OBS

The field for the GI Kentucky Derby, ranked in "likeliest winner" order. 1) JOURNALISM (c, Curlin--Mopotism, by Uncle Mo). O-Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, LaPenta, Robert V., Magnier, Mrs. John, Smith, Derrick and Tabor, Michael B.; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime record: GISW, 5-4-0-1, $638,880. Last start: WON Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby. Journalism is the legitimate and deserving favorite. He checks many of the Derby desirability boxes by being a big, long-striding...

It was a very good week for the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative (TRI), the group leading the fight to kill bills in the Florida legislature that would allow for decoupling at Gulfstream Park, which would mean the track could continue to offer casino gaming without the requisite that it must hold live thoroughbred racing. The matter had come to the attention of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who attended the OBS April sale on Thursday and made it clear where he stands on the issue.     "You can count on me as...

by Jessica Martini & Stefanie Grimm OCALA, FL - The third session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale might have lacked some of the glitz of the second session which produced six million-dollar juveniles, but more than made up for it with a strong day of results propelling its three-day average well over the record average set at the 2024 auction. For the session, 144 head sold for $21,806,500, for an average of $151,434 and a median of $80,000. Through three of four...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, April 19, 2025 2nd-HSN, ¥10,600,000 ($74k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m AALLOTTARET (f, 3, Practical Joke--Folklore, by Tiznow), the latest offspring of 2005 champion juvenile filly Folklore to make the races, cost her connections $260,000 at the...

OCALA, FL-- Just before the start of the Thursday session of the OBS April 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stood up at the OBS rostrum to tell the assembled crowd that "you can count on me as one that is not going to look favorably on legislation that is going to decimate any of our signature industries." The statement was in reference to the decoupling legislation pushed by The Stronach Group that is currently winding its way through the Florida House of Representatives and Senate. DeSantis stopped...

by Jessica Martini & Stefanie Grimm OCALA, FL - A colt by Tapit brought the high price of $1 million during a day which featured lively trade at the top of the market at the opening session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Tuesday in Central Florida. A total of 153 juveniles had sold by the end of Tuesday's session for a gross of $19,615,000. The average was $128,203 and the median was $60,000. During last year's opening session, 145 horses had sold by...

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.--The idea was a simple one. Place a bell in the Larry Snyder Winner's Circle at Oaklawn and any winning owner, trainer or jockey who wants to make a $100 donation to the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement Program and Rehabilitation Foundation gets to ring it. The 'Ring the Bell' seed was planted at an Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) meeting over four years ago when trainer and board member Ron Moquett posed the idea as he is prone to do. "Ron [Moquett] has about 10 ideas every...

The rankings below are in "likeliest winner" order, and are independent from the "Road to the Derby" points leaderboard that will determine starting berths for the GI Kentucky Derby. 1) JOURNALISM (c, Curlin--Mopotism, by Uncle Mo) O-Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, LaPenta, Robert V., Magnier, Mrs. John, Smith, Derrick and Tabor, Michael B.; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-4-0-1, $638,880. Last start: WON Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby. Pros: This $825,000...

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES -- When one thinks of the Calumet Farm of old, legends of the American turf such as Citation, Whirlaway, Tim Tam and the great Alydar come to mind. The Lexington breeding and racing operation now owned by successful businessman Brad Kelley, Calumet has the distinction of being represented by a couple of horses at Saturday's Dubai World Cup meeting--one a product of their breeding operation and the other who will carry the farm's black colors and gold chevrons in the main event. Calumet is the breeder...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here is one horse of interest for this Sunday running at Hanshin Racecourse: Sunday, March 30, 2025 6th-HSN, ¥15,200,000 ($101k), Allowance, 3yo, 1200m SEEK THE DREAM (c, 3, Liam's Map--Surf Siren, by Bernardini) is the lone winner from two to race out of his unraced dam, a half-sister to Taareef (Kitten's...

The catalogue for the 2025 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training is now available online at www.obssales.com. The four-day sale will take place Apr. 15-18 with each session beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET.  Hips 1-302 will sell Apr. 15 with Hips 303-604 going Apr. 16.-17 will offer Hips 605-906 with the sale concluding Apr. 18 with Hips 907-1207. The under-tack show will run from Apr. 6-12 starting at 8 a.m. ET each day. Hips 1-173 are slated for Apr. 6 followed by Hips 174-346 Apr. 7,...

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis OCALA, FL- For the third straight year, Saudi businessman Amr Zedan made the highest bid at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, going to an OBS record $3 million to acquire a colt by Gun Runner during a vibrant final session of the auction Thursday. The sale-topping colt brought the number of horses to sell for seven figures during the three-day auction to seven, up from four a year ago, and a record for the March sale. "I thought...