24/02/2025. SAH Racing: Quid Pro Quo to Depart South Africa… // TDN: Dornoch, Coal Battle, Quietside, Clever Again… by TDN

Quid Pro Quo to Depart South Africa

Equus Champion and KZN Horse of the Year, Quid Pro Quo, has run her final race on South African soil.

Barry Irwin confirmed the decision, explaining: “Quid Pro Quo has had her last race in South Africa, and unfortunately, for local fans, our hand was forced due to quarantine restrictions on travel to the Cape, as well as the timing of the next shipment out of the country.”

Saudi Cup: Race for the Ages delivers Japanese Win

Japan’s Forever Young (JPN) delivered a thrilling victory over Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior (IRE) in a gripping edition of The Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, winning by a neck in a dramatic showdown.

The much-anticipated duel between the two stars lived up to expectations, as both horses broke sharply from the gates. Walk Of Stars (GB) set the early pace, closely followed by Ryusei Sakai aboard Forever Young, while James McDonald positioned Romantic Warrior wider to avoid the kickback in his dirt debut.

Veale, Owner Fined for Betting Info

PROHIBITED PRACTICE

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa (NHA) confirms that it has concluded an investigation into a Jockey providing information to an Owner in relation to having a bet on Race 2 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday, 15 February 2025, which would benefit both parties.

Yoshito Yahagi Strikes Again as Shin Emperor Dominates the Neom Turf Cup

Japanese master trainer Yoshito Yahagi added yet another victory to his impressive record at the Saudi Cup meeting, as Shin Emperor (FR) powered to an authoritative win in the $2 million Howden Neom Turf Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

Straight No Chaser Cruises to Victory in Riyadh Dirt Sprint

Straight No Chaser (USA) lived up to his reputation as a sprinting powerhouse, delivering a commanding performance to capture the US$2m Riyadh Dirt Sprint presented by Saudi National Bank at The Saudi Cup meeting. The six-year-old, trained by Dan Blacker, showed why he is one of the top speedsters in America, making light work of his international rivals under the expert guidance of John Velazquez.

Costa Nova gives King her first Japanese Gr1

In a historic achievement, Australian jockey Rachel King became the first female rider to secure a Grade 1 victory in Japan Racing Association (JRA) flat racing. She piloted Costa Nova to triumph in the February Stakes (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse on February 23, 2025.

Golden Vekoma Triumphs in Saudi Derby, Delivering Big Win for Connor Beasley

British jockey Connor Beasley enjoyed a career-defining moment as Golden Vekoma (USA) stormed to victory in the US$1.5 million Saudi Derby, presented by ZOOD Realty. Representing the United Arab Emirates, the Ahmad Bin Harmash-trained colt showed his class in a thrilling finish to the 1600m Group 3 event.

Eight On Eighteen Digs Deep for Cape Derby Victory

Despite some pre-race jitters from the punters and a drifting price, the heavily backed Eight On Eighteen (5/10) lived up to expectations in the Gr1 Cape Derby, overcoming a small but competitive field dominated by the Snaith stable.

February 24, 2025

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IN TODAY’S TDN

In TDN America:.

Coal Battle (Coal Front) springs the upset in the GII Rebel Stakes and catapults to number one on the Kentucky Derby qualifying leader board.
Quietside (Malibu Moon), often a bridesmaid, finally breaks through with a win in the GIII Honeybee Stakes.
Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) takes 30 points on Japan’s Road to the Kentucky Derby with Listed Hyacinth Stakes win Sunday in Tokyo.

In TDN Europe:

Adam Houghton gives us 10 British-trained 3-year-old horses that are under the radar as the Flat season approaches.
Jockey Rachel King became the first woman to win a top-level race in Japan when riding Costa Rising (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in Sunday’s G1 February Stakes, a ”Win and You’re In” for the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Both Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) and Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) won on Sunday, with the former taking the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, and the latter overcoming a rough passage to win the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup. Heather Anderson has the reports.

The Cinderella Story Continues as Coal Battle Grinds Out the Win in Rebel

For the fourth time in a row, and continuing down the Road to the Kentucky Derby with 50 more points, Coal Battle (Coal Front) pulled out a win, this time in the GII Rebel Stakes… [To read this entire TDN News Story, click here.]

A Bridesmaid No More: Quietside Steps Up to Upset Honeybee

After an understandably frustrating string of second and thirds in the graded rankings since breaking her maiden last year, Quietside (Malibu Moon) has ended the streak with a gutsy display in the GIII Honeybee Stakes… [To read this entire TDN News Story, click here.]

Into Mischief’s Cornucopian Coasts Home at Oaklawn to ‘Rising Stardom’

Cornucopian (c, 3, Into Mischief–Magical World, by Distorted Humor) left his backers in little doubt on his unveiling, running his competition off their feet and on to ‘TDN Rising Stardom‘ for his connections. Away quickly from… [To read this entire TDN News Story, click here.]

American Pharoah’s Clever Again Graduates at Oaklawn

1st-Oaklawn, $110,000, Msw, 2-23, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.48, ft, 3 1/4 lengths. CLEVER AGAIN (c, 3, American Pharoah–Flattering {Ire} {GSW-Ire, SP-Eng}, by Galileo {Ire}) finished runner up in his debut going 4 1/2 panels at Keeneland… [To read this entire TDN News Story, click here.]

by TDN