Opie Bosson retires
Opie Bosson, one of the greatest jockeys New Zealand has produced, announced his retirement from riding on Friday. Bosson won 99 Group 1 races and was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2023. He was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his contribution to the thoroughbred industry in the 2023 King's Birthday and Coronation Honours.
"My association with Imperatriz was the highlight of my career. Horses like that don't come along every day and to be involved in her big wins in Melbourne is something I'll never forget. Once she retired, it became a lot harder for me to keep going. She probably kept me going really. It's just the right time to hang up my boots now. I feel I've given all I had to give,” Bosson told Loveracing.nz.
Opie Bosson | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright Race Images
“I've done 30 years and it's time for me to start working for a future after racing, something I can be happy in. I've had some great times in racing, enjoyed a lot of success and made plenty of lifelong friends. I just want to thank all the owners and trainers who have supported me and for all the comradery from the jockeys I've ridden with and all the support I've got from the racing public all over New Zealand.”
Bosson brought up his 2000th New Zealand win aboard Move To Strike (I Am Invincible) at Te Rapa in December 2023 and finishes with a career tally of 2146 wins, 2059 of those coming in New Zealand. He won 51 races in Australia, 16 of those at Group 1 level, as well as 31 in Singapore, and also rode in Japan, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.
The Inevitable adds another stakes win
On Friday night, The Inevitable (Dundeel {NZ}) continued his winning ways with a 0.3l win in the Listed Tasmania S. over Thespian Waters (Headwater) with First Accused (Turffontein) in third. He has now won two stakes races in succession, and has a career record of 18 wins from 42 starts and earnings over $2 million.
“They sort of roughed him up a little bit; I was always a pair further back than where I wanted to be in a very slowly run race, and an average horse wouldn’t have been able to overcome it,” jockey Craig Newitt told tasracing.com.au.
From Dundeel (NZ)’s first crop, The Inevitable was a $90,000 purchase by David Brunton from Cornerstone Stud’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale draft. One of three stakes winners for his dam, Listed winner Gift Bouquet (King’s High), he is her last foal. Her earlier stakes winners are Group 3 winner Blahnik (Jeune {GB}) and Listed winner Elysees (Statue Of Liberty {USA}).
Board of Racing SA announces new CEO
After conducting an extensive search with numerous applicants, the Board of Racing SA is pleased to announce that Nick Bawden will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2025.
“We are delighted that Nick has accepted this role. He has been an integral part of our management team, driving our business forward in alignment with our strategic plan,” Racing SA Chairman Rob Rorrison told racingsa.com.au.
“Our search confirmed that the Australian racing community recognises our achievements and views Racing SA as a resilient and well-managed organisation. Nick is highly regarded by our stakeholders, who warmly welcome his appointment. This selection reflects our commitment to promoting from within, ensuring that a candidate who has consistently contributed to our team is well-equipped to tackle future challenges and drive our progress.” The Board thanked Vaughn Lynch for his invaluable service and dedication to Racing SA during his tenure.
Sandown sale overruled
A Victorian planning panel's recommendation to sell Sandown for as much as $800 million was released on Christmas Eve but MRC chairman John Kanga was immediately on the front foot, reiterating racing will continue at that racetrack indefinitely.
“For the avoidance of doubt, racing continues at Sandown indefinitely. No change, racing continues – Sandown saved,” Kanga posted on X on Christmas Day.
VOBIS Gold Carat in a nail-biter
Lindsay Park trained 3-year-old gelding Just For Show (Showtime) won Saturday’s VOBIS Gold Carat by 0.1l from Simon Zahra trained 3-year-old filly Princess Que (Toronado {Ire}) with Danny O’Brien trained colt Acta Non Verba (Blue Point {Ire}) in third.
“Daniel Stackhouse (Acta Non Verba), he really pinged out and was so fast out it changed the script. I thought keep staying behind Blake (Shinn on Princess Que), keep staying behind Blake, and then OK I've stayed enough and came out to go. I didn't have a horse to go, wobbled, there was a bit going on and but he was really tough and effective late,” said jockey Craig Williams.
Stewards questioned jockey Patrick Moloney and Blake Shinn regarding the incident near the 100 metres where Stormbourg (Strasbourg) blundered after clipping heels with Shinn’s mount Princess Que.
Six for Purton at Happy Valley
A record-equalling six wins at a Hong Kong meeting for Zac Purton on Boxing Day (evening) at Happy Valley puts him closer to the all-time wins record. The only other jockey to win six races in one meeting is Brett Prebble who achieved the feat in June 2010.
Zac Purton | Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I had some good barriers, they helped horses that could take advantage of that and they were in good form – so, a good night. I'll worry about the record when I get there. In the meantime, I'll just concentrate on riding winners,” said Purton.
He won on Super Charizzard (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}), Noisy Boy (Real Steel {Jpn}), Northern Fire Ball (Sooboog), View Of The World (NZ) (Derryn), The Azure (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}), and Aurora Lady (Star Witness).
Mishani Extreme wins juvenile race at Ipswich
Donna Stanbridge trained 2-year-old gelding Mishani Extreme (Kobayashi) won by 0.8l at Ipswich on Friday for jockey Olivia Kendal. James Healy trained filly Milestone (Whittington) was second with Wendy Bannerot trained filly Lovebug (Love Conquers All) in third.
A $6000 purchase by Mishani Racing from KBL Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Mishani Extreme is the first foal of Mishani Blossom (Jet Spur) who won seven races and is a half-sister to Listed winner Mishani Sniper (Your Song) and Group 3-placed winner Mishani Bullitt (Show A Heart).
Interpretation to head to NZ
Ciaron Maher has nominated several horses for the G3 Wellington Cup on January 18 but it is Interpretation (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who will likely represent the stable. “We do have quite a few nominated for the Wellington Cup, but at this stage it is Interpretation we see as the one who will make the trip,” Maher told racing.com
Interpretation (Ire) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“The Trentham track will suit him down to the ground as he is a horse that needs room in his races and Trentham will provide him with that. He is a very solid stayer with good ability, but he doesn’t seem to get a lot of luck in his racing.
“His Bendigo Cup win (2023) was outstanding and showed what he is capable of, and he went on to go a super race when finishing seventh in the Melbourne Cup that year. This year his Melbourne Cup run is best forgotten as we may have ridden him a little bit too handy, which is outside his pattern and he never really fired on the day, finishing well back.”
G1 Hopeful Stakes won by favourite Croix Du Nord
A full field of 18 juveniles headed to the post for the final Group 1 event on the JRA calendar, Saturday's Hopeful Stakes over the metric mile and a quarter at Nakayama Racecourse and it was Croix Du Nord (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) who came out on top.
The favourite Croix Du Nord paying $1.80 lived up to expectations and won by 2l over the 2000 metre trip from Giovanni (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) with Faust Rasen (Jpn) (Mozu Ascot {Jpn}) in third. Croix Du Nord is now unbeaten in three starts.
Kitasan Black (Jpn) was a dual Horse of the Year in Japan and is now the sire of 11 stakes winners from four crops of racing age, with his Group 1 winners being Equinox (Jpn), Sol Oriens (Jpn) and now Croix Du Nord.
Croix Du Nord is the 10th foal and seventh winner for G2 York Park Hill S. winner Rising Cross (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) whose winning dam Woodrising (GB) (Nomination {GB}) is a half-sister to Barsham (GB) (Be My Guest {USA}), the dam of Listed winner Falkenham (GB) (Polar Falcon {USA}).
Around The Nation: Saturday’s other highlights
Saturday had 15 meetings around Australia, two at night, with many winners enjoyed by racing fans. At Morphettville, apprentice jockey Taylor Johnstone rode a treble aboard Argumama (Churchill {Ire}), Nasho (National Defense {GB}), and Kinetic Jewel (Rubick). Pinjarra enjoyed the debut win of 3-year-old filly Riveting Rosie (Magnus).
Craig Williams rode a treble at Moonee Valley on 3-year-old gelding Just For Show (Showtime), My Temptation (Squamosa) who remains unbeaten in three starts, and Fickle (I Am Invincible).
Craig Williams | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
In Queensland, 3-year-old gelding Taradale (Omaha Beach {USA}) won on debut at Beaudesert, ridden by jockey Justin Huxtable who added three more wins after that for a quartet. His other wins were on 3-year-old filly Hey Chardonnay (Dracarys), Tropic Sands (Casino Prince), and She’s A Rogue (Nicconi).
Jockey Ryan Wiggins rode a treble at Cairns on Saturday Vibes (Denman), Kings Castle (Fr) (Camelot {GB}), and King’s Halo (Better Than Ready). Trainer Mitchell Freedman won the first three on the card at Kerang in Victoria with Baltic Way (So You Think {NZ}), Seattle Hope (Squamosa), and Seacryption (Encryption). The first two were ridden by Jake Duffy, who later won on Craig Weeding trained Heavenly Prophet (Divine Prophet) to give him a treble too.
Craig aimed at All-Star Mile
Co-trainer Trent Busuttin will aim Craig (GB) (Territories {Ire}) at the G1 The All-Star Mile and isn’t fussed about getting a slot in the race. “How will (Craig) get in? I’m not sure, but what you find with The All-Star Mile, if they are good enough, they get in,” Busuttin told racing.com.
“If he’s not in the race, it means he’s not going well enough to get there. It normally sorts itself out. He’s back in work and I think he could end up being a genuine Group 1 horse this next campaign and The All-Star Mile is a perfect race for him.”
Markwin on track for Classic series
In-form trainer Cody Mo is confident Markwin (I Am Invincible) can take another crucial step towards next month’s Classic Mile when he chases a third consecutive win at Sha Tin on Sunday. “I hope he will go well again. This horse keeps improving and I hope he will keep going. We’ll see (about the Classic Mile) – we’ll just take it step by step,” Mo told scmp.com.
Markwin | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Sold by Yarraman Park Stud at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $550,000, he was bought by the Hong Kong Jockey Club who on-sold him at their International Sale for HK$2.2 million (AU$456,000) to Happy Life Syndicate.
Sunday gives Bloomin’ Crafty an unwanted record
Sunday’s bush meeting at Nhill will see the 100th start for Bloomin’ Crafty (Strategic Maneuver) whose 99 starts have yielded 14 minor placings and more than $103,000 in earnings. “I’m not sure at this stage (on whether to retire him). It’s either pull up stumps or maybe give him a couple more runs in January, maybe at the picnics or something similar,” trainer Jamie Barry told racing.com.
“It’s a hard call as he’s completely sound but one I definitely have to make soon.”
Stewart goes on Christmas buying spree
There were plenty of presents under John Stewart's christmas tree this week, including two Group 1 winners from South America and an Australian pedigree research site, pedigreees360.com. that he has purchased. “I told everyone I was going to dominate the turf,” Stewart said.
The Argentine purchase is Pulp Fiction (Arg) (Daddy Long Legs {USA}), a 3-year-old filly. Pulp Fiction has raced just four times but one of the wins came in the G1 Polla de Potrancas. She was also third in the G3 Manuel J. Guiraldes S.
From Chile, Stewart's Resolute Racing has acquired another 3-year-old filly in Dona Clota (Chi) (Delfa ({Chi}). She is a two-time Group I winner in Chile and will be pointed for the Jan. 25 GII Pegasus World Cup Turf Filly & Mare Invitational at Gulfstream. “Dona Clota, we think could be a freak,” Stewart said. “She has beat the boys twice in Group 1s and we purchased her with the intent of pointing her toward the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf.”
John Stewart | Image courtesy of Keeneland
As for pedigrees360.com, Stewart described it as an Australian pedigree research site. “It was formed from the founders of Goldmine and uses next generation AI and machine learning. I am going to expand it into a full suite of services for owners, breeders and horseplayers. The technology has been a major factor in the data analysis that has enabled Resolute Bloodstock to have the tremendous success we have had purchasing horses of racing age and evaluating horses at auction.
“Once I validated the technology behind the system I targeted it for acquisition, the current pedigrees360 management team and employees will continue to operate the site for existing customers. I will be investing significant working capital into the future of the business. I believe harnessing the current generation of technology will enable incremental benefits for horse owners, breeders and horseplayers.”
