Racing

Western Fold won the American Grand National over Fil Dor

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October 18, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

FAR HILLS, N.J.--In a thrilling finish, the Irish invader Western Fold (Ire) just nipped Fil Dor (Fr) at the wire to win the $300,000, G1 American Grand National Hurdle Stakes on Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Far Hills steeplechase meet.  

Western Fold nips Fil Dor in the Grand National. You can just see Fil Dor's grey nose behind Western Fold (Photo by Tod Marks)Western Fold, owned by Weldspec Glascow, trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, won the 2 5/8 miles Stakes by a scant nose over Del Rio Racing's Fil Dor, trained by Ricky Hendriks and ridden by Conor Tierney, with Zanahiyr (Ire), also trained by Elliott, third.

Irish champion trainer Elliott again dominated Far Hills, as he did last year, this year saddling the winners of the two biggest stakes on the card.

But Hendriks had an extremely good day, with the horses he saddled placing second in the two biggest stakes and winning the third biggest stakes.

"We had a big day," said Hendriks. "It almost was a huge day."

Elliott also saddled Del Rio Racing's Lizzie Twigg (Ire) to win the $150,000 Foxbrook Champion Novice Hurdle Stakes by 9 1/4 lengths over Lynches Knock (Ire), trained by Hendriks, with Vae Patron (Fr), trained by Keri Brion, third.

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Lost Kitty and Private Larry dead heat at Middleburg

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October 13, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

MIDDLEBURG, Va.--Exceptional results at the Virginia Fall Races on Saturday, Oct. 10 included a dead heat between two maidens in the 3-Year-Old Hurdle Stakes and the defeat of Keys Discount in the Timber Stakes, stopping his record of eight straight stakes wins.

Private Larry, right, leads Norris over last in OKeefe with Lost Kitty in background ((Photo by tod Marks)Lost Kitty, owned by Joseph F. Fowler, Jr, trained by Kate Dalton and ridden by Bernie Dalton, and Private Larry, owned by Silverton Hill, trained by Leslie Young and ridden by Freddie Proctor, finished in a dead heat in the $50,000, 2 1/8 mile Will O'Keefe Memorial 3-Year-Old Hurdle Stakes.

Private Larry led over the final fence, with Lost Kitty third behind Norris, but Lost Kitty powered through the stretch to catch Private Larry at the wire.

Not only is a dead heat a very rare occurrence, particularly in a stakes race, it's even more unusual that it was a pair of maiden hurdle horses that won the stakes race. 

Lost Kitty had never even run over fences before, and Private Larry had run just once over hurdles in Ireland, and this was his first race in the States.

Plus, Lost Kitty is a filly, and she was running against five geldings. 

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Track and Trace won at Genesee Valley

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October 12, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

GENESEO, N,Y,--Track and Trace, trained by Mark Beecher, won the $25,000 Genesee Valley Hunt Cup  Timber Stakes at the Genesee Valley meet on Saturday, Oct. 10.

Mark Beecher Owned by Bruton Street-U.S. and ridden by Harry O'Dwyer, Track and Trace won the 3 1/2 mile Timber Stakes by 5 lengths over Withoutmoreado, trained by Kathy Neilson, and Pavoni, trained by Todd McKenna.

"A lot of the reason for running him in Geneseo was to get away from Keys Discount," said Beecher. "We needed to explore our options. We'd been second to Keys Discount three times. We ran him at Shawan Downs in an apprentice race two weeks ago to get away from Keys Discount, and he won that, too."

"He's a lovely horse." said Beecher. "Bruton Street owned him when he ran over fences in England, but he lost his way a little bit there. Then he came over here, and he's taken to timber. This is his fourth win over timber."

"He deserved a nice win,"Beecher said. "It made the trip up there worthwhile. They''re very nice people up there."

"This was his second wint his year," said Beecher. "I'm not sure what we'll do next. I'll have to talk to his owners."

Neilson saddled Stewart Strawbidge's Lightning Ridge, ridden by Eric Poretz, to win the $15,000, 3 mile Maiden Timber by 4 lengths over Vadavvro, trained by Leslie Young, and Idoneo, trained by Emily Hannum.

Total Joy, owned by Noble Stables, trained by Young, who was at Middleburg, and ridden by Caoimhe O'Brien, won the $15,000 Amateur or Apprentice Rider Timber by 2 1/2 lengths over Old Style Humor, trained by Beecher, who also saddled Hero's Return to place third.

Motion, Brion, Merryman, Matz and Hendriks have flat winners

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October 8, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

FAII HILL, Md..--Local trainers, most of them based at the Fair Hill Training Center, have had tremendous success during the past six weeks.

Graham Motion (Photo by Coady Photography)Graham Motion has had 15 winners, including five Stakes winners for 10 different owners, while Keri Brion has had 12 winners for nine different owners.

Liz Merryman had five winners, including two stakes winners, two that she owned and three for three different owners.

Michael Matz had four winners, including a Stakes winner, mostly for Runnymoore Racing as Matz cuts back on the number of horses he trains, and Hendriks, who saddles mainly steeplechasers,, had one flat winner.

Both Motion and Brion started their careers working for Jonathan Sheppard,both eventually serving as his assistant trainer, and both have a particular talent for training turf winners.

Motion had two Stakes wins at Del Mar, two at Woodbine in Canada and one at Laurel and began his skein of five with Andrew Stone's Vronti (GB) in the $100,000 CTT and TOC Stakes, 1 3/8 miles for fillies and mares on the turf on  Aug.15 at Del Mar.

Amerman Racing's Test Score won the $300,000 Del Mar Handicap, 1 3/8 miles on the turf on Aug. 29 and Newstead Stables' Gimme a Nother (SAF) won the G1, 750,000 E.P. Taylor, 1 1/4miles  on the turf at Woodbine on Sept.12.

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Lydford (GB) won the G2 Stakes at Foxfield

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October 6, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.--Lydford (GB) won the $100,000, G2 Mariann De Tejeda Memorial Hurdle Stakes at the Foxfield Fall Races on Sunday, Oct, 4.

Lydford (Photo courtesy of Tom Garner)Owned by Maranto Manor, trained by Tom Garner and ridden by Evan Dwan, Lydford won after Two Past Eight (GB), trained by Leslie Young, who actually won by a head, was disqualified.

"It's never nice to win like that, but I think we deserved it," said Garner. "The other horse bumped us and we just lost by a nose."

"We bought him from a sale in England," said Garner. "He's had his problems. He had a tendon, but my wife and sister-in-law who own him have been very patient."

"Leslie trained him in his first two races while I  was still riding for her," said Garner. "He bowed after the Walsh Novice Stakes at Saratoga and was out for two years."

Since 2024, Lydford, trained by Garner, has run nine times with three wins, that include also winning the Good Night Shirt Stakes at Foxfield Spring Races earlier this year,  two seconds and a third.

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Keys Discount wins eighth Stakes in a row at Shawan Downs

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September 28, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

HUNT VALLEY, Md.--Keys Discount won the $25,000, 3 1/8 mile Brown Advisory Timber Stakes at Shawan Downs on Saturday Sept. 26, running his skein of victories in timber stakes to a record eight in a row.

Keys Discount, ridden by Jamie Bargary,in the Brown Advisory (Photo by Tod Marks)Owned by Mrs. John R.S. Fisher, trained by Jack Fisher and ridden by Jamie Bargsry, Keys Discount won by 9 1/4 lengths over Animal Kingston, trained by Neil Morris, and Total Joy (Ire), trained by Leslie Young. 

"My mother had some money from an insurance payment for pain and suffering," said Fisher. "She said there hadn't been any pain and suffering, so she'd like to spend that money and thought she''d like to buy a horse with it. Keys Discount had won over timber at  a couple of point-to-points, so we bought him."

The rest is his incredible history.

Keys Discount had run four times on the flat in 2022 and then four times over hurdles in 2022 and 2023 when the Fishers acquired him and Jack switched him to timber.

Key's Discount was third in an allowance, won a maiden race over timber, and lost his rider in a stakes before beginning his run of eight straight stakes win at Middleburg in April, 2025.

"Next, he'll do the same as he did last year," said Fisher. "He'll go to Middleburg and the Gold Cup."

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Timetoshine won the G2 Scott for Mark Beecher

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September 4, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

NEW KENT, Va.--Timetoshine (Fr), trained by Mark Beecher, won the G2, $100,000, 2 1/4 mile Marion duPont Scott filly and mare Stakes on Thursday, Sept. 3 at Colonial Downs.

Timetoshine in the The Marion Dupont Scott Stakes (Photo by Coady)Owned by Runnymoore Racing and ridden by Dan Nevin, Timetoshine won by a head over Gold Charm, trained by Cyril Murphy, and Camanoe, trained by Jack Fisher.

"Timetoshine ran three times in Grade 2 stakes last year, and she was second in all of them, so it was nice to get her head in front this time," said Beecher.

"I've had her for about a year now," Beecher said. "She won a stakes here at Colonial last year. I got her off Nicky Henderson, she was in a sale in England, but Nicky had recommended her."

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Mr. Percy won the G1 Jonathan Sheppard

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September 2, 2026

By Staff Writers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. –-Mr Percy (Ire), in a tight three horse finish, eked out awin in the G1, $150,000, 2 3/8 mile Jonathan Sheppard Memorial on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Saratoga racetrack.

Mr. Percy, right, wins over Sweet Will, left, Siennois, center, in the Sheppard

(Photo by Tod Marks)Owned by Shannon Hill Farm, trained by Neil Morris and ridden by Graham Watters, Mr. Percy won by 1/2 length over Siennois (Ire), trained by Keri Brion, and Sweet Wiliiam (Ire), trained by Arch Kingsley. 

This was Mr. Percy's first G1 win, having previously won the Jonathan Kiser Memorial Novice on July 16, also at Saratoga, and has now been in the top three in 4 of 5 starts since moving stateside for this year’s campaign, and was previously trained by Joseph O’Brien through 12 of his 14 starts in Europe that included a stakes win in the Paddy Kehoe last April at Fairyhouse.

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Siennois won an Allowance hurdle at Colonial for Keri Brion

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August 14, 2026

By Staff Writers

NEW KENT, Va.--Keri Brion saddled Leipers Fork Steeplechase's Siennois (Ire) to win the $65,000.2 1/4 miles Allowance Hurdle at Colonial Downs on Thursday, Aug. 13.

Siennois winning at Colonial (Photo by Coady Media)Siennois won by 5 1/4 lengths over Fulmineo, trained by Julie Gomena, and Flash Frozen, trained by Tom Garner.

"He's an extremely nice horse," said Brion. "I've loved him since he came into my barn in the winter. He was bought from a digital sale."

"He came from California, where he was obviously very well taken care of by previous connections," said Brion. "He had a sarcoid (a skin lesion) on the inside of his hind leg that broke open at Fair Hill, which is why he only ran okay that day. Dr. David Levine took it off, and he's been awesome ever since."

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Cyber Ninja won the $75,000 Novice Stakes in Saratoga

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August 13, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--Cyber Ninja,trained by Jack Fisher, won the $75,000, 2 3/8 mile Michael G. (Micky) Walsh Novice Stakes at Cyber Ninja outduels Lynches Knock in the Micky Walsh Photo by Tod Marks)Saratoga on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Riverdee Stable's Cyber Ninja, ridden by Jamie Bargary, won by 1 length over Lynches Knock, trained by Ricky Hendriks, and Philip My Dear, trained by Kathy Neilson.

Those three finished 23 3/4 lengths in front of King Al and Famous Figure while Alpamayo  was pulled up  and vanned off the course.

Cyber Ninja, who was stakes placed on the flat, had previously won a maiden, an allowance and the Daniel Van Clief Memorial Stakes at Foxfield in April over fences.

Most recently, he had placed second to Mr. Percy in the Jonathan Kiser Memorial Novice Stakes at Saratoga on July 16.

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Michael Matz had two stakes winners, whie Graham Motion, Keri Brion and Arch Kingsley also had winners

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August 10, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

WILMINGTON, Del.--Michael Matz has had two stakes winners in the last week, including a homebred for his wife DD.

Tatters in the Winners Circle at Delaware Park (Photo by Hoofprints)In addition to his success at the racetrack, Matz and DD have celebrated the engagement of both of their sons, Robert and Alex, during the past month, Robert to a girl from the West coast and Alex to Isabel Stattinius who competes in hunter classes.

Dorothy Alexander Matz' Tatters won a $45,000, 5 1/2 furlong Maiden Special Weight for 2-year-olds by a head on July 16 at Delaware Park in his first race.

Tatters followed that up with a win in the $75,000, 6 furlong Dover Stakes on Aug. 8, also at Delaware Park.

Tatters won after Snowhomish was disqualified from first after first bumping Tatters and then drifting in front of him.

"The jockey had to stand up on him and pull him up, said Matz. "He started to run again, but he was beaten 3/4 of a length. But there was good reason for the disqualification."

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Smart Uncle won the G1 Smithwick for Jack Fisher

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August 5, 2026

By Staff Writers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--Jack Fisher saddled Smart Uncle to win the G2, $150,000, 2 3/8 mile A.P. Smithwick Memorial Handicap on Aug. 5 at Saratoga race track.  

Smart Uncle, left. outduels Roja Redemption, Fil Dor, grey nose far right, finishing fast on the inside in the Smithwick (Photo by Tod Marks)Owned by Mrs. S. K. Johnston, Jr. and ridden by Jamie Bargary, Smart Uncle won by 3/4 length over Fil Dor, trained by Ricky Hendriks, and Roja Redemption, also trained by Fisher.

Mrs. Johnston bought Smart Uncle in 2024 from owner/breeder George Strawbridge, and since taking over the training Fisher has swapped Smart Uncle back and forth from flat to hurdle races.

Fisher prepped the 6-year-old Uncle Mo gelding in a one-mile flat allowance on July 9 at Colonial Downs, where he finished third.

This was Smart Uncle's first win since taking a flat maiden special weight last August at Delaware Park, improving his lifetime ledger to 22-5-4-4.

“Smart Uncle is a better horse than I thought he was,” Fisher said. “Roja Redemption, I knew what he is, and I thought he ran great. Smart Uncle ran that other horse (Roja Redemtion) down. They both (Smart Uncle and Fil Dor) ran him down, surprised me."

"The race just set up perfectly for him." said Fisher.

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Camanoe won the G2 Life's Illusion Stakes for Jack Fisher

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July 30, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

NEW KENT, Va.--Camanoe, trained  by Jack Fisher, won the G2, 2 1/4 mile, $100,000 Life's Illusion Stakes for fillies and mares at Colonial Downs on Thursday, July 30.

Camanoe winning the Life's Illusion (Photo by Photos Coady Media)Owned by Sheila Fisher and Northwoods Stable and ridden by Freddie Procter, Camanoe won by 1/14 lengths over Timetoshare (Fr), trained by Mark Beecher, and Red Tone, trained by F. Hill Parker.

Camanoe, bred by George Strawbridge, Jr., raced six times for him as a 3- and 4-year-old with her best finish being a win in a maiden claiming race at Delaware Park.

Despite her less than stellar performance as a flat horse, Fisher bought her privately last fall.

Fisher said that her trainer, Jonathan Thomas had recommended her.

Camanoe ran third in a maiden special weight at Fair Hill in May and then won a maiden race at Colonial Downs in June prior to winning the Life's Illusion.

"I thought she'd win last time out, but this race was more of a challenge," said Fisher. "I think the weight helped her here. I'm not sure where she'll go next."

Camanoe , carrying 143 pounds, was getting 10 pounds from second placed Timetoshine and 18 pounds from the favorite, Gold Charm (Ire), who finished fourth.

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Mr. Percy won the Novice Stakes at Saratoga

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July 17, 2026

By SARA CAVANAGH

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--Mr. Percy (Ire) held off Cyber Ninja to win the $75,000, 2 3/8 miles Jonathan Kiser Memorial Novice stakes on Thursday, July 16, at Saratoga.

Mr. Percy, left, rallies past Cyber Ninja to win Jonathan Kiser (Photo by Tod Marks_Owned by Shannon Hill Farm, trained by Neil Morris and ridden by Graham Watters, Mr. Percy won by 1/2 length over Cyber Ninja, trained by Jack Fisher, with Lynches Knock (Ire), trained by Ricky Hendriks, another 6 1/4 lengths back in third.

Mr. Percy ran mid pack in the eight horse field while Doctor Love, trained by Tom Garner, opened a huge lead of up to 20 lengths at times.

Moved to the outside, Mr. Percy caught Doctor Love in the stretch as the latter began to tire and ralled past Cyber Ninja to win.

Doctor Love held on for fourth.

"He's a lovely horse," said Morris. "He came over here after Joseph O'Brien recommended him. He does nothing wrong."

The 6-year-old Mr. Percy has run  four times, once a month, since being imported.

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McTigue won and set a track record in the Leo O'Brien

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July 6, 2026

By Staff Writers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--Cyril Murphy saddled McTigue, his100th winner, to win the inaugural 2 3/8-mile G1, $150,000 Leo O’Brien steeplechase handicap in track record time.

McTigue, left, outduels Rocket One to win the Leo O'Brien (Photo by Tod Marks)The final time of 4:30.45 was more than a full second faster than the previous record of 4:31.57 set in 2014 by subsequent G1 winner All the Way Jose, bred and trained by Jonathan Sheppard, who had set it in an allowance win by 14 1/4 lengths.

In the O'Brien, Irv Naylor's McTique settled in the back as Take Your Seats opened a 15 length lead, moved up gradually to third on the final  turn, caught Rocket One, trained by Jack Fisher, in the stretch, and went on to win by 1 length.

St. James the Great, trained by Keri Brion was third, another 12 1/2 lengths back.

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