Wandering Eyes

Breeders' Cup today announced its broadcast coverage schedule, post times, and wagering menu for the 41st Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar.View the full article

Keith Haggins has been named the new Racing Welfare community engagement officer, the charity announced on Thursday. Haggins will focus on the thoroughbred stud and breeding sector to raise awareness of and increase access to the charity's services. He have almost 30 years of experience in the thoroughbred breeding industry, and managed Waddesdon Stud for the late Lady Rothschild. His role is part of a three-year project made possible by funding from the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust. Already, progress has been made in the project's first year, with a survey which gauged the current level of awareness of Racing Welfare services and the type of support required already completed. Haggins said, “I'm incredibly excited to join Racing Welfare. I know the stud and breeding industry really well and am looking forward to capitalising on that for the benefit of others. “I've already had some really positive meetings with many stakeholders including the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and The National Stud and am looking forward to attending the upcoming sales at Tattersalls to meet those I'm trying to engage with and find out how we can improve understanding of, and access to, our vital services. “I have a passion for all things surrounding mental health and have recently returned to education to become a Licenced Thrive programme coach; helping people with a wide range of issues including personal development.” Chloe Martin, Racing Welfare's head of community engagement, said, “We're delighted to welcome Keith to the team, and know that with his knowledge and passion for the sector, he will be an asset to the charity and to all those he supports. “Through improved access to, and knowledge of, Racing Welfare's services, more people in the thoroughbred stud and breeding sector will be able to benefit from better physical and mental wellbeing.” The post Keith Haggins Named Racing Welfare Community Engagement Officer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 361 entries for its October Digital Sale with bidding now open through Tuesday, Oct. 8, beginning at 12 p.m. ET., the auction house said in a Thursday release. “The October Digital Sale is our largest digital sale to date,” said Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron. “With our industry leading 83% clearance rate in 2024, buyers and sellers can both have confidence that they can get a horse bought or sold on Fasig-Tipton Digital.” The catalogue includes 60-plus yearlings and weanlings, 80-plus horses of racing age, and 200-plus broodmares and broodmare prospects. Eighty different covering sires are represented, including American Pharoah, Authentic, Complexity, Corniche, Cyberknife, Elite Power, Forte, Hard Spun, McKinzie, Vino Rosso and Yaupon. Also featured are horses from the Estate of John Hendrickson–part of the Walking L Dispersal–and Phase I of the JKX Racing Dispersal. Click here to access the catalogue. Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 361 entries for its October Digital Sale, which may be viewed at https://t.co/KX0DR2iV9d. Bidding is now open and will close on Tuesday, October 8, beginning at 12 PM ET. #FasigDigital Learn more https://t.co/CS1H9JCkxX pic.twitter.com/dETD7ctLWN — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 3, 2024 The post Fasig-Tipton October Digital Sale Opens With Over 360 Entries On Offer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Over 300 delegates among the racing industry attended the Racing Foundation Conference at Ascot Racecourse on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The main themes of the conference were to build understanding and prompt collaboration around racing's social licence challenges. Bob Langert, the former vice president of corporate social responsibility and sustainability at McDonald's, TedTalk speaker and author, delivered the keynote address. Langert said, “During my time at McDonald's, we faced many detractors in the form of activist campaigns, books and movies and media coverage on multiple issues…One central reason for McDonald's not only surviving, but having continued success and growth, is that it took the importance of having public acceptance, protecting our brand and earning trust, very seriously. “Horse racing faces similar challenges today in terms of public perception, specifically around whether the sport is safe, the treatment of its equine participants, and its place in society. For the sport not just to survive, but thrive in the future it must accept and engage with those challenges, as McDonald's did previously.” Jockey Club chief executive Nevin Truesdale was also among the speakers. There were several changes to the Grand National ahead of the 2024 edition of the race implemented by the Jockey Club, from reducing the maximum number of runners to moving the first fence 60 yards closer to the start. However, those changes met with a mixed reaction from those both in and outside of the sport. Truesdale said of the Grand National, “It is a race we should all be extremely proud of. It's a race that is the main shop window of our sport and it's a race that we need to preserve and protect. “But it's also a race for which we need to maintain its acceptability to society because it is one of racing's, and indeed Britain's, biggest sporting assets. It is our job to preserve it, look after it, evolve it and improve it.” Another issue discussed at the conference was youth engagement, as well as attracting the next generation of racegoers. Collaboration was also highlighted as vital, especially during the World Horse Welfare panel on public acceptance of horse sports, led by chief executive Roly Owers. An emphasis on environmental sustainability was also utilised throughout the conference. For more information on the conference, please visit the Racing Foundation website. The post Racing Foundation Conference Held At Ascot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders' Cup Limited has rolled out its broadcast coverage schedule, post times, and wagering menu for the Championships, which will take place on Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California, and the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic has been moved to the middle of the Saturday card, the organization said in a release on Thursday. Shown live domestically across NBC, Peacock, USA Network, and FanDuel TV, the event will featuring 14 Grade I races and more than $34 million in purses and awards. New this year, to take advantage of the 2 1/2-hour national broadcast window on NBC, post time for the Classic, Race #8, will be 2:41 p.m. PT/5:41 p.m. ET. There will be four Championship races before and four after the Classic, which makes the marquee race the end of the middle Pick 5 and the start of the late Pick 5. This year's Championships begins Nov. 1 with “Future Stars Friday,” featuring all five Breeders' Cup races for 2-year-olds. There will be five undercard races preceding the first race on the 10-race program, with the first post time at 11:35 a.m. PT/2:35 p.m. ET. USA Network and FanDuel TV will televise the Friday action, with USA Network coverage taking place from 1-5 p.m. PT/4-8 p.m. ET and including two undercard races and four Breeders' Cup races concluding with the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile at 4:45 p.m. PT/7:45 p.m. ET. FanDuel TV coverage will begin at 11:00 a.m. PT/2:00 p.m. ET with the first undercard race and will conclude with the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at 5:25 p.m. PT/8:25 p.m. ET. Championship Saturday features nine Breeders' Cup races on a 12-race card. First post is 10:05 a.m. PT/1:05 p.m. ET, with three undercard races preceding, the GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Race #4, which will have a post time of 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET. Following the Dirt Mile will be: the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, Race #5, at 12:41 p.m. PT/3:41 p.m. ET; the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, Race #6, at 1:21 p.m. PT/4:21 p.m. ET; and the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, Race #7, at 2:01 p.m PT/5:01 p.m. ET. USA Network begins its live Saturday coverage from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PT/2-3:30 p.m. ET, followed by 2 1/2 hours on NBC from 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. PT/3:30-6 p.m. ET. Coverage on NBC concludes with the Classic and live coverage continues on USA Network from 3-5 p.m. PT/6-8 p.m. ET. There will be four Breeders' Cup races after the Classic which includes: GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Race #9, at 3:25 p.m. PT/6:25 p.m. ET; GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, Race #10, at 4:05 p.m. PT/7:05 p.m. ET; GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile, Race #11, at 4:45 p.m. PT/7:45 p.m. ET, and concluding with the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint, Race #12, at 5:25 p.m. PT/8:25 p.m. ET. Continuous coverage of all Breeders' Cup World Championship races on Friday and Saturday will stream live on Peacock both days. Additionally, all undercard and World Championship races, except the Classic, will be shown live on FanDuel TV as part of the Breeders' Cup Players' Show coverage, which is also available on www.BreedersCup.com and mobile app, all major ADW platforms, and at simulcast facilities around the world. The Breeders' Cup will be distributed to more than 150 countries around the world, including live telecasts on ITV4, Sky Sports Racing, and Racing TV in England and Ireland, The Green Channel in Japan, and Sportsnet in Canada. As for the wagering menu, it will provide horseplayers with multi-race wagers featuring multi-million-dollar pools throughout the two-day program at Del Mar. For instance, special daily doubles on Friday consist of leg one on Friday and leg two on Saturday, and Friday's Pick 6, Pick 5's and High 5 may carry over. Click here for a complete rundown of the schedule and other details. The post Breeders’ Cup Classic Scheduled Mid-Card As Post Times and Wagering Menu Released appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who won the 2023 G2 Bahrain International Trophy, will attempt to add the 2024 edition to his haul as the first dual winner of the $1-million race, as the entry list was released on Thursday. The Richard Fahey trainee, who is owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, Ged Mason and Peter Done, will face rivals from seven countries outside the Kingdom of Bahrain. Fahey said of his G2 Neom Turf Cup hero who has been off the course since a run in Dubai at the end of March, “Spirit Dancer is in great form. He will have a prep run at Newmarket in the Darley Stakes, following the same route that he took last year. We all had an amazing trip and experience in Bahrain and the team are really looking forward to going back this year.” The race will be held at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club in Bahrain on Nov. 15 and has attracted 61 entries, 45 of them black-type winners. There are 10 Group 1 winners signed on including Joseph O'Brien's Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Aidan O'Brien's Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Charlie Appleby's GI Arlington Million hero Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), a pair of German Group 1 winners in Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and Calif (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), three-time Group 1 winner Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) for Owen Burrows and Jerome Reynier's Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}). The race has also drawn a couple of high class former Classic runners in G1 Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and G1 Irish Derby runner-up and top-level winner Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}). Japan is represented for the first time among the Bahrain International Trophy entries by Group 1 scorer Killer Ability (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) for trainer Takashi Saito, as well as Takeshi Okumura's Ho O Biscuits (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), and Yoshito Yahagi charge Mr G T (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Ed Veale, director of racing and international relations for the Bahrain Turf Club said, “We are delighted that the Bahrain International Trophy has attracted entries of such quality and it is great to see so many different countries represented. The event's status in the racing calendar is growing year on year and to have attracted Japanese based horses for the first time is testament to that. “It is also exciting that Spirit Dancer and his connections are returning to Bahrain to defend their crown. He is part of a strong European team of entries that includes Group 1 performers from France, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom. “To have a total of 61 entries representing eight different countries, featuring 45 stakes race winners, including 10 that have scored at the highest level, is fantastic and a reward for the sustained investment in the race by the Bahrain Turf Club.” For the full list of entries, please click here. The post Spirit Dancer Aims To Defend Bahrain International Trophy Crown, As Initial Entries Released appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Undefeated in four lifetime starts, Iscreamuscream could win a "Win and You're In" berth to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in the Rodeo Drive Stakes (G2T) Oct. 5 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

McKinzie Street, Citizen Bull, and Getaway Car, second through fourth in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), vie again in American Pharoah (G1).View the full article

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance hosted its fourth annual calendar contest and a dozen winning photos of Thoroughbreds were selected to be featured in the 2025 edition, sponsored by the Churchill Downs Foundation, the non-profit said in a release on Thursday. All the photos feature a registered Thoroughbred that is either in residence at or was rehomed by a TAA-accredited organization. The grand prize winner was Isabella Norrid. Her shot entitled, “A Gentle Touch,” captures a young boy with autism interacting with a Thoroughbred. Click here to see a complete list of winning photographs and the month they will appear. The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Calendar Contest Winners Named appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

York's racing manager and raceday clerk of the course Anthea Leigh has joined the judging panel for the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards. She replaced Sulekha Varma. The TIEA ceremony will take place once again at York in February of 2025, with £128,500 to be won across six award categories. Nominations for the awards are open until Nov. 5. To nominate, please visit the TIEA website. “It's an honour to be asked to join the judging panel for the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards and I'm very much looking forward to meeting this year's nominees and finding out more about their roles,” said Leigh. “I know from experience working in various roles across the industry just how important it is that we shine this spotlight on the people who provide the highest standards of care for our horses and get them to the racecourse in the finest condition.” The post Anthea Leigh Appointed Judge For 2025 TIEA Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The official betting tournament of the 'Run for the Roses'–the Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge (KDBC)–is returning to TwinSpires.com with a guaranteed prize pool of $250,000, Churchill Downs said in a presser on Thursday. The first official KDBC Qualifier Tournament will take place on Sunday, Oct. 27 featuring the opening day card of the fall meet at Churchill Downs and a series of feeder tournaments will begin on Saturday, Oct. 12. Leading up to the Kentucky Derby Day program, the schedule will include 24 KDBC qualifier events, with each qualifier supported by at least eight feeder tournaments. Click here for more information. The post Season-Long Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge On TwinSpires Returns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Introduced in the same seven-furlong Salisbury novice on Thursday in which her stable's group 1 performer Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}) began her story, Doreen Tabor's Chantilly Lace (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}–Seeking Solace {GB}), by Exceed And Excel {Aus}) was able to replicate the outcome and light her own way as she added to Ralph Beckett's juvenile riches. Sent off the 6-4 favourite under Rossa Ryan, the half-sister to No Nay Never's G1 July Cup and G1 Middle Park Stakes-winning sire Ten Sovereigns (Ire) travelled smoothly in second until finding herself in front with over two furlongs remaining. Coaxed clear from there, the 375,000gns Tatts October Book 1 graduate had a comfortable 1 1/2-length margin to spare over Char (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) at the line. “She was very green and didn't really know what to do, which was what I expected as she's a big tall filly who I think will furnish significantly over the winter,” Beckett said, before revealing that the winner would tread the same path as Remarquee. “There is much to look forward to I think and that'll be it for the year. Hopefully, we'll be able to get her ready for the [G3] Fred Darling or something like that, as she's potentially a Guineas filly. I wouldn't think she'll get more than a mile, being a half to Ten Sovereigns.” Chantilly Lace, a 375,000gns daughter of Lope De Vega, is YET ANOTHER debutant winner for @RalphBeckett this season. One for the notebook for next season pic.twitter.com/MrmD90YKPO — Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 3, 2024 The post Smooth Debut Win For Lope De Vega Half To Ten Sovereigns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Timberlake (Into Mischief), a 'TDN Rising Star' and Grade I winner at two, will stand the upcoming breeding season at WinStar Farm and his stud fee will be set at $20,000 S&N, according to a press release from the company on Thursday morning. “Being an attractive and imposing son of top sire Into Mischief, Timberlake showed tremendous precocity in winning the GI Champagne and being second in the GI Hopeful at two,” said David Hanley, senior vice president/bloodstock services for WinStar Farm. “With his exceptional physical and his unique depth of pedigree, we look forward to standing him here at WinStar.” Campaigned by Siena Farm and WinStar, the Brad Cox trainee was named a 'TDN Rising Star' following his second start where he won by 9 1/4 lengths at Ellis Park. After turning in a runner-up performance in the GI Hopeful Stakes at the Spa, the juvenile took home the GI Champagne Stakes at the Belmont at the Big A meet. Making his seasonal debut at three, the highlight of Timberlake's year came when he won the GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. His career earnings currently sit at $1,303,100. A $350,000 acquisition from the 2022 Keeneland September Sale, Timberlake, bred in Kentucky by Vincent and Teresa Viola's St. Elias Stables, is out of the stakes placed Lookin At Lucky mare Pin Up (Ire), a half-sister to multiple English group stakes winner Thomas Chippendale (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). Timberlake's second dam, All My Loving (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), was Group 1-placed in Ireland, and other members of this extended female family include Irish Group 1 winners Quarter Moon (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), Yesterday (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and Diamondsandrubies (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). “Timberlake hails from a hugely productive European family that traces to Mumtaz Mahal (GB), the great foundation mare for the Aga Khan's breeding operation,” Hanley said. “Her daughter, Mumtaz Begum (GB), is the dam of Nasrullah (GB) who Claiborne brought to America from England in 1950. From the Nasrullah sire line came Grey Sovereign (GB), Bold Ruler, Secretariat, Spectacular Bid, Seattle Slew, A.P. Indy, and Nashua, who is also the broodmare sire of Mr. Prospector and Roberto. Out of another daughter, Mah Mahal (GB), came Mahmoud (FR), and Northern Dancer's dam, Natalma, is a granddaughter of Mahmoud.” The post Grade I Winner And ‘TDN Rising Star’ Timberlake To Stand At WinStar Next Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brittany Updike has been consigning under her Afleet Equine Services banner for five years now, but will offer her biggest group to date when she brings an 18-horse consignment to next week's Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's October Yearling Sale. A native Floridian, Updike is no stranger to major consignments. She's worked the 2-year-old sales for Torie and Jimbo Gladwell's Top Line Sales. “I started doing MagnaWave therapy,” Updike explained of her introduction to the sales scene. “I was working on Torie and Jimbo's horses and it turned into, 'Oh, you want to help us out at the sales?' 'Do you want to help us out at the farm?' To all of that over that years.” The opportunity to hang out her own shingle came up when Top Line stepped out of the yearling consignment business. “I love working for Torie and Jimbo, so when they stopped doing the yearlings, I thought it was perfect,” Updike said. “I decided that was something I wanted to do. But I could still do the 2-year-old consignment with them. They have taught me a lot and have helped me in a lot of ways. They have been super supportive and they have helped guide me over the years.” Afleet Equine Services made its first appearance at OBS in 2019, debuting with a three-horse consignment that October. It had its biggest consignment with 10 horses last year–and its first six-figure result with a $125,000 daughter of Vekoma–before nearly doubling in size this year. “Over the years, I have had some nice horses sell pretty well and this year, I definitely have more than I have had,” Updike said. “I have nice clients that have really helped me along the way and supported me, so I have a couple repeat customers, and then I have some clients that bought some in Kentucky in the September sale and their plan was to flip them here in October. So [the consignment] started smaller and then last minute, it just doubled.” Updike said her experience working with Top Line's 2-year-old consignments has prepared her for this year's expanded October group. “I am very hard on myself, in terms of I really want to make everybody happy,” she admitted. “I really want to do the best job, whether I have one horse or 100 horses. My goal is to give every horse–from a $1,000 horse to a $200,000 horse–the same care. So I do put a little stress on myself with that many because it's just me. But luckily, I do have experience in handling 50 and 60 2-year-olds, so I don't think it will be too hard.” Updike, whose aunt is involved with Quarter Horse racing in Oklahoma, is just back from a stint with consignor Scott Mallory at the 12-day Keeneland September Yearling Sale. While she enjoyed the experience, she's planning on keeping her consignment at home in Ocala. For now. “I actually went to Kentucky for the first time this year,” Updike said. “I went to July and September and I worked for Scott Mallory. July was fine. July was easy. Keeneland is a different kind of sale. It really is. I don't feel like I would be comfortable going up there on my own just yet. Maybe in the future, I would. Right now, I really love OBS. It's home. I'm a small Florida breeder myself. I have a couple of mares. And I like selling in Florida. Obviously, the end goal is to be in Kentucky at some point. But I don't see that for a few more years.” Among the Afleet Equine consignment at the October sale are yearlings who have already been through the ring this summer. Supplemented to the OBS sale are: hip 274, a colt by Omaha Beach who was purchased for $20,000 at the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred sale in August; hip 288, a colt by Volatile purchased for $10,000 at Keeneland; and hip 591, a colt by Instagrand who also sold for $10,000 at Keeneland. “Sometimes when they come from Kentucky and there are a bunch of horses up there, the ones that are average up there get overlooked,” Updike said. “So they can come down here and do really well. I think that's what is nice about OBS. You can take a horse that might be overlooked with thousands of horses and bring them here and they can do well.” After witnessing first hand the competitive marketplace at Keeneland last month, Updike is hoping the demand continues in Ocala next week. “What I am hoping is that people still need horses,” she said. “I have some nice horses and some very active families. A lot of my horses have updates already and I am getting calls back that X-rays are going great. I have a nice group of horses to offer at OBS and I feel like people who still need horses who got shut out a bunch in Kentucky will be able to come to OBS and find nice horses.” The OBS October Yearling sale will be held next Tuesday and Wednesday. Sessions begin each day at 11:30 a.m. The post Afleet Equine is on the Rise at OBS appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mark Walker has Victoria Derby aspirations for Truth Or Dare (NZ) (Vanbrugh) who lines up in the Super Impose Stakes at Flemington. Truth Or Dare will show his trainer whether he is a Victoria Derby proposition when the lightly raced galloper heads to Flemington for a suitable lead up assignment. The Mark Walker-trained galloper heads to the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) on Saturday with the gelding’s performance to tell the trainer whether or not to press on to the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2. The Super Impose Stakes has been a good guide to the Derby in recent years with Polanski (2013), Extra Brut (2018), Warning (2019) and Riff Rocket (2023) all completing the double. Truth Or Dare has only had the three starts to date and registered his first win when making his Australian debut in a 1600m maiden at Cranbourne on September 19, having raced first-up when third at Te Rapa over 1200m in August. Walker is expecting the Flemington track to suit Truth Or Dare on Saturday. “I think the big track will suit him,” Walker said. “His win was good because he jumped from 1200 (metres) to a mile and being on the tighter track (at Cranbourne) it took him a while to get wound up. “But it was a good win, and obviously it’s a step up on Saturday, but he should like Flemington.” Walker said the Derby had been in the back of his mind when Truth Or Dare started his campaign, and the team took a punt on sending the gelding to his Cranbourne stables. It paid a dividend straight away with the first-up Cranbourne win. “We took a bit of a punt to bring him over here after his first-up run, but it was so wet at home,” Walker said. “Luckily, he’s gone the right way, and he worked well on Tuesday with Michael Dee on and then he spent some time down at the beach. “Hopefully he’s up to it.” View the full article

Sharp ‘N’ Smart in super nick CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO View the full article

Adrian Bott will saddle up two genuine chances in his bid for a first Epsom Handicap win. Gai Waterhouse shares the Epsom Handicap training record of seven wins with her legendary father Tommy Smith, but her training partner Adrian Bott is yet to taste victory in the feature Randwick mile. The pair will have two runners in Saturday’s renewal, favourite Royal Patronage and the rejuvenated Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel), with Bott hoping one of them can elevate his name onto the Epsom Handicap (1600m) honour roll. “Gai has obviously got a brilliant record in this race. I’m yet to get on the board,” Bott said. “Like any big, iconic race at Randwick, you’d love to be able capture it on your home track.” Waterhouse last won the Epsom in 2011 with Fat Al, five years before she teamed up with Bott. Import Royal Patronage remains at the top of markets despite a tricky draw in barrier 17 but given his ability to stalk the speed to win the Tramway Stakes (1400m) at his Australian debut, Bott is hopeful he can overcome the gate. “First-up he showed great tactical speed over the 1400 metres, so if he’s able to do that once again, he can easily offset that draw,” Bott said. “Last start in the 7 Stakes, he was a little bit tardy, he got himself in an awkward position, so we’d certainly like to see him being on the front foot out of that gate.” Major Beel is also prominent in markets as a $11 chance, the 2023 ATC Australian Derby winner responding to a different training approach this campaign to rediscover his form. After a disappointing four-year-old season, he resumed with a mile win at Randwick last month before running a cheeky race at weight-for-age in the 7 Stakes (1600m) when he led and gave a strong kick before being overhauled late to finish fifth, beaten just over a length by Fangirl. “Gee, I thought it was an honest performance,” Bott said. “He led them up and gave them a great sight, gave them something to chase, and he was only beaten over the concluding stages and not beaten far. “Last preparation, we felt he didn’t quite see out some of the staying trips. The transition from three-year-old company to open staying ranks, it’s not easy for them. “We thought we would start by trying to keep him sharp for a few of those mile to 2000-metre races and then if he needed to, we could stretch him out at a later date. “But for now, he has been pretty effective in both those runs to keep him at that mile trip.” Winona Costin will be chasing her maiden Group 1 win aboard Major Beel, who has drawn barrier nine, while Tim Clark partners Royal Patronage. View the full article

This is the What's Going On Here column from the October issue of BloodHorse Magazine. View the full article

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, October 5, 2024 First Race 2:12pm ACST Visit Dabble A total of 55 horses have accepted for the six-event meeting at Darwin on Saturday. It will be mostly sunny on Saturday with a possible shower and a top temperature of 35C. The rail will be in the true position, and Fannie Bay will be a good dirt surface for the meeting commencing at 2:12pm local time. BEST BET: Extreme Emotion Extreme Emotion is a last-start winner two weeks ago over 1300m (0-58) after settling behind runaway leader Ariarne before finishing strongly to seal victory by 1.6 lengths. The six-year-old mare certainly impressed enough to suggest that the extra 2kg will not necessarily pose a problem this weekend. Fourth over 1300m on August 3, the daughter of Extreme Choice was 0.8 lengths adrift in second place behind the in-form Yaki Ishi over 1300m (0-58) on August 31. If she holds her form, Extreme Emotion will be hard to beat in the Darwin opener. Best Bet Race 1 – #5 Extreme Emotion (5) 6yo Mare | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (58kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: Ariarne Ariarne did little wrong a fortnight ago when second behind Extreme Emotion after setting a cracking pace out in front. Ariarne was gallant in the home straight before waving the white flag with 100m to go, and the shorter trip could be the difference on Saturday. Under a well-rated ride from Stan Tsaikos, Ariarne will look to run her rivals off their feet in the second leg of the quaddie. Next Best Race 4 – #2 Ariarne (4) 5yo Mare | T: Neil Dyer | J: Stan Tsaikos (58kg) Bet with PlayUp BEST VALUE: Zoumist An early $10 quote with horse racing bookmakers, Zoumist rarely runs a bad race and loves running on the pace. In June, she was fourth in open company (1200m) before striking late interference that proved costly over 1200m. Zoustar’s daughter was second in the 1200m Rosebowl for fillies and mares in July during the Darwin Carnival. A third over 1200m (0-66) in August was followed by a second over 1100m (0-64) two weeks ago. Dropping 2.5kg in weight, Zoumist can end a long drought. Best Value Race 3 – #11 Zoumist (9) 7yo Mare | T: Angela Forster | J: Sonja Logan (56kg) Bet with Neds Saturday Darwin quaddie tips – 5/10/2024 Darwin quadrella selections Saturday, October 5, 2024 2-6-8-11 1-2-3-4 2-4-5 1-3-4-6 Horse racing tips View the full article

Long-time NT trainer Dick Leech returns to action at Fannie Bay in Darwin on Saturday after serving a six-month suspension. After serving a six-month suspension, NT trainer Dick Leech makes his return on Saturday during the Darwin meeting at Fannie Bay. Leech was suspended for 12 months by Thoroughbred Racing NT stewards in March when found guilty of injecting Envenomate before the gelding was due to race at Fannie Bay in February. Stewards noticed that Envenomate had a swollen haematoma on the near side jugular vein and after a veterinarian inspection, it was determined that an injection was administered. The horse was withdrawn before blood and urine samples were collected. No prohibited substances were detected, but Leech was banned before it was reduced to six months following an appeal. Early Crow, who defended his Palmerston Sprint title during the Darwin Cup Carnival in August for fellow Top End trainer Chris Pollard in Leech’s absence, will line up in Darwin’s feature race this weekend. It’s an open 1100m handicap at BM77 level, with Leech’s stablemates Write Your Name and Kerioth also facing the starter. They will have to be at their best to trouble Clarke’s last start winners, Rising Sphere and Flying Annie, while stablemate Doc O’Connor must be respected. Leech, who will have four other runners at Fannie Bay on Saturday, last tasted success during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival with Early Crow on March 17. Leading Top End trainer Gary Clarke initially took over Leech’s stable in Alice Springs before Pollard took over in the build-up to the Darwin Cup Carnival. Leech, with stables in the Top End and the Red Centre, had an outstanding 2023 with Write Your Name winning the Darwin and Alice Springs Cups and Early Crow claiming the Palmerston Sprint. He also ended the 2022/23 season as the leading trainer in the Alice Springs and Provincial premiership. “It’s good to see Dick back in the training ranks,” TRNT chief executive officer Andrew O’Toole said. “Speaking with Dick earlier in the week, he’s up and about. “I do think that Gary’s horses are the ones to beat in the feature. “Rising Sphere and Flying Annie – they’re in good form. “Early Crow hasn’t had a start since the Palmerston, that’s two months ago and he’s got 60.5kg to carry. “He might be short of a run, you would say. “As a stayer, it might be on the short side for Write Your Name. “Kerioth would need to go better than his last two runs during the Carnival. “That was after having a win at the start of Carnival, but he was a last start sixth two weeks ago. Leech certainly faced an uncertain future had Clarke and Pollard not provided assistance. “Gary did a great job at short notice in Alice Springs and Chris also did a great job during the Darwin Cup Carnival and at Kununurra. “It was good to see Chris have success and to celebrate his biggest win with Early Crow in the Palmerston was great.” Horse racing news View the full article

Achieving success abroad is one of racing’s biggest hurdles, as proven by Victor The Winner and Mugen last Sunday.View the full article

A field of 16 will take part in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, with Aidan O'Brien responsible for the only withdrawals on Thursday morning with the expected easy ground unsuitable for Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). That leaves the G1 Irish Derby hero Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) to represent Ballydoyle with the Wertheimers' G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) currently shading favouritism for an open renewal of the mile-and-a-half monument. Sosie, who bids to provide Andre Fabre with a record-extending ninth edition, has drawn favourably in five while Al Shaqab Racing and Ballylinch Stud's G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Look De Vega (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is in eight and Los Angeles will start from stall 10. Susumu Fujita's G1 Irish Champion Stakes third Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) will attempt to bring Japan's long wait for an Arc hero to an end from stall 11, while Juddmonte's G1 Prix Vermeille and G1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) is in three. Drawn widest of all is Baron Edouard De Rothschild's multiple group 1 winner Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), while two other notables are the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin winner Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Coolmore's Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) drawn in nine and seven respectively. The post Sosie And Look De Vega Head 16 For Arc appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s 40 days until the running of the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway so why not look back at the winner of the great race 40 years ago. By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk In 1984 Camelot was harness racing’s king of the castle. Trained and driven by Robin Butt, Camelot won his first New Zealand Trotting Cup at his second attempt, just 12 months after finishing second to Australian visitor Steel Jaw who’d won the 1983 Cup by over nine lengths in a new race record 4:05.3 In all he had four attempts at winning the country’s most prestigious race – he was also sixth in 1985 and 14th in 1986. In 1984 Camelot went out favourite in a race that also featured the likes of Our Mana, Hilarious Guest, Australian star Gammalite and the rank outsider in Borana, who would go on and win the Cup the following year at huge odds. Camelot’s breakthrough New Zealand Cup success came after an action packed race. With less than 1000 metres to go Borana spectacularly hit the deck. What followed was a concertina effect of six other horses (Double Cove, Enterprise, Supreme Ruler, Stampede, Stortford Lodge and Diamond Moose) all being impacted, to a greater or lesser extent. Peter Shand (Enterprise) and Jack Smolenski (Double Cove) both needed hospital treatment, with Shand dislocating a shoulder and Smolenski breaking an ankle. All the time Camelot was making his move three wide and missed the melee. Turning for home Camelot was perfectly placed, wearing down the pace-making Dillion Dale in the last 100 metres to triumph by three quarters of a length in 4:06.4. “I was never really worried,” said Butt post race, “He was a bit slow early but I gave him time to find his feet.” “He peaked on the right day.” Robin Butt was 41 when he won his first and only New Zealand Cup. The family continues to be a big presence in the sport through son David and grandson Bob Butt. Since Robin Butt’s success his nephew Anthony Butt has won the Cup three times with Blossom Lady (1992) and Flashing Red (2006 and 2007). It was just the third time Camelot’s breeder-owner Dr Harry Crofts had seen Camelot race in the flesh. At the presentation he said “I would have cried if he’d lost .. I can cry now that he’s won.” For the then 57-year-old doctor it was a lifetime ambition fulfilled. He’d been involved in the industry since the 1950s and bred Camelot from Blue Brook, a mare he purchased in 1971. He was by far her most successful progeny, winning 13 times in 72 starts from 1982 to 1987. Camelot was the first cup winner from the Norice family. A top mare, she ran second in the 1904 NZ Cup. Camelot’s NZ Cup record : 1st – 1984 2nd – 1983 6th – 1985 14th – 1986 Camelot’s career record 1982-87 Starts : 72 Wins 13 Stakes : $189,450 View the full article

What Turnbull Stakes Day 2024 Where Flemington Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria When Saturday, October 5, 2024 First Race 12:25pm AEST Visit Dabble The Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) headlines a stacked 10-race meeting at Flemington this Saturday afternoon. Big fields are the theme of the day, even with the rail out 9m for the entire circuit. With rain forecast in the lead-up, the early Good 4 rating could shift towards a Soft 6 come raceday. The action at Flemington is set to commence at 12:25pm AEST. Race 1: BM78 Handicap (1200m) Having returned with a breathtaking victory over 1100m on September 14, Moby Dick returns to the Flemington straight and looks too hard to go past in the opener. Having been held up for a run until the final 150m, the son of Toronado produced a stunning turn of foot to get the better of Headwall and subsequent Moonee Valley winner Baraqiel. He goes up 3kg from that win, but with the experience down the straight under his belt, Moby Dick looks the goods. Selections: 5 MOBY DICK 10 WOLFY 4 WARNIE 7 SCHEELITE Best Bet Race 1 – #5 Moby Dick (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Damian Lane (59.5kg) +150 with Neds Race 2: Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) The juveniles will hit the track for the first time in Victoria in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes where Price Tag can kick off her career on a winning note. The Zoustar filly went to the line nicely under a hold in a recent Flemington 800m jump out and looked to have plenty left in the tank. Mark Zahra will look to have her up on speed throughout and with a bit of luck, Price Tag will prove too hard to run down. Selections: 7 PRICE TAG 9 SISSTAINABLE 2 RUMBLE TOWN 3 SHINING SMILE Race 3: Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) Scary looks to be a progressive stayer if his Sale maiden victory is anything to go by. The Shocking colt managed to put three lengths on his rivals when settling off the pace and showing a strong turn of foot over 1732m to suggest bigger goals are in mind for the three-year-old. Damian Lane will look to land in the one-one and have Scary stalk the speed once again, and if he produces anything close to what he did at Sale, he will prove too strong once again. Selections: 5 SCARY 4 LAVALIER 2 SERGEANT MAJOR 6 KEENELAND Next Best Race 3 – #5 Scary (8) 3yo Colt | T: Emma-Lee & David Browne | J: Damian Lane (57kg) +400 with Playup Race 4: Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) The Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) has long been a strong form reference for the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m), and based on what she put forward last time out, Declichy Boulevard will look to lay down a marker for the Oaks. The Chris Waller-trained filly rattled home later over 1400m to go down by the barest of margins when producing some stunning sections from the rear of the field. The Snitzel filly gets to Flemington for the first time, a track which should suit her desire to build through the gears and let down strongly in the final 200m. Selections: 4 DECLICHY BOULEVARD 8 KILLCARE BEACHGIRL 5 WINGS OF DESIRE 3 CAVITY BAY Edward Manifold Stakes Race 4 – #4 Declichy Boulevard (4) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: Joao Moreira (56kg) +170 with Dabble Race 5: Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) Bodyguard is yet to taste defeat in two first-up runs and the three-year-old colt can build on that record in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m). The I Am Invincible progeny warmed up for his return with a 6.3 length trial victory at Rosehill on September 16, and with Mark Zahra on board, Bodyguard will look to hold a prominent position before finishing over the top of his rivals late. Selections: 2 BODYGUARD 5 TARPAULIN 7 RESERVE BANK 4 FIRST SETTLER Danehill Stakes Race 5 – #2 Bodyguard (9) 3yo Colt | T: Peter Snowden | J: Mark Zahra (58.5kg) +450 with Bet365 Race 6: Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) The Listed Paris Lane Stakes is a real dartboard job, but the one horse racing bookmakers are seemingly overlooking is Comrade Rosa. The Capitalist mare has simply gotten too far back in the field at both of her starts in Melbourne this time in, but with Joao Moreira on board from barrier five, and at her first look at Flemington, she looks set to hold a more prominent position. She will need a touch of luck in the home straight, but if Comrade Rosa is anywhere near her best, she will give this lot a scare. Selections: 9 COMRADE ROSA 7 VON HAUKE 8 MAKRAM 3 JIGSAW Best Value Race 6 – #9 Comrade Rosa (5) 6yo Mare | T: Tony Gollan | J: Joao Moreira (54kg) +900 with Unibet Race 7: Group 2 The Bart Cummings (2520m) Manzoice has not tasted success since November 2022, but shapes as one of the key players in The Bart Cummings (2520m). His two runs this time in has been as good as what he has produced over the last 18 months, and with better luck in the Listed Wyong Cup last time out, he would have finished even closer than his 1.3 length defeat. Joao Moreira will likely roll forward from barrier 12 and look to stalk the leaders throughout, and if the pair can pinch a break at the clock tower, Manzoice should prove too hard to run down. Selections: 13 MANZOICE 1 VOW AND DECLARE 6 POINT KING 16 BERKSHIRE BREEZE The Bart Cummings Race 7 – #13 Manzoice (12) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Joao Moreira (54kg) +1200 with Picklebet Race 8: Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) Saturday’s feature, the Turnbull Stakes, has attracted a strong field of 16 stayers building towards races like the Caulfield Cup (2400m). One runner who will not be heading that way is Atishu, and considering this could be one of the main races she has been aimed towards this spring, she looks set to build on an already impressive Flemington record. The Chris Waller-trained mare has three wins and two minor placings from seven starts at the track, including a Group 1 win at the 2000m. She will be at the rear of the field throughout, but with a strong finish, Atishu can blow her rivals away. Selections: 7 ATISHU 4 VIA SISTINA 6 ELIYASS 3 BUCKAROO Feature Race #4 Race 8 – #7 Atishu (5) 7yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: Mark Zahra (56kg) +1200 with Neds Race 9: Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) Ripcord will have his first Victorian start in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m), but if he brings anything like he has produced in WA, he will take some holding out. The son of Written By is known for his turn of foot, consistently charging home from the rear of the field in breathtaking fashion. With Jungle Jim likely to run this 1200m affair at a genuine clip, the race sets up perfectly for Ripcord to absorb the pressure and sprint sharply. The slight query is his lack of Flemington straight experience, but if he handles it, look out. Selections: 5 RIPCORD 4 MAGIC TIME 12 JOHNNY ROCKER 10 I AM UNSTOPPABLE Gilgai Stakes Race 9 – #5 Ripcord (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Luke Fernie | J: Damian Lane (58kg) +1000 with Boombet Race 10: Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) Skybird did all but win the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) first-up over a less than ideal trip, but with the step up in trip in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m), she shapes as the best way home in the Flemington finale. The four-year-old mare produced some eye-catching splits and went down by the barest of margins to Arkansaw Kid in a brilliant return. She is two from two second-up from a spell and if she can gain a tow into the race from the wide draw, Skybird has the best finish in the race and will be too hard to hold out. Selections: 4 SKYBIRD 8 POIFECT 10 RUNNING BY 6 REVOLUTIONARY MISS Rose Of Kingston Stakes Race 10 – #4 Skybird (18) 4yo Mare | T: Mitchell Freedman | J: Beau Mertens (57.5kg) +300 with Playup Turnbull Stakes Day 2024 quaddie tips Flemington quadrella selections Saturday, October 5, 2024 1-4-6-8-9-13-14-16 3-4-6-7-10 4-5-10-12 4-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Royal Flower will contest the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Capable mare Royal Flower has a tidy first-up record and she is again forward in condition to open a new campaign at Hawera this weekend. The lightly raced six-year-old will resume in Saturday’s Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) on a preparation focused on adding to her black-type record. Trained by co-breeder and part-owner Gail Temperton, Royal Flower has won six of her 26 starts and a number of placings includes a third in last season’s Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m). The daughter of Proisir hasn’t raced since finishing midfield after an interrupted run in the Listed Ag Challenge Stakes (1600m) in early June, but a recent trial success on her home track at Foxton indicated her readiness to return to competition. She will be partnered by Leah Hemi, who knows the chestnut well, and also backing Royal Flower’s claims are three winning runs and a couple of placings from previous fresh-up performances. “She’s been described as a swimmer, but she’s not and she was in this race last year and it was too heavy for her then,” Temperton said. “I am pretty happy with her, she’s really good and has come back bigger and stronger.” Temperton has yet to lock in Royal Flower’s program after the weekend, but stakes races will be top of her wish list. “I’m a breeder and that’s my challenge this time around with her,” she said. “We’ll see what happens on Saturday first, but it would be good to have another try at the (Manawatu) Breeders’ Stakes.” Royal Flower is out of the Ishiguru mare Ishidanzin with a pedigree page that features the French Group Two winner Captain Rio, who sired Group One winners Terravista, Brazilian Pulse and Il Quello Veloce during his tenure at Westbury Stud. Temperton also has a two-year-old half-brother by champion sire Proisir to Royal Flower. “He’ll probably be ready as a late two-year-old or early three-year-old,” she said. Royal Flower’s promising stablemate Never Look Back will also kick off on Saturday with apprentice Liam Kauri to take the ride. He was placed in a recent trial and is expected to come to his best form as he progresses to staying trips. “He’s not a 1400m horse and he’ll get back up to a distance he likes more in the future,” Temperton said. A son of Shocking, Never Look Back is a three-time winner and showed his staying potential last preparation with third placings in the Group 3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) and the Listed Marton Cup (2200m). He also finished a creditable eighth in the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and the Trentham feature is again likely to figure in Temperton’s plans for the gelding. Horse racing news View the full article