NEWS UPDATES AJC Prizemoney Slashed 1: Gr1 Races Bare The Brunt AJC Prizemoney Slashed 2: Corporates Refute "Leakage" Allegation Victorian Breeders Introduce Leasing Scheme Nominations For Inglis $100K Bonus Close On Monday Eagle Park Stud Appoints Marketing Manager Encosta Leads Redoute's & Scenic On Aust Sires Table Volksraad Leads Pentire & Pins On NZ Sires Table Aust-Bred More Than Ready Daughter Wins In New Zealand Little Avondale Stud Stallion Parade On July 12 HKJC Chief Appeals For Government Flexibility (more>>) Take a minute to visit our new Luxury Leisure & Lifestyle portal, the complete guide to all things luxury. INDUSTRY NEWS — JANUARY 2003 Dufficy Buys 10% Of Northerly Rod Dufficy, the former Sydney journalist who became one of Hong Kong’s most successful professional punters, has bought a 10% share in Australia’s champion galloper Northerly reported appracingandsports.com.au. Dufficy has invested heavily in bloodstock over the last 5 years, including Northerly’s dam North Bell who died last spring giving birth to a colt by Flying Spur; but that foal gave Dufficy the leverage to strike a deal with Northerly’s Kalgoorlie-based owners. Dufficy took 10% of Northerly in exchange for owners Ron Sayers, Peter Bartlett & Tony Patrizi accepting a 50% share in the Flying Spur colt. While Dufficy will benefit from any earnings Northerly can add to his current $8 million total this autumn, his investment has only a short-term life as the 6YO gelding has no breeding value. (Jan 31) Champ To ‘Trial’ In Perth Meanwhile Northerly will compete in a 4-horse 1800m “trial” between races at Ascot in Perth this weekend, which trainer Fred Kersley plans to use as a gauge in deciding whether the 7YO son of Serheed will then start first-up in the Gr1 Orr Stakes at Caulfield on February 8. "The trial is a critical one to his preparation," Kersley told Melbourne’s The Age newspaper. "It means we may still get there for the Orr, depending on how he gets through it & the availability of flights across." Northerly, who won his final 5 starts of 2002 (including three Gr1 events), has not raced since his 2nd successive victory in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October. Though Northerly is among the international stars invited to the Dubai World Cup on March 29, he is not expected to race overseas until the Gr1 Singapore International Cup at Kranji on May 19. (Jan 31) Fields Of Omagh Considering Singapore Classic Connections of Caulfield Cup runner-up Fields Of Omagh are “giving serious consideration to a hit-and-run visit to Singapore for the S$1 million (A$977,000) Singapore Classic over 1800m at Kranji on March 7, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The Singapore Turf Club has released its list of invitees for the Classic & fellow Australian star Northerly is not among them. (Northerly won the Caulfield Cup in October, beating Fields of Omagh by a short neck.) Bryan Martin, managing part-owner of Fields Of Omagh, said the absence of Northerly would give added weight to the possibility of his galloper going to Singapore for the March race: “His overall mission this campaign is the Singapore International Cup in May. After his return from winning with North Boy in Singapore last year, trainer Tony McEvoy has been loud in his praise of the Kranji track, the facilities & the efficiency of the operation there. He’s very keen to go there again. Now that we know Northerly won’t be going to Kranji in March, the Classic looks a much more serious option for us.” Fields of Omagh will return to Australian racing in the Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8. Greg Childs, a favourite with Singapore racegoers & the pilot of North Boy in last year’s Krisflyer Sprint (1200m), will partner Fields Of Omagh if he makes the trip. (Jan 31) Murphy’s Blu Boy ‘Minority’ For Sale After a week fielding offers up to $2 million “to buy the colt outright” for 2YO sensation Murphy’s Blu Boy, Goondiwindi owner-trainer Mick Hicks has decided he will part with almost half of his youngster but retain majority ownership of 51%, reported The Australian newspaper. Hicks reportedly rejected an outright offer of $2 million from a Queensland stud for the Blu Tusmani. However negotiations with that stud & others are continuing, with Hicks hoping to finalise a deal this weekend. "The offers have been overwhelming. I thank those people very much, but the horse will not be sold outright,” Hicks said. Meanwhile Murphy’s Blu Boy has firmed from 10-1 (prior to his sensational 7-length win last weekend) in to even money favourite for Melbourne’s Blue Diamond, & from 50-1 in to 9-2 second favourite for Sydney’s Golden Slipper. Mark Morrissey, form expert for leading bookmaker Colin Tidy, told The Daily Telegraph newspaper: “He is the biggest firmer we have ever seen for a big race.” (Jan 31) Kafataris Warns Betfair ‘Ruinous’ To Bookies & TABs Contrary to some reports “Sydney’s biggest bookmaker Con Kafataris didn’t fly to London earlier this week to forge an alliance with the controversial English betting operation Betfair” reported The Daily Telegraph. Kafataris referred to his trip as simply a “discovery mission.” He explained: “I just wanted to see the Betfair operation working first hand. I have no plans to form an alliance with them or anything like that.” However Kafataris conceded that “if Betfair did expand its wagering operations into Australia, it could prove ruinous to both bookmakers & TABs.” (Betfair acts as a ‘middleman’, holding money from clients who can choose to act as either punter or bookie in any individual bet; Betfair simply takes 5% from whichever party is the winner.) (Jan 31) Pincay Lands 9,500th Career Winner Legendary US jockey Laffit Pincay Junior reached another milestone in his remarkable riding career when he rode Saxony to victory at Santa Anita Park to record his 9,500th career winner. Pincay, who celebrated his 56th birthday in December, told bloodhorse.com: "I'm feeling well now & I'm riding well now, so I don't really see myself retiring any time soon. As long as I'm doing well & enjoying it, I'm not going to retire." Pincay passed Bill Shoemaker's previous US record of 8,833 wins back in December 1999. (Jan 31) Another US Stakes-Winner For Favorite Trick Collingrove’s shuttle sire Favorite Trick logged another US stakes-winner when his son Hypnotist won the Feldman Stakes at Gulfstream Park last weekend (taking his tally to 5 wins, 2 2nds & 1 3rd). Jenny McAlpine advises Favorite Trick has now sired 14 winners, 2 stakes-winners & 3 stakes-placers from 32 runners in the US. (Jan 31) Hawkesbury Abandoned As Temp Reaches 46C Yesterday’s Hawkesbury race meeting was abandoned when the on-course temperature reached 46C. Three of the 7 programmed races were held, before Hawkesbury officials & stewards agreed conditions were too extreme to continue. Steward Philip Dingwall told racenet.com.au: "We believe that to keep racing in these conditions would not be in the best welfare of the horses. We have had a couple of runners pulling up with heat stress problems & it was decided that at 46C it was too hot to continue." (Jan 31) Racing NSW Proposes BOBS Changes Racing NSW chairman Tony Hartnell has tabled a proposal for consideration by stakeholders of the Racing NSW Breeder Owner Bonus Scheme (BOBS) for the coming season. Hartnell said: “BOBS is now bigger & better. After consultation with various industry groups, the Board has proposed improvements to BOBS for the coming season. We now await a response & comments from the various stakeholders before finalizing the terms and conditions. The scheme, in its first year, will be more complex than would ordinarily be desired. However, this is necessary as we phase out the old scheme & shift to a scheme which aligns the nomination of stallions with the covering season.” Changes include: stallion nominator bonus of 12.5%; inclusion of 2YOs; inclusion of all country TAB races; Group & Listed races excluded; aligning stallion nomination with the covering season; joint management committee comprising Board members & stakeholders. Remaining principles include: payment of one advertised service fee for nomination of stallions; payment of $660 fee for nomination of racehorses; bonuses paid on any win (excluding Group & Listed). (Jan 31) WA Jockey In Critical Condition As Melbourne apprentice Lonagan Milham remains in intensive care in hospital after a race fall, Radio Sport 927 reported young WA apprentice Michael Molloy fell in trackwork at Fred Kersley's property & was taken to hospital. What initially appeared to be a minor head injury was subsequently found to be “a fractured skull & bleeding from the brain” reported racenet.com.au, adding Molloy “has been put into a medically induced coma & is listed in a critical condition.” Brad Lewis from the WA Stewards advised: “Michael was operated on in the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital yesterday afternoon.” Molloy, 21, only recently resumed riding after a 2-year break; he is apprenticed to Kersley & had ridden 6 winners in recent weeks in country WA. (Jan 31) Jim Cassidy Returns At Rosehill Top Sydney jockey Jim Cassidy returns to the saddle at Rosehill tomorrow after 7 weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury. “I’m feeling 100% fit, both physically & mentally, & can’t wait to get back,” he told The Daily Telegraph. (Jan 31) Last Race For Regal Kiss Pregnant mare Regal Kiss will attempt to bow out of racing on a high note in the $70,000 Irwin Stakes at Morphettville tomorrow. A brilliant winner of last year's Irwin Stakes, Regal Kiss is in foal to Giant's Causeway reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Trained at Morphettville by Leon Macdonald, the Royal Academy 4YO has won 6 races (including the Gr2 Reisling Slipper Trial at Rosehill, Listed Dequetteville Stakes & Listed Balcrest Stakes at Morphettville) & placed 4 times in 17 starts for prize-money in excess of $310,000. (Regal Kiss also finished an unlucky 7th, after being slow away & blocked for a run, in the 2001 Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill behind Ha Ha.) (Jan 31) Might And Power On Parade At Bega Cup Former champion & 1997 Caulfield-Melbourne Cups winner Might And Power will parade for the crowd at this weekend’s Bega Cup (2100m) meeting programmed by the Sapphire Coast Turf Club on the NSW south coast. The gelding is now rising 10 years of age. (Jan 31) Sunline’s Strapper Joins Racing Victoria Sunline’s strapper Claire Bird has joined Racing Victoria in a “development role” beginning in March. Bird will visit TAFE classes across Victoria “with the aim of encouraging more young participants into racing.” (Jan 31) Aust Racing Hall Of Fame Nominations Australian Racing Hall Of Fame chairman Bryan Martin yesterday released nominations for induction to the 2003 Australian Racing Hall of Fame at the Adelaide Convention Centre on May 15. The 10 nominations in the ‘Trainer’ category are: Gai Waterhouse, John Hawkes, Lee Freedman, Jack Denham, Jim Houlahan, Richard Bradfield, Walter Hickenbotham, Frank McGrath senior, Geoff Murphy & Lou Robertson. Nominated in the ‘Jockey’ category are: Edgar Britt, Ron Quinton, Jack Thompson, Billy Duncan, Harry White, Pat Glennon, Ron Hutchinson, ‘Togo’ Johnstone, Jack Purtell & Bill Williamson. The ‘Horse’ category nominations include 20 racing legends: Ajax, Peter Pan, Gloaming, Heroic, Malua, Todman, Amounis, Chatham, Flight, Galilee, Octagonal, Better Loosen Up, Let’s Elope, Poseidon, Shannon, Sky High, Super Impose, Tobin Bronze, Vain & Wenona Girl. (Jan 31) Sandown Times Wrong The Melbourne Racing Club has accepted that sectional times electronically recorded at the inaugural meeting on the Lakeside track at Sandown last Saturday were incorrect. MRC racecourses manager John Green said the club had queried the sectional times with Sportscolour (which is responsible for the timing) as they “appeared to be much too quick”. Sportscolour spokesman Michael Mason confirmed the sectionals were "out of whack" due to changes to the track. Mason said Sportscolour was faxed the changes the day before the meeting, which wasn't enough time to make the necessary adjustments. "The times for the final 600m are out by a couple of seconds," he confirmed. (There will be another meeting on the Lakeside track on Sunday.) (Jan 31) Karaka Select Colts Average & Median Up Yesterday’s opening session at Karaka’s Select Colts Sale saw both average (NZ32,008) & median prices ahead of last year. “The middle market was particularly strong, with the median up from NZ$26,000 to NZ$30,000,” said NZ Bloodstock’s Julia Naismith. Westbury Stud’s in form stallion Faltaat figured prominently: top price of the session at NZ$100,00 was paid for a Faltaat-Crest Of Casitas colt; a Faltaat half-brother to Gr1 sprint winner Centre Crest (offered by rich Hill Stud) sold for NZ$100,000 to Queensland agent John Foote; & a Faltaat-Ever A Lady colt offered by Westbury was knocked down at NZ$65,000. Australian-bred first season sire Pins (who stands at Waikato Stud) also continued to attract attention: a Pins colt from good racemare Gypsy Soul (offered by Delahunty Farm) fetched NZ$65,000; & a Pins-Dare To Win colt (also offered by Delahunty Farm) was sold to Rogerson Bloodstock for NZ$65,000. Among the leading buyers trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson bought 14 lots for NZ597,000; John Foote took 6 lots for NZ268,000; Stuart Hale purchased 6 lots for NZ$193,500; Paul Moroney finished with 5 lots totalling NZ$184,500; & Kevin Myers bought 5 lots for NZ$135,000. Leading sires by average (3 or more sold) were: Marju with 3 sold for average NZ$60,333 (1st southern hemisphere crop); Faltaat with 6 sold for average NZ$51,083; Volksraad with 5 sold for average NZ$44,100; Pins with 5 sold for average NZ$43,400 (1st crop); & Cape Cross with 6 sold for average NZ$37,583. (Jan 31) Aust Racing Institute Success In Singapore Storm Racer “has overtaken his Malcom Thwaites-trained stablemate Eros as the flagbearing horse for the Australian Racing Institute in Singapore” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. In completing his all-the-way victory in the Barker Memorial last weekend, the Racer’s Edge gelding completed his 5th win from only 8 Singapore appearances & boosted his earnings to S$374,971 (A$366,429). The Australian Racing Insitute broke new ground late last year when it forged an agreement with the STC to become its “official training arm”, giving Singaporeans the opportunity to learn horse industry skills in the categories of trainer, assistant trainer, farrier, apprentice jockey, work rider & groom. Beginning in late 2000 under the direction of Joanne Hambrook, ARI (based at Murwillumbah in NSW) has sent 11 horses to Singapore, of which 10 have raced & won prize-money; they include 7 individual winners of 18 races & almost S$1 million (A$977,000) in stakes. Hambrook explained all horses are educated & pre-trained by students at the Institute in Australia. Some, like Storm Racer, have begun their careers in Australia before flying north. Other successful ARI horses in Singapore include 5-time winner Eros, Napoleon (3 wins) & Ginko Fire (2 wins). (Jan 31) Veteran Pacific Prince Tops $2 million Prize-Money Meanwhile former Perth racer Pacific Prince completed an amazing comeback at Kranji in Singapore, winning a S$100,000 (A$97,700) event over 1200m at his first run for 7 months reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The 9YO, who won 2 GR1 races in Perth & was placed in the 1998 Queensland Derby when racing as Summer Beau, joined the Singapore stables of Charles Leck as a 6YO. He has now raced 33 times in Singapore for 10 wins, 7 minor placings & earnings of S$1,422,635 (A$1,390,374) - and that’s in addition to the $862,000 he earned in Australia. (Jan 31) Superb Effect Sprints Into International Classification And Australian-bred Superb Effect, the fastest horse at Kranji, has “sprinted his way into the International Classification for the 2nd year running” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The Charles Leck-trained galloper was allotted 110 points by the international panel of handicappers, mainly on the strength of his slashing win in the Gr3 Kranji Sprint last July (carrying top weight of 59kg) & his 2nd to visiting Melbourne sprinter North Boy in the Krisflyer Sprint. (Highest allotment to a Singapore-based horse at 112 was shared by Singapore Derby & Gold Cup hero Smart Bet & Palace Line.) (Jan 31) HKJC Takes 6 From Karaka To International Sale The Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed it has secured 6 yearlings at NZ Bloodstock’s Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka for offer at the 2003 HK International Sale. The yearlings will now “be prepared in NZ, before shipping to HK for presentation at the International Sale” in December. The 6 purchases were: NZ$120,000 (HK$510,000) for a chestnut Pins–Expoeve (by Exploding Prospect) colt: from the first crop by Pins (a successful son of Snippets) who won 7 times between 1100m-2000m, including the Gr1 Cadbury Guineas & a treble of Gr2 events; the dam Expoeve is a winning half-sister to multiple Gr2 winner King Delamere (placed in the Gr1 Cox Plate) & her first foal to race Irish Crusader has won twice this year in Sydney & was a recent runner-up in a stakes race. NZ$180,000 (HK$765,000) for a Danasinga–Imposing Choice (by Imposing) colt: a full brother to Danamite (currently trained in HK & joint second on the 2000-2001 NZ 3YO Free Handicap after winning in Gr2 Avondale Guineas) who finished runner-up in both Gr1 Canterbury Guineas & Gr1 Rosehill Guineas before 3rd in the Gr1 AJC Australian Derby; half-sister is a Listed winner in NZ; sire Danasinga is having success with HK winners My Favourite, Wise Choice & Gift. NZ$160,000 (HK$680,000) for a Langfuhr–Lady Marita (by Lord Dudley) colt: sire Langfuhr is making impact in HK with just a handful of runners, notably Little Elephant, Opera Magic & Northern Magnate; dam Lady Marita (herself stakes-placed & a half-sister to Rouquin, a Listed winner & 2nd in the VATC One Thousand Guineas) is the dam of 6 foals to race, 5 of whom are winners. NZ$65,000 (HK$276,000) for a Volksraad–Prieur Way (by Star Way) colt: half-brother to Saintly Partners, winner of over HK$4.3 million from 23 starts in HK; sire Volksraad was champion NZ sire in 2001-2002 & has produced 20 stakes winners (including prominent HK performers Palette Natural & Desert Strike); dam Prieur Way won 8 times from 1400m-2100m, including a Gr3 event & a Listed Race. NZ$420,000 (HK$1.785 million) for a Danehill–Spell On You (by Irish River) colt: by multiple champion sire Danehill out of Spell On You, an Irish River mare placed as a juvenile in France; dam is a half-sister to Gr3 winner Malabar Gold & US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies place-getter Critical Factor; Spell On You has produced 2 winners from 3 foals to race in Australia & comes from the same family as dual US & French Gr1 winner Seattle Song & US Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Unbridled's Song. NZ$110,000 (HK$467,000) for a Kaapstad–Andra (by Zeditave) colt: by champion sire Kaapstad, a three-parts brother to champion runner Octagonal & sire of 41 stakes winners including HK Bowl winner Catalan Opening & several other HK winners; this is first foal from Andra, a Listed winner, a sister to Gr3 winner Zedamoss & a half-sister to Super Molly (winner of over HK$9.65 million from 23 starts including 9 wins & victory in the HK Gr3 Sha Tin Trophy this season). (Jan 31) US Stud Prepares For Jade Hunter Rush This week’s announcement that Azeri won US Horse-Of-The-Year has prompted John Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm outside Lexington in Kentucky to “begin preparing for what officials believe will be a much busier season for the new champion’s sire Jade Hunter” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm manager Donato Lanni confirmed: "We’ve received a lot of calls & we hope that continues. He’s done quite a bit as a sire & this is something that will help people take note." Jade Hunter stands for US$10,000 & bred to 36 mares in 2002 — his first season at Hill ‘n’ Dale. (He began his stud career at Brookside Farm in 1989 & stood there, save 1 year in Japan, until relocating to Hill ‘n’ Dale for the 2002 season.) Jade Hunter has sired 702 3YOs & up, of which 466 have started & 315 have won (including 35 stakes winners). His progeny have earned US $26,994,100. "It’s pretty exciting. I hope Azeri runs another year," Lanni said. "She’s a tribute to Jade Hunter, because if you look at his progeny, you can see that he has a lot of success with a lot of different mares & various bloodlines." Lanni pointed to the Northern Dancer & Halo lines as 2 that were particularly successful for Jade Hunter: Azeri is inbred 5x3 to Northern Dancer while 3-time Gr1 winner Yagli is inbred 5x4; 1998 Gr2 Blue Grass Stakes winner Halory Hunter is out of the Halo mare Halory & is inbred 5x3 to Northern Dancer; & 1994 Gr1 Santa Anita Handicap winner Suka also is inbred 5x4 to Northern Dancer. (Jan 31) Triple Crown Series For Selangor Turf Club The Selangor Turf Club will begin its 2003 racing season on a spectacular note with a Triple Crown series carrying prize-money of 3.25 million Malaysian ringgits (A$1.46 million). “Malaysia’s top-rated performers are expected to participate in full force for these 3 races,” said STC public relations head Dinah Doong. The Triple Crown series involves 3 Class 1 races: the Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) on February 9 with RM500,000 (A$224,000) prize-money; the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (1600m) in March with RM750,000 (A$336,000) prize-money; & finally the Selangor Gold Cup (2000m) in June with RM1.5 million (A$672,000) prize-money. Any horse winning all 3 legs earns a “special bonus” worth an additional RM500,000 (A$224,000). All 3 races are open to horses 3YO & over, & are run at weight-for-age. STC deputy chairman Datuk Richard Cham said: “Racing has become an international sport & has to compete with other high profile sporting events like Formula One, golf, football, cricket, etc. Under such circumstances, the Selangor Turf Club is gearing to enter the international racing scene & there’s no better way than to start off with a Triple Crown series. With this series underway, the Selangor Turf Club is using the 3 races as a benchmark to upgrade & improve the competitive level of the local horses. The Club is also planning to improve its infrastructure & add on new facilities to the racecourse in order to be on par with world class horse racing standards. Having an international racing event will be good for Malaysia, especially the income from the tourism dollar & the influx of international visitors to the country, just like to the Formula One motor racing event.” (Jan 31) Deauville Mixed Sale Offers 85 horses Deauville Sales of France has cataloged 85 horses for its mixed sale on February 13, reported thoroughbredtimes.com, with the “majority fillies & mares in & out of training”. Included in the catalogue are mares in foal to young stallions including French Gr2 winner Majorien, British Gr2 winners Munir & Mull of Kintyre, along with French Gr3 winners Chelsea Manor, Kingsalsa, Ocean Of Wisdom & Kouroun. Yearlings & horses-in-training will be offered during the 2nd part of the sale, including yearlings by French Gr1 winners Grape Tree Road, Muhtathir, Poliglote, Vettori & Kendor, & British Gr1 winners Medaaly & Zieten. (Jan 31) First Songandaprayer Foal Born In Florida The first reported foal by US Gr1 winner Songandaprayer was born at Marablue Farm in Florida. The colt is the 9th foal out of Sweet Proud Polly, a stakes-winning daughter of Proud Birdie & dam to 6 starters for 5 winners. "Both of them are doing wonderfully," Marablue Farm broodmare manager Tony Barthlow told thoroughbredtimes.com. "He’s a wonderful looking chestnut colt. He’s very flashy, nice, correct & a decent size. Judging on the way this foal looks, it’s more than likely that Sweet Proud Polly will be bred back to Songandaprayer." A 5YO son of Unbridled’s Song, Songandaprayer won the US Gr1 2001 Fountain Of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park & 2000 Huntington Stakes at Aqueduct; he was also runner-up in the Gr1 2001 Blue Grass Stakes & finished 13th in the 2001 Gr1 Kentucky Derby. Overall Songandaprayer won 3 races in 8 starts & now stands for US$10,000 at Marablue Farm. Sweet Proud Polly won 7 of 36 starts in her 3-year career. (Jan 31) First Foal By Ecton Park The first reported foal by US Gr1 winner Ecton Park was born at Old Shadelawn Farm in Kentucky. The filly is the first foal out of the unraced Wekiva Springs mare Colors Of My Voice. "She’s a cute little filly. She’s got a real nice hip & shoulder, & good proportion through the legs. She’s going to be great," Old Shadelawn owner & general manager Al Mazzetti told thoroughbredtimes.com. A 7YO son of Forty Niner, Ecton Park won 6 races in 23 starts, including the 1999 Gr1 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs & 1999 Gr2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course; he finished 12th in the 1999 Gr1 Kentucky Derby. Ecton Park stands for US $10,000 at Wintergreen Stallion Station near Midway in Kentucky. Out of the Fast Gold mare Sheena’s Gold, Colors Of My Voice is a half-sister to US Gr1 winner The Groom Is Red. (Jan 31) Five Star Day’s First Foal The first reported foal by US multiple-graded stakes winner Five Star Day was born at Machmer Hall in Kentucky. The colt is the 2nd foal out of the winning Diesis mare Destiny Due (in 2001 she gave birth to an unnamed colt by Affirmed). "We’ve had 5 foals here so far & this one is, by far, our best," Machmer Hall co-owner Carrie Bodgen told thoroughbredtimes.com. "The people who own him are very lucky." Bodgen said Destiny Due would now be bred back to Stormin Fever (a 9YO Gr3 winner & Gr1 stakes-placed son of Storm Cat). Five Star Day, a 7YO son of Carson City, won 6 of 16 starts including the 2001 Gr2 A.G.Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga Race Course, 2000 Gr3 Phoenix Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Keeneland Race Course & 1999 Gr3 Vernon Underwood Stakes at Hollywood Park. Five Star Day now stands for US$10,000 at Wintergreen Stallion Station near Midway in Kentucky. (Jan 31) First Broken Vow Foal At Pin Oak Stud The first reported foal by US multiple-graded stakes winner Broken Vow was born at Pin Oak Stud near Versailles in Kentucky. The filly is the 8th foal out of graded stakes winner Wortheroatsingold & is a half-sister to graded stakes winning Daylight Savings. "We are very excited to have our first Broken Vow baby here at the farm," Pin Oak Stud farm manager Clifford Barry told thoroughbredtimes.com. "This foal is a quality individual, correct with a very good shoulder & hip. We are looking forward to very good things from her." A 6YO son of Unbridled, Broken Vow won 9 of 14 starts (including the 2001 Gr2 Philip Iselin Handicap at Monmouth Park & 2001 Gr3 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland Race Course) & only missed the place-getters’ board once in his 2-year career. Out of the winning Najinksy II mare Wedding Vow, Broken Vow is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Threshold & stands for US$10,000 at Pin Oak Stud. The dam Wortheroatsingold won 4 races in 36 starts, including the 1991 Gr2 Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct. She is from the family of 1992 US Horse-Of-The-Year A.P.Indy, champion Lemon Drop Kid, multiple US Gr1 winner Summer Squall, as well as Gr1 winners Plugged Nickle, Christiecat & Riskaverse. Wortheroatsingold will be bred back to Sky Classic. (Jan 31) El Corredor’s First Foal The first reported foal by US Gr1 winner El Corredor was born at Taylor Made Farm near Nicholasville in Kentucky. The filly is the first foal out of the winning Mountain Cat mare One Bad Cat. "Both filly & mare are doing great," Taylor Made Farm broodmare manager Scott Kintz told thoroughbredtimes.com. "She’s a pretty good filly, very correct - a very good foal." A 6YO son of Mr Greeley, El Corredor won 7 races in 10 starts, including the 2000 Gr1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, back-to-back wins in the 2000 & 2001 Gr2 Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap & the 2001 Gr2 Pat O’Brien Handicap also at Del Mar. El Corredor stands for US$20,000 at Hill 'n’ Dale Farm near Lexington in Kentucky. The dam One Bad Cat won 2 races (on dirt & turf) in 6 starts. (Jan 31) California Sire Mark Chip Pensioned At 20 US Stallion Mark Chip has been pensioned from duty at Here Tis Ranch near San Jacinto in California, where he stood the 2002 season, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 20-year-old California-bred son of Our Blue Chip sired 28 winners from 42 starters in 8 crops of racing age. Mark Chip himself recorded 7 wins & 15 placings in 30 career starts over 4 seasons, including a track-record in the 1987 Carta Blanca Handicap at Aqueduct when he completed 1 mile & 70 yards in 1.38.40. Mark Chip was the only foal produced by the winning Windsor Ruler mare Markwind (a daughter of multiple stakes winner Market Again). (Jan 31) UK Jockeys Angry At Curbs On Mobile Phones Britain’s jockeys are angry at being faced with restrictions on their use of mobile phones around racecourses, reported racingpost.co.uk. “Feelings have been running high in the weighing-room at the thought of the impending ban, one the Jockey Club is optimistic of having in force by the time of the Vodafone Derby meeting in early June.” UK Jockeys’ Association chief executive Michael Caulfield said: “This is one of the most sensitive issues I have had to address, as jockeys will be greatly inconvenienced by the proposed restrictions. Discussions on how the restrictions will operate are continuing & we expect the Club to recognise that jockeys must still have access to their agents if racing is to run efficiently. This will present logistical problems, but the Club rejected our submissions when we met to discuss this topic.” UK jockeys are accustomed to using their phones without restrictions to organise their work schedules & talk to their agents, trainers, owners & others. Meanwhile leading jockeys' agent Shippy Ellis (whose clients include Kevin Darley, Olivier Peslier & Philip Robinson) declared jockeys may have a legal case for challenging the planned restrictions: "I suspect in this day & age that, irrespective of any regulations, if jockeys see it as a restriction of trade then they would have a case. If it isn't a restriction of trade, it's a suppression of trade. Jockeys are licensed by the Jockey Club but are also self-employed. If not being able to use their phone prevents them from getting employment, the Jockey Club could be on a tricky thing." (Jan 31) Quirindi Cup Features Country Racing ‘Stalwarts’ The 2003 Akubra Quirindi Cup meeting on Friday February 7 will feature a ‘Racing Stalwarts Reunion’, gathering “people who have played a major role in the development of racing in north-west NSW.” Organised by Quirindi Jockey Club, the invitation list includes administrators, owners, trainers, jockeys, race callers & members of the media, including former AJC chairmen Jim Bell & Bob Charley & members of the prominent Tait & Nivison racing families. QJC committee member Peter Mesley said: “We have invited people who have either owned or trained successful racehorses in this region, or those who have had an impact in the success of the racing industry as a whole. It should be remembered that Quirindi was one of the very first country race clubs in NSW to stage TAB race meetings & played a leading role in the development of TAB racing in the country at that time.” The $16,000 Akubra Quirindi Cup (1600m) & $12,000 R.H.Taylor/G.A.Hill Lightning Handicap (1100m) are highlights of the program. The meeting also features the annual Qantaslink Jockey Challenge, the only contest of its type in NSW that sees teams of riders from Sydney, Newcastle & country regions matched in a point-score competition. (Jan 31) Magic Millions First Ever ‘No Commission’ Sale Magic Millions is calling entries for its first ever ‘no commission’ Broodmare & Weanling Sale, announced marketing & media manager Annie McDonald. No Commission will be payable on broodmares & weanlings selling for $100,000 or more at the Sale. In addition, there will be no pass-in commission payable on any broodmare and/or weanling lot in the sale. The ‘No Commission’ Broodmare & Weanling Sale will be conducted under the banner of a new Magic Millions sale to replace what was the June Winter Carnival Yearling, Weanling & Broodmare Sale. To be known as The National Broodmare & Weanling Sale, this sale will be held on 5-7 May 2003 at the Magic Millions Sales Complex at Bundall on the Gold Coast (entries close on March 7). To precede this sale (& catalogued with it) will be The National Winter Yearling Sale on Sunday May 4; normal commission will apply to yearlings entered in this sale. (Jan 30) Queensland Racing Orders Inquiry Into Jockey Managers Queensland Racing Board chairman Bob Bentley has instructed stewards to launch an investigation into the activities of jockey managers. "There are some alarming questions being raised about the activity of some riders' agents," Bentley said. "Top trainers have complained that riding instructions are being usurped. Perhaps the time has come for the Board to decide whether some actions are bringing the industry into disrepute. After consultation with stewards, we will seek legal opinion on what guidelines can be established. This is something that might even be looked at nationally. I am sure that the majority of jockey managers abide by the rules & just want to operate in the best interests of their riders. Those who don't will soon find there is no place for them in the industry." Bentley also called for a full report on the just completed inquiry into a controversial Gold Coast race & the admission to stewards by a jockey manager that he backed the plunge winner. "We are dealing here with an integrity issue,” Bentley said. “I will be calling on stewards to provide the Board with a comprehensive report on the evidence given & circumstances surrounding this case.” (Jan 30) Leading Singapore Trainer Sued By Owners Singapore racing is agog at the news 6 owners who claim trainer Malcolm Thwaites “failed to take proper care” of 4 of their racehorses are suing the prominent Singapore-based conditioner. The owners claim 3 horses (American-breds Supreme Gold, Classic Sport & Crypto Charge) were not winning because of insufficient rest from leg-joint wear between races, while the 4th horse (Australian-bred Palace Star, who was purchased for US$45,000 based on Thwaites’s advice) was euthanised a year later in July 2001 due to degenerative leg-joint problems, reported Singapore’s The Straits Times newspaper. The 4 horses notched a combined 4 wins between them in Singapore. Plaintiffs Gary Desker & his wife Chia Swee Tin, Goh Siok Piew, Jennifer Desker, Quek Sin Hien & Quek Chin Hock, owned Palace Star jointly. The 3 other horses were owned by various members of the group. The owners are demanding “unspecified damages”; Thwaites is counter-claiming for fees due to him because he was not given a month’s notice prior to his termination. Thwaites has been training horses for 47 years, finishing champion trainer twice in Singapore & 3 times in Malaysia. (Jan 30) Karaka Day 3: Sheikh Grabs Ethereal's Half-Brother The half-brother to multiple Gr1 & Caulfield-Melbourne Cups winner Ethereal fetched NZ$350,000 from Angus Gold, bidding on behalf of Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum, during the final session of Karaka’s yearling sale. The Marju colt is out of the international racehorse Romanee Conti (by Sir Tristram), who is currently in foal to Carnegie. “He is a lovely class of horse to look &, with his pedigree, he could make a stallion,” Gold told thoroughbrednews.co.nz. He added the colt would eventually travel to the Hayes operation at Lindsay Park in South Australia & join the small team of Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum’s horses trained by Tony McEvoy. “Our aim is to have 4 or 5 quality horses racing in Australia at all times,” Gold explained. “Should the colt win, he could well be a Southern Hemisphere sire.” Gold noted the Sheikh has raced horses in Australia first with Colin Hayes & then with his sons Peter & David with considerable success (including Melbourne Cup & Cox Plate wins) & there was no specific aim, except to have quality racehorses carrying the Sheikh’s blue colours. With Southern Hemisphere sires such as Danzero & Octagonal travelling north to serve seasons, Gold did not rule out such a program for the Marju colt should be prove himself on the race track to the highest level. “The world is getting smaller,” said Gold. Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum raced & owns Marju, who served one season at NZ’s Ra Ora Stud & then served at Collingrove Stud in Victoria. The stallion became travel sick after travelling to Australia last season & was unable to serve his book of mares. Gold said the stallion was safely back at Derrinstown & in good health again. Over 250 horses are in training in the UK for Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum & he is an integral part of the Dubai-based Godolphin operation along with his brothers. Leon Casey, stud manager at consignor Pencarrow, said the Marju colt was an earlier maturing type than Ethereal, though “he is very typical of his mother”. (Jan 30) Karaka Day 3: Cummings Buys Bocelli Half-Brother Sydney trainer Bart Cummings outlaid NZ$400,000 for a half-brother to 2001 Singapore Horse-Of-The-Year Bocelli (Lord Ballina) during Day 3 at NZ’s Karaka yearling sale. Cummings told thoroughbrednews.co.nz the bay colt from the first southern hemisphere crop by Marju (by Last Tycoon) was the “best walking colt in the sale.” Cummings felt the final bid of $400,000 was under-priced, adding: “I liked everything about him. He is athletic & out of champion sire Marju.” Although the colt was a ‘spec’ buy, he would be recommending the colt to long-standing stable clients. From the Phoenix Park draft, the colt is also a half-brother to HK winner & stakes-placed Magic Hands (out of the unraced Dahar mare Sweet Vienna). (Jan 30) Karaka Day 3: HKJC Snaps Up Danehill Colt John Cameron (acting as agent for the Hong Kong Jockey Club) paid NZ$420,000 for a bay colt by Danehill out of imported mare Spell On You (by Irish River). The colt, offered by Ascot Stud, is from the immediate family of Seattle Song & Unbridled’s Song; he is the 3rd foal out of Spell On You, who has produced 2 winners & is a half-sister to US Gr3 winner Malabar Gold & US Gr1 Breeders Cup Fillies place-getter Critical Factor. The colt will be prepared for the HKJC’s International Sale next December, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The colt’s full brother was purchased from the same sale 2 years ago for NZ$360,000 & later sold at the HK International Sale for HK$3.8 million (approximately NZ$950,000). (Jan 30) Karaka Day 3: Hale Takes Zabeel-Better Succeed Colt Cambridge bloodstock agent Stuart Hale paid NZ$400,000 for a bay colt by Zabeel out of the Sydney-winning Success Express mare Better Succeed (a member of the Diamond Shower family & a daughter of STC Gr2 Theo Marks Quality Handicap winner Double Your Bet, by Palace Music). The colt was consigned by Cambridge Stud & bought on behalf of “an international syndicate, including some New Zealanders” & will be trained by Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. “I thought he was the best yearling colt I’ve seen go through the ring in 3 or 4 years,” said Hale. “There was a hell of a lot of Octagonal about him. I bought him as a quality racehorse, without thinking of his stallion potential. But if that eventuated, it would be a great bonus.” Cambridge Stud’s Sir Patrick Hogan commented: “The sale has held up very well, nice horses with pedigrees are making their money. Buyers these days have considerable choice, with over 2,000 yearlings available for purchase over the Australasian yearling series. So the sale will have done well if it maintains the average from last year.” (Jan 30) Karaka Day 3: Overall Median Up 8% “There were congratulations shared all around the Karaka complex with vendors, buyers & NZ Bloodstock relieved & pleased with the overall results of the sale,” summed up NZ Bloodstock’s general manager of bloodstock & marketing Julia Naismith. “Leading into it we had very conservative expectations about what could be achieved in the market right now. From word go NZ Bloodstock, together with our vendors, agreed that if we could hold a good solid middle market we would be well pleased. In fact we’ve managed to grow our median by 8% which is a good result.” The overall median price for the 3-day sale was NZ$67,500 compared to NZ$62,500 last year. Naismith also noted: “It is very important to recognise that attaining a clearance rate of 83% (last year 81%) while introducing the first ever yearling X-Ray Repository is a remarkable achievement.” She added that “the buying bench was undoubtedly one of the most extensive we’ve seen here at Karaka, with Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Europe, Japan & NZ all making a big impact on the outcome.” The overall average price was NZ$95,291 & the overall aggregate for the 3-days was NZ$34,209,500. (Jan 30) Karaka List Toppers These were the top prices, spenders, sires & vendors at Karaka Yearling Sale over the 3 days: Top 10 Prices: NZ$660,000 Zabeel-L’Quiz filly NZ$625,000 Zabeel-Grand Archway colt NZ$420,000 Danehill-Spell On You colt NZ$410,000 Danehill-Casuarina Beach filly NZ$400,000 Stravinsky-Coutet colt NZ$400,000 Marju-Sweet Vienna colt NZ$400,000 Zabeel-Better Succeed colt NZ$375,000 Zabeel-Fleur De Chine filly NZ$350,000 Marju-Romanee Conti colt NZ$320,000 Zabeel-Miss Tessla colt NZ$320,000 Zabeel-Quiz Queen colt Leading Buyers (by aggregate) NZ$2,720,500 Rogerson Bloodstock (19 lots) NZ$2,201,000 NZ Bloodstock as agent (20 lots) NZ$1,328,000 Paul Moroney (20 lots) NZ$1,285,000 Gai Waterhouse (12 lots) NZ$1,145,000 Bart Cummings (6 lots) Leading Sires (by average) Danehill: 7 sold for average NZ$261,429 Zabeel: 43 sold for average NZ$203,977 Marju:12 sold for average NZ$124,792 Redoute’s Choice: 3 sold for average NZ$118,333 (1st crop) Carnegie: 19 sold for average NZ$118,316 Leading Vendors (by average) Rich Hill Stud: 4 sold for average NZ$197,500 Ascot Farm: 7 sold for average NZ$196,786 Pencarrow Stud: 10 sold for average NZ$186,500 Cambridge Stud: 41 sold for average NZ$142,537 Westbury Stud: 9 sold for average NZ$135,556 Leading Vendors (by aggregate) Cambridge Stud: 41 sold for NZ$5,844,000 Trelawney Stud: 26 sold for NZ$3,086,000 Windsor Park Stud: 25 sold for NZ$2,658,000 Haunui Farm: 16 sold for NZ$1,882,000 Pencarrow Stud: 10 sold for NZ$1,865,000 (Jan 30) McEvoy Begins 6-week Stint With Godolphin In Dubai Top Australian jockey Kerrin McEvoy will spend the next 6 weeks in Dubai riding for Godolphin Racing “with hopes of earning a mount on the US$15.25-million Dubai World Cup program on March 29”, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 22-year-old earned the trip to Dubai by finishing as the leading jockey in the Emirates Challenge at Caulfield’s Dubai Racing Club Day last September. McEvoy also finished 6th in the Caulfield Cup & 3rd in the Melbourne Cup aboard Godolphin’s Beekeeper. "It’s something that is too good to miss," McEvoy said of his opportunity with Godolphin. "I’m looking forward to being in Dubai during the peak season, looking at the different styles of racing, the different style of horses & the different tracks. I would love to stay until the World Cup & hopefully get a ride on that day." McEvoy won 119 races from 899 mounts in 2002, including the Gr1 Dubai Racing Club Cup aboard Pernod & the Gr1 Futurity Stakes on Dash For Cash. (Jan 30) Jockey Remains Critical Meanwhile jockey Lonagan Milham remains in a “critical but stable” condition in Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital, reported appracingandsports.com.au. The 20-year-old has not regained consciousness since being thrown from his mount & suffering severe head injuries in a race fall at Hanging Rock last weekend. Milham's manager Wes Hunter added the jockey's condition had stabilised. (Jan 30) Faltaat Progeny Continue Wining Run The commanding win by the Graeme Rogerson-trained 3YO gelding View From Above at Randwick yesterday continued the “amazing run of success enjoyed by Westbury Stud’s Mr Prospector stallion Faltaat”, reported racenet.com.au. Last weekend at the Wellington Cup meeting at Trentham, Faltaat’s star 5YO NZ sprinter Tit for Taat carried an impressive 58.5kgs to win the NZ Gr1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) & his 4YO gelding Rosina Lad finished runner-up in the NZ Gr1 Thorndon Mile (1600m). Tit for Taat (from Miss Kiwitea by Truly Vain) has dominated NZ sprinting this season, also winning the Gr1 Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham (dead-heat with Elevenses), the Gr3 Lion Red Plate, the Gr3 Tauranga Stakes & the Gr3 Challenge Stakes. The Telegraph Handicap triumph was the 4th Gr1 win for Tit for Taat, who won both the NZ Two Thousand Guineas at Riccarton & Bayer Classic at Otaki as a 3YO. Meanwhile Thorndon Mile runner-up Rosina Lad (from Arctic Life by Arctic Tern) also won the Listed Turf Sportsground Development Sprint at Waikato in December. A 3rd NZ stakes-winner for Faltaat this season is 4YO horse Sedecrem (from Real Trier by Turf Ruler), winner of the Gr2 Highview Stud Trophy (1600m). And 4YO mare Gwen’s Rules (like Sedecrem & Rosina Lad, from the second crop by Faltaat) finished runner-up in both the NZ Gr1 Railway Stakes & Listed Karcher Classic. Best known of Faltaat’s progeny in Australia is the Gai Waterhouse-trained Hey Pronto (from Royal Act by Palace Music); from his sire’s first crop, Hey Pronto won the Gr2 QTC O’Shea Stakes & Gr3 NJC Newmarket Handicap in 2002 & finished 2nd in the Gr3 NJC Cameron Handicap. A US$600,000 purchase at the 1991 Keeneland July Yearling Sale, Faltaat is the first foal of outstanding racemare Epitome (Summing), winner of 5 of her 14 starts including the US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Faltaat had all bar 2 of his 20 starts in the UAE where he won 13 races. Faltaat stood the 2002 season at NZ’s Westbury Stud for NZ$8,500. He had just 15 live foals from his 1st crop (including Tit For Taat & Hey Pronto) & 25 in his 2nd (including Sedecrem, Rosina Lad & Gwen’s Rules). But Faltaat has subsequently served 113 mares in 2000 & 93 in 2001. (Jan 30) 25 Countries Chase Dubai World Cup Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Macau, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, UAE & USA. The rapidly increasing international focus on the US$15.25 million Dubai World Cup program (on March 29 at Nad Al Sheba racecourse in the United Arab Emirates) is highlighted by the huge 1,401 nominations from 25 countries (an 18% increase over 2002 & 34.8% rise since 2001). Dubai World Cup committee chairman Lee Benton said: “Among the many pleasing aspects is the wide reach the Dubai World Cup has attained & that is evident by the number of countries represented among the full nomination." (Jan 30) Media Puzzle versus Nayef & Azeri? Meanwhile European interest in the Dubai World Cup program is at an all-time high. UK racing enthusiasts have had appetites whetted by the Racing Post headline “Media Puzzle versus Nayef & Azeri is one prospect in store”. Readers were told that, as well as ”Melbourne Cup hero Media Puzzle, trained on The Curragh by Dermot Weld”, US Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri “headlines the American invitees”, & ”in addition to Media Puzzle & Nayef, other European interest centres on the French-trained pair Ange Gabriel & Aquarelliste, 1st & 2nd in the Hong Kong Vase in December.” (Jan 30) Traffic Circle To Stud In Oklahoma Mike Hunter has purchased veteran US multiple Gr3 winner Traffic Circle from Tradewinds Stable & will stand the 10-year-old son of Cahill Road at C.K.Running Horses in Oklahoma, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Traffic Circle raced for 8 seasons, winning the 1997 Gr3 John Campbell Handicap at Pimlico Race Course & Gr3 Polynesian Stakes at Colonial Downs. In 1996 he finished 10th in the historic Gr1 Belmont Stakes. In all he started 45 times for 8 wins. Bred in Kentucky by Bendabout Farm, Traffic Circle is out of the winning What Luck mare With Penny’s Luck (by Bold Ruler's son What Luck). Traffic Circle’s half-sister Strong On The Sly produced Italian stakes winners Strong Life & Ezio de Cesari. (Jan 30) California Sire Lake George Moves To Hanson Stock Farm US stallion Lake George (sire of 3-time stakes winner Lady George) will stand the 2003 season at Hanson Stock Farm near Hemet in California, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. He previously stood at Harris Farms near Coalinga in California. The 11-year-old son of Vice Regent has sired 25 winners in 4 crops of racing age (including 2 stakes winners) from 45 starters. His star off-spring Lady George has won 4 of 14 races, including a pair of California juvenile stakes in 2001 en route to being named California juvenile Filly-Of-The-Year. Lake George’s other stakes winner is 2001 Elko County Thoroughbred Derby winner Righteous Desire. (Jan 30) Run Production To Stud In Illinois US stakes winner Run Production will enter stud at LeRoy Bormet's B & B Farm in Illinois reported bloodhorse.com. The 3YO son of Saint Ballado won the Comet Stakes among his 3 wins from 5 starts. Run Production is a full brother to stakes-placed Bay Head King & was produced from stakes winner Meadow Silk (by Meadowlake). (Jan 30) First Forest Camp Foal Born In Virginia The first reported foal by Forest Camp has been born at Hart Farm in Virginia. The filly is the 2nd foal out of Tacit Bid (an unraced daughter of US Gr1 winner Meadowlake & a half-sister to both Mexican Horse-Of-The-Year Lobo & Gr2 winner Approved to Fly). "Both filly & mare are doing great," Hart Farm’s Susie Hart told thoroughbredtimes.com. "This is as nice a baby as we’ve ever had. She’s a lovely, beautiful filly. Her head, her neck, her look are just fine. I hope she can run as well as she looks." A 6YO son of Deputy Minister, Forest Camp won 2 US stakes races: the 1999 Gr2 Del Mar Futurity & 2000 Pirate’s Bounty Handicap. Overall he won 4 races in 11 starts & is the only stakes winner out of the stakes-winning Hold Your Peace mare La Paz. Forest Camp stands for US$10,000 at Airdrie Stud in Kentucky. Tacit Bid will be bred back to US Gr3 winner Glitterman. (Jan 30) King Cugat’s First Foal Born At Mulholland Springs The first reported foal by King Cugat has been born at Mulholland Springs near Lexington in Kentucky. The filly is the first foal out of stakes-placed winning Cozzene mare Chaste. "Both foal & dam are doing quite nicely," Mulholland Springs co-owner Martha Jane Mulholland told thoroughbredtimes.com. "She’s a lovely filly; very colorful & a very attractive filly." A 6YO son of Kingmambo, King Cugat won seven races in 16 starts including the 2000 Gr2 Jamaica Handicap, 2000 Gr2 Arlington Classic Stakes & 2001 Gr2 Bowling Green Handicap (G2). Out of the Majestic Light mare Tricky Game, King Cugat is a half-brother to Gr1-placed winner Western Expression. King Cugat (who stands for US$7,500 at Lane’s End in Kentucky) is from the immediate family of multiple Gr1 winner Seeking The Gold & Gr1 winner Fast Play. Chaste won 4 of 15 career starts; purchased for US$210,000 at the 2002 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, she will now be bred to Giant’s Causeway. (Jan 30) UK Jockey Club Introduces New ‘Integrity Measures’ A series of measures are to be introduced by the UK Jockey Club this year in a bid to “increase confidence in the integrity of racing.” They include: a clampdown on the security of the weighing room area; enhanced camera coverage of racecourse stables; restrictions on the use of mobile phones by jockeys; & a ban on trainers laying horses on betting exchange sites. Christopher Spence, senior steward of the Jockey Club & chairman of its 11-strong Integrity Review Committee, told racingpost.co.uk: "The measures will be introduced during 2003. Some are currently subject to consultation with interested parties & others are awaiting the provision of funding prior to their implementation. I have been encouraged by the response of those parties that we have so far liased & consulted with. For example, representatives from the Jockeys' Association have demonstrated an open-minded & positive attitude to the impending restrictions on mobile phones, despite the inconvenience this will cause to many of their members. Demonstrations of collective responsibility from within the industry boost confidence in the integrity of the sport & send out a strong message to the public about racing's intentions.” On the controversial issue of rapidly-expanding betting exchanges, Spence added: “Since there is likely to be a delay of some years before the Government's proposed Gambling Commission is established & able to take a firmer grip on the regulation of betting, the Jockey Club is in discussions with both betting exchanges & off-course bookmaking companies to develop our own working relationships, in order to have access to an audit trail of bets struck. The aim is to agree upon ways in which matters causing concern from an integrity perspective can be followed up in conjunction with the betting industry. Confidence in the integrity of racing's product is vital for both the racing & betting industry." (Jan 30) William Hill Boss Attacks Betting Exchanges Meanwhile leading UK betting shop chain William Hill’s chief executive David Harding launched his latest attack on betting exchanges & the "unfair cost advantages" they enjoy over fixed-odds betting. Harding was speaking at the annual betting industry seminar in London, reported racingpost.co.uk, immediately after Edward Wray, chief executive of leading exchange site Betfair, had told delegates that “as Betfair acts as a bookmaker, bringing together punters who want to both back & lay, it is right that tax & levy should be charged only on the low commission rates.” This position allows betting exchange sites to offer margins that cannot be rivalled by a bookmaker like William Hill, & accounts for the recent massive growth of exchange betting. But Harding called for UK Customs & Excise to review the way in which Betfair is taxed in order to create "a level playing field". He declared: “I have listened to all of your arguments, Edward, but you only have to glance at the discussions in the chatroom on your website to know that people on Betfair are in the business of bookmaking & are able to hide behind your licence of convenience." Harding said. "We have consistently said that we are not particularly worried about losing mainstream custom to the exchanges - this is not a product for the average punter. But we are worried about the impact on starting prices from on-course layers hedging into the exchanges, & illegal layers taking business without paying the same tax, levy or data charges as the rest of us. I only hope that Customs realise how important their role is in creating a level playing field & protecting their long-term revenue.” Harding also emphasised that “in order to achieve the objective of keeping gambling crime-free, every individual who holds him or herself out as a bookmaker must be subject to the same 'fit and proper' tests.” (Jan 30) Murphy’s Blu Boy Trainer Swamped With $1 Million Offers Goondiwindi trainer Mick Hicks has been rushed with at least half a dozen offers in excess of $1 million for 2YO sensation Murphy's Blu Boy, following the bush colt’s 7-length annihilation of the cream of Victoria's juveniles in the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Caulfield. Hicks has asked for all offers to be put in writing. But The Australian newspaper revealed: “Hunter Valley stud Arrowfield & South Australia’s premier racing stables Lindsay Park have emerged as front-runners in the bidding war . . . Six offers have been tabled for the colt: three 7-figure bids for outright purchase, along with others seeking to buy a share.” (Jan 29) TOC Wife Says Don’t Sell 2YO Star But Mick Hicks’ wife Norma told aapracingandsports.com.au: "I told Mick if he sells the horse not to come home! One million dollars is a lot of money, but we've already done the hard yards & built our own home. We'd probably spend half of that money again trying to find another horse if we sold him. We've got him &, although I've got nothing against the bigger stables with 170 odd horses, he'd become just another number if he was sold. We've had him since he was a baby & he's grown up like one of the kids." Norma Hickis also revealed her husband (a former country rugby league player & publican at Inglewood in south-west Queensland) survived a serious health scare last year: "Mick got quite sick & when he came out of hospital he stopped drinking because he had so many pills to take. He was on life support for 7 days after suffering heart & kidney failure, & then they discovered he was a diabetic. It was very hard on all of us, but we pulled together." (Jan 29) TOC Azeri Voted US Horse-OF-The-Year Jade Hunter’s mighty daughter Azeri (who won 8 of her 9 starts in 2002, including 5 Gr1 races) topped the voting at the Eclipse Awards ceremony to win the US Horse-Of-The-Year title in a landslide, reported bloodhorse.com. Azeri, owned by the Allen Pauslon Trust & trained by Laura De Seroux, received 37 of the 44 votes from Daily Racing Form, 107 of the 128 votes from the US National Turf Writers' Association, & 45 of the 53 votes from the US National Thoroughbred Racing Association, giving her 84% of the total votes. War Emblem, who won the Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Preakness Stakes totalled 12 votes, followed by Left Bank (Gr1 Whitney Handicap winner) & Rock Of Gibraltar each with 7 votes. Other Horse-Of-The-Year votes went to Orientate (3) & Storm Flag Flying, Toccet, Street Cry, Medaglia d'Oro, Volponi & Xtra Heat (1 each). Azeri became the first female to be voted Horse-Of-The-Year since Lady's Secret in 1986. In the Older Female category, Azeri received all 227 votes. Also dominating their individual categories were Champion 2YO Filly Storm Flag Flying (226 of 227 votes) & Champion Sprinter Orientate (220 of 227 votes). The 2002 Eclipse Awards honour roll was: Horse-Of-The-Year: Azeri 2YO Male: Vindication (from Toccet & Sky Mesa) 2YO Female: Storm Flag Flying (from Awesome Humor) 3YO Male: War Emblem (from Medaglia d'Oro & Came Home) 3YO Female: Farda Amiga (from Imperial Gesture, Take Charge Lady & You) Older Male: Left Bank (from Volponi, Street Cry & Evening Attire) Older Female: Azeri Sprinter: Orientate (from Xtra Heat, Left Bank, Gygistar & Kalookan Queen) Male Turf Horse: High Chaparral (from With Anticipation & Rock of Gibraltar) Female Turf Horse: Golden Apples (from Starine & Astra) Steeplechase: Flat Top (from It's a Giggle & McDynamo) Owner: Richard Englander (from Thoroughbred Corp & Juddmonte Farms) Breeder: Juddmonte Farms (from Harry Mangurian) Jockey: Jerry Bailey Apprentice Jockey: Ryan Fogelsonger Trainer: Robert Frankel (Jan 29) TOC Paulson Tells Eclipse Dinner Azeri 'Will Return' Meanwhile “emotions ran high during Michael Paulson's tearful acceptance of the Horse-Of-The-Year trophy for Azeri” reported bloodhorse.com. “Paulson struggled to get the words out to thank those currently involved with Azeri, the brilliant mare bred by his father & trained by Laura de Seroux, the first woman conditioner of a North American Horse-Of-The-Year.” Azeri is scheduled to be sold at the March Barretts sale in California, as a result of dispute within the Allen Paulson Trust. But Michael Paulson promised the audience: "She will return, & when she does I'm sure she'll be at championship form." Paulson said he & his two brothers Richard & Jim will buy Azeri back. "We control 75% of the trust," he declared. "We have a lot of buying power, so we hope to buy her back." Paulson called the award "bittersweet" in light of his father's death & the subsequent acrimony within the Trust which currently owns Azeri. (Jan 29) TOC Dubai World Cup Attracts 1,401 Nominations Australian weight-for-age champ Northerly, Irish Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle, US Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri & Japanese Gr1 winner Eagle Cafe head the list of international stars invited to compete in the world’s richest race, the US$6 million Gr1 Dubai World Cup on March 29 at Nad Al Sheba racecourse in the United Arab Emirates. Northerly was branded overnight “as good as they come on any continent” by leading US racing newswire & website thoroughbredtimes.com, which noted “he has won 8 Australian Gr1 races (including back-to-back runnings of the Cox Plate), 16 of his 17 wins have come in stakes races & he has earned US$4,203,764.” The US$15.25 million Dubai World Cup program has attracted 1,401 nominations from 25 countries (an 18% increase over 2002 & 34.8% rise since 2001), advised DWC media officer Martin Talty. From that group, the World Cup committee issued 80 invitations for horses to compete in one of the 7 races. The US$6 million Gr1 Dubai World Cup attracted 198 nominees from 13 countries, with the US providing 82 nominations 82, followed by United Arab Emirates with 61. US Horse-Of-The-Year Azeri heads the American invitees, but the 5YO five-year-old mare could miss the race because she has only been in light training while pending sale on March 4 (as part of the Paulson Trust dispersal). "Azeri’s participation depends upon her sale in early March & whether her new owners wish to take up the challenge in Dubai," Dubai World Cup committee chairman Lee Benton said. "However, the Dubai World Cup provides a magnificent opportunity for her new owners to recoup their purchase price." Other American-based runners receiving an invitation to the world’s richest race include Eclipse Award finalist Medaglia d’Oro, multiple Gr1 winners Congaree & Harlan’s Holiday, & multiple Gr2 winner Repent. "The feedback from the US is very positive," said Kevin Greely, racing secretary for the Dubai World Cup. "It is the most positive feedback we have received at this time, in comparison to previous Dubai World Cups. We are cautiously optimistic everything will be good, & we hope to have a large representation from the US yet again. They are the best horses in America, & we will be doing our utmost to bring them to Dubai." Xtra Heat, champion 3YO filly of 2001 & a finalist for champion sprinter in 2002, received an invitation to again compete in the US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, a race in which she finished third last year. Other races on the card include the US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic, US$2 million Gr1 Dubai Duty Free, US$2 million Gr2 UAE Derby, US$1 million Gr2 Godolphin Mile & US$250,000 Gr1 Dubai Kahayla Classic. (Jan 29) TOC Walter Says No Dubai For Defier Meanwhile trainer Guy Walter announced World Cup nomination Defier is “unlikely to go” to Dubai, reported aapracingandsports.com.au, noting both his stable stars “Defier & Republic Lass will stay in Sydney for the autumn carnival & won't campaign in Melbourne." Cox Plate runner-up Defier & last season's AJC Oaks winner Republic Lass are scheduled to compete in barrier trials at Warwick Farm next week. Walter confirmed: "They're both back in work & I'm happy with the way they're going." Walter said Defier & Republic Lass are likely to resume in the $150,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 22, before their autumn paths diverge. "I'm still not sure what way I'll go with Defier after the Expressway," Walter said of the 11-2 early favourite for the AJC’s $2.5 million Gr1 Doncaster (1600m) at Randwick on April 19. "It's a matter of finding suitable races to get him right for the George Ryder, that's his race. Then we've got the Doncaster, but that's dependant on the weights & there's the Queen Elizabeth Stakes too." Republic Lass' main aim this autumn is the STC’s $2 million Gr1 BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 12. "After the Expressway she'll progress through to the Apollo Stakes, Chipping Norton, Ranvet & BMW," Walter said. Republic Lass has been entered for the Doncaster (in which she is a 33-1 chance in early betting), but Walter said the 4YO mare would instead chase the longer events. Walter's other star Spinning Hill will carry the flag in Melbourne, beginning with the Gr1 Lightning Stakes on February 9. (Jan 29) TOC Zabeel-L'Quiz Filly Tops Karaka Day 2 Australian bloodstock agent Kieran Moore paid top price of NZ$660,000 (on behalf of an unnamed Japanese client) for Cambridge Stud’s bay filly sister to Gr1 winners Champagne & St Reims at Day 2 of the Karaka Yearling Sale. Moore told thoroughbrednews.co.nz the successful bidder was a new client & wished to remain anonymous, noting: “That’s why he used an agent.” But Moore did reveal his client had identified the filly (by Zabeel from American-bred mare L’Quiz) as an excellent investment prospect: “What sealed it was her international pedigree.” The filly is likely to race in Australia (before heading to Japan later on), though Moore said a trainer is still undecided: “We’ll get her broken in, let her develop & then sort that out.” (Jan 29) TOC Karaka Day 2: O'Sullivan Buys Grand Archway Colt Earlier in the 2nd Session, retired Matamata trainer Dave O'Sullivan & Robbie Hewetson’s RTA Bloodstock purchased a Zabeel-Grand Archway bay colt from the draft of Westbury Stud for NZ$625,000. "He will be owned by a New Zealand syndicate & trained out of our Matamata stable," 69-year-old O'Sullivan (refering to the stable run by his son Paul) told thoroughbrednews.co.nz. "He is a lovely horse and looks a Derby type to me. We will hope that he can remain an entire." (Jan 29) TOC Karaka Day 2: James Nabs Zabeel-La Suffragette colt Trans-tasman trainer Roger James purchased a bay Zabeel-La Suffragette colt from the draft of Auckland's Haunui Farm for NZ$300,000 during the Karaka 2nd Session. His second dam is the 1984 Australian Horse-Of-The-Year Emancipation, while La Suffragette is an unraced Palace Music mare. James was buying “for a syndicate of stables clients from both sides of the Tasman” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. James said the colt would be aimed at the NZ Derby – potentially adding to the impressive records of both & Cambridge Stud’s champion sire Zabeel in the classic race held each year on Boxing Day at the Ellerslie track. James (who also purchased a bay colt by Zabeel out of Crystal Hailey, by Greinton, for NZ$150,000 on Day 1) considers Zabeel the most potent stallion in Australasia to take on the large numbers of staying races in NZ & Australia. “The Zabeel’s just have that ability to go further,” said James. “I am thrilled to buy the colt, as he was my number one staying colt in the entire sale.” (Jan 29) TOC Karaka Day 2: Overall Ahead Of Last Year At the conclusion of Day 2 at Karaka “our average of NZ$98,937 is 5% up on the same stage last year & the aggregate of NZ$20,480,000 is 7% up” reported NZ Bloodstock’s Julia Naismith. “The middle market is remaining strong, with the median of $70,000 being 12% ahead of last year at this point.” (Jan 29) TOC Injured Jockey Stabilises In Hospital The condition of jockey Lonagan Milham has stabilised, but he remains in a critical condition after suffering head injuries in a race fall at Hanging Rock in rural Victoria last weekend. The 20-year-old apprentice jockey was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital after the fall. A hospital spokeswoman said the jockey's condition was now listed as “critical but stable”, reported appracingandsports.com.au. (Jan 29) TOC Jockeys Won’t Ride At Hanging Rock Meanwhile under the headline “We Won’t Ride At Hanigng Rock”, The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported “several jockeys have vowed never again to ride at Hinging Rock racecourse. Leading Vicotrian jockey Brad Rawiller . . . led an outcry about the condition of the country Victorian track.” Rawiller said: “It is an accident waiting ti happen . . . The camber is set-up wrong.” Sam Hyland, Matt Allen, Wayne Davids & Paul Saunders “all echoed Rawiller’s sentiments” & said the “track has simply passed its use-by date.” (Jan 29) TOC Vindication & Storm Flag Flying Top Free Handicap While boom youngsters Vindication & Storm Flag Flying were duly voted champion US 2YOs at the Eclipse Awards, much breeding industry interest centered on whether the unbeaten juveniles would be weighted above the standard weight - 126 pounds for males & 123 for fillies - on the 2002 Experimental Free Handicap. They weren't. "We thought about assigning Storm Flag Flying one pound above the standard, but felt she fit right in at 123," racing secretary Mike Lakow of the New York Racing Association told bloodhorse.com. Lakow determined the weightings of 64 males & 56 fillies with fellow racing secretaries Frank Gabriel of Arlington Park & Tom Robbins of Del Mar. The last time both the high-weighted colt & filly were undefeated was in 1974, when colt Foolish Pleasure was weighted at 127 pounds & filly Ruffian at 122 pounds. (The standard for fillies at that time was 121 pounds; both proved to be exceptional performers as 3YOs.) Vindication & Storm Flag Flying each won the race that counted the most: Vindication took the Gr1 Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile & Storm Flag Flying won the Gr1 Long John Silver's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. (Storm Flag Flying's dam My Flag was Experimental high-weighted filly the year she won the 1995 Juvenile Fillies.) "Vindication had all the credentials," Lakow explained. "He won the Breeders' Cup as he pleased." After Vindication came Toccet, who was pegged at 124 pounds. Storm Flag Flying's closest rival was Composure, assigned 121 pounds. (The Experimental, published since 1933 under the auspices of The US Jockey Club, is compiled for a hypothetical race at 11 furlongs in the US spring for 3YOs on dirt.) (Jan 29) TOC Death Of Seattle Slew Voted ‘Moment Of The Year’ The death of champion sire Seattle Slew has been selected by US racing fans as their 2002 "Moment Of The Year" reported bloodhorse.com. Fans chose from 10 pre-selected moments in the on-line pole. Seattle Slew, the last living US 3YO Triple Crown winner, died of natural causes aged 28 at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm near Lexington in Kentucky last May 7, exactly 25 years to the day since his historic Kentucky Derby victory. The moments were selected “to illustrate a wide range of human emotions & achievements, as well as outstanding displays of equine athleticism”. Listed chronologically, they were: War Emblem wire the field in the Kentucky Derby Sports world mourns death of the last living Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew War Emblem proves Derby was no fluke by winning Preakness Stakes Sarava registers biggest upset in Belmont Stakes history Chris McCarron wins farewell race aboard Came Home in Affirmed Handicap You barely out finishes Carson Hollow in Test Stakes Pat Day becomes leading North American money-earning jockey of all time, riding With Anticipation to victory in Sword Dancer Handicap Azeri dominates opponents in Breeders' Cup Distaff Storm Flag Flying reclaims lead in deep stretch to become third generation Breeders' Cup winner in Long John Silver's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Volponi springs upset in Breeders' Cup Classic for Hall-Of-Fame trainer Phil Johnson (Jan 29) TOC Anthony Cummings’ 1st Winner in 3 Years Typhoon’s victory at Randwick on the Australia Day holiday weekend handed trainer Anthony Cummings his first winner in almost 3 years. Cummings was disqualified for 15 months in late 1999 in the wake of the trenbolone steroid scandal. After serving his penalty, Cummings returned to racing as a foreman for his father Bart before regaining his trainer's licence late last year. "I always thought this would be the horse that would give me my first win back, it was a great relief," Cummings told aapracingandsports.com.au. "It's especially pleasing as he is an old horse & it's been hard getting him fit & keeping him there." Cummings' last win came on 25 September 1999 when Angling captured the Listed Dulcify Quality at Randwick. On that day jockey Danny Beasley was the successful rider & he was also aboard Typhoon. (Jan 29) TOC Red Ransom Winners Turn Focus To Easter Sale It was a happy holiday weekend for shuttle sire Red Ransom’s first-Australian-crop progeny. Vinery Stud’s exciting Halibery took out the MRC Gr3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for fillies at Caulfield, while Face Value made it 2 wins from 2 starts at Doomben. As a result Inglis reported renewed interest in Red Ransom’s draft for their Sydney Easter sale, which includes: a half-brother to Catbird & Danebird, from Fitting; a colt from South African Gr1 winner Sydney’s Dream; fillies from Gr1 winners Danglissa (first foal) & Stella Cadente; a half-sister to classy sprinter High Rolling; & a filly from Compulsion, a sister to Golden Slipper winner Merlene. Vinery purchased Haliberry for $70,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale. Red Ransom (Roberto-Arabia, by Damascus) was Champion US Freshman Sire in 1994 & shuttles to Vinery Stud at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley, where he stood the 2002 season for $44,000. (Jan 29) TOC Spotlight On Glenlogan Park’s Blu Tusmani Meanwhile the scintillating display by Murphy’s Blu Boy to win the Gr3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for colts & geldings by 7-lengths “throws the spotlight onto Glenlogan Park Stud’s little known stallion Blu Tusmani” reported racenet.com.au. The undefeated Murphy’s Blu Boy comes from the 2nd crop by Blu Tusmani, who was Italy’s champion 2YO in 1994 when hailed as one of the fastest 2YOs in Europe. As a 3YO Blu Tusmani traveled to America, where he won the Gr2 Withers Stakes & ran 3rd in the Gr3 Riva Ridge Stakes at Belmont. A son of Canadian Horse-Of-The-Year Afleet (Mr Prospector), Blu Tusmani is out of the Nijinsky mare Edelene, a half-sister to top American Gr1 winner La Zanzara (Sea Hawk), the dam of multiple Gr2 winner Danebo (Bold Forbes). The oldest progeny of Blu Tusmani in Australia are 3YOs & he has also sired 2 winners from a handful of mares he served in America before his importation. Retired to stud in Australia in 1998, Blu Tusmani stands for $3,850 at Glenlogan Park in Queensland. Murphy’s Blue Boy is the first foal of 6-time winning Archregent mare Murphy’s Arch, a half-sister to VATC Gr2 Angus Armanasco Stakes & VRC Gr2 Moet And Chandon Champagne Stakes winner I Am A Ripper (Mukaddamah). (Jan 29) TOC Inglis Melbourne Premier Race: Order-Of-Entry The $500,000 Inglis Premier Race (1200m) at Flemington on Sunday February 9 looks likely to attract some of Victoria’s best juveniles, including Neo (2002 Premier Sale purchase for$18,000), Ra Sun (2002 Premier $135,000), Pinchbeck (2002 Premier $90,000), Roedean (2002 Premier $50,000), Winestock (2002 Premier $21,000), Tycoon Miss (2002 Premier $28,000) & Fresh Boy (2002 Premier $30,000). Latest order of entry (final acceptances Thursday February 6) with current prize-money totals is: Ra Sun (General Nediym-Red Sundae) R.Griffiths $126,250 Pinchbeck (Gilded Time-Brass) R.Hore-Lacy $99,500 Roedean (Flying Spur-Queen Kathleen) M.Price $29,450 Arena Star (Spartacus-Centrullah) R.Griffiths $26,250 Neo (Perugino-Sharcest) M.Price $25,625 Son Of Spartacus (Spartacus-Just Delicious) T.McEvoy $24,140 Tycoon Miss (Last Tycoon-Gogo Doll) T.McEvoy $18,200 Winestock (El Moxie-Philhal) T.O’Sullivan $18,050 Fresh Boy (Perugino-Sibelienne) R.Lawson $16,250 Pietiner (Encosta De Lago-Old Soft Shoe) C.Alderson $16,000 (Jan 29) TOC Top Collingrove Draft For Inglis Melbourne Sale Collingrove Stud is “poised to present an exceptional draft of yearlings” at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale (February 10-11) said Jenny McAlpine. “Headlining the show is sure to be the only yearling by Champion Sire Danehill. From Chorus Song (an Alleged half-sister to stakeswinners Performoinmg Magic, Woodborough & Dance Trick), this filly is destined to be the yardstick for the sale.” And following the outstanding debut results of his yearlings at Magic Millions (selling to $180,000 & averaging $111,000) Bianconi will be represented by an equally eye-catching Collingrove draft: a filly from Group winning Argentinian mare Snow Troy & a half-brother to stakeswinning Zabeel mare For The Moment. And with Danehill Dancer (the Gr1-winning son of Danehill) leaping up the Sire rankings (with outstanding performers such as Choisir & Private Steer, Collingrove is offering 3 of his colts. And 15 of Collingrove’s yearlings boast either black-type winning and/or black-type producing dams. (Jan 29) TOC Conjuring Continues To Add Prize-Money Meanwhile Inglis graduate Conjuring (1999 Easter Sale purchase for $50,000) has certainly proven a great money spinner for connections. When the 5YO gelding by Fairy King scored in Class One company at Hong Kong’s Happy Valley track last week, he took his prize-money total to over A$600,000 with 5 wins from 14 starts. (Jan 29) TOC Multiple US Gr1 Winner Sir Bear Retired Barbara Smollin’s remarkable 10-year-old gelding Sir Bear, a multiple US Gr1 winner, has finally retired from the track. The decision to retire Sir Bear (who won the Gr1 Gulfstream Park Handicap as an 8YO) came after last weekend’s 11th-place finish in the Sunshine Millions Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Classic at Gulfstream Park. "In the last couple of his races, he’s bled pretty badly," trainer Ralph Ziadie told thoroughbredtimes.com. "He’s looked good, he’s trained well & he’s sound, but we haven’t been able to control the bleeding. I’m really going to miss him a lot. He helped put me on the map." A son of Sir Leon, Sir Bear won his first US stakes race at Calder Race Course back in 1996, taking the Jackie Wackie Handicap; subsequent triumphs (among 10 stakes races) included the 1998 Gr1 Cigar Mile & 1999 Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap. His last victory came on 12 January 2002 in the Gr3 Skip Away Handicap at Gulfstream. "The last three or four races, the bleeding problem kept getting worse," said breeder & co-owner Al Smollin. "We wanted to run him one more time at Gulfstream, because that’s always been his track. But after that performance (in the Sunshine Millions), we decided to retire him sound.” (Jan 29) TOC McPeek Snaps Up Brazilian Gr1 Winners Leading Florida trainer Ken McPeek has grabbed US headlines by adding two Brazilian Gr1 winners to his expanding stable. Naraingang (a son of Gulf Star) won the 2002 Gr1 Presidente da Republica at Gavea racecourse & boasts a record of 7 victories in 13 career starts. Art Variety (a son of Pleasant Variety) won the 2002 Gr1 Jockey Club Brasileiro at Gavea & has won 2 of 10 starts. McPeek, who confirmed University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino has purchased 50% interests in both horses, told thoroughbredtimes.com: "They just got in this country & will be turned out for 60 days & pointed to races this fall." Meanwhile McPeek still hopes his stable star Repent will be fit in time for the Gr1 Dubai World Cup on March 29. The 4YO son of Louis Quatorze (& multiple US Gr2 winner) recently rejoined McPeek’s stable in Florida, after recovering from a tendon injury suffered in the Gr1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park last September. "It’s going to be touch & go," McPeek said. “I’ve got time to get him ready, but he’s got to scream he wants to go." McPeek added owners Feye & Jerry Bach of Select Stable are anxious for Repent to compete in Dubai, which offers international racing’s biggest purse in the US$6 million World Cup run over 10 furlongs on the dirt at Nad al Sheba racecourse. (Jan 29) TOC Eli’s Game Lands South African Gr1 Sprint Eli's Game swooped from the tail of the field to blitz his rivals in the weight-for-age Gr1 Cape Flying Championship at Kenilworth racecourse in Cape Town, reported sahorseracing.com. Young jockey Bernard Fayd' Herbe rode Eli’s Game to victory for trainer Mike Bass, ahead of Dominion Ruler & boom 3YO National Currency (the hot favourite trained by Michael Azzie & ridden by Pierre Strydom). (Jan 29) TOC Penfold Joins Britton House Stud Anthony Penfold, racing & bloodstock manager to Fahd Salman for over 15 years years, has been appointed stud manager & bloodstock & racing adviser for Roger Baines's exciting Britton House Stud in Somerset in England. "I'm thrilled to be involved in this top-quality operation," Penfold told racingpost.co.uk. "Roger Baines has bought some very nice mares & there is a good nucleus of 10 top-class mares. It's only in its 4th year but Britton House has already sold a US$1 million yearling at the Keeneland sales. There's a very good team here & I'm delighted to be part of it." Penfold will continue to run his Bugley Stud (based in nearby Dorset) & act as an independent bloodstock agent. Britton House Stud was purchased in 1999 by Roger Baines Holdings & has since undergone a major redevelopment under the supervision of Dick Fowlston. The business plan, reported bloodhorse.com, has been to build a band of high-quality mares, selling their progeny while retaining some to go into training, & make Britton House one of the UK's foremost studs. There are now 56 boxes in 4 separate units, a separate isolation unit, a dedicated foaling unit & intensive care facilities. The historic stud, which is divided into 16 paddocks & was originally part of the famous Portman Estate, has been totally free of any chemical sprays or fertilisers since the 1940s. One of the mares at Britton House is Oyster Catcher (by Bluebird) who was purchased at the 2000 Keeneland November sale for US$2,150,000. The US$1 million yearling (a colt by Seeking The Gold out of the Summer Squall mare Mackie) was consigned at last year's Keeneland September sale. (Jan 29) TOC Piggott & O'Brien Top UK Racing Greats Betting In the UK, Racing Post is running a readers’ poll of Britain’s All-Time 100 Racing Greats. And bookmaking firm Corals has installed legendary jockey Lester Piggott & champion trainer Vincent O’Brien as 11-10 joint-favourites to be voted Nunber 1. Racing Post readers have a shortlist of 12 to choose from, with long-timer owner Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) next in Coral’s betting list at 8-1, while Tony McCoy (recently voted third in the BBC’s Sports Personality Of The Year Awards) at 14-1. "Pricing this market caused much heated debate among our compilers & opinion was split over which of the 2 great men will be voted The Greatest," said Coral spokesman Simon Clare. Coral’s current betting market is: 11-10 Lester Piggott & Vincent O'Brien; 8-1 The Queen Mother; 14-1 A.P.McCoy & Sir Gordon Richards; 20-1 Frankie Dettori & Sheikh Mohammed; 33-1 Phil Bull & Martin Pipe; 40-1 Fred Winter; 100-1 Fred Archer & Admiral Henry Rous. (Jan 29) TOC UK Bookmakers Threaten Strike UK bookmaker resentment at a 10% tax levied to pay for data provided by the British Horseracing Board came to the boil at Wolverhampton when on-course bagmen threatened to strike. Mick Williams, president of the UK Association of Racecourse Bookmakers led the unrest, telling racingpost.co.uk: “The strength of feeling on the new payments being demanded is such that we will seriously consider whether to take strike action over it.” He was at pains to make clear the argument was not with Wolverhampton racecourse, & explained a questionnaire was to be sent out to bookmakers on all British racecourses to canvass views on possible action. But a straw poll of the 15 bagmen operating in the Tattersalls enclosure at Wolverhampton resulted in a 14-1 vote in favour of a strike to highlight the bookmakers’ case & they have also been busy lobbying their MPs to enlist their support on the issue. UK bookmakers currently pay £15 a day for the BHB lists of runners, but under the new levy agreement, that is due to be replaced on April 1 by the 10% profits tax. The change would increase the annual sum paid by a bookmaker with yearly turnover of £100,000 (a typical amount for Williams’ members) from around £2,500 to £10,000. Fellow bookmaker Terry Higgins added: “10% gross represents 33% net & that is just not possible for us to find. It’s a punitive tax &, to be cynical, you have to feel the thinking behind it is to force some of us on-course bookmakers out of action, & then force the rest of us to work to wider margins – to the detriment of betting shop punters (where the upshot may well be lower SP returns in betting shops.” (Jan 29) TOC Ela Athena Produces Giant's Causeway Filly Gr1 winner Ela Athena, purchased for US$2 million by Klaus Jacobs's Newsells Park Stud at Keeneland in November, has produced a filly by Giant's Causeway. The filly, her first foal, was dropped at Ashford Stud in Kentucky. "She's beautiful, a lovely filly," Ashford manager Dermot Ryan told racingpost.co.uk. “Ela Athena will be returned to Giant's Causeway during the up-coming breeding season." (Jan 29) TOC Cyberspace Logs First US Stakes Winner Rocking Horse Farm’s Cyberspace logged his first US stakes winner when Cyber Secret won the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Cyberspace stands at Stonebridge Farm in Florida & has 5 winners from 10 starters in 2 crops of racing age. Bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm, Cyberspace won 1 of 7 races and $8,420. He is by Forty Niner out of the Nijinsky II mare Video, & is a half-brother to multiple Gr1 winner Scan & a full brother to stakes placed winner Camcorder. (Jan 29) TOC Sensational Start To NZ Karaka Sale “We’ve just seen one of the strongest opening sessions ever recorded at Karaka, with the average up 32%, aggregate up 36% & a clearance rate of an incredible 90%,” declared NZ Bloodstock’s general manager of bloodstock & marketing Julia Naismith following the Monday evening opening session of NZ’s Premier Yearling Sale. “The minute the first yearling stepped into the ring the action was hot, with bids flying fast from all directions. The buying bench from Australia is one of the best we’ve seen here, including a lot of new faces. The Hong Kong presence is very strong & we also had active buyers from Japan, Europe, Singapore & NZ. It is fair to say the opening session has completely exceeded our pre-sale expectations & we are delighted that we have been able to achieve such successful figures this early in the sale. Vendors are thrilled with the demand for their yearlings & buyers are most impressed by the quality of yearlings on offer. There are a lot of happy faces around Karaka tonight.” The First Session average was NZ$106,275 (last year NZ$80,385); aggregate was NZ$6,695,500 (last year NZ$4,903,500); clearance rate 90% (last year 82%). Top price was NZ$410,000 paid by Rogerson Bloodstock for a Danehill-Casuarina Beach filly consigned by Curraghmore Farm. Leading buyers were: trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson (4 lots for a total NZ$845,000; James Bester (1 lot for NZ$400,000 – the bay colt from Pencarrow Stud is the first yearling offered from the initial crop by Nureyev’s outstanding sprinter Stravinsky & is a half-brother to AJC Epson Derby winner Allez Suez & stakes placed Embraceable You); Tim Boland, acting for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum (1 lot for NZ$375,000 - a half-sister to Gr1 SAJC Australasian Stakes winner Tully Thunder, this bay filly by Zabeel is the 4th foal of outstanding Centaine mare Fleur de Chine); & Gai Waterhouse (4 lots for NZ$330,000). The leading sires by average were: Danehill (3 sold at average NZ$263,333); Zabeel (7 sold at average NZ$226,429); Stravinsky (6 sold from 1st crop at average NZ$120,833); & Pins (3 sold from 1st crop at average NZ$90,000). Among the vendors Windsor Park Stud sold 6 lots for NZ$1,040,000 (average NZ$173,333); Curraghmore Stud sold 4 lots for NZ$680,000 (average NZ$170,000); Cambridge Stud sold 6 lots for NZ$620,000; & Little Avondale Stud sold 3 lots for NZ$381,000 (average NZ$127,000). (Jan 28) TOC Oliver Declares Boom 2YO ‘Best I’ve Ever Ridden’ Champion Victoria jockey Damien Oliver grabbed headlines around the country with his statement that yesterday’s 7-length blitz of the field in Caulfield’s Gr3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1000m) by Goondiwindi colt Murphy’s Blu Boy was the “most exciting & easiest” win by a 2YO he had ridden. Under the headline “The New Gunsynd”, The Daily Telegraph newspaper summed up: “Damien Oliver says Goondiwindi colt is ‘the best 2YO I’ve ever ridden’.” The colt has now won his only 4 starts by a collective 25 lengths. Oliver went on to say: “He’s outstanding. He burst the gates & got quicker, the further they went. I just sat there & enjoyed the ride. I was amazed he was so far in front. It was the easiest 2YO winner I’ve ridden.” And The Sydney Morning Herald quoted leading Melbourne trainer Rick Hore-Lacy (who had champion 2YOs Canny Lad & Redoute’s Choice) summing up: “I haven’t seen a horse win so convincingly in a group race since Luskin Star or Vain.” Bookmakers immediately slashed the colt’s odds for next month’s $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes: leading Melbourne bagman Michael Eskander posted him at 7-4, while Sydney’s Colin Tidy slashed him from 10-1 to 6-4. However future racing plans may become confused following confirmation by Hicks last night that “3 mystery bidders are offering $1 million” to buy the colt. The Australian newspaper quoted Hicks as saying: “I’ve asked for all offers in writing.” Murphy's Blu Boy is the first horse owner-trainer Hicks has bred, having bought the dam Murphy's Arch for just $2,800 & spending a further $3,500 on a mating with Beaudesert-based American stallion Blu Tusmani, reported appracingandsports.com.au. And an added bonus to having the speedy colt's mother is the fact Hicks has a yearling full brother at home. (Jan 28) TOC Massive Bet On Unraced Slipper Hopeful Meanwhile Sydney bookmaker Colin Tidy accepted a bet of $200,000 to $10,000 on trainer Tim Martin’s unraced 2YO Exceed And Excel to win the Golden Slipper, reported racenet.com.au. Exceed And Excel (Danehill-Patrona) & the John Hawkes trained Kusi (Desert Prince-Naughty) remain the 2 colts keen judges still wait to see perform under race-day conditions in the lead-up to the Slipper. (Jan 28) TOC New Race-Day Drug Rules The Australian Racing Board has introduced rule changes which ban nationally from February 1 (next Saturday) the admission of substances to racehorses on race-day, reported The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy said the rule change “will primarily prohibit treatments involving injections, stomach tubing & topical applications”. Murrihy noted the “image of racing would benefit”, adding: “Not being allowed to administer a treatment to a horse on race-day will not affect a horse’s chance in any way.” Stewards will have the power to withdraw a horse from its engagement should the rule be contravened. (Jan 28) TOC Brown On Short Trip To HK Sydney premiership-winning jockey Corey Brown will dash to Hong Kong immediately after next weekend’s Rosehill meeting, to help fill the current void in HK jockey ranks facing Sha Tin’s Chinese New Year meeting next Monday. With 6 HK jockeys suspended & Felix Coetzee injured, Brown told The Sydney Morning Herald: “It’s a good opportunity for me & it will be great to get over there to ride again. I rode in HK a few years ago, for just under 12 months, & I really liked it”. Brown will return to Sydney on the Wednesday morning. (Jan 28) TOC Brown’s Lucky Escape At Randwick Meanwhile Brown was lucky to escape serious injury at Randwick yesterday, after his mount Berber crashed through the inside running rail in the 2nd race. Brown was catapaulted into the air as Berber, with a saddle that had slipped right back to his rump, then attempted to buck & hit the ground heavily with his nose; Berber suffered cuts & bruises, but managed to stay on his feet. Brown was attended by ambulance officers before returning to the mounting yard with a bruised thumb, but assured racenet.com.au: "I'll be right to ride by Wednesday." (Allan Robinson was subsequently outed for a month after stewards held him responsible for the spectacular incident, triggered when he shifted in aboard Antiene.) (Jan 28) TOC HK & Japan Chasing Aust Jockeys And aapracingandsports.com.au reported “Hong Kong & Japan are again in the hunt for Australia’s leading jockeys, with tempting offers presented to Damien Oliver, Brett Prebble & Corey Brown”. Prebble has rejected an immediate offer to take up a 3-month contract in HK, while Oliver has deferred a decision on a similar offer from Japan. The HK Jockey Club had ealier approached Oliver to ride at the Chinese New Year meeting & also sought out Prebble about a long-term contract due to HK’s immediate shortage of senior riders (exacerbated when Irish jockey Patrick Smullen cancelled out of his contract to return home to be with his pregnant wife). Prebble has not ruled out taking up a contract after he completes his Australian autumn carnival commitments. The HKJC will issue contracts for the last 3 months of the HK season next month. (Jan 28) TOC Jockey Airlifted To Hospital After Fall Apprentice jockey Lonagan Milham was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital after suffering serious head injuries in a race fall at Hanging Rock yesterday, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Victorian Rural Ambulance spokesman John Mullen said Milham's condition was serious, but he had been stablised before being airlifted to hospital. Milham is apprenticed to Mornington trainer Peter Healey. (Jan 28) TOC Inghams Honoured In Australia Day List Australia’s leading racehorse owners Jack & Bob Ingham have been made Officers of the Order Of Australia (AO) in the Australia Day honours list for their “contribution to the racing & poultry industries & the community at large” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Jack Ingham, 74, is a former long-serving member of the Australian Jockey Club committee & founding director of the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Board. The Inghams operate stables in 4 cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Adelaide) under the control of head trainer John Hawkes. (Jan 28) TOC Vet Sykes & Bookmaker Free Also Honoured Also honoured in the Australia Day awards were internationally renowned thoroughbred vet Percy Sykes & former Sydney bookmaker Keith Free. Sykes, who migrated from England to Australia in the 1950s & became an invaluable part of the Tommy Smith operation, becomes a Member of the Order of Australia for his “services to veterinary science, particularly equine health”. Free, a former chairman of the NSW Bookmakers Co-Operative Society, was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his “services to racing & the community.” (Jan 28) TOC Rosehill Quintet For Hawkes & Inghams Meanwhile Ingham stable trainer John Hawkes landed 5 winners at Rosehill in Sydney: Safety (Corey Brown); Pearly Kings (Darren Beadman); Periscope (Darren Beadman); Pentathlon (Corey Brown); & Ingres (Corey Brown). The last time Jack & Bob Ingham had 5 winners in a day at the same track was back on 1990 Silver Slipper Day, reported racenet.com.au, when their then trainer Vic Thompson was successful with Sanction, Lord Lyric, In The Money, Anschuss & Only Be Quick. (Jan 28) TOC Bailey Continues Queensland Winning Streak Riding an equally exciting winning streak in Queensland is the Alan Bailey stable, which landed weekend winning doubles at both Eagle Farm in Brisbane & on the Gold Coast. (Jan 28) TOC Moody Wins At Last Brisbane Meeting Peter Moody bowed out of Brisbane racing on a winning note when Nedeyev gave the stable a win at the last Saturday of racing from the trainer’s Brisbane stables, reported racenet.com.au. Moody had been foreman for Bill Mitchell’s Brisbane stable, before branching out in his own right & setting-up a full-time Melbourne stable after winning the 2001 Gr1 Victoria Derby with Amalfi. Since establishing his Melbourne stables at Caulfield, Moody has been returning regularly to Brisbane to oversee operations, but has now decided to concentrate fully on Melbourne. (Jan 28) TOC Northerly Targets Handicap Events Handicap races are now favoured as Northerly’s lead-up program to the $1.25 million Australian Cup at Flemington on March 10. “Trainer Fred Kersley is expected to confirm this week that Northerly will make his return to racing in Perth on February 8 before sending him to Melbourne where he will have only one other start before the Australian Cup,” reported appracingandsports.com.au. Kersley has been forced to look at options to weight-for-age races for Northerly due to changes to the Melbourne autumn program coupled with difficult flight schedules. However Northerly’s final autumn program remains clouded: The Daily Telegraph reported the champ “may campaign exclusively in Sydney this autumn” after speaking to Fred’s wife Judy Kersley, who said: “At the moment it is lineball. At this stage Fred is still undecided.” (Jan 28) TOC NSW BOBS Scheme Pays Out $1 Million In Bonuses The win by Pearly Kings at Rosehill saw the NSW BOBS scheme pay out $1 Million in bonuses, reported racenet.com.au. BOBS pays bonuses to nominated horses on any NSW metropolitan or provincial win: $20,000 for a Saturday metropolitan race; $10,000 for a metropolitan mid-week; & $5,000 for a provincial victory. Woodlands Stud manager Trevor Lobb commented: "BOBS is fantastic. This bonus has allowed us to add another $20,000 to the prize-money. All Woodlands stallions are nominated for BOBS & we would like to thank our clients for their support." Racing NSW chairman Tony Hartnell added: "BOBS has generated a 130% net return to owners on industry money. No single club could have achieved this. It is amazing to see what the industry can do collectively when it puts its mind to it." (Jan 28) TOC Deamer Takes Over Training Lovely Jubly Owner David Throsby confirmed Jason Deamer would take over as trainer of outstanding mare Lovely Jubly. Throsby told racenet.com.au Lovely Jubly had arrived back at Newcastle’s Broadmeadow track from the Gold Coast & would recommence work as soon as Deamer received his trainer’s licence. Deamer & Throsby were at the centre of a stewards' inquiry (last September) into who was the actual trainer of Lovely Jubly. Throsby officially held the title, but admitted during the inquiry Deamer had been training the dual Gr1 winner. In a shock move, Throsby then transferred Lovely Jubly to South Coast stables of Kevin Robinson. “Jason Deamer is my foreman & did most of the work for my horses for the past 5 years,” Throsby said yesterday. “He is the trainer now & the Thoroughbred Racing Board will be informed.” Throsby added Deamer would take over the training of all his horses. Deamer, 27, rode 35 winners as an apprentice in Sydney before succumbing to weight problems & taking the role of foreman for his former master Allan Denham. He then linked with Newcastle trainer Max Lees before joining the Throsby camp. (Jan 28) TOC Melbourne Cup Target For Oarsman The $4 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November is now the focus for top New Zealand stayer Oarsman (The Son, out of Virginia Lake by Royal Loch) following his weekend win in the Gr1 Lion Brown Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham. Oarsman, who had been narrowly beaten by just a nose in the Lion Red Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, finished with a powerful run in the straight to defeat Wolf Creek (by Oregon) & Mojo (by Dance Floor). Ridden by Gary Grylls, the chestnut gelding won his first Gr1 race at his 17th start, in a respectable time of 3.19.53. Oarsman is trained at Cambridge by Paul Duncan for Te Kuiti owner Bill Punch, who bred him "for a bit of fun". But after the Wellington Cup triumph, Punch told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "Since Saturday everyone tells me the Melbourne Cup’s the race to head for & people have been trying hard to buy him as a Melbourne Cup horse. So I guess that’s where we’re headed. And if gets there, it will be in our colours, with Gary Grylls wearing them & Paul Duncan as the trainer." Unfashionable breeding is Punch’s specialty. He bred Cox Plate legend Bonecrusher from Pag Asa out of Imitation. Similarly Oarsman is by little known sire The Son (Noble Bijou-The Twinkle). (Jan 28) TOC Zvezda Shooting for Doncaster Handicap Meanwhile Zvezda (His Royal Highness, out of Carnival Girl by Roughcast), winner of the NZ Gr1 Holden Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham, is aiming for the AJC’s Sydney autumn jewel, the $2.5 million Doncaster Handicap at Randwick on April 19. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," 4YO gelding Zvezda’s 32-year-old Otaki owner-breeder-trainer Kay Lane told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Zvezda is the first Gr1 winner for Lane, who prepares only a handful of horses, but has achieved Gr1 placings in Australia in recent years with both Figurehead (2nd in the Queensland Derby) & Figurante (3rd in the Queensland Oaks). Zvezda is a grand-son of mare Little Madge, who Lane bought for just NZ$700 in 1988. Her other notable broodmare purchase Stunning Time cost an incredible NZ$300 & is the grand-dam of both Figurehead & Figurante. Zvezda produced a bold front-running display for champion NZ jockey Lance O’Sullivan, to defeat Rosina Lad (by Faltaat) & Travellin Man (by Blues Traveller). However Rosina Lad was struck on the head by O’ Sullivan’s whip in the dying stages of the race, leading to a protest before correct weight was declared. (Jan 28) TOC Tit For Taat Wins NZ Gr1 Telegraph Handicap Meanwhile Tit For Taat mastered clear top-weight of 58.5kgs to score his 4th Gr1 victory in the rescheduled ING Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham. Conceding upwards of 4.5kg to his rivals, the 5YO Faltaat gelding (out of Miss Kiwitea, by Truly Vain) grabbed Egyptian Raine & Australian visitor Fair Embrace in the shadows of the post. Tit For Taat (trained at Riwa Park by Wayne Herbert) was ridden by NZ premiership leader Michael Walker, whose last ride on the chestnut had resulted in a dead-heat win with Elevenses in the Gr1 Captain Cook Stakes on the same track in October. This was Tit For Taat’s 13th win overall (his 3 previous Gr1 victories were over 1600m in the 2000 Guineas, Bayer Classic & Captain Cook Stakes). (Jan 28) TOC Hail Begins Sydney Build-Up New Zealand’s current weight-for-age staying star Hail (by Stark South) has resumed from a short break to prepare for the Sydney autumn carnival. Winner of the Gr1 Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on January 2, Hail will spend the next week on a walker before rejoining the Woodville stable of Bruce & Stephen Marsh. "He probably won’t race before heading across to Sydney," Bruce Marsh told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. "The 3 races there - the Ranvet, Chipping Norton & BMW Stakes - should be an ideal program for him." (Jan 28) TOC Woburn For South Australia Meanwhile NZ Mercedes Derby 3rd placegetter Woburn (by Groom Dancer) is back in work with trainer Allan Sharrock in preparation for the South Australian Derby. "He came through the derby brilliantly," Sharrock told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. "He’ll kick off again with probably a couple of races here & then, all going well, head for Adelaide." Woburn, who stormed home late for a close 3rd in the NZ Derby, has attracted offers from overseas, but Sharrock said none had been strong enough to tempt connections. (Jan 28) TOC Classy NZ Mare Platonic Retired Trainer & part-owner Grahame Richardson has announced the retirement of the classy racemare Platonic, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The 7YO returned to Richardson's Matamata stable after racing in Melbourne during the spring, but failed to make it back to the races after contracting a virus. Platonic, who Richardson raced in partnership with breeders Chris & Glen Dillon, won 10 races including the Cuddle Stakes at Trentham, Chester Manifold Stakes in Melbourne & Matamata Cup on her home track. (Jan 28) TOC Affluent Takes US Gr1 Santa Monica Handicap Affluent, multiple US Gr1 winner on both dirt & turf, defeated promising filly Sightseek in the US$200,000 Gr1 Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita Park reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Sightseek, in her first test against older rivals, entered the 7-furlong event for older fillies & mares unbeaten in 4 career starts. After 3 straight runner-up finishes to champion Azeri last US spring (Gr1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park, & Gr1 Milady Breeders’ Cup Handicap & Gr1 Vanity Handicap both at Hollywood Park), Affluent (a 5YO daughter of Affirmed) switched to the turf for her final 3 starts as a 4YO (winning the Gr1 John Mabee/Ramona Handicap at Del Mar in July, before finishing 5th to Owsley in the Gr2 WinStar Galaxy Stakes at Keeneland Race Course in October 4 & then 5th to Dress To Thrill in the Gr1 Matriarch Stakes at Hollywood Park in December). Affluent has won 8 of 20 career starts in 4 seasons for owner-breeder Janis Whitham. Bred in Kentucky, Affluent is one of 2 winners out of the unraced Strawberry Road mare Trinity Place, a daughter of 2-time champion Argentinian mare Bayakoa. (Jan 28) TOC Florida-Breds Rule On Sunshine Millions Day Florida-breds came away with the upper hand in Magna Entertainment Corporation’s inaugural Sunshine Millions series, winning 7 of the program’s 8 races against California-breds reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Florida won all 4 races at Gulfstream Park & 3 of the 4 races at Santa Anita Park. (In the point-score, Florida-breds outscored their California counterparts 56-16, based on a 5-3-1 point system for the top 3 finishers in each race.) Overall US$35,320,732 was wagered on the program. (Jan 28) Dwayne Dunn Lands 4 HK Winners Former South Australian jockey Dwayne Dunn landed 4 winners on Hong Kong’s 10-race program at Sha Tin. Among his fellow Australian expatriates trainer David Hayes claimed a winning treble to move to 2nd place on the trainers’ premiership behind countryman John Size. (Jan 28) TOC Aust Racing Institute Treble In Singapore And in Singapore, the Australian Racing Institute reaped a reward for its investment in local racing with a weekend treble, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Singapore's leading trainer Malcolm Thwaites grabbed 7 wins at the Saturday-Sunday meetings, & Zimbabwe jockey Mark Du Plessis rode 5 of them. "It was a fabulous result for the team," said Thwaites' racing manager Leigh McKenzie. "And it was very fitting that 3 of the winners on Sunday were for the Australian Racing Institute, who have invested largely in Singapore racing & were at the races with a large group of supporters & their very own cheering squad." (Jan 28) TOC Champion Riboletta Produces First Foal Brazilian-bred Riboletta, champion US Older Mare in 2000, gave birth to a filly by Forestry at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 8YO daughter of Roi Normand was bred to Forestry in 2001, but lost her foal that year due to Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome. She was subsequently bred back to Forestry, after a racing comeback in southern California was foiled when she aggravated an ankle injury. Riboletta won 7 of 11 starts during her championship campaign, including the Gr1 Beldame Stakes & Gr1 Ruffian Handicap at Belmont Park, Gr1 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap at Santa Anita Park & Gr1 Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park. Riboletta, who began her career in Brazil before being sent to the US in 1999, won 13 of 28 career starts overall. Out of the Ghadeer mare Joy Valley, she is a half-sister to Brazilian Horse-Of-The-Year Super Power & stakes winner Tamara Princess. Forestry, a 6YO son of Storm Cat (out of Shared Interest, by Pleasant Colony), stands for US$50,000 at Taylor Made Farm. (Jan 28) TOC First Stakes Winner For Formal Gold Blazing the way to his 2nd straight victory, Formal Escape entered the record books as the first stakes winner for his US Gr1-winning sire Formal Gold when he won the Collegian Stakes at Suffolk Downs reported thoroughbredtimes.com. From 129 foals in 2 crops of racing age, 10-year-old Formal Gold has now sired 15 winners from 31 starters. The son of Black Tie Affair has also sired stakes-placed winner Cheverly Gold, 3rd in the 2002 Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes. As a racehorse, Formal Gold won the 1997 Gr1 Woodward Stakes, 1997 Gr1 Donn Handicap, 1997 Gr2 Brooklyn Handicap & 1997 Gr2 Philip Iselin Handicap (in which he set a track record for 8.5 furlongs at Meadowlands). Formal Gold retired with 8 wins and 5 placings in 15 starts over 2 seasons. Bred in Ontario, Canada, Formal Gold is one of 5 winners for the winning Screen King mare Ingoldsby & is a half-brother to stakes winner Maple Lake. Formal Gold stands for US$10,000 at Gainesway Farm near Lexington in Kentucky. (Jan 28) TOC First Foal For Disco Rico The first reported foal by multiple US Gr3 winner Disco Rico was born at Allen Murray’s Murmur Farm in Maryland reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The colt is from the unraced Norquestor mare Diva’s Quest, a daughter of multiple stakes winner Irish Ivor. Disco Rico recorded 9 wins and 6 placings in 17 career starts (with wins including the 2001 Gr3 Maryland Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Pimlico Race Course & Gr3 Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Monmouth Park). Bred in Maryland, Disco Rico is a 6YO son of Citidancer, out of the stakes-placed winning Apalachee mare Round It Off. He hails from the direct family of 1997 US champion sprinter Smoke Glacken. (Jan 28) TOC Aintree Showpiece Renamed Martell Cognac Grand National The new owners of UK Grand National sponsors Martell have pledged to maintain the brand's long links with the historic Aintree race, & have marked their new involvement by adding Cognac to the big race title, reported racingpost.co.uk. Pernod Ricard (who acquired the Martell brand following the sale of the Seagram drinks division) has renamed Britain’s famous race the Martell Cognac Grand National. Martell Cognac brand director Yves Schladenhaufen said: “We are a new team with new ambitions & a new way to work. The way we deal with things is with passion. We have ambitions to give Martell Cognac a new impression. We will invest more in the UK market & the Grand National is one of our key priorities. We are very happy to see the event growing in interest all over the world.” (Jan 28) TOC Irish Bookmakers Put On ‘Pencil Man’ Alert Irish bookmakers have been put on special alert for the ’Pencil Man’ following 2 suspected sightings of fugitive John Bailey in County Kildare, reported racingpost.co.uk. UK police have been searching for Bailey, Britain’s biggest betting cheat, since he failed to appear at Grimsby Crown Court last week for sentencing on fraud charges involving £40,000 of winning bets. The latest security message from the Association of British Bookmakers, sent to shop managers on both sides of the Irish Sea, reads: “John Bailey has been sighted in southern Ireland. Please beware. As a warrant has been issued for the arrest of John Bailey, please call your local police station immediately if he appears in any betting shop.” Following another warning earlier last week, Bailey telephoned the ABB office in Birmingham saying he intended to give himself up, but then didn’t do so. Bailey, 32, has reportedly conned the UK betting industry out of more than £1 million over the last 5-6 years, largely by capitalising on lax security among small bookmakers. He gets his nickname from scribbling complicated bets using a pencil. (Jan 28) TOC Lingfield Plans To Join European Bonus Series Four European racecourses, including Britain’s Lingfield, are planning to promote a bonus system for a series of early-year Listed Flat races on their all-weather tracks, reported racingpost.co.uk. If an overall sponsor is confirmed, the series would start in the south of France in mid-February. Lingfield’s contribution would be the 3rd leg, the Littlewoods Bet Direct Winter Derby on March 15. Ian Renton, racing director at Lingfield’s parent company Arena Leisure, confirmed: “We have been talking to our counterparts in Sweden, France & Germany about putting together a series with a bonus scheme attached. If it doesn’t happen this year, I’m sure we will have something in place for 2004. Europe definitely has potential for more cross-border movement among all-weather horses at this time of year, & these 4 races are an ideal fit.” The series would start with the 10-furlong Grand Prix de la Riviera Cote d’Azur at Cagnes in France, followed by the 9-furlong Neusser Sandbahn Grand Prix at Neuss in Germany on February 23. After Lingfield’s Winter Derby, the Pramms Memorial, over an extended mile at Jagersro in Sweden on May 8, would round off the series. (Jan 28) TOC NZ Racing Industry Forums A series of NZ Racing Industry Forums have been confirmed during February to “give all industry stakeholders & participants an opportunity to learn more about the recent Working Party Report” announced Susan Archer from the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “It may also be the last chance for the industry as a whole to determine & shape its own future in a progressive & democratic manner.” The NZ Racing Industry Board, which commissioned the Report, has decided to present 4 forums “after requests from individuals & industry bodies for a full briefing on its content & recommendations”. Members of the 5-person group which prepared the Report will be on hand at each forum to answer questions about their recommendations. Forum dates & venues are: 7 Feb, Waikato RC, Te Rapa, Hamilton. 11 Feb, Manawatu RC, Awapuni, Palmerston North. 12 Feb, Canterbury JC, Riccarton, Christchurch. 13 Feb, Otago RC, Wingatui, Dunedin. (Jan 28) TOC New Promotion For Waikato Patrons The Waikato Racing Club announced a new promotion - called the Cambridge Stud ‘Pick 3 Bets’ - starting on February 8, the 2nd day of its million dollar racing carnival. It offers on-course punters the chance to go in the draw for a NZ$1,000 all-up bet on the 3 feature races: the NZ$100,000 Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic, the Whakanui Stud International Stakes & the Waikato Draught Sprint. To enter punters put their name & address on the back of losing totalisator tickets with a $5 minimum value & place them in competition bins located around the course; 10 lucky winners will be drawn in the birdcage following Race 4. The first 300 women on-course at the meeting also receive prizes. (Jan 28) TOC Minister Slams GST Thoroughbred Export Rules Australian thoroughbred breeders are being placed at a disadvantage by Federal Government GST export rules, declared Queensland Racing Minister Merri Rose. In the latest high-profile statement on the issue, Rose noted the NZ Government had “realised the implications of GST on horse exports several years ago & adjusted their ruling to ensure that sales, especially to the lucrative Asian market, were not lost.” Under current Federal Government rules people who buy horses to export must have them out of the country within 60 days or they are liable for GST; but it has often proven impractical or difficult for people to be able to export the horse out within this timeframe, so horse exports become liable for GST. Rose said “the 60-day ruling has meant the Australian industry lost valuable revenue received through agistment & ancillary services. The GST was meant to be export friendly, but the Federal Government is virtually giving away a competitive advantage to the NZ bloodstock industry. There have been a number of people, including industry bodies & sales companies, working to convince the Federal Government of the need to, at least, achieving parity with the NZ system. I have written to Assistant Treasurer, Senator Helen Coonan, regarding this matter & I intend to raise it at the Australian Racing Ministers’ Conference.” (Jan 27) TOC British Trainer Held In Spanish Jail After Huge Drug Raid Joey Brown, one of several British trainers based at Mijas racecourse, is being held in a Spanish jail following a police operation in which 700 kilos of cannabis - with an estimated street value of £2 million - was seized. Brown’s detention “sent shock waves through the expatriot racing community on the Costa del Sol” reported racingpost.co.uk. Brown, 39, who rode for the Queen when apprenticed to Ian Balding, joined the training ranks in Spain 2 years ago & last season captured one of the country’s biggest races, the San Sebastian Gold Cup, with Dangerously Good. Officials at the British Embassy in Madrid confirmed he was arrested at a warehouse in Fuengirola, about 5 miles from Mijas, before appearing in handcuffs in court & then being transferred to Alhaurin prison near Malaga. But UK Foreign Office officials said they believed Brown is denying any knowledge of the drugs & that he stored feed for his string of around 20 horses in the warehouse. Norman Jones, Brown’s principle owner, speaking from Mijas racecourse, said: “Joey hasn’t been charged with anything. He has been to court & the police are looking for people. It looks like Joey was at the wrong place at the wrong time. This place was open, Joey went in, there was no-one there & then the police swooped on him & they found all these drugs, but nothing on Joey.” (Jan 27) TOC Airline Confusion Threatens Northerly Campaign Problems arranging “a direct flight from Perth to Melbourne have forced trainer Fred Kersley to hold off confirming a starting point” for Australasian weight-for-age champion Northerly’s autumn racing campaign, reported The West Australian newspaper. “Racing Victoria officials have been locked in talks with airline officials trying to organise a suitable flight” to ensure Northerly’s presence in the Australian Cup at Flemington on March 10. Kersley said the Australian Cup “may drop off Northerly’s autumn hit list” after learning a lack of direct flights to Melbourne had forced Perth trainers to send their horses via Sydney to get to the southern carnival. The latest drama follows Kersley’s previous problem when he found out this year’s change in date for the running of the weight-for-age Orr Stakes at Caulfield (the traditional Australian Cup lead-up event) meant it would not fit into Northerly’s planned preparation. Late on Friday evening “officials were confident flight arrangements could be sorted out” reported Saturday’s The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. Northerly’s main autumn target remains the $2 million BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Day on April 12; a possible tilt at the Singapore International at Kranji on May 17 may follow. (Jan 27) TOC Stewards Find Jockey Death An Accident Stewards have found the recent fall at Tatura that claimed the life of jockey Mark Goring was an accident, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The stewards’ inquiry concluded Goring's mount Starbond “when obtaining a narrow run between Jimbob & Marty Vista accidentally clipped the heels of one of those horses & fell”. Meanwhile a sportsmen's night to raise money for Goring’s wife & children (organised by trainer Len Treloar & Cranbourne Racing Club) will be held in the Promenade Room at Caulfield racecourse on Wednesday February 5. (Jan 27) TOC Aust Simulcast To US Grows To 7-Days-A-Week Due to the “continued growth & success of Australian simulcasting in North America”, Wyvern International (distributor of the Australian product in the US & Canada) announced it will expand its Australian racing coverage to simulcast outlets on Sunday evenings during February & March, reported bloodhorse.com. After many years providing the Melbourne Cup to the US, Wyvern began to simulcast the Australian Racing signal on a daily basis in 1996. Its growth in popularity now sees it offered 7 days a week in the US & Canada. “To help that growth, a number of stars have emerged from Down Under to put their stamp on the international racing scene in the last few seasons. Most notably was the Queen Of The Turf Sunline, who was a mainstay on the international stage for the past 4 years. Her successor Northerly, winner of the 2002 Cox Plate, now steps into the spotlight as his career continues to soar.” (Jan 27) TOC Paulson Denies Claims To Azeri Ownership Michael Paulson has denied claims in a lawsuit filed by Twin Spires alleging his father Allen Paulson had promised 50% ownership of US stars Azeri & Startac to veterinarian David Lambert. "It’s bizarre," Paulson told the Los Angeles Times newspaper. "It’s a frivolous suit & we’ll defend if vigorously." Lambert claims Allen Paulson, who bred both Azeri & Startac, promised him half-shares in each horse for services the vet performed in 1999. "I find it interesting that Lambert comes along, almost 2-and-a-half years to the day of my father’s death with this claim," Paulson said. "I also find it interesting that he files in a Kentucky court when my father’s trust & Azeri are in California." Azeri & Startac are scheduled to be sold at the Barretts Equine March Sale on March 4. (Jan 27) TOC Settlement Reached On War Emblem Bonus Meanwhile The Thoroughbred Corporation & Russell Reineman have reached an out-of-court settlement over payment of the US$1 million bonus earned by War Emblem for winning both the Gr2 Illinois Derby & Gr1 Kentucky Derby last year. The settlement allots US$685,000 to the Thoroughbred Corporation & US$315,000 to Reineman, who sold a 90% interest in War Emblem to TTC for US$900,000 plus commissions shortly after the son of Our Emblem won the Illinois Derby. The two sides had wrangled over payment of the bonus since War Emblem’s 20-1 win in the Kentucky Derby. "I’m satisfied with the settlement," Reineman told thoroughbredtimes.com. "With it going to court, you get into court costs & attorney’s fees, so it was best to just come to an agreement and get it over with." (Jan 27) TOC Blanchard Retired To Stud NZ group-winning mare Blanchard (by Kaapstad) has been retired to stud. The 6YO stayer, in foal to 6-time Gr1 winning champion racehorse Montjeu, had been a contender for the weekend’s Wellington Cup. However, the Cup start was ruled out after a foot injury sustained prior to last month’s Waikato Cup failed to clear up in time. "She is too valuable as a broodmare proposition for us to proceed with a Wellington Cup run when she is not totally right," Blanchard’s owner Nelson Schick of Windsor Park Stud told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Blanchard won last year’s Gr3 Trentham Stakes & a week later finished 3rd in the Gr1 Wellington Cup (3200m). She also finished 4th in last year’s Gr1 Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on an unsuitable rain-affected surface. In all Blanchard won 7 races in 32 starts. Schick said Blanchard will become a valuable member of the Windsor Park broodmare band. Her dam Field Nymph has left 3 individual group winners - including dual Gr1 winners Just A Dancer & Field Nymph. "Field Nymph is recognised as being one of the gem broodmares of all time in New Zealand, alongside the likes of Eight Carat & Eustaci & more recently L’Quiz," Schick said. (Jan 27) TOC Karakatsanis Heads North On Weekends Sydney apprentice Con Karakatsanis will now ride in Brisbane on weekends, reported racenet.com.au. The youngster (who claims 3kgs in Sydney & 2kgs at Provincial tracks) has lacked opportunities in the city & decided to try his luck in Queensland. However he will still ride in NSW during the week. Brisbane trainer Robbie Heathcote has already indicated he will be giving Karakatsanis opportunities in Brisbane & Caloundra trainer Greg Kennedy is keen to see him at the Sunshine Coast on a Sunday. If there is no meeting in Sydney on a Friday, the apprentice will head north early in order to ride trackwork on the Saturday. Karakatsanis, who rides at 53.5kgs, has had over 490 mounts in the last year, for 65 winners & over 100 placings. Last season he easily won the NSW DETNAC Rising Star Series for apprentice jockeys with 28 points (his nearest rival was Jay Ford on 19). (Jan 27) TOC Trainer fined $8,000 After Positive Swab Goulburn trainer Ken Callaughan was fined $8,000 following a stewards' inquiry into Lyee Moon testing positive to the drug hydrocortisone, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The therapeutic substance was detected in the mare after she finished 2nd to Miss Goldie Hawn at Rosehill on November 2. Callaughan was found guilty of having taken the mare to the races with a prohibited substance in her system. Lyee Moon was subsequently disqualified. (Jan 27) TOC Distinctly Secret Back In Action Top Matamata-trained stayer Distinctly Secret (by Distinctly North) has barrier trialled at Te Awamutu as he prepares for a major Sydney autumn campaign, reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Trained by Mark Walker, Distinctly Secret finished 6th in the 2002 Melbourne Cup at his last race-day appearance. The top NZ 4YO stayer will resume racing in the weight-for-age Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 8, followed by the weight-for-age Asian Racing Federation Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on March 1, before tackling Sydney’s Ranvet Stakes, BMW Stakes & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. (Jan 27) TOC Europe’s Oldest Stallion Dies At 30 Gunner B, believed to be the oldest active thoroughbred stallion in Europe, has died at age 30 (on the eve of his 25th breeding season) reported racingpost.co.uk. Peter Hockenhull, manager of England’s Shade Oak Stud farm, said the horse suffered a fatal heart attack. Gunner B sired the 2002 Grand National winner Red Marauder & 1992 Champion Hurdle winner Royal Gait. In all, Gunner B sired 527 foals at stud. (Jan 27) TOC Preakness & Belmont Winner Dies In US Little Current, winner of the 1974 US Gr1 Preakness Stakes & Gr1 Belmont Stakes double (both by 7 lenghts), has died after a bout with colic at Dr Mark Hansen's farm near Monroe in Washington state aged 32, reported bloodhorse.com. Bred by John Galbreath of Darby Dan Farm, the son of Sea-Bird was 1974 champion 3YO male (also winning the Gr2 Everglades Stakes) before a bone chip forced his early retirement to stud (syndicated for US$4 million) at Darby Dan near Lexington in Kentucky in 1974. Later Little Current moved to Doug Arnold's Buck Pond Farm near Lexington, then George Oechsner's Good Guys Farm in Louisiana, before finally heading to Washington in 1995. Little Current sired 35 stakes winners, including Gr1 winners Current Hope & Prize Spot, & winner of 21 stakes races Curribot. (Jan 27) TOC NZ Yearling Sale Begins At Karaka A buying bench with “plenty of depth countered by modest budgets” is the prediction from Julia Naismith, New Zealand Bloodstock’s general manager of bloodstock & marketing, as the 2003 National Yearling Sales Series begins at Karaka today. Naismith summed up: "Looking at our Premier Sale, expectations are more modest than in previous years. Since 1997 the pre-sale hype each year has centred on speculation about prices & upward spiralling averages. At the 2000 Premier Sale a colt by Zabeel (now the successful racehore Don Eduardo) reached the dizzying heights of NZ$3.6 million. If the average price can hold close to last year (NZ$102,000) it will be a satisfactory result. The response to the overall quality of the catalogue & the appealing selection of sires has been good. While the number of Premier yearlings is identical to 2002 (485 lots), buyers at this sale will have the luxury of making their selections from 65 different sires, including 20 high class new sires, in contrast to 2002 when only 13 first crop stallions were represented.” NZ Thoroughbred Marketing chairman Joe Walls added: “Indications are that the work put in by breeders both individually & collectively, NZ Bloodstock & NZ Thoroughbred Marketing in once again recognising the importance of the Australian market to the NZ yearling sale are set to reap rewards." (Jan 27) TOC Vendors Optimistic On Karaka Outlook Major vendors at Karaka have expressed optimism based on the strength of the catalogue, reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. "This is a very good catalogue, posted all around the world for potential buyers to make their own decisions," said Cambridge Stud’s Sir Patrick Hogan. "It contains a strong range of stallions on top of some good female lines that should have broad appeal. I’ve always said that if the product’s there, buyers will put their hands up. That goes especially for New Zealand, because it’s a well known fact that we are able to present a product that is very competitively priced. Added to that, this particular crop has the advantage of very favourable growing conditions over the past year or so, in contrast to those in some other parts of the world." Waikato Stud’s Garry Chittick added the strength in this sale can be found in the diversity & credentials of the stallions represented. And Nelson Schick of Windsor Park Stud pinpointed Karaka as the best value sale ring in Australasia: "All I hope is that people don’t let themselves be too guided by x-rays. You still can’t lose sight of movement & action as the crucial factors in racehorse soundness. A good, experienced trainer has a better idea of what should be looked for." The massive improvement in NZ’s broodmare pool is obvious in this year’s Karaka catalogue, according to Rex Fell of Fairdale Stud. Catalogue diversity is also foremost in the thinking of Haunui Farm’s Mark Chitty, who described it as “much stronger than last year. Twelve months ago we were told the sale was dominated by too small a number of stallions. That was a stage our industry was at, but was being addressed. The situation has now certainly changed & the result should mean horses that measure up in buyers’ eyes selling well." Russell Warwick of Westbury Stud added: "It perhaps lacks a few real stars, but having said that there is a strength & depth that should allow a more even spread across the vendor list." (Jan 27) TOC Likely Karaka Premier Session Stars NZ Thoroughbred Marketing provided this list of likely stars at the Karaka Premier Session: Monday 27 January: Peintre Celebre-Catchfire colt (Curraghmore Stud): From Gr2 winner who is the dam of 2 winners. Zabeel-Saddler’s Hall colt (Lyndhurst Farm): Three-quarter brother to champion Might And Power. Spinning World-Class filly (Windsor Park): >From a sister to dual Gr1 winner Military Plume. Danehill-Crazy Fling filly (Cambridge Stud): Dam was US winner & is half-sister to stakes winner Polish Love; international family. Deputy Governor-Domino colt (Chequers Stud): Brother to 15-race winner Hero who won Gr1 Two Thousand Guineas; Dam won Gr1 AJC Oaks & Gr1 NZ Oaks. Carnegie-Fayreform colt (Haunui Farm): From a 3-time Gr1 winner; sire produced Amalfi & Carnegie Express. Zabeel-Fleur de Chine filly (Windsor Park): Half-sister to South Australian Derby winner Tully Thunder; outstanding filly & one to see. Pins-Flight Queen colt (Little Avondale Stud): Half-brother to Gr1 Metropolitan winner Dress Circle. Tuesday 28 January: Zabeel-Frenetic filly (Rich Hill Stud): From Gr2 & Gr3 winner; half-brother to stakes-winner Mustaagel. Bahhare-Glenview filly (Whakanui Stud): Half-brother to Gr1 South African Derby winner Timber Trader. Zabeel-Grand Archway colt (Westbury Stud): Second foal of 4-time Gr1 winning mare who won VRC Oaks & AJC Oaks. Danehill-Jeanetta Cochrane colt (Karaka Downs): From unraced half-sister to stakes winner Karafeyra & Kalamba, dam of 2000 champion US turf colt Kalanisi. Cape Cross-Kilmore Quay colt (Cambridge Stud): First foal of Gr1 Manawatu Sires Produce winning mare. Redoubte’s Choice-Laebeel colt (Little Avondale): First foal from Gr1 Caulfield Cup runner-up. Marju-Little Gem filly. (Trelawney Stud): Second dam is a sister to Shirley Heights; family of Pentire. Zabeel-L’Quiz filly (Cambridge Stud): Sister to this season’s Gr1 Mercedes NZ Derby winner St Reims & dual Gr1 winner Champagne; likely sale-topper. Kaapstad-Madam Valeta colt (Windsor Park): Brother to Gr2 winner Mulan Princess; family of Golden Sword. Marju-Martine Michelle colt (Trelawney Stud): Half-brother to Gr1 winner Pernod. Stravinsky-Misty Gulch colt (The Oaks Stud): From unraced half-sister to Gr1 Florida Derby winner Cryptoclearance. Zabeel-Nimue colt (Windsor Park): From Gr1 NZ 1000 Guineas winner & champion filly Nimue, who is sister to Gr1 winners Smiling Like & Eurostar. Carnegie-Petrava colt (Pencarrow Stud): Half-brother to champion South African filly Hoeberg; dam was also champion South African filly. Stravinsky-Popsy colt (Trelawney Stud): From Gr1 NZ Derby winning mare, who has left the talented Hillsgrove. Carnegie-Proteaceae filly (Te Mania Thoroughbreds): From unraced half-sister to Gr1 NZ Derby winner Zonda & Gr2 winner Magnolia Hall. Zabeel-Quiz Queen colt (Cambridge Stud): Three-quarter brother to dual Gr1 winner Champagne & Gr1 Mercedes NZ Derby winner St Reims. Wednesday 29 January: Carnegie-Rising Eagle colt (Trelawney Stud): From unraced sister to Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Ha Ha. King Of Kings-Riva colt (Curraghmore Stud): From three-quarter sister to Carnegie’s sire Detroit. Stravinsky-Riverina Charm colt (Pencarrow Stud): From 4-time Gr1 winner; half-brother to NZ Bloodstock Filly-Of-The-Year Sarwatch. Marju-Romanee Conti colt (Pencarrow Stud): Half-brother to champion mare Ethereal (Caulfield-Melbourne Cups); half-sister to Gr1 winner Grand Echezeaux; dam won HK International Cup. Volksraad-Satirical colt (Windsor Park): Brother to Gr1 Auto Auctions winner Star Satire. Cape Cross-Smiling Like colt (Cambridge Stud): First foal of mare who won Gr1 Wellington Cup & Gr2 NZ Cup. Stravinsky-Snap colt (Bloomsbury Stud): Dam was 1994 NZ Filly-Of-The-Year after she won Gr1 NZ Oaks & NZ 1000 Guineas. Marju-Sweet Vienna colt (Phoenix Park): Half-brother to Singapore Horse-Of-The-Year Bocelli. Volksraad-Tall Poppy colt (Fairdale Stud): First foal of triple Gr1 winner; second dam is Gr1 Jarden Mile winner Fun On The Run. Danasinga-Tisolde colt (Waikato Stud): Half-brother to Gr1 NZ Derby winner Great Command. Danehill-Water Sprite colt (Chatham Lodge): Dam was US 2YO winner & half-sister to champion 3YO Caller One. Kaapstad-Zola colt (Bloomsbury Stud): First foal of Gr1 Ellerslie Sires’ Produce Stakes winner. Zabeel-Anakela Bay colt (Pencarrow Stud): Stunning individual; dam is half-sister to Blues Traveller. Centaine-Barbados filly (Karaka Downs): First foal of half-sister to champion NZ 2YO & Wellington Guineas winner Spring Rain. Zabeel-Better Succeed colt (Cambridge Stud): First foal from 3-time winning mare; from tremendous group winning family. (Jan 27) TOC Karaka First Season Sires NZ Bloodstock’s 2003 Premier Sale sees the first crops or first southern hemisphere-bred crops of an array of exciting sires presented. They include: Bianconi (Danzig-Fall Aspen): Regally bred Royal Ascot Gr2 winner from the family of top horses Timber Country, Fort Wood & Dubai Millennium. Cape Cross (Green Desert-Park Appeal): Multiple European Group winner, including Gr1 Lockinge Stakes in course record time. Catbird (Danehill-Fitting): Champion Australian 2YO, winner of Gr1 STC Golden Slipper Stakes. Commands (Danehill-Cotehele House): Richly bred Gr3 winner & multiple Gr1 place-getter by champion sire from half-sister to Octagonal, Mouawad & Kaapstad; half-brother to champion Australian 3YO Danewin. Dream Well (Sadler’s Wells-Soul Dream): Cartier European Horse-Of-The-Year & champion European 3YO; winner Gr1 French & Irish Derbys. Dr Fong (Kris S-Spring Flight): Second Top International 3YO, winner of Gr1 Royal Ascot St James’s Palace Stakes. Fasliyev (Nureyev-Mr P’s Princess): Champion European 2YO, dual Gr1 winner of Leopardstown Phoenix Stakes & Deauville Prix de Morny; unbeaten as a 2YO; first northern crop impressed buyers with yearlings selling up to NZ$620,000. Favorite Trick (Phone Trick-Evil Elaine): First 2YO since Secretariat to be named US Horse-Of-The-Year; champion 2YO, winning Breeders Cup Juvenile in record time; 5 winners from first crop in US to date. Jade Robbery (Mr Prospector-Number): Gr1 winner of Longchamp Grand Criterium; sire of champion Japanese 2YO filly Yamakatsu Suzuran. Marju (Last Tycoon-Flame Of Tara): Winner of Gr1 Royal Ascot St James’s Palace Stakes; sire of HK Horse-Of-The-Year Indogenous & Gr1 winners Soviet Song, My Emma & Sil Sila; his 2002 northern yearlings have sold up to NZ$714,000. Marquetry (Conquistador Cielo-Regent’s Walk): 3 times Gr1 winner with multiple Group placings; champion Third Crop sire in US; sire of US champion sprinters Artax & Squirtle Squirt. Orpen (Lure x Bonita Francita): Third Top European 2YO, winner of Gr1 Deauville Prix de Morny. Pins (Snippets-No Finer): Gr1 winner of VRC Cadbury Guineas who won all 3 legs of Melbourne 3YO Triple Crown. Real Quiet (Quiet American–Really Blue): Champion USA 3YO, 5 times Gr1 winner who came within a nose of winning legendary US Triple Crown; Gr1 winner as 2YO, 3YO & 4YO. Redoute’s Choice (Danehill-Shantha’s Choice): Top Australasian 3YO, 4 times Gr1 winner & multiple Gr1 placed; comes from family of successful sires Hurricane Sky & Umatilla. Second Empire (Fairy King-Welsh Love): Second Top European 2YO, Gr1 winner & place-getter who was undefeated as 2YO; comes from family of Marju & Salsabil. Shinko Forest (Green Desert-Park Express): Gr1 winner of Japan’s premier sprint race, winning over NZ$6 million in stakes. Stravinsky (Nureyev-Fire The Groom): Top International 3YO sprinter & champion European sprinter, winner of Gr1 Newmarket July Cup & Gr1 York Nunthorpe Stakes; first crop has sold for up to NZ$582,000. Way Of Light (Woodman-Salchow): Third Top European 2YO, Gr1 winner of Longchamp Grand Criterium & multiple Group place-getter; from half-sister to champion European 2YO & sire sensation Machiavellian. Xaar (Zafonic-Monroe): Champion European 2YO & 3YO (Intermediate), & dual Gr1 winner of Longchamp Prix de la Salamandre & Gr1 Newmarket Dewhurst Stakes. (Jan 27) TOC mgufk Moroneys Gearing Up For Karaka The Trans-Tasman Moroney brothers are gearing up for another buying session at Auckland’s Karaka Sale Series, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Paul Moroney (yearling buyer for the duo) has been active from the start of the Australasian yearling sale series, first at Magic Millions Gold Coast & then at Sydney’s Inglis Classic Sale. Mike Moroney (the duo’s trainer) was at the Gold Coast assisting in yearling selection, before returning to Melbourne to oversee the training stables at Flemington & Matamata. Their successes in Australia with NZ imports include Melbourne Cup winner Brew (Sir Tristram), Second Coming (Oak Ridge) & Pernod (Centaine). But the Moroneys now have to balance their search for Classic & Cups horses with the ownership demands for early maturing precocious types - and Paul has already purchased yearlings to suit. At the Gold Coast he went to $230,000 for a bay colt by Redoute’s Choice out of Dipping (by Straight Strike). This is the NZ family that features Kiwi Magic (Vice Regal), Sakti (Grosvenor) & Jetski (Jetball). Stable clients have taken up ownership of the colt & he will be trained at Flemington. Going straight to the Matamata stable for an Auckland client will be a Zedative filly out of Cairnryan (by Tierce) which Paul purchased at the Sydney Classic sale for $28,000. Paul has returned to NZ & revealed he has orders at the high end for both colts & fillies at Karaka. (Jan 27) TOC Zabeel In Force At Karaka NZ’s own super sire Zabeel is again poised to make a strong impression in the Karaka Premier Sales ring reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Zabeel (unquestionably the most successful recent NZ bred & based stallion) has sired 22 individual Gr1 winners from 9 crops of racing age, including champions Octagonal (Zabeel-Eight Carat) & Might And Power (Zabeel-Benediction). Flying the flag for Zabeel over the last year have been Gr1 AJC Australian Derby winner Don Eduardo (Zabeel-Diamond Lover) & Gr1 Mercedes NZ Derby winner St Reims (Zabeel-L’Quiz). The 4 times NZ Champion Sire & twice Australian Champion Sire is following in the foot steps of his own legendary sire Sir Tristram, who left 45 individual Gr1 winners (3rd highest total behind Sadler’s Wells & Danehill). Zabeel’s 2003 Karaka yearlings include: Celebrant colt from Lyndhurst Farm. Eastern Princess filly from Cambridge Stud. Enhancer colt from Rodmor Stud. Fleur De Chine filly from Windsor Park Stud. Frenetic filly from Rich Hill Stud. Grand Archway colt from Westbury Stud. Guinevere colt from Windsor Park Stud. L’Quiz filly from Cambridge Stud. Motee filly from Cambridge Stud. Nimue colt from Windsor Park Stud. Quiz Queen colt from Cambridge Stud. Rose Delight colt from Whakanui Stud. (Jan 27) TOC NZ’s First Yearling Sale X-Ray Repository New Zealand’s first yearling X-Ray repository is “up-and-running” announced NZ Bloodstock marketing manager Julia Naismith. It gives Karaka’s “prospective buyers & their advisers ample opportunity to examine x-rays prior to the start of the National Yearling Sale series”. Naismith noted several vets “immediately took advantage of the facility that contains x-rays of catalogued yearlings voluntarily supplied by their vendors”. Support for the voluntary system has been high, with 96% of yearlings in the 485-strong Premier Sale catalogue lodging x-rays. “For something that was completely foreign to Australasian sales just 12 months ago, the understanding & acceptance among vendors, vets & buyers for the system has developed very quickly,“ Naimsith said, adding Dr Steve Hance, a board certified surgeon from the US, is on hand assist & advise users of the repository. (Jan 27) TOC Secret Savings Attracts Attention Hunter Valley-based sire Secret Savings attracted attention with his metropolitan treble when 2YO filly Secret Land blitzed the filed in the Inglis Classic at Randwick on the same day as promising 3YO filly Tutelage also scored at Randwick & 3YO Swiss Vault won at Victoria Park in Adelaide. US import Secret Savings (by Mr Prospector stallion Seeking the Gold) was “one of the best sprinter-milers in Australia after his importation to the Gai Waterhouse stable” noted aapracing.com.au. In 4 Australian starts, he won the Gr1 Doncaster Handicap, Gr2 Frederick Clissold Handicap &Gr3 Newcastle Newmarket, as well as 2nd in the Gr1 George Ryder Stakes. Secret Savings now has 3 crops of racing age in Australia, with dual Gr1 winner Dash For Cash his most notable performer to date. And his progeny’s strike rate is growing rapidly: this season he has produced over 20 individual winners of more than 30 races (including recent winners at Randwick, Rosehill, Warwick Farm, Canterbury, Eagle Farm, Doomben, Cheltenham, Victoria Park, Gold Coast, Hawkesbury, Bendigo & Cranbourne). His 5 lots at Magic Millions sold for up to $100,000 (average $66,000) & he produced an $85,000 filly at the Inglis Classic sale. Dash for Cash, Tutelage & Secret Land were all bred at Emirates Park Stud, where Secret Savings has stood since his retirement. (Jan 27) TOC Fairy King’s Winning Streak Northern Dancer son & former Coolmore stallion Fairy King (who spent 2 seasons at stud in Australia) has emerged as the source of 2 Australasian-region classic winners this season, reported racenet.com.au. The brother to Sadler’s Wells (& sire of 1999 UK Gr1 Epsom Derby winner Oath & 2002 Gr1 Japan Cup winner Falbrav) is also the sire of both champion Helissio (which left us Victorian Derby winner Helenus) & Gr1 winning son Shinko King (sire of recent Gr1 NZ Oaks winner Bramble Rose). Like Helenus, Bramble Rose came out of the first crop of her sire. And both Helissio & Shinko King originally shuttled from Japan (although Shinko King now stands permanently at Ashwell Farm). Shinko King had just 41 live foals from his first crop & 35 from his 2nd. Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Helissio produced just 20 live foals in his first crop & 39 in his 2nd. Bramble Rose is out of a daughter of Seattle Slew’s son Gleam Machine, while Helissio was out of a daughter by Seattle Slew’s son Slewpy. Meanwhile another son of Fairy King, Flying Spur’s close relation Encosta De Lago (who first entered stud at Blue Gum Farm in 1997) almost provided another Fairy King classic success when his daughter Lashed was a fast finishing 2nd behind Bulla Borghesse in the Gr1 Victorian Oaks. Fairy King was put down at Coolmore Stud in 1999 after developing severe laminitis in his right foreleg. (Jan 27) TOC Japan Attracts Overseas Sires For 2003 Japan’s breeding industry has acted swiftly to fill the void left by the 2002 deaths of Sunday Silence, End Sweep & El Condor Pasa reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Japan’s intake of new overseas stallions for 2003 includes dual US classic winner War Emblem (purchased by Shadai Stallion Station for $US17 million), 1999 US Horse-Of-The-Year Charismatic, 2001 US champion sprinter Squirtle Squirt & Gr1 winners Swept Overboard & Marienbard (2002 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner who will stand at East Stud in Urakawa). They join Japan’s local stars Jungle Pocket (2001 Japanese Horse-Of-The-Year), Air Shakur (Japan’s champion 3YO colt in 2000), Admire Cozzene & Manhattan Café among the list of new season sires. (Jan 27) TOC Inaugural Sunshine Millions At Santa Anita & Gulfstream The inaugural US$3.6 million Sunshine Millions match-race series – featuring 50 US graded race winners - was run over the weekend at Santa Anita Park & Gulfstream Park. The 8-race series matched California-breds & Florida-breds in 8 weight-for-age contests, 4 at each of the tracks. The Sunshine Millions is the creation of Canadian auto parts magnate Frank Stronach, whose Magna Entertainment Corporation owns both the Santa Anita & Gulfstream tracks. Florida & California rank 2nd & 3rd (behind Kentucky) among US states in the size of annual foal crops. Races included the US$1 million Ocala Breeders Sales Classic for 4YOs & up (9 furlongs) run at Gulfstream; US$750,000 Vessels Stallion Farm Distaff for older fillies & mares (8.5 furlongs) at Santa Anita; & US$500,000 Barretts/CTBA Turf (9 furlongs) at Santa Anita. Each Sunshine Millions race has a maximum field of 12. Races alternated between the tracks, one going off every 15 minutes. "I don't think California would have done well if the Sunshine Millions had been around 10 years ago," said Doug Burge, executive director of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. "But with the addition of several top stallions in the state & increasingly better mares for them to breed to, California is competitive in all levels now." (Jan 27) TOC Preakness Program Features Head-To-Head Betting The Maryland Jockey Club will conduct head-to-head wagering on selected races during the Gr1 Preakness Stakes & Gr1 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes programs later this year at Pimlico race track, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Punters will be offered the option to pick who finishes ahead in pre-determined match-ups. Maryland Jockey Club chief operating officer Lou Raffetto said this type of bet was a success with fans at the 2002 Breeders' Cup at Arlington Park. (Jan 27) TOC China Visit Retired To Stud in India US Gr2 winner & former classic starter China Visit has retired & will stand his first season at Usha Stud Farm near New Delhi in India, according to European Bloodstock News. A stud fee for the 5YO son of Red Ransom has not been announced. Campaigned by Godolphin Racing, China Visit won the 2000 United Arab Emirates Derby as a 3YO, before finishing 6th to Fusaichi Pegasus in the Gr1 Kentucky Derby. He also recorded wins in the 2001 Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 at Nad al Sheba racecourse & the Gr2 Prix du Rond-Point at Longchamp, as well as a 2nd in the UK Gr3 Park Stakes at Doncaster & 3rd in the Gr1 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin. China Visit retires with 4 wins in 14 career starts over 4 seasons. Bred in Kentucky by Gainsborough Farm, China Visit is one of 3 winners out of the Gr3-placed The Minstrel mare Furajet (a half-sister to UK 1998 Gr1 Two Thousand Guineas winner Kings of Kings). (Jan 27) TOC Farda Amiga Booked To Gone West US millionaire prize-money winner Farda Amiga, an Eclipse Award finalist as top US 3YO filly, will be bred to Gone West reported bloodhorse.com. By Broad Brush, Farda Amiga scored her major wins in the Gr1 Alabama Stakes & Gr1 Kentucky Oaks before finishing her career with a runner-up effort in the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Distaff for owners Marcos Simon, Julio Camargo & Jose DeCamargo (a central Kentucky bloodstock consultant specializing in South American racing, who sold his interest in Farda Amiga in December following her retirement). (Jan 27) TOC Istintaj Goes To Stud Istintaj, a dual US Gr3 winner campaigned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Shadwell Stable, has been purchased by Texan Jerry Keckley & will enter stud in 2003 at Hartley/DeRenzo Walmac South near Ocala in Florida reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 7YO son of Nureyev (out of the winning Riverman mare Mathkurh) recorded 7 wins, 3 2nds & 3 3rds in 21 career starts over 4 seasons. His wins included back-to-back victories in the Gr3 Mr Prospector & Gr3 Deputy Minister Handicaps at Gulfstream Park. He is a half-brother to Irish highweight & English Gr2 winner Asfurah. (Jan 27) TOC Wild Wonder Relocated To Spendthrift The Winchell family's Oakwind Farm announced its US Gr2 winner Wild Wonder will be moved to Spendthrift Farm near Lexington in Kentucky reported bloodhorse.com. A 9YO son of Wild Again, Wild Wonder formerly held court at DunHill Stud in Florida. Wild Wonder won 7 US stakes races; his dam Carol's Wonder (by Pass the Tab) is a half-sister to millionaire Olympio. Wild Wonder's first foals are 2YOs. (Jan 27) TOC Commemorate To House Thoroughbreds In Indiana US stakes winner Commemorate has been moved to Don House's House Thoroughbreds in Indiana reported bloodhorse.com. A 22-year-old son of Exclusive Native (out of the Never Bend mare Reminiscing) Commemorate has sired 9 stakes winners & and the earners of US$9.7 million. He formerly stood at Rockin' River Ranch in Iowa. (Jan 27) TOC Indian Prospector To Cedar Creek In Texas Dr William Day has acquired US group stakes-placed Indian Prospector for stallion duty at his Cedar Creek Farm near Brenham in Texas, reported bloodhorse.com. The 6YO Indian Prospector (Machiavellian-Danse Indienne, by Green Dancer) was group-placed in France & is a half-brother to Gr1 winner Indian Danehill. (Jan 27) TOC Canadian Sire Questelavie Dead Questelavie, whose first foal became a Canadian Gr1 winner, has died at the age of 11 reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Questelavie raced for 3 seasons, winning 3 of 16 races (including the 1993 Ontario Debutante Stakes at Fort Erie) & retired following the 1995 season when she was bred to Dixieland Band. The resulting foal Roaring Twenties won Canada’s 1999 Gr1 Selene Stakes for high-profile owner Frank Stronach. Bred in Ontario by Sheehan Farms, Questelavie was by Conquistador Cielo (out of the stakes-winning Damascus mare Captivating Grace). She was a half-sister to multiple stakes winner Gangsta Rap & to Swing to It (who produced stakes winner Swayo, Gliding & Hanging Around). (Jan 27) TOC Tap Dance & With Ability Now Broodmares Edward Evans' strong broodmare band at Spring Hill Farm has been strengthened with the retirement of 4 home-bred stakes winners reported bloodhorse.com. Two of them, 5YOs Tap Dance (Pleasant Tap-Lyrical Prayer, by The Minstrel) & With Ability (A.P.Indy-Withallprobability, by Mr Prospector), are US graded winners. Tap Dance won the Gr2 2001 Bonnie Miss Stakes & and was stakes-placed 4 times. She won 5 of 24 starts & is booked to Elusive Quality. With Ability won the Gr3 Sixty Sails & Gr3 Next Move Handicaps last year. She was retired with 7 wins from 19 starts & is booked to Giant's Causeway. (Jan 27) TOC Cat’s At Home Retired To Windfields Farm US Gr2 winner Cat’s At Home (a 6YO son of Tabasco Cat) has been retired to Windfields Farm near Ontario in Canada. "Everyone at Windfields is excited about this horse," Windfields vice president Noreen Taylor told thoroughbredtimes.com. "Cat’s At Home will fill an important niche in the Ontario program, & we expect him to be very well received by Ontario breeders." Bred & campaigned by Edward Evans, Cat’s At Home won the 2000 Patterson Stakes at Meadowlands as a 3YO, & followed with victories a year later in the Gr3 Westchester Handicap & Gr3 Excelsior Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Aqueduct; he later won the Skip Away Stakes & Gr2 Philip Iselin Handicap at Monmouth Park in 2002. In all, Cat’s At Home won 9 of 31 career starts in 4 seasons & is one of 4 stakes winners out of the placed Buckaroo mare Homewrecker. He is a half-brother to Gr1 winner Prenup, Gr3 winner Honor The Hero & stakes winner Capitalimprovement. (Jan 27) TOC Numbers Up At Barretts Winter Sale The 2-day Barretts Equine January Mixed Sale achieved gross sales of US$4,431,000 (up 36% from last year) reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Top seller on Day 1 was US stakes winner Regiment (a 4YO son of Outflanker) for US$100,000 to agent Bruno De Berdt. Top seller on Day 2 was the unraced mare Catrina (an 8YO daughter of Storm Cat, out of multiple Gr3 winner Marshua’s River, by Riverman) for US$110,000 to Magali Ventures. Catrina is believed to be in foal to Gr1 winner & Chilean champion Malek. (Jan 27) TOC Starquine To Host On-line Stallion Auction Starquine will conduct a ‘seasons’ auction on-line from February 17-24, with stallions listed for a US$75 fee. The company previously held a benefit seasons auction last October. "We have had tremendous interest in conducting another seasons auction," Starquine spokesman Patrick Brown told thoroughbredtimes.com. "This auction will be for the benefit of the owners of the seasons." There are no commissions, buyer’s premiums or additional fees required. Successful bidders make all payments & arrangements directly with the season owner. (Jan 27) TOC Britain’s First New Race-Course For 75 Years The deadline for applications to build Britain's first new racecourse for 75 years closed last week & “the British Horseracing Board received 8 applications” reported racingpost.co.uk. “A proposed racetrack near Chelmsford, about 30 miles northeast of London, could be the front-runner.” (Jan 27) TOC Outcry Hots Up Against On-line Betting Exchanges The international outcry against the rapid expansion of on-line betting exchanges has gained momentum with America’s pre-eminent thoroughbred publication The Blood-Horse declaring: “An on-line betting exchange poses a serious threat to horse racing because none of the money wagered is passed on to the industry.” Nothing that “pari-mutuel wagering provides most of the revenue that keeps the racing industry in business”, the magazine notes “that's why one of the newest developments in wagering, an on-line betting exchange, poses such a serious threat to the game.” Highlighting the degree to which UK betting exchange Betfair has caught on as “shocking”, The Blood-Horse gave the example: “For the first race on the January 20 program from Laurel Park, Betfair reported approximately US$70,000 in matched wagers. Laurel's own win, place & show, exacta & trifecta pools for that same race were roughly US$180,000 . . . Not a single penny of the money wagered comes back to the track or horsemen in the way of purses. If that same US$70,000 wagered through Betfair had been handled at Laurel, the Maryland Jockey Club & horsemen would have had more than US$10,000 to split between them.” (Jan 27) TOC HKJC Declares War On Betting Exchanges Meanwhile the Hong Kong Jockey Club has publicly declared war on betting exchanges, calling on racing bodies around the world to work together towards outlawing what it sees as “the biggest threat to racing’s integrity”. HKJC director of racing Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges told the South China Morning Post newspaper: “Every jurisdiction in the world should work with governments to ban them." The HKJC has already implemented legislation banning internet betting by HK residents & last week warned trainers & jockeys they risked losing their licences if using betting exchanges. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges was reacting to the arrival of Betfair in HK racing; racingpost.co.uk reported Betfair had confirmed it was taking an “average of £100,000 a race“ on its HK coverage, which started with the January 5 meeting after testing the water with the Gr1 races at the International meeting in December. (Jan 27) TOC Check For Eastern Tent Caterpillar Eggs In order to get some idea of the potential Eastern tent caterpillar population this North American spring, central Kentucky farm managers should now check wild cherry, crabapple & related trees for egg masses laid last June by the insects, according to Lee Townsend, extension entomologist at the University of Kentucky’s Department of Agriculture. “If large numbers of the egg masses are easily found, then farm managers must be prepared to deal with the insects after the egg hatch. If few or no egg masses are found, it will be important to keep an eye on those trees in late March & early April,” Townsend told thoroughbredtimes.com. Control measures, such as tent destruction or removal, sprays or injections need to be done after the eggs hatch in March, the expert noted in the latest US development in the on-going Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome saga. (Jan 27) TOC Public Meeting In Kentucky On Caterpillar Control Meanwhile the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation will hold a public meeting at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky’s sales pavilion in Lexington on January 31 to discuss work being done at the University of Kentucky to eliminate Eastern tent caterpillars, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Professer Dan Potter, a noted entomologist, will examine improved ways to spray insect egg masses & the alternative technique of injecting trees to kill caterpillars before or as they hatch. (Jan 27) TOC Equine Herpes Outbreak In Ohio A recent outbreak of equine herpes that has killed 10 horses at the University of Findlay in Ohio is not expected to spread to central Kentucky. David Powell, epidemiologist at the University of Kentucky, told the Louisville Courier-Journal that the school has not received any reports of the virus, which attacks a horse’s neurological system & causes respiratory failure & swelling in the brain & spine. "The chances of it spreading are very remote based on the precautions they’ve taken," said Powell. "Based on past experience, the neurological form of the disease is restricted to the specific premises. It has the potential to spread; but because of its seriousness, people take precautions & it doesn’t spread." Though Findlay is currently treating 28 horses for the illness, veterinarians told Associated Press 130 of the 440 horses in the equestrian program have shown symptoms. (Jan 27) TOC Belle Du Jour Heads For France Classy mare Belle Du Jour is on her way to France, after scrapping previous plans to race in Dubai, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Belle Du Jour will be trained in France by John Hammond, with the aim of targetting Group races in that country & England before she is retired later in the year. The Dehere mare will then be served to southern hemisphere time by champion sire Danehill at stud in Ireland, before returning to Australia to produce her first foal. The European campaign was been mapped out after it emerged Belle Du Jour did not hold a high enough international rating to be guaranteed a start at the Dubai World Cup meeting in March. (The 5YO was being set for the US$2 million Dubai Sheema Classic over 1200m on dirt, but to be assured a start needed an international rating of 105, whereas she currently holds an international classification rating of only 101; back at the end of the 2001-02 season she held a 117 rating figure.) (Jan 24) TOC STC Chasing French Star For BMW Sydney Turf Club officials “remain hopeful” of persuading connections of French star Ange Gabriel, winner of last month’s Hong Kong International Vase, to bring the stayer to Sydney for the BMW at Rosehill, reported The Daily Telegraph newspaper. (Jan 24) TOC Pokies Threat To Race Betting Among Young Australian Jockey Club chief executive Tony King has warned that “the drop in betting turnover for thoroughbred racing is a concern”. King told The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper: “Obviously the explosion of poker machines, with more in NSW than anywhere else in the world, is a contributing factor. But we must educate punters. In the old days the SP bookies taught everybody to bet. The new generations, our kids, yours & mine, have never been taught. It’s easier for them to go & play machines because they know what they are doing. We have been remiss in not having educational programs. The kids today move quickly, do everything quickly. You’ve got to put a bit of thought into having a bet, and it takes time.” King noted: “I am still a believer in the bigger the pool, the greater the attraction, the greater demand. You play because of big dividends. The more exotic betting, the better for racing. It attracts the public & bigger punters.” (Jan 24) TOC Be My Guest Retired From Stud Duty Be My Guest – currently represented in Australia by sire sons Pentire & My Patriarch - has been retired from breeding at Ireland’s Coolmore Stud reported racenet.com.au. The 29-year-old son of Northern Dancer has sired 60 stakes-winners - including Gr1 winners Assert (French Derby & Irish Derby), On The House (English 1000 Guineas), Go And Go (Dermot Weld-trained 1990 Gr1 Belmont Stakes winner), Luth Enchantee (champion French miler), Pentire (Rich Hill Stud’s foundation stallion whose wins included the 1996 Gr1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes), Pelder, Double Bed & Tryphosa - & totalled progeny prize-money of more than US$35 million. He is also the broodmare sire (via Offshore Boom) of champion 3YO Rock Of Gibraltar. Bred by Moyglare Stud, Be My Guest set a record price of 125,000 guineas when sold as a yearling at Goffs in 1975; he then won the Gr2 Waterford Crystal Mile (G2), Gr3 Blue Riband Trial & Gr3 Desmond Stakes as a 3YO for trainer Vincent O'Brien, before producing 24 crops of racing age at Coolmore. (Jan 24) Beadman Riding ‘Better Than Ever’ Declares Bookie Despite the racing season barely reaching its mid-way point, leading Sydney bookmaker Col Tidy has declared Darren Beadman “is riding at the peak of his career & will win the jockeys’ premiership this season”. Tidy told The Daily Telegraph: I’ve never seen Darren in better form – not even when he was riding before he ‘retired’ a few years ago.” Beadman currently leads Chris Munce & defending champ Corey Brown on the Sydney jockey list. (Jan 24) TOC Conners Wants More Warwick Farm Meetings Asked about the future of Warwick Farm racetrack, prominent trainer Clarry Conners told The Daly Telegraph: “If they make it a training centre, it will be a great facility – but how stupid! A third of Sydney’s population lives in the western suburbs & having the races on gives them something to do on a Saturday . . . I think they should have more meetings at Warwick Farm – but it won’t happen.” (Jan 24) TOC Costly Danehill Colt Wins First Start Danehill’s 3YO colt Saint Thomas (a $600,000 purchase at the 2001 inglis Easter Sale) won at his first start, an 1100m maiden at Sale, reported racenet.com.au. Saint Thomas is a full brother to Gr1 winner Keeper & to the $700,000 filly purchased by Adrian Nichol at this year’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Danehill matings to their dam, the Pleasant Colony mare Nuwirah, have sold as yearlings for: $325,000 (Easter 1998), passed in $225,000 (Easter 1999), $800,000 (Easter 2000), $600,000 (Easter 2001) & $700,000 (Magic Millions 2003). Unfortunately 14-year old Nuwirah died last September when again in foal to Danehill. (Jan 24) TOC First Aust 2YO Winner For Peintre Celebre Lee Freedman’s 2YO Beautiful Gem won a Maiden Plate (1000m) at Mornington to become the first winner from the first Australian conceived crop by Coolmore Stud’s champion galloper Peintre Celebre, reported racenet.com.au. A Gooree Stud homebred, Beautiful Gem is the 10th foal from 1986 Gr3 Black Opal Stakes winner Just Blooming (Yeats-Ponsalu by Showdown). (Jan 24) TOC First Foal For Shuttler Elnadim The first European foal by shuttle stallion Elnadim has been born at Michael Dalton's Broguestown Stud in Country Kildare. The filly concerned is out of the Darshaan mare Sopran Marida, who was successful on the racetrack & is a half-sister to Gr2 winner & Gr1 classic-placed Sopran Mariduff. Elnadium was twice champion European sprinter & set a new course record when winning the Gr1 July Cup at Newmarket. Elnadim stands his southern hemisphere breeding seasons at Westbury Stud at Karaka in New Zealand, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. (Jan 24) TOC De Montfort Considers Singapore Return Jockey Mark de Montfort is considering a return to riding in Singapore. De Montfort will “flick a coin in a few weeks” to determine whether he pursues a possible return to the stable of former Zimbabwean Michael Clements, reported The Daily Telegraph. (Jan 24) TOC Dubai Invitation For Futurity Winner An invitations to contest the US$2 million (A$3.4 million) Dubai Duty Free awaits the winner of the Gr1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield reported The Sydney Morning Herald. The Dubai Duty Free (Gr1 over 1777m on turf) forms part of the 7-event March 29 Dubai World Cup program. (The invitation would be subject to the winner being an original entry & passing all qualifying criteria.) But Melbourbe Racing Club racing manager John Faulkner said the deal with the Emirates Racing Association was a coup for his club: “The invitation to run in the Dubai Duty Free adds further status to the Futurity Stakes, which is one of our club’s most time-honoured & prestigious weight-for-age events. The opportuinity to progress from the Futurity Stakes to one of the feature events on the Dubai World Cup card creates an extremely lucrative new option & tremendous enticement for local connections.” (Jan 24) TOC AJC Announces Major Sponsorship Deal The Australian Jockey Club has announced a major Spring Carnival sponsorship deal with Sydney City Lexus securing naming rights for the Gr1 Flight Stakes on Epsom Day & the inaugural Sydney City Lexus Sprint on Oaks Day. In addition, 6 races on next Monday’s Australia Day Cup program at Randwick will also feature the club’s new sponsor: the Lexus IS200 Handicap, Lexus ES300 Handicap, Lexus GS300 Handicap, Sydney City Lexus Handicap, Lexus LX470 Handicap & Lexus SC430 Handicap. Sydney City Lexus managing director Ian Mayer said he was thrilled to establish an association with what he believes is the premier racing club & course in Australia: "Horse racing at Randwick adds another dimension to our extensive member benefits program. The sponsorship also gives us the opportunity to showcase the Lexus range of vehicles to a captive & very relevant audience.” AJC chief executive Tony King said he was proud to welcome Sydney City Lexus on board as a sponsor: “The synergy between the AJC & Sydney City Lexus is tremendous when you consider the premium product they provide & that their impressive sales centre is in nearby Waterloo. This agreement caps off a tremendous 12 months for us in regard to the establishment of a vast & highly regarded stable of sponsors keen to be associated with a sport, & more specifically a club, of profile & prestige.” (Jan 24) TOC Spotlight On Warwick Farm Barrier Trial This morning’s Warwick Farm barrier trials will attract more than the usual interest, reported racenet.com.au, with 4 of the 9 runners in Heat 11 (900m) having won 12 Group & Listed races between them. The John Hawkes-trained Bradshaw (who last raced in October 2002) won the 2000 Gr3 AJC The Shorts (1100m) & 2002 Gr3 STC Australian Tie Company Stakes (1100m); Joseph Pride’s El Mirada (who last raced in April 2002) previously won the 2001 Gr1 AJC All-Aged Stakes (1600m), 1998 Gr3 VRC Gateway Suites Quality (1200m), 1999 Gr3 VATC Victoria Handicap (1400m) & 2000 Gr3 Tatt's QLD Mercedes Benz Stakes (1200m); Guy Walter's Spinning Hill (who won 3 straight last preparation before spelling in November) has won the 2002 Gr1 MVRC Manikato Stakes (1200m), 2002 Gr1 VRC Lightning Stakes (1000m), 2002 Gr2 MRC Schillaci Stakes (1000m), 2002 Gr2 MVRC Schweppes Stakes (1000m) & 2000 Listed STC Research Stakes (1200m); while the Clarry Conners charge Viking Ruler took the 2001 Gr1 AJC Spring Champion Stakes (1800m). (Jan 24) TOC Ipswich Track Ownership Transfer The Queendsland Government has tranferred ownership of Ipswich racecourse to the Ipswich Turf Club. The freehold ownership of the racecourse puts the Ipswich Turf Club in a stronger position for the future, said Queensland Racing Minister Merri Rose: “The idea of Racecourse Trustees is an outdated concept in the modern commercial climate that racing is operating in. The Government has put in place a policy of returning racecourses to their tenant race clubs & it has proven highly successful in removing red tape from race club operations. Since 2000, the Queensland Government has handed over $21.6 million in racecourse property to Queensland race clubs, including Clifford Park (Toowoomba), Bunya Park (Dalby), Ooralea Park (Mackay) & Deagon Training Complex.” Rose said the Ipswich Racecourse is currently valued at over $5 million. Ipswich Turf Club chairman Wayne Patch said the club was delighted to be able to take freehold ownership of the racecourse: “The success of the Ipswich Turf Club over the last 10 years has made this club an integral part of the Queensland – & indeed – Australian racing industry. Ipswich’s regular mid-week date is necessary to shore up the Queensland racing calendar & the Ipswich Cup has become a unique event.” Rose added the phenomenal results from last year’s Ipswich Cup & the recent Gold Coast Magic Millions were proof that racing could succeed outside of Brisbane. “Queensland Racing has shown that it is important to tap into the pool of racing fans outside the Brisbane metropolitan area,” she said. “By bringing high class racing to the provincial centres of the Gold Coast, Ipswich & the Sunshine Coast we can help build the industry a larger supporter base.” (Jan 24) TOC Queensland Govt Backs Magic Millions Meanwhile Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has hailed the 2003 Magic Millions Yearling Sale & associated racing carnival as a major boost for the Queensland racing industry. “The sales over 4 days reached an all time record of $53 million in the sales of yearlings to local, national & international buyers – an increase of 13%,” said Beattie, who noted the investment by the Queensland Government through Queensland Events Corporation was reaping significant rewards for the thoroughbred & tourism industries. “The immediate benefit to the Gold Coast is estimated at $20 million, a very satisfying return on the state’s investment which means more jobs for people on the Coast,” he said. “This is a flagship event not just for Queensland, but for the Australian racing industry. International visitors purchased yearlings worth $18.6 million – nearly $7 million more than last year.” The Magic Millions race day produced record on-course betting & off-course turnover was the second highest ever recorded by the TAB in Queensland, & the crowd of over 14,000 was the second biggest on record at the Gold Coast. “This is important to the local industry as it generates higher revenue for the Gold Coast Turf Club & flows through to owners & trainers,” Beattie said. “I have asked Queensland Events to continue to work closely with Magic Millions to explore ways by which this event can be further strengthened & taken to new heights.” (Jan 24) TOC TBV Promotional Race-Day Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria has announced the introduction of the TBV Melbourne Premier Sale Promotional Race-day, to be held at Werribee Race Club on Friday January 31. Premier Sale vendors have been invited to sponsor a race on the day “giving them the opportunity to further advertise their draft for the sale”. TBV executive officer Richard Andrews said: “The buzz around last year’s Premier Sales was unforgettable, so TBV want to start the ball rolling with a unique initiative that will see an entire day’s racing dedicated to the promotion of the greatest catalogue yet for this year’s William Inglis & Son Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Credit is due also to the Werribee Racing Club, who recognize the importance of this event on the breeding calendar, & TBV is delighted to be associated with such a forward thinking race club.” TBV members will be admitted free on the day. (Jan 24) TOC Adelaide Catalogue Highlights With close to 80 relations to Black-type performers, and a further 60 yearlings out of Stakes-performed mares, the 2003 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale catalogue contains some choice types that will ensure a good turn out by buyers from February 19 to 21. Among the stand-outs on day one are Lot 26 Favorite Trick/Veronical – half-brother to LAN KWAI FONG (VRC Vanity S Gr.3); Lot 53 Desert Sun/Amanda Mahal – a half-brother to THE GUIDA (Joint third top colt on the 1989-90 Australasian 2YO Classification; QTC Sires’ Produce S Gr.1); Lot 75 Favorite Trick/Belong – Filly out of stakes-placed mare Belong (3d SAJC Birthday Cup Gr.3; sister to RICHFIELD LASS - RICHFIELD LADY [VRC Oaks Gr.1]; Lot 107 Danehill/Cherry Garden – half-brother to stakes-winner LIBERTY ROSE (SAJC Lindsay Park Guineas L); Grandam FREEDOM FIELDS (VATC Caulfield Blue Diamond Prelude Gr.3). (Jan 23) TOC Champion’s Sister Makes Debut Tonight Champion Tie The Knot’s half-sister will make her debut tonight at Canterbury in Sydney reports AAPRacingandSports. Called La Zabaglione the 3-year-old filly is owned by Sandy Tait and Jill Nivison, the brother and sister combination who also raced Tie The Knot and who currently campaign crack sprinter Spinning Hill. Trainer Guy Walter, trainer of all three, has been patient with the filly which is by leading New Zealand sire Zabeel. The report states that La Zabaglione looks to be cut firmly in a staying mould due to the influence of her sire. Whatever her success on the track, La Zabaglione has an outstanding future as a broodmare prospect. (Jan 23) TOC Europe’s Oldest Stallion Dead It has been announced by US Bloodhorse that stallion Gunner B has died in Europe. The 30-year-old ‘jumps’ sire – believed to be Europe’s oldest active stallion – suffered a heart-attack on Sunday according to Peter Hockenhull, manager of the Shade Oak Stud in England. Gunner B sired the 2002 Grand National winner Red Marauder and the 1992 Champion Hurdle winner Royal Gait. During his time as a stallion he sired 527 foals. His other successes included Red Striker, Bobby Grant, Gunner Welburn and Barrow Drive. (Jan 23) TOC Gloves Come Off In Hong Kong In what is threatening to become an all-out war on betting exchanges, the UK Racing Post has reported that the Hong Kong Jockey Club has called on racing bodies around the world to work together towards outlawing what it sees as “the biggest threat to racing’s integrity”. However euphemistically the industry words it, the potential long-term threat to global tote turnover with its concomitant knock-on for prizemoney, has already led to the HKJC implementing legislation banning internet betting by Hong Kong residents last summer. On Tuesday they warned trainers and jockeys of the risk of losing their licences if using betting exchanges. The report states Betfair has confirmed it is taking an “average of £100,000 a race“ – but not from Hong Kong residents – on its Hong Kong coverage, which started with the January 5 meeting. Racing in the Chinese special administrative region attracts annual betting turnover of around £6.25 billion but revenue has fallen by 15 per cent in the past five years. The HKJC has also stated that betting exchanges could assist illegal bookmakers by offering them a method of balancing their books. (Jan 23) TOC Germany Names Champion Paolini has been named 2002 Horse of the Year in Germany. That’s despite him not winning a race, according to US Thoroughbred Times who reported that the victory was secured after 30,000 racing fans voted in a poll conducted by WDR television station. He finished ahead of Gr1 Deutsches Derby winner Next Desert and Gr1 Preis der Diana-Deutsches-Stuten-Derby winner Salve Regina. Although Paolini was winless in five starts last year and did not run in Germany, the 6-year-old son of German stallion Lando finished second in the Gr1 Hong Kong Cup, Gr1 Singapore International Cup, and Gr1 Canadian International Stakes. (Jan 23) TOC Barrets Sale Holds Firm The Thoroughbred Corporation – which raced champion Thunder Gulch entire Point Given – was the seller of Regiment, a 4-year-old by Outflanker, which topped Tuesday’s opening session of the Barretts Equine Ltd.'s winter mixed sale. Regiment was purchased by agent Bruno De Berdt for US$100,000. He was consigned by Kristin Mulhall. Barretts reported 269 horses were sold for US$2,122,800 averaging US$7,891 with a median of US$4,200. This compared favourably with the same session last year where 207 horses sold for US$1,567,500 averaging US$7,572 with a median of US$4,500. Tuesday's buyback percentage dropped to 9.7%, compared with 11.5% in 2002. (Jan 23) TOC New BOBS Scheme Proposed The Chairman of Racing NSW, Tony Hartnell, yesterday tabled a proposal for consideration by stakeholders of the Racing NSW Breeder Owner Bonus Scheme (BOBS) for the coming season. Mr. Hartnell said, “BOBS is now bigger and better. After consultation with various industry groups, the Board has proposed improvements to BOBS for the coming season. We now await a response and comments from the various stakeholders before finalizing the terms and conditions.” Mr. Hartnell added, “The scheme in its first year will be more complex than would ordinarily be desired. However, this is necessary as we phase out the old scheme and shift to a scheme which aligns the nomination of stallions with the covering season.” Changes include: Stallion nominator bonus of 12.5% * Inclusion of 2yo’s * Inclusion of all country TAB races * Group & Listed races excluded * Aligning stallion nomination with the covering season * Joint management committee comprising Board members and stakeholders * Remaining principles include: * Payment of one advertised service fee for nomination of stallions * Payment of $660 fee for nomination of racehorses * Bonuses paid on any win (excluding Group & Listed) (Jan 22) TOC Classic Closes Marginally Up The 2003 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale which commenced on Sunday afternoon and concluded yesterday. According to Melissa O’Gorman, Inglis’ marketing manager, the sale averaged $29,812 for 347 horses sold with an overall gross of $10,344,750, both marginally up on 2002. Overall sale topper was a colt by Flying Spur from the unraced Dehere mare Nuance (Fr), knocked down yesterday to Bloodstock Agent Anton Koolman on behalf of Hong Kong trainer Ricky Yiu. Offered by Kitchwin Hills as agent for Gordon Henderson the colt fetched $180,000. Bloodstock agent David Lamond outlayed $140,000 for lot 457, a Belong To Me filly from the mare Snarl, the second highest price overall at the sale. Victorian trainer Robbie Laing buying under the banner of Sutton Grange Racing purchased lot 486 for $115,000, a Fasliyev colt from the Star Watch mare Sveldte consigned by Bowness Stud. Leading trainers Gai Waterhouse (10) and Graeme Rogerson (11) were again very active. (Jan 22) TOC Heat Forces SA Venue Change The South Australian Jockey Club has decided to re-locate the programmed meeting, taking place this weekend (Saturday, January 25) from Victoria Park to Cheltenham Park. “The principal reason that we have opted to move the meeting is that the weather forecast for the weekend has indicated temperatures in excess of 40 degrees,” stated Steve Ploubidis, the SAJC Chief Executive explained. Every trainer with horses engaged in the weekend’s races will be notified personally of the change by TRSA. Trainers’ Association representatives have already been informed. There will be several changes in race distances, details of which will be compiled by TRSA in due course. The rail at Cheltenham Park will be out 5-metres the entire circuit. (Jan 22) TOC Kembla Provides Starter’s Bonus Provincial NSW racing club, the Illawarra Turf Club, has announced a $200 starters bonus for all horses that do not receive prizemoney in Transitional, Class 4 and Class 2 races at Kembla Grange between 1st February 2003 and 31st July 2003. According to Racing Manager Michael Craig, the club believes the bonus will help to maintain field sizes in the club’s better class races on a standard programme, and also encourage those horses that have graduated from Maiden and Class 1 company to continue racing and assist with their ongoing racing expenses. Kembla currently pays nomination fees, acceptance fees, jockeys fees and workers compensation, float rebates and farrier rebates for most starters at an average cost of around $3,000 per race. Following the Owners’ Forum at Randwick last Autumn, the ITC extended these benefits to include free entry, racebooks and complimentary champagne to all participating owners in addition to a hospitality room for winning connections. (Jan 22) TOC Gilded Time Filly Stars Again The US Bloodhorse has reported that Gilded Time filly Elloluv rallied from the outside to capture the $150,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita on Monday in California. The victory follows her brilliant win in the Gr1 Hollywood Park Starlet Stakes on December 14 . She is now the division leader on the US West Coast. Her trainer Craig Dollase said Elloluv would be aimed next at the $200,000 Gr1 Las Virgenes over a mile at Santa Anita on February 9. Elloluv’s career earnings now stand at more than US$330,000. Gilded Time stands at Vinery Stud in the Hunter Valley during southern hemisphere seasons. (Jan 22) TOC Drink Ride Bloody Idiot Jockeys in Britain could soon be asked to “blow here, please sir,” when the thoroughbred racing season in the UK begins this year. The Jockey Club, which governs horse racing in Britain, confirmed the move towards random breath tests on Monday. The US Bloodhorse wrote that this came a day after five-time champion jockey Kieren Fallon revealed he was being treated for alcohol abuse at an Irish clinic., however the introduction of the breath tests is believed to be unrelated to Fallon. (Jan 22) TOC Triple Crown Hero Dead The oldest living winner of the Gr1 Belmont Stakes and Gr1 Preakness Stakes – second two legs of the US 3YO Triple Crown – has died aged 32. Little Current, champion US 3-year-old colt of 1974, was euthanased at on Sunday in Washington State after being diagnosed with strangulation of the small intestine by a benign fatty tumor, reported US’ Thoroughbred Times. The son of Sea-Bird was a victim of bad luck in that year’s Gr1 Kentucky Derby, a situation which arguably cost him a Triple Crown. (Jan 22) TOC Williams Falls Fell Of HK Stipes Australian jockey Craig Williams, whose overseas sojourns have included victory aboard Tobougg in the Gr1 Dewhurst Stakes in England, has been handed a one month ban by Hong Kong stewards. UK Racing Post wrote that Williams’ seven month contract in Hong Kong is due to expire on March 23, and that he is considering an appeal against the severity of the ban. "This is the longest suspension I've ever had," Williams said. "Unfortunately, this kind of rule also smears your name, even if the stewards are not questioning my integrity and simply believe I made an error of judgment." Hong Kong Jockey Club stewards – headed by former RacingNSW stipe Jamie Stier – called an inquiry after Williams had finished sixth on rank outsider Marshall Spirit in a 1,000 metres sprint at Happy Valley last week. (Jan 22) TOC Commands Filly Tops Inglis Session Sydney Bloodstock Agent James Bester outbid trainers Max Lees, Tim Martin & John Morish to secure a filly by Danehill’s boom first season sire son Commands for top price of $130,000 at the 2nd session of the 2003 San Miguel William Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Offered by Muswellbrook Stud Edinglassie, the filly is out of the Marscay mare Flannelle (a daughter of the Plush stakes-placed mare Velvet Rocket). Bester (buying for an undisclosed client) told racenet.com.au: ”I rate her the best filly I have seen this year, including the $700,000 Danehill fillies on the Gold Coast. This filly is every inch Danehill. She floats when she walks, she has a massive over-step & a great temperament. If she were by Danehill she would have made $500,000 plus. She was the talk of the sale. Every time I went to see her, she was out & there were crowds lined up to see her. She is actually the first Commands filly I have seen. She looks like an early comer, & if she is any indication of his stock, he has a big future. He was, after all, one of the best sons of Danehill to set foot on the track.” Asked how he rated Commands (Danewin’s younger brother) in his overall first-season-sires pecking order, Bester replied: “If this filly is anything to go on, he has a big future. I do however rate Fasliyev on top - his yearlings are wonderful types & they made a big impression on me at the Gold Coast. Catbird has thrown forward 2YO types that should come early, while Redoute’s Choice has put more length into his stock, so I’d look for them to be more classic types.” (Jan 21) TOC Inglis Classic Sale: Day 2 Highlights Among other major buys at Inglis Day 2, shrewd New Zealand bloodstock agent Paul Moroney claimed an Encounter-Fast Life filly from Twin Palms Stud for $90,000. The filly is a half-sister to Life Is Beautiful (the Quest For Fame mare with multiple stakes placings, whose ownership included the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother). Olympia Bloodstock paid $85,000 for a Danzero-Charismatic colt from Woodlands Stud. Trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson paid $80,000 for a Secret Savings-Eajaab colt from Emirates Park Stud. And John Foote Bloodstock paid $80,000 for a Redoute’s Choice-Fortunata filly from Willow Park Stud. (Jan 21) TOC UK Betting Exchange ‘Overtures’ To Racing NSW The UK’s biggest betting exchange operator Betfair “has made overtures to Racing NSW to gamble on the State’s evets”, reported The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. Betfair already operates on races in the UK, US, South Africa, Sweden & more recently Hong Kong. The company boasts 50,000 account holders in the UK & processes 12,000 bets a minute during peak UK periods. Last October a punter was reported to have backed as horse to win £1 million (that’s around A$3 million!) in a single bet on the Breeders Cup with Betfair. (Jan 21) TOC Tasmanian Duo’s Winning Streak Denis & Robyn Wishaw, owners of Armidale Stud in Tasmania, are coming to Melbourne armed with more than just 2 nicely bred yearlings for February’s Inglis Premier Sale. Their yearlings are both colts by Flying Spur. The first colt is from multiple Listed race winner Escapada (Weasel Clause-Knightly Belle) & a full-brother to SAJC Sires’ Produce place-getter White Hart Lane; another full-sister Vickers has 2 metropolitan wins in Victoria & $119,000 in stakes. The second colt is a half-brother to Gr2 Waterford Crystal Mile winning & Gr1 Emirates Stakes runner-up Weasel Will; their mother La Tourelle (by Poacher’s Moon) has been a success at stud, with her other foal Dartington also winning at Black Type level in the Tasmanian St Leger. The Wishaws are on a streak right now. Breeders may recall they went out on a limb in mid-2002 & purchased a son of Sadler’s Wells from Ireland after he’d broken down following just 2 starts. His name is Savoire Vivre & when he arrived in Tasmania he represented the only Sadler’s Wells line blood on the Apple Isle. The Wishaws stood him at $2,200 & crossed their fingers. It worked: when the season ended the regally-bred but under-raced stallion had broken Tasmanian records by serving 120 mares – of which 109 have already tested positive. (Jan 21) TOC Encosta De Lago Stays At Blue Gum For 2003 Encosta de Lago will remain at stud for the 2003 Australian season, confirmed marketing manager Gary Dillon at Blue Gum Farm in Euroa in Victoria. (Jan 21) TOC Slipper Winner’s Australia Day Deadline Leading Sydney bookmaker Col Tidy has Gai Waterhouse’s Secret Land at 7-2 favourite for the Golden Slipper, following last weekend’s win in the Inglis 2YO Classic at Randwick. And Tidy told The Daily Telegraph newspaper that “chances are the winner has already made its racetrack debut & is trained in Sydney”. Tidy noted: “In nearly every (previous) case, the Slipper winner has been produced by the Australia Day long weekend, and that’s next weekend. It’s a miracle if one comes out of the woodwork now.” (The last winner to debut post-Australia Day was 1983 champ Bint Marscay.) After Secret Land in Tidy’s current market come: 8-1 Hasna; 10-1 How Funny; 212-1 Niello; 16-1 Polar Success & Aracena; 20-1 Ra Sun & Exceed And Excel; 25-1 Dorky; 33-1 Rinky Dink. (Jan 21) TOC Secret Land’s Half-Brother For Inglis Easter Following Secret Land’s slashing victory in the Inglis 2YO Classic, keen interest will center upon her half-brother (a colt by Carnegie from the Wolf Power mare Pocaterra) which features in the Emirates Park draft at the Inglis 2003 Australia Easter Yearling Sale. The colt’s dam won 3 races in America. (Jan 21) TOC Falbrav’s Trainer Quits Job With Scuderia Rencati Luciano D’Auria, who saddled international star Falbrav to 3 Gr1 victories last year (including the Japan Cup) has resigned his duties with the Scuderia Rencati reported thoroughbredtimes.com. D’Auria, 69, made the decision after a short holiday in Brazil following speculation about a disagreement with industrialist Luciano Salice, principal of Scuderia Rencati & owner of Falbrav (5YO Irish-bred son of Fairy King). The 13 horses trained by D’Auria for Scuderia Rencati are still in his barn at the Bellinzago’s training center outside Milan, but will join stables with 3 other trainers: 6 will be trained by the Botti Brothers at Milan; 6 will be transferred to Emilio Borromeo in Pisa; & Falbrav is likely be sent to England to Luca Cumani. "For me it was a painful decision to make," D’Auria said, "because I feel Falbrav is like a son. This isn’t the first time I lose such a big owner as Mr Salice. But every time I was able to start over". Last season D’Auria, who trains 40 horses, won the Italian Gr1 Gran Premio di Milano & Gr1 Presidente della Repubblica with Falbrav, in addition to the Japan Cup on November 24 at Nakayama in his final start of the season. Overall, Falbrav has 8 wins & 7 placings in 16 career starts over 3 seasons. (Jan 21) TOC Childs Commits To Fields Of Omagh Top jockey Greg Childs has committed himself to Fields Of Omagh throughout his summer-autumn campaign, trainer Tony McEvoy told aapracingandsports.com.au. Childs, who won a string of races on Fields Of Omagh last spring, gave up the ride on the Rubiton gelding when he linked with champion galloper Northerly (but Patrick Payne is likely to partner him throughout his autumn campaign). McEvoy said Fields Of Omagh had done "super" since coming back from a spell after running 5th to Northerly in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October."He is almost as round as me," McEvoy quipped. The Feehan Stakes winner & Caulfield Cup runner-up is set to resume in the $300,000 Gr1 Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8, before going on to the $200,000 Gr2 St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 22 & $1.2 million Gr1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 10. McEvoy confirmed another option was to by-pass the Australian Cup with Fields Of Omagh & contest the Gr3 Singapore Classic (1800m) at Kranji on March 7. (Jan 21) TOC Trentham Gr1 Telegraph Handicap Abandoned The 2nd day of the Wellington Cup carnival at Trentham – which was to feature the NZ$100,000 Gr1 ING Telegraph Handicap (1200m) - was abandoned yesterday after the running of just one race, when a runner lost her footing & fell at the junction of the 1200m chute & the course proper, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Rain earlier in the morning left the track unsafe, & despite sunshine drying the surface when the meeting got underway, a delay after the fall (while senior jockeys & officials inspected certain parts of the track) resulted in the meeting being abandoned “in the interests of safety”. Officials indicated Telegraph Handicap nominations would be re-opened until noon today, & the race would be included as an extra race on next Saturday’s Wellington Cup card - “if the entries are sufficiently strong,” explained WRC racing manager Blair Thomson, “but if the field falls away the race will be scrapped" - potentially providing 3 Gr1 events that day, including the Wellington Cup & Holden Thorndon Mile. (Jan 21) TOC 1800% Return By Devil In Disguise South Australian trainer Bill Papazaharoudakis certainly got a bargain when he purchased the mare Devil In Disguise for just $5,500 at the Inglis 1998 June Weanling Sale. The grey daughter of Kenvain notched her first Black Type win at Victoria Park when taking the SAJC New Year’s Gift. Her record stands at 5 wins & 8 placings from just 18 starts, & nearly $100,000 in prize-money. Devil In Disguise is from the Century mare Coda Belle. (Jan 21) TOC Distorted Humour Has Dozen At Adelaide Sale The Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale boasts it will be “the only sale with a handy tally of Distorted Humor yearlings to grace it's catalogue” this year. The MM Adelaide Sale (at the Morphettville sales complex from February 19-21) includes 12 lots by the 2002 Leading Freshman Sire of North America. The Sale commences at 6pm, following the running of the "Richest Race in South Australia", the $400,000 Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic at Morphettville racecourse. (Jan 21) TOC Bill Aspros Granted Training Licence Former leading NSW country jockey Bill Aspros has been granted a training licence & will begin with a small team based at Bathurst, reported The Daily Telegraph. (Jan 21) TOC NZ Oaks Win Vindicates Shinko King Purchase Bramble Rose's outstanding New Zealand Oaks win vindicates the decision in October by Ashwell Farm principal Ray Knight to purchase the former shuttle stallion Shinko King (by Fairy King). Knight still keenly feels the loss of another horse that shuttled to his Cambridge stud, Blues Traveller (by Bluebird), who died in quarantine prior to coming south for the 1999 breeding season. "When the opportunity arose to secure Shinko King, we took it with both hands," Knight told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing, as he reflected on the first Gr1 win for the former Japan-based 12-year-old. "I purchased half of him & it wasn't difficult to syndicate the other shares." In the recently completed NZ breeding season, the Gr1 winning half-brother to UK Epsom Derby winner Dr Devious served 93 mares, his biggest NZ book since beginning duties there in 1998. "I was confident when we bought him that he had enough good sorts out there to justify it," said Knight. "Getting the win in the Oaks certainly proved that point." (Jan 21) TOC NZ Filly-Of-The-Year Update The Jewel retained her place at the top of the NZ Bloodstock Filly-Of-The-Year Series after finishing 2nd in the NZ Oaks to Bramble Rose, while Lady Annaliese joined the table with her 3rd placing. The current points table is: The Jewel (by O'Reilly) 19 points; Bramble Rose (Shinko King) 16; Volksini (Volksraad) 10.5; Lafleur (Zabeel) 8; Natalie Wood (Yachtie) 8; Chestpeak (Danasinga) 7; Danceinthesun (Desert Sun) 6; Gypsy Babe (Blues Traveler) 6; Molly Dot Com (Slavic) 6; Milzeel (Zabeel) 4; Penny Gem (Pentire) 4; Lady Annaliese (Groom Dancer) 3.5; Baileys On Ice (O'Reilly) 3; Country Class (Woodborough) 3; Original Sin (Shinko King) 2; Charmaine (Centaine) 1.5; Midnight Call (Jetball) 1.5; Savuka (Royal Academy) 1.5; Florida (NZ) (Pompeii Court) 1. (Jan 21) TOC Orwhina’s 11th HK Winner Broodmare Orwhina notched her 11th Hong Kong winner when 3YO Last Tycoon gelding Engineering Wonder (a $190,000 purchase at the Inglis 2001 Easter Sale) won at Happy Valley. Orwhina, a 20-year-old daughter of Vain, has been a star producer for Geoff & Beryl White’s Bhima Stud, throwing Gr1 winning sire Jetball & stakes performers Marwina, Prince of Marscay, New Maize & Audimco. (Jan 21) TOC Danhero Completes HK Hat-Trick At the same meeting, Danhero (a $130,000 purchase by bloodstock agent Keiran Moore at the Inglis 2000 Easter sale) completed a hat-trick of wins over the Happy Valley 1000m course. The Danzero 4YO has now totalled almost A$300,000 in prize-money. "I had planned to step him out over a bit longer & I'm sure he will run a strong 1,200 metres," said trainer Ricky Yiu. "But I don't know: if we can keep turning up for 1,000 metres here & getting the winner's cheque, why change? The way he won tonight, we could be looking at 4 in a row." (Jan 21) TOC Pins First Crop Attract NZ Interest One of the greatest broodmares owned by the late Lionel Israel in his half century tenure at Scone’s historic Segenhoe Stud “appears poised to have a resurgence as an influence in the production of good winners” reported racenet.com.au. She is the unraced Humour, 2-times Australian Broodmare-Of-The-Year who is grandam of the Snippets Gr1 VRC Cadbury Guineas winner Pins, the source of 32 first-crop yearlings in the 2 catalogues covering New Zealand Bloodstock’s annual sales from January 27- February 2. Winner of 4 Group races (from 1100-2000m), Pins is from No Finer, one of 12 winners Israel got from Humour using Segenhoe sires. Three of these winners, Zasu (AJC Champagne Stakes & Queensland Oaks), Marceau (Doomben Cup twice & STC Rawson Stakes) & Joy Love (AJC Expressway Stakes), were full relations by Star Kingdom’s Kaoru Star to No Finer & half relations to the Convamore Perth Cup winner. No Finer was also a three-quarter sister to another good Segenhoe Stud sire in Aurealis (a half-brother to Humour). Pins is one of half a dozen NZ-based sires bred & raced in Australia represented in the catalogues; others are veteran winner-getters Centaine & Lord Ballina, deceased Gold Brose & proven Danehill sires Danasinga & Magic Of Sydney. (Jan 21) TOC Carnegie’s NZ Spotlight Carnegie’s 2003 yearling crop is sure to attract major attention at NZ Bloodstock’s Premier Sale, “with demand intensified by the fact buyers have had to wait 2 years since the last southern hemisphere Carnegie yearlings were offered at sale” noted NZB marketing executive Nikki Reed. On debut, Carnegie was leading first season sire & 3rd leading sire overall at the 2000 NZ Bloodstock Premier Sale behind established champions Zabeel & Danehill. This year 2 Gr1 winners & a string of stakes performers from his first two Australasian crops spotlight him as “one of the hottest young sires around.” Carnegie (Sadler’s Wells-Detroit) was a brilliant French champion who (like his dam) won Europe’s most prestigious classic, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, defeating 12 individual Gr1 winners in the process. A dual Gr1 & multiple stakes winner (& from the same female line as champion sire Zabeel), he excelled over ground, with his favourite distance 2400m. Leading the charge for Carnegie has been the dual Gr1 winner Carnegie Express (Carnegie-Honeymoon Express), who last season won Gr1 STC Canterbury Guineas & Gr1 Rosehill Guineas before a close 2nd in the Gr1 AJC Australian Derby. Meanwhile Amalfi (Carnegie-Rationaine) won the Gr1 VRC Victoria Derby & Gr2 VATC Norman Robinson Stakes. Other Australian stakes winners include Regent Street, Rohatyn, Perlin & Sircarn Damon. Carnegie has totalled almost 100 winners throughout Australia, NZ, South Africa, Japan, Ireland & France. Among the Carnegie yearlings on offer at the NZ Premier Sale are: a Haunui Farm colt by triple NZ Gr1 winner & weight-for-age champion Fayreform; a Trelawney Stud colt from Gr1 winner Happiness; a Haunui Farm filly from Midnight Madam; a Pencarrow Stud colt from 5 times Gr1 winning champion South African filly Petrava; a Te Mania Thoroughbreds filly out of Proteaceae (sister to champion NZ 3YO Zonda, winner of the Gr1 NZ Derby & Gr1 NZ The Oaks Stud Classic); a Trelawney Stud colt from Real Success (a multiple Gr2 & Gr3 winner); a Trelawney Stud colt from Rising Eagle (an un-raced sister to Ha Ha, winner of the Gr1 STC Golden Slipper Stakes & Gr1 AJC Flight Stakes); a Karaka Downs filly from Zahra (a winning daughter of Zabeel & triple Gr1 winner Solveig). (Jan 21) TOC Australian Apprentices Licensed In HK The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s powerful Licensing Committee has granted apprentice jockey licences to Paul PH Lo & Jacky CK Tong, following 18-month training periods spent in Australia. Lo was initially with trainer Pat Carey in Victoria & then Trevor Hardy in NSW; from 110 Australian rides he managed 8 wins, 10 2nds, 12 3rds & 12 4ths. He has now been allocated as an apprentice to to HK trainer David Hill. Tong was initially with trainer John Ledger in Victoria & and then Rodney Robb in NSW; from 134 Australian rides he notched 5 wins, 12 2nds, 11 3rds & 16 4ths. He has now been allocated to HK trainer Ivan Allan. HKJC executive director of racing Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said: "We are confident they will adapt quickly to HK racing. The reports we have received from their trainers both in HK & Australia have been very favourable, & I urge trainers to give our apprentices a chance." (Jan 21) TOC HKJC Wins Superbrands Award Meanwhile influential Superbrands magazine has awarded the Hong Kong Jockey Club its most important honour, the Overall Brand Achievement Award for a HK company or organisation. HKJC chief executive Lawrence Wong accepted the award at a presentation by Victor Jeffrey, chief executive officer of Superbrands, at the HK Convention & Exhibition Centre. Superbrands said the Club embraces the brand values of quality & integrity, as well as being totally consistent in how it promotes its brand. Criteria for Brand Award winners included goodwill, longevity, market dominance, customer loyalty & overall market acceptance. The Superbrands Award was established in 1994 & is now given in 17 countries around the world. (Jan 21) TOC War Breaks Out Over UK Sale Dates War has broke out between UK sales companies Tattersalls & Goffs, following the Irish sales company’s announcement it will move its main yearling sale to the week already earmarked for the Tattersalls (Ireland) September Yearling Sale. Tattersalls described the decision as “bizarre”, reported racingpost.co.uk, & claimed Goffs (its major rival among European sales companies) had shown “utter disregard for Irish breeders”. Tattersalls added it had no choice but to reverse a (previously announced) change-of-date for the prestige Houghton Sale & switch the first part of the October Sale to a later date. Goffs, in turn, claimed it had been forced into action in response to Tattersalls’ change of dates. Last August Tattersalls announced new dates for its 2003 yearling sales because it wanted to “allocate a week for each major sale”. The Houghton (regularly the leading auction of yearlings in Europe & the one at which High Chaparral was sold as a yearling) would be a week earlier than usual, & the more artisan & far larger October Sale would be split into 2 separate weeks. However Goffs suddenly announced it will move its equivalent of the Houghton, the Orby & Challenge Yearling Sales, from the 2nd week in October to September 16-19. Goffs' managing director Matt Mitchell said: “The majority of our clients took the view we were placing ourselves in a vulnerable position by remaining where we were. While the decision was forced upon us, the new dates will ensure maximum benefit for our clients & strengthen our competitive position.” In reply Tattersalls' chairman Edmond Mahony said: “We are deeply dismayed by this extraordinary decision, which cannot benefit clients of either company, least of all Irish breeders. We are horrified Goffs has chosen to move in on a successful & established Irish yearling sale, & at the utter disregard it has shown for Irish breeders. It is even more bizarre following a meeting called by the ITBA at which we were advised of Goffs’ disquiet at our dates changes. We offered to make mutually acceptable changes in 2004, if the same doubts persisted after the 2003 sales season.” The Tattersalls (Ireland) sale will now take place on September 23-25; the Houghton on October 1 & 2; & the October Yearling Sale Part 1 on October 7-11. (Jan 21) TOC Padua Moves Into US Juvenile Sale Market Meanwhile across the Atlantic in Florida, Satish & Anne Sanan’s Padua Stables (a significant player on the US thoroughbred sales scene, primarily as a buyer since 1997) has embarked on a venture to sell 2YOs-in-training in up-coming juvenile auctions reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Padua has sold horses privately since 1998 & in 1999 offered mares & young stock at auction. The Ocala-based operation has 3 juveniles cataloged for the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s Calder selected 2YOs-in-training sale on February 4 in Miami. Terry Oliver is the consignor of the Padua Stables horses, which were purchased as yearlings specifically to be resold as 2YOs.The consignment includes a colt by Exploit, a Clever Trick colt & a filly by Quaker Ridge. "We’re testing the waters & getting some experience," said Padua Stables general manager Nadia Sanan. "Within the next couple years we hope to be selling commercially at all the prominent Florida 2YO sales. These will be homebreds by our stallions. We have the facility here to have Randy Bradshaw break & train them, & our goal has always been to sell commercially from our stallions." In addition to 2YOs, this includes weanlings, yearlings & mares-in-foal to Padua stallions. "We’re very excited to be entering the 2YO arena as sellers. We like to support the Florida market & are actively participating in the Florida breeding industry," said Sanan, who added that over the last 2 years nearly all of Padua’s broodmares foaled in the Sunshine State. "We’re sponsoring one of the Sunshine Millions races. The race day is great for our industry & for the Florida-bred industry in raising the caliber of the horses we have to a national prominence." (Jan 21) TOC Star UK Jockey Kieren Fallon In Alcohol Clinic Top European jockey Kieren Fallon is currently in a 30-day rehabilitation program in Ireland for treatment of a drinking problem. "Last season I rode 150 winners, but my heart wasn't in it as it was before," the 37-year-old Fallon told London’s The Sunday Times. "Had I got stale? Had I got lazy? I was wasting these years. I realized alcohol was taking the enjoyment away & for me, the important thing was to recognize this before it got too late." Fallon, who has 3 children with his wife (former jockey Julie Bowker) said he hopes to renew his passion for horse racing: “I want to be excited about going racing again, excited about riding horses - rather than seeing it as work, which it had become. I am looking forward to this season like I have never looked forward to a season in my life. I believe I will be a much better jockey & I want to be a better person." Fallon has won 5 British classic races & 5 British jockey titles in the last 6 years (including 2002 with 151 winners). (Jan 21) TOC Tap To Music Produces Lemon Drop Kid Foal US Gr1 winner Tap To Music produced her first foal, a colt by 1999 Gr1 Belmont Stakes winner Lemon Drop Kid, at Adena Springs in Kentucky reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Tap To Music recorded 6 wins & 8 placings in 21 starts over 3 seasons for Stronach Stables (including wins in the 1998 Gr1 Gazelle Handicap, 2000 Gr2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap & 1999 gr3 Delaware Handicap, as well as finishing 5th in both the 1998 & 1999 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff). Tap To Music (by Pleasant Tap) is one of 7 winners from the unraced Nureyev mare Nuryette, who is also the dam of 2-time US Gr2 winner & sire Northern Afleet, & stakes winner Boss Soss. Tap To Music represents the immediate family of Canadian champion Kamar & Gr1 winners Love Smitten & Cuddles. Lemon Drop Kid, whose first foals are yearlings in 2003, stands for US$50,000 at Lane’s End in Kentucky. (Jan 21) Silky Sweep To Meadowbrook In Florida US stakes winner Silky Sweep has been retired from racing & will enter stud at Meadowbrook of Ocala Jockey Club in Florida reported bloodhorse.com. The 7YO son of End Sweep retired with 7 wins from 27 starts (including the 2000 Skip Trial Stakes at Meadowlands & allowance races at Saratoga, Belmont Park & Churchill Downs). Silky Sweep was produced from the Never Bend mare Silk Lilly. (Jan 21) TOC First Winner For US Sire Mongol Warrior Deputy Warrior won a maiden claiming event at Turfway Park, to become the first winner for Arkansas-based stallion Mongol Warrior reported thoroughbredtimes.com. International traveller Mongol Warrior raced in 6 countries and won stakes races in 4 of them (France, Spain, Switzerland & Germany), including the 1996 Greman Gr2 Grosser Preis von Deutschland. The son of Deputy Minister retired with 5 wins from 23 starts over 4 seasons. Bred in Kentucky by Kennelot Stables, Mongol Warrior is one of 9 winners for the Gr3-winning Alleged mare Surely Georgie’s. He is a half-brother to German high-weight & sire George Augustus, Irish high-weight Chimes At Midnight & Gr3-placed stakes winner & sire Surely Six. Notables from the immediate family include stakes winner & sire Topsider, stakes-placed winner & sire Storm Boot, & English Gr1 winner & sire Take Your Place. Ten-year-old Mongol Warrior stood the 2002 US breeding season at Calumet Farm in Kentucky, before moving for the 2003 season to Diamond Legends Farm in Arkansas. (Jan 21) TOC First Stakes Winner For Dry Gulch Gulchrunssweet’s stakes victory in the Pepsi Cola Handicap at Sunland Park marked the first stakes winner for his New Mexico-based sire Dry Gulch, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Dry Gulch, a 13-year-old son of Kentucky-based sire Gulch, has sired 1 stakes winner, 1 stakes-placed winner & 2 additional winners from 6 starters out of 9 foals of racing age. Bred in Kentucky, Dry Gulch won 4 of 35 starts in 5 seasons of racing & is a half-brother to Gr1 winner Joe’s Tammie. Dry Gulch stands at Larry R. Teague stud in New Mexico. (Jan 21) TOC Jimmy Barnes Concert At Albury Meeting Albury Racing Club will host a Jimmy Barnes concert at Albury racecourse on Saturday February 22 as part of the Drought Breaker Fundraising Appeal. “The club is proud & very pleased that it can contribute to such a worthwhile appeal,” said ARC chief executive Paul Carroll. “It is the first time the club has ever held such an event. It is going to be a challenging & interesting project for us.” The ARC will hold a twilight race meeting preceding the concert, which will begin after 7pm. “Jimmy Barnes will perform around 9pm,” Carroll said. The stage will be situated in front of the grandstand, with a croiwd of more than 5000 expected. Carroll hopes more than $100,000 will be raised, noting: “In these difficult times for people on the land, any small contribution that race clubs can make is worthwhile.” (Jan 21) TOC Arena’s Star Continues To Rise Fred Peisah, proprietor of Lomar Park Stud in NSW, must be pinching himself. Peisah stands Arena, one of the most commercially exciting young sons of Danehill at stud, & breeders who supported the multiple Gr1-performed Victoria Derby winner are reaping major rewards for the $9,900 (inc GST) they outlaid to send a mare into him. Arena’s 5 progeny to sell at the recent Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale averaged a staggering $103,000. And the trend continued yesterday at the first session of Sydney’s San Miguel Inglis Classic Sale when David Lamond bid $75,000 for an Arena filly out of Lomar Park’s All Aglimmer. Arena is jointly owned by Peisah & Woodlands Stud. There are another 11 yearlings by Arena catalogued for sale over the next 2 days at the Inglis Classic sale. (Jan 20) TOC Inglis Clasic Sale: Day 1 The opening session of Sydney’s 2003 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale saw 61 yearlings sold at an average $30,657 (& overall gross of $1,900,750). A Snippets colt out of Belle Banne (making him a half-brother to Merson Cooper Stakes winner Miss Terrain) sold by Attunga Stud as agent, attracted top price of $100,000 from Victoria’s Slade Bloodstock. Other leading prices were: $90,000 from Bart Cummings for Commands-Affaire En Or colt consigned by Huntworth Stud as agent; $85,000 from Paul Perry for a Secret Savings-Belle Desire filly from Emirates Park; $75,000 for the a Arena-All Aglimmer filly (mentioned previous item); $70,000 from Tim Martin for a Belong To Me-Ancient Albatross filly from Lucernvale Stud; & $65,000 for a Canny Lad-Zerlina colt consigned by Shipton Lodge as agent. “Vendors who offered well-conformed & well-presented yearlings were handsomely rewarded. Buyers were very conscious of selecting on type this afternoon & weren’t afraid to back their judgement on the nicer individuals,” commented managing director Reg Inglis. (Jan 20) TOC Inglis Victory Confirms Slipper-Diamond Favouritism Meanwhile on the track at Randwick Gai Waterhouse’s filly Secret Land confirmed her position at the top of betting markets for the up-coming major 2YO prizes, the Golden Slipper & Blue Diamond Stakes, when she blitzed her rivals to win the Inglis 2YO Classic (1200m) by 4 lengths. Secret Land (Secret Savings-Pocaterra) was sold by Emirates Park for $50,000 at last year’s Inglis Classic Sale. Placegetters at Randwick were Hinting (Danzero-Won't Tell) who was sold by Arrowfield Stud as agent for $32,000 at the Classic sale & In Top Swing (Beautiful Crown-Holbrook Lass) whom vendor Alanbridge Stud also sold for $50,000 at last year’s Classic sale. (Jan 20) TOC Fantastic Light’s First Foal Born In UK The first foal by 2001 US Champion Turf Male Fantastic Light has been born at Bearstone Stud in Shropshire in England. Produced by the Danehill mare My First Romance, the chestnut filly is a half-sister to Romantic Myth & Romantic Liason (who won the Gr3 Queen Mary Stakes at Ascot in 2000 & 2002 respectively). "She is quite a big, strong, good-looking foal," Liam O’Rourke, stud director for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Darley (which stands Fantastic Light for just under US$50,000 at Dalham Hall Stud near Newmarket) told thoroughbredtimes.com. Bearstone Stud owner Terry Holdcroft said the filly probably would be offered for sale as a yearling. My First Romance (a-half sister to stakes-placed winner Night People, out of the Gr3-placed Caerleon mare Front Line Romance) has produced 4 foals to race, all winners. She is from the immediate family of multiple Gr3 winner Knight Line Dancer & 1995 & 1996 Singapore Derby winner Courtline Jester. Fantastic Light, a 7YO son of Rahy (out of the Nijinsky II mare Jood) won 12 of 25 career starts & earned US $8,486,957 during a 4-year career that took him to 7 nations. He won the 2001 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf (setting a course record 2:24.36 for 12 furlongs miles at Belmont Park), the 2000 Gr1 Man o’ War Stakes, 2001 Gr1 UK Prince of Wales’s Stakes, 2001 Gr1 Irish Champion Stakes , 2001 Irish Tattersalls Gold Cup Stakes & 2002 Gr1 HK Cup. Fantastic Light’s first book of mares included 104 winners, 65 stakes horses, 43 stakes winners, & 47 dams of stakes horses. (Jan 20) TOC Hore-Lacy On-Sells $550,000 Snippets Colt Melbourne trainer Rick Hore-Lacy has confirmed rumours he on-sold Snowland's yearling full brother, a bay Snippets-Snowdrift (by Polish Precedent) colt, soon after it was knocked down to him for $550,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale, reported cyberhorse.com.au. Hore-Lacy, one of the most active buyers at the sale, revealed the colt was “on-sold for an undisclosed amount”, but scotched rumours it was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum's agent Tim Boland. "The colt has been sold to a Sydney-based publican," Hore-Lacy revealed. "And I believe he will be trained in Sydney." On the price (rumoured to be at least $600,000), the trainer (who prepared Snippets' former star galloper & now proven young Victorian sire Spartacus) would only say: "The amount paid was fair compensation for not being able to train him, as the new owner wants the horse to be trained in Sydney." Hore-Lacy's quest to find another Spartacus continued later in the sale: "I purchased another Snippets colt, which I really liked, for just $120,000. I was very taken with him." The colt (offered by Scone-based Alanbridge Stud) was the first foal of Live On, a Sydney metropolitan winning Zoffany half-sister to stakes performers Live It Up & Lively Lad. (Jan 20) TOC Court Claim: Pirate Equipment Broadcasting Sky Dozens of hotels around the country have been using pirated equipment to broadcast Sky Channel for free, lawyers have claimed before Justice Roger Gyles in the Federal Court in Sydney. Sky Channel is taking legal action against 2 hotels for breach of the Copyright Act, reported aapracingandsports.com.au, claiming the pubs used pirated smart cards & set-top boxes to show the satellite racing channel without authorisation. Sky has applied for injunction orders to stop the hotels broadcasting the channel. Lawyers for the Tattersall Club Hotel in Mathoura, in the NSW Riverina, consented to an injunction to stop the channel being shown without authorisation in the public bar; they also agreed to reveal who had supplied the hotel with the pirated equipment. Meanwhile lawyers for the Commercial Hotel in Hamilton, south-west Victoria, successfully applied for the matter to be stood over until February 4. Outside court, a Sky Channel spokesman said the 2 cases were “just the tip of the iceberg”, claiming Sky sales representatives & private investigators had found dozens of hotels around the country broadcasting the channel illegally. "It's quite an extensive black market," he said. (Jan 20) TOC Second Son Of Mr Prospector For Westbury New Zealand's first new stallion announcement for the next breeding season has been made by Karaka's Westbury Stud which has secured Pyrus, a Group-winning son of Mr Prospector. Pyrus will stand at Westbury in the 2003 season alongside Faltaat, another well-performed son of Mr Prospector, who has been prominent this season with stakes-performers Tit For Taat, Sedecrem & Gwen's Rules, & winners Hey Pronto, Taatletail, Stella Doro & Owner's Joy. Pyrus was trained initially in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien (where he won 3 races as a 2YO & finished 5th in the Gr1 Prix Morny) before moving to the US & winning his first 3 starts on turf (including the Gr3 Aqueduct Fort Marcy Handicap). H e race as a 4YO in the northern autumn just passed (including placings in the listed Kentucky Cup Mile & Gr3 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga), completing his career with a record of 4 wins, 2 2nds & 3 3rds from12 starts. His sire Mr Prospector died at Clairborne Farm in Kentucky in 1999 leaving behind him one of the most influential dynasties in the horse breeding world. Mr Prospector led leading the US general sires' list in 1987 & 1988, & the juvenile sires' list in 1979 & 1987. He has also developed a reputation as a sire of sires through Fappiano, Machiavellian, Gulch, Miswaki, Kingmambo, Seeking The Gold, Forty Niner, Woodman & Straight Strike (who stood at Ra Ora Stud in NZ & has sired 40 stakes winners, including 17 group winners). In Australasia, Mr Prospector-line stallions have been responsible for 2002 winners Calaway Gal, Victory Vein, Dash For Cash, Tit For Taat, Sedecrem & Hey Pronto. Pyrus is out of the stakes winning Nureyev mare Most Precious (the same cross as top racehorse & sire Kingmambo); Most Precious has produced 4 stakes winners, including French One Thousand Guineas winner Matiara. An initial service fee for Pyrus “will be announced in the next few months” reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. (Jan 20) TOC Olympic Champ Takes Gr1 NZ Oaks Novice Kiwi trainer Mark Todd (New Zealand’s former high-profile dual Olympic gold medal-winning equestrian star) achieved immediate Gr1 success when his filly Bramble Rose, ridden by Opie Bosson, won the NZ$300,000 Drake International NZ Oaks (2400m) at Trentham. Todd trains Bramble Rose (Shinko King-Images, by Gleam Machine) for a group of owners including himself, prominent NZ television broadcaster Paul Holmes & Telecom NZ chief executive Theresa Gattung. At the finish Bramble Rose won by 1.5 lenghts & clocked 2:27.71 (comparable with the weight-for-age feature earlier in the day); favourite The Jewel finished strongly for 2nd, ahead of Lady Annaliese. Bramble Rose is by former Japanese galloper Shinko King; dam Images is out of Fauxann, a Zamazaan mare who produced The Filbert (3rd place-getter in the memorable Cox Plate finish between Bonecrusher & Our Waverley Star. (Jan 20) TOC Karaka Spotlight On Zabeel-Grand Archway Colt All eyes will be on trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson when the bay yearling colt by champion sire Zabeel, from former champion filly Grand Archway, enters the ring at New Zealand’s up-coming Karaka sale. Offered by Eric Watson’s Westbury Stud, she’s the pedigree stand-out among 52 Zabeel youngsters catalogued in the Premier section at Karaka. Dam Grand Archway, trained by Rogerson through her stellar career, was champion Australian 3YO after winning the Gr1 VRC Oaks, Gr1 AJC Oaks, Gr1 Australia Stakes, Gr1 C.F.Orr Stakes & Gr2 Wakeful Stakes. She won 4 races as a 2YO & 5 as a 3YO, over distances from 1200m to 2500m. Her first foal is now a 2YO. Sire Zabeel has been champion Australian & NZ sire on multiple occasions, & his 58 stakes-winners include Octagonal, Might And Power, Don Eduardo, Champagne, Jezabeel, Sky Heights, Dress Circle, Inaflury, Zonda, Hades (Helene Vitality), Mouawad & Hill Of Grace. (Jan 20) TOC Electric Unicorn Takes First Leg Of HK Triple Crown The John Size-trained reigning Hong Kong Horse-Of-The-Year Electronic Unicorn scored an emphatic 3.75 length victory in the HK$8 million (A$1.6 million) Gr1 Stewards’ Cup over 1600m at Sha Tin - first leg of the HK Triple Crown - atoning for his runner-up finish in the Gr1 HK Mile on December’s International Cup Day. Ridden by Robbie Fradd, Electric Unicorn (who also won the race last year) started a hot 10-9 favorite, & won from stable-mate Dr More, & Ivan Allan's pair Housemaster & Olympic Express. "I had a freer run today, but he's done it so well," Fradd said. "In the HK Mile, he didn't like it on the fence & got a couple of nudges & never traveled well until they straightened up. Today, drawn outside, he was happier with plenty of room & I was always pretty confident. He's shown that he's still the one that they all have to reckon with." It was Fradd’s 3rd straight Stewards' Cup victory, having won on Fairy King Prawn in 2001 & Electronic Unicorn last year. Electronic Unicorn is a 7YO son of Housebuster, out of the Roberto mare Lilac Garden & has an overall record of 8 wins & 9 placings in 29 career starts. Bred in Kentucky by Foxfield, John Foote Bloodstock purchased Electronic Unicorn for US $200,000 at the 1997 Keeneland September yearling sale. The HK Triple Crown continues with the second leg HK Gold Cup on February 23. (Jan 20) TOC Dr More Continues To Add Prize-Money John Size’s HK Stewards’ Cup runner-up Dr More was purchased for $260,000 at the 1999 Inglis Easter Sale. The 5YO son of Danehill & good producer Chinese Justice has been contesting HK’s elite races in recent starts & his record now stands at 5 wins & 9 placings for prize-money of about A$1.5 million. (Jan 20) TOC HK Win For Elegant Fashion Meanwhile Australian racemare Elegant Fashion (a $95,000 purchase by owners Dr & Mrs Gene Tsoi at the 2000 Inglis Easter sale) won first up in HK Class One company at the same meeting. The 4YO Danewin mare defeated top-class 3YO Raider, who was champion 2YO in New Zealand last season when running under the name Grout. Also successful at Sha Tin were Tony Cruz’s exciting 3YO Silent Witness (a 2001 Inglis Classic buy for $55,000) & the David Hayes-trained Tom’s First (a 2000 Inglis Breeze-Up purchase for $20,000) who scored for the 2nd weekend in succession. made it back-to-back wins, having scored over the same course last weekend. Silent Witness (by El Moxie from former racemare Jade Tiara) was bred & offered for sale by Ian Smith’s Edinburgh Park Stud at Taree, who will offer his half-brother by Woodman during today’s 2nd session at Sydney’s Inglis Classic Sale. (Jan 20) TOC Rory’s Jester Son Continues Singapore Success Rory’s Jester outstanding 3YO Ninetyfive Emperor blitzed his rivals again in Singapore to win the Gr3 Three Rings Trophy by more than 4 lengths. The Charles-Leck trained son of Rory’s Jester has now notched 6 wins from 7 starts (with prize-money approaching A$300,000) - an almost 500% return on his $66,000 purchase price at the 2001 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. (Jan 20) TOC UK Trainer Denies Godolphin Move UK trainer Gerard Butler has slammed a British newspaper report linking him with the Godolphin stable. Butler branded the story - which claimed he would take over training Goldolphin’s juveniles when David Loder retires at the end of 2003 - as "a load of rubbish". Butler, 36, who operates from stables at Blewbury in Oxfordshire where his principle owner is Swedish businessman Erik Penser, trained 56 winners in Britain last year. He insisted he had not been approached by the Maktoum organisation, declaring: "It's very upsetting. We have a business to run here. Some of my owners are naturally concerned. It's very disconcerting." (Jan 20) TOC Irish Trainers To Fight Morphine ‘Positive’ Bans Things are hotting-up in the on-going UK ‘morphine-contaminated-feed’ saga. Several Irish trainers (among the group spread across England & Ireland) facing lengthy suspensions after horses in their care tested positive for morphine, have now enlisted the help of a US expert to testify how feed can become contaminated with substances that lead to positive tests. Leading US racing attorney Andrew Coonan confirmed to Racing Post: “We are contesting the case, & we are putting the Turf Club on proof of their findings. I don’t want to name the expert at this stage, but he will be flying over from the States when a date is agreed for the hearings." Irish Turf Club chief executive Demis Egan commented: "We have yet to receive notification of the basis on which the cases will be contested. Until we do, it will not be possible to finalise a date for the hearing." Among the trainers facing morphine positives are Willie Mullins, Francis Flood, Eric McNamara, Sean O’Brien & Gerry Keane. Horse feed firm Connolly Red Mills has already made an unsuccessful application to be joined “as a party“ in the morphine cases. (Jan 20) TOC Until Sundown To Stand At Megali Farms US Gr3 winner Until Sundown will stand his first stud season at Megali Farms in California (despite previous plans to spend the 2003 season at Kentucky’s Wafare Farm) reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Until Sundown (a 5YO son of Smart Strike) won 3 of 9 career starts, including the 2001 Gr3 Affirmed Handicap at Hollywood Park, giving Laura de Seroux her first graded stakes victory as a trainer. He also finished 2nd in that year’s Gr1 Swaps Stakes & Alydar Stakes. Bred in Kentucky by Hermitage Farm, Until Sundown is one of 8 winners out of the stakes-placed winning Northern Baby mare Cool Baby; he is a half-brother to stakes winner Cool Air & stakes-placed winner Serena’s Pride. (Jan 20) TOC Sin Wagon First Winner For Sire Alster Sin Wagon led from gate to wire over 6 furlongs at Laurel Park to become the first winner for Maryland-based sire Alster reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 12-year-old son of Alydar (who won 5 of 32 starts) stands at Green Willow Farms in Maryland & has now sired 1 winner, 2 starters & 12 foals in 2 crops of racing age. Alster (a full-brother to stakes winner & sire Al Sabin) is out of dual Gr1 winner Sabin (by Lyphard). Meanwhile his first winner Sin Wagon is the first starter for the winning First One Up mare First Rhea. (Jan 20) TOC Why ‘The Rock’ Rated Worst Champion Since 1977 Significant debate followed last week’s announcement in London that Rock Of Gibraltar, though judged top horse on the 2002 International Classifications & a winner of 7 successive Gr1 races, was “rated” at only 128 pounds. The 128 assessment (by a panel of international handicappers assessing horses who competed in Asia, Australia, Europe & North America) was the lowest high-weight rating in the 25-year history of the classification system. Now British Horse-racing Board handicapper Dominic Gardner-Hill has explained to UK Racing Post exactly how the handicappers made their assessment - & indeed that the panel actually “found” an additional 4lbs to enable him to reach even the relatively low 128 mark. In fact, in none of The Rock's 2002 outings did his actual race rating go above 124. (In the last 5 years alone, 21 horses have been rated higher.) But Gardner-Hill explained that the 4lbs “find” emerged from a “judgement” about the ease of Rock Of Gibraltar’s best wins alongside a comparison with historical miling performances. For the first time, Gardner-Hill noted, handicappers from around the world had a subjective say about the ranking of a single horse: “The overwhelming majority felt he was the best horse of the season, so it became a question of much he should be allowed for winning his races by narrow margins without being stretched. Gerald Sauque, the French handicapper, was adamant Rock Of Gibraltar was a better horse than Keltos. And together with Garry O’Gorman from Ireland, we decided it was not unreasonable to say Rock Of Gibraltar had 4lbs in hand in the St James’s Palace Stakes, where he ran to at least 124.” Gardner-Hill went on to say he was not prepared to regard Rock Of Gibraltar’s performance in the same class as Intikhab’s 8-length win in the 1998 Queen Anne Stakes, which earned a rating of 130. “That sets the benchmark for a really top-grade mile rating,” he said, “so with this in mind, & the allowance for the manner of his best win, the general feeling was that 128 was the highest the International Classification Committee was prepared to go to.” But Gardner-Hill added: “Don’t think for a minute we’re knocking Rock Of Gibraltar. His rating is a reflection of the fact he never had the opportunity to stretch himself against horses of the appropriate calibre. Circumstances conspired against him. He never managed to meet Keltos, and connections declined to take on Where Or When in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. If he had beaten either of those convincingly, he might have been rated in the 130s, but he didn’t get the chance. We can’t pick out figures from the realms of fantasy.” Racing Post noted the “finding of 4lbs through discussion” raised The Rock by the minimum 1lb above Marienbard (who rated 127) to the hallowed position of world champion. If Rock Of Gibraltar had not emerged as top-rated horse, the international reaction may have been severe, & Ireland’s Garry O’Gorman confirmed the unusual nature of the colt's treatment: “I realise it’s not usual for the international handicappers to look at previous generations. But it would have been unjust to Rock Of Gibraltar had we not taken note of what has happened in the past, & no-one can damn us for using our commonsense. This wasn’t a case of raising a horse’s rating to avoid any flak from the public. It was a demonstration of our strong convictions.” Britain’s senior handicapper Nigel Gray added: “Rock Of Gibraltar is rightly held in high esteem by a lot of people, including the international handicappers. But it’s our job to reflect what happens in a race, & that’s what we have done.” Gray compared Rock Of Gibraltar’s treatment with that of Derby winner Lammtarra, noting: “Despite his excellent record, Lammtarra was rated no higher than 130, but as in the case of Rock Of Gibraltar, we reflected what he achieved on the racecourse, though that shouldn’t be regarded as the limit of his ability.”(Jan 20) TOC Handicappers Disappointed By 2002 Performances Elsewhere in the on-going International Classifications debate, Britain’s senior handicapper Nigel Gray told Racing Post that, in terms of overall quality of performance, “2002 was a disappointing year”. Almost everywhere across the International Classifications – from sprinters to 3YOs & older horses – the leading rating was among the very lowest compared with previous years. Even US Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem (122) was well below the standard normally associated with that race. Gray commented: “There was plenty of strength-in-depth in most of the categories. But it has to be said that, although there were a lot of good horses around the mid-120s, nothing stamped its authority on the season.” Ireland’s handicapper Garry O’Gorman moved to put the 2002 season into perspective by noting: “Everything is relative, & we’ve been spoiled in recent years by having horses such as Daylami, Dubai Millennium & Sinndar.” Dominic Gardner-Hill, who rates the milers in Britain, added: “We mustn’t play things down too much. Rock Of Gibraltar could have been the best for 10 years, but he didn’t have the competition. And if High Chaparral had not had an interrupted Arc preparation, who knows what he might have achieved.” Matthew Tester, Britain’s 2YO handicapper, made a plea for horses to be ridden out more often, in order to give handicappers a better chance of improving the ratings: “If you take Rock Of Gibraltar, for instance, it would have been more useful to the handicapping committee if he had been stretched out. You don’t do a horse any favours, in terms of its rating, if he goes past the post winning by a short distance hard held. That’s not a criticism of any particular jockey, but a more positive ride would make life easier in establishing merit.” However O’Gorman countered: “A jockey on a horse that has to be kept going from the Guineas to the Breeders’ Cup won’t push him out unnecessarily, so we can’t expect too much.” (Jan 20) TOC 14 Hong Kong Horses Rate Classification Among those smiling after the 2002 International Classification release were the directors of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. A record 14 horses from HK featured in the lists, led by Gr1 winners Precision, Olympic Express & All Thrills Too (all rated 117 for their respective victories in the HK Cup, Mile & Sprint at December’s International meeting at Sha Tin). HK’s previous best was 13 in 2000 & the total has risen dramatically since HK horses were first included 5 years ago. (In 1998 just 4 horses made the list.) HKJC head of handicapping Ciaran Kennelly told Racing Post though "14 is a small number" among 800-plus horses in the International Classifications, HK’s showing was encouraging from a horse population of 1,200 & just 27 black-type races available to earn inclusion. Kennelly noted: "Those factors will always limit our participation in the International Classifications, along with the fact HK has no breeding industry & we have to import all our horses. We will never break into the large numbers of countries like Britain, but we do want to break into the quality end & we are doing that gradually.” (Jan 20) TOC Northerly Heads Singapore Classic Entries Dual Cox Plate winner Northerly heads 86 entries for the Singapore Classic at Kranji on March 7 reported racingpost.co.uk. The Gr3 9-furlong contest (worth over A$1 million) has also attracted 6 British-trained entries (Adiemus, Beauchamp Pilot, Binary File, Dupont, Indian Creek & Love Regardless) & 8 from France, as well as the globetrotting Jim And Tonic & 9 from Godolphin's stable (including Ekraar & recent purchase Leadership). (Jan 17) TOC Beadman Blasts Randwick “Over-use” Top jockey Darren Beadman declared the “Randwick track is being battered into submission” in a controversial column in The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. Beadman’s outburst continued: “It is a world-class surface, but it is being shown little respect. Imagine picking up a new, top-of-the-range BMW & heading bush with it. That’s what is happening at Randwick. . . . The politics behind the overuse are complicated. Blame race-day programming, blame the Australian Jockey Club, blame Racing NSW, blame the TAB, blame whoever, whatever, but the problem isn’t getting fixed. . . A world-class racetrack (is) taking a hammering & over-use leads to biased surfaces. If the work-load isn’t reduced, it is going to be ruined.” (Jan 17) TOC Rodd Eyes Dubai Opportunity With many shrewd judges noting his ability, Magic Millions winning jockey Michael Rodd “will work in Dubai next month to try to extend his international contacts as his career continues to blossom”, reported The Daily Telegraph newspaper. The trip is part of a prize Rodd won for being Brisbane’s champion apprentice last season, “but he intends riding track-work & hopes to get a race ride. Rodd’s Gold Coast master Bryan Guy has advised him to continue riding in Brisbane until he completes his apprenticeship at the end of this year.” (Jan 17) TOC Cassidy Aims For February 1 Return Prominent Sydney jockey Jim Cassidy returned to track-work at Randwick yesterday morning (after recovering from a knee operation) & has set his sights on a February 1 return to race riding, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. “I rode 4 horses & pulled up fine,” Cassidy said. “I have a bit of weight to shed & have not set a definite date for my return. But I will aim for the Rosehill meeting on February 1. My weight is up to 54.5kg, so I don’t have a lot to lose. But I won’t rush things.” (Jan 17) TOC Baze Tops US Jockey Winning-Ratio List Jockey Russell Baze took his 8th consecutive Isaac Murphy Award for earning the highest winning percentage of any US jockey with at least 500 mounts in 2002 reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Baze led all North American riders with 431 winners from 1,508 mounts for a winning percentage of 28.6%. Jerry Bailey (who led all jockeys by earnings with US $19,271,814) ranked 2nd with 25.6%. Other jockeys in the Top 10 were: Josiah Hampshire Jr (23.5%); Ramon Dominguez (23.2%); Pat Day (22.3%); Ryan Fogelsonger (21.8%); Jorge Bourdieu (21.7%); Anthony Black (21.5%); Jason Lumpkins (21.4%); & Gerard Melancon (21.3%). (Jan 17) TOC Secret Land Moves To Top Of Slipper & Diamond Betting Inglis Classic 7-4 favourite Secret Land (trained by Gai Watyerhouse & to be ridden by Chris Munce) has also moved to the top of leading bookie Col Tidy’s markets for the major autumn 2YO prizes, reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Secret Land heads the volatile latest markets at 6-1 in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill & 7-2 in the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. Waterhouse’s Magic Millions disappointment Hasna is now 8-1 in the Slipper list. (Jan 17) TOC Inglis Classic Field: Sale Details This is the final field (including barrier draw position) for tomorrow’s $610,000 Inglis Classic at Randwick, highlighting details of breeding, original vendor & sale price. They range from the $180,000 Gold Fever gelding Happy Strike, right down to Gary Portelli’s $12,500 filly Mimzical & father-son jockey-trainer combination David & Jason Lee’s $11,000 bargain Sir Marwina: 1: In Top Swing (9) Beautiful Crown-Holbrook Lass (v. Alanbridge Stud) $50,000 2: Happy Strike (11) Gold Fever-Rich Haul (v. Reavill Farm) $180,000 3: Impala Bullet (5) Bite The Bullet-Gantimpala (v. Kurrinda Stud) $32,000 4: Interog (10) Strategic-Flame Dance (v. Newhaven Park Stud/agent) $40,000 5: Oh Sun (4) Marauding-San Secola (v. Newhaven Park Stud) $67,500 6: Cannyopra (13) Canny Lad-Salisopra (v. Woodlands/agent for Sylvan) $42,500 7: Sir Marwina (6) Marwina-Dainty Dancer (v. Riverdene Stud/agent) $11,000 8: Antiene (12) Success Express-Jester Gypsy (v. Shipton Lodge/agent) $30,000 9: Mr Fahrenheit (14) Encounter-Positive Flyer (v. Milburn Creek) $30,000 10: Secret Land (7) Secret Savings-Pocaterra (v. Emirates Park) $50,000 11: Hinting (3) Danzero-Won't Tell (v. Arrowfield Stud/agent) $32,000 12: Regrade (1) Danzero-Kindly Thoughts (v. Kitchwin Hills) $20,000 13: Mimzical (8) El Moxie-Beautiful Mimzar (v. Emirates Park) $12,500 14: Perfect Movement (2) Encounter-Variety (v. Newhaven Park Stud) $60,000 (Jan 17) TOC Bargain Hunters Eye Inglis Classic Sale Record The 3-day Inglis Classic Yearling Sale starts on Sunday, with 2YO ‘bargain hunters’ noting the past 3 Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes winners were all ‘value-priced’ graduates of the Classic: 2002 champ Belle Esprit proved the ‘steal of the year’ at just $9,000; 2001 winner True Jewels was snapped up below the sale average at just $28,000; & 2000 victor Road To Success was purchased for only $18,000. This year’s catalogue also features progeny from keenly-watched first season sires Commands, Catbird, Fasliyev, Bianconi & Redoute’s Choice. (Jan 17) TOC Fasliyev In The Spotlight One of those exciting first season sires is former top galloper & now Coolmore-shuttler Fasliyev, with 5 progeny listed at Sydney’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, followed (in early February) by another 7 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale & 2 at the Adelaide Magic Millions Sale. Fasliyev averaged $111,660 for 25 lots sold (an impressive $2.791 million total) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale, including $475,000 for a filly from the imported mare Lower Chapel (by Sharpo) paid by Tim Boland on behalf Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum. The filly will join the stables of either Gai Waterhouse or John O'Shea. "We all loved the filly," Boland told cyberhorse.com.au. "We might be taking a bit of a risk with Fasliyev, but he was such a super 2YO & this filly comes from a great female family." Nine of Fasliyev's yearlings sold at Magic Millions for six figures, with his 2nd top priced lot a filly from Tears for Fears (by Biscay) bringing $240,000. Coolmore Australia’s Duncan Grimley commented: “He was such a champion racehorse. And his youngsters are just magnificent types. It's not surprising he is achieving strong prices at the early sales." (Jan 17) TOC First Foal To Gr1 Winner Brahms The first foal by US Gr1 winner Brahms (who shuttled to Vinery Australia this season & whose first southern hemispheres foals are expected in October 2003) has been born at Lantern Hill Farm in Kentucky to the multiple winning Plum Bold mare Blue Columbine. "Both foal & dam are doing great," Lantern Hill owner Suzi Shoemaker told thoroughbredtimes.com. "He’s a big, strong, healthy colt & looks very much like his father." Brahms, a 6YO son of international leading sire Danzig (from Mr Prosector’s 1991 champion mare Queena), stands for US$10,000 at Vinery Kentucky. He won 5 of 17 career starts & was unbeaten in 4 starts as a 3YO. His victories include the 2000 Gr1 Hollywood Derby , Gr3 River City Handicap at Churchill Downs & Seattle Slew Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. He also finished 3rd in the 2001 Gr1 Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile Stakes at Hollywood Park & Gr1 Turf Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs. Brahms is from the immediate family of Gr1 winners Too Chic, Chic Shirine & Serra Lake. The 20-year-old mare Blue Columbine won 5 of 51 starts & placed 20 times in a 4-year racing career. From the family of stakes winners Frederick Street, Magic Street, Savannah’s Honor & Rest Your Case, Blue Columbine has produced 11 foals, 10 of whom have started (including 8 winners, among them stakes winner Rocky Hi & stakes-placed winners Lotsa Equity & Straight Shot). (Jan 17) TOC First Foal By US Horse-Of-The-Year Tiznow The first foal by 2000 US Horse-Of-The-Year & and back-to-back Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow has been born at Chanteclair Farm in Kentucky. "It’s a good foal, strong with nice quarters," Chanteclair general manager Ron Wallace told thoroughbredtimes.com. Tiznow won 8 of 15 career starts & became the first horse in history to win 2 Breeders’ Cup Classics (America’s richest race) when he scored over international stars Giant’s Causeway in 2000 & Sakhee in 2001. The 6YO son of Cee’s Tizzy (out of Cee’s Song, by Seattle Song) stands for US$30,000 at WinStar Farm in Kentucky. During his 2-year career, Tiznow also won the 2001 Gr1 Santa Anita Handicap & 2000 Gr1 Super Derby in which he set the Louisiana Downs record for 10 furlongs with a time of 1:59.84. Named US Champion 3YO of 2000 & Champion Oldre Horse of 2001, his prize-money totalled US$6,427,830. Meanwhile the new foal’s dam is Italian stakes winner Mrs West (a 13-year-old daughter of Gone West, out of the Sharpen Up mare Mrs Hat) who won 2 of 12 career starts in Europe & the US, including the 1992 Premio Novella at Milan. Mrs West is a half-sister to Fitnah, dam of 1999 Gr1 Mother Goose Stakes winner Dreams Gallore & Gr3 winner Fateful Dream. The Tiznow colt is the 6th foal out of Mrs West, who has produced 2 winners from 3 starters (including Western Summer, a son of Summer Squall who finished 2nd in the 2001 Gr3 Red Bank Handicap at Monmouth Park). (Jan 17) TOC Aushorse Forum At Inglis Classic Sale Aushorse has anounced it will conduct an Ownership Forum, in conjunction with the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, where prospective new owners have the opportunity to put questions to a panel of industry experts. The Forum, beginning at 10am on Tuesday January 21 at the Inglis Newmarket complex in Young Street at Randwick, will include talks by prominent industry speakers on a wide range of topics including selection criteria, conformation, ongoing costs & ownership options, followed by a tour of the complex & inspection of several lots with all the experts. Cost is $10 & places are limited; reservations can be made by contacting Bronwyn Farr on 0417 680 553 or (02) 6545 9329. (Jan 17) TOC Yearling Sale X-Rays A Winner The new X-ray rules at the Magic Millions sale offered buyers the opportunity to have their vet view & evaluate a full set of X-rays for 600 yearlings offered. Radio 2KY Big Sports Breakfast presenter Richard Freedman (brother of leading Melbourne trainer Lee Freedman) summed up in The Daily Telegraph: “The new procedures were tipped to spook the buyers. The opposite appears to be the case. Buyers were encouraged &, with boosted buyer confidence, the average price was up 13% - in spite of a stronger Aussie dollar & softening world economy.” Freedman’s verdict: “The old ‘let the buyer beware’ system of selling yearlings is on the way out.” (Jan 17) TOC $15,000 Incentive For Illawarra Classic Owners of 2YOs dreaming of a Golden Slipper start have been offered a major incentive to start their youngsters in the Illawarra Turf Club’s 2YO Classic as part of their Slipper build-up. The ITC Board announced it will pay the $15,000 final acceptance fee for Slipper bound horses that start in the Illawarra Classic at Kembla Grange on April 2 reported The Sydney Morning Herald. (Jan 17) TOC NZ Oaks Spotlights Filly-Of-The-Year Table New Zealand Bloodstock’s Filly-Of-The-Year contest approaches its climax at Trentham tomorrow with the NZ$300,000 Gr1 NZ Oaks (2400m) featuring 6 of the main contenders. The Oaks is the 8th leg of the 2002-03 series, with the winner earning 12 points toward the title, 2nd worth 7 points & 3rd gaining 3.5 points. Hec & Steve Anderton’s South Island star The Jewel (O’Reilly-The Grin), winner of 4 of her last 5 starts (including November’s Gr1 NZ Bloodstock 1000 Guineas) is the current series leader & has drawn barrier 4. She is followed on the points table by: Volksini (Volksraad-Indochine) who has drawn barrier 10; the Jim Gibbs-trained Lafleur (Zabeel-Desert Lily), a fast-finishing winner of the Gr2 NZ Bloodstock Royal Stakes at Ellerslie who may need luck in running after drawing wide in barrier 19; & the Don Sellwood-trained Natalie Wood (Yachtie-Westside Story) who won the Gr2 Eight Carat Classic in December & has drawn barrier 2. Current Filly-Of-The-Year series standings are: The Jewel (12 points); Volksini (10.5); Lafleur (8); Natalie Wood (8); Chestpeak (7); Danceinthesun (6); Gypsy Babe (6); Molly Dot Com (6); Bramble Rose (4); Milzeel (4); Penny Gem (4); Bailey’s On Ice (3); Country Class (3); Original Sin (2); Charmaine (1.5); Midnight Call (1.5);Savuka (1.5); Florida (1). (Jan 17) TOC Octagonal’s French Progeny In Spotlight At Tattersalls Australian interest in the Tattersalls February Sale in the UK (beginning on February 6) will particularly focus on the progeny of home-grown champion Octagonal produced during his time shuttling at stud in France, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Shuttle sire Desert King will also be in the spotlight, as the sale will feature his half-sister to dual G1-winning sprinter Continent. (Jan 17) TOC Lite The Fuse Yearling Colt Tops Final Ocala Session A yearling colt by multiple Gr1 winner Lite The Fuse (out of stakes-placed White Ruffle, by Vigors) went to JNR Stable for US$42,000 to top the final session of the 3-day Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's 2003 Winter Mixed Sale reported bloodhorse.com. A yearling colt by Yankee Victor (out of Mystery Dance, by Sword Dance, a full-sister to stakes winner Von Groovey) was sold to Leprechaun Racing for US$38,000. And a yearling filly by Running Stag (out of stakes winner Roana Gale, by Prospector's Halo) - from the first crop of the graded stakes winner in both France & the US - went to Jason Mamakos for US$35,000. The session's high-priced broodmare was Lady Crystal, a winning 6YO Sky Classic mare in foal to Gr2 winner Exchange Rate, purchased by Padua Stables for US$30,000. Next OBS sale is the Selected Sale of 2YOs-In-Training at Calder Race Course on February 4. (Jan 17) TOC Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Adds Extra Day Meanwhile an increase of over 100 entries from the corresponding sale last year has prompted Fasig-Tipton Kentucky to extend its Winter Mixed Sale by one day, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 2-day sale, with 459 horses cataloged, begins on February 9 at Newton Paddocks in Lexington, with 102 yearlings being offered. The 2nd session on February 10 features mainly in-foal mares & broodmare prospects. Stallion Access conducts its winter offering of stallion seasons & shares immediately following the 2nd session. (Jan 17) TOC US Ban On Internet Gambling Threatens Racing The Thoroughbred Times reported a federal ban on internet gambling is likely to pass through the US Congress this year, according to Sebastian Sinclair, president of Christiansen Capital Advisors, speaking at the final day of the American Gaming Summit in Las Vegas. Sinclair’s message came a week after US Representative James Leach introduced a Bill that would ban internet sites from accepting funds via credit cards, cheques or wire transfers reported. (Leach sponsored a similar bill last year which passed the House, but narrowly failed in the Senate.) Currently, Leach’s bill would exempt the pari-mutuel (ie: totalisator) industry, but the Las Vegas Sun newspaper reported Sinclair has warned the Bill’s supporters would rather ban all forms of gambling because certain industries fear an alliance among lotteries, racetracks & credit card companies. (Jan 17) TOC US Gr1 Winner Miss Huntington Dies At 26 Miss Huntington, winner of the 1983 Gr1 Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park and producer of multiple stakes winner Hollywood Reporter, has died aged 26 reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Miss Huntington won 11 of 65 career starts over 5 seasons, also including the Gr3 Wilshire Handicap at Hollywood Park & Gr3 Golden Harvest Handicap at Santa Anita Park. She was also runner-up in the 1981 Gr1 La Canada Stakes, 1982 Gr2 Gamely Handicap, 1982 Gr2 Matron Handicap, 1982 Gr3 Ak-Sar-Ben Queen’s Handicap, 1982 Gr3 Hawthorne Handicap & 1983 Gr3 Silver Belles Handicap. And she finished 3rd in the 1982 Gr1 Spinster Stakes, 1982 Gr2 Santa Ana Handicap, 1982 Gr2 Beverly Hills Handicap & 1981 Gr2 Santa Maria Handicap. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Torsion also displayed her versatility with wins ranging in distance from 6.5 furlongs up to 11 furlongs. From 10 foals, Miss Huntington produced 7 winners from 9 starters, including Hollywood Reporter (a son of Saratoga Six who won 10 of 39 starts, including the Spotlight & Reb’s Policy Handicaps). (Jan 17) TOC Walnford Stud To Stand Mr Sinatra & Gerosa Mr Sinatra, winner of 5 US Gr3 races from 1997 to 1999, will stand his first season at Walnford Stud in New Jersey reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Mr Sinatra won 13 of 62 races (from 6 to 9.5 furlongs) including the Gr3 Queens County, Gr3 Aqueduct, Gr3 Westchester, Gr3 Discovery & Gr3 Stuyvesant Handicaps all at Aqueduct. A 9YO son of Mining, Mr Sinatra is out of the stakes-placed Private Account mare Midnight Stroll & is from the family of graded stakes winners Small Virtue & Fly’n J. Bryan. Walnford has also added Gerosa, winner of 4 of 7 career starts. The 6YO son of Cherokee Run (out of the unraced Conquistador Cielo mare Sky Meadows) is a half-brother to multiple US Gr2 winner Dixie Dot Com & to stakes-placed Cherokee Crossing (dam of Gr1 winner Siphonic & stakes winner Mountain Girl). (Jan 17) TOC Run Softly To Naylee Farm In West Virginia Run Softly, sire of undefeated 2002 Gr3 Leonard Richards Stakes winner Running Tide, will stand the 2003 stud season at Naylee Farm in West Virginia, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Run Softly has sired 12 winners from 39 starters in his first 2 crops. A further 38 juveniles will represent Run Softly in 2003. A 12-year-old son of Deputy Minister (out of the stakes-placed Riverman mare River Lullaby), Run Softly won 4 of 14 career starts (including the 1994 Gr3 Volante Handicap at Santa Anita Park. (Jan 17) TOC Switch In Time Put Down Veteran stallion Switch In Time, “the sire revered as the king of north-western NSW breeding”, has been put down at his new home near Toowoomba following a prolonged bout of pneumonia, reported racenet.com.au. Originally imported to NSW by prominent breeder Fred Pesiah, the 20-year-old Irish-bred former American sprinter was acquired from the Marheines of Tamworth’s Stratheden Stud 12 months ago, having spent all his stud career at Stratheden. He tallied 349 winners of 1,660 races & $14.4 million prize-money, & was the most successful sire numerically for NSW for the past 7 years - producing winners of over 100 races & $1 million in prize-money each year (& in 1996-97 winners of 220 races, a record for a NSW sire). Switch In Time sired over 50 individual metropolitan winners - & 39 of these each won 10 or more races, including Steelswitch (34 wins), Supertime Park (19), Single Switch (18), County Switch (16), Minstinquett (16) & Plenty To Go (16). One of his best progeny was Gr1 SAJC Goodwood Handicap winner Sword (12 wins overall). (Jan 16) TOC Distorted Humor Elevated To Leading Freshman Sire Positive drug tests have resulted in UK winner Elusive City being officially disqualified from two British successes at Lingfield & Goodwood – a ruling that has triggered major repercussions in North America’s list for 2002 Leading Freshman Sire by earnings reported bloodhorse.com. At December 31, Elusive City’s sire Elusive Quality (a son of Gone West, standing at Kentucky’s Gainsborough Farm) finished as Leading Freshman Sire, just US$14,898 ahead of Distorted Humor. But after subtracting the US$74,005 earnings from the 2 UK races, Elusive Quality's 2002 progeny earnings ($1,242,843) suddenly drop him to 3rd place on the list. As a result, Distorted Humor (who stands at Kentucky’s WinStar Farm) is now officially 2002 Leading Freshman Sire by earnings with US$1,301,950 & runner-up status now goes to Awesome Again (standing at Adena Springs Farm) with US$1,258,620. (The UK Jockey Club's disciplinary committee disqualified Elusive City after a metabolite of the banned substance omeprazole was found in post-race tests; the committee was satisfied the source was stomach ulcer treatment GastroGard paste, given daily under veterinary supervision at trainer Gerard Butler's stables up to 5 days before the races; Butler was fined £1,200 for those 2 positive tests.) (Jan 16) TOC Rinky Dink Excitement For Lakewood & Distorted Humour Meanwhile the latest win by Distorted Humour’s 2YO filly Rinky Dink at Caulfield (in the 1000m Rancher Plate) began an exciting 2 months for South Australia’s Lakewood Stud. Bred & part-owned by Lakewood, Rinky Dink (Distorted Humour-Peebinga Princess) had previously won the Listed Subaru Stakes at Flemington on Oaks Day & is now aiming at the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes-Golden Slipper double. Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy commented after Caulfield: "She's certainly pretty smart. She carried a weight penalty into this race & did it very well, & finished off like she'll be better at 1200m.” The timing of Rinky Dink’s return from a short spell couldn’t have been better for Lakewood, which has 9 yearlings by her boom sire Distorted Humour in Adelaide’s February Magic Millions sale, including: a colt from a stakes-winning mare; a half-sister to a stakes-winner; a half-brother to a Gr3 winner; a colt from a half-sister to a Gr1 winner; & youngsters from the families of Champagne, St Reims, Roysyn, Sovereign Appeal, Fairy King Prawn, Easy Rocking & Royal Courtship. In addition Lakewood has a half-brother to Rinky Dink (a Brief Truce-Peebinga Princess colt) also entered as part of its Adelaide MM draft. And Lakewood has a further 2 Distorted Humour progeny entered for February’s Melboure Inglis Premier Sale. Distorted Humour’s early success in Australia is no surprise to those who follow the US breeding scene (where he was 2002’s Leading Freshman Sire by earnings). The only Distorted Humour lot offered at the Gold Coast Magic Millions sale sold for $110,000. (Jan 16) TOC Internet Audio Streaming From Inglis Classic Sale The 2003 San Miguel William Inglis Classic Yearling Sale (which begins on Sunday) will be available in “audio via the internet” for the first time. Quickstream personnel have been working closely with Inglis IT manager Ed Andrews to co-ordinate the process - which enables the public to listen to the live auction via the internet. Andrews explained: “It certainly adds to the appeal of logging-on to the website & following the progress of the sale.” The audio steaming will be available on the Inglis website at www.inglis.com.au. (Jan 16) TOC Turnley Statement Clarifies Yearling GST Following the recent controversy surrounding potential application of Australian GST to yearling purchases by overseas buyers, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia president Richard Turnley released the following statement: “In recent days there have been several reports that overseas buyers coming to Australia are unable to keep their yearlings that they have purchased GST free in Australia for more than 60 days. In most cases this is not correct. In fact, by applying to the Australian Taxation Office & receiving a GST number, not only will the overseas buyers have the GST on their purchases refunded, but they will also have all their GST on agistment, veterinary bills, handling costs & floating refunded. Furthermore, the horses can stay in Australia for an indefinite period, so they can be fully mature & broken-in when they leave to their racing country. The process is very simple. The overseas buyer can personally apply, or can use an agent to apply, to the ATO for a GST registration number. Evidence must be provided to satisfy the enterprise test that is part of the GST Act - such as a copy of a certificate of registration, or whatever the ATO requires, & either the agent or the overseas buyer must have a bank account in Australia. The ATO has recently further improved its service, by agreeing that a statement from the revenue authority in the home country certifying the status of the non-resident will be sufficient. The ATO has had officers on the Gold Coast at the Magic Millions Sale to assist the process, & they have indicated they will have officers at other sales. There are still a few problems in relation to those buyers who cannot meet the enterprise test, but talks are continuing to overcome these problems in time for the sales in Adelaide & Perth. These mainly relate to individual purchasers from Asia. Buyers from New Zealand normally ship their purchases back home within the 60-days-GST-free period. Compared to other countries, the GST in Australia is still very new & the Thoroughbred Breeding Industry & the ATO are working together to ensure the GST Act is complied with, but in a way that assists our export market. As agents, buyers & breeders become more familiar with the process there will be fewer problems. The simple rule is that overseas buyers should register for GST & they will find then that Australia is the best place to buy thoroughbreds.” (Jan 16) TOC Stewards Search Eagle Farm Jockeys’ Room A search by stewards of the jockeys’ room at Eagle Farm yesterday resulted in 3 fines, reported racenet.com.au. Zac Purton was fine $1,000 for having a modified riding vest that did not comply with the Australian standards; & Caloundra-based apprentices Michael McDonald & Mitchell Rice were both fined $200 for having a mobile phone in their possession inside the jockeys’ room. (Jan 16) TOC O’Reilly To Shine At Karaka While New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2003 Premier Sale catalogue boasts yearlings by a range of top international sires, one NZ bred & owned stallion set to share the limelight is O’Reilly (Last Tycoon-Courtza). The Waikato Stud-based stallion is currently 2nd on the NZ General Sires List (behind super sire Zabeel) & in season 2001-02 O’Reilly was Champion NZ Second Season Sire. “O’Reilly offers the complete package in terms of sire credentials, with a superb race record, a lineage of champions & a rapidly growing tally of racetrack winners,” enthused NZ Bloodstock marketing executive Nikki Reed. The dual Gr1 winning NZ Horse-Of-The-Year & Champion 3YO (whose dam Courtza won the Gr1 STC Golden Slipper Stakes) has taken the Australasian racing world by storm - from just 3 crops of racing age he has 55 winners through Australia, NZ & Asia. Spearheading the list is dual Gr1 winner Final Destination (O’Reilly-Logical Lady), victor in the NZ 1000 Guineas & Levin RC Bayer Classic before a winning US debut in December. O’Reilly’s daughter The Jewel (O’Reilly-The Grin) made it 2 Gr1 NZ Bloodstock 1000 Guineas in a row for O’Reilly (& finished an unlucky 2nd in the Gr1 Coupland Bakeries 2000 Guineas). Another O’Reilly star Kajema ran 2nd in the recent Gr1 Mercedes NZ Derby. O’Reilly has also been well represented in Australia by off-spring Rare Insight (winner of the Gr2 AJC Stan Fox Stakes), The Big Chill (Listed win in the VRC Cadbury Roses Stakes, 2nd in the Gr2 SAJC Yallambee Classic Stakes & 3rd in the Gr1 SAJC Goodwood Handicap), Charlie Bub (twice placed at Gr3 level) & Chassis (2nd in the Listed VATC Merson Cooper Stakes). In Hong Kong, O’Reilly’s Cheeky has notched 4 wins & earnings of almost HK$2.7 million (A$540,000). O’Reilly’s NZ Premier Sale yearlings include: a colt from Crème Anglaise; a colt from Khairleigh; a colt from Mi Babe; a colt from Nasajuanita; a colt from Nat The Brat; a filly from Night Star; a colt from Santona; & a colt from Subpoena. (Jan 16) TOC Rock Of Gibraltar Tops International Classifications Sir Alex Ferguson’s & Susan Magnier’s Rock Of Gibraltar (a son of Danehill) has been rated the top horse on the International Classifications released in London. Winner of 7 successive Gr1 races before finishing 2nd to Domedriver in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Rock Of Gibraltar (trained by Aidan O'Brien) was rated at 128 pounds in the classifications for 3YOs, 2 pounds in front of stable-mate High Chaparrel (who completed his season with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf). A panel of international handicappers assesses the weights for horses who competed in Asia, Australia, Europe & North America. Their 128 pounds assessment was the lowest high-weight rating in the 25-year history of the classification system. Godolphin Racing’s Marienbard (winner of 3 Gr1 events in 2002, including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe) lead all older horses at 127 pounds. The leading American-trained horses were Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Azeri & Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Volponi, both assigned 125 pounds. US Kentucky Derby & Preakness Stakes winner War Emblem ranked 4th on the 3YO classification at 124 pounds. The Top-Rated Horses were: 3YOs 128: Rock Of Gibraltar (Danehill) Aidan O'Brien-Ireland 126: High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells) Aidan O'Brien-Ireland 126: Sulamani (Hernando) Pascal Bary-France 124: War Emblem (Our Emblem) Bob Baffert-United States 123: Act One (In the Wings) Jonathan Pease-France 123: Hawk Wing (Woodman) Aidan O'Brien-Ireland 123: Where Or When (Danehill Dancer) Terry Mills-Great Britain 121: Came Home (Gone West) J Paco Gonzalez-United States 121: Medaglia d'Oro (El Prado) Bobby Frankel-United States 120: Bright Sky (Wolfhound) Elie Lellouche-France 120: Buddha (Unbridled's Song) H James Bond-United States 120: Gygistar (Prospector's Music) Mark Hennig-United States 120: Harlan's Holiday (Harlan) Todd A Pletcher-United States 120: Islington (Sadler's Wells) Sir Michael Stoute-Great Britain 120: Landseer (Danehill) Aidan O'Brien-Ireland 120: Moon Ballad (Singspiel) Saeed bin Suroor-Great Britain 120: Next Desert (Desert Style) A. Schutz-Germany 120: Repent (Louise Quartorze) Ken McPeek-United States 120: Sarava (Wild Again) Ken McPeek-United States 120: Thunderello (Montbrook) Scott Lake-United States Older Horses 127: Marienbard (Caerleon) Saeed bin Suroor-Great Britain 126: Golan (Spectrum) Sir Michael Stoute-Great Britain 126: Grandera (Grand Lodge) Saeed bin Suroor-Great Britain 126: Keltos (Kendor) Carlos Laffon-Parias-France 125: Azeri (Jade Hunter) Laura de Seroux-United States 125: Nayef (Gulch) Marcus Tregoning-Great Britain 125: Volponi (Cryptoclearance) Philip Johnson-United States 124: Domedriver (Indian Ridge) Pascal Bary-France) 124: Northerly (Serheed) Fred Kersley-Australia 124: Orientate (Mt Livermore) D Wayne Lukas-United States 124: Street Cry (Machiavellian) Saeed bin Suroor-Great Britain 2YOs(excludes US-based horses) 123: Oasis Dream (Green Desert) John Gosden-Great Britain 122: Tout Seul (Ali-Royal) Fulke Johnson Houghton-Great Britain 121: Six Perfections (Celtic Swing) Pascal Bary-France 119: Elusive City (Elusive Quality) Gerard Butler-Great Britain 119: Tomahawk (Seattle Slew) Aidan O'Brien-Ireland 118: Dalakhani (Darshaan) Alain de Royer Dupre-France 118: Somnus (Pivotal) Tim Easterby-Great Britain 117: Airwave (Air Express) Henry Candy-Great Britain 117: Hold That Tiger (Storm Cat) Aidan O'Brien-Ireland 117: Zafeen (Zafonic) Mick Channon-Great Britain (Jan 16) TOC Reported Abortions Rise Slightly In Kentucky The University of Kentucky's Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center has monitored “a slight rise in the number of equine abortions from January 1-14, compared to the same period last year” reported bloodhorse.com. The report comes less than a week after 31 leading US veterinarians & scientists met in Kentucky for a ‘Think Tank’ meeting on Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome & its prevention. That group concluded further research on the Eastern Tent Caterpillar & its link to MRLS is a priority. (Jan 16) TOC Mare-Reproductive-Loss-Syndrome Cost US$300 Million Following Keeneland’s dramatic cancellation of its 2003 July Selected Yearling Sale - citing the "devastating effects" of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (which cost Kentucky breeders 500 foals in 2001 & over 2,000 foals from the 2002 crop) - an economic impact study conducted by the University of Louisville has estimated the economic losses from MRLS at US$300 million. And under the headline “Bluegrass Blues”, bloodhorse.com has highlighted the potential longer-term threat to Kentucky’s position as arguably the world’s major thoroughbred breeding centre, reporting: “The farmers who breed thoroughbred horses, Kentucky's number one agricultural product, clearly are suffering. MRLS will have more than a 3-year economic cycle from 2001 to 2003. Owners of mares that aborted late-term or slipped early-term pregnancies in 2002 lost cash flow from the foal if they were intending to sell it. The vast majority of these breeders operate small, family-owned farms that do not have deep pools of resources to carry them through a financial crisis. The owners of those small farms have limited choices. They either can significantly cut back their operations, investing less in stud fees & other expenses, & thus lowering their potential for profit, or they simply can go out of business. Some owners have taken the latter option.” (Jan 16) TOC Extreme Change Tops Ocala 2nd Session Winning US broodmare Extreme Change, a 10-year-old full sister to unbeaten stakes winner Quality Exchange, was purchased for US$25,000 to top the 2nd day at the 3-day Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s Winter Mixed Sale. Extreme Exchange, “believed to be in foal to champion Devil’s Bag” according to thoroughbredtimes.com, was purchased by Gaspar Rivera. The daughter of Copelan is out of the stakes-placed winning Crozier mare Ideal Exchange. Extreme Exchange, who won 4 of 11 race starts, is a full sister to stakes winner Basic Exchange & 3 other winners, & a half-sister to stakes winner Ideal Change & 2 other winners. (Jan 16) TOC UK Tattersalls February Catalogue On-Line The UK Tattersalls February Sale, which features a Desert King half-sister to dual 2002 Gr1 winning sprinter Continent, can now be viewed on-line at www.tattersalls.com. Top sires with early season yearlings catalogued include sire sensation Pivotal (with 3 lots), as well as exciting first crop sires Bold Edge, Diktat, Lujain & Mujahid. Among the consignors are Prince Khaled Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms, whose 9-lot consignment includes a half-sister to Continent as well as fillies by Danehill, Distant View & Classic sire Zamindar. Tattersalls marketing director Jimmy George confirmed the sale will be preceded by the annual stallion parade, headed by: Cheveley Park Stud's champion sprinter Kyllachy, dual Gr1 winner Medicean & Derby winner Beny The Dip; Shadwell Stud’s Erhabb, Muhtarram & Mujahid; Plantation Stud’s Wellbeing; Barton Stud’s Allied Forces; New England Stud’s Vettori; the National Stud’s Bahamian Bounty, Golden Snake & Silver Patriarch; Collin Stud’s Lake Coniston; & Longholes Stud’s Arkadian Hero & Summoner. (Jan 16) TOC Top British Milers Begin Quest To Produce Champion Britain & Ireland’s 2 best milers of 2001 have both become fathers for the first time reported racingpost.co.uk. Last week came the news Black Minnaloushe’s first foal is a filly out of the unraced Sadler’s Wells mare Careyes (from the family of last year’s Epsom & Irish Derby winner High Chaparral). The filly was born at Tony Ryan’s Castleton Lyons in Kentucky. Black Minnaloushe (who won the Irish 2,000 Guineas & St James’s Palace Stakes) now stands at Ashford Stud in Kentucky for US$12,500. Now Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket has announced the arrival of Medicean’s first foal, a filly from fellow Cheveley Park home-bred & dual winner Rendition (half-sister to US Gr1 winner Jovial & Gr3 victor Brave Note). Medicean (who won the Lockinge, the Eclipse, the Queen Anne & the Celebration Mile) stands at Cheveley Park for £12,000. And many more progeny are imminent for both sires: Black Minnaloushe covered 161 mares in his first season, while Medicean covered 76 mares. (Jan 16) TOC First Foal By US Gr1 Winner Trippi The first foal by Trippi, a 6YO son of End Sweep (out of Jealous Appeal, by Valid Appeal), has been born in Florida reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Trippi, who stands at Ocala Stud Farm, won 7 of 14 career starts including the 2000 Gr1 Vosburgh Stakes & 4 other US graded stakes (among them the 2000 Gr2 Riva Ridge Stakes & Gr2 Tom Fool Handicap). He is a half-brother to stakes winners Appealing Skier, Miss Jealski & Jealous Forum. The newborn colt is the 2nd foal out of the Gold Meridian mare Move On. A daughter of the unraced Copelan mare Copenqueen, Move On is from the family of stakes winners Miami Sun & Ladies Nite Out. (Jan 16) TOC The Trader’s Echo To Stud In New Mexico US graded stakes-placed stallion The Trader’s Echo will stand his first stud season at A & A Horse Ranch in New Mexico reported thoroughbretimes.com. The 9YO son of Gr1 winner Eastern Echo (out of the Devil’s Bag mare Cathy’s Halo) won 5 of 12 career starts including: a 1999 track record at Keeneland Race Course for 6.5 furlongs in 1:14.82; 3rd in the 1999 Gr2 True North Handicap; & 2nd in the Gr3 Maryland Breeders’ Cup Handicap. (Jan 16) TOC Holiday Thunder To Signature Stallions Holiday Thunder has been retired & will immediately enter stud at William Schettine's Signature Stallions in Florida reported bloodhorse.com. Holiday Thunder (Thunder Gulch-Magical Holiday, by Slew o' Gold) has not raced since winning at Keeneland last April & retired with 2 wins (plus 4 2nds & 3 3rds) from 10 starts (including 2nd to Dollar Bill in the Gr2 Brown & Williamson Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, 2nd to Point Given in the Gr3 Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes & 3rd in the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity). Schettine took over management of the former DunHill Stud on January 1, renamed the 12-acre facility Signature Stallions & owns 3 of the 9 stallions on the 2003 roster. (Jan 16) TOC Aisle To Ellsmere In Pennsylvania Aisle, a 4YO son of Pulpit & half-brother to US stakes winners Hitch & Thread, will enter stud at Ellsmere Farm in Pennsylvania reported bloodhorse.com. Aisle’s first 2 dams, Knot (by Majestic Light) & Loop, are stakes winners. (Jan 16) TOC Spanish Stud Reopened Former leading Spanish stud Haras de Ulzama has been reopened by a group headed by Felix Sanz (president of the Owners’ Association) & managed by Fernando Ugalde, reported racingpost.co.uk. Dual Gr1 winner Fijar Tango (by In Fijar), Prix Greffulhe runner-up Egeo (by Kris) & Listed winners Kashwan (by Unfuwain) & Okawango (by Don Roberto) are the stud’s resident stallions. (Jan 16) TOC Coolmore Imports Mares In-Foal To Danehill With Danehill no longer shuttling south, Coolmore Stud has imported 40-50 mares in foal to the champion sire (to Southern Hemisphere time) to ensure a supply of Danehill yearlings “on the ground ready for the yearling sales” next year. Brett Howard from Coolmore confirmed to racenet.com.au: "I'm not sure of the exact number, but yes, they have arrived & are already on the farm." (Jan 15) TOC Keeneland Cancels July Yearling Sale For 2003 It’s official: Keeneland will not conduct its prestigious July Selected Yearling Sale in 2003 - the first cancellation since it began in 1943. Keeneland officials cited the "devastating effects" of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (which cost the Kentucky thoroughbred industry 30% of its 2002 foal crop) as the primary reason for the one-year hiatus. Instead, Keeneland plans to “blend yearlings that would be sold in July into 2 selected sessions of the September yearling sale” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. "The decision was made only after extensive discussions with our consignors & buyers," said Keeneland president Nick Nicholson. "Because of MRLS, this year's yearling crop is fewer in number & the majority will not be ready for auction by July. Most of the horses will need until September to physically develop." Keeneland had notched increases at its July sale each year from 1995 to 2001, where the record average was US$710,247. But in 2002, the sale average plummeted to US$487,134 (& yielded the lowest gross since 1978). Keeneland indicated the sale would be conducted in 2004 under a "revised format," although specifics of the format were not disclosed. (Jan 15) TOC Globeform Ratings For 2002 The 2002 Globeform International Ratings have been released, with Godolphin’s Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry top of the list & Australian weight-for-age champ Northerly equal 6th beside World Cup series winner Grandera. Two other Australian stars, Lonhro & Defier, ranked equal 13th. The Top 20 (excluding 2 & 3YOs) are: Street Cry (Machiavellian) 131; Azeri (Jade Hunter) 129; Orientate (Mt Livermore) 127; Left Bank (French Deputy) 127; Congaree (Arazi) 126; Northerly (Serheed) 125; Grandera (Grand Lodge) 125; Volponi (Cryptoclearance) 124; Golan (Spectrum) 124; Nayef (Gulch) 124; Snow Ridge (Tabasco Cat) 124; Marienbard (Caerleon) 123; Boreal (Java Gold) 122; Keltos (Kendor) 122; Mizzen Mast (Cozzene) 122; Lonhro (Octagonal) 122; Defier (Dehere) 122;Malhub (Kingmambo) 122; Lido Palace (Rich Man’s Gold) 122; Vinnie Roe (Definite Article) 122; Caller One (Phone Trick) 122.(Jan 15) TOC Orientate Ranking Good News For Arrowfield Orientate’s Globeform rating of 127 (ranking him 3rd overall) is good news for Arrowfield Stud, where the son of Mt Livermore “will be a welcome addition to the spring stallion roster” (following a year in which he won the US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint & Gr1 Forego Handicap) reported racenet.com.au. His sire Mt Livermore (a son of Blushing Groom) has been an outstanding success in the US, while his dam Dream Team (daughter of the Best Turn stallion Cox's Ridge) won the 1987 Gr1 Oak Leaf Stakes & Gr3 Anoakia Stakes; coincidently both Mt Livermore & Dream Team finished 3rd in Breeders' Cup races (Mt Livermore in the 1985 Sprint & Dream Team in the 1987 Juvenile Fillies). (Jan 15) TOC Early Betting Market On Inglis Classic Leading Sydney bookmaker Colin Tidy rated the Gai Waterhouse-trained Secret Land (the Widden Stakes winner) as 9-4 early favourite for the $600,000 Inglis Classic (1200m) at Randwick reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Tidy had the Noel Mayfield-Smith-trained In Top Swing second favourite at 3-1, followed by Gary Portelli’s Mimzical at 5-1. Bill Mitchell’s Hinting, at 8-1, was the only other runner under double-figure odds. John O'Shea's Ultimate Fever was 10-1 & Rick Hore-Lacy’s Happy Strike at 12-1. The important barrier draw is on Thursday morning. (Jan 15) TOC Spinning World Colts For Inglis Classic Sale Demand for yearlings by Thorn Park’s sire Spinning World is sure to be strong at up-coming sales, given his lack of numbers in Australia following a 2000 Southern Hemisphere stud season spent in New Zealand at Windsor Park. Next week’s Inglis Classic sale in Sydney boasts 2 Spinning World colts: from Twin Palms Stud, the first foal of stakes-winning juvenile Brocco Babe; & from Kitchwin Hills, a bay from the Sir Tristram mare Lady Fergie (half-sister to stakes-winning sprinter Catainer). (Jan 15) TOC HK Triple Crown Offers Massive Bonus With this weekend’s running of the HK$8 million (A$1.6 million) Gr1 Stewards’ Cup over 1600m at Sha Tin - first leg of the HK Triple Crown - the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced “the annual opportunity for one exceptional horse to become a racing legend has arrived again.” The 2nd leg is the HK$8 million Gr1 HK Gold Cup over 2000m on February 23 & the 3rd leg is the HK$8 million Gr1 ING HK Champions & Chater Cup over 2400m on June 1. The HKJC noted “the record book shows that it is very much odds against us hailing a Triple Crown winner this - or any other - season, but great racing endeavour has always been about beating the odds & achieving what many consider impossible.” Only River Verdon in 1993-94 has previously completed the HK Triple Crown. But if the 2003 Triple Crown is won, connections will earn a HK$5 million (A$1 million) bonus – bringing the total winner’s prize-money for the series to a staggering HK$18.12 million (A$3.624 million). If a horse wins 2 out of 3 legs, they’ll earn a bonus cheque worth HK$2 million. This year’s January 19 first leg features 7 Gr1 winners, including Olympic Express & Electronic Unicorn (who finished 1-2 in last month's HK Mile), Red Pepper (winner of the 2001 HK Gr1 Champions Mile), Ivan Allan's staying trio Housemaster, Cheers Hong Kong & Indigenous, & Derek Cruz's Smart Winner. (Jan 15) TOC Danehill Daughter Named Japan’s Champion 3YO Filly Danehill’s daughter Fine Motion has been named Japan’s champion 3YO filly by the Japan Racing Association, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Among 5 successive victories in 2002, Fine Motion became the first filly to win the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Commerative Cup, as well as taking the Gr1 Shuka Sho & Gr2 Rose Stakes. Fine Motion’s dam Orpendale is a three-quarter sister to champion stayer & sire Pilsudski. (Jan 15) TOC US Hall-Of-Fame Jockey Delahoussaye Retires Following his doctor’s advice, US Racing Hall-Of-Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye, 51, announced his retirement after 36 years in the saddle. "This is it," Delahoussaye told Associated Press. "I had a feeling it was going to happen. I was prepared. I’ve had a great career & I can’t complain. I’ve been very fortunate." Delahoussaye had not ridden since August 30, when he suffered a concussion & fractured a bone in his neck in a fall at Del Mar. “Dr Dan Capen said I’d have to be crazy to go back & he wouldn’t feel right releasing me,” Delahoussaye said. "He just basically told me I should stop this for my own good.” Delahoussaye began riding on the bush tracks of his native Louisiana when he was 10 & won his first sanctioned race at 16 in June 1968 at Evangeline Downs. He subsequently landed 6,384 winners - to rank 11th on US racing’s all-time list. Delahoussaye piloted 1992 US Horse-Of-The-Year A.P.Indy to wins in the Gr1 Hollywood Futurity, Gr1 Santa Anita Derby, Gr1 Belmont Stakes & Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). He also won back-to-back gr1 Kentucky Derbys aboard Gato Del Sol in 1982 & Sunny’s Halo in 1983. In 1988, he won the Gr1 Preakness Stakes & Gr1 Belmont Stakes aboard Risen Star. In all he rode the winners of 7 Breeders’ Cup races, including: Princess Rooney in the 1984 Distaff; Prized in the 1989 Turf; Pleasant Stage in the 1991 Juvenile Fillies; Thirty Slews in the 1992 Sprint; Cardmania in the 1993 Sprint; & Hollywood Wildcat in the 1993 Distaff. (Jan 15) TOC Commands Filly Tops Final Magic Millions Session First season sire Commands attracted top price when Victoria’s Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm paid $57,000 for a filly out of the unraced Zeditave mare Clarion Chimes (offered by Glenlogan Park Stud as agent) at the closing session of the 2003 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Highest priced colt was $50,000 paid by Toowoomba trainer Rex Lipp for a youngster by Piccolo from My Isadora (offered by Eureka Stud). And Gai Waterhouse paid $50,000 for a filly by Lion Hunter out of Reclusion (also offered by Eureka). (Jan 15) TOC NSW TAB Expands ‘First 4’ Betting The NSW TAB has found ‘First 4’ betting such a success (increasing 250% in turnover in its first 12 months) that it will be extended from next Monday to operate on all galloping, trotting & greyhound meetings in NSW & ACT, plus interstate city gallop meetings reported The Daily Telegraph newspaper. Sports betting is the other growth area, now accounting for 5% of turnover. (Jan 15) TOC Half-Sister To Holy Bull Tops Ocala Day 1 Broodmare prospect Norwegian Wood, a 3YO half-sister to 1994 US Horse-Of-The-Year Holy Bull, brought US$80,000 to top the first session of the 3-day Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2003 Winter Mixed Sale in Florida. An unraced daughter of Wild Again, Norwegian Wood is out of the winning Al Hattab mare Sharon Brown & is also a half-sister to US stakes winner Winnie D. & 4 other winners. The opening day average soared 34.8% to US$16,123 (from US$11,961 last year) reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Highest-priced yearling was a daughter of Elusive Quality (out of the winning Fly So Free mare Flying Blind Again) purchased for US$70,000 from Green River Farms; the yearling’s second dam is Canadian champion Legarto. (Jan 15) TOC Canberra Racing Club’s First Meeting The Canberra Racing Club celebrated its first meeting under its new identity & brand name ‘Thoroughbred Park’ yesterday. Highlights included a winning treble by top Canberra trainer Barbara Joseph & doubles for premiership leaders trainer John Morrisey & jockey Grant Buckley. Visiting English apprentice Paul Goode also added to his reputation with a wining double for the Joseph stable on Mao's Plan & Eye For Fashion. (Jan 15) TOC Kilmore To Feature RAAF Roulettes Metropolitan clubs take note: Kilmore Racing Club will feature a 14-minute “acrobatic aerial display” by the RAAF Roulettes in the skies over Kilmore Racecourse at its Australian Day meeting on Sunday 26 January. “We can thank Fran Bailey, our local Federal Member for McEwen, for securing the Roulettes,” said Kilmore Turf Club president Bryce Menzies. Bailey is Parliamentary Defence Secretary & worked closely with Australian Airforce Personnel to bring the Roulettes to Kilmore. “The meeting is a very big family day & the appearance of the Roulettes will ensure a bumper crowd,” added marketing Manager Craig Skelton. The Roulettes are made up of 6 PC9-turbo-prop aircraft used as primary trainers for the Australian Defence Force. (Jan 15) TOC Aptitude's First Foal The first foal sired by US Gr1 winner Aptitude was a filly born at Dell Ridge Farm in Kentucky reported bloodhorse.com. The filly is the 2nd foal from Stylish Storm (by Storm Bird), who is a half-sister to California Gr2 winner Radu Cool. Stylish Storm is booked to Dixie Union for 2003. Aptitude, by A.PIndy, stands at Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms near Lexington. (Jan 15) TOC Dehere’s Son Shooter To Stud New Mexico Dehere’s son Shooter, a US graded stakes winner as a 2YO, will enter stud at Weatherly Horse Farms in New Mexico reported bloodhorse.com. The 5YO, out of the stakes-winning Gone West mare Defer West, won 3 of 15 starts overall (including the 2000 Gr3 Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park over future prominent sprinter Snow Ridge). Weatherly Horse Farms also announced new stallions Thatsusintheolbean (9YO son of El Prado who won 18 of 77 starts including the Alysheba Breeders' Cup Stakes at Lone Star) & Elegant Cat (4YO son of Storm Cat & half-brother to Gr1 winner Gentlemen). (Jan 15) TOC Dehere Highlights ‘Impatience’ Of American Breeders The international success of Dehere has moved US publication Thoroughbred Times to scold American breeders as far too “impatient” with their judgement of first season sires. Noting that “demands for immediate success from the commercial breeding industry led to the premature export” of Dehere from the US to Japan in 1999 (when his first crop were only 3YOs), it declares: “sure enough, since then his success rate on both the American & international scene has risen sharply.” Dehere finished 9th on the 2001 general sire list, before “soaring all the way to the top in 2002” when the son of Deputy Minister sired 126 winners from 275 starters in 13 countries (including 13 stakes winners led by US Eclipse Award finalist Take Charge Lady) & US$8,099,500 prize-money, the 7th highest in American history. Bred in Kentucky, Dehere (by 2-time leading sire Deputy Minister out of Sister Dot, by Secretariat) won 5 of 7 starts as a 2YO, including the 1993 Gr1 Champagne Stakes, Gr1 Hopeful Stakes, Gr2 Saratoga Special Stakes & Gr3 Sanford Stakes. He raced only twice as a 3YO (winning the Gr2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes) before fracturing a hind cannon bone, forcing retirement to Kentucky’s Ashford Stud. His first crop of 43 yearlings (sold at auction in 1997) averaged US$132,394, listing him 3rd among first-year sires. But, notes the Thoroughbred Times, “when Dehere’s first crop of 2YOs reached the races in 1998, the double-edged sword of expectation, coupled with the pressure of large crops of foals, began to work against his reputation. In the contemporary commercial environment, young stallions, especially those with large crops of foals, must impress breeders with their first crops or they are quickly - often much too quickly - judged as failures.” Of Dehere’s 81 first-crop North American foals, 37 raced as 2YOs in 1998 & 15 of them won (including Gr3 Laurel Futurity winner Millions & stakes winner Arrested Dreams), but that was overshadowed by the sensational first crop of leading freshman sire End Sweep. Dehere’s first crop eventually included only 4 stakes winners, not enough to satisfy the US breeding industry. His 2nd crop did better, but it was already too late. Midway through Dehere’s annual Southern Hemisphere sojourn at Coolmore Australia in 1999, he was sold for US$9 million to the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders’ Association to stand at Shizunai Stallion Station in Hokkaido. Since then, Dehere’s international reputation has boomed - helped by his annual trips to Australia, where he has sired 10 of his 43 stakes winners to date (including champion 3YO filly Belle Du Jour & Gr1 winner Defier). Dehere totalled 13 stakes winners in 2002, including: Take Charge Lady, who earned US$1,388,635 for 6 victories in 10 starts including the Gr1 Ashland Stakes & Gr1 Overbrook Spinster Stakes; 3YO colt Finality, winner of the Gr2 Jamaica Handicap; undefeated juvenile colt Soto; prominent 3YO Easyfromthegitgo: & 2YO Outta Here, winner of the US$500,000 Delta Jackpot Stakes. Dehere’s last American-sired foals are 3YOs in 2003, so his prominence in North America will wane in a few years; but earnings from his Japanese & Australian runners are likely to keep him high on the sire lists. Thoroughbred Times laments: “Although exported prematurely, Dehere has proven his merit too late for impatient American breeders to take full advantage of his potential.” (Jan 15) TOC Viking Ruler Joins Cambridge Stud Roster Sir Patrick Hogan of Cambridge Stud announced Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Viking Ruler (Danehill) will be joining the Cambridge Stud stallion roster in the spring. Hogan confirmed the well-bred colt will “definitely walk through the gates of Cambridge no matter what the outcome of the colt's planned autumn campaign.” Hogan went to the Warwick Farm stables of Viking Ruler's trainer Clarrie Conners to inspect the colt last week. "You would travel many miles to see such a horse," Hogan told New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing. "He is such a magnificent individual that he makes you hold your breath. His front legs are 100% & there is not a blemish." Aucklander Bob Emery, manager of the Viking Ruler Syndicate, added that all going well Viking Ruler will start his new campaign in Melbourne in mid-February: "He will race in Melbourne before returning to Sydney with his main aim the $2 million BMW Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill on April 12.” Clarrie Conners reported the colt has benefited from his long break, is making very good progress & will have “2 or 3 runs in Melbourne before returning to Sydney”. Viking Ruler is out of the mulitple Gr1 winning mare Tristalove (ex Diamond Lover, by Sticks And Stones), a half-sister to Gr1 AJC Derby winner Don Eduardo (Zabeel), Gr2 winner Peruzzi & Listed winner Antwerp, dam of the young sire Dangerous (Danehill). Viking Ruler's third dam is Cambridge Stud's former world class broodmare Eight Carat (by Pieces Of Eight), dam of Gr1 winners Octagonal, Kaapstad, Marquise, Mouawad & unraced Cotehele House (the dam of the Danehill sires Danewin & Commands. (Jan 14) TOC Victorian Jockey Dies After Race Fall Racing Victoria stewards confirmed jockey Mark Goring died in Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital, after suffering critical head injuries in a 3-horse fall at Tatura. The 22-year-old was airlifted to Melbourne, but never regained consciousness. The son of former jockey Peter Goring, he was married with a young child & had ridden 140 winners (including 14 in metropolitan Melbourne). (Jan 14) TOC Paulson Trust Dispersal Includes Azeri The high-profile US dispersal sale of horses included in the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust (4 2YOs, 12 3YOs & 5 older horses) will be held on March 4 in conjunction with the Barretts Equine March Sale of Selected 2YOs in Training. Included among them are 2002 US Champion Older Female Azeri (a candidate for US Horse-Of-The-Year honors) as well as Gr1 winner Startac & Del Mar Show (a multiple stakes winner of 9 races) reported bloodhorse.com. (Jan 14) TOC One Of Seattle Slew's Final Foals Born In 2002 Seattle Slew was bred to only 9 mares prior to his death last May, & one them Plaintiff has produced a filly at WinStar Farm in Kentucky reported bloodhorse.com. Plaintiff (a winning 7YO daughter of Seeking The Gold) is the first foal from US millionaire & Gr1 winner Dispute, & traces back in female family to prominent broodmare Grey Flight. The newborn filly is the 2nd foal from Plaintiff, who is booked to A.P.Indy. Plaintiff's other offspring is a 2YO A.P.Indy filly. (Jan 14) TOC Inglis Sydney Classic: Latest Order-Of-Entry Latest Order-Of-Entry for the 2003 $610,000 Inglis Classic run at Royal Randwick over 1200m on Saturday January 18: Secret Land (trained by G.Waterhouse) $54,000 prize-money total; Miss Terrain (M.Price) $48,750; In Top Swing (N.Mayfield Smith) $47,250; Hinting (F.W.Mitchell) $29,600; Danish Magic (R.Simpson) $15,300; Happy Strike (R.Hore-Lacy) $13,000; Regrade (G.Portelli) $11,900; Mimzical (G.Portelli) $11,800; Impala Bullet (R.Milligan) $8,000; Perfect Movement (G.Waterhouse) $6,800; Interog (G.Rogerson) $6,000. (Jan 14) TOC Inglis Melbourne Premier Race: Latest Order-Of-Entry Latest Order-Of-Entry for the 2003 $500,000 Inglis Premier Race run at Flemington over 1200m on Sunday February 9: Ra Sun (trained by R.Griffiths) $115,000 prize-money total; Pinchbeck (R.Hore-Lacy) $99,500; Arena Star (R.Griffiths) $26,250; Son of Spartacus (T.McEvoy) $23,740; Roedean (M.Price) $18,200; Tycoon Miss (T.McEvoy) $18,200; Pietiner (C.Alderson) $16,000; Paint the Stage (L.Freedman) $7,150; Creston King (B.Murray) $5,200; Tatanka (M.Minervini) $4,400. (Jan 14) TOC Melbourne Next Target For Alastro The $600,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Race race (for graduates of last year's William Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale) at Flemington on February 9 will be the next target for NZ’s impressive Avondale winner Alastro (by Lacryma Cristi) reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Having his 2nd start, Alastro spread-eagled his rivals in the closing stages of the Avondale 1200m event. (In his only other start, he was 2nd at Ellerslie after badly missing the start.) The 2YO colt is trained at Cambridge by Tony & Wayne Pike on behalf of an Australian client. (Jan 14) TOC Inglis Graduate Blitz In Hong Kong Inglis sale graduates won an amazing 7 of the 10 races at the weekend meeting at Hong Kong’s Sha Tin track. Leading the charge was John Size-trained 3YO Forte ($90,000 at the 2001 Easter sale), who completed a winning hat-trick by taking the main race, the Ewo Challenge Trophy over 1000m. "He just keeps running a good time," said jockey Shane Dye. "When he goes out there, you know the others are going to have to break 57 seconds to beat him.” The chestnut son of Snippets is from the Vain mare Salamore (a sister to former stakes-winning juvenile Kingston Heritage, from the family of champion filly Lowan Star). And making a winning debut for the Tony Cruz stable was Lucky Owners ($350,000 at the 2001 Easter sale), who scored narrowly over 1400m. He’s by Danehill from the Kaapstad mare Miss Priority (a three-quarter sister to champion Might And Power, her 4 named foals to race have all won including stakes-winning mare Miss Power Bird). Other Inglis winners were: Chivas Lad ($10,000 at the 1999 Classic sale); Dandy Bunny ($35,000 at the 1999 Breeze-Up sale); Tom’s First ($20,000 at the 2000 Breeze-Up sale); Strongheart ($110,000 at the 1998 Easter sale); & Winning Laurels ($270,000 at the 2001 Easter sale). (Jan 14) TOC Size Stretches Lead In HK Trainers’ Title Former Sydney trainer John Size continues to lead the Hong Kong trainers’ premiership. Size has notched 31 winners, to lead Tony Cruz (21), fellow Australian expatriate David Hayes (20), Andy Leung (20) & Francis Lui (19). In the jockeys’ premiership, South African Douglas Whytes leads with 38 wins from Shane Dye (34), Weichong Marwing (29), Gerald Mosse (27) & Felix Coetzee (24). (Jan 14) TOC Stravinsky Heads NZ Bloodstock’s Premier Sale First season sire Stravinsky “is undoubtedly one international stallion whose progeny will create plenty of interest & excitement” at NZ Bloodstock’s 2003 Premier Sale, according to NZB marketing executive Nikki Reed. With 485 youngsters to go through the ring over the 3-day sale, beginning January 27, Stravinsky (with 56 colts & fillies catalogued) has the honour of most yearlings selected for NZ’s pre-eminent Yearling Sale. On the track, Stravinsky (Nureyev-Fire The Groom) was rated 1999’s Top International 3YO Sprinter & Champion European Sprinter following a brilliant 4-length victory in Europe’s premier sprint, the Gr1 Newmarket July Cup (1200m) & and a win in the Gr1 York Nunthorpe Stakes (1000m); he was also placed in the Gr1 Newmarket Dewhurst Stakes (Europe’s premier 2YO race). In pedigree, Stravinsky is by champion racehorse & sire Nureyev (136 stakes winners, including over 20 Gr1 winners); Nureyev is a brother to Sadler’s Wells & Fairy King & has an outstanding record of producing quality sires, with Stravinsky joining the likes of successful stallions Spinning World, Theatrical, Peintre Celebre, Soviet Star & Fasliyev as a sire son of Nureyev. In Stravinsky’s female line, his dam Fire The Groom (Blushing Groom-Prospector’s Fire) is the 2nd highest rated filly in the US & 3rd on the European 4YO+ classification; Fire the Groom won 8 races, including the Gr1 Beverly D Stakes at Arlington, & placed 4 times at Gr1 level. Demand for Stravinsky yearlings has been strong world-wide, with his US progeny selling up to US$285,000 & 4 colts fetching $100,000 or more at Magic Millions. (Jan 14) TOC Major Sire Statistics From Magic Millions Yearling Sale Belong To Me: 7 lots sold; $101,429 average; $260,000 top price. Canny Lad: 17 lots sold; $50,706 average; $110,000 top price. Cape Cross: 4 lots sold; $40,500 average; $45,000 top price. Catbird: 32 lots sold; $82,891 average; $180,000 top price. Commands: 7 lots sold; $105,714 average; $240,000 top price. Danehill: 23 lots sold; $327,609 average; $725,000 top price. Danehill Dancer: 5 lots sold; $105,500 average; $210,000 top price. Danewin: 3 lots sold; $53,333 average; $70,000 top price. Danzero: 22 lots sold; $70,841 average; $210,000 top price. Encosta de Lago: 6 lots sold; $66,250 average; $145,000 top price. End Sweep: 13 lots sold; $63,654 average; $105,000 top price. Fasliyev: 25 lots sold; $111,660 average; $475,000 top price. Favorite Trick: 13 lots sold; $50,154 average; $80,000 top price. Flying Spur: 19 lots sold; $71,316 average; $205,000 top price. Fuji Kiseki: 7 lots sold; $75,857 average; $180,000 top price. General Nediym: 11 lots sold; $67,273 average; $205,000 top price. Generous: 3 lots sold; $74,667 average; $150,000 top price. Gilded Time: 7 lots sold; $72,500 average; $110,000 top price. Grand Lodge: 11 lots sold; $101,318 average; $230,000 top price. Hennessy: 7 lots sold; $83,214 average; $115,000 top price. King Of Kings: 8 lots sold; $34,875 average; $75,000 top price. Lion Hunter: 11 lots sold; $72,364 average; $145,000 top price. Marauding: 5 lots sold; $84,000 average; $115,000 top price. Octagonal: 13 lots sold; $116,731 average; $260,000 top price. Peintre Celebre: 4 lots sold; $66,250 average; $75,000 top price. Quest For Fame: 3 lots sold; $45,000 average; $75,000 top price. Real Quiet: 6 lots sold; $70,417 average; $150,000 top price. Red Ransom: 5 lots sold; $105,000 average; $225,000 top price. Redoute's Choice: 26 lots sold; $110,865 average; $260,000 top price. Rory's Jester: 7 lots sold; $111,071 average; $230,000 top price. Secret Savings: 5 lots sold; $66,000 average; $100,000 top price. Shinko Forest: 14 lots sold; $60,071 average; $170,000 top price. Shovhog: 10 lots sold; $63,800 average; $190,000 top price. Snippets: 31 lots sold; $106,645 average; $550,000 top price. Spectrum: 4 lots sold; $30,750 average; $65,000 top price. Spinning World: 2 lots sold; $61,250 average; $80,000 top price. Strategic: 12 lots sold; $54,250 average; $140,000 top price. Stravinsky: 14 lots sold; $73,857 average; $110,000 top price. Thunder Gulch: 9 lots sold; $48,444; $85,000 top price. Woodman: 8 lots sold; $52,188 average; $75,000 top price. Xaar: 12 lots sold; $71,667 average; $140,000 top price. Zabeel: 8 lots sold; $166,875 average; $400,000 top price. Zeditave: 10 lots sold; $78,250 average; $200,000 top price. (Jan 14) TOC HKJC Plucks 8 Yearlings For 2003 International Sale Despite the headlines surrounding the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s campaign against paying GST on purchases at Australian thoroughbred sales, it duly purchased 8 quality yearlings at Magic Millions for resale at its 2003 HK International Sale in November: $360,000 for a Danehill-Secret Truth (by Secretariat) colt; Secret Truth is a daughter of multiple Group winner Truly Bound, a half-sister to 3 black type winners & dam of 4 foals to race including 3 winners (most notably Group winner Pleasant Secret). $180,000 for a Bianconi-Vintage Dance (by Salmon Leap) colt; from the first crop by Bianconi (by Danzig, the impeccably bred Gr2 winning sprinter, full brother to Gr1 winning sprinter Hamas & half-brother to 7 stakes winners including sires Timber Country & Fort Wood); Vintage Dance is a Listed winner & dam of 5 foals to race including 4 winners (notably Pittance, a Listed winner on 5 occasions). $180,000 for a Redoute's Choice-Fashion Cafe (by Last Tycoon) colt; from the first crop of Redoute’s Choice (Danehill), the joint-top 1999-2000 Australasian 3YO Classification & out of a half-sister to Hurricane Sky (sire of Hong Kong Pattern winner Grand Delight); dam was a 2YO Listed winner & has produced 3 other foals for a winner of 2 races & an unraced 2YO. $180,000 for a Grand Lodge-Great Vintage (by Sir Tristram) colt; Grand Lodge is a champion sire of Gr1 winners at 2, 3, 4 & 5 from 1000m-2400m (including dual Derby & Arc winner Sinndar, World Series Champion Grandera, Australian Gr1 winners Freemason & Shogun Lodge); dam is a daughter of Sir Tristram, won 4 times (from 1400m-2400m, including Gr2 VATC Quick-Eze Stakes), is from a family of black type winners & performers, & has produced 4 winners from 4 foals to race including Vintage Morn, 2nd in Gr3 AJC Fernhill Stakes); colt’s half brother by Danehill is a graduate of the 2002 Hong Kong International Sale. $170,000 for a Commands-Coureuse (by Tierce) colt; from the first crop of Commands (by Danehill & a brother to Danewin, out of a half-sister to Octagonal), a Pattern winner & runner-up in the Gr1 Galaxy; this is Coureuse’s 4th foal out (Tom Coureuse, a Listed winner & placed in the Gr1 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes, is 1 of her 2 winners to date). $130,000 for a Danasinga-Clear Cut (by Keen) colt; Danasinga won at Gr1 level & has sired several Australian stakes winners, as well Gift & Wise Choice in HK; Clear Cut won 6 times (including a Listed event & a 2nd in the Gr1 NZ One Thousand Guineas) & is the dam of 3 foals to race (with 2 winners, including Listed winner Clear Advantage). $100,000 for a Flying Spur-Captivating (by Canny Lad) colt; Golden Slipper winner Flying Spur has been successful at stud in both hemispheres, with Firebolt his best son to race in HK; Captivating won 6 races (including a Listed Race in Sydney) & this is her 3rd foal. $85,000 for a Last Tycoon-Grey Sneakers (by Spectacular Spy) colt; champion sire Last Tycoon is a US Breeders’ Cup Mile winner & sire of a host of Gr1 winners in America, Europe, Australia & Japan, whose leading HK progeny include Score, Trillion Win & All The Best; dam won 3 metropolitan races in Australia (including Springwood 2YO Handicap) & is the full sister to 4 black type performers (including Quick Flick, winner of 16 races including a Gr1, 3 Gr2 & 2 Gr3 races); this Last Tycoon colt is her 3rd foal (first foal was placed over 1200m & 2nd foal is a 2YO). (Jan 14) TOC Windsor Park & Mapperley Stud Yearling Parades New Zealand’s Windsor Park Stud & Mapperley Stud conduct their annual yearling parades today. Visitors can inspect yearlings at Windsor Park from 11am, with lunch served at Mapperley Stud at 1.30pm, followed by Mapperley’s parade of yearlings at 2.15pm. Between the 2 drafts, 85 yearlings will be paraded - including 43 Karaka Sale premier session horses. (Jan 14) TOC De Kock Lands South African Gr1 Cape Guineas In one of South African racing’s biggest upsets in years, leading trainer Mike De Kock’s 7-1 colt Domino Man (ridden by Kevin Shea) defeated the red hot 1-5 favourite Dynasty (ridden by Karl Neisius) in the Gr1 Cape Guineas (1600m) at Kenilworth racecourse in Cape Town. “The hushed Kenilworth crowd could not believe their eyes when they witnessed the defeat of their superstar horse”, reported sahorseracing.com. The MAD syndicate, who also own recent Dubai winner Victory Moon with De Kock, were the winning owners of Domino Man (Dominino Royale-Storrington, by Folmar). (Jan 14) TOC Aussie Breds Land South African Holiday Prizes Two former Inglis sale graduates snapped up South African races over the Xmas-New Year holidays. Aspen Breeze ran a sizzling 56.66 seconds over 1000m at Turffontein to blitz her rivals by 5 lengths. The 2YO filly, trained by David Ferraris, is by Grand Lodge (from the stakes-placed Bluebird mare Malibu Lights) & fetched $55,000 at the 2002 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. Bred by South Australia’s Brandon Farm & offered for sale by Attunga Stud as agent, the same combination will present a half-sister to Aspen Breeze at Easter this year by Flying Spur. Also winning at Turffontein was Norman Wells, a half-brother to stakes-winning mare Gwendolyn (by Woodman from Bed of Roses). He is also trained by David Ferraris & was a $65,000 Inglis Easter sale purchase. Bred by Sue Suduk & prepared for sale by Philippa Duncan Bloodstock as agent, the colt’s pedigree is loaded with South African stakes-winners (including Happy Heiress & Dahlia’s Legacy), so it was no surprise to see him knocked down to a South African buyer. (Jan 14) TOC Illiterate (Dam Of Alphabet Soup) Dead Multiple US Gr3 winner Illiterate, dam of 1996 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Alphabet Soup, died at Florida’s Lambholm South stud. The 31-year-old daughter of Arts And Letters was buried in the infield of the Lambholm training track reported thoroughbredtimes.com. On the track she won 10 of 67 starts (including the Gr3 Interborough & Gr3 Affectionately Handicaps). She subsequently produced 11 foals (all winners) including Alphabet Soup, who currently stands at Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs in Kentucky. (Jan 14) TOC Kentucky Pursues Out-Of-Competition Drug Tests Australian owners & trainers take note: the Kentucky Equine Drug Council has asked the Kentucky Racing Commission to form a committee to tackle the controversial issue of out-of-competition testing. “The issue of out-of-competition testing could very well serve as a gauge of just how serious the industry is about maintaining integrity in regard to racehorse medication,” reported bloodhorse.com. “Owners & trainers in effect would be asked to surrender some rights to facilitate testing other than on race days.” Out-of-competition testing has sprung up from use of erythropoeitin (or EPO) & other related blood-doping substances. Because the drug is administered on a schedule, testing would be done at random & not necessarily on race days. There are no provisions in Kentucky for such testing. Drug Council member Ned Bonnie said it sends a wrong message to the public to have a rule for prohibited practices, but not be able to enforce it. (Jan 14) TOC Standard Setter Notches First Stakes Win For Benchmark Standard Setter scored a front-running win in the US$100,000 Golden Gate Derby to become the first stakes winner for California-based sire Benchmark reported thoroughbredtimes.com. From 92 foals in 2 crops of racing age, multiple stakes winner Benchmark now has 11 winners from 23 starters (including stakes-placed winners Martinblestme, Sky’s Snow & Novel T. Dreamer). In his own career, Benchmark won 7 of 16 starts (including the Gr2 San Bernardino Handicap at Santa Anita, & Gr2 Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Handicap & Gr2 Goodwood Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Del Mar). Benchmark, who stands at River’s Edge Farm in California, is an 11-year-old son of Alydar; 1 of 10 winners from 11 starters for the Gr2 stakes-placed winner Winter’s Love; a half-brother to dual Gr1 winner Tranquility Lake; & represents the immediate family of 1983 Gr1 Belmont Stakes winner & sire Caveat. (Jan 14) TOC Ballistic Named Chilean Horse-Of-The-Year Stud El Ceibi’s Ballistic, who won 7 of 8 starts last season, has been named Chile’s Horse-Of-The-Year. Bred in Chile (out of the In Reality mare Balladry), the Barkerville gelding’s victories included the Gr1 Club Hipico de Santiago Stakes & Gr2 Clasico Otono-Pedro Garcia de la Huerta Matte. (Jan 14) TOC First Foal For Albert The Great Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky announced the arrival of Albert The Great's first foal, a bay colt out of Bessiepunkindo (by Lion d'Or) reported bloodhorse.com. Bessiepunkindo is a US stakes-placed winner & the dam of stakes winner Lil Punkindo. Three Chimneys president Dan Rosenberg described the youngster as "a really nice colt. He is very attractive & very correct. He has a good shoulder, nice head & good bones." Albert The Great (Go for Gin-Bright Feather, by Fappiano) won the Gr1 2000 Jockey Club Gold Cup. (Jan 14) TOC First Foal For Broken Vow The first foal by US Gr2 winner Broken Vow has arrived at Threave Main Stud in Kentucky reported bloodhorse.com. The bay colt is out of 7YO Brocco mare Let's Go Home (half-sister to Gr1 winner Home At Last). This is her third foal. Broken Vow (Unbridled-Wedding Vow, by Nijinsky II) won 9 of 14 starts & stands at Pin Oak Stud in Kentucky. (Jan 14) TOC Arazi To Stand In Victoria Back in 1991 champion French-trained 2YO chestnut Arazi blitzed European juveniles with consecutive victories in the Gr3 Prix du Bois, Gr2 Prix Robert Papin, Gr1 Prix Morny, Gr1 Prix de la Salamandre & Gr1 Grand Criterium, before finishing the year by swamping the field – in both his US debut & first start on dirt - in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs. When he retired, Arazi stood 4 seasons at Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Dalham Hall, then 1 season at Kentucky’s famous Three Chimneys Farm, before his sale to Japan’s Breeders Stallion Station. Now Mike Becker’s Independent Stallion Station has announced Arazi (Blushing Groom-Danseur Fabuleux, by Northern Dancer) will join their 2003 stallion roster, reported racenet.com.au. (Arazi will shuttle between Gestut Sohrenhof in Switzerland & ISS for the 2003 breeding season. Thoroughbredtimes.com noted Arazi has 7 crops of racing age & has sired 15 stakes winners, including multiple Gr1 winner Congaree; 2000 Swiss Derby winner Tiger Groom; & multiple Irish Gr2 winner First Magnitude. Overall the 14-year-old son of Blushing Groom has sired 119 winners from 203 starters.) News of Arazi’s importation to Australia could not come at a better time, as his outstanding son Congaree may have booked himself a ticket to the World Cup in Dubai with a 6-lengths demolition of the field in the Gr2 San Pasqual Handicap at Santa Anita (his 8th victory in 15 career starts, taking his prize-money to US$1.72 million). After the race trainer Bob Baffert waxed lyrical about his latest star: “He was so good as a 3YO, but I had to rush him for the Derby. This horse is just a phenomenal horse now, a pretty serious horse. If he is training like he was for this race, then I would do it (take him to the Dubai World Cup).” (Jan 13) TOC Endless Summer Also Joins Independent Stallion Station Arazi will be joined at the Independent Stallion Station in 2003 by the UK’s lightly raced 5YO Zafonic colt Endless Summer (winner of the 2000 Gr2 Richmond Stakes & runner-up in both the Gr1 Prix Morny at Deauville & Gr1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket) reported racenet.com.au. Endless Summer’s dam Well Away (Sadler’s Wells) is a winning full-sister to Gr1 Dewhurst Stakes winner & outstanding Australian stud success Scenic. Thoroughbredtimes.com noted Endless Summer will start his stud career shuttling between Bearstone Stud near Shropshire in England & Victoria’s ISS. (Jan 13) TOC Jockey In Critical Condition After Race Fall Jockey Mark Goring is in a critical condition in Melbourne’s Alfred hospital after a race fall at Tatura in northern Victoria. The 23-year-old suffered head injuries in a 3-horse fall. Rural Ambulance spokesman John Mullen told aapracingandsports.com.au that an air ambulance landed on the racecourse to allow quick access to the critically injured jockey. Fellow hoop Mick Johnstone was treated at the course, while Jamie Anstice was transferred to Goulburn Valley Base Hospital for further examination. (Jan 13) TOC Gerry Harvey Slams GST, Costello & Coonan Leading businessman & Magic Millions co-owner Gerry Harvey called on Federal Treasurer Peter Costello to immediately address GST legislation impacting adversely on thoroughbred exports. “It’s disgusting, really disgusting, & it is sad to think we have politicians & bureaucrats who don’t appreciate how silly they are,” he told racenet.com.au. “It’s crazy. We are doing everything we can to try & export horses, & the government is trying to stop us.” Current legislation means horses must be exported within 60 days or GST is payable, & non-resident purchasers must register for GST in Australia to claim back the payment. But purchasers in valuable markets such as Hong Kong, where over 2,000 Australian horses were exported in 2001-02, cannot export their yearling until it is broken in, pre-trained & ready to race, because there are no facilities for such essential preparation. Aushorse, in submissions on behalf of the industry, has sought a review of the rule whereby GST automatically becomes payable if yearlings purchased by international buyers undergo further preparation in Australia. It also wants the government to scrap the 60-day rule in favor of a 12-month extension before GST becomes payable. Harvey said he had discussed the issue recently with Assistant Federal Treasurer Helen Coonan, but she had responded by denying the legislation was affecting exports. “My message to her & Costello & anyone else in the government is, if you don’t fix it, there will be a number of people in the industry who will get out & we’ll be yelling & screaming about it. If you don’t get the message, you shouldn’t really be there,” said Harvey. “We need an automatic extension to one year & really, I think it should be two years. They are bureaucrats & politicians. They don’t understand. They are not business people. They have not had to go out there & survive. But if they worked here in the industry for 6 months, they would see the problem & they would fix it tomorrow. Helen Coonan wrote me a letter saying it was not a problem, & you have got to say: Well, Helen, what have you been doing all your life? How mad are we? The obvious solution is sitting in front of us and we do nothing about it.” (Jan 13) TOC Aushorse Highlights Threat To $45 Million Export Revenue Aushorse, which represents 55 major Australian thoroughbred consignors, estimates more than 30% of $151 million receipts for yearlings sold at the major Australian auctions in 2002 was generated through international purchasers. Purchasers from Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Korea, France & the UK were active at the latest Magic Millions sale, but have complained they are unhappy about the application of the GST. Bloodstock agents acting for off-shore purchasers in HK, in particular, have voiced strong objections. The issue grabbed international headlines last week when Hong Kong Jockey Club director of racing Winfried Englebrecht-Bresges declared he would consider purchasing all the club’s quota of 40 horses elsewhere because of the GST legislation. As a result, key Australian figures fear the HKJC will look to New Zealand in future to fulfil its quota of southern hemisphere bred horses. And NZ Bloodstock was quick to capitalise on that possibility with a news release headlined “GST Zero-Rating Applies For Buyers In NZ” & the declaration: “Overseas buyers at the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales at Karaka later this month won’t have to pay any GST provided their purchases are exported within 12 months & do not race in New Zealand.” NZ Bloodstock’s general manager of finance & operations Andrew Seabrook confirmed: "There is a GST zero-rating from the NZ Inland Revenue Department on horses bought at our sales for a 12-month period, which NZ Bloodstock applies for on behalf of the buyer. "This means the buyers don’t have to pay any GST provided the horse leaves the country within 12 months of the purchase date & as long as it doesn’t race. On the other hand they can trial in New Zealand without breaching the exemption rules." (Jan 13) TOC Schreck Warns Betting Exchanges Pose Major Threat Former AJC & recently retired Hong Kong Jockey Club chief steward John ‘The Sheriff’ Schreck has warned the rapid expansion of internet & telephone betting exchanges overseas “could well develop into a major problem for the industry.” Not only would they be “a drain on betting turnover”, but they would also affect the key role of stewards seeking to monitor both “where money backing horses was coming from & going to” he told The Sydney Morning Herald. In Britain The Daily Mail newspaper recently branded betting exchanges “the most significant development for the gambling public since off-course betting was legalised in 1961” & noted bookmakers are “on the offensive as business is squeezed in the gambling revolution.” While betting exchanges are yet to emerge in Australia, Schreck warned HK’s large gambling market is expected to be “attacked soon”. Betting exchanges (used via the telephone or internet) basically allow gamblers to bet with each other, either as bookmaker or punter, by offering odds or taking them - with the exchange taking around 5% of winning transactions. Controversy surrounding the rise of betting exchanges is currently raging in Britain, especially following a headline-grabbing complaint by Ladbrokes that 3 races in a month had ‘suspicious betting patterns” - with favourites defeated while at substantially better odds on exchanges than with bookmakers. “The temptation to cheat has increased greatly,” Ladbrokes chief executive Chris Bell told The Daily Mail. “It is a matter of transparency & we are on the brink of the abyss.” (Jan 13) TOC TABs & Bookmakers Also Under Challenge And it won’t only be stewards who’ll need to keep a weather-eye on the arrival of betting exchanges into the Asian & Australasian racing scene. The threat to official TAB revenues is potentially huge. In the UK The Guardian newspaper, under the headline “A Dotcom Licence To Print Money”, sent shivers through the industry when it noted Britain’s leading betting exchange Betfair now has weekly turnover of £50 million (approaching A$150 million) on its own. That’s a massive amount of gambling money being wagered via essentially unregulated channels. The Guardian described the growth of “a business founded only 3 years ago with 3 people working in a single room & website launched in June 2000” as "absorbed into the punting vernacular so quickly it is easy to forget how young the idea of person-to-person betting via the internet still is.” In April 2001, Betfair "matched" £1 million of bets in a week for the first time. The firm now matches about £50m each week - at busy times, processing 12,000 bets every 60 seconds. “Making it all possible, of course, is the internet - & as a child of the dotcom boom that has never made a loss, Betfair can fairly claim to be the most successful web company ever,” the paper said.”And as a measure of the internet's global reach, Betfair now has to employ two Chinese speakers on its help desk to deal with Far East inquiries.” The Guardian summed up: “No wonder so many people are nervous. Change is often frightening, but lightning-fast, fundamental change like this can easily breed paranoia. And now that anyone can lay any horse they please, quickly & easily, what might it mean for the integrity of racing? Only 2 weeks ago Royal Insult, a runner in a race at Lingfield, drifted from 9-2 to 49-1 on Betfair. He was injured in the race & later destroyed - & even Andrew Black, one of the exchange's founders, admitted the betting pattern looked ‘dodgy’. You do not offer 49-1 about a horse that has a solid chance on form unless you are positive it is not going to win.” (Jan 13) TOC Magic Millions: Gross $50 Million & Average $92,000 Magic Milllions 4-day Gold Coast sale grossed $50.1 million, at an average $92,122 for 544 lots & an 83.18% clearance rate. Co-owner John Singleton told racenet.com.au: ”We now get the best horses & the best buyers from all over the world. Adrian Nicoll is one of the world’s most respected bloodstock agents & this year was his first visit. He won’t stop coming now he’s had such a good time." Overall, Irish agent Nicoll spent $3.09 million on 9 fillies, including the sale’s top-priced filly, a $725,000 Danehill filly out of the Bluebird mare Lake Alexandrina (the filly’s second dam is Biscalowe, who produced 1987 Golden Slipper winner Marauding) which will be trained by Gai Waterhouse at Randwick for the buying syndicate headed by Baramul Stud’s Gerry Harvey. ”This filly has a lovely attitude & is all quality. I’m so pleased I was selected to train her, as we had rated her the best filly in the sale”, Waterhouse said. ”This sale has produced some wonderful sons & daughters of Danehill, like Ha Ha, & they will be at a real premium in years to come as he no longer stands in Australia.” Nicoll, who purchased the 9 fillies for the Harvey-led syndicate, summed up: “We feel we’ve got the 3 best Danehill fillies in the sale in the Nuwirah, Japonila & now this filly.” (Lake Alexandrina produced this filly at her first visit to Danehill, & has another Danehill colt on the ground. She was served by Giant’s Causeway last season.) Earlier Nichol snapped up a $450,000 Danehill filly, the second foal of the unraced Dehere mare Japonila, consigned by Coolmore Stud. The third dam of the filly is Sex Appeal (dam of top sires El Gran Senor & Try My Best). (Jan 13) TOC Magic Millions: Day 4 Highlights Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Sydney-based agent Tim Boland bid $640,000 for a Danehill–Marigot Bay colt (a three-quarter sister to Langoustine) & $475,000 for a Fasliyev filly. Boland told racenet.com.au a decision on a trainer for their purchases (which also included a $115,000 Zeditave earliuer in the sale) had not yet been made. ”Both Gai Waterhouse & John O’Shea train for us. We’ll make a decision on which horses go where after the sale." And Irish agent Demi O’Byrne secured a Danehill colt out of Milva for $420,000. ”He certainly looks like a good prospect; I hope he can be back here for the race next year,” he said. “We haven’t made a decision on who will train the colt. He will go back to the farm (Coolmore) & be broken in. We’ll work it out from there.” said O’Byrne. The colt was consigned by John Singleton’s Strawberry Hills Stud. (Jan 13) TOC Magic Millions: Day 3 Highlights Vinery Stud’s Dr Tom Simon bid $900,000 for a Sunday Silence colt (consigned by John Singleton) which proved to be the top of the whole sale. Vinery Stud general manager Peter Orton told racenet.com.au the colt had dual-purpose appeal: “He has a nice American pedigree & he fits in well with our racing operation, & he will make a great stallion prospect after his racing career.” The colt is the first Sunday Silence purchased by Vinery, which has extensive stallion investments around the globe, with stud farms in Kentucky, Scone & Euroa. Orton didn’t expect the colt to be a 2YO type, while a trainer has not yet been selected. ”Most of the Sunday Silence’s are more classic types, so we wont rush this bloke,” he said. “He’ll go back to Vinery Victoria to be broken in.” Meanwhile Marie Debeusscher of Asian Bloodstock Services paid $400,000 for a Danehill colt out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Eyes of Belief. Rick Hore-Lacy paid $250,000 for an Octagonal colt out of Vain mare Elated Lady (the colt is a half-brother to Gr2 winners Adeewin & Fatoon). Rod Menzies (owner of Magic Millions 3YO Trophy runner-up And Shintaro) secured a Danehill colt out of former brilliant sprinter Isca for $350,000; the colt is likely to head to the Aquanita Racing Stables. Trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson paid $320,000 for a Danehill colt out of Altrista. South African agent Andy Williams paid $260,000 for a black Octagonal colt consigned by Wattle Brae Stud. Gold Coast trainer Gillian Heinrich paid $240,000 for an Octagonal colt. And Bart Cummings paid $240,000 for a bay Commands colt, out of the Gold And Ivory mare Best Percentage; the colt is out of the family of La Neige, who Cummings trained to win a Gr1 Epsom Handicap. (Jan 13) TOC Magic Millions: Day 2 Highlights Korean interests purchased their first ever Magic Millions yearling when a group of 7, headed by international property investor Lee Jong Won, bid $160,000 to secure a bay colt by first season sire Catbird (consigned by Newhaven Park) out of the Storm Bird mare Wild At Heart. Magic Millions international director Don Hancock said the group was on its 2nd visit to Australia, having toured in 2002 with the Seoul Racehorse Owners Association. Won’s Korean racing & breeding interests fall under the banner of SS Farm, & Hancock told racenet.com.au the Korean racing & breeding industry turns over US$7 billion per annum, one of the fastest growing in South-East Asia. Hancock noted: ”Korea has 1,000 broodmares & 24 stallions. They race at one track at the moment, but there is a new facility due to be opened in November 2004. Their strategic plan calls for another 4 new tracks in the short-medium term. We see Korea as a very exciting emerging racing industry. The current track has an average attendance of 40,000 per meeting.” Meanwhile highest-priced lot of the day was a colt by Danehill out of stakes-winning Sir Tristram mare Altrista, purchased for $320,000 by Graeme Rogerson. Sydney trainer John Morish paid $240,000 for a Danehill filly out of imported American mare Target Figure. And Guam-based American owner Ken Jones, who raced Magic Millions winner Clan O’Sullivan & Catbird, re-emerged as a buyer when he paid $145,000 for a colt by his Golden Slipper winner. (Jan 13) TOC Catbird Results Thrill Yarraman Park Stud When the 1999 Champion Australian 2YO Catbird retired to stand at Yarraman Park Stud, the Mitchell family were inundated with requests for nominations & the Golden Slipper-winning son of Danehill was fully booked (at a fee of $12,500) by the time the Easter sales came around. Catbird’s first yearlings hit the sales ring at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale & 10 sold over $100,000. Gai Waterhouse & Star Thoroughbreds purchased 7 yearlings, while other leading trainers & agents to invest in Catbird offspring included Bart Cummings, Lee Freedman, Grahame Begg, Tim Martin, Paul Moroney, Aquanita Racing, Mark Pilkington Bloodstock, John Foote & Harry Lawton. Waterhouse commented: “Catbird’s first yearlings are outstanding types. He has stamped them very consistently & he is my pick of the first season sires. My clients have been very keen for me to buy Catbirds, as evidenced by the amount of these I have purchased.” Lee Freedman noted: “The Catbirds are lovely 2YO types, very racy & should live up to expectations.” And Tim Martin added: “Catbird’s first yearlings are typical Danehill types. They are correct, masculine, athletic & strong horses with good bones.” (Jan 13) TOC Regimental Gal & Biaggio Land Magic Millions Races Leading Brisbane apprentice Michael Rodd piloted Regimental Gal (General Nediym-Hallaya, by Yallah Prince) to an all-the-way win in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m), scoring by a long neck from Danbird (Danehill-Fitting, by Marscay) ridden by Greg Childs & How Funny (Rory’s Jester-Intertwined, by Sir Tristram) ridden by Glen Boss, who dead-heated for 2nd. Regimental Gal was a $16,500 purchase by Toowoomba trainer Shaun Dwyer (on behalf of 10 owners) at last year’s Magic Millions QRIS Yearling Sale in March, while Danbird was the top-priced lot when purchased for $1.1 million by New Zealand agent Rob McAnulty at last year’s Maguic Millions January sale. General Nediym became the first Magic Millions winner (he was victorious in 1997) to produce a subsequent winner as a sire. Meanwhile trainer Gai Waterhouse & owner Yvonne Smith relived memories of 2000 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Assertive Lad, when Biaggio (Zeditave-Gay Rossina) ridden by Scott Galloway won the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy (1400m). Having just his 3rd race start for as many wins, Biaggio won in a blanket finish by a short head from And Shintaro (Steven Arnold) & to Amex (Glen Colless). Biaggio was unraced as a 2YO & had his first start just 4 weeks ago when he won a Rosehill 3YO Maiden. (Jan 13) TOC Boost For General Nediym’s Stud Career Regimental Gal’s MM 2YO Classic win will provide a major boost for General Nediym’s stud career. The General won 13 of his 21 starts on the track, including the Gr1 VRC Newmarket Handicap & Gr1 VRC Lightning Stakes, & totalled prize-money of $2,128,998. As a stallion, from 14 starters General Nediym has sired 2 winners - Regimental Gal & Ra Sun (winner of the Gr2 Maribyrnong Plate in November). They’ve now earned over $830,000, placing The General as current leading first season sire & leading sire of 2YOs. After beginning stud duties at Glengarry Stud in Queensland, he was transferred to Eliza Park Stud in Victoria in 1999, & is moving again to Ballymore Thoroughbreds near Blandford in NSW for the 2003 season. (Jan 13) TOC Keeneland January: Falls In Gross & Average A yearling filly by Kentucky stallion Down The Aisle brought US$70,000 to top the final session of Keeneland’s 5-day January Horses-Of-All-Ages sale. But gross receipts of US$31,186,000 were down 10.1% from last year’s 4-session sale, & the US$26,317 average was down 28.9%. Keeneland's next auction is the April 15 Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale. (Jan 13) TOC Breeding expert Backs Karaka Downs Karaka Downs boss Deb Walter has enlisted the backing of breeding analysis expert Rob Zuttion to support the quality of her draft of youngsters for the NZ National Yearling Sales at Karaka beginning on January 27. “The Karaka Downs draft stands up very well,” confirmed Zuttion, senior analyst from Advanced Scientific Pedigrees. “The Carnegie filly out of Zahra is, in my opinion, the stand out entry in the catalogue using the Building Blocks criteria. The algorithm is in perfect balance, & possesses a cross over inbreeding to Pharos & Fairway, along with Rasmussen factors to Mumtaz Begum, Mah Mahal & Friar’s Daughter. Whatever she does in what should be a spectacular race career, she will do as much again in the breeding barn." The filly’s dam (winner of 2 races at 2100m) is by Zabeel out of Solveig (1985 Wrightson NZ Filly-Of-The-Year who included the 2400m NZ among 14 victories). Zuttion gives the Carnegie filly a prestigious AA rating, along with 2 other lots offered by Karaka Downs at the National Sales: a filly by Centaine from Barbados ( which makes her a 3-quarter sister to Spring Rain) & a Catbird-Go Zoff filly. Karaka Downs also has 11 other lots in the NZ Premier Yearling Sale, none of whom receive less than an A rating from Advanced Scientific Pedigrees. Deb Walter noted they include 3 “lovely individuals” from new season sires Fasliyev & Stravinsky, “both Nuryev sire lines which, given the deeds of Spinning World - & we have one of those as well - should be keenly sought.” (Jan 13) TOC El Duce Aiming For Sydney New Zealand’s Waikato Cup & Queen Elizabeth Handicap winner El Duce will be aimed at the $500,000 Chairman's Handicap (2400m) at Randwick in April. Trainer Donna Logan told thoroughbrednews.co.nz El Duce failed to see out the 3200m when finishing 6th in the Auckland Cup on New Year's Day, but "there is no doubt in my mind that he is perfectly suited over 2400m, so the Chairman's looks an ideal race for him.” (Jan 13) TOC Kajema To Tackle AJC Derby Trans-tasman trainer Roger James announced plans for NZ Derby runner-up Kajema (by O’Reilly) to head to Sydney where his main target will be the $2 million AJC Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 19. Kajema will have one NZ start in the autumn (not yet finalised) before heading to Sydney for 2 lead-up runs before the AJC Derby - the $400,000 Canterbury Guineas (1900m) at Canterbury Park on March 22 & $500,000 Dubai Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5. James told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing that Kajema had come through the NZ Derby run on Boxing Day in terrific order: "He had a week off & has been swimming this week. He will be back in full work next week.” (Jan 13) TOC Strong NZ Contingent For Sydney Autumn Carnival New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing also confirmed the following major names among the NZ raiders for Sydney’s Autumn Carnival: NZ$1 million yearling & NZ Mercedes Derby winner St Reims (by Zabeel) is keen to take on leading Australian 3YOs Helenus & Platinum Scissors in the Rosehill Guineas & AJC Derby. Lion Red Auckland Cup winner Bodie (by Stark South) & runner-up Oarsman (by The Son) are entered for the $800,000 Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on May 3. Middle-distance star Zafar (by Zabeel) is heading to Sydney to contest the $500,000 Gr2 San Miguel Chairman’s Handicap (2400m) at Randwick on April 19. Top quality weight-for-age performer Hail (by Stark South) enhanced his reputation with a stylish win in the Gr1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie & co-trainer Bruce Marsh now has him aiming towards the Ranvet Stakes & BMW Stakes. Promising Central Districts galloper Zvezda (by His Royal Highness) is earmarked for a tilt at the $2.5 million San Miguel Doncaster (1600m) at Randwick on April 19. (Jan 13) TOC New Year Celebrations For Little Avondale Masterton’s Little Avondale Stud has made a flying start to the New Year reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. First its resident freshman sire Towkay (by Last Tycoon & a half-brother to successful Waikato Stud sire Danasinga) was represented by his first winner Starkay at Tauherenikau. Then in Hong Kong, Cheeky (by O’Reilly) won a HK$1 million (A$200,000) event to notch his 4th win (to go with 5 minor placings) from only 15 HK starts. Little Avondale Stud sold Cheeky at the Karaka yearlings sales for NZ$240,000. (Jan 13) TOC Grosvenor’s Final Legacy Fayette Park Stud owners David & Masey Benjamin say their final goodbyes to yearlings by their champion sire Grosvenor (Sir Tristram) at the up-coming NZ Bloodstock Yearling Sales at Karaka. Grosvenor had to be put down at Fayette Park in June 2001 (at age 21) & his 17th & final crop of yearlings go through the sale ring at the 2003 Karaka & Melbourne sales. "It’s going to be the end of an era for everyone who was associated with Grosvenor during his wonderful stud career," said David Benjamin. "I still think of him every day & get quite emotional. He is buried under an oak tree down by the stables & we put fresh flowers on his grave every week." Grosvenor won the Gr1 VRC Derby & Gr1 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes when trained by Geoff Murphy. He was sold as a 4YO for stud duties for $2.1 million which made him the most expensive stallion imported to New Zealand at the time. He stood his first season at Field House Stud in 1983. Subsequently he sired 3 Derby winners - Omnicorp (Victoria Derby), Ebony Grosve (AJC Derby) & Look Who’s Talking (NZ Derby); 7 Oaks winners - Alacrity (NZ Oaks), Domino (AJC Oaks & NZ Oaks), Trappings (Western Australian Oaks), Richfield Way (VRC Oaks), Heavenly Body (South Australian Oaks) & Unpretentious (Western Australian Oaks); & 3 Guineas winners - Emerald (NZ 1000 Guineas), Legend Bearer (Adelaide Guineas) & The Fatz (Waikato Guineas). Of his 50 stakes-winners, 17 are Gr1 winners & his progeny boast a 70% winners-to-runners ratio. (Jan 13) TOC Walker & O’Sullivan Lead NZ Premierships Top apprentice Michael Walker leads the New Zealand jockeys’ premiership, although Lance O’Sullivan made plenty of headway over the holiday period. Up to the weekend, Walker lead on 77 wins from O’Sullivan on 71. Michael Coleman wass next on 55 wins. In the NZ trainers’ title,Matamata’s Paul O’Sullivan lead with 44 wins, from the Rogerson-Autridge combination with 33 wins & Matamata’s Mike Moroney-Andrew Scott partnership with 31 wins. (Jan 13) TOC UK Racing Channel To Cease Transmission The Racing Channel, which became the world’s first TV station dedicated to a single sport when it began transmitting in November 1995, has shown its last live British race & will close down for good on January 31 reported racingpost.co.uk. As a result, coverage of racing from 10 of Britain's racecourses (Exeter, Fakenham, Hexham, Kelso, Leicester, Perth, Sedgefield, Stratford, Taunton & Towcester) will be confined to betting shops until other outlets are found, while Attheraces, covering the remaining 49 tracks, will have the field of direct-to-home transmission to itself. The decision to pull the plug on the Racing Channel (which began life as a BSkyB subscription channel) was taken not in Britain but in the US, by its American-based owner TRNi (The Racing Network International), & was blamed on failure to secure a deal with the Irish racing authorities. (Jan 13) TOC First Foal By Black Minnaloushe The first reported foal by Irish classic winner Black Minnaloushe was born at Castleton Lyons in Kentucky. Castleton Lyons office manager Betsy Hager told thoroughbredtimes.com both the newborn filly (the second foal produced by unraced Sadler’s Wells Irish mare Careyes) & dam were "doing great." Castleton Lyons farm manager John Hayes added: “She’s a nice compact filly - a decent size, nice conformation, very attractive." Careyes is a daughter of stakes winner Kotama (by Shahrastani) and is from the family of 1985 French champion filly Kozana & current Irish boom galloper High Chaparral (winner of last year’s UK Gr1 Epsom Derby, Gr1 Irish Derby & US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf. Black Minnaloushe, a 5YO son of Storm Cat, stands for US$12,500 at Ashford Stud in Kentucky. On the track, Black Minnaloushe won the 2001 Gr1 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (defeating Gr1 winners Mozart & Minardi) & UK Gr1 St James’s Palace Stakes (defeating Gr1 winner Noverre). (Jan 13) TOC Prime Timber’s First 3 Foals Born On Same Day US Gr2-winner Prime Timber (7YO son of Sultry Song out of stakes winner Wine Taster, by Nodouble) began his career as a stallion with 3 mares bred to him giving birth to healthy foals on the same day. Multiple winners Getting Warmer (15-year-old daughter of It’s Freezing & winner of 8 races) & Anna Jackson (7YO daughter of Houston & winner of 2 races) produced fillies, while Cookin Sherri (7YO daughter of stakes-placed Crafty Prospector & winner of 5 races) gave birth to a colt. "The foals are doing fine," Will Johnson, farm manager of Sez Who Thoroughbreds which bred the foals & stands Prime Timber, told thoroughbredtimes.com. "They’re nice foals - good & healthy & definitely above average." Prime Timber won 4 of 17 career starts (including the 1999 Gr2 San Felipe Stakes & In Excess Stakes) & placed 4 times (including the Gr1 Santa Anita Derby, plus a 4th in the Gr1 Kentucky Derby. (Jan 13) TOC Sire Danzig Connection Headed For Italy Danzig Connection, winner of the US Gr1 1986 Belmont Stakes, will stand the 2003 season in Italy. Allevamento Al.Ca. purchased the 20-year-old stallion from Collin Stud in England, where he stood the last 5 seasons, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Danzig Connection, who won 6 of 17 career starts, has sired 10 graded stakes winners & 20 stakes winners in 14 crops of racing age. His top runners include English highweight Iktamal & multiple graded stakes winner Powerful Punch. (Jan 13) TOC US Sire Rob's Spirit To Stud In Italy US graded stakes winner Rob's Spirit will also stand at Allevamento Ri.Ma. outside Rome for the 2003 stud season. Giuliano Fratini's Scuderia Golden Horse (represented by Paul Romanelli's Ital-Cal Horse Management) bought a half-interest in the 6YO son of Theatrical from the Allen Paulson Trust. Paulson bred Rob's Spirit & raced him prior to his death in the summer of 2000. "We are very pleased to stand a stallion of the quality of Rob's Spirit in Italy," son Michael Paulson told bloodhorse.com. Rob's Spirit won the Gr3 Lexington Stakes & Gr3 Saranac Handicap among his 4 victories from 14 starts. He is half-brother to champion Ajina & his dam, US Gr2 winner Winglet (by Alydar), is a daughter of Irish champion filly Highest Trump. (Jan 13) TOC Secret Status Produces Giant’s Causeway Filly Secret Status, the 6YO daughter of A.P.Indy (out of Private Status, by Alydar) who won 8 of 19 US career starts including the Gr1 Mother Goose Stakes & Gr1 Florida Oaks in 2000, gave birth to her first foal, a filly by multiple Gr1 winner Giant’s Causeway at William S. Farish’s Lane’s End stud in Kentucky. "The foal was a few weeks premature, but she’s doing just fine," Lane’s End stallion co-ordinator Jill McCully told thoroughbredtimes.com. (Jan 13) TOC Cindy's Hero Has First Foal Cindy's Hero, who won the US Gr1 Del Mar Debutante Stakes, has also produced her first foal - a Deputy Minister filly born at Issam Fares' Fares Farm in Kentucky reported bloodhorse.com. (Jan 13) TOC Millionaire US Racemare Two Item Limit Retired Joseph Graffeo announced his US$1,060,585 prize-money mare Two Item Limit (Twining-Spa Warning, by Caveat) has been retired to stud at at Robert Clay's Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky. Breeding plans for the 5YO mare have not been determined reported bloodhorse.com. Two Item Limit won 7 of 28 starts, including the Gr2 Demoiselle Stakes, Gr2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, Gr3 Tempted Stakes & Gr3 Comely Stakes, as well as placings in 4 Gr1 events (including the Breeders' Cup Distaff). "She was a very, very special filly to be associated with," said Graffeo. "She thrilled us with graded stakes performances at Santa Anita, Belmont, Saratoga, Aqueduct, Delaware & Pimlico all the way through to the very end of her 4YO year." (Jan 13) TOC US Race Betting Up 3% In 2002 American racing fans bet more than $US15 billion on thoroughbred races in 2002, an increase of 3.2% & the 9th straight year betting turnover has increased in America. Statistics released by the US National Thoroughbred Racing Association also showed US prize-money in 2002 topped US$1 billion, up 0.63%. (Jan 13) TOC Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Upgrade: Strong English Derby Tip The European Pattern Committee has upgraded 8 Irish races following its meeting in Stockholm in Sweden. Keen form judges will note the key change concerns the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown (over a mile-and-a-quarter) has advanced from Gr3 to Gr2 status following the success of its last 3 winners Sinndar, Galileo & High Chaparral - all of whom went on to win both the Gr1 English Derby at Epsom & Irish Derby. Horse Racing Ireland director of racing Jason Morris told racingpost.co.uk: "These measures are due recognition of the high quality of the Irish flat horse population." (Jan 13) TOC Feed Shortage Threatening Venezuelan Racing Thoroughbreds from Venezuela´s most important tracks are suffering a serious shortage of feed, which is jeopardizing the continuity of racing, amid the current 6 weeks of social crisis & general strikes against President Hugo Chavez. Three of Venezuela´s most important racecourses & training centers (La Rinconada racecourse in Caracas, as well as Valencia & Santa Rita in Maracaibo) may be forced to cancel racing if conditions do not improve shortly, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Many trainers are complaining they are not receiving their daily feed supplies. "There is no food to feed the horses. Many trainers have canceled their regular gallops & suspension of racing is very possible unless the food arrrives shortly," confirmed La Rinconada’s 2001 leading trainer Francisco D’Angelo. (Jan 13) TOC $700,000 Danehill Filly Tops Magic Millions First Session A Danehill filly attracted top bid of $700,000 at the first session of the 2003 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast. Lindsay Park trainer Tony McEvoy told cyberhorse.com.au he was "absolutely thrilled" to be given the chance to train the top-priced lot - a full sister to former Gr1 winner Keeper. "She really oozes quality," McEvoy declared. "She's a really beautifully filly & had the breeding to match." The bay Danehill-Nuwirah filly (consigned by Coolmore Stud) was bought by BBA Ireland chief Adrian Nichol (on behalf of a syndicate headed by Gerry Harvey) who noted: "She was one of the best fillies in the catalogue, both on type and on pedigree.” The unraced Pleasant Colony mare Nuwirah is a half-sister to stakes-winning American sire At Full Feather. She has been represented on the track by 2 runners by champion sire & sire of sires Danehill: Gr1 Goodwood Handicap winner Keeper & Gr1 performed Australian & Macau galloper Downing Street (known in Macau as Jovial Mood). Keeper, winner of 7 races including Group events in Adelaide & Melbourne, now stands alongside Zabeel at Sir Patrick Hogan’s Cambridge Stud in New Zealand. (Underbidder was Sydney agent Tim Boland, acting on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum who lines up the John O’Shea trained Merhoob in Saturday’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic.) Nicol also noted the Harvey-lead syndicate was still on the lookout for other quality fillies at the sale, with Lee Freedman & Gai Waterhouse expected to benefit from his purchases. He told racenet.com.au: “We probably won’t be paying as much for subsequent purchases, but we hope to find some more nice fillies.” (Jan 10) TOC Harvey Syndicate Has $5 million ‘Bank’ To Invest Gerry Harvey has put together a syndicate with a “$5 million bank to purchase some of the best yearling fillies” over the Magic Millions Sale, reported The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, “bringing in Ireland-based bloodstock agent Adrian Nichol to select the lots.” Harvey explained: “I put the idea to a number of breeders & the deal was clinched a couple of weeks ago. The buys will be given to a number of different trainers, but Lindsay Park will get the majority.” (Jan 10) TOC Danehill Dominates Day 1 At Magic Millions Overall Danehill progeny dominated Day 1 at Magic Millions, with 6 of the champion sire’s yearlings among 14 lots sold for $200,000 or more. Danehill ended the session with 8 progeny selling for a total $2,690,000 (an average $336,250) reported aapracingandsports.com.au. His other top priced lots were: $500,000 paid by Marie Debeusscher (Hong Kong-based representative of Asian Bloodstock Services) for Coolmore Stud’s bay full brother (out of Diesis mare Sierra Finch) to Randwick trainer David Payne’s exciting 3YO filly Sierra Dane (a recent NZ Group place-getter after previously gaining Black Type in Sydney). The buyers (a group of 3 men & 2 women who insisted they were low profile owners from HK) told cyberhorse.com.au the colt was “most likely heading to Hong Kong & would be owned by a group of clients” there. Ironically Hong Kong Jockey Club representatives were underbidders on the colt. $360,000 for a half-brother to a South American Group winner out of a Secretariat mare; $350,000 paid by trainer Graeme Rogerson for a bay colt offered by Emirates Park out of top producer Small Timer (making the colt a half-brother to Italian Gr1 2000 Guineas winner Sikeston & classy local filly Klokka). "He comes from a real good family," Rogerson told cyberhorse.com.au. "He's also a real stallion prospect & I hope to be back here in a year's time running in the big 2YO million-dollar race." $330,000 for a bay Quinsigimond filly sold by Coolmore Stud to Strawberry Hill Stud; $250,000 for his bay colt from the Mr Prospector mare Prospect Fever sold by Vinery Aust to Arrowfield Group; $100,000 for his bay Nice Dancing colt sold by Coolmore Stud to Lawton Thoroughbred Racing. (Jan 10) TOC Hore-Lacy Pays $550,000 For Brother To Snowland Top price for a colt during Day 1 was the $550,000 paid by leading Victoria trainer Rick Hore-Lacy for a full brother to 4-time Group winning sprinter Snowland. Vendor Judy Marheine from Stratheden Stud told cyberhorse.com.au she was "very pleased" with the price, but sad they were selling their last member of imported mare Snowdrift’s legacy. "This colt was the last foal we had from Snowdrift before she was sold to Vinery." Hore-Lacy has had a great success with past Magic Millions graduates, including multiple Gr1 stars Clay Hero & Dash For Cash. He summed up: “He’s a smashing colt & was easily the best colt in the sale. It's the dearest Snippets ever sold, but he is a full brother to a brilliant performer & I'm more than pleased to have bought him.” (Hore-Lacy trained Snippets’ Gr1 winner Spartacus.) Snowland, who will retire to Widden Stud at the end of his next preparation, is a 2YO & 3YO Gr2 winner. (Jan 10) TOC Bailey Pays $425,000 For Sunday Silence Colt The first of two Sunday Silence colts on offer during the Magic Millions sale fetched $425,000 from Trevor Bailey, Melbourne-based foreman for leading Gold Coast trainer/father Alan Bailey. The chestnut colt (from unraced Bluebird mare Nance Chrissie - sister to South African Gr1 winner Race Master & dual Group-placed sire Chagall, & half-sister to VRC, AJC & Queensland Oaks winner November Rain) was offered by John Singleton's Strawberry Hill Stud at Mount White. “A horse like this would make twice as much at Keenland or Japan,” Bailey told racenet.com.au. “He must have outstanding residual value, even if he never races. I don’t expect the horse will make the 2YO Magic Millions race, so we won’t put any pressure on him early.” The colt will be syndicated among stable clients, including Melbourne catering & gourmet food businessman Robert Wood - who races 4 horses with the Baileys (including mare Speaker) & says he “got the racing bug working as a bookie’s clerk in Melbourne as a teenager”. (Jan 10) TOC Rogerson Pays $400,000 For Zabeel-Savannah Success Colt Prominent trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson felt a sense of deja-vu when he paid $400,000 for a Zabeel colt out of former dual Gr1-winning mare Savannah Success. He told cyberhorse.com.au: "I trained Savannah Success & had a great deal of success with her. (Savannah Success counted the Gr1 NZ Oaks & Gr1 Rosehill Ansett Stakes among her 7 Group & Listed wins.) She was a very good mare, so I was keen to buy this colt." The brown colt was offered by Gerry Harvey's Baramul Stud. (Rogerson ended the session buying a total of 10 yearlings, ranging in price from $400,000 down to $32,000.) (Jan 10) TOC Aquanita Pays $305,000 For Scandinavia Filly Aquanita Racing Australia paid $305,000 for a filly from former racemare Scandinavia during the first Magic Millions session. Aquanita’s racing development manager Ian Rimington told cyberhorse.com.au no decision had been made about which Aquanita trainer would be sent the youngster, noting: "Both Robert (Smerdon) & Dan (O'Sullivan) have youngsters out of the mare & would be very keen to train this filly.” Aquanita has a strong connection with the filly – one of their inaugural trainers John Sadler managed Scandinavia during her racing days. "She should have won a couple of Gr1 races on the track," Rimington quipped. "She was just beaten in a few top races & was a real special mare." (Jan 10) TOC Waterhouse, Cummings & Lawton All Keen Buyers Other Highlights of Day 1 at Magic Millions included: a chestnut Distant View-Phyle filly sold by Glenlogan Park for $220,000 to Mariko Hyland. trainer Graeme Rogerson paid $210,000 for a bay Redoute's Choice-Singles Bar colt. At the same sale last year Rogerson also purchased a filly from Singles Bar by ill-fated Japanese champion sire Sunday Silence. "She is in my Melbourne stables," Rogerson told cyberhorse.com.au, adding this year’s colt was “a nice type for next year's 2YO Magic Millions Classic” & was also “a stallion prospect for the future”. a bay Zeditave-Queen Of The Mall colt sold by Widden Stud for $200,000 to Gai Waterhouse. (Waterhouse, leading buyer at Magic Millions for the last 3 years, finished the first session with 9 yearlings ranging in price from $200,000 down to $65,000.) a bay or brown Snipperts-Platonic colt sold by Widden Stud for $190,000 to Gai Waterhouse. a chestnut Snippets-Rainbow Bubbles colt sold by Arrowfield Stud for $170,000 to J.B.Cummings. a chestnut Encosta de Lago-Ranch Lady colt sold by Markham Stud for $145,000 to Slade Bloodstock. a bay Xaar-Outremer colt sold by Twin Palms Stud for $140,000 to Rick Hore-Lacy. a bay Redoute’s Choice-Rich Haul filly sold by Reavill Farm for $140,000 to Belmont Bloodstock. a chestnut Zeditave-Night Sister colt sold by Erinvale Thoroughbreds for $130,000 to J.B.Cummings. a bay Fasliyev-Our Tilly colt sold by Rothwell Park for $130,000 to Slade Bloodstock. a bay Catbird-News Academy filly sold by Yarramin Park Stud for $120,000 to Gai Waterhouse. a chestnut Hennessy-Oaks Room colt sold by Tyreel Stud for $115,000 to Denis Roberts. a bay Stravinsky-Princess Quillo colt sold by Cambridge Stud for $110,000 to Lawton Thoroughbred Racing - syndicator Harry Lawton’s recently expanded bloodstock agency which now includes former Gerry Harvey right-hand-man Graham Orr, Carnegie Express managing part owner Paul Burn & American investor Ben Woodhouse. Orr told racenet.com.au a decision on who would train each of the new crop of Lawton babies was undecided: ”We’ll wait until the end of the sale & work that out later. We’ll be using NSW trainers John O’Shea, Tim Martin, David Payne & Gary Portelli, while in Victoria Lee Freedman, Peter Moody, Michael Moroney & Graham Woolston will train for us.” a chestnut Catbird-Open To Question colt sold by Stratheden Stud for $105,000 to Gai Waterhouse. a brown End Sweep-Park Heiress colt sold by Arrowfield Stud for $105,000 to Japan’s Peter Hingston. a bay End Sweep-Opera Queen filly sold by Arrowfield Stud for $100,000 also to Japan’s Peter Hingston. a bay Snippets-Our Dizzy Raine filly sold by Bahram Stud Farm for $100,000 to Vin Cox Bloodstock. a brown Danzreo-Quintet colt sold by Bahram Stud Farm for $100,000 to Peter Moody Racing. a bay Stravinsky-Seeking Fortune colt sold by The Oaks Stud for $100,000 to Graeme Rogerson. (Jan 10) TOC Belle Du Jour Aiming At Dubai, France & Danehill Golden Slipper winner Belle Du Jour will race in Dubai & France “in the next 3 months” followed by a mating visist to Danehill (no longer shuttling to Australia) at Coolmore Stud in Ireland reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Gerry Rose (part-owner with John Singleton & Bob Hawke) confirmed: “Singo thought it was a great idea to send the mare to Dubai to try to add some international successes to her pedigree before she retires. So we will be sending her for the big race at Dubai which runs on Golden Slipper day, & probably she will be trained by former Victorian John Sadler, who is enjoying a great deal of success there. She will possibly have a start in Dubai prior to the big race to get her used to the surroundings & also experience the sand track. Then after Dubai, there are a number of nice races in France & she’ll have a local trainer prepare her for those events as well.” (Jan 10) TOC Cassidy Itching To Chase Beadman & Munce Top jockey Jimmy Cassidy’s period out of action with a damaged knee has “only served to fire him up for the premiership title” his manager Josh Rodder told racenet.com.au. "He's off to see his doctor on Monday & he'll get a clearance then, that's 99.9% assured. The knee is feeling fantastic & he's already started training on it. He expects to be back riding track-work on January 16 & trials soon after that. He’s aiming at being back on race-day at the end of the month & he is really fired up! He wants to get back & really give Darren (Beadman) & Chris (Munce) a run for their money in the title hunt." (Jan 10) TOC Messara Invests In Danbird Arrowfield Stud boss John Messara “has purchased a few shares” in Danbird in the lead-up to Saturday’s Magic Millions 2YO race. “I approached syndicate head Rob McAnulty this week,” Messara told The Sydney Morning Herald, “believing Danbird had an excellent chance of winning, & with the proviso that down the track he would stand at Arrowfield. I believe he’s raced without luck at his last 2 starts & also feel he’ll be an even better horse when he gets to races over 1400m, such as the Gr1 AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes. The colt is a marvellous type who topped last year’s sales at $1.1 million, & the look of his brother Catbird’s yearlings - which sell for the first time at the Magic Millions sale - shows what a future he has at stud when he retires.” (Jan 10) TOC Arrowfield Announcing 2 New Sires Arrowfiled Stud will also be making an announcement “within the next fortnight” about the possible addition of 2 new stallion to its 2003 Southern Hemisphere roster, noted The Sydney Morning Herald. It has already confirmed that champion 2002 US sprinter Orientate will be coming. (Jan 10) TOC Breasley Named Patron Of Australian Racing Hall Of Fame Former champion jockey Arthur ‘Scobie’ Breasley has been named patron of the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame. The 5-time Caulfield Cup winning jockey. Breasley, almost 90, was an inaugural ARHOF inductee in 2001. His career highlights include: 5 Caulfield Cups; 4 UK jockey premierships; 2 English Derbies; France’s Prix De l'Arc de Triomphe; & 3,251 winners (including over 2,000 in England). "Since I returned to Australia I have been flattered by the honours bestowed upon me," Breasley told aapracingandsports.com.au. "It is a great privilege to accept this position as the Racing Hall Of Fame is such a prestigious institution in Australian sport." ARHOF chairman Bryan Martin added: "To have someone the calibre of Scobie Breasley as patron is the acknowledgement of a man who has given so much to racing. He is a gentleman of the turf & a role model for many people within & outside of the racing industry.” The ARHOF will conduct its 3rd round of inductions in Adelaide in May. (Jan 10) TOC Brave Warrior Paddock Case Settled The ‘’potentially explosive legal wrangle with far reaching ramifications” over the death of Queensland-based stallion Brave Warrior in a 1998 paddock incident has “reached a mediated settlement” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Part-owners, Queensland Turf Club committeeman Neville Bell & former Brisbane Turf Club committeeman Doug Cowell, has issued a writ seeking $23 million in damages against Eureka Stud & its proprietors Colin & Scott McAlpine over the horse’s death. But a statement from Melbourne barrister Reuben Benkel, who chaired the mediation, confirmed the parties had ‘reached a confidential settlement” & noted the allegation of negligence against the defendants had been “unequivocally withdrawn” & the plaintiffs accepted the stallion’s death was an “unfortunate & unforeseeable accident.” (Jan 10) TOC First Birthday Celebrations For Melbourne Racing Club The weekend Rubiton Stakes meeting is Caulfield’s first race-day of 2003 & marks the completion of the Melbourne Racing Club’s first year of operation under its new name. Known since its 1875 formation as the Victoria Amateur Turf Club, the name change was part of a series of initiatives at Caulfield & Sandown forming the MRC’s 5-Year-Plan for the future. The August introduction of Caulfield’s new ‘Top 20 Race-days’ format (consisting solely of feature race meetings) has resulted in consistent increases in both attendances & betting turnover. And Sandown is nearing the launch of its own revised racing schedule on twin tracks – with the traditional circuit to be renamed Lakeside & the new track called Hillside. (Jan 10) TOC Old Spice Continues Winning Run In West Tumeric became WA breeding industry stalwart Old Spice's 16th individual Group winner when he landed the 3200m Perth Cup. Old Spice has stood at Linda Spencer's 300-acre Clairfontaine Stud in Busselton for 14 years – but always with a restricted book of mares (under conditions set out in an agreement with the syndicate that owns the stallion). Hence Old Spice covered just 47 mares this season. Despite those restrictions, Old Spice has now produced the winners of 442 races (including 32 Group events) & almost $12 million prize-money. Recent top-line progeny include: Rogan Josh (Melbourne Cup & Mackinnon Stakes); Old Comrade (Australian Cup, WATC Railway Stakes & twice WATC Fruit 'N' Veg Stakes); Old Money (WA Derby & Oaks); Forge On (WATC Fruit 'N' Veg Stakes); Old Nick (WATC Fruit 'N' Veg Stakes); & Lawmaker (2002 Kalgoorlie triple crown). (Jan 10) TOC Dr Johnson’s First WA Runner A Winner Meanwhile Alwyn Park Stud's first season sire Dr Johnson leapt onto the WA sire's charts when his very first runner Magic Aces won the Listed Crystal Slipper Stakes. Magic Aces was bought at the 2002 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale for just $15,000 by Bunbury trainer Peter Giadresco for Malaysian client Phillip Ow. Dr Johnson was bred by internationally-renowned Ballydoyle Stud in Ireland from Mr Prospector stallion Woodman (champion juvenile in Ireland & France before twice finishing leading US sire, where his progeny have earned in excess of $60 million). Dr Johnson is out of the Nijinsky mare Russian Ballet, a three-quarter sister to Dancing Show (dam of Hurricane Sky & Umatilla, & grand-dam of Arrowfield Stud's Redoute's Choice). Magic Aces is out of the Rancher mare Woodhaven (who's only other foal Mon Desir has won 3 races). (Jan 10) TOC Turrunga Stud’s New Owner Turrunga Stud at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley has had another change of ownership, reported The Sydney Morning Herald, with breeder Stuart Ramsey purchasing the property. (Jan 10) TOC NZ Apprentice Lands 100th Winner New Zealand apprentice jockey Jason Waddell rode 4 winners at Tauranga – to take his career total past the century to 102 reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Waddell is indentured to his father Noel Waddell at Woodville. (Jan 10) TOC Mockingbird Farm Tops 2002 US Leading Breeders List Harry Mangurian’s Mockingbird Farm topped the list of 2002’s leading US breeders for the 2nd consecutive year. Runners bred by Mockingbird Farm earned US$11,175,975 (winning 516 races from 3,279 starts) reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs finished 2nd with US$9,360,102 (237 winners from 1,374 starters) & Michael Sherman’s Farnsworth Farms ranked 3rd with US$8,697,245. (Jan 10) TOC Kadiskar First UK Winner Disqualified After Positive Morphine Tests Kadiskar, the half-brother to Derby winner Kayhasi owned by J.P.McManus & trained by Christy Roche, has become the first horse in Ireland or Britain disqualified following the recent spate of positive tests for morphine - believed to have been contained in contaminated feed. Although no mention of contaminated feed was made in the official statement issued by the UK Turf Club, chief executive Denis Egan noted: “Our role is the same as a referee. A foul took place & it is not our place to go into why that foul was committed.” An application by barrister Stephen Lanigan-O’Keeffe, on behalf of Connolly’s Red Mills horse feeds of Kilkenny, seeking to be joined as a party in cases involving prohibitive substances was refused, reported racingpost.co.uk. (Jan 10) TOC Stage Colony To Woodstead Farm In Washington Stage Colony (a full brother to 1991 US champion 2YO filly Pleasant Stage) has been relocated to stand the 2003 season at Woodstead Farm in Washington reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 16-year-old son of recently deceased Pleasant Colony stood at California’s Lakeview Thoroughbred Farm in 2002. Stage Colony won 5 stakes (including the 1990 Gr3 Rutgers Handicap & 1991 Gr3 Fort Marcy Handicap) during 4 racing seasons, from a career total of 10 wins in 33 starts. He has subsequently sired 51 winners from 79 starters in 9 crops of racing age, including 2001 South African champion stayer Colonial Girl & stakes winners Starring Me, George W & Island Colony. (Jan 10) TOC Multiple US Gr3 Winner With Ability To Retire With Ability, winner of the US Gr3 Sixty Sails & Gr3 Next Move Handicaps in 2002, will have 2 starts as a 5YO at Aqueduct before retiring in February to a career as a broodmare, reported Daily Racing Form. A daughter of A.P.Indy, With Ability is out of the multiple graded stakes-winning Mr Prospector mare Withallprobability & has won 7 races during her career. (Jan 10) TOC US Gr2 Winner Star Of The Crop Moves To Oklahoma US Gr2 winner Star Of The Crop has arrived at Shea 'D' Rae Ranch in Oklahoma for 2003 stud duties, reported bloodhorse.com. Formerly at Nuckols Farm in Kentucky, 14-year-old Star Of The Crop (Relaunch-Circular, by What A Pleasure) has sired 1 stakes winner. His own big win came in the 1992 Gr2 Malibu Stakes. (Jan 10) TOC Valid Fast To Stand At Pepper Oaks Farm In California Valid Fast, a 6YO son of Valid Appeal, will stand the 2003 season at Pepper Oaks Farm in California. A stud fee has not been announced reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Valid Fast (who had only 2 career starts) is out of the Gr3-winning Overskate mare Belfast Becky, who also produced US stakes winners Thatsusintheolbean & Valid Belfast. (Jan 10) TOC Sunline’s Owners May Pursue Own Breeding Plans International breeding proposals for champion New Zealand mare Sunline have not proceeded, & owner/trainer Trevor McKee announced he & his partners are now considering breeding from her themselves. Sunline retired from racing after October’s Cox Plate & various US breeding & part-sale options were canvassed. (Among them, Sunline was initially entered & later withdrawn from this week’s Keeneland January Horses-Of-All-Ages sale.) But with no firm US deal eventuating, McKee (majority owner with a 50% shareholding) told NZPA: “All these ones that said they were going to buy her have, for one reason or another, fallen by the wayside. So we’ll probably end up putting her in-foal ourselves." However McKee also confirmed Sunline (by Desert Sun, with 32 wins from 48 career starts, including 13 Gr1 events, plus 3 Australian Horse-Of-The-Year & 4 NZ Horse-Of-The-Year titles, & Australasian record earnings of $11.3 million) remained on the market - but not at a giveaway price. "I'm not over-fussy on selling her. If somebody comes along with an offer to what we think she is worth, okay we'll sell her. If they don't, we'll breed from her ourselves. We're not going to give her away." McKee added most interest for Sunline had been from the northern hemisphere & that’s where she would still head if he & fellow Auckland owners Thayne Green & Helen Lusty decide to breed from her. Confirming both US & UK stallions have been considered as likely stud partners, McKee said: "There's a few in the back of our minds, but there's no need getting too carried away yet until we decide something." He noted the northern hemisphere breeding season goes until April & he hopes a final decision will be made within a month. (Jan 9) TOC Keeneland Session 2: US$370,000 For Mare In Foal To Giant’s Causeway Castleton Lyons paid US$370,000 for the stakes-producing mare Dellagrazia, in foal to Giant’s Causeway, to top Session 2 at Keeneland’s 5-day January Horses-Of-All-Ages sale. (Giant’s Causeway, a son of Storm Cat, was European Horse-Of-The-Year whose first foals are yearlings this year.) Dellagrazia is a 13-year-old Trempolino mare (from Irish dam Autocratic, by Tyrant) & a half-sister to 5 stakes winners (including Gr2 winner & stakes producer Fair Of The Furze), as well as the dam of French Gr3 winner Grazalema & Japanese stakes winner Princess Carla. "That was bang on what I thought she'd bring," Castleton Lyons manager Gabriel Duignan told thoroughbredtimes.com. "She is a very good-looking mare carrying a Giant's Causeway colt, and she's already proven. One nice foal out of a mare like that gets you out." (Jan 9) TOC Keeneland Session 3: US$250,000 For Sweet Nanette Rainbow Stables paid top price of US$250,000 for multiple stakes winner Sweet Nanette during Session 3 of Keenenland’s 5-day sale reported bloodhorse.com. Sweet Nanette, a 5YO bay mare by You And I (out of Sweet Remedy by Dr Carter) who has won 6 races, was offered as a racing or broodmare prospect. And Josham Farms Limited paid US$215,000A for a chestnut yearling filly by Marquetry (out of Baby North, by Northern Baby) which is a half-sister to stakes winner Got Koko. (Jan 9) TOC Zabeel Moves To Top Of NZ Sires Table Cambridge Stud’s star stallion Zabeel has taken over top spot on the NZ national sires' premiership after his progeny recorded major wins during the Xmas-New Year Ellerslie carnival, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Million-dollar son St Reims won the Mercedes NZ Derby, while daughters Lafleur & Milzeel finished 1st & 2nd in the NZ Bloodstock Royal Stakes. Zabeel now has earnings of NZ$640,485 (A$593,344) for the season, followed by O'Reilly with NZ$553,096 (who's holiday earners included Derby runner-up Kajema & 1000 Guineas winner The Jewel). Third on the list is Desert Sun with NZ$551,538 (biggest recent progeny earner was Railway Stakes winner Egyptian Raine). Fayette Park sire Stark South moved to 4th on NZ$527,352 (following Gr1 wins by Bodie & Hail) & fellow Fayette Park stallion Prized is now 5th on NZ$485,002 (his biggest earning came in September when Prized Gem won the Kelt Capital Stakes). Defending premiership champ Volksraad is currently 6th with progeny earnings of NZ$475,503. (Jan 9) TOC Thoroughbred Breeders Australia At Asian Racing Conference The 29th Asian Racing Conference, in Auckland from March 1-6, will feature an exhibition to enable countries & companies to market their products. Thoroughbred Breeders Australia will operate a stand, with the display, information kits & generic marketing material co-ordinated by TBA executive officer James Peters. “The conference is attended by over 1,000 people from all thoroughbred breeding & racing countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa & Middle East,” Peters noted. “It is an ideal opportunity to promote the Australian-bred racehorse.” (Jan 9) TOC UK Trainer Butler Plans 4-Horse Dubai Assault Leading UK trainer Gerard Butler has announced a 4-pronged challenge on the Dubai World Cup meeting with Nayyir, Beauchamp Pilot, Compton Dragon & Common World. Butler is hoping Nayyir (a late withdrawal from the recent Hong Kong International meeting after a severe attack of diarrhoea) will be fit to travel on January 18 reported racingpost.co.uk, while the 3 stablemates will leave Britain on January 25. If their training goes according to plan, the quartet will then run in trials for the World Cup at Nad al Sheba at the beginning of March. Commenting on Nayyir, who at one point last month was so dehydrated he had several drips running from him & was close to death, Butler said: “He's making good progress - slow but steady - & putting on weight by the day. He was very sick, but should appreciate the weather in Dubai which is far more stable than it would be at home at that time of the year. And my other 3 horses could also end up in the World Cup itself, but we'll have to see how things pan out. They are all in very good form & I couldn't be happier with them.” (Jan 9) TOC Magic Millions 2YOs: From $7,000 Bargain To $1.1 Million Blue-Blood The Magic Millions 2YO Classic features youngsters ranging in price from $7,000 bargain Head For Cover right up to champion sire Danehill’s $1.1 million offspring Danbird. The full list of sale prices compiled by racenet.com.au is: Express Ball (Success Express-Belle Of The Ball) $37,500. Imperialism (Flying Spur-Lady Kariba) $35,000. Merhoob (Rory’s Jester-Moment’s Pleasure) $130,000. Danbird (Danehil-Fitting) $1,100,000. Helter Skelter (Piccolo-Amplify) $17,000. Spinning Boy (Spinning World-Windfall) $105,000. Dress Code (El Moxie-Ranein) $20,000. L’Espalier (Marscay-Pretty Buttons) $90,000. Danzoir (Danzero-Peignoir) $200,000. Hasna (Snippets-They Say) $160,000. How Funny (Rory’s Jester-Intertwined) $90,000. Fashion Victim (Rory’s Jester-Add Tinsel) $165,000. Regimental Gal (General Nediym-Hallaya) $16,500. Charmview (Royal Academy-Staremma) $130,000. Nibbler (Snippets-Bebhinn) $40,000. Kas Nediym (Nediym-Kerdisi) $15,000. Snippy (Snippets-Luminia) $150,000. Head For Cover (Hurricane Sky-Absent Minded) $7,000. Annie La Vie (Flying Spur-Miss Prospect) $100,000. Uturn (Our Maizcay-Wanderer’s Return) $17,000. Penalized (Rory’s Jester-Free Kick) $180,000. (Jan 9) TOC Magic Millions 3YOs: From $18,000 Steal To $380,000 Investment The Magic Millions 3YO Trophy features youngsters ranging in price from just $18,000 for major contender Private Steer through to top notch sire Desert King’s $380,000 off-spring Mardi Gras. The full list of sale prices compiled by racenet.com.au is: Blur (Flying Spur-Balcanny) $150,0000. Cool Trent (Nediym-Canny Queen) $52,500. Wyndam Glory (Rory’S Jester-Eccentricity) $75,000. Warrior Trader (Fuji Kiseki-Shared Destinies) $75,0000. Grandway Shogun (Geiger Counter-Separate Deal) $32,500. Fiery Venture (Thunder Gulch-Flying Venture) $110,000. Spinning Con (Spinning World-Sounds Positive) $40,000. Lion Dancer (Lion Hunter-Flicka’s Star) $37,500. And Shintaro (Fuji Kiseki-Elevate) $110,000. No Stops (Success Express-Seqoya) $45,000. Amex (Success Express-Spriggy) $20,000. Biaggio (Zeditave-Gay Rossina) $80,0000. Lovely Jubly (Lion Hunter-Jaboulet) $36,000. Private Steer (Danehill Dancer-Lisheenowen) $18,000. De Lollies (Dehere-Miss Candy) $120,000. Mardi Gras (Desert King-Affirmed’s Dance) $380,000. Northern Force (Success Express-Zofagal) $21,000. Mighty Blaze (Piccolo-Lumiere) $60,000. (Jan 9) TOC Gainsborough Boss Reveals Key Breeding Tips Michael Goodbody, managing director of Gainsborough Stud since its creation under the banner of Maktoum Al-Maktoum in 1981, gave British breeders his tips for pin-pointing a champion at the UK Thoroughbred Breeders Association annual awards dinner - highlighting genetic compatibility as the key, reported racingpost.co.uk. Gainsborough was described by TBA president David Oldrey as one of the prime forces that, “in the nick of time”, saved Britain from becoming “the equivalent of a Third World country in racing terms.” Goodbody himself acknowledged that because Gainsborough did not have to rely on commercial success, some of the ideas it employed in arranging matings were not practical for those who had “to produce for the market something that is fashionably bred & correct in order to maximise their return.” However, he emphasised: “If the genetic make-up is not correct in the long run, no top-class horses are produced & the broodmare band is subsequently devalued.” Seeking the correct genetic mix depended on identifying a number of factors: proven sires, soundness & temperament, strength of the female line, importance of the broodmare sire & line-breeding to superior ancestors. “All mare matings should be basically designed with an appreciation for genetics,” he declared. “First & foremost we seek genetic compatibility with matching sire & dam. Without the compatibility between the strains, we would be unable to upgrade the progeny’s performance levels, constitution & physique. Unfortunately for all racehorse breeders, a multitude of weak recessive genes are present in the best thoroughbred strains found in Europe & North America. Only by the use of clever selection skills may we keep this problem in check.” Goodbody warned of the consequences of mating a champion race mare with a champion racehorse, but ignoring genetic compatibility. A non-winner was the likely outcome, he said, adding: “I’m sure this is why, during the last century, the great owner-breeders would mate their Classic-winning fillies with Classic stallions belonging to their friends, without much thought to genetic compatibility, with the result that the progeny seemed to get slower and slower.” Goodbody stressed the importance of using good female lines: “Very seldom do top-class race mares with obscure pedigrees & no bottom line become foundation broodmares, or even produce anything of any ability. It is usually the unraced half-sister to a champion, or a daughter of a champion, that turns out to be the better broodmare. This is undoubtedly because the genetic pool is there to draw on, & when mated with the correct sires, produces good results. It is most important for breeders to introduce powerful female lines from other successful breeders into their portfolio, hoping that some of these fillies will become Gr1-producing mares, & breed stallion sons to perpetuate their influence.” (Jan 9) TOC Magna Launches New TV Racing Network Magna Entertainment Corporation has formally launched HorseRacing TV, a 24-hour US cable TV network providing exclusive coverage of the 13 tracks owned, operated or managed by Magna, as well as programming from 60 other tracks across the US & Canada. Magna’s account wagering system XpressBet will support the new network by providing wagering opportunities via telephone or internet (where permitted by law) on each of the races Magna presents on HRTV. "It has always been part of MEC’s strategy to support the growth of our racing & wagering operations with the broadest possible television distribution of live horse racing," Magna president Jim McAlpine told thoroughbredtimes.com. HRTV plans 15 hours of live daily race coverage, with replays & explanational programming related to horse racing filling the additional hours. Magna owns Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields & Bay Meadows in California; Gulfstream Park in Florida; Lone Star Park in Texas; Laurel Park & Pimlico Race Course in Maryland; & The Meadows in Pennsylvania. Other tracks owned, operated or managed by Magna include Remington Park in Oklahoma, Thistledown in Ohio, Great Lakes Downs in Michigan, Portland Meadows in Oregon & Colonial Downs in Virginia. (Jan 9) TOC South African Champ Wins WFA ‘Mile’ Again Two major weight-for-age Gr1 events were run at Kenilworth in South Africa over the Xmas-New Year holiday period. In the Gr1 Queen’s Plate over 1600m, champion 7YO & ruling South African Horse-Of-The-Year Free My Heart charged home to his second victory in SA’s premier weight-for-age ‘mile’ - having previously won in 2001 & then finished an unlucky 2nd behind Trademark last year. The star gelding unleashed his trademark whirlwind finishing burst from off the pace to swamp the field of 9 runners - with sportingpost.co.za reporting that, following a slow pace at the start, Free My Heart blitzed the final 600m “slowing down near the finish” in under 33 seconds. Trained by Dean Kannemeyer & ridden by Karl Neisius (who has now won 4 Gr1 races on him), Free My Heart has scored 7 times at Gr1 level. He is a son of champion sire Jallad (Jallad is a half-brother to Hoeberg, the former SA champion filly now trained at Randwick by David Payne). Bred by Graham Beck at Maine Chance Farms (Beck is president of leading Kentucky operation Gainesway Farm), his career record now stands at 12 wins in 33 starts. Meanwehile in the Gr1 Cape Of Good Hope Paddock Stakes over 1800m, Jeff Lloyd rode Crimson Palace (beaten only once in 5 starts) to victory over a top class field of 16 fillies & mares. Owned by Odessa Stud boss Lionel Cohen, Crimson Palace (a daughter of successful sire of broodmares Elliodor) equalled the track record, following a cracking pace throughout the race. (Jan 9) TOC Argentian Sire Lands First South African Winner Meanwhile former high class Argentinian sprinter Spaceship, whose his first crop of 2YOs are racing in South Africa this season, landed his initial SA winner when colt Spacemaster scored over 1000m at Clairwood. Spaceship – an 8YO stallion standing at Robin Scott’s Highdown Stud in the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands – won 6 races up to 1400m in Argentina, including a Gr1 event over 1200m. He also won a Gr2 in course record time over 1200m, & a pair of Gr3 races over 1200m & 1400m. He is a son of the Mr Prospector horse Lode (sire of numerous Gr1 winners in both South & North America, including Brazilian champion 3YO filly Special Lady & multiple USA Gr1 winner Lazy Lode). Spaceship is out of the Ringaro mare Sport Fashion (who never raced, but also bred stakes winner Self Control). (Jan 9) TOC Lord Charmer To Madera Thoroughbreds In California US stakes-placed Lord Charmer has been relocated to Madera Thoroughbreds in California for the 2003 season reported bloodhorse.com. Formerly at Twin Willows in Washington, 16-year-old Lord Charmer (Our Native-Embellished, by Seattle Slew) has sired 2 stakes winners. (Jan 9) TOC Medaglia d’Oro Best Horse In 2002: Ragozin Speed Figures With the winners of the 2002 US Eclipse Awards due for announcement in Los Angeles on January 27 (winners are selected by a vote of members of the National Turf Writers Association, Daily Racing Form & racing secretaries of member tracks of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association), the annual debate has begun about the subjective nature of the vote & relative merits of results in Triple Crown races versus Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships versus sustained season-long performances. To add to the controversy thoroughbredtimes.com sought the opinion of a leading US speed handicapper Len Friedman, whose criteria are simple: who was the fastest & most consistent racehorse? “A speed handicapper may produce a list of divisional leaders that traditional voters might find surprising,” the news-wire noted. And according to Friedman, a partner with Ragozin Thoroughbred Data, the top horse of the year is 3YO colt Medaglia d’Oro. Friedman’s choice was based on a long campaign from February until the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in late October. The Bobby Frankel-trained Gr1 Belmont Stakes & Classic runner-up earned a Ragozin figure of 1 or better in 3 races, topped by a –0.25 in the Gr1 Travers Stakes . (See explanation below.) Meanwhile Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Preakness Stakes winner War Emblem ran better than a 3 only once (a 1 in the Kentucky Derby). "Medaglia d’Oro was fastest at his best than War Emblem," Friedman said. "He had more good numbers & held his form longer. You have to give War Emblem credit for running his best numbers at the right time - namely, the Triple Crown. But his numbers tailed off later in the year (a 5 in the Gr1 Pacific Classic Stakes & a 9 in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic)." While Medaglia d’Oro earned the nod over War Emblem in the 3YO male division, Friedman said 3YO filly Take Charge Lady & older filly Azeri (the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner) were not far behind Medaglia d’Oro in terms of bodies of work & were best in their respective divisions. Friedman tabbed Take Charge Lady as the best 3YO filly off a long & consistent season that saw her run a 6 or better in 6 of her 10 2002 races, highlighted by a sensational 0.75 in the Gr1 Ashland Stakes. Azeri was a standout off a solid line of figures, topped by a 2.5 in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, & she never raced above a 7 in her 9 starts. Ragozin figures explained: Len Ragozin, the father of "speed figures," developed a system of measuring how fast every horse has run when taking into account such factors as track condition, surface, depth of track, distance raced off the rail, wind speed & direction. A lower number represents a stronger effort: hence a 0 figure is akin to a perfect race, though horses can run slightly lower figures (less than 0) due to such factors as wind, distance raced off the rail, etc, that upgrade their performance. The best figures are usually run in such races as the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic, with the winner normally earning between -1 & 1; slower speed figures can run as high as 40 in a slow maiden claiming race. (Jan 9) TOC Betfair Asks UK Punters To Give Up Anonymity Betfair punters are to be asked to give up their legal anonymity in the event of an investigation by the UK Jockey Club. The British internet gambling site, which takes12,000 bets a minute, is examining asking its 50,000+ customer base to sign away rights under the Data Protection Act if the Jockey Club wants to investigate a possible breach of its rules reported racingpost.co.uk. The Jockey Club would currently have to get a warrant from the police to force Betfair to reveal names & betting patterns under the banner of a criminal investigation. The Jockey Club confirmed it was looking for agreement over a "memo of understanding" with Betfair & other betting outlets. Jockey Club director of public relations John Maxse explained: "The memo would assist us in getting access to audit trails of particular incidents that caused us concern. This is a key area that has previously evaded us, but was likley to be on the way because it was recommended by the Budd Report in the event of a gambling commission being set up." Betfair, trumpeting its transparency & integrity, has gone to the Jockey Club to smooth the way for easier access to help prevent accusations that the ability to lay horses on the site invites corruption. It has also gone to the National Trainers Federation to discuss whether trainers should be allowed to use the exchange, resulting in a proposal from the Jockey Club Intergrity Review Committee to restrict trainers from using the exchange. Betfair's director of communications Mark Davies said: "All our customer base should be happy in knowing this is trying to root out corruption. We are not going to give up information on anybody if they don't agree, but I think 99% of our users will be happy with it. This move is really trying to say: there is so much talk about corruption, let's get it more out in the open. We don't believe there is a lot of corruption, but what there is needs exposing.” The established fixed-odds bookmakers, under the umbrella of The Association of British Bookmakers, have no plans to follow suit. (Jan 9) TOC Hong Kong Jockey Club Warning To Australian Breeders The Hong Kong Jockey Club has alarmed Australian thoroughbred sales companies & the local breeding industry with a headline-grabbing declaration that the Australian Goods & Services Tax, coupled with the strength of the Aussie dollar, has forced it to re-examine its policy of buying yearlings in Australia. The shock announcement comes immediately prior to 2003’s major Australasian yearling sales, at which HK interests have been very active participants in recent years. "We are going to have to consider whether it is sound business to buy as many horses in Australia," HKJC director of racing Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges told The South China Morning Post newspaper. "If you add the 10% GST to the price of the horse & the early costs, & then consider that the Australian dollar is 10% stronger this year than last, then we have a serious rise." HK interests could avoid the tax if they exported purchased horses immediately, but the HKJC typically leaves yearlings in Australia for several months to school & train them. "If we were to race the horses first, then we would fully understand, but this is a schooling process," Engelbrecht-Bresges said. "In other countries, like New Zealand or the United Kingdom, there is no additional tax to be paid on purchases, provided they leave the country within a certain time, & there is no problem with leaving them there to be broken in. When the GST was introduced, the Australian government assured AusHorse that the GST would not hurt the industry. But there may be a difference of opinion now." Following the announcement, the influential US news-wire thoroughbredtimes.com noted: “New Zealand could benefit most from the Australian situation, as there is no rule that restricts HK interests from moving Australian purchases to NZ for the yearlings to be schooled there, before being further exported to HK within a year of the sale.” On January 6, the HK dollar traded at a 120-day low versus the Australian dollar - a 9.1% decrease from the 6-month high set on August 6. (Jan 8) TOC Thoroughbred Breeders President Warns: Drought “Catastrophe” Under the headline “A Catastrophe Is Looming”, president Richard Turnley warned members in the Thoroughbred Breeders NSW newsletter that “NSW is currently experiencing the worst drought since records have been kept” & “the thoroughbred industry cannot escape the devastation . . . & the end result may be a massive fall in the number of foals being born next year together with a substantial fall in the number of mares being returned to the Stud Book.” He summed up: ”It would not surprise me if the number of foals born in the 3 eastern states is more than 15% down on 2002 & this will have a flow-on effect throughout the racing industry.” (Jan 8) TOC Hasna Draws Barrier 13 For Magic Millions 2YO Classic Hot favourite Hasna drew wide in barrier 13 at the official Barrier Draw held at Conrad Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast for Saturday’s $1 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic over 1200m. But leading Sydney bookmaker Colin Tidy told The Daily Telegraph newspaper: “I don’t think it would matter if she drew right off the track. She’s clearly the highest rating 2YO this season. She’s very adaptable & can take a sit, as she showed at Rosehill.” Jockey Chris Munce agreed: “I don’t think it will make much difference. On form she is the best 2YO, but it’s always a hard race to win.” However big-betting Gold Coast bookie Lloyd Merlehan told aapracingandsports.com.au: “The barrier draw has ensured she'll be black odds on Saturday." The official field is: Express Ball (barrier 15) trainer Ron Maund (jockey Stathi Katsidis). Imperialism (16) Gai Waterhouse (Michael Pelling). Merhoob (8) John O’Shea (Hugh Bowman). Danbird (7) Gerald Ryan (Greg Childs). Helter Skelter (10) Liam Birchley (TBA). Spinning Boy (2) Albert Stapleford (Brett Prebble). Dress Code (3) Robbie Laing (Noel Callow). L’Espalier (11) Gai Waterhouse (Scott Seamer). Danzoir (5) Tony McEvoy (Stephen Baster). Hasna (13) Gai Waterhouse (Chris Munce). How Funny (12) Gai Waterhouse (Glen Boss). Fashion Victim (21) David Hall (Glen Colless). Regimental Gal (6) Shaun Dwyer (Michael Rodd). Charmview (14) Tony Wildman (Brad Pengelly). Nibbler (4) Bevan Laming (TBA). Kas Nediym (18) George Osborne (Zac Purton). Snippy (1) Gai Waterhouse (TBA) (1st Emergency). Head For Cover (9) Troy Hall (TBA) (2nd Emergency). Annie La Vie (17) Bevan Laming (TBA) (3rd Emergency). Uturn (20) Gillian Heinrich (TBA) (4th Emergency). Penalized (19) Gillian Heinrich (TBA) (5th Emergency). (Jan 8) TOC Private Steer Draws Barrier 11 For Magic Millions 3YO Trophy And co-favourite Private Steer drew gate 11 at the Barrier Draw for Saturday’s $1 million Magic Millions 3YO Trophy over 1400m. But trainer Lee Curtis told The Daily Telegraph: “We wanted to draw out a little & I’m happier where we are than if she had drawn barrier 1.” Three of her main opposition – And Shintaro, Lovely Jubly & Blur – drew alongside each other in barriers 1, 2 & 3. The official field is: Blur (barrier 3) trainer Colin Little (jockey Steven King). Cool Trent (13) Dean Lawson (Scott Seamer). Wyndam Glory (5) Tony McEvoy (Stephen Baster). Warrior Trader (14) Maryann Thexton (Hugh Bowman). Grandway Shogun (18) Bryan Guy (Michael Rodd). Fiery Venture (10) Gai Waterhouse (Chris Munce). Spinning Con (6) Kim Moore (Jon Grisedale). Lion Dancer (4) Bob Thomsen (Glen Boss). And Shintaro (1) Russell Cameron (Steven Arnold). No Stops (7) Bevan Laming (Greg Childs). Amex (8) Alan Bailey (Glen Colless). Biaggio (15) Gai Waterhouse. (TBA). Lovely Jubly (2) Kevin Robinson (Brett Prebble). Private Steer (11) Lee Curtis (Grant Buckley). De Lollies (12) Clarry Conners (TBA). Mardi Gras (17) Gerald Ryan (Zac Purton). Northern Force (9) Rob Heathcote (TBA) (1st Emergency). Mighty Blaze (16) Alan Bailey (TBA) (2nd Emergency). (Jan 8) TOC Danehill’s Freshman Sires On Display Great interest among both breeders & buyers at the Magic Millions sale will focus upon the significant line-up of Danehill’s freshman sire sons: Arena, Catbird, Commands, Dangerous, Great Dane, Johan Cruyff & Redoute’s Choice. Most pre-race excitement, reported racenet.com.au, has focused upon Arrowfield Stud’s Redoute’s Choice & Catbird from neighbouring Scone farm Yarraman Park. Redoute’s Choice & Catbird will be represented by 36 yearlings each at the sale. Among the dams with progeny by Redoute’s Choice are: Gr1 winners Rhythmic Charm & Electrique; Gr3 or Listed winners Regal Sea, Transparency, Dipping, Fashion Café & Happen; plus Military Belle, dam of leading first season sire General Nediym. Highlights of the Catbird draft include: half relations to Group winners Ha Ha, Nothin Leica Dane, La Zoffany & Captain Test; and yearlings out of stakes winning mares Let’s Hurry, Magdalena, Deep Pile & Grand Jette. (Jan 8) TOC Merhoob Boosts Arena’s First Crop Sale Prospects Randwick winner Merhoob (Rory’s Jester-Moment’s Pleasure) gave an immediate boost to the first crop sales prospects of Lomar Park’s Arena reported racenet.com.au. Merhoob’s half-sister by Arena will go under the hammer during the 4th day’s session at the Magic Millions sale next Sunday. Merhoob’s dam Moment’s Pleasure was a top 2YO - bred, raced & retained by Lomar Park. Moment’s Pleasure won back-to-back 2YO Group races (Gr3 Newcastle Penfold’s Classic & Gr2 STC Reisling Slipper Trial) before finishing 7th in Danzero’s Gr1 Golden Slipper. Meanwhile Lomar Park principal Fred Peisah, Merhoob’s trainer Johh O’Shea & owner Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum will make a formidable cheer squad on Saturday as Merhoob lines up in the $1 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic. After yesterday’s official Barrier Draw, where Merhoob drew perfectly in 8, O’Shea told The Daily Telegraph: “He’ll get a great run from there. It’s ideal, particularly in the light of where the favourites have drawn. We’re really going to see how good Hasna is now.” (Jan 8) TOC Quinn Lands Immediate Sydney Winner Former top jockey Rodney Quinn was quick to land his first winner since arriving back in Sydney from Hong Kong when he piloted Win Here Win There to victory at Randwick. (Jan 8) TOC Oliver Nominated For Newspaper’s Australian-Of-The-Year Champion jockey Damien Oliver has been nominated for The Australian newspaper's Australian-Of-The-Year award. The winner will be announced on January 18. (Jan 8) TOC Bruce McLachlan Seeking NSW Stable Leading Brisbane trainer Bruce McLachlan “is making enquiries with NSW Racing about setting up a permanent stable in Sydney” reported The Daily Telegraph. McLachlan currently has several horses in work under a foreman on a visitor’s permit at Randwick (including Tattersalls Cup winner Raw Instinct & smart sprinter Presently). (Jan 8) TOC Country Racing stalwart Jim Browning Dead Jim Browning, former Coffs Harbour Race Club president & foundation director of the NSW Country Racing Council, has died after a lengthy illness. (Jan 8) TOC NZ Praise For Inglis Classic Sale “Producing Value Winners” Leading New Zealand breeding & racing industry news-wire thoroughbrednews.co.nz has heaped praise on Sydney’s up-coming Inglis Classic sale (Jan 19-21), declaring: “A yearling sale that has fast gathered a reputation of producing value winners is the Wm Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.” Among the bargains it notes are: “flying machine Bel Esprit purchased for just $9,000, this powerful sprinting colt has gone on to Gr1 status & a forth-coming career as a stallion at Victoria’s Eliza Park once his racing days are over” with prize-money already $1.5m; “another Gr1 winner to come out of the sale is Royal Purler, costing a modest $8,000 & now holding stakes of $312,510”; “astute Newcastle trainer Paul Perry’s crack colt & Gr2 winner Choisir cost $55,000 as a yearling from the Classic sale & has earned $1.1 million for his owners”. The wire summed up: “From its inception in 1997, the sale has now become the essential hunting ground for early Australian-bred speed at value prices.” (Jan 8) TOC Sunday Silence Again Tops Japanese Sire Lists Sunday Silence again topped both 2002’s general & 2YO sire lists in Japan, according to figures provide by Regent Company. Sunday Silence, who died mid-year, amassed a staggering US$53,782,508 prize-money. Tony Bin was runner-up on the general list with US$21,742,225, followed by Brian's Time, Afleet, Fuji Kiseki (by Sunday Silence), Sakura Bakushin-Oh, Commander in Chief, Forty Niner, Dance In The Dark (by Sunday Silence) & Jade Robbery. Dance In The Dark was 2nd on the 2YO list. (Jan 8) TOC Symboli Kris S Named Japan’s Horse-Of-The-Year Symboli Stud’s Symboli Kris S (a Kentucky-bred son of the late sire Kris S.) has been named 2002 Horse-Of-The-Year by the Japan Racing Association. The 4YO (out of Tee Kay, by Gold Meridian) won 5 of 10 starts, with 2 2nds & 3 3rds in 2002 & earned US$4,724,763. He won 4 stakes events as a 3YO last season, including the dual Gr1 events Arima Kinen & Tenno Sho (in which he defeated older horses). Symboli Kris S also finished 3rd (beaten just a neck by winner Falbrav) in the Gr1 Japan Cup on November 24 at Nakayama racecourse. And he finished 2nd (by one length to Tanino Gimlet) in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) earlier in the season at Tokyo racecourse. (Jan 8) TOC Dare And Go Sires First US Graded Stakes Winner Ill-fated stallion Dare And Go, whose first Australian-bred yearlings sell this year, notched his first Graded Stakes winner in North America when 5YO mare San Dare (ex San Empery, by Empery) won the US$100,000 Gr3 Honey Fox Handicap at Gulfstream Park reported racenet.com.au. Dare And Go died at age 10 in November 2001 at Queensland’s Vantana Farm from a twisted bowel. He commenced his race career in France where he won 4 of his 8 starts (including the Prix Herod & Prix Matchem). During his 3YO season, he then transferred to the US where he ran gallant 2nds in the Gr1 Hollywood Turf Cup, Gr1 Secretariat Stakes & Gr1 Hollywood Derby (G1). Then as a 4YO in 1995 Dare And Go started 3 times, for a victory in the Gr1 Strub Stakes at Santa Anita, & 3rds in both the Gr1 Santa Anita Handicap & Gr2 San Fernando Stakes. The following year Dare And Go produced one of US racing’s great upsets when he ended the 16-race winning streak of 2-time US Horse-Of-The-Year Cigar in the Pacific Classic. A son of champion racehorse & sire Alydar, Dare And Go is out of winning Secretariat mare Partygoer. Dare And Go has 5 yearlings entered for the Magic Millions Yearling Sale (all in Session 5 on January 14). (Jan 8) TOC Sluggish Pace Continues During 2nd Keeneland Session Trade continued at a sluggish pace during the 2nd Session of the 2003 Keeneland January Horses-Of-All-Ages sale. Top prices included: US$330,000 paid by Robert Courtney for mare Awe That (a 5YO winning daughter of Boundary) who is pregnant to Gulch; US$300,000 from Blandford Bloodstock for Royal Ballerina (a 13-year-old Gr2 winner) in foal to Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus; & US$250,000 paid by Taki Murayama for Parlay (a 9YO Mt Livermore mare whose 6 wins include the Gr2 1998 Distaff Handicap at Aqueduct) in foal to Unbridled's Song. "She’s the best-looking mare in the sale," Murayama told thoroughbredtimes.com. "And she's a Grade 2 stakes winner in foal to the right horse." (Jan 8) TOC US Players Note Mixed Auction Market As Keeneland’s 5-day sale continued with mixed results, participants reflected on the state of the industry in light of initial figures below comparable sessions last year. (First session total receipts fell 40.4%, average price was down 30.6% & 34.2% of horses remained unsold because they failed to reach their reserve.) But Keeneland's sales director Geoffrey Russell told bloodhorse.com that, although disappointed by the high rate of horses not sold, initial results reflected a "solid January sale. The numbers are in line with 2 years ago." Consignor Fred Seitz from Brookdale Farm concurred: “For what's here, it's a good sale. It's solid for something of quality. But it is totally a function of the market in that there is not much quality here. Without any major dispersal, it is typical of this sale. But if you are here pin-hooking a broodmare for a profit, you may be disappointed. You have to be realistic." Buyer Buzz Chance added: “When the nice ones come into the ring, they get a lot of money.” (Jan 8) TOC US Sales Battle Effects Of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome Major North American thoroughbred auctions face a serious challenge in 2003 as the industry attempts to reverse 2 years of decline. “The challenge — to return to the periods of dramatic growth realized in the 1990s — will be whether the industry can overcome the effects of mare reproductive loss syndrome seen in Central Kentucky in 2001” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. “Compared with the previous year, MRLS was not as rampant in the region as in 2002, although those with close ties to the thoroughbred sales market believe the effects of the mysterious disease will resonate throughout auctions in 2003.” The effect of MRLS will most likely be seen at the selected yearling sales, which will undoubtedly be hit with a decreased number of offerings, but the industry has a watchful eye on this week’s 5-day Keeneland Horses-Of-All-Ages sale in Lexington. "In 2003 MRLS will have its biggest effect, no doubt," said Keeneland director of sales Geoffrey Russell. "The first time it hit us was when the mares were in foal & now this is the second major whack. There will be fewer horses on offer, which means less horses racing in the future. MRLS will be with us for a long time, which makes this year very interesting." North American auction revenue dropped to US$767.3 million in 2002, a decline of 17.4% from 2000. (Jan 8) TOC Multiple US Gr1 Winner Habibti Retired Dual US 2YO Gr1 winner & Eclipse Award runner-up Habibti has been retired following her recent 7th in the Gr1 La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita Park reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Trained by Bob Baffert, the 4YO daughter of Tabasco Cat won both the Gr1 Del Mar Debutante Stakes & Gr1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes, as well as finishing 2nd in both the Gr1 Santa Anita Oaks & Gr1 Las Virgenes Stakes, & placing 3rd in the Gr1 Kentucky Oaks. Richard Mulhall, president of Habiti’s owners The Thoroughbred Corporation, told Daily Racing Form that Point Given & Gone West are possible mates. (Jan 8) TOC Paris House Leased To German Stud Former top UK sprinter & multiple Gr2 winner Paris House, who sired 6 stakes winners from his first 6 crops, has been leased to stand the 2003 stud season at Gestut Elite in Germany. The 14-year-old son of Petong (out of Foudroyer, by Artaius) previously stood at Beechwood Grange Stud near York in England. Paris House is the sire of 2001 English high-weight Misty Eyed & Italian stakes winner Southern House, & overall has sired 92 winners from 181 starters. Paris House won 9 of 21 career starts, including the Gr2 1991 Flying Childers Stakes, Gr2 1992 Temple Stakes & Gr3 1993 Palace House Stakes, as well finishing 2nd in both the 1991 & 1993 Gr1 Keeneland Nunthorpe Stakes. (Jan 8) TOC Distance Markers Across Home Straight For HK Punters Beginning on January 1, on-course punters at Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Hong have been provided with Virtual Distance Markers on TV & Diamond Vision Screens for all turf races (both day & night). The ‘virtual marker’ lines appear across the track 6 times in the home straight (at the 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m, 50m & finish line) offering race-goers a precise gauge on the relative position of each runner. The opacity of the computer-generated markers is pre-determined in accordance with the brightness of sunlight at the start of each race, reported racenet.com.au. (Jan 8) TOC NZ-Breds Win 6 Races At HK Meet New Zealand-bred horses had a night to remember in Hong Kong by collecting 6 of the 10 races at the Sha Tin track reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The John Size-trained Kingston Winner (Krasnopolski) blitzed the field in a HK$570,000 (A$140,000) Class 4 1200m event in very smart time, ridden by Shane Dye. Magnificent (Centaine) also won a HK$570,000 (A$140,000) Class 4 event, but over 1600m. Owner’s Joy (Faltaat) prevailed in a similar HK$570,000 (A$140,000) Class 4 event over 1600m. Flying Success (Kingdom Bay) took a HK$570,000 (A$140,000) Class 4 event over 1400m, ridden by French jockey Gerald Mosse. Ra Ora Stud graduate Step Forward (Geiger Counter) scored for jockey Eric Legrix in a HK$500,000 (A$125,000) Class 5 event over 1600m. And Universal Star (Marscay) took out a HK$570,000 (A$140,000) Class 4 event over 1400m. (Jan 8) TOC Elwes Proposes Board To Monitor BHB & English Jockey Club In his final speech as chairman of Britain’s Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, Nigel Elwes controversially called for the creation of “an executive or supervisory board to establish broad policy & oversee the work of” both the British Horseracing Board & the English Jockey Club. Elwes asserted the board of the BHB is “too large & needs to be restructured to allow the executive team freedom to run the business.” He also said a future funding plan should be implemented & that the BHB needs to work more closely with racetracks. And he called on fellow breeders to take their own steps to tackle the problem of over production - “well documented” by the fact 23 UK stallions covered more than 150 mares in 2002. (Jan 8) TOC Media Puzzle May Target US Prize Trainer Dermot Weld plans to send Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle to the US for a start in the US$400,000 Gr1 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap on the Santa Anita Park turf on April 20 reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Media Puzzle scored a 2-length win in the 3200m Melbourne Cup on November 5 in his most recent start. However Weld has since also mentioned the Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad al Sheba racecourse on March 29 as a possible target for the 6YO Kentucky-bred son of Theatrical. California-based graded stakes winners Ballingarry (Ireland), Falcon Flight (France) & Grammarian are among other hopefuls for the 2800m San Juan Capistrano, the longest graded stakes race in the US. (Jan 7) TOC Mare In Foal To Unbridled’s Song Tops Sluggish Keeneland Opening Louis Brooks Ranch in Texas purchased stakes-wining mare Belle Nuit for US$475,000 to top the opening session of Keeneland’s January Horses-Of-All-Ages sale. The 13-year-old mare, currently in foal to Unbridled’s Song, has produced 5 foals, of which 2 have raced & both are stakes winners. (Belle Cherie, by Belong to Me, won 4 graded stakes & her full brother Be Mine Tonight won a New York Stallion stakes at Aqueduct.) And from 4 crops of racing age, dual Gr1 winner Unbridled’s Song has sired 128 winners from 211 starters & 495 foals. But the 5-day sale began “sluggishly” reported thoroughbredtimes.com, despite a catalogue containing 1,907 horses (37% up on last year). "The strength of the autumn sales was in the middle markets. I think people who had been leery of the market saw those results & it gave them confidence to put their horses in this sale," said Keeneland’s director of sales Geoffrey Russell. "That’s probably a big part of the catalogue increase." Among stallions listed as covering sires for the sale are Fusaichi Pegasus, Giant’s Causeway, Gulch, Hennessy, Monarchos, Pulpit, Tiznow, Unbridled’s Song, Saint Ballado & War Chant. (Jan 7) TOC Strategic Colt Tops QBBS Yearling Sale A chestnut colt by Woodlands Stud’s champion first season sire Strategic (out of the Ideal Planet mare Elite Sparkle) topped the QBBS 2-day yearling sale. The colt was purchased by P.Wilson for $75,000 reported racenet.com.au. Another son of Strategic (a chestnut out of the Noalcoholic mare Good Mixer) brought a $65,000 bid from Tony Sears. And Eliza Park Stud’s Johan Cruyff made an auspicious sales ring debut when his only yearling on offer, a bay or brown colt out of the Aurealis mare Mesaluna, was snapped up by G.Burns for $42,500. Overall 170 yearlings sold (106 were passed in) for a gross aggregate of $1.795 million at an average of $10,559. This was a decline on last year when 180 yearlings sold (63 were passed in) for an aggregate $2.352 million at an average $13,066. (Jan 7) TOC Gold Fever Lands First Australian-Bred Winner Gold Fever, which shuttled to Widden Stud for one season in 1999, was represented by his first Australian-bred winner at Cessnock. The Max Lees-trained first starter Coolgardie (Gold Fever-Celebrity Status, by Centaine) scored in a 2YO maiden over 900m reported racenet.com.au. Previously, 5 of Gold Fever’s 8 starters to date have earned prizemoney - without winning. They include the impressive Happy Strike (ex Rich Haul), the $180,000 sales-topper at the 2002 Inglis Classic Sale, which finished 4th at his first race start in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes, followed by two runner-up finishes at Moonee Valley & Sandown. Winner of 7 US races (including the Gr1 NRYA Mile), Gold Fever is a son of Forty Niner. (Jan 7) TOC Mare’s Victory Good News For 2 Stallions Pregnant mare Flurry’s Gem was carrying two of Collingrove Stud’s sires to victory at Moonee Valley recently. The gallant mare, by Perugino, is in foal to Rory’s Jester & will be retired early in 2003 reported aapracingandsports.com.au. (Jan 7) TOC Collingrove’s Strong Hand At Magic Millions Meanwhile Collingrove Stud is eagerly anticipating the Magic Millions carnival. Brilliant fillies Hasna, Fashion Victim & How Funny - all Collingrove products from the 2002 Magic Millions yearling sale - are leading contenders for the $1 million MM 2YO Classic. Fashion Victim & How Funny are both by Collingrove’s dominant 2YO sire Rory’s Jester, while Hasna is a daughter of the late Magic Millions winner Snippets. In the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy, Collingrove will be represented by filly Private Steer, a daughter of the stud’s successful shuttle sire Danehill Dancer. (Jan 7) TOC Arrowfield’s Boom Start To 2003 Arrowfield Stud stallions started the New Year with a bang in both Australia & Hong Kong reported racenet.com.au. At Randwick 2YO Danzero filly Hinting scored by a nose from Flying Spur gelding Spur Me On over 1200m. Flying Spur followed-up with Grand Cavalier’s victory over 1200m at Ascot. Meanwhile And Shintaro, the promising 3YO son of Fuji Kiseki, won over 1000m at Eagle Farm. And recently departed Snippets & former shuttle stallion Unbridled’s Song both sired winners on the New Year’s Day meeting at Sha Tin. Continuing the good news, new Arrowfield recruit Hurricane Sky (son of Golden Slipper winner Star Watch) is the sire of both Careyes, a winner over 1840m at Flemington &, on the same day, the John Size-trained Grand Delight who won Hong Kong’s Gr3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup over 1200m at Sha Tin. (Grand Delight won the 2001 Gr1 Emirates Stakes in Australia when known as Desert Eagle). (Jan 7) TOC First New Zealand Winner for Bahhare Rich Hill Stud shuttle stallion Bahhare was represented by his first NZ winner when Clifton won on debut at Taupo. Clifton is from the first of 3 crops sired by Irish-based Bahhare at Rich Hill. Sticking to a formula laid down with owners Derrinstown Stud, the son of Woodman was given a year off shuttling duties last spring, but will return to Rich Hill for the next breeding season. “Obviously it’s a very encouraging sign with the sales coming up,” Rich Hill manager John Thompson (who races Clifton in partnership with old school friend Peter Merton & Rich Hill Thoroughbreds partner Alan Galbraith) told New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing. “The general feeling has been that Bahhare’s stock have ability. I’m not surprised that this filly is his first winner because she looked one of his most precocious types at last year’s sales.” Clifton’s dam, the stakes-placed Spectacular Love mare Instantly, is a half-sister to last season’s Gr1 Adelaide Cup winner The A Train. (Jan 7) TOC Towkay Joins Winning Ranks Starkay (a daughter of Classic Realm, by Kingdom Bay) became the first winner sired by Towkay when she won the Wairarapa RC Juvenile over 1000m in New Zealand, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Towkay has now had 6 NZ 2YOs race (for 2 winners & 4 second-placings), while in Australia he has had just 1 runner - Pretentious finished 3rd over 1000m at Ascot in WA. Towkay stands at Little Avondale Stud in Masterton & is a son of Last Tycoon, who’s proving a successful sire of sires, especially through the deeds of Marju & O'Reilly. Towkay’s half-brother Danasinga is also experiencing considerable success as a sire. (Jan 7) TOC Another Gr1 Winner For Desert Sun Champion mare Sunline may have retired, but the progeny of Desert Sun continue to grab headlines. Four-year-old Desert Sun mare Egyptian Raine defeated a high class field in winning New Zealand’s Gr1 Railway Stakes in Auckland over the New Year holidays. Egyptian Raine became Desert Sun’s 3rd Gr1 winner & one of 14 individual stakes winners. Earlier on the same program Desert Sun gelding Desert Sheikh took out the Jacobsen Quality (1600m) - highlighting the continued success Desert Sun is having as a sire of colts. Desert Sun is now the sire of 144 individual winners (78 colts/geldings & 66 fillies) at a winners-to-runners 58%. With the first of the big yearling sales commencing on the Gold Coast, Eliza Park marketing manager John Miller noted the stud is offering a quality Desert Sun filly out of outstanding race-mare Scandinavia. Desert Sun colts & fillies will also be offered at the Melbourne Premier Sale & Adelaide Magic Millions Sale. (Jan 7) TOC L’Quiz Family Is World Class The win of St Reims in the recent Gr1 New Zealand Derby was a major success for the colt's breeder Sir Patrick Hogan, who not only stands sire Zabeel at Cambridge stud, but also owns the dam L'Quiz. “She is in danger of becoming another Eight Carat (the celebrated dam of 5 Gr1 winners)”, declared thoroughbrednews.co.nz, with 3 L’Quiz progeny to race now Gr1 performers (winners Champagne & St Reims, as well as Gr1-placed Sursum Corda). (Jan 7) TOC Genetic Analysis Claims To Unlock Breeding Mysteries A simple genetic test for breeders to determine genetic compatibility of proposed matings based on DNA analysis is being offered by Thoroughbred Genetics Asia Pacific, a joint venture between The Pines Stud (part owners of Melbourne Cup winning stallion Jeune) & UK firm Thoroughbred Genetics Company. Using a blood sample from the mare, a report on her genetic makeup is generated, which includes a crucial stallion selection to enhance the DNA structure of the progeny. Graeme Little & Emma Boling, directors of The Pines Stud on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula & breeders of Magic Millions favourite Hasna, have brought the genetic technology to Australia from the UK, & have mated their broodmare band in 2002 in accordance with genetic testing results by TGC. TGC managing director Dr Stephen Harrison summed up: “DNA analyses are extremely accurate & can show very different results to a pedigree worked out on paper. The information is already proving invaluable to breeders in the northern hemisphere, as it enables them to see which characteristics, both good & bad, will or won’t be passed down the line, & breaks the deadlock imposed by conventional approaches.” Costs per test range on a sliding scale from $500 to $990 per horse. (Jan 7) TOC Trainer Baffert Slams The Rock's Supporters Rock Of Gibraltar has been short-listed as a finalist for the US Horse-Of-The-Year award, sparking a storm of criticism from leading American trainer Bob Baffert. The record-breaking miler is also nominated for an Eclipse Award as champion male turf performer, despite only 1 US run in 2002 which resulted in defeat. Baffert attacked the Eclipse Awards system as “flawed” & reserved special rebuke for those who voted for The Rock. "There should be a certain criteria for a horse tobe eligible, such as having at least one Grade 1 win or be competitive in graded events or something," Baffert told bloodhorse.com. "A guy shouldn't be allowed to write a horse's name in the blank because he lives next door to the owner, or something crazy like that. I mean, Rock Of Gibraltar as Horse-Of-The-Year? Give me a break. Whoever voted like that should have their vote taken away after selecting a horse who never even won in this country. It was like that whole French figure skating thing. Everyone knew who the best was, but they didn't win." Winners will be announced at the 32nd annual Eclipse Awards Dinner in Los Angeles on January 27. Winners are selected by a vote of members of the National Turf Writers Association, Daily Racing Form & racing secretaries of member tracks of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Rock Of Gibraltar was an unlucky runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Mile in his one US start. Stiff opposition awaits for the title of Horse-Of-The-Year from Azeri, impressive when landing the Breeders' Cup Distaff, Whitney Handicap winner Left Bank & Kentucky Derby victor War Emblem. In the Male Turf Horse category his rivals are stablemate High Chaparral & local US hope With Anticipation. (Jan 7) TOC Strong Australian Interest In Eclipse Awards “The Australian breeding industry could be excused for a bit of chest beating”, declared racenet.com.au, “with the announcement that champion racemare Azeri becomes the first known winner of an Eclipse Award this year when she was unanimously voted the Champion Older Filly or Mare.” A daughter of Australian-bred mare Zodiac Miss (winner of the 1992 Gr3 NJC Coca Cola Classic), Azeri won 8 of her 9 starts in 2002, including the Gr1 Apple Blossom, Gr1 Santa Margarita Invitational, Gr1 Vanity & Gr1 Milady Breeders’ Cup, before her scintillating 5-length win in the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Azeri’s sire Jade Hunter spent 3 years at Woodland Stud’s Cootamundra division & a year at stud in New Zealand. Further Australian interest in the Eclipse Awards surrounds 2-season shuttle stallion Distorted Humour, sire of champion 2YO filly nominee Awesome Humor. Distorted Humor will have yearlings for sale in Australia this year - 12 at the Magic Millions Adelaide sale, 1 at the Gold Coast & two at the Inglis Premier sale. And Arrowfield Stud’s Dehere has his best North American performer Take Charge Lady among the nominees for Champion 3YO Filly. One of her opponents is top class filly Imperial Gesture, a daughter of Vinery Stud’s champion Danzig sprinter Langfuhr. Arrowfield will also be crossing fingers for the Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Orientate, a nominee for Champion Sprinter. Orientate will shuttle to Arrowfield this spring, after doing duty at Kentucky’s Gainesway Farm. Coolmore not only has Rock Of Gibraltar (winner of 7 straight Gr1 races in Europe before his unlucky 2nd in the Breeders’ Cup Mile) in the Horse Of The Year Award category, but also both ‘The Rock’ & High Chapparal (winner of the UK Epsom Derby, Irish Derby & Breeders’ Cup Turf) in the Male turf category. (Jan 7) TOC Ireland’s ‘Foreign Buyer’ Incentives Continue In 2003 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing announced its Inward Buyer Program will continue to operate in 2003. Under the Inward Buyer Program, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing contributes to the airfares of foreign purchasers at the public thoroughbred sales (Goffs & Tattersalls) in Ireland. (Jan 7) TOC Virginia May Issue Secretariat License Plates The US state of Virginia plans to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Secretariat’s 1973 Triple Crown win with a commemorative automobile license plate reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The Virginia-bred son of Bold Ruler, who was US Horse-Of-The-Year in 1972 & 1973, died on October 1989 at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky where he stood his entire stud career. The annual surcharge for the special revenue-sharing license plate would be US$25, with the Secretariat Museum Foundation receiving US$15 from every plate after the first 1,000 issued. (Jan 7) TOC Deep Gold To Mesa Vista In New Mexico US graded stakes winner Deep Gold will enter stud at Mesa Vista Stud in New Mexico reported bloodhorse.com. The 7YO son of Olympio, who won the 2000 Gr3 Deputy Minister Handicap & placed in the Gr2 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes & Gr3 Red Bank Handicap, retired with 7 wins from 33 starts. (Jan 7) TOC Magic Millions Program Of Events With the Magic Millions week in full swing from today, the important details include: Tuesday January 7: Magic Millions Yearling Inspection Day 10am; Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 2YO Classic & 3YO Trophy Barrier Draw at Conrad Jupiters 11am; Carbine Club Lunch at Gold Coast Turf Club 12noon; Tax Seminar at Magic Millions Sale Centre 6pm. Wednesday January 8: Domayne Magic Millions Family Day at Kurrowa Park 5am–9am; Magic Millions Yearling Inspection Day 10am; Independent Fuel Supplies Silk Stocking Race Day at Gold Coast Turf Club 10am; Official Carnival Opening ‘Carnivale’ at Conrad Jupiters 7pm. Thursday January 9: The Bulletin Magic Millions Business Breakfast at The Surfers Paradise Marriott 7am–9am; Hats & High Tea at Marriott Surfers Paradise 10.30am; Session One: Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale at Magic Millions Sales Complex 12 noon; MMSalesRing.com Pre-Sale Party at Palazzo Versace 7pm. Friday January 10: Aushorse New Ownership Forum 10am; Session Two: Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale at Magic Millions Sales Complex 11am; Sheraton Mirage Ladies Luncheon 12noon; Art & Opera Under The Sails at Marina Mirage 6pm; The Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Pre-Raceday Party at Drink Nightclub, Surfers Paradise from 6pm. Saturday January 11: The Magic Millions Champagne Classic Champagne parties all over town from 7am; Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Race Day at GCTC 10am; Session Three: Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale at Magic Millions Sales Complex 6pm. Sunday January 12: Session Four: Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale at Magic Millions Sales Complex 11am. Monday January 13: Magic Millions Yearling Inspection Day 10am; Widden Stud Magic Millions Golf Tournament at Royal Pines 11am. Tuesday January 14: Session Five: Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Yearling Sale 10am. (Jan 7) TOC Latest Inglis Randwick Classic Order-Of-Entry Latest Order-Of-Entry for the 2003 $610,000 Inglis Classic run at Royal Randwick over 1200m on Saturday January 18: Secret Land (trained by G.Waterhouse) $54,000 prize-money total; Miss Terrain (M.Price) $48,750; In Top Swing (N.Mayfield Smith) $47,250; Hinting (F.W.Mitchell) $29,600; Danish Magic (R.Simpson) $15,300; Happy Strike (R.Hore-Lacy) $13,000; Regrade (G.Portelli) $11,900; Mimzical (G.Portelli) $11,800; Perfect Movement (G.Waterhouse) $6,800; Interog (G.Rogerson) $6,000; Don's Success (G.Portelli) $5,200; Oh Sun (G.Rogerson) $4,200; Ultimate Fever (J.O’Shea) $4,050; Garrett (B.Joseph) $3,400; Dakota Kel (G.Portelli) $2,500; Bouchette (G.Hickman) $2,000; Eye For An Eye (R.Laing) $1,980; Cannyopra (R.Laing) $1,800; Filante's Rose (J.Cantrell) $1,800; Sir Marwina (D.Lee) $1,600; General Intent (F.W.Mitchell) $1,600; Impala Bullet (R.Milligan) $1,500; Sir Dex (G.Hickman) $1,400; Comical Crown (G.Walter) $1,000; Pompeii Dancer (G.Waterhouse) $900; Antiene (C.Conners) $900; Turon (R.Pearse) $900; Interog (G.Rogerson) $800; Matey (R.Craig) $800; Restylane Lady (L.Aspros) $600; Aurism (L.Freedman) $450; Daniela’s Success (G.Portelli) $400; Platoon (J.Penfold) $350; Gambalino (K.Callaughan) $350. (Jan 7) TOC Latest Inglis Flemington Premier Race Order-Of-Entry Latest Order-Of-Entry for the 2003 $500,000 Inglis Premier Race run at Flemington over 1200m on Sunday February 9: Ra Sun (trained by R.Griffiths) $115,000 prize-money total; Pinchbeck (R.Hore Lacy) $97,500; Arena Star (R.Griffiths) $26,250; Son of Spartacus (T.McEvoy) $23,740; Roedean (M.Price) $18,200; Pietiner (C.Alderson) $16,000; Paint the Stage (L.Freedman) $7,150; Creston King (B.Murray) $5,200; Tatanka (M.Minervini) $4,400; Lady Arnica (C.Conron) $3,000; Perusen (B.McCarthy) $1,800; Winestock (T.O’Sullivan) $1,800; Alastro (W.Pike) $1,739; Spunky Funster (B.Mayfield-Smith) $900; Hot Spa (S.Richards) $750; Neo (M.Price) $625; Dolphin Run (B.Joseph) $500; Caught Posing (T.McEvoy) $300; Sudarmi (J.Sargent) $260. (Jan 7) TOC Bookie Declares He’ll Take On Hasna Leading Gold Coast bookmaker Lloyd Merlehan declared the odds-on quote about Hasna for the Magic Millions 2YO race is a “Sydney price” & told The Daily Telegraph newspaper: “I’m prepared to bet black figures about Hasna & I’m prepared to stand her for half a million dollars.” (Jan 6) TOC Magic Millions Call Of The Card The Gold Coast Turf Club will present Queensland's first-ever Call Of The Card as a feature of the 2003 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Racing Carnival. Involving bookmakers Lloyd Merlehan, Terry Page, Charles Clout & Vince Aspinall, it will begin in the GCTC betting ring at 4.30pm tomorrow (after the 11am barrier draw & traditional Carbine Club lunch) hosted by racing identities Steve Hawkins & Chris Scholtz. “This event has the promise of being absolutely massive,” GCTC chairman Bill Millican said. “The Call Of The Card at the Melbourne Cup is a major event, which draws some of the country’s biggest business names & some very big money is laid out to frame the betting. The bookmakers will be taking bets from the floor & from punters interstate by phone, & there are always some big surprises as the early bets are laid. We’ve been told one of Australia’s biggest professional punters Sean Bartholomew is flying in for the event & there will be intense interest in what he does. His clashes with Lloyd Merlehan are legendary & let’s hope they continue.” (Jan 6) TOC Ownership Forum At Magic Millions Aushorse, in conjunction with Magic Millions, will hold an ownership forum on January 10 at the Magic Millions Sale complex at Bundall. Participants will hear prominent industry speakers outline topics including yearling selection & ownership options such as syndication, & will have the chance to have questions answered before a tour of the complex to inspect horses & meet yearling vendors & breeders. "We’ve held 2 ownership forums to date in other states & they’ve proven extremely popular," said Aushorse secretary Bronwyn Farr. (Jan 6) TOC HK Blitz For Size & Dye Plenty of Xmas-New Year cheer in Hong Kong for former Sydney-siders, trainer John Size & jockey Shane Dye. Size landed a treble at Sha Tin on December 27, another treble on New Year’s Day & a double yesterday, to lead the HK trainers’ premiership comfortably from fellow expatriate Australian David Hayes & Tony Cruz. Dye rode all 3 Size winners on New Year’s Day plus yesterday’s double, to move just 1 win behind reigning champ Douglas Whyte on the HK jockeys’ table. (Jan 6) TOC Seattle Dancer Sold To German Stud Seattle Dancer, the world’s most expensive yearling when purchased by shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos for US$13.1m (A$23.14m) at the 1985 Keeneland Sales, has been bought by a German breeding syndicate to continue his stud career at Gestut Auenquelle near Rodinghausen in 2003. The son of Nijinsky II & half-brother to 1977 US Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew & Lomond (1983 UK Gr1 Two Thousand Guineas winner) has spent the last 6 years at stud in Japan, following previous stints at Ashford Stud in Kentucky & Coolmore Stud in Ireland. As a stallion the 18-year-old has produced 34 stakes-winners (including 16 Group winners) with progeny earnings of more than $US26 million. (Jan 6) TOC Kentucky Derby Winner & Major Sire Pleasant Colony Dead Pleasant Colony, who won the 1981 Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Preakness Stakes, died of natural causes in his paddock at George Grayson's Blue Ridge Farm in Virginia reported bloodhorse.com. The 25-year-old son of His Majesty also ran 3rd in that year’s Gr1 Belmont Stakes, as well as winning the Gr1 Wood Memorial & Gr1 Woodward Stakes. He retired with 6 wins from 14 starts in 2 years of racing. At stud, Pleasant Colony sired 73 stakes winners from 18 crops to race, including US Eclipse Award winners Pleasant Tap & Pleasant Stage, multiple European champion St Jovite, recent star Behrens & 1993 Gr1 Belmont Stakes winner Colonial Affair. On the 2002 US general sire list, he ranked 26th, with progeny earnings of US$4.1 million. (Overall his progeny had earned US$52,815,753 to 1 January 2003.) As a broodmare sire, Pleasant Colony is represented by such Gr1 winners as half-siblings Forestry & Cash Run (winner of the 1999 Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies). (Jan 6) TOC McEvoy To Ride For Godolphin Top Melbourne jockey Kerrin McEvoy will travel to Dubai in February/March for a 6-week riding stint with the Godolphin stable. McEvoy piloted Godolphin’s Beekeeper into 3rd place in last year’s Melbourne Cup. His manager Glenn Darcy confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper: “Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford rang Kerrin 4 weeks ago to see if he would be interested in going over. Obviously Kerrin was more than happy to accept the offer & is looking forward to heading over in late February.” (Jan 6) TOC Spinning World Continues Success Holiday racing has again illustrated Spinning World is one of the hottest young sires of the moment. At Rosehill, the John Hawkes-trained 3YO filly La Bellarina scored in class record time, while 3YO Spinning Con won a 1500m handicap. And in Hong Kong, the David Hayes-trained Spinning City recorded a strong victory. Meanwhile Spinning Boy will run in the $1 million Magic Millions 2YO race next weekend & Spinning World's most exciting local son Thorn Park (winner of 2 of his 3 starts to date) is reportedly burning the training track & due to racing resume in Sydney. Other star performers in Australia for the Breeders' Cup Mile winner have included Coupe, Cyberiad, Al Megdam, In My Time & Spin Dancer. Spinning World stood a season at Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand in 2000 & 31 yearlings from his resultant crop will be sold at the Karaka Premier Sale later this month reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The son of Nureyev is now represented by 16 stakes performers from only two crops. (Jan 6) TOC Jockey Rod Quinn Returns To Sydney Rod Quinn returned to race-riding in Sydney after a stint in Hong Kong. The 42-year-old was previously a key rider for Crown Lodge trainer John Hawkes, piloting stable star Lonhro to 6 wins & a 2nd from 7 rides. (Jan 6) TOC Michelle Payne Lands 100th Career Winner The youngest of the eight Payne sibling jockeys, 17-year-old apprentice Michelle, rode her 100th career winner aboard The Mighty Lions at Sandown. The victory was also Payne’s 19th metropolitan win since her career debut on 10 February 2001. Michelle was a baby when her mother Rosa Mary Payne was killed in a car crash in 1986, leaving father & trainer Paddy Payne to bring up 10 children. Eight of the brood (Brigid, Therese, Patrick, Andrew, Bernadette, Maree, Cathy & Michelle) became jockeys. (Jan 6) TOC Top Apprentice Aims For Sydney Exciting Tamworth-based apprentice Mitchell Bell is expected to move to a Sydney-based stable in the next 2 months. Bell has out-ridden his NSW country claim & is eager to move to the metropolitan tracks. Hunter & North West Region chief steward Shane Cullen told The Sydney Morning Herald: “He is the most promising apprentice I have seen since Hugh Bowman.” (Jan 6) TOC Winks Joins Max Lees Newcastle Stable Former Melbourne-based apprentice James Winks joined the Newcastle stable of Max Lees, reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Winks, 19, has ridden 102 winners (including 26 in the Melbourne metropolitan area). (Jan 6) TOC Matt Pumpa Joins McEvoy Stable Up-and-coming apprentice Matt Pumpa celebrated his 19th birthday by joining Victoria’s leading trainer Tony McEvoy. With 20 metropolitan wins to his credit (the most recent on McEvoy's Danzerani at Sandown), Pumpa claims 2kgs in the metropolitan area. (Jan 6) TOC Sheehan Suspended For Failure To Take Rides Sydney heavy-weight jockey Justin Sheehan was suspended by NSW Thoroughbred Racing Board stewards for 1 month after his failure to make the required weight to take a series of recent rides. Chief steward Ray Murrihy told Sheehan his record in not honouring riding commitments had been “abysmal.” (Jan 6) TOC Lance O'Sullivan Sets NZ Jockey Record New Zealand's most successful jockey of all time Lance O’Sullivan set a record for most winning rides at Ellerslie in the final race of the Auckland Racing Club carnival. The win by Tricky Chance took O'Sullivan's Ellerslie tally to 393 wins, bettering the old mark set by recently retired David Peake. To cap off a great holiday week, O’Sullivan (who has won 11 NZ jockey premierships) was also named an officer in the NZ Order Of Merit in the New Year’s Honours List. (Jan 6) TOC Boom Apprentice Michael Walker Lands 500th Winner New Zealand apprentice jockey Michael Walker notched his 500th win - the first Kiwi apprentice to reach the milestone. Walker commenced his 4-year apprenticeship with Allan Sharrock 3 years & 5 months ago as a 15-year-old. He rode 131 winners in his first season (a record) & followed by taking the jockeys’ premiership in his 2nd season with a record 182 winners & the 2001 NZ Jockey Of The Year & Apprentice Of The Year titles. (Jan 6) TOC Opie Bosson Notches 500th Winner Opie Bosson was treated to a real hometown reception when he rode his 500th winner Emily’s Command in the feature race at Rotorua. Bosson was unaware until race morning that he was close to the milestone. “I found out when my dad rang me before I headed off to the races,” Bosson told thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Bosson’s first winner came 7 years ago at Gisborne; since then he has won both apprentice & open jockeys’ premierships, plus the Auckland Cup on Jezabeel, VRC Oaks on Grand Archway & recently the Gr1 Bayer Classic on Bunker. (Jan 6) TOC Double-Ton In Record Time For McCoy Tony McCoy set a new landmark when he broke his own record to register his 200th win of the UK season. McCoy reached the milestone 16 days earlier than he did during the last campaign, when he ended with 289 wins. “Obviously I would like to ride 300 winners,” he told racingpost.co.uk. (Jan 6) TOC Cambridge Stud Launching Sires At Gold Coast Cambridge Stud will sell the first southern hemisphere-bred yearlings of freshman sires Cape Cross & Stravinsky at the Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast. "It's a real highlight for us with these 2 new sires having their first Australasian representatives in the ring," Sir Patrick Hogan of Cambridge Stud told thoroughbrednews.co.nz. "Their progeny have sold well in the Northern Hemisphere & we are looking forward to having them sell at the Magic Millions Sale.” (Jan 6) TOC Favorite Trick Stakes Winner Exciting shuttle sire Favorite Trick produced a timely first stakes-winner in the US to coincide with the presentation of his first Australian-bred yearlings at the Magic Millions sale at the Gold Coast reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Sum Trick trounced his rivals by more than 4 lengths in the Riley Allison Futurity (a US$161,000 event for 2YOs) at New Mexico’s Sunland Park track. Favourite Trick produced 11 first-crop winners in the US in 2002 from 32 runners. The former US Horse Of The Year (he was unbeaten in 8 2YO starts) has 17 of his first Australian-bred yearlings in the Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions sale series beginning on January 9 – including youngsters out of notable winning mares Adeewin, Millrich, Berberia, Freedom Fields, Jullene & Mad Shavirl. (Jan 6) TOC First NZ Stakes Winner For Tale Of The Cat The win by 2YO Ubiquitous in the Gr3 Jerry Clayton Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie represented the first stakes winner in New Zealand for exciting freshman sire Tale Of The Cat reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Tale Of The Cat stood a season at Windsor Park Stud in Cambridge in 1999. In December, Tale Of The Cat posted his first NZ winner when Purrfection won at Wellington. Tale Of The Cat's first Australian stakes-winner was Scaredeecat at Flemington during the Melbourne spring carnival. Tale Of The Cat is currently leading freshman sire in the US by individual winners (24). (Jan 6) TOC Volksraad Progeny Running Hot Winners came thick & fast over the holiday period from the progeny of champion New Zealand sire Volksraad. A trans-tasman treble just before Christmas for the Windsor Park sire was closely followed by a Listed race winner (Captain’s Command) at Otago on Boxing Day & then a New Year triple (Freedom Two & Live By The Sword at Rotorua, plus Fei Lung at Taranaki) reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. (Jan 6) TOC Danske Produces First Winner Danehill’s Gr1 winner Danske was represented by his first winner when 2YO Tadan scored a brilliant victory over 1100m at Ellerslie in New Zealand reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Danske has an exceptional pedigree, being by Danehill out of Sir Tristram’s champion daughter Our Tristalight, a dual Gr1 winner of the Australasian Oaks & South Australian Oaks. Tadan is out of the unraced mare Thelma Alice & provided her sire Volksraad with his first success as a broodmare sire. (Jan 6) TOC NZ Group 1 Round-Up Four Gr1 events were contested in New Zealand over the Xmas-New Year holidays: Melbourne-based jockey Greg Childs piloted former NZ Derby winner Hail to victory in the Gr1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie for trainer Bruce Marsh; it was Hail’s 9th win from 29 starts. Childs also landed the Gr1 Mercedes NZ Derby at Ellerslie in an all-the-way win on St Reims (a son of Zabeel out of L’Quiz & brother to former leading race mare Champagne) for big-spending Auckland bloodstock agent Rob McAnulty, who paid NZ$1 million (A$920,000) for the colt at the NZ 2001 National Yearling Sales; St Reims started his career in Australia under Warwick Farm trainer Clarrie Conners, but was unable to win a maiden &, after a brief spell with Rosehill-based Kiwi trainer Chris Waller, was sent to NZ to Chris McNab at Cambridge in the Waikato. Noel Harris rode Bodie (a 5YO gelding by Stark South) to a photo-finish win in the Gr1 Lion Red Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie. Lance O’Sullivan drove Egyptian Raine (by Desert Sun) to victory in the Gr1 Sky City Railway Stakes for Ruakaka trainer Kenny Rae (the first Gr1 training success for the former jumps jockey) & will now aim for a Gr1 sprint double in the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham later this month. (Jan 6) TOC St Reims Relatives For Inglis Easter Sale The victory by Champagne’s ‘million dollar’ brother St Reims in the NZ Derby “is sure to cast a long shadow of reflected glory all the way to Easter 2003, where more than 40 yearlings by his sire Zabeel are likely to benefit from his efforts at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Two youngsters in particular will appreciate the additional Black Type: Jim Fleming’s Tyreel Stud will present a three-quarter sister-in-blood to Champagne & St Reims, by Zabeel from Silently Yours; & Sir Patrick Hogan’s Cambridge Stud will present one of the likely candidates to top the sale, a bay colt by Danehill from Champagne herself. (Jan 6) TOC Gr1 Double For Fayette Park Kiwi breeder & Fayette Park Stud master David Benjamin admitted having to pinch himself after his resident sire Stark South produced a Gr1 double at the Auckland Cup carnival at Ellerslie. Sandown Classic winner Hail completed the double for Stark South in the Gr1 Zabeel Classic, barely 24 hours after another of his sons Bodie won the Gr1 Auckland Cup. “This has got to be the best 2 d