Justify gains new stakes winner
Former Coolmore shuttler Justify (USA) sired his fifth stakes winner from his first crop on Sunday (local), when Champions Dream (USA) took out the G3 Nashua S. at Aqueduct.
A well-beaten fifth in the GI Champagne S., also at Aqueduct, on October 1, Champions Dream headed into the home turn three-wide and battled bravely to just find enough in the final stages to secure victory over Full Moon Madness (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}).
“He broke a little flat-footed today. He's fast and we thought we'd be on the lead.” said winning trainer Danny Gargan. “He was wide throughout, but he ran really good today.”
Elleegant sire choice
The choice of sire for Champion Mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) looks likely to be the great Sea The Stars (Ire), who stands at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud in Ireland, where he commanded a fee of €150,000 (AU$233,000) earlier this year.
Her part-owner, Brae Sokolski, said that her ownership group are keen to utilise the former European Champion, who won an astonishing five straight Group 1s in his Classic season.
“She’ll be served to Northern Hemisphere time and while no final decision has been made on the stallion, Sea The Stars is probably the most likely suitor,” Sokolski told Racing.com.
Verry Elleegant (NZ) is likely to be covered by Sea The Stars (Ire)
“Then we will decide whether to keep her there (Europe) and do it again or bring her back. It’s unresolved at the moment.”
Sea The Stars is a confirmed sire of sires, with elite performer Baaeed (Ire) the latest of his progeny to retire to stallion duties. Another of his sons, Sea The Moon (Ger) made his mark in Australia recently when his own son Durston (GB) won the G1 Caulfield Cup.
Flightline retires
The unstoppable Flightline (USA) (Tapit {USA}), who scored an emphatic, 7.8l victory in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on Saturday (local), has been retired to stand at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky, with his stud fee yet to be announced.
Officially rated the world’s best racehorse, he is out of the Grade 3 winner and multiple Grade 1-placed Feathered (USA) (Indian Charlie {USA}), and was purchased by his part-owners West Point Thoroughbreds for a US$1 million (AU$1,546,300) at the Fasig-Tipton August Yearling Sale in 2019.
“We would like to thank John Sadler and his team for the incredible work they did with Flightline,” said Bill Farish of Lane’s End. “His historic performances are a credit to their expertise and unwavering efforts to bring out the very best in the horse.”
Anamoe spells, Godolphin mulls next move
Cox Plate hero Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) has been sent for a well-earned spell following a spring carnival that yielded four Group 1s to take his overall tally to seven.
Godolphin will consider sending Anamoe overseas to race in Dubai and at Royal Ascot next year, but those decisions will be made in good time.
“Anamoe is back at Osborne Park and he will have a good rest,” Cummings said.
“He had a great spring and it was a pleasure to be a part of it. We will have a good think about our plans for the horse next year.”
Deauville Legend to head home
Deauville Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), fourth in the G1 Melbourne Cup, will head back home to Newmarket for a break, with further racing plans yet to be finalised.
Despite being invited to compete in the G1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in December, owner Boniface Ho has indicated that the horse's trainer will formulate plans for him after his spell.
Top Adelaide stable fined over swab irregularity
Co-trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas have been slapped with a $9000 fine following an inquiry into a swab irregularity returned by Pimm’s Party (Street Boss {USA}).
The now-retired mare returned a positive swab after her win at Morphettville on July 30.
“It is a most bizarre situation, with the presence of nicotine in her system,” said Macdonald.
“Ultimately, Andrew and I are guilty of presenting her at the races not drug free, but how she has tested positive to nicotine is an absolute mystery.”
McDonald called up for Hong Kong cameo
In-form jockey James McDonald will head to Hong Kong to ride at Sha Tin on November 20 for the key lead-up fixture to December’s Hong Kong International race meeting.
The Kiwi champion has been booked for star Hong Kong galloper Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in the G2 Jockey Club Mile, as well as David Hayes’ sprinter Super Wealthy (Epaulette) in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint.
The news comes as McDonald and his fiancé, former jockey Katelyn Mallyon, welcomed the arrival of their first child, Evie Belle McDonald.
“It was an incredible experience,” McDonald said via a social media post on Monday.
“I’m so proud of Katelyn and in awe of our beautiful baby. I have been so busy over the last few weeks with the spring carnival but now reality sets in.
“Katelyn and Evie will spend the next few days in hospital but they are doing great. I can’t wait until they come home.”
No international campaign for Duais
Three-time Group 1 winner Duais (Shamus Award) has gone to the paddock for a spell, following a disappointing run in the Melbourne Cup.
Trainer Edward Cummings and connections had been considering a tilt at either the Hong Kong International meeting or the Japan Cup for their star mare but have instead opted to give her a spell.
“She’s gone to the paddock for a break, and she’ll be back in the autumn,” Cummings said.
“No, she won’t be travelling, that wouldn’t be wise I don’t think.”
Duais was eased down to finish 18th in the Cup, but Cummings said the 5-year-old has come through the run in good order.
“She’s pulled up very well,” he added.
Harry White to be farewelled on Tuesday
The funeral service for champion jockey Harry White will take place at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday.
The Victoria Racing Club will host White's funeral in the Atrium at the racecourse where White won four Melbourne Cups and five Australian Cups.
Fee set for Life Is Good
After giving a bold showing and eventually capitulating into fifth behind the unstoppable Flightline (USA) in Saturday's G1 Breeders' Cup Classic, four-time Group 1 winner Life Is Good (USA) has retired to stand at WinStar farm for a first-season fee of US$100,000 (AU$154,500).
By super sire Into Mischief (USA), in his first start this year he defeated 2021 Horse of the Year and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Knicks Go (USA) in the G1 Pegasus World Cup, before adding two further top-flight events to his resume.
Tunnes stuns with 10 length Group 1 romp
The Peter Schiergen-trained Tunnes (Ger) (Giuliani {Ire}) - a half-brother to last year’s G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) - posted a stunning 10l victory in the G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern in Munich on Monday morning (AEDT).
Tunnes is being aimed up at a tilt at the Japan Cup in three weeks’ time.
Torquator Tasso finished second in the Grosser Preis von Bayern in 2020.
Tunnes’ triumph was a maiden Group 1 success for Giuliani, who stands at Gestut Erftmuhle in Germany.
