Wandering Eyes

With temperatures expected in the high '90s, Parx has canceled its racing card for Tuesday. The Pennsylvania track held live racing Monday and racing is expected to resume again Wednesday with a first post time of 12:40 p.m. The post Parx Cancels Tuesday Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Horseshoe Indianapolis, $32,000, Msw, 7-15, 2yo, 5f, :59.70, ft, 4 lengths. MAYBE EYE'LL CALL (c, 2, Improbable–You Caught My Eye, by Can the Man) became the first winner for his sadly departed stallion (by City Zip) with an easy second-out success. Facing considerably easier competition after finishing 10th in his June 20 unveiling at Churchill Downs, the 7-10 chalk was able to avoid a messy start caused by the veering-in Govenor Hank (Govenor Charlie), was nursed along on the front end and proved four lengths best on the wire. You Caught My Eye, a half-sister to City Zip's Canadian Horse of the Year and multiple Grade I winner Catch a Glimpse and to the productive Ontario-based stallion Old Forester (Forestry), was purchased by Nate McCauley's River Oak Farm for $65,000 in foal to Violence at Keeneland November in 2019 and was resold to this breeder for $230,000 pregnant to American Pharoah the following fall. The mare also has a yearling colt by Maxfield and a filly foal by American Pharoah. Sales history: $95,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP; $75,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $20,325. Click for the Equibase.com chart. O-Intrepid Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Coteau Grove Farms LLC (LA); T-Steven M Asmussen. @SequelAtWO grad MAYBE EYE'LL CALL, a $75k 2yo at April, wins at odds-on for the Steve Asmussen barn at @HSIndyRacing. Bred by @CoteauGrove. Believe this is the first winner for the late champion Improbable. Hope what he has out there can carry City Zip a bit forward. -… pic.twitter.com/37SoziwcyW — Lucas Marquardt (@ThoroStride) July 15, 2024 The post Maybe I’ll Call Gets The Late Improbable Off The Mark at Horseshoe Indy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Ellis, $70,760, Msw, 7-15, 3yo/up, f/m, 5 1/2fT, 1:00.80, fm, nose. ELLEN JAY (f, 3, Constitution–Covfefe {Ch. Female Sprinter, Ch. 3yo Filly, MGISW, $1,110,025}, by Into Mischief) became the first winner for her two-time Eclipse Award-winning dam while trying the turf for the first time in her career. The beaten favorite when fourth on Churchill debut May 11 and when a distant third in Louisville June 8, the homebred was the 5-4 chalk off a touch slowly, but recovered to be a forward factor while deep on the course into the turn. In front at the top of the lane, Ellen Jay opened a daylight advantage into the final furlong, but she rolled down towards the fence, and that allowed Supercilious Bolt (Bolt d'Oro) to make a race of it. The photo showed that Ellen Jay had her nose down in the nick of time. LNJ Foxwoods paid $250,000 for Covfefe at the 2017 Keeneland September sale and she went on to become champion 3-year-old filly and champion female sprinter in 2019, winning the GI Test Stakes and the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Covfefe is closely related to Albiano (Harlan's Holiday), a dual group winner and twice Group 1-placed in Japan whose daughter Avverare (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) is a Group 3 winner in Japan. Third dam Aurora (Danzig) is the dam of six winners from seven to race, including Grade I winners Arch (Kris S.) and Acoma (Empire Maker). Covfefe is responsible for the 2-year-old colt Rothko (Tapit) and a filly by Gun Runner foaled Feb. 4. She was covered this year by the LNJ Foxwoods part-owned Olympiad (Speightstown). Lifetime Record: 3-1-0-1, $59,895. Click for the Equibase.com chart. O/B-LNJ Foxwoods (KY); T-Brad H Cox. #8 Ellen Jay ($4.50) snatched the victory by a nose in a thrilling photo finish to win the turf dash @EllisParkRacing for trainer @bradcoxracing with jockey @flothejock in the irons! @LNJFoxwoods @Fijithegreat #Covfefe #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/2HnaBd0p9c — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 15, 2024 The post Ellen Jay A First Winner For LNJ Foxwoods’s Dual Champion Covfefe appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Patrick Cummings and Sarah Williams have been elected to the board of directors of the Retired Racehorse Project. Cummings is the executive director of the National Thoroughbred Alliance, a consultative organization founded by owner Mike Repole. Prior to launching the NTA, Cummings led the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation during its five-year operation. In previous roles, Cummings managed the Hong Kong Jockey Club's racing public affairs team, served former race-tracking and data firm Trakus, and covered international racing for a variety of publications. He has also operated his own consulting practice, Global Racing Solutions, and enjoyed horse ownership through syndicates in the U.S., the United Arab Emirates and South Africa. “It was a great honor to be invited to join the RRP board,” said Cummings. “The RRP's impact in driving demand for Thoroughbreds in their post-racing careers has been enormous and I'm looking forward to assisting in its ongoing evolution. Market-based solutions are vital to a healthy aftercare ecosystem and the RRP's flagship event, the Thoroughbred Makeover, celebrates the versatility of our breed beyond the racetrack.” Williams has over 15 years of regulatory experience in the financial services industry. She is a multi-discipline rider who enjoys dressage, eventing, competitive trail, and camping with her horses. She owns two Thoroughbred Makeover graduates and co-owns a 2024 Thoroughbred Makeover hopeful, Feliciano, with her Thoroughbred Makeover teammate. Williams has volunteered extensively for the RRP and is active in several riding clubs and associations. “I am looking forward to serving the Retired Racehorse Project in a new capacity,” said Williams. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board to advance RRP's mission in helping support those who are dedicated to finding a meaningful second career for these amazing horses.” RRP board members may serve up to two consecutive three-year terms. The post Cummings, Williams Elected to RRP Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Louis Albertrani, a retired Thoroughbred trainer who grew up in Brooklyn and was best known for conditioning the 1999 Eclipse Award champion sprinter Artax, died July 13 at his home in Delaware after collapsing from an apparent heart attack. He was 67. Albertrani's passing was confirmed to TDN Monday by his one-year-younger brother, Tom Albertrani, who himself had just retired from training earlier this spring. Lou Albertrani was licensed between 1992 and 2021, according to Equibase. His trainees won $5.2 million in purses from 1,654 starts with a 133-161-191 win-place-show record. Following his training career, Lou worked in the Parx racing office, Tom told TDN. “Lou was a great guy, a very sociable type of guy,” Tom said. “He loved being around the horses, and even after he quit training, he still wanted to continue being a part of the horsemen's community. He just loved being around the horsemen and chatting with them every day. He was well-liked by a lot of people. “He was a good horseman,” Tom continued. “We were both brought up around the same time. Our uncle [the New York-based trainer] Jack Abatemarco, taught us the ropes when we were very young, 13 or 14 years old. Lou was always a good horseman; just never really had that opportunity to get those good horses into his barn.” But what Albertrani might have lacked in a consistent flow of horsepower was more than made up for by the blazingly fast Artax, a 1995 son of Marquetry. Initially trained by Randy Bradshaw, Artax uncorked a nine-length win in his second lifetime start over 1 1/16 miles at Hollywood Park on Nov. 16, 1997, carrying the colors of Paraneck Stable. Artax went on to win the GII Santa Catalina S. and the GII San Felipe S., before running third in the GI Santa Anita Derby, and he finished 13th in the 1998 GI Kentucky Derby. The colt then went winless for more than a year, and during that time Paraneck Stable transferred him from the West Coast to New York, handing over the care of Artax to Albertrani. Lou had demonstrated success with Paraneck's East Coast-based runners starting in 1995, and he was tasked with trying to figure out the nearly black-coated colt's best distance and class level. Switched to sprints, in his third start for Albertrani, Artax won the GI Carter H. at Aqueduct on May 2, 1999, establishing a then-record 1:20.04 clocking for seven furlongs. His Beyer Speed Figure for that breakout effort was a whopping 123. Artax's next start wasn't a victory, but it was the most bizarre race of his–and Albertrani's–career. Favored at 4-5, Artax was making a run at the leaders in the stretch of the six-furlong GIII Maryland Breeders' Cup H. on the GI Preakness S. undercard when an intoxicated patron ran onto the track from the Pimlico infield and took up a boxer's fighting stance as the horses barreled toward him. The patron, who was later arrested, swung at Artax but missed with a wild right hook aimed at the white-star blaze on Artax's face. The blow instead glanced off the boot of jockey Jorge Chavez, but when Artax veered to avoid trampling the trespasser, the colt wrenched an ankle. Artax, who had a habit of breaking slowly and was at his best when leading the pack, wasn't sidelined for long. But he did lose six consecutive races, and just when it seemed as if he might be a longshot for a championship run, he rounded back into top form as the Breeders' Cup approached. Artax won the Sept. 25 GI Vosburgh S. at Belmont Park. Then he set a 1:07.66 track record for six furlongs in the Oct. 16 GII Forest Hills H. at Belmont, a mark that still stands. In that 6 1/2-length victory, Artax matched his 123 Beyer earned in the Carter H. In the 1999 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint Nov. 6, Artax drove to the lead and held on for a determined half-length score, establishing a then-record 1:07.89 track record for six furlongs at Gulfstream Park that registered a phenomenal 124 on the Beyer scale. Tom told TDN that day was special for both Albertrani brothers. “A great memory is when we both won Breeders' Cup races the same exact day. Artax won the Sprint, and when I was [an assistant trainer to Saeed bin Suroor] for Godolphin, we won the Turf with Daylami (Ire). So that was a great thrill we shared together.” Three weeks later, Artax was retired. The day the colt was to be entered as the likely favorite for the then-GI Cigar Mile, he was found to have suffered a torn suspensory ligament in his left foreleg while training for that stakes. Albertrani trained for Paraneck through 2000 before parting ways with his main client. He subsequently spent a six-month stint training for Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz in Saudi Arabia before returning stateside. Arrangements for Albertrani's funeral services are pending. The post Louis Albertrani, Trainer of Sprint Champion Artax, Dies at 67 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Elite Status (GB) is an intended runner in Saturday's Hackwood Stakes at Newbury, trainer Karl Burke confirmed on Monday as his classy three-year-old featured among 13 entries for the six-furlong contest. A Group 3 winner as a juvenile, Elite Status has been on the sidelines since making the perfect start to his three-year-old campaign with victory in the Listed Carnarvon Stakes at the Berkshire track, with a persisent issue with a joint forcing him to miss the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. However, Burke reports the son of Havana Grey (GB) to be back in top condition ahead of his intended return to action in Saturday's Group 3, which could also feature a proven top-level performer in Regional (GB) (Territories {Ire})–the winner of last year's Sprint Cup at Haydock– and Commonwealth Cup runner-up Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never). “He hopefully will end up in the Hackwood and I am glad we did decide to swerve Newmarket and the July Cup because I don't think the soft, loose ground would have suited him,” said Burke. “Inisherin was going for that anyway [for the same owner], so we said we would just take our time with Elite Status and go for the Hackwood, which is on a track he obviously performed very well at earlier in the year. “Hopefully he goes there and performs and then can step up and go to Haydock for the Group 1 [Sprint Cup].” Burke also issued a positive bulletin on one of his two Royal Ascot winners in the two-year-old Leovanni (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), who maintained her unbeaten record with a decisive victory in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes. Owned by Wathnan Racing, Leovanni is now being prepared for a tilt at the G2 Lowther Stakes at York on Thursday, August 22, having been given an easy time of things since following up her Nottingham debut success at Ascot. “Leovanni has done particularly well and has had a nice, easy time since Ascot,” Burke summed up. “The idea has been to go straight to the Lowther and we have plenty of time between Ascot and York. “I couldn't be happier with her physically and I think she has strengthened and grown a little bit since Ascot. She is only starting to work back again now, but she does things very well. “We have had to get on with her because she was getting very fresh in herself and I've got two very good lads who ride her who say she is the best horse they have ridden, so we're very happy with her.” The post Elite Status Back in Top Form Ahead of Hackwood Assault appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland Sales has announced it will return as the presenting sponsor of the Alabama (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

In 15 starts, My Lil Dude won two races, hit the board six times, and earned $57,620, competing in Louisiana. Drive for Fun, a son of Distorted Humor, was more successful, winning three times and earning just under $200,000. But that wasn't enough to save either of them from being shipped from Evangeline Downs in May and ending up in a kill pen, the last step before crossing over the border to Mexico to be slaughtered. That's the fate of 20,000 American horses every year, an unknowable number of them Thoroughbred racehorses, who are slaughtered for human consumption in foreign countries. As recently as a decade ago, the number was far higher, with an estimated 166,000 horses slaughtered in 2012. But animal lobbyists were able to push Congress to attach a rider to the farm bill to defund USDA inspectors in equine slaughterhouses. Since the meat can not be used for human consumption without inspection, it effectively ended horse slaughter in the U.S. But today, an estimated 17,000 American horses cross the border into Mexico, and another 3,000 into Canada to be slaughtered, every year. Make no mistake; slaughter is not euthanasia. It is a brutal blugeoning to death, and before the last U.S. plant closed, the USDA had documented unspeakable cruelties. Except for Resolute Racing's John Stewart, that would have been the fate of My Lil Dude and Drive For Fun. Active on social media, Stewart saw that the two were in a kill pen in northern Louisiana, waiting for transport across the border to Mexico where they would be slaughtered, and stepped in. “Someone ran these horses in claiming races and they didn't get claimed,” said Stewart. “So they just took them and dumped them.” Stewart arrived in the sport like a blitzkrieg, amassing top-class broodmares, weanlings, yearlings and racing stock-a total of 120 horses–in under a year, all over the globe, spending the money he earned as the managing partner and chief investment officer at Middleground Capital. He famously started his career as an hourly line worker at the Toyota plant in Georgetown, Ky., switching careers to private equity in 2007. His most expensive acquisition was Goodnight Olive, for whom he paid $6,000,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. But you get the impression that Dude and Dudley are every bit as important to him as she is. The pair now live at Resolute Farm in a 14-stall barn that houses non-racing horses–a collection of trail horses, a 20-plus year-old Saddlebred saved from slaughter who arrived on Thanksgiving and has since been renamed Turkey Tom, and Turkey Tom's best friend, a miniature pony named Dexter, also plucked from a kill pen. They live in spacious, airy stalls at night, and roam the vast fields during the day, with a dedicated staff to care for them. My Lil Dude (now just Dude) and Drive For Fun (now Dudley) have needed some time to turn around not only their physical condition, but their mental state as well. “When they got here, it was really sad,” said Stewart. “Horses are smart animals. And they know exactly what's going on. They're not in training any more. They're being moved around. These horses went straight from the track to a kill pen. And they're not being fed, they're around all these other horses that are in not good condition. It just wears on the psyche of the horse. And so when they got here, they would barely look at you, and when they stood in the field, they wouldn't come to you. Our horses come to us right away when they see us. And so, we started the process of rehabilitating them. And we're lucky to have the resources on our farm to do just that.” Dude and Dudley are brought out for a visit, are now clearly comfortable with people–as is Stewart with them–and are very attached to one another. Stewart's entry into the sport was as a businessman. But after purchasing the former Shadwell Farm and populating it with horses, he says he has become more and more drawn to the animal. He has taken up riding the trail horses under the tutelage of his social media manager and trail horse division manager Tess Kiritsy and now rides the farm two to three days a week. Stewart raised $200,000 for aftercare at this year's Kentucky Derby with a poker tournament. Now, it appears he has decided to do more. Drive For Fun and Tess Kiritsy | Katie Petrunyak photo “I've not been in the sport for a year,” he said. “But there are some things that just flabbergasted me that are allowed to happen. I was talking about this situation to some people in the industry, and he said, `oh, our horses are chipped, and we've put it measures to make sure they don't end up in kill pens.' He was a really credible person in the industry and he thought this wasn't actually happening. But that's a lie. It's a real thing. And it's not a small problem. It's a big problem.” Stewart said he felt the issue might be too upsetting for many people in racing to contemplate. “No one answer solves all the problems,” he said. “But you can't just say the problems are too big, I can't do anything about it because I can't solve the whole problem. Right? That's impossible for me, too. But what I can do is solve the problem as it relates to me as an owner and a breeder.” For Stewart, the responsibility starts with the latter-the breeder. “My view–and the way that I'm handling on my farm–is that I think whoever breeds the horse is ultimately responsible for the horse, period,” he said. “We bring it into this world, just like children. You should be responsible for them. And so that means tracking those horses. If you're in a situation where you're selling your horses to other people, your responsibility doesn't end with you just giving that horse to somebody else, and saying, `well, I sold it. It's not my responsibility any more.' You brought the horse into the world.” In an effort to be as transparent as possible, Resolute plans to dedicate a section of their upcoming website to tracking all of the horses they breed throughout their lives. “There's technology to help us to do that,” he said. “Does it stop somebody from doing something bad? No. But it puts the onus on us to regularly check in with them to see if they sell to somebody, and they sell to somebody else. We're going to be checking in with the person that they sold to and finding out what the status of the horse is, and what's going on.” On its website, Evangeline Downs says it is committed to “being part of the solution.” Asked if any investigation had been launched into how Drive For Fun went from a May 1 start at their track for owner/trainer Derrick Ward to a kill pen 13 days later, David Strow, the Vice President for Corporate Commucations for the track, replied by email: “Evangeline Downs has a strict anti-slaughter policy in place, and we have zero tolerance for this abhorrent practice. When an allegation is brought to our attention, we will provide that information to state officials and the HBPA for further investigation. However, for legal reasons we cannot comment on specific allegations or actions taken.” As Stewart said, one person isn't going to be able to solve the problem. Animal lobbyists are currently working to pass the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, which deals with the issue from a food safety standpoint. Because Thoroughbreds are given medication and treatments that are not allowed to be used in animals intended for food, the SAFE Act would require trucks crossing the border to produce paperwork which includes proof of plans for quarantine, and other paperwork necessary for breeding or showing. According to its backers, forging that paperwork is expensive and risky financially for kill buyers, and would effectively erase the small margins on which they operate. But until the bill finds a champion in the House and the Senate, Stewart said he will keep talking about it. “Maybe people think I'm naive because I'm just getting into the game,” said Stewart. “But I'm a pretty sophisticated business person. I know that there's a cost for everything. And that's what people in the industry have to understand. There are a lot of people in the industry. Most of the people in the industry recognize the problems. Very few people are willing to contribute out of their pocket to solve the problems, but that's how it's going to have to happen. “There's no way I can take on that whole industry problem. But we do have the ears of a lot of people. So what I can do as one of the owners who's become more prominent because of our position in the industry is to highlight this by openly talking about it as a problem. Raising awareness about a problem is the first step to solving it.” In the meantime, Stewart is enjoying just being around the animals. “They're in better shape,” he says, of Dude and Dudley. “They have gained over 100 pounds since we've gotten them here on the farm. Whenever I see any of the horses that came out of traumatic experiences just become a horse and just realize that people aren't here to hurt you…” he says, struggling to explain the obvious pride he takes in what he has done for the horses. “They know they're in an area where they're safe and people are going to take care of them. That's what really makes me feel good about what I'm doing in the in the industry. My horses aren't just racehorses to me. They're not. I know each one of them. I spend time with them. I enjoy being around them. I got into it because of the racing side of it. But, now on a farm, you're in it because these animals are part of your family.” The post After Saving Two Horses from a Kill Pen, Stewart Aims to do More to End Slaughter appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland Sales, which will continue to be presenting sponsor of the GI Alabama Stakes at Saratoga Race Course this summer, will also be the presenting sponsor of this year's GI Del Mar Oaks. Both races for 3-year-old fillies will be held Aug. 17. “Keeneland is thrilled to once again collaborate with the New York Racing Association and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in sponsoring prestigious summer stakes,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Endorsements such as these allow us to celebrate Keeneland sales graduates from coast to coast on a national stage and spotlight our competitive sales opportunities for fillies in graded stakes. “The integration of sales and racing is essential to the health and longevity of the sport,” Lacy added. “As the world's premier Thoroughbred auction house with a mission to elevate the industry, Keeneland continues to seek new and innovative ways to underscore this important connection with our customers.” The past four winners of the Alabama–Randomized, Nest, Malathaat and Swiss Skydiver–are Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduates. Nest, Malathaat and Swiss Skydiver each earned Eclipse Awards as division champions. “NYRA is pleased to continue our successful partnership with Keeneland Sales and we look forward to hosting the Alabama Presented by Keeneland Sales on Aug. 17,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing and Operations. “The Alabama is a race defined by its storied history and it typically plays a pivotal part in determining the divisional champion. We thank Keeneland for their work highlighting the importance of these races and specifically of Saratoga Race Course.” Recent winners of the Del Mar Oaks–a nine-furlong turf race–that are also Keeneland Sales graduates include Spendarella (2022), Cambier Parc (2019) and Fatale Bere (FR) (2018). The first- and second-place finishers in the Del Mar Oaks both will receive exclusive invitations to compete in Keeneland's $750,000 GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, Presented by Dixiana on Oct. 12. “Del Mar is delighted to join with Keeneland in showcasing one of the premier events of our summer season,” said Josh Rubinstein, President and COO of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. “Keeneland's rich history in the world of Thoroughbred sales and Del Mar's role as one of the nation's racing leaders is a perfect meld of class and polish that raises the sport on all fronts.” In addition, Keeneland Sales will return as the presenting sponsor of the $350,000 GII Jessamine Stakes, one of three graded stakes slated for the Oct. 4 opening day of Keeneland's Fall Meet. Run at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, the race is for 2-year-old fillies and awards the winner a berth to the $1-million GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar. Keeneland is sponsoring more than a dozen races domestically and internationally this year, with events in Ireland, Japan, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan and China. The post Keeneland to Sponsor Del Mar Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association and Moonee Valley Racing Club have extended their partnership in 2024, announcing the winner of the Saratoga Derby Invitational on Aug. 3 will earn an invitation to the Cox Plate. View the full article

Joseph O'Brien trainee Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}–Apache Storm {GB}, by Pivotal {GB}) had won his Curragh maiden by nine lengths last month and bettered that with an emphatic 11-length follow-up at Killarney on Monday to earn TDN Rising Star status. Sent off the 4-9 favourite for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race over a mile, the flashy chestnut was sent to the lead by Dylan Browne McMonagle soon after the start where he was joined by the filly Beechwood (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}). Putting that rival under pressure after the home turn, the 55,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 purchase who represents Ger Fitzgerald, Paul Redmond, Anne Marie O'Brien and Barry Fowler and who had been runner-up to City Of Troy (Justify) last May turned it on from there to record an impressive time nearly five seconds faster than the promising bunch of juveniles who contested the card's opener. Beechwood is rated 94 and had been beaten under two lengths when fourth in the Listed Noblesse Stakes in April. The dam, whose daughter Mexicali Rose (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) was third in the Listed Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes, is kin to the G3 Dee Stakes and G3 Sandown Classic Trial winner Azmeel (GB) (Azamour {Ire}) and to the dams of Azamour's G1 Cantala Stakes and G2 Royal Lodge Stakes scorer Best Of Days (GB) and the G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas third Foxtrot Liv (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}). Her yearling colt by Kodi Bear (Ire) was a 42,000gns purchase by Castle Bloodstock at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale. Galen is much too good in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race under @DylanBrowneMcM for the Jospeh O'Brien team! pic.twitter.com/huTtnerPWD — KillarneyRaces (@KillarneyRaces) July 15, 2024 The post Gleneagles’s Galen a new TDN Rising Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ascot Racecourse is set to return record prize-money of £17.5 million to the sport in 2024, having announced on Monday its financial results for the 12 months ended December 31, 2023. Turnover for that period rose by 9% to £110.9 million, with a pre-tax profit of £5.9 million–up from £3.4 million in 2022. The 2023 business summary highlighted several other points of interest: Gross profit percentage fell from 34.5% to 33.8%, reflecting increased costs and general inflationary economic conditions. Profit before tax increased by £2.5 million but EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation), an indicator of cash generated by the business, rose by only £582k (3.8%). The depreciation charge fell significantly as assets are fully written off and interest received on bank deposits benefitted from the high base rate. £11 million of the loan was repaid in 2023 (a £3 million mandatory repayment and a voluntary partial early repayment of £8 million). Net debt as at 31st December 2023 was £9.5 million (2022 £17.2 million). On-course attendance rose to 514,208 racegoers, an increase of 6.3% on 2022 (25 racedays v 24). Domestically, a new three-year deal was agreed with ITV in 2023 to show racing from Ascot between 2024-2026 including all races from all five days of Royal Ascot live. A new four-year media and data rights agreement was also agreed with Arena Racing Company and an extension of the partnership with Sky Sports Racing. Six of the top ten (including ties) racehorses in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings ran at Ascot while internationally trained horses from Australia, America, Hong Kong and France travelled to compete. Total advertised prize-money in 2023 across 25 planned racedays (excluding QIPCO British Champions Day) was £17 million, an increase of £1.33 million on 2022 figures. Strong 2023 performance enabled record planned prize-money in 2024 with £17.5 million set to be on offer, including £10 million at Royal Ascot 2024, an increase of 5% over 2023. Alastair Warwick, chief executive officer at Ascot Racecourse, said, “Overall, we were pleased with our financial performance in 2023 with healthy revenue growth highlighting the continued popularity of racing at Ascot. “As is being widely seen across the sport and leisure industry, costs have increased significantly which means we are operating in a challenging environment. We also have to prioritise our loan repayments and are particularly pleased to have been able to make additional payments in this respect. “The overall picture is positive and as ever we are extremely grateful to all our Partners, Sponsors and Suppliers for their continued support. This allowed us to announce record prize-money this year, which is vital to protect our position on the world stage in an increasingly competitive environment. “Royal Ascot 2024 was a hugely enjoyable and successful week on a number of levels. We are yet to fully finalise the financial performance of the week but we saw good hospitality sales and really strong public attendance numbers which was especially pleasing.” The post Ascot Racecourse Announces 2023 Financial Results appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If you want to know what endures, you need to know what has changed. To know what really counts, then, you must talk with the guys who have been around longest. “I remember when the first ultrasound scanner came to town,” Padraig Campion says. “A guy called Dr. Norman Rantanen brought the machine in, to show us, and the first mare he scanned was Gold Digger. And sure enough, there's twins there. We didn't know. Down the road we realised it was pretty normal, that a lot of them just go away. But the old guys in the barn, every time it showed twins, they would say, 'Goddam, it's that machine causes them.'” Gold Digger! The dam of Mr Prospector, no less. Campion belongs to a generation of horsemen that has seen it all; and to a subset that saw more than most, the Irish pioneers who migrated to the Bluegrass on the cusp of bloodstock's commercial revolution. Nowadays he sells on a scale apt to his years, his Blandford consignment vastly overshadowed by the industrial operations. But very often these little firms, with a seasoned hand at the tiller, prove to be the ones that see the big picture most clearly. “One of my last years at Spendthrift, a horse called Princely Native bred 80 mares,” he recalls. “And people nearly went on strike. How could a horse breed that many mares!? But I rubbed Affirmed, and I rubbed his father Exclusive Native, and I rubbed Majestic Prince, still one of the best-looking horses ever.” And the daddy of them all, all that clan anyway: Raise A Native. “Looked like no horse I'd ever seen before,” Campion says. “Because he was the American Quarter Horse with a bit of stretch. Nothing like that in Ireland, where we were used to looking at Great Nephew and Habitat.” Not that those prototypes of the old country had especially featured in his own upbringing. “I grew up on the Curragh, so it was either horses or join the army-and I didn't want to get my hair cut,” Campion says. “My dad liked a bet and he knew the groom of Santa Claus. The milkman would go by Darkie Prendergast's place and then come by the post office, where my dad worked, and let him know how the horse had gone that morning. So they followed him all the way, and when he won the Derby [in 1964] my dad bought a house out of it.” Campion himself just missed a big ante-post payday with Le Moss (Ire), when he ran second in the 1978 St Leger, having meanwhile begun his education at Brownstown Stud (which was in the same ownership). The farm was right next door, and Campion could just stroll to work across a field-but he could not have had a better mentor, had he walked the length of the island. “Tony Butler was one of the greatest horsemen ever,” he declares. “So many of us learned our lessons under Tony, and he made sure you learned them properly. His great expression was: 'God bless you, your mother reared a jibber.' And then he'd tell me to go off and join the effing army. Gerry Dilger was there. Anthony Stroud was there. Though I was rarely on time myself, I always had to wake up Anthony on the way, in his caravan in the yard.” Brownstown famously offered its yearlings in pairs, giving the successful bidder the pick. That was intended to give the market confidence, but very often the reject would turn out to be the better of the pair. Of course, being sent to Seamus McGrath at Glencairn was no hindrance-but it showed these young men that horses would often confound assumptions, which gave everyone some kind of chance. As for so many others who ended up in Kentucky, however, Campion's launchpad was the Irish National Stud course. He was one of the first young graduates “traded” to Spendthrift Farm, where John Williams had asked Michael Osborne for staff better equipped to meet his peerless standards. So it was that Campion found himself on a Greyhound bus out of New York in November 1979. At the first rest station, he marveled to be able to buy “beer” from a vending machine. He remembers thinking: “What a country!” Now he adds drily: “Never tasted root beer since.” In other respects, however, the land of opportunity lived up to its billing. “Spendthrift was a great university, a great place to learn,” Campion says. “You got exposed to everything. Of course, it was hugely different from home. Because it was so big, you had to specialize: you worked with the broodmares or the stallions or the yearlings. But over the years I did a bit of everything, and I learned about the sales from John, and Don Snellings. “The covering shed was interesting on St. Paddy's Day. There were a few times people had to be picked up off the floor. But John understood, being half-Irish and half-Italian. Fun times. Met a lot of good people and learned a lot.” Because, again, horses seldom made things obvious. Looking at Gallant Man, for instance, you saw nothing that explained his ability. And nor does Campion quite share the reverence of Williams for Nashua. “I'll admit it, that horse scared me,” he says. “He was different. If you were standing at his door and he didn't want you there, he'd just ease on over and next minute make this scream, you'd think somebody was dying. One day a bunch of Japanese tourists came round. We had a sign, 'Do Not Take Photographs Of Nashua.' So he just moseys on over, reaches out and grabs the camera around this guy's neck. If the strap hadn't snapped, he was done. Beautiful horse, though. Never had a son, but his daughters were gold dust.” Seattle Slew was a notoriously tricky breeder. “But I got on really well with him,” Campion says. “He was so smart. He used to be ridden every day. One day the rider didn't show up, and John got on him. I can't remember how much he was syndicated for, but John was white-knuckled when we peeled him off. Because any minute this thing could run away and go through the fence. You'd try something new with him every day but in the end if the mare wasn't ready, Slew wasn't doing it. Though when he did breed a mare, he got her in foal: his fertility was fantastic.” After six years, Campion had earned his stripes sufficiently to be recommended him for a position of responsibility on another farm. Not being at a stage of his career where he needs to ingratiate himself with anyone, the best Campion can say of this next job was that it made him realize there was little point doing most of the work if other people were banking the profits. To be fair, however, the sheer volume of traffic made for a very effective finishing school. “They would sell probably 200 yearlings annually, we were probably prepping 80, and I was only 25 at the time,” Campion reflects. “So you either sink or swim. It was back at the time when Northern Dancer seasons were selling for $1 million, no guarantee. The Arabs were coming in, Wall Street was getting involved, there were people thinking this was an easy game. That's why we have market corrections: it sorts out the guys who can last from the ones that come in and make a splash for a couple of years.” After five or six years, Campion and his wife Aveen took the plunge: they bought a farm and leased the Xalapa Training Center. “We had some great clients, and a bunch of Irish guys riding for me-Declan O'Brien, Adrian Regan, Ted Campion and Frankie O'Connor-who were a big help as well,” Campion says. “We had some great horses come through there. We broke The Tin Man [for owner-breeders Ralph and Aury Todd] and took him back after he won the [GI Arlington] Million, did the old blister and pin-fire, sent him back and he won another Grade I.” Dixie Union was another to confirm Campion in his opinion of Richard Mandella. “He's magic, amazing, thinks like a horse,” he says. “Richard can tell you stuff about a horse when you're looking at him here in Kentucky, and he's out in California.” An earlier Million winner who went through their hands had been Marlin (Sword Dance {Ire}). “So, yes, a lot of nice horses, but it's working with great people too that really helps,” Campion says. “All horses have their personalities and I think that's what makes a good trainer, the ability to figure them out. The good ones need the work and the bad ones can't take it. Plus I think all good horses I've ever been around were really intelligent. With time, we got more and more into the sales. And though we sold the farm a few years ago, we're still stuck in the sales! But I like it, it's great fun, and we're only getting good at it now.” True, some of the changes to the commercial landscape he finds uncongenial: the power of agents nowadays; the herd-like stampede from one set of new sires to the next; and, purely from a vendor's point of view, partnerships between programs that would previously have been in competition. “I try not to be a sheep,” Campion remarks. “Certain stallions, you're not going to get well paid, and patience can be expensive. But I will try to take a chance with second-, third-year horses. Good Magic, for instance. When he won at the Breeders' Cup, I said this is really good horse. But I let him go the first year and then bred to him when he was $30,000. I bought a no-guarantee, really pushed the limits, and we sold the filly last year very well. You're not going to get it right all the time-but you don't have to.” Above all, perhaps, he laments the fading of color from the scene. “The characters aren't really there anymore,” he says. “Some of those guys wouldn't make it today, they'd be ostracized. But some of the stories, the parties, the elephant rides and everything. Not that I was ever asked!” He names a couple of patricians from Europe who stole a limousine from one of Tom Gentry's parties and wrecked it in town; another that rode a Harley nude into the swimming pool. “Maybe that's all still going on, and I just don't know about it,” Campion says. “To be fair, there are a lot of very good, professional young people around now and some of them have a very good eye: Phil Hager, Lauren Carlisle, Liz Crow. But nobody buys horses on spec any more. I admire the English trainers who do that, buy the horses and then divvy them up. Over here very few trainers even come by the sales anymore.” But none of the next generation has more promise-nor a better grounding-than his own daughter, an assistant trainer to Steve Asmussen. Campion remembers Sarah doing cards at the sale, no more than seven or eight years old, when Michael Matz came by and asked to see Hip 485. “I'm really sorry, that one's out,” Sarah said. “But we have a lovely Storm Cat filly we could show you.” Matz turned to Campion. “She's going to be good!” Nobody could still hope to make quite the same career as her father, in this day and age. “It would be very hard to claim horses, the way we used to, there are so many people doing it now,” Campion says. “And you can't do foals-to-yearlings anymore, either, it's too competitive and you have to pay too much. So now I'm just kind of settled in my little niche where I'm selling a bunch of horses, and we've the three mares of our own. They all have different stuff going on, and if that works out, it works out. So the dream is still alive. And if it doesn't, we might just ease on into the sunset.” But the fundamentals abide. “When I worked for Tony Butler, I learned that if you don't have the horses you don't have anything,” Campion reflects. “So you've got to take care of them. Treat them right, they treat you right.” And you're far more likely to do that, of course, if you just remember why we bring these animals into the world-which is not merely to make a few bucks. Last year, Campion managed to claim a filly against a dozen other slips, and ended up running her in the GIII Go For Wand Stakes. “And at the 1/16th pole she was still leading,” he recalls. “That was the best thrill I ever had at the races. She faded to fourth but we still doubled our money on the claim. Another time we had a little filly we couldn't sell. We were only getting nine grand for her, and she had her problems, so we sent her to the track and she won four races. That's the real fun. When people ask you what the best part of the game is, that's what we should push: winning a race, any kind of race. “Everybody's complaining about this and that, but we need to concentrate more on the positives-because there are lots of them. Purses are amazing, especially in Kentucky. When Lukas was rocking and rolling, he had his stationery: 'D. Wayne Lukas Racing Stable – Hollywood Park, Monmouth Park, Churchill Downs.' And at the bottom: 'Bring your dreams to us.' And that summed it all up. That's what it's all about. It's still a great game. We keep trying to kill it, but it'll never die. To see a foal born, and stand up for the first time, that's unreal. And with it you have all the dreams. Every horse is a dream.” The post Shamrocks in the Bluegrass: Padraig Campion of Blandford Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

MV Magnier has described the Japan Cup as “the main aim” for Auguste Rodin (Ire) where the six-time Group 1-winning son of Deep Impact (Jpn) will bid to bridge a gap of almost two decades to the last European-trained winner of the race. Speaking at the JRHA Select Sale in Japan last week, Magnier firmed up plans for Auguste Rodin, who is the culmination of over 10 years of Coolmore breeding mares to Japanese-based stallions. He also confirmed that Coolmore has supported Kitasan Black (Jpn), the sire of Equinox (Jpn), as well as Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn), with a handful of mares each this year. Both stallions are based at the Shadai Stallion Station, where Deep Impact famously stood for 11 seasons. “We've been sending mares to Japan for over 10 years now and September (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) came from that first crop,” Magnier told TDN Europe. “They have been exceptionally good people to work with, to deal with, to have anything to do with.” Explaining what sparked that maiden voyage to Japan with high-class mares such as Peeping Fawn (Danehill), the four-time Group 1 heroine, who went on to become to dam of the Chesham Stakes winner September, he added, “Deep Impact was one of the best stallions in the world at the time and Dad [John] was very keen to use him. He was doing so well here in Japan but then he had a couple of very good winners in France for the Wertheimers as well. He also had a French 1,000 Guineas winner [Beauty Parlour (GB) in 2012] out of a Giant's Causeway mare. “We just got incredibly lucky in his last year that Auguste Rodin came out. As I said, they have always looked after us very well in Japan and we were lucky to get all of those mares in foal to him as he died shortly after we got Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in foal.” The Coolmore team viewing foals in Japan back in 2019 | Emma Berry Deep Impact's final crop totaled just 13 foals, of which Auguste Rodin is the most high-profile runner. In fact, Coolmore had intended to send more than just Rhododendron to the legendary stallion, but were forced to reshuffle the pack when Deep Impact's health deteriorated. Fluff (Ire) was one such mare. A sister to Group 1 winner Maybe (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who famously went on to produce the multiple Group 1 and Classic-winning Saxon Warrior (Jpn), Fluff was re-routed to Heart's Cry (Jpn) at the last minute. The resulting foal, Continuous (Jpn), won the St Leger last season before finishing a gutsy fifth in the Arc. But it is Auguste Rodin who has been described as potentially one of the most important additions to the Coolmore stallion roster by those behind the scenes. Speaking after snapping up a number of high-profile mares at Goffs last year, Magnier told journalists that, 'When Auguste Rodin won the Derby, I'd say it was 30 seconds later when Dad rang me and said, 'this is the most important thing that has happened to Coolmore since Galileo won the Derby.' Revisiting that quote in Japan, Magnier said, “And it really was. Aidan [O'Brien] summed it up perfectly when he said that Auguste Rodin is the meeting of two continents–Deep Impact and Galileo. He's out of a champion–is exceptionally well bred. He is very good-looking and is a six-time Group 1 winner who has done it at two, three and four.” He continued, “We've figured him out now. He needs quick ground and to be ridden aggressively. Really, the dream is to bring him out here for the Japan Cup later in the year. That will be his main aim this year.” In Deep Impact's absence, Coolmore has sent mares this year to Kitasan Black, who stands for ¥20,000,000 [roughly €116,000] and enjoyed a memorable Select Sale with progeny of his topping the yearling and foal session, while Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail [¥15,000,000/ €87,000] has been supported with mares as well. “The world is getting smaller,” Magnier acknowledged. “We really go by what [Shunsuke Yoshida] and the team at Shadai tell us what to do. We've sent a few mares to Contrail and Kitasan Black this year. Contrail was a very good racehorse and is very well-bred. He's a very good-looking horse and he ticks all the boxes. He is unproven but hopefully it will work out for him. “They [the Yoshida family] have been great supporters of ours down through the years and have sent plenty of mares our way. They buy a lot of mares from us as well. It's been a very good relationship.” The post MV Magnier: ‘We’ve Figured Auguste Rodin Out – Japan Cup Is The Main Aim’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A gofundme support page has been launched for Carolyn Toscano, who has been battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) since her diagnosis at age 45. The Toscano family has had a longstanding presence in New York's Thoroughbred racing industry. “The family needs all the help they can get!” said Lisa Bonich, who organized the gofundme page on behalf of Toscano. “All funds raised with go directly towards the cost of medical equipment, treatments and home aids and all portions not covered by insurance. Your support in any form is beyond appreciated!!!” To make a donation in support of Carolyn Toscano, click here. The post Gofundme Launched to Support Caroyln Toscano appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the second consecutive year, the winner of the $600,000 GI Saratoga Derby Invitational at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 3 will receive an invitation to the A$5 million G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in Melbourne, Australia, according to a New York Racing Association release Monday. The winning connections of this year's Saratoga Derby, which was established in 2019 and is contested over 1 3/16 miles [1900 meters], will be afforded an automatic berth into the 2024 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, with subsidies for transportation and accommodation. In 2021, Joseph O'Brien became the first trainer to achieve the double with globetrotting State of Rest (Ire), who won the Saratoga Derby before venturing to Melbourne to win the Cox Plate. State of Rest later won the G1 Prix Ganay in France and the G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. “When assessing the strength of the Ladbrokes Cox Plate in recent years, there is a very definitive correlation between international participation, strong race ratings and strong wagering numbers,” said Moonee Valley Racing Club's Head of Racing, Charlotte Mills. “The Saratoga Derby brings together a talented contingent of northern hemisphere three-year-olds each year, and we are hoping to see more of them follow the path paved by Joseph O'Brien and State of Rest.” Entries for the 1 Saratoga Derby will be taken on Sunday, July 28. The post Saratoga Derby Returns as a Qualifier for Ladbrokes Cox Plate 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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Auld Jock finished just half a length short of superstar jumper The Cossack in Saturday’s Wellington Steeplechase (5500m), and Peter and Jessica Brosnan now have their sights set on a trip to Riccarton Park next month for the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m). The diminutive gelding stepped up to open grade with a creditable run for fourth in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) a fortnight ago and tackling the unique course at Trentham, he looked right at home from the outset. Joshua Parker rode a patient race on Auld Jock, travelling quietly in midfield, and as the pressure came on crossing over to the course proper, he was among the dangers to catch The Cossack and a storming finish had him within touching distance of the biggest win of his short jumping career. “We were absolutely rapt with him, he’s certainly got the makings of a good little horse, so onwards and upwards,” Jessica Brosnan said. “He kept coming really strongly at the finish, so it was pretty exciting. “Josh rode him perfectly, he cut all the corners and had him on the inside everywhere he could. He jumped him well, we couldn’t fault the ride. “He wants to stick with him, so that’s a good sign as well.” The Brosnans headed straight back to their base at Matamata after the marathon jumping contest, where the son of Adelaide will have a few quiet days before preparing for their southern mission. “He was a bit tired so we brought him home late on Saturday instead of staying down there for another night, just so he could have a sleep and wake up in his paddock,” Jessica Brosnan said. “It saves him sitting on the truck for seven or eight hours on Sunday to get home. “He’s had a couple of days off and now he’ll have some time in the swimming pool and on the walker, then we’ll get back into it and make some plans. “I’m just running through the logistics now, we’ll get him down to Christchurch and if he settles in well, we’ll have a go at both days. “It would be nice for him to get a look around the course before the big race, although he adapted to Wellington so easily and jumped every jump so beautifully. “If he didn’t settle in for whatever reason, we can skip the Koral and go straight into the National. I don’t know what will be in on the first day, so it might be a good chance for him to pick up a nice prize down there. “I said to Peter that we’ll need to take another horse as well so that’ll probably be Teen Titan, he’s improving at every run over hurdles so he can run both days and be a travel buddy for Jock. “We’re in the middle of lambing and calving so getting down to Christchurch for 10 days will be a bit of a marathon, but it’s been our goal all the way through with this horse if he kept stepping up so we’re going to make it happen.” The Wellington meeting provided a strong turn-out in the jumping events, including 30 runners at maiden grade, an important and exciting improvement for the future of the sport in Brosnan’s perspective. “Hopefully we can find more horses like Jock and continue being competitive in these big races next year, jumps racing is really picking up and we had an amazing day down there on Saturday,” she said. “Every horse got around and jumped well, so many people commented to us on the quality of the day and fields. “We’ve got the jockeys now and a couple more coming over, so the atmosphere among the jumping people is great. “Looking at a horse like Jock, he didn’t win a race on the flat but he’s got the skill and toughness to make a really nice jumper, so there are opportunities for horses like him.” View the full article

New Zealand-breds have long held a strong record in Hong Kong, which was further enhanced at the 2023/24 Hong Kong Jockey Club Champion Awards on Friday when Ka Ying Rising was crowned Champion Griffin. The son of Shamexpress has been a standout in the Asian racing jurisdiction, winning five and runner-up in two of his seven starts last season for trainer David Hayes, highlighted by his victory in the Gr.3 Sha Tin Vase (1200m) last month. Ka Ying Rising became the third New Zealand-bred to be crowned Champion Griffin in the last five years, joining multiple Group One winner Lucky Sweynesse (2022) and Good Luck Friend (2020). Bred by Grandmoral Lodge Racing, Ka Ying Rising is out of the Per Incanto mare Missy Moo, and had a couple of jump outs for Marton trainer Fraser Auret before he was sold to clients of Hayes and had a few trials in Australia before making his way to Hong Kong. Friday’s announcement was welcome by Windsor Park Stud, who stand Ka Ying Rising’s sire Shamexpress. “He (Shamexpress) leaves good horses up there and he also has that very good horse in Singapore as well, Lim’s Saltoro,” Windsor Park Stud General Manager Steve Till said. “It has been exciting to watch his (Ka Ying Rising) progress through the autumn. His time in the Sha Tin Vase was very good. “He has a champion trainer in David Hayes, who knows good horses so well, and he is targeting him towards the international meeting in December for the Group One sprint race. You know the horse must be pretty good when David is talking about the horse in those sorts of terms, and is setting the horse for that sort of race. “He could end up being Shamexpress’s best. He (Shamexpress) is a very good sire and he has got two beauties going around for him at the moment.” Till said gaining accolades such as Champion Griffin is very important for stallion careers. “Our Asian markets are very important and none more so than Hong Kong,” he said. “The standard is so high there that if you have got a stallion that can sire good horses up there, the market demand then increases and that filters right through. “In the case of Ka Yong Rising, he is out of a Per Incanto mare, and Per Incanto is a good example of that. His progeny have done very well in Hong Kong as well, and that combination all bodes well.” Till said Shamexpress’s progeny are well suited to Hong Kong because of their demeanour. “He is a great stallion to have around and he is a very physical stallion,” he said. “He is a straightforward horse to mate to because he leaves good types, but he can impart a very good constitution and brain into his progeny, and I think that stands them in very good stead when they go to overseas environments like Hong Kong and Singapore. It is a great thing to have in your armoury when you are a stallion, and I think that has contributed to his success.” Shamexpress stands at Windsor Park Stud, near Cambridge, for a fee of $8,000+GST. View the full article

Racing at Ruakaka is well-suited to Patricia and the local mare sprinted to her fourth win at the course for Rick Wells on Saturday. A five-year-old by Super Easy, Patricia indicated she had plenty to offer in her first season of racing last term, producing a trio of victories at her home track. Returning as an older mare, she took a few starts to find that form but did so with a tidy run for second behind Pippy last start, setting her up to be a key contender in the undercard sprint race of ITM/GIB Finals day. In a compact field of five, it was tipped to be a match race between Patricia ($3.70), stakes performer Illicit Dreams ($2.60) and Byerley Park visitor Love Affirmations ($3.30), and the script couldn’t have been more accurate, with the three going to battle down the straight. In a sensational photo-finish, Patricia was announced the eventual winner by a short head under Sam Spratt, with Illicit Dreams collecting second place by a nose to Love Affirmations. Wells hadn’t been sure she had got over the line on top but was delighted when the call came. “I thought it was a huge run, I wasn’t sure she had got up at the line so I stayed back at the TV to watch the replay and I could see she just got her head in front,” he said. “Her only option really now is an 1100m race up here, because she can’t handle heavy tracks. That is an open race, so she’ll have to race in that grade, but the time on Saturday was fairly quick so hopefully she’ll handle the step-up.” Patricia was the 27th winner in Wells’ training career, made more special as she was a homebred and is co-owned by the local horseman. “She’s a lovely horse to have around, a wee bit aggressive but these mares tend to have a bit of that,” he said. “She’s push button to work, she just goes out and does her thing. She’s a real professional.” Out of a Spectatorial mare Xpectastar, Wells also has a two-year-old full-sister to Patricia in the stable who he has plenty of time for. “If you saw them standing side-by-side you wouldn’t think they were sisters, they are totally different looking horses,” he said. “The filly looks a bit like Spectatorial who her mother was by, and if she was as fast as him we’d be pretty happy because he won the Blue Diamond (Gr.1, 1200m). “She’s just started to do a bit of fast work now, we haven’t rushed her and she had a bit of a foot problem which we’ve got sorted now. We’ll probably get her to the jump-outs or trials up here then she can have a break before the spring time. “We’re in no hurry as she’s a nice filly.” At 71 years old, Wells describes himself as ‘mostly retired’, but receives a massive thrill out of preparing his select team. “I’ve just got those two, I’m retired really and I enjoy just having a couple to work with. It’s especially good when you have days like Saturday,” he said. “During the week I just get up about half-past six, have a coffee and head down to the track. I’ve got Ian Perry to ride the older horse (Patricia) and Eddie Turns rides the young one so that’s our morning. “For the rest of the day I try not to find any more work which is quite good.” View the full article

A Randwick double and a winning turn at Caulfield completed a rewarding weekend for Cambridge Stud. The Waikato nursery celebrated the successes of homebreds Defining and War Eternal in Sydney while the colours of farm principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay were carried to victory in Melbourne by Lovazou. “Obviously, a big focus of our business is to be successful in Australia at a metropolitan level, so it was nice to see that happen,” said Scott Calder, Head of Sales and Nominations at Cambridge Stud. “It’s been a really successful season and hopefully we can continue that momentum into the new season and spring racing.” Defining was sold for $225,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in 2020 with Mitchell Bloodstock and G1 Goldmine signing the ticket for the daughter of Not A Single Doubt. She won twice and finished runner-up in the Listed Nitschke Stakes (1400m) from Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s stable before she was offered at the 2023 Inglis Chairman’s Sale. Defining resold to Mitchell Bloodstock and Yes Bloodstock for A$280,000 and relocated to Annabel Neasham’s yard and now has four wins and nine placings from her 19 starts. She is out of the Encosta De Lago’s Group performed daughter Seduced, whose dam Dama De Noche won the Gr.3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. “She’s been a somewhat frustrating mare and had a few years when she was empty,” Calder said. “For a mare of her age she hasn’t had as many foals on the ground as we would have liked, but she has a nice Hello Youmzain filly in the paddock, which is quite exciting given the way the stallion has started off in Europe.” War Eternal was a $160,000 Karaka purchase for trainer Bjorn Baker and Clarke Bloodstock and is the first foal of the Fastnet Rock mare Aleria. The son of Pierro has won three races and during his three-year-old season ran second in the Gr.3 Spring Stakes (1600m), third in the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) and finished fourth in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m). His dam is out of the multiple black-type winner Impressive Eagle whose half-brother Eagle Way won the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) and the Gr.2 HKJC Cup (2400m). “Aleria has been a good mare for us with a black-type performer and we’ve had some nice results in the sale ring with her,” Calder said. “Her Almanzor filly Undaunting has been a winner after selling well (A$250,000, Inglis Premier Sale). “She has a Per Incanto colt on the ground who will hopefully be another good prospect at the sales next year.” Meanwhile, the Danny O’Brien-trained Lovazou has won three of her seven starts and finished runner-up on debut in last season’s Gr.3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. She was purchased out of Kia Ora Stud’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for A$400,000 and is a daughter of the Lonhro mare Lovani. “It was great to get a metropolitan win to go with that black type and we’ve had a bit of luck with the Zoustars that we have raced,” Calder said. Notable among them is the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) winner Joliestar and the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) winner Habana. The Chris Waller-trained Joliestar could resume next month in either the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) or the Gr.3 Show County Stakes (1200m) while Habana, prepared by Lance Noble, may target the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m). View the full article

What Newcastle Races Where Newcastle Racecourse – 100 Darling St, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 When Tuesday, July 16, 2024 First Race 12:20pm AEST Visit Dabble Provincial racing heads to Newcastle on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program set for decision. The rail is out +6m the entire circuit, and although the track is rated a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances, the sunny skies predicted in the lead-up should have the surface improving throughout the week. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 12:20pm local time. Best Bet: Monty Be Quick Monty Be Quick didn’t go a yard on the Heavy 10 surface at Scone on July 2 and warrants forgiving as he heads into his third Australian start. The European import was strong prior to that second-up failure when crowded for room at a crucial stage at Hawkesbury on June 18. He should strip fitter now, and with the ideal run likely to fall his way from barrier three, Monty Be Quick will prove hard to hold out as he searches for his maiden success. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Monty Be Quick (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Nathan Doyle | J: Aaron Bullock (59kg) +150 with Bet365 Next Best: Dumebi Dumebi was well beaten by five lengths first-up at Warwick Farm on June 26 but had excuses returning from a 399-day spell. The son of Lonhro had the wheels spinning a long way out on the bottomless conditions, unable to show his best in the final furlong. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt appears perfectly placed getting back to provincial company for the first time, and with the improving conditions likely to play into his favour, Dumebi should go close to shirking the maiden tag. Next Best Race 3 – #3 Dumebi (5) 3yo Colt | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Ashely Morgan (59kg) +100 with Neds Best Value: Promiscuous Girl Although Promiscuous Girl has been defeated by a combined 10.5 lengths across two barrier trials, her work has been much better than it appears as she debuts for the Chris Waller barn. She was hardly asked for an effort in her recent jump-out at Rosehill on July 12, going through the wire hard held under Jason Collett. Rory Hutchings gets the nod for race-day, and with gate five allowing Promiscuous Girl to lob into the one-one throughout, the three-year-old should get every chance to make an impression at the each-way price with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 4 – #6 Promiscuous Girl (5) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: Rory Hutchings (58kg) +1100 with Unibet Tuesday quaddie tips for Newcastle races Newcastle quadrella selections Tuesday, July 16, 2024 2-3-6 1-3-7-8-9-11 1-5-6-7-9 2-3-5-6-10 Horse racing tips
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Stan Tsaikos made it four straight wins on the Terry Gillett-trained Altar Boy at Alice Springs on Sunday. (Brendan McCarthy/Racing Photos) Former Queensland galloper Altar Boy is loving life in Alice Springs. The four-year-old gelding made it four straight wins at Pioneer Park on Sunday when, as a $1.50 favourite with online bookmakers, he led throughout over 1600m (0-70) to outclass his rivals by 4.4 lengths. Altar Boy, whom trainers Terry and Leanne Gillett acquired from Townsville trainer Sarah Acornley – wife of former Darwin jockey and trainer Carl Spry – had failed in five previous attempts over 1600m. His best result was a third over 1630m (BM70) at Doomben in September 2022 after spending time with Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick. In his first eight starts as a two-year-old and one as a three-year-old in Townsville, Spry secured two wins and seven minor placings aboard the son of The Mission. After a win and a second in his next six starts for Kendrick, Altar Boy returned to Acornley where he managed a third from 11 starts. In his first start for the Gillett’s, the gelding was fifth in May over 1200m (BM54) before clicking into gear. His first three wins were over 1400m before stepping up to 0-70 class on Sunday, but that didn’t prove a burden. There was another short-priced favourite to salute on the program with Lisa Whittle’s Another Val ($1.40), ridden by Sonja Logan, getting to the lead in the home straight before overcoming Gillett’s Supreme Goal ($10) and Ray Viney’s All Fosted by 1.8 lengths in an 1100m maiden. Another Val sealed that first win at the 19th attempt. It took 10 attempts, but Greg Connor’s Vitesse Breeze ($13) finally won a race over 1400m when he made his move at the 600m against 0-58 opposition before shaking off Gillett’s Valley Prince ($5) in the home straight to win by half a length. Victory basically sealed the jockeys’ premiership for Paul Denton (24) as it’s hard to see Logan (19.5) bridging the gap. Adelaide jockey Stacey Metcalfe was making her Alice Springs debut and ended the day with a win when Will Savage’s Talent Quest ($9), a last start winner in November, finally edged clear late in the peace before prevailing over 1000m (BM54) by two lengths. Viney’s Tango Stepz (Jessie Philpot), the $11 outsider, was forced three deep early before sharing the lead with Luskin Hero, but that didn’t stop the mare from winning the 1200m open handicap by half a length from Gillett’s Ornamental Lady ($5.50) and Whittle’s Il Don Cavallo ($4.20). Horse racing news View the full article

War Eternal winning at Randwick last Saturday. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au A Randwick double and a winning turn at Caulfield completed a rewarding weekend for Cambridge Stud. The Waikato nursery celebrated the successes of homebreds Defining and War Eternal in Sydney while the colours of farm principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay were carried to victory in Melbourne by Lovazou. “Obviously, a big focus of our business is to be successful in Australia at a metropolitan level, so it was nice to see that happen,” said Scott Calder, Head of Sales and Nominations at Cambridge Stud. “It’s been a really successful season and hopefully we can continue that momentum into the new season and spring racing.” Defining was sold for $225,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in 2020 with Mitchell Bloodstock and G1 Goldmine signing the ticket for the daughter of Not A Single Doubt. She won twice and finished runner-up in the Listed Nitschke Stakes (1400m) from Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s stable before she was offered at the 2023 Inglis Chairman’s Sale. Defining resold to Mitchell Bloodstock and Yes Bloodstock for $280,000 and relocated to Annabel Neasham’s yard and now has four wins and nine placings from her 19 starts. She is out of the Encosta De Lago’s Group performed daughter Seduced, whose dam Dama De Noche won the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. “She’s been a somewhat frustrating mare and had a few years when she was empty,” Calder said. “For a mare of her age she hasn’t had as many foals on the ground as we would have liked, but she has a nice Hello Youmzain filly in the paddock, which is quite exciting given the way the stallion has started off in Europe.” War Eternal was a $160,000 Karaka purchase for trainer Bjorn Baker and Clarke Bloodstock and is the first foal of the Fastnet Rock mare Aleria. The son of Pierro has won three races and during his three-year-old season ran second in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m), third in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) and finished fourth in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m). His dam is out of the multiple black-type winner Impressive Eagle whose half-brother Eagle Way won the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) and the Group 2 HKJC Cup (2400m). “Aleria has been a good mare for us with a black-type performer and we’ve had some nice results in the sale ring with her,” Calder said. “Her Almanzor filly Undaunting has been a winner after selling well (A$250,000, Inglis Premier Sale). “She has a Per Incanto colt on the ground who will hopefully be another good prospect at the sales next year.” Meanwhile, the Danny O’Brien-trained Lovazou has won three of her seven starts and finished runner-up on debut in last season’s Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. She was purchased out of Kia Ora Stud’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $400,000 and is a daughter of the Lonhro mare Lovani. “It was great to get a metropolitan win to go with that black type and we’ve had a bit of luck with the Zoustars that we have raced,” Calder said. Notable among them is the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) winner Joliestar and the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) winner Habana. The Chris Waller-trained Joliestar could resume next month in either the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) or the Group 3 Show County Stakes (1200m) while Habana, prepared by Lance Noble, may target the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m). Horse racing news View the full article

A streak of three straight years of record wagering ended in 2023-24, with punters betting HK$134.7 billionView the full article