In this BH monthly interview, Karen M. Johnson profiles young racing personalities.

After spending time in his native Canada, Gas Me Up won in his first attempt down Santa Anita Park’s hillside course to capture the Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T).

Hill ‘n’ Dale announced Dec. 29 that multiple graded stakes winner Barnes, a son of perennial leading sire Into Mischief, has been retired and will take up stud duty at John G. Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa Farm near Paris, Ky.

With some luck in the coming months, the resumption of the Sovereignty-Journalism rivalry could prove an international sensation.

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, the breeder of Dubawi and owner of star performers including 1998 Epsom Derby (G1) winner High-Rise, Postponed, and Rosallion, died Dec. 29.

On the Dec. 29 episode of BloodHorse Monday: Louie Rabaut, Sean Collins, and Steve Kornacki unveil who they are voting for in each Eclipse Award category.

Thoroughbred Charities of America will honor Ken Freirich with the Allaire du Pont Leadership Award and the Delaware Horsemen’s Assistance Fund with the Ellen and Herb Moelis Industry Service Award at its annual stallion season auction Jan. 11.

The Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeder Association is hosting its annual stallion season auction on Thoroughlybred.com, with bidding to open Jan. 7 starting at 9 a.m. ET and closing Jan. 11 at 6 p.m.

Diktaean became the first National Association of Racing-based winner of the Tokyo Daishoten (G1) in 20 years with a victory over Mikki Fight Dec. 29 at Oi Racecourse.

Sales histories for horses entered in the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Winter Mixed Sale being held Jan. 27.