Wandering Eyes

Mark Twain pictured with co-trainer Roger James, strapper Matthew Ivil, Tour Ambassador Damien Oliver and co-trainer Robert Wellwood. Photo: Angelique Bridson The Melbourne Cup Tour made its way to Cambridge on Monday and local trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood got their first glimpse at the iconic trophy they hope to get their hands on at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November. The Cambridge horsemen have a guaranteed spot in the race that stops two nations courtesy of Mark Twain after he won the ballot-exempt Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at the Melbourne track in March. James has tasted plenty of success at elite-level, but the Melbourne Cup has eluded him to date, having just had the one previous runner in Railings, while his multiple Group One winner Silent Achiever was ruled out of the Cup at the 11th hour 11 years ago with injury. James said the Melbourne Cup is the pinnacle in Australasian racing and he is excited to have a lightweight chance in this year’s edition of the time-honoured race. “For anyone that is involved in racing, the Melbourne Cup is the one race that stands out in Australasia,” James said. “Anybody that is not involved in racing knows about the Melbourne Cup as well. It has built a name over the years that is steeped in history and to be able to have a runner in it is a privilege.” James has been happy with the way Mark Twain has returned from his spell and said they have time to iron out some issues with his racing manners, which were showcased in his Roy Higgins win, prior to the Cup. “He is in the early stages (of his preparation) but he is where we want him,” James said. “He is a late maturing horse, and he is getting there, and I think he will strengthen through the programme. “He has been capable of doing a bit wrong on race day, but I don’t think they are problems that we can’t remedy. He won’t be in the same gear that he raced in that (Roy Higgins) day, but we haven’t decided what he will race in yet.” Mark Twain’s entire Melbourne Cup preparation will take place across the Tasman, and James said a lengthy duration in Melbourne poses no concerns. “He will probably have three, maybe four runs in the build-up (to the Melbourne Cup) and we have got the job of peaking him on his day, and he should get in with a nice weight,” he said. “It (first run) will be in Melbourne. I think it is just too risky to stay here and there is a lot of travel involved and a lot of wet tracks. “I just think he is better to get over there. He enjoyed the atmosphere in the stable over there once he got there in the autumn and I have no worries about having him there for a length of time.” While looking forward to having his second runner in the Melbourne Cup, James said it will be good to share the experience with his training partner. “For somebody of his age to win a Cup it would be phenomenal,” James said. A victory in the Melbourne Cup by Mark Twain would be fitting, having been named after the American author, who in 1895 went to Flemington and saw the three-year-old filly Auraria win the Melbourne Cup and penned the lines after the event: ”Nowhere in the world have I encountered a festival of people that has such a magnificent appeal to a whole nation. The Melbourne Cup is Australasian National Day. I can call to mind no specialised annual day in any country whose approach fires the whole land with a conflagration of conversation and preparation and anticipation and jubilation. The Cup astonishes me.” This year’s Melbourne Cup Tour is travelling to 39 destinations in six nations, including New Zealand, Australia, Japan, USA, United Kingdom and Ireland. The Cup is being accompanied by Tour Ambassador and three-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Damien Oliver, who was impressed with Mark Twain when visiting Cambridge on Monday. “I was really impressed by his win in the Roy Higgins at Flemington. It looked like the second coming of Kiwi (1983 Melbourne Cup winner) launching down that straight,” he said. “Even seeing him in the flesh here today, he looks great, his coat looks fantastic for the middle of winter. We know how good a horseman Roger is, so I am sure he is going to get the chance to show his best on the first Tuesday in November.” Having ridden Doriemus (1995), Media Puzzle (2002), and Fiorente (2013) to victory in the great race, Oliver knows what it takes to be a Melbourne Cup winner, and he said Mark Twain will need to improve his racing manners ahead of November. “He is going to get a pretty light weight, he has raced really well on the course, although he probably needs to get his race manners a little bit better than what he showed there (Roy Higgins),” Oliver said. “He is a young horse and I think there is obviously improvement to come with him, but in a race like the Melbourne Cup you can’t afford to do too much wrong. He will need to mend his ways a little bit, but he looks like he has got some raw ability there and I am sure Roger has got a bit of time up his sleeve to get the best out of him.” New Zealand has a rich history in the Melbourne Cup, with Kiwi-breds having won the race on 44 occasions, and James and Wellwood are hoping they can extend that to 45 in November. Horse racing news View the full article

Ballymore Stables New Zealand trainer Pam Gerard. Photo: Supplied Pam Gerard is hoping to finish her final term in partnership with Michael Moroney on a high over the coming month, kicking off with a small team at Rotorua on Wednesday. Gerard has been at the helm of the Matamata stable since 2016 and the pair have celebrated their best season to date with 32 winners, the latest being promising stayer Mineshaft at Ruakaka last Saturday. The Merchant Navy four-year-old relished the step-up over ground, ridden patiently by Kelly Myers at the back before powering through the field to score by 1.5 lengths, the third success in his last six starts. “He’s a horse that just likes to find his feet early, and we probably rode him a little bit handier than he was used to in the wet track at Te Aroha the start before,” Gerard said. “When he races in amongst the field he can be a bit competitive, and when we took him down to Wellington and tried him in the Remutaka Classic he led up and that wasn’t quite the right thing to do. “He’s a pretty laidback type so he just likes to potter away, but he’s got a pretty nice turn of foot. He was really good on the weekend.” Gerard is now contemplating whether Mineshaft will return in a fortnight for the ITM/GIB Finals in the north, with a strong line-up likely on the better track conditions. “We’re still tossing up but at this stage I’d say we probably will go up there, it will be interesting to see how he measures up in a good field over ground,” she said. “He does always seem to go better on the fresh side though, so no decision has been made yet.” Turning her focus to the Arawa Park meeting, Gerard’s contingent include Tarzana, a Tarzino half-sister to On The Rocks, her first Group One winner in 2019. The filly finished a narrow second on debut at Hawera and will be chasing her breakthrough victory. “She was super at Hawera, we went down there trying to get an easy kill and she came up against a very nice horse,” Gerard said. “She’s had a bit of a freshen-up and we’re very happy with her work. I don’t think she’s a true wet-tracker so we’ll keep an eye on the weather, but she’s pretty easy to ride anywhere so she should jump out of the gates and put herself there.” Mood Painter and Juwala have made positive returns at the trials and will resume. “I think she (Mood Painter) will be hard to beat, she’s flying in her work and went well in her trial. She’s come back mentally a lot more mature this time,” Gerard said. “Juwala was super at the trials, he’s taken a wee while to make but I think he’s pretty much on the mark now. He’ll be another that is hard to get past as long as the track doesn’t get too wet, but if it does, we’ll be happy to wait for him.” Complacent four-year-old Presuming will make his debut after trialling smartly in the heavy conditions at Rotorua in mid-June. “He’s just taken a bit of time but trialled up really well and the wet track won’t worry him. 1200m is probably a bit short for what he needs, but he can go pretty hard so we’d like him to settle back and run home,” Gerard said. With plenty of exciting young talent and returning performers, Gerard is looking forward to the coming season with the likes of Group 3 Matamata Slipper (1200m) winner Savaglee, and Harlech, who had a successful campaign in Canterbury concluding in an Easter Cup (1600m) success. “Savaglee has grown a little bit and is a lot more even, he’s pretty much up to the mark and will trial in August before those early three-year-old races,” Gerard said. “Harlech will return back to work and have a prep doing a few different things, then he will head back down to Christchurch for the summer. “The business changeover starts today, but Mike is on board until the end of the season. I’ve got some big shoes to fill and it is a bit daunting, but it’s pretty exciting and fingers crossed we can get a good start to the season. “We’ve got a lot of nice young horses, so we’ll be trying our best to keep the Ballymore name up to the mark.” Horse racing news View the full article

Byerley Park trainer Barbara Kennedy. Photo: Trish Dunell A mix of excitement and relief was felt by Barbara Kennedy after Subtle Power crossed the line at Ruakaka on Saturday, delivering her first success as a trainer in New Zealand. Kennedy had previously trained 59 winners in her native South Africa, and after moving to New Zealand with her husband and jockey Warren, was given the opportunity to take over Peter and Dawn Williams’ successful barn at Byerley Park from the beginning of June. Subtle Power was one of the horses Kennedy took over from the Williams’ for owner-breeder Chittick Investments, and the Savabeel filly was rated a +500 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the maiden mile contest after finishing third on debut at Cambridge. In the hands of the premiership-leading hoop, Subtle Power settled in behind the speed through the running and took the lead early in the straight, managing to hold out several late chargers to score by a head. Kennedy was delighted to get on the board so early into her Kiwi career, made particularly special with her husband in the saddle. “I was really ecstatic on the day and a bit relieved at the same time to get the first win out of the way,” Barbara Kennedy said. “We were really happy and it was great to have Warren ride my first winner in New Zealand too. “She’s a filly who the penny hasn’t quite dropped yet, she was still very green after hitting the front quite early, and she got a bit lost. “She was one with Peter and Dawn, so Warren had done a lot of trackwork on her while she was with them and had ridden her at the trials as well. He was very happy with her. “She’s a decent type and has shown us tonnes of ability, so she’ll probably head out for a spell now and come back in the spring.” Back at Byerley Park, Kennedy is establishing a good foundation heading into the new season next month. “We have a nice little routine going with a great team that Peter and Dawn have trained up really well, they all know the swing of things,” she said. “We have 15 horses in training, so that’s a nice number to kick off with and slowly figure things out as we go. “I’m hoping Subtle Power can be something special for the new season and we have a few other decent prospects coming through, but my main goal is to get the winners rolling and being able to compete with the bigger trainers. “I’m looking forward to getting out there and showing them what we’ve got.” Horse racing news View the full article

Super Bonus seals a Pierre Ng double at Sha Tin. Pierre Ng reclaimed the ascendancy in the rollercoaster tussle for the 2023/24 Hong Kong trainers’ championship with a crucial double at Sha Tin on Monday to edge two wins clear of Francis Lui. With only four meetings left in the season, Ng leads Lui 67-65 after Alexis Badel piloted Gangnam Star to victory and Super Bonus won under Andrea Atzeni. “Brilliant. I’m quite happy. At this stage, I just have to keep going. Hopefully we get more winners in the next few meetings,” Ng said of the championship standings. “Andrea told me he lost his iron out of the gates (on Super Bonus), so luckily picked it back up. Luckily the pace wasn’t that fast – they did the first section in 24.35s, which is quite easy for him to roll along. “He was three-wide all the way, but he’s made improvement. He used to just stop or want to get away from horses in the straight, but now he’s more straightforward and finishes off hard.” Gangnam Star triumphed at his 12th start. “He took a bit of time to get his first win. He was very difficult from the start when he came to Hong Kong, so he needed time to get settled down. When we tried to run him (last October), he had a heart problem, so then we had to step back again and start him later on,” Ng said. “It’s good that he can find some confidence today to hit the front because he’s a thinker – he’s always thinking what to do and what not to do. He won well.” While Ng shared training honours with Chris So, Lyle Hewitson snared a treble with wins on So-trained pair Flying High and Parterre before saluting on Michael Chang’s Ching. “Just really happy, I came to the meeting thinking I had a decent book,” Hewitson said. “I didn’t think there was a standout but the cards fell in my favour and everything worked out really well. “To cap it off with Ching was great. He’s been a special horse to me in Hong Kong and, like Chris So’s horses, Ching was beautifully prepared and I was the lucky recipient.” Zac Purton logged a brace on a pair of promising talents – Bottomuptogether, who is unbeaten after three starts following his searing and Amazing Fun, who made an impressive debut with success for Dennis Yip. In the saddle for each of Frankie Lor-trained Bottomuptogether’s victories, Purton said: “He did a really good job. He had barrier one but he came under pressure mid-race, which I didn’t appreciate. He let down well in the straight, he’s done a good job.” Ridden quietly by Purton, Tivaci gelding Amazing Fun clocked 56.22s up the straight course. “He’s got ability, this horse. Early in the season I trialled him and he was very good but at that stage he didn’t relax,” Yip said. “After that he was ready to race, but he got injured. I put him in Conghua and told my son to teach him to relax in the morning. “The horse is now very relaxed and it’s lucky this race was there for him. When he passed the other horses, Zac said he didn’t know what to do and the horse was looking around a bit. He needs time to keep improving.” Alexis Badel also achieved a double and predicted a bright future for Manfred Man’s Chiu Chow Spirit after the former Australian galloper’s victory in the Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1400m). “Brave horse, very good quality – he deserved this,” Badel said after the Frenchman threaded a gap along the fence to deny Tomodachi Kokoroe by a short head to earn a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million plus the winner’s purse of HK$1.59 million. “I’m very happy, Manfred has been a good supporter and I’m happy that they stuck with me on the horse and I’m happy that I could deliver. “I was a bit worried about the draw because with the small field and from that gate (nine), I was worried about finding the right spot. But it worked out well, the pace was good enough and this horse has really got a great turn of foot – he can out-sprint the field. A Group 3 winner for Tony and Calvin McEvoy when he raced as Twin Stars in Australia, he took his Hong Kong career earnings to beyond HK$7 million with his second Sha Tin win. Flying High made it five course and distance wins after unleashing a powerful finish to clinch the CMA 90th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1000m) before Parterre (135lb) controlled the speed before fending off Giant Leap. Jimmy Ting’s Smiling Collector held on courageously to defy Forerunner for Harry Bentley before Ricky Yiu-trained Mighty Strength prevailed in another tight finish. Hong Kong International Sale graduate Harmony N Home posted his first win since March, 2021 with victory under Matthew Poon for Danny Shum. Horse racing news View the full article

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Victoria’s Saturday metro meetings will feature 10 races for an eight-month stretch in the 2024–25 season, as announced by Racing Victoria (RV). The series kicks off with the Group 1 Memsie Stakes event on August 31 and wraps up on April 26, 2025, at Caulfield. In a trial spanning from August 2023 to May 2024, the introduction of 10 race cards resulted in $5 million in betting revenue and an extra $2.8 million in prize money. Matt Welsh, RV’s Executive General Manager for Racing, mentioned that the scheduling of these extended cards would coincide with periods of daylight hours. Welsh highlighted how the decision strikes a balance between maximising industry returns and ensuring track efficiency and participant well-being. He pointed out that while Saturday city meetings make up 10% of their offerings, they drive 40% of wagering activity. The addition of the race has proven beneficial by meeting customer demand and boosting revenue to support the sport. To address concerns about race day duration, Welsh stressed their commitment to keeping any extensions minimal, typically limited to around 15 minutes extra per event. Looking ahead to the season, he shared plans to kick off these scheduled 10 race cards no earlier than noon, and the prize money for the race 10 will remain at $80,000. The Victoria Racing Club has decided to keep Derby Day and Champions Day during the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington as nine race meetings. Additionally, Sandown will host eight races on AFL Grand Final Day. Horse racing news View the full article

Manfred "Manny" Roos, a prominent owner and breeder in New England and the former longtime president of the regional chapter of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, died peacefully on June 30. He was 88.View the full article

NYRA provided a window to some main components in the future of downstate racing as it announced the composition of dirt track at the new Belmont Park and that winter racing will be conducted for approximately three months on an all-weather track.View the full article

Ohio-based trainer Francisco Ramos has had five out-of-competition positive tests for clenbuterol since May 8. They followed a post-race positive for clenbuterol in April. The trainer was provisionally suspended May 31.View the full article

Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold returns to racing action July 6 as he travels to Horseshoe Indianapolis for the $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3).View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority hosted a webinar July 1 discussing rule changes that go into effect July 8.View the full article

Hey Bella ridden by Jamie Mott wins the Rosemont F&M Maiden Plate at Cranbourne Racecourse on April 12, 2024 in Cranbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Racing Victoria stewards are looking into findings in test samples from horses trained by Clinton McDonald and Luke Oliver. A pre-race blood test on McDonalds horse Flying On A Limb, which didn’t perform well at Flemington in April, showed the presence of triamcinolone acetonide, an inflammatory drug that is not allowed on race days. Oliver’s filly Hey Bella tested positive for dexamethasone in a post-race urine sample after winning a race at Cranbourne in April. Dexamethasone is used to treat allergies and inflammatory conditions and is prohibited during races. Further tests confirmed the results. Although no formal charges have been brought forth, stewards are actively investigating the matter and have informed both trainers that it is still under scrutiny. Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer William Haggas has issued a positive bulletin on his impressive G2 Dante Stakes winner Economics (GB), with a return to the Knavesmire for the G2 Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday, July 27 among the options being considered for his next appearance. The son of Night Of Thunder (Ire) is only three starts into his career and it was because of his relative experience that his connections resisted the temptation to supplement him for the Derby after his emphatic Dante success which saw him power clear of Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) to land the spoils by six lengths. Haggas is hopeful that the patient approach he's taken with Economics will pay dividends when it comes to the colt's long-term prospects, which could involve him staying in training for at least one more season. “He's back in work and he should have a good second half of the season,” Haggas told The Nick Luck Daily Podcast. “He's a lovely horse, but he's a great, big horse and he's not just a three-year-old–he's going to be a four-year-old and maybe even a five-year-old, who knows? “I don't know how long it will be because if he's top, top, top class he'll be whisked off to stud, but I can't believe he's not going to be better next year. He's a baby–he's only run three times in his life and he's got lots to look forward to.” Moving on to the subject of where Economics might run next, Haggas continued, “Obviously, the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion is right on the radar because of the race title and His Highness' involvement in it [referring to Bahraini owner Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa]. “The Prix Guillaume d'Ornano [at Deauville] is on August 15, so that knocks out the Juddmonte International [at York on August 21] and I'm quite keen to look at the Juddmonte as well. The obvious fit is the Sky Bet race [also at York] on July 27, but if we don't make that or don't want to go there then we can go for the Juddmonte and he can do a racecourse gallop. “I think to get the freshness out of him it would do him good [to have a run] and that's the sort of [plan]. It's York/York or Deauville/Ireland–that's how you think, but we've got lots to discuss.” Haggas also spoke of the pride he felt in watching stable stalwart Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) break his Group 1 duck in Europe with victory in Sunday's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, teeing him up nicely for a tilt at the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on the same day as the York Stakes. “I was hoping he could do something like that,” the trainer added. “I've always believed him to be better right-handed, but he was good left-handed yesterday. He was always travelling well–it was a good set-up for him and he did well. I watched him all the way round and to me he never looked like he was going to get beaten. “He doesn't get much credit, but he's a pretty good horse. Maybe he's just getting his act together aged six or maybe we're just getting the hang of him. I think he might go for the King George–I don't see that we've got anything to lose.” The post Haggas Ponders Next Steps for Dante Hero Economics appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NYRA said it is committed to improving all aspects of winter racing at the new Belmont Park and that shifting from dirt to the all-weather in the winter months will enhance equine safety.View the full article

Racecourse Media Group (RMG) announced on Monday that its chief executive, Martin Stevenson, has asked the Board to start the process of finding his successor. RMG is the holding company responsible for a range of media rights management businesses. It is owned entirely by its 37 racecourse shareholders, giving the racecourses complete control over the commercialisation of their media and data rights. It is anticipated that Stevenson, who joined RMG in 2007, will step down from the role he's held since 2020 at the end of the year. “I have a significant birthday approaching and I think now is the right time for me to relinquish the role and enable the business to put in place its leadership in plenty of time ahead of the next rights renewal cycle,” said Stevenson. “It has been a huge honour and privilege to have been involved in the RMG project. Having joined as finance director when it was still a start-up, to helping it grow to become the largest funding organisation in British horseracing, it has been an exciting and engaging journey. The business has achieved a great deal in reclaiming control of our racecourses' media and data rights and has created real substantial commercial success for the industry, having now delivered more than £1.2bn to the industry. “The industry undoubtedly has some challenges, but RMG is an excellent example of what can be achieved when the industry comes together in the right way with clear focus, commitment and good governance.” Conor Grant, chair of RMG, added, “Martin has made an enormous contribution to Racecourse Media Group over the last 17 years, serving with great distinction as chief financial officer for 13 years and as chief executive since 2020. “He has been a great ambassador for RMG and leaves the business in rude health and with exciting plans to ensure our continued growth. I would like to thank Martin for his wonderful service and dedication to the business and, on behalf of the board and all RMG shareholders, we wish him every success in the future.” The post RMG Chief Executive Martin Stevenson to Step Down appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The list of trainers that have been informed by the Horse Racing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) that a horse they train has tested positive for the controversial drug Metformin has grown by two. According to postings on the HIWU website, Greg Foley and James Lawrence II have been notified that horses under their care had Metformin in their system. Lawrence's positive came from the horse Cherished Wish (Mshawish) in a May 23 race at Penn National in which she finished second. The Foley horse to test positive was Camaro Z (Liam's Map). The race in question was the June 1 Audubon Stakes at Churchill Downs where the 3-year-old colt finished third. The positives were the 12th and 13th for Metformin since HIWU took over the task of drug testing and handing out penalties for rule breakers. Seven cases have been resolved and six are still pending. The maximum suspension for a Metformin positive is two years. Earlier this month, HISA announced that it was deferring all interim suspensions involving metformin until the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium's (RMTC) Scientific Advisory Committee had conducted a review of the available science relating to metformin. The RMTC's review is expected to take months. “I was blown away by this,” Lawrence said. “We're sitting here right now working away on it. I am very upset. I have no idea how in the world that filly could have it in her system. We're going through all the steps to try to figure out how this happened. Luckily they have put everything aside for a while to study it. This has turned my world upside down.” “The way they are testing now they are picking up all kinds of little contaminants and calling them positives. They are ruining people's careers and the drugs they've found have had no bearing on the outcome of the race.” Lawrence is based at Delaware Park, which meant that his filly spent time in the receiving barn at Penn National prior to her race there. “This very easily could have been a matter of someone urinating in the stall of the receiving barn,” Lawrence said. “About a month prior, we came into the receiving barn there and someone was urinating in a stall. That was documented by the Pennsylvania Racing Commission. They need to step up with these barns that we are shipping in to to make them more sanitary and clean. I have faith because I know I didn't do anything wrong.” At deadline for this story, Foley had not returned a phone call seeking comment. Foley, who has been training since 1981, has won 1,536 races, many of them at the Kentucky tracks. Lawrence has 103 career winners. The post Greg Foley, James Lawrence II Latest Trainers To Have Metformin Positives appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Fukushima, ¥13,720,000 ($84,982), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT, 1:49.9, gd/fm. DEL AVAR (c, 2, Frankel {GB}–Amour Briller {MSW-Jpn, $2,317,880}, by Smart Strike) came from a seemingly unlikely position at a late juncture to graduate in highly impressive fashion at first asking. Away a half-step slowly from gate four, the homebred colt lingered in the latter third of the 16-strong field racing around the first turn and was shuffled back to about third-last after overracing as they reached the backstretch. Still only 11th at the third corner, Del Avar caught the eye with a wide sweep approaching the 400-meter pole, sustained that big run to hit the front inside the final furlong and pulled clear to take it by 1 1/2 lengths as the 21-5 third choice. He covered his final 600 meters in a race-best :34.4. “I knew going in he was a highly regarded colt with high expectations,” said winning jockey Kosei Miura. “He felt really good warming up and chasing the other horses from behind was a good experience for him. He accelerated beautifully and I think he's got great potential.” Amour Briller is a daughter of North Hills' Tenno Sho winner Heavenly Romance (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), the dam of MGSW/G1SP Awardee (Jungle Pocket {Jpn}) and Lani (Tapit), winner of the 2016 G2 UAE Derby and third in that year's GI Belmont Stakes for this conditioner. The mare is also responsible for a yearling colt by American Pharoah and a colt by Constitution foaled Mar. 12. Del Avar is one of 44 Japanese winners for his Banstead Manor-based stallion, whose American-bred son Mozu Ascot–whose first foals are 2-year-olds of 2024–won the G1 Yasuda Kinen at a mile on turf and the G1 February Stakes over a similar distance on dirt. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $44,752. O-Koji Maeda; B-North Hills Co Ltd (KY); T-Mikio Matsunaga. 【福島 新馬】 5R #デルアヴァー 芝1800#三浦皇成 父Frankel 母アムールブリエ 祖母ヘヴンリーロマンス 6R #ニタモノドウシ 芝1200#菅原明良 父ディーマジェスティ 母ジェラスガール 叔父イスラボニータ 馬名意味は「似た者同士。父親に似ているので」 撮影：下野雄規 pic.twitter.com/MGKhGBfBql — netkeiba (@netkeiba) June 30, 2024 The post Frankel Firster Scores Impressively at Fukushima appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GI Arkansas Derby runner up Just Steel (Justify) continues to do well since having surgery to repair a condylar fracture of his right front fetlock May 22. In a video update provided by Light Up Racing and Martha Jane at Mulholland Springs, the 3-year-old is said to progressing well through rehab. Detailing his next steps, Jane says that: “It's been about 35 days since his surgery so we've started hand-walking him. Dr. Bramlage would like to have him hand-walked for another month. If everything still goes well, we will take some x-rays and look. He's very sound so I'm sure it's [the surgery site] doing well but as a preventative and just to be cautious, we'll take some x-rays of him and, with Dr. Bramlage's blessing, we will turn him out for a month and then we will see when Mr. [D. Wayne] Lukas and Dr. Bramlage wants to take him back. But he's been a great patient and we all anticipate a strong Fall campaign.” Just Steel suffered the injury during a fifth-place effort in the GI Preakness Stakes May 18. How is Just Steel doing on the road to recovery? On his comeback journey following the condylar fracture of his RF fetlock during the Preakness Stakes, Just Steel has been a “perfect patient” according to Martha Jane at Mulholland Springs. His post-surgery rehab has gone… pic.twitter.com/KJeLDAdSRJ — LightUpRacing (@LightUpRacing) June 30, 2024 The post “We Anticipate A Strong Fall Campaign”: Post-Surgery Update On Just Steel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Henri Matisse (Ire), a decisive winner of Sunday's G2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh, has been awarded a Timeform rating of 110p, identifying him as the highest-rated two-year-old colt to have raced so far in 2024. By Wootton Bassett (GB) and out of the multiple Group 1 winner Immortal Verse (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), Henri Matisse is now unbeaten in two starts after swooping late to beat The Strikin Viking (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}) by half a length on Sunday, five weeks on from his winning debut over the same course and distance. A step up to Group 1 company now beckons for Henri Matisse as he tries to emulate his half-sister, Tenebrism (Caravaggio), who struck at the top level as a two-year-old when landing the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. The G1 Phoenix Stakes back at the Curragh on Saturday, August 10 could be the next port of call. That contest is also being considered for the Middleham Park Racing-owned The Strikin Viking after he delighted his connections with the way he ran in defeat on Sunday, earning a Timeform rating of 108p which puts him right in the mix among the leading two-year-olds in training. Incidentally, Timeform's overall rankings are still topped by a pair of Royal Ascot-winning fillies from the same stable as Henri Matisse, namely Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB})–rated 116p following her wide-margin victory in the Listed Chesham Stakes–and Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who is on a figure of 112p after overcoming traffic to win the G3 Albany Stakes. On future targets for The Strikin Viking, Tim Palin, director of Middleham Park Racing, said, “He's back home already, he ate up and trotted up just fine. We can start making some plans. “Races like the Richmond and the Gimcrack would be on the agenda, and for all that he's not in the Phoenix Stakes, we might just monitor what's being aimed at that because if Timeform stick with their 108, that performance is only bettered by the winner and Bedtime Story [and Fairy Godmother]. “If at the minute he's the third-best rated two-year-old out there, why wouldn't you consider the Phoenix Stakes or the Morny? We've got two Group 2 options there if you pop on some sensible shoes with the Richmond and the Gimcrack, but if we wanted to reach for the stars then the possibilities are either the Phoenix Stakes or the Morny, which are within seven days of each other. “The two-year-old cohort is going to be split in two directions at that time and arguably more if you are talking Gimcracks and such like.” The post Henri Matisse Becomes Timeform’s Top-Rated Juvenile Colt with Railway Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The clash of generations between City of Troy and White Birch (GB) looks to be on after both Irish stars were among 11 confirmations for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown July 6.View the full article

NYRA said it is committed to improving all aspects of winter racing at the new Belmont Park and shifting from dirt to the all-weather in the winter months will enhance equine safety.View the full article

The one-mile Tapeta track currently under construction at Belmont Park will become the exclusive winter racing surface on the New York Racing Association circuit when the Long Island facility reopens in 2026, NYRA announced Monday. The change will result in approximately three months of racing exclusively on an all-weather surface with the shift from dirt to the all-weather in the winter months expected to enhance equine safety and provide additional opportunities for the circuit's year-round horse population for the benefit of the state's Thoroughbred racing ecosystem. “At its core, our vision for the new Belmont Park is centered around modernizing racing and training facilities in ways that will ensure the sport's continued success and future growth,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President and CEO. “NYRA has closely tracked the evolution and application of synthetic surfaces, and the relevant data unequivocally supports a shift to the all-weather surface during the winter months. “Together with the renovated main track and two new turf courses, Belmont Park will provide a multitude of quality options for both training and racing throughout the year,” added O'Rourke. “We will continue to work closely with New York's horsemen and breeders to ensure a smooth transition as the new facility takes shape.” O'Rourke is chairman of the All-Weather Surfaces Committee, formed this February at the request of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA). The committee is tasked with evaluating the impact of various racing surfaces on equine injury rates, while studying the feasibility of broader adoption of all-weather surfaces nationally. “HISA commends NYRA for prioritizing horse safety in its decision to utilize an all-weather racing surface at Belmont Park for winter racing,” said Lisa Lazarus, HISA CEO. “NYRA has shown tremendous leadership through the research and analysis it has undertaken in making these important decisions for the future of the sport.” NYRA has invested in upgrades to a variety of racing and training facilities at Belmont Park, Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course in recent years, including the installation of an all-weather Tapeta surface over the Belmont Park pony track and the complete renovation of the main track and Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga. At Aqueduct, NYRA has renovated the main track; replaced the inner dirt with a second turf course and added a new surface to the inner turf course, all since 2017. Following the installation of a limestone base topped by a clay pad, the dirt surfaces at Saratoga now respond exceedingly well to extreme weather, while the clay pad offers a more forgiving surface. According to The Jockey Club Equine Injury Database, the dirt surfaces at Saratoga have been the statistically safest among NYRA tracks each year since 2021. To achieve consistency with the dirt racing and training surfaces at Saratoga, the main track at the new Belmont Park will feature a limestone base topped with a clay pad below the racing surface itself. This structure, which has proven to be effective in the wide variety of weather conditions found at Saratoga from April through November, is expected to be similarly beneficial for the main track surface at the new Belmont Park. “The harmonization of NYRA's dirt surfaces is yet another important equine safety measure in New York,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing and Operations. “Aligning the composition of the Belmont main track with both dirt surfaces at Saratoga will further NYRA's ability to conduct world-class dirt racing in the spring, summer and fall.” In addition to the construction of a new main track and all-weather Tapeta track, NYRA is currently renovating and expanding Belmont's Widener and Inner turf courses. As a result, both courses will feature additional running lanes, modern drainage and a state-of-the-art irrigation system serviced by a new infield irrigation pond and on-site pump station. NYRA officials are hopeful that the improvements to both surfaces and facilities will facilitate a return of the Breeders' Cup to New York. The championship event has not been held in the state since 2005. “We are very supportive of the Belmont Park renovation, particularly plans to put in place a world-class facility with fantastic racing surfaces that offer versatility and the ability to address various seasons and weather conditions,” said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited. “As we said before, if you build it, we will come. We look forward to working with the New York Racing Association to bring the Breeders' Cup World Championships back to the Empire State when the time is right.” The post NYRA Winter Racing to be All Tapeta by 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GBBPLUS, an extension of the Great British Bonus, will reward owners and breeders with two new separate initiatives tackling the current challenges facing Flat and National Hunt racing. The latest incentive initiatives will kick off Jan. 1, 2025. “GBB was an important incentive and intervention step to encourage the breeding, buying, and racing of fillies,” the Thoroughbred Breeders Association Chairman Philip Newton said. “Its success now gives us confidence that we can influence behaviour in two other areas of the racing programme: the vital retention of stamina within the thoroughbred and the opportunity to follow a lead well established by our French neighbours in getting horses jumping sooner.” For Flat races, alongside the normal GBB bonus, GBBPLUS will offer an additional bonus of up to £20,000 for fillies whose covering fee was £50,000 or less winning: Class 2 -4 maiden, novice and conditions races at eight furlongs and over for two-year-olds, and at 10 furlongs and over for three-year-olds. Races that fulfil all core and extension criteria will therefore be worth up to £40,000 to a filly. For 2-Year-olds, GBBPLUS will payout in: Nurseries eight furlongs and over And for three- and four-year-olds, GBBPLUS will payout in: Class 2-4 handicaps at 10 furlongs and over, for which only the extension bonus would be payable, making these races worth up to £20,000 for a filly. Seven Listed races (fillies-only, 10-furlong and over), which would offer a bonus of up to £20,000, payable in the usual GBB format but only for 100% GBB-registered fillies. The addition of four-year-olds would exclusively be for these extension-eligible races not the core GBB scheme. For National Hunt races, GBBPLUS will: Include Class 3-4 open steeplechases, more than doubling the opportunities for chasing mares to win bonuses and encouraging progression into Class 1-2. Increase the bonus value for all class 1-4 steeplechase wins to £30,000 for 100% GBB and to £15,000 for 50% GBB in a break from the previous tradition offering larger bonuses in mares-only races and smaller ones in all-sex races. The Horserace Betting Levy Board will provide £3.5 million to the current GBB scheme, and this funding will be increased by an additional £1.2 million to support GBBPLUS. GBB is open to all British-born filly foals (registered with a GB suffix) with two eligibility and bonus levels: 100%, by a stallion based in Britain at the time of covering, with bonuses of up to £20,000 per race; 50%, by a stallion who stood outside Britain at the time of covering, with bonuses of up to £10,000 per race. Provided all registration deadlines are met, bonuses are paid out 65% to the racing owner; 20% to the breeder; 7.5% to the trainer; 5% to the jockey; 2.5% to stable staff. Further information at greatbritishbonus.co.uk. The post Great British Bonus Set to Be Expanded with GBBPLUS appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Unbeaten French hurdler Nietzsche Has (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}–Nice To Meet You {Fr}, by Martaline {GB}) will stand as a National Hunt stallion in 2025 at Haras de Montaigu, it was announced on Monday. Bred by Scea Hamel Stud, the three-year-old Nietzsche Has carries the colours of Edward James, having been bought by bloodstock agent Guy Petit for €240,000 at last year's Arqana Deauville Summer Mixed Sale. Last seen making it three from three over hurdles in the G3 Prix Aguado at Auteuil in May, he is set to be tested at Grade 1 level in the autumn before retiring to Montaigu for the 2025 breeding season. Nietzsche Has is a half-brother to Niko Has (Fr) (Great Pretender {Ire}), a dual Listed-winning chaser and fourth in the G1 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. Their dam is a full-sister to the G1 Prix Cambacérès winner Nirvana du Berlais (Fr) (Martaline {GB}) and a half-sister to Triana du Berlais (Fr) (Presenting {GB}), winner of the G3 Prix Edmond Barrachin, and Aubusson (Fr) (Ballingarry {Ire}), who produced one of his best efforts when third in the G1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. “Boasting a truly remarkable physique, Nietzsche Has is the perfect example of everything you could want in a National Hunt stallion,” said Aliette Forien of Haras de Montaigu, once home to the breed-shaping stallions Martaline (GB) and Nikos (GB), with No Nisk At All (Fr)–the sire of multiple Grade 1 winners such as Allaho (Fr) and Epatante (Fr)–the star name on their current National Hunt roster. “His owner Edward James, with his new French racing entity Highbourne Stud, will support the stallion with his best mares, including two excellent fillies acquired at the Derby Sale; a Doctor Dino from the 'K' family of Haras des Coudraies, who will run in a bumper in Ireland before coming to France, and a daughter of Beaumec de Houelle from the leading family developed by Bertrand Compignie, who will join Marcel Rolland. “We will also be supporting the stallion with mares from the Haras de Montaigu broodmare band as he has a unique and outstanding profile.” The post Unbeaten Hurdler Nietzsche Has to Retire to Haras de Montaigu for 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article