Blood-Horse

Cheltenham chief executive Guy Lavender's confident prediction that crowds would be up at this year's festival was borne out after another big turnout on Gold Cup day March 13.

The saddle used by jockey Ron Turcotte during Secretariat's immortal 1973 Triple Crown run fetched $1,524,000 at auction.

The 2026 Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing will be held Aug. 6, at the Saratoga Springs City Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Caesars Entertainment today announced a new multi-year agreement extension that will keep Horseshoe Las Vegas as the host venue for the National Horseplayers Championship.

The Road, presented by Gainesway and WinStar Farm: In just its second year as a Road to the Kentucky Derby points race, the $500,000 Virginia Derby offers an enticing option in terms of distance as a 1 1/8-mile race contested at one turn.

Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale concludes with a record gross of $72,050,000, including private sales, surpassing the previous record set in 2023 when 464 juveniles brought $71,473,500.

A New York appellate court has thrown out a two-week suspension of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, but the case is probably far from over.

Thousand Guineas (G1) heroine Ole Dancer will bid to land a second group 1 this weekend when she takes to Rosehill Gardens Racecourse March 14 for the Coolmore Classic Handicap (G1).

Breeders' Cup Charities announced March 12 that it will make more than $650,000 in charitable donations as a result of a revitalized philanthropic effort launched in the second half of 2025.

Half of the field for Santa Anita Park's 6 1/2-furlong turf sprint on the hillside course has been set at 3-1 or lower in the morning line.

Serena’s Song, a Hall of Famer and blue hen mare, died March 11 at the age of 34.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will present a series of three handicapping seminars leading up to the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) May 2. Hosted by renowned handicapper Tom Amello, the series will take place at the Museum.

The 2024 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Laurel River has been sold and will take up stallion duties this season at Japan's Big Red Farm in Hokkaido, Juddmonte announced March 12. 

Daandine Stud headlined a selective day of trade at the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale, when a filly by reigning Queensland champion sire Better Than Ready offered by the operation was purchased by trainer Tony Gollan for AU$130,000.

Early into the March 12 final session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Three Amigos went to $1 million for a colt (Hip 576) by the 2025 leading first-crop sire Yaupon.

In the Santa Ana Stakes (G3T), Mrs. Astor will go for a seventh career stakes win, but will face a large field.

Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising sits as a clear No. 1 in the first Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings of 2026 with a rating of 128.

Letters to the Editor, March 12 edition of BloodHorse Daily

This first edition of the Odds and Trends column with J. Keeler Johnson examines run-up distances and how they impact races.

Jesse Aviles and fiancé Rylee Thomas of J & R Thoroughbreds are aiming to make it big with a Drain the Clock filly, Hip 595, at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March of 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale March 12.