Anna Stone wasn’t actively looking for a new horse, but upon seeing images of Stone Surprise on New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program’s social media feed, she found herself unable to resist. The presence of “Stone” in his name and the coincidence of Anna sharing the same last name piqued her curiosity.
‘Unfinished Business’ — Champion Nest Back in Training for 5-Year-Old Campaign
After an abbreviated three-race campaign in 2023, Nest (Curlin) has returned to training for her 5-year-old season.
Mike Repole bought out his partners in the champion 3-year-old filly of 2022–Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House–for a co-topping $6 million at last fall's Fasig-Tipton November sale.
“When we put her in the sale, I really went there with a game plan of she might retire as a broodmare,” Repole said.
“The Japanese were bidding on her and I've seen so many of these horses go to Japan, and, honestly, I didn't want her to go. If it was Mandy Pope, Coolmore or Spendthrift bidding on her, I would've probably let her go. So, I now owned her 100 percent without partners and I thought, 'You know what? Let's race her.'”
Repole continued, “We gave her time and she's training now at Stonestreet in Ocala. She should be back to Todd (Pletcher) by May 1. I'm excited to watch her run at Saratoga and into the year.”
Nest's sensational sophomore campaign was led by a trio of wins at the top level–the GI Central Bank Ashland S., GI Coaching Club American Oaks and GI Alabama S.–and also runner-up finishes in the GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Belmont S., respectively.
Nest brought a co-topping $6 million at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November sale | Fasig-Tipton
Fourth as the favorite in that term's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Keeneland, Nest kicked off her 4-year-old stand a bit later than anticipated due to a fever, but she showed no signs of rust with a stylish 2 1/4-length victory over MGISW Clairiere (Curlin) in the GII Shuvee S. at Saratoga July 23. She didn't look anything like herself in her next two attempts, however, beaten both times as the favorite behind future champion Idiomatic (Curlin), finishing a punchless third in the GI Personal Ensign S. at Saratoga Aug. 25 and a well-beaten fourth by 11 1/4 lengths in the GI Spinster S. at Keeneland last out Oct. 8.
“She started late last year,” Repole said. “She ran a great first race and it was probably a little bit too much, too soon. We'll try to get her there a little bit earlier this year–maybe get a race into her in either June or July. We'll get her a nice spot and go from there. We're excited about bringing her back.”
Were any issues discovered with the bay following her head-scratching effort in Lexington last fall?
“Yeah, she was fourth,” Repole replied with a laugh. “And Nest doesn't usually run fourth. She had three races in like an eight-nine week period and it was just too much. She's had a really good rest and I think we have some unfinished business.”
One of 21 Grade I winners for the mighty Curlin, Nest was bred in Kentucky by Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables. She brought $350,000 from Repole Stable and company as a yearling out of the Ashview Farm consignment at the 2020 Keeneland September sale.
Her stakes-winning A.P. Indy dam Marion Ravenwood–also responsible for 2021 GI Santa Anita H. winner Idol (Curlin); MSW & GSP Lost Ark (Violence); and MSP Dr Jack (Pioneerof the Nile)–brought $2.6 million from Coolmore's M. V. Magnier in foal to Curlin at the 2022 Keeneland November sale.
Repole is also vested in Nest's aforementioned big brother Idol, who began his career at stud as a Repole Stable/Taylor Made Stallions Venture in 2023 after carrying the colors of Calvin Nguyen during his racing career.
As for Nest, Repole concluded, “She's healthy, happy and sound. And ready to race one more year and maybe make a run for champion older filly.”
NEST!!!!!
She is back in training at Stonestreet for her 5 year old campaign.
She should be at Saratoga May 1st. https://t.co/915iqYq2uH
— Repole Stable (@RepoleStable) February 27, 2024
The post ‘Unfinished Business’ — Champion Nest Back in Training for 5-Year-Old Campaign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Jockey O’Neill complains over drugs swab tests
Jockey Kieran O'Neill says something is "amiss" with a new saliva drug test used by racing chiefs.
ARCI Meeting To Tackle Evolving, Unsettled Issues In Racing
Edited Press Release
The Annual Meeting of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) convened Wednesday in Columbus, Ohio, in the midst of an evolving regulatory structure for Thoroughbred racing and great uncertainty for what the future may hold.
Outgoing Chair Tom Sage, the retiring Executive Director of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission, gaveled the meeting to order saying, “One thing is certain, change is inevitable. Whether the change is good or not so good, we shall see. Regardless, the agencies that regulate this sport will adapt and continue to be independent voices for animal welfare and integrity in sport.”
A packed agenda will focus discussions on equine welfare and the work of the AAEP Racing Committee as well as HISA's racetrack safety program and what Dr. Sue Stover is learning from the data HISA collects. There will also be panels on challenges facing the testing labs, racing investigators, as well as the pressing need for equine aftercare.
The economic future of racing will be discussed in the context of a panel that will focus on how racing might benefit from the growth of sports betting. Projects currently in the works as well as ideas not yet tried will be discussed.
The attendees will be asked to explore the two distinctly different worlds of anti-doping in sport, those sports where Therapeutic Use Exemptions allow athletes to train and compete after being administered a medication that ARCI Model Rules (and the new HISA rules) do not allow and horse racing which does not permit TUE's.
“Human sports have decided that certain administrations are necessary to safeguard the health of their athletes with a documented medical need,” ARCI President Ed Martin explained. “Those betting and participating in those sports are just as sensitive as to how they perform in competition as those in horseracing are. They claim these drugs, although they can affect performance, do not permit the athlete to perform beyond their natural ability.
“We have never discussed this topic and nothing is being proposed, but in an environment where our primary focus is on the health of our horses, are there issues here that we collectively have never considered?” he explained.
The ARCI will also elect Board Members for the coming year and Commissioner Doug Moore of Washington will assume the Chairmanship of the Association on Friday. The newly formed Board will also elect a Chair-elect who will automatically become Chair next year.
More information on the meeting can be found at the ARCI website.
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