thoroughbreds

Safety Concerns Mount Once Again At U.S. Virgin Islands Track As Horse Suffers Breakdown On Opening Day

After breakdowns during the 2024 racing season forced the closure of the Clinton E. Phipps Sr. Racetrack on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands in February 2025, yet another accident took place during Sunday's opening day Spring Stakes feature Mar. 8 that saw a Thoroughbred euthanized and a jockey taken to a local hospital. The story covering the incident was first reported by Bill Kiser of The Virgin Islands Daily News Mar. 9. The breakdown last Sunday is part of a larger story at the Phipps track, which reopened...

[ Read More ]
Breeders’ Cup Releases Ticket Options, Hospitality Packages For Keeneland

A variety of seating and hospitality options for the 2026 Breeders' Cup are available as the World Championships are set to return to Keeneland Race Course Oct. 30-31, the Breeders' Cup said via a Tuesday release. While tickets for the general public go on sale on Tuesday, Apr. 21 at Noon ET, fans may browse ticket options and specific pricing for general admission, box seating, reserved seating, dining options and corporate & group sales. A $100+ million capital construction project, the largest in the track's 89-year history, will be on...

[ Read More ]
Track Announcer And Horsewoman Paquette Unveils New Equestrian Podcast

The track announcer at Parx Racing outside of Philadelphia, Jessica Paquette, has a new equestrian podcast she has launched named "Amateur Hour with Jessica Paquette," the voice of Parx said via a Monday afternoon tweet on X. The first pair of episodes have been released on Apple Music and on Spotify. Episode 1: Client/Trainer Relationships; Guests: Cellar Door Farm's Kelly Jennings, circuit trainer Archie Cox of Brookway Stables and Kentucky-based eventer Natasia Linnd. Episode 2: Social License to Operate in Horse Sports; Guests: David O'Connor, the Head of the USEF...

[ Read More ]
Breeding Digest: No Strain To Show Mercy To Quality

The two new names on the GI Kentucky Derby trail each exemplify one of the principal alternatives to what nowadays feels like the ideal route, namely to exploit the imbalances of the commercial market with a breed-to-race program. Nobody having ever operated one of those on a scale as lavish as the one that produced Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the choice between these other models is strictly practical. If you can run to $2.4 million for a Saratoga yearling, as did Speedway Stable for the Into Mischief colt we now know...

[ Read More ]
Week In Review: It’s Time for the Aftercare Debate to Include Passage of the SAFE Act

It is, of course, a good thing, that the subjects of aftercare and slaughter are being so widely debated, with influential owners like Mike Repole and Aron Wellman all but demanding that the industry come together and solve the problem. Just last week, Pat Cummings, who has been working side-by-side with Repole on the issue, penned a letter to the TDN in which he revealed what he called "20 concise findings, with a funding model projection" that he and Repole have put together. Good for Cummings. Good for Repole. Owner...

[ Read More ]
‘TDN Rising Star’ Disruptor Made Of Stern Stuff In GIII Challenger Stakes At Tampa

Facing down a heavy favorite, Disruptor (Gun Runner) was extremely game down the lane in the GIII Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday. Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', at second asking a little over a year ago when he graduated by 9 1/4 lengths at Gulfstream Park, Disruptor tried deeper waters in the GI Curlin Florida Derby and finished a well-beaten fifth. The chestnut took a break for the rest of the year and returned to training in early December at Todd Pletcher's...

[ Read More ]
Touchuponastar Ascends To 2025 LA-Bred Horse Of The Year Honors

For the second time the accomplished Touchuponastar (Star Guitar) was named by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association as the LA-bred Horse of the Year, the organization said in a letter that was sent to its members on Friday. The gelding, who secured the same honor in 2023, turned in a stellar 2025 which included a handful of wins against black-type state bred company and also a victory in the GII New Orleans Classic at Fair Grounds. Bred by Coteau Grove Farms, Touchuponastar is owned by former NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme's...

[ Read More ]
First Mare Scanned In Foal To New McMahon Sire Showcase

The first mare scanned in foal to McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds undefeated new sire Showcase (by Uncle Mo) was reported, the farm said via a Friday press release. New Year's Wish, a stakes-placed daughter of New Year's Day trained by Linda Rice, was purchased by McMahon. The chestnut was the last horse selected by Rice's father Clyde before he passed away. Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' after his 7 1/2 length debut win, Showcase took home the 2024 GII Saratoga Special Stakes. Hall of Fame trainer Todd...

[ Read More ]
Tickets To The 167th King’s Plate On Sale

Tickets to attend the Aug. 15 running of the 167th King's Plate at Woodbine Racetrack are now on sale to the public, according to a press release from the track on Friday. Pricing starts at $35 CAD (plus taxes and fees) for general admission, which grants access to the grandstand and apron. Those seeking a grandstand seat can choose from Reserved Grandstand, Paddock Club and Loge (Box) seating. Click here for more information.

[ Read More ]
Weekly National Rulings: Feb. 26-Mar. 4

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's "rulings" portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) "pending" and "resolved" cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Dates: 03/02/2026 Licensee: Angela M. Aquino, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points....

[ Read More ]
First Mare In Foal To New Lane’s End Stallion Raging Torrent

Raging Torrent (by Maximus Mischief), new to the Lane's End roster for 2026, has his first mare confirmed in foal, according to a press release from the stallion operation on Wednesday. Owned by V. Gail Ray and Ramspring Farm, the covered mare is She'srunninghappy (Runhappy), who produced her second foal--a filly by Timberlake--Jan. 14. Out of an extended female family which includes GSW He Loves Me (Not For Love), the current 7-year-old is a half-sister to Canadian GSW Easy Time (Not This Time) and MSW Softly Lit (Latent Heat). As...

[ Read More ]
Five Fleet Fillies Of The Week: Feb. 23-Mar. 1

As expected, Gulfstream's loaded Fountain of Youth card provides fast fillies--but topping this week's list is a breakout performance at Turfway Park. 5. WITH THE ANGELS, AQU, 3/1, Correction Stakes, 6 furlongs Beyer Speed Figure- 93, 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. (f, 4, by Omaha Beach--Sister Margaret, by Pulpit) O-Winning Move Stable, John Oxley, Sheila Stable, Silverwood Stables and Sanford Robbins. B-Joseph DeRico (NY). T-Linda Rice. J-Jose Lezcano. Rice says With the Angels "never makes a wrong move," and after demoralizing her New York-bred competition last summer and fall,...

[ Read More ]