Daily News Wrap

Vale Sam Kavanagh

Newcastle trainer Sam Kavanagh died on Saturday morning aged only 38 from oesophagus cancer. He is survived by his partner, Kelly, and their 11-year-old daughter, Sienna.

A popular figure around the races, he’d been slowly rebuilding his career after a long cobalt related ban in 2015. In an interview with journalist Neil Breen last year, he talked about the four year ban, saying, “I was a young person, I was aggressive. I still say to this day I treated horses as bleeders and ‘done' race-day treatments so I'm not guilty of ‘nothing' but I'm not guilty of this (cobalt offences).

“But there is no point me sitting here saying I was hard done by, at the end of the day I put myself in that position.” He had 19 horses in his stable in Newcastle and his last runner, Sharpen The Knives (Snitzel), was a winner at Armidale last week.

He trained several notable winners including Scone Cup winner Tales Of Grimm (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}), Listed Gosford Cup winner Midsummer Sun (GB) (Monsun {Ger}), Listed Canberra Guineas winner Interspersed (Sebring), Listed Recognition S. winner Absalon (Mossman), and the tough Bagman (Easy Rocking) who won 14 races including four at Listed level.

Jedibeel becomes Savabeel’s 146th stakes winner

Trainer Brad Widdup had always believed in 5-year-old gelding Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel) and he proved his class with a tight 0.13l win in the Listed Razor Sharp H. at Randwick. Ridden by Tyler Schiller, he had to overcome traffic issues to beat James Cummings trained Pereille (Fastnet Rock) with Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou trained Eagle Nest (Shalaa {Ire}) in third.

“Today was a hard watch for most of it until the last bit,” said Widdup. “I think he is a black-type horse every day of the week and he has proven that today. I will probably stop now. I just wanted to give him these three runs to try to get his benchmark up and we'll give him a freshen up and try to get him ready for the autumn.”

Consistent galloper Jedibeel took his record to seven wins with seven placings from 17 starts and earnings over $520,000. He becomes the 146th individual stakes winner for multiple Champion Sire Savabeel, who is closing in on that 150 milestone.

One of five winners for unraced Starry (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), Jedibeel is a full brother to G3 Wellington Cup-placed Starrybeel (NZ). The Oaks Stud will offer Jedibeel’s yearling half-sister by Noverre (NZ) at the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale as Lot 329. Starry is a half-sister to Listed Widden S. winner Delta Girl (NZ) (General Nediym).

Yes Lulu is going to the Gold Coast

Yes Lulu (Yes Yes Yes) put everything together at Caulfield Heath on Saturday, stepping up from a maiden win at the same track last month to a 0.46l victory over Miss Altair (Capitalist) in the $175,000 Magic Millions VIC 3YO & 4YO Classic. The Ciaron Maher-trained 3-year-old filly had placed twice at stakes level as a 2-year-old, finishing third in both the Listed Redoute’s Choice S. and the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ S., and booked her ticket to the $1 million Magic Millions Fillies & Mares race next month with her performance.

“She has always shown us that she could do this,” Maher stable representative Adrian Joyce said. “On paper, it looked like there was a lot of speed in the race, but there didn't look like there was a whole lot of speed out there, so she did well to come from where she did.

“She'll definitely go up there to the Gold Coast and the 1300 (metres) will be ideal.”

Originally offered as a weanling at the Gold Coast National Weanling Sale by breeders Milburn Creek, Yes Lulu was a $260,000 purchase for Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and Redwall Bloodstock. She returned to the Gold Coast in January in Widden Stud’s draft, where Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and Brut Racing paid $260,000 for her.

She is a half-sister to Listed Murray Bridge Gold Cup winner Jack The Lad (I Am Invincible), out of Luluoru (Redoute’s Choice), an unraced half-sister to Listed winner and G1 Hollywood Park American Oaks-placed Topic (USA) (Discreet Cat {USA}). Dam Quiet Maggie (USA) (Quiet American {USA}) is a half-sister to Champion 3YO Colt in America Afleet Alex (USA) (Northern Afleet {USA}). Luluoru has a yearling filly by Pierro, and was served by Tassort this spring.

Kadavar the hottest body in Christmas Cup

Chris Waller-trained Kadavar (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}) landed his first black-type win at Randwick on Saturday with a 0.17l victory over Alalcance (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in the Listed Christmas Cup. It was the third win in a row for the 4-year-old gelding, having strung together victories over the same 2400-metre distance at Caulfield and Rosehill Gardens over the past four weeks.

Bred by Gerry Harvey, Kadavar was a $300,000 purchase for Mulcaster Bloodstock and Chris Waller Racing at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. He is the third stakes winner for G1 VRC Oaks victress Arapaho Miss (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who also produced G1 VRC Oaks-winning Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) and Listed Andrew Ramsden S. winner De Little Engine (Encosta De Lago). She foaled a full sister to Kadavar last spring, and was served again by Tarzino (NZ) this season.

Zoubaby bound for Magic Millions

Progressive 3-year-old filly Zoubaby (Zoustar) also threw her hat in the ring for a Gold Coast offensive with her win in the BM72 Midway H. at Randwick on Saturday. Trained by father-son team Richard and Will Freedman, the filly had backed up two wins earlier in the preparation with a southern campaign, returning with second at Listed level and a narrow fifth behind Amelita (Zousain) in the G3 Red Roses.

"I think she's going to go on to better things,” said co-trainer Will Freedman. He confirmed that Zoubaby will follow in the footsteps of his R. Listed Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner Fashion Legend (Deep Field), heading to the G3 Vo Rogue Plate first before lining up for the Guineas.

A $300,000 purchase from Widden Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for Avenue Bloodstock and her trainers, Zoubaby is the first foal from winning Magnus mare Magnaflight, a half-sister to G1 Winterbottom S. victress Viddora (I Am Invincible). Her half-sister by Hellbent will be offered by Widden at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale as Lot 296. Magnaflight was served by Ozzmosis, the only Group 1-winning son of Zoustar at stud, this spring.

Blue skies overhead for Hale’s Night

Blue Sky At Night (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) delivered an emphatic victory for trainer Shelley Hale in the G3 Waikato Cup at Te Rapa on Saturday. The 7-year-old mare has seen a return to form in Hale’s care, chalking up three of her last seven starts before downing Sassy Lass (NZ) (Staphano {NZ}) by 0.2l in the 2400-metre contest.

“The (owner-breeders) Barkers are just wonderful and patient as there are not many 7-year-old mares still going around,” Hale said.

Bred and owned by A J and I M Barker, Blue Sky At Night is the first of only two foals from After Midnight (NZ) (Viking Ruler), a half-sister to multiple Group 1-placed Overkaast (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}). Their dam was an unraced half-sister to G2 New Zealand Cup Soldier Blue (NZ) (Sir Sian {NZ}).

Listed Starstruck Classic won by Bonjoy

Trainer Jason Miller’s 5-year-old mare Bonjoy (Maschino) added to her stellar record with Saturday’s Listed Starstruck Classic, winning for jockey Clint Johnston-Porter by 0.04l from Own The Queen (Awesome Rock) with Miss Skyhigh (Harry Angel {Ire}) finishing in third in a blanket finish. Those three were 2l ahead of the rest of the field.

It was the first stakes win for the consistent mare who won four in succession last campaign and opened this campaign with a second in the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic. All up she has nine wins from 16 starts with earnings over $500,000. A $60,000 purchase by her trainer at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Bonjoy becomes the seventh stakes winner for her sire.

She is the first foal of Amity Belle (Snitzel) who is a half-sister to Listed WATC Sheila Gwynne Classic winner Dendee (Denman). Bonjoy becomes Snitzel’s 38th stakes winner as a broodmare sire.

Around The Nation: Saturday’s notable moments

Saturday was busy with 23 meetings across Australia. Jockey Craig Williams rode a treble at Caulfield Heath on Bon Mistress (Bon Hoffa), Yes Yes Yes’s half-brother Grand Larceny (Zoustar), and Inhibitions (Zoustar). Both Encryption and Zoustar sired doubles at Eagle Farm and Angela Jones rode a treble.

Jockey Ashley Butler won four of the seven races at McKay aboard Tom Button trained 2-year-old colt Bang Stick (Pierata), King Pin Power (Power {GB}), In Evidence (Nicconi) and 3-year-old gelding Southaven (Power {GB}). Over in WA, jockey Austin Galati also rode a quartet of winners, at Esperance, on Westernize (Patronize), Mungo Jerry (Sooboog), Royal Accolade (Reward For Effort), and Friar The Gun (Blackfriars).

Gallery: Craig Williams treble of winners at Caulfield Heath, images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Trainer Nathan Hobson won the Moulamein Cup with King And King (Fastnet Rock) as the middle leg of a treble which also included wins by Alesha Lily (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) and Murralane (Magic Albert).

At Innisale, jockey Wanderson D'Avila won three of the five races on the card, aboard Irresistible Force (I Am Invincible), Inching Closer (Akeed Mofeed {GB}), and Herne Hill (Xtravagant {NZ}). On King Island, jockey Kelvin Sanderson won three of the five-race card with Side Cash (Dissident), Fillentina (Palentino), and Press For Victory (Press Statement).

Lemon Drop Kid dies aged 28

Champion Lemon Drop Kid (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}) has died of an undisclosed cause at the age of 28 at Lane's End, the farm said via a press release on Friday morning. The colt, who was trained by Flint S. “Scotty” Schulhofer, showed promise at Belmont Park after winning the GI Futurity S. and placing in the GI Champagne S. as a juvenile.

In his sophomore season, he won the GI Belmont S. and captured the GI Travers S. at Saratoga. As a 4-year-old, he swept the GI Whitney H., GI Woodward S., GII Suburban H. and GII Brooklyn H. and earned Eclipse Award honours as Champion Older Horse. All told across 24 starts, Lemon Drop Kid amassed over US$3.2 million (AU$5 million) in earnings over the course of his racing career.

Following his championship season, Lemon Drop Kid returned to Lane's End to begin his career at stud where he served on stallion roster from 2001 to 2020. He was retired from stud duty at age 24.

Lemon Drop Kid is responsible for 109 stakes winners both on the dirt and turf, including 10 Grade I winners and 52 Graded stakes winners. He has sired two champions including Lemon Pop (USA), the recently retired winner of the G1 Champions Cup and Champion Dirt Horse in Japan.

Daughters of Lemon Drop Kid have been responsible for 110 black-type winners all around the world, led by Eclipse Award winner Forever Unbridled (USA) (Unbridled's Song {USA}).

“Many of us at Lane's End were here at the farm when Lemon Drop Kid was foaled in May of 1996,” said Lane's End Farm President Bill Farish. “We are profoundly blessed to have been associated with this exceptional horse for his entire life, watching him develop into a champion racehorse and then a top sire of over 100 stakes winners. He will be greatly missed, and we will forever honor his legacy.”

The Kiwi for Damask Rose

Te Akau Racing’s patience paid off with 3-year-old filly Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) won Saturday’s Wentwood Grange 3YO Handicap over 1200 metres at Te Rapa to take her record to two wins from four starts. She’ll be aimed at the Karaka Millions 3YO and The Kiwi. “We resisted the temptation of going to Riccarton with this filly,” co-trainer Mark Walker told Loveracing.nz.

“We’re working our way backwards from the Karaka Millions 3YO and the NZB Kiwi. We just thought we’d give Riccarton a miss, and that would give her the best chance of getting to those two big races in Auckland. They can’t go to every dance. I think we’ve done the right thing.

“She had a few weeks out at the farm after the Gold Trail, where she put on some good condition and has come back looking super. She’s a really nice filly. She could potentially end up being pretty good, I think. Her next start will be in the Auckland Guineas at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.”

West Saratoga sells for 375k

West Saratoga (USA) (Exaggerator {USA}) was sold privately to Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi's RRR Racing for US$375,000 (AU$590,000) following the Inglis Digital USA December Sale, according to a Friday press release issued by the auction company.

“I'm very excited with the purchase of West Saratoga,” Dubai trainer Doug Watson said. “He looks like a horse with a really nice future in the upcoming years in the UAE. He has had a very promising start to his career in America and looks like a nice prospect for the mile races at Meydan both at the end of this season and future seasons.”

Derby winner Always Dreaming dies of colic

Always Dreaming (USA) (Bodemeister {USA}), the 2017 Kentucky Derby winner, died of colic on December 10 at River Oaks Farm in Oklahoma, according to Chad Schumer, who brokered the deal to send the stallion from WinStar Farm where he originally stood to River Oaks.

“The horse was sick,” said Schumer. “He had a very typical colic, and they brought him to the clinic. He was there for four days. They didn't do any surgery on him. Everything was fine. He seemed to be okay. He turned the corner. They sent him back to the farm, and I think it was the cecum in his stomach, it just burst.”

Always Dreaming won four of his eleven starts and over US$2 million (AU$3.14 million).

Gamblers lose court case over Medina Spirit

The federal court in the Western District of Kentucky Friday dismissed a class action lawsuit brought by a group of gamblers against trainer Bob Baffert over Medina Spirit (USA)'s win and subsequent disqualification in the 2021 Kentucky Derby.

Paid off to the public as the race-day winner, Medina Spirit lost the Derby due to a failed post-race drug test. He tested positive for betamethasone, a controlled medication banned on race-day. Mandaloun (USA), who had passed the post second, was promoted to first.

The plaintiffs, spearheaded by professional gambler Michael Beychok, argued that they would have won their wagers but for Medina Spirit's “drug-induced win.” They requested relief including “ordering Defendants to pay to Plaintiffs and the Class the amount they would have won.”

Japanese Group 1 double potential for owner

Fresh off his Arma Veloce (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB})'s tally in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies last Sunday, owner Teruo Ono has a chance to bag a Japanese juvenile Group 1 double with the undefeated Arte Veloce (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. at Kyoto on December 15.

A winner at Sapporo in July and again in Tokyo's G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup besting Taisei Current (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) on Oct. 5, the colt carries the mantle of ante-post favourite. Japanese legend Yutaka Take will be perched in the irons. with the duo leaving from stall eight.

Take said, “He's moving well and seems stronger than before. The distance of a mile really seems to suit him.”

Coolmore’s Arizona sold to Turkey

No Nay Never (USA)'s Arizona (Ire), a winner of the G2 Coventry S., will stand at Yigit Stud in Turkey through a deal brokered by Michael Shefflin. A fee will be announced later. The Racing Post first reported the news.

The European first-crop sire is credited with a total of 10 winners worldwide from 38 runners. His best is Listed Star Appeal S. hero Right And True (Ire). The 7-year-old G1 Dewhurst S. runner-up stood under the Coolmore banner in Ireland from 2021 to 2024. His 2024 fee was €5000 (AU$8270), and he covered 129 mares at Castlehyde Stud.