Twenty-two years later, the Breeders’ Cup will be returning to Belmont Park. Breeders’ Cup Limited announced May 28 that the 2027 World Championships would be held Oct. 29-30 at Belmont Park for the first time since 2005 and also announced that the 2026 event will take place at Keeneland. The news was outlined at a…
Although the holiday weekend featured a lot of racing, the three days included just two grade 1 events that were both on turf, at Santa Anita Park on Memorial Day, and won by European-bred runners. The nine-furlong Gamely Stakes (G1T) was dominated from start to finish by Be Your Best , who hit the wire with…
J.P. (Paul) Souter, who posted 928 career riding wins, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award. The treasured Gomez Award is given to the person, Canadian-born, Canadian-raised or regular rider in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to Thoroughbred racing. It is named in…
Lush Lips , who finished second behind 3-year-old turf filly division leader Nitrogen in her two most recent starts, will try to take advantage of that rival’s absence when she starts as the likely favorite in the $275,000 Regret Stakes (G3T) May 31 at Churchill Downs. The 1 1/8-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies drew a field of 11….
This column highlights the performances of 2- and 3-year-old maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are graded/group winners, or have dams that are graded/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners, in particular, who meet these criteria are more…
A small fire May 27 at Saratoga Race Course was quickly contained and will not impact the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival dates that begin June 4. “At approximately 12:45 p.m. today, Saratoga Springs and Malta Ridge Fire Departments responded to a small fire in a kitchen area of the clubhouse at Saratoga Race Course,” said the…
A date with Wootton Bassett awaits Zougotcha after the triple group 1-winning mare trained by Chris Waller was acquired by Coolmore Stud for a cool AU$5.25 million (about US$3,382,000, AU$1 = US$0.64) May 27 in an opening session of titanic trading at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale. Familiar foes Coolmore and Yulong traded…
In Clover, one of the best broodmares of modern times, has died at the age of 23 following a short illness. George Strawbridge’s homebred blue hen is the dam of nine winners, including four who struck in group 1 company, namely We Are, Call The Wind, With You, and Friendly Soul . “She passed away quickly…
Kyprios has been hailed “the most incredible horse with a concrete mind” by Aidan O’Brien following the retirement of one of the greatest stayers of all time May 27. A dual Gold Cup (G1) winner at Ascot, Kyprios won no fewer than 17 of his 21 starts, and you have to rewind all the way…
Front-runners Skelly and World Record , respectively coming off rapid six-furlong victories in 1:08.15 and 1:07.84, square off at Churchill Downs May 31 in a seven-horse renewal of the $275,000 Aristides Stakes (G3). Each of the two is in pursuit of a first graded stakes win of 2025 after having captured such races in prior seasons. Red…
