Wandering Eyes

After a post-race finding for a controlled substance, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit has suspended Southern California-based trainer George Papaprodromou and disqualified filly Sneaker from a May stakes win at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Tuesday opened a two-week public commentary period for a number of proposed Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) rule changes. The modifications would affect the Rule 8000 Series, which outlines enforcement procedures, violations, sanctions, investigatory powers, and hearing processes for alleged violations of HISA regulations. Rules related to anti-doping and medication control are excluded from this round of proposed changes, because they are covered separately in the 3000 Series. Selected highlights of the proposed changes, as explained in the Sept. 9 Federal Register notice published by the FTC, appear below, along with accompanying explanations provided by HISA. The full list is accessible here. Public comments, which must be received by Sept. 23, can be filed online here. Rule 8400(e) would be modified to require the Authority to request and obtain the approval of the FTC before issuing a subpoena under 15 U.S.C. 3054(h), with the proviso that the request will be deemed approved if the FTC does not act upon the request within 20 days. According to HISA, “The modification is proposed to enhance the FTC's oversight of, and power to constrain, the Authority in the exercise of its subpoena power.” Rule 8400 would further be modified to establish a set of standards by which subpoenas are issued. Those standards are set forth in a new paragraph, which states: “The following considerations shall be taken into account by the Authority in determining whether a subpoena shall be issued: (1) The availability of, and likelihood of success in using, alternative methods for obtaining the information in a timely manner; (2) The indispensability of the information to the success of an investigation or establishing a violation; and (3) The need to protect against the destruction of records or information or to preserve testimony that may be necessary to investigate and prosecute violations of the rules of the Authority.” According to HISA, this new version of Rule 8400 “would guide the Authority's discretion in considering whether to request FTC approval to issue a subpoena [and] these considerations will ensure that subpoenas will be used as an investigatory tool only when truly necessary, and not as a matter of routine in cases concerning the violation of Authority rules. The rules are patterned after and congruent with nearly identical provisions in Rule 5730(e) of the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules.” Similarly, a new Rule 8420 would be established to require the Authority to request and obtain the approval of the FTC before initiating any civil action pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 3054(j). The Authority's request would be deemed approved if the FTC does not act upon it within 20 days. According to HISA, “The rule would ensure that civil actions contemplated by the Authority are subject to the approval of the FTC prior to initiation of the civil action by the Authority. The proposed rule thus enhances the oversight of the FTC over the Authority.” Rule 8410 would be a new provision that would establish procedures by which the Authority may review matters concerning alleged violations of one or more rules in the Rule 2000 Series that deals with racetrack safety issues. According to HISA, “Proposed Rule 8410, to a certain degree, parallels rules pertaining to objections and protests that are common to the regulations of many State racing commissions. The rule would authorize the Authority on its own initiative to review evidence or information that is submitted from any source.” The proposed Rule 8410 states that evidence or information pertaining to the running of a Covered Race should be submitted within 72 hours after the race. The proposed rule provides that the Authority is not required to act on the evidence or information if the Authority deems it lacking in credibility. Conversely, if the information or evidence indicates that there is a reasonable probability that the rules of the Authority have been violated or have not been enforced, the proposed rule directs the Authority to conduct an investigation. Under the proposed Rule 8410, the Authority also would be empowered to submit the matter for a hearing or to issue a Notice of Suspected or Actual Violation. According to HISA, “The new provisions would create a procedure by which to review, for example, complaints made by racing participants alleging that other racing participants or their horses are non-compliant with the rules of the Authority.” Rule 8100 sets forth a series of violations that are subject to disciplinary action under the Rule 8000 Series. A new paragraph would be added to establish a new violation for “Entering a Covered Horse or causing a Covered Horse to compete in a Covered Race prior to registering the Covered Horse with the Authority.” This violation is included to enforce the requirement in Rule 9000(h) that, “Responsible Persons must register Covered Horses before running them in Covered Horseraces.” The rule would include a requirement that, in order to impose a penalty, the Authority must show that a Covered Person acted with knowledge that the horse was ineligible. A modification would be made to Rule 8200(b)(2)(ii). The current rule authorizes a fine of up to $100,000 for any violation that “due to its nature, chronicity, or severity poses an actual or potential threat of harm to the safety, health, and welfare of Covered Persons, Covered Horses, or the integrity of Covered Horseraces.” Under the proposed change, the word “and” would be deleted and replaced with “or” to clarify that the rule is invoked when a threat of harm is posed to any one of the listed elements, not all of them. Rule 8200(b)(9) permits the Authority to deny purse money or require the forfeiture of purse money, disqualify a Covered Horse, or make changes to the order of finish in Covered Races. The rule would be modified to add an additional sentence, which states: “If a Covered Horse is disqualified, the purse shall be redistributed in accordance with the revised order of finish.” According to HISA, “This sentence would be added to make clear that after revising the order of finish, the stewards must redistribute the purse according to the revised order of finish. The modification is proposed because some stewards have questioned whether purse redistribution is a duty of the stewards in those cases in which an Authority rule is violated that necessitates a disqualification.” A modification of Rule 8200 is proposed to include a new paragraph that states that, “Failure by a Covered Person to pay any fine by the prescribed deadline that is imposed by the Authority, or by any official or body authorized to adjudicate violations under the Rule 2000 or 8000 Series, shall subject the Covered Person to automatic suspension by the Authority, absent a showing to the Authority by the Covered Person of exceptional circumstances that resulted in the failure to pay the fine.” According to HISA, “This rule is similar to a common practice of various State racing commissions, in which licensure is temporarily suspended as a penalty for overdue fines until the fines are repaid.” Rule 8320(a)(3) would be modified to permit the appeal of riding crop violations to the Internal Adjudication Panel pursuant to Rule 2285. Rule 2285 creates an intermediate appeal process specific to violations of the riding crop rules. Rule 8340(a) would be amended to specify that the procedures for initial hearings under the rule are applicable to proceedings concerning the suspension or revocation of racetrack accreditation under Rule 2116. Accreditation cases will therefore be heard first by a panel of three board members, whose decision is then appealable to the full Board. According to HISA, “The panel adjudication process is well-suited to the potentially complex nature of Racetrack accreditation violations and issues.” For the entire slate of proposed changes, the FTC must approve or disapprove the modifications on or before Nov. 10. If approved, the modifications would be effective 30 days following the date of the FTC's order of approval. If you prefer to file a comment on paper instead of online, mail your comment to: FTC, Office of the Secretary, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Stop H-144 (Annex H), Washington, DC 20580. The post FTC Opens Comment Period on New HISA Rules; Subpoena and Civil Action Powers Among Proposed Changes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5. ATLAL, KD, 9/7, 6 1/2 furlongs (turf) Beyer Speed Figure-83 (VIDEO) (c, 3, Quality Road–Atheer, by Malibu Moon) O/B-Juddmonte (Ky). T-Bill Mott. J-John Velazquez. Stepping forward considerably in numbers in his sixth start, Atlal displayed a strong liking for Kentucky Downs or newfound maturity–or both. Velazquez sat like a statue as he stalked then joined the leaders 3/16ths out, and he kicked clear nicely when given his cue. He's from Juddmonte dirt royalty: unraced dam Atheer is out of $2.7 million earner Close Hatches, making her a half-sister to graded winners Tacitus, Scylla and Batten Down, all by Tapit. 4. CHEEVER, DMR, 9/7, 6 1/2 furlongs Beyer Speed Figure- 87 (3rd) (VIDEO) (g, 3, Into Mischief–Electric Forest, by Curlin) O-Muir Hut Stables. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (Ky). T-Mark Glatt. J-Antonio Fresu. Cheever has made this list before in defeat, and caught another tough group Sunday. Newly gelded and wearing new blinkers, he bounced back from a disappointing performance to be a solid third, but he's due better luck. The winners of his four lifetime starts have earned Beyers of 98, 95, 88 and now 99. 3. LATITUDE, DMR, 9/7, 6 1/2 furlongs Beyer Speed Figure- 92 (2nd) (VIDEO) (c, 3, Candy Ride–Coco's Wildcat, by Wildcat Heir) O-Hronis Racing. B-WinStar Farm (Ky). T-John Sadler. J-Mike Smith. Latitude nearly made it to the races as a 2-year-old last summer and again in late fall before encountering setbacks, and this was an overdue and very encouraging debut. He couldn't match strides with Modus Bestia (see below) down the lane, but finishing as a solid runnerup behind a 99 Beyer is something to be excited about. 2. BOYD, DMR, 9/7, 5 1/2 furlongs Beyer Speed Figure- 92 (VIDEO) (c, 2, Violence–A Taste of Red, by Street Boss) O-Zedan Racing Stable. B-Nasser Omihira (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. J-Tyler Gaffalione. Boyd | Benoit On the Del Mar Futurity undercard, firster Boyd actually got a one-point better number than fellow Zedan/Baffert star Brant with a similar frontrunning trip (although at 5 1/2 furlongs rather than seven furlongs). And the $1,050,000 2-year-old buy didn't back into anything, going his opening half in :43.91. It'll be interesting to see what path Baffert chooses from a distance perspective. Zedan named this one for Fasig-Tipton's Boyd Browning. 1. MODUS BESTIA, DMR. 9/7, 6 1/2 furlongs Beyer Speed Figure-99 (VIDEO) (c, 3, Maclean's Music–Make Amends, by Malibu Moon) O-Calvin Nguyen & Joey Tran. B-Country Life Farm and Make Amends (Md). T-Richard Baltas. J-Flavien Prat. Improving his career-best Beyer by a full 20 points, Modus Bestia again went to the front and this time streaked to the week's fastest maiden performance in his sixth lifetime start. Given the numbers also turned in by Brant and Boyd with frontrunning trips, one might suspect a speed/rail bias–but that was hardly the case. They can't always be easily explained, but sometimes a superfast race just needs to be accepted at face value. The post Five Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made – Sept. 2-8 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Wesley Ward, bidding on behalf of a partnership, signed the ticket at $2.2 million to acquire a colt by Gun Runner (hip 243) from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment during the second session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Tuesday in Lexington. Bred by Three Chimneys Farm, the bay is a full-brother to GI Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting. Hip 243 is the sixth yearling by Three Chimneys' Gun Runner to reach seven figures at the auction. The post Gun Runner Full-Brother to Early Voting Brings $2.2 Million at Keeneland Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After a postrace finding for a controlled substance, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit has suspended Southern California-based trainer George Papaprodromou and disqualified filly Sneaker from a May stakes win at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

A rundown compiled by America's Best Racing of this week’s TV, streaming, and radio horse racing coverage.View the full article

Hong Kong star sprinter Ka Ying Rising holds a world-leading Timeform rating of 135 and he returned to win a Sha Tin affair by 2 1/4 lengths on Sunday. A winner of 14 of his 16 starts and unbeaten since January of 2024, the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year is rated just under the historic mark of 136 awarded to Aussie mare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and Europe's own Battaash (Dark Angel). He is three pounds ahead of current middle-distance mare Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock), whose best mark is 132. The son of Shame Express is also five pounds higher than the best of Europe in Field Of Gold (Kingman) (130p) and Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder (130), while Lazzat (Territories) is rated 124 after beating Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa) in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. Timeform's Flat editor David Johnson said, “Hong Kong has been home to some world-class sprinters down the years, with the likes of Silent Witness and Sacred Kingdom both rated top-class by Timeform at their peak, but in Ka Ying Rising it looks to have produced one even better than that pair. “Ka Ying Rising is rated 135 on the back of his comfortable win in the Chairman's Prize in April where he comfortably beat Satono Reve by much further than Lazzat was able to do at Royal Ascot, and he cemented that with a most impressive win under a big weight in handicap company at the weekend. “A rating of 135 is behind only Battaash and Black Caviar among the sprinters this century, that pair rated 136, and their position at the top is surely under threat with Ka Ying Rising's victories only looking to scratch the surface of his ability at present.” The post Ka Ying Rising Tops Timeform Global Rankings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A colt by Not This Time out of Wembley (Bernardini) realized a $1.7 million from agent Pedro Lanz early in Tuesday's second session of the Keeneland September Sale in Lexington. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, Hip 211 is a grandson of Grade I winner Game Face (Menifee). The Apr. 15 foal is bred by Albaugh Grand Stables. The post Not This Time Colt Brings $1.7M at KEESEP Day 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Wimbledon Hawkeye at Kentucky Downs. Kameko Colt Hits The Target In Kentucky The consistent Wimbledon Hawkeye (Kameko) made his first American foray a winning one when scooping a $1 million-plus payday at Kentucky Downs in the GIII Nashville Derby Invitational Stakes on August 30 (video). Bred by owners the Gredley family's Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs, the James Owen trainee had won the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes at two. The 2024 G1 Futurity Trophy Stakes third has six other group placings to his name and is the first foal out of the three-time winner Eva Maria (Sea The Stars). His Mohaather half-brother Warning Symbol has been placed to date. Big names in this clan include G2 Mill Reef Stakes winner and G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest second James Garfield (Exceed And Excel) and influential broodmare Rafha (Kris), a winner of the 1990 G1 Prix de Diane. Tweenhills Stud's Kameko sired last year's GI Summer Stakes winner New Century, and Wimbledon Hawkeye joins him as another North American graded winner from just three runners there. WHAT A RACE! It's a successful American raid for the @JPOwenRacing team as Wimbledon Hawkeye and @FrankieDettori get the better of Burnham Square in an epic finish to the Grade Three Nashville Derby Invitational Stakes at @KYDownsRacing… pic.twitter.com/iNMtAMqEpY — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 30, 2025 Zarak Gelding Finds Joy On Tennessee Border Similar to James Owen's raid with Wimbledon Hawkeye above, Henk Grewe sent Flatten The Curve (Zarak) on a Kentucky Downs stakes assault, and he was rewarded with a victory in the Bowling Green Gold Cup Invitational Stakes (video). Bred by SAS IEI, Ecurie de Castillon, Khalifa Mohammed Al Attiyah et al, the gelding won a German Group 3 last year before padding his resume with a trio of stakes victories there this term, including a win in the G2 Oleander Rennen. The €24,000 Arqana October yearling is a son of Lailoma (Teofilo), whose latest foal is the Wooded juvenile filly Ironwood. His stakes-placed granddam Ludiana (Dalakhani) is a half-sister to G3 Prix de Psyche winner Luna Kya (Kendor) and two other stakes winners. One of the rising stars of the French stallion ranks, the Aga Khan Studs' Zarak has six winners from 10 runners (60%) in North America. His trio of stakes winners are anchored by GII winners Laurelin and Parnac, who both won at Saratoga. Livin' The Dream At Del Mar Hardy handicapper-turned-stakes-horse Haunted Dream made his North American debut a winning one when claiming Woodbine's GIII Singspiel Stakes on September 6 (video). Bearing the colours of Wathnan Racing for trainer Hamad Al-Jehani, the gelding was placed at the listed level in Qatar and England in 2024 and was third in the G3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock in August. Bred by High Rollers in Ireland, the 35,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling is the fifth foal of Red Halo (Galileo), who also has the Listed Star Stakes third Lady Alara (Invincible Spirit). Her latest is a 2-year-old filly by Territories and a yearling colt by Naval Crown who will sell during Book 3 at Park Paddocks next month. Under the third dam is the GI Garden City Breeders' Cup Stakes heroine Luas Line (Danehill). Juddmonte's Oasis Dream is credited with 37 winners from 66 runners (56%) in North America. Haunted Dream is his 11th stakes winner and sixth graded winner in that jurisdiction, with Tuscan Evening and Midday both Grade I winners. Age Before Beauty Team D and Michael Fowler's Big Beautiful earned her third victory in six starts with a score at Saratoga for trainer Anthony Dutrow on September 1 (video). By Kodiac, she was bred by Ronnie O'Neill and cost €160,000 out of the 2022 Goffs Orby Yearling Sale. One of two winners for Montello (Cape Cross), the 4-year-old filly has a yearling full-sister set to sell at this year's edition of the Orby. Her granddam, the Barathea mare Mount Elbrus, won the Listed Prix Petite Etoile and is the dam of Strobilus (Mark Of Esteem), second in the G1 Gran Criterium, and to listed winner Lava Flow (Dalakhani). The last-named mare was named Broodmare of the Year in 2019, and is the dam of the star juvenile colt Pinatubo (Shamardal) who is now finding success as a sire, and two other stakes winners who each placed multiple times at group level. Kodiac has 47 winners from 89 runners (53%) in the U.S. The Tally-Ho Stud resident counts 10 stakes winners in this jurisdiction, anchored by Grade II winners True Valour and Pipsy. Miwa Thrives At Kentucky Downs Repole Stable's Miwa captured a Kentucky Downs allowance for trainer Joe Sharp on August 28 (video). The daughter of Siyouni would be in action later in the meeting when third in the GIII Ladies Marathon Invitational Stakes on September 6. Bred by Wertheimer et Frere, she won twice from six French starts in the iconic blue-and-white colors for trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias. Sold for €230,000 out of the 2024 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale to Mike Repole's operation, the now-4-year-old has made five American starts. Her dam, the G3 Prix Belle de Nuit scorer Bartaba (Deep Impact), also has the multiple stakes-placed Zingaro (Kingman) to run for her, while her latest produce is a weanling colt by Siyouni named Younaba. Bartaba's full-brother Akihiro won the G3 Prix des Chenes. St Elias Stable homebred Say Yes To Dreams ran out a neck victress at Saratoga for Chad Brown in her second American start on September 1 (video). Formerly trained by Henry de Bromhead, the daughter of Siyouni placed in a trio of Irish starts. Her dam, the Chelsey Flower Stakes heroine Create A Dream (Oasis Dream), has also produced the California Derby runner-up Phosphorescence (City Of Light). A yearling half-sister by Baaeed and a weanling full-brother to the winner are her latest produce. Second dam Anabaa's Creation (Anabaa) won the Listed Prix Isonomy and was second in the GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes and third in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary. Anabaa's Creation is also a half-sister to the dam of champions Sistercharlie (Myboycharlie) and Sottsass (Siyouni). The Aga Khan Studs' Siyouni has sired 25 winners from 52 runners (48%) in the U.S. Grade II heroine Bellezza–one of seven stakes winners–is featured later in this column. It's Always Sunny At Del Mar Sunglow (No Nay Never) graduated at Del Mar on August 29 for trainer John Sadler (video). She races for Diamond T Racing, Hoffman Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing and Mrs. Paul Shanahan. Trained by Paddy Twomey during her first two starts, the Barronstown Stud-bred daughter of G1 Coronation Stakes second and G1 1,000 Guineas third Gile Na Greine (Galileo) was a €260,000 Goffs Orby yearling when sold to Avenue Bloodstock, Jason Taylor Equine and Medallion Racing. The sixth winner for her dam, Sunglow is a full-sister to a yearling colt who is catalogued as lot 828 in the upcoming Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2. Gile Na Greine's full-sister Cuis Ghaire won the G3 Swordlestown Stud Stakes and was also second in the 1,000 Guineas before becoming the dam of G1 Al Quoz Sprint hero Danyah (Invincible Spirit). Another full-sister, Scintillula, won the G3 Meld Stakes and was second in the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. Coolmore's No Nay Never continues to fire in the American winners with 68 out of 114 runners (60%). Of his 11 stakes winners, four are graded scorers, among them GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Meditate. Queen For A Day In California The Mizen Queen (Cotai Glory) rocked up a winner for Dan Blacker at Del Mar on September 6 (video) in the silks of Anselmo LLC, My Way Racing LLC, Radley Equine, Leroy and Susan Holt and Timothy Stupka. Originally under the care of Noel Meade for the Only Fools With Horses Syndicate, the sophomore filly placed in five Irish starts before joining her current connections. Kelly Equine Services bred the April foal, and she changed hands for €23,000 as a Goffs Autumn yearling in 2023. A half-sister to Listed Blenheim Stakes third Lia Fail (Inns Of Court), The Mizen Queen is one of seven foals out of the placed Balqaa (Invasor), herself a half-sister to G3 Jebel Ali Mile winner Sefri (Jazil). The fourth dam is the five-time Group 1 winner and three-time Classic heroine Salsabil (Sadler's Wells). Progeny of Cotai Glory have been particularly effective in the U.S., and he boasts a strike rate of 61% winners to runners (11/18). GI Diana Stakes heroine Excellent Truth is one of three stakes winners in that locale. 3YO THE MIZEN QUEEN takes the @DelMarRacing Maiden for @dan_blacker The Cotai Glory (@hostud) filly is a #GoffsAutumn grad from @TheCastlebridge to @peternolanblds & Noel Meade pic.twitter.com/4GtJf2OZ7p — Goffs (@Goffs1866) September 7, 2025 Showcasing Filly Stars At Colonial Downs Starlight Racing and Mark Grier's Cooperation won at second asking at Colonial Downs for trainer Arnaud Delacour on August 30 (video). The daughter of Showcasing and the Lawman mare Igo was bred by Meridian International SARL. Sold for €310,000 at the Arqana August yearling sale in Deauville, the chestnut is the second foal and second winner for Igo, who foaled a Zarak filly in 2024. This family features a Montjeu half-sister to Group 1 heroine Polydream (Oasis Dream) as Cooperation's second dam. Whitsbury Manor stallion Showcasing has sired 19 winners from 33 to race (57%) in the States. His six stakes winners there include a trio of Grade II winners in Prize Exhibit, Projected and Bodhicitta. Repeat Winners 2024 GIII Eatontown Stakes heroine Tax Implications (Mehmas) returned to the winner's circle in a Saratoga contest on August 29 (video). Campaigned by Klaravich Stables, the mare is trained by Chad Brown. Later that day, Brown and Klaravich combined to win the Listed Perfect Sting Stakes with 2025 GI Just A Game victress Dynamic Pricing (Night Of Thunder) (video). The filly has also won the 2024 GII Edgewood Stakes and the 2025 GIII Beaugay Stakes. Special Wan (Belardo) added her second Grade III victory with a tally in the Ladies Turf Stakes at Kentucky Downs on August 30 (video). She is trained by Brendan Walsh for Team Valor International and Steven Rocco. Miguel Clement trainee Breath Away (Bated Breath) landed Monmouth's Violet Stakes near the end of August (video). The dual graded-placed mare is owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Tango Uniform Racing and Steven Rocco. Moyglare Stud homebred Bellezza (Siyouni) was stepping up in grade in the GII Flower Blow Stakes and ran out a 2 1/4-length winner (video). She is trained by Miguel Clement. Anthony Fanticola's Motorious (Muhaarar) won his third GIII Green Flash Handicap at Del Mar–with a little help from the stewards–on August 30 (video). Trained by Phil D'Amato, the 7-year-old has won 10 of his 23 starts. Another D'Amato trainee to claim a graded win on the same day was Belardo gelding Gold Phoenix at Del Mar (video). The Grade I winner, who races for Agave Racing Stable, Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify, took his fourth GII Del Mar Handicap. Recent Making Waves alum The Padre (Ghaiyyath) won the GII Del Mar Derby on August 31 (video). He continued Phil D'Amato's domination of the Del Mar turf graded stakes for Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify. Fitriani Hay's Navy Seal (Dubawi) earned a lucrative paycheck at Kentucky Downs on September 4 (video). The stakes-placed gelding is trained by Wesley Ward. Undefeated Hey Nay Nay (No Nay Never) made it three on the bounce with a stalk-and-pounce tally in the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes on September 7 (video). Racing in the colours of Hronis Racing and Iapetus Racing, the John Sadler trainee is now three-for-three. The post Making Waves: Wimbledon Hawkeye Serves Up An Ace appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Conor Wixted, Eleanor Dunne and Clare Manning look ahead to the Breeders' Cup after their graduate Bottle Of Rouge won a Grade I at Del Mar in the early hours of Sunday morning It started out as a pretty ordinary suggestion among friends. 'Why don't we go out and try and pinhook a foal in America?' Now, the Irish-based Conor Wixted, Eleanor Dunne and Clare Manning – otherwise known as Kids In America Bloodstock – are Grade I winners courtesy of Del Mar Debutante Stakes winner Bottle Of Rouge. Bought for $60,000 under that playful banner at Keeneland in November 2023, the Vino Rosso filly went on to realise $100,000 at the September Yearling Sale last year. A job well done on all accounts for the young pinhookers. But little did they know then that they had unearthed something special in the shape of the Bob Baffert-trained Bottle Of Rouge, who could be destined for bigger and better things at the Breeders' Cup given the style in which that Grade I win was achieved at Del Mar over the weekend. Wixted, whose day job is senior bloodstock executive at Goffs, summed up the emotion surrounding the success by saying, “She won second time out and, while we had been keeping an eye on her, I don't think any one of us could have expected her to win a Grade I on her third start. The plan is the Breeders' Cup now so we'll definitely make the trip for that.” He added, “She boarded with Hunter Valley and, while Clare had spent time out in America before, it was only my second time to visit Keeneland so Clare very much showed Eleanor and I the ropes. It was definitely a frustrating process trying to get something bought and the budget kept stretching but we kept on getting beaten. There was a lot of coffee drank and, by the time this filly came up, none of us were in any doubt that she was the one for us. We were blown out of the water on plenty of foals and vetted 12 or 14 – [we] even managed to vet the wrong horse in the midst of everything, so that will tell you how much the whole process tested us. We did stretch a little bit for her and decided to kick on. Thankfully we did.” The Vino Rosso filly was split three ways between Wixted, Manning of Boherguy Stud and Dunne, who boasts the distinct achievement of pinhooking Group 2 winner and Breeders' Cup-placed Miss Amulet alongside her uncle Dermot Dunne. She said, “I have had one Grade 1 starter before in Miss Amulet, who finished third in a Breeders' Cup race. But this is only Bottle Of Rouge's third start and now she is a Grade I winner so it's surreal.” Dunne bought Miss Amulet for just €1,000 as a foal. Selling the subsequent Group 2 scorer for £7,500 may not have made the young pinhooker rich, but it did provide her with the confidence to plough on and try to repeat the process. And that eye has once again proven correct here with Bottle Of Rouge. Speaking from Keeneland, Dunne recalled, “I can remember Clare, Conor and I having a couple of different conversations before we eventually came out here together. We wanted to add another string to our bow and decided pinhooking out here would be an interesting route to go down. We put in a lot of graft throughout the time we were over here. We were learning as we went along because we weren't well-versed on a lot of the damsires and, essentially some of the sires as well, so it was all new to us. It got to a point where we were due to go home but we still hadn't found a horse. It wouldn't have been a wasted trip regardless and you can't buy a horse for the sake of buying one. But we were in a position to change our flights and stay on and thankfully we found this filly. The rest is history, as they say. Very lucky to pick up Donato Lanni and Bob Baffert at the yearling sales last year. For her to go on and do what she has done for them has been fantastic. They are big players and it's very important to get the results for them.” On what attracted the group to the filly, Dunne added, “She was just very racy. She was a nice-bodied, racy filly who stood up a very attractive type in the flesh. The sire was acceptable at the time. He was pretty high in the first-season sires' table when we purchased her but, unfortunately for us, he fell off the cliff a little. That's why we didn't have mega expectations coming back to the yearling sales with her because we knew the sire was gone a bit cold. But we knew we had a nice individual who should definitely be in a position to get sold. I came out to see her sell and, ultimately, she went down pretty well. You could say that Bob and Donato saw what we saw in her.” Dunne was the only kid in attendance in America for the September Yearling Sale last year as Manning was knee-deep in sales prep while Wixted was otherwise engaged. Nevertheless, the nerves were palpable. Wixted remembers, “I was actually doing a course in Dublin when she was selling and I can remember box-walking in the Talbot Hotel. I was frantically refreshing the results and, when I saw she made $100,000, it was an amazing feeling.” Interestingly, there were no such nerves in the early hours of Sunday morning for Wixted. “I was actually in bed when she won,” he sheepishly revealed. “The race was quite late and I'd a very busy day on Saturday! It's bad, isn't it? I woke up to loads of messages, though. I genuinely couldn't believe it. I definitely won't miss the Breeders' Cup and the plan is for the three of us to make the trip.” Manning did manage to keep her eyes open for the race and capitalised on a few sleeping bookmakers to mop up all of the 33-1 that was on offer for Bottle Of Rouge winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies race back at Del Mar. She concluded, “I'm not going to lie, I was lying in bed struggling to keep my eyes open but, as soon as the race started, I was wide awake. After she won, it took me until well after three in the morning to go back to sleep! Paddy Power were going 33-1 for the Breeders' Cup so I managed to snap up some of that – sure they were probably all in bed as well! I think she won very well and she looks as though she likes coming off a strong pace as she has a turn of foot.” She added, “I just thought if we could go out and buy a foal and make profit, great. For her to have won a Grade I is beyond all expectations. It makes you hungrier to go and try and do it again.” The post ‘I Took 33-1 For The Breeders’ Cup – The Bookmakers Were Probably Asleep’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore's first-crop sire St Mark's Basilica may not catch Starman, but he is making a name for himself in the rankings nonetheless as his son Piazza San Marco became his 12th winner at Galway on Tuesday. Not seen since finishing down the field at Fairyhouse in early June, Ballydoyle's grandson of Peeping Fawn made every yard on his return under Ronan Whelan to open his account by 3 1/4 lengths from Hamiyan (Wootton Bassett) in the extended mile maiden. Stable representative Chris Armstrong revealed the regard in which the winner, the second of his sire's TDN Rising Stars in his first crop, is held at Rosegreen. “He is a smashing colt,” he said. “He had been showing well above-average ability at home, so we wanted to see if he was one for the Chesham at Royal Ascot but it just came too soon for him. Time has done him the world of good and he has really strengthened, but what he does this year will be a bonus. “You'll see the best of him next year over middle-distances and he is a fine, big, strong horse. He is by St Mark's Basilica. who we have a handful of, and we have some very very smart ones. This horse will have no problem stepping up to stakes company hopefully this year.” Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Basilica) is out of a Listed winner by American Pharoah and makes all to open his account at @Galway_Races. A 12th win in the last 15 runnings of this maiden for Aidan O'Brien pic.twitter.com/hemqg6Mcn6 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 9, 2025 The post New TDN Rising Star Piazza San Marco Brings Up A Dozen Winners For St Mark’s Basilica appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-KD, 170K, Msw, 3yo/up, f, 61/2fT, 3:39 p.m. Besilu Stables homebred QUEEN DANCING (GB) (Kingman {GB}) debuts Wednesday for trainer Bill Mott on closing day at Kentucky Downs. The well-bred filly is a daughter of GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Crown Queen (Smart Strike), who Besilu acquired at KEENOV in 2011 for $1,600,000. The mare is a half to three-time champion, fellow 'TDN Rising Star' and Hall of Famer Royal Delta (Empire Maker) (another sales-topping Besilu purchase at KEENOV '11 for $8.5m), GISW Delta Prince (Street Cry {Ire}) and GISP Carnival Queen (Street Sense). As a broodmare, Crown Queen has already produced MGSP Royal Majesty (GB) (Frankel {GB}). TJCIS PPS The post Wednesday Insights: Kingman Filly Stars On Kentucky Downs Closing Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ryusei Sakai is savouring a second tilt at the G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday, with last year's third Shin Emperor (Siyouni) featuring among 12 horses standing their ground after Tuesday's confirmation stage. Japanese raider Shin Emperor, trained by Yoshito Yahagi, delighted connections in an early workout on Tuesday, with Sakai saying afterwards, “He worked this morning on the Curragh Racecourse with his partner horse and he felt very well, very comfortable. I was very happy with the gallop. He is a more mature and stronger horse now than last year, more experienced too. He looks great, very healthy and seems to have settled well into his new environment on the Curragh.” He added, “I learned a lot from the race at Leopardstown last year and I hope that experience can help us in the big race. He's a straightforward horse. He led and won [the G2 Neom Turf Cup] in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, or you can wait with him like we did here a year ago, so I think we will have options.” Set to line out against Shin Emperor in the Irish Champion is G1 Coral-Eclipse hero Delacroix. The son of Dubawi is one of five possible runners for Aidan O'Brien, along with Expanded (Wootton Bassett), Mount Kilimanjaro (Siyouni), Serengeti (Wootton Bassett) and Whirl (Wootton Bassett). Johnny Murtagh's improving three-year-old Zahrann (Night Of Thunder) and John Murphy's White Birch (Ulysses) also feature in the home team, while the Owen Burrows-trained Anmaat (Awtaad) is another leading contender in his search for a third Group 1 success. Saturday's Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron Stakes is the first of six Group 1s at the Irish Champions Festival, with Karl Burke's Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot), runner-up to Porta Fortuna in the race last year, headlining the remaining 13 entries. Last seen winning the G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville, Fallen Angel is set to clash again with runner-up January (Kingman), while Joe Murphy's G1 Coronation Stakes heroine Cercene (Australia) is sure to have her fair share of supporters, too. Day two of the Irish Champions Festival at the Curragh features the final Classic of the season, the G1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger. Five of the remaining 16 entries hail from Ballydoyle, including likely favourite Illinois (Galileo), while Joseph O'Brien will be trying to deny his father an eighth success in the race with his dual Group 1 winner Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett). The Ralph Beckett-trained Amiloc (Postponed) and Burke's Al Qareem (Awtaad) lead the potential British challenge. Meanwhile, Asfoora (Flying Artie) will become the first Australian-trained runner on the Flat in Ireland when she lines up in the G1 Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes. Successful in last month's G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, she arrives into Ireland on Friday and will again be ridden by Oisin Murphy. A total of 20 horses remain in contention for the Flying Five, with Adrian Murray set to saddle two of the biggest dangers to Asfoora in Bucanero Fuerte (Wootton Bassett) and Arizona Blaze (Sergei Prokofiev). The two-year-olds also get their chance to shine in the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes for colts and G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes for fillies. Aidan O'Brien's G2 Coventry Stakes winner and G1 Prix Morny runner-up Gstaad (Starspangledbanner) is likely to be a warm order for the National Stakes, with a pair of unbeaten colts trained in Britain, Charlie Appleby's Saba Desert (Dubawi) and Eve Johnson Houghton's Zavateri (Without Parole), featuring among his nine potential rivals. Gstaad's Prix Morny conqueror Venetian Sun (Starman) will also be in action on a star-studded card when she again takes on the might of Ballydoyle in the Moyglare. O'Brien is responsible for five of the other 11 entries, including Composing (Wootton Bassett), the unbeaten winner of the G2 Debutante Stakes, and G2 Airlie Stud Stakes scorer Beautify (Wootton Bassett). The post Shin Emperor Ready for Leopardstown Return, Irish Champions Festival Fields Taking Shape appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owen Burrows trainee and G1 Fillies' Mile entry Touleen (Lope De Vega) caught the eye when making a winning debut tackling seven furlongs at Newbury last month and, racing under a seven-pound penalty, delivered a stunning performance to collect a TDN Rising Star rosette in Tuesday's Gascare Services EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes over the same trip at Leicester. “She's got a great mind on her, which is a big plus, she did everything right at Newbury and she's done everything right again today,” commented Burrows. “William [Buick] was very impressed and I think you could be nothing but impressed with her. The second filly [Zanthos] had a big reputation and she's a very exciting filly. She was great beforehand and easy to saddle. William said she got a little bit antsy in the stalls, but she'd been in there a while and that's something we can work on. If she comes out of this okay, we'll certainly look at the [G2] Rockel. We'll also think about the [G1] Fillies' Mile, but we'll see. She's by Lope De Vega, so she should be able to handle a little bit of cut.” Despite becoming agitated in the stalls, Touleen was well away to race in a handy third through the initial stages of this second start. Cruising forward from halfway, the 9-4 chance quickened stylishly to seize control approaching the quarter-mile marker and unleashed an array of gears under mild urging thereafter to power clear of TDN Rising Star Zanthos (Sioux Nation) before gearing down for an emphatic 3 1/4-length success. Touleen is an exciting prospect, the well-bred Lope De Vega filly flashing clear to make it two from two for @OwenBurrowsRace and @Shadwell_EU @LeicesterRaces pic.twitter.com/HB5J8JJ27U — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 9, 2025 Touleen is the third of five foals and one of two winners out of G3 City of York Stakes victrix Talaayeb (Dansili), herself a half-sister to the dual Group 3-winning Muntazah (Dubawi), Listed Fortune Stakes victrix Wadilsafa (Frankel), the stakes-placed Ojooba (Dubawi) and to the dam of the stakes-winning Maktoob (Awtaad). Her second dam, stakes-winning G1 Oaks placegetter Rumoush (Rahy), is a half-sister to G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation Stakes heroine Ghanaati (Giant's Causeway) and G1 Champion Stakes runner-up and G3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes-winning sire Mawatheeq (Danzig). Rumoush is a daughter of dual stakes-winning matriarch Sarayir (Mr. Prospector). The February-foaled homebred bay is half to a yearling filly by Nathaniel and a weanling colt by St Mark's Basilica. 2nd-Leicester, £9,000, Nov, 9-9, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:22.84, gd. TOULEEN (GB), f, 2, by Lope De Vega (Ire) 1st Dam: Talaayeb (GB) (GSW-Eng, $172,849), by Dansili (GB) 2nd Dam: Rumoush, by Rahy 3rd Dam: Sarayir, by Mr. Prospector Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, £11,340. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd; T-Owen Burrows; J-William Buick. The post Shadwell Homebred Touleen Collects TDN Rising Star Rosette at Leicester appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The leading 10 horses are unchanged in the latest National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll following a week of stakes action in which none of the top-ranked horses raced. View the full article

Sam Agars SOVEREIGN FUND - R8 (3) Impressive last-start winner can deliver again for in-form stable Jay Rooney MIGHTY STEED - R4 (5) Went close last start and has trialled very sharply ahead of his return Owen Goulding WAH MAY WAI WAI - R2 (1) Can take advantage of his good draw and downgrade with Purton in the saddle Phillip Woo SOVEREIGN FUND - R8 (3) Was an eye-catching winner last start and can repeat from a good gate Shannon (Vincent Wong) HIGHLAND RAHY - R5 (2) Consistent type who...View the full article

It's clear that Stuart Angus touched the lives of many. A one of a kind human being, I don't think he knew a stranger. I met Stu in November of 2016, probably by complete happenstance, but like many others we met because of horses. I had finished working that summer at Presque Isle Downs and had decided to go back into healthcare. In the grand scheme of things, I had minimal knowledge and no idea what I was getting myself into when I came to Kentucky to work a November Keeneland Sale for Taylor Made. While it was a great experience, what I'm most thankful for from that time is Stu. One of the other women working the sale introduced me to Stu. Actually she pointed him out and said something along the lines of “that's Stu, you should go to dinner with him. He's great and you'll have a good time.” I'll be honest, I was reluctant, but I'm so glad I went. (Of course we went to Giussepe's that night. Just the start to all the good food Stu would introduce me to over the years.) If you'd have told me that night that nine years later, Stuart Angus would be one of my dearest friends, I probably would have laughed. But nine years later, I can't even begin to describe how much Stu means to me and how thankful I am to have had him in my life. Others have said it, but Stu really had a way of taking you under his wing. I'm not in the thoroughbred industry, but I wouldn't have landed in Kentucky, or be where I am today if it weren't for Stu. What started as more or less a blind date turned into years of friendship and years of memories. I returned to PA after that November, but Stu and I never lost touch. I started nursing school and during that time, Stu was one of my biggest supporters and the person I could run to when life was too much. Time with Stu was good for the soul. He was always up for an adventure and a good time. I ultimately moved to Kentucky and have had amazing opportunities as I've built my career here. Life has been a whirlwind and ever changing since that November in 2016, but the one constant for me was always Stu. I wish I could pick just one memory, or one story to share that would encompass my time with Stu. It's impossible. I truly could go on and on, from the big adventures we had to the lazy days by the pool. Stu was more than just my friend, he was my person. Time could pass, but we could always pick right back up as if it hadn't. There was just something about Stu. He was one of a kind. He had a way of believing in others, even when they didn't believe in themselves. He was someone you wanted to know and someone you wanted in your corner. To know him was to love him. I will forever be thankful for my time with Stu. I only wish there was more. Editor's note: Stuart Angus, a Senior Thoroughbred Advisor for Taylor Made, passed away Aug. 28 at the age of 60. His friends are encouraging those he touched to submit `Stu stories' to the TDN. Please email suefinley@thetdn.com if you have a story to share. The post Letter To The Editor: Stu Story #9 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Sandown Hillside Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Wednesday, September 10, 2025 First Race 1:10pm AEST Visit Dabble Sandown will host a competitive eight-race card on the Hillside track this Wednesday afternoon. With rain forecast in the lead-up, the track is expected to deteriorate from the Good 4 rating that was posted on Monday morning. The rail will be out 12m for the entire circuit, with the first race at Sandown scheduled to jump at 1:10pm AEST on September 10, 2025. Best Bet at Sandown: Saluted After living up to her name with front-running wins on her first two starts, Saluted found both Miss Ole and Tiz Worthy a touch too strong late in her last two runs. She looks to be a genuine 1000m specialist, and from barrier one, Carleen Hefel will look to run them ragged from barrier to box. Best Bet Race 4 – #8 Saluted (1) 3yo Filly | T: Robbie Griffiths | J: Carleen Hefel (57kg) Next Best at Sandown: Regal Award Regal Award was a beaten favourite when stuck three wide at Moonee Valley on August 23, but he did well to get within 2.35 lengths. The winning horse, Space Rider, has since gone on to be competitive in Listed grade. Blake Shinn will need a touch of luck from barrier 11, but if they find a back to follow, Regal Award can overhaul the leaders late over 1300m. Next Best Race 1 – #8 Regal Award (11) 3yo Gelding | T: Phillip Stokes | J: Blake Shinn (58kg) Best Value at Sandown: First Chorus First Chorus has been impressive while winning her last two starts, the most recent on a Heavy 9 at Seymour on August 31. The four-year-old mare continues to improve with racing, and despite staying at 1600m, she looks to be the one with the most upside in this field. Damian Lane hops on board, which is a bonus, and can give the Ghibellines mare the run of the race from barrier four. Best Value Race 5 – #12 First Chorus (4) 4yo Mare | T: Lindsey Smith | J: Damian Lane (56kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Sandown Sandown quadrella selections Wednesday, September 10, 2025 4-8-10-11-12 1-8-10-14-15 2-7-12-15-16-17 5-9-10-11-13 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Canterbury Races Where Canterbury Park Racecourse – King St, Canterbury NSW 2193 When Wednesday, September 10, 2025 First Race 1:35pm AEST Visit Dabble Canterbury Park Racecourse hosts a seven-race program this Wednesday afternoon, with the action commencing at 1:35pm AEST. A stack of rain is forecast for Sydney, meaning the track is likely to be in the Heavy range throughout the day. Here are HorseBetting.com.au’s top tips for the Canterbury races on September 10. Best Bet at Canterbury: Central Coast Central Coast impressed in his two runs during his debut campaign. He went down narrowly to the handy Autumn Boy on debut at this track before returning on a Soft 6 to down Crossbow, who has since gone on to impress in Saturday company in Melbourne. Central Coast has had two soft trials leading into this, and as long as he can handle the heavy deck, Chris Waller’s runner should be a class above this lot. Best Bet Race 5 – #11 Central Coast (4) 3yo Colt | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (55.5kg) Next Best at Canterbury: Officiate Officiate went around at a huge price first-up when finishing a close second on a Heavy 9 at Randwick-Kensington. That run looks even better when you factor in that he lost a plate along the way. James McDonald will have him settled in a handy position from barrier two, and with natural improvement, Officiate should win this time. Next Best Race 2 – #3 Officiate (2) 3yo Colt | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (57.5kg) Best Value at Canterbury: Nordic Viking Nordic Viking was more than competitive in some tough juvenile assignments last season, including a two-length defeat to King Of Pop in the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m). The son of So You Think is bred to handle the rain-affected going, and with a bit of pressure engaged, the race sets up perfectly for Molly Bourke to have Nordic Viking camped off the speed. He’ll be savaging the line over 1200m at a nice each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 3 – #7 Nordic Viking (5) 3yo Colt | T: John Sargent | J: Molly Bourke (a2) (57kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Canterbury Canterbury quadrella selections Wednesday, September 10, 2025 1-3-8 7-11 1-2-3-6-14 2-3-4-7-8-12 Horse racing tips View the full article

He signed off his first Hong Kong stint with a flurry of winners and now Richard Kingscote is hoping to pick up where he left off after a golden summer back home in the United Kingdom. Successful with four of the final 11 rides of his stint as injury cover earlier this year – including a Sha Tin dirt treble – Kingscote orchestrated Group One boil-overs aboard Time For Sandals in the Commonwealth Cup and Qirat in the Sussex Stakes – the latter at a record 150-1 – before turning his attention back...View the full article

Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) will fly to Melbourne on Wednesday to commence his path towards the A$10 million feature. The Group Three winner was set to start his spring campaign at Wanganui 10 days ago, but inclement weather curtailed those plans and trainers Peter and Shaun McKay have elected to head over to Melbourne with their charge. “He is booked to get on a flight tomorrow (Wednesday) to go to Melbourne and will start on Saturday at Flemington in a 1700m race. There is just nothing here for him,” Peter McKay said. “I would have liked to have had a couple of runs here first before he stepped over there. Roger James has had to do the same (with Mark Twain).” Fellow Melbourne Cup hopeful Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking) is nominated for the same 1700m race at Flemington this weekend after things went awry at The Valley last Saturday when he was late scratched on veterinary advice after dislodging rider Jamie Mott on his way to the barriers. Wolfgang’s first main target of the spring will be the Gr.3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 4, with the winner earning an automatic berth into the Melbourne Cup. “We will then see whether he needs another one into the 2500m on October 4. If he does, there’s an 1800m at Sandown the week before,” McKay said. “There are plenty of options.” At this stage, Wolfgang will be the McKays only representative in Melbourne over spring, however, he could be joined by stablemate Santa Catalina (NZ) (Puccini) if she impresses in her next start. “Santa Catalina raced the other day, she went a little indifferent, not as well as I was hoping, the track just wasn’t to her liking,” McKay said. “If he (Wolfgang) stays over there long enough and she does something in her next start, she may go over, but he is pretty happy out on his own. “There are some good races here for her. We are thinking more of those summer cups races over Christmas down Central way.” Meanwhile, the Matamata stable will have a strong presence at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday, lining up three favourites on the eight-race card. Rocky Marciano (NZ) (Eminent) has finished runner-up in his last two starts at the track, and veteran hoop Opie Bosson will once again be in the saddle for Wednesday’s Onyx Restaurant Cambridge 2000, for which he is a $2.30 favourite with TAB bookmakers. “I didn’t want to keep running him on the synthetic but there are no grass races around over 2000m for the maideners for about a month, hence he is going back there again and 2000m should bode well for him,” McKay said. Stablemate Don Pauly (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) also placed on the track first-up last month, and McKay is hopeful of a winning performance in the TAB 2000. “He came home late against a weak field (last start),” he said. “He was only beaten a head or so, so hopefully he can put in the same run over ground. “He is a very disappointing horse. Earlier in his career he ran second to Jimmysstar and showed a lot of promise. We are getting him up over ground a lot quicker this time around. He is feeling well and is quite bright and happy. He should be hard to beat.” TAB bookmakers agree, installing him a $3.80 for the rating 69 contest. McKay has high hopes for Subiaco (Impending) this spring and is hoping he can get a confidence-boosting maiden victory in the Grey Family 1550, in what will be his first start on a synthetic track. “He won a trial there before he started off racing last season,” McKay said. “He should have won a couple of races by now. He is very capable of winning. If he can win that, it will hopefully give him a bit of confidence and we can have a look at some nicer races a bit later on in the year. “Sam (Collett, jockey) got on well with him last start. He looks like he is a winning chance as long as everything goes right.” The stable will also line-up La Plancha (NZ) (Time Test) in the Saddlery Warehouse 1300. “She is just very nervous among horses,” McKay said. “She has got the ability, so if she can run in the first three or four I will be happy and hopefully she gets some confidence within herself.” View the full article

Jockey Jerry Chau returns to Hong Kong racing on Wednesday at Happy Valley hoping some New Zealand bred horses can start his season with the same momentum that resulted in an unlikely stakes win in Korea on Sunday. Chau, 25, who skilfully avoided much of the sand course’s harsh kickback aboard Self Improvement on his way to Korea Sprint victory, is booked for five rides at the city circuit, including Embraces (NZ) (Reliable Man) in the Class 3 Central Handicap (1650m) for trainer Cody Mo. “Hopefully the outside draw (10) will help Embraces because he always comes from behind. He’s in good form, in good shape and I think he will run good,” Chau said. Happy Valley’s opening meeting of the season marks the start of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, worth HK$1.5 million, which runs from tomorrow night until 4 February, 2026. The competition is for horses racing in Class 3 and above, with points awarded for first, second, third and fourth place finishes. Success first-up at Happy Valley for Embraces will secure 15 points in the challenge. Second receives six points, third gets four, while fourth place secures three points. David Hayes’ Soleil Fighter won the 2024/25 edition with an unmatched 65 points accrued, featuring three wins, for owner Sze-To Kin Sun. Chau also partners Flying Wrote (NZ) (Wrote) in the Class 4 Quarry Bay Handicap (1200m) for trainer Tony Cruz. “Last season he ran a good race on the final day (when third). I’ve trialled him this season and he was still a little bit heavy in that trial, but after that he will improve,” Chau said. Chasing a hat-trick, four-year-old Wrote A New Page (NZ) (Wrote) steps away from draw seven for trainer Danny Shum and jockey Harry Bentley in the Central Handicap. The bay has been gelded between seasons. “He finished the season in really good form and it’s great to get back on board and see how he goes. Danny’s certainly good for getting his horses fit at the beginning of the season. I don’t expect this horse to be any different. I sat on him the other morning and he felt really good. He was moving very, very nicely and all is good,” Bentley said. “There was no point keeping him as an entire. It probably just gets his mind focused on the job that bit more, which is going to do no harm.” In preparation for his shot at Japan’s Gr.1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama on 28 September, Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) finished second to Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) in Sunday’s HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) with Derek Leung. “We are very happy. The stable did a very good job and his action was good. His fitness is getting better and better. He’s still not 100 percent fit. It’s step-by-step, he’s older, so he needs a few runs to get his routine back. He’s pulled up good and his movement was good,” Leung said. View the full article

Capable synthetic performer Branciforti (NZ) (Belardo) is presented with an opportunity to turn her form around on Wednesday as the clock ticks down on her racing career. The daughter of Belardo will again step out on the polytrack in the Cambridge Equine Hospital Handicap (1550m) and a change of fortune is due to come the six-year-old’s way. “It’s been a really strange preparation because she’s been working great for the last couple of months,” Te Rapa trainer David Greene said. “Nothing seems to have gone right on raceday so hopefully we can turn that all around. “We had targeted the race at Awapuni ($100,000 Polytrack Championship, 1400m) from a long way out and I was really happy with her, but she never really got into the contest at all.” Branciforti finished midfield and was then unplaced in the Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge and most recently on the all-weather track suffered an interrupted run in the straight. “We’d love to get another win with her as she’ll be served after this race. It’s just been very frustrating, but that’s the way it goes sometimes,” Greene said. Branciforti will be ridden for the first time by apprentice jockey Rihaan Goyaram, whose claim will bring her weight down to 58kg. “She’s a very good synthetic horse (four wins) and with her rating it makes it a bit harder to place her on the grass,” Greene said. Raced by breeder Sir Peter Vela, Branciforti is out of the Pins mare Huluava and is a half-sister to stakes winners Jay Bee Gee and William Wallace and to the dam of the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Pignan. Meanwhile, Greene is looking forward to the return to feature race contender First Five (NZ) (Almanzor). The son of Almanzor has fashioned the tidy record of five wins from 15 starts and hasn’t raced since he finished runner-up in an open sprint on his home track to close out his autumn campaign. “He’s coming up great and will trial at Te Rapa on September 23 and the plan is for a couple of quiet trials and run him in the Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m) at the start of November,” Greene said. “We definitely have Group ambitions with him this preparation and he should be at the top of his game this season now he’s bigger and stronger.” View the full article

Palmerston North trainer Paul Peake broke a two-decade winless drought at Woodville on Sunday when his gelding Lazy (NZ) (Complacent) scored his maiden win in the Mamona 2100 at his 29th attempt. The eight-year-old son of Complacent was sent forward from his wide gate by apprentice jockey Crystal Lindsay to take an early lead, with the pair dictating terms up front and running out convincing 4-1/4 length victors. “Fortunately, he drew wide,” Peake said. “He was very slow to find his feet, but drawing wide, he could get to the lead in his own good time without having to be pushed, as he is pretty much a one pacer. “I thought he would have been a run short, which shows there is improvement there.” While Lazy has taken longer than anticipated to score his first win, the 71-year-old horseman said his own health had hindered his progress. “I have had a bit of ill health in the last year or so and he just hasn’t had anywhere near enough work. Since June I have been doing a lot more with him and it has paid dividends,” he said. While Peake didn’t name the horse, he said Lazy lives up to his name at home. “I bought him off a friend of mine, Stephen Mercer, and Stephen named him,” he said. “He is a very lazy track worker.” Originally hailing from Waikato, Peake has a lifelong involvement in racing, and began training from a young age, with jumps racing being his first love. “My father was on the committee of the Cambridge Jockey Club and we lived right next door to the original track,” Peake said. “Dad and I had a horse when I was 18. I used to work it and he gave the orders. It had been through a couple of stables and we won a hurdle race on Cambridge Jockey Club’s big day at Te Rapa back in the seventies. “I got another horse when I was 20 that I leased off Margaret Bull. He won three hurdle races in a row and I took him to Australia where the wheels quietly fell off. “I came back here in the eighties and I had one called one called Bound To Reign, which was a horse by Great Wall, and had a lot of fun with him. “That horse was such a challenge just to get to the races. I remember the day I put him on a plane to get him to Melbourne. The Herald came out with a photographer because they thought he was going to wreck the plane.” While Peake enjoys training, he has loved his life in the saddle, and it’s something he still enjoys doing on a daily basis. “I only have been a very average rider, but I was brought up in a family of very good riders,” he said. “My best day’s racing was where I won two races at a point-to-point, an amateur steeplechase day, in Melbourne. That will forever remain my best day for as long as I live I will never ride another a couple of winners over sticks again. “I still take him (Lazy) to the track now at 5am and ride him in all of his slow work at 71 and I am so pleased I have got the health to do it.” Peake is now hoping Lazy can win his next race at short notice, with the pair set to head north later this month in search of a second win. “I am hoping to run him (next) Sunday at Te Aroha in the amateur riders and I have offered Stephen Mercer’s niece, Tylah, the ride. She has ridden him in a lot of gallops and a few jumpouts.” View the full article

Buoyed by an unexpected kick-start to his season at Sha Tin on Sunday, Harry Bentley heads to Happy Valley on Wednesday night looking to keep the ball rolling with a galloper chasing a hat-trick of victories. After receiving a last-minute call-up to ride Markwin in Sunday’s Class Two Tai Mo Shan Handicap (1,400m) when Derek Leung Ka-chun failed to make weight, Bentley speared the Cody Mo Wai-kit-trained five-year-old to an impressive victory. While the fact he was in the saddle was a surprise...View the full article