Farnan share reportedly acquired by Kia Ora

In what would be a major strategic move, Kia Ora Stud has reportedly acquired a share in G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Farnan (Not A Single Doubt), in a deal with existing shareholders Aquis and Phoenix Investments.

ANZ Bloodstock News is reporting a deal has been struck for the valuable colt, with Kia Ora set to secure standing rights in what would be a significant foray into the stallion market.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Farnan, a winner of five of his six starts, was unbeaten through the autumn, winning the G2 Silver Slipper S. and G2 Todman S. before his dominant win in the Golden Slipper.

As well as being nominated for the G1 Golden Rose S. and the Caulfield Guineas, he was among nominations for the G1 Cox Plate when they were taken on Tuesday.

Kia Ora Stud, based at Scone, and owned by billionaire Ananda Krishnan, has interests in several stallions, including Vinery Stud trio Press Statement, Headwater and All Too Hard.

Jack Bruce joins Ciaron Maher Racing

Former Chris Waller foreman Jack Bruce has joined Ciaron Maher Racing as assistant trainer for its Sydney stables.

Bruce takes the position from Annabel Neasham, who will leave to take up training under her own name in the next few weeks.

"Jack has all the attributes required to continue our success in Sydney. He's already worked with some of the best and he knows his way around the Sydney racing scene," Maher said.

"We've also got very similar views on how to get the best out of our horses, so I think he's going to add another dimension to what is already a great team."

Bruce will join Maher and co-trainer David Eustace's operation within two weeks.

"I have observed the emergence of Ciaron's Sydney stable from relatively close quarters and I couldn't be more impressed with what has been achieved in such a short period of time. It’s clear that there are big plans for Sydney, so it’s exciting to be joining on the cusp of what promises to be another great season," Bruce said.

Appleby, bin Suroor to miss spring carnival

COVID-19 restrictions will prevent Godolphin's European-based trainers Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor from sending horses to Australia this spring.

Racing Victoria has confirmed that the regular carnival visitors have notified officials that due to an increase in restrictions in Melbourne this week, they have decided to bypass the spring.

"Both Saeed and Charlie have advised over the last few days that they won't be coming to Melbourne this year," said RV General Manager of International Operations Paul Bloodworth.

"Charlie Appleby advised last night that because of the change to Stage 4 restrictions, he wasn't comfortable sending his staff to Melbourne and Saeed has also advised he won't be coming.

"It's a great shame. Saeed has been a regular in Australia for 30 years and Charlie certainly over the last five or six years so it's a shame they won't be able to compete."

Godolphin will be well represented during the spring by their local operation, headed up by James Cummings.

Strong entries for Cox Plate

A total of 182 entries have been received for the 2020 G1 Cox Plate, including 28 internationally trained runners.

Aidan O'Brien, the 2014 Cox Plate-winning trainer, has nominated 13 horses for the race including Magic Wand (Galileo {Ire}), Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Magical (Galileo {Ire}), while his sons Joseph and Donnacha have eight runners and one runner nominated respectively.

Included among the Cox Plate entries are 51 Group 1 winners, 42 Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds and 14 Northern Hemisphere 3-year-olds.

"There is incredible diversity in the list of entries, which pleasingly represents all states of Australia and lots of star power, so the foundation is there for a race befitting such an historic occasion," Racing Victoria Executive General Manager - Racing, Greg Carpenter, said.

"The quality of international entries remains strong despite the current COVID-19 restrictions and the next month will ultimately determine whether these international horses can compete in the 100th Cox Plate."

Jockeys stood down over possible COVID breach

Two Victorian jockeys, Teo Nugent and Michael Poy, have been stood aside for possible breaches of COVID-19 restrictions.

A stablehand from Robert Hickmott's yard is also being investigated, with a Racing Victoria stewards' report on Tuesday confirming the investigation.

"Racing Victoria Stewards have opened an inquiry into the conduct of licensed apprentice jockeys Michael Poy and Teodore Nugent and a stablehand registered to Robert Hickmott upon receipt of information of possible breaches of COVID-19 protocols," the statement said.

"Acting on the advice from RV's Chief Medical Officer, the three have been stood down until further medical assessments are undertaken and until such time as the Stewards conclude their inquiry.

"The trio have been advised that they are not permitted to attend any Racecourses or Licensed Premises until approved by the Stewards to do so. The Chief Medical Officer has advised that all three should self-isolate at home and adhere to all Stage 4 restrictions pending further direction."

Oaks winner to join Waller

G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Sentimental Miss (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) will join the Chris Waller stable and be targeted towards the major spring handicaps.

Go Racing principal Albert Bosma said it was always the long-term plan for the mare to go to Australia for her 5-year-old season.

"She's last year's Oaks winner. We purposely gave her a light 4-year-old campaign and didn't step her up to the 2400 metres even though it's her best distance.

"She still managed to win a Listed 2000 metre race last year on a good track. While she's fine on good tracks, on rain-affected tracks she grows another leg. So if we can strike a wet track over 2400 metres or further she really comes into her own.

"We have worked really closely with trainer Lisa Latta to prepare for the spring. She had a jump-out last week at Levin and Lisa is really happy with her, saying she's even stronger this year.

"Chris is rapt to be getting her and the feeling is mutual. With stables in both Sydney and Melbourne, we won't face any issues with restrictions on staff movements.

"We are just so excited to have a Go Racing horse targeting these iconic races. With a wet track she may just make those dreams come true."

Opie ready for return

Leading New Zealand jockey Opie Bosson will return to race-day riding later this month.

Bosson rode 18 horses for Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards at the Cambridge Stud trials late last month at Te Rapa and plans on making a return to race-day riding on August 12 at Taupo.

"My fitness is pretty good," Bosson said. "I'm still working out in the gym at Te Akau and I'm much lighter than I was at the same time last season.

"I've been riding a lot of nice horses for the last few seasons and while it's not for me to say how well I'm riding, I'm always trying to limit mistakes. I go out there with a plan: A, B, and C, and see how the race unfolds. But I do get disappointed with myself if I make a mistake."

Eighth stakes winner for Sir Prancealot

Cornerstone Stud's Sir Prancealot (Ire) secured his eighth stakes winner when Miss Amulet (Ire) won the Listed Marwell S. at Naas.

The Ken Condon-trained filly won by 0.75l, her second win from five starts.

“When the gap did appear she picked up well and won cosy at the line. She's a speedy filly who'd want better ground and I think there will be more to come. She might get six in time but I think she has more natural speed for five,” jockey Billy Lee said.

Sir Prancealot stands his fourth season at Cornerstone Stud for a fee of $9900 (inc GST) in 2020 and is set to have his first Australian-bred runners this season.

Restrictions for corticosteroids & bronchodilators at Tattersalls & Goffs

New policies on the use of corticosteroids and bronchodilators-including Clenbuterol–for all yearlings, horses in and out of training and unraced 2-year-olds will be introduced at the beginning of the UK and Irish yearling sales from September 1 forward, Tattersalls and Goffs announced on Monday.

Starting with the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, all stock sold at the two sales companies will have these restrictions applied. These new Conditions of Sale will allow buyers to have post-sale testing for corticosteroids and bronchodilators (Clenbuterol). Any positive test or any trace of bronchodilators that appear as a result of the testing may result in the subject horse being returnable to the vendor at the option of the purchaser under the new Conditions of Sale.

These new regulations are in addition to the restrictions already in place on the use of anabolic steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, as well as the ban on the utilisation of Bisphosphonates which started in 2019.

“Both Tattersalls and Goffs are united in maintaining the highest standards of integrity and horse welfare at all of our sales and the new policies relating to the use of corticosteroids and bronchodilators reflect our shared commitment to addressing issues which threaten in any way to undermine confidence in the marketplace,” said Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony and Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby in a joint statement.

Fasig-Tipton releases Selected Yearling Showcase catalogue

Fasig-Tipton, which has been forced to shuffle its traditional calendar of yearling auctions due to the global pandemic, has released a catalogue of 662 head for its Selected Yearlings Showcase, which will be held September 9 and 10 at its Newtown Paddocks in Lexington.

Fasig-Tipton cancelled its three select sales–the July, Saratoga and New York-Bred Sales–and the showcase auction will be its only select sale of 2020.

“We are thrilled with the overall quality of the catalogue, both in terms of the pedigree and the physical conformation of the horses,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning Jr. said. “We couldn’t be any more pleased to have this group of horses on display in the showcase this year.”

Hips one through 330 will be offered during Wednesday’s first session of the showcase sale and Hips 331-662 will be offered during the second session Thursday. The Sale will begin with a group of New York-bred yearlings, which are catalogued as Hips 1-164.