Blood-Horse

Racing Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, whose life included many different chapters—nearly all of which shaped today's racing—died June 28 in Louisville, Ky. He was 89.

The final group 1 of Australia's 2024-25 season went the way of Tashi as the Peter Snowden-trained mare swept to victory June 28 in the 1,400-meter (about seven-furlong) Tattersall's Tiara (G1) at Eagle Farm.

2024 Canadian Horse of the Year Patches O'Houlihan took an early lead under Sofia Vives and hung on to win despite bearing out badly in the lane of the $171,337 Highlander Stakes (G2T), one of five graded stakes June 28 at Woodbine.

An unexpected victory by Roll On Big Joe dethroned a four-race win streak for Booth and foiled Durante's attempt at a longshot victory at Churchill Downs.

Brilliant Berti's late-running score over stablemate Taking Candy provided trainer Cherie DeVaux a satisfying exacta in the $499,250 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) June 28 at Churchill Downs.

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's Mindframe pressed a slow early pace then proved best in the lane to defeat a star-studded field in the $940,000 Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) June 28 at Churchill Downs.

Thorpedo Anna put to rest any lingering doubts about her talents as a 4-year-old June 28, thundering to her seventh stakes score in the $498,500 Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Charlie Johnston is relishing round three between Lazy Griff and Lambourn, with the German-bred colt set to lead the British challenge in the June 29 Irish Derby (G1) at the Curragh, where the first three in the Epsom Derby (G1) meet again.

Barry Hills, one of the outstanding trainers of his generation and the founder of a major racing dynasty, has died at the age of 88. 

The New York Racing Association announced June 28 that the 14-day quarantine of Barn 28 at Belmont Park has been lifted by the New York State Department of Agriculture.

Francis-Henri Graffard has managed to keep Goliath and Calandagan apart from one another since their twin emergence as major middle-distance forces last summer, but the June 29 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) is the perfect spot for both.

Whirl pulled out all the stops to deny Kalpana in a barnstorming renewal of the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) June 28.

Old Friends at Cabin Creek has announced the death of longtime resident Commentator, who was humanely euthanized June 27 due to long-term complications from Potomac horse fever. The son of Distorted Humor was 24.

His stablemate Mi Bago was bet down to less than even money and on a clear lead through reasonable fractions, but D. J. Stable's Dream On came running when it mattered to win the $400,000 Penn Mile Stakes (G3T) June 27 at Penn National Race Course.

Jockey Flavien Prat secured his 2,000th career victory in North America aboard Iron Max as part of a memorable five-win day June 27 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Fasig-Tipton has released the initial catalog for its July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, to be held July 8 in Lexington immediately following the conclusion of the July Selected Yearling Sale that same day.

These days "development" is typically not a word racing wants to see in the same sentence with their racetrack, but Woodbine track executives believe an ambitious plan to develop land near the track for housing and businesses will benefit racing.

The June 28 Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) at the Curragh brings an intriguing clash of the generations as Whirl and Wemightakedlongway, second and fourth in the Epsom Oaks (G1), do battle with their elders, headed by the high-class Kalpana.

Dual champion and classic winner Essential Quality was represented by his first winner June 27 when 2-year-old filly Chopsticks won the third race at Churchill Downs in her career debut.

Fourteen wildcards have been added to the Tattersalls Online July Sale taking place July 1-2, which includes a complete dispersal of 10 lots from the estate of the late Kevin Prendergast following the recent passing of the legendary Irish trainer.