Daily News Wrap

ATC to deliver Rosehill information pack to members

On Monday, the Australian Turf Club emailed members with regards to the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) scheduled for Tuesday May 27 to vote on the future of Rosehill. The email included a link to a Telegraph article discussing an $800 million upgrade of Warwick Farm, as well as the following statement.

“On Tuesday 6 May, Members will receive a detailed ‘Notice of Meeting’ information pack that includes all you need to know about the proposal – including the planned allocation of funds if the sale proceeds - and guidance on how to lodge your vote.”

Proposed upgrade to Warwick Farm

In an exclusive article, The Telegraph broke the news on Monday that the Australian Turf Club (ATC) will unveil plans to spend $800 million upgrading Warwick Farm racecourse, if the sale of Rosehill goes ahead. The article doesn’t outline any details but mentions that these are to be released in the information document by the ATC on Tuesday.

The idea is the latest in the series of proposed options for an alternate venue, which once included the Brick Pit at Sydney Olympic Park, while another option was stated to be an undisclosed yet to be purchased location “west of Sydney”. Last week, the Sydney Morning Herald published a report that a farm owned by Gai Waterhouse would be used for a new racetrack, which Waterhouse rejected on her social media.

The initial vote on April 3 was halted by Racing NSW on March 29 citing a lack of informarion to members, and pushed back to May 12.

Campionessa retired

Already announced as part of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Te Akau Racing formally retired Group 1-winning Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) on Monday. “She was a great mare, very tough, and just got better from season to season,” co-trainer Mark Walker told Loveracing.nz.

“As a 3-year-old, she went through the grades, but we didn’t necessarily think that she was up to Group 1 quality. But she continued to improve and as a 5-year-old and went down to our Riccarton base in search of black-type. She ran second in the Spring Classic and then won Metropolitan Trophy, the lead-up to the New Zealand Cup, with a brilliant ride by Josh Parr.

“We spelled her and she came back and won the Rich Hill Mile first-up, which has always been a hard race to win, and it was an exceptional effort. To win it first-up, we knew then that she was continuing to improve, and each season she just got better and better, highlighted with her two peak performances in the Zabeel Classic and the Peter Young Stakes in Melbourne.

“She’s always been a very sound mare, very tough, and she’d be a great addition to anyone’s broodmare band.” Winner of 11 of her 41 starts and over $1.2 million, Campionessa won the 2023 G1 Zabeel Classic.

Hawkesbury celebrate large crowd for Guineas

The Hawkesbury Racing Club enjoyed their largest crowd on Saturday since 2021. “Perfect weather conditions contributed to a significant year-on-year increase in raceday attendance, making this our biggest Cup Day since the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in 2021,” Hawkesbury Race Club's Chief Executive Officer, James Heddo told racingnsw.com.au.

“Following the success of our Country Music Raceday in September last year, as well as our Groove on the Grass Raceday in March, it’s clear the local Community has embraced our offering of a complete day of high-quality racing paired with vibrant off-track entertainment.

“The racing program featured three Group 3 races and a Listed race with over $1.8 million prizemoney on offer. High quality fields, competitive races and thrilling finishes delivered an electric atmosphere for racegoers.

“Off the track, the crowd enjoyed a hotly contested Fashions on the Field competition and a post-race performance by popular band X-Mentals, capping off a day to remember. The Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting continues to grow in stature each year.”

Ka Ying Rising to chase bonus double

Trainer David Hayes announced that a slot deal for star sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) for the 2025 G1 The Everest is closer, and he’ll keep his brilliant gelding in Sydney to target the bonus double on offer if he can win both The Everest and the Russell Balding Stakes, a double won by Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) in 2024 and worth an extra $1 million if both can be achieved. “The race (Russell Balding Stakes) after The Everest carries a bonus for The Everest winner,” Hayes told racenet.com.au.

“It means he doesn't have to do any extra travelling and doesn't have to go through the protocols again to run in Melbourne, so the protocols made my decision very easy. It's a rule that needs to be looked at and reviewed, but it's the rule at the moment so while the rule's in place, I won't consider Melbourne (for his start after The Everest). I would understand if it's his first run in Australia but it's not."

“I would have dearly loved to have shown him off in Victoria – it's my hometown and it would have been great to run there, but the protocols aren't making it favourable. I'm not asking for any favours, but I think they should review the rule. I think it's overkill.

“The horse has to go to hospital to have the tests – normally healthy horses aren't in hospital – he has to travel which is another risk, have a day away from his routine feed and be tranquillised to have it done, so it's quite an ordeal.”

Ferguson and Fitt behind new Jockeys' League

Plans are taking shape for a new global jockeys' league, which would see 12 world-renowned riders compete against each other multiple times a year, across prestigious racecourses located in each of the major racing jurisdictions.

It is hoped that the project will get off the ground in 2026, provided commercial partners to help fund the competition can be found in the interim.

Co-founded by former Godolphin chief executive John Ferguson and Lachlan Fitt, who served as chief financial officer of Entain Australia from 2018 until earlier this year, the idea has been conceived with the aim of bringing a fresh audience to the sport.

Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore and James McDonald are among the jockeys expected to be involved in the competition, which would see them compete for points under their own individual team branding in up to 10 events a year.

It is understood the jockeys will also own equity in their own team and be shareholders in the league, with organisers of the franchise seeking to secure commercial partners with the aim of securing a total prize fund of US$15 million within two years.

Antino set for Doomben 10,000

Trainer Tony Gollan with run Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) in Saturday’s G2 Hollindale Stakes as preparation for the G1 Doomben 10,000. He won last year’s G1 Toorak Handicap by 6.5l. “You won't see that sort of performance second-up in a Hollindale, but you could see something like that in a Doomben Cup, who knows?” Gollan told racingqueensland.com.au.

“It's always been the plan to go to the Hollindale second-up, just with the way the races fell. He was a pass mark for me in the All Aged, especially the way the race was run. Obviously we'll ride him to give him a bit more room on the Gold Coast and, providing he handles the surface, there's no reason why he couldn't run really well.

“He's definitely fit enough for the 1800. He's improved out of sight from the trip to Sydney and back and he'll get there in very good order second-up.”

Bellum Justum qualifies for the Caulfield Cup

Trainer Andrew Balding won Friday’s G2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket with 4-year-old entire Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) to qualify for a G1 Caulfield Cup ballot free place. “He's a high-class horse, got some good form from last year,” Balding told racing.com.

“We're delighted because he was a very big disappointment in the John Porter (Stakes), so it's good to see him back on track. I think we'll wait for the Hardwicke Stakes. He's had a hard-enough race there and it would be nice to have a runner with a chance for King Power at the Royal Meeting.”

RIP Famous Seamus

Noel Mayfield-Smith Racing announced that their former G1 BTC Cup winner Famous Seamus (NZ) (Elusive City {USA}) had died aged 16. “A truly legendary horse whose unbreakable spirit will eternally inspire our hearts. As a dazzling star of my stable, Famous Seamus showcased incredible speed and resilience in all his races, leaving an enduring legacy that will forever uplift our lives,” said the stable tribute.

“Famous Seamus was owned by Mr Jim & Mrs Janice Simpson and during his race career was strapped by our devoted employee Alyssa Mitchell.”

Retired in 2017, Famous Seamus won 12 races and over $1.3 million including the G1 BTC Cup and seven other stakes races.

Around the nation: Monday’s highlights

Grafton was abandoned on Monday, leaving three race meetings across Australia. At Gunnedah, jockey Aaron Bullock rode a treble on debutant 3-year-old colt Oakfield Mercury (So You Think {NZ}), 3-year-old filly Lady Olenna (Shalaa {Ire}), and Tigers Roar (Jungle Cat {Ire}).

At Ipswich, 2-year-old gelding Mishani Extreme (Kobayashi) took his record to two wins from six starts with an 0.25l victory for apprentice jockey Olivia Kendal. Bevan Laming trained 2-year-old gelding Call Da Vinci (Under The Louvre) won at his second start, having run second on debut to stakes winner Cool Archie (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}). Spirit Of Boom sired a double at the meeting with Boomroux and Jenchick Boom.

Sovereignty pulls up well after Derby

One day removed from a big win with Sovereignty (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) in the GI Kentucky Derby, the media converged on Bill Mott's barn on the Churchill Downs backside Sunday Morning. Accompanied by Godolphin's Michael Banahan, Mott indicated the colt exited the 10-furlong Classic in good order, however, had also sustained 'a small scrape–about four inches' on his right front pastern during the early part of the race.

“He did sustain a little scrape on the outside of his pastern, most likely leaving the gate,” Mott said Sunday.

“He broke and the horse outside of him was trying to get over, and it looked like maybe that horse caught him on the outside of his right front pastern. It's more of a scrape, it's not a cut, a scrape about four inches long. Right now, it looks to be a superficial thing, but everything else on him looks good: knees, ankles, jogging good. I can't be happier with everything else…On a normal day with a horse that's not him, you wouldn't be concerned about it, really. When I got back to the barn last night after the race, he'd already eaten up, his tub was empty.”

Night Of Thunder thunders on in USA

Nothing like coming 10-wide on your return to the races, but if you're going to make a comeback, why not do it big? Dynamic Pricing (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) kicked off her 2025 campaign by overcoming drama she likely won't see again, and took home the trophy for the G3 Beaugay Stakes to boot.

Dynamic Pricing's sire Night of Thunder is the current heir apparent to the great Dubawi (Ire)'s line–a precious link to the ill-fated Dubai Millennium, who only managed to produce 56 foals before passing away from complications of grass sickness. That this line, a miracle by many standards in itself, continues to thrive such as it does serves testament to the quality Dubawi and his sons can produce.

With seven champions and progeny earnings of over US$38-million, Night of Thunder proves more than capable of flying the house standards as another daughter, Desert Flower (Ire), was part of Godolphin's fleet of four over the weekend that claimed the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks in the USA, and the G1 Betfred 2000 Guineas and G1 Betfred 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

New Bay has an Oaks filly

Sent off the 6-4 favourite for Sunday's Listed Betfred Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, Shadwell's Falakeyah (GB) (New Bay {GB}) showed why with a comprehensive success in this Oaks pointer. “We will have a chat with Team Shadwell, but Jim just said there that a mile and a half might be far enough for her,” trainer Owen Burrows said. She is now unbeaten in two starts.

“Put it this way, I wouldn't be telling everybody to back her for the Oaks yet. Possibly the Prix de Diane could be for her, as that was mentioned. You have got to be very impressed with her. She is a big filly with a big stride and we didn't want to be pulling her out of that. She got a little bit lonely in front, and probably got a bit tired, which she is more than entitled to, but it was good. She just changed her legs in the dip a couple of times, but they are entitled to do that.”

Sunly heads to French Oaks

Juddmonte homebred Sunly (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) delivered a dominant performance in Sunday's Listed Prix de la Seine, a traditional launching pad for next month's G1 Prix de Diane, at ParisLongchamp. “Sunly had come on a lot from her first run, but she has not fully bloomed yet so it was most encouraging to win again,” commented trainer Francis Graffard.

“Christophe (Soumillon) felt that the rain-softened ground didn't help and that faster ground would be to her liking. He is also convinced that one-and-a-half miles will be her best trip, so all this naturally leads to the (June 1) G3 Prix de Royaumont next.”