Wandering Eyes

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

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

A mandatory payout of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool June 22 at Gulfstream Park is expected to offer the potential to yield a rewarding return. The following day, June 23, Woodbine will offer a mandatory payout for the Thoroughbred Jackpot Hi-5.View the full article

The first of three daytime Thoroughbred meets this year at Los Alamitos Race Course will begin June 22.View the full article

There was no shortage of talking points to unpick from Wednesday. From Sands Of Mali bagging a breakthrough winner at the royal meeting to Karl Burke and Wathnan racing enjoying a change of fortune and even Ryan Moore coming out of his shell to defend Auguste Rodin, the action on and off the track did not disappoint. Sands Of Mali Puts His Name In Lights It proved to be a big day for Ballyhane Stud's Sands Of Mali (Fr), who became the first of the freshman sires to get off the mark at the royal meeting when Ain't Nobody (Ire) landed the Windsor Castle. Sands Of Mali has had five individual winners in Europe so far this season. Only Sergei Prokofiev, who has seven, is having a better time of it. Ain't Nobody was fittingly sold by Joe Foley's Ballyhane outfit at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale for £30,000 to Stephen Hillen and trainer Kevin Ryan. He's now two from two and, judging by Wednesday's smooth success under Jamie Spencer, will continue to fly the flag for his young sire on the biggest of stages. Welcome Change In Fortune What a difference a day can make in this game. Just 24 hours previously, Karl Burke was left cursing his luck when Andesite (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}) was unable to run in the Coventry. However, Leovanni (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) provided the trainer with a much-needed tonic on Wednesday when confirming herself a hugely classy prospect with victory in the Queen Mary. Leovanni Provides Another Boost For The Breeze-Ups Horses sourced from the breeze-up sales hit the crossbar in the Coventry on Monday but Leovanni did her bit to fly the flag for the sector with that stunning performance in the Queen Mary. There should be even more to come. Lack Of International Competition A Worry Sod's law dictates that Wesley Ward will go and win the Norfolk with Saturday Flirt (Mendelssohn) but it must be said that the American trainer's raiding party has not packed the same punch in recent years. Ward become the first US-based handler to record a winner at the royal meeting when sending out Strike The Tiger (Tiger Ridge) to win the Windsor Castle at odds of 33-1 in 2009 Since then, Ward amassed 11 more winners, but is now winless at the meeting since Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) was awarded the 2021 Commonwealth Cup in the stewards' room. International competition underpins meetings like Royal Ascot and, if one thing has been missing so far this week, it has been genuine challengers from overseas. Ward operating in his pomp provided a fascinating subplot to the meeting and it's a pity his raiding squad was reduced to just three runners this year. It must be said that the Jose D'Angelo-trained Gabaldon (Gone Astray) ran a fine race when second in the Windsor Castle but the point remains; we need more international runners. Running Lion An Important Winner For Howden Nobody would begrudge David Howden his first Royal Ascot success with Running Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion) in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes. He comes across as a proper good egg and, given how much he puts into the game, it's great to see him getting a result on the biggest of stages. Moore Please, Ryan Is it just me or has Ryan Moore come out of his shell a bit at the age of 40? There was a time when cracking a smile would have counted as the master rider showing emotion. Well, he has certainly opened up to the media a bit more in recent times and there was a lot to like about how he defended Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) on ITV Racing after the pair landed the Prince Of Wales's Stakes. “He won four Group 1s last year,” Moore told Matt Chapman. “I don't know, people are very quick to knock horses and [Aidan O'Brien] kept the Derby winner in training. As soon as you get beat, they want to have a go at you.” He continued, “You can never keep everyone happy. He's been a really good horse and done everything beautifully today. He deserved that.” Questions To Answer After Big-Race Flops Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) couldn't land a blow on Auguste Rodin and it would appear that her light is starting to dim. It will be back to the drawing board for the four-time Group 1 winner and the same applies to her trainer Maurizio Guarnieri after what has been a frustrating week. Yeguada Centurion, the ownership and breeding entity of Spanish-based Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals, caused a bit of a stir when removing his horses from trainer Christopher Head at the beginning of the year. The disappointing effort of Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) in the Queen Anne followed by Blue Rose Cen's below-par run on Wednesday will leave the owner scratching his head. One Tough Cookie One of the sights of the week so far was seeing Jessica Harrington looking fit and well in the parade ring prior to Birdman (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}) running a fine race to finish third in the G2 Queen's Vase. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer last year, Harrington has overcome a torrid time and it is great to see her fighting fit and banging in the winners of late. She's one tough cookie. The post Talking Points: Moore Weighs In To Defend Auguste Rodin From Critics appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Scientists, veterinarians, and regulators participated in dedicated workshops throughout the three-day event to investigate critical issues relating to, and recent technological advances in, fracture prevention and exercise-associated sudden death.View the full article

Kevin Ryan trainee Ain't Nobody (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}–Burmese Waltz {GB}, by Showcasing {GB}) became his first-crop sire's fourth individual winner when notching a decisive debut victory over Carlisle's stiff five furlongs at the end of last month and registered a first black-type success for the Ballyhane Stud resident in Wednesday's Listed Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot. Drawn alongside Stateside challenger Gabaldon (Gone Astray) and caught in the wash as that rival blazed a trail on the stands' side, the 5-1 third choice emerged as the most serious threat to the long-time leader when coming under a Jamie Spencer drive approaching the final furlong and kept on relentlessly to collar Gabaldon in the last 50 yards en route to a one-length tally. The post Ain’t Nobody a Stakes First for Sands Of Mali in the Windsor Castle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

ASCOT, UK — Her name means brave as a lion, and it is hard not to admire the two bold showings by Leovanni (Ire) in her brief racing career to date as she has led home the pack, first at Nottingham and now here on the big stage at Ascot. The Kodi Bear (Ire) filly will not go down in history as the first Royal Ascot winner for Wathnan Racing – the owner had of course burst onto the scene on this day last year when Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) won the Queen's Vase – but her Queen Mary victory felt like another important first in the evolving history of the racing operation of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar. The ruler wasn't at Ascot on this occasion but plenty of his advisors were in attendance, and for Richard Brown, the bloodstock agent charged with assembling a team of 26 runners for this year's royal meeting, the mixture of joy and relief was palpable. “It has been well documented that there has been significant investment by Wathnan, but that doesn't guarantee success, especially in our game,” he said. Indeed, and four of the seven Wathnan starters on the opening day had finished in the frame, including second and third in the Coventry Stakes. Close, but no cigar. “We hit the crossbar a couple of times yesterday, so to get this one in the back of the net is great for all the team,” added Brown, though for his team, it's what happens on the turf this week that matters, even while plenty of others have one eye on the European football championships. He continued, “With the two-year-olds, if you are finishing second and third in the Coventry, it means you've got a nice horse to go forward with, so we took great positives from that. But of course any sport is about winning and, though we were delighted with yesterday, this [win] will make the rest of the week a lot more enjoyable, I can tell you. “It's an extraordinary opportunity to have been given, to build this team of horses and to work with these people, and you want to deliver for them. They back us, and they back our judgement, and the whole team in Qatar has been hugely supportive.” The joy was perhaps extended by the fact that it was Brown's good friend, the former trainer George Peckham, who could bask in some reflected glory having prepared Leovanni for the Goffs UK Breeze-up Sale after being talked into buying her as a yearling from her breeder Kilmoney Cottage Stud. “Considering we only do two or three each year, to have a filly like her is special. It's incredible,” said Peckham, watching the celebrations with his wife Emma. “I wasn't massively involved in the buying bit but there were a couple of guys who pointed her out to us and we were lucky to get her on the Saturday morning of Book 3 for 20 grand. “Diego Lima rode her at home all the time and did a great job with her. She made my life really easy – the whole way through she was really professional. It's a big team effort.” Peckham added, “Richard and Sophie [Brown] are great friends of ours. We stayed with them last night and on the way here this morning we were just praying that she would be the one to break the duck this week.” Brown was full of praise for Peckham, whose main business is now pre-training. He said,”George did a brilliant job with her. For the breeze-up horses to come here you can't miss a day and they've got to behave. She's such a sweet character. She walked around here and never raised a hair, and James [Doyle] said she was so straightforward and just travelled the whole way. It's a very special moment.” Leovanni, trained by Karl Burke, further enhanced the Royal Ascot record of the 'Donny' breezers by becoming the tenth from the sale to win at this meeting in the last nine years. Brown added, “We thought at the time that she was probably the best filly in the sale and it might turn out that she was.” With such notable investment taking place, both at the public sales and through a number of private purchases in recent weeks, it is easy to draw comparisons between Wathnan Racing's entry to European racing and the early days of the involvement of the Maktoum brothers of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed, in particular, has become one of the biggest owner-breeders in the world. With a Group 2-winning filly now among the Wathnan string, surely the logical next step for the owner is to become a breeder? “I'm going to play the forward defensive stroke to that,” Brown replied with a grin. “Honestly, I don't know. Eventually those conversations will have to come because she's now a valuable breeding prospect, but hopefully we can enjoy her and run her for the next couple of seasons.” He continued, “Whether it's Wathnan or anybody, it's our job to try to get people to come and participate in this amazing sport. I've been coming here for over 20 years and you see the royal procession and you look around you, and it's absolutely a world-class sporting event. For any new player to come into our sport is tremendous, and for somebody to show the scale of ambition that Wathnan has shown so far – and I don't know what's going to happen in the future — but it's great for them to have winners at this stage. This is a really important moment.” To gild the lily on a momentous day on the track for the Qatari royal family, Sheikh Tamim's younger brother, Sheikh Joaan, who, through his Al Shaqab operation, has become a familiar name in European racing over the last decade, also celebrated a winner at Ascot. It may have been one of the lesser races, but Doha (GB), winner of the Kensington Palace Stakes, is a daughter of two of the greatest horses of the modern era in Sea The Stars and Treve. Pedigrees don't come much more regal than that. The post ‘It’s a Really Important Moment’: Leovanni Roars for Wathnan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)-related rulings from around the country. Among this week's rulings, trainer Jim Lewis was suspended two years and fined a total of $20,000 (including the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Unit's arbitration costs), after his trainee Hughie's Holiday tested positive for clenbuterol after winning at Ruidoso Downs on July 8 last year. Clenbuterol is a bronchodilator with known performance enhancing properties. Clenbuterol will typically be detectable in the blood for about three to four days after administration, and between 10 to 17 days after administration in urine. Experts say that hair tests can show the presence of the substance up to six months after it was given to a horse. Lewis claimed that he had never administered clenbuterol to Hughie's Holiday, and had waited 50 days after receiving the horse in his barn to race him out of an abundance of caution, having received no medical records for the horse from prior connections. No hair test was conducted. A HIWU arbitration panel, however, dismissed Lewis's claim, after an evidentiary hearing on Apr. 18. “Dr. Heather Knych, an expert in equine pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, will testify that it is highly unlikely that the Clenbuterol detected in Hughie's Holiday's blood samples collected on July 8 could have been caused by the administration of Clenbuterol prior to May 21, 2023,” the arbitrator wrote in a final decision. Lewis's suspension started on Sept. 22 last year. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “1rulings” portal and through the HIWU “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 06/12/2024 Licensee: Jim Lewis, trainer Penalty: 2-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on September 22, 2023; 14-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on July 8, 2023; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $15,000; payment of $5,000 of HIWU's arbitration costs. Final decision by arbitral body. Explainer: For the presence of Clenbuterol– banned substance–in a sample taken from Hughie's Holiday, who won at Ruidoso Downs on 7/8/23. Date: 06/17/2024 Licensee: Hugo Rodriguez, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Code Runner, who finished fifth at Tampa Bay Downs on 5/14/24. Date: 06/17/2024 Licensee: Justin Rivera, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Administration of electrolytes other than by “free choice” within 24 hours prior to Post-Time for Sig, who was scratched late at Aqueduct on 5/324. Date: 06/18/2024 Licensee: Michael Hewitt, trainer Penalty: None. Equine Controlled Medication charges withdrawn (B Sample Not Confirmed) Date: 06/18/2024 Licensee: Henry Guillory, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Intra-articular injection within 7 days of a timed and reported workout on the horse, Xcaret. Date: 06/18/2024 Licensee: Rory Huston, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Joy's Pride on 5/10/24. Pending ADMC Violations 06/12/2024, Rodolphe Brisset, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Royal Spa, who finished second in the American Beauty Stakes on 2/3/24. 06/12/2024, Robert Medina, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Forge in Fire, who won at Turfway Park on 2/21/24. 06/12/2024, Ricardo Bailey, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Mutiny, who won at Thistledown on 5/8/24. 06/13/2024, Patrick Reynolds, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Uncle Water Flow, who won at Thistledown on 5/8/24. 06/14/2024, Mario Serey Jr., trainer: Pending violation for intra-articular injection within 7 days of a timed and reported workout on the horse, Succeed. 06/17/2024, Joseph Davis, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Vino Caldo on 5/22/24. Violations of Crop Rule One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race. Delaware Park: Andres Chavez–violation date June 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension Jose Batista–violation date June 13; $500 fine and three-day suspension Kirsten Swan–violation date June 14; $250 fine and one-day suspension Finger Lakes: Jeremias Flores–violation date June 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension Penn National Jose Torrealba–violation date June 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension Jerry Villegas-Serrano–violation date June 12; $250 fine and one-day suspension Hawthorne: Alexis Centeno–violation date June 15; $250 fine and one-day suspension Prairie Meadows: Glenn Corbett–violation date June 15; $250 fine and one-day suspension Ramsey Howard Zimmerman–violation date June 15; $880 fine and three-day suspension Santa Anita: Diego Herrera–violation date June 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension The post Stewards and Commissions Rulings: June 12-18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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Granted the ideal conditions of fast ground and a true pace to run at, Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}–Rhododendron {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) became the first Derby winner to come back and win Royal Ascot's Prince of Wales's Stakes since Royal Palace (GB) in 1968. Unique in his achievement in that he was augmenting his Blue Riband triumph with this feature prize in its current guise as a group 1, Ballydoyle's ground-breaking colt put all doubts that he was yesterday's horse firmly behind him with this spirited display. Travelling in ideal flow in fourth behind the two pacemakers and outsider Royal Rhyme (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), the 13-8 favourite moved to the front two out where it was the French raiders Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) and Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) who emerged as threats and not the slow-starting and ultimately disappointing Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). It was the 33-1 shot Zarakem who got closest in the dying strides, but the winner was never going to allow them less than the 3/4-of-a-length margin that was called at the line. Zarakem denied Horizon Dore, who met notable trouble in running, the runner-up spot by a length as Inspiral wound up sixth with John Gosden citing lack of stamina as the issue. “He gets to the front and he waits and then goes again–he has a personality, like all the good ones do,” Aidan O'Brien said after welcoming back a fifth winner of this race, before turning attention to a potential tilt at the dirt in the States. “He can do anything now. He cruises on the dirt and we see now he is very happy to be ridden forward. I got the instructions wrong before, as he was too far back. It's up to the lads what they want to do, but we'd be more confident now we've worked him out and can keep it very straightforward. It's his high cruise that's important.” Superstar! Auguste Rodin lands the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/HtKbTi7kIb — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 19, 2024 The post Auguste Rodin Has the Answers in The Prince of Wales’s appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A share in the Haras d'Etreham stallion Hello Youmzain (Fr) has been added to the Arqana Online Pop-Up Sale scheduled for Wednesday, June 26. Bidding on the lots, which also include a share in the Haras de Bonneval resident Zarak (Fr), will take place between 5-6pm local time, with registration for bidding already open on www.arqanaonline.com. Hello Youmzain was a high-class sprinter for the Kevin Ryan yard, notably winning the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup and G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes. He stood his first season at Haras d'Etreham in 2021 and his first crop of juveniles to race this year include Tuesday's G2 Coventry Stakes runner-up Electrolyte (Ire), who was bought by Wathnan Racing for £220,000 at the Goffs UK Doncaster Breeze-up Sale. The share gives the right to two coverings a year. The post Share in Hello Youmzain Added to Arqana Online Pop-Up Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

David Howden's 4-year-old filly Running Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion–Bella Nouf {GB}, by Dansili {GB}), last of eight in Epsom's G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes earlier this month, halted a six-race losing streak with a dominant performance in Wednesday's G2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. Last term's Listed Pretty Polly Stakes victrix kept wide of the peloton initially and drifted inwards to assume early control. In command thereafter, she was nudged along in early straight to poach a decisive buffer approaching the final furlong and kept on strongly under a late drive to hold stablemate and 'TDN Rising Star' Laurel (GB) (Kingman {GB}) by two lengths. William Haggas trainee Doom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) fared best of the remainder and was another two lengths back in third. Running Lion's triumph provided the Gosden stable with a record fifth renewal of this 10-furlong contest. She's very good! Roaring Lion filly Running Lion wins the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/AazrPViM5y — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 19, 2024 The post Running Lion Leads Home Team Gosden Exacta in the Duke Of Cambridge 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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The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Global Summit on Equine Safety and Technology took place at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada June 12-14. The Summit was attended by approximately 90 international research scientists, clinicians, veterinarians and racing regulators from at least 13 countries. “The Summit has been a major achievement for the Federation and our ongoing commitment to improving equine safety and welfare,” said IFHA Executive Council Member Jim Lawson, who delivered the Summit's closing remarks. “Scientific research and technology are cornerstones of the IFHA's efforts to protect our equine athletes, and this Summit has provided the industry the opportunity to discuss and build upon the significant body of research that has been carried out around the world.” Scientists, veterinarians and regulators participated in dedicated workshops throughout the three-day event to investigate critical issues relating to, and recent technological advances in, fracture prevention and exercise associated sudden death (EASD). “This is an important first step in enabling us to go even further in detecting horses that are at risk of injury,” said Dr. Christopher Riggs, Director of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Welfare Research Foundation, who chaired the Summit's fracture prevention workstream. “We are appreciative of the IFHA's support in encouraging collaboration between scientists, scholars, veterinarians and administrators in the global racing industry.” Dr. Celia Marr, Associate Veterinary Specialist at Rossdales Equine Hospital and Diagnostic Centre and Chair of the Summit's EASD workstream, was similarly cognizant of the event's significance. “The Summit has generated and refreshed collaborative efforts to address the most critical horse welfare issues,” said Marr. “We are energized by the innovative research that has been presented, and optimistic of its potential to positively impact equine welfare going forward.” The outcomes from the Summit will be analyzed by the IFHA Executive Council, with the goal of developing recommendations for the IFHA membership on addressing the risk of fractures and EASD in the future. The IFHA Global Summit was supported by Cornell University's Harry M. Zweig Memorial Fund for Equine Research, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Welfare Research Foundation, and Woodbine Entertainment Group. The post Global Summit on Equine Safety and Technology Highlights Recent Research appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 Godolphin Flying Start graduation ceremony took place in the Cape Cross Centre at Kildangan Stud in Ireland on the afternoon of Friday, June 14. Invited guests included the parents of the graduating class, Godolphin management and University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Business School representatives who have supported the Flying Start trainees throughout their two years on the programme. Hugh Anderson, managing director of Godolphin UK and Dubai and trustee of Godolphin Flying Start, said, “On behalf of the global Godolphin team, I congratulate this graduating class and wish them success and encouragement for their futures in the thoroughbred industry.” The 2024 graduates comprised trainees from five countries, including Alex Sausville (USA), Orlaith Nangle (IRE), Jamie Smith (UK), Susannah Jeffery (UK), David O'Farrell (IRE), Ben Triandafillou (AUS), Sarah Kelly (IRE), Megan O'Leary (IRE), Annabel Adams (NZ), Edmond Ryan (IRE), Annie O'Rourke (UK) and Liam Cunningham (NZ). The diploma for the top trainee was presented to Megan O'Leary (IRE), who achieved the highest grade among the 2024 graduating group, attaining a Distinction award. The next opportunity to apply for Godolphin Flying Start is December 2024. More information about the course can be found here. The post O’Leary Leads Godolphin Flying Start Class of 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Franking the form of the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial, Ballydoyle's Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Danedrop {Ire}, by Danehill) relished the extra trip of Wednesday's G2 Queen's Vase to bring up Royal Ascot win number 80 for Ryan Moore. Always content on the front end, Ballydoyle's 7-4 favourite veered left in the straight when in command but found the line 1 1/4 lengths ahead of stablemate Highbury (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}), with compatriot Birdman (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}) 3/4 of a length away in third. Aidan O'Brien is on the board! Illinois wins the Queen's Vase at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/Dq9cKOJ88O — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 19, 2024 The post Ryan Moore Gets 80th Royal Ascot Winner on Illinois appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Making his first start since finishing well down the field in the G1 Saudi Cup at the end of February, reigning Japanese champion dirt horse Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) resumed with a two-length victory in Wednesday's Listed Sakitama Hai at Urawa Racetrack about 20 miles north of Central Tokyo. Crunched into $1.20 (1-5) favouritism, the $70,000 Keeneland November weanling acquisition was away without incident from barrier seven and was content to track pacesetting Alain Barows (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) through the early sections of the contest, run over a two-turn, 1400-metre configuration. Sent into the lead with fully half the journey to cover, Lemon Pop pinched a bit of a break into the final two furlongs and plugged on gamely to hold off defending champion and third betting pick Igniter (Jpn) (Espoir City {Jpn})–a latest fifth in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen–by two lengths. Second choice Shamal (Jpn) (Smart Falcon {Jpn}) was another half-length away in third. “If he can get off to an even start, then he has the upper hand,” said winning jockey Ryusei Sakai. “I thought it would be best if he sit second, but I wasn't too concerned about the position. He handled the tight 1400m course without any problems.” Winner of the G1 February Stakes last year, Lemon Pop faltered in the Golden Shaheen, but won the local G1 Mile Championship Nambu Hai by 10 lengths in October ahead of a pillar-to-post success from a terrible draw in the G1 Champions Cup (1800m). With that win, he earned a crack at the Saudi Cup, but he weakened from two furlongs out and was no factor. The victory was especially meaningful to the Godolphin Japan team. “Today we said a final goodbye to a valued member of our training team, Kaz Nabeta, who died suddenly last week. Today's win is for him,” said Godolphin Japan President Harry Sweeney. He continued: “Urawa is a tight and tricky track, and we were much less confident than his starting odds would suggest. Lemon Pop will definitely be joining our stallion roster next year, but may run once or twice again this year. It is early days yet, but it would seem logical for him to defend his title in the Mile Championship Nambu Hai [at Morioka Oct. 14]. In the immediate aftermath of the race, Tanaka trainer mooted the [GI] Breeders' Cup [Dirt] Mile, but I'm not fully convinced, as Lemon Pop may be like Guinness beer–brilliant at home but doesn't travel well.” Lemon Pop is one of four winners from six to the races for Unreachable, whose multiple graded-stakes winning dam Harpia is a full-sister to the legendary Danehill. The mare, who was acquired privately by Chad Schumer for $50,000 after she was led out unsold at Keeneland November in 2020, is also the dam of a 2-year-old Ontario-bred colt by Maclean's Music, who fetched $310,000 at Keeneland September last fall, but was bought back on a bid of €340,000 at this year's Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale. 夕方の競馬場。檸檬色に光り輝いていた。 2024/6/19 浦和競馬場#レモンポップ#さきたま杯 pic.twitter.com/oNNlokjH3X — はまやん (@Akauni294) June 19, 2024 Wednesday's Results: SAKITAMA HAI (Jpn-G1)-Listed, ¥136,000,000 ($861,152/£676,328/€800,904), Urawa, 6-19, 3yo/up, 1400m, 1:26.7, my. 1–LEMON POP, 126, h, 6, Lemon Drop Kid–Unreachable, by Giant's Causeway. ($70,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV). O-Godolphin; B-Mr & Mrs Oliver S Tait (KY); T-Hiroyasu Tanaka; J-Ryusei Sakai; ¥80,000,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. Dirt Horse & MG1SW-Jpn, 16-11-3-0, $4,050,134. 2–Igniter (Jpn), 126, h, 6, Espoir City (Jpn)–Bianco (Jpn), by Warning (GB). (¥7,020,000 Ylg '19 HOKSUM). O-Yoshiki Noda; B-Haruki Farm; T-Masashi Atarashi; J-Tsubasa Sasagawa; ¥28,000,000. 3–Shamal (Jpn), 126, h, 6, Smart Falcon (Jpn)–Native Code (Jpn), by Agnes Digital. O-Toshiya Kanayama; B-Okada Stud; T-Takeshi Matsushita; J-Haruhiko Kawasu; ¥16,000,000. Margins: 2, HF, NK. Odds 0.20, 9.60, 4.00. Click for the goracing.jp chart. The post Champion Lemon Pop Posts Poignant Comeback Success In Sakitama Hai appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wathnan Racing struck the woodwork more than once during Tuesday's opening day of Royal Ascot and made a belated breakthrough in Wednesday's opener, the G2 Queen Mary Stakes, with £190,000 Goffs Breeze-Up acquisition and once-raced Nottingham maiden winner Leovanni (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}–Kassandra {Ire}, by Dandy Man {Ire}). The Karl Burke trainee broke smartly and raced to the fore in the smaller far-side group throughout the five-furlong dash. Shaken up to gain an overall advantage soon after passing the quarter-mile marker, the 22-1 chance refused to buckle once in front and was driven out inside the final furlong to prevail by 1 3/4 lengths from Irish raider Mighty Eriu (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}). The winner's Yorkshire compatriot Maw Lam (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) finished a neck further adrift in the third. Star filly! Leovanni storms to victory in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/3X5LXKtuWq — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 19, 2024 The post Kodi Bear’s Leovanni Makes Breakthrough for Wathnan Racing in the Queen Mary appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Joe Friedberg, a prominent Minneapolis defense attorney and racehorse owner, died Monday from colon cancer. He was 87. Friedberg was born in Brooklyn, New York, was a graduate of the University of North Carolina law school, and served in the Marine Corps. A colorful attorney with a large personality, Friedberg represented a long list of NFL players, politicians and others. He was married to his mutual best friend, Carolyn, for 62 years, and they Carolyn raised a daughter and son, both of whom married and presented their parents with grandchildren to adore. Joe and Carolyn worked together every day, and shared a rare bond of love that made them truly unique as a couple. They shared a love of horses and racing. Carolyn Friedberg once named a stakes-winning filly Blonde Moment after seemingly bidding on the wrong Affirmed filly one September Sale. Joe loved horses and racing–and especially those involved in racing. His favorite saying was, “I bet a little every day, because I wouldn't want to be walking around lucky and not know it.” He befriended everyone, from the shoe-shine man at the track to those with powerful stables. Some of his greatest friendships were with those who had their hands on his horses. Joe teamed up with a young trainer from New Orleans, Richie Scherer, who also lost his fight with cancer at age 53 in 2017. Together they had a number of stakes horses, the best was homebred Shires Ende, who won both the Locust Grove and Ashland Mile at Churchill Downs. They raced at Churchill, Keeneland, Fair Grounds, Arlington, and Canterbury, Joe's hometown track. “Joe Friedberg was one of a rare breed, brilliant attorney, devoted husband and family man, self-made (paying for his education by selling encyclopedias door-to-door), incredibly funny, with a big heart,” said Tom Thornbury. “Racing will miss the likes of him. I know I certainly will, as will everyone who ever knew him.” The post Owner Joe Friedberg Passes at 87 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rihaan Goyaram has added his name to the growing list of successful expat Mauritian jockeys in New Zealand after he posted his first win aboard Niagara Sky (NZ) (Niagara) at Pukekohe on Wednesday. Goyaram had been riding on race day for just two weeks before he guided the three-year-old filly to her debut win for his employer Ralph Manning. “I am very happy and very grateful for the help I have had from trainers and everybody around me,” Goyaram said. “She had two trials for a fourth and a win, and the horse has been working well over the last couple of weeks, so I knew she was a chance. I was quite confident. “I am very happy. My boss has put me on some nice horses, and it just makes work easier.” The Mauritius native first got the racing bug when he went to the track in his homeland and decided he wanted to pursue a career as a jockey, with a move to New Zealand being his best option to pursue his chosen vocation. “I used to go and watch the races in Mauritius, and I fell in love with it and decided I wanted to be a jockey,” Goyaram said. “I saw there were some nice opportunities in New Zealand for new apprentice jockeys. I contacted Mr Ralph Manning and asked him for a chance. He sorted out all my paperwork and got me here. “I was just riding retired racehorses back at home in Mauritius and when I came here I started from zero, Ralph taught me everything about racehorses. “In November it is going to be two years since I have been with him. He has taught me everything, from groundwork to track work and trials, and now race day.” Goyaram has joined a growing pool of Mauritian jockeys in New Zealand, and he said fellow expat Ashvin Goindasamy has been a great help in settling into New Zealand and helping enhance his riding talent. “When I first came here, Ashvin Goindasamy had just finished his apprenticeship with Ralph Manning and he helped me start off,” Goyaram said. “I started to meet more Mauritians around the country and it has been a good experience. It is always nice to meet another Mauritian and be able to speak in your own language for a little bit.” Goyaram is pleased to have got on the board as a jockey and will look to quickly enchance on that mark with rides at Tauranga and Te Aroha this weekend. View the full article

Wednesday saw the draw made for Friday's two group 1 contests at Royal Ascot, with the 10 fillies set to contest the Coronation S. 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 while the Roger Varian-trained Newmarket Classic heroine is in seven with James Doyle taking over from Silvestre De Sousa. 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 S. 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 Commonwealth Cup, sees a strong representation from Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum with Kevin Ryan's emphatic G2 Sandy Lane S. winner Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) joined by the Karl Burke-trained Listed Carnarvon S. scorer Elite Status (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). Al Mohamediya Racing's G3 Commonwealth Cup Trial S. 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. The post Opera Singer Elmalka Coronation Clash Is On For Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Kembla Grange Races Where Kembla Grange Racecourse – Princes Highway, Kembla Grange NSW 2526 When Thursday, June 20, 2024 First Race 12:10pm AEST Visit Dabble Provincial racing heads to the Illawarra region of NSW on Thursday afternoon, with Kembla Grange set to host a competitive eight-part program. The rail is out +3m between the 1100m and the winning post, while the remainder is in the true position. The forecast promises sunny skies throughout the week, so we should be racing on a Good surface for the opening event scheduled for 12:10pm AEST. Best Bet at Kembla Grange: Blue Illsion Blue Illusion had no luck returning at Newcastle on June 1, being forced to sit four wide without cover the entire journey. The son of Blue Point whacked away gallantly into the minor money despite the torrid run in transit, suggesting the two-year-old would take plenty of benefit from the run. Zac Lloyd should lob into a lovely position from barrier two, and it would come as a shock if Blue Illusion wasn’t fighting out the finish. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Blue Illusion (2) 2yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (57kg) +550 with PlayUp Next Best at Kembla Grange: Lady Extreme Based on her two starts last preparation, Lady Extreme gives the impression she’s much better than provincial grade. She smashed her rivals on debut before being caught wide throughout at Gosford on December 31, never shirking the task to go down by a pimple in Class 1 company. She should be undefeated resuming from a 171-day spell, and with her tick-over trial at Hawkesbury on June 3 suggesting she’s returning even stronger, expect Lady Extreme to put this lot away before tackling tougher opposition. Next Best Race 3 – #6 Lady Extreme (9) 4yo Mare | T: Blake Ryan | J: Jay Ford (57.5kg) +320 with Neds Best Value: Elle Hudson Elle Hudson debuts for the Joseph Pride barn after one run across the ditch and looks to have adjusted well to his new stable. He’s been sent to trial once since his arrival, with the son of Tarzino catching the eye when barrelling through the line at Warwick Farm on June 7. Jay Ford will be attempting to slot in for cover somewhere mid-field aboard the winless three-year-old, and with even luck throughout, followers can expect Elle Hudson to give a sight at each-way odds with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 5 – #3 Elle Hudson (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: Jay Ford (59kg) +2200 with Dabble Kembla Grange Thursday quaddie tips – June 20, 2024 Kembla Grange quadrella selections Tuesday, June 20, 2024 2-3-4-5-8 4-5 1-3-7-9 2-4-6-11-14-15 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Two of the foremost names among vendors at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale every year are Curraghmore and Haunui Farm, who both believe their 2024 crops of weanlings catalogued for Karaka on Thursday are right up to the respected nurseries’ usual high standard. Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore has collected more than a dozen leading vendor titles at Karaka’s weanling sales, and past graduates include Group One winner Sousa, Group Three winner Kinane and other stakes performers such as What Choux Want, Blue On Black, Global Thinking, Ruettiger and He Kin Fly. Cunningham will consign a select draft of 10 weanlings on Thursday, which includes progeny of leading sires Savabeel and Proisir as well as newcomers Sword Of State, Noverre and St Mark’s Basilica. “We’ve come up here with a good draft – a very good, genuine draft,” Cunningham said at Karaka on Wednesday. “They’ve presented really, really well and I’m very encouraged by the inspection levels so far. There’s been strong interest, and I feel that a lot of people are honing in on a number of horses and would be up there to buy them if they were going through the ring now. “Right across the board, from one to 10, this could be a yearling draft in its own right, and the fact that they’re all eligible for the Karaka Millions Series and the races that are being promoted so strongly has definitely impacted on the level of interest that we’re seeing here.” Cunningham finds it difficult to single out individual lots among the 10 Curraghmore weanlings. “It’s really hard to narrow them down,” he said. “We’ve got a good colt by Proisir (Lot 36) and a colt by our champion sire Savabeel (Lot 56) that is another definite prospect. “Our Super Seth colt (Lot 3) is one of quite a small number of Super Seths in this particular crop, but he’s done an amazing job so far with seven individual two-year-old winners in his first season, five stakes performers and very good early success in Australia, so we know his progeny are going to be well sought after.” Cunningham has also been taken with the progeny of rookie stallions Sword Of State and Noverre. “There’s been definite interest in our three Sword Of States (Lots 18, 112 and 134), as well as a very good colt by Noverre (Lot 125),” he said. “They tick a lot of boxes physically. They’re sharp horses, well-conformed and I can see them being well sought after in the ring.” Haunui Farm also boasts a proud history with its weanling offerings, having sold the likes of Group One winner Jungle Rocket (for $21,000) and Karaka Million (1200m) hero Hardline ($43,000) through this sale. “We’ve sold Karaka Million and Oaks winners through our weanling drafts over the years, and pinhookers had some excellent results with the weanlings that we sold at last year’s sale,” Haunui’s managing director Mark Chitty said. “We like to cap our numbers at around 55 for the yearling sales every year, so the weanling sale is a nice way to offer some of our other stock and provide some good opportunities for buyers at the same time.” Those pinhooking results from Haunui’s 2023 weanling draft included a Proisir colt that was recruited by Riversley Park for $60,000. He later went through the ring again during Book 1 of Karaka 2024 and was sold to Ciaron Maher for $260,000. Haunui Farm’s 2024 weanling draft numbers 18 and, like Curraghmore’s, includes the progeny of a range of sires. Lot 79 is a well-made colt by Proisir out of the unraced Savabeel mare Respect, who is a full-sister to the Group performers Live And Free and Clementina. Lot 68 is a Super Seth filly out of the O’Reilly mare O’Pristine, whose dam So Pristine won the Gr.2 Queen of the South Stakes (1600m) in Adelaide. “I think they’re a lovely bunch of weanlings this year by a variety of sires,” Chitty said. “There’s particular interest in some of them who are by very topical sires such as Super Seth, Almanzor and Proisir, and we’re confident they’re going to be favourably received by the buying bench.” View the full article