Wandering Eyes

Fannie Bay Racecourse will be the centre of the NT racing world during the 2024 Darwin Cup Carnival, set to run from July 6 to August 5. There are just three meetings scheduled in the Northern Territory for the rest of May, but the action will pick up in June. There will be weekly racing from June 1 starting at Alice Springs before the 2023/24 season ends with the Fannie Bay meeting on July 31, which is Day 6 of the Darwin Cup Carnival. The Darwin Turf Club hosts two Saturday meetings, on May 11 and May 25, while the annual Tennant Creek Cup meeting at Hagan Park is set for May 18. From June 8 to July 31 there will be 10 meetings in Darwin, with Cup Carnival starting July 6. Two of the eight meetings during Cup Carnival are also scheduled for Wednesday on July 17 and July 31. Palmerston Sprint Day is August 3, with Darwin Cup Day on August 5. The Alice Springs Turf Club will host five meetings at Pioneer Park from June 1 to July 28. That means 12 meetings remain in the Top End this season, while six meetings remain in the Red Centre. The Adelaide River Cup meeting, which has fallen victim to animals and the elements for the past two years, has been switched from early June to August 31. The 2018 meeting was abandoned after two races due to the state of the surface — the only grass track in the NT — following wet season rains, while there was no meeting in 2020 due to COVID. Feral pigs damaged the Adelaide River track in 2022 and wet season rains once again made it impossible to prepare the track last year, so both meetings took place 100km up the road in Darwin. Meanwhile, trainer Gary Clarke and jockey Jarrod Todd are in good shape in the Top End racing premierships. With 43 wins, Clarke — winner of the trainers’ title for the past 11 years — leads the way from Phil Cole (21), who is seeking his first premiership. Todd (37), the leading jockey in the Top End for the past four years, holds sway from apprentice Emma Lines (20). In Alice Springs, Paul Gardner (19) and Kerry Petrick (18.5) lead the way in search of their first premiership, with Terry Gillett (16), Greg Connor (15), Ray Viney (15), Dan Morgan (14) and Lisa Whittle (14) in the mix. Paul Denton (19), a two-time winner of the Red Centre jockeys’ premiership, leads Jessie Philpot (15) and defending champion Sonja Logan (14.5). “It’s rather quiet right now since the Alice Springs Cup Carnival was moved forward a month,” Thoroughbred Racing NT chief executive officer Andrew O’Toole said. “There were mixed views to the rescheduling of the Alice Springs Cup Carnival and the Adelaide River Cup, but on a positive note, horses will be fresh for the Darwin Cup Carnival. “It will be good to see Cup Day return at Adelaide River, and although Gary (Clarke) and Jarrod (Todd) look like defending their Top End titles, it should be an exciting end to the season in the Red Centre.” Horse racing news View the full article

Lame after last weekend’s Queen Mother Memorial Cup, Chief Stipelas Whyte’s star is fighting fit ahead of his bid for three straight wins in the season’s final Group OneView the full article

The Sunshine Coast gears up for a battle in the mud on Saturday as the 2024 A.D. Hollindale Stakes takes centre stage. Huetor heads betting on the 2024 A.D. Hollindale Stakes on way to a dual title defence in the Doomben Cup. Photo: Steve Hart. This crucial Group 2 $500,000 contest serves as a vital lead-up to the upcoming winter carnivals, with ongoing track upgrades at the Gold Coast forcing the race to Caloundra for the second consecutive year. With more rain forecast, punters are expecting a testing track, and few horses relish the mud like dual Doomben Cup champion Huetor. Trained by Peter & Paul Snowden, the seven-year-old Archipenko gelding boasts a remarkable record on Heavy going (9:2-0-3). Huetor enters the race in peak form, having bounced back from a disappointing run in the Doncaster Prelude with a dominant victory in the JRA Plate on a Heavy track in Sydney. While the 1800m distance for the Hollindale isn’t ideal after his recent success at 2000m, the wet conditions undoubtedly favour him. Drawn wide in barrier nine with jockey Tommy Berry aboard, he should be able to avoid trouble and find clear running room. Ladbrokes has him installed as the favourite at $3.60. Huetor’s main challenger according to the markets is last year’s Queensland Derby winner, Kovalica. Trained by Chris Waller, the four-year-old Ocean Park colt will be ridden by Nash Rawiller from barrier 13 and is priced at $4.20 at time of publish. While his last win came on turf in the Derby, he shouldn’t be underestimated and could break his winning drought on Saturday. Two other runners deserve a mention. Magnus gelding Just Folk ($7) trained by Gavin Bedggood boasts an imposing win record on Heavy tracks and comes off a victory in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup last weekend. Annabel Neasham, who has won the past three consecutive Hollindale Stakes races with triple champion Zaaki, saddles up four contenders this year, with Mighty Ulysses ($8) the most fancied of the bunch. The 2024 A.D. Hollindale Stakes is set for Race 7 at 4:08pm (AEST) on a nine-race card at the Sunshine Coast. 2024 A.D. Hollindale Stakes Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 256x94714x NUMERIAN (IRE) Annabel Neasham Jamie Mott 11 59kg 111 2 16x0666x01 HUETOR (FR) Peter & Paul Snowden Tommy Berry 14 59kg 111 3 054x10172x LE DON DE VIE (GB) Ciaron Maher James Orman 12 59kg 109 4 x9250x4095 KOVALICA (NZ) Chris Waller Nash Rawiller 13 59kg 108 5 x24313x631 JUST FOLK Gavin Bedggood Mark Zahra 8 59kg 108 6 4x1111x808 UNSPOKEN (IRE) Peter & Paul Snowden Michael Dee 2 59kg 106 7 180x57208x HOO YA MAL (GB) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 4 59kg 106 8 515x516x01 MIGHTY ULYSSES (GB) Annabel Neasham Ryan Maloney 7 59kg 105 9 1132x8111x NAVAL COLLEGE (GB) Annabel Neasham John Allen 1 59kg 104 10 18x984024x LUNCIES (GB) Kris Lees James McDonald 3 59kg 104 11 018135x0x2 JIMI HENDRIX (IRE) Annabel Neasham Damien Thornton 6 59kg 103 12 0468555141 WAPITI Gary Duncan Robbie Dolan 9 59kg 90 13 736417×034 DENY KNOWLEDGE (IRE) Michael Kent Opie Bosson 5 57kg 102 14 44x032x210 OSMOSE (FR) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 10 57kg 102 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Huetor Seeks Third Straight Doomben Cup Springboard in A.D. Hollindale Stakes 2024 Field appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The Tui Toiler acquitted himself well in strong company last time out and he looks well-placed on Sunday to take advantage of a step back in class. The son of Highly Recommended will take aim at the Wash Rite & Hyde Landscaping Wairio Cup (2200m) and with regular rider Gosen Jogoo again booked for the ride, they look a strong combination. The Tui Toiler took on weight-for-age company most recently and finished less than three and a-half lengths off the frontrunner Green Luck in the Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton. “He’s a big, tough horse and he probably should have led, but me being a bit conservative decided not to and Kylie Williams controlled the whole race,” trainer Stephen Blair-Edie said. “He wasn’t far away and if he had led he may have got third and some black type, we’re all learning all the time, and he’s pretty good at the moment.” The Tui Toiler’s previous form was also rock solid with a runner-up finish at Gore and then ran third in the Riverton Cup (2147m) after making the pace and backed up on the second day of the meeting to finish second. Blair-Edie also likes the chances of the Press Statement four-year-old Maggie Ruth in the Homestead Villa Motel & Majestic Float Handicap (2200m). She will be making her third appearance from her new quarters and will be stepping up to a middle distance after finishing in behind the major players in her previous two runs. “She’s not a bad mare and third-up should be ready to go,” he said. To be ridden by Brett Murray, Maggie Ruth has already proved her staying ability with her maiden victory posted over 2200 metres at Woodville for former trainer Shaun Phelan. Blair-Edie will have a number of representatives at Wairio and also at Riverton on Friday where he expects a good showing from Anafternoondelight when she runs in the Barnes Oysters/Riverside Rentals Handicap (1200m). “She’s probably my best chance, she has been racing well and hasn’t had very good draws,” he said. “She’s been caught out in the car park more than once.” Another daughter of Highly Recommended to be partnered by Jogoo, she ran third at Riverton at the end of last month and was then caught four wide without cover when unplaced from an outside barrier at Ascot Park. View the full article

Ballymore Stables had a pleasing day at their home track of Matamata on Wednesday, recording a winning double, with stable apprentice Joe Nishizuka also notching his first victory for the barn. Mineshaft opened the stable’s account with a long neck victory over the Debbie Sweeney-trained Ranger in the Team Wealleans 1600, while two races later Step In Time broke through for his maiden win in the Winter Race Day 5th June 1600. Owned by Deirdre Neville-White and Ballymore Stables, who share a long history together, Step In Time was selected by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and purchased for $45,000 out of Highden Park’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Sale draft. Immediately following the win, Pam Gerard received a call from training partner Mike Moroney, who is recuperating in Melbourne hospital, and he was thrilled with the result. “Mike loves winning races on the home course at Matamata, and Deirdre (Neville-White), whose colours he wears, has been a massive supporter for a long time,” Gerard said. “It was great to get Joe (Nishizuka) on the board with a win for Ballymore. He’s been working really hard and he’s a young jockey with a lot of potential. He’s super excited and he rode the horse perfectly. “Step In Time was really good at 1400m last start and he’s come back in this prep as a different horse. “He wants 2000m, ultimately, like so many of the family, and he’s in at the right time of year because there is wet track from there. “He’s just taken time and we’ll probably give him another mile on the back of what he did today. “I’ve always liked him, but he used to go to the races and absolutely drip with sweat, and he’s just taken time to work it out.” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing riding mentor Noel Harris was full of praise for Nishizuka following the race. “Joe followed the instructions that Pam asked him to, and to win like that will give him so much confidence,” Harris said. “He jumped the horse out well, slowly improved his spot on the rail, and he rode him out really well. “Iain and Betty (Marks) did plenty of work with Joe, getting him up to the stage of riding a winner and supported him beautifully. “He had an injury, which has reset him, and he’s gone into a stable (Ballymore) with more opportunities and Pam (Gerard) is doing a really good job with him. “There is a lot of pressure on the apprentices in their first year, but Joe has a good disposition and the type of kid that is really passionate about what he’s doing.” View the full article

Robbie Patterson is hoping to see a glimpse of The Fearless One’s true staying talent in Saturday’s Listed Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m) at Arawa Park. The talented son of The Bold One has been sparingly raced for his six years of age, with just 15 starts under his belt for three victories and seven minor placings. His most recent hiatus came as the result of a wind operation, and Patterson is hoping the gelding can return to the heights of his Gr.3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) placing in mid-2022. “He’s coming back from a wind operation, so he’s probably going to really start putting his foot in the till now to see whether he’s going to come back to where he was,” he said. The Fearless One’s fresh-up appearance at Otaki exceeded expectations with a strong runner-up finish behind Group One performer Lightning Jack on heavy track conditions, however, that effort may have told in his run for seventh in the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m) a fortnight later. “He put in a very pleasing effort first-up behind Lightning Jack, but he was a bit plain the other day. That might have been the fact that he was second-up at a mile, when he had run out of his skin over a mile first-up,” Patterson said. “I’m hoping that’s the reason, but I have got a bit of doubt after coming back from his operation. “I think an improvement in track conditions would be of help, if it could come back to Soft5 would be great, but that’s probably being hopeful.” The Fearless One has been among several horses Patterson has campaigned during Queensland’s winter carnival in recent years, but the Taranaki trainer has his sights firmly set on the New Zealand spring with his high-flying stable. “We won’t be going to Queensland this year, a lot of my better Group horses are out in the paddock and getting ready for the early spring here,” he said. Last-start winner Rum Night will also make the journey north to contest the Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua 2200, while closer to home at New Plymouth on Saturday, Patterson is looking forward to starting the career of juvenile filly La Kwik, an Ardrossan half-sister to Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) winner Dionysus, and multiple stakes-performer Quintabelle in the A B Electrical Ltd 2YO (1200m). “She’s a very well-related filly being a half to Dionysus, who won the Waikato Cup, and Quintabelle who has been a very good filly all season down south,” Patterson said. “I don’t expect her to be winning on Saturday but if she can run third or fourth and be attacking the line would be great. She’ll go out for a spell and will be a lovely three-year-old, she’s just a bit weak at the moment. “I think she’ll definitely be one to watch in the future.” Quality mares Regal Dice and Our Jumala are looking to improve further on their last-start performances in the Landmark Homes 1800, where the latter was unlucky to be near the tail in a leader-dominated Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m). “Our Jumala loves this track, she can sit-back and slingshot off the bend,” Patterson said. “She went to Riccarton for the race that Green Luck won, where they just walked and sprinted up the straight, so she couldn’t quicken from the back. “She’s come home, done well and I expect her to run well on Saturday. “Regal Dice has had a couple of runs in now and got her fitness levels up, so I’m expecting her to run well too. I’d like to think both of them could be around the money at their home track. “She over raced the other day which is not like her, so Ciel (Butler, jockey) has been tinkering with her gear ever since. She’s come up with a nose band and thinks that’s the best option, so hopefully it comes to fruition.” Patterson has also engaged O’Ceirins Dream, Belladonna Lily, Smug One and Ragamuffin through the card, with a wide draw (13) the only hinderance on Ragamuffin’s potential in the Hel Rimu 1800. “I’ve got no qualms about the 1800, but he has got a sticky draw for the distance at New Plymouth as they start pretty close to the first bend up the straight there,” he said. “He’s improved with his winning run, he ran really well first-up for third and we put the blinkers on, and he got the job done. “If he can slot in one-off without doing too much, he’ll be right in the thick of it.” View the full article

The Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival reaches its climax this weekend with the prestigious Group 1 $1 million The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville. Amelia’s Jewel is favourite to win The Goodwood 2024 in Adelaide this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. Punters have installed the Simon Miller-trained mare Amelia’s Jewel as the race favourite at $4 through Ladbrokes, eager to see her return to winning form. The final field is set at 15 runners after late withdrawals from Annabel Neasham’s Learning To Fly and James Cummings’ Vilana. Amelia’s Jewel comes into the race fit and ready after a string of close seconds in Perth. The four-year-old boasts an impressive record at 1200m (4 wins, 2 seconds) and will be looking to break a winless streak that began after her victory in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) last September at The Valley. Adding weight to her case is the recent success of the runner-up in that race, Pride Of Jenni. Her dominant win in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) serves as a strong endorsement of Amelia’s Jewel’s capabilities. Drawn in barrier nine with Damian Lane in the saddle, Amelia’s Jewel aims to become the first favourite to win The Goodwood since Black Heart Bart in 2016. However, the race promises to be a thrilling contest. Hot on her heels is Benedetta ($5) with jockey Jamie Kah on board. This consistent Hellbent mare is fresh off a narrow third-place finish in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes just two weeks ago at this track and trip. With a winning record at the course and a 50% win rate at the 1200m distance, Benedetta is a major contender to watch. Another key player is Dion Luciani‘s Oscar’s Fortune ($5.50), ridden by champion WA-based jockey William Pike. This talented three-year-old has a strong record (5 wins from 9 starts) and while yet to win beyond 1100m, he has been competitive in his 1200m attempts. The significant weight drop from his last race makes him a dangerous lightweight hope. Several other runners command attention, including I Am Me ($7.50) with a history of top interstate performances, Johnny Rocker ($8.50), and outsider hopes Skybird ($12) and Climbing Star ($16) who come off Morphettville wins in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze and Group 1 Robert Sangster respectively. The Goodwood promises to be a heart-stopping race. Don’t miss all the action on Saturday at 4:00pm (ACST) at Morphettville. 2024 The Goodwood Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 60x56830x2 VILANA James Cummings Todd Pannell 16 59kg 105 2 12x1190x22 AMELIA’S JEWEL Simon A Miller Damian Lane 9 56.5kg 114 3 x29825x121 CLIMBING STAR (NZ) Phillip Stokes Lachlan Neindorf 13 56.5kg 109 4 5×11311775 SGHIRRIPA Shane & Cassie Oxlade Craig Newitt 15 56kg 102 5 0x655960x1 EXTREMELY LUCKY Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea Jake Toeroek 6 56kg 94 6 7x16122x34 I AM ME Ciaron Maher Blake Shinn 1 55kg 110 7 x1134x4413 BENEDETTA Jason Warren Ms Jamie Kah 3 55kg 108 8 x01432x255 ARKANSAW KID Ben, Will & JD Hayes Billy Egan 17 54.5kg 92 9 x244x27128 JOHNNY ROCKER Nick Ryan Rhys McLeod 12 54.5kg 106 10 7x536x1974 RUBAMOS Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor Jacob Opperman 2 54.5kg 94 11 1x11x33 WHAT YOU NEED Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Craig Williams 11 54.5kg 91 12 2x31x22x57 KARACASU Richard & Chantelle Jolly Jason Holder 4 54.5kg 82 13 0x13201320 GRINZINGER PRINCE Cody Reardon Ms Emily Finnegan 10 54.5kg 82 14 111Lx242 LEARNING TO FLY Annabel Neasham Chad Schofield 14 54kg 102 15 111122×213 OSCAR’S FORTUNE Dion Luciani William Pike 8 53.5kg 109 16 1113×51 SKYBIRD Mitchell Freedman Beau Mertens 5 53kg 95 17 21x217x426 STRETAN ANGEL Phillip Stokes Daniel Stackhouse 7 52.5kg 92 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Stage Set for 2024 The Goodwood: Amelia’s Jewel Leads the Charge appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Atomic Beauty seals a Tony Cruz three-timer. Tony Cruz’s accelerating advance in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship continued in blistering fashion with a Happy Valley treble on Wednesday night when the veteran horseman vaulted into the top four of the 2023/24 standings. With six wins from three meetings this month, Cruz has built impressive momentum in a season highlighted by California Spangle’s pair of Group 1 victories to have 43 wins for the campaign to sit behind Pierre Ng (58 wins), Francis Lui (53) and John Size (44). Cruz struck with Atomic Beauty, Lovero and Righteous Arion after saddling a double at Sha Tin on Sunday crowned by La City Blanche’s triumph in the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) over stablemate Five G Patch. Cruz teamed successfully with a trio of different riders tonight – Hugh Bowman (Righteous Arion), Brenton Avdulla (Atomic Beauty) and Angus Chung (Lovero) – and the six-time Hong Kong champion jockey was delighted with all three. “I’m very happy tonight. All the jockeys rode a good race, especially Brenton Avdulla. I told him to have the horse handy and he went to the front and he still won from the front. I’m thrilled by it,” Cruz said. Chung, Avdulla and Harry Bentley enjoyed doubles, while Chief Stipelas Whyte fired in a brace. Delighted with Japanese-bred Lovero’s victory in the Class 3 Graham Handicap (1650m), Cruz praised Chung’s continued development after the recently-graduated apprentice lifted the son of Lord Kanaloa to a short-head victory. “Angus Chung is doing a good job, this lad is improving a lot, he’s getting results and we can see how he’s improving – this boy is improving a lot,” Cruz said. Hugh Bowman attributed Righteous Arion’s victory in the Class 4 Sports Club Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m) to a gear change after Cruz’s charge swept to a third career success. “He drew wide (barrier 12), but I got a lot of confidence out of him last time and I thought if we took the ear muffs off him in the race, it might help him to be strong late and that was certainly the case,” Bowman said. “He promised to do it last time but I had a wider run and he found his peak. But a little gear change and being smothered up for a late burst really suited him.” Chief Stipelas Whyte was elated after Wings Of War’s triumph in the Class 3 Shelley Handicap (1200m) for eminent South African owner Mary Slack. “That’s probably the most satisfying winner I’ve had this season,” Whyte said. “It means a lot for the owner Mary, her daughter Jessica (Jell) and Stephen Jell. It’s been an unbelievable connection for me, I’ve known them my whole career. “To get a winner on the board for them as a trainer, it’s a highlight of my career. Mary, Jessica and Stephen have been so good to me. When I was waiting to start my training career in Hong Kong, they let me stay in their house at Newmarket for three months. They are fantastic people.” Whyte’s Ace Power showed plenty of conviction to win in a dramatic finish to the first section of the Class 4 Wyndham Handicap (1200m) for Andrea Atzeni. A three-year-old by Power, the gelding was having only his third start. “He’s threatened to do that for a while – he’s been very immature and green and just needed the experience from a couple of runs to get used to Hong Kong racing, the pressure and the environment,” Whyte said. “Today, he really laid down the gauntlet, showed some tenacity and came between them and really won well.” Manfred Man’s Hero Star posted his fifth course and distance win with success in the Class 5 Cochrane Handicap (1200m) after the eight-year-old dictated from the front under Chung before New Power provided Michael Chang with a vital win in the third section of the Class 4 Wyndham Handicap (1200m) under Karis Teetan. Precision Goal broke through at his 18th start to land the Class 5 D’Aguilar Handicap (1650m) for David Hayes. Having raced close to the speed throughout, the Tavistock gelding was too strong over the closing stages under Bentley. Escape Route notched his second course and distance victory – and fourth overall – for Size in the Class 4 Glenealy Handicap (1800m) after Avdulla stalked Forever Glorious and Teetan before eventually prevailing by a short head. Hong Kong racing will continue at Sha Tin on Saturday (11 May). Horse racing news View the full article

Deterministic, eighth in his first attempt racing two turns in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), gets another crack at the 1 1/8-mile distance in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) May 11 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

European horses figure to command much of the attention in the $400,000 Man o' War Stakes (G2T). View the full article

Race 2 GRANDSTAND EATERY IN THE PHAR LAP MAIDEN 1200m THEE AULD MINX (T Comignaghi) – Stable representative Ms. L Young advised Stewards, that on Friday 3 May, THE AULD MINX underwent a veterinary examination including an ECG, which revealed no abnormalities. L Young further advised it is the stables intention to carry on with the mare’s current preparation, where they will look to nominate THE AULD MINX for the Waimate RC meeting on Sunday 9 June. INSPIRATION (L Allpress) – Co-trainer Mr. M Pitman advised Stewards, INSPIRATION underwent chiropractor treatment for soreness to the geldings back area and was also placed on a three-day course of antibiotics to treat a kidney infection. M Pitman further advised it is the stables intention to continue on with INSPIRATION’S current preparation. Race 4 THE TEA HOUSE OPEN DAYS – 4 TO 5 MAY MAIDEN 1400m BARREL RACER (L Hemi) – Trainer Mr. P Craw reported to Stewards, BARREL RACER has been retired from racing. The post Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park, Thursday, 2 May 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Nest, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2022 who had been in light training toward a return to racing this year, has been retired, owner Mike Repole said.View the full article

Nest, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2022 who had been in light training toward a return to racing this year, has been retired, owner Mike Repole told Daily Racing Form.View the full article

Is there room for still another European rider in the Santa Anita jockey colony, which includes Italians Frankie Dettori, Antonio Fresu and Umberto Rispoli? Adrie de Vries thinks there just might be. The 54-year-old Dutch jockey spent last weekend visiting friend Carlos Arias in California and decided to ride a couple of horses at Santa Anita. Though he had just two mounts and finished off the board with both he said riding in California was among the most exciting moments of his career. “It was absolutely a thrill,” he said. “I follow American racing and it was always a wish of mine to ride here. I'm just happy Carlos gave me the chance to get on a couple of horses.” De Vries started riding in his native Holland when he was 15 and he won the Dutch Derby five times and was champion rider there 13 times. But racing was on the decline in Holland and de Vries left his home country in the 1980s to start what has been a whirlwind tour of racetracks all over the world. He has won stakes races in nine countries and had ridden in 18 total. But he was mostly based in Germany and won the riding title there in 2014. He won the GI German Derby in 2018 on Weltstar (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB} and guided German import Energizer (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) to a win at Royal Ascot in the GIII Tercentenary S. in 2012. In the early 90's he began to ride in Dubai, which became part of his circuit. He would winter in the U.A.E. and then head to Germany for the rest of the year. In 2012, he won the GI Dubai Golden Shaheen aboard Krypton Factor (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}). “I'm not slowing down,” said de Vries, who estimates he's won 2,500 races in his career. “At this age, you don't want to take long breaks. You want to keep riding and stay fit. I wanted to do it as long as I still enjoy it and are still getting good horses to ride.” He is not under contract to any stable this year in Germany so didn't need to be in a hurry to return to Europe, which is why he spent three weeks at Santa Anita. He admits he has been influenced by the success the other foreign riders in California, in particular Fresu, have had there. “Antonio Fresu made a name for himself here,” de Vries said. “He's very talented. It's just a matter of getting on the right horses. I don't see any reason why I wouldn't be successful in the U.S. I was motivated by him. I followed Antonio. He sat next to me in the jockey room in Dubai for a couple of seasons and he's a very good rider. I know him well. I expected him to do good. I am very happy for him. I like his style. He is a good guy.” De Vries is committed to riding in Germany this year and then it is on to Dubai. But after that? He might call Santa Anita home. “It's an option,” he said about possibly staying in the U.S. “I'm thinking about it. I am about the same age as Frankie Dettori. I'd like to have another experience before my career is over. I just had a little taste of it and it felt good. I felt welcome and met some nice people who were interested in putting me on horses. Carlos did a great job introducing me to a lot of great people. Coming back here after Dubai next year is definitely an option. Dubai finishes toward the end of March. There's a good possibility I could come back here after that. “Can I be successful here? It's hard to say. You have to work hard and be lucky. If you can get a few winners early on that would really help. I really enjoyed it here. I'm really going to try to come back.” The post Champion German Rider Adrie De Vries Mulls Moving To Southern California Circuit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the three-quarter-length victory of Washington Heights (GB) in Newmarket's G3 Abernant S. in mid-April, the late Zoffany (Ire) celebrated his first group winner as a paternal grandsire. Already the first stakes winner in that role, Washington Heights is by the 2017 G3 Phoenix Sprint S. victor Washington DC (Ire), who was also runner-up in the G1 Keeneland Phoenix S., a race won by his sire five years earlier. Now, with the advent of his final crop of 3-year-olds, Zoffany is poised to add to his legacy. Bred by the Brosnan family's Epona Bloodstock at their Croom House Stud, Zoffany was sold to John Magnier for 220,000gns out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October sale in 2009. Aidan O'Brien trained the colt to five victories from seven starts at two including the Phoenix and G3 Tyros S. At three, Zoffany was a close second in both the G1 St. James's Palace S.–to Frankel (GB) no less–and the G1 Prix Jean Prat in France. Retired to Coolmore Stud for the 2012 season at €7,500, he spent nine full seasons there, standing for up to €45,000, until his death in January of 2021 from liver failure. Like their sire, members of his first crop were precocious, and his total stakes winners after Royal Ascot stood at four, with three striking at the iconic five-day meeting of 2015: G2 Norfolk S. winner Waterloo Bridge {Ire}, G3 Albany S. heroine Illuminate (Ire), and the aforementioned Washington DC in the Listed Windsor Castle. Zoffany never looked back, and his overall black-type winners have increased from 38 when he died in January of 2021 to 63, including five Group 1 winners, through to May 7. There are surely more to come. A half-brother to Group 3 winner Wilshire Boulevard (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and multiple group winner and two-time Group 1-placed Rostropovich (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Zoffany's final crop of foals numbers 112, bred at €22,500 in 2020. Since New Year's Day, the stallion is already enjoying an international renaissance with his progeny and has five stakes winners of all ages to his name in both hemispheres. His first stakes horse of the year was the gelding Al Nayyir (GB), second in the Listed Al Khail Trophy in Dubai in January, who was only two lengths off Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup at the end of March. Zoffany's international results were further padded that month by an Australian listed and Group 3 wins for Fawkner Park (Ire) and Osmose (Fr) respectively, with the former doubling up at listed level in the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup last week. His latest stakes winner is 4-year-old filly and 'TDN Rising Star' Gather Ye Rosebuds (GB), successful in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Daisy Warwick Fillies' S. at Goodwood on 2,000 Guineas Day. Current Sophomores Finding Their Feet Focusing on Zoffany's final crop, however, his Northern Hemisphere standout has been undoubtedly the smart filly Fun With Flags (Ire), who claimed the Listed Prix Rose de Mai in March just as the Flat season was getting off the ground. The best foal out of the Galileo (Ire) mare Marie Celeste (Ire), the €50,000 Goffs Orby yearling turned €62,000 Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-Up graduate followed up with a solid second in the G3 Prix Cleopatre in April. Kin to G1 Irish St Leger hero Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}), the Jerome Reynier trainee holds entries this Sunday for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the G2 Prix Saint Alary as well as the G1 Prix de Diane on June 16. The Erika Gilliar colourbearer is not the only progeny by Zoffany to hold group aspirations, as Jayarebe (Fr) continued the fine year for his sire with a 3 1/4-length score in the Listed Feilden S. at the Craven meeting. The €180,000 Tattersalls October yearling, out of Listed Prix Joubert heroine and group-placed Alakhana (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}), will take on another son of Zoffany, Bracken's Laugh (Ire), in Thursday's Dee S. At Chester. Jayarebe too, has the advantage of Galileo in his female family, albeit through his granddam Dubai (Ire), a stakes-placed half-sister to a trio of German stakes winners anchored by the sire Davidoff (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}), who landed the G3 Dr. Busch-Memorial. Bracken's Laugh has already been a frequent visitor in these pages this year and has proved a sale ring and racecourse star for Cormac Farrell, who sold him for 200,000gns at the 2023 Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale to Richard Hughes and Ted Durcan after acquiring him for just €55,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale. Now a winner of two of his three starts for Bernardine and Sean Mulryan, the €35,000 Goffs November foal sailed home a 2 3/4-length winner of the Cardinal Conditions S. over the Chelmsford all-weather for trainer Richard Hughes on Apr. 6. Of German extraction, as his dam, the stakes-placed Guardia (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), is a full-sister to dual German Group 1 winner and sire Getaway (Ger), the colt is likely to continue turning heads as the season progresses and the distances increase. Fun With Flags | Scoop Dyga At the time of writing, 68 of Zoffany's final crop have raced, with 19 (28%) of those being winners. Other notable winning progeny to keep an eye on are detailed below. Andrew Balding trains Works Of Art (Ire) for the King and Queen. Runner-up at listed level at Redcar at two, the daughter of the multiple stakes-placed Make Fast (GB) (Makfi {GB}) is a half-sister to G2 July S. winner Tactical (GB) (Toronado {Ire}), and her second dam, the Van Nistelrooy mare Raymi Coya, won the 2007 edition of the G3 Oh So Sharp S. The fourth black-type horse out of Zoffany's final crop to date is Argentum (Ger), a son of the winning Anna Kallista (Ger) (Kallisto {Ger}), herself a half-sister to multiple group winner and sire Aspectus (Ire) (Spectrum {Ire}), as well as the dam of three stakes winners, among them G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud runner-up Willie The Whipper (GB) (Whipper). The €75,000 BBAG September yearling was second in a German listed race for trainer Peter Schiergen at Hanover last October, and won for the second time there going 2200 metres on May 1 for Liberty Racing. He holds an entry for the G1 Deutsches Derby. Anita's Star (GB) is a multiple winner in Italy, just like dual scorer Misemerald (Ire) for trainer Philip Kirby in the UK. Other winners include the filly Cashanda (Fr), a Sumbe homebred who holds a G2 Ribblesdale S. entry, and the colt Rosenzoo (Ire), a half-brother to the stakes-winning dam of multiple group winner Rosscarbery (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), second in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet. A Question Of Succession? The current best hope for continuing Zoffany's male line is Haras de Bouquetot stallion Thunder Moon (Ire), who is standing his second season after taking the G1 National S. and running third in the G1 Dewhurst S. at two. As a 3-year-old, he backed up that form with a head loss in the G1 Prix Jean Prat. The G2 Mill Reef S. winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Sakheer (Ire) remains in training at four for KHK Racing and is set for a reappearance ahead of Royal Ascot. Colts from Zoffany's final crop that could yet find a home as stallions include the well-bred Celestial Reign (Ire). A €200,000 Goffs Orby yearling, the son of Sarawati (Ire) (Haafhd {GB}) was unplaced in his only start so far for Joseph O'Brien and Teme Valley Racing, but is a full-brother to G1 Premio Jockey Club winner and St Leger runner-up Ventura Storm (Ire). The unraced Bamburgh (Ire) is a full-brother to Classic winner Mother Earth (Ire) and half to Group 3 winner Ocean Jewel (Ire) (Sioux Nation) and is in the care of Charlie Johnston. Broodmare Daughters Showing The Way Regardless of what his final crop accomplishes on the racecourse, it is more likely that Zoffany will prove more potent as a broodmare sire. His sextet of stakes winners in that sphere are anchored by G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Tiger Tanaka (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) and Licancabur (Jpn) (Silver State {Jpn}) struck in the G3 Nakayama Kimpai just six days into the new year. This past Sunday, Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) ran an eye-catching fourth in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas, and could yet be poised to add a Group 1 rosette. Fashionably (GB) holds a fair weight of expectations as the most expensive yearling from the final crop of her late sire. Knocked down for €320,000 out of the Arqana August sale, the daughter of Saharan Rose (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) races for Michael Tabor, and has a fourth-place finish from two starts this spring in France. Her dam is a half-sister to the dams of G3 Prix Six Perfections winner See The Rose (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}) and G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis hero King Malpic (Fr) (King's Best). Of his Group 1-winning daughters now at stud, the Niarchos-bred Albigna (Ire) was bought for €3.7 million by Coolmore last November and has a 2-year-old colt by Wootton Bassett (GB) named Attack (GB) as well as a yearling filly by Dubawi (Ire). The aforementioned Mother Earth produced her first foal, a filly by Frankel, in early February, while Prosperous Voyage (Ire) was bought for 2.4 million gns by Katsumi Yoshida of Japan's Northern Farm at Tattersalls in December. As Coolmore's David O'Loughlin said at the time of his death, “Zoffany was a great servant and he'll be a big loss.” That statement rings true today. The post Final Crop Masterpieces Still Possible For Zoffany appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Live racing returns to historic Pimlico Race Course May 9 for the opening of its 11-day Preakness Meet, highlighted by the 149th running of the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1), middle jewel of the Triple Crown, May 18.View the full article

Champion 3-year-old filly and MGISW Nest (Curlin) has been retired from racing her owner Mike Repole told the Daily Racing Form on Wednesday. The owner who bought Nest for $6 million last fall at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale intended to race Nest this year. After three workouts at Stonestreet Farm in Ocala, Florida, she was set to ship to trainer Todd Pletcher's string at Saratoga, but a diagnostic exam was performed and showed “a slight abnormality in her hind ankle,” Repole told DRF. “Since she wasn't perfect, it made it easy,” he said. “We shipped her to Lane's End, she arrived today. She has a date with Uncle Mo. “We tried our best to bring her back as a 5-year-old and keep her in training. If we didn't have that intention we would have bred her in February. We're going to breed her now; ecstatic about her career, wish it could have been one more season. She was a stakes winner at 2, 3, 4, a multiple Grade I winner, and a champion.” The post Champion Nest Retired, Set To Visit Uncle Mo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Equine Welfare Department symposium, titled 'Changing Stride – the way ahead for horse racing safety and care' will be held at the Keadeen Hotel and the Curragh on Friday, May 24. The symposium focuses on cultivating a culture of zero compromise in equine care and safety standards and is the key goal of the new HRI strategic plan 2024-2028. Tickets are €50 and include meals, refreshments on the day and entry to the Curragh for an eight-race card to kick-start Tattersalls Irish Guineas weekend. To purchase tickets and view the itinerary, please visit the HRI website. John Osborne, Equine Welfare and Bloodstock Director at Horse Racing Ireland, said, “Our first symposium will be an interactive conversation on safety and care. We are looking forward to hearing from our eminent speakers, pointing to so much exciting change in the way we care for our horses. Of equal importance is hearing the thoughts and opinions of our attendees.” The post First HRI Equine Welfare Symposium Schedule Revealed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Longtime horsewoman and lifetime philanthropist Ellen Charles, who has bred or owned some of Maryland's most popular and successful horses of recent years, will be recognized with the Special Award of Merit May 16 during the Alibi Breakfast at historic Pimlico Race Course, 1/ST Racing said in a Wednesday release. The Special Award of Merit is given to those who have made a positive impact on the racing industry. Past recipients have included Jim McKay, Hall of Fame trainers D. Wayne Lukas and King Leatherbury and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The Alibi Breakfast began in the 1930s on the porch of the old Pimlico clubhouse and features a gathering of media, owners, trainers, jockeys, horsemen and fans to celebrate the Preakness while gaining interesting and humorous race predictions. Charles' roots in the racing industry run deep. Her mother, Adelaide Close Riggs, was one of the major supporters of Maryland's breeding and racing industry for nearly 70 years and her father, Merrall MacNeille, held many jobs in racing before spending more than 20 years as a steward at Maryland tracks. Racing since 2004 as Hillwood Stable, named in tribute to her grandmother, Marjorie Merriweather Post, former owner of General Foods and heiress to the Post cereal fortune, Charles bred filly Hello Beautiful, Maryland's champion older female of 2021 that is one of just seven horses in history with three career Maryland Million wins. Top horses owned by Charles include GSW Bandbox (Tapit), MSW Phlash Phelps (Great Notion), Maryland's 2015 turf champion, and many others. Charles was voted the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA) Owner of the Year in 2016. Charles has sat on the MTHA board of directors and currently serves on the MTHA's finance and aftercare committees. For 25 years, Charles was president of the board of Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens in Washington, D.C., helping realize her grandmother's dream to turn her former estate into a public museum known for its large decorative arts collection. In addition to horses, Charles has bred and owned multiple dogs that went on to compete for Best in Show at the famed Westminster Kennel Club dog show. The post Hillwood Stable’s Ellen Charles To Receive Special Award of Merit At Pimlico’s Alibi Breakfast May 16 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juveniles take center stage on the Gulfstream Park turf course May 11, as a pair of $120,000, five-furlong stakes will award an automatic berth to one of six 2-year-old races held at the Royal Ascot meeting June 18-22.View the full article

Trainer Kenny McPeek discusses Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan's first day on the Churchill Downs track since his Derby triumph and deciding about whether to run in the Preakness Stakes (G1).View the full article

The sun was not yet shining on the old Kentucky home when Mystik Dan made his first appearance on the Churchill Downs track since etching his name into racing history with a nose victory in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

Live racing returns to historic Pimlico Race Course Thursday for the opening of its 11-day Preakness Meet, highlighted by the 149th running of the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1), Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, Saturday, May 18.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a well-bred son of Dubawi (Ire). 15.05 Chester, Listed, £100,000, 3yo, c/g, 10f 70yT GOD'S WINDOW (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) tackles the Listed Boodles Raindance Dee S. as he preps for one of the European Derbys, having already proven himself at the top level when third in the Futurity Trophy in October. Cayton Park Stud's homebred represents the Gosdens as he takes on four peers including Iraj Parvizi's Listed Feilden S. scorer Jayarebe (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}) from the Brian Meehan stable and Ballydoyle's G2 Champions Juvenile S. runner-up and G2 Royal Lodge S. third Capulet (Justify). The post God’s Window Takes Dee Test appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jacob West will join the Claiborne Farm team in October as the Stallion Seasons & Bloodstock Manager, the organization said in a release Wednesday. West, a Kentucky native, graduated from UK with a degree in Economics. He began his career in the Thoroughbred industry at the ground level, first serving as a groom in Taylor Made Farm's broodmare division. From there, he ascended to barn foreman, divisional yearling manager, and then Buyer Account Manager. During his tenure at Taylor Made, West managed all aspects of his clients' investment portfolios, including public and private acquisitions, breeding and racing management. In 2016, he joined Three Chimneys as Director of Bloodstock Services, and then served Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners as Vice President of Bloodstock before launching his own business, West Bloodstock. Most recently, West formed Highgate Sales Consignment with partner Jill Gordon to service clients at public auction. He will continue to serve his existing clients at West Bloodstock while at Claiborne. Longtime Stallion Seasons & Bloodstock Manager, Bernie Sams, will remain on Claiborne's staff during this transition. “We are ecstatic to have Jacob join our team at Claiborne early this fall,” said Walker Hancock, Claiborne President. “He brings a wealth of industry knowledge, sales expertise and will be a huge asset recruiting new stallions, selling seasons and helping clients manage their bloodstock portfolios.” “I am fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of the Claiborne team,” West said. “The history and tradition of such an iconic farm is something I have marveled at since I got into the horse industry. I look forward to building upon the tradition and being a part of their future.” The post Jacob West Named As Stallion Seasons And Bloodstock Manager At Claiborne Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article