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The owner of a pair of Grade I wins on turf in North America last year, Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) took home Horse of the Year honors at Thursday evening's 49th Annual Sovereign Awards ceremony hosted by the Jockey Club of Canada. Fev Rover, who won the GI Beverly D. S. at Colonial Downs and the GI E.P. Taylor S. at Woodbine, is trained by Mark Casse. The Canadian and U.S. Hall of Famer once again collected hardware as he was awarded his 13th consecutive Sovereign and 16th overall title. Other highlights of the evening included top rider Kazushi Kimura being named the champion jockey and Gary Barber won his first Sovereign as an owner. As for the juvenile categories, the top 2-Year-Old Female went to Witwatersrand (Connect), who won the GIII Mazarine S. at Woodbine, while the top 2-Year-Old Male was awarded to MGISP My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince). In the 3-Year-Old Male division, the King's Plate S. hero Paramount Prince (Society's Chairman) earned top honors, and Woodbine Oaks heroine Elysian Field (Hard Spun)–who was also the runner-up in the King's Plate–was the leading 3-Year-Old Female award winner. The top three finalists in each horse and human category were cast online by the Jockey Club of Canada's voters. The media category award finalists were determined by professionals within the industry selected from across North America.   Horse Awards: Horse of the Year: Fev Rover (90); Runners-Up: Paramount Prince (Society's Chairman) (44), Elysian Field (Hard Spun) (32) Champion 2-Year Old Female: Witwatersrand (Connect) (132); Runners-Up: Tripolina (Constitution) (41), Living Magic (Justify) (32) Champion 2-Year-Old Male: My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince) (156); Runners-Up: Babbo (Kantharos) (59), Two Ghosts (Ghostzapper) (39) Champion 3-Year-Old Female: Elysian Field (149) Runners-Up: Solo Album (Curlin) (60), Fashionably Fab (Silent Name {Jpn}) (45) Champion 3-Year-Old Male: Paramount Prince (144) Runners-Up: Patches O'Houlihan (Reload) (70), Touch'n Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) (47) Champion Female Sprinter: Loyalty (Hard Spun) (160) Runners-Up: Our Flash Drive (Ghostzapper) (61), Fashionably Fab (39) Champion Male Sprinter: Patches O'Houlihan (137) Runners-Up: Lucky Score (Lookin At Lucky) (61), Dream Shake (Twirling Candy) (31) Champion Female Turf Horse: Fev Rover (148) Runners-Up: Moira (Ghostzapper) (95), Our Flash Drive (17) Champion Male Turf Horse: Lucky Score (96) Runners-Up: My Boy Prince (88), Palazzi (Pioneerof the Nile) (30) Champion Older Main Track Female: Millie Girl (Hard Spun) (152); Runners-Up: Infinite Patience (Sungold) (60), Il Malocchio (Souper Speedy) (39) Champion Older Main Track Male: Tyson (Tapit) (113) Runners-Up: Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper) (100), Treason (Constitution) (29) Outstanding Broodmare: Mendocino Beano (Smart Strike) (74); Runners-Up: Sunday Affair (A.P. Indy) (54), Game (Fr) (Montjeu {Ire}) (31)   Champion Jockey, Kazushi Kimura | Michael Burns Human Awards: Outstanding Breeder: Adena Springs (85); Runners-Up: Anderson Farms Ont. Inc. (68), Chiefswood Stables Limited (32), Sean Fitzhenry (32), Sam-Son Farm (32) Outstanding Apprentice Jockey: Sofia Vives (162) Runners-Up: Fraser Aebly (83), Amanda Vandermeersch (35) Outstanding Jockey: Kazushi Kimura (162); Runners-Up:  Sahin Civaci (75), Rafael Manuel Hernandez (28) Outstanding Trainer: Mark E. Casse (160); Runners-Up: Kevin Attard (80), Martin Drexler (21) Outstanding Owner: Gary Barber (126); Runners-Up: Bruno Schickedanz (71), Chiefswood Stables Limited (27) Outstanding Groom: Michelle Armata Outstanding Off-track Worker: Jennifer Buck Special Sovereign Award: Robert “Red” McKenzie   Media Awards: Outstanding Writing: Jennifer Morrison, Cat's Long Way Home, Published in Canadian Thoroughbred.com, Dec. 31, 2023 Outstanding Photograph: Jason Halstead, A Kiss for Commando, Published in The Inside Track, Issue #98, Sept. 22, 2023 Outstanding Audio Visual/Digital Broadcast: Woodbine Entertainment, Secretariat The Last Race, Aired on TSN Oct. 8, 2023 The post Fev Rover Earns Canadian Horse of the Year Honors At Sovereign Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chief Stipelas Whyte is only two wins shy of 200 Hong Kong victories as a trainer. Revered for his extraordinary exploits as a jockey with a record 13 Hong Kong championships, Chief Stipelas Whyte’s famed appetite for achievement is showing no signs of abating as the South African searches for more success at Sha Tin on Saturday. With a record 1,813 victories in the saddle, Whyte is now only two wins short of 200 as a trainer and he has four runners on Saturday – Link, Red Elegance, Valiant Elegance and Flaming Rabbit – as he looks to add to his stable’s 30 wins so far for the season. A last-start Class 2 winner over 1600m on March 31, Flaming Rabbit stretches to 1800m for the first time under regular rider Lyle Hewitson. “He’s stepping up and taking a chance,” Whyte said. “He bounced back well from a freshen-up and he won with authority last time. He’s won over a tough mile at Goodwood, so if he has a soft time of it (in front), he’ll get the 1800m. He’s vulnerable, but he should get the trip. “He’s in good form and I took the opportunity of running him. It would be too long between runs otherwise, we would’ve had to wait for the next mile race and trial again first.” Whyte is also represented by last-start course and distance winner Valiant Elegance for Antoine Hamelin. Successful on March 16, Valiant Elegance’s rise in class is offset by a five-pound weight drop to 117lb as he bids for his eighth Hong Kong win from 50 starts. “He’s as honest as the day is long and he comes in with a light weight. Hopefully he can run in the money,” said Whyte, confirming champion stayer Russian Emperor would bypass the HK$28 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m). With a total of 2,011 wins as jockey and trainer, Whyte trails only Tony Cruz, who boasts 2,448 Hong Kong victories with 946 as a jockey and 1,502 as a trainer. Caspar Fownes has seven entries for Sha Tin this Saturday and, after notching his 1,100th Hong Kong winner at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the four-time champion trainer hopes Joy Of Spring can overcome barrier 12. “The draws haven’t been kind to use these last couple of months but it is what it is,” Fownes said. “The horse presents well again – wide gate, going to a mile at Sha Tin, I think will be quite suitable for him. “He’s only a lightly-framed horse but his fitness level is very good and Vincent (Ho) on top, so hopefully with a bit of tempo and a nice ride, we should be closing off hard.” With a full book of 10 rides, apprentice Angus Chung needs only one more Hong Kong win to reach the 70-victory graduation mark. Chung, 27, is fourth in the 2023/24 jockeys’ championship with 38 wins behind Zac Purton (91), Karis Teetan (62) and Hugh Bowman (47). Horse racing news View the full article

Here's One of the All time greats winning 50 years ago . The same year the Commonwealth Games were in Christchurch and Dick Taylor won the 10,000 m and Sir John Walker ran 2nd in the 1500m. (to Bayi in WR time) all about a month before RED RUM won at Aintree (for 2nd year running to be a true great)  to be a Grand National Champion.. you have to be kidding that was half a century ago . some great events of all time that still stand out after all those years.  seems like just a short time ago but time waits for no-one . Neither does Red Rum when he got going lol.  a   

Naas Racecourse will stage a free race day on Sunday, May 19 to make the course's centenary. The eight-race card features some Royal Ascot trials, including the G3 Goffs Lacken S. and the G3 Coolmore Stud EBF Fillies Sprint S. With a nod to the course's illustrious past, amateur dramatic groups from around the country will be in attendance on the day, stepping back in time to embrace the glamour of the 1920s by showcasing vintage attire reminiscent of the era. Racegoers are encouraged to do the same, and the person who sports the best 1920s-inspired outfit on the day will win a VIP day at Naas races along with an overnight stay and dinner at Lawlor's of Naas Hotel. Dermot Cantillon, chairman of Naas Racecourse, said, “We are incredibly proud to reach this significant milestone in our history. Our Centenary Celebration Raceday is a tribute to the rich heritage and tradition of Naas Racecourse, and we look forward to welcoming racegoers for free on the day to share in the festivities.” The post Naas Celebrates Centenary with Free Race Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bonus back is on first 4 races at Ascot tomorrow, first race 3-50pm

What Wagga Races Where Murrumbidgee Turf Club – Travers St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 When Sunday, April 21, 2024 First Race 12:45pm AEST Visit Dabble Country heads to the Riverina on Sunday afternoon as the Murrumbidgee Turf Club gets set to host a competitive eight-race program. The rail is out +4m between the 1400m and the winning post, then sits true for the rest of the course. Pristine conditions in the lead-up should leave the surface rated a Good 4, with the opening event scheduled to get underway at 12:45pm local time. Best Bet at Wagga: Sizzle Minizzle Despite being winless over the last 12 months, Sizzle Minizzle brings an element of class to this Open staying contest. His last win came in the Country Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick in April of 2023, and since that career highlight, the Brett Robb-trained gelding has been unable to replicate the feat. This appears to be his most manageable task since, and with the four-year-old prepared to strike for the first time at 1800m, Sizzle Minizzle should justify favouritism with online bookmakers. Best Bet Race 4 – #2 Sizzle Minizzle (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Brett Robb | J: Blaike McChief Stipeall (59.5kg) +130 with Picklebet Next Best at Wagga: Anilla Anilla was sensational at Oakbank on March 30 and appears set to peak third-up into the campaign. The son of Valentia was storming over the top, but hit a flat spot in the middle stages, closing within two lengths of Second To Nun. That form reads exceptionally well heading back to country grade, and although Blaike McChief Stipeall will need to drag Anilla back worse than mid-field throughout, watch for this guy to be burst clear at the top of the straight. Next Best Race 7 – #1 Anilla (10) 6yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Blaike McChief Stipeall (61kg) +400 with Neds Best Value at Wagga: Take The Rap Take The Rap gets sent to the races on the back of one impressive barrier trial victory at Goulburn on March 24. The Norm Gardner-trained gelding took a sit before clearing out by 1.4 lengths under a strangle hold, suggesting the son of Star Turn may possesses above-average ability. It was a terrific piece of education for the two-year-old, and with the current each-way price available with online betting sites, punters should be willing to take the price for Take The Rap. Best Value Race 2 – #5 Take The Rap (6) 2yo Gelding | T: Norm Gardner | J: Mathew Cahill (57.5kg) +650 with PlayUp Sunday quaddie tips for the Wagga Wagga quadrella selections Sunday, April 21, 2024 1-7 1-3-5-6-7-8-10 1-3-8 1-2-3-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Glimmer winning at Waverley on Thursday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Local trainer Rosie Gibbs made a welcome return to the winner’s stall following Glimmer’s commanding debut performance in the Treadwell Gordon 1200 at Waverley on Thursday. The three-year-old filly jumped well from the ace barrier and was sent straight to the front by jockey Chris Dell where the pair dictated terms and ran out 2-1/4 length victors in front of a cheering home crowd. “I am absolutely thrilled,” said Gibbs, who was delighted to record her first victory in a decade. “She was only broken-in in August and then she had a bit of time off. She has done this all on one prep. “Glimmer is going out for a spell now. She is quite a tall filly and I think she now needs a bit of time. She is very easy and agreeable to do anything with, but I don’t think it would be the right thing to carry on. “We will plan to head towards the spring with her.” Gibbs, who bred and owns the filly with her partner George Kiihfuss, said Glimmer is a pleasure to have around the stable. “She is a strange horse because she is so placid that you are not ever quite sure where she is,” Gibbs said. “But she has got beautiful movement and does everything so easily. She eats her food and goes about her daily business. She is a dream to have around.” The victory was a bittersweet moment for Gibbs, who had to euthanise a sibling of Glimmer’s recently. “The unfortunate thing about it was that I had to put her sister down last week because she had tumours, so this was a bit of a silver lining to that,” she said. Gibbs has been training for the last 30 years and said she got the racing bug from her family, who have a long and successful history in racing. “The great Nukumai, he was my grandfather’s horse who did all those great things in the 1920s,” she said. “They are famous for doing the three days at Trentham, which was the Winter Oaks, The Parliamentary and the Wellington Chase all in one week. He also won the Waverley Gold Cup in 1924 and I have got the Cup. “My father also bred a lot of good horses, including one called Kalgoorlie. In 1953, the year I was born, Dad went to the yearling sales at Trentham and bought the mare that became Gold Planet, who was a granddaughter of Gold Trail. She was the dam of Kalgoorlie and my father sold him and he went on to win 28 races.” Gibbs said the best horse she has had anything to do with also hails from the same family. “The best one was probably one my father bred. He was called Kalm Day and he was by Open Day out of Kalgoorlie’s family. The mother died foaling, so I hand-reared him. He turned out to be a pretty good horse (and won five races).” While Gibbs enjoys training, she has also inherited her father’s passion for breeding and has enjoyed breeding from Glimmer’s dam, Ananiashvilli, who she purchased as a yearling out of Lyndhurst Farm’s 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale draft for $5,000. “My partner and I went to the yearling sales and we had a whole lot of horses we wanted to buy and there was nothing we could afford, everything was too expensive,” Gibbs said. “Then George said to me ‘Dan Myers has got a horse coming in soon, we will look at that and then we will go home’. It was a Savabeel (filly) out of an Encosta de Lago mare, so I thought it would go for $200,000 and we couldn’t afford that. “She came into the ring and the bidding started at $1,000 and ended up at $4,000 and we bought her for $5,000 because she had turned out legs. That is how I got a Savabeel in my paddock.” While Ananiashvilli didn’t make it to the track, she is starting to leave her mark as a broodmare. “She got injured, so she never raced,” Gibbs said. “The first foal was Kazaderose and she had really good form (placing in four of her 12 starts) but broke down at Hastings. The second foal was a Mongolian Khan (Modernissimo) who has won three in Australia, and the third foal was an absolutely beautiful Redwood, but she broke a hind leg.” Gibbs hasn’t bred from Ananiashvilli in the last couple of years, but Thursday’s result has ensured she will head back to the breeding barn this spring. “I made myself a little rule that you can’t keep breeding horses without winning races,” she said. “The mare is only 10, so she will be going back to Staphanos this coming season.” Gibbs enjoys keeping her numbers low, with Ananiashvilli her only broodmare and Glimmer her only racehorse, and she is excited for the future with both. “I am a one mare band,” she said. “I just have the one horse in work and a hunter, and I love it.” Horse racing news View the full article

Danny Shum’s four-year-old steps back to 1,800m for Saturday’s Class Two Advancing Culture & Sports Handicap at Sha TinView the full article