Join now & win money today! Get Started

Ask HISA: Aftercare Support

---

The following question is from Rick Bowman, a former owner and breeder.

Q: Does HISA work with or support the farms that provide retirement homes? If so, in what way? And if not, is this something that you are planning to do in the future?

   A: From HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus.

Aftercare plays a vital role in helping Thoroughbred racehorses thrive long after their racing careers end. Although HISA does not regulate horses before or after their racing careers, we remain committed to advocating for aftercare initiatives that honor and care for the horses that have given so much to the sport.

Earlier this year, HISA launched the HISA Equine Recovery Foundation (HERF), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing critical assistance for Thoroughbred racehorses sustaining a career-ending injury during racing or training. HERF provides immediate access to quality veterinary treatment and rehabilitation to support successful retirement. Although the Foundation initially aimed to take in 15 horses during its first year, as of October 16, it has already accepted 33 horses, underscoring the significant need across the industry.

As part of HERF’s efforts to provide retired racehorses with a second chance, it launched the “Empty Stall Challenge,” which works directly with farms to use unoccupied stalls to accommodate HERF horses during their rehabilitation. Farms that have welcomed HERF horses so far include Brandywine Farm (Paris, KY), Colts Neck Stables (Colts Neck, NJ), Godolphin (Lexington, KY), Denali Stud (Paris, KY), Machmer Hall Farm (Paris, KY), Margeaux Farm (Midway, KY) and Ross Haven Farm (Sturbridge, MA).

Once HERF horses have fully rehabilitated, HERF works to find them a permanent retirement home. There are currently six horses at New Vocations Racehorse Adoption in Lexington, Kentucky, one at Thoroughbred Retirement, Rehabilitation and Careers in Oxford, Pennsylvania and two horses shipping to Canter, Michigan later this week to be re-trained and re-homed. Two horses that were not suitable for riding careers were retired to a sanctuary farm in Virginia where they can live out their lives peacefully. If any reader would like to adopt a HERF sanctuary horse or knows of available sanctuary space, please contact info@equinerecovery.org.

To learn more about or donate to HERF, visit equinerecovery.org/.

The post Ask HISA: Aftercare Support appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Record Number Of Entries For 2026 Breeders’ Cup Cavalcade At Keeneland

---

An unprecedented 255 pre-entries have set a record for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, as Thoroughbreds from far and wide prepare to converge on Keeneland Race Course for racing’s premier two-day festival Oct. 30-31.

Representing a record 222 individual horses, including 79 international contenders–the second-highest number in history behind 80 in 2024–the list underscores the global prestige of the Breeders’ Cup.

The international reach of the World Championships is once again reflected in the regionalism of its pre-entries, with horses bred in 10 countries (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, South Africa, and the United States) on six continents (Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America).

“This historic level of participation is a testament to the strength and prestige of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships,” said President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited Drew Fleming. “We are deeply grateful to our board of directors, members, nominators, and participants from around the globe for their unwavering support, and to our racing department for the tremendous work that goes into assembling a lineup of this caliber. We also thank our great partners at Keeneland and look forward to welcoming the world to their historic venue for another thrilling edition of the Breeders’ Cup, where the very best of our sport will compete on racing’s biggest international stage.”

Headlining the action is Japan’s Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), whose historic victory in last year’s $7-million GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic marked a defining moment for Japanese racing. Forever Young will return to defend his title against a world-class group of challengers when the Classic resumes its traditional position as the final race on Saturday’s card, bringing the World Championships to a conclusion at 6:16 p.m. ET. The marquee event anchors a festival worth more than $34 million in purses and awards, highlighted by 14 Grade I races.

Forever Young seeks to become just the second repeat winner of the Classic, following Tiznow in 2000-01. Trained by Yoshito Yahagi for owner Susumu Fujita, the international superstar became the first Japan-based horse to win the signature race with his victory at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in 2025. He has continued his success this season, capturing his second edition of the G1 Saudi Cup in February and running second in the G1 Dubai World Cup in March before turning in a 3 1/4-length victory in the Sept. 18 running of the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at the new Belmont Park.

Casse runners Measure (Distaff) outside of Voyager (Juv. Fillies Turf/Juv. Fillies) | Sarah Andrew

Standing among his principal challengers from 11 pre-entries for one of the most anticipated races of the year is Godolphin’s reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief), winner of the 2025 GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes, and GI DK Travers Stakes, who added the GI Whitney Stakes to his distinguished résumé this summer.

The anticipated Classic field also features Godolphin’s Knightsbridge (Nyquist), ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ and winner of the GI Pacific Classic Stakes; Magnitude (Not This Time), who after attaining a ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ secured victories in the Dubai World Cup and GI Stephen Foster Stakes; and millionaire Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus}), two-time winner of the GII Suburban Stakes. Leading 3-year-olds Golden Tempo (Curlin), ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ and winner of both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes; Napoleon Solo (Liam’s Map), winner of the GI Preakness Stakes; The Puma (Essential Quality), winner of the GI Pennsylvania Derby; and GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner & ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ Further Ado (Gun Runner) look to conquer their elders.

Also pre-entered in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic but with a first preference listed for the $1-million GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile are Forged Steel (Vekoma) and T O Password (Jpn) (Copano Rickey {Jpn}). The connections of Knightsbridge, Further Ado and Napoleon Solo have listed the Dirt Mile as their second preference.

Twelve Breeders’ Cup Champions are pre-entered for the 43rd running of the World Championships: ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ Cy Fair (Not This Time), Ethical Diamond (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Forever Young, Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast), Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Immersive (Nyquist), Nobals (Noble Mission {GB})), ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ Shisospicy (Mitole), Splendora (Audible), Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), and Super Corredora (Gun Runner).

As for the rest of the slate on Friday and Saturday, the pre-entries are packed with impressive runners.

Friday’s $2 million GI FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Stakes pits the undefeated ‘TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard,’ American History (Constitution) and Hughes (Into Mischief) against one another. With Salahudin (Uncle Mo) and Coach Pope (Tapit) in the mix, the race should be a good one. As for the $2-million GI Juvenile Fillies Stakes, a strong group includes Emphatic (Nyquist), Manuka Honey (Upstart) and ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ Miss Monica (Early Voting), who have all never lost.

Turning the page to a super Saturday, U.S. entries Deterministic (Liam’s Map) and Rhetorical (Not This Time) will attempt to turn back the tide of European turf entries in the $2-million GI FanDuel Mile.

Nitrogen works at Keeneland | Sarah Andrew

Speaking of star power, champion Nitrogen (Medaglia d’Oro) headlines the $2-million GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Even though European G1 Champion Stakes winner Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) will not be making a Breeders’ Cup appearance, the $2-million GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf is still a stacked race with invaders listed such as English MG1SW Minnie Hauk (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), G1 Irish Champion Stakes winner Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and last but certainly not least, the classy English G1SW Bay City Roller (Ire) (New Bay {GB}).

Additionally, 58 individual pre-entered horses qualified through the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In, an international series comprising 95 qualifying races across 14 countries on five continents. Winners of designated Challenge races receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into corresponding races at the World Championships.

Pre-entry marks the first of a two-step process for owners intending to start a horse in one of the 14 Championship races. The final entry stage will occur Monday, Oct. 26, with post positions drawn live beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET on FanDuel TV, BreedersCup.com, the official Breeders’ Cup mobile app, and the organization’s YouTube, Facebook, and X social channels.

Keeneland will host the World Championships for a fourth time after editions in 2015, 2020 and 2022.

Click here for a link to the Breeders’ Cup contenders.

The post Record Number Of Entries For 2026 Breeders’ Cup Cavalcade At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Ask HISA: Aftercare Support

---

The following question is from Rick Bowman, a former owner and breeder.

Q: Does HISA work with or support the farms that provide retirement homes? If so, in what way? And if not, is this something that you are planning to do in the future?

   A: From HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus.

Aftercare plays a vital role in helping Thoroughbred racehorses thrive long after their racing careers end. Although HISA does not regulate horses before or after their racing careers, we remain committed to advocating for aftercare initiatives that honor and care for the horses that have given so much to the sport.

Earlier this year, HISA launched the HISA Equine Recovery Foundation (HERF), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing critical assistance for Thoroughbred racehorses sustaining a career-ending injury during racing or training. HERF provides immediate access to quality veterinary treatment and rehabilitation to support successful retirement. Although the Foundation initially aimed to take in 15 horses during its first year, as of October 16, it has already accepted 33 horses, underscoring the significant need across the industry.

As part of HERF’s efforts to provide retired racehorses with a second chance, it launched the “Empty Stall Challenge,” which works directly with farms to use unoccupied stalls to accommodate HERF horses during their rehabilitation. Farms that have welcomed HERF horses so far include Brandywine Farm (Paris, KY), Colts Neck Stables (Colts Neck, NJ), Godolphin (Lexington, KY), Denali Stud (Paris, KY), Machmer Hall Farm (Paris, KY), Margeaux Farm (Midway, KY) and Ross Haven Farm (Sturbridge, MA).

Once HERF horses have fully rehabilitated, HERF works to find them a permanent retirement home. There are currently six horses at New Vocations Racehorse Adoption in Lexington, Kentucky, one at Thoroughbred Retirement, Rehabilitation and Careers in Oxford, Pennsylvania and two horses shipping to Canter, Michigan later this week to be re-trained and re-homed. Two horses that were not suitable for riding careers were retired to a sanctuary farm in Virginia where they can live out their lives peacefully. If any reader would like to adopt a HERF sanctuary horse or knows of available sanctuary space, please contact info@equinerecovery.org.

To learn more about or donate to HERF, visit equinerecovery.org/.

The post Ask HISA: Aftercare Support appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Record Number Of Entries For 2026 Breeders’ Cup Cavalcade At Keeneland

---

An unprecedented 255 pre-entries have set a record for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, as Thoroughbreds from far and wide prepare to converge on Keeneland Race Course for racing’s premier two-day festival Oct. 30-31.

Representing a record 222 individual horses, including 79 international contenders–the second-highest number in history behind 80 in 2024–the list underscores the global prestige of the Breeders’ Cup.

The international reach of the World Championships is once again reflected in the regionalism of its pre-entries, with horses bred in 10 countries (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, South Africa, and the United States) on six continents (Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America).

“This historic level of participation is a testament to the strength and prestige of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships,” said President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited Drew Fleming. “We are deeply grateful to our board of directors, members, nominators, and participants from around the globe for their unwavering support, and to our racing department for the tremendous work that goes into assembling a lineup of this caliber. We also thank our great partners at Keeneland and look forward to welcoming the world to their historic venue for another thrilling edition of the Breeders’ Cup, where the very best of our sport will compete on racing’s biggest international stage.”

Headlining the action is Japan’s Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), whose historic victory in last year’s $7-million GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic marked a defining moment for Japanese racing. Forever Young will return to defend his title against a world-class group of challengers when the Classic resumes its traditional position as the final race on Saturday’s card, bringing the World Championships to a conclusion at 6:16 p.m. ET. The marquee event anchors a festival worth more than $34 million in purses and awards, highlighted by 14 Grade I races.

Forever Young seeks to become just the second repeat winner of the Classic, following Tiznow in 2000-01. Trained by Yoshito Yahagi for owner Susumu Fujita, the international superstar became the first Japan-based horse to win the signature race with his victory at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in 2025. He has continued his success this season, capturing his second edition of the G1 Saudi Cup in February and running second in the G1 Dubai World Cup in March before turning in a 3 1/4-length victory in the Sept. 18 running of the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at the new Belmont Park.

Casse runners Measure (Distaff) outside of Voyager (Juv. Fillies Turf/Juv. Fillies) | Sarah Andrew

Standing among his principal challengers from 11 pre-entries for one of the most anticipated races of the year is Godolphin’s reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief), winner of the 2025 GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes, and GI DK Travers Stakes, who added the GI Whitney Stakes to his distinguished résumé this summer.

The anticipated Classic field also features Godolphin’s Knightsbridge (Nyquist), ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard’ and winner of the GI Pacific Classic Stakes; Magnitude (Not This Time), who after attaining a ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ secured victories in the Dubai World Cup and GI Stephen Foster Stakes; and millionaire Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus}), two-time winner of the GII Suburban Stakes. Leading 3-year-olds Golden Tempo (Curlin), ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ and winner of both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes; Napoleon Solo (Liam’s Map), winner of the GI Preakness Stakes; The Puma (Essential Quality), winner of the GI Pennsylvania Derby; and GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner & ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ Further Ado (Gun Runner) look to conquer their elders.

Also pre-entered in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic but with a first preference listed for the $1-million GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile are Forged Steel (Vekoma) and T O Password (Jpn) (Copano Rickey {Jpn}). The connections of Knightsbridge, Further Ado and Napoleon Solo have listed the Dirt Mile as their second preference.

Twelve Breeders’ Cup Champions are pre-entered for the 43rd running of the World Championships: ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ Cy Fair (Not This Time), Ethical Diamond (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Forever Young, Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast), Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Immersive (Nyquist), Nobals (Noble Mission {GB})), ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ Shisospicy (Mitole), Splendora (Audible), Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), and Super Corredora (Gun Runner).

As for the rest of the slate on Friday and Saturday, the pre-entries are packed with impressive runners.

Friday’s $2 million GI FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Stakes pits the undefeated ‘TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard,’ American History (Constitution) and Hughes (Into Mischief) against one another. With Salahudin (Uncle Mo) and Coach Pope (Tapit) in the mix, the race should be a good one. As for the $2-million GI Juvenile Fillies Stakes, a strong group includes Emphatic (Nyquist), Manuka Honey (Upstart) and ‘TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,’ Miss Monica (Early Voting), who have all never lost.

Turning the page to a super Saturday, U.S. entries Deterministic (Liam’s Map) and Rhetorical (Not This Time) will attempt to turn back the tide of European turf entries in the $2-million GI FanDuel Mile.

Nitrogen works at Keeneland | Sarah Andrew

Speaking of star power, champion Nitrogen (Medaglia d’Oro) headlines the $2-million GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Even though European G1 Champion Stakes winner Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) will not be making a Breeders’ Cup appearance, the $2-million GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf is still a stacked race with invaders listed such as English MG1SW Minnie Hauk (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), G1 Irish Champion Stakes winner Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and last but certainly not least, the classy English G1SW Bay City Roller (Ire) (New Bay {GB}).

Additionally, 58 individual pre-entered horses qualified through the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In, an international series comprising 95 qualifying races across 14 countries on five continents. Winners of designated Challenge races receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into corresponding races at the World Championships.

Pre-entry marks the first of a two-step process for owners intending to start a horse in one of the 14 Championship races. The final entry stage will occur Monday, Oct. 26, with post positions drawn live beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET on FanDuel TV, BreedersCup.com, the official Breeders’ Cup mobile app, and the organization’s YouTube, Facebook, and X social channels.

Keeneland will host the World Championships for a fourth time after editions in 2015, 2020 and 2022.

Click here for a link to the Breeders’ Cup contenders.

The post Record Number Of Entries For 2026 Breeders’ Cup Cavalcade At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.