Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

With the first two sittings of the Select Committee on the Proposal to Develop Rosehill Racecourse headlined by claims of failures of governance within the New South Wales industry and calls for a change in the funding model for clubs, Thursday’s final public session was, on the whole, more within the scope of the broad terms of reference.

The proceedings were textbook lessons in the art of political defence. Firstly from the public servants called to give evidence around just who knew what and when regarding the timeline of events leading up to the announcement on December 7th of the proposed sale, and the Premier’s possible involvement in expediting matters, while the day finished with Racing New South Wales Chair Dr Saranne Cooke putting up a stoical rebuttal of criticism aimed at her CEO Peter V’Landys.

The morning session gave the Committee an opportunity to question Simon Draper, the Secretary of the Premier’s Department, Will Murphy who was deputising as Secretary at the time in question, and Kate Boyd, Secretary to the Cabinet Office, over the timing of the approach from the Australian Turf Club with a proposal to sell the western Sydney track.

Metro station or full redevelopment for housing?

Murphy testified that on November 2 last year he received an email from the ATC’s Head of Membership and Corporate Affairs, Steve McMahon, seeking a meeting over the Club’s preferred site for a possible Metro station. Murphy stated he forwarded the email, which included a rudimentary diagram of Rosehill and what could have been construed as plans for housing, to the Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade, also known as Investment NSW. Certain members of the Committee found it difficult to swallow that without a heads up, that email was returned just two business days later on November 6 accompanied by a detailed plan with four options for consideration, including one covering if the ATC sought to redevelop all of Rosehill for essential housing.

Independent Senator Mark Latham tried hard to find out just who had requested such a detailed plan, but to no avail.

Later in the morning Ms Katie Knight, the Executive Director of Commercial Transactions for Investment NSW, said she had taken on the task of completing the four-option document in the knowledge the Government were looking for opportunities to increase housing in Sydney, but had done so without prompting from those in charge in Macquarie Street. Using a variation of a standard document she had merely been efficient in providing details that “set out four options from which the ATC could approach government” at a meeting scheduled for November 8.

It was clear that, no matter how many times the witnesses denied any contact from those representing the Premier, at least Senator Latham and the Nationals Senator Wes Fang weren’t buying it.

Horsley Park

In the lead up to the luncheon break the Committee heard from Carla Armanet as CEO of the Sydney Olympic Park Authority (SOPA) and Karen Jones as the CEO of the Office of Sport who run the Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park, the site of the proposed training centre should Rosehill no longer exist. Both witnesses prefaced their evidence by saying they could not offer an opinion on the suitability of the sites for the purpose of racing or training as they were yet to receive proposal plans from the ATC.

Under questioning Mrs Armanet stated the brick pit site consisted of 27 hectares, less than half the 60 hectares of Rosehill, almost all of which is used on race days.

Mrs Armanet also explained SOPA had an existing 99-year lease agreement with the Royal Agricultural Society covering 35 days per year to stage the Royal Easter Show which would have to be considered under any ATC proposal. There are also plans afoot to turn a nearby carpark into 3200 apartments by 2030, while SOPA had other brick pit linked obligations under license arrangements for mobile telephone towers and operation and maintenance of the Water Reclamation and Management Scheme as a water storage reservoir along with the associated supporting infrastructure.

These issues would have to be overcome before addressing the environmental concerns of the brick pit itself and the adjacent wetlands. Mrs Armanet mentioned that the two sites were connected ecological systems, and any intrusion on one would impact the other.

Of some concern given the Unsolicited Proposal to be put to the government should be well advanced, Mrs Armanet confirmed that “SOPA had not participated in, or facilitated any inspections by Racing NSW or the Australian Turf Club of the brick pit as a potential site as a replacement of Rosehill Racecourse.” She also stated that under current planning controls the development of a racecourse would be prohibited.

Ms Jones stated that without having received a proposal from the ATC, any answers on developing Horsley Park would be hypothetical, but the Office of Sport would be looking for the training centre to be ‘co-located on the site to incorporate existing stakeholders’, for example those that use the facility for Three Day Eventing. Ms Jones went on to explain that co-located did not necessarily mean shared facilities when questioned by Mark Latham over possible security issues with Thoroughbreds.

Failure to protect the industry as a whole

One of the more refreshingly direct statements was delivered in the afternoon by Cowra trainer Debbie Prest who took aim at both government and racing authorities stating, ‘It has taken the sale of an iconic racing and training precinct to lead to scrutiny never shone on the racing industry before.’ She stated the situation “was the failure of this and previous governments to protect the industry as a whole. Racing NSW and clubs like the ATC exist to regulate, distribute prizemoney and provide racing and training surfaces that meet minimum standards.

Sadly, these administrative bodies and functionaries have gained a life of their own, wanting to operate unfettered with little or no (industry) consultation, and with past and present government Ministers taking a hands off approach there has been a reinforcing of their untouchable status.”

Under questioning Prest raised a number of issues including failed promises to deliver capital works and a perception within the industry that criticising the status quo or those in charge would have serious ramifications for the individual.

The sittings concluded with the calling of Dr Saranne Cooke who put up a robust defence of both her organisation and her CEO. In her opening statement she took aim at those who she said had used this inquiry to ‘make unsubstantiated accusations against him to discredit and harm’ V’Landys, which, if nothing else, she said was outside the terms of reference set for the Committee and lacked procedural fairness.

When questioned by Latham over perceived failures by the regulatory body to fulfil its obligation to provide a Strategic Plan every three years Dr Cooke said the Board had chosen to use the existing Plan through the COVID period. She did not explain why it had taken a further three years on from the pandemic for an updated Plan to be published.

Stage 2 of the unsolicited Proposal

During Dr Cooke’s evidence it was also mentioned that while a full plan and costing had not been provided to the Board, it was looking likely that upgrading Warwick Farm to a standard equivalent to Rosehill would prove too expensive to be viable. One has to wonder how expensive that might be given the windfall the ATC stand to gain and how much they may have to spend on another site like the brick pit. However, Dr Cooke did use the words “we haven’t decided yet”, from which the inference is Racing NSW will be making the decision over Warwick Farm.

So with the Select Committee meetings at an end the next step is for the relevant report to be tabled before parliament at a date no later than November 30. With the ATC yet to provide plans for the brick pit, or another similar site, and Horsley Park, it would seem highly unlikely that Stage 2 of the Unsolicited Proposal would be put before the government this calendar year.

Cover image courtesy of Keeneland

The momentum that began with a competitive Book 1 session carried through into Book 2, with a trio of yearlings fetching seven-figure prices and continued increases over last year's results during the third session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in Lexington on Wednesday.

“We saw the same kind of momentum and trends just rolling over,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales, Tony Lacy. “There was great positivity around the grounds. Consignors were invariably very pleased, and buyers found it tough in a very competitive environment. There were a lot of good horses on offer today, and I think it will be the same tomorrow. It was just an even trade, very strong and robust.”

The Book 2 opener saw 220 yearlings gross US$69,917,000 (AU$107.80 million), with the session average rising by 3.74 per cent to US$317,805 (AU$489,500). The median also saw a significant increase, up 7.84 per cent to US$275,000 (AU$423,600).

From a catalogue of 380 head, a total of 306 yearlings were offered on Wednesday, with 86 failing to meet their reserves, resulting in a buy-back rate of 28.10 per cent, slightly down from 28.4 per cent the previous year.

These three million-dollar yearlings brought the sale’s total number of seven-figure horses to 34, the second highest in the history of the Keeneland September sale, up from 28 at this stage last year.

Additionally, 47 yearlings sold for US$500,000 (AU$770,500) or more during Wednesday's session, up from 39 during the corresponding session in 2023.

“I think it was probably above our expectations,” Lacy commented on the results. “When you look at last year’s figures, it was very strong, and we’re up about 7 per cent in the median over last year. The number of horses selling for US$500,000 and above has also increased, from 39 last year to 47 this year, which is a really good trend.”

A competitive buying bench

The diverse bench of buyers who were active in Book 1 remained competitive into Book 2, with the domestic buying bench dominating the action on Wednesday.

“We had a tremendously diversified buying bench,” said Keeneland Director of Sales Operations, Cormac Breathnach. “We have 34 seven-figure horses already, the second-most in the history of the September sale. But when you look at who has bought those horses, very few have bought more than one. So, there are a lot of people here with significant money to spend, creating competition at the top end of the market. Others are getting pushed back, and they still have orders to fill.

“That’s what’s really buoying this Book 2 session and creating the momentum. The median price of US$275,000 today is a very healthy number. The RNA rate is also in line with last year's figures.”

Fung's son purchases Gun Runner filly

Aquis President Justin Fung’s son, John Fung, entered the yearling market during Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, purchasing Hip 307, a filly by Gun Runner (USA) out of the Constitution (USA) mare Alexandria (USA).

The filly is the first foal from Alexandria, a five-time winner, including victories in the Listed Miss Ohio S., Listed Queen City Oaks, Listed Tah Dah, and Listed Mahoning Valley John W. Galbreath S.

Hip 307, offered by Denali Stud, was initially passed in but was later purchased by John Fung Australia for US$275,000 (AU$412,400).

Another Gun Runner for Scharbauer

Texan breeder and owner Douglas Scharbauer has purchased five fillies during the first three days of the Keeneland September sale, four of which are by leading sire Gun Runner (USA) Scharbauer, who secured a Gun Runner filly (Hip 24) for US$1.5 million (AU$2.32 million) on the first day of the auction, went to US$1.05 million (AU$1.62 million) on Wednesday to acquire another daughter of the stallion (Hip 695), consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency.

“I saw her this afternoon for the first time,” Scharbauer said of Hip 695. “My two advisors, Donny Denton, who manages Valor Farm for me, and Ken Carson, we all three looked at her, and liked her pretty much. I was hoping I could get her for a little less than a million, but I can see why she brought that. I really can.”

The yearling is the first foal out of 'TDN Rising Star' Always Carina (USA) (Malibu Moon {USA}), who was second in the 2021 G2 Mother Goose S. She was bred by Three Chimneys Farm.

Gallery: Images courtesy of Keeneland

“She was just a beautiful filly,” said Taylor Made’s Frank Taylor. “She had a good walk to her. Everybody was lined up on her. We knew she was going to sell well. She was a really nice filly. Her mind is great. She showed really well at the barn. Things lined up, and she showed well.”

Of the filly’s placement in Book 2, Taylor explained, “Three Chimneys had quite a few horses in Book 1, and they decided to hold back some nice ones, and it worked well.”

As for who will train his new acquisition, Scharbauer said, “I am not sure. Steve (Asmussen) might get her, but we will probably send some to Brad Cox. I've never sent any to him before, so we will send some to him, but I don’t know which ones.”

Scharbauer’s Gun Runner purchases also include:

-Hip 628, purchased for US$650,000 (AU$1 million) from Terrazas Thoroughbreds, acting as agent for Corser Thoroughbreds.

- Hip 153, purchased for US$500,000 (AU$770,500) from Denali Stud, acting as agent for Bridlewood Farm.

Additionally, he purchased a filly by Not This Time (USA) (Hip 678) for US$500,000 (AU$770,500) from Taylor Made.

Gallery: Other yearlings by Gun Runner (USA) purchased by Douglas Scharbauer, images courtesy of Keeneland

“I’ve bought five fillies,” Scharbauer said. “There were a couple of colts that we bid on, but they just went for too much money.”

Always Carina, a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Structor (USA) (Palace Malice {USA}), produced a full sister to Hip 695 this year and has been bred back to Gun Runner.

Tapit colt shares top honours at KEESEP Wednesday

Continuing the buying momentum from Book 1, Tom Ryan signed for Wednesday’s joint-topper, Hip 674, a colt by Tapit (USA). Ryan extended to US$1.05 million (AU$1.62 million) to secure the son of Grade 3 winner Verve's Tale (USA) (Tale Of Ekati {USA}) on behalf of the SF, Starlight and Madaket partnership.

Consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, the colt, born on March 7, was bred by Charles Fipke, who also campaigned the yearling’s dam and broodmare sire. A full sister to G1 Preakness runner-up Tale Of Verve (USA).

“He is out of a very good mare: a very deep family. Beautiful piece of (pedigree) paper,” Ryan remarked. “And Tapit keeps on proving how good he is. He is a mainstay American star.”

Ryan also praised the colt’s temperament: “We've seen him several times, and you've seen in the ring he was a gentleman,” addressing Tapit’s reputation for producing spirited offspring.

Gallery: Images courtesy of Keeneland

Earlier, Ryan signed for Hip 644, a colt by McKinzie (USA), for US$950,000 (AU$1.47 million). Consigned by Gainesway, the bay colt is out of Take Charge Angel (USA) (Will Take Charge {USA}) and is a grandson of Georgie’s Angel (USA) (Bellamy Road {USA}), the dam of G1 American Pharoah S. and G1 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity scorer Cave Rock (USA) (Arrogate {USA}).

Trained by Bob Baffert for Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, Cave Rock, a US$550,000 (AU$823,700) KEESEP yearling purchase, also finished runner-up in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland.

“This colt is out of a half-sister to Cave Rock, who is really one of the best 2-year-olds we’ve seen in the last couple of years,” affirmed Ryan. “Physically, he was a very straightforward horse.”

The colt was bred by Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Brian Graves. His dam, Take Charge Angel, RNA’d for US$575,000 (AU$861,100) at Keeneland November in 2022 while carrying this foal. “We have a yellow [sales] ticket with a big number on it, so clearly we loved the horse,” Ryan added. “There is quite a criteria for these horses to jump through, and he qualifies in every measure.”

Further enhancing the colt’s page, his 3-year-old full-brother to Cave Rock, Assurbanipal (USA) (Arrogate {USA}), brought US$1.05 million (AU$1.62 million) at OBSMAR in 2023 after topping Fasig-Tipton's New York-bred sale a year earlier at US$700,000 (AU$1 million). He has won three of his four starts impressively in Japan. Another full brother, Furio (USA), brought US$400,000 (AU$599,100) at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale last year.

Speaking about McKinzie, Ryan explained, “McKinzie has really kicked off in a star fashion. McKinzie was a great racehorse, and it looks like his stock is more precocious than he was himself. He has shown precocity with his 2-year-olds this year. Lots to look forward to with McKinzie.”

Gainesway’s Antony Beck echoed these sentiments, saying, “McKinzie’s (offspring) are setting the track alight right now, so I think (Hip 644) will add to that.”

Among the team's other purchases on Wednesday was Hip 634, a colt by Uncle Mo (USA) out of Sundaysatthebeach (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), bought for US$775,000 (AU$1.2 million) and consigned by Woods Edge Farm. “We are hitting plenty of targets but have to fight for them,” Ryan said.

Regan reflects on Tapit topper

Tapit had his second seven-figure yearling of the week when the SF/Starlight/Madaket partnership paid US$1.05 million (AU$1.62 million) for a colt (Hip 674) on Wednesday at Keeneland.

“With the way he’s gone over the whole week, we were hoping, but you never know if you are going to get a million or not,” said Adrian Regan of Hunter Valley Farm, which consigned the yearling on behalf of breeder Charles Fipke. “I think there are only 70 or so Tapits in this yearling crop. There are not that many of them anymore, and he’s still a very popular stallion.”

The yearling is out of Verve's Tale (USA) (Tale Of Ekati {USA}), winner of the 2016 G3 Comely S. in Fipke’s colours. Fipke purchased Verve’s Tale’s dam, Verve (USA) (Unbridled {USA}), for US$160,000 (AU$239,600) at the 2005 Keeneland November sale.

“He was a lovely horse,” Regan said. “It’s brilliant to do it for Mr. Fipke. We’ve sold for him for years. He has always been there for us.”

During the first session of the auction, Shadwell Farm purchased a filly by Tapit (Hip 81) for US$1.2 million (AU$1.85 million).

Charlatan colt brings seven figures in Book 2 opener

While the tempo slowed slightly compared to earlier sessions, Book 2 opened with plenty of activity, led by yearlings by in-demand freshman sire Charlatan (USA).

The first seven-figure sale of the day came when Hip 509 brought US$1 million (AU$1.55 million) from Jim and Dana Bernhard’s Pin Oak Stud, bidding via the internet.

Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, the chestnut colt is out of Midnight Lucky (USA) (Midnight Lute {USA}), winner of the G1 Acorn S. and G1 Humana Distaff S. The colt was bred by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, Paul Weitman, and Hill ‘n’ Dale.

The colt’s dam, who earned US$565,022 (AU$846,200) on the track under Bob Baffert’s care, was purchased by Pegram for US$220,000 (AU$329,500) at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga in 2011.

This represents Midnight Lucky’s second seven-figure yearling, following a colt by Curlin (USA), who brought US$1.2 million (AU$1.8 million) at Keeneland September in 2020. A timely update to the page came when the colt’s half-brother Into Midnight (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) finished second at Del Mar on Sept. 7.

“Bob is high on Into Midnight. Charlatan is flying at the moment. He looked the part, and the stars aligned,” said Hill ‘n’ Dale’s Jared Burdine. “He was our most popular horse for Book 2.”

Hill ‘n’ Dale’s General Manager added, “You never know until you get up here. Things have to line up. A couple of people lock horns, and it’s a little bit of magic. It exceeded our expectations. He was a nice colt, so seven figures in Book 2 is impressive.”

Speaking about the success of Charlatan, John Sikura noted, “I want to thank Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman for their support. They committed a Grade I winner to a freshman sire. It all goes back to the beginning when we committed top mares to the horse. Charlatan was a superstar and provided the ammunition.”

Later that day, Pin Oak paid US$625,000 (AU$965,600) for Hip 538, a colt by Not This Time out of New York Groove (USA) (Verrazano {USA}). The dark bay was consigned by Denali Stud, acting as agent.

Mike Ryan parts With US$800,000 (AU$1,245,328) for Uncle Mo colt

In Wednesday's opening session of Book 2, agent Mike Ryan signed the ticket for Hip 468, a colt by Uncle Mo (USA). Consigned by Lane’s End, acting on behalf of breeder Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Equine, the bay colt is out of Irish Listed winner Key To My Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a daughter of G1 Frizette S. scorer and 'TDN Rising Star' A Z Warrior (USA) (Bernardini {USA}).

This is the family of stakes winner Jojo Warrior (USA) (PioneerOfTheNile {USA}). “The first time I saw him was at Summer Wind Farm about three weeks ago, and he immediately reminded me of Nyquist,” said Ryan, referring to the G1 Kentucky Derby-winning son of Uncle Mo. “He has an aura about him that only a handful of horses have. He's got size, depth, quality, and an unbelievable pedigree.”

Key to My Heart, a 525,000gns (AU$1 million) purchase at Tattersalls in February 2018, was later purchased by Lyon for US$1.75 million (AU$2.72 million) at Keeneland that November while in foal to War Front (USA).

Despite the female family leaning toward early precocity and speed, Ryan anticipates the colt will show versatility as well.

Gallery: Images courtesy of Keeneland

“He looks like a horse that will get a mile-and-an-eighth or a mile-and-a-quarter,” he said. “And he looks like he will run at two as well.”

According to Ryan, the colt, who has been purchased by a new undisclosed client, will be trained by Chad Brown.

“I thought he was very special,” Ryan added. “He would have stood out on any day. We were thrilled to get him.”

Cover image courtesy of Bimbadeen Park

In this segment of The Thoroughbred Report’s ‘Breaker Insights’, TTR AusNZ chatted with triple Olympic medallist Shane Rose, who operates Bimbadeen Park alongside his wife, Niki Rose.

Rose outlined the education process he uses to teach the next generation of runners: “I take them straight to the round yard and apply gear like a girth and bridle, and then we teach them to go forward and turn.

“On the second day, I do the same thing, but this time I get on their back. The emphasis is still on going forward. By day three, I replicate that process in a larger area. They’re still young horses, so the environment needs to be safe, usually a sand yard where they can’t hurt themselves.

“There can be a lot of bucking in this process, but we keep them in the round yard until that stops. That usually takes two or three days, and then we head straight out onto the track.”

Rose highlighted that the journey to the racetrack can be different for young thoroughbreds. “Our track is right beside the round yard. Once they understand how to turn and go forward, we take them out to the track for a spin.

“A lot of them don’t like the track at first because we’ve got horses, deer, and even kangaroos living around it – all things young thoroughbreds think might jump out and attack them.

“But the first few days are really about building their confidence and teaching them to go forward. By Tuesday of their second week, we’ll head to a paddock to work on changing leads and steering. Once they’re doing all that on their own, by the following Wednesday, we’ll pair them up with another horse to reinforce that forward momentum.”

Rose then discussed introducing the barriers. “We introduce them to the barriers, usually on the Friday of their second week. We start by leading them through the gates, and we do this every other day for the rest of their time in that third week.

“We walk the horse in, stand them there, then bring another horse in next to them, and so on. The goal is to get them used to the gates without any pressure. We don’t lock the barriers behind them until the last week they’re with us.

“In the final week, we lock them in and have them trot out of the front gates, then repeat the process with two other horses. On the Friday of their last week with me, we’ll do a canter out of the front gates. Depending on the trainer’s preferences, some want more, but that’s my basic process.”

Rose added, “That system works for me because I know what I’m doing and understand the signals to look for. It’s not about time in the saddle; it’s about understanding the day’s exercise or purpose. Once the horse understands, it’s about repetition and building their experiences, not wearing them out by forcing it into them.”

Golden Slipper winners and rising stars

Shane Rose has seen many talented horses pass through his Bimbadeen Park facility. “I've had horses like Racing To Win, Shooting To Win, Capitalist, and The Autumn Sun come through here more recently,” Rose said.

Racing To Win (Encosta De Lago) was crowned Champion 3-Year-Old in Australia, winning 13 races, including the G1 Doncaster H. and G1 Epsom H. He also claimed the G1 George Main S., G1 All Aged S., and G1 George Ryder S.

Shooting To Win was a classy 3-year-old who won the G2 Stan Fox S. and followed it up with a victory in the G1 Caulfield Guineas. Capitalist, now a Group 1-producing sire at Newgate Farm, was crowned Champion 2-Year-Old, having won the G1 Golden Slipper and the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Gallery: Group one racehorses race-educated by Bimbadeen Park, images courtesy of Sportpix

The Autumn Sun, one of the most exceptional horses of his generation, claimed five Group 1 victories and retired to Arrowfield Stud, where he is already the sire of three individual Group 1 winners.

Rose added, “I've also educated some top mares, like She Will Reign, English, and Frolic. More recently, I've had Autumn Glow, who is by The Autumn Sun.”

She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain) won the G1 Golden Slipper and the G1 Moir S. as a 3-year-old. Frolic (Husson {Arg}) won the G2 Reisling S. and was placed in the G1 Golden Slipper, while English (Encosta De Lago) was also placed in the G1 Golden Slipper before going on to win the G1 All Aged S. and the G1 Doomben 10,000.

The Chris Waller-trained Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) has shown great potential with two career starts, her latest being a victory in the G3 Up And Coming S., making her the first filly to win the contest.

“I’ve had a bunch of nice horses come through the system,” Rose told TTR AusNZ. “I love educating horses regardless, but it’s great when they go on to have success on the track. I’ve also worked with plenty of nice horses that weren’t fast but were pleasant to work with, and others that weren’t so pleasant at first.”

When asked if successful horses shared any common traits, Rose said, “I’ve purchased small shares in several horses I’ve educated over the years. I only buy into horses that I’ve broken in because I don’t know enough about pedigrees; I just go off the feel a horse gives me, and that’s an advantage I have.

“I think it’s a better advantage than just watching a horse walk. I get to feel the power, and that’s probably the one thing all those top horses have in common – whether sprinters or stayers, they have power.

“I equate it to sitting in a small car – you put your foot on the accelerator, and nothing happens. But when you’re in a big V8 or something with a powerful engine, you can feel the strength beneath you. It’s not necessarily about going fast to feel the power; it’s about feeling the strength that fires up when asked.”

Rose concluded, “Good horses, across any discipline, have that strength. It’s the same with my top jumping or dressage horses – they need strength to be elite in their discipline.”

Rose a fan of Justify and Zousain

Shane Rose shared his thoughts on some of the stallions whose progeny have caught his attention. “I’ve had a couple of Farnans and a Bivouac, which was nice. I’ve also worked with some Ole Kirks and a few by Anders.

“However, I probably don’t have a massive bias one way or another this year with the stallion crop. There hasn’t been a standout for me.”

While none of the first-crop stallions have particularly stood out to him this season, Rose admitted he’s a big fan of Justify (USA). “I actually bought into the progeny of a few second-season sires last year.

“I certainly like Justify. Every time I had one to break in, they were all big, strong, powerful horses. Whether they were expensive or cheap, all the Justifys had that lovely big, scopey, powerful frame.

“After working with them, it made sense to me why they’ve been successful on the track.”

One of the Justifys Rose recalls fondly is a colt named Axius, trained by Ciaron Maher. The colt is from the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare Orontes, a half-sister to G1 Winterbottom S. winner Takedown (Stratum).

Axius was purchased for $200,000 by Dynamic Syndications, Dean Watt Bloodstock, and Ciaron Maher Racing from Coolmore Stud’s draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Axius was placed on debut at Randwick-Kensington, finishing behind the progressive Clear Proof, another son of Justify, with another Justify colt, Dawn Service, finishing third.

The colt then headed to Canterbury, where he was a dominant winner by 2.29l over 1200 metres. Stepping up in class for his third start in the G3 Up And Coming S., the occasion may have been too much for the young colt, as he finished unplaced behind the Rose graduate, Autumn Glow.

Axius has since been sent for a spell.

Rose added, “I’m always happy to have a Pierro as well. He’s from an earlier generation, but he’s a good sire. I’ve also been impressed with the Zousains; I’ve had a couple of nice ones.”

Zousain, who stands at Widden Stud alongside his sire Zoustar, has made a strong start. His oldest progeny turned three in August, and he is the sire of 15 individual winners, including G3 Quezette S. and G3 Magic Night S. victress Drifting, the Group 2-placed Zouna, and Chateau Miraval, who placed in the G3 Magic Night S. and finished fourth in the G2 Spirit Of Boom S.

The Dabble Effect, another of Zousain's progeny, is a winner and was placed in the G3 David Coles AM S.