Tattersalls and Inglis team up to sell Too Darn Hot progeny
Tattersalls Online will join forces with Inglis Digital for a dedicated Southern Hemisphere Session to be held on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th February. The upcoming Southern Hemisphere Session will feature a select draft from The Castlebridge Consignment, headlined by Southern Hemisphere-bred progeny by Too Darn Hot (GB).
Tattersalls Online Sales Manager Katherine Sheridan commented, “This Southern Hemisphere Session offers a genuinely unique opportunity. Too Darn Hot's 2024 Southern Hemisphere foals are exceptionally limited in number and when combined with pedigrees of this quality, the appeal is clear. We are delighted to once again collaborate with Inglis Digital and to present a session that we expect will attract strong international interest.”
Among the highlights of the session is a three-in-one package featuring the young mare Moraless, offered together with her Southern Hemisphere-bred weanling colt by Too Darn Hot and in foal on a Southern Hemisphere cover to Champion First-Season Sire Starman.
Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch concluded, “The collaborations with Tattersalls Online are a product of conversations that we have been having with the team at Tattersalls for a number of years and in the instances that we have executed them, they have generated good engagement and a number of excellent results.”
“Katherine raised the possibility of this opportunity last month and we were very keen for Inglis Digital to be involved as we feel we can add significant value to the process.”
Katherine Sheridad | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
“Access to Too Darn Hot was particularly limited in his fifth season because he was domiciled in England, and as such, there is a real scarcity value to these foals, particularly when analysis of who holds the balance of the crop shows that it is very unlikely that many of his offspring will be available at public auction in Australia either as weanlings in 2026 or as yearlings in 2027.”
The catalogue, which is available to view on the Tattersalls Online website at www.tattersallsonline.com, marks the third collaboration between Tattersalls Online and Inglis Digital and aims to continue to strengthen the connection between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere markets.
Latest Golden Slipper order of entry
On Tuesday, the Australian Turf Club released the latest order of entry for the G1 Golden Slipper to be run at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, March 21. Last start G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (f) winner Clinton McDonald-trained Streisand (Magnus) heads the order from Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Shiki (Too Darn Hot {GB}).
Ciaron Maher-trained pair of Spicy Miss (Trapeze Artist) and Tornado Valley (Too Darn Hot {GB}) are next, followed by G1 Blue Diamond favourite Big Sky (Bivouac), trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. James Harron’s pair of Fireball (Snitzel) and Incognito (Stay Inside) follow.
Magic Millions Digital closing on Wednesday
The latest Magic Millions Digital sale closes on Wednesday and one of the highlight lots is Podcast (Microphone), a twice-winning three-quarter sister to exciting juvenile Big Sky (Bivouac). Winner of last weekend’s G3 Chairman’s Stakes, Big Sky is one of the favoured runners for the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Also proving popular are the 5% share in 2-year-old colt First Base (Frankel {GB}) who is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Nettoyer (Sebring), and a 10% share in Zousika (Zoustar). Jack Bruce-trained 5-year-old gelding More Trouble (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), a winner of three races, is garnering plenty of attention.
Maher’s Lightning pair looking sharp
Ciaron Maher is pleased with his two G1 Lightning Stakes runners Benedetta (Hellbent) and 3-year-old filly Military Tycoon (Written Tycoon) ahead of Saturday. “Benedetta has prepped up really well. She’s had that longer build up at Fingal now which is the point of difference for us to have her. Although the 1000 metres is and will be at the bottom of her trip, she’s going really well, she looks a treat and whatever she does over 1000 metres in that small field on Saturday, she will improve,” Maher told racing.com.
Military Tycoon | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Military Tycoon is a fast filly and is a winner down the straight. With the weight relief of having 53.5kg, we thought it was a good opportunity to miss the Peter Le Grand Stakes and target this race. I know it’s a class field for quality, but she warrants being there and seems to be in really good form.”
Surround then Coolmore for Apocalyptic
Exciting Group 1 winning 3-year-old filly Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice) will target the G1 Coolmore Classic after the G1 Surround Stakes. “Where we go from there probably depends on how she runs in the Surround,” Ben Willis from MyRacehorse told racing.com.
“Whether she goes to the Coolmore Classic, like Lady Shenandoah did as the 3-year-old filly last autumn, or do we drop her back to a 1200 metre event, later in the Sydney carnival? She’ll do the Light Fingers this week, then hopefully progress on to the Surround Stakes, which is a Group 1.
Apocalyptic | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It’ll be an exciting event because she will come up against Ole Dancer, who beat her in the Thousand Guineas, as well as Tempted, who looks very good. That should be a really good race.”
Sheeza Alibi to miss the Guineas
Co-trainer Peter Moody will give boom 3-year-old filly Sheeza Alibi (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) another week before she resumes. “I’ve just had a chat with the ownership group of Sheza Alibi, Mr Fred Noffke, and we are not going to run her on Saturday which makes it highly unlikely she will take her place in the Australian Guineas,” Moody told racing.com.
“It’s more than likely she will run in the Armanasco Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday week en route to the Randwick Guineas. I just thought another week. She’s a filly that carries good condition. She worked super (on Tuesday morning) but just had a little bit more of a blow than I thought. She looks very well but maybe just a tad too well, so we made the decision.”
Hulbert gives Wheeler a last chance
Trouble jockey Bailey Wheeler has been given a last chance by trainers Peter and Will Hulbert. “I would have felt terrible if he ended up in a bad place in life because racing kicked him out,” Will Hulbert told racenet.com.au of the apprentice who was sacked by Rob Heathcote after failing to do the paperwork required to upgrade to a senior jockey.
“I would be dirty on myself if I didn't throw him a bone. I am hoping it will work because our stable has a more relaxed atmosphere and it's not the hustle and bustle of a bigger stable where he would have to ride 10-15 horses every morning. I have told Bailey we start working horses at 5am and as long as he gets there by 6am … that is fine by me.”
G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Queman dies
Colic has claimed the life of 2024 G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Queman (Mint Lane {USA}). “They put him down this morning,” Shane Oxlade, who trains in partnership with daughter, Cassie, told racenet.com.au.
“Unfortunately, we lost the battle. It would have been great to get him home, where he could just wander around the paddock for the rest of his life, but it was never going to happen unfortunately. Some of them do horrendous things to themselves and they survive, and then the simplest things bring them undone. It's sad – it's devastating – it's all of those things, and we are on the end of it this time.” Queman won ten of his 26 starts and over $1 million and his most recent victory was in the G3 Behemoth Stakes this spring.
Capitalist double with two unbeaten geldings
On Tuesday, Capitalist enjoyed a double at Wyong with a pair of 3-year-olds in Gravel Road and Fierce. Gelded son Gravel Road won on debut for Kristen Buchanan and he was a $40,000 purchase by Tiverton Bloodstock from North Bloodstock’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. Gravel Road is the third foal and third winner for Group 2-placed Highway (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Fierce, trained by Team Hawkes, took his record to two from two with an impressive 2.5 length victory. He was a $600,000 purchase by Hawkes Racing from Segenhoe Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. He is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Airman (I Am Invincible) from the family of Merchant Navy.
Providence makes it count at Wyong
G2 Moonee Valley Vase-placed 3-year-old colt Providence (Wootton Bassett {GB}) won his maiden at Wyong for trainer Chris Waller on Tuesday, at his tenth start. Paying 1.28, he won by 2.5 lengths. Seven of his ten starts have been in black type company and he has earnings over $280,000.
Bought by China Horse Club, Newgate Farm, Go Racing and Trilogy for $625,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from Bhima Thoroughbreds, he is the second foal of Southbank (Fastnet Rock). She was a winner at three and placed in the G1 Thousand Guineas and G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude.
Vega Blues adds to Lucky Vega’s record
Second season sire Lucky Vega (Ire) added a new Southern Hemisphere winner when Mark and Levi Kavanagh-trained 3-year-old gelding Vega Blues won by Kyneton on Tuesday at his third start by 1.25 lengths.
He was sold by Yulong at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $65,000 to Thoroughbred Solutions and is the second winner for Exceed And Excel mare Wazamba. She is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Vinco (I Am Invincible) and stakes placed Berimbau (Shamardal {USA}), the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Imperatrix (I Am Invincible).
Prague gets winner number seven
Second season sire Prague celebrated winner number seven when 3-year-old filly Drahomira won at Lismore on Tuesday for trainer Daniel Bowen. She was having her second start, and her trainer purchased her for $8000 from the Inglis HTBA Sale.
Drahomira is the second foal of Chemainus (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) who is a half-sister to Group 3-placed winner Malahat (Exceed And Excel).
New winner for Hanseatic
Hanseatic added his 19th winner at Kyneton on Tuesday with first crop member 3-year-old filly Succaforyou, trained by Lindsey Smith. Smith purchased her from Rosemont Stud’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft for $30,000.
She is the second foal of Succotash (Real Impact {Jpn}), a half-sister to the three full siblings, Listed winner Petronius (Redoute’s Choice), Group 2-placed Raphael’s Cat and Group 3-placed Tale Of Choice, and half-sister to Group 2-placed Port Louis (Maurice {Jpn}).
Scone to host final wildcard for Country Championships
The Evergreen Turf Country Championships Northern Wildcard will be held at Scone Race Club on Friday, March 20. This is the last chance to qualify a horse for the Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick. “The Wildcard is always an exciting race because everything is on the line,” Scone Race Club CEO Jason Hill said in a press release.
“It’s a genuine last chance to progress to Randwick, and it brings together the very best of country racing talent to Scone.”
Ka Ying Rising wins trial
Horse Of The Year Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) tuned up for Sunday week’s G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup with a trial win on Tuesday. “He broke one (minute) eight (seconds) and I don’t think Zac was doing too much on him; he had a nice, healthy blow,” trainer David Hayes told scmp.com.
“We just let him relax in the first part of the trial, practising for 1400 metres in a couple of weeks. I like the way he responded; he just took a sit, easy, and then Zac strode up and he won as you’d expect.”
Newnham’s team of six for Happy Valley
Trainer Mark Newnham is one ahead of David Hayes on the Hong Kong Trainer’s Premiership and brings six runners to Happy Valley on Wednesday led by favourites Max Que (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) and Power Koepp (GB) (Equiano {Fr}). “Max Que won really well last start – he’s had the exact same preparation as his last start,” Newnham told scmp.com.
“If (Power Koepp) gets an evenly run race, his last two starts show he’s in good form and he’s getting to a mark where he should be competitive.”
Mark Newnham | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Iscreamuscream tops Fasig-Tipton Winter Sale
Grade I Del Mar Oaks winner Iscreamuscream (Twirling Candy) (hip 385) provided a much-needed warm up to central Kentucky as she topped the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, selling to Japan's Katsumi Yoshida for US$1.5 million (AU$2.1 million).
Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, the 5-year-old mare was undefeated in her first four starts including a win in the GII San Clemente before going on to Grade I glory. Her sales price was the highest at a Winter Mixed Sale since Zetta Z (Bernardini), the dam of Nysos (Nyquist), brought $2 million (AU$2.8 million) from Coolmore in 2024.
“We're very excited,” said Taylor Made Stallions President Travis White. “We thought she was the type of horse that could bring that kind of money and it all lined up. She showed well all weekend, even with the (bad) weather, and everybody's really excited. The owners are thrilled. It suits (the owners) who aren't in the breeding business. They're really happy to get her sold and now they can put that money back into their racing syndicate and buy some more racehorses.”
At Monday's conclusion, 266 horses sold for US$16,646,500 (AU$23.5 million) with an average of US$62,581 (AU$88,300) and a median of US$25,000 (AU$35,000). One year ago, the first year that the Winter Mixed Sale was consolidated to one day, a total of 260 head sold for US$11,495,500 (AU$16.2 million). The average was US$44,213 (AU$62,200) and the median was US$17,000 (AU$24,000).
“I'd like to begin by thanking our facilities crew and our consignors for obviously dealing with some very adverse conditions over the last week,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning of the frigid temperatures in central Kentucky. “An amazing job of cooperating and doing the very best they could with snow and ice removal. It's a lot of hard work, there's no glamour in it. I want to give credit to our crew for a remarkable job and to our consignors who were very cooperative. Very much appreciate their efforts.”
The average rose over 40% Monday from the same session one year ago and the median jumped over 56%, numbers Browning attributed to a large and diverse buying bench.
MyRacehorse launch new collaboration
The Sam Houston Racing Club, a new collaboration between Sam Houston Race Park and MyRacehorse, was launched Monday, the track announced via press release.
Compared to a traditional racing club, the Sam Houston Racing Club gives members the opportunity to become racehorse owners rather than simply joining a fan club. This includes real equity, earnings participation, and direct access to their horse's journey. Through the MyRacehorse app, club owners receive real-time updates delivered directly to their phones, including training progress, race entries, and insights from the trainer.
“This partnership is about meeting today's fans where they are and inviting them further inside the sport,” said Bryan Pettigrew, general manager of Sam Houston Race Park. “The Sam Houston Racing Club gives people a legitimate stake in the action while reinforcing our commitment to innovation, hospitality, and top-tier racing experiences here in Texas.”
Canada seeking nominations for Hall Of Fame
The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for inclusion in its Legend Category. The category was established to honour people and horses whose accomplishments and feats occurred during the foundational years of horse racing in Canada.
To be considered in the Legend Category, the nominee's primary career and impact on racing must have taken place a minimum of 50 years prior to nomination.
