Wandering Eyes

A pair of noteworthy names were spotted on the work tab over the weekend at Saratoga, GISW Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) on Sunday and MGISW Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) on Saturday, both cruising over the Oklahoma dirt training track for the first time since their respective efforts during the Belmont at Saratoga festival. From the Chad Brown barn, the 'TDN Rising Star' put in a solo half-mile move with blinkers on in :49.66 (6/30) and galloped out into the backstretch while being encouraged by the exercise rider. When asked, Brown admitted there was no decision yet on if Sierra Leone would try the GII Jim Dandy Stakes July 27 or if the camp would wait for the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes Aug. 24. “It went fine. It was his first work back and he was moving good,” Brown said. “We could run in the Jim Dandy or train him up to the Travers. I'm not positive yet, but those are the options.” A day prior, the GI Kentucky Oaks winner breezed a half-mile in :49.25 in her first move since claiming the GI DK Horse Acorn Stakes June 7. She'd lost her front right shoe somewhere in the first turn of her tour-de-force, and McPeek noted the foot was a little tender afterwards. Back on track since then, she is being pointed to a start in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks July 20 at Saratoga. “She did a maintenance half-mile by herself, easy stuff. We've got four weeks until she runs. Keeping her in routine, she is probably 95 to 100 percent for the Coaching Club if everything goes right,” said McPeek. “We will evaluate the race and see about the Alabama or Travers next.” Where his 'grizzly' ultimately goes is contingent upon GI Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and where he finds himself in the coming weeks. After scoping with some mucus following his off-the-board finish in the GI Belmont Stakes, the colt is going well during his freshening and is being pointed toward the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes and then Sept. 21 to Parx's GI Pennsylvania Derby. “No intentions of running him in the Jim Dandy. He ran hard all spring, and is getting a bit of a break, plenty of grazing time. [The] horse is happy and healthy. He will probably go Travers, [and then to the] Pennsylvania Derby.” Gould's Gold (Goldencents), who finished second in Saturday's GIII Ohio Derby, could be trying the Jim Dandy after that effort, but McPeek has added that the Curlin Stakes July 19 could also be in play for the grey. “We liked the race. This was a horse that was improving, and we think we've got more in him. We will probably nominate him to the Jim Dandy.” The post Sierra Leone, Thorpedo Anna Back On Work Tab as Mystik Dan Gets Short Break appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kyle Horlacher would prefer to steer the conversation to the horse he bred, trains and co-owns, the Pennsylvania-bred Shoshanah (Weigelia). She was aiming to give Horlacher his first stakes win in Monday's Power By Far Stakes at Parx. A five-time winner bred in Pennsylvania, she's a good story. But not nearly as good a story as her trainer. Horlacher is a relative newcomer to training, which is not necessarily by choice. Going to the track as a child with his grandfather, Maryland-based trainer Nate Heyman, he always wanted to work in racing. But for 22 years he had something a little more important to do. From 1998 to 2020, Commander Horlacher served in the Navy as a fighter pilot. By the time he retired in 2020, he had accumulated over 2,700 hours in naval aircraft and had been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), and multiple campaign and unit awards. “It was a lot of fun being in the Navy,” Horlacher said. “You spend a lot of time away from home and when you're gone the people in the Navy become your family. There's a lot of camaraderie out there, from the guys who fix the airplanes to the ones that fly them. That's what I missed the most about the Navy, the friends I made there.” Just 47 when he retired from the Navy, Horlacher had to figure out what the next steps would be. A common path for Navy and Air Force pilots is to go to work for the airlines when they retire. But that wasn't for Horlacher. He set out to fulfill a lifelong ambition, to breed, own and train horses. “I owned some horses while I was in the Navy,” Horlacher said. “Obviously, with my commitment to the Navy I couldn't train them myself. I always wanted to take a crack at it. The airlines are always a great option and my buddies are doing well working for them. My son is on that track now, to be an airline pilot. I felt like I wanted to do something different. It was always a lifelong dream to go into training eventually. Sometimes you just have to take that step off the cliff and jump and go it.” Horlacher sent out his first horse in 2021 and has a career record of 6-for-24. He has just two horses, Shoshanah and an unraced 3-year-old filly named Dirty Gold (Flameaway), but that's fine with him. He's not interested in having a public stable and instead has decided to only train the handful of horses that he also bred. His grandfather served as a role model. Heyman was a World War II vet who is buried in Arlington Cemetery and also took an unusual route into the sport, giving up a career in the dress manufacturing business to go into training later on in life. Heyman won 45 races on his own and also served as an assistant to Hall of Famer King Leatherbury. “My cousin and I would go to the track with him,” said Horlacher, who has stalls at the Fair Hill training center. “It was a great way to grow up, going to Bowie, Pimlico and Laurel. When I was young, my cousin and I both wanted to be jockeys. We realized pretty early on that we were going to be way too big. Deciding to be a trainer, that came later. I realized that I can't be a rider and wanted to be more involved than just be an owner. That's how I decided I wanted to be a trainer.” That decision became easier after attended the 2009 GI Haskell, won by Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro), as a fan. “I was stationed at Willow Grove (Pennsylvania) at the time and Rachel Alexandra ran in the Haskell in 2009,” he said. “I wanted to take my kids to see a great race horse in person.” When he retired, his friends in the Navy family weren't surprised when he told them about his unusual career decision. He had been talking about it almost from the day when he enlisted. “Since I owned horses while in the Navy I don't think too many people were surprised when I chose to go this route rather than going to work for the airlines,” Horlacher said. “Whenever you leave a squadron they give you a placard and it has a picture of an airplane on it. Everyone in the squadron signs it. I'm looking at it right now and half of the notes on my pictures have to do with horses and racing. It's fun to go back and look at that. Even 20 years ago, I was talking to my friends about my someday doing this.” He won his first race in 2021 with the mare Bohemia Babe (Weigelia) and has won at least one race with his small stable every year since. Shoshanah has been his best horse. She has earned $174,153 and is coming off a second-place finish against open company in the May 17 The Very One S. at Pimlico. She finished behind Future is Now (Great Notion), who went on to capture the GII Intercontinental S. at Saratoga on June 6 in her next start. The post Former Navy Pilot Turned Trainer, Kyle Horlacher Flying High in his New Profession appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Providing that she maintains her form over the summer, G1 King Charles III Stakes victress Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) could take her globetrotting trip to the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar, trainer Henry Dwyer said in an interview with racenet.com.au. With that win at Royal Ascot, a race part of the 'Win and You're In' program, she secured a guaranteed fees-paid berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Asfoora is the sixth Australian-trained sprinter to claim the race, formerly called the G1 King's Stand Stakes. “The Breeders Cup came on the radar a fair while ago when they told me it was at Del Mar,” Dwyer told racenet.com.au. “We've heard great things about [the track] and I was very excited to put it on the itinerary provisionally. That was very much in the frame when the 'prep' started. It was four runs in Europe, then maybe over there [US], but we needed to win a 'Win and You're In' race to fund the operation.” Dwyer also added in that interview that while he had planned for Asfoora to race in the G2 King George Qatar Stakes Aug. 2 at Goodwood, her Group 1-winning status at Royal Ascot likely meant she would be weighted out of the contest. Dwyer is currently looking to take his mare to the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes Aug. 24 at York before a trip to the States can be confirmed. The post Breeders’ Cup Possible for King Charles III Heroine Asfoora appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The G1 Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday, August 21 could be the next port of call for Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) following his excellent effort in defeat at Royal Ascot. Trained by Jerome Reynier, Zarakem was sent off at 33/1 for the G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes, but he proved in no uncertain terms that he belongs at the top table by faring best of the rest behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), running on well from the rear of the field to be beaten just three quarters of a length at the line. Reynier is now working back from the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with the progressive Zarakem, who could first return to Britain for one of the highlights of York's Ebor Festival. “He seems to be improving mentally and physically, so maybe the best is yet to come and we can aim for the Arc at the end of the year with him,” Reynier said of the four-year-old. “He won a Group 2 in Longchamp, so he handles the track and he doesn't mind the ground and he promises to be a horse who could have a decent chance in the Arc. “Maybe we will go to York for the Juddmonte International. That would be an interesting race and it is right between the Prince of Wales's and the Arc, so it could be a good race to run in. I think he will only have one more run [before the Arc], just with all the travel and everything, and he's a horse who likes his races spaced out quite a bit, so it would be better to arrive in the Arc without too many runs under his belt. “We want him to be fresh for the end of the year because after the Arc he could go for the Japan Cup or the Hong Kong Vase.” Reflecting further on Zarakem's performance at Ascot, Reynier added, “It was just unreal. Maxime [Guyon, jockey] rode the perfect race from the inside. I think Auguste Rodin was very hard to beat that day, but we were a clear second and he has run the best race of his life. “He has now shown that he's able to win a Group 2 on heavy ground and finish second to a top-class horse in a Prince of Wales's on fast ground, so he's very versatile and a pure athlete.” The post Zarakem has York in his Sights After Prince Of Wales’s Second appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Royal Ascot was tremendous in myriad ways. Sun up, crowd up, and a spread of results which drew in some of the world's biggest owners and trainers alongside syndicates and smaller yards. Then on Sunday morning came the news that QIPCO is to significantly reduce its sponsorship of British racing from next year. British Champions Day will still be run in its name, and the company owned by Sheikhs Hamad and Fahad Al Thani will remain as an official partner of Ascot racecourse, but Newmarket's Guineas meeting, Ascot's King George meeting and the British Champions Series will no longer benefit from the largesse of QIPCO. Since 2011, when QIPCO first got behind the new-look British Champions Day, it has put £47 million into that day of racing alone, and it drove the prize-money on offer for the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas to record levels. This news, though not unexpected, will come as a blow to Newmarket in particular in a time of upheaval within the Jockey Club owing to the impending departure of CEO Nevin Truesdale. However, it also opens up opportunities for emerging forces within British racing, perhaps even from fellow members of Qatar's royal family, or those from Bahrain, to enhance their own profile in a country which they clearly regard as a world leader when it comes to first-class racing. Few who attended or watched the royal meeting last week can argue with that. There are superb race meetings across Europe throughout the Flat season but Royal Ascot stands alone when it comes to tradition, high fashion, picnic-partying and the pulling power of the royal family. One only needs to read Sue Finley's interview with Mark Taylor, one of a large group of American owners connected to the Coronation Stakes winner Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio), to understand the lure the meeting still has internationally. “It was a bucket-list experience for them,” Taylor said of the investors in the Medallion Racing syndicate. Wathnan Racing, which arrived in style on the British scene during Royal Ascot last year when winning the Gold Cup and Queen's Vase, clearly enjoyed that experience so much that bloodstock agent Richard Brown was instructed to amass a far larger team of challengers for this year's meeting. The principal of that operation, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is both the Emir of Qatar and a cousin to the brothers behind QIPCO. He has clearly caught the bug which ensured that one of those cousins, Sheikh Fahad, became a significant owner and breeder in Britain, and whose support continues through Qatar Racing, which now also has interests and partnerships in America and beyond. Wathnan Racing was rewarded with four winners this week: Leovanni (G2 Queen Mary Stakes), Shareholder (G2 Norfolk), English Oak (Buckingham Palace), and Haatem (G3 Jersey). That quartet alone, of its 26 runners at Ascot, contains two potential stallion prospects and a decent future broodmare. Brown would not be drawn on whether Wathnan Racing plans to become Wathnan Breeding, but it does not require a huge leap to imagine that it won't be long before the operation looks into purchasing land on which to rear its own champions. In the meantime, plenty of other owners, breeders, pinhookers and sales companies will have benefited from an outlay which must run to eight figures for Wathnan's Ascot team alone. The Bahraini royal family has also had a growing presence in European racing of late. Shaikh Khalid Al Khalifa's KHK Racing has struck with the likes of Group 1-winning juvenile Vandeek (GB) and St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov, while his brother Shaikh Nasser is behind Victorious Racing, the owner of dual Royal Ascot winner Bradsell (GB) who celebrated two further winners at Ascot last week in Pledgeofallegiance (Ire) and Isle Of Jura (GB). Another of their brothers, Shaikh Salman, is the Crown Prince of Bahrain and, though not a racehorse owner himself, was at Royal Ascot last week. Isle Of Jura has given particular pleasure to his owner, having won the unofficial Triple Crown of Bahrain racing over the winter during a magnificent spell which saw him win four of his five races on the island between December and March. That he has held and improved that form on his return to Britain is to the great credit of trainer George Scott and his team. All of Isle Of Jura's eight victories have come in the hands of Callum Shepherd, who leads our unofficial 'Hats Off' awards which reflect on a marvellous week of racing: Shepherd's Delight It has by now been well documented that, through no fault of his own, Callum Shepherd lost the Derby ride on Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleaneagles {Ire}), who went on to finish second to City Of Troy (Justify) at Epsom and will be one of the leading hopes for next weekend's Irish Derby. It is generally a better guide to character to observe how someone copes in adversity rather than in triumph, and in public Shepherd accepted this reversal with good grace. If one could only guess at the depth of his misery at losing such a high-profile ride, his emotional response to winning the G2 Hardwicke Stakes told its own tale. “Six weeks ago I thought I'd found my diamond for the season, but that wasn't to be, and he's stepped in,” said the jockey of Isle Of Jura. His conduct has been nothing but classy in a year which has already had its highs and terrible lows. Shepherd was also a close friend of Stefano Cherchi, who died in April following a race fall in Australia. He paid a beautiful tribute to his fellow jockey on social media, which included the lines, “[Stefano] was not defined by his abilities in the saddle, or by the races he has won. What defined him to us, those lucky enough to have known him, and I really do mean lucky, was the human being he was.” It sounds like Cherchi was also lucky to have Shepherd on his side during his short life, and we can only hope to see his friend continue to flourish in his career. Howden's Just Reward David Howden, like QIPCO, has become a staunch supporter of racing, and in particular Ascot, where his company Howden is also an official partner. His homebred filly Running Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion) took him to the Oaks at Epsom last year only to be withdrawn at the start when getting upset in the stalls. She has managed several group placings since then but her victory in the G2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes clearly meant the world to her owner, whose love of eventing has now been enthusiastically expanded to the racing world. Dark Angel You've gotta love him, haven't you? Now 19, the Yeomanstown Stud stallion certainly made his presence felt at Ascot last week as the only stallion to notch two Group 1 winners in Charyn (Ire) and the returning hero Khaadem (Ire). Dark Angel also featured as broodmare sire of the Coolmore-bred Bedtime Story (Ire), who provided the 'wow' moment of the week when winning the Chesham by nine lengths. But then, that is perhaps no surprise as the filly's sire Frankel (GB) and dam Mecca's Angel (Ire) each had a wow factor of their own during their racing days and have clearly transferred an explosive mix of genes to their daughter. The Boy from Ballarat “We had a pretty big knees-up on Tuesday night,” said Australian trainer Henry Dwyer, and who could blame him for that? Dwyer's speedy mare Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) provided one of the highlights of the opening day when landing her first Group 1 success in the King Charles III Stakes and, even better, she has a potentially long season of European engagements ahead of her, with a chance that her world tour could culminate in an appearance at the Breeders' Cup. It is admirably sporting campaigning from her owner-breeder Akram El-Fahkri of Noor Elaine Farm and we look forward to following Asfoora's progress. The Prince of Wales The future King of England clearly has a number of greater concerns at the moment, and he is not a noted fan of horseracing, but his presence at Royal Ascot on the only day that his father was absent could only have given the meeting an extra boost. That same day, the official social media accounts of the Prince and Princess of Wales posted to nearly 20 million followers, “A pleasure to be at Royal Ascot for a thrilling afternoon of racing. Congratulations to Ryan Moore, Aidan O'Brien and of course Auguste Rodin on winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes.” Prince William spent plenty of time on the podium congratulating all those connected with Auguste Rodin (Ire), including having an especially lengthy chat with travelling groom David Hickey. From Ascot, the prince then headed to the England v Denmark match at the European football championships, followed by spending his birthday on Friday night at Taylor Swift's Eras tour in London. Not a bad week really, even if the rumour that Taylor Swift would be at Ascot on Friday was ultimately unfounded. A pleasure to be at Royal @Ascot for a thrilling afternoon of racing. Congratulations to Ryan Moore, Aidan O'Brien and of course Auguste Rodin on winning The Prince of Wales's Stakes! pic.twitter.com/Xm3ttTVWlk — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 19, 2024 Threefold Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum has now enjoyed three homebred Group 1 winners in the last two years of Royal Ascot, all of whom descend from his increasingly influential mare Reem Three (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}). Her son Triple Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}), winner of last year's Queen Anne Stakes, is already at Dalham Hall Stud, and it was encouraging to hear the sheikh say on Friday that both St James's Palace Stakes winner Rosallion (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Commonwealth Cup hero Inisherin (Ire) (Shamardal) will race on next year as four-year-olds. Stallion duties can wait for two of the most exciting three-year-old colts in training. Fairy Dust From Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) to Port Fairy (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and a few more besides, it was a sensational week for Aidan O'Brien, who was the leading trainer at Royal Ascot for the thirteenth time. But hats must also be doffed to the wider O'Brien family. Donnacha and Joseph each trained a winner, while Annemarie and Ana, who are the brains behind the family's breeding operation, Whisperview Trading, bred both the G1 Coronation Stakes winner Porta Fortuna and aforementioned G2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner Port Fairy. The Two That Got Away We can't say that the performance of Calandagan (Fr) was ballsy because that is precisely the part of his anatomy which is missing, but his six-length victory was certainly one of the most impressive performances of Royal Ascot. Reportedly, the gelding operation has improved the behaviour of the Aga Khan-bred winner of the King Edward VII Stakes, who has also won two Group 3 contests in France this year since the cruellest cut. While it is a measure which has kept him out of the Classics, his fast-rising profile means that the name Calandagan is now written on plenty of lists of horses to follow. Both he and Ambiente Friendly look set to boost the profile of their sire Gleneagles this year. Ascot Racecourse Ascot pledged to donate £5,000 per winning ride of Ryan Moore to the Retraining of Racehorses charity and, following a mighty week for the world's best jockey (that's official in our book), will end up handing over £30,000. Hats off to Ascot for important acknowledgement that it's not just about what happens on the track that matters, but that finding proper second homes for racehorses, either in retraining or retirement, is crucial to the sport's future. The post Seven Days: Good for Ascot, Bad for Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bill Robbins, who served a a bid spotter at Fasig-Tipton for 50 years among other industry roles, passed away peacefully at his home in Lexington on Monday, June 17. He was 88 years old. Robbins was born in Maysville, Kentucky on Tuesday, August 13, 1935. His family moved to Lexington in 1936 where he called home for the next 87 years. He went to Ashland Elementary School, Morton Middle School, Henry Clay High School and graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Kentucky in 1956. Upon his graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy and served under Admiral John S. McCain, Sr. whom he greatly admired. After his naval duty, Bill returned to Lexington and entered into a long career in the insurance business. He met wife Jessica V. LeBus in 1959, and they were married in 1961. From their marriage, they had three children, Pattie R. Broadbent (Happy), Earl G. Robbins, MD (Ashley), and William L. Robbins (Elizabeth), eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by brother, Robert E. Robbins and his sister, Sylvia R. Griffin. In the insurance industry, Robbins chaired or served on several industry boards, and in his community, he had a number of favorite causes. He chaired the Boards of the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center, Sayre School, and the Lexington Cancer Society. He also served on the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation Board, the Kentucky American Cancer Society Board, and he chaired the Mid-South Division Board of the American Cancer Society. He also helped found the Lexington Hope Lodge of which he was extremely proud. Robbins was a cancer survivor of more than 30 years. The residual effects of his successful treatment tested him, and as with many tests, he more than met the challenge with humility and determination, his family writes in his obituary. Role modeling both survivorship and selflessness, he subsequently walked the oncology/chemotherapy floors at various hospitals visiting with cancer patients. Robbins had a number of hobbies including bid spotting at Fasig-Tipton auctions for nearly 50 years. He owned horses for many years, both thoroughbreds and standardbreds. He was a member of the Thoroughbred Club of America and the Keeneland Club. “He was a wonderful person,” said Fasig-Tipton President and CEO Boyd Browning. “He loved bid spotting at our sales and was a shareholder for many years. He owned a small piece of Goodnight Olive and was able to come to the November Sale last year and see her sell for $6 million. In addition, he essentially founded the KTA insurance group, which still handles our health insurance today. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.” Said his family in their obituary, “He, too, meant more to us than he possibly could have imagined. He was a captivating storyteller of his youthful adventures. He had a magnetic personality that led to an abundance of friends. He practiced gratitude and forgiveness, served with a loving heart, respected others with an open mind and was selflessly kind. We will do our best to uphold the many lessons he taught us.” A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 26th from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Kerr Brothers on Main Street in Lexington. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 27th at 10 a.m. at Lexington Cemetery for family and close friends though all are welcome. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the Lexington Hope Lodge, Lexington Hearing and Speech Center or Berea College. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store. The post Fasig-Tipton Bid Spotter Bill Robbins Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Runner-up to T O Royal (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) when tackling 3,200 metres in April's G1 Tenno Sho (Spring), Blow The Horn (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) made full use of his staying power as he ran out an impressive winner of Sunday's G1 Takarazuka Kinen at Kyoto Racecourse, a 'Win and You're In' event for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. With the victory, he defeated Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) by two lengths to gain the first Group 1 success of his career. Blow The Horn was dropping back fully 1,000 metres in distance for the Takarazuka Kinen, but the rain-softened ground at Kyoto ensured that stamina was at a premium. He was settled at the rear of the 13-strong field in the early stages, with favourite Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) for company, before starting to make gradual headway out wide approaching the home turn. Brought widest of all in the straight by jockey Akira Sugawara, Blow The Horn proceeded to pick off his rivals one by one and was never stronger at the finish, quickly powering clear after being produced to lead with 100 metres to run. Last year's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) scorer Sol Oriens also made up plenty of ground in the closing stages to snatch second from Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), the winner of the G1 Osaka Hai on his previous start. Just a neck separated that pair at the line, with the same distance back to Pradaria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in fourth. Do Deuce, a three-time Group 1 winner who had earned the most votes in the fan poll which helps to determine the final field for the Takarazuka Kinen, could manage only sixth. Sugawara and trainer Tatsuya Yoshioka were both celebrating their first Group 1 wins with Blow The Horn, who arrived at Kyoto as the winner of six races, including a listed contest at Sapporo last August and the G2 Nikkei Shinshun Hai, also at Kyoto, in January this year. “We were able to win the race because the horse ran really hard despite the heavy going,” said Sugawara. “Although we were positioned further back than planned and took the widest route, the horse seemed to have plenty of strength left when we turned the fourth corner so I urged him to go at the stretch and he responded with a remarkable turn of speed.” Only the Japan Cup, the Sheema Classic, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes rate higher! The world's fifth best race, the G1 Takarazuka Kinen, goes to BLOW THE HORN! #ブローザホーン | #宝塚記念 | #競馬pic.twitter.com/RgUC6z8m4T — World Horse Racing (@WHR) June 23, 2024 Pedigree Notes Blow The Horn becomes the fourth new Group 1 winner for Epiphaneia in 2024, adding to the Classic victories of Stellenbosch (Jpn) in the Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) and Danon Decile (Jpn) in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), plus the win of Ten Happy Rose (Jpn) in last month's Victoria Mile. The five-year-old Blow The Horn is the only runner to date out of Halteclere (Jpn) (Durandal {Jpn}), a four-time winner in Japan and a half-sister to the Listed-placed Desert Snake (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}). His third dam, Assertaine (Assert {Ire}), is a half-sister to the US champion filly Go For Wand (Deputy Minister) and the Grade II scorers Dance Spell and Discorama, both by Northern Dancer and also placed at the top level on multiple occasions. Sunday, Kyoto, Japan TAKARAZUKA KINEN-G1, ¥421,900,000, Kyoto, 6-23, 3yo/up, 2200mT, 2:12.00, sf. 1–BLOW THE HORN (JPN), 128, h, 5, Epiphaneia (Jpn) 1st Dam: Halteclere (Jpn), by Durandal (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Joy Assertaine (Jpn), by Forty Niner 3rd Dam: Assertaine, by Assert (Ire) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Makio Okada; B-Okada Stud (Jpn); T-Tatsuya Yoshioka; J-Akira Sugawara; ¥222,730,000. Lifetime Record: 21-7-3-4, ¥485,373,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Sol Oriens (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Skia (Fr), by Motivator (GB). O-Shadai Race Horse; B- Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥88,780,000. 3–Bellagio Opera (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)–Air Routine (Jpn), by Harbinger (GB). O-Shorai Hayashida; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥55,390,000. Margins: 2, NK, NK; Odds: 6.50, 10.90, 10.60. Also ran: Pradaria (Jpn), Rousham Park (Jpn), Do Deuce (Jpn), Deep Bond (Jpn), Rouge Eveil (Jpn), Yamanin Sympa (Jpn), Justin Palace (Jpn), Struve (Jpn), Heat on Beat (Jpn), Karate (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Blow The Horn Proves Much the Best in Takarazuka Kinen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Second-season handler lands both features and three-timer to reclaim premiership lead on Sunday nightView the full article

While soccer's European Championships has witnessed just one successful penalty kick in 24 matches played in Germany thus far, Eckhard Sauren's €210,000 BBAG September yearling Penalty (Ger) (Frankel {GB}–Praia {Ger}, by Big Shuffle) made a mark of his own and added to his runner-up finish in last month's G2 German 2000 Guineas with a career best in Sunday's G3 35th Grosser Preis der Wirtschaft at Dortmund. Penalty backed up a five-length maiden win, going one mile at Dusseldorf in March, with a second over the same distance at Cologne the following month and broke smartly from an outer gate to stalk the pace in second after the initial exchanges of this first start beyond the one-mile trip. Three lengths adrift of dual stakes scorer Nina's Lob (Ger) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) turning for home, the 8-5 favourite made continued headway under pressure to tackle that rival passing the furlong marker and was pushed out to assert superiority in this clash of the generations. The winning margin was 3/4-of-a-length and it was a further 3 1/2 lengths back to last year's winner Best Lightning (Fr) (Sidestep {Aus}) in third. “He is a top horse, it's exactly the reason why I am back in Germany and I would like to thank [owner] Mr [Eckhard] Sauren for placing his trust in me,” Thore Hammer-Hansen, Sauren's retained jockey, told GaloppOnline. “I actually wanted to be further back in the field, but he just jumped too well. He is still a big baby, but a truly exceptional horse.” Winning trainer Henk Grewe added, “It was important that Penalty switched off along the way and he was totally relaxed. That's exactly what we wanted to see and he has made another leap forward.” Pedigree Notes Penalty, who becomes the 98th pattern-race winner for his sire, is the latest of 11 foals and one of four stakes performers out of the dual stakes-placed Praia (Ger) Big Shuffle). Praia's nine winners include G1 Premio Roma hero Potemkin (Ger) (New Approach {Ire}), stakes-winning G3 Preis der Winterkonigin and G3 Schwarzgold-Rennen third Paraisa (GB) (Red Ransom) and the stakes-placed Praiano (Ger) (Dubawi {Ire}). Praia's descendants also include Listed Foundation Stakes victor Victory Chime (Ire) (Campanologist) and G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup runner-up Pontchateau (Ire) (War Command). The April-foaled bay's stakes-winning second dam Prada (Ger) (Lagunas {GB}) produced G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud victrix Paita (GB) (Intikhab) and G2 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) heroine Puntilla (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}). Paita is the dam of G3 Prix d'Hedouville winner and G1 Prix Vermeille runner-up Pirika (Ire) Monsun {Ger}) while Puntilla is the dam of Listed Berberis-Rennen third Pakama (Ger) (Kalatos {Ger}). Sunday, Dortmund, Germany 35TH GROSSER PREIS DER WIRTSCHAFT-G3, €55,000, Dortmund, 6-23, 3yo/up, 9fT, 1:48.67, sf. 1–PENALTY (GER), 118, c, 3, by Frankel (GB) 1st Dam: Praia (Ger) (MSP-Ger), by Big Shuffle 2nd Dam: Prada (Ger), by Lagunas (GB) 3rd Dam: Pradera (Ger), by Abary (Ger) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€210,000 Ylg '22 BBAGS). O-Eckhard Sauren; B-Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof (GER); T-Henk Grewe; J-Thore Hammer-Hansen. €32,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, €68,000. *1/2 to Potemkin (Ger) (New Approach {Ire}), G1SW-Ity, MGSW & MG1SP-Ger, GSW-Fr, $720,912; Paraisa (GB) (Red Ransom), SW & MGSP-Ger; and Praiano (Ger) (Dubawi {Ire}), SP-Qat. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Nina's Lob (Ger), 126, m, 5, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Nina Celebre (Ire) (MSW-Ger & SP-Ity), by Peintre Celebre. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Gestut Wittekindshof (GER); T-Andreas Wohler. €12,000. 3–Best Lightning (Fr), 129, h, 6, Sidestep (Aus)–Best Dreaming (Ger), by Big Shuffle. (€9,000 RNA Ylg '19 BBAGO). O-Stall Ad Episas; B-Hermann Pfister (FR); T-Andreas Suborics. €6,000. Margins: 3/4, 3HF, HD. Odds: 1.60, 6.30, 12.00. Also Ran: Arcandi (Ger), Lightning Jock (Ire), Thekingofmyheart (Ire), Skylo (Ger), See Hector (Ger). Scratched: Aguirre (Ger). The post Penalty Becomes 98th Pattern-Race Winner for Frankel in Dortmund Feature appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Vincent Ho is full of praise for the electric four-year-old after he reels off a blistering final 400m to swamp his rivals at Sha Tin on Sunday nightView the full article

Owner Ken Ramsey has texted an update on his June 20 surgery in which he received a donated kidney from family friend Tom Pope, declaring his surgery not only a `huge success,' but a record-breaking one. “My kidney transplant was a huge success,” said Ramsey via text. “The surgery was done at New York-Presbyterian Hospital at the Weill Cornell Transplant Center by Dr. Sandip Kapur on Thursday June 20th.: Ramsey said that the kidney was donated by someone he met through his wife Sarah's long illness. “My generous donor was Tom Pope from Nicholasville, Ky.,” Ramsey said. “He is the husband of Rhonda Pope, who was a caregiver for my wife, Sarah Kathern. He donated me a five-star kidney which has increased my filtration rate from eight percent to 85 percent. Any percentage higher than 60% is normal. I'm doing exceptionally well. My eternal thanks and gratitude to not only Tom and his family, but to the overwhelming support I received from so many people. I just found out that this sets a new Guinness World Record for the oldest person to receive a kidney transplant. I feel blessed and very lucky. Thanks again.” Ramsey topped the leading-owner standings at Gulfstream in the meeting which concluded in April, and just after coming out of surgery on Thursday, he learned that his Clearly Copper (Copper Bullet) had won the day's sixth race. The post `A Huge Success’: Ramsey Offers Update on Kidney Transplant appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grangewilliam Stud’s proven sire The Bold One, sire of this year’s Wellington Cup winner Mary Louise, will stand at a slightly increased fee of $6000 plus gst this year. Studmaster Mark Corcoran said The Bold One, son of recently retired champion sire Fastnet Rock, represented great value at the new fee on the back of a very strong season by his progeny. “Last year he stood at $4000 plus gst and covered 48 mares but his results this season fully justify the fee increase,” Corcoran said. Robbie Patterson-trained Mary Louise has won seven races from 17 starts for prize money of more than $320,000 with her major highlight this season undoubtedly being her win in the Gr. 3 Wellington Cup at Trentham in January. She also finished third in the Gr. 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. “Besides Mary Louise he has been represented this season by the multiple Group performer One Bold Cat, the Group 3 Counties Cup winner and the likes of well performed The Fearless One and The Underbelly ,” Corcoran said. The Bold One has also been represented inrecent seasons by the ultra-consistent Chris Wallter-trained Bold Mac who has won eight races including last year’s Listed Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury. Bold Mac has amassed more than $660,000 in prize-money during his racing career. Robbie Patterson-trained One Bold Cat has won seven races to date with his major win this season coming in the Gr. 3 Counties Cup at Pukekohe. He was also placed third in the Gr. 1 Thorndon Mile and finished third in the Gr. 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes. He has won more than $350,000 in prize-money to date. The Underbelly won the NZ St Leger Trial while The Fearless One continued his winning ways this season. “The Bold One has had a steady flow of winners all season and has shown the ability to leave versatile progeny that win at all distances,” Corcoran said. “They are consistent performers and trainers know they can be relied upon for honest performances week in, week out,” he said Not surprisingly leading Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson is a big fan of The Bold One’s stock given the level of success he has enjoyed with Mary Louise, One Bold Cat The Underbelly and The Fearless One. “The Bold One’s progeny have a great temperament and are extremely easy to train. They have a great set of lungs and their recovery rate after a race is exceptional – they would not blow a match out,” said Patterson. Another avid supporter of The Bold One’s progeny is top jockey Craig Grylls. “He just keeps improving, which is promising We just quickened up from about the 500m, and he kept getting quicker and quicker and he is a very good horse in the making,” said Grylls after the effortless four-length win by The Underbelly (The Bold One) in the NZ St Leger Trial at Otaki. The Bold One’s sire, Fastnet Rock, has been represented globally by 193 stakes winners headlined by 43 Group 1 winners and was retired from stud duties earlier this year. View the full article

In a tweak to Mr Brightside’s (NZ) (Bullbars) usual spring program, the star galloper won’t chase a third straight win in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Co-trainer Ben Hayes said the rising seven-year-old gelding had returned to work after putting on 41 kilograms while he was spelled, and would step up to even time in his work next week. “We’ll miss the Lawrence Stakes this year. We just wanted to give him some more time,” Hayes said. “He’s carrying some nice condition, but that’s a good position to be in at this time. He’ll be starting evens next week. We are really happy with him; he’s put on some good weight, can’t fault him. He’s a happy horse and he’s working in great fashion.” Hayes said the winner of over $13 million would return to racing in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 7 an event he won second-up last year. Hayes said that other than the Memsie Stakes run and the Cox Plate, nothing else had been slotted in for the Lindsay Park stable star. Mr Brightside completed his autumn campaign with a third placing in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick behind the tearaway mare Pride Of Jenni. View the full article

QIPCO is to relinquish its sponsorship of the British Champions Series, the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, and the King George meeting at Ascot. It will, however, remain involved as the principal backer of British Champions Day and as a partner of Ascot Racecourse to 2026. David Redvers, Qatar Racing's Manager, and the sponsor's representative said, “Their Royal Highnesses Sheikhs Hamad and Fahad Al Thani's earliest involvement in British Racing came with the commitment to helping promote the top-tier of the sport. They remain proud of the success of QIPCO British Champions Day – which is a rare innovation in racing. In addition to cementing the day's status in the world horseracing calendar, we are thrilled to have grown a new, younger audience to attend the races that day, showcasing the sport we have to offer to the fans of the future.” QIPCO British Champions Day, which this year takes place on Saturday, October 19, features four Group 1 races and prize-money of £4 million. Redvers continued, “We wish to concentrate our focus on developing British Champions Day, along with our partnership with Ascot at the Royal meeting. We feel we have helped to develop the series in the last 14 years and are proud that it has over one million followers on social media platforms and has delivered The Hall of Fame and Club 26, which recently celebrated its 10,000th member in just over a year since it was launched. We will continue to be huge advocates of British Champions Series. We are also proud to have helped Newmarket maintain the importance of the Guineas Festival during our involvement, which includes record prize-money for the two Classic races.” QIPCO was the inaugural sponsor of British Champions Day in 2011 when significant changes were made to the autumn racing programme in the UK, including the transfer of the G1 Champion Stakes from its traditional home in Newmarket to Ascot. The withdrawal of the sponsorship of the first two Classics of the season will be a significant blow to Newmarket Racecourses, which form part of the Jockey Club's portfolio of 15 tracks. Amy Starkey, managing director at Jockey Club Racecourses, said, “On behalf of everyone at Newmarket Racecourses and The Jockey Club, I would like to thank QIPCO for their sustained support and passion for the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas across the last 14 years.” Rod Street, the chief executive of British Champions Series, added “Since 2011, QIPCO has provided a significant financial contribution to British racing, helping us to pay out £47 million in prize-money since the inception of QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot each October. We are delighted QIPCO has chosen to continue to support this important day, reflecting our shared belief that Britain is home to the best racing in the world and merits a world-class season finale. “We will be seeking new partners for British Champions Series from 2025. QIPCO has helped us to build a valuable asset, which enables partners to be associated with the very best of British racing from the first Classic race of the season, through the summer and up to Champions Day – 26 Group 1 fixtures in all.” British Champions Day is owned by British Champions Series Limited. Its shareholders include The Jockey Club, Ascot Racecourse, Great British Racing, Arena Racing Company, Goodwood, Newbury and York Racecourses. The post QIPCO Drops Backing of Champions Series and Guineas Meeting appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mick Price has mapped out a three-run spring campaign for his runaway Queensland Derby winner Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree), with the Caulfield Cup his main aim. Price said Warmonger, who won the Queensland Derby by 10 lengths at his last start, would be entered for the Melbourne Cup but he queried whether he would be ready to handle the rigours of the 3200m event in this early stage of his career. “I’m not sure he’s mature enough for the Melbourne Cup as it’s a gruelling race,” the co-trainer said. Price said he had had a conversation with Warmonger’s managing owner OTI’s Terry Henderson regarding the longevity of the horse’s career and that the Melbourne Cup may not suit him at this stage. Price said Warmonger, who is $18 for the Melbourne Cup with Sportsbet, will be entered for the Melbourne Cup. He pointed out that in 2019 Vow And Declare raced successfully in Queensland as a three-year-old before returning for the Melbourne spring where he finished fourth in the Turnbull Stakes, second in the Caulfield Cup and first in the Melbourne Cup. “Vow And Declare had good Queensland form and he did it in the spring.” Price said Warmonger would return to racing in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on September 14. “Then he can have three weeks into the Turnbull Stakes and two weeks into the Caulfield Cup,” Price said. Warmonger is $15 with Sportsbet to win the Caulfield Cup. View the full article

Waikato Thoroughbred Racing are once again showing their support for the local community by hosting the Cambridge RDA (Riding for the Disabled) Race Day at its Cambridge Synthetic meeting this Wednesday, June 26, with proceeds going to the local charity. Riding for the Disabled has been assisting local communities around New Zealand for more than half a century and Cambridge RDA’s Sam Ogden is grateful for the racing community’s support. “The RDA is a not-for-profit organisation whose sole purpose is to provide therapeutic interaction with horses for people with disabilities. Those disabilities can be physical, intellectual, social, emotional – it is a very broad spectrum,” Ogden said. “We have got riders that range from the age of three to 64 years old, and we are accessible for everybody. “At the moment we have got 66 active riders and 50 active volunteers.” Photo credit: Wylder Captures Thoroughbreds have also played an integral role in RDA’s throughout the country. “We have had 33 thoroughbreds come through the RDA since they started tracking that kind of detail,” Ogden said. The Cambridge RDA Raceday is an important fundraising event on the calendar for the local charity, and Ogden is hoping the Cambridge community gets in behind the meeting this Wednesday. “The Cambridge Jockey Club, which is now a part of Waikato Thoroughbred Racing, has supported us (Cambridge RDA) for the last couple of years,” Ogden said. “They donate a race day to us, with the gold coin donation entry one avenue (of fundraising) and the money from race sponsors is also donated to us. In terms of fundraising for the RDA, it is massive for us.” Ogden said Cambridge RDA members will be on course and there will be a couple of activities and demonstrations for the public to enjoy. “We will be doing a demonstration of the horse ambulance using our (pony) Marvellous Monty, he is always a crowd pleaser,” she said. “We will also have a whole load of volunteers out there in their RDA shirts promoting the RDA.” Cambridge RDA’s Marvellous Monty. Photo supplied. The Cambridge RDA performs a great service for the local community and Ogden said they need the support of their local community to survive and continue to provide a positive experience for their riders. “Cambridge RDA has been working in the community for 41 years, but the national body is 60-plus years old,” she said. “It is an organisation that has stood the test of time, and it needs support, and that support has to come from the communities around us.” Unable to make it on-course? You can donate here. To learn more about the Cambridge RDA, visit rda-cambridge.com. View the full article

A winning four-race haul at Tauranga on Saturday added further lustre to an outstanding 2023/2024 racing season for jockey Sam Spratt. The success took her to 64 wins for the year including eight at stakes level although the bubbly 39-year-old is quick to point out statistics and goals have never been the priority in her career. “Some people are driven by achieving goals and the like but that really has never been my thing,” Spratt said. “I ride for the sheer love of horses which is pretty evident in my whole life as when I’m not riding on race day one of my biggest passions is going riding at hunt meetings on the weekends and when I have time off. “I actually took the day off to go hunting today (Sunday) but the weather put the kibosh on that as it was just torrential rain in Auckland early this morning. “I guess that has given me some time to get out in the garden and do a few things around the house which is also a nice way to unwind after the pressure of race day.” While Spratt is philosophical about her success this year, she is thankful for the opportunities to ride some very nice horses over the last twelve months. “It’s been a really good season, and I definitely can’t complain as it is probably one of the best of my career,” she said. “It helps when you have the right horsepower underneath you and I’ve picked up some lovely rides along the way. “Remarkably I’m pretty much injury free after breaking my ankle a few years ago as you don’t tend to bounce as much when you are older if you do take a tumble and thankfully that hasn’t happened this year. “I do have some long-term niggles that I have learnt to manage but touch wood, they are under control, and I can stay healthy for the foreseeable future.” While she may not pay much attention to career goals Spratt does have a number in the back of her mind she would like to achieve. “When I got to 1000 wins for my career (currently 1059) someone said to me I didn’t have far to go to get to 100 stakes wins,” she said. “It kind of registered and although I don’t actively chase it, that is something that would be nice to have on my record when I do finally hang up the boots. “I think I’m around the 97-mark in that respect and with some of the promising horses I have ridden this year I think I might be able to get there in the new season with some luck. “It’s normally at this time of the year that people start looking towards the spring and what will be happening, and I know many of the potential spring stars are just in the early stages of their preparation. “I will keep tabs on them and see how things play out but for the time being I’m looking forward to a bit of a break in July to go hunting (riding more horses) and just taking each day as it comes.” View the full article

While there may only be five weeks left in the current 2023/24 racing year, jockey Jasmine Fawcett wants to take every opportunity she can as she closes in on her goal of riding seventy winners for the season. Fawcett currently sits ninth on the National Jockey’s Premiership with 63 wins, seven more than she achieved last season which was her best since kicking off her career back in 2016. Her current tally was boosted by just the one win yesterday (Saturday) but it was an important one as she guided local heroine Casino Princess home in the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) for 92-year-old trainer and part owner Cliff Goss. “I was very grateful to Mr Goss for giving me the ride as I had been left without one when the horse I was scheduled to partner didn’t make it to the race,” Fawcett said. “With Michael McNab being injured, my agent contacted Mr Goss and I got the ride. “I actually rode her when she had her first trial, so it was nice to get back on board as she was always going to be a huge chance in the race. “Before the race Mr Goss was very calm and collected and didn’t really give me too many instructions. She travelled beautifully all the way and just relished the conditions as she won very comfortably. “I didn’t get to celebrate at all as I had rides booked for Te Aroha today (Sunday) so I was home in bed by 8:30pm. “With the Te Aroha meeting being called off I’m not really complaining but if I want to get to seventy wins for the season I need to get as many opportunities as possible.” Fawcett had three rides at the Te Aroha meeting which was abandoned due to surface flooding after heavy rain struck the area overnight, but is hopeful she will get the opportunity to ride there now the day has been shifted to next Thursday. “When I heard the rain this morning it was just thundering down so I pretty much expected the meeting to be in doubt,” she said. “I had three good rides and there is talk about the day being transferred to Thursday next week, which is good however, it will clash with Riccarton so I will have to make a decision as to where I go. “I am leaning towards staying up here, but we will just have to see how it pans out.” Fawcett has made many close relationships in the South Island and has been a regular visitor there to ride in the past few years, racking up the frequent flyer miles as she continues to hone her craft. “I’ve ridden a fair bit down south and again I am very grateful for the opportunities I get,” she said. “I knew if I wanted to achieve my goals this year, I had to stay fit and keep out of trouble, so I didn’t have to miss meetings through suspensions and so far, so good. “My base fitness is very good although I would like to be a little stronger. I am thinking about going to a personal trainer but that will be a decision for the new year as this is a job where you have to take every chance to improve yourself and that’s what I am going to do. “Also, with many of the jockeys taking holidays around now it also creates chances to pick up rides so staying fit is a real priority. “I’m sure my partner would like me to take a holiday or a break but I’m pretty driven and love what I do so that might have to wait a wee while yet.” View the full article

A hard-fought front running victory by Malborough Bay at Tauranga on Saturday provided another feather in the cap of Te Akau Racing. With just over five weeks of the racing season to go, Te Akau Racing has hit the 161-win mark for the year, second only to their 203 wins in 2022/2023 and second on the all-time list for wins by a training operation in New Zealand. With big race success in Australia added through their Cranbourne stable, the combined trans-Tasman operation has garnered 30 stakes victories including nine at Group One level which will send Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis to his annual mid-winter overseas holiday a very happy man. “We normally holiday in Hawaii, however this year we are going to Fiji for 21 days in mid-July,” Ellis said. “I can’t speak highly enough of how well the team at Te Akau Racing has gone his year and that has given Mark (Walker) and I a tremendous thrill. “With our win at Tauranga we now have the two highest winning stable tallies in New Zealand Racing history and to do so off the back of such a magnificent year last season is very exciting.” While Ellis is proud of the job done by each and every Te Akau team member, he does single out Walker’s New Zealand training partner Sam Bergerson for particular attention. Te Akau co-trainer Sam Bergerson. Photo: Trish Dunell “I think one of my biggest thrills has come from young Sam Bergerson and the success he has achieved for us in his first season in partnership with Mark,” he said. “It is very exciting for a young guy to finish up with the number of wins our stable has achieved. “Sam has a degree in Economics but his thoroughbred heritage (he is the son of successful trainer Royden Bergerson) saw him choose racing as his career and he hasn’t looked back. “He received a fantastic grounding from working for Aidan O’Brien in England which combines beautifully with his tireless work ethic and his innate ability as a judge of a horse. “While I have mentioned Sam in particular, I’m proud of every single Te Akau staff member for the jobs they do as without them we couldn’t achieve what we have this year.” Ellis is never one to rest on his laurels and has recently completed his annual buying process for the stable with several purchases of yearlings in Australia. “We’ve just completed buying our yearlings for the year and have spent just over $22 million to secure 60 youngsters across Australasia,” he said, “Of those we only have $1 million in shares left to sell as our existing owners have been incredibly supportive plus we have a large number of first-time investors in the stable. “I’m always quick to remind people that mares such as Avantage and Imperatriz were the very last of the yearlings to sell in the year I bought them, so as we have a few shares left people shouldn’t think that they have missed out and I encourage them to make contact with us.” While Ellis will be relaxing in sunny Fiji his mind will be tuned to what lies ahead for the stable in the coming twelve months. “Two years ago, I said to myself and the people around me that I wanted to take us to a new level,” he said. “We have certainly achieved that but there is more in store which is very exciting including in Australia where we are nearly ready to open our second stable which will have 40 boxes available for horses. “People have noticed us over there and as a good example John Camilleri, the breeder of Winx, has just given us a superb Frankel filly to train for him which we are very thankful for. “On the local scene I expect our South Island team to go to new heights as this year we have been the leading South Island stable with sixty wins under the direction of Hunter Durrant and his team and there is room for even greater success. “With the health of New Zealand racing improving every day through the investment of Entain and the direction of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing I can’t wait for the season to commence.” View the full article

What Albury Races Where Albury Racing Club – 16-46 Fallon St, Albury NSW 2640 When Monday, June 24, 2024 First Race 12:45pm AEST Visit Dabble The new week of racing gets underway at Albury on Monday afternoon, where a quickfire seven-race program awaits punters. The rail is out +3.5m between the 1600m marker to winning post, while the remainder is in the true position. The track is currently listed as a Heavy 8 at the time of acceptances, but with sunny skies forecast across the weekend, expect the surface to be upgraded into the Good range prior to the opening race at 12:45pm AEST. Albury Best Bet: Read My Lips Read My Lips appears ready to peak third-up in the campaign after a strong runner-up performance at this course on June 7. The son of Rubick made up plenty of ground from the rear of the field on that occasion, storming home to get within a nose of Clear Mission. Lachlan King has the option to take closer order from gate one, or even lead if they go slow enough up front, giving the four-year-old his first-career victory at start eight. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 Read My Lips (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Grant White | J: Lachlan King (58kg) +140 with PlayUp Next Best: Spitfire The Matthew Dale-trained Spitfire looks perfectly placed returning to country grade after tackling metro company at Warwick Farm on June 5 last time out. The five-year-old couldn’t match motors with the likes of Time Quest but was only beaten 3.6 lengths in a highly competitive BM72 contest. This is a much better setup for the gelding by Pierro, and provided Hannah Williams can find the one-one from stall three, Spitfire will prove hard to hold out. Next Best Race 4 – #4 Spitfire (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Matthew Dale | J: Hannah Williams (a0) (57.5kg) +260 with Neds Best Value: The Woke Waiter The Woke Waiter represents good each-way value in the second leg of the Albury quaddie. The Erin Maher-trained four-year-old only has one win to his name but looks to be building to another career peak after getting within a length of Cooee at this course and distance on June 7. He should get the gun run from the inside draw (1), and once getting clear from behind the leaders, The Woke Waiter should give followers a bold sight at the good odds. Best Value Race 5 – #8 The Woke Waiter (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Erin Maher | J: Jack Martin (56.5kg) +1000 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips – Albury Races Albury quadrella selections Monday, June 24, 2024 2-3-4 1-2-5-8-10-11 2-3-4 1-2-3-6-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Juddmonte's blue-blooded homebred Batten Down took the lead at the start and never was headed as he posted an upset victory in the $500,000 Ohio Derby (G3) June 22 at Thistledown.View the full article

Luvnwar adds a black-type win to her record when winning the Listed Belmont Guineas. Photo: Western Racepix Kiwi import Luvnwar scored her first stakes victory when landing the Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m) at Belmont on Saturday, with a length and a half to spare over runner-up Petrouchka. Prepared by Michael Grantham, Luvnwar had previously won over 1400m at Belmont, having finished runner-up on her Australian debut over 1200m. The daughter of War Decree is raced by Peters Investments Pty Ltd and was purchased privately out of New Zealand by Liam Peters Byerley Bloodstock on behalf of his grandfather Bob, after finishing third in the Group 3 Barneswood Farms Stakes (1400m) for trainer Terri Rae in October last year. In an open contest, Luvnwar was sent out $4.40 equal favourite with horse racing betting sites and flew the gates from barrier 3 under jockey Patrick Carbery before finding the box seat in third. Angled into the clear soon after straightening, Luvwar found the front a shade too early but was strong to the line as she comfortably saw out the mile. “She does everything right, the way she jumps and puts herself into position is good and we were lucky with the barrier (3). She got a nice run through and it was good to see her get the 1600m,” Bob Peters said. “When he was well into the straight, he still hadn’t moved on her and I thought ‘that’s good’ but then she hit the front probably a little too soon and I saw those others coming down the outside but she fought on well, so that was good to see.” Trainer Michael Grantham enjoyed a treble on the day, including a double in the Peters silks. “It has taken us a while to learn what is going on and the different tracks Michael has got, but he listens and he does a good job,” Peters said. The prominent owner was pleased for his grandson Liam who did the deal on the filly he identified in New Zealand’s South Island. “He is the one who found this horse. I didn’t know anything about it and he came to me with it and it was good to see,” Peters said. “A lot of people think he only acts for me, but he can act for other people as well. That’s what his job is, so I am quite happy if they want to leave him to find them for me.” Horse racing news View the full article

Crosshaven bursts clear of his rivals to win at Flemington. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli The Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained Crosshaven recorded the seventh win of his career after closing late at Flemington on Saturday. The son of Smart Missile was patiently handled by Luke Currie before navigating a path closest to the fence, scoring his first win since his triumph in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) back in November 2022. With the rail out 11 metres and the fresher ground out wide, Crosshaven defied his inside draw to score at odds of $17 with online bookmakers. The Karaka graduate has now advanced his career earnings to $1,118,103, with the Lindsay Park team showing their training nous to help the six-year-old gelding get back to the winner’s circle. “Ben (Hayes) said he gave him a jump this morning and got his mind on the job,” Currie said. “He jumped okay, and I was happy to just let that speed go, thinking that everything would come out (towards the outside fence). “I just held him up until the furlong and then he found clear air and he burst through and was strong. “If you end up going back to the inside, there is plenty of room there and I thought the track is a bit more even than it looks like it is racing but he has done a good job to go back to the inside and win from there.” Horse racing news View the full article

Craig ridden by Luke Currie wins at Flemington Racecourse. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Talented three-year-old gelding Craig returned to the winner’s circle at Flemington on Saturday after an unlucky second-place finish at his previous start. Ridden by Luke Currie, the imported son of Darley’s Territories was positioned more forward, taking luck out of the equation. “He jumped and got into a great spot. Rise At Dawn was the bunny on our last start and we nearly caught him. This time we were able to bounce, and we were able to get the job done,” Natalie Young, who trains Craig in partnership with Trent Busuttin, told Racing.com. “I thought it was a great win by the horse. He’s third-up. He realistically should be three from three. “He’s a nice horse with a lot of upside.” Young added that Craig, who was bought after his debut in England where he placed third at Newmarket last November, would return to Flemington for the Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m) on July 6. Horse racing news View the full article

Munhamek ridden by Billy Egan wins The David Bourke at Flemington. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) The Nick Ryan-trained Munhamek secured his 12th career victory on Saturday by winning an open handicap over 1620 metres at Flemington. Carrying a hefty 61.5 kilograms, the gelding earned a spot in the Listed Winter Championship Final (1600m) at the same track on July 6 after defeating Windstorm by half a length. Ryan mentioned that no plans had been set beyond this weekend, but all options, including a shot at the Winter Championship Final, the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m), and the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), are on the table. “It’s hard to stop when they’re going this well, isn’t it?” Ryan said. “We’ll see what weight he gets, I suppose, but it’s two weeks (away), and then we’ve got those early weight-for-age races. “He’s got that much residual fitness; he’s been in work about 15 months. “We’ll have a board meeting on Monday morning, I’m sure, and we’ll discuss it, but he’s an eight-year-old, rising nine-year-old gelding in this form, so it might be a strike while the iron’s hot.” Horse racing news View the full article