Wandering Eyes

Baltimore, MD–The journey from the First Saturday in May through the Preakness can be an arduous one, fraught with activity and often times challenges that can try the most steady nerves. Young and old alike could be heard complaining about exhaustion by the time they made it through Preakness day, however, for some, it provided enough buoyancy to raise the Titanic. Such was the case with D. Wayne Lukas Sunday morning, the day after his colt Seize the Grey (Arrogate) wired the second jewel in the Triple Crown. Despite the haul, in addition to launching his day at 3 a.m., the 88-year-old was in good form, accommodating the periodic wave of visitors passing by the barn. And there was a definite twinkle in his eye. Something only a seventh Preakness win, and his 15th Classic overall, can inspire. “He looked really good [this morning],” enthused Lukas, seated in his customary spot outside the track room. “He was the first one out. He looked very sharp. I think he knew he won.” According to Lukas, both the Preakness winner, and Just Steel (Justify), would ship out of Baltimore Monday. Just Steel, fifth behind his stablemate, sustained a condylar fracture to his right foreleg during the race. Lukas indicated that the GI Belmont S., which will be held at Saratoga this year, was a likely target for Seize the Grey. “I would have to see a good energy level and that soundness, we would go,” he said. “If I had to make a decision today, we would go. But I'll give it a couple of days. That's just common sense.” He added, “He'll go back to Churchill before heading to New York, should it be decided to run in the Belmont. I'm sure that Todd [Pletcher] and Chad [Brown], with the depth they've got in their stables, will be involved. And that's their own backyard. Given the fact that it's a mile and a quarter, I think it makes it more enticing.” D. Wayne Lukas, Ned Toffey, Mark Toothaker and Bob Baffert | Christina Bossinakis Later in the morning, Kenny McPeek, seated on a tackbox with new-found celebrity Sonny afoot, was clearly a bit deflated following Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents)'s runner-up finish the day before. Despite the disappointment of having a possible Triple Crown run dashed, the trainer gave all the credit to the man who beat him. “He is amazing. He is super human,” he said of Lukas. “I don't see myself, at 88, doing what he is doing. No shot. He is fearless, and I think that is why he wins races like this. He has done it many times because he is so fearless. I have done it a few times myself, but not at the level he has done it.” Also making an appearance later in the morning (needless to say it was much later than Wayne's appearance Sunday), Bob Baffert arrived with his wife Jill to get a look at his own team, including Imagination (Into Mischief), who finished seventh at odds of 4-1. The colt was ridden by Frankie Dettori. “I talked to Frankie after the race. He broke really well. He said, 'In hindsight, I probably should have just gone.' It didn't work out. We'll just have to get him back home. But he came out of it well.” “I think I've finally figured out what he wants to do. I have been thinking about taking the blinkers off because he's been working so well sitting off a horse. We had that in our mind. He's still pretty immature. He just broke so well. I think if Frankie had to do it again, he would have just let him run. You live and learn. I don't know if we would have beat the winner, he was very good. But this horse still needs to catch up.” Baffert confirmed that Muth (Good Magic), who was scratched Wednesday after spiking a temperature, would remain a bit longer at Pimlico before shipping home. “He was supposed to leave Tuesday, but I am going to keep him here until Saturday, so I can make sure he's completely recovered,” said Baffert. During the course of the interview, Seize the Grey was pulled out of his stall so Spendthrift's Ned Toffey and Mark Toothaker could have a look at the Preakness winner. Without missing a beat, Baffert quipped, “Let me see why I didn't buy this horse.” The Wayne and Bob show had begun. “Let's get [bloodstock agent] Donato Lanni on the one so I can find out why we didn't buy this horse,” he said to ripples of laughter. Seize the Grey the morning after his Preakness win | Christina Bossinakis Baffert trained the colt's ill-fated sire Arrogate, who was named Champion 3-year-old Colt following wins in the GI Travers S. and GI Breeders' Cup Classic in 2016. Lukas has enjoyed success already with the sire, having most recently led Arrogate's initial Classic winner, Secret Oath, to victory in the 2022 GI Kentucky Oaks. Seize the Grey was purchased by Roderick Wachman on behalf of MyRacehorse for $300,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. To that point, Lukas said, “I have had so much luck with Arrogate. I probably would have endorsed the purchase because I've done so well with him.” He added, “He's really a well-conformed horse. He's a lovely horse that has a lot of balance to him.” After plenty of playful banter among the group, the two Hall of Famers often broke off into shop talk, unable to resist the chance to catch up. Baffert, who has been under plenty of fire since the disqualification of Medina Spirit from the 2021 Kentucky Derby, had been muted, largely avoiding speaking to the press, ever since. While not winning the Preakness Saturday, the trainer appeared in a notably lighter mood Sunday morning, enjoying the moment with a good friend while regaling the group with the trademark wit and sharp tongue that may have appeared to have been casualties of the past two years. However, both trainers appeared to take in the moment all morning, with Lukas summing things up with a playful jab at the media. “All of you came by here first today, but next time, none of you will,” he said. As one of his longtime fans, there was no mincing words. “Wayne, some of us will always stop by your barn first.” The post Lukas Basks In Preakness Afterglow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DeVaux won with all three of her runners on Friday's Black-Eyed Susan (G2) Day program—Pyrenees in the $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3), She Feels Pretty in the $100,000 Hilltop, and Shotgun Hottie in the $100,000 Allaire du Pont Distaff.View the full article

German raider Borna (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) ran out a comfortable winner of Sunday's G2 Premio 141 Derby Italiano at Capannelle Racecourse in Rome, his third win from five career starts for Markus Klug. Stepping up to the 2,200-metre trip for the first time, Borna proved well suited by the extra emphasis on stamina in a race run on soft ground. He was soon in a prominent position on the outer in the hands of Andreas Starke, with Amonet (Ity) (Faydhan) leading the 15-strong field until he was passed with 600 metres to run. Despite hanging right, Borna produced a strong run which took him to the front inside the final 400 metres and from there he quickly forged clear to secure the lion's share of the €640,200 prize fund at odds of 87-20. At the line, he was two and a half lengths clear of Andrew Balding's Royal Supremacy (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), with Caos Calmo (Ity) (Affaire Solitaire {Ire}) faring best of the locally-trained runners in third. Offered by Haras des Capucines at the Arqana October Yearling Sale, Borna sold to the HFTB Racing Agency for €20,000 and later made the perfect start to his career when winning a conditions race at Baden-Baden in August last year. He was then fourth in Germany's premier two-year-old race, the G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten at Cologne, before filling the runner-up spot in the G2 Premio Gran Criterium at San Siro. Returning from six months off in a conditions race back at San Siro in April, Borna relished the step up to 2,000 metres as he stayed on strongly to head Caos Calmo in the final strides. 141. Derby Italiano (G2) 2200m – 640 000 EUR Roma Borna(FR) (3C Saxon Warrior-Kingdom Come , by Kings Best) J: J: A. Starke T: M. Klug O :Darius Racing B :Haras D'Ecouves pic.twitter.com/k0c3aWKNC3 — (@WorldRacing1) May 19, 2024 Pedigree Notes Borna is the fifth Group winner for Coolmore Stud resident Saxon Warrior and the first from his second crop of three-year-olds. The standout performers from his first crop included the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Victoria Road (Ire), G2 Blandford S. winner Lumiere Rock (Ire) and G3 Prix Greffulhe victor Greenland (Ire). Bred by Haras D'Ecouves, Borna is the second winner from four runners out of the King's Best mare Kingdom Come (Fr). She ran 18 times in France without managing to win a race, but there is nothing wrong with her pedigree as a half-sister to the G2 Prix Hocquart winner Top Trip (GB) (Dubai Destination) and the multiple G3 winner Believe In Love (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}). Their dam, Topka (Fr) (Kahyasi {Ire}), was a black-type performer who finished third in the G2 Prix de Malleret as a three-year-old. Sunday, Rome, Italy PREMIO 141 DERBY ITALIANO-G2, €640,200, 5-19, Rome, 3yo, 2200mT, 2:17.20, gd. 1–BORNA (FR), 128, c, 3, by Saxon Warrior (Jpn) 1st Dam: Kingdom Come (Fr), by King's Best 2nd Dam: Topka (Fr), by Kahyasi (Ire) 3rd Dam: Tipsy Topsy (GB), by Ashkalani (Ire) 1ST GROUP WIN. (€20,000 Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O-Darius Racing. B-Haras D'Ecouves/Frankreich (FR). T-Markus Klug. J-Andreas Starke. €247,350. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, €321,025. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Royal Supremacy (Ire), 128, c, 3, Make Believe (GB)–Adelasia (Ire), by Iffraaj (GB). 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (65,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Michael Blencowe. B-J O'Connor (IRE). T-Andrew Balding. €108,834. 3–Caos Calmo (Ity), 128, c, 3, Affaire Solitaire (Ire)–Eurirs (Fr), by Indian Ridge (Ire). 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Elia Tanghetti. B-Rz Del Velino Srl (ITY). T-Stefano Botti Turf Srl Soc Al. €59,364. Margins: 2HF, HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 4.35, 5.80, 10.40. Also Ran: Melfi (Ire), The Tweed (Ity), Chicotai (Ire), Dark Defence (Ire), Argentum (Ger), Man With The Plan (Ire), Amonet (Ity), Maturlo (Ire), Believer (Fr), Shahbazi (Ger), Thekingofmyheart (Ire), Bateau Blanc (GB). Click for the SNAI chart & video. The post Saxon Warrior’s Borna Proves Too Strong In Italian Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Believe it or not, trainer D. Wayne Lukas may grow old. But that cannot be said of the thrill he receives from winning a Triple Crown race.View the full article

Keeping five or six different people in the same ownership group happy can be a difficult task. Pleasing 2,570 owners is, well, a reason why there are medications for headaches.View the full article

In terms of positive momentum, the best result in the aftermath of every year's GI Preakness S. is for the GI Kentucky Derby winner to triumph again in Baltimore, setting up a potential Triple Crown bid that infuses the sport with a three-week burst of buoyancy leading up to the GI Belmont S. In the majority of years that doesn't happen, which is why the elusive Triple Crown is so special. So the next-best result is an exciting race with a compelling storyline. Saturday's 149th Preakness didn't quite deliver on the “exciting race” wish, either. Tactically, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown unfolded like a lot of eight-horse routes conducted over muddy conditions at any level of the game over any track in America: A 9-1 speed horse who relished the “off” going went straight to the front, contenders who were expected to press him either weren't up to the task or couldn't get good footing, and the hard-trying favorite, despite enjoying a no-excuse stalking trip, simply had too much work to do at the top of the stretch to reel in the mudlark. But the “compelling storyline” angle? The Preakness slammed this one out of the park. It's difficult not to crack a smile at the witticisms of 88-year-old Hall-of-Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas while feeling an appreciative glow for how, in the autumn years of a storied career, he's honed the overachieving Seize the Grey (Arrogate) into a Classics winner, mentored and motivated 25-year-old rookie rider Jaime Torres, and taken 2,570 MyRacehorse micro-share owners for the ride of a lifetime by orchestrating an upset for his seventh lifetime Preakness win, second-most by a trainer behind only Bob Baffert's eight. “The last one is always the sweetest,” is how Lukas led off his post-victory media conference. “The last girl you dance with is the one you take home.” Derby Bypass Pays Off… Lukas, whose throwback style includes racing his stock more often than contemporary trainers, laid the foundation for Seize the Grey's Preakness score by uncharacteristically passing on entering the Derby. Seize the Grey only had 27 qualifying points, and he would have been parked down on the also-eligible list as the likely third-preference to get into the race. “We'd have been running in the Derby if we'd have had the points,” Lukas explained. “It would give that many [micro-share owners] a chance to have a Derby entry. But if we'd have entered, we can't double-enter in Kentucky. So if we'd have entered the Derby and ended up [on the also-eligible list], which we would have, we wouldn't have been able to run in the [GII] Pat Day Mile [S.].” “So [MyRacehorse founder] Mike [Behrens] and I had to make a decision to skip the Derby, go to the Pat Day Mile, or we wouldn't have run anywhere. We'd have had to sit the whole Saturday out. I firmly believe that the Pat Day Mile put us in position to win the Preakness,” Lukas said. In that May 4 stakes on the Derby undercard, Seize the Grey stalked in a tight pack behind quick fractions under Torres, came with a four-wide bid, survived some bumping and split foes to win the Pat Day Mile at 9-1 odds. But was that win an outlier? In the lead-up to the Triple Crown series, Seize the Grey was a no-impact seventh in the GI Blue Grass S. at Keeneland and had run third with a wide bid over Tapeta in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks S. at Turfway. With Preakness mounts at a premium, Lukas was inundated with offers from more seasoned riders shortly after he declared Seize the Grey would be Baltimore-bound. “I had phone calls from about six agents that after he won the Pat Day Mile,” Lukas said. “It's a tough business, because they said, 'Well, you know, you're going to change riders for the big one, aren't you?'” But Lukas remained loyal to Torres, believing that the jockey, who had only been riding since August of 2022, deserved a shot at a Triple Crown race based on his raw talent and willingness to learn. “I said, 'Not a chance, he's staying right there,” Lukas recollected. Seize the Grey and Jaime Torres win the GII Pat Day Mile on Derby Day | Coady Media Coaching, Not Over-Coaching… Back on July 29, 2023, Torres, who had graduated from a jockey school in his native Puerto Rico before breaking in at Gulfstream, had been trying to make his mark as an apprentice at the ultra-competitive Saratoga meet. He was mired in a 1-for-22 slump when “The Coach” first named him to ride. The mount was a second-time starter shipping in from Ellis Park who looked overmatched on paper at 16-1 odds. That maiden colt was Seize the Grey, who wired a 6 1/2-furlong sprint in the slop. The win kick-started an upward arc for Torres, who ended 2023 as the leading apprentice rider on the New York circuit before giving Churchill Downs and Fair Grounds a go over the winter. Seize the Grey wintered at Oaklawn with Lukas, who had moved on to a different jockey. But when the Derby meet opened at Churchill, Lukas shipped there and began riding Torres again. The results weren't spectacular, but Lukas believed Torres had what it takes to compete at that demanding level. “He rode a few horses for me at Churchill and rode a few just general horses, nothing real special,” Lukas said. “I thought he had a lot of talent and I loved working with him, but I really feel good about taking him to this level. “A couple of weeks ago he rode one not so pretty, and I followed him all the way through the tunnel, all the way up the steps to the jocks' room, and I chewed him out,” Lukas said. “I said, 'You'll be back in Puerto Rico picking oranges if you're going to ride like that,” Lukas recalled, adding that he believes Torres remembered those words when he rode Seize the Grey with purpose in the Preakness. “I know that when he turned for home, that was echoing in his ears, that he'd better get down and scrubbing because I think it really hit home,” Lukas said. Lukas, over the years, has proven to be an effective coach primarily because he does not over-coach. “I don't get into the mechanics of riding so much, but I get into I want them to dedicate themselves beyond [their expectations],” Lukas said. “I want him to be better than he thinks he can be. I always push that to him: 'I'm going to push you. I want you to do more than you actually think you can do and I want you to be better than you think you can be. I want you to really, really dedicate yourself.'” “If you don't do that, get a job bagging groceries at the grocery store, because this is a tough, tough business and very competitive,” Lukas said. “I have to represent a number of owners, so when I put him on, I'm making a commitment that he's okay.” Late-Career Resurgence… The last time Lukas won the Preakness was in 2013 with the 15-1 Oxbow. One of the horses he beat that day was Goldencents, the sire of the 2024 beaten Preakness favorite, Mystik Dan. In the 11-year interim, it looked for a time like Lukas was fading off the Thoroughbred grid. In 2019, his stable managed only 15 wins. In the pandemic-altered 2020, Lukas barely earned $1 million in purses. Both figures paled in comparison to his gravy years of the 1980's and early 90s, when 200-300 trips to the winner's circle were common, and Lukas's annual purse earnings in the $10-to-17-million range routinely topped the sport. “D. Wayne off the plane!” was the catchphrase turf writers relied on to describe Lukas's mastery for shipping in to win major stakes races in bunches. “Now, what happened to me in that 11-year span?” Lukas asked rhetorically on Saturday. “I lost [owner] Bill Young of Overbrook. I lost Gene Klein of the San Diego Chargers. I lost Bob Lewis, and you can't replace those kind of people…” “You're only as good as your clientele,” Lukas continued. “If the clientele will back you, give you a chance to get in that yearling market. That's where we've always built our stable, in the yearling market…” “The thing about it is every time we've been lucky to win [the Preakness], it's been with a different client, and so that is what makes it special,” Lukas said. “That's what makes this one special, 2,000-plus [micro-share owners].” “That's what I get paid for, to let them live the dream,” Lukas said. Not only did the large MyRacehorse ownership group comprise a crowded winner's circle, but the phalanx of well-wishers wanting to make contact with Lukas made it difficult for him to reach the Preakness podium. “Boy, I'll tell you what. I didn't think we'd get up there,” Lukas said. “They really turned them loose. I've been in some cattle drives that were more organized than that. It was really chaotic…” “One of the things that was very significant to me today–and maybe it's because I'm getting a little bit older–but as I came out of the grandstand and out across the racetrack, every one of the guys that were in that race stopped and hugged me and give me a handshake,” Lukas said. “That meant more to me than any single thing. Baffert, Kenny McPeek, right down the line.” On Sunday morning, Lukas confirmed that Seize the Grey (100 Beyer Speed Figure) exited the Preakness in decent shape and would be pointed for the June 8 Belmont S., which because of a two-year reconstruction project at Belmont Park, will be conducted in 2024 and 2025 at Saratoga at the abbreviated distance of 10 furlongs instead of 12. There shouldn't have been much doubt about whether Lukas would be aiming for the third leg of the Triple Crown. All six of his previous Preakness winners entered the Belmont S., although Timber Country, who scratched the day before the 1995 edition with a fever, was the only one who didn't start. Tabasco Cat in 1994 was Lukas's only Preakness/Belmont doubler. Oxbow in 2013 ran second; Charismatic in 1999 was third; Winning Colors in 1988 finished sixth; Codex in 1980 was seventh. “It's a whole different deal,” Lukas said Sunday, speaking about the venue and distance change for the Belmont S. “I want to get a hold of the [New York Racing Association] race secretary and see how this thing will shake out and what the deal is. We'll get new faces. There are some guys sitting in the wings. I'm sure that Todd [Pletcher] and Chad [Brown], with the depth they've got in their stables, will be involved. The fact that it's a mile and a quarter, I think it makes it more enticing.” The post The Week In Review: Seize The Grey Won The Preakness; His Trainer’s Glow Illuminates The Sport appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

My Boy Prince, Canada's champion 2-year-old colt of 2023 and a leading King's Plate fancy, returned to the winner's circle with an authoritative victory in the King Corrie S. at Woodbine Sunday. Second in last year's GI Summer S. and third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, the heavy favorite was returning to the synthetic surface for the first time since dominating in the Simcoe S. at Woodbine last August. He attended the pace of Maximus Magic (Maximus Mischief) through fractions of :24.38 and :47.82, took charge approaching the stretch and easily strode clear down the lane. “He's an easy horse,” jockey Sahin Civaci said of the winner. “Raffie [jockey Rafael Hernandez] did break sharper than my horse, but he is very versatile. He can sit off the pace and can be in the front. We had an easy pace up front and when it's time to kick, he sure does kick on. “I made sure I slept early to have energy for this race. It's great being back on him, I was looking forward to it. I've worked him a couple of times in the morning. I'm very pleased with him.” My Boy Prince, the C$115,000 sale-topper at the 2022 CTHS Canadian Premier Yearling Sale, broke his maiden over Woodbine's Tapeta surface last June before romping to a 14-length victory in the Aug. 27 Simcoe S. He was second in his first outing on turf in the Sept. 16 Summer S. and set a course record while winning the 1 1/16-mile Cup and Saucer S. in October before concluding his juvenile season with a third-place effort in the Breeders' Cup. In his first start of 2024, the gray colt was eighth in the 5 1/2-furlong Palisades S. at Keeneland Apr. 7. Canadian stakes winner Hopping Not Hoping produced a filly by Classic Empire this year. Her now 2-year-old, Athlete (Kitten's Joy), was exported to Great Britain after selling for $585,000 to China Horse Club and Qatar Racing at last year's Keeneland September sale. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. KING CORRIE S., C$114,200, Woodbine, 5-19, 3yo, 7f (AWT), 1:23.04, ft. 1–MY BOY PRINCE, 124, c, 3, by Cairo Prince 1st Dam: Hopping Not Hoping (SW), by Silent Name (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Delray Beach, by Harlan's Holiday 3rd Dam: Matter of Law, by Matter of Honor (C$115,000 Ylg '22 CANSEP). O-Gary Barber; B-Murray Graham Smith (ON); T-Mark E. Casse; J-Sahin Civaci. C$72,000. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 8-4-2-1, $485,038. 2–Roi Soleil, 118, c, 3, More Than Ready–Eden's Moon, by Malibu Moon. ($28,000 3yo '24 KEEAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Zilli Racing Stables; B-Al Shaqab Racing (KY); T-Steven Chircop. C$20,000. 3–Midnight Mascot, 122, c, 3, Army Mule–Midnight Embrace, by Midnight Lute. ($200,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Manfred & Penny Conrad; B-Yvonne Schwabe Thoroughbreds (ON); T-Mark E. Casse. C$13,200. Margins: 6 3/4, 2HF, 1. Odds: 0.15, 10.50, 6.20. Also Ran: Maximus Magic, Break the Spell. The post Cairo Prince’s My Boy Prince Romps in Woodbine Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Cherie DeVaux, who won three stakes races on Black-Eyed Susan day Friday, took home the top prize of $50,000 in the Maryland Jockey Club's $100,000 trainer bonus competition held over the weekend at Pimlico. The first female trainer to earn the top honor, DeVaux took wins in the GIII Pimlico Special S, the Hilltop S. and the Allaire du Pont Distaff on Friday and finished with 34 total points over the two days of stakes racing, four more than runner up Steve Asmussen. Mike Trombetta finished third with 28 points and leading Maryland trainer Brittany Russell was fourth with 23 points. Bonus money was also awarded to trainers having the most points in non-stakes races on Friday and Saturday with Brittany Russell taking the top prize of $25,000 with 48 points ahead of Kieron Magee. The post Cherie DeVaux Tops Preakness Weekend Trainer Standings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cologne is the focal point of the next European Classic action on Monday, with the G2 Coolmore St Mark's Basilica German 2000 Guineas hosting the unbeaten Maigret (Ger) (Counterattack {Aus}) and a pair of British raiders in Devil's Point (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) and Ten Bob Tony (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). While the former looked the best of his generation at around this trip when winning Krefeld's 8 1/2-furlong G3 Dr Busch-Memorial last month, the foreign contingent have been mixing it in the big time with Ten Bob Tony taking part in the G1 2000 Guineas. Darker prospects are the course-and-distance Hein Bollow-Memorial first and second Iron Man (Ger) (Tai Chi {Ger}) and Penalty (Ger) (Frankel {GB}), with the latter two kilos better off for a 1 1/4-length defeat. At Saint-Cloud, the G2 Prix Corrida sees last year's G2 Prix de Pomone winner and G1 Prix Vermeille runner-up Melo Melo (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) tackle the Wertheimers' TDN Rising Star Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) who was runner-up in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix Allez France last month. The post German 2000 Guineas Centre Stage On Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a gutsy bounce back to form after only managing 13th place in the G1 Oka Sho, Cervinia (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) found redemption in the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) on Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse when she ran down said Japanese 1,000 Guineas winner Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). Having made her debut in June of her juvenile season, Cervinia graduated from the maiden condition at second-asking in August 2023 and claimed her first Group victory two months later in the G3 Artemis S. Slated for the year-end championship-making G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies after qualifying through her Artemis victory, she was withdrawn after developing what was described as a 'minor problem in her hind leg'. She made her seasonal bow in the Oka Sho on Apr. 7. Leaving the gate well and in no rush early, Cervinia settled comfortably among cover inside the back flight of runners as Windstille (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) and Shonan Manuela (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) took up the mantle of setting the pace. By the 1800 metre marker, the leading pair had built up a five length advantage and were trying to widen their margin as Windstille took over coming up the back part of the course. The trailing pack was closing ranks as the final bend approached and by the 600 metre mark, positions were dynamically changing when the last of the early pacesetters threw out a white flag, and was inhaled by her rivals. Cervinia in the meanwhile had inched closer to the front and was sent wide entering the home straight with runners fanning out deep into the course. Stellenbosch stuck to the inner lanes and had a path open up in front of her for clear sailing, providing her a narrow lead. With the wire rapidly approaching, Cervinia had lengths to make up on the favorite, but was closing fast, and produced enough in the final strides to deny Stellenbosch by a half-length. Light Back (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) too closed from the rear of the field, 15th at one point, to claim the last of the trifecta positions. “I'm back,” said jockey Christophe Lemaire in a post-race interview. It was his fourth victory in the contest following Soul Stirring (Jpn) in 2017, Almond Eye (Jpn) in 2018, and Stars on Earth (Jpn) in 2022; the most by a currently active jockey. Lemaire returned to action in early May after being hospitalized from a fall on Dubai World Cup night. “It's a wonderful feeling. The filly didn't do well in the Oka Sho but I know how high her potential is and was very confident today. I tried not to let her make an early bid–let her find her stride after turning into the straight–and she just stretched beautifully from there.” WELCOME BACK CHRISTOPHE LEMAIRE The world's most valuable 3YO race this weekend, the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) goes to CERVINIA for Equinox duo @christo68914587 and Tetsuya Kimura! Full English call courtesy of @JRA_WorldRacing #チェルヴィニア #優駿牝馬 #競馬 pic.twitter.com/cfp033ZvpM — World Horse Racing (@WHR) May 19, 2024 Pedigree Notes It's a family affair in the G1 Yushun Himba for Cervinia's female line as her dam Cecchino (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) was herself a runner-up in 2016. For those wondering, Christophe Lemaire finished 10th in that edition aboard Angel Face (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) before his first victory the year following. The Oaks was Cecchino's last race before a two-year hiatus, one from which she returned not quite the same filly she left. Retired to a broodmare career, the redemption arc completed for both mother and daughter here, but Cervinia is not her only accomplished offspring. The mare also claims G3 Niigata Kinen victor Nocking Point (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) to her tally from two to the races. Her third on the ground is a now 2-year-old named Arlecchino (Jpn) (Bricks and Mortar), who has not started yet, and she's since produced a yearling colt by Epiphaneia (Jpn). Cecchino was bred to Efforia (Jpn) for this season. Beneath the second dam Happy Path (Jpn) (Sunday SIlence), a multimillionaire racehorse in her own right, the Group 1 performances further dot the catalogue page as Cecchino's full-brother Codino (Jpn) ran second in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. and third in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) in addition to being a multiple Group winner. Half-sister Pastophoria (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) produced last year's G2 Sankei Sports Hai Hanshin Himba S. runner-up Sublime Anthem (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who made a return appearance in the contest last month to run ninth. This is the immediate family of Japanese champion older mare Shinko Lovely (Caerleon). Sunday, Tokyo, Japan YUSHUN HIMBA (JAPANESE OAKS)-G1, ¥325,190,000, Tokyo, 5-19, 3yo, f, 2400mT, 2:24.00, fm. 1–CERVINIA (JPN), 121, f, 3, by Harbinger (GB) 1st Dam: Cecchino (Jpn) (GSW & G1SP-Jpn, $1,143,354), by King Kamehameha (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Happy Path (Jpn), by Sunday Silence 3rd Dam: Happy Trails (Ire), by Posse 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Tetsuya Kimura; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥177,433,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, ¥215,190,000. *Half to Nocking Point (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, $780,252. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Stellenbosch (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Epiphaneia (Jpn)–Bloukrans (Jpn), by Rulership (Jpn). O-Katsumi Yoshida; B-Northern Farm; ¥67,838,000. 3–Light Back (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Kizuna (Jpn)–In The Spotlight (Ire), by Exceed And Excel (Aus). (¥242,000,000 Ylg '22 HOKJUL). O-Kazuhiro Masuda; B-Lake Villa Farm; ¥41,919,000. Margins: HF, 3/4, NK; Odds: 3.60, 1.30, 6.90. Also ran: Queen's Walk (Jpn), Lance of Queen (Jpn), Sweep Feet (Jpn), Sunset View (Jpn), Ethelfleda (Jpn), Admire Belle (Jpn), Hohelied (Jpn), Lavenda (Jpn), Koganeno Sora (Jpn), Safira (Jpn), Mi Anelo (Jpn), Pareja (Jpn), Tagano Elpida (Jpn), Shonan Manuela (Jpn), Windstille (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Cervinia Claims Second Jewel of Japanese Triple Tiara appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cervinia rallied to defeat Guineas heroine Stellenbosch in the second leg of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown, the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks (G1)) May 19 at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Cervinia rallied to defeat Guineas heroine Stellenbosch in the second leg of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown, the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks-G1) May 19 at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has earned his "Coach" nickname not just because of his experience as a high school basketball coach, but because he's endeared himself to so many with how he empowers those he guides. View the full article

Just four and a half years after deciding he wanted to become a jockey, 25-year-old Jaime Torres reached the pinnacle of his sport as he guided Seize the Grey to victory in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1).View the full article

GI Kentucky Derby winner and GI Preakness S. runner up Mystik Dan (Goldencents) will ship to Saratoga but trainer Kenny McPeek has yet to make a decision on whether the colt will contest the third leg of the Triple Crown, the GI Belmont S. “It's impossible to be disappointed about being involved with these kind of races and be competitive,” McPeek told assembled media at Pimlico Sunday morning. “One, they are hard races to get into, but to be competitive in them is a big deal. You just do your job and hope it's your turn.” McPeek noted that, while his Derby winner will make the trip to Saratoga Monday, he would wait “a week, 10 days, two weeks” before thinking about the Belmont. Meanwhile, Saturday's eighth-place finisher Mugatu (Blofeld) was reported to have displaced his pallet according to a social media post from trainer Jeff Engler. The full post reads: “Update on Mugatu. He obviously hates the slop and displaced his pallet and lost his air. So [Joe Bravo] did the right thing and protected him for us. Much thanks to Joe. He will be back soon and hopefully on a fast track with no slop!! Thank you [Preakness] for everything.” Update on Mugatu. He obviously hates the slop and displaced his pallet and lost his air. So @bravoace did the right thing and protected him for us. Much thanks to Joe. He will be back soon and hopefully on a fast track with no slop!! Thank you @PreaknessStakes for everything pic.twitter.com/v0hL0k3mkR — Jeff Engler (@EnglerRacing) May 19, 2024 The post Derby Winner Mystik Dan To Ship To Saratoga, Decision On Belmont Awaits appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

TIMONIUM, MD – The juvenile sales season makes it annual stopover in Maryland when the two-day Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training opens Monday morning at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. After a rain-interrupted under-tack show last week, skies were still overcast but there was no rain during a busy day of showing for consignors Sunday. “We have had so much foot traffic up to this point so far,” said consignor Randy Miles. “Even yesterday, early in the morning in the rain, they were still coming. So far, I think it's great.” Consignor Jesse Hoppel had similar observations over at his barn Sunday morning. “It's been busy,” Hoppel said. “This morning we haven't stopped showing horses. And it's been multiple shows at one time all morning long. We are already getting repository activity, lots of looking, hopefully it will be a good sale.” The Midlantic May sale is the only major 2-year-old auction which features horses working over a dirt track. “I think this surface gives buyers a really good opportunity to sort through the massive number of horses and find what they are looking for,” said Carlos Manresa of Sequel Bloodstock. “I think the horses separate themselves out here better than anywhere else. It gives the buyers a lot of confidence when they go to raise their hand.” Sequel Bloodstock's 2022 consignment to the Midlantic May sale included the $3.55-million Hejazi (Bernardini), as well as future GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic). The consignment targets the Maryland sale to take advantage of its location at the crossroads of several racing jurisdictions. “Every year, we like coming here,” Manresa said. “We have a pile of New York-breds and every New York trainer ends up at this sale looking for exactly that. They want to win the Stallion Stakes, they want to win maiden special weights at Saratoga.” The sale's Midlantic location should help build a stronger middle market, according to Hoppel. “I think, this time of the year for these trainers, especially middle-market guys, they are so hands on, to have a sale right in their backyard, it is really convenient for them to step over and take a peak at what we have,” Hoppel said. Along with the usual array of trainers and bloodstock agents shopping the grounds Sunday morning, Wavertree Stable's Ciaran Dunne said he was seeing a larger than normal number of overseas buyers. “I'm really impressed by the number of international buyers that Fasig have attracted to the sale–more so than in years past,” Dunne said. “It's a little bittersweet in terms of some of our bigger horses that we'd like to see stay here and run, but it looks like a lot of the better horses will be going abroad.” A total of 585 juveniles were catalogued for the Midlantic May sale, but Miles thinks this is an auction that should become more of a target for his fellow consignors. “We as consignors need to think about bringing even more horses here,” Miles said. “Year after year, it gets so much support. We love to come here because of the weather–even though it rains, it's cool. The horses are relaxed. It's a good climate for them this time of year. The sand seems to really help them after the breeze, they seem to recover faster off the sand. It's just a good scenario. I think the buyers like it. I think they can see more of what they want to see. “Not everything is perfect, but I do like coming up here instead of asking people to come to Ocala in the summertime, because I know what the temperature is right now in Ocala. So coming up here, more people are more likely to come from New York. And you get the middle market coming from Delaware, Pennsylvania. It's just so much easier for everyone.” Last year's Midlantic May sale, topped by a $1-million daughter of Arrogate, produced strong results that were within striking distance of the auction's record-setting 2022 renewal. Overall, 375 horses sold for $34,795,500. The average was $92,788–down just 2.7% from the sale record–and the median was $50,000, up 6.4% from 2022. Bidding at the Maryland State Fairgrounds begins both Monday and Tuesday at 11 a.m. The post Surface, Location Provide the Draw as Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Sale Opens Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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. Monday's Observations features a daughter of the G1 Coronation S. winner Fallen For You (GB). 18.10 Windsor, Mdn, £40,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 8f 31yT Normandie Stud's hitherto unraced FIGHT FOR YOU (IRE) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), a John and Thady Gosden trainee, is a half-sister to three black-type performers produced by connections' G1 Coronation S. heroine Fallen For You (GB) (Dansili {GB}). She is the lone debutante in a fully-subscribed field of 14 and her rivals include stablemate Cat Ninja (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), who is a George Strawbridge-owned 350,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 half-sister to G1 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}); Godolphin's 600,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 acquisition Aurora's Beauty (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}), who is a half-sister to dual G1 Lockinge S. placegetter Chindit (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), from the Charlie Appleby nursery; and Hughie Morrison trainee Samoon Star (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is a daughter of G1 Oaks and G1 Irish Oaks runner-up Shirocco Star (GB) (Shirocco Ger}) and thus a full-sister to dual Group 2-winning G1 Jebel Hatta and G1 Al Quoz Sprint third Al Suhail (GB). 14.33 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €30,000, unraced 2yo, f, 6fT Christopher Head trainee ANGEAL (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a daughter of GI E. P Taylor S. victrix and G1 Irish Oaks third Curvy (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), makes her debut in a contest won in 2021 by subsequent G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine and G1 1000 Guineas fourth Zellie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). The €110,000 Goffs Orby graduate is set to face seven rivals in this newcomers' heat. 16.25 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 3yo, c/g, 12fT Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's CREATIF (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}), representing the Carlos Laffon-Parias stable, is a homebred son of G3 Prix d'Aumale victrix and G1 Prix Saint-Alary placegetter Soustraction (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). His nine rivals include Manigod (Fr) (American Devil {Fr}), who is a gelded half-brother to multiple Grade 1-winning hurdler and recent G2 Yorkshire Cup second Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), from the Philippe Decouz stable; and Princess Zahra Aga Khan's Darajbal (Fr) (Iffraaj {GB}), who is a Mikel Delzangles-trained relative of multiple Group 1-winning G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Darjina (Fr) (Zamindar). Last year's renewal was won by recent G3 Prix d'Hedouville victor Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {GB}). The post Daughter Of Fallen For You On Deck For Windsor Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1-winning filly Opera Singer (Justify) could be on course to make her eagerly anticipated return in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh. Last year's leading juvenile filly ended her campaign with a five-length win in the Prix Marcel Boussac, a performance that placed her at the head of the ante-post market for the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. However, Opera Singer met with a setback which delayed her return but she is now all set to lead Aidan O'Brien's team at the Curragh. “At the moment for the 1,000 Guineas it's the two Kingman (GB) fillies, Buttons (Ire) and Everlasting (Ire), who will need to be supplemented, and Opera Singer. Pearls And Rubies (No Nay Never) could also start there,” O'Brien said. “In the 2,000 Guineas we have River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Mountain Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) might run, but he's only starting back. River Tiber is the most forward of the three at the moment. The ones that haven't run will improve from their races.” O'Brien has also decided to stay closer to home with the well-travelled Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who will bypass the Coronation Cup at Epsom in favour of the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He said, “Auguste Rodin will go for the Tattersalls Gold Cup, that is the plan and we're very happy with him. He's doing everything good so far. Hopefully we will run something along with him to make it an even pace.” The post Opera Singer Could Be Set For Belated Return In Irish 1,000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

They say it's the hope that kills you. And in the case of Paul McCartan, he had been holding his breath that Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) would do something special since as far back as January when he heard his Ballyphilip Stud graduate was burning up the gallops at Ballydoyle. The annoying thing about hype is that it very rarely carries through to the track. However, the vibes on Fairy Godmother were clearly on the money judging by how the Aidan O'Brien-trained filly entered the Royal Ascot picture with a stunning display in the G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint S at Naas on Sunday. Considered a key trial for the royal meeting, the race was won 12 months ago by subsequent G3 Albany S. winner Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio), and to McCartan's delight, Fairy Godmother looks destined to go down a similar path. The breeder said, “It means a lot. But, I tell ya, it's a huge plus when you sell a horse to John Magnier and it goes on to be trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore. It makes some difference, doesn't it? As a breeder, you hear plenty of stuff early in the year about how the horses you've sold are getting on. When you get a positive bulletin, you're almost afraid to hear it. The word coming out of Ballydoyle about Fairy Godmother was very strong from early on this year.” McCartan added, “Obviously that made it very exciting and all that but, to tell you the truth, I didn't even go and see her on debut and I stayed at home again today for fear of jinxing her! It's a huge thing for us. We've only ever sold Coolmore two horses–the first was The Antarctic (Ire) and now this filly looks potentially very good as well. They're very good at buying and it's just very special for a breeder that such high-class people can continue on all the hard work that we've put into them.” Just the second foal out of Scintilating (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), a black-type producer already through Sketch (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), Fairy Godmother was knocked down to MV Magnier at the Book 1 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 425,000gns. Getting big sums of money in the ring is nothing new to McCartan and of course it's a necessity in order to sustain a thriving stud farm. But it's results on the track, according to the breeder, that really drives business. He explained, “It's great when you get money in the ring but you won't continue to get money if you don't produce good racehorses. Thankfully we've produced a few nice horses down through the years but there's always a pressure to go and repeat the trick and keep the buyers coming back. “I've often said that, even if we got one stakes winner a year, that would nearly be enough to sustain the size of an operation that we have. We've had a few nice runners so far this year–we pinhooked the Marygate Stakes runner-up Miss Lamai (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire})–and now this filly looks like she could be very smart.” He added, “It's a great result for the mare. Her first foal was Sketch and he won first time out and got black-type before being sold to America so hopefully he can do a bit more out there. Then Fairy Godmother is the second foal. She has a yearling filly by Mehmas and that will go to the sales. She has a very nice filly foal by Havana Grey (GB) as a well. She hasn't been covered yet so we have something to think about now!” Whoosh Fairy Godmother sparkles in the closing stages to land Group 3 honours in the €70,000 @coolmorestud @IrishEBF_ Fillies Sprint Stakes. Three races here and three winners for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien! pic.twitter.com/ve1fN4Ez7C — Naas Racecourse (@NaasRacecourse) May 19, 2024 Bookmakers were suitably impressed by Fairy Godmother on Sunday with many firms slashing her odds for the Albany from as big as 10-1 in places to a general 5-1. McCartan concluded, “She's a monster. She was actually a monster as a foal as well. She has always been an outstanding filly. I can remember looking at the foals in the field one day and my phone rang. It was Joe Murphy on the other end of the line. I said to him, 'Joe, I'm looking at a filly foal and, do you know what, I think she's going to go on and win the Queen Mary in a couple of years' time'. Now, the only part I got wrong there was that I said the Queen Mary, but I'll happily take the Albany instead!” The post ‘It Means A Lot – But It’s A Huge Plus When You Sell A Horse To John Magnier’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Newmarket bore witness to a new TDN Rising Star on Sunday as Godolphin's Ancient Truth (Ire), (Dubawi {Ire}–Beyond Reason {Ire}, by Australia {GB}) got his career off to the perfect start in the opening six-furlong novice on the card. A full-brother to last year's TDN Rising Star Great Truth (Ire) and second foal out of the G2 Prix du Calvados winner Beyond Reason (Ire) (Australia {GB}), the Charlie Appleby-trained 5-2 favourite broke smartly to track the early pace in second before taking command two out. Pushed out by William Buick to assert his superiority from there, the homebred had a comfortable 1 1/2-length margin to spare over the Hannon trainee Principality (Ire) (Calyx {GB}), with the Ralph Beckett-trained fellow newcomer Bold Impact (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) 1 3/4 lengths further away in third. The winner is the 40th TDN Rising Star for Dubawi, whose others in the category include Too Darn Hot (GB), In Italian (GB), Space Blues (Ire), Zarak (Fr) and Notable Speech (GB). Impressive Dubawi colt Ancient Truth follows in the footsteps of his brother Great Truth by making a winning debut for the Charlie Appleby team. A trip to Royal Ascot probably awaits the winner.@godolphin | @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/IjFtQ2OOLQ — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 19, 2024 The post 40th TDN Rising Star For Dubawi As Ancient Truth Fires appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Baltimore, MD–Just Steel (Justify), who finished fifth behind stablemate Seize the Grey (Arrogate) in Saturday's GI Preakness S., exited the race with a condylar fracture of the right front leg, and will require further evaluation before a full diagnosis can be given, according to D. Wayne Lukas Sunday morning. “That will fall to Dr. Larry Bramlage down in Lexington,” said Lukas when asked of the colt's status. “He has seen it already, and at first blush, his reaction is that it will be ok. Obviously, it's nothing life threatening. But how far he goes as a racehorse will need to be determined.” Reflecting back on Saturday's race, Lukas explained, “I thought for a moment, at the top of the stretch, we might run 1-2. He really caught my eye. I don't really know where [the injury] happened. He started checking and gearing down so I knew something wasn't right.” According to Lukas, the colt will be dropped off at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington on the way back to Lukas's Churchill Downs base. “He looked fine initially. He got tender like they do. But boy, he was tough to keep in the stall this morning. He's not very stressed about it at all.” The post Just Steel Exits Preakness with Injury, To Head to Rood and Riddle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Showing that he retains all his ability, AMO Racing and Giselle De Aguiar's G1 Phoenix S. and G2 Railway S. winner Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Frida La Blonde {Fr}, by Elusive City) made virtually all on his seasonal bow in Sunday's G3 Goffs Lacken S. at Naas. Last seen finishing third in the seven-furlong G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. at The Curragh in September, the 2-1 second favourite who was racing under a three-pound penalty demonstrated his early speed to take control under David Egan and stayed on strongly to deny the 5-4 market-leader Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) by a head. Thriller! Bucanero Fuerte clings on up the stands' rail in a cracking finish to the Group 3 Lacken Stakes. Straight to the Commonwealth Cup now for the winner?@Goffs1866 | @AMurrayRacing | @amoracingltd pic.twitter.com/yNwwgrRUGw — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 19, 2024 The post Successful Lacken Return For Wootton Bassett’s Bucanero Fuerte appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien trainee Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}–Scintilating {GB}, by Siyouni {Fr}) was usurped by Sparkling Sea (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) on debut at Naas last month and returned over the same six-furlong strip to exact revenge on that reopposing rival in Sunday's G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint. Ryan Moore was keen to settle the 6-5 favourite into a smooth rhythm and anchored his mount at the tail of the six-runner field through the initial exchanges of this straight dash. Easing closer onto the heels of the leaders approaching the furlong pole, Fairy Godmother angled outside for her challenge and unleashed an array of gears under late rousting to deny familiar foe Sparkling Sea by an ultimately comfortable neck in the shadow of the post. Amo Racing's California Dreamer (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) finished 3/4-of-a-length adrift in third. “We thought that she would win the first day, but she was very green and obviously with a first-time-out 2-year-old anything can happen,” the winning trainer said. “The filly that beat her [first time] is obviously a very good filly. Even though they went slow today, the plan was to drop her in and teach her and we needed to find out what way to ride her in [Royal] Ascot. Ryan [Moore] said she's very classy and gets six [furlongs] very well. I'd say she's an Albany filly and she will have learned a lot from today.” Pedigree Notes Fairy Godmother, who becomes the 25th pattern-race winner for her sire, is the second foal and scorer out of a winning half-sister to G2 Richmond S. victor Prolific (Ire) (Compton Place {GB}) and Listed Grand Prairie Turf Challenge winner Deal Breaker (GB) (Night Shift). The March-foaled chestnut's third dam Zoom Lens (Ire) (Caerleon) threw G2 Royal Lodge S. winner Atlantis Prince (GB) (Tagula {Ire}) and is the second dam of G1 Middle Park S. third Steady Pace (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Zoom Lens is kin to the dams of G1 Gran Criterium hero Hello (Ire) (Lycius) and G2 Prix Dollar-winning multiple Scandinavian champion Dano-Mast (GB) (Unfuwain). Fairy Godmother is a half-sister to Listed Roses S. third Sketch (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) and a yearling filly by Mehmas (Ire). The post Night Of Thunder’s Fairy Godmother Exhibits Gears in the Fillies Sprint at Naas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

David Menuisier says he has full confidence in star colt Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) showing his true colours in the Prix du Jockey Club. Always held in the highest regard by connections, Sunway finished ahead of 2,000 Guineas runner-up Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) when second in the Champagne S. at Doncaster last year before going on to end his two-year-old campaign with a Group 1 triumph in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud. Having blown away the cobwebs at ParisLongchamp in the early part of the 2024 season, the three-year-old returned to the scene of his finest hour for the Group 3 Prix Greffulhe. Although beaten a neck in what is regarded a key French Derby trial, Sunway's handler has confirmed the colt remains on track to compete in the 10-furlong contest on June 2. “He has come out of his race at Saint-Cloud really well and we are going to prepare him for the Prix du Jockey Club now and hopefully he can keep improving. Chantilly is still the plan,” said Menuisier. Menuisier is also keen to see if he can register a Group victory with Sirona (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) this term, having seen the four-year-old finish a close-up third on her stable bow in Lingfield's Chartwell Fillies' S. “I was delighted with her,” the trainer reflected. “She ran a bit fresh and was a bit keen but she showed her true potential and it was great. Hopefully we can secure a Group race with her and see how much improvement we can get out of her. “She's not easy to place because I would like to stay against fillies but it is not always that easy. She could possibly go to Haydock for the John of Gaunt against the colts and that is one option amongst several really.” The post Menuisier Says Sunway Will Be Ready To Shine In The French Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr will feature prominently in Brisbane’s upcoming Winter Carnival, with several key runners in feature races. Group One South Australian Derby (2500m) runner-up Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree) has come through his run behind Coco Sun in great order and will head north for the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) on 1st June. “We’ll put him on the plane and send him up for the Derby,” Price said. “I was in two minds … he’ll be a nice staying four-year-old but just having a good look at him over the last few days he looks beautiful, so off he goes to have a crack at Eagle Farm.” Price said Jamie Kah will likely jump aboard Warmonger for her first race-day sit on the three-year-old War Decree gelding. “I think J. Kah will ride him … mile-and-a-half, that’s him,” Price said. “He’s settling now without the blinkers, I just need to draw a barrier and get someone on him who might give him a rub out of the gates and if he’s travelling midfield or no further back, he can win a mile-and-a-half Derby no problem.” Renowned mudlark Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking) will be hoping for anything but sunshine ahead of a busy schedule at the Queensland Winter Carnival over the next month. The New Zealand-bred horse ran out an impressive victor in last weekend’s Listed Gosford Cup, which was transferred to Newcastle due to heavy rain. The son of Shocking managed the Heavy 9 track with ease to capture his maiden Listed triumph and co-trainer Mick Price has revealed a potential busy month ahead for the six-year-old. “Well, he’s definitely going to the mile-and-a-half races up there … assume the Q22,” said Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr. “[We’ll] use the Doomben Cup as his gallop into the Premier’s Cup seven days later. “The Premier’s Cup is where you’ll see him at his best in a mile and-a-half.” The three races planned are the A$1 million Doomben Cup, A$200,000 Premier’s Cup and A$1.2m Q22 within 20 days, in what will be Hezashocka’s first appearance in Queensland since his maiden run in Australia more than three years ago. View the full article