Wandering Eyes

Driver Penalties S Thornley | NZ Metropolitan 12 July; careless driving; fined $200. W House | NZ Metropolitan 12 July (heard NZ Metropolitan 14 July); careless driving; fined $400. Horse Penalties ALWAYS B YOU | Auckland 12 July; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. JACKS MATE | NZ Metropolitan 12 July; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. Protest EYELINER | NZ Metropolitan 12 July; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 8-14 July 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties K Asano | Waikato 10 July; use of whip; fined $250. L Chief Stipelas | Wanganui 11 July; failed to make weight; fined $200. T Mitchell | Whangarei 13 July; careless riding; suspended 27-31 July inclusive. S Spratt | Whangarei 13 July; use of whip; fined $500. K Asano | Whangarei 13 July; medical clearance required. N Downs | Wellington 13 July; careless riding; suspended 14 July – 3 August inclusive. H McNeill | Wellington 13 July; celebratory gesture prior to winning post; fined $500. K Hercock | Wellington 13 July; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalty J Lupton | Wanganui 11 July; late rider declaration; fined $50. Horse Penalties PAX MUNDI | Waikato 10 July; lame; veterinary clearance required. ULTIMATE FOCUS | Waikato 10 July; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. WAITERIMU | Waikato 10 July; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. AUTHENTIC AMANI | Wanganui 11 July; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. PIPPY | Whangarei 13 July; difficult to load; must complete trial. MASTER COURTSMAN | Wellington 13 July; bled; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. The post 8-14 July 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Trainer Chad Brown, who won his 150th Grade I race Saturday with repeat winner Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio) in the GI Diana Stakes, is already looking forward to the next starts for his stable's biggest runners. Of note, Gina Romantica (Into Mischief), just edged out for second in the Diana, could be headed to face the boys in the GI Fourstardave Handicap Aug. 10 along with stablemates Chili Flag (Fr) (Cityscape {GB}) and Whitebeam. “Chili Flag and Whitebeam are certainly horses you could consider for the Fourstardave depending who is running and such,” said Brown. “Gina Romantica was only beaten a little over a length in the Breeders' Cup Mile by Master of The Seas, so I guess it's in play – we'll see.” Another Brown-trained runner targeting the Fourstardave could be GIII Kelso Stakes winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). “He ran terrific. I was so happy to see him come back into form. Now that I was able to observe this race yesterday and tie it into his training and his affinity for Saratoga, I have to believe that his race during Belmont Stakes week here where he didn't fire must have been a bit of a hangover from that challenging trip off a layoff at Churchill.” Another 'Rising Star' for Brown, Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) continued preparations over the weekend for the GII Jim Dandy Stakes with a solo half-mile work over the Oklahoma training track in :48 2/5. “It was more of the same,” said Brown of Sierra Leone. “I'm liking what I'm seeing. He worked super – very similar to his last couple of works and he galloped out with a lot of energy. I couldn't be happier with the way he's moving. In observing the horse as he's changed and matured with more races under his belt, I wanted to change a couple things about my approach with him – minor changes – and that [working solo] was one of them. I wanted to see how he reacted to it and I'm very pleased with how it's going.” Sierra Leone works Sunday morning at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew The Jim Dandy will serve as a prep for the GI Travers Stakes where Sierra Leone will join another stablemate on the day's card in Domestic Product (Practical Joke) who targets the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial and took the GIII Dwyer Stakes July 6 at Aqueduct off short rest. “I subbed him in there [the Dwyer] and he ran the best race of his career, certainly. It makes sense to keep him at one turn at this point. Now that he has had two races in three weeks, I'll freshen him up and run in the Jerkens – it worked with the sire.” Also coming off a noteworthy weekend at Saratoga is trainer Todd Pletcher who saddled Illuminare (City of Light) and Miss Justify (Justify) to wins but was forced to scratch the morning-line favorite for the Sanford in Mentee (City of Light) due to a fever Saturday morning. “He's much better this morning,” said Pletcher on Sunday. “His temperature was normal, so knock on wood with a little bit of good fortune, he'll be back on track pretty soon.” Pletcher has a trio of runners looking towards the GI Haskell Stakes at Monmouth including 'TDN Rising Star' and champion 2-year-old male Fierceness (City of Light), 'TDN Rising Star' Mindframe (Constitution) and Tuscan Sky (Vino Rosso). “As of right now and speaking to the connections, the plan is to enter all three in the Haskell. We'll take that next step and then assess how everything is shaping up.” The post Brown, Pletcher Look Forward After Big Opening Saturday At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Charlie Appleby has issued a positive bulletin on Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) as the Classic winner continues his preparation for the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday, July 31. The impressive 2,000 Guineas scorer ran no sort of race when last seen forfeiting his unbeaten record in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, ultimately finishing seventh of eight runners in a race won by the Newmarket runner-up, Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). That performance was simply too bad to be true according to Appleby, who is expecting his charge to bounce back at Goodwood after he came through his latest piece of work with flying colours. “He worked on Saturday and I was pleased with him,” the dual champion trainer said of Notable Speech. “It was on soft ground which was testing for him but he worked well. It's all systems go towards the Sussex now. “I sat in the office the other morning with William [Buick, jockey] and we spoke in depth about him. We've been through him with a fine toothcomb and we've not found anything. Horses that campaign at that level, you often find something that needs a little bit of work because those at that level try harder, but he was as clean as a whistle. “We've just got to put a line through it and we'll see where we are come the Sussex, but he pleased in his work and we're looking towards the Sussex. It's a track that we feel would suit our fella–he's a traveller. “We've seen him at Kempton, we've seen him at Newmarket, but I thought Ascot's turning mile would suit him as well. But we'll probably never get to the bottom of it and now we move forward. If he'd finished third you just say 'that's as good as he is' but we've just not turned up. All the form, as we know, is rock solid.” The post Notable Speech Expected to Deliver at Goodwood after Royal Ascot Disappointment appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Due to the extreme heat forecasted for the Toronto area July 14, Woodbine has made the decision in consultation with the HBPA and the commissioned veterinarian to cancel Sunday's live racing.View the full article

More than 30 jockeys competed for points for their home countries during the July 13 card at Horseshoe Indianapolis in support of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.View the full article

Paddington and Chaldean, the latest star shuttlers added to the New Zealand stallion ranks, have been well received by breeders on both sides of the Tasman as the pair look to make their mark in Australasia.View the full article

Report from JapanView the full article

This past week the racing has come a distant second in the minds of many when set against the tragedy that has befallen the family of racing commentator John Hunt. Such an appalling act of cruelty is impossible to contemplate, especially when it concerns someone who is so popular and respected. In any workplace there are divisions and squabbles. What unites the racing press room in Britain is the unquestionable fact that John is not only a talented professional but a thoroughly decent man; a friend to so many. He and his daughter Amy will need all those friends as they attempt to come to terms with their immense loss and to rebuild their lives. One friend, John's fellow broadcaster Matt Chapman, has started a campaign to raise funds to help them in this process. If you wish to make a donation, you can do so via this link. At racecourses across the country, a minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect to John's wife Carol and their daughters, Hannah and Louise, who died on Tuesday. Jockeys wore black armbands throughout the week and at York a book of condolence placed outside the weighing-room swiftly filled with messages. On Sky Sports Racing on Saturday Matt relayed a message from John which was both inspiring and extraordinary in its strength and stoicism. It read, “Notwithstanding the horrid evil that swept through our lives, wreaking devastation on an unimaginable scale, the counter to that has been the breathtaking messages of support, some of which are still to be read. Amy, my eldest daughter, has been magnificently inspirational with her control and support for me which I am trying, trying so hard, to replicate. “Every message has felt so important – the same as a reassuring hug. “We know people are worried about us. We will get through this.” This week we remember also the former jockey and breeze-up rider Valdi de Souza, who died in an accident at Grove Stud, where he was a valued and longstanding member of Brendan Holland's team. “He absolutely adored horses and, when he was on a horse's back, that was his home,” said Brendan in a moving tribute in TDN on Friday. It has been a week of terrible sadness, and to the Hunt and de Souza families all of us at TDN offer our heartfelt condolences. Greenhills Far and Away Katie Walsh took only two horses to the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale this year under her Greenhills Farm consignment – a colt by New Bay (GB) and a filly by Havana Grey (GB). Both were bought for Anthony Stroud, at 525,000gns apiece, and while those are hefty price tags, one is already a Group 2 winner and the other is unbeaten in two starts and looks a Group winner in waiting. Arabian Dusk (GB) was bought by Stroud for Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa of Bahrain and is trained by Simon and Ed Crisford. Having run placed in both a maiden and the Listed Maureen Brittain Empress Fillies' Stakes, she returned to the July Course on Friday for a storming victory in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes. The win was also notable as a first Group success for Harry Davies, one of the rising stars of the weighing-room. The previous week, Anno Domini, the New Bay colt bought for Godolphin, landed his second win in a Sandown novice contest for Charlie Appleby. The half-brother to this season's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Kathmandu (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) looks destined for Pattern company next. It is easy to think of Stroud simply as 'Godolphin's man' but he has long had a wide range of clients to look after, and his good week got even better when Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), whom be bought for former trainer and breeder Peter Harris as a yearling, became the latest Group 1 winner for his talented trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam in the July Cup. Stroud also bought the third home in that race, last year's dual Group 1 winner Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who had topped the Craven Sale of 2023. Gleneagles a Versatile Option Gleneagles has been at stud for nine seasons now, so it is not as if he has burst onto the scene, but it always better to burn slowly for longer, and that is exactly what the 12-year-old son of Galileo (Ire) is doing. Within seven days, he has been responsible for last Sunday's Deutsches Derby winner Palladium (Ger) followed by the July Cup victory of Mill Stream. Few stallions are capable of such high-class versatility. It calls to mind a memorable 2006 for Mark Of Esteem (Ire), the year in which he was represented by both the Derby winner Sir Percy (GB) and the Nunthorpe and Haydock Sprint Cup winner Reverence (GB). (Let's not forget what a mighty horse Reverence was for his owner-breeders Gary and Lesley Middlebrook and trainer Eric Alston: in 42 starts he won 10 times, adding the G2 Temple Stakes and G3 Flying Five to his two Group 1 wins. Splendid.) Credit must also be given to Mill Stream's dam, Swirral Edge (GB) (Hellvelyn {GB}), the pride of the Murphy family's Redpender Stud. With her first foal she produced the G2 Richmond Stakes winner Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), who now resides at Starfield Stud in Ireland. Mill Stream has now taken the family to the next level. Gleneagles also has several more of the top three-year-olds in Europe in the Aga Khan's Calandagan (Ire), who blitzed his rivals in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, and Ambiente Friendly (Ire), who was second in the Derby and third in the Irish Derby. Mill Stream's July Cup win means that two members of Steve Parkin's Branton Court Stud broodmare band have benefited from a Group 1 sprint update in during the past year after they were both bought relatively inexpensively on the same day in 2022. On Parkin's behalf, Joe Foley bought Swirral Edge's dam Pizzarra (GB) (Shamardal) for 30,000gns as well as Approaching Autumn (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) for 35,000gns. The latter is now better known as the dam of last year's G1 Nunthorpe Stakes winner Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}). Having already enjoyed a homebred Classic winner this year in Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Branton Court Stud could also bask in further glory at York on Saturday as the breeder of Fitri Hay's Listed City Walls Stakes winner Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}). His half-sister and fellow Listed winner Queen Of Desire (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was sold in foal to Dullingham Park's first-season stallion Shaquille (GB) last week at Tattersalls for 42,000gns. Stallions in the News It has also been a notable week for Kingman (GB), Lope De Vega (Ire) and Caravaggio. The latter, who now resides at the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders Association stallion stud, had a transatlantic Group/Grade 1 double when Porta Fortuna (Ire) continued her merry romp through the season by winning the Falmouth Stakes, followed a day later by Juddmonte's Whitebeam landing back-to-back triumphs in the Diana Stakes at Saratoga. Lope De Vega was also represented on the Saratoga card by Carl Spackler (Ire), winner of the GIII Kelso Stakes. The four-year-old, bred by Fifth Avenue Bloodstock, clearly has a liking for the Spa as he won two graded stakes at Saratoga in 2023. A handicap it may be, but the John Smith's Cup, which was run at York on Saturday, is one of the most coveted and competitive races of the season, and Lope De Vega duly provided the one-two in that race when Shadwell's Enfjaar (Ire) led home Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's Botanical (Ire), both of whom are trained by Roger Varian. One tends to think of the offspring of Kingman as being best at up to around 1m2f but the Chief Stipehty Alsakib (GB) showed true grit when winning the 1m6f G3 John Smith's Silver Cup for PJ McDonald and Andrew Balding. It has been a terrific week for the Balding team, with 10 winners including two Group 3s at York – Flora Of Bermuda (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) won the Summer Stakes – and a Listed win at Chester for Al Shabab Storm (GB) (Advertise {Ire}). On Saturday, Kingman's son Quddwah (GB) remained unbeaten when continuing a good week for the Crisfords by winning the G2 Summer Mile under Callum Shepherd, who gained some compensation for the disappointing news earlier that day that his G2 Hardwicke Stakes winner Isle Of Jura (Ire) had been ruled out of the remainder of the season through injury. Quddwah, now four, is only lightly raced, having run twice last year and twice this, but the colt out of the G1 Dubai Duty Free winner Sajjhaa (GB) (King's Best) has clearly inherited plenty of ability from both sides of his pedigree. Kingman has now passed the marker of 50 Group winners. Whistlejacket Rides Again The 2nd Marquess of Rockingham, whose various achievements included being Lord of the Bedchamber to George II and twice being elected prime minister of Britain, was also the owner of the original Whistlejacket, a grandson of the Godolphin Arabian. Foaled in 1749, the chestnut stallion is the subject of one of the most arresting paintings by George Stubbs which now hangs in the National Gallery in London. The huge portrait was originally commissioned by the Marquess of Rockingham for his stately home in Yorkshire, Wentworth Woodhouse, which has its own 'Whistlejacket Room'. Along with his political duties, Rockingham, also known as Charles Watson-Wentworth, was a noted art collector and racehorse owner, which means he would have had plenty in common, had their paths crossed, with Peter Brant, the owner of the horse who most recently has been bestowed with the name Whistlejacket. Appropriately, he too is a chestnut, and the Irish-bred son of No Nay Never is, fortunately, also a good 'un. The original Whistlejacket was famed for winning over four miles at York and being retired to stud at the age of 10. His namesake, trained by Aidan O'Brien, is just two but has so far won the Listed First Flier Stakes and G2 July Stakes, so the half-brother to Little Big Bear is at least proving worthy of carrying such an historic name. Long may he run, though perhaps not over four miles, or for the next eight years. Classic Family to the Fore Once More Sosie (Ire) became not only the 14th winner of the Grand Prix de Paris for his trainer Andre Fabre but the Wertheimer-bred son of Sea The Stars (Ire) is also the latest Group 1 winner for a tremendous family which boasts at least four German Classic winners since the turn of this century. Samum (Ger), Schiaparelli (Ger) and Salve Regina (Ger), three full-siblings all by Monsun (Ger), collectively won the Deutsches Derby twice and Preis der Diana once. (The filly Salve Regina was also second in the Deutsches Derby). Their dam Sacarina (GB) (Old Vic {GB}) was mated with Monsun at least six times and two further full-siblings to the afore-named have also made their mark at broodmares. The unraced Sanwa (Ger) is the dam of wide-margin Deutsches Derby winner Sea The Moon (Ger) who in turn is the sire of last year's Deutsches Derby and Preis der Diana winners, Fantastic Moon (Ger) and Muskoka (Ger). Sea The Moon shares his sire with Sosie, whose dam Sosia (Ger) is out of Sahel (Ger), yet another daughter of Monsun and Sacarina. Mamma Mia! Extraordinarily, there was no Flat racing in Britain or Ireland on Sunday, but at Chantilly the G2 Prix Robert Papin felt more British than French. Six of the seven runners had been sent across the Channel from English stables, with the other, Korisa (Ire), trained in Italy by Melania Cascione. The juvenile contest was won by Arabie (GB), trained by Karl Burke, who makes easy work of mopping up French group races, but the entries beg the question: where on earth are the French two-year-olds? Arabie delivered a posthumous hurrah for his sire Dandy Man (Ire), and he is the son of a tremendous broodmare in Robert Cornelius's Mamma Morton (Ire) (Elnadim), who has produced 12 winners from 13 runners, including last year's G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Mammas Girl (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). Arabie was bought for 92,000gns by Federico Barberini on behalf of Mohamed Saeed Al Shahi, who also owned his Listed-winning half-brother Master Of War (GB) (Compton Place {GB}). The post Seven Days: Sorrow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horseshoe Indianapolis took part in an evening of activities linked to the World Jockey Challenge Saturday with funds and awareness being raised for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). “We are honored and proud to support the jockeys who ride our horses,” said Vice President of the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Jeri Harmon. “These jockeys are part of our business, so being able to assist with such a worthy cause is important to all the owners and breeders in our organization.” The Indiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), the night's title sponsor, awarded a $10,000 check to the PDJF while the ITOBA and Horseshoe Indy each presented an additional $2,500. A further $1,500 was given by the Quarter Horse Racing Association of Indiana. “We represent the horsemen on the backstretch, and this is an important cause for our organization annually,” said Executive Director of the Indiana HBPA Tim Glyshaw. “Jockeys are very important to our industry, so we are glad to provide this donation.” The post Saturday Night Fundraiser At Horseshoe Indy Benefits PDJF appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Woodbine has canceled Sunday's race card due to the extreme heat forecasted for the Toronto area. The release noted that the decision was made in consultation with the HBPA and the commissioned veterinarian with the safety of the horses and all racing participants a top priority. The Victoria Stakes has been rescheduled to Friday, July 19. Live racing at Woodbine is scheduled to return on Thursday, July 18 with first post at 4:50 p.m. The post Heat Forces Woodbine To Cancel Sunday Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) reported record commingling turnover of HK$28.8 billion as the 2023/24 season concluded at Sha Tin on Sunday, with 26 countries and more than 70 partners now commingling on Hong Kong racing. That total represented a 13.7% increase on the 2022/23 season, while overall turnover on simulcasting for the season was also up by 8.7% to HK$12.8 billion as Hong Kong continued to offer wagering on the very best of world racing through the World Pool. This year the number of World Pool races increased from 175 to 258, with the highlight being the expansion of the World Pool to Australia. World Pool turnover was up by 57.1% on last season. In total, Hong Kong racing fans enjoyed 88 race meetings this season, including seven twilight fixtures, comprising 831 Hong Kong races and 368 overseas simulcast races. Total racing wagering turnover for the season was HK$134.7 billion–a 4.5% decrease on the 2022/23 season–with the Hong Kong market being impacted significantly by the economic downturn according to Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, chief executive officer of the HKJC. “Under such a challenging economic situation, our overall season racing turnover is satisfactory,” Engelbrecht-Bresges summed up. “While the Club will continue to grow and expand its overseas customer base, the decline in local racing wagering turnover underlines that it must constantly engage and re-engage with Hong Kong racing fans.” Local racing fans were treated to some outstanding action on the track during the 2023/24 season, including a thrilling battle for the Hong Kong trainers' championship between Francis Lui and Pierre Ng which went right down to the wire. Trailing 67-66 at the start of Sunday's action at Sha Tin, Lui turned the deficit around by saddling four winners on the card to Ng's two, with the final scoreline standing at 70-69 in Lui's favour after his Patch Of Theta won the concluding race of the season. “Finally,” Lui, 65, said of winning his first championship. “Racing is full of excitement. In the middle of the season, everybody would think Pierre–he has won so many races–that he would not be easy to catch. “Luckily, I had a couple of three-year-olds with good quality who can win a race. It was very hard, whenever I got close with Pierre, he ran again. Like today, I thought I had good chances, but Pierre still won two races.” Asked how he would celebrate, Lui added, “I can take a sleep first.” On Friday, Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB})–the winner of five Group 1 races in three different jurisdictions in 2023/24–was named Hong Kong's Horse of the Year, while Zac Purton was crowned champion jockey for the seventh time following a six-timer at Sunday's season finale, taking his overall tally to 130 wins. Angus Chung won the Tony Cruz Award for the best-performed homegrown jockey with 46 wins, edging out four-time winner Vincent Ho (41). Reflecting further on the season, Engelbrecht-Bresges said, “Our world-class racing is truly an international brand in Hong Kong. I am deeply satisfied to see the joy and pride our champion horses, jockeys and trainers bring to racing fans not just in Hong Kong but around the world. “These achievements are only possible because of the significant investment of our owners. Collectively, these achievements are a wonderful endorsement of our strategy to develop our racing to become world class. “In addition, we have long-term strategies to attract the best racing talent from around the world in combination with developing the best horses and the best home-grown talent. There is no better proof of this than the thrilling contest this season between Francis Lui and Pierre Ng for the trainer's title.” The post Records Broken as Hong Kong Brings the Curtain Down on its 2023/24 Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australian ace celebrates seventh title win and plays crucial role in handlers’ championship crescendo: ‘Both of them threw everything at it’View the full article

Veteran handler emerges from epic premiership battle victorious after Patch Of Theta salutes in season finaleView the full article

Racing's pledge to support John Hunt after his wife and two daughters were killed in a crossbow attack has led to the creation of a GoFundMe page. Carol Hunt, 61, along with daughters, Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, were found fatally injured at their Hertfordshire home on Tuesday, with Kyle Clifford, 26, subsequently being arrested on suspicion of their murders. On Saturday, the BBC 5 Live commentator and Sky Sports Racing presenter, along with his third daughter Amy, said in a statement, “The devastation we are experiencing cannot be put into words.” The GoFundMe page–set up with the blessing of the Hunt family by racing broadcaster Matt Chapman and Betway's head of communications Chad Yeomans–aims to raise £50,000 to support the family. On Sunday afternoon it had already passed the £18,000 mark. Writing on the page, Chapman said, “It's with a heavy heart that this GoFundMe is set up for the Hunt family after the horrific events in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9. “Carol Hunt, 61, Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, were murdered while at the home they loved. “They are the wife and children of much-loved sports commentator John Hunt, widely seen as one of the most talented and nicest blokes you could meet. Also a true family man. Hunty has always oozed decency. “This GoFundMe page has the blessing of John and his family. I am sure, like me, you have been left numb by what has happened. “I want to help. What can I do? That is a question many of you will be asking and have asked John in hundreds/thousands of messages that have meant so much to those involved. “Well, what we can do is raise as much money as possible for the Hunt family, in particular daughter Amy. On the back of the horror, I know John would so dearly love Amy to be able to get through life without any financial worries. “Of course, during these devastating times life continues. If we can relieve any stress for the Hunts then why wouldn't we all do so? “This is a special family that has been left heartbroken. Please give anything you can to show them just how much we care and love them.” The post GoFundMe Launched in Support of John Hunt and Daughter Amy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He had to cover Chantilly's straight six furlongs in a time over a second faster than when taking the G3 Prix du Bois last month, but what would prove too difficult for others is far from a test for the highly progressive Arabie (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}–Mamma Morton {Ire}, by Elnadim) as he enhanced his portfolio in Sunday's G2 Prix Robert Papin. In a renewal absent of any French-trained juveniles, it was the fellow British raider Celandine (GB) (Kingman {GB}) who pressed on from the outset but Mohamed Saeed Al Shahi's 11-10 favourite always had that Rockcliffe Stud homebred covered and when Jim Crowley sent him forward to edge it approaching the final furlong the writing was on the wall. Strong to the line, the latest successful Karl Burke cross-channel raider had 3/4 of a length to spare there over the strong-closing Shadow Army (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) as he denied Celandine the runner's-up spot by a short neck. Arabie steps up again! @karl_burke's two-year-old colt gets the better of Shadow Army to grab G2 glory in the Prix Robert Papin… pic.twitter.com/2vMmukXYdw — Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) July 14, 2024 The post Dandy Man’s Arabie Leads British 1-2-3 in the Robert Papin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

His Highness The Aga Khan's hitherto unraced 2-year-old-filly Zarigana (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}–Zarkamiya {Fr}, by Frankel {GB}), a granddaughter of the storied Zarkava, produced a stunning performance in Sunday's Prix de la Butte Blanche over seven furlongs at Chantilly and emulated her illustrious second dam by securing 'TDN Rising Star' status on debut. The well-backed 11-10 favourite settled into a smooth rhythm and tracked the leaders in fifth after the opening exchanges. Angled off the rail for a clear passage approaching the quarter-mile marker, she settled the contest in an instant when surging to the front at the furlong pole and powered clear in the closing stages to hit the line with an impressive four-length buffer back to Reine De Medicis (Ire) (Romanised {Ire}), herself a half-sister to this term's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains third Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}). Zarigana becomes the 13th Rising Star for her sire. “She's a classy filly and gave me a really good feeling,” said rider Mickael Barzalona. “She moved particularly well and picked up strongly. She needed the experience and will have learnt a lot from today. She sprinted from a long way out and maintained that speed all the way to the line. Hopefully, she has a big future ahead of her and I'm pretty sure connections will be happy with that performance.” Zarigana, half to a yearling filly by Dubawi (Ire), is the second foal and scorer produced by Listed Prix Thiberville victrix and G1 Prix Vermeille third Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), herself kin to Group 1-winning sire Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), Listed Prix Charles Laffitte victrix Zaykava (Fr) and to the dam of dual Group 3 winner Zeyrek (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The January-foaled bay's second dam went unbeaten through a seven-race career, annexing the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe along the way. “Elle peut être une Zarkava avec encore plus de modèle…” L'œil du “maître entraîneur” Alain de Royer Dupré, entraîneur de la championne Zarkava, sous le charme de Zarigana, victorieuse ce dimanche à Chantilly. @AgaKhanStuds pic.twitter.com/b6xhQv9Tya — Equidia (@equidia) July 14, 2024 2nd-Chantilly, €30,000, Mdn, 7-14, unraced 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:28.81, g/s. ZARIGANA (IRE), f, 2, by Siyouni (Fr) 1st Dam: Zarkamiya (Fr) (SW & G1SP-Fr, $144,304), by Frankel (GB) 2nd Dam: Zarkava (Ire), by Zamindar 3rd Dam: Zarkasha (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €15,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (GB); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Mickael Barzalona. The post Siyouni’s Zarigana Attains TDN Rising Star Status With Chantilly Rout appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Exciting three-year-old Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn) extended his unbeaten record to seven wins in the RM$100,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 3YO Trophy over 1400m at Selangor racecourse in Malaysia on Saturday. The son of Derryn was a last start winner in the 3YO Pacific Cup (1200m) three weeks ago but had to do it the hard way but came through thanks to a superb ride by Singapore based Carlos Henrique. Drawn barrier eight in the field of 10, Antipodean was caught three-wide all the way till the home straight. The field then bunched up at the 400m with only four lengths separating the first and last runner. Eight horses were stretched across the track almost in a line approaching the 200m. Laxon took the lead shortly after but was quickly challenged by Antipodean who dashed to the front and kicked away with 150m to go. Military Flag (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) looked menacing at one stage but failed to make any headway in the closing stages, eventually beaten by the fast-finishing Graphjet Express (NZ) (Belardo) for second place. “He raced all the way on the bridle,” said Henrique who has ridden nine winners in Singapore this season. “The straight here is quite long and he hit the front earlier than I had wanted. He took the lead easily and then relaxed. So I had to work him hard towards the end. “It’s my first time here and I enjoyed the track. It’s an amazing chance to come today and I hope to come here more often.” “Antipodean is a special horse,” said Dunderdale. “Seven wins in-a-row is quite a feat. “He was caught wide throughout but credit to Carlos (Henrique) for not panicking and finished the race well.” It was a fitting result for the race’s sponsors as Antipodean was purchased by trainer Simon Dunderdale for NZ$23,000 from the draft of Regal Farm at the Ready To Run Sale in 2022. View the full article

Jasmine Fawcett continued her sterling run of form in the saddle collecting a double at Ruakaka on Saturday, headlined by Fly My Wey’s success in the ITM/GIB Whangarei Gold Cup Stayer’s Final (2100m). Riding for Mark Brosnan of Matamata, Fawcett reunited with Fly My Wey (NZ) (Sweynesse) following the gelding’s ninth placing in the far north a fortnight ago, having faded after a taxing trip four-wide over the staying distance. Lining up in the competitive final, Fly My Wey closed an $11.90 chance with last year’s winner Bosch on top at $5.30, followed by the in-form Blue Sky At Night ($7). Fawcett ensured the son of Sweynesse wouldn’t have a repeat of last start settling one-off the fence in fourth, allowing him to stride out in a comfortable rhythm while Chilli Con Khan controlled the tempo. Still travelling strongly, Fawcett opted to slide outside the leaders approaching the home turn and he continued to extend that margin down the straight, powering clear of Bosch and a tough top-weight in Chevron with the final margin being 2 ½ lengths. Reflecting on the performance, Fawcett couldn’t have been happier with how the race panned out and anticipates the best is yet to come for the five-year-old. “His stable name is Baz and I’ve formed a really good connection with him as I’ve ridden him previously in gallops and races,” she said. “I knew coming around the corner at the 700 metre mark that he could sustain a good finish, so I let him pop out three-wide and head the leaders there and turning for home I had plenty underneath me. “He kicked really strongly at the finish and he felt great. He loves that course so I was really pleased with his efforts. “He will possibly be back at Ruakaka in two weeks’ time, there may be a race there for him but I’m not entirely sure, I haven’t spoken to Mark as yet. “I think he’s a genuine Cup horse, he’s taken a couple of years to mature to that distance because he’s run good miles in the past. He’s pretty versatile as well, he handles any sort of track conditions that you put him on.” Fawcett also saluted aboard Brosnan’s Diamond Jak at Te Rapa last Saturday, his support of the Northern hoop being a reflection of hard work behind the scenes. “I’m fortunate to be at Matamata where Mark is so I always asked if he needed a hand with gallops and what not, and because I was willing to do track work, he gave me opportunities,” she said. “We typically have the same opinions on how horses should be ridden so it works really well.” Out of a four-win mare Fly Silca Fly, Fly My Wey was purchased via gavelhouse.com in 2020 for $3800 and has gone on to win four races from 34 starts and over $130,000 in stakes. Fawcett also had plenty of praise to give for Vegas Queen, a well-related juvenile filly who earned her maiden success with a promising performance in the ITM/GIB 2YO Race (1200m) for local trainers Ken Rae and Krystal Williams. “I think we’re going to see bright things from this filly. I think she wants further and 1200m was almost too short for her yesterday, but she had the ability to get through that really well,” Fawcett said. “I’m hoping Kenny will pick some black-type races for her in the future, I’m interested to see what he decides to do with her.” Fawcett established a successful record with Rae dating back to her time as an apprentice jockey, and has earned 23 successes with the stable since Williams entered into partnership. “Kenny has supported me since I was a four-kilo claimer, my first ride for him was on a horse called Major Tom who won that day and he’s just continued to support me ever since,” Fawcett said. “His horses love Ruakaka and usually are presented well and ready to win. It’s been a great connection over the years I’ve been riding.” With just a couple of weeks left in the season, Fawcett is taking every opportunity to reach 70 winners while also being just two adrift of the 300 mark over her career. “My agent and I set a goal of five winners per month which I was focussed and determined to achieve, and I’ve over-achieved that goal so I’ll be making some new ones for next season,” she said. “I’m only a couple of wins off 300 which is a great milestone as well. “I’ve got Pukekohe, Hastings, Rotorua and Oamaru this week, and have a couple of nice rides including in the two-year-old race at Hastings for Glenn Old. “I’m also on a horse at Rotorua called Social Climber that I’m looking forward to riding. She won her last trial and looks to be a progressive type of filly.” View the full article

Balancing training and race riding has become a successful venture for Samantha Wynne and she was delighted to guide her own Peecee Pussycat (NZ) (Pure Champion) to victory at Riccarton Synthetic on Friday. The Irish horsewoman established herself among the top jockeys based in Canterbury over the past decade, riding well over 300 winners before trying her hand in the training role in early 2022, her first runner being a winner in Fettercairn. After a riding accident later that year, Wynne was on the sidelines and ramped up her Prebbleton operation with the support of breeders Colin and Tina Nimmo, who first entrusted her with Zacinto mare Zacat, and later her older half-brother Peecee Pussycat. The six-year-old was initially trained by Cambridge conditioner John Bell to four wins and was yet to enter the winner’s circle for Wynne, but that all changed with a perfectly-rated ride in Friday’s Rating 75 2200m contest. Rated a $10.70 chance, Peecee Pussycat was urged forward early by Wynne to sit outside the leader Sway Up, and at the 1400 metres she took matters into her own hands taking over the pacemaking role and rolling comfortably out in front to the home turn. The big gelding shook off Sway Up and extended his stride strongly, holding off the charge of Tomyturbo to score by a long head with race-favourite Sincere closely gamely into third. Wynne was thrilled to have her race plan come off, praising her charges efforts after the staying event. “He seems to go his best races in front, he’s a bit of a grinder so I did a bit of work early and he got a breather,” she said. “He was super fit with a light weight on his back so I knew he could handle it, it just depended on what was happening behind me. It was a tough effort by the horse and he was gusty to the line. “He’s pulled up great and is eating up, he’s in a good frame of mind so we’ll strike while the iron is hot. We’ll look for a race for him over the next couple of weeks, hopefully there is a nice race for him during Grand National week on the synthetic too. “He seems to like it, he used to love a heavy track back in the day so it’s a bit surprising that he enjoys the synthetic so much. As long as he’s happy going forward, we’ll keep going there.” Wynne expressed her gratitude for the support of the Nimmo’s, who collected an owner’s double at the meeting with another filly out of broodmare Compact Pussycat, Muzzle Cat, saluting in the maiden staying race for Ross Beckett. “My boss Neil Coulbeck who I was apprenticed to retired from training, so he asked the Nimmo’s if they would send Zacat to me, and I was delighted as she was my first outside horse,” Wynne said. “After the accident, I started getting a few more horses. Peecee was racing up north and just not being that competitive, so the owners decided to bring him down to me after Zacat had won a couple of races with us. “I’m so appreciative for their support, they deserve every success they get.” Peecee Pussycat was Wynne’s fourth winner as a trainer-jockey, a juggling act she is thoroughly enjoying after questioning whether she would return to the saddle. “I’m getting used to riding my own horses now and I’m really enjoying it, it’s cool even ringing up to declare yourself on the horse. It’s something I never thought I would get the opportunity to do,” she said. “I’m loving doing both, the training takes up a lot of my time which I wouldn’t have any other way. As a jockey, you have a lot of spare time to yourself, but I am slowly getting busier at the stables so training will be my future. “I’ll have to commit to training 100% eventually, but I’m still loving riding and my owners are very supportive in me continuing to race ride as well. It’s hard work, but made so much easier with the people around me. “I’m moving into a new property with bigger stables soon, so it won’t be long before I’m full time training. “I have a plan set out a good few weeks in advance, so I know where my horses are going and if there are any clashes I let the trainers now very early. They’ve been great in working around that with me, so I’m pretty lucky. “I didn’t think I would come back to riding after the accident so I’m glad to be out there enjoying it again.” Consistent galloper Turf War (NZ) (War Decree) has headlined Wynne’s small team collecting a quartet wins this term, and she is looking forward to having him back at the races alongside several up-and-coming prospects. “I’ve just got an older horse called Iffindoubtdance into the stable which is very exciting, and Turf War will be back after winning four races for us this season,” she said. “We have three nice two-year-olds, Let Me Loose has won a trial and would’ve gone to the races but she went a little bit shin-sore so we eased up on her. I’ve got a Churchill gelding (Sir Sigaro) trialling on Tuesday and a Vespa gelding who is not far off trialling as well, we sold his sister Cliodhna Maeve to Australia last year. “I’m very grateful to have some lovely horses around me, every trainer needs a good horse going around. I’ll be doing my best with all of them.” View the full article

Local filly Vegas Queen (NZ) (Proisir) showed she had taken plenty of benefit from her last start third placing when she went two better in taking out the ITM/GIB 2YO Race (1200m) at her home venue of Ruakaka on Saturday. The sensational late scratching of raging hot favourite I‘m All In ($1.70) at the starting barriers saw Vegas Queen shorten to $2.60 on the tote and she never gave her many supporters a moment of concern as she stalked pacemaker Beau Luca throughout for rider Jasmine Fawcett. Fawcett unleased the brakes at the 200m and the daughter of Proisir dashed clear to win comfortably from Beau Luca and Miss Flower who battled on well for third. Co-trainer Kenny Rae, who prepares the filly in partnership with daughter Krystal Williams, admitted she is held in high regard and has some lofty ambitions ahead of her. “It was only a four-horse field in the end, but she has a very high reputation in the stable,” Rae said. “She has lived up to that today. “We might give her five or six days off then bring her back for the Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m). “We’d love to have her there for the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) as I think that much of her but here, she is at her home track and really Guineas races are a dream.” The Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) will be held at Ruakaka on 17 August with the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on 16 November. Fawcett was also full of praise for the effort and expects the filly to continue to blossom. “With the favourite being out it made more of an opportunity for us to go forward and we took that,” she said. “She was very strong to the line and is a very nice horse. “It’s the first I have heard of that plan (to go to the 1000 Guineas) but it sounds very exciting.” Out of the unraced Carlton House mare Miss Vegas, Vegas Queen is closely related to seven-race winner Vegas Showgirl, the dam of superstar galloper Winx who numbered 25 Group One victories amongst her 37 career wins. View the full article

There are no certainties in racing, but when Scotty MacNab and Kevin Myers combine in the Flair Amateur Riders Series, the result is often similar to what unfolded at Trentham on Saturday in the Fusion Electrical 2100. A five-time winner of the annual series, MacNab had accumulated 18 victories aboard Myers’ runners and was poised to add to that tally with capable galloper So Call Me (NZ) (Sweynesse), who closed a $6 third-favourite behind King Khan ($2.60) and Kahu Rock ($4.20). The experienced hoop found his positioning early aboard the son of Sweynesse, settling in behind the speed set by Kahu Rock which strung out the 10-horse field along the back-straight. MacNab kept the pacemaker within reach and allowed So Call Me to slide into contention turning for home, hugging the rail and kicking away from Kahu Rock comfortably at the finish to score by 2 ¾ lengths. After the race, MacNab expressed his gratitude for Myers in his usual humorous style. “I’m just spoiled, it’s nothing to do with how good you ride, it’s just how spoilt you get (with horses),” MacNab said. “I got to the rail and he was going nicely so I just decided to stay there. If anything, I thought they were going a bit slow, I would’ve preferred they go a bit quicker but I had plenty left coming to the corner so I thought I was going to be alright. “I wanted to beat Sammy (Sameer Mohammed, jockey of Kahu Rock) because it’s his last race, so I had to beat him. “I don’t need to win the series again as I’ve won it a few times, I’m just thankful to everyone that gives me the rides.” The victory was So Call Me’s fifth from 26 starts, earning $84,512 for the Eternal Optimists Syndicate and Myers. The Wanganui trainer purchased him as a yearling for $18,000 at the 2019 National Yearling Sales out of Sedgmere Farm’s draft. The successful stable also took out the Jennian Homes Maiden Hurdle (2800m) earlier in the day courtesy of Rocabury (NZ) (El Roca), who was patiently handled by Dean Parker out in front before staving off a strong challenge by race-favourite Zeefa Zed. Formerly trained by co-owner Bruce Harvey, the son of El Roca was transferred to Myers’ Wanganui stable this year and was on debut over fences, bringing up his fourth win from 32 starts. View the full article

Mark Oulaghan may have left his stable stars at home on Saturday, but Semper Magico (NZ) (Per Incanto) stepped right up to the task securing his first success over the fences in the Cody Singer Memorial Maiden Hurdle (2500m). Semper Magico had the superior flat form of the field with nine victories and a placing in the Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m) last December, and his jumping debut at Hastings was very nearly a winning one losing in a head-bobbing finish to Dictation. The son of Per Incanto was backed into near-unbeatable favouritism at $1.30 under leading rider Portia Matthews, who allowed him to slide up outside the lead early in proceedings alongside Cheeky Azz. Deriving benefit from his debut, Semper Magico jumped efficiently along the back stretch and when Matthews asked for an effort at the 800m, he left the rest of the field flat-footed skipping out to a five-length buffer turning for home. Kevin Myers’ pair of Go Butch and Mugshot chased the favourite gamely in the closing stages, but Semper Magico was far too classy pulling away at the line by 7 ¼ lengths. The victory was Matthews’ second aboard the eight-year-old, with a win in a Rating 65 high weight last August commencing a glittering run of form where he would go on to take out four of his next seven races. “That’s where he likes to be (in front), we like to keep him happy,” Matthews said. “Last time on debut I just kept him back a bit to ensure that we got the jumping bit right, but he’s a very talented horse and I’ve ridden him in high weights as well so I know what he can be like. “He’s a horse that you have to keep going, because when he stops, you cannot get him going again. “Although it may have looked like I was going a bit early and had the stick to him, it allowed him to get through that flat spot and continue to travel with not much effort. “I’m really glad that he got there, he’s an exciting horse for the future if Mark lets me keep him as a jumper. He is a stakes horse so if we can keep him going well on the flat we’ll do that as well.” It was a sentimental victory for the stable, with the race being dedicated to Cody Singer, a gifted former jumps jockey who won the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) of 2010 aboard Oulaghan’s two-time winner Brushman. “Last start we just had a bit go wrong, my stick broke and there were a couple of things that didn’t quite go our way. I won this race last year and when nothing went right the other day, I knew this was the race he was meant to win,” Matthews said. Oulaghan co-bred Semper Magico and shares in the ownership alongside wife Penny, with the majority of his $276,439 in stakes earnings collected during a highly-successful season for the gelding. “When she (Matthews) set him a light at the 800 he put them behind him a bit so I was hoping he could hang on from there, and he obviously did that,” Oulaghan said. “I think as he does a bit more he’ll improve. “We’ll possibly take him to Riccarton, I don’t know whether we’ll run in the National but there is a 0-1 hurdle as well.” Semper Magico is out of the Oulaghan’s talented Grosvenor mare Semper Fidelis, who won the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2400m) and was a multiple Group Two placegetter during her career. Of her four other foals to race, Montjeu mare Marea Alta was the standout winning eight races and twice at Listed level. View the full article

What Dubbo Races Where Dubbo Turf Club – Merrilea Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830 When Monday, July 15, 2024 First Race 12:25pm AEST Visit Dabble The new week of racing gets underway at Dubbo Turf Club on Monday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part program set for decision. The rail is out +6m between the 1000m to 400m markers, while the remainder is in the true position the rest of the way around. Mostly sunny conditions are forecast in the lead-up, so expect the current Soft 7 rating to improve prior to the opening event at 12:25pm local time. Best Bet at Dubbo: Custo Custo brings an element of class to this BM74 contest and looks perfectly placed first-up for the Cameron Crockett barn. The son of Deep Field was a two-time winner last preparation, with the four-year-old proving competitive across provincial and metro company towards the end of the campaign. He won comfortably in a tick-over trial at Scone on June 12 heading into this, and provided he can handle the 61.5kg on his back, Custo will take a power of beating as he attempts to keep his undefeated first-up record intact. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Custo (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Cameron Crockett | J: Ashley Morgan (61.5kg) +180 with Neds Next Best at Dubbo: Hot Gospel Hot Gospel is winless across 10 starts but seems set to peak after back-to-back minor placings. The four-year-old mare finished off gamely behind Relentless Ruby at Gunnedah on July 1, showing a blistering turn-of-foot to get within 2.7 lengths in a slowly run affair. Watch for Ashley Morgan to drop in for cover from barrier nine, and although she’ll need to make plenty of inroads from the back-half of the field, Hot Gospel should have this lot covered. Next Best Race 1 – #6 Hot Gospel (9) 4yo Mare | T: Dar Lunn | J: Ashley Morgan (55.5kg) +150 with Bet365 Best Value at Dubbo: Bamboula After being transferred from Anthony Cummings to Jim McMillan, Bamboula makes his debut. His trials haven’t set the world alight, but his most recent piece of work at Randwick on April 15 showed plenty of promise despite what the 6.6-length margin may suggest, with the son of Press Statement doing his best work late. There’s good intent from the stable to kick-off the campaign over 1320m, and although he may not be fully wound up for this, the each-way price available with online bookmakers is too big to ignore. Best Value Race 3 – #1 Bamboula (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Jim McMillan | J: Dylan Stanley (a2) (59kg) +1400 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips for Dubbo races Dubbo quadrella selections Monday, July 15, 2024 2-3-4 2-3-5-8-9 1-3-4-5 1-2-3-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Mo Plex became the newest poster boy for the lucrative New York-bred program with his front-running score in the $175,000 Sanford Stakes (G3) at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article