Arbiter

We know that the majority of stallions, in this day and age, get their biggest and best books precisely when we know least about their competence. But the other side of the same coin is that very few breeders stick around should a stallion fail to seize that first, fleeting opportunity. Just as well, then, that a historically underachieving group of rookies has got its act together with its maturing first crop, to the extent that four have managed to get a son into the GI Kentucky Derby gate. Collectively,...

In most situations, discussion is always best, but some days you just don't feel like hearing second opinions. Arbiter (Charlatan) didn't let anyone get a word in edge wise, and coasted home to a sublime victory in the Woodstock Stakes at Woodbine. Coming into the race with a maiden score on the turf and a win against optional claimers over the synthetic at Churchill Downs Nov. 30--where he set a new course record--and Turfway Park Dec. 17, respectively, he'd last been seen kicking off his 2026 campaign Mar. 21 in...

NEWMARKET, UK--The Tattersalls February Sale has once again sneaked into the tail-end of January and, now expanded to two days to incorporate the 401 lots catalogued, it offers the usual mix of broodmares, horses in training and young stock. It took a bid of 105,000gns from Ted Durcan to secure last year's top lot, Magic Illusion (GB) ((Dubawi {Ire}), who was bought from Godolphin to race in Dubai. Another of the jockey-turned-agent's purchases from the 2019 sale was Dramatic Device (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who was bought for 20,000gns and went...