Big Brown to Stand At Vinery Stud In 2010
Stud has announced they have secured a significant shareholding in Champion racehorse Big Brown. Big Brown (Boundary-Mien, by Nureyev) currently stands at Three Chimneys Stud in Kentucky and will shuttle to Australia to join Vinery's roster in the Hunter Valley for the upcoming 2010 season (pending shareholder approval). The US Eclipse Award-winning 3YO champion male & dual classic-winner earned US$3,314,500 prize-money in 7 wins from 8 starts. He won by 11.25-lengths on debut in a turf race at Saratoga & then scored by a similarly impressive 12.75-lengths in a 1-mile allowance race in his initial 3YO race. At his 3rd start he notched a 5-lengths victory in the Gr1 Florida Derby (9 furlongs) at Gulfstream Park, prior to winning both the Gr1 Kentucky Derby (10 furlongs) by 4.75-lengths at Churchill Downs & Gr1 Preakness Stakes (9.5 furlongs) by 5.25-lengths at Pimlico. He also notched victories in the Gr1 Haskell Invitational (9 furlongs) at Monmouth Park in New Jersey & Listed Monmouth Stakes (9 furlongs on turf). "It is a great thrill to be standing a horse of the caliber of Big Brown" said Vinery's Peter Orton, "he was the most superior racehorse of his generation, showing a devastating turn of foot to dominate the best horses in the land. Even more appealing to us is his pedigree, bred to run on turf yet brilliant enough to beat the best on their terms on dirt. What might this horse have achieved in Europe running in the classics there also?" Big Brown's service fee will be announced at a later date.
(Mar 12)
Whipsaw Wins Bunbury Cup
Swettenham Stud shuttler & former Gr1-winning juvenile Hold That Tiger (Storm Cat-Beware Of The Cat, by Caveat) added a black-type success when 4 YO gelding Whipsaw (Hold That Tiger-Supalan, by Black Zephyr) scored by 1.5 lengths in yesterday's $130,000 Listed Bunbury Cup (2200m) in Western Australia. Whipsaw (ridden by D Staeck for trainer M Reed) defeated 6YO gelding Star Risca (Kenvain-Rijinsky, by Serheed) & 5YO mare Simply Adorable (Blackfriars-Simply Sally, by Salieri). Whipsaw (a $50,000 2YO the 2007 Perth Horses In Training Sale) took his record to 2 wins from 6 starts for $92,450 earnings.
(Mar 12)
Second Tragedy For Hayes Stable
Victorian trainer David Hayes has been forced to deal with the death of 2 high profile horses in a little over 24 hours. Following the sudden death of import Changingoftheguard who "suffered a ruptured bowel", another Hayes-trained galloper had to be put down yesterday, according to Melbourne's The Age. Ill-fated Our Aqaleem was injured during trackwork yesterday "when he suffered a suspected fractured shoulder on the viscoride track at Flemington".
(Mar 12)
Jet Spur Increases His Freshman Lead
Glenlogan Park's young sire Jet Spur (Flying Spur-Verocative, by Bletchingly) recorded his ninth individual winner at the Gold Coast when Bryan Guy-trained Jet Surge led home a Jet Spur quinella from Count Spur. Jet Spur also sired the winner of the other 2YO race on the card at the Gold Coast (over 900m) when Dulacca Jet won for Toowoomba trainer Kevin Kemp. As a result, Jet Spur has raced to a 3-win lead over Snitzel and Stratum (6 each) in the Freshman Sires race (by number of winners). In addition, Jet Spur has sired two more 2YO winners than any other sire in Australia this season, with Redoute's Choice next best with seven.
(Mar 12)
Beadman Set To Ride Hinchinbrook In Slipper
As a result of jockey Hugh Bowman's commitment to ride hot favourite Solar Charged in next month's Gr1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney, leading Hong Kong and former champion Australian rider Darren Beadman is on standby to ride Hinchinbrook in the $3.5 million 2YO feature, reported Sydney's Daily Telegraph. Bowman will still be aboard Hinchinbrook tomorrow for the Gr3 Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick. Hinchinbrook is a three-quarter brother to 's young sire Snitzel, currently leading the Freshman Sire's race on earnings.
(Mar 12)
Denman Favourite For Gr1 Australian Guineas
Following the postponement of 2 of last weekend's 3 Gr1 races at Flemington due to a wild storm in Melbourne, Dubai-bound colt Denman is a prohibitive $1.55 favourite with betchoice.com.au to take out tomorrow's Gr1 Australian Guineas (1600m) for 3YOs at Flemington in Melbourne. Linton is the new 2nd favourite at $5, followed by Set For Fame at $5.50. (To view the latest market click on the link for updated betting on the Australian Guineas.)
(Mar 12)
Heart Of Dreams Favourite For Gr1 Australian Cup
Meanwhile, in an open market, consistent gelding Heart Of Dreams has firmed further to be $5 favourite to win the Gr1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington tomorrow. Shocking is quoted at $6 and Zipping is at $7.5. (To view the latest market click on the link for updated betting on the Australian Cup.)
(Mar 12)
Shoot Out Favourite For Gr1 Randwick Guineas
Sydney's racing (which includes 2 Golden Slipper lead-ups) is highlighted by the Gr1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) for 3YOs. Boom gelding Shoot Out tops the betchoice.com.au market for the event at $3.40, with only Sir Hallowell ($9) quoted at under $10. (To view the latest market click on the link for updated betting on the Randwick Guineas.)
(Mar 12)
More Joyous Given Green Light
Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse reported to Racing NSW stewards at Canterbury on Wednesday that More Joyous had recovered from her win in the Surround Stakes at Warwick Farm last Saturday. Starting at 1/10, More Joyous was all-out to defeat Hurtle Myrtle (Dane Shadow) in a lacklustre display. Waterhouse confirmed that More Joyous (More Than Ready) had been somewhat 'jarred up and was taken to the Randwick Equine Centre, whereby minor issues to the knee and hock were identified.' Waterhouse went on to add that the filly was now 'fully sound and back in full work.'
(Mar 12)
NSW Stewards Continue Autumn Stable Blitz
Meanwhile, stewards in Sydney have continued their out-of-competition autumn carnival blitz on stables. Yesterday stewards targeted Royal Randwick stables where they drug-tested over 30 horses (mostly runners in tomorrow's Gr1 Randwick Guineas). This follows the testing of more than 100 horses this week ranging from stables at Rosehill Gardens to Kembla Grange.
(Mar 12)
Street Cry Leads Encosta & Redoute's On Aust Sires Table
After 7 months of the 2009-10 season, Darley shuttler & Gr1 Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry (boosted by Shocking's Melbourne Cup victory) still leads Coolmore-based stallion & Australian Champion Sire of the last 2 seasons Encosta de Lago & flagship stallion & former Australian Champion Sire Redoute's Choice on the General Sires Table (by prize-money) according to arion.co.nz (to March 11):
-
Street Cry (Machiavellian-Helen Street, by Troy) $6,127,407
-
Encosta de Lago (Fairy King-Shoal Creek, by Star Way) $5,411,278
-
Redoute's Choice (Danehill-Shantha's Choice, by Canny Lad) $4,772,101
-
Lonhro (Octagonal-Shadea, by Straight Strike) $4,225,149
-
Commands (Danehill-Cotehele House, by My Swanee) $3,890,703
-
More Than Ready (Southern Halo-Woodman's Girl, by Woodman) $3,841,641
-
Scenic (Sadler's Wells-Idyllic, by Foolish Pleasure) $3,835,885
-
Fastnet Rock (Danehill-Piccadilly Circus, by Royal Academy) $3,659,009
-
Choisir (Danehill Dancer-Great Selection, by Lunchtime) $3,637,468
-
General Nediym (Nediym-Military Belle, by Without Fear) $3,623,715
-
Testa Rossa (Perugino-Bo Dapper, by Sir Dapper) $3,582,252
-
High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells-Kasora, by Darshaan) $3,491,562
-
Red Ransom (Roberto-Arabia, by Damascus) $3,142,760
-
Hussonet (Mr Prospector-Sacahuista, by Raja Baba) $2,902,890
-
Show A Heart (Brave Warrior-Miss Sandman, by Regal Advice) $2,874,745
-
Zabeel (Sir Tristram-Lady Giselle, by Nureyev) $2,780,861
-
Flying Spur (Danehill-Rolls, by Mr Prospector) $2,715,082
-
Rock Of Gibraltar (Danehill-Offshore Boom, by Be My Guest) $2,644,938
-
Danehill Dancer (Danehill-Mira Adonde, by Sharpen Up) $2,609,558
-
Shamardal (Giant's Causeway-Helsinki, by Machiavellian) $2,375,210
(Mar 12)
Volksraad Leads Pins & Zabeel On NZ Sires Table
Meanwhile across the Tasman, Windsor Park Stud's 7-time champion Volksraad leads Waikato Stud's Australian-bred stallion Pins & NZ Cambridge Stud's multiple champion sire Zabeel on New Zealand's General Sires Table (by prize-money) according to arion.co.nz (to March 11):
-
Volksraad (Green Desert-Celtic Assembly, by Secretariat) NZ$2,558,575
-
Pins (Snippets-No Finer, by Kaoru Star) NZ$1,946,886
-
Zabeel (Sir Tristram-Lady Giselle, by Nureyev) NZ$1,417,400
-
Pentire (Be My Guest-Gull Nook, by Mill Reef) NZ$1,070,634
-
Montjeu (Sadler's Wells-Floripedes, by Top Ville) NZ$1,039,504
-
Electronic Zone (Rahy-La Griffe, by Prince John) NZ$968,814
-
Ustinov (Seeking The Gold-Let's Elope, by Nassipour) NZ$807,675
-
Keeper (Danehill-Nuwirah, by Pleasant Colony) NZ$737,285
-
General Nediym (Nediym-Military Belle, by Without Fear) NZ$685,910
-
Stravinsky (Nureyev-Fire The Groom, by Blushing Groom) NZ$611,406
-
O'Reilly (Last Tycoon-Courtza, by Pompeii Court) NZ$596,204
-
Istidaad (Chief's Crown-Mazzei Mood, by Roberto) NZ$536,946
-
No Excuse Needed (Machiavellian-Nawaiet, by Zilzal) NZ$492,588
-
Shinko King (Fairy King-Rose Of Jericho, by Alleged) NZ$492,518
-
Golan (Spectrum-Highland Gift, by Generous) NZ$481,157
-
Van Nistelrooy (Storm Cat-Halory, by Halo) NZ$446,881
-
Viking Ruler (Danehill-Tristalove, by Sir Tristram) NZ$441,350
-
Thorn Park (Spinning World-Joy, by Bluebird) NZ$423,947
-
Al Akbar (Success Express-Gala Night, by Blakeny) NZ$406,568
-
Black Minnaloushe (Storm Cat-Coral Dance, by Green Dancer) NZ$393,762
(Mar 12)
Fusaichi Pegasus Adds Japan Black-Type
In Japan, former Coolmore shuttler & Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr Prospector-Angel Fever, by Danzig) added a black-type success when 4YO entire Fusaichi Seven (Fusaichi Pegasus-Divorce Testimony, by Vice Regent) scored a 2.5-lengths victory in the Listed Diolite Kinen (2400m) for 4YOs & up at Funabashi. Fusaichi Seven (ridden by Hiroyuki Uchida for trainer Kunihide Matsuda) defeated 6YO entires Meiner Hourglass (Brian's Time-Meine Pretender, by Zabeel) & Makoto Sparviero (Brian's Time-Makoto Shunrei, by Lindo Shaver). Fusaichi Seven took his record to 5 wins & 2 runners-up from 8 starts.
(Mar 12)
Dubai Horses-In-Training Sale: Anabaa Son Top Lot
In Dubai, Bahrain-based Abdulla Ali Ahmed Mohamed paid top price of AED170,000 (US$48,000) for French-bred 7YO entire Blue Ksar (Anabaa-Delicieuse Lady, by Trempolino) at the 1-day Emirates Racing Authority Horses-In-Training Sale at Meydan Racecourse. Blue Ksar (offered by trainer Erwan Charpy) is a half-brother to Gr1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) winner Blue Canari & boasts 5 wins (including the 2006 UK Listed Ben Marshall Stakes over 8 furlongs at Newmarket) & 6 placings (including 2009's UAE Gr2 Al Fahidi Fort over 1600m at Nad Al Sheeba, plus 2007's UK Gr2 Celebration Mile over 8 furlongs at Goodwood, UK Gr3 Darley Stakes over 9 furlongs at Newmarket & UK Gr3 Diomed Stakes over 8.5 furlongs at Epsom) from 18 starts.
(Mar 12)
Dubai Horses-In-Training Sale: 80% Clearance
Overall at the ERA Sale, 66 lots sold from 83 offered (80%) for a gross AED2,138,000 (US$582,000) at an average AED32,394 (US$8,800) & a median AED17,000 (US$4,600).
(Mar 12)
French Sire Until Sundown Moves To Italy
In Europe, US-bred & Gr3-winning 12-year-old stallion Until Sundown (Smart Strike-Cool Baby, by Northern Baby) has moved to Abbadia Ardenghesca Farm in Italy from Haras de la Haie Neuve in France for the 2010 season, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Until Sundown has sired 65 winners (including Chilean classic winner Deviner) from 183 foals among 5 crops of racing age.
(Mar 12)
US Sire Anasheed Sold To Russia
Also in Europe, 10-year-old US sire Anasheed (A.P.Indy-Flagbird, by Nureyev) "has been sold for stallion duty in Russia" reported bloodhorse.com. Anasheed (who previously stood at Dutchess Views Farm in New York) was US graded stakes-placed & has sired 14 winners. Anasheed is also a half-brother to the stakes-placed dam of Gr1-winner Little Belle.
(Mar 12)
US Trainer Paragallo Gulity On 33 Cruelty Charges
In the US, prominent New York breeder & trainer Ernie Paragallo was convicted of "33 animal cruelty counts" involving "mistreating dozens of malnourished horses" reported bloodhorse.com. Paragallo, 52, was charged after authorities raided his 500-acre farm in April 2009 & seized 177 malnourished horses. New York Racing & Wagering Board chairman John Sabini commented: "Race horses - whether they are in training, retired from racing or in active competition at our tracks - must be properly cared for in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The verdict issued by Greene County Judge George Pulver sends a message that serious consequences await those who fail to provide proper care & sustenance to horses. All of us involved in the regulation of pari-mutuel wagering have a duty to ensure that the horrendous conditions found at Center Brook Farm in April 2009 never again manifest themselves in the barns & pastures of New York State." And Hudson Greene Humane Society director Ron Perez (who took part in the raid that uncovered "underfed & parasite-infested horses") added: "This is going to set a precedent for animal cruelty cases across the country." Paragallo has started more than 4,500 horses & earned more than US$20 million in prize-money.
(Mar 12)
US Bank Sues Allan Paulson Trust
Following a recent agreement between Egyptian brewing magnate Ahmed Zayat's Zayat Stables and his bankers over outstanding loans, "PNC Bank has filed a claim against the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust for almost US$1.6 million and wants to seize champion Azeri's yearling filly by Ghostzapper", reported racingpost.com. Bred by Allen E. Paulson two years prior to his death, 11-time Gr1 winner Azeri (2002 US Horse-Of-The-Year and winner of Eclipse Awards as champion older female in 2002, 2003 & 2004) is dam of a filly which was withdrawn from last January's Keeneland Sale. The bank wants to claim the filly (which belongs to the Allen Paulson Trust) as it alleges loan defaults including "failing to make payments on the principal and interest that was due." The Trust no longer owns Azeri who was purchased at Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale last year for US$2.25 million by Japan's Katsumi Yoshida.
(Mar 12)
1st Winner For US Freshman Weeping Willow
US 9YO freshman stallion Weeping Willow (Horse Chestnut-Alyaffirm, by Alydar) recorded his 1st winner when 2YO colt Aly Weeping (Weeping Willow-Elusive Abyssinia, by Western Fame) scored on debut over 4.5 furlongs at Sunland Park in New Mexico for trainer Hermenegildo Aldavaz.
(Mar 12)
1st Foal By US Sire Niagara Causeway
The 1st foal by US Gr3-winning & Santa Anita record-setting 6YO stallion Niagara Causeway (Giant's Causeway-Theoretically, by Theatrical) is a filly (out of stakes-winning Big Mukora mare Golden Apple) born at Outlaw Farm in Kentucky, reported bloodhorse.com. Niagara Causeway (who stands for US$3,000 at Buck Pond Farm in Kentucky) was bought for the equivalent of US$230,900 at the 2004 UK Tattersalls October yearling sale & subsequently set a track record in winning 2008's US Gr3 Tokyo City Handicap (12 furlongs on turf) at Santa Anita; he retired with wins or placings in 9 of 20 races (also including runner-up in the 2006 Gr3 Cinema Breeders' Cup Handicap) for US$255,567 earnings. Niagara Causeway was the 1st foal from Irish champion 3YO filly Theoretically (a half-sister to French Gr1-winner Cudas).
(Mar 12)
US Sire Captain Red Moved To Virginia Equine
US 13-year-old stallion & Aqueduct track-record holder Captain Red (Mr Greeley-Mary Roland, by Relaunch) has moved from Saratoga Glen Farm in New York to the Virginia Equine Research facility at Morgan Mills, reported bloodhorse.com. Captain Red holds the 6-furlong inner-track record at Aqueduct (1min 7.93sec) & overall won 13 of 47 starts (plus placed in both the Gr3 Toboggan (Handicap & Listed Rockingham Park Sprint Handicaps) & earned US$368,231.
(Mar 12)
Italian Racing Future Still Clouded
Having faced a drawn-out financial crisis, hopes for a solution have suffered a short-term setback with racingpost.com reporting a delay "until at least the end of the month." Despite the situation, premier track "San Siro is expected to reopen next Wednesday as planned." With Italy having to face the reality of racecourse rationalisation, a similar financial crisis last year "was solved by a levy of €150m from slot-machine revenues", however that revenue stream appears set to end as "the slot machine proprietors demanded the end of this" arrangement. Faced with betting turnover having fallen a further 20 percent in the first few months of 2010, and "no breeders premiums paid since September" the crisis appears unlikely to be resolved for some time.
(Mar 12)
EXCLUSIVE 1: How Dam-Line DNA Affects Stamina
UK scientists have uncovered how the genes carried on mitochondrial DNA, inherited only down the dam line, "have a role in determining the stamina potential of a horse". In the latest issue of Breeding&Racing Magazine (out next week) internationally-renowned researcher Dr Steve Harrison, director of Thoroughbred Genetics Ltd (UK), reveals some of the revolutionary "selection-enhancing" technologies now available to the modern breeder. (For a preview of the exclusive report "Playing God" click on the direct link to the story on the left-hand-side of this page.)
(Mar 12)
EXCLUSIVE 2: Why Champs Face Greater Injury Risks
Many trainers attest that "it's always the fast ones that breakdown". But is modern science revealing champion racehorses are indeed "the unlikely victims of their own strength"? Are champions "prone to their own unique conformation & galloping traits which produce supreme speed & power, but are ultimately flawed"? In the latest issue of Breeding&Racing Magazine (out next week) conformation expert Ross Brunt of Racehorse Conformation Scientific Research explains how "champion racehorses expose themselves to greater risk of breakdown than average gallopers". (For a preview of the exclusive report "Why Champions Break Down" click on the direct link to the story on the left-hand-side of this page.)
(Mar 12)
EXCLUSIVE 3: Statistics Debunk Unsoundness Myth
The 1980s were "a milestone period for dramatic changes in the type of person involved in thoroughbred breeding & racing, away from stockmen towards investors looking for a return for their dollar". The latest issue of Breeding&Racing Magazine (out next week) includes a major report from leading equine researcher Renee Geelen which explains: "This change in investment strategy has led to a change in the way racing statistics are distributed by class." Importantly Geelen also explains how "commercial imperatives lie behind the false perception that modern horses are lacking soundness". (For a preview of the exclusive report "Statistics Debunk The Unsoundness Myth" click on the direct link to the story on the left-hand-side of this page.)
(Mar 12)
EXCLUSIVE 4: Why "Lightness Of The Forehand" Matters
In assessing & predicting soundness from a conformation perspective, global expert Judy Wardrope of internationally-acclaimed JW Equine explains the vital importance of "lightness of the forehand in lessening the concussive effects on the forelegs at racing speed" in the latest issue of Breeding&Racing Magazine (out next week). Wardrope analyses "the pillar of support" & how speed & weight impact the forelegs. (For a preview of the exclusive report "Assessing & Predicting Soundness" click on the direct link to the story on the left-hand-side of this page.)
(Mar 12)
(Click here today's news to access a printable format of today's news items)
MARCH 2010
(archive>>)
FEBRUARY 2010
(archive>>)
JANUARY 2010
(archive>>)
DECEMBER 2009
(archive>>)
NOVEMBER 2009
(archive>>)
OCTOBER 2009
(archive>>)
SEPTEMBER 2009
(archive>>)
AUGUST 2009
(archive>>)
JULY 2009
(archive>>)
JUNE 2009
(archive>>)
MAY 2009
(archive>>)
APRIL 2009
(archive>>)
MARCH 2009
(archive>>)
FEBRUARY 2009
(archive>>)
JANUARY 2009
(archive>>)
DECEMBER 2008
(archive>>)
NOVEMBER 2008
(archive>>)
OCTOBER 2008
(archive>>)
SEPTEMBER 2008
(archive>>)
AUGUST 2008
(archive>>)
JULY 2008
(archive>>)
JUNE 2008
(archive>>)
MAY 2008
(archive>>)
APRIL 2008
(archive>>)
MARCH 2008
(archive>>)
FEBRUARY 2008
(archive>>)
JANUARY 2008
(archive>>)
DECEMBER 2007
(archive>>)
NOVEMBER 2007
(archive>>)
OCTOBER 2007
(archive>>)
SEPTEMBER 2007
(archive>>)
AUGUST 2007
(archive>>)
JULY 2007
(archive>>)
JUNE 2007
(archive>>)
MAY 2007
(archive>>)
APRIL 2007
(archive>>)
MARCH 2007
(archive>>)
FEBRUARY 2007
(archive>>)
JANUARY 2007
(archive>>)
DECEMBER 2006
(archive>>)
NOVEMBER 2006
(archive>>)
OCTOBER 2006
(archive>>)
SEPTEMBER 2006
(archive>>)
AUGUST 2006
(archive>>)
JULY 2006
(archive>>)
JUNE 2006
(archive>>)
MAY 2006
(archive>>)
APRIL 2006
(archive>>)
MARCH 2006
(archive>>)
FEBRUARY 2006
(archive>>)
JANUARY 2006
(archive>>)
DECEMBER 2005
(archive>>)
NOVEMBER 2005
(archive>>)
OCTOBER 2005
(archive>>)
SEPTEMBER 2005
(archive>>)
AUGUST 2005
(archive>>)
JULY 2005
(archive>>)
March 12th, 2010
