The 2023 edition of the Grade 1, $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stakes brings together a field of six, with the winner the race receiving an automatic berth in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF in November.
Author: News
Doncaster: Can Coltrane Do It Again In The Doncaster Cup?
Causing an upset when edging out Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) in a thriller for last year's G2 Doncaster Cup, one of the staying division's leaders Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) returns to Town Moor for another encounter with his nemesis on Friday. Having won Ascot's G3 Sagaro S. and the G2 Lonsdale Cup at York and been runner-up in the G1 Gold Cup in the interim, Mick and Janice Mariscotti's stalwart is better than ever at the age of six and is the one with the target on his back this time.
Andrew Balding holds Coltrane close to his heart and is relishing another battle royal. “The great thing about him is he seems to be effective on any ground and in any sort of style of race, which is a big help for these stayers,” he said. “He obviously won the race last year, but he does carry a penalty this year which makes life a lot tougher. It is not a straightforward task, but the horse is really well and he seems to thrive on his racing.”
Trueshan has been absent since finishing fourth behind Coltrane in the Sagaro in May and has undergone a wind operation, so the star stayer of 2021 has questions to answer here. Normandie Stud's progressive Ebor H. runner-up Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) represents the Gosdens, who have a line on these through their Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
“We think there's more improvement to come and we think he might make up into an Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup type of horse next year,” jockey Robert Havlin said of the Normandie Stud homebred. “Since we put blinkers on he's been ultra consistent. He's won over two miles and the Ebor was obviously a drop back in trip. He gets the trip well so there are a lot of positives, especially after all the rain. He doesn't need soft ground, but he handles it very well.”
Inquisitively Takes On Big Evs In The Flying Childers
Also at Doncaster on Friday is the G2 Carlsberg Danish Pilsner Flying Childers S., where Wee Sean Gan's Listed Roses S. scorer Inquisitively (GB) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) looks to turn the tables on Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) after their prior meeting in Royal Ascot's Listed Windsor Castle S. Trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy is concerned about the slower ground for Inquisitively, however. “The ground would be a question mark, he won on fast ground at York and so there is a question mark over soft conditions,” he said. “The horse won well at York and I think the course will suit him. It's a very flat, straight course and very straightforward. He has been in good form since his race at York, I think he took a step forward from that race. He's very straightforward and professional, I don't think anything will be an issue other than the question over the ground.”
All Nine Stand Their Ground For St Leger
There were no withdrawals from Saturday's G1 Betfred St Leger at Doncaster on Thursday, with the major news concerning the decision of Frankie Dettori to ride Juddmonte's Arrest (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) ahead of the fellow Gosden representative Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}). That leaves Kieran Shoemark with the task of steering the latter, who captured the G2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot for Wathnan Racing.
“I'm very happy with my mount in the race and wouldn't swap him,” Shoemark said. “As soon as Frankie made up his mind I found out. He's a high-profile horse in a high-profile race. He's one of the market leaders and to be riding a favourite in a British Classic is hugely exciting. It's where I want to be, so it's a privilege not pressure and I look forward to it.”
Also representing the Gosdens is Qatar Racing's Melrose H. winner Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion), while The King & The Queen's G3 Gordon S.-winning TDN Rising Star Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Ballydoyle number one Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who catapulted himself into the picture with his impressive G2 Great Voltigeur S. success, are other notables.
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Churchill Downs Establishes New House Claiming Rules
Beginning with the September Meet, Churchill Downs has established new “house rules” for claiming horses, the Louisville racetrack said in a release Thursday afternoon.
The licensed trainer for claimant must have made a start at the current meet or within the state of Kentucky since July 7, which was the start of the Ellis Park meet.
Also, a claimed horse may not race outside of Kentucky for 60 days following the date of the end of the meet during the which the horse was claimed or Jan. 1, 2024, whichever is first to occur.
Additionally, the claimant or licensed trainer representing the claimant must have a signed Claiming Agreement on file with the Churchill Downs racing office prior to submitting a claim.
Click here for more information.
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Sold Out Yearling Sale Kicks Off 2023 Indiana Fall Mixed Sale
The Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's (ITOBA) 2023 Fall Mixed Sale commences on Saturday, Oct. 14 with a sold out live yearling sale. Eighty one yearlings by more than 40 different sires are cataloged.
The live yearling sale will be held at the Horseshoe Indianapolis Receiving Barn at 1 p.m. A paddock sale of horses of racing age will begin immediately following the yearling sale.
The catalog for the live yearling sale is available now at ITOBA.com. ITOBA is offering a $5,000 bonus to the buyer and seller of the yearling purchased at the live yearling sale that earns the most money as a 2-year-old at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
“We are very excited about the diversity and number of stallions represented in this year's ITOBA Yearling Sale,” says Pat McGhee, president of ITOBA. “Our sale has everything from new stallions with their first crop in the sales ring to proven dirt and turf stallions. With over 40 stallions represented, we have something for every buyer.”
A mixed digital sale featuring weanlings, broodmares, horses of racing age, and yearlings (including RNAs from the live yearling sale) to be held on Oct. 16-19th on HorseAuctionsUSA.com will conclude the Fall Mixed Sale.
The live yearling sale and paddock sale will also be broadcast and accept online bidding through Horse Auctions USA.
The Fall Mixed Sale gives people around the world the opportunity to get involved in Indiana's lucrative Thoroughbred breeding and racing program. Twenty eight of the 38 stakes held at Horseshoe Indianapolis in 2023 are restricted to Indiana-bred and -sired horses. These stakes have combined purses of more than $3.4 million. The purses for the bred and sired horses in Indiana are among the best of any regional program.
The response to the state's growing program has been tremendous. Indiana was one of just two states with an increase in mares bred in 2022 compared to the prior year. An economic impact analysis conducted by Purdue University shows that Indiana has had a 59 percent increase in horses owned, trained, and bred in the state from 2007 to 2020.
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