Another winner for Ace
Ace High, fittingly sired his fourth winner, O’Ziggy (NZ) on Friday on the eve of the Saturday he scored one of his principal victories in the G1 Spring Champion S.
The Bjorn Baker-trained O’Ziggy making his debut at Bathurst was a dominant 2.96l victor over Russian Rose (Russian Revolution).
The 3-year-old gelding is from the Listed-winning Zacinto (GB) mare Zigwig (NZ).
O’Ziggy was a NZ$130,000 purchase by Bjorn Baker, Murray Baker and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) from the draft of Inglewood Stud at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.
Hachiman breaks maiden
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Hachiman broke his maiden at Bathurst on Friday. The 3-year-old gelding is by the second-season sire Brave Smash (Jpn) and is a half-brother to the Group 3 winner Bellevue Hill.
Originally sold as a weanling by Willow Park Stud for $120,000 to Lacoste Bloodstock at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale, Hachiman was reoffered by Rothwell Park Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where Australian Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher Racing parted with $260,000 to secure him.
Shinzo to tackle Coolmore Stud Stakes
Star colt Shinzo (Snitzel) is set to tackle the G1 Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington next Saturday. The Coolmore will be the Chris Waller-trained Golden Slipper victor’s first start outside of Sydney.
“We’ve put a lot of thought into it,” Waller told Racing.com after Shinzo worked down the Flemington straight on Friday morning.
“When Shinzo did his pre-training, he did it on a straight track, up the hill. We’ve done it previously with other horses that won this race, so we’re just following simple things and having him well prepared.
“He’s a blueblood that has got all the right credentials.”
Shinzo was last seen when finishing unplaced in the $20 million The Everest. However, Waller is confident fans have yet to see the best of the colt this preparation and puts the two unplaced runs down to a lack of luck.
Andrews thrilled to have Group 1 runner
Trevor Andrews has no qualms about running I Am War (Warhorse {NZ}) in Saturday’s G1 Manikato S. despite the presence of Imperatriz (I Am Invincible).
With only seven runners to face the starter in the $2 million feature will see every runner take home prizemoney, with the last two horses to finish taking home $40,000.
“We galloped him at The Valley on the Tuesday, he galloped nice,” Andrews told Racing.com.
I Am War | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“We had I Am War entered for the Chautauqua Stakes as well and I got a phone call asking if we were going to accept for the Manikato on our way home from Moonee Valle. They (Racing Victoria) informed me that there were only six acceptances.
“I thought that it was a bit of a no-brainer to go to a race that has the prestigious Group 1 label rather than going to another race that you’re not guaranteed to pick up any prizemoney.”
Kitten to be crowned Spring Champion?
The Godolphin-owned and James Cummings-trained Tom Kitten, has bucked the trend of his family by preferring the longer trips than the sprinting ones. Tom Kitten is a son of the Champion Sprinter Harry Angel (Ire), and from a female family with plenty of speed yet he will likely jump the favourite in Saturday’s G1 Spring Champion S.
“He looks like a Classic staying 3-year-old in the spring, but he’s got a lot of speed in his pedigree and I’d like to think that turn of foot can get him out of trouble from time to time,” Cummings told RSN.
“It certainly got him closer in the finish than what he was entitled to get in the Gloaming and you do need that to be a winning in a Group 1 at any time.
“Tom Kitten has drawn barrier one, it gives the horse the best chance to be full of energy coming to the 350-metre mark and that’s hopefully going to be the difference in the Spring Champion.”
Air Assault to launch at The Valley
The Andrew Gluyas-trained last-start Listed Hill Smith S. victor Air Assault (Justify {USA}) will tackle Saturday’s G2 Moonee Valley Vase.
“It feels like the right race for Air Assault,” Gluyas told Punters.
“We are asking him to take a genuine step up and that’s what we’ll find out. Can he cope with the pressure?
Air Assault | Image courtesy of Racing SA
“The Hill Smith felt like a turning point for Air Assault. His composure was good pre-race, he raced comfortably, all that unnecessary sweating up and carrying on wasn’t there.
“His attitude gives you indication he’s a staying horse now. He’ll be given his opportunity that’s for sure. His ultimate aim would be the VRC Derby but he needs to race well on Saturday. He might not need to win but be right in the mix for us to consider continuing.”
Aemillianus tops Day 4 of Tattersalls
Day 4 of the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale was somewhat subdued compared to the previous sessions. Barton Sales consigned the top-price lot, the German-bred Aemillianus (Ger) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) (Lot 1243), sold to Gassim Ghazali for 250,000gns (AU$502,400).
The 4-year-old gelding is a half-brother to the G1 Criterium International winner Alson (Ger) (Areion {Ger}).
Day 4 saw 211 lots sell for a total of 2,553,400gns (AU$5.13 million) with an average of 12,101gns (AU$24,100) and a median of 6000gns (AU$12,100).
Strong Incentive added to Fasig-Tipton November Sale
Officials at Fasig-Tipton Company have announced an additional eight supplemental entries for its November Sale, to be held Tuesday, November 7 at the Newtown Paddocks.
Chief among them is Strong Incentive (USA) (Warrior's Reward {USA}), a stakes winner at three who has become an outstanding addition to the broodmare band at Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stable, having produced Grade 2 winner Highly Motivated (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}); Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}), victorious in this year's G3 Lake George S. and entered for Friday's G3 Valley View S. at Keeneland; and the exciting Ways and Means (USA) (Practical Joke {USA}), named a 'TDN Rising Star' on Saratoga debut ahead of a troubled runner-up effort in the GI Spinaway S. The 11-year-old mare, in foal to top sire Good Magic (USA), is being offered by ELiTE, agent, as Hip 264.
Next through the ring will be Ceiling Crusher (USA) (Mr. Big {USA}), who shipped away from her California base for the first time to best 'TDN Rising Star' and GI Kentucky Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) in the GI Cotillion S. cataloged as a racing/broodmare prospect and sells as Hip 265 through Taylor Made.
Further additions to November’s night of stars
Fasig-Tipton has announced further additions to The November Sale. Among them is Mylady (Ger), a daughter of The Grey Gatsby (Ire). She was a Group 3 winner and third in the G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) before winning the G3 The Very One S. in North America. Mylady will be offered as a broodmare prospect by Lane’s End.
Highgate Sales will consign Practica Cat (Chi) (Practical Joke {USA}), a Group-winning juvenile in Chile and placed at the Group 1 level at three. She will be offered as a racing and broodmare prospect.
Highgate Sales will also offer Yuki (Chi) (The Lumber Guy {USA}), a Group 1-placed runner at home prior to her export to the United States, when she most recently won the Dark Mirage S.
Rounding out the additional entries are weanlings by the G1 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic (USA) (Hip 266), Munnings (Hip 267) and Into Mischief (USA) (Hip 268).
Bellabel to be offered at Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale
Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale has added a trio of additions to its upcoming November Sale, beginning Wednesday, November 8.
Bellabel (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), to be offered by Taylor Made, is catalogued as Hip 251, she was a maiden winner in Ireland before being relocated to the United States last year and won the Blue Norther S. and the G2 San Clemente S.
Bellabel was also placed in the G1 QE II Challenge Cup. She will be offered as a racing and broodmare prospect. Warrendale Sales will consign Lemon Belle (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid {USA}) to Keenland November as Hip 249.
The 13-year-old mare is a half-sister to the G1 Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic victress Unrivaled Belle (USA) (Unbridled’s Song {USA}), in turn the dam of the multiple Eclispe Award winner Unique Belle (USA) (Tapit {USA}). Lemon Belle’s sixth produce is Raise Cain (USA) (Violence {USA}), winner of this year’s G3 Gotham S. and recent hero of the Listed Perryville S. at Keeneland. Lemon Bell sells in foal to Justify (USA).
Lookin At Lucky to stay in Chile
Lookin At Lucky (USA) is the sire of the Breeders’ Cup Classic hero Accelerate (USA) and the Kentucky Derby victor Country House (USA), while the son of Smart Strike (Can) has also produced three individual stakes winners in Australasia from his Australian expeditions.
Champion 2 & 3-Year-Old Lookin At Lucky will be staying in Chile at Haras Don Alberto for the next season and will not be available to cover mares in Kentucky in 2024, officials at Coolmore America confirmed Thursday.
Chaldean to Juddmonte in 2024
Frankel (GB) is being joined on the Juddmonte roster at Banstead Manor Stud by his Classic-winning son Chaldean (GB) for the 2024 season.
Bred by Whitsbury Manor Stud, Chaldean was a 550,000gns (AU$1,102,800) foal purchase by Juddmonte and one of five black-type horses out of the Dutch Art (GB) mare Suelita (GB). The winner of four of his five starts at two, the Andrew Balding-trained colt landed the G3 Acomb S. and G2 Champagne S. before emulating his sire by signing off last year with victory in the G1 Dewhurst S.
Chaldean became the 18th horse since 1874 to complete the Dewhurst-Guineas double, among them Frankel, making this a unique father-son double.
“Chaldean is just a dream horse; the most professional, uncomplicated, and beautifully balanced horse we have had during his time at Kingsclere,” said Balding.
Simon Mockridge, general manager of Juddmonte UK, added, “We would like to extend special thanks to Andrew Balding and the teams at Kingsclere and Juddmonte for guiding and skilfully developing the racing career of Chaldean.
“We look forward to welcoming our Classic winner Chaldean as the first son of Frankel to stand at Banstead Manor Stud, further strengthening Juddmonte's European stallion roster.”
Doyle ruled out of Breeders’ Cup
Hollie Doyle will miss the ride on Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) at next week's Breeders' Cup after failing in her appeal against the severity of a careless riding ban. Doyle incurred a seven-day suspension for her ride at Kempton last week.
The British Horseracing Authority's independent disciplinary panel heard Doyle's appeal Thursday morning. The jockey contested the length of the ban rather than the riding offence itself. After hearing submissions from Charlotte Davison, representing the BHA, and Rory Mac Neice for Doyle, the panel concluded the original penalty should stand, resulting in Doyle's missing the November 4 Breeders' Cup, when Bradsell is due to run in the Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. Luke Morris will ride in her place.
Hollie Doyle | Image courtesy of Racingfotos
“We do accept there was corrective action taken by Miss Doyle, but the reality was unfortunately the situation had been caused. We can see from the footage interference does take place and it is, in our view, significant,” said Rachel Spearing, the panel's chair.
Rogue Millennium added to Sceptre Sessions
Trainer Tom Clover says that Rogue Millennium (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) provided him and his owners with a day they will never forget when winning at Royal Ascot but described her date with the Tattersalls December Mares Sceptre Sessions as the perfect way of seeing the Group 2 winner off on her next chapter as a broodmare.
Rogue Millennium, who was bought by Billy Jackson-Stops for just 35,000gns (AU$70,300) from Shadwell at this exact sale in 2021, has carried the colours of The Rogues Gallery with great distinction and brought Clover to some of the biggest meetings in Europe.
Not only did she justify her supplementation fee when landing the G2 Duke Of Cambridge S. at Royal Ascot, but she also ran a gallant second to Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G1 Matron S. at the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown.
The trainer added, “She's a filly who we always had in mind to put through the ring at some stage. Being a daughter of Dubawi and a Group 2-winning miler at Royal Ascot will hopefully make her quite attractive. Tattersalls has just been fantastic to us and the Rogues. I know Tony Elliott (syndicate manager) really wants to support them. Going there to the Spectre Sessions will be a fantastic way of seeing her off.”
Dariyan to stand at Haras du Mont Goubert
Group 1 winner Dariyan (Fr), will move to Haras du Mont Goubert in 2024. A fee will be announced later.
Formerly at His Highness The Aga Khan's Haras de Bonneval, the Prix Ganay hero has been represented by G3 Prix la Force hero Mister Saint Paul (Fr), as well as seven other stakes horses including the Group-placed horses Princesse De Saba (Fr), Galaxie Gold (Fr), second in the G2 Prix Hocquart, Elizar (Fr), and My Kurkum (GB).
His dam Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk {USA}) has also thrown four other stakes winners led by dual Graded winner Devamani (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}). His second dam Daryaba (Ire) (Night Shift {USA}) won both the G1 French Oaks and Prix Vermeille.
