Porter on Pedigrees

Mrs. Astor, perfect in her last two California starts for trainer Jonathan Thomas, faces a formidable challenger in Kathynmarissa in the March 15 Santa Ana Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park.

Near the end of the March 12 second session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Kimmel and Sallusto went to $1.1 million on behalf of Flanagan Racing for Hip 486, a daughter of Good Magic.

A bidding war ensued for Hip 404, a colt by freshman sire Independence Hall on Day 2 of the Ocala Breeders’ Sale March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale March 12. The hammer fell at $1 million for the Eddie Woods-consigned colt to JPM Bloodstock.

According to the initial data analysis from the 16th year of reporting to the Equine Injury Database, the fatal injury rate in 2024 was 1.11 per 1,000 starts, the lowest rate since the EID began in 2009.

Fasig-Tipton is raising the upset price, or minimum bid, for all the company’s live and digital auctions going forward, the auction house announced March 12.

Equine Guelph is excited to announce the launch of a new online course designed specifically for youth aged 13-17 who are passionate about horses and interested in exploring careers in the horse industry.

Racing March 15 in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, Render Judgment very likely could produce an effort more in line with the talent he displayed as a 2-year-old than his most recent result when eighth in the Feb. 15 Risen Star Stakes (G2).

Irad Ortiz Jr. won a total of eight races, including the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), leading the panel of racing experts to vote the five-time Eclipse Award winner Jockey of the Week for March 3-9.

Day 1 saw a decrease in gross sales from last year’s first session, producing $15,902,000 from 117 horses to change hands. The average and median were both up, with an average of $135,915 and a median of $85,000.