Wandering Eyes

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

Marathon float trip ends well for Lees filly in Queensland Oaks You Wahng (left) holds off Pinito to win the Group 1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm. Picture: Trackside Photography By Daniel Pace 05:32pm • 07 June 2025 0 Comments The Kris Lees-trained filly You Wahng was lucky to be even running in Saturday's Queensland Oaks (2200m), let alone winning the Group 1 at Eagle Farm. But that's exactly what she did in a stirring performance, although it nearly didn't happen because of the recent floods on the NSW Mid North Coast. Lees said it took a marathon 16 hours of travel, comprising two trips, to even get the filly to Brisbane and didn't the waiting game pay off. In an exciting fight to the line, $19 chance You Wahng held on grimly to defeat the James Cummings-trained Pinito ($6), with Group 1 Australasian Oaks champion Benagil a distant third in the $700,000 contest for 3YO fillies. "There were floods at Taree so I had to spend the night at Armidale and then come across," a jubilant Lees said. "Each trip was like eight hours, so it was two lots of eight hours just to get here (to Brisbane). "It doubled the travelling time. "She was very stirred up in The Roses (at Doomben) and I thought ‘oh we're off here' and I was thinking she'd be going to the paddock. "But she actually ran super and came out of it well so she's a tough filly." You Wahng finished a creditable fifth in The Roses (2000m) on May 24 in a Group 2 race won by Queensland Oaks favourite Philia, who struggled to cope with the extra 200m on Saturday. Philia dropped out to finish eighth, ending her four-race winning streak, after starting as the $4.20 favourite. Lees admitted he was a little surprised at the victory, although he knew You Wahng was capable of an upset following her excellent third in the Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 12 behind super filly Treasurethe Moment and Sun ‘N' Sand. When You Wahng finished last in the Listed The Coast at Gosford last month, Lees wasn't exactly brimming with confidence. "Look we lost confidence after she went to Gosford for a prep run to get her back on track but she was a bit plain," he said. A jubilant Tommy Berry after winning the Queensland Oaks. Picture: Trackside Photography. "(Jockey) Andrew Gibbons suggested putting a tongue-tie on and she's reacted really well to that. "It was a lovely ride from Tommy. He was able to get us straight across from the gate and got into a lovely position in running. "He had a lot of horse coming to the corner, but I was always just a little guarded that last furlong when she presented, but she was able to find under pressure. "She probably got to him a bit early in The Roses, so Tommy was adamant we just needed to hold her up for a furlong sprint and he produced her at the right time today. "She looked the winner a long way from home. "She was on her last legs late but she found something extra under pressure so that was very pleasing." You Wahng will now head to the paddock for a "well-deserved" spell. "That's her first city win, actually," Lees said. "She'll have a well-deserved rest because she's had a good prep. She's been up all throughout and we thought after the Oaks in Sydney we were a chance and she's delivered."

‘It's indescribable': One-horse trainer lands emotional Flemington win Trainer Kevin Daffy celebrates with first metro win with jockey Ben Allen after Oh Too Good saluted at Flemington. Picture: Getty Images By Gilbert Gardiner 05:39pm • 07 June 2025 1 Comments Kevin Daffy, "Australia's smallest trainer with one horse", is now also a Flemington winner. Oh Too Good avenged a costly Flemington defeat last spring, touched off in the lucrative Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final, with a dominant victory on Saturday in the 1600m Benchmark 100. Oh Too Good could now return to Flemington next month for the Listed Winter Championship Final. "It's indescribable. My first metro winner and to do it here at Flemington," an emotional Daffy said. "I wasn't really sure how she would go on the soft track. We all found out together today on a soft track – very pleasing it was a bit unknown – she's never run on a track other than a Good 4. "Not in my wildest dream (train a Flemington winner), winning her first race … (Pakenham maiden) was enough for me. "Everything she has done since has been a bonus. I know how fortunate I am, as I know how tough this game is. I'm the smallest trainer in Australia with one horse. It's indescribable." Oh Too Good has won five of 11 starts and banked $569,450 for part-owner Daffy and connections. The mare travelled sweetly in the run and burst clear in the straight to space Jimmy The Bear and Regal Vow. Favourite Jimmy The Bear, trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, went back from a wide barrier and ultimately had too much ground to make up. Oh Too Good was just that at Flemington. Picture: Getty Images Jockey Ben Allen, who sealed a double with the win after victory earlier on Miss Ole, endorsed Oh Too Good's Winter Championship Final potential. "I was a little concerned coming up in trip because she didn't run out a strong 1400m (last start) but she had a few little issues that weren't right," Allen said. "Kev has done a great job, got her spot on. She was a different horse today, relaxed a lot better for me, handled the track perfect and when I went for her she was strong right to the line. "Jimmy The Bear obviously looked like the one to beat, but he drew awkward and he can step slow so I thought he might have to go back, I always felt we might be in the better spot. "It was going to take a good horse to pick us up especially with how strong she was." ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ TAKEN TO THE BANK Taken completed a hat-trick with a dominant 1600m Three-Year-Old Quality win at Flemington. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained gelding, a three-time winner from eight starts and placed on five occasions, travelled comfortably on speed and kicked strongly late. Cachink, a $41 outsider, stuck on boldly for second from Mometz and Detroit City. Kent Jr said Taken would be tested at 2000m next start. "I thought it was slightly stronger race than what he faced two weeks prior when he won and he's won by a bigger margin," Kent Jr said. "He just kept improving that little bit, typical of the breed and type of horse he is. "He's very consistent, yet to miss a place in all his career starts." FEELING LIKE A WINNER Flash Feeling broke an 18-month drought with victory in the 2000m Benchmark 100. The six-year-old stable hopper, now with Dan O'Sullivan after previous campaigns with John Sadler and Lindsay Park, denied a gallant Liberami. "He's always been a horse with pretty good ability," O'Sullivan said. "That's only his third run for me, it's a matter of finding the right race for him. "I was a bit worried this race might've been a bit tough for him, but he has been competitive at Benchmark 100 (level) before and today he did everything right and was able to capitalise."

RAGING TORRENT (c, 4, Maximus Mischief–Violent Wave, by Violence), making his first start since wiring the field in the G2 Godolphin Mile at Meydan Apr. 5, was kicked away from the widest gate in the field of five for Saturday's GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap and, despite race-long pressure from odds-on 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light), boxed on in the final 150 yards to register an upset much bigger than his off odds of 8-1 might suggest. Last year's GI Malibu Stakes hero was last into the stalls, but first away from the machine and had crossed his rivals and down onto the fence bending out of the Wilton Chute and onto the backstretch, covering the first couple of furlongs in :23.92, with Fierceness, White Abarrio (Race Day) and Just A Touch (Justify) relegated to chasing roles. Raging Torrent took them past halfway in :46.86 and had the chalk breathing down his neck at that point, and the two began to pull away as White Abarrio and Just A Touch came under urging. Fierceness was at the throat latch of Raging Torrent passing the quarter pole, but Frankie Dettori floated the favorite out a path or two, and when Fierceness drifted slightly right entering the final furlong, it was all over and Raging Torrent had a gap of about two lengths on the line. That's three straight graded stakes wins for RAGING TORRENT as he wins the Grade 1 @HillnDaleFarm Metropolitan Handicap with @FrankieDettori up for trainer @DougONeill1! pic.twitter.com/ys0lQTtDKd — Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 7, 2025 Saturday, Saratoga HILL 'N' DALE METROPOLITAN H.-GI, $970,000, Saratoga, 6-7, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:35.89, sy. 1–RAGING TORRENT, 123, c, 4, by Maximus Mischief 1st Dam: Violent Wave, by Violence 2nd Dam: Coastal Wave, by Dixieland Band 3rd Dam: Orange Wave, by Coastal ($27,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $75,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Yuesheng Zhang and Craig Dado; B-Rodney J. Winkler & Alfonso Mazzetti (KY); T-Chief Stipe F. O'Neill; J-Lanfranco Dettori. $550,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-UAE, 14-7-1-2, $1,797,400. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Fierceness, 125, c, 4, City of Light–Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty. O-Derrick Smith, Repole Stable, Michael B. Tabor, and Mrs. John Magnier; B-Repole Stable, Inc. (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $200,000. 'TDN Rising Star' 3–Just a Touch, 119, c, 4, Justify–Touching Beauty, by Tapit. ($170,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $125,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $300,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Qatar Racing, Resolute Racing and Marc Detampel; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Brad Cox. $120,000. Margins: 2HF, 2 1/4, HF. Odds: 8.00, 0.75, 3.70. Also Ran: White Abarrio, Castle Chaos. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Maximus Mischief’s Raging Torrent Causes Surprise in Hill ‘n’ Dale Met Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, Hoppegarten, Germany, post time: 15:40, DIANA-TRIAL DER BEST PLACE IMMOBILIEN-G3, €55,000, 3yo, f, 10fT Field: Fire And Ice (Ger) (Masar {Ire}), Lady Charlotte (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), Merveilleux Lapin (Ire) (Mohaather {GB}), Nicoreni (Ger) (Brametot {Ire}), Starlight Lips (Ger) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Stugardia (Ger) (Tai Chi {Ger}), Venedig (Ger) (Waldpfad {Ger}). TDN Verdict: Last year's G3 Preis der Winterkonigin winner Nicoreni was second on her return in Cologne's G3 Schwarzgold-Rennen last month and is the one to beat. Lady Charlotte won over 11 furlongs at Listed level at Hanover and will benefit if it turns into a test of stamina. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 15:50, PRIX PAUL DE MOUSSAC-G3, €80,000, 3yo, 7fT Field: Maranoa Charlie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Selenien (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Burhan (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), Houquetot (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Dos Mukasan (Fr) (Golden Horde {Ire}), Afogado (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Reach The Sky (Fr) (Calyx {Fr}), Silius (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Polyvega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Having flopped in the six-furlong G3 Prix Texanita last month, Maranoa Charlie is back at the trip at which he won the G3 Prix Djebel but is starting to look vulnerable. Third there, fellow TDN Rising Star Polyvega moves up in trip for the first time as connections try and find the key to the daughter of Polydream. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 16:25, LA COUPE-G3, €80,000, 4yo/up, 10fT Field: Saint Etienne (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), Wakaburn (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Casapueblo (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}), Iresine (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}), Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Augustus (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Grand Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Last year's King George hero Goliath bids to put a disappointing effort behind him in the G1 QEII Cup and get back on track. He will be tested by the popular veteran Iresine, but that multiple Group 1 winner may not be the force of old. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Goodwood, post time: 15:35, THE WEATHERBYS / BRITISH EBF AGNES KEYSER FILLIES' STAKES-Listed, £70,000, 3yo, f, 9f 197yT Field: Anna Swan (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}), Bowerchalke (GB) (New Bay {GB}), El Budoor (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Janey Mackers (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Miss Tonnerre (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Modern Utopia (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}), Purple Rainbow (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Quebella (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Queen Of Thieves (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Rhapsody (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Tattycoram (GB) (Camelot {GB}), Waardah (Ire) (Postponed {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Miss Tonnerre is the standard-setter on last year's G2 May Hill Stakes fourth, but Shadwell's El Budoor is one of the more interesting candidates as a daughter of the operation's classy stayer Enbihaar. Although she has to show significant improvement on her narrow Lingfield win 10 days ago, it is significant that she is backed up so soon. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 13:23, PRIX RIDGWAY-Listed, €55,000, 3yo, c/g, 10fT Field: Daryz (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Poschiavo (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Stormy Donald (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Pacifiste (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Phineas (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Two-for-two at this track this term, Daryz has huge appeal as a son of Daryakana with the right connections. Andre Fabre puts forward another progressive type in Phineas, who impressed at Chantilly in April and who hails from the family of Aventure and Plumania. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 13:58, PRIX MELISANDE-Listed, €55,000, 3yo, f, 10fT Field: Zawan (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}), La Bonne Etoile (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Safia (Fr) (Sottsass {Fr}), Champagne Dancer (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Ilda Rosa (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), La Brodeuse (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Badie (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Bintabuha (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}). TDN Verdict: TDN Rising Star Safia disappointed when fifth in the G3 Prix de la Grotte in April, but that form looks strong now and she has enjoyed a freshener ahead of this step up in trip. Godolphin's pair include the unexposed Fabre project La Brodeuse, a mile winner on debut at Chantilly last month who hails from the incredible Cassandra Go dynasty. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 14:33, PRIX VOLTERRA-Listed, €55,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Field: Motu Propio (Ire) (Earthlight {Ire}), Troia (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Honeyflower (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Whataboutism (Fr) (Camelot {GB}), Medusa Merger (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), Stupor Mundi (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Lips Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Epsom Blue Cen (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Troia was third in York's Listed Michael Seely Memorial Stakes last month and that form is strong in this context. Like the Melisande contender La Brodeuse, Whataboutism is a debut winner representing Godolphin and Fabre but unlike her stablemate she is dropping in trip having opened her account over 10 furlongs at Chantilly in April. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Tokyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, YASUDA KINEN-G1, ¥347,460,000, 3yo/up, 1600mT Field: Sixpence (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Daddy's Vivid (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Mad Cool (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Win Marvel (Jpn) (I'll Have Another), Red Mon Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Gratias (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Gaia Force (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Ecoro Walz (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}), Champagne Color (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice), Sakura Toujours (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}), Long Run (Jpn) (Victoire Pisa {Jpn}), Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), Water Licht (Jpn) (Drefong), Ho O Reality (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), Trovatore (Jpn) (Rey De Oro {Jpn}), Jun Blossom (Jpn) (World Ace {Jpn}), Brede Weg (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). Click here for the preview. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Maranoa Charlie Hoping To Rebound In Prix Paul De Moussac appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A heart-breaking fourth by just a neck in the GI Churchill Downs Stakes on the Derby undercard May 3, BOOK'EM DANNO (g, 4, Bucchero–Adorabella, by Ghostzapper) rebounded Saturday with a classy off-the-pace win in the GII True North Stakes. The race changed right from the break as favorite Nakatomi (Firing Line) blew the start and had to hustle to keep in touch with the leaders as Concrete Glory (Bodemeister) and Mullikin (Violence) pushed the tempo through swift fractions of :22.21 and :44.72. Positioned just behind that pair, Book'em Danno turned for home three wide and wore down a game Mullikin to his inside, just getting the upper hand in the final sixteenth to win. Lifetime Record: 14-8-3-1. O-Atlantic Six Racing, LLC; B-Gregory J. Kilka & Bright View Farm; T-Derek S. Ryan. Sales History: $475,000 3yo '24 KEECHA. Book'em Danno (2-1) wins the G3 True North by 11/4 lengths for trainer Derek Ryan and @pacolopez. 8th win in 14 starts for NJ-bred; race was a Win and You're In for @BreedersCup Sprint at Del Mar. 5-6-2-8 pic.twitter.com/BMCwBHtxyZ — Tim Wilkin (@tjwilkin) June 7, 2025 The post Book’em Danno Rebounds Over Mullikin In True North appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kathy Walsh, the former trainer who died last month at age 85, will be honored with a 'Celebration of Life' Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the 100-1 room at Santa Anita. In addition, the fifth race is named in Walsh's honor. The reception at the 100-1 includes a cash bar and free appetizers compliments of Santa Anita. All are welcome to attend. Walsh was a trainer from 1970 until her retirement in 2021. She won 1,232 races and earned training titles at Longacres in Washington state and Canterbury Downs in Minnesota. In 2009, Walsh was inducted into the Washington Racing Hall of Fame. Walsh's top performers included Grade I winners Georgie Boy and Nany's Sweep, as well as graded stakes winner Devious Boy and Hanuman Highway, who in 1998 finished seventh in the 1998 Kentucky Derby behind winner Real Quiet. The post Celebration Of Life Set For Kathy Walsh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:20 p.m. ET. MALUS (Into Mischief)–owned by Brookdale and trained by Todd Pletcher–is the second foal and first to make the races out of Lady Apple (Curlin). The winner of the GIII Fantasy Stakes, GIII Houston Ladies Classic and the GIII Iowa Derby, this dam was acquired for $1.2-million by Gerald Butler at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale. Lady Apple is a half-sister to SW Dr. Diamonds Prize (Pure Prize) and GSW American Apple (American Pharoah). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insights: Son Of Lady Apple Makes The Races At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of the pieces to the handicapping puzzle that was this year's GI Kentucky Derby was just how Juddmonte Farm's Final Gambit (Not This Time) would handle a conventional dirt surface, having raced only on turf and synthetic tracks in his four starts prior to that. The homebred had punched his ticket to the Run for the Roses when exploding through the lane to dominate the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Mar. 22, and he answered the surface question when making up a stack of ground–albeit behind a strong tempo–to round out the superfecta while finishing just over four lengths behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief). A 17-1 chance five weeks and a day ago, Final Gambit will be a fraction of that price against a maximum of six rivals in Sunday's GIII Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs. The rail-drawn Gaming (Game Winner) will scratch in favor of Sunday's Affirmed Stakes at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert told the TDN's Sue Finley on Saturday. “He came out of the Derby in really good shape and we were proud of his effort that day,” trainer Brad Cox told the Churchill Downs media office. “We targeted this race to give him another opportunity on dirt without shipping somewhere. He worked three times since the Derby and I thought each one was solid leading into this race.” Cox said Saturday that Flavien Prat is scheduled to retain the mount despite being named on horses in the postponed GI Manhattan Stakes and GI Jaipur Stakes. Final Gambit is joined in the field by four other Derby alumnus, including 'TDN Rising Star' East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro). Eighth after failing to find the front on Derby Day, the Godolphin homebred figures to have an easier time getting to the lead from the outside gate on Sunday in a field void of early speed. Burnham Square (Liam's Map) was up on the wire to defeat East Avenue in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes on Apr. 8 and turned in a mostly even effort in the Derby, enduring a bit of bumper cars a half-mile from home before passing tiring rivals into sixth. Coal Battle (Coal Front), upset winner of the GII Rebel Stakes, was a mid-pack 11th in the Derby, while Chunk of Gold (Preservationist), a longshot second in the GII Risen Star Stakes and GII Louisiana Derby, exits a ninth. The Matt Winn sextet is completed by Just a Fair Shake (Laoban), the distant runner-up to Belmont Stakes participant Crudo (Justify) in the May 17 Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico. The post Final Gambit In a Starring Role in Matt Winn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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EPSOM DOWNS, UK — Back in those heady days of the early 1980s, Lord Howard de Walden's Slip Anchor slipped the field under Steve Cauthen to land the Derby by seven lengths and all felt right with the world. A Derby winner by a Derby winner by a Derby winner. And here we are again. Lambourn, by Australia, by Galileo (and let's not forget Australia's dam, the mighty Ouija Board): an all-the-way Derby winner by almost four lengths. “He'll stay a while,” said a smiling Wayne Lordan, so deservedly now a Derby-winning jockey, having looked dangerously like being an Oaks-winning jockey only a day earlier. Cometh the hour. In these pages yesterday, MV Magnier had spoken of the importance of the Derby to Coolmore, arguably the most powerful breeding operation in the world. “It's why we get up in the morning,” he said. Aidan O'Brien will get up tomorrow morning as the trainer of 11 Derby winners with 47 British Classics to his name after another rip-roaring weekend at Epsom. It is a record that is somehow unimaginable and, yet, annually expected to be extended, and extended. This latest colt to pass that celebrated piece of wood with his nose very firmly in front is a Coolmore homebred, and his rider very much one of the family at Ballydoyle, having joined the team there some eight years ago. Lordan has won a Breeders' Cup, an Irish 1,000 Guineas, and a 1,000 Guineas among a whole bunch of Group 1 victories. Now, at the age of 43, comes the biggest win of his career, a little over a year after he returned from serious injuries which saw hime sidelined for eight months. “Wayne Lordan works so hard and he deserves this for all the time and effort he puts into everything. To win the Derby, it's magical,” said Magnier. “Wayne is one of the best riders in the world: his time and effort, his professionalism, is extraordinary.” He continued, “Aidan fancied all three horses, through obviously Delacroix was number one. But this horse is very genuine and just kept going. He's a Derby winner, by a Derby winner, by a Derby winner. That's pretty extraordinary. And that's how you win the Derby: breeding precocious horses that are quick enough to do it. “He was going to be pretty hard to run down going around Tattenham Corner. I watched [the replay of] Slip Anchor this morning and for a moment I was thinking, 'Oh my God, Steve Cauthen's riding him'.” Cauthen rebooted, also known as the self-effacing Lordan, was brought into the media centre to face the questioning scrum, taking over in the spotlight from Ryan Moore who finished fully 16 lengths behind him on the favourite Delacroix. “I do feel this horse was a bit overlooked because he's not a flashy horse, he goes along behind the bridle, he just does his own thing. I knew anything that got past me was going to have to stay really well and I knew my horse was genuine and tries hard,” he said. He could almost have been describing himself. They say there are no prizes for finishing second, but there is no small amount of pride. In the case of Lazy Griff, son of a Melbourne Cup winner, beloved of his 30 syndicate members and many more of the Middleham Park Racing owners present on the day, finishing runner-up to a Coolmore horse in the Derby was the result of a lifetime. Lazy Griff and his happy owners of Middleham Park Racing | Emma Berry “This is crazy stuff,” said Middleham Park's Mike Prince as he watched their hero return to the second-place post with Christophe Soumillon. “But to be fair it was all there on page seven of the Bugle. His form in the [Prix de] Conde had worked out well with the horse who finished behind him winning the Prix Saint Alary, and we knew he'd stay. Christophe is no fool. He's not come over here for nothing.” The Irish Derby, German Derby and Grand Prix de Paris are all now races to ponder in the colt's near future for trainer Charlie Johnston, who did however describe a potential rematch with Lambourn at the Curragh as akin to “going into the lion's den”. There is of course always the final British Classic of the season at Doncaster for a Yorkshire-trained horse who certainly should get the extra distance of the St Leger. In the meantime, however, another Derby meeting is in the books. We are nearing the end of days when we will see a Group 1 winner by Galileo, but Jan Brueghel added another to his tally in the Coronation Cup while Galileo's sons Australia and Frankel provided the winners of the Derby and the Oaks. Scat Daddy, grandsire last year of City Of Troy through his Triple Crown-winning son Justify, this year featured as broodmare sire of Lambourn. In a feat that should be remarkable but is now almost business as usual, the trophies for all three of those Group 1 races are now in transit to a select corner of Tipperary. Urged to try to put into words the magnitude of his eleventh Derby victory, O'Brien spoke of the focus placed on the race in the regime of his horses: “Everything in Ballydoyle is about Epsom.” Enough said. The post Lambourn Latest in Line of Derby Greats appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Francis X. “Buddy” Keegan, Jr., a New Jersey Racing Commissioner since 2006 and a breeder/owner who raced horses in the state since 1963, passed away on Thursday, June 5. He was 86. In addition to being a long-serving commissioner on the New Jersey Racing Commission, Keegan was president of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, president of the New Jersey Horsemen's Association and was a patron of Monmouth Hunt. Keegan was also a member of the Thoroughbred Club of America, the Green Mountain Horse Association and the National Hunt Association. A graduate of Seton Hall, Keegan also attended Fordham Law School. He served in the infantry in the U.S. Army and retired after 51 years as Wealth Management Adviser and First Vice President of Investment with USB Financial Services. The resident of Spring Lake, New Jersey is survived by his son, Mickey. A viewing will take place Monday, June 16, at the O'Brien Funeral Home in Wall Township, New Jersey from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Keegan will be celebrated during a mass on Tuesday, June 17, at St. Catharine's Church in Spring Lake at 10 a.m. ET. Burial will follow at St. Catharine's at 11:30 a.m. ET. Repast will be at 12:30 p.m. ET. at the Spring Lake Golf Club. The post NJ Commissioner And Breeder/Owner Buddy Keegan Dies At 86 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 6-7, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:23.66, sy, head. STARS AND STRIDES (c, 3, American Pharoah–Holiday Blues, by Ghostzapper), a first-time starter tackling several more experienced rivals here, went off at 8-1 and opted to rate mid pack as longshot Henry's Hope (Maclean's Music) set a contested tempo with 3-5 race favorite Mainstream (Speightstown) sitting second. Beginning to pick up the bridle midway around the turn, Stars and Strides dove inside at the quarter pole under Junior Alvarado to engage Mainsteam who took over the front momentarily. The pair dueled into the final furlong with Stars and Strides gutsy even in a tight spot against the fence and the race favorite refusing to yield outside even as contact was made close to the wire. The stewards took a look at the stretch run but ultimately made no change leaving Stars and Strides the winner by a head with a further 6 1/2 lengths back to Secured Lender (Omaha Beach) in third. Holiday Blues, who produced Panther Island (Speightstown), SW, $254,120 as her first foal and is a half-sister to MSW/GISP Wine Police (Speightstown), went through the ring this year at KEEJAN in foal to Arcangelo on a final bid of $210,000 to Maytime Bloodstock. Her 2-year-old Frosted filly brought $220,000 at KEESEP last year while her yearling Maxfield colt sold for $100,000 at KEENOV. She reported an Arcangelo filly this spring. Sales History: $160,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $475,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Pin Oak Stud LLC; B-Four Pillars Holdings LLC (KY); T-William I. Mott. The post Stars and Strides Game In Maiden Upset Win At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Due to heavy rain impacting the Saratoga Springs region, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has moved Saturday's GI Jaipur Stakes and GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes to Sunday, according to a press release from the organization on Saturday morning. The Jaipur [ninth race], a “Win and You're In” for the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, and the Manhattan [12th race], which will be contested at nine furlongs on the inner turf rather than the originally scheduled 1 3/16 miles on the Mellon turf, will be run as the 12th and 13th on the Sunday card, respectively. As a result of the inclement weather, turf races scheduled for the third race, the sixth race [GII Wonder Again Stakes], the 10th race [GIII Pennine Ridge Stakes] and the 14th race will be contested on the main track. The two-day all turf Pick 5 which began on Friday's program will pay out to ALL on the final three legs scheduled for Saturday's card. Sunday's Closing Day card of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival has a first post of 12:10 p.m. ET. Admission gates will open to the public at 11 a.m. ET. Updated post times and wagering menu for today's card: pic.twitter.com/fyOHhBV1ao — Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 7, 2025 The post Jaipur And Manhattan Switched To Sunday Due To Heavy Rain At The Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After all the pontificating leading up to Saturday's G1 Betfred Derby, all that was required was respect for the Chester Vase form as Australia's Lambourn led home Protectionist's Lazy Griff as he had in that Group 3 trial. Cajoled to the front from the break by Wayne Lordan, the 13-2 shot who has become progressively less tardy with racing was soon comfortable in the clear and after freewheeling down the hill stayed on powerfully to provide Aidan O'Brien with his 11th Blue Riband. Lazy Griff at an inflated 50-1 was 3 3/4 lengths behind, with Tennessee Stud a length behind to make it a second place-getter for Wootton Bassett in the Epsom Classics. Ruling Court had been withdrawn due to the ease in the ground despite the expected rain staying away in the build-up, while Ryan Moore's pick Delacroix was never a factor as the 2-1 favourite. ! pic.twitter.com/5G6LjXgcg8 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 7, 2025 The post Australia’s Lambourn Is The Derby Hero For Ballydoyle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ruling Court has been ruled out of Saturday's G1 Betfred Derby after trainer Charlie Appleby judged the ground to be too slow for the son of Justify. The 2,000 Guineas winner had been due to start as one of the favourites. “The ground conditions were a concern yesterday with Desert Flower. William said yesterday it was genuinely good-to-soft, but we appreciated that it was drying out through the course of the day,” he explained. “We arrived here today with an open mind, let William ride the first race, but he felt it was riding good-to-soft. On this horse, stamina was an unknown for us and we felt after what we saw on quick ground at the Guineas, this was not going to be the ground for him today.” The post Ruling Court Out Of The Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars LIGHT YEARS CHARM - R7 (7) Galloper firmly on the rise with plenty of ratings points in hand Jay Rooney LITTLE PARADISE - R10 (8) Looks set to extend his unbeaten record after a pair of smart wins Trackwork Spy AHREN - R10 (10) Track and distance winner only lost out narrowly in this grade last time Phillip Woo AHREN - R10 (10) Smart youngster can go one better after a game second last start at this level Shannon (Vincent Wong) KING OBERON - R1 (2) Can win dropping in class...View the full article

Last start course winner War Of Succession (Tavistock) relished stepping in distance when winning the $40,000 Horizon By SkyCity Rating 65 2100 metres on Saturday at Ellerslie. In the process, War Of Succession took seasonal prize money earnings for Te Akau Racing to a new record, topping $9 million for the first time in New Zealand racing history. Having recorded a very good second-up victory in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 17 May at Ellerslie, War Of Succession remained in the same grade and carried 56.5kg, aided by the three-kilo claim of apprentice Hayley Hassman, who won the first race on the programme aboard stable-mate Pokuru Gold (NZ) (Darci Brahma). Bred to stay, and a four-length Maiden winner over 1950 metres, War Of Succession appeared nicely placed to again rate a top three chance. Settling off a genuine early pace, War Of Succession seemed to travel sweetly when pressure increased at the 600m, cruised into contention turning for home, and kept responding with a well-timed finish to score stylishly. It was another competent ride by a young apprentice with the bit between her teeth, matched by the performance of a promising staying horse that boasts three wins from four starts on soft footing. “He relaxed beautifully and did an amazing job out there,” Hassman said. “The pace was on from the start and that really suited us, and we were able to kick through between runners on the home bend. He did everything perfectly and ran home strongly. “He had kicked before I even asked him and was right underneath me, ready to strike. When I asked him, he put them bed. “I ride him in pacework at home, so have got to know him pretty well, ridden him in a couple of trials, too, and good to get the ride on race day. He’s improving with each run.” On Soft7 footing, that subsequently upgraded to Soft6, War Of Succession ran 2100 metres in 2:12.8, last 600m in 37.6, and paid $3.50 & $1.60. “It was another really good win and a lovely ride of Hayley’s,” Walker said. “She got him into a perfect spot, off the fence at the right time, and got to the right part of the track turning for home. She’s riding very well. “We’re very thankful for the patience of the owners. He’s just had a few niggles and maturity problems, but he’s starting to put it altogether now.” War Of Succession was purchased by David Ellis CNZM at the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Cambridge Stud, and owned by Te Akau 2022 Stallion Breeding Syndicate. “It was great to have Pokuru Gold win for Ian Farrelly and then this horse (War Of Succession) for a really good group of owners,” Ellis said. “They’ve been patient and it’s great to see them being rewarded with a horse that has now won consecutive races at Ellerslie, and looks to have a bright future over ground. “The horse was bred by Sir Brendan and Lady Lindsay, at Cambridge Stud, and like a lot of Tavistock’s progenies we’re seeing him improve with age. “After torrential rain this week in Auckland, to be able to race on a track as good as they’ve got today at Ellerslie it just incredible. It’s a credit to the track staff and the club administrators. “Those wins took us over $9 million in prize money in New Zealand this season and that’s the first time that’s ever been achieved. “I think there are only three trainers in Melbourne that have won more than $9 million this season, one in Queensland, and about four in Sydney, so it’s a fantastic achievement. “It shows that through Entain’s involvement in partnering with the TAB that we are racing for higher stakes, which the owners deserve, and also that Mark and Sam and all our staff are continuing to do an outstanding job. “Also, to Hayley, it was a very good ride and she’s just going from strength to strength as young rider. It’s fantastic to see her doing so well and it’s a big thrill for Karyn and me. “Te Akau has always been very supportive of our apprentices and Hayley is following in the footsteps of jockeys like Opie Bosson, Vinny Colgan, Samantha Collett, Troy Harris, Dan Stackhouse, Mick Dee, Wiremu Pinn, and Jasmine Fawcett.” War Of Succession was strapped by Nicole Weatherley. View the full article

A gritty performance by Western Empire to win Saturday’s Gr.3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Pinjarra has enabled the seven-year-old gelding to break the A$3 million barrier in career earnings. The Grant and Alana Williams-trained son of Iffraaj was as brave as ever, coming from a three-wide position midfield to wear-down favourite Magnificent Andy over the concluding stages. Western Empire missed the Belmont Sprint with a foot issue and hadn’t raced since finishing ninth in The Quokka (1200m) in April. Winner of the 2021 Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1600m) for the Williams, Western Empire spent time in Melbourne with Danny O’Brien and John Leek Jnr over the ensuing two seasons where his form deteriorated before the Williams purchased him when he was offered for sale online. “We love this horse,” Grant Williams said. “He’s put in two bad runs over 1200m and all the experts write him off after that. “There were only a couple of Group one winners in this race, which means they’re quality, and that’s what he is. “We gallop them up hills, he’s done plenty of work. He had that foot issue and I’ll be honest, it still wasn’t that great yesterday, but he’s sound on it. “Three deep, no cover and he hit the line good. What else can I say? I can’t talk highly enough about this horse.” Williams said some TLC was the key to the horse. “They’re not machines. Some of them have to be treated differently and he does. He just needs to be treated differently. “He’s got a huge motor and he’s got Alana so it’s all onwards and upwards.” After unsuccessful tilts at the 1200m features of the Gr.1 Winterbottom and the A$5 Quokka, Williams said Western Empire won’t race over such a short distance again. “He’ll never go to 1200m again,” Williams said. “We learnt trying to be heroes and reading the papers. We thought it was easy winning 1200s and it’s not. He’s not a 1200m horse. “He is a 1400m to maybe 2000m horse and we might even have a little dip at the Strickland Stakes (Gr.3, 2000m). “We might have to put some ear muffs or something on him.” From 30 starts, Western Empire has now won 11 races with a further eight placings and A$3,004,550 in prizemoney. Bred and raced by original owners Bob and Sandra Peters under their Peters Investments Pty Ltd banner, Western Empire is by former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Iffraaj and is out of Gr.2 Perth Cup (2400m) winner Western Jewel. View the full article

The training partnership of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton continues to flourish as evidenced by a stable quinella in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) as Maison Louis defeated King Of Thunder in a perfect result for the Sydney trainers. Charlton joined O’Shea in partnership this season and Maison Louis becomes the duo’s third Group One winner for the term after elite-level wins from Schwartz and Linebacker. Ridden by Ryan Maloney, Maison Louis came from three back on the fence and tracked Imperialist through to find clear air shortly after turning and was strong through the line. King Of Thunder and Chase Your Dreams made good ground from the back to fill the minor placings as New Zealand-bred horses comprised the trifecta. O’Shea was quick to reference his penchant for sourcing horses from New Zealand and his fondness for budding young sire Super Seth, with Maison Louis becoming the stallion’s fourth Group One winner from his first two crops. “Maison Louis has just been a progressive horse by a top young stallion in Super Seth. He’s one of the few horses that we have for Go Racing, who do a wonderful job,” O’Shea said. “He’s just a tough, resilient little horse and he’s come from obscurity to win a Queensland Derby so we’re very excited.” From breaking his maiden in late February, Maison Louis has now won four of his seven starts and has made steady progress throughout the campaign. “I think the key is that he was able to cope with the workload. He’s just a great doer and a good, tough horse,” O’Shea said, “He came off Pencarrow Stud in New Zealand, and we always rush to New Zealand each year to participate in their sales, and we’ve been well-rewarded because the second horse comes out of one of their sales as well.” Prominent syndicators Go Racing purchased Maison Louis for $250,000 from the Pencarrow Stud draft at Karaka 2023, while King Of Thunder was a $50,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale purchase by O’Shea from the draft of Ohukia Lodge. Winning rider Ryan Maloney was grateful for the ride and said the gelding conserves his energy exceptionally well. “It was a very dawdling run Derby, and when J-Mac sort of made his move at the half mile (on Belle Detelle), he increased the tempo, but not by a hell of a lot,” Maloney said. “We were on the fence and everyone was starting to want to get to that better ground, and John wanted me to get one off, but after the scratchings, we ended up drawing one. But that’s why I wanted to be three back the fence, so I had two options when I wanted to stake my claim. “I was given the opportunity to come out and I ended up on the back of Imperialist and he was just too tough. “When he got the gap, he pinned his ears back and was just tough as nails.” By Waikato Stud’s Group One winning son of Dundeel, Super Seth, Maison Louis joins Linebacker, Feroce and La Dorada as Group One winners for the young sire who has had seven stakes winners from 82 runners to date. Maison Louis is from a famed Pencarrow Stud family and is out of the stakes winning Makfi mare Cote D’Or who won on eight occasions, including success in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m). Cote D’Or is a half-sister to the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) winner and Gr.1 International Stakes (2000m) runner-up Dolmabache with multiple top-flight winners Ethereal and Darci Brahma featuring in the pedigree. View the full article

Talented staying filly Shockletz rallied late to run-down Prochester in the Country Racing It’s Got It All Trophy (2000m) at Flemington as both connections of the Ciaron Maher-trained runner and favoutie backers alike gave a collective sigh of relief. Pre-race jockey Harry Coffey suggested to the owners of the three-year-old daughter of Shocking that it would be an easy watch, but upon returning to scale the winning hoop was somewhat sheepish. “It was far from an easy watch,” Coffey grinned. “Before the race I told them don’t panic, I’ll handle it. It will be an easy watch. I don’t think it was as it took her the whole of the straight to get there. “I was still confident during the run her turn of foot would win her the race, but when I looked up and saw Liam (Riordan) on Prochester that far in front. He’s a tough Kiwi stayer and he was going to take some catching. To her credit, although she peaked on her run, she got the job done,” he said. “They are a great group of connections who are a lot of fun. They’ve had a lot of fun and she has a bright future as she still doesn’t know what she’s doing,” he said. Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull admitted he had given up hope of winning when the Andrew Forsman-trained Prochester looked to have established an unassailable lead inside the furlong. “We were watching in the trainers’ room and we were tools down. I didn’t think we would get there, and then the last 75m it changed dramatically,” he said. “It was a really good staying effort. She had to make a long sustained run, she was in a nice spot then got shuffled back a pair or two further back than what we would have liked. To her credit, up in trip, big track, soft ground and she did it all. “She’s lightly raced and is still furnishing and she’s still young. So it’s great for Eales racing, we can just keep stepping her up. “It’s fantastic to get a Saturday win out of the way, and we can improve her profile over winter.” Bred and raced by Eales Racing, Shockletz has now won three of her six starts with a further runner-up placing. She is a full sister to Group Three placed stayer Horrifying, who has won on seven occasions. View the full article

Talented galloper Flash Feeling notched his first victory for Ballarat trainer Dan O’Sullivan when defeating Liberami to land the 2025 Country Achiever Eric Musgrove (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday. The six-year-old son of Iffraaj is at his fourth stable and the change of environment worked the oracle along with a positive Dean Yendall ride. Ballarat trainer Dan O’Sullivan was pleased with how Flash Feeling was tracking coming into Saturday’s win. “At his first-up run here, I probably had him too fresh and he was keen and all over the joint,” O’Sullivan said. “The other day, Dean rode him patiently and he switched off well and was quite OK through the line. “Then today from that soft draw he began really well and he was able to get covered up. He travelled beautifully for Dean and gave a really strong kick. “He has always been a horse that has had pretty good ability, it’s only his third run for me but it’s just been a matter of finding the right race for him. “I was a bit worried this race may have been a bit tough for him, but he has been competitive at benchmark 100 before and when everything went so right he was able to capitalise.” O’Sullivan said the gelding had adapted to life in Ballarat well. “He’s a dude of a horse, he is very casual around the place and easy to handle. He can be a bit of a handful to ride, so we have had to tinker with the gear and think we have got it right with the head gear on him now and he’s in a good space,” he said. “We have increased his work a bit without going too over the top. It was just a matter of getting him nice and fit and up to a distance that suited him, aided by the barrier and a good ride,” Flash Feeling is a graduate of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, where he was prepared by Prima Park and purchased by Dean Hawthorne for $160,000. By former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Iffraaj, Flash Feeling is out of the winning High Chaparral mare Shanzam, who in turn is out of the Group Three winning mare Shanzero. From 38 starts, Flash Feeling has now won on six occasions with a further eight placings and he has amassed A$578,326 in prizemoney. View the full article

The French Group 3 winners Rafale Design (Starspangledbanner), Monteille (Cable Bay) and Woodshauna (Wooded) are among 11 further entries for the Goffs London Sale on Monday, June 16. Earlier this week, Goffs announced the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes winner Ghostwriter as a headline act for the eve-of-Royal Ascot auction. Stallion shares in Arc winner Ace Impact and Hello Youmzain are also included in the catalogued lots. The full catalogue for the sale will be released on Monday. The post Trio of Group 3 Winners Added to Goffs London Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The latest addition to a burgeoning Royal Ascot team for Wathnan Racing is the Andrew Balding-trained Flora Of Bermuda. The four-year-old daughter of Dark Angel, winner of last season's G3 Summer Stakes, has been purchased privately from Bermuda Racing Limited and holds entries for both Group 1 sprints at the royal meeting as well as the July Cup. “We were impressed with her comeback run in the Duke Of York, and it looks as if she can hold her own against the very best,” said Richard Brown, advisor to Wathnan Racing. “Andrew and his team have done a fine job with her, campaigning her with great consistency in the highest class. With luck, one of these big ones will fall her way. She certainly won't fail for lack of courage.” The post Flora Of Bermuda Joins Wathnan Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Improving three-year-old Taken ran out a dominant winner of the Darren Galley Mile (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday under a well-judged front-running ride by Beau Mertens. The son of Ardrossan has now won three races in succession this campaign for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. With key race rivals Detroit City and King Of Enterprise racing near the rear of the field throughout, Taken looked the winner a long way from home and found plenty when asked, going on to score by three lengths from Cachink and Mometz. “It was a twelve out of ten ride, he really got the fractions right and allowed the horse to come up underneath him and he really released over the last 600m,” Kent Jnr said. “I thought it was a slightly stronger race than what he faced two weeks prior when he won, and he has won by a bigger margin today. “He has just kept improving, which is typical of the breed and the type of horse he is, being a big-framed horse. “I’m rapt for all the owners, including Carl Holt whose colours this horse wears. He is in Las Vegas so I have just text him to hit the tables a bit harder. “If he keeps improving every start, you don’t know where they might end up. We are pretty keen to try him at 2000m when it’s the right time. “That may be back here in two weeks’ time. We will just have a talk to everyone, but he is fine at a mile, and he is very consistent, he’s yet to miss a place in all of his career starts.” Mertens said Kent Jnr gave him flexible instructions and the smooth-actioned galloper did the rest. “Michael gave me a pretty easy game plan of just rolling forward, he didn’t care whether he was leading, second or just behind the speed. “He just left it up to me and I was able to flow into a prominent position quite easily and once he found the front he just switched off and went at lovely gallop for me. At the top of the straight when I asked him, he really sprinted well. “He’s a horse that has come on leaps and bounds through his prep. From the start till now he has just improved a stack and the team at home have got him going terrifically and he’s in a really good headspace. He’s doing everything right, so off the back of that I believe he can get better.” Originally prepared in New Zealand by Sam Mynott, Taken was sold to the Price-Kent stable following a trial win at Tauranga. By Waikato Stud’s emerging young sire Ardrossan, Taken is out of the Henrythenavigator mare Katherine Wright and stems from the same family as Ardrossan’s Group Three winner Beau Dazzler. Taken was bred by the Dewar Partnership, which was put together to support Ardrossan when he launched at stud by some people who raced the Group One performed son of Redoute’s Choice. The Dewar Partnership is managed and part-owned by Bruce Perry with Lib Petagna the majority supporter along with Max Brown, Tony Joyce and Dave and Nicki Wilson. View the full article