Spirit Wind , a multiple graded stakes winner of more than $730,000, was sold post-RNA March 19 for $500,000 to Willingham Stud. Spirit Wind was initially not sold for $450,000 in the Fasig-Tipton March Digital Sale that closed March 18. Taylor Made Sales Agency consigned the 6-year-old mare, whose marquee win came in the Honorable Miss Handicap…
Journeyman jockey Francisco Arrieta equaled a career high on Friday at Oaklawn Park winning five races on the day’s 10-race card to garner Jockey of the Week honors by the panel of racing experts. The weekly honor recognizes jockeys for significant riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys’ Guild, the organization which represents…
Lord Bullingdon will seek to improve his closing game as he takes on the $300,000 Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes (G3) March 22 on Turfway Park‘s all-weather track. The Michael McCarthy trainee heads east after two on-the-board finishes at Santa Anita Park. This will be just his third start out of 13 away from California. Lord Bullingdon has…
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is partnering with seven regional farms and Rood & Riddle for exclusive behind-the-scenes tours this year from April through October. The Museum’s tour series kicks off Saturday, April 12, at Sugar Plum Farm. Other tours include Mill Creek Farm (May 10), Greentree Stables (June 14), McMahon…
With the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) a little less than a month and a half away, stables have been mulling their plans for the final two weekends of major preps on March 29 and April 5. With four of their 3-year-olds currently among the top 21 in Kentucky Derby qualifying points, those decisions are…
Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, Ky., has announced it is donating $4,380 to benefit Kentucky flood victims in Pike County. The money was raised in an online auction for halters worn by Kentucky Derby winners, Silver Charm (1997), an Old Friend retiree, and Giacomo (2005). The Silver Charm halter sold for $3,451…
The Fasig-Tipton March Digital Sale closed March 18 with 85 horses sold from 100 offered for $3,095,000. The sale averaged $36,411 with a clearance rate of 85%. The median was $15,000. The catalog offered horses of racing age, racing/broodmare prospects, 2-year-olds in training, broodmares (including mares with foals at foot), and short yearlings. Graded stakes winner…
After a foot abscess prevented champion 3-year-old male Sierra Leone from running in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), he appears set to make his 4-year-old debut March 22 in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The Gun Runner colt hasn’t run since his 1 1/2-length victory…
This column highlights the performances of 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 likely to…
Brad Cox has trained many good fillies, but none then greater than two-time champion Monomoy Girl . The tough-as-nails chestnut put Cox on the map with her gallant victory in the 2018 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and two Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) titles. Now, only four years after Monomoy Girl’s exit, Cox may have found the brilliant…
