Arqana December catalogue released

The dam of Breeders’ Cup heroine Uni (GB) (More Than Ready {USA}), Unaided (GB) (Dansili {GB}), is one of the star attractions of the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale catalogue, which was released on Tuesday.

Unaided is one of 25 quality lots in the Haras d’Etreham draft for the sale which runs from December 7 until December 10. It also features Just Gorgeous (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a winning full-sister to top-flight winners Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in foal to Almanzor (Fr).

Widden Stud's Zoustar, who shuttles to Tweenhills Stud, will have his first European in foal mares go through the ring and is the covering sire for a trio of mares from Ecurie des Monceaux, which counts Zotilla (Ire) (Zamindar {USA}), a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup winner Flotilla (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}), among their number.

A total of 1038 horses will go through the Deauville ring, including 480 mares, 207 fillies, 335 weanlings and three stallions.

Almond Eye to tackle Hong Kong

Japanese wonder mare Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) will contest the G1 Hong Kong Cup in December instead of the G1 Japan Cup.

In a huge boost for the Hong Kong International Race meeting, connections have decided to bypass the Japan Cup, which she won last year, and instead focus on securing a second win on international soil to go with her victory in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan earlier this year.

She returned to the track with an emphatic win in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn late last month.

Belle shoots for Mackinnon

Melody Belle (NZ) will take on grand campaigner Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) and 14 others in Saturday's G1 Mackinnon S. at Flemington.

Connections of the Jamie Richards' trained mare decided to back her up for the $2 million race after she won the G1 Empire Rose S. convincingly last Saturday, but she has drawn barrier 16.

"She has come through the Empire Rose in perfect condition and accordingly we will give her the opportunity to contest this time honoured race,” managing owner John Galvin said.

Hartnell will be having his 58th and final start in the race and has drawn barrier 14.

There is a field of 16 plus two emergencies for the race, which includes G1 Turnbull S. winner Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}), G1 Caulfield S. winner Cape Of Good Hope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), dual G1 Australian Cup winner Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) and Japanese runners Kluger (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) and Suzuka Devious (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}).

Thunder Snow retired, stud plans pending

Dual G1 Dubai World Cup hero Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet) has been retired, trainer Saeed Bin Suroor announced.

Bred by Darley in Ireland, the Godolphin colourbearer was last seen running third to G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint hero Mitole (USA) (Eskendereya {USA}) in the G1 Metropolitan H. in June. Stud plans are pending.

“Thunder Snow created history by winning the Dubai World Cup twice and provided us with two brilliant results in France, capturing the Criterium International and the Prix Jean Prat,” said bin Suroor. “He ran great races on dirt and turf at some of the world’s top meetings and was a superstar for us.

“He was a class horse, who was very professional and easy to train. He was extremely tough and always tried his hardest in everything he did. He was one of the best horses to ever race for Godolphin and it was a privilege to train him.

“We will all miss him at the Godolphin stables but he retires at the top and we can look forward to seeing his progeny. I am sure that he will become a top stallion over the coming years.”

From Flemington to Singapore

Melbourne Cup winning jockey Craig Williams will chase top-flight success in two countries this weekend.

Williams will ride at Flemington on Saturday partnering Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) in the G1 VRC Sprint Classic and Aristia (Lonhro) on the G1 Mackinnon S. before heading to Singapore's premier race day on Sunday.

He will ride the Lee Freedman-trained Mr Clint (NZ) (Power {GB}) in the $1 million Singapore Gold Cup, a race he won in 2016.

Other Australian-based jockeys to ride in the Gold Cup include Barend Vorster, Willie Pike and Patrick Moloney while expatriates Vlad Duric, Daniel Moor and Ben Thompson will also ride in the race.

Fees confirmed for Haras d’Etreham and Lanwades Stud

Haras d’Etreham and Lanwades Stud have both announced their stud fees for the 2020 season.

Four stallions make up the 2020 Haras d’Etreham Flat roster, led by Wootton Bassett (GB) at €40,000 (AU$64,200). His son, Almanzor (Fr), commands €35,000 (AU$56,200), while the rest of the roster is made up of City Light (USA) at €7000 (AU$11,240) and Australian-bred Scissor Kick, who stands at €5000 (AU$8000).

Lanwades Stud confirmed classic winner Study Of Man (Ire) will stand for £15,000 (AU$28,000). The winner of the G1 QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club is joined at that price by Sea The Moon (Ger). Lanwades also offers Breeders’ Cup winner Bobby’s Kitten (USA) (Kitten’s Joy {USA}) at £8000 (AU$15,000) and the veteran Sir Percy (GB) (Mark of Esteem {Ire}) at £7000 (AU$13,070).

Eight up against Santa down straight

A field of nine will take on Saturday's G1 Darley Sprint Classic at Flemington, including defending champion Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}).

Santa Ana Lane is coming off a second behind Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) in The Everest and has drawn barrier five for the $2 million sprint.

Last start G1 Manikato S. winner Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) will jump from barrier 3 with Melbourne Cup winning jockey Craig Williams to ride at the 51.5kg.

G1 Moir S winner Nature Strip (Nicconi), who is unbeaten at Flemington, will jump from the outside barrier, while G1 Lightning S. victor In Her Time (Time Thief) will start from barrier 7.

Alizee (2) (Sepoy) and The Bostonian (NZ) (1) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) are the other two Group 1 winners in the field and will jump from the inside barriers.

Catalyst hits town

Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) has arrived in Christchurch and is ready to live up to the hype in Saturday's G1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.

The Clayton Chipperfield-trained gelding has won four of his five starts and will go in to Saturday's race as a long odds-on favourite.

“He is as ready as we are going to get him. Troy (Harris, jockey) is flying down today so I am going to get him to give him a little quiet trot and canter tomorrow to make sure everything is 100 per cent," Chipperfield said.

The trainer said Catalyst was unperturbed by either the trip or the new surroundings.

“Full credit to the Darci Brahma breed. All Darci geldings are like him, they are relaxed and take everything in their stride," he said,

“Catalyst worries about absolutely nothing. His last three races he has had to travel the night before and he eats up and just enjoys it. Nothing bothers him and that is a huge asset to him.”