Gm, Equinauts

Aidan had ANOTHER press day at Ballydoyle yesterday and guess what?

Yep, he continued to wax lyrical about ALBERT EINSTEIN and how there’d be fireworks as soon as he goes sprinting…

Whilst he remains being trained for the Guineas.

This is worse than Mullins bingo atm!

Anyway, let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

💰BIG MONEY DAN

Dan Skelton is closing in on a landmark season, having only recently become the first trainer to exceed £4 million in prize-money and now sitting just over £100k away from breaking the £5 MILLION barrier!

With the campaign entering its final week, he is sending runners to key meetings at Perth, Warwick and Sandown, aiming to chase down the massive final target. Notably, Perth remains the only track where he has yet to register a winner this season, but he is hopeful that runners like PANIC ATTACK and TORMUND GIANTSBANE can change that early in the festival.

Skelton has attributed his success to a highly strategic, data-driven approach, mapping out targets and placing horses where they can earn the most prize-money. With further opportunities at Warwick and a strong hand expected at Sandown’s lucrative season finale, he could arrive at the final day within easy distance of the £5m mark—or even reach it there if needed. Given the depth of his squad and his expert ability to target the big pots, he appears well in control to set a new BENCHMARK for prize-money in a single jumps season.

As ever, Dan is looking forward though and he’s recently secured big money Lots at the sales to ensure his rise to the top isn’t short lived.

Making a major statement at the Tattersalls Cheltenham April Sale, he produced the winning bid on the standout lot MIFA D’AIRY for a record-breaking £435,000. The MASKED MARVEL filly, an impressive recent point-to-point winner, attracted hot competition from leading buyers, but Skelton—working alongside agent Ryan Mahon—came out on top. The purchase was backed by owner Rachel Wilson.

He also added further depth to his squad with the £180,000 purchase of GLEBE HOUSE, another recent point-to-point winner by POETS WORD who had been highly recommended.

These acquisitions underline Skelton’s proactive approach to maintaining his position at the top of the sport, reinvesting his current success into promising young horses with the potential to deliver at the highest level in seasons to come.

More:

🟣MORE SPENDING

Amo’s Kia Joorabchian is set to return to the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale this week with a more measured and targeted approach, focusing on securing a small number of precocious colts for trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy to aim at Royal Ascot.

After skipping the Tattersalls Craven Sale—where he was a major spender in previous years—the Amo Racing boss instead prioritised the OBS sale in the US. He plans to rely on his established buying team, led by agent Alex Elliott, while possibly attending in person, given his past success sourcing sharp, early types from Goffs, a sale where he claims to have had some real good luck.

Unlike previous seasons, Amo Racing’s spending spree is expected to be restrained, as significant investment at recent yearling sales has already left the operation with a full and more BALANCED squad of two-year-olds. Joorabchian indicated that the emphasis is no longer on volume but on adding a few carefully chosen prospects, particularly speed-focused juveniles that can complement later-maturing horses already in the system. He also highlighted plans to support his own stallion PERSIAN FORCE in the sales ring, underlining a longer-term strategy that blends his racing ambition with stud interests.

More:

✈️BAFFERT BOUND

The $10 milli colt from the first crop of FLIGHTLINE has arrived at Bob Baffert’s Santa Anita base, where he is already settling in and expected to begin light exercise this week.

The colt’s value is underpinned by both his pedigree and physical presence. Not only is he by the monster FLIGHTLINE, but he is also out of a stakes-winning daughter of leading sire INTO MISCHIEF. Initially sold as a weanling for $575,000, he boosted his ring appeal with a standout BREEZE time at the sale. With his combination of pedigree and physical, expectations are understandably high as he begins his career in one of racing’s most infamous yards.

Why infamous? Well it wasn’t long ago Baffert was banned from major tracks such a Churchill Downs for doping violations.

SUBSCRIBE BELOW TO ACCESS OUR PREMIUM CONTENT

By becoming a premium reader you get access to all the big race previews and the days best stats and bets!

Already a paying subscriber? Sign In.