Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

With an impressive record from 11 career starts, Autumn Angel secured four victories, including wins at Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 levels, along with five minor placings. Purchased for $230,000 at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Wylie Dalziel and Peter Moody, she retires with earnings totaling $1,188,040.

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Her career highlights include winning the G3 Ethereal S., which positioned her as a favourite for the G1 Victorian Oaks. However, it was her stunning performance in the G1 Australian Oaks at Randwick that truly showcased her elite talent. There, she defeated formidable contenders such as Zardozi (Kingman {GB}) (G1 VRC Oaks winner) and Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) (dual Group 1 winner) in what was hailed as one of the best renewals of the race in decades.

Before her Oaks triumph, Autumn Angel also claimed victory in the G2 Kewney S. and faced tough luck in the G2 Angus Armanasco S., finishing second while carrying 61kg in the G3 Adrian Knox S.

Autumn Angel hails from the Hussonet (USA) mare Angel Of Mercy, owned by Arrowfield. She has two full siblings: a 3-year-old filly named Kindred Spirit, and a recently named 2-year-old filly, Stolen Summer. Kindred Spirit is currently raced by Arrowfield, having been passed in as a yearling.

Her trainer, Peter Moody, praised her exceptional abilities, stating, “I’ve had some good ones, and trust me, this girl was right up there in the top bracket.

“She was a special racehorse who had so much ahead of her on the track, but now it’s time for her to become a mum, and she’ll be one heck of a broodmare.”

Special from the begining

From the very beginning, Peter Moody had a deep confidence in Autumn Angel’s potential, sensing something extraordinary in the young filly. His early impressions of her were summed up perfectly when he told Wylie Dalziel, “This filly gives me the warm fuzzies. I think she’s special.”

Those words proved prophetic as Autumn Angel continued to impress with each performance, showing the talent and determination that set her apart from the rest. Moody's instinct, honed from years of experience with top-class fillies, was spot on, and Autumn Angel went on to fulfill his belief in her, becoming a standout on the track.

The mare's presence on the track was undeniable, not just for her physical abilities but for the unique spirit she carried. As Daziel fondly reflected, “Autumn Angel was just a special filly. You could tell she wanted to do it for you, to please you. She had this kind nature, but she was also a fierce competitor, always giving her best.”

Autumn Angel's triumph in the Australian Oaks marked a few significant milestones; a first Group 1 winner for her sire, The Autumn Sun and also for the longstanding partnership between Wylie Dalziel and Peter Moody. After collaborating for over 15 years, the filly's victory became their first Group 1 win together, symbolizing the strength of their bond and shared vision.

Reflecting on the moment, Dalziel shared, “She was our first Group 1 winner together with Peter Moody as her trainer. We'd been working together for nearly 15 years, and when he returned to training, she was the horse we both picked and worked with. It was a very special moment for us.” This win not only highlighted Autumn Angel's brilliance but also celebrated the enduring trust and teamwork between the two horsemen.

As Autumn Angel transitions from her remarkable racing career to her new role as a broodmare, her connections are optimistic about the future.

Daziel and Moody have always aimed to buy fillies with the potential to follow a path like hers—achieving greatness on the track before passing those exceptional traits onto their offspring.

Reflecting on her legacy, Dalziel remarked, “We try to buy fillies hoping they’ll do exactly what Autumn Angel has done, and eventually produce champions as broodmares. We would love to see her offspring go on to great things, and we’d definitely be open to purchasing from her in the future... if we can afford to.”

With her pedigree and proven talent, there is every hope that Autumn Angel’s lineage will continue to make an impact, producing future champions that can carry on her legacy.

The remarkable legacy of Oaks winners at stud

The pedigree appeal of Oaks winners at stud is notable, with many having produced successful offspring. Since 2000, Oaks-winning mares have seen significant success, with 14 per cent producing Group 1 winners and 36 per cent producing stakes winners.

Oaks winners boast an impressive stud record, particularly those from the Australian Oaks.

Since 2000, notable examples include Rising Romance (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}), who has produced G1 Thousand Guineas winner Yearning (Snitzel); Dizelle (Zabeel {NZ}), the dam of G1 VRC Oaks winner Pinot (Pierro); Sunday Joy (Sunday Silence {USA}), who produced eight-time Group 1 winner More Joyous (NZ) (More Than Ready {USA}); and Republic Lass (Canny Lad), who sired Group 1 winner The Conglomerate.

In general, Oaks winners in Australia have gone on to produce prominent Group 1 winners such as Anamoe, Stay With Me (Street Cry {Ire}), and Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}).

Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch expressed excitement for potential investors, stating, “Autumn Angel has consistently impressed throughout her career. Her race record doesn’t fully reflect her ability, but she possesses a pedigree that includes Redoute’s Choice, Galileo, and Hussonet, making her an appealing prospect for breeders.”

Autumn Angel was recently retired due to a tendon injury and will be presented as a breeding prospect in the upcoming auction. The catalogue for the sale will go live at inglisdigital.com on Friday afternoon, September 27, with bidding opening at 9am AEDT on Monday, September 30. The final countdown of bidding will begin at 4pm AEDT on Tuesday, October 1.

For those interested in inspecting Autumn Angel, Inglis’ Victorian Bloodstock Manager James Price can be contacted at 0409 806 595.

Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography

Stakes level next for Waterhouse-Bott trio?

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable enjoyed a fine outing at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, with Dominetta (Zoustar), Alalcance (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and Rock Empire (Deep Field) saluting in Race 1, 3 and 4 respectively.

Particularly impressive was the effort of UK import Alalcance.

First-up and making her Australian debut, she needed no time to settle in to racing Down Under, saluting by an impressive 3.8l over 2140 metres.

Bott said the 5-year-old mare would build off this effort next autumn, adding he expected her to acquit herself well in her new home city of Sydney.

“With those Europeans, that’s what they’re bred to do. That’s the suitable distance for her,” he said.

“As you saw throughout that race, she was able to find her feet from the early stages of the race, and that just allows them to find a better tempo in those races.

“She’s had some good trials and taken the next step today.

“We’ll see more of this mare in the autumn. We just wanted to get her acclimatised this campaign, get her seasoned and conditioned.

“I think she’ll keep improving when she gets out in trip. She’s obviously a real staying type of mare.”

Alalclance was a 240,000gns (AU$489,900) purchase from Tattersalls December Sale for her trainers in partnership with McKeever Bloodstock.

In the Northern Hemisphere she won one race as a 3-year-old and placed twice from only four starts.

Zoustar filly Dominetta showed admirable fight on the straight, fending off Tango Queen’s (NZ) (Tivaci) challenge to pull away and salute by 1l in the 1200 metres of Race 1.

A half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Hartnell (GB), Dominetta was a $500,000 Magic Millions purchase to Paul Messara Racing when offered by Arrowfield, and runs for Arrowfield in partnership with her US-based breeder Mt Brilliant Farm.

It was yet another impressive display after the 3-year-old finished third on debut in the G2 Magic Millions The Debut 2YO Fillies Plate (1000 metres) at Gold Coast Turf Club on January 13.

“Good to have her back at the races. I think there’s a lot of upside, and we can potentially get her out in trip,” Bott said.

“She’s a quality filly.”

Rock Empire (Deep Field) rounded out a hat-trick for the Waterhouse-Bott stable inside the first four on the card, Adam Hyeronimus guiding the 4-year-old entire to a 0.6l victory in Race 4 over a mile.

Bott said it was a great effort after thinking his runner could get shuffled back at the point of the turn, adding he will think about putting him through the grades after his salute at BM72 level.

This is the second win in as many weeks for the upcoming entire who won at Randwick-Kensington on September 11.

Rock Empire was not offered for sale at public auction. He is the fourth foal for King’s Ballet (NZ), a daughter of Danehill Dancer (Ire).

Bred by Empire Racing, he hails from the family of Playwright (NZ) (Fantastic Light {USA}), a victor of eight races, including the G3 CS Hayes S. He was also placed in the G1 Australian Guineas.

Darby Racing enjoys a good day out

Darby Racing also enjoyed a memorable half-hour when Spirit Of Wealth (Capitalist) cruised to a 2.5l victory in the Race 2, making it two wins from two starts. The 3-year-old broke away at the 200-metre mark after leading by a length early in the 1200-metre sprint.

The promising Michael Freedman-trained filly was a $90,000 purchase for Darby Bloodstock from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Not long before Spirit Of Wealth saluted, her Darby Racing owners oversaw a strong display of trackwork from Overpass (Vancouver), the 6-year-old not being seen since his second The Quokka triumph on April 20.

The trackwork effort set the scene for their rising 3-year-old to then triumph. And jockey Tommy Berry did not want to jump off her back after the impressive win.

“I don’t let anyone near her and she’s not the easiest to ride, either,” he said.

“She’s got a bit of an attitude, and I remember with her at home one day I gave her a slap on the shoulder, and she put her head between her legs and tried to drop me.

“She’s got a bit of buzz about her, but today was really good. She travelled a bit stronger than I would’ve liked in the middle stages, but she put them away effortlessly.”

Berry said Spirit Of Wealth was capable of being a competitive Stakes horse this preparation.

“We always thought she’d get to 1400 (metres). I don’t know if that’s going to happen this prep, but there are some nice races and stakes company that she’ll be well suited in,” he said.

Ravello back in the winner's circle for O’Shea & Charlton

It had been more than a year since his last win, but Ravello (NZ) (Savabeel) bounced back in style to win by a neck over a brave French Endeavour (Rubick) for John O’Shea and Tom Charlton in Race 6 over 1300 metres.

Ravello was purchased for NZ$425,000 by Bruce Perry Bloodstock from Cambridge Stud at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Book 1.

It was the 4-year-old’s third win at his 13th start, Charlton saying Ravello has had some difficult challenges to overcome since finishing ninth in the G3 Gloaming S. over 1800 metres at Randwick on October 14 last year.

That was when the gelding could not find clear running, starting on some non-ideal wet tracks since then.

“About a year ago he was a bit stiff in the Gloaming, and then just lost his way,” Charlton said.

“From there, wet tracks always hindered him. He’s always been a talented horse and has had some continuity to his preparation with two strong trials and a lovely run in transit there.

“He’s always shaped like a horse who can get a mile or maybe 2000 metres in time. Whether he’s better fresh and slightly shorter, we’ll see in time.”

‘Quirky’ Ivy Dexstress a standout at Doomben

At Doomben, Maragical (Better Than Ready), Out Of Aces (Dundeel {NZ}), Ivy Dexstress (Sidestep) and Hell Follows (Hellbent) were all impressive, convincing winners.

The trainer of Ivy Dexstress, Tony Gollan, said his 4-year-old mare had a unique nature with plenty of upside after she saluted in the Race 3 Maiden Handicap over 1200 metres.

“She’s pretty adaptable and you can put her wherever you want her,” he said after apprentice Emily Lang guided her to victory from barrier seven.

“She’s got above-average ability. It’s really difficult to get a saddle on her – you have to keep her walking. You can’t saddle her when she’s standing still.

“Everything else about her is perfect. She’s beautiful to ride in work. She’s taken a while to furnish, but she’s a lovely-looking mare now.

“There’s a lot more to come, and she’s going to be a lot better.”

Gollan Racing and John Foote Bloodstock (FBAA) bought Ivy Dexstress for $130,000 from Kenmore Lodge at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.

Donna Chiara has stakes assignments after strong win

In New Zealand, Donna Chiara (NZ) (Bellardo {Ire}) could be one to watch after producing a strong 1.5l win in 1:11.08s over 1200 metres in a 3-year-old maiden at Timaru. It was the fifth start for the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained filly.

“She (Donna Chiara) took a lot of improvement from her first-up run and I think the addition of blinkers by Mark and Sam was the key,” said stable foreman Hunter Durrant. “It was good to see her get the job done quite easily in the end. We’ll see how she pulls up before deciding what we aim her for in the future.”

She will head to the G3 Barnswood S. on October 12 next. “It was a really good win by Donna Chiara and a good ride by Wiremu to put her in the race,” co-trainer Mark Walker said.

“He was positive from the gates and that was the winning of the race. She’s getting stronger and more mature, as time goes on, and the win should give her a lot of confidence. She’ll go on to bigger things now and hopefully head towards the Barneswood Stakes at Ashburton.

“It’s great to get another win for Lib Petagna, in his colours, and we always appreciate the support of breeders like him. He’s got the breeding operation in full swing at Elsdon Park and has an outstanding stud manager in Kerrie Cox.”

Bred by Little Avondale Trust out of Zabeel (NZ) mare Bellabaci (NZ), Donna Chiara was purchased by Bruce Perry for $90,000 at the 2023 NZB Karaka Yearling Sales, and is raced by Petagna’s JML Bloodstock.

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Storm Boy has the high cruising speed of American Hall of Famer Justify (USA), and a turn of foot that two-time Group 1 winner and retired Champion Sire Fastnet Rock possessed.

This makes him a formidable proposition going into the G1 Golden Rose (1400 metres) at Rosehill on Saturday, according to Coolmore Racing and Bloodstock Manager, John Kennedy.

And with the exciting sprinter third in betting at $4.50 for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, behind Godolphin talents Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}) at $3 and Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}) at $4, punters will fancy his odds.

Storm Boy is the first foal for the winning Fastnet Rock mare Pelican (NZ), who was twice successful as a juvenile, with wins at Morphettville and Moonee Valley.

Genetically blessed, Storm Boy has displayed his natural athleticism in his two starts this preparation, winning the G3 San Domenico S. on August 31 and finishing a gallant third in the G2 Run To The Rose on September 14.

But the gifted sprinter with $2.8 million to his name from eight starts has not yet reached the peak of his potential, heading into this Saturday’s 3-year-old feature.

This is what gives Kennedy plenty of optimism about his future.

“We haven’t got to the bottom of the barrel just yet. If the race pans out in his favour, we’ll be looking forward to being there at the finish,” he told the Thoroughbred Report.

“He’s got a high cruising speed, and he’s got a turn of foot when it matters, and that’s the most exciting thing about him as far as we’re concerned.”

With 37 stakes winners already to his name, the demand for Justify at Ashford Stud in Kentucky is understandably high and he will cover some of the world’s finest mares in early 2025.

Down Under, Justify stood for four seasons - 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023, he was well-supported in his first two seasons covering 140 mares or more. In 2023 he covered his biggest book of 188 mares.

In the Northern Hemisphere he is represented by six Group 1 winners headed by City Of Troy (USA), he is yet to score a Group 1 winner in the Southern Hemisphere, but he has been represented by seven talented stakes winners with the brilliant 3-year-old filly Learning To Fly and last weekend’s Lilac.

Justify exhibited breathtakingly high cruising speeds in all three of his Triple Crown triumphs in 2018, and Kennedy believes Storm Boy has similar traits to his famous father.

“I think he’s the perfect blend of Justify and Fastnet Rock. To look at him, he’s a very well-balanced horse,” he said.

“He’s extremely well put together. He’s very exciting for us, and we’re looking forward to having that sire line coming through in our breeding programs.

“Everything he’s done is barely lifting the lid on what the capabilities are for Justify in Australia.”

Storm Boy was a $460,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase for his trainers alongside Bruce Slade’s Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the draft of Coolmore.

Storm Boy ready to shock opponents in G1 sprint

Kennedy has been delighted by what he has seen from Storm Boy going into the third assignment of his preparation this Saturday, with Adam Hyeronimus to ride him.

“Very happy with how the horse has handled his preparation. The end result for us has been races late in his prep – they’ve always been races part of his grand final,” he said.

“Anything he’s done up to this point has been a bonus, as far as we’re concerned.

“He’s handling his work well. Adrian reports that he’s in very good order, and we’ll be looking forward to this race, and also two races beyond this Saturday.

“We’ve got an exciting horse on our hands. We’re very happy with how he’s going, and we’ve got a lot to look forward to.”

Bott and Waterhouse also have strong chances with Anode (I Am Invincible) ($13) and Mayfair (Fastnet Rock) ($26) also lining up in the Golden Rose.

The training pair won this event with In The Congo, who now resides at Newgate Farm, in 2021.

Anode ran a gutsy second last start in the Run To The Rose, edged out by Traffic Warden.

Bott-Waterhouse’s other runner Mayfair was also very competitive last start in the G3 Ming Dynasty Quality, finishing second to Hermitage sensation Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) on September 14.

The respected trainers are renowned for the way they develop young talent.

“It’s a proven method and it’s a recipe that keeps on producing the goods. We’re just happy to be part of the journey with them,” Kennedy said.

Despite this year’s 3-year-old Group 1 sprint over 1400 metres not short on talent, Kennedy is confident about Storm Boy’s chances from the outside barrier, 11.

“I think we’re happy to be where we are rather than being drawn on the inside. Once there’s a bit of speed there early on in the race, we’ll be happy to see what happens,” he said.

“It’s a very strong group of 3-year-olds this season, and that’s what makes it even more exciting.”

Mighty Godolphin favoured to win a sixth Rose crown

Godolphin has achieved the Run To The Rose-Golden Rose double on five occasions, with their previous winners being Denman, Hallowed Crown, Exosphere, Astern and Bivouac.

Gallery: Godolphin's runners in the G1 Golden Rose, images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

The powerful team can add to that this Saturday, fielding the two 2024 Golden Rose favourites.

“Traffic Warden is putting it together and there’s still further improvement there. He’ll arrive in the Golden Rose… ready to fire,” Cummings said after his colt’s Run To The Rose victory.

Cummings has also been delighted with the progress of Broadsiding, who finished his juvenile season off with a victory in the G1 JJ Atkins.

His year has been a sensational one, saluting in his past four starts also including the G2 Sires’ Produce S., G1 Champagne S. and Listed Fernhill Mile.

The Golden Rose was elevated to Group 1 status in 2009 and has been only been won by colts and geldings since that time, with only two previous exceptions – Dandify (Danehill {USA}) in 2000 and Forensics (Flying Spur) in 2008. In 2011, gelding Manawanui (Oratorio {Ire}) interuppted the entire's run.

The colt trend will continue this year, with the entire field of 11 made up of colts.

Cover image courtesy of the Singapore Turf Club

To reflect on the highs and challenges of racing at Kranji, The Thoroughbred Report caught up with three seasoned trainers — Michael Kent, Cliff Brown, and Dan Meagher — all of whom have made Singapore their base at various points over the years. They share their memories, emotions, and hopes as the curtain closes on this storied chapter.

Michael Kent - 'They were great days'

“They were great days,” Michael Kent enthused as he looked back at his time in Singapore, remembering the camaraderie shared by those working firstly at Bukit Timah and later at Kranji.

“We were all competitors on the weekends but friends during the week everyone had a great rapport,” he said, considering himself lucky to have been part of the Singapore racing scene at a time when “it was huge.”

“Singapore racing has such a great history and back when I started there it was bigger than Hong Kong which was seen as a second-tier racing jurisdiction.”

“Racing was a circuit then; we’d race on Saturday and Sunday for two weeks at Kuala Lumpur, then it would be Singapore, Ipoh and Penang. And there would be 60 to 70,000 people there at every meeting.”

“Singapore always had the best run meetings and there was always the idea that they should go out on their own.”

When the nipah virus hit in 1999; one which spread through pigs and humans, causing over 100 deaths, the border between Singapore and Malaysia shut, giving the Singapore Turf Club the impetus to go it alone.

Singapore's international races

It was, Kent said, under the now Hong Kong Jockey Club-based Greg Carpenter that Singapore racing really started to take off with the implementation of the international races in which a number of Australian horses such as Takeover Target (Celtic Swing {GB}), North Boy (Rory’s Jester) and Mummify (Jeune {GB}) fared well.

“It was a big deal, we had horses and jockeys from around the world taking part.”

Kent’s favourite moment training in Singapore was taking out the first million dollar Singapore Gold Cup in 1999, the first time a race meeting had been attended by a Prime Minister with Goh Chok Tong presenting the trophy.

The horse, Carry The Flag (GB) had arrived in Singapore with consistent UK form but bad feet, Kent deciding that the son of Tenby (GB) would be well suited to glue-on shoes.

“Just a couple of weeks before the race he was severely lame,” Kent recalled, “and he needed glue-ons but our farrier didn’t have any, the only stable with them was Malcolm Thwaites.”

At the time there was a ‘nemesis’ type relationship between Thwaites and Kent so instead of asking himself for a favour, Kent sent his foreman over to his rival’s stables.

“He pleaded a welfare issue, he told him our horse was crippled without the shoes and after saying no originally, Malcolm relented.”

A great memory

“If looks could kill!” is how Kent describes Thwaites as he stood in the second horse’s stall after Carry The Flag flashed home late to defeat the race’s short-priced favourite Ouzo (NZ) (Oregon {USA}), trained by Thwaites!

“That’s a great memory,” Kent laughed.

Kent remembers each race day being so big that “you could hear the crowd’s roar a kilometre away.”

“Gambling is a big part of Chinese culture,” he said, “and they absolutely loved racing.”

Like everyone else enjoying Singapore racing’s peak days, Kent could never have envisaged the entire sport coming to an end though the early signs were there when Bukit Timah closed down in 1999.

“There was a period where land prices had soared,” Kent explained, “and the government was so strong, they just decided to take it.”

Turnover drops

Kranji filled that void for years as Singapore racing continued to flourish, thanks not only to local interest but also the government’s tolerance of that form of gambling whilst opposing casinos.

But a new Prime Minister, Lee Sien Loong took the reins in 2004 and approved casino operations on the grounds of boosting tourism with money flowing out to nearby countries who had already legalized casinos.

Before then the Singapore Turf Club and the government run Singapore Pools were the only legal forms of gambling and with the opening of casinos, turnover on racing dropped; setting in motion the downfall of racing.

The closure of Singapore racing brings one particular memory back for Kent, recalling that the older generations of racegoers were convinced that Kranji was going to be unlucky for the sport.

“Kranji was built over a large drain, and I remember those who believed in feng shui saying that racing there would fail as the water was not flowing the right way in order to ensure prosperity!”

Kent hopes that Malaysia will pick up the slack with its tracks presenting good surfaces. “It just needs some good management and racing can take off there.”

Cliff Brown: a happy 12 years in Singapore

It was a very happy 12 years that Cliff Brown spent in Singapore, the trainer who had enjoyed plenty of success in Victoria before heading to his Kranji base, finding the day to day running of the racing industry much to his liking.

“It was fantastic, the infrastructure was brilliant; we had great stuff and good owners,” he said, adding that the hours were also appealling.

“The track didn't open till 6.30 so we didn't start work until six. I think that was a massive thing, people were just far less likely to burn out.”

Cliff and his wife Jo also enjoyed their time away from the track, in fact they were smitten from the get-go; “as soon as we got off the plane we fell in love with Singapore,” he said.

“It is such a vibrant, happy place and it was a great opportunity to live and work there.”

“You hear all the clichés about Singapore, it is clean and safe but that is true. It was a fantastic place to raise the kids.”

All was going along well (Brown before then envisaging himself remaining in Singapore until his retirement) until COVID hit, Cliff and Jo separated from their eldest children (Harvey and India at university in Australia) for nine months.

And the Singapore racing industry took a hit, the number of races decreasing which had detrimental effects on the way Cliff ran his training business.

Racing's biggest enemy

It was not COVID that he feels had the biggest impact however, racing's biggest enemy the opening of the casinos and poor management.

He is a strong believer that Singapore racing could've survived and flourished beyond COVID and casino competition had things been better managed.

“You could see it coming for a long time with the casinos, turnover dropped and management did nothing about it.”

“This definitely could've been averted," he said, discussing the closure of the Singapore racing industry, a decision which he describes as “very, very sad.”

Like many he is cynical about the official reasoning of Kranji's land being required for housing, noting that the previous track at Bukit Timah was closed in 1999 with the same reasons given; and it was only at the end of last year that the land was cleared with a view of starting work.

Brown was disappointed by the Singapore Turf Club's lack of initiative when it came to attracting new racegoers, unconvinced by the argument that 'young people aren't interested.'

“You only have to go to Flemington and see all those young people down near the finishing line, they are desperate to be a part of it. Why not wander down there with a clipboard and sign them all up to discount memberships?”

“Then you'd have them coming to every meeting and they'd bring their friends.”

Brown's Horse of the Year

Brown was in the top 10 trainers nearly every season in Singapore where he saddled up over 570 winners. He was the first Kranji trainer to win five Group 1 races in a single season and he looks back fondly on some of his best horses.

Such as Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park), the Windsor Park bred gelding purchased by Brown at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale for $120,000.

He won 12 races, earning the titles of Singapore Horse of the Year, Champion 3YO, Champion Miler and Champion Older Horse.

The Inferno (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who accompanied his trainer back to Australia, winning the 2021 G2 Ian McEwen S., also did a great job with his nine wins also seeing him crowned Singapore Horse of the Year.

As well as Champion 2YO, Champion 3YO and Champion Sprinter. And judging by a nice jump-out win at Caulfield a few weeks ago, there is still more to come from the 8-year-old who was in consistent form in good races over the autumn.

Brown has transitioned nicely back into the Victorian racing scene, noting that “we have had a Group winner each year for the three years since we got back.”

“People say I must've seen the end of Singapore racing coming,” he said, “but whilst I could see it diminishing there was no way I could ever have predicted it closing down altogether,” he said.

Dan Meagher: Singapore career drawing to a close

Dan Meagher has spent much of his life in Singapore, firstly enjoying precious time with his now unwell father John between 2000 and 2010 and since 2015 training in his own right.

In between those times based in Queensland with his father and brothers Chris and Paul, Meagher has cherished his time in Singapore with one particular memory a stand out; his first winner Lim’s Action (NZ) (Any Suggestion).

“My first runner was a winner; my good friend Danny Beasley rode him and Dad was there, I have a big photo of that day.”

That win was not just important in that it gave Meagher a kick along to his training career, but also because his father, trainer of the 1985 G1 Melbourne Cup winner What A Nuisance (St Puckle {GB}), has dementia and that day was “one of the last times he was here.”

Meagher also has special memories of three outstanding horses who between them raced 48 times, winning 38 races including 16 Singapore Group 1 races. Crowned 2022 and 2023 Horse of the Year, Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec {NZ}) was bred by Trelawney Stud out of the Listed Welcome S. winner Jacquetta (N) (Keeper {NZ}).

Lim's horses heading to Pakenham

The winner of 22 of his 29 starts, the 7-year-old has been in flying form in recent months and is one of the six ‘Lim’s’ horses owned by Lim Siah Mon due to join Meagher at his new stables at Pakenham.

“His career is probably coming to an end,” Meagher said, not confident that there is any more improvement in the classy gelding but looking to such races as The Quokka and the G1 Stradbroke H. for him.

“We took him to Hong Kong last year and he was beaten 6l by Golden Sixty with five Group 1 winners behind him,” he said, hopeful that that sort of form will measure up in Australia.

Whilst that horse has been campaigning successfully since early 2011, Lim’s Saltoro (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) kicked off his career in September last year and has been beaten (both times in the placings) only two times in twelve starts.

“I am not sure exactly where he is at in regards to Australian form,” Meagher said, “but he is a horse still on the up. He is a very good horse and I am sure he will measure at Group level.”

Bred by Onyx Thoroughbreds, Lim’s Saltoro hails from a high-class international family, one which has produced the outstanding stallions Rock Of Gibraltar (USA) and Riverman (USA).

Meagher is grateful to Lim Siah Mon for sending horses to Australia, noting that “it is not going to be as fun for him not going to the races.”

The 2021 Singapore Horse of the Year Lim’s Lightning (Lope De Vega {Ire}) bred by the Tipper family out of the stakes placed Wayne’s Gold (Golden Snake {USA}) was the first of Meagher’s special trio of horses to prove himself at the elite level, now retired having won 12 of his of 27 starts.

Melbourne, a big move

Winning each of Singapore’s major events, Meagher also made a life raising his young family with wife Sabrina (nee Kadir, a former jockey) and the move to the Melbourne is a big one for them.

“At first they were worried about it,” Meagher said though they are now looking forward to what his oldest son Caiden describes as “an adventure.”

“He is racing crazy and once I told him that he could follow me around at the races carrying the saddle, he became a whole lot happier about the move,” Meagher said, looking forward to recreating the memories he had doing the same for his father.

Children are not allowed to attend the races in Singapore and it is the lack of engagement with the upcoming generations that Meagher thinks is a major reason for the downfall of racing in the area, along with a lack of government support.

“All the people who really made racing, who were so enthusiastic about it during its big days have passed on and the young ones don’t even know that racing is on,” he said, pointing out that by law racing is not allowed to advertise in Singapore.

“So how are you supposed to get it out there?”

Meagher enjoyed not only the Singapore lifestyle; “it is safe, green and clean” but also “the easy access to the rest of the world. We are in the middle of everything.”

And he appreciates the family ties to the history of Singapore, his grandfather a POW at the notorious Changi camp whilst his great uncle died during the occupation.

Meagher admits to being “angry and upset” when he first heard that Singapore racing would come to a close, his mood mellowing into disappointment and now “just sadness.”

“We have a lot of good friends coming up for the last day’s racing,” he said, not expecting to experience the meeting as a celebration; “I think it will feel more like a funeral,” he said.