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The nominees for the New York-bred divisional championships were announced Wednesday via a press release by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders. The list of nominees is as follows:

2-Year-Old Male: Bold Fortune (Central Banker), Jack and Jim (Slumber {GB}), Mi Bago (Vekoma), Mo Plex (Complexity) and Sacrosanct (Honest Mischief).
2-Year-Old Filly: Accelerating (Mitole), Scythian (Tiz the Law), Shoot It True (Munnings), Stone Smuggler (Honest Mischief) and With the Angels (Omaha Beach).
3-Year-Old Male: Antonio of Venice (Laoban), Doc Sullivan (Solomini), Pandagate (Arrogate), Tapalo (Tapiture) and The Big Torpedo (Big Brown).
3-Year-Old Filly: Kinza (Carpe Diem), Landed (Omaha Beach), My Mane Squeeze (Audible), Roanan Goddess (Leofric) and Sweet Brown Sugar (Collected).
Older Dirt Male: Bank Frenzy (Central Banker), Light Man (Central Banker), Maker's Candy (Twirling Candy), Mama's Gold (Bolt d'Oro) and Rotknee (Runhappy).
Older Dirt Female: Kant Hurry Love (Kantharos), Silver Skillet (Liam's Map), Sterling Silver (Cupid), Stonewall Star (Flatter) and Venti Valentine (Firing Line).
Turf Male: Dakota Gold (Freud), Dancing Buck (War Dancer), Senbei (Candy Ride {Arg}), Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro) and Works for Me (Daddy Long Legs).
Turf Female: Caldwell Luvs Gold (Goldencents), Loon Cry (More Than Ready), Moonage Daydream (Candy Ride {Arg}), Scythian (Tiz the Law) and Silver Skillet (Liam's Map).
Male Sprinter: Dancing Buck (War Dancer), Light Man (Central Banker), Rotknee (Runhappy), Senbei (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Tapalo (Tapiture).
Female Sprinter: Kant Hurry Love (Kantharos), Loon Cry (More Than Ready), My Mane Squeeze (Audible), Sterling Silver (Cupid) and Tricky Temper (Into Mischief).

Nominations are also open for the New York Farm Manager of the Year which will be awarded along with the above-mentioned championships May 19. The New York Farm Manager of the Year Award will be chosen from the nominated candidates and voted by the board of directors of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. in recognition of an individual in a managerial or supervisory role at a New York Thoroughbred-based farm.

Submit nominations here.

The post ‘Rising Star’ With The Angels Leads New York-Bred Divisional Nominees; Nominations Open For New York Farm Manager Of The Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Churchill Downs Racetrack has renewed its partnership with Ford as the exclusive automotive partner of the Kentucky Derby through 2029,  the track announced Wednesday. Under the renewed agreement, Ford will be granted exclusivity in the automotive category and an expanded footprint with interactive vehicle displays to promote fan interaction and immersive brand experiences to supplement the excitement of Derby Week and beyond.

As part of the multi-year agreement, Ford will expand its on-site footprint to include the naming of the First Turn Club, a premium hospitality space originally debuted in 2023 overlooking the first turn of the racetrack. The popular location will now officially be called the Ford First Turn Club, offering guests a distinctive race-day experience with prime views and upscale amenities. Additionally, Ford will activate exclusive luxury vehicle displays and brand-new Ford-themed fan experiences at key areas around the track, including the Paddock Plaza and VIP Gate, ensuring high-profile brand visibility to attendees throughout Derby Week.

“Churchill Downs is thrilled to continue building our relationship with Ford Motor Company as an Official Partner of the Kentucky Derby and to expand our collaboration in exciting new ways,” said Casey Ramage, vice president of marketing and partnerships at Churchill Downs Racetrack. “The Kentucky Derby is built on tradition and long-standing partnerships, and Ford's commitment to excellence and innovation aligns perfectly with the spirit of this exceptional event. We look forward to continuing to work together to deliver an unforgettable experience for Derby fans and guests.”

Ford will maintain the existing sponsorship of key Derby and Oaks activations not limited to: branding inclusion on the Kentucky Derby Starting Gate, presenting sponsorship of the Churchill Downs Barn Area, entitlement of a Derby Day race sponsorship, exclusive digital content and year-round vehicle displays at Churchill Downs.

“At Ford our mission is to create tangible impacts on the communities where we work and serve,” said Phil O'Connor, director of global marketing communications–Ford Blue and Model e at Ford Motor Company. “Ford has a deep connection with the Louisville community. Our Louisville-based manufacturing facilities employ roughly 12,000 Kentuckians. Our heritage of capability, passion and innovation make our friends at Churchill Downs Racetrack ideal partners. We're excited for this next chapter in our partnership and honored to continue supporting the bluegrass state.”

The post Churchill Downs Renews Partnership With Ford Ahead Of Kentucky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky., held an online auction for halters worn by a pair of GI Kentucky Derby winners in Silver Charm and Giacomo. The proceeds, totaling $4,380, will be presented to the East Kentucky Dream Center for emergency flood relief to residents in Pike County, Ky.

Online bidding for the Silver Charm halter was already underway when Dr. Jack Root of Oakhurst Equine in Oregon contacted the farm and generously donated Giacomo's halter to help.

“Like so many others, Old Friends' supporters from within the horse industry were deeply disturbed by the suffering caused by the recent floods in Eastern Kentucky, particularly in Pike County,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. “After a halter worn by 1997 Kentucky Derby winner and Old Friends resident Silver Charm was successfully auctioned, a halter from 2005 Derby winner Giacomo was also donated by Dr. Jack Root to be auctioned for flood victims relief. The resulting financial gift comes from two horses who are members of a small group of living horses who can claim to have won a race synonymous with Kentucky. It is given in hopes that it will ease the burden of some Kentuckians who remain in desperate need.”

The post Old Friends Auctions Halters To Benefit Kentucky Flood Victims appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

St. Patrick's Day (Pioneerof the Nile), the full-brother to Triple Crown winner and Coolmore stallion American Pharoah, has been re-acquired by his breeder Summer Wind Farm, the farm announced via social media Tuesday. Having previously stood at stud at Florida's Journeyman Stud, the 10-year-old stallion was entered in this year's Keeneland January Sale but was withdrawn.

“With St Patrick's Day's arrival to the farm earlier this winter, Jane also completed her own very special set of nine horses,” the post reads. “She now owns all the offspring of Littleprincessemma (Yankee Gentleman) that she bred since the moment she acquired the eventual Broodmare of the Year for $2.1 million in 2014 when “Emma” was carrying St Patrick's Day in utero.”

The post notes that St. Patrick's Day has joined another of his half-siblings in Triple Tap (Tapit) at the farm and that “nothing has been ruled out or in for either horse's future.”

The post St. Patrick’s Day, Full To American Pharoah, Re-Acquired By Breeder Summer Wind Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Grade I winner Shirl's Speight (Speightstown–Perfect Shirl, by Perfect Soul {Ire}) has had his first mares checked in foal, Darby Dan Farm announced Tuesday. The 8-year-old stallion won the 2022 GI Maker's Mark Mile Stakes, as well as that year's GIII Tampa Bay Stakes and the 2020 GIII Marine Stakes. He was second in the 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Mile and 2023 GI Woodbine Mile.

Shirl's Speight stands at Darby Dan for $5,000, S&N.

The post First Mares Reported in Foal to Shirl’s Speight appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

This week's racing on radio and television schedule, as compiled by America's Best Racing.

The overall spending stats were down this year, with the sale grossing AU$14,348,500, down from AU$15,379,500 in 2024, with a drop in the average, median, and top price as well.

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.

The four-day sale will take place April 15-18 with each session beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET. The under tack show will run from April 6-12 starting at 8 a.m. ET each day.

An impressive performance by BC Stables' American Promise March 15 in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs has placed him among the top 10 in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old Poll.

Debbie and Howard Appel of Surfside Stables welcomed twin fillies out of their broodmare, Kona Kai, at Meadowbrook Farm in Shelbyville, Ky., March 10. Farm manager Lori Hendrickson had the honor of birthing the Oscar Performance foals.

Dollars and Sense with Frank Angst

BH Interview: Phil Hatfield

The Florida House of Representative's Commerce Committee voted 13-7 in favor of a bill that would allow Thoroughbred racetracks to operate casinos and card rooms without being required to run live racing.

During the March 17 BloodHorse Monday podcast, Flying Dutchmen president Hunter Rankin confirmed that Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner Owen Almighty will continue on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail rather than wait for the Pat Day Mile (G2).

On the March 17 BloodHorse Monday: Flying Dutchmen's Hunter Rankin discusses Owen Almighty's Kentucky Derby status, Louie Rabaut and Sean Collins recap the Virginia Derby, and Frank Angst recaps the OBS March Sale and Oaklawn Park's show bets.

Millionaire sprinter The Chosen Vron, recently selected as the California-bred Horse of the Year for a second consecutive season, has been retired.

Barnes, who endured his first defeat in the San Felipe March 1, and standout debut winner Cornucopian worked six furlongs at Santa Anita Park in company March 17 for trainer Bob Baffert.

At the end of trade, Magic Millions reported that 138 lots sold at a clearance rate of 73% and recorded an aggregate of AU$6,732,500 (approx. US$4,300,776), a drop of 8.6% at the same point 12 months ago.

The 2024 Equine Injury Database shows that racetracks in the United States that are not subject to HISA's rules have a fatality rate of 1.76 per 1,000 starts, which is almost double the 0.90 per 1,000 starts at HISA racetracks.