Daily News Wrap

Haras d’Etreham announces 2024 flat stallion fees

Haras d’Etreham, which welcomes a top-class new recruit for the forthcoming season, announced fees for their five flat stallions on Friday.

Nicolas de Chambure stated, “This will be a very special season at Etreham because we welcome Onesto with pride and great enthusiasm, and because 2024 will see the first progeny of our young stallions Hello Youmzain and Persian King on the track. These are important and highly motivating events for a stud farm!

We are committed to offering breeders the very best and we are delighted to be able to offer stallion profiles such as these for the new breeding season.”

Onesto (Ire), as a son of Frankel (GB) represents a unique opportunity for French breeders. A winner of the G1 Grand Prix de Paris, Onesto will stand his debut season at €12,500 (AU$21,000).

Onesto will be joined by Persian King (Ire), who heads the roster at €25,000 (AU$42,000), alongside Hello Youmzain (Fr) at €22,500 (AU$37,800).

The roster is rounded out by City Light (Fr) at a fee of €7000 (AU$11,800) and Almanzor (Fr) available to breeders for €10,000 (AU$16,800).

Two for Tassort

Newgate Farm’s first-season sire Tassort, sired his second winner on Friday in Rockhampton courtesy of the Clinton Taylor-trained Astapor.

The 2-year-old colt, ridden by Justin Stanley, was a dominant 4.87l victor over Outback Bandit (Encryption).

Astapor is the first foal from the Lonhro mare Black Mink, she won three races over 1000 metres. The colt was a $38,000 purchase by Livistona Grazing Company from the draft of Telemon Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Star Patrol to Dubai?

Clinton McDonald has revealed a bold plan of targeting Dubai with the classy sprinter Star Patrol (Starspangledbanner). McDonald indicated the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night on March 24 would be the ideal race for Star Patrol.

“Option A would be to go to the paddock and get him ready for Dubai,” he told Racing.com.

“I think that’s just the right race for him (Al Quoz Sprint). The Astrologist was beaten narrowly last year and there’s terrific prizemoney.”

Duais to send Ollie out in style?

Edward Cummings is optimistic his star mare Duais (Shamus Award) can provide retiring Champion Jockey Damien Oliver with a fairytale finish to Cup Week.

Oliver will partner the recently-purchased Yulong mare in Saturday’s G1 Champions S.

“I’m looking forward to getting Duais back to Flemington,” Cummings shared with Racing.com.

“She’s drawn well (barrier four). Ollie will have it all before him.

“We were pretty unlucky in the Cox Plate. We just didn’t get a split at the right time.”

Brightside ready to fire in Champions Mile

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) will look to avenge his narrow defeat in the G1 Cox Plate in Saturday’s G1 Champions Mile at Flemington.

“Mr Brightside is an elite miler, so if we do decide to go to Hong Kong, it gives us more options,” co-trainer Ben Hayes shared with RSN.

“We can stay at the mile or go to 2000 metres in Hong Kong, but we’ll get through this run first and see how he recovers from it.

“We haven’t committed to anything yet. He’s in the sixth run for the preparation and these good horses, you do need to look after them.

“It’s something we’ll discuss with the team after the run.”

In Secret ready for Imperatriz showdown

The Godolphin-owned and James Cummings-trained In Secret (I Am Invincible) will contest Saturday’s G1 Champions Sprint, clashing with the star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible).

Cummings is excited about the prospect of returning to the Flemington straight where In Secret has proven so effective.

“It will be great to get her back to Flemington,” Cummings told Punters.

“I think she’s flying. I thought she was huge in The Everest and I think she should be set to perform very well again in the Champions Sprint.

“There’s going to be no shirking the task of having a monumental job ahead of her to beat Imperatriz.”

Payne hopes for run with Trafalgar

David Payne is hopeful his 2-year-old filly Trafalgar Square (Churchill {Ire}) will gain a run in the $1 million Golden Gift at Rosehill on Saturday.

The daughter of Churchill (Ire) needs one scratching to be competing for the valuable prize.

“Trafalgar Square was a late nomination but if she gets in, she will be competitive,” Payne told RSN.

“I bought her at Magic Millions, I paid $110,000 for her. I thought Saturday’s race was an Inglis race so that’s why I didn’t nominate her.

“From day one she has shown us a bit. She has won her trials, and she can sit at the front or go back.

“Anyway, if we get a run we get a run, otherwise she will go around on November 15, at Rosehill.”

Lane's End new arrival Arcangelo to undergo surgery

Arcangelo (USA) (Arrogate {USA}) is scheduled to undergo surgery for a left hind short lateral condylar fracture after a consultation by Dr Larry Bramlage, Lane's End Farm said in a release late Thursday afternoon.

The procedure was recommended to expedite the healing process and ensure his long-term soundness. The findings were made during precautionary radiographs that were performed after missing training and scratching from the Breeders' Cup Classic.

“We expect a quick recovery and return to normal activities for Arcangelo,” said Bill Farish. “We do not anticipate this having any impact on his 2024 breeding season.”

Arcangelo, who arrived at Lane's End in good order upon his retirement, will return to the stallion barn following the surgery to recover.

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Stewart confirms Goodnight Olive heading back to Brown stable

Back-to-back G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine Goodnight Olive (USA) (Ghostzapper {USA}), who went to Lexington's own John Stewart at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale for US$6 million (AU$9.4 million) on Tuesday night, confirmed Wednesday via a message on X that his new acquisition would be returning to trainer Chad Brown to race in 2024.

After the purchase that evening, Stewart told TDN that, “With all the success she's had to date, I think she still has some opportunity to still run.”

The new owner added to that sentiment in the Wednesday tweet when he posted that, “Goodnight Olive is off to continue training with Trainer Chad Brown. She deserves the right to tell us when/if she is finished racing. Maybe a three-peat at Breeders' Cup 2024?”

If she could pull it off, Goodnight Olive would join French champion Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa {USA}) who won the G1 TVG Breeders' Cup Mile in 2008, 2009 and 2010, as the only horses to win three consecutive races at the World Championships.

Keeneland supplements 16 horses to November Horses of Racing Age Sale

Keeneland has added 16 horses to its single-session Horses of Racing Age Sale which boasts 320 entries and begins at noon on Friday, November 17, the auction company said in a release Thursday.

The latest round of supplements includes:

Happy Baytown (USA) (Hip 4312), a 2-year-old Runhappy (USA) filly who won a maiden special weight race at Charles Town. Consigned by McEntee Racing, agent, she is a half-sister to multiple stakes performer Spicy Marg (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}). Rastani (USA) (Hip 4308), a 3-year-old filly by Good Magic (USA) who won a Gulfstream Park allowance race. She is consigned by Paramount Sales, agent. Riley G (USA) (Hip 4309), a lightly raced 3-year-old filly by Flatter (USA), who finished second in a maiden special weight at Santa Anita, is consigned by Grovendale Sales, agent. Tap The Champagne (USA) (Hip 4310), a 2-year-old daughter of Tapit (USA) who is a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Majestic Harbor (USA) and Danza (USA). She is consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent.

The remaining supplements are by Carpe Diem (USA), Curlin (USA), Dream Ahead (USA), Justify (USA), Kantharos (USA), Mitole (USA), Street Boss (USA), Tapit, The Factor (USA), Unified (USA) and War Front (USA).

Additional supplements will be considered until the day of the sale. Print catalogues for the auction are now available for pickup at Keeneland's Welcome Center, with an accompanying supplemental catalogue to be printed prior to the sale.

Three Group 1 winners among field for Bahrain International Trophy

French Classic winner Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) is one of three Group 1 winners set to contest the Bahrain International Trophy along with Above The Curve (USA) (American Pharoah {USA}) and Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}).

This year's race, which takes place on Friday, November 17, has been upgraded to Group 2 status for the first time and has enhanced prizemoney of $1 million. Fourteen runners will go to post, including two trained locally in Bahrain.

Among the international travellers from five different countries is Shadwell's Israr (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), the winner of the G2 Princess Of Wales's S. in July who is trained by John and Thady Gosden.

Israr's fellow British-trained challengers include the Group 3 winner Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is co-owned and bred by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and Astro King (Ire) (King {GB}), winner of the Cambridgeshire for Daniel and Claire Kubler.

Travelling from Ireland will be the Joseph O'Brien-trained Above The Curve, while Aidan O'Brien fields Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Noel Meade is sending Layfayette (Ire) (French Navy {GB}). From France, Andreas Schutz is represented by Marhaba Ya Sanafi, while André Fabre plans to run Birr Castle (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}).

Irish National Stud holds or lowers fees in ‘challenging times‘

The Irish National Stud is either maintaining or reducing the fees for its six stallions “after a challenging yearling sales season, especially in the middle and lower tiers,” according to a press release sent out on Thursday.

The venerable Invincible Spirit (Ire), who turns 27 in 2024, is listed with a private fee, having stood for €60,000 (AU$100,700) in 2023 following a career high of €120,000 (AU$201,300) between 2016 and 2019. His top runners this season include the unbeaten G2 Royal Lodge S. winner Ghostwriter (Ire) and he covered 89 mares earlier this year.

Irish 2000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) has been one of the leading lights among the first-season sires this year, his 17 winners giving him a 43 per cent winners to runners strikerate. They are led by the G2 Vintage S. winner Haatem (Ire). The son of Lope De Vega (Ire) will stand at €10,000 (AU$16,800), down from €12,000 (AU$20,100) last year.

Lucky Vega, is represented by his first foals at the sales from 150 coverings in his debut season, will stand for €12,500 (AU$21,000).

Nando Parrado (GB) will also have his first crop of foals for sale later this month. The son of Kodiac (GB) will remain at €6000 (AU$10,100).

Equiano (Fr) and Elusive Pimpernel (Ire) are both advertised at €2000 (AU$3400) with the requirement for breeders to pay for the nomination in advance of the mare being covered.

Dark Angel fee to remain at €60,000

Yeomanstown Stud's flagship sire Dark Angel (Ire), who reached a landmark 100 individual stakes winners in 2023, will remain at a fee of €60,000 (AU$100,700) in 2024.

His top performers of the year have included Khaadem (Ire) and Art Power (Ire), whose victories at Royal Ascot and on Champions Day brought Dark Angel's total of Group 1 winners to 15, while his 6-year-old son Alfareeq (Ire) won his second consecutive G1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan in March.

The G2 Prix d'Harcourt winner Shaman (Ire) will have his first runners next season and his fee is also unchanged at €5000 (AU$8400), while Supremacy (Ire) will also remain steady at a fee of €10,000 (AU$16,800). The winner of the G1 Middle Park S., who has his first foals at the forthcoming sales, covered 143 mares this year.

Invincible Army (Ire) has been represented by 12 individual winners from his first crop to date, including the stakes winner Kitty Rose (Ire). His fee has been reduced to €5000 (AU$8400) for 2024.

Equinox rated World’s Best Racehorse

Japanese superstar Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) has topped the rankings at 129 in the ninth edition of the 2023 World's Best Racehorse rankings followed closely by Arc winner Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) and Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who are tied for second with a rating of 128 each.

Noteworthy movement in the rankings include dominant G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. victor Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), now the co-fourth highest along with Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The Breeders' Cup had its impact on the latest ranking shake-up as well with Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) maintaining his 124 following his win in the G1 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, and pulled up second place finisher Up to the Mark (USA) (Not This Time {USA}) and third place Shahryar's (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) ratings in the process. The former went to 122 from 121 and the latter joined the rankings from the effort.

In all, seven of the 11 top-rated runners are trained in Europe, two are based in Japan, and two are in Hong Kong. The year-end rankings will be released in January 2024. A full list can be found on the IFHA website.

Fees held steady for Ballylinch Stud sires

Lope De Vega (Ire), whose new top-level winners in 2023 include Program Trading (GB) and Arapaho (Fr), has had his fee held at €125,000 (AU$209,700) for the fourth year. Four of the Ballylinch Stud stallions will stand in 2024 at the same price as they were advertised this year, while the fee for Waldgeist (GB) has been reduced.

Ballylinch Stud's Managing Director John O'Connor said, “The Ballylinch stallion roster had another flagship year in 2023, with our proven sires Lope De Vega, New Bay and Make Believe being responsible for some of the highest-rated 2-year-olds across Europe. Despite this success and outstanding results in the sales ring for our stallions, we have listened to breeders in a year which saw sales returns experience significant retrenchment and have decided not to increase our fees for 2024.”

Lope De Vega covered 177 mares this year, the same number as his stud-mate New Bay (GB), whose fee for 2024 is €75,000 (AU125,800). New Bay stands alongside one of his Group 1-winning sons, Bayside Boy (Ire), who will embark on his second season at stud at a fee of €15,000 (AU$25,200) after covering 134 mares in his first book.

Make Believe (GB), the sire of multiple Group 1 winner Mishriff (Ire), has his largest crop making their debut next season, and he will stand in 2024 at €10,000 (AU$16,800).

Al Shaqab Stallions reveals 2024 fees

Haras de Bouquetot has revealed its Al Shaqab Stallions' fees for the 2024 breeding season. Leading the roster for the joint venture are Zelzal (Fr) and Wooded (Ire), both priced at €10,000 (AU$16,800) for next season.

“Zelzal, thanks to his ability to improve the small number of mares he covered in his early breeding years, was able to cover 189 mares in 2022 and 111 mares in 2023,” said Haras de Bouquetot nominations manager, Sebastien Desmontils. “Like many improving stallions, he is building his reputation the hard way, and we can only hope to see breeders who will use him in 2024 ride the wave of these two larger generations.”

Desmontils added that Wooded's first yearlings went through the auction ring this year with a good number selling to the international market.

Al Shaqab, a leading buyer of yearlings in France, will have at least 10 of his offspring competing in their colours. New addition Lusail (Ire), the first son of Mehmas (Ire) to stand in France, will carry an introductory fee of €6000 (AU$10,100).

Joining Lusail at the price point is Thunder Moon (Ire), whose first foals will arrive in 2024. Romanised (Ire) will stand for €7000 (AU$11,700) and was represented by first yearlings in 2023. Galileo Gold (GB) will also be at €7000 (AU$11,700); Al Wukair (Ire) and Armor (GB) both stand for €5000 (AU$8400); and Olympic Glory (Ire) will see his fee arrive at €4000 (AU$6700).

Ace Impact named Cartier Horse of the Year

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Classic winner Ace Impact (Fr) (Cracksman {GB}) has been named Cartier Horse of the Year at the 33rd Cartier Racing Awards ceremony at London's Dorchester Hotel.

Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget for Gousserie Racing and Serge Stempniak, the unbeaten colt is the first French-trained winner of the award since Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) in 2013. His sire Cracksman (GB) was the Cartier 3-Year Old Colt of 2017.

Shadwell's homebred Mostahdaf (Ire), a son of Frankel (GB) trained by John and Thady Gosden, was named Cartier Older Horse over Hukum (Ire) and Westover (GB).

Tahiyra (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), a fifth-generation homebred for the Aga Khan, received the Cartier 3-Year-Old Filly Award. Trained by Dermot Weld, she won the Irish 1000 Guineas, G1 Coronation S. and G1 Matron S.

Shaquille (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), trained by Julie Camacho to win the G1 Commonwealth Cup and G1 July Cup, was named Cartier Sprinter.

Having been crowned Cartier Stayer in 2021, Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) clinched the award for a second time.

There was a clean sweep for the Coolmore partners in the juvenile division, with City Of Troy (USA) (Justify {USA}) named Cartier 2-Year-Old Colt and Opera Singer (USA) (Justify {USA}) receiving Cartier 2-Year-Old Filly