Group 3 winner Cleo Cat tops Inglis Digital
The Inglis Digital August (Early) closed on Wednesday and the sale-topper Group 3 winner Cleo Cat (American Pharoah {USA}) sold to Yulong for $355,000. “She’s a good, fast mare from a nice family, a really good looking mare so she’ll head to More Than Looks, she matches up nicely on pedigree and as a physical with him,” Yulong’s Sam Fairgray told inglis.com.au.
“We were thinking she’d make her $300,000-$350,000 so we were around the mark. More Than Looks is getting his share of mares now and we can’t wait to show him to the public at our stallion parade from tomorrow.”
Cleo Cat | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
The second-top lot was the Lindsey Smith-offered Group 3 winner Yellow Sam (Ready For Victory), which Peter Dunn of Dodmark Thoroughbreds secured for $305,000. She is entered for Saturday’s G2 PB Lawrence Stakes. “I’ll give Lindsey a call and introduce myself and tell him everything is as per usual, just keep doing what you’re doing, at least for the next couple of starts,” Dunn said.
“She’ll run on Saturday and then they were heading toward a Group 1 with her in a couple of weeks so I don’t want to throw a spanner in the works when they’ve got their systems worked out. I liked her breeding, she hasn’t had that many starts so we bought her to race her for the next month or so and then likely send her to stud but who knows, if she wins these starts we might race her on longer, we’ll just decide after her next couple of starts.”
The sale grossed $3,207,600 with three lots to realise $200,000 or more.
Kennewell and Yeomans dissolve training partnership
Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans announced on Wednesday that they are dissolving their training partnership. “This was not a decision we took lightly, but we both feel the time is right to pursue our own individual paths in the racing industry,” Kennewell said in a social media statement.
Kennewell will continue the operation and Yeomans will set up her own stable. She was formerly with Ciaron Maher before joining Kennewell in partnership. “I've had a great grounding working with some elite people and horses in a variety of disciplines,” Yeomans told racenet.com.au.
“I just want to grow by business organically so I'll start with a few horses and go from there. Since it came out that I was going out on my own, I've had several phone calls from people looking to support me.” Her partner is jockey Blake Shinn who will be supporting her new business. “I don't know where my first runner will be but Blake will be riding it, whether he likes it or not,” she joked.
Packard, McGrath and Cameron join TBA and Aushorse
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse announced a new structure and leadership team on Wednesday. Headed by CEO Andrew Hore-Lacy who joined the team in June, who said, “These appointments mark an exciting new chapter for TBA and Aushorse.”
Leanna Packard has been appointed Head of Marketing and Partnerships at TBA and Aushorse. Meagan McGrath joins TBA and Aushorse as Head of Advocacy & Communications, and Gemma Cameron has been appointed Head of Finance and Administration at TBA and Aushorse. Madison Tims continues as Head of Education and Projects at TBA and Aushorse, a position she has held since 2022.
“Leanna, Meagan, Gemma and Madison each bring deep industry knowledge and a genuine passion for the work we do on behalf of breeders. With the guidance of our Boards and the support of our members, we are well positioned to strengthen our industry and advance the interests of Australian breeders both nationally and internationally."
Rothfire to resume in G1 AJ Moir
Trainer Robert Heathcote will take his injury-plagued tough sprinting Group 1 winner Rothfire (Rothesay) to Melbourne where he’ll resume in the G1 AJ Moir Stakes. “His run in the Doomben 10,000 has shown that he is up to it,” Heathcote told racenet.com.au.
Rothfire | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“It will be a pleasure for me to get the opportunity to take the old boy back to Melbourne again. The Moir will be his first race and then we will go to the Group 1 Manikato Stakes. If I can keep him sound, healthy and happy he will always be competitive around the Valley, he loves it.”
Group 1 winners jumpout at Caulfield Heath
On Wednesday morning, Group 1 winners Magic Time (Hellbent) and Skybird (Exosphere) ran in heat one at the Caulfield Heath jumpouts finishing fourth and sixth respectively. “She was a little bit slow out of the gates, half a length. She rounded it off very, very nicely, so we're very happy with her. A decision will still be made as to whether we go to the Heath on the 30th of the month or go to the Moir Stakes. At this stage, I'd probably be leaning towards the Moir, I feel that she's pretty dynamic, 1000 metres first up, at this stage, that's the way I'm leaning,” trainer Grahame Begg told racing.com of Magic Time.
“I was really happy. She sat back off the speed there and just let her find the line under her own steam. Despite the fact that we haven't seen her at the jumpouts yet, she's done a bit of work. We've obviously seen her at Sandown the other week galloping between races, that just knocked a bit of steam out of her and reintroduced her to race day. Given that she's come off an injury on race day, we just wanted to make sure that she was comfortable in that environment and bringing her here today, she was much more relaxed and took it all in her stride a bit better. We're planning on the Moir, that's where we're planning on kicking off at this stage,” trainer Mitch Freedman said of Skybird.
Ka Ying Rising to run in Hong Kong before The Everest
Hong Kong’s champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) will have one start in Hong Kong before travelling to the G1 The Everest. “David (Hayes) wants to give Ka Ying Rising a barrier trial on October 7 and we will accommodate his request. Ka Ying Rising will have a race in Hong Kong before he leaves, then the barrier trial 11 days before he runs in The Everest,” ATC's Nevesh Ramdhani told racenet.com.au.
Ka Ying Rising (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
International runner Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) will not be returning. “Jerome (Reynier) told me that Lazzat did a fair bit of travelling last year, he came to Sydney and then Hong Kong so he won't be coming back for the spring. But Lazzat is being trained as a sprinter now and Jerome said if the horse is going well next year, he could be aimed at The Everest.”
Fitness the key for Grand Prairie
Trainer Peter Snowden thinks 3-year-old colt Grand Prairie (Written Tycoon) can win Saturday’s Listed Rosebud Stakes as he has a fitness advantage on many of his rivals. “That was the idea. We wanted to have a bit of fitness on our side leading into those better class races because sometimes you can be the fitter horse, not the best horse, to get one of those races nice and early,” Snowden told racingandsports.com.au.
Peter Snowden | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I'm banking on his fitness being a key factor to his chances on Saturday. It's a Listed race so it would be nice if he could get that one up.” The Yulong-owned colt has had three starts this campaign for a win and a last start second. He is the second live foal and second winner for Group 1 winner Viddora (I Am Invincible) who is currently in foal to Pierata.
Saltcoats wins rescheduled Premier's Cup Prelude
Trainer Chris Waller’s Saltcoats (NZ) (Ardrossan) won Wednesday’s Premier’s Cup Prelude. The race, rescheduled from Saturday's abandoned meeting, had 13 scratchings leaving seven runners, and Saltcoats won the 1800 metre event by 2.23l for jockey Zac Lloyd. “It was really important these types of horses were able to get the mileage in their legs, given they're going to get over a bit of ground,” stable representative Darren Beadman said.
“You could run them in a barrier trial over 1200 but they're not going to get the same benefit.” He will head to the G3 Premier’s Cup at Randwick on August 23.
Geneva set for G3 Breeders’ Stakes
Saturday’s G3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes will see debutant winner Geneva (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) attempt to keep his unbeaten record. “He’s just ticked all the boxes and done everything we’ve asked of him every step along the way, he hasn’t ever been under a ride yet so it’s all in front of him,” trainer Kylie Hoskin told Loveracing.nz.
“He’s such a kind horse and we kept him a colt because he was so quiet and I was worried that if we gelded him, he might turn into a kid’s pony.”
Watch this space
Tasracing CEO Andrew Jenkins has hinted at some initiatives to be unveiled for Tasmania over the next month. “I think we’ve seen a normalisation or plateau in the sales in recent times, also understanding the cost of living pressures that people are under,” Jenkins told tasracing.com.au on Wednesday.
“Later this month, we will be announcing three significant initiatives designed to increase the growth and activity of breeding in Tasmania.”
Yulong purchases Steel Trap
G3 David Coles AM Stakes winner Steel Trap (King’s Legacy), trained by Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray, has been purchased by Yulong. “It was a tough decision to sell. But it's also very hard for a horse like her, based here in SA, to travel like she'd need to and be competing in very good races through the spring. It's also a big ask on us while we have a team of horses here at home,” Clarken told racingsa.com.au.
The 3-year-old filly won two of her five starts at two, concluding her season in the G3 David Coles AM Stakes. She also placed twice at stakes level.
Trainer hoping to back from first city win
Trainer Denim Wynen has only a small team and achieved her first city winner on August 2 with Sunshine Law (Alabama Express) and hopes the 4-year-old mare can do it again on Saturday at Rosehill. “It was a pretty exciting day and getting them ready to go again is the fun part,” Wynen told racingnsw.com.au.
“I’m a full-time mum as well so to do both just keeping the small number is good. It’s my peace and quiet. My son comes in and helps me a lot but when I need my quiet time that’s where I go. I still couldn’t believe it a week on, I’m still getting phone calls saying congratulations. I haven’t had any phone calls offering me a horse yet. But I’ve got good owners who support me and I’ve got enough horses to keep me going.” Sunshine Law will be joined by stablemate Monkhana (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) on Saturday.
Guineas next for Wednesday debutant winner
Trainer Stephen Marsh will step 3-year-old gelding Churmatt (Churchill {Ire}) into the Listed Wanganui Guineas next start after he won on debut on Wednesday at Rotorua. “He started off with Mark Forbes, he trialled up and had a win at Ellerslie,” Marsh told Loveracing.nz.
“We were lucky enough that Raptors Thoroughbreds (owners) gave him to us and we gave him two trials, and he has won very well today. He came with a good grounding, was beautifully educated and had a good rap on him. Mark and his team did a great job, and we have been lucky enough to get a good result.
Churmatt | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“I think a horse like him can head down to the Wanganui Guineas, he looks like that sort of horse. He is a good speed horse and he is going to take so much ability out of it.”
Too Darn Hot quinella at Kensington
Wednesday’s Kensington meeting saw Too Darn Hot (GB) quinella race one for 3-year-old fillies with Kris Lees-trained Cantiamo edging out John Sargent-trained Nullarbor Jane by 0.19l. “It was a slowly run race and she will learn a lot from today,” Lees said.
“The second horse went really well and is race fit and up and going so I think there is a bit of merit to the win. She is a work in progress and as you saw in the parade she has some improvement to come so I think she will measure up in better races. We will see how she comes through this and see if we try to test her now or try and place her softer.”
I Am Invincible sired a double at the meeting with Monte Supreme and La Roja.
Nicely bred King Ramsis wins at Murray Bridge
Travis Doudle-trained 3-year-old gelding King Ramsis (Written Tycoon) won at Murray Bridge on Wednesday, and he was having his second start. Purchased by Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $200,000 from Yarraman Park Stud, he was withdrawn from sale as a yearling.
King Ramsis is a full brother to G3 Zeditave Stakes winner Raikoke, and both are out of stakes placed Sunset Affair (Exceed And Excel) who is in foal to Capitalist.
At the same meeting, 3-year-old gelding More Than Hope (I Am Immortal) won for trainer Cody Reardon.
Bivouac and Cosmic Force add winners at Eagle Farm
On Wednesday at Eagle Farm, the two 3-year-old races were won by Tony and Maddysen Sears-trained Miss Force (Cosmic Force) and Stuart Kendrick-trained Miss Funny Honey (Bivouac). Miss Funny Honey won on debut to become Bivouac’s eighth winner, and he already has three stakes winners among them.
Sold by Emirates Park Stud for $120,000 to Kendrick Racing at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Miss Funny Honey is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Vega One (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Group 3 winner One More Honey (Onemorenomore). Their dam, One Funny Honey (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}) is in foal to Cylinder.
Friar’s Legacy fulfils promise with win in WA
Co-trainer Ben Pearce has always had a big opinion of 3-year-old gelding Friar’s Legacy (Written By) and he fulfilled that with a win at Belmont on Wednesday. “I’ve been rapping him up for a while,” Pearce told racingwa.com.au.
“First up last prep he went around at 30 to 1 and we had a bit each way. We left the racecourse looking a bit silly, but he pulled up shin sore and had an excuse for that. He’s come back this prep and has been super, trial was good, first up was super.
“I think he’s going to be a really nice horse in the making. I really think he’ll get a mile as he learns to settle. We bred the horse along with one of our stable clients, Trevor McKee. I said about 12-months ago he was a Guineas horse, we’ll see how he tracks through this prep. Probably give him another run or two and make a call from there.”
He is the first foal of Friar’s Fantasia (Blackfriars) who won five races for the Pearce brothers. Star Turn also sired a 3-year-old winner at the meeting with Dan Morton-trained Riva Aquarama who took her record to two wins from three starts.
New Zealand TAB announce new Minimum Bet Limits
On Wednesday, Entain announced an expansion of Minimum Bet Limits for TAB and betcha customers. “We launched Punters Promise in 2022 for our TAB racing fans across all three racing codes, but today we’re supercharging it,” Entain Australia and New Zealand’s General Manager – Trading, Nick Conway told Loveracing.nz.
“The $2,000 MBL for New Zealand racing extends to $5,000 for New Zealand thoroughbred racing on a Saturday, as well as Friday night harness and other big Group one harness racing days like NZ Trotting Cup Day.
“There's nothing more exciting than placing a long-range bet on a horse to win one of NZ's racing carnivals feature races, and now thoroughbred and racing futures markets are included in TAB's Punters Promise with a $2,000 MBL in place as soon as the market is open.
“The sports, tournaments and markets we have chosen for the Punters Promise and betcha Guarantee cover 75 percent of our sports turnover, so we'll have our work cut out for us making sure the odds are as accurate as possible.
“We recognise and appreciate the privilege of being the exclusive betting operator for New Zealand. These new and expanded initiatives – alongside our pledge to provide the same fair odds in New Zealand that we have on our brands in the highly competitive Australian betting market – shows our commitment to striking a fair balance between the punter and the operator.”
Stewart adds granddaughter to training partnership
Nonagenarian New Zealand trainer Leonard Stewart has been joined by granddaughter Lacy Stewart in partnership for this season. “She’s been helping me for the last few years, so it was well overdue to happen,” Stewart told Loveracing.nz.
“We get on pretty well, we see eye-to-eye and there’s never been any arguments. It’s quite special training with family, she loves the horses and does a good job with them.” They have a team of 10 runners at Oamaru on Friday, led by last start winner Satin Doll (Dissident).
Satin Doll | Image courtesy of Race Images
“She’s come through that race well, she’s a nuggety little horse that does what she has too. She eats, sleeps and works. Gosen (Jogoo, jockey) rode her very well to win, but it was also a very good effort from the horse. We have worked her along quietly and she’s fairly well.” She was sold by Barador Stud at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale for $70,000 and purchased by Kaha Nui Farm who pinhooked him into the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale where Raptor Racing purchased him for NZ$80,000.
American Owners Award finalists announced
Godolphin, Juddmonte, and Klaravich Stables have been named finalists for the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's National Owner of the Year award, the organization announced Tuesday. Godolphin is also a finalist for the TOBA's National Breeder of the Year Award. Sheikh Mohammed's operation is joined by fellow breeder finalists Judy Hicks and Town and Country Horse Farms.
“The finalists for the TOBA awards represent extraordinary achievements in our sport,” said TOBA president Dan Metzger. “We are honored to celebrate with them on what promises to be a memorable evening celebrating our 40th anniversary of the TOBA National Awards.”
The finalists for the Small Breeder of the Year are William Butler; Cuyathy; and Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby, and 4G Racing. Finalists for the Cot Campbell Partnership of the Year are Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby, 4G Racing and Valley View Farm; MyRacehorse; and the partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan. The awards will be announced on September 6.
Owner Jayson Werth to attend Deauville
Former Major League Baseball champion Jayson Werth will be in attendance at Deauville when the exciting Outfielder lines up in the G1 Sumbe Prix Morny on Sunday, August 24.
Werth, who owns the son of Speightstown in partnership with Amo Racing and trainer Wesley Ward, won the 2008 World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies. In racing, he is perhaps best known as the part-owner of Dornoch, who won last year's GI Belmont Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes for trainer Danny Gargan.
Werth also played a starring role in the Netflix series Race for the Crown, following Dornoch's exploits on the Triple Crown trail in 2024.
