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Galileo mare hunt creates Cup connection for Hawthorne

Written by
6 min read
Dean Hawthorne's appointment by GSA Bloodstock owner Jonathan Munz to source Galileo (Ire) broodmares from the Northern Hemisphere has created an additional level of personal interest in how G1 Melbourne Cup favourite Tiger Moth (Ire) performs on Tuesday.

Cover image courtesy of Arqana

GSA and Munz's red and white stripes won't feature among the 24 runners in the famous $8 million handicap on Tuesday, but the quest of Aidan O'Brien's Tiger Moth to become the least-experienced Melbourne Cup winner in over a century will be keenly followed by the prominent owner, and his much trusted bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne.

Hawthorne combined with Badgers Bloodstock at the 2018 Tattersalls December Mares Sale to buy Puppetshow (Ire), a sister to Tiger Moth, for 380,000 gns (AU$734,160). She has just produced her first Australian-born progeny, a colt by Snitzel, and her already strong pedigree page could be set for an interesting addition should Tiger Moth prevail.

Puppetshow is one of seven broodmares by Galileo that Hawthorne has purchased over the past three years for GSA, looking for some world class bloodlines to combine with Australia's best stallions.

"When we purchased her that was our second year up there sourcing Galileo broodmares to bring back Down Under," Hawthorne told TDN AusNZ.

"When we purchased her that was our second year up there sourcing Galileo broodmares to bring back Down Under." - Dean Hawthorne

"We’ve bought seven up there and they have all came down here. They are a bit like the Zabeel mares to us, the Galileo mares. Worldwide they are so successful aren't they?

"She was one that appealed because of the speed in her bottom line through her dam, Lesson In Humility. She is by Mujadil and the whole of that family is very speedy, including the half-brother, who was a Listed winner over six furlongs."

Coach House (Ire) | Standing at Chapel Stud

That half-brother is Coach House (Ire), a winner of the Listed Marble Hill S. at The Curragh before placing behind No Nay Never (USA) in the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot. He now stands at Chapel Stud in Great Britain, while a sister, Butterscotch (Ire) was stakes-placed in a G3 Balanchine S, and sold for 700,000 gns (AU$1.352 million) at last year's Tattersalls December Sale.

The second dam, Lesson In Humility (Mujadil {USA}), was a top-quality sprinter herself. A half-sister to Group winners Poet's Vanity (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}) and Boastful (Ire) (Clodovol {Ire}), she won a G3 Ballyroan S. and placed in both a G1 Golden Jubilee S. and a G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest.

The need for speed

Hawthorne said that speed element to Puppetshow's pedigree was crucial to getting on to his radar back at that 2018 sale.

"We figured that if you are going to bring Galileo mares down, they would want to be the speediest you could find. You don't want to bring them down here being too slow. You need a bit of speed underneath them," he said.

"We figured that if you are going to bring Galileo mares down, they would want to be the speediest you could find." - Dean Hawthorne

Hawthorne said that while buying quality pedigree mares from Coolmore came at a cost, there was also tremendous upside given the likely future pedigree updates that lie in such purchases.

"You buy into those Coolmore families and you do your research on the brothers and sisters that are in the system. They are always getting mated well up there. They go to the best stallions they have got. They have got great training systems through Aidan O'Brien and it’s usually a solid investment," he said.

"You pay for that, but if you get the quality and you get a little bit of luck, it works out as long as they leave nice types.

"We knew that Tiger Moth was in the Coolmore system. He had just been named when we bought her, suggesting that he was not far away from doing something. We had no idea of his ability, so we were really pleasantly surprised when he came out and ran second in the Irish Derby at just his third start. He is one of the out-of-the-box."

Selecting on type

Hawthorne said it was more than just a matter of tracking good pedigrees and crossing your fingers. He worked hard to identify the right type of mare to match physically with the best stallions available in Australia.

"She was of those really well-balanced Galileo mares. She had a better hindquarter than a lot of that Sadler's Wells-Galileo line. They do tend to lack the hindquarter, that's the way they are made," he said.

"The ones that we have been bringing back down here have been ones like that, well-balanced, big girth and being a touch better in the hindquarter. She fitted into that mould well. We want to produce for the ring as well as for the track and you needed a pretty physically strong type for the Australian bloodstock market."

"We want to produce for the ring as well as for the track and you needed a pretty physically strong type for the Australian bloodstock market." - Dean Hawthorne

Hawthorne had some insight into the likely progeny of Puppetshow before she came to Australia, as she was purchased in foal to Caravaggio (USA).

The subsequent foal, described as a very nice horse by Hawthorne, was sold at the Tattersalls December Foals Sale the following year, realising 90,000 gns (AU$173,880), before being pinhooked through this year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale for US$200,000 (AU$285,380).

Puppetshow then arrived in Australia in August last year.

"We tend to foal them down over there, then let the foals wean in late July. We then get the mares straight into quarantine, where they are housed under lights as part of that system," Hawthorne said.

"They usually get out of quarantine here usually the last week in August, and just in time for the Southern Hemisphere serving season. We have been lucky to get them here nice and early.

"She was straight in foal to Snitzel and she had a very, very nice colt. We are very happy with him. He's got good bone and has got good, strong muscle and balance."

Puppetshow visited Written Tycoon this spring with fingers crossed for a positive scan when the results come through in the next week.

Galileo (Ire) | Standing at Coolmore Ireland

Among the other Galileo mares GSA Bloodstock has sourced out of the Northern Hemisphere are late stallion Rip Van Winkle's (Ire) sisters Wooing (Ire), who has produced fillies by Fastnet Rock and I Am Invincible, and Susan B Anthony (Ire).

There is also Tiberias (Fr), who produced a Fastnet Rock colt earlier this spring, Embroidered Silk (Ire), who had a Snitzel colt, and two acquisitions from 2019, Pure Elegance (Ire) and Fleeting Fancy (Ire).

Like Puppetshow, those mares all have rich pedigrees, already, and while Hawthorne is not yet convinced what value a Melbourne Cup winner would add to Puppetshow's page, he believes the international standing of the race is only getting stronger and stronger.

"I'm not sure whether a Melbourne Cup on a horse's pedigree is that wonderful, but I think the race today is more like a weight-for-age race than a staying handicap, such is the quality of horses that are running in it," he said.

"It’s much better than the race it was 10 years ago. The standard is phenomenal."

Legendary Dennis brothers chasing choice Cup result

Written by
6 min read
Tony Dennis, his twin Ray, and their younger brothers Joe and Martin have been master breeders and remarkably successful owners and trainers from their Woodlands farming bases in the deep south of New Zealand for six decades.

The Dennis brothers have multiple Group 1 successes to their credit in New Zealand and Australia, and now have a chance to crown all their achievements when The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) represents them in Tuesday’s G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

They bred the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained 5-year-old and race him with several partners after he failed to meet his NZ$150,000 reserve at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.

The Chosen One was the first horse to carry the Dennis brothers' colours in the Flemington feature when unplaced, but only 5.2l off the winner Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}), 12 months ago.

The siblings have created a memorable breeding legacy, with virtually all their horses named with the prefix 'The', over the last 60 years. Three-time Group 1 winner The Phantom (NZ) and his full brother The Phantom Chance (NZ) (Noble Bijou {USA}) who won the 1993 Cox Plate, among the standouts.

The Phantom ran in three Melbourne Cups and finished runner-up to Kingston Rule (USA) (Secretariat {USA}) in 1990 after finishing fourth the previous year behind Tawrrific (NZ) (Tawfiq {USA}).

The Phantom (NZ) (pink silks, inside)

The Chosen One and The Phantom are distant relatives, with Tony Dennis hoping their current star might go one better than the old legend on Tuesday following a brave effort for third in the G1 Caulfield Cup.

“He was brilliant in the Caulfield Cup and he didn’t stop, I thought he was strong to the line,” he said. “He’s got a good barrier and the draw is so important in these big races and a big field.

“He was brilliant in the Caulfield Cup and he didn’t stop, I thought he was strong to the line.” – Tony Dennis

“Hopefully, he can get a nice possie and Daniel (Stackhouse) can get him to kick on again. He’s run second in the G1 Sydney Cup and was strong to the line that day as well.”

The Chosen One is a son of The Glitzy One (Flying Spur), who won eight races up to 2500 metres and was a Group 3 placegetter while his grandmother The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) was a two-time Group 1 winner for the brothers and was successful in the G3 Doomben Roses.

Love of racing

The Dennis brothers inherited their love of racing from father Harold and prepared their first horse to race in 1960.

“The Budget was the first one we trained to win a race, but it all began when my father bought Eager Lady, I think he paid 70 guineas for it, to start it all off,” said Tony Dennis, whose son Robert is also a trainer.

“She was supposed to be in foal, but it turned out she wasn’t so he bred a Defaulter horse called Calm Fault and it won the Welcome S. at Riccarton at its first start. The next horse he bred was called The Wanderer and it won 18 races.

“We started his training when he was a 6-year-old and he was still winning open sprints as an 11-year-old.

“We’ve had this breed for seven or eight generations and it started with The Kurd, who was out of Eager Lady.”

“We’ve had this breed for seven or eight generations and it started with The Kurd, who was out of Eager Lady.” – Tony Dennis

Dennis, who shared the 2015 Outstanding Contribution to Racing award with his brothers, has no idea how many winners the family has been responsible for, but it’s well into the hundreds and climbing.

“A couple of the mares had over 40 wins between them and it has branched out so far now,” he said. “If you just take The Chosen One’s line, you go from The Kurd to The Pixie, who left The Dimple, The Twinkle and The Fantasy and others.

“Then there’s The Grin and they are all stakes winners and then it goes to The Jewel and The Glitzy One and on to The Chosen One.”

The Dennis brothers when awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Racing award at the Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards in 2015

When asked of the best of the family’s breed, Dennis was loathe to single one horse out, but placed The Phantom, his brother The Phantom Chance, The Jewel, The Winkle and The Fantasy in the top bracket.

“It’s hard to know who have been the best horses from these families and it’s hard to compare horses from different eras,” he said.

“The Phantom and The Phantom Chance were great horses, you don’t win Group 1 races in Australia without being a top horse.

“The Jewel was another top Group 1 horse and so was The Twinkle, who we trained, and The Fantasy also won 18 races for us.”

Group-winning mares

The Twinkle (NZ) (Gate Keeper {GB}) won 15 times, including the G1 Chardon Mile, while half-sister The Dimple (NZ) won 16 races with three at Group 3 level and left the G1 Auckland Cup winner Irish Chance (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) and The Jewel’s stakes-winning dam The Grin (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}).

The Twinkle’s sister The Fantasy (NZ) , whose winning tally included four black-type races, produced former New Zealand Horse of the Year The Phantom and The Phantom Chance.

The Pixie (NZ) (Mellay {GB}), The Fantasy and The Grin all also won New Zealand Broodmare of the Year titles.

The brothers, who have also sold horses over the years to Australia, South Africa, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau, Bahrain and New Caledonia, continue to breed from offshoots of the family from a boutique broodmare band.

“In all the years we’ve been breeding, we’ve only bred from six or seven mares a year. A couple of years we had 10 or 11 and then down to three or four,” Tony Dennis said.

“In all the years we’ve been breeding, we’ve only bred from six or seven mares a year.” – Tony Dennis

“This year, we’ll have five foals. The Precious One is in foal to Savabeel and so is The Diamond One – we’re in half-shares with Tony Rider on her.”

Milan Park’s Rider also shares in the ownership of The Chosen One and bred and sold Cup rival Oceanex (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).

“We’ve got The Pearler who is in foal to Ribchester. We’ve always tried to go to proven sires and that doesn’t put weak links in, but occasionally we’ll have a punt on a new season sire if we think it matches up and the price is okay,” Dennis said.

“The Lustre and The Sparkle went to Per Incanto and The Dazzler is in foal to Proisir and The Solitaire is in foal to Per Incanto.”

The siblings were on track at Flemington last year to watch The Chosen One, but for obvious reasons will have to stay put on Tuesday.

“It’s going to be an exciting day no matter what and we’ll all get together with family and friends at a function and see what happens,” he said.

Winning Run a boost for Go Bloodstock

Written by
4 min read
September Run's (Exceed And Excel) development from a promising filly into one of the best 3-year-old sprinters in Australia has been a huge boost not only for her connections, but also Go Bloodstock, who own her dam, Pittsburgh Flyer (Street Cry {Ire}).

September Run's breeders, Greg and Jenny White of Alpara Lodge, sold the Group 3-winning mare Pittsburgh Flyer through the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, where, in foal to American Pharoah (USA), she was picked up for $500,000 by Go Bloodstock through agent Paul Moroney.

The following year at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale, the Whites sold Pittsburgh Flyer's first foal, a filly by Exceed And Excel, through the draft of Blue Gum Farm. Purchased by Hermitage Thoroughbreds for $380,000, September Run has developed into an elite sprinting filly, winning last Saturday's G1 Coolmore Stud S. with some authority to take her record to five wins from eight starts.

September Run after winning the G1 Coolmore Stud S.

While Hermitage and trainer Chris Waller plot their autumn plans with September Run, likely to centre around the G1 Newmarket H., where she will look to emulate the deeds of another top-line sprinting filly in Sunlight (Zoustar) two years ago, Go Bloodstock's team are enjoying a huge boost to the ongoing broodmare prospects of Pittsburgh Flyer.

"Sir Owen and the Go Bloodstock team are thrilled with the win of September Run. Over the past few years, we have invested heavily in building up a quality broodmare band with the aim of breeding Group 1 winners – whether they be raced by us or purchased from us at a sale," Go Bloodstock's Steve O'Connor said.

"The win of September Run epitomises what we are trying to achieve – owning Group 1 producers. It is a team effort with special thanks to Paul Moroney who purchased Pittsburgh Flyer and Coolmore who look after her so well."

"The win of September Run epitomises what we are trying to achieve – owning Group 1 producers. It is a team effort with special thanks to Paul Moroney who purchased Pittsburgh Flyer and Coolmore who look after her so well." - Steve O'Connor

The now 2-year-old filly by American Pharoah was sold through this year's Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale via Coolmore's draft to Hirsch Racing for $100,000. Named My Yankee Girl, she is in training with John Salanitri.

Pittsburgh Flyer missed in her first visit to Merchant Navy in 2018 but got in foal to him last year and in August produced a filly half-sister to September Run.

"The filly foal by Merchant Navy can only be described as a weapon. I saw her last week and she is a muscular, strong sprinting type. I expect her to be running early and she is exactly what we have come to expect of Merchant Navy," O'Connor said.

"He is a stallion we have equity in and we have supported him with quality mares each season. He has rewarded us with consistent, strong sprinting types and we are excited about his future."

1/2

Obvious match

With September Run having parlayed a stakes win in the Listed Bill Carter S. as a 2-year-old into a trio of stakes wins as a 3-year-old in the Listed Cap D'Antibes S., the Listed Poseidon S. and now the Coolmore Stud S., the obvious match for her dam this spring would be to go back to Darley's Exceed And Excel.

"I am happy to report that Pittsburgh Flyer is back in foal to Exceed And Excel carrying a full sibling to September Run. She is a wonderful mare to have in our portfolio," O'Connor said.

Merchant Navy x Pittsburgh Flyer (filly)

Pittsburgh Flyer's own dam, the champion South African 2-year-old Warning Zone (SAF) (Elliodor {Fr}), only produced four foals in Australia, meaning it is a pedigree which doesn’t have a strong footprint in Australia as yet.

Her first foal, Springbok Girl (Flying Spur), is currently located at KBL Thoroughbreds and has produced one winner from two to the track, the Sandown winner Ellis Park (Dissident) for Mark Kavanagh. She is set to foal to Invader this spring.

The full sister Alsariaa (Street Cry {Ire}) was purchased for $30,000 by Yulong at the same 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale where Pittsburgh Flyer was sold.

Alsariaa, a winner of one of her five starts for Lee and Shannon Hope, who also trained her stakes-winning sister, has only had one foal to the track, Morialta (Jimmy Creed {USA}), who was placed at his second start at Murray Bridge last month. She has a yearling colt by Impending and a 2-year-old colt by Air Force Blue (USA), who brought $90,000 to Kavanagh at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale earlier this year.

The boost for Pittsburgh Flyer could also be a start of a big week at Flemington for Go Bloodstock and Sir Owen Glenn, who part-owns G1 Melbourne Cup hope Dashing Willoughby (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}).

Northern Dancer blood fills Cup to brim

3 min read

Written by Bren O'Brien

The remarkable influence of the legendary Northern Dancer (Can) is well known across the breeding, racing and bloodstock industry and there is no clearer example of the dominance of his bloodlines than Tuesday's G1 Melbourne Cup, where all 24 runners feature him somewhere in the first five generations of their pedigrees.

Such is the popularity and success of the interbreeding of Northern Dancer blood that there are only three runners (or 12.5 per cent) in 2020 that don’t feature a multiple cross to the 1964 Kentucky Derby winner somewhere on their page.

Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) and King Of Leogrance (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) are the only runners in the race that don't feature duplications of any horse through their first five generations, while Persan (Pierro) features just one, Sir Tristram (Ire), on the fifth line.

Conversely, the horses most influenced by Northern Dancer are Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who features him three times in his fifth generation and once in his fourth, and Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), who features him four times in her fifth generation.

Verry Elleegant (NZ)

A further seven horses feature Northern Dancer three times in the first five generations, Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Finche (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}), Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Steel Prince (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) .

The remaining 12, outside of those mentioned above, all have a single duplication of Northern Dancer in their pedigree.

As an aside, Verry Elleegant's pedigree features the most multiple crosses of any horse in the Cup, with 10 different horses replicated, while Sir Dragonet has nine different names appear more than once inside that first five generations, which contains 62 antecedents.

The concentration of Northern Dancer's blood, even in a race as global as the Melbourne Cup, is hardly surprising when you look at the recent results of the race.

"The concentration of Northern Dancer's blood, even in a race as global as the Melbourne Cup, is hardly surprising when you look at the recent results of the race. "

The past 10 Melbourne Cup winners have been in-bred to Northern Dancer is some manner, with 2018 winner Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) featuring him three times in the first five generations of his pedigree.

In fact, only one Melbourne Cup winner this century does not feature him anywhere in their pedigree is 2000 winner Brew (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}).

2009 winner Shocking (NZ) (Street Cry {Ire}), 2007 victor Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), 2002 hero Media Puzzle (USA) (Theatrical {Ire}) and 2001 champion Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm {USA}) are the other Cup winners of the 2000s not to have a multiple cross to Northern Dancer, but all feature him somewhere inside that first five generations. 2008 winner Viewed (Scenic {Ire}) and 2011 winner Dunaden (Fr) (Nicobar {GB}) both feature a 5 x 6 cross to Northern Dancer.

The means that the past 19 Cup winners are descended from Northern Dancer in some form, while 75 per cent of winners since 2000 featuring him multiple times in their pedigree.

TDN Job Board

2 min read

Pride Racing - Racing Manager

One of Australia’s leading racing stables is seeking a Racing Manager to assist with the management & operations of a growing business.

The role will require the successful applicant to assist in the day management of the stable including, owner communications, logistics, website & social media management, attend race days, trial days and bloodstock sales.

Main duties and responsibilities

Core objectives include:

· Communication with owners, service providers, stakeholders, media & other governing bodies

· Business development, networking & fielding new ownership enquires

· Attending race days to saddle up & liaise with connections

· Assist at major bloodstock sales

· Assessing form, programming & handicapping

· Newsletter production

· Managing an interactive website and social media accounts

· Maintaining stable records

· Co-ordinating horse movements and completing stable returns

· Nominations & Acceptances

· Managing relationships with pre-trainers & agistment properties

· Communications with trainer and staff

· Monitoring office phone, email & database

· Co-Ordinating interstate trips for both horses & staff

· Horse Registrations

· Staff Registrations

· Stable marketing & Advertising

The above list is not exhaustive and the role may change to meet the overall objectives of the company.

Experience

· At least 2- 3 years in the racing industry

· Competent around Thoroughbreds

· Thorough knowledge of horses

· Experience in stable management practises

Knowledge

· Rules of Racing

· Understanding of Programming & Handicapping

· Horse Conformation

· Thorough knowledge of stable management practices

Skills & competencies

· Customer Service

· Excellent client communication & writing skills

· Attention to detail

· Strong IT Skills

· Time management/organisation

· Ability to work autonomously and in a team environment

· Thorough understanding & knowledge of social media

· Highly organised

· Capability to be across the management of a large stable

Personal attributes

· Professional approach

· Ability to work under pressure

· Organisational and time management skills

· Excellent attention to detail

· Confident manner

· Positive approach to change

Other

· Overnight trips away for work may be required during interstate carnivals & Sales

· Clean driving licence essential

· Video editing

· Good photography skills

We have a competitive remuneration package available for the successful applicant. With opportunities for commission-based sales.

Experience in a similar role will be considered favourably and a thorough understanding of the thoroughbred racing industry is essential.

All expressions of interest will be kept strictly confidential.

To apply, please email your CV with a covering note to Pride Racing: racing@prideracing.com.au or call 0402079460 for more information.

Choisir pensioned

3 min read

Cover image courtesy of Coolmore

Written by Georgie Dennis

Coolmore stalwart Choisir has been pensioned from active stud duty aged 21.

The son of Danehill Dancer (Ire) was a champion sprinter for trainer Paul Perry, having won on debut in the Listed Breeders’ Plate and placing at stakes-level on nine occasions.

He took out the 2003 G1 Lightning S. before embarking on an international campaign that saw him win the G2 King’s Stand S. (now a Group 1) and G1 Golden Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot before finishing second to Oasis Dream (GB) in the G1 July Cup at Newmarket.

He then returned to Australia and began his stallion career at Coolmore and began shuttling to Europe the following year, where he would stand four seasons at Castle Hyde Stud and six at Coolmore Ireland.

He is responsible for 97 stakes winners including 11 Group 1 winners such as 2015 G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner Japonisme, G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Divine Prophet and G1 Champagne S. winner The Mission.

His Northern Hemisphere progeny include four-time Group 1-winning Haras de Bouquetot resident Olympic Glory (Ire), G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Obviously (Ire) and G1 Middle Park S. winner The Last Lion (Ire) who now stands at Darley’s Kildangan Stud.

As a broodmare sire, Choisir has 18 stakes winners and four Group 1 winners including this year’s July Cup winner Oxted (GB) (Mayson {GB}).

While he won’t be directly available to breeders anymore, his bloodlines are still available through several sire sons standing in Australia with the most obvious being dual hemisphere Group 1-winning sprinter Starspangledbanner who resides at Rosemont Stud.

Starspangledbanner | Standing at Rosemont Stud

“Choisir was a wonderfully tough and talented racehorse who did great things for the Australian industry by winning two races in a week at Royal Ascot in 2003,” Coolmore’s Tom Magnier said.

“He has been a great stallion at Coolmore for many years, siring stakes winners from each of his 14 Southern Hemisphere crops and 11 individual Group 1 winners amongst 97 stakes winners worldwide.

“Even in 2020 his yearlings sold for up to $450,000 and we are hopeful that his 100th stakes winner is just around the corner (currently on 97 stakes winners).

“He has developed into a leading broodmare sire and successful sire of sires, so we will be seeing his name in pedigrees for many years to come.

“He is happy and healthy and will live out the remainder of his days in the stallion barn at Coolmore where he loves his routine.”


Black type preview: Flemington

7 min read

G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup, $7,750,000, 3200m

Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a class act and the G1 English Derby winner produced an excellent run off a wide gate for second in the G1 Caulfield Cup. He will get a much softer run from a better gate and is capable of defying his topweight with a winning run.

By contrast, his highly-regarded stablemate Tiger Moth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has an outside gate but has only 52.5kg to carry. He is making just his fifth race day appearance, but is already a Group winner and runner-up in the G1 Irish Derby and looks a major threat.

Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) won the Caulfield Cup and it’s hard to ignore the top-class mare’s claims while Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) landed the G1 Cox Plate at his Australian debut and rider Glen Boss believes he will be well-suited to the 3200 metres so a notable double is on the cards.

Finche (GB) (Frankel {GB}) has run fourth and seventh in the last two editions of the Cup and his lead-up form is strong after finishing fifth in the Caulfield Cup. He looks an appealing each-way prospect.

There’s no doubting the talent of Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and if he relaxes in the running he adds to the long list of chances. Ashrun (Fr) (Authorized {Ire}) won the G3 Hotham H. with the only question mark his ability to back-up so quickly.

Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) loves Australian conditions as evidenced by his placings in the last two Cups and has the services of a very much in-form Jamie Kah.

Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) was a close fifth 12 months ago and has only been out twice since, but does respond well to well-spaced outings and Master Of Reality (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was relegated from second to fourth last year and while this looks a stronger renewal can’t be discounted.

Defending champion Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) looks too out of form to have any confidence, but The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) doesn’t need to improve a lot on his Caulfield Cup third to be in the mix.

Flemington, G3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate, $200,000, 1000m

Ingratiating (Frosted {USA}) was a smart winner of the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. and with that experience on the track under his belt the Godolphin colt looks a strong chance to remain unbeaten.

Ingratiating

Finance Tycoon (Written Tycoon) was runner-up on the track at his only appearance and is another who should be sharper for the outing while Marine One (Capitalist) is a well-bred youngster and from a stable with a handy first-up strike rate.

Treporti (I Am Invincible) was third at Bendigo at his debut and with natural improvement can be a player while Ciaron Maher and David Eustace enjoy outstanding success with juveniles so Gulf Of Suez (Fighting Sun) and Own The Night (Astern) are worth consideration.

Flemington, Listed World Horse Racing Desirable S., $175,000, 1400m

Joviality (I Am Invincible) won three on the spin before she was fifth in the G1 Flight S. and second in the Listed Reginald Allen behind Forbidden Love (All Too Hard), who ran third in Saturday’s G1 Empire Rose S.

The lightly-tried Violinist (Fastnet Rock) was Group-placed last season and is a progressive type while Sweet Reply (Deep Field) is consistent without having a lot of recent luck and she should be prominent again.

Twain’s Express (Helmet) and Stellar Pauline (Not A Single Doubt) were minor players in the Listed Crockett S. and place hopes here, and Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) has won her last two in dominant style and looks ready for a step up in class.

Flemington, Listed TAB Trophy, $175,000, 1800m

Ain’tnodeeldun (Dundeel {NZ}) is a smart colt who won his maiden at Sale and then claimed the Listed Hill S. over this trip and a strong chance to make it two on the bounce.

Acrophobic (Dissident) brings handy Sydney form as a close fourth in the G2 Stan Fox S. and was unplaced in the Bondi, but he will be far better suited to a firmer track while Confrontational (Redoute’s Choice) was a strong winner of the Listed Geelong Classic and there is no reason why he won’t be ultra-competitive again.

Stablemates Charmed Individual (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and Dubawi Prince (Pride Of Dubai) won their maidens well enough to suggest they can step up, while Grinzinger Prince (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is promising and well-suited to a step up in distance.

Flemington, Listed Furphy Plate, $175,000, 1800m

Last start Spring Mile winner Purple Sector (NZ) (Pins) has made the trip down from Sydney for trainer John Thompson and will line up as the clear favourite with the bottom weight of 56kgs. He was second at his only other start this campaign in the 1400 metre handicap and will appreciate the likely firm track.

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}) returned from a break with a good win in the G2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley but will have to carry the maximum weight of 62kgs, however, he has drawn an ideal barrier of four and has the in-form Ben Melham in the saddle.

Junipal

Junipal (Reset) missed out on a start in last Saturday’s G1 Cantala and was in terrific form early in his campaign, winning twice from three starts before a disappointing run in the G1 Toorak H. and his best form is on a track with a bit of sting out of it.

Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams has always been bullish about the ability of Harbour Views (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) and he comes into the race off the back of finishing fourth in the G1 Caulfield S. This campaign he has also finished third in the G2 Feehan S. and sixth in the G1 Underwood S. so he has been thereabouts this spring and will relish dropping back in grade.

Flemington, G3 The Hong Kong Jockey Club S., $200,000, 1400m

Lyre (Lonhro) has established herself as one of the unluckiest horses in the country and is well overdue for a win. Her get back and flash home racing style should be suited to the long Flemington straight and if there is anyone who can get the best out of her, it’s champion jockey James McDonald.

Lyre (blue cap)

Cordilla (Shamus Award) will take a big step up in grade after winning at BM70 level last start but she will only have to carry 55kgs and was only 2l behind subsequent G1 Empire Rose S. fourth Chaillot (Testa Rossa) two starts ago.

Fabric (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) has been ultra-consistent this spring and was second in the G3 Ladies’ Day Vase last start where she defeated Chaillot in third.

Flemington, Listed MSS Security Plate, $175,000, 1200m

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Yao Dash (Smart Missile) will have his first-up run here off the back of two smart trial wins. He is yet to win at stakes level but was fourth in last year’s G1 Golden Rose and won comfortably first-up last spring.

William Thomas (Nicconi) has had three starts for three thirds this campaign but he will have to carry a big weight of 60.5kgs and has never won at Flemington.

Exhilarates (Snitzel) ran a credible sixth in the G3 Northwood Plume S. first-up but this will be her first time racing at Flemington. Trained by James Cummings, she is sure to have trialled down the straight before and she is due for a win.

Black type preview: Ascot and Ellerslie

2 min read

Ascot, Listed Tabtouch Burgess Queen S., $100,000, 1400m

The formidable team of trainers Grant and Alana Williams and owner Bob Peters will look to take out the feature race of the day at Ascot with the unbeaten Magical Dream (Dream Ahead {USA}).

Already a stakes winner when taking out the Listed Belgravia S. last start, she will start as the favourite and only has to carry 56.5kgs but this is her first time stepping out beyond 1200 metres.

The second-favourite is Snickerdooodledandy (Snitzel), who finished fifth behind Magical Dream in the Belgravia but is one from one over 1400 metres. She has drawn much more favourably with barrier four and will carry 0.5kg less than Magical Dream.

Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) has won her last three consecutive starts but is another one who has never raced over 1400 metres, while Mystical View (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) was second in the Belgravia last start and has drawn well with barrier one.

Ellerslie, G3 Jarden S., NZ$70,000, 2000m

Sherrif (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) looks the one to beat after running home well to score second in the Valachi Downs Mile last start and stepping up to 2000 metres looks ideal for him.

Vadavar (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice) was third in the G1 Livamol Classic last start and was a winner before that. He has drawn well and is a winner over the distance.

De Koning (NZ) (Niagara) has been in very good form without winning this campaign, finishing in the top four at all four starts. He was second over 2000 metres last start and should get a good run on the speed.

Trending International TDN News

2 min read

Trending in TDN Europe & TDN America

1). Feature: Emma Berry breaks down the numbers from the 2020 Return Of Mares in Europe from Weatherbys.

Read more

"Coolmore’s dual Guineas winner Churchill was kept busiest, with 250 mares on his list, and he was one of three sons of Galileo in the top 20 on book sizes, along with Frankel on 175 and Gleneagles on 173." - Emma Berry

Churchill (Ire) | Image courtesy of Coolmore

2). Interview: Jessica Martini chats to SF Bloodstock's Tom Ryan about Con Te Partiro's (USA) appearance at the upcoming Keeneland November Sale.

Read more

“She is cosmopolitan in every sense of the word; she was at home all over the world and took everything thrown at her with class and brilliance." - Tom Ryan

Con Te Partiro (USA)

3). Video: Although a minor injury prevented Midnight Bisou (USA) from making a final appearance at the Breeders' Cup this year, Jeff Bloom has found peace in remembering the unforgettable career of the Bloom Racing colour-bearer as the highest-earning dirt mare of all time.

4). Feature: Jessica Harrington focuses on her Breeders' Cup horses in her latest column for TDN Europe.

Read more

“I’ll be travelling to Lexington on Tuesday; having three runners (Cayenne Pepper, Oodnadatta, Cadillac) in the Breeders' Cup might never happen again, so I must be there to see it.” - Jessica Harrington

Jessica Harrington | Image courtesy of TDN Europe

5). Video: Six-time Grade 1-winning turf specialist Rushing Fall (USA) will be offered at this year's Fasig-Tipton Night of Stars Sale. As she prepares for her final Breeders' Cup appearance, her owners reflect on her unforgettable career.

Foal Showcase

1 min read

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

So You Think (NZ) x Gemini Miss (colt) at Willow Park Stud | Image courtesy of Lisa Richards

All Too Hard x Cocoexcel (colt) at Vinery Stud

Embellish x Nine Tales (filly) bred by Simon and Janna Borich, Auckland New Zealand

1/7

Star Turn x Mineko (colt) at Vinery Stud

Headwater x Diva Lamore (colt) at Vinery Stud

More Than Ready (USA) x Miss Belief (colt) at Vinery Stud

Daily News Wrap

7 min read

Montefilia draws well in Oaks

Pre-race favourite for the G1 VRC Oaks Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}) has drawn an ideal barrier of five for Thursday’s $1 million race.

Miravalle (Redoute’s Choice), who flashed home for fourth in the G2 Wakeful S. on Saturday, will jump from her immediate outside under Craig Williams, while emerging South Australian filly Biarchi (Free Eagle {Ire}) has drawn barrier one for John Allen.

Montefilia

Primed for second Cup tilt

For the past 12 months, Horsham trainer Paul Preusker has meticulously focused on one race for his star stayer Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) and the fruits of that planning will be revealed on Tuesday when he contests the G1 Melbourne Cup for the second time.

Preusker saddled the stayer to finish fifth in a sedately run affair last year and believes the lessons learned from that race will hold them in good stead.

Since last year’s Cup, Surprise Baby has purposely had just two starts and was second placing in the G2 Feehan S. followed by a luckless ninth in the G1 Turnbull.

"He was nice and strong to the line in the Turnbull. Craig (Williams) got off him and was thrilled," Preusker said. "He said Surprise Baby had taken a significant step as he was able to settle on the fence, something he hadn't been able to do previously, and then get to the outside.

"Hopefully, in the Melbourne Cup we can get a position and get good cover this year. With this in mind we've done things a bit differently which has been about teaching him to settle.

"The fact he settled so well on the fence from barrier one in the Turnbull was a real confidence booster. It means he can get cover in the run and not over-stride.”

Surprise Baby (NZ)

Mustajeer ready to break Cup hoodoo

If Mustajeer (GB) (Medicean {GB}) is to win Tuesday’s G1 Melbourne Cup, he will be just the third 8-year-old to have taken out the race since it was first run in 1861.

The Kris Lees-trained gelding finished 23rd in last year’s edition of the race but the trainer believes he still has what it takes to be a contender in the staying feature.

"Everybody is forgetting what a torrid run he had in the Melbourne Cup (last year),” Lees said. "You have to completely forget about that.

"Mustajeer raced really well in the autumn, winning the Parramatta Cup first-up at Rosehill in February and then finishing second in both the Sky High S. and Tancred S. (2400 metres) there before his fifth in the Sydney Cup.

"He has made steady improvement at his last couple of runs this preparation (finishing ninth in The Metropolitan at Randwick on October 3 and eighth to Verry Elleegant in the Caulfield Cup (2400 metres) a fortnight later).

Mustajeer (GB) (black and white check)

"From a good draw (barrier two) tomorrow, Mustajeer should get an economical run.

"He is in great order, and Cameren Swan (stable foreman) and Michael (Rodd) have been very pleased with his work at Sandown in the last week.

"Whilst I realise it won't be easy to win the Cup, I feel he can run boldly and earn some nice prizemoney for his owners.

"Obviously, it would be a tremendous thrill for all concerned if Mustajeer can spring an upset."

Corstens thrilled

AFL great-turned trainer Denis Pagan provided one of the feel-good stories of 2020 when preparing Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) to win the G1 Victoria Derby on Saturday, but he was quick to deflect much of the credit to good friend and fellow Flemington trainer Troy Corstens.

Pagan, who owns Johnny Get Angry outright in addition to training him to Classic glory six months after obtaining a trainer’s license, paid tribute to Corstens for sourcing the horse at the Karaka Sales in New Zealand as well as playing a guiding hand for a newcomer to training.

Denis Pagan

“I’m just really proud of Denis,” Corstens told RSN 927. “Everyone thinks he has been in the game five minutes, he hasn’t really, he’s owned horses for 35 years. He’s had a lot of slow ones as well,” Corstens said.

“For him to get a good one and to apply his craft and knowledge to our industry is fantastic. I thought it would be great for our game if he turned out any good and, guess what, he is.”

Back-to-back aim for True Self

The Willie Mullins-trained and OTI Racing-owned True Self (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}) missed out on a spot in the G1 Melbourne Cup and so will target a back-to-back win in the G3 Queen Elizabeth S. on Saturday.

"True Self will go to the Queen Elizabeth S. and she'll be joined there by Gallic Chieftain and Haky,” OTI Racing’s Managing Director Terry Henderson told Racing.com.

"Normally and especially with a horse like True Self, who was higher in the weights than last year, and San Huberto, carrying 6kg below weight-for-age would normally see you get a run in the Melbourne Cup.

"But it just shows the quality of the Melbourne Cup this year is just that little bit stronger.”

WFA challenge for Sherrif

Sherrif (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) will be tested at weight-for-age for the first time at Ellerslie on Tuesday when he contests the G3 Jarden S.

The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained 6-year-old heads into the race off the back of two placings and his connections believe he is ready for a new challenge.

Sherrif (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery Race Images Palmerston North

“They have been preparatory runs and I have been happy enough with them,” James said of his three prior starts this preparation. “He is getting to a distance now where he is designed to run and he has good success at.

“It’s a step into weight-for-age company so it is a step up from what he has been racing against, but I think he is ready for it.

“The weight-for-age factor is the big thing coming from handicap company, but I wanted to test him at some stage and it’s a nice meeting and a nice course that he has been successful at."

Seven for Mikki Isle

Arrowfield shuttler Mikki Isle (Jpn) scored his seventh first-crop winner on Sunday when his 2-year-old daughter La La Christine (Jpn) won on debut at Kyoto.

The 2-year-old kicked away in the final stages to beat Luce Carina (Jpn) (Discreet Cat {USA}) by 1.25l while In One Sitting (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was another 0.5l away in third.

Furore lands Ladies’ Purse

Furore (Pierro) landed the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse H. at Sha Tin on Sunday to lead home a one-two finish for trainer Tony Cruz.

The Pierro gelding passed the post 1.25l ahead of stablemate and reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), in a swift time of 1:45.91s, which secured the two-time champion trainer his fifth triumph in the race.

Furore’s win was his first since his heroics in the Listed BMW Hong Kong Derby as a 4-year-old. Despite multiple placed efforts in the highest grade, the 6-year-old was without a win from his following 12 runs, and Sunday’s reward owed plenty to jockey Joao Moreira’s cool, calm and collected ride.

“I actually had in mind that we were going to be a little bit closer in the field thinking that there wasn’t much pace in the race but he didn’t jump very well so we found ourselves a little bit further back,” Moreira said.

“Halfway through I started to not worry about that anymore though as he started to travel very comfortably, slowly coming closer into the race and I could feel from there on that he was going to be very hard to beat.”

Spun To Run to Gainesway

Spun To Run (USA), winner of last year’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, will enter stud at Gainesway next season and will stand for US$12,500 (AU$17,800).

The 4-year-old was also third in last year’s GI TVG.com Haskell Invitational S. and he captured the G3 Smarty Jones S. He ended his career with a runner-up effort behind champion 3-year-old Maximum Security (USA) (New Year’s Day {USA}) in the G1 Cigar Mile H.

“Great milers make great stallions,” said Gainesway’s Director of Stallion Sales and Recruitment Sean Tugel. “His speed figures at a mile were fantastic. The Breeders’ Cup is the biggest stage and Spun To Run ran a very talented group of colts off their feet.”

Looking Ahead - November 3

3 min read

Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner having their first or second start, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

Today, we are focussed on Cup Day at Flemington where we like an expensive youngster on debut, an in-form filly from a potent North American family and a colt who should appreciate a drop back in class.

Flemington, Race 1, 10.45am AEDT, G3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate, $200,000, 1000m

Marine One (Capitalist) was purchased out of Newgate’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $500,000 by trainer Lloyd Kennewell and Group 1 Bloodstock. He is a son of Golconda (Snitzel), who was successful in the Listed Merson Cooper S. and finished third in the G1 VRC Oaks.

Marine One as a yearling

She is a half-sister to the Listed Cranbourne Cup winner Sermon (Octagonal {NZ}) with their dam the G2 Kewney S. winner and G1 Australian Oaks runner-up Eureka Jewel (Semipalatinsk {USA}) and also the family of the G3 Frank Packer Plate winner Spurred On (Flying Spur). Marine One has the pedigree to suggest he can make an impact on debut with Mark Zahra to partner the colt.

Flemington, Race 2, 11.20am AEDT, Listed World Horse Racing Desirable S., $175,000, 1400m

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Violinist (Fastnet Rock) produced two strong performances last term when a debut fourth in the G3 Breeders’ S. and second in the G3 SA Sires’ Produce S. She made her seasonal return at Mornington with a breakthrough victory and looks a progressive filly who can step up to the mark here.

Violinist as a yearling

Offered by Coolmore at the Gold Coast, Violinist was bought by McEvoy Mitchell Racing for $360,000 and is out of the stakes performer Keep On Singing (USA) (Hennessy {USA}), a grand-daughter of the G1 Hollywood Oaks winner Pattern Step (USA) (Nureyev {USA}). This is a well-performed North American family that also features the G1 Canadian International S. winner Bullards Alley (USA) (Flower Alley {USA}).

Flemington, Race 3, 12pm AEDT, Schweppervescence Plate, $135,000, 1000m

Hard Landing (All Too Hard) can mix his form, but has showed an abundance of talent with two victories from a handful of starts and this is a major step back in class for him. Successful in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate on debut 12 months ago and a first-up winner this term, his most recent outings have been in Group company so he looks well-placed here to further his record.

Hard Landing as a yearling

He was a $280,000 buy for Lindsay Park and Andrew Williams Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast where he was sold by Vinery Stud and is a son of the G1 Lightning S. winner Snitzerland (Snitzel), who also won twice at Group 2 level. She is a half-sister to the G3 Aurie’s Star winner and Kitchwin Hills' sire Sooboog and they are out of an unraced sister to the G3 Adelaide Guineas winner and two-time Group 1 placegetter Nina Haraka (Fraar {USA}).

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

NSW Race Results

Ballina (Country)

Corowa (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

VIC Race Results

Sportsbet-Ballarat (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

AUS Sire Premiership

AUS First Season Sires' Premiership

NZ Sire Premiership

NZ First Season Sires' Premiership

Thanks for reading!

1 min read

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