Wandering Eyes

Jockey Juan Hernandez, trainer Phil D'Amato and owner Paul and Zilla Reddam's Reddam Racing emerged victorious in their respective divisions during the 29-day Hollywood Meet at Santa Anita, which closed Sunday, June 16. Hernandez, a native of Veracruz, Mexico, was celebrating a sixth riding title at Santa Anita, having ridden 36 winners from 176 mounts (20.5%), one clear of Antonio Fresu, who joined the local riding colony just over 14 months ago. The Italian had one last chance to dead-heat with Hernandez, but fell just short in Sunday's 12th and final race aboard Anmer Hall for trainer Steve Knapp. Hernandez was also leading rider by earnings ($2,008,398) and stakes wins (five). “When I moved here the plan was to do good and ride hard all the time,” said Hernandez, who rides any number of top horses for trainer Bob Baffert. “It's a lot of fun riding a horse and competing with these guys. We have a really nice colony of jockeys. It is really fun and [Fresu] put me under a lot of pressure this time. My agent, Craig O'Bryan, he put me on good horses. I want to thank the owners, trainers and my family for all the support this meet. Hopefully we can keep rolling.” D'Amato struck with 22 of his 120 starters (18.3%), finishing five better than trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill. His $1,397,432 in earnings and six stakes victories were also tops among all trainers. “It's a testament to having really good horses, great owners and great help,” said D'Amato, a 48-year-old native of nearby San Pedro, CA. “You put those all together and you'll have success.” Reddam Racing was the meet's top owner with seven wins, one better than Red Baron's Barn/Rancho Temescal. Racing returns to Santa Anita for the Autumn Meet on Sept. 27. The track will stage the inaugural running of California Crown Day, highlighted by the $1-million California Crown, a prep for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at nine furlongs on the main track. The post Hernandez, D’Amato, Reddam Secure Hollywood Meet Titles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Churchill Downs will play host to the 2024 Track Superintendent Field Day Sept. 8-10, beginning with a welcome reception the night of Sept. 8 followed by two days of the conference. The 2024 agenda will be developed by the advisory committee of seven racetrack superintendents with knowledge and experience with all types of surfaces: Leif Dickinson, Sean Gault, Glen Kozak, Jake Leitzel, Dennis Moore, Jim Pendergest, and Jamie Richardson. Speakers, presentations, and hands-on demonstrations will take place at Churchill Downs. The topics will include sharing of best practices as well as discussions of the work done by racetrack superintendents and maintenance crews. A focus of the 2024 event will be workforce challenges in racing. Remi Bellocq of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College will lead a panel to discuss workforce needs and support from the community college system. Registration fees will be free for track superintendents thanks to key sponsors which include Equine Equipment, Equine Discounts, and Horsemen's Track and Equipment. The 2025 event will be held at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Pennsylvania, with dates to be announced during this year's event. The post Track Superintendent Field Day Set For September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Santa Anita Park concluded the six-month 2023-24 Winter-Spring season June 16 which, when combined with the six-week Autumn Meet from 2023, produced a near-perfect safety year.View the full article

William Buick has been full of praise for Notable Speech, who bids to confirm his position as Europe's best 3-year-old miler against the winners of the Irish and French Two Thousand Guineas in the St James's Palace Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot June 18.View the full article

This day 18th June in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. Australia horse racing news 1 year ago Not An Option relishes firmer Flemington track Not An Option relished the Good 4 surface presented at Flemington on Saturday, with a strong win for trainer Mike … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | June 18, 2023 Eight horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips and quaddie selections for free here at … Read More Australia horse racing news 1 year ago Talented Darwin apprentice Jade Hampson celebrates 50th win She only started her career in the saddle in April last year, but Darwin apprentice Jade Hampson celebrated her 50th … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Ballarat race tips, best bets & quaddie picks | June 19, 2023 The Ballarat synthetic surface is set to host a nine-race card on Monday and Horsebetting’s James Herbert presents his best … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Chase displays his love for Trentham with emphatic victory A love affair with the Trentham track continued for consistent galloper Chase when he picked up his third victory at … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Hastings stable produces Waikato Steeplechase winner The red-hot run of form for the Paul Nelson and Corrina McChief Stipeal training partnership continued at Te Rapa on Saturday … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago The Doctor delivers in Waikato Hurdle A patient ride by Shaun Phelan paved the way for promising hurdler Dr Hank to deliver a feature jumping race … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Centrefire leads all of the way to give Munce feature double Centrefire gave Chris Munce a feature race double at Ipswich on Saturday, as she led all of the way to … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Holyfield overcomes wide barrier to win Eye Liner Stakes A late betting drift due to a wide barrier for Holyfield wasn’t enough to stop the Annabel Neasham-trained galloper in … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Smart Meteor rockets home to win Ipswich Cup Chris Munce and Brock Ryan have claimed the 2022 Ipswich Cup (2150m) in emphatic fashion, with Smart Meteor storming down … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Passive Aggressive keeps unbeaten record in-tact Passive Aggressive has remained unbeaten following a classy win in Saturday Listed A.R. Creswick Stakes at Flemington.The Grahame Begg-trained filly … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Warrnambool racing preview & best bets | Sunday, June 19 Warrnambool Racing Club is scheduled to host an eight-race card on Sunday, including four races over the obstacles. Horsebetting’s James … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | June 18, 2022 13 horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips, best odds and quaddie selections for free … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Gwenda Johnstone set to receive the 2022 Country Achiever Award After four decades in the industry, Echuca trainer Gwenda Johnstone will be awarded as the winner of the 2022 Country … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Experienced Vanessa Arnott ready for big day of racing at Darwin Vanessa Arnott has been riding in the Northern Territory for as long as she can remember. More importantly, it still … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Jessie Philpot staying optimistic after Highly Decorated injury Alice Springs jockey Jessie Philpot had every right to feel optimistic in regards to the forthcoming Darwin Cup Carnival. Last … Read More Horse Racing News 3 years ago Friday News Briefs: Cox Plate favourite Zaaki under drug cloud Despite there being no Group 1 racing this weekend around the country, there has been plenty of news to chew … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Belmont Guineas Day tips & quaddie picks | Saturday, June 19 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the 2021 Belmont Guineas Day betting preview for Saturday, June 19. See all the top tips, value … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Murray Bridge tips, odds & quaddie selection | Saturday, June 19 Murray Bridge will play host to a nine-race card on Saturday, June 19. See HorseBetting’s betting preview with top tips, … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Flemington tips, value bets & quaddie picks | Saturday, June 19 Flemington Racecourse will host the Country Race Day on Saturday, June 19. HorseBetting.com.au has all the top tips, value bets, … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Rosehill tips, value bets & quaddie | McKell Cup Day | 19/6/2021 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the betting preview for the 2021 McKell Cup Day at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse. See all the top … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Ipswich Cup Day betting tips, top odds & quaddie | 19/6/2021 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the best bets for the Ipswich meeting on Saturday, June 19, including expert betting tips for the … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago 2021 Ipswich Cup betting preview & top tips | Saturday, June 19 The feature race of the day at Ipswich Turf Club is the 2021 Ipswich Cup, which will be run and … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | June 18, 2021 Horse Racing around the country has five meetings scheduled to be run and won on this Friday afternoon. We have … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Bishara banking more bucks Ardmore trainer Nick Bishara knows what it is like to loosen the reins on a stable talent to enable them … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Talented galloper to make raceday return The well-travelled Cheval Prometteur will make his raceday return at Ruakaka on Saturday after an injury enforced layoff. The six-year-old … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Charlie the horse to watch at Awapuni A more measured campaign is poised to pay dividends for Wairarapa galloper Charlie Horse in the coming weeks. That’s the … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Sydney trainer to face Queensland inquiry Trainer John O’Shea will front Queensland racing officials after one of his horses returned a positive swab to the party … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Freedman stable out to continue hot streak Training partners Michael and Richard Freedman will saddle up two Randwick runners as they bid to extend the stable’s patch … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Jamie Mott fined $1500 for Twitter comment Melbourne jockey Jamie Mott has been hit with a $1500 fine over social media comments about racing’s controversial whip rule … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Perry reflects on Royal Ascot pilgrimage Paul Perry, who became part of Australian racing folklore when Choisir won at Royal Ascot, is chasing a far more … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago King Of Hastings set for his winter target The Listed AR Creswick Stakes at Flemington has been a winter target for the consistent King Of Hastings who heads … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Cojuangco’s Gooree legacy set to continue Gooree Park Stud principal Eduardo Cojuangco is being remembered for his significant contribution to the Australian racing and breeding industries … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Flemington distance trial for Mahamedeis Having proven himself at a middle distance, Mahamedeis is attempting a staying trip for the first time in the George … Read More Horse Racing Tips 4 years ago Free betting tips for The Phoenix – Saturday, 20 June 2020 The Brisbane carnival may have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean there are no quality races in Queensland … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago In-form Brilliant Concept after hat-trick The Matthew Williams-trained gelding Brilliant Concept will be chasing his third straight win when he runs in the David Bourke … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Tony Gollan nears another training record Talented filly The Actuary will head a strong team for trainer Tony Gollan as he closes in on 100 Brisbane … Read More Horse Racing Tips 4 years ago Townsville racing tips & best bets – Thursday, 18 June 2020 A bumper 10-race program heads north to Townsville on Thursday for Queensland’s provincial meeting … Read More United Kingdom Horse Racing News 4 years ago Lord North wins Prince Of Wales’s Stakes The John Gosden-trained Lord North has won the showpiece Prince of Wales’ Stakes on day two of Royal Ascot … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Good barrier a boost for Mishani Hustler Trainer Les Ross is confident a better barrier will see Mishani Hustler hard to beat at Doomben … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Cunningham bullish on weanling sale format Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore will offer a select draft of six weanlings through New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale which is … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Tiley excited about hometrack resumption Nigel Tiley would usually be enjoying the warmer climate of Queensland at this time of year, however, the Pukekohe trainer … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Demonetization impresses at Ellerslie Five-year-old gelding Demonetization has been plagued by issues throughout his racing career and trainer Nigel Tiley believes he finally has … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Newitt upbeat about Tatt’s Tiara hopes Tasmania’s leading jockey, Craig Newitt, will make the trip to Brisbane to ride Eckstein in the Group One Tattersall’s Tiara … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Lucinda Doodt to ride Jungle Edge in Dash Victoiran apprentice Lucinda Doodt’s three-kilo claim will reduce Jungle Edge’s weight in the Winter Dash at Randwick … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Brideoake cleared of race day treatment Racing NSW stewards say race day treatment charges against Victorian trainer David Brideoake could not be proven … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Halvorsen on target for Creswick Stakes A pleasing run from Halvorsen in his first attempt at straight racing at Flemington has trainer Robbie Griffiths upbeat about … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Distance rise to suit Shoals’ sister Tides Well-bred filly Tides will step up to 1600m and wear blinkers for the first time when she chases a city … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Tauranga Classic on the cards for Rosewood Wet track specialist Rosewood added a tenth victory to her record at Awapuni on Saturday and if conditions suit she … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Champagne Cuddles eq favourite for Tiara Champagne Cuddles and Prompt Response are the early equal favourites for the Tatt’s Tiara at Doomben, the final Group One … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Victorian apprentice runs second in France Michael Poy, the son of former champion jockey Michael Clarke, has finished second in an apprentices’ jockeys race in France … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Decision time coming for Steven Arnold Jockey Steven Arnold hasn’t lost his passion for riding and is keeping himself in trim riding trackwork at Macedon Lodge … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Jungle Edge returning to Randwick Victorian trainer Mick Bell will return to Randwick with Jungle Edge for the Winter Dash and hopes he can press … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Straight to town for maiden winner Flogga A lot of hard work has gone into debut maiden winner Flogga who now heads to town to run in … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Aquanita appeals set to be heard together The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal is expected to deal with the appeals by four of the “Aquanita eight” together … Read More Horse Racing Tips 6 years ago Tamworth betting tips & full form for Tuesday, June 19 TAMWORTH is racing this Tuesday and the team of experts at Horse Betting HQ has taken a look at all … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Jockey has appeal win before the RAD Board Jockey John Robertson has had six meetings shaved from a careless riding suspension on appeal to the Racing Appeals and … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Kah content to make hit-and-run raids Jockey Jamie Kah is keen to keep her interstate momentum going but will still call Adelaide home … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Tony Gollan to chase another record Premier trainer Tony Gollan believes he can break the record for the most wins in a Queensland metropolitan season with … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago McDonald on track for starring Royal Ascot appearance Star Kiwi jockey James McDonald has a gilt-edged chance to secure his first Royal Ascot win this week. McDonald, who … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Thirty seven entries for Tatt’s Tiara The Tatt’s Tiara at Doomben has received 37 entries for 16 positions in the final Group One race of the … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Allan Reardon says he will work on Queensland’s chief steward Allan Reardon says he will work the final weeks of his contract despite openly criticising the head … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Market movers at Lismore, Monday June 18 LISMORE is racing this Monday and the punters have their early moves in the piece across the seven events. Let’s … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Albury market movers for Monday, June 18 ALBURY is racing this Monday as the bordertown hosts a solid seven race card to kick off the working week … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Laurens wins Prix Diane at Chantilly Laurens has won the French Oaks, the Prix de Diane, to give English trainer Karl Burke and jockey PJ McDonald … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Ben Currie hits lead in Qld trainers title Ben Currie has taken a slender lead in the Queensland trainers’ premiership from Tony Gollan … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Hugh Bowman aiming at record in Tiara Jockey Hugh Bowman and trainer Chris Waller will look to cap the Group One season with French Emotion in the … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Blake Shinn rides winner at Arlington Sydney jockey Blake Shinn has ridden his first winner during his United States winter sojourn … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Pop ‘N’ Scotch set for another Cup tilt Tough stayer Pop ‘N’ Scotch is chasing a Queensland Cup win after running second in the race for the past … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Tshahitsi to run for Miller at Flemington Tasmanian Imogen Miller has been granted an extension to her visiting trainers’ licence and Tshahitsi is set to line up … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Milestone in sight for Jordan Childs Apprentice Jordan Childs is on a mission to outride his claim when he returns from a careless riding suspension … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 7 years ago Fallen For You returns home a winner for Les Ross QUEENSLAND trainer Les Ross is one of the battlers of the racing industry and that was no more evident than … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 7 years ago With A Promise continues to defy odds for trainer Ben Currie UNDERRATED three-year-old With A Promise was an impressive winner at Ipswich on Cup day and trainer Ben Currie is confident … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Brown suspended but can ride in Tiara Corey Brown will be able to ride at the final Group One meeting of the season despite being suspended at … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Qld stewards warn trainers about arsenic Queensland stewards have warned trainers to be alert for horses chewing on bed shavings or wood posts which have been … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Dwayne Dunn suspended for 10 meetings Premiership-leading jockey Dwayne Dunn has been suspended for 10 meetings for careless riding at Moonee Valley and is set to … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Thompson claims special Moonee Valley win Ben Thompson landed a Moonee Valley double but also a special win aboard Onpicalo in the Travis Harrison Cup … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Firsthand wins narrowly, survives protest Three-year-old Firsthand has made it two wins from as many starts with a narrow victory at Moonee Valley … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Chris Waller closes in on own record Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller is closing in on his own season record, helped by four winners at Rosehill … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Blake Shinn questioned over Thud ride Racing NSW stewards have taken issue with Blake Shinn’s tactics aboard Thud in a race at Rosehill … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Blueberry Hill earns G1 Tatts Tiara tilt Blueberry Hill continued Saturday’s trend of horses winning after long breaks between victories when she won the Listed Gai Waterhouse … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Chris Waller closes in on own record Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller is closing in on his own season record, helped by four winners at Rosehill … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Another city success for Jake Bayliss Jake Bayliss has continued his recent good run in town guiding Chiavari to victory at Moonee Valley … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Long-range plan pays fror Ninth Legion Jockey Damian Browne has now won the Eye Liner Stakes three times, with Ninth Legion joining Adnocan (2011) and Smokin … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Maurus carries record weight in winning 2016 Ipswich Cup MAURUS defied a betting drift and carried a weight record when winning the 2016 Ipswich Cup on Saturday. The David … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Maurus breaks weight record in Ipswich Cup Maurus came from last at the 600m to win the Ipswich Cup, carrying 58kg – the most by an Ipswich … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Amexed turns back time to land rich Stayers prize TRAINER Tony Gollan was due for a big day at Ipswich on Cup day, but he didn’t think he’d be … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Himalaya keeps dream alive at Rosehill A change of gear and tactics has helped Himalaya Dream regain winning form at Rosehill to the surprise of punters … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Clemency makes it back-to-back city wins The Robert Smerdon-trained mare Clemency will be given her chance to chase some black-type early in the spring before she … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Amexed breaks long drought at Ipswich Amexed hadn’t won a race since the Rough Habit Plate in May 2014 when he hugged the fence to win … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Butterboom wins after sister scores Butterboom has upheld family pride with victoiry at Rosehill on the same afternoon as her younger sister … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Schockemohle bound for jumps racing Trainer Brett Scott was thrilled to see Schockemohle race to victory on the flat at Moonee Valley as he continues … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Alassak’s tense wait for correct weight Alassak has beaten Happy Event by a nose to take out the Bundamba Plate (1100m) at Ipswich … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Artie Dee Two opens account in town Jockey Brad Rawiller thinks Artie Dee Two is up to spring company after scoring a comfortable win at Moonee Valley … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Vandyke’s first win as a Queenslander Former Sydney trainer David Vandyke’s mare Blackjack Bella has won by a short half head to Outraged in the Ipswich … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Foxplay toys with her rivals at Rosehill Trainer Chris Waller hopes Foxplay has set herself up for the spring with her maiden win at Rosehill … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Foxplay gets Waller and Bowman off to a winning start at Rosehill CHAMPION trainer Chris Waller got his day off to a good start when two-year-old filly Foxplay broke through for its … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Kinema wins at Ascot for Richard Pegum Kinema has won the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes for Australian businessman Richard Pegum and trainer Ralph Beckett … Read More View the full article

Sparkling Plenty (Fr) (Kingman {GB}), winner of the G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly just over 24 hours previously and billed as the headline act at Monday's Goffs London Sale, was knocked down for a whopping £8,100,000 only for it to emerge that the filly had been brought back by owner Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois. Eventually it was revealed that a deal was struck by Al Shaqab Racing to buy into the Patrice Cottier-trained sister to G3 Jersey S. winner Noble Truth (Fr) for £5 million. It was reported that Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani had been in attendance at the sale and it is understood that Sparkling Plenty will remain with Cottier following the part-sale. Out of the Frankel (GB) mare Speralita (Fr) and closely related to the Japanese Classic winners Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}) and Stars On Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Sparkling Plenty was sold in absentia. She achieved the ultimate update when swooping to claim Survie (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) and Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) in a pulsating edition of the Prix de Diane on Sunday. While Sparkling Plenty was the undoubted star of the show, an unraced Kingman (GB) daughter of six-time Group 1 winner Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) was predictably popular with agent Hamish Macauley striking the winning bid for the Oaks Farm Stables-drafted two-year-old on behalf of Amo Racing at £650,000. Amo boss Kia Joorabchian has a number of high-profile horses to look forward to at Royal Ascot this week and warmed up for the meeting with a net spend of £1,130,000 after adding the Dermot Weld-trained Taraj (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) to his team for £480,000. A 14-1 chance for Thursday's G3 Hampton Court S., Taraj was last seen finishing third behind subsequent Derby-placed Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in a Group 3 Derby Trial at Leopardstown. The colt was bred by Weld's Springbank Way Stud. There were a number of notable buybacks throughout the session which led to just 13 of the 23 lots offered being sold. The most high profile buyback of them all was Nurlan Bizakov's unbeaten Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) at £2,250,000 while Adrian Keatley elected to hang onto leading G2 Coventry S. contender Francisco's Piece (GB) (Mayson {GB}). For the 13 lots sold, it generated £8,040,000 at an average of £618,462 and a median of £200,000. The post Diane Winner Sparkling Plenty Lights Up Goffs London Sale At £5 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

White Birch was a notable absentee as a field of 10 was declared for the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot June 19. The race will feature a duel between Breeders' Cup winners Auguste Rodin and Inspiral.View the full article

When Jon Clay first got started in the Thoroughbred business, he launched Alpha Delta Stables with ambitious goals in mind. Step one: breed a stakes winner. Step two: breed something good enough to make it to either the Kentucky Derby or the Kentucky Oaks. Nearly two decades later, Clay has checked off every one of those goals, having bred both a Derby and an Oaks starter. Plus, his program has produced something he never could have dreamed up back when he was compiling that wish list of accomplishments. In world-class sprinter Elite Power, Clay has bred a two-time Breeders' Cup champion. “I'd say I have exceeded what I wanted to accomplish,” said the Palm Beach, Florida-based businessman. “To breed a stakes horse is the first step and then to breed a Grade I winner is next, but I never thought I would breed a champion. To have a horse you bred win the Breeders' Cup is pretty special.” Breeding Thoroughbreds is in Clay's blood. His cousin is Runnymede Farm's Catesby W. Clay, whose family has been involved in the breeding industry in Lexington for over 100 years. Clay fell in love with racing when he attended his first Kentucky Derby the year that the filly Genuine Risk came out victorious, but a greater passion developed soon after when he began studying the breeding side of the sport. “I always figured that when I got to a certain stage in my life, I wanted to get into racing and breeding,” Clay explained. “I was really attracted to the breeding end because I think it's important to continue to perpetuate the breed as opposed to just owning racehorses.” After building a successful career in sports marketing, Clay decided to take the plunge and get involved in the Thoroughbred business. He bought his first mare at the 2006 Keeneland November Sale, spending $410,000 on Litany. She was a 7-year-old winning daughter of Holy Bull and a full-sister to GISW Confessional. Litany never produced much of anything for Clay and he sold her four years later for just $7,000. It was his first lesson in how the market can oftentimes make for a rollercoaster ride for commercial breeders. Clay decided that if he wanted to build a successful program, he was going to have to play at the top end. He began looking for mares that were accomplished on the racetrack and had plenty of depth to their pedigrees. At the 2011 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, he paid $1.55 million for Mona de Momma (Speightstown), the winner of the 2010 GI Humana Distaff S. who hailed from the family of Mr. Greeley and Street Sense. Flash forward eight years and Monda de Momma was responsible for GII Blue Grass S. winner and Kentucky Derby runner Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}). As a 4-year-old, Vekoma reeled off three straight victories including the GI Carter H. and GI Metropolitan H., making him the favorite going into the 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. But the Wednesday before the championship meet, he spiked a temperature and was forced to scratch. Clay had gotten a taste of what it was like to have a horse he bred take on the Breeders' Cup. Luckily, he didn't have long to wait before he had another shot at producing a Breeders' Cup champion. Two years after purchasing the dam of Vekoma, Clay spent $2.15 million on Broadway's Alibi (Vindication) at the Keeneland November Sale. The dual graded stakes-winning Robsham Stables homebred was runner-up in the 2012 GI Kentucky Oaks. While the mare's first four foals never made it to the racetrack, her fifth foal-a flashy chestnut son of Curlin-developed into a standout as a youngster at Lane's End Farm. Elite Power as a foal with dam Broadway's Alibi | Lane's End “Elite Power was a decent size and a pretty muscular foal, but as he continued to grow he really blossomed as a yearling and had a lot more strength to him,” recalled Clay. “He was very straightforward–never one of those frisky foals–but he was very racey and muscular.” Elite Power sold for $900,000 to Juddmonte Farms at the Keeneland September Sale, but Clay admitted that he didn't watch the pricey colt too closely early on in his career. It took the Bill Mott trainee four tries to break his maiden, but when he finally stepped up to graded stakes company in the fall of his 4-year-old year, he never looked back. After defeating reigning champion Jackie's Warrior in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland, Elite Power picked up right where he left off last year as a 5-year-old. Clay can remember watching Elite Power in the paddock at Santa Anita before his final career start at the Breeders' Cup. “He walked by me and I thought, 'Boy, this horse has just a huge engine.' I had seen a couple of his races, but that was the first time I had seen him in person in a while and I was impressed with how he had really filled out.” With a second straight Sprint victory, Elite Power joined Midnight Lute and Roy H as two-time Breeders' Cup Sprint winners and he gave Clay some of his proudest memories as a breeder. “To breed a Breeders' Cup winner is pretty awesome, but to have a back-to-back champion is crazy,” he said. “Three Chimneys is a sponsor of the Breeders' Cup and they give a Breeders' Cup trophy to the breeders, so I've got two trophies up on my mantel.” Elite Power" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/djgOWLINIpQ" width="1236" height="695" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"> Clay has a lot to look forward to now, as two horses that he bred launch their careers at stud. Vekoma, who stands for $15,000 in his fourth year at Spendthrift Farm, already has six winning juveniles in his first crop. Meanwhile Elite Power is wrapping up a successful first season at Juddmonte, where the six-time graded stakes winner stands for $50,000. Clay has supported both young sires with mares and is looking forward to their futures. Of course, the breeding business has more than its fair share of dramatic twists. Sadly, the dams of both Vekoma and Elite Power have passed away. Mona de Momma died shortly after producing Vekoma and Broadway's Alibi died before producing a foal this year. Clay has decided to retain Broadway's Alibi's youngest foal, a full-brother to Elite Power that he named Coercive Power. The 3-year-old colt is still preparing for the racetrack, but is showing plenty of promise “You have to have a lot of patience in this business,” said Clay. “There are a lot of ups and downs. You have to take the good with the bad and just savor the good moments. I've got a great team that I work with at Lane's End and at Mill Ridge, where Reynolds Bell helps me on the bloodstock end of it. I am very fortunate to have a really solid team that helps me along the way.” With a broodmare band of around 20 mares split between Lane's End and Mill Ridge, Clay's initial design of gearing his program toward the commercial market is still in place, but he does retain a handful of fillies to race himself and continue the lineage of families he has bred. Alpha Delta Stables's current flagbearer on the racetrack is Raging Sea (Curlin). The Chad Brown trainee was Clay's first homebred to make it to the Breeders' Cup in 2022, when she ran third in the Juvenile Fillies, and she has since won the 2023 GIII Comely S. and 2024 GIII Doubledogdare S. Raging Sea was fourth in her last start in the GI Ogden Phipps S., but Clay remains confident that the 4-year-old will be a competitive member of the Distaff division this year and perhaps, get a shot at returning to the Breeders' Cup. “I think she can compete against fillies like Idiomatic (Curlin), Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) and Randomized (Nyquist),” said Clay. “Hopefully there are some Grade I races down the road and if we get lucky, maybe we can get to the Breeders' Cup again.” Three Chimneys' Three Cheers to the Breeder is a series of articles profiling first-time Breeders' Cup-winning breeders. The post Three Chimneys’ Three Cheers to the Breeder: Alpha Delta Stables appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Presque Isle Downs, $30,500, Msw, 6-17, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f (AWT), :52.72, ft, 1 1/4 lengths. WILLOW OAK (f, 2, War of Will–Joyful Cat, by Kitten's Joy) was bet nearly in half from her 8-1 morning line off a promising worktab over the Turfway Tapeta and came away late to become the first winner for her Classic-winning freshman sire (by War Front). Under a hustling ride from Adam Beschizza from gate five, the Dede McGehee homebred was a midpack fifth into the turn, was roused right-handed while progressing leaving the quarter pole and did her best work through the wire, pulling away to graduate at first asking by 1 1/4 lengths. Under her Heaven Trees banner, McGehee purchased Joyful Cat–a sister to GSW Charming Kitten, SW/MGSP Queen'splatekitten and MGSP Portfolio Company–for $150,000 with this filly in utero at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. Joyful Cat is also the dam of a yearling colt by Dialed In and a Yaupon filly foaled Apr. 28. Bought back as a Keeneland September yearling, War of Will was purchased by Justin Casse for €250,000 at the 2018 Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale. Winner of the 2019 GIII Lecomte S. and GII Risen Star S., the Gary Barber colorbearer was a troubled eighth, promoted to seventh, in the GI Kentucky Derby and wheeled back on the short rest to take the GI Preakness S. at 6-1. Third in that year's GI Pennsylvania Derby, War of Will became a dual-surface Grade I winner in the 2020 Maker's Mark Mile and was retired to Claiborne Farm with earnings of nearly $1.9 million. He is the sire of 113 foals of racing age. Sales history: $35,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $18,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Dede McGehee (KY); T-Kelsey Danner. FIRST WINNER FOR WAR OF WILL Willow Oak (2yo filly by WAR OF WILL) makes a big move around the turn and rolls down the lane to break her maiden on debut sprinting 4.5 furlongs on the synthetic at Presque Isle Downs. Congratulations to the connections, including… pic.twitter.com/FMpUJkfWFr — Claiborne Farm (@claibornefarm) June 17, 2024 The post Willow Oak A First Winner For Claiborne’s War of Will appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ado McGuinness has described losing 11 horses owned by Shamrock Thoroughbreds as “a big blow” after the trainer parted ways with long-time assistant and cousin Stephen Thorne. The split means that Thorne, who has ambitions to train in his own right, will manage the horses belonging to the syndicate alongside County Meath-based handler Jack Davison until he is granted a licence of his own. A Godolphin Flying Start graduate who has spent time working for some of the top trainers all over the world, Thorne returned home to Dublin to work as an assistant for McGuinness almost eight years ago. The pair have enjoyed massive success during that time, including Group 1 triumphs with Prix de l'Abbaye and Al Quoz Sprint winner A Case Of You, and have consistently operated inside the top 10 trainers' standings in Ireland over the past few seasons. The Shamrock Thoroughbred silks have been carried by smart fillies Tiger Belle and Rush Queen as well as classy handicappers Laugh A Minute, Harry's Bar and more. Among the 11 horses set to join Davison's stable is recent £100,000 breeze-up purchase Shamrock Breeze. McGuinness commented on Monday, “Stephen will no longer be working with me. This comes as a big blow to our yard as Stephen, who manages the Shamrock Thoroughbred Syndicate, removed all 11 of the horses belonging to that ownership group on Friday.” He added, “Stephen has always had ambitions to train in his own right and I hope that the past seven years working under my tutelage will stand him in good stead moving forward. I wish him well in his next chapter and thank all of the Shamrock Thoroughbred shareholders for all of their support down through the years. “We enjoyed many unforgettable days together and some of the highlights of my career came in the winner's enclosure with some of those owners.” Thorne has also held down assistant trainer roles with Mike de Kock and Ralph Beckett prior to working with McGuinness. He stressed that the arrangement with Davison would only be a temporary one and outlined his long-held ambitions to hold a trainer's licence of his own. He said, “I will be taking out my trainer's licence and hope to have my first runners in January 2025. I spent seven hugely enjoyable years working with Ado and we've had some brilliant days together. “Some of my best memories in racing came with Ado. I wish Ado and all of his team the best—he's one of the best conditioners of a racehorse that I know and there's no doubt that his yard will continue to go from strength to strength.” Thorne added, “It was by no means an easy decision to make, but it has always been the plan for me to go out on my own. The horses will be trained by Jack Davison on a temporary basis until I am granted my own licence.” The post “Big Blow” For McGuinness After Split With Long-Time Assistant Thorne appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A private sale has now been agreed for Sparkling Plenty (Fr) (Kingman {GB}), who was bought back at £8.1 million at the Goffs London Sale but has now been part-sold to Al Shaqab Racing for £5 million. A day after winning the G1 Prix de Diane Longines, the filly was the headline act in the 24-lot eve-of-Royal Ascot sale in Kensington Palace and has been part-retained by her owner-breeder Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois, who subsequently came to an arrangement with Al Shaqab. Sparkling Plenty, a full-sister to G3 Jersey S. winner Noble Truth (Fr), is trained in France by Patrice Cottier and is now the winner of five of her eight races, including the G2 Prix de Sandringham. Out of the Frankel (GB) mare Speralita (Fr), she is closely related to the Japanese Classic winners Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}) and Stars On Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). The post Sparkling Plenty Part-Sold for £5m to Al Shaqab in Private Deal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of the UK's biggest weeks is upon us and with perfect good-to-firm ground, Royal Ascot is set to welcome true summer Flat racing. That of the purest variety, favouring the faster of the breed, offering the opportunity for records to be threatened and broken. Two or three big names fell by the wayside on Monday, but most of the ones that matter in Europe will be here over the next five days as well as a select few from further afield. This meeting should be about the ability to move through the gears, to register slick furlong splits which thankfully we can now measure soon after the event to inspect the way the contest really unfolded. In that regard, it hardly gets any more exciting than the Guineas hero Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Wednesday's G1 Prince of Wales's S. favourite Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Friday's G1 Commonwealth Cup protagonist Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) to name but three. The former is Godolphin's principal Ascot runner in 2024, defending his unbeaten record in Tuesday's G1 St James's Palace S. Drawn in five for the mile feature, Charlie Appleby's bolt from the blue will relish being able to draft around here awaiting Buick's signal to eat up the ground with that in-built fuel injection. Eerily similar but possibly slightly more talented than the yard's most recent Dubawi powerhouse Coroebus (Ire), who in 2022 became the eighth to complete the 2,000-St James's Palace double this century and fourth since 2015, TDN Rising Star Notable Speech has all of his trainer's proverbial boxes ticked. It is Buick that gets to feel the ultimate buzz of steering him, however. “I don't like to compare horses, but I've never ridden one before who can do what Notable Speech can do,” the rider revealed. “He's an extraordinary horse and the way he won the Guineas was impressive. So far he's shown no chinks.” Metropolitan And Continental… Fortunately, this year's Royal Ascot has a large French contingent willing to risk reputation for ultimate reward and it is refreshing that connections of Metropolitan (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) have taken the plunge in the St James's Palace. While he is certain to meet a different proposition to the eighth-placed Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) he encountered in ParisLongchamp's rain-hit G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and has another stellar miler to contend with in the Irish Guineas hero Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), it is difficult to put a limit on the potential of Mario Baratti's flagship performer at present. He also has a perfect draw in two and one of the most talented jockeys in Europe on board in Alexis Pouchin, so it's really all down to whether he is good enough. Adding intrigue is Jean-Etienne Dubois' Darlinghurst (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who reverts to a mile having beaten the subsequent G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up First Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the nine-furlong G3 Prix de Guiche at Chantilly last month. By a sire whose progeny excel at Ascot, he proved he can produce rapid fractions on the Polytrack at Cagnes-sur-Mer earlier this year and we all know how all-weather form translates here. “He hasn't really had any tough battles or Classic races, so this is going to be like we say in France, his Arc,” trainer Jerome Reynier said. “I guess this became the plan when he won his Class Two in Cagnes-Sur-Mur. The times and the speed of his turn of foot was quite impressive and we said after that we would give him two months off and go for the Prix de Guiche on turf and then if he wins that we would aim to go to Royal Ascot with a chance.” The X Facteur… France's other big chances on day one come in the G1 Queen Anne S. courtesy of Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}), but where their 2023 exploits converge in importance they were carried out on vastly different ground. Big Rock, one of those Thoroughbreds who has had to endure the mysterious merry-go-round of switching yards for reasons unknown and undisclosed, is for sure a specialist when it gets soft. His display in the QEII, where Facteur Cheval was six lengths back in second was impressive, with consecutive early sectionals which killed the contest, but on faster ground in the Lockinge he was at his limit for the first half and where the fast-ground animals kept piling it on he paid the price. Maurizio Guarnieri has the task of getting the best out of Big Rock as Christopher Head did at three, but after the debacle of the Lockinge and the ditching of Aurelien Lemaitre for Christophe Soumillon let's hope this isn't a horror story unfolding. Conversely, Facteur Cheval has continuity on his side having taken Darlinghurst's trainer Reynier to the heights last term. Used at the time of his Sussex second as a stick to beat Paddington with, the clock told the true tale of that race as he ran the final three furlongs faster than Ballydoyle's winning machine. Coming of age last time in the G1 Dubai Turf, he is poised to emulate his sire's success in this in 2017. “We saw him performing really well on good ground in Dubai, so we can go to Royal Ascot with a lot of hope,” his trainer said. “Goodwood and Ascot were his first times out of France and now as a five-year-old he is more mature mentally and physically and he's ready to run even better. Now he is in the shape of his life and we couldn't be any more happier with him.” Stars Out… Tuesday's opening card sees some key TDN Rising Stars on show, with the surprise Lockinge hero Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) joined by outsider Hi Royal (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the Queen Anne. Audience is just second time over a mile here and the Cheveley Park homebred is as dangerous as he was before Newbury, where he churned out constant sprinting sectionals, but he is no longer under the radar. Hi Royal was twice Classic-placed last term and after a spell in the wilderness is around 40-1, but has a) Ryan Moore on board, b) first-time blinkers on and c) is from Kevin Ryan's yard successful 12 months ago with a 33-1 shot in Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). In many ways, those that carry the TDN Rising Star banner in the juvenile races are the most exciting and Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is the only one to fly the flag in the G2 Coventry S. He has to up his game after losing out in a Marble Hill he was supposed to win, but Aidan O'Brien has remained steadfast in his faith in the colt and he is the sole Ballydoyle representative in a race keenly coveted by the stable. Other TDN Rising Stars on display include the live G1 King Charles III S. outsider Purosangue (GB) (Aclaim {Ire}), the day's kingpin Notable Speech, fellow St James's Palace runners Henry Longfellow and Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and the Listed Wolferton S. favourite Israr (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) and longshot Knight (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). USA(scot)! As ever, American owners have a heavy involvement at Royal Ascot this week with Team Valor's Facteur Cheval setting the tone in the opener. Race two sees Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Stables, Tracy Farmer and John Oxley represented by a high-profile runner in the Joseph O'Brien-trained colt Cowardofthecounty (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}). Having beaten Ballydoyle's best 2-year-old seen out so far in Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never) in authoritative fashion in a fast time at The Curragh in April, he is deeply promising as he bids to emulate the 2011 Coventry success of his relative Power (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Debutantes Dare To Dream… One of Royal Ascot's more intriguing stories this week is the baptism of fire of Raphael Freire. Remarkably, his first runner in Britain comes in the Coventry with Amo Racing's unraced Angelo Buonarroti (Justify). This is surely an impossible task, but he is oven-ready for this in terms of raw ability having fetched €1million at the Arqana Breeze-up and his relative Churchill (Ire) did win the Chesham as a maiden. There are other breakthroughs of significance on day one. Kieran Shoemark has his first Royal Ascot carrying the responsibility of representing the Gosdens, with a couple of rides on no-pressure outsiders to help prepare for the big one on Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) the next day; plus first-season sires Pinatubo (Ire), Mohaather (GB), Hello Youmzain (Fr) and Without Parole (GB) could have their big moments in the Coventry with the first two represented by the fancied York novice one-two Andesite (GB) and Yah Mo Be There (GB) respectively. The post “He’s an Extraordinary Horse”: Buick Prepared for Notable Speech on Ascot’s Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A day after winning the G1 Prix de Diane, Sparkling Plenty (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) was bought back by her owner-breeder Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois at £8.1 million when offered for auction at the Goffs London Sale. Bidding through Goffs representative Amanda Zetterholm, Dubois retained the full-sister to G3 Jersey S. winner Noble Truth (Fr) having previously bought her back as a yearling at Arqana for €600,000. Sparkling Plenty, trained by Patrice Cottier, is now the winner of five of her eight races, including the G2 Prix de Sandringham. A daughter of the Frankel (GB) mare Speralita (Fr), she is closely related to the Japanese Classic winners Soul Stirring (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}) and Stars On Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Sparkling Plenty earned the ultimate catalogue update ahead of her sale tomorrow at #GoffsLondon The daughter of @JuddmonteFarms Kingman has just won the G1 Prix de Diane @fgchantilly Sparkling Plenty is Lot 11 tomorrow pic.twitter.com/HLdmL1Ckih — Goffs (@Goffs1866) June 16, 2024 The post Classic Winner Sparkling Plenty Bought Back at £8.1m at Goffs 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 Aga Khan Studs stallion Zarak (Fr) will be offered by Arqana Online during a pop-up sale to be held on Wednesday, June 26. Bidding will take place between 5-6pm local time, with registration for bidding already open on www.arqanaonline.com. A four-time winner when trained by Alain de Royer-Dupré, notably landing the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Zarak boasts an exceptional pedigree as a son of Dubawi (Ire) and the unbeaten G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar). He stood his first season at Haras de Bonneval in 2018 and has produced three Group 1 winners–and 20 stakes winners–from his early crops, including last month's Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Metropolitan (Fr). Haya Zark (Fr) also struck at the top level this year in the Prix Ganay, while Zagrey (Fr) became his sire's first Group 1 winner when successful in the Grosser Preis von Baden in 2023. The share gives the right to one covering per year, plus an additional covering every odd-numbered year, meaning two coverings in 2025 followed by one covering in 2026, and so on. The post Share in Zarak to be Offered at 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

Thursday's eight-race card at Woodbine Racetrack has been pushed back and will begin at 6:05 p.m., the track announced Monday. The move was made in the best interest of horse welfare as an extreme heat warning is in effect for the city of Toronto and the surrounding areas. Woodbine noted that the decision to push back the start time was made in consultation with the HBPA. Woodbine is the latest track to alter post times due to the heat joining Finger Lakes, who moved both Tuesday and Wednesday cards up to begin at 11:15 a.m. and Presque Isle Downs who moved their Monday-Wednesday cards up to begin at 1 p.m. UPDATE: We have adjusted our post times for Tuesday and Wednesday this week to 11:15am due to anticipation of excessive heat and humidity. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. Stay cool and hydrated! View the schedule: https://t.co/9wCTTUYeM4 pic.twitter.com/5i0sJtCOkU — Finger Lakes Gaming (@FlGaming) June 17, 2024 The post Heat Forces Woodbine To Push Back Thursday Post Times appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

They say that good things come in threes. The team at Dalham Hall Stud could be forgiven for bending that old adage a little to say that good things come from Reem Three. This time 12 months ago one of the breeding stories of Royal Ascot week came in the very first race when Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred Triple Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}) won the Queen Anne S. to become not just the second Group 1 winner for his dam, Reem Three (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}), but also the mare's third winner at the royal meeting. Triple Time was following the example of his half-brothers Cape Byron (GB) (Shamardal), who won the Wokingham S. in 2019 before returning later that year to win the G3 Bengough S., and Ostilio (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), the winner a year earlier of the Britannia S., which he followed with victory in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein. And it will be no surprise to see the next generation of this family play a leading role again this week, as indeed certain members have been doing since the start of the season. Reem Three was represented by two of her grandsons in this year's 2,000 Guineas. Runner-up Rosallion (Ire) went on to win the Irish 2,000 Guineas for trainer Richard Hannon and is second-favourite for the G1 St James's Palace S. Inisherin (GB), who, like Triple Time, represents Kevin Ryan's stable, was sixth behind him in the Guineas. Dropped back to six furlongs for his next start, Inisherin took the notable scalp of Vandeek (GB) when winning the G2 Sandy Lane S. He is now clear favourite for Friday's G1 Commonwealth Cup following Vandeek's defection. The two colts both represent a sire-line which is becomingly increasingly significant for the Godolphin and Darley operation. Inisherin, out of Reem Three's other Group 1 winner, Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), is by the late Shamardal, himself a former winner of the St James's Palace S. in the year Ascot was run at York. More importantly, Rosallion is the star of the first crop of Shamadal's son Blue Point (Ire), whose most notable achievement on the racecourse was winning two Group 1 sprints at Royal Ascot within the same week back in 2019. He now looks set to be represented at Ascot this week by his other Group/Grade 1 winner to date, Big Evs (Ire), along with Pocklington (GB), Skukuza (GB), Blue Lemons (Ire) and Kind Of Blue (GB), as well as second-crop members Ingot (GB), Spherical (GB), and Make Haste (GB). Reem Three, now 21, is back in foal to Triple Time's sire Frankel and lives in close proximity to her son as well as to her daughter Ajman Princess on the connected studs that are now collectively known as Dalham Hall Stud. Rosallion's dam, the unraced Rosaline (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), is currently at Kildangan Stud in Ireland. Liam O'Rourke, Darley's director of studs, stallions and breeding, understandably takes great pleasure in reflecting on the burgeoning success of the family, whose connection to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid began with his purchase of Reem Three's granddam Donya (GB) (Mill Reef), a daughter of the Prix de Diane and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud victrix Dunette (FR) (Hard To Beat {Ire}), from her breeder Vincent O'Brien. “It now spans over five generations, back to Donya,” he says. “There were a couple of quieter generations in between, but this has been very much one of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's creation, and it has been his great passion. “He, of course, encourages us to use the the best quality stallions around. Some of them are Godolphin and Darley [stallions], which is a positive on virtually all fronts, but it's very much his creation and it's come a mighty long way. “We're now arriving at the stage where we are hopefully creating very high-class animals. Group 1 winners in certain cases already, Classic winners very recently, and perhaps a couple of nice stallion prospects as well for the future. So it has come a long way, but he must take all the credit.” Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, the cousin of Godolphin's owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has already been influential in the fortunes of the Darley stallion ranks as the owner of Dubawi (Ire). Triple Time is now several boxes down from the former champion sire in the Dalham Hall stallion wing, where the newcomer covered 161 mares this season, including his owner's G1 Sun Chariot S. winner Fonteyn (GB) (Farhh {GB}). It is only a matter of time before Rosallion and Inisherin find themselves in a similar position. “Triple Time has been extremely well supported and his best win obviously was a year ago in the opening fixture of Royal Ascot, beating Inspiral – a wonderful way to kick it all off,” says O'Rourke. “He's a wonderful looking horse, beautifully bred and he's already a stallion prospect and a stallion in his own right, and hopefully he'll be a very successful one. And now on the same page now we've got Rosallion, a Classic winner – it could just be a serious stallion page emerging. And of course, we've got the Group 2 winner Inisherin close up on the same page as well. It's an exciting family.” Triple Time and owner-breeder Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, second left | Racingfotos O'Rourke's office affords him one of the best views in European bloodstock: from his desk he can see across the lawn to the luxurious stables occupied by Dubawi and co. Behind that desk hangs a portrait of Istabraq (Ire), one of the greatest hurdlers of all time whose image serves as a reminder for O'Rourke of his late and much-missed friend, John Durkan. It is the Flat which is the main focus of attention for the Godolphin operation, however, and as a behemoth of the breeding world, developing families and creating stallions is what it's all about. In a quiet corner of the stud we visit Reem Three, now 21 and back in foal to Frankel. She is carrying her age well and though she is probably faintly bemused at having her hooves oiled to greet her visitor, she takes this interruption to her day of quiet grazing with good grace. Her paddock mate has come along to keep her company and she is almost equally noteworthy as a mare who is fast developing her own dynasty: Modern Ideals (Ire) has already produced the five-time Group/Grade 1 winner Modern Games (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) – another new recruit to the nearby stallion yard – as well as last year's 1,000 Guineas heroine Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). She is now back in foal to Dubawi. Of the relatively small bay mare Reem Three, whose sire Mark Of Esteem was also a former Dalham Hall resident, O'Rourke says, “She began from fairly humble beginnings. She was Listed-placed herself, and we sent her initially to Street Cry. She bred a very good horse from two matings to him, Naqshabban, who was trained by Luca Cumani, who trained most of the family. Because she was an all-quality mare, she wasn't a difficult one to mate up physically and, of course, she has some wonderful crosses of Mill Reef and Never Bend on her page as well, so she suited a variety of stallions. I don't think there was any real rocket science attached to it. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid is very much a person who favours sprinter-milers, perhaps milers slightly over sprinters, but he does like a degree of, or an injection of speed and encourages us to do that. “So we used what we felt were the most sensible stallions about, and just used common sense really in our approach. She's a very correct mare so she was never hard to mate.” Reem Three's highest-achieving daughter, at least as far as racing is concerned, is Ajman Princess, who won the G1 Prix Jean Romanet as well as finishing second in the G2 Ribblesdale S. Now 11, she produced Inisherin as her second foal and her current two-year-old is a Dubawi colt named King Of Cities (Ire). “Ajman Princess is emerging now as a Classic type of broodmare,” O'Rourke says. “She's a beauty, she's a Group 1 winner herself as well. She won over a mile and two furlongs and a mile and a half as well, so there's versatility, and now she has bred a sprinter who looks like he's probably just as effective over seven furlongs if it ever comes to that, but there's versatility right across the page.” He continues, “Rosaline, again, has bred a Classic winner. She's one of the few in the family who didn't race – it's a very sound family as families go, and she had shown ability, but she was injured and couldn't race. But she had been in training with John Oxx and had shown a fair degree of ability at the time.” That soundness – and ability – in the family is borne out by the fact that eight of Reem Three's offspring have earned black type, the latest being three-year-old Bolsena (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who was recently second in the Listed Agnes Keyser Fillies' S. at Goodwood. The next to surface will hopefully be Reem Three's juvenile filly Triple Tempest (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who is in training with Karl Burke. She has another filly coming through in the yearling by Pinatubo (Ire) and she was not covered last year. “She's one of those mares who is much better off, and happier, pregnant,” O'Rourke explains. “She's had a foal just about every year. She was late foaling last year, so we gave her the year off and, if she was all right and looking the part, we said we would have one more go with Frankel this year. She got in foal first cover, looks tremendous, and she's got a grin on her face again.” The post Three’s a Charm: The Wonder Mare Set to Star Again at Ascot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 Royal Ascot meeting will be carried by over 30 broadcasters and shown in 180 territories across six continents, announced HBA Media vis presser on Monday. Set to run Tuesday, June 18 to Saturday, June 22, the international interest has grown year-on-year for the meeting and in celebration of the event, the Ascot-commissioned 24-minute feature Queens of the Turf will be available to the international broadcasting audience as well as streamed on Ascot digital platforms leading up to the Royal meeting. Distribution will go as follows: UK, Ireland: ITV Racing, Sky Sports Racing, Virgin Media United States/Canada: NBC, Peacock/ Rogers Latin/South America: ESPN (additional coverage by SportsMax for the Carribean) Australia: Channel 9, Racing.com Oceana: Sky Thoroughbred Central, Entain Europe: RAI (Italy), Setanta (Baltics and Eaurasia), Polsat (Poland), CYTA (Cyprus), WeDoTv (Germany, Switzerland, Austria), Silknet (Georgia), Viaplay (Scandinavia) Additional distributors: TransVision (Indonesia), NTV (Mongolia), Sony Pictures Network (Indian Subcontinent), SuperSport (48 countries in sub-Saharan Africa), DMI and Al Kass (19 countries across the MENA region), The Green Channel (Japan), and 20 dark market territories via Eurovision Sport Fans in the air and on the sea will receive coverage with BBC HD Martime providing signals on Anuvu cruise ships, and Sport24 broadcasting Royal Ascot Golden Hour to 11 airlines and 18 cruise ships worldwide. Reuters will also distribute the full event to their networks of news outlets. Viewers are encouraged to check with their providers for specific coverage details. “We are delighted to have extended our working relationship with Ascot Racecourse for a further four years (2024 – 2027) and are immensely proud of the distribution achieved for the Royal Meeting,” said Henry Birtles, chief executive of HBA Media. “Championed by HBA, the enhanced World Feed and the co-produced Golden Hour now befits the international audience, and the commission of Queens of the Turf documentary ensures that Royal Ascot is the jewel in the racing calendar for their broadcast partners.” The post Over 30 Broadcasters to Transmit Royal Ascot Across 180 Territories appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following Monday's confirmation stage, 19 horses remain in contention for the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot, the feature race on the final day of the meeting on Saturday, June 22. They include five of the first six from last month's G2 Duke Of York S. in which Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) held on by a nose from Shouldvebeenaring (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). Last year's G1 Champion Sprint S. hero Art Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) could manage only fifth on the Knavesmire, but he too will command plenty of respect as one of only three previous top-level winners among the entries, along with defending champion Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and the prolific Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}). Mitbaahy (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}), a stable-mate of Khaadem, is another key contender following his victory in the G2 Greenlands S. at the Curragh, while Shartash (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) will be trying to make it three from three since joining Archie Watson. He has recently been bought by Wathnan Racing. Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) will also carry the Wathnan colours for the first time if taking his chance in the G3 Jersey S. for which 25 horses have been entered. He was last seen filling the runner-up spot in the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, one place ahead of River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) who could be in opposition again on Saturday. Other notable entries include a pair of Juddmonte homebreds who have already shown a high level of form, Kikkuli (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Task Force (GB) (Frankel {GB}), plus Godolphin's Romantic Style (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who was beaten just half a length in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp last time. The other Group race on Saturday is the G2 Hardwicke S. in which last year's G1 St Leger scorer Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) is set to make his return to action. His potential opponents include The King and Queen's Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Qatar Racing's G3 Aston Park S. winner Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion) and US raider Missed The Cut (Quality Road), who won at the meeting in 2022 when trained by George Boughey. Elsewhere on the card, ante-post fancies Albasheer (Ire) (Shamardal) and Dark Trooper (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) feature among 66 entries for the Wokingham H., while 26 juveniles are in contention for the Listed Chesham S. The post Nineteen in Royal Ascot’s Feature Sprint at Five-Day Entry Stage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Santa Anita Park concluded the six-month 2023-24 Winter-Spring season June 16 which, when combined with the six-week Autumn Meet from 2023, produced a near perfect safety year.View the full article

Toby Sheets, a longtime assistant trainer to Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, was found dead Sunday on a beach on the Greek Island of Mathraki, Sheets's family has confirmed to the TDN. Sheets's death is the most recent in a series of foreign tourists to disappear or be found dead on the Greek islands in the past week, according to the Associated Press. The confirmation was provided by Greg Sheets, who said he was Sheets's cousin. “He did pass away in Greece,” he said. “As of right now that's all we know. The family is trying to figure out what happened.” Mathraki is a quiet island, west of the more popular Greek island of Corfu, with a population of 100 people. “Toby was a part of our stable for many years, including our Belmont Stakes win with Creator, as well as his expert handling of Haynesfield among others,” Asmussen told the TDN. “He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.” Sheets's death was the latest in a series of incidents in which tourists in the Greek islands have died or gone missing. According to a CBS report, another tourist found Sheets's body in the old port of Mathraki and informed the police. Sheets was first reported missing on Thursday and was last seen alive Tuesday at a café in the company of two female tourists. According to the Associated Press the two tourists have since left the island. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed. According to ABC News a coroner was dispatched to Mathraki Sunday to conduct a preliminary investigation. The body was to be taken to nearby Corfu, where an autopsy will be performed According to Athens News Agency, Sheets came to Mathraki to spend some vacation time with a Greek American friend. Mathraki has a population of just 100 and is a heavily wooded island covering 1.2 square miles. Sheets's passing marked at least the third death of a tourist in recent days on Greece's Islands The others were Dr. Michael Mosley, a British TV anchor and author, and a 74-year-old Dutch tourist. ABC News also reported that a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy has been missing since Tuesday. The post Asmussen Assistant Toby Sheets Found Dead In Greece appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Santa Anita Park's Winter-Spring season, conducted from September through June, ended June 17 with a near perfect 99.97% safety mark according to a press release from the track Monday morning. The release notes that the mark is the highest in the world among tracks racing with a similar schedule. Over the six-month period, a total of 6,678 horses ran in races over the track's dirt and turf courses. “Santa Anita Park veterinarians performed nearly 6,400 examinations prior to horses working at Santa Anita since Sept. 1 of last year,” said Chief Veterinary Officer for 1/ST Racing Dionne Benson “The heightened scrutiny has allowed for additional opportunities for everyone to work for the best interest of the horse. We are pleased that since HISA adopted many of the Santa Anita Park and California protocols in the last year, the overall safety of the sport has improved throughout the country.” The post Santa Anita Concludes Winter-Spring Season With Near Perfect Safety Record 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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Wednesday's Royal Ascot cards were finalised on Monday, with the feature G1 Prince of Wales's S. made up of 10 runners but not, as expected, White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}). The G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner's absence is one less obstacle for Ballydoyle's star colt of 2023, Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), with Cheveley Park Stud's Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Yeguada Centurion's Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) looking the chief threats to the Ballydoyle runner. Blue Rose Cen is joined by compatriots Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) and Snobbish (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), who will act as pacemaker for Blue Rose Cen. The field is completed by Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Royal Rhyme (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Auguste Rodin's pacemaker Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}). The post No White Birch In The Prince Of Wales’s As Ascot Wednesday Fields Confirmed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Commonwealth Cup has been blown wide open after market leaders Vandeek and Bucanero Fuerte were ruled out of Friday's Group 1 at Royal Ascot. Bucanero Fuerte was reported to have suffered from travel sickness by his owners Amo Racing while Vandeek will miss the six-furlong contest due to a poor blood count. A statement released by Simon and Ed Crisford on Monday morning read, “Unfortunately Vandeek will not be able to run in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot this Friday due to an abnormal blood count.” It added, “He had been working very well in his preparation and this is very frustrating for everyone concerned but the most important thing now is for him to return to full health. All being well he will be fit and healthy in time for the July Cup in three weeks.” Vandeek had been a general 3-1 chance for the Commonwealth Cup while fellow Group 1 scorer Bucanero Fuerte was available at 8-1. Their defections has seen Inisherin installed as the clear market leader at odds of 5-2 with Elite Status next best in the betting at 5-1. Reporting the news that Adrian Murray's Bucanero Fuerte would miss the royal meeting, Amo Racing said, “Bucanero Fuerte will miss the Commonwealth Cup on Friday. After arriving in Ascot yesterday he was showing signs of travel sickness and was subsequently transferred to Newmarket Equine Hospital as a matter of caution where he has been monitored overnight. “He spent a comfortable night there and remains well this morning but he will be forced to miss his intended engagement on Friday. We now look forward to his swift recovery and the rest of the season ahead.” The post Market Leaders Vandeek And Bucanero Fuerte Ruled Out Of Commonwealth Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NT jockey Paul Denton, now 60 years of age, brought up his 500th Alice Springs race win on Sunday at Pioneer Park. Veteran NT jockey Paul Denton is enjoying a fabulous season and on Sunday rode his 500th winner in Alice Springs. The 60-year-old hoop celebrated the milestone when he piloted the Greg Connor-trained Delago Lad to victory, and he ended the day with a winning double after he guided Connor’s Filthy Rich home. With 23 wins, Denton has extended his lead over Sonja Logan (16.5) in the Alice Springs jockeys’ premiership. “To get that 500th Alice Springs win was fantastic, it’s been a long time coming and it’s good to crack milestones like that, especially at my age,” he said. “I knew on Sunday that only I had one win to go, that makes it 22 wins in Alice this season — the other win was at Tennant Creek. “I’ve had a good run this season, but I was behind the eight ball in late September and didn’t think I was any chance as Kerry Petrick, who I ride for, rested her horses after taking them to Kununurra. “Kerry then had about 20 horses in work and they started hitting form, so it was just prior to carnival that I thought I was half a chance. “I was also picking up wins for other trainers and started creeping up the premiership ladder.” Denton, who resides in the Red Centre, has won both the Alice Springs and Top End premiership on two occasions, as well as many NT feature races. He has combined with Alice Springs trainer Petrick for 125 wins, and the pair will be hoping for a third consecutive NT Derby (2050m) win together when they team up with Starton during the forthcoming Darwin Cup Carnival. “I’m currently in Darwin and was debating whether to go down for the last three Alice Springs meetings,” Denton said. “I thought, ‘well, I hadn’t won the Alice premiership for 30 years and at 60 it’s unlikely I’ll have many other opportunities’, so I headed down on Sunday. “Greg Connor rang me a couple of weeks ago and had a few rides lined up for me, so I decided to go. “It worked out alright and it’s enhanced my premiership hopes — I’m going to be pretty hard to beat now. “I’ll definitely ride at the next meeting in a fortnight and maybe the one after that, but I probably won’t go for the last one. “They race in Darwin on the Saturday and then it’s Alice on Sunday and Darwin on the Wednesday before Cup weekend on Saturday and Monday. “Hopefully, I will be well clear by then and won’t have to worry about that last Alice meeting.” Despite his advancing years, Denton is still enjoying life in the saddle. “I just love race day and I think I’m riding as well as ever,” he said. “I’m probably lighter now than when I was 17 and I don’t have to waste, so that helps. “I’m fit, strong and healthy, and while Kerry has got these new owners who have good horses it’s given us both a new lease on life. “It’s actually nice to come to work when you’re no longer riding slow ones.” Horse racing news View the full article