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Catching up with Olly Tait: Hallowed Crown, Peltzer's first foals and inbreeding to Danehill

Written by
8 min read
Twin Hills Stud principal Olly Tait is glad he allowed himself an afternoon away from the stud to head to Randwick last Saturday, as the winner of the Silver Eagle bolstered the credentials of one of their resident stallions.

Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

Having provided Hallowed Crown with another stakes winner last season, Godolphin’s Vilana has given Tait every reason to believe that he can become his stallion's second elite-level winner before too long.

His performance in Saturday’s Silver Eagle was a dominant one, and he is now third-favourite for the $10 million Golden Eagle. For Tait, it’s renewed confirmation of the type of horse that does so well for Hallowed Crown; the 4-year-old appears to have come back even better this season after a more than commendable Classic campaign which saw him win two stakes races, including the G3 Fred Best Classic, before earning his place in the G1 Stradbroke H. field.

Hallowed Crown | Standing at Twin Hills Stud

“Hallowed Crown is a horse that, above all else, has proven himself to be capable of siring horses of the highest order. Naturally, Colette is the headline horse and Vilana is in the same mould,” Tait told TDN AusNZ.

“To see him come back as a 4-year-old and beat a very good bunch… he’s an absolute live chance for the Golden Eagle, it’s a testament to the sorts of horses that Hallowed Crown can throw.

“Hallowed Crown has proven himself to be able to get those horses who can win on the big days. Vilana is still only a Group 3 winner, but certainly he’s a horse of real quality.”

“Hallowed Crown has proven himself to be able to get those horses who can win on the big days. Vilana is still only a Group 3 winner, but certainly he’s a horse of real quality.” - Olly Tait

Whilst Colette earned her first Group 1 as a 3-year-old in the Australian Oaks, the progeny of Hallowed Crown are known to improve beyond their Classic year. Tait accepts that it’s a trait which goes against the commercial grain in the industry, but gently pointed out that, in light of the ever-increasing number of high-prizemoney opportunities for older horses in Australia, such a stallion offers great value if you’re searching for a racehorse.

“Hallowed Crown has never covered large numbers of mares, and that really is because he’s not a horse that’s going to get sharp 2-year-olds. That’s what the commercial market wants and that’s just the reality - we don’t complain about that.

“But, not everybody is aiming to breed a Magic Millions yearling. For those people who want to breed a good racehorse, there’s a lot of stallions who can’t get top-quality racehorses. There’s a lot of stallions who get lots of winners, but there are a lot of stallions who can’t get horses of the quality of a Colette or a Vilana.

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Gallery: Hallowed Crown's stakes winners

“He’s terrific value. He’s standing at $11,000, for a stallion that can get horses of that quality. I suppose, from a sales perspective, the statistics of horses that go through a sale and actually win as a 2-year-old is tiny… For buyers, there’s lots of value to be found in looking for those horses at the sales that might take a bit of time.

“The lionshare of the commercial market is trying to hit it out of the park, and to hit it out of the park you’ve got to get the horse that can win the Golden Slipper.”

Of course, it’s dangerous to pigeon hole stallions, and Tait was suddenly reminded that Hallowed Crown had a juvenile feature promisingly in the first official 2-year-old trials at Randwick last month. A colt half-brother to last year’s G1 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn (Rebel Dane), Kintyre is set to line up in the Kirkham Plate for the same connections this Saturday.

Kintyre, a juvenile son of Hallowed Crown, is set to line up in the Kirkham Plate on Saturday at Randwick | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

“Having said all that, if he wins the Kirkham Plate on Saturday he’ll be in the top few for the betting in the Golden Slipper. I hope I eat my words!”

Young mares and double Danehill

Vilana, a half-sister to Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}), is inbred 3 X 3 to Danehill (USA), being out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Retsina. Whilst some breeders will warn against inbreeding so closely to Danehill, Tait rejects that notion with compelling evidence.

“(Inbreeding) 3 X 3 is still a very small part of their pedigree, relatively. The last three Golden Slipper winners were inbred to Danehill. To me, it’s a consideration, but it’s certainly not a showstopper.

Danehill (USA)

“I’m not a believer in that. We go through this every generation with stallions. When I started in the game, people worried about horses inbred too closely to Northern Dancer, then it’s inbred too closely to Danzig and now it’s inbred too closely to Danehill - soon it’ll be too closely inbred to Redoute’s Choice.

“I think nicks play their part, but with all our stallions we’re looking for good-quality mares. We’re trying to attract mares that have some race performance, are well-related and some youth. Statistically, they’re the mares that produce good racehorses.”

“I think nicks play their part, but with all our stallions we’re looking for good-quality mares. Statistically, they’re the mares that produce good racehorses.” - Olly Tait

Peltzer’s impressing

Adding to the excitement of the 2022 breeding season at Twin Hills has been the arrival of Peltzer’s first foals. The son of So You Think (NZ) was reportedly one of the fastest horses through the hands of his former trainer, Gerald Ryan, which makes him an interesting prospect for Tait.

Whilst his own sire is known to breed excellent stayers, Peltzer defied the mould in winning three 1200-metre races as a juvenile before his Group wins as a 3-year-old over 1500 and 1200 metres, which were punctuated by victory in the $1-million Bondi S. over a mile.

“It’s funny, because when I’m giving people my sales spiel I say, ‘He’s not a typical So You Think,’ because he’s out of an Elusive Quality mare and his next dam’s a Flying Spur mare - so that’s why he looks like he looks.

Peltzer | Standing at Twin Hills Stud

“Then, in the next breath you’re saying he’s by So You Think, and So You Think is such a wonderful stallion.

“He was bred to get further but never tried it, and we’ll never know whether he could or couldn’t have.”

According to Tait, Peltzer’s foals are inheriting their sire’s looks, and the number of breeders returning to use him again this year is good evidence that he's not the only one who’s been impressed by them.

“He covered 83 mares last year and he’ll cover at least that this year, so that’s encouraging. We were slightly disadvantaged last year by the fact that we only announced he was going to stud at the end of May. A lot of people make decisions earlier than that, and even if they haven’t made decisions they’ve formulated plans in their own minds.

“But we still got a good book of mares to him, and we’ve got no excuses in terms of numbers if he doesn’t make it.

“He’s got a fair bit of speed in his pedigree, and that comes out in his looks. His foals are very like him, they’ve all got nice heads, good hindquarters on them and they’ve got plenty of size.

“His (Peltzer’s) foals are very like him, they’ve all got nice heads, good hindquarters on them and they’ve got plenty of size.” - Olly Tait

“I say to everyone: ‘You’ve never heard of anyone who’s standing a stallion and not liked their first foals.’ But, we’re really encouraged by what we’re seeing. At this point in time we couldn’t be happier.”

A note on The Everest

On course at Randwick to watch Vilana in person last Saturday afternoon, Tait was of course also part of the 46,000-strong crowd who witnessed this year’s $15 million The Everest. With his extensive international experience, including 15 years at Darley spearheading international expansion, Tait has observed novel-format feature races around the world. So, it was interesting to hear his thoughts on the world’s richest race on turf.

“They’ve put a lot of resources into promoting the event. It’s early days post-COVID so it was great to see people turn out… It’s great to see that sort of crowd at Randwick again,” he said.

“The Pattern is a guide for cataloguing, essentially. Over time, it’s become a guide for the promotion of the sport as well, so Group 1s became something people could promote.

“I think the Pattern is really important. I think a race of its quality absolutely deserves to be a Group 1, and that’s something that it would be great to see.”

Twin Hills Stud
Olly Tait
Hallowed Crown
Vilana
Colette
Kintyre
Peltzer

‘It’s really grim’: racing participants on high alert as floods continue to wreak havoc

Written by
5 min read
The flooding crisis in Victoria’s north shows no sign of slowing. A number of trainers and stud farms have already been impacted and, sadly, the worst may be yet to come.

The heavy rain and thunderstorms that hit Victoria late last week has eased, but the forecast for the latter part of this week is dire, with further torrential downpours expected in some parts of the state from Thursday until Sunday.

Two Victorian towns that have been severely affected are Echuca and Nagambie.

The Campaspe River peaked in Echuca on Sunday – reaching 96.25 metres above sea level – and it will remain at a major flood level for 24 to 48 hours.

Residents of Echuca are still being told to evacuate their homes.

Trainer Rhys Archard, who is based at Echuca, told TDN AusNZ the locals are on tenterhooks.

“My house is right next to the Campaspe River. We are alright at the moment, but for how long, who knows? The forecast for this week is pretty ordinary,” Archard explained.

“In terms of my horses, I’ve had to move 25 of them off my farm to a friend’s farm today (Monday). I’ve got weanlings, retired stock, a mixture of stock. All of the animals had to be moved while the roads are accessible.

“In terms of my horses, I’ve had to move 25 of them off my farm to a friend’s farm today (Monday). I’ve got weanlings, retired stock, a mixture of stock. All of the animals had to be moved while the roads are accessible.” - Rhys Archard

“When I got home, the river had gone down a bit, which is a bit of a relief, but all it does is buy us a couple of days until the Murray and Goulburn Rivers hit.

“It’s not so much the rain that hits here, it’s when everywhere else gets rain. If Kyneton gets heavy rain, the Campaspe flows here at Echuca. The Goulburn flows into here and the Murray, as well. Everything’s jam-packed. If it was isolated rain somewhere, it’d be okay, but it’s just everywhere. Last week, everywhere got rained on.

Rhys Archard | Image courtesy of Racing Photos

“The last few days have been crazy; you feel like you’re just starting to get on top of things, then that changes.”

Training duo Mick Cornish and Donna Gaskin are also in Echuca.

Cornish said their horses are currently at the the Echuca Racecourse, which “appears to be the highest ground”.

“We’ve been told that’s the safest place for them to be,” Cornish said.

“A lot of owners’ paddocks have gone under and it looks like Moama is going to go under, too. It’s really grim.

“We’re almost back to having a couple of workers staying at the stables.

Mick Cornish | Image courtesy of Racing Photos

“The Army is camped up there (at the racecourse), too.”

Cornish said the unpredictable nature of the flood event is making the situation particularly challenging.

“There’s so much water coming down that we didn’t think would come down,” he added. “It’s all changed.

“The flood started off as a once in a 15-year event, then it was once in 45 years, now they’re talking once in a lifetime. The flood’s not playing by the rules; where they thought the flood levels would be, it’s totally different.

“The flood started off as a once in a 15-year event, then it was once in 45 years, now they’re talking once in a lifetime. The flood’s not playing by the rules; where they thought the flood levels would be, it’s totally different.” - Mick Cornish

“One of the farmers’ properties, they’ve got water coming up through the ground, it’s actually seeping through the ground, that’s how hard it’s going. All the channels are filling up and just filling all the farms up with water.

“Thursday and Friday, there’s supposed to be over 100mm again.”

Echuca Racecourse | Image courtesy of Echuca Racing Club

Breeding operations hit hard

Residents of Nagambie are still coming to terms with the heavy rain and floods that hit last week.

Noorilim Park, which is owned by the Carrick family, is situated 20 minutes from the township, right on the Goulburn River. The farm is 1700 acres with 15kms of river frontage.

The business’ owner, Peter Carrick, said the damage is “bloody devastating”.

Peter Carrick | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

“It’s a terrible disaster we’ve had. We’ve just been through a life-threatening time,” Carrick remarked.

“I think what happened is the levy bank broke further down and it came in from another angle to us, which broke our access in and out of the property. It happened so quick; it happened within three hours.

“To get 110 horses out, I don’t know how we did it. We didn’t lose any. My workers are amazing and the community that turned up… I would say there was 80 people here to help and a kilometre of trucks, floats and boats came.”

“To get 110 horses out (to safety), I don’t know how we did it. We didn’t lose any. My workers are amazing and the community that turned up… I would say there was 80 people here to help and a kilometre of trucks, floats and boats came.” - Peter Carrick

Prominent breeders Karen and Frank Butler, who own a farm in nearby Seymour, were also seriously impacted.

“The house is fine, thank God, but all of our horse paddocks went under,” Karen explained.

“I think a bit like Yulong, we didn’t think the creek would come up that high.

“Paddocks that have never flooded before were five feet under.”

Butler said their younger stock were confused and distressed.

“Some of our yearlings just lost the plot, they swam into water instead of where they should’ve gone. We pulled an entire fence down so that they could get onto a track, but they lost the plot. We eventually got them out,” she said.

“We got some of the retired geldings to swim up to higher ground.

“We didn’t lose any horses.”

Victoria floods
Rhys Archard
Mick Cornish
Noorilim Park
Karen Butler
Frank Butler

From boiled lollies to chocolates for Forsman

Written by
7 min read
New Zealand trainer Andrew Forsman headed to Caulfield on Saturday hoping his luck would change, what eventuated was beyond his wildest dreams.

Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos

Andrew Forsman left Caulfield last Wednesday quite dejected after watching his star filly She’s Licketysplit (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) finish third in the G1 Thousand Guineas. Forsman was proud of the 3-year-old, but was left to wonder what might have been, had the torrential rain not arrived and the track been rated a Heavy 10, he believes she would have taken a power of beating.

It was a vastly different story on Saturday, however, and the Kiwi trainer was celebrating the best day of his career, having notched a Trans-Tasman four-timer that included a maiden Group 1 in his own right.

“It was unreal and what we achieved still hasn’t sunk in,” Forsman told TDN AusNZ.

“Yeah, it’s definitely the best day I’ve had and will be pretty hard to top, I’d imagine.

“I left Caulfield on Wednesday pretty frustrated, so I’m thankful things worked out for us on Saturday.”

“Yeah, it’s definitely the best day I’ve had and will be pretty hard to top, I’d imagine.” - Andrew Forsman

Forsman, who formerly trained in partnership with the great Murray Baker, watched from Caulfield as 4-year-old mare Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) toyed with her rivals in the Livamol Classic at Hawke’s Bay.

Working alongside Baker, the duo combined for 25 Group 1s on both sides of the ditch, including the 2015 New Zealand Derby with Mongolian Khan, the 2017 New Zealand Oaks with Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) and the 2017 Australian Derby with Jon Snow (NZ).

Mustang Valley (NZ), winner of the G1 Livamol Classic | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk

Other success in top company include the 2017 Australian Oaks with Bonneval, the 2015 Emirates S. with Turn Me Loose (NZ) and the 2020 Australian Derby with Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}).

Forsman said the thrill of claiming his first elite-level success on his own was unbelievable.

“It’s my first full season in training without Murray, so to get that monkey off the back is incredible,” he said.

“Hopefully there’s plenty more to come.

“It can be a long time between drinks in this game, so it’s important to celebrate the good times when they take place.

“It can be a long time between drinks in this game, so it’s important to celebrate the good times when they take place.” - Andrew Forsman

“I am very thankful to everyone that has helped me along the way, Murray included. My team does an amazing job and I am very lucky to have so many good people around me.”

A close relative to the champion stayer Might And Power (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), Mustang Valley may be seen in Melbourne over the coming weeks.

“She may head over for one run during the Flemington carnival, we’ll just wait and see,” Forsman explained.

“There’s probably two or three suitable options for her there at Flemington.”

She’s Licketysplit, meanwhile, will line up in the G1 Empire Rose S. at Flemington on October 29, with Dean Holland to ride the filly at 49kg.

The filly will earn a payday of $1.6 million if she can win the 1600-metre feature as she is eligible for a $1 million bonus for her G2 Edward Manifold S. success at Flemington two weeks ago.

“She’s great, she came through the run at Caulfield really well,” Forsman said.

“She’s very tough.

She's Licketypslit (NZ) | Image courtesy of Darren Tindale

“She had a few quiet days after Caulfield.

“The two-and-a-half weeks between runs should be ideal.”

Eyeing up another Derby

Whether it be in Sydney, Melbourne or back home in New Zealand, Forsman is no stranger to winning a Derby, which should come as no surprise, given Baker earned the moniker ‘King of the Derby’.

In addition to all of the Derbies he won in tandem with Forsman, Baker won the Australian Derby in 2008 with Nom Du Jeu (NZ) and with Dundeel (NZ) in 2013, and had Lion Tamer (NZ) win the Victoria Derby in 2010. And, one of his first major victories was the 1985 Wellington Derby with Sir Vigilant (NZ).

Forsman has the favourite for this year’s Victoria Derby – Mr Maestro (NZ) (Savabeel) – who extended his winning streak to three on Saturday, taking out the G3 Caulfiled Classic at Caulfield.

Mr Maestro (NZ), winner of the G3 Caulfield Classic | Image courtesy of Darren Tindale

“I told (jockey) Harry (Coffey) I didn’t want him ridden too urgently,” Forsman explained. “We obviously wanted a horse to come out of it to head towards the Derby.

“He’s the kind of horse you hope for, but if you told me he would be unbeaten in his three runs in Melbourne going into the Derby, I probably would have not quite thought he was going to be that forward at that stage of his preparation; he really just came to it a little bit quicker than I thought he would.

“He’s in great form and hopefully he can keep it rolling in the Derby.”

“He’s (Mr Maestro) in great form and hopefully he can keep it rolling in the Derby.” - Andrew Forsman

Damian Lane, who was in Sydney on Saturday, will hop back aboard Mr Maestro in the Derby.

Forsman is keen to put his own stamp on things, but admitted he would be silly not to use what he learnt from Baker, especially when it comes to preparing a runner for a Derby.

“He sent me a nice text message after Mr Maestro’s win on Saturday. I haven’t really caught up with him yet, but I’m sure I will at some point,” Forsman added.

“I have the attitude that I’ve learnt from one of the best there’s been, so I don’t want to stray too far away from his methods of training. I worked for Murray for so long, it’s pretty much the only way I know is his way.

“I have the attitude that I’ve learnt from one of the best there’s been, so I don’t want to stray too far away from his (Murray Baker's) methods of training. I worked for Murray for so long, it’s pretty much the only way I know is his way.” - Andrew Forsman

“I’m using very similar training methods… he was such a good trainer and had a great career, I’d be stupid not to try and replicate what he had done.

“I’ve had the luxury of watching Murray prepare horses for Derbies for 10-15 years now, so I certainly hope I'm doing things right and at this stage it seems like it’s working.”

Aegon bounces back

Forsman’s day at Caulfield started in the best possible fashion when Saint Bathans (Maurice {Jpn}) took out Race 2 – a 3YO+ H. over 1700 metres.

Mr Maestro and Mustang Valley made it a Forsman treble, and just when he thought his luck was due to run out, Group 1 winner Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) returned to form to land the last race at Caulfield – the G3 Moonga S.

Aegon (NZ), winner of the G3 Moonga S. | Image courtesy of Racing Photos

Aegon was a leading 3-year-old, victorious in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and R. Listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic, before, “losing his way”.

“He did so well as a 3-year-old… there’s no hiding against the older horses,” said Forsman.

“He’s just taken a bit of time, we decided just to back right off him, give him a long break and let him mature and develop and he’s certainly done that.

“He’s (Aegon) just taken a bit of time, we decided just to back right off him, give him a long break and let him mature and develop and he’s certainly done that.” - Andrew Forsman

“It was great to see him get that win, hopefully it will give him a bit of confidence.

“He will have to step up to tougher company next time around.”

Forsman is leaning towards having a crack at the G1 Champions Mile at Flemington with Aegon.

Andrew Forsman
Mr Maestro
Aegon
Mustang Valley
Saint Bathans
Murray Baker

Well-bred brigade to the fore at Hawkesbury trials

5 min read

Written by Oz Wedmore

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Some well-bred performers stepped out at Hawkesbury trials on Monday morning, and there were some juveniles in action to whet the appetite too.

There was just one trial for the 2-year-olds, which saw two fillies and three colts put through their paces. Heat 9 was won by Cafe Millenium (Not A Single Doubt), who was having his first trial on Monday for trainer John O’Shea.

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Gallery: Heat 9, images courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Settled in second-last, he was given an educational ride by Brenton Avdulla. He was asked for an effort entering the home straight and picked up well to close down and pass Gitalong (Zoustar) by 0.24l, completing the final 600 metres in 34.33s.

Click here to watch Cafe Millenium's trial replay

Not only is Cafe Millenium from the final crop of Not A Single Doubt, he is also a homebred for Ron Finemore, who purchased a quarter share in the stallion as a yearling, and who credits his whole racing investment to the horse.

Finemore also bred Cafe Millenium’s dam, the High Chaparral (Ire) mare Veloce Forte, who was a winner as a juvenile. She is a half-sister to G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic winner Gypsy Diamond, who is also by Not A Single Doubt.

Ron Finemore | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

Although he finished last of the quintet, it was far from a lacklustre effort from Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou’s Californian, who was the only horse to represent a first-season sire in the heat, being by Justify (USA). He took some time to balance once in the home straight, but got the hang of things late and finished off strongly through the line under Jason Collett.

Getting back on track

Having his first trial of the season in Heat 12 was Bruckner (Snitzel). Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, he hasn't raced for nearly a year, when he was second to Home Affairs in the 2021 G1 Coolmore Stud S.

Click here to watch Bruckner's trial replay

He required knee surgery after that effort, but was seen back to good effect on Monday morning, galloping away with the trial under Jason Collett to finish 1.45l ahead of Jojo Was A Man (Al Maher).

Bruckner clocked the fastest final 600 metres of the morning, coming home in 32.23s.

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Gallery: Heat 12, images courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

In the first heat of the morning the Michael Freedman-trained Hawaii Five Oh (I Am Invincible) took a positive step to getting his season back on track. He was last seen when pulled up at the tail of the field in the Tapp-Craig at Randwick on October 8 - the last race run of that meeting before it was abandoned due to worsening conditions.

Click here to watch Hawaii Five Oh's trial replay

The 3-year-old colt is lightly raced and well considered by his connections. That latest start was just his third, and on his second he finished third in the Listed Heritage S. The Freedman camp confirmed to TDN AusNZ that this weekend’s G2 Callander-Presnell at Randwick is now on the cards.

He is beautifully bred, being out of the G1 Coolmore Classic winner Aloha (Encosta De Lago), making him a brother to the ill-fated Libertini.

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Gallery: Heat 1, images courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

He wasn’t pushed in his workout on Monday morning, being slipped some rein by a quiet Regan Bayliss entering the home straight and allowed to stretch to hold off the late challenge of the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Dr Drill (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who was last seen when running fifth in the G2 Shannon S.

Hawaii Five Oh finished 0.26l ahead of Dr Drill, completing the 1250-metre trial in 1:16.31, covering the final 600 metres in 33.70s on the Soft 5 surface.

Also holding an entry for the Callander-Presnell was the victor in Heat 2, Godolphin’s Atmosphere (Lonhro). He took up the lead with a keen hold under Glyn Schofield, just as he has done in his last two starts - the latest of those being the Listed Dulcify S. in which he finished sixth.

Click here to watch Atmosphere's trial replay

He finished 0.37l ahead of Sonic Tycoon (Written Tycoon), recording a time of 1:00.37 over the 1000 metres, clocking 34.11s for the final 600 metres.

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Gallery: Heat 2 and Heat 5, images courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Like Hawaii Five Oh, Atmosphere too is beautifully bred, being out of the G2 Wakeful S. winner Ambience (Street Cry {Ire}), who is a half-sister to Pierro.

Heat 5 was won by the David Pfieffer-trained Whinchat (Russian Revolution), who has now won three trials this season. The 3-year-old colt finished third in his sole start as a juvenile, and looks more than capable of notching a first win soon.

Click here to watch Whinchat's trial replay

Keen early, he was allowed to stride to the front under Jay Ford, and was untroubled there to record a 1.57l margin over Winston Hills (Invader), completing the 1000-metre trial in 59.19s, with the last 600 metres in 33.98s.

Hawkesbury Trials
Not A Single Doubt
Ron Finemore
Cafe Millenium

International News

4 min read

France

Addeybb bows out on a high

No longer a force to be reckoned with in the major events across Europe and indeed in Australia, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's stalwart Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) provided the deflated William Haggas stable with a much-needed boost on Sunday (local) as he signed off with a hard-fought success in the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris.

Haggas issued a statement after the race to the PA news agency which read, “I'm absolutely thrilled to bits and we would like to call it a day with him now. He's been a fantastic servant and it is wonderful he has finished on a high. So, we'll retire him now. He's been magnificent and has taken us across the world. He did us proud in Australia, he's won a Champion S. at Ascot, he's been a marvellous horse.”

Only sixth in the G2 Prix Dollar at this Paris Longchamp venue at the start of the month, the four-time Group 1 winner was nevertheless shown due respect as the 17-10 favourite and quickly settled in the wake of Monty (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) under Tom Marquand. Left behind by that rival in the straight, the cause looked lost but the veteran responded to his rider's urgings to make up the deficit inside the last 50 metres and prevail by 1.25l.

Addeybb was back in the blinkers that had been employed once only during his career, when dealing with Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) in last year's G1 Queen Elizabeth S. For Marquand, his last ride on the 8-year-old was an emotive one.

“It's special – he took my career to a new level and we have been trying to get that spark back in him,” he said. “We were hoping he'd come and win and he's a real pleasure to have anything to do with. We've changed up his headgear a few times and it worked – the ground helped as well as the blinkers – he's been fantastic.”

Germany

Lope De Vega's Quantanamera slays Winterkonigin rivals

Jurgen Sartori's unbeaten 2-year-old filly Quantanamera (Ger) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) posted an impressive 3l debut success tackling nine furlongs (1800 metres) at Dortmund last month and blitzed those that dared once more in Sunday's G3 BBAG Preis der Winterkonigin, Germany's premium event for juvenile fillies, at Baden-Baden.

The well-backed 6-4 favourite was sharply into stride from the outside stall and bowled along under a firm hold on the front end. Settling the contest in an instant when shaken up at the top of the straight, she left toiling rivals trailing in her wake from the quarter-mile (400-metre) marker and quickened clear in impressive fashion before gearing down inside the final furlong (200 metres) to easily outclass Empore (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) by an untroubled 8.5l.

United States

Constitution leads WinStar '23 roster

With Constitution (USA) leading the way at US$110,000 (AU$177,300), WinStar Farm has released the 2023 stud fees for its stallion roster. Constitution, the sire of eight individual runners who have earned 100+ Beyer figures in 2022, has been represented this year by G3 Peter Pan S. winner We the People (USA), G3 Distaff H. winner Glass Ceiling (USA), G3 Greenwood Cup S. winner Ridin With Biden (USA) and G3 San Juan Capistrano S. winner Breakpoint (Chi). He was also responsible for a pair of seven-figure yearlings at the Keeneland September Sale. Constitution stood the 2022 season at US$85,000 (AU$137,000).

Constitution (USA) | Standing at WinStar Farm

WinStar Farm's roster will be bolstered next year by the addition of multiple Grade 1 winner Life Is Good (USA), who is by Into Mischief (USA), and who will stand his first season at US$100,000 (AU$161,000), pending results of the upcoming Breeders' Cup championships.

Also new to the roster in 2023 is track-record-setting Nashville (USA) who will stand for US$15,000 (AU$24,200). His own sire, Speightstown (USA), will stand for UA$80,000 (AU$128,800), down from US$90,000 (AU$144,900) in 2022.

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Daily News Wrap

7 min read

Durston handed 2kg

In the wake of his victory in last weekend’s G1 Caulfield Cup, Racing Victoria Head of Handicapping, David Hegan, lumped Durston (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) with a 2kg penalty for the G1 Melbourne Cup. The Chris Waller-trained 7-year-old will now carry 53.5kg in the race that stops the nation.

Eleven horses have previously completed the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double, though it hasn’t been done for over two decades since Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm {USA}) in 2001. Interestingly, the 2kg handed to Durston is the same that was afforded to Ethereal.

Durston (GB) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

Hegan said: “The 2kg penalty for Durston gives consideration to his weight in the Melbourne Cup relative to his beaten rivals in the Caulfield Cup, together with his overall form profile which now includes three black-type wins at his last four starts.

“Saturday’s margin of a short neck is not indicative of the impressive manner of Durston’s victory, his ability to overcome trouble and put himself into a position to win and again show impressive acceleration like he did in the Newcastle Cup.

“Whilst the 2kg penalty is greater than that handed to recent Caulfield Cup winners, it is important to note that each of them was higher in the weight scale at the time of their victory and that Durston still remains 6kg below the weight-for-age benchmark.”

Consistent conditions make day one a Breeze

New Zealand Bloodstock’s (NZB) 2022 Ready to Run Sale breeze-ups took place at Te Rapa Racecourse on Monday, with 148 2-year-olds having the opportunity to gallop down the home straight of Waikato Racing Club.

Lot 270 – a Lonhro gelding out of Silver Eclipse (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), and Lot 275 – a Telperion gelding out of Smile (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}), both recorded 10.11s, the fastest time recorded. Both are from the draft of JC Thoroughbreds.

Bryce Tankard of Waikato Bloodstock was pleased with the quality of breeze-ups.

“There are a lot of really nice horses here and horses that you would expect from the sale too. The vendors who have pinhooked paid a bit of money for them and we can certainly see that here today,” Tankard said.

NZB is again offering extended breeze-up clips, including additional footage near the 600-metre mark to capture horses before they fully extend into their gallop. As per usual, horses will also have the last 200 metres of their work individually timed.

Providing even more information for buyers, NZB has again recorded the mounting yard at Te Rapa, with vision of all 2-year-olds being paraded prior to their breeze-up.

Gavelhouse October Sale

Offering a mixed catalogue from yearlings to broodmares, the Gavelhouse.com 17 October auction ended on Monday. Of the 22 lots offered, the highest-priced was Lot 15, the four-time winning broodmare Angelica (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), who sold for NZ$23,500 to Thinkbig.

Monday double for Nicconi

Widden Stud resident Nicconi enjoyed a double at Muswellbrook on Monday afternoon. It was also a double for trainer Scott Singleton, as he captured the first race with Shikanic before Moorabinda Mick was victorious in handicap company later in the card.

Hong Kong yearn for Nature Strip

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) has named Nature Strip (Nicconi) as the Australian horse it is most keen to see in the Hong Kong International Races in December.

HKJC Executive Director of Racing, Andrew Harding, is hoping that the recently increased prizemoney is enough to attract the world’s best sprinter.

Nature Strip | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

“With the prizemoney increases we made for this season and the current exchange rate, there are sizable rewards available for Australian connections,” Harding told Racing.com.

“The Sprint is currently worth AU$4.7 million, the Mile just under AU$5.9 million, the Cup approximately AU$6.7 million and the Vase AU$4.3 million.”

Sharp ‘N’ Smart going for double

Trainer Graeme Rogerson has his eye on a historic double for exciting 3-year-old Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), as he plans an assault on the G1 Spring Champion S. and G1 VRC Derby double, completed by just four horses in the past.

Rogerson said he’s not frightened of the just seven-day gap that separates those two races this year, and after winning the G2 Gloaming S. at Warwick Farm last week in a head-bobbing battle, he reports that the horse has come out of that race well.

“He backed up a week later in New Zealand at his second start when he won the Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1600 metres), and he backed up two weeks in a row when he raced in Brisbane,” Rogerson said.

Sharp 'N' Smart (NZ) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

“I’m very happy with him,” he said. “A better track would suit him better, but what will be will be.

“He’s going to work a mile in the morning (Tuesday) on the grass at Randwick and that will have him ready to go on Saturday.”

Having partnered Sharp ‘N’ Smart in all his Australian starts, Hugh Bowman will stay in Sydney on Saturday rather than head to Melbourne for Cox Plate Day.

Racing Victoria reveals huge land purchase

Racing Victoria have announced previously concealed details of a large plot of land purchased by the organisation in Melbourne’s north-west. Consisting of 980 acres, it came at a cost to Racing Victoria of $25.3 million.

The property is close to the airport and contains a large flat portion which Racing Victoria have identified as ideal for racing and training.

“The site, it's massive,” Racing Victoria CEO Andrew Jones told Racing.com.

“It's about nearly a thousand acres, about 400 hectares, which in I guess more digestible terms, it's about 1.7 kilometres wide and about 2.6 kilometres long. So if it was a racetrack, it'll be a very, very, very long straight indeed with a small turn.

“It could be anything, it's choose your own adventure here. It might be nothing … for 10 years or it could be everything. It could be a racetrack, a training facility, quarantine facility, education facility for the industry. There's a whole bunch of options and we'll work through what those options are over the next 12 to 24 months.”

McDonald secured for La Crique

Last-start G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate winner La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) will be partnered by James McDonald in the $1 million G1 Empire Rose S. at Flemington on October 29.

James McDonald | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

The 4-year-old mare is trained by Simon and Katrina Alexander from their Matamata base, and it’s a first-time association for the stable and jockey. La Crique is expected to fly to Melbourne on Wednesday night, and is a general $4 favourite for the race.

Aussie Tom set to return

Famous in Australia for his battles with Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) aboard the recently retired Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), UK-based jockey Tom Marquand has announced that he will return this autumn.

“I'm definitely going to come back for the Sydney (autumn) carnival,” Marquand told Racenet.

“This year it was in the mix up until the COVID stuff and because no horses came out, I decided to stay at home but I'm definitely coming back to spend part of the summer in Sydney.

“I haven't locked in a start day but I'd say sometime in January.

“February, March and April – I'll be there.”

Derby winner retires

G1 Victoria Derby winner Johnny Get Angry (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has been retired by his trainer Denis Pagan, and will find his new home at Melbourne’s Living Legends farm.

A winner of the 2020 version of the Derby, the 5-year-old had struggled to find form in two starts this season.

Johnny Get Angry (NZ) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

“It’s very exciting to have Johnny Get Angry coming,” Living Legends CEO Andrew Clarke told Racing.com.

“He’s a Group-winning horse with a wonderful story, a legendary story. A fellow that coaches premiership wins, gets into real estate and decides he’s going to try his hand at being a racehorse trainer, wins the G1 Victoria Derby within months of getting his licence, so it’s a wonderful story all round.

“I’m sure he’ll be a big hit with our visitors.”

Daily News Wrap

Looking Ahead - October 18

3 min read

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

For Tuesday, we follow a trio of 3-year-olds that are on debut. Our first runner is a a well-related son of Tarzino (NZ). Our second is a close relation to the great Apache Cat (Lion Cavern {USA}), while the third is a colt with a nice Japanese pedigree.

Casterton, Race 2, 2pm AEDT, Bet365 Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1400m

Torranzino (NZ), 3-year-old gelding (Tarzino {NZ} x Goldilicious {NZ} {Helmet})

Paul Preusker, who bought this gelding, trains him from his Horsham base.

The 3-year-old was a member of the Phoenix Park draft at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Sale, Book 1, where he made NZ$75,000.

Torranzino (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

Torranzino (NZ) is the first foal of a half-sister to Group 3 winner Showbeel (NZ) (Savabeel). The gelding’s third dam, Showella (NZ) (Lord Ballina), was a dual Group 1 winner and has thrown stakes winners Safwa (Danehill {USA}) and Showcause (Giant’s Causeway {USA}). Group 2 winner Zacada (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) is also from this family.

Declan Bates has the ride for Torranzino’s debut.

Bathurst, Race 2, 2.10pm AEDT, Orange Vet Hospital F&M Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1100m

Wyomi, 3-year-old filly (Reward For Effort x Tiger Belle {Sports Works})

This filly was bred by Paul Radford and is trained at Rosehill by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou.

Wyomi is from a mare that won three races, including two in the city. Tiger Belle has also produced Liger (Lion Cavern {USA}), a 12-time winner.

Reward For Effort

This filly’s second dam is Tennessee Blaze (Whiskey Road {USA}), who is the dam of star sprinter Apache Cat - a winner of 18 stakes races, including seven Group 1s.

Wyomi has been to the trials on two occasions and will be ridden on debut by Andrew Atkins.

Casterton, Race 3, 2.30pm AEDT, Finns Fine Food Mdn Plate, $27,000, 1200m

Takshaka, 3-year-old colt (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn} x Laguna Azzurra {Jpn} {Heart’s Cry {Jpn}})

This colt was consigned to the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where he was knocked down to Yu Long Investments for $475,000.

He is the first foal of an 1800-metre winner, who is a half-sister to the two-time stakes winner Seewind (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). The colt’s second dam is the multiple stakes winner Silky Lagoon (Jpn}) (Brian’s Time {USA}).

Takshaka as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

The ownership group includes Yulong Investments, Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill.

Linda Meech has been booked to ride the colt.

Looking Back

From Sunday, Zennzella (Snitzel) won easily at Pakenham to notch her first win, while Eureka Storm (Written Tycoon) was unplaced at the same track.

Looking Ahead
Looking Back

Foal Showcase

1 min read

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

So You Think (NZ) x Vaishali (colt) | Born at Holbrook Thoroughbreds, image courtesy of Joan Faras

Shooting To Win x New Image (filly) | Born at Holbrook Thoroughbreds, image courtesy of Joan Faras

Russian Revolution x Gemini Miss (colt) | Born at Willow Park Stud, image courtesy of Lisa Richards

Wootton Bassett (GB) x Fiera Vista (colt) | Born at Segenhoe Stud

1/2

Debutants

1 min read
First-time starters lining up on Tuesday, October 18

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

First Season Sire Runners & Results

1 min read

First Season Sires’ Results

Results: Monday, October 17

No first season sires' results

First Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Tuesday, October 18

No first season sires' runners

First Season Sire Results
First Season Sire Runners

Second Season Sire Runners & Results

Second Season Sires’ Results

Results: Monday, October 17

Second Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Tuesday, October 18

Second Season Sire Results
Second Season Sire Runners

NSW Race Results

Muswellbrook (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT

VIC Race Results

Mornington (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT

Australian Sires' Premiership

Australian 3-Year-Old Sires' Premiership

New Zealand Sires' Premiership

New Zealand 3-Year-Old Sires’ Premiership

Thanks for reading!

1 min read

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