Blood-Horse

Old Friends launches Leadership Match Challenges, running Aug. 1-9, as part of its 2026 HayRaiser event. All funds raised will help support the retirement facility and excellent care of the many equine residents that call Old Friends home.

After a breakthrough win in the July 5 Leo O'Brien Handicap (NSA-1), the Cyril Murphy trainee McTigue seeks his second career NSA-1 victory in the A.P. Smithwick Memorial Handicap (NSA-1) Aug. 5 at Saratoga Racecourse.

Magic Weisner, a popular Maryland-bred gelding who won the 2002 Ohio Derby (G2) and placed earlier that season in the Preakness Stakes (G1), has died at age 27, according to Old Friends.

After an impressive 10-length maiden win, Flight Command will be the first graded stakes starter for his sire, 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline, in the $250,000 Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) Aug. 1 at Saratoga Race Course.

Sunny skies should bring drying-out course conditions following heavy midweek rain when the $225,000 Lake George Stakes (G3T) is contested Aug. 1 at Saratoga Race Course.

Trainer Mark Casse has both the top older filly or mare and the leading 3-year-old filly in his barn in Nitrogen and Counting Stars. He just might have the premier 2-year-old filly as well.

A quick check of the record books shows one of the reasons why Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Renegade will prep for the Travers Stakes (G1) in the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) Aug. 1 at Saratoga Race Course.

If Bow Echo had to overcome difficulties to keep his unbeaten record at Glorious Goodwood, it could hardly have been more simple for Diamond Necklace to do the same in the Nassau Stakes (G1).

Formerly known as an assistant trainer to Mark Casse, Nick Tomlinson has been finding success in his solo career after venturing off nine months ago. With a breakthrough season at Gulfstream's Royal Palm Meet, Tomlinson looks to continue his rise.

Exiting a victory in the Sanford Stakes (G3), Booked will face three promising debut winners in the $250,000 Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) Aug. 1 at Saratoga Race Course.

Finalists and runners-up have been announced for the 2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, where employees across seven categories will be recognized for their dedication to the sport. They will be hosted Oct. 20 at Keeneland in Lexington.

Medallion Racing and Steve Weston's Parkland Thoroughbreds have purchased a 50% interest in Railway Stakes (G2) winner Celeron.

Churchill Downs Inc. plans to sell nine wholly owned casinos as it leans into three horse racing and pari-mutuel properties that include the Kentucky Derby (G1), historical horse racing, and its advance-deposit wagering platform TwinSpires.com.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will host a Casino Night fundraiser the evening of Aug. 17 in support of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The event will be hosted at the museum itself in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Commonwealth Cup Stakes (G1) winner Golden Horde has been added to the catalog for Aktem's Stallion Online Sale, which will take place online Sept. 25.

Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher is continuing the mentoring legacy of the late D. Wayne Lukas, for whom he worked for before beginning his training career.

In Eye on the World, with BH correspondent and world traveler Bob Kieckhefer: The competition for the best international horses is heating up faster than Europe's summer temperatures with Breeders' Cup right in the middle of the action.

The son of Yes It's True is the sire of Alex and JoAnn Lieblong's homebred grade 1 winner Reef Runner.

Former jockey turned attorney Cheyanna Closser (formerly Cheyanna Patrick) died July 29 from injuries sustained in a July 28 motor vehicle accident. She was 29.

Two King's Plate winners, Paramount Prince and Mansetti, and 2025 Prince of Wales Stakes victor Runaway Again will clash in the CA$175,000 Seagram Cup Stakes (G3) Aug. 1 at Woodbine.