Reasonable tops Inglis Digital
Coolmore’s Tom Magnier purchased the top lot at Wednesday’s Inglis Digital March Sale, spending $295,000 on 4-year-old mare Reasonable (Justify {USA}) who is a winning half-sister to Group 2 winner Fiesta (I Am Invincible).
"She’s a particularly good-looking daughter of Justify, who has proven himself to be a world class stallion, and we’ll bring her home with the view of her visiting Switzerland in his first season at stud later this year,’’ Coolmore’s John Kennedy said.
“We were keen to buy our partners out of the mare as we think it will be beneficial in the long term to accumulate quality daughters of Justify. There was stiff competition for her, she was extremely popular.
Reasonable | Image courtesy of Inglis
“She’s from an active family, she’s the type of mare we believe is going to produce very good-looking foals and we think she’ll be ideally suited to go to Switzerland, our young stallion-in-waiting that we intend to support heavily at his first season at stud.”
The broodmare Sancy (I Am Invincible) in foal to Shinzo topped the Canning Downs dispersal at $125,000 purchased by Walnut Farm, who also spent $100,000 on a Pierata breeding right amongst 12 purchases in the sale.
Of the 497 lots catalogued in the Inglis Digital March Late sale, 363 sold at a clearance rate of 75.9 per cent. The sale averaged $11,772 with a gross of $4.2 million. Six lots made more than six figures, five of them fillies.
Griff to stand at Larneuk Stud
Larneuk Stud announced on Wednesday that G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Griff would begin his stallion career at the Victorian farm in the 2025 season for $9900 (inc GST). “We could not be more delighted to be welcoming Griff to Larneuk,” said Neville Murdoch.
Griff | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“Horses of his talent and quality are hard to come by and it is very exciting to have a Caulfield Guineas winner calling Larneuk home.” Winner of four of his 15 starts and over $2.1 million, Griff is a son of Trapeze Artist and Sebring mare Chateau Griffo who placed in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (fillies) on debut.
"He is the best value Caulfield Guineas winner at stud,” said Murdoch.
Crocetti announced for The Quokka
New Zealand galloper Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) has been announced as the runner for the Trackside NZ / Perth Racing slot in The Quokka. “This horse has already provided us with so much fun and excitement in his career,” owner and co-breeder Daniel Nakhle told Loveracing.nz.
“To take it to the next level with this trip to Perth alongside the Trackside NZ and Perth Racing teams is another memorable step along a pretty amazing journey.”
Crocetti won the NZ Champion Sprint Series. “We’ve watched the New Zealand racing with interest over the summer, and to get the Champion Sprint Series winner as the Kiwi representative is a fantastic result,” Perth Racing chief executive James Oldring said.
"We saw great wagering results on The KIA Quokka last year in New Zealand through our slot partnership with Trackside NZ, and with a boom sprinter like Crocetti, we expect that Kiwi interest in racing in Perth will continue to grow.”
Vale John Richardson
New Zealand Bloodstock agent and journalist John Richardson died last week aged 88. “Early in 1975, he was appointed editor of the newly founded Bloodhorse Magazine, a position he held for three years before shifting to Dalgety Bloodstock as its pedigree writer,” wrote Brian de Lore in Loveracing.nz on Wednesday.
“During his time at Bloodhorse Magazine, John greatly contributed to the compilation of the New Zealand Stallion Register. In 1983, John then founded his own bloodstock company, which he called The Carbine Agency, running it successfully for 19 years from his 12-acre property on Bruntwood Road, halfway between Hamilton and Cambridge.
John Richardson | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“John immediately succeeded in his new business by selling top 2-year-olds Nordic Seal and Era of Triumph to California. A year later, he negotiated the importation of Pompeii Court, sire of Courtza, the first New Zealand-bred Golden Slipper winner in 1988. He also negotiated the sale of the top 3-year-olds Hi Reason and Jurango to the USA, and later the Trentham Golden Mile winner, Pokare.
“In his later years John wrote some very good breeding articles for the now defunct weekly racing paper, The Informant. He was skilled in many of facets of racing and breeding and made a very worthwhile contribution in the industry’s halcyon days. He is survived by his three daughters, Emma, Lucy and Kate.”
Seven for Treasurethe Moment
Will the forecast rain upset 3-year-old filly Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express)’s chance at winning seven in succession? “At some point you’ve got to know what they can and can’t do,” Matt Laurie told racingnsw.com.au.
Treasurethe Moment | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“If she doesn’t handle it then so be it, you’d be thinking twice about running in an Oaks if it’s similar. But these good horses can often do things they shouldn’t, even when it comes to conditions. If we were running on a dry track this weekend we’d just be continuing on our merry way. It changes everything, not only do we have to handle going in a different direction we may have to line up on a pretty rain affected track. That may allow the others to get into it a bit more.”
Arapaho to defend Tancred title
Bjorn Baker-trained 7-year-old gelding Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) won the G1 Tancred Stakes in 2023, and the G2 Zipping Classic over this spring, and comes into Saturday’s G1 Tancred Stakes off a last start second in the G3 Sky High Stakes. “I thought he ran super, he was unlucky not to get the bob in but I think he’s right on track to be in for a very good preparation again,” said jockey Rachel King.
“I think he’s going definitely as good if not better than he was two years ago. He’s a real confidence horse and his confidence definitely couldn’t be any higher at the moment. He’s won on everything from a good 3 to a heavy 10, he seems to go on anything. He has put in some really good performances on wet tracks, a few of them in lesser grade, but he’s pretty straightforward to be honest.”
Dubai Honour back for another Sydney success
Globe-travelling Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) will run in Saturday’s G1 Tancred Stakes. “That’s the way he’s gone being older, and with his racing style, but he’s been really effective at the trip,” jockey Tom Marquand told racingnsw.com.au.
“He won a Group 1 in France at the distance and has run super in Hong Kong at it too. Seemingly it’s where he is now, especially on a sharper track like Rosehill it’s definitely up his alley. He feels great, really well. It was more just a pipe opener (on Tuesday) and hopefully it has him in the right spot.” He won the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes two years ago.
Australian Cup for Attrition
Trainer Mitch Freedman thinks Group 1 winner Attrition (Churchill {Ire}) can deal with the extra distance in Saturday’s G1 Australian Cup. “He didn't have conditions to suit first-up but I thought he was super in the Blamey, so we've been really happy with his preparation and going to 2000 metres for the first time, it's something we're really looking forward to seeing,” Freedman told racing.com.
Attrition | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“We thought we had his fitness levels where they needed to be and we just needed to keep him ticking over (since the Blamey). He's had a couple of strong pieces of work on the grass and completed those in really good fashion. We've been really happy with him and we'd be expecting him to go on Saturday and run up to his best.”
First Settler resumes on Saturday
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained 3-year-old colt First Settler (Written Tycoon) will resume in Saturday’s Listed Sprint Classic at Flemington. “He is as ready as he can be. He's as fit as you can have him without going to the races and he loves the straight,” Price told racing.com.
“He'll be in the money somewhere … I believe it will be a really competitive race, but that horse has had a really good prep. Mentally, he's a cool colt. He's not a colt where we have to worry about his attitude.
First Settler | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He's usually pretty good at the races, he's not a testosterone-type colt. He's just a nice, intelligent, big, strong, good-sprinting horse. His form down the straight is always good, so I expect him to be good on Saturday and then he's off to Sydney - probably in the Arrowfield.”
Weather the main concern for Morgan
Trainer Andrew Forsman is pleased with how 3-year-old gelding Mustang Morgan (NZ) (Preferment {NZ}) has travelled to Sydney ahead of Saturday’s G2 Tulloch Stakes. “I am just a little bit nervous looking at the weather forecast,” Forsman told Loveracing.nz of the horse who ran fourth in the NZ Derby last start.
“He has only had the one run on a rain affected surface and it wasn’t that flash, albeit as a young, inexperienced horse. Otherwise, I am very happy with how he has travelled over and settled in, we just hope the track isn’t too bad and he gets the chance to prove where he’s at.”
Alabama Lass to sprint at Flemington
Exciting New Zealand-trained 3-year-old filly Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) will run in Saturday’s Listed Sprint Classic. "You got a chance of getting wet weather in Sydney in the autumn, so we looked at this," co-trainer Ken Kelso told racenet.com.au.
“It's a good option, nice stake money, even though it's Listed, to get some Aussie black type and go down the straight, is the plan. She doesn't have to lead … she can take a sit if she wants. See how she measures up really, we'll be a lot wiser after Saturday.
Alabama Lass | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“They tell me Price's horse (First Settler) goes all right and Waller's (Gatsby's), my Aussie man tells me, (but) I'll leave the form up to Craig (Williams).”
Exceedance juvenile wins at Sandown
Clayton Douglas-trained 2-year-old filly No Limitation (Exceedance) won at Sandown on Wednesday by 0.06l for jockey Luke Currie over Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained colt Facilitate (Capitalist). “It was really relieving actually, she's obviously tackled some good company … her last start here was really solid,.” Douglas said.
“She's not overly big, but we just sort of gave her a little freshen after her last run and she's done really well since, we haven't had to do much with her. It's just really good to get a winner for Barry and Mitch Griffiths. They're good supporters for the stable and obviously they're very famous colours. Barry purchased her (No Limitation) himself and we've got the sister at home, so we're really looking forward to the future with that family.”
Sixth last start in the G3 Chairman’s Stakes, No Limitation was having her third start. She was a $34,000 purchase by B Griffiths from Vinery Stud’s Inglis May Yearling Sale. She is the first foal of city winner Pierro Belle (Pierro), who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Xilong (Deep Field) out of Group 3 winner Pane In The Glass (Testa Rossa).
Around the nation: Wednesday’s highlights
Wednesday enjoyed six race meetings spread across six states. At Sandown, 3-year-old filly Bronte Beach (Justify {USA}) made it two from two with a strong win over 1400 metres. At Eagle Farm, 3-year-old filly Pocketmoney (Neorealism {Jpn}) won on debut. Jockey Damien Thornton enjoyed a treble on 2-year-old filly Ha’Penny Hatch (NZ), 3-year-old filly Moscow Circus (Russian Revolution) and Chillaxing (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Castelvecchio sired a double at Canberra with a pair of 3-year-olds, filly Hazel Jean and gelding Il Passero, who has now won two of his last three starts.
Sunshine In Paris and Lilac gallop
An exhibition gallop between races at Kensington on Wednesday for Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained Lilac (Justify {USA}) and Group 1 winner Sunshine In Paris (Invader) helped get them ready for upcoming assignments. “Sunshine In Paris led up, travelled really nicely and relaxed well then (Chad Schofield) gave her a little squeeze,” Archibald told racenet.com.au.
Rob Archibald | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She was excellent through the line and travelled well the whole way so from our point of view, it was perfect. She has pulled up well without having a blow and Chad (Schofield) is happy with her. He feels like she is hold her form well and if she can improve a length, she shouldn't be far away in the TJ next week.”
Purton to ride El Vencedor in Hong Kong
Jockey Zac Purton has been booked to ride Kiwi Group 1 winner El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) in the G1 QE II Cup next month. “You can’t knock horses that are winning and you take Romantic Warrior out of the race here from Hong Kong, Voyage Bubble’s going back to the mile, so there’s not really anything else around here over the mile-and-a-quarter,” Purton told scmp.com.
El Vencedor (NZ) | Image courtesy of Selena Wright
“The Japanese horses will come, they’re always very strong. If Goliath comes, he’ll be hard to beat, but they’ve all got to get on the plane to come here first. I will ride (El Vencedor), so that’s a nice ride to pick up.”
Infertile Bucanero Fuerte back in work
The breeding game's loss could be the racetrack's gain after Amo Racing revealed on Tuesday that Group 1-winning sprinter Bucanero Fuerte (GB) has made a return to training with Adrian Murray following an unsuccessful stint at stud.
Big things had been expected from Bucanero Fuerte at Tally Ho Stud, where he had been advertised at an opening fee of €12,500 (AU$21,000). However, after failing to get a single mare in foal, he is back in full training and connections are quietly hopeful that the hugely-talented son of Wootton Bassett (GB) can make the return to the racecourse a seamless one.
Confirming the news, Amo Racing's Ryan McElligott told TDN Europe, “Bucanero Fuerte has been withdrawn from stud duties. He has returned to Adrian Murray, who will bring him along with a view to having him ready for a return to the track. He was a top-class racehorse, and if he can get back to that level, there's plenty to look forward to. For now, we'll see what the future holds for him.”
Northern Farm buys Emily Upjohn, in foal to Flightline
Northern Farm has snapped up multiple Group 1 winner Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who is reported to be in foal to the unbeaten Breeders' Cup Classic winner Flightline (USA). Emily Upjohn was famously sourced by Tom Goff of Blandford Bloodstock for just 60,000gns (AU$128,000) at the Book 2 session of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2020.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Emily Upjohn won five of her 16 starts and won over £1.2 million (AU$2.6 million) in prize-money. Emily Upjohn's career-highlight came when winning the G1 Champions Fillies and Mares at Ascot on British Champions Day in 2022, while she was also successful at the highest level when landing the Coronation Cup at Epsom in 2023.
Emily Upjohn (GB) | Image courtesy of British Champions Series
Confirming that the 6-year-old mare had been sold to the powerhouse Japanese breeding operation, part-owner Jon Shack told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, “It was always understood that I was in for Emily Upjohn's racing career. The breeding side of things is very intricate and complicated, and it occupies a huge number of years ahead and I'm now officially a pensioner. My Dad is quite elderly and we just decided that the racing side was of more interest to us.
“I wish her new owners well. For commercial reasons, everyone was in agreement that there was an opportunity for Emily Upjohn to continue her next career in Kentucky or Japan. Everyone was in agreement on that.”
