yes,there was some good racing last night,but you have to be kidding if you think nz harness racing is going strong. Every indicator,whether it be mares being bred,licenceholder numbers,public attendance on course ,turnover numbers,the number of small fiields we are seeing,etc,etc. Every single indicator shows nz harness racing is the opposite of going strong. then as to the nz horses performances. Have you ever seen the level, of dominance by the australians over the new zealand horses before? the reason i point this out is because you have done  exactly what the powers that be and the media do and want you to do. That is judge nz harness racings state of health ,on the one off nz cup meeting and the likely good crowd numbers (even if they are also in decline from previous years) at some of the country grass track meetings over the next couple of months,as long as the weather is nice,. the positivity that happens over cup week and around xmas ,happens every year. But even those indicators appear to be going in the wrong direction. So we get these,racing is going strong comments every year around this time,then its back to reality and for the remaining  9 months of the year the talk of industry decline continues.  so  why is it,unrealistic comments about the state of the industry ,are damaging to the industry as a whole. Well,its because,to those in charge such comments justify their poor decision making and perpetuates the poor decision making.

The Grand Tour ... get in behind the concept @Chief Stipe!

Bobby Cline's R.C. Cline Thoroughbred Farm in Ohio where he now stands three stallions, boards a broodmare band and maintains his role as an active trainer, has acquired Higher Power (by Medaglia d'Oro) from Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky, according to a press release from the Ohio operation on Friday. While standing at Darby Dan, Higher Power has four crops and 211 foals. Out of a 160 foals of racing age and 35 lifetime winners, the stallion claims 67 current 2-year-olds. As far as Higher Power's racing career is concerned, he captured the GI TVG Pacific Classic and finished third in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic in 2019. Owned by Hronis Racing and trained by John Sadler, the bay will be the only top-level winner standing in Ohio. “He brings a whole lot of credentials to the state and should help the accredited program a lot,” said Cline, who has operated the farm in Orient, Ohio for 35 years. “He looks like a Medaglia d'Oro colt the way he's built–nice and stocky. “What I really like about him is that he seems to have a really good mind, good temperament,” he said. “I've got a couple of babies of his that I train, they're pretty sensible and I believe he passes that on.” Medaglia d'Oro's most successful offspring include the likes of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and dual champion filly Songbird. The recently-retired Darley sire also has on his resume Good Cheer, Nitrogen, Bolt d'Oro, Plum Pretty and Violence, just to name a few. The female family of the newly-minted Ohio-based sire was a product of Kentucky's Pin Oak breeding program. Higher Power's dam Alternate (Seattle Slew), who passed away in 2022, produced MGSW Alternation (by Distorted Humor)–the sire of GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Serengeti Empress and MSW Interrupted. Alternate is a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year and leading Canadian sire, Peaks and Valleys (by Mt. Livermore). Higher Power's extended dam-side includes champion grass mare Forever Together (Belong to Me), and MGSW sires Mucho Gusto (by Mucho Macho Man) and Broken Vow (by Unbridled). Cline's new stallion will stand for $2,000 LFSN and inquiries can be made by calling, (614) 877-2236. The post Cline Acquires Higher Power From Darby Dan To Stand In Ohio appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stonebase's Lyudmila (Gun Runner), a $1-million Keeneland September yearling purchase, won for fun in her Laurel Park unveiling Friday. The 5-2 chance raced in fourth through an opening quarter in :22.33, began to launch while three wide at the top of the stretch and kicked on in the lane to graduate by six lengths over favored Juniper's Jubilee (Honor A. P.). Hailing from a deep Edward Seltzer family, the winner's dam Lucrezia (Into Mischief) is also represented by a yearling colt by Flightline ($575,000 KEENOV purchase by Classic Equine) and a Curlin colt ($320,000 KEENOV purchase by Repole Stable) of this year. She was bred back to City of Light. 6th-Laurel, $49,410, Msw, 11-21, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:12.36, gd, 6 lengths. LYUDMILA (f, 2, Gun Runner–Lucrezia {MSW & GSP, $219,640}, by Into Mischief) Sales history: $1,000,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $28,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Stonebase LLC; B-Edward & Beverly Seltzer (KY); T-Justin J. Nixon.   The post $1-Million Keeneland September Graduate Lyudmila Rolls on Debut at Laurel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gordon Elliott has entered nine horses in the ThoroughBid November Sale, which takes place on Wednesday, November 26. Pour Les Filles (Pour Moi) (lot 16) anchors the Cullentra consignment, and he was last seen finishing seventh in a Class 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham. Also entered is 15-length bumper winner Carsons Dreamboat (My Dream Boat) (lot 20). She won a Clonmel bumper in May. Outside of the Cullentra consignment is Ledecka (Scorpion) (lot 19), runner-up in a recent bumper, as well as National Hunt stores by Blue Bresil and Kew Gardens. The sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. next week. For the catalogue, please visit the ThoroughBid website. The post Pour Les Filles Leads Elliott Consignment At ThoroughBid appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article