NEWS UPDATES Cox Plate Star El Segundo Returns In Cranbourne Trial Aust 2YO Champ Sebring Returns In Friday Trial Gr3-Winning Filly Stripper Retired South Aust Breeder Jim O'Connor Dies Aged 80 Vic Jockey Ben Smith 6-Months Ban For Facial Attack Vic Jocks Sam Hyland & Dale Smith Also Banned After Clash Racing Vic Extends Deadline For Directions Paper Feedback NZ Gr1 Star Princess Coup Retired NZ Shuttler Elusive City 1st-Season Champ In Europe Darley Sire Librettist Moves To Logis In France (more>>) Take a minute to visit our new Luxury Leisure & Lifestyle portal, the complete guide to all things luxury. INDUSTRY NEWS — AUGUST 2003 Deauville Day-5: Average Up 1.8% The 5-day L’Agence Francaise Deauville August yearling sale concluded with an overall 351 yearlings sold (of 453 offered) for a total €25,917,000 (A$44 million) at an average €73,838 (A$125,000), up 1.8% on the 2002 figure. L’Agence Francaise president Philippe Augier told thoroughbredtimes.com: "After a stable weekend, we had 3 days which recorded significant rises in both aggregate & average price. The success of horses sold in Deauville, & in particular the numerous excellent 2YOs from the sale, clearly helped to attract buyers, many of whom were active in Deauville for the 1st time." (Aug 29) Deauville Day-5: Starborough Colt Top Buy Trainer Nicolas Clement paid Day-5’s top price of €87,000 (A$147,000) for Star de l’Air (a son of Starborough out of Armee de l’Air) consigned by Haras des Brousses. And Robert Nataf’s Horse France purchased the top filly of the session, a €75,000 (A$127,000) daughter of Tiger Hill out of Alzao mare Tanzania (whose dam Triple Couronne is a full sister to Triptych, a classic winner & multiple high-weight). (Aug 29) Deauville Summary: Top Colts €900,000 (A$1.53 million) Sadler’s Wells-Sister Dot, bought by Anthony Stroud €450,000 (A$765,000) Anabaa-Supergirl, bought by Horse France €450,000 (A$765,000) King’s Best-Manureva, bought by John Ferguson €280,000 (A$476,000) Dansili-Sabria, bought by Amanda Skiffington €230,000 (A$391,000) Diktat-Catania, bought by John Ferguson €225,000 (A$382,000) King’s Best-Maggi for Margaret, bought by Meridian International €205,000 (A$348,000) Indian Ridge-La Panthere bought by C.Gordon-Watson €200,000 (A$340,000) King’s Best-Reine Wells, bought by John Ferguson €200,000 (A$340,000) Montjeu-Dibenoise, bought by FIPS (Aug 29) Deauville Summary: Top Fillies €420,000 (A$714,000) Fasliyev-Style For Life, bought by Horse France €370,000 (A$629,000) Diesis-Gontcharova, bought by Guilain Bozo €350,000 (A$595,000) Kingmambo-Gold Bust, bought by Chantilly Bloodstock €320,000 (A$544,000) Anabaa-Spectacular Joke bought by MAB Agency €320,000 (A$544,000) Sadler’s Wells-Monevassia bought by Quesnay Bloodstock €280,000 (A$476,000) King’s Best-En Public, bought by Horse France €260,000 (A$442,000) Sadler’s Wells-Elegant As Always, bought by Crispin de Moubray €260,000 (A$442,000) Sadler’s Wells-Encens, bought by McKeever St Lawrence €260,000 (A$442,000) Highest Honor--Exocet, bought by Sir Michael Stoute €250,000 (A$425,000) Zafonic-Cracovie, bought Anthony Stroud €250,000 (A$425,000) Kris-Lobmille, bought by Pegasus Farm €240,000 (A$408,000) Diesis-Tycoons Dolce, bought by Chantilly Bloodstock €220,000 (A$374,000) Red Ransom-Ispirata, bought by Blandford Bloodstock €220,000 (A$374,000) King’s Best-Shy Danceuse, bought by C Gordon-Watson €210,000 (A$357,000) Grand Lodge-Genuine, bought by France Turf International €200,000 (A$340,000) Anabaa-Carelaine, bought by Quesnay Bloodstock (Aug 29) US Course Record To Spinning World’s Son Coolmore shuttler Spinning World received a huge boost in the US yesterday when his 4YO son Allover ran a new course record for 8.5 furlongs on turf at Del Mar in California, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The Thoroughbred Corporation’s Allover (ridden by Mike Smith for trainer Bob Baffert) ran 1min 39.84sec to break the previous mark of 1min 40sec set in 1986 by multiple stakes winner Ice Hot. Allover raced once in England last year before being shipped to the US this season & now has 2 wins in 5 starts for Baffert. Allover (a half-brother to stakes winner Translucid) is out of Seattle Slew mare Gossamer. (Aug 29) Ameri Brilliance Sets World Record For Half-Mile Meanwhile Ameri Brilliance blazed a half-mile in 43.76secs at Timonium in the US overnight, lowering the world record for a thoroughbred on dirt over 4 furlongs reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 4YO Ameri Valay gelding won by 8 lengths to notch his 4th successive victory & total 7 wins in 21 career starts. Bred in Maryland, Ameri Brilliance was produced by unplaced Seeking The Gold mare Seeking Brilliance (a daughter of multiple graded stakes winner Brilliant Brass). The previous world record belonged to Kentucky-bred Adventuresome Love (a 9-time stakes winner by Nasty And Bold) who covered a half-mile at Stampede Park in 43.80secs in April 1993; that record was equaled in March 1996 at Stampede by British Columbia-bred stakes winner Hafta Nafta (a Regal Remark gelding). (Aug 29) Melb Cup Update: Holy Orders Holy Orders “remains on course for the Melbourne Cup following a fine effort under a big weight in the Tote Ebor at York,” reported racingpost.co.uk. The Willie Mullins-trained 6YO carried 9st 11lb into 6th place behind lightly-weighted Saint Alebe in Europe's richest handicap (over 14 furlongs) last week, beaten just over 4.5 lengths by the winner. Irish trainer Mullins summed up: "Holy Orders ran a tremendous race at York & we are very keen to go to Australia with him. He may now go to Galway on September 9 for the Ardilaun House Hotel Oyster Stakes over a mile & a half, & I might enter him for the Doncaster Cup over two & a quarter miles." Mullins (who is based at Bagenalstown in County Carlow) also entered Sadlers Wings for the Melbourne Cup, but said that horse is unlikely to accompany his stablemate to Flemington after finishing only 15th in the Ebor: "He probably won't go for the Melbourne Cup. We may go hurdling with him. He jumps well & has done plenty of schooling. Things have not worked out with him on the Flat this season as we would have hoped." (Aug 29) Cox Plate Update: Elegant Fashion Meanwhile HK’s expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes has “dismissed the idea” of bringing his top mare Elegant Fashion (former AJC Australian Oaks runner-up) back to Melbourne for a crack at the Cox Plate, reported The South China Morning Post. (Aug 29) 1st Aristotle Foal For Lynden Park Stud manager Russell Robinson at Victoria’s Lynden Park has welcomed the 1st foal by Aristotle (unbeaten UK 2YO Gr1 winner), a chestnut colt out of Sleek Design (dam of speedy stakes performer Golden Blitz). (Aug 29) Karakatsanis Drug Appeal Dismissed The NSW Racing Appeal Panel yesterday dismissed the appeal against his 6-month suspension by trainer Tony Karakatsanis. He had pleaded guilty to a charge of having brought Full Limit to the Rosehill Gardens racecourse in June where a urine sample detected the prohibited substance Irbesartan. (Aug 29) Arrowfield’s Danzero Lands 7th European Winner Arrowfield Stud’s Golden Slipper-winning sire Danzero (by Danehill) recorded his 7th individual winner in Europe when 2YO colt Soliniki won on debut over 6 furlongs at Ascot in England, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Soliniki is out of Lion Cavern mare Pride Of My Heart. (Aug 29) Lion Cavern Adds Irish Stakes Win Meanwhile Lion Cavern (the son of Mr Prospector who shuttled the past 3 seasons to Lynden Park Stud in Victoria) produced an Irish stakes-winner when 3YO colt Latino Magic won at Tralee, noted racenet.com.au. Latino Magic (who now has 4 wins in 11 starts) is out of Shareef Dancer mare Tansy. Shareef Dancer is the paternal grandsire of last season’s leading Australian 1st crop sire General Nediym. Lion Cavern covered 77 mares last spring at Lynden Park, with his 1st Australian yearlings selling this year up to $55,000. Lion Cavern has not returned to Australia this spring, but is expected to return in 2004. (Aug 29) Archway’s 10th Winner In Month The win by Roman Arch (Archway-Celestial Option, by Clear Choice) in humping a massive 60kg to victory in the Listed Balaklava Cup (1600m) in South Australia marked his 10th victory (including 6 of his last 7) in 28 starts for $315,000 prize-money. It also continued a remarkable run for sire Archway (now a resident of Larneuk Stud at Euroa in Victoria), who’s recorded 10 individual winners so far this month. Roman Arch is also one of 236 winners overall for Archway (Thatching-Rose Of Jericho, by Alleged) who boasts a 61.9% winners-to-runners strike rate. In addition, Archway has 10 stakes winners, including Gr1 victors Grand Archway, Rose Archway & She's Archie. (Aug 29) Aust & NZ 2003-04 1st Season Sires Racing Victoria’s Inside Racing newsletter includes a list of 2003-04 1st Season Sires standing in Australia & NZ: ADMIRE MAMBO (Kingmambo-Fortunate Facts) Riverdene Stud NSW $6,600 ALANNAN (Conquistador Cielo-Dame Sybil) Lindsay Park Stud SA $8,250 ALL COURAGE (Danzero-Runaway Babe) Tareena NSW $2,500 ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (Sunday Silence-Tamari) Mountmellick Stud VIC $3,850 ARAZI (Blushing Groom-Danseur Fabuleux) Independent Stallion Station VIC $11,000 ARKADIAN HERO (Trempolino-Careless Kitten) Paramount Lodge NZ FOA AUCASH (Danehill-All Grace) Oaklands Stud QLD FOA BEL ESPRIT (Royal Academy-Bespoken) Eliza Park Stud VIC $18,150 BOLD EXPECTATION (Danehill-Miss Bold Appeal) Kooringal Stud NSW $3,300 CHOISIR (Danehill Dancer-Great Selection) Coolmore NSW $30,250 COUNT ALBRECHT (Geiger Counter-Lady Giselle) Plaintree Farms QLD $3,850 COURT OF JEWELS (Danehill-Nine Carat) Collingrove Stud VIC FOA DASH FOR CASH (Secret Savings-Gulistan) Collingrove Stud VIC $11,000 DELAGO BROM (Encosta de Lago-Brompton Cross) Eliza Park VIC $8,800 DON EDUARDO (Zabeel-Our Diamond Lover) Fayette Park Stud NZ $NZ12,500 E DUBAI (Mr Prospector-Words of War) Darley NSW $16,500 ELUSIVE QUALITY (Gone West-Touch Of Greatness) Darley NSW $82,500 FALVELON (Alannon-Devil's Zephyr) Glenlogan Park Stud QLD $13,750 FRENCH DEPUTY (Deputy Minister-Mitterand) Arrowfield Stud NSW $44,000 GOLAN (Spectrum-Highland Gift) Windsor Park Stud NZ FOA GOOD JOURNEY (Nureyev-Chimes Of Freedom) Ealing Park VIC FOA GRASS WONDER (Silver Hawk-Ameriflora) Eliza Park VIC $13,750 HUSSONET (Mr Prospector-Sacahuista) Arrowfield Stud NSW $24,750 INVINCIBLE SPIRIT (Green Desert-Rafha) Chatswood Stud VIC $13,200 ISHIGURU (Danzig-Strategic Maneuver) Baerami Thoroughbreds NSW FOA JEUNE KING PRAWN (Danehill-Western Chorus) Newlands Thoroughbreds VIC $11,000 JOHANNESBURG (Hennessy-Myth) Coolmore Australia NSW $27,500 JUNGLE POCKET (Tony Bin-Dance Charmer) Rich Hill Thoroughbreds NZ $NZ15,000 KING OF DANES (Danehill-Impulsive Rhythm) Glenlogan Park Stud QLD $7,700 KING OF PRUSSIA (Anabaa-Professionelle) Greta West Stud VIC $2,750 KINGSTON KHAN (Ashkalani-Spirit Of Kingston) Demison Park VIC $1,650 KUROFUNE (French Deputy-Blue Avenue) Arrowfield Stud NSW $16,500 MOON ROCKET (Zabeel-Skyrocket) Vatana Farms QLD $4,400 NICKELMINE (Unbridled's Song-Lady Giselle) High Lane Stud VIC FOA NOVERRE (Rahy-Danseur Fabuleux) Darley NSW $27,500 ORIENTATE (Mt Livermore-Dream Team) Arrowfield Stud NSW $33,000 PARTNERS CHOICE (Gone West-Market Booster) Grenville Stud TAS $2,200 PLANCHET (Canny Lad-Penny) Eliza Park VIC $8,250 PROMONTORY GOLD (Gone West-Possibly Perfect) High Lane Farm VIC FOA PYRUS (Mr Prospector-Most Precious) Westbury Stud NZ FOA REGAL SHOT (Clay Hero-Baloctane) Monomeith Stud VIC FOA RIVIERA (Kris-Manureva) Fairdale Stud NZ $NZ5,000+ ROCK OF GIBRALTAR (Danehill-Offshore Boom) Coolmore Australia NSW $132,000 SANDMASON (Grand Lodge-Sandy Island) Croftlea Stud NZ FOA SHOT OF THUNDER (Thunder Gulch-My Brilliant Star) Glenlogan Park Stud QLD $7,150 SNOWLAND (Snippets-Snowdrift) Widden Stud NSW $17,500 STAR MARAUDER (Marauding-Sibon) Alpine Park VIC $1,100 STREET CRY (Machiavellian-Helen Street) Darley NSW $38,500 SUNDAY KNIGHT (Sunday Silence-Wrap Around) Plaintree Farms QLD $4,950 TAIMAZOV (Southern Halo-Heiress) Wattle Brae Stud QLD $10,000 TELESTO (Mr Prospector-Aviance) Armidale Stud TAS FOA TOBOUGG (Barathea-Lacovia) Darley NSW $11,000 TUSCANOS (Encosta De Lago-Palace Fire) Hollylodge Thoroughbreds VIC $3,300 UNIVERSAL PRINCE (Scenic-Biscay Bird) Inverness Stud NSW $11,000 USTINOV (Seeking The Gold-Let's Elope) Brighthill Farm NZ $NZ8,000 VAN NISTELROOY (Storm Cat-Halory) Trelawney Stud NZ TBA VIKING RULER (Danehill-Tristalove) Cambridge Stud NZ $NZ20,000 ZAHA (Kingmambo-Play All Day) Clear Mountain Stud QLD FOA ZORRO'S LAD (Danehill-Our Libra Lady) Manner Lodge VIC $3,850 (Aug 29) NZ Trainers Apply For Randwick Position The race for the position of foreman with Graeme Rogerson’s Royal Randwick stables in Sydney “has attracted candidates from around the world” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Rogerson racing manager Dean Watt confirmed: “We have had 3 senior trainers from NZ apply, along with an application from South Africa & outstanding candidates from Queensland, Victoria & our local Sydney racing community.” Rogerson operates stables at Randwick, Flemington in Melbourne & Hamilton in NZ. (Aug 29) Last Chance For Northerly Memorabilia The University of Melbourne Equine Centre’s ‘Virtual Auction’ closes on Monday (September 1) at midday. Auction items include: a framed chromed racing plate & 2002 Cox Plate photograph signed by trainer Fred Kersley & jockey Partick Payne of recently retired 2003 Australian Racehorse-Of-The-Year Northerly; & a Desert Sun stallion nomination. Proceeds will assist fund raising for the Equine Centre’s Stage 2 Capital Redevelopment ($5 million) which will bring world class veterinary facilities & technologies to Victoria including: 2 state-of-the-art surgical suites; new examination & teaching facilities; & a new state-of-the-art reproduction complex. (Aug 29) NZ Stud Tours & Stallion Parades The Waikato branch of the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Association has arranged 2 major stallion parades this weekend noted thoroughbrednews.co.nz: The Cambridge parade is on Saturday with studs on the itinerary (with starting times): Highview Stud (9am), Curraghmore Stud (9.35am), Wychwood Stud (10am), Windsor Park (10.30am), The Oaks (11.45am), Chequers Stud (1pm), Trelawney Stud (1.20pm), Blue Gum Lodge (1.45pm), Cambridge Stud (2.10pm), Ashwell Farm (3pm), Brighthill Farm (3.40pm). The Matamata parade is on Sunday with the itinerary: Rich Hill Stud (10am), Grande Vue Lodge (10.40am), Paramount Lodge (11.10am), Waikato Stud (1.20pm), Java Lodge (2.20pm), Fayette Park Stud (3.15pm). (Aug 29) HK Season Starts Sunday The 2003-04 HK season starts on Sunday at Sha Tin. The main race is the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive's Cup (1200m). (Aug 29) Hayes Welcomes Fine Society & Bob’s Boy Expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes starts the new HK season with 2 prominent former Australasian 3YOs Fine Society (who won the Gr1 Canterbury Guineas for John Hawkes) & Bob’s Boy in his stable. Hayes told The South China Morning Post: “I’m looking at early October for Fine Society’s 1st start, which would be early enough to have her ready for international races. The focus for this season will be on the races against her own age, the Classic Mile & the Derby early in 2004.” (Aug 29) HKJC Re-Elects Chairman Arculli The Hong Kong Jockey Club Board yesterday re-elected Ronald Arculli as chairman & John Chan as deputy chairman. (Aug 29) HKJC Stewards Re-Elected Meanwhile voting members of the HKJC re-elected 4 Club Stewards to the Board at the Annual General Meeting yesterday: Ronald Arculli, Christopher Cheng, Anthony Chow & David Eldon. All had retired by rotation this year & were nominated; no other nominations were received & each will serve another 3-year term. (Aug 29) Top European 2YOs Thoroughbredinternet.com notes Timeform’s current top-rated European 2YOs: 119 pounds: Three Valleys (Diesis-Skiable, by Niniski) colt 118 pounds: Attraction (Efisio-Flirtation, by Pursuit Of Love) filly 111 pounds: Carry On Katie (Fasliyev-Dinka Raja, by Woodman) filly 111 pounds: Much Faster (Fasliyev-Interruption, by Zafonic) filly 110 pounds: Haafhd (Alhaarth-Al Bahathri, by Blushing Groom) colt 110 pounds: Pearl Of Love (Peintre Celebre-Aunt Pearl, by Seattle Slew) colt 110 pounds: Russian Valour (Fasliyev-Vert Val, by Septieme Ciel) colt (Aug 29) Blistering Attack On UK Tote & Levy Board The antipathy between 3 of UK racing's key political figures “reached new depths when British Horseracing Board chairman Peter Savill launched a blistering attack on his counterparts at the Tote & Levy Board, accusing them of not having racing's ‘best interests at heart’,” reported racingpost.co.uk. As the “furore surrounding the Levy Board's decision to withdraw £6 million of prize-money contributions over the final 4 months of the year intensified”, Savill re-entered the debate “unleashing a barrage of criticism against the Levy Board's actions & questioning the body's competence”. His attack came as the UK National Trainers Federation issued a statement backing UK Racehorse Owners' Association president Chris Deuters, who e-mailed 700 of his members “to rally their support behind his boycott of specified racecourses”. In a letter to the UK Racing Post, Savill declared “racing is being destabilised by people who claim to be part of the industry, but clearly do not have its best interests at heart. . . . This appalling decision only reinforces my long-held belief that the sooner the Levy Board is abolished the better. Racing needs to control its own destiny & not be dependent on the whims of people who are clearly not up to running the finances of such an important industry." (Aug 29) Top Argentine Mare To Stud With Incurable Optimist Argentine multiple Gr1 winner Tanganyika has been retired from racing & is set to be bred to New York-bred Cure The Blues stallion Incurable Optimist, who stands at Argentine-based Haras El Paraiso, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 6YO daughter of Interprete won 7 of 24 career starts, including the 2002 Gr1 Gran Premio Estrellas Distaff (South American equivalent of the US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff) & Gr1 Gran Premio Criadores, both at Palermo. Bred by El Paraiso, Tanganyika is out of multiple stakes-winning Triplicador mare Tierra Mora. (Aug 29) Deauville Day-4: Average Up 28% France’s Deauville Yearling Sale continued its strong results on Day-4, with 63 yearlings sold (from 74 offered) for an aggregate €2,623,000 (A$4.46 million), which was up 52% on last year, & at an average €41,635 (A$70,000) up 28%. Agence Francaise president Philippe Augier summed up to US Bloodstock Journal: "We still have foreign demand, even if domestic buyers are more & more active.” reported US Bloodstock Journal. During the session 19 horses sold for €50,000 (A$85,000) or more (compared with 7 in 2002). (Aug 28) Deauville Day-4: Top Filly By Vettori Guislain Bozo of Meridian International (acting on behalf of US owner Lansdon Robbins) paid the top Day-4 price of €105,000 (A$178,000) for a filly by former shuttle sire Vettori out of Linamix mare Salvinaxia, reported bloodhorse.com. The filly was consigned by Haras des Capucines & is a half-sister to Via Milano (a Singspiel filly who finished 2nd in last weekend’s French Gr3 Prix du Calvados). (Aug 28) Deauville Day-4: Big Price For Monsun Filly Away from the ring a Monsun filly (a full sister to German Derby winner Samum & German Oaks winner Salve Regina) was initially passed-in at €320,000 (A$545,000), but then later sold privately for €400,000 (A$680,000), noted bloodhorse.com. (Aug 28) Deauville Day-4: Prices Continue Above 2002 After 4 of the 5 days, the average for the Deauville sale so far is a healthy €90,992 (A$155,000) which is 3% ahead of 2002, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. “The popularity of several 1st crop sires has been well to the fore, particularly the well-prepared Dansili three-quarter brother to Classic winner Landseer, that sold to Amanda Skiffington for €280,000 (A$475,000), more than 20 times conception cost.” (Aug 28) Fasig-Tipton Canadian Catalogues Meanwhile catalogues are now available for Fasig-Tipton's 463-lot Canadian-bred yearling sale at Woodbine (selected session September 2 & open sessions September 5-6). (Aug 28) Melb Cup Update: Raspberry Ripple Top 4YO NZ mare Raspberry Ripple “put herself in the frame for important spring races on both sides of the Tasman when she returned to winning form at Avondale” yesterday, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. In her 2nd run back from a spell, Raspberry Ripple carried 57kg to win over 1600m on heavy ground. Owner Peter Mitchell noted: “She’s still a long way from peak fitness, but now that she’s back in form we can start making some plans. “A start in the Gr1 Kelt Capital Stakes is a nice thought, but we’re not sure if she would make the field. If it looked as though she wouldn’t get a start, she may then head to Sydney. There are some nice weight-for-age races over there which wouldn’t be as strong as the Melbourne races.” Raspberry Ripple (winner of the Gr2 Fayette Park Championship Stakes at Ellerslie earlier this year) is entered for both the Caulfield & Melbourne Cups & Mitchell summed up: “She may end up in Melbourne. But as always, it will be a matter of taking it one race at a time.” (Aug 28) Top SA Apprentice Joins Quinton Stable Exciting South Australian apprentice Matthew Neilson has arrived in Sydney “on loan to Randwick trainer Ron Quinton for 3 months,” reported racenet.com.au. Neilson, 19, was leading SA apprentice in 2002-2003 & has ridden over 100 winners (including 39 city winners last season). Quinton noted: "He can only claim 1.5kgs in the city & none at the provincials, so make no bones about it, it will be hard for him. But he has a lot of ability, he's a natural left hander & he's a nice kid as well.” (Aug 28) Territory Jockey Coffey Moves To NZ And experienced Northern Territory jockey Dale Coffey is now based in NZ with the Graeme Rogerson & Stephen Autridge stable, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Coffey, 43, boasts 982 career wins & was 6-times NT champion jockey. (Aug 28) 1st Honours List Foals Arrive NSW’s Baerami Stud reports the 1st half-dozen foals from its Danehill son Honours List have arrived & “typically they have deep girths & shoulders, lovely hinds & without exception they are bays with some white”. (Aug 28) Baerami Stud Stallion Parades Meanwhile Baerami (at Denman in the NSW Hunter Valley) will be holding 3 stallion parades over the next week (on Saturday August 30, Sunday August 31 & Saturday September 7) to highlight its stallions Rhythm (whose progeny earnings now exceed $60 million), Honours List & Danzig’s son Ishiguru. (Aug 28) New Rosehill Equine Pool Opens The Sydney Turf Club’s new $700,000 equine pool at Rosehill Gardens will be officially opened on Saturday. The 50-metre Lindsay Davies Equine Pool (named after the recently retired STC racecourse manager) will be open 7-days-a-week; previously trainers swam their horses in Rosehill’s in-field dam. (Aug 28) Racing Museum Last Day At Caulfield Meanwhile the Australian Racing Museum will close its doors on Saturday at Caulfield Racecourse, in preparation for its re-opening at central Melbourne's Federation Square in early 2004. To mark the occasion, 2 new acquisitions will be unveiled: a Frederick Woodhouse senior oil panel painting of Carbine & a Frederick Woodhouse junior oil panel painting of Wakeful. (Aug 28) Victorian Track ‘Safety Zones’ Introduced Racing Victoria has announced an On-Course Horse Movement Safety Policy to “assist racing clubs manage the potential risks of serious injury to on-course patrons associated with the unpredictable nature of racehorses”. Announcing the policy, Racing Victoria chief executive Neville Fielke explained: “In an increasingly litigious society, & in a context where the law requires event organisers, like racing clubs, to be proactive in identifying & minimising hazards, the racing industry has little option but to limit access to on-course horse areas to officials, trainers, jockeys & stable assistants.” As a result, “the introduction of the On-Course Horse Movement Safety Policy is designed to restrict access to horse zones in the interest of personal safety.” Hence 3 “colour-coded zones will now provide common terminology & procedures across the industry: Red Zone 1: Restricted Area (authorised officials, trainers, jockeys & strappers); Yellow Zone 2: Restricted Area (Zone 1 category & authorised owners, accredited media, sponsors, dignitaries, members & other authorised persons); Green Zone 3: Public Areas. Areas subject to safety zoning include “the mounting yard, the birdcage & horse stalls, the track, exit & entry points to & from the horse float car park, & any other relevant on-course area (walking rings, wash areas, urinal box)”. The re-zoning on Victorian metropolitan racecourses becomes effective on October 1; regional & country racecourses will implement the new zoning guidelines thereafter. (Aug 28) NZ Gr1 Star Elevenses Booked To Distant Music NZ Fayette Park's David Benjamin will send his top mare Elevenses to Distant Music (unbeaten European champion 2YO) at Victoria's Yallembee Stud this spring, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Elevenses (bred by Fayette & part-raced by Benjamin's wife Masey) won 5 races (including both the Gr1 NZ 1000 Guineas & Gr1 WRC Captain Cook Stakes, plus the Gr2 ARC Grosvenor Stakes) as well as notching 12 placings, mainly at the elite level (including the Gr1 Te Aroha NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes, Gr2 ARC Eight Carat Classic, Gr2 ARC Royal Stakes, Gr2 Cambridge Travis Stakes & Gr3 Fayette Park Stakes). Elevenses is a daughter of Star Way (sire of 500 winners, including Our Waverley Star, Field Dancer & Shankhill Lass) from winning Sir Tristram mare Celtic Joy (whose 6 winners also include stakes-winner Destined & multiple Melbourne winner Garters). Benjamin (who recently won the NZ Breeder-Of-The-Year title for 2002-03) noted: "Niki Wooff of Thoroughbred Solutions has performed a pedigree analysis of the mating & believes Distant Music is the best choice of any stallion for Elevenses." (Aug 28) NZTR Chairman Reports Positive Response New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Guy Sargent has reported a positive response from participants at a number of meetings he has convened across NZ since his recent appointment. He told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: “The NZTR Board meets again on 22 September when a number of proposals will be discussed. It will not be possible to meet with all affected parties before then, but we would still like to hear from people or groups who feel they have some of the answers. For that reason, we invite stakeholders to put these ideas to Allan Fenwick or myself by sending them to us at NZTR by the middle of September. Any we receive we will put up for discussion at the board meeting.” (Aug 28) Moore Disqualified & Fined In Macau Former Sydney trainer Gary Moore “has been disqualified for 2 months & fined HK$100,000 (A$20,000) at the conclusion an inquiry in Macau,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The former international jockey (& son of Australian racing legend George Moore) pleaded guilty to charges relating to positive drug tests from urine samples taken from his runner Many Billions at Taipa on August 6; the samples were found to contain Ketoprofen (an anti-inflammatory drug & a prohibited substance). Moore pleaded guilty to having treated Many Billions in contravention of the rules & presenting the gelding to race when samples showed the presence of Ketoprofen in its system. (Aug 28) Breeders Cup Future Bet This Weekend The US National Thoroughbred Racing Association has set the fields for this weekend's Period 2 of the Breeders' Cup Future Bet, reported bloodhorse.com. The Future Bet is a special wager that challenges fans to select in advance the winners of the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships races (at Santa Anita Park in California on October 25). Races open for wagering this weekend are the Breeders' Cup Classic, Breeders' Cup Distaff, Breeders' Cup Sprint & Breeders' Cup Turf. The NTRA’s Ken Kirchner noted: "Future betting allows fans to lock in attractive odds on the contenders of their choice. Period 1 featured such horses as eventual Pat O'Brien Handicap winner Disturbingthepeace closing at 122-1 for the Breeders' Cup Sprint, Travers winner Ten Most Wanted being offered at 20-1 for the Breeders' Cup Classic, & Arlington Million performers Storming Home & Sulamani each closing at 12-1 for the Breeders' Cup Turf." Each Future Bet race offers individual pari-mutuel wagering on 23 runners plus 1 ‘field’ entry (consisting of all horses not listed among the 23 individual selections for each race. (Aug 28) Breeders Cup Classic: Mineshaft 5-1 Mineshaft (multiple Gr1 winner, including last month’s Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park) has been listed as 5-1 favorite for the Breeders' Cup Classic, followed by unbeaten Argentinian 4YO star Candy Ride (who defeated Medaglia d’Oro to win last weekend’s US Gr1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar in course record time for 10 furlongs) at 6-1. The Gr1 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker is at 8-1, while last year’s winner Volponi is 30-1. The full Future Bet field is: 1: Azeri 30-1 2: Candy Ride 6-1 3: Congaree 15-1 4: Dynever 20-1 5: Empire Maker 8-1 6: Evening Attire 30-1 7: Funny Cide 30-1 8: Medaglia d'Oro 10-1 9: Milwaukee Brew 20-1 10: Mineshaft 5-1 11: Moon Ballad 30-1 12: Nayef 50-1 13: Peace Rules 30-1 14: Perfect Drift 15-1 15: Pleasantly Perfect 50-1 16: Puzzlement 50-1 17: Sky Mesa 30-1 18: Soto 20-1 19: Ten Most Wanted 15-1 20: Tenpins 50-1 21: Toccet 30-1 22: Volponi 30-1 23: Wando 50-1 24: Field 15-1 (Aug 28) Breeders Cup Distaff: Azeri 2-1 Current US Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri is a hot 2-1 favourite for the Breeders' Cup Distaff, followed by Sightseek at 5-1, with Arrowfield Stud’s boom sire Hussonet’s daughter Wild Spirit (2nd in last weekend’s US Gr1 Personal Ensign Handicap at Saratoga) 3rd pick at 10-1. The Future Bet field is: 1: Affluent 30-1 2: Atlantic Ocean 50-1 3: Awesome Humor 50-1 4: Azeri 2-1 5: Bare Necessities 30-1 6: Bird Town 30-1 7: Danuta 50-1 8: Elloluv 30-1 9: Got Koko 20-1 10: Imperial Gesture 50-1 11: Island Fashion 15-1 12: Lady Tak 20-1 13: Mandy's Gold 50-1 14: Passing Shot 30-1 15: Sightseek 5-1 16: Sister Girl Blues 50-1 17: Spoken Fur 15-1 18: Summer Colony 50-1 19: Take Charge Lady 30-1 20: Tropical Blossom 50-1 21: Wild Spirit 10-1 22: Yell 50-1 23: You 50-1 24: Field 20-1 (Aug 28) Breeders Cup Sprint: Shake You Down 6-1 In an open field, Shake You Down (winner of the Gr2 True North Breeders’ Cup Handicap) is currently 6-1 favourite for the Breeders' Cup Sprint, ahead of Gygistar (winner of last year’s Gr1 King’s Bishop Stakes) at 8-1 & Beau’s Town at 10-1. The Future Bet field is: 1: Aldebaran 12-1 2: Beau's Town 10-1 3: Bluesthestandard 50-1 4: Captain Squire 12-1 5: Congaree 15-1 6: Crafty C.T. 30-1 7: Disturbingthepeace 30-1 8: Ghostzapper 20-1 9: Great Notion 30-1 10: Gygistar 8-1 11: Harmony Lodge 50-1 12: Hombre Rapido 30-1 13: Lady Tak 30-1 14: Midas Eyes 20-1 15: Mountain General 50-1 16: My Cousin Matt 30-1 17: Peeping Tom 50-1 18: Posse 50-1 19: Private Horde 15-1 20: Shake You Down 6-1 21: Strong Hope 30-1 22: Valid Video 12-1 23: Zavata 15-1 24: Field 12-1 (Aug 28) Breeders Cup Turf: Alamshar 6-1 And in the Breeders Cup Turf, trainer John Oxx’s boom Irish 3YO colt Alamshar (winner of this season’s UK Gr1 King George And Queen Elizabeth Stakes) is 6-1 favourite ahead of the ‘Field’ option at 8-1, & then Aidan O’Brien’s 4YO fellow Irish star High Chaparral (last year’s Turf winner & champion grass horse) & Storming Home both at 10-1. The Future Bet field is: 1: Alamshar 6-1 2: Ange Gabriel 12-1 3: Dalakhani 12-1 4: Denon 30-1 5: Falbrav 15-1 6: High Chaparral 10-1 7: Honor In War 30-1 8: Islington 30-1 9: Johar 20-1 10: Kaieteur 30-1 11: Kicken Kris 30-1 12: Kris Kin 20-1 13: Macaw 50-1 14: Nayef 20-1 15: Paolini 20-1 16: Perfect Soul 50-1 17: Storming Home 10-1 18: Strut The Stage 50-1 19: Sulamani 15-1 20: The Great Gatsby 30-1 21: The Tin Man 30-1 22: Vespone 30-1 23: Whitmore's Conn 30-1 24: Field 8-1 (Aug 28) US Gr1 Star Carson Hollow Dies US Gr1 winner Carson Hollow has died “from complications of colic surgery” at Adena Springs North in Ontario in Canada, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 4YO New York-bred daughter of Carson City (out of winning Hold Your Peace mare Lizeability) was unplaced only once in 10 starts, earning US$500,110; her wins included the 2002 Gr1 Prioress Stakes at Belmont Park & 2003 Gr2 Distaff Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Aqueduct. (Aug 28) Sea Of Showers Retired To Lane’s End Oak Tree Sea Of Showers (a 4YO daughter of Seattle Slew) has been retired to Lane’s End’s Oak Tree division in Kentucky “where her owners-breeders, the Niarchos family’s Flaxman Holdings, keeps a string of American-based broodmares,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Sea Of Showers moved to the US from France during 2002 & won 3 straight races (including the Gr3 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland) for trainer Bobby Frankel; she previously won in France for trainer Pascal Bary & finished 3rd in the 2002 Gr3 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly. Overall Sea Of Showers won 4 of 9 career starts. Kentucky-bred Sea Of Showers is a half-sister to multiple Gr1 winners Aldebaran & Good Journey; she is out of European high-weight Chimes Of Freedom (a half-sister to multiple Gr1 winner Denon & stakes winner Imperfect Circle, dam of Irish classic winner Spinning World). (Aug 28) UK Gr1 Winner Mail The Desert Retired Newsells Park Stud’s Mail The Desert (winner of Ireland’s Gr1 Moyglare Stud Stakes last year) has been retired, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Bred in Ireland, the 3YO daughter of Desert Prince (out of unraced Formidable mare Mail Boat) recorded 2 wins & 4 placings in 10 starts; in recent months she finished 3rd behind Russian Rhythm in the Gr1 Coronation Stakes at Ascot in June & then 2nd behind German classic-winning colt Martillo in the Gr2 Grosser Preis at Hoppegarten in July. (Aug 28) 1st Win For US Freshman Sire Gold Market US freshman sire Gold Market (half-brother to multiple Gr1 winner & sire Grand Slam) recorded his 1st winner when K O River Crossing won by 4.5 lengths over 6 furlongs at River Downs, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Overbrook Farm home-bred Gold Market (a 7YO son of Seeking The Gold) finished 2nd in the 1998 Fort Springs Stakes at Keeneland. He is 1 of 6 winners (from 7 starters) out of Gr1-placed stakes-winning El Gran Senor mare Bright Candles. Gold Market stands at Fair Winds Farm in Ohio & has 9 foals & 3 starters in his 1st crop of racing age. (Aug 28) 1st Win For Canadian Sire John The Magician Canadian sire John The Magician (who died in 2002) recorded his 1st winner when stakes-placed Magic Jack won over 5 furlongs at Fort Erie, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Winner of the 1997 Breeders’ Stakes at Woodbine (& 5 of 13 starts overall), John The Magician stood at Peaceful Valley Stable in Alberta & has 4 starters from 9 foals of racing age. (Aug 28) Mr Broad Blade Moves To Magali Farms Mr Broad Blade (a stakes-winning 7YO son of Broad Brush) will stand his 4th season in 2004 at Magali Farms in California, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Mr Broad Blade moves to Magali from California’s Mira Loma Thoroughbred Farm, where he stood his initial 3 seasons. Mr Broad Blade won 3 of 12 races (including the 1999 Ascot Handicap). Bred in Kentucky, Mr Broad Blade is out of Gr3 winner Miss High Blade (by Highland Blade) & is a half-brother to stakes winner Miss Hot Salsa. (Aug 28) Fraise Avoids Pet Food Fate Thursday Odd Spot: Strawberry Road’s son (& 1992 US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner) Fraise has left his Japanese breeding barn for a new career “as a lesson horse for beginning riders” at the Olympic Club riding school in Chiba, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Following the recent shock revelation that another former US track star & subsequent Japan-based sire Ferdinand (winner of both the Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic) had surreptitiously ended up in a Japanese slaughterhouse, Fraise’s former US owner Madeleine Paulson declared: "Thank God he is not in an Alpo can!" Fraise (now 15) was sired by John Singleton’s Australian champion Strawberry Road out of Gr1 winner Zalataia (by Dictus) & won 3 Gr1 events (setting course records for 12 furlongs in both the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park & Sword Dancer Handicap at Saratoga). Subsequently sold to a Japanese breeding group, Fraise went to the island of Hokkaido in 1995 & stood for 8 seasons. During an abbreviated stud career, Fraise sired only 207 foals, with his largest crop (50 foals) born in 1998; 174 of those off-spring have raced & 89 have won. (Aug 28) Leading Aust Trainer Max Lees Dies One of Australia's best-known trainers Max Lees “died yesterday after a short battle with cancer,” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Newcastle-based Lees, 63, “was admitted to Lingard Private Hospital on Monday”; he had “started a course of chemotherapy last Friday after he was diagnosed with cancer a week ago.” Newcastle Jockey Club chief executive John Curtis said: “Max’s death is a tragedy for his family & the entire racing industry. He will always be regarded as a legend in the racing industry in our area.” Lees began his racing career as an apprentice jockey under Randwick trainer Cec Rolls in 1954; after 6 months he transferred to Newcastle to continue under Ray Wallace. Lees went on to become a leading rider in the Newcastle-Hunter Valley region until injuries & increasing weight forced him to retire in 1970. He was granted a licence to begin training at Newcastle in August 1971 & immediately prepared his 1st winner Cardiff Prince at Randwick. Lees grabbed national headlines in 1977 when his champion 2YO Luskin Star won the Sydney juvenile ‘grand slam’: the Gr1 STC Golden Slipper Stakes, Gr1 AJC Sires Produce Stakes & Gr1 AJC Champagne Stakes. He then added another 2 Gr1 2YO events in Brisbane: the QTC Sires’ Stakes & Marlboro Stakes (now T.J.Smith Stakes). Overall Luskin Star & Lees won 13 of 17 starts (7 Gr1s) before the champion retired to stud. Lees also boasted: 18 Gr1 victories; over 1,500 winners in all; & 5 victories in the Gr1 Coolmore Classic (Satin Sand 1986, Quicksilver Cindy 1991, Flitter 1995, Chlorophyll 1996 & Shindig 1998). Among his many other stable stars were Coronation Day (Gr1 George Main Stakes & Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes), Snippets (Gr1 Galaxy & Gr1 Oakleigh Plate), Spritely Native (Gr1 The Metropolitan), Ruffles (Gr1 Newmarket Handicap) & County Tyrone (Gr1 Queensland Derby). (Aug 27) Deauville Day-3: Gross & Average Up A strong Day-3 at the L’Agence Francaise Deauville August yearling sale saw 117 yearlings sold, with gross receipts up 24.6% on last year’s corresponding session & the average up 52.3%. The buy-back rate dropped to 20.9% (down from 27.4% last year). Among the top lots, 8 horses sold for €150,000 (A$255,000) or more. L’Agence Française president Philippe Augier told thoroughbredtimes.com: "It was a very busy market today, with lots of foreign players involved. We are extremely pleased to see so many lots reaching high figures." (Aug 27) Deauville Day-3: Diktat Colt Top Lot John Ferguson Bloodstock (on behalf of Darley Stud) paid the top price at Day-3 of the Deauville yearling sale: €230,000 (A$390,000) for a son of Diktat out of Aloma’s Ruler mare Catania (consigned by Haras des Capucines). The session’s top filly Basemah (a daughter of Lemon Drop Kid out of Attractive Crown, by Chief’s Crown) was purchased for €190,000 (A$325,000) by Jonathan Pease (from the consignment of Haras de la Gouffern et de Rabodanges). (Aug 27) Deauville Day-3: Top 10 Lots The Top 10 lots at Deauville Day-3 reported by racenet.com.au were: €230,000 (A$390,000) paid by John Ferguson for a Diktat-Catania colt. €225,000 (A$380,000) paid by Meridian International for a King’s Best-Maggi Margaret colt. €205,000 (A$350,000) paid by C.Gordon-Watson for an Indian Ridge-La Panthee colt. €190,000 (A$325,000) paid by Chantilly Bloodstock for a Fasliyev-Prickly Pearl colt. €190,000 (A$325,000) paid by J.Pease for a Lemon Drop Kid-Attractive Crown filly. €170,000 (A$290,000) paid by Peter Doyle for a Stravinsky-Aube D'Irlande colt. €150,000 (A$255,000) paid by FIPS for a Daylami-Valley Quest filly. €150,000 (A$255,000) paid by Shadwell Estates for a Bahri-Brilliance colt. €140,000 (A$240,000) paid by M.Rouget for a Xaar-Always Glitter filly. €130,000 (A$220,000) paid by F.Head for a Montjeu-Lune De Mai colt. (Aug 27) Deauville Day-3: Urano Big Buyer Meanwhile Lucien Urano (a top operator in France’s standard-bred industry for 3 years who recently purchased the former stud Haras des Monceaux) continued to be a major player through Day-3 at the Deauville sale via his agents Quesnay Bloodstock, Meridian International & trainer Carlos Lerner. Urano told thoroughbredtimes.com: "Some people say I am too hasty, but I am not 40 anymore. Otherwise, I’d be more patient. I am here to found a lasting breeding operation, not to see my colors on the racecourse. I started my investments in the standard-bred world because I like to do things well & I felt it was more affordable in that business. I will buy horses here in Deauville to start, but I will also buy at other major sales in Europe, including the breeding sales. Carlos Lerner & Criquette Head-Maarek will train my horses along with other trainers." (Aug 27) Deauville Day-3: Eddery Starts Syndicate And veteran British jockey Pat Eddery (who will retire from the saddle at the end of this season) also purchased a yearling at Deauville: a daughter of Bluebird. He told thoroughbredtimes.com: "I am putting up syndicates & will run under the Pat Eddery Racing colors. We will be going through all major yearling sales this year & obviously for the 1st season, we are looking for precocious types that will make it early to the races. It has not been decided yet who will train these horses. It is a new exciting challenge." (Aug 27) Fasig-Tipton Texas: Average Up 18.8% Meanwhile across the Atlantic in the US, the 1-day Fasig-Tipton Texas summer yearling sale at Lone Star Park saw 219 yearlings sell for US$2,694,000 with average up 18.8% from last year (to US$12,301), the median up 6% & buy-backs down 7% (to 24.5%). Fasig-Tipton executive vice president Boyd Browning told bloodhorse.com: "The people who brought horses to the marketplace this year did a better job of preparing them. There were stronger, healthier horses overall. They had better conformation & they had been handled more; their sales presentation was more professional. The other thing that probably helped us a little bit was (the stallion) Valid Expectations. He's a welcome addition to the stallion roster in Texas from a commercial standpoint.” (Aug 27) Fasin-Tipton Texas: US$125,000 Valid Expectations Colt Trainer Mark Casse paid the Fasig-Tipton Texas sale’s top price of US$125,000 for the yearling colt Expect Wings (a son of Valid Expectations out of stakes winner Jovial Wings, by Northern Jove) from the consignment of Stoneview Farm. Valid Expectations was also sire of 2nd top lot, a colt out of Rahy mare Kate’s Hurrahy for which Stonerside Stables paid US$90,000; the colt is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Leo’s Last Hurrahy. And top filly was a daughter of Tale Of The Cat (out of multiple stakes-winning Taylor Road mare My Pride N Joy) sold for US$82,000 to Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds; the filly is a half-sister to stakes-placed winner Joyously. (Aug 27) Melb Spring Invaders Update Racing Victoria's Mark Player expects up to 15 international horses will contest Melbourne's 3 feature races (Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup & Cox Plate) this spring. He told aappracingandsports.com.au: "I expect between 10-15 horses will be in quarantine at Sandown in the spring. It is still looking good." Player expects “more than half of the overseas nominations” for the 3 feature races will be 1st acceptors on September 9 & the 1st arrivals will land on September 30. Player noted the Cox Plate (October 25) looked “particularly strong from an international perspective” & expects 8-10 of the 22 entries will be among the 1st acceptances; he said Japan Cup winner Falbrav (currently rated the best horse racing in Europe) remains a serious chance of making the trip for the Cox Plate, while hopes are also high for American galloper Sarafan & Magnaten from Japan; & Moon Ballad & Sights On Gold are “also still in the Cox Plate mix” for the Godolphin stable. Player said 18-20 of the 29 internationals entered for the Caulfield Cup & up to 30 of the 45 nominated for the Melbourne Cup remained likely 1st acceptors for those races. (Weights for the Caulfield & Melbourne Cups will be declared next Monday.) (Aug 27) Melb Cup Update: Media Puzzle Meanwhile Irish trainer Dermot Weld told racingpost.co.uk that last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle “remains on course to take on stable-mate Vinnie Roe (4th in last year’s Cup) & Bollin Eric (recent York Gr winner) in next month's Irish St Leger”. Media Puzzle had been due to start his campaign over the last fortnight in either the Ballycullen Stakes or Ballyroan Stakes; after scratching from both, Weld then proposed to work him after racing at The Curragh last weekend, but that plan was “also shelved”. However Weld explained: “Media Puzzle is not as forward as Vinnie Roe, but I am happy with him & the present plan is to have him right for the Irish St Leger, which is going to be a very competitive race with Bollin Eric also in the line-up.” Media Puzzle remains at the top of current Melbourne Cup betting markets. (Aug 27) Melb Cup Update: Hugs Dancer The mystery surrounding top UK stayer Hugs Dancer’s flop in last week’s Tote Ebor at York “remained unsolved when trainer James Given revealed exhaustive tests on the 2002 winner of the York handicap had failed to reveal anything amiss,” reported racingpost.co.uk. The 6YO (who had won his previous race impressively at the same course in July) was taken to Newmarket for a detailed examination “after he was found to have an irregular heartbeat when finishing tailed off” at York. Given is now awaiting “the outcome of a urine sample taken by Jockey Club officials from the gelding immediately after the race”. Private tests on Hugs Dancer included an ECG on his heart as he worked at Newmarket; Given confirmed: “That was fine, as were all the other tests he has undergone, so we’re no nearer to finding a reason for what happened at York. All the signs before the Ebor had been so positive that he was in the best of form.” Given summed up: “He’s due to return home tomorrow &, if everything continues to be all right with him, there’s a chance he’ll reappear in the Doncaster Cup. How he performs there will determine whether he goes for the Melbourne Cup. However, he’d go to Australia only if we’re 100% happy with him.” (Aug 27) Melb Cup Update: Honor Babe & Oarsman And across the Tasman, Kiwi Melbourne Cup prospects Honor Babe (Gr1 Sydney Cup winner) & Oarsman (Gr1 Wellington Cup winner) “confirmed their bookings for Australia with pleasing trials at Taupo yesterday,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Honor Babe’s trainer Katrina Alexander commented: “I was very pleased, she put herself in it & pulled up well. She had a good blowout. Michael (Coleman) said she felt good & all set to hop on the plane.” And Oarsman’s Cambridge-based trainer Paul Duncan said: “He maintained the same speed as you would expect for a stayer & pulled up well. He’s done the ground work, all he needs now is racing.” (Aug 27) $1 Million Golden Rose Field & Barrier Draw The Sydney Turf Club confirmed (after yesterday’s barrier draw) the field for Saturday’s $1 million Golden Rose at Rosehill Gardens: 1: Hammerbeam (4) John Hawkes (Rod Quinn) 2: Danbird (6) Gerald Ryan (Jim Cassidy) 3: Handsome Ransom (8) Anthony Cummings (Patrick Payne) 4: Tsuimai (1) Jack Denham (Darren Beadman) 5: Al Jameel (3) Graeme Rogerson (Christian Reith) 6: Niello (10) John Hawkes (Corey Brown) 7: In Top Swing (13) Noel Mayfield-Smith (Hugh Bowman) 8: Gilded Youth (16) Frank Cleary (Noel Callow) 9: Mindreader (5) Kevin Moses (Danny Beasley) 10: Spinning Boy (18) Albert Stapleford (Grant Buckley) 11: Prince Nimrod (12) Brian Lawson (Brad Pengelly) 12: Chosen Light (14) Tony McEvoy (jockey to be named) 13: How Funny (2) Gai Waterhouse (Lenny Beasley) 14: Niagara Falls (17) Peter Moody (Michael Rodd) 15: Charmview (11) Tony Wildman (Glen Boss) 16: Ashenti (9) Robert Smerdon (Zac Purton) 17: Terracotta Bay (1st Emergency) (7) Gai Waterhouse 18: Desert Ransom (2nd Emergency) (15) Tim Martin (Aug 27) Converge Follows Might And Power Path Exciting Melbourne stayer Converge, who notched his 5th win from only 9 starts over 1600m at Caulfield on the weekend, could be heading down the same path as another Windsor Park Stud-bred son of Zabeel. NZ’s Windsor Park bred & sold Zabeel’s greatest staying son Might And Power (winner of 7 Gr1 races including the 1997 Caulfield & Melbourne Cups & 1998 Cox Plate) was rated the world’s leading stayer in 1997. Converge was sold for NZ$220,000 at NZ Bloodstock’s Ready-To-Run Sale at Karaka & purchased on behalf of leading Victorian owner Lloyd Williams. The 4YO gelding (trained for Williams by Brad Marzato) has been nominated for all the major feature races at the Melbourne spring carnival (including the Caulfield & Melbourne Cups & Cox Plate). (Aug 27) Converge Dam In Foal To Black Minnaloushe Meanwhile Converge’s dam Rebellious Angel is in foal to Windsor Park’s Black Minnaloushe (champion son of Storm Cat), who’s about to commence his 2nd southern hemisphere breeding season. Black Minnaloushe won at Gr1 level against the best gallopers in Europe in both the Irish 2000 Guineas & St James’s Palace Stakes. (Aug 27) Win Boosts NZ-Based Spectatorial When 20-1 chance Jewel Of The Nile stormed home to win at Canterbury Park in Sydney yesterday, she kept the perfect record of her blue hen mum in tact. The 3YO daughter of Desert Prince now joins her illustrious half-siblings: Kennett ($129,350); King's Honour ($11,160); & Gr1 winner Spectatorial ($433,050) as winners from the Military Plume mare Reign Of Honour. And the win is a timely boost for NZ’s Hallmark Stud, which stands Spectatorial on behalf of leading Australian breeder John Messara. Spectatorial is by Spectrum & was a Gr1 2YO winner (VRC Sires' Produce Stakes). Hallmark stud-master Denny Baker is offering an added incentive: "If you send a mare to Spectatorial this year, we'll offer free vet care & free agistment for the duration of her time there." (Aug 27) Filly Foal For Romanee Conti HK Cup winner Romanee Conti has produced a bay filly by Carnegie in NZ, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The foal is a half-sister to 2001 Caulfied-Melbourne Cups winner Ethereal (who produced her 1st foal, a filly, at Peter & Philip Vela’s Pencarrow Stud near Hamilton last week). Romanee Conti (winner of 7 races) is to be mated with Waikato Stud’s new stallion No Excuse Needed this spring. (Aug 27) British Owners Urged To ‘Revolt’ British owners “are being urged to revolt against recent UK Levy Board cuts by boycotting races where prize-money falls below £4,000 (A$10,000),” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. UK Racehorse Owners' Association president Chris Deuters has taken a personal stand after the British Horseracing Board's decision to scrap minimum purse levels & has instructed trainers of his horses not to enter races valued under £4,000. And Deuters has now emailed the ROA's 700 members “urging them to follow suit”. Levy Board chairman Rob Hughes has defended the move to slash £6 million (A$15 million) off purses, accusing British racing of being "in denial". (Aug 27) Champion Vindication Starting At US$50,000 Vindication (the unbeaten US champion 2YO male of 2002 whose retirement was announced earlier this month) will “begin his stallion career for US$50,000, a full US$10,000 more than what freshman leader Came Home commanded during the 2003 season,” reported bloodhorse.com. The son of Seattle Slew out of Strawberry Road mare Strawberry Reason “has arrived at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Kentucky & will be available for viewing during the Keeneland yearling sale”. Sikura commented: "We at the farm are excited to be managing the career of 1 of the finest racehorses & stallion prospects of recent years. Hill 'n' Dale & clients will be supporting the stallion with their very best mares, which includes champion Silverbulletday among many others. The reception to Vindication has been overwhelming." Vindication (whose half-brother went for US$1.9 million at the Saratoga yearling sale) raced for Satish & Anne Sanan's Padua Stables. Sanan’s daughter Dadia added: "This is the type of horse you own once in a lifetime. We intend to support him with all of our best mares, so as to afford him every opportunity to develop into a leading sire." Hill 'n' Dale purchased a portion of Vindication's breeding rights following the colt's victory in the Gr1 Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile. (Aug 27) 1st Stakes Winner For US Sire Subordination US Gr1-winning sire Subordination recorded his 1st stakes winner when Northern Affair won the Harry Jeffrey Stakes by 5.5 lengths at Assiniboia Downs in Canada, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Subordination stands at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky for US$10,000. The 8YO son of Mt Livermore won both the 1997 Gr1 Hollywood Derby & 1998 Gr1 Eddie Read Handicap, plus the 1998 Gr2 Belmont Breeders’ Cup Handicap (among 7 graded stakes victories) in a career boasting 11 victories in 21 starts for US$1.2 million prize-money. Bred in Kentucky, Subordination is a half-brother to stakes winner Domination & is 1 of 4 winners from 5 starters out of winning Desert Wine mare Not So Careless (a half-sister to Gr1 winners Cacoethes & Fabulous Notion). Subordination has 2 crops of racing age, including 19 winners from 39 starters; he also is represented by 43 yearlings. (Aug 27) Touchdown Ky To Stand In New Mexico Touchdown Ky (a half-brother to 6 stakes winners) will stand his 1st season at Mickey Fuhs’s Z Lazy B Farm in New Mexico, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 4YO four-year-old son of Hennessey (out of My Turbulent Miss) is a half-brother to 13 winners (including 2-time Gr1 winner Prized & multiple graded stakes winner Exploit). Former part-owner Donna Moore purchased Touchdown Ky for US$900,000 at the 2000 Keeneland September yearling sale. (Aug 27) US Company Renovating Brazilian Track Carnegie Cooke , a Las Vegas-based firm that provides gaming services to Brazil, has started renovations of Jockey Club Ipiranga in Mage near Rio de Janeiro “with plans of restoring live racing to the track in about 3 months”, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Jockey Club Ipiranga was being operated as a training center. Carnegie Cooke also plans to open off-track betting parlors throughout the state of Rio de Janeiro & to return live racing to Jockey Club El Dorado in Porto Alegre in Brazil. (Aug 27) Children’s Movie About Zebra Racing Horses Wednesday Odd Spot: Move over Seabiscuit! Racing Stripes (a live-action & animated movie “about an abandoned zebra who yearns to compete against thoroughbred racehorses) will begin shooting on September 15 in South Africa & is slated to debut in American theatres in January 2005, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Frankie Muniz (from TV’s Malcolm In The Middle) will provide the voice of Stripes, the orphaned zebra. Hayden Panettiere (who played Ally McBeal’s daughter on TV’s Ally McBeal) will provide the voice of Channing Walsh, the girl who dreams of being a jockey & takes Stripes under her wing. Bruce Greenwood (who starred as US President John Kennedy in the Cuban Missile Crisis film Thirteen Days) provides the voice of Channing’s father Nolan, who quit racing when his wife died in a racing accident. Other stars on the voice-over list include Jeff Foxworthy, Whoopi Goldberg, Dustin Hoffman, Mandy Moore, Joe Pantoliano, David Spade & Patrick Stewart. (Aug 27) Sixty Seconds Wins US Stakes Former NZ & Australian racemare Sixty Seconds (who won her North American debut last month) continued her winning streak with victory in yesterday’s Gr3 Glens Falls Handicap (11 furlongs on turf) at Saratoga. Sixty Seconds is now trained by Christophe Clement (for the family of the late Gerald Leigh), who told bloodhorse.com: "Sixty Seconds is a very good filly. I am just delighted with her." Clement added he will now consider the US$750,000 Gr1 Flower Bowl Invitational (10 furlongs on grass) at Belmont on September 27 as the 5YO mare’s next target. The Leigh family (whose farm Eydon Hall Stud is in England) purchased Sixty Seconds (Centaine-Fifteen Reasons, by Sound Reason) privately in 2002 & based her with trainer Roger James at Flemington. Before her move to the US she had 12 starts (8 in NZ & 4 in Australia) for 4 wins (including the G1 Arrowfield Stud Stakes at Rosehill Gardens) & 3 placings (plus a strong 5th in the Gr1 AJC Oaks at Royal Randwick behind Republic Lass & Elegant Fashion) for $376,181. That total is rising fast in the US. (Aug 26) Aust Mare Wins At Del Mar Meanwhile unheralded Australian-bred 4YO mare Esmay (Desert King-Tycoon's Model, by Last Tycoon) further enhanced the international reputation for ‘toughness’ of Australasian stock when she won a US$61,500 race over 8.5 furlongs on turf at Del Mar (her 3rd US start). The previously poorly-performed Esmay had 9 starts in NZ before heading to the US, for 1 win as a 3YO at lowly Tearoh & total earnings of just $4,975. But she’s apparently thriving against American opposition: at Del Mar Esmay sat 3-deep for the final 5 furlongs in a field of 9, but out-gunned them in the run home, winning a 4-way dog fight by half a length for trainer Louis Carno & owners Mike & Kolbe Burns. (Aug 26) Deauville Day-2: Average Up 10.3% Fillies filled the Top 10 spots on Day-2 at the Deauville Yearling Sales in France, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Of 50 lots offered, 39 were sold with the average increasing 10.3% & median jumping 27% on last year’s figures. (Aug 26) Deauville Day-2: Diesis Filly Top Lot Bloodstock agent Guilain Bozo paid Deauville Day-2’s top price of €370,000 (A$630,000) for a bay daughter of Diesis (consigned by Haras du Mezeray) out of stakes-placed Zafonic mare Gontcharova (a half sister to Gr1 Sunset Handicap winner Roi Normand, multiple Gr2 winner Trampoli & Gr3 winner Luth Dancer), reported racenet.com.au. And Chantilly Bloodstock (acting on behalf of Jean Louis Bouchard) paid €350,000 (A$595,000) for a bay filly (consigned by Watership Down Stud) by leading international sire Kingmambo out of Nashwan mare Gold Bust (a half-sister to Gr1 Coronation Stakes & Gr1 Prix Marcel Boussac Stakes winner Gold Splash); 3rd dam Gold River (by Riverman) won France’s 1981 Gr1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when ridden by Gary Moore. (Aug 26) Deauville Day-2: Shuttles In Demand Among the shuttle sire progeny, racenet.com.au noted: Darley Stud’s King’s Best had a filly out of Rainbow Quest mare En Public sell for €280,000 (A$475.000) to Horse France; a bay filly by Vinery Stud’s Red Ransom out Lure mare Ispirata (a half-sister to Gr1 Prix Lupin winner Cloudings) was purchased by Blandford Bloodstock for €220,000 (A$375,000); top-priced colt of the session was €200,000 (A$340,000) for a 1st crop son of champion Montjeu (which shuttles to Windsor Park Stud) out of Kendor mare Dibenoise (a half-sister to stakes winner River Of Light). (Aug 26) Deauville Day-2: Lots Over €200,000 The other top lots at Deauville Day-2 were: €260,000 (A$440,000) paid by Crispin de Moubray for a Sadler’s Wells–Elegant As Always filly. €260,000 (A$440,000) paid by McKeever St Lawrence for a Sadler’s Wells–Encens filly. €260,000 (A$440,000) paid by Sir Michael Stoute for a Highest Honor–Exocet filly. €250,000 (A$425,000 paid by Anthony Stroud for a Zafonic-Cracovie filly. €240,000 (A$410,000) paid by Chantilly Bloodstock for a Diesis–Tycoons Dolce filly. €210,000 (A$360,000) paid by France Turf for a Grand Lodge–Genuine filly. €200,000 (A$340,000) paid by Quesnay Bloodstock for an Anabaa–Carelaine filly. (Aug 26) Corstens Out 3 Months After Drug ‘Positive’ Victorian trainer Leon Corstens (trainer of leading 4YO Cox Plate, Caulfield & Melbourne Cups contender Helenus) was suspended for 3 months yesterday, after his horse Flamin’ Unreal tested positive to the prohibited substance dexamethasone. Corstens, fighting back tears, told aapracingandsports.com.au: "I am devastated. I can't believe it. It's ridiculous, I just can't believe it." Corstens (previously stable foreman for Bart Cummings for 2 decades) opened his own stables about 11 years ago; last season Helenus was voted Australia's champion 3YO following wins in the Gr1 Caulfield Guineas, Gr1 Victoria Derby & Gr1 Rosehill Guineas. (Aug 26) Cassidy Returns To Sydney Base Jockey manager Cheryl Dufficy has confirmed Larry Cassidy will be returning full-time to Sydney racing after his 3-year stint in Singapore. Cassidy was disappointed not to be re-licensed for the new Singapore season & was unsure where he would base himself; but Dufficy confirmed to racenet.com.au: "After he completes a suspension on August 31, Larry will start track-work in Sydney & will base himself here." (Aug 26) $1 Million Golden Rose Barrier Draw Today The all-important barrier draw for the Sydney Turf Club’s new $1 million Golden Rose for 3YOs (run over 1400m at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday) takes place at 11am this morning. (Aug 26) Randwick Gr1 Nominations Close Today Meanwhile nominations for the Australian Jockey Club’s feature spring carnival events (the Gr1 Epsom Handicap, Spring Champion Stakes & The Metropolitan) close at 11am this morning. (Aug 26) Sportsman’s Win Takes Return To 4,500% When 4YO gelding Sportsman (Supremo-Professionelle, by Centaine) landed the weekend’s Listed AJC Show County Quality Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick in Sydney, he took his record to 5 wins & 4 placings from 18 starts for $371,150 prize-money. Not a bad return (4,500%) on the $8,000 investment by Warwick Farm trainer Greg Hickman at the 2001 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. (Aug 26) Quadri’s 26,000% Return On $800 Outlay Attention Northern Hemisphere Trainers: The other extraordinary result over the weekend came from 8YO wonder gelding Quadri (Komon-Covalent, by Convamore). On Saturday Quadri ran 4th over 2000m at Royal Randwick in Sydney. Trainer Bindi Cheers then floated him 5 hours up the NSW coast overnight & Quadri duly won the Taree Gold Cup (2000m) on Sunday in his 112th start. Incredibly, he hasn't had a spell since July 2001 with 88 starts this preparation; most recently, they include 10 starts in just 43 days (7 on metropolitan Sydney tracks & 3 at NSW country centres) between Saturday 12 July & Sunday 25 August. After his Taree triumph, Cheers summed up for aapracingandsports.com.au: "He travelled home exceedingly well after Randwick & went to sleep on the float. He ate up when he got home & I was happy with him when I saw him in the morning, so I decided to start him in the Cup." Cheers originally bought Quadri for just $800; he now has 14 wins (from 1200-2600m) & 32 placings for $215,040 prize-money. That’s a 26,000% return on investment & rising! (Aug 26) Melb Feature Race Betting Moves Leading Victorian bookmaker Michael Eskander has noted the latest significant betting market changes for the coming Melbourne Spring Feature races: Caulfield Cup: Clangalang $11 into $10 favourite after a stunning return to racing behind Lonhro in Warwick Stakes; Half Hennessy $15 into $13 was backed well to win both Cups during the week & after racing wide the entire trip in the Warwick Stakes, he was noted running on as well as anything at the end of his 1st-up assignment; Grand Armee $17 into $13 after a good 1st-up effort with the steadier of 61kg on a shifty track; Sunday Joy $21 into $17 after strong support throughout the week; Sound Action $51 into $34 after storming home on a leader-biased Caulfield track in the Liston Stakes & she has been the subject of strong support in doubles throughout the week. Melbourne Cup: Clangalang $26 into $21 (for reasons above); Half Hennessy $26 into $21 (for reasons above); Highest $51 into $26 as ‘smart money came during the week for this Godolphin-trained galloper; Contraband $101 into $67 after an encouraging 5th in the UK Ebor Stakes midweek in his 1st run for almost a year. Cox Plate: Lonhro $4.50 into $4 after 1st-up win in Warwick Stakes & he has been coupled in 50% of Eskander’s Cox Plate doubles “with every punter wanting to back him”; Clangalang $41 into $34 (for reasons above); Keep The Faith $41 into $34 after encouraging 1st-up run from boom youngster; De Gaulle Lane $67 into $51 after continued specking for the Colin Alderson comeback galloper. (Aug 26) Melbourne Cup Betting Markets Meanwhile the early Melbourne Spring Carnival betting markets are generating plenty of interest. For the Melbourne Cup (3200m), 2 major markets are: Victorian bookmaker Michael Eskander: Media Puzzle $13; Magical Miss 17; Mamool 17; Mubtaker 17; Beekeeper 21; Clangalang 21; Half Hennessy 21; Mummify 21; Pentastic 21; Vinnie Roe 21. NSW TAB fixed odds: Media Puzzle $11; Clangalang $17; Mubtaker $17; Mummify $17; Magical Miss $21; Mamool $21; Beekeeper $21; Distinctly Secret $21; Half Hennessy $21; Republic Lass $21; Vinnie Roe $21; Honor Babe $26; Oarsman $26; Pentastic $26; Carnegie Express $26; Maharib $26. (Aug 26) Caulfield Cup Betting Markets For the Caulfield Cup (2400m): Victorian bookmaker Michael Eskander: Clangalang $10; Grand Armee $13; Half Hennessy $13; Republic Lass $13; Mummify $15; Magical Miss $17; Sunday Joy $17. NSW TAB fixed odds: Clangalang $11; Half Hennessy $13; Republic Lass $13; Media Puzzle $15; Magical Miss $15; Converge $17; Mummify $17; Pentastic $17; Grand Armee $17; Shower Of Roses $17; Beekeeper $21; Mamool $21; Distinctly Secret $21; Mubtaker $21; Sunday Joy $21; Miss Meliss $26; Helenus $26; Carnegie Express $26; Sound Action $26; Strasbourg $26; Natural Blitz $26. (Aug 26) Cox Plate Betting Markets For the Cox Plate (2040m): Victorian bookmaker Michael Eskander: Lonhro 4; Defier 6; Grand Armee 10; Magical Miss 10; Private Steer 13; Moon Ballad 16; Helenus 17. NSW TAB fixed odds: Lonhro $4.50; Defier $6.50; Grand Armee $10; Magical Miss $10; Private Steer $12; Elegant Fashion $15; Moon Ballad $15; Falbrav $15; Helenus $17; Mubtaker $21; In Time's Eye $21; Natural Blitz $26; Sights On Gold $26; Thorn Park $26. (Aug 26) 1st Group Performer For Daggers Drawn NZ’s Curraghmore Stud-based sire Daggers Drawn has been represented by his 1st Group race performer, reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. At Goodwood in England, the Andrew Balding-trained Daggers Drawn filly Dubaian Duel (ex Rivers Rising) finished 3rd in the Gr3 Malaysia Airlines Non Stop Prestige Stakes (1400m) for 2YO fillies, after leading by 8 lengths at one stage. (Aug 26) NZ Female Apprentice Rides 100th Winner Cambridge apprentice Lynsey Hofmann recorded the 100th win of her career when successful on Floydeboy in the Riverside 1200 at Ellerslie on the weekend. She told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "I rode my 99th winner 3 weeks ago & I'm pleased to get it out of the way." Hofmann is apprenticed to Cambridge trainer Alan Jones & comes out of her time in November. (Aug 26) Report Recommends Auckland-Counties Joint Venture Auckland Racing Club members were told last night “the only prudent outcome for the Club was to enter into a joint venture with the Counties Racing Club to redevelop training facilities at Pukekohe rather than build a new complex at Prices Road,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The meeting was called for ARC members to “hear from the authors of the Ferrier Hodgson report as to their findings & recommendations on the options before the Club for a new training facility”. ARC chairman Colin Devine summed up: "The Board of Auckland Racing Club will now meet to discuss the report, having had a full briefing from Ferrier Hodgson & heard the views of members as expressed at today’s meeting. I would expect a decision on the steps the Board will now take, to be made at the next meeting of the Board, which is to be held next Tuesday (September 2). At that meeting I will be moving that we establish a process that will see Auckland Racing Club join with Counties Racing Club to develop a joint track training facility at Pukekohe." (Aug 26) HK Celebrates Sha Tin Jubilee Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive Lawrence Wong announced the forthcoming 2003-04 season “will celebrate a special anniversary in Hong Kong racing”. Sha Tin Racecourse opened almost a quarter of a century ago in October 1978 & "Sha Tin Racecourse: A magnificent quarter century" will be the slogan for the celebration of the course's Silver Jubilee on October 11. Wong noted Sha Tin Racecourse now boasts the largest Diamond Vision screen in the world & construction of a retractable roof over the parade ring is currently in progress. Wong summed up: "We now have top professionals & valuable experience. We believe we can rise to every challenge ahead. Our aim is to provide customers with more choice in enjoyment, entertainment, betting & dining." (Aug 26) Aust, NZ & Asian Clubs Sign Good Neighbour Policy HKJC chief executive Lawrence Wong also noted that on September 1 representatives of racing organisations from Australia, HK, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea & NZ “will join in signing the multilateral Good Neighbour Policy regarding cross-border wagering on racing”. (Aug 26) US Gr2 Winner Dream Run To NY Stud John Murphy’s Dream Run (winner of the 2002 Gr2 Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup Sprint Championship Handicap) has been retired to Lakland North Stud in New York, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Murphy will retain partial ownership of the 5YO son of Cherokee Run (out of winning Naevus mare Miss Dreamland), along with Lakland North owners Becky Thomas & Lewis Lakin. Bred in Kentucky by Jonabell Farm, Dream Run retires with 5 wins & 10 placings in 25 starts & US$456,734 prize-money. Thomas told US Daily Racing Form: "He’s a very pretty & athletic-looking horse. He brings a different cross to New York." (Aug 26) 1st Winner For US Freshman Sire Constant Demand Louisiana-based freshman sire Constant Demand recorded his 1st winner when 2YO Constant Pressure won on debut over 5 furlongs at Philadelphia Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Constant Demand (a full brother to champion & 1999 Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Preakness Stakes winner Charismatic) stands at Red River Farms in Louisiana; he has sired 2 starters out of 5 foals of racing age, plus 10 yearlings. A 9YO son of Summer Squall, Kentucky-bred Constant Demand won 1 of 10 starts. Bred in Kentucky by Parrish Hill Farm & William Farish, Constant Demand is 1 of 9 winners out of 11 starters produced by Drone mare Bali Babe; in addition to Charismatic, Constant Demand is also a half-brother to Gr1 winner Millennium Wind & Gr2 winner Tossofthecoin. (Aug 26) 1st Winner For US Freshman Sire French Parliament Oklahoma-based freshman sire French Parliament recorded his 1st winner when Misty Mae Rose “led from gate-to-wire to score an 11-length romp” at Canterbury Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. French Parliament raced only once: finishing 6th over 6 furlongs at Del Mar in 1998. The 8YO bay horse by 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew (out of multiple graded stakes winning Hold Your Peace mare Mitterand) is a full brother to stakes winner Princess Mitterand & a half brother to Gr2 winner French Deputy. French Parliament is represented by 14 foals of racing age & 6 weanlings; he has had 2 starters from his 1st crop. (Aug 26) UAE Champion Jockey Hind Changes Stable Reigning UAE champion jockey Gary Hind has “accepted the position of stable jockey to Mazin Al Kurdi, who trains predominantly for champion owner Rashid al Maktoum (one of Sheikh Mohammed's sons),” reported racingpost.co.uk. Hind spent last season as stable jockey to Allan Smith at Jebel Ali Stables, but had been considering a contract to ride in Japan until the start of the UAE season. He “will now be taking up his new post in about a month's time & will continue to spend his time racing in Europe”. Smith has contracted Kieren Fallon to ride his horses next season. Hind summed up: "This is a great opportunity. Mazin had a great 1st season last year & is bound to have learnt a lot from that experience. He has a strong team & it gives me a fair crack at defending my title.” (Aug 26) Doncaster Renames Oldest Classic ‘Seabiscuit St Leger’ The world's oldest Classic will this year be run as the Gr1 Seabiscuit St Leger “after Doncaster secured a last-gasp sponsorship coup by signing a deal with a division of the Walt Disney corporation,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Already a hit in the US, the film Seabiscuit opens in Britain in November & will receive added publicity at Doncaster after Buena Vista International backed the 4-day Seabiscuit St Leger Festival. Unveiling the deal, Doncaster chief executive John Sanderson said: "The St Leger (1st run in 1776) has a tradition as strong as any race in the world & I feel the Seabiscuit branding is sure to be of benefit to both the St Leger Festival & the amazing movie Seabiscuit ahead of its release in Britain. It's clearly only a 1-year deal, but that's fine for us as we have a longer-term plan with another company in the pipeline." (Aug 26) US Trainer Lands 6,000th Winner Veteran US trainer King Leatherbury achieved his target to “become the 3rd trainer in history to condition 6,000 winners” when Cherokee Sunrise won at Timonium, reported bloodhorse.com. The 70-year-old joins Dale Baird (8,819 wins) & Jack Van Berg (6,334) in the 6,000 win club; D. Wayne Lukas is a distant 4th with 4,196 victories. Leatherbury took out his trainer's licence in 1958 & won his 1st race a year later with Mister L at Sunshine Park. Leatherbury now has 51 Maryland training titles at Pimlico & Laurel Park on his resume, while his horses have won nearly US$52 million. From 1974-1997 he won or shared 26 of the 35 meets at Pimlico & took 24 of 28 titles at Laurel from 1981-1997. In the mid 1970, the King had 4 consecutive 300-win campaigns & was America's leading conditioner in 1977 & 1978; he also finished in the Top 3 for 6 straight years (1975-1980). (Aug 26) Oldest Reigning Champion Trainer Turns 85 Tuesday Odd Spot: Meanwhile Bill Marshall has celebrated his 85th birthday in Barbados, “another landmark for the world's oldest reigning champion trainer” reported racingpost.co.uk. Marshall's family & friends “travelled from around the world to party with the only trainer to have sent out winners from yards on 4 continents (Australia, Africa, Europe & the Americas) during his 60-year career”. Marshall moved to Barbados from Britain in 1982; his star of recent years Blast Of Storm won the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup in 2000, 2001 & 2002. (Aug 26) Deauville Day-1: $1.5m Sadler’s Wells Colt On the international sales front, agent Anthony Stroud paid €900,000 (A$1.53m) for a Sadler's Wells-Sister Dot colt to top Day-1 at yesterday’s Agence Francaise Deauville Yearling Sale (2003’s 1st major European yearling sale), reported thoroughbredinternet.com. The colt is a half-brother to dual Gr1 winner & successful Arrowfield shuttle sire Dehere. (Aug 25) Deauville Day-1: King’s Best & Anabaa Hot Among the other top lots on France’s Deauville Day-1 were: €450,000 (A$760,000) paid by Darley’s John Ferguson for a King's Best-Manureva colt. €450,000 (A$760,000) paid by Robert Nataf for an Anabaa–Supergirl colt. €420,000 (A$715,000) paid by Robert Nataf for a Fasliyev-Style For Life filly. €320,000 (A$545,000) paid by Martine Head for a Sadler's Wells–Monevassia filly. €320,000 (A$545,000) paid by MBA Agency for an Anabaa-Spectacular Joke filly. €280,000 (A$475,000) paid by Amanda Skiffington for a Dansili–Sabria colt. €250,000 (A$425,000) paid by Pegasus Farm for a Kris–Lobmillie colt. €220,000 (A$375,000) paid by C.Gordon-Watson for a King’s Best Shu Danceuse filly. €200,000 (A$340,000) paid by John Ferguson for a King’s Best–Reine Wells colt. (Aug 25) Deauville Day-1: $300,000 Average Overall on Day-1 at France’s Agence Francaise Deauville Yearling Sale, 54 lots were offered & 40 sold (74%) for gross receipts of €7,036,000 (A$11.96 million) at an average €175,900 (A$300,000). The average was up 4.4% & median up 5% on last year’s Day-1 figures, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Overall, more than 100 yearlings out of group or graded stakes-winning or stakes-producing mares (including 40 at Gr1 level) are scheduled for auction over 5 days. (Aug 25) Deauville Day-1: Freshman In Spotlight Shuttle stallions with their 1st crop of northern hemisphere yearlings represented at the sale include Fusaichi Pegasus (1), Giant’s Causeway (7), King’s Best (15), Montjeu (10) & Xaar (10) reported racenet.com.au. Promising young shuttle stallions with representation include Cape Cross (6), Desert Prince (3), Dr Fong (3) & Fasliyev (7). With 27 yearlings Anabaa has the biggest consignment, while Danehill (4), Grand Lodge (8), Singspiel (4), Zafonic (8) Red Ransom (1) Kendor (13) & Night Shift (3) are all stallions that have spent time in Australasia. (Aug 25) Deauville Day-1: $760,000 For King’s Best Colt Supporters of Darley Stud shuttler & English 2000 Guineas winner King’s Best (by Kingmambo) “had plenty to crow about” on Deauville Day-1, declared racenet.com.au. Of his 9 yearlings offered, 7 averaged over €175,000 (A$292,000). A half-brother to Riviera (by Kris), winner of the US Gr1 Atto Mile fetched €450,000 (A$760,000); dam & stakes winning Nureyev mare Manureva is a half-sister to Gr1 Prix de la Foret winner Septieme Ciel & Gr1 Prix Marcel Boussac Critérium des Pouliches winner Macoumba; granddam Maximova won the Gr1 Prix de la Salamandre & is the dam of the $2 million colt which topped late year’s Deauville sale. (Aug 25) Inglis Melb 1: Emirates Chases Broodmares On the Australian sales scene, His Excellency Nasser Lootah’s Emirates Park Stud paid top price of $88,000 for broodmare Coppelius (an American-bred daughter of Pleasant Colony, out of stakes-placed Sadler’s Wells mare Lilian Bayliss & from the family of Agnes World) at the Inglis Melbourne August Thoroughbred Sale. Emirates also paid $42,000 for Strategic mare Primary Vision (sold in foal to last season’s leading 1st Season Sire General Nediym) & $36,000 for broodmare Ambrosine (a daughter of Unbridled’s Song & Miswaki mare Miss Allicance). (Aug 25) Inglis Melb 2: 10 lots Top $30,000 Among the other top lots at the Inglis Melbourne August Sale: Jason Williams paid $46,000 for 7YO gelding Aka Bilk (winner of 7 from 42 starts & $296,000 prize-money); Quentin Scott paid $40,000 for Belong To Me’s 4YO gelding Stratton Place (won or placed in 6 of his 7 starts; Michael Cook paid $35,000 for gelding Work And Tumble; Victoria’s Barree Stud paid $34,000 for an unnamed Desert King-Postage Due 3YO filly; Danny Duke paid $30,000 for filly Paint The Stage; Inglis (as agent for a NZ buyer) paid $30,000 for mare Never Promised; & Glenlogan Park Stud paid $30,000 for mare Many Splendoured. (Aug 25) Inglis Melb 3: Sale Receipts Up Overall 237 lots sold at the Inglis Melbourne Sale for $1,401,800 (69% up on last year) at an average $5,914 (24% up) & median $2,500. Inglis Melbourne manager Peter Heagney summed up: “Melbourne sales continue to go from strength to strength & today’s results further reiterate the confidence in the Victorian thoroughbred industry. The large offering attracted a record crowd & the clearance rate remained consistently high throughout the sale, signing off at 88.5%.” (Aug 25) Gross Up 17.6% At Florida Sale In Florida, the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's 3-Day open yearling sale concluded “posting sizable gains in gross (up 17.6%), average (up 8.2% at US$9,535) & median price” reported bloodhorse.com. Overall 681 yearlings sold for a gross US$6,493,200 & the buy-back rate fell 2% (to 25.2%) from a year ago. The sale “is a boost to the yearling market as it followed recent down-ward trends at the Fasig-Tipton New York sale of preferred New York-breds & the California Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's yearling sale at Del Mar”. The 1-Day select session also posted positive gains over 2002's figures (with the US$6,367,000 gross for 144 yearlings up 21.3% & average US$44,215 up 13.7%). “The strength of the market at both the select & open market-place in Florida may bode well as Keeneland gears up for it's marathon September yearling sale in 3 weeks.” (Aug 25) Successful Appeal Filly Tops Florida Final Session Top price at the Florida Sale’s final session was US$55,000 paid by John Brocklebank for a Successful Appeal filly named Loni's Appeal (out of Future Storm mare Loni Girl). And “leading all buyers at the open sessions was Narvick-Ital-Cal, who bought 10 yearlings for US$143,700,” noted bloodhorse.com. (Aug 25) Romanov Colts Top Argentina Sale And in Argentina, Victor Almiron paid 98,000 pesos (US$34,000) for Manners Nov (a 2YO son of Romanov out of Group 2-placed Ringaro mare Bad Manners) to top the Haras Firmamento selected sale at Hipodromo San Isidro’s Tattersalls sales ring, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Second top colt was Foy Nov (another son of Romanov out of stakes-winning mare Foy) who sold for US$28,275. Haras Firmamento (Argentina’s top breeder for the past 3 seasons) presented 46 2YO colts under the hammer, selling for total receipts of 2.04 million (US$703,000) at an average US$15,242. (Aug 25) STC Ponders 5 Gr1s On Golden Slipper Day Meanwhile in racing news, the Sydney Turf Club “is planning its own ‘Super Saturday’ of racing with up to 5 Gr1 races scheduled for Golden Slipper day,” reported The Daily Telegraph. The revamp to the Rosehill Gardens autumn carnival program “is designed to complement the Australian Jockey Club’s moves to introduce a showpiece Melbourne Cup-style 1-week Randwick racing extravaganza.” Under the STC proposal “the club’s feature weight-for-age sprint, The Darley George Ryder Stakes, & the nation’s only Gr1 race for fillies & mares, the Coolmore Classic, would be added to Golden Slipper Day.” The STC’s signature race-day already hosts the Golden Slipper, The BMW & Arrowfield Stud Stakes (all Gr1 events). STC chairman Bruce McHugh confirmed: “We have discussed it at committee level & it is something we may aspire to. Everything in racing is changing & there are occasions when we have got to be prepared to take small risks. If we do go down this path, then it will make for a very exciting race day.” (Aug 25) AJC Wants Horses Weighed At Race Meetings And Australian Jockey Club chairman Dr Treve Williams (for decades among Sydney’s foremost equine vets) is keen to implement a system for weighing horses at race meetings, reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Williams explained: “I’m hopeful the Sydney turf Club will come to the party with this, so we can develop weighing horses on race day.” The Herald noted: “Many leading trainers, including Gai Waterhouse & Brian Mayfield-Smith, have scales for their teams & Hong Kong last season had 2 weigh-ins, at acceptance time & on race day.” (Aug 25) Ten Most Wanted Wins US Gr1 Travers Stakes In international weekend racing, 3YO colt Ten Most Wanted (fitted with blinkers & emulating his sire’s 1997 feat) won the US$1 million Gr1 Travers Stakes (10 furlongs) at Saratoga by 4.5 lengths, reported bloodhorse.com. Ridden by Pat Day for trainer Wally Dollase, Ten Most Wanted (Deputy Commander-Wanted Again, by Criminal Type) defeated Peace Rules (Jules-Hold To Fashion, by Hold Your Peace), with a further 10 lengths back to 3rd-placed Strong Hope (Grand Slam-Shining Through, by Deputy Minister), before a Travers Day record crowd of 66,122. Ten Most Wanted now has 3 wins & 4 placings in 9 starts for US$1,253,460 prize-money. “His dam is a half-sister to Cutlass Reality & Ten Most Wanted traces directly to Blue Hen La Troienne,” noted thoroughbredinternet.com. (Aug 25) Unbeaten Candy Ride Wins US Gr1 Pacific Classic Sid Craig’s undefeated 4YO Argentinian horse Candy Ride (Ride The Rails-Candy Girl, by Candy Stripes) “staked his claim as one of the top older horses in the US when he sailed past multiple Gr1 winner Medaglia d’Oro in the stretch to notch a 3.25 length victory” in a course-record time of 1min 59.11sec in the US$1 million Gr1 Pacific Classic (10 furlongs) at Del Mar, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Candy Ride (piloted by Julie Krone for trainer Ron McAnally) defeated Medaglia d’Oro, with a further 10 lengths back to 3rd-placed Fleetstreet Dancer. Candy Ride (winner of the 2002 Pellegrini Award as Argentina’s champion miler) is a multiple Gr1 winner (Gr1 Joaquin S. De Anchorena last December 14 & Gr1 San Isidro last October) who remains unbeaten in 6 career starts. (Aug 25) Passing Shot Wins US Gr1 Personal Ensign Handicap Passing Shot (A.P.Indy-Aucilla, by Nice Action) nosed out odds-on favourite Wild Spirit (a daughter of Arrowfield Stud’s boom sire Hussonet) to win the US$400,000 Gr1 Personal Ensign Handicap (10 furlongs) for fillies & mares at Saratoga, reported bloodhorse.com. The 4YO Passing Shot (ridden by Jose Santos for US Hall-Of-Fame trainer Allen Jerkens) defeated Wild Spirit (a Gr1 winner in her native Chile & ridden by Jerry Bailey for trainer Bobby Frankel) & Miss Linda (by Southern Halo). Passing Shot now has 5 wins in 17 starts for US$415,397 prize-money. (Aug 25) Dessert Wins US Gr1 Del Mar Oaks The Thoroughbred Corporation’s home-bred Dessert (Storm Cat-Windsharp) led from gate-to-wire to win the US$300,000 Gr1 Del Mar Oaks (9 furlongs on turf) for 3YO fillies, reported bloodhorse.com. Dessert (ridden by Corey Nakatani for trainer Richard Mandella) defeated Solar Echo by a neck with Personal Legend 3rd, in a stakes record of 1min 47.04sec (breaking Dublino's mark of 1min 47.16sec set last year). Dessert (who now has 3 wins from 7 starts) is a half-sister to Gr1 Hollywood Derby winner Johar. (Aug 25) Harmony Lodge Wins US Gr1 Ballerina Handicap Eugene Melnyk's 5YO mare Harmony Lodge (Hennessy-Win Crafty Lady, by Crafty Prospector) won the US$250,000 Gr1 Ballerina Handicap (7 furlongs) for fillies & mares at Saratoga, reported bloodhorse.com. Harmony Lodge (ridden by Richard Migliore for trainer Todd Pletcher) “had just enough to hold off the fierce late charge of Shine Again by a nose” with Gold Mover 3rd. Shine Again “who made up a huge amount of ground in the final furlong” was attempting to win the Ballerina for the 3rd successive year. Harmony Lodge now has 8 wins in 17 starts for US$585,120 prize-money. (Aug 25) Valid Video Wins US Gr1 King’s Bishop Stakes With a “desperate lunge in the final strides” Valid Video (by Valid Wager) “had just enough to nip Great Notion at the wire” & win the US$200,000 Gr1 King’s Bishop Stakes (7 furlongs) for 3YOs at Saratoga, reported bloodhorse.com. Valid Video (ridden by Joey Bravo for trainer Dennis Manning) defeated Great Notion (by Elusive Quality) & Ghostzapper (by Awesome Again). Florida-bred Valid Video (purchased for just US$29,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sale in October 2000) now has 6 wins in 9 starts for US$565,700 prize-money. (Aug 25) South African Trademark Adds Another US Gr2 Former South African champion older horse & multiple Gr1 winner Trademark won his 2nd successive US Gr2 race when he captured the US$200,000 Fourstardave Handicap (8.5 furlongs) at Saratoga, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. A 7YO gelding son of Goldmark, Trademark (ridden by Richard Migliore for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin) now has 2 wins in 3 US starts (after finishing 2nd in the US Gr3 Poker Handicap at Belmont Park on July 5 in his US debut) & 11 wins from 48 starts overall. (Aug 25) Coolmore’s Peintre Celebre Adds Irish Gr2 In Ireland, Coolmore shuttler Peintre Celebre continued his extraordinary recent northern hemisphere run when his 2YO colt Pearl Of Love (Peintre Celebre-Aunt Pearl, by Seattle Slew) won the Gr2 Futurity Stakes (7 furlongs) at The Curragh, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Pearl Of Love (ridden by Darryll Holland for trainer Mark Johnston) defeated Tumblebrutus (a full brother to Gr1 winner & sire Giant’s Causeway) by 3.5 lengths, with Gr 2-placed winner The Mighty Tiger (a US$2.5 million 2002 Keeneland September yearling sale purchase) 3rd. (Aug 25) 1st Group Winner For Coolmore’s Orpen And in England, fellow Coolmore shuttler Orpen’s 2YO filly Gracefully (Orpen-Lady Taufan, by Taufan) “maintained her unbeaten record & gave her sire his 1st Group winner” with victory in the Gr3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. French Gr1 Prix Morny winner Orpen (Lure-Bonita Francita by Devil's Bag) shuttles between Coolmore in Ireland & Australia. (Aug 25) Lonhro’s Winning Return Starts Spring Campaign On the Australian scene, Woodlands Stud home-bred & Sydney superstar Lonhro (Octagonal-Shadea, by Straight Strike) began his spring campaign with a comfortable win in the rain-soaked $150,000 weight-for-age Gr2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick (which featured 6 other Gr1 winners in the 10-horse field). Lonhro (ridden by Darren Beadman for trainer John Hawkes) defeated Clangalang (Clang-Little Recruit) & Defier (Dehere-Lilande). Lonhro now has 19 wins & 3 placings in 26 starts for $3,542,180 prize-money. Lonhro’s sire & multiple Gr1 winner Octagonal stands at Woodlands Stud in NSW. (Aug 25) Regimental Gal Return Now 5,200% In the other feature at Royal Randwick, Queensland’s star sprinter Regimental Gal (General Nediym-Hallaya, by Yallah Prince) continued her winning streak in the $150,000 Gr2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) for 3YO fillies. Regimental Gal (ridden by Michael Rodd for trainer Shaun Dwyer) defeated Legally Bay (Snippets-Decidity) & Dorky (Grand Lodge-Boogie). Regimental Gal now has 5 wins in 6 starts for $887,700 prize-money – not a bad return (5,200%!) for the paltry $16,500 Dwyer outlaid for her at the 2002 Magic Millions Premier Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast. (Aug 25) Super Elegant Adds Liston Stakes And in Melbourne, 6YO gelding Super Elegant (Mister C-Ever Elegant, by Steel Pulse) led all the way to win the $200,000 weight-for-age Gr2 Liston Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Super Elegant (ridden by Greg Childs for trainer Tony Vasil) defeated Vocabulary (Encosta de Lago-Lady Linguist) & Walk On Air (Eire-Ride The Wind). Super Elegant now has 10 wins (including 5 at Gr3 level) & 8 placings in 37 starts for $705,150 prize-money. (Aug 25) Brisbane Bargain Returns 9,400% But bargain-buy of the weekend goes to 5YO gelding Sequality (Sequalo-Northern Beauty) who won over 1100m at Doomben in Brisbane. Trainer Barry Miller “purchased Sequality as an unraced 2YO at a QBBS tried horse sale in Brisbane for just $700” reported racenet.com.au & the weekend victory took his record to 6 wins (the last 3 in succession) & 3 2nds from 17 starts for $66,740 prize-money (a 9,400% return). (Aug 25) Fasliyev Filly For Dane Ripper Among a number of exciting new foals reported by aapracingandsports.com.au: At Coolmore Stud, 1997 Cox Plate winner Dane Ripper has produced a Fasilyev filly (Dane Ripper’s 3rd foal, following colts by Zabeel & Fusaichi Pegasus). Also at Coolmore, Bel Esprit’s dam Bespoken has produced the 1st Giant’s Causeway foal born in Australia (the Bespoken filly follows a Spinning World yearling colt & 2YO filly by Orpen). At Eliza Park, the 1st Australian foal by former top-line galloper Black Hawk has also arrived; the bay colt is out of former top 2YO Millrich (by Rubiton) who ran 3rd in the 1997 Golden Slipper behind Flying Spur & Octagonal; Millrich will return to Black Hawk this spring. (Aug 25) Anabaa & Thompson Leave France For Aust Widden Stud’s shuttle stallion Anabaa (by Danzig) begans his trip to Australia overnight, leaving France’s Haras du Quesnay for Stanstead in England & then Sydney, in the company of Widden's Antony Thompson reported thoroughbredinternet.com. On hand at Deauville for the opening session of the yearling sales & racing, Thompson reported Anabaa is "looking absolutely fabulous & in great form". (Aug 25) Pines Colt Bolts Home In South Africa Victoria’s The Pines Stud sold a Peintre Celebre-God’s Girl (dame of Racer’s Edge) colt named Skeaping for $150,000 at the 2002 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sale. Selected by former South African trainer David Payne, the original plan was to race him in Sydney; but the now 3YO was eventually sent to SA & recently won his maiden “by 5 lengths easing down” for trainer Justin Snaith. (Aug 25) Pines Syndicates Well-Bred 2YOs Meanwhile a group of 12 well-bred 2YOs (including a full brother to Melbourne Cup winner Jezabeel) is about to be syndicated out by The Pines, with the stud retaining a major percentage in each. (Aug 25) Corporate & Internet Betting Threat Racing Victoria chief executive Neville Fielke told Business Review Weekly magazine “the proportion of punters betting with corporate bookmakers & betting exchanges could increase to a point where the racing industry’s funding will dry up”, putting at risk an industry that employs 249,000 people & generates total spending of almost $8 billion a year. Instead of banning the free-loaders, Fielke wants to welcome them & make them pay to use racing’s product: “Racing must fundamentally reorganise its business model. The content creators need to have more say.” But the magazine notes: Fielke’s plan is sure to attract opposition from Australia’s TABs, which pay big money to the states & the racing industry to maintain their monopoly.” (Aug 25) NZ Gr1 Moved Back 1 Week With the weekend abandonment of the NZ meeting at Hastings, the weight-for-age Gr1 NZ$200,000 Mudgway Stakes (1400m) has been rescheduled for next Saturday at Wanganui, but over 1340m & for half the stake at NZ$100,000. (Aug 25) 1st Foal Born To Ethereal Melbourne & Caulfield Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm-Romanee Conti, by Sir Tristram) has produced her 1st foal: a bay filly by Storm Cat’s 6-time Gr1-winning son Giant’s Causeway. The foal was born at NZ’s Pencarrow Stud near Hamilton & manager Leon Casey told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing the filly was “straight to her feet & moving around. Ethereal is a good mum & she's come through the birth without a hitch.” Ethereal (4 Gr1 wins & NZ$5.75 million prize-money) was bred by her owners, Pencarrow Stud proprietors Peter & Philip Vela. She will now be mated in NZ this spring with Trelawney Stud-based 1st season stallion Van Nistelrooy (by Storm Cat). Meanwhile the new foal’s sire Giant's Causeway stands at Coolmore Stud in Australia; he started 13 times for 9 wins (6 Gr1s ) & 4 2nds (all Gr1). (Aug 25) Carnegie Filly For Joie Denise Joie Denise (the Gr1-winning Danehill daughter of great racemare Denise’s Joy) has produced a Carnegie filly at NZ’s Cambridge Stud, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Joie Denise is already the dam of last season’s Gr1 AJC Oaks winner Sunday Joy (by Sunday Silence) & is set to visit top NZ sire Zabeel. (Aug 25) 1st Foal By Danehill’s Son Keeper And NZ’s Cambridge Stud has also reported the arrival of its 1st foal by 1st-season resident sire Keeper (a Gr1- winning son Danehill). The bay filly’s dam Gay Tris (by Sir Tristram) “is from the same family as champion galloper Lonhro & Epsom Handicap winner Dalmacia,” noted NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. (Aug 25) Nureyev Sons Boost NZ Sire St Petersburg This season’s domination of Northern Hemisphere 2YO racing by Nureyev's freshman sire sons Fasliyev (in Europe) & Stravinsky (in America) has proven a major boost for young NZ stallion St Petersburg (a group-winning son of Nureyev) at Grande Vue Lodge in Matamata. St Petersburg stood his 1st season at Grande Vue last year & Allan Holmes told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "He served 70 mares in 2002, which is a nice balance between 1st crop size & offering value to breeders if they wish to sell progeny as yearlings." Among the mares served by St Petersburg were: Images (dam of Gr1 winner Bramble Rose); Hollywood Hotel (dam of Gr2 winner & Gr1 place-getter Bel Air); Strangeways (dam of Gr2 winner Maze); & Ecole (sister to multiple group winners Procol Harum, Librici, Beachside & Double Take). (Aug 25) Shinko King Posts ‘Full Book’ Broodmare owners have been quick to recognise the outstanding start Shinko King has made to his stud career with NZ’s Ashwell Farm reporting the ‘Book Full’ sign has been “firmly posted”. (Aug 25) NZ Bloodstock’s 2003 Stallion Expo The 2003 Stallion Expo saw a series of top stallions paraded at NZ Bloodstock’s Karaka Sales Centre in Auckland yesterday, including: Don Eduardo (Zabeel-Diamond Lover): Australasia’s highest-priced yearling, sold for NZ$3.6million at NZ Bloodstock’s 2000 Premier Yearling Sale; won Gr1 Australian Derby for owner Eduardo Cojuangco; standing 1st season at Waikato’s Fayette Park Stud for NZ$12,500+GST. Keeper (Danehill-Nuwirah): Winner of 7 races (including Gr1 SAJC Goodwood Handicap); dam is by Kentucky Derby winner Pleasant Colony; stood 1st season last year at Cambridge Stud; fee is NZ$10,000+GST. Magic Ring (Green Desert-Emaline): Strike rate of 70% winners-to-starters in Australasia; returned to Southern Hemisphere last season (after 2 years in England) to Auckland’s Haunui Farm; yearlings have sold up to NZ$250,000 around the world (including NZ$120,000 gelding at 2000 NZ Bloodstock Ready-To-Run Sale; service fee NZ$6,500+GST. No Excuse Needed (Machiavellian-Nawaiet): Dual Gr2-winning son of Machiavellian in 1st season at Waikato Stud; highly rated English miler (won Gr2 Goodwood Celebration Mile & Gr2 Royal Ascot Queen Anne Stakes, plus 2nd to champion miler Noverre in Gr1 Sussex Stakes); service fee is NZ$12,500+GST. Pyrus (Mr Prospector-Most Precious): Stakes-winning son of Mr Prospector in 1st season at Auckland’s Westbury Stud; won 4 of 12 starts (including Gr3 Aqueduct Fort Marcy Handicap); half-brother to dual Gr1 winner Matiara & Gr2 winner Marathon; service fee is NZ$8,000+GST. Riviera (Kris-Manureva): Gr1 winning son of champion sire Kris; joins Fairdale Stud in Longburn for 1st season at stud; winner of over US$1million; 21 starts for 10 wins (include Gr1 Woodbine Atto Mile Stakes, Gr2 Firecracker Breeders Cup Handicap & Gr3 Santa Anita Morvich Handicap) & 7 placings racing in both France & US; service fee is NZ$5,000+GST. Rossini (Miswaki x Touch Of Greatness): Unplaced only once in 7 starts; won Gr2 Prix Robert Papin & Gr3 Anglesey Stakes; international classification of 118 (just 2 behind champions Giant’s Causeway & Distant Music); entering 2nd Southern Hemisphere season at Auckland’s Glenmorgan Farm; service fee is NZ$6,000+GST. Sudurka (Perugino-My Sparkling Star): Spent 1st season at Waikato Stud in Matamata in 2002; winner of 8 races up to 1400m (including Gr1 MRC Oakleigh Plate, Gr1 VRC Salinger Stakes, Gr3 JRA Autumn Stakes & Gr3 SAJC Honda Stakes); service fee is NZ$5,000+GST. Ustinov (Seeking The Gold-Let’s Elope): Son of Gr1 Melbourne Cup winner Let’s Elope; 1st season at stud at Brighthill Farm in Hamilton; won the Gr2 MVRC AAMI Vase (plus 2nd to Lonhro in Gr1 VATC Caulfield Guineas & 3rd to Lonhro & Sunline in Gr1 MRC Yalumba Stakes); service fee is NZ$8,000+GST. Viking Ruler (Danehill-Tristalove): Winner of Gr1 AJC Spring Champion Stakes; dam is dual Gr1-winning mare Tristalove (by Sir Tristram); standing his 1st season at Cambridge Stud; service fee is NZ$20,000+GST. (Aug 25) NZ Jockey Dies After Horse Fall NZ jockey-turned-trainer Neil Hain has died “after losing his battle with complications from the paralysis he suffered in a fall from a horse in May.” His widow Jill told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "He was going through a living hell, with major breathing difficulties & his body just couldn't cope any longer. We're desperately sad, but at the same time we're happy for him that his suffering is over." Hain, 46, won the Auckland & Wellington Cups on Secured Deposit, Avondale Cup on Eva Grace, Taumarunui Cup on False Alarm & Ryder Stakes on Petersburg; over jumps, he also won the Australian Grand National Hurdle twice & Hiskens Steeplechase on Airmond, & Waikato Steeplechase on Megan's Boy. He later trained for a number of years. (Aug 25) Japan’s Sunday Break Heads To US Japan’s Sunday Break (a 4YO son of Forty Niner out of Storm Cat mare Catequil) has been retired & will stand in 2004 at Kentucky’s Gainesway Farm, reported bloodhorse.com. Sunday Break won notched 4 wins (including last year’s Gr2 Peter Pan Stakes, plus 5 placings) in 13 starts for US$451,220 prize-money. Bred in Japan by North Hill Management, Sunday Break is a half-brother to triple-Gr1 winner Phalaenopsis (by Brian’s Time, she was a 2-time Japanese champion & 3-time Gr1 winner who won US$3,825,449). (Aug 25) Top US Broodmare & Gr1 Star Too Chic Dies US Gr1 winner & leading broodmare Too Chic (Blushing Groom-Remedia, by Dr Fager) has been euthanised aged 24 at Middlebrook Farm in Kentucky “due to the infirmities of old age” reported bloodhorse.com. In 8 starts, she won the Gr1 Maskette Handicap, placed in the Gr1 Alabama Stakes & equaled a track record at Belmont. She spent her entire broodmare career at King Ranch (where she was bred). Too Chic's 1st foal Chic Shirine won the 1987 Gr1 Ashland Stakes; Chic Shirine subsequently produced Gr2 winners Waldoboro & Tara Roma. Too Chic’s 2nd foal was champion Queena (winner of the Gr1 Maskette, Gr1 Ruffian & Gr1 Ballerina Handicaps); Queena went on to produce Gr1 winner & young Vinery sire Brahms (whose 1st foals arrived this year). Too Chic also is the granddam of 2001 Gr1 Go For Wand winner Serra Lake & multiple stakes winner Cappuchino. (Aug 25) Chapple-Hyam Returns To UK From HK UK trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam “is to return to the British training ranks next season,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Chapple-Hyam has been in HK for the last 3 years; he will be based at the historic St Gatien Stables in Newmarket (former base to Robert Armstrong). Chapple-Hyam won the 1992 English Derby with Dr Devious & 2,000 Guineas the same year with Rodrigo de Triano when training for his father-in-law Robert Sangster at Manton. (Aug 25) Ken Payne 1: Stop On Aust Training Licence Monday Odd Spot: Former UK window-cleaner Ken Payne, who built up a 120-horse racing empire by injecting horses in the neck with anabolic steroids to improve their performance, “has been thwarted in the latest attempt to relaunch his astonishing training career,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Payne “who found fame masterminding selling-plate coups in the 1960s & 1970s when based in Lambourn & later Middleham” has resurfaced in Perth, where he is employed as a car salesman. However, Western Australia’s turf authority “is refusing to process the 66-year-old’s application for a training licence after learning of his notoriety”. Separating fact from fiction “is virtually impossible where Payne is concerned” (in the mid-1990s he was reportedly on the run from a hitman after falling foul of the mafia in Los Angeles); but when contacted by the UK Racing Post, he “made light of the latest setback & laughed off any suggestion it