Thoroughbred Daily News

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation will host a sponsorship fundraiser this holiday season to support the herd of nearly 400 retired racehorses in their care.

Interested parties can sponsor a member of the herd for the season and receive photos, updates and stories on their horse.

In a press release Tuesday, TRF explained that: “A horse sponsorship is more than just a present. It provides dignified lifetime care for a retired racehorse and supports the healing work these incredible animals do with the people in our programs. Each sponsorship includes photos, updates, and stories, allowing your loved one to follow their horse's journey and see the difference they are making.”

Click here to learn more about sponsoring a TRF horse.

The post TRF To Host Holiday Horse Sponsorship Fundraiser appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' and Europe's Champion First-Season Sire of 2024 Sergei Prokofiev (Scat Daddy–Orchard Beach, by Tapit) will return home to Ontario to stand at stud at Ballycroy Bloodstock, David Anderson of Anderson Farm announced Tuesday. The news was first reported by Canadian Thoroughbred.

Originally bred in Ontario by Anderson, the 9-year-old son of Scat Daddy was a $1,100,000 Keeneland September grad in 2017 to Coolmore's M.V. Magnier and he carried the blue and orange silks to victory at second asking to earn his 'Rising Star' status at Navan in 2018.

As a juvenile, he won the G3 Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes and placed in the G2 Coventry Stakes but also made a pair of trips to America, contesting both the GI Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (fifth) and the then-listed Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (eighth). After winning another stakes as a 3-year-old, he finished his racing career with a record of 14-4-1-1.

He retired to stud at Whitsbury Manor Stud in England and had 53 winners from his first two crops led by G1SW Arizona Blaze. He was named the Champion First-Season Sire for 2024 in Europe.

“I obviously followed him throughout his career,” Anderson said of his new acquisition.” Through [both] his racing career and then onto his stallion career with Whitsbury Manor also. It's an honor to get him back. Those are two great operations who did all the heavy lifting–first Coolmore and then Whitsbury who did an amazing job getting so many mares to this horse and really proving him.”

Ballycrox Bloodstock currently stands three stallions, Collusion Illusion (Twirling Candy), Gamble's Exchange (Exchange Rate) and Tamarkuz (Speightstown).

“I think this is an opportunity that we [Canadians] haven't seen in decades,” Anderson continued. “To get a young, 9-year-old horse by Scat Daddy. He's a tremendous-looking horse that has commercial appeal but throws racehorses and is throwing them on not only turf but also synthetic and dirt as well. I think he'll have a lot of appeal not just north of the border but also south of the border as well.”

Anderson added that Sergei Prokofiev would be on a plane next week to Kentucky where, after he complete his quarantine, he'll ship north to Ontario.

“We're hoping that once he's out of quarantine, we'll get him up to Canada [for breeders to inspect] near mid January,” he said.

Sergei Prokofiev will stand his first season in Ontario for $10,000 CDN.

The post Sergei Prokofiev, Europe’s Champion First-Season Sire, To Stand In Ontario appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), the 2024 Horse of the Year, will be bred during the upcoming season to sire Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}), it was announced by the superstar filly's majority owner, John Sikura, the owner of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. Sikura and the others in the Thorpedo Anna ownership have already chosen who she will be bred to in 2027, and that is Curlin (Smart Strike). Curlin stands at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, while Gun Runner stands at Three Chimneys Farm.

“We usually take this one year at a time, but to breed to the two over the next two years was the consensus among the owners, so that's what we are going to do,” Sikura said. “With every partnership we have we are always respectful of all the owners, regardless of the fact that I might own the majority of the horse. Both are outstanding sires. Let's hope Curlin is breeding strong, two, three, four, five years from now. But for now, Gun Runner will be the choice the first time around, and that's what we are doing. Both on the racetrack and in the sales ring, he is, among the younger sires, clearly a uniquely successful North American dirt sire. That was her aptitude and that's what we are trying to breed for the marketplace. This will be great on great and we will hope for the best.”

In choosing Gun Runner now and Curlin later, Sikura believes he can tap into both sires' best attributes.

“It wasn't either/or with the sires,” he said. “We are trying to capitalize a little bit on the immediacy of Gun Runner's success and also the legend and legacy of Curlin. Let's hope that Journalism (Curlin) has a great year and emerges as a very top class horse in 2026. If so, we can capitalize on both sires at the exact right times.”

Sikura said he normally tries to keep his breeding plans quiet, but realized that with Thorpedo Anna that wasn't an option.

“She has a great following and was such a uniquely accomplished race mare,” he said. “I try to keep most of my decisions quiet until I'm ready to reveal them. To a large degree, she is in the public domain, so I don't have a problem sharing that information.”

No plans have been made as of yet as to whether or not the Thorpedo Anna babies will be sold or raced by the current partners, but Sikura is best known as a commercial breeder and not as an owner.

“To make that sort of decision now would be really premature,” he said. “I'm a commercial breeder. In some form or fashion we can monetize these foals, recognizing the enormous investment we made in the mare. We would be open to some kind of partnership, in which we would sell an interest. All avenues are open.  Let's have a live foal first and then we can go over the options. People ask what are you going to name the foal? Let it be born first and then a name will be selected.”

In August, 2025, Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa acquired a half-interest in Thorpedo Anna. The price was never publicly disclosed.  In October, 2025, Sikura acquired another 20 percent fractional ownership interest in the mare for $1 million at the Keeneland Championship Sale.

Sikura said that Thorpedo Anna has taken to her new life on his farm well.

“She has settled in well,” he said. “She has been turned out in our paddock and she dropped her head and acclimatized to this part of her career. She's been here with us for weeks.”

Thorpedo Anna will go down as one of the greatest fillies of her generation. A winner of 12 of 16 career starts, she won eight Grade I stakes, including the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff and the GI Kentucky Oaks. Trained by Kenny McPeek, who picked her out at the sales for just $40,000, she was named Horse of the Year and 3-Year-Old Champion Filly in 2024.

Gun Runner has quickly established himself as one of the top sires in the world. To date, he has had 51 stakes winners, 34 graded stakes winners and 12 Grade I stakes winners. He has seven sons at stud and, thus far this year, he is the third leading sire in earnings behind Into Mischief and Not This Time. His stud fee for the 2026 breeding season will be $250,000.

The post Thorpedo Anna Will Be Bred To Gun Runner In 2026, Curlin In ’27 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Come January of next year, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) will limit Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) play one minute to post in nearly all pools, according to NYRA president and CEO David O'Rourke during Tuesday's Global Symposium on Racing in Tuscon, Arizona.

By far the most aggressive step taken yet to manage CAW play by any track operator in the country, this will mean that all CAW players will be limited to a maximum six-bets per second when they bet into the NYRA product within one minute to post in these pools, putting them on the same footing as retail players.

The steps that NYRA has already taken to manage these high-volume players–limiting their access to the win pool and the Late Pick 5 and Pick 6 pools–will remain unchanged.

O'Rourke was part of a panel titled, “The Sustainability Algorithm: Balancing CAW Growth with Racing's Long-Term Health,” arguably the most eagerly awaited of the whole symposium given the sharp focus on these high-volume players and their impacts on the sport's coffers.

O'Rourke described NYRA's “multi-phased” approach as a data-collection strategy to see how the pools react, then to tweak their approach accordingly if necessary.

“What I'm saying here is we draw a line now, we start measuring what's going on within that period of time, and then we start looking at other things,” said O'Rourke. “You're really talking about volume and throughput here.”

Moderator Pat Cummings, executive director of the National Thoroughbred Alliance (NTA), jumped in to ask some of the other the panelists if they would take NYRA's lead and similarly restrict CAW play at their facilities.

Scott Daruty, president of The Stronach Group's (TSG) Monarch Content Management as well as the company's CAW wagering platform, Elite Turf Club, was non-committal.

“It's something we would consider,” said Daruty, before pivoting to a prior remark of Cummings's: that even with the new one-minute to post restriction in place, CAW players can still make their large winning bets at six bets a second, potentially still having an undue influence on the pools.

“The answer is 'yes, they can.' Does that mean this policy's a failure? I don't believe so. But if you believe that that means this policy's a failure, then you have to realize what you really want isn't a level playing field, you just want winning players out of the pool. And I have a very, very big philosophical problem with that approach,” said Daruty.

O'Rourke also floated another new idea soon to be made available through NYRA and TSG's 1/ST Racing and Gaming, which is a centralized hub of raw odds data easily accessible for every player, large and small.

“I believe 1/ST and NYRA will make our data feeds available–same raw data feed to everyone,” said O'Rourke.

“This is the same data feed that the ADWs are getting, the same one that Scott's Elite [Turf Club] players are getting,” said O'Rourke, referencing co-panelist Scott Daruty.

With this data feed available to everyone, “somebody could either create their own graphics, they could ingest it into their own model,” said O'Rourke.

“Now again, it's the same data that's already out there and anybody who has any rudimentary coding ability can currently go on their Xpressbet, TVG, TwinSpires account and just scrape the data and get it into this format,” said Daruty.

“But that's a step that our current customers currently have to take that we asked ourselves, 'why are we making them take that step?' So, we can eliminate that step for them,” Daruty added.

Cummings once again jumped in to ask if this was something that could be made available to all players at other tracks around the country. O'Rourke seemed open to the idea.

“For sure,” said O'Rourke. “Ideally, this could become a marketplace for other forms of data related to the game or offered out. I think it gives the opportunity for people to make products. Let's let people get creative. Let's get this out there. Let them create their own models.”

“We've got [artificial intelligence] AI machine learning–you start pushing this data into one centralized place, it's raw, let's face it, 99% of the consumers are not going to be interested. But that 1%, we're going to get a lot out of that,” said O'Rourke.

As a whole, the panel was an educational seminar as much as it was a platform for new policy ideas. The following are some of the other key points raised throughout the one-hour session.

Takeout

Marshall Gramm, professor of economics at Rhodes College in Tennessee, raised a point he has made before–that horse racing is no longer priced competitively for its players, and that to bring it into line with other wagering avenues, takeout needs to be reduced.

“We are priced now worse than we were when we had a monopoly, when racing was the only thing that people could bet on outside of Las Vegas, right?” said Gramm. “Takeouts were much lower than they are now. And so, I think that's something that really needs to be looked at.”

O'Rourke argued that in order to reach a status quo where takeout can be reduced, the sport needs to come together on a uniform source market fee.

This is a fee based on where you live “above and beyond the host fee,” said Cummings.

“Let's just use a 16% takeout wager win bet,” said O'Rourke. “If you're in New York and it's on prime content, you might have a host fee in the high single digits. Then you've got a source market fee of 6.5%. So, you've basically got a fixed overhead overlay there. How can you come in with a 7% or 5% product–your distributor's essentially underwater on half the card.

“So, to get to price flexibility to get to these creative things, we need a uniform source market structure in this country. Otherwise, you're asking a distributor to distribute something that they're literally underwater on, on a fixed tax structure,” said O'Rourke.

Cummings then asked O'Rourke if takeout is held artificially high to offer the highest rebates to CAW players and to keep the mass market down. O'Rourke refuted that suggestion.

“No. Takeout essentially blends for the most part to 20% across the board. And most of the financial structure of this industry is basically based on that,” said O'Rourke, before adding that practically speaking, he's open to re-visiting the takeout structure.

“The way that we've added bets then changed and put in low takeout bets but left certain ones high, I think the whole thing needs to be revisited and re-cascaded to be honest,” he said. “And if we were able to have the flexibility with a fixed source market fee structure–because we're essentially distributing to the whole country–that gives you the pricing flexibility to actually bring takeout down on specific bets.”

Projected Odds

Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis, talked about the success they've had using projected odds, done through the DRF Formulator.

“The good news is our retail play grew this year and our CAW handle was essentially flat. The Elite Turf Club was up one half of 1% on our races this year. FanDuel was up almost 5%. And these are good numbers. We have more brick and mortar locations this year where the handle went up on our product, which I'm really proud of,” said Halstrom.

“We're constantly trying to get to know our retail players, having them try to understand our product. Our on-track handle on live racing days went up. It's not happened in a lot of places,” Halstrom added. “We formed a really great team that loves racing and we'll continue to try to cater to the retail player, and that's how we're going to take market share off of other racetracks.”

Win Pool Restrictions

NYRA was the first track to restrict CAW play in the win pool at two minutes to post. Del Mar followed suit this summer, then came Santa Anita.

Gramm floated some stats showing how these restrictions are a successful bulwark against late odds drops.

“NYRA's changes have been extremely successful based on the data,” he said. “The favorite changes in a typical race in that last cycle one in five times. So, one of every five races the favorite changes. For NYRA, it's one in 25,” said Gramm.

“Not to pick on Del Mar before they made the change, [but] in the two weeks before the change, they had 29 major odds-droppers, meaning horses that increased their share of the win pool by 50% in that last cycle. There were 29 of them. Seven of seven of them won, including Nanci Griffith, which went from 18-1 to 6-1. Velocity, which went from 8-1 to 7-2. Seven of them were winners.

“Saratoga has had one major odds dropper in two years. NYRA's only had 14 total. So, you compare that to Keeneland that's had 130. Churchill 378. And Gulfstream 684,” said Gramm (though the data collection period for the last three tracks wasn't specified).

Clarity

At the very beginning of the session, Cummings sought answers to some basic questions about CAW, including around some common misconceptions of the issue.

Do CAW players receive additional odds information not available to retail players?

“No, they do not,” said Daruty. “There's one and only one data feed that goes to every wagering location throughout the world. It goes to the CAW players. It goes, if you're a TVG or TwinSpires or Xpressbet account holder, it's that same data feed that goes to your betting platform.

“If you're at the racetrack, it's the same data feed that is displayed on the Tote board in the infield. Now you said, 'is there any difference at all?' There's no difference in the data that's delivered, but there is a difference in the ability of the consumer to absorb that data.”

“If you're at a racetrack and you're looking at the Tote board in the infield, you're going to see what the Tote board operator puts on the board. And there may be a point in time where they're showing the win pool, and in your mind you're thinking, 'boy, I would really love to see the Exacta will pays.' But it's not being shown on the board,” said Daruty.

“For the CAW players–they're receiving that Tote feed digitally,” said Daruty.

Is there a racetrack operator that also functions as a CAW?

“No,” said Daruty. “That is nonsense. We are a platform like Xpressbet, TVG or TwinSpires.”

The post NYRA Taking Aggressive Steps To Curb CAW Play In All Pools appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Keeneland's January Horses of All Ages Sale, which produced 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Shisospicy, has cataloged 1,046 horses for the 70th edition of the auction, which will cover two sessions on Jan. 12-13, 2026, that each begin at 10 a.m. ET. Click here for the catalog, which offers broodmares and broodmare prospects, newly turned yearlings, horses of racing age and stallion prospects.

“The January Sale is where breeders and owners are able to launch the new year with confidence,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “The auction, which is scheduled just before the start of breeding season, is an ideal platform to showcase broodmares, broodmare prospects, 'short' yearlings and racehorses to a global audience of buyers.”

Print catalogs for the January Sale are scheduled to be mailed around Dec. 17.

Premier offerings in the January Sale catalog who already have been announced are:

Simply in Front, a Grade I winner and $2.8 million earner who is a 4-year-old daughter of Summer Front. She is consigned by Richard G. Hogan, agent for Colebrook Farms, and cataloged as a broodmare prospect.

Tiffany Case, dam of top-ranked 3-year-old filly Nitrogen who is in foal to Not This Time. Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, consigns the 12-year-old mare, a winning stakes-placed daughter of Uncle Mo whose two foals to race are both stakes winners.

Broodmares in the January Sale catalog are in foal to such successful sires and emerging young stallions as American Pharoah, Candy Ride (Arg), Charlatan, City of Light, Cody's Wish, Cogburn, Constitution, Curlin, Domestic Product, Dornoch, Epicenter, Essential Quality, Flightline, Forte, Girvin, Golden Pal, Good Magic, Gunite, Hard Spun, Jackie's Warrior, Justify, Kingsbarns, Liam's Map, Maclean's Music, Maxfield, McKinzie, Munnings, Muth, Newgate, Not This Time, Nyquist, Omaha Beach, Practical Joke, Prince of Monaco, Seize the Grey, Tapit, Timberlake, Tiz the Law, Twirling Candy, Up to the Mark, Upstart, Vekoma, War Front and Yaupon.

Yearlings in the catalog are by such stallions as American Pharoah, Annapolis, Candy Ride (ARG), Charlatan, City of Light, Cody's Wish, Complexity, Constitution, Corniche, Cyberknife, Drain The Clock, Elite Power, Forte, Girvin, Gun Runner, Gunite, Jackie's Warrior, Justify, Knicks Go, Liam's Map, Life Is Good, Maclean's Music, Mage, Maxfield, McKinzie, Munnings, Not This Time, Nyquist, Olympiad, Omaha Beach, Pappacap, Quality Road, Tapit, Twirling Candy, Uncle Mo, Upstart, Vekoma, War Front, Wootton Bassett (GB) and Yaupon.

The first round of supplements to the January Sale are to be announced Thursday, Dec. 11.

The January Sale will be livestreamed at Keeneland.com.

The post Keeneland Catalogs 1,046 Horses for 2026 January Horses of All Ages Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

One lucky fan and a guest can win a chance to attend the 55th Annual Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards presented by John Deere, The Jockey Club, and the NTRA as part of the Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards Sweepstakes, it was announced Tuesday. The grand prize winner and their guest will also accompany Resolute Racing at the Pegasus World Cup.

The grand prize includes airfare, hotel, and two tickets to the Eclipse Awards to be held Jan. 22, 2026, at The Breakers Palm Beach, as well as tickets to the Pegasus World Cup held at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 24, 2026.

There is no purchase necessary to participate in the promotion and entries may be made on the Resolute Racing website, or its accompanying social media channels, or the NTRA website, or its accompanying social media channels.

“We are excited to again host two lucky fans at the most glamorous night in racing at the 55th Annual Eclipse Awards,” said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. “In partnership with Resolute Racing, two fans will have a fantastic weekend we hope they remember forever.”

“Racing fans are the backbone of the sport, and Resolute Racing is delighted to team with the NTRA to provide an avenue for two lucky people to attend the Eclipse Awards, which is Thoroughbred racing's version of the Academy Awards,” said John Stewart, founder and owner of Resolute Racing. “We also look forward to hosting the winners at the Pegasus World Cup.”

The post NTRA and Resolute Racing Offering Sweepstakes to Attend Eclipse Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Edited Press Release

The launch of a comprehensive review aimed at updating the veterinarians' list and stewards' list categories across U.S. Thoroughbred racing, with changes targeted for 2026, was announced Monday by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA).

Through this initiative, HISA aims to modernize and harmonize these oversight tools, providing additional insights into national safety metrics.

Beginning in 2026, HISA will conduct a detailed audit of existing veterinarians' and relevant stewards' list categories across racetracks, state racing commissions and HISA's rules. As part of this process, HISA will distribute a comprehensive survey in early 2026 to regulatory veterinarians and stewards, and will conduct in-person interviews with those groups to gather information on current practices. The collected responses will be used to document the range of vets' list practices and identify areas where differences exist across jurisdictions.

Once the information-gathering phase is complete, HISA will conduct an internal analysis of the findings to identify patterns, gaps and areas where updates may be needed. Following this review, the organization will work with its advisory groups to evaluate potential approaches for future veterinarians' and stewards' list categories. The process will include consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, including owners, trainers, racing offices, attending veterinarians and other industry participants. Input from these groups will inform the development of a system that is practical, fair and aligned with the industry's commitment to equine welfare.

“The current structure of the veterinarians' list and relevant stewards' lists, which are based on legacy categories created decades ago, varies widely across states and racetracks and, in some cases, is no longer fit for purpose in a modern, national racing environment,” said Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, director of equine safety and welfare at HISA. “We're thrilled to be launching this initiative, which will provide clarity, consistency and fairness in a system that affects horses, veterinarians, trainers and owners alike.”

“As with any HISA initiative, our goal is to promote equity among all stakeholders and ensure more transparency into national safety metrics, while providing appropriate protections for horses identified as being at increased risk for injury.”

At the conclusion of this project, HISA will release its findings publicly and outline a set of modernized veterinarians' list and stewards' list categories.

The post HISA to Conduct Comprehensive Review of Vet and Stewards’ List Categories appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Grade I winner and $2.8 million earner Simply in Front (Summer Front–Complicated, by Blame) has been cataloged to the 2026 January Horses of All Ages Sale on Monday, Jan. 12. Richard G. Hogan, agent for Colebrook Farms, is consigning the 4-year-old who is cataloged as a broodmare prospect.

Simply in Front is a three-quarter sister to both GISW And One More Time (Omaha Beach) and stakes winner Churchtown (Air Force Blue). She is a half-sister to Grade II winner Honor D Lady (Honor Code).

“Simply in Front is a gorgeous mare who comes from a deep, active family with what could have even more black type on the horizon,” Hogan said. “There is real upside for buyers in 2026 and beyond.”

In Keeneland's GI First Lady on Oct. 4, Simply in Front collared GISW Choisya (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) inside the sixteenth pole and held off subsequent GI Matriarch winner Segesta (Ghostzapper) to win by a neck.

With the performance, Simply in Front scored her third victory in five starts in 2025. She also won the GII Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile and the KY Downs Preview Ladies Turf Mile at Ellis Park in August.

At 3, she won the GII Music City Stakes and during her juvenile season, she was runner-up to five-time GISW She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) in the Natalma.

“Simply in Front gave us one of the highlights of the Fall Meet with her First Lady win,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “To offer a Grade I winner this January is truly special, and she is exactly the quality that buyers will be seeking for their broodmare bands.”

Simply in Front's dam, Complicated, is from an established Phipps family of champion Inside Information and Grade I winner Educated Risk.

The online catalog for the January Sale is scheduled to be available Tuesday, Dec. 9.

The post Grade I Winner Simply In Front to Sell At Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A jockey, veterinarian and a podcaster, Ferrin Peterson juggles all her duties and juggles them well. Peterson has released a new episode of her “The Boundless” podcast. Her guest is Andres Martinez, who is a foreman for Doug O'Neill.

Martinez grew up in Mexico City before his family moved to Tijuana. There he worked briefly at the old Caliente Racetrack before emigrating to the U.S. and the California racing circuit. He got his big break 12 years ago when going to work for O'Neill.

Peterson calls Martinez the “Globetrotting Foreman.”

One of Martinez's main jobs is to accompany the O'Neill horses when they leave the U.S. for international races. He has been to Dubai, South Korea and Japan and tells of his adventures in each place and the differences between each culture.

The Boundless podcast can be heard on the following platforms:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/andres-martinez-from-tijuana-to-dubai-a-foremans/id1791259243?i=1000739797533

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_Tajk_CYsg;

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5gJ9J1d1TybxAOrP5xRyY5?si=qwr5lh27RUuw6nxTioqIDw&nd=1&dlsi=1e604e5acb9a4879

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The Sporting Art Auction, a partnership between Cross Gate Gallery of Lexington and Keeneland, concluded its 13th edition by achieving total sales of $2.7 million.

The high seller was LeRoy Neiman's Lady Liberty, a signed oil on board that realized $229,125.

Held at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion on Nov. 13, the auction drew collectors from seven countries who participated in person and remotely. Of the 206 pieces spanning sporting art, American paintings and sculpture, 90% sold.

Sale topper: Lady Liberty by Leroy Neiman

“We are thrilled with the result of this year's Sporting Art Auction,” said Catherine Ladd Kenneally of Cross Gate Gallery. “The international participation through the online platforms was incredible and really a first for us. As the Sporting Art Auction continues to flourish, we are grateful for our partnership with Keeneland and the community's continued support.”

The second- and third-highest-priced sellers were two works by Polish-American artist Andre Pater. His oil-on-canvas Breeders' Cup 1999 realized $141,000, while Watermelon Jockey, a vibrant pastel, recorded $117,500.

“The vibrant energy at this year's Sporting Art Auction made for a wonderful event,” said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. “Seeing our Sales Pavilion filled with our community, collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate sporting art is a special way to close our 2025 sales season. We appreciate all of the work by the Ladds and Cross Gate Gallery to make this event happen, and we're delighted to watch its reach and participation grow each year.”

The post Leroy Neiman’s Lady Liberty Tops Keeneland’s Sporting Art Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Umberto Rispoli, who captured his first riding title at the recently concluded Del Mar meet, will make a return visit to Hong Kong for Wednesday's Longines International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley. The Italian ex-pat spent six years riding in Hong Kong before relocating to Southern California in 2019. For Rispoli, who flew into Hong Kong last Tuesday–just two days after claiming the Del Mar title–the trip is part sentiment, part family vacation, and part professional competition.

“I rode here for six years, so obviously Hong Kong is a place that I carry in my heart,” Rispoli said. “It's a beautiful city. When I was a young jockey, when I moved from France to Hong Kong, it's a place that taught me a lot in terms of building a strong character, mentally as well. They race only twice a week, so there aren't many opportunities. It builds your personality, you know. It's a special place.”

In advance of the championship, Rispoli returned to Happy Valley last week and was gratified by the response he received.

“I was there [last Wednesday] actually as a tourist,” he said. “Just to put myself in the mood again and breathe a little bit of the atmosphere of the races at night at a very charismatic track. It was very fun, very good. I had a warm welcome from everybody, from the riders and trainers and some people working behind the scenes, too. That proves to me that I left something important here. People were happy to see me and I was happy to see them. The most important thing that is wherever you go, you left a mark on people and they appreciate your presence at the track. I was very happy in the way they received me.”

Rispoli made the return trip to Hong Kong with his wife, Kimberley Mosse Rispole, and their two young sons, Hayden, eight, and Aramis, three.

“The reason we left right after Del Mar–I am here with the family,” Rispoli said. “My son when we left Hong Kong, he was only 2 1/2, so I wanted to show him where he grew up for his first years. And the other child wasn't even born yet. We planned on doing a lot of things, seeing a lot of friends, having nice dinners and some attractions for kids. Hong Kong gives you this opportunity, the chance to enjoy the city and have fun. It's a place you have to visit, because it gives you so much to do. It's a lot of entertainment. For family trips and couple trips, it would be one of the best trips people would take for sure.”

Rispoli said his time riding races in Hong Kong presented him with challenges that he has used to develop his skills in the saddle.

“It's tight, competitive races,” Rispoli said of racing in Hong Kong. “Almost every day is a handicap, so it's more strategy, more tactical. That's what you don't find anywhere else probably in the world. The handicap system works so very well here. That's what makes Hong Kong racing different.”

Rispoli aboard Preakness winner Journalism | Horsephotos

In Wednesday's jockey championship, Rispoli will face off against a group of international stars, including last year's championship winner Mickael Barzalona, as well as James McDonald, Ryan Moore, Hollie Doyle, William Buick, Joao Moreira, Christophe Lemaire, Rachel King, Zac Purton, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, and Hugh Bowman.

The 12 riders will compete against each other while earning points in four races worth HK$7.5 million (US$963,743) in prize money, along with total bonus awards of HK$1 million for the top three riders.

“It's all about what horses you are going to ride and what draw you get,” Rispoli said of his championship mindset. “That's the important key in those kind of races. I will just try to be myself and no overthinking, just more focused on my horses.”

Rispoli will be representing the United States when he makes his championship debut Wednesday.

“It's an honor and a privilege,” he said of representing the Stars and Stripes in Hong Kong. “It's a country that, since I have been there at the end of 2019, has given me a lot. So many opportunities. A lot of people, trainers and owners, gave me opportunities without most of them knowing me, who I was and what I had done in the past. So I will definitely try to represent the United States in the best way possible and try to bring the cup home.

The Italian enters the jockey championship on the back of a career year in the saddle. In addition to his Del Mar riding title, he also rode Journalism (Curlin) to victory in the GI Preakness Stakes and runner-up efforts in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes.

“It's been an amazing year so far,” Rispoli said. “Obviously, having this opportunity to ride at this challenge at Happy Valley, and if I have a chance to win it, it would be a cherry on the cake to just close the year in an amazing way.

“Happy Valley is one of the most iconic racetracks in the world. So I am glad to be back and I am glad this opportunity came up.”

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Despite losing a shoe in Saturday's GII Remsen Stakes, Paladin (Gun Runner) came out of his win no worse for wear, according to trainer Chad Brown on Sunday.

“He looks good,” confirmed Brown. “He lost his right front shoe in the race, so we'll give him a few days and get him down to Payson Park next week.”

“Overall, he looks like he's in good shape. It's nice to see that he got a lot of experience that will help him down the road. This horse is for real. He's a serious horse, and to get his career started with two wins off the bat–we couldn't ask for more.”

Promoted to first over Renegade (Into Mischief) in his career debut going a mile at the Big A on Oct. 17, the chestnut maintained that edge on that rival when adding an eighth of a mile while taking on stakes company for the first time in the Remsen.

The $1.9 million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale purchase is campaigned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Brook Smith and Summer Wind Equine, who also bred the colt. The Coolmore partners and Smith also campaigned Champion 3-year-old and last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner).

“He's running faster figures than any of [Brown's Classic runners] in the past,” Brown said. “He's a little ahead of where they were to be honest. He's got good forward, positional speed, all things that are very good things to work with going forward.”

Sierra Leone was retired from racing after his runner-up finish in this year's Classic and will stand the 2026 season at Ashford Stud.

“It's rewarding because you send a great horse home, and you hope to have a replacement right away,” Brown said. “They've supported me with plenty of expensive prospects in recent years, so to be able to keep it going and have a new, fresh horse on the Derby trail and a potential exciting stallion prospect – which is the broader plan here–is [exciting]. I feel I am doing my part in keeping something in the pipeline for the whole big picture here.”

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Hastings Racecourse and Casino, a track located in Vancouver, British Columbia that began racing in 1889, has ceased the conduct of thoroughbred horse racing at the facility with immediate effect, the track announced Friday evening.

In a statement posted to social media, the track noted that racing is typically conducted between the months of April and October and as such, there were no horses currently stabled on site.

“This was an extremely difficult decision, especially given the historical legacy of Hastings Racecourse in the local community and its importance to the province's racing industry,” said Wayne Odegard, Regional Vice President, Great Canadian Entertainment. “Unfortunately, it's strictly a business decision based on a lack of economic feasibility to move forward with another season of horse racing at Hastings. We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated members, racing participants and fan base for their support and patronage for so many years.”

The statement added that operations of the casino and simulcast racebook at the facility would not be impacted by the decision to cease live racing.

“Our focus moving forward will be supporting our impacted team members through this transition, as well as racing participants as they assess their options for thoroughbred racing in the province in the future,” Odegard added.

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Horses that win a California-bred first-level allowance race will enjoy expanded opportunities beginning with the Dec. 26 opening of the Classic Meet at Santa Anita, the track announced Friday. The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), in collaboration with Santa Anita, Del Mar, Los Alamitos and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA), have reached an agreement to broaden the available options to include two wins over the same surface in Cal-bred first conditioned allowance races.

Under the existing policy, Cal-breds are entitled to two wins in the first level allowance if the wins are recorded on different surfaces (dirt or turf). The new enhancement bolsters this program by permitting two wins on the same surface at two separate distance categories: one win at seven furlongs or less (short) and the other at one mile or longer (long).

The agreement to expand the available options is on a one-year trial basis for 2026 with the understanding that the cap of a maximum two wins within the condition is unchanged.

“These expanded opportunities in the Cal-bred first-level allowance races is the latest measure taken to further strengthen the state bred program,” said Bill Nader, President of the TOC. “This follows recent announcements where purse levels for maiden special weight and first-level allowance races have been significantly increased to $70,000 at Santa Anita for the Classic meet, of which half of the races are restricted to horses bred in California. The increase in the owner bonus from $10,000 to $12,500 in Cal-bred maiden special weight races run at Santa Anita also begins with immediate effect on Dec. 26. Much of this momentum is a direct result of the success of the single circuit which channels our resources more effectively.”

“This is a great modification to the current policy, and it will be helpful to horses and horse owners,” said trainer Mark Glatt, a TOC board member. “It provides a secondary path by making horses eligible for a second win in the category on the racing surface of their choice. Horses that take this path will need to run both short and long. I would like to thank the racing offices at the southern California racetracks for their willingness to trial this in the coming year.”

CTBA President Doug Burge applauded the new policy, saying “it is a great addition to the $30 million Cal-bred racing and incentive program that now offers even more opportunities to the California-breds, which currently make up roughly 50% of our field sizes. Through the support of TOC and the racing associations, we continue to reward those breeding and racing in the state. If you race in California, it now pays more than ever to have Cal-breds in your barn.”

Santa Anita Park's 2025-26 Classic Meet kicks off Friday, Dec. 26, 2025.

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stayed trainer Eusebio Juarez's two-year suspension and combined $18,000 fine (including arbitration costs) handed to him in October by a Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) arbitrator for possession of the banned substance diisopropylamine.

As a consequence, a further evidentiary hearing will be held. During this, Juarez will have the chance to present a witness, not present at a prior hearing, who allegedly has evidence of “significant exculpatory potential” in the case, according to FTC administrative law judge Jay L. Himes in a written order dated Dec. 2.

The case stems from a January 29 search by Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) investigators of Juarez's SUV stationed at Oaklawn Park racetrack. They found two hypodermic syringes filled with a substance later determined by laboratory analysis to contain the banned substance diisopropylamine.

Diisopropylamine is a vasodilator, which is a substance that dilates the vessels to allow blood to flow more freely through them. Diisopropylamine is also found in several everyday items like tobacco and beauty products, and hand sanitizer.

The day of the search, Juarez claimed ignorance on how the syringes got into the vehicle, positing that he had recently received the vehicle back from a repair shop and “alluded the syringes were left behind by the repair technician,” according to Himes's written order.

The following April 25, Juarez's attorney responded to HIWU's official equine anti-doping notice by advising the agency that the “'substance was intended for administration to some injured roosters' owned by Mr. Luis Terrazas, who trainer Juarez claimed is his auto-mechanic,” according to Himes's order.

At the same time, Juarez's attorney provided a “typed, unsigned, unnotarized, draft affidavit allegedly from Mr. Terrazas,” as well as “an alleged handwritten receipt for the auto repair,” according to the order.

The following is a summary from Himes's written order of Terrazas's unsigned affidavit:

“Mr. Terrazas serviced Mr. Juarez's SUV during the period January 13-28, 2025. Mr. Juarez brought his SUV to Mr. Terrazas because it 'had been repeatedly overheating.' In order to re-create and then repair the condition, Mr. Terrazas 'drove the SUV several times over the course of about one week.' During that time, he 'put the two syringes' into the console of Mr. Juarez's SUV.”

“Mr. Terrazas had obtained the two filled syringes 'from a friend' in order 'to administer the substance in both syringes to several farm animals at [his] home later that day. These animals had been gravely injured by a predator.' The syringes, however, were not used, as Mr. Terrazas's wife suggested an alternative treatment, which was successful. Mr. Terrazas never removed the two syringes from Mr. Juarez's SUV and 'never told [Mr. Juarez he] had put the syringes in the SUV console.'”

At the time of the January vehicle search, Juarez was working as an exercise rider. He has also held a trainer's license since 2023. This year, Juarez has saddled 27 winners from 126 starts, according to Equibase.

HIWU determined that Juarez's initial explanation “lacked credibility,” according to Himes's written order. He also notes that in April of last year, HIWU discovered a single syringe filled with diisopropylamine during a search of a vehicle that Juarez's wife had driven to Oaklawn Park.

In that instance, Juarez's wife had allegedly obtained the diisopropylamine to treat chickens that the couple raise, and HIWU declined to charge Juarez with any violation.

Two days before the Sept. 11 arbitration hearing for the case in question, Juarez served a pre-hearing brief which identified Terrazas as a witness. The hearing arbitrator, however, declined to allow Terrazas's testimony, describing the brief as being submitted in an “untimely” manner.

During the merits hearing, a HIWU witness testified that the syringes found “were the gauge size and needle length typically and traditionally used for intravenous injections on horses and that they were too large for use on roosters or other fowl. He further testified that the volume of diisopropylamine was inconsistent with the volume that could possibly be administered to roosters or other fowl,” according to Himes's written order.

As his only defense witness, Juarez rebutted this argument, saying that in his experience treating chickens, a large hypodermic needle could be used.

The basis of Juarez's petition for review of the arbitrator's decision was the exclusion of a “necessary defense witness” despite his prior identification of that person. Judge Himes ultimately agreed.

“When Mr. Juarez sought, belatedly, to call Mr. Terrazas as a witness at the arbitration hearing, a fair and impartial resolution of the case would have been better assured not by excluding him,” Himes writes in his order. “Therefore, to the extent provided below, I will direct an evidentiary hearing at which Mr. Terrazas may testify.”

No date has yet been scheduled for that evidentiary hearing.

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Oaklawn Park will host a pair of major live horseplayer contests to be held during Southwest Stakes Weekend in 2026, the track announced Friday. The new events, the Southwest Showdown on Saturday, Jan. 31, and the Oaklawn Horseplayer Championship on Sunday, Feb. 1, will bring together top horseplayers from across the country to Oaklawn for a high-stakes competition offering Last Chance/First Chance seats to the 2026 or 2027 National Horseplayers Championship (NHC), 2026 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC), and cash prizes.

“We are excited to introduce a marquee horseplayer contest during one of Oaklawn's most thrilling weekends,” said Louis A. Cella, President of Oaklawn. “Our Southwest Stakes Weekend already attracts national attention, and adding an event that rewards skill, strategy, and passion for racing will elevate the entire experience.”

Tom Rooney, President and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, added: “A visit to Oaklawn Park should be on the bucket list for any horseplayer. We are delighted that handicapping contests will be added to the promotional calendar at one of the pre-eminent racing destinations in America, if not the world,”

Further information on the entry structure, rules, and prize distribution will be announced by Oaklawn in the coming weeks.

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Jockey Rajiv Maragh rode his 2000th career winner Friday at Gulfstream Park, piloting Lazio (Bucchero) to victory in Race 3.

“This feels pretty surreal when you think about the whole journey since 2000,” Maragh told Gulfstream media. “I've come a real long way. I've come from humble beginnings and to be able to achieve this milestone is pretty incredible. I've got to be really thankful for all the support I've had. You don't win 2000 by yourself. There are a lot of people behind the scenes.”

After a two-year break from riding competitively in 2022, Maragh resumed riding at Gulfstream just over one year ago in Oct. 2024 with a goal to reach the 2000-win milestone.

“This is a career milestone that I've really looked forward to as a short-term goal of mine,” he said. “To accomplish it, it's actually motivating. It creates the possibility that anything's possible, doing this at the highest level–Gulfstream's Championship Meet.”

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Wagering on U.S. races during the month of November experienced nearly an eight percent decrease and purses also saw a similar decline compared to a year ago, according to information released by Equibase on Friday.

Total wagering of $848,116,672 on races during the month represented a 7.93% decrease over the same period from 2024, while available purses of over $118 million were lower by 7.76%. The figure of over $111 million for paid purses in November was also down by 7.49%. As for the total number of race days, they also decreased from 275 to 248 (-9.82%) and the number of U.S. races was lower from 2,316 in November 2024 to last month's tally of 2,123 (-8.33%).

Average field size in November was up a tick from over a year ago when it was 7.77, and checked in at an average of 7.81 runners–an increase of 0.49%. As for average daily wagering, it increased by 2.10% to $3,419,825, and the average available purse number per race day was up 2.28% to $476,030 from the figure of $465,423 in 2024.

When it comes to the year-to-date figures, through November of 2024 wagering on U.S. races came in at $10.583-billion, while this year the amount is $10.395-billion (-1.78%). Those numbers include worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.

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Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has cancelled its Friday program because of an interruption in water service, according to a press release on Friday from the track.

The water main break in the neighborhood around Fair Grounds is being addressed. Live racing is scheduled on Saturday and Sunday with a first post of 12:45 p.m. CT.

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Taylor Made Stallions's Travis White will succeed as president longtime leader Ben Taylor, who is retiring from day-to-day operations and will assume the role of chairman of the board, the farm said in a Friday morning press release.

White began at Taylor Made in 2007 and has worked alongside Taylor in the stallion department for 18 years. The Louisville-native graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in sports management, and began his career in the industry at Buck Pond Farm before moving into the role of stallion nominations and sales for Taylor Made.

White will continue to work closely with breeders, shareholders and stallion owners, while focusing on the future success of Taylor Made Stallions.

Ben Taylor's decades of dedication have shaped Taylor Made Stallions into one of the premier stations in Kentucky. He successfully managed leading sires Saint Ballado, Unbridled's Song, and now Not This Time, who has emerged to the top of the stallion rankings this year. Under his direction, Taylor Made Stallions also co-managed the likes of Kris S., Speightstown and Tiznow.

Taylor transitioned into his new position as chairman on Dec. 1. In this role, he will continue to provide guidance, strategic oversight and support to the leadership team while stepping back from daily management.

The current Taylor Made board includes President & CEO Mark Taylor, Director of New Business Development Frank Taylor, Founder Duncan Taylor and CFO Jerry Felix.

“It has always been our mission to stand stallions that are of high quality and attractive to commercial breeders at all price levels. We will continue to invest in stallions that we believe have limited financial exposure yet provide home run potential should they go on and become successful.” said Ben Taylor. “Travis has earned the trust of our team, our clients, and our partners. I am confident that under his leadership, Taylor Made will continue to uphold the values and excellence that define our brand.”

“It's an honor to step into this role as president and work directly with all four brothers to continue building upon the foundation they have established,” said Travis White. “I look forward to leading Taylor Made Stallions into its next chapter while preserving the traditions and standards that have made this operation successful.

“We have a very experienced team in place with our Stallion Manager Gilberto Terrazas, Booking Coordinator Wendy Upton, and Stallion Executive Tina Miller to go along with our newer team members, Brock Martin and Clay Taylor, who provide a strong work ethic and fresh ideas to the operation,” he added. “Our team is very grateful for our existing owners and shareholders and as we have in other aspects of our operation, we also want to build on providing opportunities for new people that might be interested in the stallion part of the business.”

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