Tattersalls December Foal Sale wraps up

A colt by Farhh (GB) topped the final session as the Tattersalls December Foal Sale at Newmarket fell short of matching the record-breaking numbers of 12 months ago.

The most expensive Farhh weanling of the auction and the sole six-figure horse of the day (Lot 1139) was secured by Peter and Ross Doyle for 110,000 gns (AU$220,600). He is the first foal of his winning dam Duchess Of Fife (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}).

This year’s sale saw a total of 663 weanlings bringing turnover of 29,338,300 gns (AU$54.84 million) at an average of 44,251 gns (AU$88,745). Though these markers were reduced by 16 per cent and 14 per cent respectively, again serving a reminder of the highly selective nature of a polarised bloodstock market, the clearance rate did rise marginally to 72 per cent.

“A sale average of almost 45,000 gns, second only to last year’s wide margin record, combined with an improved clearance rate and turnover well in excess of any other European foal sale, are all positive indicators, yet again reinforcing the status of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale as the premier fixture of its kind in Europe,” said Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony.

“Demand for quality British, Irish, French and German foals has been unrelenting, and while we should continue to recognise the selective nature of the current market, we have had more than 70 foals selling for 100,000 gns or more this week, as well as an impressive 14 foals breaking the 300,000-guinea mark and international buyers making a significant impact at all levels of the market.”

Rodd returns for Origin Jockey Series

Michael Rodd will return from Singapore to contest the TAB Origin Jockey Series for New South Wales alongside Kathy O’Hara.

Rodd, a winner of 34 Group 1 races, makes his comeback to the Series after guiding the Blues to victory alongside Tye Angland in 2016.

This year's Series will be staged at Doomben and Eagle Farm on December 13 and 14, comprising of five heats over the two days.

Defending champions Craig Newitt and Brendon McCoull return for Tasmania, while Jim Byrne and Matt McGillivray will once again represent Queensland.

Victoria, the 2017 champions, will be represented by Luke Nolen and Brett Prebble, with Dwayne Dunn and Jason Holder representing South Australia and Michael Dee and Samantha Collett to do likewise for New Zealand.

Compensation available for race meetings abandoned because of bushfires

Racing NSW has announced a one-off emergency funding relief package for owners, trainers and jockeys affected by race meetings abandoned due to the effects of bushfires.

“There has been a substantial interruption to horse’s programs in recent weeks due to the unusual abandonment of these meetings. This extends to jockeys missing a significant number of race rides, and trainers and their owners particularly in the Mid North Coast region having fewer alternate options to race their horses. Racing NSW is fully committed to our participants and this was the appropriate action to compensate those affected,” Peter V’landys, Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, said.

Meetings at Taree, Hawkesbury and Kempsey were abandoned on the day of the meeting with funding relief made available, with details available through the Racing NSW website.

As per Racing NSW's earlier announcement, there is also general funding available on application for any participants affected by the fires.

“In addition to the lack of racing opportunities, there has been damage suffered by participants or extra travel and associated costs,” V’landys added.

“Racing NSW is conscious of the extra financial burden this causes and will assist with funding to replace or replenish supplies and equipment."

Richards ready to play Million hand

Jamie Richards is building his contingent for next month's Karaka Million, with Bordeaux le Rouge (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) well-placed after winning on protest at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Bordeaux le Rouge now sits fifth on the order of entry for the Karaka Million thanks to the protest decision with the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained Baaqyah (NZ) (I Am Invincible) on top, having placed second at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Richards is also keen to secure a spot in the rich 2-year-old feature with stablemate Cool Aza Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) as well as a couple of others.

“Cool Aza Beel is a horse we really like although at present he probably needs to earn some more money to make the field for the race,” he said.

“He will most likely run at Ellerslie two weeks out from the Karaka Million and secure his spot that way.

“We also have a couple more candidates at home that could have a shot if they can win first-up between now and the end of January, although there are others that we had hoped would put their hands up, but it hasn’t worked out that way, which can happen with 2-year-olds.”

Richards has produced the quinella in the last two editions of the Karaka Million 2YO with Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) winning the race in 2019.

Pacodali represents Smith in Kingston Town

Pacodali (Ire) (Paco Boy {Ire}) will be Lindsey Smith's sole representative in the G1 Kingston Town Classic at Ascot next Saturday.

Smith confirmed the import, a last start winner of the G3 Eclipse S. at Sandown, will take his place in the final Australian Group 1 of 2019.

“It would be great if Pacodali could win a Group 1 but he hasn’t sort of been a Group 1 horse in the past,” Smith told Racenet.

“We are more hopeful than confident. But he is going good, I’m coming home to Perth on Sunday and I may or may not trial him on Monday morning.

“I will see what it is like when I get there.”

Doyle ties record

Hollie Doyle has equalled the record number of wins for a female rider in Britain in a year, 106, after steering Angelic Time (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) to victory at Wolverhampton on Saturday evening for trainer Ed Vaughn.

The record was set to Josephine Gordon in 2017. Just last week, the 23-year-old Doyle had joined Gordon and Hayley Turner as the only female riders in Britain to reach a century of winners in a season.

“I’m very relieved, it’s good,” Doyle told Sky Sports Racing. “Me and Josie [Gordon] are best friends. We get on very well, so it’s nice.

“It means a lot to me. It’s not the bee-all and end-all but I’m absolutely delighted. It’s amazing for me. I never imagined I would be in this position so I’m just grateful. I’ll just keep going and doing things the same. I’m not going abroad for the winter. I’m staying here.”

Mo Forza completes Derby double for sire

Mo Forza (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}) provided his sire with his second winner of the G1 Hollywood Derby in the last three years clawing his way past pacesetting Neptune’s Storm (USA) (Stormy Atlantic {USA}) in the final 30 yards for the victory. Standard Deviation (USA) (Curlin {USA}), third-last down the backstretch, finished well for third.

Away nicely from gate one, Mo Forza hugged the fence, as Neptune’s Storm, the G2 Hill Prince S. winner and a latest third to Mo Forza in the G2 Twilight Derby, cut out an even pace. Travelling extremely well and just in need of somewhere to go nearing the stretch, he pushed off the fence to launch a two-path bid turning for home and outfinished the front-runner for the victory. Digital Age (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was locked away in traffic for a good portion of the trip and kicked hard once clear, but too late.

Camino Rocoso dominates Cromwell Cup

A front-running display saw Camino Rocoso (NZ) (Shocking) claim the Cromwell Cup on Sunday, the feature event of the popular Cromwell Christmas meeting.

The 6-year-old put on a strong front-running display under Chris Johnson to win by 4.3l in an authoritative performance for trainer John and Karen Parsons

“His best efforts have been once he has got up to 2000 metres and further as he is bred to stay,” Karen Parsons said. “I thought he was spot on for the race and, on his exposed form, he definitely looked the winner on paper.

“He travelled beautifully and had the others in trouble a long way out.

“We haven’t really thought too much about what we will do with him next but there are some nice middle-distance races coming up over the next few months so he should be well placed in those now he has hit form.”

It was Camino Rocoso's third win since transferring into the care of the Parsons stable after doing his early racing for the Cambridge-based partnership of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.