Cover image courtesy of Darren Tindale

Another year of spring racing has come and gone and while understandably the spotlight is thrust mainly on the horses during this period of top-class action, we will recap some of the most memorable human achievements throughout the springtime.

*In terms of a timeframe, we have considered the beginning of the ‘spring’ to be across New South Wales and Victoria, and having started on Winx S. Day on August 20 and finished up on Champions Day at Flemington.

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1. James Cummings - another successful spell

Throughout the spring there wasn’t a trainer in the country who had his stable in better order than James Cummings.

Between the G1 Winx S. on August 20, which he incidentally won with Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}), and the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival, the trainer sent out a total of 21 stakes winners, which is a mighty 13 per cent of the total 157 stakes races conducted across New South Wales and Victoria during the spring.

These stakes wins were headed by an incredible six Group 1 winners, which is a shade over 21 per cent of the 28 Group 1s up for grabs during the spring.

The six elite level triumphs is also double the amount of top-flight winners he saddled during the spring last year and his number of Group 1s as a solo trainer now stands at an impressive 35.

Table: James Cummings' spring in numbers

With Anamoe taking out four Group 1s, the other two were handed to the trainer by 3-year-old colt Golden Mile (Astern) courtesy of his victory in the G1 Caulfield Guineas, while In Secret’s (I Am Invincible) victory in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. provided the trainer with his sixth Group 1 of the season and many would consider the filly to be unlucky not to be a dual elite-level winner, having been a frustratingly been second in the G1 Golden Rose S.

In fact, Cummings far outperformed his stakes tally from last season. With 21 stakes race victories, it comprehensively trumps last season where he finished with nine wins at black-type level.

Gallery: Some of James Cummings' top-flight winners this spring, images courtesy of Bronwen Healy and Darren Tindale

For good measure, Cummings and Godolphin also won some lucrative non-stakes contests including the $1 million Golden Gift with the brilliant 2-year-old colt Barber (Exceed And Excel) and he also saddled Vilana (Hallowed Crown) to victory in the Silver Eagle, which is also worth $1 million.

An honourable mention should go to another member of the Cummings family, James’ father Anthony, who became the fourth individual member of the Cummings dynasty to train a winner of the G1 VRC Oaks when he saddled She’s Extreme (Extreme Choice) to win this year’s edition of the time-honoured Group 1.

Table: Cummings family Oaks winners

2. James McDonald - one of the greats?

One can’t really look back on the spring of James Cummings, without mentioning another James in McDonald, who was in as dominant form as the trainer he teamed up with throughout the spring. In fact, all six of Cummings’ Group 1 winners were ridden by McDonald.

Finishing with eight elite-level winners in total, having also steered Madame Pommery (No Nay Never {USA}) and Zougotcha (Zoustar) to victory in the G1 Thousand Guineas and G1 Flight S. respectively, for trainer Chris Waller, who trained five top-flight winners in total.

Having tasted victory at the highest level on eight occasions, it means a mindboggling 28 per cent of the elite-level races on offer in New South Wales and Victoria since the turn of the season went his way.

After his efforts over the past couple of months, McDonald’s total Group 1-winning haul stands at an extraordinary 73, which, given he is only 30 years old, is nothing short of mindblowing.

Over the past couple of months, McDonald chalked up a total of 25 stakes wins, 15 per cent of the black-type races on offer. He may have failed to better his tally of winning 10 races during the Melbourne Cup carnival, but the rider signed off his spring this year with 25 stakes winners in total, better than his 20 he rode between Winx S. Day and the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival last year.

In terms of Group 1s, he is way ahead, having ridden five winners at elite level in 2021.

Table: James McDonald's spring in numbers

3. Ciaron Maher and David Eustace - the unstoppable force

Since entering into a training partnership in 2018, Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have been an almost unstoppable force. However, despite all their previous success, this spring carnival had a different feel to it given the fact they achieved the ultimate goal of winning the G1 Melbourne Cup with classy import Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}).

However, the Cup victory is only the tip of the iceberg for what has been a memorable spell from the dynamic training duo, which saw them saddle a further four Group 1 winners, which make up 10 stakes races in total.

Last spring they landed eight-black type events, but Hitotsu’s (Maurice {Jpn}) triumph in the G1 VRC Derby was their sole Group 1 win.

Before the G1 Winx S., (which is where we are measuring the beginning of the “spring”) Maher and Eustace had saddled 15 elite-level winners, but fast forward to the present day and they now have 20 Group 1 triumphs under their belts. (Footnote: Maher trained 10 top-flight winners during his time as a solo trainer).

They kicked off their season with real intent, when saddling Snapdancer (Choisir) to victory in the G1 Memsie S. at Caulfield, a victory that gained her a slot in the $15 million The Everest, a position she was forced to give up after sustaining an injury.

Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) then provided them with their second Group 1 winner, when leading home a quinella for the stable in the G1 AJ Moir S. at Moonee Valley and the fantastic results kept coming when Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) put his rivals to the sword with an impressive display to win the G1 Turnbull S.

During the G1 Cox Plate carnival, they were provided with their 19th Group 1 winner as a partnership when star mare Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) landed a first, and much deserved, maiden elite-level win with a ultra dominant performance in the G1 Manikato S. at Moonee Valley.

But then came G1 Melbourne Cup, the one race Maher, in particular, had made no secret he had been trying to win since taking out a trainer's licence. Saddling an extraordinary five runners, Maher and Eustace gave themselves every opportunity to make the 2022 edition count.

The eventual winner Gold Trip, who had been aggressively campaigned, having run an agonising second in the G1 Caulfield Cup and ninth in the G1 Cox Plate, produced one of the most memorable victories in recent times, shouldering 57.5kg and became the first top-weighted horse since the great Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King {Ire}) in 2005 to win the Group 1.

For good measure, they were also responsible for the third-placed horse home in High Emocean (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), who had handed them a first winner in the G3 Bendigo Cup only days before.

It has been a lucrative couple of months for this partnership and history will suggest that the powerhouse trainers will only continue on this steep upward curve.

Table: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's 20 Group 1s

4. Annabel Neasham - unwavering faith pays off

It has been a little over two years since Annabel Neasham sent out her first winner. In that time she has carved out a reputation as one of the best trainers in the country and in the past few months she has done little to dent that reputation.

During the spring racing, the trainer has saddled a total of nine stakes winners, headed by a brace of Group 1 scorers, with her first coming when classy import Top Ranked (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) dead-heated with Ellsberg (Spill The Beans) in a thrilling edition of the G1 Epsom H. at Randwick.

Her second came when Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) extracted his revenge on some familiar foes, including multiple Group 1 winner Anamoe, in the G1 Champions S. on the final day of the carnival. The gelding was winning the race for the second consecutive year and you only need to look back at the horses who have successfully defended their titles in the Group 1 to gain an insight into how hard it is.

In fact, Zaaki became only the second horse to win two editions of the race, with Belmura Lad (NZ) (Belmura {GB}) in 1980 and 1981 the first horse to complete the feat, which puts into context the enormity of the achievement for both horse and trainer.

However, that aside it has been Neasham's handling of the 8-year-old this preparation that should be applauded. While for a long time Zaaki had been the flagbearer of her burgeoning stable and before his victory last Saturday, he had saluted the judge three times at the highest level.

Despite successfully winning back-to-back editions of the G2 Tramway S., finishing third in both the G1 Underwood S. and G1 Might And Power S. and fourth in a red-hot edition of the G1 Cox Plate, at the age of eight many people had begun to think his best days were behind him.

However, to his trainer’s credit she persevered and was well-rewarded for her unwavering faith in the horse when he triumphed in the G1 Champions S., a victory that brought an end to the Group 1-winning streak of Anamoe and was one of the most popular winners of the whole carnival.

To make the victory even more impressive, the trainer was handed a quinella in the Group 1 when Mo'unga (NZ) (Savabeel), her other stable star, was handed second place in the stewards' room.

Table: Annabel Neasham's spring wins

5. The VRC - revamped Champions Day is a winner

For the past few decades, the action on the final day of the Melbourne Cup carnival has somewhat failed to measure up, so when the VRC announced back in June their plan to revamp the final day of the four-day meeting, it was welcomed by most industry players.

The VRC Champions Day replaced what was previously known as Stakes Day and was subject to an incredible cash injection of $10 million.

Previously the day was headlined by the G1 VRC Classic, which was rebranded as the G1 Champions Sprint, while the G1 Cantala S., previously held on Derby Day, became the VRC Champions Mile and was to be conducted at weight-for-age level. The race previously run as the Mackinnon S. was reshaped as the VRC Champions S. and each of the three Group 1s run on the day were worth $3 million.

If there were any doubters this would reinvigorate a raceday that had somewhat become a bit of damp squib, they were surely silenced at the close of play on Saturday. It was the perfect climax to the top-class spring action.

It was also fitting that the new raceday was held after two years of being impacted by COVID, the clubs were able to proceed without any restrictions and fans were welcomed back on course.

“It’s been phenomenal to welcome back crowds for the Melbourne Cup Carnival, including interstate and international visitors to Melbourne, and to finish on a high with exceptional racing under blue skies on Champions Stakes Day,” Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich concluded last Saturday.

“The new innovation of Champions Stakes Day has clearly been a success and we will be able to build upon this in the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“We now look ahead to a fantastic summer and autumn program of racing at Flemington.”

It's also important to note the leadership shown by the VRC to overhaul safety standards for the G1 Melbourne Cup, which delivered another safe running of the event. Despite heat from some sectors of the industry, the VRC have pledged their commitment to stand firm on enhanced soundness checks and safety protocols.

Cover image courtesy of Woburn Farm

At the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB) Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, Adrian Stanley’s Woburn Farm sold a brown colt by Sweynesse out of Madonna Mia (Red Clubs {Ire}) for NZ$90,000. Purchased by Joe Barnes of J & I Bloodstock, he was named Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) and sent to Hong Kong, where he has been a revelation, crowned Champion Griffin in 2021/2022 with five wins from seven starts.

The Manfred Man-trained Lucky Sweynesse retuned in September with a first-up victory, before running second behind Hong Kong’s Champion Sprinter Wellington (All Too Hard) in the G2 The Premier Bowl in October.

Stanley has been following the gelding’s career closely and, ahead of this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, which kicks off at Karaka next Wednesday, he told TDN AusNZ he may just have another topliner in his six-member draft.

The horse he is most excited about is Lot 113 – a colt by The Autumn Sun from the three-time winner, Group 3 placegetter High Lago (High Chaparral {Ire}) - which was consigned by Esker Lodge at this year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where Woburn Farm paid $140,000 for him.

The colt’s second dam, De Lago Lass (Encosta De Lago), is a half-sister to Group 2 winner and Group 1-producing sire Rothesay, and his fourth dam is the great Canny Lass (Bletchingly) – a winner of three Group 1s and dam of stakes winners Astute Angel (Godswalk {USA}) and Causeway Lass (Giant’s Causeway {USA}).

“He’s the standout of the draft,” said Stanley, who named the farm after his favourite horse, Group 3 winner and G1 New Zealand Derby placegetter Woburn (Groom Dancer {USA}).

“He's a well above-average horse, he has plenty of ability. It’s a good cross and he’s a real nice type. The Autumn Suns have got great brains and this guy is no different, he does everything that is asked of him and is a real professional. I don’t think anyone could knock him on anything when they see him.”

The colt, who is from the same family as recent Listed-winning colt Fast Witness (Star Witness), breezed in 10.80s.

“His breeze was good, he ran 10.80s under a good hold. He did it nice and easy,” said Stanley.

The Inglis Premier Yearling Sale has been kind to Stanley and he hopes this colt continues that trend.

In 2018, he bought a Kuroshio-Myskina (Xaar {GB}) colt for $55,000 and he (Lincoln’s Kruz) won the Listed Pegasus S. at Riccarton on Saturday for trainer Lisa Latta, who bought him from the Woburn Farm draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale for NZ$150,000.

Stanley also paid $80,000 at the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for Lot 305 - a Toronado (Ire) colt out of Circus Polka (Stravinsky {USA}) from the Swettenham Stud draft. Later that year, he sold the colt at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale for NZ$300,000, with Laming Racing buying. Named Master Montaro, he bolted in on debut at Pakenham, before being transferred to the Lindsay Park stable. Master Montaro won his only start for them (at Geelong), before joining David Hayes’ Hong Kong yard, where he has notched three wins.

“I bought him in Melbourne and he eventually made $1.5 million,” Stanley explained.

“It’s good to get good horses up and running in Hong Kong, you need them performing every year. We had a Time Test colt named Island Golden, he’s had one start for one win up there and my Time Test colt this year (Lot 18, from Awesome) is a spitting image of him.

“At the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, we sold Packing Award, who is by Shamus Award, for a sale-topping NZ$550,000. He’s done a good job; he’s going through his grades up there.

“If you keep selling nice horses, they’ll keep coming back to buy.”

Classic prospects

Stanley said the second seed in his draft is Lot 128 – a colt by Justify (USA) from the two-time winner Jaipur Princess (Redoute’s Choice).

His dam is a three-quarter sister to the Listed victress Estee (Redoute’s Choice), as well as Tigress Lily (Snitzel), who has produced the Group 2 winner Daisies (Snitzel) and G1 Golden Rose S. placegetter Zou Tiger (Zoustar).

The colt’s third dam is triple Group 1 winner Tycoon Lil (NZ) (Last Tycoon {Ire}), who was the Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old in New Zealand in 1997/98.

“He’s a Derby-type, for sure,” Stanley commented. “He’s a lovely horse, he’s just not so precocious. He’s a Classic-type and he’s got a really good action; he’s got a big action on him.

“With a bit of time and looking after him, he’ll make a nice horse, a real Guineas or Derby-type of horse.”

Stanley bought the colt from the Coolmore Stud draft at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Another colt Stanley has a high opinion of is Lot 2, a son of U S Navy Flag (USA) and Zambezi (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).

His dam is a half-sister to the dual Listed winner All In Vogue (Pins), his grandam is three-time Group 1 heroine Tall Poppy (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}), while his third dam is Group 1 victress Fun On The Run (NZ) (Racing Is Fun {USA}).

“He’s a ripping type of horse,” he said. “He’s another Derby-type the Aussies like to come over and buy.”

The U S Navy Flag colt was bred by Goodwood Stud. Woburn Farm will also offer Lot 266, a gelding by Complacent from the stakes-performed Star Way (GB) mare Shining Light (NZ).

“He’s another staying-type with plenty of upside,” Stanley said.

Déjà vu

Lot 283 is a colt by Sacred Falls (NZ) out of the winning So You Think (NZ) mare So You Sparkle. His grandam, Silver Sparks (USA) (Mt. Livermore {USA}), is a half-sister to the Listed winner Barsanti (Ire) (Champs Elysees {GB}).

“He’s a lovely type and he reminds me of Shamus, who I sold at this sale two years ago,” Stanley explained.

“He was one of the best 3-year-olds here in New Zealand last year, he won the G2 Wellington Guineas. This guy resembles him and I think he’ll be a good racehorse.”

Cover image courtesy of Keeneland

Keeping the momentum

The momentum from Monday's opening session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale continued into the first session of Book 2 on Tuesday in Lexington with a pair of mares bringing seven figures.

“I would describe it as a solid day,” said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. “Overall, we are very happy with the gross, very happy with the median and average being up over last year.”

During Tuesday's session, 197 horses sold for US$35,073,000 (AU$53,971,300). The average of US$178,036 (AU$274,000) was up 6.26 per cent from a year ago and the median, which dipped slightly during Monday's session, was up 7.69 per cent to US$140,000 (AU$215,400).

“We continue to use the median and the RNA rate as our measures of the depth and health of the market overall,” said Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach.

“The averages are great and are great for headlines, but we look at the depth of the market as well and the median is a good indicator of that. Today (Tuesday), in that sense, was a strong day. Yesterday (Monday) was a good day, too, we had a lot of seven-figure offerings which made the average really strong. But overall, our median is up from last year and that's how we hope to see that continue.”

The session's buy-back rate was 27.84 per cent, up from last year's corresponding figure of 22.07 per cent, but that increase could be a reflection of the strong market, according to Breathnach.

“The RNAs are up a little bit, but people are probably being a bit more selective because replacement costs are high,” he said. “And you are going to roll on for another year if you don't feel like you can replace with the same quality.

“We had a really strong buying bench,” Arvin said. “We had much more domestic activity today than we did yesterday. We saw Jane Lyon, Determined Stud, and the Winchells and Jim and Dana Bernhard adding to their bloodstock. It was nice to see them active.”

With two positive sessions in the books already, the November sale will have plenty of momentum to carry it through its final eight sessions.

“We are off on the right foot,” said Breathnach. “We have the first day of Book 2 behind us and we have eight more sessions in the Breeding Stock Sale and then the racehorse sale to come, but it feels really good and the energy is good. There are a lot of buyers here and a lot of people talking about the shows in the barn area for tomorrow and beyond. We know we have a long way to go, but we are very pleased with this beginning.”

Newgate and SF Bloodstock swoop for Irish Constitution

Henry Field’s Newgate Farm and SF Bloodstock made their first purchase of the Keeneland November Sale when they went to US$310,000 (AU$477,000) for the winning Constitution (USA) mare Irish Constitution (USA), who was bred by SF Bloodstock.

Catalogued as Hip 403, the mare is out of Listed-winning D’Wildcat (USA) (D’Wild Ride {USA}), making her a half-sister to the stakes-placed More Than Ready (USA) mare Wild N Ready (USA).

The mare was offered by Mill Ridge Farm in foal to Lane’s End resident Candy Ride (Arg).

Field said the mare would be mated to G1 Cox Plate winner State Of Rest (Ire) in Australian next season.

“We were delighted to buy Irish Constitution. She’s a filly that SF Bloodstock originally bred, and she was a beautiful weanling and a beautiful yearling. So, we knew the mare well and she was a really good race filly, probably better than her record reads,” Field told TDN AusNZ.

“She was actually fourth in the G1 Spinaway at Saratoga as a 2-year-old, so she’s a high-class mare and by Constitution, who’s one of the best young stallions in North America. And, she’s a mare that we’ll bring down and more than likely breed to State Of Rest next season in Australia. That was the main reason we purchased her.

“We’ll take the foal out of her, it’ll be an early foal, and once the foal is weaned we’ll send her down to Australia around August and get her covered by State Of Rest in September. She’s a fast American, Grade 1-performed mare by one of America’s top young sires, who I think will really suit him physically. We’re very pleased to get her.”

Field said that working alongside Tom Ryan and Gavin Murphy of SF Bloodstock, who know the American market so well, means they have all bases of the market covered.

“We’re lucky to have Tom Ryan and Gavin Murphy of SF Bloodstock who are based up here. They know the form in North America like I know it in Australia - so it allows us to have good intel. For example, we knew this filly was much better than her record read, she’s a very talented filly.

“They know the ins and the outs - if a trainer has a high opinion of horses, or if a horse has had issues - all the detail of the market. That really helps us with our purchasing.”

US bloodlines have always carried extra weight for Newgate with two of their most promising stallions, Russian Revolution and Wild Ruler, being out of USA-bred mares.

“It's great to see the American sale companies really promoting that success to drive continued Australian participation at the sales. We’ve bought many North American mares and had huge success breeding out of them.

“We stand two sons of top North American mares as stallions at Newgate, in Russian Revolution and Wild Ruler, so we believe in them.

“We’ve got a number of new horses on the roster this year and we’ll more than likely have State Of Rest, Artorius and In The Congo next year, so we’re just trying to pick mares for the young horses that we see fit.

“We thought this mare was particularly good for State Of Rest so we feel really good about buying her and we’ll keep adding to the portfolio over the next few days.”

Park Avenue leads to Summer Wind

Jane Lyon of Summer Wind Farm had been outbid on some of her top picks earlier on the sale, so she was bidding with determination when she acquired Park Avenue (USA) (Quality Road {USA}) (Hip 478) for US$1.45 million (AU$2,231,300) on Tuesday at Keeneland.

“I need some good mares,” Lyon said after signing the ticket on the 4-year-old filly. “I've been outbid on several I wanted the sale topper yesterday and a couple of others along the way, so I was pretty determined not to get outbid on her.”

Park Avenue won this year's Ouija Board Distaff S. and was second in the G3 La Canada S. for Hronis Racing and trainer John Sadler.

Lyon is breeder and co-owner of recently retired superstar Flightline (USA) and Park Avenue could be visiting that stallion next year.

“We are going to debate it,” Lyon said of possible mating plans. “Because there is a close connection pedigree-wise (to Flightline). But we will debate that with people who know certainly not me.”

Park Avenue is out of Remarkable (USA), who, like Flightline's dam Feathered (USA), is by Indian Charlie (USA).

Asked if she was surprised by Park Avenue's seven-figure pricetag, Lyon said, “Oh yes. I am always surprised.”

Park Avenue was consigned on Tuesday by Lane's End and the farm's Allaire Ryan thought she was a standout in Book 2.

“When two people want them, anything can happen,” Ryan said. “In this group, she was a standout for us. That was beyond our expectations and a super sale all the way around. She was a beautiful filly who obviously had plenty of talent and ability on the track. Her looks just surpassed that. She took your breath away when you saw her. She's a classy filly. She was popular at the barn and people kept coming back to look at her multiple times. We knew we had the right players on her. It's nice to see everyone get rewarded.”

Bernhards assembling broodmare band for their 'new' farm

With their recent purchase of the historic Pin Oak Stud near Versailles, Jim and Dana Bernhard were busy at Keeneland purchasing mares for their new property. They purchased 10 yearlings at the Keeneland September sale under the name of their Lynnhaven Racing but signed under the name of Pin Oak Stud on Tuesday.

“We have plenty of stall space out there, so we figured we might as well get as many good ones as we can,” Matt Weinmann, the Bernhards' advisor, said. “We are looking for top quality, good pedigrees with really good physiology. You can't put a number on how many of those are in this sale. We will see.”

Their first purchase under their new moniker was Broadway Lady (USA) (Constitution {USA}) (Hip 283) for US$500,000 (AU$769,400). The dark bay won four of her 21 starts and hit the board in seven others. She had a timely update coming into the sale, finishing third in the G3 Ontario Matron S. on October 22.

Out of stakes winner Livi Makenzie (USA) (Macho Uno {USA}), Broadway Lady is a half to dual Grade 3-winning sophomore colt Tawny Port (USA) (Pioneerof The Nile {USA}). She was consigned by Bluewater Sales on behalf of owner Gary Barber.

“We are going to breed her next year,” said Weinmann. “She is a lovely filly and checked all the boxes for us. Being Grade 3-placed in her last race gave her that black type, which is very important. After the sale, we will go over matings and see who she fits and go from there. We really liked her. She's beautiful.”

The new Pin Oak crew was back in action later in the session, taking home Cyrielle (USA) (Animal Kingdom {USA}) (Hip 313) for US$160,000 (AU$246,200) and going to US$700,000 (AU$1,077,200) for Querelle (USA) (Violence {USA}) (Hip 497), who was sold in foal to Constitution (USA), from the Grovendale consignment.

They made their biggest purchase of the day late in the session, going to a cool US$1 million (AU$1,538,800) for Sweet Sami D (USA) (First Samurai {USA}) (Hip 573), who sold in foal to red-hot sire Gun Runner (USA).

“She was probably my favourite physical of the day,” said Weinmann. “She is a really high-quality mare in foal to one of the best stallions on the planet. We are just extremely excited to have her.”

Stonehaven's Stellar season continues

The Reddoch's Stonehaven Steadings had an exceptional Keeneland September Sale and their hot streak continued in the November sales ring on Tuesday with the US$1 million sale of Sweet Sami D (USA) (First Samurai {USA}) (Hip 573), who was offered in foal to sensational young sire Gun Runner.

“I'm speechless,” said a clearly emotional Leah O'Meara, who owned the mare in partnership with her parents' operation and her husband Aidan O'Meara. “I didn't want to bring her out here, but I'm glad we did. I'm really glad we did.”

Aidan O'Meara added, “We bought her last year and she just blossomed ever since she's been at the farm. We put her in foal to Gun Runner last year with the thoughts of coming this way. Then Gun Runner did what he did last year, so we decided we'd take a chance and bring her out here and see what the market would do. There is an obvious attachment there, so it is a little bittersweet.”

A US$65,000 (AU$100,000) claim last August, Sweet Sami D was withdrawn from last year's November sale and was mated to Gun Runner. She was a talented racehorse with a record of 21-4-4-4 and multiple stakes placings, including the G3 Monmouth Oaks for trainer Pat McBurney.

“We were talking ourselves in and out of bringing her out here,” Aidan O'Meara said. “But, this was just an incredible result. We are delighted to have made the decision to come out here with her.”

The Stonehaven Steadings team sold a total of 18 yearlings for US$8.188 million (AU$12,599,900) during Keeneland's September Sale, including the sale-topping US$2.5 million (AU$3,847,000) Quality Road (USA) colt now named Metro (USA).

“We are lost for words,” said Aidan O'Meara. “We were lost for words in September here, but this is even more incredible. It is hard to even fathom the type of year we've had. We've been so blessed. So many things have gone our way in an industry which is renowned for things being difficult. It has just been an incredible year for us and hopefully we can use this as a catalyst to build off and keep it moving forward bit by bit.”

CHC collecting mares for Life Is Good

The China Horse Club (CHC) kept busy on Tuesday, acquiring mares to send to their new stallion Life Is Good (USA), topped by the US$750,000 (AU$1,154,100) Ragged Rose (USA) (Union Rags {USA)) (Hip 500), who is in foal to Quality Road (USA).

“She is a beautiful mare from a great family and in foal to Quality Road, who is nearly the best stallion in America,” said CHC's Michael Smith. “She is very clean, strong, good limbs, great action. She is very straightforward, everything you look for in a mare. She will complement him beautifully.”

Ragged Rose is out of stakes winner and Graded stakes-placed mare Cat Charmer (USA) (Storm Cat {USA}), making her a half-sister to multiple Graded stakes winner Strike Charmer (USA) (Smart Strike {USA}) and multiple stakes-placed Sweet Dreams (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}), the dam of Subconscious (USA) (Tapit {USA}). She was consigned by Grovendale Sales.

China Horse Club, signing as CHC INC, also purchased Summer Solo (USA) (Arch {USA}) (Hip 566) for US$400,000 (AU$615,500) in foal to champion Essential Quality (USA), Coastana (USA) (Kitten's Joy {USA}) (Hip 304) for US$290,000 (AU$446,300), Lady Aces (USA) (Constitution {USA}) (Hip 419) for US$200,000 (AU$307,800) and Pythoness (USA) (Liam's Map {USA}) for US$110,000 (AU$169,300). Smith indicated that all four of those mares would go to Life Is Good.

CHC purchased five mares in total for US$1.75 million (AU$2,692,900) and an average of US$350,000 (AU$538,600). They also bought Princess Grace (USA) (Karakontie {Jpn}) for US$1.7 million (AU$2,616,000) at Fasig-Tipton on Sunday and intend to race her in Australia next year.

Gallery: Mares purchased by China Horse Club at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, images courtesy of Keeneland

“The market is strong, but if you do your homework and keep sifting through them, you can find a bit of value as well,” Smith said. “I think we bought well today (Tuesday). We got some really nice race fillies with stakes form as well as this mare with the big cover.”