Wandering Eyes

Owner-breeder Arturo Cousino has promised to cheer on Jancis (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) when she lines out in the G1 Matron Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival after admitting to have been completely lost for words when his star filly landed a Group 3 at Leopardstown last week. What that victory meant to the 63-year-old, whose family is steeped in racing and breeding history in his native Chile, can scarcely be put into words. Literally. “Honestly, I couldn't believe it,” Cousino recalled of that Brownstown Stakes success. “When I saw her racing in her own style in the early part of the race I said, 'I don't believe this, she's going to win,' and she did. I was watching it at home on my computer with my brother and there were almost no words. Not even one shout. That will change in the Matron–I will shout!” In Willie McCreery, Cousino has a trainer who has a knack of producing a high-class filly at fever pitch for the Matron. It is almost a decade since Fiesolana (Ire) (Aussie Rules) provided the trainer with a breakthrough success at the highest level in the race and now new dreams abound for the latest star filly at the Curragh stable. But it's not just McCreery who can be attributed for helping Cousino fulfill a lifelong ambition of finding a filly of this quality. He explained, “It has been a personal project that began a few years ago. I went into this venture with [bloodstock agent] Chad Schumer. He bought the mare, Blameless (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}), and we have a lot of respect for that line in Chile because Blameless goes back to Cristalline (Chi), who is a very famous mare in Chile. A lot of our best horses can be traced back to that line. It is by far the most respected line in Chile. So, when Chad bought Blameless [for €22,000 from Darley at Goffs in 2014], I proposed to him that we do foal shares together so that I could recover that line. My thought was that the line was getting lost, not only because of a lack of investment, but also some intelligence with getting the best out of that line in terms of matings. “That was one of the things that Chad and Nancy Sexton did a great job with. We had a relationship with Chad for about 15 years already. Chad helped me source some stallions from Europe down through the years so we have been working together for some time.” Jancis with her dam Blame The Ruler | Ballylinch Stud To say that Jancis has done her bit to revive the Cristalline line would be an understatement. But Cousino doesn't need to be so modest in deflecting the spotlight as few people would have devoted such time and patience to the project. He continued, “What can I tell you? Finally! After many years trying, we have a filly like Jancis. My family has been involved in this activity of breeding horses in Chile for over a century and a half. As a matter of fact, they were the first thoroughbred breeders in Chile and, along with other families, founded the first racetrack-Club Hipico-in the country as well. That was back in 1870. “So it has always been a hobby for my family. My grandfather won several of the most important races in Chile. In those days they were not Group races but they are Group 1s now. So, I just kept going in this activity, breeding a few horses and having fun, but only as a hobby. It's more than a hobby, though, more of a tradition now.” Blameless produced just one filly for Cousino. A daughter of Derby winner Ruler Of The World (Ire), she raced just twice in France for trainer John Hammond. Sadly, Blame The Ruler suffered a career-ending injury after winning her maiden over 1m4f at Clairefontaine as a three-year-old, with the owner revealing that Hammond made it clear the esteem in which she was held in before that injury cut her career short. He said, “With Blameless, we had a few foals. The first two were colts and we sold them in the sales. But when she gave me my first filly, by Ruler Of The World, Chad decided to sell Blameless to Chile. Unfortunately, Blameless died on that trip. I kept the Ruler Of The World filly, who we named Blame The Ruler, and I sent her to race in France with John Hammond. She was very late-maturing and was a stayer. She raced only twice–second and first. But after she broke her maiden, John called me to tell me that she had suffered an injury and couldn't race anymore. “But what was interesting was that John said, 'please, whatever you do, don't get rid of her.' He said he thought she was a very talented stayer who would have made some noise in France had she not gotten injured. I was never going to get rid of her anyway but I took her to Ireland and asked Chad and Nancy to try and help me bring this pedigree up. To try to recover it.” And that they did. The recommended mating with Tamayuz, who stood for a modest €8,000 at Derrinstown Stud at the time, is looking an inspired decision now. “Nancy and Chad came out with this cross with Tamayuz, making a beautiful pedigree. I saw so many families who have bred on similar lines–Height Of Fashion being one. It's the same with Allegretta (GB)–you can find so many things in that pedigree. I said, okay, let's go with it. This filly was born beautiful but Blame The Ruler died two days after the birth.” Oh my God. “Yes, oh my God. I said the same thing! I knew that she was going to be a good filly from the beginning because she has always been a fighter. To lose your mother on your second day of life, even in Ireland where everyone speaks your language-the language of horses-you've got to be a real fighter. So here we are, a couple of years later, we have Jancis being a very successful little filly and who knows what else.” To that extent, huge credit has to go to Ballylinch Stud, who raised the orphan Jancis along with Blame The Ruler and Blameless before her. If they say it takes a village to raise a child, the same can be said with Jancis, as this has been a collaborative effort from the very outset. “All of the team that Chad and Nancy have assembled for this project have been amazing and I am also so grateful to Ballylinch Stud. Finally, we are paying back their favour with a filly who is making good impressions. It is beyond dreams. And actually, it's kind of crazy here in Chile, too, because everyone is talking about Jancis. They are amazed about what has been done with this famous line. Everybody's so happy that the line has been recovered. There wasn't a fear that it had been completely lost because, every once and a while, a horse would come out of the same line. But it was dying abroad until Jancis came along.” Cosuino added, “The reason I went into this partnership in the beginning with Chad was because I always dreamed of one day having a mare good enough to breed from. What I mean by this is to have a mare good enough to send to all of the stallions that I read about in the TDN. You know, in Chile you can only watch horses like this, so my dream was–whether in Kentucky, England or Ireland–to have a good mare. At this time, my dream has already been fulfilled in that I know I can send Jancis to some very good stallions. If she gets a Group 1, the only difference is that we will have to pick even better stallions!” The post Cousino: ‘I Knew Jancis Would Be Good Because She’s Always Been A Fighter’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tony Martin, currently serving a three-month suspension, has been banned an additional two months and incurred a fine by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB). The additional suspension comes after his actions following Alphonse Le Grande (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire})'s Northumberland Vase win. Martin was originally banned for a six-month period–three suspended–for breaking anti-doping rules. Martin's sister Cathy O'Leary now holds his training licence, but Martin was present both before and after the race at Newcastle in the paddock, and appeared to be instructing rider Hollie Doyle. The trainer's actions were considered by the IHRB referrals committee to “constitute a flagrant disregard of the rules” that had “brought horse racing into disrepute” resulting in an additional two months' suspension, running from Aug. 16 to Oct. 16, and a €5,000 fine. Their ruling was that the former trainer had committed a “significant breach of Rules 272(i) and 273(xiii), undermining regulatory authority and damaging the reputation of the horseracing industry in that, once his licence was withdrawn, he continued to act in his capacity as a trainer despite the revocation of his licence”. His quick apology post-race was acknowledged by the IHRB and they weakened their sanctions accordingly. Martin did say that Doyle had reached out to him for advice on how to approach the race, a statement that the jockey has since corroborated. Martin's statement read, “I sincerely apologise for my actions during the Northumberland Vase. I fully understand that my behaviour was inappropriate given my current suspension status. I let my excitement and passion for the sport get the better of me, and for that, I am deeply sorry. “I accept the consequences of my actions and will comply fully with any disciplinary measures imposed. I apologise to the racing community, officials and fans for any disappointment caused.” The post Trainer Tony Martin’s Suspension Extended By Two Months After Newcastle Rule Breaches appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Such an eye-catcher when fourth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp in May, Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) who failed to stay the mile and a half of Royal Ascot's G2 King Edward VII Stakes roared back to form dropping to nine furlongs in Thursday's G3 Meld Stakes at Leopardstown. Kept wide early by Ryan Moore, the 8-11 favourite took up a prominent position and when sent for home two out stretched his rivals to breaking point en route to a seven-length success from Tarawa (Ire) (Shamardal). “He's made like a miler and loved the ground–he could be a Cox Plate horse, as he's definitely not short of pace. Ryan said he's got all the class and all the speed in the world. At least we know now what to do with him.” Back to winning ways! Diego Velazquez returns to his best under Ryan Moore to land the Group 3 Meld Stakes for Aidan O'Brien @LeopardstownRC @Ballydoyle | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/tgTxjiSYfg — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 18, 2024 The post ‘He could be a Cox Plate horse’: Frankel’s Diego Velazquez Dominates the Meld appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four weeks before the Aug. 17 King's Plate Stakes, the historic CA$1 million race that kicks off the Canadian Triple Crown, 3-year-olds bred in the country will audition for a King's Plate opportunity in July 20 stakes at Woodbine.View the full article

Siena Farm and WinStar Farm's Timberlake is wasting no time returning to the top level as he returns from a 3 1/2-month layoff in the July 20 Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park.View the full article

Leopardstown staged the mile maiden on Thursday which had seen Opera Singer (Justify) prevail 12 months earlier and there was another promising winner as Juddmonte's Swelter (GB) (Kingman {GB}–Hot Snap {GB}, by Pivotal {GB}) made a winning start for the Dermot Weld stable. Out of the operation's G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes-winning and G1 Nassau Stakes-placed half-sister Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), the homebred was held up in rear early by Chris Hayes. Looming wide on the home turn, the 12-1 shot swooped on the experienced 11-4 favourite Valencia (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) with a furlong remaining and asserted to score by 1 3/4 lengths, with 2 1/2 lengths back to Ecstatic (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Ballydoyle's daughter of Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). “She's a gorgeous filly, she's a big filly and has always shown ability,” Weld said. “I did enter her in the Moyglare and the Debutante so it's not a surprise that she won here at all. She settled beautifully. She's a big filly, so I'm looking more at next year with her. Please God she can make into a Guineas filly, that's how high I rate her. She's a talented filly, a nicer mover, and my only concern was a mile for her first run. If it was seven I'd have been confident that she'd win because of the pace she has. That's why Chris took his time on her, from a fitness score to go a mile, but she had no problem with the distance.” Impressive debut Newcomer Swelter (Kingman) makes a winning start to her career under @chrishayes24 as she strikes for Dermot Weld in the @IrishEBF_ Fillies Maiden @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/Qe8AexXL4Y — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 18, 2024 The post Juddmonte’s Kingman Filly wins the Opera Singer Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. To follow are the horses entered for Friday at Saratoga: Friday, July 19, 2024 Saratoga 1, $100k, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:10 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Ky Anansi (Caravaggio), OBSMAR, 15,000, :10.2 C-Top Line Sales LLC, agent; B-Amira Chichakly No Evidence (Vekoma), OBSAPR, 325,000, :10 C-Kinsman Farm; B-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing Saratoga 6, $90, 2yo, (S), 5 1/2f, 4:02 p.m. ET Burning Munny (Munnings), OBSAPR, 20,000, :10.3 C-Paul Sharp, agent; B-Mahony Manor Monte Avi (Central Banker), OBSAPR, 30,000, :10.1 C-Santa Fe Thoroughbreds, agent; B-Nicolino Avicolli The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored by OBS: July 19, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 179 yearlings have been catalogued for the Osarus La Teste Yearling Sale on Sept. 9-10. The sale, to be held at La Teste de Buch racecourse, will begin at 1 p.m. during Monday's session, and at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 10. A Muhaarar (GB) half-sister to G3 Prix du Bois winner Cosachope (Fr) (Soave {Ger}) (lot 68) is one of 11 in the sale by her sire. There are another 71 sires represented at the sale, with past graduates including 2024 listed winner Chic Columbine (Fr) (Seahenge), and Group 1 winners Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) and smart, young sire Sands Of Mali (Fr) (Panis). Among the stallions represented are: Almanzor (Fr), Galiway (GB), Harry Angel (Ire), Iffraaj (GB), Kendargent (Fr), Sea The Moon (Ger), The Grey Gatsby (Ire), Zelzal (Fr), City Light (Fr), Earthlight (Ire), Romanised (Ire), Van Beethoven, Armor (GB), and Victor Ludorum (GB). Other lots of note are as follows: a Taj Mahal (Ire) half-brother to Group 3 winner Mister Saint Paul (Fr) (Dariyan {Fr}) (lot 58); lot 45, a Goken (Fr) filly closely related to Group 1 winner Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}); a filly by Cloth Of Stars (Ire) (lot 14) who is out of G3 Prix Chloe winner Wilside (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}); and a Toronado (Ire) colt (lot 39) who is a half-brother to listed winner Intellect (Fr) (Intello {Ger}). There will also be a small Anglo-Arab session featuring 10 juveniles. The post Half To Cosachope One Of The Stars of Osarus La Teste Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At this point in the season, a freshman sire can hardly do better than to win Saratoga's–and the nation's–first graded stakes of the year for 2-year-olds. When that young stallion also leads the nation's first-crop sires in winners with 12 (75% of starters), he's signaling he might be something special. With that kind of start, it's no surprise Airdrie Stud's Complexity, a son of Maclean's Music, is firmly on top of the freshman stallion list at this early juncture. He's also currently leading all sires, regardless of number of crops, by 2-year-old winners and earnings this year. “It's such a long process of waiting from first getting a stallion, so to be top freshman sire at this point and to lead the overall sires of 2-year-olds with a considerable-enough lead is really everything that you work for and hope for as a stallion farm,” said Bret Jones, president of Airdrie Stud. “We all know we're a long way from the finish line, but we really believe we've got a shot with this horse. We hope he can continue to climb the ladder. “Our great hope is that his story is far from written.” If Complexity's story as a sire is on chapter one, he's crafted a beginning sure to appeal to the masses. In addition to undefeated graded winner Mo Plex, who captured Saturday's GIII Sanford Stakes, Complexity has sired the winning Astoria Stakes third-place finisher French Horn, 'TDN Rising Star' Complexion, and nine other winners. That would be a pretty nice start for a freshman by this fall, but it's only mid-July, which makes it an exceptional start. With the opening of Saratoga last week and Del Mar this coming weekend, the 2-year-old race season is just getting started in earnest. Jones said the buzz began at the 2-year-old sales early this spring. “Very early on this season the news coming out of Ocala was as positive as its ever been with any new stallion we've ever had,” he said. “We all know how quickly that can change, but almost as soon as they hit the track down there, you started hearing positive things. Of course, the proof is when they get in the starting gate and the momentum has continued to build. “The great thing is its been quality winners at the best tracks, from the best farms, just everything that you hope for when you put a stallion in the barn.” TDN Stallions: Complexity from Thoroughbred Daily News on Vimeo. A 'TDN Rising Star' himself at two on debut, Complexity won the GI Champagne Stakes in his next out. His sophomore year was abbreviated, but he proved his mettle with a 110 Beyer Speed Figure in a GII Kelso Handicap win at four. “I think everybody in the business who stands stallions was following him though that 2-year-old year after that Champagne win,” said Jones. “As a 3-year-old, he had some little issues that kept him out of the headlines, but never kept him far out of our minds. We did the deal near the end of his racing career as a 4-year-old. “He was such a talented racehorse. We've said for a long time how important he could be for our operation. He himself is a beautiful horse and the commercial market has always supported him. He's really appealed to shareholders and a lot of commercial breeders and they've supported him accordingly.” Jones cautioned that while Complexity is getting precocity, the bay is also giving indications that's not the whole story. “Although they look like they could be early horses, remember he was precocious himself by anybody's definition, but he was also a miler that was running 110 Beyers as a 4-year-old. That's such a feather in his cap. “I would not dismiss anything he's doing based on the fact that they're speed balls. We believe his best days are ahead.” Jones is so bullish on Complexity that Airdrie upped the number of mares sent to him from the farm's own broodmare band in his second year. “When those first foals started arriving, we made that decision to roll back heavily into him. We bred 26 mares of our own his second season because we were so high on his foals that we were seeing. “He has so many attractive aspects for us,” continued Jones. “We were very fortunate to get him and very grateful that [owner] Seth Klarman and [trainer] Chad Brown trusted us. We've tried to hold up our part of that bargain.” In the just-completed 2024 breeding season, Complexity covered “right around 90 mares. We ran out of breeding season. If only the season could have lasted a few more weeks so people could have seen what he was doing! We hope that's the smallest book he has going forward.” Airdrie introduced Complexity for his initial season in 2021 at $12,500, but unlike the majority of stallions, his fee never dropped in subsequent books before his first runners hit the track. “He's always been well supported,” said Jones. “Sure, he had a little bit of a downturn in numbers [his third and fourth years], but he's showing he's a horse that can consistently throw what he's appearing to be able to throw. His numbers are by design. We want to focus on getting quality mares to him and we're seeing that in the results.” Complexity's Mo Plex takes Saturday's Sanford | Sarah Andrew From a Stonestreet female family, Complexity was “a typical Mike Ryan purchase–an athlete,” said Jones. Ryan signed the Keeneland September ticket for the then-yearling for $375,000. Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables campaigned him with trainer Chad Brown, who shared his thoughts on the horse with NYRA officials at Saratoga this weekend. “Complexity was a horse that was so good to us,” said Brown. “He won the Champagne and he was a brilliant winner first time out here. He was a very precocious horse and a very likeable horse. “I'm so pleased that the horse is off to such a good start at stud. We've had several graduates of our program that are off to really good starts at stud. It's great personally and it's great for our business for different owners and breeding farms to see that we can make good stallions here. “We did buy Complexity as a yearling and developed him from yearling up and it's very rewarding for the whole program,” continued Brown. With the yearling sales season of 2024 about to get into full swing, Complexity brings a considerable head of steam. He had a pair of second-crop yearlings sell for $250,000 at last week's Fasig-Tipton July Sale. Overall, including last year's first yearlings, 98 have changed hands at sales while averaging $81,139 to date, or 6 1/2 times his stud fee. His 42 juveniles this spring have done well, too, with a healthy $102,792 mean. “He's always gotten that good, nice sales type and the hope is that continues at the racetrack,” said Jones. “So far, so good.” Complexity's very first winner, Mensa, was featured in a one-horse Fasig-Tipton Digital flash sale in April, just two weeks after that initial win. He brought $740,000 to Resolute Bloodstock's bid. Jones stresses how important it is to a stallion farm's success to have horses farm principals can believe in. “Our stallion rooster is everything to us as we breed the overwhelming amount of our own mares to our own stallions. We're not going to bring in a horse that we're not going to support ourselves. “We've bred 16 stakes winners this year. That starts in our stallion barn. If our stallion barn is firing, then our broodmares are firing. We're going to have good sales. It all starts there.” As Jones said, Complexity's story is still being written. If his future results match or exceed the early chapters, the sequel promises to be a bestseller. The post Saturday Sires: Complexity appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The turf course at Churchill Downs, brown and unsightly from post-spring meet maintenance meant to strengthen its root structure and growth, is still planned for use during the track's September meet, a Churchill Downs official said.View the full article

Perhaps the top 3-year-old in the country of either sex, Thorpedo Anna's connections have indicated she may use the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) as a prep for the Travers Stakes (G1). View the full article

The daughter of Curlin had a six-race win streak snapped June 8 in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course when she lost by a head at the wire, just failing to catch front-running Randomized. View the full article

The Lexus Melbourne Cup will be at Naas Racecourse during the €300,000 Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes Day, on Monday, Aug. 5. Besides celebrating the iconic Australian race, the course will also venerate the legacy of Kildare man Robert Cooper Bagot, whose contributions helped shape one of the world's greatest races, and the experience of the Melbourne Cup. “The Race That Stops a Nation” will be run for the 164th time this year, and will offer prize-money of A$8.4 million. The trophy itself is valued at A$750,000. The trophy travels 110,000 kilometres, visiting 39 destinations globally before returning to Melbourne for the race on Nov. 5. Cooper Bagot, born in 1827 in County Kildare, emigrated to Australia in 1849, prior to becoming the first secretary of the Victoria Racing Club in 1864. His redesign of the Flemington racecourse and successful lobbying for a Melbourne Cup Day half-holiday expanded the race's appeal. There will also be a Treo Eile ex-racehorse parade that day, which will include the dual Melbourne Cup placegetter Max Dynamite (Fr) (Great Journey {Jpn}), and the first race on the day is due off at 2:20 p.m. For more information about the event and schedule, please visit the Naas website. The post Naas To Welcome Melbourne Cup During Ballyhane Stakes Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 213 entries for its inaugural July Digital Sale, which may be viewed at digital.fasigtipton.com. Bidding is now open and will close on Tuesday, July 23, beginning at 12 p.m. ET. The catalogue features 84 horses of racing age, led by 2024 graded stakes winners Hades (Awesome Slew) (Hip 1) and Nadette (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) (Hip 39). A leader in his three-year-old crop this year, Hades captured the GIII Holy Bull S. in January and recently finished second in the GIII Dwyer S. on July 6. Nadette (Fr), a five-year-old graded stakes winning mare of $329,634, won the Beverly D. Preview S. by nearly five lengths at Colonial Downs this past weekend. Breeding stock on offer is led by the Dispersal of the Lakin Estate Partnership, which includes broodmares as well as several New York-foaled weanlings. The Lakin entries are consigned by Sequel New York, as agent. In total, there are 88 broodmares or broodmare prospects catalogued, including 28 mares with foals at foot. Covering sires represented include American Pharoah, Cyberknife, Forte, Tiz the Law, Golden Pal, Oscar Performance, Street Sense, and Yaupon. The catalogue also includes 24 yearlings, as well as unraced two-year-olds, and a stallion prospect. “The interest from sellers in this inaugural July Digital Sale has been overwhelming,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “We have quality racehorses at all levels, including high-end stakes horses and recent winners.” “Our breeding stock entries are especially impressive for a mid-summer sale,” Aaron continued. “Mare and weanling buyers need to zero in on this catalogue or risk missing some major opportunities.” To create an account or register to bid for the July Digital Sale, prospective buyers should visit digital.fasigtipton.com. The post Graded Stakes Winners and Lakin Dispersal Headline Fasig July Digital Sale; Bidding Now Open appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Registration is now open for Monmouth Park's $1,000 Haskell Handicapping Challenge on Saturday, July 20. Now in its fourth year, the Haskell Challenge boasted a record 265 entries in 2023. Last year's winner, Gwyn Houston, took home his $7,100 bankroll plus a $17,000 cash prize and a Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) seat. In addition to the eight total BCBC prizes, two seats to the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship were awarded last year and will be awarded again this year. The Haskell Challenge can only be played online through Xpressbet, TVG, 4NJBETS and HPI. In order to participate, contest players must pre-register. TVG and 4NJBETS players must pre-register with contest director Brian Skirka by Friday, July 19, at 3 p.m. Eastern. Skirka can be reached at 732-571-6595 or bskirka@monmouthpark.com. HPI players must pre-register with Klaus Ebner at kebner@woodbine.com by the same deadline. Xpressbet players can pre-register with Skirka or register directly through Xpressbet up until noon on Saturday, July 20. The full $1,000 buy-in must be paid in advance with $500 going to the player's bankroll and $500 going to the prize pool. Entry fees can be paid via credit card. Per contest rules, there is a maximum of two entries per person. The post Registration Open For Haskell Handicapping Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Great Racing Welfare Cycle will take place in Newmarket and its environs from noon on Saturday, July 20 until noon the following day, charity Racing Welfare announced on Thursday. The Rowley Mile Racecourse will be the base for participating teams consisting of four to eight persons, who will continuously cycle over a 24-hour period completing laps of a planned 32km route around the town and surrounding villages. Afterward, there will be a BBQ and a celebration for all cyclists and their families. Earlier this week, a quiz was held by the Baker McVeigh cycling team at The Yard pub in Newmarket on Tuesday, July 16, which raised £1,362.80 towards their fundraising total. Juddmonte's Jake Woolf will also field a team, and has arranged a ticket drawing for six people to meet Frankel (GB) at Juddmonte's Banstead Manor Stud. For every £50 donated to his team's JustGiving page, Woolf will offer a ticket. There are 50 tickets available. For more information on the charity cycle, please visit the Racing Welfare website. The post Great Racing Welfare Cycle Challenge Set For July 20-21 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

York maiden winner The Strikin Viking (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}) has been acquired by the Emir of Qatar's Wathnan Racing. Wathnan's racing advisor Richard Brown announced the news on Thursday. The G2 Railway Stakes runner-up will join the Newmarket-based Qatari trainer Hamad Al-Jehani. Bred by Tally-Ho Stud, the bay son of Asmeen (Ire) (Shamardal) was bought for 65,000gns out of the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale in May. From the family of worldbeater Azamour (Ire), he made his first two starts for Middleham Park Racing and trainer Kevin Ryan. The Strikin Viking is named after Manchester City's Norwegian phenomenon Erling Haaland. Brown said, “Kevin Ryan and his team have done a very impressive job with The Strikin Viking and Kevin and Tom and Tim Palin of Middleham Racing have been a pleasure to deal with. Hamad's got off to an outstanding start in Newmarket with just a handful of horses and Wathnan is keen to support him with some more firepower. I'm sure The Strikin Viking will give Wathnan lots of fun over the months ahead.” The post Railway Runner-Up The Strikin Viking Purchased By Wathnan Racing, Joins Al-Jehani Stable appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The United Nations Stakes (G2T) has an international name and history but half of the entries for the July 20 renewal ran their last race over the same Monmouth Park turf.View the full article

Though foreign-bred runners have done well in recent editions of the San Clemente at Del Mar, Kentucky-bred Medoro could change that this year and keep her record perfect.View the full article

Four weeks before the Aug. 17 King's Plate, the historic CA$1 million race that kicks off the Canadian Triple Crown, 3-year-olds bred in the country will audition for a King's Plate opportunity in July 20 stakes at Woodbine.View the full article

Ocala-based Peterson Smith Equine Hospital recently completed a new CT wing of to their facility, the healthcare provider said in a release early Thursday. The project included comprehensive upgrades to the lobby and examination rooms, along with the construction of a cutting-edge standing surgery suite. The new development includes the installation of the Qalibra Aquillion Exceed LB Computed Tomography (CT) system, which features industry-leading technology and a large (90cm) bore. The advanced CT unit enables safe and efficient diagnostic imaging of patients undergoing standing sedation or general anesthesia. The enhanced imaging capabilities provide the hospital's veterinary team with critical information, ultimately improving equine patient outcomes. “With access to these detailed three-dimensional images from the CT scan as part of our diagnostic process, we can confidently identify specific issues and plan surgeries and treatment more effectively,” said Dr. Faith Hughes. The post Ocala’s Peterson Smith Equine Hospital Enhances Care With New CT Wing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tim Naylor, the British Horseracing Authority's director of integrity and regulation, will step down from his post after serving in the role for 7 1/2 years to spend more time with his family, the BHA announced on Thursday. Naylor was the first head of regulation, and oversaw the successful completion of the Rules of Racing re-write in 2019. In addition, he led the integrity, regulatory and safeguarding teams in his current role since 2018. He will continue as a voluntary non-executive director of the Commonwealth Games Wales, and as a disciplinary and appeals chair for the RFU and FAW. BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington said, “We are very grateful for Tim's contribution to the BHA and British racing over the past seven and a half years. This has been a significant period for racing, during which we have developed and strengthened our integrity, disciplinary, regulatory and safeguarding functions to ensure the highest standards and bolster participant and public confidence in our sport. We wish Tim well for the future.” The post Tim Naylor To Leave BHA To Spend More Time With His Family appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gabaldon (Gone Astray), a runner-up finisher in last month's Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, will race for a new partnership after Qatar Racing privately acquired a 50 percent stake in the colt following Wednesday's Inglis Digital USA July Sale, the online auction company said in a Thursday release. Qatar Racing purchased 50 percent of the colt for $150,000, valuing him at $300,000, while original owner Soldi Stable will retain a 50 percent stake. Bloodstock agent Fergus Galvin brokered the deal on behalf of Qatar Racing. “Gabaldon's performance at Ascot caught our eye,” Galvin said. “The team at Inglis helped us acquire him in partnership with the original owners. We bought a 2-year-old by Lope de Vega (Ire), Bongos (Ire), as well. With the quality of offerings Inglis Digital USA are bringing we will be sure to continue to participate in future sales.” Jose D'Angelo trained Gabaldon for his original owner and the colt will remain with him after the transaction. “Soldi Stables and Qatar Racing has reached an agreement in which Gabaldon, who has started a stellar campaign winning the Royal Palm Stakes at Gulfstream Park, and later a magnificent race in The Windsor Castle Stakes at the tough Royal Ascot meeting in June, will run in partnership,” said Alfonso Soued of Soldi Stable. “The goal is to race Gabaldon at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. In the meantime, his next race will be the Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga. He will continue under the magnificent training of Jose F. D'Angelo, who has done so far a great work and believed in Gabaldon as a potential star since day one.” Bred in Florida by Carol Ann Reitman, Susan Gannon and Warren Miller, Gabaldon is out of the Value Plus mare Valuable Miss. His full-brother, Valuable Breigh, is a seven-time winner from ages two to four. “Gabaldon is an impressive horse who has been proven internationally,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Liza Hendriks. “We are thrilled for the connections who have been able to take advantage of a global marketplace and look forward to what the future holds for him.” The post Qatar Racing Privately Acquires 50 Percent Share In Gabaldon After Inglis Digital USA July Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday August 24th (Matamata farms) 9.00am Waikato Stud – 521 Tower Road, Matamata (Ardrossan, Banquo, Novere, Ocean Park, Savabeel, & Super Seth)– Coffee cart/Breaky 8.30-9am 10.15am Mapperley Stud – 107 Matai Road, Matamata (Armory, Contributer, & Savile Row) – Coffee Cart 11.00pm Rich Hill Stud – 570 Landsdowne Road, Walton (Ace High, Proisir, Satono Aladdin, Shocking & Vadamos) 12.15pm Brighthill – 1352 Tauwhare Road, Eureka 3284 (Dalghar, Eminent & Preferment) Sunday August 25st (Cambridge/Hamilton farms) 9.45am Highview Stud – 1544 Kakaramea Road, Ngahinapouri (Wrote, Divine prophet, Mr Mozart & Santos) – Coffee Cart 11.00am Windsor Park Stud – 1130 Kaipaki Road, Cambridge (Profondo, Circus Maximus, Paddington, Turn Me Loose, Shamexpress & Vanbrugh) – lunch provided 12.30pm The Oaks – 122 Roto-O-Rangi Road, Cambridge (U S Navy Flag , The Chosen One & Roc de Cambes ) 1.30pm Novara Park – 35 Gorton Road, Cambridge (King of Comedy, Staphanos, Sweynesse & Press Statement) 2.45pm Cambridge Stud – 128 Discombe Road, Cambridge (Almanzor, Hello Youmzain, Chaldean, Embellish & Sword of State) View the full article

Group One sire Vadamos will not shuttle to Rich Hill Stud for the upcoming 2024 Southern Hemisphere season. “It’s purely an economic decision,” farm principal John Thompson said. “The progeny of Vadamos have had another good year on the racetracks and they continue to sell well. “He currently sits in 15th place on the New Zealand premiership, with outstanding Group One-winning mare La Crique his flagbearer. “It will be difficult to cover the costs of transport, promotion and staff at his advertised service fee of $9000. “As any Australasian farm standing stallions will know, these fixed costs have risen substantially over the last few years, so the syndicate has decided to leave him in the Northern Hemisphere this year. “The Vadamos Syndicate owns 50 percent of the stallion, so we do have the option to bring him back to New Zealand in the future.” View the full article