Wandering Eyes

Bradsell's CV would get him almost any job in world sprinting right now. He's won the Coventry Stakes, the King's Stand, the Nunthorpe, and now the Flying Five. Now, his connections are keen to add Breeders' Cup glory to his repertoire.View the full article

Jockey Franny Norton will retire on Sept. 21, the contemporary of Frankie Dettori announced on Instagram. The Liverpool native will end his career riding at Chester Racecourse. Norton, who turned 54 this year, began riding in 1988. A Chester specialist, he was a close ally of Mark Johnston, and now rides for his son Charlie, among others. Throughout his career, Norton has been associated with several Pattern winners including Permian (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), and G1 St Leger second Sir Ron Priestley (GB) (Australia {GB}), to name a few. A notable boxer, his latest victory, of which he has at least 1859, was aboard Aviemore (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) for the younger Johnston at Chester on Sept. 13. Norton said in a statement, “After an incredible journey spanning over 35 years, the time has come for me to hang up my boots and call it a day in horse racing. “On the 21st of September at Chester Racecourse, I will ride my final race, marking the end of an amazing chapter of my life. “From the early days in the saddle to the many highs and lows that followed, this sport has given me memories I will treasure forever. I've been blessed to ride alongside some of the best jockeys, work with the finest trainers, and compete at the most iconic racecourses. Every moment has been a privilege. “To the fans who have supported me over the years, your encouragement has meant the world. To the owners, trainers, and stable staff, it's been an honour to share the track with you. And to my family and loved ones–your unwavering support has carried me through every victory and every challenge. “While I may be stepping away from the track, I will always remain connected to the sport that has been my life. Racing has taught me resilience, passion, and humility, and I'm forever grateful for the incredible journey it has taken me on. “I look forward to seeing you all at Chester for one last race. Let's make it a day to remember! “Much love, F.” The post Franny Norton To Retire On Sept. 21 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Let's start this column with the disclaimer that it's way too early to start seriously talking about how a one-turn-mile victory at age two might translate to winning a 10-furlong stakes some 7 ½ months from now in a chaotic field of 20. We'll also put aside for the moment that the GIII Iroquois S. has never been a prognosticator for success in the GI Kentucky Derby. Dating to the race's inception in 1983, juveniles who ran in that late summer/early autumn Churchill Downs stakes have gone a collective 0-1-1 from 30 starts as sophomores on the first Saturday in May. The Sep. 14 winner of the Iroquois, 'TDN Rising Star' Jonathan's Way (Vekoma), also has the distinction of being an Ohio-bred. You've got a pretty good head for obscure facts if you know that Wintergreen in 1909 was the only Kentucky Derby winner ever to be foaled in the Buckeye State. Yet even if the historical odds are stacked against him, you have to admit the connections of this 2-for-2 colt are entitled to at least a little bit of celebratory “Derby dreaming” hype after watching Jonathan's Way establish command, take pressure through the middle stages, and shrug off decent bids at the top of the stretch and through the lane to score in Saturday's Iroquois by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:36.08 (89 Beyer Speed Figure). “Isn't this great? An Ohio-bred?” owner Richard Rigney asked rhetorically while basking in the afterglow of his 1.26-1 favored colt earning the first 10 points on the 2025 Road to the Derby qualifying leaderboard. Rigney, who has operated Rigney Racing for the past 11 years, said post-win that he named this $290,000 KEENOV weanling after his teenage son. Presumably, he was aware when he christened the colt that an old adage in the sport dictates you don't name a racehorse after a family member or friend unless you think the horse will turn out to be something special. It turns out that indeed was the case with Jonathan's Way. “As a weanling, we were thinking big, high things of this horse from the very beginning,” Rigney said in post-race interview footage provided by the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association. “One of the wonderful things about [bloodstock agent] John [Moynihan] is that he's not looking at what the [catalogue] page looks like. He's looking at who are the athletes, and it just couldn't have been better for us,” Rigney said. If you sift those against-the-grain statistics about the Iroquois S. and Ohio-breds through a finer sieve, you can come up with a couple of exception-to-the-trend coincidences that give glimmers of hope to the prospect that Jonathan's Way might have a fighting chance in the spring Classics. Last year's winner of the Iroquois S., West Saratoga (Exaggerator), did make it into the 2024 Derby, finishing twelfth. But the fourth-place horse out of that 2023 Iroquois, Seize the Grey (Arrogate), eventually annexed his own slice of the 2024 Triple Crown, upsetting the GI Preakness S. at 9-1 odds And while no winner of the Iroquois S. has ever worn a blanket of roses under Churchill's twin spires, the favorite for the Derby 22 years ago, Harlan's Holiday, was actually an Ohio-bred who had won the previous year's Iroquois. Off as the 6-1 public choice in the 2002 Derby wired by the 20-1 War Emblem, Harlan's Holiday finished seventh. Rigney was well aware of that connection, too, and even added another layer of intrigue to the Iroquois/Ohio kismet. “The other thing that's kind of awesome is Harlan's Holiday was an Ohio-bred,” Rigney said. “And the person that bought Harlan's Holiday [in 2000 as the stable manager for Jack and Laurie Wolf], was Barry Berklehammer, the one who broke this horse. “So we're pretty happy. We've got the Ohio mojo going,” Rigney enthused. Jonathan's Way, through just two lifetime starts, has also managed to mirror the exploits of his first-crop sire, Vekoma. Both won six-furlong sprints in New York in their debuts, then registered victories as favorites in one-turn-mile stakes second time out. In Jonathan's Way's case, he parlayed a 4 ¼-length score at Saratoga Aug. 17 into a win in the Iroquois. Vekoma, by contrast, had gotten a later start. As a May 22 foal, he won his Sept. 23, 2018, debut at Belmont Park, then (bypassing the Breeders' Cup the same weekend), took down the Nov. 4 GIII Nashua S. At age three, Vekoma ran third in the GII Fountain of Youth S., won the then-GII Blue Grass S., and finished twelfth in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. After missing 10 months with foot ailments, Vekoma's connections cut him back to one-turn races in 2020, and he ended his career with three straight stakes tallies, including the 2020 GI Metropolitan Handicap. He was sidelined again that summer, pointed toward the Breeders' Cup without a prep race, then a fever caused Vekoma to miss what was to be his final start in the GI Sprint. Jonathan's Way's trainer, Philip Bauer, said that running through adversity in start No. 1 established that his colt could handle stakes company. In his Saratoga coming-out party, Jonathan's Way got bumped at the break, was taken up and got pinched back, powered through dirt kickback, circled the field, then swept to the lead in the lane and drew off in what was termed a “sparkling effort” by the Equibase chart caller. “Certainly in the debut, we never anticipated the trouble he encountered,” Bauer said. “But he overcame it, and was much the best that day. “[Saturday] we felt the [nine] post was to our advantage, to see how [the pace] developed, and he developed things himself [by going straight for the lead],” Bauer said. While watching the Iroquois unfold, Bauer said he took a measure of comfort in getting a visual read that Jonathan's Way was not overtaxing himself on the front end despite taking heat for most of the trip. “Joel [Rosario] is a great rider for a reason,” Bauer said. “When they break sharp, you try not to take anything away from them.” The main track at Churchill did not appear biased on Saturday, but it was decidedly not slanted toward early speed. Of 11 races on the main track, only the opener and Jonathan's Way's win were wire jobs. Four races were won by stalkers from midpack; five others featured deep closers. “The horse gives you a ton of confidence in the mornings. He's ultra-talented, and I feel sorry for his workmate at times,” Bauer said. “Two-year-olds, it's a 'light bulb' moment a lot of times,” Bauer continued. “You could tell after his first race he knew what the game's all about. Started training a little more forwardly in the mornings. We came in here with a ton of confidence.” The Nov. 1 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile is next, Bauer said, although he did admit that the seven weeks between starts presents a dilemma about whether or not to fit in another prep stakes. “I think we'll train up,” Bauer said. “I think with Kentucky Downs [holding the early September dates], Churchill tries to just back up [the date of the Iroquois] a little bit. The timing gets a little messed up.” Bauer's solution? “Talented horses, you've just got to keep them happy,” he said. The post The Week in Review: Pride of Ohio Takes Aim on Kentucky–and Beyond appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was Dylan Browne McMonagle's second success in the race after he and O'Brien teamed up to win in 2022 with Al Riffa, while the trainer also won it with Thunder Moon in 2020.View the full article

The Inglis Digital USA September Sale added a pair of offerings to its catalog in debut winner Saxton (Mosler) and MSP Munny Grab (Munnings), both to be offered on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Saxton enters the September sale after a 4 1/2-length debut victory in a 5 1/2-furlong turf maiden special weight at Colonial Downs Sept. 4. Trainer Cathal Lynch co-owns the 2-year-old gelding with Nick Sanna Stables. “Saxton acts like an older horse,” remarked trainer Cathal Lynch of Saxton. “He is good minded and feels like he will improve as we stretch him out. The Laurel Futurity on Sept. 28 could be his next possible start.” A Virginia-bred with Maryland-sired eligibility and Maryland Million certification, Saxton was bred by Lazy Lane Farms. He is first runner and winner out of the Lookin At Lucky mare Winning Thread. His family includes third dam Grade II winner Secret Account, in addition to Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty, GISW Secret Hello, and Grade III winner Conveyance. Munny Grab is stakes-placed on both dirt and turf, most recently finishing a gaining third over the grass in the Suzie O'Cain Stakes at Saratoga. The New York bred filly earned a career best 78 Beyer Speed Figure in that effort. The 3-year-old launched her career on the main track during her juvenile season, beating fellow New York-breds by four lengths in an Aqueduct maiden special weight, then finishing third in the Gin Talking Stakes at Laurel Park. Munny Grab is trained by Horacio De Paz, earning $144,140 for owners Magic Cap Stables and Hayden Racing. She is consigned by Lucan Bloodstock, agent. “The future is very bright for Munny Grab who is stakes placed on dirt and turf and is still improving race by race,” said Karl Keegan of Lucan Bloodstock. “She's one of those unique fillies that is effective no matter what surface she's on. Her 2-year-old half-brother is in training will Bill Mott, and the reports on him are excellent.” Bred by EKQ Stables Corp., Munny Grab is out of the stakes-winning Maria's Mon mare Another World, whose seven foals to race are all winners. Her pedigree traces back to a Thomas Mellon Evans female family that features champion Pleasant Stage and Grade I winners Changeintheweather, A Phenomenon, Seattle Meteor, and Marsh Side. “Munny Grab and Saxton are among the exciting new racehorses added to our September catalog,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Liza Hendriks. “With demand for racehorses at a high, sellers are leveraging recent successes, and these horses can remain in training through the sale without having to move, offering buyers an excellent opportunity.” Entries close for the Inglis Digital USA September Sale on Monday, Sept. 16. The catalog will be released Friday, Sept. 20, and the horses will sell Wednesday, Sept. 25. To view the catalog and register to bid, visit www.inglisdigitalusa.com. The post Debut Winner Saxton, MSP Munny Grab Added to Inglis Digitial USA September Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Daniel Alonso's Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) breezed a half mile in :49.90 over the Oklahoma dirt training track Sunday in preparation for a start in the Sept. 28 GII Woodward at Belmont at the Big A. Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., the 5-year-old won three graded stakes this season, including last time out in the GII Charles Town Classic on Aug. 23. “It's a good spot for him and he's doing well at Saratoga, so it's not too long of a ship,” Joseph, Jr. said. “He just seems to keep getting better. He had a good work [Sunday] and for him it was just perfection. I just hope he can continue the way he is right now.” Joseph, Jr. could also be represented by C2 Racing Stable and Agave Racing Stable's Soul of an Angel (Atreides), who is possible for the 6 1/2-furlong GII Gallant Bloom Sept. 29. Joseph, Jr. said Soul of an Angel worked well Saturday while covering three-eighths in :36 flat in company with Practically Dark over the Oklahoma dirt training track. The 5-year-old was purchased privately earlier this year and won the GII Ruffian going a one-turn mile on May 4 here on debut for Joseph, Jr. Soul of an Angel, fifth in the nine-furlong GI Ogden Phipps after a slow start, was a close second in the 1 1/16-mile GIII Molly Pitcher in July at Monmouth and a distant third last out in the nine-furlong GI Personal Ensign on Aug. 23 at the Spa. “She is possible to cut back in the Gallant Bloom but it's not decided just yet,” Joseph, Jr. said. “We just want to get her back to one turn. She hasn't run at one turn since she won the Ruffian.” Miller Racing's dual graded stakes-winner Spirit Wind (Bahamian Squall) was also on the Oklahoma tab Saturday, covering three-eighths in :35.66. Joseph, Jr. indicated the 5-year-old mare could target the Oct. 5 GII Thoroughbred Club of America at Keeneland. Joseph also indicated C Two Racing Stable and Mathis Stable's The Queens M G (Thousand Words), winner of Saratoga's Schuylerville and GIII Adirondack this summer, would likely stretch out around two turns in the 1 1/16-mile GI Alcibiades on Oct. 4 at Keeneland. The dark bay, a private purchase following a gritty debut win in April at Keeneland, finished a distant fifth last out in the seven-furlong GI Spinaway Aug. 31. “No excuses for her as far as trip last time,” he said. “The trip was perfect and she came out of it well. The slop was an unknown factor and maybe that was the cause, but time will tell,” Joseph, Jr. said. “She's probably going to go to Keeneland. I'd like to try her two turns and see how she gets on there in the Grade I.” Joseph Jr. added that C2 Racing Stable, Kuehne Racing and Mark Corrado's Andrea (Thousand Words), who is 2-for-2 after a pair of frontrunning romps at Gulfstream this summer, exited Saturday's Hallandale Beach victory in good order, however, her next start has yet to be decided. “She's a nice filly. She's progressive and really going in the right direction,” Joseph, Jr. said. “She had a nice debut, and we stretched her out [Saturday] which was not ideal going from 5 1/2-furlongs to a mile, but there weren't any other options. She handled it well.” Andrea was purchased by Joseph, Jr. for $105,000 from the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in training where she worked in :9.4. “She looked like she had speed and class. You never know until you get them back to the track, but since she came in she's trained well,” Joseph, Jr. said. The South Florida-based trainer also noted that last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic-winner White Abarrio (Race Day), who finished fifth last time out in the GI Metropolitan Handicap in June, remains in training at Saratoga and is getting closer to a breeze. The post ‘Skippy’ Works Ahead of Woodward; Joseph Charts Plan with Team appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a Vermeille that would measure up well to any run in the last 20 years, Bluestocking showed the class and grit which have hallmarked her season, fighting off the persistent attentions of Aventure (IRE). View the full article

Trainer Gary Contessa will point a pair of New York-breds to Breeders Cup “Win and You're In” events at Belmont at the Big A with Another Cleeshay (Volatile) targeting the Oct. 5 GI Frizette Stakes and Epitaph (Country House) pointing to the GIII Futurity on Oct. 4. “I look to shoot high. If you don't shoot high, you can't do amazing things,” said Contessa, who captured the GI Hopeful Stakes last year with 54-1 shot Nutella Fella. Another Cleeshay worked five-eighths in 1:03 flat Saturday over the Oklahoma dirt training track in company with maiden But Now Am Found. Sean Shay's Another Cleeshay will look to parlay a 9 1/2-length debut score on Aug. 30 at Saratoga into a first career stakes win in the one-turn mile Frizette for juvenile fillies. “She broke slow, broke in the air, but she's got talent,” said Contessa of the filly's debut. “Junior [Alvarado] knew how good she was, too. He knew she could overcome that break. The worst that could have happened is if they'd shut off the inside on her and she'd have no place to go. Luckily, the horses stayed off the rail and she was able to zip up the rail.” Another Cleeshay, bred by 3C Stables, was purchased by Contessa for $40,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. “I thought she was extremely athletic. I loved the way she moved,” said Contessa. “I'm all about analyzing the stride of a horse when I'm buying at a 2-year-old sale. I might look at a tape of a horse working 20 times before I bid on it and that's what I did with her.” Contessa said the filly, who was also nominated to the state-bred Joseph A. Gimma next week, is doing well and he has no concerns about stepping her up in class and distance. “I can always run in a New York-bred stake, but I can't always run in a Breeders' Cup,” Contessa said. “We don't know how good she is. She won very impressively first time out. I think the mile is going to suit her, so why not take a shot?” Epitaph, purchased by Contessa for $15,000 at the Midlantic sale, graduated in front-running fashion in his Aug. 25 debut sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs over firm Spa turf. The gelding, with Alvarado up, showed the way through splits of :21.83 seconds, :45.99 and :57.96 en route to a one-length victory in a final time of 1:04.13. Bred by NK Racing, Epitaph, who worked five-eighths in 1:02.50 Saturday over the Oklahoma dirt training track, was nominated to next weekend's state-bred Bertram F. Bongard but will instead look to earn his way into the Breeders' Cup in November at Del Mar in the six-furlong Futurity for juveniles. “Epitaph worked well [Saturday], too,” Contessa said. “He's another one where I really liked his sale video. I nominated him to the New York-bred race, but I think we'll go to the Futurity with him as well. He won impressively going 5 1/2-furlongs on the grass.” The post Another Cleeshay Works for Frizette; Epitaph Points to Futurity appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks and Magdalena Racing's Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) posted her final work Saturday at Saratoga in preparation for Saturday's GI Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing. Trained by Kenny McPeek, the GI Kentucky Oaks winner covered five furlongs in 1:00.20 over the Oklahoma dirt training track under regular exercise rider Danny Ramsey. McPeek, who is currently at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, said the report on the filly's work was positive. “All accounts are that she worked super and came out super,” said McPeek. “She's doing great at Saratoga.” Thorpedo Anna was last seen finishing second to reigning Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Fierceness in the Aug. 24 GI DraftKings Travers at the Spa. She has won three Grade Is this year, including the DK Horse Acorn during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, and the Coaching Club American Oaks at the Spa. Parx will be the fifth track Thorpedo Anna has raced over. “She's all set and will probably ship down the day before,” said McPeek. “She's handled everything else she's ever done, I don't know why she wouldn't handle that.” Thorpedo Anna has remained at Saratoga since the Travers and has posted two works, the other being a half-mile in :50.80 seconds on Sept. 7. The post Thorpedo Anna Posts Final Major Work Ahead of Cotillion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rigney Racing's TDN Rising Star Jonathan's Way (Vekoma) went wire-to-wire in the GIII Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs, earning the colt 10 qualifying points towards the GI Kentucky Derby. According to trainer Phil Bauer Sunday, the colt will now head to the Nov. 1 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar. “It was an unbelievable day for our barn,” Bauer said. “Watching him turn for home in the Iroquois, he looked so comfortable on the front end. His ears told a story–he was just waiting for Joel [Rosario] to ask for more. And, really, Joel didn't have to push him much at all.” The Ohio-bred earned TDN stardom after his impressive 4 1/4-length score going six panels at the Spa Aug. 17. “For only his second start, he showed a lot of heart and gave us a new dimension in his running style. He cooled out great and was in perfect [Sunday] morning.” Jonathan's Way is only the second horse that Bauer and Rigney Racing have had on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. The duo previously campaigned Another Lemon Drop, who finished fourth in the 2015 GIII Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds. “We actually bought him as a weanling for $290,000 and we were thinking high things of this horse from the beginning,” Rigney said. “I have a great team behind me and I use John Moynihan as my bloodstock agent. The great thing about John is he's not looking at the page behind the horse but the physical attributes.” Jonathan's Way's was broken by Barry Berkelhammer, who also holds the distinction of having broken Grade I-winning Ohio-bred Harlan's Holiday. “Seeing him already reward us is surreal,” he added. “Being one of the favorites for both the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and Kentucky Derby is a dream come true. This is the greatest sport in the world.” The post Jonathan’s Way to Target Breeders’ Cup Juvenile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Belmont The Big A, $90,000, Msw, 9-15, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:44.11, fm, 3/4 length. LAVENDER DISASTER (f, 2, Into Mischief–Cafe Americano {GSW, $178,800}, by Medaglia d'Oro) debuted going long Sunday and had to take back a bit after an unsettled start saw her hit the side of the gate. Situated mid pack in fourth through fractions of :24.62 and :50.15, she came through along the rail into the far turn before angling out with a quarter remaining to take aim at pacesetter Snipsnippitysnip (Girvin). Once in the clear past the furlong marker, the 3-5 favorite closed with a good kick to prevail by three-quarters of a length over stablemate Competitive Market (Authentic). The first foal out of the Peter Brant-owned GSW Cafe Americano, Lavender Disaster's second dam is dual Canadian champion Roxy Gap (Indian Charlie). Café Americano, herself a $625,000 KEESEP yearling back in 2017 for White Birch Farm, has a yearling Tapit colt who was withdrawn from this year's KEESEP sale and returned to Into Mischief for a full-sibling to Lavender Disaster next year. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $49,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Peter M. Brant; B-White Birch Farm, Inc. (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. Lavender Disaster, 2YO daughter of @spendthriftfarm stallion Into Mischief, breaks her maiden in the opener under @iradortiz! pic.twitter.com/CeEgaM2wM0 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) September 15, 2024 The post Lavender Disaster Off The Mark At Aqueduct For Chad Brown And Peter Brant appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien is always on edge when Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Polished Gem {Ire}, by Danehill) is at the races, but the mighty stayer proved yet again that there is no cause for concern with a typically straightforward success in Sunday's G1 Irish St Leger at The Curragh. Back in peak form as he had been when first capturing this in 2022, the Moyglare homebred and colour-bearer was the 2-5 favourite to erase the memory of his runner-up placing 12 months ago when not fully recharged following his major injury and cruised in second throughout for Ryan Moore. Sent on two out, the 6-year-old veteran of two G1 Gold Cups, two G1 Goodwood Cups and a G1 Prix du Cadran was soon beyond recall to register his brace in this prestige event. Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) was 2 1/4 lengths away in second, with the surprisingly non-threatening Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) 3/4 of a length further behind in third. The success completed a notable double for his late sire, who had the one-two in Saturday's G1 St Leger with Jan Brueghel (Ire) and Illinois (Ire). 𝙏𝙃𝙀 best stayer in training 𝑲𝒚𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒔 takes out the €600,000 Comer Group International Irish St. Leger for a second time. @coolmorestud | @Ballydoyle | @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/33ShkicpuT — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 15, 2024 The post Kyprios Brings Up The Leger Double For Galileo At The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at The Curragh had a more open look to it than the betting suggested beforehand and that proved the case as the Joseph O'Brien-trained outsider Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}–Fidaaha {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) stepped up to earn the bragging rights. Third behind this race's favourite Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) on his second start over this course and seven-furlong trip in the G2 Futurity Stakes last month, the 12-1 shot who had won on debut at Leopardstown in May raced on the wing halfway down the field throughout the early stages. Sent forward by Dylan Browne McMonagle to reel in the British raider Seagulls Eleven (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) approaching the furlong pole, the flashy chestnut who races for Rectory Road Holdings Limited, Barry Fowler and Anne Marie O'Brien stayed on to score by 3/4 of a length from the 5-6 market-leader Henri Matisse, with Seagulls Eleven the same margin behind in third. Revenge 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩 reverses Futurity Stakes form with Henri Matisse to land the Group 1 @Goffs1866 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes.@JosephOBrien2 | @DylanBrowneMcM pic.twitter.com/tw4KwCRpbh — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 15, 2024 The post National Stakes Victory For Mehmas’s Scorthy Champ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All eyes were on the returning G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Look De Vega (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in Sunday's G2 Qatar Prix Niel at ParisLongchamp, but while he appeared to run out of stamina the Wertheimers' Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Sosia {Ger}, by Shamardal) proved that is his strong suit as he booked his Arc ticket. Rested since his G1 Grand Prix de Paris success, the Andre Fabre-trained homebred shadowed that Classic-winning peer throughout the early stages with Ronan Thomas happy to let the 7-10 favourite bowl along in front. Sent forward by Maxime Guyon as the petrol gauge started to empty in his chief rival approaching two out, the 100-30 second favourite drew away to beat Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) by 1 1/2 lengths, with Look De Vega two lengths behind in third. (@maximeguyon_off – A. Fabre) enlève le Qatar Prix Niel (Gr.2) et confirme sa classe. Delius perd son invincibilité, il termine pic.twitter.com/Hyy2FcRokY — Equidia (@equidia) September 15, 2024 The post Sea The Stars’ Sosie Has The Answers In The Niel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Backing up his success in last month's G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, Victorious Racing's Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}–Russian Punch {GB}, by Archipenko) proved he is a sprinter to be reckoned with by doubling up in Sunday's G1 Flying Five Stakes at The Curragh. Prominent throughout under Hollie Doyle, the Archie Watson-trained 2-1 favourite was committed two out and stayed on strongly to score by 1 1/4 lengths from compatriot Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) to bring his group 1 win tally to three having also conquered last year's G1 King's Stand Stakes. Another Brit Makarova (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) was the same margin back in third. BRADSELL Bradsell remains unbeaten in 2024 after landing the Group 1 @BarOneRacing Flying Five Stakes. That's 3⃣ top-level wins for the @Archie_Watson stable star. @HollieDoyle1 | @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/VKxjTBcn7B — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 15, 2024 The post Flying Five Glory For Victorious Racing’s Bradsell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There was a minor upset in Sunday's G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at The Curragh, with Ballydoyle's Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}–Quiet Reflection {GB}, by Showcasing {GB}) the one of the stable's two unbeaten TDN Rising Stars to prevail in the seven-furlong contest. Anchored in last early by Wayne Lordan, the G3 Sweet Solera Stakes winner benefitted from the fast pace carved out by the yard's number one and 4-5 favourite Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) to swoop 100 yards out and score by 1 1/4 lengths from Al Shaqab Racing's G2 Prix du Calvados winner Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) at odds of 11-2. There was another short head back to another Aidan O'Brien trainee in Exactly (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), with Bedtime Story tiring to be last of the five. Perfect record INTACT Lake Victoria is now 3-3 after powering down the outside to land the @MoyglareStud Stakes. Stablemate Bedtime Story dropped away late on and has lost her unbeaten record.@curraghrace | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/kbIBtiT19v — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 15, 2024 The post Frankel’s Lake Victoria Wins The Moyglare For Ballydoyle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Showing that her busy recent period of racing had left no mark on Sunday, Juddmonte's Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}–Emulous {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) enjoyed a battle royal up the ParisLongchamp straight to edge the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille from Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Second in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and fourth in the G1 Juddmonte International this summer, the Ralph Beckett-trained G1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner stuck close to the early pace with Rossa Ryan keen to surrender no advantage. Left in front at the top of the straight, the 27-10 favourite was tackled by the Wertheimers' fellow TDN Rising Star Aventure and headed for a few strides, but refused to buckle and fought her way back to the front en route to a 3/4-of-a-length success from the 3-year-old, with Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) half a length away in third. (R. Ryan – R. Beckett) s'offre le Qatar Prix Vermeille (Gr.1) à @paris_longchamp Gagnante des Cairn Pretty Polly Stakes (Gr.1) au @curraghrace et derrière Goliath dans les King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, elle remporte son 2⃣ème Groupe 1 pic.twitter.com/ccVE45ZCFO — Equidia (@equidia) September 15, 2024 The post Juddmonte’s Bluestocking Prevails In Vermeille Battle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After almost spoiling the party for Point King in The Archer in terms of gaining a Melbourne Cup start, versatile stayer Hit The Road Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) will be aimed at a lesser race on the same day in the inaugural The Australian Heritage Cup. The Symon Wilde-trained Hit The Road Jack was the only horse in The Archer not nominated for the Melbourne Cup, and in a slogging finish went down narrowly to Point King who gained a ballot-free exemption into the big race. Co-trainer Liam Hoy said when they saw it was going to be a wet track they decided to have a throw at the stumps. “He ran a great race. Jamie Kah on Point King said to Harry Coffey they had a great duel, and he made the other horse keep surging,” Hoy said. He said the introduction of the new staying event on Melbourne Cup, The Australian Heritage Cup, was an ideal race to set Hit The Road Jack for. The Australian Heritage Cup (2800m) is restricted to Australian and New Zealand-trained stayers and replaces the Benchmark 96 over the same distance. There are six qualifying races for the event with one held in each state. The Victorian qualifying race will be held at Caulfield on October 16 with a Benchmark 84 (2400m). “He’d be a beauty for the Heritage Cup. That would be a perfect race for him as he’s now had two starts at Flemington for a first and a second. “ Before The Archer, Hit The Road Jack was placed in two hurdle races. “We just wanted to see how he came through his second at Ballarat in the hurdle and with the wet weather there was no reason to turn him out,” Hoy said. “That’s going to be the key going forward as well, as the key to him is the wet tracks. There’s no reason to put him out when there’s a bit of give in the ground.” Hoy said stablemate Dashing Duchess proved she couldn’t handle the heavy conditions and she struggled in them to finish sixth. View the full article

Team Hayes will consider backing Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield after his gutsy performance to win the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. Ben Hayes said it was one of three options he will discuss with his co-trainers and brothers Will and JD on Monday morning. “He’s pulled up well and we can consider running in the Underwood Stakes this week,” Ben Hayes said on The Wrap. He said the other options were the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on September 27 and the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 5. Hayes said Mr Brightside loved The Valley and had won the race before in 2022. “He’ll tell us. He’s still a bit woolly and he’s got nice improvement. He’s back and he’s sound.” Hayes said the Makybe Diva Stakes was the clash everybody wanted to see. “I thought it was a great watch and Mr Brightside improved and was strong to the line.” “At the 300m, we thought we had it won; at the 150m we kind of stopped because Pride Of Jenni kept kicking then the last 50m was an enjoyable watch. Credit to her, as she improved out of sight, but it was good to see our boy get his head out in front.” Hayes said it was really satisfying to see him win after Mr Brightside had been on the end of some criticism. “He’s never run a bad race. The worst race he’s run was a seventh in the Cox Plate. We worked out his average earnings per run is $450,000. He’s an incredible horse, his record speaks for himself and he’s only seven.” Hayes said the more rain fell the more confident he got as he loved a wet track which he hadn’t had for two years. View the full article

Darwin jockey Jarrod Todd landed a winning treble at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) Normal transmission resumed in Darwin on Saturday, with trainer Gary Clarke and jockey Jarrod Todd dominating. Clarke, the leading trainer in the Top End and Country premiership for 12 years, celebrated four wins with Siakam ($4.60), Flying Annie ($8), Devil’s Delight ($5) and Magnetic Tycoon ($5). Todd partnered Flying Annie over 1100m (0-70), Devil’s Delight over 1100m (BM54) and Magnetic Tycoon over 1600m (0-58), while Ianish Luximon rode Siakam in an open 1200m handicap. Phil Cole’s Ny Kee ($3.70), with Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc aboard, took out the 1200m maiden. Siakam helped set the early pace before taking a sit in third place, but once swinging for home he powered away to win by 1.4 lengths from stablemates Seguso ($2.70 fav) and Doc O’Connor ($6). Returning after a last start seventh in the Simone Montgomerie Lightning (1000m) on Cup Day (August 5), Flying Annie was camped three deep outside the early pacemaker Mr Have A Chat ($6.50). Flying Annie battled it out with Mr Have A Chat at the top of the straight with 300m remaining before edging clear to win by 1.7 lengths – Canton Kid ($4.60) was third. Devil’s Delight missed the start before finishing fifth on debut on August 31 and failed to settle early on Saturday. He then clicked into gear before storming home to nail the gallant Shecanmixit ($2.60 fav), who shared the early lead, right on the line with Just For Marcus ($8), who travelled deep throughout, third. Magnetic Tycoon, sixth in the Magic Millions Top End Classic (1300m) on Cup Day, settled midfield in his return to racing before building momentum approaching the home turn. He had to rally in the home straight before dispensing with the courageous front-running I’m A Dreamer ($3.20 fav) by half a length – Capistan ($6.50) was third. While Cole was celebrating two wins at Bedourie in Queensland, Ny Kee skipped away at the 200m after sharing the early lead to overcome Hotim English ($11) and Prohibited ($12) by a length. It was a win on debut for the mare after racing in NSW and SA, while Le Blanc continued her excellent record in the NT since August 25. Horse racing news View the full article

Sunlight Power and Magic Control produce commanding victories on Sunday afternoon.View the full article

Champion jockey breaks new ground with fastest start to a campaign after backing up season-opening performance.View the full article

Driver Penalties N Williamson | Wyndham 5 September (heard Invercargill 12 September); allowed runner to shift into passing lane; suspended 20-22 September inclusive. B Butt | NZ Metropolitan 13 September; use of whip; suspended 16-22 September inclusive and fined $350. R Holmes | Oamaru 15 September; careless driving; fined $300. Trainer Penalties B Purdon & S Phelan | Auckland 13 September; failed to affix gear so as not to come adrift; fined $100. M Heenan | Oamaru 15 September; late to present runner on to track; fined $100. T Bagrie | Oamaru 15 September; late gear notification; fined $50. Horse Penalties BERTHA’S PRIDE | Waikato Bay of Plenty 10 September; broke in running; must complete trial. TEQUILA SUNRISE | Waikato Bay of Plenty 10 September; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. LINCOLN LA MOOSE | Auckland 13 September; broke in running; must complete trial. ALWAYS IMPRESSIVE | NZ Metropolitan 13 September; lame; veterinary clearance required. KNOWING ME | Oamaru 15 September; broke in running; must complete trial. MISS GRACIE | Oamaru 15 September; broke in running; must complete trial. Protests WHODREAMINGNOW | NZ Metropolitan 28 July; raced with prohibited substance in system; disqualified from 1st. WIND OF CHANGE | Waikato Bay of Plenty 10 September; excessive galloping during race; disqualified from 4th. The post 9-15 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Trainer Danny Shum confirms connections are considering a bold tilt at the richest race on the planet.View the full article

Dog Penalties HOMEBUSH CRICKET | Christchurch 9 September; failed to pursue the lure (second offence); stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. KING KOBORI | Southland 11 September; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. STOLEN SAPPHIRE | Waikato 12 September; unsatisfactory manners on way to lure; must complete trial. General Race 3 at Christchurch GRC 12 September was declared a no-race due to safety reasons. The post 9-15 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article