Wandering Eyes

“Solid trade throughout the day,” was how Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony described the fifth edition of the September Sale of horses in training, which added 1,887,200gns to the company's turnover for the year. From a catalogue which had been reduced in size by a third from last year, 128 horses changed hands at Park Paddocks on Tuesday, headed by the 88-rated multiple winner Debora's Dream (Ire) (Sioux Nation), who was bought by Alan O'Keeffe, assistant trainer to Jennie Candlish, on behalf of Clare Dolan. The three-year-old colt, who was previously trained by Roger Varian and offered by Baroda Stud, was secured for 80,000gns. Baroda Stud ended the day as leading consignor with 14 sold, including the second-top lot, the 87-rated God Of Fire (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), who will be joining the jumps yard of Jonjo O'Neill. The four-year-old from the family of St Mark's Basilica (Fr) has won three times this year for Daniel and Claire Kubler. He was signed for at 70,000gns by Chris Dixon. “Jonjo rang and asked to to give him a shout when we were doing doing the catalogue if we saw anything that could do a job hurdling, so we put this horse forward,” said Dixon, who also bought three horses for his syndicate The Horse Watchers. “He has obviously progressed nicely since Dan and Claire have had him on the Flat, he has got a winning hurdler in his pedigree, the only one who has tried it. Muhaarar has had a few good jumpers over the last year or so and he might be one of those who make a bit of an impact as a jumps stallion with the right type of horse; I do think he is a good and underrated stallion.” A clearance rate of 77% was achieved from the 128 lots sold. The median improved by 25% to 10,000gns, while the average was down 14% at 14,744gns. In his closing statement, Mahony said, “This is the fifth edition of a sale that was introduced in 2020 as a response to the Covid-related delay to the Flat season and numerically the smallest, and whilst we may have been short of obvious stars, there has been solid trade throughout the day from both domestic buyers and those from further afield. International buyers always play a significant part at Tattersalls horses-in-training sales, particularly those from the Gulf, but there has also been a vibrant domestic market including plenty of interest from the National Hunt community. “We now look forward to Books 1 to 4 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, whose graduates have enjoyed spectacular global success in recent months and we look forward to welcoming an international cast of buyers to Park Paddocks during the fortnight that begins with Europe's Premier Yearling Sale.” The post ‘Solid’ September at Tattersalls as Debora’s Dream Joins Candlish appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Arqana Arc Sale will provide the rare opportunity to buy a Classic-winning colt at public auction after it was announced on Tuesday that Deutsches Derby hero Palladium (Ger) (Gleneagles {Ire}) is one of 38 lots catalogued to sell at Saint-Cloud Racecourse on Saturday, October 5. Bred by Gestut Fahrhof, Palladium is out of the Listed winner and G1 Premio Lydia Tesio runner-up Path Wind (Fr) (Anabaa), who is now the dam of three winners after Path Of Soldier (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) opened his account at Dusseldorf on Sunday to join Palladium and the dual Listed scorer Panjari (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Palladium was bought by Liberty Racing for €80,000 at the BBAG September Yearling Sale and his victory at Hamburg completed a remarkable double for the ownership group following that of Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) in the same race in 2023. Palladium, who will be offered as lot 34, has not been seen in competitive action since winning the Deutsches Derby back in July, but he featured among the entries for Sunday's G2 Prix Niel at Longchamp as of Tuesday afternoon. G2 Union-Rennen winner Narrativo (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) (lot 46) is another talented three-year-old from Germany set to go under the hammer at the Arc Sale. A half-brother to the G3 Silbernes Pferd winner Nikkei (Ger) (Pivotal {GB}), he has finished second in the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin and third in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden since finishing down the field behind Palladium at Hamburg. G3 Prix Gerald de Geoffre victor Columbus (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) (lot 17), plus the Listed winners Waldora (Fr) (Waldgeist {GB}) (lot 25), Shamarkand (Fr) (Harzand {Ire}) (lot 31) and Trafalgar Square (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) (lot 54), are other members of the Classic generation sure to be in demand, while the two-year-old offering includes the G3 Prix La Rochette third Revolutionnaire (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}) (lot 45). A group of older horses who have already shown their talents in Pattern company will also be offered to buyers, including the G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier and G2 Prix Kergorlay winner Sober (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) (lot 14), G3 Preis der Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe scorer Downtown (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) (lot 18) and G1 Prix Ganay runner-up Zarir (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) (lot 38). The catalogue can be viewed here, with further entries expected to be added before the sale which takes place during the weekend of the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The post Deutsches Derby Winner Headlines First Entries for Arqana Arc Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following another dominating victory in the Sept. 7 Ainsworth Turf Sprint (G2T) at Kentucky Downs, Cogburn ranks fifth in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll.View the full article

Fitted with blinkers after two defeats, Ballydoyle's Trinity College (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Hermosa {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) took a mighty leap forward at Galway on Tuesday to bring the stable's tally of TDN Rising Stars among its juveniles in 2024 to a dozen. Fourth last time behind fellow TDN Rising Star Hill Road (Quality Road) at Leopardstown, the 10-11 favourite tanked his way to the front soon after the start of the card's opening extended-mile maiden with Wayne Lordan unable to contain him in the first-time headgear. Producing a sustained surge out of the back straight to put daylight between him and his struggling rivals, the son of the 1,000 Guineas heroine hit the line strong with 12 lengths to spare over the newcomer Minella Boss (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}). “At home he had shown plenty of ability but was just very babyish and when we put the blinkers on him at home, he seemed to come forward,” stable representative Chris Armstrong said of the 44th TDN Rising Star for Dubawi who was carrying the silks of part-owner Masaaki Matsushima. “He had been lazy, but is very genuine and it helped him to travel well. He had been coming on nicely at home, Wayne was very happy with him and thought he would come on well from his last run.” “He is a horse with plenty of ability, will make into a lovely middle-distance horse next year and will stay very well. After this weekend, we will see where he fits in and could be one for the Beresford or Eyrefield Stakes–he is in all those group races. He is still a big baby, but has the makings of a very nice horse.” The post Ballydoyle’s Trinity College A 44th TDN Rising Star For Dubawi appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sir Michael Stoute, who announced his impending retirement earlier in the day, was very much in business-as-usual mode as 'TDN Rising Star' Formal (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}–Veracious {GB}, by Frankel {GB}) added to her impressive debut success at Newbury in July with an equally taking 2 1/2-length tally in Tuesday's British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Leicester. Formal looks impressive in the British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes with Ryan Moore onboard! An excellent result for Sir Michael Stoute who announced his retirement earlier today! pic.twitter.com/aXW3EYQF4j — Leicester Racecourse (@LeicesterRaces) September 10, 2024 3rd-Leicester, £9,000, Nov, 9-10, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:29.82, sf. FORMAL (GB) (f, 2, Dubawi {Ire}–Veracious {GB} {G1SW-Eng, $597,607}, by Frankel {GB}), who attained 'TDN Rising Star' status in her July 25 debut over this distance at Newbury last time, was swiftly into stride and bounded along on the front end from flagfall here. Quickening clear of toiling rivals approaching the final furlong, the 8-13 favourite was untroubled in the closing stages and kept on strongly to easily account for Starlit Spice (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) by 2 1/2 lengths. “That was impressive and Ryan [Moore] was very taken with her,” commented Cheveley Park Stud's Chris Richardson. “I was a little bit concerned about the [soft] ground as the ground had changed [from good-to-soft], but I think it very appropriate on such a day. She handled the [good-to-firm] ground at Newbury and her class was certainly in evidence this afternoon. We have much to look forward to and we'll discuss options with Sir Michael [Stoute] and [owner] Patricia Thompson. It's a really poignant day and I'm just thrilled Formal has won so nicely.” Formal is the first of three foals produced by G1 Falmouth Stakes heroine Veracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}), herself out of dual Group 1-placed G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes victrix Infallible (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). Infallible is also the dam of dual G2 Summer Mile-winning G1 International, G1 Queen Anne Stakes and GI Woodbine Mile placegetter Mutakayyef (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and G3 Prix de Flore victrix Intimation (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The February-foaled homebred bay is full to a yearling colt and half to a weanling colt by Kingman (GB). Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $14,523. O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute. The post Dubawi’s TDN Rising Star Formal Remains Undefeated for Sir Michael Stoute with Leicester Romp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Haras de Montaigu completed its full set of topping both days of the Osarus September Yearling Sale in La Teste de Buch when selling a Toronado (Ire) filly for €40,000 to John Hammond. Already named Acqua Rosa (Fr) and offered as lot 154, the April-born filly is out of the four-time winner Rose Tea (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), a half-sister to the G2 Prix Greffulhe runner-up Handsome Devil (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). The clearance rate picked up a little throughout the second session, settling overall for the two days at 62%. The 97 yearlings sold from 156 to go through the ring brought an aggregate of €919,000, which was markedly down on last year but from a smaller catalogue this time around and 50 fewer horses sold. The median of €8,000 and average of €10,090, were both slightly reduced from the 2023 figures. Irish breeze-up pinhookers Con Marnane of Bansha House and John Bourke of Hyde Park Stud, the breeder of Haatem (Ire), each got involved on the final day. Marnane bought a Galiway (GB) colt for €22,000 and Bourke, who bought Listed winner and Group 3-placed Chic Colombine (Fr) (Seahenge) at this sale two years ago for €10,000, picked up a filly by Seabhac for €21,000. The post Haras de Montaigu in Command at Osarus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thoroughbred Charities of America will return as the title sponsor for the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium the organization announced Tuesday. The Thoroughbred Makeover showcases recently-retired ex-racehorses, transitioned to new careers by trainers across North America to culminate in a four-day competition at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington annually in October. The Makeover offers 10 equestrian disciplines with over $100,000 in prize money offered; a division of competition for recently-retired broodmares returns for the second year. “The Thoroughbred Makeover has made a measurable impact on Thoroughbred aftercare which resonates far beyond the work of the RRP itself,” said Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA. “TCA has believed in the impact of this event since the beginning, and is pleased to once again support the Thoroughbred Makeover as title sponsor.” “The entire RRP staff and board commend TCA on a banner year in their grant-making pursuits,” added Kirsten Green, executive director of the RRP. “There are many aftercare organizations doing meaningful work who fall outside the scope of traditional aftercare funding models. The RRP is included in that group, and we would not be able to make the impact that we have were it not for the early and continued support of TCA.” The Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium takes place on October 9-12, 2024 at the Kentucky Horse Park and includes educational, networking and social opportunities. The post Thoroughbred Charities Of America Returns As Title Sponsor For RRP TB Makeover appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalog for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's 2024 October Yearling Sale is now available via the OBS website. The two-day sale is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, October 8th and 9th. Supplemental entries will be accepted until September 21st. There are 535 horses cataloged in two open sessions. The sale begins Tuesday, October 8th with Hip No.'s 1-266 plus supplements offered for sale. Hip No.'s 301-569 plus supplements will be sold Wednesday, October 9th. Both sessions will begin at 11:30 a.m. Supplements will be sold at the conclusion each session cataloged in order of the starting letter of the dam's name. Names beginning with Y through L will be added to the end of the first session; names beginning with M through X will be added to the conclusion of second session. The post OBS October Yearling Sale Catalog Now Live appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for the final day of racing Wednesday at Kentucky Downs: Wednesday, September 11, 2024 KY Downs 1, $100k, 2yo, (R), 6.5fT, 1:25 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Coastertothemoon (Vekoma), OBSJUN, 21,000, :10 2/5 C-Blue Sapphire Stables, agent; B-Michael Maker Cutlass King (Hit It a Bomb), OBSJUN, 20,000, :10 2/5 C-Wildheart Thoroughbreds LLC, agent; B-Crowns Way Racing Hoff (Uncle Mo)-AE, OBSJUN, 45,000, :10 1/5 C-Gene Recio, agent; B-Clark O Brewster Malachi (Curlin's Honor), OBSJUN, 24,000, :10 2/5 C-Dynasty Thoroughbreds; B-Gregory A Pelzel (PS) Tap Em' Out (Tapit), FTMMAY, 40,000, :22 2/5 C-Pick View LLC, agent; B-Alice McEwen KY Downs 6, $170k, 2yo, 1mT, 4:09 p.m. ET Baltoro (Bolt d'Oro), OBSMAR, 130,000, G C-de Meric Sales for Complete Dispersal for Lothenbach Stables; B-Tom Aronson KY Downs 10, $170k, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 6:25 p.m. ET Cheetah Lady (Quality Road), FTMMAY, 140,000, :21 4/5 C-Pick View LLC, agent; B-Jim Glenn Close Up (Demarchelier {GB}), OBSAPR, 135,000, :10 C-Majestic, agent; B-Victory Racing Partners Nile Valley (American Pharoah), OBSJUN, 82,000, G C-Boutte Sales, agent; B-A B C Racing The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored By OBS: September 11, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars HELENE WARRIOR - R7 (4) Trialled nicely and looks a three-year-old with plenty of upside Jay Rooney RED MAJESTY - R6 (1) Well placed in this grade from barrier one and has trialled well Jack Dawling SUPER JOY N FUN - R8 (8) Unexposed galloper can resume his progress on his return to the Valley Phillip Woo RED MAJESTY - R6 (1) Trip specialist should be hard to beat from an ideal gate Shannon (Vincent Wong) LOVERO - R7 (3) Smart galloper is racing in outstanding form over C&D and he can go close tonight Racing Post Online PACKING POWER - R3 (1) Impressed in his debut and a repeat win looks on the cards Tom Wood LESS IS MORE - R5 (5) No luck down the straight at Sha Tin and off his trial he looks ready to winView the full article

Saturday's GII Ainsworth Turf Sprint Stakes winner Cogburn (Not This Time) jumped from 13th to fifth in this week's NTRA Top Thoroughbred poll. The top four remain unchanged with Fierceness (City of Light) leading the way ahead of Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) and National Treasure (Quality Road). Highland Falls (Curlin) held steady in sixth while Dornoch (Good Magic) dropped to seventh. New to the Top 10 this week is another son of Not This Time in Next who last won the Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 4 and advanced from 12th. The post Cogburn Advances To Top Five In NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nominations are now open for OwnerView's 2024 “New Owner of the Year” Award, sponsored by 1/ST RACING. The award, which honors a new Thoroughbred owner who has been successful in the sport and has had a positive impact on the industry, has previously gone to names such as Jim and Dana Bernhard, Alexander Bregman, and MyRacehorse. To qualify, nominees must have made their first start as a Thoroughbred owner in the past four years (since 2021), had an ownership stake in a horse at the time it won a stakes race in the past 12 months, and had a verifiable owner license in 2024. Thoroughbred performance as well as a nominee's promotion of the sport will be considered. Anyone, including current owners, can nominate an owner who meets the criteria for the award. A selection committee will choose the winner. To submit a nomination, please contact Gary Falter for a nomination form at 859-224-2803 or email him. The deadline to receive nominations is November 4. The post OwnerView Opens Nominations For “New Owner Of The Year” Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Both Melbourne and Sydney Spring Racing Carnivals have kicked into full swing, and last weekend the Group 1 Moir Stakes headlined the Moonee Valley program. From the two feature meetings in Victoria and New South Wales, we have found three runners that are worth putting in your blackbook, so you can follow them throughout their spring campaigns. Moonee Valley Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 1: 3YO Handicap (1600m) | Time: 1:37.58 Horse to follow: Evaporate (1st) Evaporate brought up a winning hat-trick for the Ben, Will & JD Hayes stable after proving way too good for his rivals over 1600m, keeping his undefeated record at Moonee Valley intact. The son of Per Incanto jumped well from his outside barrier and pushed forward to settle outside the leader before kicking clear around the home turn. Michael Dee didn’t have to ride the winner out to the line, and he clocked off nicely to record a 2.75-length victory. When to bet: Post-race, Ben Hayes confirmed that Evaporate would return to the Valley for his third straight start and compete in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, where he will be one of the key chances. Race 10: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:10.72 Horse to follow: Miss Aria (1st) Blake Shinn gave Miss Aria one of the rides of the day at Moonee Valley as he hugged the inside running rail, and the Danny O’Brien-trained mare sprinted past all of her rivals in the final 200m. This daughter of Zoustar clocked the fastest last 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m sections of the race and appears to have returned well from her winter campaign. In Queensland, the three-year-old filly finished second in the Group 3 Winx Guineas, and she is expected to compete in Group races during the spring. When to bet: Danny O’Brien mentioned the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes at Flemington as one of the targets for Miss Aria. She also holds a nomination for The Golden Eagle at Randwick on November 2, and with a massive $10 million prize pool up for grabs, expect her to be ready to peak in Australia’s richest four-year-old race. Randwick Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: +6m entire circuit Race 8: Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) | Time: 1:33.76 Horse to follow: Adelaide River (4th) Adelaide River has only been to the races three times in Australia since being sent over from Europe, and his fourth-place finish in the Chelmsford Stakes was by far his best performance on Aussie soil. The Kris Lees-trained galloper failed to fire a shot in the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup and Group 2 Q22 in Queensland before going out for a two-month freshen. The son of Australia settled midfield last weekend and ran through the line strongly over 1600m, which should bring him on for his second-up start over further. When to bet: Adelaide River holds nominations for all of the top Group 1 races in Melbourne and Sydney, so Kris Lees is likely to target the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick on September 21. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Recommended! The Better Bettors! Australian-owned and operated bookmaker! Join MarantelliBet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Horse racing tips View the full article

Sir Michael Stoute, the ten-time champion trainer in Britain, has announced his intention to retire from the training ranks at the end of this season. Now 78, Stoute is one of the longest-serving trainers in Newmarket, where he has been based since 1972. With more than 4,000 winners to his credit, he has been responsible for six Derby winners among his 16 British Classic triumphs, beginning with Shergar in 1981 and, most recently, the 2022 winner Desert Crown. “I would like to thank all my owners and staff for the support they have given me over the years,” he said in a statement issued through the Press Association on Tuesday morning. “It has been a great and enjoyable journey.” Stoute, who was inducted into the QIPCO British Horseracing Hall of Fame in 2023, previously held the record for the most number of winners at Royal Ascot, his tally of 82 having only recently been overtaken by Aidan O'Brien, who is now on 91. He has also trained six winners of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Juddmonte International, the Eclipse, the Irish Oaks and the Falmouth Stakes, along with eight Lockinge Stakes victors and nine Yorkshire Oaks winners. Born on the island of Barbados in the West Indies where his father was the chief of police, he moved to England in 1964 to work in racing, initially assisting Pat Rohan in Yorkshire. In the five decades since being granted his own licence, Stoute's name has become synonymous with some of the great thoroughbreds of the modern era. To the infamous and brilliant Shergar, whose Derby win came in the year in which Stoute was first crowned champion trainer, must be added the names Green Desert, Singspiel, Pilsudski, Workforce, Islington, Russian Rhythm, Opera House, Estimate, Conduit, Harbinger, Medicean and Crystal Ocean. Amid champions across all manner of distances on the Flat, he also trained the champion hurdler Kribensis. Even this list is but a small snapshot of a far greater body of work which hinged on training for some of the great owner-breeders of the day. With Stoute, the Aga Khan celebrated the Derby winners Shergar and Shahrastani as well as 2,000 Guineas winner Doyoun, and Kalanisi, who triumphed in the Queen Anne Stakes and was one of the trainer's seven winners at the Breeders' Cup in America. Cheveley Park Stud, Ballymacoll Stud, Juddmonte, the Niarchos family, Sheikhs Maktoum, Hamdan and Mohammed Al Maktoum, Meon Valley Stud and the Rothschild family feature on a glittering list of owner-breeders who kept Stoute's Freemason Lodge stocked with well-bred individuals. The most recent group winner to emanate from the stable is the Niarchos homebred Passenger, winner of the G2 Huxley Stakes at Chester in May, while James Wigan's Bay Bridge (GB) provided Stoute with his most recent Group 1 success when landing the Champion Stakes of 2022. William Haggas, a fellow Newmarket trainer, paid tribute to his close friend. He told TDN, “He's a good pal, number one, but he is also without question the greatest trainer of my lifetime. “They all compare him to Henry Cecil, but Henry, as good as he was, rather fell into training in that he took over from his father-in-law, whereas Michael started with absolutely nothing. He came over to Pat Rohan in the 60s. He won the Stewards' Cup and the Ayr Gold Cup in his second year training with two different horses – Alphadamus and Blue Cashmere – and he has been at the top of his game for an enormous amount of time.” Haggas continued, “He is the most determined man I've met. His brain is as sharp as a knife and his attention to detail is unbelievable. His is determined to be the best without shouting from this rooftops. He's a modest, very humble man but he is a very clever trainer. “He has great humour, loves cricket, and he can also enjoy himself when the horses are sleeping. I've known him a long time and very well and he doesn't miss a trick. You won't be able to name all the brilliant horses he has trained, and how brilliantly he has trained them. He's a star: a five-star star.” Certainly Newmarket Heath will be less characterful without Sir Michael Stoute crossing its turf every morning. The trainer can often be heard humming or whistling – or a mixture of both – as he watches his horses at exercise. For many summers he was accompanied by his great friend, the legendary fast bowler Michael Holding. In a recent interview in Bloodstock Notebook, Holding said of Stoute, “To this day I remain in awe. He loves to talk cricket because I guess it takes his mind off the stress of training. He has an incredible memory. He writes imaginary notes about the horses in the middle of his palm with an imaginary pen and then rubs them out so that nobody sees them!” Chris Richardson, manager of Cheveley Park Stud, which has had horses in training with Stoute for four decades, said “It has been a wonderful association and we wish him well in the future, but I will certainly miss those wonderful early mornings trying to second-guess what he saw, which was never easy. Normally you were trying to decode a 'boompedy-boom' or him whistling 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina'.” He continued, “This is the 40th season that Patricia Thompson and the Thompson family have had horses with him. You can go back to the 1980s and fillies that we had, like Aim For The Top, who won the Firth of Clyde, Gay Gallanta winning the Queen Mary and the Cheveley Park Stakes, Red Carnival, who won the Cherry Hinton, and of course Russian Rhythm, who won four Group 1s. These were all fillies that we bought and then of course there were the horses that we bred over the years: Sacrament, Exclusive, Medicean, Red Bloom, Peeress, Integral, Veracious, Queen's Trust – the list goes on and on. He's had something like 37 individual group winners of over 70 races over the years for Cheveley Park Stud, which is phenomenal really.” Stoute was made a director of the stud in the mid 1980s and Richardson said that his contribution to its success has been more than just as a trainer. He added, “He's brilliantly talented and with a great eye for a horse. For many years we would go round the yearling sales together, especially in America, and select two or three fillies, like Gay Gallanta and Red Carnival, who were stunning race fillies and became part of the foundation of what we are today.” The post ‘Without Question the Greatest Trainer of my Lifetime’: Stoute Hailed by Peers as Retirement Beckons appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kiwi trainer hopes to turn last season’s placegetters into this season’s winners.View the full article

What Doomben Races Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Wednesday, September 11, 2024 First Race 12:33pm AEST Visit Dabble Doomben will host a competitive eight-race card this Wednesday afternoon, with the first race scheduled to jump at 12:33pm AEST. With more rain forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, it is expected that the track will remain in the Soft range. The rail will be pushed out to the +9.5m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Doomben: Free Carry Free Carry had his winning streak halted at two after he was well beaten at this track over 1615m on August 24. Even though the Tony Gollan-trained gelding was made to run the race at a breakneck tempo, he battled on gamely in the final 400m. Rising to 1650m at peak fitness in a contest with less speed, Free Carry can take up the lead on a sedate tempo before giving a strong kick at the top of the home straight. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 Free Carry (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: Emily Lang (a3) (59.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best at Doomben: Beebee Dazzler Beebee Dazzler has finished in the top two in each of his last six starts, including two wins at Toowoomba over 1200m and 1300m. This four-year-old gelding will appreciate a rise in trip to 1350m on a Soft track. Beebee Dazzler will settle in the one-one position under James Orman from barrier two and, with even luck, should be playing a prominent role in the finish. Next Best Race 7 – #5 Beebee Dazzler (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Kevin Kemp | J: James Orman (58.5kg) Bet with Neds Best Value at Doomben: Feathertop Feathertop could only manage an eighth-place finish at Ipswich over 1350m on his Australian debut, as the Matthew Dunn-trained galloper settled at the rear of the field and worked home under little to no riding. This European import won his only race over 1911m on a Heavy track, which should suggest that rising to 1650m will suit him much better. If Andrew Mallyon can settle midfield from barrier seven, Feathertop can break his Aussie duck with a strong finish. Best Value Race 4 – #7 Feathertop (7) 5yo Mare | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Andrew Mallyon (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Doomben races Doomben quadrella selections Wednesday, September 11, 2024 1-3-4-5-10-11 1-5-6 3-5-9 3-5-10-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Tony Pike’s team of horses were airborne on the good track at Hastings last Saturday and the Cambridge horseman was pleased to return to Ellerslie with a similarly positive report following trials held at the venue on Tuesday. The Ellerslie course underwent a major renovation installing a StrathAyr surface through the 2022/23 season, which upon return, successfully staged the TAB Karaka Millions, Auckland Cup and New Zealand Derby meetings through the summer period. On April 10 and 20, the meetings at Ellerslie were partially abandoned as the result of safety concerns, and since then a maintenance plan was developed and the track has successfully held jump-outs on September 2, alongside jump-outs and 22 trial heats on Tuesday. “We’ve got through the day well, the jockeys have been happy with the track and there’s definitely more indentation in the track then there probably was previously,” Pike said. “Obviously getting later in the afternoon now, it is starting to firm up a touch, but I think everyone has been pleased with the surface.” Pike collected his first stakes success of the season with Poetic Champion in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) with Matt Cartwright on board, who was also able to provide a fresh perspective on Ellerslie after moving from Victoria, where the StrathAyr is utilised at the likes of Moonee Valley. “One of the comments from Matt Cartwright, who has ridden on StrathAyr tracks a number of times in Melbourne, was that a bit more grass cover would be ideal, and talking to Paul (Wilcox, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing chief executive), they have fertilised the track and will be getting more grass cover ahead of the upcoming race meetings,” Pike said. “I think it’s been positive all round and we’re looking forward to getting back to headquarters on race day.” Pike’s impressive colt Storm Front (NZ) (Snitzel) produced an eye-catching performance in the second of three juvenile trials, running out a two-length winner in the hands of Ryan Elliot. “He’s a lovely colt that we have a high opinion of and he couldn’t have trialled any more impressively,” Pike said. “He went to the front on the bridle, and as most two-year-olds do the first time around Ellerslie, he had a good look at everything coming down the straight and possibly raced a bit greenly over the final stages. “Having a trial around Ellerslie is really going to benefit him going forward, hopefully he will be back here for some of the better two-year-old races through the season.” A son of Snitzel, Storm Front was a $400,000 yearling purchase at Karaka in January, with his dam, Indecision, a three-time stakes winner in Pike’s care. “Although his price was expensive, for a well-bred Snitzel colt and the type he was, it was probably reasonable buying at the time so hopefully he can live up to expectations,” Pike said. “He was just a stunning individual out of a very good mare that I trained, and I’ve had a lot of success buying from Trelawney Stud as well.” Looking ahead to the weekend’s meetings, Pike will be represented in both islands with Raziah (NZ) (Niagara) nominated for Saturday’s Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton Park. The Niagara filly finished second to Belardi in the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) in June and will carry the silks of her breeders The Oaks Stud. “She’s stakes-placed and more black-type would be ideal, we just thought she might not be quite up to the best of the three-year-old fillies in the north at this point in time, so it was a good option to head down for the fillies series,” Pike said. “She trialled up really nicely last week and it would be great for The Oaks if she can be competitive at black-type level again this weekend. “We try and do most of their work at home so they are nice and forward in condition, once she gets down there she’ll be racing on Saturday then it’ll just be a matter of ticking her over towards the next race.” Pike had come close to autumn stakes success in the South Island with Ziggy Stardust (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) finishing runner-up in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) in May, with that filly potentially kicking-off a new preparation in the Taranaki Pine Maiden Dash (990m) at New Plymouth. “She probably didn’t spell quite as well as we had hoped through the winter, so instead of sending her all the way down with a long float trip, we thought we would keep her up north for a maiden race,” Pike said. “She’s 50/50 to run if track conditions don’t improve, if they don’t, she’ll probably head to Taupo next Friday.” Closer to home at Te Rapa, Group Two winner Val Di Zoldo (NZ) (War Decree) will make her return in the Waikato Construction 1400 on Sunday. While not picking up a race in her four-year-old season, the War Decree mare was a model of consistency, finishing in the first four in three successive stakes assignments. “She trialled up really well on the Cambridge Synthetic last Friday, 1400m is well short of her best but she was unlucky not to win the Travis Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m) last season,” Pike said. “This is a nice starting point for her on Saturday, as long as she’s finding the line nicely in the closing stages, that’ll set her up nicely going forward into the rest of the spring.” View the full article

The VRC has added a new race to its Melbourne Cup day program. The club announced on Monday that a $250,000 Australian Heritage Cup (2800m) would be run on the day, replacing the traditional 2800m Benchmark 96 race on the same program. It’s a race that is restricted to Australian and New Zealand trained stayers. There will be qualifying races held in each state across the country, allowing connections the chance to have a runner on Melbourne Cup day. The concept is supported by West Australian businessman and Executive Chair of the Australian Heritage Group, Tony Barton. “Horse racing is a huge part of the Australian psyche and story, and the Australian Heritage Cup is a race designed to celebrate that legacy and support Australian and New Zealand stayers into the future,” Barton said. “I am proud to support the inaugural running of the race and looking forward to seeing what type of field assembles on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day.” VRC Executive General Manager Racing Leigh Jordon said: “To have a runner on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day is a huge honour and the Australian Heritage Cup will give Australian and New Zealand based trainers the opportunity to be at Flemington on the biggest day of the year. “The race has always been a platform for young, progressive stayers to test their credentials at Flemington with previous winners including The Map and White Marlin and we expect another strong field this year.” View the full article

Sam Mynott was recognised for her early achievements as a licensed trainer at the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Awards on Sunday, receiving the gavelhouse.com Newcomer To Training award. Mynott has previously excelled in Eventing, winning National titles at Junior and 2* level domestically while also plying her trade in the United Kingdom on two separate occasions. Initially entering the racing world through trackwork riding, she established a successful breaking in and pre-training business in Te Awamutu before a move to Cambridge produced a further opportunity to take out a Class A trainer’s license. Mynott’s first victory came with Mr Oh Jay in January of 2023, and in her first full season in the role last term, she collected 10 wins from 72 starters, highlighted by the success of her talented sprinting mare Imwonderfultonight. If preparing her own successful team of horses wasn’t enough, Mynott also picked up a win as a jumps jockey last August aboard Mondorani. “It’s great to win this award and it is such a true testament to the owners and supporters around me to be able to take this out,” she said. “All of the trainers up here have been very supportive of me and offered to help, which has been great when you’re a bit new to it all. “I think I’m the first person to ask questions and hear everyone’s opinion, you have to take pieces of that on board and make your own way forward. “Wonderful was definitely our flagbearer, but every horse that went out and got the win or a nice placing all performed really well.” The daughter of I Am Invincible progressed rapidly from a Rating 65 in October to a string of stakes-level performances, including second in the Listed Stewards Stakes (1200m), fourth in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m), third in the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) and third in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m). Her consistency was rewarded when coming out on top in her final New Zealand start for the season, the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Otaki, which Mynott pinpointed as a standout moment for the stable. “The Listed win at Otaki with her was definitely the highlight, but it was great seeing my little Verismo winning a $40,000 race back in December as well,” she said. Imwonderfultonight is an Australian-bred mare owned by Windsor Park Stud, who have been among a loyal network of owners supporting the young trainer. “It’s brilliant having them and Ben Kwok as well, they’ve kept horses in my stable and it’s just a massive asset having that relationship and I’m extremely grateful, and to all the rest of my owners as well,” she said. Mynott’s sole representative so far this season, Heart Of Gold, returned a winner in the $100,000 2000m feature at Cambridge Synthetic last month, with plenty of talent still to make their return in a new campaign. “We were at Ellerslie today (Tuesday) with some nice horses that won races last season, including A Mandarin, Verismo, Persiflage and Aquilifier,” she said. “They’ve all come back in this prep a lot stronger than last time which is brilliant, we’re really looking forward to kicking them all off.” View the full article

This week on the Guerin report, Michael talks more on James McDonalds personal life and future, we reflect back on Day 1 of the Hawkes Bay Carnival & take a look at the new Queen of New Zealand Racing and whats in store for her future. Guerin Report – Ep. 2, Ft. James McDonald Part 2 – YouTube View the full article

The city’s top trainers run through their teams for the 2024-25 season, including the likes of Voyage Bubble, Galaxy Patch and Invincible SageView the full article

by Jessica Martini, Christina Bossinakis, and Jill Williams LEXINGTON, KY-The Keeneland September Yearling Sale had its first seven-figure transaction just an hour into its first session Monday and, when the dust had settled after a frenetic day of bidding, 14 yearlings had sold for $1 million or more. The group was led by a $2.2-million son of Gun Runner who sold to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm from the Four Star Sales consignment. The colt was one of five by the Three Chimneys stallion to sell for seven figures during the session. “That was a fun day,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “We thought it was going to be energetic and a good, solid, healthy market, and we are very pleased with the way it came out.” During the boutique Book 1 opener, 98 yearlings grossed $54,795,000 for an average of $559,133 and the median was $450,000. Both were double-digit increases over the figures from the opening session of the 2023 September sale when 110 horses sold for $55,330,000, at an average of $503,000 and a median of $400,000. “Looking at the figures at the end of the day, they were incredibly healthy,” Lacy said. “The average was $560,000, which is up about 11% over last year. We refer to the median quite bit and last year it was $400,000. This year, it was $450,000, so that is up 12%. The gross was pretty much on par with last year, with a few fewer horses.” Monday's first session of the September sale attracted a deep bench of buyers, with the top 21 highest-priced horses purchased by 20 unique buyers. “There was huge diversity in the buying bench, both domestically and internationally,” said Keeneland President Shannon Arvin. “There was a lot of Japanese participation, participation from the Middle East and then, of course, our domestic buyers were very active also.” The opening session's 14 million-dollar yearlings compares to eight during the first session last year. The entire 2023 Book 1 section featured 23 million-dollar yearlings. The Keeneland September sale is opening with a two-session Book 1 section for the fourth year in a row and Monday's session, which began with a bluegrass band and passed cocktails, proved the format has become popular with both buyers and sellers, according to Lacy. “We really appreciate the consignors and breeders who supported us,” Lacy said. “This is something we put a lot of effort into pushing Book 1 as a dominant marketplace. We want to make sure that the buyers are here and the horses are here for the buyers. The buyers put aside a lot of time to be here with us and we want to make them feel comfortable. So everything here is here for the benefit of the buyers and the customers and it creates the right environment. There was a crowd in here the entire afternoon and that never relented.” Book 1 concludes with a session Tuesday beginning at 1 p.m. Book 2 sections Wednesday and Thursday begin at 11 a.m. Following a dark day Friday, the auction continues through Sept. 21 with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m. “This was just the beginning,” said Arvin. “I think we all have a lot of confidence in the marketplace. A lot of principals are here. The breeders have obviously worked very hard and we appreciate them selling their stock with us. They've brought the very best to market. So it's going to be fun to watch.” Tony Lacy | Keeneland Pope Takes Home $2.2-Million Gun Runner Colt Mandy Pope of Whisper Hill Farm, busy both buying and selling Monday at Keeneland, made the highest bid of the first session of the September sale when going to $2.2 million for a son of Gun Runner (hip 169). Bred by Three Chimneys Farm and consigned by Four Star Sales, the yearling is out of stakes winner and graded-placed Princesa Carolina (Tapit). The mare is a daughter of Pure Clan (Pure Prize) and Pope already made a significant investment in the family when purchasing a Gun Runner daughter of that multiple Grade I winner for $1.5 million at last month's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. “He is an amazing horse,” said Pope's advisor Todd Quast. “He's got everything: the looks, the shoulder, the hip, the movement. We bought the Pure Clan filly up at Saratoga and we love her. We know where he was raised. We do a lot of stuff with Three Chimneys, so we know he was raised right. We are just super happy to have him. Hopefully he can run. But he sure looks the part.” Also Monday, Whisper Hill purchased a filly by Into Mischief (hip 55) for $700,000 from the Eaton Sales consignment. “We have sold a few, we've bought a few other ones,” Quast said. “I think it's a strong market. I think you have to have the right horses with the right people, as always. And if you have it, you get rewarded, if you don't, you go home without it. But I think it's a very healthy market right now.” Whisper Hill had a knock out sale in 2023, selling five seven-figure yearlings in Book 1. Results for the farm's homebred Monday were more moderate, with a Tapit full-sister to Charge It RNA'ing for $1.45 million. But the farm has some star power to come during Tuesday's second Book 1 session. “It's not as strong for us as it was last year, but again the stars have to align,” Quast said. “As of yet, it hasn't, but it could tomorrow. We have a Songbird (hip 225) and a Tap Gun (hip 255) tomorrow. We have a lot of good horses still to come and hopefully more to buy, too.” The $2.2-million session topper punctuated an impressive day for Three Chimneys' Gun Runner, who had five seven-figure yearlings through the ring. “He's never disappointed anybody at any point in his life,” Three Chimneys' Chris Baker said of the stallion. “I think this is the crop–it's a big crop, it's off the $125,000 stud fee and he's continuing to get it done with the crops that were bred at a lower stud fee, including the 2-year-olds that were bred at $50,000. The demand is appropriate for where he is at this stage and what is in front of him. Pay for them now or you may have to pay more for them later. And the individuals line up. We are in Book 1 at Keeneland, with the pedigrees and physicals that will bring this kind of money when they have the sire power behind them. It's very satisfying for all of us who are so closely involved with Gun Runner.” The session-topping $2.2-million bid for hip 169 was no real surprise for Baker. “He's the kind of colt that you get up here and you find that everybody else likes him as much as we did,” Baker said. “It really wasn't surprising. It was very pleasant to see, but shocking to see he went that high? No. The reserve was well below that and our expectations were realistic, but he was the kind of colt that had the potential to break out. And that's what he did.” @JessMartiniTDN Gun Runner is the First Sire to Breach Seven FIgures Monday The first yearling to break the seven-figure barrier during Keeneland's first session Monday was hip 24, a chestnut filly by Three Chimneys Farm's Gun Runner out of 2017 GI Del Mar Oaks winner Dream Dancing (Tapit). The filly went to Douglas Scharbauer for $1.5 million. Scharbauer, whose family campaigned 1988 Horse of the Year and 1987 GI Kentucky Derby winner Alysheba, hails from Midland, Texas. “We fell in love with her. We're big fans and thought she was one of the prettiest fillies around,” said Ken Carson, longtime advisor to the Scharbauer family and former manager of the family's Valor Farm in Texas. “The Asmussens will break her and we'll hope for the best.” Carson reminisced about other purchases in the same sales ring with the Scharbauer family. “Chief Stipe loves this,” he said. “She's a nice filly. He fell in love with her. His parents used to come here years and years ago, bought Alysheba here. That horse took us on a ride, I'll tell you that.” Scharbauer's father was Clarence, who passed away in 2014 and not only raced Alysheba, but founded Valor Farm. “I am very impressed with [this filly],” said Scharbauer. “We were all impressed with her. I didn't know what she'd bring, but I am a little surprised that I could get her for $1.5 million. She's very nice. Her breeding, everything about her. I think there is a lot of promise right there. I'm really excited about her. Probably as much as anything out there today.” When asked about his plans for the filly, Scharbauer laughed. “We won't bring her to Texas, that's for sure,” he joked. “We'll keep her in Kentucky. Steve Asmussen will get this one.” Bred by John Oxley in Kentucky, the filly's great-granddam is Oxley's champion Beautiful Pleasure (Maudlin), whose six Grade I victories included the 1999 Breeders' Cup Distaff. The yearling's 2-year-old half-sister Dreamaway (Flameaway) is now two for two after winning the Colleen Stakes at Monmouth Park in July. “We thought that she was a really nice filly. We were pleasantly surprised that she was able to bring over $1 million,” said Brian Graves of Gainesway, who consigned the filly on behalf of Oxley. “We thought that she was always that caliber, but it's nice when a few people hook up and it goes a little higher. In fairness, she's out of a young Grade I winner with a huge family and she looked the part. The Oxleys have done it again and they're infamous for showing up on the track, like with Sierra Leone and all the other good horses they've bred, so when it all matches up, it's nice to see them break through.”—JillWilliamsTDN #KeeSept Book 1, Monday: A colt from the first crop of Charlatan out of Grade I winner Guarana (Hip 70) sells for $1.4 million to @coolmorestud and Peter Brant. Consigned by @HillnDaleFarm. pic.twitter.com/6OElcNrjCm — TDN (@theTDN) September 9, 2024 Coolmore/White Birch Extend to $1.4M for Charlatan Colt With the Day 1 action gradually easing into gear, the seven-figure tickets started coming fast and furious midway through Monday's opening session. Among those lighting up the board, Hip 70, a colt by first season sire Charlatan, was secured for $1.4 million from Coolmore partners and Peter Brant's White Birch Farm. Bidding from the team's customary spot behind the main pavilion, M. V. Magnier signed the ticket on the son of 'TDN Rising Star' and MGISW Guarana (Ghostzapper). The Mar. 7 foal was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, who co-bred the colt with Matt Dorman. “This was a very nice horse. His mother was a very nice race filly and Charlatan was a very good racehorse himself,” said Magnier. “John Sikura and everyone at Hill 'n' Dale do an exceptional job breeding and raising racehorses. They have a very good track record.” Trained by Chad Brown, Guarana won over $1 million on the racetrack, highlighted by wins in the GI Acorn Stakes, GI Coaching Club American Oaks and GI Madison Stakes. A granddaughter of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Pleasant Home (Seeking the Gold), the 8-year-old mare is a half-sister to Grade III scorer Beatbox (Pioneerof the Nile) and fellow 'TDN Rising Star' SW/GSP Magic Dance (More Than Ready). “Let's hope he's as good as his mother,” added Magnier. “Chad liked the horse, everybody did. We'll bring him back to Ashford , and we'll figure out what we're going to do with him there.” The family has proven prolific in the sales ring, beginning with Guarana's dam Magical World (Distorted Humor), who realized $5.2 million while in foal to Into Mischief at the Fasig-Tipton November sale in 2021. In turn, the half-brother to Guarana brought $1.1 million when led through the ring at this venue in 2023. “He was a magnificent horse,” said Hill 'n' Dale's John Sikura of Monday's third-highest priced colt of the session. “He was powerful and a great mover. He was beautifully balanced with great musculature. He was a classy and athletic horse with a beautiful face, head and eye. The physical horse is outstanding.” At the conclusion of her racing career, Guarana–also carrying an Into Mischief foal–sold for $4.4 million to Hill 'n' Dale at Fasig-Tipton November in 2021 and the resulting colt, now named Mischievous Intent, brought $1.4 million from Winchell Thoroughbreds at Keeneland last September. “They love the Charlatans and Guarana was a supremely talented racehorse,” added Sikura. “[Hip 70] has a deep pedigree, the dam was a Grade I winner and a great individual. It's all the components you need to sell a $1-million horse. After that, you just don't know because it depends who bids at that point.” From six Charlatan yearlings offered Monday, five sold for a gross of $2.785m and an average of $557,000. “The results speak for themselves,” said Sikura when asked about the Hill 'n' Dale resident stallion. “The buyers are appreciating them and they are selling very well. We have more good Charlatans over the next few days but the table is set.” At the conclusion of Day 1, Coolmore and White Birch teamed up to purchase two additional yearlings: hip 74, a Gun Runner half-brother to Airdrie sire Collected (City Zip) for $700,000 and hip 86, another Gun Runner colt out of In The Moonlight from an active family that realized $800,000. The session's expenditures totaled $2.9 million for an average of $966,667. Of the team's Gun Runner purchases, Magnier explained, “Gun Runner is absolutely flying at the moment. After this year's [runner-up finish] Kentucky Derby with Sierra Leone, Derrick Smith really wants to win it. It's a really big deal for these guys and they just want good race horses. We're here trying to find some.” Commenting on the overall market for the sale's premier stock, Magnier concluded, “The market seems to be competitive for the good ones and there seems to be plenty of nice horses around.”–@CBossTDN Heaven Trees Knocks it Out of the Park With Rachel Alexandra's Brother Monday's opening session at Keeneland was in full swing when Hip 112, a colt by Medaglia d'Oro, strode into the arena. If the sire power was enough to garner its share of glances on its own, the bottom side of the page was absolutely spellbinding. Out of 23-year-old Lotta Kim (Roar), the Feb. 23 produce, a full-brother to none other than Horse of the Year and Classic winner Rachel Alexandra, garnered a $1.35-million final bid from new-on-the-scene Epic Horses. John Sikura | Keeneland “He's a lovely horse, a full brother to a great, great filly. A great result. We're very very happy,” said John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, who consigned the yearling on behalf of breeder Dede McGehee. McGehee, who boarded mares for Dolphus and Ellen Morrison for many years, secured Rachel Alexandra's dam Lotta Kim privately from Morrison when the champion's breeder dispersed his band due to illness. Bred by Morrison, Rachel Alexandra amassed earnings of $3.5 million on the racetrack, having won the GI Kentucky Oaks for her breeder before being acquired privately by Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick. She won the GI Preakness Stakes in her first start under the tutelage of Steve Asmussen. As a member of Stonestreet's broodmare band, the champion 3-year-old filly and five-time Grade I winner produced GI Spinaway Stakes winner Rachel's Valentina (Bernardini). A Quality Road filly out of Rachel's Valentina is off to Japan after the Maeda family's North Hills Co. Ltd. paid $1.05 million for her on Monday. “I got [Lotta kim] when she was carrying Dolphus [Lookin At Lucky, foaled in 2013],” said McGehee. “It's extra special because the mare Lotta Kim [was] owned by my favorite client of all time.” McGehee's initial seven-figure yearling was also produced by Lotta Kim–a colt by Medaglia d'Oro's son Bolt d'Oro that brought $1.4 million at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga Sale in 2021. “That mare has paid for most of the stuff on my farm,” said a visibility emotional McGehee. “I was a little surprised [about the price] because the mare was old. So it definitely exceeded my expectations. “Book 1 is not my thing,” McGehee said with a laugh. This is a big deal!” Heaven Trees Farm's resident broodmare band numbers approximately 20 mares. Additionally, the operation's current crop of yearlings number 15. “This was our best foal this year. My crew did a great job and Hill 'n' Dale did a great job too. They've been very good to me.” According to McGehee, Heaven Trees Farm will be represented by one more yearling–by Army Mule–in Keeneland's Book 4. “It is probably the last foal out of [Lotta Kim's foals] that we will ever sell,” said McGehee. “I didn't know what to expect. But you never know.”–@CBossTDN 'Epic' Result for Rachel's Full-Brother Making a splash of its own at Keeneland Monday, Epic Horses LLC recorded its initial auction purchase when landing Hip 112 for $1.35 million. Handling the bidding duties for the undisclosed new owners, the operation's advisor and CEO of Town & Country Farms Shannon Potter explained, “We saw him at the farm [Hill 'n' Dale Xalapa in Paris, Kentucky] three or four weeks ago and we liked him there. With that family and that pedigree, he checked all the boxes for us.” Underscoring the most obvious selling point in the yearling, Potter explained, “His head and his look is probably right on with what [Rachel Alexandra] looks like. He has a very good temperament every time we have seen him. We probably looked at him four or five times.” According to Potter, the colt will ultimately be trained by Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher after his initially taking up residence at Town & Country. “He is a really good mover,” he confirmed. “He has a good walk and has a lot of hip and a big shoulder. We loved the way he looked.” While declining to name the new owners, Potter offered some additional insight into the fledgling racing operation. “Epic Racing is a new venture,” he said. “It is a couple from Vegas. This is their first purchase at auction. We bought another privately. They are excited about the game and the business and the industry. ” During Monday's opening session, Epic Horses also secured Hip 149, a filly by Into Mischief for $350,000.–@CBossTDN #KeeSept Book 1, Monday: A full brother to Horse of the Year and champion RACHEL ALEXANDRA, a colt by Medaglia d'Oro out of Lotta Kim, sells for $1.35 million to Epic Horses. Consigned by @HillnDaleFarm. pic.twitter.com/GYRBBJbGd7 — TDN (@theTDN) September 9, 2024 AMO Racing USA Strikes for American Pharoah Full-Sister to Forbidden Kingdom An American Pharoah filly out of GSW Just Louise (Five Star Day) brought the gavel down at $1.35 million Monday to the bid of AMO Racing USA LLC. Consigned by Paramount Sales, the Feb. 25 foal filly is a full-sister to MGSW & GISP Forbidden Kingdom. “We love her. We saw her on the first day and on Sunday,” said AMO Racing's Kia Joorabchian. “We loved her and we went back to see her a couple of times. She's got a great pedigree. To be honest, that's what we are looking for. We're looking for fillies with great pedigrees and she was a standout for us, so we weren't going to stop. We are going to take our time now. She will go now to take a break and we will give her a little bit of time off and then we'll see. It will definitely be an American trainer [that she goes to].” The filly's dam is a half-sister to MGSW Sara Louise (Malibu Moon), dam of 'TDN Rising Star' Nash (Medaglia d'Oro). Gabriel “Spider” Duignan's Springhouse Farm bred the filly, offered as hip 97, after purchasing her dam for $150,000 at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton November sale. “We've had the mare for a while, she's been very good to me,” said Duignan. “Delighted with where she is going and delighted with the price. I'm glad she is going to great owners. She is a very nice filly and has been very popular all week. It's a fantastic family, her brother is very good.” Pat Costello of Paramount was also pleased. “She's well-bred, a full-sister to a lovely racehorse,” said Costello. “She was a good physical. There was a lot of action. She has a great mind. That was good. That was on the top of where we thought it would be.”—JillWilliamsTDN Broman Looking for a Derby Horse Longtime New York owner and breeder Chester Broman went to $1.15 million to acquire a colt by Gun Runner (hip 73) from the Brookdale consignment Monday at Keeneland. Broman did his bidding alongside advisor Becky Thomas from the new reserved table seating area inside the pavilion. When asked why he purchased the yearling, who is out of Grade I winner Harmonize (Scat Daddy) and is a half to multiple graded winner and multiple Grade I-placed Integration (Quality Road), Broman pointed at Thomas and said, “You told me to.” Thomas laughed and said “No, I didn't. You told me you like that one the best.” Thomas continued, “He was a big, beautiful and stretchy. We loved his family and his walk. Mr. Broman wants to go to the Derby and we thought he looked like the type.” Of the colt's final price, Thomas admitted she wasn't surprised, “but I am not one to bid that high. Mr. Broman is here and he told me, 'If I come, we don't have a budget.' He was in charge of the budget.” The colt by was bred by Larkin Armstrong, who purchased Harmonize for $80,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September sale. Racing in Armstrong's colors, the mare won the 2016 GI Del Mar Oaks. Her first foal, Integration, sold for $700,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and went on to win last year's GIII Virginia Derby and GII Hill Prince Stakes. He was runner-up in last month's GI Arlington Million. @JessMartiniTDN Nyquist Colt Brings $1.15M on Keeneland's Day 1 Rarely missing from the leaderboard, agent Donato Lanni was back in action for Hip 82, a colt by Nyquist, that realized $1.15 million. Consigned by breeder Candy Meadows Sales, the Feb. 10 was purchased on behalf of SF Bloodstock, Starlight Racing and Madaket. “He was beautiful from the day he was born until today. He never had a bad day in his life. He's just a really lovely horse,” said Matt Lyons of Candy Meadows. Candy Meadows purchased the mare Impasse (Quality Road), in foal to Into Mischief, for $385,000 at Keeneland November in 2019. A daughter of MSW Tempus Fugit (Alphabet Soup), the 11-year-old's resulting Into Mischief filly realized $300,000 at this sale in 2021 followed by a Uncle Mo filly that brought $450,000 one year later. Lyons added, “There were so many good judges and so many good groups following this horse the last couple of days. We could see the momentum going. You never can predict a million- dollar horse, but we knew he had a chance.” Tom Ryan | Keeneland Signing the ticket of the colt, SF Racing's Tom Ryan explained, “He is a horse that there was a consensus about. It's the same group, we've got Stonestreet in this horse and then most of the same old characters, Starlight, Madaket, and SF [Racing]. We felt like it was a high-conviction horse for us.” Ryan confirmed the colt will ultimately join Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in California. “We like Nyquist. He doesn't take any introduction anymore,” Ryan added of the Darley resident. “He's clearly a top-flight stallion. Very good example of what a good son of Uncle Mo can do.” He continued, “He is an athlete with plenty of pedigree. We have no doubt that he'll see out a mile and hopefully he'll get a little farther. We're excited to have him.”–@CBossTDN Repole and Spendthrift Partner on Gun Runner Colt for $1.1 Million Gun Runner is as hot in the sales ring as he is on the racetrack. The Horse of the Year and young sire sensation got his fourth–but not last–seven-figure horse of the day when hip 121, a Feb. 3-foaled colt, sold to Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm for $1.1 million Monday. The bay was consigned by Bridie Harrison, agent for Peter Blum Thoroughbreds. “Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm partnered on this horse. It was loved by both teams,” said Jacob West, agent for Repole Stables. “Obviously Gun Runner doesn't really need an introduction on how big of a stallion he is. Peter Blum breeds incredible horses. Mix it all in the pot and it equals $1.1 million. Just excited to get him. [Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher] will train the horse. He was one of those horses that was highly ranked from the start. We know it was going to be expensive to get him, but luckily Mike [Repole] and Eric and Tammy [Gustavson] were able to come together and come up with an idea of what we would go after him and it happened to fall into that range of budget.” Bred by Blum, the colt is out of GSW & GISP Magical Feeling (Empire Maker). The mare has already produced four black-type winners, including GSW & GISP Imagination (Into Mischief), who was most recently third in the Sept. 1 Shared Belief Stakes, and GSW & MGISP Occult (Into Mischief). Both sold at previous editions of the September sale, with Imagination bringing $1.05 million in 2022 from Donato Lanni, for SF Bloodstock/Starlight Racing/Madaket, and Occult hammering for $625,000 in 2021 to Steven W. Young. Blum's son, Josh, was representing his father Monday. “He's a fantastic horse,” said the younger Blum. “He's been a standout for us since he was on the ground. We expected him to do well and we were happy to get a good price, but we weren't setting the bar too high. Ultimately, we wanted to make sure he sold in the ring. We're in the business to sell, so we're happy he got sold and happy he sold well.” Upon being wished congratulations, Blum said with a smile, “Congratulate my dad. It's his operation.”—JillWilliamsTDN Snyders Celebrate First Million-Dollar Sale Richard and Connie Snyder, who moved their commercial broodmare band from New Mexico to Kentucky 10 years ago, celebrated their first seven-figure sale Monday at Keeneland when John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock bid $1 million to acquire a filly from the first crop of Maxfield (hip 53). “That's the first million-dollar horse, but it won't be the last,” Richard Snyder said with a chuckle after congratulating Stewart on the purchase. Of his emotions while watching the filly sell, Snyder admitted, “It was exciting, nervous, stressful for us, but it was fun. We knew she was going to sell well. A lot of people liked her. She is what she is.” The yearling is a half-sister to the first Grade I winner the Snyders have bred, GI Alabama Stakes and GI Ogden Phipps Stakes winner Randomized (Nyquist). “They were very similar,” Snyder said of the two fillies. “This filly might be a tick bigger than Randomized was, but both of them had big walks and were straightforward.” Both fillies are out of the unraced French Passport (Elusive Quality), who was one of the first high-priced mares the Snyders purchased after acquiring their Kentucky farm on Paynes Mill Road in Versailles in August of 2014. The couple paid $200,000 for the mare in foal to American Pharoah at the 2018 Keeneland November sale. Randomized sold for $420,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale and her colt by Justify sold for $410,000 at the 2022 September sale. The Maxfield yearling is the mare's final foal. “The sad part is we don't have the mother anymore,” Snyder said. “This is the last one out of her. She got killed in a paddock accident. It was tragic. Very tragic.” The Snyders currently have a broodmare band of 17 head. “This was our only yearling in Book 1,” Snyder said. “We've got one in Book 2 and multiples all the way through Book 6.” Hip 53 also became the first seven-figure result for her first-crop sire Maxfield (Street Sense), winner of the 2021 GI Clark Stakes and 2019 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity. The stallion, who stands for $35,000 at Darley, had 16 first-crop weanlings sell for an average of $148,312 last year, led by a $500,000 colt at the Fasig-Tipton November sale. Prior to Monday, he had had 10 yearlings sell this year for an average of $209,750, led by a $450,000 filly at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. “That is a very big price for a yearling by a first-crop sire,” said Kerry Cauthen of Four Star Sales, which consigned the filly. “Based on this filly and several I have seen, they have great minds and I expect good things from him.” The seven-figure yearling was one of six purchased by Resolute Bloodstock Monday. The group also included a Tapit half-sister to GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner and GI Kentucky Derby third Zandon (Upstart) (hip 128) acquired for $900,000 from the Airdrie Stud consignment. “We like Maxfield, think he's coming on well,” Stewart said. “We actually bred him to some of our maiden mares this year. He nicks really good in our system. We think he's going to be a good stallion. This filly is just a beautiful filly, as you can see commanding that kind of price. When we rank it in our pedigree system and looking at the horse overall, she's an A+ and was on the top of our list.” @JessMartiniTDN $1-Million Constitution Colt to Juddmonte “We were on fumes at the end,” Juddmonte manager Garrett O'Rourke said after signing the ticket at $1 million to acquire a colt by Constitution (hip 85) from the Airdrie Stud consignment. “The market is very, very strong. It's more than I wanted to pay for him, but it's the market, so you have to go otherwise you go home empty handed.” The colt is out of Indian Pride (Proud Citizen), who romped to an eight-length debut victory at Saratoga in 2019 before finishing third in the GII Raven Run Stakes and winning the Shine Again Stakes in 2020. She won three of her four lifetime starts for her breeder, the late Brereton Jones. Bret Jones | Keeneland “My exposure to the family was to his dam,” O'Rourke said. “I was very impressed with her when she won her first start. I spoke to Bret Jones then and asked if he would sell her and he wasn't interested. I had followed her career and always thought she was a filly who had the talent to win a Grade I, even though she didn't. So I was interested to go and see the colt. He is a huge, big beautiful colt. Hopefully he will grow into something as fast as his mother and we have a very high opinion of Constitution, as well.” Juddmonte Farms, founded by the late Prince Khalid bin Abdullah who died in 2021, has had success buying future champions out of the Keeneland September sale. The operation purchased Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) for $560,000 at the 2014 auction and Elite Power (Curlin) for $900,000 in 2019. “Classic horses,” O'Rourke said when asked what he was shopping for at Keeneland this week. “We've been lucky enough with Arrogate and Elite Power buying here. They say they come in threes, so we will keep shopping until we get the third one. It's great that Prince Khalid's family have the ambition to get another one. That's the goal. That's our hope anyway. Everyone has hope in this game. He is the first one we went in to bid on and it's nice to have a ticket in your hands whatever happens from here on in.” The colt represents several generations of a family cultivated by Brereton Jones, who passed away last September. “A million dollars doesn't happen to us very often; it doesn't happen to many people very often,” Jones's son Bret said. “We are ecstatic. It means so much to the farm. We are just very grateful right now.” Indian Pride is a daughter of Ms. Cornstalk, who RNA'd for $35,000 as a yearling at the 2005 Keeneland January sale. The mare produced Canadian champions Biofuel (Stormin Fever) and Tu Endie Wei (Johar), as well as Indian Pride. “The memories hit you right in the face when you think about all the fun that we had with Biofuel and Tu Endie Wei,” Jones said of the bittersweet seven-figure result. “I really do think Indian Pride, at the end of the day, is going to be one of the greatest mares that my dad has ever had his hands on.” Jones continued, “There is no greater compliment than Juddmonte buying your horse. Garrett O'Rourke knew how special his dam was. I remember he was one of the first people to call me when she broke her maiden at Saratoga. She was a very special filly and I think she will be a very special broodmare. That family has given us a lot of great days. I hope it gives Juddmonte a lot of great days, too.” Indian Pride has a 2-year-old by American Pharoah, who was purchased by Gus King for $600,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. She produced a filly by Into Mischief this year and was bred back to Gun Runner. @JessMartiniTDN Gun Runner Filly Stays in the Seltzer Family At the end of the day, Krista Seltzer couldn't let her father's decades-long involvement with the family end Monday at Keeneland and she bid $1 million to take home the filly by Gun Runner out of Lucrezia (Into Mischief) (hip 117). Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, the yearling represented five generations of horses bred by Ed Seltzer, who is in the midst of dispersing his bloodstock. “I don't know who the partners are going to be, but yes, we bought her back,” Krista Seltzer said. “There was a lot of sentiment there and she is a lovely filly. I like to have partners where we know my dad can watch her race and enjoy watching her race. That's super important to him. He loves the family. We knew we wouldn't let her go for nothing.” Lucrezia was a two-time stakes winner in Seltzer's colors and was second in the 2020 GII Gulfstream Park Oaks. Her dam, Verdana Bold (Rahy), was a graded winner for Seltzer. “I didn't expect that,” Krista Seltzer said of the filly's seven-figure price tag. “It was a lot of sentiment. We love all of them and it's hard to part with them and we will, but for me, for this one, just for the partners whoever they are going to be, I want my dad to enjoy the racing as if she was his.” @JessMartiniTDN Small Pinhook Representation in First Session We've taken a look at how Monday's pinhooks fared and attempted to analyze how the prospects as a whole performed on the day. We've loosely used a cost of $25,000 for each yearling's board, veterinary expenses, farrier work, sales prep, and sales entry fees. Obviously, this amount can vary wildly per offering depending on whether one can keep a horse on their own farm or whether one boards, as well as each horse's particular veterinary needs. A total of 10 yearlings were consigned to Monday's first session as pinhooks. Two were outs and three were RNAs, leaving just five to represent the pinhook sector. The five sold for a total of $2.05 million from a total output of $1.69 million at original purchase. Less $125,000 for the five in combined estimated costs, that leaves a profit of $235,000 for the quintet. Three were profitable and two lost money. —JillWilliamsTDN The post $2.2M Gun Runner Colt Leads Million-Dollar Bonanza at Keeneland September Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Little Avondale Stud’s Per Incanto has reached another memorable milestone in his decorated stallion career. The leading son of Street Cry sired his 400th individual winner on Sunday when the Masterton nursery’s homebred Rue de Royale was successful for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy at Bendigo. While it was the three-year-old’s maiden victory, he showed his quality last season with runner-up finishes in the Gr.2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), the Inglis Millenium (1100m) and the A$1 million Golden Gift (1100m). “It was really cool that it was Rue de Royale because he was the maiden with most amount of prizemoney in Australia (more than A$675,000) before he won,” Little Avondale’s Sam Williams said. “I said at the beginning of the season that I think he (Per Incanto) could be in for his best time on the track and highlighted a number of younger horses, Rue de Royale was one and Evaporate is another. “He’s won his first three starts this campaign and now he’s on a Caulfield Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) path.” Rue de Royale was sold on behalf of Little Avondale by Sledmere Stud at last year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for A$180,000 with McEvoy Mitchell Racing and the Belmont Bloodstock Agency signing he ticket. He is a son of the Exceed And Excel mare Urban Royal who is from the family of the multiple Group One winner Alizee, whose half-brother Astern won the Gr.1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) before retiring to stud. The Ben, JD and Will Hayes-prepared Evaporate also went through the Sledmere draft at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale and sold to Lindsay Park for A$330,000. He is out of the unraced Animal Kingdom mare Savanna, a half-sister to the Gr.3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) winner Belluci Babe. Per Incanto’s rise through the stallion ranks has been an impressive journey after starting his career in 2011 off a $4000 service fee and rose to be champion first season sire by winners and runner-up in the two-year-old premiership in 2014-15. A year later he was crowned champion three-year-old sire by winners and champion second season sire by winners, defeating the multiple champion Savabeel for the former title. He has produced seven individual Group One winners, headed by dual elite level-winning mares Belclare and Roch ‘N’ Horse, and is also a two-time champion sire for winners in Hong Kong with worldwide progeny earnings of more than $84 million. Per Incanto currently stands at $50,000 + GST and served a limited book in 2023 after suffering a leg injury in a paddock accident. “He looks phenomenal and obviously the last 18 months have been quite tiresome for the horse because he was confined to a box for 10 months,” Williams said. “Time has been the best healer and patience has been a virtue in this case. The vets, his groom, the farriers and all the team have done a fantastic job with him. “Last season, he served 72 and this year he’ll cover 110 with a couple of spots still left. He has got some beautiful mares lined up.” View the full article

As part-owners of star performer Imperatriz, Waikato couple John Elstob and Denise Bassett understandably had high hopes ahead of the New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards. Held in their hometown of Hamilton, the husband and wife’s expectations were surpassed on Sunday by their glamour mare and they also received another knockout acknowledgment. Imperatriz duly claimed the supreme award as Horse of the Year and also won the sprinter-miler title and the Award for Outstanding Global Achievement before Elstob and Bassett were stunned to be named Owner of the Year. “We were there with bells on and had a table of 10 with some close friends,” Elstob said. “We thought we would pick up the sprinter-miler with Imperatriz and had reasonable hopes for Horse of the Year, but the Owner of the Year was really out of the blue. It was very special and quite unexpected.” The couple have enjoyed a decade long association with Te Akau and had a quarter share in Imperatriz. “I don’t know how we could get another one like her, but we’ll enjoy the ones we’ve got and remember the good times with her,” Elstob said. The daughter of I Am Invincible, who was purchased by Te Akau chief David Ellis for A$360,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale and earned $6.7 million in stakes in the 2023-24 season, taking her career earnings to $7.5 million. She won 19 of her 27 starts, including 10 at Group One level, and sold for an Australasian record of A$6.6 million to Yulong at this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Elstob and Bassett also in the ownership of the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Move To Strike, the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) winner and multiple Group One placegetter Captured By Love and Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) winner Ascend The Throne. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained Captured By Love was a strong resuming second in Saturday’s Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) while stablemate Move To Strike was the beaten favourite in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m). “Captured By Love went really well, she went a great race, and Move To Strike blew a bit afterwards,” Elstob said. “Our relationship with Te Akau goes back 10 or so years and we’ve got involved with more horses as the years have go on. “We’re involved in quite a number now and we had 45 individual runners last season. “We love the game and we have a lot of fun with a lot of great people in the industry. “We’ve also got four or five mares, 90 percent of one, 50 percent of another and various amounts in the others.” They celebrated a top result at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale earlier this year when the Hallmark Stud-offered Savabeel colt out of a stakes performer sold for $375,000 during the Book 1 session. “We were pretty excited about that, he was out of a mare called Za Za Gabor,” said Elstob, who has a significant professional involvement in the thoroughbred industry. “I’m in the veterinary game and own SVS Veterinary Supplies, we supply all the vet clinics in New Zealand.” View the full article

Attard will send out Pierre, Jokestar, Ariosa, and Bedard in the 1 3/16-race on Fort Erie's main track. Casse is countering with 5-2 morning-line favorite Midnight Mascot, third in the King's Plate, and Essex Serpent.View the full article