Seven Saturday winners for Vinnie
Australia’s reigning Champion Sire I Am Invincible sired seven winners across Australia on Saturday.
Headed by the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Tiz Invincible who won the G2 Furious S. at Randwick. Later followed by her stablemate Garza Blanca, who won the last at that same venue.
I Am Invincible | Standing at Yarraman Park Stud
In Queensland, ‘Vinnie’ sired two winners at Eagle Farm, starting with the Chris Waller-trained Kir Royale and Zarastro from the Tony Gollan stable, while at Bundaberg, he was represented by I Am Fearless trained by Glenn Richardson.
Vinnie then had success in Victoria at Warracknabeal where the Patrick Kearney-trained Governor prevailed. To round out the day Long Beach, from the Chris and Michael Gangemi stable, won the Jolly Beggar S. at Belmont Park.
New winner for Written By
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained By The Book (Written By) won her maiden at Warracknabeal on Saturday.
The 3-year-old filly ridden by Patrick Moloney was a 1.75l winner from No Outcast (Pariah) and Major Makeover (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}).
The filly is the third foal from the Fastnet Rock mare Blue Ocean. She hails from the family of dual Group 1 winner Fangirl (Sebring).
By The Book is the 10th winner for the second-season sire Written By, who stands for $27,500 (inc GST) at Widden Stud.
The filly was purchased for $60,000 by Kambula Stud from Valiant Stud at the 2021 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale. Kambula Stud then reoffered her at the 2022 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, where she sold for $145,000 to McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA).
Smashing Dancer wins at Hawkesbury
Smashing Dancer became the 13th winner for the second season sire Brave Smash (Jpn) when she won at start four on Saturday at Hawkesbury.
Trained by Kim Waugh, the 3-year-old filly was ridden by Alysha Collett to win narrowly from Jaex (Epaulette) and Big Shooter (Shooting To Win).
Smashing Dancer was a $25,000 purchase by Kim Waugh from the draft of Bowness Stud at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Brave Smash is standing at Yarraman Park Stud for a fee of $33,000 (inc GST).
Peters gets a double
Prominent Western Australian owner Bob Peters had a successful day out at Caulfield when the Peters-owned Frigid (Frosted {USA}) and Devoted (Xtravagant {NZ}) won on Memise Day.
The pair are trained by Pakenham-based trainer John Leek Jnr and were ridden by apprentice Tatum Bull.
Frigid was a dominant winner of Race 4 over 2000 metres, while Devoted took out the last comfortably over 1400 metres.
Tattersalls Members Cup taken out by Irish Songs
Eight-year-old Irish Songs (Shamus Award) added a third Listed success to his CV in the Listed Tattersalls Members Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The son of the Shamus Award, trained by Louise White, was ridden by Jake Bayliss to defeat Bullfinch (GB) (Koadic {GB}) and Animate (Animal Kingdom {USA}).
Soulcombe courageous in Heatherlie S.
The Chris Waller-trained Soulcombe (GB) (Frankel {GB}) returned to the winner’s circle in the Listed Heatherlie S. on Saturday at Caulfield.
The 4-year-old was given a gun ride by Blake Shinn and showed plenty of grit to take a gap to defeat Flash Flood (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) by 0.75l with Jimmy The Bear (Jimmy Creed {USA}).
Shinzo and Militarize exhibition gallop
Those in attendance at Randwick on Saturday were treated to an extra special exhibition gallop of the Chris Waller-trained Shinzo (Snitzel) and Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) following the running of Race 2 over 1000 metres.
Shinzo and Militarize (NZ) during their exhibition gallop at Randwick | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
James McDonald rode the G1 Golden Slipper hero Shinzo, while Kerrin McEvoy jumped aboard the dual Group 1 winner Militarize. The pair went through the paces, with neither being asked for too much effort in the run towards the line.
Waterhouse and Bott unveil import
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott unveiled ‘one to follow’ at Randwick on Saturday in the form of an Irish-bred son of Sea The Stars (Ire) - Just Fine (Ire).
The 5-year-old, ridden by Rachel King, was a dominant winner of Race 6 over 1600 metres from Tazaral (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) and Logan Street Lion (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).
Just Fine is related to the popular Godolphin campaigner Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and was a 300,000gns (AUS$617,700) purchase by McKeever Bloodstock and Waterhouse Bott Racing from the 2022 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale.
Mr Brightside 2.0?
It is much too early to say Rheinberg (NZ) (Swiss Ace) is the next Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), but the pair share similarities - both trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, bred in New Zealand and placed through the grades in their early careers.
Mr Brightside has climbed the summit as a dual Group 1 winner, but Rheinberg is building a tidy CV himself and added another win on Saturday at Caulfield over 1400 metres.
Ridden by Michael Dee the 5-year-old gelding won from Chorlton Lane (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) and Rogue Rocker (Dissident).
Rheinberg is from the Snitzel mare Schiffer, who was placed in the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Allen to ride Steparty
John Allen has received the ride on the promising Paul Preusker-trained Steparty (Artie Schiller {USA}) after the colt’s regular rider, Dean Yendall, confirmed he had broken his collarbone in his fall at the Colac jump-outs on Friday.
Allen will ride Steparty in the Listed McKenzie S. next Saturday at Moonee Valley.
“John Allen will take the spot next week, and we’ll work out how Dean (Yendall) is progressing from there,” Preusker told Racing.com.
“It’s terrible luck for Dean. He was looking forward to riding him as the horse is progressing well.”
Classy mare puts Kah back in Saturday’s winner's circle
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Nunthorpe (Playing God) gave audiences a popular result when the 4-year-old mare gave Jamie Kah her first Saturday winner at Caulfield since returning from injury.
Last preparation, the daughter of Playing God showed stacks of ability, placing in the G2 A V Kewney S. and returned in good order second-up on Saturday to win by 0.20l from Yellow Sam (Ready For Victory) and Beour Bay (Cable Bay {Ire}).
The mare bred by Mungrup Stud in Western Australia and owned by Dorrington Farm is the third foal from the Listed-winning Oratorio mare Latoria, who has had a chequered breeding career. She is a half-sister to the Dorrington Farm-raced Sheidel (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), a victress of the G1 Oakleigh Plate.
New winner for Hellbent
The Brad Widdup-trained Manhattan’s is no longer a maiden after winning at Hawkesbury on Saturday at start four.
The 3-year-old daughter of Hellbent was ridden by Jean Van Overmeire, and won by 0.10l from River Tamar (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Portorosa (Not A Single Doubt).
Manhattan’s is the third foal from the Snitzel mare Air Apparent. She was placed in the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders' S. and was fourth in the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies).
Manhattan's as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly was a $250,000 purchase by RTW/Girls Racing Syndicate and BK Racing and Breeding from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Hellbent is standing the 2023 breeding season at Yarraman Park Stud for $38,500 (inc GST).
Esecutore builds a tidy record
Mornington-based horseman Matt Laurie returned the 3-year-old gelding Esecutore (Performer) to South Australia for start three at Morphettville over 1200 metres.
Dom Tourneur rode the gelding to success at Murray Bridge at start two and reunited with Esecutore on Saturday; the pair jumped to the lead and stayed there holding Burning Bright (Fiorente {Ire}) by 2.2l, while Into The Light (Ambidexter) and the stakes-winning Air Assault (Justify {USA}) finished third and fourth.
Esecutore is the seventh foal from the General Nediym mare Cuddles For Naara. She was placed at the Listed level and descended from the family of the G1 Blue Diamond-winning filly True Jewels (Brief Truce {USA}).
Executor was an $8000 purchase by Carringbush Park from the Aquis Farm Operations when offered on the 2021 Inglis Digital May (Early) Online Sale.
O’Shea active at Tattersall August Sale
The twice-raced Maximum Dividend (Ire) (Lot 287), an American Pharoah (USA) colt owned by the Coolmore partners, topped the sale at 200,000gns (AU$409,000) when selling to Sam Haggas on behalf of Australian trainer John O'Shea.
That sale rounded off a busy afternoon for Haggas, operating under the Hurworth Bloodstock banner. He said he expects the Richard Hannon-trained Maximum Dividend to progress with racing for his new connections.
Haggas said, “He is the first foal out of a good staying Galileo mare and by a sire whose stock improves a lot with age. American Pharoah himself got better with racing. I hope this horse will do the same and is going to be a horse to improve from two to three and a bit beyond – and stay a bit further than the seven furlongs.
“He has run two very good races. The first was particularly eye-catching at Sandown, and the form looks good. The winner goes for the Solario tomorrow, and the third is a Listed winner. He is sound and looks sound of mind, too.”
Lot 287 - Maximum Dividend (Ire) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
He added, “Maximum Dividend is a nice straightforward horse who I hope will go and do well in Australia. He is going into training with John O'Shea, and I have been working with him and his team. I like this horse's profile–he should improve, and if he does, he should be competitive for his new connections.”
Last year's Irish Derby third French Claim (Fr) (French Fifteen {Fr}) was sold to continue his career in Saudi Arabia at the Tattersalls August Sale and was one of eight six-figure lots to go through the ring on Friday.
French Claim, whom Paddy Twomey trained to win three times and achieve a rating of 108, was sold for 115,000gns (AU$235,200).
Bloodstock agent Marco Bozzi bought French Claim (Lot 195) and recent winner Pivotal Revive (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) (Lot 114) on behalf of Prince Saud Bin Salman and SBS Global.
Adlerflug filly tops BBAG Yearling Sale at €300,000
It was only right that as his last yearlings took to the ring in the country in which he earned a reputation that eventually spread worldwide, Adlerflug (Ger) was on top for one last time when his daughter (Lot 52) from a solid Gestut Rottgen family brought the hammer down at €300,000 (AU$501,200) at the BBAG Sale on Friday.
The Adlerflug filly will not look out of place among the bluebloods in Imad Al Sagar's Blue Diamond Stud broodmare band, but first she will enter training with John and Thady Gosden, who have masterminded the career of the same owner's homebred treble Group 1 winner Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
Without some of the higher-priced lots seen at this auction in recent years, figures dipped slightly from a strong renewal in 2022. The clearance rate was down three points at 75 per cent for 163 horses sold from 218 offered. The average price of €49,518 (AU$82,700) represented a drop of 7 per cent, while the median was down 9 per cent to €49,000 (AU$81,800) and the turnover of €8,071,500 (AU$13.48 million) was down by 4.5 per cent.
Soul Sister sidelined for the remainder of 2023
G1 Betfred Oaks heroine Soul Sister (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) will miss the remainder of this season after suffering a minor setback and will be pointed to a 4-year-old campaign, Charlie Gordon-Watson, racing manager to owner/breeder Lady Bamford, revealed Friday.
Soul Sister (Ire) | Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com
“It's only a temporary thing and precautionary, and as we wanted to have her for next year, it was the prudent thing to do,” Gordon-Watson said. “It's the sensible thing to do, and she will be better next year and stronger. She's not the strongest, but she'll strengthen up for next year, and it is the right thing to do.”
The John and Thady Gosden trainee was most recently third in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris on July 14 and also captured the G3 Musidora S. at York in May. She will head to Lady Bamford's Daylesford Stud for the remainder of 2023.
Inspiral set for stab at Sun Chariot
Chevely Park Stud's homebred Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will race next in Newmarket's G1 Sun Chariot S. on October 7, skipping a trip to the Irish Champions Festival, Cheveley Park Stud's Managing Director Chris Richardson said.
The 4-year-old filly captured the G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville in her most recent start, which secured her spot in the gate for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita in November. The Sun Chariot provides a four-week lead into the Breeders' Cup.
“She's in good form, and we are probably favouring Newmarket, and the Sun Chariot is a possible race for her,” Richardson said. “I suppose it really depends on what she will do next year. If she is going to retire, I can see her going to America and retiring, but if she were to stay in training, then I don't know, maybe she will make the Breeders' Cup, but it would depend on what Mrs Thompson would like to do.”
Cheveley Park's Group 2 winner, Sacred (GB) (Exceed And Excel), could also make the trip to California but will have to improve off her fifth-place finish in the G2 City Of York S.
“We now know she just does not want to perform at York,” Richardson said of the William Haggas trainee. “She was in great form going in there but never happy.
“Tom (Marquand) came back and said she went down unhappy, was unsettled in the stalls, and just took a hold and was never prepared to put her best foot forward. We've got various options, and the Breeders' Cup is a thought. It is at the back of our minds when we were hoping it would be at the forefront.
“We might go back for the Listed race at Newbury, which she won last year. That could be another opportunity for her.”
First winner for Waldgeist
Given his profile, Ballylinch Stud's Waldgeist (GB) was never going to be producing early 2-year-old winners, but the Arc-winning son of Galileo's (Ire) time came fittingly at the start of September as his daughter Billiegee (Ire) got him off the mark in Wolverhampton's At The Races App Form Study Restricted Maiden Fillies' S.
After an encouraging debut second over seven furlongs at Kempton in August, the James Ferguson-trained was made the 11-8 favourite moving up more thanon the Tapeta here and enjoyed the perfect draft early under Daniel Muscutt. With stamina coming to the fore in the straight, there was only going to be one winner, and after she had overhauled Really Darn Hot (Ger) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) with 150 yards remaining, she proved tough to score by a head.
