Raymond Mamone, who bought his first racehorse in 1976 and then waited 42 years for his first graded stakes winner, passed away from COVID-19 complications on May 3 in his hometown of Somerville, N.J. He was 88.

“To now be standing a stallion with a Derby winner in his first crop from a limited book is huge,” said Pat Hayes, Castleton Lyons’ general manager. “Breeders will see Protonico in a new light.”

Mila Mullens and Blazing Meadows Farm’s Uncle Charming provided Equistar Training and Breeding’s Uncle Vinny with his first winner in gate-to-wire fashion May 4 at Belterra Park.

While the Osarus Breeze-Up Sale returned to its traditional location at La Teste after a year inhabiting cyberspace, it was a change of venue that did the trick for the top lot, a €200,000 (US$240,919) colt consigned by Philip Prevost-Baratte. 

Koji Maeda’s Deep Bond will travel to France this fall to represent Japan in the Oct. 3 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) at ParisLongchamp, France Galop reported May 4.

Trainer Brad Cox confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Godolphin’s Essential Quality has been removed from consideration for the May 15 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.

Woodland Garden, a full sister to Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, G1) and Sussex Stakes (G1) hero The Gurkha, is set to be the latest blue-blood to debut for Aidan O’Brien at Gowran Park May 5. 

Wirko and Law of The Sea bid to give Godolphin a remarkable first ever victory in this usually informative Investec Derby (G1) warm-up, the May 5 Chester Vase Stakes (G3).

NBC Sports’ presentation of the Kentucky Derby (G1) May 1 at Churchill Downs averaged a Total Audience Delivery of 14.5 million viewers as the Run for the Roses returned to its traditional first Saturday in May date.

Woodbine Entertainment announced today that it has appointed experienced sports executive Michael Copeland as its Chief Commercial Officer as the organization eyes growth opportunities.