Vale Rob Ferguson
The racing industry is mourning the passing of acclaimed businessman Mr Rob Ferguson aged 78 following a long illness. “Rob Ferguson was a trailblazer and visionary in Australian corporate and financial industries and was also a passionate racehorse owner and breeder,” Racing New South Wales Chief Executive, Peter V’landys AM, told racingnsw.com.au.
Rob Ferguson
“Racing NSW was fortunate to have had the services of Rob as a valued Board Member for five years from 2004 to 2009. His contribution was exceptional and ahead of his time. He was also an absolute gentleman who was extremely popular in the racing industry. Rob also had great success in horse racing having been part of the team that established Magic Millions alongside John Singleton and Gerry Harvey.
“We send our sincere condolences to Rob’s wife Jenny and his family and friends.”
Rob Ferguson part-owned the 2001 Golden Slipper winner Ha Ha (Danehill {USA}) along with Singleton when trainer Gai Waterhouse provided the trifecta. He also owned Torryburn Stud in Paterson Valley near Gresford, New South Wales from 1989 until 2002.
Giga Kick to resume in Concorde
There’ll be a few nerves running through trainer Clayton Douglas as his star sprinter Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) makes his long awaited return to racing at Randwick on Saturday in the G3 Concorde S. “We’ve had to be very meticulous in the way we’ve had to prepare him,” Douglas told racingnsw.com.au.
“Over the last few months it’s been fairly straightforward but initially there was a lot of work involved to make sure he was healing properly. If you didn’t know the circumstances behind his long break you wouldn’t think he’d had that long off. We probably could have had him up and going early but we elected to be patient and hopefully it can pay off.
“If he’s attacking the line strongly and he looks like he’s back to his best we’ll be happy. I’m just mindful that everything goes well and he comes through it well and we can leave the racecourse with a smile on our face.” Giga Kick hasn’t raced since September 2023.
Slipper winner to resume in G1 Moir S.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott believes an inside draw is an advantage for the Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot's (Written Tycoon) attempt to become the third 3-year-old filly in the past decade to win the G1 Moir S. at The Valley. “I think that's a good draw for her,” Bott told racing.com.
“It can be a tricky race, 1000 metres around The Valley and just having her first time around there I think a soft draw certainly helps. It's always difficult, even taking that first step from their 2-year-old career into their 3-year-old careers.
“It's a further test again to be throwing her straight into that weight-for-age company, so it's going to be a difficult task for her but in saying that, traditionally it looks to be a race where horses of her profile have done well in.
“She looks to have come back and taken that improvement, so we're very keen to test her at that level under those conditions and it will give us a good picture as to whether we can continue to aim up for races like The Everest.”
Payne siblings now training partners
Michelle and Patrick Payne are now officially training partners. The partnership was approved on Wednesday and are set to have their first runner together on Saturday with last start winner Trosettee (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) at Moonee Valley.
Patrick and Michelle Payne
“It’s exciting. It’s going to be a bit of a change, but we have been feeling our way into the last six or eight months,” Michelle told racing.com.
“We get on well and I’m really excited about the new venture. We both bring cards to the party. He (Patrick) likes to do the work behind the scenes at home on the farm. And this gives him a chance to focus on what he loves doing. He knows he has someone on his team that is determined and is working as hard. So it fits really well.”
O’Brien wins his 50th juvenile race of the year
Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O'Brien earned his 50th win by a juvenile this year with the tally of Monumental (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) at Gowran Park on Tuesday, according to Sporting Life. It was his 31st individual 2-year-old to secure at least one victory since the start of the season. His closest pursuer is trainer Karl Burke (41 wins). In previous years, O'Brien accrued 26 (2023), 40 (2022) and 21 (2021) juvenile wins.
Top of the Coolmore partners' pecking order and in the overall Timefore 2-year-old standings is the undefeated multiple group winner Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) at 116p. O'Brien's G3 Acomb S. hero The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) sits second in the ratings with a mark of 115p. He is currently the winter favourite for both the G1 2000 Guineas and the G1 Derby.
El Morzillo to step up for Furious
Trainer Kelly Schweida has formed the opinion that his filly El Morzillo (Star Witness) is up to being competitive in Saturday’s G2 Furious S. at Randwick. “It was a high-quality race she ran in last time and the Golden Slipper winner just beat us home,” Schweida told racingnsw.com.au of her fourth in the G2 Percy Sykes S.
“Her best runs are when she’s ridden quiet and that’s come into play in Sydney. I think they were two of her better runs and in both those races she had no luck.” She has a win and three placings from eight starts at two and her last start was a fourth in the G1 JJ Atkins Plate.
Pharari earns class record at Sandown
Ciaron Maher-trained Pharari (American Pharoah) broke the class record at Sandown on Wednesday, stopping the clock at 55.57sec – 0.5s slower than the 1000 metre open record set by Definitely Ready (More Than Ready {USA}) at 55.07seconds in 2009 – untouched under jockey Mark Zahra. “It was very easy,” Zahra said.
“I asked her inside the last 400 metres without getting to the bottom of her … she's very fast, she had the wind at her back, and she won well. I think she proved today she's just not a wet tracker, Good 3 to win like that is encouraging, this time of year you'd be silly not to see if you can get a bit of black type with her, I think over 1000 metres you definitely can.” She has now won three of her six starts.
Kah inquiry postponed
The inquiry into Jamie Kah’s ride aboard Let’sfacethemusic (I Am Invincible) in last Saturday’s G3 McNeil S. has been adjourned once again, after further evidence was taken following the last race at Sandown on Wednesday night.
Racing Victoria stewards spoke to the horse’s managing owner Phil Edwards and vet Dr David Sheppard via telephone on Wednesday before concluding the inquiry session with extra questioning for Kah, who had her barrister Matthew Stirling present. Kah also mentioned that the wind made it tricky.
Gold Spirit wins on debut at Murray Bridge
Trainer Grant Kluske’s 3-year-old gelding Gold Spirit (Turffontein) won on debut at Murray Bridge on Wednesday for jockey Brooke King. He was a $30,000 purchase by his trainer from Miranda Park at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Two 3-year-olds win at Belmont
At Belmont’s Wednesday meeting a pair of 3-year-olds won the first two on the card. Alma Mater (Al Maher) won the first for trainer Darren McAuliffe, while Daniel Morton-trainer Muddy Waters (Blue Point {Ire}) won the second to become the 11th Southern Hemisphere winner for his sire.
Smith to retire after Birdsville
Roma trainer Craig Smith has been making his annual pilgrimage to Birdsville for almost two decades but this year will be his last, as he retires after 42 years training. “Mum and dad passed away two years ago within three months of each other and I now run the show on a big property we own in Roma,” Smith told racingqueensland.com.au.
“It takes up a lot of my time running the property where we run cattle and grow a few crops. I’m not saying I’m getting out of racing altogether as I might be back as an owner.”
He has Bors (Fastnet Rock) in this year’s Cup. “It’s 1,140 kilometres from Roma to Birdsville and I first came here in 2003. It’s a challenge to get a horse here and a great thrill to win any race, let alone the Cup, which I’ve won twice.” His winners were in 2012 with Dancefloor Prodigy (Redoute’s Choice) and 2017 with Fast Fella (Fastnet Rock).
Amelia’s Jewel to resume in Tramway
Group 1 winner Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) will resume in Saturday’s G2 Tramway S. at Randwick with Tommy Berry to ride. “She’s been really straightforward so far to deal with,” co-trainer Rob Archibald told TABradio.
“Her two trials have been good and she was put under a little bit more pressure in that second trial. She’s a quality filly and we’re really looking forward to getting her underway.
“We think she’s just about perfect in terms of she’s still carrying a bit of condition, but she will tighten up for the run. There’s still plenty of improvement to come, but we’re certainly confident she’s in a good place and expect her to run well.”
Doyle achieves 1000 wins in the saddle
Classic-winning jockey Hollie Doyle reached 1000 career winners at Goodwood on Tuesday. Doyle, who won her first race 11 years ago, was aboard trainer David Simcock's Leyhaimur (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}) when winning the William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Fillies' Nursery H. over six furlongs. She had scored win 999 earlier in the card with Almaty Star (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the William Hill Most Top Price Runners H. for trainer Robert Cowell.
“Never when I started off my career did I imagine I would ride this many winners,” Doyle told Racing TV. “I'm just really grateful for all the support I've had so far; from trainers, owners, my agent–they've done a great job for me so far, even though I'm probably a nightmare to work for. Now all I can think about is the next thousand!”
Doyle has enjoyed great success in the saddle, and set a new record for number of wins by a female jockey in 2019 with 116. She was aboard Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) in the G1 Nunthorpe S. at York last month en-route to taking her ninth Group 1 win in Europe.
HISA board positions open
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is accepting applications for its Board of Directors, Racetrack Safety Standing Committee and Anti-Doping and Medication Control Standing Committee. The board and standing committees play a critical role in developing, implementing and enforcing HISA's Racetrack Safety and ADMC Programs.
Havana Grey filly tops Tattersalls Somerville Sale
For the second consecutive year Havana Grey (GB) and Whitsbury Manor Stud were responsible for the highest-priced yearling at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale as a filly by the in-demand stallion went the way of Alex Elliott, acting on behalf of Amo Racing, for 140,000gns during Tuesday's session at Park Paddocks.
Havana Grey (GB) | Standing at Whitsbury Manor Stud
This year another 121 lots were offered compared to 12 months ago, when the Somerville Yearling Sale was held over a single session, and yet the aggregate increased by just 3%. Of the 426 yearlings offered, 316 sold for a total value of 8,927,500gns. The clearance rate of 77% represented a 13% decrease on last year, while the average fell by 11% to 28,252gns and the median by 19% to 22,000gns. Only three yearlings achieved a six-figure price this year compared to seven in 2023.
Listed winner retired to stud in France
Listed winner God Blessing (Ire) (Siyouni Fr}) will stand his first season at stud at Karwin Farm in France, Jour de Galop reported on Tuesday. He will stand for €3,000.
“He is a Siyouni with a very interesting profile and size. Black-type mares or those who have produced black-type will be entitled to a covering offered by Delmotte. A few breeding rights will be on sale, at the price of €10,000 with an annual covering, as well as an additional covering to be used during the first three years,” said Gregory Vayre of Karwin Farm of the colt who won four of his seven starts.
