Brae's birthday gift at Flemington
Owner Brae Sokolski celebrated his birthday in style with the victory of Changing Colours (The Autumn Sun) at Flemington. The 5-year-old mare gave trainer Lucy Yeomans her first winner at Flemington. “It’s such a big deal for Brae, it’s his birthday, and to get a winner for him on his birthday in those colours,” Yeomans said.
“I’m really proud of the team. I can’t thank my partner Blake (Shinn), and everyone… vets, farriers, etc. This is a really big deal for us, it’s our first Flemington winner.”
“He (Sokolski) was so instrumental in us getting this horse (from Chris Waller), he really pushed. He’s got a great relationship with Blake and I’ve built a relationship with him over the years through working with Ciaron Maher. To train a winner for him on his birthday on a Saturday at Flemington, it’s just incredible.
“To take a horse from Waller and send it to someone like me, it’s not lost on me, I know what a big deal that is.” This is her first season as a solo trainer, having previously trained in partnership with Lloyd Kennewell.
This was Changing Colours’ second start for her new stable and she took her career to four wins from 17 starts with earnings over $300,000. She was purchased by Yes Bloodstock and Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) for $400,000 from Vinery Stud’s 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft, and she is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Nettoyer (Sebring).
First Australian winner for Victor Ludorum
Former shuttle sire, and first season sire, Victor Ludorum (GB) celebrated his first Australian winner when Kylie Gavenlock-trained 2-year-old gelding Zenmode won at Gosford at his second raceday appearance.
Zenmode is the first winner for Zensational (Choisir), who is a full sister to Listed winner Zenalicious.
Big week for Dunn and Moodie
The victory at Rosehill by 3-year-old filly Sword Of Legacy (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who made it two wins in succession, capped a big week for trainer Matthew Dunn and David Moodie's Hesket Thoroughbreds. The pair combined to win Wednesday’s Listed Ramornie Handicap with Band Of Brothers (The Brothers War {USA}). “The same colours on Wednesday won the Ramornie. We've had a great season,” Dunn said.
“That's about 130 winners for the season, and we're fifth or sixth in the Australian premiership, so to do that from a country base is a credit to my team.
“I was actually going to stop her after her last start and David Moodie convinced me to go one more. She's had to dig really deep on a testing track, and I suppose it ticks another box moving forward with her career. She's going to improve again off what she's doing now. She has already performed at stakes level. She should have won a Listed race three starts back in Brisbane, and just missed in a stakes race her second start in a race. I think she is better than an off-season Saturday horse.”
Placed in the G3 Chairman’s Stakes at two, Sword Of Legacy has three wins from 11 starts with earnings over $290,000. She was sold at this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $425,000 to Neil Jenkinson (FBAA).
Flemington Cup won by Bold Soul
Patrick Payne-trained Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish {NZ}) prevailed in a photo to win the Deane Lester Flemington Cup over 2800 metres on Saturday. “Jake (Noonan) was able to get him to settle nicely. He had the run of the race, pulled out on the home turn, then halfway up the straight I thought he was in a bit of trouble, but he’s so fit and so well-trained, he managed to keep going, and got the money right on the line,” stable representative Neil Greaves said.
“It’s a great thrill for everybody.” Previously the winner of the G3 Chairman’s Stakes as a 3-year-old, Bold Soul also won the Listed Tasmanian Derby and Listed Tasmanian Guineas at that age. The 5-year-old gelding’s last win was back in August and he took his record to eight wins from 33 starts and over $820,000.
Pride debutants set for Sunday
Trainer Joe Pride with debut a pair of 3-year-olds at Hawkesbury on Sunday. Real McCoy (Shamus Award) has had several trials to prepare him for his first outing. “He’s had a good, solid grounding leading into his first appearance at the races,” Pride told racingnsw.com.au.
“He had three trials back in January and February and then we tipped him out. He’s had another two recent trials in June and then earlier this month and he’s ready to go now. The big track at Hawkesbury should suit him and it looks a race on Sunday that he can be competitive in.”
Magic Kaya (Maurice {Jpn}) is out of Listed winner Kneeling (Encosta De Lago) making her a half-sister to Listed winning Snitzel pair Bend The Knee and Dashing Legend. “She had two trials late last year before having a break and has come back and had another two recent hitouts to get her ready for Sunday. She went down narrowly when second in the latest of them at Warwick Farm and Jay (Ford) has been riding her, so he has a good feel for her.”
Juvenile winner for Sandbar
Gregory McFarlane-trained 2-year-old gelding Sandbi (Sandbar) won on debut at Gosford on Saturday to record a new juvenile winner for second season sire Sandbar, who is a half-brother to sire and G1 Golden Slipper winner Farnan.
Sandbi is the third winner for Miss Alibi (Alert {Arg}) who won twice and placed in the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes.
War Front pensioned from stud duties
Leading sire War Front (Danzig–Starry Dreamer, by Rubiano) has been pensioned from stallion duty at the age of 24 at Claiborne Farm, according to a report in Daily Racing Form.
Claiborne president Walker Hancock confirmed War Front's pensioning to DRF's Nicole Russo, who reported that “the stallion was breeding well and still physically healthy, but that in the interest of caution and deep affection for the horse, the farm wished to end this chapter of its flagship stallion's career while he was still in that good health.”
War Front has sired 121 stakes winners worldwide, including 26 Grade I winners. His top runners in America include: 2019 GI Preakness S. winner and 2020 GI Maker's Mark Mile S. winner War of Will and three-time Grade I winner Omaha Beach.
War Front raced as a homebred for Joseph Allen and captured the 2006 GII Alfred G. Vanderbilt Breeders' Cup H. for the legendary Allen Jerkens. Syndicated into 40 shares upon retirement, War Front stood his first year in 2007. By the time his first crop of 3-year-olds had run, his US$12,500 (AU$18,000) initial fee had shot up to US$60,000 (AU$86,000). Two years later, he was at US$150,000 (AU$215,000). Eventually, he spent several years at US$250,000 (AU$358,000).
His sire sons who have stood, or currently stand, in Australia or New Zealand include Declaration Of War, Omaha Beach, The Brothers War, The Factor, U S Navy Flag, and War Decree.
Rebel’s Romance retired
Godolphin's champion gelding Rebel's Romance has been retired at the age of eight, the organisation announced on Friday morning. His final appearance was a victory in the G2 Princess Of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket on July 9. He retires with a mark of 32-22-1-2, nine at Group 1 level, and earnings of US$15,650,493 (AU$22.3 million) and is the leading Breeders' Cup starter by prize money.
Charlie Appleby said, “We always knew this day would come, but it's nevertheless a very sad day for everyone at Moulton Paddocks and Godolphin as a whole. Rebel's Romance has proved an outstanding horse for so many years and has taken us on a journey that we will never forget.
“After yet another brilliant win at Newmarket last week, collectively we all discussed it and felt that now is the right time to call it a day.
“It has been an absolute honour to train such an amazing horse, who has been a dream to look after from the moment he arrived. My thanks must go to the whole team at Moulton Paddocks, who have done such a brilliant job of caring for him throughout his career.
“We have had some great days together and, wherever I am in the world, he is the one horse people ask me about. He built up a great following and I was always touched by the reception he received across the globe. You dream of having a horse like Rebel's Romance and I am incredibly thankful to have been part of his story.”
Dr Walker appointed to BHA Board
Dr Jim Walker has been appointed to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Board with immediate effect.
Walker is the chair of the Racecourse Owners Association (ROA). He joins the BHA Board as one of two member nominated directors, on behalf of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA), ROA and licensed personnel. He takes over the position from Charlie Parker, whose term on the Board has concluded after six years.
An economist by profession, Walker has owned racehorses for over 30 years. He joined the Board of the ROA in 2023 and became chair in October of last year.
Said David Jones, interim chair of the BHA, “We're pleased to welcome Jim to the Board. He is not only a passionate advocate for racehorse owners but also brings a good understanding of the wider industry to the table, alongside his proven business acumen.
“I'd also like to offer thanks to Charlie Parker for everything he has contributed to the sport over his six years on the Board.”
Walker added, “I am delighted to join the BHA Board, representing the interests of racehorse owners alongside breeders and licensed personnel.
“As an economist, I am well versed in an appreciation of how policy can impact an industry, and I hope I can bring some insights in that vein to the BHA Board table. I look forward to contributing constructively with board colleagues to grow the sport, deliver long-term sustainability and foster innovation for British racing's future.”
Ace Stud’s million gns Superior Choice wins Listed race
Hamilton's Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Glasgow Stakes may not have major resonance in the racing world, but the likes of Kalpana, West Wind Blows, Subjectivist and Defoe have taken it en route to bigger things and Friday's edition saw an improving type follow suit in 3-year-old colt Superior Choice (Dubawi).
Bought by Ace Stud for 1.1million gns (AU$2.2 million) at Tattersalls October Book 1, the John and Thady Gosden-trained son of the Prix de Royallieu and Ribblesdale heroine Loving Dream (Gleneagles) had beaten the useful Shadwell runner Heyzoom at Leicester in April and followed up in facile fashion at Newmarket in June.
Delivered from behind by Shane Foley to take command of this extended 11-furlong test approaching the furlong pole, the 11-10 favourite drew away for a comprehensive 1.75 length success from Prizeland (Territories).
Winning juvenile heads GoffsGo Sale
A total of 60 horses have been catalogued for the GoffsGo Late July Sale on July 23.
The one-day sale will feature stores, horses-in-training, point-to-pointers and mares, with recent juvenile winner Celtic Moon (lot 26) signed on. The daughter of Thunder Moon won at second asking going a mile at Bellewstown. She carries an entry into the €200,000 Ballyhane Stakes.
Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby said, “The GoffsGo Late July Sale has been very well supported and will offer the largest catalogue GoffsGo has hosted thus far with 60 entries – a great testament to its growing popularity. We have catalogued some quality horses once again which are headlined by the smart two-year-old maiden winner Celtic Moon and will offer horses from some of the leading trainers including Clive Cox, Dan Skelton, Henry De Bromhead, Johnny Murtagh, Karl Burke, Olly Murphy etc.”
