Cover image courtesy of Scoop Dyga

Thursday brings with it the potential for a slice of history when the superstar stayer Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) attempts to add a record-equalling fourth G1 Ascot Gold Cup to his glowing record. Should he manage this extraordinary feat he will match the achievements of the mighty Yeats (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {Ire}) - a horse so ingrained in Royal Ascot folklore there was a statue erected in his honour upon his retirement, which stands tall in the paddock at the track, giving you some idea of what Stradivarius is on the cusp of achieving.

Race 1, G2 Norfolk S., 1000m - 11.30pm AEST (2.30pm local)

Prizemoney: £110,000 (AU$192,900)

First-up on Day 3 of the prestigious meeting is the G2 Norfolk S., a 1000-metre contest for 2-year-old colts and geldings, won in the past by top-class stallion No Nay Never (USA) (2013), while more recently, in 2017, another son of Scat Daddy (USA), Sioux Nation (USA), landed the contest and he now stands at Coolmore’s Castlehyde base. The stallion has enjoyed a good start at stud, siring 10 first-crop winners and two of his sons will be given the chance to emulate their sire when they tackle the Group 2 on Wednesday.

Trained by Michael Bell, who landed the G2 Norfolk S. in 2017 with The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}), Brave Nation (Ire) (Sioux Nation {USA}) entered the reckoning for the race when he galloped to a 9l win on debut at Doncaster in April.

The stallion will also be represented by the Andrew Balding-trained Bakeel (GB) and he comes into the contest having already shown course form, winning on debut at the Berkshire track on April 27.

Both Brave Nation and Bakeel look open to improvement and look to have speed, the main quality needed to win the G2 Norfolk S.

On breeding alone, even without his two-race unbeaten record, a horse set to garner plenty of attention is the Aidan O’Brien-trained The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who was purchased by M.V. Magnier for 750,000gns (AU$1.3 million) at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale last year.

The main reason behind that hefty price-tag is that the colt is a brother to the superfast, Group 1-winning sprinter Battaash (Ire). Despite winning the G1 King’s S., in 2020, Ascot was not always the happiest of hunting grounds for the Shadwell-raced son of Dark Angel (Ire), so Coolmore will be hoping The Antarctic has not inherited that trait.

Race 3, G2 Ribblesdale S., 2400m - 1.40am AEST (3.40pm local)

Prizemoney: £200,000 (AU$350,700)

From a breeding point of view, some really important fillies have won the G2 Ribblesdale S. in the past and astonishingly, despite his obvious midas touch with fillies and mares, William Haggas has only trained one winner of the race; Mont Etoile (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) in 2006.

For many people, the master of Somerville Lodge looks a safe bet to saddle his second winner in the Group 2 when he runs last-start Listed Height Of Fashion S. winner Sea Silk Road (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

The daughter of Sea The Stars (Ire) was purchased by Christopher Tsui’s Sunderland Holding Inc for 190,000gns (AU$220,000) at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2020 and she derives from a famous German family.

Sea Silk Road is out of the German Listed-winning mare Oriental Magic (Ger) (Doyen {Ire}) and she is a daughter of fellow German Listed scorer Oriental Pearl (Ger) (Big Shuffle {USA}), who is also the dam of German Group 1 winner Oriental Eagle (Ger) (Campanologist {USA}).

Another well-bred filly set to take her chance in the G2 Ribblesdale S. on Thursday is the Charlie Appleby-trained Life Of Dreams (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Last seen running second behind subsequent G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G3 Musidora S. at York, Life Of Dreams will have to take her form to another level if she is to snare a victory in the Group 2, but if breeding is anything to go by she is set to be talented.

The filly is out of G2 Lancashire Oaks and Group 1-placed Endless Time (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), further back in the pedigree there are some names that will be familiar to Australasian racing fans including G1 Sydney Cup winner Mourayan (Ire) (Alhaarth {Ire}) and this year’s G1 New Zealand Derby winner Asterix (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).

Coolmore Stud are accustomed to buying high-class bloodstock and on Wednesday they run high-priced filly History (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whom Coolmore Stud purchased for an eye-watering 2.8 million guineas (AU$3.2 million) at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

A Group 3 winner already, History is out of Grade 2 scorer and Graded-placed mare Price Exhibit (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) and she is herself a sister to G1 Sussex S. winner and now Shadwell Stud-based Mohaather (GB).

Race 4, G1 Gold Cup, 4000m - 1.40am AEST (3.40pm local)

Prizemoney: £500,000 (AU$874,900)

Historically, the G1 Ascot Gold Cup is thought to be the jewel in the crown of Royal Ascot and on Thursday prepare yourself for a potential moment to savour as John and Thady Gosden’s superstar stayer Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) attempts to make history.

Recently, the 8-year-old’s quest for even further greatness has been somewhat thwarted by the equally talented stayer Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}). Indeed, at the end of last season Alan King’s gelding well and truly put Stradivarius in his place, beating him in the G1 Prix du Cadran at Longchamp, before handing him yet another defeat in the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

However, an unseasonably dry spell in the UK looks to have played its part and with no rain forecast between now and the race, Trueshan, a well-known mud-lark, is unlikely to line up in the Group 1 on Thursday and there is no getting round the fact that this makes Stradivarius’ task that much easier.

Despite entering the twilight of his racing years, Stradivarius showed he still had the same love for the game when he opened his account this season with a third career win in the G2 Yorkshire Cup S. in May and he could very well claim another win in Royal Ascot’s showpiece on Thursday.

However, while Trueshan’s absence is a shame for the race, by no means will Stradivarius have an easy time, with Aidan O’Brien set to saddle 4-year-old colt Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the race and he could turn out to be the one Stradivarius has to beat.

Attempting to win his first elite-level race, Kyprios comes into Thursday’s Group 1 having taken out his first black-type event in the Listed Vintage Crop S. in April, before following up that triumph in the G3 Levmoss S. the following month.

With a horse like Stradivarius age seems to know no limits, but it is hard to ignore that at 4-years-old Kyprios could have a lot more to give and there is no doubt O’Brien will have him peaking at the right time.

Away from the two market leaders, admirable mare Princess Zoe (Ger) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}) will also take her chance in the Group 1 race, coming into the contest off the back of a fine victory in the G3 Sagaro S. in April. A winner of 10 races, including three at stakes level, Tony Mullins’ striking grey 7-year-old has racked up a huge following and should she prevail on Thursday she could prove one of the most popular winners of the whole week.

One of three mares in this year’s edition, Princess Zoe and her counterparts, Bubble Smart (GB) (Intello {Ger}) and Burning Victory (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}), could become the first females to take out the 4000-metre contest since Her Majesty The Queen’s ever-popular mare Estimate (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) galloped to a memorable victory in 2013.

Race 6, G2 Hampton Court S. - 2000m, 2.35am AEST (5.35pm local)

Prizemoney: £100,000 (AU$174,000)

Most racing fans around the world will be hoping that The Queen - in her G1 Platinum Jubilee S. year - can snare a race at Royal Ascot. Thursday’s G3 Hampton Court S. presents the biggest opportunity for the monarch to grab her 23rd winner at the meeting when the John and Thady Gosden-trained Reach For The Moon (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) lines up to represent Her Majesty.

A Royal winner would be something to savour and if the wagering market is anything to go by, the 3-year-old colt is one of the bankers of the meeting. A two-time winner, Reach For The Moon was last seen finishing second in the Listed Heron S. at Sandown and he had that form franked when the William Haggas-trained My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) - who defeated him in the Listed contest - ran a brilliant race to finish a narrow third in the St James’s Palace S. on Tuesday.

For many, Reach For The Moon only has to show up to be crowned the winner of the G3 Hampton Court S., but if the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained Claymore (Ire) (New Bay {GB} can put his disappointing last-start performance in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) behind him and reproduce the sort of form that saw him run outstanding 3-year-old Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) within 3.5l in the G3 Craven S. in April, he could possibly give Reach For The Moon something to think about.

*The results from Day 2 of the meeting will be updated in this edition overnight.

Trainer Joseph O’Brien has won races all over the world, including two G1 Melbourne Cups and the G1 Cox Plate courtesy of State Of Rest himself, but astonishingly the young trainer had yet to train a winner at Royal Ascot, but he finally got that monkey off his back on Wednesday with State Of Rest's Group 1 win.

Ridden by Shane Crosse- who was also enjoying his first win at the Royal meeting - State Of Rest was sent straight to the front and set decent fractions in the 2000-metre contest.

As the field rounded the turn, State Of Rest kicked off the bend, bounding away from his rivals to post an impressive 1l victory over the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}), who finished strongly, but was never on terms with the brilliant State Of Rest.

After winning the G1 Saratoga Derby in August 2021, State Of Rest flew under some people’s radars when he contested last year's G1 Cox Plate, but he showed he was not a horse to be overlooked when he beat top-class colt Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) in a nail-biting finish, prompting Newgate and their partners to buy into the colt.

The 4-year-old colt added further kudos to his glittering CV following his victory in the Moonee Valley Group 1, when he took out the G1 Prix Ganay in France and was last seen finishing a sound third in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.

'A special day'

Field was on hand at Royal Ascot on Wednesday to witness the colt’s heroics in the Group 1 and he told TDN AusNZ the win not only meant a lot for Newgate Farm, but also the Australian industry as a whole.

“It was absolutely fantastic. It was a crack-hot field with the top-class middle distances European horses and Japanese horses,” said Field. “It means a lot because he has shown he is the best mile-and-a-quarter horse in the world.

“It has taken a long time for us to step into this part of the market and find a middle distance horse to stand at stud, but after his Cox Plate win we took a leap of faith and I think that after today’s (Wednesday) result that decision has been very much vindicated.

“He’s a star horse. He’s won Group 1s in America, France, obviously the Cox Plate and now Royal Ascot - that is quite the record.

“He has got one of the strongest syndicates of owners we have ever put together for a horse and it includes some breeders from New South Wales, Victoria and New Zealand, so it’s just a great thrill and many of them are here - it’s a day we will never forget.”

Important for Australia

Nature Strip’s win in the G1 King’s Stand S. on the first day of the meeting showed the strength and depth of the Australian sprinting form, but Field was delighted to see the Australian middle distance form stack up on the world stage on Wednesday.

“I was actually talking to Chris Waller before the horses came to Ascot and we both said the week could be a big one for Australia. We have seen the Japanese horses travel round the world and really vindicate the power of their racing,” said Field.

“So, to see a horse like Nature Strip win the King’s Stand on Tuesday, and not just win but blow his rivals away, and then our Cox Plate winner, albeit a horse trained in Ireland, prove he is the best mile-and-a-quarter horse in the world; I think all this is very important for Australian racing to showcase to the world how powerful our product is.

“To see both the Australian sprinting and middle distance form stack up as it has this week, is a week that Australians should be really proud of and it is really important for the future of our industry. It’s just a very proud week to be an Australian.”

On Saturday, G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Artorius - who is by Newgate Farm’s resident stallion Flying Artie - will be out to hand the farm another famous victory when he lines up in the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. against dual Group 1 winner Home Affairs (I Am Invincible).

“Fingers crossed Artorius can give us something to celebrate on Saturday, but if he doesn’t we will all be cheering on Home Affairs for Coolmore,” said Field.

Field was also quick to pay tribute to O’Brien: “Joseph is a child prodigy and has an extraordinary brain. I think for me personally, one of the greatest parts of investing in this horse is being able to pick Joseph’s brain over the phone and I don’t think I’ve ever spoken to a smarter younger man in the horse business.”

O’Brien was ecstatic to finally snare his first Royal Ascot victory and said he blamed himself for the colt’s defeat in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup.

"The horse has a great team of owners and he's proved himself a high-class versatile horse," O'Brien added. "I blame myself for the last time when we didn't make enough use of him in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. We knew today (Wednesday) we had a live chance and I'm delighted he proved himself."

Tough horse

O'Brien won the G1 Prince of Wales's S. on the now Coolmore Stud resident So You Think (NZ) for his father Aidan 10 years ago and was delighted to achieve the feat as a trainer.

"It was a brilliant ride and he's a very tough horse," said O'Brien.

"We had a good chat with Shane (Crosse) and decided we'd try to make the running and it couldn't have worked out better. Shane gave him a marvellous ride and got the fractions perfect – he's only had a handful of rides here and he grabbed the race by the scruff of the neck.

"It's very special to win a race here as a trainer. It's been a long time coming and it's hugely special to win a race like the Prince of Wales's."

Purchased by Diamond Bloodstock for 45,000gns (AU$78,000) at the Tattersalls December Foals Sale in 2018, State Of Rest was then re-offered the following year and was bought by his trainer and Aiden O’Ryan for 60,000gns (AU$104,000) at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

State Of Rest is out of unraced mare Repose (USA) (Quiet American {USA}), making him a half-brother to Group 3 scorer Tranquil Lady (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Repose made headlines recently when she was purchased by Juddmonte Farms, having been formerly owned by Dermot Cantillon and Meta Osborne of Tinnakill House, who also bred the 10-year-old.

State Of Rest will split his time between Henry Field’s Newgate Farm when he is in the Southern Hemisphere, while his time in the north he will reside at Cashman family's Rathbarry Stud in County Cork.

Life’s a beach for Chapple-Hyam

There has been Australasian threads running through the seams of Royal Ascot week, and on Wednesday, another Australian was welcomed into the winner’s enclosure, but through the exploits of a human success rather than an equine, as expat trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam saddled her stable star Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) to victory in the G2 Duke Of Cambridge S.

Saffron Beach showed her star quality early on in her career when she finished second to Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the G1 1000 Guineas as a 3-year-old and she signed off her juvenile season with a fine victory in the G1 Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket.

Last seen finishing fourth in the G1 Dubai Turf. at Meydan, Saffron Beach produced one of the best performances of the week so far, when she surged clear to defeat Thunder Beauty (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) 3.5l, while Primo Bacio (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) was another 0.1l away in third.

Meanwhile, Saffron Beach’s G1 1000 Guineas conqueror, Mother Earth, never looked comfortable and eventually finished a well-beaten sixth.

Eldar Eldarov edges Queen’s Vase

The Roger Varian-trained Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) showed he possessed all the attributes that could see him develop into a top-class stayer of the future when he flew up the Ascot straight to win the G2 Queen’s Vase at the Royal meeting on Wednesday and in the process handed Darley’s flagship sire Dubawi (Ire) with his 150th Group winner.

Despite Eldar Eldarov being the well-backed favourite for the Group 2, connections made no secret they had concerns about the quick going and as the field rounded the turn, doubts must have flooded into their minds, with young jockey David Egan beginning to work hard on the colt.

However, Eldar Eldarov began to respond to his jockey urgings, showing a potent turn of foot, eating up the deficit on runaway leader Zechariah (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire) with every stride, eventually catching him in the shadow of the winning post and the margin was so small the judge couldn’t split them, prompting a photo-finish to decide the winner.

After an agonisingly long wait, Eldar Eldarov was announced the victor, with the official margin over the Aquis Farm co-owned colt Zechariah recorded as an agonising 0.01l, while Hafit (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was another 0.1l away in third.

Purchased by Mags O’Toole and Oak Tree Farm for £110,000 (AU$191,500) at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale in 2020, before being snapped up by Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock for £480,000 (AU$835,500) at last year’s Arqana May 2-Year-Old Breeze Up, which was held in England due to Covid.

The 3-year-old colt is out of the Listed-winning Sea The Stars (Ire) mare All At Sea (GB), making him a half-brother to stakes-placed A La Loile (GB) (Invincible Spirit {GB}).

Dubawi enjoyed a stakes double on the first day of the meeting and he stood at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket for a fee of £250,000 ($435,000).

O’Brien finally on the board

After uncharacteristically drawing a blank on the first day of the meeting, trainer Aidan O’Brien finally got his name on the score sheet when the well-back colt Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) landed the penultimate contest on Day 2, the Listed Windsor Castle S.

Little Big Bear was beaten on debut a short-head on debut at the Curragh in April, before making amends for that performance when shedding his maiden status by three lengths at Naas in May and he built on that win when beating Rocket Rodney (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire) by 0.1l.

In winning the Listed race, the colt handed former Coolmore Stud shuttler No Nay Never (USA) with his 39th stakes winner.

J-Mac wins again at Royal Ascot

As if we needed more proof that James McDonald is one of the best jockeys on planet, but for the small few who may have forgotten, McDonald gave them a gentle reminder when he steered the Charlie Hills-trained Dark Shift (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire)) to a fine victory in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.

Dark Shift scampered away to beat Intellogent (Ire) (Intello {Ger}) by 0.5l.

Fresh from riding Nature Strip (Nicconi) to win in the King’s Stand S. on Wednesday, McDonald was adding a third win at Royal Ascot to his CV in the handicap

Dramatised takes Queen Mary

Jockey Danny Tudhope continued his rich vein of form at Royal Ascot on Wednesday as he picked up where he left on Tuesday, steering the Karl Burke-trained Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) to victory in the G2 Queen Mary S.

The daughter of Showcasing (GB) was sent off the well-backed 5-2 favourite, with support garnered off the back of her 4l length debut win at Newmarket in April and she showed on Wednesday that was no fluke, pulling away to defeat Maylandsea (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) by 1.8l.

Raced by Steve Parkin’s Clipper Logistics, Dramatised is out of Listed winner and Group 3-placed Katie’s Diamond (Fr) (Turtle Bowl {Ire}).

In winning the Group 2, the filly provided the Whitsbury Manor Stud-based Showcasing, who shuttled to Haunui Farm for a number of years, with his 58th stakes winner.

God bless Nature Strip! What a day. The race, his performance, was just amazing - he well and truly showed the world what a star he is.

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With the risk of sounding like a genius post-race, I thought he would do that to that field all-day long. The American horse, Golden Pal, was unfortunately slow away from the gates. The head-to-head clash a lot of people were hoping for didn’t materialise unfortunately, but I don’t think that made any difference really, I think Nature Strip would have won the same way, with or without him.

I thought he was an easy favourite in my humble opinion. He’s a proper sprinter who has now won nine Group 1s and he is a proper Champion. I’m glad, at the age of seven, he was able to prove that to the rest of the world.

He was so calm and collected in the mounting yard before the race and he is clearly enjoying himself. He looked like he was on holiday! When you watched him cross the line, J-Mac could barely pull him up and he looked like he could have gone round again.

It was the race we all came to watch, there were loads of Aussies there and I think when you see a performance like that from any horse, everyone that likes racing from anywhere in the world would respect it was a ‘Wow” moment. To be honest even if you don’t know anything about racing, it was pretty obvious it was a good performance - he just took off like a jet aeroplane.

I’m a proud Aussie as everyone knows that, obviously I try and talk with a different tongue here just to get myself in order when I’m over here. But every Aussie that was there was cheering him on for the whole of Australia. I did let out a huge roar at the 500-metre mark, saying that’s what we're here for and that’s probably what’s done it for him in the end to be honest.

Post-race I watched him walk back and you wouldn’t know he’d even had a run.

It was also fantastic for James McDonald, he, like the horse, is absolutely world class. Wherever he goes he just shines - he’s absolutely amazing and the incredible thing about him is he is still so young, it’s a bit scary when you think about what he could go on to achieve. The world is his oyster and apart from being a great jockey, he is a great ambassador for our sport because he is such a genuinely great person.

It was just a pleasure to be back at the races in big numbers. Obviously, I lived in Hong Kong for a long time and I used to regularly see big crowds there every week at Happy Valley and Sha Tin and that has been closed up for a couple years as well. Australian racing also had no people, it’s been a tough couple of years for the world in general. So, to have people back here celebrating and drinking, especially people who maybe haven’t seen each other for a while, it was great and the atmosphere was electric - it has been unbelievable. I had a great day.

Royal Ascot is such a special event. Not only is the racing top-class, it is very well-organised and everyone is so well-dressed, and both men and women make a concerted effort to dress up and look fine - there is just a real buzz about the place.

I myself indulged in a few beverages throughout the day and had umpteen amounts of Pimms and my sugar levels felt sky-high for a while there. I found myself at a carpark picnic at the end of day and was there until quite late, but no one was leaving, they were just having a great time - getting stuck in and I thought to myself: “They’re going to have a job to get these people to leave - they’re going to have to fork them out!”

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Within 12 hours of Nature Strip demolishing his Royal Ascot opposition, the Chris Waller yard had another reason to cheer on Wednesday with the million-dollar debutant, Eponymous, winning his first race at Randwick’s Kensington meeting.

The 2-year-old colt did it in good fettle too, knuckling down for jockey Chad Schofield over 1100 metres and producing a late burst to snatch the goods from the Zoustar gelding Ramones.

Eponymous settled just off the speed for much of the running, but was wide throughout from barrier eight.

Sweeping into the turn he was three off the fence and, with a busy finish around him, he was best in the last 50 metres. He drew clear of the pack to land a tenacious 0.95l victory to Ramones, with stablemate Sorgente (Headwater) 0.98l to third.

With Chris Waller in England, it was up to Damien Fitton, the yard’s assistant racing manager, to oversee Eponymous’ debut on Wednesday.

“He’s taken a bit of time to mature mentally and physically, but he’s come back well,” Fitton said. “His trials were nice and that was a great performance today. They went quick early and he just held his own, and once he pushed out into clear room he hit the line well.”

Eponymous posted a winning time of 1:04.14 on the Good 4, the last 600 metres in 34.50s. It was fractionally faster than the fillies’ race that followed, which was won by the Corumbene Stud homebred Tashi (Sebring).

Jockey Chad Schofield was full of praise for the valuable colt after the race, claiming him a stunning individual with a lot of class.

“As soon as I got over his neck and cantered him to the gates, I knew he’d be hard to beat,” the jockey said. “He’s got a lot of presence and he gave me a tremendous feel.

“He was three wide without cover, but I had the two main dangers just in front of me. He was always comfortable and I was confident I was going to win the race, and in the last furlong it was just a matter of keeping him focused and keeping him going.”

Dazzling family

Eponymous was one of three valuable, high-priced colts in this good field.

At an even $1,000,000, he had been purchased from the Coolmore draft by bloodstock agent Andrew Williams at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Alongside him, Wednesday's race also included Moscow Night (Written Tycoon), a $1.1 million yearling at the same Sale, and Himalaism (I Am Invincible), a $950,000 yearling also from that Sale.

Additionally, the field also featured I Say Boom (Spirit Of Boom), a half-brother to Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago).

“He was a beautiful yearling,” said Andy Williams, speaking to TDN AusNZ about Eponymous. “He had all the right qualities that you’d expect of his pedigree, and he comes from one of the best Australian families you could find, so it all lined up.”

Eponymous is the fifth foal from the Elusive Quality (USA) mare Caveat, who was a winner at two and boasts one of the best pages around. She is a daughter of Camarena (NZ) (Danehill {USA}), who won the G1 Queensland Derby and G2 Queensland Guineas, and who was additonally five-times Group 1 placed.

Camarena was the first mare that Sheikh Mohammed purchased in Australia, a deal that was brokered by Arthur Mitchell at Yarraman Park, and it’s been a dynasty ever since.

Caveat, the dam of Eponymous, was Camarena’s fifth foal. Before that, in 2004, she produced Camarilla (Elusive Quality {USA}), the dam of Guelph (Exceed And Excel). Guelph, in turn, has foaled the Group 2 winner Encryption, while Guelph’s sister, Dazzler (More Than Ready {USA}), is the dam of Bivouac.

“With that family, it was no wonder this colt attracted the money he did at Easter,” Williams said. “He just had everything going for him.”

Caveat

Eponymous was one of 23 million-dollar yearlings at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Sale, a Sale topped by the $2.5 million Snitzel colt from Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}).

He is raced now by the usual suspects of the Coolmore colts’ syndicate, which includes Westerberg, Wynaus, Peachester Lodge and Woppitt Bloodstock on a regular basis.

In fact, the horse’s dam, Caveat, has a few sale stories of her own, being sold by Godolphin at the 2017 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. She was picked up by Australian Bloodstock for $220,000, and then sold again in a Yarraman Park draft at the same Sale in 2019.

On that occasion, she was bought by James Harron carrying Eponymous, and she’s since produced a filly to Justify (USA) and is in foal to Pierro at Jerrys Plains.

For I Am Invincible, meanwhile, Wednesday’s win was seasonal winner number 172 for the Yarraman Park resident, which is clear of Written Tycoon at 168.

I Am Invincible is currently ahead of So You Think (NZ) on the Australian General Sires' table by earnings, with the former on $18,350,230 in progeny earnings as against So You Think's $18,020,407.

I Am Invincible is on-track for his first Champion Sire title after running second for the last four years.

Cover image courtesy of Valachi Downs

Gareth Downey and the rest of the staff at Valachi Downs will head to Friday’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale at Karaka with mixed emotions.

They are buoyed by the fact they have a top-quality dispersal draft of 20 weanlings, but at the same time, there is an understandable sadness that the doors will close at the boutique thoroughbred stud in Matamata, Waikato – the heartland of New Zealand’s breeding industry.

Kevin and Jo Hickman built the stud that operates on more than 600 acres and covers all aspects of breeding and racing, including significant expansions in 2018 with the standing of stallions in a new purpose-built station and the acquisition of a private training facility adjacent to the nearby Matamata Racecourse.

At the end of May, the Hickmans announced they had sold the business to passionate racing and breeding enthusiasts Lib and Katrina Petagna, the owners of breeding business Elsdon Park. The Petagnas have confirmed Valachi Downs will be rebranded as Elsdon Park.

The New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale will be the final time Valachi Downs is represented at a public auction, with the remainder of the business’ stock to be dispersed online.

“It’s the last Valachi appearance at Karaka or any physical auction; we’ve still got the dispersal sales to happen online,” Gareth Downey, who has been Valachi Downs’ general manager for the past four years, told TDN AusNZ.

“Everyone talks about things feeling bittersweet at times like this. We’re very happy with the draft, we’re doing the best we can, we’ve got a great team of people working very hard, and we’re selling very nice horses; we’d love it if we were carrying on with those very nice horses, but that’s not to be.

“I’m sure there’ll be a bit of emotion involved as the hammer goes down on the last horse.

“It’s a pretty tough time… we are very lucky to have such high-quality people at Valachi; we have always recognised that and appreciated it, but during what is a very difficult time, you see that quality of people shining through. Even though it’s a very busy time and it’s always hard work anyway, it would be understandable if people were possibly struggling for as much motivation as usual, but that’s not the case, everyone is putting in as always.

“We have felt privileged to work for Kevin Hickman and Valachi Downs and that’s not a privilege we take lightly.

“It’s very sad to see it come to an end.”

A draft stacked with quality

Twenty weanlings (11 colts and nine fillies) have been added to the supplementary catalogue on behalf of the Valachi Downs Dispersal Sale, and they will be offered immediately before Lot 1.

Valachi Downs will offer eight weanlings by U S Navy Flag (USA), who stood at Valachi Downs for two seasons; six by Ten Sovereigns (Ire), who served at Valachi Downs for one season; two by Savabeel; two by Almanzor (Fr); one by Turn Me Loose (NZ); and one by War Decree (USA).

Downey claims their 11 colts present excellent pinhooking or end-user opportunities, while the nine fillies represent opportunities to buy into some lovely families.

“This would have been our yearling draft in 2023 and it’s a draft we would have been extremely happy to bring here to a yearling sale. As we all know, those are not usually what makes up a weanling draft. It’s a draft that we are very, very happy with,” said Downey.

“It’s been a manic day (Wednesday), with plenty of parades, which is what we wanted it to be, but it was still quite challenging.

“It’s a draft of 20 that’s a dispersal draft, so they always do create plenty of interest.”

Highlight lots

Lot 1004 is a U S Navy Flag filly out of Al Bayan (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). She is a half-sister to five winners including the G3 Sunline Vase victress Communique (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), who also placed in the G2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile.

“She’s a later foal, so as a weanling she’s probably on the smaller side because of her birth date, but with that gorgeous family behind her, I think she’s a wonderful opportunity to invest into a future broodmare. She’s got a lot of quality, she moves very nicely,” Downey said.

Lot 1005 is a colt by Champion Sire Savabeel out of the Group 2-winning mare Bohemian Lily (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}). That mare is a sister to Group 1 heroine Shamrocker (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}) and Group 1-placed Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), plus a half-sister to Group 1 winner Rock Diva (NZ) (Lucky Unicorn).

Gallery: Three highlights of the Valachi Downs Dispersal Sale, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

“He is the clear standout of our draft and I think he will be the Sale-topper for us. I think he would have made serious money as a yearling. He’s very nicely put together; he’s exactly what you want to see in a Savabeel with a wonderful pedigree behind him. We’ve had some exceptionally positive feedback on him,” Downey explained.

Lot 1018 is a Savabeel filly from the three-time winner Quest (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}). She is related to Group 3 victress Limerick (NZ) (Grosvenor {NZ}) and Group 3 winner Capella (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}).

“She is another by Savabeel that should come into good demand. She’s from a good, solid New Zealand family,” Downey said.

Lot 1019 a filly by New Zealand’s leading first-season sire Almanzor out of Sister Celeste (Galileo {Ire}), making this filly a half-sister to the G1 Sistema S. placegetter Kelly Renee (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}). Also on her page is recent Group 1 winner Hinged (Worthy Cause).

“She’s a gorgeous Almanzor filly from a good family,” said Downey.

This week's episode

Week of May 13, 2022

Caroline Searcy returns to the Richmond Riding For Disabled centre in New South Wales to see the thoroughbreds who change the lives of people with disabilities, young and older!

Champion jockey Clare Lindop uses thoroughbreds to train new track riders as part of a great Racing SA education program attracting new staff to the racing industry. And in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Stories, a Golden Slipper-winning Champion Australian Stallion features for his former stablehand Julie Scanlon.

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Week of May 30, 2022

In this week's Thoroughbreds Are Go, we take a look at the Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards that celebrate the racing and breeding industry's unsung heroes, with a particular focus on the winner and runner-up in the Thoroughbred Care and Welfare category - Fiona McIntyre and Grace Chantler.

The Victoria Racing Club takes the 2022 Melbourne Cup and a great sponsorship to the Sydney International three-day event with more and more thoroughbreds competing.

The Sydney Royal Easter Show with a whole day of thoroughbred classes and a trainer and strapper with another story about a favourite racehorse in a new life, in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Story.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 4 2022 (Season 3)

Week of May 23, 2022

In this week's Thoroughbreds Are Go find out how to go from showjumping into a job in a racing stable, learning more about the care of thoroughbreds. Hear from Sydney's Champion trainer Chris Waller and young thoroughbred riders Jasmine Haynes and Chloe Manell about the great opportunities within the racing industry.

Equine nutrition expert Dr Caroline Foote with some great tips on feeding thoroughbreds to keep them in the best condition. And French track-rider Pauline Leflaec, now the proud owner of multiple Group winner Star Of The Seas (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Story.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 3 2022 (Season 3)

Week of May 16, 2022

In this week's episode of Thoroughbreds Are Go, Caroline Searcy speaks with NSW trainer Kim Waugh about the pros and cons of rehoming thoroughbreds and ensuring they are in a good home. Rebecca Brown's Hillview Thoroughbreds turns ex-Hong Kong racehorses into elite Sydney Royal Show horses.

Inglis Millenium winner, Prime Star (Starspangledbanner), features in this week's Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Story.

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Thoroughbreds Are Go EP 2 2022 (Season 3)

Week of May 9, 2022

Thoroughbreds Are Go returns for 2022 with an update on two-time Racing Victoria top accredited thoroughbred re-trainer Fiona McIntyre. She travels to the prestigious Royal Sydney Easter Show with not only the popular four-time Melbourne Cup runner and earner of over $1.9 million, Precedence (NZ) but also Caravan Rolls On (GB) and Able Fun (Snitzel).

And in Arrowfield Stud's Strapper Story we hear about a son of Nicconi who's found a great home with his strapper from his racing days.

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