Wandering Eyes

A share in Siyouni headlines the catalogue for the Tattersalls Online December Sale, which takes place on December 10-11. A total of 126 lots will be offered, including 55 horses in and out of training, 20 foals, 19 broodmares, 18 yearlings, six breeding rights, four stores, two point-to-pointers and two stallion shares. Aga Khan Studs homebred Siyouni is the sire of 46 Group winners to date, including the multiple top-level scorers Laurens, Paddington, Sottsass and St Mark's Basilica. The Haras de Bonneval resident will stand at a fee of €150,000 in 2026. The shareholder will receive one nomination to the stallion in 2026, two nominations in 2027 and in every other year thereafter. Also on offer is a breeding right to Darley's exciting young stallion Palace Pier, the sire of this year's G2 Lowther Stakes heroine Royal Fixation from his first crop of two-year-olds. Other stallion investment opportunities include breeding rights to A'Ali, El Caballo, Lope Y Fernandez, Sergei Prokofiev and Space Blues, as well as a share in Yeomanstown Stud's Supremacy. Elsewhere, the unraced Arctic Circle, a two-year-old son of Frankel and the G1 Coronation Stakes winner Alpine Star, will be offered by Ecurie Sogorb as a horse in training, while a highlight of the broodmare section will be the Silfield Bloodstock-consigned Pivotal mare Upstanding, who is being offered in foal to Shaquille. The dam of three winners to date, she is also a full-sister to the G1 Lockinge Stakes scorer Virtual. The 18 yearlings in the sale include youngsters by Invincible Spirit, No Nay Never and Palace Pier, while the 20 foals catalogued include progeny by the likes of Caturra, Mostahdaf and Sergei Prokofiev. The online auction will get underway at 11am on Wednesday, December 10, with bidding on the first lot scheduled to close from 11am the following day. The full catalogue is available to view here. The post Share in Siyouni Available in Tattersalls Online December Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) had added one day of live racing on Wednesday, Dec. 10 as part of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack, the organization said via a Wednesday release. Following the cancellation of live racing after the completion of the first race on Sunday, Nov. 30, NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) requested and have received formal approval from the New York State Gaming Commission to conduct live racing Dec. 10. Entries for the card will be taken on Thursday, Dec. 4. The post NYRA Adds Dec. 10 Card To Aqueduct Fall Meet Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NYRA announced Dec. 3 the addition of one day of live racing Dec. 10 as part of the fall meet at Aqueduct. Following the cancellation of live racing after Race 1 Nov. 30, approval from the NYSGM to conduct live racing on Dec. 10 was granted.View the full article

Serendipity is priceless in this business. Though they number no more than 20, for instance, this is the second time that one of the Dromingrove Farm mares has been steeply elevated by events. And you may recall an equally startling outcome, in Dubai a couple of years ago, after Delia Nash had found herself reluctantly obliged to retain and race an unsold horse. But then Nash has been around horses all her life, back to her County Limerick girlhood, and understands that no matter what you get right, the most important thing is to be lucky. “Oh, don't worry, I don't think I've cracked it!” Nash says wryly. “I've been around long enough to know there's a hell of a lot more bad days than good. So you need to take every little bit of energy and enjoyment from the good ones, when they happen. And then, those bad days, you need to just suck it up and try for the good days again–because they do come.” On this occasion, mind, it was literally a case of Lady Luck entering her life. For that was the name of an unraced Medaglia d'Oro mare she found herself inspecting at the Keeneland January Sale in 2022. “She wasn't on my list because on the face of it, the pedigree wasn't super-exciting,” Nash admits. “But when I went to the Gainesway barn, Sean Tugel asked could he add one to the three or four I wanted to see. And he pulled out this very attractive mare. Big, strong, plenty of scope, a very kind eye. Just a lot of class about her. The type of mare you like looking at, out in the field.” Tugel mentioned how Lady Luck's half-brother by Uncle Mo had made $450,000 the previous September. The word was that he was shaping well for his powerful owners, and on his way to Brad Cox. And meanwhile their dam, after both Lady Luck and then a Tapit colt had failed to make the gate, had lately got off the mark with a son of Into Mischief–Strava, later placed in a couple of stakes–at the Keeneland fall meet. “So all the kind of things you want to hear,” Nash says. “Of course you do also kind of go, 'Yeah, yeah, whatever.' But a potential upside is always something I'm looking for. Because if they're already proven, I can't afford them. So she stuck in my mind.” After all, Nash had just seen for herself the kind of thing that can happen, rolling the dice on a young mare. Back at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale, Nash had bought another 5-year-old after she had fallen short of her reserve at $19,000. At the time, Lemon Liqueur (Exchange Rate) only had a yearling by Honor Code and a weanling filly by Quality Road, and was now empty. But then her filly was bought by Peter Brant at Saratoga the following summer, named Bleecker Street, and had just extended her unbeaten start to three in a Tampa Bay allowance. By the time Nash took her half-sister by Flatter to Keeneland, that September, Bleecker Street had added four graded stakes, including the GI New York Stakes. Brant duly gave $475,000 for the Flatter filly, and this September returned with the same sum for a brother to Bleecker Street. In between, Nash had retained a stake in Lemon Liqueur's Not This Time 2022 colt when hammered for $535,000 to CJ Thoroughbreds. As Mesero, he ran second in the GIII Old Dominion Derby in September. “So that mare has been an absolute blessing,” Nash said. “And actually I ended up buying the Flatter filly back as a broodmare prospect at Keeneland last November.” (She's now in foal to Good Magic). Could something similar happen here? Nash went back next day for another look at Lady Luck and decided that she might stretch to $100,000. In the event, she has her friend Emma Quinn to thank for venturing one last bid at $135,000. “I was like, 'No, I'm done,'” Nash recalls. “But Emma was beside me and said, 'Go on, hit her one more time!' So I did. And I never regretted it. When I turned her out in the paddock that evening, I looked at her and thought: 'I overpaid for you, but I'm glad to have you.' And it turned out that I didn't overpay at all!” In fact, she cleared the whole investment in one hit, when the Maclean's Music filly she was then carrying brought $300,000 as a yearling. By that stage, Lady Luck's half-brother by Uncle Mo was up and running, winner of his first two before missing the GIII Peter Pan Stakes by a head. Bishops Bay was held up in 2024, but has bounced back with a five-for-seven campaign this year, including three graded stakes–most recently the GIII Forty Niner Stakes. In the meantime, moreover, Catch My Drift's next foal had proved still more exciting: Catching Freedom (Constitution) won the GII Louisiana Derby before running fourth in the GI Kentucky Derby itself. Bishops Bay | Hodges Photography “I knew there was a Constitution who'd just turned a yearling when I bought her,” Nash recalled. “And I saw that the Albaugh family bought him that September, and that he ended up in the same barn as Bishops Bay. So I was kind of following him along, watching his works, but then next thing I knew he was on the Triple Crown trail.” With those updates on the page, Lady Luck's first foal for Nash–a Yaupon colt–made $350,000 from Centennial Farms at the 2024 September Sale. “I couldn't go to Uncle Mo with her at that stage,” Nash reasons. “Bishops Bay hadn't done anything yet, and I'd only had her a few months. Then she went to Good Magic, but spent the afternoon out there and he wouldn't cover her. It was getting late in the year, so I tried sending her to Uncle Mo on the way home. But she didn't take, so she had no yearling for this year. But now she has an Uncle Mo filly on the ground, who's very nice.” And that's the great thing about this story: both Bleecker Street's dam and Catching Freedom's half-sister were young enough to exploit their upgrades. Smaller programs often find that things like this happen too late: the mare has been retired, maybe, or even sold on. “I've been very lucky,” Nash acknowledges. “Both my best mares had success very young, so touch wood they'll keep producing for me. I'm also fortunate that it's not my primary business. I don't want to lose money, raising or racing horses. I'm very competitive by nature, and just want to be successful no matter what I do. But it does mean I have a little bit of leeway, in terms of the stress of when those bills fall.” Nash joined the Kentucky Performance Products in 2000, four years after first sampling the expatriate Irish community around Lexington on an Equine Science placement from the University of Limerick. Hers was under Pat Costello at Crescent Hill. “I think there were 13 or 14 of us that came over to different farms,” she recalls. “We worked hard, and partied equally hard. But we showed up for work every day and made some great connections. I knew, leaving, that this was where the future was.” She took a stake in the nutrition supplements business in 2016 before buying out her partner in 2024. “It's grown dramatically, especially the last seven or eight years, so that's been a lot of fun as well,” Nash says appreciatively. “Business–whether in racing, nutrition or whatever–is the same, always volatile. Doesn't matter how good your decisions are, at the time, there are lots of external factors that you've no control over. So it can be stressful, but it's also very rewarding when you see something evolve and grow. Again, you have to enjoy the successes and learn from the mistakes.” Clients range from local to international, from Thoroughbreds to show jumpers and eventers. But Nash discourages people from treating supplements as rocket fuel. “Not every horse needs to supplement,” she emphasizes. “You identify a need, and find a product that has some efficacy for that need. We do a lot of work with universities, so that we have peer-reviewed, independent research behind our products. I have no control over the outcome of that research. Either something works or it doesn't. And if it doesn't, I don't want to put my name to it. So I focus on that, rather than the shiny label that tells you that it cures everything. I have to believe in something to be able to sell it. As opposed to telling people, 'Oh, I feed two scoops of this and half a scoop of that and my horse runs brilliant.' If only it was that easy.” Sibelius | Ryan Thompson The true vagaries of the racetrack were measured by a short yearling from the first crop of Not This Time, bought as a pinhook with Jun Park at the 2019 Keeneland January Sale ($62,000 RNA). “When we brought him back, in September, he had turned into a very nice yearling,” Nash recalls. “He had a few little things in the X-ray, but nothing that we thought might stop people buying him. But it turned out he failed every vet. Neither of us owned racehorses, but we said we'd break him and send him to Jerry O'Dwyer, and hopefully sell him as a racehorse.” Sibelius broke his maiden at Keeneland second time out, but it was with maturity as a 4-year-old that he got on a real roll, with a couple of stakes wins and the GIII Mr. Prospector Stakes earning him a crack at the G1 Golden Shaheen. “Did we feel we had a very nice horse?” Nash asks. “We did. We felt he deserved to be there and was going to be competitive. But we also knew we were up against the best sprinters in the world. I still watch that race and say, 'I know I was there. I know I witnessed that. But did that really happen?' He was a horse that we felt always needed to run towards the front. And that day he broke late from the one hole and got cut off. Ryan Moore gave him a dream ride. He never panicked and, when he got a gap, he gave that horse so much confidence to go through.” As recently explored by colleague Sara Gordon, Sibelius has continued to thrill his owners with a second career in dressage under O'Dwyer's wife Alison. “That horse gave us the adventure of a lifetime,” Nash says. “And, as so often, it wasn't something that we set out to achieve, either. He brought a really good group of people together, and we just had a great time. I still get stuck for words, thinking about it. “But look, I pinch myself daily. I've been very fortunate to have been given so many opportunities, to have been surrounded by such good people. There's a fantastic community here. We all go out and compete against each other, very aggressively, but it's very close-knit as well.” The inadvertent expansion of her program has required Nash to lease some overspill. “I bought a little farm, and built a barn before a house–as all good horse people do–but I have outgrown that,” she admits. “I suppose it's the worst thing that can happen, to have a little bit of success. You think, 'Oh, this is great, let's just build on that.' Because it's addictive. I mean, I swore I would never have a racehorse–and then I had Sibelius, and now I've bits and pieces all over, and another addiction. But it's so exciting, to be watching horses run and families getting updates on a Saturday afternoon. If it is an addiction, it's a very enjoyable one.” The post Luck Being a Lady to Nash appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — There was still plenty of business to be done as the December Sale drew to a close – in the ring, at the bar, and around the local stallion studs still busily showing to breeders in welcome sunshine. For many, money earned at the sales over the last few weeks is quickly reinvested. Wendy Miller, whose Jarosa Stud was responsible for the first lot in Tuesday's Sceptre Session, was back on Wednesday to buy a new mare. Miller bred Fair Angellica (Harry Angel) herself and when she failed to find a buyer for her as a yearling at £2,000, she put her in training with Richard Hughes who coached her to seven wins from her 16 starts, including Listed victories in England and France and a last-start triumph in the G3 Sceptre Fillies' Stakes before she was handed over to Jenny Norris to be prepared for sale. This time around Miller received 260,000gns in the ring for her, and on Wednesday she restocked with the purchase of three-time winner Ashky (Caravaggio) for 78,000gns, also through Norris Bloodstock. The six-year-old mare (lot 1899) already has a colt foal by Modern Games and she was sold carrying to Triple Time, whose first foals have been well received in recent weeks. “Wendy has the farm next to Jenny and she loved this mare when she saw her there,” said Conor Norris, who conducted the bidding on Miller's behalf. “The Triple Time foals have been lovely so far and she was keen to buy a mare in foal to the sire having seen the foals. He's an exciting young stallion.” Ashky was one of the bestsellers of the day but the leading lady proved to be Denford Stud's 91-rated Desert Spring (lot 1086), who will leave the Gosdens' stable to continue her training in France with Mario Barrati. Alex Elliott was the agent in the hotseat, and bought her on behalf of a partnership for 220,000gns “She ran in a stakes race last time, she is a winner, and bits have happened since she was catalogued,” he said. “We will try to make her a stakes winner and bring her back to the market then.” Desert Spring's third dam Last Second (Alzao) was a multiple group winner for Denford Stud and was bred by Kirsten Rausing and Sonia Rogers from their influential mare Alruccaba. She is thus a half-sister to Alouette (Darshaan), whose Alzao daughters Alborada and Albanova were both multiple Group 1 winners for Rausing. The Denford-developed branch of this high-achieving family includes Last Second's son Aussie Rules (Danehill), the Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner who later become a Lanwades stallion, and Approach (Darshaan), the dam of dual Group 1 winner Coronet (Dubawi) and St Leger runner-up Midas Touch (Galileo). Approach also features as the granddam of Desert Spring, who was sold on her breeder's behalf by The Castlebridge Consignment. Also en route to France will be the beautifully bred Star Spirit (lot 1836), a daughter of Deep Impact and the Prix de Diane winner Star Of Seville (Duke of Marmalade), who was bought by Paul Fretwell of Melchior Bloodstock for 82,000gns. The eight-year-old mare enjoyed an update after the catalogue was published when her juvenile half-sister Star Of Life (Starspangledbanner) won Rome's Listed Premio Femminile. “Under the first dam there is a Dubawi two-year-old who has just gone to the Gosdens, and I like her Ghaiyyath cover,” Fretwell said. “He is a progressive sire, and in France he has a good profile with [Andre] Fabre's My Highness. There is a Havana Grey to run for her and another Starspangledbanner to come. “Her sire Deep Impact – there are not loads of them and he was one of the most important sires in the modern era.” After Tuesday's blockbuster session, this was a lower-key ending to the December Mares Sale, which this year has been abbreviated to three days. Presumably the rise of the online sales has accounted for some of the mares who would previously have been catalogued for what used to be the final session on Thursday. With or without online sales, numbers will almost certainly, for now at least, continue to contract – for mares in production and inevitably the number of foals born across Europe. The diehards and deep-pockets will sit it out, hoping for an upturn, and anyone who has been in the business for long enough will be all too aware of its cyclical nature. That said, even some of those people are beginning to opine that the decline in numbers is alarming. This will inevitably affect the pool of available racehorses for a British fixture list in dire need of pruning. As we have continued to see – quite remarkably at times – the demand for yearlings and young stock at the top end of the market appears to be undiminished, but the horse with a weaker pedigree, by a less fashionable stallion, or an imperfect individual will struggle. Twas ever thus, up to a point, but now it is even more so, and the knock-on effect is that smaller breeders who would once have been at the parade ring rail hoping to sniff out a potential bargain are going home without an extra mouth to feed while considering carefully the futures of the mares they already have at home. To many, it is a time for retrenchment in the hope of survival. With the mares, as for the yearlings, the elite sector remains buoyant, with a premium on top-class fillies who remain racing prospects, as the 4.8m gns given for three-year-old Prix de l'Opera winner Barnavara shows. The list of top ten buyers featured major names from Ireland, China, America, Japan, and India. Bloodstock from these shores continues to have major international pulling power, but Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony sounded more than a note of caution regarding Britain's current political climate in his closing address. He said, “In recent weeks at Tattersalls we have enjoyed record-breaking yearling sales, sustained demand for horses in training and December Foal and Breeding Stock sales which have produced figures second only to the extraordinary 2024 renewals which broke all records. On the face of it, we have a strong market with British and Irish breeders being well rewarded for consistently bringing some of the finest bloodstock to be found anywhere in the world to Park Paddocks, but this hard-earned success comes in spite of rather than because of government support of a genuine British success story.” Those figures, which must be considered against last year's record-breaking trade, led to a 47% decline on the final day to 2,437,100gns in turnover. The clearance rate dropped to 78% from 89% last year, and the 10,000gns median and 15,622gns average represented reductions of 38% and 37% respectively. For the mares overall, however, the average for the three days was up by 13% to 140,661gns and the median rose by 7% to 40,500gns, while the aggregate of 82,337,515gns was down by 2%. The eight days which constituted the December Sale as a whole – from yearlings through to foals then breeding stock – saw turnover of 128,183,700gns (-5%), with 1,364 horses sold at a fractionally improved average of 92,925gns and a median of 35,000gns (+9%). Mahony continued, “Overseas buyers have always been drawn to Tattersalls by the cream of British and Irish bloodstock and we work tirelessly to promote our sales internationally, but domestically the industry continues to be buffeted by external political forces which make it uncomfortably reliant on overseas investment and participation. Just as we court overseas buyers, domestic involvement needs to be nurtured and encouraged in order for the industry to thrive in the long term and the current direction of political travel in this country is a cause for concern. The rural economy is clearly not a priority at present and the two budgets under the current Labour government have increased taxation and business costs in every sector of society. “While government has accepted the racing industry's case with respect to betting duty, the wider industry dynamics remain perilously uncertain. We are fortunate that the lure of Newmarket as the Headquarters of European racing continues to resonate globally, but we must also work to ensure that government does not allow the status of a globally admired industry to be eroded through neglect.” Thought for the day It's disconcerting to know that when we reconvene at Tattersalls for the February Sale, the soundtrack of the day will not include the voices of Edmond Mahony and John O'Kelly presiding over the sale ring from the rostrum. Like a favourite presenter on your favourite radio channel (it used to be Radio 1 but advancing years have seen the dial moved to 2 and now 4), certain voices become a part of daily life, and for those of us who spend plenty of time on the sales beat, hearing Mahony and O'Kelly during stints throughout the day has become a familiar anthem. It is not an overstatement to say that auctioneering is an art form in its own right, one which done right must skilfully blend the commanding delivery of key facts with a touch of theatrical performance. These two men are masters of this art, and though we will undoubtedly continue to see them at Tattersalls, days at Park Paddocks will be poorer for their absence from the main stage. The post Mahony Sounds Note of Caution Despite Strong December Returns at Tattersalls 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. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Dates: 12/02/2025 Licensee: Kelsie Calvo, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 3, 2025; 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 $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Tramadol–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Chica Chula, who finished sixth at Mahoning Valley on 10/22/25. Dates: 12/02/2025 Licensee: William Blair, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 3, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horses' Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. The following two cases were treated as one. Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in samples taken from Ce La Vi Charli, who finished second at Churchill Downs on 9/19/25; and from Lunar Module, who finished third at Churchill Downs on 9/21/25. Dates: 12/02/2025 Licensee: Carrie Jo Robertson, owner Penalty: 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, or until the purse for the Covered Horse is repaid in full (whichever is shorter), beginning on December 3, 2025; a fine of $5,000 ($4,500 fine will be waived if all purses are repaid). Final decision by internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Violation of Rule 3510(b), “Refusal/failure to cooperate promptly and completely with HISA/HIWU under the ADMC Program Rules.” The horse in question is Witsec. More specifically, Robertson is accused of not paying back the purse for a case concerning her horse Witsec, who had previously tested positive for Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–after finishing second at Will Rogers on April 14. Witsec was disqualified from the race, and connections were required to forfeit all purses and other compensation, prizes and trophies. Robertson's 60-day suspension begins December 3. The suspension would end upon repayment of the purse, at which point, $4,500 of the $5,000 fine would also be waived. Pending ADMC Violations 12/02/2025, Elisha May Perez, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Malibu Knight on 11/3/25. 12/02/2025, Tareq Moubarak, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Ranitidine–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Neural Network on 11/2/25. 12/01/2025, Brian Cook, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Flunixin–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Mia Vita on 10/31/25. 12/01/2025, Anna Decker, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Sargeant Gump, who won at Belterra Park on 8/28/25. 12/01/2025, Dr. Donald J. McCrosky, veterinarian: Pending alleged violation of rule 3214(b)–“Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking in any Banned Substance or Banned Method” for an event dated 8/19/25. The banned substances in question are Testosterone and Glaucine. Violations of Crop Rule Churchill Downs Amir Mendoza – violation date November 28; $500 fine, one-day suspension Tyler Wayne Bacon – violation date November 27; $1000 fine, two-day suspension The post National Rulings Nov. 27-Dec. 3 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The $300,000 Mouttet Mile Invitational at Caymanas Park in Jamaica will air on America's Day at the Races for the third consecutive year this Saturday, the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano is scheduled to compete in the race for the first time, having secured the mount on Rideallday (Vekoma). In addition to on-site analysis from Andy Serling and Maggie Wolfendale of the Mouttet Mile, Chairman's Plate Invitational and Bruceontheloose Sprint Trophy, America's Day at the Races, a national telecast produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports, will highlight the impact of Hurricane Melissa and the on-going storm recovery and rebuilding efforts throughout the island. The post Mouttet Mile Coverage on America’s Day at the Races Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte's Serenetta (Kingman), a half-sister to Arc heroine Bluestocking (Camelot) and this term's Sussex Stakes hero Qirat (Showcasing), backed up a debut third at Newmarket last month with a decisive victory in Wednesday's Racing TV Fillies' Novice Stakes at Kempton. The Ralph Beckett trainee justified odds-on favouritism and made most of the running to defeat Godolphin's Al Qaysiyya (Dubawi) by 1 1/2 lengths in the seven-furlong contest. “She had a lovely run with Hector [Crouch] the first day and she seems like a smart filly,” said winning rider Colin Keane of the G1 Oaks entry. “I thought she won nicely, she's got the box ticked now and she'll be a lovely filly for next year.” Serenetta is the eighth of nine foals and fifth scorer produced by G1 Matron Stakes victrix Emulous (Dansili). The March-foaled homebred is a half-sister to multiple Group 1-winning Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking (Camelot), this term's G1 Sussex Stakes victor Qirat (Showcasing) and a yearling filly by Frankel. Emulous is also the second dam of stakes-winning G3 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes runner-up Sand Gazelle (Frankel), G3 Oh So Sharp Stakes and G3 Prix Chloe second Cathedral (Too Darn Hot) and G3 Ballyogan Stakes runner-up Firebird (Lope De Vega). The post Bluestocking’s Half Sister Serenetta Graduates at Kempton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Irad Ortiz Jr. is Jockey of the Week for Nov. 24-30. In addition to winning six stakes races and 16 races overall, the five-time Eclipse Award winner earned his first leading rider title at Churchill Downs. View the full article

A rare chance to be tested around two turns at a 1 1/8-mile distance awaits a large field of a dozen 2-year-olds in the Dec. 6 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

In a recent conversation with TDN's very own Sue Finley, I realized that we were facing the same, and admittedly awful, conundrum: where will we eat out in Deauville this December? It is an understatement to say that the eating and drinking scene in the Normandy resort has undergone quite a changeover in the last few years. In fact, most of the venues where racing and bloodstock folks used to gather at the end of a long day on the Arqana sales grounds have either closed or changed hands – and in the latter case are likely to be owned by the same Parisian conglomerate that took over a number of local institutions after Covid. Le Drakkar, Le Central, Santa Lucia, Fanfaron, Le Comptoir et la Table, Barbara, Le Brok, 21, Marinette and many more are either gone or just a faded memory of their old selves. To make things worse, they all seem to have followed the same trend: upward prices, downward authenticity, fewer local products, more globalized dishes, and this ubiquitous neutral, pretendedly chic décor. I am told it is called “premiumization” – I call it “AirBnBzation”. As if the whole point of travelling was about making sure that you can find the exact same latte and burger thousands of miles away from home, and still flood your Instagram feed with 'quaint' photos of the remote country you are visiting. Yet I have some good news for those who might be sharing my disappointment (and Sue's). There are still some family-owned, locally provided restaurants – included newly-opened ones – to be found if you delve just a little bit deeper into the narrow streets of Deauville – and more importantly, just across the river in Trouville. Oldies but goodies While most of the old favorites may seem to have been turned upside down, a handful are still holding strong. It is thankfully the case of Les 4 Chats, which after 33 years in business remains one of the liveliest and tastiest eateries in town. Nested in a tiny little street just off Trouville's popular Rue des Bains and bathed in its signature red light, Serge Salmon's pride and joy is as coveted for its quirky interior (think of a three-story house crammed with tables of all shapes and sizes) as for its rôti de coeur d'alloyeau (a roasted piece of beef, sourced from local breeders). And it you fancy pushing it late into the night with some singing and dancing, this is definitely the place to go. Reservations are recommended. In a much quieter style, La Régence never disappoints those looking for traditional fishy dishes at their finest. White tablecloths, red velvet chairs and silverware are in order in this historical décor which dates back to 1853, when Trouville first became a fashionable seaside resort and earned her nickname 'La reine des plages'. Nathalie Fremond and her husband Jean-François serve the best lobster in town and speak fluent English, which never hurts. As at Les 4 Chats, reserve in advance. A traditional brasserie…with matching prices Facing the Deauville townhall and the charming carillon that plays the melody of Claude Lelouch's A Man and a Woman every hour now sits a cosy brasserie by the name of Les Petits Princes. Behind the wooden almond green shutters, Thomas Sivadier, whose family has bred and raced horses for several decades, operates from breakfast until late. French staples such as croque monsieur, steak tartare and entrecôte are of top quality and at sensible prices (dinners range from 14-28 euros per), something which seems to have become a rarity in this part of town. Sivadier races his Flat-bred horses with trainer Nicolas Perret in Marseille, including the restaurant's equine namesake who won his first two starts this year and just fell short in Group company, as well as jumpers with Yannick Fouin and David Cottin. His restaurant is a refreshing addition to a neighbourhood where 'simple' sometimes sound like an insult. A taste of Portugal in Normandy Launching a Portuguese restaurant in Trouville may sound like a bold challenge, but one that Alex Mary has taken up with rousing success. Aptly located in the narrow, uphill Rue de Verdun, which easily brings views of Lisbon to mind, his Lisboa Café is a place to warm your heart and soul after a long day of inspections in the wintery wind. Every piece of furniture was carefully picked in brocantes and flea markets by Trouville-born Alex and his wife Elodie of Portuguese descent, while the menu is a delightful mix of French and Portuguese influences. From starters to the delicious pasteis de nata, everything is homemade, and the fireplace adds the finishing touch to the homely feeling. Gastronomy with a modern twist Thirty-year-old Jarvis Scott learned his trade along some of France's most famous chefs before taking part in the TV show Top Chef in 2021. Three years later, he opened his first restaurant, Turbulent, in Trouville. As it says on the tin, this bistronomic venue adds a creative twist to local products and French traditional recipes, with the menu changing on a weekly basis. At the moment, oysters with a shot of ginger water and the revisited tête de veau are well worth a try. Small is beautiful for Scott as his boutique restaurant can only sit 35 guests, yet it includes a long table which can accommodate large parties. Chez Ginette: grandma's kitchen As Romane Hardy puts it: “Ginette is my grandmother's first name and our goal was for our guests to feel like they're eating at their grandmother's house“. Together with partner Arthur Laisney, the native from Normandy opened her first restaurant a year ago in Trouville's busy Rue des Bains. Chez Ginette has quickly become known for its generous portions of old-fashioned, unpretentious dishes such as langue de boeuf, cordon bleu and roasted camembert. The atmosphere is cosy and lively, and families are made to feel welcome by the vast array of table games and books on display. Sunday brunch is a must! As the December sales approach, finding an authentic Normandy dining experience may take a little more digging than in years past, but our support of individually-owned restos can only help to preserve that experience for the future. The post Deauville: Mais Où Sont les Restos d’Antan? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Widely regarded as one of the most gifted and entertaining auctioneers in the business, John O'Kelly brought the curtain down on his time on the rostrum at Tattersalls during the Sceptre Sessions on Tuesday evening. And what a way to do it. O'Kelly brought the hammer down at 4.5 million gns to MV Magnier on Donnacha O'Brien's multiple Group 1 winner Porta Fortuna. It was a moment in time for the throngs of people packed into the auditorium as, for many in attendance, they had grown up listening to O'Kelly's dulcet tones – often spoken in many different languages. If the standing that he was held in was ever in doubt, the warm round of applause followed by a standing ovation shortly after Porta Fortuna left the building speaks volumes as to what the loyal cohort of buyers and general bloodstock nuts felt about O'Kelly's departure. Speaking ahead of that momentous night, O'Kelly commented, “I am stepping down from the rostrum at Tattersalls, I am not retiring as an auctioneer. There will hopefully be opportunities that present themselves and we will go forward from there. “I have always told my kids to find out what they want to do in life and then find someone who is prepared to pay you to do it. I have had a job that is not a job, it's a way of life. You get up every morning with a smile on your face. You are selling horses and you're selling dreams. It really is dream stuff. The sales ring here at Tattersalls is magnificent.” He added, “I started here in December 1993. I worked at Goffs from 1980 until 1990 and then between 1990 and 1993 I was freelance. It was in 1993 when Tattersalls asked me to come on board. I have been associated with the company so long that it's very easy to say, 'oh, poor me, I'm not selling here anymore, I'll go elsewhere.' But really, it's a good firm. But it's a tough one having to stop auctioneering. They've asked me to stay on to inspect yearlings and be an ambassador.” It is Tattersalls policy that auctioneers do not continue beyond their 65th year. By that metric, the company's chairman Edmond Mahony, will also bid adieu to the rostrum this week. However, while O'Kelly will officially be retired from the auctioneering at Tattersalls from Wednesday, he revealed that he will continue to be an auctioneer at BBAG, in South Africa and perhaps elsewhere. “I'm maturing like an old wine! People become presidents of countries much older than 65 but I can understand why theispolicy is in place at Tattersalls. But listen, it was discussed. I put my argument forward but ultimately it was the board's call. I'd love to carry on, as I'm doing with a heavy heart, but I fully appreciate their policy and I wish them the best in the world. I'll still miss it. “All good things come to an end. Edmond and I work tremendously well together. What the guy has done for this company is just incredible. He's a great man to encourage people to just get out there and do it. Edmond has always placed trust in his people. I tip my hat to him, what a great job he has done. I wish him well in his retirement also. But look, I have had a wonderful time here and I have no regrets. Yes, I am sorry that it's coming to an end. Would I like to continue? Absolutely. But hey, that's life. “I live in Belgium and I'll still be an auctioneer at BBAG and I'll do South Africa as well. The rest is sort of up in the air. But, do you know what,” O'Kelly says before clearing his throat, “quite honestly, I have just been trying to get through this week. I want to give it my all, finish on a high, and then I can sit back and think. I have a decent filly to sell tonight – I hope I don't mess it up as it's a nice parting gift.” O'Kelly handled the selling of four-time Group 1 winner Porta Fortuna as only someone as professional and assured as he could. Shortly after the applause had died down, he thanked those in attendance at Park Paddocks by saying, “I have enjoyed every minute of it. But can I just say that your support and participation has made this all such fun and a pleasure. The memories we have are phenomenal. Thank you all so much indeed. Have a very good Christmas Day. O'Kelly, out.” The post “All Good Things Come To An End” – O’Kelly Retires From The Rostrum At Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

James McDonald has won the Longines World's Best Jockey title for the second consecutive year and third time overall. The New Zealand-born, Australian-based jockey also won the Longines World's Best Jockey Award in 2022. The awarding of the Longines World's Best Jockey title is based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group and Grade 1 races as established for the year by the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee. The scoring incorporates races from December 1 of the previous year until November 30 of the current year. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second and 4 points for placing third. McDonald held a sizeable lead throughout much of the 2025 competition, partnering the winner of no fewer than 12 of the 100 qualifying races, including the Longines Hong Kong Cup (Romantic Warrior), the Longines Hong Kong Mile (Voyage Bubble) and the Ladbrokes Cox Plate (Via Sistina). He finished with a total of 184 points, ahead of Mickael Barzalona with 132 points and William Buick with 114 points. Ryan Moore was the inaugural recipient of the Longines World's Best Jockey Award in 2014. He also claimed the title in 2016, 2021 and 2023, with his four triumphs being matched by Frankie Dettori, who was successful in 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Completing the list of winners is Hugh Bowman, who topped the table in 2017. A ceremony will be held during the gala dinner of the Longines Hong Kong International Races on Friday, December 12 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre to honour McDonald. The full and final standings for the 2025 Longines World's Best Jockey competition can be found at www.ifhaonline.org. The post James McDonald Named Longines World’s Best Jockey for Third Time in Four Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brett Crawford continued his strong start to life in Hong Kong with his first Happy Valley double, while Caspar Fownes shot up to second in the trainers’ championship with a brace of his own on Wednesday evening. Ninja Derby was Crawford’s first winner in Hong Kong on a day where he secured a double at Sha Tin in September and he struck again for the South African trainer in the Class Five Tai Lam Chung Handicap (1,800m). There was never a moment's worry for his backers, with Lyle Hewitson...View the full article

James McDonald has won the Longines World's Best Jockey title for the second consecutive year and third time in the last four years.View the full article

The past few days have been a case of pinch me once, pinch me twice as Glen Massey couple Ian and Shelley Wright have celebrated Farag’s second consecutive win in Australasia’s longest flat race, the A$300,000 Jericho Cup. First run in 2018 to commemorate the Australian and New Zealand light horse involvement in World War l, the Jericho Cup is restricted to Australian and New Zealand-bred horses. Farag, by Sacred Falls out of a Yamanin Vital mare from the South Island’s famous ‘Flight’ family, won last year’s race by 20 lengths, and while the margin on Sunday was much less at a length and a half, it was yet another New Zealand-bred benefit. Last year four of the first five were bred on this side of the Tasman, on Sunday they were even more dominant with seven of the first eight across the line, while seven of the eight Jericho Cup winners have been Kiwi-breds. “It’s a race that we were keen to get involved in from day one and when Farag won last year and another of our horses, Glen Massey, finished third, it was a massive thrill,” Ian Wright said after he and his wife arrived home in the early hours of Wednesday morning. “Going back and doing it all again was absolutely huge, something that we’re still getting our heads around.” Farag is yet another of racing’s rags-to-riches stories, having cost the Wrights just $1,000 when they bought him as an unraced gelding on Gavelhouse. He earned $11,000 in 14 starts under the Wrights’ training before he was transferred to Warrnambool trainer Aaron Purcell in early 2024. Another 28 starts and 10 wins later, his stake-earnings now stand at more than A$600,000. “We’ve always liked those staying types; people like us find it hard to compete over the shorter distances, but when it comes to horse with stamina we like to think we’ve got a chance. “Once Farag began to develop we knew he fitted that mould and when he ran third as a maiden in a Rating 65 2400m race at Te Rapa, he had a future, but unfortunately not here. “The problem is there are so few true staying races in New Zealand, so when we were contacted by a racing enthusiast from Melbourne by the name of Peter Groidis, we struck a deal. “He wanted to buy the horse outright but we thought he was worth more than he was offering, so we said we’ll give you half if you pay the airfare and training fees. “It’s worked out well for everyone and when we think back on how it’s all played out, it’s really been a dream come true.” Farag has been ridden in both of his Jericho Cup wins by 29-year-old Englishman Will Gordon, who rode 28 winners in two seasons in New Zealand before heading to Victoria in 2018 and has since become one of the state’s most successful jumps and highweight jockeys, now with a total of three Jericho Cups. “Between Aaron, Will and everyone else, they’ve done a fantastic job with the horse,” Wright said. “He had qualified for the race when he won his previous start at Geelong and when we saw him at the stables before the weekend, we’ve never seen him look better. “He’s a big, long horse and since last year he’s got stronger, even though not necessarily heavier as he still weighed in at only 470 kilograms. “After there was a fall in an earlier race, things got a bit anxious when they changed the race from the more testing steeplechase course to the main track and reduced the distance (from 4600 to 4415m). “We thought that would reduce our advantage, but it didn’t matter. Will rode him perfectly and he ended up winning comfortably.” Back on their north-west Waikato farm, where they farm 500 bulls, the Wrights also have 15 horses in work as they develop further staying prospects. “We’re still keen on our jumpers and it would be good to think there might be another Farag there as well, but horses like him are never easy to find.” View the full article

Allan Sharrock is balancing stronger opposition against the prospect of a rain-affected track as he weighs up Ladies Man’s chances of claiming back-to-back Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classics (1600m) on Saturday. Ladies Man won last year’s Trentham weight-for-age feature with a brilliant final burst to claim La Crique by a neck and will take a similar last-start formline into the race after finishing fourth in the Gr.2 Gartshore Construction Tauranga Stakes (1600m) three weeks ago. “He was good at Tauranga, I gave him a pass mark for that, but more importantly he’s gone the right way since, his work on Tuesday was very good,” Sharrock said after the release of the TAB Classic field on Wednesday. “It’s probably a stronger field this year, what with Waitak at the top of his form, La Crique there again and with that other very good mare Legarto as well, so it’s not going to be easy. “In our favour is the weather they’ve had in Wellington this week; I think a bit of precipitation and with the track currently rated Heavy8, that could swing things our way.” The three Waikato-trained horses identified by Sharrock dominate the TAB’s final field market, with Waitak, chasing a Group One hat-trick, at $3.30, Legarto $3.60 and La Crique $4.50. Ladies Man shares the next line with another northerner, Captured By Love, at $8.50, while Provence is next quoted at $11. Captured By Love will be ridden on Saturday by Opie Bosson, who is still seeking his 100th Group One after taking his tally to 99 on Ladies Man 12 months ago. However, Sharrock is more than comfortable to have engaged Rory Hutchings, who has returned from Australia for another summer stint. “I’m very happy to have Rory on, we know how well he rides in these races and after all he’s a redhead like me,” Sharrock said. View the full article

Saturday’s Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe will be missing one of its headline acts after a temperature spike forced Crocetti to be withdrawn. The dual Group One winner has been off the scene since being unplaced in The Quokka (1200m) in Perth in late April, and he had been due to step out for his first start of the season in this season’s $120,000 sprint feature. A brilliant exhibition gallop at Ellerslie last Saturday stamped him as the one to beat. But Wednesday morning’s setback has put Crocetti’s racetrack return on hold. “We just found this morning that he had a bit of an elevated temperature,” co-trainer Danny Walker explained. “So we had no choice but to pull the pin. It’s always a bit frustrating and disappointing when things like that happen, but that’s the way it goes.” Walker and training partner Arron Tata still intend for Crocetti to take his place in the starting gate for the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on January 3, for which the TAB rates him a $6 equal favourite alongside Tomodachi. “All going well, we’re still hoping to get him down to Wellington for the Telegraph, but we’ll just have to play it by ear in terms of what we do between now and then,” Walker said. “We’ll get him through this first and then take it from there.” Crocetti’s defection leaves a field of just eight for the Concorde on Saturday – Twain, Sacred Satono, Tardelli, Master Fay, Midnight Edition, Imprevu, Moving Melody and Bak Da Angel View the full article

5 – TEAM PLAYER, DMR, 11/30-2nd, 5 1/2 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-83 (g, 3, by Majestic Harbor-Team Decision, by Huddle Up) O-Susan and William Boyd, Kelly and Edwin Gredvig, and Michelle Hanson. B-Harris Farms and Double D Farms (Cal). T-Ryan Hanson. J-Kazushi Kimura. His six siblings to race–all California-breds like him–made a combined 41 starts and none reached the performance level of an 80 Beyer Speed Figure, which Team Player exceeded quite nicely in his second lifetime outing. 4 – VITAL MIND, CD, 11/28-12th, 6 1/2 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-83 (c, 3, by Into Mischief-She's a Julie, by Elusive Quality) O-CHC and WinStar Farm. B-Spendthrift Farm (Ky). T-Steve Asmussen. J-Jose Ortiz. One of Asmussen's all-time favorite horses, She's a Julie was named for his now-recovered wife as she was battling throat cancer–and aside from those obvious emotions, it didn't hurt that the namesake won two Grade Is, $1.6 million, and was sold to Spendthrift for $3 million after her career. So who better than Asmussen to train She's a Julie's first foal? This was the second start for the $600k yearling buy, who was second at Oaklawn on debut. 3 – GLOBAL AVIATOR, GP, 11/29-3rd, 6 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (c, 3, by Global Campaign-Frisco Girl, by Quality Road) O-Special Aviators. B-Robert M. Evans (Ky). T-Rohan Crichton. J-Joe Bravo. Two storylines here: first, Global Aviator makes this list despite hesitating at the break to drop 8 lengths last and winning anyway after a 4- to 5-wide move around the turn. And secondly, he was a $12k yearling out of an ex-claimer dam whose first foal sold for $8k, which at this point matters solely as an example of the vagaries of the sport. 2 – AEOLIAN, CD, 11/27-8th, 1 mile (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 84 (f, 3, by Tapit-Danzatrice, by Dunkirk) O-Gainesway Stable. B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds (Ky). T-Chad Brown. J-Jose Ortiz. Aeolian didn't get far in her 2-year-old training and was sidelined again this spring in Florida but now has progressed steadily in three starts this summer and fall. She's a full-sister to Grade I winner and stallion Tapit Trice, purchased for $1.3 million as a yearling by Mandy Pope, who went back in for $1.1 million a year later for another filly full-sibling. Gainesway's Antony Beck kept this one. 1 – CANNONEER, CD, 11/29-12th, 6 1/2 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 89 (c, 2, by Into Mischief-Catch the Moon, by Malibu Moon) O-St. Elias Stables and Stonestreet Stable. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (Ky). T-Brad Cox. J-Irad Ortiz Jr. Visually and by numbers, the most impressive winner of Saturday's Stars of Tomorrow card at Churchill. Not only did the $1.75 million yearling win by 7 ¼ lengths in fast time, he kept his composure despite a loose horse getting in his way down the backstretch. Into Mischief gives his pedigree an upgrade on paper over half-siblings Midnight Bourbon ($3.6 million-earning son of Tiznow), Girvin (Haskell winner of $1.6 million, son of Tale of Ekati) and graded winners Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John) and Pirate's Punch (Shanghai Bobby). The post Five Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made, for the Week of Nov. 23-30 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Final Return has raced creditably in strong company at Ellerslie without major success and will be back there on New Year’s Day in a bid to break through. The New Plymouth-based stayer has regularly tripped north and collected four placings on the course, including a third in the Gr.3 Avondale Cup (2400m) earlier this year. Final Return has another visit on his immediate program for a crack at the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) on January 1 after finishing fourth in the 2025 edition of the event. “He hits himself on his left hind hock, so we have to be careful where we race him,” trainer Janelle Millar said. “He’s better going the Ellerslie way and doesn’t hit himself that way around, it’s just his conformation really.” Final Return emphasised that right-handed suitability at his latest appearance with a gallant victory in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe. “He pulled up really well after that, I was quite surprised and thought it may have knocked him, but it didn’t at all,” Millar said. “He was running around the paddock like a two-year-old and he never does that so he’s obviously going very well. “He’s probably the highest-rated three-win horse in New Zealand, he’s very consistent, always tries and will stay all day.” Millar also has another pair of last-start winners ready for action this week, although she’s on weather watch with one of them. She has Tiny Diamond in the Grangewilliam Stud R75 (1600m) at New Plymouth on Thursday following his most recent course and distance victory last month. “He’s trained on super but if the track gets too heavy he probably won’t run, he’s got too good a turn of foot for that,” Millar said. Meanwhile, Ocean Park filly Laura’s Legacy was untroubled to win on debut on her home course and will run in Saturday’s Graham’s Painters 3YO (1400m) at Trentham with a view to returning for a sterner test. “She has also trained on well since her last start and we want to aim for some of the fillies’ races with her,” Millar said. “It was no surprise what she did last time, she had plenty left in the tank and was one of the last to pull up. “She can have a look around Wellington and then go back for the Eulogy Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m).” View the full article

Danny Gargan will send out Champagne Stakes (G1) runner-up Talkin to face Chad Brown's $1.9 million debut winner Paladin in the Remsen Stakes (G2), a battle among juveniles traveling a two-turn, 1 1/8-mile distance on dirt for the first time. View the full article

By Emma Berry and Brian Sheerin NEWMARKET, UK — As the sun went down, the ring filled up and, after the odd false start, the sale-watchers got what they came for: Porta Fortuna, followed by Tamfana, Barnavara, Saqqara Sands and then some as an array of equine jewels combined to bring the highest gross ever recorded in a single day in European auction history. If many had predicted that Porta Fortuna (Caravaggio) would top the sale then they were almost right, and for about an hour she held the record as the most expensive filly in training sold in the world this year at 4.5 million gns. Ultimately, though, her thunder was stolen by another Irish-trained filly, Barnavara (Calyx), who pushed the record to 4.8 million gns. The G1 Prix de l'Opera winner was bought online by Sugar Whiskey Trading, believed to be an associate of Ace Stud. “Some buzz! I promise you, that was more than my wildest dreams,” said Barnavara's trainer Jessica Harrington standing among a delighted throng of Alpha Racing members. They included Valerie, Juliet and Diana Cooper, the mother, wife and sister respectively of Patrick Cooper, who had bought Barnavara as a yearling at the Goffs Orby Sale for €70,000. Some buzz indeed. Harrington continued, “We all got excited and said, 'Oh, she might make three [million]. But what did she even make? 4.8 million? It was stuck at 1.5 million and then it went on and on and on and on. I promise you, it's amazing. Best of luck to her new owners. Yulong usually bid online – I better try to keep her! There's a lot in the tank still. We thought that she was only just growing into herself because she went on improving all year. She's a very big filly – she's an amazing filly, she really is. “The Alpha Racing Syndicate was set up by my son-in-law Richie Galway, Patrick Cooper and Legs [Elaine] Lawlor. We set it up to buy yearlings, race them and have fun and hopefully wash our faces every year. But it has been incredibly lucky. We've had Kinesiology, Cadillac and a lot of good horses. Everyone has had fun doing it and a lot of the syndicate members are here today. Even three people came from America. It's amazing.” Last year there were 10 seven-figure lots sold during the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, and this time around a record-equalling 11 fillies or mares made a million gns or more. The record turnover of 57,695,415gns for 201 horses sold was an improvement of 5%, while the average rose by 4% to 287,042gns. The clearance rate dropped from 82% to 78%, while the median was down by 8% on last year at 110,000gns. Porta Fortuna's 'Unbelievable Journey' Porta Fortuna's appearance in the ring prompted auctioneer John O'Kelly to draw on a surprising source of inspiration to describe her, but he had a point. “To borrow a line from Mary Poppins, 'She's practically perfect in every way',” he said. The potential buyers agreed. Round and round the four-time Group 1 winner went until the hammer fell at 4.5 million gns in the direction of Coolmore's MV Magnier. No little amount of emotion accompanied her passing from an amalgamated syndicate of American owners who have been on the ride of their life to one of the world's leading breeding operations. Before the tributes were paid to horse and trainer Donnacha O'Brien by those connections, however, there was a lengthy standing ovation for John O'Kelly as he completed his last stint on the rostrum during the Sceptre Sessions. After Wednesday's final session of the December Sale, O'Kelly and Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony, two of the most respected and admired auctioneers in the thoroughbred world, will depart the Tattersalls rostrum for good. Truly the end of an era. For owners Medallion Racing, Steve Weston, Reeves Thoroughbreds and Barry Fowler, the four-year-old Porta Fortuna has been the horse of a lifetime. “This is why everybody tries to be in the game, for horses like this,” said Medallion Racing's Philip Shelton. “I can remember Mark Taylor kind of had soured on us owning European racehorses, and then she won. And now we've just had a recent Breeders' Cup winner Balantina, but for our partnership and for me personally, [Porta Fortuna] has taken us to a stratosphere we never could have dreamed about. And it's a huge honour and a privilege to me to have been part of the journey.” He continued, “It's not often you have this unbelievable race record and then you pull the filly out of the stall and they're as nice as her. She's just got an unbelievable presence and an unbelievable mind. And I think that's part of the reason she was so successful on the track. “This was the end of our chapter of our story. It's been the most unbelievable journey, and we just wanted this to go well, really more for her. We are so far ahead financially that we just wanted her to have this moment.” Having won her Curragh maiden on debut in the colours of Annemarie O'Brien, Porta Fortuna was next seen winning the G3 Coolmore Stud Sprint Stakes for her present owners, and thereafter made the first of two successful appearances at Royal Ascot when winning the G3 Albany Stakes. Her four top-level wins came in the Cheveley Park Stakes, Coronation Stakes, Falmouth Stakes and Matron Stakes. Shelton added, “These horses can bring you to places and experiences that you could never even dream about. And when you look back, you just realise how fortunate you are. She was owned [and bred] by Aidan and Annemarie O'Brien. We got lucky enough that we bought in and it's been a great start of a journey with Donnacha. We have a bunch more horses with him now. “We're just along for the ride. All we do is pay the bills. You know, I bust out my top hat and I put it on just to reminisce before I came here. We're so appreciative to all of our partners Dean, Steve and Barry.” Porta Fortuna is the most high-profile horse that O'Brien has trained and he took a huge amount of pleasure that she would be returning to familiar surroundings after the sale. He said, “It was a great result all round. She's happy and healthy and we got a great price. I am happy that MV and Coolmore have bought her. She will go back, presumably somewhere close to where she has been trained, which is nice. To be honest, once she got off the box here looking well, that was my job over. Obviously the Taylor Made guys had their job here and they produced her looking amazing. It went great, thankfully.” Tamfana To Visit Justify After Coolmore Spends 2.6m Tamfana has been pencilled in to visit Justify in the new year after Coolmore spent 2.6 million gns on David Menuisier's Group 1 heroine. Bought for just €20,000 by Jeremy Brummitt, the daughter of Soldier Hollow has provided her owners Quantum Leap Racing with a journey that they will never forget, with the highlight coming in last year's Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket. Of course, Coolmore is already heavily-invested in the family given the powerful owners spent €1.4 million on Tamfana's dam, Tres Magnifique (Zoffany), at Arqana last year. Magnier said, “Listen, she's a very good filly and we bought her mother in Deauville last year. David Menuisier did a very good job with her and I'd say we will send her to Justify. We won't race on with her – we will get a few babies out of her and I'd say a visit to Justify is most likely what we'll do.” Menuisier sent Tamfana out to win four of her 14 starts as well as to finish a luckless fourth in the 1,000 Guineas last year. Speaking about the curtain coming down on his stable star's career, he said, “She's a fantastic filly. I think this year she couldn't really do herself justice for one thing or another. She was bought for €20,000 by Jeremy Brummitt, if she had made 20,000gns today we would have been in profit! I think her racing career does not really reflect how good she was. Why should we be disappointed with 2,600,000gns – we shouldn't be, it's an incredible amount of money. “I'm delighted she's gone to Coolmore because she will have a perfect life. They bought the mare so they have the full-brother as well. I'm sure I will have a few boxes available if they were wanting a nice new venture!” He added, “I was a bit worried at the start when she stalled at 950,000gns. I think you have to be delighted. You buy horses to have a bit of fun, you don't expect a return, you don't expect to win the Guineas that she could have, or the Diane. She's taken us on a magical journey. You can only be proud of what she's done.” Meanwhile, Eamonn O'Connor of Quantum Leap Racing toasted the syndicate's poster girl by simply saying, “She's been a star. There are no two ways about that. It has been a tremendous journey over the last three years. She has taken us to all the top races and two Classics. We were travelling in hope in the first Classic [1,000 Guineas] and she almost pulled it off.” He concluded, “We love the BBAG Sale. It's the first one in the season and there's tremendous value. We have to give credit to Jeremy Brummitt. He works the sales very hard for us. She was quite a find. She was €20,000 and everybody who saw her up here this week, without fail, loved her. She's an extremely good-looking horse.” Hillen Secures US-Bound Saqqara Sands For Coolmore Group 2-placed Saqqara Sands (Oasis Dream) will continue her career in America after Stephen Hillen, bidding on behalf of Coolmore, secured the three-year-old filly for 2.1 million gns. The three-time winner, who scored at Group 3 level, was a no-brainer, according to Hillen, who explained he only put one horse to Magnier at that upper level. Hillen explained, “[I] really liked her run at Goodwood. I think she will go to America and she could be good on a turning track. There are plenty of races out there for her. She's run to a Timeform rating of 110 and that's usually good enough to win Group 1s in America. There is a lot of money on offer over there and she's young.” He added, “She was bought on behalf of MV Magnier and Michael Tabor – she's a bit out of my league! Very lucky to have been entrusted to buy her. She was the only one for me at that level. I thought she was pretty obvious. It was plenty of money for her but she's got a good shot, I think.” Stroud Closes The Deal On Choisya At 2m Gns The GI Jenny Wiley Stakes winner Choisya (Night Of Thunder) went the way of Anthony Stroud for 2,000,000gns, bought on behalf of an undisclosed breeder. “She is a lovely racemare and her owner, Mr Nabouda, has been delighted with the progress she has shown throughout her career,” said co-trainer Ed Crisford. “As a five-year-old, now is the time to sell and we are delighted with the result. She sold very well and we are very happy. “She started out at a low level and worked her way up. It wasn't until she was four and even earlier this year during her five-year-old campaign when she started to really turn on the taps and look like a proper filly. It took a while for her to come to hand, really. It wasn't until we took her out to Dubai and America that she took off. The quick ground and the turns and the bends, that was the key to her.” Bred by Rabbah Bloodstock, Choisya is a half-sister to three black-type earners in Pelerin, Base Note and Masarah, and she won eight of her races for Simon and Ed Crisford, adding two Meydan Group 2 victories to her top-level win at Keeneland. Survie Helps Push Coolmore's Spend Beyond 11m Gns MV Magnier may as well have been walking around the back ring as, along with his Coolmore partners, he mopped up some of the best fillies and mares that were on offer at this year's Sceptre Sessions. The Nicolas Clement and Frauke Hermans-trained Survie, who is by Coolmore's own stallion Churchill and finished third in this year's Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, was just another high-rated runner that went Magnier's way, this time at 1.9 million gns. “She's a very good filly and Nicolas Clement has done a great job with her,” said Magnier. “We're going to talk to Michael and Doreen [Tabor] and see what they want to do, but she might stay in training. We'll make a plan in the next couple of days. Churchill has had another great year. He's a good stallion and is probably the most value horse we have at home now.” It was David Redvers who filled the role as underbidder on the three-time winner who raced in a partnership between the China Horse Club and Gerard Augustin-Normand. Clement said, “She's been a terrific filly and we have mixed feelings as we are losing our top flagbearer. She's had three seasons at the top level but she is going to a very good home and we are delighted for them. Let's hope she breeds a good one for them. She had the heart of a tiger and she was very consistent at Group 1 level.” All told, Coolmore spent 11.1 million gns on four fillies – Porta Fortuna, Tamfana, Saqqara Sands and Survie. Redvers Resolute in Quest for Pintara David Redvers had played the role of underbidder on Survie but he ended up as the successful bidder for wildcard entry Pintara (lot 1760A) at 1.8 million gns on behalf of John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock. The two-year-old daughter of Pinatubo, who was bred by Ballylinch Stud and raced by that operation with partners, is unbeaten in her two starts to date, including an easy win in the Listed Montrose Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket. At last year's December Sale, Stewart spent more than 6 million gns on five smart race fillies who have been transferred to America to continue their racing careers, including G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Vertical Blue (Mehmas). Arrowfield Hits The Target On Too Darn Hot's Sister Arrowfield Stud's John Freyer said that he stretched the budget in order to secure Chere Darmoiselle, an unraced daughter of Kingman out of the brilliant Dar Re Mi, making the four-year-old a sister to sire sensation Too Darn Hot. Offered by Watership Down Stud, Chere Darmoiselle was sold for 1.3 million gns in foal to Zarak. Freyer said, “We will leave her here to foal and then we will bring her home in the autumn, which will be our spring. She will go to The Autumn Sun. We are big fans of Too Darn Hot and are sending him half a dozen mares this year in Australia. A filly out of that family was just too hard to resist.” He added, “We really had to stretch but we were delighted to get her. We were hoping to buy her for a fraction less than that but the ones with the good pedigrees like her, you are going to have to stretch. I am pleased that we did because it's such a magnificent family and we're all about getting these mares from big families. We'll probably keep all of the daughters and hopefully develop them in the future.” Juddmonte Draft Gets Figures Rolling The first of the day to reach seven figures came early in the Juddmonte draft when Charlie Budgett and Henry Lascelles went toe to toe for Star Magnolia (Kingman), a four-year-old half-sister to the G1 Phoenix Stakes winner Babouche (Kodiac), who was offered in foal to Frankel. It was Lascelles who had the final say at 1,300,000gns, for the young winning mare (lot 1664) whose immediate relatives also include the G2 Minstrel Stakes winner Zarinsk (Kodiac) and the Listed-placed Derevo (Dansili). Hugo Lascelles, father of Henry, said, “What a great and young family to get into. She has two daughters working for you and I like Kingman very much as a broodmare sire. She is in foal to Frankel, so what more can you say? The chat is that she had ability and she is a very handsome lady, too. That is why she is so exciting. She has been bought for a British owner-breeder.” Loading up on Gewan clan The team at Ace Stud will rightly have Classic dreams for G1 Dewhurst Stakes winner Gewan, who was bought privately after the colt had won the G3 Acomb Stakes, and they have been busily accruing further family members at the December Sale. Last week, Ace Stud's Paul Curran signed for Gewan's weanling half-brother at 500,000gns from Overbury Stud, and on Tuesday he added three-year-old half-sister Darn Hot Mystery (Too Darn Hot) to the list at 180,000gns. With two placings from nine starts, the filly (lot 1605) is rated 55 and was offered by her trainer Henry Candy. Ace Stud now has the full set of the first three foals for their Listed-placed dam Grey Mystere (Lethal Force) and have signed for eight fillies and mares under their own name over the last two days for 2,772,000gns. The post ‘Some Buzz!’ Barnavara Tops Record Tattersalls Session at 4.8m Gns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Alpha Racing's Barnavara (Calyx) became the new sale topper at Tattersalls December's Sceptre Sessions at 4.8 million gns. She was bought online by Sugar Whiskey Trading, believed to be an associate of Ace Stud. Henry Lascelles, on the phone, was a determined underbidder on the Baroda Stud-consigned filly. Sold as lot 1753, the three-year-old daughter of Calyx captured the G1 Prix de l'Opera this autumn, after taking the G2 Blandford stakes in September for trainer Jessica Harrington. The daughter of Alfea (Kentucky Dynamite) was bred by Andriy Milovonov and V. Tymoshenko. BBA Ireland picked her out of the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale Book 1 for €70,000. Also a winner of the G3 Jannah Rose Stakes and the Listed Kooyonga Stakes this season, Barnavara is from the same family as Lope De Vega. Said Harrington, “Some buzz! I promise you, that was more than my wildest dreams. We all get excited and said, 'oh, she might make three [million]. But what did she even make? 4.8 million? It was stuck at 1.5 million and then it went on and on and on and on. I promise you, it's amazing. Best of luck. Yulong usually bid online – I better try to keep her! There's a lot in the tank still. We thought that she was only just growing into herself because she went on improving all year. She's a very big filly – she's an amazing filly, she really is. “The Alpha Racing Syndicate was set up by my son-in-law Richie Galway, Patrick Cooper and Legs [Elaine] Lawlor. We set it up to buy yearlings, race them and have fun and hopefully wash our faces every year. But it has been incredibly lucky. We've had Kinesiology, Cadillac and a lot of good horses. Everyone has had fun doing it and a lot of the syndicate members are here today. Even three people came from America. It's amazing.” 4,800,000gns makes Barnavara the highest priced filly in training in the world this year, going the way of Sugar Whiskey Trading. Last seen winning the Gr.1 Prix de l'Opera for @Jessica_Racing, she was consigned by @BarodaStudIre at the #TattsDecember Mares Sale. pic.twitter.com/nCus6egqAI — Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) December 2, 2025 The post Harrington Team In Clover As Barnavara Sets Sceptre Sessions Alight At 4.8 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the fifth straight year, Horseshoe Indianapolis set a new record for all-time highest handle wagered on live racing. The 123-day meet concluded with total handle surging past $287 million in 2025.View the full article

It was another banner weekend for trainer Brad Cox. His trainee, Further Ado (Gun Runner), passed a big test when winning the GII Kentucky Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. On the same card, he unveiled an impressive maiden winner in Cannoneer (Into Mischief), who romped by 7 1/4 lengths. Cox, who joined this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland, will try to keep his streak going Saturday at Aqueduct, where he will send out Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo), who is 8-for-12 lifetime, in the GII Cigar Mile Handicap. He will discuss his weekend runners, how he so deftly manages a 160-horse stable that includes divisions at Oaklawn Park, Payson Park, the Fair Grounds, Turfway Park and Belmont Park in addition to other topics. Cox was this week's Gainesway Guest of the Week. After an explosive 20-length win in a maiden race at Keeneland, Further Ado stepped up and won the Kentucky Jockey Club by 1 3/4 lengths. Somewhat surprisingly, his Beyer number dropped from a 98 in the maiden win to an 82 in the Churchill stakes. Still, Cox was happy with what he saw. “There was a dog fight down the lane and he ended up winning by 1 3/4 lengths,” Cox said. “I thought it was a good effort from a horse that was facing winners for the first time. That means a lot. I've always said that's one of the toughest things to do in racing, after you break your maiden immediately going after winners. He once again stepped up and I thought the performance was a big effort. Though I know he probably didn't match the numbers from his maiden win.” Cox said that Further Ado, who is owned by Spendthrift Farm, will winter at Payson Park. Though in Florida, he may not run there because Spendthrift probably won't want to run him against probable Eclipse Award winner and Spendthrift owned Ted Noffey (Into Mischief). He is also based in Florida with Todd Pletcher. Named a TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard, Cannoneer, who Writers' Room panelist Randy Moss said was more impressive than Further Ado, was bought for $1.75 million at the Keeneland September Sale. After finishing third in his debut in June at Churchill, he came back five months later as a better horse. Cox was impressed. “He's very talented,” Cox said. “He made the races early in the spring. After his first race I wasn't quite happy with the way he was moving, so we gave him the time. There could have been something maybe bothering him that day. We just didn't get the performance we were looking for. We backed off of him, gave him the time. He came back into Keeneland on the first of October and immediately, as soon as we worked him, we saw that the talent was still there. It never went anywhere. I had a pretty good feeling he was going to get ready quick, and he did. Obviously, he's a very talented horse. He showed that again. He showed that in his workouts prior to his first start and he was well bet. Obviously, he was an expensive yearling. He's still a pretty flashy work horse in the morning and he put it all together there Saturday evening.” As consistent as he has been, Bishops Bay's biggest wins have come at the Grade III level. Though the Cigar Mile came up weak this year, a victory there will look good on the 5-year-old's resume. “I love the draw,” Cox said. “I thought he drew really well. The outside post should give Flavien [Prat] an opportunity to break and either take control of the race or sit just off the pace. I feel like we've kind of campaigned him well and managed him properly. There is a new ownership group [KAS Stables] and the goal is to get him to the Middle East at some point. I think a big performance on Saturday could definitely, moving forward, get his rating up high enough to maybe take a chance in a race in the Middle East.” The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Magnitude (Not This Time), who earned a 100 Beyer figure in his win in the GII Clark Stakes. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, which stands the stallion Independence Hall. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the PHBA, 1/ST TV and West Point Thoroughbreds, Moss, Bill Finley and T.D. Thornton discussed the major stakes run last weekend at Churchill Downs and Del Mar. The focus at Del Mar was Chad Brown, who continued to dominate the late fall turf stakes there. He sent three horses west and all three won graded stakes. Thornton, who has been covering the Rudy Rodriguez situation for the TDN, gave an update on what's happening with the New York-based trainer, who may face serious charges from HISA that involve animal cruelty issues. The team also went over three of the major stakes that will be run Saturday at Aqueduct, the Cigar, the GII Remsen Stakes and the GII Demoiselle Stakes. Click to watch the podcast or here to listen. The post Brad Cox Joins the TDN’s Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article