Blood-Horse

Sir Johnny Weatherby, a member of one of racing's most famous families, and whose many achievements in the sport included modernizing Ascot, died Dec. 18 at the age of 66.

The Jockey Club has made available the list of mares in the 2026 Mare Incentive Program, which waives registration fees for certain 2027 foals of mares that meet criteria defined by The Jockey Club.

Taylor Made Stallions' Not This Time is the leading sire of 2-year-olds by a margin of nearly $97,500. A win by his son Time for Music in the Dec. 20 Remington Springboard Mile would make it a longshot for runner-up Into Mischief to catch up.

The supplements to the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale include Broken Oath, a half sister to multiple grade 1-placed, grade 2 winner Venetian Harbor.

Taylor Made Stallions' Not This Time is the leading sire of 2-year-olds by a margin of nearly $97,500. A win by his son Time for Music in the Dec. 20 Remington Springboard Mile would make it a longshot for runner-up Into Mischief to catch up.

The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with TwinSpires in a legal dispute over whether the state of Michigan could regulate online horse race wagering with rules in conflict with the Interstate Horseracing Act.

The legal fate of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act took a step closer to finality as the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals again ruled in favor of its constitutionality.

Mister Punch could work out a beneficial stalking trip from the outside post and deserves a long look in the Dec. 20 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds.

A chance to travel around two turns as a 2-year-old in a Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying race awaits a field of 12 in the Dec. 20 Remington Springboard Mile at Remington Park.

The supplements to the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale include Broken Oath, a half sister to multiple grade 1-placed, grade 2 winner Venetian Harbor.

The New York Racing Association plans to run 196 racing days at Aqueduct Racetrack, Saratoga Race Course, and the new Belmont Park in 2026. 

Thoroughbreds are hitting the track early as Will Rogers Downs kicks off spring racing season on Jan. 12. The earlier start , nearly two months ahead of last year's March 3 opening, will conclude on Kentucky Derby Day, May 2.

The 2026 live racing schedule at Parx Racing has been released and features 149 days of live racing throughout the year, highlighted by the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) on Sept. 19.

Letters to the editor for the Dec. 18 issue of BloodHorse Daily

Spendthrift Farm's Tamara has been disqualified from her Oct. 4 win in the Chillingworth Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park after a drug test by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit indicated the presence of the muscle relaxant methocarbamol.

The Texas Stallion Stakes Series now has a pathway to nominate 2-year-olds.

Defending race winner Major Dude and fellow millionaires Wolfie's Dynaghost and Chasing the Crown lead a stacked group of 10 older horses in the $200,000 Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G3T) Dec. 20 at Gulfstream Park.

Two well-related mares stole the show during the Inglis Digital December (Late) Online Sale that closed Dec. 17, selling for AU$140,000 each in the final sale of 2025 for the auction company.

A highly respected team of equine veterinarians is set to serve the 2025-26 racing season at Santa Anita Park starting Dec. 26 with opening day of the Classic Meet.

Oaklawn's 2025 Thoroughbred racing season opened emphatically, with strong attendance, record wagering, and memorable on-track milestones highlighting an exceptional opening weekend.