Wandering Eyes

Willie Mullins’ globetrotting stayer looks to bring down the well-fancied favourite in Thursday’s Group One Gold Cup (3,991m)View the full article

Trainer Aidan O'Brien's hopes of a record-extending ninth Gold Cup (G1) are pinned on Kyprios, who bids June 20 to become the first horse since Kayf Tara to win nonconsecutive editions of the race.View the full article

Race 9 MCKENNA KING LITIGATION 1300 TAKESHI (M McNab) – Stable representative Mr. R Mildon reported to Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the colt, however, TAKESHI has now been sent for a spell. The post Waikato Thoroughbred Racing @ Te Rapa, Saturday 15 June 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Ken Ramsey said that his donor kidney surgery is scheduled for Thursday morning at 9 a.m. at New York Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. “I have passed all of my tests, and my donor has passed all his essential tests,” Ramsey said by text. “They've placed me on their accelerated priority list and are really taking good care of me. I will be the oldest kidney transplant they've ever done. The record is 84 and I'm going to be 88, seven months and 17 days. It's nice to be the new poster boy. My gratitude and thanks to all the people who have helped make this possible.” In May, Ramsey shared the news that he needed to find a living donor for a kidney, and that he wouldn't survive the wait on the list, currently at around eight years, estimating that he had four months to live without it. “Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes,” he said. “Tom Pope, a family friend, is generously donating me one of his kidneys. The surgery will last approximately four hours and I should be discharged Monday, June 24th if all goes well. I'll have to stay in New York for 12 weeks. I have to go check in twice a week for six weeks and then once a week for six weeks. I feel blessed and very lucky that it all has gone so well. The support I've received has been overwhelming.” The post Ramsey’s Donor Kidney Surgery Scheduled for Thursday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All key indicators point to proven winter performer Poser (NZ) (Ocean Park) going close to adding to her record at Tauranga on Saturday. The Paul Pertab-trained mare will tackle the Seeka Kiwifruit Cup (2100m) third-up after a pair of solid lead-up performances while stablemate The Ugly Sister’s (NZ) (Tivaci) recent form has earned her a crack at the Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m). Poser’s five career victories including the Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) have come on rain-affected going, she is a past winner on the track and hasn’t missed a beat ahead of her upcoming challenge. “The more rain the better for her and she’s at the top of her game,” Pertab said. “She’s certainly fit enough and I think she will be a really good chance.” Poser was spelled after she was unplaced on a good track in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) in the spring and returned to finish a resuming third over 1800m at New Plymouth and was then a gallant fourth over 2200m at Trentham. While Pertab has no set winter plans, there are a number of options ahead of the daughter of Ocean Park after Saturday. “She’s an older mare now and even though she’s sound, her riders and the vets are happy with her, you have to take it a day at a time,” he said. “There are other suitable races coming up and she’s a grinding sort of mare who doesn’t have a turn of foot, so we just have to place her well.” Poser has been ridden in all five of her career victories by Tegan Newman, who takes the reins again at the weekend. Barnmate The Ugly Sister, who will be partnered by Sam Spratt, has been in sparkling form with three successes and two placings from her last five appearances to earn a crack at stakes level. “It’s quite a strong field, there’s a bit of quality in there, and even though she’s consistent she’s going to have to bring her A-game,” Pertab said. “Her work was very good the other day though and she’ll definitely be a chance if she gets some luck in the running.” The Ugly Sister also holds a nomination for the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on August 3. “As far as her broodmare worth goes, any black type whether it be down south or up here would add to her credentials. I’ll talk to the owner about it after Saturday,” Pertab said. Raced by Taranaki breeder Graham Meredith, the Tivaci four-year-old is out of a half-sister to the dual Australian Group Two winners Ugachaka (NZ) (Danasinga). View the full article

Wexford Stables hope to live up to the name of their Pukekohe victor in Winexpress (NZ) (Shamexpress) when they take a strong team to Tauranga on Saturday. The Matamata outfit led by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott commenced the week in decisive fashion at Pukekohe’s Wednesday meeting, claiming the Acknowledging ATR Partners 1200 with the son of Shamexpress. A previous winner of two races in heavy conditions, Winexpress relished the testing going late in the day under a patient ride by apprentice Ace Lawson-Carroll at the tail of the field. The four-year-old tracked race favourite Hey Hey Baby (NZ) (Belardo) into the straight and came out on top in a driving finish down the centre of the track. Scott was pleased to see the gelding back in form after a couple of conditioning runs to build fitness. “He’s a gelding that, being a little bit older, has just taken a few runs to get his fitness up for the testing footing at this time of year,” he said. “We’ve found that when he gets fit like he is at the present time, he races consistently and honestly. “It was a pleasing performance from him today, he won with a good bit of authority and certainly by the way he won, it indicates that another win is close. “He’ll go up a grade now to 75, and there’s a good few options coming up, so that experience and age in horses is a massive aid.” Talented winter galloper Highlighter (NZ) (Shamexpress) headlines Wexford’s contingent when they head across to the Bay of Plenty on Saturday, with the mare contesting the Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m). Another progeny of Shamexpress, the mare has been a consistent force for the stable in recent seasons, with a trio of wins and minor placings on the board this term including a third behind the in-form Caitlyns Wish (NZ) (Belardo) last Saturday. “We were really pleased with her performance last week, and it certainly warranted going forward into the stakes race this weekend,” Scott said. “She’s fit, and with the quick back-up it should aid her getting out over the 1400m. There is a bit of a question mark on whether she can stay the trip, but she’s in really good form and is another mare that is seasoned for the testing conditions.” Highlighter will have the services of Warren Kennedy in the feature for fillies and mares, jumping from barrier four. “She usually finds rhythm, you can’t really push or pull and just have to go with her,” Scott said. “She’s got a good strong finish, so we’re really hopeful she can pick up some valuable black-type on the weekend.” Among the stable’s other representatives is I Am Groot (NZ) in the Gartshore Construction 3YO, a three-year-old by Wrote who has performed well in his first racing preparation. “He’s got good race day fitness behind him, we’ve freshened him and hopefully the ground holds well for the weekend,” Scott said. “He’s a horse that is racing consistently, and he should be right in the finish on the weekend. He looks particularly well in the coat for this time of the year and has held up well in a long preparation.” Consistent maidener Ever Charm (NZ) (US Navy Flag) has been knocking on the door for his breakthrough success in with four third-placed efforts to date and will aim to collect that elusive win in the TAB Odds Surge Every Race at Tauranga (1600m). “He’s building towards a win and is another with a good load of fitness under his belt. You would think with a bit of good fortune in the run, he should be hard to beat,” Scott said. “He’s working well, he’s consistent, and has confidence going into Saturday.” The Super Liquor Greerton 1400 will feature Jaffira (NZ), a versatile son of Iffraaj who has been within 1 ½ lengths of the winner in his last two efforts in heavy conditions. “He’s won around Tauranga before, he’s adept in the soft ground and he’s a tough, fit gelding which will be required with the track conditions on the weekend,” Scott said. “He can be a little bit hard to catch, but he’s working well and we’re confident that he’ll run well.” Each of the three runners will be ridden by young apprentice Ngakau Hailey, who picked up his 17th winner for the season at Pukekohe on Wednesday. “You start to see as we get deeper into the winter that the claims are a massive aid for the horses,” Scott said. “There are some really promising young jockeys out there with the likes of Triston (Moodley) and Ngakau, it’s the right time of the year for these kids to step-up.” Scott also made a notable mention of Silver Javelin (NZ) (Reliable Man), another contender in the Rating 65 1400m event with Lawson-Carroll claiming two-kilograms off her carded weight (57kg). “She definitely won’t be out of it either, her last couple of runs have been needed to get fit but she’s another on the back-up that can handle the really soft ground,” he said. “We expect her to be a lot more competitive this weekend.” View the full article

The Canterbury Jockey Club will offer its Slot in the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi as an added incentive to start in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas® and Barneswood Farm New Zealand One Thousand Guineas®. These two Group 1, 1600 metres three-year-old races form the backbone of the Riccarton Park New Zealand Cup Meeting in November. The connections of the winner of the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas® (Provided it is eligible) will be offered the first option of negotiating with the Canterbury Jockey Club for use of its Slot in the 2025 NZB Kiwi. Should the connections of that horse not wish to take the option the connections of the winner of the Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas® (Provided it is eligible) will be offered a second option of negotiating with the Canterbury Jockey Club for use of its Slot in the 2025 NZB Kiwi. The winner of both these two three-year-old Classics will, on top of the $3.5 million stake, compete for the additional pool of $1,000,000 should they run in the first three placings in the NZB Kiwi. Both races will receive a $50,000 stake increase with the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas® carrying a purse of $650,000 and the Barneswood Farm New Zealand One Thousand Guineas® $550,000. Canterbury Jockey Club Chair, Dianne Logie, said “The Club is committed to ensuring that the New Zealand Cup Meeting continues to encourage the best horses to Riccarton Park for New Zealand’s iconic racing week. We believe that this is the most appropriate way of starting the process of finding who will share with the Canterbury Jockey Club the thrill and excitement of racing in the inaugural NZB Kiwi.” View more about the Southern Hemisphere’s richest 3YO race here. For further information please contact Canterbury Jockey Club Chief Executive Tim Mills 027 430 0208. View the full article

What Geelong Races Where Geelong Racecourse – 99 Breakwater Rd, Breakwater VIC 3219 When Friday, June 21, 2024 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble Victorian horse racing on Friday heads down to Geelong, where a competitive eight-race meeting is scheduled for a 1pm AEST start. With favourable conditions in the lead-up, the track will be a Good 4. The rail comes out 3m, so we should have perfect conditions for racing. Best Bet at Geelong: Ignacio Wendy Kelly’s Ignacio brings some of the best form lines you will find in a Geelong maiden, having finished 1.8 lengths off Skybird and a neck off Elphinstone in his sole run last campaign. Skybird is now a Group 2 winner and Elphinstone is a consistent metro-grade performer. The four-year-old gelding draws barrier one, and with three recent jumpouts under his belt, Ignacio looks to have found the right race to break his duck in. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Ignacio (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Wendy Kelly | J: Thomas Stockdale (59.5kg) Bet with Dabble Next Best at Geelong: Mahrez Mahrez was denied by the barest of margins over the Geelong 1700m on June 6. The five-year-old has two wins and that runner-up effort to his name in five starts at the track, while he stays at the trip for this winnable BM64. A third-up winner already in his career, Mahrez just needs a repeat of his latest effort to go one better. Next Best Race 6 – #10 Mahrez (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Lindsey Smith | J: Fred Kersley (59.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best Again at Geelong: Onlygoldwilldo It was a tough watch for those on Onlygoldwilldo at Bendigo on June 6, as the three-year-old colt was beaten 1.7 lengths after he was held up for a majority of the home straight. Once he was clear late, he showed a strong turn of foot to suggest he was worth following. Barrier eight on Friday should mean he stays out of trouble, and with a similar finishing burst, Onlygoldwilldo should break maiden ranks at start seven. Next Best Again Race 3 – #7 Onlygoldwilldo (8) 3yo Colt | T: Liam Howley | J: Ethan Brown (59.5kg) Bet with Neds Friday quaddie tips for Geelong races Geelong quadrella selections Friday, June 21, 2024 1-3-4-5-6-10 4-5-10 3-10-11-12 2-6-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Murray Bridge trainer Heather Lehmann, along with husband Graham, have returned to the Top End with a small team for the Darwin Cup Carnival. They’re once again holidaying in Darwin, but Murray Bridge trainer Heather Lehmann and husband Graham remain hopeful that their small team will be competitive during Cup Carnival. The Lehmanns have six horses, they’ve all had one run each this past fortnight for a win, two seconds, and a third. Lucky Fortuna, the daughter of Smart Missile, debuted at Fannie Bay last year and had six starts for two wins, a second, a third, and a fourth. The four-year-old mare starred last weekend in 0-58 grade over 1200m when after sharing the early lead, she sprinted clear in the home straight to prevail by 3.8 lengths. Darwin apprentice Emma Lines proved why she is second in the Top End and Country jockey’s premiership by producing a faultless ride. “Lucky Fortuna handled the track really well last year, we knew that she was an ideal horse to bring back up here,” Heather said. “She won a trial when we arrived back in Darwin, then she’s ran a super race first up. “She’ll go around again next Saturday and I’m hoping to be able to secure Emma, she seems to get on well with the mare.” On Saturday, Valkur faces fellow three-year-olds over 1300m, fellow three-year-old Scudetto meets Class 2 opposition over 1200m, and a 1600m test (0-64) awaits five-year-old Marvelous Night – who has tasted Top End success. “Valkur is a maiden, there’s a few nice ones in Saturday’s race, but she’s come on really well from her first start here when third,” Lehmann said. “Scudetto ran a nice race first up (second), he adapted to the track, we were happy with his effort. “He’s pulled up well, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t run well, he’s drawn a good gate. “Marvelous Night, this is his third year coming up here, he handles the track, but he has to have things go his way. “Hopefully, he’ll run better second up from barrier two after a last start fifth.” Emerald Court and Gift Of Gold will return in the coming weeks. With the Darwin Cup Carnival starting on July 6, Lehmann hasn’t targeted particular races, emphasising that she’s happy to “go with the flow”. The couple made their first trip north in 2015 and have missed two Cup Carnivals – 2017 when they attended weddings overseas and 2020 because of COVID. Lehmann’s biggest win was the 2021 NT Derby with Sanblas, which also put winning jockey Sonja Logan on the map in the NT. Spending time in Darwin allows the Lehmanns to escape the cold weather back home. “We’ve got some really nice people up here that we know,” Lehmann said. “I’m pretty busy at home with a lot of things that we have going on there, so to be able to come up here and just relax and race the horses is great. “We have fun and try to recuperate before we go home again to work hard again and come back to Darwin once again next year. “Even if our horses don’t race right through to the end of Carnival, we’ll be staying until it concludes.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1 winning jockey Noel Callow, who is now based on the Gold Coast, will ride for Victorian trainer Neil Dyer during the forthcoming 2024 Darwin Cup Carnival. (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) He has yet to win a race in Darwin, but Group 1 winning jockey Noel Callow is hoping for better fortune during the forthcoming Cup Carnival. Callow, based on the Gold Coast these days, has agreed to ride for Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer for the duration of the Carnival, which comprises eight meetings from July 6 to August 5. The pair have a history, with Callow riding for Dyer in Victoria as far back as 20 years ago and as recently as three years ago before Callow relocated to Queensland. “I’ve known Neil for a while, a long time actually, and I’ve ridden numerous winners for him,” Callow said. “I respect him, he called me up and asked if I would come and ride for him. “He’s got 22 horses up there, so yeah, I’ll go up and have a go. “I will ride on July 6 – Darwin Guineas Day – and I will be there until Cup Day. “I’ve been there twice, it’s a great carnival, and I enjoyed my time up there. “I rode Wild Heart, trained by Graeme Rogerson, in the Derby in 2003, and it ran second. “I then got suspended and couldn’t ride on Palmerston Sprint Day, but I could ride on Cup Day, but I headed back to Melbourne. “Wild Heart won the Darwin Cup; Chris Munce rode it.” Callow’s other Fannie Bay appearance was the Palmerston Sprint and Darwin Cup weekend in 2012. In a career that has expanded more than 30 years, Callow partnered Benicio to win the 2005 Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and Apache Cat en route to victory in the 2006 Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m). He has also ridden in New Zealand, Mauritius and a host of Asian countries, and rates his success aboard the Laurie Laxon’s Top Spin in the 2008 Singapore Derby as his biggest win. New Zealand Hall of Fame trainer Laxon, who also won multiple Singapore training premierships, trained Empire Rose to victory in the 1988 Melbourne Cup. “Laurie passed away in 2021 and to this day he is the best trainer I ever rode for, he was a star,” Callow said. Callow, who has ridden for the top Australian trainers and boasts 1961 career wins, hopes to follow in the footsteps of his daughter and apprentice, Stacey, when he returns to Darwin. Stacey, also based on the Gold Coast, saluted at Fannie Bay in April 2022 aboard Looking For You for trainer Phil Cole. Meanwhile, Dyer has won 100 races at Fannie Bay since making his first trip north in 2008 – he has won three Darwin Cup’s with Hawks Bay (2011 and 2012) and Royal Request (2017). The Victorian trainer missed the 2020 Carnival because of COVID. “Noel and I know each other pretty well,” Dyer said. “Apart from Hettinger, I’m hoping to start Bear Story and The Claimant in the Cup. “Bear Story, he’s a 90 rater, a European horse that Clinton McDonald trained in Victoria. “We’re going to try and make The Claimant, who we purchased from Victorian trainer Michael Kent, a Cup horse too.” “Both horses arrived in Darwin on Tuesday.” Horse racing news View the full article

There are five horse racing meetings set for Australia on Thursday, June 20. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Kembla Grange and Royal Ascot. Thursday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – June 20, 2024 Kembla Grange Racing Tips Royal Ascot Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on June 20, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

What Royal Ascot 2024 – Day 3 Where Ascot Racecourse – High St, Ascot SL5 7JX, United Kingdom When Thursday, June 20, 2024 First Race 2:30pm BST (11:30pm AEST) Visit Dabble The time-honoured Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup (4000m) headlines the action on the third day of Royal Ascot, with 10 of the world’s best stayers set to line up. The undercard is stacked with quality as well, including the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes (2000m) reserved for the three-year-old fillies. The track should continue to maintain its Good 4 rating, with the first of seven races scheduled to get underway at 2:30pm local time. Ascot Gold Cup Tip: Trawlerman Trawlerman looks a big price with online bookmakers in the stayer feature after a terrific performance in the Group 1 Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) at Meydan on March 31. The son of Golden Horn ran to his usual pattern, taking his time to clear the leaders in the middle stages, doing plenty of work in the process. He did well to hold a spot in the minor money, and with some outstanding performances at Group 1 level on the resume prior to that effort, Trawlerman warrants plenty of respect at the each-way price. Ascot Gold Cup Race 4 – #6 Trawlerman (3) 6yo Gelding | T: John & Thady Gosden | J: William Buick (58kg) +900 with Picklebet Ribblesdale Stakes: Diamond Rain Diamond Rain is searching for a hat-trick of wins heading into the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes (2400m). The daughter of Shamardal edged clear to score by 2.2-lengths at Newbury on May 18, suggesting she could be a stayer on the rise, relishing the 2000m with a blistering turn-of-foot. She gets out to 2400m for the first time in this, and with William Buick likely to give her a soft run from the inside draw (2), Diamond Rain should get every chance to continue winning ways. Best Value Race 3 – #2 Diamond Rain (2) 3yo Filly | T: Charlie Appleby | J: William Buick (58kg) +135 with Playup Best Bet at Royal Ascot: Whistlejacket Whistlejacket put together an impressive 3.8-length win at Curragh on May 6 and looks to have plenty of ability. The two-year-old colt made-all on that occasion, bolting clear of his rivals over the five furlongs. The Group 2 Norfolk Stakes (1000m) has more depth than what he faced second-up, but with Ryan Moore drawn ideal in gate 11, watch for Whistlejacket to ping the lids and make every post a winner on the near side. Best Bet Race 1 – #13 Whistlejacket (11) 2yo Colt | T: Aiden O’Brien | J: Ryan Moore (58.5kg) +120 with Neds Next Best at Royal Ascot: King’s Gambit The Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes (2000m) is for the three-year-olds, where the Harry & Roger Charlton-trained King’s Gambit should prove highly competitive. He smashed his rivals in his latest effort at Newbury on May 18, holding a prominent position throughout before exploding clear in the concluding stages. Many of his key rivals are yet to achieve the same kind of success, and provided William Buick can slot into a forward position from gate seven, King’s Gambit should justify favouritism with top horse racing bookmakers. Next Best Race 6 – #7 King’s Gambit (7) 3yo Colt | T: Harry & Roger Charlton | J: William Buick (58kg) +250 with Bet365 Horse racing tips View the full article

It was during the moments after Billy Major came face-to-face with death, and momentarily lost the battle, that he knew something needed to change. On November 14, 2022, as he awoke on the floor of a motel room after overdosing on heroin, Major felt the hand of God rest upon his shoulder. And this time, he reached over to take it. “I woke up laying on the floor in front of my refrigerator. I saw people sitting on the bed, some of my friends, and there was a gentleman with EMS. I said, 'What's going on?' as I tried to breathe through an oxygen mask. And he told me, 'Young man, evidently you overdosed from a high dose of drugs,” recalled Major. It wasn't the first time Major overdosed, though it was the latest detrimental experience in a series of unfortunate events that had led him to reside in the motel room in the first place. And it was quite the contrast from the way he lived in his early years, growing up in both Kentucky and Ohio, surrounded by family and fueled by a passion for sports. As a young boy, his love of the game was only amplified by his parents' own baseball card shop. Major pursued everything from football to wrestling, gymnastics, pole vaulting and even martial arts. When he wasn't in school or playing sports, he was by his dad's side helping him build barns. However, once he was ineligible to continue wrestling, Major turned a side job in the summer into more of a full-time gig, which eventually led to him quitting school altogether. “I missed 80-something days my freshman year and 100 some my sophomore year. At that point, I never continued with school. But some of those teachers really cared about me, and they knew I could learn almost anything, so I'd show up there to visit and see how school life was going,” said Major. Life took a downward turn later on for Major when he found himself in trouble with the law, resulting in a prison sentence of three to 15 years in Ohio. After serving part of his time, he was released on parole, until a slip up with cannabis use landed him back behind bars. “I didn't hardly drink alcohol growing up, and I didn't use drugs until I was older in life, like 16 or 17 I guess,” said Major. “But I messed up. They gave me a choice, I was doing good, but I still violated my parole. Plus, you go back and start on the time you were originally given.” Once he was finally out, Major eventually made his way to Lexington, Ky., where he spent time in treatment programs at the Hope Center and later utilized services offered by New Vista, which eventually helped him find an apartment and supported him while he resided in it. Though he'd faced the highest of highs and lowest of lows as he dealt with his drug use, nothing could have prepared Major for the suffering he'd endure after being hit by a car in January of 2022 while pushing his friend in a wheelchair across the street. The accident left his body broken, suffering from a fractured fibula, tibia, knee, and C5-C6 in his spine. “I went to Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation where I had to relearn how to walk. I knew that I could walk, but my mind wouldn't react with my body. I was in a cervical column for five and a half months, a leg brace for five months, and I was in a wheelchair. I was also prescribed all kinds of medication,” said Major. Major at work at Taylor Made | Sara Gordon However, the most harmful injury of all was extensive trauma to his brain, which was only exacerbated when he overdosed in the motel room that fateful night later in the year. The trauma of the car accident, combined with the lack of oxygen when he overdosed, has resulted in a permanent change that can make it hard for Major to stay on topic when conversing. Yet when he shares his story, the details he does remember are so vivid, it's like you're walking through those chapters of his life alongside of him. And that's when he brings us back to the scene of the final overdose. The final time he would use a drug and suffer the nearly fatal effects of it. “My case manager had a routine visit the next day. When he came, I told him, 'I died last night.' He said, 'Mr. Major, tomorrow you're going to go to a treatment program.' He'd been my case manager for three years, so I knew he was looking out for the well-being of myself and others,” said Major. On November 16, 2022, he entered the 28-day residential treatment program at New Vista's Schwartz Center. “I learned grounding, coping skills, and conflict resolution. I learned about emotions, everything that I think of. I realized that I was the problem, no matter what, with the drug usage. I was the problem, I made that choice, it's nobody's fault but mine. You don't blame the drug dealer; you don't blame the chemists. You blame yourself for making that decision to use,” said Major. “I started to learn about recovery as a person. By doing the exercises they pass out in treatment and being one-on-one with a counselor or therapist, I started to get memory back.” Though he was offered a housing voucher for a new apartment after completing treatment in the Schwartz Center, an appreciation for structure and time spent as a fan of horse racing pushed Major in the direction of the Stable Recovery program. He started this new chapter on December 14, 2022. Initially Major was overwhelmed with feelings of awkwardness and discomfort, but soon the layout of the program, the security of routine and the overarching sense of community and brotherhood washed all of that away. And the School of Horsemanship, providing the opportunity to work hands-on with horses at Taylor Made Farm, only added to that. “It's very therapeutic. It's very healing. Once you start a relationship with that horse and that horse trusts you, there's not hardly anything it won't do [for you], it's amazing. The [therapeutic nature] of the horses and working with them, I really sponged up what they were teaching me,” said Major. “When you're in there grooming a horse, you start to notice maybe one horse does this and that another horse doesn't do that. “It's very helpful for anybody. You don't have to be a drug addict or an alcoholic.” Major and friends | Sara Gordon Outside of the responsibilities and expectations, Major's time in Stable Recovery and working in the School of Horsemanship gave him time to process, heal and reflect. “I have a goal every morning. I have to look myself in the mirror and say, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' Looking at yourself in mirrors and seeing your reflection on a regular basis, it brings back something. It's not only a reflection of what you look like,” said Major. “I'm just glad that it took a higher power, along with my case manager and treatment, for me to continue to change. Knowing that I put my friends in a bad position [that night at the motel], I felt bad. I had to deal with that and understand how I put myself and them in that position.” In 2023, Major graduated from the Stable Recovery program in March, was hired full-time by Taylor Made in April and by December, he officially became a Stable Recovery Legacy, which a graduate of the program earns after a year of sobriety. “I'm a horse enthusiast but I never thought about working with horses until this opportunity. I do my faith first, then my recovery, and I try to be the best professional I can,” he said. “You can take alcohol and drugs away, but you're still going to deal with everyday problems. Stable Recovery and the School of Horsemanship combined, it really sets someone in recovery up to succeed in life, to become a better version of themselves.” As someone who has started over, in more ways than one, Major has developed an affinity for the aftercare aspect of the Thoroughbred industry and is a particular admirer of the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. Though he loves his job at Taylor Made, and appreciates the entire team that has become his family over the last couple of years, the 49-year-old sees himself venturing out in the industry one day. “I run around here like I'm 25 or 26, but I'm 49 years old. I'm not going to keep doing all this stuff the rest of my life,” said Major. “If I ever left here, it would have to be something private, working as a groom. Or it'd have to be [aftercare], working on the bigger picture where [racehorses] go on to be something else.” For Major, it's faith and recovery first. But when you see him in a stall with a mare and foal, a soft smile upon his face as his hand strokes the foal's neck and the mare nuzzles his head, you truly understand divine intervention. “I feel like God's calling me to do something,” he had said earlier. Indeed, he has. Stable Recovery is a recovery housing program in Lexington, Kentucky that offers men in the early stages of recovery access to 12-step meetings, life skills training and–through the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship–the opportunity to develop a trade in the equine field. To learn more about Stable Recovery, click here. The post The Road Back: A ‘Major’ Redemption appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Assistant trainer Toby Sheets, who was in charge of Steve Asmussen's Belmont Park division, died from drowning, according to coroner Ioannis Aivatidis.View the full article

George Bernard Shaw offered the pithy observation that, “England and America are two countries divided by a common language.” The quote seems appropriate when viewed through the lens of a pilot program set up by the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI). This week, ORI board members donned the famous finery–don't forget the millinery either–of the Royal Meeting at Ascot, but it wasn't all about one's garb. They were on hand to impart their own tradecraft to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and their investigators, while in turn soaking up English best practices. The BHA teaching laboratory was none other than a massive operation to protect some of the best racehorses in the world. Starting last week in Ireland and sponsored by the likes of the Breeders' Cup, Keeneland and several others, the exchange was a true one, where notes were compared, case studies were offered and an up-close look behind the scenes handed these members some valuable tools for their trip back home to America. Jason Klouser, Director of Enforcement, Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission, led the charge, and he was joined by J.C. Jaramillo of New York; Juan C. Estrada of Arizona; Tyler Durand, Senior Manager, Equine Drug Unit under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario; and David Duncan, Director, Operations for the Breeders' Cup. “It has been an honor to participate in this inaugural program, which was designed to foster collaboration between investigators on a global level,” said Duncan. “The Breeders' Cup is thankful for partners who recognize the value in ensuring best practices are implemented around the world where safety, integrity and security in racing are concerned. Those at the forefront appreciate the opportunity for education, collaboration and innovation. We certainly look forward to future opportunities to expand our knowledge.” During the week, John Burgess, the Head of Integrity for the British Horseracing Authority–who is also a member of ORI and was a presenter at their last conference at Parx earlier this year–laid out an ambitious itinerary for the group. Besides visiting Newmarket, the British Racing School and the National Stud on Thursday and Friday, Burgess wanted the contingent to take part in searches and carry on a running dialogue with his own investigative teams. The commonalities were evident from the start. “Hosting our first exchange has been an undeniable success,” said Burgess. “Just because this was in our own backyard, doesn't mean it was just a one-way street. Our BHA integrity team gained from the collaboration by listening to the perspectives of the U.S. members. This was nothing short of an opportunity to showcase how all of us do what we do because we all have the same problems, which means we can all learn from one another.” In order to stay on top of their jobs, racing investigators thrive when they network with others who protect the horses at racetracks. The BHA has a centralized authority, which has become part of the long-established equine culture of England. Education is central to their growth and continued expansion, so they are used to collaborations like this exchange. ORI is too, although it is based on the core principles of their membership because, unlike the BHA, they are spread across different jurisdictions. Still, the two sides have much to learn from one another, and the exchange is a first step to widening the global view that investigators can use in their day-to-day jobs. “Education for us is so important,” said Klouser, who pitched the idea to the board. “We want our members to have access to every avenue that is possible, so training like this will be an essential part of being a member in ORI.” Learning about BHA regulations, seeing how their logistics operates compared to the U.S. and how 'yards' function when it comes to training as opposed to on an American racetrack were just part of the larger takeaway from a very successful first exchange. ORI's international flag of integrity will stay planted and now the common language of investigation is even less divided. The post Investigator Exchange Plants Flag At Royal Ascot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-CD, $120k, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, post time: 6:56 p.m. ET Some 120 members of the first-crop of Horse of the Year Authentic went under the hammer at public auction in 2023, and the most expensive of them, INNOVATOR, debuts for BC Stables and trainer D. Wayne Lukas Thursday beneath the same Twin Spires where the sire won the 2020 GI Kentucky Derby. Bred by Peter Blum, also the breeder of Authentic, the dark bay colt was hammered down for $900,000 at the Keeneland September Sale, the dearest of the 91 youngsters reported as sold during the year. The five-times stakes-winning dam Inspired (Unbridled's Song) is responsible for five winners from six to the races, including Carmel Road (Quality Road), runner-up in the 2022 GII Los Alamitos Futurity and more recently, victorious in the Listed King Faisal Cup in Saudi Arabia. Inspired is kin to six other winners, including the SW & GSP duo of Silver City (Unbridled's Song) and Elope (Gone West); SW Initiation (Deputy Minister); and Treasure (Medaglia d'Oro), the dam of GI Preakness Stakes, Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes and GI Met Mile Handicap winner National Treasure (Quality Road). This is also the family of GISWs Well Chosen (Deputy Minister) and Leofric (Candy Ride {Arg}). D J Stable opposes Innovator with Dream On (Not This Time), a son of GII Fantasy Stakes winner Mamma Kimbo (Discreet Cat), also the dam of SW Balandeen (Bernardini). Dream On was bought back at FTKNOV ($295,000) and KEESEP ($245,000) before selling for $380,000 at this year's OBS April Sale. TJCIS PPs 8th-CD, $120k, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 8:23 p.m. ET PRESTWICK (Uncle Mo) debuts for Bonnie Baskin and Adam Corndorf's Blue Heaven Farm and trainer Cherie DeVaux, the same connections responsible for the 3-year-old filly's year-older half-brother Pyrenees (Into Mischief), who was up in the waning strides to win the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes on the eve of the GI Preakness Stakes May 17. Blue Heaven Farm acquired the Grade III-winning dam Our Khrysty (Newfoundland) for $600,000 in foal to Tiznow at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton November Sale and the mare's other winners include Grace Adler (Curlin) winner of the 2021 GI Del Mar Debutante S., who sold to Japanese interests for $2 million at FTKNOV the following year. Our Khrysty is a half-sister to GISW Bullsbay (Tiznow). (Note: due to the late post time, this result will appear in Saturday's TDN) TJCIS PPs The post Thursday Insights: Lukas Sends Out Priciest First-Crop Authentic Yearling appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Brigette Solomon With five drives at tonight’s Cambridge meeting David Butcher thinks most can feature in the top three. “Most of the horses I’m driving tonight have been racing well but they haven’t all drawn ideally to suit their abilities,” says Butcher, “so they’ll need some luck.” Butcher’s first two drives of the night are for Hunterville-based trainer Scott Dickson with Tres Bonne Fille and Ticking Over. Tres Bonne Fille starts in Race 3, the Watchu, Your Security Partner In NZ Mobile Pace over 2200 metres. The maiden three-year-old Vincent filly finished fourth in her first start at Cambridge last month after being three wide over the final 600 metres. “She went ok last start and I’m hopeful she’ll have enough speed to hold the front from the one draw as being able to roll along will suit her,” says Butcher. “Ticking Over in Race four has drawn one the second row so will be reliant on what happens in front of him.” In Race 5 Butcher drives Presidential Jewel for Morrinsville trainer Roger Villiger in the Betavet Protect Handicap Trot over 2700 metres. Butcher is confident the mare will again feature in the top three. “She’s in the right grade, her first up run for second was good and she had a nice run at the workouts on Saturday,” says Butcher, “there are a couple of nice horses in the race so she’ll need a bit of luck on her side.” Up next is Irish Whispers for local trainer Arna Donnelly who competes in Race six, the Dunstan Horse Feeds Mobile Pace. The lightly-raced gelding fought on well at his last start finishing fifth after sitting parked throughout and only 1.7 lengths from the winner Always B Stunning. “It’s a competitive field tonight and having drawn nine he’ll be reliant on what they do in front as to the run he gets” says Butcher. Butcher’s final drive for the night is Major Major, also trained by Donnelly, who starts in Race 7,the Watchu Security Mobile Pace. The three-year-old gelding’s last start was in August last year and has had won two of three preparatory workouts leading up to this assignment. “He’s been ok at workouts, but I think he’ll need the run and take improvement from it,” says Butcher. Tonight also kicks off the Gavelhouse.com NZ Amateur Drivers Champs with Race 2 being heat one of the five race series. Cheree Wigg drives the early favourite for tonight’s race Midfrew Lucre for Hunua-based trainer Jay Abernethy. The series moves to Addington Raceway tomorrow night before culminating at Sunday’s meeting at Addington. View the full article

By Michael Guerin The New Zealand Cup may still be almost five months away that doesn’t stop Pukekohe trainer Jeremy Young from thinking about it every day. Young will take three horses to Cambridge tonight and could win two races, having two chances in Race 6, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Mobile Pace, with both Fifth And Final and Mantra drawn to be hard to beat. But Young has a far bigger target later in the season on his mind and he is going to get it his best shot at getting stable star Lady Of The Light to that NZ Cup. Lady Of The Light hasn’t raced since a luckless Addington campaign in February but earlier in the summer gave Young his second Group 1 training success when she won the Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park. Young says he and the owners are keen to see how Lady Of The Light measures up at the highest level so will be putting in a New Zealand Cup nomination. “We will let her tell us if she is up to it and one of the first things we want to do it get her some standing start practice,” says Young. “She has been back in work quiite a while and I was thrilled when I saw her, she has really put muscle on. “She has had about three hoppled runs so things will start to get more serious next month.” Young is doing something he rarely does by lining up handy mare Gladys Greenland in the first heat of the NZ Amateur Driving Champs tonight. “This is her first time in the amateurs but it is a penalty race for four-year-olds and over and that is what convinced me. “I have a good driver in Warren Rich but it will up to him what she does at the start.” While both Fifth And Final (No.2) and Mantra (No.3) could win Race 6, Young says he opts for Fifth And Final as his better chance. “He is racing well and is a good tough horse.” Other highlights tonight include Sacred Mountain trying to overcome a 50m handicap in the main trot, the Betavet Protect Handicap Trot, while in-form mare Seaclusion sees James Stormont returning north to drive her in Race 4, the Lewis Lawyers Mobile Pace. View the full article

7th-Churchill Downs, $124,570, Alw (NW1X), Opt. Clm ($100,000), 6-19, 3yo, 7f, 1:21.65, ft, 5 lengths. PURE FORCE (c, 3, Constitution–Mexican Gold {GSW & G1SP-Fr, GSP-US, $234,810}, by Medaglia d'Oro) debuted in the Derby Day opener going 6 1/2 furlongs over a muddy strip and raced a bit greenly through the closing stages, but stamped his authority over seven rivals with a 2 1/4-length victory. That effort would otherwise have made him strictly the one to beat in a first-level allowance, but the presence of 'TDN Rising Star' Discreet Mischief (Into Mischief), a distant second to the highly impressive Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) in the penultimate race on Derby Day, relegated Pure Force to 2-1 second favoritism. Drawn widest in a field of seven Wednesday, the homebred broke right in stride and was allowed a very easy time of things up front through an opening quarter in just :23.38 as Discreet Mischief lingered at the rear. Axel Concepcion was able to gradually up the tempo as the furlongs ticked away, and by the time he'd reached the eighth pole, the lead had expanded to three. Kept to his task through the final panel, Pure Force had five lengths in hand at the finish as Discreet Mischief was up late to round out the exacta. Pure Force is the second winner from as many starters for his dam, winner of the G3 Prix de la Grotte and subsequently third in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) for Andre Fabre in 2015. In three starts in this country for Chad Brown, Mexican Gold won a Saratoga allowance, was third in the GIII Athenia S. and fourth in the GI Matriarch S. A half-sister to G1SW Announce (GB) (Selkirk) and from the family of Zafonic and Zamindar, Pure Force has a 2-year-old half-brother named Global Asset (Street Sense) and a yearling full-brother. Mexican Gold delivered a Tapit filly Feb. 26. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $141,960. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Brad H Cox. .@kaitlinefree is on fire today with her picks! A @JuddmonteFarms homebred, #7 Pure Force wins easy and stays perfect in R7 at Churchill Downs for trainer @bradcoxracing with @a_concepcion16 in the irons! @brysoncox23 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/1ST2mHvdiN — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 19, 2024 The post Constitution Colt Pure Force Makes It Two Straight at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This day 20th June in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago Robbie Burns hunting better footing Riccarton trainers Kevin and Annette Hinton will head south to Oamaru on Thursday in search of better footing for their … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Follow Files: European import improves at second Aussie start In this week’s Follow Files, we have found three horses to keep an eye on from Saturday’s meetings at Flemington, … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Thursday’s Sale best bets & quaddie tips | June 22, 2023 Sale Turf Club will host a very competitive nine-race card this Thursday afternoon. See our best bets and quaddie numbers … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Royal Ascot Day 2 betting tips & best odds – June 22, 2023 The 2023 Royal Ascot carnival rolls along for Day 2 with seven more outstanding races lined up on Wednesday. See … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | June 20, 2023 Three horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips and quaddie selections for free here at … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago Wordsworth continues love affair with Te Rapa Wordsworth continued his love affair with Te Rapa on Saturday afternoon when notching his seventh win at the Hamilton track … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago Peter Lock chasing wet tracks at Pukekohe Te Aroha conditioner Peter Lock is hoping his success in the Central Districts on Saturday will continue when his team … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago Crouch strikes at Awapuni A son of Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino named after a former international footballer kicked another winning goal at Awapuni on … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago Stakes targets await Te Rapa winner Johny Johny Stakes targets now await Cambridge sprinter Johny Johny following his dominant victory at Te Rapa last Saturday for Tim & … Read More Horse Racing News 1 year ago International stars set for battle in Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes Royal Ascot gets off to a sizzling start with fierce competition for the three prestigious Group 1 contests that launch … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Canterbury racing tips & best value bets | June 22, 2022 HorseBetting’s New South Wales racing analyst presents his best bets and suggested quaddie numbers for Wednesday’s seven-race meeting at Canterbury … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Snapdancer heads 24 nominations for Tatts Tiara A total of 24 gallopers have been nominated for Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm. The event for … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Pakenham racing preview, best bets & quaddie | Tuesday, June 21 Nine races are set to be run and won on the Pakenham synthetic track on Tuesday afternoon from 12:25pm AEST … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Niewand looking good for Palmerston Sprint after Darwin win Trainer Jason Manning isn’t counting his chickens just yet, but he has every right to be optimistic come the Darwin … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Mixed bag for Clarke as Wilsons Prom bolts into Guineas frame He might have ended the day with a winning double, but leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke actually endured mixed fortunes … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Punt Drunk: Rough results send punters over the edge Rough results were the order of the afternoon right across the country on Saturday, with a number of long-priced winners … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | June 20, 2022 Four horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips, best odds and quaddie selections for free … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Phelan brings up career milestone at Te Rapa A winning treble at Te Rapa on Saturday that included victories in both of the feature jumping events on the … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago New York Jazz proves too tough on favourite track Evergreen sprinter New York Jazz capped off a run of solid form when he showed just how tough he is … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Prince Leo hangs tough to secure Trentham victory Rugged stayer Prince Leo showed all his fighting qualities when he took out the Vernon & Vazey Truck Parts Parliamentary … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 2 years ago Beauty Joy stuns with Group 3 Premier Cup victory Steadily bridging the gap to Joao Moreira in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with a four-timer, Zac Purton was stunned … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 2 years ago Diamond shines for Badel with Group 3 Premier Plate success Tourbillon Diamond (132lb) and Alexis Badel continued a rewarding partnership at Sha Tin yesterday afternoon (Sunday, June 19) with the … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Ballarat Synthetic racing preview & best bets | Monday, June 20 The synthetic track at Ballarat Turf Club is set to host an eight-race on Monday afternoon and Horsebetting’s Victorian form … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Wangaratta tips, value bets & quaddie picks | Monday, June 21 The Wangaratta Races will be run and won on Monday, June 21. See all the top tips, value bets, best … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | June 20, 2021 Horse racing around the country sees nine meetings being held around the country on this Sunday afternoon. Our racing analysts … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Jim Byrne suspended for careless riding Leading Brisbane jockey Jim Byrne has been suspended for careless riding at Doomben … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago I Am Someone records narrow Flemington win Declan Bates has steered I Am Someone to victory in the Adam Lindsay Gordon Handicap with the Victorian Sprint Series … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Ballet Master makes Sydney trip worthwhile Jockey Jason Collett has brought up a winning double at Randwick on Ballet Master with Tommy Berry, chasing his fifth … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Stewards quiz McDonald over Randwick ride James McDonald has had a tough day at Randwick, failing to extend his premiership lead while queried over his ride … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Composed Jadentom on song for Doomben win Toowoomba mare Jadentom was in a calm mood before winning at Doomben for trainer Lindsay Hatch and his family … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Tommy Berry takes Randwick riding honours Jockey Tommy Berry has had a day out at Randwick riding four winners on the nine-race card, all of them … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Front Page the headline act at Flemington After three wins from five starts on country tracks, Front Page has made a successful city debut in the Listed … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Import Lord Belvedere finds winning form At his third start back from a lengthy lay-off, import Lord Belvedere has returned to winning form in a winter … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Bowman, Viridine all class in Winter Dash Godolphin will consider a start in the Ramornie Handicap for Viridine after the horse posted a confidence-boosting win in the … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Shades of Master as Mount Popa impresses A stablemate of Group-winning stayer Master Of Wine, Mount Popa has stamped himself a horse for the future at Randwick … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago The Actuary too strong in Listed Phoenix Tony Gollan made the right decision by taking blinkers off the race day gear of The Actuary who won Listed … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Persan records successive Flemington wins Former Sydney galloper Persan has recorded his third win from five starts for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, taking out … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Cherry Tortoni in strong Flemington win The Patrick Payne-trained two-year-old gelding Cherry Tortoni has made it two wins from as many starts with a strong victory … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Gollan reaches 100 metropolitan winners Trainer Tony Gollan has brought up his 100th metropolitan winner for the season with Howwonderfullifeis at Doomben … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Exhibition adds to the Freedmans’ 2YO haul Andrew Adkins has lifted juvenile Exhibition to victory at Randwick to maintain a purple patch of form for co-trainers Michael … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Ho hungry for more as Southern Legend eyes Premier Plate Vincent Ho bagged his first Group 1 victory aboard Southern Legend in the FWD Champions Mile and on Sunday (21 … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Moore hopes it’s Thanks Forever as he prepares for departure John Moore has only eight more race meetings as a Hong Kong trainer and on Sunday (21 June) the man … Read More United Kingdom Horse Racing News 4 years ago Golden Horde collects Commonwealth Prize Golden Horde has his seasonal return at the top level with a length-and-a-half triumph in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago The Astrologist chasing winning hat-trick Dwayne Dunn’s book of eight rides at Flemington includes The Astrologist and Bam’s On Fire who are both undefeated in … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Bam’s On Fire out to add to winning run Bam’s On Fire is undefeated in three starts this campaign and co-trainer David Eustace expects the filly to be hard … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Cahill hopes to finish with another win Jockey Michael Cahill hopes to finish a big winter carnival with a win on Tactical Advantage in the Healy Stakes … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Marksfield ready for Battle of the Bush Trainer Matt Kropp can cement his best season with Marksfield in the Battle of the Bush final at Eagle Farm … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Cup hopes high for Tyler pair Kelvin Tyler is hoping to spoil the favourites’ party in Saturday’s Greenwood Amberley Cup (1600m), suggesting his pair The Bumper … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Pfieffer on weather watch at Randwick While trainer David Pfieffer hopes the rain comes for wet track specialist Pelethronius, it might cruel the chances of a … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Relief as Godolphin gets trio in Tiara The Godolphin team is delighted to have three of its horses in the Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm after concerns … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Doodt thrilled to get back on Jungle Edge Victorian apprentice Lucinda Doodt is excited about the opportunity to ride Jungle Edge in the Winter Dash at Randwick in … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Last Group One chance for Jeff Lloyd Champion jockey Jeff Lloyd has a great chance to ride a winner in his final Group One race after gaining … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Gold Coast Selections BRISBANE, Jun 20 AAP – Selections for Gold Coast gallops Saturday … Read More United Kingdom Horse Racing News 5 years ago Dettori adds to Group 1 haul at Royal Ascot Jockey Frankie Dettori has racked up his 62nd Royal Ascot win with a double including Crystal Ocean in the Group … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Jumps jockey Martin Kelly cops lengthy ban The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board has disqualified top jumps jockey Martin Kelly for 20 months after he pleaded guilty … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Cartwright excited for Sydney experience Geelong-based apprentice Georgina Cartwright heads to Randwick to renew her association with Melbourne sprinter Jungle Edge … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Jim Byrne still in race for Ipswich title Jim Byrne remains in with a chance to win his ninth Ipswich jockeys’ premiership after he and rival Jeff Lloyd … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Chris Waller sets new training landmark Chris Waller has eclipsed another of his training benchmarks by reaching 170 Sydney winners at Canterbury thanks to Mutarakem and … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago King’s 3kg claim to help Scottish Rogue Lachlan King will ride two-year-old Scottish Rogue at Flemington, with connections of the gelding keen to utilise the apprentice’s 3kg … Read More Horse Racing Tips 6 years ago Gatton betting tips & form for Thursday, June 21 GATTON is hosting racing this Thursday, and the punters have a strong eight race card in the sunshine state to … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Thinkin’ Big aptly named with Derby goal Thinkin’ Big has taken the first step towards the Australian Derby with an encouraging debut win at Canterbury for Gai … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Single Gaze joins Chris Waller stable Nick Olive has expressed his shock former stable star Single Gaze could race on this spring having been sent to … Read More Horse Racing Tips 6 years ago Hawkesbury betting tips & full form for Thursday, June 21 HAWKESBURY is racing this Thursday and the punters have a rock-solid eight race card to wager upon. Not sure which … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Champagne Cuddles on track for Tiara Champagne Cuddles’ trainer Bjorn Baker admits the $13 million Everest is on his mind if the filly can win the … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Dio D’Oro to add to maiden win at Randwick Gary Portelli-trained colt Dio D’Oro can prove his wet track prowess again when he aims to back up his maiden … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Giveaway excelling for Tyler Seven career wins and more than $120,000 in stakes is not a bad record for a mare who was essentially … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Melbourne spring beckons Botti Punters had very little to worry about when the $1.30 favourite Botti romped to victory at Pukekohe over 1200m on … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Flemington track to suit Adelaide visitor Adelaide trainer Ryan Balfour is looking to Balf’s Choice to be the forerunner of what he hopes are more raids … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Belmont betting moves for Wednesday, June 20 RACING today in the west is from Belmont as the track hosts a strong eight race card this afternoon. Not … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Dan Ballard to make fabulous return Top country jockey Dan Ballard makes his return to Brisbane racing after more than a decade on Fab’s Cowboy in … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Market movers for the day at Ipswich, June 20 IPSWICH has an eight race meet on today and the punters have made their investments ahead of this afternoon’s action … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Champagne Cuddles outright Tiara favourite Champagne Cuddles has shortened to outright Tatt’s Tiara favourite after drawing barrier four … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Canterbury market movers for Wednesday, June 20 SYDNEY racing is at Canterbury this Wednesday and the punters have made their moves early in the piece. 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If you believe that Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is the best stayer to emerge from Ballydoyle since Yeats (Ire), then it could be said that all those that lined up for last year's G1 Gold Cup in his absence were granted a stay of execution. Back to Royal Ascot on Thursday with his severe injury woes behind him, the latest sakura from the ever-flourishing branch of one of Moyglare's great trees is one of the week's major stories. Aidan O'Brien described ahead of last year's G1 Irish St Leger bid that it was touch and go whether he would return and that he “had to be taught to walk, trot and canter again” lending him that warrior-like aura. Being able to battle is key in this race, which has taken so many class horses trying to stretch out to the two-and-a-half miles deep into the red, but Kyprios's 2022 performance was not about slogging it out. Showing surprising speed to see off Mojo Star and Stradivarius, he produced the fastest finish to a Gold Cup and was just a tick off the previous day's Coventry winner over the final two furlongs and virtually as quick as the Queen Anne hero Baaeed in his final furlong. Able to race just four times since his scarcely-believable 20-length romp going diagonally up ParisLongchamp's straight in the 2022 G1 Prix du Cadran, the chestnut leaves us guessing as to whether he can hit these heights again. His workmanlike win in Leopardstown's G3 Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes last month was uninspiring, but Yeats ran like a has-been in the 2009 Vintage Crop before coming back here to ensure immortality. “He's an unbelievable horse and to have him back to this pitch, we're delighted really,” O'Brien said. “I don't think there is any worries about the ground and I always thought he wanted nice ground, he's a very good mover.” Can Wathnan Do It Again? While Kyprios was away, Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) struck for Wathnan Racing and while he is taking his turn to miss the party this time, John and Thady Gosden still have a live chance in those silks in last year's G2 Queen's Vase winner Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}). He may not have excelled subsequently, having finished a well-beaten third in the St Leger, but his latest effort when third in the G2 Yorkshire Cup screamed Gold Cup. The Gosdens also have Godolphin's G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup winner Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) and Normandie Stud's G3 Henry II S. scorer Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), but Gregory seems to be the one with group 1 pretensions. “It won't be easy beating Kyprios, who is really solid and looks very straightforward, but I'm really looking forward to him,” James Doyle said. “Obviously he's never run over this far before, so we can't be sure he'll stay, but he's from a very good family of stayers and all of the signs are positive. His run in the Yorkshire Cup was very good, and he relaxes really well, which I think is vital in the Gold Cup. The way he hit the line was really good and I wasn't hard on him as John had said the run was very much to be sure he was primed for the Gold Cup.” Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan, added, “It was amazing for Wathnan to win this race last year in what was really their first few weeks of ownership and it's amazing to be going back with a colt with another chance. It's a very tough race and Kyprios is a worthy favourite, but there's others in there to worry about as well. Hopefully he can be a good substitute for Courage Mon Ami. I think he will stay but you never know until you run them over those extreme distances.” Welcome Rain? Royal Ascot is, for once, blessed with dry conditions and the only wet reference on Thursday could come via Godolphin's exciting Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial Stakes winner Diamond Rain (GB) (Shamardal) in the G2 Ribblesdale S. Having won over a mile here on debut before beating the highly-regarded subsequent winner Ejaabiyah (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in that 10-furlong Newbury Oaks prep, the daughter of Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) looks one of the country's most promising middle-distance fillies for the season ahead. “Diamond Rain is two from two and brings some experience of Ascot into the race, while we feel that the step up to a mile and a half is going to suit,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “She improved from her first to second run and looks to have progressed again since. It's always a competitive contest, but she heads into it in great shape.” Juddmonte's Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) had the bad fortune to run into a high-class rival in Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB}) when second in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket last month and that peer's subsequent flop in the Musidora was too bad to be true. Kalpana's 10-length defeat of a subsequent winner over the same track and 10-furlong trip in April stands up and this mile-and-a-half trip should help being a relative of the G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Zambezi Sun (GB) (Dansili {GB}). “Andrew [Balding] was keen to give her a break after Newmarket, which was fair as she has been on the go since the beginning of the year racing on the all-weather,” Juddmonte's racing manager Barry Mahon explained. “She's had a nice little break and is training nicely and we were half tempted to supplement for the Oaks, but we just felt that freshening her up and heading into Ascot after a break was the right thing to do. She will definitely enjoy the step up to a mile and a half and she is one you would really be looking forward to this week. We've a nice bunch of horses, but she is one you can definitely get excited about.” A Fine Art… Aidan O'Brien doesn't seem to overly press his 2-year-olds ahead of this meeting, but the good ones invariably win as was the case with Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) in last year's Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. Step forward his full-brother Whistlejacket (Ire) on Thursday as he bids to emulate his sibling in the G2 Norfolk Stakes and is expected to be heavily-backed to do so. He beat the re-opposing subsequent G3 Marble Hill Stakes winner Arizona Blaze (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev) in the Listed First Flier Stakes at The Curragh in a noteworthy time, giving Ryan Moore all the right vibes. “I was very impressed and, while you have to respect a fair few of these, I like to think I am on the best horse going into the race. He is a very exciting prospect,” he said. Wathnan Racing took the Queen Mary on Wednesday and are here with another Karl Burke prospect in the Beverley debut winner Shareholder (Not This Time). He has been in a bit of a hurry to get here, but Wathnan's racing adviser Richard Brown is aware of the task in hand. “I said to Karl when we bought him, 'I think the horse is very quick and ready to go and let's see if we can give him a chance to get to Ascot, even though it's a very quick turnaround,” he said. “Karl and his team have done a tremendous job with this horse and he has bounced out of Beverley and done very well since. He's eating up and drinking and had a very easy breeze and looks full of himself. Everything went wrong at Beverley and he still managed to win and it's the Norfolk, there will be plenty there with a similar profile, but I think he goes there with a realistic chance of running a good race for us.” Opening Gambit… Harry Charlton combined with father Roger to win the 2022 Britannia Handicap, but in his first season training on his own at Beckhampton Stables has a leading chance of a breakthrough moment via King's Gambit (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) in Thursday's G3 Hampton Court Stakes. Winning Newbury's competitive London Gold Cup by four lengths, he joined the past Charlton-trained heavyweights Headman (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Time Test (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Al Kazeem (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) on the honour roll of one of Britain's most significant handicaps which nearly always throws up future group winners. “I was pretty hopeful he was going to win at Newbury, but as to the manner that he did it in, he was very impressive,” he said. “I think what we saw was a much more professional horse than we knew of last year on the track and he's mentally growing up all the time. You're getting a more complete package every time he races now, so it's exciting and I think he'll improve again.” Whereas King's Gambit is all about future group 1 potential, Wathnan Racing's acquisition First Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) has already performed on one of Europe's biggest stages when runner-up in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club. Richard Brown said of the French raider, “Andre Fabre is obviously a master of bringing these horses along and we are delighted and excited to have added him to the team. It's quite a quick turnaround from Chantilly and we're leaving it down to Andre–he is the master. He feels he has come out of the race quite well. Like a lot of the horses we have bought, they will go to Ascot and take their chance, but they haven't just been bought for Ascot. They are horses for the future and beyond and a horse like him, there's no reason he won't be running with Andre as a five-year-old.” Opera Singer Elmalka Coronation Clash Is On For Friday… Wednesday saw the draw made for Friday's two group 1 contests at Royal Ascot, with the 10 fillies set to contest the Coronation Stakes headed by Ballydoyle's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Opera Singer (Justify) and Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's 1,000 Guineas heroine Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}). Opera Singer, who was returning from a setback when third in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, has drawn an outside stall in nine for the mile feature while the Roger Varian-trained Newmarket Classic heroine is in seven. James Doyle takes over from Silvestre De Sousa on Elmalka, while Oisin Murphy will replace Aurelien Lemaitre on TDN Rising Star and Guineas third Ramatuelle (Justify). She is on the rail in one, while the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner and 1,000 Guineas runner-up Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) has also fared well in five. The Aga Khan's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Rouhiya (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) has a favourable draw in two, next to the other Ballydoyle representative Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while the up-to-scratch field is completed by Godolphin's unbeaten Devoted Queen (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Jeff Smith's See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Juddmonte's Skellet (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and Scuderia Sagam's Folgaria (Ire) (Due Diligence). The other top-bracket highlight, the six-furlong Commonwealth Cup, sees a strong representation from Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum with Kevin Ryan's emphatic G2 Sandy Lane Stakes winner Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) joined by the Karl Burke-trained Listed Carnarvon Stakes scorer Elite Status (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). Al Mohamediya Racing's G3 Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes winner Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) from the Clive Cox stable is another high-profile runner among the 15 contenders. They include Michelle Morris and Jan and Peter Hopper's unbeaten TDN Rising Star Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), interestingly thrown in at the deep end by the normally conservative James Fanshawe. In the G3 Albany Stakes also over six, 17 juvenile fillies will line up including Ballydoyle's G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint S. winner Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Godolphin's unbeaten TDN Rising Star Mountain Breeze (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Sheikh Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum's TDN Rising Star Twafeeg (Ire) (Far Above {Ire}) and the Wesley Ward-trained Burning Pine (Nyquist). There are 14 colts in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes, with a quartet for Aidan O'Brien including TDN Rising Stars Agenda (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), alongside The Aga Khan's dual group 3 winner Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}). The post Kyprios Back from the Brink for Cup Defence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Toby Sheets, the former assistant to Steve Asmussen, died from drowning, Ioannis Aivatidis, the coroner in Corfu, Greece who performed the autopsy, told ABC News on Tuesday. Sheets disappeared last Tuesday, and was found dead on the beach on the island of Mathraki, in Greece, on Sunday. ABC said that the U.S. Embassy was working to have Sheets's body sent home to the United States. Sheets, 55, lived in Floral Park, New York, near Belmont Park. He had last been seen alive on Tuesday, June 11 at a bar on Mathraki, and was reported missing on Thursday when a friend found the door to his house open with the lights on and the air conditioning running inside. “Toby was a part of our stable for many years, including our Belmont Stakes win with Creator, as well as his expert handling of Haynesfield among others,” Asmussen told the TDN on Monday. “He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.” Sheets is one of several foreign tourists who have gone missing in Greece over the past week, where they are experiencing extreme heat. The post ABC News: Sheets Died From Drowning appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cicero, Illinois is a suburb that hugs the west side of Chicago, and is home to Hawthorne Race Course. It's also the headquarters of Morton High School District 201, which serves approximately 8,000 students from Cicero and surrounding communities. Near the top of the Hawthorne stretch is a Golden Corral parking lot. From this vantage point you can clearly see horses on the track during training or racing. One morning while watching training from here, trainer Chris Block saw a group of Morton High School students gathered by a fence observing the horses. An idea popped into his head: “We should bring more of those students to the track.” Last week, the Illinois Backstretch Charitable Foundation (IBCF), the benevolent arm of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA), in collaboration with Amplify Horse Racing and the Morton High School District 201, did just that by hosting the inaugural Morton Urban Equine Program–and it was a tremendous success. All I could think about on my drive home to Kentucky was how it was one of the most impactful outreach programs I have been involved with since the start of Amplify. Chris is President of the ITHA, which is led by Executive Director David McCaffrey. David and IBCF Program Coordinator George Moreno reached out to me in February, looking for program development help from Amplify, and we decided to tackle the project together. The ITHA team presented the concept of hosting students at Hawthorne to the school district, who jumped at the opportunity to connect their students with horses and suggested the creation of a four-day summer enrichment program. From there, the ITHA and Amplify worked on a schedule and syllabus of topics and activities, and the school district handled the registration of students. We had anticipated a relatively small group for our first year, and the final attendance resulted in five high school junior and senior girls and their science teacher, Kyle Boyd. The students' minimal prior horse experiences spanned from never having touched a horse to going on a leadline ride. Throughout the four days of the Urban Equine Program, the students arrived at the ITHA office in a small bus, and for three hours experienced the daily activity of a racetrack firsthand while learning industry practices, horsemanship, and applied science. They had the opportunity to groom a horse, feed copious amounts of peppermints to dozens of racehorses, ride around the track in tractors, peer into a scope at a horse's respiratory tract, and even go on (what was for most of them) their first-ever horse ride. By day three, one student told us she was having so much fun she wished the program were longer. Instrumental in the success of this program was the genuine commitment and enthusiasm from the ITHA team. David and George took active roles in the planning and communication with the school district, as well as the day-to-day teaching. Horsemen's Liaison Mena Perez even shared her very special lead pony, Bandit, as our mascot and teaching assistant for everything from grooming lessons to a test barn demonstration and pony rides. Chris Block and his assistant Martin Martinez openly shared their barn as a teaching space, amidst training and caring for around 35 head of horses. Chris served as an educator each day, and invited the students to be part of every step of training, from understanding the role of nutrition and the feed room, to hearing the importance of hoof care while watching a horse get trimmed and reshod. His horses also received the vast majority of the aforementioned peppermints. To conclude day four, we asked the students to complete a feedback survey. Nearly all of them conveyed that just being in the presence of horses and getting to touch them was the most special part of the entire experience. They also reflected strongly on how much they learned about racing, veterinary medicine, and the great care they observed the horses receiving. Four of the five students expressed interest in becoming veterinarians, and one specifically asked how she can pursue a job at the racetrack in the near future. Most telling of all was the hand-written thank you card the students handed over before climbing back on the bus to leave the track one last time. One message read “Thank you all for taking care of us and giving us all these wonderful lessons. It was an amazing, fun, unforgettable experience that we won't be forgetting any time soon.” There were several moments from this program that will stick with me for a long time: watching all five students grooming Bandit and softly petting him as he munched grass; the laughter as they climbed into the starting gate like assistant starters; the beaming smiles as they stepped down from the big John Deere tractors after riding around the track; the even bigger smiles as they sat tall on Bandit's back. The ITHA team and I went into the week understanding that the program was a trial run, and would serve as a learning experience for all of us. We came out of it knowing that we had positively impacted the five teenage girls who had attended. Without this program, those students might never have had the chance to truly be around horses. But as a result of it, they experienced moments they will never forget. Racetracks have massive potential to serve as centers for learning within the communities where they reside. In many highly urban and inner-city areas, racetracks are the only places for miles and miles where people can go to see and possibly touch a horse. That's certainly what Hawthorne is for Cicero. At Amplify, our vision is to leverage the Thoroughbred industry to connect youth, families, students, and educators with opportunities to learn about and engage with horses. But in order to make those connections, we have to create the opportunities. The ITHA developed an unforgettable opportunity through the Morton Urban Equine Program, and I'm excited for all of the students who will get to learn about horses and experience the excitement of racing as the program grows. Annise Montplaisir is Executive Director of Amplify Horse Racing, a youth-focused 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to amplifying education, mentorship, and career opportunities for young people in the Thoroughbred horse industry. The post Letter to the Editor: Connecting Youth to the Joy of Thoroughbred Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse vans and truck-and-trailers transporting horses have continued to exit Ruidoso Downs due to two nearby wildfires in New Mexico. Racing has been canceled at least through this weekend with doubts growing about whether the meet can continue.View the full article

Horse vans and truck-and-trailers transporting horses have continued to exit Ruidoso Downs due to two nearby wildfires in New Mexico.View the full article