Cover image courtesy of Race Photos

On Friday, it was announced that the next chapter in the life of Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) will be written. Her ownership group revealed that the dual Group 1 winner would be presented at a special standalone public auction on Gavelhouse Plus, running from Friday, August 2 to Thursday, August 8.

Prowess was retired last December due to a degenerative hoof issue. Trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, the daughter of Proisir won eight races. She made a winning debut over 1200 metres at Wanganui as a 2-year-old in April and then returned to the track in September, winning on the Cambridge Synthetic.

In her third start, Prowess stepped up to stakes class, finishing second to another star daughter of Proisir, Legarto (NZ), in the G3 Soliloquy S. She was also beaten by Romancing The Moon (El Roca), a subsequent Group 1 winner, on that occasion.

Prowess then tackled the colts in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas, finishing third behind Pier (NZ) (Proisir) and another subsequent Group 1 winner, Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai).

Resuming in January, Prowess won the G2 Auckland Guineas with the Group 1 winner Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) finishing second. She then triumphed in the R. Listed Karaka 3YO Classic, and was peerless in the G3 Ellis Fillies Classic, winning by 5l.

Memories to cherish

The family syndicate headed by Dean Skipper experienced the ride of a lifetime when Prowess took on the older horses in the G1 Bonecrusher over 2050 metres. Despite her relative inexperience, she defeated the star mares in Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) and La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}).

Heading across the Tasman to take on the Aussies in the G1 Vinery Stud S., Prowess was magnificent, winning by 3.32l from Pavitra (American Pharoah {USA}) and the G1 Golden Slipper S. victress Fireburn (Rebel Dane).

Prowess was off the scene until October, where she resumed with a second-placed effort in the G3 Taranaki Breeders’ S. Her final hurrah came in the G2 Crystal Mile at the famous Moonee Valley in October before her retirement was announced in December.

She retires as the Champion Middle Distance Horse in New Zealand in 2022/23 and provided a lifetime of memories for her owners and trainers.

“Prowess has taken us on an amazing ride and it’s definitely a shame that it’s coming to an end,” Dean Skipper said in a press release.

“We have some mixed emotions about putting her up for sale. But the way we look at it is that we were just so fortunate to have had one as good as her, and now she’s ready to go on to the next stage of her career.

“She’s fit, well, and a happy horse. She could probably have even made it back to the racetrack if we wanted to wait a bit longer. But she’s at a premium stage of her life to start her breeding career now, and we always set it up so that we would sell her at around this time and have her in the best possible condition for that.

“Prowess gave us some incredible memories, and now we’re looking forward to seeing what she can do in the broodmare paddock.”

All Kiwi girl

Bred by Hallmark Stud, Prowess was a NZ$230,000 purchase by Roger James and Robert Wellwood from the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka. The daughter of Champion Sire Proisir was the fourth foal from the Don Eduardo (NZ) mare Donna Marie (NZ).

Prowess is a half-sister to the Listed-placed Ajay Tee (NZ) (Foxwedge). Donna Marie then had a colt by El Roca, now gelded and named Newborn Miracle (NZ), he was unraced. A full sister to Prowess was presented at this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale and was purchased for NZ$1.6 million by Moody Racing, subsequently named Seychelles (NZ).

Donna Marie foaled a filly by Rich Hill Stud’s Proisir in the spring and returned to the Champion Sire.

Prowess retired with eight victories from 12 starts and over $1.4 million in earnings. Her sale on Gavelhouse serves as an opportunity for buyers from all corners of the world to compete for the daughter of Proisir.

For Gavelhouse’s General Manager, Haylie Martin, this is a significant coup for the New Zealand industry to offer such a illustrious mare.

“It’s wonderful to see Prowess come full circle, having been bought through the Karaka Sale ring to now being offered for sale virtually via New Zealand Bloodstock’s subsidiary, Gavelhouse Plus,” Martin told TTR AusNZ.

“Since receiving the news that we had been chosen to sell her, it’s been evident just how treasured Prowess is by the Skipper family. We are thrilled that Dean and Janie are keeping it Kiwi and putting their faith in us.

“Prowess is looking fantastic at Mark and Shelley Treweek’s Lyndhurst Farm in Cambridge, and we all look forward to showing her off over the next few weeks.”

Cover image courtesy of Western Racepix

Saturday's feature event is this Group 3 1400-metre event for the juveniles, a race which boasts a proud history of having been won by horses who have gone on to even bigger and better things; named the G3 South Australian Sires Produce S.

Including a number of subsequent Group 1 winners such as Yangtze (Ping Ching {Ire}), Sunny Coronation, Beau Cavalier (Beau Cheval), Wine Lover (Neapolitan {GB}), Comedy Prince (Powerscourt), Conservator, Bush Win (Natural Bid {USA}), Zasu (Kaoru Star), Always There, Farmer's Daughter (NZ) (Agricola {GB}), Umrum (Umatilla {NZ}), Interstellar (NZ), Rebel Raider, Go Indy Go (Bernardini {USA}), Lashed (Encosta de Lago) and Anamoe's dam Anamato (Redoute's Choice).

The last two winners are both still in good form, Air Assault (Justify {USA}) winning three Listed races since and finishing third at his latest outing in the G1 South Australian Derby whilst Twin Stars (Zoustar) now races in Hong Kong as Chiu Chow Spirit, winning the Reunification Cup a couple of weeks ago.

Favourite to take out this year's running is a maiden but a promising one, Stolen Kiss (Shamus Award) finishing off nicely at her first two starts.

The most expensive runner in the field is Crime Of Passion (Zoustar), also a maiden; one who ran very well at her Sale debut. She is a $1.1 million graduate of the Gold Coast Magic Millions.

Colmar and Serinite Illusion; both by Strasbourg, have already run well in stakes company as has Heinous (Brutal {NZ}) whilst Four Ace (another Brutal (NZ)) and Supercilious (Written Tycoon) come off last start wins.

Listed Winter Challenge Stakes - good winter form lines

This race has been run only twelve times as a Listed contest and the 1500-metre event has proven a very good form reference having been won by several nice horses who have gone onto further stakes success.

Such as Cross Talk (NZ) (Keano {NZ}), Mister Sea Wolf (Ire) (Amadeus Wolf {GB}) and Coup Ay Tee (NZ) (Danske {NZ}).

As well as He's Your Man (Fr) (Cape Cross {Ire}) who a couple of months later took out the G1 Epsom H. off a win in the G3 Kingston Town S. and Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}) who the following month won the G3 Premier's Cup and the next year the All-Star Mile.

Favourite to find the line this year is War Eternal (NZ) (Pierro) who rises in class having looked good winning two of his last three. A major threat is King Of The Castle (NZ) (Castledale {Ire}) who was unlucky in the Listed Winter S.; a game third having been held up at a vital stage.

The winner of that race again takes his place, Tamerlane (Golden Horn {GB}) showing heart wearing the leader down.

Charterhouse (GB) (Charming Thought {GB}) and Testator Silens (Star Witness) are also racing well, the former close up in Listed company in Brisbane at his last couple whilst the latter did not have a great deal of luck behind War Eternal last time out.

Listed Belmont Classic - a great race for William Pike

So impressive winning the Listed Belmont Oaks last start, Petrouchka (More Than Read {USA}) is an odds-on favourite taking on the boys. Yet to finish out of the placings in six starts, she again has William Pike aboard and that champion local jockey has won this race three times in the last four years.

Ihts Closing Inn (Sessions), Baronova (Fiorente {Ire}) and Chantrea (Puissance de Lune {Ire}) have been his winning mounts and he was also successful aboard Elusive Image (Elusive Quality {USA}) in 2012 and Lords Ransom (Jeune {GB}) in 2007.

Looking to be Petrouchka's main danger is Weeraechoux (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) who caught the eye with a strong finishing second from the rear in the Listed Aquanita S. last time out. He was also doing his best work late when unplaced in the Listed Belmont Guineas in which Petrouchka was second.

Lyrical Angel (God Has Spoken) also has form lines around the favourite, racing wide when below her best in the Belmont Guineas before bouncing back with a good finishing third in the Belmont Oaks.

Listed Opunake Cup - four in a row for Spencer?

A 1400-metre open handicap, the Listed Opunake Cup has attracted an even field in which Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) is a well-deserved favourite on the back of flying form.

Hailing from a family whose members really know how to find the line, such as 11 times winner Aimee Jay (NZ) (Famous Star {GB}) and the eight times winner Streetfighter (Bianconi {USA}), the 4-year-old Spencer has created a good impression winning five of his first 13 starts including his last three.

Last start winner Wessex (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) is a threat having been stakes placed at her previous outing whilst Belardo Boy (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) has won a trial since taking out the Listed AGC Training S. in early June.

The next two home in that race again take him on; the consistent Bradman (NZ) (Pins) who has also won a trial since that run and Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}) who was doing his best work late at Hastings last start.

Also racing well is Old Town Road (NZ) (El Roca) who relishes heavy conditions.

First Season Sire Action - Flemington, Rosehill and Eagle Farm

There are two juvenile contests at Flemington on Saturday, the Byerley H. kicking off the day: an 1800-metre late season test for the juveniles looking for a bit more ground. There are no first season sires represented, it being a race very much for established stallions with Stay Silent (Deep Field) and Politely Dun (Dundeel {NZ}) fighting out favouritism.

The third event, the VRC Member Russell Dawson Plate sees the progeny of two first season horses take their place; Scampi (Blue Point {Ire}) and Just Like Gaby (Pierata)

A $750,000 Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sold by Bhima Thoroughbreds to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, Scampi was bred by Robert Crabtree. He is the fourth foal for the city winner Sistonic (Bel Esprit) whose son Semillion (Shalaa {Ire}) won the G3 Kindergarten S. and the R. Listed Inglis Banner.

Sistonic is a full sister to the Listed winner Iconic and her sire Bel Esprit produced another rather handy type from the family; her grandam being Scandinavia (Snippets), also grandam of the one and only Black Caviar (Bel Esprit).

Showing talent during his debut campaign, Scampi resumes off a Cranbourne jump-out second.

Blue Point (Ire) has been enjoying a good local run in recent weeks and now has eight Australian winners from his first crop.

Raced by her breeders Phoenix Thoroughbreds, Just Like Gaby is also a member of the Ciaron Maher stable as was her G1 Manikato S. and G1 William Reid S. winning dam and this filly is her first foal.

Her Yulong-based sire Pierata is another horse to have made a most encouraging start to his stud career with his nine winners including the stakes winners Coleman and Tobeornottobe.

Race 1 number 1 in Sydney is Getafix (Calyx {GB}) whose sire served only small books during two seasons shuttling to Coolmore. The sire of three stakes winners in the Northern Hemisphere, he has three local winners including this John O'Shea & Tom Charlton trained galloper who won at his Kensington debut in January, resuming here off a couple of trial placings.

A $100,000 Magic Millions graduate sold by Coolmore to John O'Shea and Suman Hedge Bloodstock, he is out of a winning half-sister to the G3 Dark Jewel Classic winner Seaside (Redoute's Choice).

Also contesting the race is Mawjood (Tassort) whose Newgate based sire has already had ten winners including the G1 Sires' Produce S. winner Manaal. The Emirates Park home-bred resumed with a nice winning performance at Rosehill and should again prove hard to toss.

Prorata (Pierata) is also already a winner, having his first run since taking out a Wagga 2-year-old H. in late May. The $200,000 Inglis Classic graduate is out of a winning half-sister to the stakes winners Lite'N My Veins (Henrythenavigator {USA}), Written Beauty (Written Tycoon), Hi World (High Chaparral {Ire}), Loveyamadly (Bel Esprit) and Ducimus.

Tassort also has a runner in the fourth race in Brisbane, Astapor kept fresh since making the pace and boxing on gamely in the Listed Oxlade S. in mid-June. The two times winner is out of a city-winning daughter of the Listed winner Jasminka (NZ) (Sakura Seeking {USA}).

There are two other first season sires with runners in the same race - Matisse (Microphone) and Take A Bow (Royal Meeting {Ire}).

The former, a stakes placed home-bred for Murray Thoroughbreds from the prolific Summoned (Crowned Prince {USA}) family, is one of the first two winners for her Darley based sire whilst the latter - a $40,000 Adelaide Magic Millions graduate who won easily at her Gatton debut is one of her Lovatsville based sire's four winners; he siring the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner Hayasugi in his first crop.

First Season Sire action - Morphettville, Belmont and Arawa Park

The second race at Belmont, the Peters Investment Plate, has just the one runner by a first season sire with Yulong's Alabama Express having Alabama Elegance resuming off a Belmont trial victory.

The $40,000 Adelaide Magic Millions purchase for Ryan Hill Racing from Glenn Lee Thoroughbreds was bred by Yulong out of a winning half-sister to the Listed Widden S. winner Georgette Silk (Flying Spur).

The juvenile contest in Adelaide is busier in regard to first season sires with three represented by six runners: Rosemont Stud's Strasbourg by two, Newgate's Brutal (NZ) by three and Rangeview Stud's Long Leaf by one.

The race is the G3 South Australian Sires Produce S. in which Colmar (Strasbourg) is one of the favoured runner. The consistent performer is out of the city winner Rapala (Encosta de Lago) from an international family whilst the other runner for Strasbourg is Serinite Illusion, a $13,000 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale purchase from the family of Freemason (Grand Lodge {USA}).

Strasbourg has had two winners so far with one of those (Colmar) and one other being stakes placed.

Brutal, who has had nine winners including the Listed winner Jenni's Meadow, has three in the market in this race; Big Brute out of a half-sister to the Listed winner Related (Elusive Quality {USA}) , Heinous from the family of Your Song and the $150,000 Magic Millions purchase Four Ace out of the stakes-placed Flemington winner Claudia Jean (Not A Single Doubt).

A triple Listed winning son of Lonhro, Long Leaf has the roughie Hard Leaf coming off a Mount Gambier maiden second. Sold for $60,000 at the Adelaide Magic Millions, he is out of a half-sister to the stakes winners Gold In Dubai (Desert Sun {GB}) and Gold Busker (Oratorio).

Westbury Stud's Group 3 winning sprinter Ferrando (NZ) has two runners in the second race at Arawa Park; Great Adventure and So Excited who are both bred on a 3 X 3 cross of Redoute's Choice.

Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

Randwick hosted nine trials on Friday morning on a Soft 7 surface. Heat 1, held over 1200 metres, was won by the John Sargent-trained Outlandos (Dissident). With Molly Burke in the saddle, the 7-year-old narrowly defeated the Group 1-winning Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}). Meanwhile, Take Me To Church (Churchill {Ire}) was a further 4.76l away in third.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Surprise Valley (Deep Field) took out Heat 2. The lightly raced 3-year-old, ridden by Rachel King, beat Too Much Caviar (NZ) (All Too Hard) and Tristate (Headwater). Surprise Valley’s Group 3-winning stablemate, Raf Attack (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}), finished fourth.

Surprise Valley has won two of her five starts and was a $150,000 purchase by First Light Racing, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the draft of Ashleigh Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

The daughter of Deep Field is from the unraced Lonhro mare My Goodness, who is a half-sister to Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year Fairy King Prawn (Encosta De Lago), Group 1 winner Easy Rocking, and the Listed-winning Crevette (Danehill {USA}), who is the dam of Group 1 winner Cosmic Endeavour (Northern Meteor).

Gai Stars in Heat 3

Showing sustained speed in Heat 3 was the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Unite The Stars (Unite And Conquer). Under Louis Beuzelin, the unraced filly was sent to the lead and stayed there. Although she was ridden in the straight, she kept up to the task, posting a margin of 1.19l over King Of Thunder (NZ) (Tivaci), Floral Legend (Deep Field), and Forrest Gump (Alabama Express), who finished in a bunch.

Catching the eye on the outside was the unraced colt Golden Straand (Snitzel). The grey ran home strongly without much persuasion. Golden Straand, trained by Matthew Smith, is from the Falvelon mare Kryptelon, who won nine races, including the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic.

Heat 3 also included Unite The Stars’ stablemate Fabulism, who faded to fifth. The filly is a daughter of Written Tycoon and the first foal from star filly Miss Fabulass (Frankel {GB}).

Unite The Stars was purchased for $8,000 by Blueblood Thoroughbreds from the draft of Kingstar Farm at the 2023 Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale. She is from the first crop of Kingstar Farm’s Unite And Conquer and the third foal from Intastella Magic (Magic Albert).

Intastella Magic is from the family of Champion Australian 2-Year-Old Filly Victory Vein (Mr Henrysee {USA}), Group 3 winner Sookie (Casino Prince), and her dual Group 1-winning son Shadow Hero (Pierro).

Freedman double

Randwick-based horseman Michael Freedman posted back-to-back trial victories in Heats 4 and 5. Magic Leprechaun (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) ran home strongly to defeat Vos Savant (Denman), while Ex Wife (Exosphere) arguably finished best of the pack.

Magic Leprechaun has yet to translate his trial form to raceday, with his best efforts being a pair of fourths at Canterbury and Hawkesbury from four starts. The son of Per Incanto (USA) is from the O’Reilly (NZ) mare Irish Magic (NZ), who is also the dam of Heez Born Lucky (NZ) (Ustinov), a seven-time winner and placegetter in the G3 Tasmanian Derby.

The 4-year-old gelding was withdrawn when due to be offered by Ardsley Stud at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale.

Freedman was then represented by House Of Cards (Exceed And Excel) in the following heat, held over 740 metres. The 3-year-old gelding, with Tommy Berry in the saddle, showed a good turn of foot to reel in Way To The Stars (Reward For Effort).

Edited By (Written By) was third, narrowly beating The New Sinatra (Russian Revolution), who flashed home ahead of Countyourblessings (I Am Invincible).

House Of Cards was a $120,000 purchase by Vinery Stud from the draft of Tyreel Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. The son of Exceed And Excel is the seventh foal from the Show A Heart mare Couredge. House Of Cards is a half-brother to the G2 Light Fingers S. and G3 Gimcrack S. winner Every Rose (Choisir).

Shangri back in action

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained juveniles were dominant on Friday morning, winning three of the four heats for 2-year-olds. In Heat 6, the stable was represented by Southern Charm (Shalaa {Ire}).

Ridden by Tim Clark, she went through the motions in a cruisy fashion, defeating Runranirun (Press Statement) by 2.22l, with Boomtown Chat (Spirit Of Boom) in third. Ofcourseiam (Pierata) caught the eye running home, while Not A Worry (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) and Powers Of Opal (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) were doing their best work late in the Think Big silks.

The daughter of Shalaa (Ire) is already a winner, having broken her maiden at Warwick Farm. She was a $180,000 purchase by Henderson Racing and Breeding from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Southern Charm is from the winning Redoute’s Choice mare In A While, who is a close relation to the stakes winner Wee Nessy (Snitzel) and the Group 2-placed Snapback (Snitzel). In A While’s Maurice (Jpn) colt was sold for $220,000 to Cheltenham Stables at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She has a filly by Pinatubo (Ire) and was served by Dundeel (NZ) last spring.

Later on, in Heat 8, Shangri La Express (Alabama Express) returned to action. With Tim Clark in the saddle, he led and held on from a fast-finishing Miss Judas (Microphone), with Enriched (I Am Invincible) in third.

There was a sizable gap to the rest of the field. The fourth-placed Lugarno (Rubick) was 7.69l away, followed by Matera (Extreme Choice) at 9.76l and Wild Ruler’s full sister Sakanta (Snitzel) at 10.19l.

Shangri La Express has had five starts, winning twice and placing on two occasions. He won the Golden Gift and the James Squire Kirkham 2YO Plate and has already earned $729,950 in prize money. Additionally, he was placed in the G2 Todman S.

The son of Alabama Express was a $220,000 purchase by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing and Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the Yulong draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He is from the Lonhro mare Sent From Above. Her Written Tycoon colt sold for $360,000 to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, Kestrel Thoroughbreds, Cunningham Thoroughbreds and Jim Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) at this year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Sent From Above foaled a filly by Alabama Express and returned to the Group 1-winning son of Redoute’s Choice last spring.

Blueblood takes out Heat 7

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained How Rude (Snitzel) may not have won by a large margin, but the manner in which she secured victory in Heat 7 was impressive. Wearing the Go Bloodstock silks and ridden by Andrew Adkins, the homebred filly showed determination in the 740-metre contest.

Adkins didn't push How Rude completely out, but she managed to hold off Indecisive (Brazen Beau) and Super Nui (Super One). Fast Track (So You Think {NZ}) was only 0.85l away in fourth, with Seascape (I Am Invincible) just 1.22l behind. The close finish was further highlighted by the fact that the eighth-placed Melodia Legend (Snitzel) was only 2.72l off the winner.

How Rude is the fifth foal from the Bernardini (USA) mare Ruud Awakening, who was crowned New Zealand's Champion 2-Year-Old after winning the G1 Diamond S. and the R. Listed Karaka Million. Ruud Awakening is also the dam of G3 Pago Pago S. winner Rise Of The Masses (Russian Revolution) and Kundalini (I Am Invincible), who was placed in the R. Listed Inglis Millennium.

Following How Rude, Ruud Awakening has produced a filly by Extreme Choice and was served by I Am Invincible last spring.