Inglis Digital August Sale opens

An Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale catalogue bursting with quality opened for bidding on Friday afternoon.

Not only does it include the Great Southern Sale weanlings (now officially yearlings), but there are also a number of highly prized fillies and mares, including Rosina Kojonup (Shamus Award) – a half-sister to She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain).

The catalogue begins with the Great Southern Sale weanlings in original lot order from Lot 501-795, followed by the racing stock, yearlings, shares and broodmares.

Rosina Kojonup is one the highest-quality race fillies to be offered on Inglis Digital and presents a rare opportunity for buyers to tap into one of Australasia’s most progressive female families.

The daughter of elite producer Courgette (Charge Forward) was a $425,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling and has “incredible natural speed” according to trainer Bjorn Baker, who regards her as an untapped talent having won twice from just five starts to date.

Black Caviar set for Written Tycoon

Champion mare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) will visit Written Tycoon in the 2020 breeding season.

The legendary sprinter’s part-owner Neil Werrett told Racing.com that the success of Written Tycoon colt Ole Kirk was a contributing factor.

“We asked Rick Jamieson for his assistance this year in suggesting stallions for Black Caviar,” he said. “He had bred Ole Kirk, which I bought because Rick was breeding it and it was out of a full sister to Black Caviar.

“Rick is a good friend and he suggested that Written Tycoon was a great mating for Black Caviar and Black Caviar's line. And it's proven with Ole Kirk that it works. He was very adamant that she should go to Written Tycoon. So we have taken his advice.”

Black Caviar produced a filly and a colt by I Am Invincible in 2018 and 2019 respectively, and she returned to the same stallion last season. Her earlier progeny are the two-race winner Oscietra (Exceed And Excel), the winner Prince Of Caviar (Sebring) and unraced Out Of Caviar (Snitzel).

Debut win for $900,000 purchase

High-priced yearling purchase Loca (Zoustar) began his career on a winning note at Ballarat on Friday.

Ridden by Dwayne Dunn for trainers Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, the 3-year-old fought hard to score by a nose in a tight finish with Tesorina (Brazen Beau).

“I don't really think it was his forte on the artificial,” Wayne Hawkes said. “His head was up a bit, his ears were back a bit, probably resented it a bit coming around to the corner.

“He was beaten, simple as that. He dug deep, went to roll in a bit up the straight. He got the job done and Dwayne (Dunn) nursed him there. He only won by a small margin, but you only have to win.”

Loca holds nominations for the G1 Golden Rose on September 26 and Caulfield Guineas on October 10.

He is raced by Spendthrift Australia and was a $900,000 purchase from Widden Stud’s draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is out of Shakeira (USA) (Freud {USA}), who won seven races including the Listed Mount Vernon S. at Belmont Park in New York.

Foot injury claims first Country Championships winner

Artlee (Excellent Art {GB}), the winner of the inaugural Country Championships at Randwick in 2015, has passed away.

The winner of six of his 21 starts and almost $450,000 in stakes, Artlee also won the Listed Luskin Star S. and placed in the G2 Victory S., G3 BRC Sprint and Listed Lightning H.

“Due to a very bad ongoing foot injury in Artlee’s rear hind, we have sadly had to put him to rest this morning,” part-owner Peter Rogers said.

“The foot injury had progressed into a very rare form of aggressive cancer and unfortunately we have lost the battle to cure this. We had contacted high ranking vets in Kentucky as well as other experts on this matter, in both America and the best we could find in Australia, and they found that this was an extremely rare case. In fact, I was told there have been only two known cases so far of this nature, so it will be documented in the next Vet Journal.

“I would like to particularly thank Hayley at Randwick Equine, who gave her whole heart into the treatment of our 17-plus hands tall gelding.

“He will be forever in our hearts and I always remember the race call in Sydney where he didn’t win, as he was blocked for a run, but ran the last 600 metres in 32 seconds and the race caller said, 'That’s as fast as any racehorse can run'.

“He truly was a champion who unfortunately didn’t get the chance to fulfil his true potential. He was a magnificent horse.”

Racing Victoria and Seven announce broadcast agreement

The Seven Network and Racing Victoria have announced a five year extension of their broadcast partnership, cementing Seven’s standing as the home of racing and ensuring sports fans continue to enjoy unprecedented access to thoroughbred racing year-round.

In continuing its long-standing partnership with Racing Victoria, Seven will broadcast 21 feature days of elite Victorian thoroughbred racing each year, while Racing.com coverage will continue to be broadcast on Channel 78 up to and including 2025.

The agreement means Seven will continue to bring fans the very best thoroughbred racing throughout Australia live and free, including Melbourne’s hallowed spring racing carnival in the months ahead.

Seven’s premium raceday coverage will resume on Saturday, August 29, on what is the official opening day of the 2020 Spring Racing Carnival with the G1 Memsie S. at Caulfield.

Racing Victoria CEO Giles Thompson commented: “We’re delighted to announce a five-year extension of our broadcast agreement with Seven, who have and will continue to be wonderful supporters of thoroughbred racing.

“This is a fantastic partnership and we’re excited to be working with the team at Seven to continue building that so that sporting and racing fans remain the winners, enjoying entertaining and informative broadcasts of Victorian racing.

“Most importantly, this agreement underpins and strengthens the future of the industry-owned Racing.com and the pivotal role it plays in showcasing Victorian racing each and every day to the nation as Australia’s only 24/7 free-to-air sporting channel. This is wonderful news for racing fans and keen punters across Australia.”

Tabcorp and Inglis extend partnership

Two of Australia’s principal racing brands, Inglis and Tabcorp, have extended their long-standing relationship by a further three years.

The new deal, confirming the continuation of Tabcorp’s wagering arm TAB and Sky Racing as Inglis’s official Wagering and Broadcast Partner, will see the formal partnership between the two parties extend to 15 consecutive years.

The partnership will continue to create exciting high value business opportunities, with heightened digital and marketing activity during Select Inglis Sales in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Tabcorp Managing Director Wagering and Media, Adam Rytenskild, said he was excited to continue the partnership with Inglis.

“Given Tabcorp’s significant connection with racing in Australia and our customers’ love for racing, I’m very happy to be extending our partnership with Inglis,” Rytenskild said.

“This partnership allows us to connect punters and partners to the world class Inglis facilities while TAB and Sky Racing will help support Inglis buyers, breeders and trainers.

“Our renewed partnership will also support the $6 million Inglis race series, including the feature 2YO Inglis Millennium worth $2 million.”

Champions Day feels COVID-19 impact

Prizemoney for QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot has been cut by almost half due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The marquee raceday on October 17 will feature total stakes of £2.5 million (AU$4,538,728), which is a drop of 40 per cent from last year’s £4.2 million (AU$7,625,064).

The G1 Champion S. will be Britain’s richest race this year at £750,000 (AU$1,361,618) – a big drop from last year’s £1.3 million (AU$2,360,138). The G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. has been cut from £1.1 million (AU$1,997,040) to £650,000 (AU$1,180,069).

“We are pleased to be able to stage a card worth £2.5 million (AU$4,538,728) on QIPCO British Champions Day despite our income streams being so negatively affected and the enormous challenges facing the sport,” said Rod Street, the chief executive of the British Champions Series.

Deal done for talented filly

Talented South Island filly Matchmaker (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) has been partially sold to Australian interests, but will remain in New Zealand for the rest of this spring.

After an impressive debut victory over 1000 metres at Riccarton on July 25, owner-breeders Gus and Bianca Wigley have sold a half-share in the filly to Manoj Wanzare.

The deal allows Matchmaker to remain with current trainers Nick Wigley and Kayla Milnes up to the G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 14.

“We were reluctant to sell because we wanted to target the 1000 Guineas,” Gus Wigley told NZ Racing Desk.

“Andy Williams put a very good offer together on behalf of Manoj Wanzare, a client of Chris Waller. It sees Manoj purchase half of the filly from us, with her to stay in training with us here until New Zealand Cup week with the aim of getting her to the 1000 Guineas. She will then transfer to Chis Waller, where we'll race her with Manoj. It's a great deal that sees everyone win and it's pretty exciting.”