Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

On Tuesday, Racing Victoria announced that G1 Melbourne Cup favourite and unbeaten 4-year-old colt Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) would be scratched after failing the CT scan portion of the Cup veterinary protocols.

According to trainer Aidan O’Brien, the scans detected “shadows” on the horse’s legs, however leading Australian vet Ben Mason explained on RSN that a more accurate term is “fissures”, which are indicative of potential precursors to stress fractures.

Racing Victoria’s decision, aimed at minimising catastrophic injuries, has understandably frustrated O’Brien, who believes the findings were minor and normal for a young, developing horse. However, Racing Victoria’s protocols were introduced to prevent tragedies like those involving O’Brien’s own horses, Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2020 and The Cliffsofmoher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2018, both of whom suffered fatal limb injuries in the Cup.

O’Brien’s immediate frustration was evident as he defended Jan Brueghel’s health, describing the horse’s condition as exceptional leading up to the race. In an interview with commentator Matt Chapman, he commented, “He’s never trotted better, moved better, everything was perfect. They said there was a little thing on the front leg, a little shadow, a little shadow on the hind leg. But I would imagine any developing 3-year-old, this time of the year, you will get shadows… it’s just probably gone a little bit ridiculous, but that’s the way it is.”

Irish racing analyst Kevin Blake shared similar sentiments, asserting that the protocols unfairly target international horses. “The Jan Brueghel debacle might make more people wake up to the disgrace that Racing Victoria’s treatment of international competitors has been for over three years now... Don’t be so naive as to believe that this is all just about horse welfare.”

Blake’s words resonate with some European trainers, who argue that these protocols amount to protectionist measures masked as welfare concerns, however much of the Australian racing response was very supportive of the protocols, and it’s not just about ensuring Aussie horses get into the Cup.

Why is this level of scrutiny only applied to the Melbourne Cup?

With a fatality rate 48 times higher in the Melbourne Cup than the Australian national average, the abnormal risk profile presented a pressing need for enhanced safety standards for the Melbourne Cup. Racing Victoria’s response was a sweeping set of requirements, which were introduced in 2021.

“I don't think the reaction (to Jan Brueghel’s scratching) is necessarily surprising,” Racing Victoria’s EGM - Integrity Jamie Stier told racing.com on Wednesday. “When the protocols were implemented, it was understood that not everyone was in agreement and was made known that they were not in agreement. And that is as it is, but the protocols were put in place to mitigate any risks that we were able to identify with horses that were going to run in the Melbourne Cup.

“We go to great lengths to try and get these horses here to Victoria to take part in these races, but we won't sacrifice safety for the sake of having a runner.”

The Melbourne Cup is unique for its 3200-metre length, larger field sizes, and the intense international interest it generates. In addition, male horses tend to have greater muscle mass and stride power, which increases the impact on weight-bearing structures like the fetlock, which is where most the fractures have occurred.

Racing Victoria’s protocols, which focus on fetlock scans, take these factors into account when assessing vulnerability in high-risk races.

Mason noted that while scanning all horses at every race would be cost-prohibitive, the risks and visibility associated with the Melbourne Cup warrant these specific protocols. He pointed out that as CT technology becomes more accessible, it may eventually be possible to implement such protocols more broadly.

Are international horses subjected to more scrutiny than local horses?

The Melbourne Cup fatalities in recent years have occurred only among international runners, with the likely theory being that they are unaccustomed to Australia’s longer race distances, track surfaces, and racing pace. The protocols were therefore initially designed to address the higher risks associated with international horses, who often have different conditioning histories.

“The CT came in mainly for the international horses, and then we started to do the domestic horses as well, so it was an even playing field,” Mason noted to Michael Felgate on RSN.

While the international horses must complete additional scans before being flown to Australia, every runner must pass a distal limb CT scan, an approach that aims to safeguard both local and international horses.

Thursday came with the news that trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained pair of Muramasa (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Brayden Star (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}) both failed the compulsory tests and wouldn’t take part in the Cup. Notably, Muramasa is Australian-born while Brayden Star arrived in Australia from England in July 2022, which goes against some European commentary that the scans unfairly targeted horses trained by non-Australians.

“I am not a vet so you have to respect the process and decision made, as I have learned in the past, there is nothing you can do as it's black and white as far as Racing Victoria is concerned,” Muramasa’s part-owner Ozzie Kheir told racing.com.

“What I can say though is we don't have a more sound horse who hasn't ever presented lame or been treated in his life. So that part is frustrating. I know the CT scans were brought in for internationals training out of Werribee due to the more recent events, but from what I am aware, I would think it's been over 30-40 years since any local horse broke down in the Melbourne Cup.”

How can Jan Brueghel be ruled out in Australia but still race in Hong Kong?

Technically, Jan Brueghel is entered to race in Hong Kong but has yet to be cleared by Hong Kong veterinarians. Further, Mason explained that racing standards vary by jurisdiction, and while Australia’s CT scan revealed potential issues, Hong Kong’s veterinary panel will make an independent assessment. The scan results will be shared, and additional tests may be required to ensure Jan Brueghel’s suitability.

“Hong Kong and Racing Victoria will likely work together… but the standards in each jurisdiction vary, as does the technology available,” Mason explained.

How did Jan Brueghel pass his veterinary tests in Ireland but not in Australia?

Ireland does not have a standing CT scan, so instead used an MRI scan on Jan Brueghel before he departed. Mason explained that an MRI captures a general view of bone and tissue but doesn’t provide the detailed three-dimensional bone image that a CT scan offers.

“A standing CT is essentially a 3D X-ray,” Mason noted. “MRI scans provide less detail on bone structure. The shadows on Jan Brueghel’s scan were potential precursors to fractures, so Racing Victoria couldn’t take the risk.”

It is also possible that the bone began to remodel within the recent five weeks since Jan Brueghel has been in quarantine at Werribee. There is a large environmental difference between Jan Brueghel’s home training facility in Ireland and the facilities at Werribee, in that Werribee is more typical of Australian training and racing environments with a tighter track compared to the long straight open gallops common in England and Ireland.

Moving forward: Balancing safety with competition

For Racing Victoria, the goal is simple: zero fatalities.

As racing commentator Gilbert Gardner of racenet.com.au said on Thursday, “Anyone suggesting Cup vetting is 'ridiculous' need only type ‘Melbourne Cup deaths' into Google.”

Whether the protocols are perceived as fair or overly cautious, they underscore a vital industry-wide shift toward prioritising the wellbeing of the horse; a position that safeguards the future of the industry for everyone. With the world’s eyes on the Cup, Australian racing cannot afford the fall out from another fatality.

As for the accusations of anti-competitiveness, it should be noted that many international runners do pass the stringent tests and are able to compete, and there have been no fatalities in the Cup since the tests were introduced.

Further, many internationally bred horses are competitive after spending time in Australia to adjust to the new conditions. If the decision was being made to protect the local breeding industry, the fact that only eight of the top 24 in the 2024 Cup (as at Thursday) were born in Australia or New Zealand.

If a horse dies on Tuesday in the Cup, what will the headlines around the world say about the dangers of all horse racing? Will anyone care who won?

Caution and good veterinary science are the only things keeping racing in the good news section of the media.

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

The G1 Victoria Derby is one of Australia’s oldest and most discussed races. Every year, the question arises on whether the race is too gruelling or too long for 3-year-olds so early in the spring, but almost every year, the race is won by a horse who goes on to prove that it takes a special horse to win the Derby.

A history of champions

The G1 Victoria Derby has been finding future champions since its inception and so it took a very special horse to win the race twice. The Derby was first run at Flemington by the Victoria Turf Club in 1855, and two years later in 1857, another club, the Victoria Jockey Club had their own Derby, also at Flemington. A few years later, the Jockey Club renamed their race to the Victoria S., but then in 1864, both clubs disbanded and Flemington was taken over by the newly founded Victoria Racing Club.

The club ran their Derby in the spring, won by the colt Fireworks (Kelpie {GB}), but for some long-forgotten reason, after the 1867 Derby, the committee decided to move the Derby to New Year’s Day. They ran the Derby for the second time in 1867/68 season, and again it was won by Fireworks.

The decision was quickly reverted, and the race embedded itself the following season as a spring fixture, leaving just one horse to win the 3-year-old Classic twice.

Fireworks had been a good juvenile, winning the AJC Champagne S. He also won the AJC Australian Derby (Spring), the VRC St Leger, the All Aged S. and the Launceston Cup. He became an excellent stallion, leaving 12 stakes winners including Victoria Derby winners Lapidist, and Robin Hood, as well as Victoria Oaks winner Rose d’Amour.

More recent champions

In the last twenty years, thirteen Victoria Derby winners have more than one Group 1 win on their resume, and only three of those already had a Group 1 on their record before the Derby, showing that horses who win the G1 Victoria Derby tend to go on and win again at the top level.

The last 10 years has been a little light but last year’s winner Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}) went on to add both G1 Rosehill Guineas, and G1 Australian Derby, before sadly dying of colic as an early 4-year-old with untapped potential.

The 2021 winner Hitotsu (Maurice {Jpn}) added both the G1 Australian Guineas, and G1 Australian Derby and now stands at stud. He was the first horse since 1994 to complete the big Melbourne and Sydney Derby double.

“We’re proud to stand him as an Arrowfield-bred star returning home, a horse whose attributes and pedigrees we know thoroughly and can back enthusiastically with large numbers of our own mares. Along with the committed support of Hitotsu’s high-profile owners, that provides a solid platform for early-crop commercial success breeders can rely on,” said Arrowfield’s John Messara when he retired.

A further eight Victoria Derby winners between 2004 and 2015 won at least one more Group 1 after their Derby win, with 2014 winner Preferment (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) being the most successful with wins in the G1 Turnbull, G1 BMW S. and G1 Australian Cup, while 2011 winner Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel) added both the G1 Auckland Cup, and G1 Waikato International S. And 2006 winner Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) became the first horse since Phar Lap (NZ) (Night Raid {GB}) to win the Victoria Derby at three and the G1 Melbourne Cup at four. He also won the G1 Turnbull S. at five.

The G1 Spring Champion as a springboard

Anthony Cummings trained El Castello (Castelvecchio) is looking to copy recent G1 Victoria Derby winners Ace High (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Monaco Consul (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}) who both won the G1 Spring Champion S. before winning the Victoria Derby.

Cummings spoke to TTR earlier this week about El Castello, saying “He was showing something pretty much from day one. He had the talent and it just had to all come together for him to become the racehorse he is today.”

In the past twenty years, the only other horse to have previously won a Group 1 leading into the Derby is 2016 winner Prized Icon (More Than Ready) who, just like Fireworks, won the G1 Champagne S. at two.

Who has the form coming into 2024?

El Castello leads this year’s field coming into the race with a picket fence form line, having won his last four in succession including the G1 Spring Champion S.

The other last start winners are Red Aces (Dundeel {NZ}), Goldrush Guru (American Pharoah {USA}), Saint Emilion (Snitzel), Kingofwallstreet (Dundeel {NZ}), and War Ribbon (Calyx {GB}). “He’s brilliant. Kingofwallstreet is a horse that is mature beyond his years. He hasn’t missed a beat since his last run,” said trainer Matt Cumani.

Trainer Nick Ryan told racenet.com.au that Red Aces is ready for Saturday. "He's had a really good week since then, bounced out of the run, everything touchwood has gone really smooth. We're really happy with the horse, he's worked well this week and we couldn't have him in better order."

Last year’s winner Riff Rocket came into the race at his seventh start, having won on debut at two and then having won two of his four starts at three leading into the race. He’d run second at Group 3-level in his start prior, but the key is that he’d always shown class.

The most experienced horse in the field is Tenbury Wells (Fastnet Rock) who has won two of his nine starts.

“After the Gloaming we had a bit of a meeting and we were happy enough to go straight to the Derby,” Brad Widdup said.

“We nominated for the Spring Champion just to have a look at the race but when those three or four nice horses were nominated, we were happy enough to go straight to the Derby. It's always been the plan.”

The most expensive horse is lightly raced West Indies (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) who is a winner from three starts, running fourth the other two times. He was a $525,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher and Astute Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Cambridge Stud.

Trainer Julius Sandhu hasn't been keen to have a runner in the Derby, believing it's too early for a 3-year-old, but he will run lightly raced Oxford Blue (Fiorente {Ire}). "I've always operated from the view that the Victoria Derby over 2500 metres is a bit too early for 3-year-olds being in spring and a lot of them have just turned three. It's a big ask," Sandhu told racing.com on Thursday.

"He's the horse that's just picked himself to be a Derby horse. He's put himself there and that's the reason why he's in the Derby. He's done everything in his stride without being pushed. It's always been about the horse's welfare and wellbeing. He's done every single thing I've asked him to do. He would come back and ask for more and more and more."

Cover image courtesy of Racing SA

The Adelaide-based trainer has prepared 3-year-old Goldrush Guru (American Pharoah {USA}) for seven starts for three wins and three placings. Third on debut in April, his only unplaced run so far has been his first crack at stakes level in the G3 Breeders’ S. at Morphettville. Two weeks ago, the colt put 2.2l on Cavity Bay (Cable Bay {Ire}) to win the Hill Smith and signal his Derby intent.

“They ran a strong 1800-metre here at stakes level a couple of weeks ago, and he gave every indication he's got the capacity to run a mile and a half,” he said.

Interstate raiders

The association with the Victorian Derby runs deep for Gluyas, who was a key part of preparing Leon Macdonald’s Rebel Raider for victory in the 2008 edition of the race. The tenacious son of Reset came through the Hill Smith S. as well, running fifth, before snagging a third in the Listed Geelong Classic 10 days on his way to Flemington. He followed up his Victorian raid with winning the G1 South Australian Derby the following May.

“I was involved in that campaign. He (Rebel Raider) came through the same race but he didn't win, he probably got held up for a run there,” Gluyas recalled. The colt had gone into the Hill Smith as the race favourite, finishing 6.1l behind Dual Hemisphere (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Bookmakers sent him off as a $101 chance in the Derby.

“So we took him to the Geelong Classic, and then from the Classic into the Derby, where he came out and won well on long odds for that occasion.”

Gluyas had been working on and off for the Hall Of Fame trainer since he was a teenager and solidified the relationship by marrying Macdonald’s daughter Susan. In 2001, he became a mainstay of Macdonald’s operation and, at the beginning of the 2009/10 racing season, joined Macdonald in South Australia’s first formally recognised training partnership. With both their names in the race book, they would steer Rebel Raider to a win in the G3 Spring Stakes at Morphettville and a fourth in the same race the following year before retiring him to stud.

The sire of seven stakes winners, Rebel Raider has been pensioned since the end of his 2019 season at Wyndholm Park.

Since Rebel Raider, there have been two entrants for the Macdonald and Gluyas partnership in the Victorian Derby. In 2011, Perfect Punch (Starcraft {NZ}) won the same lead up race as Goldrush Guru, then emulated Rebel Raider’s third in the Geelong Classic, before not delivering on Derby Day.

Macdonald stepped down from the partnership at the end of the 2022/23 season and handed the reins to Gluyas for Air Assault (Justify {USA}), who also claimed the Hill Smith S., then ran third in the G2 Vase on his way to an unplaced finish in Riff Rocket’s (American Pharoah {USA}) Derby. Air Assault finished third in the South Australian Derby behind Coco Sun (The Autumn Sun), before returning this preparation to win the Listed Balaklava Cup.

“He’s a good mentor,” Gluyas said of his father-in-law. “He ran a very successful business here in Adelaide and had some good success, and it was great (working with him). He's since retired, but he's still around for conversations and support.”

Gold in the family

The association between Macdonald and the Guru Breeding Syndicate, led by Harry Perks, is a long one, stretching back to Champion 3-Year-Old in Australia Gold Guru (Geiger Counter {USA}), who won the G1 Australian Derby, the G1 Australian Guineas, and the G1 Ranvet S. Macdonald steered the son of city-winning Proud Halo (Don’t Say Halo {USA}) to eight victories, also capturing three Group 2 races and placing in the G1 Mercedes Classic and G1 Yalumba S.

“Gold Guru was the original one that my father-in-law trained in ‘98,” said Gluyas. “He was a good 3-year-old in his time, and, Proud Halo was the mare, we've had a bit to do with all the horses that have come through her.”

Gold Guru’s younger brother Gallant Guru, who was exported to stand at stud in New Zealand in 2007, was trained by Macdonald to four straight wins in the spring of his 3-year-old campaign, and was another Macdonald trainee to capture the Hill Smith and the Geelong Classic. He would round his career off with another four straight wins the following spring for Lee Freedman.

The mare would produce two other stakes performers, both trained by Macdonald, and Macdonald paid $100,000 for her daughter by Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) at the 2005 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She wouldn’t make it to the track, but she would produce G3 Chairman’s S. winner Gamblin’ Guru (New Approach {Ire}), who was trained by the Macdonald-Gluyas partnership, and Goldrush Guru’s dam, G2 Wakeful S.-placed Glam Guru (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}). Continuing an incredible trainer association with the race, she also ran second in the Hill Smith on her way to the Wakeful.

“The Hill Smith is one of those races that comes up on our cards here in Adelaide that is set for those horses that are thinking of going to the Classics races, it's always (been) a pathway for the Classics.”

Goldrush Guru is the first living foal from his dam, who has a 2-year-old by Toronado (Ire) and a yearling colt by Palace Pier (GB) to follow. His Listed victory made him the 51st stakes winner for former Coolmore shuttler and Triple Crown victor American Pharoah (USA). On Saturday, he bids to give his sire a ninth Group 1 winner.

“He’s (Goldrush Guru) the first one from the mare, we trained her and she had some success racing at 2000 metres,” Gluyas said. “We’ve had a lot to do with them, it goes back a long way.”

Raising the bar

For now, Gluyas has his attention trained firmly on Saturday’s big day.

“It was a bit tricky early on, but he’s settled into his racing now, he’s had a good preparation,” he said, focus back on his 3-year-old rising star. “He’s got to step up to the mile and a half, so hopefully he can settle in the run and have enough left to let down in the straight.

“But he's a beautiful horse, a nice colt. He's strong and sensible enough so he's a good chance. We’re fortunate to have Jamie Kah taking the ride, she's a proven high level jockey and we’re rapt to have her on board.”

The allure of another crack at the South Australian Derby in the autumn certainly appeals to Gluyas, but Saturday comes first and Gluyas is cognizant of the jump in class for his colt. He will be one of five (six including emergencies) last start winners in the race, headed by last weekend’s impressive G1 Spring Champion S. winner El Castello (NZ) (Castelvecchio) and winner of another traditional lead-up race, the Vase, Red Aces (Dundeel {NZ}).

“It’s a big step and he's got to make that step,” he said. “It’s a big jump up in class and distance, and those horses there from Sydney are proven at 2000 metres at the class, so the bar’s been lifted for him. We’re hopeful he can perform well.

“He’s a stakes winner now over nine furlongs so you'd like to hope he can perform at stakes level in the autumn. We’ll just see whether he can stay on Saturday, and that will make our minds up.”

Cover image courtesy of Tattersalls

Wednesday's sale topper is Listed winning 2-year-old

Juveniles with form as good as La Bellota (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), a fine winner of the Listed Prospect S. at Doncaster less than a week ago, don't come around very often and it was Blandford Bloodstock agent Tom Biggs who landed the gelding for a session-topping 425,000gns (AU$880,000) on Wednesday at Tattersalls.

Biggs was bidding on behalf of fellow Blandford agent Richard Brown, who, by the time La Bellota went through the ring on Wednesday evening, was halfway across the Atlantic Ocean en route to the Breeders' Cup.

Of course, La Bellota is a horse that Brown knows well, given the John Ryan-trained runner accounted for Wathnan Racing's Diego Ventura (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) at Doncaster. Like Diego Ventura, La Bellota was brought through the ranks by Tally-Ho Stud, with Ryan sourcing the horse at the Guineas Breeze-Up Sale earlier in the season for 52,000gns (AU$108,000).

“He is the best freelance 2-year-old on the market at the moment and is 105 rated,” the trainer said. “He has performed better than most out there. To be honest, it is bittersweet to lose him. But, at the end of the day, we bought him well and have sold him well.”

Ryan added, “He is a superstar - a lovely horse to train and anyone would love to have this horse in their yard. But he will carry the name La Bellota and we can follow him. I think he is a very special horse. I hope he goes on to be what I think he could be.”

Overall, the Wednesday session failed to live up to what has been otherwise another very strong sale at Park Paddocks. Wildcard Square d'Alboni (Fr) Zarak {Fr}), a recent Listed scorer offered by Alex Elliott's Imperium Sales, failed to find a suitor at 950,000gns (AU$1.96 million) on a day when some of the key figures took a hit.

Boman bags Hawk Power for Annabel Neasham

One of the more interesting bidding wars of the day took place between Ryan McElligott and Stuart Boman over Hawk Power (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), who went the way of the Blandford Bloodstock agent for 300,000gns (AU$621,000). Like a lot of the bigger lots this week, Hawk Power was purchased by Boman to continue his career Down Under, with Annabel Neasham set to take charge of the Listed-placed Godolphin runner.

Boman said, “Lovely horse. When buying off Godolphin, obviously there is no reserve and that attracts quite a lot of people initially. Very consistent horse and was the one horse I wanted to buy when I went through everything. He's been bought for Annabel Neasham and we bought a couple of others along the way. I think he's going to be better on top of the ground.”

The agent continued, “He has been running on soft ground and ran in a bog when third to Fast Tracker, who was sent off favourite for the French Derby, on his last start in the Listed race at Chantilly. It was bottomless ground that day and he had had a long year. He is a very well-bred horse from a pedigree that has worked in Australia. And he is out of a Street Cry mare, which was attractive, too.”

Najd Stud corners Juddmonte draft

Whether it's the December Mares Sale or Horses-In-Training, the Juddmonte drafts always attract huge attention. It was no different on Wednesday when Najd Stud and bloodstock agent Nico Archdale spent 640,000gns (AU$1.3 million) on highly-rated performers Amphius (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Task Force (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

Gallery: Some of the stars of the Juddmonte draft, images courtesy of Tattersalls

A brother to three black-type runners, including Group 3 scorer Sangarius (GB) (Kingman {GB}), the 95-rated Amphius landed a Beverley maiden on his penultimate start and was last seen finishing second in a Newmbury H.

He fetched 380,000gns (AU$786,000) while Task Force, who boasts a rating of 109, was knocked down for 260,000gns (AU$538,000).

“They are lovely horses,” said Saud Al Qahtani. “It was more than we expected to pay, but when you buy quality you have to stretch. They have both been bought with the King's Cup in mind.”

Mullins likes Golden Horn

Dominant National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins doubled down on Golden Horn's progeny when snapping up his second son of the dual Derby winner in as many days for a six-figure sum.

Poniros (GB), who won over an extended mile on debut as a 2-year-old and boasts rock solid handicap form at three, was sold for 200,000gns (AU$414,000). Mullins had already added Too Bossy For Us (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) to the stable 24 hours previously for 330,000gns (AU$684,000) through his right hand man Harold Kirk.

“I am collecting them now,” Kirk joked. “This lad has a bit more class than yesterday's horse and he could even be a sort to drop back in trip. He is very light on his feet, a good mover and he has again been bought as a dual-purpose type.”

Mullins and Kirk also went to 200,000gns (AU$414,000) to secure Pappano (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), bringing the total spend this week to 730,000gns (AU$1.5 million).

Thought for the day

A quick scan through the list of horses that made around 200,000gns (AU$414,000) or more this week, and some trends stick out a mile. For starters, there's no law to it at times, with some obscure sires well able to get a good one. But most interestingly, it seemed to be the mile-plus horses who made the most money in the ring.

The reality is, at any yearling sale in Britain and Ireland, it's the earlier, sharper types that prove most popular around that 200,000 gns marker compared to the horses that take a bit of time. This week's results could provide food for thought for buyers - and even breeders - that have a bit of patience.

Cover image courtesy of Breeders' Cup (Eclipse Sports)

During the Breeders’ Cup meeting on Friday and Saturday, 14 Grade 1 races will be contested, providing exciting pedigree updates. With some of the well-known American stallions getting older, who are the new guard that Australian breeders should be paying attention to as emerging broodmare sires?

There are twelve stallions with four or more individual runners in the 14 Grade 1 races during the Breeders’ Cup meeting.

“Everyone watching the Breeders’ Cup will be wanting fillies and mares off the track by the winning sires at the upcoming breeding sales. It’s the same as how Blame and War Front have been popular, sires like Not This Time, Practical Joke, Good Magic and Gun Runner are the next sires on everyone’s radar,” said Will Johnson.

Table: Stallions by Breeders' Cup entrants

Byron Rogers agrees. “The reason American mares succeed in Australia is that they are very quick with good gate speed and it’s a highly inheritable trait. In Europe they fall out of the gates and roll along so European mares don’t necessarily have the hind quarter conformation for gate speed. The shape of American mares often suits Australian stallions which is why they’ve been successful here relative to opportunity.”

But for buyers, there are some traps to avoid. “You need to be careful as some of the black type (in America) isn’t that good,” said Rogers.

“Think carefully about the races (a mare) won. Often a Sydney city-winning filly is a higher class of horse. And you need to be a bit careful on physical type, avoiding the mares who are big and long. The Holy Bull line tends to be very specific to America and generally doesn’t translate, but a lot of the other commercial lines do.”

In Saturday’s G1 Coolmore Stud S. both Gatsby’s (Snitzel) and Switzerland (Snitzel) are out of North American mares, being Miss Charming (USA) (Forestry {USA}) and Ms Bad Behavior (Can) (Blame {USA}) respectively. Mayfair (Fastnet Rock) who ran third in the G1 Golden Rose recently is out of Cicatrix (USA) (Violence {USA}).

“The USA breeding industry looks awash with plenty of proven and emerging sires that have the potential to make an impact as broodmare sires in the future in Australia,” said bloodstock agent Craig Rounsefell.

“Dirt racing is a major force and many of the leading sires dominate that space although are much less effective on turf. There are plenty of examples of stallions that performed well on the dirt that turned out to be good turf sires and I believe much depends on their conformation and the type of stock they throw.”

Not This Time leading with seven runners

Not This Time (USA) has seven runners across the two days of the Breeders’ Cup meeting with both Dream On (USA) and Tenacious Leader (USA) in the G1 Juvenile Turf S. Abientot (USA) runs in the G1 Juvenile Fillies Turf S. and Shareholder (USA) in the G1 Juvenile Turf Sprint.

“Having seven Breeders’ Cup runners reaffirms to Australian breeders why Not This Time’s son Cogburn is a great option for Widden Stud next season, particularly that Not This Time is heavily represented in the juvenile races. It shows his early speed, and Not This Time’s rise over the last few seasons has been well documented,” said Will Johnson.

Cogburn (USA), who will shuttle to Widden Stud from 2025, runs in the G1 Turf Sprint as does Arzak (USA), while Next (USA) will contest the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“From an Aussie perspective, Not This Time was a good racehorse although his brother was better, but he’s turning out to be the better sire of the two,” said Rogers.

Not This Time’s brother is G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Liam’s Map (USA) (Unbridled’s Song {USA}), while Not This Time, a son of Giant’s Causeway (USA), won the G3 Churchill Downs Iroquois S. at two and was second in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

“Not This Time can leave a turf sprinter like Cogburn who is going to Widden or a longer distance horse like Next. They are good to work with and have easy minds on them. Cogburn is stunningly beautiful.”

Not This Time’s Grade 3-winning dam Miss Macy Sue (USA) (Trippi {USA}) produced four stakes winners, Liam’s Map, Not This Time and two Listed winners Matera (USA) (Tapit {USA}) and Taylor S (USA) (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}).

Giant’s Causeway is the sire of very successful sire Shamardal (USA), and Not This Time’s first crop were born in 2018 and he already has 38 stakes winners with an impressive 17 in his first crop of 114 foals (15 per cent). He’s sired six Grade 1 winners, including Widden’s new shuttler Cogburn, triple Grade 1 winner Up To The Mark (USA), as well as Epicenter (USA), Just One Time (USA), Princess Noor (USA), and Sibeleus (USA). He has no broodmare daughters in Australia yet.

Good Magic keeps lifting

One of three stallions with five runners in the Breeders’ Cup meeting, along with proven horses Into Mischief (USA) and Justify (USA), Good Magic (USA) is a son of Curlin (USA).

“Good Magic has gone to another level this year, siring another Classic winner in Dornoch who was retired in the lead up to the Breeders’ Cup. To end up with five runners after a couple of his key horses retired recently shows how well Good Magic is tracking.

“He’s a flagbearer for Hill N Dale farm, whose sire Curlin has the best track record in the Breeders’ Cup and has several big chances too,” said Johnson. Curlin has four runners at the 2024 Breeders’ Cup meeting.

Champion 2YO Colt in USA in 2017, Good Magic won the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile then went on to add the G1 Haskell Invitational S. As a sire, his oldest crop are only 4-year-olds, and that first crop of 133 foals already counts 12 stakes winners (9 per cent) while he has a further eight stakes winners among his current 3-year-olds.

His five Grade 1 winners include the full brothers G1 Kentucky Derby winner Mage (USA) and dual Grade 1 winner Dornoch (USA). His three others are G1 Arkansas Derby winner Muth (USA), G1 Belmont Champagne S. winner Blazing Sevens (USA), and G1 Del Mar Pacific Classic winner Mixto (USA).

“Current top dirt sires such as Gun Runner, Curlin and his son Good Magic may not suit Australia as much as leading sires whose progeny have performed well on both turf and dirt, such as Twirling Candy, Not This Time, Into Mischief, Justify, Constitution and Munnings,” said Rounsefell.

Rogers has the opposite opinion, saying, “Good Magic is built like an Aussie sprinter, and is one people should take a closer look at. He’s a neat strong bodied horse, not a long lean American dirt style of horse. Yes, he had a derby winner, but generally he gets a nice turf runner. I like the way he started his career.

“Interestingly, I bought Puca, the dam of his Kentucky Derby winner Mage. She was a big mare but well balanced. Mage is more like Good Magic, not that tall, but the full brother Dornoch is massive like the dam.” Mage and Dornoch are out of Listed winner Puca (USA) (Big Brown {USA}) and her other foal to race is stakes placed winner Gunning (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}).

Eight stallions with four Breeders’ Cup runners

There are eight sires with four runners at the 2024 Breeders’ Cup meeting, being Curlin (USA), English Channel (USA), Frosted (USA), Gun Runner (USA), Mehmas (Ire), Munnings (USA), Practical Joke (USA), and Tapit (USA). Curlin, Frosted, Munnings and Tapit are all older and familiar, while Mehmas is Irish-based and English Channel died in 2021.

Gun Runner

Gun Runner is a son of Candy Ride (Arg), and his first crop were born in 2019. He has 33 stakes winners and an impressive ten Grade 1 winners from around 120 foals in each of his first four crops.

“Gun Runners shows you the depth of the American sire ranks. It will be interesting to see his progeny born to Southern Hemisphere time. Cambridge Stud have supported him, buying a couple of mares in America and sending them to Gun Runner to Southern Hemisphere time and now they have two nice foals in Kentucky. It reaffirms the need for a successful outcross, and Gun Runner is incredibly prolific,” said Johnson.

Gun Runner’s 10 Grade 1 winners including G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Echo Zulu (USA), and he added a 3-year-old Grade 1 winner this season with Sierra Leone (USA) winning the G1 Keeneland Blue Grass S., while Locked (USA) won the G1 Breeders' Futurity S. at two last year.

“Gun Runner is the premium sire in America,” said Rogers. “He does get a specific type though and that’s not necessarily suited to Australian racing.”

Practical Joke

Triple Grade 1 winner Practical Joke (USA) is by Into Mischief (USA) who is a great-grandson of Storm Cat (USA), and he shuttles between Kentucky and Chile.

“Practical Joke is probably the leading son of Into Mischief at stud. He’s already produced Grade 1 winning 2-year-olds and is a stallion of significant interest to Australians at the upcoming broodmare sales. He’s a young up and coming sire for Coolmore, who already has had colts retire to stud. His name is going to be well read over coming seasons,” said Johnson.

Practical Joke’s first crop were born in 2019 and he finished second on the first season sire table in 2021 to Gun Runner. He has 39 stakes winners, with 17 of those from his Southern Hemisphere ventures in Chile. Sire of 11 Grade 1 winners, Practical Joke’s son Domestic Product (USA) will retire to stand alongside Practical Joke at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in 2025.

“Practical Joke has really picked up in the last year or so with his runners,” said Rogers. “He’s a very good looking animal, with a nice shape and a lot of speed.”

A couple of other young sires of note

“A young stallion I think is very interesting for Australia is Oscar Performance, a son of Kitten’s Joy, who has started his career exceptionally well with his runners of both surfaces. A first crop sire that has started well with his 2-year-olds on the turf is Tiz The Law, a son of Constitution,” said Rounsefell.

Tiz The Law (USA) has three Breeders’ Cup runners, however G2 Oak Leaf S. winner Non Compliant (USA) was scratched on Wednesday. His remaining runners are Scythian (USA) and Tigerish (USA) who are both in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Oscar Performance (USA) has Tumbarumba (USA) in the G1 Dirt Mile.