Wandering Eyes

Former Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir. Trainer Darren Weir has been handed a further two-year disqualification by the Victorian Racing Tribunal for using a jigger on three racehorses back in 2018. The tribunal, led by Judge John Bowman alongside Judge Kathryn Kings and tribunal member Des Gleeson, unanimously decided on the penalty, deeming it “fair and appropriate.” This decision follows a recent hearing where Racing Victoria stewards had advocated for an additional 10-year ban on top of Weir’s previous four-year disqualification, which concluded in February last year. Weir, who pleaded guilty to charges of animal cruelty, defended himself by emphasizing his rehabilitation, contrition, and remorse. Charges related to corruption had previously been dismissed. Horse racing news View the full article

Former New Zealand jockey Trudy Thornton, now based on the Sunshine Coast, has had the opportunity to ride in the Top End for the past two weeks and returns on Saturday for Day 1 of the 2024 Darwin Cup Carnival. Sunshine Coast jockey Trudy Thornton will be hoping it’s third time lucky as she strives for her first Darwin win when she returns to the Top End this weekend. Thornton, 61, has appeared at the past two meetings for three thirds aboard Missed Victory on June 22 and Fierce Legend and Yaki Ishi last weekend for Victorian trainer Neil Dyer. The former New Zealand jockey, who started riding in the late 1990s and relocated to Queensland late last year, has five rides at Fannie Bay on Saturday, which is also Day 1 of the Darwin Cup Carnival. With several Darwin jockeys sidelined, Thornton headed to the NT on the invitation of Thoroughbred Racing NT chief executive officer Andrew O’Toole. “It has been an absolute honour to be up there, I’m thoroughly enjoying it, it’s been good,” she said. “The people are lovely and the jockeys are great, I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. “I enjoy riding on the track and to get that first win would be awesome. “I’d love to stay for the weekend in Darwin, but I’ve got commitments here at Caloundra riding for the Kerry Taplin stable. “I’m pretty much their main trackwork rider, I don’t like leaving them in the lurch as they’ve been good to me. “I actually don’t leave for Darwin until Friday night before heading back to Brisbane early Sunday morning. “I managed to miss my flight last Friday – that was an error of judgement on my behalf.” Thornton, who boasts 572 wins and 1,623 minor placings from 10,022 starts, hails from Cambridge – 150km south of Auckland – and continues to enjoy life in the saddle. She is a multiple Group 1-winning rider, who has also visited and ridden in Australia in the past. “I’ve been riding for a long time, but I still love it – I love riding and I love the horses,” Thornton said. “I have that competitive streak in me, it’s something that I don’t know if I’ll ever lose. “I’ve been wanting to come to Australia honestly forever. “My children have grown up, I’ve just managed to sell my property back home and so this is where I’m going to situate myself for the foreseeable future.” Thronton is the mother of Brisbane-based jockey Samantha Collett. “Riding for Neil Dyer up in Darwin, his horses are always well presented and well behaved,” she said. “He’s a really nice guy to ride for, so it has been very rewarding really and I much appreciate the opportunity, as well as the chance to ride for other trainers.” NT jockeys Paul Shiers and Wayne Davis are sidelined with injury and Stan Tsaikos and Ianish Luximon are suspended, but Adam Nicholls finally returns from injury on Saturday. Interstate trainers and jockeys on deck for the 10-race meeting at Fannie Bay on Saturday are as follows. Trainers: Dyer (Kyneton), Peter Robl (Gold Coast), John Peacock (Murray Bridge), Heather Lehmann (Murray Bridge), Kym Healy (Strathalbyn), Andrew Perdon (Sale) Jockeys: Thornton (Sunshine Coast), Noel Callow (Gold Coast), Jasper Franklin (Gold Coast), Thomas Doyle (Ballarat), Mark Pegus (Stawell), Alan Kennedy (Medina, WA), Jason Maskiell (Moe) Horse racing news View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Friday, July 5. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for July 5, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Ballarat Races 1 & 2 | Run 2nd or 3rd Bonus Back up to $50 Back a runner in races 1 & 2 at Ballarat this Friday and if it runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $50 in Bonus Cash. Fixed Win bets only. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Friday Bonus Back 2nd ALL RACES at Ballarat Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. Check your Vault for eligibility Login to UniBet to Claim Promo 25% Winnings Boost – Ballarat All Races Paid in Bonus Cash. First Fixed Win Cash Bet. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus! – Score Up To An Extra 15% Winnings Place a fixed odds bet on your own horse and receive an extra 15% winnings. Must be registered owner. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Any Australian Racing 3+ Leg Multi | If 1 Leg Fails Bonus Back Up To $50 Place a 3+ leg Fixed Win/Place Multi across Australian Thoroughbred, Harness or Greyhound racing this week and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available once daily. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for July 5, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Saturday, July 6, 2024 First Race 4pm HKT (6pm AEST) Visit Dabble Twilight racing returns to Sha Tin on Saturday afternoon, with a bumper 10-part program lined up for punters. The rail is in the C course for the meeting, and although there are some scattered showers forecast in the lead-up, it shouldn’t affect the Good 4 rating at the time of acceptances. All the action is set to get underway at 4pm local time. Check out our best bets and quaddie numbers for the Sha Tin races on July 6. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Courier Aladdin Courier Aladdin makes his debut on the back of some impressive barrier trials. His most recent jump-out on the Sha Tin all-weather circuit particularly caught the eye, with the son of Satono Aladdin going on to score by two lengths after baulking clear along the inside running rail. He gets the services of Hong Kong’s best Zac Purton for race-day, and with barrier four allowing Courier Aladdin to sit within striking distance turning for home, punters can expect a bold showing by the Jamie Richards-trained three-year-old. Best Bet Race 5 – #4 Courier Aladdin (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Zac Purton (58.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Robot Knight Back-to-back minor placings should have Robot Knight ready to peak in this all-weather Class 4 contest. The Pierre Ng-trained gelding attempted to make every post a winner last start on June 15, only finding one better in the form of Aca Power storming over the top to score by 1.3 lengths. Robot Knight gets a 2kg swing in the weights this time around, and with the key booking of Zac Purton hopping aboard, this guy can turn the tables. Next Best Race 4 – #3 Robot Knight (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Pierre Ng | J: Zac Purton (57kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Value at Sha Tin: Chateauneuf Chateauneuf has had eight weeks off since chasing home New Power at Happy Valley on May 8. He was forced back towards the rear of the field from barrier 11 on that occasion, chasing home gallantly in an on-speed dominated contest. Getting back to the 1400m at Sha Tin should be ideal for the son of Fastnet Rock, and with Zac Purton likely to gain the ideal from stall five, Chateauneuf should get every chance to add a second career win to the resume. Best Value Race 8 – #2 Chateauneuf (5) 3yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Zac Purton (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Hong Kong Saturday quaddie picks Sha Tin quadrella selections Saturday, July 6, 2024 3-5-8-10-12 1-2-4-8-9-14 2-5-9 3-5-6-8-9-11 Horse racing tips
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No matter the time of year or the venue, ELiTE Sales knows how to bring a good horse to auction. Names like dual champion Monomoy Girl (Tapizar), who topped the 2020 FTKNOV sale at a cool $9,500,000, or another dual champion in Tepin (Bernstein) who posted the second-highest price of the 2017 FTKNOV sale behind only Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) at $8,000,000, have passed through their consignments in recent years. Still racing are the likes of MGSW Newgrange (Violence) along with 2023 July grads and stakes winners Power In Numbers (Girvin) and Catiche (Arrogate). Just two months ago, Dana's Beauty (Not This Time) co-topped the Keeneland April Horses of Racing Age Sale when selling to John Stewart's Resolute Racing for $450,000 just before winning the Ouija Board Distaff Stakes in May. The list of grads reads like a “who's who” with success still occurring daily on the track and in the breeding shed. A new group stakes their claim next week as Elite brings a diverse and quality group of horses of racing age to Fasig-Tipton Monday. ELiTE grad Dana's Beauty | Coady Media “I think an important component of a HoRA consignment is variety,” said ELiTE's Katelyn Jackson. “We want to be able to service a wide range of buyers and give them the opportunity to inspect horses at all levels. Elite's July draft features horses with all conditions remaining, allowances horses, some are starter eligible, and we have 2 stakes winning 3-year-olds. It's a really well rounded group of horses.” Topping the group is Reasoned Analysis, a 3-year-old son of Upstart (hip 465) who provided a timely update when taking April's listed Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct before out-running his odds to finish fourth behind Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in the GI Woody Stephens Stakes on the Belmont undercard at Saratoga June 8. “Both of his lifetime best Ragozin and Thoro-Graph figures show that he has graded-stakes caliber talent within his division. As a 3-year-old dirt colt, there are a plethora of age-restricted stakes that he can target over the rest of the 2024 racing season.” Horses on an upward trajectory are poised to be the most appealing to buyers Monday and Jackson noted that, while a strong pedigree never hurts, HoRA sales are all about letting track results do the talking. “What's most important is recency and in-form results. Horses that come to the sale off of lifetime best speed figures or that are trending upward are generally the most well received by buyers. With that said we do have some fillies with a bit of pedigree and some residual black type such as [Busher Stakes runner up] Asset Purchase (Dialed In) (hip 500).” Indeed, there is something for every buyer on offer as also among ELiTE's consignment are promising maidens Lake Superior (Quality Road) (hip 435), Mount Fuji (Quality Road) (hip 448), Paris Surprise (City of Light) (hip 458), Public Assembly (More Than Ready) (hip 464), Special Justice (Justify) (hip 472), Stage Presence (Speightstown) (hip 474), Strategic Decision (Good Magic) (hip 476), Tirupati (Mitole) (hip 485) and Utopian (Curlin) (hip 490). Allowance runners include Truly Quality (Quality Road) (hip 486)–also a half to SW/MGSP Mouffy (Uncle Mo), Enahm (Ghostzapper) (hip 420), Etheric (Ghostzapper) (hip 421), Proprietary Trade (Practical Joke) (hip 463), Rollin in Chief Stipeh (Central Banker) (hip 467) and Sacred Image (Catholic Boy) (hip 469). And added to the catalog as supplements earlier this week were Ziti (FR) (Toronado {Ire}) (hip 501), undefeated Lake Abanakee (Central Banker) (hip 503), recent maiden winner Smooching (Mendelssohn) (hip 505) and Party On Girl (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) (hip 512). Power In Numbers | Bill Denver/Equi-photo “The buying pool at [this] sale has been quite strong in years past,” Jackson continued. “There are always domestic agents looking for horses that might fit the Del Mar ship and win program and of course, you're also looking ahead to the lucrative purses at Kentucky Downs later this summer. There has also been excellent international participation from agents buying on behalf of Middle Eastern clients. Two of our top horses from last July (Power in Numbers and Rebellious Stage) went on to have excellent results in Saudi Arabia during their winter carnival.” “And from a sellers perspective, the Fasig-Tipton July HoRA sale has been a great place to trade in-form racehorses. Owners are typically looking to capitalize on their offering's recent results in order to make way for their incoming crop of 2-year-olds. And as a buyer, summer meets are about to kick off around the country so it provides them the opportunity to reload their stables with in-form horses.” The Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale begins Monday, July 8 at 3 p.m. The post ELiTE Brings Diverse, Quality Consignment To Fasig-Tipton Horses Of Racing Age Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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Race 2 RUAKAKA NZ’S BEST BET IN WINTER 2 YO 1100m DUA DANCE (M Hashizume) – Co-trainer Mr. A Scott reported to Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the filly, however, DUA DANCE has been sent for a short spell to be freshened for the spring racing. The post Whangarei Racing Club @ Ruakaka, Saturday 29 June 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Not even jockey Flavien Prat's hot hand aboard Mystic Lake was enough to fend off the stretch kick from the Tyler Gaffalione-ridden Emery in the $162,750 Victory Ride Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies July 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

By Brigette Solomon South Auckland based driver Joshua Dickie has five drives tonight at Cambridge Raceway and is confident all can give strong performances. Dickie’s first drive is on the Brian and Gareth Hughes trained Grace N Elegance who starts in Race one, the Watchu Security Mobile Trot over 2200 metres. The five year old mare finished fourth here on the 20th June after being held up in the home straight. It wasn’t until the final 50 metres that she found clear running and let down with a strong run. “She’s an honest horse who was quite unlucky last start, after being held up until late I was really happy with the way she hit the line,” says Dickie. “It’s a good race for her tonight in the right grade and being off a mobile she starts off a level mark, I think she’s a good chance.” In Race two, the Barrett Homes – Palisades Mobile Pace, Dickie drives Debrief, his first of three drives for employers Steve and Amanda Telfer. “I like him, he’s a pretty smart colt, well bred and has a lovely attitude and I expect he’ll go a good race tonight although it’s his first start as a two-year-old against the older maidens,” says Dickie. “A couple of his workouts may have just looked ok, but he’s since improved a lot and he’s shown enough speed off the gate to indicate he could go forward early if he needs to.” The well-bred colt, by Captaintreacherous and out of Elle Mac, was a $270,000 purchase at the 2023 NZB Standardbred Yearling sale at Karaka. Slots, also trained by Telfer/Telfer, is Dickie’s next drive in Race five, the Barrett Homes – Moorings Mobile Pace over 2700 metres. The three-year-old colt has had two starts back this campaign at Alexandra Park, finishing back in the field on both occasions and failing to show the ability he displayed when winning at Cambridge back in January. “His last two runs have been below par although I think he can be forgiven his fresh up run where he did a fair bit of work,” says Dickie, “he’s had some little issues and actually got down on his bumpers last week which may have worried him a bit, but he’s drawn nine this week which will suit him and allow him to have a run that can give him a bit of confidence.” In Race six, the Betavet Buildagut Mobile Pace, Dickie drives Jubilee Rock for Telfer/Telfer. The four-year-old mare, although only lightly raced, has failed to produce results after winning her maiden as a two year old at Ashburton. However, a change of scenery in shifting to the Telfer’s North Island base may prove beneficial. “She’ll be interesting as her form is quite bad to be honest, but since her last run at Auckland her trackwork has been brilliant, running time and doing it well,” says Dickie. “There are a couple of decent horses in the race, but I think she’ll go a cheeky race tonight.” Dickie’s final drive of the night is Bad Medicine, starting in Race seven, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Mobile Pace over 2700 metres. With four weeks between his previous two races, Bad Medicine finished fourth in a 2700 metre standing start race at Alexandra Park last week which was won by Coastal Babe. “He’s a smart enough horse and trained by Arna Donnelly here at Cambridge he definitely has to be respected,” says Dickie. “It’s an even enough field although Triple G having his first start in the North could be the one to beat.” Racing action gets underway tonight with Race one at 5.10pm. View the full article

By Mike Love Spy Da Moment, trainer Michael Ward and driver Ricky May will combine for what will be an emotional Avon City Ford Mobile Trot at Addington tonight (8.09pm). The winner of six races, Spy Da Moment was formerly owned and trained by the late Katie Cox, who lost her battle with lung cancer earlier this week. Michael Ward has taken over the training of the horse, who comes into tonight’s race off the back of a second fresh-up at Addington two weeks ago. “He’s come through that run alright,” said new trainer Michael Ward. “Katie worked him on Saturday and he worked as good as she wanted him to work. She was happy.” Spy Da Moment will be competing in his 62nd race tonight, but it may well be his last. “I think we may be retiring him after this race. It’s what she (Katie) suggested. We will have a discussion about it, but I think that’s what will happen.” Spy Da Moment was broken in by Cox after proving to be a handful in his younger years. It was Cox’s patience and astute professionalism that has now seen the 11-year-old Monarchy gelding win six races and over $93,000 in stakes. “Katie never got him until he was about six or seven. He was locked up in a box for most of his life. She had done a great job breaking him in. He’d been a handful and he’s had a lot of problems. Katie ironed them out, patched him up and did a terrific job.” Other chances in the event include race favourite Mr Love ($2.20FF) for Greg and Nina Hope, the in-form George Elliot ($4.80FF) for Trevor Grant and Mad Jack ($6.50FF) for Amber Hoffman. However, it is a very even field. Drivers will be wearing blue and/or white armbands (Cox’s racing colours) tonight to honour Katie. Racing commences tonight from 5:20pm. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a filly out of G1 Hong Kong Vase heroine Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk). 14.50 Clairefontaine, Debutantes, €22,000, 3yo, f, 12fT DARYLAKHA (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) arrives at Clairefontaine for her debut 15 years on almost to the day that her dam Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk) was unveiled here in the same contest. Three months later successful in the G2 Prix de Royallieu and by the end of the year the G1 Hong Kong Vase heroine, she has since proved a stellar broodmare for The Aga Khan by producing Shamardal's G1 Prix Ganay-winning sire Dariyan (Fr), the dual graded-stakes scorer Devamani (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the G2 T.v.Zastrow Stutenpreis winner Darkaniya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}). Francis-Henri Graffard has booked Dorian Provost for the homebred, whose eight rivals include Godolphin's Moonglade (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), an Andre Fabre-trained daughter of the G2 Rockfel Stakes winner and G1 1,000 Guineas runner-up Lucida (Ire) (Shamardal). The post Daughter Of Daryakana Follows In Her Steps At Clairefontaine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Today 5th July in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago Athene looking to shed bridesmaid tag at Ashburton Northern apprentice Kelsey Hannan and Canterbury mare Athene have been rivals in their last two meetings, but the pair will … Read More Australia horse racing news 1 year ago Listed Winter Stakes to heat up Randwick The Listed $160,000 Winter Stakes headlines a 10-race card at Royal Randwick on Saturday as the Australian Turf Club’s series … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Rockhampton racing tips & quaddie picks | Newmarket Day 2023 The Rockhampton Jockey Club will host a competitive eight-race card this Friday, and HorseBetting’s Ciaran Jackman has provided his best … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Gosford racing tips, quaddie picks & odds | July 6, 2023 HorseBetting’s Nathan Keven shares his free betting tips and quaddie numbers for the Gosford races on Thursday, July 6, 2023 … Read More Australia horse racing news 1 year ago Montefilia joins Chris Waller stable Four-time Group 1 winner Montefilia has joined the Chris Waller stable as she continues her racing career, having previously been … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 1 year ago Purton five winners away from making history in Hong Kong Zac Purton’s three winners at Sha Tin on Monday night moved him to 166 winning rides for the 2022-23 season, … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | July 5, 2023 Five horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips and quaddie selections for free here at … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Happy Valley races preview & best bets | July 6, 2023 Check out HorseBetting’s free Hong Kong racing tips and quaddie picks for the Happy Valley races on Thursday, July 6, … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Weather no worries for classy two-year-old Better Rain Rockhampton trainer Tom Smith is hoping that his recent run of success can continue this weekend when he saddles up … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Rainfall forces changes to race programs in NSW and Queensland Multiple race meetings across New South Wales and Queensland have been transferred, postponed and abandoned this week due to heavy … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Hampson continues rapid rise with Alice Springs treble She only debuted as an apprentice jockey in the Northern Territory in April, but the rise of Jade Hampson only … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Vagrant, Muschialli closing in on wins | The Follow Files In terms of quality, the first metropolitan meeting for July was a bit of a disappointment. Rosehill Gardens was abandoned … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | July 5, 2022 Three horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips, best odds and quaddie selections for free … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Sandown tips, top odds & quaddie picks | Wednesday, July 6 Sandown Racecourse will host an eight-race program on Wednesday on a predicted Soft 6 surface with the rail out four … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago 200 wins for Barnes Getting to 200 career victories wasn’t a big thing for Courtney Barnes at the beginning of the season, but it’s … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Innes enjoying retirement While winter is usually a quieter time for Leith Innes, the former hoop said he is enjoying it a lot … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Kiwi-breds dominate Warrnambool jumping features Amy McDonald, Lee Horner and their banner horse Flying Agent gained compensation for last year’s Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) defeat by … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Ballarat racing tips, top odds & quaddie | Tuesday, July 6 HorseBetting’s Victorian horse racing analyst brings you his best bets, value picks and quaddie numbers for the Ballarat meeting on … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | July 5, 2021 With just two horse racing meetings being held around the country today, our form analysts have run their eye over … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 3 years ago Chief Stipelas Whyte’s precise planning pays off with Mister Snowdon Accustomed to the stratospheric heights of Hong Kong racing as a 13-time champion jockey, Chief Stipelas Whyte savoured one of his … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Innes prepared to play patient game with impressive Hastings winner. Opaki trainer Gerald Innes picked up a welcome winning double at Hastings and has high hopes he can keep that … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Lockdown purchase comes up trumps at Ruakaka An afternoon watching Australian racing during the first COVID-19 lockdown last year paid a winning dividend for trainer Stephen McKee … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Kaharau provides special moment for Rae The emotion in Ken Rae’s voice says it all when discussing the stylish jumping win at Hastings on Saturday by … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Winx Stakes first-up target for Dreamforce Trainer John Thompson plans to have George Ryder Stakes winner Dreamforce wound-up for a first-up tilt at the Winx Stakes … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Smart Boomsara to return in the Ramornie Smart Brisbane sprinter Boomsara will head to Sydney if he races well in the $200,000 Ramornie Handicap at Grafton on … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Ramornie Handicap jockey wait for Boomtown Lass Boomtown Lass will run in the Ramornie Handicap after skipping a Listed race Eagle Farm … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Duric looking forward to Singapore return Leading Singapore jockey Vlad Duric did not follow his fellow Victorian jockeys back to Australia, preferring to stick it out … Read More United Kingdom Horse Racing News 4 years ago Oaks win for Love seals Classic double Love, trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, has won The Oaks at Epsom Downs … Read More United Kingdom Horse Racing News 4 years ago Stunning Serpentine win in Derby at Epsom Serpentine, trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Emmet McNamara, has won the Derby at Epsom Downs … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Prince Fawaz chasing spring pot of gold Rosehill Guineas placegetter Prince Fawaz has recovered from a leg injury and will be set for one of Sydney’s richest … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Star Of Michelin to back-up in Group 3 Guineas Eagle Farm winner Star Of Michelin is set to back-up in the Group Three Winx Guineas at the Sunshine Coast … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Rogerson team starts in style Team Rogerson started a big day at Te Rapa on Saturday in fine style with a victory by promising two-year-old … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Tellyawhat scores for Sharrock at Te Rapa Visiting Taranaki trainer Allan Sharrock struck gold with his first runner following the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown when Tellyawhat notched an … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Bambry strikes treble at Awapuni Foxton trainer Chrissy Bambry continued her red-hot run of form since racing recommenced following the COVID-19 hiatus, as she registered … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Richards brings up first solo century Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards brought up his first century of training wins in New Zealand in his own right … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Moore needs Magic Zac Purton secured a double on Wednesday (3 July) night and will look to help John Moore close the two-win … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Cup test for Unicorn as So’s youngster aims for back-up win Chris So’s exciting youngster Classic Unicorn (116lb) will aim to build on his impressive debut win when he takes his … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Te Akau juveniles continue to excite Te Akau took out the trifecta in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) earlier this year with Probabeel, Aotea Lad, and … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Moonlight could shine in Taj Rossi Final Trainer Mitchell Freedman will give untapped filly Moonlight Maid a crack at the Taj Rossi Series Final at her second … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Bowman jumps on-board unbeaten Sir Elton Promising three-year-old Sir Elton will put his unbeaten record on the line when he makes his metropolitan debut at Randwick … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Roman Wolf to show some bite at Randwick Two-year-old Roman Wolf will have race fitness on his side when he takes on a smart field of youngsters at … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Isdale eyes Grand National with El Corby A tilt at next month’s Hospitality New Zealand Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m) at Riccarton is beckoning El Corby if … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Williams could add more Finals Day winners Winter Championship Series Final favourite Waging War will form part of a strong book of rides for star jockey Craig … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Halvorsen out to upstage older rivals Three-year-old gelding Halvorsen will be out to upstage his older rivals when he runs in the Listed All Victorian Sprint … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Unfinished business for Tregea in Cup Trainer Steve Tregea is hoping he has better luck in the Rockhampton Cup this year than he had last year … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Quirk new RQ board member Former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has been appointed to the Racing Queensland board but not before debate in state … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Relaxed Realing ready to run at Doomben Trainer Desleigh Forster is hoping a relaxed preparation can help Realing regain his best form when he runs for her … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Whypeeo after morale-boosting Doomben win Trainer Toby Edmonds is hoping speedy galloper Whypeeo can regain confidence by winning at Doomben … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Bayliss brings weight relief to Shogun Sun Apprentice Corey Bayliss will claim 2kg on Shogun Sun as he tackles 1600 metres for the second time in his … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Midweek ploy pays off for new racing team The new Anderson Heathcote training partnership is reaping the benefit of bringing horses through from the midweeks to Saturday racing … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Stakes milestone looms for Latta Lisa Latta is poised to become a $20 million woman this weekend. The Palmerston North trainer has 12 horses entered … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Standout season for Ralph Te Awamutu horseman Stephen Ralph has experienced one of his biggest seasons-to-date and he can now call himself a Group … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news, New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Kiwi-breds dominant at Happy Valley New Zealand-bred horses were active at Hong Kong’s Happy Valley racecourse on Wednesday, taking out half of the eight race … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Chan’s Valley first Alfred Chan was thrilled to bag his first Happy Valley win on his first night riding at the downtown venue … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Ho’s fighting fit If there was a title for the fittest jockey in Hong Kong, Vincent Ho would certainly be a contender and … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Purton takes two, Moore closes in Zac Purton followed a four-timer at Sha Tin last weekend with a double at Happy Valley (3 July) that began … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Talent gives Domeyer a treble at the Valley Aldo Domeyer has made a rapid advance since arriving in Hong Kong at the start of May and he annexed … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Long-range plan for Miss Exfactor Promising filly Miss Exfactor will take the first step in a long-range plan when she runs at Doomben … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Record numbers for Slipper/Diamond Australia’s premier two-year-old races, the Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond Stakes, have attracted record first nominations … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Santa Ana Lane snares slot in The Everest Triple Group One winner Santa Ana Lane is the seventh horse confirmed for The Everest, with the sprinter securing the … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago McEvoy to test Mintha over 1600m again Trainer Tony McEvoy is happy to give talented filly Mintha another chance over 1600m in the Rivette Series Final at … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Matthew Smith looking to stayers Matthew Smith is looking to stayers in Melbourne and Sydney to keep the stable’s momentum going … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Bonneval thriving ahead of proposed Australian trip Outstanding mare Bonneval is making good progress during the early stages of a new preparation that is hoped to see … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Desleigh Forster chases two centre double Trainer Desleigh Forster is on course for a two-centre double with Someday at Doomben and Too Good To Refuse at … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Phelan targeting National festival Cambridge trainer Craig Phelan has his sights set on next month’s Grand National carnival. Worthiswaitngold has been nominated for the … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Thursday NZ news briefs – Jumping career planned for flat winner An emphatic flat victory at Wanganui won’t change plans for the five-year-old Donardo. The Don Eduardo gelding was a runaway … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Lane out to reduce deficit in title race Boom sprinter Nature Strip headlines Damian Lane’s book of rides at Flemington as the jockey tries to keep himself in … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Jag Guthmann-Chester rides for Waller Leading Queensland apprentice Jag Guthmann-Chester gets a chance to impress top trainer Chris Waller when he rides Religify at Doomben … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 6 years ago Zero Hedge takes the feature and keeps Moreira in the hunt Zero Hedge made all to land the Australian Turf Club Trophy Handicap (1200m) for the John Size/Joao Moreira alliance at … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Jackson Murphy takes next career step Apprentice Jackson Murphy has picked up some key rides as he begins a new phase of his career in metropolitan … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Sarrasin to run in America sooner than planned The Richard Freedman-trained Sarrasin will begin his American campaign sooner than expected in a race at Belmont … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Bowman bridges gap as Avdulla suspended Sydney jockeys’ premiership leader Brenton Avdulla will miss two meetings through suspension with Hugh Bowman closing the gap with a … Read More Horse Racing Tips 7 years ago Quaddie tips for Thursday, July 7 races at Bendigo A MAMMOTH 10-race card greets punters at Bendigo on Friday afternoon, which is the venue for our quaddie this weekend … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Thompson shines with Sandown treble Apprentice Ben Thompson has played a starring role at Sandown with three wins on a day when premiership leader Beau … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Calculated surges to maiden win Calculated, a son of dual Cox Plate winner So You Think, has responded under pressure to win his first race … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Evil Cry to back up in Taj Rossi Final The Robbie Laing-trained Evil Cry will back up in the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final over 1600m at Flemington, a … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Kelly gets double with youngsters Trainer Les Kelly’s confidence in two-year-olds Snapchat Girl and Calligrapher against older horses has been rewarded with a Gold Coast … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 7 years ago First New Zealand Horse of the Year nominees list released The strength of the current three-year-old crop is emphasised in the first release of finalists for the 2016-17 New Zealand … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 7 years ago Falcons Reach up ready to roar first up FALCONS Reach resumes on Thursday at Wanganui after a four month layoff, and connections are expecting a big performance first … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Smart Coupe makes it two from two Two-year-old filly Smart Coupe has backed up a convincing debut win at Wangaratta with a city win at her second … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing Tips 7 years ago Warwick Farm betting tips, form guide and updated odds, July 8 SATURDAY premier racing returns to Warwick Farm on July 8 and we have form, odds and betting tips for all … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Your Way set for comeback on home track Bjorn Baker has Your Way back from an illness-enforced spell and is eyeing black-type races in the spring after she … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Twitter tipster’s tasteless list causes turmoil online SEXISM unfortunately is an ever-present issue within sport, and the great industry of thoroughbred racing is not exempt from its … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 7 years ago Redemption on the cards for Suncraze in Highway Handicap THERE aren’t many horses in Australia that can boast five successive second place finishes, but Suncraze is searching to go … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Darryl Ward to have first Brisbane starter Land Office will be the first Brisbane starter for experienced horseman Darryl Ward who has taken over his training from … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 7 years ago Full steam ahead for RACE Group as Awapuni finds its groove AFTER a torrid 2015/2016 season with poor track safety, the Awapuni Racing Club and its governing body RACE Group has … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago English to run for the TAB in Everest The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained English has been selected by the wagering company TAB as its representative in the … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Races added to Karaka Million program Four Group races and a $1 million race for three-year-olds will enhance the next running of the Karaka Million meeting … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 7 years ago 2018 Karaka Million race card confirmed THE Auckland Racing Club and New Zealand Bloodstock have announced the eagerly-awaited changes to the Karaka Million race programme. Six … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago NZ’s Johnson third in riders’ championship New Zealand jockey Danielle Johnson has finished third in the inaugural Lady Jockeys’ Thoroughbred World Championships in Sweden … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago A Lotta Love set to back up at Flemington Group-placed mare A Lotta Love is set to back up in the Leilani Series Final at Flemington after a fast-finishing … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Thompson denied 12th Jungle Juice Cup Greg Ryan has won the Jungle Juice Cup aboard Ultima Chance to deny Robert Thompson a 12th victory in the … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Foxy Housewife to put spring plans on line Trainer Gerald Ryan has spring aspirations for Foxy Housewife if the two-year-old can back up a provincial win when she … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Lady Selkirk set to run in Silver Bowl The Silver Bowl Series Final is the preference for connections of Lady Selkirk who also holds a nomination for the … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Jockeys urged to seek help if depressed The retirement of champion jockey Kieren Fallon because of mental health issues reinforces the need for assistance, jockeys’ representatives say … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Rock On Zariz chases consecutive wins Rock On Zariz will be out to carry the colours of a Doncaster winner to consecutive city wins when she … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Warren hoping Awakenings can win again Awakenings has narrowly won two provincial races since joining Jason Warren’s stable and the trainer expects another good showing in … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Dal Cielo to join the Kris Lees stable New Zealand Group One winner Dal Cielo is to join the Kris Lees stable at Newcastle to further his career … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Jockeys urged to seek help if depressed The retirement of champion jockey Kieren Fallon because of mental health issues reinforces the need for assistance, jockeys’ representatives say … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago All-weather training track for Hawkesbury Hawkesbury will be the first racecourse in NSW to install a synthetic training track … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Animal Kingdom to be rested this season Animal Kingdom will be rested in Kentucky and miss the upcoming Australian breeding season but will return to Arrowfield Stud … Read More View the full article

Jun Park and Delia Nash's Sibelius will seek to rebound from a disappointing Dubai adventure in the $120,000 Smile Sprint July 6 at Gulfstream Park. View the full article

In 1981, Arlington Park's president Joe Joyce created the Arlington Million, a mile-and-a-quarter race on turf intended to raise the focus on Chicago racing. Soon after, in 1983, highly-decorated U.S. Army WWII veteran and businessman Richard L Duchossois purchased the track and substantially raised its profile. At the time, European-based racing connections were mostly strangers to American shores. Aside from the successful exploits of American oil company executive Nelson Bunker Hunt and his illustrious France-based trainer Maurice Zilber, European racehorses had cut little ice Stateside since 1969, the year in which trainer Bernard van Cutsem sent Karabas over from Newmarket to take the Washington D.C. International at Laurel Park. When the third-ever Arlington Million was run in the summer of 1983, the new hallmark of Chicago racing and Duchossois's first at the helm had the third-richest purse in all of racing and featured the legendary U.S. turf champ John Henry, an eight-year-old who had won the inaugural Million two years previously. Tolomeo, an Irish-bred trained in Newmarket by Luca Cumani, provided a 38-1 shock to the U.S. betting public when he slipped through an opening on the far side rail under Pat Eddery to defeat the venerable John Henry by a neck. Tolomeo's conquest of John Henry changed European viewpoints and initiated the dawning of an era of widespread international participation seeking to capture Chicago racing's biggest prizes: the Secretariat Stakes for three-year-olds, the Beverly D. Stakes for three-year-olds and older fillies and mares, and the Arlington Million for three-year-olds and up. The European influence on these races partly led to the track being renamed Arlington International Racecourse in 1989. In 1994, Criquette Head got the ball rolling for the Beverly D. when Hatoof, who went on to be named U.S. Champion Female Turf Horse that year, defeated two-time defending U.S. Champion Flawlessly in a vintage renewal. In 1996, the John Oxx-trained Irish starlet Timarida sandwiched a Beverly D. win between Group 1 wins versus male horses in Germany and her native country. There was more to come as European-trained distaffers took the race five more times with South African-bred Crimson Palace (2004), I'm A Dreamer (2012), subsequent U.S. Champion Dank (2013), Euro Charline (2014) and Santa Barbara (2021) all prevailing. Starting with Ciro's win in the 2000 Secretariat, Aidan O'Brien has sent a record-setting quartet of colts to win the race. That group is led by Highland Reel, who won the first of his seven Group/Grade 1s in the 2015 renewal. But clearly, the showpiece was the Million, and routinely, acclaimed European runners, bolstered by generous travel incentives and the standout purse, targeted the race. Since Tolomeo's unexpected triumph, ten invaders, including representatives from England, France, Germany and Ireland, have emerged victorious in the main event. One of those winners was the John Hammond-trained French horse Dear Doctor, who defeated a star-studded field in 1992 under an excellent ride from Cash Asmussen. In addition to defeating celebrated foes like Golden Pheasant, Exit to Nowhere, Quest for Fame, and Marquetry, Dear Doctor nosed out Sky Classic, a Canadian-bred who was later named that year's U.S. Male Turf Champion. Recently, Hammond recalled, “It was a race I had always wanted to try and win, it had kudos and a little stardust for us Europeans. Plus, the racecourse was run by the best man in the business, Dick Duchossois.” He continued, “Dick told me that his orders to his troops were that the whole place had to be so clean that you could eat off the loo floors. It just about was. He had a sign on his desk that said, 'Do not expect what you didn't inspect.' So true.” Of his 1992 hero, Hammond said, “I was quite attached to him [Dear Doctor]. There was no bid on him as a yearling as he was a tall, gangly creature with offset knees. Curiously, he became more correct as he grew and matured. He had a wonderful turn of foot which I have always liked in horses. It won him the Arlington Million.” Sadly for Hammond and countless others, Arlington International Racecourse closed following its 2021 season and, soon after, the property was sold by Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) to the Chicago Bears who had planned to build a new football stadium there. Later, the NFL franchise shelved that idea. CDI ran the famed trio of Arlington races at Churchill Downs in 2022 and, after acquiring Colonial Downs in 2023, made the New Kent, Virginia track their new home. This year, they'll be run on August 10. The Secretariat Stakes and Beverly D. Stakes are Grade II races with $500,000 purses, and the Arlington Million is a Grade I worth, appropriately, $1,000,000 in prize-money. The races have no nomination fee and nominations close on July 24. CDI's executive director of racing Gary Palmisano Jr said, “The turf course at Colonial Downs is 1 1/8th miles around and nearly 180-feet wide, so it offers wide, expansive turns unlike many American tracks. Given Colonial's summertime meet, the Bermuda grass is really able to thrive and take hold, offering the horses excellent footing.” When asked about attracting European-based runners, he reported, “Colonial Downs is actively recruiting throughout Europe for horses to come compete in Virginia. We have a relationship with Adrian Beaumont and the IRB and they work hard to help spread the message of Colonial Downs. We also had a partnership with The Jockey Club and Ascot to have some two-way race programmes that offer horses competing at the highest level the opportunity to ship for these races.” Palmisano Jr concluded, “Anyone interested in nominating or discussing travel incentives can reach out to myself at Gary.Palmisano@kyderby.com.” The post The New Million: From Arlington to Colonial Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stonestreet Stables' Emery (f, 3, More Than Ready–Athena, by Street Sense) inhaled pacesetting Mystic Lake (Mo Town) in the final strides to earn her first graded victory in the GIII Victory Ride Stakes at Aqueduct Thursday. The 3-5 favorite sat off the pace as Mystic Lake was pressed by Halina's Forte (Mitole) through fractions of :21.72 and :44.38. Emery loomed a threat three wide approaching the lane, but Mystic Lake skipped clear and looked home free in upper stretch only to have the favorite find another gear late to get up by a half-length and complete the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.44. Emery, a first-out winner at Saratoga last August, was fourth behind champion Just F Y I (Justify) in the GI Frizette Stakes. She resurfaced with a 5 1/4-length optional claimer win at Keeneland Apr. 19 and was coming off a 3 1/2-length tally in the seven-furlong Leslie's Lady Stakes at Churchill Downs June 9. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0. O-Stonestreet Stables. B-Mary Grum (Ky). T-Brad Cox. The post More Than Ready’s Emery Up Late in Victory Ride appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Klaravich Stable's Headline Numbers (Gun Runner) became the latest to impress from the family of breeder Happy Alter's Withmom'sapproval (With Approval) with an effortless last-to-first victory at Belmont at Aqueduct Thursday. The 8-5 favorite, settled at the back of the field down the backstretch. She rushed up rapidly while four wide on the far turn and took charge into the lane before skipping effortlessly clear down the lane to score by 11 3/4 lengths and become the latest 'TDN Rising Star.' Headline Numbers, a $325,000 KEESEP yearling, has a 2-year-old full-brother named Strategic Focus, who was also purchased by Seth Klarman's Klaravich, which purchased him for $500,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. Her dam, Curlin Mistress produced a colt by Authentic this year. Curlin's Mistress is a full-sister to three-time graded stakes winner Curlin's Approval, who was bred, co-owned and trained by Alter, and a half to multiple graded-placed Apologynotaccepted (Fusaichi Pegasus), who was herself tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' while breaking her maiden in her debut as a 5-year-old. The mare went on to finish second in the 2017 GII Fleur de Lis S. among three graded placings. Curlin's Approval was represented by a $1-million Into Mischief filly at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and by a $725,000 Into Mischief colt at last year's Keeneland September sale. Alter bred and campaigned Headline Number's second dam Withmom'sapproval, as well as third dam Wonderful Mom. You have to see this debut! HEADLINE NUMBERS, the 3YO daughter of @Three_Chimneys stallion Gun Runner, breaks her maiden impressively under Flavien Prat for trainer Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/EhWGLayUqH — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 4, 2024 4th-Belmont The Big A, $90,000, Msw, 7-4, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:36.51, ft, 11 3/4 lengths. HEADLINE NUMBERS, f, 3, by Gun Runner 1st Dam: Curlin's Mistress, by Curlin 2nd Dam: Withmom'sapproval, by With Approval 3rd Dam: Wonderful Mom, by Rexson Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $49,500. O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Alter's Racing Stables, Inc. (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. The post Gun Runner’s Headline Numbers Romps to ‘Rising Star’ Debut Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ellis Park announced the morning of July 4 that the opening-day card there would be run without patrons due to an unscheduled grandstand maintenance issue involving a water tank after thunderstorms the previous day.View the full article

The judge wrote the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission "cannot prove that a horse testing positive for over 10 ng/ml of HEPS is 'conclusive evidence' of an ace violation."View the full article

Aidan O'Brien hopes the July 6 Eclipse Stakes (G1) will be the first step on a road to greatness for City of Troy after mapping out a challenging route for the second half of the season. View the full article

Owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson of Lael Stables aim for a third win in the Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1T) with the Cherie DeVaux-trained She Feels Pretty.View the full article

The first U.S.-based horse to sell on the Tattersalls Online platform, Moqadama (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) (lot 101) duly topped the July Sale, when ended on Thursday. Andrea Brereton of Fortune Bloodstock, bidding online, secured the 6-year-old mare for 160,000gns post-sale from the consignment of Castleton Lyons for an unnamed client. In foal to 2015 American Triple Crown hero American Pharoah, the bay is a full-sister to dual G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes hero Khaadem (Ire) and stakes winner Log Out Island (Ire). “Obviously the Khaadem update was a huge positive for the family,” said Brereton, who was bidding from home. “My client really loves American Pharoah and the opportunity to breed something by him also attracted us. The depth of the mare's pedigree caught our eye with a predominantly turf pedigree and the plan is to bring her back to the UK to breed from.” Added Brereton of the ease of the Tattersalls Online platform, “It gives the vendor the chance to really 'strike while the iron is hot'. With the update from Khaadem, it was such a fantastic opportunity to put her in an online sale while everyone is still buzzing off his back-to-back Group 1 victories at Royal Ascot. From a purchaser's point of view, the opportunity to see a mare like this as a standout in the catalogue allows time for that focus. It was an excellent opportunity for the market and brings another dimension to buying top quality thoroughbreds.” Sam Hawkens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 109), from Richard Hannon's East Everleigh Stables, hammered for 105,000gns on the bid of Hurworth Bloodstock. The 3-year-old son of the two-time group-placed Perfect Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) has a win and a placed effort from five starts. He is rated 88 on the Flat. Another horse-in-training, the winner Glor Tire (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) (lot 27), changed hands for 82,000gns, with Transatlantic Thoroughbreds the name on the docket. Consigned by Jim Bolger's Glebe House Stables, the 3-year-old filly is out of a full-sister to G3 Killavullan Stakes and G3 Amethyst Stakes winner Steip Amach (Ire) (Vocalised), who was also third in Deauville's G1 Prix Rothschild and G1 Prix Jean Romanet. At the conclusion of the sale, 63 lots were marked as sold (65%) of 97 offered with a gross of 918,700gns. The average was 14,583gns and the median settled at 5,000gns. The post Khaadem’s Sister Moqadama Tops The Tattersalls Online July Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The outside-drawn gelding whose change-of-plans entry made it a foursome in Saturday's GIII Dwyer S. at Aqueduct has quite a bit going for him despite being ranked as the longest shot at 4-1 on the morning line. The cleverly and elegantly named Save the Trees (by Preservationist out of the Forestry mare Canopy Lane) sports a 2-for-2 record, an adversity-overcoming, off-the-pace style, and a $335,000 auction price that was third-highest at Keeneland's Apr. 26 Horses of Racing Age (HORA) sale conducted after the final race of the spring meet. That's an eye-catching HORA tag for a gelding who hammered for $23,000 at KEESEP and didn't debut until Apr. 19 of his 3-year-old year. The chestnut with the big white blaze got no true betting support in that first career start at Keeneland 2 1/2 months ago, going off at 12-1 for trainer Wayne Mackey and the estate of Brereton C. Jones, who died last September. The gelding had an awkward start in that six-furlong maiden allowance, was last by 15 lengths for a good portion of the trip, and still could see 'em all at the quarter pole. But all the while Save the Trees was building serious momentum, and despite being widest off the turn and seven lengths in arrears at the eighth pole, Keeneland announcer Kurt Becker began to pick up on the wave as it crested into a winning move. “Save the Trees is making an incredible rally!” Becker enthused, punctuating his usually reserved race call with emphatic astonishment. “Save the Trees broke absolutely last! Passed everyone down the stretch to win for [jockey] Luan Machado!” Machado was hand-riding Save the Trees at the end of that three-quarter length victory (74 Beyer Speed Figure). The race has since yielded three other next-out winners. One week after that score, Airdrie Stud consigned Save the Trees to the HORA sale on behalf of the Jones estate. Harvey Diamond, a retired Louisville physician who is the founder and racing manager for the Skychai Racing syndicate, had trainer Mike Maker submit the spare-no-expense winning bid. “He's a beautiful horse, and he ran just an unbelievable race to break his maiden first time out at Keeneland,” Diamond told TDN Thursday. “That was kind of a 'Wow!' race, and we were impressed. One of my partners just loved him so much, was going to be willing to go to whatever [price] to get him. I think he has a lot of class, and he likes to win, obviously.” Now racing for a partnership that includes Skychai, Paradise Farms, David Staudacher, and Hot Pink Stable, Save the Trees was the 1.43-1 favorite in start number two, a $50,000 starter-allowance at Churchill Downs June 9. Going six furlongs under Jose Ortiz, Save the Trees rated near the back and rallied into an early-speed setup with a relentless, five-wide drive. Again not fully extended under the wire, the gelding won by 2 3/4 lengths (79 Beyer). “He stumbled out of the gate that very first race,” Diamond said. “That ended up being a key race. In his second race, he broke better out of the gate. He stayed with the field and moved when he needed to. I understand it was a field of $50,000 starters, but it was a pretty good field. The purses are pretty good there, so we get tough horses at Churchill.” Earlier this week, Maker entered Save the Trees in the 1 1/16-miles $250,000 Iowa Derby, which is also on Saturday. But Diamond said drawing the second-outermost post in that 11-horse field made committing to the Dwyer a viable Plan B. The Iowa Derby would have been the two-turn debut for Save the Trees. The Dwyer's purse is $50,000 less, but it offers graded-stakes status and is a one-turn mile that might mesh better with the gelding's progression arc considering he's stretching out from two sprints. “It was a case of how far you've got to travel, number one,” Diamond said. “Number two, we drew the 10 hole out at Prairie Meadows, and that was not the best spot to be out there. I think the Dwyer, even though it's a very tough field, it's only four horses, [and] favorable to be on the outside there, I guess.” Irad Ortiz, Jr. has the mount. The rest of the Dwyer field, in morning-line order, is the 6-5 Domestic Product (Practical Joke), who was 13th when losing a shoe and grabbing a quarter in the GI Kentucky Derby and subsequently second in the $150,000 Pegasus S.; the 8-5 Billal (Street Sense), a two-time winner who is 0-for-4 in stakes but owns the highest Beyer in the field (93); plus the 7-2 Hades (Awesome Slew), who upset the GIII Holy Bull S. back in February and was most recently third in the Pegasus. The post Save the Trees Aims Higher in Dwyer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Belmont The Big A, $87,300, Msw, 7-4, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:05.08, ft, 5 1/4 lengths. ITALIAN SOIREE (f, 2, Uncle Mo–Social Call, by Smart Strike), a well-bred debutante who was hammered to agent Seth Morris for $600,000 at the OBS March 2yo In Training Sale after working an eighth in :10, overcame a tardy start before producing a strong finish to record a resounding win. After veering in sharply at the start bothering her rivals Home Wrecker (Quality Road) and As Catch Can (Mo Town), Italian Soiree, sent off as the 5-2 second choice in a field of five, recovered to quickly to chase the 3-4 favorite and eventual second place finisher Yellow (Bernardini)'s pace set in :23.21 and :46.66. Under Flavien Prat, she responded well to two taps from his left-handed crop in mid-stretch to readily kick clear. Italian Soiree is full-sister to the SW colt Be Better ($333,300), winner of the 2023 Deputed Testamony S. at Laurel Park. Bred to City of Light for this season, Social Call was purchased by Mike Repole for $325,000 in foal to Uncle Mo at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale. Sales History: $290,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $600,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $49,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV . O-Hit The Bid Racing Stable, Morplay Racing LLC and Randall Hartley; B-Repole Stable, Inc. (KY); T-John P. Terranova, II. ITALIAN SOIREE, the 2YO daughter of @coolmoreamerica stallion Uncle Mo, breaks her maiden in the opener under Flavien Prat for trainer John Terranova. pic.twitter.com/vJz02DoX4d — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) July 4, 2024 The post Uncle Mo’s Italian Soiree Post Easy Win at Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the third consecutive year, Arqana's Summer Sale broke the €10-million barrier by gross, with 326 lots (67%) marked as sold from 488 offered in Deauville. Buyers, more selective than in 2023 when the sale boasted an 83% clearance rate, paid €10,711,000 across the three day stand. However, the 2024 catalogue was bolstered by an additional 113 horses compared to the 2023 version. The average closely tracked last year's edition as well at €32,856 (-3%), while the median dropped 19% to €16,000. Thursday's session, which featured breeding stock, added €1,142,500 to the overall aggregate, with 61 lots marked as sold from 89 through the ring (68%). A pair of fillies from the Wertheimer et Frere consignment showed the way on the final day, with lot 618, the unraced Little Dreamer (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), knocked down to Langlais Bloodstock and Christophe Bridault for €100,000 to top the third day's trade. A half-sister to the G3 Prix de Flore heroine and G1 Prix Vermeille third Ligne d'Or (GB) (Dansili {GB}), the 3-year-old filly is a granddaughter of fellow Flore victress Louve (Irish River {Fr}). “She's really magnificent and moves very well,” said Victor Langlais after signing for the relation to multiple group winner, G1 Prix Ganay second and sire Loup Breton (Ire). “She comes from a great family, she's a daughter of Siyouni and her dam is by Galileo (Ire), a cross that works very well. She has been bought for a partnership between Philippe Thirionet and Christophe Bridault. We have always had great success with our purchases from the Wertheimers. She will be covered early next year, with the aim of selling her offspring afterwards.” Odette Fau, bidding on behalf of Jean-Marc Angles, snapped up the second dearest lot, Eurasienne (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) (lot 609), for €85,000. A three-time starter, she is out of G1 Prix Marcel Boussac victress Indonesienne (Ire) (Muhtathir {GB}), and is a half-sister to two black-type horses led by G3 Prix d'Aumale third Bahasa (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). Outside of the Wertheimer draft, Haras de la Beauvoisiniere's Garden Of The Gods (GB) (Kingman {GB}) (lot 638) caught the eye of Witold Miedzianowski for €80,000. The unraced filly is carrying her first foal by Ten Sovereigns (Ire), who sired his fourth stakes winner Usdi Atohi (Ire) in the Listed Tipperary Stakes on Wednesday. Her dam, Phaenomena (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), is responsible for two-time Japanese Group 2 winner King Of Koji (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and G3 Prix Cleopatre heroine Harajuku (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Phaenomena made €720,000 through the Goffs ring last year when selling in foal to No Nay Never to Prospect Partnership during the November Sale. Arqana chairman Olivier Delloye and managing director Freddy Powell said, “Overall sales were close to €11 million, which is a very respectable result. The market did not keep pace with the increase in supply, but good profiles sold well in all categories. We saw some good prices, such as Mambonumberfive (Fr) (Born To Sea {Ire}) (€450,000), Charlus (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) (€315,000), the 2-year-old by Too Darn Hot (GB) out of Formidable Kitt (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (€210,000) and the 2-year-old store by Zarak (Fr) out of Missy Tata (Fr) (Astarabad) (€155,000), to name but a few.” The post 10-Million Mark Reached For Third Year In A Row At Arqana’s Summer Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tim Grande, the California Horse Racing Board's (CHRB) chief official veterinarian, remembers sitting among the first panel of experts charged with screening horses for elevated risk of injury even before they could be entered to race. “If an entry came across the racing office's desk, we had to give it approval before it could be accepted,” said Grande, of the then new addition to the regulatory furniture mandated by the California Governor's office in the wake of the 2019 Santa Anita welfare crisis. “It wasn't particularly practical with just the labor involved and it dragged out the entry processes.” Since then, this panel's focus has switched to screening horse for risk after they've been entered (more on this in a bit). While this panel has been just one of a suite of tightened welfare and safety protocols implemented since 2019, it's a key element experts point to when explaining just how the state has managed to significantly shrink its equine fatality numbers over the past five years. Indeed, California's post-entry screening model is one researchers from McKinsey identified during last week's Jockey Club Welfare and Safety summit as something of a blueprint for how best to sift through the entries to single-out those at elevated risk of harm. Tracks that use a similar approach–what the researchers coined the “AAA” tier tracks–have a 30% to 40% lower fatality rate than tracks with lesser post-screening protocols. But AAA tracks constitute only about 10% to 15% of all racetracks in North America. The “AA” tracks are those where the regulatory vets might pull only a few risk factors when assessing horses, and might have access to an incomplete suite of health and performance histories. These amount to 25% to 30% of all tracks in the nation. Then there are the “A” tracks where the regulatory vets might look only at PPs when assessing risk of injury pre-race, and where post-entry examinations might not take place at all. These account for between 55% to 70% of all tracks. The idea of identifying risk in horses is nothing new. For years, researchers have understood how factors like age, sex, exercise and veterinary history can all play a part in a horse's increased likelihood of getting injured. McKinsey's researchers determined how horses with lay-up periods of between 31-60 days are 29% more likely to suffer a fatal injury. Horses previously on the vets' list are at a 34% higher risk of fatal injury. Horses four and older making their first start are 48% more likely to suffer a fatal injury than an average horse. The trick for regulators, however, has been just what do with this knowledge… California Five years on in California, Grande now uses four main sources of information as he assesses each entered horse. Its past performances. Its full regulatory exam record, including any out-of-competition exams. Its vets' list history and its full medical records. Grande screens them for dozens of primarily “short-term” risk factors. A class-drop, for example. A missed workout. First start back from being on the vets' list. Coming of a lay-off, or coming back off a quick turn-around. In other words, “horses that ran last week that's right back in,” he said. After combing through these reports, Grande writes summaries for nearly every horse entered. “A first-time starter that's never raised a flag, never had a joint injection or anything of that nature might not appear on the list, but the bulk of the horses do,” he said, likening the process to a punter handicapping a card. Grande will then deliver these summaries to the full entry panel for their final review. In addition to Grande, this panel typically comprises a steward, another regulatory veterinarian, quite frequently the CHRB's equine medical director and, when possible, an association vet. Though every card is different, Grande estimates that on average, roughly a quarter of the horses entered will be flagged by the panel for some kind of additional scrutiny prior to the pre-race exam. In an ideal world, said Grande, every horse would be checked three or four days out, and then again the morning of the race. But with staffing problems, “that's not very practical at the moment,” he said. Occasionally, a horse's profile leaps off the page, prompting an immediate scratch from the panel. But such events are happening less and less in California, said Grande. “You would expect over time for those kinds of instances to subside,” he explained. “The trainers, the veterinarians, everyone's aware now of how the panel works.” To do this work, Grande sometimes burns the candle at both ends. Indeed, CHRB equine medical director Jeff Blea describes how Grande's summaries might arrive in the panel's inboxes at all kinds of moonlit hours. “It depends on the field size. It depends on how quickly the overnight is generated. It depends on whether I have to do a second track,” said Grande, when asked how long the process takes. “Even with 65 to 70 horses, you're spending a bit of time on each horse's record. But we've been doing it for so long, we have got a good database on each horse now,” he added. “I can't imagine if I had to go cold-turkey every time, as though I didn't know anything about each horse.” The residual value from this work can't be overestimated, Grande said. “It keeps the regulatory examining vets familiar with the horse population. It helps in a lot of ways,” he added. “Even in the investigation of an injury or a catastrophic injury, all that information is important.” Nationwide At last week's summit, Sarah Hinchliffe, a regulatory veterinarian with the New York Racing Association (NYRA), identified several areas of improvement in their evolving approach to scrutinizing runners, including the extra regulatory eyes on the track of a morning. “Watching morning training has been a huge help to us in identifying horses that are of concern and preventing those injuries during training, particularly turning horses back that aren't sound,” said Hinchliffe, adding how a decrease in equine injuries has correlated to a decrease in human injuries as well. Hinchliffe also singled out for mention the ability for regulators to see a horse's medical records–an option that has been broadly expanded under HISA, thanks to a new online portal that in many jurisdictions has replaced a system built around printed hard-copies. Previously, even in those jurisdictions where regulatory vets received treatment records there were often gaps, such as on horses shipping in from other states. In some jurisdictions, regulatory veterinarians had no access to treatment records. “Now, when you have a horse that you're concerned about, you can go back and you can delve a little deeper,” said Shari Silverman, a former regulatory veterinarian for the Pennsylvania Racing Commission and now a veterinary liaison for HISA. And what are the most valuable insights these medical records proffer? “Horses getting multiple joint injections into a single joint on a limb–not a set of joints, but a single joint over time,” she said. “When I first started full-time at Parx, I was given an assignment by my predecessor of going through the medical records and pulling out all the intra-articular injections. I had developed a spreadsheet for this use all the way back in 2014. So, it's a decade now we've been using that in our risk assessment. It's just one piece of the picture, but it's huge,” she said. “When you're looking at a horse and the horse is jogging sound, but you're flexing a limb and it's uncomfortable on that joint, now you know if this joint has been injected, when the joint was injected,” Silverman said. “You're seeing a reaction on that pathology. It certainly carries a lot more weight in your mind.” Another red flag? “A horse that had an orthopaedic surgical intervention in the past, even a chip,” said Silverman. “Everyone talks about a chip, 'oh, it's no big deal.' But a chip happens for a reason, be it a conformation flaw or wear and tear. Once that happens, in my mind that puts the horse at a higher risk that it's going to happen again.” The advent of HISA's racetrack safety requirements has inevitably come with teething troubles, however, especially in lesser-resourced jurisdictions not equipped with the sorts of rich and ready data that officials in places like California have easy access to. On top of that, up and down the country, commissions face a dearth of qualified veterinarians willing to join their teams. “The resources available in some jurisdictions are significantly different than others,” said Will Farmer, Churchill Downs equine medical director, last week. “To be able to take regulations and rules and be able to implement them meaningfully across a wide spectrum of racetracks so that it's impactful for all of our horses is a big challenge.” Washington Ron Friedman, the Washington State Racing Commission's (WSRC) equine medical director, alone screens horses entered to race at Emerald Downs. He uses a variety of risk factors. If he determines a horse needs extra veterinary scrutiny before the race-day exam, they'll undergo a separate examination and diagnostics, if necessary. All told, the commission employs two state vets. There are no association vets at Emerald Downs. Friedman has a small pool of three reliable veterinarians he can call on if required. He's lucky. “It's very difficult to find additional staff,” Friedman explained. “The biggest reason is that the commission does not have the funds to match the increasing cost of veterinarians. I think the average relief vet compensation right now is approximately $1,100 a day. Our commission could not afford that.” The way Friedman describes the advent of HISA is as something of a mixed bag. On the plus side is an overall reduction in equine fatalities at HISA-governed jurisdictions. Last year, the equine fatality rate in Washington State was 1.05 fatalities per 1000 starts–noticeably lower than the national average of 1.32. The only year the state has maintained a better fatality rate was in 2020, when it had zero race-day fatalities. While HISA holds the potential to streamline the way regulators approach post-entry screening protocols, however, right now the new federal program “has actually made it more difficult to do,” said Friedman. One of the key problems, he added, lies with individual horse medical records. Prior to HISA going into effect, Friedman received these records directly, tailored for Friedman's main areas of interest, he said. This included local blocks during lameness exams, previous vet listings, X-rays and ultrasound exams, and intra-articular corticosteroid injections, especially repeated injections into the same joint within a short timeframe. (Here, Friedman noted how his concerns about intra-articular injections are mitigated by the new much stricter joint injections rules, set to go into effect July 8). Now, these medical records must be accessed through the online HISA portal, and the process of wading through this digital database to zero in on the most pertinent information is time-consuming and laborious, said Friedman. What would majorly streamline the process, said Friedman, would be if HISA generated individual reports for each horse entered to race that includes a variety of information like vet's list histories and drops in class. HISA and [The Jockey Club's software] InCompass have this information, said Friedman, “but they are not able to generate that report currently.” Friedman also described other time-consuming hurdles with the current system, which eat into his day. He pointed to the cumbersome bureaucratic processes for adding and removing horses from vets' lists, especially if they cross certain state lines. His remarks about the additional paperwork mirror comments made at last week's summit. “I don't think people understand or appreciate the volume [of paperwork] that a racetrack practitioner goes through every day,” said Chip Johnson, a private veterinarian in Central Kentucky. “The amount of paperwork really has been substantial,” Friedman agreed. “The data entry has been marked. And that's in addition to the other information I maintain here.” At the same time, Friedman is encouraged by an application HISA is currently working on to track high speed furlongs. This builds from the work of UC Davis' Sue Stover. Over the years, Stover has identified an association between a horse's exercise history and an increased likelihood of catastrophic injury, along with the effect of chronic mechanical loading–also known as cyclic loading–and sports injury. “I think what would be really useful would be to have it combined with the 'in-today' list,” he said, describing high-speed furlong data as “among the major risk factors we can act upon.” Help on Its Way? HISA is currently trialling a Palintir Technologies-built AI model that uses 44-risk factors to assess a horse's potential increased risk. A daily report is generated on every horse entered to race. This report assigns a number between 0 and 44 depending on the number of individual risk factors flagged by the system. Though still in its beta-testing phase, the technology already shows promise as a useful regulatory aid, said Silverman. “When you've got a track that has staffing challenges, this is going to be another staff member who is going to raise red flags. Then the regulatory vet can go back and look at this red flag and say, 'is this real? Is this something I need to look at?'” Silverman said. “The machine isn't going to take over for the boots on the ground veterinarians,” Silverman added. “They know their horses. They know their trainers.” California is one of the places the system is being trialled. Grande is using it to see how it correlates with his own assessments. For the system to make a significant dent in the regulatory process, said Grande, it would be programmed to assess the 44 risk factors in combination, evaluating each one according to its relative importance to an individual runner before affording that horse a weighted risk assessment. “How do the risk factors work together? Obviously, if a horse hasn't raced in 60 days, I won't be shocked to see he has a gap in his workouts. So, there are those kinds of links,” explained Grande. “But there are other ones, too, that fit with a profile of concern. A horse hasn't run in 60 days. His previous race he ran second for a $50,000 tag, and now they have him entered for $12,500. And he's missed workouts. And he's gotten joint injections. Instead of being just a one-plus-one- plus-one- plus-one for risk factors, that to me is an exponential increase of risk,” said Grande. “It's going to be a long-term process,” said Grande, describing the likely evolution of this AI system. “And you'll still need that human analysis part of it.” Indeed, the human factor is an inescapable throughline in an issue with ample room for subjectivity. When does a horse's unusual way of going become subtle lameness? When does a necessary scratch become regulatory excess? Regulators from across the country describe the marked culture shift of horsemanship over the past few years, from an environment where the “one more run” mentality has been pervasive to a place where trainers are now more loathe to roll the dice. The process has been difficult, however. Ego, fear and resentment can prove a volatile cocktail. And regulatory veterinarians have often found themselves in the crosshairs of a lot of the frustrations that trainers voice as they adapt to a new regulatory world. Blea pointed to “low hanging fruits” that he called “elusive.” One would be better coordination between attending and regulatory vets. “That would make things so much better,” he said. “And then secondly, we're all doing the same thing,” said Blea. “We just need to wrap our arms around that and we all need to help each other out instead of shooting each other in the foot.” The post Post-Entry Screening: Like Handicapping a Race Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Colonial Downs invites horsemen across the country to discover if their Thoroughbred, bred outside of Virginia, qualifies as Virginia-certified, making it eligible to enter the many Virginia-restricted races. View the full article