During Airdrie Stud founder and former Kentucky Gov. Brereton Jones’s lengthy illness, Bret Jones said he and his father would share joy riding across the farm. “When he was going through the memory issues that he had, one of the great things that we could always still do together was me driving through the farm…
The $1 million Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) May 3 at Churchill Downs promises a field of 12 talented runners. But because many of those runners are looking for consistency, the morning-line favorite is listed at a healthy 4-1. That lukewarm favorite is Integration , who will try to get over the grade 1 hump and nail…
Churchill Downs can be an intimidating place for a young horse to make a debut, especially during the week of the Kentucky Derby (G1). Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the winner of the first 2-year-old race of the year in Louisville, Ky., was cool, calm, and collected every step of the way April…
In the fifth start of his career, East Avenue picked up some valuable experience ahead of his start in the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) May 3 at Churchill Downs. As it happens, that fifth start was a runner-up finish in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland—one of the traditional final preps ahead of…
Led by Arturo R. y Arturo Bullrich (G2) winner Martana, a field of seven fillies and mares has been entered for the May 1 Gran Premio Criadores (G1) at Hipodromo de Palermo in Argentina. The winner will earn an automatic starting position and fees paid, into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) through the…
A half dozen of the jockeys participating in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) have experienced the thrill of winning it. Brian Hernandez Jr., Flavien Prat, Joel Rosario, and Javier Castellano all have one such win apiece in the American classic, while Mike Smith and John Velazquez have two and three official Derby victories, respectively….
As NBC Sports broadcasts its 25th Kentucky Derby (G1), only one member of the broadcast team has been there for each—Donna Brothers. The former jockey is known for her race coverage on horseback, including interviewing the winning jockey moments after the race concludes. “She’s defined that position,” the network’s broadcast anchor, Mike Tirico, said during…
Trade has been bold and bright at the first British sales of the European breeze-up season. Spending at the Tattersalls Craven reached unprecedented heights, with turnover reaching 18,804,000gns (US$26,137,560 ,1 guinea=US$1.39) and the average 158,017gns (US$219,644), both personal bests for the Newmarket auction. The Craven market was headed by two seven-figure lots; the 1,750,000gns (US$2,432,500) Havana…
Two stakes wins for Midwest rider Kevin Roman and career win 2,000 in North America for Ricardo Santana, Jr. riding at Oaklawn Park led to a tie in the voting by the panel of racing experts for Jockey of the Week April 21 through April 27. The weekly honor recognizes jockeys for significant riding accomplishments…
Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky. is pleased to announce the arrival of multiple graded-stakes winner, and 2015 Eclipse Award Champion Grass Horse, Big Blue Kitten, to the farm on Thursday, April 24, 2025. The 17-year old stallion was donated to Old Friends courtesy of Calumet Farm. “We are so excited to…
