Wandering Eyes

Punters left stunned after massive triple-figure chance defies quote to salute at Sha Tin on SundayView the full article

Godolphin superstar becomes the first overseas winner of the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m)View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — It's Alex Cairns's day off but he's at the car park next to the Limekilns at 7.30 on Sunday morning. 'If I can't do this for a Derby horse when would I do it?” he says as he awaits the arrival of the Derby second-favourite Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}). Cairns is head lad to the colt's trainer James Fanshawe. He chats to Rab Havlin. The pair both hail from the same west Scottish town of Saltcoats but Newmarket has long been their home. Havlin was appointed last week to take over the ride for Epsom, an owner's decision which will have broken the heart of Callum Shepherd, who won the Lingfield Derby Trial on the Gredley family's Ambiente Friendly. Not many in racing would begrudge Havlin the chance at Classic success either, however. The previous weekend he had ridden Audience (GB) to win the Lockinge S. for the Gosden stable. John Gosden has been his employer for a quarter of a century. Havlin, who turned 50 in December, has sat on myriad Group 1 winners in that time but usually has to give them up for the stable's first jockey come race day. Audience was his second Group 1 winner, and he followed that up with a genius of a ride aboard Sweet William (Ire), kidding the quirky stayer to a last-gasp win the G3 Henry II S. on Thursday. Havlin jokes about his former Gosden colleague Frankie Dettori when asked if he has been speaking to the now-California-based jockey about what it takes to win the Derby. “He's been speaking to me about it,” he says with a grin. “He rings me about ten times a day. He's been telling me what Lester [Piggott] told him but I can't give away all my secrets.” Cairns was involved with Dettori's first Derby winner, Authorized (Ire), during his days working for Peter Chapple-Hyam. “We didn't go to bed for 24 hours afterwards,” he recalls. It's unlikely that the teetotal Fanshawe would party quite as hard as Chapple-Hyam should he find himself in the position of being a Derby-winning trainer by Saturday afternoon. He would be entitled to do so, however, and a British Classic would be a well-deserved addition to Fanshawe's fine record, which includes Group 1 victories with sprinters, milers, middle-distance horses, stayers, and even two Champion Hurdles. He is quite simply a brilliant all-rounder, a trainer very much in the old-school mould, but in life, as in racing, the old ways are often the best. Fanshawe arrives minutes later with his wife Jacko. Their son and assistant trainer Tom is aboard the lead horse and switches places with jockey Ross Coakley, while former crack point-to-point rider Andy Sansome vacates Ambiente Friendly's saddle for Havlin. Instructions are issued. The previous afternoon Fanshawe had walked the Limekilns, the crown jewels among Newmarket's 2,500 acres of gallops, but more rain had fallen on Sunday morning, leaving them on the soft side once more after heavy rain in the town earlier in the week. “Don't expect any fireworks this morning,” he warns. “We're literally just doing a swinger on this ground.” Having cantered down towards the start of the Round Gallop, the horses appear again on the fair horizon, wandering across to where their semi-serious work will commence. Binoculars are raised, Sansome lights up his second cigarette, and only the skylarks can be heard as they jump off. As the horses become less of a speck, the sound of their hooves on the easy turf drowns out even the birds. Ambiente Friendly eases past his lead horse on the bridle. “Lovely, very happy with that,” says the trainer as they ease down after a proper swinging canter over an extended mile. Despite its name, the gallop isn't round as such, but it takes in a right-hand turn early on before straightening along the hedge. In Newmarket, horses engaged in the Derby and the Oaks are permitted to use this gallop the 'wrong way round' in order to emulate, up to a point, Tattenham Corner, but Ambiente Friendly has already proved that he can handle that left-hand turn and descent having won around Epsom's closest replica, Lingfield. Andy Sansome, Rab Havlin on Ambiente Friendly, James Fanshawe, Ross Coakley, Tom Fanshawe and Alex Cairns | Emma Berry Fanshawe is not one for bold predictions but he's satisfied with what he has seen, six days out from the biggest day of the horse's life. It's a big day for him, too, as well as nonagenarian Bill Gredley, who owns the horse with his son Tim, and provided Fanshawe with his first Group 1 winner back in 1991, when Environment Friend (GB) won the Eclipse. Havlin, who will be riding in the great race for the third time, also ends the morning thoroughly content. “He's got a ring bit on but he wasn't keen at all really,” says the jockey after handing the horse back to Sansome. “He travelled up well, he was on his left lead up into the turn and, considering he's never run there before, he switched onto his right lead and everything was smooth. I gave him an inch of rain at the seven-and-a-half [furlongs] and he went away. It was on the soft side, which isn't really what he wants, but for bridle work like that it was perfect for getting the distance into him.” Ambiente Friendly wanders homewards across the Severals, relaxed with Sansome, no sign of any post-work jig-jogging. It is not just the morning exercise that will start to jangle the nerves of all those connected with a Derby runner as we enter the final week of build-up. Has he eaten up? Is he restless in his box? Will he tread on a stone? Ambiente Friendly's home is in the historic Pegasus Stables, built in 1884 by the brilliant but ill-fated Fred Archer, who won the Derby five times between 1877 and 1886. Fanshawe, who has trained there for 35 years, has long joked that he feels the presence of the multiple champion jockey in the stable still. Perhaps Fred will watch over them now. There is, after all, only one Derby. The post Ambiente Friendly Takes to the Limekilns in Derby Countdown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Penalty J Johnson | Non-raceday dated 10 May; failed to present runner free of prohibited substance; fined $1,000 (penalty suspended for 12 months). Dog Penalty HOMEBUSH VALDEN | Christchurch 23 May; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. Protest BIG TIME HEAVEN | Christchurch 11 March; raced with prohibited substance in system; disqualified from 1st. General The Palmerston North GRC meeting of 21 May was abandoned after Race 5 due to track conditions. Race 6 at Southland GRC meeting of 22 May was abandoned due to an issue with the boxes. The post 20-26 May 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties R Harrison | NZ Metropolitan 23 May; use of whip; suspended 31 May – 9 June inclusive. B Butt | NZ Metropolitan 23 May; use of whip; fined $500. C Butt | NZ Metropolitan 23 May; use of whip; suspended 24 May – 2 June inclusive. C Butt | NZ Metropolitan 23 May; failed to maintain straight course in home straight; suspended 3-9 June inclusive. S Burley | Auckland 24 May; use of whip; suspended 1 June – 18 July inclusive. C Hackett | Auckland 24 May; careless driving; suspended 25 May – 20 June inclusive. A Kyle | Winton 25 May; use of whip; fined $300. B Williamson | Winton 25 May; use of whip; fined $275. K Butt | Timaru 26 May; careless driving; fined $500. Trainer Penalties M & N Purdon | NZ Metropolitan 23 May; incorrect gear; fined $100. K Green | Winton 25 May; incorrect gear; fined $100. P Shennan | Timaru 26 May; failed to affix sulky seat so as not to come adrift; fined $100. Horse Penalties RUSH | NZ Metropolitan 23 May; broke in running; must complete trial. PYRAMID ROSE | Winton 25 May; broke in running; must complete trial. STILTON LORD | Winton 25 May; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. ANOTHER DEMON | Winton 25 May; lame; veterinary clearance required. HE’S A BAY | Timaru 26 May; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. The post 20-26 May 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties C Wiles | Taupo 22 May; failed to make weight; fined $200. N Downs | Taupo 22 May; use of whip; fined $500. W Pinn | Taupo 22 May; medical clearance required (subsequently received on 25 May). M Cameron | Taupo 22 May; medical clearance required. L Satherley | Auckland 25 May; medical clearance required. T Allan | Wellington 25 May; use of whip; suspended 26 May – 1 June inclusive. K Asano | Wellington 25 May; use of whip; fined $350. T Mitchell | Wellington 25 May; use of whip; fined $500. D Mcdonagh | Woodville-Pahiatua 26 May; medical clearance required. D Parker | Woodville-Pahiatua 26 May; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalties C Isdale | Otago 24 May; incorrect gear; fined $50. S Marsh | Auckland 25 May; late rider declaration; fined $150. Horse Penalties SKYLIT | Taupo 22 May; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. NO TEARS | Woodville-Pahiatua 26 May; lame; veterinary clearance required. INTERLLECTUS | Woodville-Pahiatua 26 May; lame; veterinary clearance required. DENARDO | Woodville-Pahiatua 26 May; lame; veterinary clearance required. General The Otago RC meeting of 24 May was abandoned after Race 5 due to an unsafe track. The post 20-26 May 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Star steeplechaser West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) added another crown to his impeccable record for Mark Oulaghan with a tough victory in the L J Hooker Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m) at Woodville on Sunday. The phenomenal record of West Coast over the bigger fences commenced when he won a maiden steeplechase at Hawke’s Bay in June of 2022, and he has made nearly every post a winner since with a Koral Steeplechase (4250m), Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m), Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) and a pair of Grand National Steeplechases (5600m) to his name. West Coast secured his Champion Jumper title with a win in the Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) to complete an incredible campaign last year, and punters were out in force supporting a successful return for the son of Mettre En Jeu at Woodville, backing him into $2. Last-start winner Izymydaad assumed his regular role as pacemaker in the early stages, with Shaun Fannin settling West Coast midfield as he comfortably negotiated the first lap of the course. Several runners went up to contest the lead heading into the second circuit, while West Coast bided his time in behind before moving strongly into contention at the 800m, in pursuit of the leader alongside the Kevin Myers pair of Hey Happy and Interllectus. Izymydaad and West Coast jumped the final two fences in unison and the pair fought in a tight struggle to the post, but even the 73kg impost could not stop the gelding from claiming the feature by a neck in emphatic style. “He sneaked through and got the inside run, he was pretty well ridden by Shaun and at the end of the day he got there, even if only just,” Oulaghan said. “He’ll take a bit of improvement out of that race, you can give them a few flat runs and think they are fit, but by the time they get over the steeplechase fences, it brings them on a lot more.” “He’s just got that ability, his strongest attribute is probably that he can really find at the end of a race, other times he’s looked a bit flat at the top of the straight and he’s been able to pull it out at the end of 4000 or 4400m, which is pretty unusual for a horse. Not a lot of horses can do that. “I think he was the first horse in 50 years to win the three big ones in a row (Wellington, National, Northern) so it puts him right up there for me.” With plenty of options ahead, Oulaghan is unsure where the gelding will appear next. “He’ll take a bit of improvement out of that race, you can give them a few flat runs and think they are fit, but by the time they get over the steeplechase fences, it brings them on a lot more,” he said. “I’m not 100% sure where he will go next.” Bred by Wanganui nursery Letham Stud, West Coast is out of the Grosvenor mare Testament, and he has earned north of $402,000 for the Williamson’s in 34 attempts. Awapuni-based Oulaghan emulated his feats at Grand National Week in claiming the feature double with Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry), who was a dominant victor of the Manawatu ITM Awapuni Hurdle (3000m), and incredibly he also claimed the Property Brokers Woodville-Pahiatua Cup (2100m) with Pinkerton (NZ) (Niagara). The son of Niagara has become something of a course specialist at Woodville, picking up his two most recent successes at the course including a Rating 65 Highweight over the mile in April. A strong showing up in grade at Hawera had Pinkerton a $3.40 favourite for Sunday’s race, and jockey Lisa Allpress had him travelling quietly near the tail of the field through the mid-stages. The in-form hoop got busy at the 800m and Pinkerton powered into contention turning for home, holding out a strong late dash by Masso to score by a long neck. “We just let him stick to his pattern, he’s a back runner so he relaxed nicely and ran home well,” Oulaghan said. “He’s not very big and being a six-year-old, it’s taken him a long time to mature into a reasonable sort of horse. He’s physically not probably ideal for a jumper, we haven’t done much schooling with him but it may be something we look at further down the line.” Oulaghan bred the six-year-old out of his late mare Bidthemobgoodday, and he has earned $54,470 in 20 starts. A highly-regarded trainer on both the flat and over fences, Oulaghan has enjoyed many successes in both roles and was pleased to have a successful outing close to home. “It’s always good to win the major jumping races, and getting two of those today was nice,” he said. “I’m a Woodville boy, so it was good to come home and win the Cup here. “We’ll just head home and feed a few young horses now.” View the full article

Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry) firmly asserted himself among the top hurdlers in the country at Woodville on Sunday with a dominant display in the Manawatu ITM Awapuni Hurdle (3000m). The son of Jakkalberry contested last year’s edition at just his second jumping appearance, and a narrow second placing to talented jumper Suliman indicated there was plenty more in store. A fall in the Wellington Hurdles (3400m) in July was soon rectified when he travelled to Riccarton Park and delivered with a stunning victory in the Grand National Hurdles (4200m), his last jumping assignment in an emphatic debut season. Legendary jumps trainer Mark Oulaghan gave Berry The Cash a pair of flat runs to prepare for Sunday’s contest, and the gelding looked ominous when taking out the Jumper’s Highweight (2200m) at Woodville earlier in May, as reflected by his $2.60 favouritism in the Awapuni Hurdle. A competitive field of nine assembled for the feature, and the main dangers to Berry The Cash were tipped to be relative newcomer Oxygen, and eye-catching speedster English Gambler, sitting at $4 and $6.20 respectively. Combining with regular rider Portia Matthews, who already claimed the first on the card in a catch-ride aboard Jo Rathbone’s Torque Time, Berry The Cash attacked the opening fences before settling fourth-last, while English Gambler assumed his customary role as a rolling front-runner. The leading margin diminished swiftly heading into the second lap, with Country Bumpkin taking over as Berry The Cash began to travel very comfortably into contention, swooping to the lead at the 700m and leaving many flat-footed. Oxygen misjudged the second-last fence dislodging Shaun Fannin, while a game Lord Spencer and Taika chased hard behind Berry The Cash, but they were no match for the seven-year-old as he stormed in under little pressure from Matthews, the final margin 4 ½ lengths. Oulaghan had anticipated the Soft 6 track may not be an ideal match for Berry The Cash, but was pleased to see it didn’t hinder his chances. “We knew he was reasonably fit, but I did think the track could have been a fraction fast for him and had they run the race at Wellington, it may have suited him better,” he said. “As it turned out, it didn’t seem to matter and he acquitted himself very well. “He seems to be going from strength to strength, it was his first season of hurdling last year and he ended up pretty much on top. “His first run back today was really good considering the conditions, so he hopefully could be another top-liner in the making. “The obvious step now is going to the Waikato Hurdles in the middle of June, then we’ll see how he gets through it before looking beyond that.” With five victories from 26 starts under his belt, Berry The Cash has earned $157,600 in stakes for Oulaghan and the remainder of his ownership group. View the full article

Progressive galloper Devastate (NZ) (Vadamos) bounced back to winning form when he prevailed in a thrilling three-way finish to the feature race at Pukekohe, the Jamieson Park 1500. The four-year-old son of Vadamos displayed all his fighting qualities as he held out a stirring challenge from Zaila and the late finishing Accidental Tourist to register his fifth career win for a large group of owners that includes the sponsor of the race, Jamieson Park. Given a perfect trip in transit one-out behind pacemaker Pow Wow by rider Michael McNab, Devastate launched his challenge early in the home straight as he raced to a clear lead. He was immediately challenged by Chattahoochee on his inner and Zaila on his outer at the 300m with Accidental Tourist looming into contention wider out. The quartet set down to a tooth and nail struggle, with Devastate prevailing by a head from Zaila with Accidental just half a head away in third. Forsman was pleased to see his charge get a deserved win on track conditions he thought would suit him perfectly. “He went really well, and the race panned out how we had planned with Pow Wow leading and we could take a sit on him,” Forsman said. “It is hard to race on the speed like that when the track is so testing but he really toughed it out nicely and I think he deserved that one. “It would be nice to think he might even get a little further in the future, although at the moment I’m happy to keep him to a mile as he still races a little fiercely and has a bit more to learn about the game.” Forsman was also playing a patient game around the immediate future of three-year-old filly Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) and whether she heads to Australia or to the spelling paddock after her comfortable five-length victory in the second race on the card. “We were going to put the blinkers on her today but with the ground the way it is we decided against it,” he said. “She has plenty of options for us to consider over the next few days, but it is great to get a confidence boosting win under her belt.” Bred by the late Sir Patrick Hogan and Lady Hogan, Devastate was a $160,000 purchase out of Carlaw Park’s 2021 Karaka draft for Bloodstock Agent Bruce Perry and has now won over $192,000 in prizemoney for his large group of connections. He is the fourth foal of unraced Pins mare Passion Cut and comes from Hogan’s famous Diamond family line of mares including exceptional Gr.1 Railway Handicap (1200m) winner Diamond Lover, the dam of Group One winner and successful stallion Don Eduardo and multiple Group One winner Tristalove, the dam of Group One winners Viking Ruler and De Beers. Forsman added a third victory to his tally later on the card when Russian Satire won over 1600m in the hands of Craig Grylls. View the full article

Days after Copper Belt Lodge went public with the news that Stephen Gray will return to New Zealand’s training ranks alongside his distinguished father Kevin, the opening race at Trentham on Saturday unveiled an exciting young prospect for the soon-to-resume partnership. The Kevin Gray-trained First Gear (NZ) (Derryn) was sent out as a $2.10 favourite for the TAB Odds Surge Every Race at Trentham 2YO (1200m), having finished second in both of his previous two starts behind the subsequent stakes winner Domain Ace and the Hong Kong-bound Endued. Saturday was a breakthrough moment for the talented juvenile, who went straight to the lead under jockey Lisa Allpress and never gave his eight rivals a look in. First Gear produced a potent kick at the top of the Trentham straight and dashed clear, going on to win by three and a half lengths from the late-finishing Lewin and Pinhook. He clocked 1:11.82 on a testing Heavy9 track that was subsequently downgraded to a Heavy10. Raced by his breeders Bill and Murray Rose in partnership with Cole Rose and Maddi Daines, the Derryn gelding has now had four starts for a win, two seconds and $18,265 in stakes. “He’s a nice horse and has a good attitude,” Kevin Gray said. “I trained the mother (A’Guin Ace), so it’s good to get a win with another one from the family. He’s a handy little horse and it was a good win today. “Bill Rose is a very, very good owner. He’s a farmer up in Waipukurau and a good friend of mine. I’ve got two or three nice horses for him at the moment and it’s always good to get a win for him. “I think this horse will go to the paddock now. He’s done what I wanted him to do, and I think he could be at least as good as a three-year-old. I’m never in a hurry with horses – most of mine are out in paddocks now and will come back as better horses next season.” Allpress has been in the saddle for all of First Gear’s starts so far and been impressed with his development. “He started off quite quirky, but he’s been getting a lot better each start,” she said. “He’s getting bigger and stronger as well and was quite dominant today, so that was nice. “He’ll make a lovely three-year-old. He’s on the right track and did that so easily today.” Kevin and Stephen Gray trained over 400 winners together before Stephen Gray relocated to Singapore in 2000, collecting another 825 wins at Kranji. Following the shock news that Singapore’s once-thriving racing industry would come to an end in October with the closure of the Kranji course, Stephen Gray and his family elected to make New Zealand their home again. “He was in Singapore for almost 25 years, so it’s been a long time away from home,” Kevin Gray said on Saturday. “It’s great to have him back. He’s got good knowledge and is a very good horse-rider himself. If he goes alright, he can push me out! I’ve been doing this for 60 years now. “He’s ready to go. He’s going to have some really nice horses to train, he’s bought some nice horses, and a lot of my owners are really keen to have him involved.” View the full article

There are few constants in Thoroughbred racing, but one seems to be if there is a sprint race outside of Breeders' Cup quality in Southern California, The Chosen Vron is the winner.View the full article

Jockey Jaime Torres won his first grade 1 race in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course with Seize the Grey. A week later, he's back to riding at Churchill Downs.View the full article

After being defeated 2 1/4 lengths by Chop Chop in Keeneland's Bewitch Stakes (G3T) April 26, Atomic Blonde turned the tables with a sustained stretch rally in a strangely run edition of the $234,500 Keertana Stakes at Churchill Downs May 25.View the full article

It was a disappointing United States debut for Godolphin's Legend of Time. Try number two was more adventurous but exceedingly more successful.View the full article

A year and a half after the retirement of 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline to stud at Lane's End Farm, some of the same connections are teaming up to debut his 3-year-old half brother, Eagles Flight, in a $54,000 maiden race at Santa Anita May 27.View the full article

Top Darwin jockey Jarrod Todd returns to the mounting yard after partnering the Gary Clarke-trained Wolfburn to victory in the feature race at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) It was a day of fluctuating fortune for jockeys at Darwin on Saturday. Jarrod Todd, the premier rider in the Top End and Country premiership for the past four years, saluted aboard Wolfburn, a -384.62 favourite with online bookmakers, and Tiara Jewel (+200 fav) for trainer Gary Clarke. Todd, 36, has 42 wins this season. Apprentice Emma Lines (24), who turned 18 last Saturday, remains second in the jockeys’ premiership after getting Phil Cole’s Miami Vice (-111.11 fav) home. Fellow apprentice Jade Hampson saluted on Tayarn Halter’s Raffalli (+500) – it ended a long Darwin drought for the 20-year-old following a double on March 16. Alice Springs-based Ianish Luximon, 26, celebrated his first Top End win since becoming a senior rider this month with a spectacular victory on Kevin Lamprecht’s Kieffer (+650). Clarke started all five runners in the open 1300m handicap with five-year-old gelding Wolfburn leading throughout before winning by 3.3 lengths from the talented Siakam (+650), who pushed the former NT Guineas winner for the first half of the race, and Influential Jack (+700). Wolfburn, the son of Snitzel, is likely to appear in the ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) on June 29 before the Chief Ministers Cup (1600m) and Darwin Cup (2050m) during the 2024 Carnival. Tiara Jewel, Hallowed Crown’s five-year-old mare, is back after winning two races from five Darwin starts last year and also led throughout over 1600m (0-58) before overcoming stablemate Nassau County (+290) and Chris Pollard’s A Big Chance (+220) by 3.3 lengths. Two weeks ago, Miami Vice won an 1100m maiden by six lengths, but he had to work on Saturday before toppling fellow three-year-olds over 1100m (BM53). Sharing the lead with Ibegood (+1300), second behind the son of Shalaa on May 11, Miami Vice finally skipped clear at the 100m before rolling Halter’s gallant filly by 1.5 lengths with Lamprecht’s Frankfurt (+160) a distant third. Casey Hunter was dislodged from Chole Baxter’s Tilussion when they jumped, and although she escaped injury stewards stood the 29-year-old down for the last race. “Yeah, I’m fine, just a bit of a sore head, I’ll be right,” Hunter said. After two thirds following a spell, five-year-old gelding Raffalli led passing the 900m before holding off all challengers to sneak home by 0.3 lengths from Clarke’s fast-finishing Global Wonder (+1500) and Cole’s Moorestown (+120 fav), the biggest threat turning for home. Raffalli has impressed in Darwin ever since the son of Choisir won first up for Halter and Hampson at Broome in August 2022. Kieffer, a four-year-old gelding by Mawingo, was having his first Darwin start and victory over 1200m (Class 2) certainly was memorable after trailing the leaders by 10 lengths at the 700m. The winner of an Alice Springs 1400m maiden in February, Kieffer was last at the 400m in the eight-horse field before hitting top gear in the home straight to nail Jason Manning’s Motivated Miss (+210 fav) – the leader passing the 1000m and three lengths clear at the 200m – on the line to prevail by half a length with Clarke’s Magnetic Tycoon (+450) third. Horse racing news View the full article

There are three graded stakes races on Monday's card at Santa Anita, but the most anticipated race of the day may be the eighth, a $54,000 maiden race run at six furlongs. That's because it features the debut of Eagles Flight (Curlin) a 3-year-old half-brother to Flightline (Tapit). Like Flightline, Eagles Flight is trained by John Sadler. “I am excited,” Sadler said. “We've been working closely with him and he's showing good run and he's worked well in company. We've got 48 hours to go and we're anxious to get him out there and see it happen.” Like Flightline, Eagles Flight was bred by Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Equine and was originally entered in the 2022 Keeneland September sale. But Lyon changed her mind, withdrew the horse from the sale and decided to campaign him herself. Hronis Racing LLC, which also owned a part of Flightline, has since come aboard as a co-owner. Sadler said the reason the horse did not run earlier is that there were some small problems that needed to be addressed. “He had some immaturity issues last year at two,” Sadler said. “He also had a little shin problem. We had to wait for that to resolve itself. Now he's trained up for his 3-year-old start.” Eagles Flight had his first published workout on Mar. 27 and has been working steadily since. In his most recent work, on May 19, he breezed five furlongs in 58.80. Sadler has been impressed. “We're looking forward to getting started on Monday,” he said. “The pedigree speaks for itself. There are no secrets there. He's a good-looking prospect and we're expecting a good race from him first time out. He drew inside with the two post, so he's got to get away cleanly. He had good training the last five, six weeks with no interruptions. There was some weather issues earlier in the meet, but he's good to go.” When asked to compare Eagles Flight to Flightline, Sadler wouldn't bite. “He looks like a good prospect,” he said. “But I don't really do the comparison thing because obviously that wouldn't be fair to any horse. He looks like he can run and we can't wait for Monday. I wish it was tomorrow.” In town to ride in the three stakes, Flavien Prat has the call on Eagles Flight. He also rode Flightline. Outside of Flightline, the dam Feathered (Indian Charlie) has not had a lot of success. There is the 5-year-old Voron (Pioneerof the Nile) who has been sent to Russia. Next in line was a full brother Olivier (Tapit), who did not hit the board in three starts and was returned to Summer Wind last month, where he will live out his days. The post Sadler ‘Excited’ About Debut of Flightline’s Half-Brother appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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This year's G1 1,000 Guineas took place without Ballydoyle's Opera Singer (Justify), so there is a sense of unfinished business when it comes to the pecking order of the 3-year-old fillies at present. Sunday's Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at The Curragh should answer some questions, none more so than that concerning how straight she is for a tough reintroduction having suffered that setback. So good in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, some will tell you that she may not have to be at 100% to win this but when it comes to these Classics there is never a quarter given. Most of Opera Singer's rivals have runs under their belts in 2024, including the Paddy Twomey pair A Lilac Rolla (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) and Purple Lily (Ire) (Calyx {GB}), while the track's Group 1 winner Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) is hardened by her experience at Newmarket three weeks ago and Vespertilio (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) has been in Classic action in France. Ryan Moore knows the task in hand. “She really came in to herself as the season progressed last year and she was clearly very, very impressive when running away with the Boussac,” he said. “That makes her the form horse here, but she meets dangerous race-fit rivals in Fallen Angel and Vespertilio, so this is a tough return for her. You can easily see a lot of the others in here stepping forward a good deal as well, with maybe Juddmonte's Skellet chief among them. It's a tough race, as I said, but my filly is very good.” Aidan O'Brien added, “She'll run a nice race, hopefully. She has done very well physically, but she did have a setback in the spring which cost us three weeks and if you get cost three weeks, it usually costs you two months, so that's where we are with her.” Skellet (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who received the special mention from Moore, is one of two TDN Rising Stars in the line-up alongside Purple Lily, and Juddmonte's acquisition has not been seen since finishing second to Dance Sequence (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G3 Oh So Sharp S. at Newmarket in October. That form is not good enough, but it is interesting that Ralph Beckett sees fit to launch the season of the half-sister to Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy) here. Karl Burke is hoping for a turnaround from Newmarket with last year's G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Fallen Angel, who holds the subsequent G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches third Vespertilio on that form. “She came out of Newmarket really well, she's in great shape and I'm very happy with her, so fingers crossed she can run a bit better for us on Sunday,” he said. “She just wasn't good enough on the day in the Guineas, it's as simple as that, but she looks in really good form and she's obviously proven on the track.” Auguste Rodin Returns To Europe Also at The Curragh on Sunday is the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, where the dual Derby, G1 Irish Champion S. and GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) bids to get back on track following his lacklustre start to the campaign in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. Remarkably, that was the colt's third big blow-out and at this point it is hard to predict what will come from such an all-or-nothing performer. Particularly vulnerable given that Ballydoyle's horses seem slightly behind in their readiness so far this term, he could be vulnerable to Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez's race-toughened White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), who has hijacked Aidan O'Brien's tried-and-trusted G3 Alleged S.-G2 Mooresbridge S. route to this. Amo Racing's unexposed Easter Classic winner Elegant Man (Arrogate) also cannot be excluded from the argument and it is possible that Coolmore would be happy just to see Auguste Rodin ran a stand-up race with big targets ahead. The Marquise And The Rose At ParisLongchamp, the G1 Prix d'Ispahan over its “funny” distance of nine furlongs and 55 yards looks filly-bound, with Baron Edouard De Rothschild's G1 Prix Rothschild and G1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) clashing with Yeguada Centurion's four-time Group 1 heroine Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). The latter, who was last seen winning the G1 Prix de l'Opera at this venue on Arc day, is another project that Maurizio Guarnieri has to get to grips with fast. The post All Eyes On Opera Singer In The Irish 1000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Looking to atone for a disappointing fifth-place effort as the favorite in the GII American Turf S. on the GI Kentucky Derby undercard May 4, Godolphin's LEGEND OF TIME (GB) (c, 3, Sea The Stars {Ire}–Kissable {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}) left it for late in Saturday's GII Pennine Ridge S., but produced a stinging late turn of speed and attacked the wire to earn his first victory at the graded/group level. Favored at 9-10, the 150,000gns Tattersalls October purchase looked to bobble at the break and was therefore settled at the rear of the field by Joel Rosario as the rail-drawn White Palomino (Kitten's Joy) took a well-bunched field through sensible fractions. Unhurried at the back of the field and ground-saving throughout, Legend of Time was popped the question in earnest nearing the stretch. Flat-footed for a stride or two with a furlong and a half to race, he was asked to split rivals with time ticking away and was along in the final couple of jumps. Legend of Time is a 72nd worldwide graded/group winner for the outstanding Sea The Stars and his fourth such winner in this country, joining Godolphin's GII Fort Marcy S. winner Ottoman Fleet (GB), Star Fortress (Ire) and Casual Smile (GB). Sales history: 150,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT. O-Godolphin; B-Lordship Stud & Sunderland Holdings; T-Charlie Appleby. LEGEND OF TIME wins the Grade 2 Pennine Ridge Stakes under @JRosarioJockey for trainer Charlie Appleby and @godolphin! pic.twitter.com/JLvr986meG — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) May 25, 2024 Saturday, Belmont The Big A PENNINE RIDGE S.-GII, $200,000, Belmont The Big A, 5-25, 3yo, 1 1/8mT, 1:47.73, fm. 1–LEGEND OF TIME (GB), 122, c, 3, by Sea The Stars (Ire) 1st Dam: Kissable (Ire) (SW & GSP-USA, G1SP-Ire, $225,919), by Danehill Dancer (Ire) 2nd Dam: Kitty O'Shea (GB), by Sadler's Wells 3rd Dam: Eva Luna, by Alleged 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. (150,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Godolphin, LLC; B-Lordship Stud & Sunderland Holding Inc (GB); T-Charles Appleby; J-Joel Rosario. $110,000. Lifetime Record: SW-UAE, 7-5-0-0, $393,771. *1/2 to Loving Dream (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), G1SW-Fr, GSW-Eng, $359,882 and Amandine (GB) (Shamardal), SW & GISP, $151,584. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–White Palomino, 118, c, 3, Kitten's Joy–Wolf Gourmet, by Flatter. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-James J. Bakke and Gerald Isbister; B-Bakster Farms (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $40,000. 3–Royal Majesty (GB), 118, c, 3, Frankel (GB)–Crown Queen, by Smart Strike. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Besilu Stables LLC (GB); T-William I. Mott. $24,000. Margins: HD, 1 1/4, HD. Odds: 0.90, 4.90, 3.45. Also Ran: Cable Ready, St James the Great, Triple Espresso. Scratched: Risk Tolerance (Ire). Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Sea The Stars’s Legend of Time Another Big Apple Graded Winner For Godolphin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If the price tag didn't proclaim her potential loud enough for her, then her debut sure did as Prides Crossing (f, 3, Quality Road–Key To My Heart {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) galloped home stylishly to garner the 'TDN Rising Star' nod. Stalking a contested early pace of :22.63 and :46.30, Prides Crossing pounced on her rivals entering the lane and did not look back, gradually increasing her advantage over Genetics (Tapit) to a sizeable margin on the wire. The final time was 1:23.49. The winner is Quality Road's 19th 'Rising Star'. #7 Prides Crossing is a debut winner in R6 at Churchill Downs, giving another win to both trainer Paulo Lobo and jockey @cristiantorr64! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/dM5KdVxqyJ — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) May 25, 2024 Bred by Summer Wind Equine, Prides Crossing brought a pretty $1.3-million at the 2022 Keeneland September sale from OXO Equine in order to acquire a branch of the Carson Jen female line. This family includes the 'Warrior' siblings: GSW & GISP E Z Warrior (Exploit); MSW J Z Warrior (Harlan's Holiday); MGSW & GISP Jojo Warrior (Pioneerof the Nile); and the second dam, GISW A Z Warrior (Bernardini), who went on to produce SW-Ire Key To My Heart (Ire). Sales history: $1,300,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. O-OXO Equine LLC; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-Paulo Lobo. The post Quality Road’s Prides Crossing Dazzles in ‘TDN Rising Star’ Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rosallion wins the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) in thrilling fashion by narrowly running down stablemate Haatem May 25 at the Curragh.View the full article

We're at a familiar juncture with dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin as he seeks to put an uninspiring effort in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T) in March behind him in the May 26 Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) at Curragh.View the full article

Mqse de Sevigne had plenty go against her when giving weight away in the Prix Jacques Laffitte, but showed she retains all her ability when clear. She and Blue Rose Cen are favored in the Prix d'Ispahan (G1) May 26 at ParisLongchamp.View the full article