Cover image courtesy of Windsor Park

A strong business relationship between Windsor Park Stud and trainer Fraser Auret led to rising Hong Kong super sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) being foaled down in the grassy pastures of the farm.

Ka Ying Rising foaled at Windsor Park Stud

The rising sprint star, and now dual Group 1 winner, was foaled at Windsor Park Stud, by their resident sire Shamexpress (NZ).

“Missy Moo came here to foal and they were here for three or four months. Fraser trains for us and we do a lot of business with him. (Ka Ying Rising) was the first foal he’s ever bred, and he’s done a great job first up. The mare had a fair bit of talent and I’ve always said that those are the type of mares you want to breed from. Fraser sent her to Shamexpress and he’s got the job done,” said Windsor Park’s Rodney Schick.

Sold by Sanderston Park in 2014 as a yearling for NZ$500, Missy Moo (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) was trained by Fraser Auret for Mike and Bronwyn Griffin to win five races and run fourth in the G3 Manawatu Breeders.

She had only two foals for Auret before a hip issue became too much and she was euthanised for humane reasons in 2021. Her other foal is unraced 3-year-old gelding Ka Ying Glory (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) who ran third in his first barrier trial in Hong Kong on January 3.

Subfertile Shamexpress has good figures

Ka Ying Rising (NZ) is the second Group 1 winner for Shamexpress (NZ) whose other Group 1 winner is Coventina Bay (NZ) who won five of her first six starts, going on to win the 2022 G1 Herbie Dyke S. and G1 New Zealand S. She was purchased by Yulong for $625,000 at the end of her racing career at the 2023 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale and her first foal is a 2024 filly by Yulong’s sire Diatonic (Jpn).

“Shamexpress’s biggest problem is that he’s subfertile, so he only has small crops. He’s had to do it the hard way as he’s struggled to get them in foal. He has a good filly in Australia called Grinzinger Belle, who is a Group winner there. With very low numbers, it gets hard, if you send your best mare and she doesn’t get in foal, it can put mare owners off,” said Schick. Windsor Park Stud sold Grinzinger Belle (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) as a yearling for NZ$32,000 and the G2 Let's Elope S. winner now has earnings over $600,000 from her four wins.

A son of O’Reilly (NZ), Shamexpress won on debut at two in Australia. At three, he was third in the G1 Coolmore Stud S. to Nechita (Fastnet Rock) and Jolie Bay (Fastnet Rock), then two starts later, he won the G1 Newmarket Handicap against the older horses. Sent to Royal Ascot, he ran mid-field in both the G1 King’s Stand S. and G1 July Cup. The next spring, at four, he ran second to Buffering (Mossman) in the G1 VRC Sprint and second to Snitzerland (Snitzel) in the G1 Lightning S. He retired with three wins from 19 starts and earnings over $1.1 million.

His first book reflected his speed, covering 158 mares, but unfortunately 77 of them missed and he was left with only 59 live foals in his first crop. His fertility improved for his second crop, but for the last six seasons, it has hovered around 50 per cent mares in foal.

“He was a fast horse himself, winning the Newmarket at three, which is unusual for a New Zealand bred horse, and he leaves a magnificent type. We have a really nice handful of yearlings by him.”

Windsor Park’s draft has five yearlings by Shamexpress with Lot 68 the only offering in Book 1. The colt is the first foal of Last Leg (NZ) (Pins) who is a sister to stakes placed Splitsecond (NZ), the dam of Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders S. winner Tabata (NZ) (Savabeel).

In Book 2, there’s Lot 726, a filly out of Missile Crisis (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}), whose first foal to race is a winner, and Missile Crisis is a half-sister to Listed CJC Spring Classic winner Viana (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), dam of Southern Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) who won the same race as his dam.

Lot 815 is a colt out of a winning Savabeel mare from an old Windsor Park family, while Lot 981 is a colt from the family of Zipping (Danehill {USA}). Lot 1082 is a colt out of winning High Chaparral (Ire) mare High Tail It (NZ) whose only foal to race, Bentayga (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) has won three times.

Gallery: Some of the yearlings by Shamexpress being offered at next week’s Karaka Yearling Sale, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

Windsor Park’s strong graduate reputation

Windsor Park Stud have bred, sold or reared 50 Group 1 winners since their inception, and over 170 stakes winners. “We’ve been very lucky over the years. We’ve produced three world champions with So You Think, Aerovelocity and Might And Power. It’s a very exciting time to have Ka Ying Rising rated as the highest sprinter in the world at the moment.”

Homebred Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) won the 2022 G1 Livamol C. and the 2023 G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate, and the aforementioned Coventina Bay (NZ) was passed in by Windsor Park Stud at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale and sold privately to her racing owners.

“It’s Business Time is an exciting prospect in our racing team. She won five in a row in New Zealand and is now in Melbourne with Te Akau Racing. She had a minor injury but has come back strongly and won a jumpout this morning.” It’s Business Time (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) hasn’t raced since running third in the 2023 G3 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile.

Gallery: Some of Windsor Parks high-class graduates, images courtesy of Trish Dunnell

“Opening Address, we sold as a yearling and retained a quarter of him, he won a stakes race on Cup day and is about to kick off again soon.” Sold by Windsor Park Stud for NZ$160,000 to Liam Howley Racing, Andrew Williams Bloodstock, and Bevan Smith Bloodstock at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale, 3-year-old gelding Opening Address (NZ) (So You Think {NZ}) won the Listed TAB Trophy on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington to take his record to two wins from five starts and earnings over $190,000.

Strength of market to continue into NZB

Schick thinks the strength of the market shown at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale and the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale will carry on into the upcoming New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale which kicks off on Sunday.

“It’ll be strong enough. The Gold Coast sale proved that the right horses were making money. New Zealand is a little different as the Australians come here to buy middle distance horses, and Hong Kong buyers should kick in pretty strongly too. We are hoping the market continues the same way, and for the right horse the money should be there.”

Windsor Park Stud have a big draft of over 50 yearlings spread between Book 1 and Book 2. “It’s a varied draft this year, from first season sires to proven horses. We have five Shamexpress yearlings who should be sought after as there isn’t a lot of them, and there’s a strong mix of stallions, about 13 different ones. We have some by Wootton Basset, St Mark’s Basilica, So You Think, and Satono Aladdin who is going great here. There are some nice yearlings by first season sires Sword Of State and Noverre, and of course several by Circus Maximus who is in his second year.”

Circus Maximus (Ire) has 107 2-year-olds in his first crop and 52 yearlings in his second crop. A dual Group 1 winner at three, Circus Maximus added another Group 1 at four, and is a son of the esteemed Galileo (Ire). “We’ll see some of his first crop debut in the autumn and are excited to see them later in the season. He won at two and was a Champion at three and four. The word has been good on them, they have great temperaments and physiques.

“There’s enough word that if people like the type (of the yearling at the sale), they’ll buy them. If it’s an Australian based sire, who hadn’t had runners at this point, buyer will have put the line through them already. But over here, stallions can get to middle of their first crop’s 3-year-old season before people talk about if they are good or not. New Zealand has had several stallion who have had slow starts who’ve been very good stallions, especially Classic types like Zabeel and Savabeel who both started slower with their 2-year-olds. Once the 3-year-old hit the races, then you can see what they are like. It takes the pressure off, and if trainers have them (in their stable) and like them, they’ll take a punt on the second crop.”

Circus Maximus had five winners in his first Irish crop of 2-year-olds, led by Green Storm (Ire) who ran second in the G1 Critérium de Saint-Cloud. So far down under, he has had two runners, led by Towering Vision (NZ) who was third on debut in mid-December.

Armory to debut his first crop

The first season sires for this crop of yearlings are light on the ground with only four stallions making their debut in 2022. One of those is Group 1 placed Armory (Ire) who is a son of Galileo (Ire). “He was a good 2-year-old, and a Champion three and 4-year-old who ran second in a Cox Plate. Between ourselves and Mapperley Stud, we own him 50 per cent each, and he’s stood at Mapperley Stud.”

Of the nine Armory yearlings in Windsor Park’s Book 1 draft, Schick picked out his two favourite types.

“We have a very good colt from Zuma. He’s from the family of It’s Business Time, and Star Satire. The mare is by Mastercraftsman and she’s doing a great job as a broodmare. He’s a cracker, a well made type who should operate at two and carry on at three and four.” Lot 424 is the fourth foal of Zuma (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) who was a winner at a mile. Her first two foals are both winners. Zuma is a half-sister to Windsor Park graduate Group 3 winner and G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' S.-placed Soubrettes (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}), and to Risque Business (NZ) (Volksraad {GB}), the dam of It’s Business Time.

“The filly from Arboreal is a half to Trobriand, who we sold. She’s really well made, and out of a Lonhro mare from a good Australian family.” Lot 451’s half-sister Trobriand (Kermadec {NZ}) was sold by Windsor Park Stud at the NZB National Yearling Sale in 2022 to David Ellis for NZ$260,000. Now a 4-year-old gelding, he won his first three in succession at two including the G2 Eclipse S. and was third in the R. Listed Karaka Millions 2YO. He’s still in work and has five wins from 16 starts with earnings over NZ$320,000. Lot 451’s second dam is Listed Cinderella S. winner Koala Bear (Exceed And Excel).

Gallery: Schick’s favourite Armory lots offered in Book 1, images courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

“There’s an old saying that the bull makes the herd. We support all our stallions with a continually improving broodmare band, both through our race fillies and we buy at the major broodmare sales across Australia. But a young stallion can get all the best mares and still not make it. It’s a hard business, and the ones that succeed put their own hand up.”

Windsor Park Stud know a lot about finding the ones ‘who put their hands up’, having a long history of standing top class sires with the likes of High Chaparral (Ire), Volksraad (GB), Montjeu (Ire), Thorn Park, Star Way (GB), and Kaapstad (NZ).

Cover image courtesy of Tasracing

This exciting daughter of Needs Further made it three wins from three starts in Hobart, leading home the trifecta for her trainer Stuart Gandy in the Listed 2-year-old feature.

The talented filly displayed blistering acceleration, storming home from just off the speed to defeat a fast finishing Crack The Shutters (Alpine Eagle) by 0.4l, with a further 1.2l back to Geegees Missile (Wordsmith) in third.

“She’s got a terrific turn of foot, I don’t think it would matter where she was in the run,” Gandy said.

“She had come on from her last run. They were all presented in fantastic order. I couldn’t be prouder really. I’m proud of the team.

“I think her form tells you how good she is. She has a very good turn of foot. Probably one of the best turns of foot of a 2-year-old I have trained. She’s not big and I was concerned early on that she needed another hand on her but I don’t think it really matters. She has a long stride and a good turn of foot. When Darmanin says go, she goes.

“They are by three different sires and they are all champions in their own right. The second horse is going to be something really, really special. The third horse needs to draw a gate but she’s going super too. It doesn’t get much better.

“I’m just absolutely privileged to have such nice horses.”

The winning run continues for Prime Thoroughbreds

The win continued a massive weekend for Joe O’Neill’s Prime Thoroughbreds who had Bivouac filly Cavalry Girl dominate her rivals at Flemington at just her second start on Saturday, after finishing second behind Blue Diamond fancy Cherish Me (Brazen Beau) on debut.

“Zany Girl’s a good filly,” O’Neill said.

“I don’t think there is a lot between her and Cavalry Girl. She will go to the Tasmanian Magic Millions on the 2nd of February and then she will go to the Gold Sovereign Stakes, all being well. Obviously, 2-year-olds can go off but she is very sound and she has very good confirmation. I think I only had one horse vetted at the sales last year. I said, she’s the one I want to buy so I had her vetted and I bought her and she is a fantastic filly. She has won all three Tasmanian 2-year-old races this season.

“She’s as good a 2-year-old as I’ve had in Tasmania. I’ve won all the good juvenile races down there. I’ve won three Magic Millions, I’ve won the Elwick Stakes, I’ve won the Gold Sovereign but this filly is as good as any of them.”

One of the most pleasing aspects from O’Neill's perspective is that she was able to overcome trouble in each of her three starts to date.

“Nothing has gone right for Zany Girl at her past two runs,” O’Neill said.

“She has missed the start, and got to the wrong part of the track and she still managed to come out and beat them.”

Highlighting the strength of Tasmanian 2-year-old form, last year’s winner of the Elwick Stakes, also trained by Gandy, Geegees Mistruth (Wordsmith) subsequently went to Melbourne and placed in the G3 Quezette S. and the G3 Champagne S., before finishing third in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield.

“The horse she beat was actually Geegees Mistruth’s full sister,” O’Neill said. “When you get a good 2-year-old down there they can be quite useful, and this one is a very good 2-year-old.”

A memory of a 2-year-old star

O’Neill purchased Zany Girl from the 2024 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale for just $65,000 from the draft of Armidale Stud, where her sire Needs Further stands. O’Neill indicated it was a close resemblance to former topline 2-year-old French Braids (Flying Spur) that caught his attention at the sale.

“We had a filly years ago, Billy Mitchell and I, called French Braids who won the Silver Slipper and who should have won the Golden Slipper,” O’Neill said.

“She won the first $1 million race in Sydney called the Heroic Championship, way back in 2000. She’s a lot like her. She is very well put together, she has lovely attitude, a beautiful confirmation and a wonderful attitude. She’s also very strong through the hindquarters and chest. She’s not a big filly but that doesn’t worry me, it never has. Snippets' Lass, the mother of Snitzel and Hinchinbrook was only a tiny little mare. Racehorses only have to be athletic, you don’t want a big cumbersome thing that looks like an elephant.”

An attractive nick, was also a point of interest for O’Neill when inspecting Zany Girl as a yearling. She is the third winner from four to race from the Ladoni (GB) mare Isn't Life Strange, who is a half-sister to stakes winners Life To The Full (Savoire Vivre {GB}) and What Life Brings (Savoire Vivre {GB}). When crossed with Needs Further, Ladoni mares have produced 6 winners, 2 at stakes level from just nine runners.

“Ladoni, he’s a son Danehill, and the Whishaw’s brought him out to Tasmania years ago,” O’Neill said.

“He’s a good broodmare sire and if you look at the cross with Needs Further, it is very potent.

“She’s also by a very good sire, I mean he had Mystic Journey who was a champion 3-year-old. He can get a nice horse, Needs Further.”

Thrilling racing on the horizon

It’s an exciting time ahead for Prime Thoroughbreds, with many of the syndications stars about to make a return, while his current 2-year-olds forge ahead towards some rich targets.

“Cavalry Girl now heads to the $2 million Inglis Millennium on February 8 at Randwick,” O’Neill said.

“She is a natural runner and lovely type. She is by Bivouac and I just bought another one from the Magic Millions. I really like Bivouac, I think he is going to be a super sire. She was never going to get beaten on Saturday."

Gallery: Cavalry Girl and connections, images courtesy of Racing Photos

“We’ve also got Shadhavar, who I think is one of the most exciting horses I’ve had in a long time, running in the Peter Le Grand Stakes on that day and the Cunning Fox has come back enormous, he is being set for The Galleywood. Seonee is back today with Patrick and Michelle Payne and is being set for the Coolmore Classic."

“We have a heap of nice 2-year-olds yet to hit the track too. We have a horse that has just come back into work by Shamus Award called Shefflin with the Payne’s. I think he is very smart. We also have a Lucky Vega down in Tasmania called Miss Lyra that won a trial by two and a half lengths, she looks like being a smart filly as well. She’s out of an I Am Invincible mare, just like Cavalry Girl.”

Magic Millions purchases

O’Neill has been busy sourcing the next generation of Prime Thoroughbreds at the recent Gold Coast Magic Millions sale where he picked up four Lots, at an average of $170,000.

“The plan was to secure four yearlings,” O’Neill said.

“I achieved this with the purchase of the Hellbent-Flying Jess filly, Lot 411 from Yarraman Park. She is a stunning filly out of an outstanding mare who gave us a great thrill winning the Magic Millions Guineas in 2017 where she beat some very high profile 3-year-olds including Global Glamour and Winning Rupert. She will head to Tom Dabernig to train.

“We also picked up Lot 148, a cracking colt by Hellbent which will go to John Thompson, Lot 199 an Alabama Express filly which will be trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne, and Lot 26 a filly by Cavalry Girl’s sire Bivouac who will also be trained by Tom Dabernig.”

Gallery: The next generation of Prime Thoroughbreds

The half-sister to Zany Girl, by Gold Standard, will be presented by Armidale Stud as Lot 21 at this year's Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.

Zany Girl is the eighth stakes winner for Needs Further, who is based at Armidale Stud, in Carrick, Tasmania.

Cover image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club

Connections awestruck after Ka Ying Rising demolition

Sent out as a hot favourite, thanks to his last start G1 Hong Kong Sprint win in the track record time of 1:07.43s, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) put on a phenomenal display of sustained speed to win the G1 Centenary Sprint in a new track record time of 1:07.20s.

Ridden by Zac Purton from the outside barrier, they controlled the race from the front and put on the afterburners to dash clear and win by 3.25l from Helios Express (Toronado {Ire}) and Howdeepisyourlove (Deep Field).

“He did surprise Zac when he jumped well and then went to the lead – to lead those fast horses so easily just shows his versatility. He can take a sit, or he just leads. He’s certainly the best sprinter I’ve had anything to do with and probably the best horse,” David Hayes told racingnews.hkjc.com.

“He’s quite freakish what he does. The last 100 metres today, Zac switched the engine off, so in the two track records he’s broken, he’s actually eased him down the last 100 metres or 80 metres. He just doesn’t lose – and I know he lost twice when he was immature, but now he’s mature, he’s just got that ability to win. He’s got amazing cruising speed and he’ll quicken off it, which is very hard to compete against.”

Ka Ying Rising, purchased by Lindsay Park privately out of New Zealand after an unofficial jumpout, had one trial in Australia at Moe, which he won before heading up to Hong Kong. He won on debut in December 2023, and then was second twice to the same horse, Wunderbar (Rich Enuff), before putting together his current nine-race unbeaten streak. His ten wins, two at Group 1 level, have earned his connections over HK$38.4 million (AU$7.9 million).

TTR investigated Ka Ying Rising’s background after his G1 Hong Kong Sprint win and the article includes rare footage of his Kiwi jumpout win:

The G1 Centenary Sprint Cup is the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, and Hayes confirmed Ka Ying Rising would chase the HK$5 million (AU$1 million) bonus if he can add the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400 metres on February 23 and the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize over 1200 metres on April 27. From there, a trip to Australia for The Everest beckons.

“It’s the richest turf race in the world, it’s at his distance, so it’s getting more realistic every month we go on. We’ll really start thinking about a pathway towards it after the international race here in April and then after that, he’ll probably just be set for the big sprint,” Hayes said.

Jockey Zac Purton rode a double, the other win on David Hall trained Mr Energia (NZ) (Swiss Ace), to put him on 1812 Hong Kong wins, just one away from equalling Douglas Whyte’s all time record.

One of 14 stakes winners for Shamexpress (NZ), Ka Ying Rising is his second Group 1 winner. His dam Missy Moo (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) won five races and was fourth in the G3 Manawatu Breeders. She was purchased by the Griffin Family Trust for just $500 at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Sale. Dam of only two foals before she was claimed by arthritis, Missy Moo descends from the family of Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars).

Voyage Bubble on top again

Ricky Yiu trained Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) made it two G1 Stewards’ Cup in as many years, while also making it three wins on the trot for this season. A last start winner of the G1 Hong Kong Mile at December’s international meeting, Voyage Bubble cemented his position as the best miler in the region with a 2l win over Galaxy Patch (Wandjina) and Red Lion (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}).

“I’m going to watch the replay a few times, that was a good race to watch. He seems to do his job a little bit easier every time and you can see he’s improving still with every race. He’s just a really talented horse and he’s very straightforward to ride,” Yiu told racingnews.hkjc.com.

The Stewards’ Cup is the first leg of the Triple Crown which carries a HK$10 million (AU$2 million) bonus for any horse who can also win the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup over 2000 metres on February 23 and the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup over 2400 metres on May 25. It has only been won once in Hong Kong history by River Verdon (Ire) (Be My Native {USA}) in the 1993/94 season (when the Stewards Cup was in November).

“We’re going to give the Triple Crown a crack. Besides his Derby win, he was second to a very good horse (Romantic Warrior) in the Gold Cup last year. That’s a very good indication that he can go up to that distance no problem. We’ll see a lot more from the second leg to see if he’ll be able to get the 2400 (metres). Over the 2400 there could be some overseas horses as well.”

Voyage Bubble became the fourth horse to claim consecutive G1 Stewards’ Cups, after Always Plentiful (GB) (Music Boy {GB}) in 1985 and 1986, Electronic Unicorn (USA) (Housebuster {USA}) in 2002 and 2003, and Good Ba Ba (USA) (Lear Fan {USA}) in 2008 and 2009.

Purchased by his trainer for $380,000 from Torryburn Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft, Voyage Bubble now has nine wins and nine placings from 23 starts with earnings over HK$77 million (AU$15.9 million).

The sixth foal for Raheights (Rahy {USA}) who won four races including two in Sydney, Voyage Bubble is a half-brother to G3 PJ Bell S. winner Diddums (Snitzel) and Listed Qld Tatt's RC Tattersall's Mile placed Brettan (Commands). Raheights is a half-sister to Listed winner Moulin Lady (Reset) and Bannock (Ire) (Bertolini {USA}). She has four years off breeding from 2020 to last season, and has a 2024 filly by Home Affairs.

Ridden by James McDonald, Voyage Bubble was part of the treble for the acclaimed jockey, who also won on Danny Shum-trained Blazing Wind (Deep Field) and John Size trained Bundle Award (Shamus Award).

Hong Kong Derby planned for Noisy Boy

Dreams of another Hong Kong Derby are alive for trainer Dennis Yip after 4-year-old gelding Noisy Boy (Real Steel {Jpn}) won at Sha Tin on Sunday. Yip won the Derby last year with Massive Sovereign (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}). “He’s a very nice horse and he has upside. When the horse got to Hong Kong I just wanted to make him stronger,” Yip told scmp.com.

“Tomorrow he will be in the first entries for the Derby.” Noisy Boy will likely head to the Classic Cup next, before the Derby on March 23.

A winner at his third start in Sydney, Noisy Boy ran second in the G2 Tulloch S. before an eighth in Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA})’s G1 Australian Derby. He had ten starts in Australia, before heading to Hong Kong where he’s had four starts, winning his last two in succession.

Sold by Arrowfield Stud at the Inglis Digital June sale in 2022 for $3500 to Dean Richards, he now has earnings over $1 million across both jurisdictions. Real Steel (Jpn) shuttled to Australia for one season, with 51 foals, and all his four stakes winners to date have been born in Japan, led by Group 1 winner and globetrotter Forever Young (Jpn).

Noisy Boy is the fourth foal and second winner for Northern Model (Northern Meteor) who won twice and ran fourth in the Listed William Crockett S. She is a half-sister to the dams of Group 2 winner Imelda Mary (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}) and Group 1 placed Glittering Girl (Saf) (Rafeef), while her dam Modellista (Redoute’s Choice) is a full sister to Group 1 winner Fashions Afield.

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Via Sistina in “outstanding order” ahead of return to races

Chris Waller-trained Declichy Boulevard (Snitzel) may have been the first home in the second trial for Group performers at Warwick Farm on Monday, but her Group 1 winning stablemates Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) and Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) flashed home to fill the placings. The 7-year-old super mare Via Sistina, who collected four Group 1s in the spring, was particularly quick through the line. Damien Lane flew in to warm the seats on some of Waller's stable stars for James McDonald, who missed the trials due to overseas riding commitments.

Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth spoke to The Australian on January 15 and indicated that many of the stable’s stars would be having soft hit-outs this week, followed by a second trial before their return to the races.

“She (Via Sistina) had a shorter spell, but she has come back in outstanding order,” he said. “She hasn’t put a foot wrong all prep, and is sound and clean winded.” It is anticipated that Via Sistina will return to the races in the G2 Apollo S. in February.

Bred by Laundry Cottage Stud Farm out of a Galileo (Ire) half-sister to Champion 3YO Sprinter Kingsgate Native (Ire) (Mujadil {USA}), Via Sistina was a 2.7 million gns (AUS$5.6 million) acquisition for Evergreen Equine at the 2023 December Tattersalls Mares Sales after winning a Group 1 in Ireland. Her subsequent collection of five top flight wins in Australia has brought owners Yulong Investments over $7.3 million in prize money. The Lucky Vega Syndicate acquired her dam, Nigh (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) at the same sale for 200,000gns ($413,000).

Private Life gears up for autumnal return

G1 Caulfield Guineas-winning colt Private Life (Written Tycoon) returned with an improving second placing in the first heat at Warwick Farm on Monday morning, 0.07l behind G2 Autumn S. winner Glint Of Silver (Rubick), who was returning after a year on the sidelines. Fellow Chris Waller-trained 3-year-old Switzerland (Snitzel) was given a quiet hit-out by Damien Lane to finish fourth. Group 1-placed Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) appeared in public for the first time as a gelding, finishing third.

Bred by Arrowfield Pastoral in partnership with Planette Thoroughbreds and Belford Productions, Private Life is the fourth winner from G3 Epona S. victress Aliyana Tilde (Snitzel), a full sister to G3 Widden S. winner Teaspoon. He was a $650,000 graduate of Arrowfield Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft two years ago, where he was purchased by Tom Magnier.

Half-sister to Private Life, Double Deel (Dundeel {NZ}), is the dam of Listed Gold Crown winner and G1 Queensland Oaks placegetter Noah ‘n’ A Deel (Maurice {Jpn}). Aliyana Tilde’s first foal since Private Life was a colt by Admire Mars (Jpn) born in the spring, after which she visited Dundeel (NZ) in November.

Golden Gift winner North England readies for autumn assault

$1 million Golden Gift winner North England (Farnan) returned to the trials on Monday with an easy win on the Hawkesbury track under Tim Clark. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt became his Slipper-winning sire’s first winner in November when he darted past West Of Swindon (Wootton Bassett {GB}) to score by 0.53l at Rosehill Gardens. Both of his runs to date, including a debut third placing in the G3 Breeders’ Plate, have been off of one trial. He is currently the top of the order of entry for the $2 million Inglis Millennium on February 8.

Bred by Zhongli Thoroughbreds, North England was purchased by Newgate along with China Horse Club, Go Bloodstock and Trilogy for $280,000 at last year's Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Valiant Stud. He is the third foal from city-winning Our Belisa (Lope De Vega {Ire}), from the family of Listed Chautauqua S. winner A Little Deep (Deep Field).

Our Belisa was offered by Zhongli Thoroughbreds in an Inglis Digital sale in June of last year, where Green Bloodstock bought her for $4,000. In November, she was re-offered through the site by Newgate, in foal off a September cover to Slipper champion Stay Inside, where B Edward spent $225,000 to take her home.

Lilac blossoms in speedy Warwick Farm trial

While many of the Waller team were having quiet trials on Monday morning, the same couldn’t be said for Listed Jim Moloney S. winner Lilac (Justify {USA}), who bolted away with her Warwick Farm trial for a 6.01l win over Listed Rosebud H. winner Gatsby’s (Snitzel), with a further 3l gap back to the third place finisher. The 3-year-old filly, trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald has won two of her four starts to date and finished second to Private Life two starts before his Guineas victory.

Bred by Katom and offered at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale by Curraghmore, Lilac was a $300,000 purchase for Champion Thoroughbreds and Annabel Neasham Racing. She is the second foal from G2 Wellington Guineas runner-up Paulownia (Fastnet Rock), a full sister to Group 1-winning stallion Foxwedge and Listed Rosebud H. winner She’s A Fox. Paulownia has a yearling colt by Home Affairs who will be presented in the Inglis Australia Easter Yearling Sale as Lot 102 in Coolmore Stud's draft, and the mare herself was exported to the United States in April last year, where she has been covered by Justify (USA) on Southern Hemisphere time.

Half-brother to Fireburn edges closer to debut

Kilbrannan (Pierata), the 2-year-old half-brother to G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Fireburn (Rebel Dane), was a consummate professional in his trial on Warwick Farm on Monday morning. The Gary Portelli trainee edged closer to his raceday debut with his third trial for the preparation and first win, beating Trial By Fire (Too Darn Hot {GB}) by 0.18l, with the fast finishing Lady Talea (Anders) in third.

Breeder Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA) went to $460,000 to secure Kilbrannan when offered by co-breeder Goodwood Farm at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale last year. He is the third foal from Mull Over (So You Think {NZ}), a half-sister to dual Listed winner Galizani (Galileo {Ire}), and he is also a half-brother to G2 Queensland Guineas winner Kintyre (Hallowed Crown).

Mull Over revisited Rebel Dane to produce a full sister to Fireburn in the spring, before visiting Zoustar. Fireburn was sold privately to Japan at the end of 2023, but was not covered last year.

Hot return from unexposed Barracuda

Finishing fifth in the $500,000 Magic Millions The Debut (colts & geldings) at his only start to date, 3-year-old Trapeze Artist colt Barracuda has returned to racing with a bang at Warwick Farm. At his second trial this month, the Jarrod Austin trainee swung wide for the majority of the trip, but still let down impressively to win by 3.96l over Rare Moon (Shalaa {Ire}).

Bred by Glenlogan Park and offered by them at the Gold Coast in 2023, Barracuda was initially a $440,000 purchase for China Horse Club, Newgate, Go Bloodstock, and Trilogy. Newgate offered him in an Inglis Digital auction last May, where his current trainer purchased him for $20,000.

He is the second foal from dual winner Pienkna (More Than Ready {USA}), a full sister to Listed Calaway Gal S. runner-up Dysfunction out of Listed Classic Mile winner Vignor (Flying Spur). Pienkna passed away in December 2023, leaving behind a Captivant colt who has yet to appear in a sales catalogue.

Cobra Club among spring stars back at Hawkesbury

R. Listed Inglis Nursery runner-up Cobra Club (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) returned with a front-running win at the Hawkesbury trials on Monday morning. Another smart colt from Tulloch Lodge, he steadily widened the gap on the field to beat Cada Estrella (NZ) (Zoustar) by 1.1l.

Darby Racing paid $70,000 for the Emmanuel Bloodstock-bred colt at last year’s Classic sale. He is the third foal from Venom (So You Think {NZ}), a daughter of Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic winner Dorf Command (Commands), from the extended family of Ellsberg. Venom has a yearling filly by Xtravagant (NZ) and delivered a full sister to Cobra Club in the spring, before being covered by Russian Camelot (GB).

Fernie and Parnham bring triple threat to Belmont

Leading Ascot trainer Luke Fernie and jockey Chris Parnham partnered up to take out all three of the 400-metre juvenile trials at Belmont on Monday morning. They kicked off with debutant filly Excess Baggage (Exceedance) beating out Written Words (Winning Rupert) by 0.18l, then followed it up with an easy 0.79l win from Capitola (Capitalist). The gelding was a winner on debut in October.

Lastly, they teamed up with Slip The Jab (Written Tycoon), who took out his debut trial by 3.21l.

Slip The Jab was the most expensive purchase of the three for Fernie, who paid $120,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year to secure the son of G3 Breeders’ S.-placed Ariaz (Charge Forward) from Newgate Farm’s draft, where he was offered on behalf of breeders S F Bloodstock, Henry Field Bloodstock, and Hollymount Stud. His half-brother by Extreme Choice was bought by Resolute Bloodstock for $500,000 out of Newgate's Gold Coast draft earlier this month. Fernie made a splash at the same sale, paying $625,000 for the full brother to Amelia's Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}), who was offered by Segenhoe Stud on behalf of breeders Amelia Park.

Ariaz was sold for $205,000 through the Inglis Digital platform to Eddie Temple in October and delivered another son of Extreme Choice the following month, before returning to Newgate’s super sire in late December.

Juvenile quinella for O’Shea and Charlton at Hawkesbury

Two Finemore Thoroughbreds-owned juveniles from the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable lead the 1000-metre 2-year-old trial home at the Hawkesbury track on Monday, but it was Triumvirate (Royal Meeting {Ire}) who bested stablemate Blinked (Frosted {USA}) in the closing stages, the gelding drawing level then edging ahead of the grey filly to win by 1.03l.

Bred and retained by Finemore Thoroughbreds, Triumvirate is the first foal from Listed Oaklands Plate-winning Westport (Not A Single Doubt), from the family of Slipper-winning Dance Hero (Danzero). Westport has a yearling filly by Too Darn Hot (GB) and produced a filly in the spring by Street Boss (USA), before visiting Anamoe in early December.

17.5l trial winner for Rich Enuff

Alkebulan (Rich Enuff) opened her account with a flying performance at the Beaudesert trials on Monday morning. The Brian Gentle-trained filly skipped away to cross the finish line by a huge 17.5l margin that had increasingly widened down the home straight.

Bred by Destiny Thoroughbreds and R & C Hiscock, Alkebulan did not meet her reserve at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale last year, where she was offered by Hollylodge Thoroughbreds. She is out of Snitzel mare Hastily, a half-sister to Champion 3YO in Singapore/Malaysia Lim’s Objective (O’Reilly {NZ}). Hastily has a yearling by I Am Immortal, and was served by Foxwedge in the spring.