Prowess auction begins
The eagerly anticipated auction of Group 1 winner Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) began on Friday on Gavelhouse Plus. “I've been lucky to have a number of high-class horses through my stable, and she was right up in the very top category,” co-trainer Roger James told Loveracing.nz.
Prowess
“Her career was just highlight after highlight. She scored a scintillating win against an elite field in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic, then became the first three-year-old filly to win the New Zealand Stakes at weight-for-age since Tidal Light in the late ‘80s. And then, of course, she carried on across to Sydney and dominated the Vinery. She was something quite special.
“On top of what she showed on the racetrack, she was just a fabulous horse to do anything with and is an exquisite physical specimen.” The auction ends on 7pm NZT (5pm AEST) on Thursday 8 August.
Catalogue of 377 lots for Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale
The first Extreme Choice yearling of the new season, multiple stakes winners and mares in foal to stallions including Justify (USA) and Too Darn Hot (GB) highlight a diverse catalogue for the Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale.
Australian Bloodstock is offering two black type mares – Zoe’s Promise and Enterprise Pomme. Zoe’s Promise is a Group 2 winner who has defeated the likes of G1 Epsom Hcp winner Rediener and G1 Sangster Stakes winner Climbing Star. Enterprise Pomme is a five-time winner, including as a 2-year-old, and stakes placed mare.
In total the August (Early) catalogue consists of 377 lots--179 racehorses (106 race fillies), 125 broodmares, 33 yearlings, 28 racehorse shares, 10 unbroken stock and two 2YOs.
Art’s Alive wins first Inglis Xtra Bonus
Trainer Brad Widdup’s 3-year-old filly Art’s Alive (Snitzel) won the inaugural Inglis Xtra Bonus at Coffs Harbour on Friday. The $100,000 bonus was on offer for any horse eligible for the new Inglis series and only four horses in the field were eligible.
Coffs Cup won by Time Quest
The Coffs Cup on Friday, with Big Dance eligibility, was won by trainer Matthew Smith’s Time Quest (GB) (Time Test {GB}).
Randwick trials moved to Monday
Racing NSW moved the trials scheduled for Friday to Monday.
NZ Apprentice jockey title to Sutherland
New Zealand’s apprentice jockeys’ premiership was won by Lily Sutherland who finished the season on 52 wins, including four at stakes level, just two wins ahead of her nearest rival, Niranjan Parmar.
“Parmar was going well as well, which made it fun,” Sutherland told Loveracing.nz. “It was good (to win the premiership) and when I got to 50, that was great. It just shows the support that I have had. Everybody has been really kind to me, including all the jockeys, and I couldn’t have done it without Kevin Myers.”
Five new apprentice jockeys for South Australia
Five new apprentices have been inducted into the Racing SA Apprentice Academy including a former national level boxing champion, Jayden Kerr, and Sophie Potter, the daughter of well-respected local jockey Justin Potter.
“Oh super exciting it’s definitely been something when I was a little girl I always dreamed of being part of the Apprentice Academy and it’s finally happened,” Potter told racingsa.com.au.
Race two at Scone void after barrier issue
Racing NSW stewards reported on Friday after all the barriers failed to open together in race two, “Scone: following race 2 Stewards viewed the start and interviewed all riders and the official starter of the event, after hearing their submissions Stewards have declared the race void under AR205.”
Munce training partnership
Trainer and former jockey Chris Munce announced on Friday that he was beginning a new training partnership with his son Corey.
Chris Munce
Cartwright moves to NZ
Young jockey Matthew Cartwright will move to New Zealand this weekend as he aims to build further momentum in his riding career. “I wasn't happy with how I was going as a rider, so my manager (Travis Johnstone) was speaking to a few people in New Zealand, like Brad Taylor, and recommended it could be a good move, at least for the spring and just see how you go,” Cartwright told racing.com.
Matthew Cartwright
Three chances for Winter Cup glory
Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler has three live chances for another win in the G3 127th Winter Cup on Saturday led by Master Marko (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}), who has recently returned to NZ after two years in Queensland. “Everything’s gone really well with him since Oamaru,” Tyler told Loveracing.nz about the last start winner.
“I can’t fault him. He’s looking great in this preparation and has had a flawless build-up so far. It looks a nice race for him on Saturday, getting in with only 53kg, and he’s drawn well in gate two.”
His other two runners in the race are Go Lotte (NZ) (Telperion) and Albatross (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}).
Opera Singer aimed at Arc after winning Nassau S.
Aidan O'Brien knew he still had a top-class filly on his hands despite Opera Singer (USA) (Justify {USA}) missing out on all the early-season mile monuments and the late Evie Stockwell's homebred who had wowed in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac duly delivered up in trip in Thursday's G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Goodwood.
“We always felt she was crying out for a step up in trip and she's a very good filly who could step up further,” trainer Aidan O'Brien said. “When Ryan got off her last year, he said this filly would come back and win the Arc. If she is going there, she might go for the [G1] Prix Vermeille before but if the ground was bad at Longchamp she could go to the Breeders' Cup instead. Last year, we thought her and City Of Troy were the best 2-year-old filly and colt we'd ever had.”
Lizzie Jelfs claims 2024 Markel Magnolia Cup
Lizzie Jelfs won the 2024 Markel Magnolia Cup aboard Newmarket trainer Harry Eustace’s Ancient Times (GB) (Exceed And Excel), who raced under the name Reins Reigns Rains for the event, in the 1100 metre charity race.
Since its inception, the Markel Magnolia Cup has raised £2.4 million for charitable causes. This year, the Markel Magnolia Cup supports My Sisters’ House, a West Sussex women’s centre focussed on welfare and wellbeing, reducing risk of domestic abuse and supporting recovery.
“Amazing experience! A big thank you to Harry Eustace - he provided me with a wonderful horse. I was just the passenger on board and enjoyed every experience. They were a great group of girls – so lovely, we’ve all got together and had a great time. Our thoughts are with Amy [Moring] who had a tumble at the start, but I’m sure she will be fighting fit,” Jelfs told goodwood.com.
European stakes winner for Complexity
Eleanora Kennedy's 2-year-old colt Black Forza (USA) (Complexity {USA}), a £220,000 Goffs UK Breeze-Up graduate, shed maiden status at Fairyhouse last month and stepped forward to notch a landmark win for his Airdrie Stud-based freshman sire (by Maclean's Music) in Thursday's G2 Markel Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. A share in the stallion will be auctioned at Fasig-Tipton's August Sale next week.
Jan Brueghel wins G3 Gordon S.
Coolmore and Westerberg's 3-year-old colt Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Devoted To You {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}) followed up an eighth-length debut tally at the Curragh with a black-type breakthrough back there in June's G3 International Stakes and, penalised three pounds for his narrow success in the latter, dipped into deep reserves to maintain his perfect record with a battling performance in Thursday's G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. He is now three from three.
“Jan Brueghel stays very well, but he is very babyish and green,” said Aidan O'Brien after collecting a fourth renewal of the G1 St Leger trial.
Back to back wins in G2 Glens Falls for McKulick
Although in its 30th rendition in 2024, the G2 Glens Falls S. at Saratoga has been contested at the distance of 2400 metres for just the past four years. Only two mares have won those four renewals: War Like Goddess (USA) (English Channel {USA}) in 2021 and 2022 and now McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in 2023 and 2024.
Banstead Manor Stud's spectacular Frankel (GB) is the sire of McKulick and 98 other graded/group winners from his 147 black-type winners. The winning Astrelle (Ire) produced three graded/group winners from her first three foals. In addition to McKulick, she is also responsible for group winners Just Beautiful (GB) (Pride Of Dubai) and Fearless King (GB) (Kingman {GB}). Her most recent reported offspring is an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Pinatubo (Ire).
US$830,000 traded at Fasig-Tipton's Flash Sale
Fasig-Tipton Digital's Midsummer Flash Sale concluded on Thursday afternoon with the two offerings both sold for a combined gross of US$830,000 ($1,273,699). The first offering, Hip 1, Emmanuel (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}), sold for US$500,000 ($767,289) to trainer Michael Maker. Consigned by WinStar Farm LLC, agent as a racing or stallion prospect.
Ten minutes after bidding closed on Emmanuel, a 33% ownership interest in Hip 2, Iscreamuscream (USA) (Twirling Candy {USA}), was sold for US$330,000 ($506,410) to Agave Racing Stable.
Safety the biggest topic at Round Table
Safety played a central role at the 72nd annual Jockey Club Round Table Conference in Saratoga Springs, New York on Thursday. “I was fortunate to be in the room when Dr. Benson, Aidan Butler and Belinda Stronach laid out the initial and ambitious plan,” Gary Fenton, Chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, said.
“Trainers do a tremendous job on the backstretch but 20 eyes on a horse are better than two. The detailed plan crafted by California and carried out with the support of stakeholders and horsemen laid the blueprint for helping get HISA over the goal line. And here we are five years later with historic declines in fatalities. It has never been safer to race in California …and we did it with dirt tracks.”
