British Classics provisionally moved

Courtesy TDN Europe

A Guineas meeting in early June and the Derby and Oaks run in early July feature in the British Horseracing Authority’s “best-case scenario” planning for a resumption of racing.

With racing currently suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic, the season’s first four Classics have been delayed from their usual slots in the calendar. However, the sport’s Resumption of Racing Group is working to draw up provisional plans for when racing is able to return, with “a phased approach” to racing behind closed doors anticipated in the immediate stages.

In a communication sent to trainers on Friday evening, the BHA said “it is unlikely that the entire black-type program will be staged this year,” although it “will ensure that the key generation-defining races will be run, as well as safeguarding the Group 1 program as much as possible.”

With Royal Ascot currently still due to take place in its traditional mid-June slot, the meeting could be sandwiched by the Classic cards, although all plans very much depend on racing being given the go-ahead to resume.

The BHA said, “Our planning would allow for the Guineas to be run in early June, and the Derby and Oaks in early July, with Royal Ascot still scheduled to take place in its existing slot commencing on June 16.

“In this scenario, we would also be looking to stage several key Classic trials, and other trial races feeding into Royal Ascot, during the second half of May. We emphasise that a later restart would require these plans to be adjusted accordingly.”

The BHA concedes some of the principal Group 1 races for older horses need to move to a slightly different date, especially in order to accommodate the early Classics, and some may not be open to 3-year-olds this year.

Sales companies join forces

Courtesy TDN Europe

Goffs UK and Arqana have announced that they will join forces to hold their respective breeze-up sales together in Ireland on June 29 and 30.

In what could be a first for European sales, the horses will gallop “potentially in a timed breeze” a few days prior to being offered for sale at the Goffs complex at Kildare Paddocks. There will also be an online bidding facility to support the live auction.

A joint statement released by the two companies on Saturday afternoon read, “The dates are dependent on the resumption of racing in some form in the UK and/or France and/or Ireland, and hopefully allow time for lockdown measures to be relaxed so that there can be some attendance at the sale. Naturally all government directives will be followed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.”

It is normal practice for the sale to take place in the day or days immediately following the breeze session but the intended gap between the horses breezing and the sale being conducted is to “allow films of the breeze-up work, and other vital purchaser information, to be disseminated around the world whilst an online platform will support the live auction with potential purchasers being offered the facility to bid as normal, over the telephone or remotely via the Arqana and Goffs websites.”

Each sale originally had 165 lots catalogued for Doncaster and Deauville respectively. The relocation to Ireland is a practical step in light of the fact that 143 of the Goffs UK lots and a further 135 of the Arqana horses are being prepared by Irish consignors.

Arqana executive director Freddy Powell and Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent put their names to a joint statement which said, “We are committed to providing the most vibrant market place possible for our breeze-up vendors and believe that this option delivers the best chance of achieving that goal. This year’s selection of breezers in both catalogues is as good as ever and we are confident they will impress in any arena”.

Arqana has released new dates for the Arqana Summer Sale, which will now be held in late July. Originally slated for June 29-July 1, the mixed Flat and National Hunt sale is now scheduled for the week beginning July 20, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Rascal stays in Australia

Young Rascal (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) will remain in Australia after OTI Racing secured a 50 per cent stake in the stayer.

Young Rascal won the G3 Manion Cup at Rosehill last month and started favourite in the G1 Sydney Cup, only to finish seventh under the guidance of trainer William Haggas.

He was set to return home, but a deal has been done between current owner Bernard Kantor and OTI to keep him in Australia.

The 5-year-old will join the stables of Archie Alexander at Ballarat.

More Group 1 joy for Waikato Stud

Waikato Stud is celebrating another Group 1 success for resident stallion Ocean Park (NZ), thanks to Tofane (NZ) in the All Aged S.

Waikato Stud Principal Mark Chittick said a second Group 1 winner was a terrific reward for the stallion as well as those involved in the breeding, training and riding of Tofane, all of whom were Kiwis.

“We’re rapt for the Moroneys, for Opie (Bosson) and especially for Gordon Cunningham who we have had a long relationship with,” Chittick said.

“Gordon was here when we took over Waikato Stud and he stayed on a little longer to help get us established and settled in which was hugely beneficial.

“We had a yarn last night (Saturday) and agreed we definitely needed to have a drink when we can get together. It’s a nice result for everybody, a nice local result and good for our community.”

Chittick was also cheering home Super Seth (Dundeel {NZ}) in the race as he charged into third late on but is unsure about the 3-year-old's future.

“Like a lot of things, the future has been a little uncertain for Super Seth,” Chittick said.

“I think my major concern about racing him on was that if the spring racing program was affected it would put him in a tough spot.

“I’ve got to say that Australia has done an incredible job of keeping racing going and in my opinion, if their racing was going to be stopped, it would be by now."

Waikato Stud is a part owner of the colt and will stand him when his racing days are over.

“We were very mindful about spelling him (Super Seth) there as if spring racing went haywire then we had lost the opportunity of racing and had shot ourselves in the foot in respect of getting him into the breeding barn," he said.

“I’m very confident they will be racing in the spring and he will be in for a big campaign based on what we saw on Saturday."

Quickie could be returned to the paddock

Trainer Phillip Stokes is mulling his options with G1 Queensland Derby winner Mr Quickie (Shamus Award), with the likelihood he may end up sending the 4-year-old to the paddock.

Mr Quickie surged late but was beaten in the VOBIS Gold Heath on Saturday in his third run on what has been a frustrating campaign.

Stokes told Racing.com that with uncertainty surrounding the participation of interstate horses in the Queensland carnival, there were two options with the gelding.

“He’s pulled up really well from the run yesterday, but I’m going to talk to the owners group tomorrow about what we do moving forward,” Stokes said.

The original plan was the Doomben Cup, but that’s just getting harder and harder now, so I’m thinking we give him a little break before the Spring, or we could head to Warrnambool for the Cup.

“I’m leaning towards giving him a little break before the spring, but I’ll leave it up to the owners.”

Bosson goes home, mulls return

Group 1-winning jockey Opie Bosson is set to enter self-isolation in New Zealand but is mulling a return to Australia.

Bosson returns home after a successful spell in autumn which included four Group 1 winners to be with his wife Emily and son Max, but will hold discussions about whether the family heads back to Australia for the spring.

“We have to have a good chat about things and a lot will depend upon what is happening in New Zealand,” he said.

“It is something (moving to Australia) that we have to look into but nothing has been set in stone and there are a lot of factors to consider.

“I will have to talk to David Ellis (Te Akau Racing) and people like that so there is a lot of things that would need to fall into place before anything was decided.

“A few people have approached me about giving me rides which is quite encouraging while there might be some media opportunities available for Emily."

All's bright with Sunlight

Sunlight (Zoustar) has come through her first-up run in the G3 RN Irwin S. well and will head toward the G1 Robert Sangster S. in a fortnight.

The triple Group 1-winning filly was beaten into second, 3.1l behind comfortable winner Gytrash (Lope De Vega {Ire}), but co-trainer Tony McEvoy told Racing.com he was happy with what she showed in her first run since finishing second in the Golden Eagle.

“She was beaten by a high quality horse,” he said. “Horses as we know reach their peaks at different times and there is no doubt Gordon’s horse (Gytrash) has gone to another level in the past 12 months.

“Our girl seems well. She left a dipper of feed overnight, which is normal for her because she tries so hard and has trotted up nicely this morning.

“We go to the Sangster in a fortnight in a happy frame of mind.”

Santa Anita decision expected this week

Courtesy TDN America

Santa Anita executives, including The Stronach Group (TSG) chairman and president Belinda Stronach, held an online meeting Thursday with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and other officials about a possible resumption of live racing at Santa Anita.

According to TSG chief strategy officer Aidan Butler, an official decision on the matter is expected early this week.

“We walked them through it, and then I presented them the plan. As positive as I think it could be. [Barger] seems very understanding—she wants to work with us,” said Butler, about the meeting. “[Barger is] taking the plan to the doctors that be, and we’re awaiting a decision.”