Angel Capital booked for Harron slot in The Everest
James Harron Bloodstock has booked Yulong-owned 4-year-old entire Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) for his G1 The Everest slot. “Angel Capital looks to have gone to another level this preparation,” Harron said.
“We’re honoured to partner with Yulong and this hugely exciting horse - he very much looks as though he will be ideally suited to what is shaping up to be a very high-pressure Everest this year.”
Fourth last start in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, Angel Capital has won five of his nine starts and is trained by Chris Waller, having started his career with Clinton McDonald. He becomes the second Yulong-owned horse in the Everest, the third for Waller and the second by Harry Angel (Ire).
“We’re delighted to partner with James and his owners to tackle The Everest with Angel Capital. It’s a hugely exciting opportunity for this colt and one Chris Waller has been very keen to pursue. Angel Capital is a colt on an upward trajectory this season, Mr Zhang and the Yulong team are thrilled he has the chance to spread his wings in the world’s richest turf race,” Yulong CEO Sam Fairgray said.
| Chris Waller Racing | Joliestar (Zoustar) | Chris Waller |
| Coolmore | ||
| Fairway Thoroughbreds | Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) | Chris Waller |
| Godolphin | ||
| Hong Kong Jockey Club | Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) | David Hayes |
| James Harron Bloodstock | Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) | Chris Waller |
| Mulberry | ||
| Newgate & GPI Racing | Overpass (Vancouver) | Bjorn Baker |
| Inglis | ||
| TAB | Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) | Ciaron Maher |
| Whitby, McCann, Madden, Werrett | Briasa (Smart Missile) | Team Hawkes |
| Yulong | Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}) | Nathan Doyle |
Table: 2025 The Everest slots
Hale responds to Show Cause notice
Australian Turf Club Chair Tim Hale wrote to members with regards to Racing NSW’s Show Cause notice. “The process is not like the receivership of a public company. The club remains in a strong position, with cash reserves and a valuable asset base underpinning our future,” Hale said.
“The show cause relates to perceived governance and financial matters extending back many years. It does not impact our racing program, our operations, or experience we deliver for you as members.
Tim Hale | Image courtesy of Australian Turf Club
“The ATC does not accept several of the points raised by Racing NSW and will respond in detail in due course. In the meantime, our focus remains firmly on the exciting weeks ahead.”
Skyhook to turn tables on Tempted
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy thinks 3-year-old colt Skyhook (Written Tycoon) can beat last start winning 3-year-old filly Tempted (Street Boss {USA}) in Saturday’s G1 Golden Rose. “Given the way the day played I should have chased the speed a bit and that saw us get pocketed,” McEvoy told racingnsw.com.au.
Skyhook | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We got clear when the race was all over and I felt if he had got clear air he would have been right there and challenging Tempted. It shows he’s backed up from his first-up win well and it gives us confidence against what’s likely to be the favourite on Saturday.”
Beadman furnished ahead of Heritage Stakes
Trainer Peter Snowden has Group 3 winner Beadman (Snitzel) ready for Saturday’s Listed Heritage Stakes despite the colt carrying more weight than expected. “I’m really happy with him, he’s had a good prep and been in work for quite a while. His trials have been good and I’m happy with his work,” Snowden told racingnsw.com.au.
“He’s a much bigger version of himself, he’s really furnished. That’s great to see but there’s a lot of bulk there. That’s the only thing I’m little nervous of, that he’s not fully screwed down because his grand final is a fair way off.
Beadman | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“I asked (James McDonald) in that second trial to put him under race conditions, just shake him up the last 100 metres and make him brush home. He’s had a lot of work but there’s nothing better than races to get him rock hard fit.”
Encap on trial for Epsom
Saturday’s G2 Shannon Stakes will be a G1 Epsom test for Gary Portelli-trained Encap (Capitalist). “He is good and has done real well so we just need to get him in the Epsom with a light weight,” Portelli told racenet.com.au.
Encap | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“It sounds like there is an odds-on favourite (Autumn Glow) going to be there to take on but getting him back to the big mile at Randwick (is what we want). We just want a good run from him on Saturday.”
Balaklava Cup winner to aim at Toorak
Last start Listed Balaklava Cup winner Sav On Ice (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) will run in Saturday’s G3 Sandown Stakes as a step towards the G1 Toorak Handicap. “He did feel his (Balaklava) run, it was a heavy track, he got pushed a little bit deep and he tried,” trainer Darryl Carrison told racenet.com.au.
“His work (Tuesday) was just sensational, lovely, kind work. I was fortunate enough to have Rochelle (Milnes) gallop him, she got off and said he was just beautiful. He's ran up in good time. She thought he was just walking up the straight – and the clock proved otherwise.
“Recovered awesome, she said he would've rolled another lap, so really happy going there. If he performs like he did at Balaklava – he will be competitive.”
Ballydoyle's Scandinavia ruled out of Melbourne Cup
Trainer Aidan O’Brien ruled out a G1 Melbourne Cup tilt for G1 St Leger winner Scandinavia (USA) (Justify {USA}), telling British media, “Scandinavia won't be going to the Melbourne Cup. He's finished for the season and we'll train him for the Gold Cup next year.”
Charlie Fellows posted on his socials that Luther (GB) (Frankel {GB}) would not travel to Australia for the Golden Eagle. “Devastatingly Luther has suffered a setback and will not be making the trip to Australia for the Golden Eagle,” he wrote.
First winner for Yeomans
Trainer Lucy Yeomans enjoyed her first winner as a solo trainer on Wednesday when 4-year-old mare Enchanted Jenni (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) won when resuming at Sandown. Enchanted Jenni was ridden by Yeoman’s partner Blake Shinn. “It feels amazing - I thought I'd be a mess and crying, but I'm keeping it together,” Yeomans said.
“There's too many people to thank, I don't know where to start. Obviously, my partner Blake gave her a peach of a ride. We've got six horses in work, it's just me and my right hand girl Taylah (Ingram), so a little team effort and we're just so delighted to get the job done so soon.
“Obviously a massive thanks to Tony Ottobre. He's supported me all along, way back when I was at Ciaron's (Maher), to when I was in a training partnership (with Lloyd Kennewell) and he sent three horses around the day I opened. It's so rewarding (being a solo trainer), I'm absolutely loving every day.”
Common Interest digs deep on debut
At Balaklava on Wednesday, Richard and Chantelle Jolly-trained 3-year-old gelding Common Interest (Ole Kirk) had to dig deep on debut for jockey Jacob Opperman and came away with an 0.18 length victory.
He becomes winner number 21 for Ole Kirk, who leads the Second Season Sire’s table at this early stage in the season. Common Interest was a relative bargain buy, sold by Tyreel Stud for $60,000 to his trainers at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Common Interest is the fourth winner for stakes placed Tender (All American).
Andrew Gluyas-trained 3-year-old filly Sassy Sophie (Churchill {Ire}) was also a winner at the meeting.
Heavenly Conquest wins at Eagle Farm
It took a few goes, but Gerry Harvey and partners-owned 3-year-old filly Heavenly Conquest (I Am Invincible) came home a winner at Eagle Farm on Wednesday for trainer Ciaron Maher. It was her sixth start.
The half-sister to Group 3 winner Heavenly Curlin (USA) (Curlin {USA}) is out of Taste Of Heaven (Encosta De Lago) a half-sister to Redoute’s Choice. Taste Of Heaven had a Home Affairs colt this season.
Linchpin impressive on debut
Darren McAuliffe-trained 3-year-old gelding Linchpin (Playing God) won on debut at Belmont for syndicators Impressive Racing and partners, coming home by 1.5 lengths. Not offered at auction, Linchpin is a half-brother to Listed winner Cool Memory (Impending), out of stakes placed Fo’ Shizzle (Universal Ruler).
Long Leaf’s debutant winner
At Belmont on Wednesday, 3-year-old gelding Long Service Leaf (Long Leaf) won on debut for the Neville Parnham stable. He is the first winner from the second crop of his sire, who is a son of Fastnet Rock. Parnham purchased him for $50,000 from Bellbridge Park’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale draft.
Hong Kong’s Lucky Sweynesse set for Japan
Four-time Group 1 winner in Hong Kong, Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) is set to run in Sunday’s G1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse in Japan. “He feels great, he always looks around like he does in Hong Kong, always curious with everything,” jockey Derek Leung told hkjc.com about his work on Wednesday.
Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“It was his first time galloping here but everything went smoothly.” Lucky Sweynesse had some time off with a minor fracture, but ran second to Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) last start.
Steady at Fasig-Tipton California Yearlings
The Fasig-Tipton California Fall Yearlings Sale, held Tuesday at Fairplex, produced average and median figures largely in line with its 2024 renewal even as its clearance rate declined.
A total of 140 yearlings sold for US$4,603,400 (AU$6 million). The average increased 11.4% to US$32,666 (AU$49,400) and the median remained steady at US$15,000 (AU$22,700). In 2024, 163 head grossed US$4,781,400 (AU$7.2 million) for an average of US$29,334 (AU$44,300).
“The California breeding program is such a great breeding program, so these breeders are proud to take and race their homebreds,” said Fasig-Tipton's Mike Machowsky, referring to the lower clearance rate.
“There is such an advantage for stallion awards, breeders awards, and owners awards in California. There is a big advantage for those breeders. There is money to be made with a nice Cal-bred. So guys aren't shy to take them home.”
A filly by Corniche brought the auction's top price when selling for US$250,000 (AU$378,000) to Legacy Ranch. The yearling was one of three to sell for over US$200,000 (AU$300,000)–matching the figure from last year–and 11 to sell for six figures. Eight yearlings sold for six figures at the 2024 auction.
€165,000 Blackbeard colt tops strong start at Tattersalls Ireland
On a day when even the wildest expectations for the opening session of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale were exceeded, Peter Nolan enjoyed a result he will never forget when his homebred colt by first-season sire Blackbeard was knocked down to Ted Durcan for €165,000 (AU$293,000).
“He is a beautiful stamp of a horse,” Durcan said. “He vetted really well and I knew he'd make money. We hoped we'd get him for a lot less than that but in this healthy market you have to push the boat out.”
A healthy market is one way of putting it. With 11 horses selling for six figures, you could say things were thriving at Fairyhouse on Tuesday. And the love was spread across the board, too, which was illustrated by the fact the median climbed by 55% and the clearance rate settled at 93%.
Along with that massive jump in the median, the average climbed 49% to €44,096 (AU$78,300) while the turnover was up by roughly a third to €9,833,500 (AU$17.4 million). Of the 240 lots offered, 223 were sold at that 93% clearance rate.
Impressive maiden winner for Wootton Bassett
Following the news earlier in the day of his sire's untimely passing, Aidan O'Brien trainee Straight Up (Wootton Bassett) delivered a poignant win for Flaxman Stables and the Coolmore partners in Tuesday's WTW Willis Irish EBF Maiden at Listowel.
“To do that without a prior run was a very good performance and Wayne [Lordan] was delighted with him,” said Ballydoyle's Chris Armstrong.
On Wootton Bassett, Armstrong said, “Obviously, he is a massive loss. When you look at the few years he has been at Coolmore, what he achieved was astronomical and we were fortunate to have so many nice ones by him. His progeny have engines, minds and have everything."
"There are obviously more crops to come, but his death is a massive blow to the whole team. To lose your star is a big one and he was the ultimate. We have to look forward now, so hopefully there are a few more stars to replace him at stud.”
