Wandering Eyes

Breeders' Cup and Del Mar will present an attractive undercard program Nov. 1-2 as part of the 2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships. Eight races with purses and awards totaling more than $1.5 million will be offered.View the full article

A filly by Into Mischief (hip 210) was the second to break the seven-figure mark early in Tuesday's second session of the Keeneland September sale when bringing a final bid of $1.5 million from bloodstock agent David Lanigan, acting on behalf of Scott Heider. Out of GI Breeders' Cup F/M Turf winner Shared Account (Pleasantly Perfect), the bay is a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Sharing (Speightstown). She was bred and consigned by Gainesway, which purchased Shared Account, with Sharing in utero, for $625,000 at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November sale. The post $1.5-Million Into Mischief Filly to Heider appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A half-sister to champion and top young sire Nyquist brought $1.2 million to kick off the second session of the Keeneland September yearling sale early Tuesday afternoon when selling to AMO Racing USA. The chestnut filly, hip 206, is by Curlin and out of the winning Seeking Gabrielle (Forestry). She was consigned by Hinkle Farms, who also bred her. A Feb. 13 foal, she's from the family of GISW Sahara Sky (Pleasant Tap). Hinkle bought her dam for $100,000 at the 2013 Keeneland November sale. The post Curlin Half to Nyquist to Amo for $1.2 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The World Tote Association (WoTA) members have elected its Board for the next two years, it was announced on Tuesday, with the Jockey Club of Turkey and Zeturf Group also being welcomed as full members. Fundi Sithebe, CEO of 4Racing in South Africa, and Keith Johnson, president of 1/ST Technology Group/AmTote have accepted nominations to co-chair WoTA. Riko Luiking, general manager of the German Tote, has likewise accepted the role of treasurer. Sithebe and Johnson take over from Alex Frost, CEO of the UK Tote Group, and Hans Lord Skarploth, CEO of ATG in Sweden. Sithebe and Johnson said in a joint statement, “We are delighted to be taking over as co-chairs of the World Tote Association. Over the last five years WoTA has made significant progress in developing the relationship between members and increasing understanding of the role pool betting plays in supporting horseracing around the globe. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to further our collective ambitions for the good of horseracing and society as a whole.” The members of the WoTA Board for 2025-26 are as follows: Keith Johnson – 1/ST Technology/AmTote (co-chair) Fundi Sithebe – 4Racing (co-chair) Alex Frost – UK Tote Group Hans Lord Skarplöth – ATG Paul Cross – Tabcorp Michael Fitzsimons – Hong Kong Jockey Club Driss Belghazi – Sorec Adrien Billon – Carrus Group Andreas Reimblad – Veikkaus Simon Leong – Singapore Pools Riko Luiking – German Tote (treasurer) Andrew Archibald – United Tote The post World Tote Association Announces Election of a New Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Warwick Racecourse, in partnership with the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA), announced on Tuesday that the second day of its Winter Festival on Thursday, November 21 will this year become Breeders' Day, with both the race programme and supporting activity centering around breeders and the breeding sector. Prior to racing, the TBA will host an educational forum designed for TBA members, and non-member breeding enthusiasts, covering a range of topics with expert panels and Q&A sessions. Full details of the panels and speakers will be revealed in the coming weeks, with an all-inclusive Breeders' Package available to purchase at a cost of £35 for TBA members and £55 for non-members. Following the morning forum, attendees can look forward to a seven-race card in the afternoon, where the feature is a class 2 veterans chase. The race programme has been put together to highlight breeder friendly races, including four mares' only contests, as well as a junior 'NH' hurdle. Each race will be sponsored by organisations from within the bloodstock industry and additional prizes awarded to the breeder of each winner. Simon Cox, chairman of the TBA National Hunt Committee, said, “Warwick approached us earlier in the year about the concept of a Breeders' Day and we were delighted to come on board. The decisions that breeders make are instrumental in the creation and early development of racehorses and they should be celebrated in the same way that owners, trainers and jockeys are.” TBA members can book by visiting the events page of the TBA website, while non-members can also book the Breeders' Package by visiting warwickracecourse.co.uk. The post Inaugural Warwick Breeders’ Day to Take Place in Partnership with the TBA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eight races with purses and awards totaling more than $1.5 million will be offered as part of the Breeders' Cup undercard weekend according to an announcement Tuesday from Breeders' Cup Limited and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. In addition to travel incentives, owners and trainers of contenders participating in the undercard races will receive race day seating, parking, and a range of other premium benefits. Five undercard races on the Nov. 1 program bolster Future Stars Friday, highlighted by the $200,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes for 2-year-olds at 1 mile on turf, and the $200,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes for fillies and mares, 2-year-olds and up at 5 furlongs on the turf; and two stakes races for California-breds on the main track with the $175,000 Golden State Juvenile Fillies, for 2-year-old fillies at 7 furlongs, and the $175,000 Golden State Juvenile, for 2-year-olds, also at 7 furlongs. There will be three undercard races on the Nov. 2 Championships Saturday program, anchored by the GIII Bayakoa Stakes for fillies and mares, 3-years-old and up, at 1 mile on the main track, and the GIII Goldikova Stakes presented by Yaamava Resort & Casino for fillies and mares, 3-years-old and up, at 1 mile on turf. As is the case with the 14 World Championships races, all eight undercard races will be conducted free of medication. Final race order and post times for both Friday and Saturday programs will be announced Wednesday, Oct. 23. Nominations for all undercard stakes close Oct. 24 with the Del Mar Racing Office. The post Breeders’ Cup Undercard At Del Mar To Feature More Than $1.5 Million In Purses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

“Solid trade throughout the day,” was how Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony described the fifth edition of the September Sale of horses in training, which added 1,887,200gns to the company's turnover for the year. From a catalogue which had been reduced in size by a third from last year, 128 horses changed hands at Park Paddocks on Tuesday, headed by the 88-rated multiple winner Debora's Dream (Ire) (Sioux Nation), who was bought by Alan O'Keeffe, assistant trainer to Jennie Candlish, on behalf of Clare Dolan. The three-year-old colt, who was previously trained by Roger Varian and offered by Baroda Stud, was secured for 80,000gns. Baroda Stud ended the day as leading consignor with 14 sold, including the second-top lot, the 87-rated God Of Fire (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), who will be joining the jumps yard of Jonjo O'Neill. The four-year-old from the family of St Mark's Basilica (Fr) has won three times this year for Daniel and Claire Kubler. He was signed for at 70,000gns by Chris Dixon. “Jonjo rang and asked to to give him a shout when we were doing doing the catalogue if we saw anything that could do a job hurdling, so we put this horse forward,” said Dixon, who also bought three horses for his syndicate The Horse Watchers. “He has obviously progressed nicely since Dan and Claire have had him on the Flat, he has got a winning hurdler in his pedigree, the only one who has tried it. Muhaarar has had a few good jumpers over the last year or so and he might be one of those who make a bit of an impact as a jumps stallion with the right type of horse; I do think he is a good and underrated stallion.” A clearance rate of 77% was achieved from the 128 lots sold. The median improved by 25% to 10,000gns, while the average was down 14% at 14,744gns. In his closing statement, Mahony said, “This is the fifth edition of a sale that was introduced in 2020 as a response to the Covid-related delay to the Flat season and numerically the smallest, and whilst we may have been short of obvious stars, there has been solid trade throughout the day from both domestic buyers and those from further afield. International buyers always play a significant part at Tattersalls horses-in-training sales, particularly those from the Gulf, but there has also been a vibrant domestic market including plenty of interest from the National Hunt community. “We now look forward to Books 1 to 4 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, whose graduates have enjoyed spectacular global success in recent months and we look forward to welcoming an international cast of buyers to Park Paddocks during the fortnight that begins with Europe's Premier Yearling Sale.” The post ‘Solid’ September at Tattersalls as Debora’s Dream Joins Candlish appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Arqana Arc Sale will provide the rare opportunity to buy a Classic-winning colt at public auction after it was announced on Tuesday that Deutsches Derby hero Palladium (Ger) (Gleneagles {Ire}) is one of 38 lots catalogued to sell at Saint-Cloud Racecourse on Saturday, October 5. Bred by Gestut Fahrhof, Palladium is out of the Listed winner and G1 Premio Lydia Tesio runner-up Path Wind (Fr) (Anabaa), who is now the dam of three winners after Path Of Soldier (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) opened his account at Dusseldorf on Sunday to join Palladium and the dual Listed scorer Panjari (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Palladium was bought by Liberty Racing for €80,000 at the BBAG September Yearling Sale and his victory at Hamburg completed a remarkable double for the ownership group following that of Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) in the same race in 2023. Palladium, who will be offered as lot 34, has not been seen in competitive action since winning the Deutsches Derby back in July, but he featured among the entries for Sunday's G2 Prix Niel at Longchamp as of Tuesday afternoon. G2 Union-Rennen winner Narrativo (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) (lot 46) is another talented three-year-old from Germany set to go under the hammer at the Arc Sale. A half-brother to the G3 Silbernes Pferd winner Nikkei (Ger) (Pivotal {GB}), he has finished second in the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin and third in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden since finishing down the field behind Palladium at Hamburg. G3 Prix Gerald de Geoffre victor Columbus (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) (lot 17), plus the Listed winners Waldora (Fr) (Waldgeist {GB}) (lot 25), Shamarkand (Fr) (Harzand {Ire}) (lot 31) and Trafalgar Square (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) (lot 54), are other members of the Classic generation sure to be in demand, while the two-year-old offering includes the G3 Prix La Rochette third Revolutionnaire (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}) (lot 45). A group of older horses who have already shown their talents in Pattern company will also be offered to buyers, including the G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier and G2 Prix Kergorlay winner Sober (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) (lot 14), G3 Preis der Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe scorer Downtown (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) (lot 18) and G1 Prix Ganay runner-up Zarir (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) (lot 38). The catalogue can be viewed here, with further entries expected to be added before the sale which takes place during the weekend of the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The post Deutsches Derby Winner Headlines First Entries for Arqana Arc Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following another dominating victory in the Sept. 7 Ainsworth Turf Sprint (G2T) at Kentucky Downs, Cogburn ranks fifth in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll.View the full article

Fitted with blinkers after two defeats, Ballydoyle's Trinity College (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Hermosa {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) took a mighty leap forward at Galway on Tuesday to bring the stable's tally of TDN Rising Stars among its juveniles in 2024 to a dozen. Fourth last time behind fellow TDN Rising Star Hill Road (Quality Road) at Leopardstown, the 10-11 favourite tanked his way to the front soon after the start of the card's opening extended-mile maiden with Wayne Lordan unable to contain him in the first-time headgear. Producing a sustained surge out of the back straight to put daylight between him and his struggling rivals, the son of the 1,000 Guineas heroine hit the line strong with 12 lengths to spare over the newcomer Minella Boss (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}). “At home he had shown plenty of ability but was just very babyish and when we put the blinkers on him at home, he seemed to come forward,” stable representative Chris Armstrong said of the 44th TDN Rising Star for Dubawi who was carrying the silks of part-owner Masaaki Matsushima. “He had been lazy, but is very genuine and it helped him to travel well. He had been coming on nicely at home, Wayne was very happy with him and thought he would come on well from his last run.” “He is a horse with plenty of ability, will make into a lovely middle-distance horse next year and will stay very well. After this weekend, we will see where he fits in and could be one for the Beresford or Eyrefield Stakes–he is in all those group races. He is still a big baby, but has the makings of a very nice horse.” The post Ballydoyle’s Trinity College A 44th TDN Rising Star For Dubawi appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sir Michael Stoute, who announced his impending retirement earlier in the day, was very much in business-as-usual mode as 'TDN Rising Star' Formal (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}–Veracious {GB}, by Frankel {GB}) added to her impressive debut success at Newbury in July with an equally taking 2 1/2-length tally in Tuesday's British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Leicester. Formal looks impressive in the British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes with Ryan Moore onboard! An excellent result for Sir Michael Stoute who announced his retirement earlier today! pic.twitter.com/aXW3EYQF4j — Leicester Racecourse (@LeicesterRaces) September 10, 2024 3rd-Leicester, £9,000, Nov, 9-10, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:29.82, sf. FORMAL (GB) (f, 2, Dubawi {Ire}–Veracious {GB} {G1SW-Eng, $597,607}, by Frankel {GB}), who attained 'TDN Rising Star' status in her July 25 debut over this distance at Newbury last time, was swiftly into stride and bounded along on the front end from flagfall here. Quickening clear of toiling rivals approaching the final furlong, the 8-13 favourite was untroubled in the closing stages and kept on strongly to easily account for Starlit Spice (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) by 2 1/2 lengths. “That was impressive and Ryan [Moore] was very taken with her,” commented Cheveley Park Stud's Chris Richardson. “I was a little bit concerned about the [soft] ground as the ground had changed [from good-to-soft], but I think it very appropriate on such a day. She handled the [good-to-firm] ground at Newbury and her class was certainly in evidence this afternoon. We have much to look forward to and we'll discuss options with Sir Michael [Stoute] and [owner] Patricia Thompson. It's a really poignant day and I'm just thrilled Formal has won so nicely.” Formal is the first of three foals produced by G1 Falmouth Stakes heroine Veracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}), herself out of dual Group 1-placed G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes victrix Infallible (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). Infallible is also the dam of dual G2 Summer Mile-winning G1 International, G1 Queen Anne Stakes and GI Woodbine Mile placegetter Mutakayyef (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and G3 Prix de Flore victrix Intimation (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The February-foaled homebred bay is full to a yearling colt and half to a weanling colt by Kingman (GB). Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $14,523. O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute. The post Dubawi’s TDN Rising Star Formal Remains Undefeated for Sir Michael Stoute with Leicester Romp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Haras de Montaigu completed its full set of topping both days of the Osarus September Yearling Sale in La Teste de Buch when selling a Toronado (Ire) filly for €40,000 to John Hammond. Already named Acqua Rosa (Fr) and offered as lot 154, the April-born filly is out of the four-time winner Rose Tea (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), a half-sister to the G2 Prix Greffulhe runner-up Handsome Devil (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}). The clearance rate picked up a little throughout the second session, settling overall for the two days at 62%. The 97 yearlings sold from 156 to go through the ring brought an aggregate of €919,000, which was markedly down on last year but from a smaller catalogue this time around and 50 fewer horses sold. The median of €8,000 and average of €10,090, were both slightly reduced from the 2023 figures. Irish breeze-up pinhookers Con Marnane of Bansha House and John Bourke of Hyde Park Stud, the breeder of Haatem (Ire), each got involved on the final day. Marnane bought a Galiway (GB) colt for €22,000 and Bourke, who bought Listed winner and Group 3-placed Chic Colombine (Fr) (Seahenge) at this sale two years ago for €10,000, picked up a filly by Seabhac for €21,000. The post Haras de Montaigu in Command at Osarus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thoroughbred Charities of America will return as the title sponsor for the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium the organization announced Tuesday. The Thoroughbred Makeover showcases recently-retired ex-racehorses, transitioned to new careers by trainers across North America to culminate in a four-day competition at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington annually in October. The Makeover offers 10 equestrian disciplines with over $100,000 in prize money offered; a division of competition for recently-retired broodmares returns for the second year. “The Thoroughbred Makeover has made a measurable impact on Thoroughbred aftercare which resonates far beyond the work of the RRP itself,” said Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA. “TCA has believed in the impact of this event since the beginning, and is pleased to once again support the Thoroughbred Makeover as title sponsor.” “The entire RRP staff and board commend TCA on a banner year in their grant-making pursuits,” added Kirsten Green, executive director of the RRP. “There are many aftercare organizations doing meaningful work who fall outside the scope of traditional aftercare funding models. The RRP is included in that group, and we would not be able to make the impact that we have were it not for the early and continued support of TCA.” The Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium takes place on October 9-12, 2024 at the Kentucky Horse Park and includes educational, networking and social opportunities. The post Thoroughbred Charities Of America Returns As Title Sponsor For RRP TB Makeover appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalog for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's 2024 October Yearling Sale is now available via the OBS website. The two-day sale is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, October 8th and 9th. Supplemental entries will be accepted until September 21st. There are 535 horses cataloged in two open sessions. The sale begins Tuesday, October 8th with Hip No.'s 1-266 plus supplements offered for sale. Hip No.'s 301-569 plus supplements will be sold Wednesday, October 9th. Both sessions will begin at 11:30 a.m. Supplements will be sold at the conclusion each session cataloged in order of the starting letter of the dam's name. Names beginning with Y through L will be added to the end of the first session; names beginning with M through X will be added to the conclusion of second session. The post OBS October Yearling Sale Catalog Now Live appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for the final day of racing Wednesday at Kentucky Downs: Wednesday, September 11, 2024 KY Downs 1, $100k, 2yo, (R), 6.5fT, 1:25 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Coastertothemoon (Vekoma), OBSJUN, 21,000, :10 2/5 C-Blue Sapphire Stables, agent; B-Michael Maker Cutlass King (Hit It a Bomb), OBSJUN, 20,000, :10 2/5 C-Wildheart Thoroughbreds LLC, agent; B-Crowns Way Racing Hoff (Uncle Mo)-AE, OBSJUN, 45,000, :10 1/5 C-Gene Recio, agent; B-Clark O Brewster Malachi (Curlin's Honor), OBSJUN, 24,000, :10 2/5 C-Dynasty Thoroughbreds; B-Gregory A Pelzel (PS) Tap Em' Out (Tapit), FTMMAY, 40,000, :22 2/5 C-Pick View LLC, agent; B-Alice McEwen KY Downs 6, $170k, 2yo, 1mT, 4:09 p.m. ET Baltoro (Bolt d'Oro), OBSMAR, 130,000, G C-de Meric Sales for Complete Dispersal for Lothenbach Stables; B-Tom Aronson KY Downs 10, $170k, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 6:25 p.m. ET Cheetah Lady (Quality Road), FTMMAY, 140,000, :21 4/5 C-Pick View LLC, agent; B-Jim Glenn Close Up (Demarchelier {GB}), OBSAPR, 135,000, :10 C-Majestic, agent; B-Victory Racing Partners Nile Valley (American Pharoah), OBSJUN, 82,000, G C-Boutte Sales, agent; B-A B C Racing The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored By OBS: September 11, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars HELENE WARRIOR - R7 (4) Trialled nicely and looks a three-year-old with plenty of upside Jay Rooney RED MAJESTY - R6 (1) Well placed in this grade from barrier one and has trialled well Jack Dawling SUPER JOY N FUN - R8 (8) Unexposed galloper can resume his progress on his return to the Valley Phillip Woo RED MAJESTY - R6 (1) Trip specialist should be hard to beat from an ideal gate Shannon (Vincent Wong) LOVERO - R7 (3) Smart galloper is racing in outstanding form over C&D and he can go close tonight Racing Post Online PACKING POWER - R3 (1) Impressed in his debut and a repeat win looks on the cards Tom Wood LESS IS MORE - R5 (5) No luck down the straight at Sha Tin and off his trial he looks ready to winView the full article

Saturday's GII Ainsworth Turf Sprint Stakes winner Cogburn (Not This Time) jumped from 13th to fifth in this week's NTRA Top Thoroughbred poll. The top four remain unchanged with Fierceness (City of Light) leading the way ahead of Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) and National Treasure (Quality Road). Highland Falls (Curlin) held steady in sixth while Dornoch (Good Magic) dropped to seventh. New to the Top 10 this week is another son of Not This Time in Next who last won the Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 4 and advanced from 12th. The post Cogburn Advances To Top Five In NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nominations are now open for OwnerView's 2024 “New Owner of the Year” Award, sponsored by 1/ST RACING. The award, which honors a new Thoroughbred owner who has been successful in the sport and has had a positive impact on the industry, has previously gone to names such as Jim and Dana Bernhard, Alexander Bregman, and MyRacehorse. To qualify, nominees must have made their first start as a Thoroughbred owner in the past four years (since 2021), had an ownership stake in a horse at the time it won a stakes race in the past 12 months, and had a verifiable owner license in 2024. Thoroughbred performance as well as a nominee's promotion of the sport will be considered. Anyone, including current owners, can nominate an owner who meets the criteria for the award. A selection committee will choose the winner. To submit a nomination, please contact Gary Falter for a nomination form at 859-224-2803 or email him. The deadline to receive nominations is November 4. The post OwnerView Opens Nominations For “New Owner Of The Year” Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Both Melbourne and Sydney Spring Racing Carnivals have kicked into full swing, and last weekend the Group 1 Moir Stakes headlined the Moonee Valley program. From the two feature meetings in Victoria and New South Wales, we have found three runners that are worth putting in your blackbook, so you can follow them throughout their spring campaigns. Moonee Valley Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 1: 3YO Handicap (1600m) | Time: 1:37.58 Horse to follow: Evaporate (1st) Evaporate brought up a winning hat-trick for the Ben, Will & JD Hayes stable after proving way too good for his rivals over 1600m, keeping his undefeated record at Moonee Valley intact. The son of Per Incanto jumped well from his outside barrier and pushed forward to settle outside the leader before kicking clear around the home turn. Michael Dee didn’t have to ride the winner out to the line, and he clocked off nicely to record a 2.75-length victory. When to bet: Post-race, Ben Hayes confirmed that Evaporate would return to the Valley for his third straight start and compete in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, where he will be one of the key chances. Race 10: Benchmark 84 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:10.72 Horse to follow: Miss Aria (1st) Blake Shinn gave Miss Aria one of the rides of the day at Moonee Valley as he hugged the inside running rail, and the Danny O’Brien-trained mare sprinted past all of her rivals in the final 200m. This daughter of Zoustar clocked the fastest last 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m sections of the race and appears to have returned well from her winter campaign. In Queensland, the three-year-old filly finished second in the Group 3 Winx Guineas, and she is expected to compete in Group races during the spring. When to bet: Danny O’Brien mentioned the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes at Flemington as one of the targets for Miss Aria. She also holds a nomination for The Golden Eagle at Randwick on November 2, and with a massive $10 million prize pool up for grabs, expect her to be ready to peak in Australia’s richest four-year-old race. Randwick Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: +6m entire circuit Race 8: Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) | Time: 1:33.76 Horse to follow: Adelaide River (4th) Adelaide River has only been to the races three times in Australia since being sent over from Europe, and his fourth-place finish in the Chelmsford Stakes was by far his best performance on Aussie soil. The Kris Lees-trained galloper failed to fire a shot in the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup and Group 2 Q22 in Queensland before going out for a two-month freshen. The son of Australia settled midfield last weekend and ran through the line strongly over 1600m, which should bring him on for his second-up start over further. When to bet: Adelaide River holds nominations for all of the top Group 1 races in Melbourne and Sydney, so Kris Lees is likely to target the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick on September 21. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Recommended! The Better Bettors! Australian-owned and operated bookmaker! Join MarantelliBet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Horse racing tips View the full article

Sir Michael Stoute, the ten-time champion trainer in Britain, has announced his intention to retire from the training ranks at the end of this season. Now 78, Stoute is one of the longest-serving trainers in Newmarket, where he has been based since 1972. With more than 4,000 winners to his credit, he has been responsible for six Derby winners among his 16 British Classic triumphs, beginning with Shergar in 1981 and, most recently, the 2022 winner Desert Crown. “I would like to thank all my owners and staff for the support they have given me over the years,” he said in a statement issued through the Press Association on Tuesday morning. “It has been a great and enjoyable journey.” Stoute, who was inducted into the QIPCO British Horseracing Hall of Fame in 2023, previously held the record for the most number of winners at Royal Ascot, his tally of 82 having only recently been overtaken by Aidan O'Brien, who is now on 91. He has also trained six winners of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Juddmonte International, the Eclipse, the Irish Oaks and the Falmouth Stakes, along with eight Lockinge Stakes victors and nine Yorkshire Oaks winners. Born on the island of Barbados in the West Indies where his father was the chief of police, he moved to England in 1964 to work in racing, initially assisting Pat Rohan in Yorkshire. In the five decades since being granted his own licence, Stoute's name has become synonymous with some of the great thoroughbreds of the modern era. To the infamous and brilliant Shergar, whose Derby win came in the year in which Stoute was first crowned champion trainer, must be added the names Green Desert, Singspiel, Pilsudski, Workforce, Islington, Russian Rhythm, Opera House, Estimate, Conduit, Harbinger, Medicean and Crystal Ocean. Amid champions across all manner of distances on the Flat, he also trained the champion hurdler Kribensis. Even this list is but a small snapshot of a far greater body of work which hinged on training for some of the great owner-breeders of the day. With Stoute, the Aga Khan celebrated the Derby winners Shergar and Shahrastani as well as 2,000 Guineas winner Doyoun, and Kalanisi, who triumphed in the Queen Anne Stakes and was one of the trainer's seven winners at the Breeders' Cup in America. Cheveley Park Stud, Ballymacoll Stud, Juddmonte, the Niarchos family, Sheikhs Maktoum, Hamdan and Mohammed Al Maktoum, Meon Valley Stud and the Rothschild family feature on a glittering list of owner-breeders who kept Stoute's Freemason Lodge stocked with well-bred individuals. The most recent group winner to emanate from the stable is the Niarchos homebred Passenger, winner of the G2 Huxley Stakes at Chester in May, while James Wigan's Bay Bridge (GB) provided Stoute with his most recent Group 1 success when landing the Champion Stakes of 2022. William Haggas, a fellow Newmarket trainer, paid tribute to his close friend. He told TDN, “He's a good pal, number one, but he is also without question the greatest trainer of my lifetime. “They all compare him to Henry Cecil, but Henry, as good as he was, rather fell into training in that he took over from his father-in-law, whereas Michael started with absolutely nothing. He came over to Pat Rohan in the 60s. He won the Stewards' Cup and the Ayr Gold Cup in his second year training with two different horses – Alphadamus and Blue Cashmere – and he has been at the top of his game for an enormous amount of time.” Haggas continued, “He is the most determined man I've met. His brain is as sharp as a knife and his attention to detail is unbelievable. His is determined to be the best without shouting from this rooftops. He's a modest, very humble man but he is a very clever trainer. “He has great humour, loves cricket, and he can also enjoy himself when the horses are sleeping. I've known him a long time and very well and he doesn't miss a trick. You won't be able to name all the brilliant horses he has trained, and how brilliantly he has trained them. He's a star: a five-star star.” Certainly Newmarket Heath will be less characterful without Sir Michael Stoute crossing its turf every morning. The trainer can often be heard humming or whistling – or a mixture of both – as he watches his horses at exercise. For many summers he was accompanied by his great friend, the legendary fast bowler Michael Holding. In a recent interview in Bloodstock Notebook, Holding said of Stoute, “To this day I remain in awe. He loves to talk cricket because I guess it takes his mind off the stress of training. He has an incredible memory. He writes imaginary notes about the horses in the middle of his palm with an imaginary pen and then rubs them out so that nobody sees them!” Chris Richardson, manager of Cheveley Park Stud, which has had horses in training with Stoute for four decades, said “It has been a wonderful association and we wish him well in the future, but I will certainly miss those wonderful early mornings trying to second-guess what he saw, which was never easy. Normally you were trying to decode a 'boompedy-boom' or him whistling 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina'.” He continued, “This is the 40th season that Patricia Thompson and the Thompson family have had horses with him. You can go back to the 1980s and fillies that we had, like Aim For The Top, who won the Firth of Clyde, Gay Gallanta winning the Queen Mary and the Cheveley Park Stakes, Red Carnival, who won the Cherry Hinton, and of course Russian Rhythm, who won four Group 1s. These were all fillies that we bought and then of course there were the horses that we bred over the years: Sacrament, Exclusive, Medicean, Red Bloom, Peeress, Integral, Veracious, Queen's Trust – the list goes on and on. He's had something like 37 individual group winners of over 70 races over the years for Cheveley Park Stud, which is phenomenal really.” Stoute was made a director of the stud in the mid 1980s and Richardson said that his contribution to its success has been more than just as a trainer. He added, “He's brilliantly talented and with a great eye for a horse. For many years we would go round the yearling sales together, especially in America, and select two or three fillies, like Gay Gallanta and Red Carnival, who were stunning race fillies and became part of the foundation of what we are today.” The post ‘Without Question the Greatest Trainer of my Lifetime’: Stoute Hailed by Peers as Retirement Beckons appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kiwi trainer hopes to turn last season’s placegetters into this season’s winners.View the full article

What Doomben Races Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Wednesday, September 11, 2024 First Race 12:33pm AEST Visit Dabble Doomben will host a competitive eight-race card this Wednesday afternoon, with the first race scheduled to jump at 12:33pm AEST. With more rain forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, it is expected that the track will remain in the Soft range. The rail will be pushed out to the +9.5m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Doomben: Free Carry Free Carry had his winning streak halted at two after he was well beaten at this track over 1615m on August 24. Even though the Tony Gollan-trained gelding was made to run the race at a breakneck tempo, he battled on gamely in the final 400m. Rising to 1650m at peak fitness in a contest with less speed, Free Carry can take up the lead on a sedate tempo before giving a strong kick at the top of the home straight. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 Free Carry (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: Emily Lang (a3) (59.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best at Doomben: Beebee Dazzler Beebee Dazzler has finished in the top two in each of his last six starts, including two wins at Toowoomba over 1200m and 1300m. This four-year-old gelding will appreciate a rise in trip to 1350m on a Soft track. Beebee Dazzler will settle in the one-one position under James Orman from barrier two and, with even luck, should be playing a prominent role in the finish. Next Best Race 7 – #5 Beebee Dazzler (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Kevin Kemp | J: James Orman (58.5kg) Bet with Neds Best Value at Doomben: Feathertop Feathertop could only manage an eighth-place finish at Ipswich over 1350m on his Australian debut, as the Matthew Dunn-trained galloper settled at the rear of the field and worked home under little to no riding. This European import won his only race over 1911m on a Heavy track, which should suggest that rising to 1650m will suit him much better. If Andrew Mallyon can settle midfield from barrier seven, Feathertop can break his Aussie duck with a strong finish. Best Value Race 4 – #7 Feathertop (7) 5yo Mare | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Andrew Mallyon (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Wednesday quaddie tips for Doomben races Doomben quadrella selections Wednesday, September 11, 2024 1-3-4-5-10-11 1-5-6 3-5-9 3-5-10-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Tony Pike’s team of horses were airborne on the good track at Hastings last Saturday and the Cambridge horseman was pleased to return to Ellerslie with a similarly positive report following trials held at the venue on Tuesday. The Ellerslie course underwent a major renovation installing a StrathAyr surface through the 2022/23 season, which upon return, successfully staged the TAB Karaka Millions, Auckland Cup and New Zealand Derby meetings through the summer period. On April 10 and 20, the meetings at Ellerslie were partially abandoned as the result of safety concerns, and since then a maintenance plan was developed and the track has successfully held jump-outs on September 2, alongside jump-outs and 22 trial heats on Tuesday. “We’ve got through the day well, the jockeys have been happy with the track and there’s definitely more indentation in the track then there probably was previously,” Pike said. “Obviously getting later in the afternoon now, it is starting to firm up a touch, but I think everyone has been pleased with the surface.” Pike collected his first stakes success of the season with Poetic Champion in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) with Matt Cartwright on board, who was also able to provide a fresh perspective on Ellerslie after moving from Victoria, where the StrathAyr is utilised at the likes of Moonee Valley. “One of the comments from Matt Cartwright, who has ridden on StrathAyr tracks a number of times in Melbourne, was that a bit more grass cover would be ideal, and talking to Paul (Wilcox, Auckland Thoroughbred Racing chief executive), they have fertilised the track and will be getting more grass cover ahead of the upcoming race meetings,” Pike said. “I think it’s been positive all round and we’re looking forward to getting back to headquarters on race day.” Pike’s impressive colt Storm Front (NZ) (Snitzel) produced an eye-catching performance in the second of three juvenile trials, running out a two-length winner in the hands of Ryan Elliot. “He’s a lovely colt that we have a high opinion of and he couldn’t have trialled any more impressively,” Pike said. “He went to the front on the bridle, and as most two-year-olds do the first time around Ellerslie, he had a good look at everything coming down the straight and possibly raced a bit greenly over the final stages. “Having a trial around Ellerslie is really going to benefit him going forward, hopefully he will be back here for some of the better two-year-old races through the season.” A son of Snitzel, Storm Front was a $400,000 yearling purchase at Karaka in January, with his dam, Indecision, a three-time stakes winner in Pike’s care. “Although his price was expensive, for a well-bred Snitzel colt and the type he was, it was probably reasonable buying at the time so hopefully he can live up to expectations,” Pike said. “He was just a stunning individual out of a very good mare that I trained, and I’ve had a lot of success buying from Trelawney Stud as well.” Looking ahead to the weekend’s meetings, Pike will be represented in both islands with Raziah (NZ) (Niagara) nominated for Saturday’s Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton Park. The Niagara filly finished second to Belardi in the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) in June and will carry the silks of her breeders The Oaks Stud. “She’s stakes-placed and more black-type would be ideal, we just thought she might not be quite up to the best of the three-year-old fillies in the north at this point in time, so it was a good option to head down for the fillies series,” Pike said. “She trialled up really nicely last week and it would be great for The Oaks if she can be competitive at black-type level again this weekend. “We try and do most of their work at home so they are nice and forward in condition, once she gets down there she’ll be racing on Saturday then it’ll just be a matter of ticking her over towards the next race.” Pike had come close to autumn stakes success in the South Island with Ziggy Stardust (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) finishing runner-up in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) in May, with that filly potentially kicking-off a new preparation in the Taranaki Pine Maiden Dash (990m) at New Plymouth. “She probably didn’t spell quite as well as we had hoped through the winter, so instead of sending her all the way down with a long float trip, we thought we would keep her up north for a maiden race,” Pike said. “She’s 50/50 to run if track conditions don’t improve, if they don’t, she’ll probably head to Taupo next Friday.” Closer to home at Te Rapa, Group Two winner Val Di Zoldo (NZ) (War Decree) will make her return in the Waikato Construction 1400 on Sunday. While not picking up a race in her four-year-old season, the War Decree mare was a model of consistency, finishing in the first four in three successive stakes assignments. “She trialled up really well on the Cambridge Synthetic last Friday, 1400m is well short of her best but she was unlucky not to win the Travis Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m) last season,” Pike said. “This is a nice starting point for her on Saturday, as long as she’s finding the line nicely in the closing stages, that’ll set her up nicely going forward into the rest of the spring.” View the full article

The VRC has added a new race to its Melbourne Cup day program. The club announced on Monday that a $250,000 Australian Heritage Cup (2800m) would be run on the day, replacing the traditional 2800m Benchmark 96 race on the same program. It’s a race that is restricted to Australian and New Zealand trained stayers. There will be qualifying races held in each state across the country, allowing connections the chance to have a runner on Melbourne Cup day. The concept is supported by West Australian businessman and Executive Chair of the Australian Heritage Group, Tony Barton. “Horse racing is a huge part of the Australian psyche and story, and the Australian Heritage Cup is a race designed to celebrate that legacy and support Australian and New Zealand stayers into the future,” Barton said. “I am proud to support the inaugural running of the race and looking forward to seeing what type of field assembles on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day.” VRC Executive General Manager Racing Leigh Jordon said: “To have a runner on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day is a huge honour and the Australian Heritage Cup will give Australian and New Zealand based trainers the opportunity to be at Flemington on the biggest day of the year. “The race has always been a platform for young, progressive stayers to test their credentials at Flemington with previous winners including The Map and White Marlin and we expect another strong field this year.” View the full article

Sam Mynott was recognised for her early achievements as a licensed trainer at the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Awards on Sunday, receiving the gavelhouse.com Newcomer To Training award. Mynott has previously excelled in Eventing, winning National titles at Junior and 2* level domestically while also plying her trade in the United Kingdom on two separate occasions. Initially entering the racing world through trackwork riding, she established a successful breaking in and pre-training business in Te Awamutu before a move to Cambridge produced a further opportunity to take out a Class A trainer’s license. Mynott’s first victory came with Mr Oh Jay in January of 2023, and in her first full season in the role last term, she collected 10 wins from 72 starters, highlighted by the success of her talented sprinting mare Imwonderfultonight. If preparing her own successful team of horses wasn’t enough, Mynott also picked up a win as a jumps jockey last August aboard Mondorani. “It’s great to win this award and it is such a true testament to the owners and supporters around me to be able to take this out,” she said. “All of the trainers up here have been very supportive of me and offered to help, which has been great when you’re a bit new to it all. “I think I’m the first person to ask questions and hear everyone’s opinion, you have to take pieces of that on board and make your own way forward. “Wonderful was definitely our flagbearer, but every horse that went out and got the win or a nice placing all performed really well.” The daughter of I Am Invincible progressed rapidly from a Rating 65 in October to a string of stakes-level performances, including second in the Listed Stewards Stakes (1200m), fourth in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m), third in the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) and third in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m). Her consistency was rewarded when coming out on top in her final New Zealand start for the season, the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Otaki, which Mynott pinpointed as a standout moment for the stable. “The Listed win at Otaki with her was definitely the highlight, but it was great seeing my little Verismo winning a $40,000 race back in December as well,” she said. Imwonderfultonight is an Australian-bred mare owned by Windsor Park Stud, who have been among a loyal network of owners supporting the young trainer. “It’s brilliant having them and Ben Kwok as well, they’ve kept horses in my stable and it’s just a massive asset having that relationship and I’m extremely grateful, and to all the rest of my owners as well,” she said. Mynott’s sole representative so far this season, Heart Of Gold, returned a winner in the $100,000 2000m feature at Cambridge Synthetic last month, with plenty of talent still to make their return in a new campaign. “We were at Ellerslie today (Tuesday) with some nice horses that won races last season, including A Mandarin, Verismo, Persiflage and Aquilifier,” she said. “They’ve all come back in this prep a lot stronger than last time which is brilliant, we’re really looking forward to kicking them all off.” View the full article