Cover Image courtesy of Darby Racing Syndications

An Australian syndicator that continues to deliver consistent success year after year is Darby Racing. The syndication company has enjoyed another strong season of results on the track, most recently highlighted by victory in the G2 Brisbane Cup. Director Scott Darby couldn’t be happier with how the season has unfolded, but explains that the company is always striving for more, and is prepared to look both near and far to find the next crop of horses to carry the now-prominent Darby Racing silks.

A season to remember for Darby Racing

The iconic Darby Racing silks - white with the navy blue logo, have become synonymous with racetrack success. Instantly recognisable, those colours have recently been carried by some outstanding performers, including G1 Golden Slipper heroine She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain), dual Group 1 winner Yankee Rose (All American), G1 winner Samadoubt (Not A Single Doubt), and G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes hero-turned-sire Ozzmosis.

As has become customary for Darby Racing, the 2024/2025 season has once again delivered a steady stream of winners. Among the standout performers this season are Within the Law (Lucky Vega {Ire}), Iowna Merc (Winning Rupert), Robusto (Churchill {Ire}), Sandpaper (Snitzel), Caballus (I Am Invincible), Our Anchorage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Goldman (NZ) (Verdi {NZ}), and Overpass (Vancouver), all stakes winners this season.

Gallery: Darby Racing 2024/2025 major winners

“It’s been a record-breaking year,” said Scott Darby.

“We have had a good run the last three or four years, and you kind of pinch yourself, but this year we have broken all our records by prizemoney and winners, and we still have a bit to go.

“You know tough times will come, but we seem to have lots of horses continually stepping up, which enables that momentum to keep going. It’s also nice to have it across the board now too, with young horses, stayers, imports, tried horses etc.

“We are absolutely rapt and blessed at the moment, long may it continue. I really do want to acknowledge my hard-working staff: Mark, Loren, Steve, Claire, and Carolyn. They don’t get the accolades that they often deserve, but they play a huge part in us being able to have success on the track. They work extremely hard.”

Dreaming of the first Tuesday in November

The G1 Melbourne Cup looms as a possible spring target for emerging New Zealand-bred stayer Campaldino (NZ) (Ghibellines), who continued his sharp climb through the staying ranks with a dominant win in the G2 Brisbane Cup over two miles at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

The progressive Ghibellines gelding has pieced together an eye-catching string of victories this campaign, rising from success in the Orange Cup, to a restricted ratings race at Kensington, followed by the G3 Premier’s Cup, and now claiming the G2 Brisbane Cup.

This rich vein of form has co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott dreaming of the first Tuesday in November. Speaking after the race, Bott confirmed that the Melbourne Cup is now firmly on the radar.

“I think we’ll have to go for the Melbourne Cup,” Bott told media. “He’s an amazing, progressive horse. He’s come a long way and that tops off the campaign nicely.

“He can't have too long off, but he’s had some nice conditioning this preparation and we’ll try and work backwards from the Melbourne Cup.

“He’s still learning what it is all about. Even when he hit the front today, I was worried about him getting there too early. There is still progression to come. He had a bit of a wander around when he got to the rail, but when he was challenged, I thought he responded nicely in the end.

“He’s lightly raced for a stayer and it will be exciting to see what he can do in a few campaigns ahead.”

From just 14 starts, Campaldino has now recorded six wins and four placings, amassing over $500,000 for a Darby Racing syndicate and their many partners.

Campaldino was a private purchase by Rob Waterhouse and is by the White Robe Lodge stallion Ghibellines out of Zuzana (NZ) (Shocking). His pedigree reinforces his two-mile credentials, with further stamina inherited from his grand-dam Laezeel (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), a full sister to Caulfield Cup runner-up Laebeel (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).

Remarkably, Campaldino may be one of the few horses to contest a G1 Melbourne Cup who broke his maiden in a highweight race at Taupō, carrying a hefty 69kg. He’s now turned that unconventional beginning into a career boasting more than half a million in stakes earnings and counting.

Darby Racing’s Scott Darby was full of praise and cautious optimism following the Brisbane Cup win.

“He has really been a bit of a surprise packet this time in. The way he won the Orange Cup, we thought he might have come back super well.

“I was a bit worried about the 3200 metres as it is a new pain barrier, but once I had another look through his damline, I was pretty confident, Shocking, Zabeel, and some of the performances from relations were over staying events, there are plenty of strong stamina influences there.

“Naturally we will look towards the Melbourne Cup. Time will tell if he is up to it, but he has made a big leap this time in and that may continue.

“We have imported five in from New Zealand and so far have got four winners, two at stakes level, and the other two could potentially get to that level.

“We are building a good little record with those horses that have been bought well.”

Darby Racing can find value

Scott Darby and the team at Darby Racing have a well-earned reputation for unearthing value wherever they go. Whether it’s picking up a modestly priced yearling at auction, sourcing a tried horse online in Australia, making private purchases from New Zealand, dipping into the Northern Hemisphere market, or even racing homebreds like Group 2, Group 3 and Listed winner Iowna Merc (Winning Rupert), the results speak for themselves.

When asked whether there are specific target areas, Darby explained that the buying brief is broad and opportunistic.

“We don't really have a big focus on a particular area, but we are always looking for horses. Our big idea is to not pay too much money and to try and get horses that can pick up that lucrative Saturday prizemoney.”

The results with tried horses, in particular, have been impressive.

“We have had a really good run with the tried horses, particularly ones purchased online, an incredible run with the likes of Robusto, Sandpaper, Caballus and Imperial Force. We go in with realistic expectations, but to land stakes races and million-dollar purses with them has been fantastic.”

Robusto was purchased for $160,000 from the Inglis September (Early) Online Sale and has since won roughly $1.37 million for his new connections including success in the $2 Million G2 The Ingham.

Sandpaper was a Inglis Online purchase for $130,000 and he has picked up roughly $400,000 for his connections including Group 3 success, Caballus has been a Group 3 and Listed winner after he was picked up for $315,000 on Inglis Online again, he has picked up just under $500,000 in prizemoney, and Imperial Force (Snitzel) was purchased on Inglis Online for $285,000 and he has nearly picked up his purchase price in prizemoney from only four starts and he looks like he has much more to give.

Darby also praised the work of trainer Bjorn Baker, who has played a pivotal role in maximising the potential of these purchases.

“I believe there are none better than Bjorn and his team. They have picked up these horses from some of the best trainers and produced great results - maybe even taken them to a new level. We are having some great success together in this area of buying.”

No one-size-fits-all approach

With a growing client base that now includes roughly 4,000 owners, Darby Racing caters to a wide range of preferences, from those chasing a Golden Slipper dream to those simply looking for the fun of racehorse ownership.

“We don’t really buy horses for certain clients, but we obviously do have some that prefer the Slipper dream, or some want to go racing quicker with a tried horse.” Darby said

“I prefer to think of our portfolio of horses as a bit like a football team - you always want to strengthen your team and make it stronger in all areas if you can. We just try to get horses that we want to race in our colours and can give that enjoyment to our clients.

“You always need to keep strengthening and having depth right across our horses that can target all parts of the racing calendar can only help strengthen our brand.”

The team-first philosophy runs deep, with owners not only backing their own runners but following stablemates just as passionately.

“It becomes quite tribal." Darby proclaimed. "Our clients don’t just follow the ones they own, they follow them all. So the success is contagious, whether that is people watching them or punting them. It really is great and very rewarding.”

Some of the challenges for syndicators

Despite their on-track success, Darby is clear-eyed about the ongoing challenges syndicators face, especially in an increasingly competitive and regulated environment.

“Naturally, it is always difficult to keep relevance within the sport and entertainment sector, so we need to keep being able to sell shares and the big dream.

“Having regular success helps in this regard; we need to be able to draw the audience in, and races like The Slipper and The Everest help play their part in that.”

The saturation of the Australian syndication market also poses unique pressures.

“In Australia, the syndication of horses has become quite saturated, and it is a difficult game retaining the audience.”

Racehorse syndication is tightly overseen by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), with licensed syndicators required to hold an Australian Financial Services (AFS) Licence.

A further hurdle is the disparity in regulation between licensed syndicators and other industry participants.

“A big challenge for syndicators can be that we are not always on a level playing field to bring owners in, we have to be ASIC regulated, while trainers are not.

“It is a genuine challenge for syndicators who are trying to make a living, and it is not having a crack at trainers, but it isn’t an even playing field as we are not playing by the same rules.”

Public perception can also be a challenge, especially when it comes to transparency and cost structures.

“Syndicators often get a bad name from buyers saying that they mark up prices and are greedy, but in fact, a lot of those costs associated are to protect the buyer, which they aren’t always if going straight off a trainer. Buyers are not always aware of this.”

The rise of social media has made it easier to market horses quickly, but it’s also a grey area for regulated entities.

“With social media, it has made it easier to post that you have bought a horse; you just can’t put what price you have paid.

“So some of the rules and regulations do make it very tough, and that adds another layer of challenge.” Darby said.

Despite the hurdles, Darby Racing’s performance on the track and in the sales ring continues to set the standard.

As long as they keep combining shrewd buying with consistent on-track performance, the Darby Racing colours will remain a mainstay in the winners’ circle, and the syndication landscape for many seasons to come.

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

Applications for a full time paid internship covering a twelve month period beginning in spring with historical auction house Inglis are open now. If you are a resident of Australia or New Zealand, over the age of 20 and have a driver’s licence, this is an amazing opportunity to get your foot in the door at Inglis’ bloodstock department.

“The Inglis Internship Program is a way that a young person can realise their dreams and join the industry we all love so much,” CEO Sebastian Hutch said.

“This program has proven a successful formula over many years, with alumni the likes of James Price, Peter Twomey, James Mitchell and popular incumbent bloodstock team member Will Gardner and we can’t wait to see who the latest successful applicant will be.”

James Price, Inglis Victorian Bloodstock Manager

From doing the first Inglis internship in 2006, James Price has risen through the ranks at Inglis and is now the Victorian Bloodstock Manager. “I was first cab off the rank. And in that 12 months, more doors opened for me than they would’ve in ten years without the internship. You are put in front of everyone, breeders, trainers, agents, syndicators, and to be able to say I’m James Price from Inglis is a huge leg up, as opposed to saying I’m James Price,” Price said.

The internship doesn’t give you a specific qualification, nor does it have set skills criteria for applicants. “It’s not a structured internship. We aren’t going to give you units to assess you. It’s an opportunity to get an insight into what we do as an auction house. Starting in the spring, the beginning is the inspection of horses on farms. Our biggest earner as an auction house is our yearling sales, and this internship is the exposure into how we put our catalogues together.”

The intern will assist the bloodstock team in working out which horses to place in which catalogues, working with the farms to determine where each individual best fits. The successful intern will gain an understanding of pedigree and conformation evaluation and how that forms part of the selection process for the sales, working alongside Inglis’ senior staff. From there, it’s into the sales season, working with buyers to get results for vendors.

“The Inglis digital sales are new since I began, and they provide plenty of work every fortnight with gathering entries, and everything associated with those. It’s a fascinating 12 months for the successful individual.”

Designed to find new employees

“We are very open minded as to who a successful candidate might be or where they might come from, whether you’re already working in the industry in some capacity or studying something equine related or are simply someone who has been passionately interested from afar and wants to take the leap and get paid to work in your dream role at Inglis,” said Hutch.

With the prospect of a full time job at Inglis at the end of the 12-month internship, the career opportunities for the successful applicant are broad. While most of the time will be spent in the bloodstock division, the applicant will also work with the company’s marketing, insurance, digital and Rural Property divisions in both the Sydney and Melbourne offices.

“Even when I started, when the program was introduced, it was designed to find an individual who, at the end of the year, would be a suitable member of the Inglis team, whether in bloodstock or another department. Luckily I was fortunate to be given a position at the end of it,” said Price.

“The aim is to discover a new member of the Inglis team, and if it doesn’t work out, hopefully that person has had enough exposure to continue in the game. There are so many names in racing and breeding who have spent time at Inglis.”

What makes a good candidate?

With the application process a little vague in terms of qualifications, it’s important that anyone thinking about applying doesn’t take that as a negative, but instead looks at the positive things they can bring to the table.

“There’s no set criteria. There’s no exam you can sit or university degree to get first, or a set amount of experience with horses. For a young person, we understand that you haven’t done a specific set of skills to put you at the top of the pecking order,” said Price.

If that’s the case, what are Inglis looking for? “This is a customer focused industry, so we want someone with good communication skills, who can deal with a range of people. One of the greatest things about this game is that if you are liked as an individual, then people will listen to your opinion.

“Racehorses are not science with a right and wrong answer, it can be so subjective. We want someone who is likeable, because if you aren’t likeable, then people won’t listen to you. We want someone who can be liked by a broad range of people, who is a good communicator. Someone who is sharp and can think on their feet and is passionate about racing, and can work hard.

“Inglis is a very dynamic company, far more so than when I started, because competition for the premium stock is fierce, and we have to be. We also have a very dynamic digital sales platform with nearly $100 million in sales per year. It’s the premium platform (in the digital space), but we aren’t resting on our laurels there. We know we’ve got to remain ahead of the game.”

If you are young and enthusiastic and love racehorses and racing, and have the gift of the gab, it’s worth putting your hand up for this opportunity.

“A dynamic hard working individual who can talk to all types of people is the key characteristic. There’s no cookie cutter person that we are looking for. We know the staff mix we currently have at Inglis, so if someone can bring balance and a new flavour to the team, we are open to that. We are aware that our client base needs different individuals and our clients support us because they like our staff.

“Life is about change and evolution. There should be no barriers to a young person who has passion for the industry applying for this internship. Don’t say you don’t have the skills you just never know.” Like Inglis have reiterated, it’s not necessarily about the skills you already have, but the vibe you bring.

How to apply

“I think the opportunity to work as part of an auction house environment is an incredible opportunity for any aspiring bloodstock professional. I cannot think of an organisation that can afford a person the depth and breadth of industry exposure that Inglis can and we are excited as to who the next Inglis Internship may unearth,” said Hutch.

“This is a truly wonderful opportunity so I encourage everybody who thinks they might fit the bill to apply.”

To apply for the Inglis Internship, send a current CV (with appropriate references) and a cover letter explaining why you feel you are a worthy candidate for this role to internship@inglis.com.au.

Applications close 5pm on Monday June 30.

Cover image courtesy of Riverbank Farm

Nestled on the banks of the Broken River in Benalla, Victoria, lies the picturesque Riverbank Farm. Owned and managed by Russell and Caroline Osborne, Riverbank stands six stallions who may not have set the world alight on the track, but carry elite bloodlines that offer breeders the chance to access top-class pedigrees at modest fees - including a son of Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), and half-siblings to Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) and Extreme Choice.

Kingwell brings Extreme blood to the table

A $550,000 yearling purchase from the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Mick Price Racing, Kingwell is by three-time Champion Australian Sire I Am Invincible, who has now sired 17 Group 1 winners and 118 stakes winners. Just as tantalising is that he is a half-brother to one of Australia’s most in-demand and influential stallions, Extreme Choice.

I Am Invincible’s influence as a sire of sires is already well established, with Brazen Beau, Hellbent, and Overshare all siring Group 1 winners, while Home Affairs has been a sales-ring sensation this year siring two yearlings that have sold over $3 million.

With Extreme Choice standing for a staggering $330,000 in 2025 - the highest service fee in the country, and I Am Invincible at $220,000 (inc GST), Kingwell’s $5500 (inc GST) fee shapes as value.

Although lightly raced due to injury, Kingwell showed his class with top-four finishes in seven of nine career starts.

“Russell (Osborne) purchased him online, when he saw his pedigree, he thought Kingwell was perfect for Riverbank,” Osborne said. “We planned to race him, but had to retire him early due to injury. It was just one of those things, but the long-term plan was always to stand him at stud.

“He just fits our roster - he’s the sort of stallion we’re looking for. We target the breed-to-race market, and he offers real value. We’re pretty excited about him.”

Dalasan progeny set to make an impact

Tough, versatile, and high-class on the track, Dalasan will cover his third book of mares in 2025 and has already served 130 in his first two seasons.

A winner from two to six, Dalasan won his first two starts as a juvenile and then he was placed in the G2 Sires' Produce Stakes at Flemington, he then won an incredible five stakes races as a 3-year-old from 1200 metres to 2035 metres, as well as a Group 1 placing in a Derby over 2500 metres. He then placed in the G1 Doncaster Handicap and G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at four, and ran third in the G1 Epsom Handicap at five before claiming a Listed win as a 6-year-old.

“We’re really excited by Dalasan, his foals are very much like him: leggy, athletic, and stamped with his quality,” Osborne said. “I love it when a stallion stamps his stock.”

By Dalakhani (Ire), a G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner and renowned sire of stayers - Dalasan is out of a Kitten’s Joy (USA) mare and that stallion traces from the Sadler’s Wells (USA) line, suggesting his progeny will not only train on but excel over ground.

“I think he’ll be versatile, he could throw anything,” Osborne added. “He’s settled in well. Good racehorses are usually very professional, and he’s no different. He’s a very intelligent horse, and just lovely to be around.”

Dalasan stands at an unchanged fee of $5500 (inc GST) and represents tremendous value for the quality of horse he was, and the pedigree he has.

Black Caviar’s son and Winx’s brother fly the flag

Riverbank Stud boasts not one but two remarkable pedigree standouts: the only son of Black Caviar at stud, and a half-sibling to Winx.

Prince Of Caviar, by Sebring out of the undefeated world champion Black Caviar, has made a bright start from limited runners. His best so far is Attachments, a progressive filly trained by Archie Alexander and winner of her last two starts. Bred and raced by Neil Werrett, also Black Caviar’s part-owner, Attachments looks to have stakes potential. Prince Of Caviar stands at an unchanged $4400 (inc GST).

Meanwhile, Boulder City, a half-brother to champion mare Winx, is also getting results. He has sired multiple Moonee Valley winners such as Expeetee and Cobblestone Way, as well as prolific winners like Pacific Star who has won seven times and the six-time winner Pretty Penguin.

Gallery: Riverbank Farm stallions with big pedigrees. Images courtesy of Riverbank Farm

“He sired three winners over the weekend, so that was very exciting,” Osborne said. Boulder City also stands at $4400 (inc GST).

More value options – Ideal for breed-to-race

Riverbank’s stallion line-up also includes a pair of proven and value sires ideal for the breed-to-race market.

Wayed Zain, by High Chaparral (Ire) and from the family of Encosta De Lago, has produced multiple winners from limited opportunities, including Gargantuan, Steve’s Way, and Rockin’ Zain.

Reliable veteran Redente, by Redoute’s Choice, boasts nearly $10 million in progeny earnings. With 114 individual winners at a 52 per cent winners-to-runners strike rate, his stakes performers include Brenlyn’s Trooper and Our Redente. These two stallions stand at unchanged fees of $2200 and $3300 (inc GST), respectively.

Smart bloodlines, smarter value

“We have very high hopes for both Kingwell and Dalasan,” Osborne said, “while the other four are a great mix of the proven and the promising.

“Riverbank really does offer ‘bred-in-the-purple’ types. Each of our six sires is by a different Group 1-producing sire, and collectively, those sire lines account for over 730 stakes winners worldwide.

“Our goal has always been to offer well-credentialled stallions at affordable fees, and I think we’ve struck the perfect balance this spring.”

Riverbank also takes pride in offering breeders transparency and affordability.

“One thing we do include in our service fees is all the veterinary costs, it’s an important value-add. When you’re working at this end of the market, it really helps breeders budget with confidence.”

Table: Riverbank Farm stallion fees

Cover image courtesy of International Federation of Horseracing Authority

France

Almanzor’s Gezora wins G1 Prix de Diane

By Tom Frary, TDN Europe

Francis-Henri Graffard looked set to have the one-two-three in Sunday's G1 Prix de Diane Longines heading to the closing stages, but while that didn't transpire France's pre-eminent trainer of 2025 was ultimately in the right place as Gezora (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}) brought it home. Continuing the timeless love affair between American interests and French racing, the daughter of the 2006 Diane runner-up Germance (Fr) (Silver Hawk {USA}) proved strongest in the Chantilly Classic to complete the Saint-Alary-Diane double for Peter Brant's White Birch Farm.

Needing room in early straight as Graffard's third-string Cankoura (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}) pressed the yard's 100-30 favourite Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), she emerged from the pocket to complete a line of three in front for Graffard with 100 metres to race.

Any dreams of a Classic trifecta were dashed soon after by Ballydoyle's revitalised Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), but while that raider posed a genuine threat for a few strides Gezora had vital first run to claim the prize by a length. Cankoura plugged on to be half a length away in third, while the too-free Mandanaba shaped like a non-stayer 1.25l further back in fourth.

“She's a wonderful filly who tries so hard and has a great attitude,” Brant said. “I think it's probably one of the three or four races I've dreamt of winning. I think it's the greatest 3-year-old filly race–it's always stiff competition and I'm very proud and happy to win it. It's a very difficult race to predict–we were second with Sistercharlie, who was a great filly but couldn't win this because she got into trouble. She will continue her career in France.”

Graffard added, “Gezora continued to progress so much after the Saint-Alary and was at the top of her condition for the big day–I didn't really know where her limit was and it's not a surprise for me to see her win. She is an easy, professional filly and by winning this she benefits from a wild-card for the Arc. We're not closing any doors, especially since we know that she loves soft ground. It's a huge emotion, with my father being here. He has always been a great support to me, even if he doesn't belong in the racing world at all–he dreamed of me becoming a Formula 1 driver!”

Gezora, who becomes the second Classic winner for Almanzor following the recent G2 Derby Italiano hero Molveno (GB) and third Group 1 winner overall, continues the unstoppable momentum behind Wootton Bassett (GB) who had already accounted for this year's winners of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains. She is also the last known foal out of Silver Hawk's Germance, who was beaten only by Confidential Lady (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) in the 2006 renewal of this prize.

The third dam is the Listed Tyros Stakes winner and G1 Prix de la Salamandre runner-up Majestic Role (Fr) (Theatrical {Ire}), whose G3 Prix Fille de l'Air-winning daughter Aiglonne (USA) also by Silver Hawk was later responsible for a trio of Group winners headed by Sea The Stars (Ire)'s G1 Prix d'Ispahan-winning sire Mekhtaal (GB). This is also the family of the G1 Derby Italiano hero and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up White Muzzle (GB) and the G1 Dubai World Cup hero Almutawakel (GB).

Goffs London entry Rafale Design adds Group 3

By Tom Frary, TDN Europe

Taking charge at Chantilly on Sunday, Christophe Soumillon supplemented his Diane success with the card's G3 Prix du Lys Longines as Rafale Design (Ire) capped another stellar afternoon for the Belgian. Coming off a win in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix Hocquart last month, the Yann Barberot-trained son of Starspangledbanner was launched from rear to swoop on Surabad (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) and Oracle (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) with 300 metres remaining and assert to beat that duo by 2.5 margins.

Entered in Monday's Goffs London Sale, the G1 Grand Prix de Paris entry provides his many owners including Cormac Farrell and Laurent Dassault with an enviable quandary. “I have rarely trained a horse of such quality–he's really good,” Barberot said. “I needed this race to get him to the Grand Prix de Paris. I think he's really made for that. What will happen tomorrow will happen, but I will have done my job.”

Rafale Design is out of Fashion Design (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), a full-sister to the Listed Prix Michel Houyvet winner and G3 Prix de Lutece-placed Only A Pleasure (Ire). Their dam is the GI Matron Stakes heroine Sense Of Style (USA) (Thunder Gulch {USA}), one of two top-level winners out of Save Me The Waltz (Ire) alongside the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine and Stakes producer Valentine Waltz (Ire) (Be My Guest {USA}). He is from the esteemed family of Pivotal (GB)'s G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois heroine Immortal Verse (Ire) and therefore Wootton Bassett (GB)'s recent G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Henri Matisse (Ire).

Japan

Second Breeders’ Cup entry for Japanese-trained horses

by Heather Anderson, TDN Europe

A berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in the autumn was on the line in Sunday's 2200 metre G1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin, and 10-1 chance Meisho Tabaru (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) landed a mild upset in pillar-to-post fashion. He is the second Japanese horse to punch his ticket to the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar this month, after Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice {USA}) won last Sunday's G1 Yasuda Kinen, a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile.

The seventh pick in the 17-horse field, Meisho Tabaru was steered immediately to the vanguard and opened up on the field passing the winning post for the first time. Clicking off easy fractions of :23.40 for the first 400m, :46.90 for the 800m, and 1:11.30 for 1200m, he cut the corner into the final bend. Meisho Tabaru came under heavy pressure, but cued by veteran Yutaka Take while still glued to the fence, the eventual winner found more in the straight to win cozily. Race favourite Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) unleashed a withering rally inside the final furlong, but Meisho Tabaru had built up too much cushion. The margin at the wire was 3l, with Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) a neck back in third.

“My plan was to take the lead, and although I was unsure about the pace, I think we were able to race at just the right pace,” said 56-year-old Take, who was winning his 84th Japanese Group 1 title. He has now won five Takarazuka Kinens, the other being in 1986 with Inari One, in 1993 with Mejiro McQueen, in 1997 with Marvelous Sunday and in 2006 with Deep Impact. “I knew the other horses were going to make bid early but my mount had good momentum going around the fourth corner and I was hoping that he would manage to push through.”

Meisho Tabaru is the second Group 1 winner for Stay Gold after G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) heroine Uberleben (Jpn). He is also one of 10 stakes winners for the Big Red Farm-based sire. The fifth foal and third winner out of the dual winner Meisho Tsubakuro (Jpn) (French Deputy {USA}) who is a half-sister to G2 Kyoto Daishoten winner Meisho Kampaku (Jpn) (Grass Wonder {USA}).