Wandering Eyes

The versatile John Cortez—Santa Anita Park's lead outrider, pari-mutuel clerk, and small-stable trainer—got his first training win in more than 3 1/2 years when Carver scored in the fifth race June 8.View the full article

Amongst a bevy of co-fastest furlong workers, Elenique, a filly from the first crop of multiple graded winner Leinster (hip 412), separated herself from the pack with a bullet quarter-mile work in :20 3/5 during the under-tack show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale Thursday. The Florida-bred chestnut is consigned by RiceHorse Stable and was bred by Aldo DeLuca's DeLuca and Sons Stables. “She always showed us that she was a very fast filly,” DeLuca said. “I was preparing her to take her to the races at Gulfstream. She was working some bullet works at Nelson Jones [Training Center], she had a couple of :36s and :35 a change. The trainer told me that he never had such a fast horse there because it's such a deep track. And she wanted to go even further, it was not only speed.” The juvenile is out of Cape Trios (Cape Blanco {Ire}), a mare DeLuca purchased privately. The mare's first foal, Greenfield Cougar (Breaking Lucky), was a debut winner at Gulfstream in March. Of the decision to send Cape Trios to Leinster, De Luca explained, “I have loved Leinster since he came to Florida. I love horses that are from California or New York that are fast. They always hit home runs here in Florida. In my years of breeding, I always see that. Fast over there, but super fast over here.” So with the filly turning heads with her early training and the success of her half-brother, coupled with her young sire's immediate success on the racetrack where his daughter Lennilu will go postward at the Royal Ascot meeting next week, DeLuca suddenly needed to reevaluate plans for the 2-year-old he had named Elenique. “We decided to sell her because there were too many things happening,” De Luca said. “All the Leinsters are doing good–all of them–there is not one bad one around. There was one yesterday who did :9 4/5 [at OBS]. And the one is going to Royal Ascot, Lennilu. And all that out of a group of only 20 babies. Her super good works, the Leinster, plus the mother's first baby won a maiden special weight at Gulfstream first time out, we felt we had to sell her. He continued, “She has shown us for six months, since working at Nelson Jones and today again, that she is a special horse, a real racehorse. And if she is sold, we have a better shot to see her compete in group races up north and that, as her breeder, would make us proud.” DeLuca, who has a band of 12 broodmares at his Florida farm, admitted it wasn't an easy decision to make. “It is emotional because we have had her since she was born,” he said. “And you don't get a horse like this every day. She had the best work of the whole week until now. And I took it easy with her. That's why she's in June. We weren't planning on putting her in the sale, so we weren't rushing her in February or March, so we could bring her to Gulfstream around this time because she is a May baby. We don't want to rush our babies. I never in my life put a May baby in a breeze sale. I would never do it, but this filly really needed to talk to tell me, 'Yes, I need to go into that sale.' And she did.” Seven juveniles equaled the :9 4/5 fastest furlong of the week during Thursday's third session of the under-tack show. First to hit that mark was a colt by Modernist (hip 512) consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock, followed quickly by a filly by Kantharos (hip 496) who is consigned by Wildheart Thoroughbreds. Harris Training Center, which sent a filly by Frosted out to work the bullet during Wednesday's second session of the under-tack preview, had a second bullet worker Thursday with a filly by Maximus Mischief (hip 503). A filly by Midshipman (hip 351) earned the bullet for New Hope AB; while Top Line Sales was represented by a filly by Charlatan (hip 459). A filly by Uncle Chuck (hip 476) worked the bullet for S G V Thoroughbreds and a colt by Authentic (hip 528) matched the mark for Wavertree Stables. The under-tack show continues through Saturday with sessions beginning each day at 7:30 a.m. The post ‘A Real Racehorse’: Leinster Filly Sets the Mark at OBS appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm's MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) fired a four-furlong bullet in :48.25 (1/21) over Saratoga's Oklahoma training track Thursday morning. The GII Suburban S. going 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga July 4 will be next for this year's runaway GI Santa Anita Handicap winner. Locked was last seen finishing fourth behind his Todd Pletcher-trained stablemate and fellow 'Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light), who set a new track record for 1 1/16 miles in the GII Alysheba S. at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks day. “After the Alysheba, we wanted to get him up to Saratoga to freshen him for the second half of the season and he's responded very favorably,” said Aron Wellman, president and founder of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. “Our ownership group, which includes Gainesway Farm, who will stand Locked when his racing career concludes, decided we wanted to focus on races at nine furlongs and beyond.” Locked's stacked resume also includes: wins in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland and the GII Cigar Mile H. at Aqueduct, a runner-up finish in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. and a third-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. “If all goes as we anticipate in the Suburban, hopefully we'll be in position to consider races like the (GI) Whitney (at Saratoga Aug. 2) or another trip out west for the (GI) Pacific Classic (at Del Mar Aug. 30),” Wellman said. “For now, our main focus is on posturing Locked for a performance in the Suburban capable of propelling him back into Grade I company. He's an elite colt and we believe he'll be a candidate for the (GI) Breeders' Cup Classic in November.” The post Locked Fires Bullet for Suburban appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This summer, Valerie Buck and the off-track Thoroughbreds of ACTT Naturally are increasing the number of American veterans benefitting from its Hearts in Harmony program. On Saturday, June 14, in observance of Women Veterans Recognition Days, the New York State Department of Veterans' Services (NYS DVS), in partnership with ACTT Naturally, will host “Wrap Yourself in Wellness” at Long Shadows Farm in Cambridge, NY. Between 30 and 45 women veterans are expected to attend. In addition to equine-assisted emotional therapy, participants in the day-long retreat will hear from “Patriot Hills of New York” CEO Jeannine Mannarino, focus on healing through movement with Laura Laz, and learn healing through mindfulness with Dr. Rachel Magnel of “Kairos Center for Change”. The organizers hope the event will bring more awareness and attention to the resources available to veterans and others suffering from PTS and the positive impact of working with Thoroughbreds. “Connecting military members and first responders with therapeutic horse programs offers a powerful pathway to healing and reintegration for both the horses and the humans,” said Melissa Balan of NYS DVS. “Working with the horses allows the veterans to engage in a calming, non-judgmental environment where trust is built naturally and silently.” “I am thrilled, not just by the interest and enthusiasm from Melissa and the NYS DVS on behalf of women veterans, but also by the unique opportunity to present the horse-centered program together with other healing activities,” said Buck. “It deepens and expands awareness of what many of us already know is the special power of Thoroughbreds in emotional healing and how it should become a funded mainstream treatment.” ACTT Naturally Thoroughbreds of all ages and experiences will be participating with the women on Saturday. Veteran therapy horses Three Lions '04 (Hennessey), Traffic Chief '20 (Colonial Affair), Fly Ride '09 (Street Sense) and Fuhrious Warrior '12 (Langfuhr) will be joined by newcomers Open Mic Night '22 (Practical Joke), Platform Company '20 (Cloud Computing) and Indemnify (FR) '19 (Invincible Spirit). In addition to providing the Hearts in Harmony program, ACTT Naturally focuses on retraining and adoption of sound former racehorses. Working with the veterans, teens, first responders and other Hearts in Harmony participants has become an integral part of ACTT Naturally's training protocol. “Connection is the most important part of a horse-human relationship and successful adoption match,” said Buck. “The programs teach the horses how to make a positive connection with the person in their presence and these interactions make the Thoroughbreds better partners for their adopters.” For Buck and Long Shadows Farm, starting the 2025 summer season with a collaborative event, fostered by the NYS DVS and Patriot Hills of New York, is especially exciting because it brings government recognition, as well as new faces, to the well-established program. Launched in 2017, Hearts in Harmony has grown steadily in support and reach, despite losing a year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Buck is striving to help more people and horses. “With people who have experienced trauma, the challenge has always been to facilitate that first visit,” said Buck. “Gaining trust and having the women and men feel comfortable and confident enough to come out and experience the joy is the first step. Partnering with organizations and leaders who have already established the relationship with the veterans needing the program is key to expanding our reach.” Balan understands what the horses have to offer and is in a good position to facilitate program attendance among the veterans that NYS DVS serves. “The intuitive nature of horses offers immediate feedback, encouraging mindfulness, patience, and a renewed sense of self,” said Balan. “For veterans who often carry invisible wounds, equine therapy is not just therapeutic–it is transformative.” For more information about ACTT Naturally, including how to sponsor veterans and horses in the program, click here. The post ACTT Naturally Kicks Off Summer Season With New Event For Women Veterans appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The star of her division last fall, 2-year-old champion filly Immersive is finally set to make her 3-year-old debut June 14 at Churchill Downs in the $175,000 Monomoy Girl Overnight Stakes.View the full article

Trainer Bjorn Baker has second-hand star Robusto primed to cap a huge season for the stable and syndicators Darby Racing in a bold first-up bid to land the 1,400-meter (about seven-furlong) Stradbroke Handicap (G1) at Eagle Farm June 14.View the full article

By Adam Hamilton It is a big weekend for the Kiwis when the Brisbane Winter Carnival steps up a notch at Albion Park on Saturday night. Leading the way is Team Purdon’s star veteran trotter Oscar Bonavena, who faces a fascinating clash with the enigmatic but gifted Gus in Tony Veivers Memorial Trot (race four) over the mobile 2138m. Oscar Bonavena, who looked sharp winning and Albion Park trial last Friday, will be driven by Adam Sanderson and has eased from $1.40 to $1.80. Gus has been backed from $5.50 into $3.30. Not As Promised, who didn’t show his best during a recent NZ campaign, is the other key player. He’s been $17 into $10. Later in the night, Team Purdon’s classy three-year-old Rubira will get a taste of what’s to come when he clashes with Queensland’s best of his age, Fate Awaits, in the Burwood Stud 3YO (race nine) over 1660m. Rubira, with Sanderson aboard, has a huge barrier advantage from gate two with Fate Awaits out in six. There is huge anticipation around star Kiwi filly Captains Mistress, who has her first start for Grant Dixon against older mares in race eight. Captains Mistress, a last-start Group 1 winner for Nathan Williamson, has only been seen once for Dixon when she coasted to an easy Redcliffe trial on June 4. She is $2.50 pre-post favourite for the Queensland Oaks in a race where Dixon also has $3.50 second elect, Cool And Classy, who won the NSW Oaks. The Kiwis have already added plenty to what shapes as a stellar next six weeks of racing in Queensland. Former Kiwi four-year-old The Janitor will create plenty of attention from gate one in the second race on Saturday night. He is one of the major contenders for the Group 1 Rising Sun on July 5. The Rising Sun flavour extends to the Queensland Sun where Dixon has three of the leading hopes: Path To Greatness (one), Air Express (six) and Charge Ahead (eight). The winner gets a golden ticket into the Rising Sun. View the full article

By Michael Guerin It may be 14 months since American Me last won a race but it was the quality of that victory that suggest he is the horse to beat in the main race at Alexandra Park tonight. The Ashburton pacer returns to the north and trainers Brent and Tim White appear to have found the ideal race in the $20,000 Classique Landscapers Pace (6.22pm). He is on a 25m handicap but only has four rivals in front of him, of which two share a 10m handicap, so being a fast beginner American Me should be in the body of the field soon after the start. From there his best form makes him the horse to beat even though he hasn’t won a race since May last year. That race though was the listed Roy Purdon Memorial, in which American Me beat Self Assured, Old Town Road, Don’t Stop Dreaming and two subsequent Auckland Cup winners in Better Eclipse and Republican Party. Six months before that he won the Group 1 Invercargill Cup and was a player at New Zealand Cup level, relishing the lung-searing nature of elite level racing. He has struggled to return to that level in the last eight months but Brent White says he likes what he has seen lately. “He had one of those interrupted seasons at the back end of last season when we couldn’t get him spot on,” he says. “But he trialled well recently and Blair [Orange, driver] gave us the thumbs up to go north. “We thought there were two or three races up there over winter that would suit him, with maximum back marks and maybe small fields and this has come up like that. “He is getting older, like all of us, and maybe isn’t quite as quick as he used to be but I think he can still have a very good winter up there.” Orange’s son Harrison, who is having a remarkable season and leads the North Island driver’s premiership, will partner American Me ($1.65FF). For punters who don’t like backing horses who have been off the winner’s list for so long it is hard to find a logical danger to American Me but Seaclusion ($5.50) is a mare in form who driver James Stormont is adamant can be just as potent driven with a sit. Tonight’s meeting continues a heartening run of strong winter cards at The Park with plenty to keep punters interested, with the first race, the Lone Star Alexandra Park Handicap Tot (4.48pm), a good trotting race in which the conditions suit Hillbilly Blues. That could start another night of trotting domination for trainers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett, who have one of the better value bets of the night in Viscount Mackendon in Race 6, the Star Personnel – Metro Trotters Series Hat 1 (7.29pm). He has been running on well behind high class three-year-olds in recent starts and meets easier opposition over 2200m tonight so if he can make the most of barrier 1 his $6 opening fixed odds price will be over the odds. The stable also have Manchester’s Moment and Maro Mackendon as winning chances in the last race, the Mondiale VGL – Metro Trot Series Heat 2 (8.56pm). Earlier in the night the $34,000 Woodlands Stud Silk Road Final is a rarity in that Princess Of Savoy (R2, No.6) is the warm favourite even though she burned punters by galloping in the score up last Friday. There is no doubting her promise but with the 2200m mobile containing plenty of depth her $2.45 opening price was a touch surprising. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Friends will become foes at Addington on Friday night. Regan Todd and Craig Ferguson have enjoyed success together that many can only dream of over the past 12 months. But this time, the two horsemen will go head-to-head in Friday night’s feature pace with Betterthancash and Da Vinci in Race 5, the Breckon farms Lot 1081 NZB Weanling Sale handicap pace (6.12pm). . Betterthancash returns to the track for the first time since his outstanding win in a hectic running of the New Zealand Country Championship. With more feature racing still a little way off for the pacer, Friday night’s clash is set to help determine the direction of his campaign. “We’ll see how he goes and then make a bit of a plan,” Todd said. “We could freshen him up and have a go at some of the early lead-ups to the (New Zealand Cup), or he could keep going a little bit longer.” “We’ll see how he gets through this run and then take it from there.” Not having raced since his big two-mile win means Betterthancash comes into Friday night’s assignment after a three-week break. However, Todd feels the pacer is forward enough to run a strong race. “We’ve kept him ticking over. This race came along, and we thought we’d have a crack at it.” “We’ve found that he’s better when he’s had racing, but in saying that, he seems very well in himself and his work has been good.” “Hopefully, he can go a nice race.” Betterthancash starts on level marks with Da Vinci in Friday night’s feature pace. Da Vinci was brilliant first-up in the Uncut Gems Classic, charging home from a hopeless spot to run fourth for the Ferguson stable. In doing so, the pacer beat Betterthancash home — though his rival didn’t get much luck either, being buried on the markers during the running. Ferguson goes into Friday night’s pleased with Da Vinci since that big fresh-up effort. “He’s been working well — he seems as well as he’s ever been, really.” “It could become a bit of a tactical race with the handicaps, but I think he has the speed to be a nice chance, however it works out.” While Betterthancash ($3.60) and Da Vinci ($2.00) have headed early betting for Friday night’s race, it is far from a two-horse affair. The Lazarus Effect will be looking to bounce back to form after a surprise defeat at Addington last week. The pacer has the advantage of starting off the front line for trainer-driver Bob Butt, giving him a 25m head start on the two favourites. The Lazarus Effect is proven from a standing start, having made a safe beginning in his win on New Zealand Cup Day last year. View the full article

Following his victory in the Belmont Stakes (G1), Sovereignty (125) has joined the top 5 in the fourth edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2025 and is currently the highest-rated 3-year-old in the world.View the full article

The furore surrounding the changes to the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes shows no signs of abating, but for this year at least the six two-year-old races at Royal Ascot remain much as they've always been, which is beneficial for trends followers studying the data in an attempt to find winners next week. We lost one of the so-called bankers when Albert Einstein, last seen winning the G3 Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh, was ruled out of the meeting due to a sprained joint, but his absence shouldn't detract too much from the top-class action in store for us. After all, the son of Wootton Bassett is just one of 13 two-year-olds who have earned 'TDN Rising Star' status with their performances on European racecourses in 2025, with many of the others set to be in action in the coming days. Here, we have a spin through the key members of that group, whilst pinpointing the trainers and sires you need to bear in mind when it comes to compiling a shortlist of potential Royal Ascot-winning juveniles in 2025. O'Brien Runners The Obvious Place to Start If you're on the hunt for a Royal Ascot-winning two-year-old, then those trained by Aidan O'Brien is an obvious place to start. In the last 10 years alone, O'Brien is responsible for 16 winners in this division, from a total of 60 races, which essentially means that horses from Ballydoyle are winning one in every four. O'Brien has been even more dominant than that in the Listed Chesham Stakes, having won five of the last 10 renewals, while the only juvenile contest he hasn't won in that time is the G2 Queen Mary Stakes. His remaining tally is made up of three wins in each of the G2 Coventry Stakes, G3 Albany Stakes and Windsor Castle, plus a pair of victories in the G2 Norfolk Stakes. Typically, O'Brien has assembled a strong team of two-year-olds to go to war with next week, even in the absence of the highly-touted Albert Einstein. The stable is responsible for four other 'TDN Rising Stars', headed by Charles Darwin who, with a Timeform rating of 109p, is tied with Albert Einstein as the highest-rated two-year-old colt in training. Charles Darwin hasn't looked back since being beaten on his debut at the Curragh, winning both of his subsequent starts at Navan and Naas, and he looks a leading contender to follow in the footsteps of Caravaggio (2016), Arizona (2019) and River Tiber (2023), O'Brien's three winners of the Coventry in the last decade. In total, O'Brien has won that Group 2 on 10 occasions. O'Brien has four other colts entered in the Coventry, including another 'TDN Rising Star' in Curragh debut scorer Brussels (89p), plus fellow once-raced winners Gstaad (98p), Flushing Meadows (95p) and Warsaw (89p). All but Gstaad, a Starspangledbanner half-brother to dual Group 1-winning juvenile Vandeek, are by Coolmore's sire sensation Wootton Bassett, who is also responsible for the other pair of 'TDN Rising Stars' from Ballydoyle, namely Italy (94P) and Simply Astounding (90p). Italy appears an unlikely runner at Royal Ascot–he was missing from the Coventry entries and isn't qualified for the Chesham–but Simply Astounding is worth looking out for when the Albany entries are published on Saturday. A daughter of the seven-time Group 1 winner Minding, she clearly wasn't herself when following a striking debut win at Naas with a poor effort in the G3 Fillies Sprint Stakes over the same course and distance. Whatever happens next week, the fact that Wootton Bassett has already produced four 'TDN Rising Stars' from his second Irish-bred crop is a rare achievement. Indeed, No Nay Never is the only sire to have previously matched that tally pre-Royal Ascot, back in 2022, when his juveniles included the Windsor Castle hero Little Big Bear–one of his 'TDN Rising Stars'–and Albany winner Meditate. This year those two Coolmore powerhouses will be pitted against one another in the Coventry, with No Nay Never's Charles Darwin–a full-brother to Blackbeard–set to come up against Military Code (93p), the son of Wootton Bassett who is unbeaten in two starts for Charlie Appleby. Breeze-up Buys On The March Karl Burke has sent out more Royal Ascot-winning two-year-olds in the last decade than every other trainer bar O'Brien, with his five-strong tally putting him one ahead of Wesley Ward, who is set to be without a runner at the meeting this year for the first time since 2012. In the last 10 years, Burke has registered solitary wins in the Albany, Chesham and Norfolk, while next week he will bid for a third success in the Queen Mary with 'TDN Rising Star' Zelaina (90P). The Wathnan Racing-owned filly, a £650,000 purchase at the Goffs UK Doncaster Breeze-up Sale, created an excellent impression when making a successful start to her career at Nottingham earlier this month, skipping clear in the closing stages to come home unchallenged by two and three-quarter lengths. Burke was winning that Nottingham contest with a breeze-up graduate for the third consecutive year, having struck in 2023 with Beautiful Diamond, who was subsequently third in the Queen Mary, and last year with Wathnan's Leovanni, before she went on to win the same Royal Ascot Group 2. Burke and Wathnan also teamed up 12 months ago to win the Norfolk with Shareholder, who was an expensive breeze-up buy himself when fetching €460,000 at Arqana. In total, nine Royal Ascot-winning juveniles in the last decade were offered at a breeze-up sale, including five of the last 10 winners of the Norfolk, with Shareholder being joined on that roll of honour by Prince Of Lir (£170,000 at Doncaster) in 2016, Shang Shang Shang ($200,000 at Ocala) in 2018, A'Ali (£135,000 at Doncaster) in 2019 and Perfect Power (£110,000 at Doncaster) in 2021. This year, Burke and Wathnan could again team up in the Norfolk with Naval Light, a 360,000gns buy at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale, who caught the eye in second when making his debut in a conditions race at Beverley last month. Big-Name Sires and the Freshman Looking for a Breakthrough Two of the most notable absentees from the Coventry entries are trained by Appleby at Moulton Paddocks, namely Treanmor (95P) and Maximized (93p), both of whom are also 'TDN Rising Stars'. Frankel's Treanmor, who cost Godolphin €2 million as a yearling, is more than likely Chesham-bound, while Maximized, a £720,000 purchase at the Doncaster Breeze-up Sale, seems set to miss the meeting altogether after his Woodcote victory at Epsom. Despite the absence of Maximized, leading two-year-old sire Mehmas is still blessed with plenty of strength in depth in this division as he tries to tick off a surprising omission on his CV, having failed to come up with a Royal Ascot-winning juvenile since he himself finished second in the 2016 Coventry won by Caravaggio. Zelaina looks to be the Tally-Ho Stud stallion's most obvious chance of making the breakthrough next week, while Appleby's Wise Approach (93p), another 'TDN Rising Star' following his debut victory at Ascot, is one to look out for wherever he goes, having so far been given entries in the Coventry and the Windsor Castle, with the possible runners for the Norfolk not released until Friday. In total, Mehmas is responsible for four Coventry contenders, with the others including the Listed National Stakes runner-up First Legion (91p) and Ayr debut winner Underwriter (84p). Havana Grey is another well-established sire for whom a Royal Ascot-winning two-year-old has thus far proved elusive, but he too will have plenty of chances to right that wrong next week. As well as Naval Light, he is the sire of Resolute Racing's big-money buy Rogue Legend (105p), who is ranked behind only Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin among Timeform's highest-rated juveniles, following back-to-back wins at Cork and Tipperary. Yarmouth scorer Staya (91p) deserves a mention, too, ahead of her potential appearance in the Queen Mary for George Scott and KHK Racing. That Yarmouth card also witnessed a 'TDN Rising Star' performance from Wathnan's Postmodern (91p), who is challenging both Charles Darwin and Military Code for Coventry favouritism with the majority of bookmakers. He is by Too Darn Hot, one of the leading first-season stallions of 2023 but still on the hunt for a breakthrough with his juvenile runners at this meeting. As for the 2025 crop of freshman sires, Starman has more than one good chance of opening his Royal Ascot account at the first opportunity, with Burke's Carlisle winner Venetian Sun (85p) likely to be joined in the Albany by the Joseph O'Brien-trained Green Sense (97p), who was last seen filling the runner-up spot in the Fillies Sprint Stakes won by Lady Iman (100p). Incidentally, the unbeaten Lady Iman, also by Starman, is Timeform's highest-rated two-year-old filly in training, but trainer Ger Lyons has reported to her be an unlikely runner at Royal Ascot. Space Blues is another first-season sire who has already come up with a black-type performer in Power Blue (103), runner-up to Albert Einstein in the Marble Hill. Beaten less than a length on that occasion, Power Blue looks potentially overpriced at 25/1 for the Coventry, where his potential rivals include St Mark's Basilica's first-crop son Rogue Supremacy (88p), a dominant debut winner at Wetherby. US Sires Punching Above Their Weight Another interesting angle at Royal Ascot in recent years has been the success of US-based sires with their two-year-old runners. All told, they have provided 10 of the 60 winners in that category in the last decade, consistently punching above their weight given the lesser representation they're always going to have compared to their European counterparts. The much-missed Scat Daddy was responsible for four of those winners, identifying him as the joint-most successful stallion in the juvenile races at Royal Ascot in the last 10 years. He shares that title with the Tally-Ho stalwart Kodiac and another late Coolmore stallion in Zoffany, with the aforementioned No Nay Never best of the rest with three winners. In a share of fifth with two winners is another US-based stallion in War Front, while Malibu Moon, Not This Time, Nyquist and Shanghai Bobby have all sired one Royal Ascot-winning juvenile apiece. Interestingly, seven of those 10 victories for US sires were achieved in the races run over five furlongs, and yet, the progeny of all but Malibu Moon would be eligible to run in the new-look Windsor Castle from next year, when it will be restricted to juveniles whose sire won at least once over seven furlongs-plus at two, or a mile-plus at three and above. That demonstrates the way these US sires seem able to produce fast and precocious juveniles, even when their own race record suggests they had more than a bit of staying power themselves. As for this year, with no Wesley Ward runners, Lennilu could be the one to fly the American flag when she lines up in the Queen Mary, having earned her spot in the field with victory in last month's Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Gulfstream Park. A daughter of Leinster, she's following the same path to Ascot as Crimson Advocate, the daughter of Nyquist who won the Queen Mary two years ago. The post Royal Ascot Two-Year-Olds Under The Spotlight appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing's 'TDN Rising Star' Shred the Gnar (Into Mischief), “a little off” and scratched from last Friday's GI Acorn S. at Saratoga, will receive 30 days off, according to Hunter Rankin, president of Travis Boersma's operation. “She's doing fine,” Rankin said. “We had Dr. Bramlage (at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital) go over her, bone scan and everything else. But it turns out, she's just gonna need 30 days. Her front, high-suspensories are bugging her a little bit, but it's nothing that we can't deal with. She'll get 30 days on the farm, then she'll be back and ready to go.” Shred the Gnar looked like a potential star in the making for trainer Brian Lynch heading into the Acorn, which was won in front-running fashion by La Cara (Street Sense) over a sloppy-and-sealed track. A debut second, beaten a neck, sprinting at Gulfstream Feb. 9, the $610,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate and full-sister to millionaire Owendale won her next two starts by a combined 13 1/2 lengths, including a runaway, wire-to-wire victory while making her two-turn debut in an optional claimer at Churchill Downs May 2, good for a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. “We were so excited to bring her up there and showcase her,” Rankin said. “She's really turned into a very nice filly. She's got a lot of talent.” The post Scratched from Acorn, 30 Days Off for ‘Rising Star’ Shred the Gnar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies features a George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) rematch with Paris Lily and Kinzie Queen, second and third, respectively, behind Margie's Intention, who enters as the 5-2 morning-line favorite.View the full article

Basher Watts and his syndicate have turned down a $2.5 million offer for Shes Perfect ahead of her bid for classic redemption in the June 15 Prix de Diane (French Oaks, G1).View the full article

The lone previously raced member of the seven-strong field that loaded the stalls for the first race back down at the Belmont at the Big A meeting Thursday afternoon, Repole Stable's immaculately bred NONNA'S LOVE (f, 2, Caravaggio–Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty) made the most of that experience and led past every pole to get the program off on a high note for the favorite backers. Drawn two, the 6-5 chalk–making her first start on the grass after finishing third on the Keeneland dirt in April–was quickly away but soon had company to her outside in the form of Flaxman Stables' well-meant Chrysalism (Liam's Map x Pachattack) and the duo matched motors through an opening quarter in :21.80. More or less inseparable for the run around the turn, Nonna's Love began to get the better of the battle in upper stretch, was clear into the final furlong and easily held sway to take it by a good three lengths. Maiora (Speightstown) was difficult to load, rearing twice pre-start and nearly unseating Joel Rosario before ultimately acquiescing. Slowly away once the gates flew, she raced in the second half of the field, was steered out for the drive and finished with interest for second. The final time for the six panels on firm Long Island footing was 1:08.34. Nonna's Love is the half-sister to champion and 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) and Mentee (City of Light), who won the GIII Futurity Stakes over this same course and distance last fall. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1. O/B-Repole Stable (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. NONNA'S LOVE, a @RepoleStable homebred and half-sister to Fierceness and Mentee, takes the opener at BAQ, breaking her maiden going 6F on the turf in 1:08.34 for trainer @PletcherRacing with @ljlmvel aboard! Nonna's Love is a 2yo filly by Caravaggio out of Nonna Bella. pic.twitter.com/sdPrmC4K4n — Equibase (@Equibase) June 12, 2025 The post Beautifully Bred Nonna’s Love Graduates At the Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

TwinSpires.com will hold an inaugural Royal Ascot Challenge Series, which will offer horseplayers opportunities to compete for cash prizes as well as potential seats at upcoming tournaments, the company announced Thursday. The first four tournaments, scheduled for Tuesday, June 17, through Friday, June 20, will serve as Royal Ascot “feeders” for the grand finale, the Royal Ascot Challenge held Saturday, June 21. Prizes for the Royal Ascot Challenge include cash and a potential seat in the upcoming Stephen Foster Betting Challenge June 28. “Each year American horseplayers have become increasingly interested in the Royal Ascot meet, and at TwinSpires we have seen that enthusiasm reflected in both player engagement and wagering handle on Ascot,” said Darin Zoccali, Director of Loyalty and Retention at TwinSpires. “We hope the players are as excited as we are as this has the potential to expand TwinSpires Tournaments even further into the international racing landscape.” For full details and tournament registration, click here. The post TwinSpires.com To Hold Inaugural Royal Ascot Challenge Series appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are a trio of debuting 2-year-olds of interest for this Saturday running at Hanshin and Tokyo Racecourses: Saturday, June 14, 2025 5th-HSN, ¥14,250,000 ($99k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT SATONO VOYAGE (JPN) (c, 2, Into Mischief–Jolie Olimpica {Brz}, by Drosselmeyer) is the first foal for her dam, the 2019 Horse of the Year and winner of the G1 GP Jockey Club Brasiliero in her home country before annexing a pair of graded stakes and finishing runner-up in the GI Jenny Wiley Stakes in this country for Fox Hill Farms and Richard Mandella. Her victory in the GII Nassau Stakes earned her a Sovereign Award as Canada's champion turf female of 2021. Shimokobe Farm purchased Jolie Olimpica for $675,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale and exported the mare with this colt in utero the following season. Satono Voyage is bred on a similar cross to Grade I winners Life Is Good, Practical Joke, champion Citizen Bull and GI Curlin Florida Derby winner Tappan Street. O-Hajime Satomi; B-Shimokobe Farm; T-Hiroyasu Tanaka Get up close & personal with Satono Voyage 2yo colt Into Mischief x Jolie Olimpica Loved JO and hoping he can emulate her winning ways when he makes his debut on Saturday at Hanshin 1200m Turfpic.twitter.com/32AHHzTpCF — Going Through The Gears (@GoingTTGears) June 9, 2025 GO GO SHACHO (f, 2, Speightstown–Pianist, by More Than Ready) looks to become the second winner from her two-time Grade III-winning dam, who was purchased by this breeder for $36,000 at the 2021 Keeneland January Sale having not been mated the year prior. The May 21 foal, bred in Ontario, was hammered down for $150,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale to trainer Hideyuki Mori, whose success with North American-sourced horses include Group 1 winner Matera Sky and Saudi Derby hero Full Flat, both sons of Speightstown. The O-Miki House HK Service Co Ltd; B-Dr B Van Arem (ON); T-Hideyuki Mori 6th-TOK, ¥14,250,000 ($99k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT ENVY ME (f, 2, Munnings–Seattle Slang, by Tapit), a $275,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga acquisition by the North Hills team, is out of a mare who cost Phoenix Thoroughbreds $600,000 as a 2-year-old at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale and went on to finish third to hot favorite Envoutante (Uncle Mo) in the GIII Remington Park Oaks in 2020. The April foal's second dam is Seattle Smooth (Quiet American), popular winner of the GI Ogden Phipps Handicap in 2009 and also the dam of Seattle Slang's stakes-placed full-brother Gunfire. O-Kodai Maeda; B-Phoenix Thoroughbreds (III) Ltd (KY); T-Hideyuki Mori The post First Foal From Jolie Olimpica Down To Debut Saturday at Hanshin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday, Cork, post time: 19:44, DARLEY MUNSTER OAKS STAKES-G3, €36,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 12fT Field: Ameerat Jumaira (GB) (Australia {GB}), Bubble Gum (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}), Elizabeth Jane (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Enfranchise (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Lemsairbat (Fr) (Bated Breath {GB}), Magical Hope (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Satin (GB) (Australia {GB}), Sea The Boss (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Soft Winds (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Uluru (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), Butterfly Wings (Justify), Gotomylovely (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Medici Venus (Tiz The Law). TDN Verdict: Elizabeth Jane signed off in 2024 with a win in the Listed Trigo Stakes and being a daughter of Sapphire is bred to progress again at four. Australian Bloodstock Stable's Bubble Gum took the course-and-distance Listed Noblesse Stakes in April and has presumably had this on her agenda for a while. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Moyglare’s Elizabeth Jane Eyes Munster Oaks Riches appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Newbury, £40,000, Novice, 6-12, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:36.62, gd. BLUE BOLT (IRE) (f, 3, Blue Point {Ire}–Mayhem {Ire} {GSW-Fr, $232,796}, by Whipper), penalised for his four-length debut win at Windsor last month, shadowed the early leader under Colin Keane, who was having his first for Juddmonte since gaining the retainer on Monday. Sent to the front approaching two out, the 6-4 second favourite was soon beyond recall and only needed to be pushed out to record a 1 1/4-length success from Shadwell's Majaz (Dubawi). “It's the perfect start–I'm very privileged to be asked to wear these colours and they are iconic in racing,” Kean said. “I have grown up looking at them and their farm is only up the road, so I'm in a very privileged position. She is a nice filly who was a good winner the last day and seems to have stepped forward again. She's very uncomplicated, she just gallops on. It felt very easy for her in the first half of the race–I was trying to take her back a little bit and she just got a bit lonely once she had quickened away from them.” The winner is the fifth foal out of the talented dam, who was successful in the G3 Prix Allez France and was second in the G2 Prix de Royallieu. Two of them have been Dark Angel's G2 German 1,000 Guineas runner-up Sky Angel and the triple Listed scorer Sea Theme by Sea The Stars. A full-sister to the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein winner and G1 Hong Kong Mile runner-up Royal Bench, she is a daughter of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Cerulean Sky (Darshaan) which ties her to the likes of Moonstone (Dalakhani) et al. Her unraced 2-year-old Heureuse is a full-sister to Sky Angel. Sales history: €400,000 Ylg '23 ARAUG. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $55,299. O-Juddmonte; B-C-Squared Investments; T-Andrew Balding. His first ride and it's a first winner for Colin Keane in the @JuddmonteFarms silks since his appointment! Blue Bolt looks to be a filly going places as she doubles up with a taking performance at @NewburyRacing for @AndrewBalding2! pic.twitter.com/ts6QHp1vh9 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 12, 2025 The post Colin Keane Enjoys Landmark Win Under New Juddmonte Retainer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Voted on by the fans, the Down Broadway Retired Racehorse of the Year Award will be presented on New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga Race Course on Thursday, July 17, the New York Horsemen's Association said in a Thursday release. Casting a ballot–one per person–is open to the public now through Thursday, June 26. Wristbands for each nominee will be given away on Aftercare Day so that fans can show their support, and the presentation of the award will be made in the Saratoga winner's circle after the first race. The nominees are: Broadway Producer–New Vocations Cut of Music–Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Flag Is Flying–Second Chance Thoroughbreds Mel's Baby Sister–ReRun, Inc. Click here to vote for your favorite nominee. The post Voting Open For Retired New York Racehorse Of The Year Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin star Sovereignty (Into Mischief) has moved up the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR) to sit in a joint fourth at 125, after the latest round of rankings were released on Thursday. Now the highest rated 3-year-old in the world, the colt achieved the distinction when he wrapped up the GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga last weekend, which capped an impressive Triple Crown run to go along with his GI Kentucky Derby score. Sovereignty shares the mark with Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), who was last seen taking home the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in early April. Japan's Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) remains the leader at 127. Journalism (Curlin)–the runner-up in the Derby and the Belmont–was the winner of the GI Preakness Stakes. After completing the last leg of the Triple Crown his ranking increased from 119 to 120. Another American runner to move up the list is Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief), who comes in at 120 after he took the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap on the Belmont Saturday card. For the complete rankings, please visit the IFHA website. The post Sovereignty Among Top Five In The Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A quartet of wildcards, including Love Affair (Study Of Man) (lot 520), have been added to the Arqana Summer Sale set for Deauville from June 30-July 3. The 4-year-old filly is in foal to Good Guess, and she is a half-sister to group winners Lazy Griff (Protectionist) who was second in the G1 Betfred Derby on Saturday, and Lambo (Protectionist). The other three wildcards are as follows: listed winner Maturlo (Starspangledbanner) (lot 397); the 89-rated winner Motion (Lope De Vega) (lot 398); and the stakes-placed Alanya (Le Havre) (lot 519), who is in foal to Persian King. For the catalogue, please visit the Arqana website. The post Half-Sister To Derby Second Lazy Griff Joins Arqana Summer Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's G1 Betfred Derby at Epsom accrued turnover on World Pool bet types of HK$54,403,320 up on 2024's figure of HK$51,760,276 (+5%). The 18-runner Classic was won by Lambourn (Australia). Over 28 jurisdictions were able to bet into the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)'s World Pool on Saturday across the eight races at Epsom, while an additional four races from South Africa were also internationally commingled. Turnover for the full eight-race meeting at Epsom also increased to HK$267.1m from HK$264.5m. For the first time, the Listed Hopeful Stakes and an additional race at Newmarket will be on the World Pool schedule on Aug. 22, the same day as Nunthorpe Stakes Day at York, which is a full World Pool card. Sam Nati, head of commingling at the HKJC, said, “Given the unsettled weather and a significant non-runner on the day in the shape of Ruling Court, we're delighted to see World Pool turnover figures up on last year and would like to thank Epsom Racecourse and The Jockey Club for all their hard work. Punters were treated to good field sizes throughout the day, and in particular for the Derby, which is always great to see.” Jim Allen, general manager at Epsom Downs Racecourse, said, “It's fantastic to see the World Pool turnover figures up on last year, with the biggest Derby field since 2017. Lambourn was a great winner, and having such a large field was fantastic for the race and turnover. More broadly, The Jockey Club looks forward to partnering with World Pool for additional races in 2025 and beyond.” The post HKJC “Delighted” With Betfred Derby World Pool Turnover Increase appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following his victory in the Belmont Stakes (G1), Sovereignty (125) has joined the Top 5 in the fourth edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2025 and is currently the highest rated 3-year-old in the world.View the full article

Royal Ascot entry and recent Recar winner Miss Yechance sold for 250,000gns at the Tattersalls Online June Pop Up Sale to Royal Chance Bloodstock, understood to be the guise in which bloodstock agent Allesandro Marconi was signing for on behalf of unnamed clients. An impressive winner over five furlongs on debut at Redcar two weeks ago for trainer Jack Morland and owners David Lovatt and Colin Bacon, the daughter of Cotai Glory was offered by EMW Equine with entries in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes and the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. Miss Yechance was a £32,000 yearling purchase for EMW Equine before going unsold at £48,000 at the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale earlier in the spring despite posting one of the fastest times in the breeze. With Royal Ascot aspirations ignited following her debut win at Redcar, connections elected to offer the filly on the Tattersalls Online platform. Whitaker commented, “I'm ecstatic. I am lucky to have two very good owners in David Lovatt and Colin Bacon who have believed in not only me but in my team and most importantly in the filly. Unfortunately, things did not fall into place at the breeze ups but we've always had faith in her and she repaid us by winning as she did on debut. It's a big relief but I believe she will progress into a very nice filly and she will only get better. I wish her new connections the very best of luck.” She added, “Tattersalls have been fantastic with promoting the sale. It's been a really easy journey. Usually you are packing all the gear up and travelling to the sales but it has been very straightforward from the get-go. A big thank you to the Tattersalls Online team.” The post Miss Yechance Sells for 250,000 Gns In Tattersalls Online June Pop Up Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article