Daily News Wrap

First season sire Observer to miss some of season

Darley's dual Group 1-winning first season sire Observer will miss some of the season after undergoing colic surgery on Thursday night.

“Following an early diagnosis, Observer underwent surgery for colic overnight, and the issue has been addressed,” Darley said.

“He will now have a period of rest and recovery, with further updates provided in time.” The son of Ghaiyyath (Ire) stands his first season at Darley's Victorian farm for $33,000 inc GST.

Gringotts on target for third Big Dance

Ciaron Maher’s assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord is pragmatic about Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA})'s chances in Saturday’s 7 Stakes against Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun).

“Running second in a field where all the runners are Group 1 winners would be a good result. She is the best horse in the race and in a truly run race it looks like nobody can beat her,” Gerard-Dubord told racingnsw.com.au.

“In a small field it can get a bit tactical. The Big Dance is the main target, he’s very well, and the good thing about him is he’s very versatile. Nash (Rawiller) will have to work out what he wants to do when the gates open.”

Middle Earth set for Underwood redemption

Ciaron Maher-trained Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion {USA}) has been given 55kg for the G1 Caulfield Cup and 56.5kg in the G1 Melbourne Cup, a 2kg rise on his weight when third last year. He has his second run for this campaign in Saturday’s G1 Underwood Stakes.

“I think he's sharpened up off the break and last preparation. We won a Group 3 at 2000 metres up in Queensland,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told racingandsports.com.au.

“He gets winkers back on and it's all part of the process to get him up in trip. We feel he is sharper and better (than last year) and he'll be on to the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, and he is one of our better chances.”

Headwall’s second chance at The Everest

Trainer Matthew Smith is hoping Headwall (Dream Ahead {USA}) shows enough in Saturday’s G2 The Shorts to nab a slot in the G1 The Everest.

“We’re happy with the horse, everything is good. I’m not going to jump off a cliff if we don’t get a slot but the horse has got to do the talking,” Smith told racingnsw.com.au.

“He’s got to come out and do it, if he gets the job done on Saturday he’ll get a slot and if he doesn’t we’ll go to the next race. I’m going to be positive and I think he will run very well.”

Switzerland’s brother headlines Inglis Digital

Switzerland’s 4-year-old gelding full brother Decorum headlines the latest Inglis Digital sale, and he is being targeted at the G1 Golden Eagle. There are four 2.5% shares in Decorum being offered.

The September (Late) Sale features 286 lots overall – 129 racehorses (67 race fillies), 79 racehorse shares, 46 broodmares, 20 yearlings, six 2-year-olds, five unraced stock and one breeding right.

Wolf Gap to stick closer in Guineas Prelude

Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Wolf Gap (Palace Pier {GB}) will stick closer to Blind Raise (NZ) (Ace High) in Saturday’s G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude than he did last start.

“He's got a lot of quality (Wolf Gap), he had to go back first-up from the wide draw but ran well,” jockey Ethan Brown told racenet.com.au.

“He's come on from his run, his work was good last Tuesday, he's only going to improve again, and I would've thought he's going to be peaking third-up. He's a horse where the mile (Caulfield Guineas) is going to suit down to the ground but 1400 metres Saturday will suit him.”

Pink Ribbon Cup highlights charity day on Gold Coast

The Gold Coast Turf Club will host Pink Ribbon day on Saturday as a fund raiser for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Chris and Corey Munce have two runners in the Cup being Carravilla (Pierata) and Pocketmoney (Neorealism {Jpn}).

“Cancer affects most people at some stage and most people know of a person who has had the disease,” Corey Munce told racingqueensland.com.au.

“It’s a worthy cause so why wouldn’t you support it? We haven’t won this race to my knowledge yet but I think both ours have really good chances. Both are great live chances and they’ve been prepared for this race.”

Ten Commandments wins Gold Nugget

Friday’s Ballarat meeting was highlighted by the $100,000 Gold Nugget, won by Ciaron Maher-trained Ten Commandments (Palentino). He took his record to 10 wins from 33 starts and earnings over $390,000.

“He’s just relaxing so well this prep, it’s a credit to Ciaron and his team. He’s finding such a good rhythm, where sometimes in the past, he’s been extremely bold, so credit to them,” jockey Thomas Stockdale said.

John Foote Bloodstock and SCT Syndications paid $10,000 for him from Bucklee Farm’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft. He is the only runner for Hearts And Flowers (Show A Heart) who won twice.

Group 2-placed Federalist wins maiden

One of Australia’s best maidens last season, now 4-year-old gelding Federalist (I Am Invincible) won his maiden at Newcastle on Friday. He placed in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes at three. Hawkes Racing paid $1 million for him from Arrowfield Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.

He is the first foal of triple Group 1 winner Arcadia Queen (Pierro), who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Arcadia Dream (Domesday), Group 3 winner Arcadia Prince (Pierro) and Listed winner Arcadia Rose (Kheleyf {USA}).

Treble for Better Than Ready

At Townsville on Friday, Better Than Ready sired a treble on the eight race card. Tom Button-trained Northern Pride took his record to 14 wins from 55 starts with earnings over $330,000. Originally a $90,000 yearling, his trainer paid $20,000 for him in 2023 on Inglis Digital.

Beta Better, trained by Belynda Kliese, celebrated her third career victory while Alisha Taylor-trained Metalcraft made it a treble when winning the last on the card. Metalcraft, a 4-year-old gelding, has won four of his nine starts and recently sold on Inglis Digital for $22,500.

Mr Xplode wins on debut

At Canberra on Friday, Ciaron Maher-trained 3-year-old gelding Mr Xplode (Pinatubo {Ire}) won on debut. He was purchased by his trainer and Bluebloods Thoroughbreds for $150,000 from Grenville Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.

He is the first foal of Entrapped (Fighting Sun) who is a stakes-placed full sister to Listed winner Celavi and a half-sister to Listed winner Greatham Boy (Stratosphere).

Cambridge Stud commits to New Zealand Bloodstock

Cambridge Stud will sell all their yearlings in 2027 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

“After a remarkable 100th National Yearling Sale, we look forward to building on those results and continuing to cement Karaka as the best week on the sale calendar with the cream of our yearling crop,” NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said.

“Cambridge Stud’s commitment that they will be selling 100% of their yearlings at Karaka again is incredibly positive for our industry and ensures this Sale is preserved as our flag-bearer with the best stock on offer.”

New Zealand Oaks winner Leica Lucy retired

G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) has been retired. Originally trained by New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson for owner-breeders Peter and Heather Crofskey, Leica Lucy won six of her first seven starts including the G1 New Zealand Oaks. After her fourth start, Ozzie Kheir purchased a share in her.

Transferred to Chris Waller, she ran fourth in the G1 Australian Oaks and added two more Group 1 placings as a spring 4-year-old. “She has been retired,” Heather Crofskey told Loveracing.nz. “She wasn’t striding out in her trials and I thought ‘something is wrong here’. The operation that she had on her fetlock (to remove bone chips) didn’t work.

“The New Zealand Oaks was the highlight. She wasn’t 100 percent in that race and she showed sheer guts. It was shivering. She was a lovely-natured horse who could relax, and that is the thing that the riders really loved about her. She could relax and use her incredible power to come home.

“She was second to Pride of Jenni (in the Empire Rose) and behind her were other big named horses. She had plenty. If she hadn’t had the issue with her fetlock I believe she could have carried on and got a Group 1 in Australia.”

Tawny Port’s owner undecided on Cup run

Trainer Miguel Clement is eager to run his marathon-specialist Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile) in the G1 Melbourne Cup in Australia, but said he can't yet commit to the race because owner John Fort is not yet on board.

The weights for the race were released Thursday and Tawny Port was assigned 55.5 kilograms, which translates to 122 pounds. The high weight is last year's winner, Half Yours (St. Jean ({Ire}), who will be asked to carry 59 kilograms or 130 pounds.

“I'm going to speak to connections, but we need to decide rather soon,” Clement said. “Do we go down under and run in the Melbourne Cup or the Grade 1 in Canada, in the Canadian International? I'm lobbying heavily to run him down under because I think it'd be a great experience, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I'm bold enough to do it. I would absolutely love the challenge and would love to go for it. Nevertheless, I believe the connections are hoping to keep him in North America. I would love to be competing on the world stage, but I have to respect the connections' preference.”

James Harron talks to TDN

Leading bloodstock agent James Harron is the latest industry figure to tackle our Words to Live By questions, reflecting on the people and advice that have shaped his career and why, for those determined to succeed in racing, there should be no Plan B.

TDN: Outside of family, who has been the most important mentor in your career, and why?

James Harron: I have been fortunate because there have been many people who have played a huge role in my career, and I am forever grateful to them. But if I had to name one, I would have to say John Camilleri.

TDN: What is the best piece of advice you've ever received, and who gave it to you?

JH: One thing I remember my dad saying to me over the years was, “You're a long time dead.” I guess it really stuck with me. It's a reminder to live life to the fullest and make the most of any opportunities that come your way.

TDN: What advice would you give to a young person starting out in the Thoroughbred industry today?

JH: If you really want to be successful, commit and don't have a Plan B. That's contrary to what a lot of people say, but I believe it's too hard a game to enter half-heartedly.

O’Callaghan and Donohoe team up

Michael O'Callaghan has snapped up the services of BBA Ireland bloodstock agent Michael Donohoe in a bid to cast the net out in searching for the next Celeron (Mohaather) or Push The Boat Out (Kodi Bear) – and the pair have confirmed they will be out in force at the upcoming yearling sales before tackling the horses-in-training and mares sale markets.

O'Callaghan has built an enviable record with his breeze-up purchases – Blue De Vega, Steel Bull, Copacabana Sands, Black Forza, Celeron and Push The Boat Out all came from that sphere – but has largely left the yearling sales untouched.

“It's to broaden my search for better horses across the board – yearlings, horses-in-training and fillies to go and target at gaining black-type,” said O'Callaghan, explaining his decision to call on Donohoe just in time for the domestic yearling sales.

O'Callaghan added, “All along, I've cut my cloth to measure. The breeze-up sales suited me and suited the business model when I was trying to build a business and get a foothold as a trainer, rather than expecting other people to send me horses. We were able to get partners involved to do that. But because of the competitiveness of this country, we have to keep doing something to try to get better horses through this place.”

Sandman retired to stud for 2027

G1 Arkansas Derby winner Sandman (Tapit) will stand the 2027 breeding season at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, NY for US$10,000 (AU$14,000) in a deal brokered by Bowling Bloodstock and Ingordo Bloodstock, the farm announced Thursday.

“We are always looking for top class stallions to stand in New York,” said Rockridge Stud owner/operator and NYTB President Lere Visagie. “Sandman is a stunning individual, who brought a lot of money as a 2-year-old and competed at the highest level, being on the Derby trail.”

A US$1.2 million (AU$1.68 million) 2-year-old at OBS March, Sandman broke his maiden just a few months later at Saratoga early in the 2024 summer meet. He joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby next, finishing third in the G3 Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs and second in the G3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn early the following year. As a 3-year-old, his schedule included a tight third in the G2 Rebel Stakes before his decisive win in the G1 Arkansas Derby. Seventh in Louisville on the first Saturday in May, he then finished third in the G1 Preakness. His record to date is 14-3-1-3, with earnings of US$1,544,531 (AU$2.1 million).

St. Elias' Monique Delk says, “We are delighted to have Sandman in New York to take advantage of the great New York breeding program. As a Grade 1-winning son of the great sire and sire of sires Tapit, we feel like he will be a real standout and a great resource for Empire state breeders. We're looking forward to sending mares to support him in his new career.”