Today's Edition:  Record-Setting $1.4M Justify Filly Leads The Way at OBS  ·  Baeza Set for Summer Showdown  ·  Royal Ascot Coverage

thoroughbreds

Jockeys' Guild Addresses Paco Lopez Suspension By HISA

The Jockeys' Guild of America issued a press release on Thursday afternoon responding to the suspension of Paco Lopez by HISA, which is reproduced here in its entirety. The notice issued by Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority ("HISA") against Paco Lopez on Sept. 22, 2025 for "immediate suspension for 6 months" is absolutely uncalled for and beyond ludicrous. This is just the latest in an extensive list of jockeys who have been assessed the outlandish fines and penalties for the use of the riding crop, the organization said in a...

[ Read More ]
HISA Study Finds AFib Can Contribute To Sudden Death; Early Detection Key

A HISA pilot program released results from a study of advanced cardiac monitoring of Thoroughbreds that shows atrial fibrillation (AF)--traditionally considered a benign, performance-limiting condition--can worsen during exercise, cause a more severe arrhythmia that leads to sudden death, according to a press release from HISA on Thursday. The group said that electrocardiogram data from affected horses that displayed AF both at rest and under exertion, underscores the need for early detection and highlighs the potential of integrating routine cardiac screening into pre-training and pre-race evaluations. During the first six months...

[ Read More ]
'TDN Rising Star' Englishman Kicks Off Huge Weekend For C R K Stable

For C R K Stable, owned by Lee and Susan Searing of Claremont, Calif., the celebration actually started the day before the GI Pennsylvania Derby won by Baeza (McKinzie). The Searings own Baeza, who is trained by John Shirreffs, in partnership with Grandview Equine. His victory came just 27 1/2 hours after the stable unveiled a horse who could potentially be better than Baeza. Yes, 'TDN Rising Star' Englishman (Maxfield) was that impressive. The son of a first crop sire, he annihilated a field of maidens at Churchill Downs winning...

[ Read More ]
Thunderstorms Force Gulfstream To Cancel Rest Of Sunday Card

A severe thunderstorm bringing heavy rain and lightning through the area caused Gulfstream Park to cancel its final five races Sunday out of an abundance of caution for horses, horsemen and fans, 1/ST Racing said in a press release on Sunday afternoon. The decision was made following a lengthy weather delay prior to sixth race with steady rain forecast into early evening. Exactas, Trifectas and Superfectas were refunded. The Sunshine meet will resume Friday with a nine-race program.

[ Read More ]
A Saratoga Summer To Remember For 16-Year-Old Yomar Ortiz Jr.

One of the more meaningful aspects of Saratoga's summer meet is how it brings people together. Whether they're new faces on the scene or returning regulars of the historic venue, they all seem to share the same passion for the Thoroughbred racehorse. It's a place that brings prestige to all who ride, work and walk upon its grounds, felt during the mornings spent on the Oklahoma training track, to the steps taken across Union Avenue, and the palpable excitement that flows throughout the paddock and winner's circle on race day....

[ Read More ]
Letter To the Editor: Level Stud Fees Will Be A Huge Win For Everyone

There is joy in Central Kentucky as the Keeneland September Yearling sale surpassed $500 million in revenue for the first time. And I don't mean just by breeders, consignors, agents, and veterinarians. In short order, the ultimate trickle down will commence. Imagine these discussions in the coming weeks at area horse farms: "You know that truck we have been needing to replace ..." "You know that mower we keep repairing ..." "You know how we have been wanting to purchase a new tractor ..." "You know how we have spoken...

[ Read More ]
McKinzie's Baeza Runs To His Odds To Take GI Pennsylvania Derby

[tdn-newsletter-embed]BENSALEM, PA -- Having finished third in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes and runner-up in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes with Baeza (McKinzie), C R K Stable's Lee Searing admitted to at least a modicum of remorse about not making another trip East for last month's GI DraftKings Travers Stakes. "We flew him three times," he explained. "I would have loved to have run in the Travers against Sovereignty one more time. We'll get him again." A $1.2-million Keeneland September graduate campaigned in partnership with Grandview Equine...

[ Read More ]
Nothing Short Of A Mad House On Tote In Gallant Bob At Parx

For a mere 50 cents if you had the gumption to exclude heavy favorite Barnes (Into Mischief) from your Trifecta tickets in the GII Gallant Bob Stakes at Park on Saturday and called cold longshots 23-1 Mad House (Vekoma), 83-1 Gateskeeper (Instagrand) and 56-1 Fire Pit (Cairo Prince), then your play would have netted $3,889.50. Kaboom! Mad House came into his first graded opportunity here after three straight visits to the winner's circle at Canterbury in Minnesota. The broke his maiden at fifth asking by an eye-catching 11 1/2 lengths...

[ Read More ]
Horse Owner Ken Freirich Gifts $500k To Breeders' Cup Charities

Ken Freirich, who was part of the ownership group behind Horse of the Year Flightline, has made a $500,000 gift to Breeders' Cup Charities in an effort to positively impact the Thoroughbred industry's culture of giving by illustrating the importance of long-term commitments, the Breeders' Cup said via a press release on Friday. Funds from Freirich will be released over a 3 1/2-year period. This major gift is in addition to the $100,000 match the international philanthropist provided to Breeders' Cup Charities in July during the organization's Annual Day of...

[ Read More ]
Messineo's CARMA Gift Funds OTTB Riders, Supports Vital Safety Net

Chanel Minnifield is not typically one for tempered expectations. She moved to Los Angeles from Kentucky with actorly aspirations, and last year appeared in the Oscar-nominated movie, "Rustin." Minnifield started riding when she was a child and now, as a professional showjumper, has her sights set on competing at the 2028 Olympic Games. She has a book coming out; produces a podcast. But when earlier this year Minnifield applied to the California Retirement Management Account's (CARMA) Messineo Makeover Scholarship, she hoped it would help pay for a trip to the...

[ Read More ]
Gosger A Fitting Memorial To Clarke

"It was great," Steve Shahinian says, thinking back to his show-jumping days. "But it was just a little boring, compared with racing. And I thought racing was something I could figure out." Over 40 years on, how is that project progressing? Shahinian, a man lacking neither humor nor candor, offers a wry look. "I've sort of half-figured it out," he says. A pretty modest verdict, considering his role in the making of one of the best sophomores around. Gosger (Nyquist) again pushed Journalism (Curlin) hard in the GI Haskell Stakes,...

[ Read More ]
Not This Time Share To Be Offered During Keeneland Championship Sale

Taylor Made Sales Agency will offer a share in sire Not This Time at the second edition of the Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held in the Del Mar Paddock on Wednesday, Oct. 29, two days before the Breeders' Cup World Championships, Keeneland said in a press release on Thursday morning. The share will include all income from Not This Time's 2025 breeding season, providing immediate returns, and is offered by Aaron and Marie Jones LLC, an operation that has bred and raised top-class horses for decades. Not This Time...

[ Read More ]