Tom Peacock
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Articles by Tom Peacock
Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Achieves New Record
More encouraging figures through two days of Book 3 took the entirety of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale to a new record for turnover of more than 211,035,300 guineas (US$293,718,085, 1 guinea=US$1.39). Despite pragmatic expectations when the action began Oct. 6, the keynote Book 1 sessions realized figures close to their very best, while Book 2 set new highs across the board. A lower-profile final session of Book 3 Oct. 16 failed to add greatly to the aggregate of Oct.
Havana Grey Filly Tops Session at Tattersalls Sale
Anthony Stroud remained a focal point of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale deep into Book 3's opener Oct. 15 when he materialized for 150,000 guineas (US$208,291; 1 guinea=US$1.39) Havana Grey filly from Whitsbury Manor Stud. Through his long-standing alliance with Godolphin, the agent has been responsible for the single largest haul of purchases in this modern era with an astonishing 27 million guineas outlay during Book 1 and again dominated the standings during the second section.
Goffs Unveils November Foal Sale Catalog
Goffs unveiled the catalog for its November Foal Sale, and it can now be viewed online. It features 1028 foals to be offered from Nov. 16-19 at Kildare Paddocks. Back-to-back Prix du Cadran (G1) winner Caballo de Mar gave the event its latest boost, having appeared in 2021 through Barouche Stud and purchased by Melchior Bloodstock for just €21,000. Some 218 foals catalogued are out of stakes-producing mares and 148 are out of stakes-performing dams.
Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2 Begins Oct. 12
Reminders of Book 2 have been appearing in equine form across Newmarket lately as the bloodstock world readied itself for the next stage of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Oct. 12-14. Ombudsman , who has sat near the top of the Longines World's Best Racehorse standings throughout the year, will remain this section's headliner for many years as a 340,000 guineas purchase for Godolphin four years ago.
Arc Entries Among Arqana Arc Sale Offerings
The Oct. 3 Arqana Arc Sale begins a few minutes after the opening day of the meeting at ParisLongchamp Racecourse has concluded, just across the River Seine at Saint-Cloud. Among the around 40 horses in training who are set to go through the ring are four entries for this weekend. Bright Light and Chestnut Rocket , consigned as lots 43 and 50, respectively, both hold Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) entries.
Champion Winx Has Filly By Too Darn Hot
Some early pictures of the daughter of Australia's great champion Winx have been released by Coolmore Australia and her ownership group. The daughter of Too Darn Hot was born early last week at Coolmore's Hunter Valley and she has already been exploring her new home. She is the third live foal by Winx in what has been an at-times turbulent broodmare career which has accordingly been managed with caution.
Breeder of the Month: Charlie & Julia Rosier
Charlie Rosier and his mother Julia have been taken to wild new heights by their homebred colt Dr Rascal, who secured them the spot of July’s TBA Breeder of the Month in the Coral Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Bright Light Among Latest Wildcards for Arqana Arc Sale
Grosser Preis von Berlin (G1) runner-up Bright Light is among 10 new wildcard entries joining the 33 lots already announced for Arqana's Arc Sale Oct. 3 at Saint-Cloud. Trained by Andreas Suborics, the 3-year-old City Light colt has been competitive at the highest level all year, running Tiffany close at Hoppegarten and then finishing third to Saddadd in the Grosser Preis von Baden (G1). He will be sold with an entry in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) the following day.
Haras d'Etreham, Widden Stud to Stand Hotazhell
Haras d'Etreham and Widden Stud have made a joint purchase to stand recent Irish Champion Stakes (G1) winner Hotazhell from 2027 onward. Jessica Harrington's accomplished son of Too Darn Hot , who also has group 1 wins in Germany and in the Doncaster Futurity, is likely to appear next at Ascot on British Champions Day before heading to Nicolas de Chambure's Etreham in France. He will then shuttle to Widden, Antony Thompson's famous Australian farm in the Hunter Valley.
Venetian Sun to be Offered at Tattersalls Mares Sale
Top-class filly Venetian Sun is set to be offered at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale by owners Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy. A group 1 winner at both 2 and 3 through the Prix Morny (G1) and the Commonwealth Cup Stakes (G1), the Karl Burke-trained daughter of Starman is currently sidelined with a tendon injury and will be going under the hammer during the hugely popular Sceptre Sessions.
Mehmas Filly Shines at Osarus La Teste Yearling Sale
A sole member of the catalog by box-office stallion Mehmas became the most expensive lot to be traded at the Osarus La Teste Yearling Sale since 2019 when bought by Spanish-based interests Sept. 9.
Tattersalls Attracts Three Related to Gstaad, Vandeek
Kelly Thomas of Maywood Stud will now be presenting three immediate relatives of group 1-winning half siblings Vandeek and Gstaad at Tattersalls later this year, with the high-profile addition of the pair's Wootton Bassett half sister to the December Foal Sale line-up. The beautifully bred filly will be joined in the draft by a Havana Grey colt out of Lady Kheleyf, who is a half sister to Gstaad and Vandeek.
Tattersalls Releases Remaining October Sale Entries
Ombudsman has been the most potent inspiration for studying the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in its entirety. Godolphin and the John and Thady Gosden stable's 5-year-old, who is set to chase his sixth group 1 victory in next week's International Stakes (G1), is the flagbearer among purchases from Book 2, for which this year's catalog was released Aug. 10. The catalog for Book 1 of the sale was released Aug. 4.
Equinox Filly Among Tattersalls October Offerings
Siblings to some of the breakout stars of the 2026 flat season are among a blockbuster 469 lots cataloged for Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the highest-profile auction of its kind in Europe. The event will take place Oct. 6-8, and entries are ready to be viewed online. The catalog features full or half brothers and sisters to a remarkable 44 classic and group 1 winners, and 219 group/listed winners.
Juddmonte Stallion Zamindar Dies at 32
Smart racehorse and decorated stallion Zamindar has died at the age of 32, Juddmonte reported July 10. A Kentucky-bred son of Gone West bred by the operation, he was a brother of the exceptional Dewhurst Stakes (G1) and Two Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1) winner Zafonic, and was also sent to Andre Fabre's stable.
Szumski Appointed as Tattersalls Polish Representative
Tattersalls Ireland has appointed Tomasz Szumski as its official representative in Poland. The announcement comes on the back of a successful weekend for the operation in the country, with September Yearling Sale graduate Time For The Star winning the July 5 Polish Derby as a €22,000 purchase by Szumski and trainer Adam Wyrzyk. Szumski has been a jockey and trainer in Poland and has spent plenty of time informally working with Tattersalls Ireland's clients in the area.
Siblings to Classic Winners On Offer at Arqana August
Siblings to two of this year's French classic winners are among 325 yearlings consigned for a truly star-studded Arqana August Yearling Sale. On the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Deauville highlights, which takes place Aug. 15-17, Ecurie des Monceaux will be offering a Siyouni half brother to the brilliant unbeaten Diamond Necklace (Lot 128).
Habibi to be Offered at Arqana Summer Sale
Last Sunday's Prix de Diane (G1) fourth-place finisher Habibi is to be offered at Arqana's Summer Sale catalog and will go under the hammer July 1 in Deauville. A winner of two of her four starts at 2 for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget and owners Jan Romel and Ecurie Nicolato, the Le Brivido filly was second in the listed Prix Rose de Mai at Saint-Cloud in the spring and was then fourth in the Prix Saint-Alary (G2).
Three Chimneys Back for Another Queen Mary With Ruiva
Among the world-famous breeders with a vested interest in the Royal Ascot action is Three Chimneys Farm, whose unbeaten homebred filly Ruiva takes a step into the unknown in the June 17 Queen Mary Stakes (G2). The Munnings filly turned on the style on her racecourse debut at Churchill Downs in late April as she blasted home by 7 lengths in a maiden over 4 1/2 furlongs.
Flightline Sires First Winner: Demian Scores in Japan
American sensation Flightline sired the first winner of his stallion career when Demian landed a 2-year-old newcomers' race June 13 at Tokyo Racecourse in Japan. The undefeated champion only fielded his first runner June 12 when the Mark Casse-trained Greenwell , owned by Greenwell Thoroughbreds, finished second while racing greenly at Churchill Downs, beaten 2 lengths.
Group-Winning Green Sense Among Entrants for Goffs Sale
Last year's Prix Robert Papin (G2) winner Green Sense is among the first 16 entries revealed for the June 15 Goffs London Sale. The boutique occasion, held in association with Ulyssia and Fitzwilliam Sports at Kensington Palace Gardens June 15, has cataloged nine 2-year-olds, alongside a selection of high-class 3-year-olds.
River In Paradise Up For Grabs in Tatts Pop-Up Sale
Recent juvenile winner River In Paradise is set to be offered as a Royal Ascot prospect June 12 in the Tattersalls Online June Pop-Up Sale. Consigned by Lambourn trainer Robert Edwards, the daughter of Lope Y Fernandez took a fillies' maiden over 6 furlongs at Lingfield June 4 and was given a Racing Post Rating of 76. The filly, who was making her debut against some more experienced rivals, scored by 1 1/2 lengths and is now being aimed for next the June 10 Windsor Castle Stakes.
Juddmonte's Oasis Dream Pensioned From Stud Duty
Group 1-producing sire Oasis Dream been pensioned from stud duties after 23 seasons at Juddmonte's Banstead Manor Stud, where he will spend his retirement. During his time at stud, the son of Green Desert has assembled a formidable record with 141 total black-type winners through May 27, headed by 72 worldwide group/graded scorers. Among them are 18 group/grade 1 scorers including Juddmonte's prolific filly Midday , champion sprinter Muhaarar , and juvenile ace Native Trail .
Cautious Optimism Ahead of Tatts Ireland Breeze Up Sale
All eyes will be on the Irish flat industry over the next few days, ahead of a classic weekend and a sale for which results have been arriving at precisely the right time. Last year's renewal of the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze Up Sale reached unprecedented highs, with a €580,000 Night of Thunder colt becoming the most expensive horse in this sphere to have ever been sold in the country.
Minzaal Colt Tops Tattersalls Guineas Sale
For much of the April 30 Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale, it appeared as if the gripping theater in Newmarket would have to wait until the Rowley Mile this weekend, as the anticipated sedate trade prevailed until the early evening. This is not an event which tends to raise the eye-catching prices of last month's Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale, or indeed the equivalent event in Arqana next Saturday, and sizeable pinhooking profits had been thin on the ground.
Breeze-Up Underway for Tattersalls Craven Sale
Newmarket could hardly have set the tone better as the focus turns to the flat. The Rowley Mile was bathed in full spring sunshine as the breeze session of the Tattersalls Craven Sale got underway April 13 for an event that will provide an early indication of the big players in the ring this season, just as there will be clues from the track in the forthcoming maidens and trials.
Grangeclare Seeks Repeat Success at Tattersalls Craven
There's an immediate familiarity to the Grangeclare draft as Joey Logan's operation returns to the scene of some spectacular results. Twelve months ago at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale, Grangeclare consigned four horses for a total of 1,450,000gns, with no individual selling for less than 220,000gns. Chief among them had been a St Mark's Basilica colt out of Layaleena who made 750,000gns to Amo Racing.
Breeder of the Month: Cheryl Burton and Jax Junior
For Jax Junior to have come so far as the very first horse they have ever bred has knocked Cheryl Burton and Julian Lefevre sideways. A Grade 2 winner of the Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton, for which the Buckinghamshire-based couple have been nominated TBA Breeder of the Month for February, the Lucy Wadham-trained son of Jack Hobbs represents a passion project which has entirely taken over their lives. “We’re pretty overwhelmed and speechless about it, to be honest,” says Cheryl.
Ghaiyyath's Offspring Flexing Their Muscles
A sensational start to 2026 around the world for extended to Europe as the promising gained a first listed victory in the April 6 Magnolia Stakes at Kempton. The immaculately bred Kildangan Stud resident is now being represented on the track by his third crop. The victory of the Owen Burrows-trained gray became his 11th individual stakes winner so far, but what is more impressive has been Ghaiyyath's results from further afield.
Group 1 Star Delacroix to Shuttle to Australia
is to have a busy first campaign as a Coolmore sire with the news he will be shuttling to Australia later this year. His fee has already been announced at AU$38,500. The beautifully-bred son of Dubawi and champion American mare Tepin is currently in his debut season on Coolmore's Irish roster, standing at a fee of €40,000. There are hopes the Eclipse (G1) and Irish Champion Stakes (G1) winner will be able to maintain the incredible impact of his sire.
Breeders’ Cup Winner Ethical Diamond Will Not Be Overlooked In Dubai Sheema Classic
Ethical Diamond is no longer a surprise package and enters the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic as a horse who from now on must be considered a bonafide contender for any major middle-distance prize. The 6-year-old's performance in flying wide and late around the field and leading home a world-class field in the Breeders' Cup Turf was one that will live long in the memory, exposing both trainer Willie Mullins and rising star jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle to a whole new audience.
Breeders’ Cup Winner Ethical Diamond Will Not Be Overlooked In Dubai Sheema Classic
Trainer Willie Mullins said the former hurdler “traveled over very well.” Ethical Diamond and Sean Cleary-Farrell at Meydan Dubai Racing Club/Liesl King Ethical Diamond is no longer a surprise package and enters the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic as a horse who from now on must be considered a bonafide contender for any major middle-distance prize.
Arqana Breeze Up Sale Catalog Unveiled
With some exceptional graduates from recent renewals still fresh in the memory, expectations will be high in Normandy come May when the Arqana Breeze Up Sale takes place in Deauville. Twelve months ago, four different 2-year-olds made six-figure sums at a record-breaking affair, including the sale-topping , who was bought by Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin for €1.9 million.
Tattersalls Unveils Elite Craven Breeze-Up Sale Catalog
Tattersalls announced Feb. 26-the catalog for the 182 juveniles entered for the Craven Breeze-Up Sale, one of the first significant dates in the forthcoming flat season diary, which will take place April 13-15. One of its most successful recent graduates is Believing, bought by Highclere for 115,000 guineas from Kilminfoyle House Stud in 2022, and a 3,000,000 guineas acquisition by Coolmore's MV Magnier a couple of years later. The mare won last year's Al Quoz Sprint (G1).
First Foal a Filly for Coolmore's Henry Longfellow
There could hardly have been a more auspicious start for Coolmore's new sire, Henry Longfellow , when his first foal appeared at nearby Noralla Stud Farm in County Tipperary. The northern lights were visible in many places around Great Britain and Ireland Jan. 19, including over Coolmore itself, where the group 1-winning 2-year-old resides. The bay filly is, by wonderful coincidence, a daughter of the mare Aurora Borealis.
Japanese Great Daiwa Major Dies at Age 25
Top-class racehorse and sire Daiwa Major died of old age at Shadai Stallion Station Jan. 20. He was 25. The son of Sunday Silence was a five-time grade 1 winner on the track, landing the likes of the Japanese Two Thousand Guineas (G1T), the Yasuda Kinen (G1T), and the Tenno Sho Autumn (G1T), as well as being the country's champion miler on two occasions. He finished an honorable third over a longer trip in the 2007 Arima Kinen (G1) before heading to stud.
First King Of Steel Foals Appear at Tally-Ho Stud
Tally-Ho Stud has welcomed the first foals by resident stallion King of Steel , who have been enjoying their first days outdoors. There was an individual out of Hairpin, a Bernardini half sister to Dewhurst Stakes (G1) winner Intense Focus, described by the O'Callaghan family's operation as being a "strong, quality colt." Hairpin is the dam of four winners led by Dadoozdart, winner of the listed Martin Molony Stakes for Noel Meade.
Blue-Chip Mares Highlight Tattersalls February Sale
A smart collection of 307 lots has been cataloged for the two-day Tattersalls February Sale. The auction, which will take place Feb. 5-6, will also feature the Tattersalls British EBF Stallion Parade and Retraining of Racehorses Showcase at 11 a.m. before the opening session.
Muth's First Foal and a Closer Look at Early Arrivals
The first reported foal of 2026 appeared at 2:30 a.m. New Year's Day, when a filly by grade 1 winner was born at Gainesway Farm in Lexington. Had she arrived just a few hours earlier, her future prospects would have looked considerably different. The filly is the first reported foal for Muth. Why so? What does it matter whether a racehorse is born Dec. 31 or Jan. 1? It's a bit like starting out at school. When you're born Aug.
'Pretty Special' Quisisana Might Not Be Done Racing
's swan song could still be ahead of her after her commendable third in last weekend's Hong Kong Cup (G1). It was expected that the outing at Sha Tin Racecourse would be the 11th and final calling point of the 5-year-old mare's career before she returned home to become the pride of Haras de la Perelle, her owner and breeder. Quisisana's trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard, and Perelle owner Jurgen Winter will now be taking their time digesting a result which left the promise of more to come.
Pierrette Bilodeau (1967-2025): ‘One of the nicest kindest people I’ve ever worked with’
Longtime Concordia employee Pierrette Bilodeau passed away on December 2. She was 58. Bilodeau started working at Concordia in 1996 as a casual employee in Custodial Services. She became permanent in April 2000 in the same area and remained an employee of the university for the rest of her life. Her friends and colleagues remember her as always smiling and willing to make the time for a quick, friendly chat.
Romantic Warrior Scores Record-Extending Fourth Straight Hong Kong Cup Triumph
Romantic Warrior turned on the style Sunday at Sha Tin as he headed further into folklore with an unprecedented fourth straight victory in the HK$40million Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1). It was a performance that the fans lining the rails sporting the champion’s light blue colors would have expected as James McDonald steered his mount a convincing 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Bellagio Opera. Time for the 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) was 2:02.29.
Joseph O’Brien upbeat about Al Riffa and Galen
Joseph O’Brien has never been a man to duck an international challenge as he prepares to take on three-time champion Romantic Warrior in the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (14 December). With two Melbourne Cups and a Breeders’ Cup success already unlocked during a training career which only began in 2016, O’Brien pitches the unheralded Galen into white-hot competition.
Ka Ying Rising's Breeder Makes Journey of a Lifetime
Fraser Auret has made a special journey this week in order to see Ka Ying Rising for the first time since he left his former home in rural New Zealand. The world's best sprinter, his reputation now sky-high after claiming The Everest (G1) at Randwick Racecourse in October, was bred by Auret and his wife Erin, who have a training center near Marton in the country's North Island and operate as Grandmoral Lodge Racing.
'Every time he races there's always a bit of a gathering at home'
By Tom Peacock Fraser Auret has made a special journey this week in order to see Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) for the first time since he left his former home in rural New Zealand. The world’s best sprinter, his reputation now sky-high after claiming The Everest at Randwick (Gr 1, 1200m) in October, was bred by Auret and his wife Erin, who have a training centre near Marton in the country’s North Island and operate as Grandmoral Lodge Racing.
Hong Kong Cup: Romantic Warrior draws post 2 in field of 7
Connections of Romantic Warrior indicated no concerns with being drawn in barrier 2 as the stage was set for the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday. Danny Shum’s hometown hero is set to face six rivals this weekend in his attempt to lift the title for the fourth time in a row. “Draw 2 is good,” Shum said. “It’s a small field, so it’s not a big deal.
G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup draw no concern for Romantic Warrior’s connections
Connections of Romantic Warrior indicated no concerns with being drawn in barrier two as the stage was set for the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (14 December). Danny Shum’s hometown hero is set to face six rivals this weekend in his attempt to lift the title for the fourth time in a row. “Draw two is good,” Shum said. “It’s a small field, so it’s not a big deal.
Turf Talk Newsletter - 10 December, 2025
Jan Van Goyen is the one to beat in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, although he faces a tough task winning it just two weeks after running in the Gr 2 Jackpot City Dingaans at Turffotein (Candiese Lenferna Photography) The Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas to be run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday is the focus of SA Racing fans at present and the question is being asked whether the Highveld form or the Cape form will emerge on top.
Ryan Moore Punctuates Comeback With Third International Jockey Championship Title In Hong Kong
Ryan Moore delivered a timely reminder of his world-leading status with a supreme performance to land his third title in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) Wednesday at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong.
Ryan Moore crowns comeback from injury to win third LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship
Ryan Moore delivered a timely reminder of his world-leading status with a supreme performance to land a third LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) in a thrilling contest which remained wide open right up to its conclusion at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
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