Wandering Eyes

It is a common occurrence for Aidan O'Brien to unearth classy juveniles at Royal Ascot, but there was nothing ordinary about the dazzling performance of Bedtime Story (IRE) in the Chesham Stakes. View the full article

A month after capturing her first grade 1 win, Vahva continued to reign supreme with an assertive 1 1/4-length score in the $250,000 Chicago Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Oversubscribed (GB) (f, 3, Too Darn Hot {GB}–Zurigha {Ire}, by Cape Cross {Ire}) came flying home from far back to run to the money as the even-money favorite in Saturday's $150,000 Wild Applause S. at the Big A. It was three lengths back to Vino Rouge (Vino Rosso) in second. Macanga (American Pharoah) tired to third after dueling through fast fractions. The winner was previously a troubled second as the heavy favorite behind Macanga in a local optional claimer May 5. Sales history: 400,000 gns yrl '22 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0. O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (GB); T-Chad Brown. OVERSUBSCRIBED pushes down the stretch for Flavien Prat's THIRD win of the day in the Wild Applause Stakes for Chad Brown! pic.twitter.com/Ee34MEy7Qw — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) June 22, 2024 The post Too Darn Hot’s Oversubscribed Flies Home to Capture Wild Applause Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Khaadem is no Battaash (IRE) (three-time champion sprinter), we know that, but he became the first back-to-back winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1) since Right Boy (GB) in 1959.View the full article

Rider Penalties D Cooper | Oamaru 20 June; careless riding; suspended 1-11 July inclusive. R Muniandy | Oamaru 20 June; use of whip; fined $500. K Chowdhoory | Oamaru 20 June; failed to make weight; fined $100. W Kennedy | Marton 21 June; use of whip; fined $1,000. B May | Amberley 22 June; careless riding; suspended 1-7 July inclusive. K Williams | Amberley 22 June; careless riding; suspended 23-28 June inclusive. K Bakker | Amberley 22 June; suspended 28 June – 3 July inclusive. D Cooper | Amberley 22 June; suspended 12-24 July inclusive. Trainer Penalties L Stewart | Oamaru 20 June; late rider declaration; fined $50. F Auret | Marton 21 June; incorrect number; fined $50. S Marsh | Amberley 22 June; late rider declaration; fined $150. A Frye | Amberley 22 June; late rider declaration; fined $50. Horse Penalties MOUSSAIEFF | Oamaru 20 June; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. RUA ROCKS | Tauranga 22 June; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. RUSSIAN SATIRE | Tauranga 22 June; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. General The Te Aroha JC meeting scheduled for 23 June was abandoned due to the state of the track. The post 17-23 June 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Both Scylla and Shotgun Hottie enter the June 29 Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs as fillies on the verge of taking their talents to the next level.View the full article

Vahva (f, 4, Gun Runner–Holiday Soiree, by Harlan's Holiday), a last out winner of the GI Derby City Distaff Stakes May 4, delivered a one-length victory over Positano Sunset (Goldencents) as the 2-5 favorite in Saturday's GIII Chicago S. at Churchill Downs. Society (Gun Runner) tired late to finish third after setting the pace. Vahva broke like a shot and was kept within striking distance of the aforementioned 2022 GI Cotillion Stakes winner in third. She reached even terms at the top of the stretch and the stage was set. Those two hooked up down the stretch and raced shoulder to shoulder. Vahva shook free of the tiring pacesetter in deep stretch and was never seriously threatened by the fast-closing runner-up. Vahva is now four-for-four beneath the Twin Spires. The final time for seven furlongs was a sharp 1:21.01. Lifetime Record: 13-6-3-2. Sales history: $280,000 yrl '21 KEESEP. O-Belladonna Racing, LLC, Hudson, Lynne, Hudson, Jr., Edward J., West Point Thoroughbreds, Nice Guys Stables, Twin Brook Stables, Hornstock, Steve, LBD Stable LLC, Manganaro Bloodstock and Runnels Racing; B-Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. #3 Vahva wins the grueling duel with #1 Society down the stretch to take the Chicago Stakes @ChurchillDowns as the 2/5 favorite! Jockey: @iradortiz Trainer: @reredevaux #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/qTz2iGGaxJ — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 22, 2024 The post Vahva Too Tough in Chicago appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-LRC, $41K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 7:04 p.m. ET. The members of Three Amigos–Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman–went to $500,000 during Keeneland September to acquire RELATABLE (Arrogate), who is part of her sire's final 3-year-old crop. The filly is out of the Canadian bred GSP Aunt Els (Consolidator)–dam to a 2-year-old filly by Higher Power and a yearling filly by Silver State. The Bob Baffert trainee sports a strong set of works under her belt, which includes a final six panel drill (1:12.80, 1/4) alongside stablemate Normandy Landing (Gun Runner) at Santa Anita June 16. TJCIS PPS 4th-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, 4 1/2f, 2:13 p.m. ET. Perfect Force (Gun Runner) was initially purchased by AAA Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November Sale before going to BC Stables a year later during Keeneland September for $625,000. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, the bay colt's dam MGSP Cuaba (Smoke Glacken) also produced UAE G2 Balanchine Stakes winner L'Amour De Ma Vie (Dansili {GB}) and MGSW Scuba (Tapit). TJCIS PPS The post Arrogate Filly Debuts At Los Alamitos As Part Of Late Sire’s Final 3yo Crop appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As Wathnan Racing went on its pre-Royal Ascot spending binge, it was the purchase of Haatem (IRE) that showed quite how serious Sheikh Tamim, the Emir of Qatar, was about the meeting.View the full article

Six winners across the week saw Coolmore, Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore sweep the leading owner, trainer and jockey titles at Royal Ascot for a second successive year. O'Brien received a thirteenth leading trainer award at Royal Ascot and increased his lead as the most successful current trainer at the meeting, ending the week on 91 career victories. Moore, crowned leading jockey at the meeting for an eleventh time, surpassed Frankie Dettori as the most successful current jockey at Royal Ascot. His career haul of 85 places him second on the all-time list behind Lester Piggott, who rode 116 winners at the meeting. Coolmore partnerships that included Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Westerberg, Moyglare Stud Farm and Peter Brant helped clinch the leading owner award for a fifth time since its introduction in 2017. “It's very special,” O'Brien summed up. “We feel grateful and privileged, we are just so lucky to have so many special people. The lads obviously at the top run the whole show and that's where it comes from, but a lot of people put in a lot of hard work day in, day out–there are so many names I can't mention. They are the people that make it happen. “It is a real privilege to be here with such great horses. The atmosphere, the track, the people, the facilities, are just absolutely unbelievable. You have to come here to see it to believe it. It's like nowhere ever could be in the world.” Alastair Warwick, chief executive of Ascot Racecourse, said, “Congratulations go to Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore as the leading trainers and jockeys once more, as well as the Coolmore partners as the leading owners. Auguste Rodin [Prince Of Wales's Stakes] and Kyprios [Gold Cup] were particular highlights winning their Group 1 races. “Ascot Racecourse Supports committed this year to donate £5,000 to Retraining of Racehorses for every winner that Ryan rode and we are thrilled that his six victories will result in £30,000 for such an important charity within the sport.” Reflecting further on events at Ascot, Warwick added, “It has been a fantastic week and Royal Ascot 2024 really has delivered on all levels. From the moment Their Majesties The King and Queen led the Royal Procession on Tuesday, we have been treated to some brilliant moments and wonderful memories, helped of course by glorious weather. “The racing has been world-class throughout. It was brilliant to see Asfoora win for Australia on Tuesday and then Calandagan for France on Friday. We also welcomed runners from America, while the spread of success across participants has made for some rich and varied stories. “The planning and preparation for Royal Ascot 2025 begins almost straightaway and we look forward to welcoming everybody back again next year.” The post Coolmore, O’Brien And Moore Retain Leading Owner, Trainer And Jockey Titles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion Fierceness and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner-up Mindframe are both under consideration for the July 20 Haskell Stakes (G1), trainer Todd Pletcher reported.View the full article

Isle of Jura stormed to Royal Ascot success June 22 under a jubilant and emotional Callum Shepherd, adding a Hardwicke Stakes (G2) to his three lucrative wins in Bahrain over the winter.View the full article

Drakenstein Stud's One World (SAf) broke the South African record for individual winners by a first-crop stallion when third-time starter One Party (SAf) became the 8-year-old stallion's 23rd winner Saturday over 1450 metres at Turffontein. The previous record was set by One World's own sire Captain Al (SAf) during the 2004-2005 season. Bred by Klawervlei Stud, One World was trained for a partnership by Vaughan Marshall and won 10 times from 14 trips to the races, including a pin-up performance in the Grade 1 Sun Met (2000m) in 2020, following which he was named South Africa's champion older horse. Prior to that victory, he was also second in the Grade 1 Queen's Plate over 1600 metres. One World has been represented to date by 50 runners, including One Stripe (SAf), winner of three of his four starts to date, including the Grade 3 Winter Nursery Stakes and G3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery Stakes. Lion Rampant (SAf) is the other black-type winner, having annexed the Listed Somerset 1200 Stakes at Kenilworth, with One World's Miss World (SAf) third in the same event. Purchased by Marshall for the equivalent of US$32,000 at the 2015 Cape Premier Yearling Sale, One World is out of Aquilonia (Ire) (Giant's Causeway), a daughter of the multiple French group-placed Leonila (Ire) (Caerleon). The latter is a sister to 1991 G1 Prix de Diane heroine Caerlina (Ire). One World stood the most recent breeding season at a fee of R60,000. One World has broken the record for the most individual first crop winners Congratulations & thank you to all of the One World Syndicate members & Breeders for their incredible support of this exciting young sire@freemanstallion https://t.co/rtmMVMcPnp — Drakenstein Stud (@DrakensteinStud) June 22, 2024 The post One World Sets New Record For South African First-Crop Winners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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In 2023, when Porta Fortuna (Caravaggio) went to Ascot for a shot at the G3 Albany Stakes, which she would go on to win, the other partners in the ownership group tried to convince Mark Taylor to come along on the trip. Taylor Made's Medallion Racing had bought Porta Fortuna along with Barry Fowler, Steve Weston and Dean Reeves after her two-year-old debut win at the Curragh last April, and had already been rewarded with three graded stakes wins, including the G1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes, and a second in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and the G1 Qipco 1000 Guineas. The hard-working Taylor demurred, citing his busy schedule. This year, as she was pointing towards the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Ascot, Taylor said he realized these experiences don't come along every day, and he decided to make time. “I was always getting cajoled to come (to England),” he said, “going back to when we had consignments at Tattersalls a few years before Covid. A lot of people were telling me I had to come and it just never worked out for me. So this year, with Porta Fortuna running, I just thought, `you know, you are busy, but this may never happen again to have a horse with this kind of a chance to actually win a Group 1 at Ascot.' So I made it happen.” And how was it? Taylor was asked. “It was beyond my wildest expectations,” he said. Not only did the filly come away with her second Royal Ascot win, but Taylor will head home Sunday ready to apply lessons learned at Ascot to his sales consignments at Taylor Made. Anyone who knows the Taylors knows their commitment to customer service, and of the many Ascot experiences he appreciated, it was their care for their customers that resonated most strongly with him. “However they have it done it, everybody who works there genuinely takes an interest in the customer experience,” he said. “Sometimes, the server at your table is really trying to do a great job and is really professional, but the people you meet on your way to the restroom when you're confused about where you're going have no clue what they're talking about.” That wasn't the case at Ascot, and Taylor said he will try to replicate that depth of helpfulness at Taylor Made. “What I really took away from it for our organization is more training and spending more time getting each level (of employee) to really put themselves in the customer's shoes, and say, `how can I make this an incredible experience for them and let the person know I care. Even if I can't solve your problem, I'm doing everything I can.' It just really jumped out at me. A couple of times we were a little confused about where to go and the people we ran into grabbed us like they were our personal ambassadors. They would say, `okay, I'm not 100% sure, but I'm going to figure this out for you.' So even if we hadn't won the race, it would have been a great learning experience for me.” But of course…they also won the race. The Medallion partnership gathers one group of around 25 investors every year, asking them to put up a minimum investment of $50,000. Around a dozen Medallion partners were able to attend Ascot, along with Reeves and Weston. “It was a bucket-list experience for them,” said Taylor. “It was young people. It's older people. It's a hodgepodge, but everyone was like-minded that they like to travel. They like to bet horses. They like to learn more about every aspect of racing. It's a great entrance to the sport or a next level from where they have been before. Winning at Ascot and then having the King present the trophy? That's delivering on the promise of the brand. We're going to try to take you to the highest levels of Thoroughbred racing, and there was never a day that put an exclamation point on it like Friday.” With only six people allowed up on the stand for the presentation with King Charles, Taylor “abdicated” his spot, he said, momentarily unaware of the pun. “I wanted to get every customer I could up there,” he said. “The customer is king. That's another bad pun, but it's true. That's what we have build our whole brand on. That comes from my dad, and it comes from Duncan. It's all about putting the customer first.” Taylor is conducting his interview by phone as he stands on the streets of London's West End after taking in a production of Mamma Mia. “I'm so backwards and unexposed to anything Broadway,” he said. “Every time I go to New York, I'm always at the races or at a track. So my wife kind of dragged me here, but it was really fun. It was great. We don't get away that much, especially with my schedule, and anything we're doing is usually revolving around racing, which this was, too, but we actually got a day to just check out and do whatever we wanted to do. So it was nice.” Porta Fortuna will head back to trainer Donnacha O'Brien's home base to regroup for this year's ultimate goal in the Breeders' Cup, and the team will “work backwards” from there on the rest of her schedule, Taylor said. As for Taylor, he'll fly home Sunday to return, he says, to his day job. And next time, his partners might not have to try so hard to persuade him to travel. “This,” he said, “was a blast.” The post `This Was a Blast’: Taylor on Royal Ascot High After Porta Fortuna Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Unmatched Wisdom (c, 3, Cairo Prince–Glide On By, by Pure Prize), the recipient of a 98 Beyer Speed Figure in a sharp 6 1/4-length victory over the mud going a one-turn mile at the Big A on debut May 10, backed up that effort with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance Saturday. Stretching out to 1 1/8 miles for trainer Chad Brown versus four overmatched rivals in a first-level allowance in South Ozone Park, the 1-5 favorite tracked the early leader from second through an opening quarter in :23.72 and a half mile in :47.10. The dark bay turned up the heat on the far turn, kicked for home as the one to catch and opened daylight in the stretch to win going away by 5 3/4 lengths. Grandpa's Kid (Lemon Drop Kid) was second. Unmatched Wisdom, a $25,000 KEESEP yearling turned $450,000 OBS March breezer (:10), becomes the fourth 'Rising Star' for Cairo Prince. The winner's unraced dam produced a filly by Classic Empire in 2023. This is the extended female family of GISWs Bandini (Fusaichi Pegasus), Out For a Spin (Hard Spun), Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), et al. Unmatched Wisdom is bred similarly as Cairo Prince GSWs Cairo Cat, Kiss Today Goodbye and New and Improved. 2nd-Belmont The Big A, $97,000, Alw, 6-22, (NW1$X), 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:49.78, ft, 5 3/4 lengths. UNMATCHED WISDOM, c, 3, by Cairo Prince 1st Dam: Glide On By, by Pure Prize 2nd Dam: Divine Lady, by Kris S. 3rd Dam: Divine Dixie, by Dixieland Band Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $104,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Estate of Harvey A Clarke, Paul Braverman, Sebastian Murat et al (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. *$25,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $450,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. #3 Unmatched Wisdom remains unmatched in his 2 career starts as he takes Race 2 at Belmont at the Big A as the 1/5 favorite! Jockey: Flavien Prat Trainer: Chad Brown Owner: Klaravich Stables Inc #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/aWN2sdas4k — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 22, 2024 The post Cairo Prince’s Unmatched Wisdom Backs Up Big-Figure Debut, Earns ‘Rising Star’ Nod at Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Isle Of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) stormed to a memorable Hardwicke victory on Saturday to provide trainer George Scott and rider Callum Shepherd with a breakthrough Royal Ascot success. The win was a timely one for Shepherd, who endured a hammer blow when losing the ride aboard Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), who would go on to finish second in the Derby. Naturally, Shepherd was overcome with emotion after crossing the winning line in front aboard Isle Of Jura, who is owned by Bahrain's Victorious Racing and racked up a series of wins in that country over the winter. “With all the emotions coming out I'm going to struggle to compose myself,” Shepherd told ITV Racing after bagging his first Ascot win at the 66th attempt. The rider added, “He's been such a special horse to George and the team and for Sheikh Nasser to be here having enjoyed all this success in Bahrain, he's a very good horse and he just never lets us down. The last six weeks have been quite difficult and that just feels really special.” Victorious Racing were tasting success for the second time this week after Pledgeofallegiance (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) won the Ascot Stakes on Tuesday for trainer Sir Mark Prescott and rider Luke Morris. But Isle Of Jura was arguably even more important given he raced with great distinction in Bahrain all throughout the winter and went some way to highlighting the expanding programme in that country. Bedtime Story Or Fairy Godmother? Wow. If anyone was feeling sleepy coming into the final day of what has been a mammoth week of racing, Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) did her bit to awaken those people from their slumber. What she did in the Chesham was seriously impressive. Juveniles are not supposed to win races of that nature by close to double figures. However, did she deserve to usurp her stablemate Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who was arguably just as impressive in overcoming a troubled passage in Friday's Albany, for next year's 1,000 Guineas? The bookmakers seem to think so and have installed Bedtime Story as the clear number one for Aidan O'Brien for next year's Classic at odds of 11-4. You can get 6-1 in places about Fairy Godmother. Yes, Bedtime Story was extremely impressive but it shouldn't be lost what Fairy Godmother achieved 24 hours previously. Those odds seem a little reactionary. Good Old Dark Angel Enjoys Week To Remember Dark Angel (Ire) did his bit to remind people just how good he is this week. After starting the meeting with a bang with Charyn (Ire) in the Queen Anne, the Yeomanstown Stud resident proved he can get top-class horses at every discipline when Khaadem (Ire) made it back-to-back victories in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. It's been a week to remember for the stallion. Quality Of The Older Sprinters A Worry It must be said, however, that the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes lacked strength in depth. Given Tuesday's King Charles III Stakes went for export with Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) beating the best of the European sprinters, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes didn't do anything to change the opinion that we are lacking a top-class older sprinter in this jurisdiction. You'd have to fancy Commonwealth Cup winner Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) in the July Cup, should that be the path connections chart. Divine Intervention Hand Of God (GB) (Churchill {Ire}), named after that infamous Diego Maradona goal against England in the World Cup quarter-final 38 years ago to the day, sprouted wings to take the Golden Gates Stakes. It came as some deserved compensation for owner Mohammed Jaber, whose King's Gambit (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) was an unlucky loser earlier in the week. But Hand Of God was by far the best horse in the Golden Gate and was by no means in need of divine intervention to hit the back of the net. Unfortunately, having sat through a couple of sleep-inducing performances by Gareth Southgate's boys, the same cannot be said for England in the Euros. They'll need every bit of help they can get! Haatem An Ideal Type For The Breeders' Cup How good was Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) in the Jersey Stakes? Reverting in trip and running under the penalty proved no barrier to the classy colt registering a fourth success for Wathnan Racing this week and paying a handsome compliment to his Irish 2,000 Guineas conqueror and stablemate Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). Okay, Wathnan clearly shelled out a lot of money to buy Haatem in the build-up to the Jersey–probably a couple of million at least–but lest we forget that Haatem was initially bought for 27,000gns as a yearling by Peter and Ross Doyle. These horses are out there. Haatem would look an obvious type to go for the Breeders' Cup Turf Mile, which would be huge for the Irish National Stud, whose young stallion Phoenix Of Spain continues to go from strength to strength. Credit Where It's Due We are starting to repeat ourselves here, but what Wathnan Racing achieved in returning to the winner's enclosure four times this week has to be celebrated. For context, Godolphin managed just one winner all week while Amo Racing left Ascot empty-handed. Tough Week For The Irish Don't be fooled by Aidan O'Brien running riot and claiming yet another leading trainer award at the royal meeting, because this week has been extremely tough for the raiding party. Outside of Aidan, only his sons Donnacha and Joseph along with Willie Mullins managed to bag themselves a winner apiece. The post Talking Points: Emotions Run High As Shepherd Bags Breakthrough Royal Ascot Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Laurel, $46,060, Msw, 6-22, 2yo, f, 5f, 1:00.28, ft, 1 1/4 lengths. SHAREDASHENANIGANS (f, 2, Into Mischief–Sharing {GISW-USA, G1SP-Eng, $1,092,751}, by Speightstown), the first foal out of 2019 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner and 2020 G1 Coronation Stakes runner-up Sharing, was favored at 3-5 while facing four rivals on debut. Her worktab included a four-furlong bullet out of the gate in :48 (1/32) at Graham Motion's Fair Hill base May 24. She pressed the top two from an outside third and rolled up three deep on the far turn. The bay gained a narrow advantage as they straightened for home and dug down nicely in the stretch to hold Sail Theseven Seas (Street Sense) safe by 1 1/4 lengths. Sharing, a daughter of 2010 GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf heroine Shared Account, produced a colt by Into Mischief in 2023 and a filly by Tapit in 2024. Motion also trained the winner's first two dams. The Into Mischief x Speightstown cross is also responsible for GISWs Mia Mischief and Mischevious Alex. Sales history: $500,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $28,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Boardshorts; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD. (KY); T-H. Graham Motion. First-timer Sharedashenanigans, 2YO filly by Into Mischief out of multiple Maryland champ Sharing, wins 5F MSW @LaurelPark with @VCarrasco28 riding for trainer @GrahamMotion. Sold @keenelandsales as yearling for $500K to current owner Boardshorts. Jim McCue ) pic.twitter.com/fKAFJkoMjo — Maryland Horsemen (@mdhorsemen) June 22, 2024 The post Sharedashenanigans, First Foal Out of Sharing, Wins on Debut at Laurel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion 2-year-old colt and 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) worked a half-mile in :51 flat Friday for trainer Todd Pletcher over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga in preparation for a start in the GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes July 20 at Monmouth Park. Joining the GI Curlin Florida Derby winner on the work tab Friday was Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables recent GII Suburban Stakes winner Crupi (Curlin), who covered a half-mile in :52.85 in company with Talk of the Nation (Quality Road). “Both works were probably better than the times suggest – finished up well and galloped out strongly,” said Pletcher. He added that both Fierceness and fellow 'Rising Star' GI Belmont Stakes runner-up Mindframe (Constiution) are likely to start in the Haskell. “I'll talk to Mike [Repole] but right now we're pointing Fierceness and Mindframe towards the Haskell.” Pletcher said Mindframe has exited the Belmont Stakes in good order. “He's been galloping well this week. He looks good and his overall condition is excellent coming out of the race. We'll look for a breeze next weekend.” Pletcher won Monmouth's local prep for the Haskell last weekend with Spendthrift Farm's Tuscan Sky (Vino Rosso), who captured the Pegasus Stakes by 6 3/4 lengths over Domestic Product (Practical Joke). The top two Pegasus finishers received free entry and start fees for the Haskell. Pletcher noted that Centennial Farms' Antiquarian (Preservationist), who ran fifth in the Belmont Stakes, is enjoying a freshening, and further said that he will re-group with Repole Stable's Belmont Stakes sixth-place finisher Protective (Medaglia d'Oro) and target a maiden event at the Spa. Pletcher indicated that Crupi is pointing to the GII Brooklyn Invitational July 5, which could serve as a bridge to the “Win And You're In” GI Whitney Stakes August 3 at Saratoga. If Crupi makes the Whitney, he is likely to meet stablemate Bright Future (Curlin), who returned from a seven-month layoff to capture the GIII Salvator Mile last weekend at Monmouth. “We were encouraged the way [Bright Future] had been training leading up to [the Salvator Mile], but it's always great to see them come back and perform well,” Pletcher added. “Hopefully, it's the start of a good summer and fall campaign for him.” The post Pletcher Points Fierceness, Mindframe Towards Haskell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wathnan Racing's dual Classic-placed acquisition Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}–Hard Walnut {Ire}, by Cape Cross {Ire}) went postward for Saturday's G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot lumbered with a three-pound Group 3 penalty and defied that impost in game fashion to register a narrow victory in the seven-furlong test. Haatem was swiftly into stride and settled into a comfortable rhythm slipstreaming fellow Wathnan contender Native American (Ire) (Sioux Nation) in a prominent fourth from the outset. Tanking forward on the bridle to lead approaching the quarter-mile pole, the 7-2 second favourite came under pressure as threats loomed with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and was driven out to bravely hold the late surge of Frankel's half-brother Kikkuli (GB) (Kingman {GB}) by a short-head. Johnny Murtagh trainee and 80-1 outsider Chicago Critic (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) recorded a career best of his own and finished one length adrift in third. Pedigree Notes Haatem is the fifth of six foals and one of three scorers out of a dual-winning half-sister to G3 Premio Carlo Vittadini and G3 Premio del Giubileo runner-up Father Frost (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and Listed Prix Pelleas, Listed Doncaster Mile and Listed Foundation Stakes placegetter Born To Be Alive (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}). His second dam Yaria (Ire) (Danehill), herself a daughter of G1 Phoenix Stakes runner-up Yara (Ire) (Sri Pekan), is a winning sibling of dual stakes scorer Emirates Gold (Ire) (Royal Applause {GB}), Listed Prix Melisande victrix Yarastar (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and the stakes-placed Yario (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Haatem, half-brother to a yearling filly by Inns Of Court (Ire), hails from the family of Group 1-winning sires Homme De Loi (Ire) (Law Society) and Mister Majestic (Ire) (Tumble Wind). Saturday, Ascot, Britain JERSEY S.-G3, £150,000, Ascot, 6-22, 3yo, 7fT, 1:26.85, g/f. 1–HAATEM (IRE), 132, c, 3, by Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) 1st Dam: Hard Walnut (Ire), by Cape Cross (Ire) 2nd Dam: Yaria (Ire), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Yara (Ire), by Sri Pekan (€28,000 RNA Wlg '21 GOFNO1; 27,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Hyde Park Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-James Doyle. £85,065. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng & Ire, 13-4-2-3, $541,694. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Kikkuli (GB), 129, c, 3, Kingman (GB)–Kind (Ire), by Danehill. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Harry & Charlton. £32,250. 3–Chicago Critic (GB), 129, g, 3, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Criticism (GB), by Machiavellian. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Sam Mencoff & Tony Smurfit; B-Forenaghts Stud (GB); T-Johnny Murtagh. £16,140. Margins: SHD, 1, 1. Odds: 3.50, 14.00, 80.00. Also Ran: Mountain Bear (Ire), Zoum Zoum (GB), Never So Brave (Ire), Task Force (GB), River Tiber (Ire), Boiling Point (Ire), Pearls And Rubies, Indian Run (Ire), Ziggy's Dream (Ire), Son (GB), Eben Shaddad, Native American (Ire), Kortez Bay (Ire), Dark Tornado (Ire), El Bodon (Ire), Night Raider (Ire). Scratched: Take Me To Church (Ire). The post Phoenix Of Spain’s Haatem by a Whisker in the Jersey appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Swooping to record back-to-back successes in Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, Fitri Hay's Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}–White Daffodil {Ire}, by Footstepsinthesand {GB}) proved himself a true horses-for-courses sprinter under Oisin Murphy. Let go at 80-1 getting the full Jamie Spencer treatment 12 months ago, the Charlie Hills-trained 8-year-old who was 14-1 this time was always travelling like the winner in behind and when finally given the command swamped Swingalong (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) inside the final furlong for a half-length win. Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) was 1 1/4 lengths behind in third, with the 3-1 favourite Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) a further length back in fourth. A record-breaker! KHAADEM gallantly lands The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes under Oisin Murphy. It is the first time since 1959 that a horse has won the race back-to-back, and the first time ever an eight-year-old has claimed victory! Bravo to trainer Charlie Hills, and to… pic.twitter.com/PxtFq74aAg — Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 22, 2024 The post Dark Angel’s Khaadem Does it Again in the QEII Jubilee appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Victorious Racing's Isle Of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}–Falls Of Lora {Ire}, by Street Cry {Ire}), who enjoyed a lucrative winter campaign snagging four of five starts in Bahrain, made a winning European comeback in last month's Listed Festival Stakes and stepped forward to secure an emotional victory for rider Callum Shepherd in Saturday's G2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. The 16-1 chance was positioned fifth through the initial strides and improved one spot after the opening exchanges of this 12-furlong contest. Easing closer on the home turn and moving into second passing the quarter-mile marker, he seized control approaching the final furlong and was driven clear to secure a career best on pattern-race debut. Pedigree Notes Isle Of Jura, who becomes the 39th pattern-race winner for his sire, is the fifth of eight foals and one of six scorers from as many runners produced by G3 UAE Oaks victrix Falls Of Lora (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}), herself a daughter of stakes-winning G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches second Firth Of Lorne (Ire) (Danehill). The February-foaled bay is a full-brother to four-time Australian Group 1 winner Cascadian (GB) and kin to GI Summer Stakes victor Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a 2-year-old colt by Night Of Thunder (Ire) and a yearling colt by Dubawi (Ire). Firth Of Lorne's quintet of black-type performers also includes GI Breeders' Cup Mile, GI Woodbine Mile and GI Maker's Mark Mile hero Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and stakes-winning G1 St James's Palace Stakes runner-up Latharnach (Iffraaj {GB}). She is also the second dam of G1 Metropolitan victor Just Fine (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). A first Royal @Ascot winner for @CallumSheppy! Isle Of Jura wins the Hardwicke Stakes! pic.twitter.com/rHEuGFRGLM — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 22, 2024 The post New Approach’s Isle Of Jura Registers Career Best in the Hardwicke appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Turning the Listed Chesham Stakes into her own Royal Ascot procession on Saturday, Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}–Mecca's Angel {Ire}, by Dark Angel {Ire}) recorded the widest-margin win of the week by some way to enter the 2025 Classic conversation. Content to follow the leaders in the group racing up the centre, the 11-8 favourite who had won a Leopardstown maiden earlier this month was let loose by Ryan Moore two out and surged clear for an emphatic 9 1/2-length success. Pentle Bay (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) was next, with Brian (Ire) (Shaman {Ire}) half a length back in third. “She's a very good filly,” Moore said. “She travelled very easily and they've gone too slow for her really. When I moved the race was over very quickly.” Impressive! Bedtime Story wins the Chesham Stakes at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/xUzC5tpeVl — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 22, 2024 The post Frankel’s Bedtime Story Electric in the Chesham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Yann Barberot trainee Lhakpa (Ire) (Siyouni {Ire}–Enchanting Skies {Ire}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}), a €650,000 Arqana August half-sister to last term's G3 Prix La Rochette victor and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere third Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), made a winning debut when getting up late in Saturday's seven-furlong Prix des Belles Demoiselles at Compiegne. 1st-Compiegne, €30,000, Mdn, 6-22, unraced 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:30.74, sf. LHAKPA (IRE) (f, 2, Siyouni {Fr}–Enchanting Skies {Ire} {SP-Fr}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) recovered from a sluggish exit to track the leaders in a share of fifth for most of this debutantes' heat. Making progress in the straight, the 3-1 favourite was stoked up approaching the final furlong and ridden out in the latter stages to defeat Time Goes On (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev) by a head in a bobbing finish. Lhakpa, a €650,000 Arqana August yearling, is the latest of two foals and second scorer produced by Listed Prix de Thiberville runner-up Enchanting Skies (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), herself a sale-topping €500,000 Baden-Baden September yearling in 2016. Well done to all connections of August Sale graduate who wins 1st time out at @HippoCompiegne for @BarberotYann and @everest_racing! This daughter of @AgaKhanStuds Siyouni?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Siyouni was sold by @EcurieMonceaux to @MERIDIAN7. pic.twitter.com/3WLIbegf5f — ARQANA (@InfoArqana) June 22, 2024 The March-foaled bay's dam is one of four stakes performers out of Listed Kolner Fruhjahrs-Stuten-Preis third Estefania (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}), headed by G1 Preis von Europa victor Empoli (Ger) (Halling). Estefania, in turn, is out of a half-sister to multiple Group 1-winning G2 German 1000 Guineas and G2 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) heroine Elle Danzig (Ger) (Roi Danzig). Lhakpa is a half-sister to last term's G3 Prix La Rochette victor and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere third Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). Sales history: €650,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €15,000. Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Everest Racing, Qatar Racing Ltd & Mme Barbara M Keller; B-Ecuries des Monceaux, Qatar Bloodstock Ltd & Mme Barbara M Keller (IRE); T-Yann Barberot. The post Half-Sister to Beauvatier Makes Winning Debut at Compiegne appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article