Changes at Cornerstone Stud as Sam Hayes takes on new challenge

Written by

Bryan Littlely

10 min read

If you catch Cornerstone Stud owner Sam Hayes at the race track, check his pocket for a second hat. After 20 years heading up the family horse operations at Angaston in the Barossa Valley, Hayes is loosening the reins a little and heading into a new venture, something historically very much a part of the Hayes' family story.

Hayes is now formally the Executive Director of Cornerstone, with the stud’s bloodstock manager Sam Pritchard-Gordon taking up the role of General Manager, as Hayes takes on a new venture establishing TOOP+TOOP Rural with the leading Adelaide real estate company.

Hayes had been contemplating a career change, or expansion, for some time and believed that having one of the best teams now in place at Cornerstone with Pritchard-Gordon and Stud/Operations manager Ross Fuller, the time was right to take a step into that journey.

Sam Hayes | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

“For a large part of my career, I probably saw myself retiring into a role in the family horse business,’’ Hayes said. “With Sam PG coming along, he has his own experience of running his own operation for eight or nine years. The difference between being an employee and having your own business, there’s some real life experiences that he had that meant that I can step back a little bit.

"I guess I wouldn’t have thought about it if we didn’t have a great team here that could manage it without me. Because running a horse business isn’t for the fainthearted," added Hayes.

TOOP+TOOP Real Estate are rated at the very top of their industry in South Australia and are one of the most highly acclaimed in Australia, said Hayes.

"Running a horse business isn't for the fainthearted." - Sam Hayes

The Toop family approached Hayes late last year when he had mentioned that he might be looking for things to do while keeping the farm.

“Emily, my wife, and I thought it was a good fit. They’re the number one real estate agency in South Australia. They’ve got the real estate know-how and I guess they were after my rural network and my ability to get along with people and sell things. So that’s how it all came about,’’ Hayes said.

“We understand what it means for your farm to be your biggest asset,’’ Hayes said. “That’s been the case for my grandfather, my uncle and myself.

"They’ve (TOOP+TOOP Real Estate) got the real estate know-how and I guess they were after my rural network and my ability to get along with people and sell things. So that’s how it all came about." - Sam Hayes

“We’ve had horses that have come and gone that have been worth a lot of money but the constant of all of that is the farm.

“And a lot of our clients, people who breed horses, obviously a large percentage of them are from the country, especially historically, so we have been travelling around catching up with mare owners for 20 years. I have gotten to know a lot of people and a lot of communities and that will be helpful as we launch TOOP+TOOP Rural.’’

TOOP+TOOP Rural is a new business Emily and Sam are starting with Genevieve Toop and her husband Bronte Manuel. Sam will be targeting for sale specifically rural properties, focused on selling farms that you can run a business on and vineyards.

Cheering on the horses still

Racedays could see Hayes with one cap on his head and another in his pocket, he jokes, but with horses and racing running as deep as ever in his blood, he’s adamant the passion for the industry will be on show often.

“Sam Hayes at the race track now has a cap on his head and one in his pocket,’’ he said. “On racedays I’ll definitely be selling horses first and foremost, or cheering for the horses we’ve bred.

“But if someone wants to come up and sell a farm, my TOOP+TOOP Rural business card will be in my pocket. The beauty of the two businesses is that they complement each other very well.’’

Cornerstone Stud

Still to live at Cornerstone, Hayes will remain involved in the stud business, mostly with the sales side of the business.

“Sales particularly, and yearling sale time, and I will still be doing client relations,’’ he said. “We have 20 trainers on the farm Monday and I will be helping to host them. The beauty of this new business is that it affords me the flexibility to step in and out of Cornerstone when I want to.’’

Cornerstone Stud now has two stallions at the farm, Valentia and Sir Prancealot (USA), whereby in the past they have had up to five stallions, requiring two people to sell nominations.

1/2

Gallery: Stallions standing at Cornerstone Stud

“Me and Sam (Pritchard-Gordon), we work really hard to get mares, from interstate quite often when there’s so many quality stallions across Victoria and NSW, but with two stallions and both of them proven now that is sort of less workload for Sam,’’ said Hayes.

“So Sam will be helping to get mares to those stallions and he’s been working with us to improve our own broodmare band over the past two years so that all carries on.’’

There’s no real change to the process and the outcome for Cornerstone that is already in play, Hayes saying the operation is moving towards being 'a little more boutique' with less quantity and more quality.

Sam Pritchard-Gordon | Image courtesy of Cornerstone Stud

“We’re ultimately trying to get our staff numbers back. They got up to as high as 18 and we want to get that back to 12 or 13, overall across the business,’’ he said. “We want to maintain our turnover like all businesses, sell better quality yearlings and reduce our costs.’’

All up at Magic Millions Adelaide

Cornerstone Stud will send everything they have got to offer this year to the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale on March 15 and 16, with a draft of 30 yearlings, and they will be taking a bit of the Barossa with them to the Sale Hayes says is relaxed, has great horses for sale and is probably the most approachable Sale in the country.

“Really, we’re putting all our eggs into the Adelaide basket and we’re not travelling interstate this year with the Cornerstone drafts,’’ Hayes said.

"We’re putting all our eggs into the (Magic Millions) Adelaide basket and we’re not travelling interstate this year with the Cornerstone drafts." - Sam Hayes

“I'm excited about the Sale overall. We don’t have a second session this year, it’s all premier book. I’m not just excited for Cornerstone but also seeing what the interstate and other locals are bringing,’’ Hayes said. “Looking at the diversity of the catalogue…obviously, I haven’t seen all the horses yet but I am getting a gauge from Magics and I think there’s a lot to look forward to.’’

Cornerstone Stud had an interest in two yearlings that went to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January, with a Harry Angel (Ire) colt selling for $400,000, a fantastic result by Hayes’ assessment.

For Magic Millions Adelaide, the Cornerstone goal is to get it’s average in the next two years up to $70,000, and soon after to $100,000.

Harry Angel (Ire) x Caesura (colt), sold at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $400,000 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

“If we have a draft of 25, we want to be selling $2.5 million worth of horses in Adelaide,’’ Hayes said. “A draft with high numbers, we also want to be one of the highest averaging drafts as well.

“On the individual horse side, I think our Sale-topper last year sold for $425,000. I don’t think we’ll beat that this year but we’ve got a Lonhro colt out of a mare called Love Struck, who may go close,’’ he said.

Cornerstone will also be bringing the hospitality, wine and food from their renowned home patch of the Barossa Valley with them to Magic Millions Adelaide.

Cornerstone Stud sales preparation

“Historically we’ve had a marquee with Mill Park but we’re both doing our own marquees this year. We think that the more hospitality in Adelaide for buyers the better,’’ Hayes said.

“We’re partnering with three wineries up here to showcase their wine and their winemakers are coming down on different days to get around, pour a few wines and have a chat. Trying to bring a bit of the Barossa to Adelaide and also with the food offering."

Something for all tastes

Hayes said different sales throughout Australia and New Zealand had been creating their own identities in recent times, and well before the challenges of the COVID pandemic had dictated some of that need too.

“I think New Zealand led the way heavily with sort of a food and wine offering and making sure the buyers from overseas were well looked after,’’ Hayes said.

I'm Alpha (Capitalist x Okaylah), Cornerstone Stud's Sale-topper at the 2021 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

“Of course Magic Millions has got it’s own atmosphere on the Gold Coast where people are still in holiday mode almost, able to relax and go for a walk on the beach in the morning and then go to the Sale.

“I think Adelaide is definitely a place where people relax,’’ he said. “Naturally we want to be selling horses worth $250,000 but on the Gold Coast, the average is $290,000. When the average is $60,000 or $70,000, the Sale has a different atmosphere about it. Not every bid is worth $50,000 or $25,000… likewise, you can buy Group 1 winners out of Adelaide.’’

Hayes said Cornerstone Stud, and the South Australian industry more generally, were pretty proud and parochial about Adelaide and the Barossa and liked to make sure people have a good time while in Adelaide and equally go to the right restaurants and buy good horses at the same time.

“Definitely, it can be very daunting going to some of these eastern states sales now. For a young trainer or an owner just wanting to get started, Adelaide’s an incredibly approachable place with good horses,’’ Hayes said.

"For a young trainer or an owner just wanting to get started, Adelaide’s an incredibly approachable place with good horses." - Sam Hayes

“Potentially not the pedigrees of some of the horses in some of the bigger sales, but a great place to put your toe in the water and you can still buy a Happy Trails or a very good horse.

“Adelaide’s a good place to get to know people.’’

Some challenges remain

Hayes said the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale had worked through some challenges and was now looking strong to enjoy some great times. But there remained some industry challenges in South Australia which, like other smaller states, faced the real prospect of falling too far behind NSW and Victoria in the racing and breeding industry.

Magic Millions SA Race Day | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

“It’s going to be very hard to keep pace. The gap might widen a little bit,’’ said Hayes. “South Australian Racing has done the right thing by supporting grassroots prizemoney when they could first start to afford to put some injections in.

“I think the next step for SA Racing is the challenge of making our black-type races as much or more than a normal Saturday race in Melbourne or Sydney. We’ve got a lot of Listed races that have fallen below that now.

"I think the next step for SA Racing is the challenge of making our black-type races as much or more than a normal Saturday race in Melbourne or Sydney." - Sam Hayes

“There’s a few challenges for the industry in terms of our Pattern and making sure we protect black type in every state. There’s challenges for each of the smaller states to make sure they’ve got enough prizemoney to maintain their black-type status because that’s critical for the breeding industry in each of those small states,’’ Hayes said.

Cornerstone Stud

Valentia

Sir Prancealot

Magic Millions

TOOP+TOOP Rural

It's full steam ahead for Marine One's stallion-making mission

Written by

Bryan Littlely

7 min read

He may have had a bit of a false-start when first out of the sales ring, but Capitalist colt Marine One is making up plenty of ground for Ozzie Kheir, Group 1 Bloodstock and his influential group of owners. Saturday’s G2 Rubiton S. win now sets up the 'still improving' colt for another tilt at Group 1 glory.

Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

The 3-year-old Capitalist colt from Golconda (Snitzel) was part of the Newgate Farm draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast, being knocked down to Kennewell Racing in partnership with Group 1 Bloodstock for $500,000. At that time, Kheir was not a part of the picture, with Mathew Becker buying him for another client.

“I do the yearling selecting for Lloyd Kennewell and he was bought at the Magic Millions right at the point of COVID hitting and the client the horse was purchased for decided he did not want to proceed with the purchase,’’ Becker told TDN AusNZ on Sunday after Marine One’s Rubiton S. win at Caulfield for Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace.

Mathew Becker | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

“By the time that came about we had a good understanding that the horse had pretty good ability,’’ Becker said. “I manage a lot of Ozzie’s bloodstock and he was the first point of call to let him know that this horse was there and what had happened and we thought he was pretty good. We had a couple of leading jockeys go down and give him a couple of gallops for Ozzie and he pretty much picked him up straight away for our group there.’’

The horse was bred in a consortium between Newgate, SF Bloodstock and China Horse Club and they both retained a small piece of Marine One.

“He was one of Henry’s (Field) favourite colts in that year and he was quite happy to stay in him and he still is at this point,’’ Becker said.

Marine One as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

“They’re very excited. It’s good for their stallion, they still have the mare, so it’s great for them.’’

Proven pairing

Newgate Farm stuck with what has proved to be a recipe for success when putting their star sire Capitalist to their Group 1-placed Snitzel mare Golconda for a second year running.

Twelve months after Becker had secured Marine One on the Gold Coast, James Harron paid close to double his purchase price for the full brother Cannonball, with the third highest-price paid for a Capitalist yearling, $975,000. Two have sold for $1.05 million.

Cannonball as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

“We looked at Cannonball, he was bought by James Harron for a lot of money and he was a big, imposing and impressive horse,’’ said Becker. “There were a lot of features that both colts had but we just felt that Marine One was probably a bit sharper. Cannonball was a bigger version of Marine One, still with a lot of quality.

“We actually didn’t bid on Cannonball although we did like him, we just felt that the other horse was just a sharper looking 2-year-old type. As it’s turned out he showed us a lot early but he has taken a bit of time to put it all together.’’

Both colts were evidence that the mare, owned by Newgate, leaves fantastic types, said Becker.

"We actually didn’t bid on Cannonball although we did like him, we just felt that the other horse (Marine One) was just a sharper looking 2-year-old type." - Mathew Becker

“I’m looking forward to seeing the next one out of her,’’ he said. “I don’t think she’s got anything this year at the sales, I think she might have missed, but she’s got a Written Tycoon foal coming off her this year.’’

The G2 Rubiton S. win is Marine One’s fourth from 10 starts and his biggest to date. The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Cannonball has had just the two starts to date, in the Maribyrnong Trial S. for fifth and the Golden Gift where he ran fourth.

Gunning for Group 1 win

The next obvious move for Marine One is to find Group 1 success, something that eluded him on his only previous attempt, in the Coolmore Stud S. in October which was the only time the team has been disappointed in him.

“Now he is a Group 2-winning son of Capitalist, and we’re always trying to maximise stallion potential, so the next obvious course is to try to take the next step into a Group 1,’’ said Becker.

“Now he (Marine One) is a Group 2-winning son of Capitalist, and we’re always trying to maximise stallion potential, so the next obvious course is to try to take the next step into a Group 1.’’ - Mathew Becker

“Where that is, we’ll just let the dust settle and he’ll be nominated everywhere. There’s the temptation to run him back here (Caulfield) in a fortnight in the Oakleigh Plate but he’s generally been a horse that races best with his race runs spaced a month between runs… so that race might come up a bit quick for him.

“That obviously leads maybe into a Newmarket H., again a nice race for him down in the weights, but whether or not the straight track’s to his liking, we’re not sure. Or there could be something in Sydney for him.’’

While the team plans the way forward for Marine One, with all the big Group 1 sprints on the drawing board, the horse has headed straight to David Noonan’s beach facility to freshen up.

Marine One and connections after winning the G2 Rubiton S. at Caulfield | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

“I’d imagine it will be tricky for him to get back for the Oakleigh Plate in two weeks,’’ said Becker. “The only time he’s been beaten with Ciaron is when we ran him that quick after his run at The Valley in the Coolmore, and that’s the only time he’s disappointed us. With his runs spaced he’s unbeaten for them so I don’t see why we would change that.’’

Becker is clearly not counting the 0.2l loss to In The Boat (Nostradamus) at the start of this year as a loss. At least not as 'disappointing'.

“He seems to just thrive in work. He’s been in work a long time,’’ Becker said. “He had a good break in the autumn after his 2-year-old campaign this time last year. He just had niggling foot issues that we had to get right which is what brought about the change of trainer and change of environment.’’

“The only time he’s (Marine One) been beaten is when we ran him that quick after his run at The Valley in the Coolmore. With his runs spaced he’s unbeaten for them so I don’t see why we would change that.’’ - Mathew Becker

Marine One was brought into work for his spring campaign and has not gone out of work over the duration of the summer.

“I don’t think he’s at the end of it yet, he’s improving every run,’’ said Becker. “Mentally he’s starting to really switch on now and has tracked really well in his runs and I think he’s still on an upward curve.’’

More Capitalists to come

Group 1 Bloodstock is happy buying Capitalist yearlings and expects many more to take their interest.

“We’ve bought a number of Capitalists and we’re happy to buy more of them, we love them,’’ said Becker. “We find them really good horses to train. They sort of just like to eat, sleep and gallop.’’

But there had been a need to go steady early with them, experience with the sire’s stock suggested to Becker who said: “You can fire them up if you get into them too early.’’

Capitalist | Standing at Newgate Farm

He had been pleased with his work on the sale front so far, and impressed by the strength of the sales this year.

“We’ve bought bits and bobs and have found the market particularly strong on all of those good horses. Magic Millions was an incredible sale to be a part of. We bought a few nice horses there. We bought a really nice Zoustar colt with Lloyd Kennewell for Ozzie Kheir’s group. That was probably a headline horse.’’

That was a $300,000 Zoustar colt from the Edinburgh Park draft out of Fastnet Rock mare Diminish.

Zoustar x Diminish (colt) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

“Then we went to the Inglis Classic Sale and we didn’t buy much there at all. We found that to be a particularly strong Sale. We didn’t have a deep list and those horses we did like seem to be the same that others found and made good money.

“So we’ve still got plenty of shopping to do. We’ll be heading off to Inglis Melbourne Premier and try to get active there and then all roads lead to Easter.’’

Group 1 Bloodstock

Marine One

Capitalist

Newgate

China Horse Club

Ciaron Maher

Connections Cast Ep 21: David Ellis

Written by

TDN AusNZ

Sharing the celebrations

The thrill of celebrating with friends, and watching the joy owners from all walks of life get seeing their horse have a win, that sparked the Te Akau operations from the moment in 1978 when Ellis was left drinking by himself in a committee room after his win due to the trainer he leased the horse with having to go and saddle up a starter.

“You never get sick of winning a maiden race let alone when you win a Group 1 race,’’ Ellis said.

“It’s always such a thrill and one of the things Karyn and I get a special thrill out of is seeing the excitement that our owners get out of it.

"It’s always such a thrill (winning a race) and one of the things Karyn and I get a special thrill out of is seeing the excitement that our owners get out of it." - David Ellis

“I won my first race in 1978 and I went into the committee room and had a drink by myself. I thought that wasn’t so much fun. I wanted to race horses with other people.

“I got friends involved and we now have a great ownership base. And there’s no greater thrill in life than going and having a drink with them and seeing the fun they have with these races.

“Even if they have only five per cent of the horse, they can still say that’s their horse they have with Te Akau.’’

Who's better than the Belle?

As well as his passion for bringing new people into the industry, and joining them in celebrations, Ellis talks candidly about his long, and growing list, of spectacular and favourite Te Akau horses, even revealing his belief Te Akau has had an equal to its queen, Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands).

Melody Belle (NZ)

It is of little surprise that Ellis says the mare who won her first start in September as a 2-year-old and her last start as a 6-year-old and scored 14 Group 1 wins is the type of horse Te Akau likes to buy when they go to a sale.

Her results make her 'a horse of a lifetime' but Ellis reveals his belief she was not even the best mare to ever take a box in the Te Akau stable and one, with just two Group 1 wins was as good as Melody Belle.

Which mare is that? Listen to the podcast to find out.

Te Akau Racing

David Ellis

Probabeel

Melody Belle

It's a doozie of a result for Daws ahead of Magic Millions' Perth Sale

3 min read

Written by Bryan Littlely

Cover image courtesy of Western Racepix

Myalup-based breeder Graham Daws called his special breeder’s quinella in the Cyril Flower Sprint at Ascot on Saturday 'a doozie'. While celebrating the success of breeding the first two across the line in the race, he says he most wishes he’d got the dividend for the effort.

Testa Rossa mare This’ll Testya took the win, paying out to $23, with Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) being sent out at $10 running second, making that dividend very exciting.

Not getting on, though, didn’t seem to bother Daws, who bred and sold both horses as Magic Millions Perth graduates, very pleased with the result ahead of the Perth Sale.

“It is so exciting. It’s really good to see This’ll Testya back and rejuvenated because she was showing so much potential early on but then appeared to be so badly behaved,’’ Daws said on Sunday. “She went off and now has the new trainer (Michael Pateman) and has come back great.

Graham Daws | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

“Kissonallforcheeks, well she just surprises me all the time. She’s such a tough individual and is always doing well no matter what happens,’’ he said.

This’ll Testya is from Flying Spur mare Camille’s Girl. She was sold in the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale in 2017 for $52,000 to Mark Nelson. Kissonallforcheeks, from Rosie Rocket (Blackfriars) sold as part of the Newhaven Park draft to Morton Racing for $120,000.

A share in the family

Daws, who owns Dawson Stud, at Myalup between Mandurah and Bunbury, south of Perth, doesn’t have any ownership of either horse, but does share ownership with trainer Adam Durrant in the half-sister of Kissonallforcheeks, Star Of Rosie (Star Witness).

Star Of Rosie as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

The 3-year-old filly Star Of Rosie was passed in at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale and retained by Daws. She is one win from one start, kicking off at York in early November. A half-brother coming out of Rosie Rocket, third in the G1 Railway S., by Russian Revolution, was also passed in at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

“It was an amazing win because she got in all sorts of bother,’’ Daws said. “She’s just back in work and the Russian Revolution for some reason didn’t sell in Sydney so I’m bringing him back here,’’ said Daws.

“I would prefer to sell him, most definitely, because I’m a breeder basically. The Russian Revolution is a nice colt. I’m surprised he didn’t sell. Russian Revolution has been selling like hot cakes as the leading 2-year-old sire and, I was surprised, but anyway, that’s the plan, I’ll try to sell most of him anyway.’’

Russian Revolution x Rosie Rocket (colt) | Image courtesy of Inglis

Daws said Star Of Rosie had been scratched at the barriers at her last two starts, both times as favourite.

“She’s got a bit of attitude. It’s okay, so long as they’ve got a decent engine inside. I’m looking forward to her starting.’’

Gearing up for Magic Millions Perth

Daws will take eight of his Dawson Stud-bred yearlings to Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale and seven prepared for others.

“I’m looking forward to the Sale. Unfortunately, there are no relations to those two in the Sale over here,’’ he said.

Rosie Rocket also is not in foal this year and has an All Too Hard filly at foot for next year’s Perth Sale. Camille’s Girl died a few years ago.

All Too Hard | Standing at Vinery Stud

“It’s a bit full on down there (on the stud). We seem to be the place for rehabilitating horses so I’ve got heaps of horses down there on agistment and being rejuvenated.’’

Click here to view Dawson Stud's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale draft

Dawson Stud

Kissonallforcheeks

This'll Testya

Magic Millions Perth

Graham Daws

Tributes flow for apprentice jockey Marina Morel

2 min read

Written by Bryan Littlely

Cover image courtesy of Muswellbrook Racing Club

Apprentice jockey Marina Morel has been described by racing industry colleagues and friends as a special person with an infectious way about her in the wake of her death from a trackwork fall last Tuesday.

The 28-year-old French national sustained injuries in a trackwork fall at Gulgong and was flown to Westmead Hospital. Her mother had flown out from France before the decision was made to turn off the young rider’s life support on Saturday morning.

The apprentice jockey was working for Thompson Racing having previously worked for the Cummings family in Sydney.

Marina Morel | Image courtesy of Luke Thomas Racing

In a statement on their Facebook page, Thompson Racing said Morel was a beautiful soul both inside and out and she would be so very missed by the Thompson Racing family.

“Her love of horses was so natural and incredible, we are truly better people for knowing Marina and forever thankful that she was part of our team,’’ the post read.

In releasing the news of Morel’s death on Saturday, the NSW Jockeys' Association said: “May she Rest In Peace. Our love and thoughts are with her parents and loved ones.’’

Hong Kong-based jockey Blake Shinn, who met Morel when she worked for the Cummings family, also paid tribute to her on social media.

“Her love of horses was so natural and incredible, we are truly better people for knowing Marina and forever thankful that she was part of our team.’’ - Thompson Racing

“Only one month (ago) I had a recent conversation with her and to believe she’s gone absolutely hurts me deeply,’’ wrote Shinn.

“Riding horses is a passion for us all. We all know the risks involved. It just hurts losing someone that loved the animal and riding as much as Marina.’’

It is understood a memorial service for the young jockey is being planned at Mudgee on Tuesday.

Marina Morel

Thompson Racing

Blake Shinn

NSW Jockeys' Association

Black type results: Hobart

3 min read

G3 Hobart Cup, $250,000, 2400m

From New Zealand to Hong Kong to Victoria to Tasmania - it has been quite the career for Ho Ho Khan (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) whose performance was a dominant one.

Bred by Gerry Harvey by the former Westbury Stud shuttler Makfi (GB), a triple Group 1-winning son of Dubawi (Ire) (Dubai Millennium {GB}), Ho Ho Khan - racing as Mulanchi - showed early talent in his country of birth before heading to Hong Kong where he won the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup.

Twice representing Hong Kong in the G1 Hong International Vase (not disgraced in hot fields on either occasion), he returned to Australia - making his debut for the Mitchell Freedman stable last November.

One of Makfi's 43 stakes winners, he is one of five winners (from six to race) for the unplaced (from four starts) China Choice (Encosta De Lago) - also dam of the Listed Just Now H. winner East Asia (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and the Hong Kong winner Amazing Feeling (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).

Served in 2021 by Telperion (Street Cry {Ire}), China Choice (who also has a yearling filly by Tarzino {NZ}) is a daughter of the G2 Hill S. winner Mulan Princess (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}) whose daughter Royal Descent (Redoute's Choice) won the G1 ATC Oaks.

Mulan Princess is one of the three stakes winners produced by the G3 Lion Brown S. winner Madam Valeta (NZ) (Palace Music {USA}); Falkirk (NZ) (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and Luscilla (NZ) (Entrepreneur {GB}) the others.

Madam Valeta's dam Lovenvain (Vain) was also a high-class broodmare, producing the dual Group 1 winner Golden Sword (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}), the triple Listed winner Greta Hall (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}) and the Listed winner Balmoral Keep (NZ) (Balmerino {NZ}).

Listed Thomas Lyons S., $125,000, 1400m

It had been eight years since a successful Victorian raid on this race (the Stephen Theodore-trained Road Trippin' by Charge Forward), the mainlander More Than Exceed (NZ) (More Than Ready {USA}) able to equal that accomplishment on Sunday.

The Phillip Stokes-trained 6-year-old had not won for a while - the 2020 Mildura Cup his most recent success - but he has always had a touch of class as evidenced by his prizemoney tally in excess of $400,000 leading into this race.

Bred by Raffles Dancers, NZ, More Than Exceed is the 213th stakes winner for his now retired high-achieving sire. A $260,000 graduate of the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, he is one of just two named foals (the other Owners' Prestige by Testa Rossa being a four-time winner in the US) produced by the unlucky broodmare Exceedingly Regal (Exceed And Excel).

Producing only one live foal since More Than Exceed's birth (a Flying Artie 2-year-old colt), the stakes-placed Exceedingly Regal missed in 2021 - served last spring by Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon).

Exceedingly Regal's dam is a half-sister to the G1 Thousand Guineas winner Lady Of The Pines (Bluebird {USA}) from the family of the Group 1 miler Caledonian Boy (Plush) and the stakes winners Heaps Of Fun (Rory's Jester), Storm Approach (Purrealist), Vigil (Danehill {USA}), Throssell (Captain Sonador) and Caledonian Planet (Planet Kingdom).

This is the Chelandry (GB) (Goldfinch {GB}) family that was represented by another two stakes winners on the weekend - This'll Testya (Testa Rossa) and Argentia (Frankel {GB}).

By a stallion out of a mare bred on the same Northern Dancer (Can) (Nearctic {Can})/Mr Prospector (USA) (Raise A Native {USA}) cross, More Than Exceed also carries crosses of the influential mares Natalma (USA) (Native Dancer {USA}), Almahmoud (USA) (Mahmoud {Fr}) and Glamour (USA) (Nasrullah {Ire}).

Black type results

Hobart

International News

6 min read

France

Le Havre pensioned

Haras de Montfort et Preaux in Normandy announced on Saturday that successful stallion Le Havre (Ire) has been pensioned.

“Due to health issues which occurred at the end of last year, the decision was made to end his stallion career,” manager Mathieu Alex said. “We owe him so much and our priority is his wellbeing. Le Havre is a true champion. Winner of a magnificent Prix du Jockey Club, he was a leading stallion from his debut at stud.”

Le Havre (Fr)

The sire of 50 stakes winners, 20 Group winners, and 79 stakes performers, Le Havre has had 14 runners in Australasia with the group led by Group 3 winner Auvray (Fr) and stakes winner and Group 2-placed Harbour Views (Fr).

United States

Classic Causeway 195th stakes winner for Giant’s Causeway

One of only four foals from Giant’s Causeway’s (USA) final crop, the Grade 1-placed Classic Causeway (USA) continued his journey down the Kentucky Derby trail on Saturday with a 3.75l win in the G3 Sam F. Davis S. The 10 points earned in the Road to the Kentucky Derby race took his points total to 16 – the best of any horse on the leaderboard.

Swapping the lead with Little Vic (USA) (Practical Joke {USA}) throughout the 1700-metre Tampa Bay Downs dirt race, Classic Causeway started pulling away in the stretch for his eased down victory. He is the 195th stakes winner and 116th Graded stakes winner for Giant’s Causeway, who also sired 344 stakes performers.

Both of Giant’s Causeway’s runners to run from his final crop are stakes performers with son Giant Game (USA) third in last year’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as well. Classic Causeway is one of five winners out of the multiple stakes-winning Private World (USA) (Thunder Gulch {USA}) with the colt bred on a 3 x 4 cross to Storm Bird (USA).

Blackadder determined El Camino Real Derby winner

It was just another Saturday in the winner’s circle for Bob Baffert and the 'Avengers' ownership group when Blackadder (USA) (Quality Road {USA}) won the El Camino Real Derby in his stakes debut.

Making his first start since breaking his maiden on Boxing Day, Blackadder made a late run at American Pharoah’s (USA) Mackinnon (USA) to get in front just before the line in the 1800-metre race on the synthetic track with Del Mo (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}) well behind the pair in third. The 106th stakes performer for sire Quality Road (USA), he’s also that stallion’s 56th stakes winner.

Owned by a group that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Stonestreet Stables, the US$620,000 (AU$869,000) yearling purchase is a full brother to stakes winner and Grade 2-placed Gingham (USA), who sold for US$1 million (AU$1.4 million) at the 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Their grandam is the multiple Graded, stakes-winning Owsley (USA) (Harlan {USA}), who is the dam or grandam of six stakes-performers. That group includes War Chant’s (USA) stakes-placed War Hoot (USA).

Nest proves much the best in Suncoast

Already a Grade 2 winner, Nest (USA) (Curlin {USA}) made a big impression in her 3-year-old debut at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday with a 6l romp in the Listed Suncoast S. to earn 10 Road to the Kentucky Oaks points.

The filly took over the lead in the stretch and was never under threat, with Alittleloveandluck (USA) (Arrogate {USA}) the only one within 9.25l of her at the line. Never off the board in four starts, her only loss came when third in the Listed Tempted S. last year.

Nest is a full sister to Grade 1-winning Idol (USA) and a half-sister to stakes-placed Dr. Jack (USA) (Pioneerof the Nile {USA}) with the trio out of stakes-winning Marion Ravenwood (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}). The filly’s grandam is the Grade 2 winner and multiple Grade 1-placed Andujar (USA) (Quiet American {USA}), who is a three-quarter sister to dual classic winner and Champion Real Quiet (USA) (Quiet American {USA}).

Miss Puzzle daughter wins Bayakoa

Late Australian stakes performer Miss Puzzle (Citidancer {Ire}) registered a second career Graded stakes winner on Saturday when Miss Bigly (USA) (Gemologist {USA}) won the G3 Bayakoa S. at Oaklawn Park.

The winner of US$641,242 (AU$898,500), it was a first Graded stakes victory for the 6-year-old, who has won or placed in seven-straight stakes races dating back to May 29, 2021. The mare took command inside the final 200 metres of the 1700-metre race to beat She’s All Wolfe (USA) (Magna Graduate {USA}) by 1.25l with Jilted Bride (USA) (Wicked Strong {USA}) in third.

Miss Puzzle is also the dam of the two-time Grade 1-winning Fashion Plate (USA) (Old Fashioned {USA}) and stakes-winning Mr. Candy Bar (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}) among five winners. Miss Puzzle is also a half-sister to the dam of Group 1 winner Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) with New Zealand Horse of the Year Tit For Tatt (NZ) (Faltaat {USA}) also in the family. Miss Puzzle died last March with her last foal being a yearling colt by Flying Artie, who sold at last week’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale to Lady Lunn Racing for $15,000.

Charge It 49th Rising Star for Tapit

Tapit (USA) registered his 49th TDN Rising Star on Saturday when Charge It (USA) bolted home by 8.5l at Gulfstream Park in his second start.

The 1600-metre dirt race saw the colt go gate-to-wire with a wider margin at every call. In the end, only fellow Tapit runner Enough Already (USA) was within 10l of the Whisper Hill Farm homebred at the line.

“Those were all quality fillies we were running against,” said trainer Phil D’Amato. “I think anyone could win on any given day. My filly, I think she had been making that early move in her last couple, just by circumstance, and today she was able to just relax a little more, wait and conserve with her little late burst, and I think that made the difference.”

The first foal out of I’ll Take Charge (USA) (Indian Charlie {USA}), Charge It is a grandson of Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady (USA) (Dehere {USA}). That mare produced champion Will Take Charge (USA) (Unbridled’s Song {USA}), Grade 1 winner Take Charge Indy (USA) (A.P. Indy {USA}), and American Pharoah’s (USA) multiple Grade 2 winner As Time Goes By (USA). Take Charge Lady is also the grandam of Spendthrift Farm’s shuttler Omaha Beach (USA) (War Front {USA}) and Champion Take Charge Brandi (USA) (Giant's Causeway {USA}).

International News

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Job Board

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Ashlea Brennan Photography - Assistant / Casual Photographer

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• Support head photographer on racedays during the racing carnivals

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If this is the job for you, please email your resume and portfolio to ashlea@ashleabrennanphotography.com

SERIOUS APPLICANTS ONLY!

Daily News Wrap

All-Star Mile top 10 known Monday

The wait for The All-Star Mile’s top 10 publicly voted starters will be over as connections awake on Monday, with voting set to close at midnight Sunday.

The final push for those that found themselves on the edge of the field ahead of the deadline has played out with the leaderboard blacked out on Friday night.

When the leaderboard was blacked out, Peter Moody-trained Lightsaber (Zoustar) was holding the final spot inside the top 10. Lightsaber finished eleventh in Saturday's G1 CF Orr S.

But less than 1000 votes split ninth-placed Elephant (NZ) (Shocking) and King Magnus (Magnus) in 13th. Symon Wilde's Sirileo Miss (Pride Of Dubai) was in 14th.

Tom Dabernig's Flying Mascot (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who ran a flashy second in Saturday's Bellmaine S. behind Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) was in position 11, less than a couple of hundred votes behind Lightsaber.

The All-Star Mile will be run on March 19 at Flemington.

Kicking into top gear

The Clayton Douglas-trained Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) kicked the competition to the curb on Sunday at Sale with a dominant win on debut for Pinecliff Racing.

Giga Kick, whose dam is a half-sister to Rekindled Interest (Redoute’s Choice), powered to a 4l win over the 1100 metres under Jamie Kah, prompting some Blue Diamond S. starter suggestions.

Kah said Giga Kick had the class and ability to justify connections paying the $55,000 late entry fee for the Blue Diamond, something they have eight days to do if they are to send him to the big race.

“It’s hard with this boy because he’s just so relaxed, so in his work we never knew how good he was because we’ve never really tested him,’’ Kah said after the race.

“And today I think he still wasn’t fully tested, he had his ears pricked the whole way.”

If Giga Kick does line up for the Blue Diamond S. it will be without Kah in saddle. News out Sunday was that she has been booked to ride Blue Diamond Preview winner Revolutionary Miss (Russian Revolution) in the race.

Woolamai Whirlwind a short affair

If you turn up to the Woolamai picnic races on Saturday you can be forgiven for thinking motoring racing star Craig Lowndes has influenced the club committee when you see the running of the club’s new Woolamai Whirlwind over the unique distance of 888 metres.

But the man within the Triple Eight Race Engineering team hasn’t had anything to do with engineering the Whirlwind, which is now the shortest race in Victoria.

Other racetracks to conduct races in Victoria below 1000 metres include Flemington who run early season juvenile races over 900 metres, while The Valley regularly conducts races over 955 metres and Swan Hill from a 975 metre starting point.

“Woolamai has always been proud of its one turn 1000-metre chute which is the only of its kind on the picnic circuit, however the club has long lamented a lack of suitable race starts from 1000 to 1500 metres,” Club Secretary Adam Olszanski told Racing.com.

“Given the long run to the home corner, the committee came up with the idea of having an additional sprint start, shorter than 1000 metres and we landed on 888 metres.”

All Woolamai’s starting points are over a further eight metres since the judges tower was relocated that distance down the home straight 15 years ago.

It is hoped next season to have a series of 888-metre races culminating in a final.

RV have approved the race start following a series of jump-outs and has, fittingly, limited the field to eight runners.

Some New South Wales and Queensland tracks are known to conduct races over 800 metres.

Group 1 breeder excited by forthcoming Karaka offering

As preparations ramp up for the 2022 edition of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka in March, Curraghmore principal Gordon Cunningham was once again celebrating the success of a past graduate of his Te Awamutu-based operation.

The popular Irishman bred outstanding Ocean Park (NZ) mare Tofane (NZ) who added a fourth Group 1 victory to her impressive career record when she took out the G1 CF Orr S. at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon.

Although initially entered in the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, Cunningham elected to retain Tofane and send her to trainer Michael Moroney’s Matamata barn under the care of co-trainer Pam Gerard.

Tofane won an 820-metre trial at Te Teko before Ballymore Stable clients purchased her from Cunningham and she was transferred to Moroney’s Melbourne stable where she has gone on to win eight races from 27 starts and over $3.39 million in prizemoney.

Cunningham is justifiably proud of the mare, who he admitted didn’t really standout as a young horse until she began to mature.

“She was a pretty typical Ocean Park early on, but with maturity she developed with more obvious quality and the look of a good horse ,” he said. “She has gone on to show she is an absolutely elite galloper, who always gives her best.

Gordon Cunningham | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk

“I actually feel she is probably still a touch underrated as the field she beat yesterday (Saturday) was full of quality and she did it in confident fashion."

With the National Yearling Sales less than a month away, Cunningham and his Curraghmore team are hard at work putting the finishing touches on a draft that will see them present 23 individuals in the Book 1 Sale and a further four in Book 2.

Click here to view Curraghmore's New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale draft

Future plans still to be decided for Levante

Trainer Ken Kelso is content to sit back and savour the thrill of winning a second consecutive Group 1 with star mare Levante (NZ) (Proisir), before any decisions on her immediate future are made but suggests a trip to Australia may well be on the cards.

The daughter of Proisir delighted her connections and multitude of fans when she held out the challenge of another class mare in Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) to take out the G1 BCD Group Sprint, after the pair waged a two-horse war down the Te Rapa home straight on Saturday.

Kelso, who prepares the 5-year-old in partnership with wife Bev, was a happy man after watching Levante deliver again at the elite-level to confirm the promise he saw in her since the day she entered their Matamata stable.

Levante (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk

“That win was very special and to make it back-to-back Group 1 wins is something I think she deserves,” Kelso said.

“All the way through we have thought she could win at this level, however until her last two starts she just hadn’t had the rub of the green.’’

Kelso will now take a few days to let the dust settle before he sits down with the mare’s connections to discuss what the future holds, suggesting sending her to race in Australia is definitely among the options.

Patterson eyes Australian return for Coventina Bay

The long trip home to New Plymouth from Hamilton on Saturday evening flew by for trainer Robbie Patterson as he reflected on what had happened just a few hours earlier at Te Rapa.

Relishing the damp underfoot conditions, classy mare Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) out-finished Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) to take out the G1 Herbie Dyke S. to add a Group 1 title to her already outstanding career record, whilst also providing Patterson with his first elite level victory when training in his own right.

Coventina Bay (NZ) | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk

Patterson is determined to return to Australia with Coventina Bay after she endured a luckless three race campaign in Brisbane last winter.

“I really want to go back and show the Aussies just how good she is,” he said.

“I felt I was on a steep learning curve over there and no matter what you have been told, you do have to experience it to fully appreciate the magnitude of the task.

Robbie Patterson | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk

“I had spoken with Wheels a number of times and wish I had listened a bit more, but now I’ve been there I think I can do a far better job with her this time.

“Now she has shown she can get the 2000 metres, I would dearly love to tackle a race like the Doomben Cup with her.’’

Hefel soon to return

Carleen Hefel, 32, will make a return to riding by the end of the month having been sidelined since September due to a trackwork accident.

She fractured her femur in the accident but the Victorian apprentice, who has ridden 100 winners, said her recovery had gone smoothly and she was back doing trackwork and trials.

Carleen Hefel

“Expect me back at the races maybe end of February,’’ she said. “I’m really hanging to get back.”

An apprentice to well-respected horseman Julien Welsh, Hefel had a horse rear and fall on top of her only days after riding her first winner at The Valley.

Hefel had success in Western Australia with 27 victories while on loan to Lindsey Smith and is now looking to outside her claim and finish her apprenticeship in Victoria before considering any moves.

Peg Leg Ben hangs in for big win

It had been 1138 days between wins, but Peg Leg Ben (Danehill Express) saluted for an eighth time at his 76th start on Sunday at Werribee at the massive quote of $91.

Trained by Terang trainer Jamie Barry and ridden by apprentice Sheridan Clarke, the 10-year-old gelding got the chocolates over 1600 metres.

Peg Leg Ben last won on New Year’s Day 2019 when under the training of Jamie’s father Harold. The best he had performed for Jamie Barry was a third-placing and in the past year he has had five races where he failed to beat a runner home.

Daily News Wrap

Debutants

1 min read

First-time starters lining up on Monday, February 14

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

First Season Sire Runners & Results

1 min read

First Season Sires’ Results

Results: Sunday, February 13

First Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Monday, February 14

No first season sires' runners

First Season Sire Results

First Season Sire Runners

Second Season Sire Runners & Results

Second Season Sires’ Results

Results: Sunday, February 13

Second Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Monday, February 14

Second Season Sire Results

Second Season Sire Runners

NSW Race Results

1 min read