Michael Banahan

Second Chances: Godolphin Homebred Spelterini One to Watch at the Spa

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. It's admittedly very early days, but one of the more promising 2-year-olds to debut thus far at the prestigious Saratoga meeting didn't even get her picture taken. Godolphin homebred Spelterini (f, 2, Bernardini--Keepshercool, by Smart Strike) came flying home to finish an eye-catching second on the Spa's opening day program July 14. Last of six after a slow start from her inside draw, the 13-1 shot was ridden...

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Stars Align for Cody's Wish and Namesake Cody Dorman

Cody's Wish (Curlin), winner of the GIII Westchester S. in his most recent start, is the morning-line favorite in a field of seven in Monday's Hanshin S. at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old Bill Mott trainee is a homebred for Godolphin out of 2012 GI Gazelle S. victress Dance Card (Tapit), also the dam of MGSP Endorsed (Medaglia d'Oro). None of those details really matter much to Cody Dorman, a 16-year-old from Richmond, Kentucky who shares a special bond with the improving son of Curlin. Cody, an avid racing fan ever...

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Belle Street Stars Saturday at Keeneland

LEXINGTON, KY - With Godolphin's Belle Street (Street Sense) leading the way at $550,000, the Book 3 section of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale opened Saturday with strong results as the 10-day auction continues to track well ahead of 2020 figures. During Saturday's session, 252 head grossed $19,981,500. The session average of $79,292 was up 36.37% from the corresponding 2020 figure and the median of $65,000 was up 49.43%. With 78 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 23.64%. It was 24.67% a year ago. Through four sessions,...

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Bell Set to Retire from Godolphin

Jimmy Bell, president and racing manager for Godolphin's U.S. division, will retire from his day-to-day involvement with the operation by the end of the year, according to a release from the operation. "Jimmy Bell is the bedrock that Godolphin USA is built upon," said Dan Pride, Chief Operating Officer of Godolphin, USA. "His history with Jonabell is well known and he has faithfully served 20 years molding us into what we are today. He is a friend to many of us and always an example of how to live your...

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