Vale trainer Jim Madden
Retired trainer Jim Madden, 81, and his wife, Carmel, 80, died on Saturday morning when a truck veered off the Princes Highway, west of Warrnambool, and crashed into their house. “We are shocked to learn of the freak passing of Warrnambool trainer Jim Madden and his wife Carmel today and extend our sincere condolences to their family, friends and local community,” said Racing Victoria.
Jim Madden | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Jim and Carmel devoted their life to the family and have given us all so many opportunities and were immensely proud of us all. As hard as it may be for everyone, they would want us and all their valued friends, the Tower Hill and Koroit communities, and all those in the farming and racing industry to continue on working to make the world a better place,” a statement from the family said. Madden’s last runner was in 2022.
Group 1 goals for late blooming stakes winner
Baraqiel (Snitzel) chalked up his first black type victory with a 2.75l demolition job in the G2 McEwen S. at Moonee Valley, extending his record to six wins in eight starts for Malua Racing. The late-blooming 6-year-old gelding debuted in May of this year and has never been out of the placings, with two third placed finishes at Flemington on the way to Saturday’s victory.
Co-trainer Will Larkin expressed that the team has always had an opinion of the horse, so much so that Troy Corstens facilitated the rehabilitation himself at one stage, when the owners’ hopes were starting to waver over the chance of him reaching the track.
“He said, ‘you’re not losing this one’,” related Larkin with emotion. “It’s quite special. It’s taken quite a bit of work to get him here.” Corstens has confirmed that Baraqiel’s next target will be the G1 Champions Sprint on the last day of the Flemington carnival.
The fourth foal of G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup winner Angel Of Mercy (Hussonet {USA}), Baraqiel is a three-quarter-brother to G1 Australian Oaks victress Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun). He was purchased at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Bennett Racing, Blue Sky Bloodstock, and Anthony Freedman Racing for $150,000, where he was offered by breeders Arrowfield Stud. Baraqiel provided his four-time Australian Champion Sire Snitzel with his third stakes winner of the day so far, after earlier victories by Prost and Bittercreek.
He’s Lucid breaks maiden in G3 War Decree Stakes
Trainer Kevin Myers has always had a big opinion of 3-year-old gelding He’s Lucid (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) and he finally demonstrated it with his maiden win in Saturday’s G3 War Decree S. He won by 1.25l from exciting filly Raziah (NZ) (Niagara) with Kiwi Skyhawk (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) in third. “He loved the wet today, although he is good on the dry as well and up to the mile really suited him,” said jockey Lily Sutherland.
“He’s a big horse and I am really lucky to have kept the ride on him, so thanks to Mr Myers and Mr Duncan (owners) for putting me on and trusting me. He is one of my favourite horses.” Purchased by his trainer from Mapperley Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft for NZ$40,000, He’s Lucid will head to the G1 NZ 2000 Guineas next.
Listed Tesio Stakes won by Lady Jones
Trainer Stephen Brown won the last on the card at Moonee Valley, the Listed Tesio S. with 5-year-old mare Lady Jones (Toronado {Ire}). Ridden by Jye McNeil, Lady Jones won by 0.06l from Nikki Burke trained Lievore (Epaulette) with Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald trained Little Mix (Mahisara) a length further back in third.
"Really nice because we've bred her ourselves and it's been a long haul. I had doubts about the 2000 (metres), but she's proven that she can do it," said Brown. She will be aimed at the Matriarch S. next.
Lady Jones took her record to five wins from 20 starts, with a further eight placings, and earnings over $670,000. This was her first stakes win, and she becomes the 40th stakes winner for Toronado (Ire).
Not offered at auction, Lady Jones was bred by part owner P Jones, and is one of only two foals for winning mare Lady Slevoir (Domesday). She is the first stakes winner in her female family since third dam La Rumba (NZ) (Centaine) won the 2002 G3 Eclipse S. in New Zealand.
Playing God quinella in Listed Belgravia S.
West Australia’s premier sire Playing God enjoyed the quinella of Saturday’s Listed Belgravia S. for 3-year-olds with the win of Simon A Miller trained gelding West Star by 0.28l from Neville Parnham-trained filly September Born. Susan Olive trained gelding Exceed The Planet (Exceedance) was third.
Playing God now has 20 stakes winners from less than 200 runners, and West Star took his record to three wins from five starts. He’d previously won twice at two, and he’s placed in other two starts.
Purchased by his trainer for $175,000 from the draft of the Western Breeders Alliance at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, West Star is the second winner and first stakes winner for winning mare Jester Derriere (Patronize) who is a half-sister to R-Listed Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic winner The River (Magnus) and a full sister to Listed WATC Perth S.-placed winner of eleven races Jestpatim.
Listed Spring Classic won by Aljay
Respected trainer Kevin Myers completed a winning treble at Riccarton on Saturday with a dominant performance by 7-year-old gelding Aljay (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) in the Listed Spring Classic.
“He’s a lovely old horse and I was lucky to get the ride on him today,” jockey Jonathan Riddell told Loveracing.nz. “I was supposed to be riding another runner, but then Kevin put this horse in and there was nothing else I could ride at the weights. So I was lucky that Kevin put me on the horse, and I appreciate that.
From a 43-start career, Aljay has now recorded 10 wins, eight seconds and seven thirds. He has earned NZ$523,387 in stakes for Myers, who shares ownership with Charlie Gestro. Aljay is named for Gestro’s initials, LJ. Myers paid NZ$39,000 to buy Aljay from Ardsley Stud’s draft at the 2019 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka. He will attempt to win a second New Zealand Cup victory at Riccarton on November 16.
Myers' other two winners were He’s Lucid (NZ) in the G3 War Decree S. and Just Charlie (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) in the Road To Jericho Handicap.
Around The Nation: Saturday’s highlights
While all eyes were on Moonee Valley, Randwick, and the other stakes races, there were 24 other meetings around the nation. At Balranaid in NSW trainer Craig Weeding and jockey Justin W Stanley won the first three races on the six-race card with Starsheena (Duporth), A Bit Racey (Nicconi), and Misil Cadente (Redente).
Yulong’s 3-year-old filly Give Faith (Alabama Express) won at her second start at Yarra Valley to become her sire’s 18th winner. Alabama Express enjoyed a treble on Saturday with G2 Soliloquy S. winner Alabama Lass in New Zealand, and 2-year-old Strideaway in Perth.
At St Arnauds in Victoria, jockey Neil Farley won four races, half the card, winning on Final Quarter (Tosen Stardom {Jpn}), Mahjing (Jimmy Creed {USA}), Sweet Bella (Helmet), and the St Arnaud Cup on Pittsburgh Pirate (Pierro).
Doomben saw 3-year-old gelding Boomtime Boss (Spirit Of Boom) take his record to two wins from three starts with his second win in succession for trainer Tony Gollan.
At Charleville in Queensland, trainer/jockey Cheryl Rogers rode a treble and trained a double. She won on Raymond Frazer trained Deep Mystique (Deep Field), then trained and rode the winners Rogue Artist (Caravaggio {USA}) and Muiron (Brazen Beau). Jockey Matthew Gray rode a treble at Isisford on Step To Success (Sidestep), Valiant Joan (Heroic Valour), and I Am Good At This (I Am Invincible). At Richmond, trainer John Manzelmann had a treble with Nano Star (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), Mishani Aviator (Jet Spur), and Mister Larrabee (Smart Missile).
Jockey Kayla Crowther rode a treble at Morphettville on Obi (Excelebration {Ire}), Pure Bliss (Star Turn) and Plus Fours (Cable Bay {Ire}).
Juvenile winner for Dracarys at Townsville
Scott Cooper-trained 2-year-old filly Gold Classic (Dracarys) won on debut at Townsville on Saturday. Ridden by Michael Murphy, she won by 0.03l from 2-year-old gelding Tarong (Power {GB}) and 2-year-old colt Satisfied Mugs (Invader).
Gold Classic, from Dracarys third crop, becomes his 16th winner, and she was a $22,000 purchase by Shelly Lynham from Oakwood Farm’s 2024 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale draft. She is the third winner, from as many to race, for winning mare Alberta (Magic Albert).
Waikato Stud announce The Kiwi runner
Waikato Stud has made a bold statement of intent by becoming the first slot holder to declare their runner in the inaugural $4.5 million The NZB Kiwi with Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained Sought After (NZ) (Tivaci). “We think he’s the right horse for us and he has a lot of ability, so we identified him early and we are very happy to have done so,” Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick told Loveracing.nz.
Huxtable career in doubt after arrest
Jockey Justin Huxtable was arrested after the races at Innisfail on Friday and immediately stood down from riding by stewards after being charged under section 227A of the Queensland Criminal Code, recording in breach of privacy, after a woman complained to police.
In 2022, he was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman working at a Brisbane strip club on Caxton Street in November 2020.
G2 Kyoto Sho Swan Stakes won by Maurice son
Beautifully bred 3-year-old colt Danon McKinley (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) won Saturday’s G2 Sho Swan S. at Kyoto to take his record to four wins from nine starts, all over 1400 metres. He is a son of G1 Thousand Guineas winner Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who is a half-sister to Horse of the Year in Europe in 2007 and six-time Group 1 winner Dylan Thomas (Ire), Champion 2YO Filly in Europe & GB in 2001 and G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Queen’s Logic (Ire) (Grand Lodge {USA}), and Group 1-placed Remember When (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who is the dam of G1 The Derby winner Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who is also a group winner in Australia.
Kizuna adds trifecta in G3 Artemis Stakes at Tokyo
The G3 Artemis S. at Tokyo on Saturday for 2-year-old fillies was won by Brown Ratchet (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) who led home a trifecta for her sire with Mistress (Jpn) and Shonan Xanadu (Jpn) filling out the placings. Brown Ratchet is now unbeaten in two starts and is half-sister to G2 UAE Derby winner and G1 Kentucky Derby-placed 3-year-old colt Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}).
Their dam, G2 Santa Anita Santa Ynez S. winner Forever Darling (USA) (Congrats {USA}) is a half-sister to G1 Keeneland Alcibiades S. winner Heavenly Love (USA) (Malibu Moon {USA}) who is the dam of G1 Keeneland Blue Grass S. winner Sierra Leone (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}).
Point King removed from G1 Melbourne Cup
Trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman notified Racing Victoria stewards on Saturday morning that G3 Archer S. winner Point King (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) won’t be running in the G1 Melbourne Cup. This leaves jockey Jamie Kah without a ride in the Cup.
Aussie mare’s Group 1 winner resumes on Sunday
Japanese horses returning from overseas exploits and melding back into the local population with more Pattern race glory is not a rarity, and 2023 Japanese Triple Tiara heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) aims to do just that in the 2000-metre G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo on Sunday. She is a daughter of dual Group 1 winner Yankee Rose (All American).
Liberty Island (Jpn) | Image courtesy of Horsephotos
A winner of the 2022 G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in addition to her Classic heroics (Oka Sho, Yushun Himba and Shuka Sho) last term, the bay found only superstar Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) too good in the G1 Japan Cup last November. Only seen once in 2024, the now 4-year-old filly was third to Rebel's Romance (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. Set to be ridden by Yuga Kawada, the Sunday Racing runner leaves from post 12.
“Traveling abroad has definitely had an effect on her mentally,” said Kawada. “The experience of flying in an airplane and of racing in unfamiliar surroundings, has made her much stronger. This will be her first race since March and she did have some trouble with her legs earlier. So, after being allowed to slowly recover, she was also allowed to slowly come back up to her best. I watched her workout this week and was told she was far more relaxed. She gets work every day and this week's fast work showed her improvement. I'll head to the gate with no worries.”
Tally-Ho Stud announce Big Evs
Top sprinter Big Evs (Ire) will stand at Tally-Ho Stud next season. The G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winning son of Blue Point (Ire) will retire following his run in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar, a race he is a general 8-1 chance for. Roger O'Callaghan of Tally-Ho Stud commented, “We are delighted to be standing a horse with such pure speed and consistent class. He looked very special the day he won the Windsor Castle Stakes and his performances since have confirmed his place as an elite sprinter of recent years.
“Few horses have the pace to be able to challenge American sprinters on their home soil, and what he did in the Breeders' Cup last year underlined his brilliance. We are very much looking forward to standing the first son of Blue Point and to supporting him strongly at stud.”
Big Evs returned this year to defy a penalty in the Listed Westow Stakes and later claimed the scalp of top Australian sprinter Asfoora (Flying Artie) in the G2 King George Stakes. He also ran third in the G1 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Mill Stream to Yeomanstown Stud
This year's G1 July Cup winner Mill Stream (Ire) will begin his stallion career at Yeomanstown Stud next season, the stud announced on Friday. A stud fee will be revealed at a later date.
Anthony Stroud, who selected the son of Gleneagles (Ire) for 350,000gns (AU$720,000) out of Book 2 at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, said, “Mill Stream was purchased by Mr Harris at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Bred by Redpender Stud, he was an exceptionally good-looking individual who was athletic, light on his feet, with a lot of quality and presence. In training, Mill Stream went on to display a supreme temperament and raced consistently at the highest level. He possesses many of the key attributes necessary to become a top stallion.”
Yeomanstown Stud's Gay O'Callaghan said of the son of the winning Swirral Edge (GB) (Hellvelyn {GB}), “I was blown away when I went to see Mill Stream. With his physique, strength, action and quality, I knew we had to have him. The July Cup is always the most important Group 1 sprint of the year. It's the one everybody wants. And he got it in style.”
A half-brother to G2 Richmond Stakes winner and G1 Prix Morny third Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing), Mill Stream is from the same family as G2 Flying Childers Stakes and G3 Molecomb Stakes winner Wunders Dream (Ire) (Averti {Ire}). The Yeomanstown roster is led by Great Britain and Ireland Champion Sire elect Dark Angel (Ire).
Godolphin’s Derby winner Masar relocates
Derby winner Masar (Ire) is set to relocate from Darley's Dalham Hall Stud to Sunnyhill Stud in Ireland for 2025. “Masar made history in 2018, becoming the first horse to ever carry the Godolphin blue silks to victory in the Derby and has enjoyed success as a sire since, with a number of promising horses from his first two crops,” said a statement from Darley.
Masar (Ire) | Standing at Sunnyhill Stud
“Darley is pleased to continue their relationship with Sunnyhill Stud who have previously stood Godolphin star Doyen (Ire), who has since returned to Kildangan Stud in his retirement. The team at Darley would like to thank all of the breeders who have supported Masar at Dalham Hall Stud and wish Sunnyhill Stud every success with him in the future.”
A son of New Approach (Ire), Masar finished third behind Saxon Warrior in the 2,000 Guineas before he landed the Derby at Epsom. However, Masar covered just 10 mares in 2024 at a fee of £10,000 (AU$19,600) and he is now set to stand at Michael Hickey's Sunnyhill Stud in County Kildare next year.
Inglis Digital USA now online
The catalogue for the 2024 Inglis Digital USA October Sale is now online at www.inglisdigitalusa.com and features 67 horses of different ages.
Among the sale offerings is the 3-year-old broodmare prospect April Vintage (USA) (Vino Rosso {USA}), who sells pregnant to top sire Justify (USA) and was bred to Southern Hemisphere time.
“We are thrilled to offer such a diverse catalogue in this October digital sale, featuring everything from weanlings to broodmares, and racehorses ready to run,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Liza Hendriks. Bidding is currently open and the lots will begin to close Tuesday, October 29.
Toronado filly tops Arqana Part III
A filly by Toronado (Ire) (Lot 535) showed the way during the fourth day of the Arqana October Yearling Sale and the first day of Part III. Consigned by Hestia Farm, she was purchased for €50,000 (AU$82,000) by Nicolas Clement, John Hammond and TS Bloodstock on behalf of new syndicate Racing France.
At the close of trade, 80 yearling sold from 94 offered (85 per cent) for a gross of €1,128,500 (AU$1.83 million). The average was €14,106 (AU$23,000) (-9.2 per cent) and the median also dropped, coming in at €12,500 (AU$20,400) (-3.8 per cent).
