Naval Anthem wins on debut
The Kurtis Pertab-trained Naval Anthem (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) won on debut at Wanganui over 900 metres. Naval Anthem is from the Volksraad (GB) mare Smitten Kitten (NZ), an eight-time winner, including the Listed Otago Breeders’ S.
Naval Anthem (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
Naval Anthem becomes the seventh winner for U S Navy Flag (USA). The son of War Front (USA) was acquired outright by The Oaks Stud from Coolmore Stud.
U S Navy Flag will stand the 2023 breeding season for NZ$15,000 (plus GST).
Emir of Qatar revealed as owner behind Wathnan Racing
Thursday at Royal Ascot saw winners for two heads of state, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla celebrating their first winner at the royal meeting, followed by the victory in the Gold Cup with Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) for Wathnan Racing, which it has been confirmed is owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Various members of Qatar's ruling family are already well established as owner-breeders on the international racing scene. The Emir's brother Sheikh Joaan is head of Al Shaqab Racing and the owner of Haras de Bouquetot in Normandy. He is also behind the major sponsorship of France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe meeting among others.
Their uncle Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani is also a major owner-breeder, as is his son, Sheikh Fahad, the principal of Qatar Racing and sponsor, with his brothers, of the QIPCO British Champions Series. Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani was in the royal procession at Ascot on Thursday.
Marston and Kean charged by Racing NSW stewards
Racing NSW stewards confirmed on Friday, June 23, that they have issued charges against former Sky Racing presenter Chynna Marston and registered owner Alex Kean.
On Monday, June 19, Racing NSW Stewards inquired into allegations of equine welfare welfare breaches under Local Rule 114.
Marston has been found guilty by stewards of the three charges listed below.
• Charge 1: LR114(2)(a) Between the period on or around March 27, 2023 and June 5, 2023, did fail to provide sufficient nutrition to 12 thoroughbred horses.
• Charge 2: LR114(2)(d) Between the period on or around February 14, 2023 and March 27, 2023, did fail to provide veterinary treatment to the six named thoroughbred horses.
• Charge 3: AR228(a) Did engage in conduct that was prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity or welfare of racing, by failing to ensure the welfare of thoroughbred horses.
While Kean has been charged with the below four counts:
• Charge 1: LR114(2)(a) Between the period on or around March 27, 2023 and June 5, 2023, did fail to provide sufficient nutrition to 12 thoroughbred horses.
• Charge 2: LR114(2)(d) Between the period on or around February 14, 2023 and March 27, 2023, did fail to provide veterinary treatment to the six named thoroughbred horses.
• Charge 3: LR114(4) Did destroy a thoroughbred horse and failed to confirm the decision to destroy that horse with a veterinary surgeon.
• Charge 4: AR228(a) Did engage in conduct that was prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity or welfare of racing, by failing to ensure the welfare of thoroughbred horses.
Racing Victoria releases statement regarding Kah
On Friday evening Newscorp published an article with photos of Victorian-based jockey Jamie Kah near a white powder alleged to be a prohibited substance. Racing.com reported that Racing Victoria stewards would contact Kah to establish the facts of the pictures that have come to light; once evidence has been taken from Kah, stewards will determine if any rules have been broken.
Kah, who has been on the sidelines since March of this year after being involved in a fall at Flemington, announced on Thursday that she was cleared to ride trackwork and was looking forward to returning to race-riding.
Kah quickly responded to the article from Newscorp by posting a statement on her social media accounts outlining that she would be continuing to focus on her physical and mental health and ‘working hard to get back to doing what she loves’. Kah also added that she was disappointed Newscorp posted this ‘story’ and would be making no further comment.
Russian Revolution double at Ballarat
The Newgate Farm-based Russian Revolution is quickly turning into a prolific winner-getter when he chalked up another double on Friday at Ballarat on the Synthetic.
Saluting first in the opening event on Friday was the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Zequel, who was winning for the first time from four starts, carrying the colours of China Horse Club with Jack Hill aboard, Zequel won by 0.4l from Let Her Rain (Manhattan Rain).
Russian Revolution | Standing at Newgate Farm
In Race 2, Peter Moody sent out the 3-year-old filly Romanova, winning for the first time and winning in impressive fashion by 3.5l.
Romanova was a $140,000 yearling purchase by Moody Racing from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Nugent is keeping busy in recovery
Victorian-based jockey Teo Nugent has been sidelined and wearing a neck collar since sustaining a fracture in his C1 vertebrae in a race fall in March at Moonee Valley.
However, Nugent has finally been able to take the collar off after a meeting with Racing Victoria’s doctor, “I had a meeting last week with Dr Gary Zimmerman and spine specialist Dr Peter Turner, and they took the soft neck collar off which was fantastic,” Nugent told Racing.com.
“It hasn’t been easy, but ever since I got the collar off, I’m a new person with free movement, and that’s made me start to get excited to return to riding.”
Nugent advised he should be back in the saddle shortly and hopefully for the spring carnival, but he has another physio and CT session to go to before a definite date.
'Most diverse online catalogue' finalised for late Inglis Digital June (Late) Sale
The Inglis Digital June (Late) Sale catalogue has been finalised, with what Inglis has described as the “most diverse online catalogues ever collated.”
With the high-class race mares Daisies (Sebring), Literary Magnate (Written Tycoon) and Silent Sovereign (Dalakhani {Ire}) set to be offered, they will be joined by quality broodmares such as More Aspen (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}), the dam of the Group 1 winner King Colorado (Kingman {GB}) and the Redoute’s Choice mare No Looking Back, the dam of the Group 2-winning Comrade Rosa (Capitalist).
They will be joined by the Group 1-placed Hilal (Fastnet Rock), who will be offered as a racing and breeding prospect and the lightly raced Clemenceau (Capitalist).
The June (Late) Sale of 612 entries contains 238 broodmares, 229 racehorses (110 race fillies), 50 racehorse shares, 46 yearlings, 46 weanlings, two unbroken stock and one stallion.
The final countdown of bidding for the Inglis Digital June (Late) Sale begins from 10am AEST Wednesday, June 28.
MRC honour Walker with a race on Saturday
The Melbourne Racing Club will use Saturday’s Caulfield meeting to celebrate the career of retired jockey Michael Walker, with the Michael Walker Farewell H. running over 1100 metres. Walker prematurely retired in February this year due to the ongoing effects of a brain injury sustained when riding jump-outs at Pakenham nearly 12 months ago.
Walker confirmed that he would be present with his family and partner Lauren at the ceremony.
Michael Walker | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Throughout Walker’s career, he rode 25 Group 1 winners, including a host at Caulfield, such as the G1 Caulfield Guineas on Mighty Boss (Not A Single Doubt) and Tagaloa.
“I’d like to thank the Melbourne Racing Club and Racing Victoria for putting a celebration on for me and the support they have given me,” Walker said.
Tattersall's Mile to suit Superstorm
Eagle Farm-based trainer Lauren Abbott feels the way the G1 Stradbroke H. was run didn’t suit her recent acquisition Superstorm (Sebring), who was unplaced. Still, Abbot is confident the Group 1 winner will be competitive in Saturday’s Listed Tattersall's Mile.
“It was probably a rare Stradbroke in the sense there was no breakneck speed at the front, and I was happy enough with his run,” Abbot said.
“Jimmy (James) Orman said that when the sprint went on, they were just too quick for Superstorm. He pulled up well and lacked a bit of match fitness.”
As a Group 1 winner, Superstorm was allotted 61kg on Saturday in the Listed Tattersall's Mile.
Martial Eagle to stamp spring credentials?
Pakenham-based trainer Charlotte Littlefield is excited to test the merit of her import, Martial Eagle (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}), at Caulfield on Saturday. The former Group 2 placegetter will kick off over 1600 metres.
“We wanted to start him out over 1800 metres or 2000 metres, but he’s come back quite sharp and had a nice trial,” Littlefield said.
Martial Eagle (Ire) | Image courtesy of Arqana
“Martial Eagle’s first trial was a bit upside down, but he learnt a lot from that,”
Littlefield purchased the horse under her Hayfields Racing with Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock at the 2022 Arqana Deauville Autumn Mixed Sale for €95,000 (AU$153,000).
Yulong named the new sponsor for the Pretty Polly
Yulong will sponsor the G1 Pretty Polly S. at the Curragh in 2023, the racecourse announced on Thursday.
Scheduled for Saturday, July 1, the second day of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival, the race–restricted to fillies and mares–will now be worth €300,000 (AU$487,300). Owned by Yuesheng Zhang, Yulong will also present a free nomination for 2024 to juvenile Group 1 winner Lucky Vega (Ire) to the owners of the first three placed horses.
Sam Fairgray, COO Yulong Investments said, “Following on from Yulong Stud's involvement in Ireland with Lucky Vega, we are extremely happy to support the Irish racing and breeding industry and look forward to many years of collaboration ahead.”
Zhang's green and white colours have been carried to victory at the Curragh by Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Irish Oaks in 2022, as well as by current Irish National Stud stallion Lucky Vega, who won the 2020 G1 Phoenix S.
Evan Arkwright, Racing and Sponsorship Manager the Curragh said, “We are very grateful to Mr Zhang for selecting the Curragh for his first sponsorship in Ireland and appreciate his support of one of the most prestigious races in the Irish racing calendar. The association will further highlight the leading position that Yulong plays on the world's racing stage.”
Godolphin's Native Trail retired
Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), an unbeaten champion two-year-old and brilliant winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas last year, has been retired. The Charlie Appleby-trained colt won three times at the highest level and will embark on a stud career next year, according to Godolphin's Director Of Studs, Liam O'Rourke.
He said, “Native Trail has had an exceptional career and owes us nothing. We feel now is the time to retire him and he will take up stud duties in 2024.”
Native Trail was last seen finishing eighth in Tuesday's Queen Anne behind Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Along with his Irish Guineas success, he landed two Group 1 races as a juvenile–the National S. at the Curragh followed by the Dewhurst at Newmarket.
