Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club

Headlined by Romantic Warrior’s (Ire) (Acclamation {Ire}) history-making third victory in the G1 Hong Kong Cup, legendary jockeys, elite trainers, and exceptional horses combined to produce a day filled with unforgettable moments, cementing the Hong Kong International Races as one of the most prestigious events on the international calendar.

Romantic Warrior’s dominant win in the Hong Kong Cup was the highlight of the day, as the Danny Shum-trained superstar etched his name into the record books. With James McDonald in the saddle, the son of Acclamation (Ire) showcased his brilliance, cruising to a comfortable victory and becoming the highest-earning racehorse in history. The win capped off an extraordinary journey for Romantic Warrior, whose achievements have transcended Hong Kong racing and now turn toward global ambitions in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

In the G1 Hong Kong Sprint, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) displayed grit and determination to extend his winning streak to eight, overcoming a sluggish start and relentless pressure to claim his first Group 1 title. Meanwhile, Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) finally broke through in the G1 Hong Kong Mile after two previous attempts, delivering an emphatic performance under James McDonald to highlight his consistency and heart.

On a day dominated by Hong Kong stars, the international contingent also made their mark. British stayer Giavellotto’s (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) victory in the G1 Hong Kong Vase was a masterclass in patience and precision, as jockey Oisin Murphy guided him through a challenging race to secure a commanding win. While Australian hopes rested on three talented runners, they were unable to match the quality of the local and international competition this time around, meaning it is 24 years before the HKIR drought will be broken.

Romantic Warrior makes history with third G1 Hong Kong Cup

Cementing his legendary status, Romantic Warrior stormed to a history-making third G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000 metres) victory under James McDonald at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Trained by Danny Shum, Romantic Warrior etched his name into racing immortality as he took his Group 1 tally to 9 with an unrivalled third G1 Hong Kong Cup and in the process became the highest-earning racehorse in history, with total earnings surpassing US$22 million, or around AU$35million.

Bouncing out to the lead from gate one, champion jockey James McDonald quickly took hold to settle Romantic Warrior into a stalking third position as Wingspan (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) took command down the backstretch.

Entering the straight, McDonald eased Romantic Warrior into the clear and he quickly glided by Japanese Derby champion Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) before racing well clear of the field, with McDonald having a teasing glance over his left shoulder inside the final 50 meters, comfortably maintaining his lead over Japanese raider Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), to secure the victory by 1.5l.

“Unbelievable, I’m so god damn proud of this horse,” McDonald said.

“It has just been a remarkable effort by Danny and his team. The Japanese put it to him but with no luck. He’s the best, forget the rest!

“He’s been flying. Anyone could ride him, he’s that easy but I’m the lucky one.

“He’s a horse of a lifetime. This was our moment to create history and it deadset felt like I was lining up for the winning kick for the All Blacks - it was a pinch me moment.”

Undoubtably the best horse in Hong Kong, trainer Danny Shum indicated it was now his intention to travel his stable star.

“He’s the best but I have to take him for a bigger challenge,” Shum said.

“I have to go to Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Just because I haven’t been to Dubai for 25 years, at that time I was I was assistant trainer. I need to go, to take Romantic Warrior from Hong Kong to Dubai. I will make sure the team and two horses, Romantic Warrior and Romantic Charm, are in the best care. I will take the whole team over there for four to five months.”

Bred in Ireland by Tim Rooney and David Egan of Corduff Stud, Romantic Warrior was originally purchased by Mick Kinane on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 300,000 gns (AU$628,400) at the Tattersalls October yearling sale and later acquired by owner Peter Lau at the Hong Kong International Sale HK$4.8 million (AU$814,000).

He is the third foal of the Street Cry (Ire) mare Folk Melody, which was an €82,000 (AU$135,700) purchase for Blandford Bloodstock from the Godolphin draft at the 2016 Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale.

Ka Ying Rising calls on champion qualities to take G1 Hong Kong Sprint

Hong Kong superstar Ka Ya Rising had to call on all his champion qualities to get the job done in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Many expected Ka Ying Rising to blow his rivals away and win by a huge space after producing a record-breaking performance in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200 metres) in the lead up to the coveted Group 1 sprint. However, the Hong Kong star was forced to dig deep to overcome challenges and secure his first Group 1 victory; only managing to win by 0.5l.

The David Hayes-trained son of Shamexpress (NZ) experienced a sluggish start and required early encouragement from Zac Purton to position himself alongside California Spangle (Starspangledbanner). Throughout the race, he contended with pressure from the long-odds outsider Victor The Winner (Toronado {Ire}), but ultimately, Ka Ying Rising's superior ability shone through when it mattered most.

As the $1.10 favorite, he surged ahead in the final furlong, successfully fending off late competition from John Size's Helios Express (Toronado {Ire}), and Noriyuki Hori's Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in a tough performance.

“It wasn't smooth at all,” Purton said.

“Something lunged at the gate just before they went and it took his mind off it. He turned his head. He was a little bit slow to step and then Victor The Winner just bored down my neck the whole way.

“He never quite relaxed as well as he has and was working the whole way, never relaxed.

“He is a special horse. He wasn't at his best today, he is better than this and he still got the job done.”

Ka Ying Rising took his remarkable winning streak to eight consecutive races and in the process shortened in favouritism for next year's Everest at Royal Randwick.

Ka Ying Rising is the first winner for five-time winning mare Missy Moo (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}). It’s a pedigree that traces back top blue hen Taiona (Sovereign Edition {Ire}) dam of Champion 3-year-old Sovereign Red (Sir Tristram {Ire}) and Melbourne Cup winner Gurner’s Lane (Sir Tristram {Ire}).

Third times a charm for Voyage Bubble in G1 Hong Kong Mile

Voyage Bubble finally claimed a well-deserved victory in the G1 Hong Kong Mile (1600 metres) at Sha Tin on Sunday, marking a successful third attempt in the prestigious race.

The 6-year-old son of Deep Field had previously competed twice without success, most recently finishing second behind champion Golden Sixty (Medaglia D'oro {USA}), but showcased his superiority with a commanding performance this time around. The win not only secured jockey James McDonald his first Group 1 victory of the day but also his second with Voyage Bubble.

McDonald noted the horse's readiness as they approached the starting gates.

“Going to the gates today he was really on the job,” McDonald said. “He's a fair dinkum Group 1 horse.

“He just gives his all, he's got a very big heart.

“He's a very uncomplicated horse which is great for Hong Kong.”

Positioned just outside the lead, McDonald asked Voyage Bubble for an effort at the top of the straight and the horse surged ahead, leaving the competition fighting out the minor end of the prize.

Japanese competitor Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) managed to ran on from the rear to finish 1.3l back in second, while Beauty Joy (Sebring) finished a further half-length back in third at long odds.

Australian runner Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) faced challenges during the race, encountering aggressive bumps from other horses as Blake Shinn sought an opening. Meanwhile, Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), who had previously shown impressive speed in Australia, struggled to maintain that same pace over the mile.

Voyage Bubble was bought by trainer Ricky Yiu for $380,000 at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the Torryburn draft and is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Diddums (Snitzel) and stakes-placed Brettan (Commands) being the best of seven winners out of good producer Raheights (Rahy).

Giavellotto takes G1 Hong Kong Vase for Great Britain

A perfectly executed plan by jockey Oisin Murphy and trainer Marco Botti has resulted in globetrotting stayer Giavellotto delivering the first British winner of the G1 Hong Kong Vase since Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) in 2012 at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The plan to target the G1 Hong Kong Vase with Giavellotto was conjured back in September by Murphy and Botti after finishing third to champion stayer Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo ({Ire}) in the G1 Irish St Leger (2800 metres) and came to fruition on Sunday thanks to an outstanding ride.

Murphy put Giavellotto straight to sleep from the jump, settling well back on the rail, trailing the well-favoured Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) throughout. The speed was sedate, with the leaders appearing to get every chance, however Without A Fight quickly loomed into contention on the turn and just as quickly dropped out with Murphy forced to check off heels and overcome some interference to get into the clear. After bustling into clear air, Giavellotto exploded to the front and raced away to win by 2.5l, with fellow countryman Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai) finishing off strongly into a clear second, while the Japanese took third with Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}).

“He had a beautiful trip around until we turned in,” Murphy said.

“He raced great and he was in a super rhythm, very well behaved today. He got checked turning into the straight and often you don’t get going again but how powerful was he late.

“Well done to Marco Botti. It was a great plan coming her and he’s done an incredible job preparing him. It was brilliant.

“He’s owned by the most wonderful people and Marco Botti has had a terrific couple of seasons with not a huge amount of horses but he places them incredibly well and I’m sure him and his team will get a huge thrill out of this.”

Murphy also partnered Giavellotto to win the G2 Yorkshire Cup (2771 metres) in May and the G2 Princess of Wales's S. (2400 metres) in July.

Giavellotto is the best performed of eight foals to race from six-time winning mare Gerika (Galileo {Ire}).

He’s now had 7 career wins from 18 starts, with this being his first at Group 1-level.

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

Buyers could end up with the next Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai), Think About It (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns) or Nature Strip (Nicconi) at a bargain price at the Inglis Premier Sale in Melbourne on March 2-4 next year.

That was the message from CEO of Bloodstock Sales, Sebastian Hutch, ahead of the 2025 edition, where 803 yearlings have been finalised for the auction at Oaklands Junction.

Of the entries, 474 yearlings are either VOBIS nominated or eligible, while others are BOBS, QTIS, Racing Rewards SA and Westspeed-nominated.

There are 119 stallions represented in the catalogue, including stars Extreme Choice, I Am Invincible, Snitzel, Zoustar, Exceed And Excel, Written Tycoon, Toronado (Ire), Too Darn Hot (GB), Wootton Bassett (GB) Harry Angel (Ire), Savabeel, So You Think (NZ), The Autumn Sun, Alabama Express, Dundeel (NZ), Capitalist, Deep Field, Lonhro, Street Boss (USA), Tassort, Maurice (Jpn), Ole Kirk, Proisir, Per Incanto (USA), Pierro and Pride Of Dubai, as well as international sires Frankel (GB), Justify (USA), Camelot (GB), Kingman (GB), Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), Mehmas (Ire) and New Bay (GB).

“If you look at the history of the sale in terms of its capacity to produce good racehorses, three of the past four Everest winners were graduates of the sale. There’s no stronger selling point for any sale than that,” Hutch told The Thoroughbred Report.

“That certainly creates confidence from the buying bench that they can go to the sale and buy a good racehorse.”

Winners of the world’s richest sprint race, The Everest – Bella Nipotina, Think About It and Nature Strip from the past four years – were snapped up at bargain prices at this sale.

The purchase of mare Bella Nipotina was just $80,000 out of the Rosemont Stud draft at the 2019 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for Lindsay Park, Andrew Williams and Mt Hallowell Stud.

Gallery: Three of the past four Everest winners are graduates of the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale

Think About It was bought for $70,000 by Proven Thoroughbreds/Joe Pride Racing from Newgate Farm at the next year’s Premier Yearling Sale.

Nature Strip was passed in for $90,000 at the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling sale and sent to trainer Robert Smerdon by breeders Golden Grove Farm, before champion conditioner Chris Waller turned him into a modern-day legend.

The son of Nicconi, who is a resident of Widden Stud, Victoria, Nature Strip retired with $20,732,012 in career prizemoney last year.

These are just a few remarkable examples of what buyers can end up with at reasonable prices in March next year, according to Hutch.

“Think About It was a $70,000 yearling. Bella Nipotina was an $80,000 yearling. You could’ve bought Nature Strip for $120,000. They’re not expensive horses,” he said.

“You want to achieve the best results we can for the breeders and vendors, and ultimately if they’re doing well, we’re doing well.

“At the same time, buyers like to find value and they know this is a sale where they can find value.

“There are any number of different examples of that, so we’ll hope to send vendors home happy in March, and help buyers buy nice horses.”

No shortage of quality

Hutch is excited by the catalogue he and his team have compiled to offer to buyers in March next year.

There is also a quality range of first-season sires represented, such Acrobat, Captivant, Delaware, Extreme Warrior, Finance Tycoon, Home Affairs, Palace Pier (GB), Pinatubo (Ire), Portland Sky, Profiteer, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr), Stay Inside, Sword of State, Tiger of Malay, Wild Ruler and Wooded (Ire), while the Premier Sale is offering the only Starspangledbanner yearling conceived in the Northern Hemisphere for this 2025 yearling crop.

“We’re very pleased with how the catalogue has come together. We rely on strong local support, which we have,” Hutch said.

“And this year it’s been complemented by particularly strong interstate support. I think people saw how well nice horses sold at the sale last year, and they see an opportunity to try and target the market that’s consolidated the Premier again.

“There’s a good mix of stallions and a good depth of pedigree through the book. It’ll get plenty of buyers engaged at the sale.”

Once again, Victorian breeders have supported the catalogue with quality in great quantity, with Yulong, Rosemont Stud, Blue Gum Farm, Maluka Thoroughbreds and Stonehouse Thoroughbreds among the largest vendors by draft size.

In total, 66 individual vendors will present drafts at Oaklands next year.

“We facilitate the best market that we can. Every year we work hard to try and attract people from all around the country and internationally to the sale,” Hutch said.

“People who support the sale with nice horses get good results, and people who support the sale with nice horses are going to get good results again next year.

“It’s great to have good representation from a number of the major Victorian farms. It’s crucially important to have strong local support for the Premier from Victorian vendors.”

This sale produces G1 winners

There have been an incredible 31 Group 1-winning graduates from this sale since 2018, of which 16 could have been secured for $100,000 or less.

Hutch believes this paints a clear picture as to why buyers should get involved in the 2025 edition.

“The sale performs very well – it’s an underrated sale,” he said.

“In the context of the market, you can go to that sale and buy a good horse – whether it’s a precocious 2-year-old or a well-bred colt who’ll go on to be a stallion like Ole Kirk, or a champion whether it’s Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) or Bella Nipotina, or Think About It, or whatever horse you want to buy.

“You can buy any kind of horse there.”

The Inglis Premier Sale Catalogue has also been the source of incredible recent Hong Kong success through the likes of recent G1 winners Victor The Winner (Toronado {Ire}) and Invincible Sage (HK) (Thronum), as well as a host of other high-class performers such as Senor Toba (Toronado {Ire}), Mugen (Deep Field), Full Of Beauty (Darci Brahma {NZ}), Champion’s Way (Hitchinbrook) and Handsome Bo Bo (Helmet).

“The sale is particularly well-supported by buyers from Hong Kong,” Hutch said.

“They like to shop there and they like the profile of horse they find there. Graduates from the sale are consistently successful in Hong Kong, and I think they’ll be back in force again next year.”

Cover image courtesy of Grant Peters (Trackside Photography)

Truck driver/trainer Craig Cousins is loving the journey he’s on with The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) at the moment, and he believes the fairytale story can continue as part of some belated New Years celebrations.

That is when he will look to start his talented 4-year-old at Benchmark 88-level in Sydney for the first time on January 4.

He can certainly be competitive after his stunning 0.39l win in the $300,000 The Star Gateway over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm on Saturday, with Cejay Graham in the saddle.

Starting as a $21 outsider, the gelding showed incredible gutsiness to hold off runner-up and $5 chance Blazing Harry (Harry Angel) (Ire) for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr on the straight in Soft 5 conditions.

It was The Inflictor’s fifth and second consecutive win, both on a Soft 5 and now from 17 starts.

And Cousins now thinks he can give his opponents a run for their money in the highly-lucrative and cutthroat world of Sydney racing.

“I might head down about January (4) in Sydney. There’s a nice Benchmark 88 for him,” Cousins told The Thoroughbred Report.

“I’ll see what they rate him after (Saturday), but I’d like to go down there and tick it off my bucket list.

“I know he won’t disgrace himself. And if it happens to storm on the Friday night, I know he can handle a Heavy 10.”

Despite the big winning odds and an emotional Cousins saying it was probably the biggest day of his life after the win on Saturday, he said he always knew The Inflictor would live up to his name.

“When I nominated him and I saw the initial noms, I thought ‘I’m a chance of winning this’,” he said.

“And when they extended it (the field), I thought ‘it might get a bit hairy now’ or a bit harder. But I never wavered – I couldn’t see him getting beaten.”

Cousins: 'Always time for a beer'

Adding to the fairytale story of The Inflictor’s stunning win on Saturday was the fact that Cousins is also a truck driver in order to earn his living.

Somehow, he also has the time to enjoy a beer.

The affable trainer had to prepare The Inflictor’s stablemate and 3-year-old filly Kouklitsa (Love Conquers All) to run in a Maiden H. on the Sunshine Coast on Sunday where she finished fifth.

But he said he’d finally enjoy a well-deserved ale afterwards.

“I’m at the races now with his stablemate. I haven’t celebrated, really,” Cousins said on Sunday afternoon.

“People who know me know that I don’t mind a drink – I love a XXXX Gold.

“But that’s the profession. I think I’ll have a couple of quiet ones tonight, to be honest.

“I enjoy it. Sometimes I think about it (the long hours working two jobs), but at the end of the day it’s enjoyable.

“I do it for the animal. If you make a buck out of it, that’s great. But I love the animals.

“I turned 60 last Saturday, so I’ve had a good week.”

Cousins works seven days a week where he will get up at 3.15am to train his horses, then clock in as a truckie all before the crack of dawn.

So it is no wonder that looking after two horses in work is more than enough for him at this point in time.

“It’s seven days a week. I’m up a 3.15 getting in work before 5, when I’ve got enough time to settle down before going to work,” he said.

“And then I’m into it again in the afternoon. That was why I said (on Saturday) that two or three does me.

“Three would be a bit of work. If I had two of him (The Inflictor) I wouldn’t be driving a truck.”

The Inflictor breaks down rivals

Cousins said The Inflictor simply hates losing, which was why he showed such tenacity in holding off Blazing Harry on the Eagle Farm straight on Saturday.

By 2016 G1 Stradbroke H. winner Under The Louvre and out of now-broodmare Zietta (Bernardini {USA}) who won two of three starts, The Inflictor has a winning pedigree.

He is the sole winner from two to race for Zietta. His grandam Sharna Myst (Lion Hunter) was stakes-placed in the Ottawa S., with The Inflictor's total prizemoney earnings now at $394,500.

“He doesn’t like them getting past him, put it that way. And I don’t know whether it’s him trying or just his character,” Cousins said.

“On trackwork whether they run 33 or 36 (seconds), he’s always a half-head or a longneck in front.

“His mum was a pretty fair racehorse, too. (The late, former leading Queensland and Sydney trainer/breeder Ken) ‘Tubby’ Turner’s son is the main owner in the horse.

“Tubby’s mares are always well-bred. There’s always a good line there. I’m not right into breeding I’ll be honest, but I knew when I took a few of these horses on that they had stout dam lines.”

The Inflictor fairytale could well continue if Cousins takes him to Sydney and he competes strongly in what would be a step up in class.

That is because Saturday’s win gave him a ticket into the $3 million G1 Stradbroke H. at Eagle Farm on June 14 next year.

Cousins knows just to run well in the elite-level feature race which The Inflictor’s sire won would be one heck of an achievement, but it’s not the furthest thing in his mind after the weekend.

“The way he’s been going, I think if I give him a break – he’s still got to grow a little bit,” he said.

“And if he can find another couple of lengths, he’ll definitely be in the Stradbroke.

“I think it’s everyone’s dream to be in it. You know when you get a good horse.

“Sometimes people think you don’t know much about training, but I believe I do. And I knew he had ability from the start.

“He had a few little issues, but one thing that stood out for me was he tried his guts out.

“That’s half the battle, as far as I’m concerned.”

Cover image courtesy of Zuzanna Lupa

Few will forget the drama that unfolded with Sparkling Plenty (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) earlier this summer. Scarcely has there ever been a greater form update, with the Patrice Cottier-trained filly winning the Diane on the eve of the Goffs London Sale.

After she was was vendored at £8.1 million (AU$16.16 million), Al Shaqab Racing hammered out a deal with owner-breeder Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois at £5,000,000 (AU$9,973,000), with Sparkling Plenty carrying those famous silks to finish third in the Nassau S. before ending her season by filling the same placing in the Prix de l'Opera.

Her racing days are far from over, according to MV Magnier, who explained that a visit to Justify (USA) is on the cards but that connections would be targeting races at Keeneland in the early parts of next season as well.

He explained, “She's a very nice mare and a very good race filly. The plan is to send her to America and she might compete in some of those races in Keeneland next year.

“In the meantime, we're going to cover her with Justify. She's been bought for a new partnership. She's a nice filly and Justify deserves to get a mare like her. He's one of the best stallions in the world now so hopefully we can look forward to racing the progeny out of her.”

Despite a significant number of scratches, turnover climbed by 9 per cent to €41,999,000 (AU$69.5 million) while the average was up by 16 per cent to €264,145 (AU$437,000) and the median by €35,000 (AU$57,900) to €155,000 (AU$257,000).

The clearance rate was up 11 per cent to 83 per cent. All of this was achieved despite desperate weather and a smaller book by 33 lots.

“I'm just getting started” – Stewart strikes back

John Stewart warned his doubters not to undermine the scale of his ambitions in racing after signing for Prix Rothschild runner-up Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) for €1.6 million (AU$2.65 million) through Goliath's trainer Francis Graffard (Stamford Bloodstock) and bloodstock agent Ghislain Bozo (Meridian Bloodstock).

It didn't take long for the champagne to be corked after Stewart made his mark on his first visit to the French sale ground with the addition of the highest-rated filly in the entire sale to add to his $8 million haul at Tattersalls earlier in the week.

He said, “She was number one on my list so she was going home with me, just like Vertical Blue (at Tattersalls). I'm looking for horses to take to America that will dominate on the turf. I came over here specifically because I've won races all around the world but I haven't won any at Keeneland yet and it's my home track. I'm going to dominate there next year so I came up with this strategy to come over here.

“All of these horses that I'm buying, I'm looking at their pedigrees to bring diversity back to the herd in Kentucky. We just exported, exported, exported for so long and there's really not a lot of people buying horses from Europe and bringing them back to America in large quantities. I think that's very important for all of us because Kentucky is very important to the global industry from a breeding standpoint and so I'm trying to focus on their pedigrees, only looking at horses that I think can win Graded races in America. That's what I'm here to do.”

He added, “I think that's a very reasonable price. The thing about this industry is there's a handful of buyers that are buying these top-of-the market horses so that market has never been stronger.

“I'm an investor, that's what I do for a living. I own a private equity firm. When you're getting into something, it costs more money but it's less risky to buy higher quality assets. That's what I think of these horses as. And I'm indifferent to price on an individual horse because I buy so many horses. I look at this as a portfolio. Like stocks. I may buy one horse and I may end up paying 500,000 more than I wanted, but then I may buy one for 500,000 less, and so then I just look at the overall spend. It's a different way of thinking about it.”

There are plenty of words one could use to describe Stewart, who has blown into the racing game this past year similarly to the hurricane-like weather that took over the sale ground on Saturday evening. Punchy might well be one of those words.

“I'm just getting started,” he said. “I have a really big plan. Anybody that thinks that I did a lot in 2024 has no idea what I'm doing in 2025. I'm just trying to bring attention to horse racing globally. I make a lot of statements about what I'm going to do and things like that. It's not being arrogant, I'm just trying to get people to take notice that there's people investing in the industry when a lot of other people are saying that the industry is dying and all those different things and I just don't believe that.”

In the past week alone, leading American-based owners Mike Repole and LNJ Foxwoods expressed their dissatisfaction with Stewart's all-in approach to bloodstock separately. The 55-year-old revealed that those interactions actually spurred him on to spend more this week.

He explained, “When I started my private equity firm, I didn't (and still doesn't) have a finance degree. So everybody told me that nobody is ever going to invest in you because you don't have a finance degree. I went and had 350 meetings to get 22 people to say yes so I thrive on people telling me no. What has happened in the last 24 hours (with the spat on X), I actually doubled my intentions of what I was going to do.

“Because the way I'm going to do it, I'm going to let my horses speak on the track and I'm going to let them win the races. I got called out by somebody (Repole) last year. He said I didn't know what I was doing - come on, I'll give you a tour of the winner's circle when I come to the track. He didn't know it but I'd bought Pounce at the Fasig-Tipton Digital Sale. Just 10 days later my horse beat his horse in a Group 3. Then I beat his horse in the New York Stakes in a Grade I. Every time my horses have run against his horses, I've won.”

He added, “I'm not trying to bid him up, but at Saratoga I purposely positioned myself right behind him so I could keep an eye on exactly what he was doing. He was the one making statements about bidding me up and you really can't bid me up.”

Stewart also spent a combined €1,050,000 (AU$1.74 million) through his own Resolute Racing on Flamme Rouge (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Tazara (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). His 6,265,000gns (AU$13.12 million) spend at Tattersalls was headed by 3.2 million gns (AU$6.7 million) buy Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), with the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner understood to be staying in training with Graffard.

Gallery: John Stewart's purchases under his company name Resolute Racing

On plans for his recent additions, he concluded, “I use a variety of trainers. My team will sit down and digest these and then we'll have to take a look at them and see which ones suit them. Village Voice is going to Chad Brown and then Vertical Blue is staying here. Chad Brown wanted that horse bad.”

Asked who was helping him buy at Tattersalls, given all of his bidding was done online, he said, “Francis is checking stuff out for me. I had other people as well. The Coolmore guys. When I'm not there, I'll have someone else looking at the horses and telling me what they think. We're giving them a list and then we have of course the vets and that kind of stuff that help us.

Deserved slice of luck for Gestut Etzean

Sometimes you just need a bit of luck. Just ask Ralf Kredel of Gestut Etzean. Before Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {Ger}) burst onto the scene, Kredel gave serious consideration to offloading her dam Tres Magnifique (Fr) and few would have argued against the decision given the pedigree had gone cold.

But something told Kredel to sit tight. Tamfana, who the German outfit sold for just €30,000 (AU$49,600) , stormed to Group 1 glory this year in the Sun Chariot S. Shortly afterwards, the Kevin Coleman-trained juvenile The Palace Girl (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) lit up the Sceptre Sessions of the December Mares Sale at Tattersalls when selling for 1.55 million gns (AU$3.2 million).

Tres Magnifique has made a lot of people very happy in recent times. From Tamfana's ownership group, Quantum Leap Racing, to The Palace Girl's young trainer and his burgeoning syndicate Atomic Racing.

But few would argue that Kredel was deserving of his twist out of the family and it came deep into the sale on Saturday when MV Magnier went to €1.4 million (AU$2.3 million) to secure broodmare Tres Magnifique in foal to a full sibling to Tamfana.

Kredel said, “I am delighted about the sale, obviously. We don't have mares like this come around very often and we couldn't take the risk of keeping such a valuable mare. We have to keep the stud farm going so that's the reason why we sold her. I am very happy with the sale. I am also very happy that she has gone to a very good home. Hopefully she will get many more Group 1 horses.

“From time to time, you need a mare or a horse like this. We are breeding a lot of horses and, sometimes, a star like Tamfana comes along. It updates the pedigree. We have done well from the family and still have some mares from it at home–not from under the first dam but the second and third dam.”

He added, “We were very close to getting rid of this mare to be honest. Before Tamfana came along, nobody wanted her yearlings and they were very cheap. I remember Jeremy Brummit coming back to me after he bought Tamfana. He asked me, 'did I make a mistake because she was so cheap?' I said, 'no, nowadays people don't look at these horses if the pedigree is not very strong'. She was a beautiful model.”

Coolmore underbid The Palace Girl - who sold to Woodford Thoroughbreds - at Tattersalls and revealed that her dam would visit City Of Troy (USA) next year.

He said, “She's a very good producer and we underbid the filly in Newmarket earlier this week and she was a lovely filly as well. What we plan to do now is send her to City Of Troy. We know she's a very good producer and City Of Troy is an exceptional horse; he's very well-bred and he did everything that we asked him to do.

“If he'd won the Guineas I'd say he'd have been hailed as a horse as good as Frankel. Unfortunately he didn't but he's still an exceptional racehorse. He's going down really well, himself and Auguste Rodin are absolutely flying. The sale has been unbelievable. Well done to Arqana for getting everybody here and attracting a very good bunch of mares.”

Thought for the day

Not only are the American buyers important for the market, but they are bloody good entertainment. More of this please.