Daily News Wrap

500k Secure tops Inglis Digital, heads to Hong Kong

The 3-year-old gelding Secure (Snitzel) out of Group 1 winner Response (Charge Forward) has topped the Inglis Digital June Sale at $500,000 to the bid of CY Wong. Winner of two of his six starts, he was originally a $1.4 million yearling purchased by Kia Ora Stud and TFI, and he is a full brother to G1 Golden Slipper winner Estijaab and $1 million earning Group 3 winner Remarque.

“Secure has a very good pedigree and his full siblings include G1 Golden Slipper winner Estijaab,” Wong said.

“He has got a Hong Kong Rating of 70, which can fulfill the requirements of my replacement permit. I expect that Secure will be more mature next season and according to his recent form, I am quite sure that he can perform well in Hong Kong. Nicky Wong at Inglis has been very helpful during the whole process, I’ve found Inglis Digital easy for overseas buyers and I will look for more good horses here.”

The second-top lot of the sale was Hell Hound (Hellbent), a half sister to G2 Blue Diamond Prelude winner Letzbeglam (Snitzel), offered by Vinery Stud in foal to Exceedance and bought by Cambridge Stud for $310,000. The third-top lot was unraced 2-year-old colt Chandler (I Am Invincible) out of Group 2 winner Miss Fabulass (Frankel {GB}), who was secured by another Hong Kong-based buyer in So Bloodstock for $305,000.

Of the 485 lots catalogued, 387 sold at a clearance rate of 66 per cent, with a gross over $5.1 million. The average was $16,200. In total 12 lots realised $100,000 or more, including Extra Olives (Redoute's Choice) who made $240,000, and WA group winner Searchin’ Roc’s (Awesome Rock) who sold for $140,000.

“Some of the results today were just incredible,” said Inglis Digital Business Manager Nick Melmeth.

“I am particularly delighted with the engagement by Hong Kong buyers in the catalogue as I see it being a real growth area for trade – for both vendors and buyers. Our International Business Development Manager Nicky Wong told me this morning that he fielded 17 enquiries for Secure from international buyers yesterday alone, which is extraordinary.

“The bloodstock world is becoming a progressively smaller place and Inglis Digital is demonstrating itself time and time again to be the optimum platform to facilitate that trade.”

Inglis Digital to launch website upgrades

Inglis Digital will launch upgrades to their platform ahead of their next sale in early July. “We have taken what we have learned over the past eight years and created a custom-built system, to enhance the user experience,” Inglis Digital Business Manager Nick Melmeth said.

“Our team has worked tirelessly to deliver what we believe is the most user-friendly system possible, and we’re excited to evolve what is already the world’s leading online Thoroughbred auction platform. I encourage all users to familiarise themselves with the new site once it goes live next week.”

The upgrades include a simplified sign in process with personalised login and password details, enhanced Mobile and Tablet user experience, improved bidding functionality, and a better vendor entry management system.

Racing WA to join racing.com

Racing WA and Racing Victoria announced on Wednesday that racing.com will broadcast all meetings in West Australia beginning with Northam on July 2. “Racing.com plays a pivotal role showcasing Victorian thoroughbred racing nationally and our partnerships with other states helps to build audience and engagement through our breadth of content,” RV Executive General Manager – Media, Content and Marketing, Andy Hoad said.

“We’re delighted to welcome WA thoroughbred racing onto Racing.com and we expect it to be embraced by punters nationwide, who can now continue to enjoy quality live racing once the action has finished on the east coast.

“Racing.com boasts an amazing suite of racing. From the very best Victoria has to offer, be that our Group 1s or beloved Country Cups, to elite racing from Hong Kong and the UK, through to all the great action from South Australia and now Western Australia.

“The team at Racing WA are great to work with. They have high production standards and our ability to tap into their quality pictures and insights makes this an efficient and exciting expansion for Racing.com.

“The Racing.com audience can be assured of a fantastic coverage from some spectacular racetracks in the west each Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday along with other selected days throughout the year.”

New Zealand betting laws change

Changes to New Zealand betting laws were passed in Parliament on Wednesday, increasing harm minimisation protections and overseas betting companies will be geo-blocked, therefore strengthening the relationship with Entain.

“Entain is proud to be building on TAB NZ's legacy of backing Kiwi racing and sport,” Entain Australia and New Zealand’s Managing Director – New Zealand, Sam Moncur told Loveracing.nz.

“We are also very aware of the privilege we have to provide a world-class betting experience to Kiwis. Entain, through TAB and betcha, will deliver odds as fair and competitive as a customer would find in the highly competitive Australian market. Kiwis love a fair go, and we’re committed to providing fair odds for our racing and sports fans into the future.”

Hatch keen to see Jones succeed

Toowoomba trainer Lindsay Hatch wants to see former employee Angela Jones succeed on Saturday when she rides Tony Gollan-trained Floozie (Zoustar) in the G1 Tatt’s Tiara, and his horse Peshwa (Tapit {USA}) in the Battle Of The Bush Final. “She walked into my stable and she'd never ridden in a jockey's hat in a race,” Hatch told racenet.com.au.

“Ang Jones is a beautiful person, she listens to what you tell her and she does her best to follow instructions. She's very relaxed and that filters through to the horse she jumps on. She was never in a hurry and that's what has kept her in good stead. On her first day of riding she rode three winners at Dalby. She started to cry after the first win and then she cried all day because of the success she had. She couldn't believe it.”

Truck company owning trainer has first Group 1 runner

Toowoomba hobby trainer John Dann has six horses in work, and one of them is G1 Tatt’s Tiara runner 4-year-old mare Adiella (The Mission). He owns a truck servicing company. “It would be great to win a Group 1 but it wouldn't change my life, I'm just in it for the fun, not the money,” Dann told racenet.com.au.

“For me, it's just great to get a horse who can compete at this level. Everyone knows how hard it is to win a race, let alone have a horse in a Group 1 race. The big trainers get their share of winning Group 1s, it is always good to see a smaller stable like mine winning a big race. It would be great if the money stayed here in Queensland, not going to the top end of town.” Adiella won the Magic Millions National Classic last start.

Photo finish blunder mars apprentice’s first win

Apprentice jockey Sam McNab had to wait for his first win to be confirmed when the judge called the wrong placings at Pukekohe on Wednesday. “The judge called 13, Middle Khan, the winner ahead of Sam McNab’s mount, which was number three, Muscovado,” Stipendiary Steward Brady Jones told Loveracing.nz.

“Stewards queried the photo with the judge into how he had reached that decision, and it was discovered that he had erred in his decision where he misinterpreted the heads in the official photo of the two horses.

“He falsely declared Middle Khan, the horse on the inside, as the winner but after reviewing the photo and going through stewards footage, the judge has amended his placings with Muscovado declared the winner.”

It was McNab’s first race day and he, eventually, won on John Bell-trained Muscovado (NZ) (Pure Champion {Ire}). “They told me I had it and I had my head down on the line,” McNab said.

“When I was taking my saddle off they said I ran second, so it was a bit of a waiting process, but we got there. It was good to finally find out the result, and I am really happy. It is good to get the first win out of the way. I have had a pretty good start, so to get a winner early on is really rewarding.”

Bella’s brother wins at Sale

Danny O'Brien-trained Quello Dorato (Trapeze Artist) won the third race at Sale by 2l for jockey Zac Spain, but the meeting was called off afterwards due to dreadful weather. “During the running of Race 3, there were quite severe winds and rainfall,” Racing Victoria steward Simon Carey told racing.com.

“Following that race, the riders did express their concern with the visibility and the wind conditions. As a result, the stewards contacted the Weather Bureau, got a further update for the riders and consulted with them. The riders engaged in Races 4 and 5 then engaged in a vote, as per the policy, in which 13 of the 15 riders believed it was unsuitable to continue racing. Therefore, the meeting was abandoned at 1:36.”

Quello Dorato is a 4-year-old half-brother to Group 1 winner Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai), and he took his record to a win from four starts. His trainer purchased him for $280,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from Longwood Thoroughbred Farm.

Pair of juvenile winners for Vinnie as damsire

I Am Invincible enjoyed a pair of juvenile winners on Wednesday as damsire.

Stuart Kendrick-trained 2-year-old filly Blitzwater (Headwater) won at her second start at Doomben on Wednesday. Sold by Vinery Stud at the 2023 Inglis Digital September Sale as a weanling for $7500 and bought by her trainer, Blitzwater is out of I Am Invincible mare Invincible Dream whose three foals are all winners. I Am Invincible also had a winner at the meeting with Emperor.

At Bunbury, 2-year-old gelding Twisted Steel (Rommel) won on debut for trainer Simon Miller who purchased the juvenile for $100,000 at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale from Ruby Racing & Breeding. He is the second foal and second winner for Real Beauty (I Am Invincible) who is a full sister to Listed winner Real Danger. Jockey William Pike rode a treble at the meeting.

Cox Plate decision pushed back

A decision on where the 2026 G1 Cox Plate will run has been deferred. “We're close but not there yet,” Moonee Valley Racing Club chairman Adam Lennen told racenet.com.au.

Listed outing for Loch Eagle

Trainer Kris Lees will set Loch Eagle (Lonhro) for Saturday’s Listed WJ McKell Cup over 2000 metres at Rosehill on Saturday. “His days of showing up in 1200 metres and 1400 metres races are beyond him and I thought with this race third run in off two mile runs is a better base,” Lees told racingnsw.com.au.

“He was strong when he won at 1800 metres in Queensland and I’ve only given him one try (at a staying distance) and he’d probably had enough. The way he let down the other day there’s every chance he could run it out, though I do think he’s a better Randwick horse than a Rosehill horse and he could get a drying track.

“There’s a couple of little negatives but I’m happy to give him his chance. Third run in he gets every chance off two solid mile runs. If he doesn’t run it we can always freshen him and drop back in trip.”

Adkins set to repeat double

Jockey Andrew Adkins rode a double on Touristic (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and King's Secret (Shalaa {Ire})) a month ago, and returns to ride both on Saturday at Rosehill. Touristic runs in the Listed WJ McKell Cup. “From a soft gate he is a horse that can over race and going up in trip I was mindful not to give him too much of a message early,” Adkins told racingnsw.com.au.

“I thought I was in striking range going past the post the first time but within another 100 metres or so the rest of the field came across and put us not in a great position with the speed lacking from there on in. He made up good ground and it was a good effort, albeit he didn’t win. Things didn’t go right for him so off the back of that I thought he raced really well.”

Walsh withdraws appeal

Trainer Nick Walsh has withdrawn his appeal into a 12-month disqualification for anabolic steroid use. Stanozolol was detected twice in out of competition testing and once in post-race testing on Sailor's Rum (Merchant Navy).

Hill to call at Trentham

Australian race called Matt Hill will be calling at Trentham in New Zealand on Saturday. “I have called races in 16 countries, not by design but by being a guest or travelling, I am fascinated by international racing,” Hill told Loveracing.nz.

“When I was young, I was particularly interested in jumps racing and I ended up calling seven Grand Nationals for the BBC and the Velká Pardubická (jumps race) in the Czech Republic. New Zealand is one that I have watched for a long time, especially the jumps with those beautiful big hedges, and I haven’t had a chance to travel over. It will be a real bucket list item ticked.”

A ton of Listed wins for Lanwades

The victory of Allonsy (GB) in Sunday's Pontefract Castle Fillies' Stakes brought up a notable milestone for Lanwades Stud as the Study Of Man (Ire) filly was the 100th Listed winner bred at the farm during the tenure of Kirsten Rausing.

The owner-breeder's association with the stud began in 1984 and during the intervening four decades 34 Group 1 winners have been bred at Lanwades, led by the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}), along with 29 Group 2 and 41 Group 3 winners, bringing the total to 204 stakes winners worldwide.

Gallery: Australian visitors with Alpinista, images supplied

“It has taken some time, but it does, and I can't compete with the big boys but we try our best with limited numbers,” said Rausing. Among the mares with foals on the ground by Study Of Man this year is Alpinista, who is now in foal to Siyouni (Fr).

Her breeder added, “Alpinista is in excellent form and gave an audience to a group of Australian visitors here yesterday. She has a very nice colt foal, and her first foal is the yearling filly by Dubawi, who is not going to any sales.

“Alpinista travelled to France with Alyssa, the dam of Allonsy, who also has a colt foal by Study Of Man and is now in foal to Zarak, which is quite interesting inbreeding to Mumtaz Begum, although a long way away.”

Lambourn heads Irish Derby field

Following Tuesday's confirmation stage, Derby winner Lambourn (Ire) (Australia {GB}) headlines 10 colts who have stood their ground for Sunday's Irish equivalent at the Curragh.

Aidan O'Brien could saddle up to five runners in his quest for a remarkable 17th victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, with the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial hero Puppet Master (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) appealing as the chief supporting act to Lambourn.

Wootton Bassett's Houquetot added to Arqana

Last year's G3 Prix de la Rochette winner Houquetot (Ire) is one of 13 new additions to the catalogue for the Arqana Summer Sale, which takes place between Monday, June 30 and Thursday, July 3.

Trained by Christopher Head, the son of Wootton Bassett (GB) and G3 Athasi Stakes scorer Happen (USA) (War Front {USA}) was last seen finishing sixth in the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac. He will be offered by Haras de Bouquetot, along with fellow three-year-old Zekret (Fr), a son of Zarak (Fr) who recently finished fifth in the G3 Prix Hocquart.