Cover image courtesy of the JRHA Select Sale

The first foal from the 2018 G1 Queensland Oaks heroine Youngstar (High Chaparral {Ire}) realised ¥210,000,000 (AU$2.2 million) on Day 1 of the Japan Racing Horse Association (JRHA) Select Sale.

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Consigned by Northern Farm as Hip 1, the yearling colt by Kizuna (Jpn) - the 2013 G1 Tokyo Yushun hero and Japan’s Champion First Crop sire in 2019 - was purchased by Fujita Susumu.

Bred by John and Karen Sheather, Youngstar is from the Danehill (USA) mare Starspangled (Ire) - a winner in Ireland and sister to the Group 3 scorer Downtown (Ire). At the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Anton Koolman Bloodstock paid $200,000 for Youngstar from the Bowness Stud draft.

Speaking to The Thoroughbred Report post-sale on Monday, John Sheather said he and Karen were both immensely proud.

“It’s a huge thrill, I’m really proud of Youngstar,” he said.

“We were able to watch the sale online, so it was great.”

Oliver Koolman, the son of the late Anton Koolman, was also thrilled with the result.

“I’m quite proud of her, to be honest with you,” he told The Thoroughbred Report.

“She came from relatively humble beginnings and now she’s making international headlines. It’s about time she makes the headlines, her sister (Funstar) took over for a while.

“It’s good to see, very satisfying.”

The Chris Waller-trained Youngstar raced 26 times, notching four wins and six placings for earnings of a tick over $1 million, all that after going winless through her first three starts. Her career was highlighted by her Oaks success, but she also finished third in the 2018 G1 Queensland Derby and ran the great Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) to 1l in the 2018 G1 Turnbull S. Youngstar’s second-biggest win was the 2018 G2 BRC The Roses.

Following her successful career on the track, Youngstar was purchased by Northern Farm’s Katsumi Yoshida for $1.4 million from the Middlebrook Valley Lodge consignment at the 2020 Inglis Chairman’s Sale.

The Kizuna yearling features a host of elite-level winners on his page, including Youngstar’s three-quarter sister Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}), as well as Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and No Compromise (NZ) (Pins).

Funstar herself has a Kizuna colt - a foal - that will go through the ring on Day 2 at Hip 441. He too will be offered by Northern Farm.

“Hopefully, this result is a sign of things to come on Tuesday,” Sheather added.

“It’s very exciting.

“Starspangled has a Churchill filly on the ground and a Yes Yes Yes weanling filly that we have at home here.”

Seabrook colt sells for $420,000

The first foal from Seabrook (NZ) (Hinchinbrook) realised ¥40,000,000 (AU$420,000). The colt by former Arrowfield Stud shuttler Real Steel (Jpn) was offered by Northern Farm as Hip 22 and was secured by Kazutaka Hosaka.

Seabrook was bred by Tauranga-based breeder Warwick Jeffries and is out of the unraced Don Eduardo (NZ) mare Midnight Revels (NZ) and she herself is a half-sister to the Group 2 victress My Emotion (NZ) (Savabeel). Seabrook is also closely related to the 2011 G1 Coolmore Classic heroine Aloha (Encosta De Lago), who has thrown two stakes winners - Libertini (I Am Invincible) and Hawaii Five Oh (I Am Invincible).

Seabrook was a member of the Maluka Thoroughbreds draft at the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and was knocked down to Blueblood Thoroughbreds for $85,000.

She won just two races in her 21-start career, but they were both at Group level (the 2018 G1 Champagne S. and the 2018 G1 Sweet Embrace S.).

The mare was purchased privately by Northern Farm in 2020.

Lys Gracieux’s half-brother proves popular

Hip 58 - a colt by Duramente (Jpn) from the multiple Listed scorer Liliside (Fr) (American Post {GB}) - made ¥160,000,000 (AU$1.69 million). The yearling is a half-brother to the 2019 Japanese Horse of the Year and 2019 G1 Cox Plate heroine Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}).

Consigned by Northern Farm, the colt was secured by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co.,Ltd.

Hana’s Goal (Jpn) (Orewa Matteruze {Jpn}) is another Japanese mare that scored at the highest level in Australia; she landed the G1 All Aged S. in 2014. On Monday, her filly by Tagaloa’s sire, Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), who was offered by Jingru Xiao as Hip 112, fetched ¥21,000,000 (AU$222,000). The filly was bought by IHR.

Hip 202 - a filly by Suave Richard (Jpn) from the four-time winner Admire Kirameki (Jpn) (End Sweep {USA}) - is a half-sister to Tosen Stardom (Jpn), who won two Group 1s in Melbourne in 2017 and has shuttled to the newly created Zenith Stallion Station at Lemongrove Stud in Ireland after completing his fifth season at Woodside Park in Victoria.

Offered by Northern Farm, the filly was bought by David Redvers - racing manager for Qatar Racing - for ¥50,000,000 (AU$530,000).

Other noteworthy results

As forecast, yearlings by Kitasan Black - the sire of racing’s newest global superstar Equinox (Jpn) - were well sought-after. Hip 4 - a colt consigned by Northern Farm from the Grade 1 winner Include Betty (USA) (Include {USA}) - was secured by Danox Co. Ltd. for ¥310,000,000 (AU$3.25 million). The colt was one of two yearlings to make this amount - the Day 1 high.

And Hip 92 - a colt by Kitasan Black out of I’m Already Sexy (USA) (Ready’s Image {USA}) from the Shadai Farm draft - was bought by Hirosaki Toshihiro HD Co. Ltd. for ¥290,000,000 (AU$3 million).

Hip 20 - a colt by Silver State (Jpn) from the Listed winner Palace Rumor (Royal Anthem {USA}) - also made ¥310,000,000 (AU$3.25 million) from the Northern Farm draft, with TN Racing purchasing. The colt is a half-brother to Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) - this year’s G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) hero, who was third behind Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen last month.

The lone Kingman (GB) yearling - Hip 16 - a colt that was consigned by Shunsuke Yoshida - went to TN Racing for ¥300,000,000 (AU$3.2 million). The colt is from Cosmopolitan Queen (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) - a two-time winner in England who is a sister to the Group 1 victress Arabian Queen (Ire) and the Listed placegetter Stormbuster (GB). The yearling colt has a Frankel (GB) half-sister - Frankness (GB) - in England with Andrew Balding and the filly has saluted on three occasions.

Kingman is the sire of this year’s G1 JJ Atkins S. hero King Colorado, as well as last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Emissary (GB).

Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) has been on fire in Europe, with a host of stakes winners, including Protagonist (Fr), River Tiber (Ire), King Of Steel (USA) and Bucanero Fuerte (GB), and his sole yearling fetched ¥270,000,000 (AU$2.9 million). This was another purchase by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd. Consigned by Shadai Farm as Hip 102, the colt is from the winning Green Tune (USA) mare Green Bananas (Fr), making him a brother to the brilliant Audarya (Fr) - a multiple top-level victress.

Maurice (Jpn) and Admire Mars (Jpn) - who both reside at Shadai Stallion Station in Japan and Arrowfield Stud in Australia - had a combined 17 yearlings offered on Monday.

Maurice, who is the sire of two Group 1 winners in Australia - Hitotsu and Mazu - had 10 yearlings in on Monday and his top-seller was Hip 115. The colt is out of the Listed winner Daiwa Zoom (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) and was bought by Kondo Junko from the Shadai Farm consignment for ¥115,000,000 (AU$1.2 million).

The best of Admire Mars’ progeny - Hip 2 - fetched ¥145,000,000 (AU$1.5 million). The colt is from the unraced Rahy (USA) mare Polonnaruwa (Jpn), making him a half-brother to the stakes performer Gal Vihara (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}). Offered by Northern Farm, the colt was purchased by TN Racing.

Satono Aladdin (Jpn), who splits his time between Breeders Stallion Station in Japan and Rich Hill Stud in New Zealand, has created a huge impression in the Southern Hemisphere, siring the dual top-flight winner Pennyweka (NZ).

He had three yearlings consigned on Monday and the top-seller was Hip 206 - a colt from the multiple Listed victress Mother Russia (USA) (Mayakovsky {USA}), which made ¥32,000,000 (AU$340,000). That makes the colt, who was consigned by Lake Villa Farm and bought by Inokuma Hirotsugu, a half-brother to the Listed winner Golden Barows (USA) (Tapit {USA}).

Since his retiring from the racetrack, Ballylinch Stud in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, has been home to Lope De Vega (Ire), one of Europe's truly elite stallions. The last three Northern Hemisphere breeding seasons have seen the son of Shamardal (USA) command a hefty €125,000 (AU$205,800) service fee, and with good reason.

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In total, Lope De Vega has sired 18 Group 1 winners and 112 individual stakes winners across 12 different countries. From 2011 to 2014, he shuttled to the now-defunct Patinack Farm, and left an indelible stamp on the Australian industry. The result was four elite-level winners of nine Group 1s, being Santa Ana Lane, Vega Magic, Gytrash and Vega One.

His progeny have earned a smidge over $126 million in all, and the greatest contributor, nation wise, has been Australia at close to $43 million. His potency when crossed with Fastnet Rock mares has certainly helped in accruing that total, with the mix firing at a rate of 21 per cent stakes winners to runners.

Both Santa Ana Lane and Gytrash fall into that category, with their exploits no doubt driving demand on the other side of the world, though Ballylinch can hardly be accused of acting greedily in pricing Lope De Vega at €60,000 - equivalent to around AU$98,600 - for Southern Hemisphere covers this year.

“It's a cross that seems to work very well, and it's definitely pushed an uptake up here in the last few years where we've covered a lot more Fastnet Rock mares,” Fives said.

“He's very easy to breed to. He's an outcross for over 90 per cent of the mare population in Europe, so, if you're buying a mare up here, he's very easy to breed to as there are very few things you have to avoid in a pedigree.”

Establishing himself from afar

Lope De Vega yearlings disappeared from Australian sales rings after the final locally bred crop came up for sale in 2017. Just one appeared in 2021, increasing to 17 across the last two years, and he’ll soon be kicking back into gear according to Fives.

Meanwhile, his sons have begun to establish themselves in his absence. Group 1-winning juvenile Belardo (Ire) has now sired a stakes winner in both New Zealand and Australia from his base at Haunui Farm, and Lucky Vega (Ire) has his first foals on the ground in Australia for Yulong Stud.

Mr Zhang’s organisation has been a big supporter of Lope De Vega in the past. After buying and racing Lucky Vega to become a Group 1-winning juvenile in Ireland, they sent a selection of mares to his own sire on Southern Hemisphere time. Six of those, all colts, were sold as yearlings in Australia last year, with Yulong retaining one filly to race.

Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray told TTR AusNZ that Lucky Vega’s position as a shuttler from the Irish National Stud means that, naturally, they now support him instead with any suitable mares in the Northern Hemisphere.

However, selling the six yearlings was part of Yulong’s vision to be both international in its outlook and an active player in the market. They did well, with one selling for $650,000, and it doesn’t mean that Yulong won’t end up with another son of Lope De Vega to stand at stud.

“With yearling sales and so forth, if we come across the right physical and pedigree we'd definitely consider buying another son of Lope De Vega,” Fairgray said.

“We've been able to keep a leg in a couple of the ones that we've sold, which is great. So, it's still going to serve the purpose if they do end up being successful on the track - we've still got that interest there, to be able to have access to those stallions.”

Whilst Lope De Vega “keeps on producing the goods,” Fairgray is excited with the start made by Lucky Vega.

“He's certainly stamping them,” Fairgray said. “He's got the physique that Australians like; that good-bodied, strong hindquarter, and he's throwing that into his progeny.

“He's got some really nice weanlings on the farm and the feedback that we've had from people that bred to him is that they're really happy with them.

“And, in the Northern Hemisphere, he's been really well-received - he served 149 mares this year. So, that's a good result and plenty of breeders are breeding back to him based on the foals that they've got on the ground.”

Young New Bay kicking goals

Whilst he covered half-a-dozen mares last year, 2023 is the first year in which the exciting young New Bay (GB) will be advertised officially for Southern Hemisphere-time covers.

Standing for €75,000 (AU$123,000) at Europe’s regular breeding time earlier this year, he will be available over the coming months for €40,000 (AU$65,600). Having entered stud in 2017, New Bay has four crops now running for him, and his ascent through the ranks has been fast.

That first crop contained two of his three Group 1 winners - Bay Bridge (GB) and Saffron Beach (GB) - with the third, Bayside Boy (Ire), beginning his own stud career on the Ballylinch roster earlier this year. His three runners to find the racecourse in Australia are all winners, and include 5-year-old New Mandate (Ire), who landed the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup for Chris Waller in April.

It’s a small sample, but he’s certainly done nothing wrong and, with sons of Dubawi (Ire) working well in Australia in the past, the Ballylinch team have every hope that he’ll receive plenty of support this year.

Fives reports that, “He’s getting more popular with Australian breeders,” and he also received the support of one of Australia’s top stables at the Goffs London Sale recently.

Landed on by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the aptly named New Endeavour (GB) was a £260,000 (AU$499,000) purchase for the Tulloch Lodge team, who was previously co-owned by Ballylinch and Teme Valley. He will remain in training with Roger Varian in Newmarket before eventually making his way down to Australia.

Twice a handicap winner over 1400 metres, New Endeavour was sold in the lead up to Royal Ascot, and subsequently ran second in the high-class Britannia S., earning an official rating of 103, which puts him well in the mix at Listed level in the UK.

He appears to be on a neat upward curve and may yet be New Bay’s next stakes winner. Meanwhile, Fives reported a surge of interest following that solid Royal Ascot performance.

“Coming back from Ascot, more Australians were asking about him (New Bay) and curious about him,” he said. “We can probably see his profile increasing over the next few years, he's only a young sire.”

“His fee has increased every year since he's had runners. His first crop really dazzled, I suppose, and then the last season was just incredible.

“He had a Group 1 winner with Saffron Beach, and then he just totally stole the show on British Champions Day when he took the two feature races with Bayside Boy and Bay Bridge.”

The British Champions Day heroes were also top-class juveniles. Saffron Beach won the G3 Oh So Sharp S. to remain unbeaten in two starts as a late-season 2-year-old, whilst Bayside Boy was an impressive winner of the G2 Champagne S. - the same race won by Darley shuttler Too Darn Hot (GB).

Fives argues that it’s results like those which should see New Bay garner plenty of interest amongst Australian breeders.

“Even though he was a French Derby winner, he is a horse that transmits a lot of speed,” he said of the sire, who hails from the Juddmonte family of Champion Sprinter Oasis Dream (GB).

“He's similar to Lope De Vega in that case. One of his best horses is Jumby, who's a multiple Group winner over seven furlongs (1400 metres).

“So, it is really all about that turn of foot and that speed really which comes through.”

New Bay’s small but impeccable exposure in Australia is testament to that conclusion. Whilst he’s got a long way to go until he registers the same impact Down Under as Lope De Vega, he appears to have every chance.

Cover image courtesy of Jack Bruce Racing

The New Zealand-born Jack Bruce, 33, has had nearly a lifetime of experience with thoroughbred racing globally.

In May 2022, Bruce felt the time was now to venture out in his own right, obtaining his license; Bruce packed his bags for the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to launch his stable under Jack Bruce Racing at Deagon.

Before opening his stable, Bruce gained a spot on the prestigious Godolphin Flying Start program and graduated in 2015. Learning from the best in the business and giving Bruce a taste of the international industry, he spent a racing season with champion trainer Mick de Kock in Dubai.

Upon returning to Sydney, Australia, Bruce landed a role with the trainer and fellow Kiwi Bjorn Baker at his Warwick Farm stables. Bruce worked closely across all aspects of Baker’s business, including training, communications, bloodstock and sales.

Bruce then spent time under the tenure of Champion Trainer Chris Waller. Bruce was employed as Waller’s racing manager and saw first-hand how the trainer operates such a successful business.

The subsequent development in Bruce’s career came courtesy of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, who elected Bruce to head their Sydney satellite stable at Warwick Farm. Bruce took responsibility for managing the Sydney-based gallopers like a duck to water, citing that he really enjoyed this aspect.

In addition to his racing experience, Bruce has obtained two degrees, a double in accounting and finance and a bachelor of arts in economics. He is well-rounded, and taking out his license seemed the natural step.

Stable progress

Fast forward to just over a year; it should not surprise that Bruce is succeeding in his new endeavour. The laid-back Kiwi, not one to overcomplicate things, is letting his horses do the talking.

Bruce credits his early success to the foundations he learnt with his previous employers.

“Training in my own right has been awesome for a start. I’ve really enjoyed it, and obviously, it’s very satisfying; if you’re lucky enough to train a winner,” Bruce told TTR AusNZ.

“I think the most significant difference so far is you always have the safety net of your employers when you work for someone else. Whereas when you train on your own, I suppose the buck stops with you.

“There’s a lot more responsibility, but simultaneously, it’s gratifying.”

Bruce has been active in the tried-horse market and spoke about how the tried-horse market has been the bedrock of his business.

“Basically, all my winners are actually tried horses. I only ever had one or two yearlings my first year, and one of those has raced, and the other has had a barrier trial, so I don’t have a large volume of horses. I have been establishing myself with horses that are up and running, and I suppose I will attempt to try and turn their form around.

“If you can show that you can win races with those types of horses who are either long in the tooth or have had problems previously, then it’s a good way of showcasing what you can do,” Bruce explained to TTR AusNZ.

“I’ve built my operation on tried horses, and to a certain extent, it probably always will be the bread and butter of my stable.

“As time goes on, I want to get into buying more quality tried horses, whether that’s a horse from Europe, so I can target some of those better-staying races up here (Queensland), or simply buying quality yearlings and have some 2-year-olds, which is obviously something I haven’t been able to do simply given the fact I haven’t been training those horses.”

Among Bruce’s tried-horse purchases was Axe (Written Tycoon), which Bruce bought for $55,000 from the 2022 Inglis Digital March Sale.

Axe provides Bruce a thrill

The rising 7-year-old gelding has been a standout horse in Bruce’s very short career to date when he provided Bruce with his first stakes success in the Listed Weetwood H. in 2022.

“Axe was my first stakes winner and my 42nd runner, which was awesome. I paid $55,000 for him online. My old boss Bjorn Baker trained him in Sydney, then he was with Michael Costa on the Gold Coast, and when he left for Dubai, Michael and Bjorn told me that I should be buying and training Axe,” Bruce said.

“He came to my place in good nick, and I was able to win a Listed race with him. Axe obviously isn’t getting any younger, but he was a $55,000 purchase who’s won over $150,000.

“Axe has been a good horse for those that got involved, and he’s certainly been a good horse for me. I suppose you are always on the lookout for the next Axe or horses that can be bought and are capable of racing at that level because people have a lot of fun if they can have a runner in those types of races.”

Incredibly, Bruce started with seven horses in work, which has since grown to 44, but nevertheless boutique numbers, yet he has accomplished the outstanding achievement of being within the top 20 trainers on the Queensland Trainers’ Premiership.

Bruce currently sits in 12th and, for a period, held the ninth spot. He saddled up 296 runners for 49 winners of 53 races with a strike rate of 16.60 per cent. Only Waller, above Bruce in the premiership, has had fewer runners.

“I am currently 12th on the metro list. At some stage, I was ninth. I held a top 10 spot for like two weeks, and then I got leapt as the carnival started heating up, and I didn’t have any runners,” Bruce told TTR AusNZ.

“I’ve had 49 winners this season, but I’m hoping I’ll go to 50 by August 1; I think that’d be a good solid achievement for my first year anyway.

“On my first day of training, I had seven horses and have grown that to 44 in full work, so very happy.”

Sunshine state on the rise

Bruce explained why he chose Queensland as the starting point for his career.

“I felt Queensland was a growing industry, and I thought the prizemoney was on the up here. The winter carnival is getting more and more support. I think we’ve seen that this year, it has been the strongest winter carnival; I mean, at some stage, I think there were 13 Group 1 winners that raced in a day.

“It’s been hugely popular, and with the carnival getting stronger and stronger and the prizemoney getting more, it was a place I felt I could become established and hopefully pay dividends in five to 10 years,” Bruce told TTR AusNZ.

“Obviously, there’s a lot of water to flow under the bridge. And I also was keen to work the tried-horse angle, and those horses are effectively placed in Queensland, so that played a big part in coming up.”

Bruce started with 24 boxes at Deagon, but in November last year, Bruce announced he had also obtained 20 stables at the Sunshine Coast’s Corbould Park. Bruce explained the advantages and differences to his training having dual locations has had on his approach to training.

“I’ve got 24 boxes at Deagon and 20 at the Sunshine Coast. Deagon is a lovely quiet place. It only has about 100 horses in work, so it’s good for those older horses who have been in those busy environments. It’s a place to clear their heads.

“Deagon has the advantage of being so close to the beach. I used the beach a lot, and the facility as a whole has served me well; that’s where I started with my seven horses. I opened the Sunshine Coast stable in November, which gives me different options and access to tracks and facilities,” Bruce explained to TTR AusNZ.

“The Sunshine Coast has jumped over the back. The tracks are different, and they also work horses reverse three days a week so that you can change things up for them. I’ve had a little bit of success swapping horses between the two bases or horses that initially couldn’t get going at another facility; changing their scenery has brought change and got the best out of horses.

“Having two stables was something I was initially apprehensive about, but it has worked for me. I think Ciaron Maher is a trainer who has showcased how multiple facilities can really get the best out of your horses if you use them properly. That’s probably a big learning experience I’ve taken from Ciaron,” Bruce said.

“Ideally, people would want all your horses in one spot, but it hasn’t been negative at all two bases; it’s been very much a positive thing that has helped a lot of horses.”

Horses to follow

Bruce identified some gallopers he is looking forward to hitting the track in the coming months; among them is the rising 3-year-old More Trouble (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), who was placed at Eagle Farm at his only start.

Bruce purchased the son of Charm Spirit (Ire) after he was passed in short of his NZ$40,000 reserve when Windsor Park Stud offered him at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.

The other galloper highlighted by Bruce was The Catch (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), formerly trained by Michael Costa, the 5-year-old gelding was a $32,500 purchase by Jack Bruce Racing from the Inglis Digital August Sale and is yet to run for Bruce.

“I have a 2-year-old named More Trouble who ran third at Eagle Farm a couple of weeks ago and is now out spelling. He’s one of my first yearling purchases, and I think he’s probably a horse who will get out a little bit further and be effective as a 3-year-old,” Bruce said.

“A tried horse I bought a while ago called The Catch, he’s had injury problems, but he showed a lot of form for Michael Costa, and when he went to Dubai, I bought him online.

“The Catch had a paddock accident and was injured, and it’s taken a little while for him to come back, but he’s only just come back into work now. So he’s untried for me and off a big spell, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do and More Trouble.”

Open book

TTR AusNZ asked Bruce about his business philosophy and why people looking to invest or become involved in horse ownership should consider Jack Bruce Racing.

“I’m an open book, and I’m just honest about where the horses are at. I love racing, and I want people to share that with me, so I try to keep things simple and professional,” Bruce shared.

“I just like to make sure that everyone can enjoy racing as much as me. Communication is integral to what I do so that everyone can share the journey with me. I’m lucky to do what I do, and I hope everyone has a similar experience and enjoys racing horses with Jack Bruce Racing.

“Whether it’s a tired horse or a young horse, we want to get the best out of them and also be open and honest about where its level of ability lies and where we can place the horse and how they can win a race.”

Eyes on the future

Bruce outlined his ambitions for Jack Bruce Racing going forward.

“I suppose one thing is to be a top 10 metro trainer in Brisbane; whether that’s this coming season we’re about to have, or the next one, I suppose I originally wanted to achieve that within five years,” Bruce told TTR AusNZ.

“I’ll stick to that goal. There’s no point in being too lofty. It’s a good game played slowly, and you have to get the basics right, and you have to perform with the horses you get given in order to get more. So, without wanting to conquer the world, I want to do things properly and get a result for everyone who supported me and has supported me.

“I’ll do the best with what I got, and yeah, my biggest ambition is to be in the top 10 in Brisbane in five years; if we can achieve that, we can plan something else.

“I’m very proud of what Jack Bruce Racing has achieved, but I’ve got a lot of good support behind me. I’ve had support from good owners, and I have a great team from my staff and not to mention good support from the guys I’ve previously worked for and have maintained those key relationships.”

While Northern Hemisphere imports won just over 12 per cent (71) of Australia’s total stakes races this season, they unsurprisingly took out a significant portion (31 per cent) of black-type events at 2000 metres and beyond.

Of Northern Hemisphere-based stallions represented by 10 Australian runners or more this season, Sea The Stars (Ire) is the best-performed sire by stakes winners to runners. From 19 runners this season, Sea The Stars is striking at an incredible 32 per cent stakes winners to runners having sired six individual black-type winners. While Europe’s reigning Champion Sire Frankel (GB) sired more stakes winners (nine) he produced them at half the rate of his rival.

Table: Northern Hemisphere-based sires' stakes winners in season 2022/23

Commencing stud duties in 2010, Sea The Stars has produced over 100 stakes winners worldwide including 19 at Group 1 level. His first Australian runner was the 2015 Listed Warrnambool Cup winner Tall Ship (Ire) who was sourced by Gary Moore at the 2014 Tattersalls July Sale for 32,000gns (AU$64,700). Over nine racing seasons, the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud resident sire has had 39 Australian runners for 11 stakes winners at a strike rate of over 28 per cent. While the brilliant sire maintains an already impressive worldwide overall stakes-winning strike rate of 12 per cent, it is evident that his progeny have a strong liking for Australian racing circuits.

Of all countries represented, Australia is by far the most successful destination for the rate at which his progeny win stakes races. The Champion Sire currently sires a stakes winner for every four runners in Australia which is almost four times as frequent as his place of residence in Ireland where he produces one stakes winner in every 15 runners.

His impressive Australian figures are certainly influenced by the fact that he is represented by a carefully curated group of horses that were highly rated in their initial racing origin prior to import. The average official European rating of his Australian stakes-performed progeny was 102 which is significantly better than his non-stakes-performed Australian performers who had an average best official rating of 87 in their original racing countries. While his stakes-winning Australian progeny have better official ratings to begin with, they generally have plenty of upside. On average, his Australian stakes winners improved their European official ratings by close to three points with the most improved being the G1 Sydney Cup winner Shraaoh (Ire) and the progressive Zeyrek (Fr) who have both improved their official ratings by 13 points each.

Unsurprisingly, all of his stakes winners in Australia have come at distances of 1400 metres and beyond. His progeny have won five middle-distance stakes races while 61 per cent of his stakes winners have won at staying trips beyond 2000 metres. This season, four of his six stakes winners were victorious at 2000 metres and beyond while Uncle Bryn (GB) and Cepheus (GB) won black-type events over 1600 metres and 1500 metres respectively.

Prior to this season, Sea The Stars had enjoyed moderate success on Australian soil with his best season for stakes winners (two) occurring in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 racing seasons. From a career high 19 Australian starters, this season he tripled his nearest best season and became the most successful Northern Hemisphere-based sire by stakes winners ahead of Frankel (five) and Dark Angel (Ire) (three).

Of his six stakes winners this season, two were sourced through public auctions while the others were either sourced privately or retained to race by the breeder. The Chris Waller racing team sourced their G3 JRA Cup winner Desert Icon (GB) from the 2020 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale for 210,000gns (AU$424,900), while Go Racing secured Listed Winter Cup winner Al Aabir (Ire) for just 50,000gns (AU$101,200) at the 2021 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale. Back-to-back stakes winner Uncle Bryn was a private acquisition for his Seymour Bloodstock connections, while Stuart Boman facilitated a private deal to secure the G2 Ajax S. winner Cepheus for his OTI Racing connections. Rupert Legh and partners purchased their exciting Zeyrek privately, while Chalk Stream (GB) is raced by His Majesty King Charles III who fittingly delivered the royal family a maiden Australian stakes winner in the Listed Australia Day Cup earlier this year.

While the domestic racing comes to a close, the European flat-racing season is only just heating up and Sea The Stars is boosting equally as impressive results in his home region. He is already the sire of eight stakes winners this season including the brilliant Emily Upjohn (GB) who claimed her second top-flight success in the G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom last month. With his impressive domestic and international results, there is little doubt that astute Australiasian buyers will be keeping a close eye on prospects by Sea The Stars at the upcoming European horses in training sales circuit.