Blue-blooded Frankel mare Helenium, in foal to Kingman, was among the highlights of Jean-Pierre Dubois’s private sale at Haras de Bois Roussel hosted by Auctav Aug. 13 and she sold to Quirke Bloodstock on behalf of Coolmara Stables. 

John and Leona Velazquez were publicly recognized for their longstanding commitment to the New York Racing Association backstretch with the Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson Award from the New York Race Track Chaplaincy.

Tickets for Keeneland’s fall meet, to be held Oct. 3-25, will go on sale Aug. 19 at 9 a.m.

Cleo Cat, a group 3-winning daughter of American Pharoah, topped the Inglis August (Early) Digital Sale Aug. 13 selling for AU$355,000 to Yulong. She will be bred to 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) winner More Than Looks.

Three spectacular auction items will be up for bidding Aug. 14-20 with proceeds to benefit the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund, and Belmont Child Care Association.

After knocking heads against division heavyweights Mindframe and Sierra Leone in his most recent outing, Godolphin’s First Mission faces softer company in his return to action in the $250,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) Aug. 16 at Monmouth Park.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has described Camille Pissarro as an “extremely classy colt” following the shock retirement of the French Derby (G1) winner due to a hairline fracture in his fetlock.

Multiple group 2 winner Diego Velazquez will stand at the National Stud next year after being purchased by Sam Sangster Bloodstock on behalf of a high-profile syndicate.

Tyler Gaffalione won four of the six stakes races on the card at Ellis Park Aug. 10 to cap a week of 10 wins and leading rider status. The panel of racing experts voted Gaffalione Jockey of the Week for Aug. 4-10.

JoAnn Pepper of Old Friends Cabin Creek tells us about the late Commentator, who lived out his retirement at the Old Friends New York farm.