WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014732-747-8060 $ TDN Home Page Click Here

MURTAGH CALLS TIME ON RIDING CAREER Five-time Irish Champion jockey Johnny Murtagh,who took out his trainer=s license in Ireland last year,has announced his retirement from race riding to focuson his training career. "The training side of things is getting bigger all thetime, and I wasn't happy giving the riding 50% and thetraining 50%,@ Murtagh told PA Sport. "It's the right

time to call it a day with theriding and put everything into thetraining side of things." Murtagh, who turns 44 thisyear, rode his first winner in1987, and became stable jockeyto John Oxx in 1992. During his11-year tenure with the Curragh-based trainer, Murtagh earned18 Group 1 victories for The AgaKhan. He was on board forSinndar (Ire)=s wins in the Englishand Irish Derbies, as well as thePrix de l=Arc de Triomphe, andalso won the G1 Irish Oaks

aboard The Aga Khan=s Ebadiyla (Ire). Murtagh, who has won all the Irish Classics as wellas the British G1 2000 Guineas twice, won two moreInvestec Derbies, aboard Coolmore=s High Chaparral(Ire) and Royal Ascot Racing Club=s Motivator (GB) in2005, and in 2008 he took up the position of stablejockey to Coolmore. In 2008, he rode 19 Group 1winners, followed by 10 in 2009. Amongst hisstandout mounts during this time were four-time Group1 winner and Classic hero Mastercraftsman (Ire); Dukeof Marmalade (Ire), winner of five consecutive Group 1sin 2008; transatlanticGroup/Grade I winner and Eclipsechampion Cape Blanco (Ire);three-time Group 1-winning milerHenrythenavigator, and Sussex,Queen Elizabeth II andJuddmonte International scorerRip Van Winkle. Murtagh wasalso aboard Yeats (Ire) for thelegendary stayer=s historic thirdand fourth G1 Gold Cup victoriesat Royal Ascot. After resigningfrom the Coolmore post in 2010,Murtagh went to work again forOxx and The Aga Khan. He wonthe G1 Prix de Diane aboard TheAga Khan=s Valyra (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) in 2012, andalso during that time period won the 2011 G1 EpsomOaks aboard Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Cont. p3

MCGAUGHEY PLOTS SOPHOMORE COURSES Lane=s End Racing and Dell Ridge Farm J “TDNRising Star” J Honor Code (A.P. Indy), winner ofthe Nov. 30 GII Remsen S., worked four panels in:52.06 yesterday at Palm Meadows Training Center ashe prepares for the GII Rebel S. atOaklawn Mar. 15. AHe went fine,@ saidtrainer Shug McGaughey. AHe was verywilling and got stronger as the workwent on. He went a little slower than Iwanted, but it wasn=t a problem. I=llcome back and work him Sunday orMonday with company and we=ll gofrom there.@ Last year=s GI ChampagneS. runner-up was originally scheduled tokick off his sophomore season in the GII Fountain of Youth S. last Saturday,but his schedule was pushed back aftersuffering an ankle bruise. If all goes wellin the Rebel, McGaughey said HonorCode will Aprobably [aim for] the [GI]Wood Memorial [at Aqueduct Apr. 5].@Honor Code was the 12.10-1 individual favorite in Pool2 of the GI Kentucky Derby Future Wager. McGaugheyis keeping his options open for stablemate Top Billing(Curlin), who was third in Saturdays= Fountain of Youth.AObviously, we=d like to run him in the [GI] FloridaDerby [Mar. 29] if he bounces back okay,@ said lastyear=s Kentucky Derby-winning conditioner. ABut also,the [GII] Louisiana Derby [ is a possibility, as well as theWood Memorial if Honor Code doesn=t run there.@ Click to share this story.

Johnny Murtagh aboardRoyal Diamond

Racing Post

Murtagh winning the Oakswith Dancing Rain

Racing Post

Honor CodeNYRA/Coglianese

“He’s a big, long-striding colt. To see it with your own

eyes, his stride is amazing. He broke off at the eighth

pole behind older horses, and they were a good 10

lengths ahead of him. He easily got to that pair and split

them without hesitation like a knife through butter, and

then exploded past. To see a young horse do that, it was

an impressive moment that you only see from the good

ones. He’s a colt you will definitely hear from.”–Barretts GM Kim Lloyd on the colt’s breeze Feb. 22

HIP 85 at Barretts March

WATCH FOR FIRST 2YOs AT THE UPCOMING SALES

Thor-Bred Stables Back in Action

With the Barretts March Sale of Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training coming up this Monday, JessicaMartini catches up with Pavla Nygaard, who ownsThor-Bred Stables along with her husband Erik. Afterscaling back their operation following the economicdownturn, the Nygaards have been more active inrecent years, and have three offerings set to sell atBarretts.

Page 6

Michele MacDonald from Qatar

Michele MacDonald checks in again from Qatar, where the first of three-dayInternational Festival of Racing Tuesday was followed by a black-tie gala dinner.

Page 9

Urbane Dies After Foaling

Multiple Grade I winner Urbane (Citidancer--Dumfries Pleasure, by PleasantColony), dam of MGSW and sire Suave (A.P. Indy), died Monday evening afterproducing an Into Mischief Filly. She was 22.

Page 12

Rubick to Spell

Smart Australian juvenile Rubick (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), fourth inSaturday's G1 Blue Diamond S. at Caulfield, will go for a spell, with trainer GeraldRyan stating a decision on the Apr. 5 G1 Golden Slipper would follow in a week'stime.

Page 12

IN THIS ISSUE

CO-PUBLISHERS

President: Barry Weisbord barryweisbord@thetdn.com @barryweisbord

Vice President: Sue Finleysuefinley@thetdn.com @suefinley

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Director of Business Development: Gary Kinggaryking@thetdn.com

EDITORIAL

editor@thetdn.comEditor-in-Chief: Jessica Martini

Managing Editor: Alan CarassoRacing Editor: Steve Sherack

Racing Analyst/Social Media Director: Brian DiDonatoAssociate Editor: Justina Severni

Assistant Editor: Christie DeBernardisAssistant Editor: Heather Likins

Assistant Editor: Michael Illiano

ADVERTISING

advertising@thetdn.comDirector of Advertising: Alycia Borer

Art Director: Lia KuschSr. Ad Coordinator/Dir. of Distribution: Sarah K. Andrew

Advertising Designer: Amanda CrelinAdvertising Assistant: Amanda Foster

CUSTOMER SERVICE

customerservice@thetdn.comDirector of Customer Service: Vicki Forbes

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Director of IT: Robert Williamsrobertwilliams@thetdn.com

Database Admin./Programming Specialist: Gregg Casillogcasillo@thetdn.com

WORLDWIDE INFORMATION

International Editor: Kelsey Rileykelseynriley@gmail.com

Newmarket Bureau, Cafe Racing: Sean Cronin

Newmarket Bureau, Cafe Racing: Tom Frarycaferacing@aol.com

60 Broad Street, Suite 100 • Red Bank, NJ 07701

732-747-8060 | 732-747-8955 (fax)

www.thoroughbreddailynews.com

www.thetdn.com

Pavla Nygaard

TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 2/26/14 • PAGE 3 of 12 • thoroughbreddailynews.com

Murtagh cont. from p1

After spending a few years working alongside trainerTommy Carmody at Fox Covert Stables at The Curragh,Murtagh was granted his trainer=s license last year. Hetook over Fox Covert and experienced immediatesuccess, winning a pair of Group 3 races with formerG1 Irish St. Leger victor Royal Diamond (Ire) (King=sBest), and the G2 Blandford S. with Bellede Crecy (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}),both of which he also rode. Murtaghcontinued to perform with outstandingsuccess as a jockey last year, collectingfive Group 1 victories: the King George VI& Queen Elizabeth S. with Novellist (Ire)(Monsun {Ger}), the King=s Stand S.aboard Sole Power (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar{Ire}), the Betfred Sprint Cup on GordonLord Byron (Ire) (Bryon {GB}), the IrishOaks aboard Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire})and the Pretty Polly S. with Ambivalent(Ire) (Authorized {Ire}). He earned theleading rider title at Royal Ascot for thefifth time last year. Murtagh retires from the saddle withmore than 100 Group 1 wins, including>25 Classic victories in four countries andwins in all of Royal Ascot=s Group 1 races.He won three Breeders= Cup races: the 1995 GIBreeders= Cup Mile with Ridgewood Pearl (GB), the2000 GI Breeders= Cup Turf aboard Kalanisi (Ire), andthe 2009 Breeders= Cup Marathon on Man of Iron.

"I've done extremely well, and when you look at thelist of horses I've ridden, there have been some brillianthorses," said Murtagh. "It would be unfair to pick outone, but there were a number of special days. My firstDerby win aboard Sinndar was obviously a huge thing,and then Yeats was an incredible horse to be

associated with. I suppose winning onSole Power in the King's Stand last yearwas massive for me as well. Just the waythe race went and getting up on the line--you know when you get it right. Ridingand training Royal Diamond to win onChampions Day last year at Ascot [in theG3 Long Distance Cup]. That wassomething very special as well." "I was very lucky to ride for some greatpeople,@ Murtagh continued. AI got alongwith them all and still do. It's beenbrilliant. When you are riding you can takeall the big winners for granted, but whenyou sit back and think about it, I've beenvery lucky. I'm coming up 44 this yearand my first Group 1 was on Manntari forMr Oxx in 1993 [Ireland=s National S.].Someone texted me earlier saying I had105 Group 1 winners, but my wife thinks

it's 107.@ Cont. p4

Murtagh and wife Orla afterwinning the 2013 HRI Flat Award

Racing Post Photo

Click here for the latest posts on the TDN Blog

TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 2/26/14 • PAGE 4 of 12 • thoroughbreddailynews.com

Murtagh cont.

"I've been all over the world riding, I've met somelovely people and it's been a great experience. I didn'tride a horse until I was 15 and it's been fantastic, butit's now time to move on to the next chapter in my life.We have 45 horses in training at the moment, including20 2-year-olds and we have a few new owners. I havethe same expectations as when I was riding--thestandards are still the same. If we get a bit of luck anda good horse comes along, we'll get there."

Murtagh Peers Pay Tribute... A number of racing personalities stepped forwardyesterday to pay tribute to the riding career of JohnnyMurtagh, including Aidan O=Brien, who describedMurtagh as a Awonderful rider.@ AWe had great years together when he rode for us,@O=Brien told PA Sport. "He will be a great trainer andwe would like to wish him, Orla [Murtagh's wife] andall the family every success in the future." Eddie Lynam, trainer of Sole Power, said: "He's been a great jockey. It's a big loss to me, butwe'll have to get with it. I was talking to him onMonday and wished him a happy retirement. He's goingto be a good trainer now, so we will have to competeagainst him.@ Lynam continued: "He gave Sole Power a fantasticride in the King's Stand. It was best summed up byJames Willoughby that day. He said Johnny soldlengths when they were expensive and bought themwhen they were cheap. He gave him an extremely goodride that day. He's ridden a lot of big winners for meover the years. His last ride was on Sole Power in HongKong when they finished second in [the G1 LonginesHong Kong Sprint].@ "[Murtagh is] a top man, a very good jockey and Iwish him well in his retirement," Lynam said. Michael Bell, trainer of Murtagh=s 2005 G1 InvestecDerby winning mount Motivator (GB), also chimed in.Cont. p5

The Jockey Club @TheJockeyClubOur best wishes to @JohnnyMurtaghon his retirement from the saddle.

John Berry @JohnWathenBerryOnly 25th Feb but ‘14 season has already lost bit of its magic with@JohnnyMurtagh drawing stumps. Added a touch of class 2 every race herode.

Kerrin McEvoy @KPMcEvoyCongrats “King Johnny” - JP Murtagh on a fantastic career in the saddle,great times working with you in the UK, one of the best I’ve seen.

AP McCoy @AP_McCoyBest wishes 2 @JohnnyMurtagh in his retirement, top bloke, one of thebest jockeys I’ve ever seen & has already proven himself a top trainer.

Gina Bryce @GinaBryce@JohnnyMurtagh undoubtedly a huge loss to the weighing room but is ahuge gain for the training ranks. Exciting times ahead. #legend #champ.

TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 2/26/14 • PAGE 5 of 12 • thoroughbreddailynews.com

Murtagh cont.

"He was a very gifted jockey,@ Bell told PA Sport. AI'llbe forever grateful to him for his input--not only on theracecourse, but his advice having ridden work, whichplayed a huge part in Motivator's 3-year-old career. Itwas an amazing day when we won the Derby. From mycareer point of view that obviously represents a high. Itwas very hard for him to combine both jobs [riding andtraining], so I'm sure it was the sensible thing to do." Fellow rider Frankie Dettori said: "Johnny is probablyone of the best judges of pace I've ever come acrossand one of the most hard working and talented jockeysI've ever ridden against. I'm genuinely upset that he willno longer be in the weighing room when I go in there."

Thursday, Meydan, United Arab Emirates, post time: 11:25 a.m. ETUAE OAKS-G3, $250,000, NH & SH 3yo, f, 1900m(AWT)SC PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT

1 Letterfromamerica K Ghostzapper O'Shea Seemar 1212 Ihtimal (Ire) Shamardal De Sousa Suroor 121

3 More Aspen K More Than Ready Foley Seemar 121

4 Sign Of Lucky K Sharp Humor Dobbs Watson 1215 Feedyah Street Cry (Ire) Barzalona Appleby 1216 Magrooma (Aus) Dubawi (Ire) Hughes de Kock 1317 Mensoora (SAf) Jet Master (SAf) Soumillon de Kock 1318 Magroora (Aus) Dubawi (Ire) Cosgrave de Kock 1319 Illuminating Dream (Ire) High Chaparral (Ire) Spencer Brown 121

Thursday, Meydan, United Arab Emirates, post time: 12:00 p.m. ETZABEEL MILE-G2, $250,000, 3yo/up, 1mTPP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT1 Mustaheel (Ire) Lawman (Fr) O'Neill Al Raihe 1262 Edu Querido (Brz) Holzmeister Harley Botti 1263 Trade Storm (GB) Trade Fair (GB) Spencer Simcock 1264 Gabrial (Ire) Dark Angel (Ire) Fallon Fahey 1265 Mushreq (Aus) Flying Spur (Aus) Hanagan de Kock 126

6 Mshawish K Medaglia d'Oro Hughes Delzangles 1267 Gale Force Ten (GB) Oasis Dream (GB) Cosgrave de Kock 1268 Anaerobio (Arg) Catcher In The Rye (Ire) Soumillon de Kock 129

Saturday, Meydan, United Arab Emirates, post time: 12:10 p.m. ETNAD AL SHEBA TROPHY-G3, $200,000, NH 4yo/up & SH 3yo/up,2810mTPP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER WT1 Jutland (GB) Halling Dobbs Watson 1282 Buckwheat (GB) Manduro (Ger) Barzalona Appleby 1233 Model Pupil (GB) Sinndar (Ire) Jurado Mishref 1284 Cavalryman (GB) Halling de Sousa bin Suroor 1285 Saddler's Rock (Ire) Sadler's Wells McDonogh Oxx 1286 Without Fear (Fr) Rfuse To Bend (Ire) Graberg Petersen 1307 Statutory (Ire) Authorized (Ire) Buick Suroor 1238 Moment In Time (Ire) Tiger Hill (Ire) Crowley Simcock 1239 Certerach (Ire) Halling Foley Halford 12810 Renew (Ire) Dansili (GB) Harley Botti 12311 Simenon (Ire) Marju (Ire) Moore Mullins 12812 Star Empire (SAf) Second Empire (Ire) Soumillon de Kock 128Also Eligible:13 Ralston Road (Ire) Dylan Thomas (Ire) No rider Seemar 12314 Topclas (Fr) Kutub (Fr) No rider Harmash 12815 Thecornishcockney (GB) Cockney Rebel (Ire) No rider Ryan 12816 Great Hall (GB) Halling No rider Meehan 123

BLACK-TYPE PREVIEWS

A MULTIPLE G1 THREE-YEAR-OLD BY SIRE OF SIRES GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

FIRST 2YOS ARENOT HOLDING BACK

“Mine is a big, rangycolt that is a wonderfulmover and enough speedto be dangerous.” – Eddie Woods

www.winstarfarm.com859.873.1717

TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 2/26/14 • PAGE 6 of 12 • thoroughbreddailynews.com

THOR-BRED STABLES BACK IN ACTIONby Jessica Martini Erik and Pavla Nygaard=s Thor-Bred Stables provedquick out of the gate when it was first established inthe mid-2000s, with Grade I winner Rigoletta(Concerto) leading the way, but the economic downturnof 2008 caused the couple to cut back on theirburgeoning breeding operation. As the economyimproved, however, the Nygaards resumed theirinvolvement in theindustry and threeyoungsters from thefirst crop of theresurgent Thor-BredStables are scheduled tosell at next week=sBarretts March Sale ofSelected 2-Year-Olds inTraining in Pomona,California. The trio, consigned byEddie Woods, includes ahomebred colt by AnyGiven Saturday out of the Thor-Bred-raced Play It True(Yes It=s True) (hip 35), as well as a pair of pinhookingprospects in hip 8, a filly from the first crop of GI Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, and hip 82, adaughter of freshman sire Desert Party. AWe sold four in the 2012 sales in Florida and nowwe=re back with a bit more,@ explained Pavla Nygaard.AWe sold one colt at Saratoga last summer, the firsthomebred since we restarted.@ The Nygaards first became involved in racing in 2005when, Pavla Nygaard laughingly admits, AWe jumped inwith six feet, I guess you would say,@ and bought a900-acre farm in Ocala. AI had a personal horse that was off the track, so Iwas involved from that perspective and my husbandhad gone to Saratoga to watch races, but it wasn=t onour radar screen as far as doing it as a business untilwe purchased the farm,@ she said. AThe farm had anexisting boarding and training operation on it, so thatled us to get some of our own horses and learn moreand get more involved in breeding and in pinhooking.@ Among the successes from those early years of theoperation was Rigoletta. Purchased for $35,000 out ofthe 2010 OBS April sale, the filly went on to win thatyear=s GI Oak Leaf S. Thor-Bred was also representedby Grade I-placed Reforestation (Forestry) and graded-placed Sekira (Holy Bull). The Thor-Bred operation currently includes a six-horseracing stable and a broodmare band of around 16boarded at Drew Nardiello=s Chesapeake Farm inLexington. Cont. p7

BarrettsMarch Sale of Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training

Monday, March 3 • 2 p.m. (PT)Preview Day: Thurs., Feb. 27 • 10 a.m.

RigolettaBenoit

TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 2/26/14 • PAGE 7 of 12 • thoroughbreddailynews.com

Thor-Bred cont.

Between the Barretts March, OBS March, OBS Apriland Barretts May sales, Thor-Bred expects to send 14 juveniles through the sales ring this spring. Nygaard said her goal was to create a Asmall andselect@ commercial broodmare band and she thinks thetalented team she and her husband have assembled willgive the operationthe flexibility tosucceed. AI think that=swhere we are alittle bit lucky,@Nygaard said. AInthe sense that,where some peoplehave a very specificprogram that theystick to, we havemore freedom,given that we havethe farm and wehave a good teamthat we work with, both where our mares are boardedand where our foals are born, as well as the trainingprogram that we have at the farm. We recruited BennyBetts out of retirement this summer and he has broughta lot of really good credentials with him. He workedwith Bobby Scanlon for eight years and worked handand hand with Bobby and David Scanlon with theirprogram which developed a lot of really nice horses,like Bernardini and Lion Heart.@ Nygaard also expects to remain active in thepinhooking market. AI think it will depend very much on how ouroperation goes this year, how much we will do goingforward,@ she said. AAt this point, we=re very excited,but you never know how things are going to go. Iwould say between 15 and 20 [to pinhook] would be agood number for us. It also depends on how it goes atthe farm--this year we kept things more or less quietbecause we wanted to set up our operation for our ownhorses. For next year, we would be looking for outsidehorses to come and join us.@ Nygaard works with bloodstock agent Marette Farrellto identify pinhooking prospects. ABoth Marette and I will go and look at horses andthen we compare notes as far as what we like andwhat we don=t like,@ Nygaard said. ABoth of us look atthings in a similar way. First and foremost, we look forhorses that look like they are going to be athletic. Wepay attention to pedigree, but we don=t buy onpedigree--certainly we don=t buy on pedigree alone. Welook at the individual. We look for something that haspotential, nice movers, and horses that have theattitude and class to be a good horse. It is obviouslyvery intangible, but it=s one of those things that, if yousee it, it=s there.@

She continued, AMore than other people perhaps,we=re willing to overlook or forgive conformationalflaws, or at least some degree of that. We might bewilling to overlook certain vet issues, if they aredevelopmental or if they are something we can workwith. With the team that we have, we are willing totake a little risk.@ Nygaard said she was happy with how Thor-Bred=sthree Barretts offerings progressed this winter whilebased with Betts at the family=s Ocala Jockey ClubFarm, but she admitted there would be some anxiousmoments ahead. AAll three are doing very, very well,@ she said.AThey=ve been well prepared, they did very well for theirlast work on the farm and they=ve done everything todate that you could ask for and now they still haveanother 50 hoops or so to jump through. We=ll have tosee what happens.@ AIt=s extremely exciting on one hand, but it=s alsoextremely nerve-wracking,@ Nygaard continued. AUpuntil this point, there were a lot of things that wethought we could control and now there are going to bea lot of things that we can=t. You can do the best youcan do to prepare them to breeze a good eighth, butyou can=t control all the different things that are goingto go on at the sales. It just gives you lots of extrathings to worry about. You don=t know how they aregoing handle the particular track at Barretts and, eventhough you can make assumptions, you just don=tknow. And we=ll breathe a lot easier, or a lot worse, Iguess, as it may go, after the breeze show.@ Cont. p8

Oak Leaf winner’s circleBenoit

Look for the K throughout the TDN graded stakesentries, denoting Keeneland sales graduates.

TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 2/26/14 • PAGE 8 of 12 • thoroughbreddailynews.com

Thor-Bred cont.

Nygaard thinks her horses are in good hands withEddie Woods=s consignment. AWe wanted to work with Eddie at the Barretts salebecause he is known to sellhorses well, but also havethem continue well on thetrack, so that their bestperformances are beyond thesale arena,@ she explained.AAlso, there seemed to begood synergies with thehorses we were going to take.We have a colt that is abeautiful mover on the track.He is by Any Given Saturday.Last March, Eddie sold EarthConnecter, a colt by the samesire that has done quite wellin Japan so far. Our SuperSaver filly out of Lilly Ladue(Chief Three Sox) seemedvery much the type that you would see coming toEddie's barn and, as it turns out, Eddie has trained andsold a number of horses from her family with success.Eddie and Benny, from our farm, have been in contacton the training regimen of the horses going to the sales,and so it seemed like a good way to work with thesehorses going into the sale.@

Nygaard is particularly excited about Thor-Bred=sSuper Saver filly, who is out of stakes winner LillyLadue, a half-sister to Grade I winner Lucifer=s Stone(Horse Chestnut {SAf}). The filly was a $30,000purchase at last year=s OBS August sale. AShe is actually fairly young,@ Nygaard pointed out.AShe is a May foal, which seems to be kind of crazy tobe taking her to an early sale from that perspective, butshe=s matured incredibly well and the look in her eyes isthe kind of thing that I would look for if I was buying ahorse. She=s got class, she=s got poise, she=s got thebody. She=s got a lot of things going for her.@ The same could be said of the expanding Thor-Bredempire. Asked about her goals for the operation,Nygaard said, AGoing forward, we would like tomaintain a very small, but select, racing stable. Wewould like to have a small and select broodmare bandwhere the majority of the progeny will get sold either atyearling or 2-year-old sales and a select one or two mayget held over with a view to racing--that would likely bea filly that we think is likely to do well and then end upin the broodmare band.@ AFor the farm, we would like to see a thriving facility,@she continued. AIt=s a 900-acre farm, so there is lots ofspace to work with, with the training center andotherwise. We=d love to see good horses come out ofthat facility, have them do well at the races and in thesales ring and have satisfied clients, as well.@ Thor-Bred takes the next step in its reemergencewhen the Barretts March training preview getsunderway Thursday at 10 a.m. Click to share this story.

Pavla Nygaard

TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 2/26/14 • PAGE 9 of 12 • thoroughbreddailynews.com

RACING FESTIVITIES KICK OFF IN QATARStory and photos by Michele MacDonald A bevy of international guests, including Maryland

Jockey Club representatives TomChuckas and Karin De Francis,English-based trainers John Gosdenand Richard Hannon Jr. and Frenchjockey Olivier Peslier, celebratedwith the Qatar Racing andEquestrian Club in Doha on Feb. 25as the three-day InternationalRacing Festival began with rousingsport and a glittering black-tie galadinner. From near dawn until almostmidnight, the guests wereentertained with a visit to thefamous Al Shahania Stud, a fullprogram of racing and then lavishdining and entertainment at a

ballroom in the Ritz Carlton Doha.

Many took the opportunity to explore businesspossibilities with the Qataris, with De Francis andChuckas promoting the GI Preakness S. program whileinterviewed on in-house television during the races. DeFrancis said she hopes there can be some synergiesbetween Qatari entities--which already back majorracing and sporting events in Europe, including theBritish Champion Series and the Prix de l'Arc deTriomphe Weekend--and the Preakness. "We're very honored andprivileged to be here," said DeFrancis, a consultant with theMaryland Jockey Club.Chuckas, president of theorganization, added that theexperience has definitely been"on our bucket list." During the racing program,De Francis and Chuckas wereintroduced to QREC ChairmanSheikh Mohammed bin FalehAl Thani and discussed someways that the Preaknesscould be meaningful to Qatarisponsorship or partnership.They planned to have morediscussions during the racingfestival.

Cont. p9

Entance to Al RayyanRacecourse

De Francis aboard a camel atAl Shahania Stud

TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 2/26/14 • PAGE 10 of 12 • thoroughbreddailynews.com

MacDonald cont.

A variety of English racing personalities and officialswere on hand in a clear acknowledgment of growingQatari strength in ownership and ongoing acquisitionsof racing and breeding stock. In addition to the trainers,Tattersalls Marketing Manager Jason Singh, theQueen's Racing Manager John Warren and HarryHerbert, who last year assumed the role as SheikhJoaan bin Hamad Al Thani's racing advisor, wereamong those present. "We are all here to very much look this way for thefuture. There obviously are a lot of plans here andthings are happening in other [Persian] Gulf states aswell," said Gosden, who noted that the Middle East andAsia represent racing's best opportunities to grow inthe near future. Qatari officials are planning to build a newinternational racetrack, and Sheikh Joaan has made itclear he intends to be a world power in racing. Peslier was among those taking home trophies forwinning races on the program after steering UmmQarn's 4-year-old Purebred Arabian filly Haifaa tovictory in the QR500,000 [approximately US$137,315]Gulf Cup over 1600 meters on grass.

" " "

In the featured Thoroughbred race, the QR1 million[$274,627] Qatar 2022 Invitation Cup for 3-year-oldsand up sprinting 1200 meters on grass,Sandbetweenourtoes won his third consecutive raceand third in February. The 5-year-oldFootstepsinthesand (GB) gelding, bred in Ireland andwinner of nine of 28 starts after beginning his career inEngland, proved best by 2 1/2 lengths over Bazaruto(GB), a son of Pivotal (GB).

Cont. p11

PEDIGREE INSIGHTS...Get pedigree expert Andrew Caulfield=s

take on racing=s newsmakers!You can find all of Caulfield=s columns

in the TDN Archive.

Horses are led to the parade ring before a race

TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 2/26/14 • PAGE 11 of 12 • thoroughbreddailynews.com

MacDonald cont.

Force Freeze (Forest Camp), runner-up in the 2011 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, threatened as the field of 16drove into the stretch, but could not sustain hismomentum and wound up seventh. Force Freeze wasmaking his second start off a near two-year layoff afterfinishing sixth in a listed race at Sam Houston Jan. 25. In the other featured race on the program, the QR500,000 Al Rayyan Cup for Qatari-bred Thoroughbreds,Al Jeryan Stud's Aseer defeated Sraab in a stretchduel, winning the 1850-meter event on turf by 1 1/4lengths, to the jubilation of his team. Rising Qataritrainer Mahanad Al Yaqout leaped and shouted in joybefore leading in the 4-year-old Singspiel (Ire) colt, whowas ridden by Tadhg O'Shea. "Today Aseer proved he is the best horse born inQatar," Al Yaqout told the crowd of racegoers in histelevised interview. From the racetrack, the guests and dignitaries--including International Federation of HorseracingAuthorities Chairman Louis Romanet, who presentedsome of the trophies--made their way to the RitzCarlton, where Peslier once again found himself in thespotlight. The highlight of the night occurred when famedFrench-based horseman Mario Luraschi, who performedwith eight other riders in the festival's openingceremony, shockedand delighted thecrowd by riding hisbig gray horse Quijoteamong the tables andeventually up on tothe stage withanother rider. At thattime, Peslier wascalled up from hisseat at dinner. Once boosted up onQuijote, Peslier rode through a series of the horse'strademark rears and leaps, including jumping off thestage, drawing applause and laughter. Festival racing was set to resume with the secondprogram on February 26, with the featuredThoroughbred race the Qatar International Cup over1600 meters on grass. The event is a domestic Group 2contest and has drawn 17 entries. Click to share story.

Advocates call for improved saftey, reforms to Pa. horse racingindustry Advocates for improved safety in horse racing are calling forsweeping changes in Pennsylvania, a matter they say has beenunderscored by a recent criminal investigation at Penn National RaceCourse in Dauphin County. Michael Hyland, fox43.com.

Horseracing chief concerned at plans for large-scale wind farmsThe figurehead of the largest horseracing empire in the world hasexpressed concern about plans for wind farms in Ireland. ShanePhelan, independent.ie.

Olivier Peslier aboard Quijote

IN OTHER NEWS...A Daily Roundup of Racing Articles in Other Media

TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 2/26/14 • PAGE 12 of 12 • thoroughbreddailynews.com

URBANE, 22 Multiple Grade I-winning millionaire Urbane(Citidancer--Dumfries Pleasure, by Pleasant Colony)passed away Monday night. She was 22. AWhen onelife ends, another begins,@ tweeted owner SamanthaSiegel Tuesday. AUrbane gave us an Into Mischief fillylast night then passed away a few hours later.@Purchased by Jan, Mace and Samantha Siegel for$25,000 at the 1993 FTMSEP sale, the dark bay wasbeaten just a nose by Serena=s Song in the followingyear=s GI Hollywood Starlet S. She annexed the 1995GI Ashland S., and was second in the GI KentuckyOaks for conditioner Jeanne Mayberry. Subsequentlytransferred to Randy Bradshaw, Urbane added anotherGrade I in the 1996 John A. Morris H. She retired in1996 with a career record of 18-8-4-4 and earnings of$1,018,568. Urbane also had success in the broodmareshed. She produced MGSW Suave (A.P. Indy) and SWand MGSP Worldly (A.P. Indy), both campaigned by theSiegels=s Jay Em Ess Stable.

Rubick to Spell... Smart Australian juvenile Rubick (Aus) (Encosta deLago {Aus}), fourth in Saturday=s G1 Blue Diamond S.at Caulfield, will go for a spell, with trainer Gerald Ryanstating a decision on the Apr. 5 G1 Golden Slipperwould follow in a week=s time. Tabbed a J “TDN Rising Star” J following awinning debut at Randwick Jan. 25, the colt added themale=s division of the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude Feb. 8before last weekend=s Blue Diamond effort. "I thought he went fantastic but maybe he's hadenough for now," Ryan said. "I'll put him in thepaddock and have a look at him next week." AHe came through the [Blue Diamond] alright,@ Ryanadded. AHe probably lightened up a little bit, but that=sto be expected. As far as soundness and everythinghe=s come through really well.@ Ryan noted that if he elects to bypass the GoldenSlipper, 3-year-old targets for Rubick could include theG3 San Domenico S., G2 Danehill S. and G1 CoolmoreStud S. AHe=s an Encosta de Lago so he=ll get better as hegets older,@ Ryan said. He=s going to the paddock andhe=ll come back a better 3-year-old.@ Rubick is owned by a partnership that includesCoolmore, Stallion Racing, Jadeskye Racing, TeeleyAssets and Werrett Bloodstock.

" " "

VALBENNY (IRE), 10, Val Royal (Fr)--Dark Indian (Ire),by Indian Ridge (Ire)Foal born Jan. 31, a filly by Kitten=s Joy.Will be bred back to Lonhro (Aus).Owned by Mr. & Mrs. Roy Jackson.Boarded at Mill Ridge.Accomplishments: MGSW & MG1SP, $589,392.

QUANTUM MISS, 6, Smoke Glacken--Quanah County,by Valid ExpectationsFoal born Feb. 1, a filly by Ghostzapper.Will be bred back to Elusive Quality.Owned by Smart Angle, LLC.Boarded at Walnut Green.Accomplishments: GSW, $251,950.

OBITUARIES

RACETRACK ROUND-UP

WHAT IS OPPENHEIMON ABOUT NOW?

Whether it=s sales, racing or breeding...readthe latest musings from Bill Oppenheim!

You can find all of Oppenheim=scolumns in the TDN Archive.

Yesterday=s Results:8th-PRX, $61,180, Alw, NW1X, 3yo, 1m, 1:35 2/5, ft.ALEX INC (g, 3, Afleet Alex--Topeka, by AmericanChance) has not run off the board since beingtransferred to trainer Robert Reid Jr. last November.Raced exclusively at Parx, the chestnut graduated in hissecond try for Reid Nov. 30. He finished second in twoattempts in allowance company, most recently at 6 1/2furlongs Feb. 8. Released as the 1-10 favorite here, heled from pillar to post, and willingly separated himselffrom the field on the far turn to win by 11 1/2 wideninglengths despite swerving in mid-stretch. Mr Brioni(Jump Start) was second. Lifetime Record: 6-2-3-0,$109,800. Click for the brisnet.com chart or VIDEO. O-Swilcan Stable LLC. B-Carol Zacney (PA). T-Robert EReid Jr.

Saratoga Specialist Quick Call Turns 30 Thursday:Courtesy Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation During his career as a racehorse, Quick Call earnedfame and fortune as a "horse for the course." And thecourse he picked was Saratoga Race Course, host ofthe most prestigious of the nation's race meets. Since 2001, however,Quick Call has been theface of the ThoroughbredRetirement Foundation'sSecond Chances Programin Wallkill, NY, whichcelebrates its 30thanniversary this year. Inhis second career, QuickCall has excelled inhelping inmates learn avocational trade in horsecare and farmmanagement whileteaching themresponsibility, respect and empathy. Fittingly, Quick Call will celebrate his actual 30thbirthday Feb. 27. And make no mistake--Quick Call is fully aware of hisstar status. Farm manager Jim Tremper once said ofQuick Call, "If he doesn't like the way you are treatinghim, he'll let you know right away." Not much has changed. "He's still pretty much the same," Tremper said. "Hesort of keeps to himself. He doesn't look for company,horses or people. If you need to do something withhim--groom him, whatever--you have to go out and gethim. He commands respect. But he is kind and easyenough to handle; we use him to teach and he won'trun off or anything like that. He just doesn't botherwith anything going on around him."

Quick Call made 89 starts in a career that ran from1986-92. A gelded son of Quack, he was a usefulhorse throughout his career for his Hall of Fame trainerSid Watters, earning more than $807,817. He evenscored an upset over Sewickley in the 1990 GII TomFool H. at Belmont Park. But it was at Saratoga, the showcase meet ofAmerican racing, that Quick Call proved extraordinary. A fan favorite, Quick Call won Saratoga's GII Forego H.in consecutive years (1988-'89) and just missed a thirdstraight when he was beaten a nose by Lay Down in1990. Of Quick Call's 16 career victories, eight came atSaratoga. "Quick Call loved Saratoga," said retired Hall of Famejockey Pat Day, who guided Quick Call's Foregovictories. "I am happy that he is still alive and living inthat part of the country."

First/second-crop starters to watch: Wednesday, Feb. 26Sire (Sire’s Sire), current farm, 2010 Fee, #foals of racing age/Winners/BlackTypeWnrs * Race #-track, race type, distance, runner, odds (if available)

HELLO BROADWAY (Broken Vow), Ups and Downs, $3K, 16/2/17-CT, Alw, 6 1/2f, Tiz Showbiz, 6-1MIKIMOTO'S MOJO (Hold That Tiger), Maple Valley, $2K, 5/2/07-CT, Alw, 6 1/2f, Sterling Thunder, 9-2NOONMARK (Unbridled's Song), Sequel Stalllions New York, $5K, 89/6/15-DED, Msw, 6 1/2f, +Doxmark, 15-1REAL ESTATE (High Yield), Mares Nest Farm, $3K, 27/1/05-CT, Msw, 4 1/2f, +Emblem's Estate, 5-25-CT, Msw, 4 1/2f, On a Tirade, 12-1STRAIGHT TALKING (Dixieland Band), 5/2/07-CT, Alw, 6 1/2f, Gin Makes Ya Sin, 5-1

AROUND THE WORLD WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014

INDUSTRY INFO

Quick CallCody Jo Wasial

TDN P AROUND THE WORLD • 2/26/14 • PAGE 2 of 2 • thoroughbreddailynews.com

B R E E D E R S’ E D I T I O NAMERICA

Yesterday=s Results:3rd-LIN, ,5,000, Mdn, 3yo, 6f (AWT), 1:11.23, ft.CHUNGHUA (c, 3, Elusive Quality--Mananiyya {Ire}, byAshkalani {Ire}), runner-up when last seen in a course-and-distance maiden Feb. 5, was sent off the 4-6favorite and stalked the early pace in third. In frontapproaching the furlong pole, the $95,000 KEESEPyearling and 55,000gns TATAPR 2-year-old was coaxedto the line to score comfortably by three lengths fromAdvance (Fr) (Aqlaam {GB}). Lifetime Record: 3-1-2-0,,4,984. VIDEO, courtesy attheraces.com.O-Mr Robert Ng. B-L Goichman. T-Ed Walker.

5th-LIN, ,5,000, Mdn, 3yo/up, 7f (AWT), 1:25.17, ft.CHANTREA (IRE) (f, 3, Dansili {GB}--Celestial Lagoon{Jpn} {SP-Fr}, by Sunday Silence), who was not afactor when she tailed off in a six-furlong maiden atPontefract in her only start in June, was rank earlybefore being settled in midfield. Taking time to warm toher task in the stretch, the even-money favoriteoverhauled Sebs Sensei (Ire) (Art Connoisseur {Ire}) inthe final stride to win by a nose. The winner is a 3/4-sister to Maria Gabriella (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}),SW & GSP-Fr, $163,247 and a half to Roatan (GB)(Daylami {Ire}), MSP-Fr, $393,472. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, ,3,409. VIDEO, courtesy attheraces.com.O/B-The Niarchos Family; T-Lady Cecil.

IN QATAR:Marti=s Girl (GB), f, 3, Sakhee=s Secret (GB)--Forest Girl (Ire), by Shinko Forest (Ire). Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, 2-25, Mdn, 3yo/up, 1200mT. B-J Ryan. *€1,500 yrl >12 GOFOCT. Pearl Bridge (GB), g, 4, Avonbridge (GB)--Our Little Secret (Ire), by Rossini. Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, 2-25, one and two-time winners, 3yo/up, 2000mT. B-Whitsbury Manor Stud & Pigeon House (GB). *1/2 to Pearl Secret (GB) (Compton Place {GB}), SW & G1SP-Eng, $130,059. **,28,000 yrl >11 DONAUG; 60,000gns HRA >13 TATJUL.Substantiate (GB), c, 4, Singspiel (Ire)--Prove (GB) (GSW-Fr), by Danehill. Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, 2-25, Hcp, 4yo/up & 3yo rated 67-87, 1600mT. B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd. *7,000gns 2yo >12 TATJUL. **1/2 to Track Record (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), SP-Fr.Sandbetweenourtoes (Ire), g, 5, Footstepsinthesand (GB)--Callanish (GB), by Inchinor (GB). Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, 2-25, G3 Qatar 2022 Invitation Cup, 3yo/up, 1200mT. B-Barouche Stud Ireland Ltd. *32,000gns yrl >10 TATOCT; 10,000gns HRA >12 TATHIT.

Samminder (Ire), h, 5, Red Ransom--Gimasha (GB), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB). Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, 2-25, Cond., 3yo/up, 1400mT. B-Galadari Sons Stud Company Ltd. *SP-Eng. **36,000gns HRA >12 TATHIT.

ALLOWANCE RESULTS:4th-SUN, $35,900, Alw, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:36 4/5, ft.BELLEOFTHEBEACH (f, 3, Master Command--Belle'sHome, by Came Home) Lifetime Record: 8-3-2-0,$69,864. O-Teed Off Stable LLC. B-Calvin Crain (KY).T-Weston Martin. *$20,000 yrl '12 FTKOCT.

5th-HOU, $21,500, NW1X, 4yo/up, 1 1/16mT, 1:44,fm.VINDICATION NOW (g, 5, Vindication--Silent Stream{SP,$435,124}, by Tricky Creek) Lifetime Record:18-3-1-0, $73,389. O-Michael M & Paige Hui. B-WhiteFox Farm (KY). T-J R Caldwell. *$20,000 RNA yrl '10KEESEP; $18,000 2yo >11 FTMMAY.

ADDITIONAL MAIDEN WINNERS:Dehaven, c, 3, Flatter--Sainttwok, by Saint Ballado. HOU, 2-25, 1 1/16m, 1:47 4/5. B-Chesapeake Farm & Gianca Stables (KY). *$40,000 wlng '11 KEENOV; $29,000 RNA yrl '12 FTKOCT. **SP.Dixie's Last Laugh, c, 4, Got the Last Laugh--Chordette (SP, $107,660), by Dixieland Band. PRX, 2-25, (S), 7f, 1:24 3/5. B-McKathan Bros (PA). *$6,000 yrl '11 OBSJAN.

INDIAN CREEK SALES GRADUATE

NY-BRED. WHY BREED ANYWHERE ELSE? nybreds.com

EUROPEAN-BRED WINNERS

• ON THE WORKTAB •FAIR GROUNDS

Up With the Birds (Stormy Atlantic), 3f, :38.00, 5/9GULFSTREAM

Csaba (Kitten’s Joy), 4f, :50.15, 18/24Honor Code (A.P. Indy), 4f, :52.06, 24/24Nikki’s Sandcastle (Castledale {Ire}), 3f, :36.22, 2/3

OAKLAWNStrong Mandate (Tiznow), 4f, :48.00,1/31Will Take Charge (Unbridled’s Song), 4f, :48.20, 3/31

PALM MEADOWSCentre Court (Smart Strike), 5fT, 1:01.45, 3/8Coffee Clique (Medaglia d’Oro), 6f, 1:15.60, 1/1Quick Wit (Sharp Humor), 5f, 1:02.00, 6/8

PAYSON PARKMr Speaker (Pulpit), 4fT, :49.00, 1/1

SANTA ANITADice Flavor (Scat Daddy), 5f, 1:01.60, 21/35Govenor Charlie (Midnight Lute), 5f, 1:00.60, 5/35Winding Way (Malibu Moon), 4f, :48.80, 10/22

All winners in the U.S. race on Lasix unless otherwise indicated