Shuttle yearlings of Magic Millions

Written by

John Berry

7 min read

John Berry takes a look at the Magic Millions catalogue to review the exceptional sire power available to buyers from top Northern Hemisphere stallions, including Champion US Sire Into Mischief, Champion Japanese Sires Deep Impact and Lord Kanaloa, plus outstanding European stallions Siyouni and Frankel.

For more than 30 years the local sires’ ranks have been bolstered by shuttle-sires who have been criss-crossing the equator with such notable results. Throughout this time there have been some stunningly successful cases of high-class horses bred for Australasian racing but conceived in the Northern Hemisphere.

The handful of quality mares who are covered to Southern-Hemisphere time in Europe or the USA each year and then brought south are nowadays a feature of the bloodstock scene. The forthcoming Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale contains some potential jewels, with Northern Hemisphere-conceived sons and daughters of some of the most notable stallions in the world up for grabs.

Of great interest will be the three yearlings in the catalogue by boom American stallion Into Mischief (USA): Lot 141, Lot 468 and Lot 769, who was just crowned Champion Sire in his homeland.

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The Storm Cat (USA) line horse was a Grade 1 winner as a 2-year-old in California in 2007 but was not generally regarded as an obvious contender for top honours at stud.

He was covering for as little as US$7500 at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky in both 2011 and 2012 but once he started to have runners his true merit quickly became apparent, to the extent that his fee in 2020 is US$175,000.

A half-brother to seven-time Grade 1 heroine Beholder (USA) (Henny Hughes {USA}) and to 2017 G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Mendelssohn (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}), Into Mischief has been represented by such stars as dual G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Goldencents (USA) and last year’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint victrix Covfere (USA).

French representative

France’s leading sire Siyouni (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) has two yearlings in the catalogue, Lot 5 and Lot 377, both conceived at the Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval in Normandy.

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French champion 2-year-old of 2009 (when he won the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere over 1400 metres at Longchamp) Siyouni has so far had five crops of 3-year-olds, three of which have contained a French Classic winner.

He got off to a great start with his first batch of Classic contenders when Ervedya (Fr) won the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches in 2015.

Since then, six-time Group 1 heroine Laurens (Fr) landed the Prix de Diane in 2018, while last year saw Sottsass (Fr) take the G1 Prix du Jockey-Club.

Japanese contenders

High on everyone’s list for inspection will be Lot 385, an Arrowfield-consigned son of the late, great Deep Impact (Jpn) (Sunday Silence {USA}) whose death in July at Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido (where he spent the entirety of his stud career after retiring in a blaze of glory after his victorious swansong in the G1 Arima Kinen in December 2006) was a black day not merely for Japanese racing but for the entire bloodstock world.

Lot 385 - Deep Impact (Jpn) x Honesty Prevails (colt)

With 13 consecutive Japanese General Sires’ Premierships, 1995 to 2007 inclusive, to his credit, Sunday Silence established himself as the greatest stallion Japan had ever seen.

Sunday Silence had died (in 2002) before Deep Impact started racing, but the latter provided a splendid slice of posthumous glory for his late father, proving himself the best of all his top-class sons with 12 superb wins between December 2004 and ’06.

Since then, Deep Impact established himself as the most influential of all the superb Sunday Silence stallions, creating a legacy likely to last forever.

The late Deep Impact (Jpn)

Most recently, Deep Impact was responsible for the winners of 10 Group 1 races in 2019: seven in Japan plus two in Australia (courtesy of Fierce Impact (Jpn)) and one in Hong Kong.

While the Sunday Silence sire-line has done so much to elevate the standard of the Japanese thoroughbred, obviously the country needs some high-class sires from other lines to service a broodmare band dripping with Sunday Silence blood.

On this basis, Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), who has a pedigree entirely free of Sunday Silence, is metaphorically worth his weight in gold there.

Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) | Standing at Shadai Stallion Station

He was an outstanding sprinter with six Group 1 victories (four in Japan and plus two runnings of the G1 Hong Kong Sprint) and, having retired to stud in 2014, he is already showing himself to be an outstanding stallion.

His first crop contained the brilliant six-time Grade 1 heroine Almond Eye (Jpn) as well as G1 Mile Championship winner Stelvio (Jpn) while his second crop was headlined by last year’s G1 Satsuka Sho (Japan 2000 Guineas) hero Saturnalia (Jpn).

His two yearlings in the Gold Coast Sale (Lot 242 and Lot 357) will be the focus of many eyes.

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The mighty Frankel

Equally interesting is Lot 36, the only yearling in the catalogue by the mighty Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}).

The unbeaten winner of 14 races between August 2010 and October 2012, Frankel showed utter dominance from 1400 metres to 2000 metres and would almost certainly have been equally imperious if asked to race over either shorter or farther.

He was the last top-class horse trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil, who had been churning out top-class winners from the late ‘60s onwards while studiously refusing to spruik any of them.

Frankel, though, forced him finally to break the habit of a lifetime: after the champion’s curtain call in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. at Ascot, his terminally ill trainer paid him the highest of all compliments, observing, “He is the best horse that I have ever seen; in fact, I think that he is the best horse that anyone has ever seen.”

“He is the best horse that I have ever seen; in fact, I think that he is the best horse that anyone has ever seen.” - Sir Henry Cecil

As surely as night follows day, Frankel has followed his sublime racing career by developing into a world-class stallion.

Instantly successful when his first runners started appearing in May 2016, he has already been represented by 10 individual Group 1 winners worldwide including five in 2019 alone, that batch including two British Classic winners as well as Europe’s champion 2-year-old filly Quadrilateral (GB).

Frankel has one yearling in the sale: the Canning Downs-consigned Lot 36.

Lot 36 - Frankel (GB) x We Can Say it Now (colt)

Frankel is not the only British Classic winner with a GB-conceived yearling in the sale: the 2015 G1 Derby, G1 Eclipse S., G1 Irish Champion S. and G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) is represented by Lot 520, a filly sent up from South Australia by Mill Park Stud.

After that Classic campaign, Frankie Dettori went on record describing Golden Horn as the best horse he had ever ridden.

Compliments don’t come much higher than that, and the magnificent dark brown horse looks sure to develop into a significant sire.

He made a promising start with his first juveniles in Europe in 2019, recording his first black-type winner when the Mark Johnston-trained West End Girl (GB) landed the G3 Sweet Solera S. over 1400 metres at Newmarket in August.

Colt rises to challenge for tilt at pot of 2YO gold

Written by

Paul Vettise

4 min read

Toby and Trent Edmonds were forced into a corner with Wisdom Of Water (Headwater) in a bid to nail down a spot in the $2 million The Star Magic Millions 2YO Classic and their colt was smart enough to win his way into reckoning for next weekend’s feature 2-year-old contest.

The father and son duo had accepted with the colt in a midweek race at Doomben, but circumstances forced them to instead run in Saturday’s Aquis Gold Nugget and their chestnut was equal to the challenge to claim the winning cheque of $72,500.

Back-up key to success

Recent history suggests the seven-day back-up into the Classic is the pathway to success with Houtzen (I Am Invincible) starting the trend when she did just that for Edmonds in 2017 and that lead was followed the following year by Sunlight (Zoustar) and 12 months ago by Exhilarates (Exceed And Excel).

Wisdom Of Water settled behind the leading pack before challenging 200 metres from home and he stayed on strongly under Robbie Fradd to beat Conceited (Brazen Beau). He came home well from a long way back and was already guaranteed a start next Saturday.

Wisdom Of Water was offered at the Gold Coast last year by Eureka Stud and sold for $70,000 to Blandford Bloodstock on behalf of Golden Horse East.

Wisdom Of Water as a yearling

A half-brother to two winners, the colt is out of the Royal Academy (USA) mare Regal Tier who is a half-sister to the two-time stakes winner Tierqualo (Sequalo) and the family of the Listed Glasshouse H. winner Flamboyant (Clang).

Wisdom Of Water also provided his Vinery Stud-based stallion Headwater with the first winner of his stallion career.

Not quite smart enough

While delighted with the performance of Queen Ray, the Edmonds stable was left to rue what might have been for Smart ‘N’ Sexy, who came up agonisingly short behind the debutante.

Smart ‘N’ Sexy had finished second on debut in the Listed Calaway Gal at Doomben and had to go one better on Saturday to claim a Millions berth, but it wasn’t to be.

Queen Kay is raced by breeder Emmanuel Bloodstock and had trialled three times for two wins ahead of her first appearance.

“She had the wide draw, but she’s very, very talented,” Toby Edmonds said. “She’s very green and raw.

"I suppose it was unfortunate for Smart 'N' Sexy, but they both went very well," Edmonds said. “I felt with any luck from the bad barrier she would be hard to beat.”

"I suppose it was unfortunate for Smart 'N' Sexy, but they both went very well." - Toby Edmonds

Queen Kay is a daughter of Fantasy Gal (USA) (In Excessive Bull {USA}), who won four times and was stakes placed and all six of her foals to race have now been successful.

She boasts a strong North American pedigree and is from the family of the Group 1 winners Reynaldothewizard (USA) (Speightstown {USA}), Seventh Street (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}) and American Gal {USA}) (Concord Point {USA).

Queen Kay went back in the field from the gate and rider Ryan Maloney was searching for runs in the straight before angling toward the fence and the filly dashed home.

“I couldn’t believe the run I got from the barrier and then Chris Munce’s horse (Better Rush) went to pop out and I went to creep up and it came back in,” he said.

“I thought I had missed the boat so I went back inside and for a filly with limited exposure she put them to the sword when I really got at her.”

Ryan Maloney

Smart ‘N’ Sexy’s rider Matt McGillivray said the filly had her chance and suggested she might be more of a force with the addition of blinkers.

Bribery (Spirit Of Boom) came from the back for third, but like the rest of the field won’t make the final line-up for the Magic Millions.

Phobetor caps dominant day for Queenslanders

Written by

Richard Edmunds

5 min read

Queenslanders ran rampant through the Gold Coast meeting on Saturday, busily securing their places in the starting gates for next weekend.

All-conquering Queenslanders ran rampant through the Gold Coast meeting on Saturday, capped by a bold front-running victory by Phobetor (Dream Ahead {USA}) in the $250,000 Rising Stars 3YO & 4YO Colts, Geldings & Entires.

Queensland-trained horses won all of the first eight races on the card, including a 2-year-old double by Toby and Trent Edmonds with Queen Kay (Zoustar) and Wisdom Of Water (Headwater) in the $125,000 Aquis Gold Pearl and $125,000 Aquis Gold Nugget.

Later in the afternoon, the Tony Gollan-trained A Man to Match (High Chaparral {Ire}) scored an impressive victory in the inaugural running of the $250,000 The TAB Wave.

Then it was over to Phobetor, trained at the Gold Coast by his part-owner Michael Costa. He produced a power-packed performance to score a brilliant win from barrier 15 in a 16-horse field.

With Brad Stewart in the saddle, the lightly-raced 4-year-old worked forward out wide to take the lead inside the first 200 metres of the 1300-metre race.

Phobetor sprinted again after rounding the home turn, dashing 3l clear of the chasing pack. He kept holding them at bay all the way to the finish line, winning by 0.5l from the late-finishing Scout (Spirit Of Boom) and Morrissy (Snitzel).

“He was good today,” Stewart said. “Michael really drummed it into me that he’s gone ahead in leaps and bounds since the other day (eighth at Eagle Farm on December 21).

“I was surprised when I landed in front – I thought I’d be third or fourth. But they were happy to let me go, and once I got there, he was just jogging. I was very confident a long way out. He was in a nice rhythm, and I knew he’d accelerate when I wanted him to. He put them away really well.”

Phobetor

Phobetor has now won four of his seven starts and more than $200,000 in prizemoney for his group of 20 owners. Costa and New Breed Racing bought him for $55,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale.

“He’s a lovely animal with a great bunch of owners who are over the moon,” Costa said.

“He’s a lovely animal with a great bunch of owners who are over the moon." - Micheal Costa

“We’ve had to be a bit patient with him. He showed a bit of promise as a 2-year-old, but had a bit of a setback with his joints. He’s a horse we’ve had to manage carefully.

“He was a relatively cheap purchase – still a lot of money in anyone’s world, but not in the grand scheme of things.

“He was always going to take a lot of improvement from his first-up run. His work on Tuesday was spot-on, and we said all over social media that we were really happy with him.

“Now we’ve won a $250,000 race for Class 3, Class 4 horses – it’s a great day. There could be an option now to back him up next weekend.”

Yamazaki flies to fillies and mares victory

The only joy for interstate raiders at the Gold Coast on Saturday came in the final race on the nine-race program, the $250,000 Magic Millions Rising Stars 3YO & 4YO Fillies & Mares.

It was won by the former Queenslander Yamazaki (Real Saga), who joined the Warwick Farm stable of David Pfieffer earlier this season.

In complete contrast to Phobetor’s all-the-way win in the males’ division, Yamazaki came with an explosive finishing burst from well back in the field.

She swept past Call Me Royal (Sebring) and Katy’s Daughter (Epaulette) and raced away for a spectacular win.

“That was pretty explosive,” jockey Glen Boss said. “The pace was always going to be on, which can help to generate that nice speed.

“I always felt that she was just going to launch, and she did that, and she was pretty quick when she went.

“That was probably one of the most impressive wins of the day, I’d say. I’d like to see the closing fractions, because it felt quick.

“That was probably one of the most impressive wins of the day, I’d say." - Glen Boss

“David’s a wonderful trainer. When he tells you they can win, he’s not often wrong. He was very confident about this mare today, even though the draw was a bit awkward.”

Yamazaki was a $40,000 purchase at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale, and she has now won four of her 21 starts and more than $260,000.

Yamazaki is now in line for a shot at next Saturday’s $1 million Magic Millions Fillies and Mares.

Yamazaki as a yearling

“She’s impressed me since coming into my stable,” Pfieffer said. “She’s just kept improving, and let’s hope that continues.

“It was a good effort from the horse today and a great ride by Bossy. I was a fraction worried mid-race, but jeez, that turn of foot was electric.

“We’ll make a decision on Monday about backing up next weekend, but we’d be silly not to have a crack.”

Bhima to donate to Rural Fire Service

2 min read

As the devastating bushfires continue to rage around Australia, Hunter Valley farm Bhima Thoroughbreds is bringing generous Australian spirit to the sale ring by pledging to donate $250 for every $100,000 in yearling sales in the 2020 season to the Rural Fire Service.

This follows on from jockey Tommy Berry announcing on Friday that he would donate $250 for every winner he rode in the month of January to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. Damian Lane and apprentice Chris Williams soon tweeted that they would follow suit.

Bhima's Mike and Kate Fleming decided to make the generous gesture after being struck by the incredible selfless acts shown by volunteer firefighters over the past several weeks, with several tragically losing their lives.

"Along with the rest of Australia, we have been shocked and overwhelmed by the current bushfire tragedy unfolding in rural NSW and Victoria," Mike told TDN AusNZ. "The Rural Fire Service relies on local heroes to risk their lives for us, our homes and our farms, so it seems like a small act we can do to repay their extreme generosity."

"It seems like a small act we can do to repay their extreme generosity." - Mike Fleming

Bhima Thoroughbreds sold $14 million in yearlings in 2019, a similar result in 2020 would see $35,000 donated to the Rural Fire Service. Mike is also encouraging other breeders and sales companies to join the campaign.

"It would be great if we as a breeding industry could all rally around in support of our local fire service," said Mike. "We're a strong community that bands together well in a crisis, so it would be lovely to see a great team effort rally around at Magic Millions and carry through the sales season."

Kate and Mike Fleming

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios set the tone for the public call for donations on Thursday evening by announcing he would donate $200 to bushfire-hit communities for every ace he hits throughout January; based on his 2019 ace strike-rate, this would equate to $120,000.

Cricket Australia also announced there will be a fund-raising drive for the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund during one-day matches between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney in March, while the team's shirts from the Boxing Day Test win over the Black Caps are being auctioned off.

Probabeel makes winning return

4 min read

By Richard Edmunds

Black-type assignments in New Zealand and Australia loom on the horizon for Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel), who resumed on a winning note at Awapuni on Saturday.

Already a high-level performer on both sides of the Tasman, Probabeel’s achievements towered over her eight rivals in Saturday’s Property Brokers 3YO.

She had won three of her nine starts, headed by a scintillating performance in the Karaka Million 2YO at Ellerslie last January.

She raced in Sydney through the spring, where she finished second in the G1 Flight S. and the G2 Tea Rose S., beaten by Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) on both occasions. The margin in the Tea Rose S. was a mere nose, with Libertini (I Am Invincible) third.

Probabeel was sent out as a red-hot $1.10 favourite for Saturday’s resuming run, and she duly delivered.

Jockey Opie Bosson slotted her into fifth place on the rail, then began to make his move from the 600-metre mark. Probabeel found clear air on the outside at the home turn, and she started to go through her gears in the straight.

Longshot Queen Kamada (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) provided some resistance in the last 200 metres, but Probabeel slowly but surely overpowered her and went clear to win by a length and three-quarters.

“She had a bit of a bee in her bonnet before the start, so she’ll improve for this run,” trainer Jamie Richards said.

“It’s good to get the first-up run out of the way. You might have liked to see her win a little bit more easily, but she’s not usually a filly who wins by a big margin. She’s one of those fillies who only goes as well as the other ones are going. She’ll improve a lot, and it’s great to have her back.

“She’s really started to thrive – the spring campaign in Sydney brought her on a lot. She didn’t develop a huge amount from 2 to 3 through the winter, but with a bit of sun on her back in Sydney and a good month at the Karaka farm of Cambridge Stud, she’s come on in leaps and bounds.”

Probabeel (NZ)

Probabeel’s first major target is at Ellerslie on January 25, where she will attempt to become the first-ever Karaka Million 2YO winner to return to the same meeting and win the Karaka Million 3YO Classic.

“We’d picked this race out for a little while – Scott Base (NZ) (Dalghar {Fr}) came through this race to win the Karaka Million 3YO Classic a couple of years ago,” Richards said.

“She was here for a nice, confidence-boosting win, and three weeks is a nice lead-in to Ellerslie.”

“She was here for a nice, confidence-boosting win, and three weeks is a nice lead-in to Ellerslie.” - Jamie Richards

Probabeel will then return to Australia, where her possible targets include the G1 Australian Guineas in Melbourne and G1 Surround S. in Sydney. A firm decision on her itinerary will be made after the Karaka Million 3YO Classic, but Richards said his preference would be to avoid rain-affected tracks.

Bought for $380,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, Probabeel has now earned almost $770,000 in stakes for her owners, Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay.

Probabeel (NZ) as a yearling

The Lindsays have endured a wretched run in recent weeks with the deaths of Cambridge Stud stallions Roaring Lion (USA), Burgundy (NZ) and Tavistock (NZ), along with a personal bereavement.

“We’re very happy to have this filly back at the races – she’s a lovely filly who Dave bought for Brendan and Jo,” Richards said. “It’s really great to have a winner in their colours after the season they’ve had.”

Filly successful on debut to prove trainer right

3 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

First impressions counted for everything when Anthony Cummings first inspected a daughter of Snitzel at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and he duly secured the Baramul Stud-offered youngster for $340,000.

The Randwick trainer’s judgement was vindicated on the Kensington track on Saturday when the filly named Philizzy successfully opened her career with a defeat of another first-timer in Osamu (Exceed And Excel) in the Hyland Race Colours H.

“When you’ve been doing it for as long as I have and you’ve seen so many, when a nice one turns up it’s like somebody has turned the light on,” Cummings said. “She’s a nice filly and a lot to come from her.

“She’s well and truly got more to offer than some of others we’ve seen come to the races that might be more mature. She’s a nice filly and she does offer quite a lot.”

Anthony Cummings

Philizzy, whose sister will be offered as Lot 791 by Westbury Stud at next week's Magic Millions Sale, had trialled earlier in the week and Cummings was more than satisfied with her effort to finish fifth over 900 metres.

“I was really pleased with her. She drew out in the trial and got back behind them and showed nice finishing speed,” he said.

Slipper preferred option

While Philizzy’s stake will get her into next Saturday’s $2 million The Star Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Cummings is unlikely to be tempted to send her to Queensland.

“She’s eligible, but I’m not sure that I want to take that trip right now. We’ll see how she pulls up and think about that, but I’m probably more inclined to wait and try and get her ready for the Golden Slipper.”

Philizzy settled toward the back of the field from a wide gate on Saturday and produced a powerful run over the closing 200 metres under rider Christian Reith.

“She was super, she’s a lovely little filly. If she had drawn a gate she probably would have won a lot more convincingly,” Reith said. “She had to make a long run and she was strong to the line.”

“She was super, she’s a lovely little filly. If she had drawn a gate she probably would have won a lot more convincingly." - Christian Reith

Philizzy is a half-sister to the G2 Bill Stutt S. winner and G1 Toorak H. runner-up Sovereign Nation (Encosta de Lago) and their dam Sovereign Duchess (Last Tycoon {Ire}) is now the mother of nine winners from 11 foals to race.

The dam is a half-sister to the four-time Group 1 winner Princess Coup (Encosta de Lago), who produced the G3 Premier Cup winner Thewizardofoz (Redoute’s Choice), a former Champion Griffin in Hong Kong.

Osamu, a $1.7 million purchase for Aquis out of Tyreel Stud’s Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale draft, ran boldly. He looked the winner when he strode to the front 200 metres from home, but was unable to hold out Philizzy’s storming late run and went under by a short head.

Osamu and Philizzy (right) fight to the finish

Two out of two for How Womantic

3 min read

An impressive performance at Caulfield on Saturday produced the second win from the same number of starts for How Womantic (The Wow Signal {Ire}), who became the first metropolitan winner for her short-lived sire.

Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, How Womantic made a winning debut at Geelong on December 13.

The 3-year-old filly stepped up to city company in Saturday’s Cathie Ireland H., sitting in third place before reeling in the leaders with an impressive turn of foot in the straight. She sprinted clear over the last 150 metres, opening up an emphatic winning margin of 2.25l.

“All she wanted to do was please me,” jockey Jye McNeil said. “We began well and there was good speed, and she relaxed lovely for me on the speed.

“I didn’t feel as though she was going to quicken up as well as she did in the straight – when I first asked her the question, she was a little hesitant. But halfway down the straight she really knuckled down and then put them away quite easily.”

How Womantic was a $50,000 purchase at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by Spicer Thoroughbreds.

How Womantic as a yearling

“We’re very grateful to Brad Spicer for letting us train this filly,” said Maher and Eustace’s assistant trainer Lucy Yeomans.

“We’re just ecstatic for him, and we’ve got some great owners here today. It’s just a great result all-round.

“I don’t see why this filly won’t be able to race on into some nice fillies’ races later in the season. I’ll leave that to the Ballarat team and the bosses, but she’s a beautiful-looking and strong filly, so I can’t see a reason why she couldn’t race on from here.”

“I don’t see why this filly won’t be able to race on into some nice fillies’ races later in the season." - Lucy Yeomans

How Womantic is among a crop of 12 foals by The Wow Signal (Ire) from his only season at stud in Australia in 2015. He has sired three winners in Australia from six runners to date.

A son of dual-hemisphere Group 1 winner Starspangledbanner, The Wow Signal was the champion 2-year-old colt in France in 2014. He won three of his four starts including the G1 Prix Morny at Deauville, as well as the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot.

The Wow Signal shuttled to Swettenham Stud in 2015 for a service fee of $15,000, and stood at Haras de Bouquetot in Normandy. He unfortunately died at the age of just six after battling laminitis.

Worldwide, The Wow Signal has been represented by five winners from 10 foals to race. How Womantic is the first of his progeny to win more than one race.

The Wow Signal (Ire) when racing

How Womantic is out of Banderilla (Delzao), a half-sister to the champion jumpers Some Are Bent (Distorted Humor {USA}) and Black and Bent (Black Hawk {GB}). Banderilla won four of her 16 starts in South Australia.

How Womantic is Banderilla’s second winner from two foals to race, following on from her 2013 foal Kitmeister (Myboycharlie {Ire}). Banderilla died in November 2019.

Offshore target confirmed for colt

3 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

A winning performance at Caulfield has paid for a trans-Tasman flight to Auckland for the regally-bred colt Conqueror (Fastnet Rock).

He was handed his boarding pass with victory in the Michele de Silva H. in the hope he can emulate the effort of his former stablemate Long Leaf (Fastnet Rock), who won last season’s Karaka Million 3YO Classic at Ellerslie.

Like Long Leaf, Conqueror races in the colours of Coolmore and it was Damien Oliver who donned the famous silks on Saturday to guide the 3-year-old through a perfect dress rehearsal for the January 25 event.

“Long Leaf won a couple of stakes races, but this guy has performed at the highest level but hasn’t actually won,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said.

“I think he’s probably a better miler than Long Leaf. They are similar horses and I think this one has the profile to win.”

“I think he’s probably a better miler than Long Leaf. They are similar horses and I think this one has the profile to win.” – Ben Hayes

Conqueror has now won three times from 11 starts and has Group 2 placings to his credit in the Sandown Guineas and the Bill Stutt S. He also finished a respectable sixth and less than 4l off the winner in the G1 Caulfield Guineas.

The colt drew the inside gate on Saturday and was given a cosy run behind the pace before finishing determinedly along the rail.

Conqueror

“It worked out perfectly and opened up and he was able to take the runs,” Hayes said. “A little bit of class came through and he was really strong to the line.

“It’s exciting times and he’s booked his ticket to New Zealand and I’m sure he’s going to run really well.”

Oliver has been offered first refusal on the ride at Ellerslie with a decision to be made in the coming weeks.

“He had a good draw and when I asked him for an effort in the last 200 metres he responded very well,” he said.

“He had a good draw and when I asked him for an effort in the last 200 metres he responded very well.” – Damien Oliver

Conqueror was bought out of Curraghmore’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for NZ$1 million and co-signed for by agent Mark Pilkington and Lindsay Park Racing.

An older brother to Listed Fasttrack S. winner and G2 Wakefield Challenge S. placegetter Unition, he is the first foal of the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred S. and G2 Cal Isuzu S. winner Diademe (NZ) (Savabeel). She was purchased by the China Horse Club for $1.7 million at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Diademe is a sister to the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Embellish (NZ), who now stands at Cambridge Stud, and is from the family of the former champion New Zealand sprinter and dual Group 1 winner Sacred Star (Flying Spur).

Conqueror as a yearling

Group 1 winner heads offshore

3 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

Amphitrite (Sebring), raced by Flying Start Syndications, has been sold to undisclosed Japanese interests in a deal brokered by William Johnson Bloodstock.

She burst to prominence last season when, in the space of five weeks, she went from a maiden win at Sale to claiming the G1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield off the back of victory a week earlier in the G2 Edward Manifold S. at Flemington.

Amphitrite was initially prepared by Darren Weir and subsequently relocated to the Lindsay Park training operation of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.

She triumphed in the G3 Vanity S. in her first appearance from her new quarters and subsequently finished third in the G1 Australian Guineas and a meritorious sixth in the inaugural running of the All-Star Mile.

Amphitrite

Amphitrite failed to recapture her best form during a spring campaign last year and was unplaced in the G1 Empire Rose S. at her last appearance. She retires having won five of her 17 career starts and, together with a further three placings, her stake earnings topped $750,000.

MM Adelaide buy

Amphitrite was purchased for $50,000 by Weir and Flying Start Syndications at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale where she was offered by Goldin Farms.

Cameron Bennett started Queensland-based, Flying Start, just over three years ago and Amphitrite has proven a huge thrill for her group of mostly first-time owners.

"The Amphitrite syndicate are all newcomers to Flying Start … indeed, quite a few of them are first time owners, there’s about 40 in the syndicate," said Bennett following her win in the G1 Thousand Guineas.

“I had marked down 11 yearlings at the sale but a lot of them were going for too much money and I managed to secure Amphitrite for $50,000. I like the Sebrings, I like the family and although she was a bit leggy... I was happy to pick her up for that money."

A half-sister to two winners, she is out of Ocean Dream (Redoute’s Choice) who was successful on two occasions.

Amphitrite as a yearling

The dam is a sister to the G1 Toorak H. winner and G1 Queensland Derby runner-up Marble Halls (NZ) (Nassipour {USA}) and they are out of a three-quarter sister to the former champion filly and G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Powley (NZ) (Noble Bijou {USA}).

It is also the family of Sleek Chassis (Flying Spur), a precocious filly who won three times as a 2-year-old including victory in the G1 Blue Diamond S.

Pedigree Boosters

2 min read

In the build up to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, we will pick out three yearlings each day who have had substantial pedigree updates in the past couple of months.

Today, we highlight a pair of youngsters by Rich Enuff and Choisir whose profiles have been lifted by relatives posting Group credits in New Zealand while a son of Redoute’s Choice has enjoyed two stakes boosts in recent times.

Lot 116 – Rich Enuff x Balsamico (Redoute’s Choice) – Offered by Woodside Park Stud

View Pedigree: Lot 116 – Rich Enuff x Balsamico (colt)

As a half-brother to the multiple winner and Group 1 performer Masthead (Written Tycoon), this colt always had a lot going for him – Group 1 winner and sire Sizzling features in his pedigree as well - and he’s now also received updates from New Zealand.

Lot 116 - Rich Enuff x Balsamico (colt)

He is from the same family as Te Akau’s highly-regarded filly Star Of Bombay (NZ) (Atlante), who has won two of her four starts and on New Year’s Day she finished a gallant third in the G2 Auckland Guineas.

Lot 170 – Choisir x Champalou (Encosta de Lago) – Offered by Tyreel Stud

View Pedigree - Lot 170 – Choisir x Champalou (filly)

This youngster is a sister to the multiple winner and stakes performer Champ Elect and the family’s stocks were significantly lifted after the catalogue went to print as they are from the family of the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Loire (Redoute’s Choice).

Lot 170 - Choisir x Champalou (filly)

The pedigree page is a strong one with second dam Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) a winner of the G1 Queensland Oaks while G1 Thorndon Mile winner A Touch Of Ruby also appears on the page.

Lot 196 – Redoute’s Choice x Consistency (All Bar One) – Offered by Rosemont Stud

View Pedigree: Lot 196 – Redoute’s Choice x Consistency (colt)

This colt boasts a strong pedigree and it’s been enhanced through family member and G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Hard Landing (All Too Hard) while his promising sister Saas Fee recently finished third, at just her fourth appearance, in the G3 Belle of the Turf S.

Lot 196 - Redoute's Choice x Consistency (colt)

The siblings are out of the G1 Lightning S. winner Snitzerland (Snitzel), whose brother Sooboog won the G3 Aurie’s Star H. and finished runner-up in both the G1 Golden Slipper S. and the G1 Galaxy H.

Hong Kong Happenings

3 min read

Written by Alan Carasso

In this ongoing series, we take a look at Australasian-bred horses down to make their initial starts in Hong Kong - horses either unraced (PPG-privately purchased griffins) or previously raced in Australia and New Zealand (PP-private purchases) – in addition to progressive horses returning from a spell.

The horses listed below have been selected based on notable pedigrees, sales history and/or previous racetrack performances. Sunday’s finale at Sha Tin features the local debut of Beauty Legacy (Fiorente {Ire}), the former Hawkshot, who gets a belated start on the Hong Kong Classics trail.

R10-Broadwood H. (C2), HK$2.1m (AU$388k), 1400m

Beauty Legacy

(g, 4, Fiorente {Ire} x Rosa Perlato, by Encosta de Lago)

Trained in Australia by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Beauty Legacy amassed an imposing record of three wins and four runner-up efforts from 10 trips to the races. A debut winner at Ballarat in March 2018, he snapped a four-race skid with a BM64 H. win at Sandown last January 18 and two starts later added a 3.8l success in the G2 Autumn S. at Caulfield. He ran into the very gifted Tassie mare Mystic Journey (Needs Further) in his last two, a second in the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington on March 2 and a sixth in the All-Star Mile a fortnight later.

Joao Moreira takes the reins for John Size from barrier 12 aboard the brother to Listed winner Power Scheme and whose second dam Fiammarosa (Danehill {USA}) was a sister to G1 C. F. Orr S. winner Shinzig.

Beauty Legacy

“He’s been straightforward but we need to learn a bit about him before we go to the races, then on race day we’ll learn a bit more, like how to ride him in a race and so on,” Size told the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Declan Schuster. “That way we can ensure that he gets every chance to reach his best. On the weekend it’s a 1400 (metre) race, so there will probably be plenty of speed on in the race, he’ll go back in the field and we’ll give him a chance to run on and see if he can do that for us.”

Beauty Legacy races for Patrick Kwok, also the owner of dual Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock)

Helena Baby (NZ)

(g, 5, Guillotine {NZ} x Hot Stash, by Secret Savings {USA})

Helena Baby was trained in New Zealand by John Bell and went on a five-race tear last autumn and into the winter, culminating with a towering 5.8l success in the Listed Opunake Cup at Pukekura on July 20. Fifth, but not beaten far in the G2 Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa on August 17, the gray was most recently beaten 1.3l into third behind Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) in the G1 Tarzino Trophy at Hastings, August 31. The latter went on to frank the form by scooping the G1 Empire Rose S. at Flemington ahead of a runner-up effort to Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Mackinnon S. on a week’s back-up.

Neil Callan has the call from trainer John Moore on Sunday.

Helena Baby (NZ)

Black type results: Awapuni

2 min read

Awapuni, Listed Japac Homes FastTrack $5K Marton Cup, 2200m, $55,000

Race summary:

Following placings in the G1 Zabeel Classic and G3 Eagle Technology S. over the last six weeks, the much-improved Beauden (NZ) (Bullbars) broke through for his first black-type win.

Despite carrying a 59kg topweight, Beauden was the hot favourite for the Marton Cup and did not disappoint. After sitting three-wide for most of the journey, Beauden and Ryan Elliot came with an irresistible surge down the outside in the straight and drew clear to win by 1.25l.

Trained by Team Rogerson for owner-breeder Joan Egan, Beauden has now had 25 starts for eight wins, 10 placings and more than $200,000 in stakes.

He has a particular fondness for Awapuni, where he has now won six times from eight visits to the Palmerston North track.

Pedigree notes:

Beauden is by Bullbars, a half-brother to Helmet and Epaulette who himself won the G3 C.S. Hayes S. and placed in the Australian Guineas.

Bullbars stands at Highview Stud, where his 2019 service fee was $5000.

He has sired 47 winners from 80 runners, with two individual stakes winners – both from the Rogerson stable. Beauden joins Contessa Vanessa (NZ), who won the G2 Eight Carat Classic and G3 Sunline Vase and placed in the G1 New Zealand Oaks. Five other sons or daughters of Bullbars have placed at stakes level.

Beauden is out of Belle Femme (Zeditave), who herself won eight races including the G2 Rich Hill Mile and Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. She is a half-sister to Flying Babe (Flying Spur), who was New Zealand’s champion 2-year-old in 2000/01 and won the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S. and four other stakes races, along with a placing at Group 1 level. She went on to become the dam of eight winners, including two Listed placegetters.

Belle Femme is also a half-sister to Belle Toujours (NZ) (Flying Spur), the dam of Karaka Million winner and Group 1 placegetter Fort Lincoln (Charge Forward).

From five foals to race, Belle Femme is the dam of two winners – Beauden and his year-younger half-brother The Abyss (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).

Yearling Showcase

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Daily News Wrap

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Futurity opener

Star New Zealand mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) will open her next campaign in the G1 Futurity S. at Caulfield next month.

Trainer Jamie Richards has confirmed the multiple Group 1 winner will have an exhibition gallop between races at Ellerslie on Karaka Million evening.

Melody Belle will then trial at Te Aroha or Te Teko before departing for Melbourne with a start in the All-Star Mile at Flemington also on her program.

Melody Belle (NZ)

Fundraiser meetings

The Melbourne Racing Club will use its two race meetings over the Australia Day weekend this month as a way to help raise funds for those affected by the bushfires.

MRC chairman Peter Le Grand announced that gate admissions from the meetings at Mornington on January 24 and Caulfield on January 25 will be donated to a fund to help those impacted by the bush fires. Collections will be taken on those days.

It will be free entry for fire services personnel and their families at those meetings.

The MRC said all money donated to the MRC Foundation during January would also go toward the bushfire relief effort.

3YO back in form

A change of gear and a solid tempo pace helped smart 3-year-old Raging Pole (Better Than Ready) return to the winners' list at the Gold Coast.

He powered home to claim the Aquis H. for the fourth win of his 10-start career.

Raging Pole was well beaten at his previous start in a Listed race and the Tony and Maddy Sears training partnership elected to put a crossover nose band on him for Saturday's race.

"We fiddled around with his gear and it was a drop back in class," Maddy Sears said. "As you saw when the pace is on he can really get home very quickly. Dad said to me on the home turn he was going to win and it worked out."

Mare steps up

Lightly-tried mare Lashes (I Am Invincible) has made a winning return at Randwick.

Trainer Matthew Smith believes the mare can build on Saturday's success in the Schweppes H., her third victory from eight starts.

"She handled the conditions and I knew she was in good order going into the race," he said. "The pace of the race suited her as well.

"We have always had an opinion of her and now that she's won this race we will keep her going and get her up in grade."

Overdue win

Tony Nicconi (Nicconi) broke a lengthy run of outs with a determined first-up victory at Caulfield.

He successfully resumed in Saturday's Glenn Wilkins H. to record his first win since the G3 Vain S. in August, 2018.

"It was just nice to see him really fight out a finish and win like that," co-trainer Ben Hayes said. "The plan was actually to lead, but when he jumped that little bit slow I thought Ollie (Damien Oliver) did a great job to go to plan B.

"He got in a good spot and it's just so nice to see the horse be really strong through the line and get a win under his belt."

Beauden best

Beauden (NZ) (Bullbars) made light work of his 59kg topweight as he took out the Listed Japac Homes FastTrack $5k Marton Cup on his favourite Awapuni track.

The Team Rogerson-trained galloper had won five times from just seven outings on the course before Saturday and added a sixth victory and his first at stakes level with a comprehensive performance in the hands of regular rider Ryan Elliot.

“He’s faced a different challenge each time and every time he’s stepped up so who knows how far he can go. As long as we keep looking after him, he’ll be right there,” co-trainer Bailey Rogerson said.

Earlier in the week Rogerson’s grandfather Graeme had outlined possible future plans for Beauden which include another attempt at Group 1 glory with the gelding holding nominations for the G1 Herbie Dyke S. and the G1 Auckland Cup.

Sprinter back in business

Guard Of Honour (Northern Meteor) has regained his title as the short-course specialist at the Gold Coast with his first win in nearly two years .

He was trained by Kris Lees when he won the Bat Out Of Hell over 900 metres at the Gold Coast on May 5, 2018 and was sent to Eagle Farm trainer Kelly Schweida for this campaign.

Schweida gave Guard Of Honour a barrier trial at the Sunshine Coast, which he won in good fashion last month.

"I said to Ron (owner Wanless) the race was worth $105,000 and he had won at his only go at the track and distance," Schweida said. "I said we might as well run him instead of having another trial.

"We haven't reinvented the wheel with Guard Of Honour. It is just a matter of keeping these older horses happy. A change of scenery can often do that.”

Faith rewarded

Country jockey Nathan Evans repaid the faith showed in him by trainer Tony Webb with a winning ride on Clockwise (Smart Missile) in the $250,000 Magic Millions Country Cup at the Gold Coast.

Evans is based in Toowoomba where he regularly rides trackwork for Webb, who is a member of one of the best-known racing families of the Darling Downs.

"They could have put Hugh Bowman or Damian Lane on her, but they did the right thing by me," Evans said.

Webb said there was never any doubt Evans would have the ride. "He turns up for trackwork each morning so you wouldn't be much of a bloke if you gave the ride away.”

Group sprint beckons

Princess Rihanna (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) has earned herself a crack at a feature black type sprint with her latest success.

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained mare crunched her Rating 82 rivals in the Norwood H. at Awapuni on Saturday in the hands of stable apprentice Taiki Yanagida.

That performance confirmed a tilt at the G2 Concord H. at Ellerslie on January 25 for Princess Rihanna, who has won four times from 14 appearances.

Looking Ahead - January 5

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Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

On Sunday, a Richard and Michael Freedman-trained filly with an impressive European pedigree has our attention and at Mornington we fancy the chances of a pair of lightly-tried maiden contenders from the stables of Tony Noonan and Anthony Freedman.

Wyong, Race 3, 2.45pm, Central Coast Building Maiden, $35,000, 1600m

Southern Spirit (Sebring) is from the family of the multiple Group 1 winner, former champion European colt and sire Almanzor (Fr) and has showed encouraging improvement with each outing. The filly stepped out over a mile for the first time at her latest appearance to finish a solid third and natural improvement should see her hard to roll here.

The late Sebring, sire of Southern Spirit

Trained by Richard and Michael Freedman, Southern Spirit is a half-sister to the promising Trevelyan (Pierro), who has won five races, with their dam Dandesha (Fr) (Dansili {GB}) boasting a smart international pedigree. She is out of a half-sister to the stakes winners Daralimara (Ire) (Valanour {Ire}) and Daraydala (Ire) (Royal Academy {USA}) and the family of the triple Group 1 winner Darjina (Fr) (Zamindar {USA}).

Mornington, Race 1, 1.15pm, The Big Screen Company Plate, $23,000, 1000m

A NZ$150,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale purchase for trainer Tony Noonan, Dynamic Duo (Not A Single Doubt) has made only one appearance and ran well to finish third at Echuca behind Star Surprise (Sidereus), who has subsequently won two more races.

Dynamic Duo as a yearling

Dynamic Duo has drawn in close for his resuming run and in the hands of the trainer’s son Jake should go close to opening his winning account. The colt is out of Candy Stripes (Commands), who was a winner and a black type placegetter. She is a daughter of the G2 Sunline S. winner and G1 Australian Cup runner-up Candy Vale (Bubble Gum Fellow {Jpn}).

Mornington, Race 3, 2.25pm, Avis Mornington Plate, $23,000, 1500m

Rice Queen (NZ) (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) was bought at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $180,000 and is the first foal to race for King’s Violet (Commands). She is a half-sister to the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner King’s Rose (Redoute’s Choice) and her G2 Alister Clark S. winning brother Hardham. It is also the family of the former champion 2-year-old and two-time Group 1 winner Anabandana (Anabaa {USA}).

Rice Queen (NZ) as a yearling

Prepared by Anthony Freedman, Rice Queen made her debut at Geelong on Boxing Day and, from an outside gate, went back and made ground well to finish fifth. She was the medium of solid support and from a better gate she should be worth following again. The step up in distance should also be ideal for the filly.