Wandering Eyes

All the signs are that Tweenhills Farm's first-crop sire Kameko is taking off and the son of Kitten's Joy had his fourth winner in under a fortnight on Monday as Juddmonte's homebred filly Ardeur (GB) dominated her six-furlong maiden at Pontefract. Sent off the 30-100 favourite having finished fourth in a well-contested novice at York last month, the Ralph Beckett-trained daughter of the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. third Chaleur (GB) (Dansili {GB}) was quickly in control at the head of affairs under Rossa Ryan. Asked to stretch turning for home, the relative of the operation's sire Bated Breath (GB) by Chaleur's sire Dansili responded willingly to record a six-length success from Lady Luzon (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}). Kameko filly Ardeur shaped with bundles of promise at York on debut and easily gets off the mark in the 6f Maiden Fillies' Stakes @ponteraces for @RalphBeckett, @JuddmonteFarms and @Rossaryan15 pic.twitter.com/BC238l507h — Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 10, 2024 The post Juddmonte Homebred Continues Kameko Momentum appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Highlighted by a 17-1 upset victory by Dornoch (Good Magic) in the $2-million GI Belmont S., the four-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival drew better than 120,000 racing fans to Saratoga for the unprecedented event, approximately double the attendance for the two most recent runnings at Belmont Park. Thursday's opening day of the Festival featured a pair of $150,000 stakes for the 2-year-old males and females and the first of the weekend's 14 graded stakes, the GII Belmont Gold Cup. In front of an announced crowd of 22,027, renowned Australian commentator Matt Hill described the action as The Grey Wizard (Ire) (Caravaggio) earned berth in the G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup. Some 27,529 passed through the turnstiles for Friday's program, anchored by the GI Acorn S. A pop-up thunderstorm delayed the start of the first of the afternoon's four graded races, the GII Intercontinental S. but the track surfaces were not unduly affected and the day ended on a high note with GI Kentucky Oaks-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) tightening her grip on the 3-year-old filly division in the Acorn. Belmont Day featured nine graded events, six at the elite level, and was witnessed by a sell-out and capped crowd of 50,000. Fans were treated to outstanding performances by the likes of Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in the GI Woody Stephens S., a course record-setting effort in the GI Jaipur S. by Cogburn (Not This Time) and a dominating victory in the GI Manhattan S. by Godolphin's Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in addition to the Belmont, contested over a mile and a quarter. The weather finally took a bit of a turn for the worst on Sunday, forcing the cancellation of the afternoon's turf racing and the rescheduling of the Steinmann Hurdle H., but the rains did not stop better than 20,000 from attending the final day which featured a half-dozen stakes restricted to New York-breds. Total attendance for the four-day BSRF was 120,427, compared to 62,841 last year (Thursday racing was cancelled) and 61,200 in 2022. The post Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Packs Them Into Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Several horses on Churchill Downs' June 15 Downs After Dark program have something to prove before the second half of the season. Three-year-old fillies compete in the Monomoy Girl while older turf males go long in the Chorleywood.View the full article

The average field size for last year's sellers and claimers was below eight. They are seen as uncompetitive and therefore unattractive to both racecourses and bookmakers. This is reckoned to be a large part of the reason for their decline.View the full article

Epsom runner-up Ambiente Friendly will be targeted at the Irish Derby (G1) at the Curragh June 30, owner Tim Gredley has revealed.View the full article

Stewart Elliott, who ranks No. 8 in all-time wins among active North American riders, was joined in the Lone Star Park jockey colony this year by his 18-year-old son Christopher.View the full article

Consignor Craig Bandoroff, owner John Green, owner Michael Levinson, and trainer Todd Pletcher are the newest members of HISA's Horsemen's Advisory Group.View the full article

Craig Bandoroff, proprietor of Denali Stud, D J Stables' Jon Green, L&N Racing racing manager and part-owner Michael Levinson and trainer Todd Pletcher have been added to the HISA Horsemen's Advisory Group, the organization said Monday. The new members replace the outgoing Mark Casse, Tom Drury, Jr., Linda Gaudet, Fred Hertrich III, David Ingordo and Tom Robbins. The Horsemen's Advisory Group is a group of racing industry participants formed in 2022 to provide formal feedback to HISA's executive team and Standing Committees. “I want to thank all of the members of the Horsemen's Advisory Group who are rotating off their roles,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “Their dedication and insightful feedback have been instrumental in tangible changes that have made HISA's rules better. “As we welcome a new group of horsemen, I look forward to continuing our collaboration and further improving HISA's programs. Their guidance and input will be invaluable as we work together to uphold the integrity and safety of Thoroughbred racing.” According to a release, the Horsemen's Advisory Group has been involved in suggesting meaningful changes to HISA rules that have been submitted to the Federal Trade Commission, including: Delaying any provisional suspension of a trainer until the B sample has confirmed the presence of a Banned Substance; Creating a new rule on the treatment of human drugs of abuse, such as methamphetamine, cocaine, THC, and oxycodone, which caps sanctions at 60 days, with the possibility to reduce the sanction even further; Re-classifying Altrenogest from a Banned Substance to a Controlled Medication; Allowing unsupplemented isotonic electrolyte solutions by oral or intravenous administration up to 24 hours before post time; Eliminating suspensions for violations related to working a horse within seven days of an intraarticular injection; Treating the first positive vets' list sample for a Controlled Medication as a warning and reducing the penalty for ulcer medication in vets' list samples from a sanction to a warning, and; Allowing a four-millimeter hind leg traction for horses racing on dirt. The Horsemen's Advisory Group has been instrumental in helping foster an industry-wide focus on advancing equine and human safety, the release says. For example, the Horsemen's Advisory Group prompted HISA to reach out to sales companies to involve them in strengthening anti-doping and medication control policies for horses at the major auctions. They also played a role in the appointment of an ombudsman to help horsemen navigate the ADMC Program. The Horsemen's Advisory Group contains 18 members and represent a variety of viewpoints from across the industry. Its membership includes trainers, owners, veterinarians, backstretch employees, and representatives of racing offices and aftercare initiatives. The full list of the Horsemen's Advisory Group members can be found here. The post Four Join HISA Horsemen’s Advisory Group appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nicolas de Watrigant of Mandore International Agency had the final say for Fun With Flags (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) at the Arqana Online Pop-Up Sale, the Listed winner bringing a final bid of €630,000. Fun With Flags won the Prix Rose de Mai, and was the G3 Prix Cleopatre runner-up by just over two lengths to Halfday (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), for Jerome Reynier, and was offered with an entry in the G1 Prix de Diane. She has won three of her four career starts. When asked for details, de Watrigant could not divulge the name of his client, but said the filly will target the GI Belmont Oaks in America on July 6. Out of an unplaced Galileo (Ire) mare, Fun With Flags hails from the female family of Group-placed Gemstone (Ire), a full-sister to her dam, who herself produced Group 1-placed Nugget (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Listed winner UAE Jewel (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). This is also the family of G1 Irish St. Leger winner Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}); G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Bachelor Duke (Miswaki); globetrotting multiple Group winner Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}); and American Graded-placed Dude N Colorado (GB) (Uncle Mo). The post Fun With Flags Brings €630,000 On 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

Over the next fortnight, board members of the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) will participate in a new exchange program, which features an intensive tour of hallowed racing sites in Ireland and England. “The new program is a continued effort by the ORI to exchange tradecraft and weigh how integrity is protected in different countries across the world,” said ORI's immediate past chairman Jason Klouser. The small group, which includes Klouser, Tyler Durand, J.C. Jaramillo, Juan Estrada and David Duncan, will make stops at The Curragh, Leopardstown and Coolmore. Fellow ORI representative Chris Gordon, the Head of Security & Investigations for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, serves as host. During the next leg of the trip, members will liaise with ORI's John Burgess, the Head of Integrity for the British Horseracing Authority, who will give them a behind-the-scenes look at how his integrity teams operate during the Royal Meeting at Ascot. A yard inspection and tour of the National Stud are also on the itinerary. BHA Integrity Team | courtesy of Tim Miller This year's inaugural exchange is sponsored by the Breeders' Cup, the Keeneland Association, the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP), the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Hanover Shoe Farm. “The Breeders' Cup is very pleased to continue to promote not only best in class standards for equine security and investigations, but also universal comprehension and implementation of best practices from those that are responsible for its success,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer for the Breeders' Cup. “The safety, security, and integrity of the Breeders' Cup World Championships is priority number one and we are privileged to collaborate with esteemed global partners who share the vision of upholding the highest standards in the industry.” Future trips are in the works as ORI will offer travel opportunities to its membership, so they can see firsthand what the rest of the world is implementing. “Horse racing is a multi-breed, international industry,” said Russell Williams, President of Hanover Shoe Farm. “By establishing new international contacts and exchanging ideas, regulatory investigators can profoundly improve integrity and safety in racing.” The post U.S. Racing Investigators Inaugurate Exchange With Ireland And England appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) will aim to add to her Group 1 tally at Deauville before ending her career with a crack at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, trainer Andre Fabre revealed on Monday. The daughter of Siyouni (Fr) won a pair of top-level races at Deauville as a four-year-old, registering back-to-back victories in the Prix Rothschild and Prix Jean Romanet, before filling the runner-up spot behind Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket on her final start of the campaign. This year Mqse De Sevigne is unbeaten in two starts and Fabre is now plotting a tried-and-tested route at Deauville with his star mare after she gained the third Group 1 success of her career in the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp last time. “We have some nice older horses this year, of course with Mqse De Sevigne,” said Fabre. “She will wait for Deauville, the Prix Rothschild and the Prix Jean Romanet, and then the Arc. She's versatile over distances, but I don't want to risk her over a mile and a half early in the season, until the Arc. We've nothing to lose by running her in it then.” Fabre has seven horses entered in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at the end of the month, with Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}) and Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), both owned by the Wertheimer brothers, very much in the mix, along with Sevenna's Knight (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). “Pensee Du Jour is in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and she's in at Longchamp in the Prix de Malleret, but she's likely to go for the Grand Prix,” the trainer explained. “I think she's a stronger filly this year. Obviously, last year she had the scope to get better as an older mare and she's now that much stronger. “I've entered seven, so I've got a few to choose from in the Grand Prix. One who is sure to go is Junko, in the same ownership, and I will try to run Sevenna's Knight in it, too. He looks a progressive horse over staying distances, so I want to see him over a shorter distance.” Fabre also had news of the three-year-olds First Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who finished second and third, respectively, in last weekend's G1 Prix du Jockey Club won by the exciting Look De Vega (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). He added, “I think they were both beaten by a very nice colt. I haven't quite decided what they will do. The third horse will go for the Grand Prix de Paris and First Look I don't know. Sosie is a nice, big horse and will keep progressing throughout the year.” The post Intended Arc Runner Mqse De Sevigne Leads Summer Squad For Andre Fabre appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Outside the racing world it was impossible not to be moved over the last week by the commemorative ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Plenty of people in the bloodstock business will be familiar with the lovely countryside around Deauville, best known to us as home to France's Thoroughbred breeding heartland. The serenity of rural Normandy makes it hard to comprehend the appalling ravages of war that were played out there on the beaches and in the bocage all those decades ago. I would urge anyone who is a sales regular in Deauville to take some time on one of your trips to visit some of the memorials and museums while you are in that part of the world. The debt of gratitude we owe those young men lying in the war cemeteries should never be forgotten. It remains incredible to consider that racing was able to continue through those war years, albeit in a reduced and altered state. We have reflected on this before, but fascinating insight on those days is provided in VR Orchard's A War Time Diary, which was included within the Bloodstock Breeders' Review in Britain during World War II. For this month 80 years ago, Orchard begins, “June racing was carried through in circumstances which were unique in the history of the country. It should be emphasised that it proceeded without let or hindrance, apart from travelling difficulties. It was difficult to believe that we were in the most momentous period of the war. “When the news of the Normandy invasion came through on the 6th, one wondered whether the Newmarket races arranged for that day would be held. They did, however, take place, and ten days later the Derby and Oaks fixtures at Newmarket were successfully completed.” In 1939 the St Leger meeting had been cancelled owing to the onset of the Second World War, denying that year's 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner Blue Peter (GB) his chance to become a Triple Crown winner. There was some small compensation however when, in 1944, Blue Peter's first-crop son Ocean Swell (GB) won the Derby at Newmarket, which played host to the Classics run between 1915 to 1918 and 1940 to 1945. A fortnight after VE Day, the then Princess Elizabeth attended Ascot racecourse for the first time, on May 21, 1945. In later years, as Queen Elizabeth II, the avowed supporter of horseracing would of course become synonymous with the royal meeting staged at the racecourse owned by the Crown. It is the countdown to this year's Royal Ascot which now dominates our thoughts and, despite some negative newspaper coverage in the last week regarding its supposedly dwindling appeal to certain overseas owners, it is important not to underestimate the lure it still provides for many. It is becoming increasingly clear that for the Qatari ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, few stones are being left unturned in the pursuit of potential winners at this year's meeting following a dream start for his Wathnan Racing operation last year with Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}). Those two horses had been bought from their owner-breeders, Anthony Oppenheimer and Philippa Cooper respectively, just prior to their victories in the Gold Cup and Queen's Vase. The pressure is now on for those trainers associated with Wathnan Racing to provide further success from a number of presumably expensive purchases made in recent weeks to top up a significant outlay at the breeze-up sales. From the 11 purchased at those sales, six juveniles, all secured for six-figure sums, are already winners who will presumably be part of the sizeable team set to represent the owner at Royal Ascot. The private sales scene appears to be busier than ever, and the calendar for public auctions is now almost unrecognisable compared to what was in place pre-pandemic. During the Covid years, necessity dictated the rise of online sales and they have now become a monthly feature. Leaving aside the growing concern that more people are now interested in trading rather than owning racehorses, the online sales do offer a useful opportunity for owners and consignors to sell when it suits them, rather than waiting for the July or autumn horses-in-training sales, and without having the expense of taking one's horse to a physical sale. This week alone, there's a pop-up here and a pop-up there, before we head into one of the biggest weeks of racing in Britain, which commences with the Goffs London Sale next Monday. It's Not All Big Bucks There have been eye-watering sums involved in securing some of the Royal Ascot prospects but one who does not fall into that category is Saturday's Hilary Needler Trophy winner Perfect Part (Ire). The daughter of Mehmas (Ire) was secured for £10,000 at the Goffs UK Breeze-up Sale on April 24 by her owner Keith Brown. She has already earned more than double her purchase price in scooping £25,770 for winning the Hilary Needler, the British EBF-backed juvenile contest which is worth a total of £50,000. She is likely to head next to the G2 Queen Mary S. at Ascot after her trainer Brian Ellison reported that she has come out of her debut at Beverley in good heart. For Perfect Part's breeder John Cullinan there are understandably mixed feelings. On the one hand he must feel that he let her go too cheaply when Brown offered to buy her privately after she left the ring unsold. On the other, any success she has helps to raise the profile and value of both her dam Queensbrydge (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and yearling half-sister by Shaman (Ire), who heads to the sales later this year. Cullinan, one of the most experienced participants on the breeze-up scene through his partnership with Roger Marley, has had many good horses through his hands, not least Perfect Part's sire Mehmas, whom he and Marley sold for 170,000gns at the Craven Breeze-up Sale back in 2016. He said, “It rained for two days before we sold the filly and the soft ground inconvenienced some more than others. This year, at the earlier sales in particular, the focus was very much on the clock, to the detriment of the sales in my view, and there is even more of a focus on the Royal Ascot type. “Unfortunately she fell just out of those top times, but these timings are not official and the difference in the top 40 or 50 on the clock is one second. Depending on which times you looked at she was in the top 40 or 50, and there were 200 or so horses in it, so it wasn't as if she was out with the washing. But the difference between the times is so fine that it can knock you down the running order.He continued, “Ambiente Friendly, who was second in the Derby, is a good example of the value that can be found in looking beyond the five-furlong type.” Keith Brown has made something of a habit of finding a decent horse for little money. His Group 3 winner Top Notch Tonto (Ire) (Thousand Words {GB}) cost €3,000 and won six races, including a Group 3 and two Listed contests, while Dream Walker (Fr) (Gold Away {Ire}) was bought for £4,500 and won 11 times, scoring at back-to-back Galway Festivals and earning black type. Cullinan added, “You can't eat glory and it's not the first time I have sold a good horse very cheaply. I sold [Group 1 winner] Music Show to Gill Richardson for the price of a sandwich and I didn't feel very clever after that. “But I still have the mare and she is in foal to Phoenix Of Spain. We always wish those that buy from us the best of luck and hopefully the filly will go from strength to strength.” Back in the Flow One of the most heartwarming results of the weekend was seeing Tiber Flow (Ire) (Caravaggio) win the G3 John of Gaunt S. at Haydock. It was hard not to fear the worst when the five-year-old took a shocking somersault of a fall at York, but thankfully he was soon back on his feet and, incredibly, just over three weeks later landed his second Group 3 and sixth win of his career for his owner-breeders Jon and Julia Aisbitt and trainer William Haggas. The Aisbitts also raced his dam, the fellow dual Group 3 winner Malabar (Ire) (Raven's Pass), who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Poet's Word (Ire) (Poet's Voice {GB}). Malabar has already proved her worth as a broodmare and her family could well be represented at Ascot next week as Tiber Flow's year-younger half-brother Godwinson (GB) (Saxin Warrior {Jpn}) has an entry for the Royal Hunt Cup. Weekend Double for Elwick Stud Another family in the news over the weekend was that of the George Strawbridge-bred Stream Song (GB) Mastercraftsman {Ire}). The dual winner, who is a half-sister to the Group 1 and 2-winning Dubawi (Ire) fillies Journey (GB), Mimikyu (GB) and Indigo Girl (GB), was bought from her breeder for 440,000gns by the Turnbull family of Elwick Stud in December 2019. Now Stream Song's first two foals are both multiple winners, with their most recent victories coming within 24 hours of each other. On Saturday, Iron Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion) won for the third time in the Elwick colours at Haydock, followed on Sunday by the Listed Agnes Keyser Fillies' S. victory for three-year-old Lava Stream (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who landed her third consecutive race. Both horses are trained by David O'Meara. However, a good case for broodmare of the year could be argued on behalf of Godolphin's Minidress (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}). Her sons Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}) have each now won two Group/Grade 1 races this year alone in Dubai, Hong Kong and America, the latest of those coming on Saturday when Measured Time landed the G1 Manhattan S. at Saratoga, leading home his Charlie Appleby stable-mate Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Rebel's Romance, now six and a proper globetrotter who has raced in seven different countries, is one of the most consistent horses in training. The gelding has won 13 of his 19 starts, five of which have been at the highest level, with his latest success coming at the end of May when he lifted the Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin. The post Seven Days: Ascot Ahoy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy is seeking donations for their Summer Enrichment Program in Saratoga, which keeps families together when workers have to travel from Belmont Park to Saratoga for the summer, and provides children with a summer experience they may have never had before, away from the city and the track. The Chaplaincy has been providing the program for over a decade. “Of all the services offered by the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, the summer enrichment program may be the most important one,” said Chaplain Humerto Chavez, “because it keeps the families together in Saratoga and it provides a safe, educational and fun experience for the children while their parents are working.” Donors may choose to sponsor a child for one day for $45, one week for $300, one month for $1,250 and the entire summer for $2,500. The New York Race Track Chaplaincy ministers to the over 3,500 people who make up the community of workers behind the scenes in support of the Thoroughbred racing industry at Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course, providing children's enrichment, teen mentoring, women's programming, social service, recreational, and educational programs as well as non-denominational religious services. To donate, click here. The post NY Race Track Chaplaincy Seeks Donations for Summer Enrichment Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH), a non-profit which offers a variety of equine-assisted therapies and activities for people of all ages, will host its 21st annual gala fundraiser, Night of the Stars, June 22 at Fasig Tipton in Lexington. “Broadway Nights” is the theme of the event, which begins at 6 p.m., and which includes dinner and drinks, a silent auction and a live auction in which the highest bidders earn a sponsorship of CKRH participants and their equine partners. “Night of the Stars is a meaningful way for people to celebrate and support CKRH, which for more than 40 years has provided therapy programs that showcase the healing power of horses,” CKRH Executive Director Pat Kline said. “We are proud to have helped thousands of people over the years thanks to our beloved therapy horses, who produce such positive physical and emotional responses. While our horses represent many breeds, the Thoroughbred industry is an especially strong supporter of ours, sharing our belief that horses have a magic ability to communicate with people.” Bidding is now open on both silent and live auctions at https://one.bidpal.net/nos2024/browse/all. Items include: halters from Thoroughbreds, including Cody's Wish, Curlin, Flightline, Gun Runner, Rachel Alexandra, Tapit and Uncle Mo; a gameday experience with the University of Kentucky men's basketball team; a wide selection of Kentucky bourbon; two days of racing at Kentucky Downs for four people; and a day of racing in the Godolphin box at Keeneland for six people. For more information on the event, or for tickets, click here. The post CKRH Night of the Stars Fundraiser June 22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An anonymous donor has pledged a matching $4,500 contribution to the Retired Racehorse Project's summer Fund-a-Need campaign. “We're exceedingly grateful for the donation match that has been pledged to our Fund-a-Need campaign this year,” said RRP development manager Megan Garlich. “The Makeover is much more than a horse show. It's a movement of people committed to showcasing the versatility, athleticism and trainability of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses and securing their place in non-racing careers. Fund-a-Need allows us to continue to provide the necessary resources to produce the event and foster meaningful community through the Makeover experience.” The Fund-a-Need campaign, which has a goal of $20,000 total for 2024, allows supporters to contribute to the cost of producing the Thoroughbred Makeover by directly funding aspects of the event production, including volunteer lunches, jump decor, participant ribbons and more. To support the Fund-a-Need campaign, please visit therrp.org/fund-a-need. The post RRP Campaign Gets Matching Donor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For a sixth straight year, three different horses won the trio of Triple Crown races, leaving the chase for the division championship a muddled mess.View the full article

Last year's G1 Nunthorpe S. winner Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) is reported to have returned from his below-par effort at Haydock on Saturday with “a bit of bruising on his off-side and lower rib cage”, though trainer Adam West is optimistic of a swift return to action for his stable star. Runner-up in the G2 Temple S. on his first start of the season, Live In The Dream returned to Merseyside as a short-priced favourite for the Listed Achilles S. at the weekend, but his supporters had a nervous moment at the start when he stumbled badly as the stalls opened. He soon recovered to take up his customary position at the head of affairs but was a spent force entering the final furlong and weakened to finish fifth of the eight runners. “It's just unfortunate that these things happen in racing,” West summed up. “The headwind wouldn't have helped but, ultimately, his confidence was shot. Even though his class got him back to the front, you can't win a sprint race after falling on your nose at the gates.” On the extent of Live In The Dream's injuries, West added, “He's been checked out thoroughly and he's got a bit of bruising on his off-side and lower rib cage. He actually hit the deck quite hard [leaving the stalls] and he had grass stains up to his knees. He caught the stalls or maybe one of the other horses caught him with a foot down the off-side. “He's not too sore, but it would have been enough to scupper a bold show like we had hoped. He will come through it and he will be fine.” All being well, the five-year-old is likely to make his next appearance in the G3 Coral Charge at Sandown on Saturday, July 6, a run which his trainer hopes will put him spot on for the defence of his Nunthorpe crown on Friday, August 23. “The plan will still be to go to the Coral Charge,” West confirmed. “There is enough time to recover from that [before Sandown] but, of course, we will just take things sensibly. We're hoping to go to Sandown and then on to York.” The post Live In The Dream Plan Remains The Same Despite Haydock Setback appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As witnessed at this year's GI Preakness S., partnerships and syndicates are reaching the winner's circle at the highest levels. MyRacehorse scored the victory with Seize the Grey (Arrogate) and over 2,500 people now can claim they were part of a Triple Crown victory. MyRacehorse may be getting all the press, but the reality of the situation is it only provides a small fraction of the horses needed to fill races at the 300-plus racetracks in the United States. When you zoom out and look at all the managed partnerships and syndicates operating across the racetracks in North America, you begin to see how integral the multitude of partnerships and syndicates become to a race meet and the future of the industry. “Rocket Wrench Racing will probably end up with 75-100 starts this year at racetracks like Canterbury Park, Delta Downs, and Sam Houston,” points out managing partner Justin Revak. “We might not win a Breeders' Cup in the near future, but we fill races and I believe that makes us an important spoke in the wheel.” There is no doubt that partnerships and syndicates have become a bigger part of racing's ecosystem. We only need look down under at Australia to see the full integration of people pooling their Aussie dollars to purchase racehorses. There were 10,073 registered syndicates in Australia in 2021. Over 2,500 of those syndicates had 10 or more owners in the group. The numbers are staggering. One in every 253 Australians own a percentage of a racehorse. If the United States racing industry achieved those numbers, there would be over 13 million licensed racehorse owners buying and racing horses from Saratoga to Turf Paradise. Can you imagine? So, what can be done to get us out of the gate? I reached out to managing partners to garner their input on what racetracks, trainers, and regulators could do to help fuel their businesses and help them help our industry. Kyle Yost from Taste of Victory Stables started with, “New owner days with significant advertising to the public prior to the event. Allow syndicates to set up booths to easily interact with the public.” To be fair, there have been an uncountable number of new owner seminars at local tracks, plus The Jockey Club's Ownersview Ownership Seminars have been held both on track and virtually, but what Yost advocates for is unique in that it reaches out to the public not just insiders. With a certain “event” element, which is free to attend, would help connect those with or without deep interest to syndicate management and partners. Another avenue of support from the tracks that seemed universal was the need to provide more hospitality options. Kyle McGinty from Blackout Racing Stable commented, “For tracks, our group members love it when we have a hospitality area to attend. Offering tickets, meals and an “in-game” experience for owners goes a long way to making owners feel special on race day.” Tony Rallo from Crowns Way Racing agrees. “I think the racetrack experience is of paramount importance,” he said. “Keeping partners attending the races and not watching from home is the name of the game. Some tracks are great at this, like Keeneland and Churchill, yet many others are not.” Some racetracks do offer things like reserved seating and free admission to owners, but creating an experience for syndicate groups is different than simple owner benefits. These are groups of people who are racing for as much the social aspect as the financial opportunity. “Special areas like the cabanas at Canterbury or suites at other tracks have the most appeal to our partners on race day,” said Revak of Rocket Wrench Racing. “There also must be a better and less expensive way to provide winner's circle photos to all members. A picture on a partner's wall in their home or office is a conversation starter and great publicity for partnerships, but having to buy 10-20 photos at $20 or more gets to be expensive. Maybe the tracks can help in that area as well.” One of the newer thoughts on how tracks could help support partnerships and syndicates was marketing support. Racetracks have marketing assets that have little hard costs that could be offered to syndicates and partnerships to promote their offerings. Few partnerships have the budgets to advertise directly or buy on-track advertising or sponsorship pointed out by Rallo of Crowns Way. “As it stands, only groups that charge high fees or take large markups can afford to advertise,” he said. Howie Heiberger, Managing Partner of InFront Racing Stable summed it up well. “We don't have budgets that the big boys like My Racehorse and West Point have,” he said. “If we do well, the tracks benefit probably more than we do at the entry box. Without the entry box being filled, there is no racing. If you took the partnerships out of the game, and relied on individual owners, like they had in the old days, there would be no racing.” On the business side of things, finding a better way to handle partner purse distribution via the bookkeeper, education about what happens at the entry box and broadcast quality came up a few times. TK Kuegler from Wasabi Stables had a suggestion along those lines. “Broaden the education process around entries and condition books by moving to a digital process,” Kuegler said. “The other key thing about partnerships is that the vast majority of the owners are not local to the tracks. The broadcast quality and quantity of the entire ownership process should increase. Morning training, claiming shakes, and the card selection broadcast should all be broadcast and made public. It is relatively cheap and efficient to enhance broadcast of the entire ownership process.” Partnerships and syndicates have also had a major impact on trainers. With the insertion of managing partners, a number of tasks that used to fall onto the shoulders of trainers outside the barn are now the responsibility of partnerships and syndicate managers. Recruiting new owners, owner communications, billing and collections are now the functions of the managing partner. Trainers should value this, yet there is a tradeoff, and some trainers are not ready to provide the new level of customer service that is needed. “The fact is that not all trainers are built to work with partnerships. Many trainers want to train horses and not deal with people. But owners want access. That is why they are in the game and making the investment. Trainers need to produce more content on their training process and be more available to all their owners in a partnership,” said Wasabi's Kuegler. When asked what trainers could do to support the efforts of partnerships and syndicates, things understandably become a bit more complicated. Yost, from Taste of Victory hit on a number of points most managing partners experience. “More transparency and to provide an education,” he said. “This is tough, as you know, because people don't want to share their business secrets and a lot of trainers have never had experience with customer service. Sharing ideas while educating owners will give the owners more interest to be involved. I think trainers can provide some level of detail without the risk of exposing the reasons for their success. Some examples: Phil Schoenthal provides videos where he provides routine horse updates and an education to his various owners. Dan Blacker makes audio updates and, in fact, provides to his owners, in audio file, the verbal post-race exchange with the jockey. Megan Fadlovich routinely provides pictures with her updates… sometimes videos. These are some examples of great customer service being provided by trainers, but the above-mentioned efforts are not the norm from trainers. Customer service and providing education is not at the forefront of a lot of trainers because understandably they are interested in training horses. However, the best trainers and the most successful trainers need to have a customer service element as part of their business, or the times will pass them by.” Crown's Way's Tony Rallo agrees and points out the new hurdle being placed in the way since HISA became part of racing. “I think trainers could help more by sending more videos of workouts or anything where the horse is showing some personality. Some trainers are better than others. Neil Pessin, for example, is the best guy ever at this kind of stuff. He would have anyone by his barn to show off his horses. One concern I have about it is, if these contamination positives are true, and I assume some of them are, trainers are going to be more and more hesitant about having people by the barn and rightfully so.” Having a dozen partner/owners showing up at your barn with chocolate donuts and coffee could send any trainer into a tizzy these days, but without people physically connecting with the horses, we would lose a key element to attracting and retaining people to horse racing and ownership. When the conversation turned to regulation and how regulators could help fuel the growth of partnerships and syndicates, there seemed to be a universal theme: Licensing. “Uniform licensing would make a huge improvement for owners. Each state has various licenses for owners, stables, sometimes managing partner, silks, etc. and on top of that the expiration dates of the various licenses in an individual state do not coincide with each other. So, if you have licenses in four states, for example, and you have a stable name you may have something like eight or 10 separate licenses and all with varying expiration dates. Some states require fingerprints, which adds another layer of difficulty to an already difficult situation. The varying licenses, expiration dates and other requirements make licensing very difficult to manage, outlined Yost of Taste of Victory. The National Racing Compact has helped in this area, but there is a cost ($300 for three years) to using their services. When you begin to multiply that cost on top of the licensing itself, the total cost begins to really add up. One managing partner commented, “It costs Mike Repole approximately $100 to get licensed in most states, it costs my partnership close to $2,500. How is that possible?” The recognition that partnerships and syndicates are now–and will continue to be–a larger part of the racing ecosystem, it would seem apparent that racetracks, trainers, and regulators should focus more on how they can take these incubators of ownership development and provide the fuel to one day reach the numbers that we see in Australia. Have more comments or insights? E-mail me at jscurto@horseshoemarketing.com. The post Supporting Partnerships and Syndicates: Insights to Unlocking Potential appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A six-liter limited-edition bottle of Luc Belaire Gold Champagne, featuring art from the 2024 Santa Anita Big 'Cap, will be auctioned off online with proceeds benefitting Amplify Horse Racing. The art on the bottle is signed by the artist, Julianna Johnson. Amplify Horse Racing is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to increase youth access to education, job opportunities, and mentorship in the Thoroughbred horse industry. The auction is open until closing day of the Santa Anita Hollywood Meet June 16. For online bidding, click here. The post Luc Belaire Gold Bottle to be Auctioned for Amplify Horse Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday, June 30 has been confirmed as the next port of call for Epsom runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), with Robert Havlin again booked to ride having replaced Callum Shepherd in the premier Classic. Sent off the 9/2 second favourite at Epsom following a dominant four-and-a-half-length success in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial S. on his previous start, Ambiente Friendly proved himself a high-class colt when chasing home City Of Troy (Justify) on that occasion, ultimately passing the post two and three-quarter lengths behind that rival having travelled strongly throughout. The G1 Coral-Eclipse S. on Saturday, July 6–which was confirmed as the next target for City Of Troy on Sunday–had been under consideration for Ambiente Friendly following that effort, but a trip to Sandown has now been ruled out as connections plot another Classic tilt over a mile and a half for his next start. “After the dust settled, we were very keen to keep him at a mile and a half and, as importantly, stay against his own age group,” said co-owner Tim Gredley. “It was the only option really and I'm really looking forward to it and I think the race will suit him. We want to do what is right by the horse and the conditions of the Irish Derby seem a lot more favourable than going to the Eclipse. “They came and won our Derby and for the sport, it only seems fair to go and have a go over there. We think the gradients of the Curragh and conditions of the race will suit, so that is why we have made the decision to go there. “Rab [Havlin] will ride and we all had a good chat this morning–Mr Fanshawe and I also spoke to Rab and Freddie Tylicki. We are all in unanimous agreement that we should go to Ireland.” The post Irish Derby The Aim For Epsom Runner-Up Ambiente Friendly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Haras d'Etreham resident Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) became Europe's latest first-crop sire to get off the mark when his Joel Boisnard-trained daughter Out Of Africa (Fr) annexed Monday's €23,000 Prix Toyota, a 6 1/2-furlong newcomers' event, at Craon. First 2yo winner by #PersianKing OUT OF AFRICA wins brilliantly by 3 lengths on debut in the Prix Toyota over 1300m at Craon today! Congratulations to everyone involved pic.twitter.com/vf38kGTScR — Haras d'Etreham (@Haras_d_Etreham) June 10, 2024 5th-Craon, €23,000, Mdn, 6-10, unraced 2yo, 6 1/2fT, 1:17.55, sf. OUT OF AFRICA (FR) (f, 2, Persian King {Ire}–Africaine {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) broke smartly and raced prominently in a close-up second through the early fractions of this debut. Stoked up at the top of the straight, the 19-5 favourite gained control with 350 metres remaining and bounded clear under minimal urging inside the final furlong to easily account for Eklairdegeny (Fr) (City Light {Fr}) by three lengths. Out Of Africa is the latest of three reported foals and first scorer produced by a winning daughter of G3 Prix des Reservoirs victrix and G1 Prix Saint-Alary runner-up Article Rare (El Prado {Ire}). Article Rare is one of five black-type winners out of G3 Prix de Sandringham victrix Action Francaise (Nureyev), whose descendants include stakes-winning G1 Prix de Diane, G1 Prix Saint-Alary and GI Diana S. runner-up Argentina (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €11,500. Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Elevage Pierre Levesque, Ecurie Thomas Levesque & Hugues Rousseau (FR); T-Joel Boisnard. The post Freshman Sire Persian King Off The Mark At Craon 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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Leading Royal Ascot fancy A Piece Of Heaven (Ire) (Fr) will sport a new set of silks when he lines out in the Copper Horse Handicap after Syndicates Racing secured a deal for the potential Melbourne Cup contender to join Joseph O'Brien. That bit of business comes as a double blow to A Piece Of Heaven's former trainer Barry Fitzgerald as, not only did he lose his flag-bearer in the transaction, but he now finds himself without yard to train from after a fallout with his landlord Mark Foley, who was also a part-owner in the horse. A Piece Of Heaven was a wildly impressive winner of a lady riders' handicap at Leopardstown last month, barely coming off the bridle to warm up for the royal meeting in the best possible fashion. The six-year-old naturally became the subject of interest and a difference of opinion within the camp left Fitzgerald with no other option but to accept the best offer that was put in front of him. He explained, “Look, I'm sorry I lost the horse in such circumstances but I wish Joseph O'Brien and Jack Cantillon the best of luck with him-they're not the bad guys here. I have always spoken highly of this horse. Even when he was running in bumpers, I thought a lot of him. The ground is the big thing and that's probably why he's been lightly-raced. There is no point running him on dead ground–he needs to be able to quicken off good ground. “His profile is ideal for Royal Ascot and my big plan for him was to go there and then go on to Melbourne with him. That's how good of a horse I think he is. He's a relentless galloper.” Fitzgerald has kept the majority of his string despite the fallout and is temporarily based with his brother and prominent point-to-point handler Aidan. However, he hopes to find a more permanent address by the end of the week and has vowed to “build back bigger and stronger”. His rebuilding will be made that little bit easier after selling recent Down Royal maiden winner Miss Meager (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) to America. He said, “We're in the trading business but, to be honest, I thought the trading angle was gone with A Piece Of Heaven and that he might be a flag-bearer for the yard. It's a big blow because he's gone, the yard is gone, and I have to build back bigger and stronger again. “I've only lost two other horses and have brought the majority of the string with me and thankfully plenty of people have stood by me. I have seven horses stabled in my brother's place–but there are more to come in from the field–and I'm hoping to get sorted with a more long-term arrangement by the end of this week. It's a shame the way things worked out but these things happen in racing and we'll bounce back stronger from it. I'm going to be at the Arkle Sale at Goffs this week and hopefully we can reinvest.” He added, “Jack and Joseph were great to deal with here and I genuinely hope the horse can win plenty of races for them. The bigger picture for A Piece Of Heaven is in November and I've no doubt that I will be setting my alarm clock to get up and watch him in the Melbourne Cup.” And Melbourne was put forward as one of the main attractions behind securing the deal for A Piece Of Heaven by the Syndicates Racing boss. Cantillon said, “I think what this horse did at Leopardstown was really underestimated. He was off a mark of 94 and the handicapper gave him seven pounds. We looked at his stride and sectional analytics and both metrics pointed to a top-class performance being posted. Not only did he put in the performance but he also vetted extremely well. If he can continue on his upward trajectory, he's a horse with the profile and lack of miles on the clock to be a Melbourne Cup contender. “My Dad, Dermot, was lucky enough to be the racing manager for the Smurfit family during a time when they enjoyed two Melbourne Cup wins and we keep talking about how striking a similar profile that A Piece Of Heaven has with Vintage Crop. You need to be realistic; he's currently rated 101 but I think a lot of very shrewd readers of form are very excited about this horse for Royal Ascot and have him down as one of their bankers in the Copper Horse Handicap, which of course is the route that Vauban and Absurde took to Melbourne.” He added, “A Piece Of Heaven has been sent to one of Ireland's greatest trainers and a brilliant man to travel a horse in Joseph O'Brien but I think Barry deserves huge credit by how well he has campaigned him thus far. If the horse can achieve more in 2024 and beyond, which I think he can, I'd really like Barry to get the credit that he deserves for what a brilliant job he has done in nurturing this horse's talents.” The post Barry Fitzgerald: ‘The Horse Is Gone And So Is My Yard, But I’ll Build Back Stronger’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Quality duo to add star power to final features of the season as Derby hero’s campaign likely overView the full article

Reigning Champion South Island Apprentice Jockey Yogesh Atchamah looks to have a fight on his hands to retain his title this season. The Christchurch-based rider brought up his 20th win for the season aboard Lippy for his employer Andrew Carston at Phar Lap Raceway on Sunday, doubling his previous season’s tally. “I was just listening to Andrew’s instructions,” Atchamah said. “He told me to ride him patient and not to rush when the gates open. He said there was a lot of pace in the race, so just to sit quiet and wait until the 400m and ride for luck.” While he has far exceeded his deeds from last season, the victory has brought him to level terms with fellow Riccarton apprentice Donovan Cooper, and with less than two months to go in the season, their rivalry is just starting to heat up. However, Atchamah said he isn’t getting caught up in the premiership race. “I am really pleased with the way I am going at the moment. I just want to improve a bit more,” he said. “I don’t want to put myself under too much pressure. If I get it, I get it, and I will be very happy.” Atchamah is hoping to improve his win tally at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday prior to carrying out his suspension from Thursday. “I have got good rides on Wednesday including Peecee Pussycat, I am really looking forward to riding him,” he said. Looking to the rest of the season, Atchamah said his primary aim was to out ride his three-kilogram claim and to continue to improve his riding skillset. “I just want to out ride my claim before the season ends. I will be very happy if I make it,” he said. “I just want to improve myself. I have got a lot of help from my riding master Jason (Laking).” While firmly focussed on the current season, Atchamah is also looking forward to reuniting with some of his favourite horses in the new term. “I really like a horse I was riding for Kelvin Tyler called Go Lotte. This horse gave me a very good feeling,” he said. “I am also looking forward to Mogul. He is spelling at the moment, but I am looking forward to him coming back.” Testing his talent in the North Island is also something Atchamah would like to do in the future. “If I get my chance, I would like to ride up north too, but I want to build myself up here for the moment,” he said. View the full article