Fierce resolve reaps more Group 1 rewards

Written by

Bren O'Brien

6 min read

When discussions around the stud future of Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) did not quite match the expectations of the ownership group, they were happy to 'play-on' with his racetrack career, a decision that has been rewarded with a third Group 1 for the internationally-bred 7-year-old in Saturday's G1 Makybe Diva S. at Flemington.

The Matthew Smith-trained Fierce Impact may not fit the profile of a typical Australian-stallion prospect, but his racetrack record, as one of only three three-time Group 1-winning sons of Japan's most influential sire of the 21st century, is becoming hard to ignore.

All three of his elite-level victories have come over the 1600 metres and he will look to further underline his class when he tackles the G1 Turnbull S. and the G1 Cox Plate at his next two starts.

Managing owner Francis Cook said the decision to continue to race Fierce Impact as a 7-year-old, rather than accept stud deals that the owners felt were below his true value, was a fairly straightforward one.

Fierce Impact's (Jpn) winning connections, including Christine (centre-left) and Francis Cook (centre-right)

"There was always a temptation if someone came up with the right money but the bottom line was, it’s very hard to get that deal done. All the studs seem to want these 'flash-in-the-pan' 2-year-old types," Cook told TDN AusNZ.

Cook and his wife Christine learned from their experience of trying to get a stallion deal done for their four-time Group 1-winning son of Zabeel (NZ), Preferment (NZ), now standing at Brighthill Farm in New Zealand, the challenge of finding a stud future for a horse that sits outside the 'fast and precocious' mould favoured by so many breeders in Australia.

"All the studs seem to want these 'flash-in-the-pan' 2-year-old types." - Francis Cook

"Fierce Impact is a miler and that should attract the studs, but we are happy for that to be next year. We have just decided, and there are five of us in the ownership, that we love racing the horse and unless something came out of the woodwork that was a really good offer, we’d rather race him on and enjoy it," Cook said.

It was the vision of trainer Matthew Smith that led to Fierce Impact being purchased for 120,000 gns (AU$235,000) at the 2017 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale. A one-time 66 million yen (AU$880,000) foal purchase for David Redvers out of Japan, he had won one of his six starts for David Simcock in the UK and Europe up until that point.

Fierce Impact (Jpn)

The Cooks had previously travelled to Japan with Smith and his wife Melissa and had hatched a plan to buy a well-bred Japanese runner and Fierce Impact fitted the bill. His dam, Keiai Gerbera (Jpn) (Smarty Jones {USA}) was a multiple stakes winner, and the decision to purchase was franked six months later when his younger brother Keiai Nautique (Jpn) won the G1 NHK Mile Cup.

At his seventh start in Australia, Fierce Impact claimed his first stakes success in the G3 Summer Cup. Last spring he established himself as one of Australia's best mile handicappers, winning both the G1 Toorak H. and the G1 Cantala S.

Trouble-free and in-form

Twice placed in Group 1 weight-for-age races in the autumn, Smith and the owners hatched a plan to ensure he would have every chance of being at his best, against the best, this spring.

"He has had a trouble-free preparation this time in. We decided to spell him up in Queensland. That was a masterstroke because he has come into this campaign in great condition and he's just been trouble-free all the way through," Cook said.

"He has come into this campaign in great condition and he's just been trouble-free all the way through." - Francis Cook

"It makes a big difference with a horse trying to win Group 1 races if you don’t have any problems along the way.

"Matt wanted to have three weeks between each run, and gave away the Memsie two weeks ago, so we stayed up in Sydney and had three weeks into this, then three into the Turnbull and then three into the Cox Plate."

After a close-up third in the G1 Winx S. on his return, Fierce Impact proved himself the superior horse at Flemington on Saturday, outgunning highly rated 4-year-old Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) to win the G1 Makybe Diva S.

Watch: Fierce Impact (Jpn) winning the G1 Makybe Diva S.

Zahra delivers

Mark Zahra rode the 7-year-old for the first time with his usual Melbourne rider Craig Williams otherwise engaged and delivered the perfect ride

"Mark was fabulous. Craig Williams has been his jockey right through and Craig already had a ride in the race. He recommended Mark. He had a word to him about the horse and his quirks," Cook said.

"He is quirky in the fact that when he hits the front, he wants to pause to see where the others are at. Mark had to be onto that and about 50 metres out, he had to straighten him a bit, because he was having a bit of a look.

"We were happy that he was hot-headed by Russian Camelot because he loves chasing. Because he had something to chase down, he really accelerated and that was the key to that win."

Fierce Impact (Jpn) winning the G1 Makybe Diva S. in front of Russian Camelot (Ire)

The Cox Plate is of, course, the ultimate goal, with Cook saying Smith has every faith that Fierce Impact can carry his dominance out to the 2040 metres at Moonee Valley on October 24.

He is also full of praise for the commitment of the stable to campaign the horse in Victoria through the spring, something which COVID-19 protocols have not made easy. Smith has sent down the stables' Nikki Hunt to oversee his preparation.

"All credit to Matty Smith, and his staff. Nikki went there three weeks ago to quarantine and be there for him when he arrived and she is staying down there on her own until he is through to the Cox Plate. That's the amazing dedication the staff have to him," he said.

"It’s great for the horse, and of course she has to quarantine when she gets back. It will mean that Matt will be without her for eight weeks. Matt does a marvellous job with his horses and deserves every success."

Stakes wins and spring rain keep Listons smiling

Written by

Bren O'Brien

7 min read

A run of good results on the track are helping the Liston family of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds ride the ups and downs of life and the thoroughbred game through the early part of spring.

Destined for a date with I Am Invincible this spring only a few months back, Haut Brion Her (Zoustar), who the Listons bred and part own, produced a brilliant first-up win in the G2 Sheraco S. at Rosehill on Saturday, leaving the family to celebrate among themselves in the spring rain at their Victorian property.

"We had a Group 2 winner and an inch of rain, it was a pretty good day," Toby Liston told TDN AusNZ.

"We had tea with the whole family and had fish and chips and it was a great night. You have to enjoy that because there are days when it’s midnight and it's raining, and you are delivering a foal, and you think there must be an easier way and then good things happen and it makes it all worthwhile."

It was a good day for Toby Liston and his family on Saturday after Haut Brion Her's Group 2 win

Haut Brion Her was the second stakes winner bred on the Eddington-based property in as many weeks, after Night Raid (Vancouver), announced herself as one of the more exciting 3-year-old fillies prospects for the spring with her win in the Listed Atlantic Jewel S. at Moonee Valley last week.

Those successes have provided a timely boost for the Listons, who have endured another health scare in the past few weeks.

"Last year Mum (Pauline) got ran over by a horse and Haut Brion Her won the Group 2, and that gave us a big boost. The last couple of weeks, Dad (Peter) has had his cancer return and has had to have surgery. He's going good and is healthy, but the family need a bit of a pick-up, and Haut Brion Her was there again," Toby said.

"The family need a bit of a pick-up, and Haut Brion Her was there again." - Toby Liston

Bred by Three Bridges, Haut Brion Her was set to be sold as a yearling through the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when the Listons struck a deal to sell a majority share to co-breeder and client Gary Johnson.

"Pauline had said at two days old, she was a special horse. We told our owner that she was something special and he purchased the majority share in her," Toby said. "They bought most of us out when she was ready to go to market."

Haut Brion Her winning the G2 Sheraco S.

It proved a savvy move on behalf of Johnson, with Haut Brion Her winning four of her first five starts for trainer Chris Waller. Last October, she won the G2 Blazer S. leading all the way, becoming the third black-type winner from her dam One In A Million (Redoute's Choice), the other two being Karacatis (Hussonet {USA}) and Shamillion (Shamardal {USA}).

Blowing the budget

The purchase of One In A Million, then in foal to Zoustar with Haut Brion Her, from the 2015 Inglis Australian Broodmare And Weanling Sale, caused a bit of tension between Toby and his father Peter, at the time, but it is a moment, given Haut Brion Her's success, that Toby can laugh about now.

"The day we bought her dam, Paul Willetts, our agent, and I were sitting on the opposite side of the auditorium to Dad. Our budget was $120,000 and we went to $170,000 for her, so $50,000 over. Dad refused to talk to me in the taxi on the way to the airport, and then on the plane on the way back. He gave me the silent treatment for two days," he said.

"Our budget was $120,000 and we went to $170,000 for her, so $50,000 over. Dad refused to talk to me in the taxi on the way to the airport, and then on the plane on the way back." - Toby Liston

Unfortunately, Haut Brion Her was the only foal One In A Million delivered at Three Bridges before her death early in 2019. The now 5-year-old was destined for her own broodmare career this spring, having suffered a suspensory injury last spring, but after a chat with the ownership group, they had a change of heart.

Peter Liston wasn't too happy about the purchase price of Haut Brion Her's dam at the 2015 Inglis Broodmare Sale

"The vets told us that we needed 18 months off and a lot of rehab to get her right. We stuck her out in the paddock for a while and as I was driving out the road one day I thought, you are a long time retired," Liston said.

"She was in danger of getting too heavy before covering and was booked to I Am Invincible for this year and I thought why not give her a go. At the very worst, she’ll be fit for the stud season.

"We sent her to Lee Everson, who has a great reputation for rehabbing horses. He's changed her around and got her sound and she had two preparations there and has come back this time to Chris and she has matured again."

The return

Haut Brion Her returned from an 11-month layoff at Rosehill on Saturday against some top-quality and in-form mares and saw them all off to make it a second Group 2 win.

"She is a freak of a horse to look at," Liston said. "I was a bit nervous yesterday because I thought she should have done that and that's how good we think she is.

"Thankfully, that's how good Waller and James McDonald think she is. You kind of expect that from her now, which is why you get so nervous.

"Hopefully, she pulls up sound after every run. It’s run by run really. As long as she pulls up sound, she can keep on going. There might be a day when she can't do that and she will be happily retired here.

"There are far more kicks in the guts than there are highs. Success like that proves that you know what you are doing and your systems are working." - Toby Liston

"It was such a good pick-up for us as a family and it also goes to show you that it’s a long relentless game this one. There are far more kicks in the guts than there are highs. Success like that proves that you know what you are doing and your systems are working," he said.

Night Raid emerges

Further proof of that is Night Raid's emergence as a filly of considerable promise. Sold by Three Bridges for $160,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale to Sheamus Mills and Mick Price, she has won two of her three starts, including her win in the Atlantic Jewel which saw her installed as equal favourite for next month's G1 Thousand Guineas.

"I can't believe that she is doing what she is doing already. She's a big, rangy filly and I think the mile will be perfect for her," Liston said. "She shows good speed over 1100 metres and 1200 metres but she's only going to get better over further if she can settle. She's got a great turn of foot."

Her dam Raid (NZ) (Pins) was purchased for $380,000 by Willetts on behalf of a Three Bridges-led syndicate in 2016 and has proven a difficult mare to mate successfully.

Night Raid winning the Atlantic Jewel S. (aqua silks)

"Her mother is frustrating. We have not been able to get a foal out of her since Night Raid, that's three years empty. She's been covered by Impending, we just hope she can keep this one," Liston said.

"We’ve been riding her and getting her fit. She's been sent to Angus McKinnon, who is arguably one of the best vets going around.

"It’s pretty important now. We've wasted three years. We want that filly to retain out of her. She's had three stakes horses now and the other one in Perth, Platinum Bullet, might be a fourth."

Last week, another Three Bridges-raised horse, Felicia (Unencumbered), was stakes-placed in the Listed Chandler Macleod, adding further to the run of good results.

"It’s so important you wake up with a smile on your face when those things happen. We only raise 40 horses a year and this year we have had two Group 2 winners, plus Raid as a stakes winner and Felica stakes-placed," Liston said.

Con Te Partiro to be offered at Keeneland November Sale

Written by

Bren O'Brien

5 min read

Dual Australian Group 1-winning mare Con Te Partiro (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}) is set to be one of the headline acts of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, with the star mare to be offered for sale after she contests the Breeders' Cup.

Owners SF Bloodstock and Newgate had confirmed after her victories in the Coolmore Classic and Coolmore Legacy in the autumn that their intention was to race her in one of the Breeders' Cup races, with a decision to be made whether it will be the G1 Breeders' Cup Mile or the G1 Filly & Mare Turf.

She recently resumed with a close-up fifth in the G1 Winx S. and is likely to have one more run in Australia, either in the G1 George Main S., the Epsom H. or the G2 Golden Pendant.

Con Te Partiro (USA) winning the G1 Coolmore Classic

Newgate Managing Director Henry Field confirmed that she will depart for the United States in mid-October and is set to remain under the guidance of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for what will likely be her racetrack farewell at Keeneland.

However, Con Te Partiro, who was initially retired to Newgate's broodmare band last year, but missed to Zoustar before being brought back into training, is being offered by SF Bloodstock through Bedouin Bloodstock at the November Breeding Sale as both a breeding and racing prospect.

Given she has been able to add two elite-level victories plus a win in the G3 Dark Jewel S. at Scone since her arrival to Australia in January 2019, she is expected to fetch a substantial improvement on the US$575,000 (AU$790,000) she cost SF/Newgate at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

At that stage, she was already a black-type winner for trainer Wesley Ward in two countries, having won the Listed Landing S. at Saratoga and the Listed Sandringham H. at Royal Ascot for her previous owners, who had paid US$130,000 (AU$178,000) for her from the KC Garrett Farm Consignment at the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

SF Bloodstock's Tom Ryan, Newgate's Henry Field, and Gavin Murphy

"We felt very privileged to purchase her initially and we intended to make her a part of our Australian broodmare band because she was so brilliant to win at Royal Ascot as she did and to win in America, she broke her maiden here at Keeneland. She is a very versatile mare and spectacularly beautiful," SF Bloodstock's Tom Ryan told TVG.

"She is a very versatile mare and spectacularly beautiful." - Tom Ryan

"One thing led to another, we sent her to Australia and we put her back in training. That turned into two Grade 1s and she looks like one of the top mares in the country at the moment.

"We thought her value was back in America. Scat Daddy is so important and she is out of a Street Cry mare. The family traces back to Beholder and Into Mischief. It’s depth, it’s beauty. It’s everything anybody wants in a broodmare today."

A star in three countries

Con Te Partiro has been a pioneer for American-bred race mares in Australia and became the first feature winner in the Newgate black and red colours.

“It is remarkable to reflect on what Con Te Partiro has achieved in her racing career,” Waterhouse said.

Con Te Partiro (USA) became the first feature winner in Newgate's black and red colours

“It is a rare feat in itself to win stakes races on three continents, but it is her performances at the elite level in Australia for which she will be remembered. Con Te Partiro won both of the time-honoured Group 1 races, the Coolmore Classic and the Coolmore Legacy, making her, arguably, the best-performed mare in Australia.”

“It is a rare feat in itself to win stakes races on three continents, but it is her performances at the elite level in Australia for which she will be remembered." - Gai Waterhouse

Ryan also lauded her special qualities.

"Just the versatility she has shown to do what she was done from a 2-year-old on the dirt to a 6-year-old on the turf, it didn’t seem to matter what country and what distance," he said.

"We thought we’d send this mare back up here, we'd point her towards the Breeders' Cup and what a perfect homecoming to bring her back to Keeneland."

Con Te Partiro's Grade 1-placed dam Temple Street (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}) has also produced the stakes-placed Donworth (USA) (Tiznow {USA}), is one of 31 worldwide Group/Grade 1 winners for her late sire.

“Con Te Partiro has excelled at the highest level of international racing while she has exemplified just how small the global Thoroughbred industry is,” Keeneland President-Elect and Interim Head of Sales, Shannon Arvin, said.

Con Te Partiro (USA) will be sold at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale

“We are thrilled to hold a Keeneland homecoming for Con Te Partiro. She sold as a yearling at the September Sale and she began her racing career here during the 2016 Spring Meet. We look forward to presenting her at the November Sale with all the fanfare she deserves.”

She will be one of an offering of several top quality mares and foals by SF Bloodstock through Bedouin Bloodstock at the November Sale.

"It’s an exciting sale for us and we would like to put together a nice boutique draft with Bedouin Bloodstock and hopefully people will find something they love in there," Ryan said.

Stokes' Guineas contender emerges

2 min read

By Bren O'Brien

Savannah Cloud (NZ) (Savabeel) has emerged as a possible contender for next month's G1 Caulfield Guineas after breaking his maiden with an emphatic 5.5l win at Cranbourne on Sunday.

The Phillip Stokes-trained colt was having his third start, having been placed at Caulfield and Flemington in his last campaign, and given cover three-wide off the pace in a 1200 metre race, surged clear down the straight to win by a widening margin over Zoutellus (Zoustar) with Baglioni (Cluster) third.

Off the strength of the win, Savannah Cloud shortened into $26 in the Caulfield Guineas market which is headed by Flying Award (Shamus Award) at $8.

Trainer Phillip Stokes believes the colt can take the step up in class quickly, with the G3 Guineas Prelude on September 26 a likely next assignment.

“He’s an exciting horse,” Stokes said. “I was happy with the way he relaxed today and put paid to them. He can go onto better things now.

“We’ve got two weeks to the (Caulfield Guineas) Prelude, if he comes through this that might be the logical step to see where he is at.

“He is a well-bred son of Savabeel and he’s still intact so we will live the dream.”

“He is a well-bred son of Savabeel and he’s still intact so we will live the dream.” - Phillip Stokes

Savannah Cloud was a NZ$140,000 buy for Dalziel Bloodstock and Peter Moody from the draft of Haunui Farm at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Sale at Karaka.

Savannah Cloud as a yearling

Bred by Marie Leicester, he is out of multiple Group-winning mare Annie Higgins (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), who has already produced the multiple New Zealand winner Jimmy James (NZ) (Savabeel).

Annie Higgins, whose best wins came in the G3 Waikato Gold Cup and G3 Counties Cup, is a grand-daughter of Tri Belle (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), the one-time New Zealand Filly of the Year and multiple stakes winner.

Annie Higgins produced an Ocean Park (NZ) colt last year and is in foal to the Waikato Stud stallion again.

TDN Job Board

2 min read

Ciaron Maher Racing - Racing Manager

Ciaron Maher Racing (CMR) is looking for a strategic Racing Manager to oversee our racing team’s operations, manage our horses’ long-term preparations and assist in the communication of these plans between our operations team and our owners.

Based at Ballarat and responsible for racing administration staff, strategic management of racehorses and client communication across all sites.

Specifically:

● Lead and manage CMR racing administration staff

● Coordinate plans for all CMR racehorses across Ballarat, Caulfield and Warwick Farm Stables

● Manage and oversee the placement of horses, including management of form specialists, nominations and acceptances and movement of horses

● Manage key horse management system, PRISM and automation of key processes

● Manage and oversee communications with clients, ensuring that plans for horses are integrated into communications

● Regular attendance at track work and races with Training Team

● Harness technology to better assist performance management and decision making

● Prepare and analyze a meaningful set of performance metrics for the racing stable and advise on strategic direction

● Work with other CMR personnel to proactively develop the client base and other business development opportunities

● Liaise with Trainers, Assistant Trainers

Requirements:

● Strong knowledge of thoroughbred racing, particularly Australian racing pattern

● Ability to liaise with a diverse range of stakeholders including Trainers & Clients

● Strategic planning and attention to detail

● Aptitude and appetite for technology, systems and process

● Strong people management skills

● Ability to manage a large portfolio with competing priorities

● Significant travel between stables

Please send all applications with your CV and a cover letter to:

jobs@ciaronmaher.com.au

Five minutes with... James Mitchell

4 min read

James Mitchell

TDN AusNZ: Where are you from and what is your earliest racing memory?

James Mitchell: I was born in Sydney, raised in Kensington around the corner from Dad’s (Bill) Randwick stables before moving to Melbourne at age 13. My earliest racing memories involve being at the races whenever I could, one particular day when I was 8-years-old, Kenwood Melody (Royal Academy {USA}) won the 1998 Listed Ming Dynasty and I’d been allowed to have a small bet on him. I think I won $50, I’d never seen so much money before.

Bill and James Mitchell

TDN AusNZ: Which is your favourite racehorse of all time? Why?

JM: Dignity Dancer (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), he was a freak who won the 1998 G1 Spring Champion S. by about 6l in track-record time before winning the first Melbourne Triple Crown series culminating in the G1 Australian Guineas. I believe he would have won anything he ran in at four but hurt himself at the start of the season and was never the same.

TDN AusNZ: Do you have a favourite day on a racecourse? Why?

JM: VRC Derby Day. It’s the best of everything about racing: the best horses, big crowds, an unbelievable atmosphere. Bloody good fun.

I went to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup last year, the most beautiful backdrop for a racecourse I’ve seen with the sun setting over the mountains behind.

TDN AusNZ: Could you tell us how you got into this industry, about your job now and what you love most about it?

JM: I was always around the stables as a kid and used to love going to trackwork and the races. I now run a bloodstock business in partnership with Bill. I love being at the sales inspecting horses and trying to find the next good one, the thrill of an auction gets me going and even more so when you land the horse you’ve liked most. Whether it's weanlings, yearlings or mares, I love it all.

James during his time working for Inglis

TDN AusNZ: Who do you believe to be a value sire for the upcoming breeding season? Why?

JM: Tough one! We’ve lost so many good proven stallions in recent years and we’re still waiting to find their replacements. Probably So You Think (NZ), but get in line.

TDN AusNZ: Is there a stallion that you consider to be under the radar?, and why?

JM: Shamus Award would be under the radar, he’s earning his respect now and should go on with it.

TDN AusNZ: Which stallion, ever, do you think was the best type?

JM: I Am Invincible .

TDN AusNZ: Which first-season sire (other than your own) do you believe is most exciting?

JM: They’re a very exciting bunch, there’s a bit of everything: Aussie 2 and 3-year-old speed through to Group 1 milers and international champions. It's hard to knock Microphone.

Microphone | Standing at Darley

TDN AusNZ: What was your favourite weanling, yearling or mare purchase this year?

JM: The filly by Spirit Of Boom out of Show Bender from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, a very sharp looking filly from a fast I Am Invincible mare. Look out for her back there in January!

TDN AusNZ: Who do you think is a rising star within the industry? (Person not horse).

JM: I’ve been very impressed with how Matt Vella has handled himself and how well turned out our three Inglis Ready2Race horses are. He’s a great communicator and has a keen eye for detail. Watch out for him in the future and for his draft next Friday at Warwick Farm breeze-ups.

TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry?

JM: Nationalisation of the racing bodies. It all seems very disjointed and that seems to lead to poor decision making in an untimely fashion.

TDN AusNZ: If you weren’t in this industry what would you do?

JM: Not too sure, open a restaurant maybe (post COVID-19).

Bill and James Mitchell, Tony McEvoy and John McDonald

Foal Showcase

International Racing and News

11 min read

Keeneland September ready to begin

While the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc with sales across the globe from March through August, the calendar will return to some semblance of normalcy when the Keeneland September Yearling Sale kicks off right on schedule in Lexington on Sunday .

“So many sales companies in the Northern Hemisphere have had to rearrange some things, but we have been very fortunate that the September Sale is taking place in September at Keeneland,” said Keeneland’s Director of Sales Operations Geoffrey Russell.

“We are resilient and I think we’ve had great cooperation from our industry,” added Keeneland’s President-Elect, Shannon Arvin. “I think people are so happy to be here. I think people are happy to be back with a little bit of normalcy, even if we are all wearing masks.”

The Keeneland September Sale will be going ahead from Sunday

Keeneland was part of a group of industry stakeholders lobbying US government officials to allow foreign buyers to attend the Sale, despite a travel ban on people travelling from several countries. While it was announced Friday that the ban will end Monday, bloodstock agents like Kerri Radcliffe, direct from last week’s Arqana sale, were on the grounds Saturday morning after receiving waivers to enter the country.

With no travel ban in place for buyers coming from Asia, Russell is expecting to see entities from those countries shopping at Keeneland in the coming days.

Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation was the leading buyer at last year’s September Sale, purchasing 10 lots for US$16 million (AU$22 million), while his brother Sheikh Hamdan purchased 18 yearlings for US$11,070,000 (AU$15.2 million) for his Shadwell Estate Company to be the second leading buyer. While both were in attendance at the sale a year ago, neither are expected to attend this year.

Another dazzling Sha Tin win for Sky Field

The buzz on Sky Field (NZ) (Deep Field) was further validated on Sunday evening when he delivered another arrogant win for the second time in four starts. After making a statement with his impressive 1200 metre win before the season break, Casper Fownes announced he would be targeting the G1 Hong Kong Classic Mile with the son of Deep Field.

"There's not many horses that have that ability to get that explosive turn of foot, and so quickly. We look forward to getting him back into his next race and learning a bit more," Fownes said.

When asked if he thought Sky Field was the best he had ever saddled, Fownes remarked, "It's a big call at this stage, but he's certainly going the right way to being a horse that is going to make a name for himself in Hong Kong."

Sky Field was sold by Trelawney Stud at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sale for NZ$175,000.

No spectators at Breeders’ Cup

It was announced Saturday that the 2020 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland Racecourse will be run without fans on November 6 and 7 in Lexington, Kentucky. Only participants and essential personnel will be allowed at the track during the races with protocols for the meet to be announced closer to the event.

“The decision to hold this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships without fans in attendance was not made lightly,” said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup. “However, after many months of careful deliberation, planning and consultation, it has become abundantly clear that this is the right decision in order to proceed with our event while still protecting the collective health of our community.”

The event also announced that purses will remain unchanged for this year’s races and that the Breeders’ Cup will be returning to Keeneland in 2022 after being held at Del Mar in 2021.

Fastnet Rock’s Monday kicks off Irish Champion Weekend

Coming back just 10 days after her debut, Fastnet Rock’s well-bred daughter Monday (Ire) broke her maiden in the Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle S. on Saturday at Leopardstown.

Racing over 1700 metres, the Coolmore filly made most of the running and was never in serious danger of losing. She finished 0.75l in front of No Speak Alexander (Ire) (Shalaa {Ire}) as a 12-1 shot.

“I’d say she won’t have any problem stepping up quickly to a Group race. The [G1 Prix Marcel] Boussac at ParisLongchamp, the [G1] Fillies’ Mile [at Newmarket] and all those races will be open to her,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said of future targets.

Monday is the first foal out of Group 1 winner Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who won the Prix Marcel Boussac on her way toward becoming France’s Champion 2-Year-Old Filly in 2006. Ballydoyle is a sister to another champion in Misty For Me (Ire), whose champion son U S Navy Flag (USA) is standing his second season in New Zealand this year.

Magical weaves spell in Irish Champion

It has been said for months that the only way to beat Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was to push him from the start and that’s exactly what Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) did in the 2000 metre G1 Irish Champion S. on Saturday.

Looking for her second win in the race, Magical raced at Ghaiyyath’s hip from the start with stablemate Japan (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) also adding the pressure on the inside. The 5-year-old mare got the best of the Godolphin runner in the final 300 metres at Leopardstown and went on to a 0.75l victory with Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in third.

“She eyeballed him all the way and when you do that, there’s always a chance that the ones coming from behind will get you but we took a chance and let him and her match up all the way,” trainer Aidan O’Brien told Thoroughbred Daily News. “There are no excuses here at this track and she’s incredibly tough and genuine with speed and determination–she has everything and Seamie gave her a brilliant ride.”

While Magical holds entries for multiple Australian Spring Carnival races, O’Brien named two Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend races as likelier spots for her in addition to a potential trip to Kentucky for the Breeders’ Cup.

Magical is one of three Group winners for Classic winner Halfway to Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) with full sister Rhododendron (Ire) a three-time Group 1 winner herself. The pair also comes from the extended family of G1 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}).

Murtagh scores first Group 1 win in Matron

It was an Australian-bred sire who helped former jockey Johnny Murtagh get his first Group 1 win as a trainer on Saturday in the G1 Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron S. when Elzaam’s daughter Champers Elysees (Ire) put on an impressive display.

Racing over 1600 metres at Leopardstown, the filly was placed in the rear of the field under Colin Keane and didn’t see the lead until the final 50 metres. The filly finished 1.25l ahead of Peaceful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) with Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in third, just ahead of Champers Elysees' stablemate Know It All (GB) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}).

“I was sick of everyone saying you’d had a great career as a jockey, that was in the past, it’s the here and now I’m worried about,” Murtagh told Thoroughbred Daily News. “It’s been a brilliant year, but to win a Group 1 on Champions Weekend means everything. This is not for Johnny Murtagh, this is for the whole team and this end result makes all the work worthwhile.”

Sent to stand permanently in Ireland after one season in Australia, Elzaam was registering his first Group 1 winner in this race with 10 stakes horses to his name. Champers Elysees comes from the extended family of Group 3 winner California Zimbol (I Am Invincible) and his two stakes-winning siblings with his grand dam imported to Australia in 1997.

Galileo Chrome gives O’Brien first Leger victory

Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien registered his first G1 Pertemps St Leger victory as a trainer on Saturday with Galileo Chrome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) winning the race by a neck. It was a bittersweet victory for the team with regular jockey Shane Crosse testing positive for COVID-19 in the days leading up to the race and having to abandon the journey to England, leaving the mount to Tom Marquand.

The colt was ridden in midfield for most of the Doncaster classic and only found victory in the final 100 metres over Berkshire Rocco (Fr) (Sir Percy {GB}). Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) looked a likely winner in the final 400 metres but drifted in the closing stages to be beaten by 1l into third.

“The racing game is a leveller and it was a case of me being in the right place at the right time. I was extremely lucky just to get the ride, which was a great story in itself, but to win it is something else,” Marquand told Thoroughbred Daily News after the race.

Helping his trainer match Harry Wragg on the feat of winning the St Leger as both a jockey and trainer, Galileo Chrome is by dual Derby winner Australia (GB), who O’Brien partnered with throughout his whole career. The colt is out of a half-sister to G1 St Leger third Michaelangelo (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and from the family of G1 Underwood S. winner Midas Touch (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Australian stakes winner My Nordic Hero (GB) (Archipenko {USA}) among a stacked page.

Wichita breaks through in G2 Park

G1 2000 Guineas second Wichita (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) broke through at stakes level for the first time in nearly a year on Saturday in the G2 bet365 Park S. over 1400 metres at Doncaster.

Always in a prominent position, the colt took the lead inside the final 200 metres but had to work hard to keep the win with Fastnet Rock’s One Master (GB) nearly taking away the win in the final strides. Wichita won the photo with Molatham (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) 2l back in third.

“He was a bit lazy after getting rid of the two on either side, but Tom [Marquand] came very quick at me. It was hard to tell if we’d won, but he’s a lovely horse who deserved it,” jockey Frankie Dettori told Thoroughbred Daily News.

By No Nay Never (USA), whose first Australian foals hit the track last season, Wichita is the first stakes winner for the stakes-winning Lumiere Noire (Fr) (Dashing Blade {GB}). That mare is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Desert Blanc (GB) (Desert Style {Ire}).

Cadillac newest Group winner for Lope De Vega

Cadillac (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) made easy work of the G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. at Leopardstown on Saturday when racing just being the leaders over 1600 metres. Taking the lead was no issue for the colt, who took command in the final 200 metres and pulled away to win by 0.5l over Van Gogh (USA) (American Pharoah {USA}).

It was the second win for the colt, who broke his maiden by 9l in July before finishing second last time in the G2 Futurity S.

“He had a dogfight there and it stood to him. He was more of a man today–he was stuck on the wing, but is a good laid-back horse who only goes through the motions and you know there is something under the tank,” jockey Shane Foley told Thoroughbred Daily News after Saturday’s race of the lessons learned from his second.

Cadillac is the 39th Group winner for his sire and the third Group winner by Lope De Vega (Ire) out of a Dansili (GB) mare.

Chindit stays undefeated in G2 Champagne

It was the third victory for 2-year-old Chindit (Ire) on Saturday with a 1l victory in the G2 bet365 Champagne S. over 1400 metres to stay undefeated.

The Wootton Bassett (GB) colt raced toward the back of the pack before moving closer in the final 400 metres. Pat Dobbs sent him after the lead with a little over 200 metres left to run and it was over from there. The Richard Hannon trainee won by 1l over Albasheer (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) with Starspangledbanner’s State of Rest (Ire) just a nose back in third.

“He had to come over to find the race today, to where the other two were and he got there quite easily. I thought the first two travelled well and the first three were a long way clear of the fourth,” Hannon told Thoroughbred Daily News.

The seventh Group winner for his sire, Chindit comes from the family of Derby winner and champion sire Motivator (Ire).

Daily News Wrap

No Everest for Alligator Blood

Trainer David Vandyke has confirmed that star 4-year-old Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) will not target The Everest.

The Silver Eagle into the Golden Eagle is the assignment for Alligator Blood, who returned with an eye-catching third at Doomben on Saturday.

Alligator Blood

“We saw a horse (on Saturday) that will be better placed in the Silver Eagle over the 1300 metres at Randwick, say than The Everest,” Vandyke told Racing.com .

“So The Everest is off the table and we will now concentrate on the Silver and Golden Eagle. From a Golden Eagle perspective, he couldn’t have run any better.

“I think the horse is better suited over further than 1200 metres and I think he’s going to be pretty lethal over the 1500 metres at Rosehill in the Golden Eagle. All our strategy is aimed towards that. "

Elleegant on track for George Main

Chris Waller believes Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) is poised to continue her winning ways when she fronts-up in Saturday's G1 George Main S.

Verry Elleegant is coming off an impressive first-up win in the G1 Winx S. and her trainer believes she can make improvement from that run.

“She came through it very well,” Waller told Racenet. “We sent her to Wild Oaks for four nights and she came back in bucking her brands off so to speak."

“I think that was the key to her recovery. Her appetite was better.”

Verry Elleegant galloped between races with Imaging (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who was fourth in the Winx S. at Rosehill on Saturday.

“They both got up to top speed the last part and it was just short and sharp. I didn’t want them both having a tough workout, they are pretty forward in condition.

“They didn’t need to have a searching workout and both horses got to their top speed without being put under pressure to be there.”

As well as Imaging and Verry Elleegant, Waller will have Star Of The Seas (NZ) (Savabeel) and Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in the race.

Straight suits for Doubtland

Team Hawkes will target a second successive G1 Coolmore Stud S. with star colt Doubtland (Not A Single Doubt) to tackle the Flemington feature after his win in the G2 Danehill S.

Wayne Hawkes told RSN that Doubtland, who is owned by Orbis, would remain in Victoria, and attempt to emulate stablemate Exceedance, who won the race last year.

“There‘s a big, fat tick now that he actually likes the straight. His last 200 metres was bullish, I thought,“ Hawkes said.

“His turn of foot is nothing short of electrifying that horse.

“The Coolmore‘s going to be his race, it’s just a matter of what we do with him now. There's seven weeks to the race. How and where [he goes before then], I don’t know.”

Stablemates North Pacific (Brazen Beau) and Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon), will go to the G1 Golden Rose S. having finished second and third in the G2 Run To The Rose.

Bowman inquiry adjourned

Racing NSW stewards have adjourned an inquiry into Hugh Bowman’s ride aboard Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) in Saturday’s G2 Run To The Rose.

Bowman set a strong speed on Farnan, who faded late to finish fifth in the seven-horse field, 3.8l behind winner Rothfire (Rothesay).

Stewards, who told Bowman they adjourned their inquiry to a date to be fixed and will continue their investigations and consult betting records.

Bowman said he was issued with no specific riding instructions, with the expectation that the colt would either lead or race outside the lead. He elected to ride Farnan forward to lead when Rothfire didn't opt to do so, but Farnan started to race keenly and took charge.

"I dug him to lead. He didn’t settle as well as I would have liked in front,” Bowman said after the race.

“If I had my time again I might not have led. I think the horse performed well under the circumstances.”

Santa's Gilgai path to Everest

Santa Ana Lane (Lope De Vega {Ire}) will resume his spring campaign in the G2 Gilgai S. at Flemington next month and make a last-minute appeal to slotholders to get into The Everest.

Co-trainer Sam Freedman confirmed the 8-year-old would not travel to Sydney to contest the G2 The Shorts, and will look to target The Everest, a race which he was runner-up in last year second-up.

The five-time Group 1 winner would have a two-week break between the Gilgai and The Everest.

Options open for The Chosen One

Co-trainer Murray Baker is weighing his options with The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) after his impressive victory at Flemington on Saturday.

The Chosen One is headed towards the G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup, races he contested last year, but how he steps to there is still undecided.

“We’re looking at where we will go next with him (The Chosen One),” he said. “The Underwood S. is an option although I’m not sure whether he is a true weight-for-age horse.

“If it’s not the Underwood then he will probably go to the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley.

“His main aim is the two Cups but he is well down the list in the Caulfield Cup so it will be interesting to see if he can make the field.

“We will have to see what happens but they do tend to drop away with some of those higher rated ones.”

Baker said he was prepared to forgive the effort of Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}) in the G1 Makybe Diva S. , where he finished 14th.

“He was disappointing as he was under pressure on the home turn,” he said.

“He probably does need a shower of rain and they didn’t get enough of it on Saturday to help him.

“We’ll see what is around for him but he is qualified for both Cups so we will press on at this stage. "

Positive signs for Derby winner

G1 New Zealand Derby winner Sherwood Forest (Fastnet Rock) will continue with his spring campaign having shown a quick recovery after pulling up lame at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The 4-year-old trialled in the field in the JRA Trophy and underwent a subsequent veterinary examination which found grade 4/5 lameness in his left foreleg.

Trainer Tony Pike had his own vets perform several x-rays on the horse on Sunday morning however he was walking freely and showing no signs of a problem, with the x-rays failing to reveal any explanation for the run.

“We just don’t know what has happened,” Pike said. “Michael (McNab) said he lost his action after a furlong and he tailed off.

“He pulled up extremely lame so we took him home and performed some precautionary x-rays this morning but they have revealed nothing at this stage.

“He’s trotted up one hundred per cent sound so it’s a little bit of a mystery.

“We’ll do some more investigations over the next couple of days but thankfully it doesn’t look life-threatening which is a big positive.”

Travelling Light out of spring

G1 Levin Classic winner Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) has been ruled out of the spring.

Travelling Light finished 10th when resuming in the G2 Foxbridge Plate earlier this month and her trainer Ben Foote has not been pleased with her subsequent work.

“The horse looks amazing, but I galloped her yesterday myself with Sam Collett riding Babylon Berlin (stablemate) and I just wasn’t happy,” Foote said.

“I am going to do some further tests with the vet on Monday because I don’t know what is going on.

“We are going to tip her out irrespective of what that reveals. She is a happy horse but there is something not right.”

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

NSW Race Results

Coffs Harbour (Country)

Dubbo (Country)