Godolphin Flying Start graduation
The 2024 Godolphin Flying Start graduation ceremony took place in the Cape Cross Centre at Kildangan Stud in Ireland on the afternoon of Friday, June 14. Invited guests included the parents of the graduating class, Godolphin management and University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Business School representatives who have supported the Flying Start trainees throughout their two years on the program.
The 2024 graduates comprised trainees from five countries, including Alex Sausville (USA), Orlaith Nangle (IRE), Jamie Smith (UK), Susannah Jeffery (UK), David O'Farrell (IRE), Ben Triandafillou (AUS), Sarah Kelly (IRE), Megan O'Leary (IRE), Annabel Adams (NZ), Edmond Ryan (IRE), Annie O'Rourke (UK) and Liam Cunningham (NZ). The diploma for the top trainee was presented to Megan O'Leary (IRE), who achieved the highest grade among the 2024 graduating group, attaining a Distinction award.
Moore moves from SA to Qld
Racing South Australia’s Apprentice Academy Manager Briony Moore has taken up a new job with Racing Queensland as their Apprentice and Workforce Development Manager. “I just think the way that we can get an apprentice to the track now has been the biggest achievement. We’ve always had our standout riders but to have them all racing competitively makes me very proud,” Moore told Racingsa.com.au.
“Most of our apprentices tend to have a winner within their first 10 rides which means when an opportunity arises, they have enough ability to make the most of it – it’s not random and they’re getting rides from really good trainers early on. So just to know that we’ve put in that time and helped nurture them to reach such a point has been rewarding. And it’s one of those things when they are riding winners, they have self-confidence which gives them a greater chance of getting the most out of their career.
“It is really exciting to take on a newly created role like this. I’m going from 27 apprentices at our peak in SA to 60 in Queensland, and I’m fully committed and really looking forward to the challenge.
“Racing Queensland is eager to enhance support and systems for apprentices. While there is currently coaching and mentoring in place, the aim will be to implement a more comprehensive, holistic approach to ensure riders not only sustain their careers as jockeys but also reach their highest potential.”
Sir Les to run at Ascot for Aussie owners
Bloodstock agent and part-owner Suman Hedge, who won the G1 Queensland Oaks with Socks Nation (Sioux Nation {USA}) recently, will have a Royal Ascot runner on Thursday night with Sir Les Patterson (GB) (Zoustar). “I saw a documentary about Humphries and I thought about it and thought 'This colt is by Zoustar, who was an Australian living in England' and I thought 'That's just like Sir Les',” Hedge told Racing.com.
Suman Hedge | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I put the name up with the (registration) office and they said 'There is no way this will get through'. I said 'Let's try it anyway' and the next day it was approved. They said 'You won't believe it, but you've got that name.' He's won a couple of races and he's okay, but we are just taking it as a bit of fun.”
Victoria Oaks for unraced juvenile filly
Trainer Nick Ryan has set unraced 2-year-old filly Suntora (Toronado {Ire}) for the G1 VRC Oaks this upcoming spring. She will make her raceday debut on Saturday at Flemington. “She's done everything right so far. We're looking for her to balance up, have an educational run and hit the line. We hope she's an Oaks filly,” Ryan told racing.com.
Nick Ryan | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
A $150,000 purchase by Ryan and Express Racing from Gilgai Farm at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, she is the second foal of Group 3-placed city winner Kansas Sunflower (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
Russian To The Bar can overcome wide draw in Guineas
Trainer Luke Fernie believes his classy gelding Russian To The Bar (Russian Revolution) can overcome the wide draw in the Listed Belmont Guineas on Saturday. “He’s going super and just the 1000 metres for him nowadays is just a bit too short,” Fernie said to The Races WA.
Russian To The Bar | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“He could have gone to the 1400 metres (Raconteur) the other day, but I didn’t want to give him a real big gut buster. But he’s going good, looks good and his work on Tuesday with an open class sprinter was super. It’s going to be a bit of an ask and the draw makes it hard, but I’m pretty confident he has the ability to get the job done.”
After the Guineas, he will be set for the Perth summer carnival.
Cool Storm heads south for big chance
Coffs Harbour trainer Brett Dodson will head south with his boom 3-year-old Cool Storm (Toronado {Ire}) to test her in better company at Newcastle Jockey Club's race meeting on Saturday. Winner of her only start to date, she was a $40,000 purchase by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) and Coolarest Farm from Supreme Thoroughbreds at the Great Southern Weanling Sale.
Ortega heads to Listed class after brave win
2-year-old filly Ortega (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) won at her second appearance to break her maiden over 1200 metres on Wednesday for trainer Stephen Marsh and rider Masa Hashizume and will now head to the Listed Ryder S. “She did a good job, she was very gutsy after racing wide and worked pretty hard, so it was a really good effort,” Marsh told Loveracing.nz.
Ortega (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“She seems to have come through the race well and at the end of July is the Ryder S. She handles wet ground so we’ll have a go at that for some black type and if she could win then she’s a valuable filly.”
NZ’s Canterbury Jockey Club to give The Kiwi slot to Guineas winner
The Canterbury Jockey Club will offer its Slot in the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi to the winner of the G1 2000 Guineas, and if that horse isn’t eligible or can’t run, next to the 1000 Guineas winner.
“The Club is committed to ensuring that the New Zealand Cup Meeting continues to encourage the best horses to Riccarton Park for New Zealand’s iconic racing week. We believe that this is the most appropriate way of starting the process of finding who will share with the Canterbury Jockey Club the thrill and excitement of racing in the inaugural NZB Kiwi,” Canterbury Jockey Club Chair, Dianne Logie, told Loveracing.nz.
Little Brose sustains tendon injury
G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Little Brose (Per Incanto {USA}) has sustained a tendon injury during a trial. “He’s bowed his tendon and there’s never a good bowed tendon, is there?” trainer David Hayes told scmp.com.
“I’ll be having a meeting with the owners next week when that final scan comes through and we’ll make a decision on his future. Before the trial, I was standing there at Conghua and said to my staff ‘this is a trophy horse for next season’. 10 minutes later, he was on a horse ambulance. The good thing is, he is a colt and he won’t be wasted if we can’t rehabilitate him.”
Little Brose | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Little Brose, now a 3-year-old, won two of his five starts at two including the G1 Blue Diamond, then ran third to future Group 1 winner Veight (Grunt {NZ}) in the G3 HDF McNeil S. at three before heading to Hong Kong, where he had two starts for a second placing.
California Spangle aims for one more this season
California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) will look to become the first top-weight in seven years to win the G3 Premier Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday. “I think 1400 metres is more of his distance really,” trainer Tony Cruz told scmp.com.
California Spangle won the G1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai in March which was two starts ago. “I didn’t want to spell him too long this time – last season he went almost six months between runs, which is too long for him to wait.”
Listed Sakitama Hai goes to Champion Lemon Pop
Making his first start since finishing well down the field in the G1 Saudi Cup at the end of February, reigning Japanese champion dirt horse Lemon Pop (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid {USA}) resumed with a 2l victory in Wednesday's Listed Sakitama Hai at Urawa Racetrack about 20 miles north of Central Tokyo.
“Today we said a final goodbye to a valued member of our training team, Kaz Nabeta, who died suddenly last week. Today's win is for him,” said Godolphin Japan President Harry Sweeney.
“Urawa is a tight and tricky track, and we were much less confident than his starting odds would suggest. Lemon Pop will definitely be joining our stallion roster next year, but may run once or twice again this year. It is early days yet, but it would seem logical for him to defend his title in the Mile Championship Nambu Hai (at Morioka on October 14). In the immediate aftermath of the race, Tanaka trainer mooted the (G1) Breeders' Cup (Dirt) Mile, but I'm not fully convinced, as Lemon Pop may be like Guinness beer – brilliant at home but doesn't travel well.”
