Stakes Recap: Jockey Club Gold Cup & Flower Bowl

Wootton Bassett, one of the world’s hottest sires, died unexpectedly at the age of 17. His premature death while on shuttle duty in Australia was announced on Coolmore’s social media channels Sept. 23 in a post that stated the horse suffered from “acute pneumonia which deteriorated rapidly.”  The post continued: “Despite round-the-clock care from a…

It was an earlier-than-usual morning for trainer Mark Casse’s team April 1 as they welcomed Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Sandman  to Churchill Downs just after 4 a.m. ET to begin his preparations for the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1). Owned in partnership by D.J. Stable, Vinny Viola’s St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and CJ…

For five consecutive years, thanks to a work conference that lined up on the right days, Dave Bushey stood above the Gulfstream Park paddock and watched horses get saddled for the Claiming Crown and envisioning what it would be like to see the silks of Bush Racing Stable, which was started by his father Bryan, as part of…

Rey Santino Diez’s 4-year-old Frateli La Vita  is set to defend his title against 13 foes in the May 25 1 1/4-mile Gran Premio Club Hipico Falabella (G1T) at Club Hipico de Santiago. The winner will earn an automatic starting position and fees paid into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) through the Breeders’…

Normandy Coast , a 3-year-old colt by Omaha Beach   who won the April 6 Palisades Stakes at Keeneland, sold for $355,000 to Steven Judy to lead the Keeneland April Horses of Racing Age Sale, held April 25 following the final race of the spring meet. Consigned by Kenneally Racing, agent, Normandy Coast has started five times, producing three…

Steve Landers Racing’s Destino d’Oro  sat a perfect trip and drew off with authority to win the $399,400 Pucker Up Stakes (G3T) Aug. 3 at Ellis Park. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Luan Machado, Destino d’Oro completed the 1 1/8-mile turf contest in 1:45.64 to earn her first graded stakes victory. It was…