Shirreffs, Trainer of Zenyatta, Dies at Age 80
John Shirreffs, who trained Zenyatta to a Hall of Fame career and saddled Giacomo to win the 2005 Kentucky Derby (G1), died in his sleep Feb. 12 at his home in Arcadia, Calif. He was 80.
Latest News
-
-
Champion Afleet Alex Dies Due to Infirmities of Old Age
Afleet Alex, the 2005 champion 3-year-old male after winning the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1), died Feb. 6 due to the infirmities of old age. He was 24.
-
Tom's d'Etat Joins Red River Farms in Louisiana
Tom's d'Etat has joined the stallion roster at Jay Adcock's Red River Farms, the Louisiana farm announced Feb. 12. He stands for a private fee.
-
Golden Slipper Winner Marhoona Set for Lightning Stakes
Three-year-old fillies will take a leading role in the Feb. 14 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (G1) at Flemington Racecourse, with My Gladiola, Military Tycoon, and 2025 Golden Slipper (G1) winner Marhoona headlining the younger brigade in the sprint.
-
First Reported Foal a Filly for Shirl's Speight
Darby Dan Farm's Shirl's Speight, a grade 1 winner by Speightstown out of 2011 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) winner Perfect Shirl, was represented by his first reported foal when a filly out of Ultimate Class was born Feb. 9.
-
Grande to Make First Start Since Kentucky Derby Scratch
Repole Stable's Grande returns to racing action Feb. 14 at Gulfstream Park after being scratched from the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1).
-
KEEP Encourages Building Ties With Legislators
KEEP Day at the Capitol, held Feb. 12 in Frankfort, Ky., emphasized the significant economic impact of the horse racing industry, while encouraging those involved in the equine industry to continue building relationships with legislators.
-
Will Remsen Alumni Shine in the Risen Star Stakes?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
-
Shamalza Tops Final Day of Goffs February Sale
Some choice offerings from the Aga Khan Studs helped fuel another day of "extraordinary" trade as the Goffs February Sale concluded with turnover having more than doubled year-on-year.
-
The Jockey Club Recognizes Top T.I.P. Horses
The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program recognized the top 10 T.I.P.-registered Thoroughbreds at the eight levels of the U.S. Eventing Association's Leaderboard.
-
American, Japanese Runners to Battle in Saudi Derby
The Saudi Derby (G3) is a new addition to the Churchill Downs competitions seeking to lure foreigners to the Kentucky Derby (G1) but also has attracted some American 3-year-olds looking for an optional route to Louisville, Ky.
-
Hit Show to Launch New Season in Mineshaft Stakes
After finishing as the leading earner of any North American-trained horse in 2025 when earnings in the Middle East are included, Hit Show will chart a familiar path when he opens his 6-year-old season Feb. 11.
-
Baffert Horses Face Another Late-Race Test in Saudi Cup
Bob Baffert's horses have found heartbreak in the final 100 meters of the Saudi Cup (G1) and will have to overcome that late-race challenge again Feb. 14 against a rival who has mastered that task.
-
Americans Hold Strong Hand in Riyadh Dirt Sprint
While the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) and the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse feature American-trained runners or owned interests, other races on the Saudi Cup undercard also include notable U.S. representatives.
-
Letters to the Editor: THA Calls for Changes to HISA
Letters to the Editor for the Feb. 12 edition of BloodHorse Daily includes a submission from the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association requesting changes from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
-
Florida House Passes Decoupling Bill 77-34
Florida Thoroughbred industry leaders anticipated this vote in the House and are expecting a different result when the companion bill is considered by the Senate.
-
Bella Ballerina Looks to Carry on Family Legacy
Kentucky Oaks (G1) hopeful Bella Ballerina is looking to begin her 3-year-old season with a win in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) Feb. 14 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
-
Grand National-Winning Jockey Eddie Harty Dies at 88
Grand National-winning jockey Eddie Harty, the only Olympic competitor to win the world's most famous steeplechase, has died at age 88.
-
Veteran Gold Phoenix Makes Season Debut in San Marcos
Returning to a track he has had much success over, the Phil D'Amato trainee enters the race off a game fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar, after being compromised at the break.
-
Drexel Hill Takes on Salty Royal Delta Field
The Royal Delta Stakes (G3) is the featured race on Gulfstream Park's Feb. 14 card.
-
Illinois Veterinarian McCrosky Suspended 24 Years
Illinois veterinarian and Thoroughbred breeder Dr. Donald McCrosky has been fined $300,000 and suspended for 24 years in rulings on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit website.
-
Mehmas Colt Tops Day 1 of Goffs February Sale
An increased weanling offering meant turnover was always liable to rise, but spending was up with across-the-board increases.
-
Strong Catalog Assembled for Tattersalls Online Sale
A highlight of the Southern Hemisphere session is the 3-in-1 package of the well-bred mare Moraless, out of a half sister to High Chaparral. She is offered in foal to Starman alongside her Southern Hemisphere-time weanling colt by Too Darn Hot.
-
Talk to Me Jimmy Hinted He Was 'Special' as Foal
Bob and Bonnie Roth's Majestic View Farms in Gardiner, N.Y., has seen a number of talented horses foaled and raised on the property, but has reached a new milestone as the breeder of Withers Stakes winner Talk to Me Jimmy.
-
First Foals Arrive for Darby Dan's Blazing Sevens
Darby Dan Farm's Blazing Sevens has sired his first reported foals, which include a filly out of the Adios Charlie mare Rye Lane born Feb. 9 and a colt born Feb. 11 out of the Ribchester mare Championofmyheart.
-
Sicilian Love of Racing Leaves Indelible Mark
Former Santa Anita Park executive John Perrotta explores racing in Sicily.
-
KY Legislators Discuss Horse Racing Economic Impact
A panel of Kentucky legislators dive into its contributions to the general fund of the horse racing industry and sports wagering.
-
NYRA Releases Stakes Schedule Through June 28
The New York Racing Association announces its stakes schedule for the 2026 Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet at Aqueduct Racetrack and the June 3-7 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course.
-
Submissions Now Open for Survivors Parade on Oaks Day
Submissions to participate in the 2026 Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade on Friday, May 1, are now open.
-
KEEP Foundation Awards Over $46K to Non-Profits in 2025
The Kentucky Equine Education Project Foundation awarded $46,760 to Kentucky equine nonprofit organizations through its Seattle Slew Grant Program in 2025.
-
Belmont Stakes Tickets on Sale Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. ET
Tickets and hospitality offerings for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at historic Saratoga Race Course will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 12 at BelmontStakes.com.
-
Torres Voted Jockey of The Week After Two Stakes Wins
Cristian Torres is Jockey of the Week after victories aboard Silent Tactic in the Southwest Stakes (G3) and Search Party in the Martha Washington Stakes for trainer Mark Casse.
-
Young Sires Represented on the Kentucky Derby Trail
In this week's Porter on Pedigrees, Talk to Me Jimmy and Silent Tactic earned wins on the Road to the Kentucky Derby for sires with their first 3-year-olds in 2026.
-
Overlooked Napoleon Solo, Summers Eager to Stun Critics
Here's a Triple Crown question for you. Who is the only undefeated, grade 1-winning on dirt 3-year-old still in training for the Kentucky Derby? No cheating.
-
Date Released for 2026 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale
The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society announced that the 2026 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale will take place Sept. 2 at the Woodbine Sales Pavilion.
-
Paladin Follows Familiar Path for Brown in Risen Star
If a Chad Brown-trained 3-year-old son of Gun Runner lining up for the Risen Star Stakes (G2) feels familiar, it's for good reason. Sierra Leone took that path two years ago, and now Paladin is following suit.
-
HIWU Suspends Ohio Lab Accreditation for Six Months
HIWU's independent Laboratory Expert Group, which evaluates the performance of program laboratories, recommended the suspension of the Ohio lab's probationary accreditation due to nonconformities associated with compliance.
-
Legendary Maryland Trainer Leatherbury Dies at 92
Legendary Hall of Fame trainer King Leatherbury died at his home the morning of Feb. 10. He was 92. His horses won 6,508 races and earned $64,693,537. Leatherbury captured 52 training titles in Maryland and four meet titles at Delaware Park.
-
Easterly Shines in Gulfstream Maiden Triumph
Easterly and Bless Her both break their maidens at Gulfstream Park to earn recognition for this week's Maiden Watch.
-
Prominent Korean Sire Cowboy Cal Dies at 21
During 2021-25, Cowboy Cal was runner-up on Korea's general leading sire list for four years by progeny earnings but would be the leading sire by number of winners in 2022 (76) and by number of wins in 2023 (131).
-
New Qiddiya City Track to Become Home of Saudi Cup
Qiddiya Investment Company has announced plans for a horse racing venue in Qiddiya City, which will become home to the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), the world's richest horse race. The race is now being run at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
-
Penn National to Raise Purses When Meet Begins Feb. 19
Penn National will raise purses by 5% for the 2026 racing season that begins Feb. 19 and lower takeout rates for the Trifecta and Superfecta.
-
Further Ado Leads Derby Dozen; Silent Tactic to Fifth
Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.
-
Del Mar Releases 2026 Stakes Schedule
Del Mar's 2026 stakes schedule will offer $7,775,000 in purses, including five overnight stakes each carrying a $100,000 prize. The seaside Southern California track will present six grade 1 stakes over the course of its eight weeks of racing.
-
National Museum of Racing Updates Hall of Fame Voting
Retired candidates selected by the nominating committee as finalists may appear on the Hall of Fame ballot a maximum of 10 times. Previously, there was no limit to the number of times a candidate could be a finalist within the 25-year window.
-
Ghaiyyath Colt Tops Inglis Classic Yearling Sale
The sale's aggregate of AU$57.57 million ranks behind only the Classic Sale's booming 2022 edition, which grossed AU$67.23 million, and eclipsed 2023's AU$57.48 million.
-
Mark Casse Named OBS Chairman of the Board
Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse has been named the sixth chairman of the board in the history of Ocala Breeders' Sales, succeeding Francis Vanlangendonck, who steps down after 35 years on the OBS board.
-
Silent Tactic Moves Into Sixth in Top 3-Year-Old Poll
With Kentucky Derby (G1) preps in full swing, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old Poll was bound to welcome some new faces. John Oxley's Silent Tactic jumped to sixth place with his win in the Feb. 6 Southwest Stakes (G3).
-
Paladin Pegged at 8-1 in Latest KY Derby Future Wager
Paladin is the 8-1 individual morning-line favorite and "All Other 3-Year-Olds" not named within the 39 individual interests as the overall 4-1 choice in the latest Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
-
Yoshida's Northern Farm Gets Iscreamuscream for $1.5M
At the end of a day of steady trade, the sale saw 267 horses change hands for gross receipts of $16,696,500, including private sales, a 43.6% increase from last year's gross of $11,626,500, from 263 head.
Most Popular
-
Shirreffs, Trainer of Zenyatta, Dies at Age 80
-
Champion Afleet Alex Dies Due to Infirmities of Old Age
-
Baffert Horses Face Another Late-Race Test in Saudi Cup
-
American, Japanese Runners to Battle in Saudi Derby
-
Grande to Make First Start Since Kentucky Derby Scratch
-
Florida House Passes Decoupling Bill 77-34
-
Hit Show to Launch New Season in Mineshaft Stakes
-
Tom's d'Etat Joins Red River Farms in Louisiana
-
First Reported Foal a Filly for Shirl's Speight
-
Americans Hold Strong Hand in Riyadh Dirt Sprint
