MRC power struggle continues
A dispute has arisen within the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) as nine members of the executive committee have condemned an attempt by fellow committee member John Kanga to call for a Special General Meeting.
“The nine members of the executive committee are concerned that Mr Kanga is seeking to bypass the election process in a bid to install a new block of committee members outside of the upcoming election process,” the group's statement said.
“We are shocked by this unprecedented move and remain united in our commitment to the MRC's established and fair election process. We are working together effectively and believe in upholding the values of transparency and democracy that our members expect.”
Kanga's push for the Special General Meeting is centered around concerns regarding the location of the new Caulfield mounting yard, the halting of new grandstand development, and securing the future of Sandown. The executive committee, however, remains united in opposing what they view as an unprecedented and undemocratic move, emphasising the importance of adhering to the club's election process.
“Nothing can be more democratic than the members voting on whether to remove people that are not listening to genuine member concerns that we are trying to resolve,” said John Kanga in response to the committees statement.
“The MRC Rules provide that a members vote must be held “forthwith” when it receives a petition signed by more than 150 members. That’s happened. We have overwhelming public and member support, which everyone can see.
“They are legally obliged to call the meeting. Let the members vote and decide.”
Century of Group 1 winners for Galileo
Continuing Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore's incredible week, Content (Ire) put the icing on the cake on Thursday by bringing up the long-awaited 100th individual Group 1 winner for the legendary Galileo (Ire) in the G1 Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks.
“Galileo is incredible, they are so honest and so genuine,” O'Brien said. “The mark he's going to leave on pedigrees is incredible, from generation to generation. She is a typical example of Galileo. Even if there's no more left, if their legs can move they put them out there and that's what she did.”
Galileo (Ire) | Image courtesy of Coolmore
Content, who has etched her name into Coolmore legend with this historic delivery, is her dam, Mecca’s Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire})'s first group 1 winner but that tally will very possibly be doubled shortly with the stable's brilliant 2-year-old Bedtime Story (Ire) by Galileo's Frankel (GB) being prepared for the highest level after her Listed Chesham Stakes romp and G3 Silver Flash Stakes follow-up.
Tropical Squall ready for Winx S. challenge
Jockey Adam Hyeronimus is under no illusions about the task facing Tropical Squall (Prized Icon) if she’s to fend off the Chris Waller army, and a quarter of a century of history, to win the season’s first Group 1 at Randwick on Saturday. The last 4-year-old mare to win what’s now the G1 Winx S., formerly the Warwick S., was the champion Sunline (Desert Sun {GB}) back in 1999.
Tropical Squall | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She was definitely an underrated three-year-old, she’s one of few fillies to win a Group 1 in both carnivals and that’s not really recognised,” Hyeronimus told racingnsw.com.au.
“At the same time going into this first-up run being a little underrated is probably valid because it’s a strong race. These are very good horses that Chris trains but they’ve obviously got bigger targets in mind and may not be as wound up as my horse, that’s from the outside looking in. Whether that’s the case I don’t know.”
Catalogue finalised for Magic Millions Virtual Sale
A line up of 48 select lots has been finalised for Tuesday's Magic Millions August Virtual Sale from the Gold Coast. In a further boost for prospective buyers, no fewer than 12 individual lots are paid up for the Magic Millions Race Series including group winning mare Boognish (Sooboog).
"We are thrilled with the line up for Tuesday's Virtual Sale," Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch noted. "We thank vendors for their support and look forward to offering this select line up to prospective buyers." "I'd encourage buyers across all levels of the market to check out the 48 lots - they will definitely be impressed with what opportunities this catalogue will offer."
Tabcorp fined $4.6million for breaches
Betting firm Tabcorp has been hit with a $4.6 million fine by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission for ‘systemic operational deficiencies and non-compliance with the conditions of its wagering licence’. “This action is indicative of a culture in which the licence holder's harm minimisation obligations were not taken seriously,” Commission Chair Fran Thorn told racenet.com.au.
“The recorded call provides evidence of a lack of commitment to responsible gambling policies and demonstrates a lack of concern for the customer's wellbeing. Instead of offering support or making suggestions to help the customer manage their gambling, the call was used as an opportunity to encourage them to continue gambling.
“The hefty fine, the largest the Commission has ever issued to Tabcorp, is proportionate to the seriousness of the licensee's misconduct. It sends a clear message to the gambling industry that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.”
Earthquake hits Hunter Valley
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake has been felt by thousands in NSW. The epicentre was near Muswellbrook but tremors were felt by residents in places as far away as Coffs Harbour, Sydney and Canberra.
"We have had one report that stuff fell off the shelves and that kind of thing, and the screen door came off," Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Hadi Ghasemi told abc.net.au. "Closer areas to the epicentre, we are receiving, you know, moderate to light level of ground-shaking."
All-Star Mile gets prizemoney cut with money diverted to grass roots
Racing Victoria has reduced All-Star Mile prizemoney from $4 million to $2.5 million, with the saving to fund grassroots, including $50,000 Premier Maidens, and other feature events. Overall prizemoney and bonuses for the 2024-25 calendar has stayed at the same as last season – $316 million – despite continued financial pressure.
“The connection between the All-Star Mile and Australian Cup has delivered a great racing pathway and narrative over the past two years,” RV chief executive Aaron Morrison told racenet.com.au. “This will be cemented with both races now run at Flemington. … One of our key goals is to maximise returns to participants and owners.”
Around the nation on Friday
Several 3-year-olds joined with winners list on Friday, led by two exciting winners at Geelong. 3-year-old colt Extreme Diamond (Extreme Choice) won at his second start, while Godolphin’s Thames (Lonhro) opened her account too.
At Ipswich, Without Delay (Churchill {Ire}) and Sammy Conquers All (Love Conquers All) won, while Achieve Perfection (Pierro) won at Canberra. At the Tweed River Jockey Club meeting, saw an interesting win by Northern Hemisphere bred 3-year-old gelding Half Listening (USA) (Curlin {USA}) who was on debut.
Five for Matthew Dunn at Tweed River
Trainer Matthew Dunn won five races at Friday’s Tweed River meeting, opening with the first four on the card. His winners were Jake Bayliss-ridden Perovic (Pierro), who is a half-brother to King’s Legacy, followed by Half Listening (USA) (Curlin {USA}) ridden by Andrew Mallyon.
Matthew Dunn | Image courtesy of Racing Queensland
Mallyon also rode Written Fame (Winning Rupert) and Cavaup (Zoustar) to bring up a treble for the day. Jake Bayliss then rode Cranky Harry (Spill The Beans) to win the Murwillumbah Cup which has Big Dance eligibility.
Mr Brightside runs second in jump out at Flemington
Mr Brightside (Bullbars) has run second in the jump out at Flemington on Friday morning. “We had a good look at him, he's had a nice blow but recovered quickly. He's improved again in the coat,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told racing.com.
“I thought it was a great trial for him, because Here To Shock, who's always been a very good trialler, really bowled along in front and gave them something to catch. Through the line he (Mr Brightside) went probably 1000m - he had a good hard hit-out, was very strong, and just got better the further he went in the trial. We're very happy with him, he's coming along nicely and this will really top him off for the big race next week. We always say he's improved, but it's kind of hard to say he's improved again, because you can't do much more … we can't fault him.”
See You In Heaven can do it again
The Richard and Chantelle Jolly stable are confident star mare See You In Heaven (Divine Prophet) is ready to go one better than last year in Saturday’s Listed Leon Macdonald S. at Morphettville. “She come through the run really well,” Jolly told racingsa.com.au about the last start winner.
“She’s not a horse who impresses at track work, but she’s starting to tighten up and her coat is starting to come through which is what you want to see. She’s drawn four which looks ideal. She should be able to land a pretty good position a pair or two back from there and based on the other day she should be hard to beat again.”
Spirit Of Tasmania fined for polo pony deaths
After more than six years and dozens of criminal court appearances, state-owned ferry operator TT-Line has been fined $4,000 in relation to the deaths of 16 polo ponies — equating to $250 per horse. The new fine was issued on Friday in the Supreme Court of Tasmania, with Chief Justice Alan Blow replacing an earlier fine of $75,000 for 29 animal-welfare-related charges.
"The applicant company is not entitled to a sentencing discount because of a plea of guilty, but, in the circumstances, the making of the offer in May 2021 is a significant mitigating factor," Justice Blow told abc.net.au.
Vale Kevin Hickman
The New Zealand thoroughbred industry has lost one of its most influential figures of the last two decades with the passing of Kevin Hickman after a long illness. Tributes to the Valachi Downs principal have flowed from around New Zealand and Australia, including from Gareth Downey, who was Valachi’s general manager from 2020 to its closure in 2022. He now has a management role with leading Australian stable Lindsay Park Racing.
Kevin Hickman | Image courtesy of loveracing.nz
“It really is a huge loss, and it’s the end of what’s been a very difficult journey in recent years for Kevin and his family,” Downey told Loveracing.nz. “A few of us who were on the Valachi team have been catching up today, and we’re all forever grateful for the opportunities that he gave us. Even apart from the many varied successes he had in his life, he was such an inspirational, dedicated and passionate man who loved the horses and loved his people. If you were part of his team, he made you feel like part of his family.
“What he achieved in racing and breeding in a relatively short space of time was remarkable and indicative of the type of man that he was. Whatever he set his mind to, be it in business or sport or thoroughbreds, he was determined to succeed, and he invariably did. But that success never came at the cost of his ethics or integrity. He still had lifelong friends from his childhood, and all of the success that he had in his life never changed him one bit.
“There aren’t many people like Kevin Hickman, and a lot of people who were lucky enough to know him are feeling the pain of his loss today.”
Diablo Blanco looking to spring board into stakes company
A 3-year-old race on the Riccarton Park synthetic track on Saturday will be used as a stepping stone towards spring stakes targets for highly talented local filly Diablo Blanco (NZ) (Super Seth). “I think this race on Saturday is ideal, because it’ll give us three weeks into the Canterbury Belle,” trainer Richard Didham told Loveracing.nz.
Diablo Blanco won two of her five starts at two and was fourth in the G2 Wakefield Challenge S.
Waitak ready for Group outing, Dragon Leap scratched
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott were set to have both Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) and stablemate Dragon Leap (Pierro) in Saturday’s G2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate, but Dragon Leap was scratchy in track work and has been scratched. “We gave him a stretch of his legs yesterday (Thursday) and he’s just pulled up a bit off,” Scott told Loveracing.nz.
“Pratap, his trackwork rider, rides him every day and knows this horse very well, he just didn’t think he was quite 100 percent. We went over him and couldn’t find a lot wrong, and he’s trotted up all but 100 percent yesterday afternoon, but the horse certainly comes first so we just wanted to take the precautionary avenue. He’s been an incredibly good horse to us so we don’t want to be taking any chances.”
Kentucky Oaks winner Pretty Mischief retired
Godolphin took to X to announce 2023 Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly Pretty Mischievous (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) has been retired from racing. The social media post said, “Kentucky Oaks winner #PrettyMischievous arriving at her new home at #GainsboroughFarm today. Next stop, motherhood!” Pretty Mischievous retires with a record of 13-7-2-3 and earnings of US$2,112,560 (AU$2.9million).
Goffs big prize won by Diligently
Clive Cox trainee 2-year-old colt Diligently (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}) had failed to strike in five prior outings, but timed his breakthrough success to perfection and swooped late to garner Thursday's £626,462 Harry's Half Million By Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes at York.
City Of Troy aimed at Breeders’ Cup next
The GI Breeders' Cup Classic has been confirmed as the next port of call for City Of Troy (USA) (Justify {USA}) following his dominant win in Wednesday's G1 Juddmonte International at York. Trainer Aidan O'Brien said, “It looks like City Of Troy is going to go straight to the Classic, I think, listening to everybody. I think he's going to go to one of your tracks [for a racecourse gallop], either Southwell or Ryan [Moore, jockey] mentioned Wolverhampton.
“We just want to get him on a different surface, so that's where he could go and then he'll go straight on [to America].”
Stewart purchases majority share in Goliath
American owner-breeder John Stewart of Resolute Racing has completed a deal to buy a majority share in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}).
The 4-year-old gelding, who is trained in Chantilly by Francis-Henri Graffard, was bred by Gestut Schlenderhan and races in the colours of Schlenderhan's Baron Philip von Ullmann. Stewart told TDN, “So many people over here [in America] have changed to where it's a breed-to-sell programme. What are the chances somebody else is going to buy a gelding who's the number two horse that year? He's already got his 'Win And You're In' for the Breeders' Cup and for the Japan Cup and could point to the Sheema Classic. I negotiated a 75% controlling interest in the horse. That's some of the flexibility I have with my focus being the racetrack. I want to have the best-bred horses on the track.”
Fasig-Tipton August Digital catalogue released
Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 213 entries for its August Digital Sale, which opened bidding Aug. 22 and will close Tuesday, August 27 at 12 p.m. ET., the auction house said in a press release on Thursday. The catalogue features 70 horses of racing age, led by Group 1-placed School Dance (USA) (Animal Kingdom {USA}) (hip 2), who is both a racing and broodmare prospect. Breeding stock offerings include 90 broodmares or broodmare prospects, many with stakes qualifications.
Irish National Stud to host veterinary lectures
The Irish National Stud will host the fourth event in IEVA 's CPD 2024 Series on Saturday, August 31. Entitled “Surgery and Lameness”, the event is geared toward recent veterinary graduates and veterinary surgeons and will cover a wide range of topics from field anesthesia, castration, wounds and fractures.
It will also look at the global career opportunities for equine veterinary practitioners as well as the importance of good client consultancy and engagement.
