'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Salloom (Authentic) was expected to take all the beating in Friday's Listed Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby, but as he did prior to his would-be debut back in December, he was badly behaved at the gates and busted through before being apprehended and not permitted to take part. A field of 11 was ultimately loaded and Jim and Clare Ltd's BROTHERLY LOVE (GB) (c, 3, Zoustar {Aus}–Ruby Love {Chi}, by Scat Daddy)–the half-brother to last year's runner-up Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.)–saved his best for last, as he hit top gear four off the inside with time ticking away to be along in the shades of the post. Slowly into stride as has become his custom, the 40,000gns Tattersalls October yearling purchase raced behind midfield down the back and was under a busy Saffie Osborne ride, appearing to be spinning his wheels. But just like Heart of Honor needs to be kept after, so, too, does Brotherly Love and he finally began to get interested with the Meydan straight looming. He still had it all to do as longtime leader Duke of Immatin (Gun Runner) was not laying down up front, Brotherly Love kept on plugging away to find the line in the nick of time. The victory is worth 20 points on the Euro/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby. Sales history: 40,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 6-2-0-0. O-Jim and Clare Ltd; B-David Redvers Bloodstock; T-Jamie Osborne   The post With Salloom Dramatically Scratched, Zoustar Colt Brotherly Love Strikes At Meydan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Labwah gifted her sire Charlatan the first graded/group winner of his young stallion career when running off with the G3 UAE Oaks at Meydan on Friday. Thanks to her 7 1/2-length victory, the Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum-owned filly earned 50 points toward a start in the GI Kentucky Oaks in May. One of the quickest away, the bay set out under pressure from Pretty And Famous (Known Agenda) to her outside. Able to walk the dog through the early stages, Labwah was still under fire with less than 800 metres to travel. Extending on the final turn, she coasted away to win easily. Yuno (Rock Your World) kept at it doggedly, but was outclassed. Dozalla (Upstart) completed the top three finishers. Fourth to Friday's runner-up Yuno in a maiden locally back in November, Labwah rattled off victories in conditions races over 1400 metres (December 19) and 1600 meters (January 16) prior to her UAE Oaks heroics. Pedigree Notes: Labwah is the first graded/group winner for her second-crop sire Charlatan, who stands at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa for $25,000 this term. The sire of three stakes winners overall, Charlatan is also responsible for listed winners Little Miss Curlin and Hammond. His Princess Moko was second at listed level in Japan. The ninth foal out of Caressing Handicap heroine War Tigress (War Chant), Labwah is also related to half-sister War Heroine (Lonhro {Aus}), who claimed the GII San Clemente Stakes.   The post Charlatan’s Labwah Stuns UAE Oaks Field appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horse Racing Ireland-backed first aid training and RACE Junior Academy workshop are reported to have been a big hit as both events reached full capacity recently.  The HRI first aid training took place at the Curragh and Fairyhouse racecourses and attracted 60 participants on February 10 and 17 while over 50 people gained hands-on experience and took their first steps towards a career in racing at RACE, which opened its doors to 50 teenagers between February 16 and 20.  The courses at the Curragh and Fairyhouse were fully funded by HRI Health and Safety and were delivered by IHRB Chief Medical Officer Dr Jennifer Pugh and the Order of Malta. Topics covered included concussion, CPR, defibrillator use, injury management, and how to respond to incidents such as falls, kicks, and other injuries relevant to racing. Pugh commented, “This course has evolved to be one the most enjoyable aspects of my role. Equestrian workplace environments lend themselves to accidents, so knowing the basic skills to administer first aid gives confidence to our workforce and will improve outcomes for those who are injured. This course is tailored to deal with some of the most common scenarios we may face in our workplace and the enthusiasm of participants on the courses has made this a really valuable initiative.” Meanwhile, the Next Generation Academies at RACE are funded by Equuip and provide young people with hands-on experience in riding, horse care, and stable management, giving them a valuable introduction to the skills and professionalism required in the Irish racing industry. The programme offers an important foundation for those interested in pursuing future careers as jockeys, stable staff, or other roles within racing. Training was delivered by Aine O'Connor, Maxine O'Sullivan, and the RACE team of Niall Byrne, Paul Keating and Stephanie McGlynn. Interim RACE CEO Shane O'Dwyer commented, “The Junior Academies play a vital role in introducing young people to the opportunities available in Irish racing. The students showed excellent enthusiasm, respect for the horses, and a genuine willingness to learn. It's very encouraging to see such strong potential coming through.” The post Strong Attendance Reported For HRI-Backed Training Workshops appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In response to allegations from HISA that Churchill Downs owes the organization $2.4 million in fees, Churchill Downs responded with a statement Thursday in which it said it does not “accept HISA's mischaracterization of our actions” and rebuffed any suggestions that Churchill Downs and its affiliate tracks are not fully committed to safety and integrity. The statement read: “Churchill Downs Incorporated remains fully committed to the safety and integrity of Thoroughbred racing. Any suggestion that the company is not supporting safety efforts is inaccurate. Churchill Downs has invested significantly in safety initiatives, enhanced protocols and regulatory compliance across our racetracks and will continue to do so. “While we do not comment on pending legal proceedings, we will not accept HISA's mischaracterization of our actions. The Authority's recent escalation reflects a troubling pattern of overreach that is harmful to the industry and inconsistent with the collaborative approach necessary to strengthen the sport. “We had no prior notice and received HISA's letter minutes before the Joe Drape article was published, which is another clear example of their poor judgment and questionable intentions in interacting with industry participants who do not blindly submit to their demands.” The dispute between Churchill and HISA went public when a story written by Joe Drape appeared Wednesday in the New York Times. The Times wrote that HISA is threatening to shut down out-of-state betting on races at Churchill Downs and three other tracks it owns unless the company pays $2.4 million in fees it owes HISA. HISA released a notice of violation to Churchill for “failure to remit fees” under federal law. HISA charges racetrack operators fees that pay for such things as drug testing, data on veterinarian reviews and safety inspections of the tracks. In a complaint filed to its board on Wednesday, HISA went so far as to accuse Churchill of “freeloading” because it had not been paying the fees while using the many services that HISA provides to all tracks under its jurisdiction. “I've tried for over a year to just get them to pay us that 2025 amount,” HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus told the Louisville Courier-Journal. “For reasons I don't understand–because they always paid in the past, and now they just refuse to–so we had no choice but to take this action because we can't operate without the assessment fees. They are responsible for paying on four racetracks and haven't paid on any. That starts to add up over the year.” HISA has scheduled a Mar. 11 hearing. At stake may be Churchill's ability to offer wagering on its products, including the Kentucky Derby. HISA has the right to pull simulcasting signals when it feels tracks are not in compliance with its regulations. The post Churchill Downs Issues Statement Regarding Beef With HISA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Currently the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Ka Ying Rising sits on the cusp of history. Tied with Hong Kong wunderkind Silent Witness on 17 consecutive wins by a Hong Kong-trained horse, the son of Shamexpress could set his own record in the 1400-metre G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday. A last out winner of the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup in January, he faces nine rivals. Trainer David Hayes said, “I'm very excited about the opportunity to try and break Silent Witness's record. His gallop was good – it was just his usual Ka Ying Rising gallop, and he's very much in his routine, and it seems to suit him. “He's only run at 1400 metres (7f) once and that was in this race last year. I know he'll run it and I know he's better this year than he was last year. If they go too fast in the race he'll sit second or third and if they go too slow, he'll lead. “Zac [Purton] is very uncomplicated on him. I'm excited and I'm really looking forward to it – I'll be a bit nervous on the day as I always am, but it's a very surreal feeling in a Group 1 saddling a horse who is a one-dollar favourite. Not many trainers get to do that, and I can tell you it's not as easy as it looks.” Reflecting on the opposition, Hayes said, “Helios Express is better suited at this distance against Ka Ying Rising. It's a good distance for him; Lucky Sweynesse is back in form, but if it was a handicap, Ka Ying Rising would be giving some of them 20 pounds – he will be short in the market and, well, he probably should be.” Among his challengers is John Size trainee Helios Express (Toronado), who was second to the heavy favourite in the Centenary Sprint Cup in January, while Size stablemate Raging Blizzard (Per Incanto) was fourth. Cutting back from 1600 metres where he was second to Hong Kong legend Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) in the G1 Stewards' Cup is Lucky Sweynesse. Booked against the fence, two to the inside of Ka Ying Rising, the son of Sweynesse is joined by G2 Jockey Club Mile hero Galaxy Patch (Wandjina), who was seventh behind Romantic Warrior last month. Group 1 Racing Returns To Japan A GI Breeders' Cup Classic berth is on the line in the G1 February Stakes, as racing at the highest tier returns to Japan after a January break. Returning to defend his title is Costa Rising (Lord Kanaloa), who carried jockey Rachel King into the history books as the first female rider to win a JRA Group 1 contest. Since his triumph last year, he enjoyed an up-and-down campaign, but did finish second in the G3 Musashino Stakes at Tokyo in November. Christophe Lemaire replaces King, who instead is booked on multiple group winner Sakura Toujours (Neo Universe). Assistant trainer Yu Ota said of the defending champion, “Prior to his last race, his balance was a bit off, and his weak point is his right hindquarters. It's taken some time to get things right with him. We'll start to up his training from now, but he's a tough character who doesn't give up easily.” Carrying the lightest impost in the 16-strong field is W Heart Bond at 123 pounds. The five-year-old mare, a daughter of Kizuna, won the G1 Champions Cup by the narrowest of margins from Wilson Tesoro (Kitasan Black). However, she does have dual G1 Saudi Cup-winning jockey Ryusei Sakai aboard, fresh off his Saudi Arabian success with Forever Young (Real Steel). She would be the second mare to win in the 42-year history of the race and the first since Hokuto Vega (Nagurski) in 1996. “After the Champions Cup, we considered the options for her, including overseas, but have set our sights on the February Stakes,” said trainer Ryuji Okubo. “She didn't pull in her last race, and with the speed she has, she was able to take up a good position, before battling it out at the finish. She should be fine over the 1,600 meters at Tokyo.” Sixpence (Kizuna), a three-time Group 2 scorer in Japan, will give retiring trainer Sakae Kunieda his final Group 1 starter when he lines up on Sunday. Associated with Apapane (King Kamehameha) and Almond Eye (Lord Kanaloa) among others, Kunieda is retiring this spring. The post Ka Ying Rising Goes For History In Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article