Foals from Australian mares sell well on Day 2 at the JRHA Select Sale
Foals out of Australian mares were in strong demand on Day 2 of the JRHA Select Sale in Japan, with several standout results highlighting their appeal in the Japanese market.
A Kizuna (Jpn) colt, the first foal out of Champion 2-year-old and G1 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn (Rebel Dane), was sold to Tetsuhide Kunimoto for ¥320 million (AU$3.3 million).
Lot 369 - Kizuna (Jpn) x Fireburn (colt) | Image courtesy of the Japan Horse Racing Asssociation
A Suave Richard (Jpn) colt out of G1 Flight Stakes winner Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) was purchased by Makoto Hayano for ¥120 million (AU$1.24 million).
A Kizuna (Jpn) colt out of Jazz Etude (I Am Invincible) was sold to Fukumori Toshiyuki for ¥60 million (AU$612,000). Jazz Etude was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida as a yearling for $650,000, and became a Listed winner in Japan.
An Efforia (Jpn) filly out of G1 Vinery Stud Stakes winner Single Gaze (Not A Single Doubt) was secured by Masatoshi Haramura for ¥54 million (AU$557,000).
Full coverage of Day 2 will be featured in tomorrow's edition.
Victorian Government contributes to Moonee Valley upgrade
The Victorian government announced on Tuesday that they would contribute $5 million towards the renovations at Moonee Valley. “We're investing in the infrastructure that will cement the Valley's future and our reputation as the racing capital of Australia; supporting trainers, jockeys, owners and fans,” Minister for Racing, Anthony Carbines told racing.com.
Anthony Carbines | Image courtesy of Anthony Carbines
“We will always back the racing industry, which does so much for our state; generating $4.7 billion for the economy and supporting 35,000 full-time equivalent jobs.”
Moonee Valley Racing Club CEO Michael Browell outlined how it would be spent. “It's a fantastic outcome today to announce that through the VRIF funding, so with the support of the Victorian State Government and with Racing Victoria, the club secured a $5 million grant towards the racecourse redevelopment, specifically for three projects within that: the new racetrack, the track lighting and the tie-up stalls. It's an important contribution as we kick off the redevelopment.”
Slipper winner to likely campaign in Melbourne in spring
Trainer Michael Freedman is contemplating a Melbourne spring for G1 Golden Slipper winner Marhoona (Snitzel). “It's always difficult in Sydney with these sprinting-type 3-year-old fillies with the traditional races being set-weights and penalties (conditions) and then if you don't want to stretch them to 1400 (Tea Rose Stakes) and 1600 metres of the Flight (Stakes), there's not a lot here for them,” Freedman told racing.com.
“You probably need to send them down for those sprint races for fillies in Melbourne. The program is more suitable for that type of filly. I've been saying it for a few seasons now that Melbourne tends to cater for these sprinting 3-year-olds in general a little more so than we do in Sydney.
Marhoona | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“There is that Slipper curse they talk about but in her favour, she didn't have a torrid 2-year-old season. She's only had three lifetime starts and we sent her straight to the paddock after the Slipper, so she's had a really good spell. The decision to spell was probably made for us as she pulled up shin sore after the Slipper but even if she hadn't, we would have gone that way anyway as it gave us the opportunity to give her a nice, extended spell.
“I think it's a guessing game to a point. You keep your fingers crossed and hope but the early signs physically and mentally, she seems really good, so we're happier with that. She had a good seven to seven-and-a-half weeks off after the Slipper. She's probably no taller but she's thicker-set and carrying a bit more bulk this time around, which is good to see. She'll be having a trial towards the end of the month or in the first week of August and from there we'll start to map a bit of a program.”
Hawkes sets program for Group 1 colts
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes has outlined the spring program for Group 1-winning colts Devil Night (Extreme Choice) and Nepotism (Brutal {NZ}). “They are both stallions and whatever they do from now on is just an added bonus. There are just five 2-year-old Group 1s in the country and they have won one each of them, so they are proven and we'll wait and see how much more they can prove in the spring,” Hawkes told racing.com.
Michael Hawkes | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“Devil Night already has his box (at Yulong Stud) ready to go and Nepotism will find a home pretty easily on the back of that Champagne win. I think it was the best 2-year-old performance of the season.”
Devil Night will be set for the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and potentially The Everest, while Nepotism will head to the G1 Golden Rose and G1 Caulfield Guineas.
Bootlegger heads to G3 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes
Co-trainer Dan Clarken has a big opinion of 2-year-old gelding Bootlegger (Too Darn Hot {GB}) as he heads to Saturday’s G3 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes. “He hasn’t taken any step back from the other day. You think they might need a break, but they can surprise you by putting on weight, and sometimes the racing can toughen them up. He’s certainly done that between the two runs,” Clarken told racingsa.com.au.
“He’s still not there in the coat, so there’s more to come from him. I’ve learned with these 2-year-olds that you go with the flow and let them lead the way. I’m happy to be going there on Saturday because I don’t think there are any superstars there. It’s a good race for him and he’s a versatile horse, he has the tactical speed if he needs it, but we’ve seen him run well from behind as well.”
Bear On The Loose to improve for Grafton Cup
Co-trainer Adrian Bott thinks imported 5-year-old gelding Bear On The Loose (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) can improve into Thursday’s Listed Grafton Cup. “At this stage he’s probably best placed in these off season Cups,” Bott told racingnsw.com.au.
Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I don’t think he’d be able to turn around and be a spring prospect this year and there’s plenty of nice races over the summer as well. Maybe in another 12 months’ time he might develop into a carnival type horse.
“It (Caloundra Cup) was a muddling run race, a bit stop-start, and wasn’t in the greatest position to take advantage of that. A bit dictated to. I thought his effort to pick up was good. He’s been up a while, we’re mindful of that, and there's a relatively quick turnaround for him off the back of that run but he seems well in himself.”
Antino won’t dodge Via Sistina
Trainer Tony Gollan is aiming last start G1 Doomben Cup winner Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) at the G1 Cox Plate with the full knowledge that last year’s impressive winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) is headed there again. “I am aware that we will probably run into Via Sistina after she runs in the Winx Stakes and we will probably run into her the rest of the way through during the spring,” Gollan told racenet.com.au.
Antino (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“But I am more focused on Antino than I am worried about someone else's horse. Chris (Waller) has got his own plan for his horse and I've got my own plan for mine, based on what I think will work for me. I can alter off that plan if I want but it wouldn't be to be dodging Via Sistina, I would only be changing if I felt I needed to add an extra run before the Cox Plate. It's just a process to have Antino at his best for the Cox Plate. And I just feel this is the perfect preparation for him, providing everything can go smoothly for us.
“His first-up run will be Memsie Stakes on August 30 and from there we go two weeks to the Makybe Diva Stakes, they are the two races locked in. Everything going well, my plan would be then three weeks into the Turnbull Stakes and then three weeks into Cox Plate. He would be fourth-up into the Cox Plate which I think is probably his optimum. Then after that we would hopefully go onto the Champions Stakes as his fifth run of the campaign.”
Injured jockey update: Maskiell
Jason Maskiell is in hospital after sustaining injuries in a fall at trackwork on Tuesday. “Unfortunately I had a tumble today at Pakenham. Nothing broken which is good but have a collapsed lung. Roughly six weeks out at this stage,” Maskiell wrote on his socials.
“Thank you to all the staff and medical team. I appreciate it. Also thank you to my boss Dan for coming in to see me.”
Pair of nicely bred juveniles win at Newcastle
Proven sires Zoustar and Savabeel added a juvenile winner each at Tuesday’s Newcastle meeting. Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained colt Hillier (Zoustar) resumed with a win, having been stakes-placed earlier in the season. Sold by Segenhoe Stud, he was purchased by his trainers with TFI for $500,000 and is the second foal of Listed winner Pretty In Pink (Sebring).
John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained filly Samarelle (NZ) (Savabeel) won on debut. Purchased at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $250,000 by O’Shea Racing, James Bester Bloodstock, and Hurworth Bloodstock, she was presented by Trelawney Stud. She is the first winner for Smashing (NZ) (Pins) who was stakes-placed.
Mister Tia wins at Cairns
Liliana McCormack-trained 2-year-old gelding Mister Tia (Better Than Ready) won at Cairns on Tuesday, and was having his third start. Initially sold by Tipuana Farms at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale to Bevan Laming for $22,000, he was on-sold unraced via Inglis Digital’s April 2025 sale for $900 to PD & PM Gray, who earned $11,600 with Tuesday’s win.
ATC Foundation grants open
The Australian Turf Club Foundation grants are open. “These grants are central to our continued commitment to support our racing industry across NSW and also charitable organisations,” ATC Foundation Chair, Angela Belle McSweeney told racingnsw.com.au.
“The funding plays a critical role in creating positive, lasting impacts in local communities and we are thrilled to join with programs at organisations around our venues. On behalf of the ATC Foundation Board, our Club and Members, I thank everyone who has donated to the Foundation through the purchase of specialised merchandise to allow us to continue such important work.”
Man Crush set for Bolton sprint
Trainer Luke Fernie has big expectations for Man Crush (Manhattan Rain) in Saturday’s Listed Bolton Sprint at Bunbury as he resumes. “He’ll improve with a set of shades on as well,” Fernie told racingwa.com.au.
Man Crush | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“I’d imagine he will sharpen up a hell of a lot with them on. He just cruised through that trial the other day and was looked after. He had a little bit of a blow but should be good to go.”
Meanwhile stablemate Listed winner Wild Belle (Pride Of Dubai) has been retired. “She’s had enough of racing. She will be retired now as a broodmare and will be a beautiful mum. She’s happy and healthy and after that last run, I was looking for every excuse to pinpoint to something. She’s going to the paddock a happy horse and for the journey she has taken us on that’s all you can ask.”
Ninja to debut on Wednesday
Michael Freedman-trained 2-year-old gelding Ninja (Farnan) will make his debut at Kensington on Wednesday. “He’s still very much learning about things and doing a few things wrong but he’s ready to go to the races and probably just needs to get going,” Freedman told racingnsw.com.au.
Michael Freedman | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“He’s obviously shown some raw ability. I think he’s one of those horses that once he starts to put it all together can continue to improve. He just needs to learn to do things the right way, the only way we’re going to do that is to get him off to the races and learn his craft a bit.”
Treble for Sharrock at Hawera
Trainer Gavin Sharrock earned his first treble at Tuesday’s meeting at Hawera in New Zealand, led by juvenile gelding Spandeedo (NZ) (Ferrando {NZ}) who will back up into next Saturday’s Listed Ryder Stakes. “It was a big day, I haven’t had one of them (treble) before, I have never had enough horses to win three on a day, but I have had a couple of doubles,” Sharrock told Loveracing.nz.
Spandeedo | Image courtesy of Race Images
“I was rapt with (Spandeedo)’s run today, he dominated really. He is a very smart galloper. He has done a few things wrong, but we think we are getting on top of him. He ran straight and did everything right today, so onwards to the Ryder. He doesn’t seem to mind a wet track, and we will definitely have that in the Ryder.” He has won two of his four starts and is by second season sire Ferrando (NZ). Sharrock’s other two winners were Stewart (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and Vibration (NZ) (Proisir).
Champion Griffin to be decided on Wednesday
Hong Kong’s Champion Griffin will be crowned at the season finale on Wednesday with Sky Jewellery (The Autumn Sun), Crossborderpegasus (Rich Enuff), and Magnifique (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) in the running.
Poon keen for first Tony Cruz Award
Jockey Matthew Poon has a one win lead in the Tony Cruz Award heading into the final meeting of the Hong Kong season on Wednesday. “I think it’s a really good competition and a good motivator for all of us, too. We all try to get the best results that we can, so I think Wednesday will be a great night and I can’t wait,” Poon told scmp.com.
Matthew Poon | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“I think that whatever the result, we can all be proud of our efforts and do the local riders proud, too.”
Matthew Chadwick is second and Derek Leung is third, only two behind Poon. “I’m still positive on catching him. I always think in a good way and I have good support on Wednesday. The draw isn’t a help on some horses but I will try my best to catch ‘The Train’. We will see what happens. It will be an exciting finish,” Leung said.
GoffsGo live with first lots
GoffsGo, the new online sales platform from Goffs, went live on Monday with four horses on the market and selling, including Noel Meade's 2-year-old winner Check This Out (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}).
On Tuesday, the 9-year-old mare Ceistiu (Ire) (Vocalised {USA}) will be added to the platform, having recently made headlines as the dam of the Royal Ascot winner Merchant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who holds an entry in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes after his success in the King George V Stakes when last seen.
Entries are always open, 365 days of the year, with Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby hailing Monday's launch as “a new dawn for the online sale of thoroughbreds as GoffsGo offers a vibrant, always on alternative to the traditional marketplace.
“Unique to GoffsGo is our tailoring of buyers' preferences so you get what you want rather than an endless stream of generalised information. The GoffsGo platform is customer-led, offering the lowest selling costs whilst availing of the unique Goffs service and global reach.”
Vale Tom Lacy
Tom Lacy, the renowned breeder of Persian Force (Ire) who is famed for providing Pat Smullen with his start in racing during his time as a trainer, has died. He was 89. Lacy rode 50 winners as a jockey and found only Arkle and Flyingbolt too good aboard Height Of Fashion in two Irish Grand Nationals.
As a trainer, he sent out hundreds of winners from his yard in Rhode, County Offaly, spearheaded by Ingabelle (GB) (Taufan {USA}), who went on to become a hugely important foundation mare at Ballylinch Stud.
But it was his role as a breeder where Lacy received so many accolades in recent years. Along with his son Barry, he bred Group 1 performer Persian Force (Mehmas {Ire}) from €1,200 (AU$2140) mare Vida Amorosa (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). Lacy's other son Tony is a familiar face on the international bloodstock circuit and holds the role of Vice President of Sales at Keeneland.
Persian Force is not the only high-class runner that Lacy bred out of his bargain mare Vida Amorosa as Gubbass (Ire) first put the pedigree in lights when landing the Super Sprint Stakes.
It was off the back of Persian Force's achievements, which included victory in the July Stakes and multiple placed efforts at the highest level, that led to Lacy being crowned small breeder of the year at a memorable ITBA awards ceremony in February, 2023.
Fittingly, it was John O'Connor who presented Lacy with that award, and the Ballylinch Stud boss recalled the genuine outpouring of emotion for the Offaly native on the night.
Paying tribute to Lacy, O'Connor said, “That was a very nice moment for us. I have known Tom since I worked in Baroda Stud back in the eighties. Tom brought one of his best racemares, Bodelle, to Bob Back and bred a very fast filly called Caurselle. He and I stayed in contact after that and, when his very good filly, Ingabelle, came up for sale, we went down to meet him at his home in Rhode and we came to an agreement. Ingabelle was sold in foal to Bluebird and the filly she was carrying turned out to be Wild Bluebell, who was a very good filly as well. Tom kept some of the family and I suppose you could say we helped each other.”
O'Connor added, “But he was just a very, very nice man to deal with and his family are all excellent horse people. The one thing about Tom's horses is that they always looked so well – be that when they went racing or at home on the farm. And the horses he trained, they were so versatile – they could win sprint races, hurdle races, you name it. He was an outstanding horseman. He was just a lovely man who knew his horses extremely well. It was just a coincidence that we were able to present him with his prize but it was very appropriate.”
