November, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

GISW And Classic-Placed Zandon Retired To Spendthrift Farm

Grade I winner Zandon (Upstart–Memories Prevail, by Creative Cause) has been retired and has arrived at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky ahead of stallion duty in 2024, the farm announced. The dark bay will stand for $12,500 stands and nurses and will participate in Spendthrift's “Share the Upside” program on a limited basis for a fee of $15,000 for two years.

“We are excited about Zandon and the ability to offer a Grade I winner with his physical through our Share The Upside program. He's what they should look like,” said Ned Toffey, Spendthrift general manager. “You won't find many Grade I winners in town that look and move the way he does. He's a big, classy individual with a beautiful, smooth gait, which is likely why he was able to remain so sound through the rigors of competing against the best of his generation for two straight years. We believe breeders are really going to like him, and we invite them to come out and see for themselves.”

Bred by the late Brereton Jones, the dark bay brought $170,000 as a Keeneland September yearling and was put into training with Chad Brown. A winner of his Belmont debut, the Jeff Drown runner was also second in the GII Remsen S. as a juvenile and was third in the GII Risen Star S. in his 3-year-old bow. A winner of the GI Blue Grass S., he was favored in the GI Kentucky Derby and would go on to place third in May of 2022. Throughout the rest of the year, he would add three more graded placings in the GII Jim Dandy S., GI Travers S., and the GI Pennsylvania Derby.

He rolled a trio of twos in his first three starts this term, in the GIII Westchester S., GI Metropolitan H. in June, and in the GI Whitney S. at Saratoga in August. The GII Woodward S. went his way in October, and he was retired after a start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic with a record of 14-3-6-3 and $2.2 million in earnings.

The second foal and one of three winners for his unraced dam, Zandon is a half-brother to Panamanian Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Sol Principe Gris (Summer Front). His dam is a half-sister to MGSW and MGISP Cairo Memories (Cairo Prince), as well as the SW Cariba (Cairo Prince). Under the third dam is Grade II winner Hello Liberty (Forest Camp), who was second in the GI Acorn S.

Spendthrift announced in September that Zandon would join Taiba (Gun Runner) and Arabian Lion (Justify) as new stallions at their Kentucky base in 2024.

The post GISW And Classic-Placed Zandon Retired To Spendthrift Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Keeneland November Kicks Off Marathon Run

With the Breeders' Cup wrapping up an action-packed weekend at Santa Anita, all eyes turn to Lexington for the nation's preeminent breeding stock sales. Keeneland's November sale gets underway Wednesday, and as has become the custom, offers an enticing selection of mares and foals over the course of its five-book run.

“For the long-term plan, we are trying to get the quality is there for the buyers we are recruiting, Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “We spend many months throughout the year meeting our potential customers and current clients. When you look at that effort this year, the strong Middle East presence and the Japanese that are coming over her in greater numbers than ever before. We want to make sure that is something we are constantly doing. It is our job to create as good a marketplace as possible for the stock we have on the grounds. I think we're making real traction in that regard.”

Among the headliners in this season's catalog is Puca (Big Brown) (Hip 191), carrying a full-sister to GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic), and Grade I winner Dalika (Ger) (Pastorius {Ger}) (Hip 223), in foal to 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline.

“Keeneland is excited that Case has chosen us to offer these two exceptional broodmares in Book 1 of the November Breeding Stock Sale–and mark the debut of Case Clay Thoroughbred Management,” said Lacy. “While at Three Chimneys Farm, when it was owned by his family, Case oversaw the sale of a large number of million-dollar-plus broodmares over many years, including the great Take Charge Lady here at Keeneland in 2004. Along with this experience at the top end, he has an extraordinary amount of connections and relationships with domestic and international buyers.”

In addition to appearing on Puca's page, Flightline, an undefeated earner of over $4.5 million, is also listed as the covering sire of Grade I winner/graded producer Centre Court (Smart Strike) (Hip 213), and graded winners Another Broad (Include) (Hip 180) and Lady Scarlet (Union Rags) (Hip 338). He was bred to a limited book of 152 mares in his first season at stud, and will be represented by 10 in-foal mares at Keeneland November. Flightline made headlines at Keeneland's November sale last year when a fractional share in the champion brought $4.6 million.

“You have a stallion that gained a lot of focus because of what he did on the track and also finished off his career here at Keeneland. We were fortunate enough to sell that fractional interest here and this year we offer some very high-quality mares in foal to him. That is a great continuation. We're very excited about the mares, it is a select group and it's not over-flooding the market. It is going to gain serious attention, not just from domestic buying base but also from the international breeders as well because he is a fascinating stallion.”

Also making an appearance with their first in-foal mares are a trio of champions Corniche (Quality Road), Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music), Epicenter (Not This Time), and GI Preakness and GI Belmont S. winners Early Voting (Gun Runner) and Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo).

Caravel | Sarah Andrew

Among the mares certain to garner plenty of attention during Book 1 is 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint heroine Caravel (Mizzen Mast) (Hip 210), consigned by Hunter Valley Farm. The 6-year-old, a half-sister to MSW Witty (Great Notion), won three of six starts this term, including the GI Jaipur S. Bolstered by her recent form, Chilean Group 1 winner Le Da Vida (Chi) (Gemologist) (Hip 41) enters this off a third-place effort in last weekend's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. Sold as a racing or broodmare prospect, the 6-year-old mare is consigned by Greenfield Farms. Also among mares to watch in this year's catalog, GI American Oaks heroine Rhea Moon (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) is offered as Hip 101 from the Gainesway consignment, in addition to Grade I-producing Ack Naughty (Afleet Alex) (Hip 246), who sells in foal to Into Mischief. The dam of the late GI Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move (Practical Joke) is consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, agent for Chester and Mary Broman.

“We have a lot of nice individuals. Obviously, we have Caravel. She was one we had in the sale last year and she's back this year. We've had a few defections like Zeezee Zoomzoom (dam of Caravel). They just felt they wanted to hang on a little longer, which is fine. What is good in a healthy market and is difficult in November is that sometimes feel like they don't need to sell because they had a good yearling market. We have some really nice stock in here, very high-class mares that people are attracted by.

“Midnight Bisou last year was a nice late addition that really stood out. I think this year, there is a broader range of high-quality stock and Grade I winners and producers.

“We're looking at long term. We're looking to build a solid foundation as we go forward. We're more focused that the whole structure of our sale's process is developing. That we are moving forward year over year.”

A bevy of sires also enter the stage with their first weanlings, highlighted by GISWs Yaupon (Uncle Mo) (46) and GISW Silver State (Hard Spun) (37), in addition to Horse of the Year Knicks Go (Paynter) (27) and champion and Classic scorer Essential Quality (Tapit) (10).

Last year's sale was topped by champion older dirt female Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute), who brought $5.5 million from Katsumi Yoshida. On Day 1 in 2022, a total of nine head brought seven figures or more, in addition to Flightline's fractional share. The initial session generated $68.53 million in gross revenue (including post sales) for 142 horses sold.

Launching its nine-day run Wednesday, the sale begins with 250 head catalogued on its opening day, with bidding commencing at 1:00p.m. The remaining eight sessions start at 10:00 a.m. The November sale concludes with a single-session Horses of Racing Age Sale Nov. 17.

The post Keeneland November Kicks Off Marathon Run appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Here’s The Thing: New Book Of Essays By Joe Osborne To Launch On Nov. 14

Here's The Thing, a collection of 26 essays penned by Godolphin Ireland managing director Joe Osborne, will be launched at Woodbine Books, Kilcullen, County Kildare at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14.

The book covers a wide range of topics, while its subtitle, “Stories of challenge, recovery and redemption” reinforces the varied subjects ranging across history, politics, sport and everyday life.

Illustrated by County Kildare-based Declan Considine just like Osborne's previous book Poise And Stride that was published in 2020, the book will be available for €25 plus postage at Woodbine Books. All proceeds from the sale of Here's the Thing will go to support Cuan Mhuire Addiction Treatment Centres which includes the centre in Athy, County Kildare. Cuan Mhuire's mission is to provide an environment in which people who feel rejected and dejected because of their addictions become aware of and learn to deal with the underlying problems relating to these addictions and discover their uniqueness, goodness, giftedness and their real purpose in life. The work Cuan Mhuire has been doing since 1966 has given hope and support to tens of thousands of individuals and their families.

Osborne said, “Godolphin is supporting a Horse Racing Ireland/Equuip initiative to raise awareness of Cuan Mhuire's services within the Thoroughbred industry in Ireland and I hope this book can aid that effort. I also hope that Here's the Thing encourages people to help Cuan Mhuire and to offer hope to those struggling with addiction.”

Gerry McElroy, CEO of Cuan Mhuire, added, “We are extremely grateful to Joe Osborne of Godolphin Ireland for highlighting Cuan Mhuire by donating the proceeds from the sale of this wonderful book. The book's stories are about life's challenges and recovery which is in line with Cuan Mhuire's Residential Rehabilitation programmes through which we support people and their families through their journey of addiction.”

The post Here’s The Thing: New Book Of Essays By Joe Osborne To Launch On Nov. 14 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

National Racehorse Week, In Third Year, Deemed A Success

The third annual National Racehorse Week, from Sept. 9-17 in the UK, has been deemed a success after a record number of open days and community events, Great British Racing (GBR), who funds the initiative alongside the Racing Foundation and Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), announced on Tuesday.

Over 15,000 free places were made available across the seven days across the country for the public to come and experience a day in the life of a racehorse. From training facilities and studs, to aftercare and rehoming centres, 209 different events took place showcasing the care and attention racehorses receive every day. The week provided a platform to create a lasting impact on those who are not familiar with racing or who don't have the opportunity to get close to a horse in everyday life.

In research undertaken after the week had finished, 94% of people said the experience had left them with a better understanding about and a positive impression of welfare. And 92% of attendees who were new to racing said their opinion had been positively changed about the lives racehorses lead.

There were also a total of 60 dedicated community events focused on outreach, a 300% uplift from last year. These events were supported by Racing Together and Racing to School with more than 3,000 people from schools, charities, urban equestrian centres and community groups getting involved with behind-the-scenes access to racing facilities.

The events included:

Paul Nicholls hosted a special visit for Dame Kelly Homes Trust beneficiaries, NHS and Emergency Service workers
Ian Williams hosted members of the RMF Group, an organisation that offer industry focused training courses to ex-offenders, veterans, the homeless, and residents who are long-term unemployed
Jo Foster took racehorse Sigurd to eight community events including schools, care homes and to charities like Mind and dementia groups
Aftercare centres including New Beginnings, HEROS, BTRC, Greatwood and Yorkshire retraining and rehoming centre took their retired racehorse ambassadors out to schools and care homes
Dan Skelton and Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero hosted children with serious illnesses from the Barrie Well's Trust Box4Kids initiative
Godolphin, Ben Case and Dave Loughnane hosted urban equestrian centres including Summerfield Stables from Birmingham, Park Lane Stables from London, and Park Palace Ponies from Liverpool.

Rod Street, CEO Great British Racing, said, “National Racehorse Week creates a unique opportunity for the British Racing industry to unite and showcase to the public the high levels of care that our equine stars receive throughout their entire lives. It also allows racing to open its doors and welcome people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the joy of getting close to a racehorse.

“There are so many highlights from the week, but the ones that stand out for me include the significant increase in young people attending open days this year, especially those aged between 10-14 years, and the impact we had on visitors. Our research shows that 94% of people who came to an open day now have a positive impression of equine welfare, and 92% of those who were new to racing or not regular racegoers said their opinion had been positively changed by the experience. This shows the power of what racing can achieve when it comes together.

“We must thank everyone involved in this special week for showing off the very best of British racing and hopefully helping to inspire a new generation of racing fans.”

The post National Racehorse Week, In Third Year, Deemed A Success appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post