GAIN provides update on contaminant investigation

After a weekend of intensive testing of GAIN’s equine feed ranges, batches and individual ingredients, progress has been made in the investigation into the presence of Zilpaterol in the contaminated feeds, the company announced.

The synthetic beta-agonist Zilpaterol, approved for use as a performance-enhancer in some beef production systems outside the EU, was found in some positive tests on horses that had consumed GAIN products in France last week, which resulted in several horses being withdrawn from the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

GAIN said in a statement, “We continue to ask our equine customers to refrain from feeding their current stock of GAIN Equine products to their animals. We again apologise sincerely to our valued customers for the inconvenience caused by this incident and we are committed to promptly keeping you fully informed.”

The British Horseracing Authority issued advice to trainers who have used GAIN’s equine feed ranges on Tuesday. “We anticipate that the sample analysis may take up to three working days to complete, though every effort will be made, within reason and depending on the volume of tests, to return results in time for any races in which horses are entered,” a spokesperson for the BHA told the Irish Field.

Sottsass retired to Coolmore

2020 G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) has been retired and will take up stallion duties at Coolmore Stud in Ireland, owner Peter Brant announced on Tuesday.

A colourbearer for Brant’s White Birch Farm initially, with Coolmore buying a 50% interest earlier this year, the 2019 French highweight’s fee will be announced later.

“A world champion at three and now an Arc winner at four, I have decided to retire Sottsass after what he has achieved,” said Brant.

“He has retired sound and right at the top of his game–this is important to me. I am looking forward to breeding some of my best mares to him. Coolmore purchased 50% of him earlier in the year and he will stand there for 2021.”

Keeneland releases November Breeding Stock Sale catalogue

Keeneland has catalogued 3777 horses for the 2020 November Breeding Stock Sale, which opens Monday, November 9, two days after Keeneland hosts the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for the second time.

Buyers will be able to participate in the auction remotely through online and telephone bidding options successfully introduced at the September Yearling Sale, while the new bidding location at the Show Barn next to the Sales Pavilion again will be available to allow for proper social distancing.

For the November Sale, a total of 1832 broodmares and broodmare prospects, 1404 weanlings, 531 horses of racing age and 10 stallions have been catalogued. Keeneland will continue to accept supplemental entries for the premier Book 1 and for the horses of racing age segment of the sale.

Vandyke throws down Eagle gauntlet

Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) is the favourite to take out the $7.5 million Golden Eagle but trainer David Vandyke isn’t convinced the gelding is at his best.

The 4-year-old will run in the Silver Eagle on Saturday and Vandyke hopes that his star gelding can show his best.

"He's going along okay and we will find out on Saturday whether he has come back in good enough shape to compete at the top level this prep,'' Vandyke said.

"I'm not convinced that he is back to his best but I am hoping he convinces me. It's nice to see a smallish field and he should have every chance."

Eventful debut

The Jamie Richards-trained juvenile Sophisticardo (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) proved too good for his rivals when winning over 800 metres at Avondale on Wednesday.

Sent out the NZ$1.40 favourite in a small field of four, Sophisticardo will derive good benefit from the outing after being slow into stride and coping with a riderless horse to his outside early in the contest after rival Brix (NZ) (Sweynesse) dropped jockey Ashvin Goindasamy coming out of the barriers.

Ridden by Troy Harris, Sophisticardo scored by a comfortable 2.75l and banked some prizemoney which will assist in qualifying for the lucrative R. Listed Karaka Million 2YO in January.

“It didn’t go as planned from the barrier, but it ended up being a nice educational day out for him and he won well,” Richards said.

“He received a nice run behind the speed and quickened well on the point of the home turn. He changed legs, did everything nicely and won with authority.

“We’ll probably back off him for a couple of weeks now, give him time to freshen-up and find another suitable assignment.”

Il Affare impresses

Peter and Dawn Williams unleashed a 3-year-old filly of promise when Il Affare (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) broke maiden ranks over 1600 metres at Avondale on Wednesday.

The filly had bumped into a couple of smart gallopers previously, having finished second to Vamos Bebe (I Am Invincible) two starts back before closing well for fourth behind the highly-touted Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) at her most recent start.

Sporting the colours of Greg Tomlinson’s Nearco Stud, Il Affare came with a well-timed run under Ashvin Goindasamy and relished stepping up to a mile to win by 1l.

“She is a nice staying filly that has taken a bit of time to mature,” Peter Williams said.

“We will just take her quietly and probably won’t be doing much with her until Christmas. There are not that many races for staying fillies at this time of the year.”

Exultant on track for Vase

Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) pleased connections at Sha Tin on Tuesday as he stepped up his preparations towards the G1 Hong Kong Vase and a hoped sixth victory at the top level.

Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year went through the motions in his first barrier trial of the season in typical fashion, travelling at the tail of the 10 runner field under Zac Purton and rolling by the winning post in ninth behind Kings Shield (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}) (clocked at 1:10.5).

“He’s going to have another trial before he races but I thought he felt good, I just rolled him around the outside to keep him out of the dirt,” Purton said.

Trainer Tony Cruz outlined that the 6-year-old’s program is likely to include one more barrier trial before his planned return in the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse H. on November 1. After that, he will go on to the G2 Jockey Club Cup on November 22 before the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase on December 13.

Goffs UK Autumn Sale catalogue released

The one-day Goffs UK Autumn Sale catalogue is now online. Set to take place at Doncaster on October 22, the sale will be split into three portions: the Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale (Lots 1-195), the Silver Yearling Sale (Lots 196-254) and finally the Autumn Yearling Sale (Lots 255-308).

Jumpers primarily feature in the Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale, but there are a few Flat performers sprinkled in like the 89-rated two-time winner Confide (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) (Lot 49) from Lodge Farm Stud.

The Silver and Autumn Yearling Sales offer 113 yearlings between them by the likes of Bated Breath (GB), Belardo (Ire), Due Diligence (USA), Havana Gold (Ire), Pride Of Dubai and Twilight Son (GB) to name a few.

“This year hosts a different format compared to the traditional Autumn Sale with a notable addition, the Silver Yearling Sale, and a significant absence in the full Point-to-Point/Form Horse Session,” said Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent.

“The inclusion of the Silver Sale will give buyers access to more commercial yearlings and both yearling sales have proven their ability to produce Group 1 horses with the likes of Quiet Reflection and Mabs Cross coming from their ranks."

Fancy Blue retired

Classic heroine Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) has been retired, according to a tweet from Paul Smith, son of co-owner Derrick Smith. Bred by Coolmore, the bay raced for a Coolmore partnership.

“Fancy Blue retires,” Derrick’s son Paul Smith tweeted of the 3-year-old who sustained a tendon injury in training. “Thank you to Donnacha O’Brien and all connected with her.”

Valiance to Fasig-Tipton November

Sunday’s G1 Juddmonte Spinster S. winner Valiance (USA) (Tapit {USA}) will be offered at the November 8 Fasig-Tipton November Sale after an anticipated start in the G1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff November 7.

She will go through the ring as a racing or broodmare prospect consigned by Meg Levy’s Bluewater Sales.

“It is always exciting to offer fillies in top current form,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “A daughter of Tapit with a fantastic pedigree will be highly desirable to the sport’s leading buyers and owners.”