Happy Birthday Horses
It’s that time of year! The team at TTR wish all the horses a happy birthday as we wake up on August 1 and bring in a new season. To the thousands of people involved in all roles across the horse racing industry, thank you. We hope the new season brings fast horses and many brilliant stories.
Australian administrators face senate
On Monday, Racing Australia chief executive Paul Eriksson, Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison, acting Racing NSW chief executive Graeme Hinton and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia chief executive Andrew Hore-Lacy will all speak at a Senate committee hearing into the Interactive Gambling Bill. “It is important that we represent all of our participants as one,” Morrison told betsy.com.au.
“It is good that we will take one message to the committee and what changes could mean for our sport. We have hundreds of thousands of participants that are a part of racing in some way and we need to get their message across. It is a big step forward that we will do it with one voice next week.”
Aaron Morrison | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
Eriksson added, “Thoroughbred Racing is a significant part of the Australian economy, employing over 100,000 full-time equivalent people, more than 50% in regional areas, and generating over $13 billion in Economic Activity in the Australian economy.
“This is an industry that has existed for over 200 years and is 85% funded by wagering turnover.
“We are strong supporters of mitigating problem gambling and appreciate the government listening to the Industry’s concerns to achieve an appropriate balance and deliver on the government’s objectives of protecting Australians from the harms of gambling and to reduce children’s exposure to advertisements.”
Home Affairs ends season with new winner
Champion First Season Sire Home Affairs ended the season in style with his 20th winner when Ciaron Maher-trained 2-year-old gelding Shah Jahan nosed out stablemate 2-year-old filly Saintly Dancer (NZ) (St Mark’s Basilica {Fr}) at Geelong on Friday.
Shah Jahan is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Mumbai Muse (Zoustar), Listed winner Jazz Etude (I Am Invincible) and stakes placed Mumbai Jewel (I Am Invincible) and Splendoronthegrass (So You Think {NZ}).
New winner for Captivant
First season sire Captivant added winner number four when Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained 2-year-old colt Courthezon won at Scone. He was coming off a last start third placing. Kia Ora Stud purchased him for $150,000 from Bhima Thoroughbreds’ Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
A half-brother to Listed placed Ortega (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), he is the third winner from three to race for Rayas (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) who is a Group 3-placed full sister to Group 2 winner Lasarla (NZ) and a half-sister to Listed winner Changing Eyes (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}).
Magic Millions Digital includes Group winning mare
The latest Magic Millions Digital catalogue is open for bidding and is headlined by G3 How Now Stakes winner Niance (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Group 3 winner Bozo (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}). The dam of Group 1-placed Super Smink (Super One) headlines the Forest View Farm Unreserved Dispersal with 30 lots including 17 broodmares in foal to the likes of Anamoe, Toronado (Ire), Playing God, and Capitalist.
Race fitness the edge for Fancify
Ciaron Maher-trained Fancify (NZ) (Niagara) heads into the G1 Aurie’s Star on Saturday with three runs this winter under her belt. “We just felt coming back in trip as she had been racing pretty fresh and free, that if we can ride her back behind a couple that is her best pattern we have seen for us,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told racingandsports.com.au.
“It's a small field which helps and the topweight has a lot of weight, but he is a good horse, but it's a good opportunity for her. Race fitness, that's her edge.”
Fancify (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
ATC administrator outlines work to do
Newly appointed Australian Turf Club administrator Morgan Kelly has written to members with his initial report into the club’s affairs. “Our review has also identified the ATC's lack of strategic and commercial focus has resulted in maintenance of facilities being deprioritised. This is something we expect many members have noticed over recent years,” Kelly wrote.
“We have started preparing a strategic asset management plan that will ensure that future necessary repairs are budgeted, and planned for ahead of time. There are also a range of historic maintenance issues that need to be worked through urgently. The Club has an immediate opportunity to be more efficient and commercially focused.”
Thoughtful Kiss to debut at Newcastle
Trainer John Thompson will debut 3-year-old filly Thoughtful Kiss (So You Think {NZ}) at Newcastle on Saturday. “I gave her a trial at the start of the year but she had enough so I tipped her out and she has come back in great order,” Thompson told racenet.com.au.
“She showed plenty of improvement at her last trial and it was in conditions that she probably didn't enjoy the best either. So you would think with the good weather she will likely get a dry track for her debut and I'm excited to see how she goes on it because all of her trials have been on rain affected ground.
“What I've seen at home tells me the firm deck is better for her at this stage but in saying that you never know until they see it on race day.”
Thoughtful Kiss as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Kennedy Award finalists announced
The Kennedy Awards for journalism announced their finalists on Friday with three writers in the running for Outstanding Racing Coverage. Congratulations to Chris Barrett for Turf Wars (The Sydney Morning Herald), Adam Pengilly for The dynasty, the tragedy and the triumph of one spring (Idol Horse) and Ray Thomas for James McDonald Interview (Racing and Sports).
Gawler track out until September
Racing South Australia notified participants that the track at Gawler will be out of action until September as it undergoes rehabilitation. “Following ongoing issues affecting several sections of the racing surface, independent testing and specialist turf assessment have confirmed that the underlying causes relate to irrigation water quality and compromised drainage infrastructure. These issues have progressively, and over time, impacted soil conditions and turf performance in the affected areas and are not the result of routine track preparation or day-to-day track management,” said racingsa.com.au.
“Racing SA and independent turf experts are currently working alongside the Club to implement the recommendations arising from the independent investigations, whilst further investigation is conducted into water treatment options designed to improve irrigation water quality and solutions to rectify the failing drainage systems.
“A return to racing at Gawler is targeted for Wednesday, 23rd September following the successful completion of remediation work, allowing a full month’s lead-in to the Gawler Cup on Friday, 23rd October—one of the most anticipated race days on the local calendar.”
Ole Kirk celebrates 2-year-old winner
At Geelong on Friday, Tom Dabernig-trained 2-year-old filly Flying Fury (Ole Kirk) improved from her debut effort in the Listed Cinderella Stakes to win her maiden at start number two. Prime Thoroughbreds bought her for $80,000 from Vinery Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft.
Flying Fury is the first foal of Spicy (Fastnet Rock) who is a winning half-sister to stakes placed Canadian Spice (Vancouver).
Capitalist adds juvenile winner
On the final day of the racing season, Paul Snowden-trained 2-year-old filly Miss Trump (Capitalist) was successful at Port Macquarie. Miss Trump’s only other start was in the G2 Reisling Stakes. Kingstar Farm sold her for $220,000 to Red Crown Racing at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
She is the first foal of Newsreader (Press Statement) whose two wins included one in Sydney.
Miss Trump as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Juvenile winner for Written Tycoon
Written Tycoon added a last minute 2-year-old winner when Mitchell and Desiree Kearney-trained filly Cyclone Jaz won at Scone on Friday. She was having her third start and was bought by Kearney Racing and D Springfield for $70,000 from Yulong’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft.
She is the second foal of Pippa Charlotte (Not A Single Doubt) who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Away Game (Snitzel) and Listed winner Modern Wonder (Snitzel).
Anders adds juvenile winner
At Rockhampton, second season sire Anders added a new winner when busy 2-year-old filly Anders Kiss won her maiden at start number 13. She’s been placed seven times for trainer Lachie Manzelmann. Paul and Lyn Maguire purchased her for $10,000 from Lyndhurst Stud Farm’s Magic Millions March Yearling Sale draft. She’s picked up $39,000 to date.
At the same meeting Liam Birchley-trained 2-year-old gelding Jungle Rhythm (Jungle Cat {Ire}) took his record to two wins from four starts. He was a $20,000 purchase by Birchley’s Bloodstock Solutions from Telemon Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
Tassort had a double at the meeting with Spitzberg and Got Gumption.
Grylls wins NZ Champion Jockey
Matamata jockey Craig Grylls has won the NZ National Jockeys’ Premiership with 140 wins for the season, 47 ahead of nearest rival Samantha Collett. “I am absolutely stoked. I was lucky to be so busy through the summer and being able to open up a big margin. I was able to have a couple of breaks over winter without having to go too hard the whole time, so it was really good,” Grylls told Loveracing.nz.
“A couple of Group 1 wins on Waitak earlier on in the season were great. I think he is trialling at Taupo in the middle of next month and then he is going to the three triple crown races. As far as I am aware, I am booked to ride him, so I look forward to getting back on him, he is a grand old horse.”
Craig Grylls | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Golden Horde added to AKTEM Stallion Sale
The G1 Commonwealth Cup winner Golden Horde is the latest addition to the AKTEM Stallion Online Sale, which will take place on Friday, September 25.
Trained by Clive Cox, Golden Horde also won the G2 Richmond Stakes and was placed at the top level on four other occasions in a career spanning 10 starts. His Commonwealth Cup victory at Royal Ascot identifies the son of Lethal Force as one of two Group 1 winners out of his dam, Entreat (Pivotal), along with the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and Prix du Jockey Club hero Camille Pissarro. This is also the family of the champion racemare Serena's Song (Rahy).
Golden Horde retired to Sumbe's Haras de Montfort et Préaux for 2021 and has produced 31 individual winners from his first three crops of racing age. His five black-type performers include the Listed winner and G1 Prix de Royallieu third Rabbit's Foot.
Churchill Downs to sell casino properties
Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) stock fell nearly 7 percent Thursday after the company announced plans to sell nine casinos and refocus on its horse racing businesses. Churchill's stock price reached its lowest level in six years.
Among the properties Churchill may put up for sale is Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pennsylvania.
In what is called a Form 8-K that has been presented to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Churchill reported that it “is exploring various options to sell the following wholly owned regional gaming properties: Calder Casino in Florida, Terre Haute Casino Resort in Indiana, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Iowa, Oxford Casino Hotel in Maine, Ocean Downs Casino and Racetrack in Maryland, Harlow's Casino Resort and Spa and Riverwalk Casino Hotel in Mississippi, del Lago Resort and Casino in New York, and Presque Isle Downs and Casino in Pennsylvania.”
According to Bloomberg.com, Churchill CEO William Carstanjen said on a conference call with analysts that divesting the casinos will allow the company to focus on horse racing in Kentucky, where it owns Churchill Downs, Turfway Park and Ellis Park, in Louisiana, where it owns Fair Grounds, and in Virginia, where it owns Colonial Downs. Bloomberg also reported that Churchill will also prioritize its TwinSpires ADW.
Group 2 winner Celeron changes hands
Medallion Racing Partners and Steve Weston's Parkland Thoroughbreds have purchased a 50% interest in exciting 2-year-old Celeron (Mohaather). The deal was brokered by Avenue Bloodstock's Mark McStay.
Trained by Michael O'Callaghan, Celeron has won two of his three starts to date in the colours of the New Morning Syndicate. A debut winner at the Curragh in early-June, he then finished in mid-division in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, before leaving that form well behind when returning to the Curragh to win the G2 Railway Stakes by three lengths.
USA Thoroughbred Employee Award nominees announced
The finalists for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards–in seven categories and representing a cross-section of industry workers–were announced on Thursday. Returning as panel chair, Joe Clancy of The Saratoga Special praised the calibre of this year's nominees.
“Once again, the nominees put forward for the TIEA program were talented, dedicated individuals who all deserve recognition and gratitude for the work they do,” Clancy said. “On behalf of the judging panel, thank you for the opportunity to be involved. Selecting finalists and runners-up was both challenging and rewarding. Congratulations to the finalists and to all of this year's nominees.”
Finalists will travel to Lexington, for the awards ceremony on Oct. 20, where they and a guest will participate in a series of special events, including a tour of a local horse farm, a stallion showcase, the awards dinner, and an afternoon of racing at Keeneland the following day.
