Wandering Eyes

A 701-lot catalogue for the Goffs Arkle Sale, held in partnership with Defender, was released by the sales company on Wednesday. Set for June 11-13 beginning at 10 a.m. each day, the sale encompasses a two-day Part 1, featuring 452 elite stores, and another 249 quality prospects are set for Part 2 on June 13. All horses catalogued in Parts 1 and 2 are eligible for the €100,000 Goffs Defender Bumper at the 2025 Punchestown Festival. Sires represented include Authorized (Ire), Blue Bresil (Fr), Crystal Ocean (GB), Doctor Dino (Fr), Goliath Du Berlais (Fr), Jew St Eloi (Fr), Kapgarde (Fr), Karaktar (Ire), Martinborough (Jpn), Masked Marvel (GB), Muhtathir (GB), No Risk At All (Fr), Tunis (Fr), Walk In The Park (Ire) and Zarak (Fr). Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “The spectacular rise of the Arkle Sale has seen the majority share of the select store horse market presented to buyers at Goffs each June, and this year is no different. Key to the sale's success has been the support of our vendors who send such quality to Goffs in ever-increasing numbers, and our inspection team, led by Gerry Hogan, Neil Walsh, Peter Molony, Kevin Ross and Harry Fowler, have worked with those vendors to handpick a catalogue of real athletes for Arkle 2024. “The Arkle Sale is the headline act in a vibrant new era for National Hunt at Goffs on both sides of the Irish sea, which is also evident across the foal, breeding stock and point-to-point categories. It is a huge point of pride for the entire team, and we are committed to improving all the time and not resting on tradition. A destination sale for so many owners and trainers, the Arkle atmosphere is like nowhere else, and, together with our luxury brand partner Defender, we look forward to welcoming everyone to Kildare Paddocks for this year's Arkle Sale for unrivalled quality along with some new flourishes to enhance the buyer experience.” The post High Class Goffs Arkle Catalogue Features Over 700 Stores appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The recent heavy rainfall has rendered the Wyong Racetrack unsuitable for racing, as per Racing NSW Stewards. With 245 millimetres of rain recorded over the week and more rain expected, the decision was made to move the scheduled race meeting from Wyong on Thursday May 9th to Newcastle Racecourse. Newcastle’s current track conditions are labeled as Heavy 8, with the rail set at nine metres around the course. READ: Newcastle Racing Tips – Thursday, 9/5/24 Adjustments have been made to three race distances; Race 3: The Super Maiden Plate, initially planned for 1100 metres, will now take place over 1200 meters. Race 5: Benchmark 64 Handicap, at 2100 metres, has been reduced to 1890 meters. Race 8: Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap, a 1000 metre race, will now be contested over 1200 metres. All other details of the race meeting remain unchanged regarding field sizes and other aspects. Horse racing news View the full article

Horse racing on Thursday, May 9, will feature six meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for Pakenham and Newcastle. Thursday’s Racing Tips – May 9, 2024 Warwick Farm Racing Tips Newcastle Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on May 9, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

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For trainer Kenny McPeek it was an unforgettable weekend. He struck first with Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the GI Kentucky Oaks and came back the next day to win the GI Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan (Goldencents). McPeek became the first trainer since Plain Ben Jones in 1952 to win both the Oaks and Derby the same year. How did he pull it off? What's next for Mystik Dan? Why was he so confident before each race? Those were among the questions our panel asked McPeek when he appeared on this week's edition of the TDN Writers' Room Podcast, presented by Keeneland. McPeek, who said he received over 2,000 text messages following the Derby win, was this week's Green Group Guest of the Week. He was so confident in Mystik Dan's chances that he thought the colt could win the Derby by open lengths. “I told my wife Sherri before the race that it wouldn't surprise me if he won by four or five lengths,” he said. “I expected to win. I really did.” And where was that confidence coming from? “In the Arkansas Derby, he got mugged in that turn,” he said. “You can't really see it because there's no head-on angle. But Brian [Hernandez, Jr.] nearly got knocked off the horse and he felt that cost him four or five lengths. We wanted to win the Arkansas Derby, but it just didn't happen. We drew outside in the race and we drew inside for the Derby and we knew he'd love an inside trip. I bet more on him on Saturday than I bet on any horse in my life.” While Mystik Dan is a homebred, Thorpedo Anna was a McPeek special, just one more bargain buy that turned into a star. She was bought for just $40,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall yearling sale. “I love looking at the horses, looking at their pedigree and how they are made and how they race,” he said. “I like to look at their angles. I believe horses are like constellations, stars in the sky. If you look at the angles, there are patterns. You have to envision how they are made and what they will do on the racetrack. As a young trainer, I used to be so frustrated because I would get all these average horses. I wanted horses that were fast enough to compete with Wayne Lukas, Todd Pletcher, Nick Zito, all those guys with great horses. If you can't beat them with your budget, you have to beat them with your brain. This whole sport is a big chess match. It's cerebral. You have to plot and plan and know how to move around the board. You can't just throw money at it. That's been proven. You have to outsmart the people who have all the money.” McPeek wasn't the only man of the hour. Brian Hernandez, Jr. was aboard both Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dans and his rail-skimming ride in the Derby was one for the ages. “I've said repeatedly that he's the consummate professional,” McPeek said. “There's nothing complicated about Brian. He comes in with a smile on his face and an even keel. I've never had a cross word with him and never will. He loves to come breeze the horses. He'll be there at 5:15, no problem.” In our breeding spotlight section we took a look at the WinStar stallion Audible and the Coolmore stallion Jack Christopher The TDN Writers' Room podcast is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, Coolmore, West Point Thoroughbreds, WinStar, the KTOB, 1/ST Racing and XBTV.com. Among the primary topics covered by the team of Randy Moss, Zoe Cadman and Bill Finley was the failure of the Churchill Downs stewards to post an inquiry and take a look at the bumping during the stretch run between Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}). Moss was particularly critical of the stewards' failure to take action. “The stewards let [Churchill Downs] down big time. Big time,” Moss said. “That there was no inquiry either meant that the stewards were incompetent or that it was a calculated move. I think it was probably the latter. That was an elementary school DQ. They don't get any more obvious than that. They dropped the ball in so many ways.” The team also reviewed the Kentucky Oaks and the GI La Troienne S. The La Troienne winner was Idiomatic (Curlin), who picked right up where she left off last year when winning an Eclipse Award as the nation's top older dirt mare. Finley declared that, regardless of sex or age, Idiomatic is the best horse in the sport. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To view the show as a podcast, click here. The post Kenny McPeek Joins the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Connections of Task Force (GB) are keen to give the colt plenty of time to recover from his run in the G1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday, feeling there will be lots to come from their charge later in the year. The Juddmonte homebred proved himself a smart sprinting two-year-old for the Ralph Beckett yard last season, winning his first two starts before signing off with a runner-up finish behind Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) in the G1 Middle Park S. at Newmarket. Sent off at 16/1 when returning to the Rowley Mile for the first Classic of the season, Task Force ultimately finished a well-held seventh behind Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Barry Mahon, Juddmonte's European racing manager, has shared his belief that the race might have come a bit too soon in the development of the impeccably-bred son of Frankel (GB). “We were disappointed not to win, but we were happy and Rossa [Ryan, jockey] felt he was still a little on the weak side,” said Mahon. “He's a May foal and he only turned three a day or two before the Guineas, so we felt he was a little on the weak side and will improve as the season goes on and he gets stronger. We will just give him a little chance now. “We trained him hard to get him to the Guineas, so we will give him a chance and let him strengthen and then pick our target in a month or six weeks' time. It was a big task to get him to the Guineas first time up–you have to train them hard enough–and it is for some and not for others. As we saw with the favourite and a few others who may not have run their race, they are no doubt still very good horses and will come back to themselves later in the year.” Having been campaigned exclusively at six furlongs as a juvenile, Task Force was tackling a mile for the first time in the 2,000 Guineas and it's unlikely to be his last run over that trip according to Mahon. “He settled and saw it out well enough, so I think the mile was no problem,” Mahon added. “I didn't see anything on Saturday, and Ralph didn't see anything, to suggest the mile is an issue, so I think we are all happy with the distance and it is just a case of getting him a little stronger.” The post Juddmonte Hoping Patient Approach Pays Off With Task Force appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bill Ford has been elected president of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame for 2024. Ford has been an executive with Woodbine Entertainment since 2011 and is currently its Chief Racing Officer and General Counsel. He has been a Director of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame for the past two years representing Racetracks Canada. Ford succeeds Darryl Kaplan, who held the role of CHRHF president from 2018-2024. Kaplan, currently the President and CEO of Standardbred Canada, maintains his position as a CHRHF Director and is now the Vice-President of the CHRHF. “I am very honored and excited to take on this new role with the CHRHF. The Hall is an important part of the fabric of the Canadian horse racing industry and the place to recognize the men, women and equine athletes who have contributed so much to the industry,” said Ford. “I would also like to thank and recognize the amazing contribution of Darryl throughout his years of leadership, and I look forward to working with him moving forward.” Other changes to the Board of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall include the departure of director Peter Berringer, who represented CTHS National, a position that will now be filled by Dave Pihl, of CTHS National. John Hind of the Alberta Standardbred Horse Association will replace Jackson Wittup, also from ASHA. Founded in 1976, the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame is a registered charity with a mission to honor and preserve the history and majesty of horse racing in Canada by celebrating and bestowing recognition for excellence achieved by those who have significantly contributed to horse racing in Canada. The post Bill Ford Elected President of Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Preakness Stakes (G1) picked up a new entrant May 8 as trainer Butch Reid said Withers Stakes (G3) winner Uncle Heavy will run in the May 18 second leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course.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

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. Among this week's rulings, trainer Pavel Matejka has four separate pending cases issued against him for cannabidiol (CBD) positives. The four cases occurred between Feb. 17 and March 15. Under HISA, CBD is classified a Class B controlled substance, a first office for which comes with a possible 15-day suspension and $1,000 fine. The massive proliferation in CBD products for humans has spilled over into the equine world. The purported benefits from CBD use in horses include treatment of inflammation, ulcers, laminitis, colic, and decreased anxiety. This trend has also led to several regulatory warnings issued to trainers in recent years about the largely unregulated market place for these products, leading to questions over purity, consistency and safety. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Resolution Date: 05/06/2024 Licensee: Gary Stute, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Sand to Sea, who finished second at Santa Anita on 2/16/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 05/01/2024 Licensee: Steve Knapp, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Caribbean King, who won at Santa Anita on 2/17/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Pending ADMC Violations Date: 05/07/2024 Licensee: Terri Eaton, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Do it for Dave on 4/5/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 05/03/2024 Licensee: Pavel Matejka, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)—Controlled Medication (Class B)—in a sample taken from Calrissian, who finished second at Oaklawn Park on 3/15/24; in a sample taken from Erna, who finished third at Turfway Park on 2/24/24; and in a sample taken from Calrissian, who finished second at Oaklawn Park on 2/23/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Violations of Crop Rule One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race. AQUEDUCT Danilo Grisales Rave – violation date May 2; $250 fine and one-day suspension GOLDEN GATE FIELDS Catalino Martinez – violation date May 4; $250 fine and one-day suspension HORSESHOE INDIANAPOLIS Magdaleno Salazar – violation date May 1; $250 fine and one-day suspension German Terraza – violation date May 1; $250 fine and one-day suspension Alberto Burgos – violation date May 1; $250 fine and one-day suspension OAKLAWN PARK Francisco Joaquin Arrieta – violation date May 3; $250 fine and one-day suspension TAMPA BAY DOWNS Alex Gonzalez – violation date May 3; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 2 strikes over limit OTHER KEY RULINGS The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. NEW YORK Track: Aqueduct Date: 05/03/2024 Licensee: Justin Rivera, trainer Penalty: $500 fine Explainer: Trainer Mr. Justin Rivera is hereby fined the sum of five ($500.00) hundred dollars for failing to tend to business in a professional manner necessitating a late scratch of Horse “Sig” in the 7th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on May 3rd 2024. Track: Aqueduct Date: 05/02/2024 Licensee: Isaac Castillo, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: Jockey Mr. Isaac Castillo is hereby suspended three (3) NYRA racing days May 5th 2024, May 9th 2024, May 10th 2024 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 3rd race at Aqueduct Racetrack on April 28th 2024. Track: Aqueduct Date: 05/02/2024 Licensee: Keith Doleshel, racing official Penalty: $2,000 fine Violation: Administrative error Explainer: Racing Secretary Mr. Keith Doleshel is hereby fined the sum of two ($2,000) dollars for failing to tend to business in a professional manner, necessitating a scratch in the 8th race at Aqueduct racetrack on May 2nd 2024. Read more on the story here. The post Weekly Rulings: May 1-7 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The G2 Dante S. at York on Thursday, May 16 is likely to be the next port of call for Caviar Heights (Ire) following his victory in last week's Listed Newmarket S. on the Rowley Mile. Trained by Karl Burke, Caviar Heights proved well suited by the step up to a mile and a quarter at Newmarket, forging clear on the uphill climb to the line to land the spoils by four lengths from Sayedaty Sadaty (Ire) (Anodin {Ire}). The son of Sea The Stars (Ire) holds an entry in the G1 Derby at Epsom Downs on Saturday, June 1, but Burke is not getting ahead of himself with a colt who is far from certain to stay a mile and a half on pedigree. “He was brilliant [at Newmarket] and he'll be confirmed for the Dante,” said Burke. “Obviously we don't have to do too much work with him, he's had his two runs already, so he could easily turn up there. “I don't know [about the Derby], there's a lot of speed in the family. I'm not saying he won't stay a mile and a half, but the pedigree wouldn't be obvious, although he's by Sea The Stars. He's a bit of a relentless galloper and you can make plenty of use of him over that mile and a quarter, so we'll see how things play out.” Burke also took encouragement from the performance of Beautiful Diamond (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}) at Newmarket on Saturday as she returned from over seven months off with a close-up third in the G3 Palace House S., promising plenty for the rest of her three-year-old campaign. “Beautiful Diamond got a little bump at the start from the second horse and she changed legs and didn't really seem to handle the track at all, so I think those two things together probably cost us the race,” Burke added. “It was a good run and she goes to the Temple Stakes at Haydock.” The post Quick Turnaround At York On The Cards For Caviar Heights appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Veteran handler bags three-timer with three different jockeys at city circuitView the full article

Nominations are now open for the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards. The nomination period concludes July 15. The awards, sponsored by Godolphin, in association with The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the Breeders' Cup, offers cash prizes totaling $122,000 to be presented to winners and two finalists in a total of seven categories, as well as monetary awards going to two runners-up. The awards are the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, Katherine McKee Administration Award, Dedication to Breeding Award, Dedication to Racing Award, Newcomer Award, Support Services Award and Management Award. Returning as sponsors for the awards again in 2024 are Keeneland, Churchill Downs, 1/ST Racing, Hallway Feeds, NYRA, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, and the NTRA. The awards will be presented during a ceremony at Keeneland Oct. 15. For additional information, click here. The post Nominations Open for ’24 TIEA Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There was a tragic postscript to Wednesday's G3 Boodles Chester Vase as Godolphin's Hidden Law (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) broke down shortly past the line having registered an emphatic success in the often-crucial Derby trial. Racing in fourth for the most part under William Buick, the Charlie Appleby-trained son of Secret Gesture (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) stormed by Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Agenda (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) 150 yards out en route to a three-length success before his cruel fatal injury. Runner-up on debut to Juddmonte's Cadogan Place (GB) (Frankel {GB}) at Southwell in March, the blueblooded winner had broken his maiden impressively at Newbury in the interim and was trading as the 9-4 second favourite here. This was some performance on Chester's Roodee track, with the 7-4 favourite Grosvenor Square (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) beaten a total of 10 1/2 lengths in third offering a what-might-have-been scenario where the Blue Riband is concerned. “He fractured his leg, unfortunately,” Appleby revealed afterwards. “He passed the line all okay and then when he's crossed the road, he's took a false step on it and he's come down on it basically. It's one of those very freak accidents. Unfortunately, we can only go on what we've seen and won't see again for the future, it's very disappointing. “Most importantly, I feel so sorry for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Team Godolphin. To have a horse like him potentially coming through the ranks was exciting for everybody. It's a sad day,” he added. “I have to thank everybody here at the course, they've been very accommodating and were very speedy in what they've done. I feel sorry for Wayne, the groom, and all the staff back at Moulton Paddocks, who have done so much work with this horse. Will got up fine, which is the most important thing. He's a bit shook from it because it's not a nice thing to happen.” The post Hidden Law Fatally Injured After Winning Chester Vase appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stepping up from her striking Wolverhampton debut win, Forest Fairy (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}–Bahama Girl {Ire}, by Lope De Vega {Ire}) booked her Classic ticket with success in Wednesday's Listed Cheshire Oaks. Kept in a pocket throughout the home turn, the Ralph Beckett-trained 11-4 shot was out in time to reel in Ballydoyle's Port Fairy (Ire) (Australia {GB}) close home for a head verdict. “She did well, as she was very green still and had never been on the grass,” jockey Rossa Ryan said. “She was very timid in coming out from behind, but dug deep for me today and I would be very disappointed if she doesn't take a massive stride on from today. She'll definitely be better when the ground gets softer, she's a big rangy filly who gets a mile and a half well and might even stretch out further later. She's there physically, but mentally is still working it out.” Beckett, who also saddled the third-placed Seaward, commented, “It was a very good result on all levels, the winner is still a work in progress and was still learning plenty on the job today. I think it's probable she'll end up at Epsom on the last Friday of the month. I don't think I will be too worried about the ground, they usually do a good job for the first day of that meeting, she's a good-moving filly and I would imagine it will be similar ground to today. She was just very immature at two and we had to take our time with her. I think we were all a bit surprised by how well she won on her debut at Wolverhampton, but we certainly haven't underestimated her since!” Forest Fairy is the first foal out of a granddaughter of the G1 Deutsches Derby and G1 Grosser Preis von Baden heroine Borgia (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}), whose daughter Born Wild (Ger) (Sadler's Wells) produced the G1 Prix Vermeille winner Baltic Baroness (Ger) (Shamardal). Bahama Girl's 2-year-old colt Raedwald (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) was a €88,000 purchase by Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock at the Goffs Orby Book 1, while she also has a yearling filly by Circus Maximus (Ire). Forest Fairy chins Port Fairy in the Cheshire Oaks at @ChesterRaces! @Rossaryan15 | @RalphBeckett pic.twitter.com/32q9EsDlx8 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 8, 2024 WEATHERBYS EPASSPORT CHESHIRE OAKS-Listed, £120,000, Chester, 5-8, 3yo, f, 11f 75yT, 2:28.27, gd. 1–FOREST FAIRY (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Waldgeist (GB) 1st Dam: Bahama Girl (Ire), by Lope De Vega (Ire) 2nd Dam: Bahama Bay (Ger), by Dansili (GB) 3rd Dam: Borgia (Ger), by Acatenango (Ger) 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. (€78,000 Ylg '22 GOFOR). O-Forest Fairy Partnership; B-Philip & Orla Hore (IRE); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Rossa Ryan. £67,224. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $90,903. 2–Port Fairy (Ire), 128, f, 3, Australia (GB)–Fabulae (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs J Magnier/Westerberg; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £25,596. 3–Seaward (Ire), 128, f, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Zvarkhova (Fr), by Makfi (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€460,000 Ylg '22 GOFOR). O-Seaward Syndicate; B-Loughtown Stud (IRE); T-Ralph Beckett. £12,816. Margins: HD, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 2.75, 7.00, 8.50. Also Ran: Galileo Dame (Ire), Beeley (GB), Lasting Love (GB). Scratched: Ambiente Amigo (GB), Flying Finn (Ire), Rubies Are Red (Ire). The post Waldgeist’s Forest Fairy Wins The Cheshire Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With one Japanese raid on America just completed, another looks set for the fall, as Awesome Result (Justify) will be pointed towards the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar in November after making virtually all the running in Wednesday's Listed Empress Hai at Kawasaki Racecourse. The victory, the first black-type success for the 4-year-old filly, takes her record to a perfect six-from-six. Contested over 2100 metres (about a mile and five-sixteenths), Awesome Result bounced well from gate 10 beneath Yutaka Take and was initially taken in hand to sit second before rolling forward to take command rounding the first of the three turns. Joined for the run around the second turn by second pick Icon Tailor (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Awesome Result maintained a comfortable advantage down the back straight for the final time, responded when set down with a bit more than a furlong to travel and proved a cosy winner as the $2.60 (8-5) favourite (see below). Third choice Grand Bridge (Jpn) (Sinister Minister), who won this race last year when it was contested in March, flashed home for second ahead of 55-1 Carrick a Rede (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in third. “There was a lot of cause for concern, because it was her first stakes race, racing at night and the tight turns, but the horse's ability and the was the jockey rode her won the race,” trainer Yasutoshi Ikee told Netkeiba. “After this I hope to have one or two races in Japan and then challenge the Breeders' Cup Distaff.” Marche Lorraine (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) won the 2021 Empress Hai before causing a massive upset in that year's Distaff, also at Del Mar. Awesome Result is the 29th worldwide black-type winner for Justify and his second in Japan–both on dirt–joining recent Oasis S. winner Yuttitham (Jpn). Also the granddam of the multiple stakes-placed Royal Spa (Violence) and three-time Japanese winner Ju Taro (Arrogate), the now 21-year-old Blossomed made the most recent of her seven trips through the Keeneland sales pavilion in 2018, when she was sold to Springhouse Farm for $425,000 in foal to Honor Code at the auction house's November Sale. Blossomed's most recent foal is a 2-year-old full-brother to Awesome Result, who made $350,000 at Keeneland November in 2022 before being led out unsold on a bid of $520,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Wednesday, Kawasaki, Japan EMPRESS HAI (Jpn-G2)-Listed, ¥68,000,000 ($437,172), Kawasaki, 5-8, 4yo/up, f/m, 2100m, 2:14.5, gd. 1–AWESOME RESULT, 121, f, 4, Justify–Blossomed, by Deputy Minister. 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Insel Racing Co Ltd; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Yasutoshi Ikee; J-Yutaka Take; ¥40,000,000. Lifetime Record: 6-6-0-0, $717,149. *1/2 to Bodacious Babe (Mineshaft), GSP, $154,259; and Sippican Harbor (Orb), GISW, $262,650. 2–Grand Bridge (Jpn), 121, m, 5, Sinister Minister–Dirretrice (Jpn), by Daiwa Major (Jpn). (¥3,410,000 Ylg '20 HOKSEP). O-Cypress Holdings LLC; B-Yukio Kanemasu; T-Koichi Shintani; J-Yuga Kawada; ¥14,000,000. 3—Carrick a Rede (Jpn), 121, m, 5, Kizuna (Jpn)–Irish Sea (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (¥15,000,000 Fl '19 JRHAJUL). O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Terunobu Fujita; J-Norifumi Mikimoto; ¥8,000,000. Margins: NK, 2, 1HF. Odds: 1.60, 2.40, 55.20. Click for the goracing.jp chart. VIDEO. The post Justify Filly Awesome Result On Breeders’ Cup Distaff Trajectory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Waikato Stud presents a roster of seven stallions for the 2024 season, headlined by New Zealand’s sire sensation, Savabeel. With a reputation for producing tough sprinter/ milers, the line-up also offers diversity in bloodlines for breeders and opportunity for value at every level. “We continue to place emphasis on good, tough miler types and our 2024 roster represents that,” said studmaster, Mark Chittick. “Longevity is a key part of our recipe for success, and rather than focussing solely on a successful first few seasons for our sires, we decide upon fees that we hope will set them up for the long term and provide commercial opportunity for breeders. “We are also experiencing a piqued interest from Australian breeders off the back of their success with proven New Zealand stallions that continue to achieve at the highest level within Australasia.” SAVABEEL – $100,000 + GST (NO LFG) The eight-time New Zealand Champion sire, Savabeel, remains a major flagbearer for Waikato Stud and his progeny continue to perform at the highest level on the world stage. With a roll of honour which numbers 32 individual Group 1 winners, Savabeel’s top flight performers this season include the effortless Gr.1 New Zealand Derby winner Orchestral, who backed up the performance across the Tasman Sea with success in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes. Atishu added another Group 1 win to her list of accolades in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington and Skew Wiff took out the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy. Savabeel is the second highest producer of Stakes winners ever to stand in New Zealand and with a tally of 145, he is closing in on his own all- conquering sire Zabeel who finished his career with 166. “He has had runners for the last 15 years and they just go from strength to strength,” said Chittick “Who knows when his incredible run will end, but at this stage he continues to have a high fertility rate, is in great health and doesn’t look a lot different to when he was 12 – it’s hard to believe that was ten years ago.” The multi- award winning sire has won the Grosvenor Award (Champion NZ Sire) for eight consecutive sessions, in addition to seven Centaine Awards (Worldwide Progeny Earnings) and six Dewar Awards (Australian and NZ Progeny Earnings). Savabeel is on track to pick up more awards this season and Chittick explains; “Last year’s NZ Premiership was won at $4.1 million and Savabeel currently sits at $4.6 million which has eclipsed the record domestic earnings figure, with three months still left in the season.” “He will stand again at $100,000 +GST (No LFG) this season. He continues to be fit and healthy – it’s business as usual for Savabeel.” OCEAN PARK – $20,000 + GST (LFG) Another stalwart of the Waikato Stud stallion roster is five-time Group 1 winner, Ocean Park. A Champion in both Australia and New Zealand during his racing career, Ocean Park was renowned for his remarkable toughness and enduring soundness; qualities which he has undoubtedly passed to his progeny. Multiple Group 1 winners that include Tofane and Kolding propelled him onto the top table as a sire and his offspring continue to dominate races across Australia and New Zealand, with Kovalica’s impressive Gr. 1 Queensland Derby win a more recent victory at the highest level. Underpinned by consistency throughout his career as a racehorse and now sire, Ocean Park has produced 782 race wins from 278 winners, across distances that range from 1200m to 3200m. He has sired four individual Group 1 winners, with 21 black-type winners in total. With prize money that amounts to over NZ$51 million, his progeny also continue to be popular at the sales and achieved a top price of AUD$700,000 at this year’s Inglis Easter Sale. Chittick said; “Ocean Park is a really solid option for breeders – he’s a very good proven stallion that always has a headliner. His progeny are still loved by Australian trainers for their soundness and toughness. “This year he will stand at $20,000 +GST (LFG), which is down $10,000 from last year and offers breeders and racing enthusiasts an opportunity to get in on great market value for a proven sire.” TIVACI – $8,000 + GST (LFG) Group 1-winning sprinter/miler Tivaci is an exciting prospect on Waikato Stud’s roster. Showing consistency and versatility as a racehorse, the son of exceptional sire High Chaparral won four times in Stakes company over distances ranging from 1000 to 1600 metres. His first two crops included Gr.1 ATC Flight Stakes winner Never Been Kissed and the dual Group 2-winning Wolverine. This season, Tivaci has been represented by exciting three-year-old Gold Wolf who won the Listed Galilee Series Final at Caulfield. While the young sire has already stamped himself as a source of quality, it is believed that Tivaci’s offspring turning two and three this year represent his best books in terms of quality and quantity, so there is a feeling that the best is still to come. Chittick confirms; “His progeny that are rising three, two and yearlings are his best crops and those in training are already showing great potential so we’re looking forward to seeing what they can do on the track. “When you kick off with a Group 1 winner out of a Savabeel mare and a Group 2 winner out of a Zabeel mare, it once again highlights the strength of that Sadler’s Wells/Zabeel cross and there’s plenty of that amongst his upcoming crops” Catching the eye at the sales, Tivaci’s yearlings sold for up to AUD$320,000 in 2024 and are in the hands of some of Australia’s top trainers including Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, John Foote, Wexford Stables, and Busuttin Young Racing. He will stand this season for $8,000 + GST (LFG). SUPER SETH – $45,000 + GST (LFG) Super Seth has enjoyed an outstanding first crop of runners this season and showcases an eye to the future for Waikato Stud. The Group 1-winning son of Dundeel was an exceptional racehorse, winning his first two juvenile starts before dazzling in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas as a three-year-old against a stellar field that included previously unbeaten Alligator Blood. With pedigree and looks to match his outstanding race record, Super Seth’s highly anticipated first runners have included Group 3 winner and Gr.1 Champagne Stakes runner up Linebacker, as well as the Group 2-placed Poetic Champion. Of his exciting first-season sire, Chittick explains “He’s the type of horse that really suits the tough, high level Australasian racing. We’ve sourced him from what we believe is the toughest racing in the world and we knew he was a high profile colt the day he beat Alligator Blood in the Caulfield Guineas. “He was an expensive stallion purchase but he was exactly the type of horse we wanted and at this early stage his progeny are proving that they are following in his footsteps. They are good horses. That’s exactly what we are trying to achieve with a horse like Super Seth at Waikato Stud.” Results on the racetrack have been supported by results in the sales ring for Super Seth’s offspring. Across yearling and two-year-old sales, his progeny have sold for up to $700,000. Chittick continues; “There has been lots of speculation as to what his service fee would go to and we know we potentially could have significantly increased it but we’re playing the long game in our ownership of stallions. For us it’s not just about the first the first season on the racetrack, it’s about the next 15 or 20 years for Waikato Stud, the Super Seth Syndicate and breeders.” He will stand this season at $45,000 +GST (LFG) ARDROSSAN – $20,000 + GST (LFG) Group-winning sprinter Ardrossan, offers breeders another opportunity for diversity on the Waikato Stud roster. By outstanding sire of sires Redoute’s Choice, the young sire is out of Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) runner up Miss Argyle, representing precocity on both sides of his pedigree. During a brief racing career, Ardrossan showcased immense Group 1 potential and while an injury forced early retirement from the track, he was unbeaten in two starts in New Zealand before beating top tier competitors in Australia in the Gr.3 ARC Concorde Stakes. Winning four of his nine starts, he showed his class when a close third to multiple Group 1 winners Melody Belle and The Bostonian in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint. With a distinguished pedigree and untapped potential on the racetrack, Ardrossan’s first runners have evidently inherited his qualities and his first two crops have included Stakes winners Saltcoats, Codigo, Loch Katherine and Beau Dazzler. Chittick says; “From humble beginnings, Ardrossan has already achieved so much. The quality he has produced from relatively low profile broodmares is just incredible – he leaves a fantastic type that is always recognised in the sales ring. Ardrossan’s yearlings sold for up to NZ$390,000 in 2024. “The benchmark for a fantastic sire is 10% Stakes winners to foals and he’s achieved that already with four Stakes winners from his first crop of just 40 foals.” Explaining his increase to $20,000 + GST (LFG) this year, Chittick continues; “He covers a book of 150 mares and his popularity last year was overwhelming. An increase in his fee to $20,000 for this season reflects the high demand.” NOVERRE – $10,000 +GST (LFG) Standing his first season in 2022, Noverre is the most recent addition to Waikato Stud’s line up of stallions. Achieving $800,000 as a yearling, the Group 1-winning son of Champion sire Savabeel, has the physique to match his race record. Finishing second on debut over 1200 metres as a two-year-old, he broke his maiden three weeks later. He went on to win the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) in late October, before displaying a scintillating turn of foot to go from last to first in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton, assuring his position on the Waikato Stud roster. “He’s developed into one of the most magnificent stallions that we’ve ever stood at Waikato Stud and has left foals just like himself,” enthused Chittick. “We cannot wait to take the Noverre yearlings to the sales in 2025 and to put them in front of judges across Australasia. On pedigree and type, they are extremely exciting” Noverre stands the 2024 season at a fee of $10,000 +GST (LFG). BANQUO – $3,000 +GST (LFG) Rounding out the septet of Waikato Stud stallions is Banquo. The well-related son of Written Tycoon, was a Listed winner over 1400 metres and is a full brother to Gr.1 MRC Oakleigh Plate winner Booker from the Group 1 sprinting family of Gaelic Dancer. Chittick says; “Banquo was given his chance at Waikato Stud based on his pedigree, his type and turn of foot. He is the first son of Written Tycoon to stand in New Zealand who had an outstanding season – proving himself as a sire of sires. “Banquo’s eldest are turning two and we have retained a couple of fillies which are fantastic types and will be given every opportunity on the racecourse. While Banquo hasn’t served the biggest books, I certainly believe that there is potential for increased popularity as we get his progeny to the track. We are very enthusiastic about his future from what we have seen so far.” He will stand for $3,000 +GST (LFG) this season. View the full article

Jockey Darren Danis will make his Singapore debut this Sunday, eight days later than expected, but he was still excited at the thought of riding at home after spending the last nine years in New Zealand. Licensed to ride in Singapore till October this year, the Singaporean son of former trainer and ex-MRA champion apprentice jockey Luke Danis arrived in Singapore on 18 April and was looking forward to resuming trackwork and making his debut last week since he last rode as a track rider here in 2014. Unfortunately, a small hiccup in the week involving his medical clearance disrupted his plan to ride on 4 May, but soon after the green light was given for him to ride, Danis has managed to secure four rides on Sunday’s meeting. “I had my medical (check-up) done in New Zealand and thought it would be approved by last Monday when I was told to pay the jockey’s licence fees, but then they told me I had to do it in Singapore and get clearance from an MRA-appointed clinic,” said the 31-year-old jockey. “So I submitted the (medical) report on Tuesday morning, but it was not in time for last Saturday’s meeting (the deadline for jockeys’ declaration was on last Tuesday morning). “It was approved last Friday, so I started riding trackwork yesterday. I approached the trainers myself, but I knew (trainer) Donna (Logan) back in New Zealand. I rode a couple of winners for her. “I have four rides this weekend, Red Maned for Donna, Iron Ruler for (trainer) Mahadi (Taib), Who’s The Man for (trainer) Richard Lim and Show All Sixty-One for (trainer) James Peters. I rode three of them in trackwork yesterday and I’ll probably ride Red Maned tomorrow morning.” Although Danis first sat on horses at his father’s former stables in Malaysia when he was 17, he only officially joined the racing industry after coming to Singapore to work as a track rider under former Kranji trainer Brian Dean. Yet, instead of becoming a “homegrown” apprentice jockey in Singapore, he opted to get his licence and further hone his skills in Matamata in the North Island of New Zealand. He was indentured to trainers Ken and Bev Kelso in October 2015 for 10 months before moving over to trainers Wayne and Vanessa Hillis for the rest of his apprenticeship until he graduated to senior’s rank in 2021. “I didn’t know much back then (in 2014) when I was a track rider with Brian. I did about 12 or 14 trials but in the end decided not to apply for an apprentice jockey’s licence here,” said Danis, who has over 100 wins and claimed his only Group victory to-date in the Group 3 Barneswood Farm Stakes with Star Of Justice for former four-time Singapore champion trainer Mark Walker last October. “I talked with dad and Brian and we thought I wasn’t good enough. We decided I should go further to learn more about horses. I was also young and wanted to see how racing was like overseas. “People overseas have ridden horses since they’re very young. For me, I started late and all I knew was hop onto a horse but didn’t really know what I was doing. “We applied for both Australia and New Zealand, but the visa to New Zealand came faster. “I spent 10 months with Ken and I learned a lot from him from a horse training perspective, but he wasn’t really looking for an apprentice jockey. “Then I moved to (husband and wife) Wayne and Vanessa, who had a small team but they were very nice during the time I was with them most of my apprenticeship. “Wayne was an ex-jump jockey and his family members were also jump and flat jockeys so I could learn more about riding from him. “After I became a senior jockey three years ago, I spent another three months with them before relocating to Cambridge, which was half an hour away from Matamata and also a bigger town, so I thought I could try over there and see what happens. “It started off a bit slow because I can no longer claim and I was also new, but I still worked hard and tried my best. “I can’t really ride 10 years ago, so from where I’ve been and come to now; from working on the grounds and to riding horses, I have learned a lot. “It’s good to see that I did well, although not as good as I wanted to. I thought 100 winners is still not a lot for what I could have done, but I also injured myself a couple of times. “An injury to my back took about a year to recover. I also tore my cartilage and my left knee in a race fall two years ago and had to be sidelined for at least eight months. After that, you have to go back and get things started again.” Ironically, returning to home soil after nine years also meant starting from scratch again for Danis, who will have to build connections and work hard to establish himself in the competitive jockeys’ rank at Kranji, albeit he has only barely five months to do so. Time is not on his side before the curtain comes down on racing at Kranji after 5 October but given nine years of exposure to racing and the experience gained in New Zealand, Danis has matured and knew that it was now or never to test his skills at Kranji. “I always wanted to come back for a short stint but didn’t think it would be so soon,” said Danis, who now stays with his family and Kiwi amateur jockey girlfriend Hayley Hassman in Bukit Panjang. “It was partly due to the (Singapore Turf Club’s) closure, but it was mostly to be with my family. My family and close friends haven’t really seen me because I rode overseas. It’s quite nice to see everybody now. “My elder brother can’t make it, but my dad, mum, younger sister and Hayley will be here at the races this Sunday. Hayley was actually booked to fly back on the 11th (May) but has pushed her flight later to 19th after the (Group 1) Kranji Mile (meeting) so she can watch me ride. “My main goal is to win a race, and of course, a (Group race) trophy would be nice too. “I know some riders from Macau (jockeys Ruan Maia, Luis Corrales and Charles Perkins) are here too but I don’t mind the challenge. It’s still quite relaxing here compared to New Zealand, sort of like a working holiday for me. “The new season in New Zealand starts in August. I’ll see how things go and decide on my next stint. I hope to travel and ride and learn more as I go.” View the full article

Exciting two-year-old Magice replicated the early feats of his Group One-winning relative with an impressive maiden victory at Matamata on Wednesday. The son of Savabeel is a full-brother to Noverre, who was victorious at his second raceday appearance before scaling the heights of a dazzling win in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in 2021, before joining his champion sire on the stallion roster at Waikato Stud. Magice is the fourth foal out of Magic Dancer, a Rip Van Winkle mare who won the Gr.3 2YO Classic (1200m) and was later purchased by Chittick Investments Ltd as a broodmare prospect. Matamata trainer Glenn Old was entrusted with the care of the well-bred colt, initially for pre-training with an Australian future in mind. “I got him mainly to do the fundamentals with him and a bit of pre-training, but Garry (Chittick) decided to keep him in New Zealand instead of sending him to Melbourne just yet, which was on the cards,” Old said. Magice debuted at Rotorua last month and was beaten only by Super Photon, an impressive son of Super Seth that claimed the Listed 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa last Saturday at his second appearance. Starting a $2.90 favourite, Magice was tipped to go one better at Matamata, and he flew an outside barrier to join first-starter Pinky Pie at the head of the field, while racing ungenerously down the back straight under Jasmine Fawcett. Magice led the juveniles into the straight greenly, but once he straightened, the colt let down strongly and kicked away from Whiskey ‘N Roses by 1-¾ lengths, the latter having improvement to come off a tidy debut. “He raced a bit fiercely early and looks like he still has a fair bit to learn, but the further the race went, he flattened out nicely,” Old said. “Jasmine is my stable rider, so she knew him well and rides all of his work. We decided to be positive from the draw and ride him handy. “When they challenged him, he found a good kick.” Old indicated that Magice may have another run in his current preparation, while a short let-up prior to a spring campaign was also a possibility. “Going forward, this is definitely a step in the right direction, but I’m not sure what we’ll do next,” he said. “I’ll talk to Gary tomorrow, but he may have a short let-up to get ready for the spring, or possibly have one more run.” The Waikato Stud colours featured in the winner’s circle later on the card, with homebred filly Sweetpea taking out the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1400m) for trainer Stephen Marsh and apprentice Triston Moodley. Another progeny of Savabeel, Sweetpea is a half-sister to multiple Group Three-performer Pretty To Sea and Group Two-performer Bonny O’Reilly. View the full article

Jim Sweetensen spent decades at sea captaining merchant ships, but there was always one thing that he couldn’t shake – a dream to train racehorses. For decades that dream remained exactly that, however, when the Australian native retired to New Zealand a few years ago, he decided to bite the bullet and try and make that dream a reality. “I am an old ships captain and my whole time at sea I always wanted to be a racehorse trainer,” Sweetensen said. “I am from Aussie and my family have always been punters and love the racing game, and I have always loved horses. “It (training) was a pipe dream, something I would really like to do, but I didn’t think I was ever going to do it. My family moved over here (Manawatu), and I bought a lifestyle block, and I thought it (training) was something I could think about. “A good friend of mine, Mark Goodwin, has been in the game for a while and he got me into it (racing).” Sweetensen, 74, fulfilled his training dream at the start of the decade and said he has been having the time of his life caring for his small team, which includes Niagara six-year-old mare Liffey, who has recorded all of Sweetensen’s five training victories over the last four seasons. “This is the highlight of my life now that I have got my little string. They are all well-behaved and I think if you show them tolerance and affection, they aren’t difficult. I really enjoy it,” he said. Sweetensen, who also bred Liffey, has a soft spot for the mare and is hoping she can attain black-type within her next couple of starts. Initially set to compete in last month’s Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m), she was scratched at the gates due to barrier manners and Sweetensen is hoping he can get her preparation back on track at Wanganui on Thursday ahead of some stakes targets. She is set to line-up in the Guthrie Bowron 1360, where she will jump from barrier six with Kate Hercock aboard. “I think she will go okay,” Sweetensen said. “She got scratched at the barrier in the ANZAC mile at Otaki a week and a bit ago after being badly behaved. We had to get a barrier certificate, so we took her to Waverley, and she trialled really well. She broke 59 for the 1000m and was running away from them. “She likes Wanganui, she has won there twice already over the same distance. I think she will run a good race.” Sweetensen said he was beyond frustrated at his mare’s antics at Otaki but has taken solace that she will likely get another two bites at the stakes cherry in the coming month. “Frustrating is understating it,” he said. “She is quite straight forward usually, but that time she jacked right up, but she went in perfectly well at Waverley, so I am quite confident that she will behave herself. “I am after black-type for the mare. She is going to run in the Rangitikei Gold Cup (Listed, 1600m) at Trentham on Saturday-week, and after that there is a black-type race at Wanganui (Listed AGC Training Stakes, 1600m). That will do her for the season.” Liffey is a clear stable favourite for the Foxton horseman, but he also has high hopes for another stable runner. “She (Liffey) is very affectionate and so easy to manage, she is a really cool mare,” Sweetensen said. “She is just a superb athlete and loves racing. She may fall asleep at the tie-ups, but when she goes to the track, she is a beast. She just loves racing and if she is the same next year, I will probably bring her back for another season. “I have another in work called Later Boy, she is an Alamosa that I bred myself and she is coming on. She is rising five, but the family take time. She has had a couple of races and Lemmy (Chief Stipelas) rode her and said she would be a nice staying mare, she just needs education. She will win races, but it will just take time.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk View the full article

David Haworth has significantly reduced numbers at his Foxton operation in recent times but his eye for a winner is as keen as ever. Haworth has a career tally of 492 victories to his credit, including Group One successes with Mac O’Reilly and Jurys Out, and Wigan Prince, Rosina Lad and The Foreman among other top performers from the stable. Haworth also successfully operated in partnership with Matt Dixon, and for five seasons with daughter Emma, who now works for Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta. “It suits Emma and she’s had a baby with her partner, she manages a few horses for people that we used to train for that are with Lisa now. I’ll have one or two there as well so it’s all good fun,” he said. Among Haworth’s small team is the in-form Orlov who won for the seventh time last time out at Wanganui and will bid for two on the bounce in the Landmark Homes Handicap (1800m) at New Plymouth on Saturday. “He’s going well now, we had some issues with him with COVID and then had a wind operation, which put us back,” he said. “The tracks were then too wet for him last year and a bit this year as well, but he’s enjoying his racing and handling it all quite well. “The firmer the better is what he really likes and he’s only a six-year-old and hasn’t had a lot of racing so I’ll keep him ticking over and might be able to find another race for him after this. “Otherwise, he can go to the paddock and get him ready for next year. “He’s a lovely horse to have around and it’s quite enjoyable. We used to win a lot of races once and now to win one or two is quite rewarding just to fiddle around and have something nice to deal with.” Also a successful and long-standing stock agent, Haworth co-bred and part-owns Orlov who is out of the Guillotine mare Diamond Cut. “She was very talented and could run like the wind. She won four races but broke down in the end and is doing a good job for us and it’s a lot of fun,” he said. “I’ve got Orlov and his full brother jumped out at Levin on Tuesday, he’s with Lisa Latta and she had the Belardo one out of the mare.” He was referring to Diamond Thief, who posted a brace of wins and three placings from five appearances. “He was sold to Hong Kong and has had two starts there and gone awful both times, he might come right,” Haworth said. “If he goes well that’s fine, we’ve got the family and the breed and if he goes no good then we’ve got the money. “We’ve got a nice filly going to be broken in next week, she’s a half-sister by King Of Comedy and the mare is in foal to Noverre.” A Group One-winning son of Savabeel, Noverre stands at Waikato Stud and Haworth also has an ongoing association with the Matamata farm. “Mark Chittick and I have got a couple of Savabeel fillies, so I’ll still be floating around for a year or two yet,” he said. View the full article

Winton trainer John Phillips has been welcoming the wet weather in Southland this week ahead of his wet track specialist Midnight Runner’s return to racing at Riverton on Friday. The evergreen nine-year-old will head into the Jan Wisely @ First National Real Estate/Sparrow Logging Handicap (1600m) in a fresh state, having placed in his previous two outings this preparation. “He had a bit of a freshen-up since his last go and he has trained on really well,” Phillips said. “He is going to get a wet track to suit. It is raining here at the moment (Wednesday) so there will be some tired horses down there on Friday.” While the track conditions, rated a Heavy10 on Wednesday morning, will suit the son of Jimmy Choux, Phillips said he will still have to contend with weight, giving some of his competitors a six-kilogram advantage. “The weight is going to be a thorn in his side,” Phillips said. “He has got 60 kilos and some of them are going to claim down to 50kg, which is going to make it difficult, but we have also got a (four-kilogram) claimer on him in Ruvanesh (Muniandy). “We have taken the hood off him and hopefully he will settle without that on. Sometimes with the hood on he can truck up.” Midnight Runner has drawn barrier two on Friday and Phillips believes the mile distance may be a bit beyond his gelding in the twilight of his career. “We will try and settle him just off the speed,” he said. “1200-1400m is more his go, his stats aren’t too impressive over a mile, but I am more than happy with his condition.” Phillips has eyed a more suitable trip at Wingatui next month for his charge and he said Midnight Runner would then be raced sparingly, with the possibility of retiring the nine-win gelding at the end of this preparation. “There is a 1400m at Wingatui on June 2, that will be more his go,” Phillips said. “The mile will find him out, but he has got to have a run somewhere and there is nothing else. “He will race only sparingly this year because his possible retirement might be due, but we will take him through until August and when the tracks start to firm up, he will go out. “He has got to an age now where he is just below the top tier. He is competitive and he tries hard, and he is alright down this end of the country.” While Midnight Runner is nearing the end of his racing career, Phillips is excited about the prospects of a juvenile that has recently joined his barn. Phillips went to Karaka last year where an Embellish colt in Archer Park’s New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale draft took his fancy, and he went to $8,000 to secure the youngster. Undertaking his early education with Riccarton trainer Danny Crozier, the colt, now named Woodlands, has made his way to Winton, and Phillips is hoping he can target some feature southern three-year-old races with him next year. “He just got his barrier certificate today,” Phillips said. “He has been up at Danny Crozier’s for a bit of education and he is quite a nice type who I bought at the sales. His name is Woodlands, named after my old hometown. It is a family affair with my brothers and their sons involved. “We will just look at some of those three-year-old races down here around Christmas time. Those Guineas races are now $80,000-$100,000. It is great money and we don’t have to travel to get it.” View the full article

What Cranbourne Races Where Cranbourne Turf Club – 50 Grant St, Cranbourne VIC 3977 When Friday, May 10, 2024 First Race 5:15pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing will return to Cranbourne as the club hosts a very competitive eight-race card on Friday evening. With no rain on the forecast for Thursday and Friday, the track is expected to remain at a Good 4 rating. The rail will be pushed out to the +7m position for the entire circuit, with racing scheduled to kick off at 5:15pm AEST. Best Bet at Cranbourne: Pharari After finishing second in both career starts during her first preparation, Pharari returns following a strong jumpout over 800m at Cranbourne. The Ciaron Maher-trained filly was last seen in September at Geelong, where she was beaten in a head-bobbing finish by Atlantic Spirit. Ethan Brown takes the reins from barrier one, and if he can find the front or settle behind the leader, Pharari will get every chance to break her maiden at the third time of asking. Best Bet Race 2 – #9 Pharari (1) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Ethan Brown (56kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Cranbourne: Knucklebones Knucklebones got the better of The Shaper in the final strides at this track over 1300m first-up to take her record to two wins from three career starts. The David Brideoake & Matt Jenkins-trained galloper was getting stronger and stronger the further they went, and stepping up to 1600m second-up should suit her down to the ground. From barrier six, Jamie Mott will push forward and settle behind the speed before letting down with a strong finish on the outside. Next Best Race 6 – #3 Knucklebones (6) 3yo Filly | T: David Brideoake & Matt Jenkins | J: Jamie Mott (58.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Cranbourne: Charmed Run Since returning from a long layoff due to injury, Charmed Run has recorded back-to-back placings over 1000m, with her first-up run at this track and trip being the better of the two. The Luke Oliver-trained mare will be peaking third-up and should be ready to run a massive race back at her home track. With a lot of speed expected in this contest, Daniel Moor will take Charmed Run to the back of the field and allow her to unleash down the middle in the final 400m. Best Value Race 7 – #4 Charmed Run (3) 4yo Mare | T: Luke Oliver | J: Daniel Moor (59kg) Bet with Dabble Friday quaddie tips for Cranbourne races Cranbourne quadrella selections Friday, May 10, 2024 2-3-6 3-4-6 1-2-4-5 3-4-5-11-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Trainer Jim Sweetensen (right) pictured with his pride and joy Liffey, who will line-up at Wanganui on Thursday. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Jim Sweetensen spent decades at sea captaining merchant ships, but there was always one thing that he couldn’t shake – a dream to train racehorses. For decades that dream remained exactly that, however, when the Australian native retired to New Zealand a few years ago, he decided to bite the bullet and try and make that dream a reality. “I am an old ships captain and my whole time at sea I always wanted to be a racehorse trainer,” Sweetensen said. “I am from Aussie and my family have always been punters and love the racing game, and I have always loved horses. “It (training) was a pipe dream, something I would really like to do, but I didn’t think I was ever going to do it. My family moved over here (Manawatu), and I bought a lifestyle block, and I thought it (training) was something I could think about. “A good friend of mine, Mark Goodwin, has been in the game for a while and he got me into it (racing).” Sweetensen, 74, fulfilled his training dream at the start of the decade and said he has been having the time of his life caring for his small team, which includes Niagara six-year-old mare Liffey, who has recorded all of Sweetensen’s five training victories over the last four seasons. “This is the highlight of my life now that I have got my little string. They are all well-behaved and I think if you show them tolerance and affection, they aren’t difficult. I really enjoy it,” he said. Sweetensen, who also bred Liffey, has a soft spot for the mare and is hoping she can attain black-type within her next couple of starts. Initially set to compete in last month’s Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m), she was scratched at the gates due to barrier manners and Sweetensen is hoping he can get her preparation back on track at Wanganui on Thursday ahead of some stakes targets. She is set to line-up in the Guthrie Bowron 1360, where she will jump from barrier six with Kate Hercock aboard. “I think she will go okay,” Sweetensen said. “She got scratched at the barrier in the ANZAC mile at Otaki a week and a bit ago after being badly behaved. We had to get a barrier certificate, so we took her to Waverley, and she trialled really well. She broke 59 for the 1000m and was running away from them. “She likes Wanganui, she has won there twice already over the same distance. I think she will run a good race.” Sweetensen said he was beyond frustrated at his mare’s antics at Otaki but has taken solace that she will likely get another two bites at the stakes cherry in the coming month. “Frustrating is understating it,” he said. “She is quite straight forward usually, but that time she jacked right up, but she went in perfectly well at Waverley, so I am quite confident that she will behave herself. “I am after black-type for the mare. She is going to run in the Rangitikei Gold Cup (Listed, 1600m) at Trentham on Saturday-week, and after that there is a black-type race at Wanganui (Listed AGC Training Stakes, 1600m). That will do her for the season.” Liffey is a clear stable favourite for the Foxton horseman, but he also has high hopes for another stable runner. “She (Liffey) is very affectionate and so easy to manage, she is a really cool mare,” Sweetensen said. “She is just a superb athlete and loves racing. She may fall asleep at the tie-ups, but when she goes to the track, she is a beast. She just loves racing and if she is the same next year, I will probably bring her back for another season. “I have another in work called Later Boy, she is an Alamosa that I bred myself and she is coming on. She is rising five, but the family take time. “She has had a couple of races and Lemmy (Chief Stipelas) rode her and said she would be a nice staying mare, she just needs education. She will win races, but it will just take time.” Horse racing news View the full article

Orlov will contest the Landmark Homes Handicap (1800m) at New Plymouth on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) David Haworth has significantly reduced numbers at his Foxton operation in recent times but his eye for a winner is as keen as ever. Haworth has a career tally of 492 victories to his credit, including Group 1 successes with Mac O’Reilly and Jurys Out, and Wigan Prince, Rosina Lad and The Foreman among other top performers from the stable. Haworth also successfully operated in partnership with Matt Dixon, and for five seasons with daughter Emma, who now works for Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta. “It suits Emma and she’s had a baby with her partner, she manages a few horses for people that we used to train for that are with Lisa now. I’ll have one or two there as well so it’s all good fun,” he said. Among Haworth’s small team is the in-form Orlov who won for the seventh time last time out at Wanganui and will bid for two on the bounce in the Landmark Homes Handicap (1800m) at New Plymouth on Saturday. “He’s going well now, we had some issues with him with COVID and then had a wind operation, which put us back,” he said. “The tracks were then too wet for him last year and a bit this year as well, but he’s enjoying his racing and handling it all quite well. “The firmer the better is what he really likes and he’s only a six-year-old and hasn’t had a lot of racing so I’ll keep him ticking over and might be able to find another race for him after this. “Otherwise, he can go to the paddock and get him ready for next year. “He’s a lovely horse to have around and it’s quite enjoyable. We used to win a lot of races once and now to win one or two is quite rewarding just to fiddle around and have something nice to deal with.” Also a successful and long-standing stock agent, Haworth co-bred and part-owns Orlov who is out of the Guillotine mare Diamond Cut. “She was very talented and could run like the wind. She won four races but broke down in the end and is doing a good job for us and it’s a lot of fun,” he said. “I’ve got Orlov and his full brother jumped out at Levin on Tuesday, he’s with Lisa Latta and she had the Belardo one out of the mare.” He was referring to Diamond Thief, who posted a brace of wins and three placings from five appearances. “He was sold to Hong Kong and has had two starts there and gone awful both times, he might come right,” Haworth said. “If he goes well that’s fine, we’ve got the family and the breed and if he goes no good then we’ve got the money. “We’ve got a nice filly going to be broken in next week, she’s a half-sister by King Of Comedy and the mare is in foal to Noverre.” A Group 1-winning son of Savabeel, Noverre stands at Waikato Stud and Haworth also has an ongoing association with the Matamata farm. “Mark Chittick and I have got a couple of Savabeel fillies, so I’ll still be floating around for a year or two yet,” he said. Horse racing news View the full article