trainer

Whit Beckman was watching from behind the Churchill Downs winner's circle as the horses loaded into the gates for the GI Kentucky Derby. Honor Marie (Honor Code) was the trainer's first Derby starter and as the colt's odds dropped to 14-1 before the start of the race, Beckman liked their chances. But as many a veteran Kentucky Derby trainer can attest, a lot can happen when it's a 20-horse field. Only a few moments after the gates sprang open and Honor Marie jumped out of the seventh stall, Beckman knew...

Trainer Cherie DeVaux joins this week's TDN Writers' Room to recap a big weekend at Pimlico and discuss her eye on the future of her operation.

The storylines of "Thurby" can oftentimes get lost in the hubbub of the ensuing weekend of racing at Churchill Downs, but for trainer John Hancock, the Thursday before this year's Kentucky Derby was a day he won't soon forget. Not feeling the greatest that afternoon, the veteran conditioner decided to stay back at the barn and let his family head to the paddock to saddle West Memorial (Caracaro) and Strummin (Flameaway) for the Kentucky Juvenile S. Meanwhile Hancock drove over to a spot on the backside where he had a...

Eddie Plesa, Jr. secured his 2,500th career training victory with the 3-year-old gelding Raging Fury at Gulfstream Park Apr. 13. TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack caught up with the highly respected 74-year-old conditioner for a wide-ranging interview to discuss the milestone victory, his trip to the 2-year-old sales in Ocala this spring, the future of the sport and much more. TDN: Let's start things off with your milestone victory. What does it mean to you to reach 2,500 wins? EP: When you hit a number like that, you take...

Who else could possibly join our show this week besides the man of the hour, Kenny McPeek? The trainer relives his Oaks-Derby double with Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan.

Bloodstock agent and longtime racing veteran Timothy Vaughn Kegel passed away Thursday, April 25, 2024 at the age of 74. The following is an obituary written by son Van Kegel and provided to the TDN by the Kegel family: "Born in Clifton Springs, N.Y. in 1950, he charted his own path from his years at SUNY Cortland to a long career in the racing industry as a vet's assistant, trainer, jockey agent and bloodstock agent. He loved horses and the racetrack, and the track loved him. He will forever be...

Today, May 1, marks the 70th anniversary of the death of Federico Tesio, who will always be remembered for his massive contribution to the development of the Thoroughbred. 'Breeder of Nearco and Ribot' is probably the description most frequently applied to him, but in truth that hardly scratches the surface of the life of a true titan of the turf. Facts and dates are an important part of any historical record. The facts of Tesio's racing life as breeder, owner and trainer are written boldly in the form book, and...

Donnacha O'Brien has a lot to look forward to as he launches into his fifth year of training since retiring as a champion jockey in Ireland. The 25-year-old, who operates under the nom-de-course Bawnmore Racing, is off to a fast start already this spring as he had his first 2-year-old winner of the year at Dundalk on April 13 with Usdi Atohi (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) and just this past weekend at the Curragh, his 4-year-old trainee Yosemite Valley (GB) (Shamardal) claimed the listed Lester Piggott Gladness S. But there...

Paddy Woods, who once rode three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Arkle (Ire) (Archive {GB}) to victory, has died at the age of 93, according to published reports. The Irishman was born in 1930, and began his career in racing at Dan Moore's yard before a few years with Charlie Rogers before returning to Moore. However, he is best known for his association with Tom Dreaper's Greenogue stable which began in 1956. Besides riding work aboard Arkle each morning for Dreaper, the jockey did capture the 1963 and 1965 Irish Grand...

Fresh off a yet another win in the GI Blue Grass S. at Keeneland, trainer Chad Brown joined the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland to offer up insight on Sierra Leone's definitive victory and share how he hopes to see the $2.3 million son of Gun Runner progresses from here.

The GII Fountain of Youth S. may have received a few key scratches that diminished the overall quality of the field, but Danny Gargan won't let that take anything away from the victory earned by his trainee Dornoch (Good Magic). As this week's Green Group Guest of the Week on the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland, Gargan recapped Saturday's Fountain of Youth score and made a case for why we still haven't seen the best from Dornoch. "We've just gotta get someone fast enough to get next to...

Trainer Danny Gargan recaps Dornoch's win in the GII Fountain of Youth S. and makes a case for why we still haven't seen the best from the son of Good Magic.