Wandering Eyes

Still on a high after a breakthrough win on Sunday, Lyle Hewitson is eyeing a Class Two success aboard Steps Ahead at Happy Valley on Wednesday night in a bid to add to his momentum. The South African jockey booted home his first winner since returning from wrist and ankle fractures suffered in a nasty race fall in June when Metro Power bolted in at Sha Tin on the weekend. The David Hayes-trained gelding led all the way to notch his first Hong Kong triumph, clocking a slick 55.33 seconds up the...View the full article

A dominant victory by Lucky Magic (NZ) (Mendelssohn) in the RM300,000 Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) on Sunday was the fourth consecutive win in the race for graduates of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale. Lucky Magic was a $35,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2022, then was secured by trainer HY Cheng for $75,000 from the Ready to Run Sale. He has followed in the recent Selangor Gold Cup-winning footsteps of fellow Ready to Run graduates Black Thorn (NZ) (Redwood), Pasir Pinji (NZ) (Nadeem) and Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn). Previously the winner of the RM 1m Selangor Mile (1600m), Perak Derby (2000m) and the Penang Gold Cup (2000m), Lucky Magic has now had 14 starts for nine wins, two placings and over RM900,000 (NZ$359,233) in prize-money. Lucky Magic produced an impressive performance in an incident-packed running of the Selangor Gold Cup on Sunday. He was badly checked during a mid-race incident that saw three jockeys dislodged. But Andre Da Silva let Lucky Magic rip in the straight and he came with big bounds down the outside, dashing to the lead and drawing away to win by three and a quarter lengths. “Lucky Magic is a superstar,” said trainer HY Cheng. “He lost his momentum when Da Silva had to take evasive action and raced wide thereafter, but he still came home strongly like he always does. “He will run next in the Sports Toto Challenge Cup (1400m) next month, then the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2000m) in December. “We plan to run him overseas after that, but nothing is confirmed for now.” The 2025 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 10am (NZT) on Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 November, with Breeze Ups to be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on Monday 13 & Tuesday 14 October. View the full article

LEXINGTON, KY – The Keeneland September Yearling Sale rushed to the conclusion of Book 3 with demand remaining strong right through to the end of its sixth session Sunday evening. Through both Book 3 sessions, 563 yearlings sold through the ring for a total of $109,983,000. The section's average of $201,804 rose 26.5% from last year and the median rose 23.1% to $160,000. During last year's Book 3 section, 526 horses sold through the ring for a gross of $83,880,000 for an average of $159,468 and a median of $130,000. Through six sessions, 1,216 horses have sold for $417,622,000. The cumulative average is $343,439–up 19.04% from the same point a year ago–and the median is up 19.05% to $250,000. The buy-back rate stands at 26.30%. It was 28.51% a year ago. “It's unbelievable,” bloodstock agent Jacob West said of the market this week at Keeneland. “It's so many factors that have come together in so many ways. I am just happy for the breeders. I know how hard it is to get to this point. If they raise a good horse, they deserve to get paid.” Bloodstock agent Pete Bradley said the results from Keeneland through Book 3 have reminded him of a bygone era. “Between tax laws and everything else, there is more money flowing around here than I've seen since I was a pup in the Northern Dancer days,” Bradley said. “Good horses are just hard to buy.” A pair of colts by Not This Time brought the session's top prices, with Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables teaming to purchase a son of the stallion for $875,000 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment and bloodstock agent Pete Bradley going to $775,000 for a colt from the Dixiana Farms consignment. The stallion was also responsible for the co-highest priced filly of Sunday's session when Justin Casse purchased a filly from the Burleson Farms consignment for $600,000 late in the day. The Keeneland September sale continues through Saturday with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m. Repole, Viola Join Forces for $875k Not This Time Colt Mike Repole's Repole Stable and Vinnie Viola's St. Elias partnered up on 74 yearlings over two years to be the leading buyers at the 2021 and 2022 Keeneland September sales, but their names didn't appear together on the result sheets in 2023 or 2024. The two men have teamed up again to purchase a pair of yearlings at the Keeneland September sale this week. After going to $1 million to acquire a colt by Nyquist (hip 266) Tuesday, the Repole/St. Elias partnership purchased a colt by Not This Time (hip 1762) for a session-topping $875,000 during Sunday's sixth session of the auction. “This colt was a big, good-looking horse who was well spotted in Book 3,” said Repole advisor Jacob West, who signed the ticket while seated alongside Viola's representative Monique Delk. “He was a horse who stood out to both of our teams. I think it's the same old play book. Mike and Vinnie are looking for two-turn, Classic-type horses. And Not This Time has proven that–it looks like they appreciate a little bit of ground. And we've both had luck with the stallion.” The colt was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency on behalf of his breeder, Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Equine. He is out of the unraced Sweetened (Candy Ride {Arg}), who is a full-sister to graded winner Confidence Game. The yearling's third dam is Vertigineux (Kris S.), who produced champion Zenyatta. Bradley Gets in on Time The demand for yearlings by Not This Time continued unabated during the second Book 3 session Sunday at Keeneland. Early in the session, bloodstock agent Pete Bradley purchased a son of the Taylor Made stallion (hip 1619) for $775,000. Pete Bradley | Keeneland “Not This Time has been almost unaffordable all week long,” Bradley said after signing the ticket on the yearling who was bred and consigned by Dixiana Farms. “This was a very nice colt. I stretched for him, but that's what you have to do to find a nice horse in this day and age.” Bradley said the colt would be trained by Chad Brown. “It's a group that is looking to find colts that could make stallion prospects,” he said of his clients. Bradley, acknowledging there are many such buying groups shopping for those colts with stallion potential, said it has been tough going buying at Keeneland this week. “For the group I bought this colt for, I struck out on probably 10 horses,” he said. “I have been trying to buy them in the $500,000 range. And I've been close on a couple, but again you have to push to get the horse who looks to be a serious athlete.” The colt is out of multiple stakes-placed Luzmimi Princess (Malibu Moon), who is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Heartwood (Tapit). Dixiana purchased Luzmimi Princess, in foal to American Pharoah, for $375,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November sale. Her Twirling Candy filly sold for $575,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September sale. NOTHING BUT NET Shea D Summer Continues to Reward Moore Virgnia breeder Amy Moore of South Gate Farm purchased multiple stakes winner Shea D Summer (Summer Front), in foal to Not This Time, for $260,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale. The mare's first foal, It's Our Time, sold for $425,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale before airing by 17 1/4 lengths while earning 'TDN Rising Star' status in his Aug. 16 debut at Saratoga for Double Down Horse Racing and trainer Tom Amoss A daughter of Bolt d'Oro led all fillies at Keeneland Sunday with a $600,000 final bid | Keeneland The mare's second foal, a filly by Bolt d'Oro (hip 1722), continued to reap rewards for Moore when selling for $600,000 to Susan Naylor Sunday at Keeneland. “Shea D Summer met all my criteria,” Moore told TDN's Chris McGrath earlier in this month. “Number one, for me, a mare has to have raced successfully. I know a lot of people do have success with unraced mares, but a small program like mine can't be discovering whether or not they'd have had ability if only they'd been sound. She was versatile, too. She won on a fast dirt track and on a wet dirt track. She finished second on turf. And she was a young, attractive mare.” Moore told McGrath she saw similarities in the mares first two foals. “She's a very nice filly,” Moore said of hip 1722. “She looks a good bit like him. On the smaller side, just as he was, so someone's got to be willing not to insist on a 16-hand yearling. But she has that same temperament, too, which I think stands them in good stead.” Shea D Summer has a weanling by Forte, the champion 2-year-old colt of 2022 who was bred by Moore's South Gate Farm, and the mare was bred back to Muth. The post Demand Remains Strong as Book 3 Concludes with $875K Not This Time Colt on Top appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Unlock a range of exciting racing deals from Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers this Monday, September 15. Take your punting to the next level with money-back specials, bonus-back offers, and boosted odds. These promotions give you more ways to win and add extra value to your Monday racing bets — all from trusted online betting sites. Here are the standout Aussie racing promotions for September 15, 2025: Top horse racing offers for today 10% Winnings Boost! – Hamilton Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bets only. Max bonus $100. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Monday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Monday. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% winnings in cash Max Payout $2000. Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds win bets on Australian thoroughbred races only. Excludes boosted, multi, live and bonus bets. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Daily Exotic Boosts Boost your exotics by up to 20%. Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector | If Your Horse Drifts, You Get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing Fixed Price Win bets placed from 8am AET the day of the race. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets. Eligible Customers Only. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any Race. Any Runner. Any Odds. Get a Bonus Back if your Multi loses by a specified number of legs. Fixed odds only. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Where do we find these bookmaker offers? At HorseBetting.com.au, our team keeps a close eye on the latest promos from Australia’s most popular horse racing bookies — so you don’t miss a thing. We dig through the daily deals and highlight the best value racing offers for Monday, September 15. While some bookmakers pause their promos, others ramp up with can’t-miss specials — and we bring it all to you in one place. Bookmark HorseBetting.com.au for your go-to guide to the freshest racing bookmaker promotions. From enhanced odds to cashback perks, there’s something for every punter. Just log in to your account with any featured bookie to activate your chosen bonus. Need help picking winners? Don’t forget to check our daily free racing tips to make the most of your bonus bets. Horse Racing Promotions View the full article

Chancer McPatrick, the multiple grade 1-winning juvenile by McKinzie, will stand stud at Eric and Tamara Gustavson's Spendthrift Farm in 2026, the farm announced Sept. 14.View the full article

Eve Johnson Houghton talked the talk pre-race, and Zavateri walked the walk by battling like a gladiator to deliver his trainer the second group 1 winner of her career and down the best juvenile Aidan O'Brien could throw at her in Gstaad.View the full article

Strong attendance on Haskell and Mother's Day led to an increase in daily average attendance at the 2025 Monmouth Park meet, while average total handle and average on-track handle decreased.View the full article

Monmouth Park registered records for this season's NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes and Mother's Day card during the 49-day meet, the track's 80th season, which concluded on Sunday. The crowd of 41,876 for the $1-million, Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell on July 19 was the largest since 2015 and produced a record total handle for a non-Breeders' Cup event of $21,999,962. It marked the third straight year that a total handle record was set on Haskell Day. The May 11 crowd of 14,687 also set a record for Mother's Day. Those two days contributed to a slight increase in attendance, with a daily average of 6,650 compared to 6,510 in 2024. “We're grateful to our fans who continue to make Monmouth Park a summer destination,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development, the operator of the racetrack. “Our goal is and always will be to make Monmouth Park a premier racing and entertainment venue. With that in mind, tomorrow the work begins anew as we look to 2026 and beyond.” The meet saw Paco Lopez, who currently leads the nation in wins, capture his 12th riding title overall and record seventh straight. Prancing Horse Farm (Joe and Gayle Ioia) emerged as the leading owner, Jorge Delgado was the leading trainer and Christian Maragh was the leading apprentice. Average total handle was $3,641,403. Average on-track handle was $341,340. Prior to this year, Monmouth Park had four straight years of increases in total and on-track handle. With one day cancelled due to weather, Monmouth Park conducted 454 races, down from 488 in 2024. Thoroughbred racing resumes Friday with the start of the nine-day all-turf Monmouth-at-Meadowlands meet that runs through Oct. 17. First race post time for the six-race cards is 7 p.m. The post Record-Setting Haskell Day, Uptick in Attendance as Monmouth Closes Out 2025 Racing Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arizona Blaze earned an automatic berth into the @BreedersCup with a win in the Flying Five Stakes (G1) at The Curragh Sept. 14, a race that is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.View the full article

Precise put in a sterling performance Sept. 14 to deny stablemate Beautify to win the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) at The Curragh in a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race for an automatic position into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T).View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Guns Loaded (Gun Runner–Sky My Sky, by Bernardini) made his return to the racetrack a winning one as he took an optional claimer at Churchill Downs on Sunday. Tabbed as a 'Rising Star' when he was last under the Twin Spires in November, the colt ran through the early stages of the Florida series at Gulfstream Park over the winter. His key score came in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes Jan. 4. Not seen since running fifth in the Hutcheson Stakes Mar. 15, the 3-year-old went off as a 9-2 shot here. Rolling from the off the pace, he looked strong down the lane and won easily. The final running time was 1:09.85. Lifetime Record: SW, 6-3-1-0. Sales History: $800,000 '23 KEESEPT. O-Morplay Racing LLC, Platts, Joey and Lady Sheila Stable; B-John C. Oxley (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo. GUNS LOADED ($11.98) sling shot by them all to claim the 8th at @ChurchillDowns. @JFDAngelo had him ready to fire. @flothejock had the call for owners @MorplayRacing, @Lady__Sheila, and Joey Platts. Another winner for @Three_Chimneys' Gun Runner! Nice Pick by @andie_biancone. pic.twitter.com/D97ETh8VN9 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 14, 2025 The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Guns Loaded Returns A Winner In Churchill Optional Claimer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Beyond the headline-worthy feat that Taken by the Wind (Rock Your World) provided trainer Ken McPeek with his record fifth win in Saturday's GIII Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs are several beneath-the-radar nuggets. For starters, even though McPeek has recently dominated a stakes that has a 56-year history, his victories in that fixture for 2-year-old fillies have all come since 2015, meaning that Taken by the Wind's 5 ¼-length score was the fifth by a McPeek trainee in the last 11 editions of that race. And it's not like all of those fillies were standouts on paper: Taken by the Wind was 6-1 in the betting, and only one of McPeek's quintet of winners in the Pocahontas went off favored. In 2023, the McPeek-trained GISP and 'TDN Rising Star' V V's Dream (Mitole) was the winning 6-5 choice. But Fun and Feisty (Midshipman) was 6-1 when she scored in 2022; GISW Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy) was 7-2 in 2016, and MGISP Dothraki Queen (Pure Prize) was 7-1 in 2015. While the tote board provides one interesting aspect, the timer reveals another: Not only has McPeek now trained three of the last four winners of the Pocahontas, but the last two times he's won that stakes, the final clockings for his juvenile fillies have been faster than the times of 2-year-old colts and geldings in Churchill's same-day, same-distance companion race, the GIII Iroquois Stakes. Taken by the Wind's winning time for the one-turn, main-track mile in the Pocahontas Sept. 13 (1:36.50) was nine-hundredths of a second faster than the victory an hour later by Spice Runner (Gun Runner) in the Iroquois. In '23, V V's Dream bested the clocking in the Iroquois by .83 seconds. On Saturday, making her second lifetime start off a 13-1 seven-furlong, main-track debut maiden win in a rained-off Saratoga turfer, Taken by the Wind broke running, conceded the lead, then stalked inside while always covered up in a tight pack under Irad Ortiz Jr. She was right behind the heels of dueling leaders through a brisk tempo for the first half of the race, backed off a beat while racing “on hold” in traffic approaching the far turn, then was patiently handled while still awaiting running room at the top of the stretch. Taken by the Wind then pounced through a gap between leaders in upper stretch before cracking open the race in the final furlong, with trip-troubled 9-5 maiden favorite Miss Complicated (Complexity) trying to make up ground but unable to close the gap. Family Affair The neck victory by Positano Sunset (Goldencents) in the Open Mind Stakes at Churchill on Saturday vaulted the 5-year-old GISW mare over the million-dollar earnings mark. For co-breeder and co-owner Randy Bloch, the achievement was the result of 22 years of female-family bloodstock commitment with roughly the same group of breeding and ownership partners dating back to the mare Humorous Gal, who was foaled in 2003. “This is such a special filly,” said Bloch. “This is the fourth generation of this family we've had for [trainer] Ian [Wilkes] and going back to [Hall-of-Fame trainer] Carl Nafzger. We were riding hard in the stands for her to get through, and she battled back.” More than two decades ago, Bloch and Phil Milner bred a mare named Essen of Roy to Distorted Humor and formed a partnership that raced the allowance-winning Humorous Gal through 2008. When Humorous Gal retired, Bloch and Milner mated her to Consolidator. The resulting filly, Gigglin' Gal, won at the allowance level while racing through 2014. Gigglin' Gal has since produced five foals, with Positano Sunset the most accomplished earner. She's co-owned by Bloch, Six Column Stables, John Seller and David Hall. Short-stretch Switch In a switch from previous seasons, the grass races on Woodbine's Turf Champions Day on Saturday were conducted over the seven-furlong inner course because of scheduled reconstruction on the 12-furlong E.P. Taylor course. The project involves restoring a five-furlong section of the backstretch and the installation of a more modern drainage system. As a result, a trio of Grade I “Win and You're In” qualifiers for the Breeders' Cup were run under a configuration that more closely matches the layout of this year's host track at Del Mar. The three Grade I one-mile Woodbine races Sept. 13 all started in front of the stands and were conducted around two turns instead of beginning from the long one-turn chute and culminating with a run through a home straight that measures a demanding 1,440 feet from the turn to the wire. On Woodbine's inner course, the length of the stretch off the final turn is only 978 feet, which better resembles Del Mar's 919-foot run from the top of the homestretch to the finish. 'TDN Rising Star' Notable Speech (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) earned a 101 Beyer Speed Figure for his winning run in the Woodbine Mile. Argos (Nyquist) garnered an 81 Beyer for his head victory in the Summer Stakes. Corsia Veloce (Practical Joke) also got an 81 Beyer for her win in the Natalma Stakes. The post Week in Review: McPeek’s Last Two Pocahontas Winners Faster Than Males in Same-Day Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Al Riffa is all set for the Melbourne Cup (G1) after an impressive triumph in the Irish St. Leger (G1) at The Curragh Sept. 14.View the full article

Mr Brightside enhanced his reputation as a people's horse when he benefited from a Craig Williams riding lesson to secure a 10th elite-level success in the Makybe Diva Stakes (G1) Sept. 13.View the full article

Four-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Terry Bradshaw has won plenty of big games in his career, but he celebrated a different kind of victory when Taken by the Wind captured the $251,250 Pocahontas Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs Sept. 13.View the full article

Kim Weir, the Director of Strategic Growth for Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, and an active volunteer with the Chaplaincy, has been named the inaugural Nancy Kelly Volunteer Award winner, according to a New York Race Track Chaplaincy release Sunday. The award will be presented annually to a person or people for outstanding volunteer efforts in support of the organization. Weir will be honored at a luncheon at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, NY on Nov. 11. The master of ceremonies will be longtime NYRA announcer Tom Durkin. Kelly, a longtime volunteer and supporter of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, served as president and vice president of the NY Chaplaincy after retiring from her long and distinguished career with The Jockey Club. Nancy passed away after a long illness on Feb. 9, 2024. “As she did with every aspect of her life, Nancy Kelly set the gold standard for volunteerism at the Chaplaincy and we felt that this was an appropriate way to honor her memory and her legacy,” said Humberto Chávez, the executive director and lead chaplain of the NYRTCA. Of the initial winner, Chavez said, “Kim Weir is deeply involved with numerous other racing community activities but always finds time to help us in an extraordinary manner and this award recognizes that commitment.” A native of San Diego, with degrees from the University of Virginia and the College of William & Mary, Weir previously served as the director of donor engagement for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. The post NY Chaplaincy Unveils Nancy Kelly Volunteer Award, Weir Named Initial Recipient appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With her winning momentum abruptly halted last time, many would have made the presumption that Barnavara (Calyx) was at a plateau but Alpha Racing's flagbearer was not having any of that on Sunday. Ruthlessly dominant in The Curragh's G2 Moyglare Jewels Blandford Stakes, the 6-1 shot had the notable yardsticks One Look (Gleneagles) and Red Letter (Frankel) trailing in her wake as she registered a third Stakes win under Shane Foley. “She's a fantastic filly and is improving all the time,” trainer Jessica Harrington said. “She's a big filly and with each race she gets better and better. I thought Hotazhell would run well yesterday and he did, but she was my best chance because of her form and I thought every bit of rain was going to help her, because she will go on softer ground. She'll go to Paris on Arc weekend for the Prix de l'Opera–a Group 1 is the natural way to go.” Placed in three Group races at two, Barnavara had beaten Red Letter in Navan's Listed Kooyonga Stakes over a mile before adding the G3 Al Shira'aa Racing Jannah Rose Stakes to her tally over an extended 10 furlongs at Naas in June. Having finished third to that peer under a penalty in the nine-furlong G3 Snow Fairy Stakes last month, all logic suggested the Juddmonte filly had improved past her since early summer but this served as a comprehensive denial of that. Domineering from the front, she became only the second winner on the card to beat standard time along with the Irish Leger hero Al Riffa. Blimey …. @Jessica_Racing's dominates from the front in what looked a competitive renewal of the @MoyglareStud ”Jewels” Blandford Stakes @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/tnuOihiTjb — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 14, 2025 Pedigree Notes Barnavara, who is one of her deceased sire's six Group winners, is out of Alfea (Kentucky Dynamite) whose family features the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey Club-winning leading sire Lope De Vega, the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis hero Danceteria (Redoute's Choice) and the G3 Prix de Lieurey winner and Prix de l'Opera-placed Lady Frankel (Frankel). Her yearling filly by Blackbeard was a 300,000gns purchase by Liam Norris and Huntingdon Bloodstock at Tattersalls December and will be offered again at the upcoming Tattersalls October Book 1, while she also has a filly foal by St Mark's Basilica. Sunday, Curragh, Ireland MOYGLARE JEWELS BLANDFORD STAKES-G2, €242,000, Curragh, 9-14, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:05.08, yl. 1–BARNAVARA (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Calyx (GB) 1st Dam: Alfea (GB), by Kentucky Dynamite 2nd Dam: Askania Nova (Ire), by New Approach (Ire) 3rd Dam: Bal De La Rose (Ire), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB) (€70,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR). O-Alpha Racing; B-Andriy Milovonov & Viktor Tymoshenko; T-Jessica Harrington; J-Shane Foley. €120,000. Lifetime Record: 12-4-0-5, $284,903. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–One Look (Ire), 134, f, 4, Gleneagles (Ire)–Holy Salt (GB), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). (€40,000 RNA Wlg '21 GOFNO1; €65,000 Ylg '22 GOFOR). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Tullpark Ltd; T-Paddy Twomey. €40,000. 3–Red Letter (GB), 128, f, 3, Frankel (GB)–Red Impression (GB), by Dark Angel (Ire). TDN Rising Star. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd; T-Ger Lyons. €20,000. Margins: 3HF, 2 1/4, HF. Odds: 6.00, 3.00, 1.38. Also Ran: Tarima (Ire), Spicy Margarita (Ire), Snellen (Ire), Apercu (Ire), Naomi Lapaglia (GB), Ballet Slippers (Ire), Merrily. The post Barnavara in Blandford Romp, Prix De L’Opera Next appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Monday, Marseille-Boreley, France, post time: 13:27, LA COUPE DE MARSEILLE-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, 10fT Field: Instant Fragile (Fr) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Aidan's Phone (Fr) (Prince Gibraltar {Fr}), Merano (Swi) (Vanishing Cupid {Swi}), Al Aali (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Dioptase (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Lakota Beau (Fr) (Sioux Nation), Master Cath (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Paix Des Dames (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), Thordis (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Listed Prix Aymeri de Mauleon victor Instant Fragile and Listed Prix Francois Mathet scorer Aidan's Phone are the only black-type winners lining up in this competitive affair. Dangers include G3 Prix Greffulhe runner-up Dioptase, G3 Prix de Guiche second Al Aali and dual Listed runner-up Thordis. Of the others, Lakota Beau will head postward off the back of wins at Clairefontaine and La Teste, while July's Listed Prix Frederic de Lagrange fourth Master Cath has won five of his last seven starts. [Sean Cronin]. Click here for the complete field. The post Black-Type Analysis: La Coupe de Marseille Takes Centre Stage on Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australian Bloodstock's Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett) was the only Group 1 winner lining up for Sunday's G1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger and as he crossed the line alone at The Curragh it certainly looked like it. Always cruising throughout the generously-paced 14-furlong test under a clinically-judged ride from Dylan Browne McMonagle, the Joseph O'Brien-trained 3-1 shot swamped the three-year-old Amiloc (Postponed) a furlong out and powered to a four-length success. “I was able to take my time and every time I asked him he was there,” the rider said. “The speed was on and I knew my fella was going to have a good kick when I needed it. I got there half-speeding and he quickened up well in this ground. He's so straightforward and he has a great attitude, so you can put him where you want.” “You could probably look at the Cup races for him next season, he definitely feels like he can go another two furlongs,” he added of the Melbourne Cup entry. Absolute demolition job dazzles from off the speed in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh pic.twitter.com/YKC4KwU22h — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 14, 2025 The post Melbourne Cup-Bound Al Riffa Dominant In The Irish St Leger appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a fairytale ending to one of the key stallion-making races of the season, the judge's photo showed the 35,000gns Without Parole colt Zavateri in front of the 450,000gns buy Gstaad (Starspangledbanner) at the culmination of Sunday's G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at The Curragh. Having been 18-1 when swooping in Newmarket's G2 July Stakes and 8-1 when following up in Goodwood's G2 Vintage Stakes, Mick and Janice Mariscotti's Tattersalls October Book 2 bargain was 15-2 this time as Charles Bishop waited patiently for his effort in rear. Showing his now-customary sharp acceleration to enter the fray, he looked to have put Ballydoyle's 10-11 favourite away at the furlong pole but was soon embroiled in a ding-dong tussle and had to be tough to prevail. At the line, there was a head separating the colts who started out at the two ends of the commercial spectrum, with Italy (Wootton Bassett) 2 1/2 lengths away in third. “They've not been coming off the pace today and he was a long way back, but we said before it was up to Charlie–there was no plan and no pressure,” a relieved Eve Johnson Houghton said after learning that the stewards' inquiry into a late bump between the front pair had been resolved with no change to the outcome. “He's improving and improving and it'll be straight to the Dewhurst now. He wants further and as he matures he'll definitely want a mile.” wins the National Stakes! One heck of a result for Eve Johnson Houghton and Charlie Bishop pic.twitter.com/JVlCSaG76p — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 14, 2025 The post The Mariscottis’ Zavateri Edges National Stakes Thriller appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thoroughly deserving of his first Group 1 success on Sunday, AMO Racing Limited and Giselle De Aguiar's Arizona Blaze (Sergei Prokofiev) justified David Egan's call to partner him in The Curragh's Bar One Flying Five Stakes. Taking a lead from the owners' other live contender Bucanero Fuerte (Wootton Bassett), the 11-2 shot stayed on strongly to edge ahead a furlong out and land the five-furlong prize by a length from Nighteyes (Night Of Thunder) with Bucanero Fuerte holding on for third. “I had to go with my gut feeling and I was happy when the rain came,” Egan said of his choice, who had won the G2 Sapphire Stakes here and been touched off in the Commonwealth Cup. “Everything happened a bit too quickly for him in the Nunthorpe and the team can really get a horse to bounce back in a short space of time. Bucanero did a great job and really took me into it–I was happy to sit on his quarters and he hit the line strong. If any horse deserves a Group 1, it's him.” This was an automatic qualifier for the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and Kia Joorabchian is focused on that target now. “I was pushing David a little towards Arizona Blaze, as it's a stallion-making race,” he admitted. “He's such a tough horse and I'm delighted for him. David has excelled for us and is such a confident guy and rider and he gave him such a beautiful ride.” “Bucanero came third, so he's done a great job to come back from where he's been,” he added. “I think now we'll aim for the Breeders' Cup with Arizona and we'll have a lot of fun with him. He's a tough, hardy, very good-looking horse so he'll make a great stallion, but I'm happy to go again next year.” Back. In. Business! atones for a Nunthorpe no-show in the Flying Five at the Curragh! pic.twitter.com/y4RSujq08W — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 14, 2025 The post Amo’s Arizona Blaze Gets His Group 1 In The Flying Five, Breeders’ Cup The Plan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As it had 12 months ago, The Curragh's G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes went to Ballydoyle but not to their first string as Precise (Starspangledbanner) emerged best of the stable trio under Ronan Whelan. Like Bedtime Story last year, the even-money favourite Composing (Wootton Bassett) cut out the running but faded late, leaving it to Precise and Beautify (Wootton Bassett) to fight out the finish with the former the stronger by 3/4 of a length. The G1 Prix Morny heroine Venetian Sun (Starman) surrendered her unbeaten record, 1 3/4 lengths away in third with Composing only fourth. “I didn't jump as cleanly as I would have liked, but she quickened up well,” Whelan said of the G3 Prestige Stakes winner, who was providing Aidan O'Brien with an 11th renewal. “They told me she pricks her ears in front and I was value for a bit more at the line. The way she hit the line, she would probably be better over further.” O'Brien said of the winner, who is an automatic qualifier for the GI John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, “Ronan gave her a beautiful ride and she is growing and maturing all the time. When they are developing like that, you never where they will stop.” “She got the trip very well and galloped through the line. That's a win and you're in for the Breeders' Cup and Precise loves fast ground, so that's an option. I should have put in someone to lead Composing, she had made the running twice before but it wasn't fair to ask her to do it again into that headwind–I'm not disappointed with her.” A HUGE day for Ronan Whelan as rattles off a hat-trick in the Moyglare! pic.twitter.com/z2rkl7xO73 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 14, 2025 The post Deja Vu In The Moyglare As Precise Steps Out Of The Shadows For Ballydoyle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday Racing Company's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) hero Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black), not seen since annexing that Classic in June, became the latest Japanese nominee to lay down a marker for next month's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with a narrow victory in Sunday's G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange at ParisLongchamp. “I knew the horse needed the race and I am very happy with the result,” said trainer Takashi Saito. “Earlier this week he had not worked so well at Chantilly, so I didn't get much sleep before the race and I am relieved for sure. He handled downhill very well and also the soft ground, which was a concern beforehand. He did wander a bit in the straight, but I am convinced the lack of fitness is the reason. With one race now under his belt I am certain that he will come on a lot for the run and be fully ready for the Arc.” The 7-5 favourite was swiftly into stride and raced prominently early before settling in fourth and remaining there for the most part. Easing the outside for a clear passage off the home turn, he launched his challenge with 300 metres remaining and stayed on powerfully under a drive to hold the late rattle of G2 Prix Eugene Adam victor Daryz (Sea The Stars) by a short head. Pedigree Notes Croix Du Nord, who became Japan's champion juvenile after posting a win in last year's G1 Hopeful Stakes, is one of his sire's 10 Group winners which include three at the highest level. Croix Du Nord is the leading performer for G2 Park Hill Stakes victrix and G1 Oaks and G1 Irish Oaks placegetter Rising Cross (Cape Cross), herself the leading performer out of a half-sister to the dam of stakes-winning sire and G3 Solario Stakes and GIII La Jolla Handicap placegetter Falkenham (Polar Falcon). Croix Du Nord's fourth dam Cley (Exbury) is kin to Derby-winning sires Blakeney (Hethersett) and Morston (Ragusa). Rising Cross is also the dam of the multiple Group 3-placed Earthrise (Manhattan Cafe) and the once raced 2-year-old full-brother to Croix Du Nord named Charing Cross. Arc Contender Croix Du Nord just holds on in the Prix du Prince d'Orange and takes a step-forward towards the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October…#クロワデュノール #競馬@netkeiba pic.twitter.com/MEmUTLv0D6 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 14, 2025 Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France PRIX DU PRINCE D'ORANGE-G3, €73,200, ParisLongchamp, 9-14, 3yo/up, 10fT, 2:11.69, vsf. 1–CROIX DU NORD (JPN), 128, c, 3, by Kitasan Black (Jpn) 1st Dam: Rising Cross (GB) (GSP & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-Ire, GSP-US, $501,841), by Cape Cross (Ire) 2nd Dam: Woodrising (GB), by Nomination (GB) 3rd Dam: Bodham (GB), by Bustino (GB) O-Sunday Racing Company Ltd; B-Northern Racing; T-Takashi Saito; J-Yuichi Kitamura; €36,600. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Jpn, 6-5-1-0, €3,332,273. *1/2 to Earthrise (Jpn) (Manhattan Cafe {Jpn}), MGSP-Jpn, $888,680. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Daryz (Fr), 126, c, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Daryakana (Fr), by Selkirk. O/B-Aga Khan Studs; T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €14,640. 3–Nahraan (GB), 121, c, 3, Make Believe (GB)–First Kingdom (Ire), by Frankel (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Prince A A Faisal; B-Nawara Stud Ltd; T-John & Thady Gosden. €10,980. Margins: SHD, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 1.40, 2.80, 6.10. Also Ran: Uthred (Fr), Bolster (GB), Dumonet (Ire), Daring Prince (GB). The post Japanese Derby Hero Croix Du Nord Lays Down Arc Marker at ParisLongchamp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner There was one key difference when Akuta returned to Oamaru to deliver his second crushing win in the Group 3 Placemakers Hannon Memorial title. The comeback pacer left his rivals without an excuse when he sat parked and still proved far too strong in the New Zealand Cup lead-up for trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon. The win was something of a carbon copy of Akuta’s brilliant win in the 2022 Hannon Memorial. Three years ago, Mark Purdon was just as content to sit parked rather than pressed towards the lead when taking the reins behind the star pacer. And just as he did in 2022, the champion trainer-driver stoked his charge up on the home turn before he went on to a powerful victory. While tactically identical, the build-up into both Hannon wins has been starkly different. After 20 months on the sidelines through injury, Akuta would have had his excuses if sitting parked had taken its toll this year. But it didn’t and Purdon was quick to thank former Group 1 winning reinsman Tony Shaw for his hard work to get Akuta fit and ready for spring racing. Purdon called on Shaw after it became apparent that training his star pacer on the Matamata thoroughbred track, where the trainer-driver is based, wasn’t going to help his progression. The results of the move to call on Shaw has been Akuta putting his hand up as the early leader among New Zealand’s hopefuls that will attempt to defend home turf when Aussie stars Leap To Fame and Swayzee cross the ditch to contest the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup. “We weren’t going to get him back working him on the soft sand,” Purdon told Harness Racing Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong. “So, he went to Morrinsville where Tony looked after him.” “Tony was meticulous in the way he looked after the horse through his preparation.” Shaw’s dedication was rewarded when Purdon handed the former reinsman and now horse transport operator a share in Akuta. Now Shaw looks a realistic chance of hoisting the New Zealand Cup again, as he did when driving Yulestar to victory in the great race 25 years ago. While Akuta won’t carry the support the two Australians at this stage, he should only become a bigger and more potent force as the spring continues. “He has still got improvement in him,” Purdon said. “I know he has had four raceday starts back, but he’s really only had three starts as one was only a tame affair.” “With the absence this horse has had, you have got to expect it will take a long time [to build his fitness]. “ Dalton Shard tracked Akuta throughout and boosted his New Zealand Cup chances when running into second ahead of Macandrew Aviator. Purdon was also in the winner’s circle on Hannon Memorial Day with the Ross Houghton trained pair of Midnight Diamond and Incentivise who both cleared out for impressive victories. View the full article

He’s feeling fitter and more confident than ever and for Alexis Badel, the results are showing. Fresh from his first success of the season at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the French jockey made it a week to remember after dominating Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting with a treble. “I’ve been given good rides and everything went smooth. I feel fit and confident,” said Badel, who has hit the ground running after a successful riding stint in Japan during the off-season. Badel booted home Frankie Lor...View the full article