Wandering Eyes

1st-Saratoga, $90,000, (C), Msw, 6-8, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:05.25, ft, 4 lengths. ANGEL GIFT (f, 2, Connect–Georgie's Angel {GSW, $129,564}, by Bellamy Road), installed the 3-2 choice for this unveiling, settled off the fleet-footed favorite Gorrono Ranch (War of Will) and Nacho Problem (Waiting), who carved out an opening quarter mile in :22.44. With the top two still exchanging blows straightening for home, Angel Gift still had several lengths to make up but was picking up steam down the center of the track. Turning on the gas late, he blew by the pacesetter and drew clear to score by an eye-catching four lengths over the fast-closing Miss Magical (Good Magic). The winner is a half to MGISW Cave Rock (Arrogate), $748,000. GSW Georgie's Angel, who sold for $75,000 while carrying subsequent $1.05 million OBSMAR purchase Assurbanipal (Arrogate) at Keeneland November in 2020, is also responsible for an unraced 3-year-old filly by Improbable and a yearling filly by Flightline. She was most recently bred to Good Magic. Sales history: $300,000 Ylg '24 SARAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $49,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Repole Stable; B-Kathleen Burke Schweizer & Daniel J. Burke (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. The post Connect’s Angel Gift Rolls in Career Debut at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Monday, Cologne, Germany, post time: 16:20, SPARKASSE KOLNBONN – 190TH UNION-RENNEN-G2, €70,000, 3yo, 11fT Field: Abando (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Amico (Ger) (Camelot {GB}), Enzian (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}), Hochkonig (Ger) (Polish Vulcano {Ger}), Rekabet (Ger) (Ito {Ger}), Sedano (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Zuckerhut (Ger) (Almanzor {Fr}). TDN Verdict: Deutsches Derby dreams either stay alive or die here, with the G3 Bavarian Classic fourth Zuckerhut setting an achievable standard. Eckhard Sauren's Hanover winner Enzian and Stall Grafenberg's clear-cut Lyon-Parilly scorer Sedano appeal as likely types. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete field. The post Black-Type Analysis: Deutsches Derby Credentials Tested at Cologne appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The hitherto unbeaten Andreas Wohler trainee Lady Charlotte (Golden Horn) leapt to head of the ante-post betting market for August's G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) after producing a determined effort to prevail in Sunday's G3 Diana-Trial over 10 furlongs at Hoppegarten. She had previously registered two wins in Poland for former trainer Maciej Janikowski last term and annexed Hannover's Listed Preis der Neuen Bult in her German debut last month. The 11-5 second favourite settled off the pace with one behind in sixth after a slick getaway and eased into fifth after a half-mile had elapsed. Bustled along to reduce arrears at the top of the home straight, she went second entering the final furlong and quickened smartly under a late drive to deny last month's G2 Karin Baronin von Ullmann Schwarzgold-Rennen victrix Nicoreni (Brametot) by a neck in the dying strides. Fantastic Moon's half-sister Fire And Ice (Masar) fared best of the remainder and finished two lengths adrift in third. “She most definitely relished the [soft] going and the step up in trip,” said winning jockey Adrie de Vries. “On good going it might have been more difficult for us, but she really is a great filly and 2000 metres is the minimum trip for her. She only ever does as much as necessary and, as long as she keeps doing that, we can keep dreaming.” Diana-Trial der BEST PLACE Immobilien (GR3) over 2000m at Berlin-Hoppegarten 3yo fillies – Group Race – 55.000€ LADY CHARLOTTE by GOLDEN HORN NICORENI by BRAMETOT FIRE AND ICE by MASAR LADY CHARLOTTE is bred by Rebecca Philipps, owned by Westminster Stud GmbH, trained… pic.twitter.com/QbmKNW3cQ2 — Deutscher Galopp (@DeutscherGalopp) June 8, 2025 Pedigree Notes Lady Charlotte, who becomes the 11th pattern-race winner for her sire, is the third of five foals and one of two scorers out of a half-sister to G2 Blandford Stud Stakes victrix Monturani (Indian Ridge), dual stakes-winning G3 Prix de Seine-et-Oise runner-up Monnavanna (Machiavellian) and Listed Noel Murless Stakes victrix Mill Springs (Shirocco). Monturani is the second dam of dual Group 2-winning G3 Premio Parioli (Italian 2000 Guineas) hero Anda Muchacho (Helmet) and G3 Firth Of Clyde Stakes runner-up Parsley (Zebedee). The February-foaled bay's second dam is stakes-winning G1 Oaks third Mezzogiorno (Unfuwain). Lady Charlotte, who hails from the family of G1 2000 Guineas hero Mystiko (Secreto), is a half-sister to the 2-year-old filly Lady Evi (Masar). Her yearling full-sister died last year. Sunday, Hoppegarten, Germany DIANA-TRIAL DER BEST PLACE IMMOBILIEN-G3, €55,000, Hoppegarten, 6-8, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:08.90, sf. 1–LADY CHARLOTTE (GB), 128, f, 3, by Golden Horn (GB) 1st Dam: Middle Creek (GB), by Poet's Voice (GB) 2nd Dam: Mezzogiorno (GB), by Unfuwain 3rd Dam: Aigue (GB), by High Top (Ire) 1ST GROUP WIN. (20,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Westminster Stud GmbH; B-Rebecca Philipps (GB); T-Andreas Wohler; J-Adrie de Vries. €32,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, €52,932. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Nicoreni (Ger), 128, f, 3, Brametot (Ire)–Nouvelle Neige (Ger), by Big Shuffle. O/B-Gestut Ebbesloh; T-Peter Schiergen. €12,000. 3–Fire And Ice (Ger), 128, f, 3, Masar (Ire)–Frangipani (Ger), by Jukebox Jury (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€470,000 RNA Ylg '23 GOFORB). O/B-Graf & Grafin von Stauffenberg (GER); T-Sarah Steinberg. €6,000. Margins: NK, 2, NK. Odds: 2.20, 1.50, 5.70. Also Ran: Venedig (Ger), Merveilleux Lapin (Ire), Starlight Lips (Ger), Stugardia (Ger). The post Golden Horn’s Lady Charlotte Remains Unbeaten After Snagging Hoppegarten Feature appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Returning to domestic duty after his Far Eastern ventures, last year's King George Hero Goliath (Adlerflug) cruised to a welcome facile win in Sunday's G3 La Coupe at ParisLongchamp. Sauntering to the front from the outset under Christophe Soumillon, the 9-10 favourite only had to stretch inside the last two furlongs to dispatch the filly Grand Stars (Sea The Stars) by 1 3/4 lengths. “We decided not to fight with him and let him be comfortable and when he's like that he's very good,” trainer Francis-Henri Graffard said of Resolute Bloodstock and Philip Baron Von Ullmann's flagbearer, who had run a rare tame race in the G1 QEII Cup in April. “He can quicken off any pace, he just needs to be relaxed as he is a horse that can be very tense. That's why he ran so poorly at Sha Tin, so I'm very happy and we can re-start with him. This race will do him good and I have to discuss with the entourage, but we will target the big races again.” Goliath returns to winning ways at ParisLongchamp! @GraffardRacing's top-class gelding proves much too good for his opposition in the Group Three La Coupe! pic.twitter.com/84pNEPjbSv — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 8, 2025 The post King George Hero Goliath Back In The Groove At ParisLongchamp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Britney Wong Po-ni landed consecutive Sha Tin doubles headlined by Cheval Valiant’s all-the-way win in the Class Four Lai On Handicap (1,000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The 26-year-old smashed out of the gates on the Charm Spirit galloper and never looked back, crossing over to the stands rail from gate nine and setting comfortable fractions on the front end. When the pair were faced by a myriad of challengers in the final 200m, Wong galvanised her willing partner and gamely fended off $57 roughie...View the full article

Fast but not quite fast enough for six furlongs, Maranoa Charlie (Wootton Bassett) was back in his comfort zone on Sunday and back in the winner's enclosure at the end of ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix Paul de Moussac. Let loose from the outset of the seven-furlong G1 Prix Jean Prat prep by Aurelien Lemaitre, the 19-10 favourite who was fourth in Chantilly's G3 Prix Texanita speed test last month relished the opportunity to dominate from an early point. Chased to the line by the Wertheimers' Silius (Dubawi) as he had been when staging a successful comeback in the G3 Prix Djebel in April, Peter Maher's colour-bearer kept rolling for a two-length verdict, with another Wertheimer homebred 2 1/2 lengths away in third in the filly Polyvega (Lope De Vega). “I can't wait to see him in the Jean Prat next time,” trainer Christopher Head said. “He's showing that he's not a sprinter or a miler, he's in between. He can also do well in soft ground and he keeps surprising us–these Wootton Bassetts are really incredible.” Maranoa Charlie leads them all the way in the Prix Paul de Moussac! The high-class Lazzat took the Group Three contest last year, what next for @CHeadRacing's talented colt? pic.twitter.com/LWrJAGYuaI — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 8, 2025 The post Wootton Bassett’s Maranoa Charlie Dominates The Paul De Moussac appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Light Years Charm continued his march up the ratings and trainer David Eustace’s impressive first Hong Kong campaign kept rolling during the season’s first twilight meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday. Chasing back-to-back victories on Class Two debut, Light Years Charm was sent off the $1.7 favourite for the Lee On Handicap (1,400m), but there were a few nervous moments for his supporters and connections. Not known for being the quickest away, Light Years Charm found himself detached from the field...View the full article

Fabrice Chappet trainee Safia (Sottsass), a debut scorer at ParisLongchamp in October, opened this year with a TDN Rising Star performance at Saint-Cloud in March and bounced back off a fifth in a hot renewal of April's G3 Prix de la Grotte to secure a career high in Sunday's Listed Prix Melisande at ParisLongchamp. Employing waiting tactics in fifth until turning for home, she careered forward to seize control with 300 metres remaining and was ridden out in the closing stages to defeat Ilda Rosa (Lope De Vega) and La Bonne Etoile (Sea The Moon) by 1 1/2 lengths and a head. Safia becomes the first stakes winner for her sire, who now stands at the Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan. “She's a very nice filly who won well first time out in October and she won again first time out this year,” said trainer Fabrice Chappet. “We knew from the strat she would have no problem staying a mile-and-a-quarter. We skipped the [G1 Poule d'Essai des] Pouliches because going one mile on fast ground against the best fillies would have been tough. She could now go for the [G3] Prix de Psyche at Deauville.” Safia is the first of two foals and lone scorer out of an unraced half-sister to G3 Prix Chloe victrix Suphala (Frankel) and the stakes-winning G3 Prix du Calvados third Sivoliere (Sea The Stars). The latter produced the dual stakes-placed Doctor Carl (Fastnet Rock). The February-foaled bay's second dam, Listed Prix de Lieurey victrix and GIII Noble Damsel Handicap third Sefroua (Kingmambo), is a half-sister to G1 Cheveley Park Stakes third Pursuit Of Glory (Fusaichi Pegasus) out of G1 Coronation Stakes heroine Sophisticat (Storm Cat). Sophisticat is a daughter of celebrated US champion Serena's Song (Rahy), who struck gold 11 times at the highest level. Safia is a half-sister to the unraced 2-year-old colt Noble Memory (Zarak). Safia returns to winning ways at ParisLongchamp! The daughter of Sottsass has too many gears for her rivals and claims the Listed Prix Melisande with a comfortable success! pic.twitter.com/4ZOLWoaaCS — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 8, 2025 Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France PRIX MELISANDE-Listed, €55,000, ParisLongchamp, 6-8, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:06.54, sf. 1–SAFIA (FR), 123, f, 3, by Sottsass (Fr) 1st Dam: Stay Home (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire) 2nd Dam: Sefroua, by Kingmambo 3rd Dam: Sophisticat, by Storm Cat TDN Rising Star. 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Ecurie David R Layani Famille, Haras d'Etreham, Riviera Equine SARL & Craig Bernick; B-Haras d'Etreham, Glen Hill Farm & Riviera Equine SARL; T-Fabrice Chappet; J-Cristian Demuro. €27,500. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, €70,500. 2–Ilda Rosa (GB), 123, f, 3, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Zhukova (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). O/B-Godolphin; T-Henri-Alex Pantall. €11,000. 3–La Bonne Etoile (Ire), 123, f, 3, Sea The Moon (Ger)–Newsletter (Ire), by Sir Percy (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€50,000 RNA Wlg '22 GOFNOV; €110,000 Ylg '23 GOFORB). O-Alexis Adamian; B-Ballylinch Stud; T-Nicolas Clement & Flo Hermans. €8,250. Margins: 1HF, HD, HD. Odds: 1.20, 2.60, 10.00. Also Ran: Badie (Fr), La Brodeuse (GB), Champagne Dancer (Fr), Bintabuha (Ire). Scratched: Zawan (Fr). The post TDN Rising Star Safia a Stakes First for Sottsass at ParisLongchamp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New Zealand's Ardsley Stud announced the sad news that bloodstock agent Michael Wallace, son of Ardsley Stud founders Jim and Mary Wallace, passed away on Saturday night. “It is with deep sadness we confirm the passing of Michael Wallace, son of Jim and Mary. Michael was a much-loved father, son, and brother. The family is requesting privacy,” the press release stated. Wallace served as Chief Operating Officer of the China Horse Club for eight years before stepping down in 2021. More recently, he worked as an independent bloodstock agent with Vinnie and Teresa Viola's St. Elias Stable in the United States, as well as with Kuldeep Singh Rajput's Gandharvi Racing Stables. The post Michael Wallace Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lambourn led them a merry dance in the Group One Epsom Derby (2,400m) to give Aidan O’Brien a record-extending 12th win in the English Classic on Saturday. Shunned by Coolmore’s stable jockey Ryan Moore, it was Wayne Lordan who got his moment in the sun, pushing the Australia galloper into the lead soon after the start. The pair turned into the straight with a three-length lead and never looked likely to surrender it, thundering down the Epsom straight to win by a very comfortable three and a...View the full article

Driver Penalties N Balle | Waikato Bay of Plenty 5 June; use of whip; suspended 6-13 June inclusive. J Young-Grant | NZ Metropolitan 8 June; medical clearance required. W House | NZ Metropolitan 8 June; delayed the start; fined $200. Trainer Penalties S & A Telfer | Auckland 6 June; late gear notification; fined $100. T Yesberg | Non raceday dated 20 March; failed to present runner free of prohibited substance; fined $8,500 and costs of $1,900. Horse Penalties HAIL STONE | Invercargill 2 June; unsatisfactory performance; must complete 2 trials. SUNNY ROBINSON | Waikato Bay of Plenty 5 June; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. ALL CONQUERED | NZ Metropolitan 6 June; bucked in score up; must complete mobile start trial. JOSE QUIVERA | NZ Metropolitan 6 June; wound on heel; veterinary clearance required. MYTHICAL | NZ Metropolitan 6 June; lame; veterinary clearance required. HIGHLY RATED | NZ Metropolitan 8 June; broke in running; must complete trial. Protest TO THE MOON AND BACK | Invercargill 2 June; excessive galloping during race; disqualified from 3rd. The post 2-8 June 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The ever-consistent Pokuru Gold (NZ) (Darci Brahma) completed a limited season in his customary fashion on Saturday at Ellerslie, dominating his rivals in the Join TAB Racing Club 1100. From the Te Akau Racing stable of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Pokuru Gold had appeared at the races just three times this term, one less than the number of starts he had as a three-year-old. But, the son of Darci Brahma has taken every opportunity, winning four races, and he started a second-fancy to Australian import Judicial in the Rating 75 contest. The short-priced favourite strode up to the lead early under Vinnie Colgan, but began to over-race through the mid-stages, while Pokuru Gold found a beautiful rhythm in his trail in the hands of Te Akau apprentice Hayley Hassman. Judicial kicked early in the home straight but felt the pinch at the 100m, and Pokuru Gold went straight on by, cruising through the line to score by 1 ½ lengths with Chateau Vallee closely gamely into second. Hassman was delighted with the performance, heavily praising the son of Darci Brahma. “Oh man, he’s an athlete,” she said. “He travelled beautifully throughout and showed an amazing kick turning for home. “I was right behind him (Judicial) and ready to pounce the whole way, and we blatted on past him.” As mentioned by Te Akau assistant trainer Reece Trumper, Pokuru Gold has encountered soundness issues through his career, but the stable has plenty of time for the gelding. “We know the ability is there,” Trumper said. “He’s got a very good record and the three kilos off today was the key, for sure. “He’s had knee chips removed in the past, which has been mentioned in his racing career, but he’s 100-percent sound now and the team do a wonderful job managing and keeping him that way. “We just try and keep the horse happy, manage him with trips to the water walker after his races, and he does the rest. “A big thanks to Ian Farrelly (owner), he’s taken time with a horse that has had his issues. He’s a champion to train for and the horses always wins when Ian’s on track, like he is today.” Walker indicated the gelding would now be sent for a freshen-up, with a view on returning to race in the new season. Pokuru Gold has accumulated just shy of $100,000 in his efforts to date, with five wins, two thirds and a fourth for Farrelly, who bred him out of a winning mare Pokuru Nugget. Walker, Bergerson and Hassman were back in the winner’s circle later in the Ellerslie meeting, with War Of Succession (Tavistock) saluting in the Horizon By SkyCity (2100m). A gelding by Tavistock, War Of Succession had returned to form when winning over a mile last time out, and on Saturday, he looked right at home over the middle distance trip. Settling in the second half of the field, War Of Succession travelled comfortably throughout and loomed up turning for home, running down The Precursor late to win by 1 ¼ lengths. “It was another really good win and a lovely ride of Hayley’s,” Walker said. “She got him into a perfect spot, off the fence at the right time, and got to the right part of the track turning for home. “We’re very thankful for the patience of the owners. He’s just had a few niggles and maturity problems, but he’s starting to put it altogether now.” War Of Succession was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis out of Curraghmore’s Book 1 draft at Karaka in 2022, and has three wins to his name from eight starts. His most recent success brought up a milestone for Te Akau, as the first New Zealand stable to surpass $9 million in stakes earnings in a season. View the full article

Progressive wet-track galloper Sotirio (NZ) (Wrote) extended his winning sequence at Trentham on Saturday, ploughing through the testing conditions to salute in the Hallmark and Stone 1300. Lightly raced through the spring and summer, Sotirio resumed at his favourite time of the year in early May and took out a competitive Autumn Sprint Final at Rating 65 grade. After reviewing the programme, his trainer Matthew Eales elected to continue that formula, heading to the trials before returning to Trentham on Saturday, where he started second-favourite behind Tisse. In the hands of Leah Hemi, Sotirio settled in midfield at his own leisure, while Shelbyrock’n strode out to set a decent tempo in the heavy ground. Both of the favourites had some ground to make up at the 600m, but Hemi cut the corner and came up to draw level with Peppery at the 100m, holding off a game Tisse to score by a half-neck. Eales had been quietly confident heading into Saturday’s contest, but thought his charge may be under the pump turning for home. “He does like a loose, heavy track, so the rain falling the day before the races and on the day was suited to him,” he said. “I was pretty confident that he was better than he was first-up, he had a nice soft trial in between and then galloped super on the grass at Otaki on Tuesday. “A smaller field helps, but Leah rode a terrific race. He probably wasn’t travelling as well as I thought he would, he was a bit under pressure through the mid-stages, but, she picked the right path and saved some ground cutting underneath them on the turn.” The Awapuni horseman will be heading south again on short notice with Sotirio, hoping to go three from three in his new preparation. “After he won first-up, he was then a Rating 75 horse, and because he likes Trentham, the logical thing to do was just to wait and keep his fitness up in between,” he said. “It was the perfect race on paper for him, and he’s got another Rating 75 1400 down there in three weeks. “That’s definitely where we’ll head next time.” A son of Wrote, Sotirio has now won five races from 24 starts and over $114,000, with the lion’s share of that prizemoney coming in the current racing season. “He’s just a horse that has taken a while to furnish, he showed promise as a three-year-old but at four, I think he was going through growing pains and just never came up,” Eales said. “Over the last year and half, he’s won four of his last 11 with a few placings as well, and it’s just been in those puggy tracks that he hasn’t fired through this time of the year. “He’s really muscled up, he looks completely different and given that extra time, he’s really matured.” View the full article

They may have played second fiddle to Trentham’s jumping features on Saturday, but the maiden hurdlers delivered plenty of excitement in the first two races of the meeting, unveiling a number of up-and-coming prospects. In the opener, the Kevin Myers-trained Yolo (NZ) (Zed) was an odds-on favourite after finishing second behind Georgian Warrior on King’s Birthday at Te Aroha earlier in the week. The diminutive mare was one of the last to leave the barriers and jockey Corey Wiles was patient over the first couple of hurdles, before utilising her pace on the flat to make up ground along the back straight. Testing conditions at the Upper Hutt course had the field strung out around the final bend, but Yolo was cruising into contention and looked a big danger to the leader, Countryman, on straightening. Countryman was tough to stay with the favourite, and Jerricoop was closing rapidly, but Yolo was too strong in the finish, saluting by 1 ¾ lengths. The victory was a first over fences for Yolo, but she was more than capable on the flat, winning four races and picking up fourth placings in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m), Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m), and Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m). “She’s got good flat ability and I think that’s what helps her in the jumps races,” stable representative Caley Myers said. “I don’t really know what the plan was – she kind of decides herself when she jumps out of the gates. But, she made up ground throughout the race and that was what helped her.” A daughter of Zed out of the Al Akbar mare Take Three, Yolo is bred to perform over fences as a half-sister to champion jumper Kick Back, a winner of a Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) and Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4900m). Bred and raced by the Trotter family, Yolo has earned over $142,000 in 42 starts. An equally competitive battle ensued in the second maiden contest, where Yolo’s stablemate So Call Me (NZ) (Sweynesse) started favourite ahead of Saint Bernard (NZ) (Dial A Prayer). Another capable flat galloper, So Call Me got away well from an outside draw and streamed over the first fence, while key rival Saint Bernard settled at the back of the field under Kylan Wiles. The field put on a professional display along the back, and Saint Bernard came right into the mix at the 600m, putting the pressure on Mr Fabulous and So Call Me in the straight. The trio negotiated the final three fences and Saint Bernard had the upper hand over the last, finding a strong finishing burst to fend off a game Mr Fabulous, while So Call Me and a fast-finishing Who’s Sam were within 1 ½ lengths of the winner. An enquiry was lodged alleging interference between Saint Bernard and Mr Fabulous in the final straight, but it was subsequently dismissed by stewards. By Dial A Prayer, Saint Bernard won his maiden on the flat last term and showed plenty of talent in his jumping debut at Wanganui, but raced out of his favoured pattern when hot-favourite at Te Rapa. “He’s got a great big syndicate, and he probably didn’t have much of a future left on the flat, but he just loves jumping,” said Chrissy Bambry, who trains the gelding at Foxton. “That was a great ride by Kylan, we probably learnt a little bit last time that we went a bit early. He can jump a bit high in those first couple, he’s still learning and he only learnt to jump last year. He can over-race and he used to do that in his flat races too, so when he’s out (the back), he doesn’t chase them as hard. “You never start screaming until you get over that last fence, especially when it’s a Myers runner on your tail, but we’ve had a couple of jumps starts where they (So Call Me) haven’t, which was probably telling in the end. “I’m really proud of him.” View the full article

Rider Penalties N Hailey | Te Aroha 2 June; failed to ride mount to finish; suspended 8-28 June inclusive. T Moki | Te Aroha 2 June; failed to retire runner out of contention; fined $500. N Hailey | Te Aroha 2 June; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 7 June). C Grylls | Waikato 4 June; careless riding; suspended 8-18 June inclusive. J Fawcett | Auckland 7 June; careless riding; suspended 16-26 June inclusive. Trainer Penalties P Gerard | Te Aroha 2 June; late rider declaration; fined $150. L Te Keeti | Te Aroha 2 June; late rider declaration; fined $50. T & M Carter | Waikato 4 June; incorrect gear; fined $50. J Mahoney | Waikato 4 June; late rider declaration; fined $50. A Morley | Auckland 7 June; late rider declaration; fined $50. Horse Penalties FLORENZA | Te Aroha 2 June; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. FAIRSHARE | Waikato 4 June; lame; veterinary clearance required. NOBLE BOY | Auckland 7 June; epistaxis on second occasion; ineligible to race in New Zealand. PHARAOH’S DREAM | Auckland 7 June; epistaxis on second occasion; ineligible to race in New Zealand. DIAMOND JAK | Auckland 7 June; very slow to begin; must complete trial. UNDAUNTED | Marton 8 June; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. The post 2-8 June 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

An Honorary Life Member of the Equestrian Society of New Zealand.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — The party was just getting started in the cramped winner's circle at Saratoga Race Course. It almost seemed like half of the 46,243 that came out to Saratoga to watch the GI Belmont Stakes were in there. Well, let's not get carried away. But it was jammed, and everyone was singing the praises of Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the Most Valuable Player in the second annual Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga. Even those who were vanquished by Sovereignty had to give a congratulatory nod to the Godolphin-owned, Bill Mott-trained and Junior Alvarado-ridden champions. While Sovereignty was getting his flowers, connections of the second-place finisher, Journalism (Curlin), the 2-1 favorite, had to swallow another tough loss. The three-length defeat came on the heels of a 1 1/2-length defeat in the GI Kentucky Derby. “I think you can call it a rivalry,” Aron Wellman, the President and Founder of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, who head the ownership group of Journalism, said outside the winner's circle. “But the scoreboard reads, 2-0.” Michael McCarthy, Journalism's thoughtful trainer, paused after speaking to a handful of writers and listened to a throng of fans who were shouting mostly good things. “We will get him home,” McCarthy he said to them, “feed him some carrots and maybe come back here in August (for the Grade I Travers).” Journalism had earned favoritism after his heroic and brave win in the GI Preakness Stakes three weeks ago in Baltimore. While Journalism was playing pinball through the stretch at Pimlico and completing an improbable victory, Sovereignty was resting in Mott's barn at the Oklahoma Training Track. Waiting for the Belmont, Waiting for Journalism. The debate would start as soon as the Belmont was finished. Did Sovereignty have an advantage because he was fresher? Journalism was the only horse to compete in all three legs of this year's Triple Crown. McCarthy and Wellman were not going to use that as an excuse. “I am very pleased with my horse's effort,” McCarthy said. “I could not be prouder of him. You would have to think that a horse of (Sovereignty's) caliber gets five weeks between races … I just thought our horse ran very well.” It appeared as though Journalism might just even the score when he and jockey Umberto Rispoli disposed of leaders Rodriguez (Authentic) and Crudo (Justify) and roared into the lead heading into the stretch of the 1 1/4-mile race. But Sovereignty was gaining momentum, and he was closing. Fast. “It was reminiscent of the Kentucky Derby,” McCarthy said. “We opened up at the top of the lane and I saw those (Godolphin) royal blue silks and I knew it would be the two of them all over again.” Rispoli, back outside the jockey's room, shook his head when asked about the race. He was disappointed in the result, of course, but not in his horse. Journalism, he said, gave him everything he had. He refused to say the colt was tired, the rigors of the three hard efforts in five Triple Crown races finally getting to him. “I had the two targets,” he said. “When there was a quarter of a mile to go, it was time to go. He responded. He fought. He just got beat. I never felt a lack of energy from him.” If there was any nit-picking to be had for the trip, maybe it was Journalism having a bit of a stumble coming out of the gate. No one was saying it cost him. For the second time in five weeks, Journalism just got beat by the better–and fresher–horse. McCarthy, Wellman and Rispoli hope there is another chapter in the rivalry and hope it comes sooner than later. “We are probably going to face each other probably until the end of the season,” Rispoli said. “It will be a good battle; it will be good for the sport.” “Listen,” Wellman said, “This horse has danced every dance and has shown up every single time. Everyone hopes these two horses can face off again the second half of the season.” McCarthy, before disappearing into the crowd, talked of seeing Sovereignty again. Maybe in the Travers, hopefully at the end of the year in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic on his home court at Del Mar. “Let's hope everybody stays happy and healthy and we will see him in November in our backyard,” he said. “I can't say enough good things about that horse. I can't say enough good things about my horse.” The post Journalism’s Camp Not Throwing In the Towel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

12 Questions: Ross Coles www.nzherald.co.nz 4 March 2014 Ross Coles, 65, has been a steward at Ellerslie Racecourse since age 14, was a champion show jumper, has managed Olympic eventing teams and is head of the Pakuranga Hunt, as was his father. He has watched the encroaching houses from his property at Karaka since he was a child. 1. You look about the right build to be a jockey - did that career never tempt you? I had 11 rides as an amateur but decided I could make more money doing other things, which was probably the case back then. We're talking 1963, when race meetings were Saturday and Wednesday, eight races a meet, and that's all there was. Now it's seven days a week and you can make a very comfortable living. I went to the freezing works instead - in the office. Started at the bottom and worked my way up for 17 years. Left there and became a huntsman. My father was still [heading the Pakuranga Hunt] and my brother had been going to succeed him. But then he was killed in a car crash and they asked me if I'd do it. It's a salaried job and I was 25 years there. It was a great lifestyle. You're your own boss, ride a horse for a living and hunt your hounds. It's like any job, though - good days and bad days. Some days it's teeming and you still have to head out. 2. Are the racecourse stewards always from the hunt? Traditionally the hunt supplied those who did it. My father decided on the red coats and grey horses. The Herald would always run a page of photographs from the races - we're talking 1949 to 1952 - and Dad thought the grey horse with the red coat looked better in the pictures than the chestnut did. So he insisted that it be done like that at Ellerslie. Australia has them now too and Singapore and other countries have started having stewards and a lot of them are greys. It's started to become a tradition. I think it helps that there are not a lot of grey racehorses, too. It sets them apart. 3. You've got four greys in the paddock down there: do you think they know what they're doing on course? Yeah, I think they do. They have to have the right attitude. They have to be quiet and kind. They have to do what they're asked to do, even if there's a [race] horse kicking off. The important part is making sure they don't get hurt if something's happening, that they don't get kicked, or they won't want to go back there. 4. Are you the people who get called when a horse has to be put down on course? We're almost always the first ones there. It's not nice and we hate it. We're horsemen and we love horses. But racehorses break. There's no guns any more - it's a tranquilliser. It's awful but it's life. 5. Lots of Kiwis hunt pigs and other animals: why do you think some people are anti your kind of hunt? It's class. I don't think it's any different to other kinds of hunting. I think people see it as elite because in England those are the people who can afford to do it. It's different here. Anyone can come on a horse and enjoy a day out with their mates in the countryside jumping fences. The bottom line is the hunting fraternity are out there for a day's entertainment, not to kill anything. If we never caught a hare no one would worry about it. This blood sport thing is bullshit. 6. Have your children shared your love of horses? My daughter Emma is allergic. Beat that! She goes near one she coughs and splutters. My son Ben hunted but that was as far as he wanted to go. Not jumping or anything. It's all changed now. It's expensive to be involved in horses. I came back from the World Championships in Rome in 1998 [Ross was eventing team manager] and said then that our sport would become elitist. And it has. Going to pony club or whatever is still fine but if your kid wants to go to a horse show, you could pay anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000. There's some of them starting on horses that have been imported from Europe. 7. Do you dislike that aspect of the sport? That's just the way life's gone. When we were kids growing up around here, every kid had a pony because it was free or cheap, and every family had a bit of dirt to graze it. Now you're looking at $10 a day just for grazing. What I saw in Rome was people buying incredible horses - showjumpers sell for up to $10 million. The sport now is about two athletes - the horse and the rider. It won't work if only one is good. They both have to be. 8. So Karaka's changed a bit since you were a kid? If you could imagine this, the hunt's kennels were once in Springs Rd, East Tamaki, by the fire station and horses were ridden all around there. When we moved out here in 1953, Karaka was a long way out of town - there was no motorway. Now it's under pressure from new housing developments all around. 9. What do you do with your 20ha here? I've got the stables and horses. We've got 3.2ha in avocados. It's been a short season here - half what it was the year before. It's not a lot of work - two or three days a week, maybe. You could have lived off [the profits] a couple of years ago, if you were mortgage-free, but not this year. You need to do something else. Do I like avocados? Not really. 10. What's the difference between Avondale and Ellerslie racecourses? People are very relaxed at Avondale but at Ellerslie, on the big days at least, people are all dressed up for the day. It's like going to Ascot. Avondale used to have huge crowds - it was the last club to have 50c bets so people would go there because you could just bet 50c - but like all racing the TV and phone betting has had its effect. It's great to see the young people coming back to Ellerslie now with the twilight meetings. Do I bet? No. We're not allowed to. 11. You were manager when the New Zealand team of Mark Todd, Blyth Tait, Andrew Nicholson and Vaughn Jefferis won gold at the World Championships in Rome. How good was that? It's a buzz managing a team like that. I'm not sure it's as big a buzz as winning a gold medal yourself but it was a thrill. I was team manager at the Olympics in Sydney [2000] too and that was amazing. We were there for six weeks and the riders and managers had their own lounge. You'd be sitting there drinking coffee with Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, Princess Haya of Spain. You'd just talk about life in general. In a place like that they're just like everyone else. 12. Will you ever give up riding? At the moment I still do the races and I hunt. My body's still good - I've broken a few bones but my hips and knees are fine. At some stage I'll say I've had enough.

I had the pleasure to briefly meet Ross Coles at Ellerslie during some jumpouts/trials about 18 or so months ago. He was interesting and easy to talk to and his opinion on the new Ellerslie surface was bluntly to the point as was his opinion about the first KM night. However a couple of things that stood out was when I said I might see him at the next meeting (which was only a few days a way). He laughed and said he was off down to help run and corral the 1200 horses, contestants and their mothers at the NZ Horse of the Year (Equestrian) weekend and he said "quite frankly being Clerk of the Course at Ellerslie was a much easier option". We were talking about the then most recent Horse of Year winner who broke my mates thoroughbred in at the tender age of 19 when an exhausted Ace Lawson-Carroll literally flopped off his trial ride and started talking to Ross. The respect Ace showed Ross and the encouragement Ross gave back to Ace was memorable. After Ace staggered off Ross briefed me with some compassion on Ace's background and reckoned he'd be alright as a Jockey. Ross started working at Ellerslie as a 14 year old. I've seen him working jointly with horse and Jockey to get them safely through the noise and bustle at Ellerslie, from the stalls through the pre-parade ring, under the stand beside the windows, through the birdcage and out onto the track with considerable skill. His grey horse was good too!

The 12-race Belmont Stakes Day card, highlighted by Sovereignty's (Into Mischief) victory in the GI Belmont Stakes, generated all-sources handle of $101,861,883 with a paid attendance of 46,243, NYRA announced in a press release Saturday evening. Originally a 14-race card, heavy rain in the Saratoga Springs region Friday and Saturday forced all races off the turf and canceled both the GI Jaipur [Race 9], a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint; and the GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan [Race 12]. That pair of Grade I's will instead be run Sunday, June 8 to close out the 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. On-track handle for the Belmont Stakes Day card was $10,440,740 while all-sources handle for the Belmont Stakes alone was $55,456,793. The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival concludes Sunday with a 13-race card beginning at 12:10 p.m. headlined by the Manhattan and Jaipur. The post Belmont Stakes Day At Saratoga Crosses $100 Million In Handle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Mike Love The first of what will be regular Sunday racing at Addington kicks off today in what promises to be true Canterbury winter conditions. The Diamond Racing stable is today’s sponsor and although they will not be represented by any runners today, John Dunn will take the reins behind nine runners on the card. He looks to have a range of chances that include Yosemite ($3.70FF) in Race 6 and Waihemo Hannah ($5.50FF) in Race 9. Perhaps another of Dunn’s better chances comes in Race 8, the Master Musician The Legend Pace over 2600m with the Philip Vermeulen-trained Major Happy ($3.50FF). The five-year-old Art Major mare looks ready to run a bold race for punters, according to the Woodend-based Vermeulen. So far she has won three from 53. “She should be a pretty good chance. She’s a good track worker and is pretty honest, so she should be thereabouts,” says Vermeulen. Major Happy will be having her third run this time in and has been building nicely. A close-up fourth fresh up at Rangiora was backed up with a solid sixth at Addington on May 30 behind Celestial Sea who ran a narrow second on Friday night. “She’s come through her last run well, and has trained on even better.” Major Happy is generally good from a standing start having won once and placed twice from six attempts. The Vermeulen runner is as close as it gets to a Diamond Stable representative as Vermeulen works for the Dunn team and is trained on the same sand. “She’ll be off to stud if she doesn’t step up, but the way she’s been working we should be able to chug through the winter alright.” Other chances in the event include current equal favourite Stormy Vista ($3.50FF) for trainer Mark Jones, driven by Samantha Ottley, while Apatchofgold ($8.50FF) for trainer Bruce Hutton and driver Jim Curtin, and Motor Mouth ($15.00FF) for trainer Joseph Gray and driver Scott Iremonger look to offer good value. Vermeulen’s only other horse in his care is Major Happy’s little half brother Captain Shorty who is a two-year-old colt by Captain Crunch and is developing nicely. John Dunn’s other six drives are : Race 1- Rocky In Paradise ($71.00FF) Race 2 – Betterthandiva ($12.00FF) Race 3 – Interrorgator ($5.00FF) Race 5 – Beautiful Crazy ($13.00FF) Race 7 – Sophia Bromac ($21.00FF) Race 10 – Playing With Stars ($13.00FF) Race 1 gets underway this afternoon at 1:24pm View the full article

When the regally bred and named SOVEREIGNTY (c, 3, Into Mischief–Crowned, by Bernardini) won the GI Kentucky Derby some 35 days ago, he was one of the great overlays of recent memory off his previous body of work and returned nearly $18 to his backers. Despite defeating favored Journalism (Curlin) on the square on that occasion, the gamblers still went for the Southern California-based galloper in Saturday's GI Belmont Stakes off his rough-and-tumble victory in the GI Preakness Stakes three weeks back, sending him off as the 2-1 favorite with Sovereignty arguably over the odds yet again at 2 1/2 to 1. As he did at Churchill Downs on that first Saturday in May, Sovereignty was the recipient of another brilliant steer from Junior Alvarado and put an exclamation point on the 2025 Classics with an emphatic victory at historic Saratoga Race Course. As expected, 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) showed early interest as did recent Sir Barton Stakes winner Crudo (Justify) and they disputed things early as Journalism was ridden forward as well by Umberto Rispoli. Sovereignty was under a good hold from Alvarado, but running along very smoothly and the colt progressed to be on the back of Rodriguez down the back. Journalism was forced to do it toughest, three or four wide and facing the breeze, but nevertheless put the top two to the sword nearing the stretch, attempting to win the Belmont right there and then. But Sovereignty had expended less energy while covered up inside to the quarter pole, and the battle was joined in earnest three-sixteenths from home. Try as he might, Journalism had no response when tackled by the Godolphin runner inside the final furlong, and Sovereignty got a few pats down the neck in celebration from Alvarado when the race was in safe keeping. Baeza (McKinzie) made hard work of things, but finished with some interest to be third, reprising the Kentucky Derby trifecta. The final time over a track that began the day as an absolute quagmire, but ended up fast, was 2:00.69. Lifetime Record: 7-4-2-0. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Bill Mott. It's Sovereignty!! The Kentucky Derby winner takes the Belmont Stakes! pic.twitter.com/IvvQ3Lhl2F — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 7, 2025 The post Derby Winner Sovereignty Stamps His Authority On the Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' PATCH ADAMS (c, 3, Into Mischief–Well Humored, by Distorted Humor) took his record at one-turn trips to three wins from four tries with a clear-cut victory in Saturday's GI Woody Stephens Stakes at a drying-out Saratoga. Hard-ridden from gate four by Luis Saez, the bay colt took up a prominent early spot as GII Pat Day Mile upsetter Macho Music (Maclean's Music) cut out the fractions in advance of Madaket Road (Quality Road) down the backstretch. Under constant urging as longshot T Kraft (Connect) went through underneath him in third, Patch Adams was off the bridle to pick up as Macho Music and Madaket Road continued to lock horns on the pointy end. Back into the bit passing the quarter pole, Patch Adams loomed up three off the inside under a full head of steam in upper stretch, took command with about a furlong to travel and came away late to take it by about two lengths. Fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Big Truzz (Justify), in a bit of traffic at the half-mile marker, came on late to take third ahead of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile and Eclipse Award winner Citizen Bull (Into Mischief). Patch Adams, whose dam is a half-sister to Friday's GIII Belmont Gold Cup winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Parchment Party (Constitution), is the 25th top-level winner for his sire and his fifth out of a mare by WinStar's legendary and much-missed Distorted Humor. Lifetime Record: 6-3-0-1. O-WinStar Farm LLC & CHC Inc; B-WinStar Farm LLC (KY); T-Brad Cox. PATCH ADAMS gets his first stakes win in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens pres. by @MoheganSun with Luis Saez aboard for trainer @bradcoxracing. pic.twitter.com/YsKqEbMRdZ — Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 7, 2025 The post ‘Rising Star’ Patch Adams Scoots Clear In Woody Stephens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Spring plan for Treasure The Moment Michael Manley@MichaelManley_1 7 June, 2025 Treasurethe Moment (Image: Racing Photos) Matt Laurie intends to follow the traditional spring path with his champion three-year-old filly Treasure The Moment before deciding on whether she will tackle the Caulfield Cup or the Cox Plate. The rising four-year-old mare has returned to Laurie’s stables and he’s thrilled with her condition. “She’s been trotting on the treadmill on the incline. She’s ready to have a saddle put on her and begin cantering work,” Laurie said. Laurie said he will consult with Yulong, but his plan is for her to resume in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on September 2. Treasurethe Moment Trainer M.Laurie Age 3YO Sex Filly Colour Brown Prize Money $2,555,863 Last 5 -1111 Career 11-9-2-0 POS Jockey Track Date DIST Race WGT MRG Odds 1 – 9 D.M.Lane RAND 12 APR 2025 2400m ATC OAKS 56kg 0.39L $1.55 1 – 9 D.M.Lane RHIL 1 APR 2025 2000m VINERYSTUD 56kg 1.22L $1.40 1 – 10 D.M.Lane FLEM 8 MAR 2025 1600m KEWNEY 56kg 2.25L $1.50 1 – 8 D.M.Lane CAUL 22 FEB 2025 1400m ARMANASCO 59.5kg 1L $2.70 1 – 14 D.M.Lane FLEM 7 NOV 2024 2500m VRC OAKS 56kg 1.25L $3.10 “Then she will run in the Makybe Diva Stakes and the Turnbull Stakes. Then we will decide whether she will run in the Caulfield Cup or the Cox Plate,” he said. Treasurethe Moment has won her past eight races, including three at Group 1 level which has taken her record to nine wins and two seconds from 11 starts. She is $8 with Sportsbet to win the Cox Plate and $15 to win the Caulfield Cup. Ba