Wandering Eyes

The New York Racing Association announced July 11 that a new agreement has been reached with FanDuel/TVG. As a result, pari-mutuel wagering on the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course is now available on TVG/FanDuel platforms.View the full article

Owners of horses of racing age currently not nominated to the Breeders' Cup program can nominate their runners at discounted rates on or before July 15 for competition in this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships.View the full article

The fifth installment in the 2024 OwnerView webinar held July 9 focused on the economics of the Thoroughbred industry, the series said in a release on Thursday. Guests Everett Dobson, owner of Cheyenne Stables and Candy Meadows Farm; Tom Rooney, president and CEO, National Thoroughbred Racing Association; and Dr. Marshall Gramm, co-founder, Ten Strike Racing, discussed a myriad of topics including record purses, incentives to race and breed horses and strong top-end sales with a declining foal crop. Five additional Thoroughbred Owner Conference virtual panels are scheduled for 2024. The next session, “Veterinary: Throat Surgery,” will be held Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. ET. There is no fee for the series, but registration is required. Click here to access all of the replays. The post Latest Thoroughbred Owner Conference Virtual Panel Focuses On Industry Economics appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cheveley Park Stud's homebred Chancellor (GB) (Kingman {GB}), the second foal out of GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}), was an absentee from last year's October Book 1 fixture, but made his presence felt in Thursday's Napoleons Casino & Restaurant EBF Maiden Stakes at Doncaster and collected a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette with a taking 4 3/4-length tally in the six-furlong contest. The 16-5 favourite was slowly into stride and trailed all 10 rivals through the early fractions of this debut. Taking forward once angled to the stands' side passing halfway, he powered into contention approaching the final furlong and, despite emitting signals of inexperience, devoured the ground in the latter stages to easily outclass Aysgarth (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) by daylight. He becomes the 33rd Rising Star for his sire. Chancellor is the second of four foals and first scorer produced by the aforementioned Queen's Trust, herself a daughter of G3 Winter Hill Stakes victrix Queen's Best (GB) (King's Best). His third dam, dual Group 1-placed G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Cloud Castle (GB) (In The Wings {GB}), is a daughter of Listed Sweet Solera Stakes-winning matriarch Lucayan Princess (Ire) (High Line {GB}). The February-foaled bay is full to a yearling filly, named So Regal (GB), and half to a weanling colt by Baaeed (GB). Very impressive debut – Chancellor, a son of Breeders' Cup winner Queen's Trust, is slow away but does really well to win at @DoncasterRaces for Rab Havlin, the Gosdens and @CPStudOfficial… pic.twitter.com/XFdXd5DCdW — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 11, 2024 3rd-Doncaster, £6,800, Mdn, 7-11, 2yo, 6f 2yT, 1:12.99, g/s. CHANCELLOR (GB), c, 2, by Kingman (GB) 1st Dam: Queen's Trust (GB) (GISW-US & MG1SP-Eng, $1,609,592), by Dansili (GB) 2nd Dam: Queen's Best (GB), by King's Best 3rd Dam: Cloud Castle (GB), by In The Wings (GB) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £3,672. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Robert Havlin. The post Kingman’s Chancellor Elevated to TDN Rising Star Status With Impressive Victory at Doncaster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are 223 yearlings, including a Japan (GB) half-brother to G1 Preis der Diana heroine Miss Yoda (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (lot 81), catalogued for the BBAG Premier Yearling Sale on August 30, the sales company announced on Thursday. A total of 51% of the catalogue are either out of black-type mares or are siblings of black-type horses, with 29 siblings of group winners set to sell through the Iffezheim ring. Stallions represented include Gleneagles (Ire) (3), Soldier Hollow (GB) (7), Sea The Moon (Ger) (16), Zarak (Fr) (3), Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (5), Amaron (GB) (5), Guiliani (Ire) (2), Galiway (GB) (2), Teofilo (Ire) (2), Wootton Bassett (GB) (3), and Australia (GB) (2). The following stallions each have one yearling in the catalogue: Camelot (GB), Churchill (Ire), Dark Angel (Ire), Havana Grey (GB), Kingman (GB), Kodiac (GB), Lope De Vega (Ire), Mehmas (Ire), New Bay (GB), Night Of Thunder (Ire), Sea The Stars (Ire), and Too Darn Hot (GB). Some notable lots include the first foal, a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt, out of the aforementioned Miss Yoda as lot 192; lot 67 is a son of Camelot out of Preis der Diana victress Diamanta (Ger) (Maxios {GB}); Sea The Moon, who is well-represented by 16 progeny at the sale, has lot 75, a son of the G3 Deutsches St. Leger winner Hey Little Gorl (Ger) (Sternkoenig {Ire}); and German Classic winner Lancade (GB) (Areion {Ger}) has a Japan colt as lot 189. The sale will begin at 10 a.m. local time and is part of Baden-Baden's Big Week. All yearlings are nominated for the 19 BBAG auction races. Six of the past 10 G1 Deutscher Derby winners hail from BBAG auctions. The post Sibling To Preis Diana Heroine Miss Yoda Among BBAG Yearling Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A new contractual agreement has been reached between the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and FanDuel/TVG, which will allow pari-mutuel wagering on the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course to once again be available on FanDuel/TVG platforms, NYRA said in a release mid-morning on Thursday. “We are pleased to have reached a resolution that will allow FanDuel/TVG customers across the country to wager on NYRA racing now and moving forward,” said Tony Allevato, NYRA Chief Revenue Officer. “In accordance with the goals stated at the outset of this process, NYRA will be dedicating significant funding to support New York's horsemen and strengthen the state's Thoroughbred racing ecosystem.” As part of the new agreement, FanDuel/TVG will also be making a sizable contribution to the NYRA Foundation to further the impact of non-profit organizations and service providers active in backstretch services, thoroughbred aftercare and more. The NYRA Foundation establishes a pathway for businesses and individuals to contribute to a variety of worthy endeavors connected to thoroughbred racing in New York State. “We are happy to have reached a multi-year agreement with the New York Racing Association and to extend our 24-year wagering partnership,” said Andrew Moore, General Manager, Racing, FanDuel Group. “We look forward to the Saratoga meet and beyond and to supporting the good work of the NYRA Foundation.” The contractual impasse between the two entities began July 4 when an agreement could not be met. The post Saratoga Races Available On FanDuel/TVG After New NYRA Contract Agreement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is now accepting donations for its 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover Silent Auction, the non-profit said in a Thursday release. Hosted online, the silent auction runs during Thoroughbred Makeover week, Oct. 4-12, and items are on display starting Oct. 8. Past contributions have included unique experiences such as polo lessons or fox hunting, racing memorabilia such stallion halters and shoes, and one-of-a-kind equestrian or racing artwork. Items to be shipped to the Maryland office for processing must be sent by Sept. 16. In-person donations can be dropped off at the Kentucky Horse Park Oct. 7 and 8, but will still require a donation form to be filled out in advance. Click here for more information. The post 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover Silent Auction Now Accepting Donations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Carrying a penalty in Thursday's G2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket, Scuderia la Tesa and Vaibhav Shah's Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) made light work of the task to book his ticket to the G1 Irish St Leger. Last seen impressively recording a second consecutive success in the G2 Yorkshire Cup over an extra two furlongs, the Marco Botti-trained 5-year-old was content to sit behind two rivals racing up the centre of the track until Oisin Murphy gave the command. Edging ahead of Arrest (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) passing the furlong pole, the 100-30 second favourite readily asserted for an emphatic 3 1/4 length success. Down in trip and conceding a penalty, but that's no problem for Giavellotto A return to Group 1 company surely awaits the improving @BahrainTurfClub Princess Of Wales's Stakes winner.@oismurphy | @MarcoBotti pic.twitter.com/ZI8dDAPqXJ — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 11, 2024 The post Mastercraftsman’s Giavellotto Dominates the Princess of Wales’s appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

XBTV will once again offer free video workouts from Saratoga and Del Mar, the outlet said in a press release on Thursday. The site will capture, catalogue and upload content for both meets. For the past few years, the coast-to-coast teams have recorded over 3,000 workouts annually at Saratoga and Del Mar combined, which gives handicappers and horsemen access to the nation's top horses and future stars. The XBTV feed is available without cost to those with a 1/ST account. Click here for more information. The post XBTV Free Workout Videos From Saratoga And Del Mar Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Back on the hamster wheel, everybody. You know the drill. Usual freshman hype, please. Just remember to change the names–and not to dwell too unhelpfully on how things played out for those being talked up four or five years ago. But the legitimate, perennial challenge of the yearling circuit also abides, and likewise much of its color and character. Just not quite all. Not enough time has elapsed, certainly, to heal one aching void. For many of his compatriots, in particular, every barn we enter we still half-expect to hear the unmistakable tones of James Delahooke surveying the scene with a candor and comedy nowadays all too rare. He had been able to nourish both, of course, during decades of relative neglect dividing his own professional heyday from his sudden death in 2022. But while he was only at Juddmonte between 1979 and 1985, in that brief window he seeded one of the most accomplished breed-to-race programs of all time. The families built upon those foundations by the late Prince Khaled (with a team, naturally, that maintained seamless excellence) have over the past month especially showcased their continued vigor through a series of sophomore colts. With Scylla's brother Batten Down (Tapit) and Pure Force (Constitution) having lately drawn our attention, now GIII Indian Derby winner Dragoon Guard (Arrogate) has emerged as another candidate to clarify the confused sophomore picture through the second half of the season. All three trace to foundation mares brought to Juddmonte on the recommendation of Delahooke. Mizzen Mast | Asuncion Pineyrua Juddmonte Pure Force's fifth dam Mofida (GB) (Right Tack {GB}) was bought in 1981 carrying her fourth, Zaizafon (The Minstrel), subsequently also dam of the Gone West brothers Zafonic and Zamindar. Batten Down's fourth dam Monroe (by Sir Ivor out of the great Best In Show) was bought the previous year, also from Robert Sangster, his third dam being her daughter by none other than Zafonic. And Dragoon Guard's fourth dam is Media Luna (GB) (Star Appeal {Ire}), acquired after finishing second in the 1984 Oaks at Epsom. The other side of Dragoon Guard's pedigree reflects a different phase in Juddmonte's evolution, belonging as he does to the final crop of the auction recruit Arrogate. Dragoon Guard's accelerating curve of development is evocative of his sire, whose stock has generally needed time as he did. Tragically, that was the one commodity Arrogate would not be granted in his second career. But the three crops he managed before his abrupt loss in 2020 have famously contained a Classic winner apiece and, two being male, at least Arrogate has some opportunity of a lasting impact through a son. And that will surely be in the back of people's minds if Dragoon Guard can consolidate his breakout defeat of the GI Santa Anita Derby winner. For some of us, however, he would also be preserving a less celebrated Juddmonte brand, damsire Mizzen Mast having long served as a stakes-producing nugget for the discerning breeder. By Cozzene out of a Graustark mare: what a package to have had within reach until only a couple of years ago! Cozzene, remember, was by Caro–who also gave us the dam of Arrogate's sire Unbridled's Song. Overall both Cozzene and Mizzen Mast were wholesomely flexible influences and Dragoon Guard's dam Filimbi was one of the line's high achievers on turf, as a Grade II winner whose multiple Grade I placings included a narrow failure to run down Tepin (Bernstein) in the Just a Game Stakes. Filimbi had produced only minor talent from good opportunity, but now Dragoon Guard is offering fresh value to sisters she has lately delivered by Into Mischief and Constitution. Filimbi | Horsephotos Filimbi's own dam, GI Kentucky Oaks winner Flute (Seattle Slew), did not quite match her racetrack caliber in her second career, albeit three daughters have become stakes producers. She was out of a Listed-winning half-sister by Blushing Groom (Fr) to Eva Luna (Alleged), the most fertile of Media Luna's daughters. Herself laden with stamina, as a Group winner over 14 furlongs, Eva Luna produced Brian Boru (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) to win the GI St Leger over that trip, as well as Sea Moon (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}) to run third in the same Classic (after winning the Group 2 trial by eight lengths). With that bedrock, Dragoon Guard is going to keep running–and, as he does so, he has the chance to conflate three legacies: those of Prince Khaled himself, who died just a few weeks before he was foaled; Arrogate, gone the previous summer; and Delahooke, whose friends then still hoped to benefit from his vivacious insights for many years yet. As heartbroken as we were, to have been deceived in that assumption, every fresh toast prompted by Dragoon Guard–or any of his thriving peers–will be made with equal gratitude for the memories and wisdom shared, while he could, by a most remarkable man. WHATEVER NEXT ALONG THE CAUSEWAY? Arrogate has not been alone in the putting some finishing touches to his legacy. Shamardal, who died only a few weeks previously in 2020, had obviously capitalised on far lengthier opportunity. But his genetic potency was clearly undiminished, at 18, judging from the deeds of his final crop: Inisherin looks the fastest sophomore in Europe, while Shamardal also left one of the top fillies in Cinderella's Dream, winner last weekend of the GI Belmont Oaks. Cinderella's Dream | Chelsea Durand I have never bought into the self-fulfilling prejudice against ageing sires, who must compete with sons typically aided by lower fees and higher marketing budgets. When you consider the exhausting output of modern sires, however, maybe the careful in-house management of Shamardal's later books (part of a most unusual health history overall) contained some latent dividend. Mind you, he was hardly hindered by the quality of his home herd: the dam of Cinderella's Dream is by Dubawi (Ire) out of an Epsom Oaks third. While Shamardal was himself from the very first crop of Giant's Causeway, the Iron Horse had to wait much longer for his principal American heir. We remarked recently how Not This Time, in turn, remains indebted to his first two crops for six elite winners to date, and now yet another of his mature talents is helping him to mark time, until his much classier mares start to cycle through. Obviously the 6-year-old gelding Next operates in a pretty arcane and underpopulated discipline, the dirt marathon, but it still takes something pretty freakish to win a graded stakes by 25 lengths, as he did last September. He had to settle for a margin of barely nine when retaining the GII Brooklyn Stakes last weekend. It would be fun to see this big fish move out of his small pond. In the meantime, for the same stallion to come up with Next and Cogburn puts even the versatility of Giant's Causeway in the shade. But then look who gave us Next's second dam: Alphabet Soup, a son of none other than…. Cozzene! VIOLENCE LANDING HIS PUNCHES Violence has had his ups and downs, the latter including an 11th hour fee reduction for the last covering season, but there's no doubting his ability to produce a fast horse and that's just what he has done over consecutive weekends. First Politicallycorrect threw down the gauntlet, ahead of the next wave at Saratoga, when swamping the precocious juveniles that typically convene for the Bashford Manor Stakes. And now success in the GII John A. Nerud Stakes places the 4-year-old Mullikin front and center among the older sprinters. Politically Correct | Coady Media Mullikin, from the same crop as Violence's champion Forte, cost $500,000 as deep into the Keeneland September as Hip 1717, corroborating the physical glamor associated with Medaglia d'Oro line. In contrast Politicallycorrect was pinhooked by New Hope AB after being found for just $9,500 in the dregs of last year's sale, before elevating himself to $195,000 at OBS in March. Having a second dam by Storm Cat gives Politicallycorrect something conspicuously in common with his own sire. Unfortunately for his breeders, his dam Heron Watch (Candy Ride {Arg}) was discarded–in foal to Tom's d'Etat–for only $14,000 to Eligio Ocana/Wake Forest at Keeneland last November, sent there as the 10-year-old dam of two minor winners from two starters. She represents a cross of some resonance, as a daughter of Candy Ride out of a Storm Cat mare (like Shared Belief and Sidney's Candy; while Gun Runner's dam is by Storm Cat's son Giant's Causeway), and now has the potential to prove a real bargain. After all, her granddam is GI Kentucky Oaks winner Lite Light (Majestic Light). As for Mullikin, his family probably helped to keep him where he was in the September Sale. This week is admittedly the anniversary of dam Tulira's Star (Congrats) making the podium in the GIII Schuylerville Stakes, but the trouble with catalogued black type is that nobody mentions that she was beaten over nine lengths in a field of just five. On the other hand, it's never a hardship if your broodmare is by Congrats: witness those that produced Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), Johannes (Nyquist) and Caravel–albeit, in this Cozzene-flavored week, we must emphasize that this latter is by Mizzen Mast. Not that even Violence qualifies as sire of the week at Hill 'n' Dale, or anywhere else. That distinction instead goes to Maclean's Music, who sent out three daughters to win stakes on the same Prairie Meadows card on Saturday. A LONG ROAD TO SEE THE LIGHT When that “hamster wheel” finally comes to a rest, the best way to judge an agent will not be the automobile he or she drives from the final yearling sale. No, you want to pick up a shoe like a farrier, and see if the sole is nearly worn through. War Like Goddess | Sarah Andrew Of course, the best agents might well afford not just a flash car but an occasional new pair of shoes. But the point is that the guy I would trust with my business would be one who'll still be going strong when the Amish arrive for the final session of the September Sale. That's why Donato Lanni owes the string of champions he has bought with Bob Baffert to the same eye and diligence that unearthed War Like Goddess (English Channel). She famously changed hands for $1,200 as a weanling, couldn't raise a bid as a yearling, and as a 2-year-old Lanni signed a $30,000 docket to bring her into the program of George Krikorian–his very first client, 25 years ago, when Lanni was too diffident even to fill out a card but just watched from a polite distance when others had a Dynaformer filly brought out. He nervously gave $35,000 for that one, and she turned into dual Grade I winner Starrer. War Like Goddess is still going strong at seven, looking as good as ever in taking her bank past $2.75 million in the GIII Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes at Delaware last weekend. We know how her late sire gradually earned due regard, but War Like Goddess is out of a mare by North Light (Ire) (Danehill), for now the last nail in the coffin for Epsom Derby winners standing in North America. North Light was out of a mare whose Group 1 success came at 20 furlongs, while the dam of War Like Goddess has otherwise produced only a Red Rocks (Ire) gelding to win under a tag round Presque Isle Downs. Like so many of the best agents, including David Ingordo, Lanni started out on the racetrack. These guys have never been suckered into mistaking the sales ring for the winner's circle. And that's why they get as much of a kick from finding a needle in the Book 6 haystack as Lanni did from the horse we started with, Arrogate himself. The post Breeding Digest: Another Juddmonte Sophomore Combining Precious Legacies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following their successes at Royal Ascot, Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) now share joint-fourth position after the fifth edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2024 were released on Thursday. Auguste Rodin earned his rating of 122 when he won the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes by three quarters of a length from Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) (120), while Rosallion gained a narrow victory over Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (121) in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes. The only horses ranked ahead of that pair are Laurel River (Into Mischief), who earned a rating of 128 when winning the G1 Dubai World Cup by eight and a half lengths, and the multiple top-level winners City Of Troy (Justify) and Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who share joint-second position with a rating of 123. Several other winners during Royal Ascot also feature in this month's rankings. Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) (120) finds himself ranked after winning the G1 Queen Anne Stakes by two and a quarter lengths, while Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (120) earned a spot by taking the G1 Gold Cup by a length. Elsewhere, Blow The Horn (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) (121) impressed in Japan when he won the G1 Takarazuka Kinen by two lengths, while California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) (120) improved his rating following a narrow defeat in the G3 Premier Cup in Hong Kong. The Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). For the complete rankings, click here. The post Auguste Rodin and Rosallion Join Top Five in World’s Best Racehorse Rankings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Peter Brant and Coolmore's Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never–Adventure Seeker {Fr}, by Bering {GB}) led home the stands' side group when fourth in last month's G2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and found plenty in the closing stages to secure an ultimately impressive tally in Thursday's G2 Kingdom Of Bahrain July Stakes at Newmarket. Breaking on the lead and remaining there throughout, the 11-10 favourite came under pressure when threatened on both sides passing the quarter-mile marker and kept on powerfully, despite drifting left on the climb, to prevail by 1 3/4 lengths from Billboard Star (GB) (Advertise {GB}) for a career high. The market KNEW! Whistlejacket justifies strong confidence in the betting by running riot in the Group 2 @BahrainTurfClub July Stakes 25/1 for the 2,000 Guineas, anyone?@Ballydoyle | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/AOHzbw3HZt — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 11, 2024 The post No Nay Never’s Whistlejacket Makes All For July Triumph at HQ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' and G1 Futurity Trophy hero Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}–Golden Valentine {Fr}, by Dalakhani {Ire}) had yet to fire on all cylinders this year and bounced back from an eighth in last month's G1 Derby to regain the winning thread in Thursday's G3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. The 6-4 favourite went forward to assume control after the initial strides of this 13-furlong test. Holding sway thereafter, he was asked to stretch with three furlongs remaining and kept finding for pressure inside the final quarter-mile to comfortably hold Royal Supremacy (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) by 1 3/4 lengths. “We were quietly confident as he was the class horse in the race and was racing on ground that we know he relishes,” admitted Charlie Appleby. “No disrespect to the horses he has been campaigning against, but this horse takes it to another level on slower conditions. We encountered that today and felt the step up in trip was always going to suit. The plan from here is to head to the [G2 Great] Voltigeur [at York], if the ground is right, and plan our way to the [G1] St Leger [at Doncaster]. He is an autumn horse and we won't jeopardise that by running him on unsuitable ground. I still feel this horse is not 100 per cent there yet, but he is coming. He isn't where he was when he won the Autumn Stakes and backed up two weeks' later in the Futurity last season, so I was impressed with him today and hoping that there is still improvement under the bonnet. If the ground is like it can be at that time of year at Doncaster then I think he would have a very live chance.” Pedigree Notes Ancient Wisdom, full to a yearling colt and half to a 2-year-old colt by Lope De Vega (Ire), is the third of five foals and one of two scorers produced by G3 Prix Minerve winner Golden Valentine (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}), herself one of seven stakes performers out of G3 Prix Cleopatre victrix Gold Round (Ire) (Caerleon). Golden Valentine's siblings include her G3 Prix du Lys-winning full-brother Goldwaki (Ger), GIII Robert J Frankel S. victrix and GI Rodeo Drive Stakes runner-up Luck (Kitten's Joy) and the dam of G3 Prix Vanteaux winner and GI E P Taylor Stakes third Platane (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}). Gold Round, in turn, is a half-sister to storied multiple champion and three-time GI Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), G1 Prix Vermeille victrix Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) and multiple Group 1-placed sire Anodin (Ire) (Anabaa). The Trophy hunter Charlie Appleby wins the £200,000 Group 3 @BahrainTurfClub Trophy for the third time in four years as bags career win number 5⃣ @godolphin | @WilliamBuickX pic.twitter.com/iXRY1Oqtib — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 11, 2024 Thursday, Newmarket, Britain BAHRAIN TROPHY S.-G3, £200,000, Newmarket, 7-11, 3yo, 13fT, 2:49.90, g/s. 1–ANCIENT WISDOM (FR), 129, c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Golden Valentine (Fr) (GSW-Fr, $125,200), by Dalakhani (Ire) 2nd Dam: Gold Round (Ire), by Caerleon 3rd Dam: Born Gold, by Blushing Groom (Fr) TDN Rising Star. (€2,000,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Godolphin; B-Ecurie des Monceaux & LNJ Foxwoods SC (FR); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £113,420. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng, 8-5-1-1, $412,845. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Royal Supremacy (Ire), 129, c, 3, Make Believe (GB)–Adelasia (Ire), by Iffraaj (GB). (65,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Michael Blencowe; B-John O'Connor (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £43,000. 3–Portland (Ire), 129, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Zagitova (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £21,520. Margins: 1 3/4, 1 1/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 1.50, 4.50, 5.50. Also Ran: Space Legend (Ire). Scratched: Kinesiology (GB). The post Dubawi’s Ancient Wisdom Regains Winning Thread at Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Phillip Stokes has welcomed back two horses who he hopes will be leading lights for his team in the spring, with Goodwood placegetters Stretan Angel and Climbing Star back at his Pakenham base. The talented duo most recently raced when they filled the minor placings behind Benedetta in mid-May and both are stepping up their workloads for their spring reappearances. “They are both back in work and ready to do their first bits of evens,” Stokes said. “Both are looking great and I am very happy with them.” Stokes said G1 Sangster winner Climbing Star will be aimed at the $2 million Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), which now comes up on September 27 at The Valley. Stablemate Stretan Angel, who won the G2 Danehill last spring, will be targeted at the G2 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) on September 14 and the G2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on October 5. In other stable news, rising 11-year-old and grand campaigner Amade will be aimed at the Pakenham and Geelong Cups in the spring, while at the other end of her racing career, two-year-old Stakes winner Femminile is being set for three-year-old staying events. View the full article

Mick Kent will let his exciting mare Eternal Flame dictate where she ends up, but he’s happy to back her potential and put in a nomination for the Cox Plate. Kent’s initial spring aim for Eternal Flame will be the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington, as he is keen to get her to 1600 metres and then take it from there, with a shot at the Moonee Valley feature not out of the question. “She will start off in mares’ races with the idea that she will head to the Empire Rose Stakes. I’ll nominate her for the Cox Plate in case she improves a few lengths,” Kent said. Eternal Flame put together back-to-back wins in March in the G3 Matron Stakes at Flemington and then G2 Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley, both over 1600m. She then went to Sydney and finished eighth in the G1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, which was a sound effort as she missed the start by two lengths and was then held up in the closing stages before only being beaten by 2.66 lengths by Zougotcha. The rising five-year-old mare has only had 13 starts and has a lot of upside according to Kent, who said she will return to racing in a mares Stakes race at the end of August or early September. Kent, who only works a team of 20, said Eternal Flame is his best spring prospect. His boutique team also includes promising stayers Steel Run and Samuel Langhorne. View the full article

Andre Fabre trainee Gun Of Brixton (Fr) (Frankel {GB}–Cat Kate {Ire}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) encountered the 'TDN Rising Star' performance of Tiego The First (Fr) (Blue Point {Ire}) in his May 20 debut over six furlongs at Saint-Cloud, before graduating over seven furlongs back there last month, and continued on the upgrade with a Rising Star display of his own in Thursday's Prix Bamboo Edition at Clairefontaine. He becomes the 41st Rising Star for his sire. Steadied to race in third after a slick getaway in this one-mile test, the 1-2 favourite loomed large out wide, racing hard on the bridle, approaching the final furlong and required little encouragement in the closing stages to easily overpower Rosa Salvaje (Ire) (Maximum Security) by an impressive 1 1/2 lengths. Gun Of Brixton is the lone reported foal produced by a half-sister to five black-type performers headed by G1 Derby and G1 Irish Derby hero Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and G3 Silver Flash S.-winning G1 Moyglare Stud S. third Harasiya (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). Descendants of the latter include last year's runaway G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. victor Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). The January-foaled homebred bay's second dam is G3 Athasi S. victrix Hazariya (Ire) (Xaar {GB}), herself a half-sister to dual Group 1-placed G3 Blue Wind S. victrix Hazarista (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}) and to the dam of G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares and G1 Coronation Cup heroine Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Prix de la Cressonniere Clairefontaine – 2 ans – 1600m – 4 Pts – Bon Souple (3.3) Gun Of Brixton (Frankel?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Frankel (Gb) @JuddmonteFarms – Cat Kate (Ire) par Invincible Spirit (Ire)) @mickaelbarzalon A.Favre @HarasVoltaire @HarasVoltaire pic.twitter.com/sTJn8QIkRe — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) July 11, 2024 1st-Clairefontaine, €34,000, Cond, 7-11, 2yo, 8fT, 1:37.90, g/s. GUN OF BRIXTON (FR), c, 2, by Frankel (GB) 1st Dam: Cat Kate (Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire) 2nd Dam: Hazariya (Ire), by Xaar (GB) 3rd Dam: Hazaradjat (Ire), by Darshaan (GB) Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, €38,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Haras Voltaire (FR); T-Andre Fabre; J-Mickael Barzalona. The post Frankel’s Gun Of Brixton Storms to TDN Rising Stardom at Clairefontaine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's G1 Commonwealth Cup hero Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) and KHK Racing's G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park Stakes victor Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) will lock horns for a second time in Saturday's £600,000 My Pension Expert July Cup at Newmarket. The duo, first and third in May's G2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock, have been drawn alongside each other, in stalls six and five, in a field of 12 declared for the six-furlong dash. Aidan O'Brien trainee and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas third River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who finished third to Vandeek in the Morny and Middle Park, will exit gate four. Commonwealth Cup third Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), is the only other 3-year-old in the line-up and has drawn stall nine. Last year's third Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) has been allocated stall 12. The post Inisherin and Vandeek Among One Dozen Declarations for the July Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

British bloodstock industry stalwarts Chris Richardson and Paul and Sara Thorman featured among the headline winners at the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Flat Breeders' Awards for the 2023 season, held at Chippenham Park on the evening of Wednesday, July 10. With recipients revealed only at the event, Cheveley Park Stud managing director Chris Richardson received the Dominion Bronze Award, which recognises outstanding contribution and long-term commitment from someone in the industry, while Paul and Sara Thorman, who have run Trickledown Stud since 1990, received the Andrew Devonshire Bronze Award, which acknowledges an outstanding achievement and contribution to the British Thoroughbred breeding industry. The other award winners were as follows: TBA Stud Employee Award: Carla Bowers, Charlock Stud TBA Silver Rose Bowl (Flat Breeder of the Year): Whitsbury Manor Stud TBA Silver Salver (Flat Special Merit Award): Branton Court Stud Langham Cup (Small Breeder of the Year): Maywood Stud Filly of Merit Award (Breeder of a British-bred filly who had significant racecourse success in 2023): Anisette (GB) (Morera Partnership) HJ Joel Silver Salver (Flat Broodmare of the Year): Suelita (GB) (Whitsbury Manor) 2023 Statistical Award winners (previously announced): BBA Silver Cigar Box (Leading British-based sire by earnings in 2023): Frankel (GB) Queen's Silver Cup (Leading British-based Flat breeder): Shadwell Barleythorpe Stud Silver Cup (Leading British-based sire by Flat winners in 2023): Kingman (GB) British EBF Stallion Special Merit Award: Havana Grey (GB) Tattersalls Silver Salver (Britain's leading first-season sire in 2023): Too Darn Hot (GB) The post Richardson and Thormans Take Top Honours at TBA Flat Breeders’ Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ahead of Sha Tin’s season finale on Sunday, we look back at some of the more obscure moments of the 2023-24 campaignView the full article

Blake Shinn guides Lady Of Camelot to Golden Slipper success. Photo: RacingNSW The Australian Turf Club has received a staggering 2094 first nominations for the Group 1 $5 million Golden Slipper (1200m), set to grace Rosehill Gardens on March 22, 2025. Among these nominations are 1059 fillies and 1035 colts and geldings hailing from stables across Australia, marking the 69th renewal of Sydney’s iconic race. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott headline the nominations with an impressive 159 entries, comprising 76 fillies and 83 colts, aiming to further embellish their record in the world’s richest race for two-year-olds. Gai Waterhouse, who boasts a record eight wins as a trainer, including two with co-trainer Adrian Bott, expressed her ambition, stating, “The Golden Slipper is the pinnacle for every young horse in our stable.” Godolphin, under the stewardship of James Cummings in Sydney, has contributed 110 first nominations, with 54 fillies and 56 colts. Ciaron Maher follows closely with 98 nominations (53 fillies and 45 colts), while Chris Waller has submitted 91 nominations (39 fillies and 52 colts), affirming their status as Australia’s leading trainers. In terms of sires, I Am Invincible leads with 96 nominations (54 fillies and 42 colts), followed by Snitzel with 90 (50 fillies and 40 colts), Zoustar with 81 (35 fillies and 46 colts), and 2016 Golden Slipper champion Capitalist with 80 nominations (44 fillies and 36 colts). Nevesh Ramdhani, Australian Turf Club’s Head of Racing and Wagering, underscored the race’s significance, stating, “The Golden Slipper shapes Australian racing and breeding like no other event. It represents the career dream of every owner, trainer, and jockey from the moment a yearling joins a stable.” Ramdhani also commended Inglis for their role, noting, “It is very pleasing to see the top lots from our great partners Inglis and their Easter sale all nominated.” Horse racing news View the full article

Francis Lui has assembled an impressive team for the season finale. Francis Lui remains confident and positive of victory in the 2023/24 Hong Kong trainers’ championship as the veteran handler prepares to unleash a 10-strong team at Sha Tin’s season finale on Sunday as Pierre Ng continues to lead the standings by one win with only 11 races left in the season. Trailing 67-66, Lui will have runners in nine of Sunday’s 11 races, while Ng has nine entrants in seven races. As it currently stands, with Ng also slightly ahead on second and third placings, Lui effectively needs two more wins than his former assistant this weekend to clinch the trainers’ title for the first time. With 11 minor placings and just one win across the past four meetings, Lui has repeatedly threatened to overhaul Ng, but he remains undaunted by the string of near misses and optimistic of overall success. “It’s possible (winning the championship). Every race is important and anything can still happen,” he said. “Every race has a different situation – the draw, the pace. “I’m feeling confident and positive.” Lui’s squad this weekend is led by Call Me Glorious, Chancheng Glory, Packing Hermod, Packing Treadmill, Forever Glorious, Packing Angel, Happy Park, Steps Ahead, Holy Lake and Patch Of Theta. Ng’s arsenal is headed by veteran Duke Wai, I Can, newcomer Bits Superstar, Beauty Waves, Medic Elite, First Love, Fighting Machine, Prestige Always and Roman Crown. Lui hopes Call Me Glorious can tilt the championship battle in his favour when the gelding bids for a third successive win in the Class 2 Joy And Fun Handicap (1200m). To carry 119lb under Zac Purton, the three-year-old faces six rivals, including stablemate Packing Treadmill (135lb) and Ng’s Duke Wai (132lb) and Beauty Waves (118lb). “He (Call Me Glorious) keeps improving. I’m not sure whether he liked the (soft) ground last time, maybe he handled it and the rest couldn’t. He’s an up-and-coming horse,” Lui said. “He still doesn’t know how to properly run and doesn’t know racing just yet. He just runs to give his best effort from the start.” Purton, assured of a seventh Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, and Lui also combine with Chancheng Glory in the Class 1 Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy Handicap (1600m). “He’s OK and I think Class 1 is good for him – he’s not a Group horse yet. I think he could be (the one to beat),” Lui said. Lui hopes Packing Hermod remains unbeaten when the Rubick gelding jumps from gate eight under Purton in the Class 3 Pingwu Spark Handicap (1200m). “He’s also a good horse, but he’s only had one run and he’s a three-year-old who’s up in class. I think next season he’ll be a good horse,” Lui said before reviewing his stable’s chances on a pivotal day. “They’ve all gone up in the ratings recently, so it might be hard for them. It all depends on the situations, their draw and importantly a bit of luck. “I think Call Me Glorious is the best chance – it’s the strongest.” Famed for his association with Golden Sixty, Lui has twice finished in the top three of the trainers’ championship. In 2019/20, he produced 63 winners to finish third to Ricky Yiu (67) and Tony Cruz (65). Last season, Lui saddled a career-best 67 winners to finish runner-up to 12-time winner John Size (79) with Ng completing an excellent first season in 10th place with 41 winners. Horse racing news View the full article

The Cossack will contest Saturday’s Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images) Trentham’s feature jumps races have been a happy hunting ground for Paul Nelson and Corrina McChief Stipeal in recent seasons, and the Hastings trainers are heading into the 2024 edition on Saturday with the firepower to continue that trend. Nelson and McChief Stipeal’s stable star The Cossack is the -222.22 favourite with horse racing bookmakers for Saturday’s Wellington Steeplechase (5500m), while stablemates Taika and Nedwin head the betting for the Wellington Hurdle (3200m) at +180 and +210 respectively. Nelson and McChief Stipeal have trained five of the last six Wellington Hurdle winners with The Shackler (2017), No Tip (2019), The Cossack (2021), Nedwin (2022) and Suliman (2023). Nelson’s name also features on the Wellington Steeplechase roll of honour through his victories with Storm (1987) and Amanood Lad (2017). The Cossack will attempt to join that latter group on Saturday when he carries a 73kg topweight in the Wellington Steeplechase. The 10-year-old son of Mastercraftsman heads into the race as a 14-time winner over jumps, with nine wins from 15 hurdle starts and five wins from eight starts in steeplechases. The most recent of those was a tenacious performance in last month’s Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa. He fought back superbly after being headed by up-and-comer Hey Happy, pulling away from that rival late in the race despite a 7kg difference in weight. Nelson and McChief Stipeal gave The Cossack a hit-out on the flat at Hastings last week, where he finished a close fourth behind Aljay, Marroni and Never Look Back in a Rating 89 handicap over 2200m. “He was good in the Waikato Steeplechase, it was a very tough win, and I just hope that we’ve been able to keep him up to the mark in between times,” Nelson said. “He raced on the flat the other day, where I thought he ran quite well. We had to do something. There wasn’t much around for him, so we needed to give him a run. I think we’re quite happy with where he’s at.” The Cossack has some unfinished Wellington Steeplechase business to attend to on Saturday. He lined up in the race last year, meeting fellow superstar jumper West Coast for the first time. Just when the pair seemed set to fight out a thrilling finish, The Cossack was badly hampered when his stablemate Argyll fell in front of him around 700m from the finish. The Cossack lost all momentum and had to settle for third behind West Coast and Izymydaad. “He had no luck at all in this race last year and we’re hoping for a different story this time around, although it’s never that easy in jumps racing,” Nelson said. Nelson and McChief Stipeal will shoot for their fifth Wellington Hurdle win in a row with well-credentialled runners Nedwin and Taika. Nedwin won the race by 10 lengths in 2022, but his attempted defence of that title last year ended when he fell around 1000m from the finish. The seven-year-old Taika is an emerging talent who has recorded two wins and four placings from nine starts over hurdles. The most recent of those was the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m) on June 29, where he pushed standout hurdler Berry The Cash all the way down the Hastings straight. Taika ended up finishing second, beaten by a half-head. “We gave Nedwin a ran on the flat last weekend and he’s ticking over nicely,” Nelson said. “But the way the weights are (Nedwin 73kg, Taika 66.5kg), I’d probably favour Taika on Saturday. He made Berry The Cash work hard at Hastings last start, and he’s improved with that run as well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Izymydaad (red silks) will contest Saturday’s Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Trentham’s feature jumps meeting has been a happy hunting ground for Ken Duncan, and he will return with Izymydaad on Saturday to chase top honours in the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m). The Hunterville horseman won back-to-back Wellington Hurdles (3400m) with former star Wee Biskit in 2015 and 2016, with his top result in the steeplechase feature coming last season when Izymydaad finished just over a length adrift of champion jumper West Coast. West Coast will not start in this year’s edition but another big challenge awaits in The Cossack, who will carry 73kg, while the son of Istidaad is five and a half kilograms better off in the weights under regular rider Stephan Karnicnik. “We hope he can pull out a repeat performance of last year, West Coast isn’t turning up this time but obviously The Cossack was very unlucky being hampered in that race and he’ll be right there again this time,” Duncan said. “We’ll be going head-to-head with him, as well as everyone else in the race. “Izymydaad enjoys the course, it’s a free-wheeling sort of track with nice corners for a little horse, so it plays into our hands a little bit in that respect.” Duncan will also be represented by a half-sister to Wee Biskit in Fabulous Nancy, who showed improvement over the bigger fences when finishing second to Kentucky Boy at Hastings, while another relation to the mare in He Zed Go has his second appearance over fences on Saturday. Fabulous Nancy will line up with Joshua Parker engaged to ride, while Corey Wiles partners He Zed Go in the Cody Singer Memorial Maiden Hurdle (2500m). “It was a good honest run from her (Fabulous Nancy) last start, she’s just a work in progress and plays a bit of polo in the off-season,” Duncan said. “The heavier the track, the better she’ll go so it may not be quite up her alley this time but that’s okay, she can have another go around and she’s a nice jumper so those fences suit. “He Zed Go is another work in progress, he’s growing flat-out at the moment so he’s still a bit weak but we’ll give some experience this year and he might be half-handy next year.” Savabeel seven-year-old Peerless Warrior will revert back to the flat to provide Duncan’s trackwork rider Nicole Jenkins a ride in the race for amateur jockeys. “He didn’t look like he was going to get a rider in the maiden chase, so we slipped him in the amateur to give Nicole a ride. She knows him very well and he’s been working up a treat,” Duncan said. “She’s been sitting on the sideline for a couple, she loves doing these races but I haven’t got many to put in them for her.” Horse racing news View the full article

Trentham’s feature jumps races have been a happy hunting ground for Paul Nelson and Corrina McChief Stipeal in recent seasons, and the Hastings trainers are heading into the 2024 edition on Saturday with the firepower to continue that trend. Nelson and McChief Stipeal’s stable star The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) is the TAB’s $1.45 favourite for Saturday’s Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (5500m), while stablemates Taika (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) and Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara) head the betting for the Metroclad Limited Wellington Hurdle (3200m) at $2.80 and $3.10 respectively. Nelson and McChief Stipeal have trained five of the last six Wellington Hurdle winners with The Shackler (NZ) (Istidaad) (2017), No Tip (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) (2019), The Cossack (2021), Nedwin (2022) and Suliman (NZ) (Redwood) (2023). Nelson’s name also features on the Wellington Steeplechase roll of honour through his victories with Storm (NZ) (Spectacular Love (1987) and Amanood Lad (NZ) (Germano) (2017). The Cossack will attempt to join that latter group on Saturday when he carries a 73kg topweight in the Wellington Steeplechase. The 10-year-old son of Mastercraftsman heads into the race as a 14-time winner over jumps, with nine wins from 15 hurdle starts and five wins from eight starts in steeplechases. The most recent of those was a tenacious performance in last month’s Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa. He fought back superbly after being headed by up-and-comer Hey Happy (Rip Van Winkle), pulling away from that rival late in the race despite a 7kg difference in weight. Nelson and McChief Stipeal gave The Cossack a hit-out on the flat at Hastings last week, where he finished a close fourth behind Aljay (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop), Marroni (NZ) (Makfi) and Never Look Back (NZ) (Shocking) in a Rating 89 handicap over 2200m. “He was good in the Waikato Steeplechase, it was a very tough win, and I just hope that we’ve been able to keep him up to the mark in between times,” Nelson said. “He raced on the flat the other day, where I thought he ran quite well. We had to do something. There wasn’t much around for him, so we needed to give him a run. I think we’re quite happy with where he’s at.” The Cossack has some unfinished Wellington Steeplechase business to attend to on Saturday. He lined up in the race last year, meeting fellow superstar jumper West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) for the first time. Just when the pair seemed set to fight out a thrilling finish, The Cossack was badly hampered when his stablemate Argyll (NZ) (Gallant Guru) fell in front of him around 700m from the finish. The Cossack lost all momentum and had to settle for third behind West Coast and Izymydaad. “He had no luck at all in this race last year and we’re hoping for a different story this time around, although it’s never that easy in jumps racing,” Nelson said. Nelson and McChief Stipeal will shoot for their fifth Wellington Hurdle win in a row with well-credentialled runners Nedwin and Taika. Nedwin won the race by 10 lengths in 2022, but his attempted defence of that title last year ended when he fell around 1000m from the finish. The seven-year-old Taika is an emerging talent who has recorded two wins and four placings from nine starts over hurdles. The most recent of those was the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m) on June 29, where he pushed standout hurdler Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry) all the way down the Hastings straight. Taika ended up finishing second, beaten by a half-head. “We gave Nedwin a ran on the flat last weekend and he’s ticking over nicely,” Nelson said. “But the way the weights are (Nedwin 73kg, Taika 66.5kg), I’d probably favour Taika on Saturday. He made Berry The Cash work hard at Hastings last start, and he’s improved with that run as well.” View the full article

Andrew Carston is closing in on his highest tally of winners in a season and on another front, he has already set a record total. The Riccarton trainer enjoyed 39 successes with a best of 42 in the 2022/23 term while his runners have collected earnings of more than $1 million to break his previous best mark of just over $880,000. “It’s been very similar to last year with a nice, even team and they have raced well and consistently,” Carston said. “It’s been my best season money-wise, which is always a positive and shows that racing is heading in the right direction.” Carston will have a big team in action on the all-weather track at Riccarton on Friday and he looks to have a particularly strong hand in the closing event on the card. The in-form pair of Sincere (NZ) (Savabeel) and Lippy (NZ) (Tivaci) will be the favoured duo in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Handicap (2200m) while stablemate Dame County (NZ) (Contributer) has claims off the back of a last-start placing. “Sincere has been a bit frustrating this prep because he’s missed out on a couple of races due to insufficient numbers cancelling them,” Carston said. “That was the reason I took him back to the grass last start at Ashburton and he was very good there. “It’s the first time he’s had a quick back-up, but I think he’s a pretty handy horse and I want to get a line on him over 2200m. He’s a lot stronger than last year when he didn’t quite get the trip.” To be ridden by Kozzi Asano, Sincere has won two of his last three starts over a mile while Lippy was successful over the same trip at his most recent appearance. “Lippy got (Michael) McNab on and he’s going really well, I can’t fault his form and he likes the poly,” Carston said. Courtney Barnes will be aboard Dame County who ran third last time out over this course and distance. “She is running out of her grade, but her last run was tops and she’s an out and out stayer,” Carston said. “I just wish they had races further than 2200m, she just keeps grinding away.” Carston also likes Tough Time (NZ) (Shamexpress) in the Grand National Tickets On Sale Rating 65 (1600m) and That’s Charming (NZ) (Charm Spirit) and Mumbo Jumbo (NZ) (Mongolian Falcon) in the Cup Week Hospitality On Sale Rating 65 (1200m). “Tough Time had no luck last week, so he’s got a winning chance,” he said. Asano has been booked to ride the four-year-old and That’s Charming while Barnes will take the reins on Mumbo Jumbo. “That’s Charming and Mumbo Jumbo have both been going really well, I can’t knock their form and with a bit of luck I think they can both be good chances,” Carston said. View the full article