Blood-Horse

The New York-bred colt prevails by a head at the wire of the Aug. 16 Skidmore Stakes and survives a claim of foul for interference to become the first black-type winner for his sire and dam.

John Stewart makes his first major impact on the European sales circuit, striking an online bid of €1.4 million (US$1,542,730, €1=US$1.1020) to secure the top lot on Day 1 of the Arqana August Yearling Sale in Deauville. 

Wyoming Downs experienced record-setting business in its first Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meet under the new ownership of ECL Entertainment and Clairvest Group.

Howard Wright, one of the founding members of staff at the Racing Post and a journalist respected across the racing world, died the morning of Aug. 16 after a short illness. He was 79.

Tommy Roberts, an ebullient entrepreneur whose innovations helped move the Thoroughbred industry forward over many decades, died Aug. 14 at his vacation home in North Carolina. He was 96. His longtime friend Joe Raucci confirmed Roberts' death.

This year's Troy Stakes will be considered a grade 3 race, while the Galway Stakes will be recorded as a non-listed black-type stakes.

Trainer Gerald Butler was provisionally suspended by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit for possession of the banned substance levothyroxine.

The New York Racing Association announced Aug. 15 the stakes schedule for the 31-day Belmont at the Big A fall meet, including four grade 1s and six Breeders' Cup Challenge Series events. The meet will offer 50 stakes worth $10.35 million.

The North American Thoroughbred foal crop is officially a predominantly commercial product. Actually foals born in 2021 in the United States and Canada first claimed this distinction.

During an Aug. 15 meeting of the California Horse Racing Board at Del Mar, Santa Anita Park general manager Nate Newby outlined the track's desire to use its Tapeta training track during periods of inclement weather.

Arqana's blue-chip August Sale is the event tasked with firing the starting pistol, and the consensus on the ground was that all the right buyers were primed and ready to burst out of the blocks. 

With Thorpedo Anna headed to the Travers Stakes (G1), Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Candied is the one to beat in the Alabama Stakes (G1) Aug. 17 at Saratoga Race Course.

Trainer Richard Mandella, a member of the Racing Hall of Fame since 2001, has been named the 20th recipient of the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award.

Keeneland has announced that 10 yearlings—colts by Authentic, Constitution, Into Mischief, and Uncle Mo along with fillies by Authentic, Curlin, Gun Runner, and Not This Time—have been supplemented to Book 1 of the September Yearling Sale.

The Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation is pleased to award the Belmont Childcare Association $10,000 to be used for BCCA's early childhood education program.

Iscreamuscream and shipper Whiskey Decision each are riding three-race winning streaks going into the Del Mar Oaks (G1T).

Scratched from the Aug. 3 Whitney Stakes (G1) in search of calmer waters, Il Miracolo appears poised for his third career graded stakes title in the Aug. 17 $250,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park.

While Woodbine fans will be treated to the coronation of a new racing star in the King's Plate Stakes, the graded races Aug. 17 will feature some familiar, winning names as War Bomber and Patches O'Houlihan are back to defend their titles.

The son of Sky Mesa has been among Indiana's top 10 sires since 2020.

The Amplify Impact Campaign aims to raise $1 million to engage youth across the nation with horse racing. Campaign goals include enhancing educational programs, the development of a mobile education unit, and expanding regional outreach.