Horse racing news | Horse Racing Free Tips

Breeders’ Cup Classic Contender Higher Power To Stand At Darby Dan Farm Upon Retirement

Higher Power, a Grade 1-winning millionaire by Medaglia d'Oro, will retire to Darby Dan Farm at the conclusion of his racing career and stand in partnership with Matt Bowling Bloodstock, the farm announced today.

The Hronis Racing colorbearer, trained by John Sadler, is pointing to the Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 7 at Keeneland. His 2021 fee will be $10,000 S&N for nominations done prior to the Breeders' Cup.

A dominant 5 1/4-length winner of the 2019 Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar, Higher Power recorded a career-best 107 Beyer in the scintillating victory, running away from a contentious field that included three Grade 1 winners. A five-time winner of more than $1.5 million heading into this year's Breeders' Cup, Higher Power has been a gem of consistency competing strictly in top company since his Pacific Classic triumph with graded stakes placings in the Breeders' Cup Classic, G1 Hollywood Gold Cup, G1 Awesome Again Stakes, and G2 San Diego Handicap.

“He is all class. He showed his talent and his impressive turn of foot in winning the Pacific Classic in the manner that he did,” said Ryan Norton, Darby Dan's stallion director. “He descends from an outstanding Pin Oak family, has a stallion's pedigree, and physically, he is a superb individual.”

While his greatest success has come at the Classic distance of 1 1/4 miles, Higher Power was precocious. He broke his maiden at two for trainer Donnie Von Hemel and owner-breeder Pin Oak Stable and won his 3-year-old debut at Oaklawn Park, defeating subsequent graded stakes winner New York Central.

Purchased by David Ingordo on behalf of Hronis Racing for $250,000 from the 2019 Keeneland April Sale Horses of Racing Age session, Higher Power on Sunday turned in his final major work before the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic, working seven furlongs in 1:25.40 at Keeneland.

By the elite sire Medaglia d'Oro, Higher Power was bred in Kentucky by Pin Oak Stud. He is out of the multiple stakes-winning Seattle Slew mare Alternate, who has also produced multiple graded stakes-winning Alternation, winner of the G2 Peter Pan Stakes and G2 Oaklawn Handicap, and sire of 2019 Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress. Alternate is also a half-sister to 1995 Canadian Horse of the Year and multiple Grade 1 winner Peaks and Valleys, from the female family of Grade 1 winner Mucho Gusto.

The post Breeders’ Cup Classic Contender Higher Power To Stand At Darby Dan Farm Upon Retirement appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

1.8-million Guineas Kingman Colt Debuts at Dundalk

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. Today’s Observations features an expensive son of Kingman (GB).

5.30 Dundalk, Mdn, €14,000, 2yo, 7f (AWT)
Coolmore’s BLUE PLANET (GB) (Kingman {GB}) became the fifth-highest priced lot when knocked down for 1.8-million guineas at last year’s Tattersalls October Book 1 fixture and the April-foaled bay is handed a low-key introduction at this floodlit Co. Louth venue. From the family of MG1SW sire Royal Academy (Nijinsky II), he is the first surviving foal produced by G3 Blue Diamond Prelude victress One Last Dance (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) and one of two for Aidan O’Brien in this fully-subscribed heat. Rivals include stablemate Jeroboam (War Front), who is a once-raced son of stakes-winning GI Belmont Oaks Invitational third Outstanding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), coming back off a debut sixth at Cork last month; and Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez’s £240,000 Arqana-at-Goffs breezer Alessandro Algardi (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), who is out of a winning half-sister to GI Spinster S. second Tamweel (Gulch), opening up for the Joseph O’Brien stable.

The post 1.8-million Guineas Kingman Colt Debuts at Dundalk appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

TRF Launches ’20 Hay Drive Challenge with $60K Matched Donation

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) announced the launch of its 2020 Hay Drive challenge–Hay, Oats and Water with a $60,000 matching gift from the Santulli Family Foundation. The Santulli’s will match every dollar donated to the TRF up to $60,000 for this campaign. The TRF’s goal for the 2020 Hay Drive is $120,000 to cover the cost of hay for hundreds of former racehorses. The TRF is in its 37th year of providing sanctuary, retirement and second chances for Thoroughbreds no longer able to compete on the racetrack. The campaign will be conducted by direct mail, email and social media as well as one-on-one donation requests.

“Hay is one of our largest horse care expenses and the most important element of a horse’s diet, particularly in the winter.” says Jennifer Stevens, Director of Development at the TRF.

With the help of the Santulli Family Foundation, the TRF had its most successful Hay Drive to date in 2019.

“The Santulli’s are longtime supporters of the TRF having funded several areas of need for the organization throughout the years. We are immensely grateful for their contributions to the TRF and the Thoroughbred aftercare effort,” said Patricia Stickney, TRF Executive Director. “Their generous gift will not only help our horses but inspire others to do the same.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit https://www.trfinc.org/haydrive/

The post TRF Launches ’20 Hay Drive Challenge with $60K Matched Donation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

‘Looking Ahead’: Racing Returns To Montana’s ExpoPark In 2021

When this year's Montana State Fair was cancelled due to COVID-19, the horse racing was cancelled along with it.

According to the Great Falls Tribune, Cascade County commissioners approved a deal with the Montana Turf Club to allow racing to return to the ExpoPark for five dates in 2021.

“Thank you for looking ahead and planning ahead,” Commissioner Jane Weber told Turf Club members.

The dates for racing at the ExpoPark are July 24-25, July 30-31, and Aug. 1; the final three dates coincide with the Montana State Fair.