Daily News Wrap

NZB open entries for Ready To Run Sale

New Zealand Bloodstock announced on Friday that entries for the 2025 Ready to Run Sale are now open, with the Sale to be held at the Karaka Sales Centre on 13 and 14 November.

“Off the back of the record-breaking 2023 Sale which was the most successful 2-year-old sale I had been involved with, the 2024 Sale managed to surpass those results again which was phenomenal,” said NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook.

“Our team are already busy canvassing buyers internationally and the bookings already made by Hong Kong, Malaysian and Australian buyers is very exciting, they can’t wait to get back here in November.”

Spriggs announces retirement from saddle

Jockey Blake Spriggs has announced his retirement from the saddle. A fall at Moruya in January left with close to death, and ongoing issues with concussion have led to the decision. “I have micro-bleeds on the brain and my neurologist advised me if I sustained another concussion it would basically kill me,” Spriggs told punters.com.au.

“It puts everything into perspective. I was walking into that appointment with the theory I would not be riding again anyway. But that advice has left me with no thought of whether I should try to return. Now I look at it like my son, Brooklyn, gets a father and that's the most important thing. I nearly wasn't here, I was as close as you get to going without going.”

The fall caused a fractured left forearm and collarbone, dislocated left elbow, both lungs collapsed, and Spriggs broke every rib except two. “Essentially, I was on the track drowning in my own blood but the paramedics saved my life,” Spriggs said.

“I was rushed to hospital and KC was told to prepare for the worst as they were not sure I was going to make it. I don't have any memory of that as I was heavily sedated for about two weeks. When they tried to bring me out of sedation the machines would start going off so they had to keep putting me back under.

“I realised I was in a bad way but the doctors and nurses at Canberra Hospital were amazing. I am very grateful to those doctors and nurses who saved my life and I stay in contact with them on social media. I almost died doing my job and they saved mine doing theirs. It says a lot about these people.

“I said the day you guys go on strike for a pay rise I will be there marching with you. It's a tough job they do, the hours they work and they go through some hard times trying to save people and they keep turning up every day and go through it again.

“It is a little bit weird in a way but after I was born in Canberra Hospital, I left on January 17 and had not gone back there for 33 years until I was taken there after the fall. So, that hospital has given me life twice.”

Beau Dazzler drops back in trip

Coming out of the G1 Queensland Derby over 2400 metres into the G3 Winx Guineas over a mile is unconventional, but co-trainer Tony Sears thinks Beau Dazzler (NZ) (Ardrossan) is the horse to do it with. “We were going to spell him after the Derby, but he hadn't had many runs this campaign,” Sears told racenet.com.au.

“He was only third-up into the Derby and I'm not sure whether training him for a Derby really suited him. We decided to set him for the Winx Guineas because we figured that you needed a horse who could run 1800 metres to win the Guineas and he certainly is that. He hasn't raced for a while and he had a few days in the paddock and he's fresh and going well.

“I am now thinking he is a really good mile to 1800 horse. I know on Saturday that the distance will be no problem at all and he handles the sting out of the track.”

McColm loving the rain ahead of Glasshouse

Trainer David McColm’s Far Too Easy (All Too Hard) will relish the wet conditions in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday. “It's going to be a massive advantage - it's well documented that this horse on a firm going does struggle,” McColm told racingqueensland.com.au.

“He jars up and his best form come does come on a soft track…so if we get a soft track, I think we're going to see a better horse. I think Caloundra is going to suit him down to the ground - It's a big open track and it's a lot more forgiving in its surface.”

Far Too Easy is now ineligible for The Kosciuszko after McColm moved to Queensland. “The Kosciuszko has played such a big part in this horse's journey - he's had three goes where he's had a first, a second and a third, and his rival was always Front Page. Winning the Kosciuszko was just a dream come true. It was very emotional to actually get him to the to the race, and to win was such a relief and a great effort for my team. He means the world to us, we're very close as a family to this horse. He's changed our lives in in many ways.

“He will tell us when that time comes, and we will know. He still enjoys his racing and he loves being around people, I think he's still got a little bit left. We've been very kind to this horse and we've looked after him, it's been our intention for him to race on as an older horse. He’s only had 25 starts, and we do believe that he's still got a couple of years left in him if we look after him.”

Kendrick’s confidence in Redford

Trainer Stuart Kendrick is quietly confident Redford (Snitzel) can win Saturday’s Listed Glasshouse Stakes at the Sunshine Coast. “If he can find his feet, get a little bit of space and then wind up, that's when he's at his best. He looked out of his comfort zone at Ipswich the other day (fifth in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes) and this track will suit him where he can find his feet, wind up and have the last crack at them,” Kendrick told racenet.com.au.

“He's got a good record here and I think the track suits him. He's not an overly big horse so a drop in the weights is definitely going to help us. With the awkward gate (11 of 13) he'll probably go back and with a light weight, it gives him a chance to really hit the line strongly.”

Adelaide Jockeys’ Premiership race is tight

Rochelle Milnes leads on 42 wins with Taylor Johnstone only three behind on 39, with Lachlan Neindorf in third on 36 wins. “If I am going to be a chance, this Saturday looks my time to come out and put a few on the board,” Neindorf told racingsa.com.au.

“If that does occur, I’d be gaining a little bit more confidence that I might be a chance of taking it out. I do need to get a wriggle on and hopefully this Saturday is the way to do it. I would say they (three rides for Phillip Stokes) are my best chances, but Garcon Renard looks a great chance as well for Peter and Belinda Blanch. I really think he should’ve won last start.

“The Stokes stable have been such a great supporter of me for quite a while now which I’m very grateful for.”

Munhamek aims for repeat Winter Championship Final

Last year’s Listed Winter Championship Final winner Nick Ryan-trained Munhamek (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) returns on Saturday to attempt the double. “He's shown some really good signs. We were well aware he was going to need the run the other day and I thought his run was super, he was doing his best work late and he's really come on from it,” Ryan told racing.com.

“He's trained on super and his work on Tuesday morning was terrific. He's drawn low with Benny Melham back from holidays in the saddle, so that's a big plus. We'd love to go back-to-back, we've got a good record in the race before, have won it a couple of times, a few years ago with Sircconi, so it'd be nice to do it again.”

El Castello potential for Golden Eagle

Trainer Joe Pride is contemplating the $10 million Golden Eagle for new recruit, Group 1-winning 3-year-old colt El Castello (Castelvecchio). “He’s still a colt, so you’ve got to train him and place him like that,” Pride told racingnsw.com.au.

“He’s not here to go through the grades, he’s a Group 1 winner already and we’ve got to improve on his record. He’s a bit behind some of my other (spring horses), I have in the back of the mind something like the Eagle. He’s a Spring Champion winner but those races aren’t attractive to Australian breeders so he’s got to win something at a mile or below.”

Spirit Of Boom filly to resume on Saturday

Tony Gollan-trained 2-year-old filly Formula Rossa (Spirit Of Boom) hasn’t raced since finishing last in the R.Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, and she resumes on Saturday at the Sunshine Coast. “I'm happy with her, she has run well at this track and trip before,” Gollan told racenet.com.au.

“She had just come to the end of Christmas campaign in the Magic Millions. So I just gave her a good break, I wasn't interested in the early part of the winter with her as I just wanted to take my time with her. This is the right sort of time to kick her off. She is a nice enough filly, she is still furnishing. I think she will have a light sort of preparation this time, with a view towards the summer carnival.”

Bacash to double up on Saturday

Lindsay Park-trained 2-year-old colt Bacash (Cosmic Force) will run in the first at Flemington at Saturday, hoping to back up from his last start win. “We're very excited about him,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told racing.com.

“We really liked him as a young horse and he performed well without winning. We brought him back in and he just wasn't quite a hundred per cent, so we gave him more time and as you can see, his first-up win, it really paid off.

“He was impressive, beat the older horses and beat them by a big margin. He looks like he's trained on and he gets his opportunity to run down the straight at Flemington again, which he's seen a couple of times. If everything goes to plan, the way he's trained on, he'll be very competitive.”

Winner number three for Peltzer

First season sire Peltzer gained his third winner when Todd Smart-trained 2-year-old filly I Show Speed won the first at Canberra on Friday by 1.53l. Not offered at auction, I Show Speed is the second foal of Oaks (Bel Esprit) who is a half-sister to Group 2-placed Miss Inbetween (Fighting Sun).

This is the family of dual Group 1 winner and four-time G2 Sandown Classic winner Zipping (Danehill {USA}) who the race is now named after.

Castelvecchio filly wins on debut

Juvenile filly Starvecchio (Castelvecchio) won on debut at Rockhampton on Friday by 1l for trainer Pat Webster. Purchased by Luke Berger Racing for $8500 from Newgate’s draft at the Inglis Digital November 2023 Sale, Starvecchio is the second juvenile winner from her sire’s second crop.

A half-sister to Group 3-placed Roselyn’s Star (Shalaa {Ire}) and Listed-placed Shalstar (Shalaa {Ire}), Starvecchio is out of stakes placed Dual Star (Starcraft {NZ}).

Video: Watch race replay of Starvecchio, video courtesy of Racing Queensland

Over Draft wins at Rockhampton on Friday

Trainer Mark Currie combined with jockey Justin Huxtable to win the opening race at Rockhampton with 2-year-old gelding Over Draft (Royal Meeting {Ire}). From the second crop of Royal Meeting (Ire) who is best known for G1 Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi, Over Draft was a $3000 purchase by Sonador Lodge Thoroughbreds from MMcGregor at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Video: Watch race replay of Over Draft, video courtesy of Racing Queensland

He is the first foal of Esprit’s Reward (Reward For Effort) who was a winner over 1000 metres and is from the family of Group 1 winner One Bold Cat (NZ) (The Bold One {NZ}).

Lazio set for Opunake Cup

Trainer Allan Sharrock has set Lazio (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) for the Listed Opunake Cup will be run on July 19, and he’ll run on Saturday at Te Rapa in preparation. “The Opunake Cup is the race I’m looking at with him, provided he performs up to expectations this weekend,” Sharrock told Loveracing.nz.

“Based on the way he’s worked leading into it, I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t do that. He went super first-up at Wanganui and I was thrilled with him. He’s gone the right way through the few weeks since that race. He trialled nicely the other day for Kelly Myers, who made the trip down to ride him.

“Te Rapa is a track that he seems to like, which is not the case for all horses, so that’s a factor in his favour this weekend. He’s going into it in good order.”

Champion jockey Murphy admits to drink driving

Multiple champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been fined £70,000 (AU$145,500) and banned from driving for 20 months after he appeared at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday afternoon where he admitted to driving over the limit for alcohol.

The 29-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He was not asked to plead on another count of failing to cooperate with a preliminary test at the roadside.

A four-time champion jockey, Murphy was charged by postal requisition on June 19 after he drove his grey Mercedes A Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, in the early hours of April 27. He rode a double at Windsor the following day when employed by trainers Richard Hughes and John and Thady Gosden.

Murphy spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address, but apologised via his barrister Alex Di Francesco KC before the verdict was delivered. “Mr Murphy accepts that he made a great error on his part and is remorseful,” Di Francesco said. “He wants to make three apologies: firstly to the passenger and to convey how grateful the circumstances were not worse, he wants to apologise to the public and other road users, and lastly to those who he works with.”

Arqana Summer Sale ends with metrics up

The curtain came down on the Arqana Summer Sale on Thursday where Victoire Des Borde (Fr) (Antarctique {Ire}), a sister to Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Kopek Des Bordes (Fr) (No Risk At All {Fr}), led the concluding session when selling to Guy Petit for €85,000.

All told, the aggregate for the Summer Sale was up a massive 24 per cent to €13,311,200 (AU$23.8 million) while the average was up by 9 per cent to €36,074 (AU$64,500). The clearance rate was a healthy 80 per cent (up 14 per cent on last year) while the median was up by €4,000 to €20,000 (AU$35,800).

A press release issued by Arqana after the sale attributed quotes to president Olivier Delloye and CEO Freddy Powell, that read, “If we retrace the sale chronologically, we can highlight the dynamism of the last breeze-up of the season, with a remarkable percentage of horses sold of over 96 per cent. The stores then sparked some great bidding battles, with nine lots making or exceeding €100,000, testifying to the attractiveness of French maternal families.

“The high point of the sale was reached yesterday on the day reserved for horses-in-training. Sales in this segment were up by a spectacular 60 per cent on last year, topping the €7 million mark for the first time. All top profiles made very good prices, led by Zekret, who sold for €520,000 to Nicolas Bertran de Balanda and Alex Elliott. He is now set to continue his career over jumps in Ireland. On the flat, Toyotomi sold for €335,000 to Jason Kelly and will join David O'Meara's stable. We hope he follows in the footsteps of Lord Glitters and Mondialiste. Emerging countries such as Libya have also been very active, alongside the Middle East, Australia and the whole of Europe.”

The Lion In Winter sent to France

The Lion In Winter (Ire) has been supplemented for Sunday's G1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville, which could have a field of up to 10 runners. The most recent win for Coolmore's son of Sea The Stars (Ire) came over the same distance of seven furlongs in last year's G3 Acomb Stakes at York, a race in which subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court (USA) (Justify {USA}) finished third.

Listed Pat Smullen Stakes concludes middle-distance series

This Saturday sees the inaugural running of the Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes at Naas, with the Listed contest having attracted eight runners from seven different stables. Run over a mile, the race is part of the Smullen Series, launched this year by the Irish EBF and consisting of 18 middle-distance races for two- and 3-year-olds.

Daytona (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a winning debutant last month at Gowran Park, is among the field and his trainer Aidan O'Brien was keen to target the race which is named in honour of his late brother-in-law, the nine-time Irish champion jockey.

O'Brien said of Daytona, “He won nicely in Gowran the first day when Jack (Cleary) rode him. Wayne (Lordan) rides him in Naas. We think he's a nice horse and we think the trip should suit him.

“Obviously, it's in memory of Pat and that makes it very special for us and we're delighted to be running what we think is a nice horse in the race. We like him, we think he's a classy horse.”

Joe Foley, chairman of the Irish EBF, said, “The new Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes is the launch pad for the Smullen Series and an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of an Irish racing hero, Pat Smullen. The Smullen Series showcases the Irish EBF's commitment to middle-distance horses where 2-year-olds now have a range of races from July to the end of the season each worth €25,000 over a mile and a mile-plus.

“For the following season they can link into the existing Spring Series of middle-distance races creating a pathway to the €200,000 Gowran Classic as a 3-year-old. The objective of the series is to provide breeders, owners and trainers of middle-distance horses with valuable races for two and 3-year-olds while promoting the breeding and racing of stamina horses. We are delighted to have Frances (Crowley) and her family to the races on Saturday to present the new Pat Smullen perpetual trophy.”

Australia would benefit from a similar series if the feedback to our two articles on imported European gallopers is anything to go by.

Vale John C. Harris

John C. Harris, one of California's most respected leaders in agriculture and Thoroughbred breeding, has passed away peacefully at the age of 81. For nearly 50 years, and continuing with his father's legacy, Harris Ranch Beef Company experienced tremendous growth, delivering superior quality grain-fed beef worldwide.

Harris was also a nationally recognized figure in Thoroughbred racing, known for breeding and racing many distinguished champions. His deep love for horses and the sport was matched by his leadership and advocacy within the industry, where he served as a mentor and ambassador for generations.

Holding positions with California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the California Horse Racing Board, and the Thoroughbred Owners of California, Harris was a member of The Jockey Club of America since 1988.

Harris Farms stood key stallions like Cee's Tizzy (USA), the sire of the great Tiznow (USA), and also perennial leading California sires Unusual Heat (USA) and Vronsky (USA). Harris was also responsible for standing Lucky Pulpit (USA), the sire of GI Kentucky Derby hero California Chrome (USA).