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‘There will be pressure for his service fee to go up': Zoustar crowned leading sire at Inglis Easter

Written by
9 min read
Widden Stud’s Zoustar had his exceptional achievements on the racetrack endorsed by the yearling market, clinching the title of leading sire at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. TTR AusNZ caught up with Antony Thompson to discuss this significant milestone.

Cover image courtesy of Widden

Zoustar is basking in the glory of a remarkable 2023/24 season, both on and off the racetrack. The Widden Stud-based sire hit a huge milestone at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale that concluded on Monday.

Zoustar was crowned the leading sire at the prestigious sale. The sire was represented by 36 yearlings, with 27 selling for a gross of $18,720,000, an average of $693,333, and a median of $550,000.

The title for Zoustar ends the five-year reign by I Am Invincible on the leading sire award, after he secured it from Snitzel in 2019.

Fittingly, Widden Stud consigned and sold the top-priced yearling by the stallion, Lot 227 - a filly from the Group 1 winner Prompt Response (Beneteau).

Lot 227 - Zoustar x Prompt Response (filly) | Image courtesy of Inglis

Lighting up the track and ringside

During the spring, Joliestar clinched victory in the G1 The Thousand Guineas, while Ozzmosis followed in his father's footsteps by triumphing in the G1 Coolmore Stud S., marking Zoustar's seventh Group 1 winner.

The success continued into the autumn, with Zougotcha bouncing back to top form to secure her second elite-level victory in the G1 Coolmore Classic. Additionally, Zoustar’s promising 2-year-old son, Espionage, added the G3 Kindergarten S. to his earlier G3 Breeders’ Plate win from the spring.

Based at Widden Stud, Zoustar has proven to be a prolific sire, producing 53 stakes winners, including an impressive seven individual Group 1 winners from just eight crops of racing age.

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Gallery: Some of Zoustar's Group 1 winners

Given these remarkable achievements, it's no surprise that the progeny of Zoustar are highly sought after and eagerly anticipated at auction.

In addition to claiming the title of leading sire at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Zoustar’s overall sales performance has been nothing short of extraordinary. Out of the 97-progeny presented for sale in 2024, an impressive 83 were successfully sold, fetching a total aggregate of $40,352,292. With an average selling price of $486,172 and a median price of $400,000

Thompson told TTR AusNZ, “Since he retired, Zoustar has always been a highly commercial sire. That really speaks volumes for the type of horse he throws.

“Since he retired, Zoustar has always been a highly commercial sire. That really speaks volumes for the type of horse he throws.” - Antony Thompson

“From day one, not only was Zoustar a stunning physical horse himself, but he was able to throw these stunning types and horses that shine in the show ring.

“The Zoustar’s have good actions, good attitudes and the strength and substance he puts into his foals are always going to take the eye and be commercial.”

Easter glory

Securing the crown was no easy feat for Zoustar, especially with fierce competition from Australia’s reigning Champion Sire, I Am Invincible, and the four-time Champion Sire, Snitzel.

I Am Invincible was represented by 44-progeny at the sale, with 28 successfully sold for a total of $18,675,000. Falling short by $45,000 to Zoustar’s gross sales of $18,720,000. Meanwhile, Snitzel had 36 out of his 40 offerings sold, accumulating a total of $18,650,000.

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Gallery: Zoustar secured the crown from Australia’s reigning Champion Sire, I Am Invincible, and the four-time Champion Sire, Snitzel

The difference in sales between Zoustar and the third-placed Snitzel was a mere $70,000. However, this marked a significant leap for Zoustar from the 2023 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where he finished fourth on the sires’ table behind, I Am Invincible, Snitzel, and Written Tycoon.

To highlight Zoustar’s remarkable ascent, let's look back at the 2023 statistics. That year, Zoustar had 25 offerings at Riverside Stables, with 21 successfully sold. He grossed $9,650,000 with an average selling price of $459,524, a median price of $340,000, and a top price reaching $1.3 million.

Widden gold

Widden Stud showcased their top-selling Zoustar at the auction with Lot 227, a filly from talented mare Prompt Response. James Harron Bloodstock acquired this standout filly for an impressive $2.2 million.

Another highlight from Widden Stud was Lot 328, which fetched $1.55 million. This colt is from the Group 2-winning mare Summer Sham (Not A Single Doubt). He is her fourth foal and third live foal. Notably, he is a full brother to the promising Schwarz, who has already clinched a Listed race victory in just four starts. The consortium of China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock, and Trilogy secured this promising colt.

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Gallery: Widden Stud showcased their top-selling Zoustar at the auction, images courtesy of Inglis

Widden Stud continued to attract attention with Lot 269, a Zoustar filly out of the Denman mare Secret Trail, the dam of the talented juvenile Spywire (Trapeze Artist). Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock snapped up this filly for $950,000.

Lastly, Widden Stud’s top-priced Zoustars presented was Lot 304; the colt is out of the renowned producer Solar Charged (Charge Forward). This pairing has previously produced the exceptional three-time Group 1 winner, Sunlight. The colt was acquired by China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock, and Trilogy for $850,000, further highlighting the strong demand for Zoustar’s progeny.

Heir to the throne

Widden Stud’s acquisition of Zoustar was meaningful. The farm had been the home of his sire, Northern Meteor; like his son, he won the G1 Coolmore Stud S.

Northern Meteor looks destined for a successful stud career, with a host of promising runners such as Cosmic Endeavour, Deep Field, Najoom, Fighting Sun, Shooting To Win and Eurozone.

However, after just four seasons at Widden Stud, Northern Meteor died in 2013 from a colic attack. Zoustar’s ascent at Widden Stud is a piece of synergy. He is also starting to make his mark as a sire of sires.

Zoustar’s son Lean Mean Machine, a placegetter in the G1 Coolmore Stud S., has sired winners, as has his precocious son Sun City. Meanwhile, in 2020, Zoustar was joined by his son Zousain at Widden Stud.

Northern Meteor | Image courtesy of Widden

Like, Lean Mean Machine, Zousain was also placed in the G1 Coolmore Stud. From his first crop to run, Zousain has sired the Group 2 winner, Drifting and six individual winners overall.

Looking to the future, Zoustar has his G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner, Ozzmosis, who will likely stand at Newgate Farm upon retirement. Meanwhile, there is also the James Harron Colt Syndicate-raced Espionage and the Rosemont Stud colour bearer Schwarz.

As a broodmare sire, Zoustar’s daughters are responsible for 15 runners, including the Group 3-winning 2-year-old Holmes A Court (Capitalist).

Zoustar | Standing at Widden

“Zoustar is an incredibly important horse to Widden Stud, and to me. It is personal and has been such a journey. It was well documented we lost Northern Meteor and other pieces of the backstory but to see Zoustar really step up it gives everybody enormous satisfaction.

“Zoustar was a horse we took a big position on. We’ve always had incredible belief in and to see him succeeding with his runners and then being the leading sire at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, it’s just wonderful.”

The faith has transferred to Zousain, with the Widden Stud team believing the best is yet to come for the son of Zoustar, "Personally, Zousain, was the best-looking son of Zoustar. He was purchased by people very close with our team - Guy Mulcaster, Chris Waller and David Redvers, who was also in Zoustar.

“Zoustar is an incredibly important horse to Widden Stud, and to me. It is personal and has been such a journey.” - Antony Thompson

“So, we were involved with him in the early days and followed his career very closely. We have belief in Zousain and we’ve loved the types he’s thrown, and he gets the sale horse as well.

“Sledmere Stud consigned a stunning Zousain colt (Lot 70), I thought physically he was a real standout, he could have been a Zoustar.

“We were pleased to reinvest back there and join David Redvers and Ciaron Maher. I’m thrilled with how Zousain is performing. He hit the track around this time and didn’t make an impression until a bit later in the 2-year-old season.

Antony Thompson | Image courtesy of Inglis

“Obviously, Zousain really came to light in Brisbane over winter as a 2-year-old. So, seeing him doing as well as he already is incredibly exciting.”

Future all-stars?

After the success Zoustar has had over the past 12 months and as we head into the stallion announcement season it would be natural to think Zoustar’s 2023 fee of $220,000 (inc GST) could see a rise.

“No decisions have been made nor any discussions had. Obviously, Zoustar is sort of the young boy on the block. He’s a horse that everyone’s going to want to breed to and we’ve had enormous interest and inquiry from the major breeders.

“Zoustar is around 10-years younger than his peers but he’s put himself right in the spot as the leading sire at Easter, both in terms of aggregate and average when you take out the Winx filly.

“After the success Zoustar has had over the past 12 months and as we head into the stallion announcement season it would be natural to think Zoustar’s 2023 fee of $220,000 (inc GST) could see a rise.”

“So, it’s fair to say that all major commercial breeders will be taking a decent position on him and with that demand there will be pressure for his service fee to go up.

“However, we’re committed not to be serving hundreds of mares, we’ll keep him to very limited books.”

Last spring, Zoustar attracted an impressive collection of 155 mares at a fee of $220,000 (including GST). Among these mares were Group 1 winners such as Bella Vella (Commands), Daysee Doom (Domesday), Graceful Girl (Nicconi), September Run (Exceed And Excel), Switzerland (Snitzel), and I Am Excited (Snitzel).

Additionally, the stallion also covered mares like Prompt Response, Cabernet (Al Maher) – the dam of Zoustar's Group 2-winning daughter, Madam Rogue. The list further included the swift Dosh (Rich Enuff) and the multiple stakes winner Still A Star (Toronado {Ire}).

2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Zoustar
Widden Stud

Clearance down, buyer spread increases: A look behind the stats at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale

Written by
4 min read
The Inglis Easter Yearling Sale stands as a benchmark event in the global Thoroughbred industry, renowned for its prestigious offerings and influential market trends. An analysis of the past five editions reveals intriguing insights into the evolving dynamics of this sale and the health of the market more broadly.

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

This year's Inglis Easter Yearling sale was anticipated to be another bumper edition of the prestigious event. While the sale of Winx's (Street Cry {Ire}) $10,000,000 filly garnered significant attention, the overall auction displayed notable resilience in the face of economic challenges.

Even without considering the extraordinary Winx filly sale, the average price remained robust, exceeding $400,000, setting a new benchmark for the sale's history.

Similarly, the median price maintained its strength at $300,000, echoing the outstanding performance of the 2022 edition, which stands as the highest-grossing version to date. Despite a slight decrease in the clearance rate to 79 per cent (and still rising), compared to last year's 85 per cent, generally speaking, other measures proved stable to positive.

2024$300,000
2023$280,000
2022$300,000
2021$280,000
2020$250,000

Table: The median price at the past five Inglis Easter Yearling Sales

Looking at the median prices over the past five Inglis Easter Yearling Sales, the market has remained steady with periods of fluctuation.

Not counting the downturn in 2020 due to the pandemic, the median price for an Inglis Easter Yearling has fluctuated between $280,000 and $300,000 over the past five years. Despite experiencing a slight decline in median price last year, the market has rebounded this year, matching the figures from the prosperous 2022 edition.

This year, the total number of buyers increased to 212 participants in the sale, up by 16 from the previous year.

This surge indicates a growing interest and activity in the market, even without the notable participation of Yulong. At the top end, the distribution of buyers remained consistent, with 59 unique buyers acquiring the top 25 per cent of yearlings, highlighting stability in buyer engagement and investment.

Notably, the Newgate, China Horse Club / Newgate Farm / Go Bloodstock / Trilogy partnership group emerged as the most active, securing nine yearlings in the top quartile. Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock and Gai Waterhouse / Adrian Bott & Kestrel Thoroughbreds also made significant contributions with seven and three yearlings, respectively.

2024$977,179
2023$829,667
2022$850,638
2021$802,253
2020$654,259

Table: The average price amongst the top 25 per cent of horses sold at the past five Inglis Easter Yearling Sales

Analysing the average prices among the top 25 per cent of horses sold over the past five Inglis Easter Yearling Sales reveals a notable growth trend. Excluding the pandemic years, the average price of top-tier yearlings has increased by almost 15 per cent, reaching an all-time high this year following a surge post-pandemic in 2022.

Even without considering the Winx filly, the average price of top-tier yearlings rose by almost four percent compared to last year.

2024$135,234
2023$130,233
2022$135,920
2021$102,143
2020$95,188

Table: The average price amongst the bottom 25 per cent of horses sold at the past five Inglis Easter Yearling Sales

While there has been some growth in the bottom 25 per cent of the market, it hasn't mirrored that of the top end, indicating a relative decline in enthusiasm for that part of the market, possibly due to a decrease in disposable income.

Aside from the pandemic years, the average price of the bottom 25 per cent has hovered around $135,000. While the average price of the lower end isn't necesarily increasing at a rapid rate, the good news is that it hasn't declined and is remaining steady for the time being.

202446%54%
202348%52%
202246%54%
202138%62%
202043%57%

Table: The proportion of colts vs fillies in the top 25 per cent of horses sold at the past five Inglis Easter Yearling sale

A notable trend in the market is the rising demand for fillies compared to colts overall, contrasted by increased demand for colts in the upper tier of the sale. Since 2021, the average price of fillies has steadily outpaced that of colts, rising by 26 per cent compared to the colts' 13 per cent increase.

However, when considering the average price of the top 25 per cent of yearlings sold, colts have consistently been slightly more popular, accounting for approximately 54 per cent of the highest-priced Easter graduates since the pandemic years. This trend is likely driven by the significant presence of investors joining forces to identify the next potential stallion prospect.

Inglis Easter Yearling Sale

Analyse this: Breeder in focus on the Pope family

Written by
4 min read
In this series, TTR AusNZ shines the analytical spotlight on an in-form sire, trainer, vendor or breeder who is enjoying a particularly good run and the Pope family is TTR AusNZ's breeder of the month with Bold Bastille and She Dances.

Managing a carefully curated broodmare band comprising fewer than 10 mares, Des Pope and his family's compact yet powerful breeding operation consistently exceeds expectations. With two stakes winners who have collectively secured five stakes races this season alone, the Pope family's breeding enterprise is once again enjoying a remarkable season.

•

The Pope family have bred five individual stakes winners in the last five seasons.

•

Bloodstock bred by the Pope family account for 20 per cent of Brazen Beau’s stakes winners in Australasia.

•

Bold Bastille has claimed 16 per cent of Victoria’s juvenile stakes races this season.

•

Innovation Girl is directly responsible or the grandam of four of the five stakes winners bred by the Pope Family.

Consistently showcasing her talent, She Dances (Street Boss {USA}) made a winning debut as a juvenile and followed up with a second-place finish in the G2 Tobin Bronze S. as a 3-year-old. Now an accomplished mare, She Dances has secured impressive back-to-back stakes victories in the G3 Northwood Plume S. and Listed Chautauqua S., boosting her earnings to over $775,000.

Trained by Peter Moody and Catherine Coleman, she is the first offspring of the family's home-bred Charleston Dancer (Lonhro). She Dances was purchased by John Foote Bloodstock for $180,000 at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Adding to the family's success this season is Bold Bastille (Brazen Beau), the second stakes winner bred by the Pope family. The highly talented 2-year-old achieved three black-type victories this season, exemplifying her dominance in the juvenile ranks.

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Gallery: Adding to the Pope family's success are stakes winners She Dances and Bold Bastille, images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Notably, Bold Bastille has emerged victorious in 16 per cent of Victoria’s juvenile races this season, including the RL Inglis Banner, where she secured the family's second triumph in the race's nine-year history, following Ideas Man’s victory (Brazen Beau) in 2019.

Descending from the Pope family’s own home-bred stakes-winning mare Chloe In Paris (Exceed and Excel), Bold Bastille was presented by Blue Gum Farm at last year’s Inglis Premier Sale and acquired by Lindsay Park Racing / Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) for $270,000.

2023/24She DancesStreet BossCharleston Dancer
2023/24Bold BastilleBrazen BeauChloe In Paris
2020/21Tyche GoddessTeofiloCorneila Marie
2019/20Ideas ManBrazen BeauInnovation Girl
2019/20Larimer StreetBrazen BeauOriginal Choice

Table: Pope family's stakes winners - last five years

The breeding operation of the Pope family has achieved generational success, as evidenced by all five of their stakes-winning graduates being produced from mares bred within their own ranks.

Notably, Innovation Girl (Rubiton) has played a pivotal role, serving as the dam or grand-dam of four out of the five stakes winners. Bred by the Pope family, Innovation Girl descends from Rubiton, a stallion whom Des Pope invested in and actively supported throughout his stud career at Blue Gum Farm. While Innovation Girl herself has produced two stakes winners, including the RL Inglis Banner victor Ideas Man (Brazen Beau), her true significance lies in her daughters. She Dances (Street Boss {USA}), Bold Bastille, and Larimer Street (Brazen Beau) all trace their lineage back to Innovation Girl as their second dam.

Notably, the Pope family’s homebred stars account for nearly 20 per cent of Brazen Beau’s 17 Australasian stakes winners. Furthermore, their other stakes winners have roots in current or former Darley-based sires, including She Dance’s shuttle sire Street Boss and the former shuttle sire Teofilo {Ire}, who sired G3 Auraria S. home-bred winner, Tyche Goddess.

She Dances2021 Inglis Premier Sale$180,000
Bold Bastille2023 Inglis Premier Sale$270,000
Tyche Goddess2019 Inglis Premier Sale$100,000
Ideas Man2019 Inglis Premier Sale$575,000
Larimer Street2019 Inglis Premier Sale$450,000

Table: Pope family's stakes winners by sale and price

All of the Pope Family’s stakes winners in the past-five years have been consigned at the Inglis Premier Sale under the Blue Gum Farm banner. Remarkably, all three of the Pope family’s offerings at the 2019 Inglis Premier Sale eventuated to be stakes winners with Tychee Goddess, Ideas Man and Larimer Street all hailing from the same sale.

Renowned for their ability to breed successive generations of stakes winners, the Pope family's stock have garnered significant attention at sales. The full-sister of She Dances commanded a noteworthy price of $650,000 at the recent Inglis Premier Yearling sale, with the buyer being none other than Moody Racing, the trainer of her sibling.

Although the broodmare band may be modest in size, the calibre of racehorses bred by the Pope family is truly extraordinary. While Innovation Girl may have passed, her female descendants persist in upholding her esteemed bloodlines and contributing to the storied legacy of the family's compact yet formidable breeding enterprise.

Analyse This
Pope family

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Daily News Wrap

12 min read

Jason Collett taken to hospital after fall on Monday

On Saturday Jason Collett rode Manaal (Tassort) to win the G1 Sires’ Produce S, and on Tuesday, racing received a stark reminder of the dangers jockey face when dislodged from his mount Hiawatha (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in the first race at Kembla Grange.

Jason Collett

“He was complaining of soreness in his left hand and left shoulder, also his lower back and left hip,” acting chief steward Chris Albrect said. “He's also got a few lacerations. We've adjourned an inquiry into the incident until Jason is available to give his evidence.”

Racing NSW reported that Collett is conscious and was transported to hospital for further assessment. Hiawatha avoided injury in the fall.

Pride pays entry for Ceolwulf for Queen Elizabeth

Trainer Joseph Pride has added 3-year-old gelding Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) into the G1 Queen Elizabeth S nominations. He will carry 55.5kg under weight for age conditions against a field of ten other horses, all older than him.

Ceolwulf has only won one of his eight starts, but ran second in the both the G1 Rosehill Guineas and G1 Australian Derby at his two most recent starts.

Mr Brightside to continue to Queen Elizabeth

Team Hayes will continue on with Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) autumn campaign with the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. next for their Group 1 star. “We know he doesn’t enjoy those really firm tracks, unfortunately that day it dried out and was a good 3. He just felt the track a bit,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told Racingnsw.com.au about the G1 Australian Cup run.

“We monitored him, had a good chat to the whole team and the way he’s come out of it there’s no problems. You can’t just give up off one run.”

“I still believe 2000 metres isn’t an issue and it’s unfortunate we ran into a horse that’s got Vo Rogue tactics that takes away our asset which is the turn of foot. It’s a race full of quality, there’s a couple of new horses he hasn’t raced against that I’m sure he can get on the back of and bring him into the race.

“We know how the race is going to be run, we tried different tactics in the Australian Cup, had him a bit closer, and it didn’t work. We’ll let him balance and have him hit the line.”

More Felons out of Sydney Cup

Trainer Chris Waller notified Racing NSW stewards that More Felons (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) has a minor tendon injury and will miss the G1 Sydney Cup. The 5-year-old gelding ran second in the G1 Tancred S. at his last start and has a record of five wins from 17 starts including the Listed Parramatta Cup.

Chris Waller | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Circle Of Fire (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) is now the favourite for the race.

Foxy Frida draws wide for G1 Queen of the Turf

Trainer Andrew Noblet’s Group 3 winner Foxy Frida (Foxwedge) has drawn 15 for Saturday’s G1 Queen of the Turf S at Randwick. “She's going very well, she worked great yesterday morning, she gets to what I think is her pet distance, a mile,” Noblet told Racing.com.

“It's just a shame we have to overcome a wide gate, that's all.” Foxy Frida has earned more than $1.3 million in prizemoney in her career and is due to be sold at the Inglis Chairman's Sale on May 9.

Brave Mead euthanised after track work accident

Trainer Ciaron Maher made the sad announcement that 3-year-old colt Brave Mead (Brave Smash {Jpn}) sustained an injury in trackwork on Tuesday and had to be euthanised. “We're heartbroken to report that Brave Mead suffered a catastrophic injury during a routine gallop at Warwick Farm this morning, and was euthanised at Randwick Equine once it was confirmed surgery wasn't an option,” the Maher stable press release said.

“On the track, he was as tough as they come, only missing a place once in his 12 starts, with 5 wins including 3 at Group & Listed level. Off the track, he was as kind and gentle a colt as you'll find.

“It's a loss that will be felt particularly deeply at Warwick Farm, as Georgia Schofield helped prep him as a baby, while Marcus Eleftheriou adored him so much, that he drove from Ballarat to Pakenham just to watch his debut run. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his owners, Australian Bloodstock, and all who had the pleasure of working with him.”

Brave Mead won the Listed Darby Munro S at his most recent start, and had a record of five wins and six placings from 12 starts with earnings over $680,000. Ciaron Maher Racing purchased him as a weanling at the 2021 Inglis Digital July Sale from Lustre Lodge for $90,000. He was from the first crop of Brave Smash.

Sir Davy ready for Golden Mile

Trainer Ciaron Maher is hoping Sir Davy (Street Boss {USA}) can win his first stakes race in Saturday’s Listed Golden Mile at Bendigo. "It was good to see him get back to a bit of form at The Valley," Jack Turnbull, Maher's assistant trainer who operates the Cranbourne stable, told Racingandsports.com.au.

Sir Davy

Sir Davy won at Moonee Valley last start to bring his record to seven wins from 23 starts and earnings over $425,000.

Trainer keen to honour mate

Trainer Alex Malliff won the first leg of the Rob Koch Memorial FNQ Up and Coming Stayers series for 2024 with Last Not Least (Criterion) at Mareeba. “"I really appreciated what Rob did for the racing industry up here,” Malliff told Racingqueensland.com.au.

“I would like to have a go at winning this series as it's obviously named in his honour.”

The Up and Coming Stayers Series does not culminate in a Final, but there is an owner, trainer and jockey bonus based on points accrued with Malliff, and winning hoop Chelsea Jokic taking three points from the opening event on Sunday.

“That was only his third start for me,” Malliff said of Last Not Least. “We bought him as a sort of a country Cups contender, thinking about places like Einasleigh and Mount Garnet, those types of places. But, he might even be a little bit better than that.”

Tassie training pair thriving

Training partnership of Tanya Hanson and her nephew Kyle Maskiell are thriving and will bring three strong chances to Launceston meeting on Wednesday night. Tricky Mikki (Mikki Isle {Jpn}) will will be ridden by their apprentice Lauryn Bingley who has won three of her last five rides.

“We are so proud of her. She is doing so well, she’s working really hard, and it’s paying dividends,” Hanson told Tasracing.com.au.

The other two runners are Speed Rock (Rock Hero) and And Beyond (Wordsmith).

Sirileo Miss set to return after year-long ban

Sirileo Miss (Pride Of Dubai) will resume in Saturday's $150,000 Gold Bracelet at Bendigo after a 12-month ban for testing positive to the prohibited substances Formestane and anabolic steroid 4-Hydroxylestesterone. “It's been frustrating, but we're finally back at the races,” trainer Symon Wilde told Racing.com.

Sirileo Miss as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis

Mark and Levi Kavanagh-trained Circle Of Magic (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and Smiley Chan's Lake Tai (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) are both allowed to race again, while Julius Sandhu-trained Alphaville (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) has been retired. Amy and Ash Yargi-trained Yulara (All Too Hard) can race again from April 13. Under AR 248 (4), once an anabolic androgenic steroid is detected, a horse is not permitted to start in a race, official trial or jumpout for 12 months from the date the sample is collected.

Dual Group 1 aiming at Queensland Winter Carnival

Despite several setbacks, trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are hopeful they can get dual Group 1 winner La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}). She hasn’t raced since winning the G1 Otaki-Maori WFA S. in February. “It was really disappointing having to scratch out of the Breeders’ Stakes,” Katrina Alexander told Loveracing.nz.

“It is the same foot issue. … We just have to keep that (foot) clean and tidy as the hoof wall grows down and stop that separation from happening. … Ideally we would still like to get to Brisbane but we will just have to wait and see.”

La Crique has won seven of her 18 starts.

Irish jumps jockey arrives in New Zealand

Jockey Dylan Mcdonagh is a welcome addition to New Zealand’s riding ranks. “I was meant to ride in Australia over the jumps season. I applied for the visa too late and I had seen Paul (Nelson) had advertised for a jumps jockey. I spoke a bit with Aaron Kuru (jumps jockey) and I have ended up here,” McDonagh told Loveracing.nz.

“I think this season will be my last racing unless something magical happens,” he said. “My long-term goal is training, I have always wanted to train horses since I figured out what I am doing (in racing).

“I think I may head to America to try and train. I spent a bit of time in Virginia, Maryland and Pennysylvania. I think Maryland was my favourite place, but I wouldn’t rule out checking out Kentucky and a few other places.”

80 years for Leeton Race Club

The 80th anniversary of the Leeton Jockey Club will be celebrated on course on Saturday 20th April. “The Club has a very proud history and benefited from strong support from the Leeton community across eight decades,” Leeton Jockey Club's president, Grant Fitzsimon told Racingandsports.com.au.

“From volunteers watering and mowing the track and maintaining the grounds through to the trainers, jockeys and owners who travel great distances to compete at our meetings, and are in high praise of the standard of the facilities.

“The club and racing in general have weathered many challenges over the years but Leeton has emerged in a strong position and boasts one of the best maintained tracks in the western Riverina.”

First winner for Earthlight

Kildangan Stud's first-season sire Earthlight (Ire) (by Shamardal) sired his first Northern Hemisphere winner when Lady Lightning (GB) won at Wolverhampton on Monday. The Ed Dunlop-trained 30,000gns Tatts Book 1 purchase is out of a Listed winning mare.

Earthlight (Ire) | Standing at Kildangan Stud

Earthlight’s oldest Australian foals are yearlings and he shuttles to Darley Victoria.

Inspiral on track for Lockinge S

2023 Eclipse Award for Champion Turf Female Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will kick off her 2024 campaign in the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury on Saturday, May 18. “The Lockinge is the plan, but obviously she is a filly that likes to take her time to come in the spring as we've seen before,” Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, told TDN Europe.

“Certainly the Lockinge looks the first engagement we can consider and, if she tells us she's not quite ready, then we can wait until the Queen Anne [at Royal Ascot on Tuesday, June 18].” Inspiral has won nine of her 13 starts including six wins at Group 1 level.

Bernardini’s trainer retires

Tom Albertrani announced his retirement from the American training ranks this week. “I felt it's time now to take a little breather and take a break,” Albertrani told bloodhorse.com.

Best known for Champion 3YO Colt Bernardini (USA) (A P Indy {USA}), Albertrani rode 49 winners as a jockey retiring in 1982 then worked as a foreman for trainers Bill Mott and Saeed bin Suroor and Godolphin. In 2003 he began training on his own, and over two decades, he trained 624 winners and seven individual Group 1 winners. “We've had so many talented horses in the barn. It was unbelievable, it was a great career.”

Baffert ban back in court

Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) have filed a motion on April 8 to dismiss a lawsuit by Zedan Racing Stables, Inc., that seeks to lift a CDI-imposed ban against horses trained by Bob Baffert in the GI Kentucky Derby.

Zedan Racing own the Bob Baffert trained GI Arkansas Derby winner Muth (USA) (Good Magic {USA}), who is currently unable to run the Kentucky Derby.

Bob Baffert | Image courtesy of Fasig Tipton

After Medina Spirit (USA) tested positive for betamethasone in the 2021 Derby, Baffert was banned from CDI's properties for two years. A federal judge in February 2023 denied Baffert a preliminary injunction that the Hall-of-Fame trainer had sought to be eligible to race in the Derby. Last July CDI extended the ban at least through 2024.

Epic Clash Scheduled For Champions Mile

Champion Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro {}) will clash with Galaxy Patch (Wandjina) in the G1 Champions Mile. “We plan to run him in the Mile,” trainer Pierre Ng told scmp.com about Derby runner-up Galaxy Patch.

“He’s still recovering from the last run, so the next few weeks will be very crucial to make the decision. It’s not guaranteed yet. Hopefully he’ll get better every week and we’ll see how he recovers. I really want him to run against top quality gallopers, like Golden Sixty, so he can get experience for that.”

Galaxy Patch ran second in the Gr1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup before running second in the Listed Hong Kong Derby at his most recent start. He has won five of his ten starts.

UK Jockey Club announces prizemoney reductions

The UK’s largest racecourse ownership group, The Jockey Club, will cut prizemoney by £1.5 million from May until the end of the year. “We are still facing some very, very significant financial headwinds, and that has continued into 2024,” Jockey Club chief executive Nevin Truesdale told Racingpost.com.

“We have had to take some fairly decisive action around our cost base, not just for prize-money but for other areas too, so this is part of an overall plan to make sure the business is sustainable in the long term.”

Daily News Wrap

Looking Ahead - April 10

4 min read

Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner early in its career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.

Three exciting runners are set to hit the track across Australia on Wednesday, including Brutal (NZ) and Exceed And Excel 2-year-olds taking on each other at Gosford and a well-bred Grunt (NZ) gelding chasing maiden success at Sandown

Gosford, Race 1, 12.50pm AEDT, Eve Electrical 2YO H., $60,000, 1100m

The Eyes Have It, 2-year-old filly (Brutal {NZ} x Katies Eyes {USA} {Leroidesanimaux {BRZ}})

It's a great form line for this Nathan Doyle trained filly who at her first start was runner-up and only beat narrowly in a Scone 900 metres contest. At her second start she ran a very solid fifth in the G3 Widden S., finishing behind Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) and Manaal (Tassort) - these fillies have since went on to win the G1 Golden Slipper and the G1 Inglis Sires’ since. Being beaten just over five lengths, it looks strong enough form to be competitive in a Gosford maiden.

The Eyes Have It | Image courtesy of Inglis

Darby Bloodstock were the purchasers for $50,000 at last year's Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the draft of Newgate Farm. The Eyes Have It is by Brutal (NZ) out of the dual Listed American winner Katies Eyes (USA) (Leroidesanimaux {BRZ}) who has produced two winners including Don’t Doubt Katie (Extreme Choice) and Bern Cat (USA) (Bernardini {USA})

Since producing The Eyes Have It, Katies Eyes has produced a Wild Ruler weanling colt and was most recently served in the spring by the Cox Plate victor in State Of Rest (Ire).

Gosford, Race 1, 12.50pm AEDT, Eve Electrical 2YO H., $60,000, 1100m

Obscure, 2-year-old filly (Exceed And Excel x Philosophy {Street Cry} {USA})

The well-related Obscure (Exceed And Excel) is set to debut for Godolphin’s head trainer James Cummings on the back of a promising trial win at Warwick Farm on March 26 over 794 metres.

Obscure is a daughter of Darley’s recently retired super sire Exceed And Excel and is the third foal from the Street Cry (USA) mare Philosophy. She had six wins on the track including four metropolitan wins prior to forging her broodmare career.

Exceed And Excel | Image courtesy of Darley

Obscure has a tidy pedigree that has Woodlands and Darley Stud written all over it, combining the blood of Exceed and Excel, Street Cry, Lonhro, Octagonal and Canny Lad.

Her grandam Renaissance (Lonhro) was a very smart sprinter and was successful six times including the G2 Sapphire S., and her great-grandam Seances (Canny Lad) won the Listed Millie Fox S., before leaving three stakes-winners including the aforementioned Renaissance as well as Haunted (Lonhro) and Sessions (Lonhro).

Philosophy since producing Obscure has a Exceed And Excel yearling full-sister and was most recently served by Exceed And Excel’s superstar sprinting son in Bivouac last spring.

Sportsbet Sandown Lakeside, Race 2, 1.35pm AEDT, Ive - Maiden Plate, $55,000, 1200m

Etincelle, 3-year-old gelding (Grunt (NZ) x Marquise Da Rossa {Testa Rossa})

The well-bred Etincelle (Grunt {NZ}), is set to have his second start over 1200 metres for Flemington trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman at Sandown on Wednesday. On debut he ran a tidy enough fourth when he was well supported as the market elect.

Etincelle is by Yulong Stud’s promising stallion in Grunt (NZ), who during the carnival had his first Group 1 winner in Veight where he got a well deserved victory against his elders in the G1 George Ryder S.

Etincelle as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

Etincelle is the third foal from Marquise Da Rossa (Testa Rossa). She was a winner over 1100 metres on the track but has already made a mark as a broodmare leaving the talented Dundeel (NZ) gelding in Eliptical, he was the victor in the G3 CS Hayes S., and was placed in the G1 Caulfield Guineas and the G1 Spring Champion S.

He has since been exported to Hong Kong and recently competed in the Hong Kong Derby.

Marquise Da Rossa since producing Etincelle has left a 2-year-old filly by Castelvecchio named Bootee, and yearling and weanling filly’s by Coolmore Stud’s So You Think (NZ) and was most recently served by the promising young-sire in Alabama Express last spring.

Looking Back

Unfortunately the recent wet weather that has hit Sydney has done some damage to the tracks. Both Media World (Written Tycoon) and Glebe (NZ) (Savabeel) have scratched and won't run on the heavy track.

Looking Ahead
Looking Back

Debutants

1 min read
First-time starters lining up on Wednesday, April 10

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

First Season Sire Runners & Results

1 min read

First Season Sires’ Results

Results: Tuesday, April 9

First Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Wednesday, April 10
First Season Sire Results
First Season Sire Runners

Second Season Sire Runners & Results

Second Season Sires’ Results

Results: Tuesday, April 9

Second Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Wednesday, April 10
Second Season Sire Results
Second Season Sire Runners

NSW Race Results

Kembla Grange (Provincial)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT

VIC Race Results

Swan Hill (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT

QLD Race Results

Ladbrokes Cannon Park (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT

Australian Sires' Premiership

Australian Second Season Sires' Premiership

New Zealand Sires' Premiership

New Zealand Second Season Sires' Premiership

Thanks for reading!

1 min read

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The Final Say