Oratorio passes
Oratorio, a multiple champion sire in Western Australia, has died only a week before his final crop will be offered at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Passing at the age of 21, Oratorio covered his first book in 2005 at Mungrup Stud, which in 2020 was rebranded Willaview Park, and he had retired from stallion duties a year ago.
“He had a full life and was loved by everyone,” Willaview’s Claire Williamson told Breednet. “An arthritic knee had become increasingly uncomfortable and it came to a point where we couldn’t manage it for him anymore.
“He was such a sweet horse. He had been here since I was a teenager and made it easier when I was learning how to handle a stallion.”
By Stravinsky (USA), Oratorio was trained by Lee Freedman and the peak of his 11-start career saw him win the G3 CS Hayes S. Notably, he became the first stallion in WA to stand for over $30,000 in 2010, and he was five times crowned Champion 2-Year-Old Sire in Western Australia.
Inglis Digital features rare offering
The 344-strong catalogue for the Inglis Digital February (Late) Online Sale will feature a mare in foal to the exceptional Extreme Choice, a 16-strong contingent from Godolphin and three shares in exciting 3-year-old filly Benedetta (Hellbent).
Lot 330, the Flying Artie mare Taurasi, is offered by Newgate Farm in-foal to their very own sire sensation Extreme Choice. She is a half-sister to stakes winner Untamed (Pierro) and is out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner Foxwedge.
“Extreme Choice is a phenomenon, both in terms of the commercial appeal of his progeny and their success on the racecourse,” said Newgate Stud Manager Jim Carey.
Three five per cent shares in untapped 3-year-old Benedetta are also up for sale. The filly is a winner of three of her four career starts by a combined margin of almost 7l and is aimed at the $750,000 Inglis Sprint at Flemington on March 4.
The Godolphin draft includes horses by Exceed And Excel, Lonhro and Medaglia D’Oro amongst others, plus Lot 3, Camaguey (Teofilo {Ire}), a 4-year-old gelding qualified for this year’s $2 million The Big Dance.
Drawn to victory at The Valley
Swords Drawn (Camelot {GB}) snatched the lead off long-time leader Nerve Not Verve (NZ) (Shocking) at the 200-metre mark to win the Listed Torney Night Cup (2500 metres) at Moonee Valley on Friday evening.
Trained by Michael Moroney, the 7-year-old gelding was adding a second stakes win to his record, having won last year’s Listed Hawkes Bay Cup when trained by Shaune Ritchie.
A $140,000 purchase for his former trainer at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, he is out of the winning Zabeel mare Sarvon, a half-sister to G1 Champagne S. winner Onemorenomore (Red Ransom {GB}).
SSSA nominations extended
Following a series of requests from industry participants, the nominations window for the 2023 Stud and Stable Staff Awards (SSSA) has been extended, and will now close at midnight (AEST) on Monday, February 20.
After a busy recent calendar for the industry, with the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in Sydney and the Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne having only just concluded, the award’s organisers hope to give everyone a chance to nominate a deserving friend or colleague, recognising the importance of the industry’s unsung heroes.
Williams strong on Noches
As Matthew Smith sends his 3-year-old Buenos Noches (Supido) forth in the G1 Lightning S. on Saturday, jockey Craig Williams is excited to climb aboard the colt for the first time.
Having relegated the Sydney raider into second position when riding subsequent The Everest winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in the G2 Danehill S. last October, Williams said the form lines were strong.
“To run a head or a half head to Giga Kick already gets me excited,” Williams told Racing.com.
“He's a great, effective horse down the straight. Matt Smith's very keen on him, he's got other options being a 3-year-old obviously, and on a rating of 88, and he's happy to run him so that probably tells you what he thinks of the horse's potential and ability, and I'm very happy to ride him in the race.”
Buenos Noches returns after running third in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. last October behind In Secret (I Am Invincible).
Attrition’s test
Trainer Mitch Freedman will decide after Saturday’s G3 CS Hayes S. at Flemington whether his 3-year-old Attrition (Churchill {Ire}) will be suitable for a race such as the G1 Australian Guineas.
The colt has won both of his starts since returning this year, latterly impressive when winning by 4l at Geelong under prohibitive odds, and is currently the favourite for Saturday’s race.
“It's fine doing it against maiden company and 64 grade, but it's another thing going to Flemington and taking on a Group 3 race,” Freedman told Racing.com.
“I think he'll go there and run well but we'll find out more. He's a very nice horse and I'm not putting him in the race thinking he's going to struggle.
“We think he'll be competitive and we're looking forward to it. If he runs well, potentially he will run in the Australian Guineas and if he's not, he's not good enough.”
Helix rising
Trainer Clinton McDonald is looking forward to the Future Stars Series Final after the Thursday night debut victory of his 3-year-old Helix (Flying Artie).
His dominant, 2.5l Pakenham victory qualifies the Gelding for the $300,000 final on March 2.
“It took him a little while to hit top gear, but when he did it was impressive. It was a good win,” McDonald told Racing.com.
“Hopefully this horse can keep going through his grades. He will come to the final in two weeks' time.
“It's a great incentive, this $300,000 Class 1. It's serious prizemoney and we have a nice horse to attack it with.”
Boss speaks out over mental health
At the Asian Racing Conference (ARC), leading jockey Glen Boss spoke about his battle with mental health, and urged anyone struggling to seek help.
Open about his own journey, Boss said that in his worst state, he’d had thoughts of suicide.
“It's not something I enjoy speaking about, but I think it's necessary,” Boss told Racing.com following his conference speech.
“I went through some troubles through my personal and professional life and I know others are going through the same thing.
“It's okay to be vulnerable and be scared.”
