NEWS UPDATES Japan Horses Cleared For Melb Cup Return Phar Lap Heads Field In "Greatest Melb Cup Never Run" Bart Books Boss For Faint Perfume In 2010 Melb Cup Melb Cup Contender Shoot Out "Ready To Fire 1st-Up" O'Shea Aims Jessicabeel & Zabrasive At Melb Cup Mr Charlie Joins Moody For Melb Cup Campaign 1st Metro Win For $1m Encosta Filly 4th Win For $750k Danehill Dancer Son Winning Debut For $310k Commands Filly Commands Leads Aust Individual Winners Table On 141 (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 could hasten his return to Britain”. (Aug 25) Ken Payne 2: Controversial UK Career Ken Payne (whose well-planned betting plunges “brought him a champagne lifestyle & owners including boxer John Conteh, singers Max Bygraves & Frankie Vaughan & Royal fashion designer Sir Norman Hartnell) admitted doping in his 1978 autobiography The Coup. The memoir came 2 years after the UK Jockey Club withdrew his licence “following the collapse of the business when one estimate put the debts as high as £250,000 (A$625,000)” recalled racingpost.co.uk. Facing bankruptcy & depressed by the death of his young son Nathan in a farm accident, Payne “took an overdose of malaria pills, but was given the kiss-of-life & has since continued his colourful - & amorous - adventures around the globe, with a string of partners who have included a model 22 years his junior, a former assistant trainer 19 years younger & a minor American soap star”. He has trained in the US (”allegedly under an alias on one occasion”) & in Australia (”where again he has combined operations with his other area of expertise, the luxury motor trade”). (Aug 25) Ken Payne 3: Taree & Newcastle Trainer In probing Ken Payne’s recent background, Western Australia chief stipendiary steward John Zulac discovered the former Atty Persse apprentice spent 4 years training in Taree (on the NSW mid-north coast) until he left 12 months ago; he previously had a stable in Newcastle. Taree Race Club secretary Tony Cox told racingpost.co.uk: “Nothing would surprise me about Ken. He had his share of winners & was a very colourful character. He had American passports, he had British passports, he had everything. When he left here, I thought he might have left the country. How he has resurrected himself, I don’t know." (Aug 25) Ken Payne 4: Latest Perth Probe WA steward Zucal confirmed to racingpost.co.uk: “Ken Payne applied for a licence in WA, but I have told him things are not looking good & I will not be recommending his application. Afterwards he shrugged his shoulders & said: ’I might as well sell up’.” Zucal summed up: “Ken Payne is a one-off. There is no doubt about it. He has all the stories under the sun. When I asked him about an alleged arrest warrant against him in Los Angeles for grand theft auto, he denied it & said there had been an earthquake & riots & that his place had been burnt down, & he showed me a picture where he is sipping a drink watching it burn.” (Aug 25) Ken Payne 5: Latest Perth Probe Asked about being refused a training licence in WA, Ken Payne told racingpost.co.uk: “I could rectify that very quickly, but I am very busy with my other businesses so it is no big deal. I will probably be putting the training on hold for a while. But I have got some nice horses & I have trained a lot of winners in Australia & America since I left Britain.” Payne added: "I have been all over the world & I don’t think there would be another trainer who has trained on as many racetracks as I have. I have just got to WA & running the horses is not my top priority at the moment, because they have only just arrived from NSW.” Payne summed up: “I have done very well in Australia. I have a nice home & everything. What is there back in Britain for me? I watch the racing from afar, & to be honest it seems very mundane over there.” (Aug 25) Coolmore’s Fasliyev Adds Another UK Stakes Boom Coolmore shuttle sire Fasliyev did it again overnight, adding yet another European stakes win when his 2YO filly Carry On Katie (Fasliyev-Dinka Raja, by Woodman) followed her recent 12-length winning debut at Ascot by taking England’s Gr2 Lowther Stakes (6 furlongs) at York, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Carry On Katie (ridden by Frankie Dettori for trainer Jeremy Noseda) defeated Badminton (Zieten-Badawi, by Diesis) & Dunloskin (Selkirk-Dalinda, by Nureyev). Kentucky-bred Carry On Katie (recently purchased by Mohammed Rashid) “is now among the favourites for next year's 1000 Guineas”. (Aug 22) Oasis Dream Wins UK Gr1 Nunthorpe Stakes Also overnight in Britain, leading European sprinter Oasis Dream (Green Desert-Hope, by Dancing Brave) “slaughtered his rivals” in a “pillar-to-post romp” in the Gr1 Nunthorpe Stakes (5 furlongs) at York, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Juddmonte Farms’ home-bred Oasis Dream (who now has 4 wins from 7 starts) is the 3YO colt who ran 3rd behind Australia’s Choisir in the Gr2 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, before relegating Choisir to 2nd in the Gr1 July Cup at Newmarket. Oasis Dream (ridden by Richard Hughes for trainer John Gosden) defeated The Tatling & Acclamation. Gosden then surprised the media by nominating the US Gr1 Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita (on October 25) “as a probable end-of-term target for Prince Khaled's home-bred”. Gosden explained: "I wouldn't want him to go a mile at Ascot but, around 2 turns at Santa Anita, I think it'll suit him." Gosden added Oasis Dream is the fastest horse he has ever trained:"I've been lucky enough to train some very quick horses, both in the States & in Europe, but none as quick as this fella." (Aug 22) Melb Track Watering 1: Cole Backs Weld Meanwhile the controversy following Irish trainer Dermot Weld’s call for Melbourne tracks to be watered to ensure foreign horses attend the Melbourne spring carnival continues. English trainer Paul Cole “stoked up the debate over Flemington by insisting the track was ‘unsafe’ when his horse Yorkshire was seriously injured in the Melbourne Cup 5 years ago,” reported The Daily Telegraph. Yorkshire (now racing over hurdles) broke down with a tendon injury after finishing 5th behind Jezabeel on going described as ‘good’ in the 1998 Melbourne Cup & did not return to the track until August 2000. Cole declared: “Racecourses must be made safe, but that was not the case at Flemington; 12 horses broke down that year, which showed just how unsafe the track was. To send a horse over there, it would have to be an extreme ground specialist, which rules out most of our European horses. Not in my wildest dreams would I consider sending Mr Dinos (winner of this year’s Ascot Gold Cup) over for the race, because it would be far too risky.” (Aug 22) Melb Track Watering 2: Fanshawe Seeks Assurance And Newmarket-based UK trainer James Fanshawe told The Daily Telegraph he would “want assurances from Racing Victoria before committing Pole Star to a tilt at Australia’s richest race on November 4.” Fanshawe said both Travelmate (5th in 1999) & Arctic Owl (5th in 2000) injured tendons & were “never the same” after being sidelined for a full season: “I’d love to win the race, but not at the cost of having a horse come home in a body bag. I know there is a feeling about the foreign raiders, but it costs £40,000 (A$97,000) to take a horse out there & it’s a big risk.” Fanshawe added the Australian rating of a track as ‘good’ usually meant ‘fast’ & summed up: “The year Arctic Owl ran, there was a bit of moisture on Derby Day, but that quickly dried out & the track was cut up & rough by the running of the Cup on the Tuesday.” (Aug 22) Melb Track Watering 3: Elsworth Backs VRC However UK trainer David Elsworth (who trained Persian Punch to run 3rd in both 1998 & 2001) “was not about to join the chorus of discontent,” noted The Daily Telegraph. Elsworth (who this week won Europe’s richest staying handicap, the 14-furlong Tote Ebor at York, with Saint Alebe) retorted bluntly: “The Melbourne Cup is the Melbourne Cup & if you are going to play away, then you go with the air-conditioning. If Dermot Weld doesn’t want to take his horses because of the going, then I can’t blame him. But his ultimatum may be just his way of trying to get the ground he wants &, if he pulls it off, then good luck to him. But can you really see the Aussies doing that?” (Aug 22) Hunter Valley Stud ‘Open Days’ Several major ‘Open Days’ are looming among the prestigious NSW Hunter Valley studs: On Sunday August 31, Arrowfield is hosting a ‘media and invitation only stallion parade’ with South American sire sensation Hussonet, boom youngster Redoute's Choice & Japanese superstar Kurofune heading their list. Also on August 31, Widden will parade brilliant sprinter Agnes World, former champ Intergaze, ultra consistent Belong To Me, European Horse-Of-The-Year Helissio & ‘full-book’ new boy Snowland among others in a public ‘open day’ & sausage sizzle. On August 31, Coolmore opens its doors to an invitation only parade featuring Sunline's up-coming beau Rock Of Gibraltar, international superstar Fusaichi Pegasus, boom European freshman sire Fasliyev, King Of Kings, Royal Academy & Galileo; that will be followed by a ‘media day’ on September 2. Over 4 days from August 30-September 2, Vinery Stud is offering the public a look at its 6 superstars including global sensation Red Ransom, North American giant Langfuhr (whose son Wando recently won the Canadian Triple Crown) & hot sire Twining. Finally on September 7, Darley has an ‘invitation-only’ stallion parade involving Street Cry, Fantastic Light & US boom sire Elusive Quality. (Aug 22) Triscay Making Mark At Stud It’s been “a profitable week for the progeny of the White family’s grand racemare Triscay,” noted racenet.com.au: 4YO Hillman (Danehill-Triscay) won at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney last weekend & then 3YO colt Tsuimai (Thunder Gulch-Triscay) carried top-weight of 56kgs to win the $100,000 Listed Moneywide Group 3YO Classic at Gosford yesterday. Tsuimai now has 3 wins in 7 starts & $118,000 prize-money. In a wonderful career Triscay (by Marscay) started 26 times for 15 wins & 8 placings to earn $1,942,328; 13 of her 15 wins came in stakes races (including 5 Gr1s: AJC Champagne Stakes, AJC Oaks, QTC Oaks, AJC Flight Stakes & VRC Australian Guineas). Tsuimai is the 5th winner & 2nd stakes-winner out of Triscay. Her 1st foal Riskala (by Kala Dancer) won 3 races in Sydney; her 2nd foal (by Last Tycoon) failed to reach the racetrack; her 3rd foal La Baraka (by Euclase) won the Gr3 National Stakes at Morphetville at her 1st start & added another 5 stakes wins (including the Gr1 AJC The Galaxy, Gr3 Endeavour Stakes, Gr3 SAJC Irwin Stakes, Listed VRC Claudia Australia Plate & Listed VATC McNeil Stakes) in a career restricted to just 10 starts & earning $641,780; the next 2 foals (a filly by Last Tycoon & a filly by Danehill) both died; her 1998 filly Satyric (by Danehill) had just 2 starts for wins at Gosford & Wyong before joining her mother at stud; & then Hillman & Tsuimai were the next 2 foals born. Triscay now also has a 2YO colt Trymore (from the first crop of Redoute’s Choice); she missed to Fusaichi Pegasus in 2001 & was served by Grand Lodge last year. (Aug 22) Thundarosa Highlights Martin’s Judgement Leading Sydney syndicator Denise Martin (of Star Thoroughbreds) is a big fan of the annual Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale . Her astute buying record there was further enhanced when staying mare Thundarosa (Thunder Gulch-Double Fanchetto, by Zabeel) scored an all-the-way win over 2200m at Warwick Farm in Sydney. Martin noted: “She only cost $30,000. She’s done a great job from only 6 starts so far for 2 wins, 1 2nd & 1 3rd. I’m looking forward to her next preparation already. She has done everything right so far & she looks a lovely stayer in the making.” (Aug 22) $900 Bargain-Buy Aims At Perth Cup Meanwhile bargain buy Higgins Gold made it back-to-back Belmont wins when he outstayed his rivals to win over 2200m in Perth on Wednesday. The talented 5YO was a $900 bargain buy as a weanling for leading WA horseman Geoff Durrant at the 1999 Magic Millions Perth Mixed Autumn Sale. Higgins Gold now has 5 wins & 1 placing from 15 starts & Durrant confirmed the gelding’s current long-term goal is the Gr2 Perth Cup on New Year’s Day. (Aug 22) Magic Millions WA Sale Bargains Indeed Geoff Durrant is building a reputation as a major ‘bargain hunter’ at Western Australian Magic Millions sales. He has also purchased 2 other recent MM ‘bargains’: Any Beat & Feel The Pulse. Any Beat (narrowly beaten in the final of the Provincial Championship in Perth 2 runs back) cost a mere $400 & has only been “out of the money” once. He currently boasts 4 wins & 4 placings from just 10 starts for $30,559 prize-money. Feel The Pulse was purchased from the Stanton Park Dispersal in 2000 for just $1,000 & now has 7 wins & 5 placings for $65,425 earnings. (Aug 22) NSW Race-Clubs Discuss ‘Strategic Plan’ Racing NSW officials yesterday met delegates from the 2 Sydney metropolitan clubs (AJC & STC), the 5 NSW provincial race-clubs & the NSW Country Racing Council “to discuss the ruling body’s latest strategic paper,” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. The controversial document (which examines selling racetracks & stream-lining race-club administration through amalgamations in a bid to save $25 million) “has provoked plenty of debate”. Racing NSW chairman Tony Hartnell, who chaired the 2-hour meeting (with another scheduled next month), summed up: “The clubs have agreed to continue discussions among themselves & to come back to Racing NSW with further comment on the issues which are on the table.” (Aug 22) Falvelon’s 4th Queensland Horse-Of-Year Recently retired sprinter Falvelon made history when he was named Queensland Horse-Of-The-Year for the 4th consecutive time at Brisbane’s Sheraton Hotel last night, reported racenet.com.au. The win “topped off a big night for Falvelon’s trainer Dan Bougoure” after Strawberry Road (a former Queensland champion trained by Bougoure’s father Doug & twice Queensland Horse-Of-The-Year) was 1 of 3 inaugural horses inducted in the Queensland Racing-Hall-Of-Fame; Strawberry Road was strapped throughout his career by a young Dan Bougoure. Trainer Bruce McLachlan also had a big night: he was 1 of 3 trainers inducted into the Hall-Of-Fame & also won the Jim Atkins Queensland Trainer-Of-The-Year award, while his stable’s 2YO star Picaday won the Champion QTIS 2YO & his client John O’Brien won the Queensland Racehorse Owners Association Winning-Member-Of-The-Year award. (Aug 22) Queensland Racing Award Winners Among the highlights at the Queensland Racing awards (including inductees into the Queensland Racing-Hall-Of-Fame) were: Hall-Of-Fame Trainers: Jim Atkins, Fred Best & Bruce McLachlan. Hall-Of-Fame Jockeys: George Moore, Mick Dittman & Neville Sellwood. Hall-Of-Fame Horses: Bernborough, Gunsynd & Strawberry Road. Horse-Of-The-Year: Falvelon. Trainer-Of-The-Year: Bruce McLachlan. Jockey-Of-The-Year: Scott Seamer. Apprentice-Of-The-Year: Michael Rodd. Champion QTIS 3YO: Clangalang. Champion QTIS 2YO: Picaday. TBQA Champion Stallion: Success Express. TBQA Champion Broodmare: Our Today. TBQA Champion 1st Season Sire: General Nediym. TBQA Champion 2YO Sire Success Express. QROA Best 4YO & Up: Scenic Peak. (Aug 22) Queensland Revamp 1: 21% Funding Boost Meanwhile Queensland racing yesterday announced “a massive industry funding injection” representing an increase in distribution to participating clubs of almost $10 million (a 21% rise) for the 2003-04 year. The “cornerstone of the new funding initiatives” is the Stakes Race Development Program, through which millions of extra dollars will be “strategically placed into prize-money at TAB tracks”. The Program has been “especially tailored to aggressively challenge for more Black Type listings for fillies & mares, & is complimentary to the highly successful QTIS program already in place. Additionally, there will be significant stakes increases for metropolitan Friday & mid-week meetings, as well as a prize-money boost at major provincial venues. (Aug 22) Queensland Revamp 2: Savings Returned Queensland Racing Board chairman Bob Bentley said the announcement made confirmed his Board’s “promise to return savings to the industry”. This had resulted from “stringent, on-going administrative cost-cutting, a commercial & practically focussed racing program, & a complete overhaul of management practice”. Bentley emphasised: “Queensland Racing has a clear objective: to ensure that as much of the funding that is generated through the product agreement with UNiTAB as possible, finishes in the pockets of stake-holders willing to participate in racing in this State. The Board will now heighten its focus on the performance of race clubs, & in particular their capacity to return to stake-holders the highest possible percentage of all funding. It is essential that race clubs, employees & administrators share the values of Queensland Racing, through an unconditional commitment to progress our industry.” (Aug 22) Queensland Revamp 3: Implementation From January QRB chairman Bob Bentley also noted: “Queensland Racing will take responsibility for the implementation of these new initiatives when they become effective from 1 January 2004.” The 15 clubs participating in the wagering program & conducting TAB meetings in 2003-04 will receive $57.13m annually in distribution (compared to last year’s distribution of $47.21m). (Aug 22) Queensland Revamp 4: More Changes To Come The “massive prize-money boost” announced by Queensland Racing yesterday “is the pay-off for the industry reform undertaken over the past 12 months”, said Queensland Racing Minister Merri Rose. She noted the Government had “delivered the reforms the industry had asked for: a viable, long-term, independent racing industry”. Rose added: “This is a great day for Queensland racing. And this is only the 1st instalment. Reform of the industry has been difficult – nobody has enjoyed it – but without change, racing was destined to become a cottage industry.” (Aug 22) More Surgery For York Jockey Brian York “will undergo further surgery early next week in preparation for his return to the saddle,” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. York has not ridden since breaking both legs in a fall at Rosehill last November. York confirmed: “I’m going into hospital for an operation on Monday to get the screws & plate taken out of my left knee. But I’ve still got pain & fluid in the knee. The doctor has told me the screws wouldn’t be causing that, so I’ll have a scope done while they are coming out.” York added his right foot was “still very sore” & another scan will be needed to see if there is nerve damage: “The way I’m going, it’ll be another 2 months at least before I can ride.” (Aug 22) Innes New Wexford Stable Jockey Across the Tasman, Leith Innes has been confirmed as stable jockey for NZ's leading racing stable, Paul O’Sullivan’s Wexford Stables in Matamata. O'Sullivan was NZ's leading trainer for the recently completed 2002-03 racing season & the Innes appointment follows the retirement last week of the stable's former head jockey & 12-times NZ premiership winner Lance O'Sullivan. Paul O'Sullivan told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: "Leith is mature, professional, a big race-rider, has international experience & is very dedicated to the job." Innes, 25, started his apprenticeship at 16 with his father Gerald in the NZ Central Districts, before moving north to complete his time with top Matamata trainer Jim Gibbs. He rode 60 winners in NZ last season & his career tally now stands at over 400 (including 25 successes in Singapore during a 10-month stint there 2 seasons ago); highlights include Gr1 wins on Elevenses (Captain Cook Stakes), Tobruk (Bayer Classic) & Ad Alta (1000 Guineas). Innes said he recognised the huge opportunity presented to him by stepping into Lance O'Sullivan's shoes at Wexford: "This is every jockey's dream & I'm the lucky one that's picked up the job. Now it's up to me to show that I deserved to be stable jockey for the top barn in the country." (Aug 22) Collett Quits Saddle For Real Estate Meanwhile experienced NZ jockey Jim Collett has followed Lance O’Sullivan in “announcing a sharp change in career,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Collett (who handed in his jockey licence earlier this year after a series of operations failed to mend chronic knee problems) confirmed he is entering the real estate industry as a “rural & lifestyle consultant”. In a career spanning almost 30 years, Collett rode 1,620 winners in NZ & another 40 in Australia, Singapore-Malaysia & Japan. After beginning his career in the South Island (where he was a leading apprentice), Collett won the 1992-93 NZ jockeys’ premiership 10 years after moving to a northern base at Matamata & 2 years after his biggest win, the 1991 Gr1 Auckland Cup on Star Harvest. Noteworthy wins in Australia included the 1989 VRC St Leger on Waiau Pal in his 1st ride at Flemington. (Aug 22) Pino Passes Vazquez On All-Time Jockey List And in the US, jockey Mario Pino “moved ahead of Jacinto Vazquez into 16th spot on the all-time list with 5,229 wins”, following 3 victories on Wedneday's card at Laurel Park, reported bloodhorse.com. Pino immediately declared: "I still enjoy coming to work each day & have a lot of years left. I love winning races." Jerry Bailey is nearly 300 wins ahead in 15th place; a further 14 jockeys have ridden more than 6,000 winners. (Aug 22) US Trainer Chases 6,000th Winner Meanwhile King Leatherbury's “quest to become the 3rd trainer in history to condition 6,000 winners” continues, reported bloodhorse.com. The 70-year-old is 1 victory short of joining Dale Baird (8,819 wins) & Jack Van Berg (6,334) in the 6,000 win club. (Aug 22) Singapore Gold Cup Now S$1.5 Million The Singapore Turf Club yesterday announced prize-money for this year's Gr1 Singapore Gold Cup (on Sunday 9 November) will be increased by S$250,000 (A$225,000) to S$1.5 million (A$1.35 million). The race is the richest & most prestigious event held at the Singapore Racecourse this season & is traditionally the most coveted by trainers & owners. (Aug 22) Florida Sale Day-3: Gross Up 14.6% Increases continued “across the board” on Day-3 (the 2nd open session) at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company August yearling sale in Florida, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Overall 226 yearlings sold for US$2,026,200 (up 14.6% over last year’s 3rd-day figure); the average US$8,965 was up 4.5%; & the median US$6,000 was up 9.1%. (Aug 22) Florida Sale Day-3: Tops To Grand Slam & Montbrook Carolyn Wilson paid the Ocala Day-3 top price of US$60,000 for a chestnut yearling filly (bred in New York & consigned by Sez Who Thoroughbreds) by Gr1 winner Grand Slam out of unraced Blushing John mare Blushing Native, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. And Green Lane Farm South paid US$50,000 for a filly (consigned by Sugar Hill Farm) by Montbrook out of stakes-placed winning Proud Appeal mare Air Appeal. Agent Sue Fletcher was leading Day-3 buyer, taking 4 horses for a total US$69,200. (Aug 22) Point In Time Moves To Florida US 10-year-old sire Point In Time will stand the 2004 season at Dee Sinclair's Sunday Acres Farm in Florida, reported bloodhorse.com. The son of Cozzene (out of Bold Hour mare Hour Serenade) formerly stood at 4 Star Stables in Texas. (Aug 22) Kentucky Bills To Save Horse Breeders Money Kentucky thoroughbred breeders are excited: While there are still more than 4 months until the Kentucky General Assembly meets, Senator Damon Thayer “has pre-filed 2 Bills designed to save horse breeders money,” reported bloodhorse.com. Earlier this year, Thayer said he would introduce the legislation for the 2004 legislative session: 1 measure would eliminate the 6% sales tax on stallion fees; & another would eliminate the sales tax on feed, fencing & other supplies & equipment associated with managing a horse farm. Kentucky's sales tax on stallion fees, in particular, “has been a topic of conversation for years. Other major breeding states such as California, Florida & New York don't have the tax.” (Aug 22) Free Caulfield Entry To War Vets, RSL Members & Nurses Having been used as a military base during World War 2, ‘Classic Caulfield’ remembers its past on Liston Stakes Day tomorrow. The 2nd of Caulfield’s Top 20 Racedays for the 2003-04 season features outstanding racing, enhanced by the Melbourne Racing Club's annual ‘Back To Caulfield’ celebrations (which this year commemorate the centenary of the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps). Military displays will be featured throughout the course & the traditional Lone Pine Ceremony will be conducted at 11.15am. Admission is free for war veterans, Legacy members, RSL members, war widows, nurses & nursing association members, defence forces personnel & children under 18 accompanied by an adult. (Aug 22) Sydney Racing-Football Free Transport Meanwhile the Australian Jockey Club & Sydney Swans have combined to offer sports fans “a double dose of action & free transport tomorrow. All Swans' members & those who show their tickets to tomorrow night's AFL clash between Sydney & Collingwood will gain free entry to Royal Randwick for Warwick Stakes-Silver Shadow Stakes Day. Later free buses will leave the course at 15-minute intervals from 4-5pm for patrons heading to Telstra Stadium for the football. In addition, the first 500 women arriving on-course at Randwick receive a free ‘beauty showbag’ to the value of $100. (Aug 22) UK Judge Changes Photo Decision – 4 days later! Friday Odd Spot: UK trainer Michael Dods has “hit out at the English Jockey Club” after his horse Flying Tackle “was demoted to 2nd place from a dead-heat win - 4 days after the race took place! After a further reconsideration of the photo finish-print from a 6-furlong handicap at Newcastle, judge Tim MacDowel decided to change his decision & award the race outright to the Mick Easterby-trained William's Well, with Dods’ Flying Tackle relegated to 2nd, a short head behind. Dods told racingpost.co.uk: “With all the technology in this day & age, I think it is a disgrace that mistakes like this can happen. Had he been awarded 2nd place on the day, I wouldn’t have been worried about it. In fact I didn’t see a print of the finish, as I was rushing off to Catterick’s evening meeting. But it’s disgraceful that they can change it 4 days after the race. If referees in football get it wrong, they don’t change their decisions days after the match & the points awarded to a different team. Neither do umpires do it in cricket change their decisions. Why should they do it in racing? In my opinion, if the judge takes so long to change a result, he shouldn’t be doing the job.” In reply, Jockey Club spokesman John Maxse said: “Judges are requested that, if they can split the horses in a finish, they should do so. And under Rule 26 (iii) the judge has 5 days to correct a decision.” Judge MacDowel explained: “At the time I was quite happy with my decision. But when I looked at the print an hour later, I wasn’t 100% sure. On my way home, I contacted the senior judge Jonathon Dimsdale & he agreed to have a look at the print. He rang me back early this afternoon & I agreed to change the result.” (Aug 22) Islington Wins UK Gr1 Yorkshire Oaks Ireland’s Ballymacoll Stud home-bred 4YO Islington (Sadler's Wells-Hellenic, by Darshaan) won her 2nd successive £250,000 Gr1 Yorkshire Oaks (12 furlongs) overnight & “asserted herself as Europe’s top older mare”, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Islington (ridden by Kieren Fallon for trainer Sir Michael Stoute) defeated 3YO fillies Ocean Silk (Dynaformer-Mambo Jambo, by Kingmambo) & Summitville (Grand Lodge-Tina Heights, by Shirley Heights). William Farish’s Casual Look (the Kentucky-bred daughter of Red Ransom who won this year’s Gr1 Epsom Oaks) “never showed much interest” & finished 7th. Islington now has 5 wins from 12 starts (including last year’s Gr1 Yorkshire Oaks & Gr1 Nassau Stakes, which propelled her to English high-weight honors between 9.5-14 furlongs) & £588,948 prize-money. She is a sister to German Gr1 winner Greek Dance & English Listed winner Election Day; their dam Hellenic won the Gr1 Yorkshire Oaks in 1990. Stoute said Islington “would conclude her season on November 23 in the Gr1 Japan Cup (Jpn-G1); in the meantime, he mentioned possible runs in France’s Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe or the Gr1 Irish Champion Stakes”. Islington is 1 of 19 Gr1 winners sired by Sadler's Wells (Northern Dancer-Fairy Bridge, by Bold Reason). (Aug 21) 7 Melb Cup Entries Fail At York Meanwhile outsider Saint Alebe (20-1) left 7 Melbourne Cup entrants in his wake to win the Tote Ebor Handicap (14 furlongs) at York: Contraband finished 5th; Distinction 7th; Researched 8th; Sentinel 12th; Sadler’s Wings 15th; Spanish John 18th; & Hugs Dancer 22nd. “Contraband was the pick of the potential visitors to Australia, coming from well back in the 22-runner field,” reported The Daily Telegraph. (Aug 21) Cambridge’s Stravinsky Adds UK Gr2 2YO Stakes At the same meeting, NZ’s Cambridge Stud shuttler Stravinsky gained a further boost when his 2YO colt Balmont (who won his last race by 12 lengths) notched his 3rd successive victory in England’s Gr2 Gimcrack Stakes (6 furlongs) at York, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Kentucky-bred Balmont (from Seattle Slew mare Aldebaran Light, a half-sister to this year’s Gr2 Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes winner Blazonry) is Stravinsky’s 2nd stakes winner & 1st group stakes winner. Veteran jockey Pat Eddery (riding in his last Ebor meeting at York) summed up: “He’s very quick. He’s bred to be like that. He’s got speed & he quickens.” (Aug 21) Arrowfield’s Danzero Adds 6th Northern Winner Meanwhile Arrowfield Stud shuttler Danzero recorded his 6th winner from his 1st northern hemisphere crop when Iskander won over 6 furlongs at Hamilton in the UK. Iskander was bred by Bearstone Stud. Danzero shuttled to Cheveley Park Stud at Newmarket in 2000 & 2001 (attracting 82 mares in his 1st year). “His 6 winners from 12 starters is an encouraging start, placing him in the Top 10 1st season sires for number of winners,” noted racenet.com.au. (Aug 21) Coolmore’s Orpen Maintains UK 2YO Streak And Coolmore shuttler Orpen’s 2YO colt Blue Tomato who made it 3 wins from 4 starts with victory over 6 furlongs at York in the UK, reported racenet.com.au. Blue Tomato was also bred by Bearstone Stud. (Aug 21) Exaggerate Won’t Travel To Melb Cup Melbourne Cup winning trainer John Meagher (What A Nuisance in 1985) “will not campaign his Singapore stable star Exaggerate (Zabeel-Enhancer, by Red Tempo) in Melbourne this spring,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Meagher had entered the 5YO gelding for the $2 million Caulfield Cup & $4 million Melbourne Cup, but confirmed those tentative plans have been shelved: “The horse has done a great job this campaign & deserves a break. I would love to set him for the Caulfield & Melbourne Cup next year as a 6YO. He’s only had 13 starts overall & the Zabeel stock just get better with age.” Exaggerate (who Tony McEvoy trained to 3 wins in Australia) has had 4 Singapore starts for a win (in the Gr2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup on August 10) & 3 2nds; he is due to have his next start in the Gr1 Raffles Cup on October 18. (Aug 21) Media Puzzle Begins 2003 Campaign Meanwhile last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle is set to start his 2003 campaign in Ireland this weekend. Trainer Dermot Weld has entered Media Puzzle for the Ballycullen Stakes (14 furlongs) at Fairyhouse, after withdrawing him from the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown last weekend. Weld “dismissed concerns Media Puzzle was behind the 8-ball for a 2nd Melbourne Cup assault” & told The Daily Telegraph Melbourne remains the horse’s “highest priority”. (Aug 21) Desert Sun 3YO Boost For Eliza Park Eliza Park stallion Desert Sun received a timely breeding-season boost when 3YO Abdullah “made it back-to-back victories at his only 2 starts following another impressive display” over 1000m at Melbourne’s Sandown-Hillside yesterday, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The Tony Noonan-trained Abdullah (Desert Sun–Replicate, by Centro) previously led all-the-way to win by 7 lengths on debut at Sale on August 3 (recording a slick 57.80sec for 1000m). Abdullah (not offered at a public sale by Victorian owner-breeder Jonathon Munz) is a member of the 1st Australian crop of Victorian-based Desert Sun (sire of Gr1 winners Sunline, La Bella Dama & Egyptian Raine) & is from the family of Caulfield Cup winner Tristarc. Abdullah (who joins another promising Desert Sun 3YO colt in Great Is Great) is now being aimed at next month’s $400,000 Ascot Vale Stakes (1200m) at Flemington. (Aug 21) Willow Park Reaping Viscount Rewards Gr2-winning Danehill mare Lady Marion has produced her 1st foal at Willow Park: a bay colt by champion 2YO & Woodlands Stud 1st crop sire Viscount. Willow’s Glenn Burrows described the foal as a “lovely looking colt, a real athlete.” Willow Park strongly supported Viscount in his 1st season & is also eagerly anticipating 3 highly credentialled mares to foal Viscount progeny: Zabeel’s Gr1-winning racemare Hill Of Grace; Bright Gleam (dam Innovation Girl); & stakes-winning 2YO How About That. (Aug 21) Viscount’s Quality 120-Mare 1st Book Meanwhile among the Woodlands Stud mares foaling to Viscount recently was a bay filly out of Danehill mare Lorelei. Overall Viscount has 120 mares due to foal this season, having been supported by a book that included: Gr1 winner Chlorophyll; Gr1 winner Inaflury; Gr1 winner Lees Bid (also dam of Arena); Zedagal; Verdict Declared; Vapour Trail; Traipse (dam of Gr1 winner Crawl & stakes-winner Old Man); Spirit (dam of Gr1 winner Unworldly & Gordo); & Gr2 winner Seika (dam of stakes-winner Clothilde). (Aug 21) 1st Aust Foals For Distant Music Distant Music's 1st Australian foals have been born, just days after Yallambee Stud’s shuttle sire arrived back in Australia from Ireland to cover his 2nd book of southern hemisphere mares. Leading Victorian breeder & renowned vet Bill Riches yesterday announced the arrival of the 1st foal from winning Groom Dancer mare Oakhill Dancer (half-sister to 3 winners including Melbourne sprinter Danislew & from a half-sister to champion Kingston Town): “She’s a very athletic bay filly, a lovely type, not too gross, quite refined with 3 white feet." And prominent owner Maurie Bloom announced his Danehill mare Make My Dane had also foaled "a beautiful, big strong colt" by Distant Music at Damien Gleeson's Phoenix Broodmare Farm yesterday morning. (Make My Dane won 2 Melbourne metropolitan races at Moonee Valley & was an early favourite for the Gr1 VRC Oaks; she is also a close relation of champion sire Marauding.) Meanwhile Distant Music’s sire Distant View (by Mr Prospector) goes from strength to strength in the northern hemisphere, where his daughter Sightseek recently notched her 3rd straight Gr1 victory. Distant Music himself was unbeaten European Champion 2YO & winner of the UK Gr1 Dewhurst Stakes (England's equivalent of Australia’s Golden Slipper). Yallambee Stud's Peter Woodard confirmed at least another dozen Distant Music progeny are due to foal in August. (Aug 21) Ford New Keeper Of Aust Stud Book John Digby’s current deputy Michael Ford has been appointed next Keeper Of The Australian Stud Book (effective when Digby retires in February 2004) by its joint proprietors, the Australian Jockey Club & Victoria Racing Club. Ford, who becomes the 8th Keeper of the 125-year-old Australian Stud Book, said: “John Digby has made a lasting impact on the breeding industry & it will be hard to follow him. My priorities are to ensure that the Australian Stud Book retains the industry confidence in its integrity & that it meets the needs of its stakeholders: the joint proprietors, breeders & racing officials.” (Aug 21) Cassidy Applies To Ride In HK Former top Sydney jockey Larry Cassidy, having failed to secure an extension of his riding licence in Singapore, “has applied to ride in HK” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The 3-time Sydney premiership winner has offered to fill the vacancy left by Danny Beasley’s decision to pull-out of his 3-month contract from the start of the HK season on August 31 & stay in Sydney with his family. Cassidy has been “weighing up his options” since his Singapore licence expired on August 10. He submitted an official application to the HK Jockey Club on Tuesday & “advised that he would move to HK immediately if he was granted a club riding contract for the 1st 3 months of the new season”. Cassidy had a previous short stint in Hong Kong in 1996-97. (Aug 21) Top UK Jockey Fallon To Ride In Dubai Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid al Maktoum has retained leading English jockey Kieren Fallon to ride in Dubai this northern winter with the Jebel Ali string of runners conditioned by Allan Smith, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Fallon (who has previously spent winters riding in HK, Japan & Macau) will begin his 4-month stint following the Gr1 Japan Cup on November 23. Smith told racingpost.co.uk: "Kieren has agreed to come over & ride for Sheikh Ahmed during our racing season & that’s great. We first chatted in July & then talked again last week, really just feeling each other out a bit. Kieren is the best jockey about & one of the most dedicated." (Aug 21) Godolphin’s Sheikh Mohammed Wants 2nd Gr1 Century Proud but not satisfied, Godolphin founder Sheikh Mohammed marked his global operation's 100th Gr1 win last weekend “by immediately demanding that their 2nd century takes less time to achieve,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Sulamani’s landmark victory in the US Gr1 Arlington Million came 9 years after Balanchine won Godolphin’s 1st Gr1 success in the 1994 English Oaks. Sheikh Mohammed commented: "The 100 Gr1s have come from the 3 Ps: planning, preparation & patience. A hundred Gr1s is a step forward & we must now look for the next 100 in less time. Thank you to the Godolphin team who have achieved this result through teamwork, homework & horse work. In the race for excellence, there is no finish line & we must keep our heads down & march on." And Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Suroor (who has prepared international stars Dubai Millennium, Lammtarra, Daylami & Fantastic Light) added: "I am now looking forward to the day when we train 200 Gr1 winners. We have always got new horses coming along & I hope they will also do their best for Godolphin." Racing manager Simon Crisford (involved with Godolphin since the operation's inception) summed up: "It has been a bit of a roller-coaster from time to time, but great fun all the time." (Aug 21) Dettori Says Dubai Millennium Godolphin’s Best Overall Godolphin has been successful in 22% of the Gr1 races it has contested, noted racingpost.co.uk. Created “partly as a means of promoting Dubai”, the vast majority of Godolphin's major winners have actually been saddled from their Newmarket base in England, while 42 of the Gr1 victories have been achieved in Britain (plus 13 in France, 12 in the US, 10 in Ireland, 9 in Italy, 5 in Dubai, 5 in Germany & 1 each in Canada, HK, Japan & Singapore). Frankie Dettori rode 65 of Godolphin’s 100 Gr1 winners & commented: "Of the Gr1 winners I have ridden, I think Dubai Millennium was the best." (Aug 21) Florida Sale Day-2: Average & Median Up The positive returns during the Day-1 selected session “carried through as additional gains were recorded during the 1st open session (Day-2)” at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s August yearling sale in Florida, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Overall 218 yearlings sold for US$2,273,600 at an average US$10,429 (up 3.5%) & median US$6,750 (up 22.7%). OBSC general manager Tom Ventura summed up: "If we maintain that US$10,000 average over the next couple of days, we’ll be up around 10-12% overall." (Aug 21) Florida Sale Day-2: Tops To Montbrook & Straight Man Solitary Oak & Parrish Farm paid equal top price of US$50,000 for a Montbrook yearling colt (out of winning mare Round Z Bend, by Ziad) consigned by Cloverleaf Farms II. Solitary Oak’s Danny Pate told thoroughbredtimes.com: "I thought he was 1 of the best balanced horses in the sale. He has a lovely walk, nice hind end & shoulder. He looks like he’ll be very fast." The other US$50,000 lot was a yearling filly from the 1st crop of Straight Man (out of unplaced Spectacular Bid mare Sea Bid) purchased by Barrister Hall Stables (the partnership of Lexington attorneys Shirley Cunningham & Bill Gallion who campaigned Gr3 Stonerside Forward Gal Stakes winner Midnight Cry). Agent Dominic Brennan, who selected the filly (consigned by Abbie Road Farm), explained: "Barrister Hall was looking for a filly they could race &, down the road, could be a broodmare prospect." (Aug 21) US Breeders' Cup Countdown The countdown to the 2003 US Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships (on October 25) “began last weekend” trumpeted bloodhorse.com “& the only things we really learned are that the American turf horses are going to have to pull a rabbit out of the hat to hold off the Europeans in the Turf once again, & the 3YO fillies now look totally overmatched by the trio of Wonder Women: Azeri, Sightseek & Wild Spirit.” (Aug 21) US Champion Bates Motel Pensioned Bates Motel (US champion older male of 1983 & sire of 38 stakes winners) has been pensioned from stallion duty at Graham Beck's Gainesway Farm in Kentucky, where he entered stud in 1984. The 24-year-old son of Sir Ivor “still possesses sufficient fertility, but shows weakness in his back end” a farm representative told bloodhorse.com. Bates Motel (named after the motel in the Alfred Hitchcock thriller Psycho) is represented by graded stakes winners Private School, Rare Blend, Mysterious Moll, Grits'n Hard Toast, Barbarika & Girl On a Mission, plus Canadian classic-winning filly Blondeinamotel & US$799,769-earner Packett's Landing; in addition 4 of his runners were champions overseas & overall his progeny have earned US$24.7 million. Bates Motel (produced from TV Lark mare Sunday Purchase) was a champion for his breeder Jacqueline Getty Phillips. He won 9 of 19 starts (including the Gr1 Santa Anita Handicap, Gr1 Monmouth Handicap & Gr1 San Antonio Handicap) & earned US$851,050. This year Bates Motel is represented by a 12 yearlings & 13 juveniles. (Aug 21) US Sire Al Mamoon Pensioned And US Gr1 winner Al Mamoon (sire of 9 stakes winners including multiple graded winner Onceinabluemamoon) has been pensioned by Cardiff Stud Farms in California (where the 22-year-old son of Believe It stood this season), reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Al Mamoon won 9 of 25 starts (including the 1987 Gr1 John Henry Handicap at Hollywood Park & 1986 Gr2 Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar when he set a course record 1min 46.60sec for 9 furlongs) & earned US$1,249,906. Bred in Kentucky, Al Mamoon (out of Secretariat mare Lady Winborne) is a half-brother to Gr1 winner La Gueriere, Gr3 winner & sire Lost Soldier, Austrian high-weight & stakes-winner Born Wild, & stakes winner Lord Of Warriors. From his 1st 13 crops, Al Mamoon sired 126 individual winners from 210 starters who have earned US$5,966,558. In addition to Onceinabluemamoon (who earned US$429,023 & won the 1995 Gr2 Las Palmas Handicap & Gr3 Hillsborough Handicap), Al Mamoon also sired multiple stakes winners Maryland Moon, Sea To See & Al Renee. (Aug 21) Freshman Sire Lahint Dies In France Canadian Graded winner Lahint (Woodman-Count On Bonnie, by Dancing Count) was found dead in his box at the Haras de Saint-Gatien in Calvados in France “as a result of a burst aneurism” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. A brother to Hansel, 12-year-old Lahint has his 1st crop running in 2003 (including Group-placed filly Leila). (Aug 21) Kennedy’s Surprise Racetrack Proposal Thursday Odd Spot: Queensland jockey-trainer couple Aaron Kennedy & Lesley Dennett “are set to wed after a proposal to cure even an insatiable romantic” at the Gold Coast Turf Club, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. During his acceptance speech after being crowned Champion Gold Coast Jockey for 2003, Kennedy (champion Sydney apprentice back in 1992, who has over 500 victories from only 3500 rides) asked Dennett (a former assistant trainer to Gai Waterhouse in Sydney) to join him on stage for what Dennett thought was a public thank-you for her support. As an embarrassed Dennett came forward, Kennedy declared into the microphone ”If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here today”, then dropped to 1 knee & added: ”You told me that I had to prove that I love you. I hope this is good enough & that you’ll have me!” Amid cheers from the large crowd, Dennett accepted Kennedy’s bold proposal with the couple embracing. Fellow Gold Coast trainer Bryan Guy summed up: ”That’s Aaron, he certainly does things differently. He had every woman in the room in tears & every bloke scratching his head.” (Aug 21) Weld Won’t Travel To Melb Unless Track Watered Irish trainer Dermot Weld yesterday shocked Racing Victoria when he announced he will not travel to Melbourne for the Australian Spring Carnival unless officials guarantee to water the Flemington track. He told Sydney radio station 2KY’s Big Sports Breakfast program: “There is no way I will bring Media Puzzle or Vinnie Roe to Melbourne unless they guarantee to water the track ahead of the 1st Tuesday in November.” Media Puzzle won the Melbourne Cup last year & top-weighted stable-mate Vinnie Roe finished 4th. But Weld blames the fast Flemington track for subsequent legs problems with both horses & declared: “People don’t want to send their horses so far, halfway round the world, to have them broken up.” (Aug 20) Racing Victoria Faxes Official Response A Racing Victoria spokesman told The Australian newspaper that it had responded to Dermot Weld’s statements via a letter faxed to the Irishman’s stables on The Curragh racecourse. The letter “outlined the policy in place with managers on all racetracks in Victoria”. The spokesman noted: “That policy is that managers must err on the side of preparing a raceday track with give in the ground, rather than a track too hard & dry. The tracks are prepared with the best intentions & produced as such for all trainers, not just 1.” Weld has 5 of the 44 foreign-trained entries among 281 stayers nominated for this year’s $4 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4. (Aug 20) Aust Trainers Say ‘Ignore Threat’ Leading Australian trainers reacted vociferously to Dermot Weld’s threat, reported The Daily Telegraph: Bart Cummings: “He’s an Irishman, isn’t he? You have to take them as they come. It’s tongue-in-cheek, an Irish joke for sure.” Gai Waterhouse: “It would be very sad, a terrible travesty, if the VRC are influenced by Dermot, who has already won 2 Melbourne Cups.” John Hawkes: The tracks are prepared the same every year. So if they don’t like it, they can stay home. They are spoilt enough as it is.” (Aug 20) Callander Tells Weld ‘Go Jump In The Lake’ And leading turf commentator Ken Callander gave Weld both barrels in his column in this morning’s Daily Telegraph: “If the VRC does not tell Dermot Weld to go & jump in the lake, it should. The issue is simple: If Weld does not want to bring his horses to race under our conditions, he should stay at home. Imagine if an Aussie trainer took a horse to Ascot or The Curragh & told the race clubs not to water their tracks because his horse preferred the going hard & fast? What do you think the British & Irish authorities would say to him?” (Aug 20) Jardines Lookout 5th In UK Cup Trial Meanwhile another UK Melbourne Cup entry Jardines Lookout finished 5th overnight in England’s Gr3 Lonsdale Stakes (3200m) at York, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Jardines Lookout (7th in last year’s Melbourne Cup) finished 5 lengths behind top stayer Bollin Eric (who won last year’s Gr1 English St Leger Stakes at Doncaster). Bollin Eric (a 4YO son of Shaamit) defeated Cover Up & Zindabad, followed home by veteran Persian Punch, Jardines Lookout & Boreas. (Aug 20) Falbrav Wins UK Gr1 Juddmonte International Also at York overnight, leading Cox Plate entry & multiple international Gr1 winner Falbrav (Fairy King-Gift Of The Night, by Slewpy) “laid his claims to be the best Older Horse in Europe with a dominating win” in the Gr1 Juddmonte International Stakes (10.5 furlongs), declared thoroughbredinternet.com. Irish-bred Falbrav (ridden by Darryll Holland for Newmarket-based Italian trainer Luca Cumani) defeated Kentucky-bred 3YO Magistretti (by Diesis) & Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Kentucky-bred multiple Gr1 winner Nayef (by Gulch). Falbrav (a 5YO Gr1 winner in England, France, Italy & Japan) now has 11 wins in 22 career starts & US$3.3 million prize-money. “Teruya Yoshida was on hand to lead Falbrav back into the winners' circle & it is to Japan’s Shadai Farm that Falbrav will retire at the end of this season,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. “It is also worth noting that he is bred on similar lines to Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Helissio, who is also a Shadai Stallion & a shuttler to Widden Stud in Australia, where his son Helenus won 3 Gr1's last season.” (Aug 20) Falbrav’s Gr1 Triple In Both 2002 & 2003 Falbrav's brilliant win in the Juddmonte International “makes him the only older horse in Europe this year to win 3 Gr1 races,” noted thoroughbredinternet.com. The 3YO UK 1000 Guineas winner Russian Rhythm has also won 3 Gr1s & this pair are the only horses to have a hat trick of wins at the highest level in Europe in 2003. In North America, reigning Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri & 3YO colt Empire Maker have both won 3 Gr1s, the same number as Lonhro has in Australia this year. Falbrav also won 3 Gr1 races last year, culminating in the Japan Cup. He is now owned 50% by Teruya Yoshida's Shadai Farm in Japan. (Aug 20) Arrowfield’s Hussonet Boasts Chile’s Top 3YO Arrowfield Stud’s boom imported sire Hussonet can boast “the champion 3YO in Chile following the win of his son Host in the Gr2 Gran Premio Cricadores-Vina San Pedro (1600m) at Club Hipico de Santiago”, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Host (beaten only once in 5 starts, all on turf) will now pursue a US$400,000 bonus by taking on the classic dirt treble of the Gr1 2000 Guineas, Gr1 Grand Criterium & Gr1 Chilean St Leger, all run at Hipodromo Chile. In between the Grand Criterium & St Leger, Host’s owners want him to switch back to the turf for the Gr1 El Ensayo (Chilean Turf Derby) over 2400m. (Aug 20) Hussonet’s Wild Spirit Tackles US Gr1 Race Meanwhile Hussonet’s top female Wild Spirit (undefeated in 2 US starts) is due to run this weekend in the US$400,000 Gr1 Personal Ensign Handicap (10 furlongs) for fillies & mares at Saratoga. (Aug 20) Vinery’s Twining Adds US Stakes Win Vinery shuttler Twining added another US stakes win when 5YO gelding Pie N Burger demolished his opponents (including Gr1-winning millionaire Bonapaw) with a 6.5 lengths victory in the Evangeline Downs Mile Handicap (his 3rd stakes win this year), reported racenet.com.au. Bred in Kentucky by Helen Alexander, Pie N Burger now has 10 wins & 9 placings for earnings of US$592,933. His sire Twining (by emerging sire of sires Forty Niner out of Broodmare-Of-The-Year Courtly Dee) won 5 of his 6 starts as a 3YO, his only season on the track (including the Gr2 Peter Pan Stakes by 7.5 lengths & Gr2 Withers Stakes at Belmont by 5.5 lengths). Retired to stud in Kentucky in 1999, Twining has sired 21 stakes winners with 76% winners-to-runners. He will stand his 2nd Australian season at Vinery Stud at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley for $15,400 (including GST). (Aug 20) UK Tatts Houghton ‘Top Northern Yearling Sale’ Controversy Corner: As the northern hemisphere yearling sales season gathers pace (& with the eagerly awaited UK Tattersalls Houghton Yearling Sale catalogue now available), American publication TBH Market Watch has researched yearlings sold for US$100,000+ from 1999 to 2001 at all the top yearling sales in North America, Britain, Ireland & France & announced the Tattersalls Houghton Yearling Sale both “the best source of Gr1 winners in the Northern Hemisphere” & also a massive “3 times more likely to produce a Gr1 winner” than any of the other sales. (Aug 20) Ocala Florida Sale Day 1: Gross Up 21.3% Meanwhile results for the Day-1 selected session of the 4-day Ocala Breeders' Sales Company August yearling sale in Florida reached near-record levels, with gross receipts of US$6,367,000 up 21.3% from last year reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Overall 144 of 194 yearlings sold at an average US$44,215 (2nd highest selected session in history & up 13.7% from a year ago); the median rose 9.4% to US$35,000 (3rd highest of all time). The selected session’s buy-back rate was down from 30.4% in 2002 to 24.7%. OBSC general manager Tom Ventura summed up: "All the key numbers went in the right direction, buy-backs were down, gross was up, average was up & median was up. So we’re real pleased. We had nice individuals & yearlings by some of the 1st-year sires had more appeal than some of the ones we’ve had in the past. We may have suffered a bit in the last few years, while we were waiting for the influx of the new stallions." (Aug 20) Ocala Florida Sale Day 1:1st Crop Sires On Top And 2 of the opening session’s top 3 most expensive yearlings were from 1st crops of those fashionable young sires, reported thoroughbredtimes.com: A yearling colt from the 1st crop of 1999 champion juvenile Anees sold to Martin Cherry for US$190,000; Summerfield consigned the bay colt (bred in Florida by Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck) out of winning Corporate Report mare Higher Earnings. Ocala-based pinhooker Nick de Meric purchased a bay daughter of Gr1 winner & Florida-based 1st-crop sire Yes It’s True for US$170,000; consigned by Johnson Hollow Farm, the filly is out of unplaced Deposit Ticket mare Safety Deposit & is from the immediate family of champion & 1976 Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Bold Forbes. And Amy Tarrant (who currently has 14 horses in training at Monmouth Park with trainer Ron Taylor) also paid US$170,000 for a filly by veteran Florida stallion Tour d’Or; consigned by Big C Farm, the filly is out of Scintillating Suzi (a daughter of Tri Jet, out of US Racing-Hall-of-Fame member & 3-time champion Susan’s Girl). (Aug 20) US Buyers Favor 1 ‘Under Tack’ Prior To 2YO Auctions Also on the US sale scene, buyers are "overwhelmingly in favor of having only 1 ‘under tack show’ prior to juvenile auctions”, based on a survey conducted by the US National Association of 2YO Consignors, reported bloodhorse.com. An earlier survey had revealed consignors also favor reducing the number of ‘under tack shows’ at major select sales in California, Florida & Kentucky. NATC board member Nick de Meric said: "It's overwhelmingly in favor of 1 show, by something like 20-1. The horses are asked for 2 extreme performances in the space of a week & with few exceptions, they aren't physically or mentally ready to do that. The attrition rate will be cut significantly." NATC officials now plan “to discuss the surveys' results with sale company officials”. (Aug 20) Blue Gum Farm 3YO Stakes Double The strides the Victorian thoroughbred industry “has made in up-grading its stallion strength” was demonstrated in the weekend’s twin 3YO Listed events at Melbourne’s Moonee Valley, noted racenet.com.au. All 6 3YO place-getters were progeny of stallions available in Victoria this season. In the Listed William Crocket Stakes (1000m) for 3YO fillies: winner Dilly Dally (a daughter of Blue Gum Farm’s Rubiton) who made it 3 consecutive wins by defeating Carlton Spirit (by Greta West Stud’s Fraar) & Arena Star (by Yallambee Stud’s Spartacus). In the Listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1000m) for 3YO colts & geldings: undefeated Jim Marconi-trained colt Lago Delight (by Blue Gum’s Encosta De Lago) won from Cross Current (by Rangal Park Stud’s Keltrice) & boom youngster Great Is Great (by Eliza Park Stud’s Desert Sun) . (Aug 20) Myles Plumb Heads For Dubai Myles Plumb, formerly private trainer for major Victorian owner Lloyd Williams, has accepted a new position in Dubai, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Plumb will become assistant trainer in Dubai to John Sadler. Williams' private trainer is now Bradley Marzato. (Aug 20) Wong To Train Subscribe In HK Meanwhile Alex Wong will be the new trainer of smart Zabeel 3YO Subscribe. HK-based Wong (who purchased Subscribe on behalf of a new HK client) confirmed the “long-range goal for Subscribe will be the HK Derby & told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: "He will not race in HK until late this year or early next year. He's a very exciting horse in the making." The purchase of Subscribe is part of a major expansion plan for Wong's HK stable; he currently has 20 horses on his books, but estimates this will double in coming months. Subscribe was purchased from high-profile Australian owner Lloyd Williams in a 7-figure deal, jointly negotiated on Wong's behalf by NZ Bloodstock's Brent Thomson & Highview Stud's Brent Gillovic. Subscribe (ex Danelagh by Danehill) is 1 of only 3 juvenile stakes-winners sired by Zabeel (joining Octagonal & Jezabeel); his stakes win last season came in the Listed Veuve Clicquot Stakes in Melbourne. (Aug 20) Read Supports Betfair Against TABs Bookmaker & internet gambling entrepreneur Mark Read has come out in support of controversial UK betting exchange Betfair, telling The Australian Financial Review that the “Australian racing industry can’t hide from global trends & should drop its opposition to such operators. Read (who runs International All Sports) said the state-based TABs were “seeking to protect entrenched monopolies” in their attack on Betfair’s attempts to win government approval for its Australian business. Read declared: “The TABs should stop whingeing & get into the real world. There’s no place for growth unless you internationalise your product.” Read said the TABs were attempting to create “inward-looking gambling monopolies when off-shore operators were snaring the big Asian markets”. Read’s IAS has been attempting to push into the betting exchange market for some time: in 1997 it applied for a licence to operate a betting exchange (which is still being considered); & it recently bought 50% of European internet wagering operation Internet Betting Company (which operates the betting exchange business SwapBets.com). Read summed up: “Betfair is competition which could affect our business. But we’ve learned to live with that. It’s the nature of the world.” (Aug 20) 1st Painted Black Foal At NZ Ashwell Farm NZ Ashwell Farm’s 2002 freshman sire Painted Black has produced his 1st new season foal: a muscular filly from Expressway owned by northern racing stalwart & major sponsor Graeme Morgan. Also close to foaling to Painted Black (the superbly bred son of Sunday Silence) are racemares Ballinchy & Console (dam of Ashwell-bred 2002 Gr3 winner Gypsy Babe & her full brother Gypsy Lad). A top racehorse in Japan, Painted Black beat Japanese Champion T M Opera O in the Gr2 Nakayama Sports Nipon Stakes, before T M Opera O went on to win his next 8 starts (including 4 at Gr1 level) & subsequent Horse-Of-The-Year honours. Painted Black stands permanently at Ashwell Farm in conjunction with the Yoshida Family’s Shadai Stallion Station. (Aug 20) 1st Foal For NZ Champion 2YO Flying Babe Kiwi 2001 champion 2YO Flying Babe produced her 1st foal in NZ yesterday, a Strategic colt born at Windsor Park Stud in Cambridge. Stud manager Steve Till said: “The colt is an attractive, good-sized individual. He has plenty of strength & is an excellent result for her 1st foal.” Flying Babe is now scheduled to visit world champion racehorse & 6-time Gr1 winner Montjeu, who resides at Windsor Park during the southern hemisphere breeding season. As a 2YO Flying Babe won the Gr2 Matamata Breeders Stakes & Gr3 Eclipse Stakes, as well as taking the rich Mercedes Super Bonus Classique; those performances saw her rated top of the NZ Free Handicap for 2YOs for the 2000-01 season. She scored another group win as a 3YO in the Gr3 Highview Stakes at Hastings. (Aug 20) McAnulty Books US Mare To Volksraad A pre-sale game plan by Auckland bloodstock consultant Rob McAnulty unfolded like clockwork at NZ’s Karaka sales grounds on the weekend. Within 5 minutes of purchasing US-bred mare Athykaneyev for NZ$120,000 from Karaka’s Spring Bloodstock Sale, McAnulty had the daughter of legendary sire Nureyev booked into NZ’s champion sire Volksraad (who stands at Nelson Schick’s Windsor Park Stud). Athykaneyev was a winner over 1 mile in France & her dam Athyka is a daughter of Secretariat (making Athykaneyev a full sister to US Gr1 Oaklawn Handicap winner & now promising sire Atticus). Athykaneyev has so far had 2 foals to race for 2 winners & is currently in foal to Volksraad (who successfully defended his NZ sires’ premiership in the 2002-03 season). (Aug 20) US Star Toccet Wins Return To Track Kentucky’s Lane’s End Farm received a big boost overnight when Toccet (the only US multiple Gr1-winning 2YO last year) finally made his 3YO debut with victory in the Widener Stakes (8.5 furlongs) at Philadelphia Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Toccet (a son of Awesome Again) has been sidelined “due to remodeling in his right hind cannon bone” since winning the Gr1 Hollywood Futurity last December. Trained by John Scanlan, Toccet has won 7 of 9 career starts & earned US$776,790 for owner-breeder Daniel Borislow. He is scheduled to stand at Lane’s End after this season. Bred in Kentucky, Toccet is the only foal to race out of stakes-placed winning Cozzene mare Cozzene’s Angel. (Aug 20) US Champion Temperence Hill Dies In Thailand Temperence Hill (1980 US 3YO champion & Gr1 Belmont Stakes winner) has died at Sawang Jai Farm near Bangkok “according to his owner, a high-ranking military official in Thailand,” reported bloodhorse.com. The 26-year-old son of Stop The Music began his stallion career at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky & was sent to Thailand in 1996 following several seasons in Arkansas. Temperence Hill (whose 3YO triumphs also included the Gr1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga, Gr1 Jockey Club Gold Cup defeating John Henry at Belmont & the inaugural Super Derby at Louisiana Downs) retired to Gainesway (then owned by John R. Gaines) in 1981 as 8th all-time earner with US$1,567,650 from 11 wins in 31 starts. Temperence Hill (produced from the Etonian mare Sister Shannon) enjoyed several good years at Gainesway: millionaire Temperate Sil won the 1986 Gr1 Hollywood Futurity, 1987 Gr1 Santa Anita Derby & 1987 Gr1 Hollywood Park's Swaps Stakes; Her Temper, A Penny Is A Penny & Hill Pass were Gr2 winners; & his Gr3 winners included Til Forbid (also 2nd in the 1991 Gr1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga). Temperence Hill moved to D-Lan Farms in Arkansas in the 1990s & later to he was moved to Jon Starr's Starr Farm. To date, he is represented by 39 stakes-winners (including 3 champions outside the US). (Aug 20) Choisir Jockey Murtagh Takes Break To Fight Weight Top European rider Johnny Murtagh (who rode Australian sprinter Choisir during his recent headline-hogging UK campaign) is missing the Ebor meeting at York this week “while taking a break to battle weight problems that stem from a back injury he suffered at Royal Ascot in late June.” He told racingpost.co.uk: "I’ve decided I need a total break from riding to get myself right. Because of the back injury, I haven’t been able to do the same amount of exercise I have needed to do to keep my weight under control. I don’t know at this stage how long I will be out of action, but I’m just not well enough in myself to continue riding just now." Murtagh overcame serious weight problems in the mid-1990s before developing into a top international rider. (Aug 20) Aust 3YO Subscribe Sold To HK One of Australia's most promising 3YOs Subscribe will do his future racing in HK “after being sold to interests in the colony for a reportedly high 6-figure amount,” reported racenet.com.au. Bred ‘in the purple’ (by Zabeel from Gr1-winning mare Danelagh), Subscribe had been a $300,000 yearling purchase in NZ & raced in the ownership of Melbourne businessman Lloyd Williams under trainer Bradley Marzato. “Given that his best days were likely to come as a 3YO over the longer distances, the gelding labelled himself a potential star of the future when finishing 3rd at Listed level on debut, before winning his 2nd start, again at Listed level.” He subsequently started favourite in the Gr1 VRC Sires Produce, but finished 5th behind Winestock & has not raced since. He has recently barrier trialled twice in Sydney at Rosehill Gardens. “It is believed Subscribe will enter the Sha Tin stables of astute trainer Brian Kan,” added The Australian newspaper. (Aug 19) Star Of Sequalo Not For Sale Talented filly Star Of Sequalo “is not for sale despite another emphatic victory at Eagle Farm,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Owner Brian Paine confirmed he has received substantial offers for the filly (who took her record to 6 wins from 7 starts): "We've had a couple of offers for her, but she's definitely not for sale. Money's not everything, although they say everything is for sale if the price is right. But I would be in great trouble from my wife if I ever thought about selling her." (Aug 19) Sunline Arrives For Rock Of Gibraltar Date Champion NZ mare Sunline flew into Sydney from Auckland last night, bound for a stud date with Coolmore’s boom young stallion Rock Of Gibraltar. Sunline will be accompanied to Coolmore’s base at Jerry’s Plains in the NSW Hunter Valley by former co-trainer Steve McKee, who told aapracingandsports.com.au: ”She’s mellowed out into a non-racetrack kind of mare. But when we put her on the plane, she probably thought she was going to the races again.” McKee explained the mating with Rock Of Gibraltar was devised following the demise of his sire Danehill, who was originally earmarked as Sunline’s first beau: ”After Danehill’s death, we decided to put her to Danehill’s best son in Rock Of Gibraltar. We’d also looked at Montjeu, Giant’s Causeway & Fusaichi Pegasus, but decided to stick with Rock Of Gibraltar.” (Aug 19) Sunline’s Progeny May Race Before Sale With speculation of a potential $2 million yearling in the pipeline, Steve McKee was open minded regarding Sunline’s future progeny. He told aapracingandsports.com.au: ”Because we’ve still got the mare, there isn’t any need to make a decision either way. If she were to produce a nice colt, it would be most likely we would put it in a sale. On the other hand, if she has a filly or only a moderate colt, it would be more likely that we would race.” (Aug 19) Rock Of Gibraltar’s Gr1 Mare List Meanwhile Rock Of Gibraltar, who will also make his 1st appearance at Coolmore this week, is “currently in the final days of quarantine in Sydney”, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Sunline heads an impressive list of Gr1 quality mares set to visit Rock Of Gibraltar this spring, including Fitting (dam of Catbird), Isolda, Joy, Kensington Gardens, La Baraka, La Volta, My Brilliant Star, One Under, Palatious, Palm Beach Deb (dam of Tempest Morn), Pier (dam of Pontal Lass), Quays, Regal Kiss, Royal Purler, Shantha’s Choice (dam of Redoute’s Choice), Skating, Starline, Tristalove, Beat The Fade & Beaux Art. (Aug 19) Sunline’s Brother To Star At Inglis Easter 2004 As entries arrive for the Inglis 2004 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, a horse guaranteed star billing is the full brother to champion racemare Sunline. The bay Desert Sun-Songline colt will be offered by Dr Jack Woolridge’s Inverness Stud on the NSW Southern Highlands. (Aug 19) Strong Supplementary For Melbourne Inglis August Sale Meanwhile a bumper catalogue for the Inglis August Thoroughbred Sale this Friday in Melbourne has been boosted by more than 40 additional entries. They include: stakes-winning Kiwi mare Many Splendoured; talented stakes-placed filly She’s Golden Class; lightly raced Rory’s Jester filly Soiree Girl (a full sister to stakes-winner Rory’s Classic & half-sister to Gr3 winner Party Boy); & a well-related yearling filly by King Of Kings from Shalferino (half-sister to stakes-winner Nobelotto, dam of sprinting mare Oomph). (Aug 19) Jockeys In Hospital After Horror Kempsey Fall Apprentice jockey Beau Agland “remains in a critical condition” in Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred hospital after suffering severe head injuries after a weekend race fall at Kempsey, reported racenet.com.au. A hospital spokeman advised Agland, 17, is in an induced coma which is a standard procedure for those who have suffered head injuries, but there has been a slight improvement from when the rider was admited on Saturday. Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy said: "He's a fit strong young man & we all have our fingers crossed that he will pull through." Agland (apprenticed to Warwick Farm trainer Greg Hickman, but on loan to Tas Morton to gain experience in the country) has also fractured his right wrist & injured his left shoulder. Agland’s horse Rapp In Time came to grief with Inchon, ridden by Barry Courtney. The meeting was abandoned after the fall, as both Agland & Courtney were taken to the local Kempsey hospital. Agland was admitted to intensive care & then flown to Sydney. Veteran rider Courtney is being treated at Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital for crushed vertebrae & a collapsed lung, but is reported to have full movement in his arms & legs. Beau Agland is the son of former jockey Chris Agland, who had also been stable foreman for leading trainer John Hawkes for 15 years. (Aug 19) Rosehill Jockey Breath Tests ‘All Clear’ Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy advised that “all tests returned negative results”, after stewards & NSW Thoroughbred Racing Board chief racecourse inspector Bob Nicholson breath tested all riders at the Rosehill Gardens track-work session in Sydney last Saturday morning, reported racenet.com.au. (Aug 19) Ford Elected To AJC Committee Former stockbroker & merchant banker Thomas Ford has been elected to the Australian Jockey Club Committee, replacing Bill Rutledge who retired recently having completed a 15-year term. Ford (part-owner of Victory Vein) defeated Peter Correy, Stephen McShane, Ross Smyth-Kirk & Bradley O’Hare. (Aug 19) Melbourne Spring Betting Update Latest market moves from Victorian bookmaker Michael Eskander for the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup & Cox Plate, as reported by thoroughbrednews.co.nz: Melbourne Cup: Vinnie Roe ($34 into $21) was backed repeatedly through doubles to win 6-figure sums, & also a few separate ‘win only’ bets to win $33,000, before he came out & won the weekend Ballyroan Stakes, forcing his price in further; Carnegie Express ($41 into $26) after a very impressive trial last week & punters have coupled him in doubles to win large sums; Exaggerate ($201 into $101) after running very well in the Singapore Derby & other feature races overseas, causing solid specking on the now John Meagher-trained galloper; Mubtaker ($21 into $16) after his devastating UK weekend win & will most likely come into favouritism if it is announced he is definitely heading for Melbourne. Caulfield Cup: Grand Armee ($21 into $17) as punters have been “throwing their money onto Grand Armee” suggesting the Gai Waterhouse galloper may run at Caulfield the week before the Cox Plate; Carnegie Express ($34 into $26) after his trial last week & punters are not scared to couple him to win both races for large sums; Vicksburg ($67 into $41) after a very encouraging 1st-up run in Adelaide. Cox Plate: Lonhro ($5 into $4.50) with punters “falling over themselves trying to take top odds on this galloper before his first-up assault this Saturday”; Kaiteur ($67 into $41) after his quality 2nd to Sulamani in the weekend’s US Gr1 Arlington Million; Lago Delight ($126 into $67) after good specking & an “enormous win” on the weekend. (Aug 19) Patezza Investment Looking Good Patezza, runner-up behind boom 4YO Thorn Park in the Gr2 STC Premiere Stakes at Rosehill Gardens, was passed-un at the 2000 Inglis Premier Sale for just $27,500. He has gone on to win 6 races from 13 starts for nearly $150,000 prize-money. Patezza’s rise will have been keenly watched by Sydney owner-breeder Sheriff Iskander, who purchased his dam Stars Above at the Inglis 2002 Australian Broodmare Sale for just $15,000; the mare was in foal to Lion Hunter at the time & has since produced a colt from that mating which has been entered in the 2004 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. (Aug 19) Bargain-Buy Ashenti’s 3-In-A-Row Smart 3YO filly Ashenti (Ashkalani-Toneya) made it 3 wins in succession when scoring an easy victory at Sandown for the Robert Smerdon stable. Ashenti, who holds an entry for the $1million Golden Rose at Rosehill Gardens at the end of August, was purchased by Aquanita Racing for just $22,000 at the 2002 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale; she is raced by a large group of owners who have already collected $60,000 in prize-money. Ashenti’s sire Ashkalani was a champion French miler & her dam Toneya is an unraced half-sister by Blazing Saddles to former top class mare Not Related (winner of 12 races, highlighted by the Gr1 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes). (Aug 19) $1.5 Million Filly Finds Winners Circle Blue-blood Danehill filly La Boisselle returned from a winter spell to score at Murray Bridge in South Australia. The half-sister to Gr1 stars Assertive Lad & Assertive Lass is the filly who set hearts racing at the Inglis 2002 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where she set a new record price for a yearling filly sold at public auction in Australia when Irish bloodstock agent Demi O’Byrne bid $1.5 million to secure her on behalf of international clients Michael Tabor, Mrs Sue Magnier & local breeder Stuart Ramsey. La Boisselle is prepared at Lindsay Park by Tony McEvoy & is entered in all the major fillies events this spring. (Aug 19) Chief Mo Mo To WA Stud Sydney 2YO winner Chief Mo Mo will go to stud in Western Australia this season, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The chestnut is by Chief's Crown (sire of Grand Lodge) from Best Western’s sister Wild West Lass. (Aug 19) Bester Winning Run 1: Unearthly Bloodstock agent James Bester has never been shy about his opinions on stallions, nor reluctant to put his money where his mouth is. On Thursday at Gosford, David Payne's up-and-coming Zabeel mare Unearthly, bought on spec for $300,000 at NZ’s 2002 Karaka sale & later on-sold to owner John Camilleri, lines up in the $100,000 Listed Gosford Classic after winning her 2 starts to date this campaign. (Aug 19) Bester Winning Run 2: De Valmont Unearthly, like James Bester's multiple G1-winning champion purchase Laisserfaire (by Danehill), may be an exception; it is in the realm of less commercial stallions that Bester has made his mark, having bought Gr1 winners like Kenbelle, Baryshnikov & Joie de Grise (all by Kenmare) for $18,000, $100,000 & $140,000 respectively. Royal Academy (by whom Bester bought G3-winning Blue Diamond-placed Piccadilly Circus) & Dehere are another 2 stallions whom Bester marked down as top-class long before the market agreed. And the past 2 weekends saw impressive wins for 2 of Bester's stakes-winning Dehere purchases: Russian Caravan (already a dual stakes-winner) won most impressively at Sandown; & last weekend former Hawkesbury Guineas winner De Valmont (purchased by Bester for only $50,000 at the Inglis Melbourne yearling sale) led throughout to win at Del Mar, his 3rd US victory. (Aug 19) Bester Winning Run 3: Fasliyev To top off his winning run, James Bester's latest obsession Fasliyev (the horse he's gone on record as tipping to be “the next Danehill”) produced his 5th 1st-crop stakes-winner when daughter Needles And Pins won a Listed race easily at Newbury in England on the weekend. In addition, Fasliyev also recorded his 24th winner when Fyodor scored easily at Pontefract's richest race meeting, edging his sire closer to the world record for 2YO winners in a season (seemingly a formality with nearly half the season left). (Aug 19) Randwick Springfest ‘Special Package’ Tickets Sydney's biggest race-day party is on again. Springfest at Royal Randwick on Saturday 4 October (Gr1 Epsom Handicap day) is the ultimate exclusive party zone “designed for the new age race-goer”. The Springfest Party is situated trackside on the Leger Lawn (with 9 themed marquees & entertainment throughout the day). But the AJC advises tickets “are definitely limited & expected to sell out fast”. (Last year Springfest tickets sold out 2 weeks prior to race-day.) Special offer ‘packages’ (which must be purchased by Friday 5 September & include course entry & all food & beverages) are now available for $115 (plus $3.95 booking); normal ticket price is $135 (plus $3.95 booking). (Aug 19) Celebrity Challenge At Randwick Meanwhile Sydney’s racing royalty will be on show this Saturday as Royal Randwick welcomes the return of Diamond Dozen Day with an action-packed Celebrity Challenge. On the track, the program features the Gr2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) & Gr2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m). Off-track, the AJC Celebrity Challenge sees leading sporting stars, television personalities & racing identities competing in a pony race, gladiator duel, mechanical bull ride & inflatable hoops. World surfing champion Layne Beachley heads a team of women taking on lads from the National Rugby League, Sydney Kings basketball team & Channel 7. In addition, the 1st 500 ladies on-course receive a free beauty showbag to the value of $100. (Aug 19) Vapour Trail's Dam Produces Filly Foal Devil's Lair (dam of NZ Bloodstock Filly-Of-The-Year Vapour Trail) has produced her latest foal, a filly by Giant's Causeway, at Coolmore Stud in Australia, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The Sir Tristram mare (owned by NZ’s Pencarrow Stud principals Peter & Philip Vela) will remain at Coolmore to be mated this spring with US Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Johannesburg (unbeaten in 7 starts as a 2YO). This is 1 of 2 Giant's Causeway foals which Pencarrow Stud is expecting this spring: the other is due to Caulfield-Melbourne Cups winner Ethereal this weekend. And Vapour Trail is also scheduled to have her 1st foal this year, with an October due date for her Viscount off-spring. (Aug 19) 1st NZ Foals For Black Minnaloushe A dark brown filly born over the weekend marked the arrival of the 1st southern hemisphere foal sired by Storm Cat’s champion son Black Minnaloushe. Born at the property of Auckland breeder Richard Moore, the filly is out of Zoffany mare Go Zoff (a close relative of champion Australasian sire Zabeel). Moore told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing the foal is a “lovely correct filly of good size & with an attractive outlook”. Then yesterday Black Minnaloushe’s 2nd NZ foal arrived earlier than expected at Ron Taylor’s Elganador Stud in Cambridge. The chestnut colt is from winning Straight Strike mare Message To My Girl (closely related to dual Gr1 winner Bawalaksana & dual Gr3 winner Damaschino); this is the family which produced Gr1 NZ One Thousand Guineas winner Porsha (by Alcimedes). Taylor (the former jockey who rode 1964 Melbourne Cup winner Polo Prince) said: “He was 3 days premature, but despite this he’s got plenty of size about him & will end up a very muscular foal. He’s one of the nicest foals I’ve seen & he’s a striking individual.” Black Minnaloushe (winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas & Royal Ascot St James’s Palace Stakes) served his 1st season at NZ’s Windsor Park Stud in Cambridge last spring, covering 120 quality mares. (Aug 19) Durzetta Confirmed To Golan Dual Group race winner Durzetta is among the latest bookings to exciting new stallion Golan, who recently arrived at NZ’s Windsor Park Stud for his 1st southern hemisphere breeding season. Durzetta was among the best 3YOs of her season, winning the Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie; the following season she again won at group level in the Lion Brown Plate at Rotorua. Golan won the Gr1 English Two Thousand Guineas & Gr1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes during a career that saw him equal highest rated 4YO in the world last year. Other mares awaiting Golan this season include: Repremand (dam of Sydney Cup winner Honor Babe); Zola (winner of the Gr1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes); Eartha (half-sister to 1998 Melbourne Cup winner Jezabeel); Alberton Star (group race 2YO winner); & Figurante (Queensland Oaks place-getter). (Aug 19) 1st Training Success For Vance Former top NZ jockey Bob Vance recorded his 1st win as a trainer when successful with My Lips Ar Sealed (by Maroof) at Pukekohe on the weekend. Vance hung up his riding boots in 1996, after spending 20 years as a jockey & 750 winners (including 22 Gr1 victories). He joined his wife Jenny in a training partnership at Takanini from the start of the new 2003-04 racing season on August 1. (Aug 19) NZ-Bred Wins Malaysia’s Horse-Of-The-Year NZ-bred Confluence (by Paris Opera) has been named Horse-Of-The-Year in Kuala Lumpur. Confluence won the RM1.5 million (A$600,00) Selangor Gold Cup (2000m) at Kuala Lumpur in June, in what was the richest race ever staged in Malaysian racing history. (Aug 19) NZ Mare Placed In US Stakes NZ-bred mare Janeian (by The Jogger) finished 3rd in the US$75,000 Estrapade Handicap, a stakes race at Arlington Park, reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Janeian (formerly trained by Kent Fleming at Ashburton in NZ’s South Island) had previously won twice in the US. She was bred by Gabrielle & Ian McMullin, & Angella Nooyen. (Aug 19) NZ Starter Moving To HK Tony McGovern, starter for most of NZ’s northern race-meetings in recent years, has accepted a similar position in HK. This week’s Pakuranga Hunt Cup meeting at Ellerslie will be his final NZ appointment before departing for HK. McGovern took up starting duties at Ellerslie 12 months ago, upon the retirement of Jack Mudford; he has worked behind the starting gates since he left school 30 years ago. (Aug 19) US Star Harlan's Holiday Retired To Stud US multi-millionaire & multiple Gr1-winner Harlan's Holiday has been retired, following an injury suffered racing at Saratoga last weekend, reported bloodhorse.com. The 4YO son of Harlan (out of Affirmed mare Christmas In Aiken) earned US$3,632,664. Trainer Todd Pletcher summed up: "He strained his medial branch of the right hind suspensory. He could come back, but it's late in the year & the owners plan to stand him at stud next year. He was a lot of fun & it's unfortunate that he couldn't go out on a winning note. Mr Wolf is trying to find a farm to stand him at stud." Campaigned by Jack & Laurie Wolf's Starlight Stable, Harlan's Holiday was bred in Ohio by Double D Farm & bought by the Wolfs for US$97,000 at the 2000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale. He subsequently won 9 of 22 starts (including won or placed in 13 stakes); among the highlights were wins in the Gr1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, Gr1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, Gr1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream, plus a 2nd in the Gr1 Dubai World Cup. (Aug 19) Ladies Din Retired After Failed Comeback Meanwhile Terrence Lanni & Bernard Schiappa's 2-time US Gr1-winning millionaire Ladies Din (brought out of retirement earlier this month) has been retired for good, trainer Frank Monteleone told bloodhorse.com. The 8YO gelded son of Din's Dancer was originally retired in late May after finishing 6th in the Gr1 Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile at Hollywood Park. Monteleone explained: "I asked (the owners) that if he came back & I didn't like the way he did it, if we could retire him for good. He worked a half-mile the other day & I didn't like it, so we made the decision. He's going to go to the farm & spend the rest of his life just being a horse & doing his favorite thing: eating carrots. He doesn't owe us anything & his owners agree that he's been too good to them. He's just been telling us it's over & we're listening to him." Ladies Din won or placed in 20 black-type events over a 6-year career; overall he won 12 of 37 starts (plus another 12 placings) & earned US$1,966,754. His highlights include the 2002 Gr1 Shoemaker, 2000 Gr1 Eddie Read Handicap & 4 four other graded events. (Aug 19) US$190,000 For 1st Crop Anees Colt A yearling colt from the 1st crop of 1999 champion juvenile Anees sold to Martin Cherry for US$190,000 on Day 1 (for select horses) of the 4-day Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company August selected yearling sale in Florida, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Summerfield consigned the bay colt (bred in Florida by Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck) out of winning Corporate Report mare Higher Earnings. Agent John Moynihan (who purchased the colt for Cherry) commented: "I love him physically & thought he was 1 of the best here. He looks like he can go fast & go far. He’s not strictly just a sprinter type. I thought we’d have to give that much or more for him." (Aug 19) US Jockey Club Issues 2004 Foal Projection The US Jockey Club is projecting a 2004 North American registered thoroughbred foal crop of 37,200, “a marginal increase over 2003 & an indication that the foal crop size has stabilised following the decline in 2002 due to Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome,” reported bloodhorse.com. (Aug 19) Globalize Moves To Victory Rose In California Multiple graded stakes winner Globalize has been moved from Rick Taylor's Special T Thoroughbreds to Ellen Jackson's Victory Rose Thoroughbreds in California, where he will stand the 2004 breeding season reported bloodhorse.com. The 6YO stallion was booked to cover 75 mares for the 2003 season, but “fertility issues became apparent in April” according to Jackson. Internationally renowned fertility expert Dr Irwin Liu has spent the last 6 weeks studying Globalize & “the research compiled by collecting the stallion at various intervals indicates that, with careful management, Globalize will successfully be able to settle a book of 30-40 mares”. A son of Summer Squall out of stakes-placed Fit To Fight mare Sugar Hill Chick, Globalize won 5 of 13 starts & earned US$623,650. (Aug 19) In Case Moves From Maryland To Oklahoma In Case (a son of Storm Cat) will move from Green Willow Farms in Maryland to stand at Oklahoma Equine Hospital in 2004, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 13-year-old stallion has sired Case Of The Blues (8-time stakes winner in Maryland who tallied US$499,621 while winning 10 of 30 starts), stakes-winner Swift Case & 4 stakes-placed runners from his 1st 5 crops. Overall, In Case has sired 99 winners from 144 starters who have total earnings of US$4,163,071. Bred in Kentucky, In Case is out of In Reality mare In Essence & is a half-brother to stakes winner High Degree & Gr3-placed runner Native Vintage (winner of 31 races in 8 seasons of racing). (Aug 19) 1st Winner For US Freshman Sire New Way Oklahoma-based freshman sire New Way recorded his 1st winner when Diamond G Ranch's homebred 2YO My Secret Fantasy won over 6 furlongs at Prairie Meadows, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. New Way ( 9YO son of Danzig) has sired 5 starters & 20 foals in his 1st crop of racing age; he also has 17 yearlings. Bred in Kentucky by Phipps Stable, New Way won 5 of 14 career starts; he is 1 of 6 starters (5 winners) out of Gr1-winning Mr Prospector mare Fantastic Find & is a half-brother to Gr1 winner Finder’s Fee. (Aug 19) US Fair Grounds Files For Bankruptcy Fair Grounds in New Orleans (among the oldest racetracks in the US) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy “after losing a court ruling that will likely force the racetrack to pay horse owners more than US$100 million,” reported bloodhorse.com. Fair Grounds president Bryan Krantz said the filing “was necessary because the amount of the court judgment could be greater than the value of the track”. The racing schedule will be unaffected & will start as scheduled, on Thanksgiving Day, as track officials pursue a settlement with the horse owners, he noted. The bankruptcy filing follows an April ruling from the Louisiana Supreme Court that ordered a state district judge to reconsider a 1994 lawsuit filed by the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association against the Fair Grounds & Louisiana Downs in Bossier City. The horse owners say the tracks are making too many deductions from video poker proceeds before paying horsemen in the form of additional purse money. The law requires the tracks to pay 50% of their net video poker revenue to horsemen after deductions. (Aug 19) Guiliani Says ‘Improve Business To Expand Racing’ Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani told The US Jockey Club Round Table the "way in which to preserve & expand horse racing as a sport is to improve its business," reported bloodhorse.com. Guiliani's remarks came as part of his report on security within the wagering function of North American horse racing. Giuliani (hired by the US National Thoroughbred Racing Association to study wagering security & recommend improvements following the Breeders' Cup Ultra Pick 6 fraud of 2002) said the industry reponse was effective, but indicated the process is on-going &, in fact, may have just begun: "What happened with the Breeders' Cup Pick 6 was isolated conduct, but not unusual conduct. This is what's going on in America today, in regard to electronic commerce. This is the price we pay for quick transactions." The report calls for “formation of a national office to monitor wagering security & uniform standards for all pari-mutuel entities.” A National Office of Wagering Security, along with model rules, should be in place in the first 6 months of 2004, the report said. (Aug 19) Disney Walt Wins Argentina’s Gr1 Consagracion De Potrillos Disney Walt won Argentina’s Gr1 Gran Premio 2000 Guineas-Consagracion de Potrillos (1 mile on turf) at Hipodromo San Isidro, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Disney Walt (ridden by Pablo Falero for trainer Juan Carlos Maldotti) defeated Harry Potter & Cacht Wells. The son of Fitzcarraldo (owned & bred by Brazilian-based Stud Santa Maria de Araras) now has 3 successive wins in 4 career starts. Disney Walt is out of Ringaro mare Disneyland, a daughter of multiple Gr3 winner Dra Sas & hails from the direct family of 1981 Argentine Horse-Of-The-Year I’m Glad. (Aug 19) 1st Stakes Winner For Argentine Sire Handsome Halo 1997 Argentine champion 2YO Handsome Halo recorded his 1st stakes winner when Scenic won Argentina’s Gr2 Clasico Polla de Potrillos at Hipodromo La Plata, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The son of Southern Halo (bred by Haras La Quebrada, where he stood following his track career) won 3 races in 6 starts overall, including Argentina’s 1997 Gr1 Gran Premio Santiago Luro & Gr1 Gran Premio Montevideo, plus runner-up in the Gr1 Guineas-Consagración de Potrillos (Argentine Two Thousand Guineas) & 3rd in the Gr1 Gran Premio Carrera de las Estrellas Juvenile. With his 2nd crop already in training during the current season, Handsome Halo has also sired the Gr1-placed winners Fail Me Not & Some Talk (in addition to several other winners). Handsome Halo is out of unplaced Northern Jove mare Helen Christine. (Aug 19) 1st Winner For European Freshman Sire Tiger Hill Tiger Hill (a German classic winner & high-weight as both a 3YO & 4YO) recorded his 1st winner as a sire when his 2YO daughter Attilia won on debut over 1400m at Mulheim in Germany, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Attilia is the 3rd starter for Tiger Hill, an 8YO son of Danehill out of unraced Appiani II mare The Filly. Tiger Hill won 10 of 17 starts while racing for Baron George von Ullmann (the German bloodstock giant who also owns Soto); his 7 stakes victories included Germany’s Gr1 Grosser Preis von Baden in both 1998 & 1999, plus the 1998 Gr2 Mehl-Muelhens-Rennen (German Two Thousand Guineas) while earning US$1,186,639. Attilia is 1 of 46 foals from Tiger Hill’s 1st crop. Tiger Hill stands at Haras du Val Henry near Tortisambert in France. (Aug 19) 1st Stakes Winner For UK Sire Pyramus UK sire Pyramus (Danzig-Royal Honoree, by Round Table) recorded his 1st stakes winner when Gooseberry Lane (a 600 guineas Doncaster October yearling) took the Listed Oppenheim Rennen at Cologne in Germany, reported racingpost.co.uk. Multiple 7-furlong winner Pyramus stands at Wayland Stud. (Aug 19) Godolphin Lands 100th Gr1 Victory Godolphin Racing (founded by Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed) landed its 100th international Gr1 victory when Sulamani took the US Gr1 Arlington Million in Chicago (after 1st-past-the-post Storming Home was disqualified for interference). Godolphin’s 1st Gr1 winner came in 1994 when Balanchine won the UK Oaks at Epsom; among its subsequent champions have been Dubai Millenium, Lammtarra, Swain, Halling, Daylami, Fantastic Light, Street Cry, Grandera, Almutakawel & Moon Ballad. (Aug 18) Godolphin Gr1s Cover 11 Countries Godolphin’s 100 Gr1 wins cover 11 different countries, noted aapracingandsports.com.au: 42 in the UK, 13 in France, 12 in the US, 10 in Ireland, 9 in Italy, 5 in Dubai, 5 in Germany & 1 each in Canada, HK, Japan & Singapore. They include: 4 winners of the Dubai World Cup; 3 wins in France’s Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe; 5 Irish Champion Stakes; 4 winners of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes; & 3 Breeders' Cup wins. Godolphin horses have also won 10 British classics, along with 2 classic victories in France, 4 in Ireland & 2 in Italy. The most successful Godolphin Gr1 stars are Daylami (6 Gr1 wins) & Fantastic Light (6 Gr1 wins). And the top Godolphin jockey is Frankie Dettori (with 65 Gr1 wins). (Aug 18) Sulamani Wins US Gr1 Arlington After Protest In the “most controversial Arlington Million ever”, stewards awarded victory to Godolphin's Sulamani after determining 1st-past-the-post 5YO Storming Home (Machiavellian-Try To Catch Me, by Shareef Dancer) “interfered at the finish with 2 horses behind him when he spooked badly just before the wire & unseated his rider Gary Stevens,” reported bloodhorse.com. As a result 4YO Sulamani (Hernando-Soul Dream, by Alleged) officially took the US$1 million Gr1 Arlington Million (10 furlongs on turf) at Arlington Park from 6YO German globe-trotter Paolini (Lando-Prairie Darling, by Stanford) & 4YO Kaieteur (Marlin-Strong Embrace, by Regal Embrace), who dead-heated for 2nd. Favourite Storming Home was relegated to 4th. Irish-bred (by the Niarchos family) Sulamani (ridden by David Flores for trainer Saaed bin Suroor) now has 6 wins in 10 starts, also including the Gr1 Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) last year & Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March; last start he ran 2nd in England’s prestigious Gr1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (12 furlongs) at Ascot July 26. Sulamani now has prize-money just under US$3.1 million. His sire & Classic winner Hernando (Niniski-Whakilyric, by Miswaki) stands at Lanwades Stud at Newmarket in England. (Aug 18) Cox Plate Entries Run Places At Arlington The Gr1 Arlington Million 2nd placed dead-heaters, Germany’s Paolini & UK-trained Kaieteur, are both entered for Australia’s weight-for-age championship Cox Plate at Melbourne’s Moonee Valley on October 25. Meanwhile fellow Cox Plate entry Perfect Drift (trained by expatriate Australian Murray Johnson) “started 3rd favourite behind Storming Home & Sulamani, but faded out of contention in the home straight” to finish 8th, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Johnson summed up: “We just didn't seem to fire down the lane. We may have had some trouble around the 1st turn. He had some marks on him & he may have banged himself up a little more than we thought. Our immediate plans are up in the air, but I don't think we'll throw out his grass career just because of that." (Aug 18) Heat Haze Wins US Gr1 Beverly D Juddmonte Farm’s 4YO homebred mare Heat Haze (Green Desert-Hasili, by Kahyasi) “mowed down her rivals” with a last-to-1st swoop in the straight to win the US$700,000 Gr1 Beverly D (9.5 furlongs on turf) for fillies & mares at Arlington Park, reported bloodhorse.com. Heat Haze (ridden by Jose Valdivia for trainer Bobby Frankel) defeated Bien Nicole (by Bien Bien) & Riskaverse (by Dynaformer). Heat Haze has now won 4 of her 5 starts in North America, since transferring from Andre Fabre’s French stable in December & overall has 6 wins in 11 career starts; she also gave Frankel his 18th Gr1 victory in 2003. Heat Haze is a three-quarter sister to Champion Mare & multiple Gr1 winner Banks Hill & multiple Group winner & sire Dansili, both out of Listed winner Hasili. Heat Haze’s Gr1-winning sire Green Desert (Danzig-Foreign Courier, by Sir Ivor) stands at Nunnery Stud in Norfolk in England. (Aug 18) Kicken Kris Wins US Gr1 Secretariat Stakes Brushwood Stable's 3YO colt Kicken Kris (Kris S-Kicken Grass, by Jade Hunter) comfortably won the US$400,000 Gr1 Secretariat Stakes (10 furlongs on turf) for 3YOs by 3.5 lengths at Arlington Park, reported bloodhorse.com. Kentucky-bred Kicken Kris (ridden by Javier Castellano for trainer Michael Matz) defeated Joe Bear (by Peintre Celebre) & Lismore Knight (by Woodman); he now has 3 wins in 10 career starts (including 3 wins & 2 placings on grass). Kicken Kris’s Listed placed dam Kicken Grass is a half-sister to Gr1 Hollywood Derby winner Live The Dream, & Gr3 winner & sire Warcraft. (Aug 18) Island Fashion Wins US Gr1 Alabama Stakes Jeffrey Nielsen's 3YO filly Island Fashion (by Petionville) thwarted Spoken Fur’s attempt to collect a US $2 million bonus with a victory in the US$750,000 Gr1 Alabama Stakes (10 furlongs) at Saratoga Race Course, reported bloodhorse.com. The Alabama Stakes was the final leg of the New York Racing Association's Triple Tiara for 3YO fillies & Spoken Fur had already won the 1st 2 legs (the Gr1 Mother Goose at Belmont on June 28 & Gr1 Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont on July 19). Kentucky-bred Island Fashion (ridden by John Velazquez for trainer Barclay Tagg) romped home by 6 lengths from Awesome Humor (by Distorted Humor) & Spoken Fur (by Notebook); she now has 3 wins in 6 starts for US$917,970 prize-money. (Aug 18) Baerami Sire Rhythm Adds US Stakes Win Meanwhile Baerami Thoroughbreds shuttle stallion Rhythm sired a weekend stakes winner in the US when his 5YO daughter Golden Rhythm (ex Double O J, by Candi's Gold) carried top weight of 120lbs to win the Listed Sangue Handicap (8.5 furlongs on turf) at Louisiana Downs, reported racenet.com.au. A US$22,000 purchase at the Texas March 2YO-in-training sale, Golden Rhythm took her earnings to US$240,130 from 9 wins, 5 2nds & 6 3rds from 34 starts. After beginning his stud career in Japan in 1992, Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile & Gr1 Travers Stakes winner Rhythm moved to Sir Patrick Hogan’s Cambridge Stud in NZ in 1996 & shuttled to America in 1997; from his 4 seasons at Cambridge, Rhythm produced the Melbourne-Caulfield Cups champion Ethereal, Gr1 NZ Oaks winner Tapildo, plus Into The Night & Purple Groove. Bred & raced by Ogden Phipps, Rhythm is a son of Mr Prospector from Gr1-winning Northern Dancer mare Dance Number (herself a daughter of champion racemare & broodmare Numbered Account). Rhythm stands for $9,350 (including GST) at Baerami Stud near Denman in NSW. (Aug 18) Dynaformer’s 60th Individual Stake Winner And Three Chimney's 18-year-old stallion Dynaformer (Roberto — Andover Way, by His Majesty) registered his 60th individual stakes-winner when Dynamic Lisa took a division of the Listed Yaddo Handicap (9 furlongs on turf) at Saratoga, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Dynaformer stands for US$50,000 in 2003 & currently has 2 Gr1 winners this year in Perfect Drift & Starrer. (Aug 18) Leon Rasmussen Dies In Los Angeles Legendary thoroughbred pedigree expert Leon Rasmussen has died in Los Angeles aged 88, following a long battle with cancer reported racenet.com.au. Rasmussen’s internationally-acclaimed Bloodlines column 1st appeared in the US Daily Racing Form in 1950, where Rasmussen worked until his retirement in 1987. He co-authored Inbreeding To Superior Females with Rommy Faversham & the term “Rasmussen Factor” has become an accepted phrase within international breeding circles. (Aug 18) Six Perfections Wins French Gr1 Prix Jacques Le Marois Across the Atlantic in France yesterday, Niarchos family 3YO homebred filly Six Perfections (Celtic Swing-Yogya, by Riverman) defeated her 5YO male stable-mate Domedriver to win the Gr1 Prix Jacques le Marois (1600m) at Deauville, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Six Perfections (ridden by Thierry Thuilliez for trainer Pascal Bary) defeated Gr1 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Domedriver & Shadai’s 4YO stakes-winning Japanese raider Telognosis (by Tony Bin); Godolphin's hot favorite Dubai Destination finished 5th in the 12-horse field. The win came as consolation for unlucky 2nds by Six Perfections in recent months in both the Gr1 English 1,000 Guineas & Gr1 Irish 1,000 Guineas; she has never finished worse than 2nd in 9 career starts. French-bred Six Perfections’ dam is a half-sister to 6-time Champion & multiple Gr1 winner Miesque (dam of classic winners Kingmambo & East Of The Moon. Her Gr1-winning sire Celtic Swing (Damister-Celtic Ring, by Welsh Pageant) stands at the Irish National Stud. (Aug 18) Domedriver To Stand At UK’s Lanwades Stud After his gallant 2nd in the Gr1 Prix Jacques le Marois, Niarchos family race manager Alan Cooper announced Domedriver “is to stand as a stallion alongside Hernando at the Lanwades Stud” at Newmarket in Engalnd in 2004, reported bloodhorse.com. (Aug 18) Dai Jin Wins German Gr1 Pokal In Germany, Coolmore shuttler Peintre Celebre’s 3YO 2003 German Derby-winning son Dai Jin won yesterday’s Gr1 Credit Suisse Private Banking Pokal (2400m) at Cologne, reported bloodhorse.com. English-bred Dai Jin (ridden by Olivier Pesslier for trainer Andreas Schutz) won by 2.5 lengths from stable-mate & last year’s German Derby winner Next Desert, with UK Gr1 Coronation Cup winner Warrsan 3rd. Dai Jin is now aiming at Europe’s major weight-for-age event, France’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October. (Aug 18) Melb Cup Entry Mubtaker Wins UK Gr2 Freer Stakes In England, Sheikh Hamdan's 6YO Mubtaker (Silver Hawk-Gazayil, by Irish River) “may have earned himself a trip to Australia for a crack at the $4 million Melbourne Cup” following an impressive victory in the Gr2 Geoffrey Freer Stakes (13.5 furlongs) at Newbury, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Mubtaker (who had won his only previous start this year over 10 furlongs at Newbury last month) started odds-on favourite & cruised home by 3.5 lengths over Systematic (by Rainbow Quest) & Godolphin’s fellow Melbourne Cup-entry Mamool (by In The Wings). However trainer Marcus Tregonning fears Mubtaker's win may also “have earned him a weight that could rule out an Australian trip” (official weights are issued on September 1) & next on his agenda may be the Irish St Leger. Tregonning summed up: “I wouldn’t rule out Melbourne completely, but I’m afraid he’ll probably get too much weight.” Super-consistent Mubtaker now has 7 wins & 9 placings in 16 starts; his owner Sheik Hamdan Al Maktoum previously won the Melbourne Cup with At Talaq & Jeune. (Aug 18) Vinnie Roe Wins Irish Come-Back Race Irish trainer Dermot Weld “was non-committal about Australian plans for top stayer Vinnie Roe after the 5YO made a successful return to racing” in Ireland’s Listed Ballyroan Stakes (12 furlongs) at Leopardstown yesterday, reported appracingandsports.com.au. Vinnie Roe won the Ballyroan for the 2nd successive year, but Weld would not be drawn on whether he will now make a 2nd bid for the $4 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November. Vinnie Roe carried 10 stone (63.5kg) yesterday to wear down 3YO Carpanetto & win by a head. Weld would only confirm that Vinnie Roe will now attempt to win next month’s Irish St Leger at The Curragh for the 3rd successive year, adding: "We'll see how we get on there, before we make any further plans." Vinnie Roe was having his 1st start since his gallant 4th to stablemate Media Puzzle in last year’s Melbourne Cup. (Aug 18) Thorn Park Highlights Coolmore’s Spinning World In Australia, Coolmore sire Spinning World’s boom 4YO horse Thorn Park (Spinning World-Joy, by Bluebird) won his seasonal reappearance with victory in the weight-for-age Gr2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney, defeating 5YO geldings Patezza (Rubiton-Stars Above, by Star Shower) & Excellerator (Marscay-Artless, by Dahar). Thorn Park (ridden by Glen Boss for trainer Bob Thomsen) now has 6 wins & 2 placings in 10 starts for $532,235 prize-money; he was a $200,000 purchase at the 2001 Inglis Sydney Easter Yearling Sales from the 1st crop of Spinning World. Thorn Park’s dam is an unraced half-sister to multiple Group winning sprinter Light Up The World. His 5-time Gr1-winning sire Spinning World (Nureyev-Imperfect Circle, by Riverman) shuttles between Ashford in Kentucky & Coolmore in Australia. (Aug 18) Yell Adds Another For Widden’s Anabaa Meanwhile Widden Stud shuttler Anabaa also received a timely weekend boost when last season's Australian Champion Sprinter & triple Gr1 winner Yell (Anabaa-Vocalist, by Bluebird) also resumed racing with a 1st-up victory in the weight-for-age Listed McEwen Trophy (1000m) at Moonee Valley in Melbourne. Woodlands Stud’s 4YO Yell (ridden by Darren Gauci for trainer John Hawkes) defeated The Big Chill (O'Reilly-Icy Calm, by Western Symphony) & Dantana (Danzero-Big Sky Montana, by Lord Seymour). Yell now has 8 wins & 7 placings in 17 starts for $1.279 million prize-money. A 2nd crop son of Anabaa (by Danzig), who shuttles from the Head family’s Haras Du Quesnay in France to Widden Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley, “Yell is 1 of 5 Gr1 winners sired by the former champion European sprinter,” noted racenet.com.au. (Aug 18) Beasley Not Returning To HK Golden Slipper & Doncaster Handicap winner Danny Beasley is not returning to HK to fulfil a riding contract, “citing family reasons” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Beasley sent a letter to the HK Jockey Club on Friday “requesting a release from his riding obligations”, which were due to expire on International Day in December. Beasley explained: “My wife is unable to travel. At this stage family comes first, so I will remain in Sydney, where I plan to resume riding this week.” (Aug 18) Cassidy Not Returning To Singapore Meanwhile news that Larry Cassidy “has failed to secure a renewal of his riding licence in Singapore does not mean he will be rushing to renew his career in Sydney,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. “Cassidy campaigned hard for a renewal of his Singapore contract, after making it clear to authorities that he & his family had enjoyed their 16-month stay since they left Sydney, & were keen for an extended stay.” He now plans to enjoy a 6-week overseas holiday to contemplate his riding future. “That future may lie in Queensland, as Cassidy is understood to have invested in Gold Coast property & may see a better family life-style, mixed with riding in Brisbane, as an appealing choice over a return to Sydney.” Cassidy was previously premier Sydney jockey during his time as Number 1 rider for the John Hawkes stable. (Aug 18) De Montfort Returning To Sydney Riding Ranks And Mark de Montfort “has enjoyed an extended break from race riding since he decided not to return to Singapore at the start of this year,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. “However he is about to revive his Sydney career with the help of accomplished horseman Rick Worthington.” Worthington has turned to training from a base near Moss Vale in the southern highlands just south of Sydney & is using the Goulburn course for track-work for a team of 40 unraced 2YOs & 3YOs with De Montfort employed as stable rider. De Montfort explained: “I have been going to Goulburn at least twice a week to ride track-work for Rick & help him educate his young horses. It’s been a slow processes, but we think it will pay off during the season, as there are some really nice horses among the team. I still have other contacts to ride for in Sydney & expect I will be back in action in the near future, now I have got my weight down again.” (Aug 18) Morgan Joins McEvoy Stable Former star NSW country apprentice Cody Morgan “is looking to rejuvenate his career with a move to Tony McEvoy’s powerful stable,” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. McEvoy (head trainer for Lindsay Park’s dual-capital Adelaide-Melbourne operation) won his 1st Victorian premiership last season & continues to dominate in adjacent South Australia. (Aug 18) Victorian 2002-03 Season Awards Damien Oliver & Kerrin McEvoy are joint winners of Racing Victoria’s Scobie Breasley Medal for the 2002-03 season. Oliver (absent from Melbourne from early April after taking a riding contract in Japan) & McEvoy each polled 59 votes. It was McEvoy’s 1st medal, while Oliver has now won 5 times in the award’s 8-year history (including a previous tie with Brett Prebble in 2001). Northerly’s trainer Fred Kersley won the Fred Hoysted award for “outstanding training performance of the season” after winning the Caulfield Cup & a 2nd-successive Cox Plate with Northerly; Kersley polled 71 votes to win from John Hawkes with 50 votes. (Aug 18) Queensland Horse-Of-The-Year Awards Meanwhile the Queensland Horse-Of-The-Year for 2002-03 will be named at The Sheraton in Brisbane on August 21. Major contenders for the award are Gr1 winners Scenic Peak & Picaday, & recently-retired sprint star Falvelon. Trainer Danny Bougoure holds a strong hand with both Scenic Peak & Falvelon (who will create history as the 1st horse to win 4 Queensland Horse-Of-The-Year Awards if he receives the nod from the voting panel of more than 20 racing officials & media representatives). Over 20 awards will be announced on the night, including the George Moore Jockey-Of-The-Year, Jim Atkins Trainer-Of-The-Year & Ken Russell Apprentice-Of-The-Year. An added highlight this year will be the launch of a Queensland Racing Hall-Of-Fame, with 9 inaugural inductees: 3 horses, 3 jockeys & 3 trainers. (Aug 18) Bell New Queensland Owners-Breeders Chairman Following the resignation of Dr Tony FitzGerald, Dr John Bell has accepted the position as chairman of Queensland Owners & Breeders. Bell previously served as chairman of the Brisbane Turf Club for 3 years; he has also held positions on the Queensland Principal Club for 3 years & Australian Racing Board for 3 years. Dr Bell is presently Professor of Pathology at the University of Queensland & director of Anatomic Pathology at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. (Aug 18) NZ Spring Sale Average Up 67% Yesterday’s NZ Bloodstock Spring Sale achieved major increases, with average price up 67%, turn-over up 70% & clearance rate up 8%. Overall 97 broodmares sold for total turnover of NZ$1,659,750, at an average NZ$17,110. (Aug 18) NZ$220,000 Affirmed Broodmare Tops NZ Sale Highlight of the NZ Bloodstock Sale was the unreserved dispersal of the Golden Horseshoe Syndicate’s 26 horses (including 24 broodmares), which resulted in an aggregate NZ$987,500 at an average NZ$37,981. Top price of NZ$220,000 was paid by NZ Bloodstock (as agent for an Australian client) for River Flow (Affirmed-Flood, by Riverman), a half-sister to the dam of Landseer (by Danehill), winner of the Gr1 French Two Thousand Guineas & Gr1 Keeneland Turf Mile Stakes; this is also the family of top horses Triptych, Sabona & Generous. River Flow was sold believed to be in foal to Generous, by whom she left her 1st foal last season. The 2nd top price of the dispersal mares was NZ$130,000 from Queensland’s John Foote Bloodstock for Cryptavia (Gold Brose-Nuravia, by Nureyev), winner of 3 races including the Gr3 BTC Courier Mail Classic; she is from the family of top French sire Bering & was sold believed to be in foal to champion NZ sire Zabeel. Athykaneyev (Nureyev-Athyka, by Secretariat) sold for NZ$120,000 to bloodstock agent Rob McAnulty; she is a full sister to Gr1 Oaklawn Handicap winner & now promising US sire Atticus. Athykaneyev has so far had 2 foals race for 2 winners & was sold believed to be in foal to NZ's current champion sire Volksraad. (Aug 18) NZ$105,000 For Secretariat Broodmare Top-priced mare outside the Golden Horseshoe Dispersal was Water Sprite (Secretariat-Baltic Sea, by Danzig) secured by NSW’s Tony Bott for NZ$105,000. She is a half-sister to top International Sprinter of his year Caller One, who won the Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Stakes. Water Sprite was sold by Chatham Lodge Thoroughbreds & is believed to be in foal to exciting young sire Stravinsky. Another mare to make NZ$100,000 was Trisynd, a winning daughter of Sir Tristram from Gr2 winning mare Swiftsynd (by Gunsynd), making her a half-sister to Le Zagaletta (winner of 12 races & over A$1 million prize-money). Trisynd was purchased from racehorse trainer Jim Gibbs by RobMcAnulty, & is also believed to be in foal to Stravinsky). (Aug 18) Sunline Confirmed To Rock Of Gibraltar The speculation finally ended with formal confirmation champion NZ racemare Sunline (by Desert Sun) will be mated this spring with Coolmore’s champion shuttle stallion Rock Of Gibraltar. Sunline’s former trainer & co-owner Trevor McKee told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing he had considered “long & hard the various commercial, pedigree, performance & conformational aspects of a proposed mating”. (Aug 18) Ethereal Goes To Van Nistelrooy Meanwhile Caulfield & Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal (Rhythm-Romanee Conti, by Sir Tristram) will be mated to 1st season stallion Van Nistelrooy this year, confirmed NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. The son of Storm Cat is standing his 1st season at stud in NZ at Trelawney Stud. Pencarrow Stud’s Ethereal (4 Gr1 wins & NZ$5.75 million prize-money) is due to foal on August 23 to her 1st covering, by Storm Cat’s 5-time Gr1 winning son Giant’s Causeway. (Aug 18) Van Nistelrooy’s Impressive Freshman List Ethereal heads an impressive list of mares booked to Van Nistelrooy (Storm Cat-Halory, by Halo), headed by 4-time Gr1-winner Riverina Charm (dam of Filly-Of-The-Year Sarwatch & fellow Group-winner Paolino) & NZ triple Gr1-winner Fayreform. The list includes more than 15 stakes-winning mares & almost 20 stakes producers, including: Gr1-winner Coogee Walk; NZ 1400m record holder Dopff; Queensland Oaks runner-up Midnight Babe; Gr3-winner Lingarton; English Group winner Verlei; Group-winning filly Party Queen, stakes-winner Oh Sister (8 wins); & Yankee Gold (dam of 3-time stakes-winner Joan’s Best). (Aug 18) NZ The Oaks Buys Sunline’s Birthplace Leading NZ stud farm The Oaks Stud has announced the purchase of neighbouring Cambridge property Norelands Stud, birthplace of champion mare Sunline. The Oaks Stud general manager Rick Williams confirmed the deal “which sees the 150-acre Norelands Stud property move into the ownership of The Oaks, along with 9 broodmares & 7 yearlings,” reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Williams noted buying Norelands Stud was part of an on-going expansion process being undertaken by The Oaks Stud, which is owned by Queensland-based businessman Dick Karreman. Williams said: “It now means we have a total of 350 acres at our disposal, in a stretch of farmland which is renowned for its fine tradition of breeding top-class racehorses. We are also looking at securing another suitable stallion for the 2004 season to stand alongside our resident stallion Traditionally.” (Aug 18) Let's Elope Foal At Seven Creeks Farm Melbourne Cup winner & Champion NZ-bred racemare Let’s Elope (dam of exciting new sire Ustinov) has foaled a bay filly by Fusaichi Pegasus at Seven Creeks Farm in Victoria. Dennis Marks (who raced & owns both Let’s Elope & Ustinov) told thoroughbrednews.co.nz he was “thrilled to have another filly from our Champion mare”. Being by Fusaichi Pegasus makes the filly a 3/4 blood sister to top 3YO performer Ustinov. Let’s Elope will visit Elusive Quality at Darley Australia this year. (Aug 18) 1st Southern Foal For Minardi Australian Derby winner Capricious Lass (by Carry A Smile) has produced the 1st Southern Hemisphere foal by NZ Glenmorgan Farm’s young shuttle stallion Minardi (by Boundary). The brown colt was born at Edinglassie Stud in NSW, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Capricious Lass is 1 of 2 mares owner Marilyn Kent sent to Minardi last season: the other was Cast Your Fate (by Bletchingly), dam of NZ’s highest rated filly of 2000-01 Flying Babe (by Flying Spur). (Aug 18) Shuttle Sires Arrive At Glenmorgan Meanwhile Glenmorgan Farm’s 2 shuttle stallions Minardi & Rossini (by Miswaki) have taken up residence at their NZ Southern Hemisphere base, riding on the success of their respective half-brothers Tale Of The Cat (by Storm Cat) & Elusive Quality (by Gone West). Stud manager Grant Hunt told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: “Both horses travelled well.” Tale Of The Cat has produced over 70 individual winners so far in both hemispheres (including Scaredee Cat, Ubiquitous & Hulachine). And Glenmorgan’s Brett Jenkins noted: “Elusive Quality was 3rd leading 1st crop sire in America.” (Aug 18) Controversial £500,000 Coup Horse Came From NZ UK £500,000 Betting Coup Update: The former trainer responsible for buying Britain’s headline-hogging Newton Abbot ‘coup’ horse Spandau in NZ 5 years ago, has admitted he was among those who backed the horse, but “denied he was the master-mind behind” the £500,000 (A$1.25 million) plunge. “Before he trained under his own name,” reported racingpost.co.uk, “the colourful Henry Oliver, 69, established a reputation for landing legitimate touches on runners trained by his wife Sally.” Since he retired from training 7 years ago, the Worcester-based Oliver “has made a successful living buying horses in NZ & selling them on in Britain. He travels over twice a year & Spandau’s win was the 101st recorded by his imports.” Oliver confirmed: “Yes, I backed the horse at Newton Abbot, but I most certainly wasn’t responsible for the gamble. I’m not prepared to let on how much I won, but it wasn’t a huge sum by any means. I think I know who had the money on, but that’s not for me to say.” Unraced in NZ, Spandau joined Cheltenham-based trainer Owen O’Neill when he arrived in Britain as a 4YO. The Association of British Bookmakers is investigating the race, prior to passing its report to the UK Jockey Club. As we noted last week: Stay tuned! (Aug 18) Japanese Horses Drown In Typhoon Mud-Slide Monday Odd Spot: A Brian’s Time yearling recently sold for 50 million yen (A$675,000) was among 5 horses drowned when a typhoon struck the island of Hokkaido in Japan, reported Asahi Shimbun. The horses drowned in nearly a metre of mud after a bank of the Appetsugawa river collapsed at a stud farm in Niikappu. (Aug 18) Experts Tip Spring Carnival Stars This morning’s Sydney Morning Herald asked a panel of experts to name a likely star of the coming Australian spring racing carnivals: Top jockey Darren Beadman: Lonhro. Ratings expert Dominic Beirne: Lonhro. STC racing manager John Nicholson: Lonhro. Racing NSW handicapper Mark Webbey: Defier. Trainer Bart Cummings: Magical Miss. Jockey manager Bruce Clark: Shower Of Roses. Bookmaker Colin Tidy: Private Steer. Bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse: Sunday Joy. (Aug 15) Experts Also Name ‘Cups Contender’ And The Sydney Morning Herald also asked the experts to name a likely “Cups Contender”: Top jockey Darren Beadman: Strasbourg. Ratings expert Dominic Beirne: Zagalia. STC racing manager John Nicholson: Honor Babe & Platinum Scissors. Racing NSW handicapper Mark Webbey: Clangalang. Trainer Bart Cummings: Clangalang (Caulfield) & Mummify (Melbourne). Jockey manager Bruce Clark: Shower Of Roses & “whatever Dermot Weld brings”. Bookmaker Colin Tidy: Republic Lass. Bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse: Sunday Joy. (Aug 15) Experts Tip 3YO Spring Star In addition The Sydney Morning Herald also asked its experts to name a likely 3YO spring star: Top jockey Darren Beadman: Niello. Ratings expert Dominic Beirne: Subscribe. STC racing manager John Nicholson: Kusi. Racing NSW handicapper Mark Webbey: Regimental Gal. Trainer Bart Cummings: Subscribe. Jockey manager Bruce Clark: Lago Delight. Bookmaker Colin Tidy: Hasna. Bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse: Hasna. (Aug 15) Oliver Compares Aust & Japan Riding Styles Asked how Australian racing compares with Japan, champion Victorian jockey Damien Oliver (back in Melbourne from a 2-month riding stint in Tokyo) told The Daily Telegraph: “They are quite similar. Our racing is far more interactive with the crowds. . . Perhaps our riding style is more aggressive, with more emphasis on the whip, where the Japanese tend more to balance & cajoling the best out of their horses.” (Aug 15) Coolmore’s Fasliyev Adds Another UK Stakes Boom Coolmore shuttle sire Fasliyev added yet another European stakes win when his 2YO colt Sgt Pepper (Fasliyev-Amandine, by Darshaan) won the Listed Stonehenge Stakes (7 furlongs) at Salisbury in England, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Sgt Pepper is 1 of 4 stakes-winners in the 1st crop of Fasliyev (Nureyev-Mr P's Princess, by Mr Prospector) who shuttles between Coolmore studs in Ireland & Australia. Overall Fasliyev now has 23 winners, 4 of Timeform’s Top 10 European 2YOs & over $1 million in 2YO earnings already with only half the northern hemisphere season completed. (Aug 15) International Winners For Peintre Celebre Meanwhile fellow Coolmore shuttler Peintre Celebre’s 1st South African runner, 3YO colt Skeaping, won in the racecaller’s words “easing down by 5 lengths, spread-eagling the field.” That followed his 3YO filly Vallee Enchantee’s breathtaking Gr2 Prix de Pomone win at Deauville in France by an impressive 6 lengths. And in Australia, Lee Freedman’s filly Beautiful Gem raced to victory over 1000m at Sandown by nearly 4 lengths. In addition 3YO colt Three Graces won at Haydock in the UK & 3YO filly Precious Pearl ran 3rd in France’s Listed Prix de la Calonne at Deauville on the weekend. No wonder the son of Nureyev currently leads all shuttle sires on the European General Sires list for 2003. (Aug 15) European Wins For Woodlands Sire Dracula Woodlands Stud stallion Dracula (Quest For Fame-Awards Ceremony, by Kaoru Star) has sired his 1st winners in both Turkey (2YO Karanedim over 7 furlongs at Istanbul) & Italy, reported racingpost.co.uk. Dracula stood the 2002 season at Plantation Stud in the UK & currently stands at Woodlands Stud in NSW for $8,250. (Aug 15) Black Hawk’s 1st Aust Foal Champion Nureyev sprinter Black Hawk’s 1st Australian-bred foal (a colt out of Group-winning mare Millrich) has been born at Victoria’s Eliza Park Stud. At the recent Japan Select Foal Sale, Black Hawk’s 1st Northern Hemisphere foals sold extremely well (1 reaching the equivalent of A$570,000). Black Hawk will stand for $13,750 (including GST) this season, with supporters excited about the extraordinary recent success of Nureyev’s fellow sprinting sons Fasliyev & Stravinsky in the northern hemisphere. (Aug 15) Perfect Drift’s Gr1 Trial For Aust Trip Expatriate Australian trainer Murray Johnson’s moment of truth comes tomorrow when his American Cox Plate entry Perfect Drift lines up in the US$1 million Gr1 Arlington Million (10 furlongs on turf) as the next step in his lead-up to a potential Melbourne carnival trip. Perfect Drift (a 4YO son of Dynaformer) finished 3rd in last year’s Gr1 Kentucky Derby & has also won US Gr1, Gr2 & Gr3 stakes events for owner-breeder Dr William Reed of Stonecrest Farm. He comes into the Arlington Million following back-to-back victories in the Gr1 Stephen Foster (where he upset high-weight & odds-on favorite Mineshaft) & Gr2 Washington Park Handicaps. Johnson currently has Perfect Drift entered for both Australia’s weight-for-age championship Cox Plate &, on the same day (October 25), America’s Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Johnson summed up to bloodhorse.com: "Everything depends on the outcome of this weekend’s race, but hopefully we'll be heading to Australia for the Cox Plate. I feel like it would be a good race for him.” (Aug 15) Arlington Test For US Cox Plate Entries Two other Cox Plate entries are also lining-up in the US$1 million Gr1 Arlington Million in Chicago (3rd leg of the 2003 World Racing Series): German Gr1-winning globe-trotter Paolini (2nd in last year’s Arlington Million) & the Brian Meehan-trained Kaieteur. (Aug 15) Weekend Runs For Melb Cup Contenders Meanwhile across the Atlantic, several other international contenders for the Melbourne spring carnival are involved in key lead-up events over the weekend: Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle & stable-mate Vinnie Roe have their 1st starts since Flemington last November in Ireland’s Ballyroan Stakes (12 furlongs) at Leopardstown. Trainer Dermot Weld has again entered both for the $4 million Melbourne Cup (on November 4); however Vinnie Roe (a gallant 4th last year carrying top-weight of 59kg) has been set for a 3rd successive victory in next month’s Irish St Leger & is then likely to target Gr1 races in England & France in preference to another Australian trip. However Media Puzzle is also nominated for the $3 million Caulfield Cup on October 18. Ireland’s Ballyroan Stakes will also feature Melbourne Cup late entries Holy Orders & Sadler’s Wings from trainer Willie Mullins. Prominent Melbourne Cup entries Mamool & Mubtaker will contest the Gr2 Geoffrey Freer Stakes (13.5 furlongs) at Newbury in England. (Aug 15) Seamer To Miss Sydney & Melb Carnivals Prominent jockey Scott Seamer “is expected to miss the entire Sydney & Melbourne spring carnivals after he undergoes surgery to insert a plate & screw in his broken left wrist,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Seamer broke his wrist & nose when catapulted from Startell in a freak incident at Eagle Farm in Brisbane on Wednesday. Startell tossed Seamer when he attempted to buck when struck with the whip at the 300m. After being knocked out for several minutes, Seamer regained consciousness on the track before being taken to hospital by ambulance. (Aug 15) Rogerson Expands Randwick Base Trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson is acquiring additional boxes at Royal Randwick in Sydney, following “the overwhelming success of our recent advertising campaigns & the syndication of many new horses within our operation.” As a result the stable operation will also be restructured. Current foreman Mark Fraser-Campin will take a break from the industry with the expected arrival of a 2nd child within a few weeks. Hence the stable is also advertising a “Number 1 Foreman/ Assistant Trainer” position. (Aug 15) 2nd Successive US Win For NZ-Bred Mare NZ-bred 5YO mare Top Spinner (Danasinga-Truly Tops, by Truly Vain) has won over 8.5 furlongs on turf at Del Mar in the US, reported racenet.com.au. It was the 2nd consecutive US victory for Top Spinner, who also won at Hollywood Park last month. Ironically, in the Del Mar race Australian-bred mare Esmay (Desert King-Tycoons Model, by Last Tycoon) ran 3rd. Top Spinner had 2 wins & 5 placings from 11 starts in NZ; now in the barn of leading southern California trainer Jeff Mullins, she has had a further 6 US starts for 2 wins & 2 placings. From the 2nd crop of Waikato Stud’s Danasinga (by Danehill), Top Spinner is the 1st foal of Just Tops (by Veloso), a half-sister to Australian Gr1 star & 14 time-winner Card Shark (by Ace Of Aces). Just Tops is also the dam of Avon Angel (by Avon Valley), who won 10 of 19 starts (6 in stakes races, plus 4 placings). (Aug 15) Well-Bred Foals Born At Pencarrow Peter & Philip Vela's Pencarrow Stud near Hamilton in NZ is celebrating the arrival of 2 well-bred foals, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz: Chimeara, a stakes-placed winning Danehill mare from Tristalove (dam of Viking Ruler & Diamond Like), produced her 2nd foal: a colt by English-Irish Derbies winner Generous. Chimeara is currently based at Coolmore Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley, where she will be bred to boom 1st-season sire Fasliyev this year. The other notable foal was a Danehill filly from Magical Moment (by Sadler's Wells). Magical Moment's dam Interval was a Gr2 winner & placed in the Gr1 English 1000 Guineas. Magical Moment is set to visit champion NZ sire Zabeel this spring. (Aug 15) Honor Lap Joins NZ’s Bloomsbury Stud NZ’s Bloomsbury Stud has added Honor Lap to its band of broodmares, reported racingpost.co.uk. The daughter of Honor Grades (out of President’s Pearl) won the Gr1 Western Australian Derby & Gr2 WA Oaks; she is the 4th Gr1-winning mare for Bloomsbury in NZ, joining Morar, Snap & Zola. (Aug 15) Godolphin Phasing Out US Presence Godolphin Racing’s royal blue colors “will no longer be a dominant presence in North American racing after this year,” Godolphin's main North American-based trainer Eoin Harty told bloodhorse.com. Horses currently in training with Harty “will be managed by & race in the colors of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Darley Stud Management instead of Godolphin Racing (which is comprised of 3 of the Maktoum brothers of the ruling family of Dubai). Harty summed up: "Nothing much will change. The horses who remain here with me will run in the colors of Sheikh Mohammed's Darley Stud until they're worthy of wearing the royal blue." Instead of making his usual winter trip to the Al Quoz Stables in Dubai at the end of October, Harty “will remain in the US & oversee a Darley string based in California year-round. They will include many of the juveniles who normally have brief American campaigns before heading to the Middle East.” It also means Harty “will likely condition more older horses bound for the American classics & handicaps, instead of just focusing mainly on developing the 2YOs.” Harty noted: "If anything (Sheikh Mohammed) is more committed to American racing than ever. But there will just be a change in the operation & how it's managed. He has the farm in Kentucky now & it's not like he's not doing well here." (Aug 15) Godolphin Buys UK Gr1 Winner Zafeen Meanwhile in England Godolphin Racing has purchased this season’s Gr1 winner Zafeen (by Zafonic) from owner Jaber Abdullah, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Zafeen’s recent starts include: victory in the Gr1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot; 2nd in the Gr1 Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket; & 4th in the Gr1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Godolphin Racing Manager Simon Crisford said: "He will stay in training next year before retiring to stud." Bred in France by Gainsborough Stud Management, Zafeen has 3 wins & 4 placings in 11 career starts. (Aug 15) UK Gr1 Star Hawk Wing To Stud At Coolmore British Gr1 star Hawk Wing will join the stallion team at Coolmore in Ireland, following retirement with a knee ligament injury suffered when hot favourite in the UK Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. The injury caused Hawk Wing to finish outside 1st or 2nd placing for the only time in his 11 races on turf. Prior to that, he was a Gr1 winner over 7, 8 & 10 furlongs (& as a 2YO, 3YO & 4YO), plus finishing 2nd in the UK Derby. Hawk Wing’s spectacular triumph in the Gr1 Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes (1 mile) when he slaughtered Gr1-winning milers including Where Or When & Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Domedriver by 11 lengths, earned an official British Horseracing Board rating of 137 (highest given to a miler since El Gran Senor in 1984), while Timeform awarded him a rating of 138. (Aug 15) German Freshman Sire Tiger Hill Posts Winners German-based freshman sire Tiger Hill (Danehill-The Filly, by Appiani) has recorded 2 winners from 4 runners in Europe, reported racingpost.co.uk. The 8YO (who stood the 2003 season at Gestut Schlenderhan in Germany) had debut weekend winner Attilia at Germany’s Mulheim & another winner in Slovakia. Tiger Hill won the Gr1 Preis von Baden twice, as well as the Gr1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis & 2 Gr2 events; he also ran 3rd in France’s 1998 Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (behind Sagamix). (Aug 15) Kingmambo’s Brother To Stand In Zimbabwe Kitalpha (an unraced full brother to Gr1 winner & Kentucky sire Kingmambo) “has been purchased privately by a syndicate & will stand in Zimbabwe for the Southern Hemisphere season,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. A 4YO son of Mr Prospector (out of multiple champion Miesque), Kitalpha never made it to the races after suffering a tendon injury in training in England while with Henry Cecil at Newmarket. Kitalpha is expected to breed 80 mares his 1st season. Syndicate spokesman John Harris told the South African Sporting Post: "With the best older stallions having passed on or been exported, we needed to make a firm commitment to the future of our industry." Bred in Kentucky by the Niarchos family’s Flaxman Holdings, Kitalpha is 1 of 6 winners from 8 starters out of Nureyev mare Miesque (who captured back-to-back editions of the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile en route to being named US champion turf mare in 1987 & 1988. Kitalpha is also a half-brother to Gr1 winner East Of The Moon & Gr3 winners Mingun & Miesque’s Son. (Aug 15) US Gr1 Star Honor In War May Trigger Bidding Duel US Gr1 winner Honor In War “could become the subject of a bidding battle later this year as majority owner Wil Wolford (head of the ownership group 3rd Turn Stables) has entered the son of Lord At War in the Keeneland November breeding stock sale,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Wolford said he has received several offers for the 4YO colt following his win in May in the Gr1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes & is “using the sale as a means of gauging his value." He told US Daily Racing Form: "Unless there is a major offer from a breeder, who would want to buy into the horse while we retain control of his racing career, we’re going to wait until the November sale." Honor In War (Lord At War-Catumbella, by Diesis) is set to run in tomorrow’s US$1 million Gr1 Arlington Million Stakes & Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita Park on October 25. Bred in Kentucky, Honor In War has won 7 of 15 career starts. (Aug 15) US$50,000 Marquetry Colt Tops Minnesota Sale Meanwhile Philip Maas paid top price of $50,000 for Michaeltry (a colt by Marquetry out of stakes-placed winning Personal Hope mare Get Down Girl) at the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association’s 2003 yearling sale at Canterbury Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Overall 22 of 38 yearlings offered were sold for gross receipts of US$192,600. (Aug 15) Barretts Catalogues 346 For California Yearling Sale And Barretts Equine has cataloged 346 horses for its October 7 preferred yearling sale at Fairplex Park in California, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The sale will include off-spring by stallions Bertrando, Cee’s Tizzy, Charismatic, Exploit, Free House, In Excess, Langfuhr, Silver Charm & Theatrical. (Aug 15) Japan Horse-Of-The-Year Kaburaya O Dies Kaburaya O, Japan’s 1975 Horse-Of-The-Year, has died of old age reported the Japan Racing Association. The 31-year-old stallion (a son of Pharamond) won the Tokyo Yuushun (Japanese Derby) & 4 other stakes in 1975. Kaburaya O was sire to 202 foals in 17 crops, including Japanese stakes winners Meiner Castle & Miyama Poppy. (Aug 15) Outside Barrier Nightmare Friday Odd Spot: Of the last 9 horses entered to race by Gunnedah trainer Peter Cleal, 8 have drawn the extreme outside barrier. Today at Muswellbrook, 2 of them Cherubian & Power Machine will come from the outside gate in their races. Next Monday at Quirindi, La Hoiya has drawn 11 in a field of 11. Cleal’s only good fortune was Danjoes Express, engaged at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow, who has drawn barrier 8 in a field of 10. "And to add to that list, I have 1 horse who has, without a word of a lie, drawn the outside barrier at her past 4 starts," declared Cleal. What are the odds for 8 horses from 9 entered drawing the outside gate: 16,770,000-1! (Aug 15) NZ Champion Jockey Lance O’Sullivan Retires Champion Kiwi jockey Lance O’Sullivan, “NZ’s most successful jockey of all time”, yesterday stunned NZ racing by announcing he is retiring after 23 seasons in the saddle. The Matamata-based champion told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: “The time has come & I’m pleased to have finally made my mind up. I haven’t enjoyed riding for quite a while & it was only to help Paul (his brother) win his 1st trainers’ premiership that I didn’t retire earlier.” O’Sullivan, 39, rode 2,479 winners (including 62 Gr1s) & took the champion NZ jockey title 12 times. He has signed a contract to work for the NZ TAB as “an ambassador & commentator”. O’Sullivan rode all the top horses trained by his father Dave & brother Paul at Wexford Stables over the last 20 years: Horlicks, Surfers Paradise, Our Waverley Star, Mr Tiz, La Souvronne, Koiro Corrie May, Tidal Light, Miltak, Nimue, Snap & Popsy. Outside NZ he won the Japan Cup (on Horlicks), Cox Plate (on Surfer’s Paradise), AJC Galaxy (on Mr Tiz), AJC Oaks (on La Souvronne) & finished 2nd in the Melbourne Cup. (Aug 14) No Decision On New Wexford Jockey Meanwhile at the family’s Wexford Stables, last season’s NZ champion trainer Paul O’Sullivan has yet to decide on a replacement stable jockey in the wake of brother Lance’s sudden retirement. Paul told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: “I don’t know at this stage who it is. I’ll be looking seriously at it next week & making a decision then. One thing I know is that Lance’s replacement won’t be as good; but then again, he won’t have to ride against Lance either.” (Aug 14) ‘7-Figure’ Offers For Regimental Gal Trainer Shaun Dwyer revealed the Regimental Gal syndicate has “rejected 2 7-figure offers” for its flying 3YO filly following her brilliant win in the Gr2 San Domenico Stakes (1000m) in race record time at Sydney’s Royal Randwick last weekend, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Regimental Gal (by General Nediym) was a bargain $16,500 yearling purchase at the Magic Millions March premier Sale; her earnings are now $788,800. (Aug 14) Sunline To Stud With Rock Of Gibraltar? Champion mare Sunline (who retired last year & goes to stud for the 1st time this spring) won 32 races (including 13 Gr1s) & $11.3 million prize-money. Danehill’s champion European son Rock of Gibraltar (who also retired last year & is also in his 1st season at stud) won 10 of his 13 starts, including 7 Gr1 races in succession. Are they destined for a southern hemisphere mating? Monday: Former Australian & NZ Horse-Of-The-Year & “the world’s most prolific stakes race winning female Sunline (Desert Sun-Songline, by Western Symphony) will be bred to Rock Of Gibraltar in her 1st season at stud,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Tuesday: The final decision on which stallion champion mare Sunline will be mated with this spring has not yet been made, said part-owner & trainer Trevor McKee. He told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: “The decision has been narrowed down to 2 or 3 stallions. But nothing is final yet, although it's not too far away from an announcement." Wednesday: Under the headline ‘Champion Mare To be Mated With Rock Of Gibraltar’ The Daily Telegraph reported: “It has been confirmed Sunline will be served by an undisclosed NSW-based stallion this spring. The sire’s identity has not yet been revealed, but the big whisper is that sire will be Rock Of Gibraltar. The union between 2 of the world’s best racehorses this decade could produce Australian racing’s first $2 million yearling.” (Aug 14) Golden Snake's 1st Australian foal Golden Snake had his 1st foal born in Australia at Victoria’s Lynden Park Stud on Tuesday. The chestnut colt (owned by Paul Woods) is out of Barramissi (a daughter of Gr1 performer Goldossy). Lynden Park stud manager Russel Robinson said: "The birth was a straight forward delivery & the foal was a good type with plenty of size. You can certainly see Golden Snake has stamped the foal with his good looks." (Aug 14) 10th Winner For Woodlands Sire Dracula Woodlands Stud stallion Dracula recorded his 10th individual winner (in just over 20 starters) when Countess Bathory (Dracula-Folly’s Magic, by High Reserve) won at the Gold Coast. Countess Bathory is closely related to Gr1 STC Canterbury Guineas winner High Regard & Gr3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup winner Magic Road. Multiple Gr1 winner Dracula (including AJC George Main Stakes & AJC Champagne Stakes) has also produced Bloodline, Just Landing, Impaler, Sigishoara, Kiss Of Death & recent northern hemisphere winner Karanedim. (Aug 14) Rangal’s Keltrice Adds 2-City Double Rangal Park Stud’s prolific winner-getter Keltrice (the Gr1-winning son of Kenmare) added a 2-state weekend metropolitan double: Big Kev at Belmont in Perth & Takook at Morphetville in Adelaide. Last season Keltrice finished 19th on the 2YO sire list (with 5 winners from 18 starters earning $327,810). “Of all the stallions in the Top 20, none stand for less than the $5,500 needed to secure a nomination to Keltrice,” noted racenet.com.au. “In fact the vast majority stand for 4 times that amount.” Keltrice’s top 2YOs were: On Focus (winner of the Listed Fulham Park Plate, Listed Walter Brown Stakes, Listed Cinderella Stakes & Listed Smoke-Free Stakes): & Cross Current (runner-up in the Leslie Froggatt Stakes, 3rd in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes & 4th in the Gr1 VRC Sires Produce Stakes). With 66 winners from 142 starters, Keltrice also finished in the Top 20 stallions for number of winners. (“The only stallion to sire more winners at anywhere near the price was Riverdene Stud’s very underrated Marwina, who tallied 70 winners from 147 starters,” added racenet.com.au.) Meanwhile Deprave (who has earned over $300,000 from 5 wins in 18 starts) was 1 of 11 individual city winners for Keltrice last season. (Aug 14) Magic Millions Reaches 100 Winners In 13 Days Thoroughbred sales company Magic Millions yesterday continued its lightning start to the 2003-04 season, notching its 100th Australian sale-graduate winner on just the 13th day of the new season (which began on August 1). The MM-graduate winners were: Apticon at Murray Bridge in South Australia; Elasticity (by Canny Lad) also at Murray Bridge; & MM 2001 January Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase Mardi Gras (a daughter of Desert King) at Eagle Farm in Brisbane. Magic Millions managing director David Chester commented: “To win 100 TAB races in Australia already this season, on day 13, is fantastic.” (Aug 14) Rich Hill’s Pentire Powers Into New Season NZ’s Rich Hill Stud sire Pentire has started the 2003-04 season with a bang with 2 wins in NZ & a metropolitan placing at Sandown in Melbourne: 5YO staying gelding Reality Check (Pentire-Shivers) won over 1800m at Riccarton in NZ; 3YO colt Penitentiary (Pentire-Strangeways) won on debut over 1200m at at Foxton in NZ (& holds a nomination for the VRC Derby); & 5YO mare Penash (Pentire-Kuda Kashi) finished strongly for 3rd over 1800m at Sandown over 1800m. Pentire nominations for the Caulfield & Melbourne Cups are: Charted, Davidoff, Gold Attire, Little Miss Quick, Penny Gem, Pentamerous, Sir Pentire & Pentastic. Pentire nominations for the VRC Derby are: Botero, Devastating, Penitentiary, Pentirely, Pentamerous & Waitoki Dream. (Aug 14) 1st Bertolini Foals Arrive At Rich Hill And Rich Hill’s exciting young stallion Bertolini has sired his 1st NZ-bred foals: a filly from On Her Way ( dam of Guided Missile); & a filly from stakes-winning mare Biscat. Bertolini covered 103 mares in his just completed 2nd Northern Hemisphere season in England, & arrives back at Rich Hill Stud on August 30. (Aug 14) Bahhare’s Progeny Begin To Shine Meanwhile former Rich Hill shuttler Bahhare has also started the new season in tremendous style: his 3YO daughter Katdogawn won a Gr2 event level at Del Mar in California last weekend (in a new stakes record time of 1min 33.6sec for 1 mile on turf); Bahhare has now sired 15 individual 3YO winners in the Northern Hemisphere from his 1st crop; in Australia, Bahhare’s 3YO daughter On The Watch scored a first-up win at Belmont in Perth. Last season Bahhare’s NZ-bred runners notched 2 winners, 1 stakes performer & 4 placed runners. (Aug 14) Qualification Changes To NZ Derby The Auckland Racing Club’s NZ$500,000 Gr1 Mercedes NZ Derby (over 2400m at Ellerslie on December 26) will this year boast 2 major prizes for the winner: NZ$300,000 & a brand new Mercedes C180 K Sports Coupe (valued at NZ$64,000). The race’s qualification criteria have also been adjusted “to bring it into line with other major races held overseas”: nominations will be taken 6 weeks earlier than previously (on September 1 & horses must be registered prior to entry); a late nomination stage (costing NZ$600) has an October 6 deadline; & a final late nomination (costing NZ$20,000) has an 18 December deadline. And where 5 horses were previously exempt from the Derby ballot (the winner of the Mercedes Derby Prelude, 1st & 2nd in the Avondale Guineas, & 1st & 2nd in the Mercedes Derby Trial), there will now be up to 8 exemptions: the winner of the Lindauer Guineas at Ellerslie on October 4; 1st & 2nd in the Mercedes Balmerino Prelude (formerly Mercedes Derby Prelude) at Ellerslie on November 29; 1st & 2nd in the Avondale Guineas at Avondale on December 6; & 1st & 2nd & 3rd in the Mercedes Bonecrusher Stakes (formerly Mercedes Derby Trial) at Ellerslie on December 14. That last event has also been increased in distance from 2000m to 2100m. (Aug 14) Investigation Into UK Trainer’s £500,000 Win British bookmakers have “demanded an investigation into a minor race at Newton Abbot” where trainer John Tuck “pulled off a £500,000 (A$1.25 million) gamble after his other runner appeared to force wide 2 other horses vying for the lead,” reported racingpost.co.uk. “Controversial circumstances clouded the huge run on the horse, from 20-1 in the morning to an SP of 5-1.” The winner Spandau “obtained a dream run up the inside on the final bend, when stable-mate Indian Star seemed to hamper favourite Lord Ville & Investor Relations at a crucial stage.” Ladbrokes, William Hill & Corals all laid substantial bets against the winner. Stay tuned! (Aug 14) $1 Million Golden Rose Order-Of-Entry The Sydney Turf Club’s new $1 million Golden Rose for 3YOs is run at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday August 30. The prize-money order (at August 8) was: 1: Polar Success $2,133,705 (Graeme Rogerson) 2: Hasna $1,166,795 (Gai Waterhouse) 3: Kusi $789,700 (John Hawkes) 4: How Funny $744,050 (Gai Waterhouse) 5: Ambulance $280,150 (John Hawkes) 6: Legally Bay $245,150 (John Hawkes) 7: Bushland $175,600 (John Hawkes) 8: Hammerbeam $167,050 (John Hawkes) 9: Exceed And Excel $137,575 (Tim Martin) 10: Dorky $135,500 (John Hawkes) 11: Danbird $131,050 (Gerald Ryan) 12: Snip Attack $126,500 (Peter Moody) 13: Handsome Randsom $120,550 (Anthony Cummings) 14: Bella Corona $113,400 (Robert Pearse) 15: Al Jameel $101,830 (Graeme Rogerson) 16: Yes Boss $88,000 (Gai Waterhouse) 17: Confectioner $87,570 (Tony McEvoy) 18: Face Value $87,563 (Bevan Laming) 19: Hipwell $87,470 (Neil Godbolt) 20: In Top Swing $87,250 (Noel Mayfield-Smith) 21: Niello $86,600 (John Hawkes) 22: Jewel Peak $86,550 (Jack Denham) 23: Fashion Victim $83,000 (David Hall) 24: L'Espalier $72,650 (Gai Waterhouse) 25: Syrinx $71,800 (John Hawkes) 26: Frasassas $65,300 (John Hawkes) 27: Subscribe $64,000 (Bradley Marzato) 28: Spark Of Life $60,450 (Allan Denham) 29: Niagara Falls $53,950 (Peter Moody) 30: Mindreader $52,000 (Kevin Moses) 31: Pietiner $51,750 (Colin Alderson) 32: Miss Terrain $51,250 (Mick Price) 33: Olympus $49,350 (Clarry Conners) 34: Mr Ubiquitous $45,984 (Michael Moroney) 35: Annie La Vie $43,550 (Bevan Laming) 36: Tsuimai $43,000 (Jack Denham) 37: Imperialism $40,050 (Gai Waterhouse) 38: Look At Mars $39,750 (Gai Waterhouse) 39: Gilded Youth $38,050 (Frank Cleary) 40: Charmview $37,950 (Tony Wildman) 41: Spinning Boy $36,350 (Albert Stapleford) 42: Prince Nimrod $34,800 (Brian Lawson) 43: File Rapid $33,300 (John Hawkes) 44: Nagoya $29,950 (John Hawkes) 45: Hinting $29,600 (Bill Mitchell) 46: Roedean $29,450 (Mick Price) 47: Resolved $29,250 (Clarry Conners) 48: Miss Ivy $27,570 (Bob Thomsen) 50: More Perignon $24,800 (Peter Moody) 51: Unearthly $24,200 (David Payne) 52: Soak Up The Sun $24,100 (Graeme Rogerson) 53: Mimzical $23,800 (Gary Portelli) 54: Dahara $23,050 (Ron Quinton) 55: Hassle $22,750 (John Hawkes) 56: Sky Cuddle $20,480 (Peter Moody) 57: Touched By God $19,000 (Gai Waterhouse) 57: Stable Talk $19,000 (Bill Prain) 59: Chosen Light $18,850 (Tony McEvoy) 60: Terracotta Bay $18,600 (Gai Waterhouse) 61: Dune Warrior $18,150 (Lee Freedman) 62: Red Mile $17,800 (Gerald Ryan) 63: Copeton $16,600 (Jack Denham) 64: Antiene $16,100 (Clarry Conners) 65: Barberton $16,050 (David Payne) 66: Dance Up $15,950 (Mathew Ellerton) 67: Lago Delight $15,600 (Jim Marconi) 68: Simply Wonderful $14,750 (Paul Sutherland) 68: Desert Ransom $14,750 (Tim Martin) 70: Ike's Dream $13,900 (John Hawkes) 71: Resistor $13,520 (Bob Thomsen) 72: Simply Viv $13,150 (Dean Smith) 73: Santissima $13,000 (John Hawkes) 73: Romare $13,000 (Max Lees) 75: High Occupancy $12,550 (John O'Shea) 76: Nanduti Grace $12,500 (Brian Lawson) 77: Darcy Vargas $11,750 (Tim Martin) 78: Miss Brightman $11,500 (Clarry Conners) 79: Glow Of Light $10,000 (Lee Freedman) (Aug 14) Choisir Returns To Exciting Stud List Sprint sensation Choisir arrived back in Australia overnight from the UK to stand this season at Coolmore Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley for $27,500+GST. Coolmore’s Colm Santry told The Daily Telegraph: “The day it was announced Choisir was going to stand at Coolmore Stud this spring, we received bookings for 50 mares in a matter of hours. In the 1st week the responses were fantastic. We had over 100 mares booked to Choisir, the fastest response we have had to any horse in the history of Coolmore,” Among the high-profile broodmares due to visit Choisir are the dams of Gr1 winners Laurie’s Lottery & Lovely Jubly, & top filly Rare Insight. (Aug 13) Bernadette Cooper Creates Japanese History Sydney jockey Bernadette Cooper “has created history by receiving the 1st short-term riding licence issued to a woman by Japan’s National Association of Racing,” reported racenet.com.au. The licence (from August 5 to November 4) allows Cooper, 29, to ride at 4 NAR racecourses (Ohi, Kawasaki, Funabashi & Urawa ) in Tokyo area. She will ride primarily for her host trainer Koji Sugiyama, who is based at Ohi Racecourse. Since Japanese horses do not race in their owners’ silks at NAR tracks, but in the colours chosen by the jockey, “Cooper has chosen a lattice pattern in the Australian colours of yellow (gold) & green.” (Aug 13) Aust & NZ End-Of Season Ratings The Australia & NZ Classifications Committee (a joint initiative of the Australian Racing Board & NZ Thoroughbred Racing) has published its updated tables for the end of the 2002-03 season. The Top 20 in each age group were: 2YOs 1: 105 Hasna (Aus) 2: 102 Polar Success (Aus) 3: 101 Maroofity (NZ) 4: 99 How Funny (Aus) 5: 98 Katana (NZ) 5: 98 Winestock (Aus) 7: 97 Murphy’s Blue Boy (Aus) 7: 97 Shamekha (Aus) 9: 96 Alastro (Aus) 9: 96 Ambulance (Aus) 9: 96 Pay My Bail (NZ) 12: 95 Aim For Gold (Aus) 12: 95 Bushland (Aus) 12: 95 Exceed And Excel (Aus) 12: 95 Fresh Boy (Aus) 12: 95 Handsome Ransom (Aus) 12: 95 Hulachine (NZ) 12: 95 Kusi (Aus) 12: 95 Legally Bay (Aus) 12: 95 Quite Astute (NZ) 12: 95 Sir Dex (Aus) 12: 95 Windy Kate (Aus) 3YOs 1: 118 Choisir (Aus) 2: 113 Yell (Aus) 3: 112 Bel Esprit (Aus) 4: 111 Helenus (Aus) 4: 111 Private Steer (Aus) 6: 109 Bollinger (Aus) 6: 109 Clangalang (Aus) 6: 109 Snowland (Aus) 9: 108 Platinum Scissors (Aus) 10: 106 Innovation Girl (Aus) 10: 106 Mummify (Aus) 10: 106 Planchet (Aus) 10: 106 Sunday Joy (Aus) 14: 105 Delago Brom (Aus) 14: 105 Hardrada (Aus) 14: 105 Lovely Jubly (Aus) 14: 105 Thorn Park (Aus) 18: 104 Great Glen (Aus) 18: 104 Hydrometer (Aus) 18: 104 Macedon Lady (Aus) 18: 104 Star Of Florida (Aus) 18: 104 Strasbourg (Aus) 18: 104 Victory Vein (Aus) 4YOs & ABOVE 1: 124 Northerly (Aus) 2: 120 Defier (Aus) 2: 120 Grandera (Ire) 4: 119 Vinnie Roe (Ire) 5: 118 Lonhro (Aus) 6: 117 Sunline (NZ) 7: 116 Rubitano (Aus) 7: 116 Spinning Hill (Aus) 9: 115 Republic Lass (Aus) 10: 114 Magical Miss (Aus) 11: 113 Falvelon (Aus) 11: 113 Freemason (Aus) 11: 113 Universal Prince (Aus) 14: 112 Belle Du Jour (Aus) 14: 112 Excellerator (Aus) 16: 111 Dash For Cash (Aus) 16: 111 Fields of Omagh (Aus) 16: 111 Grand Armee (Aus) 16: 111 Media Puzzle (Ire) 16: 111 Pernod (NZ) 16: 111 Shogun Lodge (Aus) (Aug 13) Argentine Gr1 Winner Aims At Rosehill Ice Point, the 5YO Argentine dual Gr1 winner now trained by Gai Waterhouse, has been nominated for Saturday’s $140,000 Gr2 Premier Stakes at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney, noted racenet.com.au. In Argentina, Ice Point (Roy-Ice The Champagne, by El Gran Senor) won both the 2001 Gr1 Gran Premio Jockey Club (2000m) & Gr1 Polla De Potrillos (1600m); he also notched victories over 1000m & 1400m & overall has 4 wins in 10 career starts. He was then imported to Australia (by Kingston Park Stud Syndicate) to continue racing (briefly via Lee Freedman’s Melbourne stables) before eventually heading to stud. (Aug 13) Dodge 3YOs Start New Season Strongly The 1st crop by young sire Dodge “seem destined to make their mark as 3YOs this season following 2 wins in a week by his oldest progeny,” noted aapracingandsports.com.au: Dodging won at Doomben in Brisbane & Dodgem won at Canberra. The late Jack Ingham & his brother Bob bred & raced Dodge (a son of Canny Lad from a Crown Jester mare) “among their best home-grown talents from Woodlands Stud.” Dodge now stands with Crown Jester at Queensland’s Raheen Stud under arrangements with Woodlands. Dodge (winner of 7 races from 1300-2400m, including the Gr1 Queensland Derby & Gr1 Epsom Handicap) is a 3/4 brother to another Ingham Queensland Derby winner Tenor (both are by Bletchingly sons from Zamazaan mare Damzelle). (Aug 13) Inglis Melb 1: Danehill Fillies Highlight Sale Breeders have the opportunity to bid for 2 Danehill-influenced 3YO fillies bred & offered by Robert Sangster’s Swettenham Stud at the Inglis Melbourne sale on Friday 22 August, noted racenet.com.au. Hills Of Dakota is an unraced sister by Danehill to 2 Melbourne winners, a three-quarter sister to stakes winning Springsteen, a half-sister to Port Adelaide Cup winner Voodoo Beat & from a half-sister to Golden Slipper winner & sire Marauding. Rainbow Echo has raced 4 times for a win, an Adelaide 2nd & a 4th in the Listed Queen Adelaide Stakes. She is by Spectrum (an Irish Two Thousand Guineas winner & sire of Gr1 winners in Australia & Europe) & from a Melbourne-winning sister by Danehill to Apple Danish (winner of the Gr3 SAJC Swettenham Stakes & AJC Gimcrack Stakes. (Aug 13) Inglis Melb 2: 70 Female Racehorses Among 70 females in the racehorses section in Inglis Melbourne August Sale catalogue: Swettenham Stud is also offering a winning 4YO filly by champion European 2YO Revoque & from Adelaide winner Marillion (a daughter of Rory’s Jester & NZ 1984 2YO Filly-Of-The-Year Burletta). Danehill has another filly Brave Heights, a 5YO out of a daughter of South Australian Derby winner Mapperley Heights. Others are by prominent sires Rory’s Jester, Hennessy, Woodman, Barathea, Belong To Me, Marauding, Scenic, Umatilla, Encosta de Lago, Perugino, Dehere, Rubiton, Bluebird & Octagonal. (Aug 13) Inglis Melb 3: Chatswood & Emirates Mares The Inglis Melbourne August Sale also offers 128 mares already retired to stud, including selections from leading Victorian studs Chatswood & Emirates Park: Chatswood mares Nice (by Last Tycoon) & Thaisa (by Bureaucracy) both went to Success Express (sire of 2003 Golden Slipper winner Polar Success) last season. Emirates Park’s young mares Courageous Baby (1998, by True Hero) & Magnificent Lady (1996, by Cossack Warrior) are due to have early foals by Dash For Cash’s sire Secret Savings. Also among the younger mares are: Primary Vision (by Strategic; in foal to General Nediym); Mutually (by Umatilla; a November 12 service to Bianconi); Dane Jest (by Rory’s Jester & from the Danehill stakes-placed Danish; in foal to Fuji Kiseki); & Rumble (by Flying Spur; in foal to October 1 service by Strategic). (Aug 13) Canberra To Trial Synthetic Surface A test strip of the revolutionary synthetic track surface known as ‘Pro-Track’ is being installed at Canberra Racing Club’s Thoroughbred Park this week. The CRC plans to trial a small strip of the surface (approx 130m long & 4m wide) over coming months; following a successful completion of the trial, the CRC will install a 16m-wide track (capable of handling racing & training) immediately inside the existing turf course proper. The non-watering properties & relatively low level of labour involved in daily maintenance make synthetic racing & training surfaces attractive (particularly in comparison to traditional turf tracks) in climates such as Canberra. The artificial surface being trialed is a mixture of selected sand blends, polymers & fibres which provides a surface that can be raced & trained on in all weather conditions. Following completion of the trial & installation of the 16m-wide track, Canberra is likely to become the 1st location in Australia to race on a synthetic surface. The CRC plans to utilise this track for Canberra’s regular race meetings, during the period of the full reconstruction of the Club’s premier racing surface (the turf course proper) in approximately 2 years time. This particular synthetic surface was installed on a training track at Morphettville in February & has proven an outstanding success. Synthetic training tracks are fast becoming the “training track of choice” at many major facilities including Flemington, Caulfield, Cranbourne, Morphettville, Lindsay Park, Macedon Lodge and Ascot. At this point barrier trials & jump-outs have been held on some synthetic surfaces, but not races. However in Europe there are at least 2 racetracks made from synthetic materials. (Aug 13) Jack Ingham Funeral In Sydney A huge crowd of family, friends & acquaintances “packed St Andrews Cathedral in Sydney yesterday for the funeral of Jack Ingham” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Tributes were paid by Ingham’s eldest son Walter & long-time friend John Hexton. (Aug 13) Scone Breeder Frank Wilson Dies In NZ Meanwhile NSW Hunter Valley breeding identity Frank Wilson, 74, has “died peacefully at his new home at Cooper's Beach” on NZ’s North Island “after a battle with cancer,” reported racenet.com.au. Born in NZ, in 1980 Wilson left major Kiwi stud Evergreen Lodge (which he had developed at Walton, north of Matamata) “to take up a new challenge building a breeding enterprise Belmont Park on virgin country on a plateau overlooked by a rocky spire named Maid Of Wingen” just north of Scone in NSW. Here he stood American sprinter The Rogers Four & bred many smart horses by him, including Red Kestrel (18 wins including the Scone Aberdeen Slipper) & Mr Rogers (15 wins including appearances in Sydney & Brisbane). A decade ago Wilson moved (with his horses) to a small property at nearby Wingen & continued to both breed horses & train winners. He left Scone in April to return to NZ because of ill health. During his period at NZ’s Evergreen Lodge, Wilson was involved in the breeding of several racehorses, including: AJC Doncaster Handicap winner My Gold Hope; AJC Derby winner El Gordo; multiple Australian stakes winner Zambari; Wellington Cup winner & Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Crest; & VATC IXL Handicap winner Mr Ironclad. The 2 most influential stallions to stand at Evergreen were Icelandic & One Pound Sterling (sire of multiple Gr1 winners Castletown & McGinty). (Aug 13) Cambridge Shuttler Cape Cross Keeps Adding Winners Cambridge Stud’s boom shuttler Cape Cross (returning for his 4th NZ season) has added another 3 European wins to his rapidly growing northern hemisphere 1st-season tally, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Cape Cross (by Green Desert) is currently the UK’s leading 1st Season Sire. In his latest triple triumph: English trainer Mick Channon’s 2YO gelding Mac Love (Cape Cross-My Lass, by Elmaamui) won over 5 furlongs at Haydock; 2YO filly Vicalex (Cape Cross-Debinnair, by Wolfhound) won the Prix de la Jetee (1500m) at Deauville in France; & 2YO colt Handsome Cross (Cape Cross-Snap Crackle Pop, by Statoblest) won over 5 furlongs at Folkestone in Britain. Cape Cross arrives in NZ this Saturday 16 August. (Aug 13) Danske Starts New Season Strongly Last season's leading NZ-based freshman sire Danske began the new season with a bang when his 6th individual winner & 1st-crop representative Danske Very Much won at Foxton. His Cambridge trainer Chris Wood commented: "He shows a lot of ability & has a real good attitude. I like him so much that I bought his full brother at the Karaka yearling sales this year for NZ$26,000." Danske Very Much was a NZ$23,000 yearling purchase from the Windsor Park Stud draft. Danske’s 5 winners in the 2002-03 season include stakes performers Quite Astute, Tadan & Danette, plus Melbourne winner Perodan (trained by John Hawkes). (Aug 13) Star 2YO Dams Booked To Danske NZ 2YOs figured prominently in the 2002-03 Australasian Classifications (listed above). Maroofity (who completed the NZ Gr1 Ellerslie-Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes double) was rated leading male juvenile of Australasia; Maroofity's dam Howkudai is currently in foal to the exciting young Windsor Park sire Danske. And NZ's leading 2YO filly of 2002-03 Katana (by Volksraad) rated 4th on the Australasian Classifications; Katana's dam Tristean is booked to return to NZ's champion sire Volksraad this year. Next highest-rated NZ-trained filly on the list was Pay My Bail, while Hulachine & Quite Astute were also prominent; Pay My Bail's dam Ebony Jane & Quite Astute's dam Cape Hill are both being mated with Danske this year. (Aug 13) Casual Lies Also Continues Winning Run Meanwhile Casual Lies (who stands alongside Danske at NZ’s Windsor Park Stud) also began the new season with a winner at Foxton: High Five scored over 2100m. Casual Lies enjoyed a great run in the 2002-03 season with 6 stakes winners in Australasia (including 4 in Australia) which placed him 2nd only to Zabeel for stakes-winners across the Tasman. (Aug 13) NZ Sire Kaapstad’s Track & Sale Success And Windsor Park's champion sire Kaapstad had another big week: both on the racetrack & in the sale ring. Kaapstad topped the South Island Sale in Christchurch with a colt fetching NZ$83,000 to the bid of leading Singapore-based owner Jerry Sung (Auric Stables), which doubles the top price paid at the corresponding sale last year. The colt is the 2nd foal from Waikiki Star mare Argentina (who won 8 races including the Listed James Hazlett Stakes). Across the Tasman on the track, unbeaten Kaapstad 4YO Search Captain won over 1600m at Sandown in Melbourne for his 3rd successive victory. Flemington-based trainer David Hall paid NZ$100,000 for the gelding at the 2001 Karaka yearling sales from the draft of Windsor Park Stud (who bred him from Star Way mare Search). (Aug 13) 1st Montjeu Foal Born At Windsor Park World champion Montjeu’s arrival back at NZ’s Windsor Park Stud (for his 3rd consecutive season) has coincided with the arrival of his 1st foal of the season. The filly is from former racemare Rapida (a Gr3 performer & winner of 5 races in Sydney when trained by Gai Waterhouse). Also arriving to stand alongside Montjeu are: English 2000 Guineas & King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes winner Golan (for his 1st NZ season after completing a successful freshman season in Ireland); & 2nd season shuttler Black Minnaloushe (a son of world champion sire & sire of sires Storm Cat, who was represented on the weekend by Irish Gr1 Phoenix Stakes winner One Cool Cat & runner-up Old Deuteronomy). (Aug 13) Waikato’s No Excuse Needed Arrives In NZ NZ Waikato Stud’s new 2003 stallion No Excuse Needed arrived on Monday. Stud manager Mark Chittick told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: “It’s like he’s been here all his life. He’s great in his box & just loves it out in the paddock.” Chittick noted that, despite 2 weeks in quarantine, the 5YO’s condition was perfect: “He’s obviously a great doer. His temperament would be a big help there.” No Excuse Needed will parade at the Karaka Stallion Expo on Sunday 24 August & also be on show during the tour of Waikato district studs the following Sunday 31 August. No Excuse Needed (by Mr Prospector horse Machiavellian) won 3 group races in England; his book of mares this season includes Gr1 winner Critic & last weekend’s Te Rapa winner Not Sure (raced out on lease by Waikato Stud & a half-sister to South African Gr1 winner Taupo Retreat). (Aug 13) Unbeaten US 2YO Vindication Retired To Hill 'N' Dale Farm Satish Sanan's Padua Stables announced the early retirement of Vindication (unbeaten US 2002 champion 2YO male). The Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner (who had been out of training since sustaining a left front suspensory strain in February) will stand at Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Kentucky. Leading trainer Bob Baffert summed up: "I am truly disappointed. Vindication was the most exciting 2YO I have trained." Vindication (Seattle Slew-Strawberry Reason, by Strawberry Road) was bred in Kentucky by Payson Stud & purchased by Padua Stables for US$2.15 million at the 2001 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale of selected yearlings; he duly won all 4 of his 2YO starts last season. Hill ‘n’ Dale purchased his breeding rights from Padua for an undisclosed sum last December. Satish Sanan told thoroughbredtimes.com: "Our next level with Vindication entails getting him the best book of mares possible, so he can show his superiority in the breeding shed." Hill ‘n’ Dale owner John Sikura added: "Vindication is the rarest of horses, in the mould of Danzig & Raise A Native: unbeaten & untested on the track & beautifully bred to boot." Vindication’s half-brother (by Seattle Slew's son, A.P.Indy) went for US$1.9 million at the recent Saratoga yearling sale. (Aug 13) Saratoga Day-2: US$170,000 Distorted Humor Colt Agent Mike Downing paid US$170,000 for a Distorted Humor colt (out of Apalachee mare Dave’s Kate) named Kate’s Humor (from the consignment of Lakland North) to top Day-2 at the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred preferred yearling sale at Saratoga. Lakland agent Becky Thomas told thoroughbredtimes: "Considering it was a light pedigree, I thought that was a very, very good price. He’s a pretty colt, but that’s a lot of money for that family. It’s the Funny Cide thing. We can thank Funny Cide for that." (Funny Cide, a New York-bred 3YO son of Distorted Humor, won this season’s glamour Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Preakness Stakes.) (Aug 13) Saratoga Day-2: Average Falls 16% Overall the 2-day Fasig-Tipton Saratoga preferred yearling sale recorded a 16% drop in average price compared with last year, while the median fell from US$35,000 to US$32,000. Buy-backs increased to 36.8% from 33.3% in 2002. The falls will result in changes at next year’s sale. Fasig-Tipton president Walt Robertson told thoroughbredtimes.com: "We probably need to be a little harder on our selection process next year than we were this year. It showed us tonight we took some horses that there wasn’t a market for today. At the top of the market, it was fine. But we probably had a few too many horses that didn’t belong. Did we over-estimate the bounce of Funny Cide? Yeah, I don’t think there is any question about it." Fasig-Tipton executive vice president Boyd Browning agreed: "We have to tighten the quality standards a little bit, try to be more selective.” (Aug 13) Del Mar Day-2: US$160,000 Smokester Colt Top Lot Meanwhile on the other side of the US, Dave Hulkewicz & Ernie Moody paid US$160,000 for Deuce Prize, a Smokester colt (consigned by Jack & Barb Hatch's Green Acres Stable), to top Day-2 at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association yearling sale at Del Mar, reported bloodhorse.com. Deuce Prize was produced from unraced Prized mare Prizes Are Lovely (a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Quite Extraordinary, by Run Of Luck). The colt was bred in California by Vera Holloway. (Aug 13) Del Mar Day-2: Gross Down 27.6% The 2-day CTBA Del Mar yearling sale ended with major declines in gross revenue (down 27.6% to US$3,105,500), average price (down 21.2% to US$34,506) & median price (down 21.5% to US$25,500). And the buy-back rate rose from 31.5% last year to 35.7% this year. The big setbacks were “puzzling” to CTBA officials; going into the sale, “they thought they had a catalogue full of horses with strong pedigrees & good conformation,” reported bloodhorse.com. “They also thought they might be able to improve on last year's record highs for average & median”. CTBA general manager Doug Burge summed up: "I'm at a loss to explain what happened. These are very difficult times in California, with the increased costs of racing horses, & that looks like it's something that needs to be addressed. But I don't think I can pin-point 1 reason why we saw such a significant drop." (Aug 13) 85% Increase At US On-Line Gambler We-Have-Seen-The-Future Update: US on-line gambling operator Youbet.com has increased its gross revenue by a massive 85% for the 3-month period ended 30 June 2003, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The gross gambling revenue rose from US$39.6 million in 2002 to US$73.3 million for the same 3-month period in 2003; & net revenue increased 105%, from US$2.287 million in 2002 to US$4.692 million this year. Youbet.com chief executive Chuck Champion said: "Our record-setting performance on handle is further evidence that Youbet.com has achieved premier status among on-line horse racing enthusiasts." (Aug 13) 1st Winner For UK Freshman Sire Croco Rouge UK freshman sire Croco Rouge (who stood 1 season at the Irish National Stud before moving to Japan) recorded his 1st British winner when his 2YO colt Boule D’Or won over 7 furlongs at Leicester in England, reported racingpost.co.uk. (Aug 13) Richly Blended To Stud In California BnD Chase Thoroughbreds has announced the relocation of multiple Gr3-winning 5YO Richly Blended to Rick Taylor's Special T Thoroughbreds in California, reported bloodhorse.com. Richly Blended (Rizzi-Valid Blend, by Valid Appeal) stood the 2003 season at Rancho San Miguel in California. (Aug 13) Winter Glitter To Stud In Florida US stallion Winter Glitter will enter stud at Whispering Creek in Florida for owner Janet Brickle, reported bloodhorse.com. A US$420,000 Keeneland September yearling, the 6YO son of A.P.Indy won 3 of 16 races. Winter Glitter is a half-brother to Gr1 winner Snow Ridge; his dam Snow Forest (by Woodman) was group-placed in England & stakes-placed in the US. (Aug 13) 1st Stakes Winner For UK’s Spinning The Yarn Spinning The Yarn, the 1st daughter of Colorspin to reach stud, produced a stakes-winner with her 1st foal when Necklace (by Darshaan) landed the Gr3 Debutante Stakes at The Curragh in Ireland, reported racingpost.co.uk. Necklace (a 600,000 guineas Tattersalls Houghton Sale yearling) is the 19th stakes-winner descended from Spinning. Spinning The Yarn (by Barathea) is very closely related to Opera House & Kayf Tara. Her 2nd foal (a Mark Of Esteem colt closely related to Necklace) is listed in this year’s Houghton catalogue. (Aug 13) Mobile Phones Restricted For UK Jockeys The English Jockey Club has written to all jockeys riding in Britain “outlining new measures restricting their use of personal cell phones at the races beginning on September 1,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Jockey Club director of regulation Malcolm Wallace (in a letter dated August 11) said riders will be “barred from using mobile phones at the races from half an hour before the 1st race until after the last race has started”; the restriction aims to “eliminate a potential threat to racing's integrity”. A Jockey Club weighing room security officer “will have a telephone available for jockeys' use in exceptional circumstances, but all calls will be recorded & monitored, & calls on a personal cell phone will be allowed only on compassionate grounds & within hearing of the clerk of the scales”. (Aug 13) Anabaa Arrival Delayed At Widden Widden Stud has announced the arrival of its leading shuttle stallion Anabaa (Danzig-Balbonella, by Gay Mecene) has been delayed after a paddock accident at his northern hemisphere home at Haras du Quesney in France. Anabaa (who has stood 6 seasons at Widden Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley) has sired 5 individual Gr1 winners & produced last season's Australian champion sprinter & triple Gr1-winner Yell (7 wins & 7 placings in 16 starts for $1,185,050 prize-money). Widden's Antony Thompson explained: "Anabaa is such a magnificent stallion & such a valuable horse, we could not risk him in any way. So the decision was made to delay travel arrangements & at this stage we hope to bring him to Sydney toward the end of August, meaning he would be released from quarantine by September 12.” (Aug 12) Southern Hemisphere Shuttle Stampede In Australia last season, “over 70 shuttle stallions covered over 5,360 of the 24,892 mares covered - nearly 20%,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. (Aug 12) US Champ Azeri Notches 11th Successive Win US super mare & current Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri notched her 11th straight win (& 14th from 15 starts) with a front-running victory in the US$300,000 Gr2 Clement Hirsch Handicap (8.5 furlongs) at Del Mar, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Azeri (ridden by Mike Smith for trainer Laura de Seroux) won by 3.25 lengths from Gr1 winner Get Koko (by Signal Tap) & Tropical Blossom (by Thunder Gulch). The 5YO daughter of Jade Hunter (out of Australia’s Group 3-winning Ahonoora mare Zodiac Miss) has now won US$2,984,820 prize-money & jockey Smith declared: "I didn’t begin to hit all of her gears. I may never get to the bottom of her. She’s just amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it." (Aug 12) Weld's Melb Cup Stars Set For Sunday Start Irish trainer Dermot Weld’s Melbourne Cup contenders Media Puzzle & Vinnie Roe “are lined up for action on Sunday” in Ireland’s Listed Ballyroan Stakes (12 furlongs) at Leopardstown reported racingpost.co.uk. Neither Media Puzzle nor Vinnie Roe has started since finishing 1st & 4th in last November’s Melbourne Cup. Weld confirmed: “The plan is to run both horses if the ground is safe & not too fast.” Media Puzzle & Vinnie Roe are among Weld's 5 entries for this year's Melbourne Cup, although an attempt at a 3rd consecutive win in the Irish St Leger next month is the main target for Vinnie Roe. (Aug 12) UK Jumper Landing Light Eyes Melb Cup Meanwhile British trainer Nicky Henderson’s star jumper Landing Light “is to continue his rewarding flirtation with the Flat & his next public appearance on a racecourse is likely to be in the Melbourne Cup,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Landing Light’s Channel Islands-based owner John Poynton gave the weekend go-ahead for the Melbourne challenge “following words of encouragement from Kieren Fallon & Darryll Holland”. Poynton revealed: “They independently advised me that they believe Landing Light to be the right type for Melbourne, & my intention is to give it a go.” The 8YO returned to the Flat for the 1st time since 1998 when he won at York in May; he was subsequently runner-up to Sindapour in the Ascot Stakes, before failing to justify favouritism in the Northumberland Plate. But Poynton commented: “The Newcastle race simply didn’t pan out his way & under the circumstances, he did well to get as close at he did. Ideally, I’d like Kieren to ride in Melbourne, because he gets on so well with the horse, though of course Sir Michael Stoute does have entries. Kieren has always been very positive about Landing Light & I’m sure he’d love to ride him. The horse is currently on a break, but he’ll return to training shortly.” After Australia, Poynton said, the horse will be trained for another attempt on the Champion Hurdle. (Aug 12) Singapore Stayer’s Melb Cup Target And NZ-bred stayer Exaggerate (Zabeel-Enhancer, by Red Tempo) highlighted his Melbourne Cup pretensions with victory in Singapore’s Gr2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Kranji. Exaggerate defeated Australian-bred Lord Of the Pines (by Royal Academy). Exaggerate (a brother to Gr1 Auckland Cup winner Able Master & an NZ$350,000 purchase at the 1999 NZ National Yearling Sales), began his career in Melbourne where he won 3 of his 9 starts. The 5YO is a member of former Melbourne trainer John Meagher’s in-form team & is the sole Singapore-trained entry for this year’s Melbourne Cup. Exaggerate had previously chased home top NZ mare Zirna (by Deputy Governor) in the Gr3 Singapore Derby Trial, before finishing an unlucky 2nd in last month’s Gr1 Singapore Derby. Meagher has already won a Melbourne Cup with What A Nuisance in 1985. (Aug 12) Exaggerate’s Relation At Karaka Sale Meanwhile a close relation to Exaggerate, the young Star Way mare Rouge Etoile, “is among the entries for this Sunday’s Spring Bloodstock Sale at Karaka,” noted NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. She is carrying a foal by Danasinga’s speedy younger brother Cullen. (Aug 12) US$175,000 Dixie Brass Filly Tops NY Preferred Sale Trainer James Bond (as agent for Rudlein Stable) paid US$175,000 for a daughter of Dixie Brass out of Cormorant mare Phalanopsis to top Session-1 at the 2-day Fasig-Tipton Saratoga preferred New York-bred yearling sale, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. And Becky Thomas signed the US$125,000 ticket for the session-topping colt, a son of Cozzene out of Port St Mary (by Seattle Slew). During Session-1, 5 yearlings brought US$100,000 or more. (Aug 12) NY Preferred Sale Day-1 Average Down 11.2% Overall the Day-1 average at the Saratoga preferred New York yearling sale (held amid torrential rain) was down 11.2% compared with last year (US$48,588 down to US$43,144 on 59 horses sold). Fasig-Tipton’s Boyd Browning told thoroughbredtimes.com: "We really didn’t see much electricity throughout the sale. It’s not like we are ready to jump off a bridge or anything. But we’re just a little bit disappointed. Some folks’ expectations might have gotten a little bit unrealistic, including ours.” (Aug 12) US$140,000 In Excess Colt Tops Day-1 Del Mar Sale Meanwhile on the other side of the US, Sunland Park owner Stanley Fulton (signing the ticket in the name of NW Management & Fleetwood) paid US$140,000 for a colt by Gr1 winner In Excess to top the opening night of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Del Mar yearling sale, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The colt, named Uncle Denny, was bred in California by William Siemon & is out of winning His Majesty mare Gift To The World. Next best price was US$65,000 paid by Dan Morgan (agent for Super-Horse Inc) for Mooseau, a son of Slew City Slew; the California-bred colt is out of winning Superbity mare Here’s Lookn Adder & is a half-brother to 5 stakes-winners. (Aug 12) Del Mar Sale Day-1 Average Plunges 34% Overall, the CTBA Del Mar Sale’s Day-1 average of US$31,472 was down 34% from last year’s record US$47,676, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 1st session was also plagued by a high 43.8% buy-back rate. CTBA general manager Doug Burge told bloodhorse.com: "It was disappointing. I'm trying to figure out exactly why it was as soft as it was.” (Aug 12) Kambula’s Blevic Continues Stakes Success Kambula Stud star resident Blevic (who recorded a career best 6 individual stakes-winners in 2002-03) has sired 3 black type performers in the 1st 10 days of the new racing season: South Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Horse-Of-The-Year Blevvo opened the stakes account for his sire with a 1st-up 3rd in the Listed Belmont Newmarket; then Northern Territory Derby winner Tjilpi ran 3rd in the Listed Darwin Cup; & Sciatica returned from a brief let-up to record his 1st stakes placing in the Listed Wylie Handicap (1050m) at Morphettville. (Aug 12) 1st Indian Danehill Foal Arrives Meanwhile SA’s Kambula Stud yesterday welcomed the 1st of its Indian Danehill foals, a filly from Amen Brother mare Winged Halo. Studmaster Brian Toole said: "She's lovely. She looks just like her father." The filly is a half-sister to promising Blevic gelding Mr Majestic (who has won 2 of his 3 starts in Malaysia). (Aug 12) Bengalla Sire Boasts 100% Winners NSW Hunter Valley sire Magic Winner “boasts a 100% winners-to-runners strike-rate following a maiden win by his gelding Lobero at Muswellbrook,” noted aapracingandsports.com.au. Magic Winner, who stands at Bengalla Stud near Muswellbrook, has had only 10 named foals since he entered stud in 1996 “but all 9 to race have now been winners, including multiple winners Strabo (5 wins), Magic Runner (5 wins), Mighty Magic (7 wins), Flareon (5 wins) & Magic Ruby (4 wins)”. Magic Winner, a Star Kingdom-line stallion by Ubetido, won 8 of his 18 starts (including 5-in-succession in Sydney). (Aug 12) AJC Seeks Poker Machines For Randwick The Australian Jockey Club has applied to the NSW Liquor Administration Board for a licence to install 30 poker machines at Royal Randwick, a move “that has incensed local clubs & hotels, whose management believes the racetrack slots would threaten their own cash flow,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Welfare & religious groups campaigning to limit gaming & gambling addiction are also opposed to the idea. But AJC chief executive Tony King explained the machines would be located in a members’ only area & would be in play exclusively on race days. He noted they would provide a much-needed addition to the club’s revenue, which would be plowed back into racing. Victoria has allowed poker machines in Melbourne race clubs since the early 1990s. (Aug 12) Brereton Suspended For Whip Offence Melbourne jockey Danny Brereton has been suspended for 1 month for “using his whip in an improper manner” on Almighty Yallah in a race at Caulfield. Racing Victoria stewards said Brereton jabbed Almighty Yallah “on the neck with the butt of his whip in his right hand” on 1 occasion in the early part of the straight in the race. During the inquiry, stewards undertook an inspection of trainer Graham Woolston's Caulfield stables, but that inspection revealed nothing of concern. (Aug 12) King’s Coup $96,500 QTIS Bonus The value of the QTIS scheme for Queensland racing was highlighted by the weekend victory of 3YO King’s Coup over 1200m at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm, noted racenet.com.au. Trainer Barry Squair said: "We just don’t have any real plans. The horse will tell us when he needs a break. The old trainer Jack McCallum used to say to me: son, never spell a horse when he is going well. And this horse is such a good doer.” Squair leased the colt after he was passed-in for just $8,500 at the 2002 QBBS yearling sale in Brisbane. The weekend win was King’s Coup’s 4th along (plus 2 2nds) from 10 starts for prize-money of $174,800 which includes QTIS bonuses of $96,500. (Aug 12) $14,000 Bargain Keeps Winning Bargain buy Legerdemain stormed to the biggest win of his career when he won the Coffs Harbour Cup for owner-trainer Alicia Willick. The 5YO gelding (by Covetous) was purchased by Willick for just $14,000 at the Inglis Winter Thoroughbred Sale last year & has returned prize-money topping $117,000. Legerdemain is a full brother to Star Covet, who won the 2001 Brisbane Cup as a rising 8YO. Given Legerdemain is lightly raced (20 starts for 6 wins), plenty more prize-money seems likely. (Aug 12) Swettenham & Coolmore Back Adelaide Following the announcement of an expanded Adelaide Magic Millions Carnival next February, major breeding industry players Swettenham Stud & Coolmore Stud have announced their support for 2 Adelaide carnival races. Swettenham Stud’s Australian director Adam Sangster confirmed the $250,000 Swettenham Stud Stakes will now be run on Wednesday 25 February 2004, a move which bolsters the mid-week Morphetville program also featuring South Australia’s richest race, the $400,000 Adelaide Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m). Sangster said: “We are extremely pleased for the Swettenham Stud Stakes to join the Magic Millions Classic to form 1 of the feature racedays in the country. Our family is delighted to take part in the exciting new Magic Millions Adelaide Carnival.” And Coolmore Stud’s spokesman James Bester announced it will sponsor a new event on the Magic Millions card (where prize-money is expected to top $100,000), likely to be a 1600m event for 3YO fillies. Bester said: “We have agreed to run a race in Adelaide to help further boost the Adelaide Magic Millions Carnival. Things are still being negotiated, but we are delighted to help Magic Millions in their efforts in Adelaide.” (Aug 12) Fantastic Light Filly At NZ’s Fairdale Palmerston North’s Fairdale Stud has welcomed the arrival of its 1st foal for the year: a filly by 6-time Gr1 winner Fantastic Light from US-bred Woodman mare Fair Time. Fairdale’s Gerald Fell told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: “We purchased Fair Time at the July Sales at Newmarket in England last year.” Fair Time will be mated this year with exciting new stallion Van Nistelrooy, in which Fairdale has become an equity partner in the importation of the world’s most expensive yearling of 2001 to NZ. (Aug 12) 1st Winner For Darley Japan Darley Japan (Sheikh Mohammed’s Japanese racing & breeding operation) recorded its 1st local winner when colt Zerenka (Seeking The Gold-Kerenza, by Seattle Dancer) scored over 6 furlongs at Funabashi Racecourse, reported racingpost.co.uk. Zerenka (a half-brother to Sheikh Mohammed’s Gr3 winner Jomana) was bred by Darley in Kentucky. Trainer Kawsashima Kawashia explained Zerenka’s next start would probably be on September 12 at Funabashi; if he wins, Zerenka will be eligible to run in some designated Japan Racing Association races. Due to stringent restrictions on foreign ownership, Darley Japan has been recognised by only 1 of Japan’s 2 racing authorities, the National Racing Association. Horses racing under the Darley Japan banner are currently eligible to run only in NRA competition, which generally offers lower prize-money & less prestige than JRA races, & are held on separate courses. (Aug 12) 1st Stakes Win For Irish Sire Daylami Irish sire & former Horse-Of-The-Year Daylami recorded his 1st stakes-winner when Wafic Said's 2YO filly Bay Tree (Daylami-My Branch, by Distant Relative) won the Listed Sweet Solera Stakes (7 furlongs) at Newmarket in England, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Bay Tree (who won on debut at Newbury 6 days earlier) defeated Nataliya (by Green Desert) & Qasirah (by Machiavellian). Bay Tree is a half-sister to Gr3 winner Tante Rose & both are out of Group-winning miler My Branch. Classic winner Daylami (Doyoun-Daltawa, by Miswaki) is now a 9YO & stands at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud in Ireland; he now has 4 winners from 8 runners from his 1st crop (including Gr2 3rd Birthday Suit & impressive maiden winners Grey Swallow & Thajja). (Aug 12) Filly & Dam In UK Tattersalls Dispersal Meanwhile both Bay Tree & her dam My Branch “will sell at Tattersalls later this year as part of Wafic Said’s dispersal,” noted racingpost.co.uk. (Aug 12) Boom UK Fasliyev Filly Sold Lucayan Stud’s boom 2YO filly Carry On Katie (Fasliyev-Dinka Raja, by Woodman), a 12-length winner on debut at Ascot in England last month, has been sold to Arab owner Mohammed Rashid “for a substantial 6-figure sum,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. A €100,000 (A$172,000) yearling purchase, Carry On Katie is 1 of 21 winners already in the 1st crop of Fasliyev & is related to Gr1 winning mare Kostroma. (Aug 12) 1st Stakes Winner For Irish Sire Darnay Irish sire Darnay (Darshaan-Flawless Image, by The Minstrel) recorded his 1st stakes winner when his 3YO Blue Corrig won the Listed Challenge Stakes at Leopardstown for trainer Joe Crowley, reported racingpost.co.uk. The Gr2-winning miler is a Ballyhane stallion & stands alongside Sunshine Street at Nicky Teehan’s Bluegate Stud in Kilkenny. (Aug 12) Royal York Replaces Ascot For 2005 York racecourse will hold the Royal Ascot meeting in 2005, while the Berkshire course undergoes its re-development. York was chosen ahead of Newbury, Newmarket & the National Hunt track at Cheltenham. (Aug 12) Multiple US Gr1 winner Affirmed Success Retires Trainer Richard Schosberg announced US$2.3 million earner Affirmed Success (a 9YO son of Affirmed) “is being retired due to recurrent problems with his right ankle.” Schosberg told thoroughbredtimes.com: "I never expect to see another horse with his talent, success & longevity. He was probably the most versatile horse in the country for the last 4 or 5 years." Owned & bred by Al Fried, Affirmed Success won 17 of 42 starts (including the 1999 Gr1 Cigar Mile Handicap, 2002 Gr1 Carter Handicap & 1998 Gr1 Vosburgh Stakes). (Aug 12) Coolmore’s Tale Of The Cat Adds US Gr2 Victory Coolmore shuttler Tale Of The Cat added a US stakes victory when his 2YO filly Whoopi Cat won the Gr2 Adirondack (6.5 furlongs) at Saratoga yesterday, reported bloodhorse.com. Whoopi Cat (ridden by Edgar Prado for trainer Patrick Biancone & owners Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor) defeated Unbridled Beauty & Eye Dazzler. Kentucky-bred Whoopi Cat is out of NZ-bred Sky Filou mare Whoopi. (Aug 12) Tiznow’s Full Sister Wins At Del Mar California-bred Tizdubai (a full sister to dual US Gr1 Breeders Cup Classic winner & 2000 Horse-Of-The-Year Tiznow) raced away to a 4-length victory in the US$150,000 Gr2 Sorrento Stakes (6.5 furlongs) for 2YO fillies at Del Mar, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Tizdubai, campaigned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Darley Stud Management, had won her career debut over 5.5 furlongs at Hollywood Park on July 6 for trainer Eoin Harty. John Ferguson Bloodstock purchased Tizdubai as a weanling on behalf of Darley for US$950,000 at the 2001 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, just days after Tiznow defeated Godolphin Racing’s Sakhee by a nose for his 2nd successive Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic victory. Tizdubai is 1 of 6 winners from 9 foals to race out of winning Seattle Song mare Cee’s Song. In addition to Tiznow, Tizdubai is a full sister to Gr2 winner Budroyale & Gr2-placed winner Tizbud. (Aug 12) Arrowfield’s Dehere Adds Another US Stakes Further to yesterdays’ report re Arrowfield shuttler Dehere’s unbeaten 3YO colt Soto keeping his record intact (& boosting earnings to US$566,164) when he broke the track record in winning his 5th successive race in the US$600,000 Gr3 West Virginia Derby (9 furlongs) at Mountaineer Park: Dehere’s 4YO colt Finality (ex Finally Found by Lord Durham) added a further US stakes success for his sire by winning the Listed West Point Handicap (8.5 furlongs on turf) at Saratoga. Finality finished 1st or 2nd in 5 of his 6 starts last year, ending the season with victory in the Gr2 Jamaica Handicap at Belmont. Dehere (Australia’s leading active sire last year) will serve a limited book at Arrowfield in 2003 at $60,500 (including GST). (Aug 12) Belong To Me’s Gr1-Winner Returns To US Track Widden shuttler Belong To Me’s exciting 3YO filly Miss Houdini finally returned to the track (after being sidelined with a tendon injury for nearly a year) with a close 2nd behind Coconut Girl over 6 furlongs at Del Mar, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Miss Houdini suffered a ruptured tendon shortly after winning the 2002 Gr1 Del Mar Debutante Stakes; she now has 2 wins from 3 starts. Bred in Kentucky, Miss Houdini is 1 of 3 starters (all winners) out of multiple Gr1 winner Magical Maiden. (Aug 12) 1st Winner For US Freshman Sire Artax Kentucky freshman sire & 1999 US champion sprinter Artax recorded his 1st winner when his 2YO filly Friendly Michelle won over 5.5 furlongs at Del Mar, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Artax (winner of the 1999 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint when equalling the track record at Gulfstream Park for 6 furlongs in 1min 7.89sec) stands for US$15,000 at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky. He has sired 5 starters & 65 foals in his 1st crop of racing age; he also has 72 yearlings. Artax also won the 1999 Gr1 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont Park & Gr1 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct, where he set a track record for 7 furlongs in 1min 20.04sec; that season he also set a track record for 6 furlongs at US$1,685,840 prize-money. Bred in Kentucky by Vinery & Carondelet Farm, Artax is 1 of 6 starters (4 winners) out of unraced Apalachee mare Raging Apalachee. (Aug 12) 1st Winner For US Freshman sire Wagon Limit US Gr1 victor & freshman sire Wagon Limit recorded his 1st winner when Silver Wagon raced home by 7.5 lengths over 7 furlongs at Saratoga Race Course, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Wagon Limit (a 9YO son of Conquistador Cielo) stands at Stone Farm in Kentucky; Silver Wagon is 1 of 3 starters from 27 foals in his 1st crop of racing age. Wagon Limit won the 1998 Gr1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes by 5.5 lengths at Belmont Park & 1998 Gr3 Westchester Handicap at Aqueduct among 6 victories in 20 career starts, while earning US$992,660 for owner-breeder Joseph Shields. Bred in Florida, Wagon Limit is 1 of 5 foals to race (all winners) out of stakes-placed winner Darlin Lindy (by Cox’s Ridge). (Aug 12) 1st Winner For US Freshman Sire Scatmandu Kentucky-based freshman sire Scatmandu recorded his 1st winner when Saxony Farm’s 2YO homebred Scat Man Sam breezed home by 6.5 lengths over 6.5 furlongs at Ellis Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Gr3 winner Scatmandu stands at Walmac International in Lexington & has sired 7 starters from 64 foals in his only crop of racing age; he is also represented by 35 yearlings. Scatmandu (a full brother to Gr1 winner November Snow) won the 1999 Gr3 Sport Page Handicap at Aqueduct & 1998 Leonard Richards Stakes at Delaware Park (plus 2 Gr2 placings) among 6 wins in 16 career starts. Scatmandu is 1 of 10 winners out of Alydar mare Princess Alydar. (Aug 12) 1st Winner For US Sire Mr Ballew Texas-based sire Mr Ballew recorded his 1st winner when his daughter Sparkles Mattie won by 6.75 lengths over 6 furlongs at Louisiana Downs on Saturday, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Mr Ballew is an 11-year-old son of Southern Answer; his dam is winning T.V.Charger mare Bonnie Blue Jean (who has produced 2 winners from 4 starters). (Aug 12) 3,000th Win For American Jockey James McKnight North American jockey James McKnight (who began riding in 1969) landed his 3,000th winner when he guided Thunder Bull to victory at Woodbine. He told thoroughbredtimes.com: "When you get close to milestones, it seems like it sort of drags & it’s just hard to get there." A native of Belfast in Northern Ireland, McKnight, 51, grew up in Ontario in Canada. In 1984 he rode Star Choice to a 2nd-place in the initial Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Hollywood Park (won by Royal Heroine). (Aug 12) US Jockey Rick Wilson Moves To 19th On All-Time List Meanwhile Maryland-based jockey Rick Wilson notched his 4,876th career win at Laurel Park to move past Rudy Baez for 19th on the all-time winner list, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. (Baez retired with 4,875 victories.) Wilson turns 50 today. (Aug 12) Salt Champ Wins Argentina’s Gr1 Gran Premio De Potrancas The heavy track did not inconvenience 3YO filly Salt Champ (Salt Lake-Wandel, by Fitzcarraldo) in winning the Gr1 Gran Premio de Potrancas (Argentina’s equivalent of the 1000 Guineas), reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Salt Champ defeated Natalie Beach (by Tempranero) & La Virtual (by Octante). Salt Champ now has 2 wins & a 2nd in 3 starts. Salt Champ is from the only Argentine crop of Salt Lake (Deputy Minister-Take Lady Anne, by Queen City Lad) who stands at Walmac International & shuttles to Argentina for a 2nd season in 2003. (Aug 12) Put It Back Sold To Brazilian Stud US Gr2 winner Put It Back, a Florida-bred son of Honor And Glory standing at Argentine-based Haras de La Pomme, has been sold to Brazil’s Haras Santa Maria de Araras, where he will stand the Southern Hemisphere season reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Put It Back won 5 of 7 career starts (including the 2001 Gr2 Riva Ridge Stakes at Belmont Park) for owner-breeder Hobeau Farm. He is out of winning Exuberant mare Miss Shoplifter (half-sister to Gr2 winner The Tender Track, Gr3 winner Topsy Robsy, stakes-placed winner Miswaki Bandit & unraced Butterbean, dam of multiple stakes winner Emailit); notable members of the immediate family include Irish high-weight Eloquent Minister. Put It Back covered 86 mares this northern season at Bridlewood Farm in Florida. (Aug 12) Easing Along To Stand In Brazil Easing Along (a 5YO Kentucky-bred son of Storm Cat) will stand the Southern Hemisphere season at Brazil’s Haras Rio Claro (property of Brazilian magnate Lineu de Paula Machado), reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Easing Along won 2 of 6 career starts for breeder Ogden Mills Phipps; he is 1 of 5 winners out of Gr1-winning Alydar mare Cadillacing (daughter of champion Relaxing & a full sister to champion & classic winner Easy Goer & Gr1 winner Easy Now). Easing Along is a half-brother to multiple graded stakes winners Cat Cay & Strolling Along. (Aug 12) Distorted Humor Share Sale Values Sire At US$20 Million A share in former shuttle stallion Distorted Humor (Forty Niner-Danzig's Beauty, by Danzig) sold for US$500,000 at Fasig Tipton’s Stallion Access sale at Saratoga, reported racenet.com.au. The sire of 8 stakes-winners from his 1st 2 crops (including US Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide & Gr1 winner Awesome Humor), Distorted Humor entered Prestonwood Farm (now WinStar Farm) for a fee of just US$12,500 in 1999; this was bumped up to US$20,000 this year “but with the share putting a nominal value of over US$20 million on the 10-year-old son of Forty Niner, his fee seems certain to rise substantially next season.” With his 1st crop of Australian-bred 2YOs just completing their initial season, Distorted Humor has had Distorted Humor has 3 winners (led by stakes-winner Rinky Dink) from 13 starters that earned $242,440 (placing him in 8th on the Australian 1st Season Sires table. (Aug 11) Stravinsky & Cape Cross Secured For 3 Years NZ’s Cambridge Stud has signed a deal to secure the southern hemisphere rights for the next 3 years to leading 1st-season sires Stravinsky & Cape Cross. Cambridge owner Sir Patrick Hogan told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: "I'm delighted that NZ breeders will continue to have access for the next 3 years to 2 sires who are currently among the hottest young stallions on the planet." Cape Cross (who boasts 13 individual winners this year with 5 black-type performers) is leading UK 1st Season Sire this year & already has a full book at Cambridge for spring. Stravinsky (represented by 15 individual winners this year) is currently both leading 1st Season Sire & leading overall 2YO sire (ahead of the likes of Storm Cat & Tale Of The Cat) in the US. (Aug 11) Hennessy Not To Shuttle This Season Meanwhile Coolomore’s Hennessy will not be coming to Australia this Spring “after it was discovered he had an elevated temperature,” reported racenet.com.au. “After missing the 2002 season, the son of Storm Cat had earned a recall on the back of a magnificent season that saw him finish as 10th leading sire in Australia.” The loss could be magnified if Hennessy’s sons Grand Armee & Half Hennessy achieve what they threatened to become last season: 2 of the best young gallopers in the nation. They were 2 of 5 stakes winners for Hennessy, who finished the season with earnings of $3,799,012. (Aug 11) Ninetyfive Emperor’s 10-In-A-Row In Singapore Australian-bred Singapore superstar Ninetyfive Emperor (by Rory’s Jester) made it 10-wins-in-succession for trainer Charles Leck at Kranji in the weight-for-age Gr3 Silver Plate (1400m). A $66,000 purchase at the Inglis 2001 Melbourne Premier Yearing Sale, his prize-money has now gone past A$600,000. (Aug 11) ‘Biggest Fixture Shake-Up In UK History’ The “biggest shake-up in the history of the fixture list”: that was the description from British Horseracing Board racing director Ruth Quinn accompanying publication of a watershed UK racing calendar for 2004 “fuelled by the demands of bookmakers & increasingly by eager television executives,” reported racingpost.co.uk. “Months of deliberations in her new role, involving negotiations with Racecourse Association & industry officials, racecourses, broadcasters & bookmakers, have produced more than 150 individual changes from this year’s program.” The result is a fixture list (published annually since 1778) with just 9 blank days & a sequence of 320 consecutive racing days, from the beginning of February to the middle of December, broken only by Good Friday on April 9. (Aug 11) Irish Stayers Added To Mel Cup Irish trainer Wille Mullins added his stayers Holy Orders & Sadlers Wings as late nominations for the $4 million Melbourne Cup after they finished 1st & 3rd in Ireland’s Guinness Handicap at Galway, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Holy Orders has had 33 starts for 10 wins (including the Gr1 Punchestown Champions Stayers Hurdle & Listed Vintage Crop Stakes over 13 furlongs at Navan). Sadlers Wings has had 16 starts for 2 wins & 5 placings (including the Listed Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown over 12 furlongs). (Aug 11) One Cool Cat Wins Irish Gr1 Phoenix Stakes Storm Cat 2YOs landed the quinella when his colt One Cool Cat (Storm Cat-Tacha, by Mr Prospector) defeated stablemate Old Deuteronomy to win the Gr1 Phoneix Stakes (6 furlongs) at The Curragh in Ireland yesterday, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Susan Magnier’s One Cool Cat (ridden by Michael Kinane) gave trainer Aidan O’Brien his 6th consecutive victory in the Phoenix Stakes (Europe's 1st 2YO Gr1 race of the season). Khalid Abdullah’s hot favourite Three Valley (Diesis) finished 3rd. One Cool Cat (the most expensive yearling sold at public auction in 2002 when he brought US$3.1 million at the Keeneland July select yearling sale) is the 2nd European Gr1 winner in 2003 sired by Storm Cat (Storm Bird-Terlingua, by Secretariat), who stands at Overbrook Farm in Kentucky. Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, One Cool Cat is 1 of 3 foals out of winning Mr Prospector mare Tacha (a daughter of former Keeneland July co-record-priced filly Savannah Dancer & a half-sister Gr2 winner & French classic-placed Sha Tha, dam of French high-weight State Shinto). (Aug 11) High Chaparral Wins Return Race At the same Curragh meeting yesterday, Michael Tabor & Susan Magnier’s champion 4YO colt & dual classic winner High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells-Kasora, by Darshaan) returned to the track with victory in the Gr2 Royal Whip Stakes (10 furlongs) over multiple Gr3 winne Imperial Dancer (by Primo Dominie) & In Time's Eye (by Singspiel). High Chaparral, who won last year’s Gr1 UK Epsom Derby & Gr1 Irish Derby for trainer Aidan O’Brien, had not started since also winning the US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Arlington Park last October. O’Brien indicated High Chaparral’s victory “could set him up for the Gr1 Irish Champion Stakes on September 6 at Leopardstown & French Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on October 5 at Longchamp,” noted thoroughbredtimes.com. (Aug 11) Dye & Team Win UK Shergar Cup At Ascot Meanwhile former top Sydney jockey Shane Dye helped the Rest Of The World team to victory over their combined England & Ireland opponents in the Blue Square Shergar Cup at Ascot in England on the weekend, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Despite a ‘home’ double from Kieren Fallon, the HK-based riders NZ-born Dye & South African Douglas Whyte “took the plaudits” as the international visitors won the 6-race point-score 146-98. The Rest-Of-The-World team was Dye, Whyte, Franki Dettori, Yutaka Take, Fredrik Johansson & Andreas Suborics; the Great Britain-Ireland team was Fallon, Pat Eddery, Kevin Darley, Darryll Holland, Mick Kinane & Johnny Murtagh. (Aug 11) Porlzza Wins French Gr1 Prix Maurice De Gheest In France, 4YO Porlezza (Sicyos-Pupsi by Matahawk) defeated her male rivals to win the Gr1 Prix Maurice de Gheest (1300m) at Deauville yesterday, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Porlezza (ridden by Christophe Soumillon for trainer Yves de Nicolay) defeated Etoile Montante (by Miswaki) & Avonbridge (by Averti), with favourite Zipping falling mid-race. It was the 2nd Group win of the season for Porlezza (who now has 5 wins in 16 career starts), whose 4th dam Sly Pola won the Gr1 Prix de l'Abbaye & Gr1 Prix Robert Papin & is a half-sister to Prix du Bois winner Polamia (dam of Champion Juvenile Grey Dawn & Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Right Away). Porlezza is the 2nd Gr1 winner for her sire Sicyos (Lyphard-Sigy, by Habitat), who stands at Haras du Petit Tellier. Bred in France, Porlezza is 1 of 2 winners from 5 starters out of winning Matahawk mare Pupsi & is a half-sister to stakes-placed winner Ponte Brolla; she also “represents the family of French classic winner & leading sire Green Dancer,” noted thoroughbredtimes.com. (Aug 11) Coolmore’s Peintre Celebre Adds European Stakes Coolmore shuttler Peintre Celebre notched another stakes-winner when breeder Ecurie Wildenstein’s 3YO filly Vallee Enchantee (Peintre Celebre-Verveine, by Lear Fan) turned yesterday’s French Gr2 Prix de Pomone (2700m) at Deauville “into a procession” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Vallee Enchantee (ridden by Dominique Boeuf) recorded her 3rd win in 7 starts in defeating Treble Heights (by Unfuwain) by 6 lengths, with a further 1.5 lengths back to German invader Mandela, who’d won the Gr1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) at Mulheim in June. Vallee Enchantee is the 4th stakes-winner from the 1st crop of European Horse-Of-The-Year & Classic winner Peintre Celebre (Nureyev-Peinture Bleue, by Alydar), who shuttles between Coolmore in Ireland & Australia. Irish-bred Vallee Enchantee is out of European high-weight Verveine, who has produced 6 starters (all winners). Vallee Enchantee is a half-sister to Gr3 winners Volga & Victory Cry, & stakes-placed winner Vagabond. “Immediate family notables include Gr1 winners Vin de France & Vespone,” noted thoroughbredtimes.com. (Aug 11) Widden’s Anabaa Adds European Stakes Widden shuttler Anabaa also added another stakes-winner when Peter Savill’s 2YO filly Roseanna (Anabaa-Dancing Rose, by Dancing Spree) made an impressive debut in France's Listed Prix Yacowlef at Deauville, winning by 3 lengths from Chineur (by Fasliyev) & Taygete (by Miswaki) reported thoroughbredinternet.com. A €95,000 (A$170,000) graduate of last year's Agence Francaise Deauville August Sale, Roseanna’s granddam Rose Bonbon is a Listed placed half-sister to: Gr1 Prix Ganay winner Vert Amande; Gr1 Prix Vermeille winner Indian Rose; Gr1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Le Nain Jaune; as well as Featherhill (dam of Groom Dancer & Tagel). Roseanna is the 10th stakes-winner for 2003 by Champion Sprinter Anabaa (Danzig-Balbonella, by Gay Mecene) who stands at Haras du Quesnay in Normandy & shuttles to Widden Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley. (Aug 11) Whitmore’s Conn Wins US Gr1 Sword Dancer Invitational New York-bred 5YO Whitmore's Conn (Kris S-Albonita, by Deputed Testamony) won the US Gr1 $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap (12 furlongs on turf) at Saratoga, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Whitmore's Conn (ridden by Jean-Luc Samyn for trainer Randy Schulhofer) defeated Macaw (by Bluebird) & Slew Valley (by Valley Crossing). Whitmore's Conn now has 7 wins & 9 placings from 26 starts. “Whitmore's Conn is out of a winning half-sister to Au Printemps, dam of Canadian Champion Turf horse Charlie Barley & Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Success Express, Champion Sire of 2YOs in Australia last season,” noted thoroughbredinternet.com. (Aug 11) Vinery’s Langfuhr Adds Canadian Triple Crown What a weekend for Vinery’s shuttle stallion Langfuhr. At Woodbine, Gustav Schickedanz's 3YO homebred colt Wando (Langfuhr-Kathie's Colleen, by Woodman) became the 7th Triple Crown winner in Canadian history when he won the C$500,000 (A$550,000) Breeders' Stakes (12 furlongs), reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Wando (ridden by Patrick Husbands for trainer Mike Keogh) defeated Shoal Water (Smart Strike-Puffin Island, by Pleasant Colony) & Colorful Judgement (Diesis-Colorful Vices, by Regal Classic) to become the 1st horse since Peteski in 1993 to complete the 3YO Triple Crown (Queen’s Plate Stakes, Prince Of Wales Stakes & Breeders’ Stakes) & has now won 5 consecutive stakes races (& 8 wins in 11 starts overall for esarnings of C$1,774,402). Bred in Ontario, Wando is 1 of 2 foals to race (both winners) out of Gr2-winning Woodman mare Kathie’s Colleen (a half-sister to Gr1 winner Beau Genius). His sire & Gr1 winner Langfuhr (Danzig-Sweet Briar Too, by Briartic) shuttles between Vinery in Kentucky & Australia. (Aug 11) Langfuhr Also Adds US Stakes Place And in the US$100,000 Gr3 Singapore Plate Stakes (9 furlongs) at Arlington Park, Langfuhr’s 3YO Illinois-bred filly Keeping The Gold finished a gallant 2nd when attempting her 5th consecutive win, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The race was won by Woodman’s daughter Sue’s Good News, with 7 lengths back to Meet Me At Midnite in 3rd place. (Aug 11) And Langfuhr Takes Aust Metrop Double Meanwhile in Australia Laggfuhr added a 2-state metropolitan double: 4YO daughter Loisset (Langfuhr-Selma Road, by Don’t Say Halo) won over 1400m at Royal Randwick in Sydney to record her 3rd victory (plus 4 placings) in 14 starts; & 4YO mare Sacred Hill (Langfuhr-Tanaquil, by Marscay) won over 1000m on Melbourne’s Sandown Hillside track to notch her 4th win (plus 5 placings) in 15 starts. Both mares are members of Langfuhr’s 1st Australian crop in 1999. “From 3 crops of racing age in the Southern Hemisphere, Langfuhr has produced 23 individual winners from 58 starters (39.7%),” noted aapracingandsports.com.au. (Aug 11) Arrowfield’s Dehere Adds West Virginia Derby Arrowfield shuttler Dehere’s unbeaten colt Soto (Dehere-Subtle Fragrance, by Crafty Prospector) kept his record intact (& boosted earnings to US$566,164) when he broke the track record in defeating favourite Dynever (by Dynaformer) in the US$600,000 Gr3 West Virginia Derby (9 furlongs) at Mountaineer Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. It was the 5th consecutive win for the Michael Dickinson-trained 3YO (a bargain US$50,000 Kentucky September Yearling purchase), who was ridden to victory by Ramon Dominguez. A yearling colt (by Forest Wildcat) from Soto’s dam Subtle Fragrance sold for US$675,000 at last week’s Saratoga Yearling Sale. Soto was bred by Domino Stud, now owned by Ken Jones (well known to Australians as owner of Golden Slipper winner Catbird & Slipper runner-up Clan O’Sullivan). (Aug 11) Saratoga Yearling Gross Up 36.9% & Median Up 33.3% Fasig-Tipton’s 3-Day Saratoga Select Yearling Sale ended with 154 horses sold for US$48,257,000 (up 36.9%), a 3-day median of US$240,000 (up 33.3%) & an average US$313,357 (up 24.5%). Buy-backs dropped from 28.6% last year to 21.4% this year. Fasig-Tipton President Walt Robertson summed up for thoroughbredtimes.com: "The market is good this year. I can attribute most of it to the quality of the horses, plain & simple." (Aug 11) US$1.2 Million Storm Cat Colt Tops Saratoga Day-3 In the final session (of the 3-days) at Saratoga, Stan Fulton signed the ticket for top lot at US$1.2 million (in the name of Fleetwood & NW Management) for a colt named Seventysevenstreet (Storm Cat-Broad Smile, by Broad Brush) reported thorougghbredtimes.com. (Aug 11) Shuttle Stallion Results At Saratoga More than a dozen prominent shuttle stallions had yearlings offered at Saratoga & racenet.com.au noted their results: Belong To Me (Danzig) Colt ex Power Play (Fast Play) US$90,000 Colt ex Carley’s Crown (Wild Again) US$200,000 Filly ex Gemini (Tough Critic) US$80,000 Elusive Quality (Gone West) Colt ex Has Mi Dia (Pine Bluff) not sold (US$80,000) Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr. Prospector) Colt ex Mycatcandance (Storm Cat) not sold (US$375,000) Colt ex Pacheca (Storm Creek) US$500,000 Colt ex Rokeby Rosie (Prized) US$900,000 Colt ex Hidden Storm (Storm Cat) US$270,000 Filly ex Our Dear Ruth (Baldski) US$700,000 Giant’s Causeway (Storm Cat) Coly ex Irish Linnet (Seattle Song) US$400,000 Colt ex Antique Pearl (Darshaan) US$250,000 Colt ex Diamond White (Robellino) US$150,000 Filly ex Tamise (Time For A Change) US$185,000 Filly ex Golden Aster (Seeking The Gold) not sold (US$90,000) High Yield (Storm Cat) Colt ex Profit System (Copelan) US$525,000 Colt ex See You (Gulch) US$200,000 Filly ex Letty’s Pennant (Bold Forbes) US$230,000 Filly ex Scatter Buy (Relaunch) US$120,000 Filly ex Sentimental Angel (Pine Bluff) US$325,000 Marquetry (Conquistador Cielo) Filly ex Baby North (Northern Baby) not sold (US$290,000) More Than Ready (Southern Halo) Filly ex Sacred Promise (Blushing John) US$260,000 Mr Greeley (Gone West) Colt ex It’s Destiny (Red Ransom) US$120,000 Colt ex Top (Cox’s Ridge) not sold (US$200,000) Colt ex Brighter Than Gold (Light Idea) not sold (US$335,000) Filly ex Subtle wave (Wavering Monarch) US$260,000 Real Quiet (Quiet American) Filly ex Wanted Again (Criminal Type) US$160,000 Royal Academy (Nijinsky) Filly ex Northern Sanction (Affirmed) not sold (US$90,000) Tale Of The Cat (Storm Cat) Lot 160 b c x Celestial Crown (Holy Bull) US$400,000 Thunder Gulch (Gulch) Colt ex Offshore Account (Private Account) US$150,000 Colt ex Shoot The Moon (Seattle Slew) not sold (US$275,000) Colt ex Cosa Lusinante (Capote) US$130,000 Colt ex Gone Private (Private Account) not sold (US$70,000) Filly ex Turbo Launch (Relaunch) $US85,000 Filly ex Boldly Extravagant (Bold Ruckus) US$130,000 Filly ex Grassy Springs (Vice Regent) US$140,000 Unbridled’s Song (Unbridled) Colt ex La Gueriere (Lord At War) US$750,000 Colt ex Silken Cat (Storm Cat) US$1,400,000 Colt ex Stephanie’s Road (Strawberry Road) US$800,000 Colt ex Verbal Volley (Oh Say) US$400,000 Colt ex Heat Is On (Sunshine Forever) US$150,000 Filly ex Adorable Minister (Deputy Minister) not sold (US$185,000) Filly ex Chartreuse (Danzatore) US$350,000 Filly ex Danzig Till Dawn (Danzig) US$160,000 Zafonic (Gone West) Colt ex Greenvera (Riverman) US$110,000 (Aug 11) Regimental Gal’s 4,600% Return Meanwhile on the Australian scene on the weekend, 3YO filly Regimental Gal (General Nediym-Hallaya, by Yallah Prince) ran a race record 56.96sec to win the Gr2 San Domenico Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick in Sydney. Regimental Gal defeated unbeaten colt Spark Of Life (Nine Carat-Sparkling Bounty, by Celestial Bounty) & Dorky (Grand Lodge-Boogie, by Procul Harum). Regimental Gal, who cost just $16,500 as a yearling at the Magic Millions March premier Sale, now has 5 wins & $788,800 prize-money. Regimental Gal is from the 2nd crop of Gr1 winner General Nediym (Nediym-Military Belle, by Without Fear). (Aug 11) Victory Vein Heading To Stud Victory Vein’s breeder & part-owner Tony Hartnell “will be astonished” if the now 4YO mare ever races again, reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Victory Vein (winner of 11 of 20 starts & $1.8 million prize-money) hasn’t raced since the Coolmore Stakes at Rosehill in March & suffered a hind leg injury in a Kembla Grange track gallop. “A recent scan indicated the mare would be able to resume in 6 weeks, eliminating possible Spring targets,” noted the newspaper. “Hartnell figures retirement to stud is looming as the best option.” (Aug 11) Freedman Names Rodd Aust’s Best Young Jockey Asked by Daily Telegraph columnist Ken Callander to name “the most promising young jockey in Australia”, leading Melbourne trainer Lee Freedman replied: “Michael Rodd for sure. If Damien Oliver decided to ride overseas, I would waste no time in enticing him to Melbourne.” (Aug 11) Purton Target For Sydney Offer And The Daily Telegraph reported this morning: “There is also a move afoot to entice Brisbane’s other whiz kid Zac Purton to Sydney. A trainer who regularly wins Gr1 races is interested in talking turkey to the Brisbane premiership winner, who rode another double at Eagle Farm on Saturday.” (Aug 11) Princesa Retired & For Sale Talented sprinting mare Princesa (Danehill-Kapchat, by Centaine) has been retired with 5 wins from 19 starts & $220,000 prize-money. Raced by Global Livestock Marketing Syndicate, Princesa (a $400,000 weanling purchase) is a bay standing 15.3 hands, who syndicate manager Andrew Pennefather described as "an athletic, stunning type - a very refined mare with a wonderful temperament" who retires "100% sound." Regally-bred Princesa is now for sale via Randwick Bloodstock Agency. Her dam is outstanding racemare Kapchat (who won of 6 of her 15 starts including the Gr1 Winfield Classic, Gr2 Laurent Perrier Stakes & Listed United Racecourses Stakes); she is also the dam of stakes-placed Danehill gelding Keeneland (winner of 5-in-a-row before heading to Singapore). Kapchat was served by Danzero last year; she also has a Danehill weanling colt, a Danehill 2Y0 filly & an unraced Danehill 3Y0 filly. (Aug 11) Mitsubishi Sponsors NSW Country Racing Series Mitsubishi Motors Australia has announced a new 2-year sponsorship with NSW Country Racing via the 2003 Mitsubishi Country Racing Series. The national sponsorship also involves Queensland, Victoria & South Australia & will inject over $1 million into country racing over the next 2 years; in NSW the sponsorship will provide an extra $180,000 prize-money this year alone. The deal is the largest industry-level sponsorship of NSW country racing to date. NSW Country Racing Council chief executive Brian Judd said: “All 12 participating race clubs are very enthusiastic about the sponsorship of the series, which will be a real feature of country racing this Spring.” The sponsorship consists of 3 racing series each of 3 qualifying races, leading into finals in northern, western southern NSW: The Mitsubishi Northern Racing Series will commence at Taree on Friday 22 August, with qualifying heats also at Moree (Cup day 14 September) & Muswellbrook (5 October), leading into the $30,000 Open final at Cessnock on Sunday 26 October. The Mitsubishi Western Racing Series will conduct qualifying races at Warren (31 August), Mudgee (7 September) & Bathurst (22 September), with the $30,000 Open final at Coonamble Cup day on Sunday 12 October. The Mitsubishi Southern Racing Series qualifying races will be held at Goulburn (5 September), Gundagai (8 September) & Queanbeyan (21 September), leading into the $30,000 Open final on Sunday 19 October at Nowra. (Aug 11) Tit For Taat NZ’s Horse-Of-The-Year Mutliple Gr1-winning sprinter Tit For Taat (Faltaat-Miss Kiwitea, by Truly Vain) has been named NZ 2002-03 Horse-Of-The-Year, as well as Champion Sprinter/Miler & Champion Weight-for-Age, at the annual awards ceremony in Christchurch. Tit For Taat (now a 6YO gelding) won 7 group races (including the NZ Gr1 Railway Handicap, NZ Gr1 Waikato Draught Sprint & NZ Gr1 Captain Cook Stakes, plus Australian Gr2 Sir Byrne Hart Stakes in Brisbane) last season for husband & wife training-partnership Wayne & Anne Herbert. Other winners included: Champion 2YO: Maroofity (Maroof-Howkudai, by Don't Forget Me) Champion 3YO: The Jewel (O'reilly-The Grin, by Grosvenor) Champion Stayer: Honor Grades (Danzig-Weekend Surprise, by Secretariat) Broodmare-Of-The-Year: The Grin (Grosvenor-The Dimple, by Noble Bijou) Breeder-Of-The-Year: Fayette Park Stud (Aug 11) Westbury’s Faltaat Top NZ Sire By AEI Amid the ‘end-of-season’ debate about whether Leading Sire tables reveal the full story about both stallion ‘quality’ & ‘consistency’, NZ’s Arion Pedigrees has released a Leading NZ Sires Table By Average Earnings Index for 2002-03. (The US & more recently UK have used AEI tables to recognise a sire’s quality & consistency by eliminating the distortion created by larger numbers of progeny of certain stallions or a stallion having 1 exceptional horse that is better than the rest of his progeny.) Westbury Stud's sire Faltaat heads the NZ Leading Sires By AEI table for the 2nd time in the last 3 years (after finishing 5th on the traditional Leading Sires by prize-money table behind Volksraad, Zabeel, O’Reilly & Desert Sun). The Leading NZ Sires by AEI for 2003-03 were: 1: Faltaat 2: Bin Ajwaad 3: Zabeel 4: Shinko King 5: O'Reilly 6: Housebuster 7: Prized 8: Mi Preferido 9: Danehill (Aug 11) Danehill’s Gr1 Son To NZ Java Lodge NZ’s Matamata stud Java Lodge has made a late addition to its stallion roster for the 2003 breeding season: 7YO Indian Danehill, a Gr1-winning son of Danehill, will stand at NZ$8,500+GST. Indian Danehill (Danehill-Danse Indienne, by Green Dancer) retired to the Irish National Stud in 2001 & last year made his 1st shuttle trip south to stand at South Australia’s Lindsay Park Stud. Although he attracted more than 100 mares, the partnership that stood Indian Danehill at Lindsay Park decided against a 2003 renewal in favour of new US Gr1 Alannan. Lindsay Park spokesman Mark Pilkington told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: “It was with some misgivings that we made that decision. He really impressed us last year, he received an excellent reception from breeders & got all but 2 of the 101 mares he covered in foal. We’re looking forward to his 1st foals shortly & it’s good that he is going to Java Lodge & will therefore still be available to Australasian breeders.” Java Lodge principal Ross Mackie felt Indian Danehill was too good an opportunity to ignore: “He’s a Gr1 winner by Danehill, he’s from a proven stallion-producing family & the feedback on him has been excellent.” Indian Danehill (trained in France by Andre Fabre) raced in the best European company over 3 seasons, with 8 of his 11 starts at Gr1 level (producing a win in the Prix Ganay over 2100 metres at Longchamp & 2nds in both the Grand Prix de Paris & Prix d’Ispahan at the same track, plus a 3rd in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly, a 4th in the Irish Champion Stakes & a 5th in the Newmarket Champion Stakes). At Longchamp he also won the Gr2 Prix d’Harcourt (2000m), Gr3 Prix de Fontainebleau (1600m) & Prix de Fontenoy. He was given a Timeform rating of 124 as a 4YO, an indication of the overall class of his racing form. (Aug 11) Malaysian Owner Buys Top Christchurch Lot Leading Malaysian owner Jerry Sung (Auric Stables) paid NZ$83,000 for a Kaapstad colt (offered by Wynyard Lodge Stud) to top the South Island 2YO Sale in Christchurch, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The colt's dam is Waikiki Star mare Argentina, who won 8 races (including the Listed James Hazlett Stakes). And Matamata trainer Paul O'Sullivan paid NZ$50,000 for a 2YO by boom sire Stravinsky (currently leading both the US 1st-Season & 2YO Sire tables), who shuttles to Cambridge Stud this spring. (Aug 11) McHardie Dispersal Added To Karaka Spring Sale A 3rd dispersal will be a part of the Spring Bloodstock Sale at Karaka on August 17, reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Due to ill-health, long time Waikato breeder & owner Bob McHardie will offer 24 lots on an unreserved basis, including: 10 broodmares (by such sires as Grosvenor, Stylish Century, Nassipour, Zephyr Bay, Honor Grades, Roman Empire & Sharpo covered by Chief Bearhart, Anziyan, Traditionally, Rossini & Shinko King); untried stock (by Anziyan, Four Seasons, Masterclass & Carnegie); unbroken 2YOs by Felix The Cat, Anziyan, Woodborough & Stravinsky); & yearlings by Carnegie, Felix The Cat, Anziyan & Align. The Spring Bloodstock Sale will also include large broodmare dispersals by Norelands Stud & the Golden Horseshoe, Final Triumph & Swell Investments syndicate. (Aug 11) Broodmare Water Sprite Also Added To Karaka In addition, a special inclusion in the supplementary catalogue for the August 17 Spring Bloodstock Sale at Karaka is broodmare Water Sprite, by Secretariat from the Danzig mare Baltic Sea. Water Sprite is a winning half-sister to US champion sprinter Caller One by Phone Trick, winner of the Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Stakes. Water Sprite “is believed to be in foal to Stravinsky,” advised NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. (Aug 11) UK Derby Winner’s Dam Dies Chateaucreek (dam of 1980 Gr1 English Derby winner Henbit) has been euthanised “due to infirmities resulting from old age” at Mineola Farm in Kentucky. Mineola’s Jack Jones told thoroughbredtimes.com: "She had just stopped grazing & wasn’t able to bend over to eat anymore." Bred in Kentucky by Warner Jones, the daughter of champion & dual classic winner Chateaugay (out of unraced Sailor mare Mooncreek) retired from racing at the end of her 4YO campaign, having won 6 of 29 starts (including the 1973 Delta Queen Handicap at River Downs). As a broodmare Chateaucreek produced 7 winners from 10 starters including Henbit (who was England’s top 3YO of 1980). Other off-spring include: Turk O Witz (a winning daughter of Stop The Music who produced Gr1 winners Mr Purple & Queens Court Queen, & stakes winners Sister Queen & Turkaro); Chateaubaby (a daughter of Nureyev, who produced multiple Gr3 winner Fantastic Fellow); & stakes-placed winners Henbane & Raneen. Chateaucreek retired from the breeding shed in 1992. (Aug 11) 1st Winner For US Sire Prosetflanker US sire Prosetflanker recorded his 1st winner when won on debut over 5 furlongs at Thistledown, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 17-year-old son of Fire Dancer stands in Alabama. (Aug 11) Gene De Campeao Brazil’s Horse-Of-The-Year Dual Gr1 winning 4YO Gene De Campeao (Khatango-Zarzamora, by Our Captain Willie) has been named Brazil's Horse-Of-The-Year for the 2002-03 season, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Haras Bandeirantes was named the country's leading Breeder. (Aug 11) US$2.7 Million Unbridled Colt Tops Saratoga Day-2 Satish Sanan of Padua Stables outlasted B. Wayne Hughes & Sheikh Mohammed's agent John Ferguson to pay top price of US$2.7 million for a colt by deceased Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled out of Lord At War mare Words Of War (a stakes winner who produced Gr2 Suburban Handicap & Gr2 Dwyer Stakes winner E Dubai) at Day-2 of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Summer sale of selected yearlings, reported bloodhorse.com. The bay colt was bred in partnership by Arthur Hancock III & Stonerside Stable (& sold by Hancock's Stone Farm as agent), the same partnership that bred & sold 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus for US$4 million to top the 1998 Keeneland July sale. The colt’s dam Words Of War (purchased by Stonerside for US$440,000 in 1996 in foal to Nureyev) has produced over US$6 million in yearling sale revenue from 5 subsequent foals. After signing the ticket, Satish Sanan (who purchased his 2002 juvenile champion Vindication at Saratoga 2 years ago) summed up: "We've had very good luck at this sale." Asked who would train the Unbridled colt, he replied: "It's too early to say now." And Sanan quipped to thoroughbredtimes.com: "We were going to buy this colt. We thought it would take around US$3 million, so we had a little gas left." Meanwhile E-Dubai (by Mr Prospector) debuts at stud in Australia this season at Darley’s Hunter Valley base. (Aug 8) US$1.9 Million For A.P.Indy Colt A 3/4 brother to 2YO champion Vindication by A.P.Indy (bred by Virginia Kraft Payson & consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency) brought a final bid of US$1.9 million. The black colt (out of Strawberry Road mare Strawberry Reason) was originally listed as a buy-back; however he was later purchased by HK-based French trainer Patrick Biancone as agent & Fasig-Tipton revised the sale ticket to show the colt had been sold. Taylor Made's Duncan Taylor told bloodhorse.com: "We just misjudged it. I thought the horse could bring US$2.5-3 million.” Biancone said "3 or 4" people are involved in his buying group who were “working out the details as the sale progressed”. (Aug 8) US$1.4 Million For Unbridled’s Song Colt John Oxley (owner of 2002 Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos) & trainer John Ward paid US$1.4 million for a chestnut colt by former Arrowfield shuttler Unbridled's Song (consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency), out-bidding high-profile US trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who remarked to Coolmore associate Demi O'Byrne: "That's the best looking colt I've seen here in a long time" as the colt walked out of the ring, reported bloodhorse.com. Bred by Aaron & Marie Jones, the flashy-looking colt is out of Storm Cat mare Silken Cat (Canadian 2YO champion). The yearling is a half-brother to stakes-placed runner Speightstown (who sold for US$2 million at the 1999 Keeneland July yearling sale). Ward told thoroughbredtimes.com: "He’s a lovely-bodied animal. To me, he’s the pick of the sale." (Aug 8) US$900,000 For Fusaichi Pegasus Colt Jeanne Vance (who campaigned champion & classic winner Lemon Drop Kid with her late husband Milton ‘Laddie’ Dance) paid US$900,000 for a colt by 2000 Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus. The colt is out of unplaced Prized mare Rokeby Rosie (a half-sister to champion Silverbulletday) & was consigned by Viking Stud. Vance told thoroughbredtimes.com: "He’s a beautiful horse. As an individual he’s outstanding. I hoped I wouldn’t have to go further, but I wasn’t too surprised at the price. He’s got a marvelous pedigree & he’s a grand looking horse. You can’t hide that kind." (Aug 8) US$475,000 For Silver Deputy Filly The top filly at Saratoga Day-2 was by Silver Deputy (out of Slew City Slew mare Slew City Slicker), which was knocked down to pharmaceutical executive Eugene Melnyk for US$475,000 reported aapracingandsports.com.au. (Aug 8) Progressive 2-Day Saratoga Gross Up 48% Overall on Day-2 at the Saratoga Sale, 49 horses sold for US$17,440,000 (up 28% on last year) at an average of US$355,918 (up 32%) & median US$200,000 (up 3%). Buybacks were 25% (down from last year’s 31% on the same night). Similarly the progressive 2-day combined totals are up 48% for US$33.987 million gross receipts, 30% for the average price & 28% for the median. Fasig-Tipton chairman D.G. Van Clief summed up to bloodhorse.com: "What we have is a better group of horses than we had last year.” (Aug 8) Big US Buyer Bob Lewis ‘Not Buying This Year’ Meanwhile Robert & Beverly Lewis, 2 of the biggest buyers in the international thoroughbred marketplace, announced yesterday they will not be buying any yearlings at public auction this year. Bob Lewis told bloodhorse.com: "Mrs Lewis & I are taking a rest. In part, there are some personal reasons, but I am also in the process of selling my business & that is of paramount importance to me. In addition, we are trying to cut down on our numbers; we are feeding about 125 horses now. We'll be selling 5 yearlings this year & about 25 broodmares." Last year, the Lewises were the 4th-leading buyers of yearlings in North America, spending US$7.13 million for 19 lots. "We'll be back at the 2YO sales next year," Bob Lewis added. The Lewises did not attend the Fasig-Tipton July or Saratoga yearling sales, but “they plan be at Keeneland in September to watch their yearlings go through the ring”. (Aug 8) Red Ransom Relocated To Dalham Hall In UK Vinery shuttle stallion Red Ransom, sire of England’s 2003 Gr1 Epsom Oaks winner Casual Look & last weekend’s German Gr1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis winner Ransom O'War (& 47 other stakes winners), will move from Vinery Kentucky to stand the 2004 Northern Hemisphere season at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud near Newmarket in England, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 16-year-old son of Roberto (out of Damascus mare Arabia) stood the 2003 season for US$45,000 & is standing the current southern hemisphere season at Vinery Australia for A$49,500; he will stand his 1st season in England for £35,000 (US$56,000). Vinery will retain a majority interest in Red Ransom & will jointly manage the stallion with Darley. Vinery general manager Bates Newton commented: "Since his early success with the likes of Sri Pekan (multiple Gr2 stakes winner) & Intikhab (1998 European high-weight), Red Ransom has been rightly popular with European breeders & with owners who race in Europe. We remain absolutely committed to him. He’s been a good friend to Vinery, but we’re delighted he has this opportunity to move to Darley." Red Ransom has sired 29 group/graded stakes winners from his 1st 10 crops, including: 2000 champion & Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Perfect Sting; 1995 Gr1 Del Mar Oaks winner Bail Out Becky; & stakes winners China Visit, Ekraar, Comic Strip, Trail City, Pico Teneriffe, Stay Sound & Turkish champion Pardon. Casual Look, a 3YO Kentucky-bred (out of Manila mare Style Setter), won the Epsom Oaks on June 6 & finished 3rd a month later in the Gr1 Darley Irish Oaks at The Curragh. Darley’s John Ferguson said: "Red Ransom has proved himself to be an exceptional stallion. He’s sired a Breeders’ Cup winner, a European champion, Royal Ascot juveniles & of course an Epsom Oaks winner. He’s having a spectacular season with 2 Gr1 winners, his stock love the turf & we’re thrilled to be able to offer him to European breeders." Bred in Virginia, Red Ransom won 2 of 3 career starts before his career was cut short by injury; he set a 5-furlong track record (56.80sec) at Saratoga Race Course with victory in his career debut. (Aug 8) Northerly & Choisir Top End-Of-Season Ratings Choisir's outstanding achievements in England “have catapulted him to the position of leading 3YO, as well as leading sprinter, in the end-of-season Australia-NZ Classifications” released yesterday, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Choisir was given a rating of 118 following his Gr1 victories at Flemington & Royal Ascot. Stradbroke Handicap winner Private Steer took best 3YO sprinting filly with a 109 rating. Following his AJC Australian Derby win, Clangalang was rated best 3YO distance horse at 109. Sunday Joy collected the 3YO distance filly title with 105, following her AJC Oaks victory. Northerly was champion racehorse & leading older horse with a 124 rating after victories in both the Cox Plate & Caulfield Cup, Australia’s 2 highest rating races (calculated by averaging the 1st 4 placings in an event). Octagonal's son Lonhro collected the leading mid-distance horse title following Gr1 wins in the Chipping Norton & George Ryder Stakes. Sprinting honours among the older horses were shared between Rubitano & Spinning Hill, both given 116. In the 2YO category Hasna received a 105 rating, following her wins in the AJC Sires' Produce & Champagne Stakes. Golden Slipper winner Polar Success was rated at 102. Kiwi Maroofity was named leading 2YO colt or gelding & was rated at 101, following wins in the Ellerslie & Awapuni Sires' Produce Stakes. (Aug 8) Bel Esprit Attracts Quality 1st Book Eliza Park’s 1st-season sire Bel Esprit is set to begin his stud career with the book of elite mares his credentials deserve. Confirmed as visiting the multiple Gr1 (2YO & 3YO) winning son of Royal Academy are: distinguished Australian female sprinters Scandinavia (by Snippets) & Millrich (by Century); NZ’s co-champion 2YO of her generation Love To Dance (by Citidancer); & Gr1 winner Barbut Delcia (by Brilliant Invader), dam of multiple black-type winning stayer Thesecondmortgage. (Aug 8) Racing NSW Aims For $25 Million Increase To Owners The sale of Sydney’s Canterbury Park & several other racetracks around NSW “along with race club amalgamations & a 3-year freeze on Group & Listed prize-money are part of Racing NSW’s latest strategic paper,” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. The 14-page “key program” document has the “paramount objective” of increasing returns to owners “by $25 million within 3 years”. Key elements “in achieving the financial windfall” (listed in the executive summary) include: Reduce current 7 metropolitan/provincial administrations to a maximum 3; Upgrade racecourses with greatest strategic growth prospects by reducing metropolitan/provincial venues from 10 to 8 (the report notes “the racecourses with the least strategic opportunity for growth are Canterbury, Gosford & Wyong”); Allocate race dates “on performance not label”; Examine effectiveness of certain country centres “where clubs are in close proximity”; Align race meetings with horse population. (Aug 8) Strawberry Hill To Sponsor $100,000 Wyong Race John Singleton’s Strawberry Hill Stud yesterday announced a 5-year sponsorship for a new Magic Millions 2YO event, the Strawberry Hill Stud Slipper, over 1000m on December 11 at Wyong north of Sydney. Only horses sold at Magic Millions sales will be eligible for the event, which will carry $100,000 prize-money. Wyong Race Club chief executive Tony Drew told aapracingandsports.com.au: “The race will be a vital lead-up event to the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, which will be staged just 1 month after our race.” The new race is the only Magic Millions restricted event set to be staged in NSW this racing season. (Aug 8) NSW Racehorse Owners Association Awards The NSW Racehorse Owners Association held its annual awards function at Royal Randwick last night. The winners were: Best NSW 2YO: Hasna Best NSW 3YO: Choisir Best NSW Sprinter-Miler 4YO or Older: Lonhro Best NSW Middle Distance Runner: Lonhro Best NSW Stayer: County Tyrone Queen Of The Autumn: Shower Of Roses NSW Country Champion Horse-Of-The-Year: Choisir Champion Horse-Of-The-Year: Lonhro Theo Green Medal: Ron Stewart George Moore medal: Darren Beadman T.J.Smith Medal: Gai Waterhouse (Aug 8) Queensland Phone Bet Minimum Reduced To $50 The Queensland Racing Board has lowered that State’s minimum telephone bet to $50. Queensland Racing betting supervisor Luke Bailey told racenet.com.au: “This means we now have a similar minimum telephone bet to most other states. The Queensland Bookmakers’ Association made successful representations to the QRB to lower the telephone limits from $150 to $100 about a year ago. Since then minimum telephone bets interstate have been amended to $50 in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia & Tasmania. The $100 limit in NSW is under review." (Aug 8) Cambridge Sires Top UK & USA Tables NZ’s Cambridge Stud is in the “enviable position of having not 1, but 2, world class emerging sires returning for their 4th southern hemisphere seasons,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Both Cape Cross (by Green Desert) & Stravinksy (by Nureyev) are dominating their respective 1st season sire tables “& the winners continue to come each week”. Cape Cross is leading 1st Season Sire in the UK with 19 winners (including Listed Tyros Stakes winner Privy Seal & 4 other individual stakes performers, including Group placed Nights Cross & Mokabra). Across the Atlantic, Stravinsky is not only 2003 US Leading 1st Crop Sire but also heads the 2003 US 2YO Sires table; his 15 individual winners in the US, UK & Italy include Listed Shadwell Stud Rose Bowl Stakes winner Venables & 2 other stakes performers. Cape Cross is standing this southern season at NZ$10,000+gst & Stravinsky is standing for NZ$18,000+gst. (Aug 8) Ninetyfive Emperor Goes For 10-In-A-Row Singapore’s current sensation, Australian-bred Ninetyfive Emperor (by Rory’s Jester), will shoot for 10-wins-in-a-row at Kranji tomorrow night in the weight-for-age Silver Plate (1400m), a highlight of Singapore’s International week of racing (for which high-ranking officials from many of the world’s great racing clubs have travelled to Singapore). (Aug 8) UK Star Hawk Wing ‘May Have Run Last Race’ Britain’s brilliant Gr1 Lockinge Stakes winner Hawk Wing (Woodman-La Lorgnette, by Val De L'orne) may have run his last race. Trainer Aidan O'Brien told racingpost.co.uk the Kentucky-bred, multiple Gr1-winning 4YO (who finished 2nd in the 2002 Epsom Derby behind stablemate High Chaparral) is “failing to respond to treatment for a knee injury & a decision on his future will be made within the next week”. Hawk Wing suffered the injury when finishing 7th (as odds-on favourite) behind Dubai Destination in England’s Gr1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 17, which followed his sensational 11-length slaughter of the field in England’s Gr1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 17. High-weighted in England & Ireland last year, Hawk Wing (who smashed The Curragh’s 7-furlong track record in Ireland’s 2001 National Stakes) won 5 of 12 career starts (also including England’s Gr1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown last July) & placed 2nd 5 times (including the Gr1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown & Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot) while earning US$1,604,286 for owner Susan Magnier. Out of 1985 Canadian champion 3YO filly La Lorgnette (by Val de l’Orne), he is a half-brother to stakes winner Alexandrina. (Aug 8) Coolmore’s Milan Also Headed To Stud Meanwhile Hawk Wing’s stable-mate Milan (winner of Britain’s 2001 Gr1 St Leger but absent for the past 15 months) has been retired & will stand at Coolmore Ireland next season. Michael Tabor & Susan Magnier’s 5YO son of Sadler's Wells (ex Kithanga, by Darshaan) “suffered a spiral fracture of his off-fore cannonbone” in last year’s Mooresbridge Stakes at The Curragh in Ireland; trainer Aidan O’Brien had hoped to bring him back for the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown in May, but Milan “pulled a muscle in his back & there have been further problems since”. O’Brien summed up to racingpost.co.uk: “We have had him back 3 times & a related problem has flared up on each occasion. He now won’t make it back to the racecourse, but you would imagine that he is going to make a smashing stallion.” In addition to the St Leger at Doncaster, Milan won England’s Gr2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York & was 2nd (to champion Fantastic Light) in the US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, after finishing 5th (behind Sakhee) in France’s Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Milan comes from the immediate family of 1988 Gr1 Epsom Derby & Gr1 Irish Derby winner & sire Kahyasi. (Aug 8) Kotashaan Returns From Japan To Ireland The 1993 US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Kotashaan will begin National Hunt stallion duty in Ireland next season “after a lackluster career in Japan,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Kotashaan, winner of 5 Gr1 races & 1993 US Horse-Of-The-Year, is a 15-year-old son of Darshaan. Harry Sweeney, owner of Paca Paca Farm (which brokered the deal with bloodstock agency Kern Lillingston) told US Daily Racing Form: "The horse was going nowhere here, & we felt we should try to do something for him.” (Aug 8) Sheikh Mohammed’s UK Trainer Moves To Egerton David Loder “who announced his retirement at the beginning of this season as private trainer to Sheikh Mohammed but has sent out nearly 50 winners so far this year”, has decided to continue training independently at Newmarket in England reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Loder has taken over the lease of historic Egerton Stud & will train from the yard there in 2004. The 100-acre plus establishment adjacent to the Newmarket July Course (& boasting 120 boxes, a 6-furlong all-weather canter & a 6-furlong grass gallop) “has had a chequered recent history & the proposed stud venture launched by Bill Green failed acrimoniously earlier this year”. Loder currently trains from Godolphin Stables on the Bury Road & his 5-year contract with Sheikh Mohammed ends this autumn. He had originally planned to retire from training “but his enthusiasm has been rejuvenated by a return to form this season,” noted racingpost.co.uk. (Aug 8) Attributes For Successful European Sires A stallion needs several attributes “to be successful around Europe,” declared racingpost.co.uk. “One: he needs lots of classy off-spring. Two: he needs lots of winners & thus lots of foals. Three: he must be a stallion of broad appeal, one viewed positively in most countries.” Sadler’s Wells & Danehill fulfil those criteria perfectly & “that is why they lead all other stallions in earnings throughout Europe.” And looking at the current Top 12 European stallions “it is striking that just 1 of them (former Kentucky resident Kris S) comes from a base outside Britain-Ireland & just 3 (Selkirk, Cadeaux Genereux & Green Desert) stand in Britain.” Ireland in general, & Coolmore in particular, were pioneers of big crops. Even so, stallions like Darshaan & In The Wings have not been sources of huge crops “& that enhances their achievements”. (Aug 8) Top 12 European Stallions These are the current Top 12 European stallions (by earnings), & their 2003 season progeny highlights, as assessed by racingpost.co.uk: Sadler’s Wells: With an individual European stakes-winner total in the teens, & well over 30 stakes performers, Sadler’s Wells has quantity & quality on his side. The flow of stakes winners slowed when the hot weather (& fast ground) arrived, but before then 2 Guineas winners (Refuse To Bend & Yesterday) & 2 Epsom Classic 2nds (The Great Gatsby & Yesterday) ensured the 22-year-old would sit at the top of various sire tables again this year. Danehill: Danehill has a stakes-winner total of 11 in Europe. He is doing particularly well in France, where Clodovil & Catcher In The Rye gave him a 1-2 in the Gr1 Poulains, & Aquarelliste was a Gr3 winner. Balestrini (in Ireland) & King Quantas (in Scandinavia) are other Pattern winners. Maroochydore & Newton have struck in 2YO stakes company, while Colossus & Devil Moon were Group-placed last week. Darshaan: Under-appreciated by breeders until his merit as a broodmare sire became apparent, & 2003 events show his capabilities. His excellent 3YO crop is led by Prix du Jockey-Club winner & Irish Derby 2nd Dalakhani; others of note are Irish Oaks 2nd L’Ancresse, Derby Italiano 3rd Lundy’s Lane, Ribblesdale 3rd Mezzo Soprano & Listed winners Approach, Hammiya & Moments Of Joy. Key Of Luck: Key Of Luck owes his earnings position to one horse: Alamshar. The Irish Derby & King George winner will ensure the Tara Stud stallion gets increased interest next year, but Key Of Luck had already shown himself adept at getting useful performers, mostly at up to a mile. This year he has 2 good Irish fillies, Miss Emma (Gr3 Greenlands Stakes) & Wrong Key (Listed winner). Kris S: Epsom Derby winner Kris Kin (ex Angel In My Heart, by Rainbow Quest) has propelled Kris S to 5th place. He still does not have many European representatives, but others this year are Listed winner Sabre d’Argent (ex Sterling Pound, by Seeking The Gold) & last week’s Gr2 Vintage Stakes winner Lucky Story (ex Spring Flight, by Miswaki), a brother to Gr1 winner Dr Fong. Joining them are 3 US Graded winners. Selkirk: His big earners include Gr1 Gran Premio di Milano winner Leadership & Gr1-placed Altieri, Highdown & Prince Kirk. In the UK, he has several useful performers including Coronation Cup runner-up Highest (a half-brother to Nayyir). Indian Ridge: Not been much from his Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Domedriver this year, but there is plenty of note in Britain & Ireland: Indian Haven won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Indian Creek the Gr2 Hardwicke Stakes, Nayyir the Gr2 Lennox Stakes & Sights On Gold the Gr3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes. In France, Campsie Fells landed the Gr3 Prix Vanteaux. Cadeaux Genereux: Virtually all his best performers excel up to a mile: Hugs Dancer is an exception, Gr2 Attheraces Mile winner Desert Deer is more the norm. Diacada landed the Gr2 Henkel Rennen (German 1,000 Guineas). Green Desert: Owes his position largely to his progeny’s exploits in Britain & Ireland, led by July Cup winner Oasis Dream. Several smart 2YOs are emerging, led by Byron & Kheleyf. Night Shift: He & Sadler’s Wells are among the last sons of Northern Dancer standing in Europe, & 23-year-old Night Shift remains popular around Europe. This season his sprint division is his strongest, with Baron’s Pit, Deportivo & veteran Vision Of Night, while in Germany his son Zarewitsch is a Gr3 winner over a mile. Barathea: In Britain he has been represented by 2 Gr3-winning 3YOs: Tante Rose & Shield. In The Wings: When it comes to individual Pattern winners in Europe this year, none can top him. He has 7, spread across Britain, Ireland, France & Germany. Fidelite (Gr1 Prix Saint-Alary) is joined by Gr2 winner Mamool & Gr3 winners Abunawwas, Saldenschwinge, Soldier Hollow, Tillerman & Trumbaka. There is also Savannah Bay, ‘winner’ of the Gr3 Sagaro Stakes. (Aug 8) Italian Classic Winner Golden Nepi Dies In US Scuderia Golden Horse’s Golden Nepi, the Gr2 Premio Regina Elena (Italian One Thousand Guineas) winner who joined leading US trainer Laura de Seroux for a run in the US$750,000 American Oaks on July 5, has died “following surgery to remove chips from her knees,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. “While in the recovery room after the surgery, Golden Nepi stopped breathing & it was later determined that her lungs had filled with fluid.” De Seroux told US Daily Racing Form: "It was devastating for the owners." A 3YO bay daughter of Revoque (out of Shajara, by Kendor) Golden Nepi had won 3 of 12 career starts (all stakes) plus 7 placings. (She finished 6th of 14 international runners in the American Oaks, 5.25 lengths behind winner Dimitrova.) (Aug 8) Unraced US$3.3 Million Colt To Texas Stud Authenticate, an unraced son of Gone West who commanded top price of US$3.3 million for a colt (paid by Satish Sanan’s Padua Stables) at the 2000 Keeneland July selected yearling sale, “will enter the breeding shed next year at Steve & Caroline Hicks’s Cedarcrest Farm” in Texas, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Hicks confirmed: "He’s a very clean horse: no blemishes, bowed tendons, etc. He’s certainly a nice, big, good looking athlete." Bred in Kentucky, Authenticate is out of 4-time Gr1 winner Lakeway (by Seattle Slew). Authenticate’s half-brother Sluice (by Seeking The Gold) won a stakes at Arlington Park in 2001; Authenticate’s family also includes Gr1 winners Saratoga Six, Dunbeath & Jilbab, & classic winner Bold Forbes. Cedarcrest stands 2 other stallions: Capote’s Prospect & Pancho Villa. (Aug 8) 1st Winner For US Freshman Sire General Royal US freshman sire General Royal recorded his 1st winner when Many Many Bows led all the way to win by 4.75 lengths over 6 furlongs at Laurel Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. A son of A.P.Indy, General Royal retired with 11 victories (including 7 stakes wins) from 39 starts. He is 1 of 10 winners from 12 starters out of winning In Reality mare Bald Facts & is a half-brother to stakes winner Fortunate Facts. General Royal stands at Crestwood Farm in Kentucky & has 5 starters from 39 foals of racing age (plus 42 yearlings). (Aug 8) 1st Winner For Sire Kid Toledo Puerto Rico sire Kid Toledo recorded his 1st winner when Limary’s Girl won over 6.5 furlongs at El Comandante in Puerto Rico, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Kid Toledo (an 11-year-old son of Distinctive Pro) accumulated 6 wins in 29 starts for owner Hatillo Racing. A half-brother to Gr3 winner Scottish Halo, Kid Toledo is 1 of 6 winners from 7 starters out of unraced Deputy Minister mare Scottische & is from the family of multiple Gr1 winner Judge Angelucci. (Aug 8) Card Rooms Approved At Florida Tracks We-Have-Seen-The-Future Update: A bill allowing Florida racetracks to operate card rooms has become law, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Track owners claimed they were losing customers to Indian casinos, greyhound tracks that were not bound by the restriction & cruise ships offering legal gaming. (Aug 8) Blister Beetle Poisoning in Florida Three horses have died from blister beetle poisoning in Florida’s Clay County & 2 more remain under treatment at the University of Florida “following ingestion of alfalfa hay contaminated with blister beetles,” reported bloodhorse.com. Blister beetles cause inflammation & blistering of the skin within hours of contact. If ingested, cantharidin (a toxic substance in the beetle) is absorbed & rapidly excreted in the animal's urine, causing inflammation of the digestive & urinary tracts. Horses can suffer severe poisoning from even a few beetles, alive or dead; at its worst, blister beetle poisoning can cause horses to suffer severe pain, shock & death within a few hours. (Aug 8) US$1.1 Million Storm Cat Filly Tops Saratoga Day-1 A muscular chestnut filly by Storm Cat out of champion Jewel Princess (by Key To The Mint), consigned by Lane’s End Farm, elicited a bid of US$1.1 million from veterinarian Robert McMartin (on behalf of leading owner & pharmaceutical executive Eugene Melnyk) to top the opening session of the 3-day Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Summer sale of selected yearlings in upstate New York. McMartin told thoroughbredtimes.com: “She’s a very athletic, classy filly. Our farm manager Phil Hronec looked at her & liked her, & Eugene liked the pedigree, & that was it really. Actually, we thought she’d bring a little more. We’re quite happy with that price.” (Ironically Melnyk purchased last weekend’s Saratoga US$500,000 Gr2 Jim Dandy Stakes winner Strong Hope at this sale for US$1.7 million in 2001.) John Magnier of Coolmore had purchased Jewel Princess (in foal to Storm Cat) for US$4.9 million at the 2000 Keeneland November breeding stock sale; Jewel Princess won 13 times, including 4 US Gr1 events (Breeders Cup Distaff, Santa Margarita Invitational, Vanity Invitational & Santa Maria Handicap). (Aug 7) US$750,000 Unbridled’s Song Top Colt Top-priced colt at Saratoga Day-1 (2003’s 1st major test of the yearling market's top end) was a chestnut by Unbridled’s Song (which spent 3 seasons at NSW’s Arrowfield Stud) out of Gr1-winning Argentinian-bred mare La Gueriere (by Lord At War), purchased for US$750,000 by Kentucky trainer Elliott Walden in the name of BTA Stable. Walden explained to thoroughbredtimes.com: “That’s a partnership we’re putting together. Kenny Troutt (of WinStar Farm) is a part of it & some other people we’re working on.” Walden noted the colt “is a great physical specimen & a tremendous walker. Obviously, he’s by a very hot sire in Unbridled’s Song, that I think will eventually be recognised as 1 of the best young sires in the country.” Walden described the quality of the Fasig-Tipton catalogue as "real deep." (Aug 7) US$700,000 For Fusaichi Pegasus Filly Among other notable Saratoga Day-1 purchases, Satish & Anne Sanan's Padua Stables bought a bay filly (named Lila's Pegasus) from the eagerly-awaited 1st crop of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus for US$700,000, reported bloodhorse.com. Her dam is stakes-winning Baldski mare Our Dear Ruth (half-sister to top-class End Sweep filly Nanny’s Sweep). Taylor Made Sales Agency consigned the filly as agent for ClassicStar (the breeding & racing venture headed by David Plummer). And Richard Imbert purchased a bay colt by Fusaichi Pegasus out of unraced Storm Creek mare Pacheca for US$500,000. (Aug 7) US$650,000 For A.P.Indy Colt Also at Saratoga Day-1, agent Buzz Chase purchased 2 major lots: a colt by A.P.Indy out of Lady Lochinvar (a winning full sister to La Gueriere) for US$650,000; & a colt by Dixie Union out of Pure Speed (by Gulch) for US$525,000. Top trainer Bob Baffert bought a US$575,000 Touch Gold-Miss Insync (by Miswaki) filly for California high-tech executive David Shimmon. And Jeanne Vance paid US$550,000 for a Grand Slam-Lilac's Star (by Deputy Minister) colt. (Aug 7) US$525,000 For High Yield Colt From an Australian perspective, Coolmore Stud’s shuttle stallion High Yield (by Storm Cat) had a 1st crop colt out of Profit System (by Copelan) sell to agent Mike Ryan for US$525,000, noted racenet.com.au. The colt (a half-brother to Gr1-placed American System) was originally pin-hooked as a weanling for US$290,000 at the 2002 Keenland November sale. High Yield’s oldest Australian progeny are yearlings. (Aug 7) US$400,000 For Giant’s Causeway Colt And Robert Scanlon paid US$400,000 for the only yearling to sell on Saratoga Day-1 from fellow Coolmore shuttler & 1st crop stallion Giant’s Causeway (by Storm Cat), reported racenet.com.au. The bay colt is out of million-dollar earner Irish Linnett (by Seattle Song). (Aug 7) Saratoga Gross Up 48.9% & Average Up 26.9% Saratoga Day-1 featured “consistently solid prices”, summed up thoroughbredtimes.com. Total receipts increased 48.9% to US$16,547,000 (for 54 horses sold). The average rose 26.9% over the same session in 2002 to US$306,426 & the median rose 28.2% to US$250,000. The buy-back rate also improved dramatically: only 16.9% of horses offered were led out unsold (compared to 32.4% last year). Fasig-Tipton chairman D.G. Van Clief told bloodhorse.com: “It was a heck of a horse sale from almost any perspective. It’s a great example of putting a terrific group of individuals in front of a very discerning group of buyers.” Fasig-Tipton president Walt Robertson added: "We had good horses, we expected a good sale & thank goodness the buyers agreed with us. It was a solid horse sale with solid horses." (Aug 7) Italian Scientists Unveil 1st Cloned Horse Scientists in Italy announced overnight that they have created the world's 1st cloned horse, reported bloodhorse.com. The horse is now 2 months old, “weighs about 220 pounds & is in excellent health” said its creators. Their announcement beats a Texas A&M team awaiting the birth of its own horse clone. The cloned Haflinger horse is named Prometea after Prometheus, “the character in Greek mythology who stole fire from the gods & gave it to humans”. The cloning details are described in today’s issue of the international science journal Nature. (Aug 7) Jack Ingham Sydney Funeral Details The funeral details for Australia’s biggest owner-breeder Jack Ingham have been confirmed: the service will be held at 10.30am on Tuesday 12 August at St Andrews Cathedral, Sydney Square, George Street (corner Bathurst Street), Sydney. (Aug 7) Fasliyev’s 22nd European Winner This Season Coolmore’s boom shuttler Fasliyev (by Nureyev) has notched his 21st & 22nd winners in Europe this season from his 1st crop: 2YO filly Saida Lenasera won a 7 furlong race at Catterick in England; & another 2YO filly Nerinys won over 8 furlongs in France. But “the danger in quoting statistics for a sire that is churning out an average of 2 winners a week is that figures very quickly become meaningless,” declared racenet.com.au. Fasilyev curently also has 4 of Timeform’s Top 10-rated 2YOs in Europe this season: Much Faster, Russian Valour, King’s Point & Carry On Katie. (Aug 7) Coolmore’s Stravinsky Adds European Double Meanwhile Coolmore’s other ‘hot’ sire Stravinsky (currently leading US Freshman Sire) has also added a European double: Richard Hannon’s Bentley’s Ball won again at Newmarket in England; & Dermot Weld’s Steel Light added another win in Ireland. (Aug 7) Eliza Park Parades Shuttle Stallions Victoria’s Eliza Park Stud on Mt Eliza Road at Kerrie will stage a series of stallion parades during the 1st week of September to coincide with the arrival of its shuttle stallions for the new season. All 9 Eliza Park sires will be paraded each day from September 1-5 at 11am & 2.30pm each day. (Aug 7) Val Royal’s 1st Foals Arrive Meanwhile the 1st foals by Eliza Park’s French-bred shuttler Val Royal have already arrived: 2 colts by the fastest Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile winner in the event’s history were born late in July, with general manager Denis Roberts observing: “The 1st foal has exceptional quality, good size & great bone. A very correct 1st foal in every respect.” Another 75 Val Royal foals are due to hit the ground in coming months. Val Royal is due back at Eliza Park on August 26, after a hugely successful 1st season at Ireland’s Oaklodge Stud covering to northern hemisphere time; 97 of the 100 mares he covered are in foal, among them: the dam of Hurricane Alan (by Mukaddamah), winner of the Gr3 Craven Stakes in April; a Zafonic three-parts sister to European Champion 3YO & proven sire Distant View (by Mr Prospector); & a half-sister to star Royal Academy performer Oscar Schindler. (Aug 7) Black Hawk’s Ist Aust Foals Due And British-bred sire Black Hawk is another stallion on the Eliza Park roster whose 1st Australian-bred foals are eagerly awaited, especially after events of recent weeks. A foal from his 1st northern hemisphere-bred crop fetched the equivalent of A$571,320. Black Hawk’s bloodlines could hardly be more fashionable, with young sire-sons of Nureyev supplying black-type winners around the world & daughters of Silver Hawk proving equally pre-potent (illustrated by last week’s Gr2 Goodwood Lennox Stakes winner Nayyir). (Aug 7) Emirates Trio Boast $2 Million Progeny Earnings Nasser Lootah’s Emirates Park finished the 2002-03 season last week with 3 of its resident stallions registering progeny earnings over $2 million: Secret Savings (by Seeking The Gold) notched $2,762,315 with just 3 crops of racing age; his star performers Dash For Cash, Shamekha & Secret Land were among 40 individual winners produced by their sire at an impressive 50% winners-to-runners. El Moxie (by Conquistador Cielo) recorded 80 individual winners and $2,351,925 overall (including 13 individual winners & $1,041,005 progeny earnings in the 2YO division, led by Gr1 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Winestock). His reputation is also booming in HK, where he is represented by star sprinter Silent Witness. Danewin (by Danehill) totaled $2,165, 355 with 38 individual winners. In Australia his major performers included County Tyrone, Salgado, Danish Magic & Classy Dane; & in HK his 4YO daughter Elegant Fashion won the HK Derby. (Aug 7) Gary Mudgway To Brooklyn Lodge Brooklyn Lodge at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley has appointed Gary Mudgway as “thoroughbred consultant” to “oversee operations” for the 2003 breeding season. Brooklyn owner William Choy noted: "We currently have the position of Stud Manager vacant & Gary has agreed to perform a caretaker role until that is filled.” After 2 years of intensive development, the perfectly-located farm is ready to take agisting broodmares for the 2003 season. It is important to have the best available person to ensure quality care of both mares & clients." Mudgway is a graduate of Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud in NZ, & now heads on-line “thoroughbred tracking business” Worldbreed. (Aug 7) Eskander To Start Fielding At Gold Coast Leading Melbourne bookmaker Michael Eskander expects to start fielding at the Gold Coast later this month. Eskander (who applied to stand in the Gold Coast ring in March) has been contacted by a Queensland Gaming & Recreation official, who informed him he had met stringent requirements to allow him to field at the Gold Coast. Eskander told aapracingandsports.com.au: "I made a decision to apply for a bookmaker's licence soon after the Magic Millions. Now it's official." Eskander has fielded for more than 20 years in Melbourne & operates a major sports betting business. (Aug 7) SA’s Million Dollar Carnival 1 South Australia has a major new multi-million dollar event to add to its annual racing calendar. Magic Millions part-owner John Singleton has been working with SA Premier Mike Rann, SA Economic Development Board chairman Robert Champion de Crespign, the SA Jockey Club & Thoroughbred Racing SA “to create a week of high-class racing, glamour & entertainment. Running from February 21-29, the carnival (which includes 1 of SA’s richest race days, along with the Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale) will receive a major boost in 2004. Singleton, who is confident the Carnival can become a flagship event for SA, drawing interstate & international visitors, said: “SA is the Festival State & you know how to throw a party. You’ve got the weather, the food, the wine, the people & creativity . . . . all the ingredients for success. We’ve been impressed with the ‘can do’ attitude in SA since we floated the idea. We needed the support & co-operation of all key industry stakeholders, & the response has been excellent.” SA Premier Mike Rann added: “Racing is one of SA’s largest industries & the Magic Millions Carnival is a chance to showcase to interstate & overseas visitors all that is great about our State.” (Aug 7) SA’s Million Dollar Carnival 2 Thoroughbred Racing SA & the SA Jockey Club has joined forces with Magic Millions to make the carnival a showcase of South Australian food, wine, fashion & racing, with the support of SA’s Economic Development Board & SA Tourism Commission. TRSA chairman Stephen Harvey & SAJC chairman Peter Lewis commented: “The creation of a Magic Millions Carnival is an outstanding opportunity for racing to be showcased to our community. We see this strong partnership with the SA Government & Magic Millions as a positive step forward in creating a major racing event for our State.” Lindsay Park marketing manager Sam Hayes has been appointed chairman of the Adelaide Magic Millions Carnival & added: “With the help of the State Government & Magic Millions, we have an opportunity to build a carnival atmosphere that is uniquely South Australian.” A series of ‘core carnival events’ will be announced in October, based around the yearling sales & Adelaide’s richest race the $400,000 Magic Millions 2YO Classic. (Aug 7) NZ Filly Hulachine Sold To Race In Sydney Promising Paul O’Sullivan-trained NZ filly Hulachine has been sold & “will do her future racing from the stable of Sydney trainer John O’Shea,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The sale was finalised yesterday, when a “substantial 6-figure sum” was paid by her new owner Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum (a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family). Sheikh Mohammed is a keen fan of NZ thoroughbreds: his purchases in recent years include NZ Derby runner-up Sir Clive (who subsequently won the AJC Hobartville Stakes & finished 2nd in the AJC Derby) & smart mares Lazzaz & Brecon Rose. Hulachine (by Tale Of The Cat) will initially be set for the Gr1 MRC One Thousand Guineas in October, with her longer term 3YO target the AJC Oaks next autumn. Otaki bloodstock agent Phil Cataldo (who negotiated the sale & was also involved in Sheikh Mohammed’s earlier purchases) commented: “She is a quality filly & is recognised as one of the most promising of last season’s NZ 2YO crop. She’s very typical of the Storm Cat line, with a stamp of class about her.” (Aug 7) Traditionally's 1st Foal Born In NZ The world’s 1st foal by Mr Prospector’s Gr1-winning son Traditionally has been born at NZ’s The Oaks Stud in Cambridge. The filly is out of US-bred Affirmed mare In The Library (a half-sister to Gr2-winning filly Chieftans Command). The Oaks Stud general manager Rick Williams told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: “It’s exciting to see the 1st-ever foal of Traditionally arrive & she is a strongly made filly with good bone.” Traditionally stood his 1st season at stud in NZ last spring & has 77 mares due to foal in coming months. He will return to The Oaks Stud later this month to begin his 2nd NZ season, after completing his 1st northern hemisphere season at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland where he covered 93 mares. Traditionally is the only Gr1-winning son of Mr Prospector standing at stud in NZ & his book this year will be limited to 90 mares. He is a brother to last year’s champion US 2nd-season sire Our Emblem (sire of 2002 champion US 3YO colt War Emblem). (Aug 7) US Stallion Notebook Dead US sire Notebook, whose daughter Spoken Fur is making a bid for the Triple Tiara (& accompanying US$2 million bonus) in the Gr1 Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on August 16 & whose son Booklet was Florida's 2002 Horse-Of-The-Year, has died following a “ruptured stomach lining,” reported bloodhorse.com. The 18-year-old syndicated stallion (who stood for US$15,000) was “found in distress in his paddock” at Michael O'Farrell's Ocala Stud Farm in Florida. Notebook, a New York-bred champion racehorse (8 wins, including 7 stakes, in 21 starts for top trainer D. Wayne Lukas) for the late Eugene Klein, sired 35 stakes winners (including Gr1 winners Delaware Township & Three Rings). His son Booklet (who also was Florida's champion 3YO male last year) captured the Gr1 Fountain Of Youth Stakes & Spoken Fur has won this year's Gr1 Coaching Club American Oaks & Gr1 Mother Goose Stakes. Notebook is also the sire of US Gr2 winners Scratch Pad, Post It & Summer Note. Notebook (Well Decorated-Mobcap, by Tom Rolfe) sired 78% starters from foals & 62% winners (316 individual winners from 396 starters), plus earners of US$27.8 million. He covered 62 mares this year. (Aug 7) US Stallion Wild Rush Headed To Japan A US $1.5 million deal “is in the works for the purchase of Adena Springs stallion Wild Rush by a Japanese syndicate,” reported bloodhorse.com. Dan Hall, farm manager at Adena Springs Kentucky for owner Frank Stronach, confirmed “negotiations are ongoing, but the deal is not final”. Plans call for Wild Rush to stand at Arrow Stud in Japan & be syndicated into 60 shares at ¥4.7 million per share, for a total syndication value of ¥282 million (approximately US$2.35 million). Wild Rush (who earned US$1.3 million on the racetrack for Stronach) has been represented by several imported Japanese runners & all have won. In North America, the 9YO son of Wild Again (out of Plugged Nickle mare Rose Park) is represented this year by a pair of stakes-winning 3YO fillies from his 1st crop. Wild Rush (whose big wins came in the 1998 Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap & Gr1 Carter Handicap) stood the 2003 season for US$10,000, a drop from his US$15,000 fee from 1999-2002. (Aug 7) 1st Win For US Freshman Sire El Amante US freshman sire El Amante recorded his 1st winner when Comin On Thru won over 5.5 furlongs at Fairmount Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. A 10-year-old son of Wild Again, El Amante stands at Rio Medina Ranch in Texas. The multiple Gr3 winner won 8 of 24 starts (including the 1996 Gr3 1996 Flamingo Stakes & 1998 Gr3 Salvator Mile Handicap, plus a 2nd in the 1996 Gr2 Illinois Derby); 1 of 7 winners from 9 starters out of Broadway Forli mare Forli’s Angel, El Amante is a half-brother to multiple Gr1 stakes-placed winner Happy Jazz Band. Comin On Thru is 1 of 8 starters from 31 foals in his sire’s initial crop of racing age; El Amante also has 16 yearlings. (Aug 7) Golden Apples To Keeneland November Sale Gary Tanaka will consign 2002 US champion turf mare Golden Apples to the 2003 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, with Taylor Made Sales Agency handling the 5YO Pivotal mare. Duncan Taylor of Taylor Made told US Daily Racing Form: "He’s been breeding his mares & then putting them in the sale. The timing of her retirement makes her even more highly sought after now, so he decided to go on & put her in the November sale. I’m sure Tanaka has heard from people wanting to buy her privately. The advantage of an auction is that you’ve got all the wealthy people in the world focused on buying horses, & if you’ve got a champion — especially one like her with a great outcross pedigree — then that will be one everybody’s looking at." Golden Apples (who retired with a suspensory ligament injury after her 2nd in the Gr1 John Mabee Handicap on July 26) finished her career with 6 wins in 16 career starts & US$1,672,583 prize-money. (Aug 7) American Black-Type Minimum Raised To US$40,000 The minimum purse value for black-type stakes races in North America will increase to US$40,000, beginning on 1 January 2004, announced the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers. “The North American representatives of the International Catalogue Standards Committee recommended the US$5,000 increase & SITA ratified the recommendation,” reported bloodhorse.com. (Aug 7) Perfect Drift 1: Cox Plate ‘Fairytale’ If US Gr1 winner Perfect Drift comes to Melbourne for the Cox Plate at Mooneey Valley on October 25, it will be an extraordinary ‘fairytale’ for expatriate Australian trainer Murray Johnson. The Cox Plate (2040m) is Australia’s premier weight-for-age race & if Johnson, 43, brings his 4YO Kentucky-bred gelding (owned by Kansas City cardiologist Dr William Reed) Down Under, he would certainly be, from a historical perspective, "the house horse". Johnson explained to thoroughbredtimes.com: "My great-great-grandfather W.S.Cox started Moonee Valley & was the racing secretary. He was the original owner. One son was an amateur rider; another son trained. Later my grandfather Walter Johnson had Vain, who was a champion 2YO in Australia in 1968 & champion miler 1969. My grandfather lived in a home at the racecourse. I remember staying in his home as a child & taking walks down the back-stretch. I didn’t ever get to see Vain race, because kids don’t get to go racing in Australia. But we’d stop at the training stable & I’d feed peppermints & carrots to the horse. It always has been a dream of mine to go back, but that’ll totally be up to Dr Reed." Perfect Drift (a versatile son of Dynaformer) will have his next start in the Gr1 Arlington Million Stakes on grass on August 16 at Arlington Park (following dirt wins in the Gr1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs & Gr2 Washington Park Handicap at Arlington). (Aug 7) Perfect Drift 2: Johnson’s International Saga As a horseman, Murray Johnson has “an intriguing resume highlighted by stints with some of the world’s most successful trainers,” noted thoroughbredtimes.com. He began his career working on breeding farms in the NSW Hunter Valley, “the Down Under version of the Kentucky Bluegrass area around Lexington”, where future major trainer Billy Mitchell’s family “owned the farm & Cliff Ellis was the farm manager: he taught me to shoe horses; he taught me to handle stallions & mares; he taught me to break horses & everything.” Johnson left the Hunter Valley for Ireland to take a farm management course at the Irish National Stud, where his classmates included future Godolphin Racing trainer Eoin Harty. In 1982 he ventured to the US & worked for Crescent Farm near Lexington, followed by trainers Claude ‘Shug’ McGaughey & Carl Nafzger; he subsequently traveled to South Carolina, New York, Florida, Arkansas & Illinois. He then returned to Australia & worked for legendary trainer J.B. 'Bart’ Cummings until an opening emerged for an assistant to John Gosden in California. When Godsden returned to England “I felt it was an opportune time to go out on my own." Soon after Johnson attracted national US attention with 1991 Gr3 California Derby winner Green Alligator (a colt he trained for Anderson Fowler) which finished 4th in the Gr1 Kentucky Derby won by Strike The Gold. Then he met Dr William Reed at the Keeneland July selected yearling sale & moved to Kentucky. A decade later, Johnson returned to the Kentucky Derby last year with Perfect Drift & Dr Reed’s gelding finished a gallant 3rd after a turbulent trip. And for Johnson in 2003, Perfect Drift may just be “the right horse in the right place at the right time”. (Aug 7) Perfect Drift 3: Kentucky Star Eyes Aust Murray Johnson summed up for thoroughbredtimes.com: "Perfect Drift is probably is the best horse I’ve ever been around, even when I worked for Gosden & when I was with McGaughey & he had Vanlandingham (1985 US champion older horse)." He added he “needed a runner of the caliber of Perfect Drift to pay the mortgage” for his home & 55-acre Crooked Creek Farm south of Louisville in Kentucky, which he bought in 1997 to use “for breaking, training & lay-ups”. Perfect Drift’s recent victory in the US$856,500 Stephen Foster was especially appreciated. Johnson noted: "I develop horses rather than claim them. Most of my owners love their horses, so we don’t run them to lose them. I have 12-15 horses in training during the summer & all told, about 25 in my stable, counting lay-ups. About 10 years ago, I realised this game is more about having good owners who let me do my job, rather than good horses in my barn. Dr Reed has been incredibly loyal." The $3 million Cox Plate offers a massive potential pay-back. (Aug 7) BHB Markets Racing Movie ‘Feel-Good Factor’ Thursday Odd Spot: The British Horseracing Board “will be riding on the back of Seabiscuit, the feel-good film that has opened in the US to enthusiastic reviews, as part of its autumn marketing campaign,” reported racingpost.co.uk. BHB marketing director Chris John has identified the rags-to-riches story of the horse that captured a nation's attention in the 1930s (filmed from author Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling book) as a way of “removing racing’s stuffy image in Britain”. John explained: "We've done a big contra-deal with the distributors of the film, so that we will put on a big Seabiscuit exhibition on a racecourse & get a 2-for-1 arrangement to see the film, while I'm working with the Odeon cinema chain for them to do a guide-to-racing package." John is also hoping to sponsor a charity gala premier of the film, which is due to open in Britain on November 14, on behalf of racing. "There's been a lot of excitement about the film in the US, & it's potentially an Oscar winner. The distributors have got it down for a 3-month run, & I'm sure we can work on the back of it as a means of making racing popular." (Aug 7) Aust’s Biggest Owner Jack Ingham Dies Australian racing’s biggest owner-breeder Jack Ingham died yesterday in Sydney’s Westmead Private Hospital after a long illness. John Horace ‘Jack’ Ingham, 75, & his brother Bob Ingham have been major players in the Australian industry for over 40 years & own over 800 horses (450 racehorses, 400 broodmares & 10 stallions) in a racing empire stretching across 4 Australian States, plus the Woodlands Stud properties at Denman & Cootamundra in NSW, & the Belmont Park pre-training centre in north Richmond. Jack Ingham also had a distinguished career in racing administration, including long service as an Australian Jockey Club committeeman & as a Board member of the inaugural NSW Thoroughbred Racing Board. Ingham’s Australian Gr1 race wins include: 1967 STC Golden Slipper Stakes - Sweet Embrace 1972 AJC Australian Derby - Gold Brick (NZ) 1972 STC Golden Slipper Stakes - John's Hope 1972 VATC Blue Diamond Stakes - John's Hope 1984 VATC Blue Diamond Stakes - Street Cafe 1984 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes - Street Cafe 1985 STC Golden Slipper Stakes - Star Watch 1988 AJC Doncaster Handicap - Lygon Arms 1989 VATC Caulfield Guineas - Procol Harum 1991 SAJC South Australian Oaks - Lee's Bid 1994 AJC Sydney Cup - Cross Swords 1994 QTC Queensland Oaks - Booked 1994 QTC Queensland Derby - Tenor 1994 QTC Castlemaine Stakes - Waikikamukau 1995 AJC Sires' Produce Stakes - Octagonal 1995 MVRC WS Cox Plate - Octagonal 1995 VATC One Thousand Guineas - Shame 1995 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes - Shame 1995 QTC Castlemaine Classic - Donar 1996 STC Canterbury Guineas - Octagonal 1996 STC Mercedes Classic - Octagonal 1996 VRC Underwood Stakes - Octagonal 1996 STC Rosehill Guineas - Octagonal 1996 AJC Australian Derby - Octagonal 1996 MVRC Australia Stakes - Strategic 1996 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes - Anthems 1996 QTC Castlemaine Classic - Anthems 1997 AJC Chipping Norton Stakes - Octagonal 1997 STC Mercedes Classic - Octagonal 1997 VRC Australian Cup - Octagonal 1997 AJC The Galaxy - Accomplice 1997 BATC Doomben 10,000 - Accomplice 1997 STC Golden Slipper Stakes - Guineas 1998 VRC Salinger Stakes - Flavour 1998 QTC Queensland Derby - Dodge 1998 AJC Epsom Handicap - Dodge 1998 VRC Victoria Derby - Arena 1998 STC Canterbury Guineas - Arena 1998 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes - Dracula 1998 AJC Champagne Stakes - Dracula 1998 AJC George Main Stakes - Dracula 1999 VATC Oakleigh Plate - Sports 1999 QTC The TJ Smith - Freemason 1999 VRC Victoria Oaks - Tributes 1999 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes - Preserve 2000 QTC Queensland Derby - Freemason 2000 AJC Doncaster Handicap - Over 2000 AJC Flight Stakes - Unworldly 2000 VRC Victoria Oaks - Lovelorn 2001 VRC Lightning Stakes - Sports 2001 AJC Sires' Produce Stakes - Viscount 2001 AJC Champagne Stakes - Viscount 2001 AJC George Main Stakes - Viscount 2001 QTC Stradbroke Handicap - Crawl 2001 VATC Caulfield Guineas - Lonhro 2002 AJC Chipping Norton Stakes - Lonhro 2002 MRC Yalumba Stakes - Lonhro 2003 STC The BMW - Freemason 2003 AJC Chipping Norton Stakes - Lonhro 2003 AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes - Lonhro 2003 STC George Ryder Stakes - Lonhro 2003 MRC CF Orr Stakes - Yell 2003 MVRC Australia Stakes - Yell 2003 MRC Futurity Stakes - Yell 2003 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes - Ambulance 2003 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes – Kusi (Aug 6) Woodlands’ Octagonal Adds European Stakes Winner Meanwhile Woodlands Stud sire Octagonal’s 3YO daughter Dossier won the Listed Platinum Stakes at Cork in Ireland to notch another European stakes-winner for the former Australian Horse-Of-The-Year. Dossier (trained by John Oxx) won her only other start by 4 lengths. The unbeaten filly is out of Gr2-winning Shaadi mare Papering (also 2nd in both the Gr1 Prix Vermeille at Longchamp & Gr1 Yorkshire Oaks). (Aug 6) RCI Bans ‘Hypoxic Treatment’ The Association of Racing Commissioners International “has taken a stand against intermittent hypoxic treatment by external device for racehorses, listing the procedure as a prohibited practice on the premises of racetracks,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. RCI’s board of directors adopted the measure at its August 2 meeting at Arlington Park in Chicago. The action is pending "thorough review & evaluation of supporting science & claims” by the RCI’s Drug Testing Standards & Practices Committee. Prohibited practices, under RCI’s definition, could "endanger the health & welfare of the horse or endanger the safety of the rider or driver" as well as "adversely affect the integrity of racing." Intermittent hypoxic treatment by external device involves administering hypoxic gas to horses to enhance aerobic metabolism by simulating training at a high altitude. The practice, known as "hypoxicating," has been shown in some tests to improve the performance of human athletes. (Aug 6) Overseas Boosts For Shuttle Sires Weekend overseas action included well-timed boosts for a number of shuttle stallions, reported racenet.com.au: Darley shuttler Elusive Quality’s son Draw Fire (ex Beyond The Storm by Great Above) won at Saratoga in the US. Vinery’s high-flying Langfuhr (currently 7th place on the US sires list) had 2YO filly Din’s Thing blitz the field by 7 lengths in the Listed Hoover Stakes at River Downs in the US. Widden shuttler Belong To Me’s 3YO colt In Hand (ex Summer Fantasy by Summer Squall) won the Listed Ocean Palace Resort Stakes at Monmouth Park in the US. Baerami Thoroughbreds shuttler Rhythm had 5YO daughter Golden Rhythm (ex Double OJ by Candi's Gold) win the Listed Margarita Breeders Cup Handicap at Retema Park in the US. Chatswood Stud’s Genuine had 4YO son T M Generous cruise home by 4 lengths in the Hakkodasan Tokubestsu (an added stakes race over 2600m) at Hakodate in Japan. And former Arrowfield shuttler Fuji Kiseki’s 4YO mare Osumi Cosmo (ex Taisei Kagura by Morning Frolic) won the Gr3 Sekiya Kinen at Niigata in Japan. (Aug 6) Widden’s Shovog Off To Flying Start Meanwhile on the local scene, Danehill sire-son Shovhog has kicked off the 2003/04 racing season with 2 Sydney winners & a Caulfield place-getter (bringing his tally of individual winners to 6). The Jack Denham-trained 3YO filly Jewel Peak won at Rosehill Gardens on the weekend (she now boasts 3 wins & 2 placings in 7 starts), followed by Shovhog’s 3YO colt Bennett’s Green winning at Warwick Farm on Monday. In Melbourne, trainer Lee Freedman’s Shovog filly Harley Ma finished 2nd on a heavy track at Caulfield on the weekend. Golden Slipper runner-up Shovhog is standing at Widden Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley at $13,200 this season. (Aug 6) Cyprus Champion Jockey Riding At Murwillumbah Nicos Nicolaou, champion jockey of Cyprus, will ride at Murwillumbah next Sunday (10 August) reported racenet.com.au. Nicolaou, 26, began riding at 15 & has amassed 680 winners (including the record 118 he rode last season at a strike rate of 25%). Nicolaou (who rides at 52kg) has won 2 premierships & his father is the champion trainer in Cyprus. (Meetings are run twice a week, every week, in Cyprus with 10 races on each card & base prize-money of A$15,000.) (Aug 6) AJC Diamond Dozen 1: Females 18-35 Up 35% The Australian Jockey Club yesterday unveiled its Diamond Dozen program for 2003-04. The calendar identifies 12 major Sydney race dates over the next year to “provide genuine value-add for patrons to further broaden the appeal of racing” via an innovative mix of unique social events, creative marketing & increased advertising. AJC marketing manager Steve Reid explained: “This year’s Diamond Dozen will focus on continuing the success of last year & building a platform for further crowd growth. In 2002-03 we experienced an incredible 19% increase from the previous year on Diamond Dozen race days. Further, the crowd figures showed excellent growth in the primary target audience of females aged 18–35. A dramatic rise of 35% for this audience over the same period puts racing in a strong position for the future.” With more younger females making their way at the track, the AJC provide Princess Showbags (featuring L’Oreal products, Movie offers, Piccolo of Seppelt Sparkling Wine, race-day tickets, Fitness First Vouchers, women’s magazines & Cadbury Schweppes products to the value of at least $100) to 500 ladies on-course at Diamond Dozen race-days. (Aug 6) AJC Diamond Dozen 2: Classy Party Atmosphere Kicking off this year’s AJC Diamond Dozen is the Celebrity Challenge at Royal Randwick on August 23, combined with the running of the San Miguel Warwick Stakes. The day will feature some of Australia’s leading sports stars, celebrities & racing identities mixing fun & frivolity with such events as the Gladiator Duel & pony races. Other events on the 2003-04 Diamond Dozen list include a Beauty & Fitness Day, Jazz & Shiraz Festival, Extreme Summer Party, Bachelorette Of The Year, Derby Day Lawn Party, Princesses Day & The World’s Biggest Raceday BBQ held at Warwick Farm. AJC marketing manager Steve Reid noted: “These events complement the races & draw a young, vibrant crowd to Royal Randwick & Warwick Farm throughout the year. The next 12 months promise to be an exciting time for the AJC, with the announcement of the new Diamond Dozen program. We’re looking forward to continuing to create a classy party atmosphere for those who want to let their hair down in style.” (Aug 6) AJC Diamond Dozen 3: Specially Themed Race-Days AJC marketing manager Steve Reid said the Diamond Dozen race-days all include: first class racing (mostly Group or Listed race-days); continuous entertainment (fun & light-hearted events between races); live bands; 500 Princess Showbags (value over $100); punters club (with Richard Callander); mounting yard previews (with Tony Brassel & Russell Barwick); & numerous give-ways & competitions. The 12 Sydney Diamond Dozen race-days are: August 23 (Randwick-San Miguel Warwick Stakes) Celebrity Challenge Day September 7 (Randwick-City Tattersalls Chelmsford Stakes) Beauty & Fitness Day October 4 (Randwick-Energy Australia Epsom Handicap) Sydney Springfest Day November 4 (Randwick-2UE Raceday) Melbourne Cup Day November 22 (Randwick-Seppelt Wines Raceday) Rugby World Cup Party December 6 (Randwick-AJC Raceday) Jazz & Shiraz Day December 20 (Randwick-San Miguel Villiers Stakes) Christmas Party January 17 (Randwick-Inglis Classic) Extreme Summer Party February 14 (Randwick-Expressway Stakes) Bachelorette Of The Year/Valentine’s Day March 6 (Warwick Farm-San Miguel Chipping Norton Stakes) World’s Biggest Race-Day BBQ April 10 (Randwick-San Miguel Derby/Doncaster) Derby Day Lawn Party April 17 (Randwick-Emirates Australian Oaks) Princesses Day (Aug 6) Brighthill Foal From Aust Mare NZ's Brighthill Farm yesterday welcomed the arrival of a Last Tycoon-Lasting Memories filly foal, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Lasting Memories is 1 of 8 mares which arrived at Brighthill several months ago from Dennis & Margaret Marks' Seven Creeks Estate Farm in Australia. All 8 mares will visit Ustinov (ex Let's Elope) who is standing his 1st season at Brighthill this spring. Other mares due to foal are Via Roma (in foal to Scenic) & Amyride (in foal to Canny Lad); both mares are also booked to Ustinov. (Aug 6) 8 NZ Horses Won 6 Races Each In 2002-03 Among 5,469 NZ starters in the just completed 2002-03 season, 8 horses collected 6 wins apiece reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz: Tit For Taat, The Jewel, Il Tenore, Alpine Delight, Sweet Dancer, Zafar, Zvezda & Dragon Tiger. In addition, Tit For Taat, The Jewel & Zvezda each won a race in Australia. Another 15 horses bagged 5 wins each. Total prize-money was NZ$35,014,720 (a rise of 9.3%). (Aug 6) Future Plans For NZ Gr1 Winners NZ Thoroughbred Marketing has updated the future plans of every NZ Gr1 winner from the 2002-03 season: Hustler (trained by Paul Harris at Rangiora) Major win 2002-03: Gr1 NZ 2000 Guineas: Among NZ’s better 3YOs & has been back in work for a fortnight. Spelled after a Brisbane winter campaign. Expected back racing during October & Ashwell Stallions Captain Cook Stakes is 1st main target. Critic (trained by Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill at Takanini) Major win 2002-03: Gr1 Family Hotel Weight-For-Age: Pre-training at Courtza Park for past 2 weeks & will race again despite suggestions of retirement at end of last racing campaign (which resulted in last-start win in Rotorua Stakes). To be aimed at NZ$750,000 Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) at Hastings on September 27 & will be covered by Waikato Stud's new stallion No Excuse Needed during Spring. Oarsman (trained by Paul Duncan at Cambridge) Major win 2002-03: Gr1 Wellington Cup: Went to Ellerslie races last Saturday for ‘a day out’. Has been back in work for 3 months & building-up well towards Melbourne Spring campaign, where Caulfield & Melbourne Cups will be his chief target. Trialling at Te Teko this week & will contest a 1400m event at Hastings on August 23, before heading to Melbourne early September. Sedecrem (trained by Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill at Takanini) Major wins 2002-03: Gr1 Jaguar Easter Handicap & Gr2 Highview Stud Trophy: Back in work for a month. Had an operation to remove slither of pedalbone after foot problem flared up following Easter Handicap win. Winner of his last 5 races, will race in the Spring with Melbourne’s Emirates Stakes his chief goal. Bodie (trained by Neil Connors at Woodville) Major win 2002-03: Gr1 Lion Red Auckland Cup: Finished an eye-catching 5th in the Opunake Cup (19 July) & contested the Winter Cup at Riccarton last weekend finishing 7th. Major focus is the Melbourne Cup in November. The Jewel (trained by Hector & Steve Anderton at Wingatui) Major wins 2002-03: Gr1 NZ 1000 Guineas & Gr3 Doomben Roses: Still in the spelling paddock & won't come back into work until October. It was felt that she had a big season as a 3YO & required a decent spell after returning from Brisbane winter campaign. Will be aimed at Sydney Autumn carnival next year, with the BMW Stakes a suitable target. Maroofity (trained by Mark Walker at Matamata) Major wins 2002-03: Gr1 Ford Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes, Gr1 Ford Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes & Gr2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes: Taken to Taupo a fortnight ago for 1st serious gallop & came through well. Trialling at Te Teko this week & set to resume racing in the NZ$200,000 Mudgway Partsworld Stakes (1400m) at Hastings on August 23. Melbourne Spring campaign under consideration, including tilt at A$1.25 million Victoria Derby. Egyptian Raine (trained previously by Kenny Rae at Ruakaka & now by Grahame Begg in Sydney) Major win 2002-03: Gr1 Sky City Railway Stakes: Sold to Australian interests in the Autumn & had her 1st outing from stable of Sydney trainer Grahame Begg last weekend, finishing 3rd in the Gr3 Missile Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens. Bramble Rose (trained by Mark Todd at Cambridge) Major win 2002-03: Gr1 Drake NZ Oaks: Prospects for a return to racing after a tendon injury “look vastly improved”. Hopefully back in work later in the year, with view to racing again next Autumn & Sydney’s BMW Stakes on the agenda. Tit For Taat (trained by Wayne & Anne Herbert at Awapuni) Major wins 2002-03: Gr1 Ashwell Captain Cook Stakes, Gr1 Telegraph Handicap, Gr1 Waikato Draught Sprint, Gr2 Sir Byrne Hart Stakes, Gr3 Higgins Challenge Stakes, Gr3 Pak 'N Save Tauranga Stakes & Gr3 Lion Red Plate: Returned to stable a fortnight ago & "looks a million dollars" according to trainers. Will resume racing in the Mudgway Partsword Stakes at Hastings on August 23 & also contest the other 2 major weight-for-age races at Hastings. Performance in the NZ$750,000 Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) will decide whether or not a Cox Plate tilt in Melbourne is undertaken. Connections keen to try him again past 1600m this season. Bunker (trained by Trevor & Stephen McKee in Takanini) Major wins 2002-03: Gr1 Bayer Classic & Gr3 Hawke's Bay Guineas: Back in work last week & has wintered well. Badly galloped on during his final Brisbane appearance, but has made full recovery. Will race late September-early October with major 1600m races his mission (perhaps the Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham). St Reims (trained by Chris McNab at Cambridge) Major wins 2002-03: Gr1 Mercedes NZ Derby & Gr2 Avondale Guineas: Has been training for a month & looks bright, having won a jump-out at Cambridge by a wide margin last week. Will resume racing in the NZ$27,500 Westbury Stud Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa this Saturday. Major spring target is the NZ$750,000 Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) at Hastings on September 27. Hail (trained by Bruce & Stephen Marsh at Woodville & Awapuni) Major wins 2002-03: Gr1 Zabeel Classic & Gr2 Sandown Classic: Has had 6 weeks' work & will gallop between races at Foxton on August 10, before heading to Mudgway Partsworld Stakes at Hastings on August 23. Zvezda (trained by Kay Lane in Otaki) Major win 2002-03: Gr1 Holden Thorndon Mile: Has been racing in Brisbane & now based in Melbourne, where he will start next in either the Liston Stakes or Memsie Stakes later this month. Major goal is the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October. Greene Street (trained by Noel & Matthew Eales at Awapuni) Major win 2002-03: Gr1 Whakanui Stud International Stakes: In training for more than a month & coming up strongly. Will have barrier trial at Waverley on August 12 & be aimed at the weight-for-age series at Hastings (in particular the Glenmorgan Generous Stakes & Kelt Capital Stakes). Regal Krona (trained by Roger & Sheryl McGlade at Cambridge) Major win 2002-03: Gr1 NZ Bloodstock Avondale Gold Cup: Back in work for 6 weeks. Nominated for the 3 major weight-for-age races at Hastings Spring carnival & longer-term a repeat attempt at the Avondale Cup is on the program. Prized Gem (trained by Murray Baker at Cambridge) Major win 2002-03: Gr1 Kelt Capital Stakes: Retired to stud after a career which netted 2 Gr1 wins & more than A$1 million prize-money. To be mated with Montjeu this Spring. Elevenses (trained by Graeme & Debbie Sanders at Te Awamutu) Major win 2002-03: Gr1 Ashwell Captain Cook Stakes: Retired to stud. To be mated with English-Irish Guineas winner Rock Of Gibraltar at Coolmore Stud in Australia. Zirna (trained previously by David Walsh at Pukekohe & now Malcolm Thwaites in Singapore) Major win 2002-03: Gr1 NZ Bloodstock Stakes & Gr3 Singapore Derby Trial: Latest racing has been in Singapore for the Malcolm Thwaites stable & finished 3rd in the Singapore Derby last weekend. Will now have a spell & remain in Singapore for the Raffles Cup (1800m) in October. Deebee Belle (trained by Pam & Tony Gillies at Matamata) Major wins 2002-03: Gr1 Asian Racing Federation Stakes & Gr2 Counties Cup: Back in work for 8 weeks. Trialling at Te Teko this week & will resume racing at Pukekohe on August 18 in an open 1400m event, before aiming at the NZ$120,000 Glenmorgan Generous Stakes (1600m) at Hastings on September 13 & NZ$750,000 Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) at Hastings on September 27. (Aug 6) Tikkanen Returns From Japan To Ireland The 1994 US Gr1 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Tikkanen (Cozzene-Reiko, by Targowice) “is set to return from Japan to stand at Jeremy Maxwell's Glebe House Stud in Northern Ireland in 2004,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. The 1994 high-weighted horse (now a 12-year-old) will be the latest in a line of successful National Hunt sires to have been based at Glebe House, including Mister Mat & Synefos, sire of La Landiere. (Aug 6) Machiavellian Brother To South African Stud The Goffs France sales-topping Storm Cat half-brother to Machiavellian named Mogok (Storm Cat-Coup De Folie, by Halo) is to stand as a sire in South Africa, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. The unraced 3YO (consigned by Chantilly trainer Pascal Bary) was knocked down to Kern Lillingston Association at Goffs; he is also a half-brother to Exit To Nowhere & his 3rd dam Natalma produced Northern Dancer. (Aug 6) Kingmambo Brother To Zimbabwe Stud Meanwhile Kingmambo's unraced full-brother Kitalpha (Mr Prospector-Miesque, by Nureyev) has been purchased to stand in Zimbabwe, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. The 4YO (consigned by Chantilly-based trainer Pascal Bary) was knocked down to Kern Lillingston Association for 55,000 Euros (A$98,000) at last month's Goffs France auction. (Aug 6) US Sires Flame Thrower & Classic Cat Relocate US multiple graded stakes winners Flame Thrower & Classic Cat, both of whom stood the last 2 seasons at Stoneriggs Farm in Florida, will stand the 2004 season at CloverLeaf Farms II also in Florida, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Flame Thrower (a 5YO by Saint Ballado out of stakes-winning Metromane mare Metrogrand) is a Florida bred who won 4 of 7 races (including a trio of stakes) as a 2YO in 2000. Classic Cat (an 8YO by Mountain Cat out of Sahsie, by Forli) won 6 of 20 races (including the 1998 Remington Park Derby in a course record for 9 furlongs, plus a 3rd in the 1998 Gr1 Preakness Stakes) & US$1,221,300. (Aug 6) UK Tattersalls Houghton Yearling Catalogue Out The 2003 Tattersalls Houghton yearling sale catalogue will be published on Friday 15 August (& is now online at www.tattersalls.com). Traditionally Europe's premier yearling auction (from which boom triple Gr1 heroine Russian Rhythm was purchased for 440,000 guineas) this year's catalogue numbers 165 lots (with almost 10% of the catalogue out of Classic/Gr1 winning mares); the auction takes place at Park Paddocks at Newmarket in England on October 1-2. (Aug 6) Tattersalls Ireland Yearling Catalogue Also Available Meanwhile the Tattersalls (Ireland) September yearling sale catalogue is available now. The auction is at Fairyhouse over 3 days (September 16-18) with yearlings appearing in the 1st catalogue (September 16-17) eligible for the 300,000 Euro (A$530,000) Tattersalls Breeders' Stakes. (Aug 6) US Fasig-Tipton Texas Summer Yearling Sale And Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 310 yearlings for its Texas Summer Sale on August 25 at Lone Star Park. The sale features several 1st-year sires including Chief Seattle, Commendable, Golden Missile, High Yield, Vicar & Yankee Victor. (Aug 6) Saratoga Summer Yearling Sale Gives 1st 2003 Market Guide The 3-day Fasig-Tipton Saratoga summer yearling sale begins in upstate New York today & will provide the season’s 1st major indication of the strength of the top end of the international yearling market. As bloodhorse.com summed up: “Will the top of the yearling market rebound from last year's major adjustment downward or will it suffer more setbacks? Because of the cancellation of Keeneland July select auction, Saratoga will provide the industry's 1st look at the demand for young horses with the very best conformation & pedigrees.” Fasig-Tipton's executive vice president Boyd Browning noted: "The truth of the matter is that none of us know where the top of the yearling market is going to be this year." At Saratoga's 2002 edition, gross revenue plummeted 43.5% & the average plunged 34.7%. Similar 2002 trends were also seen at Keeneland in July & the select sessions of Keeneland's September sale. (Aug 5) Jack Ingham Gravely Ill In Hospital Australian racing’s biggest owner-breeder Jack Ingham “is gravely ill & there is tense concern about his long term-health,” reported The Daily Telegraph. Under the headline “Racing Great Fights For Life”, the newspaper reported Ingham is “battling debilitating problems associated with a blood disorder. Close associates, along with jockeys & trainers Ingham has known for decades, “have already been to see him in hospital. Visits are now understood to be restricted to family.” (Aug 5) WA Jockey Out 15 Years Over Battery & Spurs West Australian jockey Aaron Yugovich has been disqualified for 15 years after being found guilty of “using electrical devices & improper equipment on several horses he rode,” reported The Daily Telegraph. Yugovich, 22, pleaded guilty to 5 charges, including using “an electrified whip” at Kalgoorlie in June 2002 & “being in possession of an electrical apparatus commonly known as a battery”. Both charges resulted in 10-year disqualifications (to be served concurrently). Yugovich was outed for another 5 years for 3 other offences “including using spurs with nails attached & a whip with a nail fixed to each side of the handle”. (Aug 5) Early Betting On Melbourne Spring Cups Victorian bookmaker Michael Eskander has published early odds for the 2003 Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup & Cox Plate after 1st nominations closed last Friday. Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 4: $11 Media Puzzle; $13 Mubtaker; $15 Mamool & Mummify; $17 Honor Babe; $21 Beekeeper, Mr American Gothic & Pentastic; $26 Bodie, Converge, Half Hennessy, Hugs Dancer, In Times Eye, Leadership, Magical Miss, Oarsman, Pillage N Plunder, Pole Star & Sights On Gold; $34 Bandari, Carnegie Express, Clangalang, Distinctly Secret, Far Lane, Grand Armee, Helenus & Highest. Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18: $11 Clangalang & Mummify; $13 Republic Lass; $15 Half Hennessy & Shower Of Roses; $17 Beekeeper, Grand Armee & Magical Miss; $21 Converge, Helenus, Honor Babe, Mubtaker, Pentastic, Strasbourg & Sunday Joy; $26 Distinctly Secret, In Times Eye, Makybe Diva, Mamool, Media Puzzle, Natural Blitz, Red Trinket, Sights On Gold & Zagalia; $34 Bandari, Carnegie Express, Distinction & Highest. Cox Plate (2040m) on October 25: $4.50 Lonhro; $6 Defier; $11 Grand Armee & Magical Miss; $13 Falbrav & Private Steer; $15 Elegant Fashion & Helenus; $17 In Times Eye; $21 Moon Ballad, Natural Blitz, Paolini, Sarafan & Sights On Gold; $26 Highdown, Indian Creek, Perfect Drift, Republic Lass & Shower Of Roses; $34 Black Sam Bellamy, Clangalang, Excellerator, Half Hennessy, Hasna, Keep The Faith, Magnaten & Maroofity. (Aug 5) Adelaide’s Cheltenham Park Faces Sale Adelaide “is poised to lose 1 of its 3 metropolitan racecourses” with the South Australian Jockey Club “set to accept a recommendation to sell Cheltenham Park for at least $40 million to property developers,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The track (located close to the Adelaide CBD) holds huge property development value “& its sale would ease financial worries for the cash-strapped SAJC”. The SAJC has been considering the future of Cheltenham & Victoria Park racecourses “but is now understood to be in favour of selling the former after receiving a report from its track rationalisation sub-committee. The sub-committee report strongly recommended the closure of 1 of Adelaide's 3 courses. This recommendation is expected to be ratified by a majority of the full SAJC committee.” Cheltenham is seen as the logical choice as the SAJC has already announced it will close track-work facilities at the 108-year-old course at the end of the year. (Aug 5) Kincsem Stud owner Jane Thompson Dies Kincsem Stud owner & breeder Jane Thompson has died aged 54, reported racenet.com.au. Thompson stood the stallions Bay Of Hope (by Biscay), Osmunda, Monreale (AJC Challenge Stakes winner), Celestial Bounty (Irish Two Thousand Guineas 2nd), imported Sweet Moss & Playing Hours (a yet to be represented American-bred son of Alleged) at Kincsem Stud in the NSW Bylong Valley. Prior to establishing Kinscem, Thompson had worked on 3 other Bylong Valley studs: Tarwyn Park, Sylvania Lodge & Renfrew Park. She was a member of the Thompson family of Widden Stud fame, her grandfather Albert being a son of Widden’s founder John Thompson. (John Thompson passed Widden onto sons Alfred & Jane’s grandfather Albert, who later sold to his brother & moved to the Bylong Valley.) Albert’s grandson Herbert Thompson originally owned Tarwyn Park & stood 7-time champion Australian sire Heroic. Jane Thompson named Kincsem Stud “after the fabled Hungarian galloper Kincsem, a mare who won 57 races including England’s Goodwood Cup”. (Aug 5) Arrowfield’s French Deputy Adds 21st Stakes-Winner Arrowfield shuttler French Deputy (who will be paraded at the Scone stud on Sunday 31 August) sired his 21st stakes-winner when 4YO son French Charmer won the Listed John Schapiro Memorial Handicap (9 furlongs on turf) at Laurel Racetrack in the US. French Charmer (ex Queen Of Women by Sharpen Up) has won 5 of his last 6 starts, for a career record of 7 wins & 2 2nds in 13 starts. French Deputy’s oldest progeny are 6YOs & his 21 stakes-winners (including 5 Gr1 winners & 2 Champions) have won in North America, Japan, England & South America on both turf & dirt. French Deputy will stand his 1st season at Arrowfield at $44,000 (including GST). (Aug 5) Chatswood’s Genuine Blitzing Japan Victorian Chatswood Stud’s shuttle stallion Genuine (who already has 15 stakes performers) is building an imposing record in Japan. Of his 88 4YOs, 76 have raced & of those 48 have won & 14 have been placed: that’s 63% winners-to-runners ratio & 81% placed-to-runners. And in his 3YO crop of 93 horses, 82 have raced of which 39 have won & a further 17 have placed: that’s 48% winners-to-runners & 67% placed-to-runners. And already among the small number of Japanese 2YO races this season, Genuine has sired 3 place-getters to date; he has 126 foals in this juvenile crop. Genuine also has 109 yearlings coming through for next season. Obviously breeders liked what they saw from his early foals, because it is rare for a stallion to cover more mares in his 3rd & 4th season, than in his 1st & 2nd. (Aug 5) Racer’s Edge Maintains Consistency Meanwhile Chatswood Stud’s fellow stallion Racer’s Edge has had a big week: Storm Racer won another Class 1 in Singapore, edging close to $600,000 in earnings; Edge To Edge finished 3rd in the $60,000 Northern Territory Derby in Darwin; & Edging Out won at Sandown in Melbourne (& Racer’s Plume ran 2nd on the same program). Racer’s Edge finished with 56 individual winners for the 2002-03 season. (Aug 5) Widden’s Belong To Me Tops Winners-To-Runners Widden Stud shuttler Belong To Me was Australia’s leading sire of winners-to-runners last season at 68% (plus a 16% stakes performer strike rate). That result can be attributed to the success of his 1st racing crop from his initial 1998 season at Widden (which also placed him runner-up to fellow Widden sire Helissio for champion 2nd Crop Sire honours). Now 4YOs, Belong To Me has been represented by 48 runners from that initial season & between them they’ve amassed $2.5 million in earnings. (They include his 4 winners from 5 runners in HK: Grandway Shuttle, Bowin, Czar Of Prussia & Amazing Victory.) His Australian flag bearer’s have been VRC Oaks winner Bulla Borghese, Moonee Valley track record holder Before Too Long & Gosford Guineas winner Vital Agreement. After missing the 1999 southern hemisphere season, Belong To Me returned in 2000 & has since been a regular shuttler from Lanes End Farm in Kentucky. Last year he covered the dams of Private Steer & Bulla Borghese. (Aug 5) Danehill Stallions Pass-On 2YO Speed A trio of former high class 2YOs by Danehill supplied the winners of the 1200m events at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney on the weekend, noted racenet.com.au: Flying Spur (1995 Golden Slipper winner), Shovhog (runner-up in the1998 Slipper) & Irish-bred Danehill Dancer (a champion 2YO in Europe). Widden Stud resident Shovhog produced a winner with 1st crop 3YO daughter Jewel Peak (3 wins & 2 placings in 7 starts); Arrowfield Stud sire Flying Spur had 3YO filly Spurcent (3 wins in 6 starts); & Danehill Dancer, one of 17 dual-hemisphere sires available at Coolmore this season, provided 5YO gelding & 7-time winner Damigos from his 1st Australian crop. (Aug 5) Super VOBIS 1: Ellerton Top Trainer With the end of the 2002-03 Australian season, Flemington trainer Mathew Ellerton won his 3rd Super VOBIS premiership in succession. While he continues to train many winners for his main owners Contract Racing, he also enjoyed success with many other owners including Kingston Park Stud. The top 10 trainers were: Mathew Ellerton $323,300 Rick Hore-Lacy $215,200 Tony McEvoy $203,300 Mick Price $164,700 Lee Freedman $124,050 John Symons $118,700 Colin Alderson $118,700 Terry O’Sullivan $115,900 Dan O’Sullivan $109,550 Tommy Hughes $107,300 (Aug 5) Super VOBIS 2: Contract Top Owner The Super VOBIS Owners’ premiership saw David & Jenny Moodies’ Contract Racing way out in front To record their 6th win in 7 years. The Top 10 owners were: Contract Racing $184,700 Lorraine Morrissey (Mgr) $75,900 Rick Hore Lacy (Mgr) $69,000 Air Horse Transport Syndicate $60,000 James Matthews (Mgr) $60,000 Rancho Ruler Syndicate $59,700 Alpara Lodge Syndicate $52,900 Woodlands Stud $52,000 David Horsburgh (Mgr) $48,900 Kingston Park Syndicate $48,300 (Aug 5) Super VOBIS 3: Contract Top Nominator Contract also dominated the breeders’ table, taking its 5th premiership in a row. Each year Contract nominates up to $40,000 worth of yearlings to the scheme in supporting Victorian breeding & racing. The Top 10 nominators were: Contract Racing $231,200 Vinery Australia (Vic) $116,900 Lakewood Stud $91,000 Murray Horsburgh $76,900 Lorraine Morrissey (Mgr) $75,900 W & G Hawkes $74,700 Rancho Ranch $70,300 Yallambee Stud $64,600 Edward Codd $61,600 James Matthews $60,000 (Aug 5) Super VOBIS 4: Dantana Top Bonus Earner The Rick Hore-Lacy trained gelding Dantana (Danzero-Big Sky Montana, by Lord Seymour) raced in 9 Super VOBIS bonus races for the season, collecting bonuses in 6 of those races worth an extra. Dantana was bred & nominated by Lorraine Morrisey. His race record now stands at 20 starts, 9 wins, 3 2nds & 1 3rd with stake-money of $427,400 (including $75,900 in Super VOBIS bonuses). The Top 10 Bonus Earners were: Dantana $75,900 Rick Hore-Lacy Step Ahead $69,000 Rick Hore-Lacy Bella Vichy $60,000 Dan O’Sullivan Gazania $60,000 Tommy Hughes Royal Sash $52,900 Shannon Hope Thurman $48,900 Ken Newman Jubilant Spirit $44,900 Mathew Ellerton Sound Action $44,800 Roberta Maguire Innovation Girl $44,000 Brain Mayfield-Smith Furla $42,200 Mick Price (Aug 5) Super VOBIS 5: Flying Chance Top 4YO Stayer And the Colin Alderson-trained 4YO gelding Flying Chance (Flying Spur-Random Chance, by Ahonoora) won the 4YO Super VOBIS Stayers Series. Throughout the year 26 staying races were conducted, culminating in the final won by Flying Chance at Flemington a week ago. Flying Chance now has raced on 23 occasions for 4 wins, 5 2nds & 3 3rds, collecting $90,450 in prize-money (including $42,300 in Super VOBIS bonuses). He was bred & nominated to Super VOBIS by Peter Liston at Lakewood Stud. The Top 16 in the 4YO Super Stayer Series were: Flying Chance (Colin Alderson) 36 points Danerette (Allan Willliams) 26 points Crown Logo (Terry O’Sullivan) 26 points Wijan (Frances Houlahan) 24 points Archero (John Blakey) 16 points Raami Romancer (Clarry Conners) 16 points Miss Diaz (Geni Gills) 12 points Lafter (Richard Nettleton) 12 points Mollo Mollo (Barry Barnes) 12 points Enzed (Barry Bennett) 12 points Special Scene (John Blakey) 10 points Let’s Get Pickled (Barbara Marshman) 10 points Phayes Tip (Ray Cleaver) 10 points Tarcoola Mist (Grant Daiziel) 10 points C’ Mon Mate (Bevan Laming) 10 points Outlet Creek (Darren Weir) 10 points (Aug 5) Inglis August Melbourne Thoroughbred Sale Catalogues are now available for the Inglis Melbourne August Thoroughbred Sale at Oaklands on August 22. It features 269 mixed lots including 109 broodmares, 19 yearlings, 8 unbroken stock & 132 racehorses, plus stallion prospect Desert Chief & an unraced 4YO by Danehill from stakes-winner Born Western. The broodmare section includes matrons covered by Bianconi, Dangerous, Distant Music, Dracula, El Moxie, Fuji Kiseki, General Nediym, King Charlemagne, Made Of Gold, Rubiton, Scenic, Secret Savings, Strategic, Success Express, Testa Rossa & Umatilla. It also includes: smart racemare Raven’s Pal (by Kenny’s Best Pal) who won 8 races (including 5 at Moonee Valley): & 5YO Coppelius, a half-sister to Italian stakes-winner Strike A Blow (from the family of star Japanese sprinter & shuttle stallion Agnes World, & closely-related to recent UK Gr1 winner Dubai Destination). The tried racehorse section includes substantial entries from Lindsay Park Stud, Sutton Grange Racing, Contract Racing & Aquanita Racing. Horses offered include stakes performers Aka Bilk, Valuate, Philidor & Tosamba. Well-bred fillies include: Swimmingly (an unraced half-sister by Thunder Gulch to Victoria Derby winner King’s High); Equination (by Woodman) & Fly for Gold (by Barathea), both half-sisters to Gr2 winner Close Your Eyes from the prolific Black Type family of Tautina; Martyrs (an unraced 2YO half-sister by Commands to Hierogram, winner of the Gr2 VRC Wakeful Stakes); Brave Heights (placed filly by Danehill from a daughter of Gr1 winner Mapperley Heights); & Hills of Dakota (unraced half-sister by Danehill to Gr3 winner Voodoo Beat, from the family of Marauding). (Aug 5) Magic Millions 2004 National Sale Moved To June The successful Magic Millions National Yearling, Weanling & Broodmare Sale (held for the first time in May this year) is to be conducted in 2004 from June 13-18 “after consideration of the logistics for vendors at this time of year”. Magic Millions managing director David Chester explained: “April & May are very busy times for the thoroughbred racing & breeding community. The National sale was highly successful this year run in May, but we feel the industry will be best served by the sale being run at the later dates in June. The sale will be held in conjunction with the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival’s feature races: the Stradbroke Handicap, the Brisbane Cup & the Queen's birthday long weekend.” This year’s MM National Sale recorded an aggregate of $14,977,500 & a $57,686 average for the select broodmares. Magic Millions will also conduct the 2004 National Sale in 2004 with the same commission structure as the 2003 sale: No Commission for Broodmares & Weanlings selling for $100,000 or more: & No Pass-In Commission for Broodmares & Weanlings offered. The key June 2004 MM National Sale dates will be: Saturday 12 June: Gr1 Stradbroke Handicap Day (Eagle Farm) Sunday 13 June: MM National Yearling Sale Monday 14 June: Gr1 Brisbane Cup Day (Eagle Farm) Tuesday 15 June: MM National Weanling Sale Wednesday 16 June: MM National Broodmare Sale Thursday 17 June: MM National Broodmare Sale Friday 18 June: MM National Broodmare Sale (Aug 5) NZ’s Norelands Dispersal At Karaka Meanwhile the broodmare band of NZ’s Norelands Stud (birthplace of champion racemare Sunline) will be offered as a dispersal at the Spring Bloodstock Sale at Karaka on August 17. The Cambridge-based property is being sold “with the current owners having made a recent decision to disperse all of their bloodstock over the coming months, beginning with the broodmares at the Spring Sale,” reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. The Norelands broodmares include: Emerald Cove (Shirley Heights-Fairy Feet): Foaled in 1992. From the family of Gr1 St Leger winner Light Cavalry, Gr1 One Thousand Guineas winner Fairy Footsteps, Gr1 Two Thousand Guineas winner Desert Prince & Gr3 Curragh Anglesey Stakes winner Ontario. Emerald Cove has a Carnegie filly nominated for the 2004 National Yearling Sales Series. She is not in foal. Ficcio (Zoffany-Extravagance): Foaled in 1992. Ficcio is the dam of multiple stakes-placed Calm Smytzer. She is also a half-sister to Gr3 VATC Debutant Stakes winner Serendipity & stakes-placed Misunderstanding. Ficcio has a Zabeel filly nominated for the 2004 National Yearling Sales Series. She is believed to be in foal to Keeper. Galejade (Rory’s Jester-Siloel): Foaled in 1996. Galejade is a half-sister to multiple Listed winner Fire Phoenix II & stakes-placed Du Bourg & Soldado. This is also the family of 3-time Gr3 winner Bin Shaddad & Gr3 Longchamp Prix Gladiateur winner Oh So Risky. Galejade has a Fasliyev colt nominated for the 2004 National Yearling Sales Series. Galejade is not in foal. Malberry (Last Tycoon-December Blossom): Foaled in 1992. Malberry is the dam of 2 winners & is a half-sister to Gr3 winner Lomond Blossom & Listed winner Miss Mistletoes. This is also the family of Gr3 Newmarket Somerville Tattersall Stakes winner Governor Brown & Listed winner Hataab. Malberry has a Danasinga colt nominated for the 2004 National Yearling Sales Series. Malberry is believed to be in foal to Pentire. Mirima (Last Tycoon-Imposing Life): Foaled in 1995. Mirima is a half-sister to 3-time Listed winner & Gr2 placed filly Miss Prospect. This is also the family of Gr2 VRC St Leger winner Full At Last & Gr2 VRC Maribyrnong Plate winner Catnipped. Mirima has a Danasinga filly nominated for the 2004 National Yearling Sales Series. Mirima is believed to be in foal to Pentire. Rebisca (Marscay-Red Rebecca): Foaled in 1990. Rebisca is the dam of 3 winners, including 2003 Listed Singapore Guineas winner Grand Canyon. This mare is also a full sister to stakes-placed Marbecca & Pourquois Pas. She is a half-sister to Listed winner Slightly Pink (dam of Gr3 MVRC Tesio Stakes winner Our Bellition). Rebisca is not in foal. Sustound (Kreisler-Sequel Sound): Foaled in 1995. Out of dual Listed winner Sequel Sound, this mare is from the family of stakes performers including Gr1 South Australian Oaks winner Lee’s Bid, Gr1 Victoria Derby & STC Canterbury Guineas winner Arena, Gr1 NZ One Thousand Guineas winner Tartan Tights & Listed winner Ultra Sound. Sustound has a Carnegie filly nominated for the 2004 National Yearling Sales Series. Sustound is believed to be in foal to Pentire. Tralae (Snippets-Mavournae): Foaled in 1994. Winner of 3 races, Tralae is out of Gr3 VATC Bargain Box Rubiton Stakes winner Mavournae. She is also a half-sister to stakes-placed colt Mavourtrice. This is also the family of 3-time Australian Gr1 winner Spartacus. Tralae has a Danasinga filly nominated for the 2004 National Yearling Sales Series. She is not in foal. Waikiki Princess (Turtle Island-Princess Plume): Foaled in 1996. Winner of 2 races, her dam Princess Plume won the Gr3 VATC Fashion Stakes. Waikiki Princess is also a half-sister to dual Australian Listed winner Visual Displays. Waikiki Princess has a King Of Kings filly nominated for the 2004 National Yearling Sales Series. She is not in foal. (Aug 5) NZ 3YO Alastro To HK Alastro, among NZ's best 2YOs of last season, “will join the HK stable of Tony Cruz in a couple of weeks” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Alastro was sold to “clients of the Cruz stable, which also own another former top NZ juvenile Grout. Alastro was placed in the Gr1 Ford Ellerslie NZ Sires' Produce Stakes & finished 3rd in the Inglis Classic graduates race in Melbourne. (Aug 5) Breeding Shortlist For Maroofity's Dam No definite decision “has yet been made on which stallion Maroofity's dam Howkudai will visit this spring,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Maroofity was named last season’s champion NZ 2YO in the Free Handicaps (with 60kg) announced last week. The 13-year-old Howkudai is owned by Cambridge breeders John & Jacqui Todd. Jacqyi summed up: "We haven't made a final decision yet on which stallion she will go to this year, but we have got it down to a shortlist which includes (in no specific order) Cape Cross, Danske, Jungle Pocket, Viking Ruler & Van Nistelrooy." Howkudai is currently in foal to Windsor Park's leading 1st-season sire Danske & Todd added: "Given the excellent results the 1st lot of 2YOs by Danske have recorded, we are happy she is in foal to him." (Aug 5) UK Wins For Cambridge Shuttlers NZ Cambridge Stud’s boom shuttle sires Stravinsky & Cape Cross have continued their northern hemisphere winning streaks, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Stravinsky (by Nureyev) notched 3 more UK 2YO winners in 3 days & the feat was matched Cape Cross (by Green Desert). Stravinsky now also has 3 2YO stakes performers & Cape Cross 5. (Cape Cross’s 3 latest UK winners ranged from 1000-1400m; Cape Trafalgar, who won on Saturday, has now recorded 3 consecutive wins.) (Aug 5) NZ Trainer Waller Makes Top 15 In Sydney NZ trainer Chris Waller has taken over the boxes of fellow Kiwi Shaune Ritchie at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney. Waller told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: “I took over Shaune’s 30 boxes at Rosehill last week & I see it as the next step in the development of my stable in Sydney.” Ritchie is returning to NZ to establish a stable at Cambridge & leaving 10 horses in Sydney with Waller. Waller finished the 2002-03 season with 25 winners (including 13 in the city) & noted: “That put us 15th on the Sydney trainers’ premiership with only 20 horses in work.” Waller moved to Sydney 3 years ago, after formerly being based at Foxton in NZ; he was stable foreman for Kiwi trainer Paddy Busuttin (& closely associated with top galloper Castletown) before taking out his own licence. Waller’s major NZ clients are Rob McAnulty, Ron & Margaret Saunders, & Tony Muollo; about half his stable are Kiwi-breds, including Sorrento Star (by Tuscany Flyer) & Go Ziggy (by Centaine). (Aug 5) Taupo Think Tank Aims To ‘Move Forward’ The NZ racing industry “is headed in a unified & positive direction judging by feedback” from the weekend industry stakeholders’ meeting at Taupo, summed up NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. The ‘think tank’ meeting was convened by NZ Thoroughbred Racing chairman Guy Sargent in his 1st major initiative since taking over the reins of the NZ galloping code’s ruling body last month. Sargeant said: “The main feeling I got from the meeting was a desire to forget about any past mistakes, move forward & make it work. This is the first real indication of the perceived change we’ve all been talking about actually happening.” The meeting consisted initially of various presentations, including an overview of race funding, date structures & programming; forum members later split into work-shop groups to discuss specific aspects of the industry. (Aug 5) Son Of Theatrical To NZ Stud The announcement that American-bred Drama Critic has arrived for Kiwi stud duty makes him “the 1st son of Nureyev’s most successful sire son Theatrical to go to stud in NZ,” reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Drama Critic arrived last week & is undergoing quarantine before taking up duties at Totara Park Stud near Whangarei, where he will stand at NZ$4,000 plus GST. Drama Critic won the Gr3 Elkhorn Stakes over 12 furlongs at Keeneland & ran 3rd (behind Fantastic Light) in the Gr1 Belmont Man O’ War Stakes over 11 furlongs; overall 11 of his 23 starts were in group or listed company & he retired with 5 wins (from 7-12 furlongs) & 8 placings. His sire Theatrical won 5 US Gr1 races on turf (including the Man O’ War Stakes over 12 furlongs, plus the Breeders’ Cup Turf & Turf Classic Stakes); he was also US champion turf male & as a 3YO in Ireland finished 2nd in the Irish Derby. At stud Theatrical has sired 59 stakes winners (18 at Gr1 level) making him the best sire son of Northern Dancer’s son Nureyev; his progeny (stake earnings over US$50 million) include Irish Derby winner Zagreb, champion Irish filly Theoretically, Breeders’ Cup Handicap winner Royal Anthem, champion North American racemare Astra, last year's Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle & 1996 VRC Derby winner Portland Player. Theatrical’s 2003 fee was US$75,000 & last year he was represented by 14 black type performers; & on stakes winners, he was ranked among the world’s top 5 stallions. Drama Critic’s dam Guiza (by Nasrullah line stallion Golden Act) was a top racemare in France & the US, with 6 wins up to Gr2 level (including the Del Mar Palamos Handicap & Oaklawn Breeders’ Cup Handicap) plus 4 Gr1 placings (in the Gameley Handicap & Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park, the Santa Anita Margarita Invitational Handicap & the Criterium de Saint-Cloud). (Aug 5) Singapore Attracts 16 Overseas Clubs This weekend's International Racing Week (at Singapore Racecourse on August 9-10) has attracted participation from 16 of the world's major racing clubs & authorities. The 2-day event will feature races named after: Ascot Authority; Auckland Racing Club; Emirates Racing Association; France Galop; Hong Kong Jockey Club; Japan Racing Association; Korea Racing Association; Moonee Valley Racing Club; Penang Turf Club; Perak Turf Club; Royal Bangkok Sports Club; Royal Turf Club of Thailand; Selangor Turf Club; Sydney Turf Club; Victoria Racing Club; & Western Australia Turf Club. In addition, there are 2 feature races: the Gr3 Silver Plate (Saturday 9 August) for Singapore’s best sprinters; & the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Sunday 10 August) for Singapore's promising stayers. (Aug 5) Multi-Million Boost For Italian Racing The Italian government has approved “a measure for the multimillion-dollar financing of UNIRE, the semi-governmental ministry body that distributes income within horse racing,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. It allocates approximately €150 million (A$260 million) to the agency through a 10-year government loan. Minister Of Agriculture Gianni Alemanno told Agenzia Giornalistica Italia: "The suffering of Italian horse racing is over. Finally, with the approval of the amendment for the financing of UNIRE, we managed to give new financial breath to this agency, starting its longed-for reform. UNIRE will play a central role again in the management of horse racing & breeding." (Aug 5) Former Irish National Stud Chairman Dies Larry Ryan, breeder of Royal Heroine & a former chairman of the Irish National Stud, has died aged 80, reported racingpost.co.uk. Ryan founded the Irish Thoroughbred Broodmare Owners Association, in conjunction with the late Willie O’Rourke of Ballsbridge Sales & Tattersalls (Ireland). He was chairman of the Irish National Stud for 2 terms (1978-1985) & was 1 of the main inspirations behind the purchase of stallion Ahonoora for a mere £280,000; the stallion was subsequently sold to Coolmore for £7 million after proving himself an exceptional sire. Ryan bred many good horses at his Ballymorris Stud; his champion Royal Heroine followed her Gr1 Prix de l’Opera win by landing the 1984 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile. (Aug 5) UK Gr1 winner Reel Buddy Heads To Stud Speedlith Group’s Reel Buddy, winner of England’s Gr1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last week, “has almost certainly run his last race,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Trainer Richard Hannon revealed the horse is “set for a stud career in Ireland”. Bred in Kentucky by Stronach Stables, Reel Buddy (a 5YO son of Mr Greeley) won 9 races in 33 career starts (also including the 2002 Gr3 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury). (Aug 5) Zindabad Tests Prior To Stud Career Meanwhile leading UK stayer Zindabad has undergone tests “for prospective new owners to ensure he has a career at stud,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Owner Abdulla Buhaleeba’s racing manager Joe Mercer did not reveal the identity of the buyers, “but the purchase would not necessarily signal the end of his racing career”. Mercer confirmed: “There is a deal for him, but that’s dependent on the tests. Whether they want to continue to race him or not would be up to them.” The Mark Johnston-trained 7YO has won 9 of his 31 career starts, including 4 Group races (among them the prestigious Gr2 Yorkshire Cup & Gr2 Hardwicke Stakes) plus a top level 3rd in Britain’s premier weight-for-age race last year, when 3 lengths behind Golan in the Gr1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. (Aug 5) US 2002 Champion Turf Female Golden Apples Retired Across the Atlantic, America’s 2002 Champion Turf Female Golden Apples (Pivotal-Loon, by Kaldoun) suffered a suspensory injury to her left front leg following her dead-heat for 2nd in the Gr1 John Mabee Handicap on July 26 & has been retired, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Golden Apples won 6 of her 16 races (including the Gr1 Del Mar Oaks, Gr1 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita & Gr1 Beverley D Stakes at Arlington Park) & earned US$1,672,583. Trainer Ben Cecil said owner Gary Tanaka would probably sell Golden Apples rather than keep her as a broodmare: "He might sell her at the Keeneland November sale, or there’s always next year. I don’t think he’ll keep her." Southern Bloodstock purchased Golden Apples for US$31,605 from consignor Ireland’s Corduff Stud at the 1999 UK Tattersalls October yearling sale. Golden Apples is 1 of 6 winners from 7 starters out of stakes-winning Kaldoun mare Loon; she is a half-sister to Gr3 winner Alexander Three D & stakes winner La Piaf (dam of multiple stakes winner Nitro). (Aug 5) Stormy Jack To Stand At Hideaway Farms US multiple stakes winner Stormy Jack “has been purchased privately” & will stand the 2004 season at Hideaway Farms in California, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 6YO son of Bertrando won 4 stakes races (including the 2000 Real Good Deal Stakes & 1999 I’m Smokin Stakes at Del Mar) among 8 wins & 8 placings in 21 career starts. He is 1 of 6 foals to start (all winners) out of winning Steelinctive mare Tiny Kristin. (Aug 5) Black Tie Affair Returning From Japan To US Black Tie Affair (1991 US Horse-Of-The-Year who was exported to Japan for stud duty in 1998) will return to the US for the 2004 breeding season & stand at Donna Hayes’s The Stallion Company in Virginia, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. A 17-year-old son of Miswaki, Black Tie Affair stood at East Stud in Japan where his fee was equivalent to US$30,000 during his 1st 2 seasons but dropped to US$12,500 this season. Hayes noted: "It wasn’t that he was for sale. We went looking for him." Black Tie Affair stood his 1st 6 seasons for US$15,000 at Vinery Kentucky, where he sired last year’s Gr1 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Evening Attire, 2-time Gr1 winner Formal Gold, & millionaire prize-money filly License Fee. Black Tie Affair’s top Japanese runner is 4-time stakes winner Washington Color (who won US$3,096,246 while racing from 1996-2002). From 9 crops of racing age, Black Tie Affair has sired 359 winners from 546 starters (including 33 stakes winners & 44 stakes-placed runners) & has progeny earnings of US$40,451,635. Black Tie Affair won 18 of 45 career starts & earned US$3,370,694; during his Horse-Of-The-Year campaign in 1991, he won 7 of 10 races, including the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic & Gr1 Philip Iselin Handicap. (The Stallion Company also stands 1990 & 1991 champion sprinter Housebuster, after Hayes acquired the now 16-year-old son of Mt Livermore from Japanese interests. Housebuster has covered 87 mares in each of his 2 seasons in Virginia, & Hayes said buyers could expect to see his weanlings at sales this year. Among Housebuster’s best runners is 2002 HK Horse-Of-The-Year & champion miler Electronic Unicorn.) (Aug 5) 1st Stakes Win For US Sire Key Contender New York-based sire Key Contender recorded his 1st stakes winner when Noble Adversary won the Genesee Valley Breeders' Cup Handicap (8.5 furlongs) at Finger Lakes, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Key Contender stands at Highcliff Farm in New York. From 175 foals in 5 crops of racing age, the 15-year-old son of Fit To Fight has sired 57 winners from 90 starters (including stakes-placed winner Honey's Contender). His progeny have earnings of US$3,079,273 & he is also represented by 23 yearlings. Key Contender won the 1995 Gr1 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park & was runner-up in both the 1995 Gr2 Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont & 1994 Gr2 Fayette Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. He also set 2 track records: he lowered the 1-mile record at Saratoga Race Course in 1min 34.72sec in 1992: & set the 8.5 furlongs standard at Belmont Park in 1994 with 1min 39.92sec. In a career spanning 6 seasons, Key Contender won 15 of his 56 starts. Key Contender is 1 of 5 winners from 6 starters out of Gr2-placed winner Key Witness (by Key To The Mint); he is a half-brother to Gr1 winner You’d Be Surprised. (Aug 5) 1st Stakes Winner For US Sire Tactical Cat US sire Tactical Cat recorded his 1st stakes winner when Fashion Girl won over 5.5 furlongs in the US, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Overbrook Farm’s home-bred Tactical Cat has 68 foals of racing age & has had 3 winners from 11 starters. The 7YO son of Storm Cat (out of Caro mare Terre Haute) stands at Overbrook for US$10,000. In 1988 Tactical Cat won the Gr1 Hollywood Futurity at Hollywood Park & Tremont Stakes at Belmont Park; he retired the following year with 4 wins & 5 placings in just 9 starts. (Aug 5) 1st Stakes Winner For US Sire Get Me Out Unraced South Dakota stallion Get Me Out recorded his 1st stakes winner when his 2nd crop 2YO gelding Sir Augustus captured the North Dakota Stallion Stakes (6 furlongs) at Assiniboia Downs, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Sir Augustus is 1 of 2 winners from 8 starters for Get Me Out, who has sired 21 foals of racing age. A 7YO son of Capote, Get Me Out stands at Sayler’s Farm in South Dakota. Bred in Ontario, Get Me Out is out of multiple stakes-winning Northern Dancer mare Linda North & is a half-brother to 1989 Gr1 Pegasus Handicap winner & sire Norquestor, & stakes winner & sire Majesterian. (Aug 5) 1st Win For US Freshman Sire Etbauer Arkansas freshman sire Etbauer recorded his 1st winner when Billy Etbauer won on debut over 5.5 furlongs at Louisiana Downs, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Etbauer won 3 of 5 starts during his 3YO season in 1999 (including the Gr3 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park) & retired with 3 wins from 7 starts overall. A 7YO son of Silver Deputy, Etbauer is 1 of 4 foals to start (all winners) out of winning Greinton mare Insurprise. Etbauer stands at Tooth-Acres Farm in Arkansas. His son Billy Etbauer is 1 of 13 foals from Etbauer’s 1st crop of racing age. (Aug 5) 1st Win For US Freshman Sire Rainbow Blues California freshman sire Rainbow Blues recorded his 1st winner when Rainbow Sand won in the US, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Rainbow Blues won 2 Gr2 races (1996 Del Mar Invitational Derby & 1997 San Gabriel Handicap at Santa Anita Park) after moving to the US following 2 seasons in Ireland. The 10-year-old son of Irish champion Bluebird has 17 foals of racing age, of which Rainbow Sand was his 2nd starter. He stands at Applebite Farms in California. Rainbow Blues is 1 of 5 winners from 7 starters out of placed Sallust mare Tudor Loom. (Aug 5) 1st Winner For US Freshman Sire Dancing Torch Utah freshman sire Dancing Torch recorded his 1st winner when Mopbuckmolly “charged down the stretch to score a 10-length romp” over 4.5 furlongs at Wyoming Downs, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Dancing Torch won 3 races in 25 starts. Bred in California by John Mabee, Dancing Torch is a 12-year-old son of Nijinsky II; his dam is Hoist The Flag mare Inherit The Flag. (Aug 5) 1st Winner For Canadian Sire Net Asset British Columbia-based sire Net Asset recorded his 1st winner when Leavuwithasmile won on debut at Hastings, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Kentucky-bred Net Asset (a half-brother to Gr3 winner & sire Mr Greeley) stands at Canmor Farms in British Columbia. Net Asset notched 3 wins in 11 starts. A 9YO son of Private Account, Net Asset has sired 1 winner & 6 starters from 10 foals of racing age. He is 1 of 14 starters (8 winners) out of winning Reviewer mare Long Legend; his 2nd dam is French champion, high-weight & Gr1 winner Lianga (by Dancer’s Image). (Aug 5) US Sire Lasting Approval Shuttles To Argentina Kentucky 2nd-crop sire Lasting Approval will stand the 2003 Southern Hemisphere season at historic Haras Don Yeye in Argentina, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. From 18 starters in 2 crops of racing age, the 9YO son of With Approval has sired 9 winners. He stood the 2003 season at Walmac International in Kentucky. Lasting Approval is out of Gr1-winnning Lord At War mare La Gueriere (a daughter of Gr3-placed winner & stakes producer Lady Wimborne, who is a half-sister to French star Allez France). La Gueriere is a half-sister to Gr1 winner Al Mamoon & Gr3 winner Lost Soldier, & a full sister to Gr3 winner Lord Of Warriors. Lasting Approval won 6 races & placed 6 times in 16 career starts (including victories in the 1997 Gr2 Oak Tree Derby at Santa Anita Park & 1998 Gr3 Maker´s Mile Stakes at Keeneland Race Course). (Aug 5) US Sire Town Caper Also Heads To Argentina And California-based sire Town Caper (Fatih-Tee Town Lady, by Damascus) will shuttle to Miguel Lagos Marmol’s Haras San Lorenzo de Areco near Buenos Airies for the 2003 southern season “where he is expected to cover at least 60 mares”, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Owner Michel Viejobueno confirmed the