Maggie Sweet has been in her job at the TRF for a year now, after leaving Todd Pletcher Racing, and she has learned a lot–chiefly, that the racing industry isn't focusing enough on the need to provide lifetime dignified retirement for its athletes. She appears on the TDN Writers' Room to discuss the issue.

Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners joined this week's TDN Writers' Room after a huge weekend at Santa Anita for his partnership. The group co-owns GI Santa Anita Handicap victor Locked and GII San Felipe Stakes winner Journalism.

TDN Conversations is a new monthly podcast series and we are delighted to have been joined this month by Emma Balding, who discusses the history of her breeding operation with Emma Berry.

A veteran Hall of Fame trainer, Mark Casse knows that sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. The Casse-trained Sandman (

Brad Cox joins this week's TDN Writers' Room after his trainee John Hancock took an impressive step forward on the road to the Kentucky Derby this past weekend. Cox also has a loaded group of runners heading into Risen Star weekend at Fair Grounds.

Trainer Ian Wilkes joins the TDN Writers' Room to discuss his stable star Burnham Square, who is now on the Derby trail after winning the GIII Holy Bull. Randy Moss and Bill Finley also review the rest of last weekend's Derby prep races and discuss Baffert's domination of the California stakes races.

Damian Burns joins Brian Sheerin to discuss the breeding philosophies that have made Lodge Park Stud so successful at the sales and the races. Plus, Burns points out some of the stallions that he will be sending mares to for the 2025 breeding season.

Saffie Joseph Jr. has had some big days since he came to the U.S. from his native Barbados in 2011, but perhaps none bigger than last Saturday at Gulfstream Park. He had three stakes wins, including a score with Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhahaarar ({GB}) in the GII Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S. and a win with Mystic Lake (

With plenty to talk about, Joseph Jr. was this week's Gainesway Guest of the Week on the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland.

White Abarrio was taken away from Joseph around the time of the 2023 GI Kentucky Derby, when there was a rash of fatalities that once again caught the attention of the animal rights community. Joseph had two horses die, but they did not suffer from musculoskeletal injuries. Still, that put Joseph in limbo and the owners moved on to Rick Dutrow.

Joseph admits that was one of the toughest things he has ever had to endure as a trainer. But, after a dull performance in the 2024 GI Metropolitan Handicap for Dutrow, the story changed again. White Abarrio was sent back to Joseph.

“Everything in life happens for a reason,” Joseph said. “After that happened, did I ever envision that we were going to get the horse back? No. I mean, how could you envision a horse that wins a Whitney and a Breeders' Cup Classic for someone else and he's going to come back to you?