Russian Camelot's stallion credentials build

Written by

Bren O'Brien

7 min read

Having already blazed a trail in his short but spectacular racetrack career, could Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) be set to defy conventional thinking on what makes a potential star stallion in Australia?

After Saturday's win in the G1 Underwood S. at Caulfield, his second Group 1 success in just seven starts, the Danny O'Brien-trained Russian Camelot, who is still a 3-year-old by Northern Hemisphere time, continues to rise to new heights.

He became the first Northern Hemisphere-bred horse to win one of the four Group 1 Derbys in Australia with his victory in the SA Derby in May, and his extraordinary progress has continued this spring with a Group 1 weight-for-age success under his belt on Saturday.

Russian Camelot is now $3.50 favourite for Australia's traditional weight-for-age championship, the G1 Cox Plate at what will be just his ninth start. Should he complete that task, it sets him up as an intriguing stud prospect going forward.

Dan Fletcher, who owns and operates Queensland's Telemon Stud, is a part-owner in Russian Camelot, and sees his considerable potential as a stallion prospect, but is also cognisant of the local market's preference for fast, precocious sires.

"Nick Williams tweeted last night that he's probably the best horse in Australia and certainly the most exciting stallion prospect," Fletcher told TDN AusNZ.

"I guess the challenge is that we can all say that, but when the time comes we really need to appreciate, and as an industry, embrace those horses. It will take the industry and the buying bench in Australia to support that and make it happen."

While he and fellow owners have enjoyed substantial success from Danny O'Brien's strategy to utilise local agent Jeremy Brummitt to purchase Russian Camelot out of the 2018 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Fletcher said it would be a pity if Australian investors saw that approach as a shortcut to homegrown success.

"There are yearling sales up there at the moment and we need to be careful as an industry that it doesn't just become a template for our buyers to simply go up and buy these horses. We should be trying to breed them down here, put them in the Easter catalogue, or wherever they need to go. There is no reason we can't get this blood working down here," he said.

"We need to be careful as an industry that it doesn't just become a template for our buyers to simply go up and buy these horses. We should be trying to breed them down here." - Dan Fletcher

Fletcher points to the fact that Russian Camelot's own sire, the multiple Derby winner Camelot (GB), stood in Australia for a season at Coolmore, to indicate the opportunities that were there for Australian breeders to access elite Northern Hemisphere staying bloodlines right here in this country.

"We miss a trick with these horses to a certain extent. Over the years, my observation is every time we tend to have an English Derby winner here, they inevitably leave their mark and only really get appreciated when they aren't here anymore," he said.

"It’s funny how the commercial landscape works. We never appreciate them enough, but they certainly are not lost on me how much they have to offer."

Camelot (GB) stood at Coolmore Australia for a season

A game changer?

Fletcher does believe a European-bred but locally based and raced stallion like Russian Camelot has the potential to change the game.

While the dominant sires in Australia tend to be those who fit the 'young and fast' mould, there are a host of top level weight-for-age performers who have made a significant impression as stallions in recent years.

Dundeel (NZ), Ocean Park (NZ) and So You Think (NZ) are all winners of the Underwood S. to go on to be stallions of note, while along with the latter two on that list, Savabeel, Shamus Award and Adelaide (Ire) are recent Cox Plate winners to have become Group 1-producing stallions in their own right.

"We talk about a Golden Slipper being a breed shaping race, and that's understandable, so too is the Coolmore, and in past years, the Caulfield Guineas. The Cox Plate is the other element to that especially when you have colts who can contest and win it," Fletcher said.

"It’s a proven formula that they inevitably produce Group 1 winners. I'm sure this horse would be no exception."

"It’s a proven formula that they inevitably produce Group 1 winners. I'm sure this horse would be no exception." - Dan Fletcher

The obvious question for Fletcher is whether he would put his money where his mouth is and stand Russian Camelot at Telemon if given the chance.

"We would think about standing any sort of quality animal that is commercial," he said.

"I'm not someone that wants to go broke while I argue with the market, so we need to offer horses that people are able to support and get the commercial return in the sales ring. He's definitely a horse that could fit all that criteria.

Part-owner Dan Fletcher would consider standing Russian Camelot (Ire) at Telemon Thoroughbreds if given the chance

"We would never presume to be angling in that direction and there is a lot to play out before we could ever do that. We’d be the same as everyone else. Fortunately for us, we are in the horse, which helps.

"He's a dual Group 1 winner after seven starts, you'd make a list of horses that have done that and it’s not a long list and everything on that list is a very special animal and he is no exception."

Group 1 success shared

While that might be a plan for somewhere down the path, Fletcher is focused on just enjoying the experience of having a share, along with a group of 20 close friends, in one of the most exciting horses in the land.

Fletcher and his wife Rae secured an interest in the horse through his contacts with fellow owners Melvyn Ford and Mark Edwards.

"Originally we had planned to be involved off our own bat and we mentioned him to a couple of others, who said 'that sounds like a good idea'. They spoke to a few of their friends, and suddenly we went from doing it ourselves to a few people and ended up with 10 couples involved," he said.

"We called it the Queensland Cup Colts and expected it to be a long, long, long term project and maybe we’d get a runner in a Melbourne Cup. We would have taken a Mornington Cup or a Beaudesert Cup to be honest, we certainly felt it was going to be a long term thing."

Dan and Rae Fletcher (centre and right) are part of Russian Camelot's (Ire) ownership along with 10 other couples

Instead, it has been a fast track to the best races of the spring, and a serious shot at a Cox Plate, with considerable upside to come beyond 2020.

"He's the equivalent of an autumn 3-year-old and that's the thing, he's such a freakishly talented individual. If he had have been a Southern Hemisphere horse, he would have been contesting stakes races at two and is the sort of horses that could win a Champagne S., Sires' Produce or a JJ Atkins," Fletcher said.

"He would have been a Group 1 level 2-year-old any day of the week, if he wasn't out of his age group. He's now just showing what he is capable of.

"You talk to Danny and he's got furnishing to come and whatever he's doing now there is no reason why he won't keep improving. He's entitled to do that and that’s what is so exciting about him."

Ole's Rose victory a sweet reward for Player

Written by

Bren O'Brien

7 min read

International bloodstock agent Mark Player sees himself as playing just a small part in the success story of G1 Golden Rose S. winner Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon), but as the man whose name was on the docket when the son of Written Tycoon was purchased as a yearling, he is enjoying every bit of the ride.

It was on behalf of Neil Werrett, who had so much success with Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), the sister to Ole Kirk's dam, Naturale, that Player's International Thoroughbred Solutions paid $675,000 for the colt, who was offered by Gilgai Farm at the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.

"It's well known that it is Neil's favourite family and Neil wanted me to have a look at the horse and give an opinion, which I was very pleased to do. He had done the same with the Hawkes team and absolutely without John and Wayne liking the horse as much as they did, we wouldn’t have bought the horse," Player told TDN AusNZ.

Werrett was keen to keep his interest in the colt under wraps, especially considering his connection with the family, and elected to enlist Player to do his bidding.

"As soon as I saw the page and I remembered Rick [Jamieson] had told me about this sister to Black Caviar way back, and how unfortunately it couldn’t race," Werrett said. "So when it was coming up in Melbourne, I asked the Hawkeses if they had looked at it and they said it was on their list to buy.

"I said I want to buy it. I got Mark Player to buy for me because I didn’t want people to think the Hawkeses were buying for me."

What stood out to Player about Ole Kirk when he saw him was the same thing which captured the imagination of the Hawkeses.

"I went and saw him on several occasions and he always stamped himself as an athlete and a horse that had that wonderful thing called presence." - Mark Player

"He was just a fantastic mover the whole time. He had a great way of moving. I went and saw him on several occasions and he always stamped himself as an athlete and a horse that had that wonderful thing called presence," Player said.

"How we define presence, I'm not sure most of the time, but he had a great style about him. He always stood well, had a kind eye, and he was very much a horse that knew the job he had to do at the sales and kept doing it.

"When he walked, he was just an athlete. That movement was something that caught everyone in the team's eye."

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Gallery: Ole Kirk as a yearling

That Hawkes magic

Gilgai Farm's Kelly Skillecorn recalled a colt that while possessing all of the desired qualities, was still yet to grow up when he hit the yearling sales.

"He was so immature, but that family keeps getting better and better. He was an immature colt at the sales and I’m just so grateful he ended up with the Hawkes’ who are so patient with these colts and there’s none better in turning a yearling colt into a stallion and they’ve done it again," he said.

"He was an immature colt at the sales and I’m just so grateful he ended up with the Hawkes’ who are so patient with these colts and there’s none better in turning a yearling colt into a stallion." - Kelly Skillecorn

Player agreed that the development of Ole Kirk from what he saw at Oaklands in March last year, to be a stakes winner on debut, Group 1-placed at two, and now a winner of one of Australia's premier stallion-making races, owed so much to the Hawkes' ability with these colts.

"The development is purely down to the Hawkes team. They have done a magnificent job with him. We never ever thought he was going to be an early 2-year-old and to come out and to be programmed for the Talindert first-up which was a Listed event, that spoke volumes of how much work the Hawkeses put into him. He was considered to be stakes grade without even having had a start," he said.

Ole Kirk was set a task in the Listed Talindert S. first-up

Team Hawkes had developed now Vinery Stud stallion, All Too Hard, a half-sibling to Ole Kirk's dam, along a very similar path, from a win in the Talindert, to a Group 1 placing later in the autumn and then to Group 1 glory in his 3-year-old spring, in his case the G1 Caulfield Guineas, a race which is next on Ole Kirk's agenda.

"It is a family that when you look right through, All Too Hard, Black Caviar, all those horses, did get better as they matured. So it was no surprise at all to see the Hawkses take a very patient path with him. To develop him the way they did," Player said.

"It was very encouraging early in this preparation, that Michael was giving the reports to Neil to say that the horse has continued to improve and was really going well. We thought this might be his time in the sun and he has still got a fair bit to go. I'm sure the team have got some lofty goals with him, and so they should after that."

Player still speaks regularly about the colt with Werrett, who heads an ownership group in Ole Kirk which also includes fellow Black Caviar owners Colin and Jannene Madden.

Connections of Ole Kirk after his Listed Talindert S. win

"I just enjoy him as a racing fan and I still talk to the team on a regular basis. The horse is programmed and managed by John and that's very appropriate and the way he should be. He has done such a terrific job with so many horses in the past. Neil has ultimate faith in him as do the rest of the ownership team," he said.

"I was just a small part of the team to make it happen, but it does give you confidence when you know that people like John are really supportive and wanted the horse as much as I did."

Outcross pedigree franks stud interest

With interest in Ole Kirk's stud future currently at fever pitch, Player will be there again as a sounding board for Werrett if required. As the first G1 Golden Rose S. winner in a decade to be completely free of Danehill (USA) in the pedigree, he admits Ole Kirk makes for an intriguing outcross option.

"It's going to be a very interesting period of time to see what happens in the next weeks and months," he said.

"Certainly to have that aspect of being free of Danehill, it’s one of the things that stood out with his pedigree to start with. We thought that if he was able to be a Group 1 winner, with that family behind him, it would be very attractive. The stars have aligned and the judgment of people like John and Neil have paid off."

"It's going to be a very interesting period of time to see what happens in the next weeks and months." - Mark Player

The Written Tycoon sireline is very much en vogue at the moment, with Ole Kirk one of two Group 1 winners over the weekend for the now Arrowfield Stud-based stallion, who also had Pippie win the G1 Moir S., at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

There are currently four sons of Written Tycoon at stud in Australia, Newgate pair Capitalist and Winning Rupert, Woodside Park's Rich Enuff and Widden Stud's Written By.

Written Tycoon | Standing at Arrowfield Stud

Player is a huge fan of the stallion's progeny and purchased another yearling colt by him for $400,000 at this year's Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.

"It’s amazing, I bought just two horses in two years at Melbourne Premier and both were by Written Tycoon. Both of them were picked on type and that athleticism that the breed tends to have," he said.

"They tend to be good temperament racehorses and really want to get on with it. It’s great to see him as a stallion continuing to make his mark. He has been a fantastic servant for the Australian industry and I think the best is still ahead of him."

Sesamoid injury ends Rothfire's Everest dream

4 min read

By Bren O'Brien

Group 1 winner Rothfire (Rothesay) has been ruled out of The Everest and is expected to spend significant time on the sidelines after fracturing a sesamoid when finishing fourth in the G1 Golden Rose S. at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Robert Heathcote confirmed on Sunday that the G1 JJ Atkins S. winner, who had started odds-on favourite in Saturday's 3-year-old feature, would be assessed in the coming days as to whether he would require surgery, but he expected him to miss at least a year of racing.

Trainer Robert Heathcote | Image courtesy of AAP Photos

"He put a hoof down awkwardly in the Golden Rose, I would say he would need a year or so off," Heathcote told reporters. "Whether he will need surgery is unknown at the moment.

"No doubt at the 200 metre mark of the Golden Rose when he deviated suddenly, he suffered the injury. The vets post-race thought it was high in the shoulder."

"He put a hoof down awkwardly in the Golden Rose, I would say he would need a year or so off." - Robert Heathcote

Rothfire was led back to the mounting yard without rider Jim Byrne, who pulled him up quickly and dismounted after the line. Racing NSW stewards reported the gelding was 3/5 lame in the off foreleg in a post-race examination.

Subsequent inspection has revealed the significance of the injury, leaving Heathcote, who paid $10,000 for Rothfire as a yearling, and the connections devastated and ending The Everest fairytale.

Robert Heathcote and the connections of Rothfire were left devastated after the extent of his injury was revealed

"I've been in racing for a long time, injuries happen," Heathcote said. "But this injury happened to come on the biggest stage in Australian racing and three weeks before The Everest.

"We will get over it."

Rothfire had emerged as one of the good news stories of what has been an uncertain time for Australian racing during the COVID-19 pandemic, winning seven of his first eight starts.

The humbly bred gelding won a pair of pre-Christmas 2-year-old races last spring and then returned with another pair of wins, before suffering his first defeat when second in the Aquis QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast in March.

He rebounded with his first stakes win in the G2 Champagne Classic and then streeted his rivals to win the JJ Atkins S. at Eagle Farm.

"Injuries happen, but this injury happened to come on the biggest stage in Australian racing and three weeks before The Everest. " - Robert Heathcote

He then returned to the track this spring with an emphatic 1.5l win in the G2 Run To The Rose earlier this month, setting himself up as one of the best 3-year-old prospects of the spring.

Rothfire was selected by miRunners as its runner for The Everest, and the expectation was he would account for a similar collection of horses in the Golden Rose as he did in the Run To The Rose.

Rothfire had been selected to fill The Everest slot for miRunners

But the race did not pan out as planned, and Rothfire was forced to work harder for the lead than expected by Mamaragan (Wandjina). He set a good tempo and gave a strong kick for home at the top of the straight, but he appeared to wobble at the furlong post, the point at which Heathcote believed he suffered his injury.

Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) surged home to win the race, edging out his Team Hawkes stablemate North Pacific (Brazen Beau), while King's Legacy (Redoute's Choice), who also came from the rear of the field, finished third.

Rothfire's withdrawal from The Everest means there are still six slots to fill for The Everest, three weeks out from the race.

Golden Rose winner Ole Kirk is expected to contest the G1 Caulfield Guineas, as is third-placed King's Legacy, while North Pacific is a possibility of going to The Everest should he earn a slot.

Last year's Golden Rose S. runner-up Yes Yes Yes went on to win The Everest.

Black-type Results: Mornington

2 min read

Listed RM Ansett Classic, $140,000, 2415m

Race Summary

Progressive staying mare High Emocean (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) has broken through for her first stakes win in emphatic fashion, bolting to an easy win in the Listed RM Ansett Classic at Mornington.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained 4-year-old made it five wins from 11 starts when swooping from back in the field to easily account for the favourite Tavirun (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ{) and Eureka Street (Street Cry {Ire}).

Ridden by Jye McNeil, High Emocean settled back in the field, but when the tempo dropped midway through the race, McNeil got her into the fight. When Tavirun took control of the race at the top of the straight, High Emocean unleashed an impressive finished and won by a clear 4.5l in the end.

Co-trainer Eustace said post-race, a race like the Listed Sandown Cup might be a suitable target for the mare later in the spring, while also eyeing a 2800 metre race on Melbourne Cup day.

Pedigree Notes

High Emocean was an NZ$80,000 purchase for John Foote Bloodstock/Darren Weir at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, where she was offered by Wentwood Grange.

She is a half-sister to Listed winner Elate (NZ) (Savabeel) as well as four-time winner Diamondsandbubbles (Commands). Their dam, High Joy (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), is an unraced three-quarter sister to Group 2 winner Hidden Asset (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and half-sister to Emperor Bonaparte (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}).

Champion Bonecrusher (NZ) (Pag-Asa) also features in the pedigree, being a half-brother to the second dam, the stakes-placed Endless Joy (NZ) (Centaine).

High Joy has a yearling filly by Iffraaj (GB) and visited Savabeel last spring before heading to Australia this spring.

International News Wrap

12 min read

Golden Sixty returns a winner

Hong Kong Derby winner Golden Sixty (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) has stamped himself as one of the top prospects of the Hong Kong season, with an eighth-consecutive victory in the G3 Celebration Cup at Sha Tin (1400 metres).

Having his first start since his Derby success in March, Golden Sixty was sat just off the pace by Vincent Ho, and set upon the leaders at the 300m mark, driving clear to win by 1.75l, with defending champion Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock) dead-heating in second with Champion's Way (Hinchinbrook).

The Francis Lui-trained Golden Sixty has now won 11 of his 12 starts and looms as the horse to beat in whatever races he contests in Hong Kong this season.

Beauty Generation, having his first start for new trainer David Hayes, and looking for a fourth straight win in the race, worked home well. But anchored by top weight, he lacked the turn of foot to go with Golden Sixty and had to be content to share second, with the John Size-prepared Champion's Way.

Southern Legend (Not A Single Doubt) finished fourth ahead of Buddies (So You Think {NZ}), who fought on well having raced wide on the pace early on.

Contrail winning streak stretches

Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) maintained course for the Japanese Triple Crown by winning the traditional warm-up for the G1 Kikuka Sho, the Japanese St Leger, the G2 Kobe Shimun Hai at Chukyo on Sunday.

The unbeaten colt, who won both the G1 Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas) and G1 Tokyo Yushun (Derby) earlier in the year, breezed home by 2l to stretch his winning streak to six.

Yuichi Fukunaga settled him off the pace towards the rail in the 2200 metre race and effortlessly picked his way through the field before cruising away untouched, clear of Weltreisende (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) and Robertson Quay (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}).

His next assignment is the Kikuka Sho on October 25 and the chance to become the first horse since Orfevre to win the Triple Crown.

Alcohol Free leads stakes double for No Nay Never

Alcohol Free (Ire) kicked off a strong Saturday for No Nay Never (USA) when becoming her sire’s third Group 1 winner in the G1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park S. over 1200 metres.

Showing determination in the final 200 metres, the filly held off Sir Prancealot’s (Ire) Miss Amulet (Ire) by 0.5l with Umm Kulthum (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) a head back in third.

“She relaxes well and acts better with a bit of cover,” said trainer Andrew Balding. “Oisin [Murphy] was intent that he couldn’t see any pace in the race and he didn’t want to be too far back. I’m well past giving him instructions and he did a fantastic job.”

Alcohol Free provided the former shuttle stallion with the first half of an international juvenile double.

In California later in the day, Amanzi Yimpilo (Ire) raced second early on in the 1100 metre race before digging in deep for a stretch duel. She took the lead inside the final 100 metres to win by a head against the males.

“She just broke very well and sat in a great spot which was the spot I was thinking to be in,” said jockey Luis Saez. “When we came down the stretch she fought, she was a fighter and we got there. I had a feeling we would get it.”

Alcohol Free is one of two stakes winners from Hard Spun’s (USA) Plying (USA) and is one of two stakes winners for No Nay Never out of Danzig (USA) granddaughters.

The Wesley Ward-trained Amanzi Yimpilo is one of two stakes winners for No Nay Never out of Galileo (Ire) mares with one of his four winners from that group also finishing fourth in a Group 3. The filly comes from the family of multiple Australian Group 1-placed Dibayani (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) with Redoute’s Choice’s stakes-winning Dabiyr (Ire) also on her page.

Improbable wins third straight in Awesome Again

WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and SF Bloodstock-owned Improbable (USA) (City Zip {USA}) earned his third straight Grade 1 on Saturday at Santa Anita in the G1 Awesome Again S. over 1800 metres.

Uncharacteristically trailing the field early on, Improbable rallied and went to the front at the top of the stretch. The race was over from there with no one able to make a challenge as Improbable galloped to a 4.5l victory over stablemate Maximum Security (USA) (New Year’s Day {USA}) with Midcourt (USA) (Midnight Lute {USA}) 0.5l behind that foe in third.

“I take it a day at a time, and I’m grateful for this win,” said regular rider Drayden Van Dyke. “He showed a different tactic today which he showed before when he was two. He used to come off the pace more than usual.”

Earning his fourth career Grade 1 victory, Improbable was a US$110,000 (AU$142,28) weanling who was then sold for US$200,000 (AU$284,576) at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

He is the first foal out of four-time winner Rare Event (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}). That mare is a daughter of stakes winner Our Rite of Spring (USA) (Stravinsky {USA}), a half-sister to Grade 1 winner and successful sire Hard Spun (USA).

Supremacy provides Mehmas first Group 1 winner

In a year that has seen Mehmas (Ire) dominate the Northern Hemisphere freshman sire ranks by winners, Supremacy (Ire) gave him his first Group 1 winner in the G1 Juddmonte Middle Park S. over 1200 metres.

Taking the lead from the start, Supremacy had to dig in deep to hold off the hard-charging Lucky Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) to win by 0.5l. The race was dominated by Mehmas runners with the stallion also having the third-placed Minzaal (Ire) with Toronado’s (Ire) Tactical (GB) rounding out the top four.

“He is just pure class,” said trainer Clive Cox. “I don’t think we will be stretching beyond six. I don’t think we need to when he shows gears like that. That is precisely what we will be concentrating on and polishing what we have got.”

Supremacy was already one of four stakes winners and six stakes performers for his sire, who has had more than 30 winners this season. He is out of a half-sister to Hong Kong Group 1 winner Xtension (Ire) (Xaar {GB}) and the dam of Darley’s champion racehorse and young shuttle stallion Harry Angel (Ire).

Mucho Unusual goes wire-to-wire in Rodeo Drive

Mucho Unusual (USA) (Mucho Macho Man {USA}) took the lead from the gate and never looked back in the G1 Rodeo Drive S. at Santa Anita to punch her ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf.

Winning by 1.25l over 2400 metres on the turf, Mucho Unusual was winning her second career Graded stakes race and has placed in six of her nine Graded stakes attempts.

“It means a lot. It is my first Grade 1, I always wanted to win a Grade 1, I always tried really hard, but I couldn’t, today was the day,” said jockey Juan Hernandez. “To win these races it’s all about opportunity, I want to thank the owners and trainer for this big opportunity.”

The 4-year-old filly is the second Grade 1 winner for her sire. She is also the second stakes winner for her dam alongside Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Big Score (USA) (Mr Big {USA}) with another sibling winning 11 races in his career.

Get Her Number on road to Breeders’ Cup

Get Her Number (USA) (Dialed In {USA}) earned his spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in the American Pharoah on Saturday at Santa Anita while also providing Dialed In (USA) with his first Grade 1 winner.

Pressuring the leader early on, Get Her Number took over the lead 600 metres out and was able to hold on at the wire by 0.75l over Rombauer (USA) (Twirling Candy {USA}) with SF Bloodstock co-owned Spielberg (USA) (Union Rags {USA}) third.

“We had a good trip; he broke well and he put me in the race. He reacted well on the backside and by that point, I felt in control,” said jockey Flavien Prat. “It is great, Breeders’ Cup is always something we all look forward to so it’s cool.”

A US$45,000 (AU$64,029) 2-year-old earlier this year, Get Her Number is the first stakes winners under his first two dams with his granddam a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Diffident (Fr) (Nureyev {USA}).

Painting breaks bridesmaid streak in Ontario Fashion

Coming into the race with four straight second-place finishes in graded stakes, Painting (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}) denied Australian-bred Victory Kingdom (Animal Kingdom {USA}) the victory with her first career graded stakes victory.

Racing near the back of the pack in the 1200 metre race, the filly was set down for a run in the stretch to chase down the pacesetting Victory Kingdom. She was able to get there just in time to win by 0.25l over Victory Kingdom, who was making her second start since moving to the United States.

Painting is out of stakes-winning and Grade 1-placed A.P. Indy (USA) mare Handpainted (USA), who has three stakes horses from six to race. Handpainted’s full sister is Canadian champion Serenading (USA) with their dam the matriarch of a family that includes Grade 1 winner and classic placed Brilliant Speed (USA) (Dynaformer {USA}).

New Mandate leads home New Bay double

First season sire New Bay (GB) saw New Mandate (Ire) become his first group winner on Saturday with a victory in the G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S. over 1600 metres.

The second winner in the first two races for New Bay at Newmarket, the gelding closed strongly to beat Ontario (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by 0.75l with Kodi Bear’s (Ire) (Cobh {Ire}) in third.

It was the second stakes victory of the day for a Dubawi (Ire) son after Makfi’s (GB) Attorney (Fr) won a Group 3 at Rosehill.

“He’s a good horse,” jockey Frankie Dettori said. “They went slow and it was a bit of a sprint finish–we’ve got to go to Group 1 level now and try.”

New Mandate is the first stakes winner out of a half-sister to the dam of dual Group 1 winner Avenir Certain (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire]) with stakes winner and G1 Caulfield Cup fourth Blue Monday (GB) (Darshaan {GB}) and Listed Winter S. winner Rugged Cross (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) also in the family.

High Definition up late for Beresford victory

Giving Fastnet Rock daughter Palace (Ire) her second G2 Alan Smurfit Memorial Beresford S. winner in two years, High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) enjoyed every inch of ground of the 1600 metre race at The Curragh.

Among the back markers of the field, High Definition made a late run to nab the lead from Monaasib (GB) (Bobby’s Kitten {USA}) just before the wire for a 0.75l victory. The win gave trainer Aidan O’Brien a milestone 10th straight victory in the race .

“I’d say we’ll put him away now,” said O’Brien. “He could start in a Guineas and he looks like he’ll be a middle-distance horse. I was a bit worried about the bend, as he’s never been around one before.”

Two of Palace’s three foals have won the Beresford S. with Innisfree (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) winning the race last year. The stakes-winning mare is a half-sister to three other stakes winners, including the dam of Listed winner and multiple Group 1-placed Kingfisher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and a granddaughter of multiple Group 1 winner Sonic Lady (USA) (Nureyev {USA}).

Princess Noor continues undefeated march in Chandelier

Stepping out of her comfort zone early on, Princess Noor (USA) (Not This Time {USA}) proved to be flexible with a win in the G2 Chandelier S. over 1700 metres at Santa Anita Park.

Having to sit behind horses early on, the filly was soon back to her typical romping ways for trainer Bob Baffert. The US$1.35 million (AU$1,920,888) purchase provided Baffert the top half of an exacta with an 8.25l victory over stablemate Varda (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}) with third-place finisher Miss Costa Rica (USA) (Hit It A Bomb {USA}) 17.5l behind the winner.

“It’s my job to ride her with confidence because I know she was the best filly in the race and I had to ride her like she was the best filly in the race,” said Victor Espinoza. “She reminds me of other great horses I used to ride like American Pharoah and California Chrome. The talent is there, we just have to let them be happy around the racetrack. "

By first-crop sire Not This Time (USA), Princess Noor is out of Grade 3 winner Sheza Smoke Show (USA) (Wilko {USA}) and is a fourth-generation stakes winner with each of her first three dams winning at least one stakes race while her fourth and fifth dam both placed in stakes.

Omaha City gives Lady Of Harrods first stakes winner

Two-year-old Omaha City (USA) (Temple City {USA}) provided Australian-bred Lady Of Harrods (Dubawi {Ire}) her first stakes winner on Saturday with a victory in the Hollywood Beach S. over 1000 metres.

Running close to the leaders throughout, Omaha City took the lead 100 metres out and proved to be a little green in front but was running easily enough that he was still able to win by 1.25l.

Lady Of Harrods won two Group 3s in her career and was sold twice at the Magic Millions broodmare sales before being exported to the United States in February of 2017. Omaha City is her first US-born foal with the mare having a Lord Nelson (USA) filly this season before visiting Mor Spirit (USA).

Lady Of Harrods’ dam is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Fraud (Belloto {USA}) with Lady Of Harrods' first 10 dams all Australian-breds.

Foal Showcase

1 min read

To have your foal featured, send a landscape-oriented image to olivia@tdnausnz.com.au

Daily News Wrap

Bowman to head to Melbourne

Leading jockey Hugh Bowman has been booked for a series of high-profile rides in Melbourne through the spring, including G1 Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Caulfield Cup.

Bowman's first feature ride for the Melbourne spring will be aboard King’s Legacy (Redoute's Choice) in the G1 Caulfield Guineas on October 10 after Racing Victoria announced on Friday that interstate jockeys would only need to quarantine for five days and return a negative COVID-19 test if they wish to ride in Melbourne.

Hugh Bowman has been booked for a number of high-profile rides in Melbourne

Anthony Van Dyck, currently third favourite for the Caulfield Cup, was one of several spring riding engagements confirmed by Aidan O'Brien.

In the Cox Plate, Ben Melham will ride Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Mark Zahra, Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while in the G1 Melbourne Cup, Kerrin McEvoy will ride Tiger Moth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and John Allen will ride Santiago (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}).

Dame ready for shot at history

Dame Giselle (I Am Invincible) is spot on for her shot at creating a bit of history in next Saturday's G1 Flight S. at Randwick.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained filly is aiming to become the first horse since Samantha Miss (Redoute's Choice) in 2008 to win all four legs of the Princess Series.

Dame Giselle

Co-trainer Paul Snowden is very happy with where Dame Giselle is at.

“We didn’t have to do much work between her second and her third wins. Now we are starting to get, not the miles into her legs but tone that mental state down a little bit," he told Racenet.

“She did a little bit of work on Saturday morning and it was very impressive to see how relaxed she was.

“It was quite windy conditions which isn’t ideal for horses and she was really comfortable and happy within herself.”

Fabergino to stay in Melbourne

Beaten G1 Moir S. favourite Fabergino (Maschino) will remain in Melbourne to look for more stakes glory in the spring.

Trainer Tiarnna Robertson has confirmed that the G2 Caulfield Sprint will be the flying mare's next assignment.

“The moment she stepped slowly on Friday, her race was over,” Robertson told Racing.com.

“It was obviously disappointing, but we’ll move on from that and look towards the next race.

“But she’s really bright in herself and it’s like she just had a track gallop.

“We’ll hope the sun shines in Melbourne moving forward and aim to start her in the Caulfield Sprint. "

O'Brien's stayers step up

Danny O'Brien will be looking for further Group 1 glory in the G1 Turnbull S. at Flemington next Saturday with two horses to tackle the 2000 metre race.

O'Brien, who celebrated the win of Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in Saturday's G1 Underwood S., will have 2019 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) and King Of Leogrance (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) in action.

“Getting to the 2000 metres next weekend at Flemington is going to be an ideal chance to see how Vow And Declare is going,” O’Brien said. “I’d be disappointed if he didn’t run a really good race there.”

King Of Leogrance, the G2 Adelaide Cup winner, will be having his first run since finishing second in the Listed Andrew Ramsden S.

Lucas Cranach dies in paddock accident

Leneva Park stallion and 2011 Melbourne Cup placegetter Lucas Cranach (Ger) has died in a paddock accident.

The son of Mamool (Ire), he was a winner of the G2 Peter Young S. as well as a Group 2 race in Germany. He succumbed after what was described as a 'freak accident'.

Australian Bloodstock, who brought him to Australia, reflected on his racing career where he won six of 12 starts, including his third behind Dunaden (Fr) in the 2011 Melbourne Cup.

“Never forget the enjoyment/roller coaster this bloke gave us,” Australian Bloodstock tweeted.

“The courage under adversity to still run third in the Melbourne Cup we'll always remember. The best horse we never got to see!”

Lucas Cranach embarked on a stud career in Australia and has produced 44 winners. He had recently transferred to Leneva Park from Bullarook Stud.

Thoroughbreds Are Go returns

Thoroughbreds Are Go, Australia’s only thoroughbred re-homing and re-training program, returns on Sky Thoroughbred Central at 7:30pm AEST on Monday night.

Monday’s first episode of Series 2 includes a story on the Riding For Disabled organisation at Richmond on the outskirts of Sydney and how the thoroughbred's sensitivity makes it the perfect horse for the job.

Another feature focusses on Godolphin’s Lifetime Care and how the early handling of thoroughbred foals, bred to be racehorses, gives them the best chance of being a productive and willing horse in a variety of disciplines for the whole of their lives.

There is also a segment on training tips for off the track thoroughbreds from Scott Brodie.

Ready to Strike

Trainer Richard Collett is hoping Super Strike (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}) can begin to reward the patience he and breeder Janet Hepi have shown with the progressive galloper.

Super Strike was an impressive winner at Ellerslie on Saturday and Collett hopes that is a sigb he can take the next step.

“He (Super Strike) did a good job and I actually didn’t realise that they ran 1:09.44 until I got home and watched the replay so I thought geez it’s been a big effort to come from where he did to win," Collett said.

“He just took a while to find clear air and had to come between a couple to make his run but he was very strong to the line.”

There have been a number of offers to buy the horse however they have been rejected by Hepi who has been racing horses with Collett for many years.

“Janet, who bred and owns him, has been with me for a long time and I think she is keen to retain and race this one here in New Zealand for as long as possible,” Collett said.

“You get offers all the time but I can understand when you get a smart one that you want to keep them and enjoy that success.

“He’s a big lad at around the 560kg mark and there is still plenty of improvement left in him.

“He will go back to Ellerslie in three weeks and then we will plan from there but there is a nice sequence of races around here over the next few months, so we have a lot to choose from.”

Concert on song at start of campaign

Cambridge trainer Roger James feels Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) has a big campaign ahead of her after an impressive second first-up at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Concert Hall charged to finish second behind winner Dawn Patrol (NZ) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) over 1400 metres.

“She is a mare that has always had ability but it was great to see the turn of foot she had over 1400 metres which is well short of her best,” he said. “She’s had a long slow build-up and has a good base of fitness.

“I watched the race replay on Sunday morning and thought that if she had got a clearer run then the race might almost have been hers.

“It was still very pleasing and indicated she has a lot ahead of her.

“I’m going to see how they both come through their runs but after performances like that, I wouldn‘t expect them to have their next starts for three to four weeks.”

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

NSW Race Results

Bathurst (Country)

Port Macquarie (Country)