3 Things You Might Not Know About: Sandman

Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner Henri Matisse  has retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore in Ireland for 2026.  Henri Matisse was not only the fastest winner of the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, but also the only Classic-winning miler by the late Wootton…

Baaeed , the highest-rated horse in Europe for over a decade, will head the 2026 Shadwell stallion roster at a reduced fee of £55,000 (approx. US$72,000). The champion son of Sea The Stars  has been strongly supported since retiring to the Shadwell stallion barn, covering a debut book of 167 mares, followed by books numbering 120…

Through a dominant spring on the grass, Nitrogen  drew praise as the top 3-year-old filly on turf. When rain forced her to a sloppy dirt course in the June 7 Wonder Again Stakes (G3) and she romped by 17 lengths, the question had to be asked: Is she just simply the best 3-year-old filly? Based…

Mia Familia Racing Stable’s Lovesick Blues  shocked some of the best sprinters on the West Coast and beyond, winning the $402,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) July 26 at Del Mar. The 7-year-old California-bred gelding by Grazen  had never won a graded stakes in 40 lifetime starts and had run on turf in his previous five races. He paid…

Gai Waterhouse believes she has another Golden Slipper (G1) contender after Home Affairs‘ ballistic start to stud life continued when big-buying Tulloch Lodge made one of his sons top-lot on a powerhouse first day at Inglis Easter April 6. In January, Home Affairs achieved the remarkable feat for a first-season sire of providing the highest…

Panja Tower survived a frantic, four-horse finish to score his first top-level victory in the NHK Mile (G1) May 11 at Tokyo Racecourse, claiming a niche spot among Japanese 3-year-olds. The race featured an assortment of runners successful at age 2 and seeking a good start in the new season and newcomers stepping up after…