Wednesday Racing: Written Tycoon debutant impresses at Mornington

Written by

Renee Geelen

11 min read

Several expensive 3-year-olds attained their first wins in city class on Wednesday, but it was Rosemont homebred Summer Flame (Written Tycoon) whose win at her first start looks the most promising. Doomben was the scene of an emotional victory by Headhunter (Vancouver), as well as a pair of exciting juvenile fillies on either side of the ditch.

Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos

Race-day Recap

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Rosemont homebred Summer Flame (Written Tycoon) won on debut at Mornington for trainer Chris Waller, but it hasn't all been easy for the well-bred 3-year-old filly.

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TAB Racing Club's 2-year-old filly In Haste (Snitzel) will be aimed at the Matamata Breeders S. after an impressive 4.25l win at Matamata on Wednesday.

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Queensland trainer Kelly Schweida has a promising juvenile filly with debutant winner Sunrays (Hellbent) who won at Doomben.

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Gary Portelli’s 3-year-old colt King Of Dragons (Harry Angel {Ire}) took his Magic Millions form south and came up trumps at Kensington.

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Nicely bred Shanwah (NZ) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) lives up to his price tag with maiden win at Mornington, providing a timely update for his half-brother who sells on Sunday at Karaka.

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Vale Howard Blight. Headhunter (Vancouver) gives the family of his owner an emotional win on a hard day.

From rogue to flashy debutant win for Rosemont

Rosemont Stud’s homebred 3-year-old filly Summer Flame (Written Tycoon) made her debut at Mornington on Wednesday and led all the way for jockey Damian Lane to win by 1.75l from stablemate 3-year-old gelding Climb The Ladder (NZ) (Ardrossan) who was also on debut. In third was Ciaron Maher trained colt Alero (Toronado {Ire}).

“She had a great experience - she's been a little difficult to get to the races, we had a few hiccups,” stable representative Lizzie Collett said.

“She was a bit pesky with the barriers - we can thank Julien Welsh for helping us out there, he got her manners under control. From the start I think we were pretty confident with her, it's just been a matter of getting her behaviour right and giving her a good experience. But she's taken everything well today … credit to Damian for doing such a good job.”

Rosemont Stud purchased Summer Flame’s dam Divine Quality (Sepoy) with Summer Flame in utero for $725,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale from Glastonbury Farm.

Winner of the G3 Begonia Belle S. Divine Quality’s first foal, Divino Cavello (Pierro) has won twice this season, while her current 2-year-old is the unraced colt Augusta National (Zoustar) who sold for $625,000 to Rosemont Stud, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), and John O’Shea at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The yearling full sister to Summer Flame has been entered in the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by Rosemont Stud as Lot 145.

Click here to view Lot 145

This is the family of New Zealand Horse Of The Year and triple Group 1 winner King’s Chapel who stood at stud in NZ, and Listed winner Vatican (God’s Own).

TAB Racing Club has thrilling future with In Haste

The TAB Racing Club could be in for an exciting couple of months with their juvenile filly In Haste (Snitzel) whose impressive 4.25l win at Matamata on Wednesday has her trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson looking at stakes targets. “She was very tractable and showed a really good turn of foot. It’s onwards and upwards for her and hopefully we can get her back here in a few weeks’ time for the Matamata Breeders,” Bergerson said.

In Haste is part-owned by TAB Racing Club, an Entain Australia and New Zealand initiative which promotes racehorse ownership among TAB customers, mirrored off the success off their Ladbrokes Racing Club in Australia, and is free to join. “What they are doing for racing is massive, so to get a result like that with a filly who’s hopefully going to go on to better things is really exciting.”

Runner up in November, In Haste was having her second race day start. Stablemate Born To Be Royal (King's Legacy) was second and Stephen Marsh trained Miss Moet All (Russian Revolution) was third.

In Haste is owned by Newgate Farm, SF Bloodstock, and the TAB Racing Club, and was purchased at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from Newgate Farm’s draft for $400,000 by the Ladbrokes Racing Club and Newgate Bloodstock.

In Haste as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis

By Champion Sire Snitzel, In Haste is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Prompt Response (Beneteau) and Group 3 winner Prompt Return (Beneteau), and her dam Prompt (Exceed And Excel) has had seven winners from as many to race.

Hellbent adds another exciting juvenile

Hellbent’s fourth crop opened the ledger with the exciting Tremonti winning the Listed Maribyrnong Trial S. back in the start of the spring, and on Wednesday, his debutant 2-year-old filly Sunrays won at Doomben to become the third juvenile winner from this crop. Trained by Kelly Schweida and ridden by Cejay Graham, Sunrays won by 1.1l from Toby Edmonds & Stephen McLean trained pair of filly Cool Moon (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) and Steffi Electronica (Graff).

“A really nice filly. I thought it was a nice win, she did everything right, and was strong when asked for an effort,” Schweida told TTR. “She’s a natural improver and a nice pedigree. Hellbent over a Fastnet Rock mare. It’s too early for plans. A good owner too.”

Withdrawn as a yearling, Sunrays is raced by Peter Moran who bred her. She is the first live foal from unraced mare Hiccups (Fastnet Rock) who has a 2024 colt by Written By. Hiccups’ dam Supreme (Encosta De Lago) is a half-sister to G1 BTC Cup winner and sire Duporth, G1 Sires’ Produce S. winner and sire Excites, and Group 2 winner and sire Tickets. Another half-sister is winning mare Succeeding (Flying Spur) who is the dam of dual Group 1 winner in South Africa and sire Delago Deluxe, who shares the same sire as Hiccups’ dam. The three stakes winners are out of four-time Group 2 winner Staging (Success Express {USA}) who was multiple times Group 1 placed.

Hellbent won as a late 2-year-old, improving to add the G1 William Reid S. as an older horse. His stock have followed a similar vein and he has six stakes winners led by Group 1 winning sprinters Benedetta and Magic Time. Hellbent has produced three stakes placed winners out of Fastnet Rock mares being Hell Queen, Vivy Air, and 3-year-old gelding Hella Fast who was second in the G3 Vo Rogue Plate two starts ago.

Hellbent | Standing at Yarraman Park

Portelli looking for a few more Harry Angels

Trainer Gary Portelli’s stable representative James Fathers’ hinted that they have Harry Angel (Ire) on their buying list for the upcoming sales after the tough maiden win of 3-year-old colt King Of Dragons (Harry Angel {Ire}) in the first at Kensington on Wednesday. Ridden by apprentice Braith Nock, King Of Dragons won by 0.62l over Robert Quinn trained 3-year-old gelding Wal’s Me Mate (Headwater) with Chris Waller trained 3-year-old gelding Wa Wa Wa (Deep Field) 1.4l in arrears in third.

“I thought if he could reproduce his form, he’d be very hard to beat and he managed to do that today. It was a great ride, and a big job for the team to get the horse here in good order. It’s not easy after a trip to Brisbane and back, obviously he nearly won there,” Fathers said, referring to his last start second in the $250,000 Magic Millions Maiden Plate on January 11 behind Heavenly Impact (Harry Angel {Ire}).

“He’s very tough to be fair, he does try his guts out for you and you know in a fight he’ll be hard to beat.” When asked how many Harry Angel’s the stable has, Fathers said, “This is probably our favourite one and we’ll be looking for a few more of them.”

“He’s very tough to be fair, he does try his guts out for you and you know in a fight he’ll be hard to beat.” - James Fathers

King Of Dragons ran poorly at his only start at two, and this spring had placed in three of his four starts leading into this win. His record stands at one win and three placings from six starts with earnings over $116,000. Catalogued for sale three times, King Of Dragons first went through the ring at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale where Hollylodge Thoroughbreds sold him for $110,000 to Bevan Smith Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA). He was re-offered as a yearling by Sullivan Bloodstock at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where Trilogy Racing bought him for $180,000, and he was passed in at the Inglis Ready To Race Sale.

A half-brother to Listed Calway Gal S. winner Champ Elect (Choisir), King Of Dragons’ dam Champalou (Encosta De Lago) was a winner at two and is a daughter of G1 Queensland Oaks winner Vouvray (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). This makes Champalou a half-sister to winning mare Sancerre (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), the dam of Horse Of The Year and multiple Group 1 winner Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubawi).

King Of Dragons as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

Champalou has produced seven winners and has an unnamed 2-year-old gelding by Hellbent and a colt foal by Hitotsu. Harry Angel (Ire) has seventeen stakes winners with Listed winner Vicious Harry also out of an Encosta De Lago mare.

A timely breakthrough win for Shanwah (NZ)

Time-honoured Trelawney Stud in New Zealand added an exciting 3-year-old winner to their long list of graduates when Shanwah (NZ) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) won nicely at Mornington on Wednesday. Second in the betting at his fifth start, Shanwah was ridden by Blake Shinn, who became the fifth different jockey to have a crack on the Ciaron Maher trained gelding. Launched from the bend by the experienced jockey, Shanwah won by 1.25l from Chris Waller trained favourite 3-year-old filly Belle Detelle (Zed {NZ}) with Maher trained Ongatiti (NZ) (Sweynesse) in third.

Sold by Trelawney Stud at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$750,000 to Cameron Cooke Bloodstock, the farm are offering Shanwah’s half-brother by Per Incanto (USA) on Sunday as Lot 20.

Click here to view Lot 20

Shanwah is a half-brother to G2 Rose of Kingston S. winner Excelida (Exceed And Excel) and their dam is three-race winner Lady Sayyida (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) who is a half-sister to G1 Cox Plate winner and Waikato Stud’s proven sire Ocean Park (NZ). Lady Sayyida is also a half-sister to city winner Ruqqaya (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}), the dam of dual Group 1 winner and sire Grunt (NZ) and G2 Matriarch S. winner Zayydani (NZ) (Savabeel). Further back, this is the fantastic Kiwi family of G1 Golden Slipper winner Courtza (NZ), dam of Champion Sire O’Reilly (NZ).

Emotional win for Headhunter in Queensland

The news came through on Wednesday morning to the Matthew Hoysted stable that owner Howard Blight had died, and his 3-year-old gelding Headhunter (Vancouver) delivered an emotional win at Doomben.

“It’s never a message you like to receive. It’s heartbreaking for the family but just glad this guy was able to get the job done, and bring a little bit of happiness to the family on such a tough day,” Hoysted said.

“Howard’s been a very successful breeder and a huge supporter of Steven (O’Dea) and now mine, and we’ve had some really nice horses for him and thankfully (Headhunter) looks to be another one. He’s still a big raw bugger and he’s going to improve with time and experience and he’s got a nice future ahead of him.”

“It’s never a message you like to receive. It’s heartbreaking for the family but just glad this guy (Headhunter) was able to get the job done, and bring a little bit of happiness to the family on such a tough day.” - Matthew Hoysted

TTR wrote this article about Blight after the gelding he bred, Golden Monkey (Star Turn), won the 2022 Singapore 3YO Sprint. Golden Monkey went on to add the 2023 Singapore Derby and Stewards’ Cup, and now racing has ended in Singapore, he’s just been imported to Tim Fitzsimmons’ stable in Ballarat.

Click here to read the article about Blight

Headhunter’s win came at his second start, having run second on debut in early January, and he is the second foal of winning mare Dixie Chick (Star Witness) whose yearling colt by Snitzel is being offered by Riversdale as Lot 347 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

Dixie Chick’s first foal, Noble Conqueror (Churchill {Ire}) has won three times, and Dixie Chick is a half-sister to G2 Jockey Club Sprint-placed Flagship Shine (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and to Dixie’s Comet (Northern Meteor), the dam of the aforementioned Golden Monkey.

Written Tycoon

Summer Flame

Too Darn Hot

Shanwah

Harry Angel

King Of Dragons

Hellbent

Sunrays

Headhunter

Vancouver

The changing face of ownership: Forsman shares his insights on racing's future as he gears up for Karaka Millions night

Written by

Dane McLeod

6 min read

Andrew Forsman has carved out a reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading trainers, and his insights into racehorse ownership reflect a thoughtful and strategic approach to building success on and off the track.

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Ahead of Ellerslie’s marquee race night, Andrew Forsman reflects on the strategies that have propelled his success while offering insights into how ownership changes are influencing the sport’s next chapter.

He emphasised the changing dynamics, noting a shift away from larger syndicates to smaller, more intimate groups of owners.

“As time has gone on, we probably have less and less major owners. We don’t have that many syndicates, but more so groups of owners that join together to race a horse,” he explained. “Groups of loyal stable clients joining together seems to be the new way.”

This collaborative ownership model, Forsman believes, aligns well with his philosophy of buying genuine racehorses that can perform regardless of their origins. When it comes to purchasing at sales, his approach is both discerning and pragmatic.

“We like having a look at all of the horses. There's plenty of good bloodstock around, and they can't all sell for big money—it is one of the main reasons why I do look to shop around,” he said.

“We like having a look at all of the horses. There's plenty of good bloodstock around, and they can't all sell for big money—it is one of the main reasons why I do look to shop around.” - Andrew Forsman

Forsman recently purchased at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale, acquiring a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB) in partnership with Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA). Looking ahead to the NZB National Yearling Sales Series, he remarked, “It’s a good value sale, and Kiwi-breds always punch well above their weight. I like the proven stallions, and they will be on my target list, but we will also be looking for value.”

Ownership incentives tied to different sales are another factor Forsman considers, but he remains focused on the quality of the horse above all else.

“We worry about it afterwards. Each sale has nice horses and incentives attached, whether it's a Magic Millions series, Inglis series, Karaka Millions, or The Kiwi,” he said. “Our approach is to go to each sale and buy genuine racehorses, and whatever happens after that works itself out.”

“Our approach is to go to each sale and buy genuine racehorses, and whatever happens after that works itself out.” - Andrew Forsman

Forsman has also been strengthening his presence in Australia, he has a base at Flemington, where his team is expanding.

“We are now at the stage where we are established and have got a good foothold at Flemington. We feel we have found our feet there, and it is time to introduce new owners in Australia,” he explained. “In saying that, we have a nice enough Australian client base, but we do want to build that up now over the next few seasons.”

Forsman Racing team are in good form

Forsman’s team have been in solid form this season and he currently sits in seventh spot on the New Zealand trainers premiership with 27 wins. The stakes wins included amongst this total have been via Yaldi (NZ) (Ardrossan) winning the G2 Auckland Guineas and Mustang Morgan (NZ) (Preferment {NZ}) who was successful in the Listed Gingernuts Salver.

There is a nice mix of experienced and promising horses within the Forsman stable, the stable stalwart Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), the proven bunch of Almanzor (Fr) mares Moonlight Magic (NZ), Mary Shan (NZ) and Positivity (NZ) and some very promising 3-year-olds such as the aforementioned Yaldi and Mustang Morgan, Macaluso (NZ) (Savabeel), Hinekaha (NZ) (Savabeel) and Kitty Flash (NZ) (Ace High).

Yaldi (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)

As the conversation turned to the TAB Karaka 3YO Classic and the NZB Kiwi, Forsman highlighted the importance of these races in shaping his stable’s future.

“The Kiwi has added a lot of intrigue. I think people are still working it out. It’s a great initiative, and now that it's close, it is quite exciting,” he said. “Being a small owner in a slot (with the King’s Men group), we still have some thinking and work to do. But even away from that, hopefully, I am training one or two runners that we can get into the race. There's no doubt everyone is talking about the race, and I'm sure there will be more and more chat at Karaka over the next week.”

Good hopes at Ellerslie

As for the TAB Karaka 3YO Classic itself, Forsman’s talented duo of 3-year-olds is poised to make an impact. Yaldi and Retrostar (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}) will represent his stable in the prestigious event.

Forsman is particularly optimistic about Yaldi, explaining, “Yaldi is going very well. With the blinkers on last time, he probably presented and got there a bit soon. Blinkers off will give him every chance to run a strong mile. It may be a little beyond him distance wise, but on ability, he has a great chance.”

Retrostar’s prospects, while more cautious, are not without promise. “His last couple have been a bit disappointing, but things haven’t quite worked out. He is a two-win horse, he deserves his spot, and he is certainly capable of featuring,” Forsman said.

Beyond the Classic, Forsman has other strong contenders for Ellerslie’s big night. Mary Shan (NZ), a dual Group 2 placegetter and runner-up in the Listed Matamata Cup is targeting her first stakes win in the Listed Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic.

Reflecting on her chances, Forsman noted, “She has been very unlucky. She got caught in all sorts of trouble last time, and her run was full of merit—she never really got a crack at them. If the tempo is on and she gets a fair chance, she is a big hope.”

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Gallery: Forsmans' other strong contenders for Ellerslie’s big night, images courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Kitty Flash (NZ), another promising runner, will contest the Listed Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy.

“Unfortunately with the draw she is going to be up against it dropping back from 1400 metres back to the 1200 metres, but she was relatively fresh for Trentham, so she should have improved off that. Hopefully there is genuine tempo on and she can follow something into the race, if she is to run well it opens up lots of options for the rest of her campaign,” Forsman said.

With a well-rounded perspective on ownership and a stable full of promising runners, Forsman is poised for a successful night at Ellerslie.

“It should be a great night of racing, great prizemoney, competitive racing, and everyone wants to be there,” he said.

Andrew Forsman

New Zealand Bloodstock

Pedigree Boosters: New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale

Written by

Kit Gow

5 min read

Ahead of the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, we have found three yearlings who have had substantial pedigree updates over the past couple of months.

Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

The catalogue for the 2025 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale was released on November 25, 2024. Since then, a host of yearlings that will go through the ring at Karaka have had their pedigrees enhanced, which is important information for vendors and buyers alike.

Lot 99 - Sword Of State x Maria Grazia (NZ)(Tavistock {NZ}), filly - on account of Pencarrow Stud

View pedigree

This lot’s dam may be unraced, but she is a full sister to accomplished galloper Tavi Time (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), who had already racked up seven wins when the catalogue had gone to print. A multiple winner in the city, the Kris Lees-trained gelding went one step higher on Boxing Day, when he won the G3 Summer Cup at Randwick. Runner-up Osipenko (NZ) (Pierro) came out on top in the Listed January Cup last weekend.

Bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds and offered in their New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft, Tavi Time sold to Kiltannon Stables for $60,000. He crossed the Tasman to be sold through the Inglis Ready2Race as a gelding, where part-owner Adrian Pazman outlaid $130,000 for the son of G1 Telegraph H. winner Guiseppina (NZ) (Johar {USA}).

Tavistock (NZ) passed away the year that Tavi Time was born, but he has left a prolific record at stud, with 53 stakes winners - 36 at Group level - from 10 crops. Four of his 12 Group 1 winners are mares, including G1 Livamol Classic and G1 Zabeel Classic winner Snazzytavi (NZ). He has produced eight Group winners as a broodmare sire, including the eight-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars). Four of those stakes winners are fillies.

Lot 99 - Sword Of State x Maria Grazia (filly) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

Lot 228 - Ardrossan x Pwerfect (Pentire {GB}), colt - on account of Elsdon Park

View pedigree

This colt’s full brother Beau Dazzler (NZ) (Ardrossan) had already picked up the Listed Phelan Ready S. at his second start as a 2-year-old, but the best has always been yet to come from the son of Waikato Stud resident Ardrossan. The lightly raced Ardrossan showed his best work as a 4-year-old, winning the G3 Concorde H. at Ellerslie and finishing third by only 0.3l to the great Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) at Te Rapa in the G1 BCD Sprint.

It comes as no surprise then that the Tony and Maddysen Sears-trained Beau Dazzler has improved with age, having a dynamite summer campaign with back to back wins at Eagle Farm. Key is that the first of those victories was a 2.92l domination in the G3 Grand Prix S., elevating him from Listed to Group winner, and the second being in the $160,000 Eagle Way QTIS 3YO. In the latter contest, he carried 8kg more than the runner-up Sun Worshipper (Sun City) and still beat her by 1.73l.

Full brother Toretto (Ardrossan) bids to add to the action in Saturday, where he is due to line up for the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO for Hollie Wynyard.

Paul Moroney Bloodstock, Catheryne Bruggeman, and Sears Racing secured Beau Dazzler for $85,000 from Mapperley Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale two years ago, where he was offered on behalf of his breeders, the Dewar Partnership. Pwerfect has returned to Ardrossan every year since Beau Dazzler’s birth, as clearly it’s a match that works.

Lot 228 - Ardrossan x Pwerfect (colt) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

Lot 337 - Savabeel x Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park), colt - on account of Waikato Stud

View pedigree

This lot sells himself without any pedigree updates - a son of New Zealand’s multiple Champion Sire Savabeel, out of dual Group 1 winner Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park) - but every update helps. Indeed, this lot’s half-sister Sethito (NZ) (Super Seth) stepped up three times since the catalogue was compiled, first with her maiden win in November where she flattened a field at Rotorua by 6.5l.

In December, the 3-year-old filly went one better again, winning the G3 Bonecrusher S. at Ellerslie by 1.3l to become her sire’s first filly stakes winner. She stepped up to the mile on Boxing Day, just beaten 0.1l in the G2 Eight Carat Classic by Hitabell (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}). Excitingly, Sethito has been entered for the G1 New Zealand Oaks in March and may also be a worthy candidate for a slot in the inaugural running of the The NZB Kiwi.

Chittick Investments-bred Sethito was not offered at public auction, but her full brother was a $325,000 acquisition for John O'Shea Racing and James Bester Bloodstock from Waikato Stud’s offerings at last year’s edition of Karaka. He has since been named Stratford (NZ), and has a few heavy hitters amongst his ownership group, including Finemore Thoroughbreds and Ridgmont Farm. Of Savabeel’s offspring that sold at the Gold Coast earlier this month, they averaged $282,000 to astute judges including Te Akau’s David Ellis (BAFNZ), Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing, and Kestrel Thoroughbreds.

Lot 337 - Savabeel x Suavito (colt) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock

Pedigree Boosters

New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale

Magic Millions Adelaide catalogue anticipates strong trade in 2025 renewal

5 min read

Written by Kit Gow

Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

The Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale catalogue was unveiled on Wednesday, featuring the progeny of 103 sires from 68 vendors across the country. With recent graduates including Group 1 winners and Hong Kong stars, there will be something for everyone heading through the ring in March.

Taking place in Morphettville on March 17 and 18, the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale catalogue contains 455 lots, with 265 colts and 190 fillies. High quality South Australian operation Mill Park Stud lead the local charge with 22 lots, and New South Wales-based Baramul Stud will present the largest draft, with 46 lots evenly split by sex.

Click here to view the upcoming sale 2025 Adelaide Yearling Sale

The size of the catalogue has held strong over the last four editions of the sale, averaging 457 offerings per catalogue, and is popular with both domestic and international buyers, with Victorians leading the purchasing year on year. Last year’s edition boasted an 81.14 per cent clearance rate, for a $15.5 million sales gross.

Of the stallions represented, there are 13 first season sires, including two opportunities to take home offspring by Home Affairs and 10 progeny of G1 Moir S. winner Wild Ruler.

Commercial types to the fore

“Almost every commercial stallion is represented, plus a lot of the new brigade,” Magic Millions bloodstock consultant Ben Culham told TTR AusNZ. The sale catalogue has six lots by Written Tycoon, of which Yulong will offer four. Among the Champion Sire’s offspring is Lot 165 from the draft of Pepper Tree Farm, who is a three-quarter-sister to G1 Doomben 10,000 winner Music Magnate (Written Tycoon). Her dam, winning miler Taraji (Bramshaw) has produced three winners from three foals to race, all of which are full brothers to this filly.

“Mill Park has supported us heavily with this sale,” said Culham. “They're bringing almost everything that they didn't bring to the Gold Coast.”

Click here to view Lot 165

Darley shuttler Harry Angel (Ire), whose appeal has been buoyed by the exploits of his unbeaten $3.5 million Magic Millions 3YO Classic-winning son Private Harry, is represented by ten lots. Kelly Thoroughbreds, making the trip from Victoria, will present Lot 274, a daughter of Listed Barbara Shinpoch S. winner Blueberry Smoothie (USA) (Giant’s Causeway {USA}), who has produced two multiple winners from her three foals to race.

Harry Angel was well received two years ago with his debut crop of yearlings, delivering the sale’s top lot at $230,000 for a son of Exceed And Excel mare Kibibi, herself a half-sister to dual Listed winner Athelric.

Click here to view Lot 274

Harry Angel (Ire) | Standing at Darley

Baramul Stud will offer three lots by Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB), whose value has skyrocketed further with the exploits of his first Coolmore Ireland-bred crop in the Northern Hemisphere and the debut of his exciting son Wodeton. Emirates Park will also provide the sale with a rare offering, two offspring of super sire Extreme Choice from his first crop bred off of his $275,000 (inc GST) service fee.

Hidden gem of a sale

“The earnings of the graduates of this sale is huge by comparison with almost every other sale in the country,” Culham said. “But the buying is so much better. Adelaide is a really huge trade sale.

“It's where (pinhookers and syndicators) could really get a steal. It's where they can really get good value for their clients.”

Average earnings for an Adelaide graduate have been $63,864 since 2019, whereas the medium price has been $40,000 for the past two editions, and stand-out graduates are racing the bar every year. Recent graduates include Private Eye (Al Maher), a $62,500 purchase for Proven Thoroughbreds who has since collected over $11.9 million in prize money, and Royal Ascot Group 1 winner Asfoora (Flying Artie), who passed in at the sale.

Private Eye | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography

Culham was also keen to highlight the sale’s appeal as a steady source for private trade and breeze-up horses. HK$28.5 million ($5.8 million) earner Galaxy Patch (Wandjina) was a $50,000 purchase for Will Clarken, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA), and David Jolly from the Adelaide sale from Summerset Park Stud before export to Hong Kong. The racing jurisdiction have been keen bidders, sitting within the top five buyer locations since 2021.

“It’s a hidden gem of a sale,” Culham said. “Really good quality horses come out of it.”

All to play for

Inspections for the sale will kick off after the Magic Millions SA raceday on March 9, with the $200,000 Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic and $120,000 Magic Millions SA 3YO & 4YO Classic offering a preview of what’s on offer at the complex.

Last year’s graduates have already hit the ground running, with three juvenile winners across three states. Last weekend, $90,000 Ducatoon Park graduate Dushenka (Doubtland) debuted as a winner at Eagle Farm for Stuart Kendrick. Ducatoon Park will offer her half-sister by Fierce Impact (Jpn) as Lot 186 in the sale.

Click here to view Lot 186

Dushenka | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography

With the G1 Blue Diamond S. run on February 22 and acceptances for the G1 Golden Slipper S. being finalised as bidding commences, there is plenty of opportunity for a young sire’s profile to be elevated ahead of the sale. Ole Kirk and Farnan, second season sires with leading chances for the country’s top juvenile contests, have five and two offspring apiece in the catalogue, including a Farnan filly from Mill Park Stud’s draft, Lot 11 out of Listed Christmas H.-placed, six-time winner Mazurek (Beneteau).

Click here to view Lot 11

“All of a sudden, the market’s very hot on them. Everybody wants good types and out of good mares,” Culham said, and the Adelaide catalogue aims to tick all of those boxes.

Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale

Ben Culham

Daily News Wrap

Coolmore snaps up $1.15 million mare on Inglis Digital

The broodmare Fashion Faux Pas (USA) (Flatter {USA}) in foal to Snitzel has topped the Inglis Digital January Sale, selling for $1.15 million to Coolmore’s Justin Carey. The Listed Sandpiper S. winner has three live foals, an unnamed 2-year-old filly by King’s Legacy who was bought for $110,000 by Peachester Lodge at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, a yearling colt by Snitzel who made $1.7 million to the bid of Tom Magnier at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and an Extreme Choice filly foal.

“Firstly I want to congratulate James Harron and his partners in Phil Merten, Belinda Bateman, the Doyle family and Love Racing on breeding such a stunning colt that we were so excited to buy a fortnight ago,’’ Carey said of the $1.7 million colt whose full sibling is in utero.

“We’re delighted to have bought this mare off them, a group we’ve had a great relationship with via the likes of King’s Legacy and the very exciting 3-year-old Espionage. We look forward with great excitement to the future with Fashion Faux Pas. We have a high opinion of these fast American mares that seem to have good chemistry with Snitzel and it’s worked with the likes of (Group 1-winning Inglis Easter graduate) Switzerland so hopefully we can enjoy similar success in the future with this mare.

Justin Carey | Image courtesy of Coolmore

“If we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to stand City Of Troy, who was crowned Cartier Horse Of The Year last night, at Coolmore Australia next year, I’m sure she would be a fabulous mating for him also.”

Fashion Faux Pas is a half-sister to the stakes placed dam of five-time Listed winner Flash Of Mischief (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) and Listed winner War Campaign (USA) (Declaration Of War {USA}). This is the family of sire Congrats (USA).

“Our broodmare partnership is a relatively young venture, with our focus always firmly on quality,’’ James Harron told Inglis.

“We have expanded into the American market, having identified a promising trend in the on-track success of progeny from these mares. Fashion Faux Pas exemplified the vision and standards we strive for. Her Snitzel colt, which sold earlier this year for $1.7m to Coolmore, was undoubtedly one of the standout colts of the year and her Extreme Choice filly foal is also excellent.

Fashion Faux Pas (USA) sold for $1,150,000 | Image courtesy of Inglis

“Our strategy will be to continue to turn over these mares, and we are hopeful that Fashion Faux Pas will become a blue hen for Coolmore. They are achieving great success, and their hard work and dedication make it well deserved.

“We have been strong users of the Inglis Digital platform since its inception and while it was new for us to offer such a top-end prospect, this was something we approached with great confidence given the tremendous reach of the platform along with the fact that the buying bench has embraced the concept so warmly.’’

The second top lot was the unraced 3-year-old filly National Code (Written Tycoon), purchased by Craig Keiswetter’s Ridgmont South Africa for $230,000. The catalogue of 519 lots found buyers for 394 horses at a gross of $5,468,349.

James Harron | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

City Of Troy and Laurel River share World’s Best Racehorse for 2024

City Of Troy (USA) (Justify {USA}) and Laurel River (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}), owned by two of racing's superpowers, Coolmore and Juddmonte, have been jointly crowned Longines World's Best Racehorse for 2024.

At a ceremony to mark the Longines Racing Awards at the Savoy Hotel in London on Tuesday it was revealed that they had each gained a rating of 128, marking the first time since 2019 that two horses had shared the top spot in the world rankings.

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Gallery: Horses crowned as the Longines World's Best Racehorse for 2024

The top-rated filly or mare in the world was Via Sistina (GB) (Fastnet Rock), a Group 1 winner on two continents who enjoyed a stellar 2024 in the colours of Yulong Investments. Now trained by Chris Waller, she posted her career-high rating of 127 at the age of six with an eight-length win in the G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate.

It was Laurel River's record eight-and-a-half length victory in the G1 Dubai World Cup which earned him co-Horse of the Year status and made him the world's best horse on dirt. Now seven, the Juddmonte homebred is trained by Bhupat Seemar and he has been nominated for the G1 Saudi Cup. Douglas Erskine Crum, CEO of Juddmonte Farms, said, “He was one of the last homebred horses that Prince Khalid decided the mating for, so he is particularly important for us.”

Lindsay Park have a crack at Karaka Millions 2YO

Lindsay Park have sent 2-year-old colt Hello Romeo (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) to New Zealand for Saturday’s R-Listed Karaka Millions 2YO. It’s really exciting and he (Hello Romeo) has raced well in Victoria and has travelled very well,” Ben Hayes told Loveracing.nz.

“He’s handled all his work really well, he’s quite straight forward and flew over without a problem so we couldn’t be happier with him. We’re all looking forward to it, it’s a good opportunity for our stable and Will and JD will be over for the race day, and I’ll be getting over after the Saturday races here for the sale.”

Foote pleased with Karaka Millions draw

Ben and Ryan Foote were thrilled to grab barrier three with Vega For Luck (NZ) (Lucky Vega {Ire}) for Saturday’s R-Listed Karaka Millions 2YO. “It makes you feel like you’ve got a lot more of a chance, when his name was called out early I was pretty happy,” Ben Foote told Loveracing.nz.

Vega For Luck (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)

“He’s a really good doing 2-year-old, he’s had a lot of runs and gallops around Ellerslie, so we think we’re in with a chance. He’s probably not the best horse in the race, but if he puts himself in it from a good barrier, he can be in it for sure. You’d have to (push forward), it would just be too hard for him to get too far back.” A winner on debut, Vega For Luck was fifth in the G2 Eclipse S. last start.

Go Racing ready for Fun at Karaka

Go Racing’s 3-year-old filly Fun Never Sets (NZ) (Proisir) will run in Saturday’s R-Listed Karaka Millions 3YO. “She is a filly that doesn’t over-race and she does things pretty right. We have got a good, experienced rider on in Warren Kennedy, and have the shortest way home. Barrier 1 seemed the logical one when they came up and we are rapt to get it,” general manager Matt Allnutt told Loveracing.nz.

“Last start she was only 0.2 of a length behind Yaldi, who is third favourite for the race, and if she runs up to what she did last start she can be right there I think. The owners are getting a good ride out of her. She has picked up a maiden win and she has shown us quite a bit. I know Kylie has a good opinion of her and she is a genuine, honest filly and will give the owners something to cheer on Saturday anyway.”

Black type the focus for Clear Thinking

Co-trainer Paul Messara will aim Clear Thinking (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) at stakes class if she resumes well on Saturday at Randwick. “With her being a filly black type is the key for us, she has an international flavoured pedigree and having black type underpins that value,” Messara told racingnsw.com.au.

Clear Thinking (GB) | Image courtesy of Sportpix

“I’ve always marked her more as a sprinter than a 1400 metre and beyond horse. She has the attributes of a sprinting animal so I’ve earmarked a couple of races for her. If she was to come out and win nicely I’d probably have a swing at the Tristarc, and she’d probably have to win nicely to warrant getting into it. If she won a race like that she’s out of the Country Championships.” She is unbeaten in three starts.

Not enough entries see Listed Carrington S. dropped

Racing NSW confirmed on Wednesday that there were insufficient starters for the Listed Carrington S. planned for Randwick on Saturday with just six acceptors for the race, and the race won’t be run. Run on New Year’s Day until 2015, the shift has seen the race clash with other options.

Last year’s winner was Zou Tiger (Zoustar) who has had just the one start since then.

Kiwi sprinters top World’s Best Racehorse lists

Last year Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) was ranked the world’s best sprinter with a rating of 125, and in 2024 Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) and I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) share top honours with Widden shuttler Cogburn (USA), with ratings of 121, in the latest LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.

“The emergence of Ka Ying Rising under David Hayes and Zac Purton for the Ka Ying Syndicate has been a wonderful success,” Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

Ka Ying Rising (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

“Starting out as an unraced import, Ka Ying Rising has surged through Hong Kong’s always competitive sprint ranks to stand as our premier sprinter with his incredible performances, including the setting of a new Sha Tin course record for 1200m, to now be acknowledged as one of the world’s premier sprinters.”

Six decades to be honoured on Thursday

The Dennis Brothers’ six decade contribution to Southland racing will be acknowledged when the Southland Racing Club hold the ‘Dennis Brothers Dynasty Day’ on Thursday. Six races on Thursday’s eight-race card will be named after their past Champion racehorses. “They (Dennis Brothers) stepped back from training earlier this season and the Southland Racing Club are acknowledging their contribution to not only racing in Southland, but racing in New Zealand, and are having the ‘Dennis Brothers Dynasty Day’,” Robert Dennis told Loveracing.nz.

“Apart from The Kurd, who is the foundation mare, the others have all been Champions at the New Zealand Racing Awards.” The others being The Jewel (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), The Pixie (NZ) (Mellay {GB}), The Fantasy (NZ) (Gate Keeper {GB}), The Twinkle (NZ) (Gate Keeper {GB}), and The Dimple (NZ) (Noble Bijou {USA}).

Shadow Of Light crowned European Champion 2-year-old

Dual Group 1 winner and leading 2,000 Guineas hope Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) has been crowned the European Champion Two-Year-Old of 2024 with a rating of 120. The Middle Park and Dewhurst S. winner joins fellow Charlie Appleby-trained colts Pinatubo (Ire) and Native Trail (GB) on the Champion Two-Year-Old roll of honour.

Shadow Of Light (GB) | Image courtesy of Godolphin

“I would imagine he'll go straight into a Guineas,” Appleby said at the European Two-Year-Old Classification Press Conference on Tuesday. “I don't really want to test him over the mile beforehand. Firstly, timing-wise and secondly, I'd rather keep our powder dry and the dream alive going into the Guineas.”

Winds increase and horses evacuated in California

Due to the threat of a nearby wildfire Tuesday, the horses stabled at the San Luis Rey Downs training centre in Bonsall, San Diego County, were evacuated and sent elsewhere, largely to Del Mar racetrack. By Tuesday afternoon, the nearby Lilac Fire had burned through 80 acres and was 30% contained, according to Cal Fire.

“We are still at the same level 2 evacuation warning status so we will continue to monitor the situation and the wind,” Santa Anita general manager Nate Newby wrote in a text Tuesday afternoon, adding that he hoped the “wind stays away.” With 275 horses requiring evacuation, Newby estimated the fire was roughly three to four miles away from the training centre, which is owned by The Stronach Group.

$450,000 sale topper for Fasig-Tipton Digital

Stakes-winning Tuscan Sky (USA) (Vino Rosso {USA}), winner of last year's Listed Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park, topped the Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale on Tuesday when selling for US$450,000 (AU$718,000) to West Bloodstock.

Tuscan Sky (USA) sold for US$450,000 | Image courtesy of Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale

The January Digital Sale, which saw an average of US$28,073 (AU$45,000) and a clearance rate of 79 per cent for its catalogue of horses of racing age, racing/broodmare prospects, broodmares and short yearlings, closed Tuesday evening with 107 horses sold for US$3,003,900 (AU$4.8 million).

Betting deal reached in England

Britbet Racing LLP, a partnership of 55 British racecourses, has today announced an extended commitment from its racecourse partners for the continued delivery of their oncourse pool betting service.

A key element to this commitment from racecourses comes from Britbet renewing a long-term partnership with the UK Tote Group that will deliver liquidity from the majority of its racecourse partners, including all Jockey Club racecourses and the large independent tracks, to the pools hosted by the Tote on racing taking place at these racecourses.

The renewed partnership will continue to provide a united approach to growing pool betting in the UK, with racecourses controlling the delivery of an oncourse service and the Tote providing the recognised brand and the off-course services, combining to create a single pool hosted by the Tote.

Trip to USA on offer

In conjunction with this Saturday's GI Pegasus World Cup, 1/ST Racing is partnering with an international horse racing media rights firm to launch a free-to-play contest that will offer a VIP trip for two to the 2025 GI California Crown at Santa Anita Park in September, including flights, accommodations and raceday hospitality.

The contest, called Crown Jewels Racing is linked to a larger series of international races distributed by HBA Media in England, and the Pegasus contest is the first in a larger series of “league” Crown Jewels games that features a grand prize of a VIP trip for two to the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2026.

“HBA is a company in the UK that is basically a global distribution for horse racing,” Peter Rotondo, the senior vice president of racing and wagering for 1/ST, told TDN. “They have deals with all the major race meets around the world, and they distribute their content.”

Daily News Wrap

Looking Ahead - January 23

Rockhampton, Race 2, 11am AEDT (10am local), TAB QTIS Three-Year-Old Mdn Plate, $23,000, 1300m

Ange, 3-year-old filly (Spirit Of Boom x Fendalton {Toorak Toff})

The sharply-bred Ange is set to make her second start over 1300 metres for trainer Jessica Kuhn at Rockhampton on Thursday. She ran a solid fourth on debut at Rockhampton on December 31 over 1200 metres where she battled away solidly behind Catmiss (Calyx {GB}). It did look the run of an improver and it will be no surprise to see her feature in this maiden event.

Ange is a daughter of Spirit Of Boom and is out of the Toorak Toff mare Fendalton. She only raced twice on the track but comes from a solid family.

Ange as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis

Fendalton is half-sister to the very talented filly Cheeky Choice (Redoute’s Choice), she was a four-time winner and her biggest wins were in the G1 Flight S. and the G2 Tea Rose S. She has gone on to leave three winners, that are all by More Than Ready (USA), these include Blatant, Bit Of Cheek and Roguish.

Other successful stakes-winners within this page are Blondeau (I Am Invincible), Jackofall (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and the Group 1 winning Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}).

Fendalton since producing Ange was exported to New Zealand and has left a 2-year-old colt by Strasbourg named Nullabor (NZ), a yearling colt by Tarzino (NZ) and was due to foal to Tarzino again last spring.

Ange was a $5,000 value purchase by Anthony Bennett from the 2024 Inglis Digital November (Late) Sale.

Tamworth, Race 5, 3.35pm AEDT, Happy Birthday Shay Brennan Showcase Super Mdn Plate, $50,000, 1200m

Brilliant Knight, 3-year-old gelding (Dundeel {NZ} x Jemison {Commands})

The Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich-trained Brilliant Knight will make his debut over 1200 metres at Tamworth on Thursday. He looked handy at the trials at Newcastle on December 30 when defeating Great Brazen (Brazen Beau) in stylish fashion by 0.15l.

This well-related gelding is by Dundeel (NZ) and is the ninth live-foal from the Commands mare Jemison, who was metropolitan placed in Sydney on the track. She has thrived as a broodmare leaving five winners including the outstanding Hong Kong galloper Contentment (Hussonet {USA}), he was a 10-time winner in Hong Kong and was successful in the G1 Champions Mile, G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, Listed Sha Tin Trophy and the Listed Celebration Cup.

Brilliant Knight as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis

Her other winners include Godzilla (Shalaa {Ire}) who has also been stakes-placed, Cheerful Legend (Shalaa {Ire}) who has been a five-time winner and managed a fourth placing in the G2 Sires’ Produce S. and the Charge Forward duo Alabama Charge and Complacency.

Further back in the family features the very good juvenile and New Zealand stallion in Align, who was successful four times as a 2-year-old and was successful in the G1 Sires’ Produce S., G2 Slipper Trial S. and the Listed Gosford Slipper.

Jemison since producing Brilliant Knight has produced a yearling colt by Castelvecchio, and last spring foaled a Hitotsu filly before subsequently visiting that same stallion again.

Brilliant Knight was a $150,000 purchase by S Shek from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Sportsbet-Pakenham, Race 2, 6.15pm AEDT, Precision Mechanical Services 4YO+ Mdn Plate, $40,000, 1400m

Stairway, 4-year-old gelding (So You Think {NZ} x Babel {Lonhro})

The Ballarat based-trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy saddle up Stairway (So You Think {NZ}) to make his second start over 1400 metres at Pakenham on Thursday. On debut he ran a solid fifth as favourite on the Ballarat Synthetic track on May 24 behind Pride Of Proisir (NZ) (Proisir), he was straight away put out for a break and has looked like he has come back well going by his recent trials and jumpouts and should be ready to go for this resuming run.

This promising gelding is the fifth foal from the Lonhro mare Babel, who was a five-time on the track and classy enough to place in the Listed Belle Of the Turf S. She has made a promising start to her broodmare career leaving three winners including Translator (Helmet), Shinar (Bernardini {USA}), and Statesmanship (So You Think).

Stairway as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions

Some other group-performers that feature in the pedigree are Any Day Will Do (Any Given Saturday {USA}), Centainette (NZ) (Centaine), Seascay (NZ), Littorio (Bellotto {USA}), and Camino Rocoso (NZ) (Shocking).

Babel since producing Stairway has produced a 3-year-old gelding by Dundeel (NZ) named Gunner who was placed at Yarra Valley at his last start, a yearling colt by Tiger Of Malay and was served by Hanseatic last spring.

Stairway was a $200,000 purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the draft of Rothwell Park Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Looking Back

In Haste (Snitzel) - won in dominant fashion at Matamata by 4.3l, she definitely looks up to stakes-level races on the back of that lovely win.

Busker (Trapeze Artist) - was disappointing at Doomben, he raced very green and dropped out in the straight to run eighth.

Sensational Wind (I Am Invincible) - ran a nice race for fifth on the Randwick-Kensington track, although it may not look that great on paper it was a lovely run from back in the field, and being out of a Group 1 Oaks winner more ground is going to suit this lovely filly. She is one to follow as she stretches out in distance.

Looking Ahead

Looking Back

Debutants

1 min read

First-time starters lining up on Thursday, January 23

2YO & 3YO Winners by Sire

First Season Sire Runners & Results

1 min read

First Season Sires’ Results

Results: Wednesday, January 22

First Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Thursday, January 23

No first season sires' runners

First Season Sire Results

First Season Sire Runners

Second Season Sire Runners & Results

Second Season Sires’ Results

Results: Wednesday, January 22

Second Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Thursday, January 23

Second Season Sire Results

Second Season Sire Runners

NSW Race Results