Wandering Eyes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jamie Richards continued his barnstorming start to the season thanks to the victory of Jubilant Winner at Sha Tin on Sunday. Richards moved to five winners from the first three meetings when Jubilant Winner proved far too strong in the first section of the Class Four Lok Wah Handicap (1,200m), rattling home from midfield to win by two and a half lengths. “I don’t really know what it is, but we’ve had some very good rides and the horses have paraded well and looked well. And when they look well...View the full article

Apprentice jockey Britney Wong Po-ni waved goodbye to her 10lb claim in style at Sha Tin on Sunday, banging in a double with victories aboard Fight Time and Packing Bole. After reaching 20 Hong Kong victories early in her second season, Wong’s claim will be reduced to 7lb and she confirmed she is growing in confidence. “I think [my progress] has been good. It’s only two meetings [into the new season], but I think performance-wise I’m really satisfied with my progress,” she said. “Last season I...View the full article

What Hamilton Races Where Hamilton Racing Club – Henty Hwy (Cavendish Rd), Hamilton VIC 3300 When Tuesday, December 10, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble A new week of racing in Victoria is set to get underway at Hamilton Racing Club on Monday afternoon, where a competitive eight-race meeting is scheduled. Clear skies in the lead-up to the meeting and on race day should mean that the Soft 7 track rating at the time of acceptances should be about a Soft 5 come race day. The rail comes out 3.5 from the 900mm to the 400m, whilst it remains true for the remainder. The first race at Hamilton is set to jump at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Hamilton: Unplanned Revolt Unplanned Revolt has built a bulletproof platform for this step to 2200m. The Rebel Raider gelding was dominant winning his maiden over 1700m at Warrnambool two runs back before a brave second at Naracoorte over 2000m when asked to make the speed. He handles genuine wet ground, maps to land handy again from barrier nine, and should roll into the race before the home turn with Tom Madden sticking. In a BM56 lacking depth, his upside and platform on heavy going make him the horse to beat. Best Bet Race 6 – #1 Unplanned Revolt (9) 6yo Gelding | T: Shane Jackson | J: Tom Madden (63kg) Next Best at Hamilton: Furrina Furrina found winning form last start and gets conditions to suit in the 1100m closer. She’s won two of her past four and did it with well-timed front running steers. Sticking to BM56 level, she draws out, but that can be an advantage late in the day at Hamilton, and the 1.5kg claim keeps her nicely in at the weights. Expect Jordyn Weatherly to use Furrina’s early speed to her advantage and have the mare lead the field throughout. If she runs to her recent figures, she’ll take a power of beating. Next Best Race 8 – #3 Furrina (12) 4yo Mare | T: Tom Dabernig | J: Jordyn Weatherley (a1.5) (62.5kg) Best Value at Hamilton: Royal Inference Royal Inference is thriving at this trip and looks over the odds with horse racing bookmakers in a winnable BM56. He led throughout to score last time at Casterton, so he’s clearly in the zone. Soft ground holds no fears; he draws to use his tactical speed, and the claim helps offset the impost. With limited swoopers engaged, he can find the front or box-seat and give a big kick on the turn. If he reproduces his recent 1400m figures, he’s the one they’ll have to run down. Best Value Race 5 – #2 Royal Inference (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Peter Chow | J: Jordyn Weatherley (a1.5) (62kg) Monday quaddie tips for Hamilton Hamilton quadrella selections Monday, September 15, 2024 1-2-5-8 1-2-7-9 1-3-4-5-7 1-3-6 Horse racing tips View the full article

A return to black-type competition is just around the corner for Midnight Edition (NZ) (Wrote), who kicked off his four-year-old season with a runaway victory in the Power Farming – We Keep You Growing (1200m) at Te Rapa on Sunday. The Wrote gelding gave a glimpse of his potential as a three-year-old last season with three wins and three placings, headed by a second in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) at Ellerslie. He initially dead-heated with Yaldi in that Boxing Day feature, but was relegated in the inquiry room. Midnight Edition also beat a strong field in his maiden win at Te Rapa last spring, where Checkmate and Levakia filled the minor placings, and he later ran fifth in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), fifth in the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) and eighth in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m). He signed off his season with a hard-fought win over Celestial Wonder in a 1200m race at Te Rapa in April. Some 154 days later, Midnight Edition returned to racing on Sunday over the same course and distance –this time in open company and against a highly talented sprint line-up. But Midnight Edition proved to be a class above them. Midnight Edition jumped well from gate seven among a nine-horse field, and jockey Masa Hashizume slotted him into a handy position in second behind Caitlyns Wish. The challengers were lining up and breathing down the neck of the leader coming up to the home turn, and none of those were travelling better than Midnight Edition. He pounced at the top of the straight while Hashizume still had him under a tight hold. The favourite Twain briefly loomed as a danger down the middle of the track, but Hashizume shook the reins and Midnight Edition kicked away. He opened up a margin of three and a quarter lengths over Twain, with the winner’s half-sister Midnight Scandal crossing the line another two lengths away in third. Midnight Edition has now had 13 starts for four wins, three placings and $153,050 in stakes. He is the only horse in work and the pride and joy for Pukekohe trainer Bruce Wallbank. “He’s a bloody good horse,” Wallbank said. “He had a very good spell and I thought he was a bit fat coming into this race and would probably need the run. But he’s been galloping brilliantly and he’s shown that he’s a very good horse. “We’ll probably head towards the big sprint race at Otaki next month. In the meantime, I’d like to dedicate this race to my brother, who’s very unwell in hospital.” That potential target is the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m), which will be run for a stake of $120,000 at Otaki on October 11. “It was good to see his half-sister run well in that race today too,” Wallbank added. “The mare’s had three good horses from three foals to race (three-race winner Midnight Mass and black-type performers Midnight Scandal and Midnight Edition), so she’s a fantastic broodmare.” View the full article

Improving six-year-old Agera (NZ) (Complacent) stepped into open company for the first time in Sunday’s Vision Complete Earthworks/Stronger Together (1600m) at Te Rapa, and he passed that test and carried on his winning way. The $50,000 race was the third win from four starts in the 2025-26 season for Agera. The Complacent gelding scored back-to-back wins on the Cambridge synthetic track in August, then carried 62kg into a close sixth behind Mizella in a 1600m Rating 75 on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie last Saturday. Cambridge trainer Tony Pike backed Agera up eight days later at Te Rapa, rising in class while dropping sharply in weight to 54kg. Jockey Matt Cartwright took up a prominent position on the outside of the front-running Gigi, then pressed forward and took command at the home turn. Despite drifting towards the outside, Agera forged clear down the straight and never looked like being caught. He went on to win by two and a quarter lengths from Aftermath. Gigi finished another length and a half away in third, while Group One horses Sharp ‘N’ Smart and Ladies Man ran fourth and fifth under big weights. “It was good to see him step up into open company today and continue the good form that he’d been putting together in the lower grades,” Pike said. “I thought it was a brave effort last week under his big weight at Ellerslie. Dropping to 54kg today made a massive difference and the rain-affected ground seemed to suit him well. “He hasn’t been the soundest horse at times in his career, but now that he’s getting a bit older, he’s developed into a stronger and more mature horse and has found a real purple patch of form in this campaign. “He does need that bit of cut in the ground, so if the tracks continue to be rain-affected for a few more weeks, a race like the Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) could be a nice target for him to aim at.” The $80,000 Team Wealleans Matamata Cup will be run on October 4. Agera was bred by Hamish and Karyn McQuade and is out of the Pentire mare Shelly Bee, whose other four winning progeny include the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) winner Ima Roca Bee. Mapperley Stud offered Agera in Book 2 of Karaka 2021, where Waikato Bloodstock bought him for $70,000.Agera has now had 22 starts for five wins, eight placings and $160,240 in prize-money. View the full article

Blue-blooded colt War Of Silence (Snitzel) threw his name into the ring for the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) with a stylish debut victory in Saturday’s Vale Tony Dennis (1200m) at Riccarton. War Of Silence is by Snitzel out of the Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) winner Silent Sedition. The chestnut colt was bought by David Ellis for A$700,000 from Arrowfield Stud’s draft in the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Sent out as a $3 favourite for his first raceday appearance on Saturday, War Of Silence travelled comfortably on the speed for jockey Opie Bosson. He was challenged on both sides early in the run home, with Dubonnet Rouge trying hard on his inside while Swoomee Swan came with a strong finish out wide, but War Of Silence lifted and held on well to win by a head. “We really liked him early on, but he went off the boil a little bit, so we put him out and he’s come back nice and strong this time,” Bosson said. “He’s still learning his trade, so he’s changing legs and getting a bit unbalanced, but he’s got ability. “He was wandering a little bit, but when asked, he was up for the challenge.” War Of Silence is trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. “It was a good debut win, especially because it’s never easy having your first start down the chute at Riccarton after going around a bend in his trials,” Walker said. “He looked vulnerable when challenged hard over the last 100m, but he really knuckled down and we know how hard Opie (Bosson) is to beat in a tight finish. “I do think he’ll be better next start, when he’s going 1400m and around a bend, and he’ll most likely head towards the Guineas Trial for three-year-olds on September 27 at Riccarton. “He’s certainly a nice colt, has the best nature, and a lovely laid-back sort of fellow. Dave (Ellis) bought him at the Sydney Easter Sale, and he’s definitely on a path towards fulfilling his nomination in the 2000 Guineas down there in November.” War Of Silence is now rated a $31 chance in a New Zealand 2000 Guineas market that is headed by his stablemates He Who Dares and Hostility at $6. View the full article

The Christchurch Casino South Island Racing Awards were presented during a function at Riccarton Park Racecourse on Friday, with standout three-year-old filly Pivotal Ten (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns) named Horse of the Year and Champion Three-Year-Old. The Samantha Wynne-trained daughter of Ten Sovereigns had seven starts last season for five wins including three at stakes level. She won the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui on Boxing Day, then romped home by six lengths in the Listed Gore Guineas (1355m) and by eight and three-quarter lengths in the Listed Southland Guineas (1400m). She earned $296,550 in stakes. Pivotal Ten is raced by Colin Wightman, who bought her for $15,000 from the 2022 National Weanling Sale. He was later joined in the ownership by Cambridge Stud’s Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay. Pivotal Ten is now being trained in Australia by Ben, Will and JD Hayes. Full list of winners: 2024/25 SOUTH ISLAND HORSE OF THE YEAR: Pivotal Ten TWO-YEAR-OLD: Cool Aza Rene THREE-YEAR-OLD: Pivotal Ten SPRINTER: Mystic Park MILER: Matscot STAYER: Riviera Rebel POLYTRACK: Spartan NZ Bloodstock SOUTHERN FILLY OF THE YEAR: Dream Of The Moon BROODMARE: Inferno STALLION: War Decree TRAINER: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson (Te Akau Racing South Island) JOCKEY: Tina Comignaghi TOP APPRENTICE JOCKEY: Yogesh Atchamah MOST PROMISING JUNIOR RIDER: Floor Moerman ASHLEE MUNDY MEMORIAL JOCKEY CHOICE AWARD: Floor Moerman OWNER: Glenn Ritchie BREEDER: Greg Tomlinson, Nearco Stud View the full article