Cover image courtesy of Darren Tindale

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Price Bell Jnr on Mill Ridge's 2022 Keeneland November Sale draft

G1 Champion S. - Anamoe again meets his Cox Plate rivals

Run nearly every year since 1936 as the G1 Mackinnon S. - renamed as part of the rebranding of the final day of the Flemington carnival, this race has attracted five of the 12 G1 Cox Plate runners from two weeks ago.

Including the first two home - making this race an exciting rematch between Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}), who will put his perfect 4-year-old record on the line once again and I'm Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking), who has well and truly made the transition from handicapper to high-class weight-for-age performer.

With G1 Melbourne Cup hero Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) ninth in the Cox Plate, the form is already holding up and should again do so in this race - one which even when run just seven days after the Moonee Valley feature - has often been won by that race's hero.

Mind you, it has been a while since that has happened - 12 years in fact, when So You Think (NZ) won this race even more easily than he won the G1 Cox Plate and then three days later finished a brave G1 Melbourne Cup third.

He is one of many high-class horses with this race on their resume, others to win this as well as the G1 Cox Plate include Better Loosen Up (Loosen Up {USA}), Rising Fast (NZ) (Alonzo {GB}), Hydrogen, Flight (Royal Step), Tranquil Star (Gay Lothario {GB}), Ajax (Heroic), Phar Lap (NZ) (Night Raid {GB}), Tulloch (NZ), Aquanita, Tobin Bronze, Dulcify (NZ) (Decies {GB}) and Rubiton.

This puts Anamoe, should he win albeit with the advantage of that extra week, in illustrious company indeed.

Also, trying for a bit of history is Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) who attempts to become the first horse since Belmura Lad (NZ) (Belmura {GB}) in 1980 and 1981 to win this race in consecutive years.

G1 Champions Mile - the best of the milers

The G1 Epsom H., the G1 George Main S., the G1 Doncaster H., the G1 Australian Guineas, the G1 Toorak H. - some of the best mile races in the country and the winners of all of these great races (including two each of the G1 Doncaster H. and the G1 Epsom H.) line up in this epic contest to crown Australia's best 1600-metre horse.

What a terrifically versatile horse the favourite Private Eye (Al Maher) is - on the back of his barnstorming G1 Epsom H. victory last spring able to prove himself up there with the best of the sprinters as well; so brave in defeat in The Everest on the back of his G2 Gilgai S. victory down the Flemington straight.

And, here he is back to the mile and in career-best form too, let's see what he can do.

This is no soft target for Private Eye with the imported gelding My Oberon (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) creating such a big impression at his first local outing - racing away to an easy win in the G2 Crystal Mile on G1 Cox Plate Day.

Then there is Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) who has been mixing with the best over 2000 metres. He brings with him good form at the track having just been narrowly beaten by I'm Thunderstruck in the G1 Makybe Diva S. on his last trip to Flemington.

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) looks like he will be happy back in distance too, his last mile run seeing him bolt in with the G2 Feehan S. at Moonee Valley. The in-form Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) can never be underestimated and he was third in this race last year.

G1 Champions Sprint - Giga Kick to beat Nature Strip, again?

A mouth-watering clash that will draw even more racegoers to Flemington than usual on the final day awaits - The Everest hero Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) seeking to remain undefeated as he again takes on the superstar sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi), who finished fourth in the $15 million sprint.

Despite his defeat of the champ, Giga Kick is backable odds with punters confident that Nature Strip - who had to do all the hard work from his outside gate in The Everest - can get back to his winning ways at one of his favourite tracks.

A six-time winner at Flemington - winning three of his four down the 1200-metre straight - Nature Strip is one of only four high-class sprinters to have won this twice having been successful last year by 3.3l and in 2019 by the same impressive margin.

River Rough (NZ), Planet Ruler (Kaoru Star) and Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) are the only other dual winners and should he succeed, Nature Strip will become the first triple winner of this elite contest, which was first run in 1960.

Another two of his rivals from last year line up - Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai), who finally got her Group 1 on the board when winning the G1 Manikato S., was third and dual Group 1 winner, September Run (Exceed And Excel) was fourth.

Giga Kick is no straight-track novice, his two starts at Flemington seeing him dominate a 2-year-old contest in July and just two starts later he dug deep to win the G2 Danehill S.

It is set up to be a mouth-watering clash and it is exciting to see who can place their name alongside the likes of Vain, Dual Choice (Showdown {GB}), Century, Scamanda (Prince Of Baden), Maybe Mahal (Maybe Lad), Special (Habituate {Ire}), Hareeba (Al Hareb {USA}), Takeover Target (Celtic Swing {GB}).

G2 Matriarch S. - the middle-distance mares

For a race that has only been run since 1995, the G2 Matriarch S. is proving to be a decent pointer to future broodmare success with six of its winners going on to produce stakes winners; two of those represented at the elite level.

Successful in 1997, Battocchi (NZ) (Success Express {USA}) produced the G1 Telegraph H. winner Guiseppina (NZ) (Johar {USA}) whilst the 2006 winner Brom Felinity (Encosta De Lago) was exported to the UK where she did Australian mares proud with her G1 Woodbine Canadian International winning son Walton Street (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}).

This year's running of the Matriarch is an even one with form lines from a variety of classy mare races including last weekend's G1 Empire Rose S. in which Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) was a strong finishing fifth having found trouble in running.

The G3 Tesio S. should also prove a good reference with Sirileo Miss (Pride Of Dubai) and Steinem (GB) (Frankel {GB}) all running well in that Moonee Valley feature.

Sydney form is also well-represented with the popular 8-year-old Polly Grey (NZ) (Azamour {Ire}) good first-up, while Honeycreeper (Teofilo {Ire}) has drawn a much better gate than she did when ending up too far back in last weekend's Rosehill Cup. Also on the backup - although from Tuesday - is Dynasties (Sebring) who has been right in the thick of things at her last couple of runs.

As have Foxy Frida (Foxwedge) who just loves Flemington (three wins from five starts) and Glory Bound (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who looks nicely primed at her third Australian outing for the Peter Moody stable.

G3 Queen’s Cup - Lunar Flare's consolation?

Unable to take her place in Tuesday's G1 Melbourne Cup due to a minor foot issue, Lunar Flare (Fiorente {Ire}) seeks to atone for missing out on that opportunity by winning another Cup week staying race.

And she looks a big chance to do that, racing in flying form - finishing off strongly in the G2 Moonee Valley Cup on the back of a big win in the G3 Bart Cummings S. at this track, which was her second Flemington success.

Her stumbling block may come in the shape of the highly rated Soulcombe (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who makes his local debut for trainer Chris Waller. One of his superstar sires, Frankel (GB), has three chances at Flemington on Saturday - Steinem (GB) and Argentia the others - he has been in flying form since being gelded although this is his first test at Group level.

Persan (Pierro) boasts a terrific Flemington record and is racing well. The form from the G1 Metropolitan H. has been solid and its winner No Compromise (NZ) (Pins) has drawn more favourably here than he did when trapped wide in the G1 Caulfield Cup. Great House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) also comes through that feature - he was disappointing, but in solid form in the lead-up.

Luncies (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) did not have the easiest of runs from a wide draw in the G3 Geelong Cup and that form has to be respected on the back of the game G1 Melbourne Cup second recorded by its winner Emissary (GB) (Kingman {GB}).

G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas - Classic action at Riccarton

A historic race first run in 1860, this Classic contest has in the last 50 years on 15 occasions been won by horses who have gone onto stakes-winning success on Australian soil.

And seven of those have won Australian Group 1 races; Jimmy Choux (NZ), Sacred Falls (NZ), Turn Me Loose (NZ), Surfers Paradise (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}), Veandercross (NZ) (Crossways {GB}), Fury's Order (NZ), Balmerino (NZ), Vice Regal (NZ), Little Brown Jug (NZ) and My Sir Avon (NZ).

Making this an interesting race for everyone across Australasia to take notice of.

Hardest to beat looks to be the lightly raced and promising Pier (NZ) (Proisir) who has won two of his first three starts including the recent G2 Hawke's Bay Guineas in which he proved a class above his rivals with his 2.3l victory.

Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) is also a fast finisher, charging late over the shorter trip of 1400 metres in the G2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial S. He too contested the Hawke's Bay Guineas but had post-race issues; nasal discharge coupled with a slow recovery rate.

The G3 War Decree S. was a competitive race and the first three home again take each other on - the winner Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident) who dug deep when challenged, the runner-up Cognito (So You Think {NZ}) who tried hard after having to shift off heels at the 600-metre mark and the third-placed Malborough Bay (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) who boxed on gamely.

Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) is still a bit green but talented whilst Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) won her first two and was unlucky not to remain undefeated when finding plenty of trouble in the G3 Soliloquy S., flashing home once clear.

Cover image courtesy of Fasig-Tipton

There is added interest and excitement surrounding this year’s sale, because, for the first time since 2020, the two-day Breeders' Cup meeting will take place in Keeneland on Friday and Saturday, acting as the perfect precursor ahead of the 320-lot auction, which begins at 4am (AEDT, Monday) (1pm local).

The mixed sale will kick off with 180 selected weanlings before transitioning into some exciting racing/broodmare prospects and broodmares, which includes 66 Graded stakes winners or producers catalogued, 23 of which are Grade 1.

Fasig-Tipton’s Director of Client Relations, Anna Seitz Ciannello, told TDN AusNZ that, after a few years of travel restrictions playing havoc with buyers from the Southern Hemisphere being able to attend the sale, the interest is sky high and she was expecting to have an unprecedented number of Australians in attendance.

“I think we are expected to have the most number of Australians we have ever had planning to attend the sale,” she said.

“There will obviously be people who are attending that haven’t told us, but I think the ones we know about, there should be around 75-80 Australians booked in to attend the sale.

“I think having the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland this year really helps and the added fact that Australians haven’t been able to travel that easily for a number of years also helps. I think they want to get out and do more and what better thing to do than go to the Breeders’ Cup and then come to the Fasig-Tipton Sale.”

Past success

Domestic buyers have enjoyed ongoing success delving into the North American market in the past and the sale has played host to a number of good investments for Australians, perhaps the biggest success story to come out of the sale is Con Te Partiro (USA) (Scat Daddy {USA}).

The daughter of Scat Daddy (USA) was purchased by Newgate’s Henry Field and SF Bloodstock for US$575,000 (AU$897,200) in 2018 when she was just the winner of two Listed events.

Upon her relocation to Australia, she was placed in training with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and would go on to score three times, headed by victories in the 2020 edition of the G1 Coolmore Classic and G1 Queen of the Turf S.

The mare was then re-offered and was bought by David Redvers for $1.6 million (AU$2,496,400) at the Keeneland November Breeding Sale.

Meanwhile, other highlights from the sale include Grace And Power (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}), who was purchased for US$700,000 (AU$1,092,200) in 2009 and she went on to make her mark in Australia in a number of ways.

Her first Australian-bred foal was Delectation (Shamardal {USA}), winner of the G1 VRC Darley Classic in 2015, while her second foal was Gracie’s Lass (Redoute’s Choice), who would go on to produce G1 Blue Diamond S. winner and future Newgate Farm inmate Artorius (Flying Artie).

In fact, American bloodlines themselves have proved time and again to be worth investing in. Last season alone mares by American-bred sires were responsible for producing the winners of 126 stakes races and they were headed by daughters of the late More Than Ready (USA), whose daughters produced 16 stakes winners between them.

“American pedigrees have been doing so well all over the world over the last few years and when they go down to Australia and yearlings out of these mares sell at Magic Millions or Inglis, there have been a lot of success stories and that has really helped us get this sale on people’s radars,” said Seitz Ciannello.

“With COVID, while it was a horrible thing while it was happening, it kind of opened people’s eyes to maybe trying new things and made people want to come here and give it a shot. I think the Thoroughbred industry in general has become more international. It is easier to race horses in other countries.”

Brimming with quality

This year’s catalogue is brimming with its usual quality and Seitz Ciannello is confident there will be ‘something for everyone’ among the lots catalogued.

“We are very thrilled with our catalogue this year and obviously have high hopes for the sale. We actually work with our Australian representative, Andy Williams, in advance and look at what horses he thinks might work for Australian buyers and base our marketing on that. We had a lot this year we thought might work for that market,” she explained.

“Australians definitely have a certain type they are looking for and very specific things they are looking for. When we are working with the Australians on sales they can't attend in February or July, they are very particular about size and shape and they want a lot of pictures to make sure the mares are a certain height.

“I think we have a lot for them this year that will work for what they are trying to buy. I think there really is something for everyone in this catalogue this year.”

One hip that may catch the eye of buyers from Australia is juvenile Grade 2 winner Sail By (USA), who is by Darley’s G1 Golden Rose S. winner Astern and he has enjoyed something of a renaissance this season, siring G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile as well as fellow stakes scorer Aft Cabin.

Meanwhile, Hip 225, Pizza Bianca (USA) (Fastnet Rock) may also appeal. The winner of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last year, the daughter of top-class broodmare sire Fastnet Rock is out of unraced Galileo (Ire) White Hot (Ire), making her a sister to Group 3 winner Dawn Patrol (Ire) and Listed scorer Kissed (Ire), while she also counts Group 1 winner Pour Moi (Ire) and Group 2 triumphant Gagnoa (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}) among her half-siblings.

One of the standouts in the catalogue is the multiple European Champion filly Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), a dual-Royal Ascot winner and Graded stakes-winner in three countries, who can also lay claim to beating the males at Group 1 level as a juvenile in the G1 Prix Morny and as a 3-year-old in the G1 Commonwealth Cup.

Familiar faces

Last year a number of Australians made their presence felt at the mixed sale, with familiar names such as Rosemont Stud and Julian Blaxland, who made a splash going to US$1.375 million (AU$2,145,300), while they teamed up with Arthur Hoyeau to buy Grade 2 winner La Dragontea (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and US$750,000 (AU$1,170,200) for the Into Mischief (USA) mare, Sound Machine (USA).

Meanwhile, Kia Ora Stud forked out US$900,000 (AU$1,404,300) for South African Grade 1 winner Queen Supreme (Ire) (Exceed And Excel) and Yarraman Park's Champion Sire I Am Invincible was chosen as her first cover when she was relocated to Australia.

Newgate Farm, SF Bloodstock and Paul Moroney also signed for lots and Seitz Ciannello is confident there will be plenty of Australian buyers looking to get in on the action.

“More so than previous years, my WhatsApp is going crazy with questions from people like, ‘When can we get on the grounds? Will there be people showing on Thursday?’ and there are also people I have never dealt with before, so it’s been pretty exciting,” she said.

“It gives you a lot to look forward to over the next few days, that’s for sure. I am just looking forward to catching up with everyone who hasn't been able to attend for the past few years, so it should be a good time.”

Staggering numbers

Australian-based agency Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) is the Australasian representative for Fasig-Tipton told TDN AusNZ the interest in the American breeding stock sales is a good reflection of how strong the industry currently is in Australia.

“It is staggering the amount of Australians that are in town and that is probably reflective of the strength of the Australian market at the moment. There are a lot of players here that want to capitalise on some strong yearling sales and re-invest in some good stock to bring down again. It is particularly encouraging for the market as much as anything else,” he said.

Williams said there are mares on offer that will very much resonate with Australian buyers and he expects the interest to be strong.

“There are definitely mares here that will appeal. Americans breed those fast, strong mares that are very appealing to the Australasian breeders. They are good size, well-grown and have good bone and those sorts of mares cross well with our prominent sirelines, such as Snitzel, Not A Single Doubt, those sorts of medium-sized stallions and the American mares really suit that sort of stallion.

“We are saturated with the Danehill bloodlines, so to bring in anything that gives options is important. People have been doing it for a long time now and getting results, which gives people the confidence to come back again.

“I think the catalogue is very strong here, it’s a strong lineup of mares and there are definitely horses in every bracket, something for everyone.

“After the last couple of years, I think Australians are pretty keen to travel and I think it is a good excuse to jump on a plane and come up and see the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland as well as doing the sale.

“The market at the yearling sale was so strong, so there is definitely money to be spent on mares. I think Yulong, what they did at the Magic Millions Sale and Chairman’s really pushed a lot of buyers out of the market, so there is definitely money to be spent.”