Wed, 04/10/2024 - 10:25

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Stronghold

Stronghold

Colt by Ghostzapper – Spectator, by Jimmy Creed

Bred in Kentucky by Eric and Sharon Waller

 

On the final day of major prep-point action, Stronghold secured his spot in the Kentucky Derby with a hard-fought victory in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. The colt, who previously won the Grade 3 Sunland Derby, comes from a multi-generation homebred program.

Mon, 04/08/2024 - 12:55

Thousand Words becomes first in freshman sire class with winner

Coady Photography
The Queens M G paid $92.74 in her upset maiden score at Keeneland.

As 2-year-old racing got under way last week, Thousand Words became the first North American freshman sire off the mark with a winner as The Queens M G recorded a $92.74 upset in her debut Sunday at Keeneland.

The Queens M G outdueled West Memorial – the first starter for fellow freshman Caracaro – by a head, with the pair 11 lengths clear of the third-place finisher. The time for the 4 1/2 furlongs was 52.44 seconds. The Queens M G, owned and trained by Israel Acevedo, was a $3,500 Fasig-Tipton October yearling purchase.

Mon, 04/08/2024 - 12:55

Winx filly sells for Australian record $10 million

Courtesy of Moonee Valley
Winx was a winner of 33 straight races and a four-time Cox Plate winner in Australia.

The first daughter of internationally popular four-time Australian Horse of the Year Winx sold for a record $10 million Australian (about $6.6 million in U.S. funds) at the Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale on Monday.

The price eclipses the Australian yearling record of $5 million in local funds paid for a half-brother to champion Black Caviar at the 2013 Inglis Easter sale.

Mon, 04/08/2024 - 12:50

Into Mischief has big weekend, chance to tie Kentucky Derby record

Coady Photography
Leslie's Rose captured the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, giving her sire Into Mischief another Grade 1 victory.

In the span of one weekend, kingpin Into Mischief gave a remarkable demonstration of why he is the dominant sire of this time. The five-time reigning leading sire took over atop the North American earnings list with three new graded stakes winners – including yet another Grade 1 winner – and now has likely representation in both the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

Wed, 04/03/2024 - 13:25

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forever Young

Erika Rasmussen
Forever Young is from Japan's top sireline and has a strong female family as well.

Forever Young

Colt by Real Steel – Forever Darling, by Congrats

Bred in Japan by Northern Racing ($720,603 JRHA select yearling and foal sale purchase by Fujita Susumu)

Japan’s Forever Young made a huge jump up to third choice on Derby Watch after clinching his spot in the Kentucky Derby field with his win in the Group 2 U.A.E. Derby at Meydan. The colt, a product of the most prominent sireline in Japan, is from a female family that has produced another of this year’s Derby Watch top choices – immediate relation Sierra Leone.

Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:55

McCraken retired from stud, pensioned to Old Friends

Barbara D. Livingston
After a successful stud career, McCraken will be retired to Old Friends Farm in Kentucky.

Multiple graded stakes winner McCraken has been pensioned from his stallion career and retired to Old Friends in Georgetown, Ky. The now-gelded 10-year-old son of Ghostzapper had stood at Airdrie Stud in Kentucky.

Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:55

Senor Buscador brings Rose's Desert, Peacock family to world's biggest stage

Barbara D. Livingston
Senor Buscador captured the biggest race of his career last month in the $20 million Saudi Cup. He goes next in Saturday’s $12 million Dubai World Cup.

From the racetracks of New Mexico to the Middle East, Rose’s Desert has developed into the linchpin of the Peacock family operation, with her son Senor Buscador looking to take down another of the world’s richest prizes in Saturday’s Group 1, $12 million Dubai World Cup.

Wed, 03/27/2024 - 10:55

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Fierceness

Barbara D. Livingston
Fierceness will try to re-establish his Derby bona fides in Saturday's Florida Derby.

Fierceness

City of Light – Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty

Bred in Kentucky by Repole Stable

Fierceness, who won last November’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to cement an Eclipse Award championship, looks to cement his spot in the Kentucky Derby in Saturday’s Florida Derby.

Fri, 03/22/2024 - 11:47

I'll Have Another moved to Old Friends

Barbara D. Livingston
A welcoming party with be held Friday at Old Friends for champion I'll Have Another.

Dual classic winner and champion I’ll Have Another is the newest resident of the Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky., with the organization hosting a welcome party on Friday for the stallion, who arrived earlier in the week.

Wed, 03/20/2024 - 12:00

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Track Phantom

Track Phantom wins Gun Runner at FG Dec 23 2023
Hodges Photography/Amanda Hodges Weir
Track Phantom won both the Gun Runner (above) and Lecomte this winter at Fair Grounds.

Track Phantom

Colt by Quality Road – Miss Sunset, by Into Mischief

Bred in Kentucky by Breeze Easy LLC ($500,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by L and N Racing)