Cracksman (GB) | Horse Racing Free Tips

12 Questions: Richard Knight

First job in the Thoroughbred industry?

Mucking out at Guirys 1 in Coolmore Ireland on my year out from University. I think there were 20 foals in the barn – 18 by Sadler's Wells and two by Danehill.

Biggest influence on your career?

Ultimately, my father, who introduced both my brother William and I to racing. He loved his National Hunt and we spent many a happy afternoon at Huntingdon and Towcester. Later in life, both Richard Henry and Simon Mockridge played major roles in my experience and development.

Favourite racehorse of all time, and why?

Desert Orchid. I was 10 when he won the Gold Cup and he was a grey who jumped well – everything me and my grey pony at the time aspired to be.

Who will be champion first-season sire in 2023?

Too Darn Hot.

Greatest race in the world?

The Derby.

If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?

MV Magnier. MV works very hard and I would imagine his day-to-day is incredibly diverse from selecting young stock to managing the paths of future champions. I love that diversity.

Emerging talent in the industry (human)?

He has already emerged, but at only 24 years old, I am going to say Tom Marquand. I am sure Tom will be champion jockey in the near future.

Name a horse TDN should have made a Rising Star, and didn't?

Checkandchallenge – I so hope he will provide my brother William with his first Group 1 winner in 2023.

Under-the-radar stallion?

Once again, I am not sure quite how under the radar they are, but I think both Saxon Warrior and Cracksman are set for big years ahead.

Friday night treat?

Chinese takeaway.

Guilty pleasure outside racing?

Watching Rugby Union.

Race I wish I'd been there for…

The Wow Signal's Prix Morny Group 1 win. I think I was inspecting yearlings for the Goffs UK Premier sale. Any winner celebrating with John and Sean Quinn is good fun, so I really missed out with his Group 1 win.

The post 12 Questions: Richard Knight appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Twelve Questions: Kelsey Lupo

A native of upstate New York, Kelsey Lupo spent summers at Saratoga learning to read the Form. With a degree in Animal Science from the University of Massachusetts, she has lived all of over the world working for stud farms in places like Kentucky, Ireland, Australia, England, and France. Bolstering her resume, she completed the Kentucky Equine Management Internship and the Irish National Stud Breeding Course. As the principal for Atlas Bloodstock, she advises on a wide range of services, while utilizing her extensive experience with all things bloodstock.

Racing or bloodstock highlight of the year?
For me personally, it was watching Lezoo win the G1 Cheveley Park S., and for an all-around highlight of the year, I would say watching and participating in the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland. It was fantastic racing with incredible stories and outcomes.

Value sire for the 2023 season?
I would say Cracksman would be the value sire at £17,500. He has had some good performers as 2-year-olds, but you could think they will be better 3-year-olds, as Cracksman himself was better as he got older.

Who will be the leading freshman sire next year?
I think Advertise will be a top contender for that spot. The yearlings by him looked quite precocious and could fit the 2-year-old campaign in Europe rather nicely. They also look like a type that will be attractive to international buyers to race on various circuits around the world.

Most respected stallion–current?
You can't deny Dubawi. He doesn't command his high stud fee and selective broodmare band for nothing.

Favorite sales ring moment?
Selling one of my first pinhook horses at Keeneland that I bought for $20k and seeing her go for $97k. I was so excited to have a successful pinhook on my own in the first year.

Name one positive change you'd like to see in racing next year?
Seeing the purse structure improve in the UK to have not only the prestige of top racing, but financially as well.

If you could only go to one track the rest of your life, where would it be?
There are many beautiful tracks that I have visited, but I would say I have to go back to where it all started for me at Saratoga. The racetrack experience, the vibe, and the culture is like no other. I grew up going there and fell in love with the industry.

How about the breakout stallion of 2022?
Havana Grey was certainly impressive with his 2-year-olds this year.

If you could bring back one racetrack from the past, which one would it be and why?
I think it would be Hialeah Park in Florida during the glory days of Thoroughbred racing. I have heard industry mentors of mine talk about their experiences and what it was like. I would have loved to see it for myself.

As you know, we name 'TDN Rising Stars;' which one(s) are you most looking forward to seeing run in 2023?
I am looking forward to seeing Auguste Rodin. I thought his Doncaster performance in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy S. was a step above and showed true class.

In the next 10 years, what do you think will be the most significant change when it comes to the bloodstock business in North America?
The online sales market is already proving itself. I think we will see exponential growth in this arena. Thus, we will see major impacts on the bloodstock industry, especially when it comes to buying on the private market for horses in training.

And finally, your favorite Thoroughbred of all-time is…?
My favorite horse would be Zenyatta. She gave so much to the sport and to the fan base. She was positive for the industry and touched so many hearts during her campaign.

The post Twelve Questions: Kelsey Lupo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Tattersalls Online Topped By Media Naranja

Tom Malone Bloodstock purchased Media Naranja (Ire) (Yeats {Ire}) (lot 48) for 110,000gns and take top honours during the Tattersalls Online December Sale, which ended on Thursday. A winner of her only start, at Craon on Dec. 4, the bay filly was offered by trainer Hugo Merienne. She is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Mossy Fen (Ire) (Milan {GB}).

Merienne “Media Naranja was very impressive on her first run, and I am sure she will have a brilliant future. She is jumping like a stag and she showed her class first time out on the Flat, she will have no problem to do a great novice season I am sure. She hasn't finished growing and I don't think we have seen half of what she will be able to do in the future. I wish a lot of luck to her new owner, but I don't think luck will be needed.”

Lot 85, Sophie (GB) (Farhh {GB}) in foal to Aclaim (Ire), hammered to Hugo Merry Bloodstock for 90,000gns. Consigned by Higher Eastington Stables, she is a half-sister to this term's G1 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}).

A breeding right in smart first-season sire Cracksman (GB) (lot 83) made 78,000gns also to Hugo Merry Bloodstock. The three-time Group 1 winner is the sire of G2 Premio Dormello winner Aloa (GB), Listed Star S. heroine Dance In The Grass (GB), and the German listed-placed Crackovia (GB) among his 17 first-crop winners.

Whispering Royal (Ire) (Gustav Klimt {Ire}) was knocked down to Tom Malone for 75,000gns. Sold as lot 58 from Barry Fitzgerald's Old Leighlin Stables, the juvenile colt won on debut in Dundalk in November. His dam is a full-sister to Hong Kong Champion Miler Bullish Luck (Royal Academy), and a half-brother to the dam of GII John Henry Turf Championship S. and two-time GII San Marcos S. winner Slim Shadey (GB) (Val Royal {Fr}), who was also placed twice at Grade I level Stateside.

The post Tattersalls Online Topped By Media Naranja appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Half-Sister To Bay Bridge Primes For Kempton Bow

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a half-sister to QIPCO British Champions Day hero Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}).

17.20 Kempton, Mdn, £6,800, 2yo, f, 7f (AWT)
James Wigan's hitherto unraced homebred STORMY SEA (GB) (Territories {Ire}) is a Sir Michael Stoute-conditioned half-sister to last month's G1 Champion S.-winning stablemate Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}). Her eight rivals include Charles Hills trainee Labiqa (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), who is out of GSW G1 Prix Jean Prat and G1 Prix du Moulin placegetter Spectre (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), and Resonance (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a daughter of MG1SP G2 Queen Mary S. victrix Maqaasid (GB) (Green Desert), from the Marco Botti stable.

18.30 Kempton, Nov, £9,900, 2yo, 8f (AWT)
Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's TADSHIN (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) is a Roger Varian-trained son of G1 Prix de l'Opera and GI Flower Bowl Invitational heroine Nahrain (GB) (Selkirk) and thus a half-brother to MG1SW globetrotter Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). He encounters a baker's dozen in this debut headed by Rabbah Racing's Manxman (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}), who is a Simon and Ed Crisford-trained half-brother to last term's G1 Champion S. second Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), and Shadwell debutant Mostabshir (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a half-brother to G1 Falmouth S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. victrix Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire), representing John and Thady Gosden.

The post Half-Sister To Bay Bridge Primes For Kempton Bow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post