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Sectionally Speaking: The Playwright steals the spotlight
Written by
Nic Ashman
5 min read
From The Playwright’s (Written By) bold Rosehill win to Palm Angel’s (Starspangledbanner) slick Caulfield finish, the weekend’s juvenile racing offered intriguing insights. Here’s how the standout performances stacked up sectionally.
Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
The Playwright (Written By) announced himself as a Magic Millions contender with a tough win in fast time at Rosehill on Saturday.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained galloper was on debut and drew wide, which over 1100 metres at Rosehill is never a good thing. Sharp gate speed allowed the filly to cross and share the lead, but it came at a cost. The Playwright was forced to go through her first 500 metres 4l faster than benchmark for open 2-year-old races at Rosehill.
We were reminded yet again of the Tulloch Lodge “bone and muscle” as she staved off what looked to be a late charge from Icarian Dream (Blue Point {Ire}) but upon sectional review was nothing more than The Playwright getting tired. She clocked her last 200 metres 2l below standard but was aided by a smart ride from Regan Bayliss, who got her out to lane six. You needed to be off rail with nothing winning inside lane four.
Importantly, The Playwright’s overall time of 1:05.2 was 3.5l quicker than average for this race and she should strip fitter next time we see her. Suspect she will head towards a race in Brisbane at the back end of December.
Juveniles on the rise
Still on 2-year-old racing, and the Listed Merson Cooper S. (1000 metres) at Caulfield on Saturday was won by Palm Angel (Starspangledbanner). This was a very different race shape to the juvenile event at Rosehill. Here, Palm Angel, who led the race, went slow through the first 400 metres around 3l below standard. But the last 600 metres was slick and rated almost 5l faster than your average 2-year-old event over this track and distance.
The third placegetter, Point Barrow (Blue Point {Ire}), produced the fastest late sectionals of the day, which is typical for a lone 1000 metres but added merit given this was a 2-year-old on debut. The Blue Point (Ire) breed can show sharp acceleration but lack strength to see out a truly run 1000-metre race.
What we’ll learn over the next few weeks is whether Point Barrow has a sharp turn of foot that can only be seen in slowly run 1000-metre races or whether it can be sustained in a high-pressure contest or over further, or both.
Tempo, talent, and timing
The G3 Twilight Glow S. (1400 metres) was run at a farcical tempo with Phenom (Zoustar) going 6l below standard through the first 800 metres. She’s Got Pizzazz (Zoustar) produced the fastest last 200 metres of the race in what was a dash home where the first three across the line were in the first four in running. Any filly that needs ground could be a big improver out to a genuinely run mile next time.
Ciaron Maher’s filly Snitzanova (Snitzel) chalked up a hattrick of wins when she took out the G2 Sandown Guineas (1600 metres). Colmar (Strasbourg) set a moderate tempo that was a couple of lengths below standard. Bittercreek (Snitzel) accelerated well clocking the best splits between the 600 metres and 400 metres and again between the 400 metres and 200 metres but the strength of Snitzanova kicked in.
Third placegetter, Somewhere (Puissance De Lune {Ire}), produced the best last 200 metres of the race and given she was only having her second career start off the back of a Ballarat Maiden victory, she could be the one to follow going forward.
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Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Rosehill mares shine
Back to Rosehill and two mares did good thing's on the clock. Redbreast (American Pharoah {USA}) won the BM78 over 1400 metres with her time about 1.5l faster than standard. But her sectionals were flat, and this was the run of a horse that will appreciate the mile second-up. There’s a BM78 race over 1600 metres restricted to 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds at Randwick on December 14 that she would be extremely hard to beat in. But she would be equally hard to toss in the BM88 over 1800 metres on the same day.
Eagle Nest (Shalaa {Ire}) capitalised on an easy lead when taking out the Listed Starlight S. (1100 metres). Sprint races at Rosehill are hard to win from back in the field but even harder when they’re allowed to lead going 4l below benchmark through the first 500 metres. Eagle Nest ran her last 400 metres more than 6l above standard making it near impossible for those back in the field to catch her. In Flight (Flying Artie) produced a solid return with the best last 200 metres of the race. Eligible for easier races, she might be one to follow back in grade a touch.
Over in the west we saw Overpass (Vancouver) take out his second successful G1 Winterbottom S. (1200 metres). They went 2l inside standard time making the run of runner-up Maharba (Pride Of Dubai) even more appealing. Trainer Grahame Begg has come out since saying his jockey Jordan Childs was yelling to the starter not to open the gates. Alas, the flung back and his charge missed the start noticeably. Without doubt has cost him the race. But on the plus side, he has proven himself up to that level. Expect Maharba to be a live Newmarket H. chance in the autumn.
Overpass winning the G1 Winterbottom S. | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Sectionally Speaking
The Playwright
Palm Angel
Icarian Dream
Blue Point
Point Barrow
Phenom
She's Got Pizzazz
Snitzanova
Colmar
Bittercreek
Somewhere
Redbreast
Eagle Nest
In Flight
Overpass
Maharba
Another Via Sistina in the green and white? Caught U Looking tops Tattersalls at 1,800,000gns
Written by
Brian Sheerin and Adam Houghton/TDN Europe
13 min read
The sale-topper at the opening session of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale heads to Australia with Vin Cox excited about the prospects of Caught U Looking (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}).
Cover image courtesy of Tattersalls
At A Glance
•
A total of 223 lots (198 sold last year) sold for 22,955,500gns (AU$47 million).
•
This was well up on last year's turnover of 15,477,300gns (AU$31.7 million), a 48 per cent rise.
•
The average was 102,939gns (AU$211,100) and the median 50,000gns (AU$102,500).
•
Last year's day one average was 78,168gns (AU$160,000), an increase of 32 per cent.
•
The median was up 16 per cent from last year's 43,000gns (AU$88,200).
•
The clearance rate was 85 per cent, up from 82 per cent last year.
•
The sale-topper was the 1.8 million gns (AU$3.69 million) Caught U Looking (Harzand) pruchased by Willingham.
Big purchase with big potential
Via Sistina's exploits Down Under may well have been at the forefront of Yuesheng Zhang's mind when the Yulong team went to 1.8 million gns (AU$3.69 million) to secure Caught U Looking (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}), a filly that part-owner Tony O'Callaghan says “will do a bit of damage” whatever jurisdiction she ends up running in.
That's good news for Yulong, who bid online to the left of the rostrum to see off a spirited effort from Will Walden. Of course, it was in this exact sale ring that Yulong, then signing under Evergreen Equine as opposed to Willingham on Monday, lit up the Sceptre Sessions when going to 2.7 million gns (AU$5.55 million) for Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) last year.
Via Sistina | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Four Group 1s in Australia later, including an 8l demolition job in the G1 W.S Cox Plate, and it was easy to see why Yulong's general manager Vin Cox was returning to a happy hunting ground to secure the Noel Meade-trained Group 3 winner.
“The ambition at this stage is probably to send her to Australia and put her on a path not dissimilar to Via Sistina, who we've obviously had a lot of success with over the last 12 months,” Cox said.
"We're not suggesting that this filly is going to turn into a Via Sistina. We'd love her to, but we'll keep our feet on the ground and hopefully she can win some nice races for us.
“The ambition at this stage is probably to send her (Caugh U Looking) to Australia and put her on a path not dissimilar to Via Sistina.” - Vin Cox
“It's no secret that staying horses in this part of the world perform exceptionally well in Australia. She's already a stakes performer and she'll be retired to the stud irrespective of what happens in Australia. Hopefully, we can add to her CV and profile.
“Funnily enough, the price was around where I thought we might end up. She's a well-performed filly who we think has got a pretty good profile to race on with. There were bids coming from all corners of the auditorium which is always a good sign. You love to see competition and would hate to be the only one out there.”
Vin Cox | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Caught U Looking was bought by Peter Nolan on behalf of Noel Meade for just €27,000 (AU$43,800) at the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale in 2022. The story goes that the filly caught O'Callaghan's attention in the back ring before she was offered under the hammer, which would explain how she was named.
The Caught U Looking story
Given her breeder Peter Kelly was keen to stay involved in the ownership of the filly and Meade had purchased Caught U Looking on spec, a partnership was formed. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Tally-Ho Stud boss said “I'd say she did it herself because she behaved impeccably there for the past three days. We think there's a good bit of potential; there's more to come. That's why she made it. Credit to Peter Nolan, Peter Kelly and Noel Meade. She had twelve vets and was very popular. I'd say she'll do a bit of damage wherever she goes.”
The day one sale-topper is out of the Mastercraftsman (Ire) mare Wild Mix (GB), who Kelly picked up for just 7000gns (AU$14,400) at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale in 2018. The mare has served him well with her Supremacy (Ire) colt foal also making the Kellys a pretty penny when selling at Goffs last year for €180,000 (AU$291,600), in the aftermath of Caught U Looking's 2-year-old exploits which included her biggest success to date in the Weld Park S. Wild Mix had a filly by Cotai Glory (GB) this spring and was covered by New Bay (GB).
“She (Caught U Looking) did it herself because she behaved impeccably there for the past three days. We think there's a good bit of potential; there's more to come. That's why she made it.” - Peter Kelly
“I bred her and I always wanted to stay in her,” Kelly explained. “Noel Meade wanted to buy her and, when he did, we stayed in for half. Tony was then interested in her and he bought in. I was so chuffed that he wanted part of a horse I had bred. He has been a wonderful partner the whole way.”
He added, “Coming here, I knew she was going to go better than I had hoped as she had 12 or 13 vets and the right people were on her.”
Meanwhile, Kelly's wife Sabina, was understandably emotional.
She said, “Oh my gosh! It was incredible, she has always been a pet. We have always loved her. I am in shock, it is amazing! We weren't expecting that. She is a superb filly and it is sad to see her go but she has been brilliant and we have had a great season.”
Peter Kelly | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Tattersalls offered a bigger selection of horses on Monday compared to the corresponding day's trade twelve months ago but, even so, the day one figures made for impressive reading with turnover climbing by 48 per cent to 22,955,500gns (AU$4.71 million). The median was up 16 per cent to 50,000gns (AU$102,600) while the average was on the rise by 32 per cent to 102,939gns (AU$211,300). The clearance rate was a healthy 86 per cent, up 4 per cent.
Aussie buyers active on Day 1
MG Price Racing & Breeding teamed with Dermot Farrington to secure, for 170,000gns (AU$348,600), the lightly raced Ring True (GB) (Belardo {Ire}).
A winner and three times placed from six starts, always finishing in the first five, she has been stakes-placed at her last two outings; a Listed second at Marseille Borely and a Group 3 third in Milan just a couple of weeks ago.
She is the first foal for the stakes-placed Hold True (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) whose dam Honest Quality (USA) (Elusive Quality {USA}) is a Listed-winning daughter of the G1 Santa Monica H. winner Honest Lady (USA) (Seattle Slew {USA}).
Ring True (GB) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Honest Lady produced another three stakes winners including the G1 Forego S. winner First Defence (USA).
China Horse Club was also in action, buying for 370,000gns (AU$759,400) Sound Angela (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}).
The winner of four of her 17 starts including the Listed John Musker S. at Yarmouth in mid-September, the 5-year-old is also Group 3 and five times Listed-placed.
She is one of the six winners (from as many to race) for the Group 3-placed Instance (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), a half-sister to the European Champion Older Female Seal Of Approval (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) and the Listed winner Gale Force (GB} (Shirocco {Ger}), dam of the triple Group 1 winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel).
Sound Angela (GB) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Rosemont Stud took home a couple, for 35,000gns each (AU$71,800) securing Daban (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), and Rapture (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) who is in foal to Shaquille (GB) (Pivotal {GB}).
The 10-year-old Daban won two of her five starts for the John Gosden yard; after a debut win at Kempton taking out the G3 Nell Gwyn S. at Newmarket before a G1 1000 Guineas third behind Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
She has one winner amongst her first three runners whilst her 2-year-old Cloth Of Gold (Sea The Moon {Ger}) has shown ability finish second at his first two starts.
Daban is a half-sister to the G3 Goodwood Thoroughbred S. winner Thikriyaat (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) out of a daughter of the Listed winner Mahalia (Ire) (Danehill {USA}), dam of two G3 winners and ancestress of another ten stakes winners including the G1 gallopers Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}), Ectot (GB) and Most Improved (Ire).
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Gallery: The two mares acquired by Rosemont Stud, images courtesy of Tattersalls
The 8-year-old Rapture was, from six starts, a winner on the all-weather surface at Lingfield. She has one winner amongst her first two to race.
Her dam is the stakes placed Rosa Bonheur (USA) (Mr Greeley {USA}), also dam of the triple Group 1 winner Raging Bull (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and the Group 3 winner Kubrick (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Rosa Bonheur's dam is the Italian Champion 2YO Filly Rolly Polly (Ire) (Mukaddamah {USA}), grandam of the dual Group 3 winner Exxtra (Fr) (Starspangledbanner).
Unbreak My Heart to City Of Troy or Auguste Rodin
A visit to City Of Troy (USA) or Auguste Rodin (Ire) has been pencilled in for Unbreak My Heart (GB) after M.V. Magnier secured the Group-placed daughter of Showcasing (GB) for Coolmore at 625,000gns (AU$1.28 million). Unbreak My Heart is the culmination of generations of hard work at Whitsbury Manor Stud. A half-sister to Group 2 winner Heartache (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), who Coolmore bought at this sale in 2018 for 1.3 million gns, Unbreak My Heart actually carried Chris Harper's own colours to finish third in the G3 Cornwallis S.
Heartache has emerged as a pretty promising broodmare at Coolmore, with her most recent progeny to have hit the track, Exactly (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), winning the G3 Killavullan S. when last seen.
“Exactly is a very good filly,” Magnier commented. “In fairness to Ed Harper and his father, they've been very good breeders for a very long time. It's a great family that they've done very well with. We bought Heartache off them a few years ago and she's gone on to produce Salt Lake City (Ire) who was a good horse, and then Exactly looks very promising.
“She's a very nice filly and we're lucky to have been able to buy her. I'd say she'll go to either City Of Troy or Auguste Rodin.”
Amo starts strongly with Frankel filly
Amo Racing's Kia Joorabchian was responsible for raising the temperature early in the afternoon when going to 450,000gns (AU$923,800) for Godolphin's Listed-winning Pennymoor (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
The most expensive of the day's lots outside of the Sceptre Sessions, she is out of the G1 Preis der Diana heroine Penelopa (GB) (Giant's Causeway {USA}), making her a half-sister to Amo's smart 2-year-old California Dreamer (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), runner-up in this year's G2 Balanchine S. at the Curragh.
Pennymore (GB) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Bloodstock agent Alex Elliott said, “She was a very obvious one for us, being a half-sister to California Dreamer and a Listed winner by Frankel. She made 450,000gns as a foal so that will tell you how good-looking she is.
“She's on an early cover to Farhh so there's some scarcity value there. Farhh struggles with his fertility so there's not many of them around and not many mares in foal to him. I think he's a very good stallion and, with what she's carrying, that would be a Book 1 horse if it comes out looking like her.”
Talking Points
Be it horses-in-training or mares, the Godolphin draft always generates great excitement. Monday was no different when 20 mares sold for a combined 2,255,000gns (AU$4.62 million). While she didn't command a huge price tag at 80,000gns (AU$164,200), the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Pleascach (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) was one of the bigger names among the draft. She was sold to Indian buyers Poonawalla Astonish Stud and Raunak Banerji.
A brilliant season for Camelot (GB) received further international recognition when, bidding on behalf of Taihei Stud Farm, Michael Youngs secured classy mare Cairde Go Deo (Fr) for 525,000gns (AU$1.07 million). Trained by Ger Lyons on behalf of owner Mark Dobbin, Cairde Go Deo, which translates from Irish into Friends Forever, won twice at Listed level and placed in the Irish Oaks. Youngs said, “She's been purchased for Taihei Farm in Japan. She was a good, tough racemare and very attractive, she uses herself very well. She should be a good fit for them and I'm very happy to have got her for them.”
The Juddmonte draft proved as popular as ever with 15 selling for a total of 1,630,000 gns (AU$3.34 million) and at an average of 108,667gns (AU$223,000). The pick of them was the 3-year-old Abstract (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a dual winner in France out of the Listed-placed Invincible Spirit (Ire) mare Ambivalence (Ire).
Hailing from the prolific family that produced the great broodmare Urban Sea (USA) (Miswaki {USA}), she sold for 340,000gns (AU$698,000) on the bid of Ted Durcan. He said, “She has been bought to race on. She is for Scott Heider, but I don't know yet whether she will stay in Europe or go to the US. She is very close to getting black type and if she could get her head in front she will be a valuable prospect.”
Abstract (Fr) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
You've got to take your hat off to Jessica Harrington, who worked her magic with Raknah (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). Deemed surplus to requirements by Andrew Balding, she was sold online to BBA Ireland for just 25,000gns (AU$51,300) after she failed to win in three starts in Britain. A gritty success in a Listed contest at Galway earlier this summer saw connections multiply their outlay when she sold for 350,000gns (AU$718,500) to Yoshihisa Ozasa.
Charlie Gordon Watson spent a total of 925,000gns (AU$1.89 million) on a pair of mares offered during the Sceptre Sessions; Rocana (GB) (Fastnet Rock) and Adelaise (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), who fetched 625,000gns (AU$1.28 million) and 300,000gns (AU$615,700) respectively. Rocana has already produced the G3 Chester Vase winner Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Listed Feilden S. scorer Canberra Legend (Ire) (Australia {GB}), as well as a Ghaiyyath (Ire) filly who made 350,000gns (AU$718,500) at last week's December Foal Sale.
Along with Adelaise, the winner of the Listed Snowdrop Fillies' S. at Kempton in April, Rocana was bought on behalf of Watership Down Stud and will be covered by Too Darn Hot (GB), the Darley stallion who still has no fiercer supporters than Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber of Watership Down after they bred and raced him with such great success.
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Gallery: A pair of mares offered during the Sceptre Sessions for which Charlie Gordon Watson spent a total of 925,000gns (AU$1.89 million), images courtesy of Tattersalls
There was a strong International representation at Tattersalls on Monday and the leading American-based owner Mike Repole was a notable name to feature on the buyers' sheet when spending 645,000 gns (AU$1.32 million) on four mares.
Yulong
Via Sistina
Mick Price
Rosemont
China Horse Club
Caught U Looking
Tattersalls
December Breeding Stock Sale
Hong Kong: three Australians taking on the world
Written by
Kristen Manning
14 min read
Sha Tin hosts the Hong Kong International Race Day on Sunday, featuring Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}), and Recommendation (Shalaa {Ire}) as Australian representatives in three of the four feature races. Here's a look at their preparation and key competitors.
Cover image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Vase
Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) who takes his place in the G1 Hong Kong International Vase, is the most favoured of the Australian representatives, contesting the 2400-metre event that has never been won by an Australian-trained horse.
There have been Australian form lines fare well however, Dunaden (Fr) (Nicobar {GB}) and Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) finishing first and third in 2011 having, at their previous starts, provided the quinella for the G1 Melbourne Cup.
Red Cadeaux was again at Flemington the following year, unplaced before a G1 Japan Cup eighth and a win in the Vase.
Highland Reel (Ire) won the Vase in 2015 and 2017 and his lead-up form for his first success was a G1 W.S Cox Plate third behind Winx (Street Cry {Ire}).
Without A Fight heads to the race with just one run under his belt, running such a strong third behind Via Sistina (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) in the G1 Champion S. having not raced since his 2023 Melbourne Cup victory.
He was second-up, though off a shorter spell, when winning last year's G1 Caulfield Cup. And Sam Freedman has been happy with his progress in Hong Kong.
Sam Freedman | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“He has settled in really well and obviously he is a well-travelled horse, and he has taken it fine and is straight into his feed and he has been working and hasn’t missed a day.
“He did some pace work on Friday and seems great. He arrived here in really good order, and we did a fair bit of work with him before he got here.”
“He (Without A Fight) did some pace work on Friday and seems great. He arrived here in really good order, and we did a fair bit of work with him before he got here.” - Sam Freedman
Getting home in 24.2s on the grass on Tuesday morning, Without A Fight again had Freedman happy.
“He wasn’t out there to break any records. He just stretched his legs, and all went smoothly. He basically just worked over seven furlongs (1400 metres) just in an improving gallop and picked it up and stretched his legs in the last little bit. His action was great and he went straight and recovered well.”
Another horse with Australian form is amongst his main dangers, last year's G1 Queen Elizabeth S. and G1 Ranvet S. winner Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai).
Dubai Honour (Ire) | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
His track work rider Issy Paul has been pleased with his work, telling the HKJC that “he is very good and I’m very happy.”
The 7-year-old already has Hong Kong experience having ventured there on three occasions, finishing fourth in the 2021 G1 Hong Kong International Cup, third in the 2023 G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup and seventh in that same race last year. Both of those races were won by Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}).
Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday, the filly who has been in the placings in Group 1 company twice since a win at that level in April attempting to continue the recent good run by Japanese horses in this race.
Japan can lay claim to five Vase winners; Stay Gold (Jpn) in 2001, Satono Crown (Jpn) in 2016, Glory Vase (Jpn) in 2019 and 2021 and Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) in 2022.
Stellenbosch (Jpn) | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Another horse with good credentials is Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), his trainer Marco Botti describing the last start G1 Irish St Leger placegetter as a horse who has been “a solid performer all year.”
Marquisat (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}) found early trouble when fifth in the G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern; a race won last year by subsequent Vase winner Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}). He was having his first crack at Group 1 level on that occasion, having won three of his first seven starts.
Trainer Andre Fabre's travelling head lad Richard Lambert has been happy with the gelding's process. “He seems to be a good traveller and he's in good shape. Obviously, he's beginning to get a bit of a winter coat, which is normal, but his weight is good and he has acclimatised well. I expect him to improve as the week goes on.”
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Gallery: Some of the runners in the G1 Hong Kong Vase, images courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) seeks go to one better than he did when second in last year's G1 Hong Kong International Cup in which he ran into Romantic Warrior. This year's G1 Coronation Cup winner has pleased the Aidan O'Brien stable's travelling head lad Pat Keating who staid that he has “settled in well.”
Due to be “building up,” during the week, he will be under the supervision of O'Brien himself when he arrives in Hong Kong on Thursday morning.
The Mile
Four horses have ventured from Australasia to claim victory in the G1 Hong Kong International Mile, Monopolize (Rubiton) taking out consecutive runnings in 1995 and 1996, Catalan Opening (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}) winning for Bart Cummings the following year and the mighty mare Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}) emerging victorious after a memorably stirring battle with the local favourite Fairy King Prawn (Danehill {USA}) in 2000.
(Who could forget the massive crowd's chants of PRAWN, PRAWN, PRAWN all the way down the straight!?)
Fairy King Prawn | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Horses bred in Australia and New Zealand boast an outstanding record in the race with the Queensland-bred Golden Sixty (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) taking out three of the last four runnings. The 2022 winner California Spangle (Ire) is a Northern Hemisphere-bred horse, but he is a son of Starspangledbanner.
Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) looks a great chance on the back of his outstanding spring carnival form, trainer Tony Gollan happy to take him along quietly this week.
“He has handled the trip well so far,” he said on Monday evening. “He lost a couple of kilos and has settled in as expected. He doesn’t need much work as he is very fit. He has been up for a while so it’s just a matter of keeping him happy. He looks fantastic and he looks as good to my eye as when he looked at Flemington at his last run and we are still a week out, I am very happy with him.”
“He (Antino) looks fantastic and he looks as good to my eye as when he looked at Flemington at his last run and we are still a week out, I am very happy with him.” - Tony Gollan
Antino's sire Redwood (GB) headed to Hong Kong on two occasions, running a great race when second to Mastery (GB) (Sulamani {Ire}) in the 2010 Vase in which Americain (USA) was third.
His main danger is Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) who vies to become the fifth Japanese-bred winner of the mile; the last couple being Admire Mars (Jpn) in 2019 and Maurice (Jpn) in 2015.
Antino (NZ) | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
They are amongst the 20 different Japanese horses to record wins on this day with last year the first since 2018 where none of the races were won by one of their horses.
The winner of eight races, Soul Rush contested this race last year, finishing fourth behind Golden Sixty and his form back home since has been consistent.
His work rider Yuki Iwasaki was optimistic on Tuesday morning, saying that, “He was fresh, very flexible and felt really good.”
Soul Rush (Jpn) | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
The locals Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) and Galaxy Patch (Wandjina) are going to prove hard to toss having finished first and third in the main Hong Kong lead up race, the G2 HJKC Mile.
James McDonald rides the former with trainer Ricky Yiu confident.
“He is currently in great form and McDonald also knows the horse very well. The horse is still improving and his form is as good as last year when he was just beaten by Golden Sixty.
“He is a versatile type of horse, very smart, he can go to the front or settle behind, in whatever position. I believed he will run a good race this Sunday.”
“He (Galaxy Patch) is a versatile type of horse, very smart, he can go to the front or settle behind, in whatever position. I believed he will run a good race this Sunday.” - Pierre Ng
Galaxy Patch was a beaten favourite last time out but has trialled nicely since.
“Vincent (Ho) was very happy with him,” trainer Pierre Ng reported. “I’m very happy with how he's pulled up and he looks well today. He’ll have another gallop on Thursday; his main gallop, and then he’ll be ready to race.”
Cheering him on from Australia will be his breeders Summerset Park Stud as well as Larneuk Stud, home to his sire Wandjina.
Galaxy Patch | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Another interesting runner from an Australian perspective is Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}) who was sound when chasing home Via Sistina, finishing fifth and sixth in the Cox Plate and the Mackinnon S.
Stable representative Laura Pike noted that: “We went to Melbourne at the end of September, so we've been away quite a long time. He picked up prizemoney and he beat the track record despite finishing fifth in the Cox Plate. We arrived in Hong Kong 10 days ago, so we've had a bit longer than everyone else and we're just keeping him ticking over.
“He had a nice routine canter on the grass today (Tuesday). He's so fit, so we're just trying to freshen him up and keep him happy. He seems in great form. I was really happy with that today. He's going to do another bit on the grass on Thursday, when he'll have a blow before his race on Sunday. He loves his work. He's very bonny. He loves the cameras!”
Docklands (GB) | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Sprint
Not since Falvelon's consecutive wins in this race, the G1 Hong Kong International Sprint, in 2000 and 2001 (the second and third runnings) has an Australian-trained horse claimed victory in this dash but it has been a race dominated by the Australian-bred horse.
It has been run on 24 occasions, Australian-bred horses winning the first 10 and another five since. New Zealand-bred horses have three wins including Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) last year.
David Hayes won the race in 2002 with All Thrills Too (St Covet) and has the hot favourite this time around, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) expected to go on his merry way having been so dominant winning his last seven in a row.
“After 10 starts no horse has shown me more,” Hayes said of the horse who broke the long-standing 1200-metre Sha Tin record held by Sacred Kingdom (Encosta De Lago) when taking out the G2 HKJC Sprint at his latest outing.
Galloping on all-weather track on Tuesday morning, clocking 22.6s for 400 metres, Ka Ying Rising had Hayes smiling.
“After 10 starts no horse has shown me more (than Ka Ying Rising).” - David Hayes
“He was good this morning. I’m very happy and more importantly Zac (Purton) was very happy. We just let him stretch his legs for 400 metres and he showed me he’s ready to go.”
Last year's Mile winner California Spangle also has high-class sprinting form with two Japanese horses also fancied; Lugal (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and Toshin Macau (Jpn) (Big Arthur {Jpn}) providing the quinella in the G1 Sprinters S. at Nakayama in late September.
David Hayes | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Lugal's trainer Haruki Sugiyama said that he is looking forward to Sunday with his charge working on the turf on Monday, having an easy canter on the all-weather on Tuesday. “Everything has gone well so far. I saw him for the first time since he arrived here, and he seems to be the same as how he was at home. He will be tuned up after he gallops on Thursday.”
Stable representative, Takashi Komine said of Toshin Macau, who also worked on the all-weather “he seemed to be relaxed unlike yesterday, but he was very nervous when working on the main track for the first time. However, once he started cantering, he launched the bid and ran well. Tomorrow, we plan to do the same kind of training as today.”
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Gallery: Two Japanese horses fancied in the G1 Hong Kong International Sprint, images courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Australian runner Recommendation (Shalaa {ire}) is double-figure odds on the back of his last start Listed Century S. third but Ciaron Maher has liked what he has seen of the 5-year-old since his arrival in Hong Kong.
“Everything is going very well. He travelled well and he didn’t even sweat when he came over on the plane. He was quite bright after he worked on Sunday morning. He likes to be fresh and he seems to be that way.
“He will do a piece (of fast work) on Wednesday, but not much. As I said he likes to be fresh. And he has had plenty of racing and the better he feels, the better he goes.”
Recommendation | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
The Cup
Bound for the Middle East after this race, Romantic Warrior is not surprisingly a very short-priced favourite to add a third G1 Hong Kong International Cup win to his tally. When successful last year he became the only dual winner of the race with California Memory (USA) (Highest Honor {Fr}) successful in 2011 and 2012.
Not beaten since his G1 Turnbull S. fourth last year, Romantic Warrior is the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year with his wins in Australia and Japan earning him worldwide recognition and respect.
It's hard to see him beaten on Sunday but he does have some talented rivals including a horse of particular interest to Australians; Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) being a daughter of the G1 ATC Sires Produce S. and G1 Spring Champion S. winner Yankee Rose (All American).
Second to the star galloper Equinox (Jpn) in last year's G1 Japan Cup, the five-time winner from nine starts had a set-back with her feet before finishing out of the placings in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at her latest outing.
Her rider Yuya Katayama was happy with her track work on Tuesday morning, noting that “her moves are getting lighter and lighter day by day and I think she is in good shape and has been preparing well for tomorrow's solid work and the race day.”
Liberty Island(Jpn) | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Katayama has Liberty Island's mental state in mind as well, saying that “the paddock will be full of people and we have to walk close to people, so considering those situations I intentionally walked her close to the photographers and media people, but she was calm without any problem.”
Also from Japan is Tastiera (Jpn) whose sire Satono Crown won the Vase in 2016. Second in the Tenno Sho last time out, he has had his form hold up with that race won by the subsequent barnstorming Japan Cup winner Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}).
Tastiera's owners Carrot Farm decided to skip the Japan Cup, basing their decision to head to Hong Kong “on suitability, opponents, and the desire to give him meaningful experience that will help him in the future.”
Stable representative Tomohiro Takahashi said that Tastiera “is a little bit nervous but is gradually getting used to the new environment. The more time he has, the more relaxed he will become.”
Tastiera (Jpn) | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
To be ridden by Damian Lane, he is trained by Noriyuki Hori who also trained Satono Crown as well as fellow Hong Kong feature winners Maurice and Neorealism (Jpn).
Representing England is the Andrew Balding-trained The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) who recorded a Listed win over Dubai Honour at his latest outing.
“He’s got a fair bit to find with Romantic Warrior, but I think we are certainly in the mix with the others,” Balding said.
“He’s (The Foxes) got a fair bit to find with Romantic Warrior, but I think we are certainly in the mix with the others.” - Andrew Balding
“He has come out of his recent win at Newcastle very well and I can’t feel we could have him any better. He’s a horse we have always thought a lot of.”
Balding enjoyed Hong Kong success with Phoenix Reach (Ire), winner of the Vase in 2004, noting that “I think The Foxes is quite similar to him.”
“We haven’t had a horse for Hong Kong for several years. But it’s always something we would like to do. If we have the right horse, Hong Kong is on the agenda.”
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Juvenile Trial Report: Gimcrack placegetter Memo makes impressive return
4 min read
Written by Kit Gow
Cover Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Take note of G3 Gimcrack S. runner-up Memo's (Capitalist) return to the trials at Canterbury Park on Tuesday morning, amongst a host of juveniles having hit outs. A pair of Trapeze Artist juveniles turned heads, and a close relation to Farnan won his debut outing.
Pair of smart juveniles for Trapeze Artist
Widden Stud’s Trapeze Artist delivered the winners of two of the five juvenile trials at Canterbury Park on Tuesday morning. His offspring were victorious in the first and last of the 2-year-old trials, with his daughter Artistic Venture winning the first heat, in the second fastest time for the juveniles.
Offered by Widden Stud on behalf of Trapeze Artist’s breeders Vieira Group at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Artistic Venture was purchased for $50,000 by Tricolours Racing, and sent to John O’Shea and Tom Charlton. She is the third named foal from Secret Venture (Sebring), an unraced daughter of G1 Thousand Guineas winner Serious Speed (Royal Academy {USA}). Secret Venture delivered a full sister both last spring and this season, with the yearling going through the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January as Lot 1368.
Winning son Southern Prince (Trapeze Artist), trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, had the flashing light turned on from his last trial, finishing eighth last month behind Buckeye (Zoustar). Bred and retained by Vieira Group, Southern Prince is out of Listed Chairman's S.-placed Southern Venture (Zabeel {NZ}), making him a half-brother of How Sweet It Is (Foxwedge), dam of G3 San Domenico S. winner Sweet Ride, who stood his first season at Widden this spring. Southern Venture delivered a full brother to Southern Prince this season.
Farnan relation debuts a winner
Tulloch Lodge unveiled another potential star in the bottle green and white colours of Yulong Investments on Tuesday morning, when Willingham (Justify {USA}) won his debut trial over equally well bred Farset (Farnan). Just 0.1l separated the pair with a gap of 1.41l back to the rest of the pack.
Bred by Kitchwin Hills and Summertime Holdings, Willingham is the first foal from Yolanda (Shamus Award), a half-sister to G3 Vanity S. victress Tallow (Street Cry {Ire}), dam of rising star stallion Farnan and his three-quarter brother Sandbar, whose 2-year-olds also debut this spring. Yolanda delivered a Home Affairs colt this spring. Willingham was a $180,000 purchase for Yulong as a weanling from the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale and has been retained to race since passing in at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Gimcrack placegetter on track for return
G3 Gimcrack S. third place finisher Memo (Capitalist) returned to the trials on Tuesday morning at Canterbury Park for Peter Snowden, and fought Sequista (D’Argento) to the line, ultimately coming out on top.
A $350,000 purchase for Snowden Racing from Newgate Farm’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Memo is the second foal that Love Racing have bred from G3 JC Tibbie S. runner-up Notation (Fastnet Rock), a daughter of G1 Allan Robertson Championship-winning Chocolicious (SAf) (Kahal {GB}). Notation was not served in 2023 after delivering a colt by Stay Inside.
Baker filly all too hard to catch
Bjorn Baker’s Horseshoe Hill (All Too Hard) posted the fastest last 600 metres of Tuesday morning amongst the juveniles, clocking 35.86s on the soft surface that has copped a reasonable amount of rain over the last few days. She was fourth to Sapphire Rose (Blue Point {Ire}) on debut last month at Warwick Farm, and found her footing at Canterbury Park to pull 1.48l ahead of the competition.
A $200,000 purchase for Bjorn Baker Racing, Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA), and Cunningham Thoroughbreds from Widden’s Gold Coast draft, Horseshoe Hill was bred by Mr BL McRostie from multiple Group winner Miss Rose De Lago (Encosta De Lago), a granddaughter of G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Mail The Desert (Ire) (Desert Prince {Ire}). Miss Rose De Lago has a yearling colt by St Mark’s Basilica (Fr), and missed this season to Trapeze Artist.
Time Test colt stops the clock fastest at Pukekohe
Geneva (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) was the fastest 2-year-old home across three juvenile heats at Pukekohe on Tuesday, stopping the clock at 46.97s for his 800 metres. The Kylie Hoskin-trained colt beat Velvet Blue (Cosmic Force) by 0.05l in the first heat of the day.
Bred and retained by Jomara Bloodstock, Geneva is the second foal of Charli Rose (NZ) (Pierro), a daughter of Listed Northland Breeders' S.-placed La Scala (NZ) (Bahhare {USA}), making her a half-sister to Listed Anzac Mile winner Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) (Deep Field). She foaled a filly by Ardrossan last spring, and is due to foal to him again this year.
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Acclamation dies aged 25
Recently pensioned stallion Acclamation (GB) died over the weekend, Rathbarry Stud posted on X. The son of Royal Applause (GB) was 25. “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Acclamation this weekend,” the stud said on X. “He leaves behind a legacy as a true legend of the Irish stallion ranks. He will be deeply missed by all at Rathbarry Stud but never forgotten.”
Acclamation (GB) | Image courtesy of Rathbarry Stud
The sire of successful stallions Dark Angel (Ire) and Mehmas (Ire) was a Group 2 winner himself. At stud, he has sired 68 stakes winners (32 group winners). Of his seven Group 1 winners, his best are current Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior (Ire) and Makarova (GB), who won the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye this autumn.
Air Assault for Ballarat Cup
Adelaide-based jockey Jason Holder will make the trip to Victoria to ride the Andrew Gluyas-trained Air Assault (Justify {USA}) in the Ballarat Cup on Saturday. “He is going over to Ballarat, which is great. He's the only rider that's won on him, they tell me,” Gluyas told racing.com about the combination.
Air Assault | Image courtesy of Racing SA
“I thought he raced well in the Cranbourne Cup (when second). He strode to a forward position and Globe controlled the race. He just got a bit unbalanced going around the corner, but when he got himself reorganised I thought he hit the line well.”
Persian Caviar jump out
Persian Caviar (Written Tycoon), the 3-year-old filly out of Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), had a quiet jump out on Tuesday, running second. “Persian Caviar had her first jumpout of the preparation this morning, just a quiet trial,” co-trainer Katherine Coleman told racing.com.
“She ran second. She'll have a more solid jumpout next Tuesday, but really pleased with her. She wasn't asked for an effort, it was just a trial on the bridle.”
Payne trained horse banned for a year
Racing Victoria have banned Patrick Payne trained Hard To Cross (NZ) (All Too Hard) for 12 months after the horse returned two positive swabs to Formestane. “RASL reported that the urine samples were shown to contain Formestane, being a steroidal aromatase inhibitor, and its metabolite 4-Hydroxytestosterone, which is classified as an anabolic steroid and is a prohibited substance in accordance with the Australian Rules of Racing,” the stewards report said.
Hard To Cross (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“It's a bit of a shock. anti-drugs in racing,” Payne told Racing.com. “At the start you are very suspicious of your staff members, feed and all that sort of stuff. But after that you settle down.
“Racing Victoria have been very good about it. We will work very closely with them to try and work out where the contamination has come from. I have no idea whatsoever (where it has come from).”
Ballarat Cup for O’Brien pair
Trainer Danny O’Brien will run Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Vow And Declare (Declaration Of War {USA}) in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. “Things didn't go (Vow And Declare)’s way in either race. In the Geelong Cup, he was held up and forced back then in the Bendigo Cup he worked off a really hot speed,” O’Brien told racing.com.
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Gallery : Horses trained by Danny O’Brien set to run in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup.
“(Young Wether) is a horse who doesn't like going out of work. We just kept ticking him over and aimed him at the Ballarat Cup with a chance he might go to the Perth Cup.”
Zoustar’s Street Chase heads to Magic Millions
Jockey Nikita Beriman thinks the Magic Millions Guineas will suit Saturday winner Street Chase (Zoustar). “I had a lovely run and he was impressive. He worked to the line really well. I wasn’t 100 per cent comfortable on that going and he was able to pick himself up and class got him over the line,” Beriman told racingqueensland.com.au on Tuesday.
“The 1400 metres is right up his alley and I am looking forward to (the Guineas).”
Angel Capital targets autumn Group 1s
Clinton McDonald trained 3-year-old Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) will target the G1 C.F. Orr and G1 Futurity S. in the autumn. “He's done two weeks of dressage; he just come back into our stable today,” McDonald told racing.com.
Angel Capital | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He looks great, he's starting to really develop into a man now … he's looking good, looking terrific. We just thought the 1400m at Caulfield, seven furlongs, Group 1, trying to make a stallion out of him, that might be the way to go.” Winner of the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude, Angel Capital has won three of his six starts.
Durrant given Te Akau promotion
Hunter Durrant has promoted to assistant trainer for Te Akau Racing’s trans-Tasman operation. “Hunter looked after everything when we started a permanent base of stables last season at Riccarton, and he continues to do a fantastic job,” David Ellis told Loveracing.nz.
“Much like Nicole Shailer, our assistant trainer in the stables at Matamata, and Ben Gleeson, our assistant trainer at Cranbourne in Melbourne, Hunter is the eyes and ears for Mark and Sam when it comes to how the horses and staff are performing, and the training regimes are worked out through the upkeep of data and communications.
Hunter Durrant | Image courtesy of Race Images South
“We love supporting South Island racing and first had stables in 2002 at Rangiora, which helped Mark (Walker) to win five premierships before he left to set up stables for us in 2011 in Singapore. It was timely to set up permanently again there last season, with the stables at Riccarton, and Hunter has been instrumental in the success.
“He’s a level-headed young man, a really good horseman, doesn’t get flustered, and has a great personality to get on with our owners and staff. We feel very fortunate to have Hunter in our team and elevating him to assistant trainer is the right thing to do because he deserves that sort of reward for all his hard work.”
Around The Nation: Tuesday’s highlights
Tuesday was a quite one for racing fans with four meetings around Australia. At Dubbo, Clint Lundholm trained 3-year-old colt Keadool (Harry Angel {Ire}) won on debut. Jockey Aaron Bullock rode a treble at Taree on Chesteray (Ribchester {Ire}), Where’s The Fire (I Am Invincible), and Oakfield Peewee (Press Statement).
At Bendigo, Highland Reel (Ire) sired a double with 3-year-olds Sotomayor and Beautiful Jewel, while at Cairns jockey Lacey Morrison rode a treble on Lidder Valley (Hallowed Crown), Irresistible Force (I Am Invincible), and Herne Hill (Xtravagant {NZ}).
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Emerging apprentice has light weight help
Emerging apprentice Rob Thorburn was a very sick baby until he was diagnosed with Congenital Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency. “Essentially it is a sugar intolerance and sugar allergy,” Thorburn told racingqueensland.com.au.
Rob Thorburn | Image courtesy of Racing Queensland
“It is partially why I can be so light right now for my height as a jockey. I do still have quite a bad intolerance to sugar. It is a blessing and a curse. I look back on it now and I am quite grateful for my opportunity at life as I obviously had a very hard start to life.
“I enjoy every moment of my life and have an appreciation for what I have. Especially in the last six months, I have had a lot of personal development in my own life and have been looking back on it all – I have realized how far I have come as a person and as a jockey.” He won 25 races in his first season and has 24 already this season.
Racing South Australia announced Hills and Coast Series
Racing South Australia will run a $10,000 bonus for the Hills and Coast Series consisting of the Strathalbyn Cup on January 26, the Kangaroo Island Cup on February 22, and the Country Cup at Oakbank on Easter Saturday, April 19. “We’ve wanted the Kangaroo Island Cup to be part of a series for a long time and we hope it’ll encourage the best trainers and jockeys to race on the Island,” said Kangaroo Island Racing Club Treasurer Greg Miller.
“The Kangaroo Island Racing Club’s Arthur Daw Memorial trainers challenge which is worth $10,000 and the $3,000 Thomas Foods International jockeys challenge run over our three days of racing along with the new Series will see more money shared amongst trainers, owners and jockeys.” The club also offers free sea transport for horses running on Kangaroo Island.
Dennis brothers retire from training
Tony Dennis, his twin brother Ray, and younger brothers Martin and Joe have trained horses successfully in New Zealand for 60 years, and announced their retirement on Tuesday. “Age is the primary reason (for retirement), but the guy who was working for us has gone to learn other things, he was from Ukraine and came to us from there,” Tony Dennis said.
“Ray and I have been training for coming up 65 years, our father had been involved in racing and there was a couple of horses in the paddock that had been in work with another trainer, so we decided to have a go. Six weeks later, we had our first win and two seconds.
Dennis Brothers | Image courtesy of Race Images
“We’re farmers and it was sort of a hobby at the start, doing two or three horses. It got a bit bigger in the later years, we started racing more horses and employing staff, while carrying on with the farms. One of the first horses we had was The Wanderer, he won 18 races.”
“On the breeding side, the best horse we’ve had would have to be The Phantom, who ran second in the Melbourne Cup and The Phantom Chance, he won a Cox Plate. The Jewel was another good horse we had and we also bred a VRC Oaks winner with Brian Anderton.
“It was brilliant racing The Chosen One, but the two years of COVID were very unfortunate as we couldn’t go over to watch him in either of the Melbourne Cups or the Sydney Cup. But, to get a horse as good as him was amazing, and breeding-wise, he’d be the best we’ve bred. We’ve sent two or three mares to him so far, but we’ve got to be careful not to inbreed.
“We’ll have two yearlings at the sales this year, a colt by Savabeel out of The Solitaire, who is a full-brother to The Perfect Pink, who won the 1000 Guineas. The other is a filly by Proisir out of The Lustre, who finished third in the 1000 Guineas.” The Savabeel is Lot 356 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, while the Proisir is Lot 355.
Stewart announces Goodnight Olive mating
Two-time Eclipse champion sprinter Goodnight Olive (USA) (Ghostzapper {USA}) will be covered by Seize the Grey (USA) (Arrogate {USA}) this upcoming breeding season. The announcement was made by Resolute Racing's John Stewart on the social media site X Sunday evening.
Goodnight Olive (USA) | Image courtesy of Janet Garaguso
Goodnight Olive, who won her final start in 2023 in the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, sold to Resolute for US$6,000,000 (AU$9.3 million) at the Fasig-Tipton Night of the Stars sale shortly after. She was bred to Not This Time (USA) for her first cover due early next year.
Romans elected as president of HBPA
Dale Romans has been elected as the new president of the Kentucky Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), following the long tenure of fellow trainer Rick Hiles. Romans was voted president by the newly seated Kentucky HBPA board. The longest continuously serving board member, Romans has been on the HBPA board for most of his training career that began in 1986, with much of that as a vice president.
Dale Romans | Image courtesy of Kentucky Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association
“My goal, starting immediately, is to build on the foundation Rick Hiles and the previous Kentucky HBPA boards established,” said Romans. “I've got a bunch of ideas, but the first thing I'm going to do is listen to the horsemen. After a lot of hard work in conjunction with our racetracks and lawmakers, Kentucky is now the No. 1 racing circuit in America and the gold standard. That's not the end point but an ongoing challenge to find new ways to improve and grow to benefit racehorse owners and trainers, which in turn benefits the entire industry.”
Daily News Wrap
Looking Ahead - December 4
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Looking Ahead puts the spotlight on runners of interest across Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are a particularly well-bred or high-priced runner early in its career chasing maiden success, a promising galloper returning to the track or a horse which has trialled particularly well, we’ll aim to give you something to follow.
Three exciting runners are set to hit the track across New Zealand and Australia on Wednesday. These include a beautifully bred Exceed And Excel filly making her debut at Ipswich, a Sweynesse mare coming out of a strong maiden race looks well-placed at Rotorua and a Nathaniel (GB) gelding chases maiden success at Caulfield.
Some Style, 3-year-old filly (Exceed And Excel x Miss Marielle {Encosta De Lago})
The very well-related Some Style is set to debut over 1100 metres for Eagle Farm trainer Tony Gollan at Ipswich on Wednesday in the hands of in-form jockey Angela Jones.
Some Style is a daughter of Darley Stud’s outstanding and now pensioned Exceed And Excel and is out of the Encosta De Lago mare Miss Marielle. She was a classy six-time winner and these wins included the G2 Hill S., G3 Craven Plate, Listed Express S. and the Listed Alexandra S.
Some Style as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
She has already made her mark at stud leaving five individual winners including the classy mare Peeping (Redoute’s Choice) who amongst her six wins was the G1 Coolmore Classic, the talented gelding France - Encouraging (H.K.) (Redoute’s Choice) who was successful in the Restricted Listed Inglis 3YO Guineas, the seven-time winner Armed And Ready (More Than Ready {USA}), the four-time winner Da Nang Star (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and the two-time winner Able Red - Another Zonda (HK) (The Autumn Sun).
Miss Marielle since producing Some Style has left a yearling filly by exciting young sire Farnan and most recently foaled an Exceed And Excel filly in October this spring.
Peachester Lodge Trust was the purchaser of Some Style for $500,000 from the draft of Lime Country Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
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Phoebe Buffay (NZ), 4-year-old mare (Sweynesse x Phoebe Snow {NZ} {No Excuse Needed {GB}})
Phoebe Buffay (NZ), a daughter of Sweynesse, will be making her second start at Rotorua on Wednesday for in-form Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and jockey Warren Kennedy. On November 7 she ran a narrow third on debut at Pukekohe behind Hinekaha (NZ) (Savabeel) over 1200 metres. This form from this race now looks outstanding, Hinekaha subsequently ran a slashing third at Listed level at Ellerslie behind the talented Checkmate (NZ) (Mongolian Khan), the runner-up We Found Love (Exceedance) has ran another good second at Ellerslie and the fourth horse Reggae Queen (Exceedance) was a very impressive maiden winner at Te Aroha on November 27.
The well-bred mare is the third foal from the No Excuse Needed (GB) mare Phoebe Snow (NZ), who was a winner at Matamata over 1400 metres. She has already had success at stud leaving Miss Dixie (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) who has won three times and placed in the Wanganui Guineas and Diablo Blanco (NZ) (Super Seth) who has already won three times and going by her talent she has shown there will be more to come as she is only a 3-year-old filly.
Sweynesse | Standing at Novara Park
She is very well-related being out of the two-time winning O’Reilly (NZ) mare Freequence (NZ). She was a very handy broodmare leaving seven winners including the 15-time winner and Group 1 winner I Do (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}), the talented Listed-winning stayer Iggi Pop (NZ) (Savabeel) and the 13-time winner Moreno (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}).
Phoebe Snow has also left a Super Seth 2-year-old filly and has a The Chosen One (NZ) yearling colt heading to the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale as Lot 771.
The promising Thurmond (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is set to have his third start for Ciaron Maher at Caulfield on Wednesday. He ran third at Dundalk over 2112 metres on debut on January 31 in Ireland and at his first run in Australia he ran a promising third at Pakenham on November 8 over 1600 metres.
Thurmond is a son of the high-class Nathaniel (Ire) who has sired nine individual Group 1 winners from his base at Newsells Park Stud in England including the Champion and 11-time Group 1 winner in Enable (GB). Thurmond is out of the very talented mare Winsili (GB) (Dansili {GB}) who was successful in the G1 Nassau S. amongst her three wins.
Nathaniel (Ire) | Standing at Newsells Park Stud
Winsili herself is a three-quarter sister to Ice Blue (GB) (Dansili {GB}) who was a Group 2 winner in France and a half-sister to the Listed winners Backcountry (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and Franconia (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
His pedigree is full of international stallions such as Galileo (Ire), Sadler’s Wells (USA), Danehill (USA), Pivotal (GB), Nijinsky II (Can), Roberto (USA) and Rainbow Quest (USA).
Thurmond was withdrawn from the 2024 Tattersalls February Sale.
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Both Rambling (Zoustar) and Rose Diamond (Fastnet Rock)were scratched. They will keep for another day.
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First-time starters lining up on Wednesday, December 4
2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire
First Season Sire Runners & Results
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Results: Tuesday, December 3
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Taree (Country)
Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT
VIC Race Results
Apiam Bendigo
Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT
QLD Race Results
Ladbrokes Cannon Park (Country)
Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000) run before 6pm AEDT
Australian Sires' Premiership
Australian General Sires' Premiership
New Zealand Sires' Premiership
New Zealand General Sires' Premiership
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