Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

On the eve of the G2 Rubiton, S. Swettenham Stud is proud to announce that on Friday they acquired the services of the exciting Lofty Strike.

The son of the four-time Champion Sire Snitzel has retired to the Nagambie-based property sound and is in total health for the 2024 breeding season, where he will stand at an introductory fee of $22,000 (inc GST).

Ahead of the announcement, The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Swettenham Stud’s General Manager - operations and nominations, Sam Matthews, to learn more about the latest sensational coup for the Victorian breeding industry and breeders.

Major coup

The acquisition of Lofty Strike brings the Swettenham Stud roster to six stallions and further cements the operation’s desire and commitment to offer breeders sons of the most preeminent sirelines in Australia and globally.

Lofty Strike will stand alongside Toronado (Ire), a son of High Chaparral (Ire). At the same time, the roster is complemented by Encosta De Lago’s proven son Rubick as well as Puissance De Lune (Ire), a son of Shamardal (USA). The first-season sire I Am Immortal, who is by Australia’s reigning Champion Sire I Am Invincible, and Wooded (Ire), a son of the increasingly popular Wootton Bassett (GB), whose first foals arrived last spring.

“Lofty Strike is an incredible coup for Swettenham Stud and Victoria. We are thrilled to offer breeders a horse of his pedigree, performance and physical,” Matthews enthused to The Thoroughbred Report.

“He has been retired already and is settling into life as a stallion on the farm. It’s an exhilarating time for the team. New stallions always bring excitement, but this one is just something else.

“The acquisition of Lofty Strike really capitalises on what Swettenham’s goal is, which is to have one of the best sons of champion stallions, and that’s proven to work very well.

“Toronado has been a prime example for us. I think you want people to relate to the pedigrees, understand the pedigrees and not too far outside the lines, but by the same token, you want and need a horse that has a profile and is an attractive specimen.

“Lofty Strike is the first son of Snitzel we will stand. Interestingly, four of five current stallions are Danehill-free, so Lofty Strike is going to fit in well with the current roster and be an option for our broodmare population.”

Powerhouse performer

Lofty Strike was purchased by Paul Lofitis, who manages the Lofty Thoroughbred Group, for $280,000 from the draft of Corumbene Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He was then sent into training with Cranbourne-based horseman Julius Sandhu.

In January of his juvenile season, Lofty Strike burst onto the scene with an explosive performance on debut at Flemington and swiftly followed the effort with a victory in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) at Caulfield, cementing himself as the favourite for the G1 Blue Diamond S. Daumier, who won the G1 Blue Diamond S. and the dual Group 1 winner Jacquinot, finished in arrears of Lofty Strike that Saturday in February.

Unfortunately, for connections of Lofty Strike, he didn’t get his opportunity to contest the Blue Diamond, with Racing Victoria veterinary staff electing to scratch the colt from the significant event controversially.

Sent for a spell, Lofty Strike returned in the spring of his 3-year-old season to finish fourth in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. behind the electric In Secret (I Am Invincible), who would also defeat the son of Snitzel in the G1 Newmarket H. emphasising the calibre of opposition he faced.

Lofty Strike won the G2 Rubiton S., where he defeated the subsequent G1 Oakleigh Plate victor Uncommon James (Cable Bay {Ire}). In the Group 2 event, Lofty Strike recorded the fastest last 600 metres and 200 metres of the G1 CF Orr S. meeting and recorded a quicker time than the Champion Sprinter Nature Strip (Nicconi) in the event.

At the conclusion of his career, Lofty Strike had defeated or finished in front of the horses the calibre of Coolangatta (Written Tycoon), I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), Asfoora (Flying Artie), Private Eye (Al Maher) and Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai).

“We had been chatting with Paul Lofitis since Lofty Strike’s debut at Flemington. We kept a keen eye on him after he won the Blue Diamond Prelude, where he became a favourite for the Blue Diamond.

“Sadly for connections he was scratched the morning of that event. Arguably, if he contested the Blue Diamond, he would probably win it, and most of the better-form people would agree with that statement. If he did, he would become a very, very expensive commodity.

“So, we were chatting with them all the way through. Understandably, they wanted to hold on to Lofty Strike and see if they could get that elusive Group 1. Towards the end of 2023, Swettenham Stud started to have a stronger conversation with Paul Loftis about trying to get something sorted for the 2024 breeding season.

“Paul and Julius were certainly keen to head towards the Goodwood, and he obviously would have been a live chance in the Goodwood, but we decided with Paul and Julius’ blessing that it was the time to retire him.

“Lofty Strike has done as much as we need him to, being second in the G1 Newmarket H., the G1 Oakleigh Plate and winning the Rubiton. He’s done plenty, and now is the time to retire him while he’s very current in people’s minds. Give him a chance to let down and let everybody have a look at him.”

Since his arrival at Swettenham Stud, Lofty Strike has turned heads with his striking physique and temperament.

Matthews has already developed a soft spot for the son of Snitzel, “He’s an absolute gentleman. You could take your kids in there and have pony rides on him.

“He’s a lovely horse to do anything with. Lofty Strike has an incredible temperament. It’s amazing because we got the testosterone testing with him when we got him vetted, and he’s got enormous amounts of testosterone. So, fertility won’t be an issue.

“But I just can’t believe he’s temperament for a stallion. Even the first time I went to see him at Julius’ stables, Paul was just there in his box, feeding him by hand and giving him a bit of a cuddle. So, his temperament is just like nothing I’ve seen.”

The three Ps

Lofty Strike brings physique, performance and pedigree to Swettenham Stud. Snitzel has sired 141 stakes winners and has been crowned Australia’s Champion Sire four times from his Arrowfield Stud base.

Snitzel, of course, is a son of the breed shaping Redoute’s Choice. Meanwhile, Lofty Strike’s maternal side brings plenty of punch. He is the third foal from Overreach (Exceed And Excel), who was crowned the Champion 2-Year-Old Filly in Australia.

Overreach claimed the G1 Golden Slipper, the G2 Reisling S. and the Listed Widden S.

In addition, she was also placed in the G1 Sires’ Produce S., and the G2 Schillaci S. Overreach is a full sister to the G2 Expressway S. victor Standout.

Furthermore, prominent on Lofty Strike’s pedigree page is the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Reward For Effort, another son of Darley’s outstanding Exceed And Excel.

Swettenham Stud has already singled out several mares to send Lofty Strike in his first season, as has Paul Lofitis.

“We’ve acquired and pinpointed a couple of mares we will support Lofty Strike with, as has Paul. We’re certainly keen to be supporters of all our stallions, but we’re not a farm that will give one stallion 60 or 80 mares in their first book.

“But we’ll certainly be supporting Lofty Strike with mares that suit him because most of our mares are free of Danehill, so they match up well. We have about half a dozen earmarked for him, and there’ll be a few more to add to that as well.

“His pedigree really doesn’t get any better. He is by a Champion Sire from a mare that won a Golden Slipper and is by Exceed And Excel. There is already a Blue Diamond winner on the page in Reward For Effort, and as mentioned before, arguably, there should be two Blue Diamond winners on the page.

“It’s an enormous pedigree, a very current pedigree as well. Lofty Strike has a page that everybody knows. We almost ran out of ink having to print the pedigree page because there is so much black type throughout it.

“Lofty Strike has retired sound, and he’s at the farm for anyone who wants to inspect him. We’re happy to show him off and can’t wait to welcome visitors to Swettenham Stud.

“He’s a very exciting prospect, and it’s been great for us. Julius, Paul and the whole Lofitis family have been great to work with, and we look forward to Lofty Strike beginning the new chapter in his life.”

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

G1 CF Orr S. - all class

Run as a 'Principal race' from 1925 until 1978 and from then until 1992 as a Group 2 contest, this Group 1 1400-metre weight-for-age contest - one which has been run at Williamstown, Moonee Valley, Sandown and Caulfield during its varied history - is a race for great horses.

Nearly every decade of its running has seen the Orr won by at least one outstanding galloper - in the 1920s by Heroic and Gothic (GB), in the 1940s by Flight (Royal Step), in the 1950s by Comic Court, Rising Fast (NZ) (Alonzo {GB}) and Lord (NZ) (Targui {Fr}), in the 1960s by Wenona Girl (Wilkes {Fr}), Aquanita and Tobin Bronze, in the 1970s by Surround (NZ) (Sovereign Edition {Ire}) and Hyperno (NZ) (Rangong {GB}), in the 1980s by Manikato (Manihi) and Vo Rogue (Ivor Prince {USA}) and in the 1990s by Let's Elope (NZ) (Nassipour {USA}) and Saintly (Sky Chase {NZ}).

The race did not go backwards in the new century, won in the 2000s by Redoute's Choice, Lonhro, Elvstroem and Typhoon Tracy (Red Ransom {USA}) and in the 2010s by Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).

And it looks a great race this year for another topliner, the marvellous galloper Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) vying for his fifth success at the elite level. Opening up an odds-on favourite, he was good to the line when fifth in this race last year, getting back off a tardy start.

It was run at Sandown last year, Caulfield this year - and Mr Brightside is yet to taste defeat from three starts over the trip at the track including last year's G1 Memsie S.

Three other Group 1 winners take him on - the bold mare Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) who has jumped out nicely since claiming Mr Brightside's scalp in last spring's G1 Champions Mile, the Western Australian Bustler (Playing God) making his Melbourne debut and Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) who was last seen taking out the G1 Mackinnon S.

Adding interest to the race is the 3-year-old Veight (Grunt {NZ}) who has the benefit of a run under his belt, kicking off his campaign with a determined G2 Australia S. victory - also against the older horses.

The NZ G1s - Herbie Dyke S. & BCD Group Sprint

Te Rapa hosts two majors on Saturday, the G1 Herbie Dyke S. - a 2000-metre weight-for-age contest, and the G1 BCD Group Sprint - a 1400-metre weight-for-age event.

Star mare Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) is a short-priced favourite in the Herbie Dyke S. despite her defeat when odds-on in the Aotearoa Classic; the 4-year-old losing no fans in that race with her barnstorming second after getting into tight room turning.

Sharp 'N' Smart (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) is out to create a bit of history by becoming only the second horse - and the first since Commissionaire (NZ) (So Vain) to win this race on more than one occasion.

An Australian campaign is on the cards for 2022 G1 Spring Champion S. winner with either Sydney (the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. and the G1 Tancred S.) or Melbourne (the G1 Australian Cup) a possibility.

The latter race is also Legarto's aim and Flemington racegoers have already seen her in action; fondly remembering her win over spring carnival Group 1 winner Attrition (Churchill {Ire}) in last year's G1 Australian Guineas.

Speaking of that Classic, one horse being kept very safe for this year's edition is Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}), the very exciting unbeaten gelding who goes around as a hot favourite in the BCD Group sprint.

The chestnut taking on the older horses has won all seven of his starts, doing a great job over the 1200 metres of the G3 Almanzor Trophy at his latest outing having previously won the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas over 1600 metres.

Hardest to beat is another in-form galloper in Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) who comes off a big win in the G1 Railway S. whilst another interesting contender is the 3-year-old filly Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) who has won four of six including the G1 Levin Classic in mid-January.

The Blue Diamond Preludes - the big one approaches

It has been six and five years since the winners of the two Blue Diamond Prelude heats have been won by horses who went on to take out the big race - the 2018 G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) winner Written By taking out the big one whilst a year later it was a filly's turn - Lyre (Lonhro) successful in the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) enroute to her Group 1 success.

The boys have first crack on Saturday, Race 6 with Bodyguard (I Am Invincible) and High Octane (Deep Field) fighting out early favouritism. The latter has the benefit of a recent run - a debut win (despite covering ground and racing greenly) in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings) whilst the former is having his first run since recording an impressive win in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. down the Flemington straight on Derby Day.

Gallery: Bodyguard and High Octane are fighting out favouritism for the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings), images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Both well-related colts were seven-figure yearlings (High Octane $1.05 million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and Bodyguard $1.6 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale) and the race's third most expensive purchase - the $850,000 Magic Millions graduate Holmes A Court (Capitalist) also has his fans after running so nicely at debut.

Adding interest are the debutants Cardiologist (Exceed And Excel) - a $360,000 Magic Millions purchase and the homebred Untapped (Foxwedge) who have both jumped out at Cranbourne; fourth and first in different heats.

Whilst Stay Focused (Cosmic Force) is the only runner by a first-season sire in that race, there are plenty represented in the fillies' division.

One which has a more clear-cut favourite in the shape of Bold Bastille (Brazen Beau) who strongly led throughout to record a 3l debut win in the R. Listed Inglis Banner on WS Cox Plate Day.

Also resuming is the race's most expensive purchase Altermatum (Zoustar), a $1.15 million Magic Millions purchase who was a good third behind Bodyguard last spring.

And those by first-season stallions are the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) winner Hayasugi (Royal Meeting {Ire}), Tobeornottobe (Pierata) who was run down only late at debut, Flattered (Yes Yes Yes), Matisse (Microphone) and Juviance (Exceedance).

The Sydney juveniles - the Inglis Millennium & the Lonhro Plate

There is also juvenile action at Randwick with the running of the $2 million R. Listed Inglis Millennium and the Listed Lonhro Plate.

Opening as the very short-priced favourite in the richer race is Odinson (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), a Group 3 placegetter on debut and last seen winning the $500,000 Inglis Nursery at this same track. Fully Lit (Hellbent) looks a nice chance, leading throughout in good time at Rosehill on January 20. He is one of the five horses to have had one start, one win - the others being Zestiman (Zoustar), Thundering Soul (Spirit Of Boom), Rag Queen (D'Argento) and Winning Proposal (Shalaa {Ire}).

As a $60,000 Inglis Classic graduate, Fully Lit is one of the bargain buys of the race whilst the most expensive purchase is also a leading contender, the $1.3 million Inglis Easter colt Trunk (Snitzel) who was second at his debut at Geelong.

In regards to first-season sire action... Beer Baron (Cosmic Force), Nymphadora (Yes Yes Yes), Express Yo'Self (Alabama Express), Rag Queen (D'Argento), Bella Khadijah (Pierata) and the race's second most expensive purchase, the $550,000 Inglis Easter filly Catonahotinroof (Too Darn Hot {GB}).

The Lonhro Plate run earlier in the day sees only one first-season stallion represented - Froebel Star (Zousain) who ran well at her Gold Coast debut. The race is dominated by another stallion however with five of the 12 runners - including the first four in race book order - being by the reigning Champion Sire I Am Invincible.

And one of those is the second favourite, Anode - who is raced by his breeders Evergreen Rich having been passed in at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale - creating a good impression when saluting at his Randwick debut in mid-December.

The most fancied of the debutants is the short-priced favourite Celerity (Exceed And Excel), an $850,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Godolphin out of the Group 3 mare Ellicazoom (Testa Rossa).

The 3-year-old sprinters - features in Melbourne and Sydney

Racing fans are always fascinated by up-and-comers and there are some very nice 3-year-olds stepping out across three sprinting features at Caulfield and Randwick on Saturday.

The G3 Autumn S. over 1400 metres is the fourth race on the Caulfield card, a race in which Southport Tycoon (Written Tycoon) is strongly fancied as he returns to his own age group after running second to fellow 3-year-old Veight in the G2 Australia S.

There are only eight runners in the race but there are several other nice chances including the promising Perth galloper Zipaway (Playing God), the former New Zealander Carbonados (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) who had excuses for his first defeat and the well-travelled Flying Trapeze (Trapeze Artist).

The final race at Caulfield is the G3 Peter Le Grand S. for the fillies, a race formerly known as the Kevin Hayes S. Two I Am Invincible fillies are leading contenders - Blanc De Blanc and Estriella.

Gallery: Some of the current favourites for the 3-year-old features across Australia

The former resumes off good trial form having had her share of bad luck as a 2-year-old (a run of tricky outside gates) whilst the latter has jumped out well having shown good talent over the spring. As did Brazen Style (Brazen Beau) who has won two of her three starts. And another with a good record is Hip Hip Hurrah (Snitzel) who was last seen winning a Listed race at Scone last May.

At Randwick the main race for the 3-year-olds is the G3 Eskimo Prince S. which sees the return of two Group 1 winners - the G1 Caulfield Guineas hero Griff (Trapeze Artist) and the G1 Spring Champion S. winner Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}).

Griff was close up in the Listed Rosebud first-up last time in whilst Tom Kitten kicked off his spring campaign with a G3 Up & Coming S. victory. Both have trialled well in preparation for a very even race with several others in with a winning chance including the handy pair Moravia (Snitzel) and Caballus (I Am Invincible).

G2 Rubiton S. - the proven sprinters vs the up-and-comers

This 1100-metre dash has a record of being won by very nice sprinters, those on its honour roll including Zeditave, Redelva (Romantic Hope), Schillaci (Salieri {USA}), Bomber Bill (Air De France {USA}), Lankan Rupee (Redoute's Choice), Chautauqua (Encosta De Lago) and Nature Strip (Nicconi).

It is a really interesting edition of the race on Saturday with proven sprinters being challenged by exciting up-and-comers. Amongst the former group is the G1 Oakleigh Plate second favourite Asfoora (Flying Artie) who has jumped out well off a successful spring campaign that saw her win two of four - both at Group level - as well as a second to Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the G1 Moir S.

Queen Of The Ball (I Am Invincible) is also a proven stakes performer, taking out the G3 Begonia Belle S. at Flemington in the spring - on that occasion defeating Hypothetical (Pride Of Dubai) who franked the form with a Listed win at her next start - and who also resumes here.

It will be no surprise to see a couple of non-stakes winners figuring in the thick of things here with Rey Magnerio (Magnus) and Viviane (Written Tycoon) both displaying plenty of talent.

The horse with the fitness edge, Rey Magnerio (another horse high up in Oakleigh Plate betting) has done a great job winning six of his nine starts. All have been in benchmark company, but he has the turn of foot of a good horse.

As does Viviane who is having her first run since the spring. The winner of two Flemington jump-outs has won eight races including five in a row from June through to September last year; her run brought to an end by a close up third off a wide run in the Listed Alinghi S. in which Hypothetical was second.

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

As the days until the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale continue to dwindle, anticipation around one of the most varied sales on the calendar continues to build.

Ahead of selling commencing, The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Sebastian Hutch, to discuss the upcoming sale and the continued investment in lucrative bonuses for graduates of the Riverside complex.

‘Busy’ inspection days bolster confidence

“It's felt busy since horses started parading on Monday, and it's felt like there’s been good action right the way through,” Hutch said on Friday.

“Certainly, our feeling in advance of the sale over the last few weeks, and really the last few months since the catalogue was released, is that there's good engagement with the catalogue.

Gallery: Inspections are well underway at the Riverside complex, images courtesy of Inglis

“We want to try, and it's always an important objective for us, to put together a well-diversified catalogue in terms of stallions, pedigrees, and vendors that we can. Our experience is that's our best route to engaging the broadest volume of buyers, and it feels like, to this point anyway, there's lots of (interest) in the sale.

“It's another matter for it to manifest itself as bidding activity on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

“This (diversity) was the easiest metric, it’s a bunch of different vendors and lots of different stallions, the sale is very much a sale that we feel has the capacity to cater for every facet of the market.

“Maybe traditionally, it was seen exclusively as a value sale. There might have been a perception that there wasn't the necessary depth of quality to attract buyers at the top of the market, but I think as the sales evolved, that's no longer the case.

“I think people recognize that they can come here and consistently find top class yearlings. That's demonstrated on the racecourse by the staples of the sale, which are trainers, syndicators, traders.

“There'll be people looking for nice fillies here and prepared to spend well on nice fillies. There'll be people here looking for colts. It's great to see the representatives, all the major colt syndicates get here.

“If we've done our job properly, people find what they want here, and hopefully we can send vendors and buyers home happy.”

Alterations to the catalogue, including the removal of the highway session, makes point-in-time comparison of key metrics a bit more complicated, according to Hutch.

“The average is going to fall just because the breakup of the sale has changed. There's no highway session. So year on year comparisons until the end of the sale will be very difficult because, traditionally, those horses that sold in the highway session with the end of the sale, and were compared independently of Book 1.

“There will be highway-type horses interspersed through the whole catalogue this year, which will just distort the metrics a bit.

“I think ultimately, we're looking at the sale, and we're trying to deliver two things. We want to generate good turnover, as well as good clearance.

“Clearance through the ring has been softer than expected. The first couple of yearling sales so far this year, they've rounded out to be good sales, but just clearance through the ring wasn't what people might have been used to in past years.

“We'll be looking to do the best that we can in respect to that, I certainly get the feeling that vendors are much in tune with the selectivity that's in the market or evident in the market and looking to try and meet the market.”

When asked if there was a dream headline for Hutch at the conclusion of selling on Tuesday, he said, “Vendors going home happy.

“Beyond any particular metric, I mean obviously internally there are things that we talk about as being important.

“But if vendors can go home happy that we've done our part. We don't set the market, we facilitate it. I feel like we've worked hard to try and ensure that we're facilitating a healthy market on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, and hopefully that transpires to be the case.”

Bonuses give buyers millions of reasons to be active

One trend in recent years has been a rapid surge in prizemoney, both purely in advertised stakes, as well as bonuses and incentives.

Inglis have tinkered with their format for graduate-restricted races in recent years, with one of their most coveted, the R. Listed Inglis Millennium, set to be run tomorrow.

With the riches showing no sign of slowing down, and a new incentive program coming for Inglis graduates in the next racing season as well.

“We've had an evolution of the race series over the last number of years. A few years ago, we added the pink bonus, which was really an initiative that we felt was suitable to cater for an increasing demographic of interest in our market.

“So, if you buy a yearling and the horse is registered as 75 per cent or more female-owned, they are eligible to be part of the pink bonus.

“We have four runners in the Millennium on Saturday that are pink bonus eligible. There’s some fantastic stories behind those horses, and it's been a great addition to our race series in terms of promoting horse ownership.

“We've had Yvonne Sampson on as a pink bonus ambassador last year and joining in this year. She's told some great stories about female horse ownership, if that's a feature of the market and we continue to grow, that'd be great.

“The Xtra bonus was a new addition last year. Now a $100,000 bonus is added to 50 3-year-old maidens for the 2024/25 season.

“Obviously, nobody's been in a vision to win any of those bonuses yet. It's a feature of the scheme, so we are going to reward horses that are maidens going through their 3-year-old season, of which there are plenty.

“But the response we had to that was really excellent, and I think it's going to be exciting for people from the first of August next year, with the majority of races to be run in New South Wales and Victoria, but there's a plan to run a couple of races in Queensland and run a race in South Australia for people in those states to win what will be a massive bonus on top of the traditional prize associated with a maiden.

“We wanted to have a scheme that really shifted the dial in terms of prizemoney, and the response to it has just been really excellent. It'll be exciting to get that up and going.

“We look forward to releasing details of the race schedule for the extra later on in the year once we've managed to confirm those with the PRAs, but I think that's another important incentive. Ultimately, we want to try and ensure that we're contributing to incentivizing racehorse ownership.”

Cover image courtesy of the Australian Turf Club

Amongst a global industry, Australia’s position in the racing landscape is one of strength, projecting prestige and quality across the world.

One of the strongest qualities possessed in this country in respect to our racing industry is the quality of tracks, with world-class surfaces and a proud history of spectacular grandstands and facilities for racegoers and participants alike.

There has been a growing trend in the last two decades of a willingness, or in some cases eagerness, to sell off land owned by turf clubs and whittle down, or in some cases remove entirely, the racing presence at these precincts.

But what can we learn from the past, and even globally? The Thoroughbred Report looks at recent examples of racecourse attrition, to see what impacts jurisdictions have felt as a result of their closure.

South Australia’s past highlights ramifications

The most prolific example of racecourse attrition in Australia, at least in contemporary times, is South Australia, who have lost two metropolitan racecourses since 2007.

Cheltenham was sold for $85 million by the South Australian Jockey Club, where the land that the historic course once stood on now hosts housing.

The circuit that the state sorely misses the most is Victoria Park, which was shuttered some 17 years ago, with the SAJC no longer being able to leverage the prime location to bring in casual and corporate attendees.

Bloodstock agent Adrian Hancock (FBAA), who has been involved in the South Australian racing industry as part of his career, explained to The Thoroughbred Report some of the history behind the closures, and the impact it’s had.

“Cheltenham, I think the benefits of selling it outweighed the costs. Three tracks in Adelaide, it would have been ideal, but not viable probably,” he said.

Gallery: Historic images of Victoria Park Racecourse, images courtesy of State Library of South Australia

“Victoria Park was a big loss, and that wasn't owned by the racing industry. It was leased and we lost the crown land. Politics got in the way of that, and some personnel.

“It needed a lot of money spent on the Victoria Park site. The grandstand needed repair, and it would have been a lot of money needed to upgrade it, but just the location, it was just spectacular.

“When you drive past it today, you’re still sort of disappointed to see where it is today compared to where it could be and racing would have been a benefit to it, but a few of the locals provided some politics and some individuals (got) involved, and it was taken away from racing.

“Some influential people lived on East Terrace, which is where a lot of powerful people live in Adelaide (including some people involved in) politics at the time.

“From what I remember, it just came to a point where the Jockey Club needed to spend some money on the place, that wasn't able to be done.

“I think the majority of Adelaide racing people are very disappointed that Victoria Park isn’t in operation as a racecourse. I know they put up a really good plan to build a universal grandstand that could have been used either way for racing and motor racing, um, with a two-sided stand.

“They started motor racing now, for about six months of the year, they erect a grandstand, all the facilities to house the cars, and then they take it down afterwards. So the motor racetrack is still used.

“Not having Victoria Park does bring up a bit of monomony, but there's new developments happening at Morphettville. There’s the new entertainment and conference centre that just opened up.

“We've got to deal with what we have, we've got Gawler and Murray Bridge that are used throughout the year as well. They probably have about 10 meetings a year between them on a Saturday as a main metropolitan meeting.

“So, yeah, we deal with it, and that's what it is, but when you drive past Victoria Park from my perspective and see the open space and how it could have been, it’s sad.”

An issue with global reach

It’s not just Australia that has seen a trend in reduction of land for racing, with jurisdictions over the world facing challenges caused by different genesis points, but often looping back to the same outcome.

It is worth pointing out that land attrition isn’t a problem solely faced by racing, with golf courses also finding themselves under pressure to preserve their assets, against a tide of rising real estate prices and a scarcity of prime, inner city land. Most notably, Moore Park Golf Club faces a slashing of their land by half, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced in November 2023.

Singapore and Macau’s racing industries have lost in the race for space, with both set to be shuttered permanently by the end of the year. While the news, particularly regarding the latter, isn’t a shock by any stretch of the imagination, in fact at times it felt like an inevitability, the closure of a track, and thus the industry, lays bare how quickly things can fall apart when the land on which we race is gone.

Gallery: Both the Singapore Racecourse and Macau Racecourse will shut permanently at the end of the year

Someone who has seen this scenario play out first-hand is Craig Rounsefell, the experienced head of Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA), who divides his time between Australia and the United States.

Speaking to The Thoroughbred Report on the issue of racecourse attrition, Rounsefell gave some valuable insight into the situation that has unfolded in the last 15 years in the United States, one which should cause alarm bells to ring in the minds of local stakeholders.

“The situation that all racecourses face around the world is the rising price of real estate and the justification of using the land for racing when it holds such a significant value for other purposes such as housing or development.

“In the US the fact that most tracks are privately owned plays a huge part as there is a profit motive and coupled with the decline of the industry, companies that own the racetrack get to a position where it is hard to justify to shareholders the returns they are receiving, compared to what they could realise through a sale.

“These same pressures are obviously appearing in Australia with the value of land in Melbourne and Sydney reaching some of the highest levels in the world, although as history tells us the value of this real estate will only keep going up over time and once a track is sold, it is gone forever.”

With eye-watering real estate prices, particularly in Sydney, it’s perhaps not a surprise that the ATC have looked to cash in on Rosehill, with a very willing dance partner in the current State Government.

The land that Rosehill currently occupies, touted (albeit unverified) to be between $5 billion to $7 billion by Racing New South Wales chief executive Peter V’Landys, is undeniably invaluable, but as Rounsefell points out, once a track is sold, it’s gone forever.

While promises have been made about upgrades to Warwick Farm and Canterbury Park, as well as a brand-new racing facility, which would certainly help bolster the industry, there are very valid concerns about both the delivery of those promises, as well as the ramifications of losing a prime metropolitan racecourse.

“California has been consolidating its racetracks over the past fifteen years with racing declining in the State during this time due to many internal and external factors such as not having access to alternative forms of wagering, like they do in other states,” Rounsefell continued.

Gallery: The Hollywood Park redevelopment

“When I was working for Neil Drysdale in California in 2008, one of the two main racetracks in Northern California, Bay Meadows, closed its doors after being sold to developers. It was then only five years later in 2013, that the second biggest racetrack in Los Angeles, Hollywood Park closed its doors after being sold and subsequently developed into the Sofi Stadium which is now home to the Los Angeles Chargers and the LA Rams NFL football teams.

“In my opinion, this was a disastrous decision as it massively reduced the capacity in Los Angeles for training and resulted in leaving only one track in what is one of the biggest cities in the world.

“The recent news that the lone remaining major track in Northern California, Golden Gate, will be closing is another hit as it leaves only Santa Anita, Del Mar and Los Alamitos as the only major racetracks in the State.

“Given the reduction in racetracks, the capacity for stabling has obviously also decreased which has had a knock-on effect with the breeding industry in California, field sizes and ultimately wagering. In my opinion, all go hand in hand.

“The biggest issue with the sale of these tracks in California is that they were not replaced and in addition, large training facilities have also not been built resulting in many trainers and owners shifting their operations to other states. The issue isn’t isolated to California though, with famous racetracks such as Arlington Park, among many others, closing their doors on the east coast.

“Most racetracks in the US are privately owned with the largest operators being the Stronach Group and Churchill Downs Inc. The closest models to Australia would be tracks such as Keeneland and Del Mar, although still quite different in their approach and setup.

“Australia is in a strong position where the membership base gets to vote and guide the major decisions, particularly around a sale of a racetrack rather than a Board that is driven by the share price of the company or dividends to investors.

“I hope that those in positions of power in Australia, make decisions that benefit and strengthen the racing and breeding industry for many years to come and not just for a season so that one day my children or future grandchildren can pursue a career in this great industry that employs and benefits so many, if they want to, of course!”

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

Since the catalogue for the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale has gone to print, a host of yearlings will go through the ring at the Riverside complex and have had their pedigrees enhanced, which is important information for vendors and buyers alike.

Lot 289 - Farnan x Gallant Tess (Galileo {Ire}), colt - on account of North

This colt received a timely update to his pedigree page when his half-sister Noble Tess (Lonhro) scored an impressive 1.2l maiden success at Wyong on Thursday.

Reportedly, the Brad Widdup-trained filly has bigger targets on her agenda, with the connections eyeing the G3 Kembla Grange Classic and holding an entry to the G1 Australian Oaks.

Lot 289 is the 11th foal from the Galileo (Ire) mare Gallant Tess, who won five races, including the G2 Chelmsford S. and the G2 Breeders’ Classic.

In addition, Gallant Tess was also placed in the G1 Epsom H., the G1 Champagne S. and the G1 George Main S.

Gallant Tess is the dam of the Listed Dulcify H. winner Rock Hero. Lot 289 is from the first crop of Kia Ora Stud’s G1 Golden Slipper winner Farnan, whose progeny has been well-received by buyers at earlier sales this season.

Lot 297 - Exceedance x Gigi Girl (More Than Ready {USA}), colt - on account of Vinery Stud

Gigi Girl has made a brilliant start to her stud career. The daughter of More Than Ready (USA) has had two foals, both winners. On Thursday, Lot 297’s half-brother Densetsu (Lonhro) broke his maiden at Wyong.

The colt’s dam isn’t the only name on the page excelling since the catalogue went to print. His sire Exceedance unveiled a G1 Blue Diamond S. contender when his daughter, Flyer, was sensational on debut at Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday.

Lot 411 - Pierata x Lady Rah Rah (Choisir), colt - on account of KBL Thoroughbreds

Since the catalogue went to print for the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Lot 411’s half-sister, Lady Invader (Invader), has saluted in two of her three starts.

Lady Invader won on debut at Ipswich before securing another success at the track.

Lot 411 is the eighth foal from the Choisir mare Lady Rah Rah. The colt’s sire, Pierata, also made a flying start, as indicated by his results last Saturday.

Pierata has a leading hope in the G1 Blue Diamond S. with the G3 Chairman’s S. and Listed Debutant S. winner Coleman.