Racing NSW emails participants about pattern concerns
On Friday afternoon, Racing NSW sent an email to participants addressing concerns about the discussion of the pattern committee in the media. “Racing NSW wishes to correct the record in respect of the widespread misinformation surrounding the status of Black Type Guidelines and the Pattern in Australia,” said the email.
“Certain so called independent industry media outlets are presenting advertiser-driven narratives rather than facts, resulting in deliberate misrepresentations that advance the agendas of vested interest groups.”
HKJC supports Tai Po fire victims
Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting will be held without the public and all proceeds from the meeting will go to support victims of the tragic Tai Po fire. “The Hong Kong Jockey Club is deeply saddened by the loss of so many lives during the tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, as well as the injuries and personal loss suffered by many others,” the Hong Kong Jockey Club told scmp.com in a statement.
“The club has announced its first tranche donation of HK$100 million through its Charities Trust to support victims and the families of the deceased. The club has also reviewed all of its operations to ensure that in every aspect of its activities we recognise the terrible impact of this tragedy.
“The meeting will be held behind closed doors with only Owners, Stewards, Voting Members and their invited guests in attendance. There will be no sponsors. The Stewards of the Club, Officials, Trainers and Jockeys will observe a minute of silence and jockeys will wear black armbands as a mark of respect. There will be no live music. Off-course Betting Branches will provide essential customer services only.
“All gross income from this race meeting, estimated to be around HK$70 million, will be donated to support those affected by the tragedy, in consultation with the Government. This brings the Club’s total contribution to around HK$170 million.” HK$170 million is approximately AU$33.5 million.
Inglis Digital includes shares in exciting colts
Next week’s Inglis Digital sale has opened for bidding, and includes shares in exciting 3-year-old colts G2 Roman Consul Stakes winner Hidden Motive (Capitalist) and stakes placed Ruination (Wootton Bassett {GB}).
Aristocrat (Zoustar) is a last start-winning 3-year-old gelding from the Michael Freedman stable, who is offered with a Hong Kong rating of 64. Another Zoustar in the catalogue is the broodmare Extra Time, who is in foal to Hellbent and comes with a Maurice (Jpn) colt at foot.
Patonga (Written Tycoon), a 3-year-old colt out of Group 1 winner In Her Time, had an immediate upgrade on Friday, winning his maiden at Canterbury at his third start. He was a $750,000 purchase by Tom Magnier from Yulong’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
In total the December (Early) catalogue consists of 287 lots: 150 racehorses (74 race fillies), 70 racehorse shares, 43 broodmares, 17 yearlings, six unraced stock and one 2-year-old.
Alalcance can win the Zipping says Waterhouse
Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse believes her mare Alalcance (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) can win Saturday’s G2 Zipping Classic. She ran third in the G2 Matriarch Stakes at the start on November in her most recent outing. “I think she will win tomorrow,” Waterhouse told racing.com.
“She’s probably put on 15 kilos since her last run and she’s working the place down. She’s strong and she’ll stay all day, and this race looks perfect for her. We programmed her for this race a long time ago.
Alalcance (GB) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“We might give her a light break and come back in the new year and run in the Sydney Cup. She got to the Sydney Cup (last season) and it was probably a bridge too far as she was a little immature.”
Tuff Tu Mus chasing eight in a row
Saturday’s Listed Recognition Stakes could be the eighth win in succession for David Vandyke-trained Tuff Tu Mus (All Too Hard). “He’s emotionally fragile. It’s just the way he is but it’s only on race days. That’s why I take him to the races a lot and give him more barrier trials than usual to give him the experience of racing,” Vandyke told racingqueensland.com.au.
“I want to see how he goes on Saturday before we work out where to go with him. He’s eligible for the Magic Millions but there’s no 1800 metre race on which they use to have so I’ll wait and see where we can slot him in. He’s obviously a very good horse to win seven straight on city tracks but he’s got to go 1350 metres first-up. But, he has the ability to win first-up.”
Sghirripa to test longer trip in Testa Rossa Stakes
Trainers Shane and Cassie Oxlade feel the longer 1400 metre trip for the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes might reinvigorate their Group 1 galloper Sghirripa (Lonhro). “We've always thought he would get it (1400m), but we just haven't had to go there, there's been races for him. Although he hasn't won for a long while, I don't think it's been the trip previously that's beat him,” Shane Oxlade told racenet.com.au.
“It's circumstances and needing things to go your way, and sometimes they don't at that level. I'm really happy with him, I've been happy with him all prep, the horse is going really well. We worked him over a little bit further since he's got to go to 1400m and Lauren (Stojakovic) said he's actually loved it.
Sghirripa | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“I can't fault the horse, I just hope we go to the 1400m, he gets a nice run and runs the race we think he can run. He's never been a long way away. Apart from last start (Listed), they've all been Group races, he certainly hasn't dropped down in grade.”
Million dollar mare lines up for first black type
Kelly Schweida-trained El Morzillo (Star Witness) has earned over $1 million but is yet to salute in a stakes race. Schweida hopes this will change in Saturday’s Listed Tatt’s Classic at Doomben. “A stakes win – that's what it's all about for her now,” Schweida told racenet.com.au.
“When she finished third when first-up in a Class 3 Plate, I was initially a bit disappointed. I just thought that she would be better than them in a Class 3, given that she has won a million dollars. But when I did the sectionals, they ran home in 33.04sec (last 600m).
“She was about three lengths off them, so she's not capable of running 32 seconds and running them down. She was probably also a bit on the soft side and she has also got a poor first-up record.”
Locally trained outsider wins Wodonga Cup
Friday’s Wodonga Cup went to 60-1 outsider Morning Darling (Love Conquers All) for local trainer Sylvia Thompson. “He was my pick. All along, I kept saying he’d win the Wodonga Cup. I’ve liked him from day one,” Thompson said.
He was ridden by Brendan Ward who last won this race in 2007. “It’s been a long time between drinks. I’ve had a great relationship with the McPhees (owners) over the years, especially since I was a 17-year-old kid. It was good to team up again,” Ward said.
New winner for Prince Fawaz
Second season sire Prince Fawaz added winner number 4 when 3-year-old gelding Treasure Hunter won at Queanbeyan for trainer Scott Collings. Treasure Hunter was sold by Alma Vale and Kitchwin Hills at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $20,000 to Hopetoun Properties.
Treasure Hunter as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
He is the fourth winner from as many to race for Affair (Shamardal {USA}) who is an unraced half-sister to Group 3 winner Camporella (Exceed And Excel).
The Queanbeyan Cup was won by Joe Cleary-trained 5-year-old mare Vermicella (Pierro) who took her record to five wins from 13 starts.
Horse Of The Year Calandagan heads to Japan Cup
Under the vast, silent stand of Tokyo racecourse the best horse in the world enjoys a saunter around the turf track which will become his stage for the final act of a tremendous season. Recently crowned Cartier Horse Of The Year Calandagan (Gleneagles) will encounter an altogether different atmosphere on Sunday when that same grandstand will sing with the anticipation of around 100,000 racegoers come to bear witness to one of the world's great horse races.
The passion with which the Japanese fans approach racing means that the Japan Cup is more pilgrimage than sports event, and an 18-strong field which boasts the last three winners of the Japanese Derby means that the home team will have plenty to absorb them beyond this sole international visitor.
“My only focus for him is winning races,” Graffard says after watching Calandagan and his travelling companion Le Nomade complete half a lap of the Tokyo turf in a swinging canter. “I don't have to plan what will happen after racing, and what distance he should be racing over to be commercially interesting for a stallion career, or things like that. You only do it for the horse and for the sport, and I think that's why I like these geldings – I think they are great for the sport.”
Breeding right to Mehmas tops Arqana Online
A breeding right to Mehmas topped Thursday's Arqana November Online Sale when going the way of Hugo Merry Bloodstock for €180,000 (AU$319,000). The sire of nine individual Group winners and 48 stakes winners from his first five crops, the Tally-Ho Stud stallion's leading performers in 2025 include the top-level winners Believing and Wise Approach.
A share in the unbeaten Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Ace Impact was another highlight of the sale when knocked down to Horse France for €152,000 (AU$270,000). Based at Haras de Beaumont, Ace Impact's first foals have sold for up to €220,000 (AU$390,000).
European breeders meet in Newmarket
Representatives from Europe's breeding nations gathered to discuss the key challenges and potential threats facing the European Bloodstock Industry at the EFTBA 2025 autumn meeting in Newmarket. New members included Cathy Grassick, representing Ireland, and Naomi Mellor, who is the CEO of the TBA. Dr. Des Leadon led the report from the EFTBA Veterinary Advisors Committee.
Animal welfare in transportation was widely discussed and the EU discussions are now at a trilogue stage (EU Commission, DG Sante and MEPs). EFTBA Chairman Joe Hernon felt that a good case had been made and a fact sheet was presented.
A new threat to animal health is in the form of a mosquito born virus called Western Nile Virus. France Galop are taking precautions as they could threaten the racing and sales during the summer months.
Chairman of the TBA Philip Newton also commented on the global reduction of the thoroughbred breeding numbers, especially in the UK. If this continues, it will and has already impacted in field sizes, which will have a major impact on betting turnover and this will impact the Levy.
The bloodstock sales revealed startling statistics, such as the gross spend in the UK, £85M, of which 40% of total gross sales was spent on 5% of yearlings offered and 25 buyers were responsible for 60% of total purchases, with three-quarters of the yearlings sold failing to recover costs.
Tattersalls Emirates inaugural joint online sale a success
The first edition of the Emirates Racing Authority Online Sale, hosted by Tattersalls Online, was topped by the lightly-raced 3-year-old Daayyem (Bolt D'Oro) at AED58,000 (AU$24,200) to Khalifa Alneyadi.
Leading vendor of the day was Jebel Ali-based trainer Michael Costa. who consigned a draft of four lots on behalf of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, all of which sold for an aggregate of AED138,500 (AU$57,700). The draft was highlighted by Daayyem, who holds an ERA rating of 67.
As the first online auction to be held by the Emirates Racing Authority, the sale marked a milestone for the region's racing industry and represents a significant evolution in the world of digital bloodstock trading.
At the conclusion of the sale, Tattersalls Online Sales Manager Katherine Sheridan commented, “Today's sale marks an important advance in the global thoroughbred online market. We were honoured to have been entrusted with staging the inaugural Emirates Racing Authority Online Sale.
“The initial support from vendors together with the international depth of bidders underlined the potential of this initiative. Our thanks go to the Emirates Racing Authority for their confidence in the Tattersalls Online platform and to our consignors and purchasers for their enthusiastic participation. We look forward to building on this concept in the future, broadening its reach and continuing to set the standard for innovation in our industry.”
