Per Incanto 'on hold' after paddock accident
It was advised on Tuesday evening that the Little Avondale Stud-based Per Incanto (USA) has been in a paddock accident that has put a hold on his breeding season. Little Avondale Stud stated that if Per Incanto commences stud duties this season, it will be a delayed start and he will be open to shareholders only at this early stage.
Per Incanto (USA)
Sam Williams, studmaster of Little Avondale Stud, prioritised the well-being of the horse, adding; “Per Incanto’s health takes priority above all else.”
The son of Street Cry (Ire) has enjoyed an outstanding 2022/23 season, siring Little Brose (NZ), who won the G1 Blue Diamond S., and he was set to stand the spring upcoming at NZ$50,000 (plus GST).
SA jockeys get a ‘significant’ riding fee increase
Racing SA and the South Australian Jockeys’ Association have announced an increase in riding fees after formalising a new three-year agreement. This current season, the fee rose from $215 to $230, and in the upcoming season it will increase further to $240 (excluding GST), with a proposed fee in 2025 of $250.
“We were extremely pleased to hear that not only was our proposed riding-fee increase agreed upon by the board, but they went one step better by adding a higher increase over the next three years, much more than was originally put forward,” said Eran Boyd, president of the South Australian Jockeys’ Association. “The agreed riding-fee increase is a clear sign of respect for our jockeys here in SA, and we are grateful that Racing SA has shown such high regard for the work ethic, professionalism and danger our riders face every day.”
Barrier trial fees have also risen to $85, $87.50 next year, and $90 in year three of a three-year escalation. The new riding fees came into effect on July 1.
La Crique looking for a dry spring in Sydney
The 4-year-old mare La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}), trained at Matamata by Simon and Katrina Alexander, will be Australia-bound this spring after running fourth in the G1 Empire Rose S. at Flemington last October. However, this time she will head to Sydney and her trainers are adamant she will not tackle Heavy tracks anywhere.
La Crique is a Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 winner in New Zealand, and she was last seen in March when third to Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) in the G1 Bonecrusher S. Her co-trainers are considering the $2 million Five Diamonds over 1800 metres at Rosehill on November 11.
La Crique (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
“We looking at Sydney and we’ll go when the horse is ready this time around,” said Katrina Alexander. “We’re not going to say she needs to be in a certain place at a certain time. There’s a couple of nice races coming up. The Five Diamonds is an 1800-metre race and somehow we’ll lead her into that. It’s a no-panic prep and Sydney offers a few more options for her.”
Te Akau Racing stars please Bergerson
The Te Akau Racing-owned Group 1 winners Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) and On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) returned to action at Cambridge’s synthetic trials on Tuesday morning. Te Akau Racing Assistant Trainer Sam Bergerson saddled the pair up in Heat 9 over 800 metres, where Maven Belle narrowly got the better of On The Bubbles.
Sam Bergerson | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Bergerson was pleased with what he saw particularly with Maven Belle, who is earmarked to join the stable’s new Cranbourne facility in the new season.
“She (Maven Belle) trialled up well, we are very happy with her,” Bergerson said. “Opie (Bosson, jockey) was very complimentary of her. She was only here (Cambridge) for a day out, but she quickened up really nicely and she will trial again at Te Rapa on August 1.”
Juvenile winner for Frosted
The Todd Howlett-trained White Arendelle (Frosted {USA}) became a winner at start two on Tuesday at Gunnedah. The 2-year-old filly was partnered by Darryl McLellan and scored by 1.1l from Offaneasy (NZ) (Super Easy {NZ}).
White Arendelle is from the unraced Canford Cliffs (Ire) mare Out Of Touch. She is a daughter of Listed Wagga Gold Cup winner Regal Touch (NZ) (Touching Wood {USA}) and a half-sister to Apprehend (Hold That Tiger {USA}), a winner of the Listed Werribee Cup.
The filly was a $62,500 weanling purchase by Pinhook Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Erinvale Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.
Sadler pins hopes on Algiers
Geelong-based trainer Tom Sadler is hoping Algiers (Crowded House {GB}) can provide him with a maiden city winner on Wednesday at Sandown-Lakeside. Sadler, a son of the Pakenham-based trainer John Sadler, took out his trainer’s licence recently and had his first runners in January, but he's had only one city runner prior to Wednesday.
Algiers is a special horse to Sadler given he was the first winner trained by him, when he saluted at Werribee on June 25.
“It’s hard to be overly confident on Wednesday, Algiers hasn’t always put two good runs together very quickly, but I’d be disappointed if he couldn’t at least hold his form from his last run,” Sadler said. “Before he won, I was finding it terribly hard and stressful… that winner just seemed so elusive.”
Dolphin Skin on Oaks path
The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Dolphin Skin (NZ) (Telperion) will chase a golden ticket for the G1 VRC Oaks at Flemington on Saturday. The last-start victress of the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final at Flemington will line up in the Byerley H., a qualifier for the G1 VRC Oaks and the G1 VRC Derby.
“I was contemplating whether we should stop and had Dolphin Skin showed any signs I would’ve, but she’s been pretty good, so we’ll push on,” Corstens said. “I’m hoping she could be an Oaks horse but it’s hard to talk about the Oaks in the middle of winter, but you never know. She’s won a Listed race now and it would be nice to see if she could stay.”
Dolphin Skin (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Corstens confirmed Wiremu Pinn who rode Dolphin Skin last start would retain the ride on Saturday.
“He’s a good kid, done nothing wrong. He rode her well last start so we’ll leave him on,” the trainer said.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale underway
The 2023 National Online Breeding Stock Sale is underway on Gavelhouse Plus, with bidding closing from 7pm NZT (5pm AEST) on Wednesday. Among the catalogue highlights are the 4-year-old stakes-placed mare Cool Change (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}), the 8-year-old Le Sablier (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), who was also stakes-placed, and Elizabeth Rose (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}), who was retired from racing as recently as April.
WA Guineas in sight for A Lot Of Good Men
Two-year-old A Lot Of Good Men (A Lot {USA}) capped his juvenile campaign perfectly last Saturday with a win at Belmont and will now spell ahead of a 3-year-old spring and Belmont Guineas target. Trainer Trevor Andrews said the colt shapes nicely as a Guineas candidate.
“I think you will see the best of this horse ridden patiently over ground because he really attacks the line and has a good turn of foot,” Andrews told Tabradio. “I’m really happy with the job he’s done and just four weeks in the paddock now. The Belgravia, Fairetha and Guineas… that’s the plan with him. He looks to have a bright future.”
A Lot Of Good Men won three of six juvenile starts and was placed in a further two. He was a $42,500 purchase for his trainer at the 2022 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale when sold by Mungrup Stud.
Hasan sustains concussion in a fall
Victorian-based trainer Saab Hasan was transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Tuesday morning after a trackwork accident, when he was dislodged from his mount. Hasan was observed by hospital staff and was cleared of any serious injury, but he suffered a severe concussion.
Eren Hasan shared on Twitter that Hasan will spend a couple of days in hospital, but will be released thereafter.
Debono back in the saddle
The 37-year-old jockey Ricky Debono is returning to the saddle this week after more than a decade out of it. He will partner Overthrow (Russian Revolution) in a Bendigo maiden on Thursday for trainer Jamie Edwards.
Debono was last seen riding the Queensland picnic circuit, and he’s clocked 121 winners throughout his stop-start riding career. He is also a farrier by profession and trains a few of his own harness horses.
“It would probably be 2010, the last time I had a proper ride in Victoria,” he told Racing.com. “I did a farrier’s apprenticeship and I’ve been a farrier, then I started riding a bit of work in Geelong and it just went from there. Next thing I was riding in a trial. On my birthday in January I went off the beers and got on a real strict diet and lost about 17kgs. I’ve actually had my weight down for a few months but it just takes a fair while to get the licence back.”
Kiwi relocating to North Queensland winter carnival
The 28-year-old New Zealand rider Brett Murray has linked up with the Cairns-based stable of Trevor and Peter Rowe for an initial three-month stint through the Northern Winter Carnival. Murray has twice won at stakes level in New Zealand, with close to 1000 winners to his name through the course of his decade-long career.
Brett Murray | Image courtesy of Racing QLD
“He reached out to us as were looking for more riders to come up here,” Peter Rowe said. “We have a big team in work at the moment, so there will be plenty of opportunities for him. He was keen to come over and for a change of scenery as he wasn’t getting as many rides as he used to back in New Zealand.”
Wagga rescheduled
Following the abandonment of Wagga race meeting on Tuesday owing to extensive rain on the track, the meeting was reinstated to this Saturday, July 15. Racing NSW has advised that nominations will remain open until 11am AEST on Wednesday, July 12, with acceptances at 9am AEST on Thursday, July 13.
Nominations closing for Spirit of Racing Award
Nominations will close on Wednesday, July 12, for Western Australia’s newest industry recognition, the Spirit of Racing Award. The inaugural award will be presented by Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) at the 2023 WA Thoroughbred Racing Awards in August.
The Spirit of Racing Award was initiated to recognise a diverse range of activities in thoroughbred racing by volunteers and racing participants alike. It includes charity and volunteer work across contributions in the past 12 months or longer-term. Nominations will be open until 9am local time (11am AEST) on Wednesday.
Khaadem supplemented for July Cup
Trainer Charlie Hills has confirmed that Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), his shock winner of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot in which he defeated Artorius, will be supplemented into the G1 July Cup this Saturday. Hills was considering his options last week, but confirmed the move on Monday.
“I’ve always maintained he’s a Group-class sprinter and his career shows that,” the trainer said. “He’s won some really nice races like the Steward’s Cup, King George and Palace House and, obviously, last time in the Jubilee S. at Ascot. He’s a very good horse and we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
Little Big Bear not definite in July Cup
Aidan O’Brien has warned that his stable star Little Big Bear (Ire), a son of No Nay Never (USA), is no certainty for this Saturday’s G1 July Cup. The colt missed almost a week of work owing to a foot bruise and a decision on the race is forthcoming.
Ballydoyle still has the filly Meditate (Ire) in the field, also a daughter of No Nay Never and a winner of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
“We have to decide whether we are going to retire Meditate or not,” O’Brien said. “It is very possible that she could retire. She is obviously in the July Cup and if Little Big Bear wasn’t going to run, we would give her a chance going back over six (furlongs) before she goes as she is a filly that has a lot of speed and was always very comfortable going forward over six furlongs.”
Pair of US$550k fillies on top at Fasig-Tipton
The Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale was strong out of the gate and demand for horses at all levels continued right through the final horse in the ring on Monday.
Bloodstock agent Steve Young purchased the co-sale topping Malleymoo (USA) (English Channel {USA}) from the Gainesway consignment, while Chad Schumer matched that US$550,000 ($826,012) price tag later in the auction when acquiring Free Look (USA) (Tapit {USA}) from the Elite consignment. The final horse through the ring, Crypto Mo (USA) (Mohaymen {USA}), supplemented to the sale just hours after winning the GIII Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows on Saturday night, sold to Hunter Valley Farm for US$500,000 ($750,920).
“It was a terrific afternoon and early evening of horse sales today,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “The horses of racing age marketplace was just dynamite. I think that virtually everyone in attendance–both buyers and sellers, and I can tell you the sales company officials–were a little surprised by how strong the market was and how robust and how consistent the bidding activity was literally from start to finish.”
At the sale's end, 142 had sold for a gross of US$13,982,000 ($20,998,726). The average was US$98,465 ($147,878) and the median was US$62,500 ($93,865). With 28 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 16.5%. A year ago, 129 horses grossed US$10,814,000 ($16,240,897) for an average of US$83,829 ($125,897). The buy-back rate was 19.4%.
Retirement party for Edgar Prado
The thoroughbred retirement home, Old Friends in Kentucky, announced on Monday that it will host a retirement party for outgoing jockey Edgar Prado on July 15. Prado, who is among the Hall of Fame riders in America, announced his retirement only recently after decades in the saddle.
“It’s an honour to be present at Old Friends,” the jockey said. “They really take care of the horses after their careers, giving them the best life possible every single day. I’m very proud to be part of that organisation. It’s an honour for me, also, to share this celebration with my buddies, Birdstone and Sarava (whom Prado rode). I’m very excited to see them again. I wish them a good, long life.”
Prado will take part in a meet-and-greet during the retirement party for fans.
Saratoga generates US$371m in economic activity
A new study has found that the annual summer meeting at Saratoga generates US$371 million (AU$555 million) in economic activity and 2397 jobs across the region. The study was conducted by the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA) and concludes that the overall economic impact generated by the meeting has increased by 57 per cent since 2014.
“Horse racing is a powerful engine for the New York economy that supports families and communities in every corner of the state,” said David O’Rourke, president and CEO of the New York Racing Association. “Nowhere is that more evident than here in Saratoga Springs and throughout Upstate New York, where the popularity and importance of Saratoga Racecourse are at an all-time high.”
