Thoroughbred Daily News

The Jockey Club's annual Round Table Conference, which will be held at the Saratoga Springs City Center on Thursday, Aug. 6, will feature new racing league chief Greg Maffei, according to a press release from the organization on Tuesday.

Maffei is a veteran sports executive who helped transform F1 into a global entertainment powerhouse during his tenure as president and CEO of Liberty Media. He currently serves as executive chair of QVC Group, chair of SiriusXM and MediaKind, and a director of Zillow.

Everett R. Dobson, chair of The Jockey Club, will open the 'Matters Pertaining to Racing' conference and deliver the closing remarks.

Among the other speakers is Tom Hashimoto of the Japanese Racing Association (JRA). He will discuss efforts to attract younger generations to the sport and sustain racing's popularity in Japan.

Also, James T. Dresher Jr., chair of the Maryland Jockey Club, will provide an update on recent developments in Maryland.

Click here for more information and a complete list of presenters.

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A colt by leading third-crop sire Vekoma (hip 135) lit up the tote board at Tuesday's Fasig-Tipton July Selected Yearling Sale, selling to Legion Bloodstock's Kristian Villante for $600,000.

“I think he could have stood out [at the Fasig-Tipton] Saratoga Sale, not just July,” Villante said. “He was a big, forward-looking colt, but just had a really good presence about him and handled himself really well all week. We loved the sire, but he was a physical standout for us.”

Consigned and bred by Shawhan Place LLC, the colt is the second foal out of a winning Uncle Mo first dam who is a half-sister to a graded stakes winner and from the family of the great Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}).

“We love Uncle Mo as a broodmare sire,” Villante added. “So it really just kind of made sense all around for him.”

A colt by VEKOMA out of Passionate Dream sells for $600,000 to take the lead at The July Sale! Congrats to the connections:

B: @LegionBldstk, agt
C/Br: @ShawhanPlace #FasigJuly @spendthriftfarm pic.twitter.com/5SFsShXDUg

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) July 14, 2026

The post ‘A Physical Standout’: Legion Bloodstock Goes To $600k For Vekoma Colt At Fasig July appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

OCEANPORT, NJ–Only two months removed from a victory in the GI Preakness Stakes, Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) returns to the races in Saturday's GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Although some might assume the grey would be favored heading into Monmouth's midsummer test for sophomores, they should think again.

At Tuesday's Haskell press conference luncheon at the Oceanport oval, the dual Grade I winner was installed the 5-2 second choice on the morning line behind Further Ado (Gun Runner), who was granted 2-1 favoritism in advance of the nine-furlong race.

One of this spring's leading Kentucky Derby candidates following a stunning 11-length victory in Keeneland's GI Blue Grass Stakes, Further Ado drew post two during Tuesday's draw, while Napoleon Solo was assigned post 6.

The Haskell is a “Win and You're In” race for the $7-million Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

Brad Cox, who also trains Further Ado, previously won the Haskell with Cyberknife (Gun Runner), who set the Haskell stakes and track record in 2022.

Cyberknife won GIII Matt Winn prior to his win in the Haskell, the same race used by Further Ado who won the Churchill race by two lengths on June 7.

Haskell morning-line favorite Further Ado winning the Matt Winn | Coady Media

“We're kind of taking the same path we did with Cyberknife,” trainer Brad Cox said by phone following the post position draw on Tuesday. “He was able to win a [Kentucky] Derby prep in a Grade I (the Arkansas Derby) prior to the Derby. We came back in the Matt Winn with him as well, and ultimately ended up with him winning the Haskell.”

Sent off at 5-1 for this season's Run for the Roses, Further Ado finished a troubled 11th behind winner Golden Tempo. Campaigned by Spendthrift Farm, the $550,000 OBS Spring graduate was bred by John Oxley.

“I thought [the Matt Winn] was a really good effort,” Cox said. “The numbers he received out of it basically say he's the fastest two-turn, 3-year-old colt in the country.”

He added, “I love what I've seen from him since. He's held his condition since. His weight looks great. He's always been a great workhorse, and he's continued to train well and breeze well leading up to this.”

Proving his class with a win in the GI Champagne at two, Napoleon Solo missed this year's Derby but not before finishing fifth in both the GII Fountain of Youth and GII Wood Memorial.

Victorious for Al Gold's Gold Square in the Preakness, Napoleon Solo was subsequently sold to ESPOIR USA. He arrived on the Jersey Shore on Sunday.

While taking a big step up in his latest start, the colt's trainer Chad Summers admits his charge will need to step up to beat the likes of Further Ado.

“He's still relatively a lightly-raced horse with only five starts,” Summers said. “Brad Cox said it: obviously, Further Ado is the best [3-year-old] two-turn horse in the country. He's going to have to get better.”

Trainer Chad Brown, who retains a string of horses at Monmouth this season, is represented by Iron Honor (Nyquist), second in the Preakness last time out. Installed the 3-1 third choice in this race, the consistent colt drew post 5 on Tuesday. Flavien Prat, aboard for the Preakness, returns to ride.

“I think Flavien did as good of a job as he could, based on the trip he was handed,” said Brown of the wide trip last time. “But I thought it was a really good effort and he made more than one move in the race and kept coming forward.”

Brown previously won the Haskell with Good Magic in 2018.

Pointing to Iron Honor's wide trip last time, Summers added, “Chad Brown has drawn inside of us now, so he'll be able to save the ground that he didn't in the Preakness. We're going to have to step up our game. We got a great post. We'll see what happens in front of us.”

Napoleon Solo gallops at Monmouth Park Tuesday morning under exercise rider Emily Ellingwood | Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO

Despite possessing obvious talent, The Puma (Essential Quality) is a bit of a question mark since he will be making his first start the GI Florida Derby on Mar. 28. Victorious in the Mar. 7 GIII Tampa Bay Derby, the Gustavo Delgado trainee finished only a nose behind winner Commandment (Constitution) at Gulfstream Park last time out.

The colt was forced to bypass this year's Kentucky Derby because of a skin infection on his leg.

“As soon as we had to scratch from the Derby we decided to forget about the Triple Crown races and take it easy [and point to the Haskell],” said the trainer's son and assistant Gustavo Delgado, Jr. “We think that all of this [extra] time for him have helped him. There was no pressure. We decided to bring him here and, so far, he looks good.”

Drawing post 4, The Puma was made the 7-2 fourth choice in Saturday's race. Luis Saez will ride the colt for the first time.

“We think that he's ready,” added Delgado. “We want to get him back. Everything we wanted to see before coming here we did see.”

Rounding out the seven horses field: Star Sweeper (Rock Your World, Post 1 – 30-1); Baby Vino (Vino Rosso, Post 3 – 15-1); Ocelli (Connect, Post 7 – 6-1).

NBC will televise the race from 5 to 6 p.m. The Haskell has a scheduled post time of 5:47 p.m.

The 14-race Haskell card features seven stakes races–five graded.

Besides the Haskell the other graded stakes are the $500,000, GII United Nations Stakes; the $500,000, GII Molly Pitcher Stakes; the $350,000, GIII Monmouth Cup and the $300,000, GIII WinStar Matchmaker Stakes.

Also during Tuesday's press conference, Dan Tordjman, president of The Jockey Club's (TJC) Media Ventures and America's Best Racing, was named the winner of the 2026 Bill Handleman Award for outstanding coverage of last year's NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes.

Tordjman was named president of TJC Media Ventures in 2025, overseeing the rapid expansion in viewership and engagement with America's Best Racing Content. Along with Jessica Paquette, he has co-hosted ABR's live-streaming from Monmouth Park during the Haskell Stakes and Haskell Preview Day.

Among Tordjman's ventures was launching ABR's digital livestreams during the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup.

“This award means a lot,” said Tordjman. “I actually started out flipping burgers at Monmouth Park as a college kid. That job gave me my first up-close look at the racing industry and all the incredible people who make it go. This is a full-circle moment for me.”

The Haskell field by post position with morning line odds and jockeys:
1) Star Sweeper (Rock Your World), 30-1, Luis Rivera Jr.
2) Further Ado (Gun Runner), 2-1, Irad Ortiz Jr.
3) Baby Vino (Vino Rosso), 15-1, Jorge Vargas Jr.
4) The Puma (Essential Quality), 7-2, Luis Saez
5) Iron Honor (Nyquist), 3-1, Flavien Prat
6) Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map), 5-2, Paco Lopez
7) Ocelli (Connect), 6-1, Tyler Gaffalione

The post Morning-line Choice Further Ado Draws Post 2, Napoleon Solo Lands in Post 6 for $1M Haskell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Delaware Park has cancelled the live racing card scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, due to the extreme heat watch advisory for the area.

Live racing is scheduled to resume Thursday, July 16.

The four weather-related cancellations this live racing season have been rescheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16; Wednesday, Sept. 23; Wednesday, Sept. 30; and Wednesday, Oct. 7.

For more information, visit www.delawarepark.com.

The post Delaware Park Cancels Live Racing on July 15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Champion Equine's Road To Midnight (Roadster) showed some early speed in his June 20 debut versus fellow Florida-breds before giving way to beat just one rival home in sixth. Punters were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt pari-mutuelly in this open-company contest and he loaded the 7-2 third choice for this first spin on the grass Monday afternoon at Gulfstream Park.

Quickly away from the outside alley, the $100,000 OBS April graduate came across the field and enjoyed a relatively hassle-free time of things up front through a quarter in :22.14.

Moving very nicely nearing the stretch, he ran up the score to the tune of 6 1/2 lengths under the line to become the sixth winner for his first-crop sire (by Quality Road). The debuting Lord Henry (Temple City) was second, while favored Vermont (Vekoma) copped a hard check on the turn and retreated in the final stages to finish at the tail.

The winner's dam, a granddaughter of Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Gandria (Green Dancer), is also responsible for a yearling colt by Win Win Win and was most recently bred back to the latter stallion.

6th-Gulfstream, $68,200, Msw, 7-13, 2yo, 5fT, :56.67, fm, 6 1/2 lengths.
ROAD TO MIDNIGHT (c, 2, Roadster–Midnight Candy, by Midnight Lute) Sales history: $100,000 2yo '26 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $39,650. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Champion Equine LLC; B-Richard B Bennett Jr & Michael Majeski (FL); T-J David Braddy.

Road to Midnight wins by a daylight in race 6 at #GulfstreamPark. pic.twitter.com/N3QWBbFfjP

— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) July 13, 2026

The post Road To Midnight A Sixth Winner For Freshman Sire Roadster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Paco Lopez is not a sympathetic character. He sometimes acts as if the rules, particularly when it comes to the use of the whip, don't apply to him. He never seems to learn from his mistakes. That he struck a horse across the neck after a race at Parx in January of last year was ugly and egregious. No jockey in modern times has been suspended more than him.

So his every move is watched intently by the stewards and HISA. He's brought that upon himself. But that doesn't mean there should be an inherent bias when dealing with Lopez. The rules shouldn't be different for him because he is, well, Paco.

Apparently, they are. Lopez did not deserve a 30-day suspension for his actions aboard I Love Giraffes (Charlatan), who was part of that four-horse spill in the July 3 Wild Applause Stakes. On the outside as four horses were across the track near the top of the stretch, I Love Giraffes clipped heels with Pillar of Beauty (Caracaro), which began a chain reaction in which four horses went down.

Was Lopez to blame? He could have been, but the video footage is not conclusive. The four horses were in tight and it's hard to tell exactly what happened. Chad Summers, who trains I Love Giraffes, believes the spill was caused by Junior Alvarado, who was sitting just inside Lopez on Pillar of Beauty, who regained her balance and finished second.

“Watching what I watched, I felt as though Junior instigated the whole thing.” Summers said. “I felt like we had a good conversation about it with the stewards, but at the end of the day, there was a difference of opinion on how I saw the race and how they saw the race.”

To its credit, NYRA brings the stewards in front of the camera to discuss why they took the actions they did when it comes to controversial calls and disqualifications. (How come New York State Gaming Commission Steward Braulio Baeza Jr. never takes part in these segments?) In this segment, hosted by Andy Serling, they showed a drone shot of the incident. Again, it was hard to tell exactly who did what.

Summers argued that a 30-day suspension should not be handed down when the contact is incidental. And that's a major point here.

“If you're going to suspend somebody for 30 days or longer, there needs to be intent, they need to be targeting someone,” he said. “Unfortunately, those horses got tangled up, we took the worst of it, we go down and then obviously the horses went down behind us. But it didn't seem like Paco had put in some crazy erratic ride where he shut you off or he's riding dangerously. To me, that's what a 30-day suspension would warrant.”

Summers pointed to Kendrick Carmouche's ride in the 2025 GI Jockey Club Gold Cup aboard Phileas Fogg (Astern {({Aus}). Phileas Fogg cut in sharply in the opening strides of the race causing a chain reaction inside of him. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was knocked off balance while riding Mindframe (Constitution), who was never again the same. Carmouche was given just five days.

Of course, this wasn't a first for Lopez. In March 2022, he received a 14-day suspension and was placed on probation for careless riding that caused a multi-horse spill in the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes. Also at Gulfstream in 2019, Lopez was also issued two separate 30-day suspensions for careless riding infractions within just a few months of each other.

But had the jockey on I Love Giraffes been someone with a good reputation like John Velazquez or Javier Castellano, would they even have been suspended? At the worst, Lopez maybe should have gotten 10 days. But the stewards are obviously now penalizing him for past transgressions and factoring that in whenever he gets into trouble.

You don't have to like Lopez. You don't have to like his antics. But this was not something that warranted a 30-day suspension. But that's what happens when you're under a microscope. Fair or not.

Keep an Eye On Powerline

Owned by West Point Thoroughbreds, John Oxley, Summer Wind Farm and Sarah S. Farish, the word is out on Powerline (Flightline). Apparently, the $1.8 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase is a runner. For trainer Steve Asmussen, he worked four furlongs in :48.95 on Thursday and has been entered in a Saturday maiden at Saratoga, which will go as the first race. He had been entered in a maiden race on June 27 at Churchill but scratched due to track conditions.

“So far, he's really got our adrenaline pumping,” said West Point's Terry Finley. “He's shown he has a lot of talent. We sent him to Steve Asmussen in April and his first work was really, really good. Steve became a quick believer and a quick fan of this horse. With the hype around Flightline, which is legitimate hype, we think he's got a shot to get people talking in even better terms about Flightline. As is always the case, there will be some very talented two-year-olds in there, especially considering it's the first six-furlong race. There are people who didn't want to go short. We're excited, but understand we're going to have to have our running shoes on.”

Ironically, the horse to beat could be another Flightline. Greenwell (Flightline) is returning off a sharp second in his debut for trainer Mark Casse.

The post Week In Review: Is there One Set of Rules for Paco Lopez and Another for Everyone Else? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The atmosphere around Newtown Paddocks was bubbling over the weekend as the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Yearling Sale prepares to get underway Tuesday in Lexington. A select group of 238 catalogued yearlings, including the much-anticipated first crop by several freshman sires, leads the action at 10 a.m. and will be followed directly after by a further 64 hips highlighted in the Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale.

“[This sale] is kind of like opening day,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “It's kick off season. It's the beginning of a process that goes through late October. It re-energizes you. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of folks that we haven't seen in a little while. It's a different crowd, a different audience for these yearling sales than the 2-year-old sales. I'm happy to get going!”

The July Sale offers buyers a first look at notable freshman sires whose first-crop yearlings are newly available to the market.

“Some very nice yearlings [by freshman sires],” Browning said. “It's always fun to see the first-crop yearlings. It's another good group–a group that had some real quality on the race track with some nice pedigrees. It should be a lot of fun selling these yearlings by the freshman sires.”

Highlighted by the likes of classic winners Arcangelo and Mage, this year's crop also includes such recognizable names as Cody's Wish, Forte and Taiba.

Arcangelo | Lane's End

“I think it's going to be really strong,” said Marshall Taylor, whose Taylor Made Sales consignment features yearlings by Two Phil's and Olympiad along with the operation's own young stallion in Early Voting whose first juveniles are on the track this year. “I think it will be a strong market. The numbers at the July sale might be down slightly, but it's pretty similar numbers. And if you look at the 2-year-old sales, they were all up from last year and last year was a pretty good year. I think the pinhookers, for the most part, had a good year, and when the 2-year-old market is stronger than it was the previous year, I feel like that's a really good sign for the yearling sales. So I expect the July sale to be a really good sale, I expect good results out of that sale and it will be a good way to start off the yearling season.”

Last year's July Sale saw 156 yearlings bring $16,828,000 for an average of $107,872 and a median of $90,000, numbers largely in line with previous editions.

There was a strong vibe amongst consignors that, coming off a record-setting 2-year-old sales season in Ocala earlier in the spring, that momentum would continue rolling through to the yearling market as pinhookers looked to get in earlier with new added tax benefits.

“I think there are a lot of positive signs,” said Warrendale Sales's Hunter Simms. “I think a lot of buyers take advantage of the 100% depreciation. I think the market will continue to stay strong. All indicators that you think would make it that way look good. In July, they might be a little bit pickier because it's the first yearling sale of the year, but a lot of people thought that about March at OBS and then that ended up being a very good sale and it rolled into April and May and throughout. So I think you will see the same. I think it will be very, very competitive for the horses that tick all the boxes and some that might miss the mark or have some vetting issues will probably struggle to a certain degree, but again I think you will see people participating at all levels.”

The July Horses of Racing Age Sale will look to continue a trend of successful renditions as last year saw a new high-water mark set with the $1.7-million purchase of stakes winner Romeo (Honor A.P.), who was a late supplement to the sale, by Mahmud Mouni.

Our Moneyman | Hodges Photography

This year, another late addition will look to achieve similar success as Our Moneyman (Mr. Money) was entered as hip 365 the day after his runner-up finish in Saturday's GIII Indiana Derby. Prior to that, he was also second in the GIII Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs.

“[Owner] Chester [Thomas of Allied Racing Stable] and Josh [Stevens] had a conversation after the race and floated the idea to potentially supplement him,” said Hunter Valley Farm's Fergus Galvin. “It got traction from there with the group at Fasig-Tipton, we all got together and we're lucky enough to be the ones who get to sell him.”

Our Moneyman, a homebred for Chester Thomas by a stallion also raced by Allied Racing, has earned more than $392,000 in nine starts and has never been off the board with three wins, five seconds and a third to his record.

“Since word got out Sunday about him, we've had a ton of calls and action on him,” Galvin said. “He's shipped in and handled everything with so much class. He's a star on the grounds. He looks great. Credit to [trainer] Bret Calhoun and his crew, because he looks fantastic. He's had some racing here lately and he's a horse that I can see, without knowing too much about him, that handles everything with class. There's always a hunger for a horse with current form and his is excellent. He's probably as good a racing prospect that's come to market in the last several years. He's very much on an upward trajectory with his speed figures. He got a 7 Ragozin from Saturday in the Indiana Derby and that's right in the mix with some of the best 3-year-olds in the country. It's all leading up to what should be a great sale Tuesday.”

The post ‘Opening Day’ In Lexington As Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale Starts Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Predictably, this week's rankings include four from Saratoga (plus one from Monmouth).

5 – IRON PALACE, SAR, 7/9-9th, 1 1/16 miles (turf) (video)
Beyer Speed Figure – 80
(c, 3, by Palace Malice–Daisy Elle, by Ghostzapper)
O-Daigneault Thoroughbreds. B-Titletown Racing Stables (Ky). T-George Weaver. J-Edgard Zayas.
Against a solid turf lineup that included two Chad Brown trainees, Iron Palace drifted from his 12/1 opening line to 27/1 closing odds then won like a good thing. He set a reasonable pace, spurted clear by 2 1/2 lengths in midstretch and held on for the upset. Alex Daigneault acquired him at OBS last April for $150,000, but he didn't breeze until Christmas Eve then had another training interruption in February. He's from the next-last U.S. crop of Belmont winner Palace Malice, now in Japan, and his unraced dam is a half-sister to Grade I-winning sprinter Salutos Amigos (Salute the Sarge).

4 – MIDNIGHT STILL, SAR, 7/11-1st, 5.5 furlongs (video)
Beyer Speed Figure  – 80
(c, 2, by Curlin–More Moonshine, by Malibu Moon)
O-Double Down Horse Racing. B-Summer Wind Equine (Ky). T-Kinnon LaRose. J-Flavien Prat.
Last August, Elza Mitchum and son Alex saw their new Double Down venture score a 17 3/4-length Saratoga debut victory with It's Our Time (It's Our Time). Now they've taken two straight at the Spa. Midnight Still was third against one of the stronger Churchill Downs 2-year-old maiden fields and whipped these by a widening 6 1/4 lengths. It was the first Saratoga win for LaRose, a native of Ogdensburg, N.Y. a few hours north, who recently inherited the stable of It's Our Time's trainer Tom Amoss. Midnight Still's pedigree page shows a couple of big names: dam More Moonshine is a full-sister to two-time Grade I winner Moonshine Memories, and their dam is a half-sister to former juvenile champ Favorite Trick (Phone Trick).

3 – GOLD LIGHT, MTH, 7/11-7th, 1 mile (video)
Beyer Speed Figure – 83
(g, 3, by Frosted–Select Friday, by Kantharos)
O-Victoria's Ranch. B-Ralph Kinder, Erv Woolsey & Charles Kidder (Ky). T-Juan Avila. J-Angel Morales.
He drew off by 4 1/4 lengths in his sixth start, turning in a 19-point Beyer top while running for a tag ($40,000) for the first time. Perhaps the class drop made the difference, but he also was recently gelded. His stakes-placed dam has had one other foal to race, the useful 5-year-old gelding Secured Landing (Omaha Beach), who is presently in Linda Rice's barn and has won five of his last seven.

2 – COLD SPELL, SAR, 7/9-3rd, 6.5 furlongs (video)
Beyer Speed Figure – 84
(f, 3, by Gun Runner–Chalon, by Dialed In)
O/B- Lael Stables/Mr & Mrs Roy Jackson (Ky). T-Wesley Ward. J-John Velazquez.
This marks the third–and final–time Cold Spell has appeared in the “Fastest Maiden” rankings. After beginning her career with two second-place finishes (the first in Mashallah's dazzling debut victory), the daughter of Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint runnerup Chalon was much the best in this spot at 3/10 odds. In her most recent defeat she didn't get away quite as quickly, but she won the break this time.

1 – COMMERCE, SAR, 7/10-1st, 1 1/8 miles (video)
Beyer Speed Figure  –  86
(c, 3, by Street Sense–Valuable Package, by Kantharos)
O-Pin Oak Stud. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (Ky).
T-Bill Mott. J-Junior Alvarado.
After back-to-back Beyer Speed Figures of 70 in his first two lifetime starts, Pin Oak's $350,000 yearling buy led most of the way and kicked clear of pace-presser Presidential Power (Constitution) through the lane to earn a list-topping figure. This was a slightly easier spot, but he also took a nice step forward. His dam was graded stakes placed–a distant third in the 2017 GIII Matron Stakes as a juvenile.

The post The Five Fastest Maidens: Week of July 6 – 12 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The board of the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation has selected the newest recipients of its annual Kentucky Experience Awards, the organization announced via press release Monday.

Three young and exciting candidates were selected for placement commencing this month at Hunter Valley and Springhouse Farms. Senan MacRedmond and Catherine Donworth will join Hunter Valley and Sarah O'Connor begins a year-long sojourn at Springhouse Farm.

Donworth graduated with a Bachelor of Business Studies from the University of Limerick, and like Senan MacRedmond, is a graduate of this year's Irish National Stud training program. The LImerick native grew up on a family horse farm and has gained experience with some of that region's finest farms including Ballyphillip, Kilfrush, Mount Coote and Roundhill Studs.

She has also experienced a summer of yearling sales preparation at Ecurie Des Monceaux, perennial leading breeders of French bloodstock.

“I am thrilled to be placed at Hunter Valley Farm and I am looking forward to beginning this next chapter and further developing my experience and knowledge in the thoroughbred industry,” said Donworth.

Senan MacRedmond | Courtesy of Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation

Senan MacRedmond, brought up in Kildare surrounded by horses, has a strong background from stints as an apprentice jockey with leading German trainer Peter Schiergen and extensive racing experience in Ireland with Johnny Murtagh, Martin Brassil, Ken Condon and Patrick Prendergast.

He has increased his exposure to bloodstock breeding, recently graduating from the Irish National Stud's renowned Thoroughbred Breeding and Management course and assisting Cathy Grassick at Irish sales.

“I am really looking forward to being placed at Hunter Valley,” said MacRedmond. “My ambition is to further my knowledge and experience in the breeding industry, and to continue to learn from the best.”

Sarah Jane O'Connor | Courtesy of Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation

Sarah O'Connor is another with a strong familial link to horses. Originally from County Tipperary, Sarah has extensive experience in her home county with Kilsheelan and Lyonstown Studs and the family owned Nodstown Stables. She has augmented her domestic experience with a season in Coolmore Australia where she also attended the Magic Million Yearling Sale. In addition Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Studies from South East Technological University in Ireland.

“I'm particularly excited to sample the American sales circuit and am really looking forward to experiencing life in Kentucky and Springhouse Farm,” said O'Connor.

The charity's Erin Dilger was delighted with the caliber of applications, saying, “Thank you to our hard working board members and our generous donors–without them we could not do what we do.”

“The board of the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation selected three young people that deserve the opportunity to learn and develop their bloodstock skills at Springhouse Farm and Hunter Valley Farm. We believe they will improve their horse skills as they experience Kentucky and learn at two highly reputable stud farms with a very strong Irish connection.”

The post Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation Reveals Newest Recipients appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

One of the largest investments to Ontario racing in recent years, in the form of significant purse increases for the 2026 Thoroughbred season at Woodbine, were announced Monday by Woodbine Entertainment, the Ontario HBPA, and Ontario Racing.

The enhancements consist of an additional $35-million in annual funding for the horse racing industry passed in late June as part of the fifth amendment to the Long-Term Funding Agreement with the government of Ontario. Of the new funding, $10-million has been allocated to Ontario's Thoroughbred racing sector with $5-million being invested through OR's Thoroughbred Improvement Program (TIP) to strengthen Ontario Bred (OB) and Ontario Sired (OS) stakes programs, increase breeders' awards, and further incentivize the breeding, raising and racing of Thoroughbreds in the province.

An additional $4.5-million will be invested through TIP to enhance racing opportunities for Ontario Bred and Ontario Sired horses at Woodbine Racetrack, including the purse enhancements announced Monday. As the additional funding was allocated after the 2026 racing season had already begun, the full amount of the new purse funding for Woodbine Racetrack will be distributed over the remainder of the 2026 racing season. Enhanced purses for overnight races will take effect in the next condition book, which will be released this weekend. Increased purses for stakes races will begin with the Sunday, July 19 card.

For details on the specific purse enhancement structures, the open stakes program changes, how the Canadian Triple Crown and Triple Tiara would be impacted, and increases to the Ontario-bred/sired programs, please go here.

The post Significant Purse Enhancements for Woodbine’s 2026 Thoroughbred Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Editor's Note: The following is an edited press release from the Jockeys' Guild responding to comments made by NYRA executives and other personnel regarding Sunday's late change in distance from one mile to 1 1/16 miles for Race 4 on the Saratoga turf course.

To view July 12 interview with Maggie Wolfendale posted on X with NYRA Bets Tony Allevato.

The Jockeys' Guild and the local colonies regularly work with racetrack officials across the country to establish optimal standards for rail settings and the numbers of starters, depending on the age of the horses and distances of the races, taking into consideration the layout of each racetrack and the surface(s). Once the jockeys have had an opportunity to ride, they are able to provide input and racetracks will make modifications accordingly to preserve safety for both the horses and riders. For instance, starting races from the mile chute on the dirt at Saratoga Race Course was a safety concern.

Over the past few years, the jockeys and NYRA management tried on a number of occasions to establish the maximum number of starters, the appropriate placement of the starting gate, and stall position from the rail. Working together, these issues were resolved cohesively, not only for safety purposes, but also to assure a fair and equitable start for all of the horses.

Even though condition books are available in advance, this is primarily so trainers and others can plan training and racing schedules for their horses. It is the jockey's agent, not the jockey, who is familiar with the condition book. Entries are taken anywhere from 72 hours up to 10 days in advance and overnights are available on the day of entry.

However, on a daily basis a jockey begins working horses in the early morning hours until 10:30 or 11:00 and then they are typically focused on the upcoming race day mounts, with many of them reducing to make weight. Jockeys are looking at the number of horses they are riding and the weight they must make, not scrutinizing the overnights for the number of horses in a particular race.

The timing of the announcement of the change of distance of Sunday's race was indeed unfortunate and the jockeys recognize the importance of the betting public and understand their frustrations regarding the changes. However, NYRA management was aware of the jockeys' concerns on Friday, July 10, regarding 2-year-old maidens racing one mile on the inner turf course.

Additionally, multiple NYRA officials were notified for the second time of the jockeys' concerns at approximately 12:15 p.m. EST, as the fourth race was carded with 11 starters, with 10 actually running. The inner turf course has a short run into the first turn at this distance and is not safe for a field of that size. This has always been a safety issue not only for the jockeys, but for the horses as well, dating back at least three decades.

At no time, has the Guild, nor the riders, ever agreed to more than 8 starters in a 2-year-old race on the inner turf at the mile distance. While it is correct that NYRA ran two similar races in 2025, the race on July 25 (Race 7) had eight (8) horses and the race on August 7 (Race 2) had seven (7) horses. Furthermore, over the past couple of years, there have been other instances of communication, and possibly some misunderstanding with NYRA officials, regarding the mile turf distance, as well as the number of starters for 2-year-olds at different distances with various rail settings.

Given both notifications of the jockeys' concerns, the management was given more than enough time to change the distance from a mile to a 1 1/16 miles for safety purposes without delaying the races. The jockeys followed the proper protocols to notify racing officials of their concerns in a timely manner. It is unfortunate that was not fully communicated to the public and media by NYRA officials and those who have made it seem as though the jockeys were at fault.

The Guild and the jockeys will continue, just as we have always done, to work with NYRA management on the number of starters at various distances for the safety of riders and our equine athletes, as well as all other safety and integrity matters.

The post Jockeys’ Guild Addresses Concerns Regarding Distance Change July 12 at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 30th Spring Thoroughbred Racing season at Lone Star Park concluded with increases in handle and attendance over the 41-day meet, the track announced via press release.

Handling a daily average of $251,403 in live on-track handle and a daily average of $170,053 in export handle over the 41-day meet, both categories saw increases over 2025 figures by 2% and 4%, respectively. Attendance for the meet increased by 5% over 2025. Notably, handle and attendance increased for the third consecutive year.

“The handle and attendance figures are encouraging and we are proud of these results” said Merlinda Fleming, vice president of operations for Lone Star Park.

The season's highlight came on Lone Star Million Day, where the total handle of $1,506,217 with $1,039,306 of that wagered on-track from the 6,511 fans in attendance was the meet's highest. The on-track total was the highest amount since the Lone Star Million Day card in 2005. The Summer Turf Festival, coupled with a Dollar Day promotion Saturday, June 27 brought the most fans to the Grand Prairie track with an attendance of 13,843.

“These numbers are indicative of the quality of our entertainment product in an extremely competitive market. We look for this momentum to continue into our upcoming fall Quarter Horse season and next year's Thoroughbred Season.”

The season's leading jockey, owner, and trainer were also crowned at Lone Star with Stewart Elliot, Erin Gaarz, and Steve Asmussen garnering the titles in respective categories. Elliot won his fourth championship with 33 wins; Gaarz for the first time with 15; and Asmussen for the 19th time with 37 wins.

The post Lone Star’s ’26 Thoroughbred Season Concludes with Increased Handle and Attendance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Edited Press Release

Grace Hamilton has joined Four Star Sales as Bloodstock and Sales Coordinator, the company announced on Monday. Hamilton joins Four Star following graduation from the Godolphin Flying Start program.

From Bluffton, South Carolina, Hamilton grew up riding horses before discovering the Thoroughbred industry while following American Pharoah's historic Triple Crown campaign. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Equine Science and Management from the University of Kentucky.

Following graduation, Hamilton continued her education in Ireland, completing the Irish National Stud Breeding and Management Course as the Gerry Dilger Scholarship recipient, earning the program's Silver Medal. She was then selected for the Godolphin Flying Start program, where she graduated with distinction in June 2026.

Her sales experience includes time spent working with agent Marette Farrell, Blandford Stud and Taylor Made Sales Agency, both at the sales and with their Thoroughbred advisors. Other international placements through Flying Start included working at Inglis in Australia and with Donnacha O'Brien's Bawnmore Racing Stable in Ireland.

“Having completed my incredible time with Godolphin Flying Start, I could not be more excited to begin the next chapter of my career with Four Star Sales,” Hamilton said. “Throughout my prior work and time at Flying Start, I've always been drawn to the sales side of the Thoroughbred industry. After gaining experience across breeding, sales and racing in several countries, I'm truly excited to bring those experiences back to Kentucky and contribute to a team that has earned such a strong reputation for horsemanship, integrity and client service. I look forward to continuing to learn while helping Four Star's clients achieve their goals.”

Farrell, who worked closely with Hamilton early in her career, said, “We loved having Grace as part of our team for the last few years. Grace has the rare combination of intelligence, humility and an exceptional work ethic. She approaches every opportunity with genuine curiosity and has always wanted to learn not just what we do, but why we do it. Grace understands that our business is built on relationships and trust and naturally inspires that in everyone she meets. I can't think of a better place for her than Four Star. Kerry and his team have always invested in talented young people who are committed to doing things the right way, and I believe Grace will thrive in that environment.”

Kerry Cauthen, managing partner and co-founder of Four Star Sales, said, “My former partner and mentor, John TL Jones, Jr., gave a ton of people, especially those just starting out, a leg up in our industry. Whenever our company is growing, I have always tried to follow suit by adding younger professionals who genuinely love this industry and are committed to learning every day. Grace certainly fits that description. She made the decision at sixteen years old that this was the career she wanted, and she has pursued that goal with tremendous purpose ever since. She has worked hard, asked thoughtful questions, and gained a broad understanding of breeding, sales and racing very quickly.

“We are confident she will add fresh energy, knowledge and new perspective to our team while helping us continue to provide the highest level of service to our clients. We are very excited to welcome her to Four Star.”

Hamilton will work alongside fellow Flying Start graduate George Connolly, joining Elizabeth Minneci, David Lanigan and A.J. Jutte at the company's offices in Lexington, KY. Hamilton will also be working closely with Ashley Franz, who will begin with Warrendale Sales after the Keeneland September Sale.

“We are very appreciative that Ashley has stayed on to introduce Grace to our clients and for her continued commitment through the beginning of the yearling sale season. Ashley will be genuinely missed, both professionally and as a great friend of our team. We all wish her the very best in her future,” said Cauthen.

The post Grace Hamilton Joins Four Star Sales As Bloodstock And Sales Coordinator appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

After a significant delay and some confusion, Saratoga's fourth race of the afternoon ultimately went the way of Robert and Lawana Low's Liam's Law (Colonel Liam), who graduated by 1 1/4 lengths at the Spa on Sunday afternoon. Making his second career start for trainer Todd Pletcher, the Florida-bred became the first winner for his Freshman sire, MGISW Colonel Liam (Liam's Map), who was also campaigned by the Lows and Pletcher.

A distant fourth in the slop in an off-turf test at that Big A on May 24, the bay was installed the 2-1 choice to make amends on the turf this time. Sent straight to the from by Flavien Prat, the colt reeled off sensible opening splits of :24.27 and :48.90. Still in control turning for home, he drew clear and wouldn't give in as And the Runner Is (Oscar Performance) tried to close but failed to get up at the wire. Other horses highlighted in Sunday's TDN, Suspend (Tapit) was fifth, while Casino was sixth (Constitution). Antonelli (Golden Pal) was eighth.

During an interview with NYRA's Maggie Wolfendale, CRO and President of NYRA Bets Tony Allevato discussed the 40-minute delay prior to Sunday's fourth race.

“It is a bit of a perplexing situation. After the start of the card today, the jockeys approached us with some concern about the mile distance for a 2-year-old because of the shorter run-up to the turn than a one mile and a sixteenth race,” explained Allevato. “This is in spite of the fact that this race was drawn on Wednesday and we ran a race at this distance for 2-year-olds on Friday.”

He continued, “We ran two of these races last year, and seven of the 10 jockeys in this race ran the races last year. But this was brought to our attention as a concern after the start of the card and because of that, the safety always comes first, for both the safety of horses and riders, we made the decision to move it to 1 mile and a sixteenth.”

Liam's Law, a $120,000 OBS March Sale purchase by the Lows, follows in the footsteps of his sire, Colonel Liam, who was also secured OBS by the Lows. The Freshman sire previously realized $1.2 million at the April Sale in 2019 after selling at Keeneland September for $50,000.

Colonel Liam, who stands at Ocala Stud in Florida, earned over $1.8 million through three seasons on the racetrack. The winner of the Tropical Park Derby at three, he won the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf at four in addition to the GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic and GII Muniz Memorial Classic. At five, he repeated in the Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park.

The winner's dam, Quickasakitten, produced a filly by Win Win Win last season and followed up with a filly by Adios Charlie this term. She was bred back to Roadtser.

4th-Saratoga, $115,000, Msw, 7-12, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:42.74, fm, 1 1/4 lengths.
LIAM'S LAW (c, 2, Colonel Liam–Quickasakitten, by Kitten's Joy) $120,000 2yo '26 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $68,350. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Lawana L. and Robert E. Low; B-Ocala Stud (FL); T-Todd A. Pletcher.

The post Saratoga Maidens, Presented by Keeneland: Liam’s Law Becomes the First Winner for Freshman Colonel Liam appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

GI Preakness Stakes hero Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) has made the trip from Belmont Park to Monmouth and has settled into Barn 21 ahead of Saturday's GI Haskell Stakes.

The two-time elite-level winner shared a van with fellow Gold Square LLC-owned and Chad Summers-trained Dry Powder (Gun Runner), who is set for the GII Molly Pitcher Stakes on the Haskell undercard. Summers says Napoleon Solo will be out on track Monday, but will not be doing any serious preparation at this point. The conditioner added that the plan would be to keep things 'low-key' for the grey.

“We decided we're going to gallop him up to the race,” said Summers. “He breezed very well on Thursday at Belmont. I'm happy with how he went on Thursday.”

“We're just going to let him see the sights around here and get comfortable. Maybe we'll get a hot dog at Max's for him.”

Napoleon Solo will retain the services of jockey Paco Lopez, who was in the irons last May, for the Haskell. In addition to him, expected starters for the Oceanport marquee are Baby Vino, Further Ado, Iron Honor, Ocelli, Star Sweeper, and The Puma.

The post Napoleon Solo Arrives at Monmouth in Advance of Saturday’s Haskell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Edited Press Release

The Reins of Hope 2026 online charity auction will open Friday, July 10, bringing together the racing community and supporters from across the country to raise funds for those affected by the devastating June 16 barn fire at the Saratoga Casino Hotel harness track in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Created by Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Cherie DeVaux, who has deep ties to the Saratoga Standardbred community, the auction is a grassroots effort to support the individuals impacted by the tragedy. The auction will run through Tuesday, July 21, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the victims of the fire.

The auction is being hosted by Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program and organized by Biederman Real Estate and Auctioneers.

“Racing is a close-knit community, and when tragedy strikes, we come together,” said DeVaux. “Reins of Hope is an opportunity for horsemen, racing fans, businesses, and supporters to make a meaningful difference for those rebuilding after this heartbreaking loss.”

The online auction will feature a wide variety of unique items and experiences donated by members of the racing industry, businesses, and supporters including stallion seasons, memorabilia, artwork, race day experiences and much more.

“The response from the racing community has been incredibly generous,” organizers said. “Every donated item and every bid represents support for the people whose lives were turned upside down by this tragedy.”

Community members, racing fans and supporters are encouraged to participate in the auction, share it with others and help maximize its impact.

Click here for more information, to view auction items and register to bid.

The post Reins Of Hope 2026 Online Charity Auction Benefits Victims Of Saratoga Harness Fire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The first thing you notice about trainer Mike Maker these days is that there is a lot less of him. About 60 pounds worth.

“Not eating and a lot of walking,” Maker said when asked how he dropped the pounds.

The slim and trim Maker is hoping that his 6-year-old gelding Ole Crazy Bone (Ghostzapper) is just as fit when he runs in Saturday's $250,000 GII Bowling Green at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday.

Owned by Flying P Stable, Ole Crazy Bone is the 5-2 third choice on the morning line in the field of seven that will contest the 1 3/8 miles on the inner turf course.

This will be the second start of the year for Ole Crazy Bone, who had a profitable 2025 that saw him win three of seven starts and bank $1,605,650. The bulk of that purse money came when he won the GII Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes at Kentucky Downs last Aug. 3.

His first-place prize that day brought him $1,446,300 but also brought him injury. Maker said Ole Crazy Bone exited that race with a chipped knee that  landed him on the equine disabled list for three months.

“We had to give him some time,” Maker said. “He was back in training by the first of the year.”

He returned to the races May 21 at Churchill Downs and finished second in an allowance optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles.

Ole Crazy Bone with Mike Maker's son Caden | Sarah Andrew

“It wasn't an ideal distance for him, but he ran great against a tough field,” Maker said.

The Bowling Green was always on the radar and now here he is. Ole Crazy Bone will be reunited with jockey Flavien Prat, who has only ridden him once. That came in the race at Kentucky Downs.

If all goes well in the Bowling Green, Maker could see Ole Crazy Bone making another trip to Kentucky Downs this summer.

Maker and Flying P Stable claimed Ole Crazy Bone last June and he has responded with a win and three seconds in four starts for the new connections.

Now, back to Maker's weight loss. He said he started the program in January. For 45 days, he lived on protein shakes and began a daily regimen of walking six miles.

Being a horse trainer doesn't give you much flexibility as to when to do that, but Maker made the time.

“I walk over by my house,” Maker said. “I try to get six miles a day.”

Benefits: he feels great, looks great, too. The negatives: he had to buy a whole new wardrobe. But that doesn't bother him one bit.

In his relatively short career as a trainer, Will Walden has won a pair of Grade I races. He'll be shooting for No. 3 later this month when he sends La Rascasse (Authentic) to the 1 1/8-mile, GI, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga July 25.

Walden, 35, who has been training since 2022, won his first two Grade Is with Rhetorical (Not This Time).

La Rascasse last started in the Monomoy Girl Stakes at Churchill Downs June 13 and won by two and a half lengths. Originally, the plan for the Resolute Racing runner was to perhaps run in the $225,000 Iowa Oaks, which was run at Prairie Meadows Friday night or the $200,000 GIII Indiana Oaks at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Saturday.

La Rascasse takes the Monomoy Girl Stakes | Coady Media

Timing wise, the Saratoga race made more sense.

“But it's not just about the timing,” Walden said by phone from Kentucky. “We are not going up there just to participate. I think she fits. She is two-for-two, she drummed a pretty good field her last time out and she could not be doing any better.”

La Rascasse opened her career with a hard-fought maiden win–by a head–Apr. 11 at Keeneland. Ever since she came into his barn, the filly has shown ability, both in the afternoons and the mornings.

She deserves the chance to compete on the big stage, Walden says.

“We are not running in Grade Is just to run in Grade Is,” Walden said. “We want to win Grade Is. I think she is incredibly talented. She has not given me any markers that this is a lot too quick. She is in the feed tub; she is bounding out of the stall every morning. She looks great on the track. I think she is ready for a big effort, and we are going to let her have the opportunity.”

Kentucky-based jockey Axel Concepcion, who has ridden La Rascasse in both of her starts, will ride in the CCA Oaks, Walden said.

He will also chase another Grade I later in the meet as Rhetorical is being pointed to the $750,000 Fourstardave Aug. 8.

It's career start No. 15 for Carson's Run (Cupid) in Saturday's Bowling Green. And, according to Terry Finley, president and CEO of West Point Thoroughbreds, which co-owns the 5-year-old along with Steven Bouchey, it's a key race for Carson's Run.

“This is probably a make-or-break race for him,” Finley said on the Saratoga backstretch Friday morning. “I think we have expected a little bit more. The water gets deeper with these horses in the higher echelon. Sometimes they lose a step.”

Carons's Run, Terry Finley and Steven Bouchey | Sarah Andrew

Finley isn't throwing in the towel.

Carson's Run, a Grade I winner in the past (2024 Saratoga Derby), hasn't hit the board in his last three starts, two of them this year.

Trained by Miguel Clement, Carson's Run had five wins and three seconds in his 14 prior races. Finley says the horse has been training well for the Bowling Green. Well enough to win it? That's the question.

Carson's Run, who will be ridden by Joel Rosario, is 10-1 on the morning line.

“He acts like he has a shot to be back on his game,” Finley said. “He has worked really well. He had been just so-so, and we did not know what to think. He had a couple of sub-par efforts, but he has always been a horse that will tout you. I think he is going in with a shot.

“The good thing about Miguel is that he is very straight forward,” he said. “If he doesn't like the way a horse is training, he'll tell you.”

Carson's Run is named for Carson Jost, the son of Kim and Wade Jost of Washington State. Carson Jost was born with the Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Wade Jost graduated from the U.S. Military Academy with Finley.

The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented By NYRA Bets: Little Less Maker Hoping Ole Crazy Bone Goes A Long Way In Bowling Green appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Since its inception, the Real Rider Cup has brought together members from all corners of the Thoroughbred racing industry and extending across the equestrian community, to not only host events that highlight the athleticism of off-track Thoroughbreds, but also the importance of fundraising for and supporting racehorses as they transition to second careers.

This year, the Real Rider Cup will be held solely in Lexington, Kentucky, with the 10th running of the event returning to New Vocations at Mereworth Farm on Saturday, July 11.

Founded by Anita Motion, the unique charity showjumping event showcases riders—sporting some of the industry's most iconic silks—partnering up with retired racehorses to compete over a course of jumps, while each rider pledges to raise a minimum of $1,000 to support Thoroughbred aftercare. The beneficiaries of the Real Rider Cup are the Retired Racehorse Project, whose team has taken over organization of the event in recent years; Beyond the Wire; and New Vocations.

What began as an event consisting of teams made up of racing industry personalities, including trainers, jockeys, as well as members of the media, has expanded to host riders of off-track Thoroughbreds from all over. This has not only grown the exposure of the Real Rider Cup, but also helped to bridge the gap between those within the racing industry and those that compete with Thoroughbreds in the show world.

“One of our racehorses that we retired, Icabad Crane, was crowned America's Most Wanted Thoroughbred at the Retired Racehorse Project's 2014 Thoroughbred Makeover at Pimlico. The last time he was at Pimlico, he finished third in the 2008 [GI] Preakness to Big Brown,” said Motion, who is married to Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup-winning trainer Graham Motion. “Graham and I have always been cognizant of a Thoroughbred's life after the racetrack and aftercare has become a true passion of mine, more so than the racing.

“A highlight for me has been seeing people from the outside coming, watching, and enjoying the Real Rider Cup, and just seeing how much fun they can have when attending an event like this. It's amazing to show how versatile these horses are while bringing together the worlds of horse racing and showjumping.”

Jocelyn Brooks with Perpetual Optimism at the 2022 Real Rider Cup | Grace Clark

Jocelyn Brooks, the director of bloodstock for Flying Dutchmen Racing, is a long-time Real Rider Cup participant who has ridden in both legs of the event, in Maryland and Kentucky, throughout the years. Following the retirement of her previous mount, Perpetual Optimism (First Defence), from the show ring, Brooks will ride Happy Farm (Ghostzapper) in her fifth Real Rider Cup appearance this year.

“Unlike other fundraising events, this is something actually horse-involved where we get to show off how talented all of these retired racehorses are…and how talented and athletic all of us old equestrians are. We don't get to ride races, but we can still ride horses,” said Brooks with a laugh. “I've now moved up to being a team captain and rallying the troops, trying to get more people involved. I recruited a friend [Kaya MacLeod] who is a college student that now owns her first Thoroughbred and is very active in the equestrian community. She's a great example of someone that goes to the races and cares about Thoroughbreds, but I don't think she ever thought she'd be involved in this level of an event.”

The Real Rider Cup has no specifications for the Thoroughbreds that compete outside of them being registered retired racehorses that have at least one published workout or lifetime start. This has paved the way for many horse racing 'fan-favorites' to return to the spotlight.

“Unlike the Retired Racehorse Project, which focuses on Thoroughbreds that have recently retired, this is a flash forward to show how much these horses have grown and what they've been doing in their new chapters. It tends to be a group of more established horses and partnerships, since they're usually in their lifelong home by the time they're doing the Real Rider Cup, and it's cool to see,” said Brooks. “This event brings together a bunch of veterans, almost like the industry's all-star game.”

A fellow Real Rider Cup regular, Sergio de Sousa returns this year for his seventh appearance in the event where he'll be riding My High Roller (Bernardini). Since 2019, de Sousa has raised nearly $32,000 for the event's aftercare beneficiaries, an accomplishment that has earned him special recognition in the Real Rider Cup's Hall of Fame that highlights competitors whose lifetime total funds raised have surpassed the five-figure mark.

Sergio de Sousa with My High Roller at the 2025 Real Rider Cup | Amy Lanigan

“I grew up riding ex-racehorses in Brazil. We would go to the horses-in-training sales and buy the older geldings to be riding horses, so I know firsthand that there is a lot left in the tank. These horses, they're four, five or six whenever they finish racing, but that doesn't mean they're done,” said de Sousa, a partner and manager of Hidden Brook Farm in Paris, Ky. “It's always great when anyone has ideas like this to help improve the retirement for these horses. Not only the ones that go on and do other things, but for all of them, because they all deserve that.”

Among the horses entered in Saturday's Real Rider Cup, some of the recognizable contenders include multiple graded stakes winners Tower of Texas (Street Sense), ridden by Sarah Hamilton; United (Giant's Causeway), ridden by Madison Scott; graded stakes winner Happy Farm, ridden by Brooks; stakes winner Navy Armed Guard (Midshipman), ridden by Sidney Baughman; multiple graded stakes-placed Gray Magician (Graydar), ridden by Lindsay Gilbert; and graded stakes-placed Betweenhereandcool (Unbridled's Song), ridden by Mary Ormsby; Hozier (Pioneerof the Nile), ridden by Brooke Baker; K P All Systems Go (More Than Ready), ridden by Kate Stephenson; Runnin' Ray (Street Sense), ridden by Anne Czerwonka; The Black Album (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), ridden by Rodolphe Brisset.

“Our program [at Flying Dutchmen] is so young that this is the first year we have a group of retirees competing throughout the area. We've adopted out a bunch of retirees and having one of them [Navy Armed Guard] in the event is really cool. The [Boersma] family is very excited about it and they're coming out to support,” said Brooks. “It's even more meaningful for them to sponsor the event with one of their own racehorses participating. It means so much to the connections to be able to know where their horses are and see how well they're doing.”

This year, Real Rider Cup has partnered with Breeders' Cup Charities and Keeneland, each of whom have fielded a team of riders and committed to match their respective team's total raised up to $5,000. Overall, the 2026 event recruited a full slate of entries, with 33 competitors spanning seven teams.

Real Rider Cup participants have already raised over $51,000 this season, which has boosted the event's lifetime donations closer to the $835,000 mark.

“Most Thoroughbreds can do just about anything you ask them to do; you just have to find exactly what they want to do,” said de Sousa. “It's kind of a full circle thing for me, from the breeding to the sales and the showing. It's just a good feeling to do this.”

Though the fall event in Maryland will not be held this year due to the cancellation of the MARS Maryland 5 Star event at Fair Hill, Motion is hopeful the Real Rider Cup will return to the East Coast next year.

The 2026 Real Rider Cup in Lexington is open to the public and free to attend. The event will be held rain or shine with gates opening at 6 p.m. For more information, click here.

The post Celebrating 10 Years of the Real Rider Cup and a Lasting Commitment to Aftercare appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

It's not a terribly fair question, but it had to be asked. Which would be bigger for Reagan Swinbank: a Breeders' Cup World Championship win or a Texas A&M football national title for the 'Home of the 12th Man?'

“Well, I've already got a Breeders' Cup win last year with Cy Fair,” said Swinbank. “So, the icing on the cake would be for my Aggies to 'Gig 'Em' by sweeping the bracket come fall and getting their hands on that trophy.”

Point goes to the born-and-raised Houstonian who was nothing if not diplomatic when it came to that response.

What is definitely the case is that the owner of Swinbank Stables–whose silks are fittingly maroon and white–is just as die hard a fan when it comes to horses as he is about being a multi-generational alum.

As he tells it, whether it's Aggieland sports or racing, it's all about being tied in emotionally, spiritually and financially–just like family.

“It's been a challenging year since last July,” said Swinbank. “The Central Texas flooding hit our family hard and we've been really tested. Having a horse like Cy Fair brought us so much joy at a very, very intense and sad time. The fact that this horse progressed so well was exciting for us. We are hoping to get back to the Breeders' Cup, Lord willing.”

Swinbank's wife, daughter and son hooted and hollered when Cy Fair (Not This Time) broke her maiden on debut at Saratoga July 10, 2025, which earned the 2-year-old a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' for her effort. The bookend to the season was a major score in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar in late October and an Eclipse nomination for champion 2-year-old filly.

Aggie maroon homeward: Cy Fair breaks her maiden at the Spa and earns a 'TDN Rising Star' last summer | Sarah Andrew

Cy Fair returned to training for George Weaver this past spring and the turf sprint specialist took home the GIII Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill Downs Apr. 30. A trip to Royal Ascot was in the offing, but that was cut short according to Swinbank.

“Cy Fair got sick and that derailed any shot that she had at going over to England,” he said. “I wanted people to see me in that long coat and top hat, but what's most important is that we gave her time and she is ready to get back to it at Saratoga. She's been working really well for George.”

The Texan, whose Cy Fair partners include Medallion Racing, Joey Platts and Mark Stanton, said that her next start will probably come in the GIII Coronation Stakes at the Spa July 18.

Speaking of Saratoga, Swinbank added that it's always great to go to a racing town where you can talk horses at the donut shop and get tips from nearly everyone.

“I'm from Houston and escaping the Texas heat is a must this time of year,” he said.

In a toasty opening allowance race at the Spa July 3, Swinbank was over the moon when 4-year-old colt McAfee (Cloud Computing)–who he co-owns with Black Type Thoroughbreds, Judy Hicks and Scott Rice–went gate to wire and won by 6 1/4 lengths over the main track. It was a great way to start the meet.

“McAfee had a pretty challenging campaign last year and ran great in the [GIII] Peter Pan, [GIII] Ohio Derby and in the [GIII] West Virginia Derby,” Swinbank said. “He needed a break, but when he came back in a starter at Churchill last month, he just didn't run all that well. George wanted him to come up to Saratoga and it's done wonders. We like the direction he is headed in.”

The owner said that winning at Saratoga or at his home track, Sam Houston Race Park, is special.

“I love sports and I'm a competitor,” Swinbank said. “I'm also a gambler. I've had graded winners all the way down to $5,000 claimers. It doesn't matter to me because I am going to yell all the way to the winner's circle.”

When it comes to merging his two loves of Aggie sports and horse racing, Swinbank said he is planning on getting the current A&M football coach Mike Elko and basketball coach Bucky McMillan involved in some ownership opportunities.

“Both those two follow horse racing and they will come to Saratoga with me at some point,” he said.

After all, a little more 'Gig 'Em Aggies' alongside some winners at the racetrack can't hurt at all.

The post Gig ‘Em Winners: Texas Aggie Deep In The Heart of Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Listed-placed Radiant (Fr) has been purchased by Madaket Stables and will join the U.S. stable of Chad Brown, Jour de Galop reported on Friday.

The daughter of City Light (Fr) raced for co-owners Alain Klodawski and Eric Harivel. The deal was brokered by Nicolas de Watrigant, Klodawski told the French publication.

Bred by Haras d'Etreham and Riviera Equine, the bay was bought out of the 2024 Arqana October Yearling Sale for €55,000.

Trained by Sandrine Gavilan in France, Radiant has won four times in 15 starts. In May, she ran seventh in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches behind Diamond Necklace (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}). Wheeled back June 7, she reported home third in the Listed Prix Volterra over a mile on firm turf.

The half-sister to listed winner and G3 Prix Imprudence second Ritournelle (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) is a daughter of the G3 Oh So Sharp Stakes third Robanne (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}).

The post Radiant Bound For Brown Barn After Madaket Stables Purchase appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.