Wandering Eyes

A bumper crowd of 3,000 people turned out to celebrate the life of Keagan Kirkby at Wincanton Racecourse on Sunday, October 27. The Keagan Kirkby Raceday included a charity memorial race in his name, in addition to a seven-race card, and raised funds for Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF)–the two charities which supported Kirkby's friends, family and colleagues after he tragically died in a point-to-point accident in February. In total, the raceday has raised an estimated £116,000 which will be split equally between Racing Welfare and the IJF, including the £35,800 raised by bloodstock agent and former jockey Tom Malone, who won the charity race in which several of Kirkby's close friends took part. Alfie Shalliker, who lived with Kirkby and finished third in the charity race, said, “I miss him every day and the world's a sadder place without him. Today is brilliant, he'd love it, it's what he deserves. It was very emotional, but it's a celebration more than sadness because he was a great guy and we'll celebrate that today. It makes you feel proud because I'm riding in his memory. It was flat out the whole way, but I had a very good time and I enjoyed it. He probably would've told me that I'd done everything wrong!” Racing Welfare's chief executive Dawn Goodfellow added, “The Wincanton racing community were very keen to do something in memory of Keagan. Obviously, the yard at Paul Nicholls's and Keagan's family have had a lot of support both from Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund and all of the community down here appreciated that and wanted to do something in his memory to give something back. “As Lisa Hancock [CEO at Injured Jockeys Fund] said, it just feels as though the whole of the West Country are here and rooting for the two charities. It has been a fantastic day and we want to extend our grateful thanks to Wincanton Racecourse, the committee who have done such a wonderful job, the charity riders and, of course, all of the sponsors.” Anyone wishing to add their support can still do so by texting KEAGAN to 70085 to donate £10. The post Bumper Crowd Pays Tribute to Keagan Kirkby at Wincanton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

“Boy Trapped in Refrigerator Eats Own Foot.” Well, that got your attention, didn't it? Devotees of a certain spoof disaster movie may recall the spinning front-page story–but few will be aware that it may yet, in a roundabout way, lead to genuine headlines at the Breeders' Cup. Bret Jones of Airdrie Stud was at a dinner a few years ago when someone passing behind his seat overheard him saying how much he enjoyed Airplane! “I was in that movie,” said Billy Koch. On the face of it, it seemed unlikely. Airplane! came out in 1980, and it was plain to Jones that this guy could only have been a kid back then. But Koch explained that the film was produced by his grandfather Howard, who had asked to borrow a picture of young Billy. “My second-grade picture,” recalls Koch, shaking his head. “My hair was a disaster. I had cut it myself. But I didn't even know what it was for, so I gave him this picture.” Next thing he knows, he's gazing out of the newspaper as the face of an unusually hungry boy. Naturally Koch protested that he would have provided a much better picture, had he only known what it was for. But that, of course, was precisely the point of not explaining. And by now Koch is glad to accept and enjoy the notoriety-especially as the incidental benefits include a friendship that itself contained, with no greater calculation, a latent opportunity for shared professional success. Three years ago Jones approached Koch, who operates Little Red Feather Racing with boyhood buddy Gary Fenton, about four Airdrie yearlings that had fallen short of their reserves. Jones was confident they would prove nicer than the market had recognized, not least a colt from the first crop of Collected out of GI Kentucky Oaks winner Believe You Can (Proud Citizen). Sure enough, with Madaket having also come in for a third, last year Phil d'Amato trained Conclude to win the GII Del Mar Derby and this time round the GII Del Mar Mile. Suitably encouraged, last fall Little Red Feather and Madaket entered a similar deal for four Airdrie graduates-including another by Collected, a filly out of stakes winner Creative Thinking (Creative Cause), duly named Thought Process. She joined d'Amato, where her neighbors included a Collected colt bought from Airdrie at the September Sale, for $130,000, by Little Red Feather's regular bloodstock agent John Dowd. He was named for Koch's pal, baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., as Iron Man Cal. Both Thought Process and Iron Man Cal broke their maidens at the Del Mar summer meet, where Little Red Feather ended up leading owners. (Madaket, evidently enjoying their partnership in the other horses, bought a minority stake in Iron Man Cal after his maiden success.) And a few days ago, both added graded stakes on the same Santa Anita card. Some advert, for a $10,000 sire! “I can't speak for everyone else, of course,” Koch says. “But the Collecteds we've got all have really great minds. They're so smart. You can have a really good racehorse that might just be fast, right? But these horses have class, as well.” D'Amato is now preparing Thought Process and Iron Man Cal for the juvenile turf racing at a Breeders' Cup staged at Little Red Feather's spiritual home-potentially the biggest thrill for the program since its breakout success, with the bargain Singletary, in the Mile at Lone Star in 2004. “This game is a rollercoaster,” Koch says. “We know that we're going to have highs, and we're going to have lows. But it so happened that we had an outstanding summer at Del Mar. We really do point for that meet. Our pre-opening day party is a real highlight of the summer. We like to say that LRF stands for Little Red Family, our clients all know each other and everybody loves to get together at Del Mar. I mean, they wear flip-flops and shorts, they just relax and have a great time. So when you have a memorable meet like that, it really makes your year.” Fenton explains that much of their 400-strong clientele is drawn from the vicinity. “Generally, and this goes for a lot of partnership groups, it dissipates as you get farther from the racetracks,” he says. “Half of our partners are in California and the rest are spread through Oregon, Washington, Denver, Arizona. So we set up our year for Del Mar, and keep our fingers crossed. And this year we hit it in every which way you could: with a sales purchase, with a European import, and especially with this partnership with Bret, which has just knocked it out of the park twice in a row.” Fenton admires how Jones put together a package that could work for all parties. “I think maybe one reason we get along so well is because Bret's doing some of the things that Little Red Feather did 20 years ago,” he reasons. “Partnerships weren't really the thing when we first started. It was the Sport of Kings, and you owned your own horse. But gradually the communal experience has really taken over as the best way to own a racehorse. So just as we were bucking the trend back then, Bret is continuing to think in a very forward-thinking way.” These juveniles, moreover, can look up to a real senior pro on the program. This summer Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) became the first triple winner of the GII Del Mar Handicap, and now returns to the GI Breeders' Cup Turf after his longshot fourth last year. “He's an amazing creature,” enthuses Koch. “No horse has ever won the same stake at Del Mar three straight years, so the Breeders' Cup will be his home turf. He loves it round there, and it's so exciting for our group to head into it with an old warrior like him.” And then there was the horse of the meet, Iscreamuscream (Twirling Candy), a $145,000 OBS 2-year-old who was one-third cashed out (at a $1 million total valuation) through a Fasig-Tipton Flash Sale. “After the [GII] San Clemente, we got with Boyd Browning and our friends at TaylorMade, and decided just to try out a digital sale and see what we could do,” Koch explains. “We want to be financially savvy with our partners. Listen, does it change anybody's life? No. But is it the responsible thing to do, sometimes to take money off the table? Absolutely. And Mark Martinez, a good friend of ours from Agave Racing Stable, bid $330,000. Then two weeks later she went out and won the Del Mar Oaks, so his investment proved very smart. To have a Grade I winner at Del Mar and win horse of the meet, that's the pinnacle for us.” As chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, however, Fenton does not confine himself to a parochial perspective. He's an ardent evangelist for the past, present and future of Californian racing, while candidly acknowledging its current problems. “We love hosting the Breeders' Cup and welcoming the world to our amazing racetracks,” Fenton says. “Sure, California is under pressure. Purses are becoming a little more competitive in other states and we're falling a little behind. But the leaders in California have been actively looking for ancillary revenues, the same way that Kentucky found it, the same way that New York found it. Yes, Golden Gate closed last year. But we're working on consolidating the industry. We believe that instead of a north and the south, one circuit incorporating both could fuel better purses for all the horsemen.” Naturally he appreciates the suggestion that the rest of the American industry cannot detach itself from California's issues. After all, it was not so long ago that Santa Anita found itself in the front line, in terms of our sport's exposure, and responded with astounding improvements. “I think people realized in the last couple years how important California is–not only for American racing, but for their bottom lines as well,” Fenton remarks. “Kentucky is capped out, unless they're going to use some of that money to build racetracks and add races. If California doesn't get better, then everybody's going to contract. People recognize that. I get calls almost every day: 'What can we do to help?' So I believe people will come together and make sure that California stays around for a long time.” And that, he believes, will be true even if the elephant in the room-the value of Santa Anita as real estate-gets up and leaves. “We have a beautiful racetrack run by a nonprofit down in Del Mar, on state-run property,” he says. “They have a long-term lease. We already run basically the second half of the year at Del Mar. So we're prepared to run more dates there, hopefully with high enough purses to attract a lot of Midwest and East Coast trainers.” But nor should Little Red Feather itself be viewed in isolation as any kind of narrow, local program. They prospect in Europe as well as America, and in recent years have also developed a pinhooking portfolio for about 60 partners. This has proved something of a revelation. “When we first started, we thought we would say that this should be your business money,” Fenton explains. “Racing is supposed to be your fun money, this would be more about your savings; about trying to do the same as the markets or better, with a little more risk, a little more reward. What we didn't anticipate was the hammer falling on one of our very first pinhooks, a $100,000 Broken Vow colt, at $1.2 million. And the euphoria, striking it like that, was like winning a stakes race.” “Now we were not just providing healthy returns, on a consistent and annual basis. We were also providing a fun and unique experience, involving our people in the whole process: picking a yearling, developing it over the following months. It's become something that mirrors the thrills that go along with the racing side.” With Tom McCrocklin's help, Little Red Feather has pinhooked seven horses for $700,000 or more; and six that have gone on to either win or place at graded stakes level. “We want people to look at us and say, 'We can buy good stock from them,'” Fenton says. “The Amestoys, who finished second in the [GI] Futurity at Del Mar [with McKinzie Street] had a maiden winner the same day, and both of those horses were pinhooked by us. That's something we really take a lot of pride in, and hopefully that kind of relationship continues.” Perhaps it's no coincidence that both Koch and Fenton first worked in Hollywood before reverting to the obsession they had shared as kids. Koch had started out in the family trade, working on his father's production team for Wayne's World before starting Little Red Feather in 2002; while Fenton, who came aboard in 2005, started as an attorney with the William Morris Agency. In other words, they were fully immersed in the daily functioning of the Hollywood economy, before transitioning to a parallel challenge on the Turf: making sure that the machinery will sustain the magic. “My father's a producer, my grandfather's a producer, and I was on that path,” says Koch, whose sons have inherited a flair for the world of performance respectively as actor, editor and musician. “But I just had something inside of me that said, 'Be in the horse business.' My grandfather used to take me to the races when I was five years old. I mean, that's almost 50 years now, so I have a lot of historical perspective. I always just loved the sport, and I love the people. “Maybe I didn't love the people in the entertainment industry! They just weren't my style. Perhaps I might have been too honest for them, but it's a choice I made. And I really thank my lucky stars. I've been really blessed. Put together a great crew: brought in Gary; Phil has been amazing, as trainer; John, as bloodstock agent; and then Tom McCrocklin, who's one of my favorite humans on earth. My dad always said, 'Put people around you who are smarter than you are, and they'll make you look smarter too.' And I think I've done that.” And, really, the process is analogous: all the morning trackwork being rehearsal for the day the curtain goes up. “Oh, absolutely,” Fenton agrees. “But in the morning, when our partners are there, again it's all about servicing that partner-just like I did at William Morris. Whether you were servicing an actor or writer or director, your job was the same: to make their lives better. And it's the same, with these horses. Our job is to provide a first-class ownership experience.” “I think there's a lot of pride,” adds Koch. “There's an adrenaline rush with this sport you don't get elsewhere. Whether it's bidding on a horse, or watching a race, my heart will go 1,000 miles an hour. We do fractional shares, so we're going to have 12 to 15 people in a partnership. They bring their family, they bring their kids. So when we win a big race, you say: 'Oh my gosh. Look at these people. Look at their joy.' And that's what this sport does. It can bring that kind of energy, and that's what I feed off.” But however dynamic the vibe, it needs a stable base. And that's where all these relationships come in: whether with the partners, or within the management team, or with men like Jones who share the imagination to turn a world of challenges into one of opportunity. “It's very special to do these things with people like Bret and Ben Henley at Airdrie,” Koch says. “Just good people. That's hard to find. I mean, there's some interesting characters in this sport. Let's leave it at that. But I can tell you that Bret is a very good man, a kind man who really cares about his horses and his team.” But he has no highest compliment than to describe his friend as worthy of the legacy developed at Airdrie by his late father, Brereton C. Jones. “He was a genius at what he did,” Koch says. “I went to his celebration of life, and it was so moving. He was so loved. When you leave something like that, you just look at yourself, you look inward, and say, 'Okay, how can I be a better person?'” And it's that kind of attitude that underpins the whole Little Red Feather culture. These guys know the business: they understand that streaks like the one they have enjoyed this year won't last forever. “We like to sleep well at night,” Fenton says. “Horses may win, horses may lose. Our partners have to leave the track losing 80 percent of the time. But 100 percent of the time we want to make sure they have a great experience.” “We know this game is very, very difficult,” Koch agrees. “And it's hard financially, as well. So we're going to try to give these people the best possible experience we can. If we can't always be successful on the racetrack, we damned well better be successful off it.” The post Little Red Feather Collecting for Hometown Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has added three additional supplemental entries to its upcoming November Sale, including last year's Sorority Stakes winner Princess Indy (Lord Nelson) in addition to last weekend's Iroquois Stakes winner Cara's Time (Not This Time). The new entries are catalogued as hip 314-316: PRINCESS INDY (Hip 314): At two, she was a five-length debut winner and then won the Sorority S. This year at three, she is stakes-placed around two turns. A full-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Super Chow and out of a half-sister to Grade I winners Miss Match (Arg) and Carina Mia, she is cosigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Gainesway, agent. BRAND NEW DREAM (Hip 315): Daughter of Flatter was a winner at two. She is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Dust and Diamonds, who is in turn the dam of multiple Group 1 stakes winner Do Deuce (Jpn). Do Deuce was named champion 2-year-old in Japan, took the G1 Japanese Derby last year at three, and recently won the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo Racecourse this past Sunday. Consigned as a broodmare prospect by Bedouin Bloodstock, agent. CARA'S TIME (Hip 316): The 3-year-old won the Iroquois S. this past Sunday at Aqueduct. She was also a stakes winner last year as a 2-year-old. She hails from the immediate family of Next, winner of his last seven starts–all stakes or graded stakes–by more than a combined 91 lengths and entered in this weekend's GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Taylor Made Sales Agency agent. The entries may now be viewed online and will also be available in the equineline sales catalogue app. Print versions of all supplemental entries will be available on-site at Fasig-Tipton at sale time. The November Sale will be held Monday, Nov. 4, in Lexington, Kentucky. The sale will begin at 2 p.m. The post Three More Supplemental Entries Added to Fasig-Tipton November Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars CIRCUIT DUFFY - R3 (5) Looked slick in a Happy Valley trial and meets a weak field on debut Jay Rooney SPEEDY FORTUNE - R4 (3) Went close on stable debut for David Eustace and can go one better here Jack Dawling GLORY CLOUD - R6 (6) Edging towards a breakthrough win and he finally draws a gate Phillip Woo STRONGEST BOY - R5 (8) Looks ready to win on the back of two pleasing runs this term Shannon (Vincent Wong) CIRCUIT DUFFY - R3 (5) Impressive trials suggest Frankie Lor newcomer should be hard to beat Racing Post Online MIGHTY STEED - R1 (1) Drops into Class Four for the first time and gets the services of Zac Purton Tom Wood CIRCUIT DUFFY - R3 (5) Been trialling well for his debut and this is not a strong raceView the full article

Three-time Group 1 winner Militarize (Aus) (Dundeel {NZ}) has been retired from stud duties at Newgate Stud following low fertility, according to published reports. He is set to be gelded and will return to trainer Chris Waller. Militarize completed the G1 ATC Sires' Produce Stakes-Champagne Stakes double before returning at three to claim the G1 Golden Rose. The son of Dundeel raced previously for Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Trilogy, Newgate S F, Horse Ventures, Go Bloodstock Australia, Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Carpe Diem, Aston Bloodstock, Nick Vass Bloodstock, G1G Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd & Aristia Park Bloodstock Pty Ltd. It was announced earlier this year that Militarize would stand for A$38,500 inc. GST during his debut season at stud. The post Fertility Issues For Militarize, Returns To Chris Waller appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A look at the Thoroughbred Racing Economic Indicators report for the third quarter suggests that the rising tide of sports wagering is not lifting the pari-mutuel boat.View the full article

Golden Eagle. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au The four-year-olds take centre stage at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, with the sixth renewal of the Golden Eagle (1500m) attracting an outstanding field of 20 set to do battle for the $10 million prize. Four internationals have made the trip down under to compete in the event, including the long-standing favourite with horse racing bookmakers, Ascoli Piceno, who will seemingly have it all to do after drawing out in barrier 17. The daughter of Daiwa Major has drifted slightly to $4.50 post-barrier draw and brings some formidable formlines from the land of the rising sun, boosted by the appointment of the ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira in the saddle. After a barnstorming effort in the Everest (1200m) on October 19, Joliestar is on the second line of betting as a $6.00 chance and will be piloted by Kerrin McEvoy, while European raider Lazzat has gained significant early support at the $7.00 quote. The Ciaron Maher-trained Southport Tycoon ($9.00) is the only other galloper in single digits and will disengage from stall 15, while the pair of Tom Kitten ($11.00) and Stefi Magnetica were big winners post-barrier draw, selecting gates two and four respectively. The Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) runner-up Craig ($17.00) heads up the highway to represent the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young barn and provides a strong form reference for this race in the past, with the likes of I’m Thunderstruck (2021) and I Wish I Win (2022) coming through the Caulfield feature to claim victory. The chances don’t end there in what should be a mouthwatering edition of the Golden Eagle at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon. Horse racing news View the full article

Aidan O'Brien's Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has been ruled out of the G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup after failing a pre-race veterinary check. The unbeaten St Leger winner had been among the ante-post favourites in his quest to provide O'Brien with a first victory in 'the race that stops a nation' at Flemington next week, but Ballydoyle will now be without a runner in the race as a result of the ruling made by the Racing Victoria Stewards. A statement from Racing Victoria said, “Racing Victoria Stewards, acting on specialist veterinary advice, have today withdrawn Jan Brueghel from the entries for the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup to be run at Flemington next Tuesday, 5 November. “In accordance with the conditions of the race, Jan Brueghel was presented at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre in Werribee on Saturday, 26 October for compulsory CT scans of its distal limbs. “Reports received from an expert panel of internationally renowned equine surgeons and diagnostic imaging specialists, who reviewed Jan Brueghel's CT scan results, indicate that the horse is currently at heightened risk of injury. “Following advice from RV Veterinary Services in relation to the specialist opinions from the independent imaging panel, RV Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Jan Brueghel from the Melbourne Cup on the basis that he was unsuitable to compete.” Tom Magnier, representing owners Coolmore, told SEN Track, “We've learned this morning that Jan Brueghel won't be taking his place in the Melbourne Cup this year. “He went through all the protocols in Ireland before departing to come down here. The lads have been very happy with the horse–he's been bouncing out there in quarantine [at Werribee]. “But the vets have come up with the decision that has been made that he doesn't pass the veterinary inspection to run in the Melbourne Cup. “We're very disappointed. Obviously I'm extremely disappointed for the staff, all our team that have put in so much work both at home, travelling down and getting him here. I really feel for them because they were excited about this. “But at the end of the day at Coolmore the horse comes first. A decision has been made and that's that.” The post Jan Brueghel Forced to Miss Melbourne Cup after Failed Vet Check appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fresh from snapping a long winning drought, young jockey has high hopes for former Australian galloper at city circuit.View the full article

What Warrnambool Races Where Warrnambool Racing Club – 2-64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 When Thursday, October 31, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Warrnambool Racing Club is set to host a competitive eight-race program this Wednesday afternoon, with the first event scheduled to jump at 1:30pm AEDT. Although there is some rain forecast for Thursday, it shouldn’t affect the track much at all, and a perfect Good 4 surface is expected throughout the meeting. The rail will be in the +4m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Warrnambool: El James El James ran home nicely on debut to finish second behind Alcoshare at this track over 1400m on October 21. The son of Wrote finished as strongly as any of his rivals, and a rise to 1700m second-up is expected to suit. Thomas Stockdale retains the ride and will look to push forward from barrier 12, and if El James shows a similar finish this time, he should prove too good. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 El James (12) 4yo Gelding | T: Symon Wilde | J: Thomas Stockdale (59.5kg) +150 with PlayUp Next Best at Warrnambool: Cora Lynn Cora Lynn has recorded two placings from three starts this preparation, and the winners in those races have gone on to run well in metropolitan grade. The Ciaron Maher-trained filly has raced on speed in most of her starts; however, she was forced back in the field at Mornington before running on strongly for third place. From barrier 10, Declan Bates will push forward on Cora Lynn to settle on speed and attempt to finish over the top. Next Best Race 4 – #10 Cora Lynn (10) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Declan Bates (55kg) +320 with Dabble Best Value at Warrnambool: Marnoo Brady Cross and Jack Hill will combine for the second straight start with Marnoo, who is seeking back-to-back wins to begin this preparation. This son of Holler returned from a 25-week spell with a tough victory over 1200m at Mildura, where he settled behind a tearaway leader but quickly took over in the home straight and fought off Abdication to claim victory. With only one other speed influence engaged, Marnoo should prove hard to run down once again. Best Value Race 7 – #4 Marnoo (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Brady Cross | J: Jack Hill (60kg) +600 with Picklebet Warrnambool races quaddie tips – 31/10/24 Warrnambool quadrella selections Thursday, October 31, 2024 3-4-5-6 4-5-7-11 2-3-4-5-6 2-5-8-9-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Master trainer announces international day aim for Classic Mile and Classic Cup winner after impressive return.View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, October 30, 2024 First Race 7:10pm HKT (10:10pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Happy Valley on Wednesday evening, with a competitive eight-race program set to be run under the bright lights of the city circuit. The rail moves out to the C+3 position for the meeting, and with no rain forecast in the lead-up, participants can expect a genuine Good 4 surface throughout the night. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 7:10pm local time. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Super Unicorn Super Unicorn couldn’t have been more impressive dismantling his rivals at this course and distance on October 9. The son of Savabeel pressed on to score by six lengths under Zac Purton, securing his maiden victory in stylish fashion to suggest the five-year-old still has plenty of upside. Barrier two should allow Purton to lob into the ideal stalking position throughout, and although he only drops 3.5kgs for the rise to Class 3 company, Super Unicorn should prove hard to hold out in his quest for back-to-back wins. Best Bet Race 7 – #11 Super Unicorn (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Frankie Lor | J: Zac Purton (54kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Happy Valley: Mighty Steed Mighty Steed should appreciate the drop into Class 4 company after a suffering 1.8-length defeat at the hands of Jumbo Legend. He got every chance on that occasion but couldn’t stick on with some handy types, fading in the final furlong. This contest lacks depth compared to what he faced last time out, and with Zac Purton hopping aboard to offset the hefty weight (61kg), Mighty Steed looks perfectly placed to secure his first Hong Kong win. Next Best Race 1 – #1 Mighty Steed (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Zac Purton (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Happy Valley: Sixth Generation Sixth Generation peaked on his run second-up at Sha Tin on October 1. He was closing with vigour behind the likes of View Of The World and Jumbo Fortune, slowly building into this work when it was all over. Barrier one allows Andrea Atzeni to sit much closer aboard the son of Per Incanto, and provided he can get off the inside running rail at a crucial stage, Sixth Generation should give followers a bold sight at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 5 – #5 Sixth Generation (1) 6yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Andrea Atzeni (59kg) Bet with Dabble Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections October 30, 2024 1-5-8 2-5-6-9-11 1-6-11 3-4-9-10 Horse racing tips View the full article

Orchestral is set to contest Saturday’s A$1 million Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. Photo: Natasha Wood (Race Images) Orchestral had her name up in lights during the autumn in Sydney, and on Saturday she will step out on the big stage at Flemington as a key hope in the A$1 million Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). The daughter of Savabeel had an incredible three-year-old campaign with highlighted victories in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) before asserting herself among the top fillies in Australasia when capturing the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill. Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood emphasised their focus on the autumn in her four-year-old year with a light spring campaign on the cards, and in her first start in Victoria on October 12 she pleased with a sixth placed finish in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). “We were very happy, she just lacked any room or luck when we needed,” Wellwood said. “When she did get clear air, she really rushed at the line and closed well late. Caufield was probably always going to be a hard track for her, so we’re really looking forward to seeing her at Flemington.” Having settled well into life across the Tasman, Orchestral had an opportunity to take a look around the iconic racecourse prior to her elite-level assignment. “She’s a pretty fit mare now, she galloped on the course proper at Flemington and had easy work, running 1.11,” Wellwood said. “Declan Bates rode her and was very pleased with her and how she pulled up. “She’s really thriving now, licking the bin and ticking every box you want to see ticked.” The Empire Rose has a glowing recent history for Kiwi-bred mares and Orchestral will aim to join the likes of Icebath, Melody Belle, Shillelagh and I Am A Star as victors in Saturday’s contest, where she will be ridden by Mark Zahra. In the early New Zealand market, Orchestral is a $5 second-favourite for the Empire Rose, with fellow Savabeel mare Atishu on top at $4.50. Closer to home on Wednesday, Wellwood will head to Te Aroha with Osteria, aiming to better a quartet of placings so far in his career in the Donaghy’s Uddermax 1200. The Ribchester three-year-old started his career in the care of Peter and Dawn Williams and was a part of the talented Barneswood Farm-raced contingent that transferred to James and Wellwood upon their retirement. “We were very fortunate to get the Barneswood horses from Peter and Dawn, they really liked him and he showed nice ability in the few starts they had him as a two-year-old,” Wellwood said. “They probably had the same opinion that he was a bit green and needed a bit of ringcraft, but he’s come in lovely order. “He’s a horse that has done a couple of things wrong, but he’s getting there and has matured a lot physically. “Apart from a niggly wide draw (9), I really like his chances tomorrow.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Kensington Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Wednesday, October 30, 2024 First Race 2:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metro racing returns to the Kensington circuit at Randwick on Wednesday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set for decision. The rail is out +3m the entire circuit, and with no rain forecast in the lead-up, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface for race-day. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 2:15pm local time. Best Bet at Kensington: Briasa The argument can be made Briasa should be undefeated heading into start six after a luckless performance at Randwick on October 5. The son of Smart Missile was cast wide without cover the entire journey, showing plenty of fight to get within a half-length of Ostraka. This BM88 contest is a significant drop in grade, and with this field of seven lacking depth, Briasa should have no issues returning to winning ways. Best Bet Race 3 – #3 Briasa (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | J: Tyler Schiller (57kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Kensington: Tajanis The Chris Waller-trained Tajanis was a good thing licked at Warwick Farm on October 16 and appears primed to make amends. He never got clear when chasing home Newfoundland on that occasion, with the son of Australia doing his best work when it was all over. Joao Moreira gets legged aboard this time around, and with barrier four allowing the ‘Magic Man’ take a positive position early, watch for this guy to bolt clear when asked the ultimate question turning for home. Next Best Race 2 – #5 Tajanis (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Joao Moreira (55.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Kensington: Premise Premise looks ready to peak third-up into the campaign after closing impressively behind Tavi Time at Warwick Farm on October 16. The John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained mare should relish stepping out to the 1800m for the first time in the preparation and gets the opportunity to land in the one-one from gate five. There should be a strong tempo to bolster her chances, and with even luck in transit, Premise should prove hard to hold out. Best Value Race 4 – #2 Premise (5) 5yo Mare | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: Tom Sherry (57.5kg) Bet with Dabble Wednesday quaddie tips for Kensington Kensington quadrella selections October 30, 2024 2-5 2-5-6 2-3-6-10 2-8-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Bendigo Cup Day 2024 Where Bendigo Jockey Club – Heinz St, White Hills VIC 3550 When Wednesday, October 30, 2024 First Race 12:40pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) will headline Bendigo’s marquee meeting this Wednesday afternoon, where the first of nine races will kick off at 12:40pm AEDT. With perfect spring weather forecast throughout the week, the track is expected to stay in the Good 4 rating that was posted at the time of acceptances. The rail will be in its true position for the entire circuit. Bendigo Cup tip: Berkeley Square Although he doesn’t hold a nomination for the 2024 Melbourne Cup, Berkeley Square has been racing in very good form this preparation and looks to be one of the key chances in the Bendigo Cup. The Dan O’Sullivan-trained gelding won back-to-back starts over 1700m and 1800m before finishing off strongly for second in the Coongy Cup last start. This son of Territories hasn’t raced over 2400m or further since his VRC Derby run two years ago, but given the strength of his previous start over 2000m, Berkeley Square represents great value in the feature. Bendigo Cup Race 7 – #2 Berkeley Square (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Dan O’Sullivan | J: Jaylah Kennedy (58.5kg) +600 with Bet365 Best Bet at Bendigo: Sure Sure returned with an encouraging third-place finish at this track and trip on October 6, where the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained gelding ran home from worse than midfield to finish 1.3 lengths off Sunsource. This son of So You Think will stay in Benchmark 70 grade and clash again with Gin O’Clock; however, with a run under his belt and a better barrier (1), this race sets up much better for him. Beau Mertens has retained the ride, and if he can get off the rail rounding the home turn, Sure can return to the winners circle second-up. Best Bet Race 6 – #3 Sure (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Beau Mertens (60.5kg) +150 with Picklebet Next Best at Bendigo: Yellow Sam The form guide reads a ninth-place finish over 1200m first-up at Caulfield for Yellow Sam; however, she was competing in Group 3 grade, and the Lindsey Smith-trained mare rattled home in the fastest last 400m and 200m sections of the meeting. This daughter of Ready For Victory will drop significantly in grade to a Benchmark 78 on Wednesday, which should prove pivotal to her winning chances. Luke Cartwright will take 2kg off her back, and from barrier seven, Yellow Sam can settle midfield, get into clear on the home turn, and run home strongly down the middle of the track. Next Best Race 9 – #1 Yellow Sam (7) 5yo Mare | T: Lindsey Smith | J: Luke Cartwright (a2) (62kg) +280 with Dabble Bendigo Cup Day quaddie tips – 30/10/24 Bendigo quadrella selections Wednesday, October 30, 2024 1-2-3 2-4-6-7-9-13 2-4-5-10 1-8-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

A battle of the "ages," an international showdown of 3-year-old Thoroughbreds vs. older horses, takes place over 1 1/4 miles on the Del Mar main track Nov. 2 in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).View the full article

It’s time to put your money where your mouth is. On Friday November 15, Addington Raceway will host a TAB Show Day Punter of the Year Challenge. Teams of up to four people will battle it out for the ultimate betting bragging rights. Entry for each team is $600, which will go towards your betting funds, with first prize being $4000. A total of $1000 will go to second, and a $500 food and beverage voucher from Spectators Bar and Bistro at Addington will go to third. All prizes will be in addition to any betting funds won. Teams must outlay a minimum of $50 per race throughout the day with no maximum apart from the entry pool of $600 on race 1. All bets must be placed through the tote – there are no fixed odds or specials allowed. There will be a maximum of 75 entities (between one and four people), with the winning team from the Punters Club competition at Methven on October 6 having already qualified. Any individual can be involved in more than one syndicate. The POTY competition will be based on the second floor of the temporary marquee adjacent to the main stand. Entries close on November 14. To enter teams must pay their $600 directly to NZ Metropolitan Trotting Inc. 01-0798-0110283-00 Please use your ‘Nom de plume’ and ‘POTY’ as reference. A receipt will be issued upon payment on request. Any queries, please email emma.williams@addington.co.nz or click here View the full article

Ryan Moore will ride the Ireland-bred horse from the No 3 post at Del Mar on Saturday.View the full article

Thomas Doyle has suffered two head injuries as a result of race falls this year. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Victorian jockey Thomas Doyle is on the road to recovery after falling from the Chloe Baxter-trained Aplomado at Fannie Bay on July 13 during the Darwin Cup Carnival. Aplomado, running third at the time, clipped heels after veering outwards leaving the back straight at the 650m, dislodging Doyle. The backmarkers avoided the 25-year-old, who landed heavily on the dirt surface, but he was knocked out and received ambulance treatment before being transported to Royal Darwin Hospital. It was Doyle’s second fall in just over three months, having been dislodged from the Helen Burns-trained National Diamond at Stawell on March 31. He was sidelined for two months with concussion. The Ballarat rider suffered concussion and several bleeds to the brain following his Darwin ordeal and spent a few days recuperating in hospital. “The follow up scans I had in Darwin showed that it was a little bit worse than what they initially thought,” Doyle said. “I also ended up getting a mild traumatic brain injury, known as a diffuse axonal injury.” Getting back home then proved an issue for Doyle and his dog, as he couldn’t fly or drive. Kyneton-based trainer Neil Dyer, who had booked Doyle for the Darwin Cup Carnival, came to the rescue when he took horses back to Victoria in his truck. “My car is still in Darwin — I was looked after by pretty much everyone up there, which was great,” Doyle added. “After I got back to Victoria, I ended up getting admitted to Epworth Hospital in Melbourne. “I’m getting treatment four days a week — physio and I’m on a neuro rehab program — and I’m now living in Melbourne. “It’s been going for a while and I finish the program just before Christmas. “After the falls at Stawell and Darwin, I’ve had too many head knocks close together. “Just got to complete the one-percenters every day and keep going. “It has been an eventful couple of months, that’s for sure.” Doyle, who started riding in Queensland in 2018, enjoyed his NT experience and would welcome the opportunity to ride in Darwin and Alice Springs again. “It didn’t go the way I was hoping, but I still had a great time up there and met a lot of great people,” he said. “As far as returning to riding, hopefully that may occur at some point next year. “Obviously, we don’t have a time frame or a date set at this stage.” Horse racing news View the full article

Switzerland winning the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au After staking a last-minute claim for a slot in the Group 1 Everest (1200m) with an impressive win in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m), Coolmore’s colt Switzerland will instead head to the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday. “If it wasn’t a seven-day back-up, he would have run in The Everest; it’s as simple as that,” his trainer Chris Waller explained to Racing.com. Waller, who has won the Coolmore Stud Stakes five times with stars like Zoustar and Brazen Beau, is confident that Switzerland—by Snitzel—has what it takes. “He’s right up there with the best of them,” Waller said. “A lot of the other colts announced themselves in the race, where he’s shown that he’s certainly got some pretty good talent. “He’s quick, but he does things right, he can settle, so he’s pretty versatile. He’s good enough to win the race.” Switzerland, who has exclusively raced in Sydney across his six-start career, impressed with a solid jumpout at Flemington on Friday under James McDonald. Waller will also saddle Gatsby’s in the Coolmore, who completed the same jumpout as his stablemate. Horse racing news View the full article

The $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 2 is again an international affair as nine of the 13 entrants were bred outside the United States, but Kentucky-bred War Like Goddess is the 5-2 morning-line favorite.View the full article

Sunday’s annual day fixture at the city circuit went off a treat and it should be a more regular occurrence.View the full article

Seize the Grey may end up being one of the most photographed racehorses in history because besides being a classic winner, he has more than 2,500 partners through MyRacehorse, people who have followed his every move since he was a yearling.View the full article

The dream team of Godolphin, Charlie Appleby, and William Buick will vie for a fourth consecutive victory in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) Nov. 2 with budding star Notable Speech. View the full article

If recent form is any tout at all, the 41st running of the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) Nov. 2 at Del Mar will come down to an East vs. Midwest confrontation between two talented speedballs with all of five starts between them in 2024.View the full article