Thoroughbred Daily News

Edited Press Release

Cogburn (Not This Time–In a Jif, by Saintly Look) has had a successful start to his stud career, achieving excellent fertility results during his first season at WinStar Farm. The enthusiasm and demand for him internationally was also outstanding, however, while in Australia, fertility results were lower than his domestic performance and the decision was made to cut short Cogburn's visit to Australia.

Cogburn had a busy book in Kentucky, getting 143 mares in foal, however his early results in Australia indicated a decline that warrants further investigation. While he has covered well and no abnormalities have been found, WinStar and the Cogburn Syndicate were eager to see him return to Kentucky so they can better understand the cause and treat him accordingly in preparation for his second season at stud in Kentucky.

Antony Thompson of Widden Stud said, “We are all terribly disappointed not to have been able to fulfill the obligations to the breeders who had supported Cogburn with a full book, but it's important we do what is in the best interests of Cogburn and the syndicate and resolve this temporary issue.”

WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden said, “We want to get Cogburn home to do more testing to prepare him for his second season at stud. I want to thank Antony and his team for the care of Cogburn during his time in Australia. The test results of his semen have been very good, but we need to dig a little deeper to understand what is going on. He is an important horse for our future, and we want to get him ready for 2026.”

Cogburn stood his first season at WinStar for $30,000 and is scheduled to stand his second season in 2026 for $25,000.

The post Fertility Decline Cuts Cogburn’s Australian Covering Season Short, Returns to WinStar Early to Prepare for 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Uptown Rythem (Speightstown–Listen to My Song, by Unbridled's Song), who previously stood at Harris Farms, has been relocated to stand at Rancho San Miguel in Central California for the 2026 breeding season. He will stand for $1,500, live foal guarantee.

From extremely modest crops, Uptown Rythem's Average Earnings Index of 1.19 is among the best in California. His unraced dam is a half-sister to the dam of 2017 GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes winner La Coronel (Colonel John) from the extended family of 2025 GI Blue Grass Stakes winner Burnham Square (Liam's Map).

“As a fast, good-looking son of Speightstown, Uptown Rythem offers value for savvy mare owners who are aiming to compete in California's lucrative sprint program,” said Tom Clark, owner of Rancho San Miguel. “We believe his brightest days as a sire are ahead.”

The property of C Punch Ranch Inc., Uptown Rythem is available for inspection at Rancho San Miguel.

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Brook Smith doesn't own many horses, but when he gets involved with one, things always seem to go right. The latest example is Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), the winner of last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic and a top contender for this year's $7-million race. Along with the same ownership group that is dominated by Coolmore, Smith also owns a piece of the fast 2-year-old Schwarzenegger (Not This Time), who is pre-entered for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

To talk about such things as his Breeders' Cup horses, his charitable endeavors and the reason why he has paid for three billboards, one in Dublin, Ireland, touting Sierra Leone, Smith joined the team for this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week.

There's little doubt that Sierra Leone–a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'–is flying under the radar this year, overshadowed by stars like Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and Fierceness (City of Light). Asked to make an early line for the Classic, the podcast's Randy Moss made Sierra Leone 5-1.

“He's always been that horse where he gets respect and then he kind of loses it,” Smith said. “He has trouble keeping it. He's had some odd races, like the last race (the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup), the last prep that he was in before the Classic. And it's hard to say that he's under the radar, but let's just rephrase that and say that Sovereignty is the radar. How's that?”

The Sierra Leone camp has been criticized by Mike Repole for entering a rabbit, Contrary Thinking (Curlin), in the Classic in the hopes that he can set a fast pace that will help Sierra Leone. Smith doesn't see what's wrong with that.

“You guys caught me at a good time because I just went to the ear doctor because I had to clean out all of the yapping that seems to be out there,” Smith joked. “Whatever happened to let these horses do their thing, right? I don't have social media and I'm not faulting anybody. I think at the end of the day, everybody has fun with it. So, you know, that's all good. The thing is that rabbits are allowed. It's part of racing.

“It kind of comes down to the trainer. And if the trainer feels like he wants a rabbit in the race, this ownership group is going to be supportive because Chad (Brown) has done a great job with the horse to this point. It's a big race. It's a different race. I mean, the rabbit could get eliminated with the post position draw. It's clear. Sierra Leone needs pace.”

The affable Smith turned the tables on the panel and started asking them questions. He asked Moss to make a case for Sierra Leone winning the Classic.

“If I have to make the case for Sierra Leone winning the Classic, it would be this,” Moss said. “There is a very short stretch run at Del Mar. Much, much shorter, almost a football field shorter almost than Sovereignty got at Churchill Downs or at Saratoga in the Belmont Stakes or the Jim Dandy and the Travers. He's a horse that does his best running down the lane. So that will be a disadvantage but it's not one that he can't overcome. Not that he's not good enough to overcome it, but that will be a disadvantage for Sovereignty. And if there will be enough pace to keep Fierceness from getting out there and setting a nice, comfortable, easy lead, which is why Contrary Thinking was entered in the first place, that will help. Then I think that puts Sierra Leone right in the hunt. Now he's also got to deal with a short stretch, but he did last year effectively, obviously at Del Mar, and overcame it.”

Out of his own pocket, Smith has paid for billboards that say “Go Sierra! Breeders' Cup World Championships. NBC on Saturday Nov. 1.” There are three billboards, one in Louisville, one in Lexington and one in Ireland.

“I am unlike the boy that steps on top of the mountain and cries wolf,” he said. “I'm the guy that jumps on the top of the mountain and says 'Sierra Leone, let's go.'  My partners in Ireland, I hope they don't cuss me for putting the billboard up there in Dublin. I don't think they will. It's in respect and good fun. I don't have social media, so I have to use billboards.”

As is his custom, Smith will donate a portion of his Breeders' Cup earnings to the Backside Learning Center at Churchill Downs.

“The backside continues to benefit from Sierra Leone as a part of that Purses for a Purpose program,” Smith said. “I'll do anything I can do to help an industry that I'm passionate about that gives me a lot. It's great to give back. I was very honored to be invited to join the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Board, TOBA, and I quickly jumped on the chance to get on the charitable philanthropic committee, because that organization does incredible stuff across all kinds of different horse-related non-profits.”

The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Sumter (War Front), who got a 99 Beyer for his win in the Lure Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by 1/st TV, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association and West Point  Thoroughbreds, the team of Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman went through the pre-entered fields for the Breeders' Cup. They'll save their picks for next week. This week was about an overview of all of the races.

Click here for the audio version of the podcast and here for the video version.

The post Brook Smith Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Edited Press Release

Darby Dan Farm has set 2026 stud fees for its roster of 11 stallions that will stand the upcoming breeding season, led by Blazing Sevens, Flameaway, and Dialed In, who will each stand for $10,000 S&N.

Blazing Sevens, winner of the stallion-making GI Champagne Stakes at two and runner-up by just a head to subsequent Eclipse Award-winning champion older male National Treasure (Quality Road) in the GI Preakness Stakes, hails from the first crop of leading sire Good Magic.

Blazing Sevens broke his maiden at Saratoga in his career bow, winning by 6 1/4 lengths and earning 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard status. Also at two, he finished a rallying third in the GI Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga and overcame a troubled start in the Champagne, covering ground on the far turn before drawing off to win by 3 1/4 lengths for trainer Chad Brown. Demand for Blazing Sevens was strong in his debut season at stud. He displayed excellent fertility, breeding 139 mares and his first foals will arrive in 2026.

Flameaway is making a major impact as a stallion and is a leading cumulative third-crop sire this year. A multiple graded stakes-winning son of the prolific Scat Daddy and his only son at stud to win stakes at two, three, and four, Flameaway is represented by Bear River, victorious in the $2-million GII Kentucky Turf Sprint Stakes and a candidate for next weekend's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. In his “Win and You're In” Kentucky Turf Sprint Stakes score, Bear River set all the pace and defeated a contentious international field while sizzling six furlongs in a swift 1:07.71.

Flameaway is also represented this year by 2-year-old filly Amada Mila (Chi), a Group 1 winner in her native Chile; and Dark Saffron, who became the first 3-year-old in history to defeat elders in the $2-million G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse. Among the horses Dark Saffron vanquished in that lucrative fixture was champion sprinter and last year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Dialed In has been a leading sire since earning the title of champion freshman of 2016. He continues to sire top-tier runners, highlighted in 2025 by Whatchatalkinabout, who showed his grit with a determined victory in the GIII John A. Nerud Stakes during the Belmont at the Big A ahead of a third in the GII Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland. Overall, Dialed In is the sire of 76 black-type horses, 29 stakes winners and more than $57 million in progeny earnings in his career.

Modernist, a son of the late Uncle Mo and a graded stakes winner at three and four, including the Risen Star Stakes (G2) as a sophomore, is represented eight winners from his first-crop runners in 2025. Among them are Trendsetter, an impressive debut maiden special weight winner; multiple stakes-placed Grazie, designated a 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard off a 4 1/2-length maiden special weight victory on debut at Saratoga and third in both the Joseph A. Gimma Stakes and Seeking the Ante Stakes; and Last Candy, third in the Illinois Debutante Stakes. In the auction ring, first 2-year-olds by Modernist caught the eye, commanding up to $310,000 (Grazie), and $300,000 (Embry Show).

DARBY DAN FARM — 2026 STUD FEES
Bee Jersey (Jersey Town), $5,000
Blazing Sevens (Good Magic), $10,000
Country House (Lookin At Lucky), $5,000
Dialed In (Mineshaft), $10,000
Flameaway (Scat Daddy), $10,000
Gufo (Declaration of War), $5,000
Modernist (Uncle Mo), $5,000
Shirl's Speight (Speightstown), $5,000
Tale of Ekati (Tale of the Cat), $5,000
Tale of Silence (Tale of the Cat), $2,500
Title Ready (More Than Ready), $2,500

The post Darby Dan Trio To Stand For $10K in 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

An overflow field of 3-year-old fillies is set to face the starter for Friday' GII Bank of America Valley View Stakes on the final couple of days of racing at the Keeneland Fall Meet. For bettors, the 8 1/2-furlong feature, which carries purse money of $400,000 (including KTDF money), seems like a true 'spread' race.

Minnesota-bred Play With Fire (Oscar Performance) looms a logical favorite to give Chad Brown his second Valley View winner in the space of three years (Surge Capacity, 2023). Acquired privately from Fergus Galvin and trainer Brendan Walsh after taking Pimlico's Hilltop Stakes in May, the bay finished second–behind a pair of loose leaders–at Saratoga over the summer, first to Classic Q (Classic Empire) in the Listed Wild Applause Stakes July 3 and then behind May Day Ready (Tapit), who got away with a soft pace to win the Aug. 23 GII Lake Placid Stakes.

Juddmonte homebred Tabiti (GB) (Kingman {GB}) won three of her five starts overseas for Ralph Beckett, including a share of the spoils in the G3 Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood July 30. She gave a sound account of herself when third to GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint aspirant and 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Shisospicy (Mitole) in the 6 1/2-furlong GII Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs last month and has her first run here for Brad Cox.

Those shopping for rougher chances have plenty of options. The Walsh-conditioned Somethinabouther (Mendelssohn) outran her 16-1 odds to be second in the GIII Ontario Colleen Stakes July 26 and exits a third in a soft-ground renewal of the Listed Old Dominion Oaks at Colonial Sept. 6. Reigning Flowers (Midnight Storm) got home hard to be third in the blanket finish in the Lake Placid and may not have handled the undulations of Kentucky Downs when well-beaten in the GIII Dueling Grounds Oaks last time. And Will Walden, who sent out Rhetorical (Not This Time) to take out the GI Coolmore Turf Mile a few weeks ago, saddles turf debutante Sturgeon Moon (Instagrand). The bay, third to next out Grade I winner Clicquot (Quality Road) in the GIII Indiana Oaks, annexed the Aug. 10 Listed Audubon Oaks in good style and if looking deep in her pedigree, hails from the family of GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winners Banks Hill (GB) and Intercontinental (GB).

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LEXINGTON, KY – The Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale blazed through its penultimate session Wednesday in Lexington with frenetic bidding from start to finish producing a $72,127 average that was nearly 47% higher than the figure from the corresponding session a year ago. At the conclusion of the session, the three-day average of $64,772 is 24.1% ahead of the 2024 record figure of $52,206. And with a full session to go, the total gross of $53,177,500 is just $5.398 million off last year's total sale record gross of $58,575,500.

“It was a fantastic day,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “There were dramatic increases in the average price and in gross sales. I walked to the back walking ring with the last horse in the ring and it was full and he brings $200,000. There was great trade and great activity throughout the day. It's fun selling in the marketplace like it is right now.”

Through three sessions, 201 horses have failed to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 19.7%. It was 18.0% at this same point a year ago.

“I think we are seeing the result of both buyers and sellers having more confidence in the October sale and the quality continues to improve year after year,” Browning said. “The performance of the sales graduates continues to improve on the racetrack year after year and thus you are able to see results that continue to improve as well year after year. As I said after the first session, I don't know which is the likely breakout day or the day with the most top horses. I hope we haven't had it yet, we will see what happens tomorrow. But we are obviously thrilled with the results from today and from the first three days.”

“It's fun selling in a marketplace like it is right now.”@btbrowning recaps the third session of the Kentucky October Yearlings sale. pic.twitter.com/lkP2YFyljc

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 22, 2025

A colt by Candy Ride (Arg) attracted the highest bid of Wednesday's session when DJ Stable's Jon Green, bidding over the internet, went to $850,000 to acquire the yearling from the Gainesway consignment.

“It's strong. It's really strong,” Green said of the market. “It's just a continuation of what happened in the summer at Saratoga and at the New York-Bred sale and all the way through the Keeneland September sale. It's not just the good horses that are bringing a lot of money, it's all horses that are bringing more money than what we had anticipated a year or two ago. I think there are a lot of factors that play into that, but mostly it shows that economically, as an investment, the horse industry is no longer just a luxury item industry. It's actually a real commodity industry.”

The Fasig-Tipton October sale concludes with a final session beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday.

A colt by Candy Ride (Arg) (hip 843) became the second-highest offering of the week when selling for $850,000 to the internet bid of the Green family's DJ Stable. The yearling is out of the unraced Unrivaled Princess (Tapit), a daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song) and a full-sister to champion Unique Bella. Consigned by Gainesway, he was bred by Marsha Naify's Liberty Road Stables, which purchased Unrivaled Princess for $210,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale.

Hip 843 c. CANDY RIDE (ARG) o/o Unrivaled Princess sells for $850,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings.

B: @DJ_Stable
C: @Gainesway, agt
Br: Liberty Road Stables#FasigKY @JonGreen2022 @LanesEndFarms pic.twitter.com/LgoCc77n4v

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 22, 2025

“I think this colt looks more like a Gun Runner than he does a Candy Ride,” Jon Green said by phone shortly after purchasing the colt. “He's balanced, he's a great mover and he just wowed us from the first moment that our consultant, Kim Valerio, pointed him out to us. This colt has been on our radar almost the entire week.”

In addition to Valerio, the yearling had the stamp of approval from trainer Mark Casse.

“Mark Casse and Kim Valerio very rarely say to us, 'This is the horse to buy,' but they both independently came to the same conclusion,” Green said. “It wasn't, 'Hey, this is a nice colt' or 'He's an A-,' or 'This is a horse that maybe you want to acquire.' Both of them said to us, in no uncertain terms, if you are coming to this sale with the idea of buying a top two-turn colt, the list begins and ends with this horse.”

Of his determination to keep bidding on the colt, Green said, “The Candy Rides have proven to be such value over his career and he is starting to be at the tail end of his career from a stallion standpoint. So we felt confident that buying a Candy Ride would be worth the money. He will prove whether or not we were right in a year or two. But if you are going to spend this kind of money on a colt, in my estimation, it better be by one of the top five stallions that are out there. Whether it's Candy Ride, Gun Runner, Not This Time, Nyquist, Into Mischief. It's got to be a son of one of those five or six stallions to warrant raising your hand at this price point.”

A colt by Good Magic (hip 1143) topped Libyan bloodstock agent Mahmud Mouni's shopping list Wednesday when selling for $550,000. The yearling was bred and consigned by the O'Callaghans' Woods Edge Farm.

Hip 1143 c. GOOD MAGIC o/o Carats and Cake sells for $550,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings.

B: Mahmud Mouni
C: Woods Edge Farm, agt
Br: Woods Edge Farm#FasigKY @HillnDaleFarm pic.twitter.com/FQ6tHElaDU

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 22, 2025

“Honestly, we did not expect [the price],” Mouni said. “But he deserved it. Good Magic is a super stallion. The colt looks like a nice horse with amazing conformation and the pedigree is fantastic. We are so lucky to get the horse and I hope we have success with him in the future.”

The colt is out of Carats and Cake (Bernardini) and from the family of graded winners Lewis Bay, Misconnect and Winslow Homer. Woods Edge purchased the mare, with the colt in utero, for $155,000 at the 2023 Keeneland November sale.

The colt is expected to be trained by Brad Cox, according to Mouni.

“We chose the horse specifically for [Cox],” Mouni said. “He put the horse on our list. He gave us a list of horses he liked.”

Also on Wednesday, Mouni, who has been purchasing horses for the Tagermeen Racing partnership for a year now, acquired a colt by Justify (hip 1122) for $460,000. That yearling, out of Call to Service (To Honor and Serve), is a half-brother to Grade I-placed The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso). He was bred by Coteau Grove Farms.

Mouni, who purchased a $500,000 colt by Into Mischief (hip 579) Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton, also purchased a colt by Medaglia d'Oro (hip 1033) from the Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services consignment Wednesday.

Mahmud Mouni | Fasig-Tipton

Mouni began buying for the Tagermeen partnership at last year's October sale. The operation had its first winner when the 2-year-old Dandona (Tiz the Law), a $1.05-million OBS April purchase, broke her maiden in her debut at Gulfstream for trainer Saffie Joseph in August. Froutien (Galilean) graduated in September at Aqueduct for trainer Todd Pletcher and Baaeed Alynna (Good Magic) was third while making his debut in the Oct. 12 Display Stakes at Woodbine for trainer Kevin Attard.

A pair of yearlings by Nyquist, selling within hips of each other, attracted plenty of admirers, with April Mayberry going to $500,000 for a filly by the GI Kentucky Derby winner (hip 861) on behalf of CRK Stables just minutes before Justin Casse and Megan Jones went to $425,000 for a colt (hip 869) on behalf of Belmar & Pine.

“Nyquist is one of my favorite sires,” Mayberry said after signing the ticket on hip 861.

The filly is out of Violencia (Violence), whose 2-year-old daughter Mackinac (Twirling Candy) recently broke her maiden in a Kentucky Downs allowance for BBN Racing and trainer Rusty Arnold.

Hip 861 f. NYQUIST o/o Violencia sells for $500,000 at Kentucky October Yearlings.

B: Mayberry Farm
C: Blandford Stud, agt
Br: Manitou Farm#FasigKY @DarleyStallions @PadraigCampion pic.twitter.com/i8agDFbLZr

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 22, 2025

“She's a big, beautiful filly,” Mayberry said of the yearling. “She's so pretty. I broke the sister for BBN and I love her. Hopefully she will keep on going for them. So there was a lot to like, between knowing the family, and Nyquist, and her physical.”

The filly was bred by Manitou Farm and was consigned by Padraig Campion's Blandford Stud.

“Delighted,” Campion said of the result. “She was a lovely filly. She deserved to bring that much. She was very balanced with a lot of class. She's a beautiful mover. We will be reading about her.”

A pair of yearlings from Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck's Summerfield consignment rewarded a pinhooking partnership when going through the ring at Fasig-Tipton Wednesday for the second time this year.

First up, a colt by Vekoma (hip 828) sold for $200,000 to the bid of Shenzi Bloodstock. The colt was purchased for $45,000 at the OBS Winter sale in January.

“He grew into a beautiful colt,” Francis Vanlangendonck said. “And of course, the sire has done exceptionally well. He looked like the good ones.”

Later in Wednesday's session of the auction, a filly by Violence (hip 895) sold for $200,000 to Mike Rutherford. The yearling had been purchased for $25,000 at the Fasig-Tipton February sale.

“She was a beautiful filly as a weanling, but a little small,” said Vanlangendonck. “She grew real well and that's what made the difference. Everything was there. They just got lucky and she grew the way they wanted her to.”

Of the filly's final price, Vanlangendonck said, “We didn't think she would bring that much. But once we saw the caliber of people who were interested in her, we thought she would sell awful well. And she looks like a quality filly. Time was what she needed.”

The post Momentum Builds as $850K Candy Ride Colt Tops Fiery Penultimate Fasig-Tipton October Session appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A new four-story structure called Victory Run, which will include private suites, indoor and outdoor dining, and covered box seating, will be built on the first turn of the Churchill Downs Racetrack, according to a release from Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) Wednesday afternoon. To be built between the First Turn Club and the Skye Terrace, it will replace approximately 6,400 uncovered, ground-level box seats and dining areas with a new space for approximately 7,800 guests. CDI anticipates the project will cost between $280 million and $300 million.

“We are excited to unveil the Victory Run project for Churchill Downs Racetrack,” said CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen. “This project will create a greatly improved experience for our guests in an important section of our racetrack while delivering long-term growth and value for our shareholders.”

Construction is slated to begin following the 2026 edition of the GI Kentucky Derby with temporary seating in the area expected for the 2027 Derby and construction complete prior to the 2028 Derby.

The post New $280-$300M Churchill Downs ‘Victory Run’ Structure to be Built on First Turn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With international sire star Justify leading the way, as well as four future stallions all set to run in next week's Breeders' Cup World Championships, Coolmore America's Ashford Stud released fees for the Central Kentucky farm's 2026 stallion roster Wednesday afternoon.

Heading the roster is 2018 Horse of the Year and Triple Crown winner Justify, who will stand for $200,000 next season. With his fourth crop racing now, Justify has 27 graded winners and 52 black-type winners, including U.S. and Australian champions, as well as British, Irish, and French highweights.

In addition to established multiple Grade I-producing sires like Practical Joke ($75,000) and Munnings ($45,000), as well as a number of young sires, Ashford has four stallions who will have their first runners next year: Corniche ($15,000), Epicenter ($25,000), Jack Christopher ($15,000), and Golden Pal ($25,000).

Three future Ashford stallions will clash in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 1: Fierceness (City of Light), Journalism (Curlin), and Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), while Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) will contest the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on the same day. Citizen Bull, Fierceness, and Sierra Leone are all previous Breeders' Cup winners, Eclipse champions, and 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard', while Journalism is a Classic winner and multiple Grade I winner this year. The fees for all four will be determined at a later date, with Journalism the only one who hasn't officially been announced as ready to retire following the 2025 racing season. That decision will be made in conjunction with Aron Wellman and partners after the Breeders' Cup.

“With the three new stallion prospects set to retire for 2026 all lining up at the Breeders' Cup, there is a great sense of anticipation here,” said Coolmore America's Director of Sales Charlie O'Connor.

“Last year's one-two Sierra Leone and Fierceness renew their rivalry in the Classic, and we, along with all our partners, will also be watching 'iron horse' Journalism with great interest. We believe Citizen Bull has been working very well in the lead-up to the Dirt Mile.

“All three new horses are Eclipse Award winners, following in the footsteps of Ashford stalwarts like Thunder Gulch, Uncle Mo, American Pharoah, and our flagship sire Justify, who completed a clean sweep of the colts' Classics in Britain this year, with Ruling Court and Scandinavia adding to City of Troy's Epsom Derby triumph in 2024.”

O'Connor continued: “Corniche, Epicenter, Jack Christopher, and Golden Pal all had their first yearlings hit the sales this summer and fall, and each was very well received.

“All things considered, we feel our combination of established sires and emerging talent represent excellent value in today's marketplace.”

The entire Coolmore America stallion roster for 2026, with fees, is as follows:

• Citizen Bull: TBD
• Corniche: $15,000
• Domestic Product: $25,000
• Echo Town: $5,000
• Epicenter: $25,000
• Fierceness: TBD
• Golden Pal: $25,000
• Gunite: $25,000
• Jack Christopher: $15,000
• Journalism: TBD
• Justify: $200,000
• Mo Town: $7,500
• Munnings: $45,000
• Practical Joke: $75,000
• Sierra Leone: TBD
• Tiz the Law: $30,000

Ashford stalwart American Pharoah will stand in Japan for the 2026 season, as has been previously announced.

The post ‘Flagship Sire Justify’ Anchors Coolmore America’s 2026 Roster at $200K appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

5. SKELLIG MICHAEL, GP, 10/18, 7 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure-82
(g, 3, by Battalion Runner–Miss Monk, by Blame)
O-Saint Celestine Thoroughbred Management. B-St Elias Stables (Fla). T-Victor Barboza Jr. J-Ernesto Jaramillo.
The 4-5 pacesetter looked beaten at the quarter pole, but responded when set down by Jaramillo and kicked away to a five-length victory. The gelding is another bargain from Vinnie Viola's blue-collar stallion Battalion Runner: originally bought for $1,200 as a yearling, then pinhooked for $17k as a June 2-year-old.

4. CONFESSIONAL, KEE, 10/16, 7 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure-85
(c, 2, by Essential Quality–Speedy Vanessa, by American Pharoah)
O-Steve Landers Racing. B-Breed First (Ky). T-Brad Cox. J-Axel Concepcion.
Congratulations to bettors who reasoned that a Cox-trained 2-year-old first-timer was value at 12-1 odds. He settled just behind the leading trio, shouldered for room 5/16ths out and won nicely. His workouts weren't flashy and six others in the field sold for more than his $160k yearling pricetag (including a $1.2-million yearling and a $975k 2-year-old buy), but that didn't matter.

3. PALADIN, BAQ, 10/17, 1 mile (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure-86 (2nd to 1st by DQ)
(c, 2, by Gun Runner–Secret Sigh, by Tapit)
O-Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith and Summer Wind Equine. B-Summer Wind Equine (Ky). T-Chad Brown. J-Flavien Prat.
The $1.9-million Saratoga Brant-Coolmore collaboration contested the pace with Prat in his debut, responded when Renegade and John Velazquez charged up from the inside leaving the eighth pole, and took a light bump just before he was overtaken at the wire by a head. Stewards lit the inquiry sign (this wasn't the Kentucky Derby) and reversed the order. Given the Beyer, these are definitely two juveniles worth keeping an eye on. Advice: don't search for Paladin on Google unless you're a Dungeon and Dragons gamer.

2. RENEGADE, BAQ, 10/17, 6 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure-86 (1st to 2nd by DQ)
(c, 2, by Into Mischief–Spice is Nice, by Curlin)
O-Robert and Lawana Low and Repole Stable (Ky). B-Robert and Lawana Low. T-Todd Pletcher. J-John Velazquez.
We can debate whether Paladin or Renegade ran the better race; Paladin did dirty work on the pace and Renegade waited and came through between horses. Renegade also had one previous start – a distant 3rd in It's Our Time's runaway Saratoga win. Regardless, both were impressive. Repole signed the $975k ticket for yearling Renegade at Keeneland September, and the breeders bought back in, the Lows having raced his graded stakes-winning dam they acquired for $1.05 million from Bobby Flay.

1. DR. KAPUR, KEE, 10/16, 7 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure-87
(c, 2, by McKinzie–Ava's Kitten, by Kitten's Joy)
O-Ken Ramsey. B-Ken and Sarah Ramsey (Ky). T-Saffie Joseph, Jr. J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.
It doesn't take much to get Ramsey excited, but with this colt (named for Dr. Sandip Kapur, who performed Ramsey's 2024 kidney transplant surgery) he has good reason. In the second division of split maiden races at Keeneland, this 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' went 7 furlongs in 1:23.71 compared to Confessional's 1:23.84. And he was beaten a neck at Saratoga in his debut with an 84 Beyer, missing that week's Five Fastest Maidens by a fraction of a point. This time, he finishes on top, and Ramsey says he is now being pointed for the Nov. 29 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs.

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A 25% ownership interest in GI Breeders' Cup Sprint contender and future WinStar stallion Mullikin (Violence) has been supplemented to the Keeneland Championship Sale held at Del Mar Oct. 29, the company announced Tuesday. Mullikin will return to Del Mar to contest the Sprint having run third as the favorite in the same race last year. The interest is offered as property of WinStar Farm.

“Our participation in the Keeneland Championship Sale with our Breeders' Cup Sprint entrant, Mullikin, is an opportunity to run for $2 million in 72 hours and have a stallion to boot,” WinStar President, CEO and Racing Manager Elliott Walden said. “We're offering more than just a percentage of a Breeders' Cup contender; this is an interest in an accomplished racehorse with a promising stallion career ahead at WinStar Farm.”

Interested parties may call Liam O'Rourke at 859 351-4213 for additional information about this offering.

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With reporting 85-90% complete for the 2024 season, 1,099 stallions covered 27,180 mares in North America which resulted in 17,103 live foals in 2025, The Jockey Club announced Tuesday.

The reporting of live foals of 2025 is down 3.4% from last year at this time when The Jockey Club had received reports for 17,700 live foals of 2024.

In addition to the 17,103 live foals of 2025 reported through Oct. 13, The Jockey Club also received 1,887 No Foal Reports for the 2025 foaling season. Ultimately, the 2025 registered foal crop is projected to reach 17,300.

The number of stallions declined 6.9% from the 1,181 reported for 2023 at this time last year, while the number of mares bred declined 3.3% from the 28,104 reported for 2023.

The full 2025 breeding statistics are available alphabetically by stallion name through the online Fact Book on The Jockey Club website.

Kentucky annually leads all states and provinces in terms of Thoroughbred breeding activity with Kentucky-based stallions accounting for 61.4% of the mares reported bred in North America in 2024 and 66% of the live foals reported for 2025.

The 16,686 mares reported bred to 204 Kentucky stallions in 2024 have produced 11,288 live foals, a 2.7% decrease on the 11,605 Kentucky-sired live foals of 2024 reported at this time last year. The number of mares reported bred to Kentucky stallions in 2024 decreased 2.2% compared to the 17,056 reported for 2023 at this time last year.

California ranked second in mares bred with 1,507 mares producing 980 foals, a decrease of 6.3%. Out of the top 10, only two states showed an increase year over year. New York came third overall at 1,185 mares and 704 foals reported, an increase of 4.8%, and New Mexico also increased marginally with 446 mares and 239 foals showing a 0.8% increase. The biggest drop went to Maryland, who reported 499 mares and 302 foals for a 12.2% decrease. Florida also saw double-digit decreases at 1,330 mares and 700 foals with a 10.5% drop.

Internationally, 272 progeny were born by stallions standing in North America but foaled abroad, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with 57 foals, followed by Japan at 45 and the Republic of Korea at 40. The report also includes 66 mares bred to 20 North American stallions on Southern Hemisphere time.

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LEXINGTON, KY — The Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale powered through its opening session in Lexington Monday, with figures up significantly from its record-setting 2024 renewal.

“It was a great start to the October Yearling Sale in Kentucky,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said at the close of business Monday. “All of the statistical categories produced significant increases and we saw a continuation of the trends that we've seen from July carried through August, carried through September and now in October. There was tremendous demand at more levels than we've seen in recent years. Not only was it good at the top, but there was a lot of activity from $20,000 on up.”

During the session, 266 yearlings sold for $16,864,500. The session average was $63,400 and the median was $30,000.

At the opening session of the 2024 October sale, 265 horses sold for $13,198,000. The average was $49,804 and the median was $20,000. The 2024 auction closed with a record average of $52,206, while the cumulative median of $20,000 was the fourth highest in sales history.

Kristian Villante of Legion Bloodstock made the highest bid of the session–and third highest ever at an October sale–when going to $900,000 for a colt by Curlin from the Mill Ridge Sales consignment. The session-topping colt was one of 20 to bring $200,000 or more on the day, up from 14 a year ago.

Denali Stud was responsible for two colts to sell for $400,000 during the session. And, while Denali's Conrad Bandoroff saw plenty of activity, he also admitted there was continued polarization in the market.

“I think as the week continues, if you have a horse that people deem as quality, you are going to get rewarded for it,” Bandoroff said. “The target is small, but when you hit the center target, you are going to get well rewarded. You have to be realistic. It's a little bit of feast or famine, but when they land on your horse, it's fun. If you miss by an inch, you may as well miss by a mile. It's hyper-selective, but when it's good, it's really good.”

The Fasig-Tipton October sale continues through Thursday with sessions beginning daily at 10 a.m.

Kristian Villante of Legion Bloodstock made the third-highest bid ever at a Fasig-Tipton October sale when going to $900,000 to secure a colt by Curlin (hip 268) on behalf of a partnership led by Andrew Hudson of Hoolie Racing.

“I've been looking for a couple of nice colts for him throughout the year and this one fit the bill,” Villante said. “He's by a proven sire, champion female family. He's a beautiful colt. We looked at him for three days and we fell in love with him.”

Legion Bloodstock purchased a colt by Good Magic (hip 36) for $1.6 million on behalf of Hoolie Racing at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and bought the operation another son of Curlin (hip 686) for $500,000 at the Keeneland September sale.

The session-topping yearling, bred by Alpha Delta Stables and consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, is the first foal out of Canadian champion Munnyfor Ro (Munnings). Jon Clay's Alpha Delta purchased the mare, with the colt in utero, for $900,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November sale.

The colt will head to Travis Durr's training center and will likely be trained by Whit Beckman, according to Villante.

Of the $900,000 price tag, Villante said, “He stood out. We knew we would have to be strong on him. That was probably at the end of where we wanted to be on him. He was a beautiful horse. He deserved to bring that kind of money.”

A pair of colts from the Denali Stud consignment led early proceedings during the first session of the Fasig-Tipton October sale Monday when bringing matching $400,000 bids.

Bloodstock agent Pedro Lanz has been shopping on behalf of KAS Stables all season and the Saudi operation had one last wish on its list as the final yearling sale of the year got underway Monday in Lexington.

“They wanted a Flightline,” Lanz said. “We had tried to bid on some before.”

Lanz delivered when bidding $400,000 to acquire a colt by the champion (hip 198), the first of two expected to go through the ring at the October sale this week.

“They asked if there were [yearling] sales after this and I said no, baby sales and broodmare sales,” Lanz said. “So we could buy this colt.”

Out of stakes winner and graded-placed Message (Warrior's Reward), the yearling was bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds and, after he RNA'd for $475,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in August, was selling Monday without reserve as part of the complete dispersal of John Sykes's operation.

“I saw him in Saratoga and he has grown a lot since then,” Lanz said.

Woodford purchased Message, in foal to Charlatan, for $675,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November sale. Her Charlatan colt sold for $275,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale before reselling for $375,000 at this year's OBS April sale.

Hip 198 was consigned by Denali Stud.

“Obviously, he didn't get done in Saratoga,” Denali's Conrad Bandoroff said. “He's a big two-turn horse and he has done nothing but improve since then. From August until now, he's just really come on and improved really nicely. He's been a big fish in a smaller pond here. He's a beautiful strapping colt and he went over really well. There was a ton of activity on him. He got vetted a lot by really good people. This was the result we were looking for in Saratoga. All's well that ends well.”

Shortly before Lanz made his $400,000 bid, Gerard Butler spent the same amount while bidding on behalf of co-breeder Brookdale Racing to buy out partner Three Chimneys Farm on a colt by Gun Runner (hip 48).

“To get a Gun Runner at that level at that price, I thought it was a good day's work,” said Butler. “We had to protect him at some stage. Obviously, he ticked all our boxes.”

The yearling is out of multiple graded stakes winner Lady Apple (Curlin). Butler signed the ticket at $1.2 million to acquire the mare at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November sale. Her 2-year-old colt Malus (Into Mischief) was a maiden winner in the Brookdale Racing colors at Saratoga in July.

“That was a good result,” said Bandoroff. “That mare's foals are always kind of late bloomers, so we pointed to this sale all along. It was a plan that really came to fruition. The horse really did well in the last 30-45 days.”

NOTHING BUT NET

A group of pinhookers were rewarded for their efforts Monday in Lexington when selling a colt from the first crop of G1 Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide (hip 160) for $150,000 to the bid of Faris Breeding. The group had purchased him under the name Nearco for $22,000 at the 2024 Keeneland November sale.

“He was an absolutely lovely colt with a huge walk,” said Matt Bowling, whose Vinery Sales consigned the yearling. “Good bone, big hip. I think he just really matured into a really nice horse and they were rewarded for it.”

Of the group, a pinhooking partnership that he manages, Bowling said, “They do a good job. They buy good physicals. And the horse just really blossomed at the right time. He showed himself really well and found himself on a lot of lists.”

Thank you to our buyers and consignors for supporting the Kentucky October Yearlings sale. Session 1 results are now online at https://t.co/cD0JL4RBaU. The sale continues Tuesday at 10 AM. #FasigKY pic.twitter.com/FmpRqiUJIF

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 21, 2025

The post ‘Great Start’: Fasig-Tipton October Sale Opens With a Bang appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A colt by Curlin (hip 268) lit up the board at the first session of the Fasig-Tipton October sale when bringing a final bid of $900,000 from Legion Bloodstock's Kristian Villante. Villante was bidding on behalf of a partnership of Legion clients led by the Hudson family's Hoolie Racing. Bred by Alpha Delta Stables and consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, the yearling is the first foal out of Canadian champion Munnyfor Ro (Munnings). Alpha Delta purchased the mare, with the colt in utero, for $900,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November sale.

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Marvin Rafael Fernandez, a 35-year-old apprentice jockey at Delaware Park who rode a 228-1 shot to a third-place finish while beaten only half a length last Thursday, had his license rescinded the next day by that track's stewards, who determined that over the course of three probationary races Oct. 15 and 16 in which Fernandez twice finished in the money, his “performance was not satisfactory to the standards required to hold the license.”

Fernandez, who has five lifetime mounts in 2024-25 and had been riding last week under “temporary” licensure at the 10-pound apprentice level, will be allowed to retain his exercise riding license, according to the Oct. 17 ruling signed by Delaware stewards Joelyn Rigione, Robert Colton and William Troilo.

Although Fernandez had no other rulings issued against him during his probationary period and there were no mentions of adverse incidents in either the official charts or the daily stewards' reports for the two dates he rode last week, the stewards did order him to appear at the next-day film reviews after each of his rides on Oct. 15 and 16 for “crop” reasons, according to footnotes in the daily reports.

In the third race Oct. 15 (video), Fernandez's 19-1 mount was near the back for most of a nine-horse claiming route and ended up beating only one other eased entrant.

In the fourth race Oct. 16 (video), Fernandez's 6-1 mount led from the rail for most of a four-horse claiming sprint before being overtaken by a 3-10 favorite in deep stretch while holding on for second.

In the sixth race Oct. 16 (video), Fernandez, aboard the 228-1 Midnight Getaway (Midnight Storm), “bumped with an inner foe at the start, rated in the four path, swung out to the seven path turning into the lane, and rallied for show,” according to the Equibase chart.

The Delaware meet ended the next racing date, Saturday, Oct. 18.

Attempts to reach both Fernandez and the Delaware Park stewards' office on Monday were unsuccessful.

The post Delaware Apprentice Rides 228-1 Shot To Third-Place Finish, Has License Rescinded The Next Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Grade I winner Mullikin (Violence–Tulira's Star, by Congrats), slated to make his final career start in this year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar, will stand the 2026 breeding season at WinStar Farm, the operation announced Tuesday. A stud fee will be announced after the Breeders' Cup.

Mullikin will participate in WinStar's Dream Big Program, which offers breeders the opportunity to earn a lifetime breeding right.

“Mullikin has competed at the highest level for the last two years and is a gorgeous looking horse from a world-class sire line [Sadlers Wells],” said Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “Our best stallions over the years all had speed. He fits the mold of what we want to place in the market, looks, speed, and pedigree.”

Owned by WinStar Farm and trained by Rodolphe Brisset, Mullikin won last year's GI Forego Stakes at Saratoga by 5 3/4 lengths over GISW Gun Pilot (Gun Pilot) while earning a 105 Beyer.

During a four-race win streak in 2024, Mullikin also captured the GII John A. Nerud Stakes in his graded stakes debut, running seven furlongs in 1:20.54, just 0.50 off the track record set by Artax in 1999.

Mullikin has run four triple-digit Beyers thus far, including a career-high 106 when finishing second to multiple Grade I winner Book 'em Danno (Bucchero) in this year's GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes at Saratoga. Additionally, Mullikin was beaten just a little more than a length by a pair of TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard–GI Breeders' Cup Classic contender Mindframe (Constitution) and GI Breeders' Cup Mile-bound Nysos (Nyquist)–in a blanket finish in the GI Churchill Downs Stakes in May.

Mullikin was third to Straight No Chaser (Speightster) in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar, where he was ridden by Flavien Prat who returns to ride this year's renewal of the Sprint.

On the board in 12-of-15 lifetime starts, with earnings of $1,144,992, Mullikin was a $500,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase. Bred in Kentucky by Fred W. Hertrich III and John D. Fielding, Mullikin is out of the graded stakes-placed Congrats mare Tulira's Star, third in the GIII Schuylerville Stakes at Saratoga at two.

For more information on Mullikin, contact Liam O'Rourke, Olivia Desch, or Ben Hanley at 859-873-1717, or visit www.WinStarFarm.com.

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'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Fierceness (City of Light–Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty), the Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-old male of 2023 and a four-time Grade I winner, will begin his stud career at Coolmore's Kentucky base at Ashford Stud following his final start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 1.

An imperious 11 1/4-length debut winner at Saratoga in August 2023, earning no-brainer 'Rising Star' in a similar fashion to owner Mike Repole's fellow champion and late Ashford stallion Uncle Mo, Fierceness romped by 6 1/4 lengths in that year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

“That was a pretty awesome performance–he's a special talent,” trainer Todd Pletcher said of his championship-clinching victory in the Juvenile.

The 13 1/2-length winner of the GI Curlin Florida Derby, Fierceness defeated fellow 'Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) by a length in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes and took down the colors of future Horse of the Year and 'Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes. Sierra Leone was third on that occasion, while GI Belmont Stakes hero Dornoch (Good Magic) was back in fourth. He concluded the season with a gallant runner-up effort in the Classic behind Sierra Leone, sitting up on a torrid pace and yielding only in the final stages to finish 1 1/2 lengths in arrears.

Fierceness has been one of the leading lights of this year's handicap division, with a powerful first-up victory in the GII Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs and a latest 3 1/4-length defeat of this year's GI Preakness Stakes hero Journalism (Curlin) in the GI Pacific Classic back on Aug. 30. He'll return to the same track and distance for his career finale in just under two weeks' time.

To date, Fierceness has amassed a record of 7-2-1 from 13 starts for earnings of $5,155,320.

“Fierceness isn't just a racehorse–he's family,” said Repole. “He represents everything we've built and believe in at Repole Stable. From the day he was born, we knew he was special.

“He's a Grade I winner at two, three and four, a Breeders' Cup Champion, an Eclipse Award winner and a horse who showed heart, grit, and freakish talent.”

Added Coolmore's Dermot Ryan: “Fierceness hails from a young and hugely exciting family of his owner/breeder, Mike Repole. His track record speaks for itself. A Breeders' Cup Juvenile-winning champion 2-year-old who further enhanced his profile with Grade I victories at three and years (of age), consistently posting massive Beyers in the process.

“He is an outstanding physical from a hugely successful sireline and out of a sister to GI Wood Memorial Stakes winner, Outwork. We got together with Mike Repole with an outstanding Saratoga MSW, Eclipse Award and Breeders' Cup Juvenile-winner before, and we all know how good Uncle Mo turned out to be. With his credentials, there's no reason to believe that Fierceness won't be every bit as good.”

The post ‘His Track Record Speaks For Itself’: Champion Fierceness Retires To Ashford Stud Following Breeders’ Cup Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Arthur's Ride (Tapit–Points of Grace, by Point Given), winner of the 2024 GI Whitney in Saratoga, will stand the 2026 breeding season at Taylor Made Stallions, the farm announced today. His stud fee will be $12,500 S&N.

“Arthur's Ride is a horse we were very high on after his impressive back-to-back victories at Saratoga, including his win in the GI Whitney, earning a 110 Beyer,” said Travis White, vice-president of Taylor Made Stallions. “The race prior to the Whitney, he ran a 111 Beyer and won by 12 3/4 lengths.”

The striking grey banked $819,355 for owner Glassman Racing–Karl and Cathi Glassman–and he was trained by Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

A $250,000 Keeneland September Sale purchase by agent Donato Lanni in 2021, the 5-year-old is out of Canadian champion turf mare Points of Grace, who is also responsible for Canadian champion 2-Year-Old filly Victory to Victory (Exchange Rate), who captured the 2016 GI Natalma Stakes at Woodbine.

“He has an outstanding physical and was purchased by Donato Lanni, so we believe commercial breeders will love him. He's got the type of pedigree we look for,” said White. “He is by a top sire, out of a champion, and is a half-brother to a champion 2-year-old filly.”

In Arthur's Ride's front-running performance in last year's Whitney, he defeated subsequent Eclipse Award Older Dirt Male Champion National Treasure in addition to seven other graded stakes winners.

Prior to winning the Whitney, Arthur's Ride romped by 12 3/4 lengths in an allowance/optional claiming victory over 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga and earned a 101 Beyer in a 7 ½-length allowance/optional claiming score at one mile at Gulfstream Park earlier in the season.

For more information on Arthur's Ride, contact Travis White at (859) 396-3508, or Brock Martin at (270) 498-3722, or visit www.taylormadestallions.com.

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Il Miracolo (Gun Runner –Tapit's World by Tapit) will join Pope McLean's Crestwood Farm roster for the 2026 breeding season, according to a farm release Monday.

Il Miracolo will stand for $7,500 Live Foal (Payable Stands and Nurse).

An earner of over $1 million on the track, the Il Miracolo broke his maiden in gate-to-wire fashion going one mile at the age of two, dominating a maiden special weight field at Gulfstream Park. At three, he won the GIII Smarty Jones at Parx, in addition to hitting the board in three other graded starts, including the GI Pennsylvania Derby. The following year, he won the GIII Ghostzapper, was runner-up in Monmouth's GIII Philip Iselin and finished third in the Gulfstream Park Mile and GII Alysheba Stakes. He was fifth in this season's G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan.

“We are excited to announce Il Miracolo at Crestwood Farm,” said Pope McLean Sr. “Having a son of Gun Runner who was a precocious maiden winner at the age of two, and went on to win

graded stakes at the age of three and four, shows the durability and the quality racehorse Il Miracolo was throughout his career. Il Miracolo displayed ability against some of the best of his generation, and he possesses a strong physical presence with size, substance and presence that we believe will impress breeders.”

Bred by Willow Oaks Stable, LLC, the chestnut was campaigned by Alexandres Investments, LLC and trained by Antonio Sano.

“Il Miracolo was a multiple graded stakes winner and an exceptional athlete who proudly represented us on the world stage in Dubai,” said Sano. “He was a remarkable horse in every

way–talented, determined, and completely sound. Training him was a true privilege. He will always hold a special place in my career.”

Call Crestwood Farm at 859-252-3770 to schedule an inspection appointment.

The post Gun Runner’s Il Miracolo to Stand at Crestwood in 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Grade I winner Clicquot (Quality Road–Royal Obsession, by Tapit) and graded winner Italian Soiree (Uncle Mo–Social Call, by Smart Strike) head the latest supplements to Fasig-Tipton's November Sale, held on Monday, Nov. 3 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Clicquot, who won the GI Cotillion on Sept. 20, is catalogued as hip 221. In the Cotillion, the 3-year-old defeated GISWs Scottish Lassie, La Cara, and Good Cheer, winner of this year's Kentucky Oaks.

Clicquot's next anticipated start is the upcoming GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar.

The grey filly won four consecutive starts this year at three, including the GIII Indiana Oaks. She has current earnings of $840,153.

Clicquot, who hails from a female family that includes GISW Magnificent Song, will be consigned as racing/broodmare prospect by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent.

Also added to the November Sale is GSW Italian Soiree (hip 222). The 3-year-old won this year's GIII Coronation Cup on the Saratoga turf. Last year at two, she won her debut on the dirt and then finished second in the GIII Adirondack at Saratoga.

Italian Soiree is a full-sister to Be Better, a stakes winner of $347,300. She is out of a half-sister to the dam of graded stakes winner Old Time Hockey, and her third dam is GISW Likeable Style. She hails from the immediate family of MGISW and prominent sire Scat Daddy.

Italian Soiree will be consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Gainesway, agent.

The latest entries increase the number of graded stakes winners and producers catalogued in The November Sale to 71, 30 of which are Grade I.

The entries may now be viewed online and will also be available in the equineline sales catalogue app.

Print versions of all supplemental entries will be available on-site at sale time.

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The betting public wagered that the Anoakia Stakes would be a return to winning form for Himika (Curlin), and she gave them no reason to worry in the lane as she powered home with ears pricked.

A stylish victress at first-asking June 12 at this venue, the newly minted 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was asked to take on graded company in her second lifetime start, and she passed that test with grace to land the GIII Sorrento Stakes by over four lengths. From there, she ran an even fourth in the GI Del Mar Debutante Stakes two back Sept. 6 and faded to fifth last out Oct. 4 when trying two-turns for the first time in the GII Oak Leaf Stakes. She was beaten by well-regarded stablemates on both of those occasions, namely the Natalie Baffert-owned Bottle of Rouge (Vino Rosso) and fellow 'Rising Star' Explora (Blame), respectively.

Given 1-2 favoritism to turn her form around here, Himika watched the race unfold from just off the flank of Revera (Lexitonian) as that one set a contested pace through :22.55 and a half in :45.65. Briefly overtaking that leader at the quarter pole, she kicked clear coming off the bend and sailed home as a wrapped-up winner by 4 1/4 lengths. Revera held on to second as Stuffy Mist (Maximus Mischief) ambled in from last to claim third.

“She was probably running faster last time going long,” said Bob Baffert. “She was in a good spot, had a great post and she was manageable to rate like, so I felt pretty confident. You just don't know how much that last race took out of her, but it looks like it didn't take a lot out of her.”

“I was happy that she is back to winning form. She basically told us, no two turns for now but maybe down the road. Maybe something like the Test. You know, I think she is that kind of filly. Right now, we are just thinking about next weekend, the Tokyo City Cup. We go week by week, like Belichick.”

Himika is the first to the races for Saratoga track-record setter Motivated Seller, who finished off the board only once in her career when she faded to ninth in the GI La Brea Stakes in 2020. Since this victress, the mare has produced a yearling filly by Complexity as well as a 2025 colt by Jack Christopher. She visited McKinzie for 2026. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

“A tremendous performance…”

#4 HIMIKA rolled home in the $85,000 Anoakia Stakes at @santaanitapark. @JJHernandezS19 in the saddle on the daughter of Curlin for trainer Bob Baffert and @BaomaCorp. Baffert won both legs of the early double. pic.twitter.com/xCOChVkmdp

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 19, 2025

ANOAKIA S., $91,370, Santa Anita, 10-19, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.40, ft.
1–HIMIKA, 122, f, 2, by Curlin
     1st Dam: Motivated Seller (SP, $157,400), by Into Mischief
     2nd Dam: Coup, by Empire Maker
     3rd Dam: French Lady (Nz), by Entrepreneur (GB)
'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. ($900,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-Baoma Corp; B-Klaravich Stables Inc. (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $54,822. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0, $202,822.
2–Revera, 120, f, 2, Lexitonian–Decoder, by War Front. ($50,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $47,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP; $85,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Saints or Sinners, Titletown Racing Stables, U Racing Stables LLC, Barker, Denise, Barker, Edwin S., Haines, John, Rivers, Daniel and Self, Deborah; B-Steven Nicholson & Brandi Nicholson (KY); T-John W. Sadler. $18,274.
3–Stuffy Mist, 118, f, 2, Maximus Mischief–One Playful Act, by Flat Out. ($55,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Juan J. Garcia; B-Brandywine Farm (Jim & Pam Robinson) (KY); T-Victor L. Garcia. $10,965.
Margins: 4 1/4, 2, 1HF. Odds: 0.50, 1.70, 22.30.
Also Ran: Umbralle, Heavenly Princess.

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