Blood-Horse

Karl Burke has pulled quite a few rabbits out of the hat down the years. However, turning a 12,000-guinea yearling into a €2.6 million filly in training surely rates a personal best, even by his lofty standards. 

Jockey Daisuke Fukumoto made a bold move aboard Hammerhead with 5 furlongs to go in the 1 1/2-mile Valedictory Stakes (G3) Dec. 6 at Woodbine and it paid off with a length victory over his rallying stablemate Jokestar.

The new owners of Bishops Bay received a quick dividend on their recent purchase in the $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G2). In a few months' time, they'll find out if they struck gold.

On Dec. 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack, the promising juvenile Paladin took a major step toward fulfilling his connections' Kentucky Derby (G1) dreams by defeating Renegade and Balboa in the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2).

Wathnan Racing’s Dark Trooper made a remarkable run from last to score in the final strides of the AED 1 million HH The President Cup at Abu Dhabi Turf Club Dec. 6.

Nearly eight months of racing inactivity proved no obstacle for Just Beat the Odds, who fired fresh to defeat Acoustic Ave and three other rivals in the $242,500 Elite Power Stakes (G3) Dec. 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Winning the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) has become old hat for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who notched his 10th win in the 1 1/8-mile race for 2-year-old fillies when Zany overwhelmed her competition with an 8 1/2-length win Dec. 6 at Aqueduct.

Hastings Park announced Dec. 5 that it would cease conducting Thoroughbred racing, ending more than 130 years of racing at the British Columbia venue.

Oaklawn Park kicks off its 2025-26 racing season Dec. 12 with the $150,000 Advent Stakes, the opening marker of a record 62 stakes worth more than a total of $18.3 million this winter and upcoming spring at the Hot Springs, Ark., track.

Young and old meet on the dirt Dec. 7 at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan's Champions Cup.

For many in the business, the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale that begins Dec. 6 will be the last hurrah of a long year on the road. Thousands of lots have been sold across the globe in recent months. 

Horses that win a California-bred first-level allowance race will enjoy expanded opportunities beginning with the Classic Meet at Santa Anita. A new policy now permits two wins on the same surface at two separate distance categories.

Jockey Rajiv Maragh rides his 2,000th winner Dec. 5 in piloting Lazio to win the third race at Gulfstream Park.

Between Del Mar and Santa Anita Park’s meets, jockey Antonio Fresu is riding in the United Arab Emirates, giving him the chance to ride Dec. 6 in the 33rd UAE President Cup for Arabians and the HH The President Cup for Thoroughbreds.

Due to an ongoing interruption of water service,  the Dec. 5 racing card at Fair Grounds is canceled. The water main break in the neighborhood of the track is being addressed.

A deep field of runners, including group 1 winner Danyah, contests the Thoroughbred edition of the HH The President Cup at Abu Dhabi Turf Club Dec. 6.

Tiffany Case, dam of top-ranked 3-year-old filly Nitrogen, will be offered in foal to Not This Time at the 2026 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale to be held Jan. 12.

Travis White has been working alongside Ben Taylor at Taylor Made Stallions for 18 years. Taylor will assume a new role as chairman of the board for the family-owned and -operated farm near Nicholasville, Ky.

HISA releases its Third Quarter Metrics Report for 2025. The figures show a high level of equine safety: 99.9% of Thoroughbred racehorse starts did not result in a fatality within 72 hours of racing due to race-related injuries.

Woodbine cancelled the remainder of its Dec. 4 live racing card following the first race due to cold weather.