Blood-Horse

Christmas is traditionally a time for giving and one generous-hearted racing fan has more than played her part with an auction that has included merchandise from some of the biggest operations in the racing and bloodstock industries. 

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia announced Dec. 12 that the organization is aware of recent developments in the U.S. regarding trainer Jason Servis and that its investigation into the 2020 Saudi Cup (G1) is ongoing.

As part of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's month-long Holiday Giving Campaign, West Point Thoroughbreds has pledged to match all donations up to $5,000 made to the TAA Dec. 12.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher entered the 5-year-old son of Liam's Map in an optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up scheduled for 7 1/2 furlongs on the grass Dec. 15, where he is the first of three also-eligibles.

Among observers who were impressed by Romantic Warrior's mesmerizing performance in the Dec. 11 Hong Kong Cup (G1) was a man who rode one or two good ones in his time.

Hot Peppers will attempt to end her season on a high note when shipping to Santa Anita Park for the $300,000 La Brea Stakes (G1) Dec. 26.

The Hong Kong International Races were just what the doctor ordered for Hong Kong—fans back in the grandstand, a desperate battle between an aging hero and a future star, and three wins by locally based runners from four grade 1 races.

Liberty Island blitzed her rivals in the Dec. 11 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1), putting a bit of order into the mix that is Japan's 2-year-old filly division.

The growth in strength of the Victorian breeding industry is behind the recent success of the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. The state's breeders and vendors have again come out in support of the sale, 2023 catalog released Dec. 11. 

Romantic Warrior, already a fan favorite in Hong Kong, scales new heights with an easy victory in the Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1).

Set-Hut's Touchuponastar overcame a slow break Dec. 10 in the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic and led through all calls en route to a 4 3/4-length win over Behemah Star at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Michael Lund Petersen's Faiza outdueled a stubborn Pride of the Nile and survived a stewards' inquiry to win the $300,500 Starlet Stakes (G1) by a head Dec. 10 at Los Alamitos Race Course.

Octane upset the $100,000 FTBOA Marion County Florida Sire Stakes while R Adios Jersey dominated the $100,000 FTBOA City of Ocala Florida Sire Stakes Dec. 10 at Tampa Bay Downs.

Flash of Mischief rebounded from a ninth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) to the winner’s circle in the inaugural running of the $150,000 Ring The Bell Stakes at Oaklawn Park Dec. 10.

After an appeal of a years-old regulatory decision, a settlement agreement has been reached involving owner/trainer Lee Rossi and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission that will result in a shortened suspension and fine for him.

Tim Martin, the co-owner/trainer of Iowa-bred sensation Tyler's Tribe, said the gelding will receive a 30-day break following his third-place finish as the heavy favorite Dec. 9 Advent Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

St. Elias Stable's Junipermarshmallow rallied from off the pace to capture the $75,000 Wait a While Stakes, giving Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher a sweep of Saturday's stakes for juveniles on Gulfstream Park's new turf course.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who broke a number of ribs in a recent fall at Oaklawn Park from a stable pony, was looking toward the future Dec. 10, both for himself and his horses.

Newcastle Racecourse became the fourth meeting to succumb to the freezing temperatures on Dec. 10 as stewards deemed the surface unfit to race on less than 30 minutes before the start of first race.

Original owner Gary West says he would be supportive of a decision that would strip Maximum Security of his victory in the 2020 Saudi Cup and cause a re-distribution of the race's $20 million in purse money.