Blood-Horse

After finishing second on debut, Freely Held dominated in his next outing Aug. 15 at Delaware Park, becoming the first winner for WinStar Farm's first-crop sire Independence Hall.

Notorious Gangster enters the CA$1 million King's Plate Stakes at Woodbine Aug. 16 as one of the most accomplished entrants, and his trainer, Josie Carroll, has the King's Plate qualifications to match.

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association announced Aug. 15 the new Maryland Broodmare Incentive Program for 2026. The program will offer a total of $50,000 for 2026 incentives to buyers/owners of broodmares that are new to Maryland.

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 266 entries for its California Fall Yearlings Sale, to be held Sept. 23, at Fairplex in Pomona, Calif.

After a record-breaking yearling sale at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale, consignors are hopeful that momentum will carry across the Atlantic at the upcoming Arqana August Yearling Sale.

Last running in the Swedish Derby, Kentucky-bred Queen Azteca is set to make her United States debut in the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 16 for trainer Niels Petersen and Team Valor International.

The Minnesota Thoroughbred Yearling Sale will be held Aug. 24. The catalog features yearlings by Kentucky stallions and out of stakes-producing mares.

International bloodstock agent and farm manager Michael Motion, father of Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Graham Motion, has died at 95.

The New York Racing Association announced Aug. 15 that Irad Ortiz is the recipient of the 2025 Mike Venezia Memorial Award. 

Following a sharp workout at Keeneland Aug. 15, BBN Racing's Bracket Buster has joined the expected field for the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 23.

The Challenge, presented by Gainesway

After rain storms knocked Nitrogen from the turf to dirt for a dominant and impressive win in the June 7 Wonder Again Stakes (G3), the filly is back on the surface for a tougher task: the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 16.

When people saw John Sikura and Marshawn Lynch together at the Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale, it created a buzz. That buzz has become more of a rumble as Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa acquired a 50% in Thorpedo Anna with Lynch taking a minor stake.

The Arqana August Sale may be France's biggest yearling auction, but this year British and Irish vendors have a notably increased presence among those selling Aug. 16-18 in Deauville.

Special Ring, a multiple grade 1 stakes winner and son of international sire Nureyev, has died at 28 at Old Friends after suffering complications from colic.

Noreen O’Neill, who reached racing’s heights as the breeder of multiple grade 1 winner and successful sire City of Light, died July 19 at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. She was 92.

Woodbine will begin a major renovation project on the E.P. Taylor Turf Course following King's Plate weekend. The project will restore a five-furlong section of the backstretch and install a modern drainage system and new Kentucky Bluegrass.

Instead of tackling division leader Sovereignty again in the upcoming Travers Stakes (G1), Amo Racing USA's Hill Road will return to the turf in the $3.5 million Nashville Derby (G3T), a 1 5/16-mile test for sophomores, Aug. 30 at Kentucky Downs.

Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa announced Aug. 14 that they have acquired a half interest in reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna. 

Bidding opened for the Major Reduction of Harris Farms on Fasig-Tipton Digital Aug. 14. The auction will take place over five days, closing Aug. 19 beginning at 5 p.m. ET.