in Seagulls Eleven for trainer Hugo Palmer and the Charlie Fellowes trained Luther are also heading to Sydney for the Golden Eagle. Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani said the Sydney Everest Carnival in Spring had become a major focus of world racing and leading stables across several distances and age groups. “Sydney will host the world’s best sprinter, some of the biggest trainers in UK racing, and another contingent of Japanese runners, all targeting a range of multi-million dollar races throughout October and November,’’ Mr Ramdhani said. “The international interest in the Sydney Spring continues to grow and trainers are realising a select and special horse is needed to compete and win against our very best. “We are also seeing more horses being sent to Sydney to compete and then remain here with local trainers to race all year round, which is another significant vote of confidence in our racing.” View the full article

Red Sea will represent Cambridge Stud principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay in Hong Kong. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Cambridge Stud will break new ground this season when the iconic farm’s familiar gold and black checked silks will be in action in Hong Kong. Principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay have been granted an ownership permit with expatriate New Zealander Jamie Richards to train their Group One-performed representative Red Sea. “The Hong Kong Jockey Club invited I think around a dozen international owners to be part of the Hong Kong racing system,” Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre said. “Cambridge Stud has a single permit and in Hong Kong terms for a PPG, a Private Purchase Griffin which is an unraced horse, or a raced horse which would go up there with a rating. “Hong Kong is a very important market for New Zealand, they are well represented at the Ready to Run Sale and at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale every year. “Having received the invitation to race a horse up there, we felt it was an opportunity not to be missed.” A homebred son of Pierata, Red Sea was prepared by Andrew Forsman and was a juvenile winner and finished runner-up in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). “In Hong Kong terms, he ticks quite a few boxes, he’s a four-year-old now and will go into Class 3,” Plumptre said. “The fact that he was Group One placed in New Zealand and a winner of quite a strong race suggested to us that he would be more than capable of holding his own up there.” Red Sea underperformed in two starts as a three-year-old in Melbourne before an injury came to light and sidelined him for the rest of his season. “He fractured a rib and we can only suggest it was an accident in his box, and it went unnoticed while he was in training,” Plumptre said. “We couldn’t work out why he wasn’t extending in his races at Moonee Valley and Sandown. “We got him home and did a complete scan and found the fractured rib and it took four months for him to recover.” Red Sea was a trial winner at Taupo last month in the hands of regular rider Warren Kennedy. “Warren gave us really good feedback and said he felt brilliant,” Plumptre said. “Jamie wanted him to have a decent gallop right-handed, so we took him to Ellerslie for a gallop with a companion and, once again, he went very well. “We were confident enough to put him on the quarantine list, and he leaves in two weeks’ time.” Red Sea will continue the successful association Cambridge Stud has enjoyed with Richards. “We’ve had a lot of luck with Jamie, both here and in Australia, with Probabeel the flagbearer and he trained a number of other good fillies for us so that gives us confidence we’ve got the right trainer,” Plumptre said. “The important thing is that Jamie knows the New Zealand system and obviously knows Andrew Forsman and how well he has handled the horse. “If he is competitive in Class 3 and can maybe get to Class 2 then that will be an important step and see the Cambridge Stud brand at that level.” Red Sea will be given ample time to settle into his new environment before stepping out. “I’m tipping that Jamie will feel his way and if he’s racing around Christmas time that would be good, but more likely toward the end of January,” Plumptre said. “The important thing for us is to have a competitive horse up there and we’re confident we’ve got the right horse, it’s just a question if him acclimatising.” A half-brother to multiple Australian winner Hard To Cross, Red Sea is a son of the Commands mare Egyptian Cross. She is a half-sister to dual Group Three winner Egyptian Symbol with their dam the Group 1 Railway (1200m) winner Our Egyptian Raine. View the full article

The boss of NZTR, Matt Ballesty, joins Michael in studio for an in-depth chat about the state of the industry, impending changes, and the future and plans with various tracks. Guerin Report – S2 Ep.3 Ft. Matt Ballesty View the full article

Cambridge Stud will break new ground this season when the iconic farm’s familiar gold and black checked silks will be in action in Hong Kong. Principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay have been granted an ownership permit with expatriate New Zealander Jamie Richards to train their Group One-performed representative Red Sea (NZ) (Pierata). “The Hong Kong Jockey Club invited I think around a dozen international owners to be part of the Hong Kong racing system,” Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre said. “Cambridge Stud has a single permit and in Hong Kong terms for a PPG, a Private Purchase Griffin which is an unraced horse, or a raced horse which would go up there with a rating. “Hong Kong is a very important market for New Zealand, they are well represented at the Ready to Run Sale and at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale every year. “Having received the invitation to race a horse up there, we felt it was an opportunity not to be missed.” A homebred son of Pierata, Red Sea was prepared by Andrew Forsman and was a juvenile winner and finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). “In Hong Kong terms, he ticks quite a few boxes, he’s a four-year-old now and will go into Class 3,” Plumptre said. “The fact that he was Group One placed in New Zealand and a winner of quite a strong race suggested to us that he would be more than capable of holding his own up there.” Red Sea underperformed in two starts as a three-year-old in Melbourne before an injury came to light and sidelined him for the rest of his season. “He fractured a rib and we can only suggest it was an accident in his box, and it went unnoticed while he was in training,” Plumptre said. “We couldn’t work out why he wasn’t extending in his races at Moonee Valley and Sandown. “We got him home and did a complete scan and found the fractured rib and it took four months for him to recover.” Red Sea was a trial winner at Taupo last month in the hands of regular rider Warren Kennedy. “Warren gave us really good feedback and said he felt brilliant,” Plumptre said. “Jamie wanted him to have a decent gallop right-handed, so we took him to Ellerslie for a gallop with a companion and, once again, he went very well. “We were confident enough to put him on the quarantine list, and he leaves in two weeks’ time.” Red Sea will continue the successful association Cambridge Stud has enjoyed with Richards. “We’ve had a lot of luck with Jamie, both here and in Australia, with Probabeel the flagbearer and he trained a number of other good fillies for us so that gives us confidence we’ve got the right trainer,” Plumptre said. “The important thing is that Jamie knows the New Zealand system and obviously knows Andrew Forsman and how well he has handled the horse. “If he is competitive in Class 3 and can maybe get to Class 2 then that will be an important step and see the Cambridge Stud brand at that level.” Red Sea will be given ample time to settle into his new environment before stepping out. “I’m tipping that Jamie will feel his way and if he’s racing around Christmas time that would be good, but more likely toward the end of January,” Plumptre said. “The important thing for us is to have a competitive horse up there and we’re confident we’ve got the right horse, it’s just a question if him acclimatising.” A half-brother to multiple Australian winner Hard To Cross, Red Sea is a son of the Commands mare Egyptian Cross. She is a half-sister to dual Group Three winner Egyptian Symbol with their dam the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) winner Our Egyptian Raine. View the full article

With figures continuing to surpass the 2024 standard at the Keeneland September Sale, a colt by Maclean's Music was the most fancied yearling of the day, bringing $500,000 from Alex and JoAnn Lieblong. Offered as Hip 2263, the son of SW Athens Queen (Majestic Warrior) was consigned by Eaton Sales. A trio of colts realized $475,000, including Hip 2235, by Gun Runner and Hip 2281, by Epicenter. Both yearlings were purchased by Pedro Lanz, acting on behalf of KAS Stables. With five purchases for $1,345,000, Pedro Lanz, agent for KAS Stable, was Monday's leading buyer. The third colt to bring that amount was Hip 2138, a son of Candy Ride (Arg) who was originally knocked down to trainer Kenny McPeek. Delta Squad Racing and BSW/Crow were added to the docket. A pair of fillies brought $400,000 on the day–Hip 2266, a daughter of Good Magic out of Aunt Kat and Hip 2302, by Omaha Beach out of Carmel Beauty. The former was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, while the latter was offered by Hunter Valley Farm. On Monday, Keeneland sold 279 yearlings through the ring for $30,107,000, up 19.31% from last year when 288 horses brought $25,234,000 at the seventh session. The average of $107,910 increased 23.16% over $87,618 in 2024. The median rose 7.14% from $70,000 to $75,000. Cumulatively, 1,495 yearlings have sold through the ring for $447,729,000, an increase of 23.80% from $361,642,000 for 1,454 horses sold during the same period last year. The average of $299,484 is 20.41% higher than $248,722 in 2024, and the median rose 17.65% from $170,000 to $200,000. The day's leading consignor was Gainesway, which sold 27 yearlings for $2,935,000. The September Sale continues Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET and runs each day through Saturday for a total of 12 sessions. McPeek Ramps Up in Book 4 Kenny McPeek picked up the baton on the third day of selling at Keeneland, however, the Kentucky horseman walked away with the most purchases to date in the Book 4 opener. “We have had short-list horses that we've been after all week and just felt short budgeted. It seems that things finally came together today,” said McPeek. “Every day we've participating a little bit and a bit more as the sale goes.” By the end of the day, McPeek signed for eight yearlings. His highest-priced purchase of the session was Hip 2138, a colt by Candy Ride (Arg) out of Screen Goddess (Giant's Causeway), a winning half-sister to GISW Star Billing (Dynaformer). “He's probably the best Candy Ride I've ever seen presented at auction,” he said. “He had a lot of flow to him. He wasn't a big horse but he was very well made. He presented himself well and we figured we'd stick our neck out on him.” Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale, the Mar. 13 foal, who was bred by George Krikorian, is from the family of GI Mother Goose winner Stellar Jayne and champion juvenile filly Just F Y I. “I liked the bottom line and I felt like a lot of things fit,” he added. After successfully outbidding agent Brad Weisbord on the colt, McPeek confirmed that the agent and partners will stay in for a piece of him. “It's the first time we've worked together,” McPeek confirmed. “I actually bought him without a client, I liked him that much. I figured we'd put it together when we could.” Also included among purchases his Monday, McPeek secured Hip 2097, a daughter of McKinzie, for $220,000. Consigned by Summerfield (Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck), the filly it out of Picolata (Bellamy Road). “She's a filly that had a lot of leg to her. She reminded me a bit, conformationally, of [GISW] Take Charge Lady,” said McPeek in reference to the McPeek-trained MGISW and earner of over $2.4 million. “She looks like an [Kentucky] Oaks-type filly. She'll take a little more time, I don't see her sprinting a whole lot, but I think when she stretches out, she'll be tough.” McPeek also signed for a pair of colts by Authentic (Hip 2287, $85,000 & Hip 2249, $45,000), in addition to a colt by Golden Pal (Hip 2257, $200,000). Monday's purchases were rounded out by Hip 2053, a colt by Essential Quality, purchased for $190,000, an Olympiad filly (Hip 2368) who brought $50,000 and a Nashville colt (Hip 2392) that went for $200,000 late in the session. “I bought a Golden Pal earlier in the summer but I thought this one was really reminiscent of Curlin, who I bought as well,” he said. “That always excites me.” McPeek purchased the eventual Horse of the Year and leading stallion for $57,000 at the 2005 renewal of the September sale. A two-time Breeders' Cup winner, Golden Pal earned in excess of $1.8 million on the racetrack. The son of Uncle Mo stands at Coolmore America. “I think Golden Pal is going to inject speed into the equation and I think the stud has been well represented.” Through seven sessions, McPeek signed for a total of 17 yearlings, for a gross of $2,940,000, averaging $172,941. “I have more middle and lower-market people, I've done that for a long time and I refuse to give those people up and I will continue to help them,” he said. “We've been plugging along and finding our niche. I am happy with what we've got so far. We still have a lot of work to do. We'll probably work all the way to the end.” The post Maclean’s Music Colt Brings $500K in Keeneland September Book 4 Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The administrative law judge (ALJ) handling Phil Serpe's appeal to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stemming from a two-year suspension imposed by a Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) arbitrator over a contested clenbuterol positive case has upheld the sanctions imposed against the veteran trainer. However, Jay Himes, the ALJ, also wrote in his Sept. 12 decision that he would “modify the award to add a $25,000 fine against Serpe,” even though the ALJ also ruled that, “I hold without merit Serpe's argument that he is entitled to a jury trial under the Seventh Amendment.” The issue of a fine, which was not imposed by HIWU, is a central part of a nearly year-old federal lawsuit Serpe initiated last October against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the FTC. Serpe's lawsuit is separate from the HIWU, HISA and FTC proceedings, although all of the adjudicatory proceedings are intertwined. And even though the ALJ offered an opinion that Serpe's Seventh Amendment argument is “without merit,” that question has yet to be decided by the federal judge in charge of Serpe's lawsuit. A key component of Serpe's renewed request for a preliminary injunction in his lawsuit is that HIWU and HISA did not pursue any monetary fine against him, which is a departure from how the agencies handled a dozen other clenbuterol detections since the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program (ADMC) went into effect in May 2023. The 66-year-old trainer has claimed that the non-pursuit of a fine by HISA and HIWU is an alleged end-around by those agencies to stymie his efforts to prove in his lawsuit that he has been wrongfully denied a constitutional right to a jury trial. Citing a United States Supreme Court case that previously ruled that a federal regulatory agency's enforcement for civil monetary penalties must be brought in a federal court, Serpe asserted in a July 15 legal filing in U.S. District Court (Southern District of Florida) that his Seventh Amendment rights are being violated by “gamesmanship” in the form of HISA and HIWU initially imposing a monetary penalty, but then withdrawing it when the case was eight months old and on the brink of going to arbitration. Serpe alleged that this move “strategically” attempted to deprive him of federal-court jurisdiction over the facts of liability required for any sanction. HISA, in an Aug. 15 legal filing, denied the allegations of gamesmanship, writing that Serpe “has completely turned this case on its head” by “begging for an additional penalty…” The ALJ's 130-page ruling dated last Friday affirmed the anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) against Serpe, then went into detail about the circumstances surrounding the HIWU arbitrator's non-imposition of a fine. “With Serpe's liability proven, I address next the matter of sanctions, specifically, whether the Arbitrator erred in failing to award a fine. I first consider the Authority's argument that Serpe is not aggrieved by the absence of a fine and, therefore, cannot complain of its omission in the sanctions award under review,” the ALJ wrote. “HISA § 3058(b)(1) provides, in relevant part, that review by an FTC ALJ may be taken 'on application by…a person aggrieved by the civil sanction' that has been 'imposed by the Authority…' The Authority maintains, however, that HISA's review provision 'does not permit a Covered Person to challenge the absence of a sanction….' “As the Authority puts it, '[t]he Arbitrator's decision not to impose a fine only benefitted' Serpe,” the ALJ wrote. Phil Serpe | Sarah Andrew “But the Authority's argument misses the forest for the trees. Serpe contends that, while HIWU initially sought a fine in charging him, after he objected that arbitration proceedings under HISA and the Rules violated his right to a jury trial under the Seventh Amendment, the Authority directed HIWU to drop its fine request with a view to mooting Serpe's Seventh Amendment objection,” the ALJ wrote. “Having litigated to conclusion HIWU's presence charge against him before the Arbitrator, Serpe has been held liable for an ADRV and had sanctions imposed–actual injury resulting in a proceeding he contends violates his right to Seventh Amendment protection. Serpe's objection is not to the absence of fine in the sanctions award. He maintains that he was entitled to have his liability for the alleged presence ADRV resolved by a jury in an action governed by discovery rules less 'restrictive' [than] those available in a HIWU-prosecuted arbitration,” the ALJ wrote. “While arguing here that, since no longer subject to a fine, Serpe has no Seventh Amendment objection capable of review, at the same time the Authority contends in the Federal Action that, '[b]ecause Plaintiff's Seventh Amendment claim depends on a fine that does not and will not exist, he cannot prevail on the merits…' “So, according to the Authority, Serpe cannot have his Seventh Amendment claim heard either on this review or in his Federal Action. It's a catch-22,” the ALJ wrote. “That cannot be right. HIWU itself argued in the arbitration that Serpe's constitutional argument is properly heard in this review proceeding: 'the ADMC Program and the de novo review process provide a forum in which Trainer Serpe can raise constitutional issues and have those issues addressed' [and] case law supports HIWU's position,” the ALJ wrote. “As I discuss below, the Authority's gloss on de novo review in this proceeding is too narrow, and how HIWU came to withdraw its request for a fine matters,” the ALJ wrote. “Suffice it to say at this point that, in my view the Authority and HIWU have sought to deprive Serpe of the opportunity to have his Seventh Amendment claim heard and resolved, and they also may well have induced Arbitrator error in this case,” the ALJ wrote. “[Serpe] is, therefore, 'aggrieved' for purposes of this review,” the ALJ wrote. “Equally important, there is something unseemly about the Authority's constitutional avoidance strategy, which would enable it to forego often minor monetary fines while continuing to expose those covered by HISA and the Rules to banishment from Thoroughbred horseracing for substantial periods of Ineligibility–here, two years for Serpe's first ADRV,” the ALJ wrote. “As Serpe rhetorically asks in the Federal Action: 'Will Defendants run this set of plays every time a Covered Person is prosecuted under HISA and seeks to vindicate his Seventh Amendment right?'” the ALJ wrote. “The Authority and HIWU's voluntary cessation of allegedly unconstitutional enforcement conduct 'does not make the case moot,'” the ALJ wrote. “If that avoidance strategy were permitted, the issue Serpe raises would be capable of repetition, yet evading review'–not only in federal court, but also in HISA review proceedings. “Simply put, HIWU does not work for, nor is it subject to the direction or control of, the Authority the way an employee or even an independent contractor might be,” the ALJ wrote. “Under HISA and the Rules, HIWU has a vital role in the national enforcement system that governs the horseracing industry, and that system's integrity calls for, and requires, preserving HIWU's independence from the Authority–except in the most exceptional of circumstances,” the ALJ wrote. “Whatever the scope of those exceptions might be, intervening to direct HIWU's charging prerogative in an individual, ongoing enforcement proceeding–as the Authority did here–is not one of them,” the ALJ wrote. “The conclusion is inescapable: The Authority intervened in HIWU's case in an attempt to avoid a resolution of Serpe's claimed constitutional violation, either by the Arbitrator or the District Court. The Authority's interference with HIWU's independent prosecutorial authority in this case is inconsistent with its statutory responsibility, under HISA itself, to 'provide for adequate due process' to those charged with ADMC Program violations,” the ALJ wrote. “In executing the Authority's directive, HIWU became complicit in the Authority's wrongful conduct,” the ALJ wrote. “Nonetheless, Congress intended HISA to rid Thoroughbred horseracing of the scourge of doping, and there is a public interest in effective enforcement of the statute and its implementing Rules. On the facts in this case, either: (1) a fine of some amount greater than $0 should have been awarded; or (2) an explanation for the decision to dispense with any fine at all was necessary,” the ALJ wrote. “The Arbitrator, however, offered no explanation, and nothing extraordinary is suggested that could account for the omission,” the ALJ wrote. “The Arbitrator's failure to explain his decision to omit any fine 'is clearly against the logic and effect of the facts found' and thus 'a clear error of judgment,'” the ALJ wrote. On Monday, a HISA spokesperson declined to comment on the ALJ's decision. Serpe's legal team could not be reached for comment. Serpe's suspension stems from a clenbuterol positive detected in the urine (but not blood) samples taken from his trainee, Fast Kimmie (Oscar Performance), after her Aug. 10, 2024 victory in a $30,000 claiming race at Saratoga Race Course. Clenbuterol is a bronchodilator that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the management of horses with airway obstruction. Clenbuterol cannot be administered to any HISA “covered horse” other than in the context of a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship in accordance with the conditions set forth in ADMC rules. Clenbuterol is classified as a “banned” substance by the ADMC, meaning it is never to be present in any HISA-regulated Thoroughbred. In the 1990s and 2000s decades, clenbuterol first started being regulated by American racing commissions because of its propensity for abuse as a drug known to mimic the muscle-building properties of anabolic steroids. The post FTC Judge: ‘Something Unseemly’ about HISA’s ‘Constitutional Avoidance Strategy’ in Serpe Case appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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By Michael Guerin The “frenemies” will be at it again in the IRT Spring Cup at Alexandra Park on Friday night but this time they will have a lot of stablemates for company. Defending champion Sooner The Bettor will have found memories of last season’s Spring Cup as he beat stablemate and constant travelling companion Merlin. This does not happen often. Usually Merlin is too fast for his perfectly-mannered mate, although Menangle is the one place Sooner The Bettor also seems to close the gap. They are back at it again when Merlin resumes off 20m in the 2200m step and scamper this Friday (9.16pm) and there is no reason Sooner The Bettor can’t beat him again, especially with a big field so there should be plenty of horses between the pair. Many of them in the same colours. Trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan have six in the race, the others being Cold Chisel back from injury, the race fit pair of Better Knuckle Up and Jeremiah and the mare Duchess Megxit. That makes for one hell of a representation but Arna Donnelly isn’t doing bad either as she has half as many with Little Spike, The Surfer and Jolimont. While there are only three stables represented it is still heartening to see a biggish field for the race and how punters react to Merlin’s opening quote ($2.35) will be interesting considering the poor record of back markers in major pacing races in the last couple of years. To place a bet on the Spring Cup click here The night’s other highlight is the $110,000 Caduceus Club Fillies Classic in which southern filly Lizzie Borden comes north and gets barrier 7 against those who have been racing at The Park headed by Shezsofast, Alecto, Queen Lizzy and the impressive maiden War Cry. Add in a big and deep Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes heat for the boys and the meeting is going to answer a lot of questions, with the TAB bookies going up nice and early on the features on Monday night. To see Auckland’s fields click here View the full article

The Axe the Racing Tax campaign has evidently hit a nerve at the Treasury, which made what was seen to be the unusual move of issuing a statement on the eve of the protest. The statement was also notable for being particularly tetchy in its tone.View the full article

Horse racing can pat itself on its back for the progress that has been made concerning horses sent to slaughter. Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, horses are an amenable species, which means that horse meat cannot be shipped or sold for human consumption without inspection. With the government declining to foot the bill for inspectors from the Food and Drug Administration, every slaughter facility in the U.S. was forced to close. Tremendous strides have also been made when it comes to aftercare. There are dozens of wonderful charities out there taking care of thousands of retirees. Several racetracks have instituted their own non-profit programs where trainers and owners can turn their horses over to on-track workers who guarantee they will find the retiree a safe home. The gold standard for this is Parx's Turning For Home program, which has taken in 4,600 horses since its inception in 2008. But the job is not done. Horses are still being slaughtered because it is legal to ship them to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico. That's where the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act comes in. The bill would prohibit not only slaughter in the U.S. permanently but would also make it illegal to export horses to Canada and Mexico for the purpose of slaughter. Passage of the SAFE Act would slam the door on this ugly part of the horse industry. With no pipeline available to Mexico and Canada, someone wanting to sell a horse for slaughter would have no practical outlet to do so. It's not that our elected officials are against the SAFE Act. Very few are. It's that the bill continues to get buried in the quagmire that is our federal government. Chris Heyde is the founder of Blue Marble Strategy and is a Washington, D.C. lobbyist who has dedicated his career to animal welfare issues. On a recent TDN Writers' Room Podcast, he said the bill has made strides in the House of Representatives but can't get any traction in the Senate. “We've passed it out of the House of Representatives several times,” Heyde said. “Even in the last Congress, we moved it out of there. It's a matter of getting all the parts lined up to get it out of the House and get it out of the Senate. The Senate was set up to be a lot slower. It's where things get bogged down. They are far more deliberate.” Yet, Heyde, who has been working on animal welfare issues for 25 years, knows all too well how most things get done in D.C.: money, access and influence. That's what works. The problem is, Heyde doesn't have much money and he admits he doesn't have the kind of clout you need to get congressmen and senators to grant you an audience and listen to what you have to say. “Anytime I ever talk or write articles, I mention an old Thoroughbred owner, John Hettinger,” Heyde said. “He could pick up the phone and he would get members of Congress on the phone or he would get other major business leaders to get on the phone and tell them that this is a priority. And that's really what we need. We really haven't kind of had that leadership since John passed away.” Hettinger died in 2008. Heyde is waiting for the next Hettinger to come around. There are obviously others in the racing industry that are well connected enough and wealthy enough to get this done and care about the well-being of all horses. Surely, someone among the major breeders in Kentucky can sit down and talk with Mitch McConnell. HISA never would have passed without him. McConnell announced in February 2025 that he will retire and not seek re-election in 2026. His successor is likely to be Congressman Andy Barr, who has always been a friend to the racing industry. Do you have access to him? If yes, pick up the phone and ask for a meeting. It doesn't have to be McConnell or Barr and the responsibility to do this shouldn't rest solely with the Kentucky breeding industry. Do you have influence with any senator and congressmen? Then pick up the phone. Look at what Mike Repole accomplished earlier this year getting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to come out against decoupling in Florida. According to campaign finance records filed in July 2025, the billionaire businessman contributed $300,000 to DeSantis's state political committee, the Freedom Fund. Because he is a governor and not a senator or congressman, there is little that DeSantis can do. But the DeSantis-Repole relationship is a prime example of what can get done when someone with clout and a lot of money desires to make a change. “There are politicians that will listen to business owners and business leaders,” Heyde said. “That's really what we need because this isn't good for the racing industry. We've always tried to get that point across. I would say that 99% don't want this happening to their horses, but they've got to speak up and make that contact. So that's what we're really trying to do, to get top-tier business leaders to join us.” There have to be dozens of wealthy horse owners who know influential politicians who will hear what they have to say. Pick up the phone. Heyde admits that the SAFE Act would never go anywhere if presented as a stand-alone bill. So efforts have been made to include it in the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is a comprehensive omnibus bill that is the primary agricultural and food policy instrument of the federal government. The 2018 Farm Bill permanently outlawed the slaughtering, trading, and transport of dogs and cats for human consumption in the U.S. All it would take is to add the word “horse” to the bill's language covering cats and dogs. Heyde admits he can't get this done by himself. But if enough racing people who are power brokers step up, the SAFE Act can become a law and slaughter will end. Want to help? You can contact Heyde at cheyde@bluemarblestrategy.com. The post Op/Ed: The Industry Needs to Step Up and Help Pass the SAFE Act appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article