Wandering Eyes

Tom Marquand has been confirmed as the partner of Goodwood Cup hero and ante-post favourite Scandinavia (Justify), who is set to head a field of seven in Saturday's G1 Betfred St Leger. With Ryan Moore on the sidelines and Wayne Lordan suspended, Sean Levey will partner dual Derby hero Lambourn (Australia) and Mickael Barzalona picks up the ride aboard Great Voltigeur fourth Stay True (Galileo). In addition to the Ballydoyle trio, Ireland is represented by Queen's Vase victor and Great Voltigeur runner-up Carmers (Wootton Bassett), who will be partnered by Billy Lee. The home defence consists of the Andrew Balding-trained duo Furthur (Waldgeist) and Tarriance (Frankel), and Roger Varian trainee Rahiebb (Frankel). Across the Irish Sea, Leopardstown plays host to the opening day of Irish Champions Weekend and Christophe Soumillon is on duty aboard Eclipse hero Delacroix (Dubawi) in the eight-runner G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, while Chris Hayes deputises for the injured Jim Crowley aboard Anmaat (Awtaad). Susumu Fujita's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe entry Shin Emperor (Siyouni) will be piloted by regular jockey Ryusei Sakai in the Foxrock venue's feature event. Earlier on the Leopardstown programme, a mouthwatering clash is in store with 11 fillies declared for the G1 Coolmore America Justify Matron Stakes. Last month's Prix Rothschild first and second Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot) and January (Kingman) are set to renew rivalry in the one-mile contest with James Doyle aboard the Wathnan Racing contender and Christophe Soumillon on duty for the latter. Coronation Stakes heroine and Nassau Stakes runner-up Cercene (Australia) has been ridden by Gary Carroll in all eight career starts and the Kildare native maintains his association with the Joseph Murphy trainee. The post Marquand Set for Scandinavia Ride in the St Leger, Soumillon at Leopardstown for Delacroix appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The dust is settling on a big opening week of the 2025-26 Hong Kong racing season and it seemed like as good a time as any to run through a few things to look out for this term. The return of the Warrior It’s now been over five months since Romantic Warrior raced and the clock is ticking if trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing wants to get the world’s highest-earning racehorse ready for a tilt at a fourth straight Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) victory in December. Last seen running a brave second in...View the full article

Chris So Wai-yin has high hopes that Lightness Of Music can make a winning return at Sha Tin on Sunday despite fearing the exciting debut winner might need further than 1,000m. One of several progressive youngsters unveiled by So last season, Lightness Of Music backed up his strong trial form to cruise to a two-length success up the straight in June. The performance left a lasting impression on So and champion jockey Zac Purton, who teams up again with the now four-year-old in Sunday’s Class...View the full article

Jamie Richards’ stable stocks continued to rise at Happy Valley on Wednesday night after the New Zealand trainer slotted his second double in two meetings as Storming Dragon (Star Turn) claimed joint leadership of the HK$1.5 million DBS x Manulife Million Challenge. Fresh from a brace at the season-opening fixture at Sha Tin on Sunday, Richards struck with Storming Dragon and To Infinity (NZ) (Darci Brahma) to erase the memories of a challenging 2024/25 campaign when he saddled 21 winners. “It’s incredible. We had 21 winners for the whole of last season and now we’ve had four winners in two meetings,” Richards said after Brenton Avdulla drove Storming Dragon to an emphatic victory in the Class 3 Wan Chai Handicap (1200m). “I’m very, very happy. It’s quite hard to explain, really. To Infinity was a bit of a surprise but Storming Dragon had run consistently well all last season, and he trialled well behind Ka Ying Rising and My Wish and Brenton gave him a lovely ride. “It’s a wonderful start to the season for the whole team and I must thank them for all the work they’ve done in the off-season.” To Infinity won the second section of the Class 4 Kwun Tong Handicap (1650m) under Alexis Badel for Richards, securing his seventh course and distance success. Bred by The Oaks Stud, To Infinity was purchased after a trial placing in New Zealand, while Storming Dragon is another graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, purchased for $330,000 by Richards and Andrew Williams from the draft of Kilgravin Lodge. Earning a maximum 15 points for the win in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, Storming Dragon shares early leadership with Danny Shum’s Wrote A New Page (NZ) (Wrote), who slotted his third win in a row with a typically gritty performance in the Class 3 Central Handicap (1650m) under Harry Bentley. Having lost touch with leader Highland Rahy on the home turn after sitting second in the run, Wrote A New Page responded with trademark application to wear down the race favourite. “It was a tough effort. I really liked him last season but was always conscious of the fact he grinds out his races and he’s got stamina in bags,” Bentley said. “At the top of the straight, Highland Rahy put a good bit of distance between the two of us and I thought it was a lot to claw back. “But his stamina kicked in and saw him through and there should be more with this horse. He’s a bit unearthed. I feel he’s one of those horses where you are always scratching away at the surface and finding a little more each time. “I’m not sure where his top is at the moment but, for me, he’s just going to be a better horse over long distance.” Wrote A New Page was purchased by Sammy Ma for $75,000 from the Karaka yearling draft of Highview Stud. View the full article

An Australian winter spell has agreed with Group One winner Pier (NZ) (Proisir), who is set to kick-off his spring preparation in the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The six-year-old son of Proisir performed with distinction in Brisbane earlier this year, placing in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) before winning the Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m), and enjoyed some downtime in the warmer climes of Queensland. Trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have been pleased with the way he has returned, with the gelding undertaking his early preparation in Queensland before joining Darryn Weatherley in Sydney where he finished runner-up in his 790m trial at Warwick Farm last week. “He spelled and pre-trained up in Brisbane, so he has been over here the whole time,” Darryn Weatherley said. “He has settled in at Warwick Farm really well, is eating well and working well. He trialled up really well, I am very pleased with him.” While pleased with his charge ahead of his first-up run, Weatherley said the wet weather in Sydney may hamper his chances this weekend. “He is looking good and whatever he does on Saturday he will improve on. He will be in need of the run,” he said. “They have had quite a bit of rain over here so that track is going to be a little bit testing. He handles all types of footing, but it just may be a bit too testing for his fitness.” Weatherley has some lofty ambitions with Pier this spring, with the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) his next target, and his performance in that race will dictate whether they press on towards the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley next month. “I am really happy with the was he is,” Weatherley said. “I would just like to see him run a nice race and give us confidence going into the next run, which is the Epsom, which he will be spot on for. “His form will dictate where he goes. If he runs a battling 12th in the Epsom, you wouldn’t want to be putting him on a float to take on Via Sistina in the Cox Plate. He would have to be pretty competitive in a race like the Epsom to warrant going to Melbourne.” Meanwhile, back in New Zealand, stablemate Mali Ston (NZ) (El Roca) will be on trial for an elite-level assignment when he heads to Te Rapa on Sunday to contest the Power Farming – We Keep You Growing 1200. The Group One performer disappointed when finishing 11th in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at the Hamilton track last month, and Weatherley is hoping for an improved showing from the eight-year-old gelding this weekend. “He was a little bit disappointing in the Foxbridge Plate at first glance but being that little bit older he probably needed it,” he said. “We are going back to 1200m, he is probably ready for a 1400m, but if they are getting the rain, a 1200m will be like a 1400m. He has got a lot of weight to carry (62kg) and we have elected to go with a claim with Ashlee Strawbridge (apprentice jockey). “It would be nice to see him hit the line and tell us that he still wants to be there because I know he certainly has got the ability, but as they get older and whether he is as genuine as he used to be, that is also a bit of a question mark, so I am looking forward to watching him on Sunday.” Mali Ston holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) later this month, but Weatherley said those plans are reliant on Sunday’s performance. “It is still in the mix, but for him to go there he will need to win and win impressively,” he said. On Friday at Matamata, his half-sister Nasha Mala (NZ) (Proisir) will be out to break through for her maiden win in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1400m). “She just needs a bit of luck in the running,” Weatherley said. “She has had a couple of hard runs in her last campaign and she probably isn’t blessed with the same ability as Mali Ston, but I think she has got a win in her somewhere.” View the full article

Jamie Richards is off to a flyer in Hong Kong, training 4 winners from 7 runners. Richards says “The success couldn’t have come at a better time”. Listen Here : Jamie Richards 11.09.2025 View the full article

The curtain has come down on the career of champion jumper The Cossack (NZ) (The Cossack). A winner of 15 jumping races, The Cossack returned this season after sustaining a suspensory ligament injury that he suffered just days out from last year’s Grand National Steeplechase (5500m), but after fourth placed efforts in the Wellington Steeplechase (4900m) and Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m), his trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal decided he had nothing left to prove. “We’d been talking about it and he hadn’t been performing quite as well this season as he had done, so we were very cautious of him going out and finishing on a low point, having been such a great performer,” Nelson said. “We were happy to finish with the Pakuranga, he possibly doesn’t handle 6400m on a Heavy track as well, which we would probably get in the Northern.” Bred and initially raced by Ivan Grieve, the son of Mastercraftsman commenced his career in the care of John Bary, who prepared him to two victories on the flat and a fourth placing in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m). Late in the 2018/19 season, The Cossack stepped out over fences for the first time, and on the recommendation of top hoop Aaron Kuru, Nelson decided to purchase the promising gelding for $30,000, alongside Ivan’s brother Peter and nephew Chief Stipe Grieve, and John Frizzell. Nelson and McDougal took over The Cossack’s training and he rose rapidly through the ranks in his second season hurdling, culminating in his first prestige success in the Great Northern Hurdle (4190m) at Ellerslie. While he was still a relatively inexperienced jumper, that first Northern crown and what followed came as no surprise to Nelson. “Aaron Kuru schooled him over jumps and he recommended him to us, he thought he felt the goods,” he said. “He ran second in his first hurdle start for us, then won two hurdle races at Te Aroha by 19 and 20 lengths, so we knew from there that he was a pretty fair horse. “After that first Northern, he won another eight jumping races in a row, as well as the Road to the Jericho. “We just looked forward to the next race with a horse like him.” Among his nine-straight jumping victories was the Waikato Hurdle (3200m), Wellington Hurdle (3100m), Grand National Hurdles (4200m), a second Great Northern Hurdle (4200m), KS Browne Hurdle (3100m) and Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m), nearly the complete set of New Zealand’s prestige hurdle races. “He always gave 100 percent every time,” Nelson said. “Although he could be hard to settle early in his races, when he did settle, you could ride forward or back, it didn’t matter, and he could sprint at the end of these races if he needed to.” After his Hawke’s Bay win, Nelson and McDougal decided to test The Cossack across the Tasman, and despite carrying six kilos more than the winner, he came agonisingly close to claiming the Australian Grand National Steeplechase (4500m), going down by a short head to St Arnicca (Canford Cliffs). “We wanted to have a try, but unfortunately he was so high in his hurdle rating, so when he ran in the Grand National Hurdles, he was weighted well above any other horse over there,” Nelson said. “He lost a point or two for running fifth, but in Australia, they don’t have separate ratings for hurdles and steeples, so he was only having his second steeplechase start in the Grand National Steeples there and carried topweight. “I don’t think that system is doing the jumping in Australia any good because the good hurdlers are so high in the handicap so they don’t convert to steeplechasing. Whereas in New Zealand, a good hurdler can go out on the minimum in a maiden steeplechase, and move up the ratings accordingly, as he was able to here. “It was pretty tough on him, but he ran a hell of a good race and we were very proud of him, as we were every time he raced.” Upon his return to New Zealand, The Cossack continued steeplechasing and added two successive Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) wins, a Pakuranga Hunt Cup and Wellington Steeplechase to his record. The 12-year-old heads into retirement having shown serious versatility, with four wins on the flat, nine over hurdles and six in the steeplechasing role accumulating over $700,000 in stakes. He was twice crowned Champion Jumper at the Horse of the Year Awards and is right up there in the best Nelson has trained. “I couldn’t really pick between him and No Hero, this horse won nine in a row, and No Hero won eight steeplechases in a row,” he said. “I think of them in the same class. “He’ll go out to a nice paddock now for a spell, and after that, we will look for someone that he will suit. He’s not the easiest to ride as he does like sticking his head in the air when it’s time to go so we’ll be careful, but he can have a good rest first. “It’s been a great ride for myself and the owners, he’s a very special horse and provided them with a lot of exciting times.” View the full article

by Jessica Martini, Christina Bossinakis, and Jill Williams LEXINGTON, KY -The only thing that could slow down the momentum of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale was a brief interruption in Wednesday's action when the fire alarms late in the day caused the evacuation of the pavilion. “We joked in the back ring the market was so hot, it set the fire alarms off,” Keeneland's Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said with a chuckle after the dust had settled on another competitive day of bidding at the first of two Book 2 sessions. During the session, 221 yearlings grossed $85,702,000. The average rose 22.02% from last year's opening Book 2 session and the median rose 18.18% to $325,000. At last year's corresponding session, 220 horses sold for $69,917,000 for an average of $317,805 and a median of $275,000. “It was incredible,” Lacy said of Wednesday's market. “I think we knew there was a really, really good group of horses. A lot of these horses who were bringing big money were ones that we were lobbying to get into earlier sessions, so we knew the fire power was still here. And the money was obviously well represented.” With 100 horses reported not sold at the close of business Wednesday night, the buy-back rate for the session was 31.15%. “There is realism in the market as well,” Lacy said, pointing to the buy-back rate. “It was not that it was all easy going. You had to be realistic with your reserves. That's a testament that it's not just people throwing money at stuff. People are doing their homework, they are doing what they feel is their due diligence and they are paying a premium for what they want. Quality is getting rewarded heavily.” Trade was brisk during day three, book 2 | Keeneland Spendthrift Farm purchased the session topper late in the day, going to $1.9 million for a colt by Gun Runner from the Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa consignment. The colt was one of 13 to bring seven figures on the day–up from three at the same session a year ago. “The 13 seven-figure horses were bought by 11 different buyers and they are by 10 different stallions,” said Keeneland Senior Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach. “There is still a great variety of activity here and great variety in the catalogue. Pretty much everybody who was here over the weekend is still here and still hunting and still with money to spend trying to find fast horses. That's really rewarding to us and the whole team at Keeneland.” Wednesday's 13 seven-figure yearlings–a record for an opening Book 2 session–brought the total through three days of the auction to 48, surpassing the auction's previous all-time record of 40 set in 2005. The buzz felt throughout the pavilion and grounds had buyers and sellers reminiscing about another sales era. “It's incredible,” said bloodstock agent Mike Ryan. “I don't think we've seen anything like this since Keeneland July in the '80s with the likes of Sheikh Mohammed and Robert Sangster. I think the strength of the sale will trickle down to the rest of the sale. With the dark day Friday, Saturday's horses will get shopped very well.” Peter O'Callaghan, who sold a $1.3-million son of Jackie's Warrior through his Woods Edge Farm consignment Wednesday, said these home runs are needed for the health of the breeding industry. “Horses like this have to make up for a lot,” O'Callaghan said of the million-dollar yearling. “Big farms like ours, we can't continue to operate unless we get a couple of scores like this. Operational costs are so astronomical now with the payroll, vet bills, stud fees, everything, that if we don't get a couple of scores, we can't continue. That's what we all need. Anybody who gets a score in this game has absolutely earned it.” The Keeneland September sale continues with a final Book 2 session Thursday beginning at 11 a.m. ET. Following a dark day Friday, the auction continues through Sept. 20 with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m. ET. Baffert 'Humbled' as Co-Breeder of $1.9-Million Gun Runner Colt Sold to Spendthrift Bob Baffert is not usually one to be lost for words, but the Hall of Fame trainer admitted he was still processing the experience after watching a Gun Runner (hip 731) colt he co-bred sell for $1.9 million to Spendthrift Farm Wednesday at Keeneland. “I have never been in this situation before,” Baffert said. “I am taking it all in right now.” Baffert trained the session topper's stakes-placed dam Ginja (Quality Road) on behalf of his wife, Jill. The colt was co-bred on a foal share with Three Chimneys' Goncalo Torrealba. “I am not much of a breeder,” Baffert said. “I did it for my wife, Jill. I asked Goncalo if he would do a foal share because I really liked the mare. I have to thank him for doing the foal share, and Hill 'n' Dale for raising him and selling him.” Of his expectations sending the colt through the ring with the Hill 'n' Dale consignment Wednesday, Baffert said, “You never know. It's a crazy sale. Jill is watching and we sold one earlier for $100,000. I thought this one would bring more. But all of a sudden everybody was liking him. I thought maybe $500,000 or something. Jill was very excited about it. She called me up and asked if it was for real.” Ned Toffey with Bob Baffert | Keeneland Jill Baffert was back on the West Coast where her colors were carried to victory in the GI Del Mar Debutante by Bottle of Rouge (Vino Rosso) last Saturday. “Jill has had a good week,” Baffert said with a smile. Baffert's limited breeding program also produced Grade I winner Misremembered (Candy Ride {Arg}), who won the 2010 GI Santa Anita Handicap for Jill Baffert and George Jacobs. “I bred Misremembered and he made $1 million and was a Grade I winner,” Baffert said. “Now I can say I sold a horse for a million dollars. I will just add it to my resume.” Baffert watched the colt sell while sitting alongside Summer Wind Farm's Jane Lyon just a section removed from the Spendthrift team. He spoke briefly with Spendthrift's Ned Toffey after the farm's general manager purchased both his colt and the Summer Wind Farm-bred Flightline colt who sold immediately afterwards. “I said, 'Thank you, Ted,” Baffert joked of the conversation. “He said I could stop by in the spring and see if I want to train him.” Baffert added, “I have to thank Spendthrift and everyone who bid on him. I am very humbled by this moment.” .@spendthriftfarm delivers $1.9 million for a Gun Runner colt, consigned by @HillnDaleFarm! #KeeSept pic.twitter.com/fj4tfVWo2E — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 11, 2025 Baffert sold Ginja, in foal to Coady's Wish, for $290,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale. Meanwhile, Toffey, asked about the session topper, quipped, “I'm a little concerned if Bob is getting rid of him.” Toffey added, “He was a beautiful colt. We thought he was one of the best colts in the sale today. We are really happy to get him because it's been a tough market. Nobody is really stealing much here.” Of plans for the yearling, Toffey said, “He will go to Raul Reyes in Ocala who breaks for us. We generally let them get to where they are breezing in the spring before we make a decision on where it makes sense to send each horse. We've got some good options.” @JessMartiniTDN Gainesway Opens Book 2 with a Bang Antony Beck's Gainesway, which sold nine million-dollar yearlings during Book 1 at Keeneland September, rode the market's momentum into Book 2 with a tour de force day of selling Wednesday. The operation sold three of the day's top five priced lots–led by a $1.4-million homebred son of Curlin (hip 652)–and four of the day's 13 million-dollar yearlings. Gainesway was the session's leading consignor with 30 horses sold for $17,165,000. “I thought we had some good horses,” admitted Gainesway's Brian Graves. “As it turned out, it looks like we had a group that was even more competitive than I thought. It's probably a new record for us for Book 2.” Antony Beck with Mike Ryan | Keeneland In addition to hip 652, Gainesway also sold a colt by Not This Time (hip 480), co-bred with Whisper Hill Farm, LLC, and Graves, for $1.35 million to St. Elias, Albaugh Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Railbirds. Mayberry Farm purchased a Gainesway-consigned colt by Tapit (hip 413), bred by Nick Cosato and Tapit Syndicate, for $1.3 million. Rounding out its four million-dollar yearlings Wednesday, Gainesway sold a colt by Constitution (hip 536) on behalf of Stonestreet for $1 million to Spendthrift Farm. “Every year, you look at them and you divide them by what your eye tells you,” Graves said of placing the farm's yearlings between Books 1 and 2. “You make a split and this year we had a high volume of horses. Obviously, the line was a high one. The horses just fit highly into the book and sold probably even better than anticipated.” $1.4 million in the ring for a Curlin colt from the @Gainesway consignment, purchased by Mike Ryan, agent. pic.twitter.com/EHbiZThsnJ — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 10, 2025 During Book 1, Gainesway sold nine million-dollar yearlings, led by a $2.2-million daughter of Flightline (hip 338). The farm was Book 1's second leading consignor with 28 sold for $23,050,000. Graves added, “I would like to thank all of our clients that trust us with their yearlings and make a day like this possible. I am grateful for each and every one of them.” @JessMartiniTDN Looking for More 'Magic' at Keeneland September In 2017, Good Magic rose to the top of the juvenile division, winning the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables, ultimately garnering the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old. At Keeneland Wednesday afternoon, another chestnut colt by Curlin was among the main attractions, commanding a $1.4 million final bid from Mike Ryan, the very same agent that had extended to seven figures at this venue for Good Magic nine years earlier. “He was a duplicate of Good Magic,” Ryan said. “He has the same size, shape, color, movement and class.” Consigned by Gainesway, Hip 652 is out of the Bernardini mare SW and GISP Cherry Lodge, a half-sister to GI Hollywood Futurity winner Stormello, in addition to GSWs My Best Brother and Gala Award. Canadian champion 2 and 3-year-old filly Curlin's Voyage can also be found under second dam Wilshewed. Cherry Lodge was purchased by Gainesway for $450,000 at KEESEP in 2015. “The Curlin was a gorgeous horse,” said Gainesway's Brian Graves. “He was everything you'd want physically with a good pedigree. He could be a stallion prospect, but I'd say that his price exceeded our expectations.” According to Ryan, the Mar. 30 foal has been purchased on behalf of a partnership that includes Jeffrey Drown, who also campaigned GI Blue Grass and GI Woodward winner Zandon (Upstart), third in the Kentucky Derby. Both Good Magic and Zandon were trained by Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown. “I loved him when I saw him at the farm at Gainesway,” recalled Ryan. “At the time, I said how much he reminded me of Good Magic, who turned out to be a really good sire and a great racehorse. I'm hoping lightening can strike again.”” Ryan continued, “I got a chill when I saw him at the farm. He showed himself very well here and came from a great consignment that raised a lot of good horses. The Good Magic factor is what really sold me. He's so like Good Magic.” Of obvious talent at two, Good Magic extended his form into his sophomore season, winning the GI Haskell Stakes and GII Blue Grass and finishing runner-up behind ultimate Triple Crown winner Justify. Regarding his latest acquisition, Ryan explained, “He'll be a 2-year-old, but he won't be limited to one turn. Good Magic was a very good 2-year-old which had the class to stretch on. This colt is one of the nicest Curlins I've seen in a while. Hopefully, I'm proven right.” Ryan also purchased the colt's full-brother at this venue last year for $700,000. Named Mr. Miracle, the colt is also under the care of Brown. “He hasn't run yet,” said Ryan. “He was ready to run at Saratoga, but had a minor setback and he's back training again. We really like him. So that played into the decision as well.”—CBossTDN Albaugh Partners with West Point, St. Elias on Not This Time at KEESEP For the Albaugh Family Stables, homebred Not This Time (Giant's Causeway) showed a world of ability on the racetrack at two, including a win in the GIII Iroquois Stakes and a close-up second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, but sadly, never had the opportunity to realize his full racing potential after being forced into retirement after the World Championships. $1.35-million Not This Time colt (hip 480) | Keeneland What may have seemed a stroke of misfortune for the Albaughs and trainer Dale Romans at the time, has turned into spun gold in the breeding shed, with the striking dark bay ascending to be among the leading stallions in the nation. Clearly sold on the sire, the Albaugh family joined forces with St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and Railbirds to secure a colt by the Taylor Made sire for $1.35 million during Wednesday's Book 2 opener at Keeneland. It was the fourth highest-priced yearling by the sire at Keeneland through three days of selling. Offered as Hip 480 by Gainesway, the Apr. 8 foal is out of Ridingwiththedevil (Candy Ride {Arg}), making him a half-brother to MGISW Reinvestment Risk (Upstart). “By Not This Time, we own the horse, and it means so much to us that we thought this [colt] was the best one–the best Not This Time of the sale,” said Albaugh Stables' Jason Loutsch. “It's a great cross with Candy Ride, so we're really excited for the opportunity to partner up with Vinnie [Viola] and West Point. Couldn't be more happy to get the colt.” Asked about what Not This Time has meant to the Albaugh family, Dennis Albaugh explained, “He's unbelievable. We couldn't be happier.” “We started him out way young,” he recalled. “He's a homebred, so we raised him out of our mare, [GSW] Miss Macy Sue [Trippi], too. Now to come to the sale and see Not This Time just routinely going for high prices. The only negative is we're trying to buy them! And now we're having to pay up on our own bloodstock. It couldn't be better and we are very fortunate.” Jason Loutsch and Dennis Albaugh | Keeneland The chestnut was bred by a partnership of Whisper Hill Farm, Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Brian Graves. Gainesway secured Ridingwiththedevil–in foal to Practical Joke–for $210,000 at Fasig-Tipton November in 2022. A total of 11 yearlings by Not This Time sold for $7,790,000, averaging $708,182 Wednesday. The media was $700,000. “The versatility of [Not This Time's offspring], they run on everything, every distance,” said Albaugh's son-in-law, Loutsch. “That's what is so important to all these buyers. If they don't run on dirt, try them on turf–they are all going to run. We can't be more proud of them.”—CBossTDN Tapit Colt to C R K Stable The Keeneland September sale produced its 36th million-dollar yearling when April Mayberry, bidding on behalf of CRK Stable's Lee Searing, went to $1.3 million to acquire a colt by Tapit (hip 413) from the Gainesway consignment early in Wednesday's third session of the auction. “April Mayberry and her staff loved that horse,” Searing said of the purchase. “They had been looking at him for a couple of days. So we got here and loved that horse.” Searing said he knew he was going up against some big guns bidding on the half-brother to Grade I winner Drain the Clock (Maclean's Music). “When it stopped at $1.15 and we knew it was Spendthrift, I was surprised they stopped,” Searing said. “I was about where I was going to stop, but we threw a few more bids in there and it worked.” The gray colt is out of Manki (Arch) and was bred by Nick Cosato and Tapit Syndicate. Cosato also bred Drain the Clock and his Slam Dunk Racing was co-owner of the chestnut who won the 2021 GI Woody Stephens Stakes and now resides at Gainesway. Searing was hoping to be active in Book 2 after making one purchase during the auction's boutique Book 1. “We bought one horse in Book 1,” he said. “Book 1 was more money than I think most people imagined. But Book 2 has always been really good. So we are here to buy more horses. We are specifically looking right now for colts. We have a lot of fillies, raced a lot of good fillies, too, this year.” @JessMartiniTDN 'Very Special Horse': $1.3-Million Jackie's Warrior Colt Rewards O'Callaghan's Faith After Peter O'Callaghan paid $385,000 for a colt from the first crop of Jackie's Warrior at last year's Keeneland November sale, the horseman admitted, “It was a ridiculous amount of money for him last November. My parents told me I was a crazy man. And I have been sweating it all the year.” It all came right in spades Wednesday at Keeneland when the colt (hip 546) sold for $1.3 million to the bid of Jacob West, acting on behalf of Robert and Lawana Low. $1.3-million Jackie's Warrior colt (Hip 546) | Keeneland “He was a very special horse,” O'Callaghan recalled of his early impressions of the bay. “In my personal opinion, he was the best foal in the whole November sale last year. I overpaid for him at the time, for a freshman sire, but I wasn't leaving the sale without him. He was a special individual–the athleticism, the natural strength of him and his conformation was flawless. He had a beautiful head and expression. And everything moved. He took one step and he was halfway down the lane. Those kinds of horses are hard to come by.” The yearling, bred by Dixiana Farm, is out of Taking Aim (Trappe Shot) and is a half-brother to graded winner Taking Candy (Twirling Candy) and graded-placed Rascality (Into Mischief). Taking Aim is a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Tapizar (Tapit). “He came back a spectacular animal,” O'Callaghan said. “He was not in his stall for two days. He walked up and down there like a champion every time. He had absolutely bottomless energy. Not many have that. We are extremely grateful to Jacob West and Mr. and Mrs. Low for buying him. And all of the people who were interested in him. It is a privilege for us when we bring a horse to sale and so many people like him.” @JessMartiniTDN 30 Minutes of the Best Kind of Fun for McDonald The principal of Eaton Sales, accustomed to seeing top horses pass through his consignment, had two seven-figure yearlings in a short time Wednesday, but wasn't about to rest on any laurels. “I'll take more,” said Eaton's Reiley McDonald. “You never really know if you have a seven-figure horse until it goes through the ring.” Hip 522, the first of Eaton's two millionaires in the first session of Book 2, is a chestnut colt by Not This Time out of MSW & GSP Stageplay (Curlin). Bred by Mike G. Rutherford in Kentucky, the April colt sold for $1.2 million to Repole Stable and Delta Squad Racing. McDonald was full of praise for the colt. $1.2-million Not This Time colt (hip 522) | Photographer “He's just an extraordinarily good-looking horse,” he said. “I think if you took that horse and took a picture, that could be the one in the conformation book for people to study to see what a profile should look like. Beautiful neck, great shoulder, perfect length, good hip, great mover. Just all the quality in the world to be around.” McDonald thinks the colt has a big future. “He's just a really, really good physical,” said McDonald. “We're talking sire right now.” Just 30 minutes later, McDonald got a second millionaire on the day when hip 544, a bay colt by Good Magic out of Tactical Range (Union Rags) brought $1 million when selling to Donato Lanni, agent for SF Racing/Starlight/Madaket. Bred by Perrine Time Thoroughbreds, the colt was a pinhook, having gone through the Keeneland November ring last November for $275,000 when picked up by BT Stables. “This one was just a beautiful colt,” said McDonald. “Everybody that saw him loved him. Great mover, beautiful neck and shoulder, average length. Big, big walker and just a lovely horse.” Like several others around the sales pavilion, McDonald commented on the positive market. “It's a good market and fortunately we brought two good horses to the right spot.” ––JillWilliamsTDN Hugo Merry Goes to $1.175M for Ghostzapper Half to Late Ruling Court In 2023, Nursery Place brought a Justify yearling to this sale who was purchased for $150,000, pinhooked to the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale for €2.3 million, and went on to win the 2,000 Guineas. It's a success story only tempered by news two weeks ago that Ruling Court has since been euthanized following complications from laminitis. Wednesday, consigner Nursery Place was back late in the session with a Ghostzapper half-sister to Ruling Court, and was rewarded by a prolonged bidding war that saw Hugo Merry Bloodstock sign the ticket for $1.175 million. Bred in Kentucky by Nursery Place, Manfuso, and Wilhite, the daughter of Inchargeofme (High Chaparral {Ire}) was sold as hip 762. “I knew there was a lot of interest in her and it was frustrating me because I didn't want to go anything like that sort of money,” said Merry, “but it's what the market is today, isn't it? It's an extraordinary market. It feels like the 80s, when I was very young here.” Merry bought the bay filly on behalf of Imad Al Sagar's Blue Diamond Stud, which added Stonereath Farm near Paris, Kentucky to his portfolio in 2023. Griffin Mayer and Hugo Merry | Keeneland “This filly will probably go to Europe to race where he's got another farm and where he's a very successful breeder and owner,” said Merry, who added that Al Sagar usually uses John Gosden and Andre Fabre as trainers. “Imad is a very brave man and he's a very successful owner. He owned Authorized, who won the Derby. Nashwa is his most recent top, top filly and hopefully this one will live up to her price.” When asked about the Ghostzapper filly, Merry said, “She is just a very sweet filly who is a beautiful horse. Ghostzapper gets some turf horses and we thought she was a very nice, lovely, balanced filly and hopefully would work in both America and Europe.” He continued: “Also, she's a half to a Classic winner by a tremendous broodmare sire, so for a breeder like him there's a lot of residual value there.” Merry said this filly was the only yearling he'd been able to purchase over the three days of the sale so far. He'd been beaten out on several others and said it was “very tough” to successfully buy a good horse this week, but he was delighted to get this one for Blue Diamond. “[Al Sagar] is very committed to the business, loves the business, and hopefully he's got many years and a lot of success ahead, otherwise I'm going to get the boot,” Merry said with a laugh. The 25-year-old Ghostzapper, who most recently stood in 2024 in Kentucky at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, spent the 2025 season at Adena Springs North covering a limited book of mares. He's had a resurgence of sorts these last few years, winning Breeders' Cup races the last three years running with Goodnight Olive and Moira. ––JillWilliamsTDN Tom Ryan's Team gets a Repeat of Last Year with Nyquist Colt When Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket, signed for a Nyquist colt Wednesday out of SP Velvet Sister (Bernardini) for $1.05 million Wednesday, it may have sparked a little bit of deja vu for SF Racing's Tom Ryan. “We bought a beautiful colt by Nyquist here last year called Kristofferson that we're very excited about,” said Ryan. The team had gone to $1.15 million for Kristofferson a year ago, now a winner at Del Mar in his only start Aug. 31. The group's other Nyquist purchase at last year's edition of this sale is named Taj Mahal and has not yet seen the starting gate in the afternoon. The group paid $525,000 for him. This year's Nyquist yearling is a bay colt consigned by Summerfield. Sold as hip 573, he was bred by Stonestreet. “He's bred and raised the right way,” said Ryan. “A Stonestreet colt by Nyquist, looks very fast. We've seen it with [Baoma Corp's 'TDN Rising Star', MGSW, & GISP] Nysos: Nyquist can really produce brilliance. Nyquist to us is a very elite stallion and we're happy to be involved.” He continued: “[Hip 573] is a horse that has to jump through a lot of hoops. One, [bloodstock agent] Donato [Lanni] needs to like him. Two, [Hall of Fame trainer] Bob [Baffert] needs to get there. He's a colt that met all the criteria that we've put in place.” The SF Racing, Starlight, and Madaket partnership closed out Wednesday with 10 yearlings purchased over the first three sessions of the September sale. Their purchases included a Good Magic colt (hip 544), who brought $1 million, and two $900,000 colts by Gun Runner, including a son of multiple champion Songbird (hip 128). “It's been a great market here the last couple of days,” said Ryan. “We feel fortunate to be on the board again, so we'll keep rolling.” ––JillWilliamsTDN Lael Remains Active at Keeneland Wednesday Gun Runner continued to be popular at Keeneland this week, with a filly out of SW Stronger Than Ever (Congrats) bringing $950,000 from agent Chief Stipe Cauthen, acting on behalf of Roy and Gretchen Jackson's Lael Stables. The filly named One Family Strong was the sole purchase for the Jacksons in the Book 2 opener. Consigned by Gainesway, Hip 536 is a full-sister to MSP Denington. This represents the family of GI Hollywood Gold Cup winner Rail Trip. The Apr. 19 foal was bred by GRS, Fern Circle Stables and Magdalena Racing. A $310,000 purchase at Keeneland September in 2016, Stronger Than Ever–in foal to Candy Ride (Arg)–RNA'd for $285,000 at Keeneland last November. $950k One Family Strong (Hip 536) | Keeneland “It was a foal share,” confirmed Cauthen. “I've been fortunate enough to see her a couple of times and just the development she's had even in the last month has been pretty tremendous.” He added, “She's by a great sire…she just moved so well, she was kind of the top filly for the Jacksons today.” Pointing to the stalwart Three Chimneys sire, Cauthen explained, “He gets runners of all shapes and sizes. They all walk, they all move well and they've got great minds. He can get a sprinter type, he can get a two-turn type, and he can get a turf horse. It's kind of amazing. Obviously, he's known in the U.S. for dirt horses, but we think he can do anything. The Jacksons wanted to pick up some Gun Runners, so it worked out well.” In Book 1, the Jacksons purchased a filly by Practical Joke out of Collegeville Girl (Hip 285) for $975,000, in addition to a colt by Speightstown out of Golden Review (Hip 344) for $750,000. “It's pretty crazy wild. It's very strong,” said Cauthen of the sale's activity thus far. “But I just heard somebody saying that you have to participate in the market that you're in and it's a really strong market so you have to adjust your expectations.”—CBossTDN After a Scare, Candy Ride Filly Gives Penns a Career High Kendra Penn and her husband Alex enjoyed their biggest sales success as breeders when a filly by Candy Ride (Arg) (hip 493) sold for $900,000 to the bid of Pin Oak Stud Wednesday at Keeneland, but the path to the sales ring was anything but smooth sailing. “Something spooked her and she just went flying backwards and reared up and landed by the tree and then she got up and leapt backwards again. And I went down,” Kendra Penn, sporting ripped jeans and skinned arms, recalled of the walk from Penn Sales's barn 28 to the sales pavilion. Of her thoughts as the filly careened through the Keeneland backstretch, Penn smiled and said, “Don't let go. I can't let go. Stop baby.” The yearling did indeed stop and made her way to the sales ring without further incident. She even earned a big kiss from Penn after the hammer fell. “The reserve was $200,000,” Penn said. “We thought she would do better than that, but we can't afford to push them. We are not in the market to race. We had all of the right people on her. She had shown lights out for the last four days and every day just kept working harder and harder. I walked over 22 miles in four days showing her. Every time, she came out a class act and put on a show.” $900k Candy Ride filly (Hip 493) | Keeneland Alex and Kendra Penn, who have six or seven broodmares, purchased the yearling's dam, Seeking a Star (Pioneerof the Nile), for $25,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November sale. “This is the third filly we have out of that mare,” Penn said. “And they are all the same. They will work so hard for you. My husband and I and his dad, we do everything ourselves. We have all been there from the time they are born. We are there every day. And they work so hard for you, but they are very tough. There is no forcing them to do anything. They do things out of kindness and out of respect. “This filly got really tired yesterday morning showing and somebody came up and started loving on her and she flipped that switch back on and went back to work for the rest of the day. When they work that hard for you, you just hope the next person can realize that and foster that and let it take off. The goal is to give them the best chance. We take a lot of pride in raising a good and sound horse and a respectful horse, too. And hope they go on and the next person can go and do the same.” Penn said Wednesday's career high hadn't quite set in yet and she was trying to keep an even keel in the face of all the peaks and valleys the breeding game can throw at you. “This game has a lot of lows and we've had a lot of lows this year,” she said. “So honestly, it hasn't set in because you have to keep the emotions in check. We lost a full-sister to this filly in a paddock accident in the spring. So I told her, 'You have to bring enough for you and your sissie.' It's heartbreaking to not have a Candy Ride again next year.” On the peaks side of things, Seeking a Star is back in foal to Forte and her yearling half-sister is shaped with promise. “I hope she goes on and Pin Oak can go all the way with her,” Penn said. @JessMartiniTDN NOTHING BUT NET Constitution Colt a Home Run for Bregman Alex Bregman may have been on the West Coast for his day job as third baseman for the Boston Red Sox, but he was well represented at the Keeneland September sale where his homebred Constitution colt (hip 519) sold for $775,000 to D J Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds. The yearling is the first foal out of Spare Cash (Quality Road), a mare the Bregman family acquired for $240,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale. “The Bregman family bought Spare Cash as a maiden,” Bregman's advisor Mike Akers said. “The Klein family of Louisville raced that entire family and it was very sound and there were lots of good racehorses in there.” Spare Cash, who failed to win in eight lifetime starts, is a daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Cash Control (Pioneerof the Nile). The yearling's third dam is graded winner Hidden Assets (Mt. Livermore). Of expectations for the mare's first foal, Akers said, “We were hoping that $500,000 was a nice round number. And it hung around that for 30 seconds and then it took off again. We are very happy with that result. That can be a 'Nothing But Net,' for sure.” The 7-year-old Spare Cash produced a colt by Into Mischief this year and was bred back to the Spendthrift stallion. “Obviously, she is throwing nice foals,” Akers said. Bregman has been slowly building a broodmare band and will be picking spots to race or sell his foals. “We are building a broodmare band for Alex to race and sell out of and we are looking at different strategies,” Akers said. “I think he could offer them all for sale and play it from there. I think that's a good way to approach it.” Akers continued, “Right now, Alex has seven mares, six pregnant, and we have a couple of stakes fillies that will probably come in eventually. The plan is to build the band by racing nice fillies and buying the occasional broodmare or broodmare prospect and to build a breeding stock base that he can have long term to race or sell out of.” Bregman is currently in the midst of his first season playing for the Red Sox, who sat in third-place Wednesday morning in a tight battle in the American League East. “Right now, he is totally locked in on getting Boston into the playoffs,” Akers said of Bregman. “He loves Boston.” @JessMartiniTDN The facts and figures through Session 3 of The World's Yearling Sale. #KeeSept pic.twitter.com/qSOKMTugV5 — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 11, 2025 The post Keeneland Bonanza Continues Into Book 2; $1.9-Million Gun Runner Leads The Way appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cambridge Stud mare Joliestar (Zoustar) has been locked in for next month’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m) following slot holder Chris Waller Racing and Partners announcement that she will be their representative in this year’s edition. It will be the second consecutive year the Group One-winning daughter of Zoustar has represented the Chris Waller Racing and Partners slot, having finished seventh in last year’s running. Joliestar has been all class on the track since that run, winning the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Gr.1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m), and runner-up in the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) behind Kiwi-bred Jimmysstar, who will also line-up in The Everest. Trainer Chris Waller has been pleased with her progression and is excited to test her talent in the world’s richest turf race once more. “She’s just gone from strength-to-strength,” he said. “What she did in the Newmarket was exceptional, and to back it up in Brisbane shows the quality she possesses. “She’s matured beautifully and we couldn’t be more excited to have her back for The Everest.” Cambridge Stud principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay are pleased to renew their association with the slot holders and they are looking forward to seeing their mare take on the world’s best sprinters next month. “Joliestar means a great deal to us,” Sir Brendan Lindsay said. “She’s not only flying the flag for Cambridge Stud in Australia, but she’s also building a legacy that will one day return home with her to New Zealand. “She had already achieved so much early in her career, but now she’s elevating herself into that top echelon, arguably one of Australia’s best sprinters. To see her represent our farm on a stage like The Everest is incredibly special.” Joliestar will begin her preparation towards The Everest in the Gr.2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday, a race she placed in last year. “Zac Lloyd has ridden her before when second in the All Aged Stakes,” Waller said. “She has come back really well and it’s a nice starting point.” Joliestar becomes the third Kiwi connected contender for next month’s The Everest, with New Zealand-breds Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) and Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) set to represent the Hong Kong Jockey Club and TAB slots respectively. View the full article

Thursday, Doncaster, post time: 15:00, THE BETFRED PARK HILL FILLIES' STAKES-G2, £150,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 14f 115yT Field: Chorus (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Danielle (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), Elana Osario (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Queens Fort (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), Santorini Star (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}), Strassia (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), Zilfee (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Consent (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Crepe Suzette (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Floresta (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}), Secret Of Love (GB) (Sea The Monn {Ger}). TDN Verdict: Connections of Danielle will be hoping it gets softer for the Lillie Langtry runner-up, who is a different kettle of fish altogether when it rains. Sir Mark Prescott will have a plan in mind for the Prix Lady O'Reilly runner-up Consent now that she has hit her stride and three-year-olds have a fine record in this “Fillies' St Leger”, having won the last five runnings. With the Give Thanks winner Elana Osario and Enable's half-sister Zilfee engaged, this is a fascinating affair with plenty of intrigue. [Tom Frary]. Thursday, Doncaster, post time: 14:25, THE BETFRED MAY HILL STAKES-G2, £120,000, 2yo, f, 8fT Field: Aylin (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Moon Target (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), Pacific Mission (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Rose Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Samra Green (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Sugar Island (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Swift Winds (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Timeforshowcasing (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), Venetian Lace (Ire) (Masar {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Sir Mark Prescott was notably disappointed that Moon Target met with defeat in the Prestige last month and will be expecting her to make amends here, with Aylin re-opposing having chased her home at Goodwood. Aidan O'Brien collected the Prestige and supplies Sugar Island, who interestingly is out quickly after failing to meet expectations in the Flame of Tara, while Rose Ghaiyyath has her debut in Britain having made an unusual start to her career when winning Deauville's Arqana Series des Pouliches. [Tom Frary]. Thursday, ParisLongchamp, post time: 16:05, PRIX D'AUMALE-G2, €119,000, 2yo, 8fT Field: Narissa (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Princess Petrol (GB) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Clea Chope (Fr) (Muhaarar {GB}), Madame Ly (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Green Spirit (Kingman {GB}). TDN Verdict: Christopher Head, successful in the 2023 and 2024 editions of this contest, sends forth likely favourite Green Spirit, who finished two places and just over 1 1/2 lengths in front of TDN Rising Star Narissa in last month's G3 Prix Six Perfections. July's Listed Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles victrix Clea Chope was last of eight, just under 3 1/2 lengths behind Green Spirit, in that seven-furlong Deauville contest and needs to find improvement here. Ed Walker trainee Princess Petrol was denied by a neck in Newmarket's G3 Sweet Solera last month and is the lone overseas contender, while Chantilly claiming winner Madame Ly completes the five-strong field. [Sean Cronin]. Thursday, ParisLongchamp, post time: 15:30, Prix La Rochette-G3, €73,200, 2yo, 7fT Field: Vardif (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Komorebi (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Kenzel (Ire) (Zelzal {Fr}), Nighttime (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). TDN Verdict: Small fields are the order of the day in France and another Christopher Head representative, Nighttime, will bid to add to the trainer's wins in 2022 and 2024. The Alain and Gerard Wertheimer homebred is the only contender with black type and comes back off a clear-cut success in July's Listed Prix Roland de Chambure. Andre Fabre has eight victories in the books, but none since Visionario prevailed in 2006, and relies on Godolphin's dual winner Komorebi to rediscover his mojo in this event. Champion trainer-elect Francis Graffard saddles Chantilly conditions winner Vardif in what will surely become a tactical affair, while Christophe Ferland trainee and dual winner Kenzel is better than a seventh-of-seven finish in last month's G3 Prix Francois Boutin. [Sean Cronin]. Thursday, ParisLongchamp, post time 18:35, PRIX GLADIATEUR-G3, €73,200, 4yo/up, 15 1/2fT Field: Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), Goya Senor (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}), Bel Et Bien (Fr) (Hunter's Light {Ire}), Coetzee (Frankel {GB}), Mr Diafoirus (Sir Percy {GB}). TDN Verdict: Double Major is pointing towards an unprecedented treble in next month's G1 Prix Royal-Oak and appears to have this marathon at his mercy. He defeated Goya Senora for a second straight year in the recent G2 Prix Kergorlay and should confirm form again. Goya Senora finished ahead of Coetzee and Mr Diafoirus in a Dieppe conditions heat at the end of July, while dual Listed winner Bel Et Bien should not be discounted coming back off a close-up third in June's Listed Prix Moskowa. [Sean Cronin]. Friday, Doncaster, post time: 15:00, THE BETFRED HOWARD WRIGHT DONCASTER CUP-G2, £150,000, 3yo/up, 17f 197yT Field: Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Hipop De Loire (Fr) (American Post {GB}), Kyle Of Lochalsh (GB) (Highland Reel {Ire}), Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Tashkhan (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}), Oxford Comma (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Pendragon (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). TDN Verdict: Last year's winner Sweet William remains in good heart and is the obvious choice, but there is a chance that proper Group 1 horse Sunway could enjoy this extreme trip at the track at which he was third in the St Leger 12 months ago. Sir Mark Prescott saddles the only three-year-old and while Pendragon has improvement to find, he has a healthy weight-for-age advantage over what amount to largely beatable older horses. The trainer exploited it with the filly Alleluia in 2001, so knows what it takes. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Doncaster, post time: 14:25, THE CARLSBERG DANISH PILSNER FLYING CHILDERS STAKES-G2, £130,000, 2yo, 5f 3yT Field: Dickensian (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Exclamation (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Havana Hurricane (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}), Kansas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Military Code (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Mission Central (Ire) (No Nay Never), Argentine Tango (GB) (Mattmu {GB}), Killavia (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Lady Iman (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Palmeira (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Revival Power (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}). TDN Verdict: Ballydoyle's Round Tower winner Mission Central goes again and Aidan O'Brien sees no issue with the drop back to five, but he won't be able to dominate the Molecomb winner Lady Iman over this trip if she is over her Nunthorpe experience. Revival Power beat Military Code in the Listed Roses Stakes over York's flat, fast five and should be equally suited by this track, while the Windsor Castle one-two Havana Hurricane and Dickensian are no back-numbers with plenty of experience to draw on. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Salisbury, post time: 15:25, THE IRE-INCENTIVE, IT PAYS TO BUY IRISH DICK POOLE FILLIES' STAKES-G3, £45,000, 2yo, f, 6fT Field: Anthelia (Ire) (Supremacy {Ire}), Awaken (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Azleet (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), Bella Lyra (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Dandana (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), Flowerhead (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Golden Palace (GB) (Palace Pier {Ire}), Orion's Belt (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Ourbren (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Planet Seeker (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), Reimagined (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Spinning Lizzie (GB) (Kameko), Vishaka (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Rescheduled from last week, this features the Albany runner-up Awaken, who has since shed her maiden status at Leicester and will be a warm order. Also in the mix is the Queen Mary runner-up Flowerhead, but she hasn't really gone on from Royal Ascot while Jeff Smith's Goodwood maiden winner Planet Seeker could be anything at this stage. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Doncaster, post time: 13:50, THE BETFRED FLYING SCOTSMAN STAKES-Listed, £65,000, 2yo, 7f 6yT Field: Avicenna (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Catullus (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Do Bronxs (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Do Or Do Not (Ire) (Space Blues {Ire}), Electrical (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Frescobaldi (Ire) (No Nay Never), Hankelow (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Northern Champion (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Sir Albert (Ire) (No Nay Never), Sunset On Leros (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}). TDN Verdict: This is a race that has grown in importance in recent years since Frankel made sure it obtained Listed status and the major stables are present with unexposed types with Classic potential. Godolphin's Catullus had it easy at Yarmouth last time, but won't here with the likes of the York winners Hankelow and Frescobaldi and the Arqana Series des Poulains winner Northern Champion. He joins fellow TBT Racing-Ed Walker representative Do Or Do Not who is a rarity as a six-times maiden with four Group 2 placings. [Tom Frary]. Friday, Saint-Cloud, France, post time: 15:28, PRIX TURENNE-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, 12fT Field: Surabad (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Sea Scout (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Prosecutor (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Zarraf (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Gethin (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Maneki (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}), Waldnebel (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), Best Secret (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Owen Burrows trainee Gethin, who boasts a two-for-two record, has not been out since posting a wide-margin win at Newbury in April and puts his unbeaten record on the line in this black-type debut. Fellow British challenger Sea Scout has finished off the board in four stakes starts since annexing Epsom's Listed Blue Riband Trial back in May and comes back off a fourth in last month's Listed Prix Nureyev. Aga Khan Studs representative Surabad finished sixth of six in July's G1 Grand Prix de Paris and the Francis Graffard entry is better judged on his runner-up finish in Chantilly's G3 Prix du Lys and a win in April's Listed Prix de l'Avre. Wathnan Racing's Goodwood handicap winner Best Secret and G1 Deutsches Derby eight Waldnebel offer hope in an open edition, while Prosecutor and Maneki, representing Andre Fabre and Jean-Claude Rouget, merit respect. Zarraf completes the line-up. [Sean Cronin]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Moon Aiming For May Hill Target appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Check out the great racing offers available from horse racing bookmakers on Thursday, September 11. Enjoy bonus back deals and other promotions to boost your betting experience. Explore these specials from top online bookmakers and get more value from your bets. Top Australian racing promotions for September 11, 2025, include: Today’s horse racing promotions Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets. Eligible Customers Only. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo 10% Winnings Boost! – Hawkesbury Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bets only. Max bonus $100. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Thursday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Thursday. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Exotic Boosts Boost your exotics by up to 20%. Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% winnings in cash Max Payout $2000. Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds win bets on Australian thoroughbred races only. Excludes boosted, multi, live and bonus bets. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector | If Your Horse Drifts, You Get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing Fixed Price Win bets placed from 8am AET the day of the race. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au find these racing offers? HorseBetting.com.au reviews Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers to share the best thoroughbred promotions for September 11, 2025. Bookmakers are always competing, so if one doesn’t have a deal, another usually does. Rely on HorseBetting.com.au for daily racing bonuses and betting specials. Get better value with competitive odds and offers for existing customers. Just log in to your betting account to see what’s available. For extra help picking winners and using your bonuses wisely, check out our daily free racing tips. View all horse racing promotions View the full article

After Three Chimneys sensation Gun Runner sired the session toppers of the Keeneland September sale both Monday and Tuesday, he was back at it again Wednesday. With approximately 30 hips left to go, a Gun Runner colt hammered for $1.9 million Wednesday to Spendthrift Farm. Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent, hip 731 is out of stakes-placed Ginga (Quality Road). The mare is a half-sister to 2014 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Top Decile (Congrats), who sold to Shadai Farm for $950,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale. She has since been exported to Japan, where she has produced Danon Decile {Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), a champion in Japan and winner of the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic in Dubai. Trainer Bob Baffert co-bred the colt with GRS. The post Spendthrift Signs for $1.9M Gun Runner Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

George Messina and Michael Lee's Fionn was as game as could be in the $2 million Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational Stakes (G3T) Sept. 10, proving best in an all-out slugfest to the wire with Candy Quest for her third consecutive graded victory.View the full article

With a burst of speed inside the final sixteenth, Fionn (Twirling Candy–Gaelic Gold, by Giant's Causeway) sailed up the rail late and got the money in the GIII Blackwood Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational Stakes at Kentucky Downs on closing day. The Brad Cox trainee was last seen besting top filly Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes at the Spa July 5. Tabbed as the 2-1 second choice here, the dark bay bided her time for most of the race until she started to find her way toward the front from the outside down the lane. Going with Candy Quest (Connect) was a smooth move as the pair fought one another all the way to the wire. Fionn got the better of her rival in the end with a strong surge to seal the deal. The final running time was 2:05.52. Lifetime Record: 8-6-1-1. Sales History: $75,000 '23 KEESEP. O-Messina, George and Lee, Michael; B-Dixiana Farms, LLC (KY); T-Brad Cox. Fionn makes it three in a row in the G3 Dueling Ground Oaks at @kydownsracing for trainer @bradcoxracing with Flavien Prat in the irons! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/yzcQiHdx0e — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) September 10, 2025 The post Twirling Candy’s Fionn Takes Dueling Grounds Oaks At Kentucky Downs On Closing Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner A stern debut test has primed Leithen Louie to show his potential at Ascot Park today. The three-year-old heads to Invercargill for start two after a strong first up fourth at Oamaru for trainer Tony Stratford. Leithen Louie ($1.80FF) was well supported in his debut and is set to start at even shorter odds for start two in the Cruickshank Pryde Supporting NZHAT Mobile Pace (2.21pm). The good news for his supporters who are keen to stick with the progressive pacer on Thursday is that he’s only gotten better. “His run at Oamaru was good and he seems a bit better for it,” Stratford said. “He is going to start pretty short and as we know there are no certainties, but I would like to think he would be hard to beat.” Unbeaten in his trials before his debut, Leithen Louie clearly has plenty of upside. And Stratford’s opinion of the horse reflects that. “He has the breeding there, he’s out of Delight who was a handy mare.” “She’s a sister to Sheriff who won a derby.” “He is just a lovely wee horse and he has got a bit of a future.” Stratford also lines up last-start winner Sky Patrol at Ascot Park on Thursday (4.39pm). The pacer dominated a lower grade field in his last start at Winton when sitting parked throughout to win. “I see they have let him go in the betting a wee bit, I am not sure whether they think it is because he is up in grade.” “He sat parked and won in 1.55 last start and he seems to be improving all the time.” “He has worked terrific this week, probably the draw (7) is the only niggly thing.” Stratford also has Lydah Valley back in action at Ascot Park (1.11pm). The pacer hasn’t trialled or raced since last starting in January. “We think she is forward enough to go a nice race, we have had a bit of success getting them ready at home.” “Training on the track at Gore, you can do that.” “She’s drawn 8 while the favourite is in 1, so that doesn’t help.” “But I think she can go a good race and I don’t think she’s far away from winning in the near future.” Blair Orange takes the reins behind all three Stratford runners on Thursday. View the full article

A colt by Hill 'n' Dale's Curlin out of SW & GISP Cherry Lodge (Bernardini) sold for $1.4 million to Mike Ryan Wednesday during the third session of the Keeneland September yearling sale. Consigned by Gainesway and sold as hip 652, the chestnut was bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD. The March colt's dam is a full-sister to GSW Gala Award and a half-sibling to GISW Stormello (Stormy Atlantic) and to additional GSW My Best Brother (Stormy Atlantic), as well as to the dam of Canadian champion Curlin's Voyage (Curlin). The post Mike Ryan Picks Up Curlin Colt for $1.4 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chris Heyde is the founder of Blue Marble Strategy and is a Washington D.C. lobbyist who has dedicated his career to animal welfare issues. Along the way, he has had some important successes, including effectively ending horse slaughter in the U.S. But one main goal remains and has been elusive. Heyde has been fighting for passage of the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, which would prohibit the slaughter of horses in the U.S. as well as ban the shipping of them to slaughterhouses in the Mexico and Canada. Heyde joined this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland to discuss his work and why it has been so difficult to get the SAFE Act across the goal line. He was the Gainseway Guest of the Week. “It is frustrating because we have done well,” Heyde said. “We've passed it out of the House of Representatives several times. Even in the last Congress, we moved it out of there. It's just kind of getting all of those parts lined up is to get it out of the House and get it out of the Senate. Because if you've ever watched the old Schoolhouse Rock, they always knew it. The Senate was set up to be a lot slower. It's where things kind of get bogged down. They're a little bit more deliberative. “Unfortunately, we've been caught up with that, even though the bills always enjoy strong support,” he said. “I say bills because there have been several over the years. We've tried different committees, different bills, different avenues to get this done. And they've always had support. It's just the frustration that comes with animal issues. Everybody likes them. Everybody supports them. But when it comes down to that last thing, are you going to take the tax break commitment or are you going to try to ban horse slaughter?” He said that one problem is that he does not have anyone with political connections or the wherewithal to make campaign contributions to key U.S. Senators. John Hettinger was his main advocate, but he passed away in 2008. “John Hettinger, he could pick up the phone and he would get members of Congress on the phone or he would get other major business leaders to get on the phone and tell them that this is a priority,” Heyde said. “And that's really what we need. We really haven't kind of had that leadership since John passed away.” When Heyde started his work he would often hear that the end of slaughter would mean thousands of horses would be abandoned and left to walk the streets. That obviously hasn't happened. “When we started this, the excuse we would hear from everybody was, 'My God, there are 400,000 horses (going to slaughter each year),” Heyde said. “'What are you going to do with them all?' And then two years later, oh, there are 200,000 horses. 'What are you going to do with them all?' Now there's around 20,000. 'Oh my God, what are you going to do with them all?' We still hear that. “If that's ultimately an issue, then euthanize them,” Heyde said. “But do it humanely, 99 percent of horse owners do it right. They'll take their horse out and euthanize them, bury them on the property. So it was always just a red herring, because it's a great argument. It's a great way to scare people. I remember our sponsor in Illinois, when we banned (slaughter) in 2007 in that state. He was like, 'My God, you'd think I'm driving down from Chicago to Springfield and horses would be bouncing off the hood of my cars if I'd listened to everybody. Because I saw a lot of cows, but I didn't see any horses. So there isn't an argument put up for this that's justifiable.” The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Post Time (Frosted) a 17-length winner of the Polynesian Stakes at Laurel. He got a 103 Beyer figure. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by 1/ST TV, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association and West Point Thoroughbreds, the team of Bill Finley, Zoe Cadman and Randy Moss wrapped up the Del Mar meet, focusing on the two Grade I's over the weekend, the GI Del Mar Debutante and the GI Del Mar Futurity. As has happened so often, Bob Baffert won both stakes. The team also looked at the overall 2-year-old picture and gave their predictions for which ones have the brightest future. Taped on Tuesday, after the first day of the Keeneland September sale, we looked at the record numbers on the opening night and projected that this, from beginning to end, would be a very strong sale. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To view the show as a podcast, click here. The post Animal Welfare Lobbyist Chris Heyde Joins The TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features the return of a Wootton Bassett 'TDN Rising Star'. 1.50 Doncaster, Cond, 2yo, 6f 111yT BRUSSELS (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) takes a class drop for this Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes in which stablemate Camille Pissarro managed to get beaten 12 months ago before going to win two Group 1s including a Classic. Not one of Ballydoyle's best at present, having been fourth in the July at Newmarket and second in the Listed Churchill Stakes since earning TDN Rising Star status on debut, he has time on his side but this won't be easy given the presence of the Harry's Half Million winner Song Of The Clyde (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev), the G3 Prix de Cabourg winner Tadej (GB) (Ardad {Ire}) and Jel Pepper (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}) who was a place ahead of him in the July. The post Brussels Takes Aim At Valuable Donny Prize appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Next April will bring with it the 30-year anniversary of a notable birth at Iverk House Stud, that of the bay colt by Fairy King who would later deliver the ultimate triumph for a breeder by winning the Derby at Epsom under the name of Oath. To pull it off from a small farm in Piltown, County Kilkenny, which has rarely been home to more than eight active mares at any one time, was quite the feat by Max Morris and his late wife Isabel. Certainly, Max has never been blessed with the weight of numbers of the Aga Khan, the owner-breeder of Daliapour when that horse pushed Oath all the way at Epsom. Nor can he match the might of the Coolmore partners, who between them have won the Derby on 11 further occasions since Galileo gave them their first two years after Oath in 2001. For that reason alone, victory for Iverk House's homebred Furthur in this Saturday's St Leger at Doncaster would mark a stunning return to the Classic stage for Max, not least because Coolmore will have two formidable opponents standing in his way, with their latest Derby hero, Lambourn (Australia), being joined in the line-up by the relentless Goodwood Cup winner Scandinavia (Justify). For Coolmore, it's rare that 26 days go by without a Classic hopeful emerging from the latest intake of Ballydoyle bluebloods. For Max and his second wife, Lyn, they're refusing to take anything for granted as the bid day looms for their beloved son of Waldgeist, 26 years on from the heady days of Oath. “Well, you've just buggered that chance now!” jokes a superstitious Lyn when asked what would it mean for Iverk House to taste Classic glory again all of these years later. “Anyway, it's great to have a runner. I'm looking forward to the build-up to it, but I'll be very nervous on the day.” “It's a huge achievement,” Max chimes in. “And at least we can dream between now and Saturday – that's what it's all about.” Indeed it is, although it seems there wasn't much time for dreaming on a busy Wednesday morning spent in the company of the team at the neighbouring Ballylinch Stud, showing the yearlings who will shortly be heading to the sales. “We usually buy shares in the stallions at Ballylinch and they do all of our consigning for us as well,” Lyn explains, with one such share in Waldgeist being the reason why the Danetime mare Danamight headed the way of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner when he embarked on his second season at stud in 2021. “Danamight put a bit of speed in anything she bred and I think that's what Waldgeist needs,” Lyn continues. “He's getting winners now and he needs big, strong mares with big backsides on them. She filled all of the criteria and we got a lovely foal. Furthur always had the most beautiful temperament.” In Lyn's own words, Danamight “wasn't very successful” in terms of what her progeny achieved on the racecourse, at least before Furthur came along, but two of her daughters have outperformed her in that department. “Danamight did breed us Queen Of Power, the dam of our flagbearer, [multiple Group 3 winner] Garrus,” says Lyn. “We had some fun with her after I managed to get her back from Michael O'Callaghan. Michael bought her as a yearling and, after she went wrong in her last race at Ascot, he rang me at our hotel and asked if I wanted to buy her back. He was going to retire her, but he didn't want to send her to the sales because she was a favourite of his. “And Tom Lacy picked up Vida Amorosa [the unraced dam of Group 2-winning sire Persian Force] for €1,200 in Goffs. I was going to go and have a look at her, because we sold her as a foal, but Max said, 'No, you'll just go and buy her'. The Lacys did well with her which was the main thing. They probably covered her better than we would have done. Then they got the home run at Tattersalls December last year [when Vida Amorosa sold for 700,000gns], which was lovely for them. They're friends of ours and we were happy to see them having that success.” Whilst Vida Amorosa should hopefully have more good years ahead of her in the paddocks, the Morrises were devastated to lose Queen Of Power when she was foaling last year. “It's always the good ones that seems to happen to,” Lyn adds. “Vets say the most dangerous time in a filly or mare's life is when they're foaling and, by God, don't we know it. Sadly, we lost Manieree foaling as well. Her dam [Sheer Spirit] was a half-sister to Oath and she won the [G2] Blandford Stakes for us.” On a happier note, Danamight is still going strong at the age of 20, albeit she was retired after foaling a now-two-year-filly by Arizona named Queen Creek. Along with the four-year-old Sissi (Waldgeist), a daughter of Queen Of Power, it is hoped that Queen Creek will one day return to Iverk House to continue the farm's involvement with a family which can be traced back to the acquisition of Furthur's second dam, Nuit Chaud (Woodman). “Max's late wife, Isabel, bought Nuit Chaud in Keeneland from Kip and Larry McCreery,” says Lyn. “We kept Danamight because Nuit Chaud got quite a decent two-year-old colt [Hallhoo] with Mick Channon which got sold to Dubai. It's a lovely family and she's related to Danehill Dancer. “We haven't got much of the family left, except we've retained Furthur's sister by Arizona, who wouldn't be the most fashionable stallion – but then neither is Waldgeist. She'll be going up to Joseph O'Brien's in a couple of months' time. We gave most of her two-year-old year off because she's a big, tall filly, quite like Furthur. “We've also got Sissi with Joseph. She has ability, she's just got to have it firm. Before her last two races they've watered and then it's rained on top. She can't handle that, but she won her maiden at Roscommon pretty nicely. Like all of Waldgeist's progeny, she was too weak at two. She's four now and she'll probably go back into training next year.” Although looking forward to welcoming Queen Creek and Sissi to their broodmare band at the end of their racing days, the Morrises admit that they do have plans to cut back, citing the economic pressures faced by so many small breeders. “We've always had six to eight mares,” says Max. “There's a little golden rule with Thoroughbreds and breeding, going back many, many years, and I think it's 10 acres for every mare. We've kept the numbers down and kept the ground fresh for them. That's our old-fashioned way.” “We have eight mares who are coverable, but we're going to cut right back until the sales start improving,” Lyn then reveals. “We've got four yearlings and five or six foals to go to Goffs this autumn. If the foals don't make what we want, we'll bring them back and sell them as yearlings. We hope to God we can sell the yearlings decently, because it's an expensive little operation to run if you can't make your money at the sales.” There was no such problem when Furthur first went through the ring as a foal. Offered through Ballylinch at Goffs November, he sold to Paul and Michelle Motherway of TDM Bloodstock for €65,000. “We were delighted with the price,” Lyn remembers. “The Motherways had bought a New Bay out of the mare the year before, Stipulation. He was then bought by John Dance and all of his horses were not allowed to run. He didn't appear for two years, but David Loughnane has got him now and I think they're finally getting him going as a four-year-old. “So, the Motherways bought him the year before and I think Michelle fell in love with Furthur. She wasn't going to leave the sale without him and Paul said, 'What am I going to do with a Waldgeist yearling?'. They sold him for 58,000gns, virtually the same as they paid for him as a foal, but they said he was a delight to have. I've got pictures of him at the sales as a foal with the girls sort of hugging him across his back. He was just one of those lovely people.” That lovely person now has a Classic date at Doncaster in his sights for trainer Andrew Balding and owners The Merry Pranksters and Partner, with Aidan O'Brien set to provide the stiffest resistance with Scandinavia, Lambourn and, perhaps, the less-exposed Stay True (Galileo). “Three is too many, two is plenty,” Max jokes of the competition from Ballydoyle, with Lyn adding, “None would be fine by us!” The Morrises, of course, should know the O'Brien family better than most. The village of Owning they call home is also the base of Joseph O'Brien's powerful string, operating from the same yard where Aidan and Annemarie O'Brien trained before they moved to Ballydoyle. “We can go up to Joseph's any time and see them work,” Max says of their patronage of the young trainer. “We're very much involved. You get great fun when you breed a nice one. When you own them as well and you can be involved in the training alongside Joseph, it's even better. Not many people are fortunate enough to do what we can do, with such a nice guy as Joseph around as a neighbour. “We had a two-year-old last year, Last Encore, who won the Birdcatcher in Naas, and he was very much like Oath. He was out of Late Harvest, a half-sister to Manieree. Unfortunately, times are tough and we had to sell him to Saudi Arabia. I would have loved to have kept him with Joseph – we could have had some fun with him.” Win, lose or draw on Saturday, having fun is top of the list of priorities for the Morrises when it comes to following the future exploits of Furthur, with what he's achieved as a three-year-old – including a last-time-out victory in the G3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury – potentially just scratching the surface in Lyn's view. “It's lovely to breed a horse like Furthur, because hopefully we'll have further fun with him for the next two or three years,” says Max, before Lyn adds, “I think he's going to be a much better horse next year, although I would think they might sell him to Australia. There's talk of the Melbourne Cup and everything. I think as a syndicate they will probably want to get their money back, and they'd be right to, because now is the time to sell and get the money.” Should The Merry Pranksters choose to cash in, they might be tempted to ask celebrated artist Lyn to paint a portrait of Furthur to remember him by, with her previous works including the likes of Sadler's Wells, Danehill, Sea The Stars and, of course, Oath. “Max won't pay me, that's the trouble,” jokes Lyn when it's suggested that a St Leger success might earn Furthur pride of place on the walls of Iverk House. “We'll have to get the owners of Furthur to commission it instead! “We have one of Oath. I haven't done Garrus yet, but we have his photographs up on the wall. I shall have to go and raid the money box and pinch some of Max's cash. Then I'll be happy to do it.” The post “At Least We Can Dream” – Oath Breeder Back in the Classic Fold with Furthur appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The lone non-stakes winner in the six-horse $400,000 Locust Grove Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs Sept. 13, Regaled aims to build on her three consecutive stakes placings for her new connections.View the full article

Vinnie Roe, who won the G1 Irish St Leger from 2001-2004, has died. The pensioned son of Definite Article was 27. Bred by Virginia Moeran, the bay was out of Kayu (Tap On Wood) and sold for 48,000gns as a foal. In 1999, he made IR£50,000 to subsequent trainer Dermot Weld at Goffs. Vinnie Roe carried the silks of Irish film director Jim Sheridan and Antonio Balzarini, and was partnered by the legendary late Irish jockey Pat Smullen in all bar one of his 29 starts. A stakes winner and group placed as a juvenile, he won his final four starts at three including his first Irish St leger and the G1 Prix Royal-Oak. Second in the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, Vinnie Roe claimed his second Irish St Leger in 2002 and was named the Cartier Champion Stayer that year. Over the rest of his career, he added two more Irish St Legers, and also sported fourth, second, and eighth-place finishes in the G1 Melbourne Cup (2002, 2004 and 2005). At stud he covered primarily National Hunt mares, and was pensioned at Longford House Stud in Ireland after the 2019 season. His best in that sphere was the Grade 2 chase winner Vinndication. The post Irish St Leger Supremo Vinnie Roe Dies At 27 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Spendthrift's first-crop yearling sire Jackie's Warrior cracked the seven-figure barrier Wednesday at the Keeneland September sale when a bay colt out of the placed Taking Aim (Trappe Shot) sold for $1.3 million to West Bloodstock, agent for Robert and Lawana Low. A half-brother to GSW Taking Candy (Twirling Candy), while his dam is a half to GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Tapizar (Tapit), hip 546 was bred by Dixiana Farms and consigned by Woods Edge Farm, agent. He had previously gone through the Keeneland November ring for $385,000 when selling to Bolter Bloodstock. The post Jackie’s Warrior Colt Sells for $1.3M to West Bloodstock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On Saturday at Leopardstown, they will run the Matron Stakes as part of Irish Champions Day, one of the roughly one dozen Group races that Coolmore sponsors all over the world annually. We sat down at the Keeneland September Sale and spoke with Coolmore's Director of Sales David O'Loughlin about why giving back through race sponsorships and breeding incentive funds is important to the farm. TDN: Explain the scope of Coolmore's involvement in sponsoring races around the world. DO: At the moment, we're sponsoring races all over the world and on the three continents where we're based–in Europe, in America, and in Australia. We support Group 1 races in all of the countries; in Ireland, we're doing the Matron. In England, the Nunthorpe. In France, we have the Prix Saint Alary at Longchamp. We sponsor the German Guineas as well. In America, we've got the Turf Mile here at Keeneland, and in Australia, we sponsor two Group 1s, one in Melbourne and one in Sydney. So it's a pretty broad spectrum of races. We're supporting about 12 Group races, six or seven Group 1s or Classics. TDN: You also give a lot of support to smaller, local events. DO: We sponsor a lot of other small races all over Ireland, in particular, including races at the country tracks. We do a lot of National Hunt races, and point to points. We're also doing sponsorships in Milan and in Warsaw. Basically, anywhere we're doing business and trying to work with the local breeders, we'll sponsor a race. There's a very symbiotic relationship between racing and breeding, so we feel it's very important to help out, to put something back in, to be seen, to ultimately help the customers for the breeders' stallions. It's a very symbiotic relationship. We're all in this together, so we've got to help out. TDN: Can you estimate how much you spend on this? DO: We spend about $5 million worldwide, €1.9 million of that in Europe, where we spend about €500,000 in direct sponsorships and we put €1.4 million into the European Breeders' Fund. The [Irish EBF] is very, very successful. It has been going for over 40 years now. It's a great organization. All the stallion farms support it, and we put €3.1 million into Irish racing this year. So we're the biggest single sponsor of Ireland. In America, we're doing about the same in dollar terms. We're doing about $1.9 million again, $500,0000 direct and about $1.4 million into the Breeders' Cup, which as we all know has been a huge success. We one of the biggest drivers of the American business and in Australia, again, we do direct sponsorships again of about half a million, and we have about the same again at VOBIS. So when you tie it all up, it's about $5 million in U.S. currency. TDN: Why is this an important focus for Coolmore? DO: It has always been a focus for us. Back 50 years ago, together with Airlie, Coolmore used to sponsor the Irish 2000 Guineas. That's the first big sponsorship I remember. Then Phoenix Park, the Curragh, we were always helping out with races there, and as Coolmore has grown, the whole thing has grown. As I said, we just feel we have to be part of it. We have to help out the industry and we love spreading it around. In Ireland, we're down in Cork, we're in Tipperary, we're in Naas, we're in the Curragh, we're in Leopardstown. We're going back into the grass roots and giving back a bit. And every euro, every dollar is important to racing at the moment. It's really thriving out here in America, but it's not thriving in other areas. So we try and help out. We're sponsoring a race in Warsaw. Germany's a country that's kind of struggling, so we took on the Guineas the last couple of years. We also do a race in Baden-Baden, and we've done a race in Hanover, so we've done a good bit in Germany. We invest in sponsorship in Poland as it is an emerging racing nation. We have also invested in sponsorship in China, as there could be a real future there as we have seen with the China Horse Club. Basically we feel we have to help out. TDN: What's the reaction from local people? Do you feel that people who go to the races, people who race at those small tracks, do they appreciate it? DO: We get good feedback. We provide a bit of client entertainment at some of them, not all of them. We put on a big day in York, and at Longchamp. We do a bit in Baden-Baden, too, and people really love that and it's a great way of meeting people on the ground. A lot of the breeders are quite a distance from where we are, and we don't get a chance to talk to them. We're on the edge of Europe. Mares are coming into us from Germany, Italy, England, France. A lot of time we're dealing through agents, but we find that with a good day at the races and a nice lunch, you get to know the breeders, you get to hear what's going on, what their concerns are, what they're happy with. It helps us build better relationships, so it's very beneficial in that way too. TDN: What will the Matron be like on Saturday in terms of your participation? DO: We look forward to it. It's always a very good race. It really is one of the best one-mile fillies' races in Europe. You get the older fillies meeting the three-year-olds. There is a great, great history to the race and it's on Champions Weekend, a relatively recent innovation in Ireland. It's been a huge success. It's our Breeders' Cup, and there's always great buzz in Leopardstown on the Saturday. They draw a lot of people and it's a really good day out for young people in particular, with music, bands, a good vibe, and so many Group 1 races over the weekend, so it would be one of my favourite sponsorships in the whole year. It's a day you couldn't miss. The post Q And A: Coolmore’s Global Sponsorships On Display In Saturday’s Matron appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Con Marnane returned to the Osarus Yearling Sale, from where he famously sourced outstanding sprinter Sands Of Mali, to stock up on five yearlings – and a lorry's load of French wine. Just over €1 million [€1,021,500 to be precise] was traded at the Osarus Yearling Sale on Wednesday where the top lot – a Ghaiyyath colt that went the way of Cava Associates – sold for just €45,0000. And while Marnane admitted that the overall standard at Osarus has slipped in recent times, the larger-than-life Bansha boss stressed the need to shop every sale hard in order to unearth the diamonds in the rough. “This has been a very lucky sale for us in the past,” Marnane explained, in between loading crates of wine. “We got Sands Of Mali here [€20,000] and Itsinthepost [€5,000] won eight Grade 2s in America and won over €1 million in prize-money and he came out of this place as well.” Marnane ended the sale as one of the bigger buyers numerically, with five horses sourced for a total sum of €72,000. The sale itself saw a 76% clearance rate, which was up by 14% on last year, while the €8,500 median was up by €500 and the €10,776 average also marginally up by €752. “We bought some lovely horses but it will be next year until I can tell you how good or bad we did,” Marnane continued. “You'd love if this sale went back to something like its glory days. The standard is down but, like any sale, you need to work it hard to find the nicer ones. “One thing I will say is they are lovely people in this part of France and they look after us very well. Some very good horses have come out of here and we like to support it. We were in Baden-Baden last week and we came here for this sale – we're on a European tour!” The post ‘We’re On A European Tour’ – Marnane Stocks Up At Osarus Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 09/08/2025 Licensee: George Papaprodromou, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on September 9, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Capsaicin—a class B controlled substance—in a sample taken from Sneaker, who won the Fran's Valentine Stakes at Santa Anita on 5/24/25. Date: 09/08/2025 Licensee: Saffie Jospeh Jr., trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Ranitidine—a Class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Whiskey Park, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 4/20/25. Pending ADMC Violations 09/10/2025, Michael Moore, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a class B controlled substance—in a sample taken from One More Scoop on 8/15/25. 09/09/2025, Elias Lopez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Late Blacksmith, who won at Belterra Park on 8/6/25. 09/09/2025, Richard Joseph Hendriks, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a class B controlled substance—in a sample taken from Overspent on 8/3/25. 09/08/2025, Michael V. Pino, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (Gastrogard)—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Et's Moon Maiden on 8/8/25. 09/05/2025, John Garner Vinson, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine—a class B controlled substance—in a sample taken from Money Trail, who finished third at Gulfstream Park on 7/25/25. 09/04/2025, Carrie Jo Robertson, trainer: Pending alleged violation concerning Rule 3510(b), “Refusal/failure to cooperate promptly and completely with HISA/HIWU under the ADMC Program Rules.” The horse in question is Witsec. 09/04/2025, Erin Thompson, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Clenbuterol—a banned substance except in specific circumstances—in a sample taken from Motion to Adjourn, who finished fifth at Belterra Park on 6/5/25. Violations of Crop Rule Colonial Downs Gavin Ashton – violation date September 4; $500 fine, one-day suspension Del Mar Juan Hernandez – violation date September 5; $500 fine, one-day suspension Ricardo Jaime – violation date September 5; $250 fine, one-day suspension Prairie Meadows Alredo Triana – violation date September 5; $250 fine, one-day suspension Thistledown Joam Toledo – violation date September 8; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post National Regulatory Rulings: Sept. 4-10, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article