An $850,000 Keeneland September yearling, Newgate returned to the worktab for the first time since the Mar. 3 Big 'Cap, covering five furlongs in a bullet :58.20 (1/77) in the company of GIII Native Diver S. winner Mr Fisk (Arrogate) at Santa Anita. Frankie Dettori, who won his fourth World Cup aboard the Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer (Tonalist) in 2022, has the riding assignment in the $12-million feature.

Stablemate Hopkins (Quality Road) went five-eighths of a mile in :58.80 (2/77) and will have Luis Saez aboard for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, a race in which he was beaten just one length into fourth in 2023.

“We had a great day breezing,” trainer Bob Baffert told SF Racing's Tom Ryan, who added, “Two healthy and happy horses. We look forward to getting them to Dubai with Jimmy and Humberto “Beto” to acclimate them to the Meydan surface and surroundings. It's very exciting, and we are very grateful to have the caliber of horse to get invited to participate in such valuable and prestigious events.”

Also turning in a work at Santa Anita was Two Rivers Over (Tamarkuz), who covered five furlongs in 1:00.40 (19/77) and is expected for the G2 Godolphin Mile, an event won by his sire in 2015. Trainer Doug O'Neill has tabbed Edwin Maldonado to ride.

Crupi (Curlin) will attempt to give trainer Todd Pletcher a maiden victory in the World Cup and the 4-year-old, third to National Treasure (Quality Road) and Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) when last seen in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. Jan. 27, went five furlongs in 1:00.91 (1/7) at Palm Beach Downs Saturday morning. Luis Saez, who guided Crupi to victory in Saratoga allowance company last summer, made the trip up to breeze Crupi and has the mount at Meydan.

Jose D'Angelo breezed his two big-night entries about 10 miles north of Palm Beach Downs at Palm Meadows. Caramel Chip (Midshipman), fourth to Sibelius (Not This Time) in the Feb. 10 Pelican S. at Tampa, was the fastest of 92 workers going a half-mile as he stopped the clock in :47.45. While he stretches out in distance for he Godolphin Mile, his Gulfstream Park Sprint-winning stablemate Run Classic (Runhappy) will take on defending champ Sibelius in the Golden Shaheen. The Tom Durant galloper went in :48.95 (22/92). D'Angelo reports that Cristian Demuro rides Caramel Chip, while Florent Geroux will hop aboard Run Classic.

Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) has been doing the bulk of his training towards the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on the turf, but he turned in his final piece of work over the dirt course at Payson Park. The 8-year-old breezed a half-mile in :49.20 (11/63), with part-owner Lee Einsidler commenting, “He went great and he's doing fantastic.”

A pair of U.S.-trained horses who made the short trip over to Dubai after placing in races on the Saudi Cup program were out over the Meydan main track Saturday morning.

Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), third to Senor Buscador in the G1 Saudi Cup, went a half-mile under the lights in a reported :48.50. He takes on defending champion Isolate (Mark Valeski) in the Godolphin Mile. Bold Journey (Hard Spun) went a similar distance in a reported :48.46 after daybreak for trainer Bill Mott. The New York-bred faces a rematch with Japan's Remake (Jpn) (Lani) in the Golden Shaheen after closing nicely for third to that rival in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint Feb. 24.

Pandagate (Arrogate), last-out winner of the Gander S. at Aqueduct works Sunday at Payson Park towards a potential appearance in the G2 UAE Derby, per assistant trainer Miguel Clement.

SAUDI CROWN breezed this Saturday morning, half mile in 48″50 over the Meydan dirt track, handily and comfortably, Kelvin Perez up for trainer @bradcoxracing

SAUDI CROWN ajustó esta mañana del Sábado, 48″50 para la media milla, cómodo y en el freno, con Kelvin Pérez up,… pic.twitter.com/w0SYyzCyLn

— Agentes305 (@agentes305) March 16, 2024

BOLD JOURNEY looking strong this morning, it breezed 4F – 48″46, easily with Kelvin Pérez up. 3rd last time in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, will look to turn tables in its favor next in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at @RacingDubai for trainer Bill Mott

BOLD JOURNEY lució con fuerza… pic.twitter.com/BaCwfY8iUm

— Agentes305 (@agentes305) March 16, 2024

The post Newgate Fires Bullet For Dubai World Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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An $850,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, Newgate won the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. last February before being sidelined for 11 months. Runner-up to subsequent Palos Verdes winner Big City Lights (Mr. Big) in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance Jan. 6, the bay completed the exacta behind Newgrange (Violence) in the GII San Pasqual S. three weeks later and was most recently up in the final jump to win the Big 'Cap by a head. Trainer Bob Baffert is a four-time winner of the World Cup, most recently with Country Grammer (Tonalist) in 2022.

The commonly owned Hopkins will make his second consecutive appearance in the Golden Shaheen, after finishing fourth, beaten just one length, behind Sibelius (Not This Time) in last year's contest. A $900,000 KEESEP yearling, Hopkins was off 10 1/2 months following his overseas trip, returning to be runner-up after setting a fast pace in a Jan. 19 allowance at Santa Anita and he led deep into the final furlong of the Palos Verdes before being mugged on the money by Big City Lights. Hopkins breezed a half-mile in :47.80 (13/92) at Santa Anita Mar. 9.

Ryan indicated that he and his partners are still in the process of firming up riding assignments.

The post Newgate, Hopkins Confirmed For Dubai World Cup Night appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The news comes fresh off National Treasure (Quality Road)'s win in the $3 million Grade I Pegasus World Cup on Saturday. National Treasure is a 2020 colt from Treasure.

“During the 2023 season, SF Bloodstock had 12 mares IN FOAL to him at Atlas Farm,” Ryan said in the post, “and we plan to exceed that number this spring. If he starts the 2024 season how he finished his last season, his fertility will be well within the industry standard.”

National Treasure propelled Quality Road to the top of the leading General Sire list with earnings of $2.6 million. He has sired two graded stakes winners in 2024, including three-year-old Track Phantom in the GIII Lecompte Stakes at the Fair Grounds.

“He's a great sire from every aspect,” Ryan continued. “A great sales sire. Versatility across surfaces. He has sired champion colts and fillies. Now, his Pegasus-winning son, City of Light, is also taking off with a champion in his 2nd crop. National Treasure is an excellent example of what he can deliver. A top-class racehorse that can carry speed around two turns.”

The mares include Grade II winner Frolic's Dream, whose Quality Road yearling colt sold for a $650,000 at Saratoga in 2023; Canadian champion femaile sprinter Hazelbrook; Bourbonesque, the dam of Grade I winner Mongolian Groom and whose Quality Road filly sold for $525,000 as a yearling in 2023; Grade III Ontario Matron winner Kate's Kingdom; Pretty Milanova, a daughter of American Pharoah out of multiple Grade I producer Maryinsky (Ire); and True Style, a half-sister to Scat Daddy.

The post SF Bloodstock to Send 15 Mares to Quality Road appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“National Treasure is the kind of stallion prospect we all look for because he possesses every quality that excites you about his potential to become an important sire,” said Ned Toffey, Spendthrift general manager. “He was precocious enough to place in a very good Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he's an American Classic winner at three and now a leading older horse at four. National Treasure is fast, has tremendous heart, and he's a very good-looking colt with exceptional sire power and pedigree. We are thrilled to partner with the 'Avengers' team on his future stallion career, and we wish them the best of luck on what could be a special year ahead for National Treasure.”

Campaigned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan, National Treasure earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure in the Pegasus.

“He's just going to get better and better,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “And he's a fighter. That's a huge quality you want to see in a horse.”

National Treasure, a $500,000 yearling purchase at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, began his career at two with a debut victory at 6 1/2 furlongs over subsequent GISW Practical Move (Practical Joke) at Del Mar. He finished runner-up to Cave Rock (Arrogate) a month later in the GI American Pharoah S. at Santa Anita, before traveling to Keeneland and running a good third behind 2-year-old champion Forte (Violence) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

As a 3-year-old, National Treasure became his sire Quality Road's first Classic winner with a victory in the Preakness over GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic). He completed his sophomore season with a narrow defeat when runner-up by a nose to Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin) in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita, earning a 107 Beyer for the performance.

“National Treasure is an exceptional colt and his tenacity and appetite for racing are immense,” said Tom Ryan of SF Racing. “Winning the Preakness was epic, and his performance in the Breeders' Cup, where he laid his body on the line against the Horse of the Year, showed that we have a serious horse on our hands.”

Ryan continued, “National Treasure's efficiency at a high speed is one of his weapons. He's very light on his feet. His Pegasus running style brought on a new dimension that gives him options going forward. He's a beautiful, streamlined specimen. We think breeders will love him, and his pedigree is well-rounded and deep, giving him a chance to become a household name for Spendthrift. We are extremely proud of him.”

Out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare Treasure, National Treasure hails from a deep family that has been developed through generations by his breeder Peter Blum, who first raced National Treasure's sixth dam Mono in the mid-1960s. An earner of $3,322,000 to date, National Treasure's next start has yet to be determined.

The post National Treasure to Stand at Spendthrift Farm Upon Retirement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Owners Jack Liebau, Tom Ryan and Mike Pegram told the TDN that they will not be taking their horses away from Baffert, even though that means they cannot run in the Derby. In addition, Ed Nevins, the director of the Baoma Corp, the owner of the highly regarded 3-year-old Nysos (Nyquist), told Horse Racing Nation that the undefeated colt will also remain in Baffert's care.

The TDN reached out to other owners who have Derby prospects with Baffert, including Amr Zedan, but, at deadline for this story, had not received a response from them. Baffert has had little to say about his situation and was unavailable for comment Monday.

The New York-bred Wynstock (Solomini) is entered in Saturday's GIII Southwest S. at Oaklawn. The winner of the GII Los Alamitos Futurity, he is co-owned by Liebau and Dr. Edward Allred, the owner of Los Alamitos.

“When Wynstock won the Los Alamitos Futurity, Dr. Allred, who is the majority owner, said that the horse was not going to go to the Kentucky Derby because he thought Churchill was treating Baffert unfairly,” Liebau said. “I guess we will look at the Preakness, but who knows what the status of the horse will be by Preakness time and how good the horse is. Dr. Allred calls the shots.”

Ryan is the managing partner of SF Bloodstock, which partners with Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables, a group that is among Baffert's biggest owners.

“Our horses will be in their own stalls tomorrow morning, and that says it all, doesn't it?” said Ryan.

Jack Wolf, the managing partner of Starlight Racing, added: “Tom Ryan is the managing partner and I agree with the decision he has made, which is we're not changing trainers. We just feel like it is the right thing to do and not just from a loyalty standpoint. We have nothing against Tim Yakteen. We think he is a very good trainer and this has nothing to do with him. It can be very destructive to these horses at this young age to go to a different barn and change conditioners, change their feed, change everything.”

Pegram, who has had horses with Baffert ever since he switched over to Thoroughbreds and has a Derby candidate this year in Wine Me Up (Vino Rosso), responded to a text from the TDN, writing: “We're doing the same as we have the last two years, staying with Bobby.”

Nysos has won his two starts by a combined margin of 19 1/4 lengths and may prove to be the best of Baffert's 3-year-olds.

“Unfortunately, our country is devolving into a nation where excluding the top competition is considered a legitimate way to win,” Nevins told Horse Racing Nation's Ron Flatter. “Bob Baffert is our trainer, and we stand with him and any decisions he makes regarding our horses.”

After Medina Spirit (Protonico) tested positive for the medication betamethasone following the 2021 Derby, Churchill banned Baffert from its tracks. The suspension initially was for two years but Churchill later amended that and included 2024 to the ban. In addition, in 2023, it gave owners until the end of February to move their horses from Baffert in order to be eligible for the Derby. This year decision day was moved up by one month.

The post Despite Churchill Ban, Key Owners Keep Their Horses With Baffert appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“Doppleganger exudes class in every sense. He's an eye-catching individual with more natural power and strength than his namesake Authentic. Commercially, he gives breeders an excellent chance to get a proper ROI, especially with the precocious nature of the broodmare base in Florida,” said Tom Ryan.

A $570,000 Fasig-Tipton Selected Showcase yearling, Doppelganger is out of the Quiet American mare Twice the Lady–a stakes winner and multiple stakes placed performer. His second dam, Catherine's Crown (Chief's Crown) is the dam of Michelle's Crown, who produced Louisiana Champions Day Turf S. and Louisiana Showcase Turf S. winner Snakebite Kit.

Once at the races, the Bob Baffert trainee broke his maiden on debut as a juvenile with a performance that awarded him the coveted TDN title for his 3 1/2 length win at Los Alamitos. He became his sire's 29th 'Rising Star'.

“When we saw him at the sale the whole team, Bob [Baffert], Tom [Ryan], and myself, agreed he was an absolute must have,” said Donato Lanni. “I am looking forward to seeing his babies hit the sales in a couple of years.”

At three, Doppelganger finished as the runner-up in the GII San Felipe S. at Santa Anita, and as a 4-year-old he captured the GI Carter H. at Aqueduct as well as the Battery Park S. at Delaware Park.

“A TDN Rising Star by Into Mischief has arrived in Florida for our breeders,” said Pleasant Acres Stallions Owner Joe Barbazon. “Bred on the same crossover Fappiano-line mares as Champion and MGISW Covfefe and GSW Maximus Mischief, we are confident he will make an impressive impact on future Florida crops.”

Pleasant Acres's newest addition will join the likes of MGISP and G1SP Gunnevera (Dialed In) at the 220-acre farm located just northwest of Ocala.

The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Doppelganger Arrives At Pleasant Acres Stallions For Stud Duty appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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There are great racehorses and there are great sires. One doesn't always equal the other. Sometimes, but not always, a horse is equally adept at both.

“It's rare for world-class racehorse to become a world-class sire. It's two different resumes, two different achievements,” said John Sikura, owner of Hill 'n' Dale.

Rarely, ever so rarely, a top racehorse becomes a sire so good and so prolific in generating top-class horses that his own championship race record becomes almost an afterthought. That happened with Northern Dancer. He was a sire in such uncommon air that his own Hall of Fame achievements and Classic wins have been virtually relegated to a footnote amongst the heights of his accomplishments.

Is the same thing happening to 2007 GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner and Hall of Famer Curlin?

When a horse wins the Breeders' Cup, particularly the Classic, that is generally–and rightfully–considered the pinnacle of his or her career. Many are retired shortly afterward as there's a belief they've achieved all they can on the racetrack. A select few might add a second Breeders' Cup win or other Grade I races, but they are always referred to and remembered as a Breeders' Cup winner. Not so with Curlin. His Classic win was merely the launching pad of his impact on the World Championships.

“He's on the cusp of siring the most Breeders' Cup winners ever in different categories, sexes, distances,” said Sikura, who stands Curlin at Hill 'n' Dale. “The uniqueness of him producing world-class horses will be unparalleled in the breed.

“You'd be greedy if you thought the sire you were standing would accomplish this, but Curlin is a force and is unique.”

Curlin | Sarah Andrew

Indeed, of all the Breeders' Cup winners who have sired Breeders' Cup winners, Curlin ranks only one behind the late Unbridled's Song with five individual winners, making him the leader among living North American sires. A handful of other living sires have matched or exceeded that number–Dubawi (Ire), Into Mischief, and Tapit–but none of them won the Breeders' Cup themselves. Rare air, indeed.

“Any time you've sired more Breeders' Cup champions than any of those horses,” continued Sikura, “it's the highest distinction. What a testament among sires that have sired Breeders' Cup winners. Hopefully we can break the record this year or tie it. He had three winners last year which has never been achieved if you look at all the history of the Breeders' Cup.

“Curlin's accomplishments speak for him. If the ultimate goal with a sire is siring a Breeders' Cup winner and if you've done that more than any other sire, then it doesn't really need a graphic or more explanation. He's the best of the very best, that's what that achievement says.”

When Curlin retired as America's richest racehorse with earnings north of $10 million to stand his initial season in 2009, no one could have logically predicted the dual Horse of the Year's best and biggest contribution to the sport was still ahead.

But one person did. His majority owner, Jess Jackson, told the media in late 2008: “He is one of the best examples of the breed–fast, strong, and durable. I predict he will make a substantial contribution to our sport through his gene pool, and I am looking forward to seeing his foals compete and possibly exceed his unequaled race record.”

Jackson, the late founder with his wife, Barbara Banke, of the then-fledgling Stonestreet Farm, was never shy with bold, sometimes flamboyant statements, but perhaps even he would be floored at the stark truth in his prediction these 15 years later. Curlin, with that gleaming golden coat, has the Midas Touch as a sire. And unlike many stallions, who have their best horses early on with those initial good books of mares, Curlin seems to be getting better and better. In 2022 alone, he became the first sire in the history of the Breeders' Cup to have three winners in one day. More specifically, it was three winners in less than three hours: races 5, 7, and 9.

Curlin's Breeders' Cup Classic win | Sarah Andrew/Equi-Photo

Curlin's own Classic in 2007 was a powerhouse performance in a soggy rendition at Monmouth Park. He'd never faced a sloppy track before, but it proved no obstacle. In a foreshadowing of his future, he manhandled his opponents on the racetrack and drew away with authority, just as he would do so on many indicators of the sire charts.

Curlin was Jackson's first major racehorse; Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) would be his second. Incidentally, and perhaps relevant to today's ongoing debate over synthetic surfaces, Curlin's only career off-the-board finish was a fourth when attempting to defend his Breeders' Cup Classic title at Santa Anita in 2008 over the then-synthetic. Jackson publicly stated at the time his horses would never compete over a synthetic surface again. True to his word, the next year, he did not enter Rachel Alexandra in the Breeders' Cup when it returned to Santa Anita despite her undefeated sophomore season which included wins over the boys in the GI Preakness, GI Haskell, and GI Woodward, as well as a 10 1/4-length GI Kentucky Oaks romp.

Jackson passed away in 2011 when Curlin's first foals were still short yearlings. He had been an incredibly sporting owner in his short time at the top level of the sport, proven by his decision to campaign Curlin at age four. Many would have retired the chestnut after a 3-year-old season that included that included wins in the GI Preakness, GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Classic, plus a head second to Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) in an unforgettable GI Belmont S. battle. Curlin rewarded Jackson with another three U.S. Grade I wins at four, as well as a trip around the world to bring back a G1 Dubai World Cup trophy.

“He was the best horse in the world [at that time],” said Sikura. “I think his body of work as a racehorse was special and unique. He's passing on that quality, that ability, that soundness, that tenaciousness. All those things that made him such a great horse he's passing on to his progeny.”

Curlin initially stood at Lane's End upon retirement, but a change in his ownership brought him to Hill 'n' Dale for the 2016 season, when his first crop had completed their 5-year-old campaigns. Stellar Wind would be named the 2015 champion 3-year-old filly, Keen Ice had won the GI Travers S., Palace Malice had captured the GI Belmont S. and the GI Met Mile, and Curalina had taken the GI Acorn S. and GI CCA Oaks–all career-making accomplishments for the majority of sires. But most sires are not Curlin. He was just getting warmed up.

“There was an opportunity we seized upon when a 20% interest arose,” said Sikura. “It was ahead of his ability, but when it arose we certainly did everything to secure him. Look at all the Breeders' Cup winners along the way [since then]. He's done great things and hopefully will consistently continue to do them.”

Cody's Wish, shown winning the 2023 Met Mile. After his Saturday score in the Vosburgh, Godolphin's Michael Banahan said, “The major goal was trying to win the Met Mile, which we achieved. Everything else was just bonus to top it off.” | Sarah Andrew

Among Curlin's 21 Grade I winners and/or seven champions are Breeders' Cup winners Vino Rosso (2019 Classic) and Good Magic (2017 Juvenile), as well as his trio in 2022: Malathaat (Distaff), Elite Power (Sprint), and Cody's Wish (Dirt Mile). Amazingly, his runners have had another nine placings in Breeders' Cup races.

“If they make the starting gate, they're dangerous,” said Sikura. “He is multidimensional at the highest level; that's what makes him so special.

“He has done everything but be leading sire by progeny earnings. He's been carefully managed with fewer starters and fewer earners, but more importantly, he's siring more Grade I horses than any other horse during the last few seasons. When he breaks the Breeders' Cup record he can singularly be the horse.”

Sikura is right; by Grade I winners, Curlin currently leads North America's 2023 leading sire list and did in 2021 and 2022 as well.

“He's a horse whose achievements will be seen throughout the history of racing,” continued Sikura. “He's a true classic sire. His accomplishments prove that he is that special and unique horse.”

Sikura believes in Curlin's abilities so much that he did a deal for the breeding rights of Good Magic during that colt's 3-year-old year and now stands him as well. Hill 'n' Dale had consigned Good Magic to the 2016 Keeneland September sale as a yearling for his breeder, Stonestreet. Good Magic brought $1 million and broke his maiden in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, then went on to have a stellar sophomore season, sandwiching wins in the GII Blue Grass S. and GI Haskell S. around a second in the GI Kentucky Derby.

Good Magic at Hill 'n' Dale | Sarah Andrew

“He's not quite as coarse as Curlin. He's medium-sized and he moves very well. If he's successful, he reminds you of Curlin. If not, he reminds you of the dam,” said Sikura with a laugh. “He's successful, so Curlin gets that attribution. He has a soundness quality and is probably a little earlier than Curlin was. I see, in the performance of his offspring, some similarities to Curlin, but he has his own ability to transmit those qualities.”

Good Magic leads the second-crop sire list by the standard measurement of earnings and got this year's Kentucky Derby winner, Mage, in his first crop. This marks the second consecutive year one of Curlin's sons has sired the Derby winner, as Keen Ice sired Rich Strike last year. Curlin has four sons to date who have sired Grade I winners.

“It's hard for a stallion to be trending any better than Good Magic. The secret is out,” said SF Bloodstock's Tom Ryan two weeks ago at the Keeneland September sale after purchasing a $700,000 session topper by the son of Curlin. “At this point, when you have a stallion producing horses at that elite level, the price bracket can get to an elite range as well. At the end of the day, you try to buy them as reasonably as possible, but it's our job to buy them.”

Curlin himself had two of the seven-figure yearlings at that sale and another two at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, including the $4-million topper out of champion Beholder (Henny Hughes). Despite a few more yearling sales remaining on the 2023 calendar, that Curlin yearling is likely to be the highest-priced yearling of the year.

“Everyone has given their best to the horse and he has rewarded that faith and opportunity by giving his best,” said Sikura. “Quid pro quo: we give our best, he gives his best. That's rewarding.”

Sikura pointed to the support of Stonestreet as one of the keys to getting Curlin those opportunities.

“Stonestreet has been great supporters. They were active in supplying those great mares ahead of the marketplace. That's a reward in itself and now other people are emulating that. There's synergy between owner and horse. They have that belief in him.”

Curlin's 12th crop of 2-year-olds is at the races this year. No fewer than 16% of all his foals aged three and up are stakes performers. If one looks only at starters, the number jumps to a provocative 20%. Curlin has 97 black-type winners bred in this hemisphere; 55 of those are graded winners; 21 are Grade I winners; seven are champions. Heady numbers, indeed. And he's showing no sign of slowing down.

Another of Curlin's 2022 Breeders' Cup winners, Elite Power, has come back to be a repeat Grade I winner in 2023. Curlin has five Grade I winners this year, top in the nation. | Sarah Andrew

“He's doing fantastic,” said Sikura. “He's a 19-year-old horse and is very, very fertile. He continues to sire elite-level horses. When the market looks at stallions when they get middle-aged, it is receptive if they are still performing. He is current and popular at the racetrack with representation and performance at the highest levels every year.”

From Breeders' Cup winner to Breeders' Cup sire, Curlin can no longer be considered on the cusp of greatness. He hurdled that superlative long ago. Perhaps an avalanche is a better term to describe his momentum as he sweeps up and overwhelms everything in his path, but he leaves things improved, not bereft as an avalanche does. He may not be Northern Dancer yet, but don't count him out.

“He is a self-made man. He brought just $57,000 as a yearling, but he's overcome every prejudice and at every opportunity he continues to elevate. That proves how great he is. We can just nod our head to that greatness level,” said Sikura.

Northern Dancer himself was famously an unsold yearling before his Hall of Fame racing career and unprecedented success as a sire. Curlin may have sold as a yearling for what now looks to be the bargain of the century, but he, too, was inducted to the Hall of Fame and is certainly proving himself as a sire and a burgeoning sire of sires. It's early days yet for him as a broodmare sire, but there's already 15 black-type winners and seven graded winners out of his first daughters.

Curlin knows he's special.

“He's like a politician. When someone shows up, he has a big smile because he knows he's going to get his picture taken,” said Sikura. “He has that aura about him, that life force. He knows he's the dominant male. He's not a fractious horse, doesn't bounce around, just looks around like 'I own the place.' Well, I own the place, but he paid for it. He's my best banker.”

The post Curlin, from Breeders’ Cup Winner to Breeders’ Cup Sire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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In the article, Sikura says:

“(The Kentucky Derby is) “The single event that drives the commerce of the industry. The point of entry to virtually everybody that owns a horse: 'I want to win the Kentucky Derby.' If you're fortunate enough to do so, there should be a financial reward that recognizes that–not just pride in achievement. A purse of $3 million, with $1 million dollars in fees and nominations, is an embarrassment to the sport. A huge windfall is given to a corporate entity, which they're entitled to. Corporately, they've been brilliant stewards of their brand and stock value. But they have to recognize that they're in a sport that has many participants–and that those should be rewarded.”

We asked several leading industry figures how they felt about what Sikura said, and also asked Churchill Downs, who had not responded by the time of publication of this article.

(To submit a reply of your own for consideration for publication, email suefinley@thetdn.com.)

Mike Repole, owner

“I disagree with John Sikura that it's embarrassing that the Kentucky Derby purse is $3 million. It's not embarrassing-it's beyond embarrassing. But not only do we put up a third of the purse with fees, but the way the owners get treated is an embarrassment. We buy our own tickets, and if you want more than 10-15 people, you have to buy your own seats. I have to run second in the Kentucky Derby just to break even. I'm 0-for-8 without a first or second, so every time I'm in it, I end up losing money. I doubt when a team makes the Super Bowl they have to worry so much about accommodations for their friends and family. So it's beyond embarrassing between the purse, and what owners pay to try to share the experience with friends and family. What happens when a syndicate makes it into the race with 30 owners? I think if it's going to be as prestigious as it is, the purse should be $10 million. The Saudi Cup is $20 million, the Dubai World Cup is $10 million, and the Breeders' Cup Classic is $6 million. I also disagree that they should allow 20 horses in the race. It should be 14. We're all concerned about horse safety. Is 20 horses in one gate safe? I don't think it is. This year, I have been blessed by having so much success, and it should be the most fun I've had in racing, but the frustration is starting to overcome the enjoyment. And the more I reflect, the more I'm starting to really realize that the blame of this lies with the owners and the trainers. As long as we keep letting tracks make the rules, and HISA with no real horse racing experience make the rules, and be ruled by the ineffective associations that represent owners, trainers, and jockeys in the sport without really having done them justice, the more we have to look ourselves in the mirror. If they lowered the purse to $500,000, they'd still get 20 horses, and that's on us. There's so much great that can happen in this game, but we're at a crossroads. This is self-inflicted. And we have let this go on for too long.”

Elliott Walden, President & CEO, WinStar Farm

“I think the Kentucky Derby purse should be $10,000,000 and the Oaks should be $5,000,000. The Derby has been raised twice in the last 20 years (300%). The Churchill Downs stock price is up over 1900% in the same time frame. I think our real problem is we are too busy fighting amongst ourselves with two horsemen's groups (the HPBA and the KTA), and not negotiating effectively with Churchill Downs as horsemen. It is the way the system has been set up. If I were CEO of Churchill, I would like it that way. Churchill Downs reported they had increased revenues of over $20.0M on last year's Kentucky Derby weekend alone. I am sure their argument would be that we can split up the purses any way we see fit.  I think this is more about having an equitable split on all revenues for the weekend and not just handle.”

Eric Gustavson, Owner, Spendthrift Farm

I read John's article. Of course he's right. I remember many years ago when I found out how much it cost to nominate your horse to the Kentucky Derby, should you be among the few to make to the starting gate of that illustrious race. You might think that the nomination would be covered for the lucky 20. But no. I was shocked as I did the math and realized the disproportionate percentage the nominations made up for the purse of arguably the world's most famous horse race, let alone our country's. A Derby purse increase is decades overdue.

Anyone who has ever tried to take a group to Churchill on Derby Day knows the king's ransom it takes just to get seats. Add on the seat licenses, the handle and just that one day alone is quite a haul for Churchill. And good on them! They deserve to enjoy the fruits of their labor, and the blessings that come with owning the premier day in our sport. But, as John stated, they could bump the Derby purse to $5 million tomorrow without batting an eye. That would put it on par with the Breeders' Cup Classic, which should be a minimum. But if you're Churchill, don't you want to be the class of the sport that offers American racing's most stout purse?

The powers that be at Churchill Downs should step up and reward the Derby runners commensurately with their achievement.

Kenny McPeek, trainer

There's no question that a race of that caliber, the purse should be larger. Worldwide, it don't think it ranks in the top 25 purses in the world. It's not in the top 25. For me, it's always been a bit of a head scratcher.

Tom Ryan, SF Bloodstock

The business behind the Kentucky Derby:

• $3 million purse
• 15 million viewers
• 150,000 attendees
• 93% hotel occupancy
• $189 million in wagers in 2023
• $400 million economic impact

The glaring issue here is the winning owner of the 2023 KY Derby takes home $1.5m after jockey and trainer take 10%.

Based on the current $3m purse, CDI doesn't care to preserve the sanctity of The Kentucky Derby by bringing it into line with the rest of the world. We should have a $10m purse structure with plans to increase incrementally as we evolve.

The post Is The Derby Purse Fair? Opinion From The Industry appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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During Monday's round of bidding, the auction house reported sales on a total of 306 horses for gross receipts of $24,681,500. The session average of $80,658 dipped by just over 8% versus last year's sale, while the median price of $65,000 represented a decrease of 3.7%. Cumulative turnover through the first seven days stood at $344,546,500, some 3.1% lower than 2022, but the average of $228,935 was effectively on par with last year while the median of $150,000 was down by 6.25%.

The September Sale runs through Saturday, Sept. 23, with daily sessions beginning at 10 a.m. ET. For full results visit www.keeneland.com.

KEESEP Spending Spree Continues For Partnership

“It's hard for a stallion to be trending any better than Good Magic. The secret is out,” said SF Bloodstock's Tom Ryan, expressing little surprise that hip 2009, by the sire of this year's GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage, became the focal point of Monday's activity.

“At this point, when you have a stallion producing horses at that elite level, the price bracket can get to an elite range as well,” he said. “At the end of the day, you try to buy them as reasonably as possible, but it's our job to buy them.”

And buy them they have. Monday's purchase was the 20th made by the partnership, accounting for nearly $12.6 million in sales. Hip 2009 was the second-priciest of 18 of Good Magic's third-crop yearlings to sell over the course of the last week, second only to the $725,000 paid by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Gary Broad's Walmac Farm and Bridlewood Farm for hip 288.

Foaled three days prior to last year's Derby, hip 2009 is a son of Beauty Buzz (Bernardini), who was acquired by Walmac for $110,000 when carrying to another Smart Strike-line stallion– namely Accelerate–at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale. The colt's second dam, Orchardof the Nile (Empire Maker), is a full-sister to the late Pioneerof the Nile, sire of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. The success of Curlin over A.P. Indy-line mares has been well documented and hip 2009 is bred on the cross responsible for MGISW Clairiere, GISW Paris Lights and additional graded winners Point of Honor and 'TDN Rising Star' Spice Is Nice.

So just what is it that Good Magic has passed on to his progeny?

“Look, I think there's a willingness about them, there don't seem to be too many kinks in them,” said Ryan. “They seem to try, they seem to be able to stay. They're really kind of versatile horses from what we've seen so far. The fact that they ran as well as they did as 2-year-olds; Good Magic was obviously a champion 2-year-old, but you relate Good Magic more to Curlin and Smart Strike and you're thinking more of a route horse. But they've shown plenty of precocity and potentially have shown a bit more speed than we've seen from Curlin. There doesn't seem to be a limiting factor to him.”

Ryan is especially taken by Good Magic's output within the context of the formidable group sires that entered stud in 2019.

“It was a tough crop to be getting off the ground in, when you think about Justify and Bolt d'Oro–those horses were really well supported and they're obviously doing very well at the moment,” Ryan said. “This might be one of those golden crops of stallions with multiple standouts. We remember that Medaglia d'Oro, Candy Ride (Arg), Speighstown crop. You might think one would fall by the wayside, but they all continued on. It's kind of like Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.”

Ryan wasn't the smallest bit concerned about the colt's late foaling date–and with good reason.

“He was born on the fourth of May and all I can tell you is that [future Horse of the Year] Authentic was born May 5,” he said. “May foals don't trouble us at all, we're not trying to have 2-year-olds. It's all effectively about Del Mar next year and on from there. Sometimes, Del Mar even comes too soon for our horses. They'll stay here for 45-60 days, the weather here is beautiful for that and gives them time to decompress from the sale before they move on to the next stage.”

Good Times Roll On For Gainesway

The sale of hip 2009 was another feather in the cap for the Gainesway draft, which sits atop the consignors' table through Monday's session, with 116 head sold for nearly $42.3 million.

The Gainesway braintrust, in concert with Broad, made a strategic decision to try to be a big fish in the relatively small pond of Book 4 and it paid off handsomely Monday.

“We knew he was a nice physical. We put him in Book 4 just to make him stand out from a pedigree perspective,” Gainesway's Brian Graves explained. “We didn't expect the end result to be as strong as it was, but in fairness, he was a very nice colt by a very up-and-coming young stallion that's had the Derby winner this year. To see a bidding war ensue on a horse like him wasn't out of the question. Some very good judges were on the horse, Mike Ryan underbidding Tom Ryan. It's a dream come true for the breeder and we were happy to be in the middle of it all.

About the colt as an individual, Graves added, “He was a well-balanced nice horse. The experts in these things are guys that send them to the races and they know what a good horse is. He's a potential stallion prospect. I'm just happy that Gary Broad at Walmac Farm is starting to have success like that, it's good for everyone.”

Not only is Gainesway the leading consignor by gross, but also by average ($364,457) (with 20 or more horses sold), and it all has Graves pinching himself a bit.

“We're elated with the sale,” he said. “You never know coming in. We thought we had a great group of horses and we've been steadily trying to increase our quality. We've been fortunate that our clients support us and give us a quality product to sell. It all starts with the clients and the horses they breed and trust us with. It's really rewarding. It's the first September sale that we've been the leading consignor of every session we've sold in and possibly for the entire sale. For me, it's a lifetime achievement and I'm really flattered to be in this position.”

Successful Session For Woods Edge

While not quite achieving the same heights as Gainesway during Monday's session, Peter O'Callaghan's Woods Edge Farm had an outstanding afternoon all the same, consigning three of the top nine sellers, each one a homebred.

Trainer Ken McPeek snapped up the most expensive of the lot, a first-crop colt by Game Winner, for $275,000, while Chris Baccari paid $260,000 for a filly by the in-form Outwork. Later in the session, Deuce Greathouse, acting as agent for Robert Masterson, went to $250,000 for a filly by the reliable Munnings.

“Lovely, strong quality horse with a lovely head and very much in the mold of a nice Candy Ride,” O'Callaghan said of the Game Winner, which was purchased in utero for $100,000 at Keeneland November in 2021. “He sold very well, we were very happy. Four different people bid on that horse over $200,000. Obviously some good judges were on him. Kenny McPeek bought him and Mike Ryan was the immediate underbidder and Saffie Joseph was over there too. Good sale, we were very happy and he'll get a good shot with Kenny.”

Sticking with the Candy Ride line, dam Haynesfest (Haynesfield) delivered a filly by Twirling Candy this season.

Outwork has been on a bit of a roll this year, highlighted by the GI Spinaway S. victory from Brightwork, and O'Callaghan was duly pleased with the action on his filly.

“We had a ton of interest in her. She was an absolute beauty,” he said. “She's a homebred out of a mare of our own and hopefully she'll get a stakes update with F Five. I'm told he's going to run in stakes next.”

A 4-year-old gelded son of Not This Time, F Five is perfect in two starts on the turf, including a victory in Ellis allowance company Aug. 28.

He added: “Outwork is a quite a useful sire and obviously Brightwork is a very promising filly, but it's looking like he gets really nice fillies, more refined and racier at this point. A lot of people were on that filly and she sold accordingly, everything was right about her.”

The post ‘He Was A Real Man Here Today’–SF, Partners Go For More Good Magic at Keeneland September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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