Wandering Eyes

It’s been a tough road for Stephen Gray over recent times as Singapore racing has gone from racing powerhouse to closure in October, but now he’s back home and ready for the next chapter in his training career. Gray and his wife Bridget made Singapore their home in 2000, when he was licensed by the Malayan Racing Association and took occupancy of the last available stable block at the new Kranji racing and training complex. Much has happened in the subsequent quarter-century: their children James (now 22) and Katie (20) were born and raised there, and Gray trained 825 winners to go with more than 400 in partnership with his father Kevin over the previous decade. His Singapore tally covered most of the majors on the calendar including the Singapore Derby, Singapore Gold Cup, Queen Elizabeth ll Cup, Lion City Cup, Stewards Cup and Kranji Sprint. But now racing on the island nation is a poor shadow of its halcyon days, much of it due to the Covid pandemic but also the victim of inconsiderate government decisions. Last June Gray and all other STC licence-holders were blind-sided when summoned to a meeting and bluntly told that racing would cease in 16 months’ time. The reason given for the shock decision was that the 120-hectare Kranji racing and training facility, operated under lease arrangement from the government, was required for housing and community recreation. In a sad irony, the October 5 finale would be headlined by the 100th running of the Singapore Gold Cup, bringing to an end 180 years of racing in the south-east Asian enclave. “I had 60 in work when COVID hit, Singapore racing was thriving, but that all came crashing down,” Gray said. “The worst part was that the officials hadn’t developed the ability for betting offshore, and by the time we were back racing, horse numbers had dropped from 1400 to 800 or 900. “The club was in major debt, most of our feature racing had gone and racedays cut back from two per week to just one. But they had brought in some experienced administrators and told us they were committed to getting things back to something like they had been. “It was a big boost for everyone to hear that and we went ahead buying more horses and looking with optimism to the future. Something like 140 two-year-olds were bought that year, then to be called to that meeting last June and be told that it was all over – no-one saw that coming, it was a real kick in the guts.” Despite an initial pledge by the STC to “work with the government to ensure a well-managed exit for local horse racing”, uncertainty and anguish only increased as participants struggled to come to terms with the decision and just how it would play out. That came to a head in early April at a meeting convened between trainers and government officials in the hope of formalising promised compensation for trainers, staff and owners, as well as assurances around horse welfare. “About 20 trainers went into the meeting with the government minister and her officials, hoping to get some certainty about how things would play out, but it was a complete waste of time,” Gray said. “Trainers tried to get their point across and it was getting very emotional, most of them were in tears. Then it was my turn to speak and it was just too hard. “I walked out of the meeting, went home and I had a full-blown meltdown. I said to Bridget I just can’t do this anymore, it was mentally crippling, we had to get out.” Sealing that decision, the next day Gray wrote to officials, giving formal notice that he would be relinquishing his licence to train in Singapore and vacating his stables by the end of April. His next task was notifying his staff and owners – which included members of both groups who had been with him virtually from the start – and doing what he could to find homes for his remaining horses. “It’s such a pity when you think back to how good Singapore was, that feeling of pride that you were doing well in what I rate an even tougher environment than Hong Kong with having to run the business side of things as well,” said Gray, who at age 59 was the last trainer remaining from the original 2000 draft. “We’ve got no regrets about the years we spent up there – most were fantastic, we trained a lot of winners for good people, we took horses to Hong Kong and Royal Ascot. I just wish it could have ended better, that’s all.” Stephen and Bridget Gray arrived back in New Zealand last week, having decided their preferred destination was the familiar environment of the Manawatu, where both sets of parents still live. Having bought a new home in the countryside between Palmerston North and Feilding, they were busy organising their new lives centred nearby at Copper Belt Lodge, where Stephen’s parents Kevin and Kathleen have lived since 2006. “Given how rough the past few years have been and the way it all ended, we just felt the best thing was to get home where we would be surrounded by family and friends,” says Gray. “The one thing we’ve learnt is the importance of your mental health, so we’re home now and looking forward to settling back into the New Zealand way of life and seeing what the future holds.” Central to that future is Gray resuming his training career. In that respect he has the advantage of operating on a fully-appointed property that has enabled his father to take his career tally past 1,000 wins during a period that has produced numerous major winners headed by the Group One-winning trio of Daffodil, Legs and Porotene Gem. “Dad is in his mid-80s now and while he and Mum are still in good health and remain very active, this will be the chance for them to take things a bit easier,” Gray said. “I’m looking forward to another challenge and feeling optimistic about the future for racing in New Zealand, especially with the Entain deal that has done so much for stakes and various other initiatives. “Racing in the central districts has plenty of positives, the Awapuni course proper renovation alongside the synthetic track there should provide plenty of opportunities. Since it became obvious Singapore was all over, we considered our options back here and in Australia, but I’m satisfied we’ve made the right decision. “I don’t believe you have to be based up north to succeed as a trainer in New Zealand, and as we’ve seen time and again, Australia is very accessible if you’ve got the right horse.” One of the relationships that Gray struck up in Singapore was with businessman John Chew, who has flagged his intentions to compete in New Zealand and Australian racing with multiple purchases at sales in both countries over the past year. Anyone who hadn’t already heard of Chew and ToKing Racing took note in February when he bid $725,000 for the first slot auctioned ahead of the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi scheduled for Ellerslie next March. “John asked me and New South Wales agent Peter Twomey, who has also spent time in Singapore, to source likely types for racing in both countries and we’ve managed to pull together a lovely line of young horses,” Gray said. “Time will tell if we’ll have the right horse for the first running of the NZB Kiwi, but the intention is certainly to give ourselves the chance next year and beyond.” Further evidence that Gray is bringing more than just memories back from Singapore is the handful of horses as well as some staff, subject to immigration protocols, that will be part of the relocation. Among the horses are his 2021 Singapore Derby and Queen Elizabeth ll Cup winner Hard Too Think, and Silent Is Gold, the winner of two of his last five starts and most recently sixth to the New Zealand-bred star Lim’s Kosciuszko in the Kranji Stakes in late March. “They’re proven horses that I believe are worth being given the chance in New Zealand, plus a couple of unraced horses that I rate. We’re also doing the paperwork for a handful of our Singapore employees, one of them a stable supervisor, also a work rider and another who I hope to sign up for an apprenticeship.” Within the Gray family are two who have inherited a passion for racing, next generation members James and Katie, who are currently undergoing tertiary studies. “They’ve both got involved over the past couple of years with bid-spotting at Karaka and have a genuine interest in racing,” says their father. “James is at the University of Victoria studying international business and film, Katie’s doing law in Melbourne and she’s also been working part-time for the VRC, to begin with on membership and now with owners on raceday.” While he has one eye on those closest, Gray also points to the wealth of opportunity available in the modern-day racing industry and what that means. “Where racing in this country now finds itself, it’s a massive chance to future-proof the industry,” he said. “New Zealand has to set itself up for the years ahead, make the most of what’s being put in front of us and ensuring its viability for the next generation. “Singapore was our big hit at racing, but now we’re back in New Zealand wanting to give it another shot.” View the full article

Stakes performer Conor O’Ceirin will take his first steps toward upcoming feature race targets when he resumes at Trentham on Saturday. The seven-year-old has a tidy first-up record and trainer Robbie Patterson is expecting the gelding to give another strong account of himself in the Majestic Horse Floats Handicap (1400m). Stablemate Shameless Boy will also return from a break in the Manawatu ITM Steeplechase Day Tomorrow At Woodville Handicap (1200m) and the unbeaten galloper is in good shape for the task ahead. Conor O’Ceirin is coming back from a lengthy break but has been given a thorough grounding and is a four-time winner off a break. “He galloped super yesterday (Thursday) morning and the rider got off and said he would be very competitive,” Patterson said. “He has trialled up really well, we know he’s got plenty of ability and he’s a bold sort of horse, so I can’t see why he won’t go a good race fresh-up. “There is a bit of race day fitness in that race but there’s no reason why the big fellow won’t be right there.” Conor O’Ceirin has won both of his open trials at Waverley and Foxton ahead of his Trentham assignment, in which Courtney Barnes will guide his fortunes from an inside barrier. “He’s had a jump-out as well and has had some good work at home, so he won’t be too far away,” Patterson said. Conor O’Ceirin’s future goals are the Listed Sinclair Electrical Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth on July 20 and the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton a fortnight later. The son of Dial A Prayer, who has six career victories to his credit, finished third in the Winter Cup during his last campaign and also has a placing in the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) on his resume. Meanwhile, Shameless Boy will bid to keep his unbeaten record intact following wins at Otaki and New Plymouth earlier this year. “It’s a step up and with topweight it won’t be easy, but he’s won on heavy ground before and he’s got the ability,” Patterson said. Apprentice Lemmy Chief Stipelas’ claim will bring the three-year-old’s impost down to 58kg. “We’ll put the blinkers on him and he’s probably only trialled up average, but he’s very laid back,” Patterson said. “At the trials, we don’t use the stick on him but when you do he digs in, and he’s a horse that when you just leave him alone he’ll pull up. “The blinkers will keep him sharp and with the couple of kilos off we hope it will do the trick. He’s pretty forward after those trials and a jump-out.” Further success will also force potential suitors to dig deeper for the son of Shamexpress. “He’s for sale so if he was to win, he could end up offshore, but we’ll take it run by run,” Patterson said. Shameless Boy is a younger brother of stablemate and recent Hawera winner Catherinenz with the pair raced by breeder Roger Blunt, a Waikato dairy farmer. View the full article

Paul Nelson and Corrina McChief Stipeal’s star jumpers Nedwin and The Cossack will line-up over the weekend, but they won’t feature over the fences. Nedwin featured prominently in the prestige hurdles last year, taking out the Waikato Hurdle (3200m) and Great Northern Hurdle (4200m). He resumed with an unplaced run over 2060m at Wanganui earlier this month and will have another flat run at Trentham on Saturday in the John Cryan 2200 to ready for his upcoming jumps season. “He needs a run and we were waiting for a wet track,” Nelson said. “It’s only his second run, but we will just take it as it is.” While Nedwin has added six hurdle wins to his six flat triumphs, he has yet to be tested over the bigger fences, something that will change in the coming months. “He will start somewhere along the line and then we will think about a chase,” Nelson said. “He would be the top-rated hurdler (96 rating), so that weight starts to catch up with you at some time.” A day later at Woodville, the stable’s champion jumper The Cossack will feature on the same card as his archrival West Coast, but the pair won’t meet just yet, with The Cossack kicking off his preparation on the flat in the Property Brokers Woodville-Pahiatua Cup (2100m). Last year The Cossack was victorious in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) and Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4800m) but was bettered by West Coast in the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) and Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m). Nelson and McChief Stipeal are looking forward to kicking off his campaign and readying for a reunion with the West Coast this jumping season. “He will enjoy a heavy track,” Nelson said. “Getting stopped in his (The Cossack) tracks at Wellington, we didn’t get a fair go at him (West Coast), the northern we might have been a bit over the top, and he might not get to 6500m.” While The Cossack won’t meet West Coast on Sunday, stablemate Raucous will in the LJ Hooker Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m). “Raucous is raucous,” Nelson quipped. “He gallops around and does what he wants.” Nelson will also line-up Taika in the Manawatu ITM Awapuni Hurdle (3000m) on Sunday, while Foxalot is a doubtful starter in the Braeside Farm Hurdle (3000m). “Hopefully we are somewhere near it with him (Taika),” Nelson said. “He ran a pretty nice race the other day on the flat. “It depends on how the track is, Foxalot might not handle a really heavy track. We needed to give her another start somewhere.” View the full article

Champion Top End trainer Gary Clarke will field all five runners in Race 2 at Fannie Bay this Saturday. Leading NT trainer Gary Clarke is assured of at least one win at Darwin on Saturday. Clarke, the champion conditioner in the Top End for the past 11 years, will field all five runners in the 1300m open handicap at Fannie Bay. Consequently, jockeys Jarrod Todd (Wolfburn), Jade Hampson (Siakam), Aaron Sweeney (Bel’s Banner), Ianish Luximon (Influential Jack) and Casey Hunter (Hazelwood) will fight it out for a share of first prize. “It’s a rare thing, I’m pretty sure I might have done it once before,” Clarke said. “I nominated Wolfburn and Siakam, but nobody else nominated, so I put an extra three in it so the race could go ahead. “It would have been a shame to see the prizemoney go to waste.” With trainers resting their horses before the action picks up prior to the Darwin Cup Carnival, which starts on July 6, Saturday’s meeting comprises five races, with the scheduled 0-70 event over 1600m scrapped. “I’m just sorry I wasn’t able to hold up the other race as well,” Clarke added. “I didn’t have any other horses to put in the mile, otherwise I would have done the same. “I’m lucky that I’ve got the capabilities to be able to do that with all the horses I’ve got. “I’m happy to hold up a race the best I can.” Stewards must be notified of riding instructions when a trainer has three or more runners in a race. Siakam, Bel’s Banner and Influential Jack are racing well, but the impressive Wolfburn should start as favourite with online bookmakers. Meanwhile, Tanaawol and Tiara Jewel — both with Todd aboard — are strong hopes as they make their Fannie Bay returns. Tanaawol will carry top weight in the 0-64 opener over 1300m, while Tiara Jewel will close out the card in a 0-58 affair over the mile. “We almost lost Tanaawol to either a spider or snake bite over the New Year period, but he’s back after having two wins from two starts,” Clarke said. “Tiara Jewel had two wins here last year and was third in Adelaide in January, so she’s going to be hard to beat in that grade.” With 46 wins for the 2023/24 season, Clarke leads the way from Phil Cole (24) in the race for the Top End trainers’ premiership. Horse racing news View the full article

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, May 25, 2024 First Race 2:57pm ACST Visit Dabble A total of 38 horses have accepted for the five-event meeting at Fannie Bay this weekend. The dry season is in full swing, as only 0.4mm of rain has fallen in Darwin since April 5. Sunny conditions with light winds is the forecast for Saturday, with a top temperature of 33C. The rail will be in the true position and it will once again be a good dirt surface. BEST BET AT DARWIN: MIAMI VICE After finishing third first-up at Fannie Bay in a 1000m maiden on April 19, Miami Vice bounced back to trounce his rivals by almost six lengths in an 1100m maiden a fortnight ago. The son of Shalaa never left the fence that day and shared the early lead after jumping from gate one before powering away in the home straight. He carries an extra 1kg in this BM53 over 1100m and will take a power of beating. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Miami Vice (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Emma Lines (a1.5) (59.5kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST AT DARWIN: TANAAWOL This six-year-old gelding arrived in the Top End late last year and produced two wins from as many starts. The son of Savabeel then suffered a spider bite, which meant he couldn’t run in the $40,000 Lightning Wet Season Final (1200m) on Australia Day after winning two of the six heats. Tanaawol is carrying a fair amount of weight and has drawn a wide gate, but he has saluted three times when returning from a spell. Next Best Race 1 – #2 Tanaawol (7) 6yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (60.5kg) Bet with Neds BEST VALUE AT DARWIN: TIARA JEWEL Tiara Jewel returns to the Top End after winning two races over 1600m during last year’s Darwin Cup Carnival. In a fairly open race on Saturday, it’s hard to ignore the five-year-old mare’s early $6 quote with racing bookmakers after a last-start third over the mile in Alice Springs on April 7. The daughter of Hallowed Crown has spent most of her career racing in Victoria and SA, posting four wins from 27 starts — including a third over this trip at Morphettville in January. Best Value Race 5 – #3 Tiara Jewel (3) 5yo Mare | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (57kg) Bet with Unibet Saturday Darwin quaddie tips – May 25, 2024 Darwin quadrella selections Saturday, May 25, 2024 1-2-3 1-2-3-6-10 1-3 1-2-3-5 Horse racing tips
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Adare Manor, trained by Bob Baffert, could become the first horse since Bayakoa in 1990 to win consecutive runnings of the Santa Margarita Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

A field of 10, led by the top four finishers from last month's Siren Lure Stakes—Johnny Podres, First Peace, Lane Way, and Mucho Del Oro—is entered in the $100,000 Daytona Stakes (G3T) May 26 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Jockey Sophie Doyle, who has been serving as the regular exercise rider for 14th-place GI Kentucky Derby finisher Epic Ride (Blame), returned to riding in the afternoon at Churchill Downs Sunday with an eighth-place finish aboard Sweet Mo B (Complexity) in Race 2, a maiden special weight. It was her first Churchill mount since having her first child, a daughter named Emilie, almost two years ago. Doyle began breezing horses for trainer Chris Davis, her fiancé, three months after her daughter's birth and returned to professional afternoon riding earlier this spring on a limited basis. She has tallied two wins from 13 starts in 2024. Based in America since 2014, Doyle's biggest previous wins have included the 2019 GI Cotillion S. with Street Band (Istan). “It's wonderful to be back here at Churchill Downs,” said Doyle. “It's been almost two years since I've been back riding here. It was the first place I won a race when I began my career in North America and having Emilie beside me makes it even more special.” Doyle is next named on the Trudy Velnot-trained You Make Me Happy (Firing Line) in Saturday's 8th race at Churchill, a seven-furlong allowance. She is also riding throughout the week at Belterra Park and Presque Isle Downs. The post Sophie Doyle Back in the Saddle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just Steel (Justify), who sustained a condylar fracture of his right front fetlock during Saturday's Preakness Stakes, has had successful surgery at the Rood & Riddle Equine Hosptial in Lexington, Kentucky, according to a post from Light Up Racing on X yesterday. The surgery was performed by Dr. Larry Bramlage, who appeared in a video on the post. “We're here with Just Steel this morning; this is the morning after his surgery,” said Bramlage, in the video shot Wednesday. “He's doing really well. He has a somewhat unusual fracture in that it's not just a straight line, it's shaped like an upside down Y so it has a V-shaped piece at the joint surface that we had to trap between two pieces of bone, but the surgery went really well. We put two screws in but he walked out of surgery sound after we walked him in lame, so that's generally a good sign. He's still sound this morning. We're not out of the woods for two months, because we have to see how that piece of bone heals but this is a really good start and we're happy with where we are today.” In the video, Just Steel is shown walking back and forth in the barn without any visible lameness. Just Steel was fifth in the Preakness behind his stablemate Seize the Grey (Arrogate). The post Just Steel Undergoes Successful Surgery for Condylar Fracture appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A field of 10, led by the top four finishers from last month's Siren Lure Stakes—Johnny Podres, First Peace, Lane Way, and Mucho Del Oro—is entered in the $100,000 Daytona Stakes (G3T) May 26 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Listed winner Intellect (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) has been sold and left French shores for America on May 22, the Jour de Galop reported on Thursday. The deal was brokered by Hubert Guy. The 3-year-old colt, bred by Ecurie Michel Sardou, has never been worse than fourth in nine starts for Sophie, Antonia, and trainer Henri-Francois Devin. A three-time winner from six to seven furlongs, he landed the Listed Prix du Pont Neuf in front-running fashion over the latter distance at ParisLongchamp on Apr. 25. Out of winning Iffraaj (GB) mare Caldera (Ire), the bay was offered by Haras du Quesnay at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale, and made €20,000 as a foal on the bid of AGB Agency and Henri-Francois Devin. His third dam is the G2 Prix de l'Opera heroine Clodora (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}), herself the dam of G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero and sire Clodovil (Ire) (Danehill). Thursday's G3 Prix Hocquart victor Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) is also a great grandson of Clodora. The post Listed Winner Intellect Sold, Bound For America And Trainer Chad Brown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the 2024 GI Preakness S. now in the past, Maryland racing is ready to move toward a future that will include a new Pimlico and a new administration operating the track. Legislation was passed earlier this year that will allow the track's current owners, 1/ST Racing, to turn over Pimlico to the state of Maryland on July 1 and Laurel on Jan. 1. Five months later, on Jan. 1, 2025, a new non-profit operating company, the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA), will take over the governance of both Pimlico and Laurel. When it's all said and done, there will be a new Pimlico, a new training center and racing will cease to exist at Laurel. Veteran racetrack executive Corey Johnsen, who enjoyed successful stints at Lone Star Park and Kentucky Downs, has signed on as the interim CEO of the MTROA and will be spearheading the effort to create what many feel will be a new and improved Maryland racing industry. Johnsen sat down with the TDN to discuss his role and his vision for Maryland racing. TDN: What will be the structure of the MTROA and what is your role? CJ: I'm the interim CEO of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority or the MTROA. I came on board around Apr. 1 and have a one-year agreement. If necessary, I will stay around as long as the Board of Directors wants me to. The governing body will be the MTROA. There will be a board of directors and they will form a non-profit horse industry group much like you see at NYRA, Keeneland and Del Mar. It will take the form of something along those lines. They will be the operating entity as of Jan. 1, 2025 for racing at Pimlico and Laurel. TDN: What prompted you agree to take this job? CJ: Horse racing has been really good to me and my family. I love the sport. I love the participants in the sport. This gives me an opportunity to give back to Thoroughbred racing. That was my sole motivation. The last five years, I have been busy with our racing and breeding interests with CJ Thoroughbreds. We also have a non-profit public charity called Hope 4 All. We're in the middle of a lot of exciting projects with that. TDN: What are the time frames so far as when Pimlico will be torn down and when will it re-open. And where will the Preakness be run during the transition? CJ: We are in the process of having a number of meetings. We anticipate demolition to begin sometime this year. It will include most of the stable area and the condemned part of the grandstand. Three barns, the Preakness barn and the existing major piece of the grandstand will remain for the 150th running of the Preakness. It's very important that we will hold the race at Pimlico. As soon as that's over, then the entire site will be demolished and rebuilt. The 2026 Preakness will be at Laurel as well as regular racing. The goal is to have the Preakness back at Pimlico in 2027. TDN: One of your biggest accomplishments in the sport was introducing Historical Horse Racing Machines to Kentucky Downs, which led to the Kentucky tracks offering astronomical purses. Do you see the Maryland tracks getting HHR machines? CJ: My role involves the racing part of it and not the legislative and regulatory affairs part of it. So I'm not the most educated person to answer that question. We're moving forward with no plans for HHR machines. We want Maryland racing to be able to stand on its own. That's our goal as we move forward. TDN: Do you anticipate making a lot of personnel changes? CJ: The Stronach Group has been very helpful in the transition. (Acting President of the Maryland Jockey Club) Mike Rogers is a long-time friend of mine and Mike and his team do a very good job of operating racing in Maryland. This is a really competent, hard-working team that takes pride in what they do. There is a really good core group of people that are operating the Maryland Jockey Club. Any staffing decisions would involve just a handful of people and that's yet be determined. We have so much on our plate right now, everything from dotting the i's and crossing the t's with some of the closing documents to working with architects and working with the Maryland Stadium Authority on demolition and construction schedules and working with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. There is a lot going on right now. The staffing piece of it will be further down the road. TDN: In many areas of the business, there is a consensus that Maryland racing would be better off with fewer racing dates. Where do things stand on that issue and what might a future racing schedule look like? CJ: We have a very good relationship with the horsemen here. I'm trying to be a good listener. I think they would tell you there needs to be some reduction in dates. The other part of that is to have a thriving breeding industry and there does need to be a year-round place to train. What that ultimately will look like is hard to tell. It's balancing the profitability of the racing operation with the needs of the breeding industry. The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association is well aware of the financial situation. We've also had great conversations with the Maryland breeders. There's going to be a balancing act and I believe that going forward there will be fewer racing dates compared to what will be offered in 2024. How much? It's really hard to say now. I think those decisions will be made in September and October. I am really impressed with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and their willingness to communicate and to be team players and work with all aspects of racing and breeding in Maryland. TDN: One possible solution to the dates issue could be joining forces with another track, say Delaware Park, to form a circuit. What are your thoughts on that? CJ: There have been some discussions on that and they are on-going. It's a little bit early as we move towards the final closing on this deal. Whether we shut down in June, July or August, there are two things that are very important. We will have to make sure that the average purse size is at a certain level. The second one is to make sure the turf course rejuvenates. Those are two major issues there that everybody needs to analyze. TDN: 1/ST Racing is apparently going to retain the rights to the Preakness for a few years. Can you fill us in on those details? CJ: The Stronach Group will present the Preakness in 2025 and 2026 and our organization will be a support group to that effort, somewhat similar to what happens with the Breeders' Cup. Beginning in 2027, our group will have the entire responsibility for the Preakness. TDN: Because Pimlico is not large enough to contain the entire population of Maryland horses and because Laurel will be closed, opening a new training center is a must. Where do things stands with that? CJ: It's now moving forward. There are things to deal with like water and sewer lines, land costs and land availability. We need to make sure we have enough land to provide the green space for our horses and we need to make sure we have housing for the stable area workers. It's complicated. I would imagine within the next few months an announcement will be made. One other thing we need to recognize is that we have a wonderful facility in Fair Hill. How that will fit in, I'm not sure. I would be hopeful that we could utilize it in some way that will improve racing in Maryland. TDN: For the first time in a long time, it looks like the future is bright for the Maryland racing industry. Surely, you agree. CJ: There's a lot of blue sky ahead. We have $400 million to revitalize the industry. There is a great spirit of cooperation and there is a lot of communication. That's the reason I accepted this position. This is a game-changer for Maryland racing. The citizens of Maryland want this to be successful. They want Pimlico to be rebuilt. They want the Preakness to be great again. We're here to fulfill that promise. We have a charismatic leader in Governor Wes Moore and he's been very clear that he wants this to benefit the citizens of Maryland, he wants it to benefit Baltimore, he wants it to benefit the Park Heights neighborhood and he want it to benefit the horse industry. That's our task, to make that happen. The post On The Future of Maryland Racing, A Q & A With Corey Johnsen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Sophie Doyle resumed riding at Churchill Downs May 19, marking her first mount beneath the twin spires since her daughter, Emilie, was born nearly two years ago.View the full article

Six-figure yearlings River Tiber and Unquestionable, both by Wootton Bassett, head the home defence in the first Classic of the Irish Flat season, but they face stern opposition from a pair of British raiders trained by Richard Hannon. Bargain-buy Haatem, from the first crop of the 2019 winner of this race, Phoenix Of Spain, ran a huge race when finishing third in the Newmarket equivalent, but he has work to do to reverse the form with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred Rosallion, runner-up on the Rowley Mile and a short price to now become Blue Point's first Classic winner. ATLANTIC COAST (IRE) Kodiac (GB)–Liwa Palace (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) Pedigree/form notes: Though well beaten on his reappearance in the G3 Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial S. last month, this colt had some smart form to his name as a two-year-old, notably winning the G3 Killavullan S. A homebred from the Al Shira'aa Farms operation, Atlantic Coast is the first winner from two runners to date out of a mare who was Group 3-placed in Italy. His third dam is the G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Aqaarid (Nashwan), who later filled the runner-up spot in the G1 1,000 Guineas, while his fourth dam is the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Ashayer (Lomond). BRIGHT STRIPES (IRE) Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Dutch Rose (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}) Sales info: Bred by Diomed Bloodstock Ltd, he sold to trainer Andrew Oliver for 22,500gns at Tattersalls October Book 2. Pedigree/form notes: Beaten just a nose by Atlantic Coast in last year's Killavullan S., he proved better than ever with his return to action under his belt when winning the Listed Tetrarch S. His Listed-placed dam has produced three winners from five runners to date, with the others including Sunsprite (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who also gained black type when finishing third in a Listed race at two. HAATEM (IRE) Phoenix Of Spain (Ire)–Hard Walnut (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) Sales info: Bred by John Bourke, he sold at Tattersalls October Book 2 for 27,000gns to Peter and Ross Doyle. Pedigree/form notes: This colt returned this year with an impressive victory in the G3 Craven S. and then posted a solid effort in defeat when finishing third in the G1 2,000 Guineas. His dam won twice over six furlongs and is a descendant of Lady O'Reilly's G1 Phoenix S. runner-up Yara (Ire) (Sri Pekan). MOUNTAIN BEAR (IRE) No Nay Never–Holy Alliance (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) Pedigree/form notes: Bred by Aidan and Annemarie O'Brien's Whisperview Trading Ltd, this colt progressed with racing last season but reportedly incurred an injury when last seen chasing home Unquestionable (Fr) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. He is the sixth winner from as many runners out of his dam, with the others including the Group 3-placed Moon Daisy (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Holy Alliance herself was a three-race maiden and is a full-sister to the G3 Jersey S. winner and G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up Ishvana (Ire). RIVER TIBER (IRE) Wootton Bassett (GB)–Transcendence (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) Sales info: Offered by his breeders Pier House Stud at Tattersalls October Book 1, he sold to M. V. Magnier and White Birch Farm for 480,000gns. Pedigree/form notes: This colt won his first three starts as a juvenile, including the G2 Coventry S., before ending the campaign with a pair of third-place finishes in the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. River Tiber is the second foal and first winner out of his unraced dam, a half-sister to the multiple Listed winner and G2 Flying Childers S.-placed Mister Manannan (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}}. Another sibling by Desert Style (Ire), the Group 3-placed Shermeen (Ire), became a notable producer for Coolmore as the dam of the G1 Phoenix S. hero Sudirman (Henrythenavigator) and the Listed Dee S. winner Star Of India (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), among others. ROSALLION (IRE) Blue Point (Ire)–Rosaline (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) Pedigree/form notes: A three-time winner as a juvenile, including the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred kicked off his three-year-old campaign with an excellent runner-up finish in the G1 2,000 Guineas. His unraced dam is out of the stellar broodmare Reem Three (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}), whose offspring also include the G1 Queen Anne S. winner Triple Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and the G1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). TAKE ME TO CHURCH (IRE) Churchill (Ire)–Chances Are (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) Sales info: Bred by Magnell Limited, this colt didn't meet his reserve when reaching 20,000gns at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale, before selling to Jack Davison Racing for €38,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-Up Sale. A few months later he again failed to meet his reserve at 52,000gns at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale. Pedigree/form notes: This colt won the valuable Madrid Handicap before finishing fourth in the G3 Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial S. His dam is kin to the G2 Diadem S. and G3 Norfolk S. winner Baron's Pit (GB) (Night Shift) and to the dam of the dual Listed winner and G2 Al Fahidi Fort and G2 Al Rashidiya-placed Bravo Zolo (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}). UNQUESTIONABLE (FR) Wootton Bassett (GB)–Strawberry Lace (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) Sales info: Bred by Guillaume and Camille Vitse and their children Valentine and Axel, he was purchased by Mandore International for M. V. Magnier and Al Shaqab Racing at the Deauville Arqana August Sale for €340,000. Pedigree/form notes: The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner is closely matched with a couple of his rivals on last year's form, beating stable-mate Mountain Bear (Ire) at Santa Anita, having previously filled the runner-up spot behind Rosallion (Ire) in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Unquestionable is the first winner from three runners out of his dam, a daughter of the Listed winner and G3 Sweet Solera S. runner-up Crying Lightening (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Crying Lightening's granddam is the GII Dahlia H. winner and GI Gamely H. third Didina (GB) (Nashwan). Descendants of Didina include the G1 Dubai Duty Free-winning sire Cityscape (GB) (Selkirk) and the G2 Temple S. victor and MG1SP sire Bated Breath (GB) (Dansili {GB}). The post The Lowdown: Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The talk on the breeze-up circuit this year has been dominated by poor clearance rates combined with a record number of private sales, an ever-increasing polarisation to the market and a Houdini-like disappearing act by the middle tier buyers. So what has the mood been like on the eve of what is widely considered to be the final big breeze-up sale in Europe at Tattersalls Ireland? Pretty good actually. This sale has almost always been operating in its own realm–you never know who you are going to see here. Take Andy Lo Chung-Yin for example. Here is a man who sourced the Hong Kong Derby winner Broadhurst (Ire) (No Nay Never)-now Massive Sovereign-in his first year acting as an agent. He's here at Fairyhouse hunting for his next big signing for the Hong Kong market and says he has been impressed by the stock on show. “This sale has produced some very good runners in Hong Kong,” he explained. “There are three or four high-class runners in Hong Kong. Taj Dragon (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) is a really good horse and won again at Sha Tin last week. Then you have Fallon (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}), who is a nice young horse to look forward to as well. Both of those horses were sold at this sale by Tally-Ho Stud.” There are not many guys who decide to quit their job in pursuit of their dream and hit the jackpot with their very first pull of the lever. But that's essentially what Chung-Yin did when, after leaving his role in the banking sector, bought Hong Kong Derby winner Massive Sovereign in a private deal from Coolmore. Chung-Yin will be shopping this week for other Hong Kong-based clients but credits Chan Kam Hung, the owner of Massive Sovereign, for providing him with a leg up in the industry. The young agent said, “To be fair, that was a big risk for me but I am very lucky that my owner believed in me and believed in the horse that I wanted to buy him. I am friends with Mr Chan's son and, usually, I am not the guy who pushes horses on people. I am not the agent that gives you a hard sell. But, with Massive Sovereign, I told Mr Chan that we needed to buy that horse. I went to his office and we had a good conversation. He understood the amount of effort I was putting into my new job and he took a chance. Thankfully it worked out.” He added, “I would be a very picky agent because I prefer to buy the right horse rather than just filling the order. I mean, I haven't even bought a single horse since winning the Derby in Hong Kong. That is partly why I am here. I tried to buy at Arqana but didn't hit the target so, given Tattersalls Ireland has produced some very good horses in Hong Kong, I said I would try to come here instead. Hopefully we can find the right horse this week. There are some very nice colts here and I will be looking at a few form horses as well while I am in Ireland.” Chung-Yin might be a new face at Tattersalls Ireland but Paul Harley, the company's representative for Germany and Scandinavia, has a deep understanding as to what a lot of clients want from this sale. Harley himself has done a lot of business at this breeze-up sale down through the years. He hopes to be active again when things kick off at 10am on Friday morning and shared a genuine optimism about what trade will bring in between post-breeze inspections on Thursday. He said, “The Scandinavians feel very welcome here and they love this sale. Exporting is much more straightforward for the Scandinavians and, not only that, but they have had a lot of success shopping in Ireland. There are a lot of people here. Alex Cairns, of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, does a lot of work in attracting foreign investors to this sale and told me that we have 22 Scandinavian buyers here. I think there are a couple of German buyers as well. To be fair, we would have a lot of clients at different levels this week and hope to be busy.” Tattersalls Ireland has traditionally had a strong cohort of buyers from Scandinavia and Italy but, if there is an area that has been developing in recent times, perhaps that is Eastern Europe. Just last year, the European Pattern Committee upgraded Poland's flagship race, the Wielka Warszawska, to Listed status. One of the leading trainers in that nation, Maciej [pronounced Magic] Kacprzyk stated his intention not to leave Fairyhouse empty handed. He said, “I think Ireland offers the best quality horses and value for money in Europe. What I love about Ireland is that they have excellent sires but also a lot of horses by some new sires who could also be very good. We are also buying in France but France is much more expensive than Ireland. After Brexit, I decided not to go to Britain. Okay, from Ireland it is expensive to travel the horses home but it is a lot easier than from Britain.” Kacprzyk added, “We are going to buy two or three horses this week and have a decent budget as well. For Poland, we are not searching for typical two-year-old types. We want mile-plus horses so that's what I am looking for this week.” A trip to Tattersalls Ireland wouldn't be complete with a chat with the Thistle brothers or, to afford them their correct title, the Shinnick brothers who couldn't have wished for a better start to the consigning ranks when selling a Make Believe (GB) filly for €170,000 here last year. The boys came out with the brilliant line that the filly “looked fast going past thistles” after the sale 12 months ago and are back again with a speedy Arizona (Ire) filly who showed up well on all of the times sheets and appears to be going down well with many of the top buyers. John Shinnick said, “We only gave 20 grand for this filly. She has been galloping around the same field of thistles as the last one so it's obviously working! It's a good thrill. It's a great buzz when you get one ready for the breeze-up sale because it's not simple. There is only one date and so much can go wrong so, when it works out, it's some buzz.” While John, 22, is a talented dual-purpose rider who has partnered many winners on the track, his brother Andy, 27, keeps the show going at home. He concluded, “I do all the dirty work-riding out in the rain and things like that! This is only our second year at it but we're really enjoying it and we are learning from Blarney Holland, who is one of the best in the game. He's only five minutes down the road from us in Cork and has been a massive help. “We've seen loads of lads buy horses and lose a load of money so we were conscious of that when we sold the filly last year and then we didn't go mad at the yearling sales. Thankfully this filly breezed well and she seems to be going down okay. There are plenty of people here so hopefully all goes well tomorrow.” The post International Flavour To Tatts Ireland As Consignors Bid To End Year On High appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin They are two old men playing a young man’s game. But that doesn’t mean Mach Shard or Self Assured can’t win tonight’s $250,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup at Alexandra Park. Mach Shard is nine, retirement home time for most elite horses, has had 107 starts and in Crystal Hackett has a young junior driver who a month ago had never won a Group 1 race. Yet if you had only ever seen his last two starts, stunning victories in the Taylor Mile and NZ Messenger, you would think Mach Shard was all but unbeatable tonight. Maybe he is. A year younger is Self Assured, the eight-year-old veteran of 73 starts, winner of $2.3million and a lovable horse who has been fighting a battle with Father Time for the last year or two. Father Time may be undefeated in taking out sporting heroes but Self Assured is still winning the odd round, coming from last in the last two NZ Free-For-Alls to win races he shouldn’t have been able to. In an industry increasingly dominated by young guns like Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming, that these two old men are the favourites for tonight’s Cup tells you a lot about their will to win and plenty about where this particular Auckland Cup sits. “I think we all know it is nowhere as strong as most Auckland Cups,” says Self Assured’s trainer-driver Mark Purdon. He should know. He has trained the last seven Auckland Cup winners, driving five of them. Two of those training successes were Self Assured so if he can cap his career tonight he will become the first horse to ever win three Auckland Cups. The true greats, headed by Cardigan Bay and including Elsu, Chokin, Luxury Liner, Themightyquinn and Delightful Lady have won two Auckland Cups. None could win three. Purdon thinks Self Assured can because he prefers autumn to spring, is well placed under the free-for-all conditions and because four of the best pacers in the country aren’t going to Alexandra Park tonight. “He is racing well and if he begins like last week and gets to the markers, either lead or trail, he has a real chance,” says Purdon. If he does he will add a Cup treble to wins in the NZ Cup, the Race by Grins and those two NZ Free-For-Alls, a remarkable career for a horse never considered a champion. Mach Shard won’t be remembered as a champion and a month ago would have been lucky to have been remembered at all. He had been a journeyman in the Menangle circuit for the last two years, returned home a forgotten horse but in one of the most astonishing turnarounds in New Zealand racing history has become an unhoppled hero, beating our absolute best in his two Group 1s. Mach Shard was dazzling in both and reminded us that back in 2019 it took Ultimate Sniper to stop him becoming an Inter Dominion champion. While he is unplaced in all five attempts at 3200m he was a super sixth in the 2020 Auckland Cup and his no-arguments win when first to move in the 2700m mobile Messenger last month confirms his staying ability. The old horse with his baby-faced driver can win this Auckland Cup because he is the only pacer in the field in career-best form. The missing superstars mean (in some sort of order) Old Town Road, American Me, Better Eclipse or Alta Meteor could all win and it really is a rare Cup in that any of the eight starters could triumph without surprising. Tonight two other Group 1s look far less open as Just Believe has been too strong for his Kiwi trotting opponents and is impossible to tip against in the $200,000 Reharvest Rowe Cup while Empire City is set to dominate the $110,000 Breckon Farms Trotting Derby, aided by the scratching of Paramount Kiwi. Michael Guerin’s horses to follow tonight : 1: Just Believe (R8, No.6): Champion Aussie trotter who outstayed Muscle Mountain last start and has manners to handle standing start. He is very short in the market so best add him to your multi bets. 2: Better Knuckle Up (R5, No.5): Stormed home last week when he got too far back but better drawn and fitter tonight. Should win with even luck. 3: Empire City (R6, No.4): Beat most of these last Friday and runs through the line like 2700m will suit. If she rolls to the front hard to see her passed even though the value is now gone. 4: Hawkeye Pierce (R3, No.3): Raced well against the best of his age last campaign and looked ready with workouts win last week. Stable has a good record with fresh horses and draw and driver a huge help. 5: Halberg (R2, No.5): Not the smoothest trotter but dropping enormously in class and if he trots all the way this will suit perfectly. Could win or finish last. View the full article

Whitsbury Manor Stud's first-season sire Sergei Prokofiev (by Scat Daddy) continued his electric start to the campaign, with his daughter Enchanting Empress (GB) providing his first black-type winner in the Listed Orbital Veterinary Services National S. at Sandown on Thursday evening. Representing Amo Racing and Giselle De Aguiar, the Dominic ffrench Davis trainee who had won at Wolverhampton on debut before following up in the Royal Ascot Two-Year-Old Trial EBF Conditions S. at the start of the month tracked the leaders early before starting her run inside the final two furlongs. In front passing the furlong marker, the 62,000gns Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale graduate forged ahead under David Egan to beat Rock Hunter (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}) by half a length at odds of 4-1. Stakes Winner for SERGEI PROKOFIEV ENCHANTING EMPRESS wins the Listed National Stakes @Sandownpark for @amoracingltd & gives first season sire SERGEI PROKOFIEV his first Stakes winner Congrats to all connections. Bred by @LletyFarms & WMS pic.twitter.com/wnup6HUbYA — Whitsbury Manor Stud (@WhitsburyManor) May 23, 2024 The post First Black Type Winner For Sergei Prokofiev appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just Steel, who exited a fifth-place finish in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course with a right front leg fracture, is doing well following surgery, renowned veterinary surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage said May 22.View the full article

After three days of selling, the Goffs UK Doncaster Spring Sale ended with horse-in-training Mossy Fen Park (Ire) (Walk In The Park {Ire}) (lot 721) topping Thursday's trade at £235,000. Bought by Henry de Bromhead and Gerry Ahern, the 5-year-old gelding is a winner of both a point-to-point and a hurdle race, and he was second in the G2 Hardy Eustace Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Mar. 31. A part of the Dullingham Park dispersal, the bay is related to a trio of stakes-winning jumpers, with Viking Flagship (Ire) (Viking) and Flagship Uberalles (Ire) (Accordion {Ire}) both placed at the highest level. Also part of that dispersal was 8-year-old gelding Sporting Glory (Ire) (Fame And Glory {GB}) (lot 725), who set the day's second highest price at £120,000. He was purchased by Aidan O'Ryan and Gordon Elliott. A total of 378 lots sold over the two-day horses-in-training and point-to-point portion of the sale for a clearance rate of 81%. The gross was £8,890,200, while the average was flat at £23,520 and the median dropped 14% to £12,000. Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent said, “The time-honoured Spring Sale has long stood as a consistent performer over its 63-year history and it has grown into one of Europe's most important NH sales. Always well attended, it occupies a unique space in the calendar and in the market as it opens the annual store trade whilst also acting as the final headline sale of the season for NH horses-in-training and pointers. Its popularity as a market leading sale has been made clear by the 180 additional HIT and PTP entries taken over the last two-weeks and the three separate catalogues needed to accommodate them. “The sale has proven time and again its ability to perform at the top the market, as evidenced yesterday with John Nallen's pointer Minella Premier, which saw four separate buyers place bids for £300,000 or more, and today with Dullingham Park's highly promising Mossy Fen Park who topped today's session. “As we acknowledged at the end of Tuesday's Spring Store Sale, it has not all been plain sailing and we have yet to get a proper read on the store market, but the trade witnessed over the last two days for horses-in-training and pointers has been strong which is a positive note on which to conclude this year's sale.” The post Mossy Fen Park Leads On Final Day Of Goffs UK Doncaster Spring Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses: Saturday, May 25, 2024 2nd-KYO, ¥10,480,000 ($67k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m IZANAGI (c, 3, City of Light–Miss Squeal, by Smart Strike) cost $625,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September sale and was the latest of his dam's produce to make a commercial splash, joining his half-brother Spielberg (Union Rags). That colt was sold for an even $1 million at the 2019 September Sale before placing in the GI Del Mar Futurity and GI American Pharoah S. ahead of a victory in the 2020 GII Los Alamitos Futurity. Miss Squeal is a half-sister to seven winners, three of those at black-type level, including 2017 Curlin S. hero Outplay (Bernardini). This is also the Humphrey family of MGIS Clear Mandate (Deputy Minister), the dam of MGSW/MGISP sire Newfoundland (Storm Cat) and GISW Strong Mandate (Tiznow). B-G Watts Humphrey Jr (KY) PINK EAGLE (c, 3, American Pharoah–Daisy Miller {GB}, by Smart Strike) fetched $175,000 from trainer Hideyuki Mori at KEESEP in 2022 and is out of an unraced half-sister to 2020 GIII Comely S. winner Mrs. Danvers (Tapit) and the Grade II-placed Nathan Detroit (Union Rags). The colt's MSW & GISP third dam Starry Dreamer (Rubiano) produced eight winners–including five stakes winners–from eight to race, most notably the outstanding GSW & MGISP sire War Front (Danzig). B-Greathouse Equine LLC, David Greathouse, Kerry Cauthen & Tony Lacy (KY) Sunday, May 26, 2024 3rd-TOK, ¥10,480,000 ($67k), Maiden, 3yo, 1600m PARIS PLAGES (f, 3, Uncle Mo–Paris Bikini, by Bernardini) was acquired in utero by Katsumi Yoshida for $1.95 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2020 a handful of months after her half-sister Paris Lights (Curlin) gutted out a narrow victory in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga. Paris Bikini is a half-sister to GSW & MGISP America (A.P. Indy), the dam of 'TDN Rising Star' First Captain (Curlin), who is set to begin his stallion career in Brazil this coming summer. This is also the family of Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister), responsible for GI Belmont S. winners Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) and Jazil (Seeking the Gold). Paris Plages has one start under her belt, a well-backed fifth going seven furlongs at Kyoto last October. She carries the colors of Sunday Racing. B-Northern Racing (KY) The post Well-Bred City of Light Colt Izanagi Debuts at Kyoto appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) have appointed Paula Cunniffe as director of communications and marketing, it was announced on Thursday. Cunniffe joins HRI from Strive Management, where she held the role of CEO for seven years. She previously managed national and international communications campaigns in the Department of the Taoiseach and began her career as a radio and TV producer on sports and arts documentaries. “I am excited to join the leadership team at Horse Racing Ireland,” said Cunniffe. “I've loved working in sport throughout my career, from growing Run in the Dark over the last seven years to being on the Board of Hockey Ireland from 2019-2021. I'm passionate about storytelling and look forward to working with the HRI team to tell compelling stories that engage our audience and encourage participation in horse racing.” Suzanne Eade, HRI's chief executive officer, added, “We are delighted to welcome Paula on board as we implement our recently launched five-year Strategic Plan with its key focus on nurturing success and increasing participation. Paula brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to HRI.” The post Paula Cunniffe Named As HRI’s Director Of Communications And Marketing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Recent stakes-placed runner Shaini (Fr) (Goken {Fr}) (lot 2B) is one of the highlights of the select Auctav May Sale on Tuesday, May 28. Set for 6-6:30 p.m. French time, the sale has six lots, with Shaini consigned by Ludovic Gadbin. The bay, out of the two-time winner Lingreville (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), was third in the Listed Derby du Languedoc at Toulouse earlier this week. The other five lots are also horses-in-training under both codes, as well as one Standardbred. Three-year-old filly Never Leave (Fr) (Recoletos {Fr}) (lot 1), offered by Manon Scandella Lacaille, is another lot of note. She is from the family of multiple American graded winner Inesperado (Fr) (Zayyani {Ire}) and has placed in three starts. For the full catalogue, please visit the Auctav website. The post Listed-Placed Shaini Set For Auctav May Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan McGarry is the new general manager of Naas Racecourse, the directors of the facility announced on Thursday. He will start in the position on June 20. Over the past three years, McGarry managed Navan Racecourse, where he introduced the Navan Racing Festival. He was also involved in former roles with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM). Dermot Cantillon, chairman of Naas Racecourse, said of the University of Limerick and National College graduate, “On behalf of the board of directors and the staff of Naas Racecourse we are delighted to welcome Aidan as our new manager. His experiences and education make him an ideal candidate. Connection with the local community is very important for the racecourse and to have a Naas native leading out team is an added bonus.” McGarry, who holds a Msc in marketing, said, “I am delighted to join Naas Racecourse in the coming weeks. It is an exciting time to be part of a racecourse that has seen so much progress and development in recent years. I am looking forward to starting next month, working with such a well-regarded and progressive racecourse team and board.” The post Aidan McGarry Appointed New General Manager Of Naas Racecourse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

National Hunt trainer Tim Vaughan has had his licence withdrawn for a suspended six months after one of his runners tested positive for a prohibited substance. Vaughan, who is based in Wales, has also been fined £1,000 for the breach of Rule (K)2.2. The horse in question, Bells Of Peterboro (Ire), tested positive for the corticosteroid TCA after winning the novices' handicap chase at Chepstow on January 24, 2024. The nine-year-old has been disqualified from that race but subsequently won over fences at the same track on April 13. The trainer's six-month ban will only come into place in the event of a subsequent positive test for one of his horses within the next 18 months. Full written reasons will be published by the BHA's independent disciplinary panel following the hearing on Thursday morning. The post Vaughan Handed Suspended Ban for Corticosteroid Positive appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A pair of winners, After the Races and the Retired Racehorse Project, opted to split the winnings of the Resolute Racing's Poker For Ponies Tournament held in the lead up to the GI Kentucky Derby earlier this month. Hosted by the Louisville Thoroughbred Society May 1, the tournament invited players to pledge winnings to one of 20 pre-selected Thoroughbred aftercare organizations. Jimmy Gladwell and Gavin O'Connor each tied for the win and earned $32,500 apiece for their two respective organizations. “Support from the racing industry has played a vital role in making our work possible,” said At The Races Founder and Director Bonnie McRae. “Thank you, John Stewart, for your vision and initiative to be part of the aftercare process, and of course to Gavin for playing hard on behalf of our organization. Your actions have made an impact.” RRP Executive Director Kirsten Green added: “The RRP is honored to have been selected as a beneficiary of the Poker For Ponies tournament amongst many other worthy aftercare organizations, and we are proud to share in the winning outcome with After the Races.” The post After The Races And Retired Racehorse Project Split Winnings In Resolute Poker Tournament appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article