Wandering Eyes

After last-minute questions were raised about whether the proposal could be harmful to equine safety, New York regulators punted May 20 on a plan to finalize rule changes backers said would expand the number of owners eligible to claim Thoroughbreds.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features a full-sibling to a pair of high-class Group 1 winners. 15.10 Nottingham, Mdn, £7,000, 3yo/up, 8f 75yT MUTAAWID (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is the seventh foal out of Shadwell's broodmare supreme Handassa (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who has gifted the operation both this newcomer's G1 Prince of Wales' S. and G1 Juddmonte International-winning full-brother Mostahdaf (Ire) and Invincible Spirit's G1 Falmouth S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. heroine Nazeef (GB). Like that high-class pair, he is in the care of John and Thady Gosden. The post Observations: Mostahdaf’s Brother Debuts at Nottingham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The ballot for the 2024 election of 19 Breeders' Cup Members, the Breeders' Cup Limited announced Monday. The Breeders' Cup election website will open May 27 for 2023 Breeders' Cup foal and stallion nominators to begin the voting process. Voting will close June 3. Of the 20 candidates on the ballot, 17 are incumbent Members standing for re-election. The 19 individuals receiving the most votes will each serve a term of four years. Members are elected every other year by Breeders' Cup foal and stallion nominators through a proportional voting system based on the level of nominations paid to the organization. There are a total of 39 elected Breeders' Cup Members. The Members meet each July and elect individuals to the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors, which oversees the activities of the organization. The 20 candidates for the Members' election are: Conrad Bandoroff* Maria Niarchos-Gouazé* Barbara Banke* David O'Farrell* Boyd Browning * Bill Oppenheim* Chief Stipe Cauthen* Bernie Sams* Matt Dorman Alex Solis II* Craig Fravel* Edward (Ned) Toffey Eric Gustavson* Elliott Walden* Bret Jones* Barry Weisbord* Gray Lyster* Aron Wellman* Clem Murphy* Jacob West *Indicates current, incumbent Members For more information, click here. The post Breeders’ Cup Releases Ballot for 2024 Members’ Election appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Joseph O'Brien has laid out an adventure in America for juvenile Group 1-winner Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the target being the GI Manhattan S. in New York on June 8, in a path eventually routing to the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. After having his sophomore season disrupted by injury, Al Riffa resurfaced in the G1 Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp and was only beaten by three-quarters of a length in a wild scramble on the wire. O'Brien admits his charge's size is something of a concern, and that the Saratoga track might not suit him, but the prize money makes it a shot worth taking. “He ran really well in France, his first run back. He was coming there but got a bit tired and the race didn't set up nicely for him,” O'Brien said. “He actually gets a 7lb allowance in America for not winning a Group race last year, so the conditions of the race suit him very well and it's a lot of money. The worry is he's a big horse and the track might not suit, but it's a $2-million race. His other options were the Tattersalls Gold Cup against Auguste Rodin or Royal Ascot and meet whatever there.” He added, “I think [Al Riffa]'s going to stay well and we are kind of dreaming he may be an Arc horse, but the aim is to win a Group One first.” The post America On the Books for Al Riffa, Targets Grade One Glory in New York appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-Tokyo, ¥14,880,000 ($95,336), Allowance, 5-18, 3yo, 1600m, 1:36.2, ft. ASSURBANIPAL (c, 3, Arrogate–Georgie's Angel {GSW, $129,564}, by Bellamy Road), the year-younger full-brother to Cave Rock, MGISW, $748,000, opened his account impressively at first asking over this course and distance last November and was just beaten by Authentic (Into Mischief)'s brother Bushin when last seen under these conditions at this venue Apr. 20. Sent off as the $1.10 (1-10) mortal, the dark bay was away fairly, and found himself in a forward position for the run down the back straight. Racing with his mouth open as they hit the 600-meter marker, Assurbanipal gained four wide under his own courage into the homestretch, struck the front in hand at the quarter pole and ran out a seven-length winner under hands-and-heels steering from Christophe Lemaire. “He traveled comfortably and picked up nicely in the stretch,” said the Frenchman, who added Sunday's G1 Yushun Himba aboard Cervinia (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}). “I look forward to his future runs.” Georgie's Angel, winner of the 2011 GIII Schuylerville S., produced a colt from the second crop of Arrogate in 2020 and was purchased by Kathleen Schweizer's Longford Farm for $75,000 back in foal to the late Juddmonte stallion at that year's Keeneland November Sale. The foal of 2020 made $210,000 as a weanling at the same auction and was subsequently hammered down to Three Amigos for $550,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Sale. Under the care of Bob Baffert, Cave Rock would proceed to win the GI Del Mar Futurity and GI American Pharoah S. ahead of a runner-up effort in the 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Two days after Cave Rock was named a 'TDN Rising Star' on his career debut, Assurbanipal was purchased by Michael Sucher's Champion Equine for a sales-topping $700,000 at the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Sale in Saratoga and a handful of months later, fetched $1.05 million from Katsumi Yoshida at the OBS March Sale. Georgie's Angel is also responsible for the newly named 2-year-old filly Lakeside (Improbable), a $135,000 purchase by Solis/Litt at FTNAUG last summer, a yearling filly by Connect and a filly from the initial crop of Flightline foaled Apr. 25. Schweizer reports that Georgie's Angel will visit Good Magic this season. Sales history: $700,000 Ylg '22 FTNAUG; $1,050,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $118,352. O-Kazumi Yoshida; B-Kathleen Schweizer (NY); T-Hiroyasu Tanaka. 1600m 1W Allowance at Tokyo: Very impressive by 3c 6. ASSURBANIPAL (Arrogate Georgie's Angel (Bellamy Road)) under Lemaire 1.36.2 Now won 2 from 3#DirtMonster#JRA pic.twitter.com/od8KTr9TBu — Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) May 18, 2024 The post Arrogate Colt Assurbanipal, Full To Cave Rock, Impresses at Tokyo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following in the footsteps of the late Queen Elizabeth II, Her Majesty Queen Camilla has accepted an invitation to become the royal patron of the National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket, the organization announced via presser on Monday. The announcement was made to mark the first anniversary of the coronation and a new Royal Yard tour has been launched by Discover Newmarket. It includes visits to Clarehaven Stables, where the King and Queen have horses in training. “Queen Elizabeth II opened the National Horseracing Museum in November 2016 and was a wonderful supporter during her reign, visiting Newmarket on multiple occasions,” said Frances Stanley, the chairman of the Museum's board of trustees. “It is with absolute delight that the National Horseracing Museum received this latest news from Buckingham Palace.” The post HM The Queen Becomes Patron of National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The post Wanna Race? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The storylines of “Thurby” can oftentimes get lost in the hubbub of the ensuing weekend of racing at Churchill Downs, but for trainer John Hancock, the Thursday before this year's Kentucky Derby was a day he won't soon forget. Not feeling the greatest that afternoon, the veteran conditioner decided to stay back at the barn and let his family head to the paddock to saddle West Memorial (Caracaro) and Strummin (Flameaway) for the Kentucky Juvenile S. Meanwhile Hancock drove over to a spot on the backside where he had a good view of the starting gate. After the break, he began watching the five-furling race on his phone, but realized his video was delayed so he switched to simply listening to the roar of the distant crowd and Travis Stone's race call. “Here comes West Memorial!” he heard Stone exclaim. “Down the center of the track, kicking away by two. And Strummin is on the scene late as well.” As a boisterous crowd surged toward the winner's circle, Hancock sat back in the stillness of the backside and smiled. In a race that had eluded him for years, his horses had just taken the top two spots. Last year Youalmosthadme (Oxbow), a filly that Hancock sold after training her to a winning debut a month earlier, had coasted to an 8 3/4-length victory in the Kentucky Juvenile. In the same race in 2019, Hancock's horses had finished second and third and back in 2017, his filly Amberspatriot (Awesome Patriot) was runner-up by a neck. “This particular stake means a lot to me because it's a 2-year-old stake and that's what my family does,” the Henderson County, Kentucky native explained. “We put ourselves in a spot where we like fooling around with 2-year-olds, having them ready early and seeing what we can do. This particular stake I've had two or three seconds, three thirds and a couple of fourths. So it meant a lot to win it; it meant a real lot.” In an interesting twist of fate, it was actually last year's Kentucky Juvenile victress Youalmosthadme that helped land this year's winner West Memorial in Hancock's barn. After Youalmosthadme broke her maiden at Keeneland, Hancock sold her to the partnership of Qatar Racing, Swinbank Stables, Steve Adkisson and Black Type Thoroughbreds and she moved to the Brad Cox barn. Swinbank Stables' Reagan Swinbank was in Lexington shortly after they purchased the filly last April. One morning Swinbank's bloodstock agent and lifelong friend Jake Ballis of Black Type Thoroughbreds suggested that Swinbank should stop in and meet the trainer who had gotten Youalmosthadme started. “I like talking to people and John likes talking to people and before we knew it, we had sat there in his office talking for 30 minutes,” Swinbank recalled. “Jake was there with me and afterward I told him that next yearling season, he could pick two horses out for me to buy and I would send them to John to do the same game that he did with Youalmosthadme.” Flash forward a few months and Hancock was out with his daughter Ashley looking at yearlings that might be a good fit for their stable's model of buying yearlings, breaking them at their base at Ellis Park, and then pointing them to the early 2-year-old races with the goal of selling them after they break their maidens. West Memorial caught their eye as soon as they saw her. They tried to get a deal done several times last summer, but the breeder wanted to send her to public auction. Trainer John Hancock | Katie Petrunyak “We just couldn't get her off our minds,” Hancock said. “The way she looked, the way she handled herself, the way she was balanced.” By the time West Memorial was set to go through the ring at the Keeneland September Sale, Hancock had already spent his budget for the sale, but he had told Ballis about how much he liked the daughter of first-crop sire Caracaro (featured here). Ballis worked with Maddie Mattmiller, his partner in Black Type Thoroughbreds, to purchase the Legacy Bloodstock-consigned yearling for $45,000 on behalf of Swinbank Stables. Swinbank sent the filly on to Hancock and named her West Memorial after the part of Houston that he is from. “From day one, she was very focused and she knew what her job was,” said Hancock. “She was well-mannered and had a great head on her. From what I hear, the Caracaros are all that way. There was something about the charisma about this filly from the first day and by March, we figured out that she could really run.” Expectations were sky high when West Memorial debuted during opening weekend of the Keeneland meet, but she wound up settling for second by a head. Even so, she had displayed tons of heart in the stretch battle and plenty of potential during the gallop out, and the offers began pouring in. Even though selling her had been the goal from the start, Swinbank did not feel right about parting with her just yet. “I was only in for $45,000 plus training bills,” he explained. “We turned down an amount of money that everyone said was insane to turn down, but I wanted to let her run in John Hancock's name in the Kentucky Juvenile. Normally most of his good horse get sold prior to that race, including Youalmosthadme. She didn't even breeze under Brad. It was all John's doing. John told me, 'Let me have her for one more race and we will win it.' And I believed him. I said that if we were going to win it, let's win it together.” Hancock knew there were some classy juveniles in the race to contend with, including 'TDN Rising Star' Shoot It True (Munnings) and Resolute Racing's $740,000 Fasig-Tipton Digital purchase Mensa (Complexity). Hancock instructed jockey Reylu Gutierrez before the race, “Let her get away and lay right there to look at whatever is up in front of you. At the quarter pole, let's see where we're at.” The game plan was a success. Off at 17-1 odds, West Memorial chased the two favorites and then blew past them in the stretch. Hancock was thrilled about his stable's accomplishments, but the main thing he remembers as he looks back on the day is how proud he was of the filly. “Nothing fazed her,” he recalled. “We shipped her in from Keeneland. She'd never been to Churchill Downs in her life. With the crowd and the tunnel, she never turned a hair.” As has been the plan from the get-go, West Memorial departed from Hancock's stable after her maiden-breaking victory. But the juvenile has not been sold, as was the original idea. Instead Swinbank has decided to send her to George Weaver and perhaps follow a path that led the owner to the top of the sport last year. In a partnership that included Swinbank Stables and Black Type Thoroughbreds, the Weaver-trained Crimson Advocate (Nyquist) claimed last year's G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot. Swinbank is hopeful that West Memorial may take to the turf and target the same race. West Memorial's dam Vita Bella (Super Saver) is a half-sister to GI Hollywood Derby winner Mo Town (Uncle Mo) as well as SW Justique (Justify), who was second in her last start in the GIII Royal Heroine S. over the Santa Anita turf on April 27. “I'm not saying for sure that we're going to Ascot, but I think the plan is to get her to Weaver's barn and try her over the turf,” Swinbank said. “She has a lot of turf in her pedigree. It was very hard to tell John that we were going to move the horse. He got emotional. I got emotional. He and his family are all great horsemen, but we thought that with a chance to go to Ascot we need to move her to Weaver, who has success at winning at Ascot literally last year for us. If she doesn't take to the turf, she's already in Saratoga and we can run her in the dirt stakes up there.” West Memorial wins the 2024 Kentucky Juvenile S. | Coady Media West Memorial arrived in Saratoga only a few days before it was announced that Weaver faces a suspension of up to two years because a horse in his care tested positive for a metformin, a banned substance used to treat Type II diabetes in humans that Weaver's attorney Drew Mollica has said was being taken by the horse's groom during the time of the positive test. Although many factors are up in the air for Weaver's stable going into the summer season, Swinbank is continuing to send horses to the veteran trainer. “With George's uncertainty now, it added some thought to our plan but we're going to support George and his team,” he said. “I believe his assistants can manage the shop while the uncertainty is in play and we're loyal to the Weaver team.” Swinbank has expanded his stable in big ways in recent years. He started out in 2019 as a shareholder in Black Type Thoroughbreds to support his friends managing the syndicate, but last year he decided to get more involved with his own stable. Swinbank Stables began partnering with many of Black Type's horses as well as going out on its own for a few more. Swinbank said that he currently owns 15 to 20 racehorses, including those owned in partnership with Black Type Thoroughbreds, and he is also getting involved in the breeding business with a handful of his own broodmares. As for Hancock, while he may no longer have West Memorial in his stable, he is just as excited about another promising 2-year-old in his care. Kentucky Juvenile runner-up Strummin (Flameaway) has placed in all three of his career starts by flying home late in the stretch. “He just needs a little bit more ground, but he's a really nice colt,” Hancock said. Owned by Hancock's longtime client Randle Glosson, Strummin will make his fourth lifetime start on Sunday at Churchill Downs and Hancock has high hopes for his future. “Don't fall asleep on that man because he's the real deal,” he said. “The owners had an opportunity to sell him and they kept him. When he taps his wires together, you'll be back doing a story on him.” The post West Memorial a Star for Hancock, Now Points to Potential Ascot Bid with Weaver appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Relishing front-running tactics, the Wertheimers' TDN Rising Star Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) returned to winning ways in Monday's G2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud. Never in any serious danger once Maxime Guyon had committed, the Andre Fabre-trained 7-5 favourite who was runner-up in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix Allez France last month gave generously to score by 1 1/2 lengths from Quantanamera (Ger) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). It was at this track that Prix Rose de Mai started to look like a genuine Classic prospect last Spring when winning the Listed Prix Rose de Mai by seven lengths and she confirmed that with a clear-cut success in the G3 Prix Penelope, but came up short in the G1 Prix de Diane and beat only two home. Below-par again when fourth in Deauville's G2 Prix Alec Head, she failed to see out the 12 furlongs of the G1 Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp in September and was put away for a 4-year-old campaign which got off to the right start with a useful effort in the Allez France. “She can win a group 1 this year,” Guyon said. “She had run very well on her comeback and we wanted to let her go in her own rhythm today. She never gives up and is only ever moving forward.” The favourite gets the job done as Pensee Du Jour is victorious in the Group 2 Prix Corrida Stakes at Saint-Cloud! pic.twitter.com/FkSo4iWYt1 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 20, 2024 Pedigree Notes Pensee Du Jour is the last known foal out of the unraced Painter's Pride (Fr) (Dansili {GB}), whose son Canvassed (Ire) (Shamardal) captured the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal and was placed in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. The second dam is the GII Long Island H. winner Peinture Bleue (Alydar), whose progeny list is headed by Nureyev's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and G1 Prix du Jockey Cub hero and leading sire Peintre Celebre. Ironically, this is also the family of the useful Sea Of Roses (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), who Pensee Du Jour beat in last year's G3 Prix Penelope. Monday, Saint-Cloud, France PRIX CORRIDA-G2, €130,000, Saint-Cloud, 5-20, 4yo/up, f/m, 10 1/2fT, 2:12.74, g/s. 1–PENSEE DU JOUR (IRE), 126, f, 4, by Camelot (GB) 1st Dam: Painter's Pride (Fr), by Dansili (GB) 2nd Dam: Peinture Bleue, by Alydar 3rd Dam: Petroleuse (Ire), by Habitat TDN Rising Star. O-Wertheimer & Frere; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Maxime Guyon. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 8-4-1-0, €180,200. *1/2 to Canvassed (Ire) (Shamardal), GSW & G1SP-UAE, $424,594. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Quantanamera (Ger), 126, f, 4, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Quaduna (GB), by Duke Of Marmalade (Ire). (€200,000 Ylg '21 BBAGS). O-Jurgen Sartori; B-Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof (GER); T-Andreas Suborics. €28,600. 3–Melo Melo (GB), 126, m, 5, Gleneagles (Ire)–You Look So Good (GB), by Excellent Art (GB). (110,000gns Wlg '19 TATFOA). O-Wathnan Racing; B-The Pocock Family (GB); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €13,650. Margins: 1HF, 2, NO. Odds: 1.40, 26.00, 2.90. Also Ran: Ardent, Yorokobi (Fr), Village Voice (GB), Left Sea (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Camelot’s Pensee Du Jour Wins The Corrida appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Leading Ascot Gold Cup (G1) contender and reigning champion Courage Mon Ami (GB) has suffered a setback according to owners Wathnan Racing. The 5-year-old has not been seen since chasing home Coltrane in the Lonsdale Cup (G2) at York in August.View the full article

Making all under an enterprising ride from Silvestre De Sousa, Clive Washbourn's Devil's Point (Ire) (New Bay {GB}–Hairy Rocket {GB}, by Pivotal {GB}) took Cologne's G2 Coolmore St Mark's Basilica German 2000 Guineas back to Britain on Monday. Last year's G1 Futurity Trophy runner-up, who had enjoyed a confidence-boosting win in a Goodwood conditions event earlier this month, was needing the line as Penalty (Ger) (Frankel {GB}) closed in down the centre of the track and it came in time for the David Menuisier-trained colt to prevail by a neck, with Ghorgan (Ger) (Study Of Man {Ire}) another neck away in third. The 3-1 favourite Maigret (Ger) (Counterattack {Aus}) was only fifth. De Sousa, widely considered one of the best of his trade from the front, was doubling his 2024 Classic tally having conquered the 1000 Guineas. “He wasn't really handling the track and was babyish and lonely in front, but he delivered,” he said of the 100-30 second favourite. “I rode him like the best horse in the race, but that's maybe not the best way to ride him generally.” Menuisier added, “The draw in ten wasn't favourable and we didn't want to suffer, so we decided to let him stride on. From the earlier races, we could see that nothing was coming from behind and he's pretty straightforward. He was tired at the end, but the fractions were fast and we always had the plan to come here and then drop in trip for the [G1] Prix Jean Prat and [G1] Prix Maurice de Gheest.” The post New Bay’s Devil’s Point Takes The German 2000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stuart McPhee can blame Emma Balding for the fact that he has now accumulated interests in more than 20 mares worldwide, but the man who prides himself on his bargain buys can now call himself a Classic breeder. Metropolitan (Fr), who also became a first Classic winner for his sire Zarak (Fr) in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, has delivered a dream for his British breeder, who has mares not only in his home country, but increasingly in France and also Australia. “I've had black-type horses before, but a Classic winner is just unbelievable,” says McPhee. “As is the thought that I might have bred a horse that will become a decent stallion in time.” Based in Orford, Lincolnshire, McPhee admits that the lure of the French premiums has become hard to resist and he now keeps half of his broodmare band across the Channel. Metropolitan's dam Alianza (GB) (Halling) boards at Marie-Laure Collet's Haras de Clairefontaine and was a by-now famously inexpensive purchase at 800gns from the Darley draft at the Tattersalls February Sale of 2015. “I like Storm Cat in a pedigree and her dam was by Storm Cat,” he says, recalling what drew him to the unraced three-year-old filly. “If I buy from Darley or Shadwell, which I do quite often, there's usually a lot happening on the page, although it turned out that not much was happening on her page. But her dam Darley bought for, I think it was a million dollars. So again, you think, well, I'm getting the daughter of a million-dollar mare.” Alianza's dam, Cercle d'Amour, was also unraced and is a sister to the Listed winner Royal Tigress, as well as being a half-sister to the Norfolk S. winner Warm Heart (Diesis). McPhee continues, “She's absolutely beautiful, and Zarak's good looking, so no wonder Metropolitan is so good looking, as well as having plenty of speed.” McPhee was one of the shrewd breeders to use Zarak in his early seasons. Metropolitan is a member of his third crop, when his sire was still available for €12,000. Nowadays, Zarak's fee has risen t0 €60,000. “She's been covered by Erevann,” McPhee says of Alianza. “Even before this happened, I was trying to persuade the Aga Khan Studs to give me a foal-share on Zarak because she did well last year. And I couldn't quite swing it, but they convinced me to go to Erevann instead, which is not a totally dissimilar pedigree. In fact, I have sent two mares to him.” He continues, “When I buy now, I usually buy in France. I've got about 10 or 11 out there and I'm attracted by two things. One, I think at the sales there, especially in the middle market, they give every individual a chance. And of course, the breed surprises. Even with just the little handicappers I get €3,000 or €4,000 a month from them [in breeder's premiums]. It just makes such a difference.” Collet attended Longchamp with McPhee to watch their graduate race in the Classic and had more confidence in the outcome than the breeder. He recalls, “Marie-Laure was there with me on Sunday and she said before the race, 'I've had two horses that I've raised run in this race before. One came third, one came second. I know we're going to win today.' “And there was such joy in the winner's enclosure for, well, everyone. I suppose there always is, but it's a bit different if you're not used to it.” Alianza's current two-year-old is a colt by Elarqam (GB) who is in training with Stephane Cerulis, while McPhee has a yearling colt by Romanised (Ire) to send to the yearling sales later this year. “She's got a very nice Romanised colt and then there 's the Goken filly [foal], which I'm now quite tempted to keep, obviously,” he says. “The hard thing, for someone like me, is to know whether I should keep the mare or sell her. Tattersalls were on the phone this morning saying, 'Bring her to the Sceptre Sale in December'.” Describing his collection of mares as running to a “frightening number”, he adds, “I wouldn't like to add them up. It must be over 20 because I've got some in Australia as well. That was a similar situation to France really. We see some of their stallions coming up here, the likes of Zoustar, and they just seem to have a broader spectrum of stallions [in Australia]. The European mares over there are not so fashionable, so I can get bargains. I have two ex-Juddmonte mares there, both beautifully bred. One's from Frankel's family and the other one's related to Hasili. And I got them for less than 10 grand. They were inexpensive there compared to what they would've cost here.” Casting his mind back to his introduction to racing as an owner and breeder, he cites the influence of the Balding family as key to his ongoing involvement. “It must have been 20 years ago, probably more now,” McPhee recalls. “It was at the time that Andrew Balding was just taking over from Ian. I lived about a mile away from them and one day I phoned up Ian and said, 'I'm thinking about buying a horse but I've only got about £5,000.' He and I had never met before but he said, 'Well, come over and have a chat.' And I went over that afternoon and he showed me around Kingsclere.” He continues, “I found a three-year-old ex-Darley filly for sale on the internet. She was in Newmarket and Ian said he would go and have a look at her for me. He's just such a sweet man. “Anyway, he did and I bought her. She was called Kelpie and she won four times, placed six times. Our plan was for Kelpie to be Andrew's first winner. He was taking over on January 1 but she won on December 28, so she was Ian's last winner. “And then Emma said, 'Keep her and breed from her.' That's what got me started.” McPhee came close to providing first-season sire Mohaather (GB) with his first winner at York on Thursday when Yah Mo Be There (GB), whom he bred in partnership with Nigel Kelly at Mandy Rawding's Manor House Farm Stud, was beaten a short-head by Andesite (GB) (Pinatubo {GB}). Yah Mo Be There, who sold for £95,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale last year, is the first foal of the Shadwell-bred mare Shurakaa (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who was another February purchase back in 2021. McPhee returned to that happy hunting ground this year to buy an unraced three-year-old from Godolphin named Tottori (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), whose dam is a half-sister to the former Andrew Balding-trained Group 1-winning sprinter Donjuan Triumphant (Ire), for 1,000gns. The filly is now in training with Adam West in Epsom. He adds, “She's burning up his gallops and I am sure she will need the race but I am hoping she will run at Goodwood on Saturday.” The post ‘A Classic Winner is Just Unbelievable’: Stuart McPhee Celebrating Metropolitan’s Success appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The unbeaten Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) features among 11 entries for Saturday's G2 Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Sandy Lane S. at Haydock. Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, Vandeek proved himself a high-class sprinting two-year-old in 2023 when he signed off with back-to-back Group 1 victories in the Prix Morny at Deauville and Middle Park S. at Newmarket. Already a short-priced favourite for next month's G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, Vandeek is set to warm up for that assignment on Merseyside this weekend, with Chris Wall, racing manager to owners KHK Racing, confirming that everything has gone to plan ahead of his eagerly-anticipated return to action. “He's wintered well, he's had a good preparation up to now, so we hope the rest of the week goes well,” said Wall. “We're very much looking forward to getting him back on the track. He's done well physically over the winter, so we hope that brings about a bit of improvement as well. He's in good heart so it's all systems go. “Last year he won Group 1s on heavy ground and fast ground, so it wouldn't really matter what it was but I think he'd prefer some nice ground. There is a bit of rain around later in the week but not heavy so it should just be nice for all.” Considering the task Vandeek faces on Saturday, Wall added, “Obviously he's making his seasonal debut and we could be taking on some very capable horses who have had a run, like Jasour and Inisherin, but he's in good heart. “I know Simon and Ed have left a bit to work on, but he's plenty fit enough for his debut. He'll have to pull his finger out here taking on Jasour and Inisherin, capable horses in their own right, with a 3-lb penalty to carry as well. You want him to have a race to bring him forward but you don't want him to have too hard a race that puts him back.” Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) was down the field behind Vandeek in both the Prix Morny and the Middle Park, but he got back on track at Ascot last time when winning the G3 Commonwealth Cup Trial S. by a length and three-quarters, while Kevin Ryan's Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) ran a huge race for one so inexperienced when finishing sixth in the G1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Other notable entries in the Sandy Lane include Airman (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), unbeaten in two starts at a lower level for Richard Fahey, and David O'Meara's G3 Greenham S. winner Esquire (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}). Elsewhere on the card, last year's G1 Nunthorpe S. hero Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) is the star name among 13 entries for the G2 Betfred Temple S. run over five furlongs. Last seen finishing fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita in November, Live In The Dream could come up against another top-level winner from last season in the shape of Regional (GB) (Territories {Ire}), who has been off the track since winning the Sprint Cup at Haydock in September, plus a pair of less-exposed sorts in Rogue Lightning (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Beautiful Diamond (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}). The post Vandeek Set To Take Centre Stage on Haydock’s Saturday Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Passenger (Ulysses {Ire}) will look to provide trainer Sir Michael Stoute with a fifth success in the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot next month following his triumphant return to action at Chester. Sparingly raced as a three-year-old when his standout performances included an unlucky-in-running third in the G2 Dante S. at York and a narrow victory in the G3 Winter Hill S. at Windsor, Passenger looked an improved model when returning from nearly nine months off with a smooth win in the G3 Huxley S. on the Roodee, beating Israr (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) by a length and a half in course-record time. That effort has earned the four-year-old a steep rise in class at the Royal meeting, having found last year's Derby at Epsom coming too soon in his development on his only previous start at the top level. “We were absolutely delighted with Passenger at Chester,” said Alan Cooper, racing manager for the Niarchos family's Flaxman Stables Ireland. “He did it very well and everybody is very happy with him. I believe it was a track record and he couldn't have done it any better. “He's lightly-raced for a four-year-old after just five starts and the plan is to go for the Prince Of Wales's, all being well. He ran in the Derby last year and now he is much more mature and we'll find out more at Royal Ascot.” The post Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Up Next For Improving Passenger appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Connections of last year's G1 Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) expect to have a clearer idea later this week as to whether he will be able to defend his crown after he suffered a setback in training. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Courage Mon Ami graduated from handicaps with a decisive success at Royal Ascot in 2023, beating Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) by three quarters of a length to gain his fourth win from as many starts. Beaten twice subsequently last season in the G1 Goodwood Cup and G2 Lonsdale Cup at York, Courage Mon Ami was being prepared to make his return to action at the Royal meeting, but his participation in the Gold Cup now depends on the seriousness of a setback which is currently being investigated according to Richard Brown, racing adviser to owners Wathnan Racing. “I can't say Royal Ascot is unlikely at the moment because we don't know,” Brown said. “He had a training setback last week, had a little bit of time off and now we are investigating. I know no more than that. We'll know more, I believe, towards the end of this week. “I'm not going to say it's disappointing because we don't know what it is. Until we find out exactly what we're dealing with, I don't know.” The post Courage Mon Ami’s Gold Cup Participation In Doubt Due To Setback appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday evening racing in Britain will not continue in the short term after a six-week pilot during the winter months failed to yield any significant benefit to the sport via an increase in betting turnover. The controversial trial was introduced by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) as part of a wider range of changes to the fixture list for 2024, which included the launch of 'Premier' and 'Core' meetings. During a meeting of the BHA Board last week it was agreed that the Sunday evening meetings, which took place between January 7 and March 10, would be discontinued but that “the concept should be revisited when circumstances allow”. The meetings, which attracted an average field size of 10.6 runners, featured enhanced prize-money for the level of racing and additional payments for jockeys, grooms and other participants. It had been anticipated that the betting turnover on Sunday evenings would outperform midweek evening meetings but overall the average turnover was down 3%, though it was 3.6% higher digital platforms. Feedback on the test scheme was sought by the BHA from the National Association of Racing Staff (NARS), Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), National Trainers Federation (NTF) and Racehorse Owners Association (ROA). BHA chairman Joe Saumarez Smith said that “some valuable lessons” had been learned from the trial. He continued, “However, while the pilot did not deliver what we had hoped, there was a recognition of the challenges presented by making a decision based on such a small sample, especially when the data varied so significantly across the fixtures. It's also the case that new concepts, which include behaviour change from the betting public, are likely to take time to settle in. “The Board concluded that the concept of Sunday evening racing is not something that should be dismissed and that it would like a further and longer trial to take place, where circumstances permit, to gather additional data.” The BHA's director of racing and betting, Richard Wayman, added, “The trial of the six Sunday evening meetings was an informative and worthwhile exercise as we seek to grow engagement with our sport at a time when we face some difficult financial headwinds. We wanted to test the viability of racing in a window that was thought to have the potential to boost racing's income, especially among digital customers. “But it was clear from the outset that this would be challenging, especially for those who would be servicing the fixtures. We are very grateful to everyone who worked to deliver the pilot and who took the time to provide us with constructive feedback. “Innovation in the racing product is, and will continue to be, a key part of the industry's wider strategy work. It's important that we aren't afraid to try different things and that the sport is open to new ideas – recognising that some proposals will inevitably enjoy greater success than others.” A joint-statement released by NARS, the PJA and the NTF supported the BHA's decision to discontinue Sunday evening racing. It read, “In addition to the poor performance of the trial fixtures from a betting perspective, feedback from our members was overwhelmingly against the staging of further fixtures at least until various issues, particularly those around staffing of the fixture list, were addressed. “Whilst we agree that there may be a point in the future when this concept should be revisited, the challenges faced by our members in servicing the fixture list are significant and we are pleased to see the BHA Board recognise that resolving them is a pre-requisite to the staging of any further Sunday evening fixtures.” The post BHA Scraps Sunday Night Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Second-crop sire Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) was without a 'TDN Rising Star' representative prior to Saturday, but James Fanshawe trainee Kind Of Blue (GB) rectified matters for the Kildangan Stud resident at Doncaster and €170,000 Arqana October graduate Tiego The First (Fr) doubled the tally with a sparkling last-to-first triumph in Monday's Prix Hunyade at Saint-Cloud. Tiego The First dwelt badly at the break and forfeited several lengths to his rivals, but recovered to latch on to the tail of the field and raced with just one behind passing through halfway in this €30,000 six-furlong newcomers' heat. Taking closer order once into the home straight, the 99-10 chance angled outside for a clear passage approaching the final furlong and produced an impressive turn of foot under mild coaxing to sweep by Gun Of Brixton (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) in the closing stages, en route to a taking 3/4-of-a-length success. The duo finished 4 1/2 lengths clear of the remainder. “He is the first 2-year-old we have sent to the races and we didn't have anything to gauge him by at home, so I can't say we were confident beforehand,” admitted trainer Joakim Brandt. “He is the last one we have received into training, but he has been catching up quickly. He comes from a top Aga Khan family and showed good speed and acceleration today. I think we will keep him over six [furlongs] for the time being and we don't have any particular race in mind at this moment. Let's see first how he comes out of this one.” Tiego The First is the latest of four foals and second scorer from three runners out of dual-winning Listed Prix Yacowlef runner-up Kotama (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). Kotama is a half-sister to G3 Prix Edmond Blanc runner-up and G2 Prix du Muguet third Kokaltash (Fr) (Haafhd {GB}) and Listed Berenberg Cup second Kozideh (Fr) (Gold Away {Ire}), herself the dam of last term's Listed Bloomers' Vase third Una Matina (Fr) (Golden Horn {GB}). The February-foaled bay hails from the family of multiple Group 1-winning Derby and Irish Derby hero High Chaparral (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and G2 Dante-winning GI Secretariat S. runner-up Black Bear Island (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Prix Hunyade Saint Cloud – 1200 m – 2 ans – Inédit Tiego the First (Fr) (Blue Point (Ire) – Kotama (Fr) par Siyouni (Fr) @AgaKhanStuds A.Madamet P&J.Brandt Début très intéressant de ce 2 ans , qui loupe son départ avec un beau changement de vitesse a la fin pic.twitter.com/9S59GGu1R3 — Vince P…. (@Vincenzo0612) May 20, 2024 1st-Saint-Cloud, €30,000, Mdn, 5-20, unraced 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:14.84, g/s. TIEGO THE FIRST (FR), c, 2, by Blue Point (Ire) 1st Dam: Kotama (Fr) (SP-Fr), by Siyouni (Fr) 2nd Dam: Kozaka (Fr), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire) 3rd Dam: Kozmina (Ire), by Sadler's Wells Sales history: €170,000 Ylg '23 ARQOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €15,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Magne Jordanger & Finn Blichfeldt; B-Ecurie Jean-Louis Bouchard (FR); T-Pia & Joakim Brandt; J-Augustin Madamet. The post Blue Point’s Tiego The First Surges to TDN Rising Stardom at Saint-Cloud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Santa Anita Park will host a charity poker tournament to benefit the 'Folds of Honor' Foundation following a special Memorial Day card at 6:30 p.m., the track said in a release. Folds of Honor provides financial assistance to better than one million dependents adversely affected by war. Players will make a charitable donation of $300 and will take part in a full night of No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em poker and will enjoy a day at the races in Santa Anita's Stretch Run Suites. Last year's event raised more than $35,000. “We had great participation from horsemen and fans this past Memorial Day and we're hoping to do even better next Monday,” said Santa Anita Vice President and General Manager Nate Newby. “Memorial Day weekend is a time for reverence for millions of veterans and we're proud to be able to honor them and their families. This is a tremendous cause and we're honored to have Folds of Honor back here at Santa Anita.” For a $30 donation to support 'Folds of Honor', fans can also receive an iconic 'The Shoe Wants You' T-shirt, which features an image used originally on a poster to honor legendary jockey Bill Shoemaker over 50 years ago. The donation also includes admission, a program, general parking and a Challenge Coin featuring the Folds of Honor foundation and Santa Anita. The coin may be purchased separately for a $10 donation. A silent auction is also set to take place, featuring four seats on the glass to a LA Kings hockey game; four tickets to an LA Chargers game with parking at So-Fi Stadium; a set of boxing gloves autographed by Manny Pacquiao; and the right to watch a race from the announcer's booth with Frank Mirahmadi. “The folded flag is to honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom,” said Folds of Honor Senior VP and former Tehran hostage POW Rocky Sickmann. “It inspires us to help equip and educate their loved ones in need of our support. Thank you to Santa Anita Park for embracing the call by honoring their sacrifice.” The post Santa Anita To Host ‘Folds Of Honor’ Poker Tournament on Memorial Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The G1 King Charles III S. at Royal Ascot is likely to be next port of call for Diligent Harry (GB) (Due Diligence) following his third-place finish in last week's G2 Duke Of York S. on the Knavesmire, an effort trainer Clive Cox described as “a career best”. The six-year-old Diligent Harry won a pair of Listed races on the all-weather earlier this year before travelling to Dubai where he ran a huge race when finishing a close-up third in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on World Cup night. Back on home soil last week, he again performed with credit in filling the same position, passing the post just a nose and a neck behind the winner, Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}). Now all roads lead to Royal Ascot and a drop back to the minimum trip on the opening day of the meeting as Diligent Harry seeks a deserved Group-race success following a series of near-misses. “He was so near and yet so far and didn't do a whole lot wrong,” Cox said of Diligent Harry's run at York. “It was probably a career best really and I'm pleased to say he has come out of the race really well. “We are very much looking forward to the King Charles III at Royal Ascot and that would be our preferred trip on a stiffer track at Ascot. He's very versatile and I'm so proud he's holding his form so well at the highest level. I think it was his best effort yet at York and we're looking forward to Ascot.” The post Diligent Harry On Course For Royal Ascot After “Career Best” At York appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A yearling full-brother to the globetrotting Deirdre (Jpn) and first-crop foals by Flightline and Baaeed (GB) are among the entries for the JRHA Select Sale, which is set to take place at the Northern Horse Park in Hokkaido on July 8 and 9. Deirdre, a daughter of Harbinger (GB), was a Grade 1 winner in her native country before setting out on her worldwide travels which saw her win the G1 Nassau S. at Goodwood and finish runner-up in both Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. Her younger brother (lot 74) is one of 243 yearlings catalogued for the first day of the sale along with a host of well-bred individuals featuring some international pedigrees. A colt from the first crop of Palace Pier (GB) out of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Incarville (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) is catalogued as lot 11, while lot 24 is a son of Epipheneia (Jpn) and the G1 Irish Oaks winner Even So (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Another European Classic winner featuring as the dam of an Epipheneia colt is Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), whose yearling is lot 104. The foals from the first crop of Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) were the talk of last year's Select Sale, and his first yearlings will doubtless provide another focal point this time around. There are eight catalogued, including lot 133, a yearling half-brother to the G1 Prix Rothschild winner Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and to G1 Japanese St Leger winner Ask Victor More (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). The foal section features 25 Contrail youngsters, among them lot 308, a son of the former Chad Brown-trained dual Grade I winner A Raving Beauty (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) who was sold to Haruya Yoshida for $2 million at Fasig-Tipton in November 2018. Dream And Do (Ire) (Siyouni {FR}), winner of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in 2020, has both a yearling and a foal in the catalogue: the former will be the first yearling into the ring on Monday morning and is a colt by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), while her foal this year is a filly by Kitasan Black (Jpn) and is in as lot 401. The 244 foals set to be sold will appear alongside their dams for the Tuesday session and they include lot 433, a colt by Kizuna (Jpn) out of the Australian champion two-year-old filly She Will Reign (Aus) (Manhattan Rain {Aus}) and lot 364, a Kitasan Black half-brother to the G1 NHK Mile winner Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}), whose dam Serienholde (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) won the G1 Preis der Diana. Kitasan Black is also the sire of the colt foal out of the G1 Alcibiades S. winner Simply Ravishing (Laoban) (lot 301), while American Horse of the Year Flightline features as the sire of three foals in the catalogue including lot 347. The colt is a son of the Argentinean champion racemare Blue Stripe (Arg) (Equal Stripes {Arg}), who also won the G1 Clement L Hirsch S. at Del Mar. The first chance for anyone to buy a foal by Shadwell's champion miler Baaeed at public auction will be when Paca Paca Farm sends through the colt out of the Grade III winner Fahan Mura (English Channel) as lot 400. Announcing the catalogue for Japan's biggest bloodstock sale of the year, a statement from the JRHA read, “It is great to witness Japanese-bred runners performing so well at international competition. First of all, it is still fresh in the memory that Equinox (Jpn) was unbeaten through four starts in 2023, including the GI Japan Cup in November, which he won by four lengths, and was recognised as the world's highest-rated horse with an official rating of 135. “And JRHA is proud of the bravest performance of Forever Young (Jpn) at Churchill Downs on May 4, when the Japanese-bred colt was a narrowly-beaten third in the GI Kentucky Derby. The winner of the G3 Saudi Derby and G2 UAE Derby was bought at the yearling session of the JRHA Select Sale in 2022 for 98 million yen ($725,926).” The JRHA Select Sale catalogue features seven yearlings and five foals by Forever Young's sire Real Steel (Jpn), including a half-brother to Japanese Horse of the Year Lys Gracieux (Jpn), as well as 13 yearlings and 19 foals by Kitasan Black, the sire of Equinox. The post First Foals of Flightline and Baaeed Among Global Cast for JRHA Select Sale 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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Thoroughbred Park is considered the home of Canberra racing and has been the major racecourse in the ACT since its’ inception in 1921. Following a two-stage renovation for both turf and synthetic racing in 2007, Thoroughbred Park is utilized regularly throughout the calendar year, with approximately 25 meetings scheduled between both circuits. While upgrading the tracks for better racing, the Canberra racecourse facilities also received a significant overhaul, with the Training Centre and Equine Welfare amenities among the upgrades. Canberra is the home of many feature races on the calendar, however, none more important than the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) for the two-year-olds on the second Sunday of March every year. It’s considered one of the final options for trainers to gain their respective runners’ entry for the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) later in the Autumn, not to mention boasting a significant prize of $275,000 for the winning connections. Located 15 minutes from the city centre, Thoroughbred Park is a terrific spot for functions both business and pleasure, with a designated Functions Department ready to offer you everything you need for any given event – including both indoor and outdoor settings with versatile spaces. Canberra horse racing news With 25 meetings scheduled at Canberra rack track throughout the year, the team at HorseBetting.com.au will try to keep our loyal readers up to date on all the latest racing news from Thoroughbred Park and the surrounding areas. Here is the latest Canberra racing news: Canberra horse racing tips Our expert tipsters will be doing their best to find you all the best bets, value bets and quaddie numbers at Canberra races – especially during the Canberra Cup Carnival at the beginning of March, with plenty of action taking place during the Autumn. Check out all the latest Canberra racing tips here: Canberra racecourse address & how to travel there Thoroughbred Park Racecourse is located at 1 Randwick Rd, Lyneham ACT 2602 and is approximately 280km from the Sydney CBD (or 15 minutes from the Canberra CBD). Located to the south-west of Sydney, Canberra Racecourse draws in plenty of in-person interest from both locals and Sydneysiders, especially during the major carnivals during the Autumn months. It’s approximately a three hour and eight minute drive from the Syndey CBD heading south-west along the Federal Highway/Remembrance Drive. Simple follow the signs exiting onto Flemington Rd before making your way to your destination on Randwick Rd. If you’d rather leave your vehicle at home, there are plenty of public transport options in Canberra, including trains and buses. The scenario is simpler for locals, with taxis, uber and buses set to take you directly to your required destination, or if you’d prefer, drive yourself to the course, with plenty parking available at the entrance of the track. Canberra race track dimensioins and starting points The Thoroughbred Park Racecourse is run in the clockwise direction, with a circumference of 1815m and a home straight of 400m, with it considered one of the fairest tracks in the region. The main Canberra track has many starting positions from the chute – including the 1000m (north-east side), 1200m (north side) and 1600m (west side). Meanwhile, the remaining starting positions usually disengage from the course proper. The inner-course or synthetic circuit has no chute positions with every race run in the clockwise direction. Major races held at Canberra racecourse Black Opal Stakes Day is considered the biggest day of the calendar at Canberra, with four massive Listed races scheduled. The Group 3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) attracts contenders from all the major stables, with the honour roll containing names such as James Cummings, taking out back-to-back editions with Encryption (2018) and Pin Sec (2019), or Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou-trained superstar Trapeze Artist claiming victory in 2017 edition. In recent years, the Listed Canberra Cup (2000m) has produced Group 1 quality later in the campaign, with the Bjorn Baker-trained Arapaho (2023) going on to claim the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) in the same year. Other future Group 1 winners include – Mugatoo (2020) and Samadoubt (2019), making the Canberra Cup a genuine target for connections. The Listed National Sprint (1400m) and Listed Canberra Guineas (1400m) are also run on the same day, making it an outstanding afternoon of racing. How to bet on the Canberra races Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. 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Neds (Neds Review), Play Up (Play Up Review), and Picklebet (Picklebet Review) are just some of the best available options, with most betting apps by these companies available on Android and iOS smartphones. If you’d rather bet on-course, then make sure you check out the betting ring at Canberra Racecourse, with all your local bookies likely to be represented to go along with regular TAB facilities. View the full article

Fourty Eight winning at Hawera on Sunday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Shaun Fannin’s priorities will change this winter with his primary focus on the Awapuni stable he runs with Hazel Schofer. Fannin has multiple jumps jockeys’ premierships to his credit but will restrict his riding, with one notable outside exception. “We’re getting pretty busy with the training and plenty of horses around us,” he said. “We’ve got about 20 on the books and training is our main business, so that’s definitely to the forefront of my mind. “I will ride my own ones and West Coast obviously.” Fannin and the Mark Oulaghan-trained West Coast have been a potent combination with two Grand National Steeplechases (5600m) to their credit. They have also combined to triumph in the Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m), Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) and Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m). “He’s had a couple of flat runs and is coming up well and is heading to Woodville on Sunday for the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), so I’m looking forward to that,” Fannin said. Fannin is in good form after partnering stable representative Fourty Eight to a debut victory in the Holdem Contracting Legend Hawera Riders’ Hurdle (2800m) at Sunday’s Egmont meeting. “He won it well and he’s showed a fair bit at home and he’s got good flat ability,” he said. “He’s still a green jumper, he doesn’t jump as fluently yet as some of the open hurdlers and he will improve a lot with the experience. “He will be a much-improved jumper the next time you see him out.” That won’t be until next season with Fannin firstly eyeing off a flat target with the son of Ekraar. “He doesn’t handle the really heavy tracks and we might give him a break now until later in the season,” he said. “He goes quite well on the synthetic tracks and there’s a good money race ($100,000) at Cambridge in August, so we might look at that and then hurdling in September with him.” Fourty Eight has been patiently handled with the five-year-old posting his three flat wins from just 12 starts on the polytrack at Awapuni. “He didn’t get broken in until he was a three-year-old and physically and mentally he’s been quite a weak horse,” he said. “He got broken in up in the hills in Wairoa where his breeder and main owner lives, who is my cousin (Sheena Martin). We haven’t rushed him, he’s taken a bit of time.” The top-rated horse in Fannin’s team is last-start Waverley winner Sailor Jack, whose longer-term future lies over the jumps. “He’s out having a spell, he’s had quite a long preparation. He’ll probably run on the flat in the late spring and summer,” he said. “If he’s in good form we might look to get him over to Australia early next year for the jumping over there, he likes good tracks.” Horse racing news View the full article

Auld Jock (left) jumps the final fence in unison with Run Jakko Run at Hawera on Sunday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) With a season of experience under his belt, Auld Jock returned to the hurdles in winning fashion at Hawera on Sunday for Peter and Jessica Brosnan. The six-year-old made four appearances over jumps last year, with his best result a second-placed effort behind former Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) winner Mondorani over the steeplechase fences at Rotorua in August. Auld Jock headed to Hawera a fit horse with trio of flat runs under his belt and was an underrated $19.30 chance in the “Garry Phillips” Maiden Hurdle (2800m), with Run Jakko Run the top-elect at $2.30. In the hands of Portia Matthews, Auld Jock settled midfield early and remained there for majority of the 2800m contest as Home Rule controlled the tempo from the front. As the pressure came on at the 800m, Run Jakko Run became prominent and looked to be pulling away turning for home, but Auld Jock found another kick and came out on top by a short head in a driving finish. The son of Adelaide is owned by the Brosnan’s, who were especially pleased with his effort after returning to their Matamata base late on Sunday. “We got home pretty late last night so we’ve just watched the replay now at lunchtime, and it was good, he didn’t get the easiest of runs so he had to be a bit tough,” Jessica Brosnan said. “He’s a little bit older and matured a bit this year, I can’t really say he’s any bigger in size because he’s a little mouse of a horse. “He’d had three runs on the flat so he was pretty fit for yesterday going into it, but he was actually just having a bit of a run around before he goes steeplechasing. “He’ll go between the two with hurdling and chasing like he did last year, we like our horses to be multi-functional as in this day in age we’ve only got a couple of tracks with live jumps, so they’ve got to be able to jump the put-up fences, just possibly with an extra lap.” Brosnan has earmarked the Maiden Steeplechase over 3500m at Te Aroha on June 3 for Auld Jock, while stablemate Jakama Krystal may return to the Central Districts on Sunday to contest the Awapuni Hurdles (3000m) at Woodville. The Jakkalberry mare continued to improve through her second jumping season with two victories and a minor placing last year, and kicked off her new campaign finishing 3.25 lengths off Verry Flash in the Norwood Hawera ‘Jim Walker’ Hurdles (2800m) on Sunday. “She was good, we were pretty rapt with her race. She didn’t have too hard of a run, so that was good going forward for the winter,” Brosnan said. “She’s a tough little horse, but just needs a bit of rain, so we’ll see what the weather does and she’ll either step out on Sunday in the Awapuni Hurdles, or we’ll wait for another day. “She’s got a good race in her somewhere.” The Brosnans intend to follow the jumps circuit with a number of their team this season, with one of their recently-trialled horses Rocem stepping out in the Riverrock Farm – Chad Ormsby (1750m) at Taupo on Wednesday. “We have about 12 horses in work in the winter, and there’s probably eight stepping out over the jumps through the season. We’ve got to support the jumping and keep the numbers up,” she said. Horse racing news View the full article