Sierra Leone

Despite losing a shoe in Saturday's GII Remsen Stakes, Paladin (Gun Runner) came out of his win no worse for wear, according to trainer Chad Brown on Sunday. "He looks good," confirmed Brown. "He lost his right front shoe in the race, so we'll give him a few days and get him down to Payson Park next week." "Overall, he looks like he's in good shape. It's nice to see that he got a lot of experience that will help him down the road. This horse is for real. He's...

The remarkable tribute paid to their mutual granddam by the first two in the Breeders' Cup Classic felt especially apt given that Fawn Leap Farm had lost Darling My Darling (Deputy Minister), at a venerable 28, since the same horses finished first and third the previous year. Debby and John Oxley know that these things take time. In 2014 they had sold one of her daughters, by Congrats, for $8,000 as a yearling. At that stage, Darling My Darling was proving a dud in her second career: her first foal...

Dave Smyth, a financial planner and horseplayer from Lexington, KY, saved his best for last at the 2025 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC), parlaying an $8,000 Daily Double on the final two legs into a record $607,800 payday. "As a financial planner, I put puzzles together," he said. Smyth did the bulk of his damage in the second half of the Saturday program. "I absolutely loved Forever Young," he recalled of the eventual GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic winner. "He had tactical speed and was ready to fire." In addition...

Aga Khan homebred Calandagan (Gleneagles) triumphed in the G1 Champion Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day and is now rated the best horse in the world in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. Rated 130 from 125, the gelding defeated G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes/G1 International Stakes hero Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) (128), group winner Almaqam (Lope De Vega) (122) and G1 Eclipse Stakes victor Delacroix (Dubawi) (126) last month. The G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud both went his way...

The transition from racehorse to stallion oftentimes seems to happen overnight, and in the case of Coolmore America's new additions for 2026, the trio appears to have taken to the first chapter of their new careers in stride. After turning in memorable performances in Del Mar at the Breeders' Cup, Sierra Leone, Fierceness and Citizen Bull touched down in Lexington last Sunday. In the week since, the group has hit the ground running at Ashford Stud. "They've settled in really well and they look great," said Coolmore's Adrian Wallace. "They've...

Journalism (Curlin) who took three Grade I races during his 3-year-old season, will not be retired to stud at Coolmore America just yet, but will instead resume training for a 2026 campaign, according to co-owner Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbreds. "We are thrilled to announce that Journalism will be returning to race next season," said Wellman in an email. "Coolmore have been wonderful partners and sportsmen as it relates to arriving at this collective decision on Journalism's future and we all share in the belief that Journalism is bred, built...

Coolmore America has assigned stud fees for its three newest additions following last weekend's Breeders' Cup Championships at Del Mar. 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Classic runner up and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner--Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon) tops the list at $75,000. "We are honored to announce three new Eclipse Award winners as part of our 2026 stallion roster here at Ashford Stud," said Charlie O'Connor, Director of Sales at Coolmore America. "Sierra Leone, Fierceness and Citizen Bull all arrived safely at their new home...

While most racing fans know about Tiznow and his forever memorable back to back Breeders' Cup Classic wins in 2000 and 2001, most do not know about the relative rarity of being in the money (first, place or show) in more than one Breeders' Cup Classic. California Chrome was third in 2014 and second in 2016. Medaglia d'Oro was second in 2002 and 2003. Alysheba was second in 1987 and won it in 1988. Mucho Macho Man was second in 2012 and won in 2013. Unbridled won in 1990 and...

DEL MAR, Calif. - That's why they're called the World Championships. The globe-trotting Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), third in the 2024 GI Breeders' Cup Classic, reversed form with last year's top two to bring home the $7-million centerpiece to Japan before a crowd of 35,173 at sunsplashed Del Mar Saturday. Off as the narrow second choice at 7-2, the Susumu Fujita colorbearer raced on top of a fast early pace and held last year's winner and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) safe by...

2nd-BAQ, $85k, Msw, 2yo, 1m, post time: 12:02 p.m. ET Just shy of two years ago, Chad Brown sent out a seven-figure yearling purchase for a partnership including Coolmore and partners to win his debut smartly over the Aqueduct one-turn mile. That colt is none other than 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Sierra Leone (Gun Runner). Whether first-time starter HADRIAN'S WALL (Curlin) can turn back the clock remains to be determined, but the first chapter of that particular story is set to be told just after noon Sunday on...

DEL MAR, Calif. - All of the heavy lifting has been done and Breeders' Cup 42 is finally here. Who has looked the best during training hours this week at Del Mar? Starting at the top with the Classic. Journalism (Curlin) (Michael McCarthy) has been training like he owns the place in the pre-dawn hours while the Classic's defending winner and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) (Chad Brown) has served notice after the break. Both cover a ton of ground and have been getting over...

The TDN Writers' Room, which is presented by Keeneland, took a different route this week, handicapping every Breeders' Cup race. How did we do? We'll know late Saturday evening. Here are the highlights of the picks made by Zoe Cadman, Bill Finley and Randy Moss. FRIDAY: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint: Predicting that Aidan O'Brien is going to have a huge Friday, Finley picked True Love (Ire) (No Nay Never), pointing out that the filly is coming off a Group I win in the Cheveley Park S. and looks to...