Wandering Eyes

Belclare pictured with breeder and co-owner David Woodhouse. Photo: Race Images Kiwi-bred dual Group 1 winner Belclare is set to get her first taste of Australian racing when she heads to Rosehill on Saturday to tackle the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) for new trainer Bjorn Baker. The now seven-year-old mare had a stellar racing career in New Zealand, winning 11 races for Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta, including the last two editions of the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Owner-breeder David Woodhouse offered Belclare at Magic Millions’ National Broodmare Sale in May where she failed to meet her A$700,000 reserve, and she subsequently joined Baker’s Warwick Farm barn. “I have always had faith in her and all her Group races, apart from the Tauherenikau race (2022 Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1600m), she has won pretty comfortably,” Woodhouse said. “I thought it was a no-brainer that if she didn’t sell I would carry on racing her. I raced her before in partnership with all those fellas and now I am racing her on my own. The training expenses are fairly tremendous, but it is exciting.” She has made an immediate impression on Baker, winning her two trials over 850m and 900m at Randwick last month, and Woodhouse is excited to cross the Tasman to watch his pride and joy make her Australian debut. “He (Baker) just keeps raving about her and Rachel (King, jockey), who rides her in all her track work and trials, seems to be happy,” Woodhouse said. “He (Baker) did hand out a warning that it will be a small and select field. We don’t know whether the 1200m is going to be too short for her fresh-up, but she has been trialling exceptionally well.” Belclare’s spring plans will hinge on her performance this weekend, but Woodhouse said they don’t plan to overtax the mare. “If she comes up like she looks she has come up then we will race her sparingly through the season,” he said. Woodhouse hasn’t ruled out Belclare returning to race in New Zealand this season, harbouring an ambition to record a third successive victory in the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “I dream about bringing her home and having another crack at the Breeders,” he said. “That is what I keep telling Lisa (Latta) to keep her happy, but there are some good races in Sydney at that time of the year as well.” While Woodhouse will be trackside in Sydney on Saturday, he will be keeping a close eye on Riccarton where his black and white colours will be carried by Connello in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m). The three-year-old daughter of Time Test won one of her seven starts as a juvenile and has returned in good form this season, finishing runner-up in her 1000m trial at Foxton last month. “She ran a pretty good trial two weeks ago and we were happy enough with that to be able to send her south,” Woodhouse said. “My cousin has got a half share, he is down in Canterbury, so he is in charge on Saturday.” Horse racing news View the full article

The stage is set for a thrilling clash in the 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington this Saturday. A compact but high-quality field of eight horses will vie for the prestigious Group 1 title, marking the first of the Melbourne Spring Carnival‘s elite mile races. Leading the charge is the Chris Waller-trained Via Sistina, currently […] The post Waller’s Via Sistina Favoured in Tight 2024 Makybe Diva Stakes Field appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

by Jessica Martini, Christina Bossinakis & Jill Williams LEXINGTON, KY – Following another day of competitive bidding, the two-session Book 1 section of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale concluded Tuesday with double-digit increases over its 2023 counterpart. A colt by Curlin brought the section's top price when selling for $5 million to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm. The sale topper was one of four by the Hill 'n' Dale stallion to bring $1 million or more on the day and, with a further 16 yearlings bringing seven figures Tuesday, Book 1 had 28 yearlings break that threshold this year. Twenty three hit that mark in the 2023 Book 1. “It was electric,” Keeneland President Shannon Arvin said of the atmosphere in the pavilion Tuesday. A total of 204 yearlings sold during Book 1, for a gross of $119,565,000. The average of $586,103 was up 10.78% from a year ago, while the median of $475,000 rose 18.75%. During the 2023 Book 1 section, 221 horses grossed $116,925,000 for an average of $529,072 and a median of $400,000. “When we were looking at the figures during the day, we could see that it was teeing up to eventually be as good as yesterday and that was a high bar to try to achieve,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “The median of $475,000 is up almost 20% over last year. These are numbers we dream of. But it's not for us. It's for our clients, the people who entrust us with these horses. We are really proud of the people that bring the horses and the buyers that entrust that we are doing the job that will give them the opportunity to buy their next champion. And I think the energy in the pavilion today, that was from another era. It was incredible.” Keeneland has maintained its two-day Book 1 format for the last four years and its 2024 increases provide proof of concept to both sellers and buyers who might be reluctant to participate in the boutique section, according to Lacy. “It was a struggle to put this book together,” Lacy admitted. “We were just hoping it was going to be a good sale. We knew we had a really good crop of yearlings. Over the last few years, we've tried to solidify this format and it's hard to get buy-in because people want to see the facts and the figures. And we have been breaking records every year and it still wasn't enough. Even this year, it was a real struggle. We had fewer horses in Book 1 and that was frustrating, but that's what gave us so much pride in the people who did entrust us with horses and they got rewarded. There were million-dollar horses from later books that we moved into Book 1. People are understanding what we are trying to do. We want that to continue.” There were 372 yearlings catalogued in Book 1, with 286 ultimately going through the ring. With 82 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 28.67%. In 2023, Book 1 had 383 catalogued yearlings, with 302 going through the ring. The buy-back rate for the book was 26.82%. Of the number of outs, Lacy said, “You're dealing with expectations. Some people, if the action is not exactly what they want, they will scratch and they will race. A lot of people have confidence in the racing circuits now and the prize money is there. In some cases, they have high expectations, so they are happy to race. We do keep a close eye on the number of outs, there is no question. But there were a number of outs before the sale. So it was frustrating, but that's a fact of the matter, especially on the high-valued horses because a lot of those people have the ability and the wherewithal to keep and race them.” While the top of the market remained competitive, some consignors observed a familiar polarization in the sale results. Peter O'Callaghan's Woods Edge Farm sold a pair of seven-figure yearlings Tuesday. O'Callaghan agreed there was a very deep buying bench in Book 1, but he worried about the breadth of demand. “It goes to show you just how strong the market in this country is at the top,” O'Callaghan said. “Everybody seems to want to play with the really elite stuff. But there are only a small number of those to go around. It is unfortunate that there were so many late withdrawals Monday and RNAs that were probably perfectly useful horses. It's an all-or-nothing market. It's brilliant at the top ,hopefully the middle market and the lower end will pick up as the weeks go on.” The Keeneland September sale continues with Book 2 sessions Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 11 a.m. Following a dark day Friday, the sale resumes Saturday with sessions through Sept. 21 starting at 10 a.m. The gavel drops at $5 million! Mandy Pope strikes for the Curlin colt out of Cavorting and a full brother to Clairiere, consigned by Indian Creek, agent for Stonestreet. He is the most expensive colt purchased since 2006 at Keeneland and the top yearling price in North America… pic.twitter.com/bekIlod998 — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 10, 2024 $5-Million Colt Caps Big Day for Curlin Mandy Pope, bidding from the newly designed seating area at the back of the pavilion, saw off a determined phone bidder to secure a colt by Curlin (hip 347) for $5 million Tuesday at Keeneland. Out of multiple Grade I winner Cavorting (Bernardini), the chestnut yearling is a full-brother to multiple Grade I winner Clairiere. He was bred by Stonestreet and consigned by Indian Creek. “As one person just told me, he speaks for himself,” Pope said. “We don't need to say anything else. He was awesome.” The bidding was progressing at a steady pace when the anonymous bidder on the phone with Keeneland staff in the press box, jumped the price from $3.7 million straight to $4 million. Pope was undaunted and answered each bid rapidly before signing the ticket on the prized yearling. “I knew he was going to be a lot,” Pope said. “He should be the sale topper because he is the best horse in here. We pretty much knew everybody was going to want to buy him, so they could have the great race record that is in his future and his furtherance in becoming a wonderful stallion.” The $5-million price tag was well off the sale record set when Meydan City (Kingmambo) sold for $11.7 million in September 2006. America's Joy (American Pharoah), the auction's highest-priced filly sold for $8.2 million in 2019. Pope has made headlines over the years buying fillies and mares to add to her glittering broodmare band, but she's shopping at Keeneland for colts. She purchased Monday's $2.2-million session-topping colt by Gun Runner (hip 169). “We are looking for some colts,” Pope said. “We need colts to become stallions to get the numbers to work for us. They are what makes it work. “This is not a short game,” she continued. “Unless you are just getting them to flip them like day trading. But it's a very long game. You can't be faint of heart in this at all.” In total in Book 1, Pope's Whisper Hill purchased four head for $8.2 million. The $5-million yearling marked a momentous few minutes for Barbara Banke's Stonestreet. The operation warmed up for the sale topper when selling a $1.75-million colt by Into Mischief. “I think all two minutes should be that way,” Banke said with a laugh. “It was really good.” Stonestreet purchased Cavorting for $360,000 as a weanling at the 2012 Keeneland November sale and she would go on to win the 2016 GI Ogden Phipps Stakes and GI Personal Ensign Stakes, as well as the 2015 GI Test Stakes, in the farm's colors. Clairiere, the mare's first foal, won back-to-back renewals of the Ogden Phipps, as well as the 2021 GI Cotillion Stakes. “He was the best horse we raised this year,” Banke said. “He's from a great family and he looks great. He eats like a pig. He sleeps. Nothing fazes him. I think he will be a great racehorse. I have high hopes for him.” Of the colt's final price, Banke said, “I was expecting him to be the sale topper. There was a lot of buzz about him.” Earlier Tuesday, Stonestreet sold a filly by Gun Runner for $1.05 million. During Monday's session, the operation sold a filly by Quality Road for $1.05 million. “To some degree,” Banke agreed when asked if it was hard to sell her yearlings. “But I can't keep everything, as my financial advisor and our team tells me. We need to sell to pay the bills so we can make more and do it again next year.” Cavorting has a weanling colt by Gun Runner and was bred back to Curlin this year. Her stakes-winning daughter La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro) has a weanling colt by Curlin. Clairiere was covered by Into Mischief this year. @JessMartiniTDN Monique Delk purchases hip 345, an Into Mischief colt who is a half to Girvin, Midnight Bourbon for $1.75 million. He was consigned by Summerfield for @StonestreetFarm. #KeeSept pic.twitter.com/QRg8IEmQye — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 10, 2024 St Elias Scores with $1.75m Into Mischief Colt At the tail-end of a spirited second session, Monique Delk threw down the gauntlet to land a Hip 345, a colt by Into Mischief, for $1.75 million. Delk, stationed in the new table area at the back of the main ring, was bidding on the phone on behalf of Vinnie Viola's St Elias Stable. “He is a beautiful colt with a fantastic walk,” Delk said. “We fell in love with him right away. We look for the Classic stallion prospect horses and this horse fit what we're looking for.” The Jan. 31 foal was offered by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck's Summerfield on behalf of his breeder, Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings. “Into Mischiefs can be a little different across the board and this one had the beautiful balance and had the right size,” said Delk when asked if the colt lined up well with some of the other good Into Mischiefs. “He is a very Classic-looking horse with an elegant walk. He brought the whole package for us.” The bay is out of Catch the Moon, a $240,000 purchase by Stonestreet while in foal to Shanghai Bobby at the 2015 Keeneland November Sale. Prior to Stonestreet's purchase of the mare, the daughter of Malibu Moon produced GI Haskell Invitational winner Girvin (Tale of Ekati) and Grade III scorer Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John). For Stonestreet, Catch the Moon provided GSW Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow), who sold to Winchell Thoroughbreds for $525,000 at this venue in 2019 before going on to amass over $1.2 million in earnings during his racing career, which was highlighted by runner-up finishes in the GI Preakness, GI Travers and GI Pennsylvania Derby. A colt by Quality Road also brought $1.6 million at this venue in 2021. “Shopping has been tough today, a tough day at the office,” Delk admitted. “We had nice horses on the list and they brought good money. You have to expect to pay those kinds of prices for those sorts of horses. We are all looking for Classic winners.” “There are going to be days when we get what we want and there are days we are going to get outrun. We're excited to be here and love doing this. We'll keep shopping. There are some we will stretch for. We're very disciplined in our buying. We set strict parameters for what we accept physically and the price. It is a long sale and there are plenty of horses and we will get our orders filled.”–@CBossTDN Mischief Maker at Keeneland on Day 2 On the heels of an opening day that saw a single yearling by Into Mischief draw over seven figures, the Spendthrift sire popped early on Day 2 when Hip 210, a filly out of GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Shared Account (Pleasantly Perfect), reeled in a $1.5 million final bid–the third highest price on the day–from David Lanigan acting on behalf of Scott Heider. Into Mischief was represented by a trio of seven-figure yearlings on Day 2, including Tuesday's second highest priced offering, a $1.75 million colt (Hip 345), late in the session. “She's strong, she looks like she could do both turf or dirt.,” said Lanigan, seated alongside trainer Brendan Walsh during the bidding. “She is just a really nice and well-balanced filly. Everyone really liked her.” An earner of over $1.6 million, Shared Account, a half-sister MGSW Sparkle Blue (Hard Spun) and SW and GSP Colonial Flag (Pleasant Tap), is also responsible for millionaire and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Sharing (Speightstown) in addition to stakes scoring Riley's Choice (Distorted Humor). The colt was consigned by his breeder, Gainesway, who purchased the mare in foal to Speightstown for $625,000 at Fasig-Tipton November in 2020. “She was Brendan's pick of the first group that we showed him,” explained Lanigan. “It's important for us that the trainer who will be getting the horse likes them too. It's all well and good if we like them, but if the trainer doesn't like them he's go to look at them for the next three years. So it's important they like them as well. And [Brendan Walsh] was very keen on this one. He was keen to get her.” Among the black-type fillies currently in training domestically for the Heider Family and trained by Walsh, Fancy (Justify) finished a close-up second in the Groupie Doll Stakes at Ellis last month. “He has a number of horses in Europe with Joseph O'Brien, and Mr. Heider is keen to buy a couple more fillies to have in training over here,” Lanigan explained. “He has had a lot of success with Brendan. ” Asked about the overall health of the yearling market at Keeneland this week, Lanigan commented, “Everyone seems to be on the same ones. The ones that jump through all the hoops are making plenty of money, and the ones that don't are falling between a rock and a hard place. It seems to be very strong for the right ones.”–@CBossTDN Bradley Gets More of the Blue Heaven Family Three weeks ago, Pete Bradley and his daughter Devon were in the winner's circle celebrating 2-year-old Briland (McKinzie)'s debut victory at Saratoga. Tuesday at Keeneland, father and daughter were reinvesting in the same family when going to $1.4 million to secure a son of Curlin (hip 284) on behalf of an undisclosed client. The yearling is out of graded-placed Virginia Key (Distorted Humor), a half-sister to Briland's dam Bay Harbor (Speightstown). “Class. Sire power. He comes from a very good breeder. It's what we look for here and you have to stretch for those,” Bradley ticked off the colt's appeal. “This horse was all class from the minute I saw him at the Lane's End barn. He came up here and presented himself like a horse that has a future. So we will see.” Of his client, who also has a small share in Briland, Bradley said, “This is a new player in the game. Someone who has bought a couple of horses and I think we are going to have some fun for him. It's nice to have new people who want to do it the right way. He knows the risks and hopefully he will reap the rewards.” Hip 284 was consigned by Lane's End as agent for his breeder, Bonnie Baskin's Blue Heaven Farm. Virginia Key was third in the Blue Heaven colors in the 2018 GII Gazelle Stakes. Her first foal is stakes-placed Distorted d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro). The 9-year-old mare has a weanling filly by Quality Road and was bred back to Cody's Wish. Virginia Key is a daughter of Our Khrysty (Newfoundland), dam of Grade I winner Grace Adler (Curlin) and graded winner Pyreness (Into Mischief). Through Lane's End, Blue Heaven Farm sold that mare's yearling, a filly by Gun Runner (hip 154), for $975,000 during Monday's first session of the September sale. @JessMartiniTDN Curlin Colt to Coolmore, White Birch Coolmore's M.V. Magnier, in partnership with Peter Brant's White Birch Farm, signed the ticket at $1.3 million to acquire a colt by Curlin (hip 262) from the Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa consignment Tuesday at Keeneland. “He's a lovely horse,” Magnier said. “John Sikura and his son Jes do a brilliant job out there. They're very good breeders. They've raised a lot of very good horses. John was singing this horse's praise to me yesterday. He's just a very nice horse. Curlin is obviously doing very well and so is [his son] Good Magic.” The bay is the first foal out of Thoughtfully (Tapit), winner of the GII Adirondack Stakes in 2020. He was bred by John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and Matt Dorman's Determined Stud. “He is a beautifully bred horse,” Sikura said. “We thought he could break out and make more. He's a sales-topping quality horse. I am very proud of the horse. He's a great mover; a great walker, really athletic and makes great use of himself. Hope he's a star. Very good for the mare to have her first foal sell that well. The tribute goes to Curlin.” In partnership with White Birch Farm, Magnier signed for a colt by Not This Time (hip 238) for $1 million earlier in Tuesday's session. The yearling was consigned by Woods Edge Farm. “Not This Time is doing very well,” Magnier said. “He gets horses on grass and dirt. We will decide in a few weeks whether he will go to Europe or stay in U.S.” During the two Book 1 sessions, Magnier and White Birch acquired five horses for $5.2 million. The partnership purchased three seven-figure yearlings, going to $1.4 million to acquire a colt by Charlatan during Monday's first session of the auction. On his own, Magnier purchased a colt by Maxfield for $1 million. “It's been a good sale,” Magnier said. “There's plenty of good horses here. I hope we got the right horses, I feel that way. We'll know this time next year if we made the right decision or not.” One More Time for Belladonna After coming out swinging early with a $900,000 bid for an Into Mischief colt on Day 1, Belladonna Racing and trainer Cherie DeVaux underscored the point Tuesday when extending to $1.3 million for a colt by Not This Time. Offered as Hip 286, the Apr. 14 foal was consigned by agent Glennwood Farm. Not This Time was represented by a trio of seven-figure yearlings in Book 1. “He was on the top of our list, so we're very happy to have him,” said Belladonna's Paul Manganaro. “He's by a good proven stallion, young pedigree, and has physique. Like the saying goes, “You can't put a saddle on a pedigree,” so the physical was what really made him.” Out of the Empire Maker mare Vivo Per Lei, the dark bay was bred by John Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Services. “He's always had class every time we went to look at him,” Manganaro added. “He looked like he had that 'it' factor in him. We want big races and we want the two-turn dirt type horses, and we think he can be that.” On Day 1, Belladonna secured a colt by Into Mischief (Hip 15) for $900,000. The son of Devil by Design was also consigned by Glennwood Farm. In total, Belladonna secured six head for a total of $3,925,000 through Book 1. Belladonna partner Bruce Fenimore added, “We're looking for quality. We want to win the big races, so we know we have to go out and spend the money on real quality and that's what we're doing. Cherie is our trainer and David Ingordo is the bloodstock agent and Paul is our partner. We have such a great team. I have so much confidence in them. That's why it's easy for me to invest with them.” Through the conclusion of Book 1, Not This Time was represented by 12 yearlings that generated $8,400,000 in receipts for an average and median of $700,000.–@CBossTDN AMO Strikes Again Kia Joorabchian continued to be active at the top level of the U.S. yearling market with the $1.2-million purchase of a filly by Curlin (hip 206) early in Tuesday's second session of the Keeneland September sale. Bred and consigned by Hinkle Farms, the yearling is a half-sister to GI Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist (Uncle Mo). “She's a great physical by a great sire–he is probably as good a dirt sire as there is in the U.S.,” said bloodstock agent Ben McElroy, who stood alongside Joorabchian, Alex Elliott and Robson Aguiar out back during the bidding. “It's a great family. She's a real collector's item. Everybody on the team, myself and Alex and Robson, and ultimately Kia, loved the filly and we are delighted to have her.” Joorabchian's AMO Racing went to $1.35 million to acquire a filly by American Pharoah during Monday's first session of the auction. In Book 1, he purchased five head for $4,325,000. During last month's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, AMO Racing purchased a colt by Not This Time (hip 125) for $900,000 and a son of Yaupon (hip 76) for $500,000. “He loves racing in the U.S.,” McElroy said of Joorabchian. “He is trying to build the stable. And like I said, fillies like these are collector's items. It's a good long-term investment for Kia. Hopefully, she can be a good one.” Of plans for the filly, McElroy added, “We will probably break her down in Florida and make a decision [on a trainer] next spring.” The Hinkle family continued to be rewarded for its $100,000 acquisition of Seeking Gabrielle (Forestry) at the 2013 Keeneland November sale. The family purchased the mare just one hip after her weanling colt by Uncle Mo sold for $180,000. That colt would go on to win the 2016 Kentucky Derby. Hinkle Farms sold the mare's filly by War Front for $1,750,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September sale and her colt by Tapit for $2.5 million at the 2019 September sale. “That was a great sale,” Tom Hinkle said after the mare's latest seven-figure yearling went through the ring Tuesday. “We're delighted. Seeking Gabrielle has been such a good mare for us. I hope these folks get a champion. She is such an athletic filly. She has a great mind and she never took a bad step. She's a powerful filly who represented her sire well.” Seeking Gabrielle has a 2-year-old full-sister to Nyquist, which the farm has retained, and a weanling filly by Constitution. She was bred back to Gun Runner this year. Hinkle Farms was quick to double up on million-dollar yearlings when selling a colt by Constitution (hip 236) for $1.1 million to Yuichi Fukunaga. @JessMartiniTDN Second Seven-Figure Horse for Hinkle Farms Tuesday It's hard to have a better hour or so in the horse industry than the hour Hinkle Farms experienced Tuesday afternoon. Just 30 hips after the Hinkle-bred and -consigned Curlin half-sister to champion Nyquist brought $1.2 million from AMO Racing (hip 206), another Hinkle product brought $1.1 million as hip 236. The Feb. 11-foaled Constitution colt out of Hinkle homebred Stave (Ghostzapper) went to agent Yuichi Fukunaga. “We don't bring anything here we don't breed and raise ourselves,” said Tom Hinkle. “This family has been really good to us. He was a beautiful colt, moved like a cat, had a great mind. We've got a great team at the farm and we couldn't be any happier with the result and appreciate everything that they do.” Hinkle said his family has had three generations of the colt's family, going back to third dam Affordable Price (Drouilly {Fr}). The Hinkles bred and raced the ensuing generations. Stave was thrice black-type placed, while granddam Buy the Barrel (E Dubai) won the GII Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes. The Hinkle family also owns Stave's half-sister Indian Bay (Indian Charlie), who produced Japanese GSW & G1SP Shivaji (First Samurai) and SW & MGISP Tarabi (First Samurai). Hinkle deferred to his team at the farm for the success of the two millionaires Tuesday, but inferred it takes a unique horse to sell at this level. “The other one was a Curlin filly who was a half to Nyquist and she was special. This one was a horse that you could be really proud of to bring up here. We've got one more to come today and I think he'll sell fine, but not like those two.” That third Hinkle yearling, a Quality Road colt (hip 299) out of MSW & GSP Win the War (War Front), sold for $550,000 to Chad Summers. @JillWilliamsTDN Lee Searing's Team Drives a Hard Bargain Lee Searing of CRK Stables found it hard to resist a sea of females encouraging him to bid as hip 283 went through the ring and subsequently found himself the new owner of a Constitution colt for $1.2 million. “I had five women who scouted him out,” he said with good humor. “How the hell do I not buy a horse when five women say 'this is the best horse we've found so far'? He's beautiful.” April Mayberry of Mayberry Farms signed the ticket on the Mar. 25-foaled chestnut for Searing. The colt was bred in Kentucky by Runnymede Farm, Peter J. Callahan, Ecurie Loick Fouchet, and Meridian International Sarl after Magna Carta Bloodstock purchased his dam, the unplaced Street Sense mare Via Veritas, for $275,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November sale. Runnymede Farm raised the colt and consigned him Tuesday. “From the day he was foaled he was such a big individual. A powerful horse with a lot of bone and a great mind,” said Runnymede's Romain Malhouitre. “If they all could be like him it would be unbelievable. They always exceed expectations. You never know if things will line up. We knew we had the right people on him. He's been unbelievable at the farm and at the sale he was so calm.” Searing did say the $1.2-million price was as far as he was prepared to go. “That was it,” said Searing. “They really wanted the horse. When these people work so hard, you try to buy a horse. I've bought horses like this before; this is a beautiful horse. He will go to Mayberry Training Center to be broken and then he'll stay back East.” The colt's dam is a half to the dams of GI Arkansas Derby winner Magnum Moon (Malibu Moon) and GSW & MGISP Clearly Unhinged (Into Mischief). @JillWilliamsTDN St. George Hits a Flyer on Day 2 at Keeneland Continuing a dream run for Not This Time at the Keeneland September Sale, a colt by the Taylor Made stallion realized a $1.15 million final bid from agent Donato Lanni, acting on behalf of SF Bloodstock, Starlight and Madaket. Bred by Fortune Farms and William Heiligbrodt and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Hip 324 is out of stakes winner Believe in Charlie (Indian Charlie), a sister to MSW and MGSP Shamrocket (Tonalist). The 14-year-old mare, in foal to Corniche, most recently brought $10,000 at Keeneland last November after bringing $90,000 carrying this foal in utero at Keeneland in January 2023. This is the family of Grade I winner Nany's Sweep (End Sweep). “Physically, he was a stunning colt,” asserted SF Racing's Tom Ryan, who handled the signing duties on the colt. “I think Not This Time is proven that he's a very elite stallion at this point. He's flawless. He's a stallion that's demonstrated from lesser mares that he's elite, and with better mares and pedigrees we assume that will continue. I think the initial impression was to put him on the list, put him to our process, and bet him. He didn't stumble at any juncture.” Ryan confirmed the Apr. 15 foal will go to the team's regular trainer, Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. “I feel like it's a very healthy market,” Ryan conceded. “There's a lot of competition for the good colts out of proven sires, as expected.” Also representing a profitable pinhook score for consignor St George Sales, the Kentucky bred was a $240,000 weanling purchase at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale last fall. The colt was a pinhook prospect for Tony and Roger O'Callaghan's Tally-Ho Stud and St George. “Any time a horse brings $1 million it's a surprise,” said an elated Archie St George. “He's a class horse with a great temperament. I feel privileged to sell horses like this. ” “Everything has to go right and most importantly that horse goes on and runs.” When asked about the youngster's sire, St George said, “He's by a phenomenal stallion. They can run long, short, dirt, turf. Hopefully, we'll see this horse live up to his potential.”–@CBossTDN Seven-Figure Success x 2 for Woods Edge A colt by Not This Time (hip 238) helped get the O'Callaghans' Woods Edge Farm consignment off to a heady start to the September sale when selling for $1 million to Coolmore's M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant's White Birch Farm. “It gets the show on the road and keeps us ahead,” Peter O'Callaghan said of the result. The yearling is out of stakes winner Stillwater Cove (Quality Road). He was purchased by O'Callaghan for $375,000 at last year's Keeneland November sale. “He was a beautiful animal,” O'Callaghan said. “He was a stunner the day we bought him. We absolutely reached for him as a foal. He's out of a fast mare and he vetted good and that's what it takes. It all has to add up. They want the sire, they want the physical, and the vetting. There can be no hole in it. And if you have that, you'll get paid, but for anyone involved, breeder, consignor, pinhooker, we are lucky to have one or two of those in any given session.” O'Callaghan said the colt's weanling price tag reflected how competitive the foal market was last season. “It was uber hot,” O'Callaghan said. “It was a lot of money for him at the time. If we didn't know who any of them were by, he was arguably our favorite foal as an individual. Luckily, he grew up as we expected. And the vetting stayed good on him. So we got rewarded. It's a big relief and we are delighted and thank you to M.V.” Woods Edge had its second seven-figure yearling of the session a little later in the day when WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden purchased a colt by Justify (hip 273) for $1 million. The colt out of Undercover Justice (Lawyer Ron) is a half-brother to graded-placed Conquest Babayaga (Uncle Mo). He was purchased for $400,000 at this year's Keeneland January sale. “He's another lovely horse who was liked similarly to the Not This Time colt,” O'Callaghan said. “He's by another brilliant sire. He's a beautiful animal. We bought him in January for $400,000, so that's a big return in a short period of time. In our opinion he was arguably the best foal in the January sale. It worked out.” @JessMartiniTDN Justify Colt Draws A Cool Million at Keeneland Returning to a partnership that has served well in the past, China Horse Club, Maverick Racing and Siena Racing banded together to secure Hip 273, a colt by Justify, for an even million at Keeneland Tuesday. The sale was the leading price for the sire in Book 1. “We just loved his quality,” said WinStar's Elliott Walden, who signed the ticket on the colt. “He's got a great hip, great balance, had the strength that Justify had behind. It's something we look for with those.” Consigned by Woods Edge Farm, the May 20 foal is out of Undercover Justice (Lawyer Ron), dam of GSP Conquest Babayaga (Uncle Mo) and SP Sorrentina Lemon (Lemon Drop Kid). The 15-year-old mare is a half sister to Canadian champion juvenile filly Negligee (Northern Afleet). This represents the extended family of English Horse of the Year Zilzal. Bred by Justice Stables, the chestnut was purchased as a short yearling by Peter O'Callaghan for $400,000 at Keeneland last January. “He's a beautiful horse and had a great hip,” continued Walden. “A horse that we really liked. We saw him on the farm a few weeks ago and just feel like he's a horse that will continue to improve.” Regarding the colt's late foaling date, he added, “It factors in whether he might run in August. As long as he runs at two, I think he's fine. It's tough to buy in there. Maybe because he was a May foal it made him a little more affordable, even though I don't know if a million dollars is affordable, but it seems to be today on the good ones.” Undefeated in six starts on the track while racing for CHC, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing and WinStar Farm, Justify collected four wins at the Grade I level, highlighted by the American Triple Crown and Santa Anita Derby. Retiring with over $3.7 million in earnings, the son of Scat Daddy was secured for stud duty by Coolmore and currently stands at Ashford Stud in Kentucky. Following his retirement, the chestnut has been enjoying a tremendous run in the breeding shed since entering stud in 2019. In Europe, his son City Of Troy has been powering through his sophomore campaign with consecutive victories in the G1 Betfred Derby, G1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes and most recently in the G1 Juddmonte International. The stallion is also represented by Irish and French champion juvenile filly Opera Singer, winner of this season's G1 Qatar Nassau Stakes. Domestically, the Coolmore sire has been represented by a bevy of top-rung stakes performers, including last season's Champion 2-year-old Filly Just F Y I, in addition to Grade I winners Hard to Justify, Arabian Lion and Aspen Grove. Showing the breadth of his influence, the shuttle stallion is also responsible for Australia's 2023 Champion juvenile filly Learning To Fly (Aus). “Justify is doing great and we're really proud of him,” affirmed Walden. “We're proud to have owned him. I'm really happy for Coolmore who stepped up to the plate and bought him [for stud duty]. Mr. [John] Magnier knows what he wants.” He continued, “They came to us after the [2018] Derby and showed a great interest and he knew he needed and wanted him, and he deserves it. We're really happy we're able to breed quite a few each year. We've been really happy with the whole thing, but just really proud of the horse.” At the conclusion of Book 1, a total of eight yearlings by Justify had sold for $4,250,000 for an average of $531,250.–@CBossTDN Another Million-Dollar Maxfield After a first-crop yearling (hip 53) sold for $1 million Monday, the Darley stallion doubled up with a second $1-million colt Tuesday afternoon. Consigned by Gainesway as hip 326, the Apr. 12-foaled colt was a pinhook, purchased by Enfuego Stables for $500,000 at last fall's Fasig-Tipton November sale. Ramspring Farm bred the colt and sold his dam at the same sale, with the unraced Belle's Finale (Ghostzapper) bringing $1.25 million to the bid of Summer Wind Equine while in foal to Not This Time. Belle's Finale is the dam of champion turf male Up to the Mark (Not This Time), a first-year stallion in 2024 at Lane's End. She is a daughter of 1996 GI Test Stakes winner Capote Belle (Capote). M V Magnier signed the ticket for the Maxfield colt Tuesday. “This colt was a very nice horse,” said Magnier. “Brian Graves does a very good job raising yearlings as does everybody in Gainesway.” Magnier said the colt would be sent to Ashford before a decision was made as to his future. When asked his thoughts on what he's seen from Maxfield as a young sire, he said, “Maxfield was a very good racehorse. He's definitely making nice horses and he's having a good sale.” @JillWilliamsTDN Uncle Mo and Into Mischief Colts Headed to Japan Trainer Mitsu Nakauchida, who picked up an Into Mischief colt (hip 167) for $1.25 million and a Curlin colt (hip 1) for $550,000 Monday, added two more big-dollar purchases Tuesday at the tail end of the session. He bought another Into Mischief colt (hip 343) out of Cariba (Cairo Prince) and an Uncle Mo colt (hip 368) out of Spring Eclipse (Unbridled's Song) for $1 million apiece. “It is a competitive (market), but also at the same time there are many good horses in this market so we are very happy with our purchases,” said Nakauchida. “Obviously over here they have good dirt racing, so good dirt pedigrees. Dirt racing is getting more popular all over the world. This sale is basically all good horses with good pedigrees. I haven't come here for maybe four or five years because of Covid and I'm very happy to be back here.” Nakauchida said his purchases will be brought back to Japan. He said he looks for horses “light enough to go on the Japanese turf, but if not we can try on dirt.” Tuesday's $1-million Into Mischief colt was consigned by Candy Meadows Sales, who also consigned a $1.15-million Nyquist colt Monday. Candy Meadows also bred both of those seven-figure colts. Tuesday's Feb. 16-foaled offering is out of a stakes-winning full-sister to MGSW & MGISP Cairo Memories and a half-sister to the dam of GISW Zandon (Upstart). Bred by Camas Park Stud in Kentucky, Nakauchida's Uncle Mo purchase was consigned by St George Sales. The Mar. 29-foaled colt is a half-brother to SW Bet She Wins (First Samurai). Nakauchida, who worked for Bobby Frankel in the U.S. and Richard Hannon Sr. in the UK, among others, launched his stable in Japan in 2014. He is the trainer of Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), winner of the Japan's Triple Tiara last year. The now-4-year-old was last seen finishing third in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March. @JillWilliamsTDN Pinhooks Payoff in Second Session As we did Monday, we've looked at how Tuesday's pinhooks fared and attempted to analyze how the prospects as a whole performed on the day. We've loosely used a cost of $25,000 for each yearling's board, veterinary expenses, farrier work, sales prep, and sales entry fees. Obviously, this amount can vary wildly per offering depending on whether one can keep a horse on their own farm or whether one boards, as well as each horse's particular veterinary needs. A total of 25 yearlings were consigned to Tuesday's second session as pinhooks. Seven were outs and six were RNAs, leaving 12 to represent the pinhook sector. The dozen sold for a total of $7.445 million from a total output of $3.99 million at original purchase. Less $300,000 for the twelve in combined estimated costs, that leaves a profit of $3.155 million for the dozen or an average of just under $263,000. Nine were profitable and three lost money. @JillWilliamsTDN The post $5-Million Curlin Colt Brings Curtain Down on ‘Electric’ Book 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 3 WAHAROA TRANSPORT CO. (1995) LTD MAIDEN 1200m PORT TALBOT (K Myers) – Trainer Ms. P Gerard reported to Stewards, she was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, and it is her intention to continue on with PORT TALBOT’S current preparation. Race 7 WAHAROA HEAVY DIESEL MAIDEN 1600m ESFERA CELESTE (J Doyle) – Stable representative Mr. R Mildon reported to Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, ESFERA CELESTE may have failed to handle the Heavy 10 track conditions. R Mildon further advised it is the stables intention to continue on with ESFERA CELESTE’s current preparation, where they may nominate her for the Racing Taupo meeting on Friday 20 September. The post Matamata Racing Club @ Matamata, Wednesday 4 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Kim Reid will get a decent line on Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s (NZ) (Complacent) prospects at the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival when the talented mare steps out on her home track this weekend. The New Plymouth trainer will run the daughter of Complacent in Saturday’s Seaton Park Handicap (1400m) at New Plymouth where the depth of opposition will prove a handy guide. Reid is keen to test Hi Yo Sass Bomb at the elite level in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) on the closing two days at Hastings. “I did have half a mind to go to Wanganui next week for the Group Three (Metric Mile, 1600m),” she said. “Then I thought Saturday would be a really good chance to see how she stacks up against these good horses like Mustang Valley, One Bold Cat and Ladies Man. “As long as she’s running strongly to the line, we will be looking toward Hawke’s Bay.” Should Hi Yo Sass Bomb perform to expectations, the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) will be the six-year-old’s targets. The mare has yet to win beyond 1600m and her only previous attempt at a middle distance resulted in a midfield finish at Trentham, but there is confidence in the camp about her staying ability. “Nothing went right that day, she’s quite a routine horse and she lost a shoe prior to going into the birdcage and she never got any time in there,” Reid said. “She was wound up and over-raced the whole way and that’s not her, she used to do that early days but now she’s quite relaxed. “I was a bit gutted because I was really looking forward to seeing her over that distance (2200m). “She’s got a beautiful long stride and she will run it, it’s in her breeding and after her gallops she hardly blows, she’s a very naturally fit horse.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb enjoyed a successful autumn campaign with victory in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) and finished runner-up in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m). Following a break, she resumed at the end of last month at Wanganui and came from back in the field to claim top honours in the open handicap over 1200m. “It was the first time I had put her over that distance, I’d never thought of her as a sprinter, and it was a tidy field with a lot of winter fit horses, so I was pretty pleased,” Reid said. “She has trained on very well and it hasn’t knocked her. “She’s a good doer and quite relaxed in general now, she used to stress a bit but she’s really come into herself.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb is very much a family horse as she is raced by Reid with her parents Graeme and Josephine, who also bred the mare. She is out of Hi Yo Soo, a daughter of Spartacus who won on five occasions up to 2200m. “We’ve got a three-year-old brother and he will be coming back in next week and he looks quite a lot like Sass,” Reid said. Fellow Taranaki horsewoman Tracey Bliss has a juvenile brother to Hi Yo Sass Bomb after she purchased the dam in foal to Complacent. View the full article

Kiwi-bred dual Group One winner Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) is set to get her first taste of Australian racing when she heads to Rosehill on Saturday to tackle the Gr.2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) for new trainer Bjorn Baker. The now seven-year-old mare had a stellar racing career in New Zealand, winning 11 races for Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta, including the last two editions of the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Owner-breeder David Woodhouse offered Belclare at Magic Millions’ National Broodmare Sale in May where she failed to meet her A$700,000 reserve, and she subsequently joined Baker’s Warwick Farm barn. “I have always had faith in her and all her Group races, apart from the Tauherenikau race (2022 Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, 1600m), she has won pretty comfortably,” Woodhouse said. “I thought it was a no-brainer that if she didn’t sell I would carry on racing her. I raced her before in partnership with all those fellas and now I am racing her on my own. The training expenses are fairly tremendous, but it is exciting.” She has made an immediate impression on Baker, winning her two trials over 850m and 900m at Randwick last month, and Woodhouse is excited to cross the Tasman to watch his pride and joy make her Australian debut. “He (Baker) just keeps raving about her and Rachel (King, jockey), who rides her in all her track work and trials, seems to be happy,” Woodhouse said. “He (Baker) did hand out a warning that it will be a small and select field. We don’t know whether the 1200m is going to be too short for her fresh-up, but she has been trialling exceptionally well.” Belclare’s spring plans will hinge on her performance this weekend, but Woodhouse said they don’t plan to overtax the mare. “If she comes up like she looks she has come up then we will race her sparingly through the season,” he said. Woodhouse hasn’t ruled out Belclare returning to race in New Zealand this season, harbouring an ambition to record a third successive victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “I dream about bringing her home and having another crack at the Breeders,” he said. “That is what I keep telling Lisa (Latta) to keep her happy, but there are some good races in Sydney at that time of the year as well.” While Woodhouse will be trackside in Sydney on Saturday, he will be keeping a close eye on Riccarton where his black and white colours will be carried by Connello in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m). The three-year-old daughter of Time Test won one of her seven starts as a juvenile and has returned in good form this season, finishing runner-up in her 1000m trial at Foxton last month. “She ran a pretty good trial two weeks ago and we were happy enough with that to be able to send her south,” Woodhouse said. “My cousin has got a half share, he is down in Canterbury, so he is in charge on Saturday.” View the full article

Al Khali (Medaglia d'Oro–Maya, by Capote) succumbed to a bout of colic this past Saturday, Rockridge Stud announced in a release Tuesday evening. The millionaire multiple graded stakes winner had been standing at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, New York, for the past three seasons. The $15,000 KEESEP yearling carried the colors of owners Brous Stable and Wachtel Stable and was trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott. Al Khali retired to Keane Stud in 2016 with a record of 41-8-5-5 and earnings of $1,019,510. Owner Adam Wachtel said, “We are very sad to lose this well-loved horse. 'Big Al' was a barn favorite at the track.” Al Khali sired 10 winners from only 19 starters in five crops of racing age. The post Millionaire Al Khali Dies from Colic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was a barrier-breaking moment when Vitality bested a field of 10 to capture the 89th Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie Sept. 10. The win sent trainer Harold Ladouceur into the history books.View the full article

Stakes-winning mare, Charm Stone (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained mare, Charm Stone, returned to the track on Monday for the first time in nearly a year as she prepares for her comeback in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 5. Charm Stone, a winner of the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m), Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m), and Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m), has only raced six times but hasn’t been seen since her fifth-place finish in last year’s Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) after dealing with bone chips. The four-year-old finished seventh of seven in her 800-metre Cranbourne trial behind Star Patrol, but her connections were satisfied with her progress after months of rehabilitation. “It’s been pretty long and slow work,” managing owner Sheamus Mills told Racing.com. “Damian (Lane) said her action was brilliant and her breathing was great. Where she finished was probably inconsequential – Damian thought she was going to trial a bit fresh, so he throttled her down early to make sure she got into a good rhythm.” Charm Stone is set for another trial in two weeks, with potential spring targets including the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) and Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m). “That relies on her being good enough,” Mills added. “At the end of the day, she’s a Group 3 winner, and Jnr (Kent) has always said she’s a Group 1 horse.” Horse racing news View the full article

2024 Goodwood winner Benedetta. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) winner Benedetta is expected to make her spring return in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington this Saturday. Currently priced at $7 in all-in markets with horse racing bookmakers, trainer Jason Warren confirmed on Tuesday that the daughter of Hellbent is likely to take her place under jockey Blake Shinn, with a final decision to be made after her gallop on Wednesday. “We intend to run,” Warren told Racing.com. “The final decision will be made after her gallop. We are keeping everything on the table at this stage.” Benedetta is being aimed at the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on September 27, with connections also eyeing a potential slot in The Everest (1200m). The five-year-old mare, who has won eight of her 16 starts, has had two trials this preparation, the most recent over 800 metres at Caulfield, where she finished fourth behind The Inferno. Notably, Benedetta wore blinkers during her Goodwood victory, but they will not be used on Saturday. Horse racing news View the full article

Multiple Group 1 winner Riff Rocket. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Caulfield and Melbourne Cup contender Riff Rocket underwent emergency colic surgery overnight, ruling him out of the 2024 Spring Carnival. Trainer Chris Waller confirmed this morning that the surgery was successful. “The early signs are promising, but the next few days will obviously be very important for his ongoing health and survival, which is our main concern,” Waller said. “He is at the South Eastern Equine Hospital, who have done a fantastic job working through the night. They found the impaction in his large colon, which has been relieved. Our thanks go out to them, as well as our stable vet and staff who picked up the issue early.” Waller also expressed his concern for the horse’s future: “Our thoughts are with the horse and his connections at this time, and hopefully, he will make a full racing return in 2025.” Riff Rocket had been among the entries for Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. The standout three-year-old of the 2023-24 season, he had been nominated for all the major spring races. Before being withdrawn, he was a $9 chance for the Caulfield Cup, $18 for the Cox Plate, and $21 for the Melbourne Cup with horse racing bookmakers. Riff Rocket has secured seven wins from 12 starts, earning over $3.5 million in prize money, including victories in last season’s ATC Australian Derby, Rosehill Guineas, and VRC Derby. Horse racing news View the full article

Vincent Ho has 583 Hong Kong wins. Vincent Ho has endured a difficult past 12 months but the affable homegrown jockey is eager to rebound this season. Two falls interrupted Ho’s 2023/24 campaign in Hong Kong – a mishap in Japan which fractured his spine and then a second at Sha Tin. Ho finished with a creditable 41 wins, well below the 96 he rode in 2022/23, which netted staggering earnings of HK$160.2 million. It was also the first time since 2017/18 that Ho has dipped below the 50-win mark in a season. Ho only had 355 starts last term. Since 2012/13, he has never had less than 400 mounts, although victories in the 2023 International Jockeys’ Championship and 2023 Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) would have sweetened a challenging stretch. “I’m definitely targeting more improvement than last season, which wasn’t an easy season, but that’s the risk we take as jockeys. I’m always looking to do the best I can,” Ho said. Ho relished another experience-building offseason in Europe and Japan, honing his craft at a range of overseas arenas such as Goodwood, Pontefract, Dusseldorf and Sapporo. “There’s always more to be learnt when it comes to riding horses. Riding overseas is very different to here, even the routine and racing environment. I had a good experience, lots of driving which was pretty tiring but it was great,” Ho said. Ho receives strong support from two powerful stables in Hong Kong, Francis Lui and Caspar Fownes, although the 34-year-old feels a title push is a few seasons away. “Hopefully one day. It’s not easy and you need almost every stable over the season supporting you, which is very difficult,” Ho said. Ho also won two Group 3 races aboard Galaxy Patch last season. The Pierre Ng-trained galloper placed at Group 1 level over 1400m and was second in the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) across an impressive debut campaign. “He’s very exciting, an improving horse and he’s still young. He’s one of the top horses here, so it doesn’t matter if it’s over a mile, 1800 or 2000 metres – he can still perform,” he said. Ho takes five mounts as racing resumes at Happy Valley on Wednesday, including Aurora Lady (128lb) for Ng. “He’s a nice ride. He showed potential last season,” he said. Aurora Lady faces unbeaten four-year-old Packing Power (135lb), who lines up with an in-form Zac Purton for trainer Danny Shum. “He (Packing Power) looks as if he’s come on a little bit in the offseason, his trial at Conghua was nice, but he’s going to have to get the start right to give himself a chance,” Purton said. Ho also rides Super Sixty at the city circuit for Fownes, as well as Sixth Generation, Matsu Victor and Golden Empire. “He (Super Sixty) still needs to mature more and hopefully the break has helped him. He’s got ability,” Ho said. Mark Newnham has two wins from his first four runners this season. The trainer attributes corrective surgery to Scotch Tycoon’s recent flurry of top-three efforts. The bay contests the first section of the Class 4 Shek O Handicap (1200m) tomorrow from gate one. “Since he had the epiglottic entrapment surgery he has come right back to form. He ran behind a couple of really promising horses (last season), so he’s prepared well for this season, he’s trialled a couple of times and he’s come up with gate one,” Newnham said. Derek Leung chases a first win this term after two seconds on Sunday, linking with Romantic Laos for trainer Cody Mo. “The horse is very honest and he keeps fighting. He only had a small break during the offseason, so he won’t lose his form too much,” Leung said. Straight Arron trialled at Sha Tin for Ricky Yiu on Tuesday morning. “That was a pretty good trial. He jumped well and kept improving. He was outside and avoiding the kickback but he was closing in the finish – good signs,” Yiu said. Yiu saddles four horses at the Valley on Wednesday night, including Sweet Diamond in the Kiu Tsui Handicap. “He’s drawn well (barrier one) and is slowly improving. He’s a seven-year-old now and with a good draw, I think he’ll be competitive, especially at Happy Valley,” Yiu said. Horse racing news View the full article

Pro Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw attends Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale and discusses his plans to get back into Thoroughbred racing as well as the current-day stallions he admires.View the full article

Attending the sale with his wife, Tammy, and partner Steve Davison, Bradshaw said that he and a yet-to-be-named partnership hope to "get lucky."View the full article

9-1 shot VITALITY (g, 3, Street Boss–Bellisimo, by Awesome Again) opened up late to win the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie Tuesday, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. Off the pace set by the lone filly in the race, Aurosa (Uncle Mo), the winner circled the field around the far turn with an eye-catching move and flew past the leader inside the final furlong to come home well clear as Aurosa held on for second. Vitality was sixth in last month's King's Plate. Lifetime Record: 9-2-1-1. O-Stronach Stables; B-Adena Springs; T-Harold Ladouceur. The post Vitality Much The Best Late In Prince Of Wales appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner A lot can change in the year of harness racing and there is no better example than the 2024 Placemakers Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on Sunday. A fine field has been assembled for the traditional New Zealand Cup lead-up with the line up reflecting this season’s changing of the open class guard. Just three horses that contested last year’s Hannon return this year, with a raft of up and comers getting the chance to put their hand up to become a New Zealand Cup contender, just as Dalton Shard has in Addington’s two recent lead up races, the Allied Security Maurice Holmes Vase and the Avon City Ford New Brighton Cup. The progressive Pinseeker could be one of the horses to do exactly that. The pacer made massive strides during his first racing campaign to arrive on the fringes of open class. At the time of last year’s Hannon, Pinseeker was unraced with three trials and workouts under his belt for trainer-driver Jonny Cox. As impressive as he was winning four of his eight starts last prep, logic says that following a break the horse should return bigger and better for what will only be his second racing preparation. If there is one tiny negative with Pinseeker it looks to be his barrier 1 draw. The pacer is undoubtedly a safe beginner, but he’s not fast away and there are queries whether he may end up buried on the pegs. Another also firmly in the up and comers category is Mo’unga whose continued maturing is seeing his racing manners catching up with his speed and his talent. Republican Party, Macandrew Aviator and Mighty Looee are the three horses to return from last year’s Hannon on Sunday. Republican Party went a big race last year, working in testing conditions to find the front before fighting on strongly to run second behind star mare Aardie’s Express. The pacer has trialled twice ahead of his return to racing and those efforts suggest he’s ready to run a big race for trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety. The chances of testing conditions again this year look possible with the Metservice forecasting some showers on Friday and Saturday and rain on Sunday. However, Oamaru locals are offering a much brighter outlook on Sunday’s weather. To see the Hannon Memorial field click here View the full article

A Curlin full-brother to MGISW Clairiere and an Into Mischief half-brother to GISW Girvin (Tale of Ekati)–both Stonestreet-breds–sold in a matter of minutes Tuesday afternoon at the Keeneland September sale for the two highest prices of the day thus far. Causing the biggest stir was hip 347, a Mar. 11-foaled chestnut colt by Curlin out of MGISW Cavorting (Bernardini), brought by Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm for $5 million after a protracted bidding battle. Cavorting has three foals to race: MGISW Clairiere, SW La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro), and MGSP Judge Miller, a full-brother to Clairiere and the $5-million colt. The Stonestreet-bred session topper was consigned by Indian Creek, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised. He was the most expensive colt sold at Keeneland since 2006. Just minutes earlier, hip 345 went through the ring, bringing $1.75 million from Monique Delk, agent for St. Elias Stables, who was also an underbidder on the $5-million colt. Consigned by Summerfield, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised, the Jan. 31-foaled Into Mischief colt is out of the unraced Catch the Moon (Malibu Moon), who has already produced four stakes winners. In addition to Girvin, the colt is also a half to GSW & MGISP Midnight Bourbon (TIznow), as well as to GSWs Cocked and Loaded (Colonel John) and Pirate's Punch (Shanghai Bobby). The post Pair of Stonestreet Yearlings, including $5-Million Curlin Colt, Set Off Fireworks at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Sept. 2-Sept. 8View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a half-sister to a Classic winner. 18.25 Cork, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, f, 8fT HAPPIEST (IRE) (Camelot {GB}) bids to add to Ballydoyle's current legion of classy juvenile fillies in a race the stable has won in three of the last five years. A half-sister to the G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Peaceful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and daughter of the G1 Prix d'Astarte runner-up Missvinski (Stravinsky), she meets Diane Nagle's €400,000 Arqana Deauville August graduate Tswalu (Ire) (Justify), a Joseph O'Brien-trained granddaughter of the G1 Oaks heroine Imagine (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) who also captured the Irish 1,000. The post Camelot Half to Peaceful Debuts at Cork appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With action fast and furious at the Tuesday session of the Keeneland September sale, three yearlings in a matter of four offerings each sold for more than $1 million. The first was hip 283, a Constitution colt out Via Veritas (Street Sense), who hammered to Lee Searing of CRK Stables through Mayberry Farm for $1.2 million. Bred by Runnymede Farm, Peter J. Callahan, Ecurie Loick Fouchet, and Meridian International Sarl, the Mar. 25 colt was consigned by Runnymede Farm LLC, agent. Magna Carta Bloodstock bought his dam for $275,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November sale. Immediately following that colt was hip 284, a Curlin colt out of Virginia Key (Distorted Humor). The Mar. 22-foaled chestnut brought $1.4 million to the bid of Pete Bradley. Blue Heaven Farm bred him and consigned him through Lane's End, agent. In short order, a Not This Time colt out of Vivo Per Lei (Empire Maker) entered the ring as hip 286. David Ingordo signed the ticket for Belladonna Racing, going to $1.3 million. John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock Services bred the Apr. 14-foaled dark bay, who was consigned by Glennwood Farm Inc., agent. The post Flurry of Seven-Figure Horses in Minutes at Keeneland September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A legal petition spearheaded by the current president of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA) has made sweeping allegations involving bad-faith cronyism, corruption investigation obstruction, and more than a million dollars of “illicit and disguised ghost consulting payments” and “lame duck” contract awards that were purportedly authorized by and at times reportedly made to the PTHA's past president and the organization's current executive director. The purpose of the Sept. 6 civil petition filed in the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, by PTHA president Bob Hutt and PTHA board of directors member John Julia is to persuade a judge to use a state business corporations law to remove seven of the 11 current directors from the board because they have allegedly been complicit in the purported wrongdoing. The petition alleged that those board members have failed to carry out duties they were elected to perform on behalf of the 2,500 owners, breeders and trainers that the PTHA represents at Parx. Ray Paulick of the Paulick Report first broke the story. “Regrettably, for many years, PTHA was mismanaged by self-interested Directors with conflicting goals who conducted themselves without regard for their fiduciary obligations to PTHA and to the member Horsemen that it dutybound to represent,” the petition stated. “Their brazen and unlawful conduct harmed PTHA's mission, both financially and with respect to its power to advance measures and reforms benefitting the member Horsemen.” In November 2022, Hutt and Julia were among those newly elected to serve on the PTHA board. Hutt then ran for PTHA president under a reform platform, and he beat the long-entrenched Salvatore DeBunda, who had served four consecutive three-year terms as president and a total of nine terms on the board of directors. DeBunda, an attorney, is listed as the general counsel for the PTHA, and he serves separately as a member of the state body that regulates racing, the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission. The petition stated that as Hutt and other newly elected board members “have attempted to investigate and reform past misconduct, and have begun to discover past acts and omissions by former Directors, Legacy Directors and managerial employees, including criminal conduct, self-dealing, conflicts of interest and violations of the Bylaws, [the directors perceived as being loyal to DeBunda] have attempted to frustrate their efforts.” The petition stated that these so-called legacy directors “have created a voting block that, notwithstanding the fiduciary obligations each Director owes to PTHA, routinely vote to ignore, condone, and conceal past misconduct, perpetuate ongoing misconduct, and prevent PTHA, under the leadership of [Hutt], from taking timely and effective action to enforce its rights and recoup its losses. “Because Respondents exercise majority control over the Board, and have continuously utilized their majority control corruptly and in breach of their obligations to PTHA, their removal from the Board is essential to PTHA's ability to carry out its mission,” the petition stated. Hutt told TDN in a Tuesday phone interview that in the four days since his legal filing was first made public, he has received plenty of feedback. “The overwhelming majority has been very supportive and thanking [us] for having the guts to come forward and speak the truth about what has been known for decades,” Hutt said. Asked if he has also received threats of retaliation because of his whistleblowing, Hutt answered in one word. “Yes,” Hutt said, choosing not to elaborate. The directors that Hutt and Julia want removed are Jeffrey Matty, Jr. (who also is under contract to work as the PTHA's executive director), Kathleen DeMasi (the PTHA's vice-president), Charles Asensio, Jack Armstrong, Scott Lake, Robert Reid, Jr., and John Servis. The lawsuit stated that Edward Coletti, Jr. and John Fanelli, who both currently serve on the PTHA board, “have indicated their support for the initiatives sought by Petitioners and no relief is sought against them.” The accusations in the petition that refer to alleged money-related malfeasance nearly all tie in to DeBunda and Matty. TDN left several email and voicemail messages for both of them on Tuesday seeking their side of the story, but none of the requests for comment yielded replies prior to deadline for this article. It is important to note that the allegations made by Hutt and Julia do not constitute a criminal complaint, nor are the petitioners attempting to use the court filing to recover any purportedly misspent money. But the dollar sums in the petition are staggering, and it is possible that as the civil case proceeds it could generate interest from law enforcement that might result in separate criminal charges. The petition alleged that Dun Roamin Farms, the racing stable owned by DeBunda, was paid in excess of $380,000 by the PTHA between 2017 and 2022 for “ghost consulting” that involved no apparent services and no deliverables. “Moreover, the Bylaws precluded DeBunda from receiving compensation, directly or indirectly, for his efforts as President of PTHA,” the petition stated. “The final payment to Dun Roamin Farms occurred in December 2022, the final full month during which DeBunda served as President of PTHA. “Matty and the Legacy Directors were aware of these illicit and disguised ghost consulting payments to DeBunda, but attempted to conceal them from Petitioners. Moreover, Matty and the Legacy Directors, in violation of their fiduciary duty to PTHA, have prevented PTHA from taking timely action to recoup the improper payments,” the petition stated. Hutt and Julia also red-flagged $550,800 in PTHA payments between 2019 and 2023 to the law firm Archer & Greiner, where DeBunda is listed as being “of counsel.” “Notwithstanding his conflict of interest, and in violation of the express prohibitions set forth in the Bylaws, as President of PTHA, DeBunda funneled legal work to A&G,” the petition stated. “Matty and the Legacy Directors were aware of and acquiesced to the hiring of DeBunda's law firm and the payment of substantial compensation to A&G,” the petition stated. “In violation of their fiduciary duties to PTHA, Matty and the Legacy Directors have failed to take timely action to investigate the possible overpayment of fees and/or to recoup PTHA possible overpayments.” In a different section, the petition alleged that “commencing in or around 2015, PTHA began making payments to disgraced former politician Vincent Furno for alleged consulting.” The petition stated that, “In 2009, Furno had been convicted by a federal jury on 137 counts of corruption, conspiracy, fraud and other crimes,” and that “in excess of $215,000” was paid to Furno for his alleged consulting. “No apparent services were provided by Furno in exchange for the payments and Petitioners' investigation has revealed the existence of no deliverables,” the petition stated. “The final payment to Furno occurred in December 2022, the final full month during which DeBunda served as President of PTHA.” When the PTHA stopped paying Furno under Hutt's tenure, the petition stated, Furno, on Oct. 5, 2023, “threatened suit against PTHA for an alleged outstanding balance due of $52,500 for unpaid and past due consulting services.” Later, “without the knowledge or approval of the full Board, and notwithstanding the admonition of Hutt that ghost consulting is illegal and will not be tolerated by PTHA, Respondent Matty purported to negotiate a settlement with Furno on behalf of PTHA,” the petition stated. “In violation of the express limitations set forth in the Bylaws, Respondent Matty entered into a $30,000 settlement with Furno, and apparently signed a settlement agreement with Furno on behalf of PTHA without the prior knowledge and/or approval of Hutt or the full Board,” the petition stated. Matty's own contract to work as the PTHA's executive director was also listed in the petition as evidence of alleged overcompensation in exchange for loyalty to DeBunda. “Respondent Matty was initially hired by DeBunda as Executive Director in late 2021,” the petition stated. “On Jan. 4, 2023, while serving as the lame duck President of PTHA, DeBunda awarded Matty a three-year written Employment Agreement, which included a substantial increase in compensation, well beyond that of similarly situated executives with Matty's experience, and an unreasonable severance provision. A copy of Matty's contract that was filed with the petition lists his annual salary as $225,000. “Matty's Employment Agreement violates Section 5.11.4 of the Bylaws in that it exceeds the term of one year beyond the term of then President DeBunda,” the petition stated. “Matty's Employment Agreement falsely recites that it was reviewed by the Board and approved unanimously. To the contrary, the Board was not made aware that Matty's Employment Agreement would violate the terms of [the bylaws]. “The transparent motive for awarding Matty a three-year Employment Agreement on the eve of Hutt's term as President was to procure Matty's future continued loyalty to DeBunda, and to the other Legacy Directors, for the duration of Hutt's term as President,” the petition stated. “Not surprisingly then, throughout Hutt's tenure as President of PTHA, Matty has frustrated Hutt's efforts to lead PTHA, has run interference and placed obstacles in Hutt's path to investigating past misconduct and implementing reforms, has disregarded his duty to take direction from Hutt and to support Hutt's leadership, and has violated numerous express provisions of the Bylaws along the way,” the petition stated. “Respondent Matty's misconduct has included refusing to provide Hutt with access to PTHA financial records, personnel records, bank statements and cancelled checks,” the petition stated. The petition also stated a number of other alleged instances of misconduct in which “the Board has continually failed to represent the interests of the members of PTHA in contractual undertakings and negotiations with Parx.” The petition further alleged that, “On multiple occasions, Petitioners notified Parx of potential issues of 'race fixing' and demanded that prompt investigation and remedial action be taken to ensure the fairness and integrity of live racing at Parx. “Petitioners have provided evidence to Parx to support their claims and suspicions [and on] May 25, 2024, provided data to the Pennsylvania Racing Commission to support their claims and suspicions as well,” the petition stated. “Petitioners presented the same data and evidence to the Board and requested that the Board authorize PTHA to support the Horsemen in connection with the investigation of the claims and suspicions,” the petition stated. “Respondents, however, again chose not to represent the interests of the Horsemen members of PTHA, and instead voted not to provide financial or administrative assistance to the investigation of the claims.” The post PTHA Prez Alleges Years of ‘Brazen and Unlawful Conduct’ Involving ‘Illicit and Disguised’ Payments appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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A Curlin colt whose fourth dam is the Phipps blue hen Blitey (Riva Ridge) sold for $1.3 million at Tuesday's session of the Keeneland September yearling sale. Coolmore's M V Magnier signed the ticket. Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, where Curlin stands, the Feb.11-foaled colt is the first foal out of GII Adirondack Stakes winner Thoughtfully (Tapit). Through the ring as hip 262, the bay was bred in Kentucky by Hill n Dale Equine Holdings, Inc and Determined Stud. The post Coolmore Goes to $1.3 Million for Curlin Colt 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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My Shea D Lady (Solomini–Ladyberg, by Teuflesberg), a multiple New York-bred stakes winner, will be offered during the upcoming Inglis Digital USA September Sale, set to take place Wednesday, Sept. 25. The 3-year-old filly, most recently third in the 1 1/8-mile Fleet Indian Stakes on Aug. 25, is owned by Shea D Boys Stable and trained by Carlos David. Vinery Sales will handle the consignment, as agent. “We are excited to bring this precocious filly to the market,” said Josh Kerin from Vinery Sales. “There is no doubt she is a runner, having been in the money in six of nine starts. She fits a wide list of buyers as she has plenty of run left in her, but she has also already boosted her own residual value. A very exciting opportunity for someone to invest in.” Interested buyers can watch My Shea D Lady breeze at Belmont Park during training hours on Sunday, Sept. 15. She will be wearing an Inglis Digital USA saddle towel to help viewers identify her amongst the other working horses. The filly's breeze schedule will be updated on the Inglis Digital USA X account, or reach out to Liza Hendriks for more information at liza@inglisdigitalusa.com “My Shea D Lady is an exceptional New York-bred filly, poised to become a valuable asset for any racing or breeding operation,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Liza Hendriks. “As part of the lucrative New York-bred program, she offers exceptional versatility and a range of opportunities for her future connections.” Entries close for the Inglis Digital USA September Sale on Monday, Sept. 16. The catalog will be released Friday, Sept. 20, and the horses will sell Wednesday, Sept. 25. The post New York-Bred Stakes Winner My Shea D Lady Cataloged in Inglis Digital USA September Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The six-day season will continue through Sept. 22 with racing conducted on a Friday-Sunday basis both weeks.View the full article