Wandering Eyes

Irad Ortiz Jr., the five-time Eclipse Award winner and national money leader as well as North America's top jockey in races won every year since 2017, has moved his tack from New York to Kentucky for the fall.View the full article

4th-BAQ, $85K, Msw, 2yo, 6fT, 2:37 p.m. ET. A $500,000 grad from the Fasig-Tipton October Yearling sale, FOURTH DIMENSION (Not This Time) makes his first start for Wathnan and trainer Bill Mott. Initially going for $200,000 during Keeneland January, the dark bay is out of Aureum (Medaglia d'Oro), who was a 220,000gns purchase at the 2021 Tattersalls July sale by Blandford Bloodstock. Aureum–who also produced current filly 3-year-old in-training Loveontheleftbank (Invincible Spirit {Ire})–is herself a half-sister to MGISP Nemoralia (More Than Ready), the dam of GII Lake Placid Stakes heroine May Day Ready (Tapit). Nice Guys homebred Let's Be Frank (Liam's Map) is out of a dam who is a full-sister to GI Kentucky Oaks champ Serengeti Empress (Alternation), while Phnom Penh (Medaglia d'Oro) is the second to the races for MGSW Cambodia (War Front). TJCIS PPS 5th-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 2:49 p.m. ET. Baracca (Oscar Performance) is set for her unveiling for the Heider Family and trainer Brendan Walsh. Her productive dam SW Shop Again (Wild Again) claims GISW Power Broker (Pulpit) and SW Fierce Boots (Tiznow), plus the dam of GI Preakness & GI Pennsylvania Derby victor Seize the Grey (Arrogate). The first foal for her dam, Bonne Sante (Instilled Regard) counts among her extended female family champion 2-year-old filly British Idiom (Flashback). Stonestreet homebred Frolicking (Not This Time) is out of a dam whose half-sister is GISW Pauline's Pearl (Tapit). Last but not least, Winchell took home Not a Lady (Into Mischief) for $775,000 during Keeneland September before sending the filly to Steve Asmussen. TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Racing Insights: Not This Time Colt Uses BAQ Gate As A Wormhole To Access Maiden Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Irad Ortiz, Jr., a five-time Eclipse-champion jockey and this country's leading rider by races won in each of the last eight seasons, will relocate from New York to Kentucky for the fall season. He will join a riding colony that also includes his brother Jose Ortiz, who is also represented by agent Steve Rushing. “My agent and I have talked about this for a little while now,” Ortiz Jr. said. “There's a lot of business in Kentucky and the racing is really strong.” The veteran reinsman had four rides on opening night of the September meet on Thursday and won two of those, new 'TDN Rising Star' On Time Girl (Not This Time) for Brad Cox in race four and Show Time (Into Mischief) in the evening's finale for Norm Casse. Ortiz, Jr. is named to ride 21 horse this weekend, including Taken by the Wind (Rock Your World) for Ken McPeek in the GIII Pocahontas Stakes, favored Alpine Princess (Classic Empire) in the GII Locust Grove Stakes for Cox and the McPeek-trained No More Cents (Goldencents) in the GIII Iroquois Stakes. The post Ortiz, Jr. Shifting Tack To Kentucky For Fall Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin For the majority of racehorses their problem is not having enough speed. Not Loteria. Her problem is controlling all the speed she has. The rapid going four-year-old recorded her third career win when overcoming an unruly starting position in a Metro Trot heat at Alexandra Park on Friday night and did it in style. She smashed favourite Pretty In Pink after looping the field in the middle stages and racing to a two-and-three-quarter length win looking to have a few gears still left. Loteria is trained by Sammy Kilgour and driven by her fiancee Joshua Dickie with the pair partially co-training her before their day jobs working at Stonewall Stud. “I usually work her at John’s (Dickie, Joshua’s Dad) before I go to Stonewall to work but on fast work days Josh will come home at lunchtime and drive her,” explains Kilgour, who part owns Loteria. “We are both so lucky to work with the creme of the crop at Stonewall but to win a race with one of our own is very special.” Kilgour and Dickie brought Loteria back to New Zealand from Victoria when they moved here nearly two years ago but she has been a work in progress since. “She as always had that ability but she just wants to go too fast,” explains Kilgour. “We have worked on it and she is getting better but when she galloped in a juniors race last start she got put on the unruly. “That might have helped her tonight but she also loves all this mobile racing and we have a few more of those coming up, including the final of this series, which should really help her.” A few more wins might even help Dickie and Kilgour finally get married. “We haven’t set a date yet and to be honest it is so expensive to get marrried. She might need to keep winning some races.” Later in the night the other Metro Trot heat was won in effortless style by Pantani, who picked a great night to get things right as all the favourites around him galloped. He bolted in for driver Benjamin Butcher and trotted much more smoothly against the markers so may be ready to return to his form of last season. Earlier Belle Niege just got up to justify her hot favouritism in the main trot, making it three wins on end. She was forced back to last as several inside her seemed keen to be involved in the early rush but was still too good for a brave It Ain’t Me Babe to give junior driver Crystal Hackett her 50th winner for the season, a new milestone in her blossoming career. Not quite so popular with the punters was a total Alexandra Park rarity when Tony Herlihy reined a 60-1 fixed odds winner for Arna Donnelly in Final Change. It is rare enough that Herlihy drives for the top Cambridge trainer but in his 3700-plus wins in New Zealand it would be doubtful Herlihy has reined home 60-1 or longer winners more than a handful of times. He backed it up in the next on the card when he launched Te Ahi for an all-the-way win in the Tactical Approach at Alabar Northern Trotting Champs at 20-1 fixed, so a remarkable 1281-1 back to back race double from The Iceman. Te Ahi is trained by Graeme Rogerson, whose harness horses are looked after by James Stormont, so he deserves at much of the training credit for winning the $25,000 feature trot. The Nevele R Fillies heat was taken out in effortless fashion by Sweet Maggie Mae, who blasted straight to the lead for Andre Poutama and never looked like being beaten. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Tarragindi is so good trotting trainer Phil Williamson is putting his money where his mouth is. And that means the easy Friday night winner from Addington will be in the $500,000 Ascent at Addington on Show Day. The three-year-old made it four wins in nine starts with a 57.9 second last 800m to bolt away by four lengths on Friday, suggesting he is getting better with every run. He didn’t need that win to convince Williamson and wife Bev, who owns Tarragindi, he deserves a shot at the trot slot race as they had already agreed to pay the $30,000 to be in the big dance. Tarragindi got within a head of the clear star of last season’s juvenile crop in Meant To Be last year and Williamson is certain he has a better horse on his hands this year. “He did a big job last year because he was taking on Meant To Be at only our second and third starts,” says Williamson. “I am not saying we will beat him but I think we can give him a run for his money so we decided to buy a slot and are excited about it. “And he has the NZ Trotting Derby too to aim at so he has some really good races coming up. “He is definitely my next good horse.” While Tarragindi was red hot on his way to winning, the stakes feature of the night at Addington could hardly have been more different as Berrettini won the Woodlands Stud Harness 7000 race at 50-1. Trained by John “Coaster” Howe he was patiently driven by Robbie Close and prevailed in a punishing finish after early tempo saw the undoing of the leaders, including hot favourite Tact Teva. It was Berrettini’s third win from eight starts for breeders and owners, popular Canterbury couple Phil and Christine Smith. That capped a great recent run for the Smiths, including an Addington double last month with Berrettini and Cormoran Strike. “Coaster and I had a plan, because he was stepping up in class, to drive him quietly but I said to him before the race, stranger things have happened,” said Close. “But all the credit has to go to him and it is great for the owners who have put so much into the game.” While Tact Teva had a rugged night at the office his stablemate Bettors Anvil returned with a blazing win a race earlier. He sat back off a good speed and went like the very good three-year-old he is to round up his older rivals easily. “He will be in all the good races from now on and they are going to be really exciting because you have Marketplace and some real depth around him.” But perhaps the training performance of the night went to Bob Butt after Dynasty sprinted hard to win the $25,000 Woodlands Second Mares Sprint. She was fresh up for over two months and had all the favourites in front of her starting the last 400m yet exploded to win like a future Group 1 mare and suggest the coming mares series races are going to be spectacular. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features last year's BBAG sale topper. 4.15 Doncaster, Mdn, 2yo, 8fT DEL MARO (GER) (Camelot {GB}) bids to build on his debut second at Newmarket for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby on ground that is sure to play to his strengths as a son of the Preis der Diana heroine Diamanta (Maxios). The €850,000 BBAG September stand-out topper meets Al Shaqab and Amo Racing's newcomer Lyneham (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a 425,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase who is a grandson of Red Evie (Intikhab). The post Godolphin’s BBAG Topper Del Maro At Doncaster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The inaugural Thoroughbred360 was held at Newpark Hotel, Co Kilkenny on September 10. Hosted by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) and the Irish Equine Centre, the open industry forum focused on helping Irish breeders take their business to the next level. Over 100 attendees were on hand to hear an opening address by Minister of State Timmy Dooley TD, who spoke on the importance of the bloodstock industry to the Irish economy. ITBA and the Irish Equine Centre followed this with a brief overview of what they offer breeders – including a wide range of membership benefits, extensive education offers and discounted testing on Land Assessment and Stud Farm Hygiene Packages. Afterward, attendees spoke directly with industry bodies and businesses including Ark Equine, BBA Ireland, Belmont Equine Products, Bluegrass, Clinton Higgins, Equilume, Goffs, HRI, IEVA, ITM, NFP Bloodstock Insurance, Randox Health, TRM, and Weatherbys. Professor Wall and Meta Osborne took to the stage briefly to discuss traceability and welfare with Leo Powell, and included discussions on Professor Wall's report, emphasising protection for horses at end of life, current developments in equine traceability and looking at future-proofing the industry. The day closed with an industry panel discussion 'Where Success Starts' with Cathal Beale, Henry de Bromhead, Jacqueline Norris and Joseph O'Brien, hosted by Leo Powell as they delved into the journey of success from foal to racehorse. The post Inaugural Thoroughbred360 Deemed A Success appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Justify does Triple Crowns, that we already know, but few would have expected he would be on the verge of another so early in his second career. Responsible for the winners of this season's 2,000 Guineas and last year's Derby, he has dead aim on the St Leger on Saturday courtesy of Scandinavia as he bids to complete a remarkable turf trinity to augment his own groundbreaking one on the dirt. Scandinavia didn't start his career in the manner of Ruling Court or City Of Troy, but then not many St Leger winners produce any fireworks until well into their second season and Ballydoyle's embryonic stayer supreme has certainly turned a corner from July onwards. Having pounded his peers in the Bahrain Trophy, he upstaged his grizzled elders in the Goodwood Cup, in the process confirming how far he has come since finishing seventh in a maiden on this card 12 months ago. With Ryan Moore and Wayne Lordan out of action on one of the biggest weekends in the calendar, Tom Marquand is the chief beneficiary as he was five years ago when deputising for Shane Crosse on Galileo Chrome. “He's looked a good horse this summer, I suppose he's one of those who has just really found his mojo over these top staying trips,” he said of his choice mount in the final Classic. “He had to get really stuck in at Goodwood, but he did that really well and in the Bahrain Trophy he made relatively light work of the others.” As Moore is generally at Leopardstown on this day, it was Sean Levey who capitalised 12 months ago and it was no surprise to learn that he had been called upon again by Aidan O'Brien for the ride on Lambourn. Prior to Newmarket's July Festival, this was the one to be on all ends up, but a mixture of Scandinavia bursting onto the scene and a lacklustre Great Voltigeur effort from the dual Derby hero means he enters the fray here as the second-string. Since the near-miss of Camelot in 2012, this Classic has failed to draw the Derby winner although in fairness to Coolmore it is certain that had Australia, Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy won their Guineas they would have all been here attempting the holy quest of the Triple Crown. Lambourn was never going to Newmarket and is in many ways more a Leger-type Blue Riband winner than any of his predecessors from this stable, it's just that performance at York that tempers enthusiasm. Also in the mix from Rosegreen is Galileo's last Classic runner Stay True and the Queen's Vase winner Carmers, one of the initial products of Fiona Carmichael's huge investment in the Sea The Stars mare Signe at the 2014 Goffs Orby Sale. While it is probably true that Scandinavia has gone nuclear since trailing him at Royal Ascot, Paddy Twomey's colt hasn't exactly stopped moving forward himself and there is a danger that his Voltigeur effort under a penalty has been underestimated. Super Soumy Supersub? Leopardstown's opener to Irish Champions Weekend sees Christophe Soumillon take several high-profile rides in the void that Coolmore's number one has left. Obviously, all focus will be on his G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes mount Delacroix (Dubawi), Ballydoyle's big hope for the latest edition who will presumably have this set up perfectly unlike in the Juddmonte International fiasco last month. There are contrasting messages as to the real merit of Tepin's final offering and it probably comes down to whether he can reproduce that unforgettable surge up Sandown's hill off a strong pace rather than a moderate one. Aidan O'Brien contends that he needs it good and honest, so Mount Kilimanjaro (Siyouni) must be here to provide it, but he doesn't have an obvious pacemaker profile so this could get interesting. On a weekend of jockeys missing out and others coming into the frame as a result, Chris Hayes takes over from the stricken Jim Crowley on Shadwell's admirable warrior Anmaat (Awtaad) who is probably the obvious one the way this renewal has taken shape. One that has a familiar rider on top is last year's third Shin Emperor (Siyouni), who is back again on slower ground which will probably suit with Ryusei Sakai having that experience of 12 months ago to call upon. In the G1 Coolmore America Justify Matron Stakes, the Prix Rothschild heroine Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot) looks to inflict another defeat on Ballydoyle's January (Kingman), with Soumillon charged with getting that first Group 1. If Delacroix offers a slightly tricky scenario in the feature, this filly will require all of the Belgian's finesse following her three seconds and a third in her attempts so far. She is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time as Aidan O'Brien looks to unlock that extra percentage point, which she will need with the Coronation Stakes heroine Cercene (Australia) and course specialist Vera's Secret (Epaulette) in attendance. Interestingly, the sheepskin is also on the yard's G1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger hope Illinois (Galileo) at The Curragh on Sunday as the fellow Group 1 nearly-horse takes on Australian Bloodstock's Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett) and the Aykroyds' unbeaten three-year-old Amiloc (Postponed) in a fascinating affair. Where it gets more straightforward for Soumillon is in the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, where the faultless G2 Debutante Stakes winner Composing (Wootton Bassett) could provide that welcome armchair ride. Her G2 Airlie Stud Stakes and G3 Prestige Stakes-winning stablemates Beautify (Wootton Bassett) and Precise (Starspangledbanner) back up the assault on the unbeaten G1 Prix Morny heroine Venetian Sun (Starman). Unsurprisingly, Ballydoyle have half of the field for the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes, where the Coventry winner and Morny runner-up Gstaad (Starspangledbanner) is the flagbearer as he encounters the unbeaten Group 2 winners Saba Desert (Dubawi) and Zavateri (Without Parole). In the weekend's other Group 1, the Nunthorpe heroine Asfoora (Flying Artie) becomes the first Australian-trained runner to race in Ireland in Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes. In another jockey-go-round, Dylan Browne McMonagle takes over from Oisin Murphy in the saddle. Amo Racing have two big chances in the dash in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes winner Bucanero Fuerte (Wootton Bassett) and the Sapphire Stakes winner Arizona Blaze (Sergei Prokofiev). The post Opportunity Knocks For The Weekend Stars appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of Britain's most beloved stayers, Normandie Stud's homebred Sweet William (Sea The Stars) came good again on Friday to add his name to an illustrious list who have won the G2 Doncaster Cup more than once. Left behind at the start, the 10-11 favourite was coaxed into contention by Robert Havlin and after moving to the three-year-old Pendragon (Camelot) approaching two out stormed clear for an emphatic 3 3/4-length success. “These staying races are a whole lot of fun and he's a wonderful old horse,” John Gosden said. “He answered the call–he's been running into Trawlerman and Kyprios and that's tough–but Philippa [Cooper] says that's it for the season and we'll hopefully be back this time next year.” 2023 2024 2025 SWEET WILLIAM retains his Betfred Howard Wright @DoncasterRaces Cup Stakes crown! pic.twitter.com/AmmBDD8moD — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 12, 2025 The post Sweet William Records Back-To-Back Wins In The Doncaster Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Her Nunthorpe-winning sister Winter Power was some flying machine, but if the evidence of Friday's G2 Flying Childers Stakes is a guide Revival Power (Bungle Inthejungle) could be even slicker model. Electric in the first furlong and totally dominant on the front throughout under Oisin Murphy, King Power's Listed Roses Stakes winner was in a league of her own as she registered a seriously-impressive 1 1/2-length success from Ballydoyle's Kansas (Wootton Bassett). “She's fast, but she goes again–she hasn't just got that initial speed but also that extra kick which makes the magic,” trainer Tim Easterby said of the 17-2 shot, who dipped under 59 seconds despite racing into a headwind on ground with ease. “She was actually very green last time at York and picked up when they came to her, so that must have put her right. I was very confident today, as she's done everything right. She's great in her wind, but we keep a lid on her at home. Her sister was magical, but was really hot and this filly's got a better temperament.” “Oh she's a fast filly!” REVIVAL POWER – a full-sister to Winter Power – blazes her way to Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes glory at @DoncasterRaces!@oismurphy | @EasterbyTim pic.twitter.com/7HVlaTwvmh — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 12, 2025 The post ‘That Extra Kick Makes The Magic’: Easterby Hails Flying Childers Winner Revival Power appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Roger Varian's new link-up with Godolphin is paying instant dividends with the promising Avicenna (Starspangledbanner) getting up late to capture Friday's Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster. Held up early by William Buick, the 11-2 shot who had won over course and distance on debut last month delivered a sustained effort down the wing to collar the 5-4 favourite Hankelow (Night Of Thunder) on the line. Photo finish! AVICENNA gets up in dramatic fashion to deny Hankelow in the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes!@WilliamBuickX | @varianstable | @DoncasterRaces | @godolphin pic.twitter.com/7li0KN7TPE — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 12, 2025 The post Varian Saddles Godolphin’s Avicenna To Flying Scotsman Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coffee, pens, chapstick, maybe an occasional hat. Consignors often hand out little tokens to give the memories of potential buyers a nudge into recalling their barn and their horses. But chances are you've seen someone emerging from Barn 9 on the Keeneland sales grounds in the last day or two with ice cream, which likely sounds mighty good after a day going from barn to barn inspecting horses in the full sun of an early September in Central Kentucky. Jennifer and Zach Phillips of Zen Equine, who may have their first-ever consignment at Keeneland September but are not new to the game, thought long and hard about what might appeal to buyers and most assuredly found the sweet spot. It's exactly the sort of thought and care that goes into both their daily operation and their first consignment. “It's just a little novelty, an idea to get people to come see our horses,” said Jennifer Phillips. “'Oh, that's the place that has the ice cream! They also have the really nice Golden Pal; let's go back down there.' That's what we want people to think. Hopefully it's something we can do that will set us apart.” Phillips and her husband lease about 150 acres of the former Millennium Farm off of Paris Pike and primarily board mares and foals for clients. They also prep for sales, handling five last year for Keeneland's September sale and 15 for this year. While they have charge of some valuable mares and yearlings–Book 1 offerings–they are committed to discretion and don't disclose names. There may be a clue, however, in their name: Zen Equine. “Zen is a Japanese term for meditation and calmness,” said Phillips. “Our biggest clients are Japanese, so we kind of incorporated it into our name. We like to keep things nice and relaxed here.” Zen also happens to be a handy combination of their names: Zach and Jen. It's that same cleverness and good humor they bring to their business, along with a hearty dose of good, old-fashioned hard work. After more than 10 years apiece spent learning the industry's ropes under some pretty exceptional teachers, the couple made the jump into their own operation. “We just decided it was time for us to go out and do our own thing,” said Phillips. “We had a couple of horses of our own and we kind of just decided if we were going to work this hard, we might as well do it for ourselves rather than for somebody else.” Phillips went through the equine sciences program at the University of Limerick and had the good fortune to be placed with the late Gerry Dilger at Dromoland Farm for her internship. After she finished school, he offered her a job and she spent an additional five years mentored by one of the sport's top horsemen. “He was the best,” remembered Phillips. “He was so good. He was a friend to everyone. And he really wanted everyone to do really, really well. He never wanted to see anyone fail. He did his best to help all of us do so well. I know he'd be so proud looking down right now.” After Dilger passed away and Covid upended life around the world, Phillips spent three years working for Mike McMahon at Spruce Lane Farm, while Zach, meanwhile, had about a decade under his belt with Ted Campion at Dundrum Farm. “He managed that farm, they came up with a lot of Grade I winners like Rattle N Roll and Yellow Agate,” said Phillips. “They've had a serious amount of Grade I winners. Gerry used to have the swimming pool for the horses and Zach and Ted would bring horses over to swim at Gerry's pool, so we knew each other from that aspect and then we'd meet downtown.” Jennifer and Zach Phillips at last year's Keeneland September sale | Courtesy of Jennifer Phillips Jennifer and Zach had the classic Lexington love story: they knew each other professionally, ran into each other at McCarthy's Irish Bar on Upper Street in downtown, and things blossomed from there. “It was through the horses in McCarthy's, of course. Where else would anybody meet?” said Phillips with a laugh. “If somebody asks you that question, they nearly know the answer. It makes sense. That's where everybody meets is down there. Just go to McCarthy's. You're sure to find someone.” After dating for several years, they took the plunge and got married two years ago. It wasn't long after they formed Zen Equine. “Everyone sort of knows us as individuals and how we've come up and who we've worked for, but nobody really knows Zen Equine,” said Phillips. Now that they're established, it's time to “get us as a partnership out there. This is our second September sale prepping on our own, so we'd like to just to get it out there that we're here.” Zen has three yearlings catalogued at Keeneland, including two in Book 3: a Corniche filly (hip 1322) and a Golden Pal filly (hip 1547). Their final lot is a Mitole filly (hip 3207) in Book 5. They know each of the yearlings intimately. Two they foaled, while the third they've had since before she was weaned. “The Book 3 fillies are both really nice horses,” said Phillips. “Freshman sires and a freshman consignment. It's kind of like we're all starting out the same way. You never know what you're going to end up with when you have a freshman sire in there. The Golden Pals and the Corniches have been taken well, so hopefully that continues. The Mitole is actually mine. She's out of a mare that won nearly $600,000 on the track. She is tough and she passes it on because that yearling is tough. She has her own mind. I'm very excited for it because she's had some beautiful babies, so we hope she gets some runners as well.” While dipping their toes into this initial consignment, the Phillipses are already looking to the future. “Our plan is to only sell what we have here on the farm, stuff that we prep here, horses that we really know,” said Phillips. “I don't want to get to a huge size where you have hundreds of horses. I like to be able to know my horses and be able to talk to buyers: this horse looks really well in a round pen, this horse does really well on the walker, their different mindsets and how they think. I want to be able to tell people exactly the characteristics that I like about that horse. Since they've been prepped here, we have an idea of what they're like.” Eventually, you may see Zen Equine consignments in the breeding stock sales, as well. Phillips said they would like to branch out, especially as mares and foals are their primary business. “We foaled 32 mares this year. Next year is going to be 39, as of my last count,” she said. “Our primary focus is to have long-term clients and foal out mares that we know. “And then the long-term goal? I'd love to have a horse in Book 1 or go to Saratoga. We'd like to breed something like that, but we're just going to take it in small steps right now. I'm glad we've only got the three going to the sale, kind of get our feet in the door. We're very grateful to the clients that have entrusted us with their horses. They've been very, very good to us.” It's said ice cream makes everything better. Ice cream flavored with a hearty topping of solid horsemanship might be just the sort of 'Zen' that hits the right spot midway through Keeneland's marathon September sale. The post Zen Equine’s First Consignment Finds the Sweet Spot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Leon King Stable's Bentornato will make his first start since finishing second in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) in the $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes Sept. 13 at Churchill Downs, where he will face the enigmatic sprinter Skelly.View the full article

The Curragh's Group 1 bonanza on day two of Irish Champions Weekend has attracted an aggregate 38 declarations after final fields for the track's four elite-level contests were confirmed Friday morning. Illinois (Galileo), with Christophe Soumillon booked to ride, is one of two Aidan O'Brien entries, the other being Queenstown (Galileo), and heads a field of nine in the G1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger. The undefeated G2 King Edward VII Stakes victor Amiloc (Postponed) is one of three overseas nominees. Ballydoyle has three of the six runners, headed by G1 Prix Morny runner-up Gstaad (Starspangledbanner), in the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes, which also features unbeaten Group 2 winners Saba Desert (Dubawi) and Zavateri (Without Parole). Soumillon will be aboard G2 Debutante Stakes winner Composing (Wootton Bassett), one of three Aidan O'Brien contenders, in the seven-runner G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. She will be accompanied by G2 Airlie Stud Stakes victrix Beautify (Wootton Bassett) and G3 Prestige Fillies' Stakes winner Precise (Starspangledbanner) in opposition to last month's G1 Prix Morny heroine and undefeated Karl Burke trainee Venetian Sun (Starman). Last month's G1 Nunthorpe Stales heroine Asfoora (Flying Artie) will become the first Australian-trained runner to race in Ireland and has drawn stall one in the 16-runner G1 Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes. Dylan Browne McMonagle takes over from Oisin Murphy in the saddle. Amo Racing has two Adrian Murray-trained runners confirmed for the five-furlong dash, with last year's seventh Bucanero Fuerte (Wootton Bassett) the mount of Colin Keane and David Egan aboard GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint runner-up Arizona Blaze (Gergei Prokofiev). The post Runners Confirmed for Sunday’s Group 1 Races at The Curragh, Aidan O’Brien Dominates Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Challenge, presented by GaineswayView the full article

Half-siblings to Classic winners Look De Vega and Coeursamba are among more than 800 horses catalogued for the five-day Arqana October Yearling Sale, which begins in Deauville on Tuesday, October 21. Part 1 of the sale, which takes place over Tuesday and Wednesday, also includes a St Mark's Basilica three-parts-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Laurens, half-brothers to the Group 1 winners Woodshauna and Kew Gardens, and a full-sister to G1 Prix Marcel Boussac victrix Zellie. Also featured is the first foal, a filly by Frankel, of the G1 Matron Stakes winner Pearls Galore. She is offered by Haras de Saint Pair, which provided the co-top lot – a €500,000 colt by Kingman out of Via Pisa – at the 2024 Arqana October Sale. He shared top billing with Haras du Mont dit Mont's son of Night Of Thunder and the Listed-placed Paramount, who is now named Makerstoun and is in training with Jane Chapple-Hyam for Peter Harris. In total, this year's October catalogue, which is now available online, features 14 yearlings who are either out of a Group 1 winner or a sibling or half-sibling to a Group 1 winner, compared to eight in last year's sale. Part 2 of the Arqana October Sale is conducted over the afternoons of October 23 and 24, and the auction concludes with Part 3 on Saturday, October 25. The post Classic Siblings Headline Arqana’s October Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz Arna Donnelly’s pair of juveniles announced themselves in style at Cambridge Raceway last night. Two-year-old stablemates Critical Image and Lulana ran the quinella on debut in the Harness Hoedown Tickets On Sale 25th Sept Mobile Pace. Donnelly purchased Critical Image, at the 2024 National Standardbred Yearling Sales. He was given a perfect steer by Zachary Butcher, enjoying a sweet trip in the one-one before pouncing late to score. Lulana, bred by long-time stable client Kevin Madgwick, did it the hard way. With James Stormont in the bike, she sat parked throughout before applying pressure over the last half, which was cut out in a scorching 56.4 seconds. Despite being nabbed late, she was game in defeat. Donnelly was thrilled with how both handled themselves on debut. “I thought they were both really good chances, I’d really liked the way the pair of them had been trialling and I thought they’d improve off those runs,” she said. “They were really professional considering it was their first time under the lights, it couldn’t have worked out any better.” “They smoked that last half and the pair of them have probably never been that quick in their life.” The win confirmed Donnelly’s high opinion of the pair. Critical Image now heads north for a tougher assignment in Heat 3 of the Woodlands Stud Sires Stakes for two-year-old colts and geldings at Alexandra Park next week, while Lulana will continue to target general juvenile races. “Critical Image will head up to Auckland for a sire’s stakes heat next week,” Donnelly said. “The filly isn’t paid up for anything, so she’ll just poke around where there’s two-year-old races.” Asked to compare the pair, Donnelly admitted it wasn’t easy. “Lulana was the run of the race last night and the other guy got the good trip. They’re both going to improve and win races, so I couldn’t say there’s much between them.” The stable’s night didn’t end there, with veteran pacer Baileys Pitch also saluting in the Blokes Night In The Skyline Lounge 18th Sept Mobile Pace. With Arna’s stable junior driver Kate Coppins in the bike, the win was particularly satisfying. “He’s a great old horse, he’s actually our galloping pacemaker,” Donnelly said. “It’s good for Kate too, she hasn’t had a lot of luck with him their last few starts so it’s nice for her to get the monkey off her back with him.” View the full article

Akuta will emulate two all-time greats if he wins Sunday’s Group 3 Hannon Memorial at Oamaru. The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained star is a $2.10 favourite to take out the Group 3 feature for a second time. His previous win was in 2022. If Akuta wins this weekend he’ll do what the likes of Blossom Lady and Johnny Globe have done before – and that is win two Hannon Memorials three years apart. Blossom Lady won in 1990 and 1993 (as well as winning the New Zealand Cup in 1992) while Johnny Globe won his Hannon Memorials in 1951 and 1954. He also won the New Zealand Cup the same year (1954). Akuta is having his fourth race this campaign after being sidelined with a serious tendon injury. He won two starts ago in Auckland and was then fifth in last Friday’s Avon City Ford New Brighton Cup at Addington, taken out by Alta Meteor. The Hannon has been raced since 1938. It is named in memory of Michael Joseph Hannon, a dentist in Oamaru who went on to become the president of the Oamaru Trotting Club from 1921 to 1938. Since then only four horses have ever won back to back Hannon Memorials – they are Palestine (1976-77), Idolmite (1980-81), Iraklis (1997-98), and Franco Ledger (2012-13). The fastest time (since it went to 2600m in 1976) is shared. The record of 3:13.4 was set by Cullen’s Creek in 2010 and then equalled by Spankem in 2019. On Sunday only two horses are backing up from last year’s race. They are Macandrew Aviator, who was third last year, and Da Vinci (7th in 2024). The two horses to win since Akuta’s last success have been Aardie’s Express (2023) and Republican Party (2024). To see the odds in the Hannon Memorial click here View the full article

By Jonny Turner Winton breeder-owner Michelle Caig lived a harness racing dream at Ascot Park on Thursday. Caig enjoyed dual success with half-sisters Penelope Lane and Our Rose Hill, both trotting to victory. Caig bred both horses, while she also races Penelope Lane from the Brad Williamson stable. Though she has been breeding horses with good success for several decades, the thrill of winning hasn’t diminished. “This is what you dream about when you breed horses,” Caig said. Penelope Lane produced an excellent win in her debut at Wyndham in June, but the filly had galloped repeatedly in her five starts since. Though she raced greenly at times on Thursday, her ability shone through when she charged home late to score. “I can tell you that winning is a lot better than watching her gallop five starts in a row.” “She is such a thinking horse and she has got gears, and one day she will have all the manners.” “Brad has done such a great job with her, he is very cool, calm and collected.” Penelope Lane is by Volstead from Caig’s Group 1 producing dam City Lane. While Volstead has left outstanding horses since Caig paired up the stallion and mare, it was more of a punt at the time than it may seem now. “A lot of breeding is about gut feeling, when I have gone with what has been popular at the time, I often haven’t had success.” “Volstead was $4500 at the time and a bit more of a gamble.” “The best part is that Penelope Lane is eligible for the Harness 5000 because of it.” With City Lane now retired from breeding and Volstead an established sire, Caig hopes she has found a replacement broodmare in Penelope Lane. Though with her form on the track, she looks a few seasons away from entering the breeding barn. “She was a lovely foal and I have always wanted to keep her.” Caig initially raced Our Rose Hill before selling her to fellow Southland owner Art Shirley. That didn’t take away any of the thrill of watching the mare she had bred win. “Everything I sell I want to win races,” Caig said. “I have sold a few to Arty and I got just as much of a kick out of watching her win for him.” Brad Williamson also took the reins behind Our Rose Hill for trainer Alister Black. The excitement is set to continue in the coming weeks for Caig, off the track, with two of her mares due to foal this spring. View the full article

Highly respected British ratings agency Timeform believes that Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) could end up as the best sprinter we’ve seen this century. The David Hayes-trained superstar currently has a Timeform rating of 135, meaning that he’s currently the world’s best racehorse and has also surpassed other Hong Kong sprinting greats like Silent Witness (El Moxie) and Sacred Kingdom (Encosta de Lago) on their ratings. Ka Ying Rising’s figure of 135 also places him just behind Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and former top British sprinter Battaash (Dark Angel), who are Timeform’s joint highest-rated sprinters this century on a mark of 136. The winner of his past 13 starts, Ka Ying Rising is currently the hot favourite for The Everest next month and returned from a spell to record a dominant win in the Chief Executive’s Cup at Sha Tin last weekend. “Hong Kong has been home to some world-class sprinters down the years, with the likes of Silent Witness and Sacred Kingdom both rated top-class by Timeform at their peak, but in Ka Ying Rising, it looks to have produced one even better than that pair,” said Timeform’s Flat Racing Editor David Johnson. “Ka Ying Rising is rated 135 on the back of his comfortable win in the Chairman’s (Sprint) Prize in April, where he comfortably beat Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa) by much further than Lazzat (Territories) was able to do at Royal Ascot and he cemented that with a most impressive win under a big weight in handicap company at the weekend. “International competition has been an important feature of flat racing for the best part of 40 years now and Ka Ying Rising heading to Australia to take on the best sprinters from Down Under in The Everest, the most valuable race on turf, is a prospect that racing fans from all areas of the globe can look forward to.” Like Timeform, Ciaron Maher has also been impressed by Ka Ying Rising. The Melbourne Cup-winning trainer will take on Ka Ying Rising in The Everest with his sprinter Jimmysstar, but was left in awe of what the Shamexpress gelding was able to do at Sha Tin last Sunday. “It was certainly a phenomenal performance,” Maher said. “I’m sure David will be keen to get back here and fly the flag, I’m sure he’ll have him pretty right to go. If he arrives in that sort of form and travels well, he’s going to be mighty hard to beat but it’s looking like a good race.” WATCH: Ka Ying Rising in the Chief Executive’s Cup THE FREAK IS BACK! #SeasonOpener | #LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/72fu9dNEE0 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) September 7, 2025 The world’s best as of September 2025, according to Timeform: 135 – Ka Ying Rising 132 – Via Sistina 130 – Field Of Gold 130 – Ombudsman View the full article

Small fields can throw up strange results and the connections of Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking) will be hoping for one on Saturday. Mark Twain is the $101 outsider in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday where he tackles five opponents who are all Group One winners. Since 2000, there have been eight horses win at double figure odds including Gatting (Hard Spun) at $101 in 2019, Littorio (Bellotto) ($41) in 2011 and Hugs Dancer (Cadeaux Genereux) ($26) in 2004. Mark Twain’s main claim to fame was his victory in last year’s Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington, a race that earned him a ballot exemption for the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). Unfortunately, a tendon injury robbed him of that chance, but the stayer is back looking for a second chance to line up in this year’s Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 4. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained galloper ran last over 1200m in New Zealand on August 9 at his first run since the Roy Higgins win last year and made his way to Australia where he was due to run in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday. But after dropping jockey Jamie Mott shortly after leaving the saddling enclosure, Mark Twain was a late scratching from that engagement. “He dropped me on the way to the barriers,” Mott said. “Unfortunately, I had to let him go because he was about to stand all over the top of me and he had a bit of a canter around for a couple of laps. “There are only six runners on Saturday so, instead of a gallop, he’ll get more out of a race, but he’s probably not up to winning that race.” Mott had hoped to get a feel of Mark Twain under race conditions with hope of sticking with the stayer as the races get longer. But Mott said Mark Twain needs to get his rating up to get closer to the weight he can ride at. “I was literally on him for four seconds the other day, so I didn’t get to have much of a feel of him but he’s a nice horse and we’ll see what he can do on Saturday,” Mott said. “If he can get a bit more weight in those big races, he’s one I’d like to ride. “Hopefully he won’t get run off his legs on Saturday and then I think the plan is to back him up in the Naturalism (at Caulfield) the week after. “Roger is a great trainer, and he really likes the horse, so hopefully he’s got him on track. “We need to get a win to get his rating up to get my weight.” View the full article

Intention’s future program will be determined by her performance in Saturday’s Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m). The daughter of Bivouac has headed south for the Riccarton feature with a return trip for higher honours on the line for the Mike Breslin-trained filly. “This race has been on the cards since she came back into work with the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) moved from Hawke’s Bay to Ellerslie,” Breslin said. “I decided to give her this trip to Christchurch and it’s a defining race for her as to which direction we take through the spring. “If she copes with the trip and races well, then she has a good eight weeks before she has to go back down for the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m). “If she doesn’t compete against this field, then the Guineas field is going to be even better.” Breslin said he can’t fault Intention’s condition and her progress since her unplaced resuming run last month. “She’s in really good order and she’s trained on nicely since Taupo, the set weights and penalties there meant she had 58.5kg on a very wet track,” he said. “She’s not a big filly so I was more than happy with her run and on Saturday she’ll get back on to a reasonable surface at set weights.” Intention showed an abundance of talent during her juvenile preparation, winning the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), finishing third in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m) and fifth in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Unfortunately, she didn’t help her cause with persistent slow beginnings. “Jonathan Riddell has since ridden in her in two trials and we think we’ve ironed that out. The other day at Taupo when she jumped out, I thought she had missed the start again, but she had copped a decent bump,” Breslin said. “She does have to be more professional out of the gates to measure up against what does look to be a boom crop of three-year-old fillies. “I would just love her to begin well and put herself in the first six without doing any work and then we’ll see how good she is. “She’s very straight forward at home and the barrier issues came as a total surprise and got compounded as things went on as a two-year-old.” Breslin is also keen to head south in November with stablemate Crouch, an impressive open handicap sprint winner when he returned from a spell at Otaki. “I’ve mapped out a plan to get him to the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m), although I would be reluctant to run him if it was a hard track,” he said. “If he continues to race well and the track looks like it will have some give in it, then it would be great to put him on the truck and have a crack at a $450,000 race. “He’ll run next on Saturday week in the Merial Metric Mile (Gr.3, 1600m) at Trentham.” Breslin is also expecting a decent performance from Showbastian Coe on the all-weather track in Sunday’s Happy 13th Birthday Gracie Breslin (1200m) at Awapuni. “He trialled well and he’s been a victim of the races being called off, so he’s been marking time. I’m happy with him and he races well on the poly,” he said. View the full article

Debit will put her picket fence form line on the line at Te Rapa on Sunday when she contests the Power Farming – We Keep Growing 1200. The six-year-old mare placed on debut in May 2023 but has been unbeaten in her subsequent four starts, and trainer Peter Lock is looking forward to getting her back to the races this weekend. She hasn’t raced since winning over 1340m at Wanganui last November, but has enjoyed a long and slow build-up, heading to the trials on four occasions over the last three months and has showed good progression, culminating in winning her 1150m heat at Te Awamutu last month. “Every trial she has got better and better,” Lock said. “In her last trial, Courtney (Barnes, jockey) got off her and said she thought she was spot on. “She came over on Wednesday morning to Te Aroha and galloped on the course proper and she was very happy with the way she worked. “We are pretty happy with the way she is at the moment.” Debit has drawn barrier two on Sunday and Lock is hopeful the track, which was rated a Heavy 9 on Friday morning, doesn’t deteriorate any further. “It is just a shame that it’s later in the day (race six),” Lock said. “Hopefully the track will hold up a bit better, but if it drops out a little bit you are probably better off a little bit wider. “She has got a lot of speed, so she should be able to dictate where she wants to be, so fingers crossed. “It is an extremely good field of horses fresh-up, but I would be happy if she ran in the first four.” Lock will also be represented at the meeting by last-start placegetter Fabulous Gal in the Thank You For Standing With Kidney Kids New Zealand 1600. “She has come through that run extremely well,” Lock said. “She worked with Debit on Wednesday morning and I couldn’t have been happier with the way she went.” A day prior at New Plymouth, stablemate Pick of the Litter will line-up in the Kiwi Butcher (2000m) after being the fourth emergency for her intended target, the NZB Airfreight Road To Jericho (3210m). “We will run in Open 2000m, which is probably not ideal because she is only a rating 75 horse,” Lock said. “Things just didn’t go her way the other day (when sixth over 2200m), they jumped out and crawled and then sprinted home, which doesn’t suit her, she likes the pace on. “Hopefully there will be a bit more speed on down there. I think she is better left-handed than she is right-handed, and Chris Dell (jockey) is riding in good form.” She will be joined on the float trip south from their Te Aroha base by stablemate Miss Anne Lee, who will be first-up in the Wash Squad Sprint (990m). “The maidener hasn’t had a race for 12 months, but she won a trial very impressively in the Heavy ground at Waipa and we have always had a big rap on her,” Lock said. “We hold her in pretty high regard, she has got a lot of speed and likes bad ground.” View the full article

Trainer Allan Sharrock couldn’t be any happier with his Group One winner Ladies Man at this stage of his preparation, but admits he faces a near impossible task at Te Rapa on Sunday. With a rating of 110, the eight-year-old gelding is the fourth highest rated horse in the country, and has accordingly been lumbered with 66kg in Sunday’s VCE – Vision Complete Earthworks/Stronger Together 1600. With the aid of apprentice jockey Ashlee Strawbridge’s four-kilogram claim, his impost has been brought down to 62kg, within half-a-kilogram of multiple Group One winner and former New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart, while the remainder of the field will carry 54kg. Sharrock is realistic about his gelding’s chances under that weight, but said it is an important lead-in run for the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at the track later this month. “He can’t win with that weight. It is a conditioning run for the Group One in a fortnight,” he said. “With Ashlee’s claim, he gets back to 62kg. She is a hardworking girl that seems to do a good job.” Sharrock is excited about the son of Zed’s prospects over the spring and is hoping to add another feature scalp to his record. “I don’t think I have had him as sound as he is at the moment, so we are pretty happy with the way we are tracking,” he said. A day prior, Sharrock will have home ground advantage when he lines up a quintet of runners at New Plymouth. He is particularly excited about the prospects of debutant King Jakkal in the Wash Squad Sprint (990m). “He has won both of his trials,” Sharrock said. “He is not a big horse, but he is a competitor – he is aggressive. Kelly (Myers) is keen to ride him, he has drawn a good marble (4), so we are pretty hopeful.” Sharrock will have a two-pronged attack in the Brandlab (1600m), courtesy of Tisse and Indian Gold, and he said the pair are evenly matched. “There is nothing between them, they are two progressive horses,” he said. “I would probably lean towards Indian Gold, who can handle the wet conditions better than the other horse, but they will both be competitive.” Sharrock will also be represented by Swingit Our Way and I Don’t in the Kiwi Butcher (2000m) and Searton Park (1400m) respectively. “Swingit Our Way is always competitive,” he said. “She comes in with a light weight (54kg) with a good rider (Samantha Collett) and is probably a place chance. “I Don’t is working really well and I expect her to race well.” View the full article

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are mapping out a path towards November’s Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) with Court Of Appeal following her victory in the Betavet Rating 75 (1600m) at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday. The five-year-old daughter of Eminent jumped away well from her outside gate under Central Districts jockey Bruno Queiroz to take an early lead. She opened up a clear margin on the rest of the field throughout the running, which widened at the turn, and she ran out a convincing two-length victor. “It was a really good win and a lovely ride of Bruno’s,” Walker said. “She’s been a bit tardy out of the gates lately, but he’s a great barrier rider and got her away cleanly to lead and it was great to see her win the way she did. “Hunter (Durrant, assistant trainer) and the team have got the horses looking well in our stables down there at Riccarton, and getting good results for us in the South Island. “She was always going to take time to mature, on pedigree, and that will hopefully keep coming to the fore this year and next. We’re certainly looking forward to seeing what she can achieve this season.” Court Of Appeal was purchased as a yearling by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Syndicates, and has now won three starts to date. Fortuna director John Galvin was pleased with Thursday’s win and is looking forward to tackling some staying feature races in the Garden City later this spring. “I think she put a stake in the ground today by winning fresh-up over a mile when she’s a genuine staying type,” he said. “She’s really blossomed down in the South Island, and I think it’s the right place for her at present. She seems to appreciate the more relaxed setting at Riccarton. “Her main targets will be the Metropolitan (Listed, 2600m) and New Zealand Cup down there in November.” View the full article