Sean Clancy

We are back in action. The 11-stop fall steeplechase season rolls through Shawan Downs today. Riverdee unleashes Mission Brief, Palio, Queens Empire and Potus on the 24th renewal of the six-race steeplechase meet in Hunt Valley, Md. Right-handed, high ground in the stretch, low ground down the backside, two tight turns and two long straightaways. Natural amphitheater … Read More

Happy retirement to Not So Sleepy. The 12-year-old stormed off the stage in the finest fashion, winning his 69th and final start over the weekend for trainer Hughie Morrison and owner/breeder Lady Blythe. A six-time winner on the flat and a six-time winner over hurdles, the chestnut gelding defended his … Read More

Rain. Finally, rain in Middleburg. Good, long, steady rain for the last few days. We need it. Of course, we’re doing all the barn chores this week so not ideal, but we’ll take it. We slopped and sloshed around the front field this morning. Apse, Kiss, Blue and EP appreciating … Read More

Forest Boyce walked into the paddock for the opener at Laurel Park Sunday. “You know what you’re doing…” It was more of a statement than a question. “Going forward…” The Maryland-born jockey had ridden Roja Redemption once before, learned his style (steady with a side of stamina) and put that … Read More

Riverdee rolls back into action today. Roja Redemption and Pietrelcina head to Laurel Park and Penicillin Success and Cool Jet get back to work in the trials at Shawan Downs. Purse and no purse. Objectives and different objectives. Roja Redemption makes his second start since joining Riverdee. A project, we’re … Read More

The fourth from Marseilles just finished. Photo finish. The second from Chantilly is looming. Two late scratches, including Without. Race two goes without Without. American-bred Nitoi the favorite. Some beach action from Laytown (on the bucket list) coming up. Quiet Monday morning. The background beat music of international racing on … Read More

The faint rock and roll on a boom box. The whirl of a bathroom fan. The thwack of an aluminum bat on a rawhide ball. Car tires rippling over the gravel parking lot. A coach’s occasional lesson, grip, load, wait, go. Young parents walk anxious early rising children. The balls … Read More

Time to… Reenter…regroup…recalibrate…reload…restock… Saratoga is over. The Saratoga Special is done and dusted for another year. Twenty-four in the books. We are in the planning stages for our silver jubilee. Come one. Come all. Tom is talking about organizing a roast. I told him I was too sensitive for a … Read More

Lena Lorieul and Allamericanbeauty strode out of Shug McGaughey’s barn Thursday morning, stopped on the apron and waited like the Hall of Fame trainer’s riders and horses have been doing for decades.  The rider wore black boots high up her calf. Gray socks poking out the top. Worn jeans tucked … Read More