Wandering Eyes

'TDN Rising Star' JONATHAN'S WAY (c, 2, Vekoma–Female Drama, by Indian Charlie) picked up the first points on offer to the 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby Saturday with a win in the GIII Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs. Breaking from the outside under Joel Rosario, the 6-5 favorite cruised up front through fractions of :23.21 and :46.62, turned back a bid from longshot challenger Giocoso (Not This Time) and came streaking home ahead of a closing Owen Almighty (Speightstown). Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-Rigney Racing LLC; B-Susan L Anderson Racing LLC; T-Phil Bauer. Sales History: $290,000 wlg '22 KEENOV. #10 Jonathan's Way backs up his debut win and grabs the first Kentucky Derby prep race in the G3 Iroquois at @churchilldowns for trainer Phil Bauer with @jrosariojockey aboard! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/JAoC3UdYUe — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) September 14, 2024 The post It’s All Jonathan’s Way To Take First Derby Points In Iroquois appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hightailing to the lead, Full Count Felicia blew the doors off the field in the Sept. 14 CA$750,000 E. P. Taylor Stakes (G1T) in a dominating gate-to-wire performance at Woodbine.View the full article

Just one week removed from a victory in the GI Franklin-Simpson Stakes by Howard Wolowitz (Munnings), Al Gold's Gold Square LLC was again front and center in top-level competition when FULL COUNT FELICIA (m, 5, War Front–Claire de Lune {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) kept up a relentless gallop beneath Kazushi Kimura and proved not for catching in Saturday's GI E.P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine. Intent on securing the front, even given the presence of the fleet-footed defending champion Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}), the $85,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic breezer tore away from her four remaining rivals, who were content enough to allow her to flaunt her speed, reasoning that she would come back to them at some point. But come back to them she did not. Full Count Felicia opened up a lead of at least 15 lengths down the back and as they hit the side of the track, remained double digits clear as Fev Rover and fellow Canadian Horse of the Year Moira (Ghostzapper) bided their time. Still well clear turning for home, Full Count Felicia saw her lead start to dwindle, but she had left the others too much to do and stopped the timer in 1:59.29, the first sub two-minute clocking since the race was lengthened to a mile and quarter. Sales history: $85,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $200,000 2yo '21 FTMMAY. Lifetime Record: 18-7-2-1. O-Gold Square LLC; B-Joseph Allen LLC (KY); T-Kevin Attard. FULL COUNT FELICIA ($17.60) WOULD NOT BE CAUGHT!! @kazushi0096 is back at @woodbinetb! What an impressive ride in the $750,000 E. P. Taylor Stakes (G1)! The @kevin_attard trained War Front (@claibornefarm) opened up double digit lengths on them and never looked back! pic.twitter.com/8Ee20ZJVB8 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 14, 2024 The post War Front’s Full Count Felicia Runs Them Ragged In the E.P. Taylor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road to the GI Kentucky Oaks officially opened under the Twin Spires on Saturday and it was La Cara (Street Sense–Cara Caterina,by Bernardini) who swept ahead and scooped up the 10 points that were available in the GIII Pocahontas Stakes. After a strong Saratoga for her stable, the homebred added to that haul when she broke her maiden upstate at fourth asking Aug. 11. Sent to Louisville and off as a 5/1 shot here, the juvenile chased the pace that included Liam in the Dust (Liam's Map). The filly clearly was game to collar the leaders past the eighth pole and down the center of the course she did just that to earn those Oaks points. Liam in the Dust was able to hold off longshot Icona Mama (Maximus Mischief) for second. The final running time was 1:37.82. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-0. O/B-Tracy Farmer; T-Mark Casse. #3 La Cara closes at 5/1 to take the first Kentucky Oaks prep race, the G3 Pocahantos at @chuchilldowns for trainer Mark Casse with @RSantana_jr in the irons! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/snFv8iieQv — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) September 14, 2024 The post La Cara Rolls Late To Capture Oaks Points In Pocahontas Stakes At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse entered racing Sept. 14 as a seven-time winner of the Natalma Stakes (G1T). Now make it eight—thanks to the appropriately named And One More Time. View the full article

Bradsell and Believing headline the 18-horse Flying Five Stakes (G1), while unbeaten juvenile fillies Bedtime Story and Lake Victoria lead the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) field. Both races offer berths to the Nov. 1-2 Breeders' Cup World Championships.View the full article

Opera Singer took the step up to 1 1/4 miles in the Nassau Stakes (G1) in stride and, in a truly deep Prix Vermeille (G1) Sept. 15 at Longchamp, the 3-year-old Justify filly bids to secure her passage to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1).View the full article

Aidan O'Brien trainees Henri Matisse and Kyprios look the ones to beat in their respective races at The Curragh, the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1) and the Irish St Leger (G1).View the full article

German Derby winner Sisfahan (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}) will be sold as a wildcard during the upcoming Auctav National Hunt Sale on Friday, Sept. 20. Offered as lot 123B by OH Consignment, the Group 1 winner is being offered as a stallion prospect. From the family of Grade 1-winning jumper and sire Beaumec De Houelle (Fr) (Martaline {GB}), he is out of the winning mare Kendalee (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}). Other stallions set to sell on the platform include lot 1, Morpheus (GB), an Oasis Dream (GB) half-brother to Frankel (GB); and Deep Impact (Jpn)'s Martinborough (Jpn) (lot 97B). For the full catalogue, please visit the Auctav website. The post German Derby Winner Sisfahan To Be Offered At Auctav NH Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With a berth in the GI John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on the line, And One More Time (Omaha Beach–Complicated, by Blame) had just enough in the final jump to win the GI Natalma Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday. Facing a heavy favorite in Godolphin's Mountain Breeze (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), the Casse trainee went off as a 16-1 shot. Undaunted by the prospect after breaking her maiden at Saratoga Aug. 8, the filly rolled down the course in between a pair of stablemates in Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) and Vixen (Vekoma). And One More Time proved best as she surged ahead of the latter to earn the ticket to Del Mar. The final running time was 1:33.99. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0. Sales History: FTSAUG '23 $750,000. O-Live Oak Plantation; B-William Harrigan & Mike Pietrangelo (Ky); T-Mark Casse. AND ONE MORE TIME ($35.40) showed her grit in a stretch long battle in the $500,000 Natalma Stakes (G1) at @woodbinetb. The Omaha Beach (@spendthriftfarm) 2yo was trained by @markecasse, Rafael Hernandez up. She stamps her ticket into the @BreedersCup Juvenile Fillies Turf! pic.twitter.com/ipwwDZJmgJ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 14, 2024 The post And One More Time Leads Casse Trifecta In Natalma Stakes At Woodbine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Monique Delk, bidding on behalf of Vinnie Viola's St. Elias Stable, went to $900,000 to acquire a colt by Practical Joke (hip 1361) from the Gainesway consignment midway through Saturday's session of the Keeneland September sale. The colt is out of Ridingwiththedevil (Candy Ride {Arg}) and is a half-brother to multiple Grade I placed Reinvestment Risk (Upstart). The yearling was bred by Whisper Hill Farm, Gainesway Thoroughbreds, and Brian Graves. The post $900k Practical Joke Colt to St. Elias appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release In a pair of management moves at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey, William Anderson has been named President and Chief Operating Officer and John F. Heims, Esq., will take over as General Manager in addition to his role as In-House Counsel, the track announced Saturday. “Bill and John have been an instrumental part of our management team since we began operating the racetrack back in 2012,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, lessee and operator of Monmouth Park. “While their leadership has proven invaluable, I'm certain with these new expanded roles, Monmouth Park will see even further growth in the years to come.” Anderson, a former trainer, was named track superintendent in 2012 before being elevated to General Manager in 2015. “I have been active in New Jersey horse racing since the 1970s,” said Anderson, a native of Austin, Minnesota. “I appreciate the confidence Dennis has placed in me and look forward to working with our whole team to ensure Monmouth's success.” Heims, who has his own law practice in Toms River, has been with Monmouth Park since 1997. Throughout his tenure, he has been Director of Publicity, Racing Secretary, Director of Racing, and In-House Counsel, among his varied roles. “I'm grateful to Dennis for this opportunity,” said Heims, a native of Sea Girt, New Jersey. “Monmouth Park is my home. I've had the privilege to work with so many amazing colleagues and terrific horsemen and will continue to work together to make our racetrack among the best in the nation.” In addition to Monmouth Park, Heims has held various positions at Gulfstream Park, Hialeah Park, Atlantic City Racecourse and the Meadowlands. The new roles for Anderson and Heims are effective immediately. The post Monmouth Park Announces Management Moves appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Economics outbattled Auguste Rodin to win the Sept. 14 Irish Champion Stakes (G1) at Leopardstown.View the full article

Jan Brueghel maintained his unbeaten record when wearing down stablemate Illinois to provide Aidan O'Brien with the 1-2 finish and an eighth win in the Sept. 14 St Leger Stakes (G1) at Doncaster Racecourse.View the full article

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Following the exploits of Jan Brueghel (Ire) and Illinois (Ire) on Saturday, it is the turn of Kyprios (Ire) to write one of the final stories of the grand epoch of Galileo (Ire) in his St Leger on Sunday. Heading back to The Curragh for the Irish equivalent he mastered in 2022, Moyglare's elite homebred seems to know no limitations to his supremacy in the staying division and it is highly likely he will augment Ballydoyle's group 1 haul during Irish Champions Weekend. Nothing can diminish him. Not the best opposition that can be thrown at him, including the legend of this category Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), not even a career and life-threatening injury. That is not to say that Scuderia La Tesa Limited and Vaibhav Shah's Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) will not provide a worthy test to the horse seemingly hewn from the nearby Rock of Cashel, because the G2 Princess of Wales's Stakes and dual G2 Yorkshire Cup winner certainly will. However, just as Hamish (GB) (Motivator {GB}) discovered two years ago, being a classy, strong-staying middle-distance performer still doesn't cut it where this horse is concerned. Giavellotto would be a warm order in any other year, given his ideal credentials for this prize for which he has been expertly prepared by Marco Botti, but he is plain unfortunate to be around at the same time as the preeminent Irish stayer. With due respect paid to the best of the remainder, the G2 Lonsdale Cup winner Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), it is Giavellotto who is the key adversary here. “He's an unusual horse, in that he's a group horse over a mile and a quarter, I'd say, but he gets two-and-a-half, which is very rare,” Aidan O'Brien said of Kyprios, who was only half-baked coming back from his near-catastrophic injury when missing out in this 12 months ago. “I thought there was no chance in the world that he could come back, I don't think anybody did, so it was incredible what the people around him did. He's a hard horse to read, as he's very lazy and only does what he has to do, but he did look very good at Goodwood the last day.” Marco Botti deserves great credit for targeting this prize with Giavellotto and is far from negative as the showdown approaches. “This has been the plan for a while and he seems in good order,” he said. “The ground is hopefully not going to be too soft and it's nice Oisin Murphy is able to ride him, as we don't have to change a combination that has worked well so far this year.” “We freshened him up after Newmarket and he's lightly-raced this year. He likes a bit of space between his races, so I don't think that should be an issue,” he added. “Kyprios is a very good horse and obviously it's a strong race, but we knew that. Our horse seems to be in the same form he was before he won the Princess of Wales, so fingers crossed.” Operatics In The Vermeille? While Kyprios is firmly in his comfort zone on Sunday, stablemate Opera Singer (Justify) enters unknown territory in the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp as she tackles the mile-and-a-half trip of the Arc for the first time. In the immediate aftermath of her G1 Prix Marcel Boussac win last term, Ryan Moore had that showpiece at the forefront of his mind and that may be the best indicator of her prospects of staying this far. Having bossed the G1 Nassau Stakes last month, the relatively fresh filly may have the edge over the year-older Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}), who has had to endure the hardcase events of the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and G1 Juddmonte International in recent weeks. Nevertheless, connections of the Ralph Beckett-trained G1 Pretty Polly Stakes winner are seeing all the right signals as they plough on into the autumn. “It looks like we're going to roll the dice in the Vermeille on Sunday, as she has come out of York in such good form,” Juddmonte's European racing manager Barry Mahon said. “Ralph has been really happy with the way she is training and she's a filly who will probably retire at the end of the year and this is a race that slotted in nicely,” he added. “It will leave us with options to then run on Arc weekend or British Champions Day, whichever direction the owners want to go. She's run hugely this year and I thought her run in the Juddmonte International was a big effort and the King George run was a huge run.” Like Opera Singer, Al Shaqab Racing and Jean Pierre Dubois's G1 Prix de Diane heroine Sparkling Plenty (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) is also up in trip having been caught behind a steady pace in the Nassau. If she gets into the right rhythm, her electric acceleration will be a potent weapon even over this mile and a half. “The idea is obviously to see how she handles the extra couple of furlongs. It is a group 1 in its own right as well, so it is worth a go and we will learn a bit more about her,” Al Shaqab's French racing consultant Rupert Pritchard-Gordon said. “The Vermeille is often a strong race, but looks particularly strong this year. We will see how she goes and the team is very happy with her and she seems on good terms with herself. Tony Piccone is back onboard and the trainer was very keen, as he won a Prix de Diane on her and he rides a lot of horses for Mr Dubois.” The Vermeille also features the Wertheimers' TDN Rising Star Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who returns to the distance of her emphatic seven-length win in Chantilly's G3 Prix de Royaumont in June and who at this stage rates as live an Arc outsider as anything around. The Rest Of The Curragh The Curragh's fixture also sees Victorious Racing chase a big-race weekend double following the win of their 2-year-old Bay City Roller (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) in Saturday's G2 Champagne Stakes, as the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes hero Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) tackles the G1 Flying Five Stakes. Like Kyprios having returned from his own serious injury, the Archie Watson-trained TDN Rising Star looks back to the form of his win in last year's G1 King's Stand Stakes and has considerably more upside than most of his rivals here. “Archie seems very happy with him and we go there full of confidence,” Fawzi Nass's racing manager Oliver St Lawrence said. “The way he won at York has always been his style, he likes to sit just off a strong pace and he is able to sustain it. I think it's fair to say he is as good as ever this year and that is certainly how we view him.” “In the Phoenix Stakes as a 2-year-old, he fractured his tibia and still managed to finish fourth–he probably fractured it coming out of the stalls in hindsight. I think there are horses that will go forward on our side and I would suspect some of the horses that are more tilting their hats are probably likely to put on a strong pace.” The two 2-year-old races on the card look particularly strong, with the G2 Railway Stakes and G2 Futurity Stakes winner Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and G2 Vintage Stakes scorer Aomori City (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}) joined by the impressive G3 Prix Francois Boutin winner Cowardofthecounty (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) and Amo Racing and Giselle De Aguiar's impressive Leopardstown maiden-winning TDN Rising Star Hill Road (Quality Road) in the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes. Given the way Cowardofthecounty keeps impressing on the clock and the look of the form of Hill Road's debut, this may not be the straight Ballydoyle-Godolphin showdown it usually is. In the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, Ballydoyle's unbeaten TDN Rising Star and head girl Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) will be tested by Al Shaqab Racing's impressive G2 Prix du Calvados winner Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), her own stable's G3 Sweet Solera Stakes-winning TDN Rising Star Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Juddmonte's fellow TDN Rising Star Red Letter (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Second to Lake Victoria on debut over this course and distance, the Ger Lyons-trained homebred backed up the huge impression she created in defeat there when winning another hot contest over the same track and trip in July. Aidan O'Brien said of his pair, “Bedtime Story is a big, high-tempo filly–that's what she is. When the tempo is strong and hard, she only really kicks in after the two-furlong marker and it never really kicked in at all [when winning the G2 Debutante Stakes] at The Curragh.” Barry Mahon said of Red Letter, “I would say experience would be the worry for her, as she's only had two starts whereas some of the main protagonists have had three, four or even five runs. That has to be a bit of a concern jumping into a group 1, but we feel she is a nice filly and the form of her two maidens is pretty good. We would like to think she's a filly who could improve even further next year, but if she could finish in the three and run well it will be a good result.” Arc Clues In Paris… All eyes are trained on the Arc now and ParisLongchamp's mile-and-a-half course of the great race is used as a landing strip on Sunday for some of the leading favourites for the 2024 renewal. None hold more kudos at present than the G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Look De Vega (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who is up to the trip for the first time in the G2 Qatar Prix Niel. This is no soft touch, with the Gredley Family's Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and the Wertheimers' G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) just two of the opponents set to test his mettle. “He will carry the Al Shaqab colours for the first time and I saw his gallop on Monday morning at Maisons-Laffitte and he has such a laid-back attitude, he's a cool customer,” Rupert Pritchard-Gordon said of the Chantilly Classic hero. “He's done very well over the summer, Yann [Lerner] felt he was going to fill out a little bit more and he has. It was interesting that he did a similar workout to what he did six or seven days out from the Prix du Jockey Club with the same horse, Ronan Thomas was aboard and they were very happy with him.” “They've left a little bit to work on for the big weekend in October, but he goes there on Sunday ready for his prep and will come on for the run as well, that's the idea,” he added. “It's going to be a big learning curve for us over the weekend, but there isn't much to say a mile and a half will bother him, he's such a relaxed horse and he has a massive stride on him, so it will be quite exciting to see him run over an extra furlong and a half.” The post ‘He Is Very Rare’: O’Brien Ready For Latest Episode In Kyprios Saga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

8th-CD, 134K, Alw/OC, 3yo, f, 6f, 4:22 p.m. Unraced since hitting the board behind Tarifa (Bernardini) in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks back in March, 'TDN Rising Star' V V'S DREAM (Mitole) returns to the races Sunday for trainer Kenny McPeek. Last year's dominant GIII Pocahontas Stakes winner spent her last six races in stakes company, on the board in the Rags to Riches Stakes and, most notably, second by a length in the GI Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland last October. The daughter of Mitole showed her readiness for Sunday's action with a sharp drill last week, going four furlongs in :47 3/5 (2/83). Regular rider Brian Hernandez, Jr. stays aboard and V V's Dream adds Lasix as she makes her return. TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Insights: ‘Rising Star’ V V’s Dream Returns At Churchill 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, 9-14, 2yo, 6f, 1:12.81, ft, 5 lengths. VEKOMA RIDES (c, 2, Vekoma–Happy Now, by Mr. Greeley), off at odds of 4-1 for his debut here, tracked a pair of pacesetters from the outside gate up the backstretch. Ready to pounce going three wide around the far turn, the chestnut throttled up, was full of run at the top of the lane and sailed home a winner by five lengths over fellow first time starter Alias (Into Mischief). A half-sister to current sire Ironicus (Distorted Humor) and MGSW On Leave (War Front), the winner's dam is responsible for a yearling colt by American Pharoah and she foaled a colt by Uncle Mo Apr. 4. Happy Now was entered in Epicenter's book for next term. Vekoma Rides is the 19th winner for his freshman sire (by Candy Ride {Arg}). Sales History: $155,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $195,000 RNA 2yo '24 EASMAY; $150,000 2yo '24 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $49,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Nedlaw Stable, Denholtz Stables, Dennis A. Drazin and Jerold L. Zaro; B-Deerfield Farm (KY); T-John C. Kimmel. VEKOMA RIDES, the 2YO son of @spendthriftfarm stallion Vekoma, breaks his maiden in the opener under @KendrickCarmou1 for trainer John Kimmel. pic.twitter.com/E1T0IBYBSg — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) September 14, 2024 The post Freshman Sire Vekoma Adds Another Winner To His Tally In Big A Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this Monday running at Chukyo Racecourse: Monday, September 16, 2024 4th-CKO, ¥13,720,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m DANON FIGO (JPN) (c, 2, Into Mischief–Ollie's Candy, by Candy Ride {Arg}) is the first foal from his dam, winner of the GII Summertime Oaks in 2018 and the GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes the following year while placing an additional half-dozen times at the highest level on turf and dirt. K I Farm acquired Ollie's Candy for $1.65 million at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale and put her in foal to this perennial leading stallion prior to exporting her to Japan. She has since been covered twice by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), producing a filly this past January for her first Japanese-conceived foal. B-K I Farm DON PASSIONE (JPN) (c, 2, Quality Road–Stormy Embrace, by Circular Quay) was purchased in utero for $600,000 at Keeneland November in 2021, foaled four months later and made $450,080 when offered at the 2023 JRHA Select Sale. Stormy Embrace was a two-time winner of the GII Princess Rooney Stakes among her nine overall wins and $719,000 in career earnings and originally sold to SF Bloodstock for $250,000 at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale. B-Lake Villa Farm The post High-Class Mares Represented By First Runners in Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In an outstanding renewal of Doncaster's G1 St Leger on Saturday, it was the much-missed colossus Galileo (Ire) who had his inimitable stamp on proceedings with his sons Jan Brueghel (Ire) and Illinois (Ire) waging war in a clear demonstration of one of the most common characteristics of his breed. While the eventual winner Jan Brueghel had yet to go into the red zone in a career that only commenced in May, the son of Devoted To You (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) who had already provided a Classic winner in Sovereign (Ire) was able to draw on the innate steel handed down by his sire supreme and outlast his battle-hardened stablemate in a thrilling finale on Town Moor. Free initially for Sean Levey with the pace set by the other Galileo in the works Grosvenor Square (Ire) not as exacting as was expected, the 11-4 joint-favourite was restrained to sit three lengths off the lead and soon settled into a more suitable rhythm for this extended 14-furlong stamina test. Delivered alongside the other marker-leader Illinois as they came to have it between them approaching the two-furlong pole, the G3 International Stakes and G3 Gordon Stakes-winning TDN Rising Star took until the last 100 yards to truly assert his superiority and prevail by a neck. There was another 1 1/2 lengths and a nose back to Deira Mile (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) in third and fourth, but the stewards saw fit to reverse those placings and provide the latter with a second Classic placing. Levey, the former Ballydoyle apprentice who was winning a second British Classic, was impressed by the Westerberg colour-bearer who was providing Galileo with his 101st group 1 winner. “It was very straightforward,” he said after helping Aidan O'Brien to an eighth St Leger. “He was willing, but still babyish and did it well with a bit in reserve. He's a nice horse going forward and could be anything.” “He was quite keen initially, but I got him settled and then he was completely off the bridle and started to race lazily,” he explained. “Ryan said when he gets to the front he might think he's done enough, as he's a baby and when he started to get into a competitive position, I always felt I was going to go by Illinois. I had great times at Ballydoyle and it's nice to come around full circle–nice to get the ride and nice to deliver.” Colossal performance! Jan Brueghel battles to glory in the @Betfred St Leger Stakes! An eighth winner of the race for Aidan O'Brien… pic.twitter.com/RWm3Eyv1ZB — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 14, 2024 Saturday, Doncaster, Britain BETFRED ST LEGER STAKES-G1, £743,000, Doncaster, 9-14, 3yo, 14f 115yT, 3:04.52, gd. 1–JAN BRUEGHEL (IRE), 129, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire) 1st Dam: Devoted To You (Ire) (MGSP-Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire) 2nd Dam: Alleged Devotion, by Alleged 3rd Dam: Morning Devotion, by Affirmed TDN Rising Star. 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Sean Levey. £421,355. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, 4-4-0-0, $760,875. *Full to Sovereign (Ire), G1SW-Ire, G1SP-Eng, $1,173,919; and Dawn Rising (Ire), G1SP-Ire, GSP-Eng, $277,824. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Illinois (Ire), 129, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Danedrop (Ire), by Danehill. O-D Smith, Mrs J Magnier & M Tabor; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £159,745. 3–Sunway (Fr), 129, c, 3, Galiway (GB)–Kensea (Fr), by Kendargent (Fr). (€300,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Guy Pariente Holding & Qatar Racing Ltd; B-Guy Pariente Holding SPRL (FR); T-David Menuisier. £39,825. Margins: (NK, 1HF, NO). Odds: 2.75, 2.75, 5.50. Also Ran: Deira Mile (Ire), Grosvenor Square (Ire), Wild Waves (Ire), You Got To Me (GB). The post Jan Brueghel Leads A Galileo One Two In Epic St Leger appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tom Marquand had a tactical dilemma from the outside stall in Saturday's G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, but what could have been a disaster was quickly turned around as the rider excelled in steering Isa Salman Al Khalifa's Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}–La Pomme D'Amour (GB) (Peintre Celebre) to glory in the feature. Sent forward from the compromising draw to keep Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) hemmed in to his inner, the William Haggas-trained 7-4 favourite had first run on last year's winner and swooped to the front approaching the furlong pole. Briefly headed by his chief market rival soon after, the game chestnut who had worked his way here via the educational stepping stones of the G2 Dante Stakes and G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano dug in to quickly regain the advantage and assert for a thrilling neck success. The third and fourth Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) ran standout Arc trials, 3/4 of a length and a head further behind respectively in another epic renewal of this contest. “He's an absolute warrior as well as a top horse and very few horses are both,” Marquand said. “I ended up in a nice position, Auguste Rodin turned up and he battled really well.” WHAT A FINISH! Economics denies Auguste Rodin in the @BahrainTurfClub Irish Champion Stakes! A brilliant run from Japanese raider Shin Emperor in third, too #シンエンペラー | #競馬 | @netkeiba@LeopardstownRC | @TomMarquand | @WilliamHaggas pic.twitter.com/Kcjv0GWVvA — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 14, 2024 Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland ROYAL BAHRAIN IRISH CHAMPION STAKES-G1, €1,250,000, Leopardstown, 9-14, 3yo/up, 10fT, 2:03.20, gd. 1–ECONOMICS (GB), 129, c, 3, by Night Of Thunder (Ire) 1st Dam: La Pomme D'Amour (GB) (MGSW-Fr, $313,702), by Peintre Celebre 2nd Dam: Winnebago (GB), by Kris (GB) 3rd Dam: Siouan, by So Blessed (GB) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (42,000gns Wlg '21 TADEWE; 160,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Isa Salman Al Khalifa; B-Copgrove Hall Stud (GB); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. €725,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng & Fr, 5-4-0-0, $1,183,824. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Auguste Rodin (Ire), 135, c, 4, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Rhododendron (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). TDN Rising Star. O-M Tabor, D Smith, Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €250,000. 3–Shin Emperor (Fr), 129, c, 3, Siyouni (Fr)–Starlet's Sister (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (€2,100,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Ecurie des Monceaux (FR); T-Yoshito Yahagi. €125,000. Margins: NK, 3/4, HD. Odds: 1.75, 2.25, 16.00. Also Ran: Los Angeles (Ire), Ghostwriter (Ire), Luxembourg (Ire), Royal Rhyme (Ire), Hans Andersen (GB). The post Night Of Thunder’s Economics Wins Irish Champion Battle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Proving herself the complete racing machine on Saturday, Medallion Racing, Steve Weston, Barry Fowler and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio–Too Precious {Ire}, by Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) added Leopardstown's G1 Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes to her already enviable top-level tally with the minimum of fuss. Coming of age this summer with wins in the G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Falmouth Stakes, the pride and joy of Donnacha O'Brien's stable who had also captured last year's G1 Cheveley Park Stakes was a touch free and fresh in the hands of Tom Marquand behind the early pace. Dispelling any idea of a contest with her superior acceleration between the two and the one, the 5-4 favourite took command there before appearing to stargaze in front en route to a length defeat of Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}). Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) was third, half a length away in third. “She's electric,” Marquand said. “She's the best filly in Europe at this distance and it's a joy to be aboard her. She killed the race in three strides and she never gives you a moment's worry–every run seems to go faultlessly, as she's so easy to ride and is an absolute star. All her owners are here, so it's fantastic.” All class! PORTA FORTUNA completes a Group One hat-trick in the @coolmoreamerica 'Justify' Matron Stakes What a superstar she is #itallcomesdowntothis | @LeopardstownRC | @TomMarquand pic.twitter.com/ZZdHCWozhW — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 14, 2024 The post Caravaggio’s Porta Fortuna In Command Again In The Matron appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars FAMILY JEWEL - R1 (3) Raced without luck last weekend and should enjoy the step up in trip Jay Rooney AEROINVINCIBLE - R5 (2) Drops back to a suitable grade, trialled well and gets Purton for the first time Jack Dawling FAMILY JEWEL - R1 (3) Found plenty of traffic last start and looks poised to make amends Phillip Woo CHATER GOLD - R7 (9) Is heading in the right direction and appears capable of winning here Shannon (Vincent Wong) ISLAND GOLDEN - R4 (3) Drops into Class Four for the first time and has trialled well at Conghua Racing Post Online CAPITAL DELIGHT - R8 (1) Smart galloper bagged three wins last season and seems ready to strike Tom Wood LUCKY IMPACT - R7 (6) Ran well on his debut with a fast closing sectional and this extra distance is idealView the full article

Following near-misses in the first three black-type events of this “Super Saturday”, Team Ballydoyle restored normal order with TDN Rising Star Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}–Sweepstake {Ire}, by Acclamation {GB}) in the G2 Solonaway Stakes at Leopardstown. Not seen since beating the subsequent G3 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes winner Tarawa (Ire) (Shamardal) by seven lengths in the nine-furlong G3 Meld Stakes here due to his intended target at Saratoga being abandoned, the 10-11 favourite was quickly into his stride shadowing the leader. Sent to the front by Ryan Moore approaching the furlong pole, the half-brother to his Australia-sired heavyweight stablemates Broome (Ire) and Point Lonsdale (Ire) who had captured the G2 Champions Juvenile Stakes on this card 12 months ago stretched to a 1 1/2-length verdict over course specialist Mutasarref (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Back-To-Back wins for Diego Velazquez, who gets Aidan O'Brien up and running on the card benefitting from a lovely ride from Ryan Moore, taking the @TonyBet Solonaway Stakes in good style @BreedersCup | #itallcomesdowntothis pic.twitter.com/rij3M3Y7eo — Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) September 14, 2024 The post Frankel’s Diego Velazquez In Command In The Solonaway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Doncaster's G2 Champagne Stakes lost a key actor on Saturday as Cheveley Park Stud's TDN Rising Star Chancellor (GB) (Kingman {GB}) was withdrawn at the start, leaving it to Victorious Racing's acquisition Bay City Roller (Ire) (New Bay {GB}–Bloomfield {Ire}, by Teofilo {Ire}) to extend his perfect sequence in the seven-furlong staging post. Always travelling smoothly tracking the free-running Righthere Rightnow (Fr) (Kodiac {GB}), the George Scott-trained Sandown and Chelmsford novice winner who had been sold by Clive Washbourn after his debut was sent forward by Callum Shepherd to take control with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining. Staying on strongly as Monumental (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) gave chase, the 9-2 shot had half a length to spare over that Ballydoyle runner at the line, with the other Aidan O'Brien runner Aftermath (Ire) (Justify) 2 1/2 lengths away in third. “He probably got a little bit lonely in front, but he's got a really good attitude and tries very hard–he's a special horse to us,” Scott said. “I will think about supplementing for the [G1 Prix Jean-Luc] Lagardere or the [G1] Dewhurst.” Bay City Roller holds off Monumental to land the @Betfred Champagne Stakes at @DoncasterRaces!@CallumSheppy | @GScottracing pic.twitter.com/zWJ1DnbljM — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 14, 2024 The post New Bay’s Bay City Roller Wins The Champagne For Victorious Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article