Buckley denies any wrongdoing
Ultra Thoroughbreds' boss Sean Buckley is defending his operation's controversial surrogacy program, despite Racing Victoria opening an investigation into the alleged transfer of embryos from valuable mares to surrogates.
Ultra Thoroughbreds has been alleged to have used an artificial process to transfer embryos from former champion sprinter Miss Andretti (Ihtiram {Ire}) and Nature Strip’s (Nicconi) dam Strikeline (Desert Sun {GB}) in late 2019, resulting in two foals being born in 2020.
Buckley told Racing.com that he had not broken any rules in attempt to improve the fertility of his two leading broodmares.
"On the allegations, as best I can understand them from the media, I fail to see what the issue is; the progeny of the two mares born in 2020 were not and were never going to be registered," Buckley told Racing.com.
"A process was undertaken in 2019 in an attempt to improve their chances of naturally conceiving and carrying pregnancies to terms in subsequent years, in a manner compliant with Studbook rules."
Berry to miss Rosehill meeting
Leading Sydney jockey Tommy Berry has failed to have a suspension altered on appeal on Wednesday ruling him out of riding on Saturday at Rosehill.
The Racing NSW Appeals Panel dismissed Berry’s appeal against the severity of a careless riding suspension he incurred at Warwick Farm on February 10. Stewards handed the jockey a four-meeting metropolitan and provincial penalty.
Tommy Berry
The suspension encompassed this Saturday’s G2 Hobartville S. meeting at Rosehill, where Berry had seven rides.
Hugh Bowman has taken his rides on Pure Fuego (Bullet Train {GB}) in the Highway and Girl Tuesday (Street Cry {Ire}) in the G2 Millie Fox S., while Brenton Avdulla rides Dio (Zoustar), the full brother to Sunlight, in the G2 Silver Slipper and Jay Ford has got the ride on Dadoozdart (GB) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) in the Listed Parramatta Cup.
Swan Hill Jockey Club defend surface
Swan Hill Jockey Club boss Aaron Garvie is adamant that the clubs surface played no part in the deaths of two horses on Tuesday, despite trainers Nathan Hobson and Shawn Mathrick criticising the tracks firmness.
The Kevin Adcock-trained Bon's Ghost (Bon Hoffa) and Archie Alexander-trained Zipitsweetie (Uncle Mo {USA}) were both humanely euthanised after suffering critical injuries during their respective races.
Swan Hill Jockey Club
"We consulted with the stewards that were here on the day and we have no concern at all that the track was (too) firm," Garvie told Racing.com.
"There's no correlation between what happened with the two horses and the state of the track."
Racing Victoria have since confirmed that both incidents have been referred to its veterinary department for review.
"The Stewards officiating at the meeting report that the track was presented for racing in a safe condition and that no trainers or jockeys raised any concerns with them throughout the day regarding the track, its rating or its suitability for racing," the RV statement read.
Tabcorp considers strategic options
Tabcorp’s Managing Director and Chief Executive David Attenborough has confirmed that the company are considering all relevant issues and strategic options relating to offers for their wagering and media arm.
A recent press release stated that details concerning all unsolicited approaches and proposals would remain confidential, indicative and non-binding.
It has been reported that British sports betting company, Entain, who own Ladbrokes, have offered $3 billion cash for the underperforming wagering arm.
"There has been considerable commentary in the market about our wagering and media business. We have confirmed we have received a number of proposals and unsolicited approaches in relation to a potential transaction involving this business," Tabcorp’s statement read.
"They are also highly conditional and subject to numerous requirements such as due diligence, financing and various regulatory and racing industry approvals.
"The board will take the appropriate time to carefully consider all of the relevant issues and strategic options that arise in respect to these matters."
Crowds to return for Diamond Day
The Melbourne Racing Club are confident that Victoria’s easing COVID-19 restrictions will see spectators return for Saturday’s G1 Blue Diamond S. at Caulfield.
MVRC General Manager of Racing, Media and Communications, Alastair Dwyer confirmed that the club is still awaiting government directives.
An empty Caulfield Racecourse
“On the back of the good news today from the Victorian Government, the club is looking forward to progressing with its plans around having up to 5000 patrons for the Lunar New Year meeting," Dwyer told Racing.com.
“While the cap on crowds is 5000 people, we won’t be able to facilitate that many due to square meterage restrictions but, with free entry, all of which still needs to be pre-booked, we’d hope for around 3000-3500 patrons on track.”
Danielle Johnson secures her 1000th winner
Danielle Johnson has ridden her 1000th winner, guiding Feelin’ Fancy (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) to victory in the opening race on Wednesday at Te Aroha.
Johnson became the third New Zealand woman to achieve the feat in her homeland following on from Lisa Allpress and Trudy Thornton while trailblazer Lisa Cropp rode more than 1000 winners also but many of them were in Australia.
Danielle Johnson | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright at Race Images
Johnson, 29, is the champion New Zealand jockey in waiting currently more than 70 winners clear of her nearest rival, Craig Grylls, in the 2020/21 season which ends on July 31.
It is also believed to be the first time in the world where a daughter has emulated her father in riding 1000 winners.
Peter Johnson unable to be on course to celebrate the victory with his daughter, was able to watch her reach the milestone remotely at his South Auckland property.
“I was out on the farm and I was able to watch it, it was bloody brilliant,” he said. “It was great to see her get it.”
Golden Sixty chases third Group 1
Golden Sixty (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) will bid for a 13th consecutive victory and third Group 1 win on Sunday.
He contests the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin this weekend and jockey Vincent Ho retains a measure of confidence Golden Sixty can again perform at elite level.
Golden Sixty | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“He’s feeling well and we’re confident,” Ho said.
“A mile and 2000 metres, I don’t think there’s a problem,” Ho said. “He can still sprint home over the last 400 in the same time.”
Vale Sam Brosnan
Former studmaster and trainer Sam Brosnan has passed away aged 99.
Brosnan, father of successful trainers Mark, Peter and Maryann Brosnan, trained a host of winners from their former Oaklands Stud base and stood a number of successful stallions including Palm Beach (Fr), Belmura (GB), St Puckle (GB) and Neanderthal (GB).
St Puckle was the sire of Lloyd Williams’ first Melbourne Cup winner What A Nuisance (NZ), in addition to Group 1 winners Oopik (NZ) and Kenann (NZ).
Brosnan was noted as a trainer of jumpers, while he also trained Lady Sue (NZ) (St Puckle {GB}) to win the G2 Avondale Championship S.
A service to celebrate the life of Brosnan will be held in the Rosa Chapel in Matamata on Thursday at 1.30pm (local).
Figures up at Arqana February
The two-day Arqana February Sale came to a close on Tuesday with figures up across the board.
After a strong opening session on Monday led by the €250,000 (AU$545,450) AQPS gelding Hardi Du Mesnil (Fr) (Masterstroke {USA}), the Sale continued apace during Tuesday's session of fillies, mares and yearlings and was topped by the 5-year-old Princess Isla (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (Lot 309), who was bought by Anne-Sophie Yoh of Yohea for €110,000 (AU$171,106) on behalf of Xavier Marie of Haras de Hus.
Marie is a more recent investor in racing stock and bought Anabasis (Ger) (High Chaparral {Ire}), the dam of Grade I winner A Raving Beauty (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), for €320,000 (AU$498,690) at Arqana December. Princess Isla is in foal for the first time to dual Group 1-winning sprinter Ten Sovereigns (Ire).
“I've bought her for Xavier Marie of Haras de Hus,” said Anne-Sophie Yoh. “He's a new owner that is well-known for investing in sports horses, who is now turning towards racing. We really liked the mare's pedigree and she is the only one in foal to the sire in the catalogue. We're very happy. We don't know yet who she'll be covered by next–she'll go to the stud first.”
At the end of Tuesday's session, figures for the two-day Sale reflected positive trade. A total of 261 horses were sold for €3,028,000 (AU$4.72 million) at a clearance rate of 80.8 per cent - a big improvement over last year's clearance rate of 66 per cent. The average and median were likewise up, by 18.9 per cent (€11,602 (AU$18,080)) and 37.5 per cent (€5500 (AU$8571)), respectively.
Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream catalogue released
Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 184 entries for The Gulfstream Sale of Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training, to be held Wednesday, March 31, in the racetrack's walking ring.
Fasig-Tipton was forced to cancel last year's Gulfstream Sale due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are excited to be returning to Gulfstream Park in March to conduct the nation's premier 2-year-olds in training sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning.
“The Gulfstream Sale annually provides an unrivaled concentration of quality, and this year's catalogue is loaded. In a short period of time, Gulfstream grads have won 13 different Grade I races, including the Kentucky Derby, Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Met Mile, and the Florida Derby twice. If you want to play at the top of the game, this sale–and its dirt racetrack–will get you there.”
