NEWS UPDATES Japan Horses Cleared For Melb Cup Return Phar Lap Heads Field In "Greatest Melb Cup Never Run" Bart Books Boss For Faint Perfume In 2010 Melb Cup Melb Cup Contender Shoot Out "Ready To Fire 1st-Up" O'Shea Aims Jessicabeel & Zabrasive At Melb Cup Mr Charlie Joins Moody For Melb Cup Campaign 1st Metro Win For $1m Encosta Filly 4th Win For $750k Danehill Dancer Son Winning Debut For $310k Commands Filly Commands Leads Aust Individual Winners Table On 141 (more>>) Take a minute to visit our new Luxury Leisure & Lifestyle portal, the complete guide to all things luxury. INDUSTRY NEWS — MAY 2003 Zagalia Wins Gr1 Queensland Oaks John Singleton & Gerry Rose’s 3YO filly Zagalia (Zabeel-Snow Quill, by Bluebird) survived a protest to win the $325,000 Gr1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm for jockey Chris Munce & trainer Clarry Conners. Zagalia started at 20-1 & defeated the unlucky NZ filly The Jewel (O'Reilly-The Grin, by Grosvenor) & Penny Gem (Pentire-Gemscay, by Maizcay). “Zagalia will head straight to the spelling paddocks to prepare for a Caulfield & Melbourne Cups campaign,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Trainer Mike Moroney was happy with 3rd place-getter Penny Gem's performance & still holds out hope she'll be invited for the American Oaks in July, noting: "Hopefully she'll still get an invite & we'd go if she does." (June 2) Zabeel Sires 24th Gr1 winner NZ Cambridge Stud’s champion stallion Zabeel sired his 24th Gr1 winner with Zagalia’s victory in the Queensland Oaks, reported racenet.com.au. She is the 1st foal of imported Bluebird mare Snow Quill, who was “consigned by Robert Sangster to the 1998 Easter Broodmare sale where she was purchased by Auckland businessman Terry Jarvis, then owner of The Oaks Stud, for $330,000.” Meanwhile Zabeel has now sired 65 stakes winners that have earned over $65 million, “the leading source of classic horses available at stud in Australasia.” (June 2) 5th Oaks Winner in 1 Season for MM 2001 Sale Zagalia is the 2nd Gr1 Oaks winner this season for high-profile owner John Singleton, following the Australian Oaks success of fellow Magic Millions sale graduate Sunday Joy. Zagalia was knocked down to Sydney trainer Clarry Conners for Singleton for $250,000 at the 2001 MM Gold Coast Yearling sale; her win made her the 5th Oaks winner this season sold at that sale, following in the footsteps of Bulla Borghese (VRC Oaks), Superior Star (WA Oaks), Ribe (MV Oaks) & Sunday Joy (AJC Oaks). who were all sold at the same sale. MM managing director David Chester commented: “It’s an amazing achievement for one sale. To win 5 feature Oaks’ around Australia with 5 different horses, it could be a first.” (June 2) Zagalia Used Hypoxicator To Aid Fitness Of particular interest is Max Presnell’s revelation in The Sydney Morning Herald this morning that Zagalia “had the benefit of a hypoxicator” before winning the Queensland Oaks. Part-owner Gerry Rose confirmed: “I’m sure it helped by getting her so fit without extra stress on her legs.” The hypoxicator is the high-altitude treatment regulated through a mask which grabbed attention after Rose’s Gr1-winning sprinter Bell Du Jour was reported to have benefited from using it. “In fact, when we sent a hypoxicator overseas with the mare (Belle Du Jour), we got another one for Zagalia,” said Rose. (June 2) Ambulance Wins Gr1 QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes Jockey Scott Galloway landed his 1st Gr1 winner when 25-1 shot Ambulance (Grand-Lodge-Emergency, by Marauding) came from last at the 600m to grab the $250,000 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm in Brisbane. Ambulance (a 2YO colt trained by John Hawkes) won from geldings Sir Dex (Dexter-Amwaj, by Marscay) & Bushland (Quest For Fame-Terrain, by Scenic); the winner now has 2 wins & 2 2nds from 6 starts. (June 2) 8th Gr1 Winner For Grand Lodge The win by Ambulance in the Gr1 QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes was the 8th Gr1 winner worldwide (& 4th Australian-bred Gr1 winner) for Woodlands Stud’s Grand Lodge (Chief’s Crown-La Papagena, by Habitat), “unquestionably one of the most successful of all shuttle stallions,” reported racenet.com.au. Owned jointly by Coolmore & Woodlands, Grand Lodge covers a large number of mares in both hemispheres each season. His offspring include: Sinndar (Gr1 English Epsom Derby, Gr1 Irish Derby, Gr1 UK National Stakes & French Gr1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe); Shogun Lodge (Gr1 AJC George Main Stakes, Gr1 Epsom Handicap & Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes); Freemason (Gr1 STC The BMW, Gr1 Queensland Derby & Gr1 T.J.Smith Stakes); Grandera (Gr1 Prince Of Wales Stakes, Gr1 Irish Champion Stakes & Gr1 Singapore Airlines International Cup); Indian Lodge (French Gr1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp & Gr1 Prix de la Foret); Queen’s Logic (UK Gr1 Cheveley Park Stakes); & Lovelorn (Gr1 VRC Oaks). On the track, Grand Lodge was Champion European 2YO with wins in 3 of his 4 starts (including the UK Gr1 Dewhurst Stakes); then as a 3YO he added the Gr1 St James’s Palace Stakes & was runner-up in the Gr1 English 2,000 Guineas & Gr1 Dubai Champion Stakes. Retired to stud in Ireland & Australia in 1995, Grand Lodge has 588 runners for 311 winners, 28 stakes-winners & 24 stakes-placed for earnings of $36.6 million. With 1st Australian crop sons Shogun Lodge & Freemason followed by 2nd European crop star Sinndar, Grand Lodge served 146 mares in Australia & 133 in Ireland in 1998 & in 1999 took the title from Danehill as “hardest working shuttle stallion” by covering 165 mares in Australia & 167 in Ireland. He held the honour again in 2000 with 166 mares covered in Australia & 179 in Ireland. In 2001 he was 5th in popularity (behind Thunder Gulch, Spectrum, Fuji Kiseki & Honour And Glory) with 134 mares served in Australia & 150 in Ireland & last year he was 6th in Australia with 102 mares covered compared to the 183 served in Ireland. (June 2) Weekend Stakes Double For Casual Lies Windsor Park Stud’s Casual Lies sired a weekend stakes double: Maguire (Casual Lies-Dragon Pearl, by Ahonoora) took the weight-for-age Gr2 O'Shea Stakes (2400m) at Eagle Farm in Brisbane; & Silent Impact (Casual Lies-Kendall, by Racing Is Fun) landed the Listed McKell Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney. Both are 6YO geldings from their sire’s 2nd crop: Maguire now has 9 wins & 5 placings from 39 starts (including the Gr1 Auckland Cup); Silent Impact has 8 wins & 5 placings from 63 starts (including the Gr3 Gosford Cup); & the crop also includes Gr1 AJC Australian Oaks & Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap winner Coco Cabanna. Casual Lies also sired Gr1 NZ Derby winner So Casual from his 1st crop. A son of Roberto stallion Lear Fan, “Casual Lies has been a consistent source of high-class stayers,” noted racenet.com.au, “which is not surprising considering his race record.” A bargain US$7,500 purchase, Casual Lies (Lear Fan-Morna, by Blakeney) started 18 times for 6 wins & $US795,991 prize-money; as well as winning the Gr3 Bay Meadow El Camino Real Derby, he ran 2nd in the Gr1 Kentucky Derby & 3rd in both the Gr1 Preakness Stakes & Gr1 Hollywood Futurity (won by A.P.Indy). (June 2) Prebble Guides Precision To HK Gr1 C&C Cup Victory Expatriarte Melbourne jockey Brett Prebble rode Precision to win the final Gr1 race of the current Hong Kong season, yesterday’s HK$8 million (A$1.6 million) Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin, for the David Oughton stable. The 5YO gelding Precision (Anabaa-Stop Fiddling, by Welsh Term) defeated former Melbourne mare & HK Derby heroine Elegant Fashion (Danewin-Wily Trick, by Clever Trick) who is trained by expatriate Australian David Hayes & remains a possible candidate for the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October. The victory was Prebble’s 119th Group or Listed winner, but his 1st outside Australia; he told aapracingandsports.com.au: “In terms of value, this is the biggest race I’ve ever won & I can’t tell you what a thrill it has been. I let out a real scream when we hit the line. It was just a fabulous feeling & a great relief.” The win was Precision’s 2nd Gr1 for the season, following his defeat of Paolini in the HK International Cup in December; Precision has now started 22 times for 5 wins & 7 placings, totalling HK$26.4 million (A$5.3 million) for owner Wu Sai Wing. (June 2) Sunday Silence Quinella In Gr1 Japanese Derby It was a Sunday Silence quinella when Shadai Farm’s 3YO home-bred favourite Neo Universe (Sunday Silence-Pointed Path, by Kris) won yesterday’s Gr1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) over 2400m at Tokyo racecourse, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Sunday Silence was sire of 6 of the 18 runners. Neo Universe (now with 6 wins in 7 starts) defeated Zenno Rob Roy (Sunday Silence-Romain Rachel, by Mining) & That's The Plenty (Dance In The Dark-Bubble Prospector, by Miswaki). In his previous start, Neo Universe won the Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas) in April. Trained by Tsutomu Setoguchi, Neo Universe is 1 of 6 winners from 8 starters out of Kris mare Pointed Path & is a half-brother to Gr3 winner Fairy Path. (June 2) Unbeaten Dalakhani Adds Gr1 French Derby The Aga Khan’s unbeaten 3YO colt Dalakhani (Darshaan-Daltawa, by Miswaki) “staked his claim to be Europe's leading 3YO with an electrifying victory” in yesterday's €1.1 milion (A$1.96 million) French Gr1 Prix du Jockey-Club (2400m) at Chantilly, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Ridden by Christophe Soumillon, Dalakhani recorded his 6th successive win by defeating Ecurie Wildenstein’s Super Celebre (Peintre Celebre-Supergirl, by Woodman) & Coroner (Mtoto-Tamnia, by Green Desert). It also marked a 5th Jockey-Club victory for the present Aga Khan & the 4th for trainer Alain Royer-Dupre. (June 2) Dalakhani Boasts Classic Pedigree Yesterday’s Gr1 Prix du Jockey-Club winner Dalakhani “certainly has a Classic pedigree,” noted thoroughbredinternet.com. Bred in Ireland, his sire Darshaan won the Jockey-Club in 1984 in the Aga Khan's colours, while his dam Daltawa (a Listed winner herself on the racetrack) has excelled at stud. Her 1st foal, classic winner Daylami, won 7 Gr1 races (from 1-1.5 miles); her 2nd foal Daymarti won at Listed level & placed at Gr1 twice; & now Dalakhani, already a Gr1 winner as a 2YO, has “a glittering career beckoning.” Daltawa won the Listed Prix Ronde de Nuit (2100m) & her sire Miswaki “has emerged as a pre-eminent broodmare sire recently courtesy of Galileo, Daylami, Hernando, Landseer & Black Sam Bellamy.” Daltawa's Listed placed dam Damana is by 1977 Prix du Jockey-Club winner Crystal Palace out of Listed winner Denia (a three-quarter sister to Prix de Diane winner Crepellana). This is the immediate family of Gr1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Behera, as well as Group-winning stayers Rifapour, Arzanni & Rayseka. (June 2) Vespone Wins French Gr1 Prix Jean Prat Meanwhile 3YO colt Vespone, “born in Ireland but raised in Switzerland by breeder Stall Sohrenhof,” took the Gr1 Prix Jean Prat (1800m) by 3 lengths at Chantilly yesterday, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Ridden by Christophe Lemaire for trainer Nicolas Clement, Vespone (Llandaff-Vanishing Prairie, by Alysheba) defeated Italian raider Prince Kirk & Tashkandi (Polish Precedent-Tashiriya, by Kenmare). Vespone (who now has 3 wins in 5 starts) is 1 of 6 starters (all winners) out of winning Alysheba mare Vanishing Prairie & is a half-brother to Gr3 winner La Sylphide (by Barathea). Notable family members include Gr2 winner & sire Vacarme, European high-weight Vetheuil & Gr3 winner Volga. (June 2) Al Nitak Wins South African Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint The victory by 5YO Al Nitak & jockey Lisa Prestwood in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint (6 furlongs) at Scottsville in Natal yesterday “marked the 2nd straight major win for the pair, who made history on April 26 at Turffontein racecourse when Prestwood became the 1st South African woman to ride a Gr1 winner,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Al Nitak defeated champion sprinter National Currency (the odds-odd favorite who is nicknamed “Ferrari”) in the final strides to grab South Africa's biggest sprint handicap by 1.25 lengths, with the winner’s 10-year-old stablemate Golden Loom (South Africa's winningest sprinter) 3rd. Al Nitak completed the 6-furlong trip in 1min 8.05sec. Al Nitak, trained by ‘Buddy’ Maroun, is a son of Roberto stallion Al Mufti (South Africa's champion sire in 2000). Bred in South Africa by Dr Marian Thomson’s Ambiance Stud & racing in the colors of Shalita Nassif, Al Nitak is 1 of 3 winners from 4 foals of racing age for multiple group winning Del Sarto mare Jessamine; Al Nitak is a full brother to multiple Gr1 winner The Sheik (who will begin his stallion career when the breeding season begins in August). (June 2) Enchantress Takes Gr1 South African Fillies Sprint Enchantress finished a “comfortable winner” of the Gr1 South African Fillies Sprint (6 furlongs) at Scottsville yesterday, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Ridden by Glen Hatt, Enchantress defeated Sunset Glow & Tara's Touch in 1min 8.39sec. Enchantress is a daughter of leading South African sire National Assembly (an unraced son of Danzig who stands at Graham Beck's Highlands Stud). National Assembly is averaging around 70% winners-to-foals with more than 10 crops racing. Enchantress was bred at Highlands & raced by Beck until last year, when Lammerskraal Stud owner Mike Rattray bought her with a future stud career in mind. She is out of Gr1-winning Jungle Cove mare Enchanting, who has also produced champion sprinter Harry's Charm (by Harry Hotspur). Enchanting spent her early stud career on Beck's Gainesway Farm in Lexington, where she conceived Enchanted Dollar (dam of South African champion sprinter National Currency, also by National Assembly). (June 2) Ice Cube Wins South African Gr1 Gold Medallion Odds-on favorite Ice Cube “turned in a red-hot performance in the Gr1 Gold Medallion (6 furlongs) at Scottsville yesterday, lowering the stakes record for the event, the most important sprint for 2YOs in South Africa,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Ridden by Piere Strydom, Ice Cube defeated Golden Care, Groundsman & Justking in 1min 8.27sec. Owned by US residents Robert Muir & his son, Ice Cube is the 2nd big race winner in South Africa for his owners; they also campaigned The Sheik, winner of the 2000 Gr1 Cape Of Good Hope Derby at Kenilworth racecourse. Ice Cube is the 10th group winner this season for champion sire-elect Western Winter, a son of Gone West who stands at Lammerskraal Stud & whose oldest progeny are now 4YOs. Bred in South Africa by Lammerskraal, Ice Cube is the 1st foal of Gr3-winning Trigger Finger mare Annie, a half-sister to A Song Is Born (dam of South African champion Whistling Dixie & Gr3 winner Singing Mountain. (June 2) Silver Arc Wins South African Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Stakes Unbeaten Silver Arc returned from a 5-month lay-off (following a serious attack of colic) to win “the biggest sprint race for 2YO fillies on the South African calendar,” the Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Stakes (6 furlongs) at Scottsville racecourse in Natal yesterday, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Silver Arc (who completed the trip in 1min 8.22sec) is 1 of 5 foals from the 8th crop of Our Native stallion Silvino, who has since been pensioned. “She races in the colors of Fred Crabbia, who not only has dozens of horses in training all over South Africa, but also in Sinagpore where he was leading owner in 2002.” Bred by Ascot Stud, Silver Arc is 1 of 3 winners from winning Mullineaux mare Lightning Sands; notable family members include champion Della Scala. (June 2) Crisantemo Wins Chile’s Gr1 Clasico Club Hipico De Santiago Chilean 2002 Horse-Of-The-Year & champion grass male Ballistic (Barkerville-Balladry, by In Reality) failed in his attempt to notch his 11th consecutive victory, when 5YO rival Crisantemo (Fapavalley-Cristal, by Semenenko) won the Gr1 Clasico Club Hipico de Santiago (2000m), reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Crisantemo defeated Great Brother by 3.5 lengths, with 6YO gelding Ballistic finishing strongly for 3rd. Champion 3YO of Chile in 2001, Crisantemo has now won 7 of 27 starts. Ballistic had won 19 of his previous 23 starts for owner Stud El Cedro. (June 2) Halo Ola Wins Argentina’s Gr1 Gran Premio De Potrancas Halo Ola (a 2YO daughter of Southern Halo) won Argentina’s Gr1 Gran Premio de Potrancas (1 mile on turf) by 4 lengths at San Isidro, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Halo Olda defeated Dale Lunfa & Joying in 1min 33.65sec; she had previously won the Gr1 Gran Premio Eliseo Ramirez in April. Bred & owned by Juan Carlos Bago’s Stud-Haras Firmamento, Halo Ola now has 3 victories in 5 starts. She was produced by Gr3 winner Esnaola (by Ringaro) & is a full sister to Gr2 winner Sebi Halo & Gr3-placed winner Jacky Halo. (June 2) 1st Winner For Freshman Sire El Compinche Champion El Compinche (who holds the record for most prize-money won by a horse in Argentine history at US$752,370) recorded his 1st winner as a sire when 2YO Medal Of Honor won by 7 lengths over 7 furlongs at Palermo in Argentina, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. El Compinche (a son of champion sire Southern Halo out of stakes-winning Good Manners mare La Copera) won 13 races alternating between Argentina´s 2 most important tracks, San Isidro & Palermo, including the Gr1 Gran Premio Carreras de las Estrellas Classic twice (1996 & 1998), Gr1 Palermo twice (1996 & 1997), Gr1 De las Américas OSAF & Gr1 General San Martín. Overall, he won 13 races & placed 8 times in 24 starts; he was voted Argentina’s champion miler in 1997 & champion older horse in 1998. Bred by Haras La Quebrada (where he now stands), El Compinche has 39 foals in his 1st crop of racing age & 7 starters. (June 2) Danehill Star At Tariqa Park Stud Excitingly well bred Danehill Star (Danehill-Princess Tracy) will stand his 1st breeding season this year at Tariqa Park Stud in NSW. Owner Cathy Cattel confirmed: "There are 6 shares left in him at only $8,500 each & he will stand his debut season at $5,500." Danehill Star boasts not only multiple city winning form, but a pedigree analysts would call top-shelf. As well as Danehill, his dam Princess Tracy is, in turn, the dam of: Champion & multiple Gr 1 winner Tracy's Element; Champion sire, full-brother & Gr 1 winner Danasinga; British Gr2 winner Topasannah; full-brother, Gr3 winner & Gr1 place-getter Cullen; Gr1 placegetter, Gr3 winner & successful sire Towkay; plus useful runner Urge To Merge who produced South African Champion Suntagonal. (June 2) Danetree Also At Tariqa Park Danehill Star will stand this year alongside fellow Tariqa new-comer Danetree (Danehill-Instinctive Move), who owner Cathy Cattell claims is “the cheapest winning son of Danehill at stud in NSW”. His fee is $2,750 & his dam is by proven Champion broodmare getter Nijinsky. (June 2) Court Action Starts Over Bob’s Boy Sale Dispute Legal moves “are expected to begin today over the disputed sale of Bob’s Boy & his place in the $575,000 Queensland Derby field next Saturday,” reported this morning’s The Australian newspaper. The dispute between Bob’s Boy’s trainer & part-owner Andrew Campbell & would-be buyer, HK-based expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes, “was no closer to resolution last night.” Melbourne bloodstock agent Mark Pilkington, acting for Hayes, “arrived in Brisbane on Saturday to prepare his case & declared: “I will be pressing for an injunction that will either order that the horse be submitted to a veterinary examination and/or to prevent the horse running in the Queensland Derby.” Campbell said his solicitors were “prepared to fight any action.” (June 2) Dr Treve Williams Elected AJC Chairman Dr Treve Williams has been elected new chairman of the Australian Jockey Club, with Noel Bracks elected vice chairman. Williams replaces Bill Rutledge, who stood down as his maximum allowable tenure of 15 years with the AJC Committee draws to a close. AJC chief executive Tony King said Rutledge’s contribution could not be underestimated: “During Bill’s tenure, the club has undergone considerable building works & upgrades, including the Randwick Pavilion, vehicular & pedestrian tunnels, course proper, Kensington track & infield development. This has been possible, in no small part, due to the vision & diligence of the chairman. Bill is one of the most professional, level-headed & friendly administrators I have ever had the pleasure of working with & I know he leaves the post with the gratitude & best wishes of the Committee & all AJC members. His contribution to the AJC has been immense.” Dr Williams, a veterinary surgeon, was elected to the Committee in 1990 & honorary treasurer in 2000, before becoming vice chairman in February 2002. He is managing director of the Randwick Equine Centre, a racehorse owner & former breeder. Bracks is a Sydney solicitor who was elected to the Committee in 1998; he is a former president of the NSW Racehorse Owners’ Association. (June 2) Nash Rawiller Lands 1,000th Winner Victorian jockey Nash Rawiller, 28, landed his 1,000th career winner when Bird Dancer won over 1400m at the Sandown-Hillside circuit in Melbourne yesterday. Rawiller won his 1st race on a horse named Mac Cheval at St Arnaud in September 1990 & his subsequent record includes 70 Listed or Group winners. Rawiller told aapracingandsports.com.au that he regarded his best win as the 2002 Gr1 Salinger Stakes on Rubitano. (June 2) First Aust Win for Towkay NZ’s Central Districts-based 1st season sire Towkay recorded his 1st winner in Australia when 2YO Pretentious won over 1000m in Western Australia. The son of Last Tycoon has already sired 3 individual winners in NZ,” including the very smart Rapid Kay who has recorded a win & a stakes placing in her only 2 races to date,” noted NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Towkay stands at Little Avondale Stud near Masterton. He was a Gr3 winner & Gr1 placed performer in Melbourne, during a racing career in which 20 of his 23 starts were in group or listed company. (June 2) Champagne’s 1st Foal Appears At Sydney Barrier Trials Warwick Farm barrier trials in Sydney featured the initial public appearance of the 1st foal of multiple Gr1 winning mare Champagne, when 2YO Danehill filly Martique (trained by Gai Waterhouse for owner Bob Emery) finished 3rd over 800m, reported racenet.com.au. (June 2) Strides Wins 2 Races & Sets Track Record In an Hour On the NSW country track at Brewarrina on the weekend, 7YO gelding Strides (trained by John Lundholm at Coonamble) burst out of the starting gates at 3.20pm in a Class 2 Handicap (1400m) & recorded a nice win. “He then had enough time to get back to his stall, be freshened up, re-saddled & head out for a Class 4 Handicap (1600m) an hour & 20 minutes later,” reported racenet.com.au. Not only did he win again, but recorded a new track record for the distance. Strides (Procol Harum-Sorority Belle) was bred by Woodlands Stud & has had 69 starts for 5 wins & 9 placings. (June 2) US$1 Million Keeneland Colt Wins UK Stakes Debut Frankie Dettori rode Godolphin Racing's Kentucky-bred Sabre d'Argent (purchased for US$1,000,000 by John Ferguson Bloodstock at the 2001 Keeneland September yearling sale) to victory in his stakes debut in the UK Fairway Stakes for 3YOs at Newmarket, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Trainer David Loder will now point the son of deceased stallion Kris S toward another stakes race at Royal Ascot later this month. Bred in Kentucky by Philip Freedman, Sabre d'Argent (who now has 2 wins & a placing from 3 starts) is 1 of 2 winners from 3 starters out of Gr3 winner Sterling Pound (by Seeking The Gold). He is a half-brother to Gr3 stakes-placed stakes winner Exchange Rate & notable family members include English high-weight & sire Ajdal, Gr1 winner & sire Flying Partner, Gr1 winner & sire Formidable, & Gr1 winner Link River. (June 2) US$2.5 Million Colt 3rd In UK Debut Meanwhile the Aidan O’Brien-trained 2YO Kentucky-bred colt Old Deuteronomy (Storm Cat-Jewel In The Crown, by Seeking The Gold) downed an even more expensive rival (& stable-mate) when he blitzed the field to win by 5 lengths over 6 furlongs on debut at Newmarket in England, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Old Deuteronomy (owned by Susan Magnier) defeated Divine Gift (by Groom Dancer) & last year’s US$2.5 million Keeneland September Yearling Sale-topper The Mighty Tiger (Storm Cat-Clear Mandate, by Deputy Minister). Old Deuteronomy is the 1st foal out of winning Seeking The Gold mare Jewel In The Crown; notable family members include European champions Commander In Chief & Warning, & top English & French performer & leading sire Rainbow Quest. Meanwhile Kentucky-bred The Mighty Tiger is 1 of 3 foals to race out of multiple Gr1 winner Clear Mandate; he is a half-brother to stakes winner Full Mandate & a full brother to winner Newfoundland (who was purchased for US$3.3 million by Demi ’Byrne from Lane’s End Farm, as agent, at the 2001 Keeneland September sale). (June 2) 1st Winner For Japanese-Based Freshman Sire Croco Rouge Japanese-based freshman sire Croco Rouge recorded his 1st winner when Annabel Girl won on debut over 7 furlongs in Milan, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Croco Rouge (who won 3 group stakes in France including the 1998 Gr1 Prix Lupin & 1999 Gr1 Prix d’Ispahan) has had 3 starters from 70 foals in his 1st crop. Bred in Ireland, Croco Rouge stands at JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station near Hokkaido in Japan. (June 2) Indygo Shiner To Stand At Argentina’s Haras La Quebrada US Gr3 winner Indygo Shiner “has been purchased by breeder Hernan Ceriani Cernadas & will stand at his Argentine-based Haras La Quebrada beginning in August during the Southern Hemisphere breeding season,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Indygo Shiner, the 1st son of A.P Indy to be imported to stand in Argentina, won 4 of 12 starts (including the 2001 Gr3 Jefferson Cup Stakes at Churchill Downs, plus 2nds in the 2000 Gr1 Grey Breeders' Cup Stakes at Woodbine & 2001 Gr2 Del Mar Derby & Gr2 Arlington Classic Stakes). Bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Farm, Indygo Shiner is out of Gr3-winning El Gran Senor mare Navarra, a full sister to Broodmare-Of-The-Year Toussaud (dam of Gr1 winner & current Belmont Gr1 Stakes hopeful Empire Maker & 3 other Gr1 winners). (June 2) Mule Is 1st Cloned Member Of Horse Family Monday Odd Spot: A healthy & energetic mule named Idaho Gem is the 1st member of the horse family to be cloned. Researchers at the University of Idaho cloned the mule using a cell from a mule fetus & an egg from a horse. The cloning was particularly unusual because mules (the hybrid from a donkey & a horse) are almost without exception sterile & unable to produce their own young. Cloning team leader Professor Gordon Woods told bloodhorse.com: "The same sort of advances that we had to make to produce this cloned mule are important for cloning horses.” (June 2) Shares In Bel Esprit For $70,000 Lee Fleming, principal of Eliza Park Stud in Victoria, has announced a small number of shares are available in freshman stallion Bel Esprit (Royal Academy-Bespoken). The dual Gr1-winning speedster will retire to stud after the Gr1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on Saturday week. "The share price is $70,000 at present. First-in best-dressed," said Fleming. "If he wins the Stradbroke that price will rise. There aren't many shares available, because we are keeping a large number of them." And he noted Bel Esprit will be limited to a book of mares under 130 on debut: "The days of 150 mares are over. We want to give value to broodmare owners. This way we can choose the best of the noms available. Delago Brom has already received over 150 noms, so we can choose quality not quantity when we settle on the 120-odd. We have closed his book already & the same will happen with Bel Esprit." Delago Brom (Encosta de Lago-Brompton Cross) is another Eliza Park Gr1 3YO stallion debuting this year. "His share price was $37,500 & they were all sold in 2 days," declared Fleming, who knows Bel Esprit carries at least as much popularity. The Stradbroke will determine Bel Esprit's initial service fee, but Fleming hinted it will be under $20,000. (May 30) AJC’s 1-Week Sydney Autumn Carnival Proposal Sydney’s “showpiece autumn carnival will be stream-lined into an exciting 1-week package under a plan that will revolutionise racing,” reported this morning’s Daily Telegraph. “The Australian Jockey Club committee will meet today to consider the bold proposal to condense Randwick’s 4-day autumn program into an action-packed Melbourne Cup-style week of racing.” The newspaper noted: “The radical proposal has widespread marketing & corporate support.” The plan is based on: AJC Derby Day on Easter Saturday; Doncaster Handicap Day On Easter Monday; AJC Oaks Day on the Thursday; & Sydney Cup Day on the final Saturday. (May 30) My Joy To Stand 1st Season At Vatana Farm My Joy, the former Hong Kong-based 4YO son of Danehill, will stand his 1st stud season at Vatana Farm on Queensland’s Darling Downs this spring. My Joy earned nearly HK$2 million (A$400,000) during his short HK racing career (including 2 wins over 1600m & 7 placings). My Joy is out of Sydney winning 2YO Al Hareb mare Suggestive (a sister to stakes winner Pottinger & half-sister to Adelaide Carnival stakes performer These Days). In turn, Suggestive is out of top-producing & well-related Marscay mare Tanaquil, a half-sister to former outstanding gallopers Groucho (Gr2 AJC Challenge Stakes, Gr2 Expressway Stakes, Gr2 Warwick Stakes, Gr2 STC Theo Marks Quality Handicap, Gr3 VATC Schweppes Cup, Gr3 QTC Sir Byrne Hart Stakes & 5 Gr1 placings) & Acecay (Gr2 AJC San Domenico Stakes). My Joy’s family is also that of proven stakes winners Gallery Level, Scarlet Runner, Dartry, Kero, Henry’s Sister & Twilight Cove. My Joy was sent to stand in Queensland by his HK owners at the recommendation of Magic Millions managing director David Chester, who commented: “He stands 16.1 hands, is good boned & a very strong horse. And his pedigree suggests he should produce fast 2YOs, as he comes from a very good juvenile family.” (May 30) Canberra Offers 23 Sires On Internet Scheme Canberra Racing Club’s novel Internet Stallion Tender Scheme has added 3 new stallions: Adam (conqueror of Sunline & Shogun Lodge) has joined for the 2nd year; Kooringal Stud at Wagga Wagga has added Bold Expectation (an unraced Danehill stallion who is a half-brother to Champion USA filly Jersey Girl); & also added is Sure Win Kenny (a half-brother to Lion Hunter out of Champion mare Pure Of Heart). They take the total stallion roster to 23 sires for this year’s scheme. Participating stallions with notable recent success at Group level include: Forest Glow (sired last weekend’s Gr3 BTC Sprint winner Emission); Snaadee (sired Gr3 Canterbury Cup winner Bedouin, also 2nd in the Gr3 Manion Cup & 4th in last weekend’s Gr1 Doomben Cup; & also sired Gr3 Black Opal place-getter Sansadee); & Beautiful Crown (sired last weekend’s Gr3 Champagne Classic place-getter In Top Swing at Doomben & Bella Corona who was placed in the Gr2 Magic Night, Gr3 Sweet Embrace & won the Listed Keith Mackay last month). CRC’s Peter Stubbs noted tenders for the scheme close on Friday July 11. (May 30) 2004 Inglis Sale Dates After consultation with industry participants, William Inglis has announced its feature sale dates for 2004: Classic Yearling Sale (Newmarket NSW) 18 & 19 January. Premier Yearling Sale (Oaklands VIC) 9 & 10 February. Premier II Yearling Sale (Oaklands VIC) 12 February. Aust Easter Yearling (Newmarket NSW) 13, 14 & 15 April. Australian Broodmare Sale (Newmarket NSW) 19 & 20 April. Autumn Yearling Sale (Oaklands VIC) 27 & 28 April. Australian Select Weanling (Newmarket NSW) 9 May. Scone Yearling Sale (Scone NSW) 23 May. Sires’ Produce Yearling Sale (Newmarket NSW) 30 May. Autumn Thoroughbred Sale (Newmarket NSW) 31 May. June Thoroughbred Sale (Oaklands VIC) 20, 22 & 23 June. Winter Thoroughbred Sale (Newmarket NSW) 30 July. (May 30) Win Trip To Cox Plate At Lyndhurst Sale Meanwhile the Kruger family’s Lyndhurst Stud dispersal sale (at the stud outside Warwick on the Queensland Darling Downs on Sunday July 6) has an added incentive for potential buyers: a trip for 2 to Melbourne for the Cox Plate weekend on October 24-27 (including return Qantas airfares & 3 nights accommodation at Hotel Ibis in Melbourne). A ticket for each sold lot will be entered into a draw & a winner selected at the end of the sale. (May 30) Hayes Targets Cox Plate With HK Star Hong Kong-based expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes “has indicated he will target the Cox Plate with classy mare Elegant Fashion in the spring,” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. The former AJC Australia Oaks runner-up won the HK Derby in March & then finished 2nd behind Japanese champion Eishin Preston in April’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup (also 1st leg of the 2003 World Racing Series); she will have her final start this preparation in Sunday’s HK$8 million (A$1.6 million) Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin. (May 30) Size & Hayes Accept HK Trainer Pay Cuts Meanwhile Australian trainers John Size & David Hayes “have accepted the pay cuts announced this week by the Hong Kong Jockey Club as a necessary & expected measure,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. With 2003 betting turnover down 10% from 2002 levels, HKJC racing director Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges held meetings with jockeys & trainers to explain the pay cuts. HK’s champion trainer John Size commented: "The way the economy has gone over the past 5 years, everyone has had to tighten up & today it was our turn.” David Hayes added: "Times are tough. We have to accept it &, when you listen to Winfried put it into perspective, you understand why the club is doing this. If someone is very unhappy, they can always leave.” (May 30) Dye & Whyte Comment On HK Jockey Pay Cuts Among the Hong Kong jockeys, former Sydney rider Shane Dye told aapracingandsports.com.au: "It's disappointing & anyone who says they are happy about it is lying. But what can you do? People either stay & cop it or they leave. It looks like the owners will benefit greatly, the club will benefit & those benefits will be paid for by the jockeys & trainers.” However champion jockey Douglas Whyte noted riders had few grounds for complaint: "It certainly came as a surprise & nobody likes a pay cut. But the club wouldn't be doing this unless there was no alternative. All along, they have given to us & now the whole economy is a bit tighter, it's time for us to give a bit back. HK is still the best place to race in the world & I don't think this will have any huge effect on the jockeys." (May 30) Aust Trainer & Jockey Combine For Macau Cup Former Melbourne & Singapore trainer Mick Kent won the Macau Gold Cup (1800m) first-up with Night Shift gelding Thunder Bird, who had not raced since November 3, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Melbourne jockey Mark Flaherty rode the winner. Kent previously won the 1999 Singapore Gold Cup first-up with British import Carry The Flag. Kent left Singapore 2 years ago to train in Macau. (May 30) Carson City Leads US General & 2YO Sire Lists Carson City, a member of William Young’s Overbrook Farm stallion corps (near Lexington in Kentucky) that includes the mighty Storm Cat, “has bettered his illustrious stallion mate” so far this year, reported bloodhorse.com. The 16-year-old son of Mr Prospector currently heads both the General & 2YO Sire lists by progeny earnings. Carson City has led the General list since the end of March, but his ascent to the top of the juvenile list came after his unbeaten son Cuvee won this week’s Gr3 Kentucky Breeders' Cup Stakes at Churchill Downs to become Carson City’s 63rd career stakes winner. The current Top 10 stallions on the US General Sires list (to May 28) are: 1: Carson City (by Mr Prospector) Overbrook Farm (fee US$35,000) US$3,326,840. 2: A.P.Indy (by Seattle Slew) Lane's End Farm (fee US$300,000) US$3,091,770. 3: El Prado (by Sadler's Wells) Adena Springs (fee US$75,000) US$2,685,400. 4: Unbridled (by Fappiano) Died 2001. US$2,679,149. 5: Distorted Humor (by Forty Niner) WinStar Farm (fee US$20,000) US$2,587,510. 6: Dynaformer (by Roberto) Three Chimneys Farm (fee US$50,000) US$2,561,294. 7: Wild Again (by Icecapade) Three Chimneys Farm (fee N/A) US$2,315,000. 8: End Sweep (by Forty Niner) Died 2002. US$2,128,790. 9: In Excess (by Siberian Express) Vessels Stallion Farm (fee US$25,000) US$2,038.587. 10: Saint Ballado (by Halo) Died 2002. US$1,957,946. (May 30) Woodbine Chases Funny Cide For Match-Race Sackatoga Stable, owner of US 3YO star Funny Cide (currently aimed at June 7’s Gr1 Belmont Stakes to complete the Triple Crown, following wins in the Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Preakness Stakes) has been approached by Canada’s premier racetrack Woodbine offering a special race in Toronto. Woodbine spokesman Glenn Crouter told thoroughbredtimes.com: "The idea is to have a match race with the top Canadian 3YO against the top US 3YO. It's a wonderful opportunity to recreate the excitement of Seabiscuit this summer." (The Seabiscuit movie is released in the US in July.) The Sackatoga team is reported to have initially “thrown cold water on the idea”, but Crouter said that, even if it is a longshot, Woodbine would also consider creating a special invitational race with more horses if the Funny Cide camp is willing: "The trainer (Barclay Tagg) wasn't hot on the original idea, but the consortium of owners was. We will try to put the pieces together & see if we can work something out." (May 30) Dual US Gr1 Winner Ladies Din Retired Dual US Gr1 winner Ladies Din has been retired to Valley Creek Farm in Southern California following his 6th in this week’s Gr1 Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile Stakes at Hollywood Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Owned by Bernie Schiappa & Terrence Lanni, Florida-bred Ladies Din (an 8YO gelding by Din’s Dancer) was among the US West Coast’s premier turf runners. Overall he recorded 12 wins (6 in graded stakes, including 2 Gr1 events) in 37 starts for US$1,966,754 earnings. (May 30) 1st Winner For Irish Freshman Sire Dushyantor Irish-based freshman sire Dushyantor recorded his 1st winner when Christine Kiernan’s 2YO Amourallis won over 6 furlongs at Ireland’s Fairyhouse racecourse, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. A Juddmonte Farms home-bred, Kentucky-bred Dushyantor was a multiple Gr2 winner in England (including the 1996 Gr2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York) between runner-up finishes in the Gr1 Epsom Derby & Gr1 St Leger at Doncaster; he also won the 1997 Gr2 Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury before to the US, where he won the Gr3 Golden Gate Handicap, finished 3rd in both the 1998 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs & Gr1 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap at Saratoga Race Course & finished his career with a 4th in the Gr1 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap in April 1999 at Santa Anita. Overall he recorded 5 wins & 7 placings in 20 career starts while earning US$1,197,570. Dushyantor stands at Rathbarry Stud in Ireland & has 2 starters from 28 foals in his 1st crop of racing age. The 10-year-old son of Sadler’s Wells is out of Gr3-winning Roberto mare Slightly Dangerous & is a half-brother to champions Commander In Chief & Warning, Gr1 winner Yashmak & stakes winner Jibe. (May 30) Friday Odd Spot: What About The Skeleton? Reminders of the glory days of historic Aksarben racetrack in Nebraska (photos of past winners, racing programs & even the scale used to weigh jockeys before races) will all be offered for auction today. “The grandstand is still in place, but Aksarben has not hosted racing since 1995” & the 70-acre facility “has essentially been dormant since September when a local hockey team played its last game at the coliseum on the same property,” noted bloodhorse.com. The auction includes everything from the remaining 4,000 grandstand seats to the plates used to serve the meals in the track's dining rooms &, particularly of interest, a 60-inch painting on suede of immortal local racehorse Omaha (2nd US Triple Crown winner in 1935, who was buried beside the grandstand in 1959) which formerly hung in the Turf Room. Potential development on the site has the locals now engaged in a passionate debate: what to do about Omaha's remains? (May 30) 20th Stakes Winner For Arrowfield’s French Deputy Arrowfield’s new shuttle stallion French Deputy sired his 20th individual stakes winner when his Southern Hemisphere bred 3YO son Genereux (ex Griffe De Paris, by Telescopio) defeated older horses to win the prestigious Gr1 Gran Premio 25 De Mayo (12 furlongs) at San Isidro Racecourse in Argentina for trainer Jose Alves & jockey Julio Méndez. Genereux is the 4th individual Gr1 winner for French Deputy, who has sired Gr1 winners in North America (Left Bank) & Japan (Kurofune & Nobo Jack). French Deputy will stand his 1st season at Arrowfield Stud in 2003 for $40,000 + GST. (May 29) Fuji Kiseki Daughter Sets Japanese Track Record Meanwhile fellow Arrowfield stallion Fuji Kiseki has sired one of the fastest horses in Japan. Fuji Kiseki’s 5YO daughter Tenshino Kiseki (ex Be Bop A Lu, by Mr Prospector) set a new track record & went within 0.4sec of breaking Agnes World’s national record when she won the Listed Aichi Open (1200m) at Chukyo Race course. Leading all the way, Tenshino Kiseki set blistering fractions of 22.5sec for the opening 400m, 44.4sec for 800m & 55.6sec for 1000m, before stopping the clock at 1min 6.9sec. Fuji Kiseki’s oldest Australian progeny are 3YOs & he has already sired 2 stakes winners in Flashed & Fuji Dancer. And this weekend 3YO filly Fuji Belle is starting in the Gr1 Queensland Guineas & last start winner Warrior Trader looks likely to back up in the Listed Sir Edward Williams Handicap. Fuji Kiseki stands at Arrowfield this season at $17,500 + GST. (May 29) Coolmore’s Hennessy Lands Another Stakes Winner Coolmore’s former shuttler Hennessy continued his exciting winning run by producing his 6th individual Group/Graded winner for 2003 when former UK 3YO Blazonry won the Gr2 Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes at Hollywood Park in California at his 2nd start in the US, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. “The win increased Hennessy’s current lead as the world’s top 3rd Crop Sire on 4 counts: winners (188), stakes-winners (23), Graded Stakes winners (15) & earnings (US$15,316,000).” Blazonry is the 2nd winner produced by Alydar mare Altair; Blazonry's juvenile full-brother Hippocrates sold for US$1.1 million at the 2002 Keeneland September sale. (May 29) Widden’s Anabaa Producing Stakes Winners Around The Globe Widden Stud’s Danzig sire Anabaa has added 2 European stakes winners this week: Martillo (in Germany’s Gr2 2,000 Guineas by 6 lengths) & 3YO colt Marshall (in France’s Gr3 Prix de Guiche at Longchamp). The victories follow Anabaa filly Ana Marie’s win in France’s Gr2 Prix d'Harcourt (2000m). With 5 individual Gr1 winners & an exceptional record in Hong Kong (where he is 2nd only to Danehill), Anabaa has established his credentials around the globe. The Gr1-winning sprinter boasts a 20.67% starter-to-stakes-performer global strike-rate, with 31 stakes performers - including 10 in Australia, where he has a 74.65% runner-to-winner strike-rate (with 71 starters for 53 individual winners & $3.4 million progeny earnings). Multiple Gr1 winner Yell (won or placed in 14 from 16 starts) has been Anabaa’s leading light in Australia this season; but overall he has 31 individual winners (including Tony McEvoy’s stakes winner Anacarde). Champion 1st crop & champion 2YO sire in France, Anabaa has been among the 1st 3 leading 1st, 2nd & 3rd crop sires at Australasian majors, with his yearlings fetching up to $280,000 in 2002. (May 29) Aust Sunday Silence Filly Wins In UK Following the popularity of champion Japanese sire Sunday Silence at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, one of his Australian-bred fillies Silent Heir (purchased for $450,000 at the 2001 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale by Sydney agent Anton Koolman) won on debut at Redcar in the UK reported racenet.com.au. “The 3YO filly is now trained by Jeremy Noseda, after initially being prepared by Koolman's Warwick Farm-based son Oliver, who recommended to her UK-based owner that the filly would be better placed in England on softer ground.” Silent Heir is the 4th foal of Sadler's Wells mare Park Heiress & was bred by Arrowfield Stud. Park Heiress is a daughter of Champion Irish 2YO filly Park Express (by Ahonoora), who also went on to become Champion 3YO filly in Great Britain. At stud, Park Express is the dam of Glenlogan Park's Shinko Forest & Champion 3YO filly Dazzling Park. The immediate family also includes multiple Group-winning Australian-bred & raced filly Forest Express (exported to America to continue her career as a broodmare). And Park Heiress’s 2001 End Sweep colt was exported to Japan in April; Peter Hingston paid $105,000 for him at this year’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale. (May 29) Court Battle Threats Over Bob’s Boy Sale A start by NZ 3YO Bob’s Boy in Saturday week’s $500,000 Gr1 Queensland Derby “may be decided by the courts, after a proposed sale yesterday plunged into a legal crisis,” reported The Daily Telegraph. Hong Kong-based expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes “through agents last week made a successful approach to buy Bob’s Boy for $450,000, subject to the 3YO passing a stringent veterinary test & has a ‘concluded & binding contract’.” But trainer & part-owner Andrew Campbell says the contract has been voided: “A contract was signed, but a condition was that for the X-rays last Thursday the horse would not be sedated, because that would have ruled him out of running on Saturday. The vet was unable to get the horse X-rayed to the extent he wanted. To me that was the end of the contract. We have put the whole matter in the hands of lawyers now. I think they thought they might be able to bluff little people from NZ with legal threats. Well we are not going to let them walk over us.” But bloodstock agent Mark Pilkington, acting on behalf of Hayes & his clients, said there was every intention to pursue the matter in court if necessary: “We intend to vigorously enforce the contract. A letter & a copy of the Heads Of Agreement have been forwarded to the Queensland Racing stewards. If necessary we are prepared to take out a court injunction to prevent the horse from running in the Derby. You just can’t ignore a signed contract & say you have changed your mind.” (May 29) Bel Esprit Confirmed To Eliza Park After Stradbroke Dual Gr1-winning 3YO sprinter Bel Esprit will end his racing career in the $1 million Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm on Saturday week & head for Victoria’s Eliza Park Stud. Bel Esprit’s syndicate of owners came to an agreement yesterday with Eliza Park to retire the son of Royal Academy & “begin stud duty in the spring, with his service fee to be announced after the Stradbroke,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Eliza Park Stud’s John Miller confirmed: “There were pros & cons to consider, but the owners have reached agreement that he should begin his stud career this year. They weighed up what is best for the horse & agreed that he should retire after he runs in, & hopefully wins, the Stradbroke. We are delighted to be adding Bel Esprit to our stallion roster this spring, as he is udoubtedly one of the most exciting young stallions in Australia.” Miller added Eliza Park & the Bel Esprit syndicate will retain the majority of shares in the stallion, but a limited number will be made available to other breeders at a yet to be determined price. Overall Bel Esprit has recorded 8 wins & 5 placings in 18 starts for $2,073,600 prize-money. (May 29) Eliza Park’s Impressive 2003 Roster Bel Esprit will join an impressive group of stallions at Eliza Park for the 2003 season. Also beginning their stud careers there this spring are Australian Guineas winner Delago Brom & brilliant Group winner Planchet. Sunline’s sire Desert Sun, Jetball & classy imports Val Royal, Grass Wonder, Black Hawk & Johan Cruyff make up the current Eliza Park roster. (May 29) Beadman’s 5 Winners Puts Sydney Season Record In Sight Jockey Darren Beadman's quest to break the record for most Sydney winners in a season “accelerated at Canterbury yesterday when he dominated the program with 5 winners,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Beadman has now ridden 129 Sydney winners & is poised to break Larry Cassidy's record of 139.5 set in the 1997-98 season. Beadman quipped: "I said to myself last week I've got to ride a couple of doubles & trebles to have a real chance at the record. Riding 1 a meeting is like watching the grass grow. Everything is going great. It's all falling into place. I'm on a PB (personal best) already. I've never been here before, it's uncharted waters. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing & hoping for a bit of luck. I don't want to be too cocky, every race is different. But I'm quietly confident I can get it (the record)." Beadman's quintet of winners also equalled his personal best in a single day's racing. Beadman has won apprentice premierships in Sydney & also took the senior title in 1994-95 & 1995-96; last season he was narrowly beaten by Corey Brown. (May 29) Vinery’s Shuttle Sire Langfuhr Jumps to 101 Global Winners Among Darren Beadman’s 5 winners at Canterbury Park in Sydney yesterday was 3YO Peachtree Lad, a victory which took Vinery Stud sire Langfuhr (Danzig-Sweet Briar Too, by Briartic) to 101 winners globally. It continued a big recent run for Langfuhr: his Australian-bred 3YO Frightening scored at Flemington; & in the US he has surged to 2nd spot on the US 3rd Crop Sires List. And while smart filly Barnsy gave Langfuhr his 23rd individual US winner this season (2nd only to Smoke Glacken in terms of individual North American winners), in Canada his star son Wando won the Gr3 Marine Stakes (8.5 furlongs) by 4 lengths at Woodbine in Toronto & is now hot favourite for Canada's premier sire-making event, the Gr1 Queen’s Plate on June 22 at Woodbine. (May 29) Sydney Winner For Major Singapore Owner Another notable Darren Beadman winner yesterday was Rosehill trainer Chris Waller’s Dax (Lion Hunter-Palamond). Waller told racenet.com.au: "We didn't know much about him really, he's so quiet. He's very easy to handle & train and he's the first horse I've had that's been related to Danehill (sire of Lion Hunter)! His part owner Weng Tang is one of the leading owners in Singapore - he's actually aiming to win the owners premiership this season.” Among the unplaced brigade in the event was the royally-bred Caught Courting (Danehill-Let's Elope). (May 29) America Or Caulfield Cup For Penny Gem NZ filly Penny Gem's performance in the Gr1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday will determine whether she goes to the US or tackles the Caulfield Cup in Melbourne this spring. Trainer Mike Moroney, drawing favourable comparisons between Penny Gem & last year's Doomben Cup runner-up Galroof, told aapracingandsports.com.au: "We came here last year with Galroof not knowing if she would stay & Penny Gem is much the same. But Penny Gem is more a chance of staying than what we thought of Galroof at the time." And Moroney confirmed Penny Gem is still a chance of earning a trip to the US for the US$750,000 (A$1.17 million) American Oaks (2000m) at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles on July 5: "If she won the Queensland Oaks she'd get an invite & would go for the American Oaks. "If she doesn't go, she'll be set for the Caulfield Cup." (May 29) WA Industry Split Over Stallion Award The WA breeding industry has split over the annual award for leading WA sire. WA breeders “have elected to boycott the traditional naming of the winner at the WA Turf Club's racing industry awards night in August & name their own winner,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The breeders will present their own leading stallion award at the annual WA Bloodhorse Breeders Association next March. The split follows the WATC decision to include foreign prize-money earned by a sire’s progeny. All other stallion awards presented in Australia are determined only by progeny in this country, but the WATC will include overseas earnings by progeny conceived in WA. Breeders claim the WATC decision favours stallions Bletchley Park & Dauberval, owned by WATC chairman Ted van Heemst & committeeman Graeme Daws. (May 29) Railton Warns Of ‘Fine Cotton Fall-Out’ Repeat Sacked former Queensland chief steward Steve Railton has continued his attack on Queensland Racing, raising reservations about the future direction of Queensland racing & likening it to the era of recovery from the Fine Cotton saga. Railton told Brisbane’s Radio TAB: "If in their (Queensland Racing Board) desire to cut costs, & that's been mooted to be forthcoming, then I have concerns stewards will be under-resourced & under-staffed. It took Queensland racing donkeys' years to get over Fine Cotton. If further cuts are made I hope the board accepts the responsibility." Railton noted the QRB decision to make him redundant was the biggest "kick in the guts" he had experienced in his life. It triggered a chorus of criticism from industry participants, including Queensland Turf Club chairman Phil Sullivan who branded the decision “something out of the Keystone Kops”. Subsequently Gold Coast chief steward David Hensler “has now been advised his position as Gold Coast Turf Club chief steward has been abolished by QRB,” reported appracingandsports.com.au. “Fellow Sunshine Coast Turf Club chief steward Graham Ireland also has lost his position at Caloundra. Hensler & Ireland will join the stewards' pool in Brisbane under the direction of a new Brisbane metropolitan chief steward.” (May 29) Danehill Leads Serheed On Aust Sires Table With Danehill overtaking early season leader Serheed, the current Top 10 Australian sires (by prize-money) after last weekend’s racing are: 1: Danehill $6,384,714. 2: Serheed $6,313,092. 3: Dehere $5,302,260. 4: Octagonal $4,231,396. 5: Snippets $4,182,695. 6: Encosta de Lago $3,640,825. 7: Zabeel $3,626,411. 8: Success Express $3,597,644. 9: Grand Lodge $3,405,028. 10: Hennessy $3,323,487. (May 29) US Sire Parade Leader Sold To South African Stud Mike Rattray’s Lammerskraal Stud near Ceres in South Africa has purchased US sire Parade Leader (winner of the 2002 Gr2 New Orleans Handicap) from William Farish & E.J.Hudson for US$1 million, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 6YO son of Kingmambo is currently in quarantine in SA & Lammerskraal director Sally Jordaan, who expects the horse to arrive at the farm by June 15, noted: "We think Kingmambo has a tremendous chance to be a fantastic sire of sires, & Parade Leader’s female line is exemplary. We’re very proud of our broodmare operation here, so Parade Leader will be given every chance to succeed. He’s exactly what we were looking for. He performed well on turf & dirt & went long. We want to start racing our horses internationally, & we think Parade Leader could be competitive in several arenas." Parade Leader (bred in Kentucky by Farish & Hudson) is out of stakes-placed His Majesty mare Battle Creek Girl, producer of 6 stakes winners (including Parade Leader’s full brother & multiple graded winner Parade Ground & 1989 Canadian champion juvenile filly Wavering Girl). Parade Leader won 7 of 30 career starts (Including the 2000 Princeton Stakes at Meadowlands) plus 9 placings. Lammerskraal Stud also stands the American-bred horses Rakeen (16-year-old son of Northern Dancer who is a half-brother to top sires Singspiel & Rahy) & Western Winter (stakes-winning 11-year-old by Gone West who finished 2nd in the 1997 Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap). (May 29) Latest Equine Abortion Figures Still Falling In Kentucky The downward trend of equine abortions in Kentucky continued during May, according to figures released this week by the University of Kentucky's Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center in Lexington. Just 6 aborted fetuses were submitted to the LDDC for examination in the latest week, compared to 35 in the same time period last year, reported bloodhorse.com. The cumulative total for 2003 is 422, compared to 794 in 2002. The LDDC is tracking the number of equine abortions in an effort to detect outbreaks of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome. (May 29) Multiple Stakes Producer Lady Blackfoot Dies Stakes winner Lady Blackfoot (a daughter of Prince Tenderfoot & producer of 4 stakes winners from 9 starters) has died at Brick Kiln Stud in England after delivering a foal by Robellino, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Lady Blackfoot produced Fanmore (by Lear Fan) the 1993 Gr3 Prix Messidor in France & then the 1994 Gr2 Arlington & Gr2 San Luis Obispo Handicaps in the US; subsequently Fanmore’s full brother Labeeb was placed in 3 French stakes before heading to North America & winning 6 stakes, including the 1995 Gr1 Hollywood Derby. Lady Blackfoot’s other stakes winners are 2000 Irish high-weight Alrassaam (by Zafonic) & Madam l‘Enjoleur (by L’Enjoleur). Overall Lady Blackfoot produced 17 foals since 1984 for 7 winners from 9 starters with earnings of US$2,836,398. (May 29) US Sire Secret Firm Dies In Maryland Meanwhile US stallion Secret Firm, a multiple graded stakes winner whose 1st foals are yearlings in 2003, has died “after suffering an apparent heart attack after a breeding session” at Elberton Hill Farm in Maryland, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 8YO son of Gr1 winner Secret Hello was standing his initial season at Elberton Hill, after standing his 1st 2 seasons at Green Willow Farms. Secret Firm has 15 foals in his 1st crop and was bred to 10 mares in 2002; he had been bred to 6 mares this season, prior to his death. Out of Affirmed mare Firm Mist, Secret Firm retired from racing with 7 wins in 10 career starts, including the 1998 Gr2 King’s Bishop Stakes & Gr3 Amsterdam Stakes, both at Saratoga Race Course. Earlier in 1998 he also equalled the track record for 7 furlongs at Laurel Park, covering the distance in 1min 21.57sec. (May 29) Rises In UK Racecourse Crowds & Betting The UK Racecourse Association (the trade organisation that represents Britain’s 59 racetracks) has reported increased attendance betting totals during the past year, according to its annual report released yesterday. The tracks attracted 5.5 million people (up 10%), while levy receipts from betting increased 20%. "Last year was an excellent one for racecourses, with new milestones reached in all the main facets of the business," UK Racecourse Association chairman Keith Brown told England’s Press Association. (May 29) UK Owners Welcome Decision On Betting Exchanges British racehorse owners have welcomed a decision not to restrict their use of betting exchanges, though the UK Jockey Club highlighted one instance where it would seek to monitor their betting activity. While British trainers & stable staff are to be barred from laying their own horses, new rules will not apply to owners, who can continue to lay their runners as a means to "cover their expenses" if they don’t win. UK Racehorse Owners’ Association chief executive Michael Harris told racingpost.co.uk: “I think the Jockey Club has been very fair & reasonable, & accepted the argument that it’s almost impossible to enforce a ban on owners laying their own horses.” The Jockey Club, in clarifying its position, emphasised it would make further inquiries if it learned an owner “gained more from the defeat of a horse than from winning”. PR director John Maxse noted: “We are very aware of the potential for bad publicity for the sport if connections of a horse are known to have laid it to lose. Our position is that the financial incentive to win (for the owner) should always outweigh the profit from defeat. This is likely to be reflected in the Rules. While there is unlikely to be a total ban on owners laying their horses – as is intended with trainers & stable staff – if an owner laid his horse to the extent that he profited more from defeat than if the horse had won, we would follow the matter up.” And UK National Trainers Federation chief executive Rupert Arnold agreed: “In principle we think a ban on trainers using betting exchanges to lay their own horses is correct.” (May 29) Thursday Odd Spot: Sale Record Wedding Present Royal Rosa, who broke the UK record for a jumps horse bought at auction when sold last week for 340,000 guineas, “was bought by multi-millionaire Graham Wylie as a wedding present for his bride Andrea,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Earlier this month Wylie, 42, a newcomer to racing & reported to be worth around £100 million (A$255 million) as co-founder of accountancy software company Sage, “is believed to have spent £175,000 (A$450,000) hiring Ronan Keating to sing to his new wife at what has been described as the north east’s wedding of the decade.” That headline-hogging, no-expense-spared event was “put together by Andrew Chance & his team, who organised David & Victoria Beckham’s World Cup party.” The marriage ceremony itself took place in a suite transformed into an opulent garden featuring lilies, cream roses, birch trees & ivory; it was followed by a 10-minute firework display & live opera, & a cabaret including The Drifters & an 11-piece orchestra playing Glenn Miller standards. Wylie’s father was a Newcastle coal miner & the bride, formerly Andrea Storey, operated a hair & beauty salon in Hexham. (May 29) 1st Stakes Winner For Coolmore’s Fasliyev Coolmore’s shuttle freshman sire Fasliyev sired his 1st stakes-winner when 2YO colt Russian Valour (Fasliyev-Vert Val, by Septieme Ciel) won the Listed National Stakes at Sandown Park in Britain, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Russian Valour has now won 2 of his 4 starts. Inbred 3x4 to Northern Dancer, Russian Valour is the 3rd foal of his dam, intriguingly inbred 5x3 to Green Valley (dam of 1975 French Gr1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner & successful sire Green Dancer, & Russian Valour's 3rd dam). This is the immediate family of Gr1 winners Okawango & Alhaarth. European Champion 2YO Fasliyev (by Nureyev) shuttles between Coolmore in Ireland & Australia. (May 28) Vinery’s Red Ransom Produces 2YO Speedster Meanwhile at Ripon in England, 2YO Sabbeeh (sired by Vinery’s shuttle stallion Red Ransom) astonished spectators when he raced away from his rivals to win his racetrack debut over 6 furlongs by 13 lengths. Trainer Michael Jarvis told UK Sporting Life: “He is our 1st 2YO runner & I would like to think about Royal Ascot (the Coventry Stakes). His owner Sheikh Ahmed would like to have a runner there.” Sabbeeh is the 1st foal produced by stakes-winning, group-placed Diesis mare Capastrano Day. Red Ransom (Roberto-Arabia, by Damascus) is proving among the breeding world’s best 2YO sires; Australians noted he was the only stallion to supply 3 qualifiers for this year’s Golden Slipper. (May 28) Riverdene 2003 Roster Includes Admiral Mambo & Marechal Dr Kevin Pendergast’s Riverdene Stud (outside Wagga Wagga in southern NSW’s Riverina district) will stand 6 stallions in the coming breeding season, following the addition of 2 newcomers for 2003 duties. Riverdene’s incumbent roster includes Australian-performed stakes-winners Zariz, High Rolling, Marwina & Sports Works. (Their 2002 companion Armidale recently died from colic.) To fill the void, Pendergast has added Admire Mambo (an American-bred son of Kingmambo who raced in Japan, where he established himself among the leading juveniles of his generation) & Marechal (the speedy Danzero entire). Admire Mambo will shortly arrive from overseas to stand his 1st season anywhere in the world. His biggest track triumph came as a 2YO in the Gr2 Zen-Nippon Sansai Yushun. He is a magnificently-bred son of Kingmambo, the Mr Prospector stallion whose headline-hogging international progeny include European Guineas winners King’s Best (UK 2000 Gr1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas), Bluemambo (2000 Gr1 French 1000 Guineas), Russian Rhythm (UK 2003 Gr1 Newmarket 1000 Guineas), US Champion Older Horse Lemon Drop Kid, & ill-fated El Condor Pasa (a recent Horse-Of-The-Year in Japan). Kingmambo himself is a European Guineas winner produced by top racemare Miesque.The product of a well-performed daughter of Sir Ivor & an esteemed female line, Admire Mambo boasts successful stallions either side of his pedigree. Those on his distaff side include US Champion 2YO Sire Capote & Broad Brush (North America’s leading sire in 1994). Admire Mambo will standing at Riverdene at $6,600 (including GST). Australian stakes winning 3YO Marechal (a grandson of Danehill) will stand his 1st season in NSW after stints in Queensland & Victoria; the latest move followed his owners wishing to take advantage of the recent NSW BOBS revamp. Marechal commenced stud duties in 2001 after just 6 starts with Les Bridge at Randwick (including a 3-length win at his only 2YO start & a 3YO victory in the Listed STC Heritage Stakes & placing in the Gr3 Tattersalls Roman Consul Stakes). Marechal will stand his 1st season at Riverdene Stud at the same time as offspring from his initial stud year are being prepared for the 2004 Australian Yearling Sales. His 2003 fee is $5,500 (including GST). (May 28) Arrowfield’s Orientate Covers Stellar Book Of US Mares Arrowfield’s exciting stallion Orientate has received a stellar book of mares in his 1st North American season. “The success story behind this horse is who is supporting him,” said Michael Hernon of Gainesway Stud, who stands Orientate in the Northern Hemisphere. Renowned US breeders to use Orientate include Adena Springs, Calumet, Crestwood, Denali, Domino Stud, Foxfield, Ben Walden & WinStar (breeders of Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide). John Gaines, former Gainesway master & now successful breeder, is also sending mares to the Champion Sprinter, as are Orientate’s high-profile former owners Bob & Beverly Lewis. Orientate will be bred to around 125 mares in his 1st Northern Hemisphere season at Gainesway. Hernon added: “He’s doing very well physically. He has gained 100 pounds since he’s been here. His fertility is very good & he just gets better & better as the season progresses. His transition from the top sprinter in the world to a stallion prospect has been very good.” Mares to visit Orientate in his 1st season include Whiffling (dam of 2 stakes winners including the Champion 3YO Colt Prairie Bayou). Orientate has also served the dams of stakes-winners August Storm, Beau’s Town, Belong To Sea, Five Star Deputy, Magestretti, Marichal, Masked Barb, Mellow Fellow, Miss City Halo, Mr Impatience & No Other Name, as well as stakes-winning mares Bet Twice Princess, Champagne Glow, Golden Mirage, Harry’s Charm, Haunting, Hollow Miss, I’ll Get Along, Lady Blockbuster, Notagoldbrick, Silk Sails, Starry Ice & Vacacionada. The Champion Sprinter is arriving at Arrowfield’s NSW Hunter Valley base in late August & spokesman Byron Rogers said: “Interest in the horse has been very solid & Arrowfield will support the stallion with our own broodmare band. So he will serve a good quality book of mares.” Mares committed to visit Orientate at Arrowfield this year include stakes-winners Altiero, Cassis, Expensive Lunch, Lady’s Delight, Moon Over Miami, Rubidium & Stella Artois, plus the dams of Only A Lady, Zoometric & Keep The Faith. Orientate will stand at $33,000 (including GST). (May 28) US Gr1 Winner Highlights Ealing Park Sire Good Journey The win of Aldebaran in this week’s US$750,000 Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park “highlights what a magnificent prospect Ealing Park has secured in Aldebaran’s half-brother Good Journey,” noted racenet.com.au. The 2 met in the 2002 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Arlington Park, where Good Journey (by Nureyev) hit the lead at the top of the straight before finishing 3rd behind Domedriver & Coolmore’s record-breaking Rock Of Gibraltar (by Danehill), with Aldebaran (a 5YO son of Mr Prospector) 12-lengths behind in 11th place. (It was the only time Aldebaran has failed to run a placing in his 21-start career.) (May 28) Keeneland Appoints Cox As Australasian Representative Keeneland Association has named Vin Cox its representative in Australasia, “acting as general liaison in that region, assisting with the promotion & advertising of the company’s sales,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Cox spent 14 years working with William Inglis (a time that included a 6-month internship with Keeneland) serving Inglis as auctioneer, associate director & as an associate on the Board for 7 years beginning in 1996. He recently established his own bloodstock agency. Cox replaces Rex Butterfield, who retired after 15 years as Keeneland’s representative in the region. Keeneland president Nick Nicholson said: "Vin has a thorough knowledge of both Keeneland & the thoroughbred industry in Australasia." (May 28) Collingrove NSW Offers Agistment Service The recent departure of Darley Australia to its own property “provides an ideal opportunity for breeders to agist their mares at Collingrove’s well appointed Hunter Valley nursery,” said stud manager Alan Morton. The picturesque property has been the “breeding & rearing ground” for many star gallopers including Golden Slipper & Victoria Derby winners, Oaks heroines & multiple Inglis & Magic Millions sales toppers. “As well as our 1st class stabling & agisting facilities, we have a dedicated vet & full-time night watch during the foaling season,” Morton added. “And Collingrove NSW is ideally located for breeders. A few of the leading studs in the Hunter now only offer a walk-in service & we feel we can assist these breeders by caring for their horses at very competitive rates.” (May 28) Jockey Stanley Heads For Singapore Sydney jockey Brent Stanley is the latest Australian hoop heading for Asia. Stanley has been granted a visiting permit by the Singapore Turf Club & will ride at Kranji from next week. His manager Damian Hay told racenet.com.au: "He's off to be stable rider for Paddy Busuttin, who has about 50 horses in work & over a dozen Group horses. The contract is initially for 3 months &, depending on how things go, he may be staying there afterwards. Paddy was the trainer that Larry Cassidy originally went to ride for & Dan Nikolic has also ridden for him. It's a great opportunity & he'll have his last day in Sydney at Rosehill on Saturday, before flying out on Monday." (May 28) Highest Earning Geldings Following star US 3YO gelding Funny Cide’s recent twin triumphs in the Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Preakness Stakes, Thoroughbred Times Today published a table showing Funny Cide (US$1,889,385) among the Top 25 money-winning geldings. “Even allowing for the difficulty of exact conversion, there are several Australian geldings that would figure,” added thoroughbredinternet.com. Taking their Australian earnings at today’s US$ rate, the list would include: US$6,597,947 John Henry (US) (1975) US$6,130,473 Northerly (Aus) (1996) US$5,668,245 Best Pal (US) (1988) US$4,975,807 Jim And Tonic (Fr) (1994) US$4,834,324 Fairy King Prawn (HK) (1995) US$4,077,209 Tie The Knot (Aus) (1994) US$4,036,328 Electronic Unicorn (HK) (1996) US$3,714,196 Super Impose (Aus) (1984) US$3,430,015 Might And Power (Aus) (1993) US$3,184,500 Caller One (US) (1997) US$3,133,160 Better Loosen Up (Aus) (1985) US$2,876,018 General Challenge (US) (1996) US$2,861,579 Rough Habit (Aus) (1986) US$2,840,810 Budroyale (US) (1993) (May 28) Capelin To Replace Hughes On NSWTRB Appeal Panel Eminent Sydney barrister Tom Hughes AO QC has advised the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Board that he will stand down from the position of Principal Member of the NSWTRB Appeal Panel in November 2003, having then served in the role for 5 years. The Board acknowledged “the leading role that he has played in establishing the Appeal Panel as a significant & credible part of racing in NSW.” Former Australian Jockey Club chairman Peter Capelin QC has been appointed to the Appeal Panel & will become the Principal Member when Hughes stands down. NSWTRB chairman Tony Hartnell noted the racing industry was fortunate to have the services of such an eminent legal person as Hughes: "His stature in the legal fraternity & his passion for the understanding of racing made the appeal process in NSW the envy of racing jurisdictions. We cannot thank him enough for his contribution." Hartnell added the racing industry was fortunate to obtain the services of a highly qualified legal practitioner “with a love & understanding of racing” to replace Hughes: "We are extremely pleased that Mr Peter Capelin has offered his time & expertise to this vital role in NSW racing. We welcome his addition to the Panel & to the senior position in due course." (May 28) Stud & Stallion Day At Royal Randwick The 1st annual Stud & Stallion Day will be held in Sydney on Sunday July 20 in the betting auditorium at Royal Randwick Racecourse. The event has been designed as a marketing opportunity for those in the industry to promote their stallions, stud farms, spelling facilities, training/breaking/pre-training organisations & other industry-related services. The organising committee (Paul Fleming, Reg Inglis & Jon Freyer) noted: “This event has been designed to give breeders & industry participants the opportunity to access further information about the high calibre stallions that are available throughout Australia. It is also an ideal opportunity to meet with the leading stud masters and observe the other extensive industry related-services on offer to the industry.” Supported by William Inglis, proceeds from the day will be donated to Mission Australia. The event includes a cocktail party in the evening with a stallion nomination auction. (May 28) Racing Victoria Develops ‘Operation Destiny’ Racing Victoria & Country Racing Victoria have conducted “an intensive process of review & collaborative consultation” with clubs within the Gippsland, Wimmera-Mallee & Goulburn-Murray regions “in order to identify opportunities for improvements to the administration of country racing.” This has resulted in the development of Operation Destiny: a blue-print for “consolidating & promoting the important role of country racing as a major economic & social contributor to Victoria.” Operation Destiny (scheduled to be implemented in the initial 3 regions, noted above, from August 1) aims to: maintain the integrity, independence & identity of racing clubs & their connection with their local communities; provide clubs with improved levels of management expertise & efficiencies; utilise regional economies of scale in terms of resource acquisition & sharing; reduce operating costs & duplication to improve productivity; expand new business opportunities; provide career path opportunities for the leaders of the future; & reduce club business & directors' personal risk. (May 28) Benjamin Calls On Auckland Board To Resign Further to yesterday’s item re the on-going brawl over Auckland Racing Club’s controversial plan to redevelop the Prices Road training facility: Fayette Park Stud owner David Benjamin is among a group of members “calling for the Auckland Racing Club Board members to resign & have new elections,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Benjamin told the Club’s special general meeting: "There is a question of governance. There is none at the club right now. By allowing another 3 months for the Board to come up with more information over Prices Road, we are only delaying the inevitable. The Board is totally dysfunctional. While all of this is going on, the Auckland Racing Club is becoming the laughing stock of the South Pacific . The whole Board must resign & we need to have a totally new election." (May 28) Volksraad Still Leads NZ Sires Table The current Top 15 on the NZ General Sires Table (by prize-money), according to NZ Thoroughbred Marketing, are: 1: Volksraad NZ$1,170,650. 2: Zabeel NZ$1,060,150. 3: O’Reilly NZ$881,971. 4: Desert Sun NZ$827,263. 5: Faltaat NZ$745,937. 6: Prized NZ$694,300. 7: Stark South NZ$635,755. 8: Al Akbar NZ$554,670. 9: Maroof NZ$499,368. 10: His Royal Highness NZ$487,070. 11: Shinko King NZ$427,877. 12: Deputy Governor NZ$410,483. 13: Danasinga NZ$407,655. 14: Lord Ballina NZ$407,522. 15: Blues Traveller NZ$406,702. (May 28) New Nomination System For NZ Derby An English Derby-type early nomination system is to be adopted for the glamour 3YO event of NZ racing: the NZ$500,000 Mercedes Derby at Ellerslie. Auckland Racing Club chairman Colin Devine announced first nominations for 2003’s Gr1 Boxing Day classic will close in September (instead of November). He told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "While the calling of early nominations has now become an accepted practice with many feature races internationally, NZ has normally been more conservative in this area. By closing nominations early, owners & punters will have the opportunity to bet on their horses at an early stage, creating more interest & profile around the race & bringing NZ into line with similar events overseas." Devine noted his club “is talking to the TAB about the possibility of offering fixed-odds betting on the Derby as soon as possible after 1st nominations have been taken. Weekly updates will be provided to the public from September onwards, providing the punter & interested parties with updated news & the list of qualifiers for the Derby at any given time." The initial nomination fee will remain at $100 plus gst; there will be periodic withdrawals to be made not dissimilar to the present entry structure; & the club will announce a selection criteria for the final Derby field when nominations close, allowing all owners & trainers the opportunity to be aware of what is needed to make the final Mercedes Derby field. And Devine said the club intended to increase prize-money for the Mercedes Prelude & Mercedes Derby Trial (both run at Ellerslie in the vital build-up towards the Mercedes Derby on December 26.) (May 28) HKJC Announces ‘Cost Efficiency’ Focus In a meeting with trainers & jockeys at Sha Tin, Hong Kong Jockey Club executive director of racing Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has revealed initiatives approved by the Racing Committee “designed to further improve the cost-efficiency of racing, especially at a time when betting turnover is in decline.” Current prize-money levels will remain unchanged next season, as total purses have increased by over 35% & HK$183 million (A$37 million) since 1999-2000. However the Club will, over a period of 3 years, “phase out the practice of subsidising owners’ livery costs during & beyond the racing careers of their horses.” And members applying for horse import permits for the 2004-05 season have already been asked to contribute HK$40,000 (A$8,000) to fund the retired racehorse program. The Committee also supports “further improving the efficiency of its stables operations & a review of the cost of stable management is forthcoming.” (May 28) Lone Star Park Reduces US Prize-Money Meanwhile Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie in Texas (which Magna Entertainment Corporation purchased in October 2002) has announced 9% purse cuts beginning with races on June 5. Lone Star officials blamed the cuts on “lukewarm business levels” since the meet began on April 3. Through 37 days of racing, on-track betting is down 6.7% to US$1.2 million daily, off-track wagering is down 9.5% to US$1.9 million daily & attendance is down 5.8%, to 8,400 daily. Lone Star Park general manager Jeff Greco told thoroughbredtimes.com: "Obviously, the economy has been tough on all business, especially those of us involved in the sports & entertainment industry. This adjustment was not an easy decision. It was a last resort, but during these difficult economic times, it is the prudent business decision.” (May 28) Dam Of US Gr1 Shoemaker Star Redattore Dies From Laminitis Political Intrigue, whose 2nd foal Redattore won this week’s US Gr1 Shoemaker Breeders’ Cup Mile Stakes at Hollywood Park, has been euthanised due to complications from laminitis at Denali Stud in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Bred in Ontario in Canada, Political Intrigue was a 14-year-old daughter of Deputy Minister out of Buckpasser mare Fascinating Trick. Redattore is her most accomplished off-spring; the 8YO son of Roi Norman has won 13 of 27 starts & earned US$1,442,736. (May 28) 1st Winner For Freshman Sire Lord Of Men French Gr1 winner & freshman sire Lord Of Men recorded his 1st winner when 2YO colt Mirabelor won over 6 furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte racecourse in France, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Lord Of Men won 10 of 19 starts (including the Gr1 Prix de la Salamandre) & now stands at Darley’s Haras du Logis near Trun. Bred in Great Britain by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Lord Of Men is out of multiple stakes winning Shirley Heights mare Upper Strata; Lord Of Men is a half-brother to European high-weight Her Ladyship (dam of Gr3 winner Dignify). Mirabelor (bred in France out of winning River Mist mare Miss Puvenelle) is 1 of 8 starters from Lord Of Men’s 1st crop of 48 2YOs. (May 28) Royal Ascot’s £180 million Redevelopment Plan On the eve of this year’s carnival, a huge redevelopment plan at Britain's Ascot Racecourse - including a new grandstand & costing £180 million (A$460 million) - has been unveiled to take place during 2005, reported racingpost.co.uk. Ascot’s annual summer Royal Meeting (run over 5 days each June & featuring 6 Gr1 contests) attracts daily crowds up to 75,000. (May 28) UK’s BHB Secretly Planning ‘Corporate Make-Over’ A plan to give the 10-year-old British Horseracing Board “a corporate make-over is being hatched, ready to be swung into action once the Office of Fair Trading’s competition criticisms have been met - & always provided the BHB itself survives the fall-out,” reported racingpost.co.uk. “No time scale has been put on the branding exercise, & the project is so secret that no-one at the BHB office was willing to comment publicly.” However “a senior source” did concede a new image for UK racing’s governing authority was being investigated, even though the OFT inquiry “is certain to lead to some of its powers being either devolved to, or shared with, other bodies.” BHB chairman Peter Savill was quoted in London’s The Times last week as describing the British Horseracing Board as “too stuffy & bureaucratic” a title. However the suggestion for an overhaul of the image, including adopting the name ‘British Racing’, is understood to have come from within the BHB’s executive line-up. (May 28) Injured Keltos Not Shuttling For 2003 World Champion Older Miler & sire Keltos, due to shuttle from Ireland’s Airlie Stud to WA’s Alwyn Park Stud for the 2003 breeding season, has “suffered an injury in the breeding barn & will not be fit to fulfil his southern hemisphere engagements” this season. However John Chalmers Bloodstock advised that Keltos (the International Classification highest weighted Older Horse by Timeform in 2002 with a rating of 132lbs) “is expected to be available to Australian breeders for the 2004 stud season.” (May 27) Coolmore Shuttler Desert King Adds UK Stakes-Winner Good news for Coolmore shuttler Desert King overnight, with last year's Gr1 Prix Royal-Oak winner Mr Dinos (Desert King- Spear Dance, by Gay Fandango) making “an impressive seasonal debut with a storming win” in the Gr2 Henry II Stakes (2 miles) at Sandown in England yesterday, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. The 4YO, who won easing down by 3 lengths from Pole Star (by Polar Falcon) & Kasthari (by Vettori), now has 5 victories (3 at Group level) in 10 starts. Mr Dinos is the first stakes-winner of 2003 for Classic winner Desert King (by Danehill), who formerly shuttled between Coolmore in Ireland & Australia. (May 27) Aust Sprinter Choisir Arrives In UK Newcastle trainer Paul Perry advised his Gr1-winning sprinter Choisir has arrived in England “safe & sound after a 30-hour trip,” reported racenet.com.au. The 3YO colt will compete at Royal Ascot in the Gr2 The Kings Stand Stakes (1200m) on Tuesday June 17, followed by the Gr1 Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) on Saturday June 21. (May 27) Kembla Trainer Fined For Throwing Tomahawk Racing NSW stewards yesterday conducted 2 inquiries involving licensed trainer Erwin Takacs. The 1st inquiry examined an incident near Takacs’s Kembla Grange stables around 10.30am on May 8; Takacs was found guilty of improper conduct for “having wielded a tomahawk & then released it in the direction of farrier Scott McLackland” & fined $1,000. McLackland was found guilty of improper conduct for “having involved himself in a physical altercation by placing his right hand around the chin area of Takacs & then physically pushing him” & fined $1,000. The 2nd inquiry involved a complaint from licensed trainer Ben Westbury concerning conduct of Takacs, who was fined another $1,000 after being found guilty of improper conduct “in that he threatened Mr Westbury by flourishing an object in the form of a tomahawk during an incident at the Kembla Grange stables of Takacs during the month of February.” Westbury was fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to a charge of improper conduct “in that he engaged in a physical altercation with licensed trainer Erwin Takacs earlier that morning.” Both parties were placed on notice that “any further continuation of this incident would reflect in action against their licences.” (May 27) Kersley Confirms Cox Plate Is Northerly’s Target Caulfield & Melbourne Cup nominations will be lodged, but “a 3rd Cox Plate success is the priority for Northerly, who returns to the stables of Fred Kersley in Perth this week,” reported The Australian newspaper. Kersley expects the rising 7YO to be handicapped out of contention for the Cups, but noted: “I won’t second-guess the handicapper. The weights may be compressed by the northern hemisphere entries, so we’ll enter & look. We never intended to run in the Caulfield Cup last year when he began his campaign, but he was asked to carry weight-for-age (58kg) & it turned out to be a bonus. I’m not a thrill-seeker. The Melbourne Cup is not an objective, but the Cox Plate is. I’m single-minded about that.” (May 27) Black Sam Bellamy Wins Irish Gr1 Tattersalls Gold Cup Michael Tabor & Susan Magnier’s Black Sam Bellamy, a full-brother to European star Galileo, won his 2nd Gr1 race when he blitzed his rivals to win Ireland’s Gr1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (10.5 furlongs) by 8 lengths at the Curragh, reported thoroughbredtimes.com.Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Black Sam Bellamy (a 4YO son of Sadler’s Wells) cruised home unchallenged, ahead of the Godolphin-trained pair, stakes winner Highdown (by Selkirk) & Italian highweight & Gr2 winner Narrative (by Sadler’s Wells). Jockey Michael Kinane told Sporting Life: "He’s not the same model as Galileo, but he has come together with age.There were a lot of horses in trouble a long way out, but he picked up & really flew home." Last year Black Sam Bellamy won the Italian Gr1 Gran Premio del Jockey Club at Milan & secured Italian high-weight honors in the 11-14 furlong division; overall, he has won 3 of 11 starts. Black Sam Bellamy is 1 of 4 starters (all stakes winners) out of European high-weight Urban Sea (by Miswaki). He is a half-brother to Irish high-weight & Gr3 winner Urban Ocean & Gr1 stakes-placed stakes winner Melikah. Notable members of the immediate family include Gr1 winner Anabaa Blue. (May 27) Aldebaran Wins US Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap Aldebaran (ridden by Jerry Bailey) raced past hot favourite Congaree in the straight to win the US$750,000 Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap (1 mile) on a wet track at Belmont Park yesterday, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. A victim of seconditis for much of his career, Aldebaran (a 5YO son of Mr Prospector out of multiple Gr1-winning Private Account mare Chimes Of Freedom) won by a neck from Saarland & Peeping Tom; Congaree finished 6th. Aldebaran now has 6 wins in 21 starts, but had also finished 2nd in 12 of his previous 20 starts (including this same race last year & behind Congaree in the Gr1 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct last month); his career earnings are now US$1,413,536 for owner-breeder Flaxman Holdings. Trainer Bobby Frankel noted: “With his pedigree, this is a huge win. He’s worth a lot of money as a stallion now." Aldebaran is scheduled to stand at Darby Dan Farm in Kentucky at the end of his racing career. Bred in Kentucky, Aldebaran is a half-brother to Canadian Gr1 winner Good Journey, who will stand in Victoria this year at Ealing Park Stud, Gr3 winner Sea Of Showers & stakes winner Tomisue’s Indy. (May 27) Tates Creek Wins US Gr1 Gamely Breeders’ Cup Tates Creek notched her 4th successive win with victory in the Gr1 US$421,000 Gamely Breeders’ Cup Handicap (9 furlongs) at Hollywood Park yesterday, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Tates Creek (ridden by Pat Valenzuela for trainer Bobby Frankel) won from Gr1 winner Dublino & multiple Gr2 winner Megahertz (a stablemate of Tates Creek). Early leader Miss Terrible, the Argentinian ‘boom’ mare who had previously won 7 Gr1 events in South America, tired in the straight. Tates Creek (a 5YO Rahy mare) has now won 10 times & placed twice in 14 starts for US$1,121,007 prize-money for owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms. She is out of the Gr3-placed stakes-winning Nureyev mare Viviana & is a half-sister to Gr1 winner Sightseek. (May 27) Redattore Wins US Gr1 Shoemaker Mile Luis Taunay's 8YO Brazilian-bred Redattore (ridden by Alex Solis for trainer Richard Mandella) caught pace-setting Special Ring a furlong from home & recorded his 3rd straight victory in yesterday’s US$415,000 Gr1 Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile at Hollywood Park, reported bloodhorse.com. Touch Of The Blues flew home from last for 3rd in the 1min 33.2sec event, run on firm turf. Redattore (a bay son of Roi Normand) has now won 13 of 27 career starts (including 7 out of 12 over 1 mile on grass) for US$1,442,315 prize-money. (May 27) Bester Advice Triggered US Champ Azeri Further to yesterday’s report: US Eclipse award winner Azeri, described by trainer Laura de Seroux as "one of the greatest mares of all time", would probably not be around but for Australian bloodstock agent James Bester. In 1991, Bester was approached by Queensland agent Brian King on behalf of Californian bloodstock agent Denny Boltinghouse. "Denny needs a filly for Allen Paulson", King told Bester. "Preferably a 3YO, since a 2YO will be too disadvantaged racing in America against horses 6 months older." Unable to come up with a suitable 3YO filly, Bester strongly recommended Arrowfield Stud's Magic Millions place-getter Zodiac Miss with the prediction: "Tell Denny she's perfect. Forget her race-record to date. I know her well, I've inspected her myself & she's a star: great head & jowl, very athletic, good limbs." On King's recommendation, Boltinghouse trusted Bester's judgement & Bester (as agent for Arrowfield) sold Paulson the filly. She was only a mid-season 2YO & would have had to race against 3YOs in the US, so Paulson left her in Australia for a crack at the Golden Slipper. The plan looked promising when Zodiac Miss won the Gr3 Coca-Cola Bottlers Classic at her next start; but then she chipped a knee & was operated on, spelled & sent to America, where she failed to recapture her good 2YO form. However she was duly mated with Paulson's stallion Jade Hunter, Bester's recommendation of the best Paulson-owned stallion for her. And the result is Azeri. Trainer Laura de Seroux must be thanking her lucky stars for Zodiac Miss, an Australian-bred filly who arrived unseen on Allen Paulson's American doorstep, at the recommendation of South African-bred bloodstock agent James Bester. It's a small world! (May 27) Greg Ryan Leads Aust-Wide Jockey Table NSW ‘I’ve-been-everywhere’ jockey Greg Ryan is heading toward another Australian Premiership title, reported racenet.com.au. Ryan has recorded 208 wins for the season (with a little over 2 months left), with his nearest rivals Darren Beadman (189) & Corey Brown (145). Ryan has ridden in 932 races this season, while Beadman has competed in 931 & Brown 951. (May 27) 950 Entries For Inglis Victoria Weanling & Thoroughbred Sale The pedigree team at William Inglis has catalogued a massive 950 entries for Melbourne’s upcoming June Weanling & Thoroughbred Sale, making it the largest sale ever conducted in Victoria. A record 351 weanlings have been catalogued, as well as 376 broodmares, 165 racehorses, 50 yearlings, unbroken stock & stallions. As a result of the large entries (& to facilitate stabling & inspection arrangements), the selling days have been altered to: Sunday June 22: Weanlings. Tuesday June 24: Broodmares. Wednesday June 25: Broodmares, Racehorses, Stallions, Yearlings & Unbroken Stock. (May 27) $4,000 Bargain Highlights Melbourne Sale And the weekend win by Bush Padre in the Gr1 Doomben Cup has highlighted the type of bargain previous editions of the Inglis Melbourne June Weanling & Thoroughbred Sale have presented. Gooree Pastoral purchased Bush Padre’s dam Candy Bird for just $4,000 at the 1997 June Weanling & Thoroughbred Sale; she was an unplaced daughter of obscure Danzig stallion Slant &, at the time, had produced just 1 named foal who failed to flatter on the racetrack. But Candy Bird’s grand-dam was Valour, an outstanding producer of 13 winners, highlighted by stakes-winner Sudden (dam of champion 2YO Burst). She also came with a positive test to Victoria Derby winner Redding - & the resulting foal was Bush Padre. (May 27) $5,000 Bargain Buy Scores At Royal Randwick Another contender for bargain-buy-of-the-week is 5YO gelding It’s Our Time (Switch in Time-Roquefort, by Godswalk), a $5,000 purchase at the 2000 Magic Millions Tamworth Yearling Sale by Shelley Hancox Bloodstock who won the Lone Drainer Handicap (1400m) at Randwick in Sydney to take his record to 5 wins & 6 placings in 26 starts. (May 27) $4,500 Bargain Wins Magic Millions Classic For 30 Owners And yet another bargain buy Rupanyup ($4,500 at the 2002 Magic Millions Adelaide Cup Autumn Yearling Sale at Morphettville) won the inaugural $50,000 Magic Millions Adelaide Autumn 2YO Classic (1250m) at Victoria Park for a group of 30 owners. The juvenile was leased to a large group from the Rupanyup Panthers Football Club by his buyer & trainer Greg Baker, who explained: “I really liked her pedigree. Her dam (Smithie’s Pride, by Bellwater) was a real speedster & she won plenty of races.” Rupanyup (by former South Australian-based sire Made Of Gold) is one of 8 horses in work at Baker’s stable at Rupanyup, a sleepy Wimmera town of just 400 people about 14klms from Murtoa. Baked noted: “The horse has 10 owners listed in the racebook. But in fact there are about 30.” The race was a triumph for bargain buys: 2nd was Jazzic (Blevic-Gala Jazz, by Almurtajaz) who was passed-in at just $3,000 at the 2002 MM Adelaide Autumn Yearling Sale; & 3rd was Hooker Boulevard (Shagny-Isle of Innisfree, by Yeats) a $6,000 purchase at the same MM Sale. (May 27) MM Adelaide Sale Counts More Success Meanwhile talented filly Debben continued the sensational run of graduates from the 2001 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale when she won the Listed South Australian St Leger (2400m) at Victoria Park. A daughter of Kambula Stud-based sire Blevic, Debben (ex Sparkling Halo, by Don’t Say Halo) was knocked down to Morphettville-based trainer Leon Macdonald for just $15,000 at the 2001 Adelaide Yearling Sale. And on the same Victoria Park program, lightly raced filly Maybe McLaren won against the older horses in the Alan Sheppard Homes Handicap (1000m). Maybe McLaren (Secret Savings-Caerleon’s Edge, by Caerleon) had previously only faced the starter 3 times, for 2 wins & an unlucky 3rd. The filly was offered by Emirates Park at the 2001 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale & (like stakes performers Dash for Cash, Shamekha, Salameh & Secret Land) is by former star miler Secret Savings. Overall, the 2001 MM Adelaide Yearling Sale has turned out to be one of the sales of the decade: it is also responsible for Mummify, True Glo, Hydrometer, Natural Blitz, Debben, Milkshake, Rachael’s Pride, Golden Prospect, Lawson’s Storm, Caribbean Royale, Red Labelle, Rortrice, It’s Who Deanie, Berezny, Miss Schacci, Sunday Shoes, Flawed Logic & Gold Anthem. (May 27) Blevic Continues Stakes Winning Run Debben’s win in the SA St Leger gave Kambula Stud stallion Blevic his 6th stakes winner for the season. His other 2002-03 stakes winners are Blevvo, Red Labelle, Exalted Lad, Under The Bridge & Nancy Eleanor - not bad for a sire who stands at $4,000 plus GST. (May 27) Card Queen In Magic Millions June Gold Coast Sale Next month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale (Friday 13 June) has received another boost with the inclusion of Gr3-winning mare Card Queen, earner of over $302,550 on the track. She joins Gr1-winning Lion Hunter filly Lovely Jubly in the sale. Card Queen (a 6YO daughter of former Gr1-winning sprinter Final Card) won the Gr3 Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies as a 2YO; she was also stakes-performed on 4 occasions in Queensland, NSW & Victoria; overall she had 48 starts for 5 wins, 5 2nds & 8 3rds. Final Card is from a 4-time winning Vite Cheval three-quarter sister to Group winner Cheval Cavalier & stakes-winning juvenile Don’t Cry (dam of Tears Royal). It is the family of top gallopers Vitalic (Gr1 Caulfield Guineas & 2 Gr1 placings), My Evita (Gr2 Alister Clark Stakes), Escondida (Listed winner of 9 races), Elegant Shell (Gr2 Karrakatta Plate), Zabanella (Gr2 Champion Fillies Stakes) & stakes-winners Salmark & Sussex Star. (May 27) Railton Predicts Problems For Fewer Queensland Stewards Steve Railton, former Queensland chairman of stewards who was controversially sacked by Queensland Racing (as part of official “cost-cutting”) & immediately snapped up by Racing NSW to join its stewards panel, told Sky Channel’s Racing Retro program he fears for the future of Queensland stewards & the reputation of that state’s racing. Railton said that if, as rumoured, there were to be more sackings among the stewards, this would leave Queensland racing in a precarious state, given the size of the state & the distances between clubs, especially those in the more isolated areas. Railton noted the loss of 3 stewards would leave 17 to cover the entire state, almost an impossibility, adding: "If at any time in the future there was some scandal because of this (reduction in the number of stewards), then I hope the Board takes the blame & not the stewards. It is the Board that would have put the racing industry at risk, not the stewards." (May 27) Orange Withdraws From Hawkesbury Amalgamation Orange Jockey Club has “opted out of an amalgamation with Hawkesbury Race Club in preference to forming an administrative alliance of 6 NSW Central District clubs, in a partnership aimed at reducing costs in the region,” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. The NSW Country Racing Council proposed the rationalisation plan to Dubbo, Bathurst, Orange, Mudgee, Parkes & Wellington at a meeting of the Central Districts Racing Association in Dubbo last week. “All clubs agreed in principle to an administrative partnership to be run out of the Dubbo office of the CRC. The clubs will meet the CRC again on June 10 to further discuss the agreement.” (May 27) Nominations For ‘Most Popular Racehorse’ Close Today Nominations for the Magic Millions Bloodstock Most Popular Racehorse for 2002-03 close at 5pm today. Last year Warrnambool-based stayer Badger’s Wood proved a surprise finalist, & then shock overall winner, when he took the spoils on a night where the limelight was shared between Sunline, Lonhro, Northerly & Victory Vein. To lodge your vote, log on to Racing Victoria’s website at www.racingvictoria.net.au. (Only 1 nomination will be received per person & the nominated horse must have raced in Australia during the 2002-03 season.) Horses who receive the highest number of nominations will form the finalists; votes will then be called for among the finalists. The winner will be announced at the Australian Racing Champion’s function (incorporating the Australian Racehorse-Of-The-Year awards) in Melbourne on Thursday July 3. (May 27) $450,000 Offer For NZ 3YO Star A $450,000 Australian offer “is not enough to entice the connections of rising star Bob’s Boy (by Lord Ballina) to part with the horse that is giving them the time of their lives on his Queensland winter Campaign,” reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Bob’s Boy backed up from his win in the Gr3 Doomben Classic with another win in the weekend’s Listed Rough Habit Plate (2200m) at Doomben in Brisbane. Trainer Andrew Campbell declared: "He’s thriving over here &, if anything, he’ll be improved by that run (his 3rd in 2 weeks). I’d say he should be spot on for the Gr1 Queensland Derby." And Campbell, who also bred Bob’s Boy (named after his late father) & races him in partnership with his mother, sister & brother-in-law, confirmed the gelding (who now has 4 wins in 10 starts) will definitely run in his current ownership: "Last week we got on offer of $450,000. I know it’s a lot of money, but we’ve talked it over & decided to hold on to him. We’re all over here having a great time. That’s 2 $100,000 races we’ve won in a week, so we figure it’s worth taking a punt." (May 27) Auckland’s Controversial Prices Road Put ‘On Hold’ Last night's “standing-room only” special general meeting of members of the Auckland Racing Club voted to put the controversial Prices Road training complex development “on hold”, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The stormy 2-hour meeting decided (amid calls for directors to resign) to “give more consideration to the business cases prepared for the club by independent suitably qualified consultants” & “consult further with members” before proceeding with any future developments. (May 27) Hulachine Highlights Tale Of The Cat Further to yesterday’s report on the sensational last-to-first win by Hulachine (by Tale Of The Cat) in NZ’s Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes: Tale Of The Cat has been a phenomenon at stud with 6 individual winners making him NZ’s leading freshman sire for the current season. His NZ performers include dual stakes winner Ubiquitous, while his Australian list is headed by Melbourne stakes winner Scaredee Cat. Tale Of The Cat began his northern hemisphere stud career in similar style, taking freshman honours in the US last year. (May 27) 100 Season Winners For Bloodstock Agent Moroney Matamata bloodstock consultant Paul Moroney recorded a significant milestone when Fire In The Hole won at Ellerslie in New Zealand on the weekend: 100 wins for the Australasian season by horses selected by Moroney from the auction ring. Moroney told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "I’m proud to have hit the century of wins, especially with a fair bit of the season still to go. I’ve never got close before & I doubt if anyone else has either." Moroney’s previous best tally was 78. His century was compiled by 69 individual winners, headed by NZ Two Thousand Guineas winner Hustler, leading 2YO filly Katana & her Gr1-placed stablemate Sarah Vee, Gr2 Australian winner The Second Mortgage & 2YO stakes winner Ubiquitous. Among the trainers, 87 winners have been from Mike Moroney’s Ballymore Stables, while others to profit from the consultant’s selections have been Paul Harris, Grant Davison, Bill Mitchell & Brad Peterson. (May 27) NZ Central Districts Sale Average Up 19% Boosted by the recent win of sale graduate Honor Babe in the Gr1 Sydney Cup, NZ’s Central Districts Bloodstock Sale at Wanganui achieved a 90% clearance rate (last year 76%) & 19% growth in average price, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Overall 62 lots sold for an aggregate NZ$84,800 (last year NZ$96,539) & the average was NZ$1,368 (last year NZ$1,149). Top price was NZ$7,500 for a yearling colt by Victory Dance (sire of Gr1 Adelaide Cup winner Pillage & Plunder) out of Cache Of Gold mare Our Treasure. (May 27) Hong Kong Apprentice Jockeys To Ride In NZ Three Hong Kong apprentice jockeys will visit New Zealand at the end of June for a 6-week riding stint, reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. They are: Thomas Yeung (to be based with Matamata trainer Paul O’Sullivan); Paul Lo (to be based with Chris & Colleen Wood at Cambridge); & Jacky Tong (who will be with Graeme Rogerson & Stephen Autridge at Hamilton). (May 27) Gold Brose Continues To Shine In HK It’s been a big fortnight for the progeny of deceased NZ sire Gold Brose in Hong Kong: first Super Brose won a week ago, then 3YO gelding son Honour Supreme took out a HK$1 million (A$200,000) event at Sha Tin. Honour Supreme (bred by Louise Hosking of Drury in partnership with NZ’s Westbury Stud) was sold for NZ$46,000 at the NZ Bloodstock National Weanling Sale. And Honour Supreme’s dam Chello is currently in foal to Westbury Stud sire Kilimanjaro & “the intention is for the mare to return to the same stallion later this year,” noted NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. (May 27) 4 Inglis Graduates Storm Home In HK Inglis sale graduates grabbed 4 victories at Hong Kong’s Sha Tin track on the weekend: Impressive griffin Namjong Treasure (a $65,000 buy at the 2002 Inglis Breeze-Up Sale, where he was offered by Yarraman Park as agent for the Dufficy brothers) won over 1000m by 6 lengths; he is by Unbridled’s Song from stakes-placed Storm Bird mare Raven Runner (whose earlier foals include smart Melbourne filly Raven Protector). Exciting prospect Planet Ruler (a $120,000 purchase at the 2001 Inglis Breeze-Up Sale) notched his 1st win in Class One company for expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes; the son of Danehill took his record to 4 wins & 6 placings from 14 starts, for prize-money in excess of $600,000. Strategus (a $120,000 buy at the 2001 Inglis Breeze-Up Sale) also recorded a victory. Shrewd investment Form Fit (a $7,000 bargain at the 2000 Inglis Scone Sale) notched his 1st win; he’s by Mukdaam from good producer Non Stop Silence. (May 27) Top 10 European Stakes Sires Perennial Champion Sire Sadler’s Wells heads the early 2003 European list of active stallions by stakeswinners, with 7 winners across 4 countries, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. His best winner to date is unbeaten 2000 Guineas winner Refuse To Bend, while his other Group winners this year include Morozov, Nysaean & Carib Lady. Sadler’s Wells is now the sire of 59 individual Gr1 winners; is also the broodmare sire of recent French Gr1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Musical Chimes; & his influence continues to grow with 26 individual sons having sired stakes-winners. Among those, Gr1 winner In The Wings figures on the current 2003 list, while his son Singspiel “is already showing signs of making up into a serious stallion, his figure of 6 individual stakes-winners by far the best when considering his number of runners.” Other Gr1 sire sons of Sadler’s Wells include Barathea, El Prado, Opera House & Scenic (whose classic-winning son Blevic has sired a series of stakes-winners in Australia in 2003 including recent South Australian Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Under The Bridge). Cheveley Park’s 10-year-old Pivotal is the youngest horse in the current Top 10 active European Sires (by stakes-winners to May 23): 1: Sadler’s Wells (Coolmore, Ireland) 7. 2: Grand Lodge (Coolmore, Ireland) 6. 2: Singspiel (Dalham Hall, Britain) 6. 4: Anabaa (Du Quesnay, France) 5. 4: Linamix (Du Val Royal, France) 5. 4: Pivotal (Cheveley Park, Britain) 5. 7: Halling (Dalham Hall, Britain) 4. 7: In The Wings (Kildangan, Ireland) 4. 9: Key Of Luck (Tara, Ireland) 3. 9: Selkirk (Lanwades, Britain) 3. (May 27) US Sales Consider Changes To 2YO Breeze-Ups Further to our recent report that US sale companies & vendors are considering major changes to current pre-sale breeze-up trials: The US National Association of 2YO Consignors has “sent out a survey to more than 300 juvenile sellers in an effort to determine if there is support for a change in format for under tack (breeze-up) shows,” reported bloodhorse.com. The survey asks consignors to choose between 2 options: keep the schedule of 2 under tack shows for major select auctions; or institute just 1 under tack show 3 days prior to a sale. (The 3-day window would allow time for: the show to be postponed & rescheduled in the event of bad weather; & time for sale companies to distribute videos of the workouts.) NATC president Dean De Renzo hopes to complete the survey in 2-3 weeks. It is being conducted because of “growing interest among sellers in reducing the number of under tack shows to lessen the wear & tear on their horses.” (May 27) 1st Winner For Kentucky Freshman Sire Menifee Kentucky freshman sire & dual US Gr1 winner Menifee recorded a victory with his very 1st progeny to start in a race when 2YO colt Best To Be King romped home by 8.5 lengths on debut over 5 furlongs at Churchill Downs (in 57.31 secs, close to the track record), reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Menifee (Harlan-Anne Campbell, by Never Bend) won 5 of 11 starts (including the 1999 Gr1 Haskell Invitational Handicap & Blue Grass Stakes, plus 2nds to Charismatic in both the Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Preakness Stakes, 2nd to Ecton Park in the Gr1 Super Derby & 3rd to Lemon Drop Kid in the Gr1 Travers Stakes); he earned US$1,732,000 for owners Arthur Hancock & James Stone. An ankle injury forced his retirement in 2000 & he now stands for US$15,000 at Hancock’s Stone Farm near in Kentucky. Bred by Hancock, Menifee is 1 of 7 winners out of stakes winner Anne Campbell & is a half-brother to multiple Gr1-winning millionaire Desert Wine. Best To Be King is 1 of 37 foals from Menifee’s 1st crop of racing age. (May 27) 1st Winner For Kentucky Freshman Sire Military Kentucky freshman sire Military recorded his 1st winner when 2YO filly Military Mission won over 4.5 furlongs at River Downs, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Military, a Gr1-winning 9YO son of Danzig, won 5 of 12 starts (including the 1998 Gr1 Oak Tree Turf Championship Stakes at Santa Anita Park, Gr2 Citation Handicap at Hollywood Park & Kobuk King Stakes at Del Mar). Military (Danzig-Wavering Girl, by Wavering Monarch) has sired 60 foals in 2 crops; 34 are of racing age, but only 2 have started so far. Military stands at Glencrest Farm in Kentucky. Bred in Virginia by Morven Stud, Military is out of Canadian champion Wavering Girl (who has produced 3 winners from 6 foals to race). (May 27) 1st Winner For Florida Freshman Sire Precocity US Gr1 winner & Florida freshman sire Precocity recorded his 1st winner when his very first starter, 2YO Zakocity, won on debut over 4.5 furlongs at Woodbine, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Precocity, a 9YO Kentucky-bred son of Aferd, stands at Franks Farm in Florida; he has sired 31 foals in 1 crop of racing age. On the track, Precocity won 9 times (including the 1998 Gr1 Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park & 1999 Gr3 New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds) & placed in 12 events among 33 starts & earned US$1,835,798 for owner John Franks. Out of winning Super Concorde mare Super Starlz, Precocity is a half-brother to Gr3-placed Tomorrow’s Comet. (May 27) 1st Winner For US Freshman Sire Wild Wonder Multiple US graded stakes winner & 9YO sire Wild Wonder recorded his 1st racetrack victory when 2YO filly Wet N Wild Money cruised home by 4 lengths over 4.5 furlongs at Calder Race Course, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The son of Wild Again notched 9 wins in 20 starts himself (including the 1998 Gr2 Mervyn Leroy Handicap at Hollywood Park, Gr3 All American Handicap at Golden Gate Fields & Gr3 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs where he set a track record over 1 mile in 1min 33.2sec). Wild Wonder (Wild Again-Carol's Wonder, by Pass the Tab) moved in January to Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky; he stood his previous 3 seasons at Dunhill Stud in Florida. One of 6 winners from 8 starters out of stakes-placed Carol’s Wonder, Wild Wonder is a half-brother to Acrylic & is from the family of Gr1-winning millionaire Olympio & graded stakes winners Call Now, Early Flyer & Bien Nicole. Wet N Wild Money is one of Wild Wonder’s 48 foals from the stallion’s only crop of racing age. (May 27) 1st Winner for US Freshman Sire Sea Of Secrets US freshman sire Sea Of Secrets recorded his 1st winner when chestnut son Appealing Secret dead-heated for victory over 5 furlongs at Churchill Downs, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Gr2 winner Sea of Secrets (Storm Cat- Love From Mom, by Mr Prospector) won 4 of 10 starts (including the 1998 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Park) for an ownership group that included Irving & Marge Cowan & Michael Tabor; his 1st foals are juveniles in 2003. Appealing Secret is 1 of 4 foals to race (3 winners) out of winning Valid Appeal mare Appealing Sam. Ironically the other dead-heater Freedom Counts is also the 1st victory for his sire: Gr3 winner Count The Time who won 12 times (plus 17 placings) in 45 starts & has subsequently sired 5 crops of racing age (151 foals & 65 starters). (May 27) 1st Winner for US Freshman Sire Time Bandit Louisiana-based freshman sire Time Bandit recorded his 1st winner when 2YO Net Bandit won over 5 furlongs at Lone Star Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Time Bandit is a 7YO son of Time For A Change out of champion La Voyageuse (by Tentam) & is a full-brother to stakes winner Innovative & a half-brother to French Gr3-placed winner Kentucky Slew & winner French Braids. He stood his 1st 3 seasons at Walmac South in Florida, before relocating to Ryders River Ridge Farm in Louisiana. Time Bandit won 3 of 13 starts (including the 1998 Gr3 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs & Gr3 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga Race Course). Next Bandit is 1 of 3 starters from 16 horses in Time Bandit’s 1st crop of racing age; all of the stallion’s starters have placed & he has 15 yearlings. (May 27) Tuesday Odd Spot 1: Was This 2YO Named Purposely? What’s in a name? That’s the question currently surrounding unraced 2YO Years Best. The colt was bred by Gooree Pastural Company & is by Europe's hot stallion Spectrum from regally-bred Bluebird mare Grant My Wish. He has been sent to the Sydney stable of Gai Waterhouse. Gooree’s Andrew Baddock revealed: "He's built like a real racehorse, but has needed time. He looks as if he should be able to really run, but Gai is taking him along slowly at this stage." Steve Brem, racing manager for Waterhouse, added: "Gai likes him. She wrote a letter to Mr Cojuangco stating Years Best was a lovely type & one of the best looking 2YOs in the stable. She believes he will furnish into a very useful middle-distance galloper." Grant My Wish is a grand-daughter of brilliant VRC Oaks winner Sanderae, a neice of another VRC Oaks winner Sandy's Pleasure & is closely related to both Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder & NZ Oaks place-getter Sneetch. Little wonder Years Best wants time & looks likely to be a “very useful middle distance” horse. (May 27) Tuesday Odd Spot 2: Was $4,000 Well Spent? Meanwhile . . . . Equally anxious to see Years Best run well is low-profile NSW investor Chee Myn Lim, who purchased an Honour And Glory-Grant My Wish yearling colt at the recent Scone Yearling Sale hoping to win next year's $200,000 Inglis Scone Classic with him. Lim paid just $4,000 for his colt. (May 27) Tuesday Heart Warmer: AJC Gr1 Winners Support Sick Children The launch of the Australian Jockey Club’s ‘Group One Club’ has galvanised some of racing’s biggest names, with their donations to result in a significant windfall for the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick. Winning Gr1 jockeys & trainers from the recent AJC San Miguel Autumn Carnival were each asked to donate $500 to the Children’s Hospital, with the AJC also donating $500 per race. The idea was conceived by jockey Justin Sheehan. With all triumphant jockeys & trainers approached from the carnival’s 9 Gr1 events agreeing to take part, along with $500 donations from Sheehan & Terry Jones (who rode Danish Magic to victory in the Inglis Heroic Championship), $14,000 is already guaranteed. With six more AJC Gr1 races to be run before next year’s autumn carnival, up to $23,000 could be raised. Sheehan, involved in the hospital’s past 2 Christmas parties, said: “I thought by targeting the big races, people wouldn’t mind putting their hands in their pockets & racing people have traditionally been good in helping out. If we can’t, as a group, get behind a great cause such as this, then we’ve failed as human beings.” Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation chief executive Elizabeth Crundall added: “Support such as this not only contributes to raising funds & awareness, but also helps to make a difference to the lives of many seriously ill children treated at the Hospital. We deeply appreciate the commitment of all Gr1 jockeys & trainers & the AJC.” (May 27) Azeri Wins US Gr1 Milady Breeders Cup Handicap High-profile US trainer Laura de Seroux declared triumphantly: "You're seeing one of the greatest mares of all time." Azeri, the US Horse-Of-The-Year with the Australian pedigree, had just recorded her 9th straight Group win in the Gr1 Milady Breeders' Cup Handicap (8.5 furlongs) at Hollywood Park. It was the 2nd successive win in this event for the US-bred 5YO daughter of Jade Hunter from Australian group winner Zodiac Miss (by Ahonoora). “Bred by Allen Paulson in Kentucky after he purchased Zodiac Miss from Australia, Azeri is the last of the line as her dam died the year after producing the chestnut star,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Azeri (ridden by Mike Smith) won by 3 lengths & conceded between 8-14 pounds to her rivals, including former NZ mare Damaschino (by Last Tycoon) who made the early speed before running 4th; the place-getters were Enjoy (by Roar) 2nd & Tropical Blossom (by Thunder Gulch) 3rd. Azeri has now won 7 Gr1 races (Breeders' Cup Distaff, Apple Blossom Handicap twice, Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap, Vanity Handicap & Milady BC Handicap twice) & 12 of 13 starts overall (her only defeat was a 2nd) for US$2,654,820 prize-money. Trainer Laura de Seroux summed up: "Obviously she has tracking speed, high-cruising speed, finishing speed & she showed a turn of foot even at the tail end of a race. She's multi-multi dimensional. I just don't have words to describe her." (May 26) Belle Du Jour 4th In European Debut Australian mare Belle Du Jour (ridden by Pat Smullen for Irish trainer Dermot Weld) finished 4th on a rain-sodden track in her European debut - behind Irish-bred stakes winner Miss Emma (by Key Of Luck) & French Gr2 winner Captain Rio - in the Gr3 Greenlands Stakes (6 furlongs) at The Curragh in Ireland, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. (May 26) Belle’s New Partner: The Rock Or Octagonal? Belle Du Jour’s high-profile owners John Singleton, Gerry Rose & Bob Hawke sent her to Europe (after she raced at the Dubai World Cup meeting in March) to compete in several June-July UK races, then mate with champion sire Danehill at Coolmore Stud in Ireland in September & return to Australia in January. However Danehill’s death has left a dilemma: “Belle Du Jour will return home to be served by freshman sire Rock Of Gibraltar, a son of Danehill who will stand at Coolmore Australia this spring,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au; “Michael Kirwan from Coolmore Stud on Racing To The Max (radio program), advised there was a possiblity that she would be returning sooner than expected to be served by Rock Of Gibraltar for this season . . . . Rock Of Gibraltar, by Danehill from Offshore Boom, was a world champion with 7 Gr1 wins in a row. He stands at Coolmore for $132,000.” repported racenet.com.au; & Ken Callendar in this morning’s Daily Telegraph reports: “Part-owner Gerry Rose told me at Randwick on Saturday he wants to bring her home & mate her with Octagonal. ‘I am working on Singo & I think he is swinging my way,’ Rose said.” (May 26) Bush Padre Wins Gr1 Doomben Cup Ridden by boom apprentice Michael Rodd for trainer Lee Freedman, Gooree Pastoral’s 5YO gelding Bush Padre (Redding-Candy Bird, by Slant) set a new track record in winning the $500,000 weight-for-age Gr1 Doomben Cup (2200m) at Doomben in Brisbane. Freemason (Grand Lodge-Sashed, by Sir Tristram) finished 2nd & Auckland Cup winner Maguire (Casual Lies-Dragon Pearl, by Ahonoora) 3rd. Bush Padre has now won 12 of his 35 starts (plus 5 2nds & 1 3rd) & earned $1,027,700. Bush Padre’s sire, the 1992 Gr1 Victoria Derby winner Redding (by Nassipour), stands at Victoria’s Independent Stallion Station. (May 26) 1st Gr1 Winner For Redding Bush Padre recorded the 1st Gr1 winner for Redding, who stands at the Independent Stallion Station for just $3,300. “Bush Padre’s dam Candy Bird (by Slant) is a daughter of Sugarbird Lady, a full sister to 1985 Listed Blue Diamond Prelude winner Sudden (by Boucher), dam of champion 2YO Burst, which swept the 2YO Triple Crown of the Gr1 Golden Slipper Stakes, Gr1 AJC Sires Produce Stakes & Gr1 AJC Champagne Stakes in 1992,” reported racenet.com.au. And following Galaxy Stakes winner Snowland & Arrowfield Stakes winner Shower Of Roses, Bush Padre was the 3rd Gr1 winner of the season for Gooree Stud. (May 26) Gr1 Japanese Oaks Quinella For Sunday Silence The late Sunday Silence continued his Japanese Gr1 domination by siring the quinella in the A$1.2 million Yushum Kimba (Japanese Oaks) over 2,400m at Tokyo, reported racenet.com.au. Still In Love (Sunday Silence-Bradamante, by Roberto) defeated Chunyi (Sunday Silence-From Beyond, by Kris) & Shinko Ruby (Sakura Laurel-Dazzel’n Deception by Storm Cat). Australia jockey Damien Oliver finished 6th on 100-1 chance Popcorn Jazz. Still In Love won the Oka Show (Japanese 1000 Guineas) last month & is a daughter of unraced Roberto mare Bradamante, a half-sister to Withallprobability (by Mr Prospector), a multiple Gr2 winner of 9 races in the US & runner-up in the Gr1 Kentucky Oaks. Bradmante’s dam Bare Minimum (by The Minstrel) is a stakes-winning half-sister to 3 stakes winners, including One Of A Klein (by Danzig), winner of the Gr1 Oak Leaf Stakes before taking up residence in Japan. (May 26) Indian Haven Wins Irish Gr1 2000 Guineas Cliveden Stud-bred 3YO chestnut colt Indian Haven (Indian Ridge-Madame Dubois, by Legend Of France) won the Gr1 Irish 2000 Guineas (1 mile) at the Curragh, ridden by John Egan & trained by Paul d’Arcy, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. A 62,000 guineas Tattersalls October Open Sale yearling, Indian Haven was sold again last year as a 2YO for 95,000 guineas at the Autumn Horses-In-training Sale. Indian Haven now has 3 wins in 7 starts. He is a half-brother to Italian high-weight Count Dubois (Italy’s Champion 2YO Colt in 2000) & Place de l'Opera (dam of St Simon Stakes winner High Pitched). Sire & Gr1 winner Indian Ridge (by Ahonoora) stands at the Irish National Stud. And Indian Haven “led home a group of sons by shuttle stallions,” noted racenet.com.au. “One length back in 2nd place came France (by Desert Prince) with Tout Seul (by Ali Royal) 3rd. He was followed by Saturn (by Marju), Great Pyramid (a full brother to Rock Of Gibraltar, by Danehill) & Napper Tandy (by Spectrum).” (May 26) Yesterday Takes Irish Gr1 1000 Guineas Susan Magnier’s 3YO filly Yesterday (Sadler's Wells-Jude, by Darshaan) won the Gr1 Irish 1000 Guineas (1 mile) at the Curragh, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Ballydoyle’s Yesterday (ridden by Michael Kinane & trained by Aidan O’Brien) just edged out the French-trained hot favourite Six Perfections, with Dimitrova (by Swain) 3rd. Yesterday is the 2nd foal of her dam, a sister to Alouette. This is the immediate family of champion sires Nishapour & Nassipour, tracing directly to Mah Iran. Multiple Champion Sire Sadler's Wells (by Northern Dancer) stands at Coolmore Stud in Ireland & is currently leading active European Sire by stakes-winners in 2003. (May 26) Osorio Wins Gr1 Italian Derby Newsells Park Stud-owned & German-bred 3YO colt Osorio (Surumu-Ocotal, by Vitiges) won yesterday’s Italian Gr1 Derby Italiano (2400m) at the Capannelle, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Osorio (ridden by Mario Esposito for Germany’s Baden-Baden-based trainer Urs Suter) won going away by 3 lengths from Private Charter (Singspiel-By Charter, by Shirley Heights) & Lundy's Lane (Darshaan-Lunda, by Soviet Star); Osorio now has 3 wins in 5 career starts. Inbred 5x5 to Deutsches Derby winner & 8-time German Champion Sire Ticino, Osorio's dam won twice at Listed level in Germany & placed in the Gr2 Arag Schwarzgold rennen. Describing the victory as an “emotional win”, thoroughbredtimes.com noted: “The chestnut colt is among the last off-spring of multiple champion German sire Surumu, who died during the 2000 season at Gestut Faehrhof, owned by late Walther Jacobs, father of Klaus Jacobs, founder of Newells Park Stud.” (May 26) 1st Aust Stakes winner For Piccolo The win by the Bruce McLachlan-trained 2YO Picaday in the Listed Doomben Slipper (1350m) gave former shuttle stallion Piccolo with his 1st Australian stakes winner, reported racenet.com.au. A winner of England’s Gr1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, Piccolo (Warning-Woodwind, by Whistling Wind) spent 4 seasons at Colin McAlpine’s Eureka Stud at Cambooya in Queensland from 1998-2001. A $37,000 purchase by McLachlan from the 2002 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Picaday comes from the 2nd crop by Piccolo. Picaday is the 6th foal & 4th winner out of former high-class racemare Our Today (winner of 6 races), a daughter of Eureka Stud’s Semipalatinsk; Our Today has a weanling full brother to Picaday & was served last season by Perugino. Picady becomes the 20th stakes winner from Semiplatinsk’s daughters (including: Gr1 NZ Oaks & Gr1 Ansett Australia Stakes winner Savannah Success; Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Danelagh; Gr2 QTC Grand Prix Stakes & Gr2 Sir Byrne Hart Stakes winner Make Mine Magic; Gr2 Sandown Guineas winner Scenic Warrior; Gr2 Perth Cup winner Tumeric; Gr2 Wakeful Stakes winner Lolita Star; & rising young star Private Steer). (May 26) Fasilyev Continues European Winning Run Coolmore Stud’s Fasliyev has continued his excellent start in Europe this season by siring 2 more winners, reported racenet.com.au. The filly Much Faster (ex Interruption, by Zafonic) won on debut in the Prix de la Verrerie (5 furlongs) at Chantilly in France. And Great Scot (ex Arabis, by Arazi) won the Astley Green Maiden Auction Stakes (5 furlongs) at Haydock in the UK. Great Scot’s dam Arabis is a winning half-sister to Queensland-based stallion Hatta’s Mill. Their dam Mill On The Floss (by Mill Reef) is the grandam of Gr2 Park Hill Stakes winner Madame Dubois (by Legend Of France), also the dam of the weekend’s Gr1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Indian Haven (by Indian Ridge). (May 26) Peintre Celebre’s Impressive Goodwood Winner Coolmore shuttle stallion Peintre Celebre recorded an impressive 2YO winner in England when the Mark Johnston-trained Pearl Of Love “careered away for 5-length winner over New Mexican (a 1st crop son of Dr Fong) in the Zetland Maiden Stakes (6 furlongs) at Doncaster,” reported racenet.com.au. A 100,000 guineas yearling, Pearl Of Love (ex Aunt Pearl, by Seattle Slew) is a three-quarter brother to 2-time US Gr3 winner Social Charter. And Aunt Pearl is a daughter of Mr P’s Girl, a three-quarter sister to imported Mr Prospector mare Seekers Gold (winner of the Gr3 Liverpool City Cup). Seeker’s Gold’s half-brother Alquoz (by Caerleon) was a Gr3 winner in Europe before his importation to Australia, where he won the Theo Marks Quality before embarking on a stud career. (May 26) Danehill Adds 2 More Stakes Winners Peintre Celebre’s former Coolmore stablemate Danehill added another 2 northern hemisphere stakes winners over the weekend, reported racenet.com.au. Newton (ex Elite Guest, by Be My Guest) won his 2nd successive race in the Listed Isabel Morris Memorial Marble Hill Stakes (5 furlongs) at the Curragh in Ireland. And in the US, 5YO Irish-bred mare Chiming (1st foal of stakes-placed winner Strutting, by Ela-Mana-Mou) won at her 2nd American start in the Gr3 Yerba Buena Breeders' Cup Handicap (9 furlongs) at Bay Meadows. “Chiming was sold for 250,000 guineas at last year's Tattersalls December Mares Sales as a winner of 2 races & 6 times Listed placed in Ireland. She is the 1st stakes-winner in 3 generations, further back this is the family of Derby Italiano winner Elgay & Australian Group winners Exclusive Halo & Miss Jugah,” noted thoroughbredinternet.com. (May 26) Woodlands Shuttler Desert Prince Records UK Black Type The Aga Khan’s 3YO colt Kalaman (Desert Prince-Kalamba, by Green Dancer) recorded a Black Type victory for shuttle sire Desert prince when he won the Listed Heron Stakes (1 mile) at Kempton in the UK, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Kalaman is a half-brother to Kalanisi, winner of the Gr1 Champion Stakes & Gr1 Breeders' Cup Turf, & now at stud in Ireland. Dam Kalamba is a sister to Irish Listed winner Karaferya, & their dam Kareena won the Fern Hill Stakes & is a half-sister to Gr3 winner Kerita. This is the immediate family of successful sire Kaldoun. Classic winner Desert Prince (by Green Desert) shuttles between the Irish national Stud & Woodlands Stud in Australia. (May 26) Godolphin Buys Flying Spur Winner Godolphin has purchased 3YO Mister Links (Flying Spur-Lady Anna Livia, by Ahonoora) & “the colt will join Saeed bin Suroor at Moulton Paddocks,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Mister Links won his 1st 3 UK starts last season (highlighted by a victory over Tacitus in the Gr3 July Stakes) and has only been unplaced twice in 8 races. (May 26) Coolmore Shuttler Tale Of The Cat Adds NZ Race Coolmore shuttler sire Tale Of the Cat recorded another success when 2YO filly Hulachine (Tale Of The Cat-It's Hula Time, by Sir Tristram) won the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes at Ellerslie in New Zealand. Hulachine produced a sizzling last-to-first burst to defeat Our Kashani (by Kashani) & Seigla Bay (by Maroof). Hulachine's dam is a half-sister to 1992 NZ 2000 Guineas winner Hulastrike. “Her 3rd dam is a half-sister to Never Knock, dam of Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Go For Gin & Champion Older Horse Pleasant Tap, & traces directly to La Troienne,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Tale Of the Cat (by Storm Cat) shuttles between Ashford Stud in Kentucky & Coolmore in Australia. (May 26) NZ Chequers Stud Reduces 2003 Stallion Fees Chequers Stud has become the latest NZ farm to reduce stallion fees for the 2003 breeding season. Studmaster Jim Campin announced the fee for Deputy Governor will be NZ$8,000 plus gst (down from NZ$10,000 plus gst), while Green Perfume’s fee has been lowered to NZ$3,000 plus gst (previously $5,000 plus gst). Campin told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing the climate in the industry at present is “one where breeders need to be given full encouragement to breed their mares with the confidence of a profit margin, in light of the downturn in the NZ breeding industry & a tightening of the belts.” Deputy Governor’s fee is highly competitive in view of: his continued strong international performance; he has produced a 41% strike rate (107 runners for 44 winners) this season; his career total of almost 30 stakes-winners among over 180 winners; & he is currently 3rd among NZ sires on the stakeswinners-to-starters list behind Zabeel & Kaapstad. And despite small numbers, Green Perfume has produced 19 winners from only 35 starters. (May 26) Sydney Jockey Chris Munce Suspended For 6 Weeks Prominent Sydney jockey Chris Munce was suspended for 6 weeks following an inquiry by Racing NSW stewards into his ride on Romeo George at Canterbury Park on May 5. Munce was charged under AR135(b) with failing to take all reasonable & permissible measures to obtain the best possible place in the field. Deputy chairman of stewards Greg Rudolph summed up: “It is clear to this Panel that the ride is beyond the parameters of what is considered to be a mere error of judgment. We believe you failed to take a reasonable course which was open to you. We feel this is a ride which crosses the line from simply being explained away as an error of judgment. We therefore find you guilty as charged.” (May 26) Hawkes Calls For Major Race Field Size Restrictions Leading trainer John Hawkes has called for restricted field sizes in all major Australian races. He told Brisbane’s Courier-Mail newspaper: “ There should be a maximum of 16 horses in all races & that includes the Melbourne Cup. There is too much interference in big races. Over half the field in the Doomben Cup (the Gr1 run tomorrow with 20 runners) have no chance of winning.” (May 23) Choisir Leaves For UK Ascot Racing Newcastle trainer Paul Perry’s Gr1-winning sprinter Choisir leaves for England this morning on a 30-hour flight from Melbourne, with stop-overs in Singapore & Dubai. Perry told The Sydney Morning Herald: “The horse got to Melbourne earlier this week without any problems & is ready to go.” Choisir will be contest a Gr2 event over 1000m on June 16 & then the $500,000 Gr1 Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot on June 21. (May 23) AJC Chasing Asian Entries For Sydney Autumn Carnival Meanwhile Australian Jockey Club racing manager Colin Tuck revealed his club is hoping to attract international competitors to Sydney for next years’ Autumn Carnival. He told The Daily Telegraph: “I think perhaps horses trained in Asia, rather than Europe, are more of an opportunity to come to Sydney for the autumn. But if a European horse came here for The BMW, I would hope they stay on for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes or Sydney Cup.” (May 23) Sun Shines On Eliza Park’s Stallion Desert Sun (sire of Gr1 winners Sunline, Our Egyptian Raine & La Bella Dama plus 12 other stakes winners) is having an immediate impact with his 1st crop of Australian-bred runners. The Green Desert sire-son moved from NZ to Eliza Park Stud in Victoria a few years ago, and thus far has only had 7 runners represent him. They include: boom Adelaide youngster & Monday’s Gr3 winner Great Is Great, Gr2-placed Soak Up The Sun & Triumph (Desert Sun-Wising Up) sold at Magic Millions Gold Coast as a yearling & already winner of a $400,000 2YO event in Hong Kong. In addition, Desert Sun’s first European-bred runners have yielded a winner & 3rd place-getter. Desert Sun’s 2003 fee is $11,000 (including GST) with a live foal guarantee & no payment until March 31 next year. (May 23) Woodlands Sire Grand Lodge Records UK Stakes Win Meanwhile in Europe yesterday, there was good news for Australia’s Woodlands Stud when 7YO Island House (Grand Lodge-Fortitude, by Last Tycoon) recorded his 9th stakes win in the Listed Festival Stakes at Goodwood in England, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Island House (who now has 11 wins from 34 starts) defeated Rawyaan (by Machiavellian) & Endless Hall (by Saddlers' Hall). Island House is from the 1st crop of Gr1 winner Grand Lodge (by Chief's Crown) who shuttles between Coolmore in Ireland & Woodlands in Australia. His dam is a half-sister to Rachmaninov (winner of France’s Gr2 Prix Jean Prat), while his granddam is a Sir Ivor half-sister to Riverqueen (winner of France’s 1976 Gr1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches). (May 23) Shuttle Stallions Record European Wins And in other mid-week results in Europe involving Australian stallions, reported racenet.com.au: Twiggy’s Sister, a 5YO northern hemisphere-bred daughter of Flying Spur, recorded her 2nd consecutive win at Leopardstown in Ireland; Coolmore’s 1st season sire Fasliyev (former champion 2YO son of Nureyev ) sired his 3rd UK winner when Binnion Bay (ex Literary by Woodman) won at Goodwood; Darley’s Gr1-winning son of Green Desert & 1st season sire Cape Cross (who shuttles to NZ’s Cambridge Stud) recorded another winner when 2YO colt Mokabra (ex Pacific Grove by Persian Bold ) won at Newcastle in England, to follow 2YO Passion Cross’s win in the Prix Marigot at Saint-Cloud in France. (May 23) Sacked Queensland Steward Joins NSW Panel Queensland’s former chairman of stewards Steve Railton will be a new member of the NSW Stewards panel next season. Railton made racing headlines a fortnight ago when sacked as part of a re-vamp of Queensland racing. However Racing NSW chief executive Merv Hill announced yesterday that Railton has been appointed a Senior Stipendiary Steward with the metropolitan panel, based in Sydney, noting: "The Sydney metropolitan panel has a good balance of experience & youth, & this appointment further strengthens the panel. We are extremely pleased to be able to add a steward of Steve Railton's calibre to our ranks, & look forward to welcoming him to NSW.” (May 23) Top Bookie Bill Hurley Retiring From Sydney Rails Leading bookmaker Bill Hurley “will scale down his operation at the end of June when he retires from the interstate rails ring on Sydney racecourses,” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Hurley, who has been a registered bookmaker with the Australian Jockey Club & Sydney Turf Club for almost 30 years, said he planned to devote more time to his successful Australian Sportsbook sports betting buisness. (May 23) Mark Read Says Aust’s Wagering Model ‘Redundant’ Meanwhile Australia's biggest corporate bookmaker Mark Read said “Australia's unique wagering model, which had been under considerable stress for the past decade, was now redundant," reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Read, chairman of IASbet (International All Sports/Australia) which turns over around $200 million a year, said it was time for change “to ensure the future viability of Australian wagering.” Read said TABs & the racing industry needed to streamline costs & punters deserved a better deal: “Totalisator betting is becoming too expensive for the average punter, because of massive deductions taken out by TABs. Market share of racing, which is already in decline overseas at the expense of sports betting, will diminish dramatically in Australia unless urgent steps are implemented to give the consumer a better return. . . . The industry needs to be internationally competitive & be prepared for the incursion of offshore-based wagering providers. The world has changed from the 1980s & even the 1990s. The Australian racing model is redundant. With globalisation & the rapidly-expanding internet wagering medium, any punter is able to access service providers worldwide." Read, 52, who had 30 years' experience as a rails bookmaker, made the comments as debate increased in the lead-up to the Betting Exchange Task Force report being delivered to Australian racing ministers. (May 23) Racing Victoria Introducing Jumps Safety Steps Following last year’s Independent Review of Jumping Racing, Racing Victoria will progressively introduce a range of safety measures for improving the safety of jumping racing. RV chief executive Neville Fielke announced yesterday that his Board has adopted a number of significant measures including: Removing the final jump in the home straight of the Warrnambool Racetrack for all hurdle & steeplechase races in excess of 3450 metres; Stewards undertaking an immediate review of the placement of jumps at all 16 jumping racing venues with a view to removing the final home straight jump where necessary; This review will also include examining jumping race distances & the number & positioning of jumps to establish appropriate maximum distances & ratios of jumps; Progressive improvement of jumping-related record keeping & scientific analysis of data (including incident reporting & veterinary assessments). (May 23) Rogerson Speaks Out Against New Auckland Training Centre Leading trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson has called on the Auckland Racing Club to shelve its controversial plans for a replacement training centre. Rogerson told thoroughbrednews.co.nz he did not support the development of the new training complex at Prices Road. A special general meeting of Auckland Racing Club members is being held today at Ellerslie Racecourse to discuss the merits of Prices Road or an alternative proposal for Pukekohe racecourse. Rogerson declared yesterday: "I will not be taking any boxes at, or supporting in any way, Prices Road. The Auckland Racing Club needs to re-think its whole approach to finding a replacement training centre when Takanini closes down. I personally don't believe the club has any obligation to find a new training complex for horses in the Auckland district. There are already 2 existing training centres at Pukekohe & Avondale in Auckland where horses can be trained & that is quite sufficient. Any new development, such as that proposed at Prices Road, will only become a white elephant in my view & the industry can ill-afford to lose such a large amount of money. The Auckland Racing Club will be far better off to bank the NZ$10.8 million from the sale of Takanini & pour this into increasing prize-money on its races. Higher stakes at our flagship racecourse (Ellerslie) is the best incentive for owners to race horses in this country - a new training centre won't lure them in." (May 23) HK Jockey Club Drops Drug Charges Against Trainer Allan Just hours after trainer Ivan Allan unleashed a headline-grabbing attack against the Hong Kong Jockey Club, officials announced it was withdrawing charges against Allan after one of his horses tested positive for a banned substance that was found to have originated from shampoo provided by the club’s veterinary department, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Allan’s runner Cheers Hong Kong was scratched from the HK Gold Cup in February at Sha Tin after testing positive for the diuretic Isosorbide; however subsequent tests traced Isosorbide to the anti-fungal wash Imaverol, a substance approved by the HKJC. (May 23) But Allan’s Attack On HKJC Officials Triggers New Inquiry But that is not the end of the controversy. HKJC stewards yesterday also recommended the Club’s licensing committee summons Allan to explain his extensive media comments, & to determine if the trainer was in violation of rule 155 (3) & "acted in a manner which was prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation to horse racing in HK." The committee will also determine if Allan violated rule 155 (24), which prevents anyone from discrediting horse racing or the HKJC. Why? Asked earlier this week whether he would attend yesterday’s resumption of the inquiry, Allan told The South China Morning Post: "I will not attend the inquiry because I have 2 fingers for the panel . . . and they would not be the victory sign!" And in a blast at HKJC senior veterinary surgeon Dr Keith Watkins, Allan also declared: "Dr Watkins, the expert witness, gave evidence that the Isosorbide was a prohibited substance under rule 136 because it was an osmotic diuretic & acted on the horse’s urinary system. Sadly, his expertise did not know that the diuretic was spelt S-H-A-M-P-O-O, & freely administered by his department!" (May 23) Chilean & Brazilian Stars Blitz US Gr1 Winners The South Americans Are Coming! Breeding students across the US sat up & took plenty of notice when Chilean classic winner Mister Acpen (in only his 2nd start in the US for new owner The Thoroughbred Corporation & trainer Kristin Mulhall) raced away from a field that included Gr1 winners Sarafan & Chiselling to record an easy win over 9 furlongs at Hollywood Park on Wednesday, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Even more startling for the American experts was the fact that Brazilian Gr1 winner Gigli (in his US debut for trainer Richard Mandella) finished 2nd, with local stars Sarafan (who won last summer's Gr1 Eddie Read at Del Mar) 3rd & Juddmonte Farm's Chiselling (who won last year’s Gr1 Secretariat at Arlington) 5th. Mister Acpen has previously won Chile’s 2002 Gr1 El Derby & 2001 Gr1 Polla de Potrillos (Chilean Two Thousand Guineas). The 5YO son of Golden Voyager (who has won 5 of 15 career starts) was bred in Chile by Haras Matancilla, & is out of winning Semenko mare Gruta Azul (a full sister to multiple Chilean Gr1 winner Grosor). (May 23) Sharp Increase In Kentucky Derby Betting From Aust & UK Triple-digit growth from Australia & the UK highlighted international wagering on the 129th Kentucky Derby through the Churchill Downs Simulcast Network, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Total international wagering grew 20.2% & international betting on the 12-race Derby day card increased 47.6% to US$4.3 million, with international wagers also placed in Canada, the Caribbean, Central & South America & South Africa. Churchill Downs Simulcast Network president Karl Schmitt declared: “We will continue working to expand our reach, so that more race fans world-wide can participate in not only the Kentucky Derby, but in the high-quality racing content offered throughout CDSN." (May 23) 1st Winner For US Gr1 Star Expelled US Gr1 winner Expelled recorded his 1st winner as a sire when 2YO filly Birdie Barrage scored on debut over 5 furlongs at Lone Star Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Bobby Frankel trained Expelled (Explodent-Social Lesson, by Forum) for owner & breeder Juddmonte Farms in the US; the horse won 2 of 4 2YO starts in France (including the Gr3 Prix du Bois), before returning to the US in 1995 where he won 5 of 13 starts (including the 1997 Gr1 Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar). Expelled is a full-brother to Gr1-winning millionaire Exbourne & a half-brother to multiple Gr3 winner Top Socialite. Expelled’s half sister, the stakes-placed Irish Tower mare Towering Success, produced multiple Gr1 winner Affirmed Success. Expelled stands at Albemarle Stud in Virginia; Birdie Barrage is one of 46 juveniles in his 1st crop & his other 3 starters have placed in each of their races. Expelled also has 20 yearlings. (May 23) Confidential Talk Moves From Argentina To Brazil After standing 11 seasons at Argentina’s Haras Vacacion, 16-year-old Damascus stallion Confidential Talk (sire of champion Croassant) will continue his career at Brazilian-based Haras Calunga, beginning in August, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. From 8 crops of racing age, Confidential Talk has sired 186 winners, 25 stakes winners & 20 graded stakes winners, topped by Argentine champion Croassant & Gr1 winners Silzal, Situado, Lignify, Cutlas, Pomarola Talk & April Talk. Kentucky-bred Confidential Talk won 4 races in the US (including the 1990 Gr2 Jamaica Handicap) & subsequently ranked 3rd among Argentina’s leading sires in 1997 & 2nd among the juvenile sires. Confidential Talk is out of winning Lyphard mare Confidentiality, a daughter of champion Numbered Account & a half-sister to Gr1 winner & leading sire Private Account & Dance Number (dam of champion & sire Rhythm); other notable family members include stakes winner & sire Mutakddim, Gr1 winner & sire Assatis, & Gr3 winner & sire Warrshan. (May 23) Revival Of Top South American Handicap The revival of the Gr1 Gran Premio Asociacion Latinoamericana de Jockeys Clubs for South America’s top handicap horses has been set for 3 April 2004 at Santiago’s Hipodromo Chile & will carry a guaranteed purse of US$200,000 (US$150,000 to the winner), announced newly elected Asociacion Latinoamericana de Jockey Clubs president Juan Cuneo Solari. The 2004 edition will coincide with centennial celebrations of the founding of Santiago’s Hipodromo Chile; Hipodromo San Isidro in Argentina will host the race in 2005. The relaunch of the 9-furlongs ‘Latinoamericano’ (as it has been known since its 1981 inauguration at Maronas in Uruguay) follows its discontinuance in 1999 “because of the economic climate in the region” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. (May 23) Human Remains Discovered At Ascot Friday Odd Spot: Royal Ascot executives are waiting to learn “if the Queen’s racecourse is to be the focus of a murder inquiry, following the discovery of a body by police on Wednesday night,” reported racingpost.co.uk. The find followed a detailed excavation of the scene where a member of the public reported finding human remains, thought to be a leg, while out walking his dog. Police confirmed they are treating the find as suspicious & Ascot spokesman Nick Smith said: "They have no idea how long the body, if that is what it is, has been down there, but they reckon it could be anything from weeks to just under a year," (May 23) 1st Winner For Freshman Sire Shinko Forest Glenlogan Park shuttler & Japanese Gr1 winner Shinko Forest recorded his 1st winner when 2YO gelding Morse won over 6 furlongs at Nottingham in England, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Shinko Forest, a 10-year-old Irish-bred by Green Desert, campaigned for Osamu Yasuda & won 9 of 29 races (including 3 group stakes) & US$2,789,560 prize-money. He was by Lodge Park Stud & is out of top English & Irish performer Park Express (dam of European high-weight Dazzling Park). Morse is 1 of 52 horses in Shinko Forest’s 1st crop; so far he has 7 starters (5 of which have placed) & 109 yearlings (including his 1st Australian crop). Shinko Forest shuttles to Glenlogan Park in Queensland & will stand this season for $13,200 (including GST). During the Northern Hemisphere season, Shinko Forest stands Rathbarry Stud in County Cork in Ireland. (May 22) Marechal To Stand At Riverdene Stud Prominent horse-breaker & owner Rick Worthington has announced Marechal will join Riverdene Stud’s stallion roster in 2003. Marechal (Danzero–Gourette) served 106 mares in his 2nd season at Oakley Park Stud in Victoria last year. Worthington noted: “I’m delighted Marechal will continue his career at Riverdene. Dr Kevin Pendergast (Riverdene proprietor) has an outstanding reputation in the industry & also has a strong track record for standing colonial stallions at competitive fees.” Stakes-winner Marechal (a half-brother to the dam of Northerly’s Melbourne conqueror Mr Trickster) defeated some of the best juveniles of his generation during his short 6-race career. He will stand for $5,500 (including GST) again this year. Riverdene’s other stallions are Marwina, High Rolling, Zariz & Sports Works. (May 22) NSW Govt Against On-Line Betting Exchanges The NSW Government has “spoken out against on-line betting exchanges, making it increasingly unlikely TAB’s vice-like grip on the state’s sports betting market will be loosened,” reported The Australian Financial Review. NSW Racing & Gaming Minister Grant McBride’s “denunciation of off-shore betting shops comes as Betfair, the world’s biggest on-line betting exchange, lobbies the Federal Government for an Australian licence.” (May 22) 4 Horses Die At Bede Murray Stable From ‘Feed Toxicity’ The death of 4 horses in trainer Bede Murray's stable at Conjola on the NSW south coast “is not cause for widespread concern” advised Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy. He told aapracingandsports.com.au the deaths were related to "feed toxicity" & noted: "This is not due to an infectious disease. It is isolated to the stable & surrounds the way the feed was deposited. It is not something that we need to worry about on a widespread level. It is just one of those unfortunate things." (May 22) Gold Coast Turf Club Denies Caloundra ‘Take-Over’ The Gold Coast Turf Club yesterday strongly denied speculation of a possible acquisition of Caloundra racecourse. Sections of the Brisbane media have reported the Gold Coast club is looking to “join forces with Toowoomba Turf Club to take over the Sunshine Coast racetrack.” But GCTC chief executive Scott Whiteman declared: “I can categorically state that the Gold Coast Turf Club is in no way interested in taking over Caloundra. Furthermore we are not aware that the racecourse is for sale. Our sole focus is to concentrate our efforts on producing the best racing product possible right here on the Gold Coast – nothing more, nothing less.” (May 22) Milluna Stud’s Unreserved Dispersal Sale William Inglis has conducted the unreserved dispersal sale of 123 horses at Jim O’Connor’s Milluna Stud at One Tree Hill in South Australia, achieving gross receipts of $1,090,300 at an average $8,964. Imported mare La Linotte (Priolo-Gayle Warning, by Last Tycoon) topped the broodmares at $60,000 (purchased by Inglis as agent); the mare was not served last season. A King’s Best colt from stakes-producing mare Flying Bron topped the weanling division at $50,000 (sold to Inglis as agent for an NZ client); the bay colt is a half-brother to stakes-winning Mint Of Gold & stakes-placed Another Gem. And Singapore buyers Patrick Tan, Bill Tan & Arnaud de Moussac purchased 11 horses. After 40 years in the breeding industry, O’Connor has decided (at age 75) to retire from the commercial breeding world. (May 22) US$320,000 Smoke Glacken Colt Tops Fasig-Tipton Day-2 Trainer Rick Violette (buying for Klaravich Stables) paid top price of US$320,000 for a 2YO Smoke Glacken colt on Day-2 of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2YOs-In-Training sale in Maryland, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The winning bid marked only the 4th time in the May sale's history that a 2YO has topped US$300,000. Sold by Niall Brennan Stables (as agent for the colt's Connecticut breeder Lawrence Goichman), the New York-bred colt is out of 13-year-old Al Nasr mare Baydon Belle, who is from the family of champion European sprinter Stravinsky & Gr1 winners Fire The Groom & Dowsing. (May 22) US$155,000 For Smoke Glacken Filly At Fasig-Tipton Day-2’s highest-priced filly was a US$155,000 daughter of Smoke Glacken purchased by Brian Morgan as agent for Flying Zee Stables; from the consignment of Kip Elser's Kirkwood Stables, the filly is out of Halomatic (by Halo) & is a half-sister to multiple graded-stakes placed winner Big Numbers. (May 22) Fasig-Tipton Summary: Gross Up 5.3% & Average Down 7.8% Overall, the 2-day sale (where 322 of 452 juveniles offered were sold) recorded gross sales of US$9,805,300 (up 5.3% from US$9,312,600 last year). But the average US$30,451 was down 7.8% (last year US$33,023). And the US$22,000 median dropped 2.2% ($22,500 last year). Fasig-Tipton Midlantic's executive vice president Mason Grasty told bloodhorse.com: "With the war & all the stuff that's gone on, I'm very happy. The rest of the economy is supposedly diving into the tank, but this isn't. Our bread and butter - the reason our consignors come here - is for that middle market horse, & the demand for that kind of horse remained strong. There were lots of buyers here for the US$25,000-75,000 horse, & they bought lots of them." (May 22) Record For National Hunt Horse At Doncaster Day-2 Irish agent & yearling consignor Tim Hyde paid 200,000 guineas (on behalf of a new owner for jockey-now-trainer Charlie Swan) for an Alfora 3YO gelding half-brother to triple Gr1-winning steeplechaser See More Business, setting “a new record for a National Hunt Store Horse” at Day-2 of Doncaster's Spring Sale in Britain, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. After 2 days gross receipts are 7% below last year's trade (but from 36 less lots sold), while the average is nearly 6% up on 2002. (May 22) QTIS Expands To Include 4YOs In a major boost for Queensland’s non-TAB racing, the Queensland Thoroughbred Investment Scheme will next season be expanded to include eligible 4YOs. Queensland Racing Board chairman Bob Bentley commented: “The country areas of this State have become a dumping ground for interstate cast-offs. In an effort to combat this situation, the Board has decided to allow the older QTIS-registered horses access to QTIS funding. Races that are worth $4,000 at non-TAB tracks, will be worth $8,000 with the addition of the QTIS bonuses, providing the place-getters are qualified for QTIS. From the beginning of August, eligible 4YOs will be able to contest QTIS races at non-TAB tracks. A year later that will extend to 5YOs & continue up the age scale on an annual basis.” Bentley explained a QTIS Added Stakes race will be programmed at close to every 2nd race meeting conducted at non-TAB (country) tracks in Queensland next season; this compares to approximately 1 in every 4 in the current season. (May 22) International Treble For Sire Spectrum Spectrum’s level of international success “rose to new heights when he achieved a notable dual-hemisphere treble,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. In the Northern Hemisphere the son of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Rainbow Quest recorded winners on both sides of the Atlantic last weekend. In the US, his Group-winning daughter Dancing won at Churchill Downs in the US. And in the UK, Gamut won his 2nd race in 5 starts in the Aston Park Stakes at Newbury; Gamut was bred by Ireland’s Ballymacoll Stud, also breeder of Spectrum’s best-performed dual-Gr1 winning racehorse Golan. In addition, Spectrum’s son Allez Olive finished 2nd in the Listed Grand Prix De Bordeaux in France & another son Just James was runner-up in the Gr2 Duke Of York Stakes in England. Meanwhile in the Southern Hemisphere, Spectrum’s Gerald Ryan-trained 4YO Goodrum won over 1500m at Rosehill in Sydney, following the success by his 2YO Diffraction in the Gr2 Karrakatta Plate in Perth. Spectrum (whose notable Australian performers include Gr1 VRC Sires Produce Stakes winner Spectatorial & Gr1 Orr Stakes winner Barkada) sired 16 2YO winners last year & was represented overall by 82 winners of 130 races. (May 22) O'Reilly Notches 66th Individual Winner Waikato Stud stallion O'Reilly's list of individual winners climbed to 66 when his progeny Look At Moiye & Saahir both won at Pukekohe in New Zealand yesterday, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Debutante 2YO filly Look At Moiye, trained by Stephen & Trevor McKee, is a daughter of former top filly Facing The Music & is raced by her breeder Garry Chittick, who stands O'Reilly at Waikato Stud. And gelding Saahir, who won his 1st start for new trainer David Walsh, also notched a 1st NZ winner for former West Australian jockey Lucas Camilleri. (May 22) Woodborough ‘Under Offer’ To South African Stud Windsor Park Stud’s stallion Woodborough, NZ’s champion 1st season sire in 2000-01, is “under offer to a stud in South Africa” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. The son of Woodman has been represented this season by stakes-winner Bank Note, County Class & Piata. Other notable Woodborough winners include Shinnecock, Ultra Vires, Barborough & Chipper Jones. (May 22) Carson City Leads US Sires Table Carson City, who stands for US$35,000 at Kentucky’s Overbrook Farm, currently leads the US General Sires table (by prize-money), according to the latest lists at bloodhorse.com. His major individual earner has been State City, who has contributed US$1,259,088 alone. The current Top 10 are: 1: Carson City (by Mr Prospector) Overbrook Farm (fee US$35,000) US$2,993,378. 2: A.P.Indy (by Seattle Slew) Lane's End Farm (fee US$300,000) US$2,975,996. 3: El Prado (by Sadler's Wells) Adena Springs (fee US$75,000) US$2,584,391. 4: Unbridled (by Fappiano) Died 2001. US$2,498,678. 5: Dynaformer (by Roberto) Three Chimneys Farm (fee US$50,000) US$2,400,528. 6: Distorted Humor (by Forty Niner) WinStar Farm (fee US$20,000) US$2,381,375. 7: Wild Again (by Icecapade) Three Chimneys Farm (fee N/A) US$2,107,259. 8: In Excess (by Siberian Express) Vessels Stallion Farm (fee US$25,000) US$2,003,647. 9: End Sweep (by Forty Niner) Died 2002. US$1,940,069. 10: Gulch (by Mr Prospector) Lane's End Farm (fee US$50,000) US$1,887,667. (May 22) 1st Winner For Florida Freshman Sire Wild Event Florida Freshman Sire & Gr1 winner Wild Event recorded his 1st winner when 2YO Miracle Boy won over 4.5 furlongs reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Wild Event has sired 47 foals & 4 starters so far in his 1st crop of racing age; the 10-year-old son of Wild Again stands for US$7,500 at Bridlewood Farm in Florida. On the track Wild Event won 10 of 22 starts (including the 1999 Gr1 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes, 1997 Gr2 Arlington Handicap at Arlington Park & 1998 Gr2 W.L.McKnight Handicap at Calder Race Course) & earned US$937,274 for owner-breeder Arthur Appleton. Out of Northfields mare North Of Eden, Wild Event is a half-brother to 1994 champion grass male Paradise Creek, Gr1 winner Forbidden Apple & stakes winner I’m Very Irish. (May 22) UK TV Betting Reaches New Heights We-Have-Seen-The-Future Department: Betting with British TV racing channel Attheraces reached a record level last week, according to a statement issued to the UK Stock Exchange, reported racingpost.co.uk. And “betting on the various Attheraces platforms for the first 16 weeks of 2003 year totalled as much as for the whole of 2002.” The “whole financial success” of Attheraces is based on betting revenue & “all platforms – internet, telephone & interactive televison – are now in place.” Chairman Roger Withers declared “I’m absolutely delighted with the progress Attheraces is making as a betting operation” & noted Attheraces’ interactive facility on its digital television channel “has given betting the necessary push.” Attheraces launched its latest horse-racing service on Monday, when live action from South Africa featured for the first time. (May 22) US$260,000 Unbridled’s Song Filly Tops US Fasig-Tipton Day-1 New York-based trainer Richard Dutrow paid US$260,000 for a filly by Unbridled’s Song out of stakes-placed winning Dixieland Band mare Rockaroller (consigned by Hartley-DeRenzo Thoroughbreds) to top the 1st session of the 2-day Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2YOs-In-Training sale in Maryland. Vincent Marchione, a client of Dutrow’s & one of the principal partners in the filly, told thoroughbredtimes.com: "She just skipped along (in the pre-sale breeze-up session). She will go to South Carolina for a break before heading to Aqueduct." Pin-hooker Randy Hartley had purchased the filly out of the 2002 Keeneland September yearling sale for just US$65,000. Trackmen Golf Club Stable V paid 2nd highest price of the session, US$140,000 for a chestnut colt by Crafty Prospector out of Broad Brush’s stakes-winning daughter Palette Knife (consigned by Eisaman Equine, who purchased him as a yearling for US$60,000 at the Keeneland September sale). And trainer Lynn Whiting paid 3rd highest price of US$120,000 on behalf of Dwight Sutherland’s Choctaw Racing Stable for a bay colt by Polish Numbers out of stakes-placed winner Mint Spender (by Spend A Buck); the colt named Gdansk was sold by H.H.Equine as agent. (May 21) Fasig-Tipton Day-1: Gross Up 14% & Median Up 10% Overall Hartley-DeRenzo was the top consignor by average at the Fasig-Tipton Maryland 1st session, selling all 3 offered horses for US$322,000; & Richard Dutrow was leading buyer with 4 purchases for US$390,000. The 1st day saw 160 juveniles sold (20 more than last year) for a gross US$4,905,200 (up 14.3% on 2002’s US$4,451,100); 6 horses brought US$100,000 or more (2 fewer than the same session a year ago). The average US$30,658 was down 3.6% (from last year’s US$31,794), but the median rose 10% to US$22,000 (up from US$20,000 last year). The buy-back rate fell from 30.7% last year to 29.8% this year. “The middle market was strong,” summed up bloodhorse.com & Fasig-Tipton president Walt Robertson predicted: "Tomorrow (Day-2) promises to be good. I'm hearing that we have a lot of live horses." (May 21) Supreme Leader Half-Brother Tops UK Doncaster Day-1 Keith Lewis paid 150,000 guineas for a 4YO Supreme Leader half-brother to Marello to top Day-1 of Doncaster's Spring Sale in the UK, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. The gelding will go into training with Paul Nicholls. Overall 109 lots sold (of 155 offered), grossing 1,651,800 guineas at an average 15,154 guineas (slightly up on 2002) & a median 11,000 guineas. (May 21) MM Perth June Mixed Sale Preview The Magic Millions Perth Mixed Thoroughbred sale will be conducted on Sunday June 15 at Belmont Park racecourse, including unreserved reduction sections from Rangeview & Korilya Studs among 234 lots. The catalogue includes: 11 unraced 2YOs, including: a Scenic filly from Ahava (listed race winner of 9 events & $157,225); a Umatilla filly; an Old Spice filly (whose half-brother made $30,000 at the last Perth yearling sales) who is a half-sister to stakes winner Sammy The Bull; & youngsters by Dr Johnson, Hideyoshi, Stay Tuned & Polish Blue. In the racehorse section: prolific stakes winning 5YO mare Lady Wild (winner of 10 races & $205,350); 5YO gelding Marquis Cut by Marooned (winner of 3 races including 2 at Ascot); 6YO Russian Cut also by Marooned (2 wins & 9 placings in 30 starts); dual-winning Tribu mare Trimatic; & Is It True winner True. A 3YO unraced colt by Don’t Say Halo out of Chosen Crown (a half-sister to international Champion Sire Chief’s Crown). 28 yearlings including: a Grand Lodge colt out of Sir Tristram mare Luna Belle (a half-sister to $1.2 million earner Aerosmith), the cross responsible for producing Northerly’s recent conqueror Freemason; a Filante filly out of Marscay mare Tabaray Lady (a half-sister to Perth Cup winner Cardinal Colours); & yearlings by Serheed, Tribu, Second Empire, Key Business, Chanteclair, Love A Dane & Ron Bon. (All yearlings sold at this sale are eligible for the $150,000 2004 Perth Magic Millions 2YO Classic.) The Korilya Stud reduction includes weanlings, yearlings, racehorses & broodmares (a number from proven stakes-winning families & in foal to Korilya’s consistent stallions Lomond Bay & Surtee). The Rangeview Stud reduction includes 40 weanlings, yearlings & broodmares (a good selection in foal to versatile sire Key Business & young stallion Love A Dane, who averaged $24,000 at the recent Premier yearling sale). Durham Lodge has a selection of 10 mares, the majority covered by Danehill’s Derby-winning son Blackfriars. Heytesbury Thoroughbreds has 7 broodmares listed including Zanta Rose, dam of current WA 2YO star Rose Of Thunder (who sold for $50,000 as a yearling last year); Zanta Rose has been covered by Second Empire, whose progeny sold up to $110,000 at this year’s yearling sales. 37 weanlings by young sires Blackfriars, Second Empire, Tayasu Tsuyoshi, Lord Dane & Akhenaton, along with proven stallions Scenic, Umatilla, Don’t Say Halo, Corporate Raider, Kenfair, Loup Savage, Honour And Glory, Citidancer, Magic Of Money, Euclase, Dr Johnson & Zedrich; included is a Don’t Say Halo half-brother to recent Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Rose Of Thunder. 78 broodmares including: Lady Clara (a full-sister to Gr3 winner of $208,385); & Master Park (her Tribu yearling colt fetched $31,000 at this year’s Magic Millions March sale). (May 21) Attack On Gr1 Status Of SA Oaks With the Adelaide Autumn Carnival in full-swing, leading turf columnist Ken Callander highlights an issue on many form analysts’ lips in this morning’s Daily Telegraph: “How the South Australian Oaks can keep masquerading as a Gr1 race is beyond me. Larrocha, Saturday’s winner, had 1 minor victory going into the race, the 2nd place-getter Jameela’s claim to fame was the Port Adelaide Guineas, & the 100-1 shot Pipkin, who finished 3rd, would not be a good thing at Wyong. Yet the South Australia-Victoria clique that regularly tries to get the T.J.Smith Stakes in Brisbane down-graded from a Gr1 race makes no comment about the farce of having 2 Gr1 3YO fillies staying races at a sub-standard Adelaide carnival.” Owch! (May 21) Danehill Catches Serheed On Aust Sires Table With Danehill rapidly closing the gap on early season tear-away leader Serheed, the current Top 10 Australian sires (by prize-money) after the weekend’s racing are: 1: Serheed $6,292,692. 2: Danehill $6,265,214. 3: Dehere $5,293,460. 4: Octagonal $4,164,146. 5: Snippets $4,134,015. 6: Zabeel $3,613,711. 7: Success Express $3,566,594. 8: Encosta de Lago $3,563,225. 9: Hennessy $3,285,107. 10: Grand Lodge $3,270,053. (May 21) Danehill Dominates HK Sires Table Meanwhile Danehill continues to dominate the leading sires list in Hong Kong with 30 individual winners & prize-money nearing HK$50 million (A$10 million), more than double his nearest rival. He recorded another double at Sha Tin on the weekend: The David Hayes-trained 3YO Dongguan Express (a $500,000 purchase at the 2001 Inglis Easter Sale) opened his winning account after filling minor placings at his last 3 outings; the handsome bay is the 1st foal of well-related Phone Trick mare Max’s Sister, who died last year after having just 1 other foal. The Tony Cruz-trained sprinter Hidden Dragon (a $700,000 buy at the 2001 Inglis Easter Sale) thumped a strong field by more than 4 lengths; he has now tallied 4 wins & 3 2nds from 10 starts for prize-money approaching $500,000; he was selected & purchased by bloodstock agent Anton Koolman & is a product of Jim Fleming’s Tyreel Stud. (May 21) Inglis Graduates Continue Winning Run In Hong Kong Inglis graduates also took out a double at HK’s Happy Valley night meeting: The Dennis Yip-trained 3YO Buddies Power (a $58,000 purchase at the 2000 Inglis Select Weanling Sale) notched his 2nd victory (he has 2 wins & a 2nd in his last 3 starts); the talented grey is by Snippets from US stakes-winning mare Sweet Pair A Dice & was bred by John Muir’s Milburn Creek Stud. The Lawrie Fownes-trained & lightly-raced 3YO Sight Champion (a $45,000 buy at the 2001 Inglis Premier Sale) recorded his 1st win (at his 4th start); the half-brother to former top galloper Monopolize (well-known to HK racing fans after scoring back-to-back wins in the 1995-96 HK International Bowl) is the 14th foal of stakes-winning dam Gay Rosalind & the result of a mating with the grey speedster Kenvain (winner of the Gr1 VATC Oakleigh Plate). (May 21) Too Late Now Wins Canadian Gr1 Selene Stakes Too Late Now remained undefeated with victory in the Canadian Gr1 Selene Stakes (8.5 furlongs) for 3YO fillies at Woodbine, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Trained by James Day & ridden by Robert Landry, Too Late Now (a daughter of Raj Waki) defeated stakes-winner Handpainted & Winter Garden (a daughter of Roy who had previously won 4 from 5 starts). Ontario-bred Too Late Now races for Edna Arrow’s Come By Chance Stable & trainer Day said he will now aim her at the Woodbine Oaks on June 8. She is out of unraced Ten Gold Pots mare Half Of Everything, who has produced 2 starters (both winners). (May 21) Gene De Campeao Takes Brazilian Gr1 Grande Premio Sao Paulo Gene de Campeao confirmed his rating as Brazil’s best 3YO colt on turf by winning the Gr1 Grande Premio Sao Paulo (12 furlongs) at Hipodromo Cidade Jardim in Sao Paulo, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Bred by his owner Toni Lara of Haras Bandeirantes, trained by Amazilio Magalhaes Filho & ridden by Antonio Mesquita, the 3YO son of Nijinsky II stallion Khatango defeated Desejado & Gorylla in a field of 18. Gene de Campeao now has 5 wins (also including the 2002 Gr1 Grande Premio Consagracao & last month’s 2003 Gr1 Grande Premio Oswaldo Aranha). Gene de Campeao is out of Brazilian Gr1 winner Zarzamora (by Our Captain Willie). (May 21) Autoridade Máxima Wins Brazil’s Gr1 Grande Premio Presidente da Republica Meanwhile 4YO Autoridade Máxima won Brazil’s Gr1 Grande Premio Presidente da Republica (1 mile on turf), also at Hipodromo Cidade Jardim in Sao Paulo, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The son of Well Decorated stallion Notation (out of winning Sir Harry Lewis mare Blue Savanah) recorded his first first victory by 4 lengths from Super Atleta & Pronasteron. (May 21) Hyrat By A Nose In Brazil’s Gr1 Grande Premio Associacao Brasileira de Criadores And 5YO Hyrat triumphed by a nose in Brazil’s G1 Grande Premio Associacao Brasileira de Criadores e Propietarios do Cavalo de Corrida (5 furlongs). The son of Tsunami Slew (out of unraced The Minstrel mare Pink Pajamas) defeated Tokyo & Super Desejada “in a blazing 54.81sec” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Hyrat was bred by Haras Sao Pedro do Alto & is a half-brother to stakes-placed winner Lady Punk. (May 21) Filo takes Brazil’s Gr1 Grande Premio Organizacao Sul-Americana Finally, 4YO Filo defeated Brazil´s best fillies & mares to win the Gr1 Grande Premio Organizacao Sul-Americana de Fomento ao Pura Sangue de Corrida (10 furlongs), reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Trained by Nilsom Lima & ridden by Nelito Cunha, Filo (a daughter of former Kentucky stallion Blush Rambler out of winning Last Light mare Noberan) defeated Love In Brazil & Ossanha. (May 21) Argentina’s Top 10 Sires Southern Halo is heading Argentina’s list of General Sires (by prize-money, with 1 Argentine peso = approximately A$0.54) for the 1st 4 months of 2003 (January 1-April 30). The Top 10, reported thoroughbredinternet.com, are: 1: Southern Halo (by Halo) 539,988 pesos 2: Roar (by Forty Niner) 413,590 pesos 3: Kitwood (by Nureyev) 298,132 pesos 4: Roy (by Fappiano) 284,505 pesos 5: Candy Stripes (by Blushing Groom) 271,859 pesos 6: Lode (by Mr Prospector) 271,590 pesos 7: Interprete (by Farnesio) 262,425 pesos 8: Mutakddim (by Seeking The Gold) 258,466 pesos 9: Fitzcarraldo (by Cipayo) 250,990 pesos 10: Numerous (by Mr Prospector) 249,005 pesos (May 21) Kentucky Sub-Committee To Focus On Horse Industry For the first time in Kentucky history, a legislative sub-committee will focus on “the substantial impact” of the horse industry on the Kentucky economy & “regularly address issues that affect the horse breeding & racing industry in the state,” reported bloodhorse.com. The Horse Farming Sub-committee of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to meet each month, beginning on June 18. The co-chairs are Damon Thayer & Susan Westrom “both of whom have worked to develop a forum to educate other legislators on thoroughbred industry-related issues. A major focus will be the economic impact of the horse industry in the state. Everyone from bankers to farm managers to researchers to veterinarians will be asked to appear to provide information.” (May 21) Hawk Wing Given Official 137 Rating For Gr1 Lockinge Blitz Further to Monday’s report of the breath-taking 11-length blitz by 4YO Hawk Wing (Woodman-La Lorgnette, by Val De L'orne) of the star-studded field (including Where Or When, Olden Times & Domedriver) in the English Gr1 Lockinge Stakes (1 mile) at Newbury: racingpost.co.uk reports that Hawk Wing has subsequently been “accorded super-star status when official handicappers issued him with a rating that only Dancing Brave has bettered in the last 17 years.” Analysis by UK Turf Club handicapper Garry O’Gorman & the British Horseracing Board’s Dominic Gardiner-Hill has “resulted in the run-away Lockinge Stakes winner earning a mark of 137. “ The figure (which will not be ratified until the International Classifications conference) puts the colt behind only Dancing Brave’s end-of-season mark of 141 from 1986 (after his emphatic victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe); on that mark, Hawk Wing sits alongside Generous & Peintre Celebre. Gardiner-Hill summed-up: “We’ve decided on 137, which is obviously pretty high. It’s a very difficult race about which to be certain. You can’t deny the fact that he was impressive, but you have a slight worry when possibly only 1 of his opponents ran his race & the rest didn’t. Mathematically, it could be as good as anything we’ve seen & I think it would be wrong to crab the form.” Hawk Wing’s rating is the highest for a miler since El Gran Senor (who achieved a mark of 138 at the end of the 1984 campaign) & puts him into an exalted league which Pat Eddery, who rode both El Gran Senor & Dancing Brave, believes his performance deserved. Eddery, who rode in last weekend’s race, said: “Hawk Wing couldn’t have been more impressive. He looked an extremely good horse, who was probably back to his best trip of a mile. He looked awesome last year in the Guineas when he got beat & then he went further, which didn’t suit him. He completely out-gunned those behind him. They won’t be beating him this year over a mile.” (May 21) How Did ‘Hooter City’ Get His Name? Wednesday Odd Spot 1: A 2YO named Hooter City (by champion Collingrove Stud-based sire Rory’s Jester) won on debut in the Channel 7 Sprint (1050m) at Morphettville in Adelaide yesterday. Trained by Mark Lewis, Hooter City was offered by Henry Vogel’s Gawler Park Stud at last year’s Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale & retained by Vogel after being passed-in for $55,000; Vogel duly found a handful of other owners for the bay gelding. Vogel revealed the name was decided in Melbourne on VRC Derby day last year, after his part-owned colt Hydrometer ran a nose 2nd in the feature: “We were at the Derby in Melbourne standing at the bar. A couple of girls walked past some others, when 1 of the girls said: ‘Check the hooters on her! It’s hooter city here today.’ So that’s how we came up with the name.” (Meanwhile evergreen sire Rory’s Jester is enjoying another great season, with his recent stars also including Toast Of The Coast & How Funny.) (May 21) US Police Capture ‘On-The-Run’ Trainer Wednesday Odd Spot 2: Roger Dale Holbrook, who trained racehorses primarily in Ohio & Kentucky, has been arrested just hours after his story appeared on US television program America’s Most Wanted. Holbrook’s ex-wife Barbara was found dead in her Indiana home in November & authorities “were hoping to question Roger about the murder, but he fled — a move that caused a nationwide search,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Roger & Barbara trained thoroughbreds throughout the US mid-west, but last year the Kentucky Racing Commission suspended Barbara for 60 days after racing officials discovered syringes inside her Turfway Park barn. Barbara (who had trained from 1986 until her death) told people she “suspected that her ex-husband set her up.” (May 21) Pillage ‘N Plunder Wins Gr1 Adelaide Cup & Aims At Melb Cup NZ 5YO gelding Pillage ‘N Plunder (Victory Dance-Rue, by Counsel) “lived up to his name when he won going away” in the $400,000 Gr1 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville yesterday, reported racenet.com.au. Ridden by Steven King for Otaki trainer John Kiernan, Pillage ‘N Plunder won from the 7YO geldings Nautilism (by Naturalism) & Odysseus (by King’s High). Kiernan told Sky Channel: “I bred this horse & am so proud of him. We will take him home & put him aside now for the Melbourne Cup. If he had got beaten today, we would have gone to the Wellington Cup. But we should go to Melbourne on that run.” Pillage ‘N Plunder now has 5 wins & 8 placings from 25 starts for $357,836 prize-money. Pillage 'N Plunder’s dam Rue is a half-sister to top NZ stayer of the early 1990s Veandercross (winner of 8 Gr1 events including the 1993 Australian Cup & Queen Elizabeth Stakes). And his sire Victory Dance (Sadler’s Wells-Tree Of Knowledge, by Sassafras) is a half-brother to Theatrical, sire of last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle. (May 20) Victory Dance Sires Another Gr1 Winner Pillage 'N Plunder’s sire Victory Dance (who now has 3 Gr1 winners) stood the 2002 season at Rich Hill Stud (at NZ$5,500 plus gst) & this year returns to Ohau Stud in Otaki (where his fee was due to be set at NZ$4,000 plus gst), moving thoroughbrednews.co.nz to note: “It is the fate of some well-bred horses to not enjoy the benefits of senior commercial studs with their broodmare bands & marketing pull. For one such as Victory Dance to be successful, it is a direct tribute to his own prepotency that he upgrades his stock to Gr1 level. The mystery remains that the sire remains so accessible & affordable to all in the breeding industry.” (May 20) Aust Mare Damaschino Aims At US Gr1 Gamely Handicap Australian 5YO mare Damaschino has grabbed American interest & will line up against a star-studded field in the US$350,000 Gr1 Gamely Breeders' Cup Handicap (9 furlongs on turf) in the US on May 26. Last start Damaschino finished 4th in the Wilshire Handicap (behind Dublino on April 27) in her US debut & trainer Neil Drysdale told bloodhorse.com that “she just cruised” during weekend trackwork over 1 mile in 1min 41sec for jockey Corey Nakatani. Damaschino is listed to face Dublino again, as well as a trio of stakes winners from the Bobby Frankel stable - Tates Creek, Megahertz & Argentine champion Miss Terrible (making her US debut following 8 wins in 9 starts, including the last 7 all Gr1 races) - plus Dress To Thrill (winner of the Matriarch Stakes for Dermot Weld in December). Raced both in Australia & now in the US by the Vinery Australia syndicate, under the management of Peter Orton, Damaschino (Last Tycoon-Princess Jocinda) is a half-sister to Bawalaksana (Gr1 Telegraph & Gr1 Railway Stakes winner in NZ). In Australasia Damaschino had 24 starts for 6 wins (2 Gr3s), 3 2nds & 4 3rds. (May 20) Gr1 Winner Royal Purler Retired To Stud Gr1 winning 3YO filly Royal Purler has been retired from racing. Trainer Greg Hickman told racenet.com.au: "She hasn't been able to stretch out in her last couple of runs & she's done as much as we have asked her to do. So she'll now go to stud.” Royal Purler (Hector Protector-Purler) had 15 starts for 3 wins (including the Gr1 AJC Flight Stakes over 1600m at Randwick) & 3 2nds for $332,910 prize-money. (May 20) Aust Trainer Sets HK Prize-Money Record Former Randwick trainer John Size has established a new prize-money record in Hong Kong. Ivan Allan set the record last year when his 56 winners & 88 place-getters netted HK$72,359,650 ($A14.5 million). But Size's double at Sha Tin on Sunday, with debutant Wealthy Treasure & front-running Darwin (ridden by ex-Sydney hoop Shane Dye) in the Barker Handicap took Size to a new prize-money record of HK$73,241,420 (A$14.6 million). Size told aapracingandsports.com.au: "I realised I was getting close to Ivan's record, but it's certainly a nice one to have. I didn't set myself any goal like this at the start of the season, I've just been taking it day-to-day. After the great run we had last season, I really thought it would be more difficult this year - at least, that's what everyone told me to expect. I was lucky that I had a couple of Group horses to race well throughout the season &, from a prize-money point of view, that certainly made a big difference." With 10 meetings remaining for the season, Size currently leads his nearest rival Tony Cruz by 59 wins to 50 in the HK trainers’ premiership. (Dye, with 65 wins, remains 10 behind South African Douglas Whyte on the jockeys’ table.) (May 20) US$1.5 Million Danzig Colt Wins On Debut Antonius Pius, a US$1.5 million purchase at the 2002 Keeneland September yearling sale, won his career debut over 7 furlongs at Gowran racecourse in Ireland reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Aidan O’Brien, who trains the 2YO bay son of Danzig for Michael Tabor, has won the same maiden race for 5 consecutive years, with previous winners including eventual multiple Gr1 winners Spartacus & Landseer. Bred in Kentucky by Dr Anthony Ryan, Antonius Pius is the 1st foal out of 1998 English Gr1 Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks winner Catchascatchcan (by Pursuit Of Love). Ryan purchased Catchascatchcan in foal to Danzig at the 2000 Keeneland November breeding stock sale for US$4.7 million from Claiborne Farm. Catchascatchcan has a yearling filly by A.P.Indy. (May 20) Danehill Gr1 Record Clarified Coolmore Australia has clarified the number of Gr1 winners credited to champion sire Danehill. Since his death last week reports have credited Danehill with up to 54 individual Gr1 winners world-wide, but the official number is 50 following the filly Larrocha’s weekend win in the Gr1 SA Oaks at Morperhettville in Adelaide. Coolmore Australia’s Brett Howard explained to aapracingandsports.com.au the confusion arose over Gr1 wins attributed to Danehill products in Japan & Hong Kong: “Fine Motion in Japan & Johann Cryuff, Jeune King Prawn & King of Danes in Hong Kong won domestic Gr1 races. But these events are not recognised by the International Cataloguing Standards Committee as being legitimate Gr1 races.” Howard noted HK champion Fairy King Prawn was the only internationally-recognised Gr1 winner by Danehill in Asia. The official Coolmore list of Danehill Gr1 winners is: Northern Hemisphere (17): Aquarelliste, Banks Hill, Clodovil, Danish, Danehill Dancer, Desert King, Dress To Thrill, Indian Danehill, Kissing Cousin, Landseer, Mozart, Regal Rose, Tiger Hill, Rock Of Gibraltar, Spartacus, Wannabe Grand, Fairy King Prawn. Southern Hemisphere (33) - Arena, Arlington Road, Asia, Blackfriars, Camarena, Catbird, Danelagh, Danewin, Danske, Danewin, Danzero, Danarani, Danasinga, Danendri, Daney Boy, Dane Ripper, Dashing Eagle, Emerald Dream, Flying Spur, Joie Denise, Keeper, Ha Ha, Laisserfaire, Larrocha, Magic Of Sydney, Magical Miss, Merlene, Miss Danehill, Mr. Murphy, Nothin' Leica Dane, Platinum Scissors, Redoute's Choice, Viking Ruler. (May 20) $67,500 Hennessy Colt Tops Scone Yearling Sale The annual Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association Scone Yearling Sale, conducted by Inglis at White Park, grossed $2,215,500 (marginally up on last year’s aggregate), with 176 youngsters sold at an average $12,588 & a clearance rate of 91%. NSW South Coast trainer Kevin Robinson paid top price of $67,500 for a bay colt by Hennessy from stakes-placed Tayarra, a daughter of Sackford (consigned by Yarraman Park Stud as agent). (May 20) Emirates Park Sires Record 4-From-4 In Inglis Incentive Races The win by the Peter Dombkins-trained 2YO filly Classy Dane (Danewin-Ranzesi) in the $200,000 Inglis Scone Challenge saw the $20,000 bargain buy from last year’s Scone Yearling Sale take her prize-money to $141,100. And it continues an amazing 4-out-of-4 record for youngsters of Emirates Park-based sires in the 2003 Inglis incentive races: Secret Land (by Secret Savings) in the $610,000 Inglis Classic; Winestock (by El Moxie) in the $500,000 Inglis Premier; Danish Magic (by Danewin) in the $1million Heroic Championship; & Classy Dane (by Danewin) in the $200,000 Scone Challenge. (May 20) Another Group Winner For Eliza Park’s Desert Sun More good news for Eliza Park Stud when promising colt Great Is Great (Desert Sun-Predictions, by Western Symphony) made it 2 wins from 2 starts in winning yesterday’s Gr3 National Stakes at Morphettville in Adelaide ahead of Rinky Dink (by Distorted Humor) & Barabba Road (by Snaadee). Great Is Great (an $18,000 Magic Millions purchase by Kuala Lumpur businessman Kelvin Leong) is bred on the same cross as champion NZ racemare Sunline & is the 2nd Group winner sired this year by Desert Sun (Green Desert- Solar, by Hotfoot) who shuttles between Eliza Park in Victoria & Oak Lodge Stud in Ireland. His oldest Northern Hemisphere progeny are 2YOs. (May 20) Lovely Jubly Catalogued For MM June Gold Coast Sale Multiple Gr1-winning filly Lovely Jubly has been catalogued for sale at next month’s Magic Millions June Sale on the Gold Coast. Owner David Throsby is auctioning the daughter of Lion Hunter along with 20 other horses (in-work race horses, broodmares in foal, yearlings & weanlings). The sale will also feature: last week’s Sydney metropolitan winner Joyce; a King of Kings half-brother (named Well Related) to Lovely Jubly; weanlings by Filante & Xaar; yearlings by proven sires Lion Hunter, Bite The Bullet, Kaapstad & Pins. (May 20) MM Adelaide Autumn Sale Summary Meanwhile 61 horses were sold for gross $162,550 (average $2,665 & clearance rate over 70%) at the Magic Millions Adelaide Autumn Yearling & Thoroughbred Sale at Morphettville. Leading Melbourne trainer Rick Hore-Lacy paid the top price of $18,000 for a bay colt by former Lakewood Stud-based Monolith; the yearling is from the family of Hore-Lacy’s current stakes winning youngster Rinky Dink. And trainer Phillip Stokes paid $15,000 for a half-brother to his Group performed 2YO Barabba Road. (Expected sale topper Cezante, runner-up in the Carbine Club Trophy at Morphettville last Saturday, failed to reach his reserve & was passed-in for $37,500.) (May 20) Weekend Bargains 1: Inglis Graduates Among a batch of Inglis Sale graduates to emphasise their ‘bargain buy’ status in the weekend’s racing were the 2 Gr1 winners: Top 3YO colt Bel Esprit (a $9,000 buy for trainer John Symons at the 2001 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale) won the Gr1 BTC Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane & took his prize-money to $2,073,600 - that’s a current return on the original investment of 23,040%!; bred by Paul Higgins at Baerami Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley, a lucrative stud career at Eliza Park awaits the son of Royal Academy when he finishes racing. Evergreen 7YO Bomber Bill (a $31,000 purchase at the 1997 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale) won the Gr1 SAJC Goodwood Handicap in Adelaide & prize-money of $1,276,174 from his 18 wins (including 3 Gr1s) in 55 starts - a mere 4,100% return of investment. (May 20) Weekend Bargains 2: Magic Millions Graduates And among the list of Magic Millions Sale graduates to similarly emphasise their ‘bargain buy’ status in weekend racing were: 3YO filly Private Steer (passed-in for $18,000 at the MM 2001 Tamworth Yearling Sale) finished 2nd in top company in the Gr1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) at Doomben in Brisbane; Private Steer (Danehill Dancer-Lisheenowen) has now amassed $371,470 prize-money from 6 wins & a 3rd in 9 starts. MM 2000 Adelaide Yearling Sale graduate Golden Delicious (purchased by trainer Jim Taylor for $37,500) won the Listed HG Bolton Sprint (1200m) at Belmont Park in Perth; a daughter of former Milluna Stud-based sire Made Of Gold (from Pre Emptive Strike mare Barossa Gourmet), Golden Delicious notched her 10th win from 20 starts & has now earned $219,400 prize-money. 2YO filly Shamekha (Secret Savings-Lifetime Story) won the Gr3 Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben; the $70,000 buy at the MM 2002 Gold Coast Yearling Sale took her prize-money to $388,450 from 3 wins & 2 2nds in 6 starts; trainer Gai Waterhouse plans to continue racing the filly through to the Gr1 Brisbane juvenile double: QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes & TJ Smith Stakes. Alan Bailey’s 4YO gelding Another Warrior (Brave Warrior-Kate Be Good) won the Gr3 Chairman’s Quality Handicap (2020m) at Doomben; the $60,000 buy at the MM 2000 Superbowl Yearling Sale now has $217,150 prize-money from 5 wins & 7 placings in 23 starts. Melbourne 2YO Under The Bridge (Blevic-Wine Cask) won the Gr3 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville in Adelaide; passed-in for $24,000 at the MM 2001 Adelaide Yearling Sale, the youngster scooped 1st prize of $83,750 & trainer Tony Vasil said the gelding will now be spelled before attempting to emulate his Kambula Stud-based sire Blevic by winning the Gr1 Victoria Derby in November. 2YO filly Mrs Spudley (Gallo di Ferro-Raptego) won the Honda Jazz Handicap (1050m) at Morphettville; the daughter of exciting Willow Grove Stud sire Gallo di Ferro was knocked down for $12,000 at last year’s MM 2002 Adelaide Autumn (May) Yearling Sale to Morphettville horseman Byron Cozamanis; Willow Grove’s Ralph Satchell (who retained a share in the filly) noted: “A full brother to Mrs Spudley was sold (for $24,000) at the Adelaide Yearling Sale this year & the same owners bought him. The mare also has a colt at foot by Gallo di Ferro & she is again in foal to him this season.” (May 20) Waikato Sire O’Reilly Grabs Brisbane Attention NZ’s Waikato Stud sire O’Reilly (Last Tycoon-Courtza) failed by only a nose & half-a-neck from completing a Gr3-double at Doomben in Brisbane on the weekend. First NZ 3YO filly The Jewel (O’Reilly-The Grin, by Grosvenor) won the Gr3 Doomben Roses (2020m); that took her record to 8 wins & 3 placings in just 12 starts (including a previous win in the NZ One Thousand Guineas & 2nds in both the NZ Two Thousand Guineas & NZ Oaks). Then in the following event, 3YO NZ gelding Chassis (O’Reilly-Cazuleigh, by Centaine) finished 3rd in a tight 3-way finish (to Bob’s Boy & Al Megdam) in the Gr3 Doomben Classic (1615m). (May 20) Volksraad Leads Zabeel On NZ Sires Table Following the weekend racing, Volksraad still leads Zabeel & O’Reilly on the NZ General Sires table. NZ Thoroughbred Marketing lists the current Top 15 (by prize-money) as: 1: Volksraad NZ$1,165,750. 2: Zabeel NZ$1,059,825. 3: O’Reilly NZ$873,571. 4: Desert Sun NZ$824,013. 5: Faltaat NZ$745,937. 6: Prized NZ$683,750. 7: Stark South NZ$633,855. 8: Al Akbar NZ$551,020. 9: Maroof NZ$494,418 42. 10: His Royal Highness NZ$486,170. 11: Shinko King NZ$420,802. 12: Danasinga NZ$402,405. 13: Lord Ballina NZ$401,357. 14: Deputy Governor NZ$397,108. 15: Centaine NZ$391,032. (May 20) Aust Jockey Lucas Camilleri Moving to NZ Australian jockey Lucas Camilleri, who spent a brief stint in NZ recently riding for Pukekohe trainer David Walsh, has “returned to Australia to tidy up some business affairs & is expected back in NZ on Monday to take up permanent residence,” reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Able to ride at 50.5kg, Camilleri booted home over 100 winners in his apprenticeship (including 4 black type events) & came out of his time in January. (May 20) Vinery Stallion Langfuhr Records 100th Individual Winner Vinery’s shuttle sire Langfuhr has recorded his 100th individual winner from only 3 crops of racing in the northern hemipshere when US-bred 2YO filly Barnsy made a winning debut at Churchill Downs, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. Langfuhr was leading 2nd crop sire in North America in 2002 & has produced stakes performers Broadband & Shalang from his 1st 2 crops of racing age in Australia. Barnsy’s win came a day after Langfuhr 3YO Wando set a new race record (& recorded his 4th stakes win) in the Marine Stakes at Woodbine in Canada. (May 20) More Northern Success For Red Ransom & Gilded Time It’s been a good week for Vinery shuttle stallions in the northern hemisphere noted aapracingandsports.com.au: Red Ransom produced a 13-length debut winner in the UK: & in the US Gilded Time’s classy mare Mandy’s Gold won the Gr3 Breeders Cup Distaff Handicap at Pimlico, while his 3YO filly Christmas Tree won the Emeryville Stakes at Bay Meadows. (May 20) Little Jim Wins Argentina’s Gr1 Gran Premio Montevideo Argentine-bred Little Jim confirmed his rating as Argentina’s best 2YO colt by winning the Gr1 Gran Premio Montevideo (7.5 furlongs) at Palermo by 4 lengths, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Ridden by Juan Carlos Noriega, the son of Roar defeated From The Sky & Fox Face. "This is a singular colt. He does incredible things," declared Roberto Pellegata, who trains Little Jim for Stud FFC. Bred by Cesar Pasarotti, Little Jim is out of Gr3-winning Cipayo mare Clavija (dam of multiple Gr1 winner Lord Jim). (May 20) Wild Rush Filly Tops Canadian 2YO Sale Arosa Farms paid C$100,000 (A$110,000) for a Wild Rush filly to top the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society's Ontario division 2YOs-In-Training Sale at Woodbine, reported bloodhorse.com. The filly (consigned by Cameron Training Centre as agent) was produced from 16-year-old stakes-winning Dauphin Fabuleux mare Attraction Fatale & is a half-sister to stakes-placed Saratoga Prince (by Saratoga Six). In all, 25 juveniles were sold for a gross C$628,000 & an average C$25,120. The buy-back rate was 45.7%. (Last year, 23 horses sold for a gross C$594,700 & average C$25,857, with a 62.9% buy-back rate.) (May 20) US Gr1 Winner Booklet Retired Booklet, winner of the US Gr1 Fountain Of Youth Stakes, has been retired by owner John Oxley reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Oxley has not yet determined stud plans for the Florida-bred son of Notebook, who won 7 of 14 career starts (including 4 stakes) earned US$989,460 prize-money, but noted: "His speed & courage won the hearts of many fans. The son of Notebook should make a fine sire." (May 20) Mayakovsky To Stud At Mill Creek Farm In New York US Gr3 winner Mayakovsky, who set a 5.5 furlongs track record at Saratoga Race Course in his career debut, has been retired to stud & will stand the 2004 season at Mill Creek Farm in New York state, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Phil Bersh recently purchased Mayakovsky (a 4YO son of Matty G) privately from prominent owner Michael Tabor for an undisclosed amount & plans to syndicate the stallion. Bred in Florida, Mayakovsky is 1 of 7 winners out of stakes-placed winner Joy To Raise (by Raise a Man); he is a half-brother to Emotional Outburst (dam of multiple Gr2 winner Roar Emotion). (May 20) Weetman's Weigh Retired To Stud In UK Weetman’s Weigh, winner of 20 races for owner Ed Weetman, has been retired to stud in the UK reported racingpost.co.uk. Originally bought for just 5,500 guineas, the son of Archway won over £100,000 (A$255,000) & will stand at Sue Cavanagh’s stud at Oakham in Rutland alongside Contract Law & Cool Jazz. (May 20) 1st Stakes Winner For New York Sire Gold Token New York sire Gold Token recorded his 1st stakes winner when 3YO Golden Damsel won the Bouwerie Stakes (his 4th win in 9 starts) at Belmont Park reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Bred in Kentucky, dual-stakes winner Gold Token won 7 of 26 starts (with 8 placings) & is by Mr Prospector out of Gr2-winning Nijinsky II mare Connie’s Gift. Gold Token (who stands at Questroyal Stud LLC at New Hampton in New York state) has had 19 starters from 79 foals of racing age in 2 crops; his other winners include Rhumjar, Jets Fan & Blue’s Prospecter. (May 20) 1st Winner For West Virginia Freshman Sire Standing On Edge US freshman sire Standing On Edge recorded his 1st winner when Mighty Awesome won at Charles Town, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Graded stakes-placed Standing On Edge stands at Beau Ridge Farm near Bunker Hill in West Virginia. The 9YO son of Deputy Minister has sired 2 starters, 14 foals of racing age & 7 yearlings. Standing On Edge is 1 of 4 starters (all winners) out of unplaced Mr Prospector mare Sticky Prospect; he is from the family of champion Sky Beauty. (May 20) 1st Winner For California Freshman Sire Funontherun US Gr2 winner & California-based freshman sire Funontherun recorded his 1st winner when 3YO colt Frantastic out sprinted the field to win at Bay Meadows, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Funontherun (who stands at Hideaway Farms in California) has 5 starters from 23 foals in 2 crops of racing age; he is represented by 7 yearlings in his 2nd crop. Sporting the silks of David & Herb Alpert, Funontherun won 3 of his 10 starts in top company (including the 1997 Gr2 San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita). Bred in Kentucky, Funontherun is 1 of 3 winners from 4 starters for John Alden mare Alden’s Juana; he is a half-brother to stakes winner & stakes placed producer Rosedale. Gr2 winner Little Bold John, Gr3 winner & sire Ameri Valay, & Gr3 winner Classic Endeavor are notable members of the immediate family. (May 20) 1st Winner For Florida Freshman Sire Family Calling Florida freshman sire Family Calling recorded his 1st winner when Mindsweeper won a 5 furlong event at Calder Race Course, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Mindsweeper is 1 of 6 starters from 75 foals in Family Calling’s 1st crop. Family Calling, a 9YO son of Mr Prospector out of Northern Dancer mare Sense Of Unity (a half-sister to Gr1 winner Linkage), stands at Hidden Point Farm in Florida. Bred in Kentucky by Christiana Stable, Family Calling won 7 of 32 starts (including the 1998 Edmond Handicap at Remington Park). (May 20) 1st Winner For Ohio Sire Cat’s Spats Ohio-based sire Cat’s Spats recorded his 1st winner when Hidden View Farms home-bred Golden Spats won at Thistledown, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Cat’s Spats (a 15-year-old son of Bucksplasher out of stakes-placed winning Helio Rise mare Kit Cat) stands at Hidden View Farm & has sired 2 starters from 7 foals in 3 crops of racing age; he has 3 current 2YOs & 4 yearlings. (May 20) 1st Winner For Canadian Sire Light Of Mine Canadian sire Light Of Mine recorded his 1st winner when 3YO gelding Roscoe Pito won over 6.5 furlongs at Hastings Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Light Of Mine stands at Battle Creek Farm in British Columbia & has sired 1 winner & 2 starters from 11 foals in 2 crops of racing age; he has also sired 3 yearlings. On the track, Light Of Mine won 5 of 23 starts, including 2 stakes races (1996 Sun Handicap at Hastings Park & Victoria Day Stakes). An 11-year-old son of Mining, Light Of Mine is 1 of 6 starters (all winners) for Majestic Light mare Illuminating; he is a half-brother to Gr2 stakes winner Private Light. (May 20) 1st Winner For Argentine Freshman Sire Petit Poucet Gr3 winner & freshman sire Petit Poucet recorded his 1st winner when his 2YO daughter Crystal Face won over 5 furlongs at Palermo, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 11-year-old son of Fairy King (who has 3 starters from 40 foals of racing age in his 1st crop) stands at the prestigious Haras El Turf, owned by Carlos Menditeguy. Petit Poucet won 4 races & placed 6 times in 17 starts; he won 2 of 6 starts in France, with a placing in the Gr1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas); & then in the US won the 1996 Gr3 San Francisco Handicap at Bay Meadows & recorded places in the Gr1 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs, Gr3 Bay Meadows Handicap & Gr1 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park. Petit Poucet is out of winning Ardross mare City Ex & is a full brother to French Gr3 winner Donkey Engine. (Notable family members include 1974 Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner & sire Cannonade, & Gr3 winner & sire Circle Home). (May 20) Stewards Probe Belle Du Jour’s Oxygen Mask Treatment Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy grabbed the weekend headlines when The Sydney Morning Herald reported he would “seek an explanation from trainer Clarry Conners this week over his use of a controversial hypoxic treatment on Belle Du Jour before her win in the Gr1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.” Conners had admitted using the treatment, which involves pumping treated air to a horse’s lungs. Murrihy noted: “If that sort of equipment is going to be used in future, we will be consulting with veterinarians as to whether they affect performances of horses.” By last night aapracingandsports.com.au reported stewards had duly interviewed Conners, who told them “he had only ever used the treatment up until 5 days before a race & was not convinced it had any value.” Murrihy summed up: "Mr Conners said he didn't really think it had much benefit." (May 19) Oxygen Mask 2: Gleeson Raises Concerns Veterinarian Gerry Rose, who races Belle Du Jour with John Singleton, originally recommended trainer Clarry Conners try hypoxic air on the mare “who was hooked up to the machine via a face mask & tube,” reported The Australian. Racing Victoria’s head on Integrity Services, chief steward Des Gleeson, told the newspaper he “wouldn’t like to see a horse improve 20 lengths overnight as a result of the hypoxic air treatment” & questioned whether it was in the best interests of racing. (May 19) Oxygen Mask 3: McEvoy Testing 30 Horses Meanwhile as racing authorities “hastily commission a report on the performance-enhancing capabilities of altitude-simulatuion machines, one leading Australian stable is road-testing them on a range of horses that will race over the next month,” reported The Australian. In South Australia “Lindsay Park head trainer Tony McEvoy has 30 horses of varying ability involved in a study being carried out at their Angaston base.” McEvoy began the trial just a month after the machines were seen to have benefited $1 million Newmarket Handicap winner Belle Du Jour in March. The NZ distributor of the hypoxicator provided the unit to Lindsay Park hoping the stable will be convinced to buy several, & that other stables will quickly follow. (May 19) Oxygen Mask 4: David Hayes Cautiously Optimistic Lindsay Park owner David Hayes told The Australian: “My father (the late champion trainer Colin Hayes) & I have tried a lot of gimmicks over the years – ideas used successfully by athletes & cyclists - & a lot of them are not relevant. This is a very natural, healthy thing &, in principal, it makes a lot of sense. It simulates training at altitude, which means you work a lot easier but your heart works harder for you. In theory it should work. But there are a lot of things in theory that don’t work in racing. The jury’s out. But I’ll have a look at the results & buy a coupe of machines if they can give us an edge before the others get them & learn how to use them.” (May 19) Oxygen Mask 5: Aust Racing Board Compiling Report The ‘Oxygen Mask’ development has triggered a flurry of activity among steward panels. Chief stewards discussed hypoxic respiratory therapy at their national conference last week & The Australian reported: “Although they have no immediate concerns, they have called on the Australian Racing Board (through the National Equine Integrity & Welfare Advisory Group) to put together a report before they meet again in November in Melbourne.” The procedure has generated nation-wide headlines in AFL football following its use by 2001 & 2002 premiership-winners the Brisbane Lions; it is designed to enhance lung capacity & improve the flow of red blood cells (which carry oxygen), as well as stimulate EPO production, in a bid to improve endurance (as in high altitude training). (May 19) Murrihy Strongly Against Softer Drug Laws The oxygen mask debate comes amid what The Daily Telegraph described as “a growing push for relaxation of Australian racing’s drug laws to allow the use of more therapeutic substances” & thereby “help ensure horses stay on the racetrack rather than confined to their stable box or spelling paddock, thus increasing race field sizes.” But Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy told the newspaper he was strongly against any softening of Australian racing’s hard-line attitude to drug use, particularly suggestions substances used internationally, such as Lasix & Butazolidin, should be removed form the race day banned list. Asked whether Australia’s racing drug laws are outdated, Murrihy replied: “No rules have undergone more radical changes in recent times than the prohibited substance rules. These include . . . . the exclusion on welfare grounds from the prohibited substance definition (excluding race day treatment) of a number of substances such as vaccines, antibiotics, mucolytics & anti-ulcer treatments. For example, a trainer today can now treat a horse right up until race day for stomach ulcer problems.” (May 19) 1st-Time Bleeder Ban May Be Shortened However Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy confirmed to aapracingandsports.com.au that the rules regarding the banning of bleeders may be changed following last week’s conference. NZ trainer John Wheeler put forward a proposal to have the automatic 3-month ban for 1st-time bleeders shortened, which was also supported by a paper by Sydney veterinarian Joe Bruyn. Murrihy said: "The evidence suggests that 21 days is the time it takes to recover from a bleeding attack & that the 3-month ban may be too long. We are open to changing that." (May 19) Bel Esprit Takes Gr1 Doomben 10,000 Victorian sprinter Bel Esprit (Royal Academy-Bespoken, by Vain) led most of the way to win the weight-for-age $500,000 Gr1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) at Doomben in Brisbane. The 3YO colt (trained by John Symons & ridden by Nash Rawiller) took his record to 8 wins & 5 placings in 18 starts (& $2,067,000 prize-money), with 3YO filly Private Steer (Danehill Dancert-Lisheenowen, by Semipalatinsk) finishing 2nd & 6YO mare Spinning Hill (Dolphin Street-Incline, by Century) 3rd. Senior part-owner Michael Duff told aapracingandsports.com.au that thoughts of retiring Bel Esprit to stud could be delayed for another season: "Eliza Park Stud has taken over his management rights & I'm not sure if he'll go to stud at the end of the season or race on another year.” Eliza Park representative John Miller declared: "We're in no hurry to retire him to stud & if he keeps running like that, he'll race on." (May 19) Larrocha Wins Gr1 South Aust Oaks Blue-blood filly Larrocha (Danehill-Kensington Gardens, by Grosvenor) gave Lindsay Park trainer Tony McEvoy his 1st Gr1 winner when she took the $250,000 Gr1 SA Oaks (2500m) at Morphettville in Adelaide. The Swettenham Stud-bred 3YO filly (ridden by Danny Nikolic) won from stablemate Jameela (Jeune-Nadirmarco) & Pipkin (Gallo di Ferro-Cuplet). Larrocha is a sister to Victoria Derby winner Blackfriars & Werribee Cup winner Waterford Road (both now at stud). “Their dam Kensington Gardens placed in the AJC Oaks & is inbred 4x4 to Le Filou, several times Champion Sire in NN,” noted thoroughbredinternet.com. “This is the family of 1957 Melbourne & Sydney Cup winner Straight Draw, 1960 Caulfield Cup winner Ilumquh, 1968 Sydney Cup winner General Command & Stony Bay (winner of the 1995 Gr1 Ranvet Stakes & Gr1 BMW). (May 19) Bomber Bill Victorious In Gr1 Goodwood Handicap Meanwhile evergreen 7YO gelding Bomber Bill has now won Group races in 4 Australian states over 6 seasons following his victory in the $300,000 Gr1 Goodwood Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville. Trained by Aquanita Racing’s Robert Smerdon & ridden by Stephen Arnold, Bomber Bill (Air De France-Lady Special) won from Squillani & Debrief to take his record to 18 wins & 5 placings from 55 starts & over $1.28 million prize-money. (May 19) Funny Cide Adds Gr1 Preakness Stakes To Kentucky Derby Victory Sackatoga Stable’s gelding Funny Cide (Distorted Humor-Belle’s Good Cide, by Slewacide) followed his Gr1 Kentucky Derby win a fortnight ago with a 9.75 length slaughter of his 9 rivals in the US$1 million Gr1 Preakness Stakes (9.5 furlongs), 2nd leg of the US 3YO Triple Crown, at Pimlico. Ridden again by Jose Santos & “with 100,216 voices cheering his every stride, the New York-bred delivered the most profound statement the racing world has witnessed this season,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Funny Cide produced the greatest winning margin since Survivor won the 1st Preakness by 10 lengths 128 years ago & is the 1st gelding ever to win the 1st 2 Triple Crown races. Willliam Farish’s home-bred Midway Road (Jade Hunter-Fleet Road, by Magesterial) ran 2nd, with Bob & Beverly Lewis’s Scrimshaw (Gulch-Rogue Girl, by Sham) 3rd. Purchased for just US$22,000 at the 2001 Fasig-Tipton August yearling sale, Funny Cide now has 5 wins from 8 starts & US$1,889,385 prize-money. (May 19) Funny Cide Shoots For US Triple Crown History Funny Cide will now seek to become the 12th 3YO Triple Crown winner in US racing history, when he lines up in the US$1 million Gr1 Belmont Stakes (12 furlongs) on June 7. The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed, 25 years ago in 1978. If Funny Cide completes the Triple Crown, he will earn a US$5 million bonus from series sponsor Visa for his connections. (May 19) Mineshaft Wins US Gr1 Pimlico Special Handicap Meanwhile William Farish’s 4YO homebred Mineshaft (A.P.Indy-Prospectors Delite, by Mr Prospector) continued his winning US campaign with a crushing 3.5 length victory in the US$600,000 Gr1 Pimlico Special Handicap (9.5 furlongs). Mineshaft defeated Western Pride (by Way West) & Judge’s Case to record his 6th win in 7 North American starts since arriving from England last year (& total 7 wins from 14 stars overall for US$912,102 prize-money). Excited jockey Robby Albarado told thoroughbredtimes.com: “He gets better every race. He’s not taking steps, he’s taking leaps. If the Breeders’ Cup was held this week, he’d have to be the favorite.” Mineshaft is a brother to millionaire Gr1 winner Tomisue's Delight & stakes-winner Rock Slide, & a half-brother to Gr3 winner & sire Monashee Mountain, noted thoroughbredinternet.com. His sire A.P.Indy (by Seattle Slew) stands at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky. (May 19) Widden Shuttler Belong To Me Adds US Gr3 Win And undefeated 3YO filly Belong To Sea (Belong To Me-Windansea, by Conquistador Cielo) completed a winning treble when she won the Gr3 Miss Preakness Stakes over 6 furlongs at Pimlico from Chimichurri (by Elusive Quality) & Forever Partners (by Not For Love). Belong To Sea (ridden by Javier Castellano & trained by Lisa Lewis) is a half-sister to stakes-winners Truman C & Power Train; their dam Windansea is a multiple Listed winner in North America. Belong To Sea is the 6th stakes-winner this year sired by shuttle stallion Belong To Me (by Danzig), who stands at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky & Widden Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley. In a further Australian link, Belong to Sea was bred in Kentucky by Domino Stud, owned by Golden Slipper-winning owner Ken Jones junior. In Australia Jones has had great success with Canberra-based trainer Frank Cleary, including the 1999 Gr1 Golden Slipper with Catbird (Jones also ran 2nd in the 1992 Slipper with Clan O’Sullivan); & trainer Alan Bailey won 2 Gr1s for him with the filly Juanmo. (May 19) Big US Gr2 Win For Arrowfield’s Hussonet Also in North America over the weekend, multiple Chilean Gr1 winner Wild Spirit (a 4YO daughter of Arrowfield Stud’s new star stallion Hussonet) overpowered a field that included 3 Gr1 winners in her stunning US debut, surging to a 3.5 length win in the US$200,000 Gr2 Shuvee Handicap (1 mile) at Belmont Park. Leading US trainer Bobby Frankel told thoroughbredtimes.com: "She might be the best filly in the country. She could give Azeri fits." Wild Spirit won 3 straight Gr1 races last year in Chile before closing out her season with a 2nd in the Gr1 St Leger Cristal at the Hipodromo Chile in December. Owner-breeder Sumaya Us Stable then transferred her to Frankel early this year. Frankel’s assistant Jose Cuevas added: "They actually told us she was better than Lido Palace." Lido Palace was Chile’s 2001 Horse-Of-The-Year before winning 3 Gr1 races under Frankel in the US. Wild Spirit now has 7 wins in 11 career starts. She is one of 4 starters (all winners) out of the winning Wild Again mare Wild Princess. (May 19) Hawk Wing Thrashes Rivals In UK Gr1 Lockinge Stakes Meanwhile in Europe 4YO Hawk Wing (Woodman-La Lorgnette, by Val De L'orne), ridden by Michael Kinane for owner Susan Magnier, “produced the performance of the season so far when he simply annihiliated his rivals,” turning the English Gr1 Lockinge Stakes (1 mile) at Newbury “into a procession” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Hawk Wing raced away from his 7 rivals to win by 11 lengths from Where Or When (Danehill Dancer-Future Past, by Super Concorde), with a further 8 lengths to Olden Times (Darshaan-Garah by Ajdal) 3rd, & last year's US Gr1 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Domedriver (Indian Ridge-Napoli, by Baillamont) a distant 4th. Trainer Aidan O'Brien enthused: “He's always been a horse that would quicken your heart. He's an amazing horse, he has an unbelievable amount of natural ability.” Hawk Wing now has 5 wins (including 3 Gr1s) & 6 2nds from his 11 starts & £1,056,740 (A$2.7 million) prize-money. (May 19) Jockey Kinane In Raptures Over Hawk Wing Annihilation Jockey Mick Kinane declared to racingpost.co.uk after Hawk Wing’s 11-length annihilation of a Lockinge field packed with top-class performers: "I've not won a Gr1 race quite like that before! He’s such a quality horse & that speed is so impressive. He felt good & strong & 3 furlongs down I couldn’t hang on to him longer. I just let him go." (May 19) British Handicapper Rates Hawk King Blitz ‘134+’ And handicapper Dominic Gardiner-Hill suggested it was possibly the best performance he has seen over 1 mile since he joined the British Horseracing Board in 1996: “On paper it is the best mile performance I’ve seen since Mark Of Esteem beat Bosra Sham & company in the 1996 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. It would be at least the equal of that, & quite possibly better.” Gardiner-Hill told racingpost.co.uk his initial reaction was that the stunning performance would merit a figure at least in the mid-130s: “He’s beaten a Queen Elizabeth II winner, a Jean Prat winner & a Breeders’ Cup winner by the sort of margins more usually found in jumps races. And it would be hard to suggest that Where Or When didn’t run his race – if Hawk Wing hadn’t run, we’d be saying all hail Where Or When. If you have Where Or When running to his rating of 123, it becomes a question of what you call an 11-length beating. It probably isn’t the full 22lb, which would make him 145, but I think you would have to call it at least 11lb, which makes him 134-plus.” (May 19) Godolphin Aims Mamool At Melbourne Cup Meanwhile promising 4YO UK stayer Mamool (In The Wings-Genovefa, by Woodman) “has emerged as a likely leader of the Godolphin assault on this year’s Melbourne spring carnival,” following his winning return to British racing in the Gr2 Yorkshire Cup (14 furlongs) reported appracingandsports.com.au. The Ascot Gold Cup (2.5 miles) on June 19 is now his immediate aim, but Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford noted: "We have some very nice older horses & this is one of them. We will find out on the day whether he stays 2 & a half miles, but he relaxes so well that there must be a good chance he will. He has enough speed for a mile & a half, but he will also have an entry for the Melbourne Cup. Frankie Dettori (the horse’s jockey) said he loves Mamool because he settles so well that you can switch him off & ride him from any position in the race.” Mamool has now won 4 of his 10 starts over distances from 1 mile-2 miles & 45 yards (in a Gr3 event at Ascot last June). Mamool gave Godolphin its 5th success in the Yorkshire Cup & “it is significant that 2 previous Godolphin winners, Kayf Tara & Marienbard, made it to Melbourne the following spring.” (May 19) Falbrav Takes French Gr1 Prix D’Ispahan Across the English Channel, Kieran Fallon rode last year's Japan Cup winner Falbrav (Fairy King-Gift Of The Night, by Slewpy) to victory in yesterday’s Gr1 Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp in France, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Falbrav defeated Bright Sky (by Wolfhound) & Carnival Dancer (by Sadler's Wells) to record his 4th career Gr1 win & the 5YO’s 1st success since being transferred to trainer Luca Cumani at Newmarket (he is now part-owned by Shadai Farm). (May 19) Fidelite Wins French Gr1 Prix Saint-Alary And Wertheimer home-bred 3YO filly Fidelite (In The Wings-Onereuse, by Sanglamore) won yesterday’s Gr1 Prix Saint-Alary (2000m) at Longchamp, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Held up at the rear, the chestnut produced a strong finishing burst to defeat Hi Dubai (by Rahy) & Arvada (by Hernando). The 2nd foal of her dam, Fidelite is a three-quarter sister to Irish Derby winner & sire Winged Love. Her granddam J'Ai Deux Amours won the Listed Pix de Lieurey & is a sister to Children's Corner (dam of Gr3 Prix d'Aumale winner Kindergarten. Fidelite is the 4th stakeswinner this season sired by In The Wings (by Sadler's Wells) who stands at Ireland’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland. (May 19) Meridiana Wins Gr1 Oaks D’Italia In Italy, the German-bred 3YO filly Meridiana (Lomitas-Monbijou, by Dashing Blade) won yesterday’s Gr1 Oaks d'Italia (2400m) at the San Siro, defeating Lady Catherine (by Bering) & Vale Mantovani (by Wolfhound), reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Meridiana's immediate female family raced in what was East Germany & her 3rd dam Meernymphe won their Derby der DDR in 1970. Meridiana is inbred 5x5 to multiple Champion German Sire Birkhahn, who won the Deutsches Derby & DDR Derby in 1948. Meridiana is the 5th European Classic winner sired by Champion Lomitas (by Niniski), who stands at Dalham Hall Stud at Newmarket in England. (May 19) Widden Sire Anabaa’s German Two Thousand Guineas Victory It was also more good news for Widden Stud’s Gr1 winner Anabaa (by Danzig), who stands at both Haras du Quesnay in France & Widden Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley, when Martillo romped to a 6-length victory in the Gr2 Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen (German Two Thousand Guineas) over 1 mile yesterday in Cologne, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 3YO son of Anabaa (ridden by William Mongil & trained by Ralf Suerland) defeated Royal Price & Ransom O’War & has now won 3 of his 4 starts. Bred in Germany by Gestut Katharinenhof, Marillo is 1 of 3 starters (all winners) out of Affirmed mare Maltage (a half-sister to Gr2 winner Terra Incognita). (May 19) Derby Lodge Wins 2nd Successive Gr1 Gran Premio Hipodromo Chile Derby Lodge, Chile’s 2002 champion 3YO, won the Gr1 Gran Premio Hipodromo Chile for the 2nd straight year at Hipodromo Chile, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Ridden patiently by Anyelo Rivera for leading trainer Juan ‘Mago’ Cavieres Acevedo, Derby Lodge defeated British Open & Vicious Boy in a star-studded field of 15. The 4YO son of Great Regent (who recorded his 11th career victory in 30 starts) was bred by Haras Figuron & is out of unraced Roy mare Royal Story. (May 19) Smart Bet & Cooksley Take Singapore Orchid Cup Australasian jockey Grant Cooksley rode the Australian-bred 6YO gelding Smart Bet (Cossack Warrior-Quieter Still, by Almurtajaz) to victory in the S$1 million (A$900,000) Orchid Cup over 2000m at Kranji, defeating Ocean Butterfly (by Danzig Connection) & Tytola (by Last Tycoon). Smart Bet has now won 13 of his 29 starts in Singapore, including victories in the Singapore Derby, Raffles Cup, Singapore Gold Cup & Chairman’s Trophy. (May 19) Oliver Lands Double In Japan Leading Melbourne jockey Damien Oliver continued his winning run in Japan with 2 wins, 1 2nd & 2 3ds from 10 rides at Tokyo racetrack on the weekend, reported racenet.com.au. (May 19) HKJC Renews Jockey Licences For Dye, Beasley, Dunn & Williams Meanwhile expatriate Australasian riders Shane Dye, Danny Beasley, Dwayne Dunn & Craig Williams have had full or part-licences approved by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for next season. However Brett Prebble (also currently riding in HK) will have to wait until the end of June to know if he has his licence renewed for next season. The HKJC’s Licensing Committee met on Friday & decided that Dye was among the 6 overseas jockeys to have their full season Club Jockey licence renewed for the 2003-2004 season. In addition part-season (July 1-December 14) Club Jockey licences were granted to Beasley, Dunn & Williams. (May 19) Hayes will Continue in HK For 12 Months And expatriate South Australian David Hayes will continue training in HK for another year, before “returning to Lindsay Park & assisting Tony McEvoy,” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Hayes summed up his future plans at the Australian Racing Hall-Of-Fame dinner in Adelaide. (May 19) 1st Stakes Winner For Vinery’s Loup Savage Former Vinery shuttle stallion Loup Savage recorded his 1st stakes winner when 3YO colt Jazz Sweep (Loup Sauvage-Better Day, by Afleet) won the Derby du Midi La Teste de Buch (2400m) in France, reported racenet.com.au. Jazz Sweep (a $15,000 purchase at the Goffs France 2YO sale) has never finished out of the placings in all his 7 starts & is from the 1st crop of Loup Sauvage out of 2-time winning Afleet mare Better Day (a daughter of Gr2 Matron Handicap winner Cyclya Zee, a-half sister to Gr1 Rothman’s International & Gr1 Secretariat Stakes winner Southjet). Loup Sauvage shuttled to Vinery Australia for 4 seasons but will not be returning in 2003. The Gr1-winning son of Riverman has his 1st Australian crop racing this season & has been represented by 2 winners from 7 starters. (May 19) 1st Aust Stakes Winner For Aghaadir And ill-fated sire Aghaadir recorded his 1st Australian stakes-winner when Social Glow won the Listed Stuart Crystal Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville, reported racenet.com.au. Aghaadir, an unraced son of Private Account, has left just 55 live foals from his 5 seasons at stud. Social Glow is 1 of just 6 named foals from the 2nd crop. The only previous stakes winner for Aghaader was his 1st crop son Lead To Victory, a stakes winner in Singapore. (May 19) Cambridge Lowers 2003 Stallion Fees NZ’s Cambridge Stud has announced reduced 2003 service fees for all its stallions from last year, including champion sire Zabeel. Cambridge owner Sir Patrick Hogan told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing it was important for all studs to address the current state of the breeding industry: "The economic conditions at present are not exactly buoyant & the returns at this year’s yearling sales throughout Australasia demonstrated that. It is important for studs to give breeders the opportunity to make a profit margin from their investment on stallion services & that is why we have dropped the fees for every stallion that stood at Cambridge Stud last year. In addition we have limited the size of every stallion’s book, as many breeders have indicated to me in recent years that they would like to see all studs doing this." As a result: Zabeel’s fee has been reduced to NZ$85,000+GST (from NZ$110,000+GST last year) & he will be limited to a book of 120 mares. (During the past 12 months Zabeel’s individual Gr1 winner tally climbed to 23, with the latest being 3YOs St Reims & Shower Of Roses; his current stakes winners total is 65.) Shuttle sire Cape Cross’s fee has been reduced to NZ$10,000+GST (last year NZ$12,000+GST) & he will cover a maximum of 110 mares. (Cape Cross has had 4 individual winners so far from his 1st Northern Hemisphere crop.) Shutttle sire Stravinsky’s fee has been reduced to NZ$18,000+GST (last year NZ$22,500+GST) & he will also cover a maximum of 110 mares. (Stravinsky has notched 3 individual winners so far from his 1st Northern Hemisphere crop.) Keeper (by deceased champion stallion Danehill) stood his 1st season at Cambridge last year with 119 mares tested in foal. He will stand at NZ$10,000+GST with a maximum book of 110 mares. And exciting 1st-season sire Viking Ruler (also by deceased champion Danehill) will stand at NZ$20,000+GST, also with a maximum book of 110 mares. (May 19) Singleton’s Timely Danehill Foal Investment Super sire Danehill’s shock death has only improved the value of his offspring, noted The Australian Financial Review, and “while Sydney ad man & keen punter John Singleton might have to find a new stallion for Belle Du Jour, he can’t be unhappy with his recent purchase at the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast.” Singo purchased 2 mares carrying Danehill foals from Collingrove Stud, paying “$220,000 & $280,000 – less than a Danehill service fee.” The newspaper noted breeding analysts’ assessment that “the foals would be worth a tidy packet now, with bidding expected to start above $500,000 when they hit the ring next year.” (May 19) Chatswood Spreads Wings For 2003 Chatswood Stud at Seymour in Victoria has “spread it wings” with the purchase of a further 230 acres & recent announcement to stand 6 highly credentialled stallions for the 2003 breeding season: Racer’s Edge is having a big year: abroad he is represented by one of Singapore’s most exciting racehorses in Gr2 winner Storm Racer, who’s earned over $400,000 this season; & in Australia he has already sired 47 individual winners in the 2002-03 season. Genuine’s oldest progeny in Australia are weanlings, but his 1st Northern Hemisphere crops conceived in Japan are away & racing &, to the middle of May, Genuine has sired over 76 individual winners in his homeland (including 8 Japanese Stakes winners). Dangerous will be the next resident stallion to have his 1st crop 2YOs grace the turf in the spring; his 1st batch included an outstanding $110,000 yearling & a recent 2nd crop $50,000 colt at the Inglis Weanling Sale. Invincible Spirit (the record breaking champion sprinter) is earning rave reviews about his success in the breeding shed at the Irish National Stud, where he has well over 100 mares booked; he is definitely among the most exciting 1st season sires coming to Victoria. Hemingway’s half-brother Balestrini has now won a Gr3 in Ireland & most recently was just nosed out for 3rd in the French Gr1 Prix Lupin; meanwhile Hemingway’s sire Spectrum continues to churn out the winners in both Australia & Europe. (And 6 months ago Demi O’Byrne forked out 360,000 guineas for a Spectrum yearling out of an Ela-Mana-Mou mare - the same cross as Hemingway! – to record the highest priced yearling ever at the UK Tattersalls December Sale.) Diatribe was well received in his 1st season in 2002 & Chatswood is anticipating similar support this year for a horse with such astonishing finishing speed: he ran the last 600m in his Gr1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) victory in 34.26sec & the last 600m in 33.8sec in the Gr1 Orr Stakes (1400m). His fee looks value at $8,250 + GST. (May 19) Race Crowds Rise 11.6% In Rural Victoria Country Racing Victoria has reported an 11.6% rise in year-to-date attendances. Nearly half a million people (498,751) have attended country racing in Victoria during the past 9 months. CRV sales & marketing manager Doug Cross noted: “What makes the figures truly amazing is that they don’t even include attendances at the May Carnival in Warrnambool, which was a huge success this year & one of Victoria’s biggest regional events.” CRV chairman Michael Caveny added: “The benefits aren’t just restricted to the Victorian thoroughbred industry. They extend to the Victorian economy, regional employment & the important role racing plays as part of the social fabric of many country communities.” (May 19) Western Winter Heads South African Sire Table Western Winter currently heads the South African General Sires List (by earnings) reported thoroughbredinternet.com. The Top 5 last week (R1,000 = A$220) were: 1. Western Winter by Gone West. R6,099,228. 2. Jallad by Blushing Groom. R5,441,338. 3. Badger Land by Codex. R5,439,898. 4. National Assembly by Danzig. R4,633,270. 5. Fort Wood by Sadler's Wells. R4,163,410. (May 19) US Jockey Stewart Elliott Reaches 3,000 Wins US jockey Stewart Elliott notched his 3,000th career winner when he rode Navesink Tide to victory at Philadelphia Park. Elliott, 38, has been riding for 20 years & told thoroughbredtimes.com: "There are many, many riders who work long & hard over many years & never reach 3,000. This has been my home for a long time & I really wanted to win it here." (May 19) Lukas Calls For US Triple Crown Changes & More Geldings American Racing Hall-Of-Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has grabbed headlines across the US with a series of provocative comments to the media gathered at Pimlico Race Course for the weekend’s Gr1 Preakness Stakes, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Among many controversial suggestions: Shorten Triple Crown Distances: Shorten the 1st Leg Gr1 Kentucky Derby from 10 furlongs to 9 furlongs & 3rd Leg Gr1 Belmont Stakes from 12 furlongs to 10 furlongs, while leaving the 2nd Leg Gr1 Preakness Stakes at 9.5 furlongs: “If all the good minds planned the Triple Crown today, they wouldn’t plan it the way it is. A mile & an 8th (9 furlongs) in May is enough for these horses & we’re not breeding horses to run 1.5 miles (12 furlongs) anymore.” Lengthen Triple Crown Spacing: Add an extra week of rest between the Derby & Preakness to keep more horses on the trail & prevent injuries that often knock rising stars off the radar: "Time is your biggest ally if you’re a horsemen & you’d get 5 more horses here if you had an extra week in between. If you ran it that way (distance & timing changes), you’d keep your superstars together, you’d have more horses trying all 3 legs & you’d have a bigger fan base because the horses could gain a following. I think it’s solid & logical, but the powers that be would be reluctant to do that." Raising Triple Crown Purses: "We should never have a race with a bigger purse than the Kentucky Derby." Geld More Horses: Having more horses like this year’s Kentucky Derby-winning gelding Funny Cide around “would be good for the sport”; but with a future in the breeding shed becoming more lucrative every day, he doesn’t see the procedure becoming more popular anytime soon: "I think we should geld more horses, but economics determine that. Hell, mine were so well bred that if I had 1 that won the Hopeful Stakes, they’d have plans to syndicate them before I could even get them cooled out. So if you have a really fast horse who’s not a gelding, you’d better hope he doesn’t have a fashionable pedigree; because if he does & wins any race of consequence, he’s in the breeding shed." Women In Racing: "In the 1980s, I wouldn’t hire a woman in the barn because I thought it was counterproductive. But I was wrong. I’ve found that the girls, especially the exercise riders, were more dependable & had a better feel with the horses & are better at what they do." Medication In Racing: "We need a certain amount of medication, but I would go for moderation. In order to sell the game & keep the horses on the track, we need some help." (May 19) Clang Shareholders Reject $5 Million Offer The shareholders in Willowbend Stud's star sire Clang (Bellotto-Sudden Impulse) decided this morning to reject Darley's $5 million offer, confirmed Willowbend studmaster David Lucas. He revealed the decision was not unanimous, but the majority were in favour of retaining their curent ownership. Clang has sired 3 Gr1 winners from his 1st 3 crops (Golden Slipper winner Calaway Gal, Singapore Lion City Cup winner Classic Marco & AJC Derby winner Clangalang) & last season served a huge 199 mares. (May 16) Champion Daylami Records First Winner Champion & 1999 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Daylami got off the mark as a stallion when his very 1st starter, 2YO filly Birthday Suit, won over 5 furlongs yesterday at York in England, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Daylami, a 9YO son of Doyoun who won 7 Gr1 events during his career, stands at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud in County Kildare in Ireland. (May 16) US$1.2 Million Colt Wins Debut by 9 Lengths And Derrick Smith & Michael Tabor’s Chapel Royal, who sold for US $1.2 million at the Ocala Breeders Calder selected 2YOs-In-Training sale in February, won his career debut by a stunning 9 lengths over 5 furlongs at Belmont Park yesterday, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Ridden by John Velazquez & trained by Todd Pletcher, the son of Montbrook overcame a slow start to blitz his 7 rivals. He is out of the Cutlass mare Cut Class Leanne. (May 16) 2003 Aust Racing Hall-Of-Fame Inductions Thirteen of Australian racing’s most famous names (5 horses, 3 jockeys, 3 trainers & 2 associates) were inducted into the Australian Racing Hall-Of-Fame before an audience of 1,100 at the Adelaide Convention Centre last night: Horses: Malua, Heroic, Tobin Bronze, Peter Pan & Vain. Jockeys: Harry White, Bill Duncan, Bill Williamson. Trainers: Lee Freedman, Frank McGrath Senior, Walter Hickenbotham. Associates: Former racecaller Bert Bryant & the William Inglis & Son family. (May 16) Hunter Valley Thoroughbred Breeders’ Awards Meanwhile at the Hunter Valley Thoroughbred Breeders’ Awards in Scone the night before: Coolmore’s Danehill was awarded 2003 Champion Sire honors. Vinery’s Red Ransom won Champion First Season Sire (aided by Group winning filly Halibery & Black Opal Stakes winner Handsome Ransom). Shantha's Choice (Canny Lad-Dancing Show), the dam of Gr1 winners Redoute's Choice & Platinum Scissors, was named 2003 Broodmare-Of-The-Year. (Shantha's Choice has a Danehill filly named Monsoon Wedding, a weanling colt by Fusaichi Pegasus & was covered by Giant's Causeway in 2002). Baramul Stud-bred Golden Slipper winning filly Polar Success’ fine juvenile season was honoured with the award of Champion 2YO. (Bred by Magic Millions proprietor Gerry Harvey, the daughter of Success Express & Patou was knocked down to leading Sydney trainer Graeme Rogerson for $32,000 at last year’s MM Winter Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast.) Widden Stud-bred triple Gr1 winner Helenus (Helissio–Worldwide Elsie)won Champion 3YO honors. Woodlands Stud manager Peter Flynn received the 2003 Service-To-The-Industry Award. (May 16) Trainer John O’Shea Denies HK Move Randwick trainer John O’Shea denied persistent rumours that he has been “offered a contract with the Hong Kong Jockey Club” for next season. O’Shea told The Daily Telegraph: “It’s purely speculation that’s causing me a lot of pain. The HKJC hasn’t been in contact with me. But if they did, I’d have to look at it.” (May 16) 1-Day Singapore Dash By Steven King Top Melbourne jockey Steven King is making a flying visit to Singapore for Saturday night’s meeting at Kranji, reported aapracingandsports.com.au. King will ride Steal A Scene for his former master John Meagher for Meagher in the S$1 million (A$900,000) Orchid Cup (plus Always Mine in the Hibiscus Bowl & Yorick for Charles Leck in the Kranji Mile), before returning to Melbourne on Sunday & heading to South Australian for the Gr1 Adelaide Cup at Morphettville on Monday. (May 16) 44th Individual Stakes Winner For Arrowfield Sire Hussonet Arrowfield’s new stallion Hussonet (by Mr Prospector) recorded his 44th individual stakes winner when his son Hassun Spor won the Listed Diego Protales Stakes (6 furlongs) at Hipodromo Chile. The win followed the 5-length stakes victory by Hussonet’s filly La Tour in the Listed Armade de Chile Stakes (9 furloings) earlier in the week. (The exciting La Tour is currently under negotiation to continue her racing career in North America.) Worth noting for Australian conditions is that Hassun Spor is Hussonet’s 27th stakes winner out of a Northern Dancer line mare, many of which are daughters of Worldwatch (who is a son of Nijinsky out of the family of Danehill). Arrowfield's Byron Rogers commented: "His proven affinity with Northern Dancer line mares makes him particularly appealing for our marketplace. He is a very good looking horse with a lot of muscle to him & he is clean legged, so he will suit a lot of mares." Hussonet now boasts a winners-runners ratio of 86.5% & an incredible stakeswinners-runners ratio of 24%. Hussonet is also the sire of 12 individual Gr1 winners & is standing the coming season at $24,750 (inc GST). (May 16) Widden Sire Anabaa’s French Stakes Victory It was also good news for Widden Stud’s Gr1 winner Anabaa (by Danzig), who stands at both Haras du Quesnay in France & Widden Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley, when Alec Head's 3YO homebred colt Marshall (Anabaa-Monitrice, by Groom Dancer) won yesterday’s French Gr3 Prix de Guiche at Longchamp. Marshall (placed in last year’s Gr1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud as a 2YO) defeated Art Moderne (by Woodman) & Jipapibaquigrafo (by Irish River) reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Marshall’s dam Monitrice is a half-sister to French Listed winner Malaspina & his granddam Mondovision is a sister to Montcontour (winner of the Gr2 Prix Hocquart & Gr2 Hardwicke Stakes). Monitrice is inbred 3x3 to Flute Enchantee, through the half-brothers Luthier & Violin d'Ingres; the connection is reinforced through Luthier's sire Klairon, whose 3rd dam Marchetta is the 10th dam of Marshall. (May 16) European 2YO Success For Eliza Park’s Desert Sun Meanwhile Eliza Park’s shuttle stallion Desert Sun recorded his first European-bred 2YO winner this week when one of his colts won in Rome by 5 lengths. His first Australian bred 2YOs include the exciting colt Great Is Great, who won on debut by 6 lengths & listed to start in the Gr3 The Jansz on Monday in Adelaide. (May 16) Another 1st Crop Winner For Cambridge’s Cape Cross And exciting new sire Cape Cross, who shuttles to NZ’s Cambridge Stud for the southern hemisphere breeding season, has recorded his 4th individual winner from his 1st crop racing in the northern hemisphere, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The latest winner is 2YO colt Mokabra (owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum), the 4th foal of the Persian Bold mare Pacific Grove. Earlier winners sired by Cape Cross have been Passion Cross, Mac Love & Cape Fear. (May 16) Strong Supplementary Entries For Magic Millions Adelaide Sale Sunday’s Magic Millions Adelaide Autumn Yearling & Thoroughbred Sale has received some quality supplementary entries: 3-time winner & metropolitan victor Fonnix (Blevic-Don’t Babble On); 3-time Darwin winner Pinon; Lightly-raced & placed Miss Jaylo; multiple winning fillies Oxford, Countess & Rush Of Angels; proven producers Hutt’s Beauty & Hold Me Sweet. yearling colt & filly by impeccably-bred Monolith; weanling colt by Rory’s Jester’s former brilliant son Happy Giggle. (May 16) AJC Sydney Carnival Boasts 28% Bookmaker Betting Rise Despite several days of adverse weather, the Australian Jockey Club recorded strong results from its 2003 Autumn Carnival: Bookmaker turnover over the 4 days was $28.3 million, up 28% on last year. (Con Kafataris, fielding in the betting pavilion, held $1.2 million on San Miguel Doncaster-Derby Day alone.) Total attendance over the 4 days was 93,875, just 3% down on the previous year despite 3 of 4 days affected by rain. (The AJC appears well placed to break the 100,000 barrier next year - a feat not achieved since 1980.) (May 16) NZ General Sires Table Update The latest standings on the NZ General Sires table (by prize-money) are: 1. Volksraad, by Green Desert. NZ$1,158,438. 2. Zabeel, by Sir Tristram. $1,059,575. 3. O'Reilly, by Last Tycoon. NZ$870,446. 4. Desert Sun, by Green Desert. NZ$815,263. 5. Faltaat, by Mr Prospector. NZ$745,937. 6. Prized, by Kris S. NZ$683,625. 7. Stark South, by Dixieland Band. NZ$622,030. 8. Al Akbar, by Success Express. NZ$548,075. 9. Maroof, by Danzig. NZ$492,818. 10. His Royal Highness, by Grosvenor. NZ$482,420. 11. Shinko King, by Fairy King. NZ$411,677. 12. Lord Ballina, by Bletchingly. NZ$399,507. 13. Danasinga, by Danehill. NZ$398,718. 14. Centaine, by Century. NZ$390,532. 15. King Of Kings, by Sadler's Wells. NZ$383,090. (May 16) US Gr1 Winner D’wildcat To Stud At Windfields D’wildcat, winner of the 2002 Gr1 Frank De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes at Laurel Park, has been retired & the 5YO son of Forest Wildcat (out of the D'Accord mare D'Enough) will enter stud in 2004 at Canada’s Windfields Farm in Ontario. Windfields purchased a 50% interest in D’wildcat from David Shimmon’s & William Bianco’s Fog City Stables earlier this year with plans to stand the multiple graded stakes winner. Windfields vice president Noreen Taylor told thoroughbredtimes.com: "He has everything we could hope for in a sire prospect: he was precocious as a 2YO, a brilliant 7-furlong graded stakes winner as a 3YO & a Gr1 winner as a 4YO, facing the best in North America. He is a stand-out individual, with tremendous presence & quality." Purchased by Shimmon for US$600,000 at the Ocala Breeders selected 2YOs-In-Training sale, D’wildcat won 5 of 18 career starts (also including the 2002 Gr2 Churchill Downs Handicap & 2001 Gr3 Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park). (May 16) 1st Winner For US Freshman Sire Malibu Moon US freshman sire Malibu Moon recorded his 1st winner when Perfect Moon won over 4.5 furlongs at Hollywood Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Malibu Moon (a 6YO son of A.P.Indy out of Gr1-winning Mr Prospector dam Macoumba) stands at the Pons family’s Country Life Farm in Maryland & is the sire of 3 starters from 57 foals of racing age & 55 yearlings. (May 16) New Dreams Wins Brazilian Gr1 Stud Estrela Energia's New Dreams (Blush Rambler-Dream Of Sinless, by White Clover) won the Gr1 Gran Premio Marciano de Aguiar Moreira (2400m on turf) for 3YO fillies at Hipodromo Gavea in Rio de Janeiro, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. New Dreams defeated Eternity (by Baronius) & Xiririca da Serra (by Know Heights). New Dreams is directly descended from Glorious Devon (winner of the Yorkshire Oaks & Park Hill Stakes). Her sire Blush Rambler is a former Kentucky stallion who now stands in France. (May 16) South Vagabunda Remains Undefeated In Argentinian Gr1 Win And South Vagabunda “solidified herself as the best 2YO filly in Argentina” by defeating Halo Ola & Express Plus in the Gr1 Gran Premio Jorge de Atucha (7.5 furlongs) at Palermo, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Ridden by Argentina’s leading jockey Jorge Valdivieso for trainer Roberto Bullrich, the daughter of Southern Halo (who was coming off victories in the Gr2 Clásico Carlos Casares & Gr1 Gran Premio Saturnino J. Unzué) remains unbeaten in 4 career starts. South Vagabunda is out of the Gr2-winning Egg Toss mare Vaga Toss. (May 16) Argentine Horse-Of-Year Asidero & Champion Cafetin To Uruguay Asidero, 1999 Argentine Horse-Of-The-Year, & champion miler Cafetin will both stand their 1st season in Uruguay, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Asidero, whose 7 wins include the 1999 Gr1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini & Gr1 Polla de Potrillos (Argentine Two Thousand Guineas), is a 7YO son of Nureyev stallion Fadeyev (out of the placed Tunerup mare Lady Aspasia); he is a half brother to multiple Argentine group winner Love For Life. Asidero will stand the next 2 Southern Hemisphere seasons at Haras Don Alfredo. Cafetin won the Gr1 1999 Joaquin De Anchorena & Gr1 Gran Premio Palermo en route to honors as Argentina’s champion miler. The 7YO son of Slew Gin Fizz is out of the unraced Cipayo mare Pretty Figure & will stand at Haras Gavroche. (May 16) New Auction Planned For Saratoga Veteran US horseman Jeffrey Minton & his company J.T.Minton Auctions will conduct a new thoroughbred sale in October in Saratoga Springs reported bloodhorse.com. Minton announced: "We have had a tremendous initial response & all of us involved are very excited by this new venture. The time is right for another sales outlet in New York state." (May 16) Jockey Heberto Castillo Lands 2,000th Winner Jockey Heberto Castillo junior landed his 2,000th winner at Belmont Park in the US yesterday. The 33-year-old Panamanian, who grew up in Louisiana, told bloodhorse.com: "It has been a tough road. There are a lot of ups & downs in this business. I had some injuries earlier in my career, or this might have come sooner. But I'm still young & now I can shoot for 3,000." (May 16) Golden Slipper Winner Ha Ha Retires John Singleton’s 2001 Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Ha Ha (Danehill-Very Droll) “pulled up lame after trackwork at Randwick on Monday & will not race again,” reported The Australian newspaper. “Part-owner Rob Ferguson confirmed the retirement of the Golden Slipper winner which earned $2.98 million.” (May 15) Bramble Rose Career Clouded By Tendon Injury Meanwhile the racing career of top NZ staying filly Bramble Rose is also “under a cloud while she recovers from a tendon operation,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The NZ Oaks winner & NZ Bloodstock Filly-Of-The-Year suffered a foreleg tendon strain when running 3rd in the Gr1 Australian Oaks at Randwick on April 26; she was operated on last week in Hamilton in NZ by visiting American veterinarian Wayne McIlwraith. The Shinko King filly's trainer & part-owner Mark Todd confirmed: "She faces a long recovery, so we'll just have to wait and see. We'll scan the leg in the spring & make some sort of a decision then. If there's significant improvement, we'll set her a program for later in the season. Otherwise it's likely that she will go to stud." In her 2 recent Gr1 starts during the Sydney Autumn Carnival, Bramble Rose finished 2nd to Shower Of Roses in the Gr1 Arrowfield Stud Stakes & 3rd to that filly & her Gr1-winning stablemate Sunday Joy in the Gr1 AJC Oaks. (May 15) US$375,000 French Deputy Filly Tops Day-2 At Barretts May Sale Trainer Bruce Headley & Jess Jackson paid US$375,000 for a daughter of French Deputy out of unraced Forty Niner mare West Forty Two (consigned by Paula Capestro Bloodstock as agent) to top Day-2 of the Barretts May 2YOs-In-Training sale, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Top price for a colt was US$335,000 paid by Gregg Alsdorf & trainer John Sadler of La Cresta Farm for a son of Gilded Time (consigned by Terry Oliver as agent), who is the 1st foal out of winning Cure The Blues mare Champaigne Amelia. After a Day-1 that saw averages fall 19.2% compared with last year, the sale rallied on Day-2 to finish with total receipts of US$7,186,600 for 236 horses sold (up 12.1% on last year’s US$6,411,600 for 226 sold) & an average US$30,452 (up 7.3% on last year’s US$28,370). Biggest spender this year was California-based bloodstock agent Bruno De Berdt, who paid US$565,000 for 7 lots. Leading consignor was Donna Wormser, who sold 20 lots for a total US$786,900. (May 15) Keeneland September Sale Entries Comparable To Last Year The number of entries for this year's Keeneland September yearling sale is "close to, but down a little" from the 4,367 listed in 2002, according to Keeneland's director of sales Geoffrey Russell. The auction had an early bird closing date for nominations of March 1; the final closing date was May 1. Keeneland cancelled its July select yearling sale this year, with officials blaming Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome for sharply reducing the number of top prospects with flashy pedigrees & early birth dates in Kentucky. MRLS also had the potential to cause a significant down-turn in the number of entries for the Keeneland September sale. But Russell told bloodhorse.com: "I am surprised that the number entered is as comparable to last year as it is. It shows that consignors have the same confidence in the September sale as 'The Marketplace' that we do." (May 15) Ocala June Sale Catalogue Increases By 12.8% Meanwhile the catalogue is bigger this year for the Ocala Breeders' June Sale of 2YOs-In-Training & horses of racing age in Florida on June 17-18, reported bloodhorse.com. The 512 lots (490 juveniles & 22 older horses) is up 12.8% from last year's 454. (May 15) Beasley Begins HK Riding Stint With Fall Sydney jockey Danny Beasley began his 2-month Hong Kong riding stint at last night’s Happy Valley meeting. His best result was a 2nd in the 1st race (won by fellow expatriate Shane Dye) followed by 3 unplaced rides, before falling from his mount in the 7th event; luckily he was uninjured in the mishap. Overall the expat jockeys figured prominently: Dye rode a treble; Dwayne Dunn notched a winner & a 2nd; & Brett Prebble rode a 2nd. Dye is currently 2nd on the jockeys’ premiership table (with 63 wins) behind Douglas Whyte (75 wins). (May 15) Hong Kong Jockey Club Offers 3,600 Job Vacancies Meanwhile the Hong Kong Jockey Club will hold a Job Fair this weekend (May 17-18) at the HK Convention & Exhibition Centre, offering 3600 job vacancies “across various business areas of the Club, to cope with business development needs & with the anticipation of the launch of football betting.” (May 15) UK Stakes Boost For Vinery’s Red Ransom Vinery stallion Red Ransom received a timely boost with the win by 3YO filly Cassis (Red Ransom-Minstress, by The Minstrel) in the Gr3 Tattersalls Musidora at York in England. Despite being held-up for a run, Cassis ran a new race record for the event noted thoroughbredinternet.com. Cassis is a half-sister to Hum Along, the dam of US Champion 2YO Filly Storm Song (winner of the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Filly & Gr1 Frizette Stakes). Cassis is the 4th stakes-winner in 2 hemispheres sired by Red Ransom (by Roberto), who shuttles between Vinery operations in Kentucky & Australia. (May 15) Winning Run For Coolmore’s Orpen & Danehill Dancer It’s also been a run of good news around the globe for Coolmore pair Orpen & Danehill Dancer. Orpen recorded his initial 3 winners inside a week with 3 fillies: Obe Bold in England, Enrika’s Gift on debut in Rome & Almost Dancing in Ireland. Meanwhile Danehill Dancer followed wins by filly Private Steer in the Listed James Carr Stakes at Randwick, son Argentum in Germany & Rick Hore-Lacy’s Polonius in Australia with an international treble on the same day: Gai Waterhouse’s Magsaya at Canterbury, 2YO filly Rosina May at Doncaster in England & 3YO colt Pals Express at Varese in Italy. (Danehill Dancer, of course, is already a ‘hot’ international property, having sired both last year’s Australian champion 2YO colt Choisir & last season’s English champion 3YO Where Or When.) (May 15) Danehill Leads European Sire Earnings Although it’s early in the northern hemisphere season, “there is a familiar look at the leading European stallions,” notes thoroughbredinternet.com, which emphasises the tragedy of Danehill’s shock death this week. The combined figures for Britain, France & Ireland show Danehill on top by earnings & his Coolmore stablemate Sadler's Wells leading by stakes horses (5 against 4). Both Danehill & Sadler's Wells have sired a Classic winner & both have stakes horses in all 3 countries. Top 10 by earnings at the start of this week were: Danehill, Sadler’s Wells, Linamix, Halling, Darshaan, Cadeaux Genereux, Green Tune, Highest Honor, Machiavellian, Indian Ridge. Linamix is the leading French-based stallion (both by earnings & stakes-winners) & 2 of France's most consistent sires Green Tune & Highest Honor make the current list. Of the younger stallions, Dalham Hall's Halling leads the way, sitting high with earnings & also recording the same number of individual stakes-winners as Danehill, but from considerably smaller numbers. Of the 8 active stallions in the Top 10, Britain has the most representatives with 3. (May 15) Newtown Jet To Stand At Tasmania’s Bella Vista Park John Singleton has announced that his rising 5YO stallion Newtown Jet (Prized-Strawberry Girl) - the dam is a daughter of Strawberry Road - will commence stud duties in 2003 at Bella Vista Park in Tasmania at a $1,650 (including GST) fee. Singleton bred Newtown Jet in America, where he raced succesfully before transferring to Tony McEvoy in Adelaide & winning twice (including a 1600m Listed race at Morphettville). Newtown Jet's sire Prized is currently 8th on the NZ General Sires List & is best known in Australia as the sire of Gr1 Brisbane Cup winner Prized Gem & Gr1 Rosehill Guineas winner Sale Of Century. The infusion of Strawberry Road blood into the Tasmanian breeding scene will create strong interest in Newtown Jet & Singleton will support the stallion with some of his own mares. (May 15) First Stakes Win For Florida Sire Lucky Lionel Multiple international group stakes winner Lucky Lionel recorded his own 1st stakes winner as a sire when Crafty Brat won the Supah Jess Stakes at Calder Race Course, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Bred in Kentucky, Lucky Lionel won 4 of 21 starts, including the 1995 Gr3 Norfolk Stakes in England & 1995 Gr2 Prix Robert Papin in France. Later on North American soil, he set a track record 1min 13.98sec for 6.5 furlongs at Santa Anita in 1997. Lucky Lionel stands at Adena Springs South in Florida & has 101 foals in 2 crops of racing age; of those, the 10-year-old son of Mt Livermore has 33 starters & 19 winners. He also has sired 42 yearlings. (May 15) First Winner For Kentucky Sire Lil's Lad Kentucky sire & Gr2 winner Lil's Lad recorded his 1st winner when First Money won on debut over 5 furlongs at Churchill Downs, reported bloodhorse.com. Lil's Lad (Pine Bluff-Totemic, by Vanlandingham) stands at William Farish's Lane's End Farm. (May 15) Laveron Begins Stallion Career In Northern Ireland Laveron, a high-class Flat performer in Germany & later a champion hurdler in France for Francois Doumen, is standing his 1st season at Scarvagh House Stud in Northern Ireland reported racingpost.co.uk. The son of Konigsstuhl finished 3rd behind Robertico in the 1998 Deutsches Derby & won 2 Pattern events (notably the Gr2 Deutsches St Leger). Switched to Doumen, Laveron landed 2 Gr1 events at Auteuil (the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil & Grand Prix d’Automne). He also raided Britain 3 times in the 2001-02 season for 3 placings. Bred by Gestut Fahrhof, Laveron is from “one of the best families in Germany”: he is a full-brother to Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen & Deutsches Derby winner Lavirco, out of a Surumufull-sister to Gr3 winner La Colorada (dam of Lomitas). (May 15) Early Odds For 2003 Caulfield-Melbourne Cups & Cox Plate Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival may 6 months away, but Melbourne bookmaker Michael Eskander has released his first 2003 Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate & Melbourne Cup betting markets reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Caulfield Cup: the market is headed by up-&-coming 4YOs Clangalang (Gr1 AJC Derby winner) & the Gai Waterhouse-trained trio Platinum Scissors, Shower Of Roses & Sunday Joy, all at $15. Comeback mare Magical Miss is quoted at $17, while among the possible international visitors Godolphin’s Beekeeper & Sulamani are both also being kept safe at $17, as is last year’s Melbourne Cup victor from Irish trainer Dermot Weld’s stable Media Puzzle. Godolphin stablemate Moon Ballad is listed alongside last year’s winner & Australian weight-for-age champion Northerly, both at $26. And Dermot Weld’s latest star Refuse To Bend (a Sadler’s Wells half-brother to Media Puzzle) is rated a $21 chance. Cox Plate: Northerly (like Sunline 2 years ago) is seeking to emulate Kingston Town as a 3-time winner of the Cox Plate (Australia’s unofficial weight-for-age championship) at Moonee Valley. The betting market is headed by local heavy-weights Northerly ($7), Defier ($8) & Lonhro ($8), with Dubai World Cup winner Moon Ballad also at $8. His stablemate & last year’s 3rd place-getter Grandera is $11. Japan’s Eishin Preston is rated a $13 chance on the strength of his strong form on Strathayr surfaces. Among the other local hopes, recent Gr1 Doncaster Handicap winner Grand Armee is at $15. Melbourne Cup: Last year’s hero Media Puzzle shares the $15 top line with 4 others, including Gai Waterhouse stablemates Shower Of Roses & Platinum Scissors. Just below them at $17 are Kiwi mares Bramble Rose recent Gr1 Sydney Cup winner Honor Babe. (May 15) Flying Spur Colt Up For Grabs Broken promises have left pedigree expert Jane Henning with a yearling whose bloodlines are strong enough to suggest a stallion prospect down the track. She pin-hooked a handsome Flying Spur-Musical D’Accord colt as a weaner last year & watched the offers fly in. Subsequently she missed all the major sales because each week it looked certain he’d sell privately; but last week, after continual to-&-fro, the last of the promised buyers pulled the pin. Now, she will listen to all offers, noting: “I was particularly impressed with his mating, which creates a duplication of the prepotent mare Fanfreluche, closely copying that of Flying Spur’s daughter French Braids (STC Silver Slipper Stakes). The colt, a big sound type, is out of Musical D’Accord, whose sire D’Accord was recently the damsire of brilliant US Gr1 winner D’Wildcat. I’ve now missed all the premier sales &, with the Flying Spurs averaging over $150,000 at Easter, I’m obviously hoping there is still someone looking to buy a quality yearling.” Henning runs the widely-used Pedigree Dynamics mating business, but is not interested in racing the horse outright, but would consider a partnership. (May 15) Danehill Dies In Shock Paddock Accident Coolmore’s international champion sire Danehill (Danzig-Razyana, by His Majesty) has died in a paddock accident at Coolmore’s Irish headquarters near Fethard in County Tipperary aged 17. Coolmore general manager Christy Grassick said: "Danehill was a phenomenal stallion & will be a big loss to the breeding industry worldwide.” Alternative mating plans are being arranged for shareholders & clients whose mares are not yet in foal. Danehill was bred by Juddmonte Farms in Kentucky &, racing in the colours of Prince Khalid Abdullah, won 4 of his 9 starts (including the 1989 UK Gr1 Haydock Park Sprint Cup, plus a 3rd in the Gr1 UK 2000 Guineas) & earned a Timeform rating of 126. He was syndicated by Coolmore at the end of his racing career in 1990 & began his Australian stud career with 2 seasons at Arrowfield Stud before standing the remainder of his shuttle career at Coolmore Australia in the Hunter Valley. (The Australian Stud Book records Danehill covered 1,479 mares to Southern Hemisphere time.) His stud career in Ireland was interrupted by 1 northern hemisphere season in Japan in 1996. (May 14) Danehill Dominated Aust Breeding & Racing Danehill has dominated Australian breeding & racing since he began his phenomenal shuttle career in 1990. He was Australian champion sire 5 times & champion sire of 2YOs 6 times over the last decade. He was champion sire of 2YOs in Britain & Ireland 3 times. He was both champion French sire & champion sire of French 2YOs in 2001. He was leading sire of Group winners in Europe last year with 13 winners of 24 races, ending a 6-year reign by Sadler's Wells. He is 2nd only to his Coolmore stablemate Sadler's Wells as the world’s leading sire of stakes-winners, with 212 from 11 crops of racing age. He sired his 14th Classic winner just last Sunday when his sons Clodovil & Catcher In The Rye finished 1st & 2nd in the French Gr1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) at Longchamp. He has sired 51 Gr1 winners globally. In Australia, he has had 610 starters for 448 winners, 108 stakes-winners & 36 Gr1 winners. His progeny include a record 5 Gr1 Golden Slipper Stakes winners (Danzero, Flying Spur, Merlene, Catbird & Ha Ha). Among his Australian Gr1 winners are: Danewin, Dane Ripper, Flying Spur, Redoute’s Choice, Bint Marscay, Merlene, Arena, Dashing Eagle, Catbird, Nothin’ Leica Dane, Danendri, Ha Ha, Danzero, Arlington Road, Magical Miss, Camarena & Mr Murphy. His European stars include: Rock Of Gibraltar, Banks Hill, Mozart, Aquarelliste, Desert King, Tiger Hill, Indian Danehill & Danehill Dancer. He sired 13 runners recognised as champions throughout the world. His progeny have won more than $164 million prize-money world-wide. His progeny include a world record of more than 200 stakes-winners. He has more than 60 sons at stud around the globe: including Gr1 sire sons Danasinga, Danehill Dancer (leading 2nd season sire in Europe last year), Danewin, Danzero & Flying Spur. Danehill accounted for 23.6% of the 2003 Inglis Easter yearling sale gross of $55,153,000 with 38 yearlings sold at an average $342,500; 14 of the Top 20 lots were by Danehill & the pattern has been similar for the past 5 years. (May 14) $5 Million Darley Offer For Willowbend’s Sire Clang When you sire a Gr1 Golden Slipper winner from your debut crop, then sire the Gr1 AJC Derby winner a year later, you are a bona fide stallion star in the making. And it seems Sheikh Mohammad thinks so too. The astute owner of Darley has made a substantial offer to the shareholders of Clang (Bellotto-Sudden Impulse) believed to be worth around $5 million. "The shareholders have met & are currently discussing the offer," said Clang's current major shareholder & studmaster David Lucas of Willowbend Stud in Queensland. "And having spoken to just about all of them already, I can tell you it's 50-50." Darley wants a homebred to join its imposing roster of 10 European & American champions, & Clang seems the logical choice. He has that rare ability to upgrade his mares significantly & has done so covering mares of a lower calibre than those which he'd attract if he stood under the Darley banner. If he comes to NSW his service fee will rise from its current $13,500. When Lucas first purchased Clang from his racing owners Jack & Bob Ingham, he then on-sold a few shares at $10,000 per share. He kept most, however. This current massive offer means those shareholders would be selling their shares for $125,000 each - just 3 years down the track. "I had to borrow money to buy him,” recalled Lucas. "I was just starting out & he was a Gr2-winning juvenile with great bloodlines & I thought he'd succeed up here. It will be sad if he goes, because he has given Willowbend a great head-start & I'm grateful for that." Clang currently stands alongside Legal Opinion (Danehill-Summoned) & Coolmore shuttler Monashee Mountain (Danzig-Prospector's Delight). (May 14) Choisir Confirmed For UK Trip Newcastle trainer Paul Perry confirmed negotiations are "all but completed for Choisir to fly overseas & contest the Gr1 Jubilee Stakes in front the Queen" at the world famous Royal Ascot carnival in July. He told The Daily Telegraph: "Everything is basically in place now for us to go to England. At this stage Choisir will leave at the end of the month." Top sprinter Choisir (who won the Gr1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington earlier this year) will be the first Australian-trained horse ever to compete at Royal Ascot. Ironically fellow Australian Gr1-winning sprinter Belle Du Jour, currently being prepared in Britain by Irish trainer Dermot Weld, is also being aimed at this race. (May 14) Aust Horses Dominate HK Racing Australian-bred thoroughbreds comprise 36.6% of the current horse population in Hong Kong, but account for 48.9% of the winners at Sha Tin & Happy Valley reported Aushorse. Long-time Australian purchaser Apollo Ng cited the toughness of Australian horses as a prime factor for their on-going success abroad: “Australian horses stand up very well to the rigors of racing in HK. The firm surface of our track suits them & generally the distance of our races also suits them. I have had a lot of success with horses I have bought relatively cheaply here. The Australian market is a realistic market. The people are friendly & helpful. Once you know the market a little, you bid with more confidence.” (May 14) NZ Karaka Broodmare Sale Average Down 7.5% NZ’s National Broodmare Sale at Karaka produced an aggregate of NZ$2,106,150 (last year NZ$2,049,400) for 239 lots sold (last year 215) at an average NZ$8,812 (last year NZ$9,532) with a 75% clearance rate. Highest price of NZ$150,000 was paid by Brent & Cherry Taylor of Trelawney Stud at Cambridge for Quintilla, a 4YO daughter of Danehill (from Quinsigimond by Formidable). Top 10 Broodmare Prices 1. NZ$150,000. Quintilla (by Danehill). Positive to Zabeel. 2. NZ$115,000. Mer Du Sud (by Bluebird) Positive to Montjeu. 3. NZ$105,000. Go Zoff (by Zoffany). Positive to Black Minnaloushe. 4. NZ$95,000. Rose Adagio (by Sadler’s Wells). Positive to Pins. 5. NZ$90,000. Dopff (by Tights). Positive to Fantastic Light. 6. NZ$85,000. Easter Joy (by Sir Tristram). Positive to Cape Cross. 7. NZ$65,000. Marscade (by Marscay). Positive to Stravinsky. 8. NZ$52,000. Bandwidth (by Spectrum). Positive to Flying Spur. 9. NZ$50,000. Sea Island (by Woodman). Positive to Align. 10. NZ$50,000. Trizeel (by Zabeel). Positive to Cape Cross. Leading Buyers Of Broodmares 1. NZ Bloodstock as agent. 29 Lots. NZ$500,900. 2. Tony Bott, Motto Farm, NSW. 12 Lots. NZ$316,500. 3. Trelawney Stud, Cambridge. 1 Lot. NZ$150,000. 4. Richard Moore, Auckland. 1 Lot. NZ$105,000. 5. Bruce Perry Bloodstock, Masterton. 1 Lot. NZ$95,000. Leading Vendors Of Broodmares (By average, 3 or more sold.) 1. Wentwood Grange, Cambridge. 5 Sold. Average NZ$43,600. 2. Bloomsbury Stud, Matamata. 3 Sold. Average NZ$32,117. 3. Karaka Downs, Auckland. 6 Sold. Average NZ$29,167. 4. Cambridge Stud, Cambridge. 11 Sold. Average NZ$23,727. 5. Haunui Farm, Auckland. 5 Sold. Average NZ$21,500. Leading Vendors Of Broodmares (By aggregate.) 1. Cambridge Stud, Cambridge. 11 Sold. Aggregate NZ$261,000. 2. Wentwood Grange, Cambridge. 5 Sold. Aggregate NZ$218,000. 3. Waikato Stud, Matamata. 30 Sold. Aggregate NZ$175,900. 4. Karaka Downs, Auckland. 6 Sold. Aggregate NZ$175,000. 5. Trelawney Stud, Cambridge. 11 Sold. Aggregate NZ$170,750. (May 14) US$135,000 Gentlemen Filly Tops Barretts Sale Day-1 The Chaiken Family Trust & Fred Sahadi purchased a daughter of Gentlemen for US$135,000 to top the 1st session of the 2-day Barretts May 2YOs-In-Training sale, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Consigned by Becky Thomas’s Sequel Bloodstock (as agent), the chestnut filly is out of the stakes-placed winning It’s Freezing mare Queen Of Fairway. Overall 113 juveniles were sold for gross receipts of US$2,721,100 (last year US$3,485,000 for 117 sold) at an average US$24,081 (down 19.2% on last year’s US$29,786). Top priced colt was US$115,00 paid by Bruce Headley (as agent) for Red Rock East (consigned by Jerry Bailey Sales Agency as agent), a son of Holy Bull out of Gr2-placed stakes-winning Naevus mare Silken Magic. (May 14) Aushorse Proposes Changes To NSW BOBS Aushorse has provided “a comprehensive proposal to the NSW Thoroughbred Racing Board to substantially enhance BOBS 2006.” Aushorse BOBS sub-committee chairman Antony Thompson explained: “We see our proposal, which has significant modifications to the existing incentive scheme, as a starting point to achieve the TRB’s stated primary objective of encouraging participation in racing in NSW & increasing the interest & viability of racehorse ownership in NSW. But we believe the TRB must fully pursue opportunities for State Government involvement & contribution, as well as commercial opportunities such as the sale of sponsorship & naming rights, & a skins or jackpot element to the bonus, or an increase in bonus payments from the proposed surplus.” A significant feature of the Aushorse proposal is to include broodmare owners, whose nomination fees will ultimately replace fees currently payable by racehorse owners to ensure eligibility. Thompson noted: “In other states we’ve seen a tremendous willingness by broodmare owners to participate in incentive schemes & we believe this element of our proposal has the potential to further enhance our industry in NSW, by encouraging broodmare owners to raise their foals here.” (May 14) Aushorse Proposal In Detail The Aushorse proposal suggests a foal born in 2004, sired by a stallion whose progeny are eligible for BOBS, is to be eligible for nomination by the breeder/nominator, with a breeder/nominator fee to replace the owner nomination fee, & to be split into 2 categories: (a) NSW Raised: If the foal resides in NSW for 6 continuous months during the period (which commences when the foal was born & expires on 1 February 2006), a $330 (inc GST) nominator’s fee is payable by 1 February 2006 for a 2004 foal. (b) Raised Interstate or Overseas: If a foal by a BOBS nominated stallion does not reside in NSW for 6 continuous months during the period (which commences when the foal was born & expires on 1 February 2006, a $1,100 (inc GST) nominator’s fee is payable for a 2004 foal by 1 February 2006. Under this amendment: racehorse owner nominations would cease once breeder nominations take effect in BOBS 2006; stallion nominators would contribute an estimated $1.83 million to BOBS 2006 & would receive 20% of the bonus (an increase from 12.5% offered in BOBS 2003); the racehorse owner would not have to make any payment to participate in the scheme & would receive 52.5% of the bonus, or about $4.2 million; the broodmare owner/nominator would pay either $330 or $1,100 (less than Super VOBIS) & would receive 20% of the bonus, as well as an extra $900,000 available under the Aushorse black type race element of the proposal. (May 14) Queensland Steward Sacking Branded ‘Keystone Kops’ Queensland Turf Club chairman Phil Sullivan has branded Monday’s shock sacking of chief steward Steve Railton “like something out of the Keystone Kops.” Sullivan told aapracingandsports.com.au: "Steve is a person whose integrity has never been in question. And if that is the case, why take away his livelihood? I've worked with Steve in a professional capacity & he's got great ability & his honesty is beyond reproach. I suspect there are other reasons for this & one could suspect there's been a power struggle.” Brisbane Turf Club chief executive Sean Kelk was also highly critical of the timing of the announcement: "It's appalling timing, with the first Gr1 race day (of the 2003 Brisbane Winter Carnival) ) being taken off the front pages." (May 14) $200,000 Inglis Scone Challenge All roads lead to Scone on Friday for the annual Scone Cup Day featuring the $200,000 Inglis Scone Challenge (for 2YOs sold at last year’s Scone & Sires’ Produce Yearling Sales). Rosehill trainer Tim Martin captured the race last year with Delusional (the bargain-priced son of Sir Laurence who fetched just $11,000 in the sale ring), subsequently sold to race in Asia & has gone on to several top sprint wins in Singapore (including the Paititi Gold Trophy) & amassed over $300,000 prize-money. Final acceptance is at 9am this morning, with the likely field to include: Crowned Lady (N.Dawson); Akraam (G.Rogerson); Classy Dane (P.Dombkins); & Sacrare (B.Lockwood). (May 14) Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association Scone Yearling Sale Then on Sunday (May 18) follows the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association Scone Yearling Sale conducted by William Inglis at White Park. Sires represented at Scone this year include: Arena, Beautiful Crown, Canny Lad, Catbird, Commands, Desert Prince, Encosta de Lago, Flying Spur, Lion Hunter, Quest for Fame, Real Quiet, Red Ransom, Secret Savings, Snippets, Strategic, Success Express & Xaar. Well related youngsters include: a half-brother to recent Gr3 winning filly Yvonne, by Spectrum; a half-brother to sprinter Feel The Noise by 1st crop sire Marquetry; a half-sister to smart WA stakes-winner Zoometric, by Danzero; a half-sister to stakes-winners Moongara & Our Lance by Loup Sauvage, from the grand producer Lion’s Gold; a three-quarter brother-in-blood to stakes-winner Seto Stayer, by Bellotto from Ranch Queen; a half-brother to speedster Blazing Reality by Catbird; & a half-brother to Malaysian stakes-winner Fire Phoenix II, by Fuji Kiseki from prolific producer Siloel. Other pedigree highlights include: a Spectrum colt from former champion NZ filly Burletta; a Redoute’s Choice colt from Gr3 winner Regal Sea; & a Bubble Gum Fellow filly from stakes-winner Adagietto. An impressive draft of 9 yearlings by Alanbridge Stud-based stallion Beautiful Crown. Half a dozen yearlings by young stallion Nothin’ Leica Dane (the Victoria Derby hero whose oldest progeny are now reaching maturity as 3YOs & being given their chance over the longer journeys). (May 14) Weanlings By Popular Sires At Milluna Stud Dispersal Meanwhile the unreserved dispersal of Jim O’Connor’s Milluna Stud next Tuesday (May 20) at One Tree Hill in South Australia, the day after the Adelaide Cup, includes a number of interesting broodmares & weanlings. In the broodmare section, mares by Royal Academy, Shareef Dancer, Raise A Native, Twig Moss, Sir Tristram, Cadeaux Genereux & Kenmare will be offered in foal to Testa Rossa, Saratoga Springs, Twining, Jetball & Made Of Gold. Among the weanlings, highlights include: Jeune (sire of SA Derby winner Mummify) filly from a Royal Academy half-sister to stakes-winner Double Honour; King’s Best half-brother to 7 winners, including Gr3 winner Mint Of Gold (King’s Best weanlings averaged $92,000 at the recent Sydney Weanling Sale); Red Ransom filly from La Linotte (Red Ransom yearlings sold up to $400,00 & averaged $151,000 at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale); Xaar colt from a 3/4 sister to Champion 2YO filly Ireland, Bezelle (Xaar yearlings averaged $129,286 at the Sydney Easter Yearling Sale); Singspiel filly from a Moonee Valley winning half-sister to Gr2 winner Mubtaker (Singspiel recently sired Dubai World Cup winner Moon Ballad); Saratoga Springs colt, a half-brother to Gr3 winner Gold Crystal. (May 14) Wyndham Special Aiming For Spring Zabeel Mating Smart Melbourne mare Wyndham Special (by Centaine) returned to form for her new owners, NZ Cambridge Stud proprietors Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan, with a win at Moonee Valley on the weekend. That took the Tony McEvoy-trained 5YO’s stake-earnings to almost $200,000. She will now be aimed at further filly & mare stakes races to put alongside her listed win in the VRC Cadbury Roses Stakes & 2nd in the Gr2 VATC Sandown Guineas. Hogan told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "I liked her as a good type of mare with some performance behind her. She can race through to the spring & then retire to Cambridge Stud & be mated with Zabeel." (May 14) European & US Gr1 Star Ridgewood Pearl Dies Ridgewood Pearl, winner of the 1995 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile over males & European high-weighted filly that year, died from haemorrhaging after producing a dead foal by Bahri (the horse who beat her in England’s 1995 Gr1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes), reported thoroughbretimes.com. The daughter of Indian Ridge out of Ben’s Pearl (by Tap On Wood) was 11 & has produced 5 foals, including 2 to race, both winners: Quest For A Star & Josh’s Pearl. She also has an unraced juvenile filly by Daylami named Sacred Pearl & an unnamed yearling colt by Rainbow Quest. Ridgewood Pearl’s loss to Bahri in the Queen Elizabeth ended a 5-race winning streak that included victories in the Irish Gr1 Airlie Coolmore One Thousand Guineas, English Gr1 Coronation Stakes & French Gr1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp; she duly avenged her only Gr1 loss with a win in the US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Belmont Park by 2 lengths. Owner-breeder Sean Coughlin told racingpost.co.uk: "It’s heartbreaking, but we’ll never forget the days we had traveling the world with her." And leading UK trainer John Oxx declared her "the best filly I’ve trained." Retired after her win in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Ridgewood Pearl won 6 of 8 starts & placed in her 2 other races, earning US$1,179,301. (May 14) Champion Chilukki Produces 2nd Storm Cat Foal Meanwhile Chilukki, Champion 2YO filly of 1999, has produced her 2nd foal, a dark bay filly by Storm Cat, at Stonerside Farm in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Chilukki’s other foal is a yearling colt by Storm Cat & Stonerside plans to breed her back to Storm Cat. Chilukki won 11 races (including 9 stakes) in her 17 starts for US$1,201,828 prize-money. Among her victories were the 1999 Gr1 Vinery Del Mar Debutante Stakes & a pair of track records at Churchill Downs: 4.5 furlongs in 51sec in her career debut & 1 mile in 1min 33.57sec winning the Gr2 Churchill Downs Distaff Handicap during her 3YO campaign. Stonerside purchased the daughter of Cherokee Run for US$875,000 at the 1999 Fasig-Tipton Florida 2YOs-In-Training sale. She is out of the winning Damascus mare Song of Syria. (May 14) US Millionaire Jostle's First Foal Also in the breeding barn, US millionaire Jostle (an Eclipse Award runner-up as top 3YO filly of 2000) has produced her first foal, a Storm Cat colt, reported bloodhorse.com. Troutt Racing bred the colt. (May 14) Poliglote Sires First South Hemisphere Stakes Winner Argentine-bred 2YO filly Dolly Wells, a comfortable winner of the Clásico Hernán Braun Page at Hipodromo Chile, became the 1st Southern Hemisphere stakes winner for the Sadler’s Wells stallion Poliglote, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Poliglote won 5 of 19 starts, including the 1994 Gr1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud & 3 other stakes races in France. Poliglote has now sired 55 starters for 30 winners & 3 stakes winners from 3 crops of racing age. Poliglote currently stands at Haras d'Etreham in Etreham in France & shuttled the past 3 seasons to Argentina & stood at Haras Firmamento (recipients of the 2001-02 Pellegrini Award as outstanding breeders). (May 14) Texas Freshman Sire Holzmeister Gains First Winner Multiple US stakes winner Holzmeister notched his 1st winner as a sire when Miss Meister won at her 1st start over 5 furlongs at Lone Star Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Holzmeister (a 9YO son of Woodman) stands at Millennium Farms in Texas. Miss Meister was his 5th starter from a crop of 29 2YOs; he also has 12 yearlings. Bred in Kentucky by Marilyn Fazio Seltzer, Holzmeister is out of the stakes-winning Danzig mare Harbour Club & won 5 of 17 career starts, including the 1996 Hawthorne Juvenile Stakes & Swynford Stakes. (May 14) First Winner For Freshman Sire Glitman Freshman sire Glitman, who stands in Puerto Rico, recorded his 1st winner when Voy a Caquas won on debut over 5 furlongs at El Comandante, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Glitman has 8 foals & 2 starters in his 1st crop of racing age. Bred in Florida, the 9YO son of Glitterman won 4 of his 10 starts, plus 2nds in both the 1997 Gr2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course & Gr2 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park. Glitman is out of the winning Star de Naskra mare Fair de Naskra. (May 14) First Winner For Cigar’s Half-Brother Sire Soltin Soltin, a half-brother to 2-time US Horse-Of-The-Year Cigar, recorded his 1st winner as a sire when 2YO daughter Thani won over 5 furlongs on the turf at Hipodromo Monterrico in Lima in Peru, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. An Argentine-bred 11-year-old son of Argentine champion Cautin, Soltin was 1 of only 3 foals produced in Argentina by the Seattle Slew mare Solar Slew, dam of Cigar & Mulca, a champion imported 3YO filly in Puerto Rico. Soltin was imported by Peruvian-based Haras Rancho Sur SA in 1998. (May 14) Florida Breeding Pioneer Elmer Heubeck Dies At 85 Elmer Heubeck junior, a pioneer in the Florida thoroughbred breeding industry, has died from a heart condition aged 85, reported bloodhorse.com. A Maryland horseman & graduate of the University of Maryland in 1939, Heubeck moved his family to Florida in 1945 to manage Carl Rose's Rosemere Farm, the 1st established thoroughbred farm in the Ocala area. He subsequently purchased his own operation Quail Roost Farm in 1958. “In the 1950s, Rose & Heubeck's novel approach of taking a group of horses from Ocala to Hialeah late in their yearling year & selling them was the foundation for today's 2YOs-In-Training sales,” noted bloodhorse.com. Heubeck subsequently went to work with New York financier Jack Dreyfus in the early 1960s & helped develop his Hobeau Farms “into a national powerhouse”; its stakes winners included Beau Purple (who beat Kelso 3 times in major stakes) plus Onion & Prove Out (who each beat Secretariat in 1973). (May 14) UK National Stud’s Arthur Kershaw Dies Suddenly Arthur Kershaw, head stallion man at the UK National Stud since 1987, has “died suddenly at his home on the stud” aged 51, reported racingpost.co.uk. Kershaw (a former jockey who served his time with Toby Balding before weight problems ended his saddle career) originally went to Tedfold Stud as a stallion man, where he looked after 1973 English Derby winner Morston. In 1984 he joined the National Stud & one of the 1st stallions he took charge of was Morston’s brother & 1969 English Derby winner Blakeney, who stood alongside Mill Reef, Grundy & Star Appeal. Kershaw worked under the stud’s long-term head stallion man George Roth, whom he succeeded. Stallions to receive Kershaw’s attention included Rousillon, Petoski, Suave Dancer, Rock City, Master Willie, Final Straw, Air Express, First Trump, Bahamian Bounty, Golden Snake & Silver Patriarch. (May 14) Fire Kills 22 Horses In Ontario Stable A major fire has destroyed a barn & killed 22 thoroughbreds at Woodlands stud farm & training center, north of Woodbine, in Ontario in Canada. Woodlands proprietor Gail Wood told The Sports Network that, as flames engulfed the building, 4 other horses were rescued from the blaze. All of the horses killed in the fire were racehorses; most had yet to start. "Almost all of them were 2YOs, ready to go to the track," said Wood. The Ontario Fire Marshall's office is continuing an investigation into the cause of the fire. (May 14) Denmark’s Best Ever Horse Heads For Royal Ascot Dano-Mast, officially rated the best horse trained in Denmark in more than 30 years of the International Classifications, is heading for England’s Royal Ascot & the Gr1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on June 18. Trainer Flemming Poulsen’s 7YO son of Unfuwain finished 10th (in the field of 16) behind Sulamani in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March. Poulsen told racingpost.co.uk: “The next fortnight will be critical. He was very skinny when he came back from Dubai & we have had to be patient with him. But if he continues to thrive & shows me he is back to his best form, we will go to England.” Poulsen (who is investigating a permanent move to France) trains in an old-style 17-box yard on the edge of Klampenborg racecourse in Copenhagen, where he had to contend with record sub-zero temperatures while preparing Dano-Mast for the Dubai World Cup fixture. “It was very difficult, but the owner was very keen to go to Dubai,” Poulsen explained. “He took time to acclimatise to the heat & I don’t think he was at his best in the race.” Dano-Mast, who would be the first Danish-trained runner at Royal Ascot, accumulated last year’s international rating of 115 (Timeform marked him at 120) by winning the Prix Dollar at Longchamp & finishing a half-length 3rd in the Hong Kong Cup. (May 14) France-Galop Boss Declares Betfair Move ‘Against The Law’ Betfair's move to open markets on French racing televised by Britain’s Attheraces TV channel has led Louis Romanet, director-general of France-Galop, to warn the controversial betting exchange was acting "against the law", reported racingpost.co.uk. The Pari-Mutuel (French equivalent of the UK Tote) has signed a deal with Attheraces which allows viewers to bet into the betting pools in France from last Sunday. While Betfair’s director of communications Mark Davies said they would pay their "fair share" back to the French industry, Romanet & Bertrand Belinguier (president of the PMU) insisted they had had no contact with the firm. Romanet told Britain’s racingpost.co.uk: "We are not going for the small percentage as it would give the impression we are encouraging a foreign betting organisation to launch illegal betting in France. We must not give the impression that France Galop is encouraging French punters to bet between themselves outside of the Pari-Mutuel. We have to be very clear: this sort of business is against the law in France, so far. Encouraging Betfair to do business in France would put us in a very difficult position. What is legal in your country is not always legal in ours. We have sold the pictures to Attheraces & have a partnership with them. But we have no deal with Betfair. We did not have any contact whatsoever with Betfair.” But Davies retorted that, as far as they were concerned, there were no legal restraints on them offering markets on French racing: "I think they (the French authorities) are concerned we will target French users. We are not. We are just letting our existing database, which is 85% UK-based, know they can bet on French racing.” (May 14) Jockey Chris Munce Charged By Stewards Racing NSW stewards yesterday asked high-profile jockey Chris Munce to answer a charge in connection with “failing to take all reasonable & permissible measures” - under AR135(b) - when riding the Paul Perry-trained Romeo George at Sydney’s Canterbury Park on May 5. Munce has been granted an adjournment to prepare his defence. A letter signed by part-owner Michael Newton & presented to stewards, described the ride as "bitterly disappointing". (May 13) Queensland Stewards Boss Steve Railton Sacked Queensland Racing’s board of directors yesterday announced the shock abolishment of 11 positions, including chairman of stewards Steve Railton. Being created instead are a new Integrity Manager (to oversee all integrity related functions) & a Metropolitan Chief Steward (to control metropolitan meetings). Queensland Racing chairman Bob Bentley said: "The redundancies resulting from the abolishment of these positions are not reflective of the integrity or performance of the stewards or other people involved. These tough decisions have been made by the Board to ensure the industry’s peak body is lean, accountable & responsive to the needs of its stakeholders. The restructure will save in excess of $2 million in operating costs, building on the $1 million shaved off the QRB budget as a result of action taken by the Board after it took control last year.” Other positions affected by the re-structure include Chief Financial Officer, Legal Adviser & Regional Operations Manager. However Railton told racenet.com.au: "I'm very upset by what has happened. I am bitterly disappointed that my 28 years of service with the Queensland racing industry has been terminated in such a fashion. I also feel for the other members of staff who have been cast aside today.” (May 13) NZ Weanling Sale Gross & Average Fall NZ Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale concluded yesterday with 243 weanlings sold for NZ$1,386,400 (last year NZ$2,033,250 for 266 lots sold) at an average NZ$5,705 (last year NZ$7,644). The clearance rate was an excellent 81%. General Manager of Bloodstock & Marketing Julia Naismith summed up: “NZ Bloodstock & our vendors were generally relieved & satisfied with the results achieved & I know many were delighted with the stronger than expected demand that prevailed over the 2 days. The obvious preparedness of buyers at both ends of the price spectrum to invest in weanlings provided a distinct vote of confidence in the expected future health of the bloodstock market in this part of the world.” Top 5 Weanling Prices 1. NZ$105,000 Zabeel-Lake Louise (Kings Lake) colt. 2. NZ$50,000 Chief Bearhart-Showboat (Imposing) colt. 3. NZ$47,500 Pins-Zabest (Zabeel) colt. 4. NZ$32,500 Danasinga-Star Trek (Star Way) colt. 5. NZ$32,000 Danasinga-Top Dance (Brilliant Invader) colt. Leading Weanling Buyers By Aggregate 1. New Zealand Bloodstock as agent. 14 Purchased. Aggregate NZ$224,050. 2. Karapiro Bloodstock, Cambridge. 10 Purchased. Aggregate NZ$112,850. 3. Riverslea Farm, NSW. 5 Purchased. Aggregate NZ$102,500. 4. Bill Benson, NSW. 3 Purchased. Aggregate NZ$60,000. 5. Paul Willetts, Auckland. 3 Purchased. Aggregate NZ$59,000. Leading Weanling Sires By Average (3 or more sold) 1. Danasinga. 8 Sold. Average NZ$17,438. Top NZ$32,500. 2. O’ Reilly. 9 Sold. Average NZ$15,083. Top NZ$30,000. 3. Carnegie. 3 Sold. Average NZ$13,333. Top NZ$15,000. 4. Pins. 7 Sold. Average NZ$13,164. Top NZ$47,500. 5. Cullen. 6 Sold. Average NZ$10,667. Top NZ$24,000. Leading First Crop Weanling Sires (3 or more sold) 1. Cullen. 6 Sold. Average NZ$10,667. Top NZ$24,000 2. Almutawakel. 3 Sold. Average NZ$8,917. Top NZ$14,000. 3. Align. 4 Sold. Average NZ$8,063. Top NZ$13,500. 4. City On A Hill. 9 Sold. Average NZ$6,083. Top NZ$16,000. 5. Desert Fox. 4 Sold. Average NZ$5,900. Top NZ$8,000. Leading Weanling Vendors By Aggregate 1. Curraghmore Stud. 21 Sold. Aggregate NZ192,450. 2. Haunui Farm. 16 Sold. Aggregate NZ$124,700. 3. Waikato Stud. 11 Sold. Aggregate NZ110,850. 4. Wentwood Grange. 2 Sold. Aggregate NZ$106,200. 5. Java Lodge. 21 Sold. Aggregate NZ$86,700. Leading Weanling Vendors By Average (3 or more sold). 1. Walnut Hills Farm. 3 Sold. Average NZ$19,333. 2. Esker Lodge. 4 Sold. Average NZ$13,450. 3. Glenmorgan. 5 Sold. Average NZ$11,810. 4. Brookby Heights. 3 Sold. Average NZ$10,667. 5. Lyndhurst Farm. 7 Sold. Average NZ$10,407. (May 13) Windsor Park Announces 2003 Service Fees NZ’s Windsor Park Stud has announced service fees for its 8 stallions standing in the 2003 season (all carrying a live foal guarantee & gst exclusive). Montjeu (Sadler’s Wells) NZ$30,000: World champion & 6-time Gr1 winner Montjeu returning for the 3rd consecutive season after covering an outstanding line-up of mares in the past 2 seasons; 1st crop foals have attracted many favourable comments from breeders when they arrived at stud farms around Australasia last spring. Volksraad (Green Desert) NZ$22,000: Champion NZ sire last season; currently leading arch rival Zabeel at the top of the 2002-03 sires’ premiership. Kaapstad (Sir Tristram) NZ$20,000 (book limited to 60 mares): 2nd to Danehill in Australasia for numbers of stakes winners last season & one of the most exciting broodmare sires of recent times. Black Minnaloushe (Storm Cat) NZ$17,500: Classic winner & leading European miler; by the world’s leading sire & sire of sires Storm Cat. Golan (Spectrum) NZ$12,500: Equal highest rated 4YO in the world in last year’s International Classifications; English 2000 Guineas winner as a 3YO, becoming the 1st horse since 1946 to win the race at only his second start; also won the King George in his seasonal debut last year. Star Way (Star Appeal) restricted book: Elder statesman on Windsor Park’s stallion roster; champion sire who recently recorded his 59th individual stakes winner. Danske (Danehill) NZ$7,500: Danehill’s exciting young sire son has emerged as one of the new stars of NZ stallion ranks, with 4 individual winners & 3 stakes horses including Gr1 place-getter Quite Astute. Casual Lies (Lear Fan) NZ$5,000: Sire of last week’s Gr3 Gosford Cup winner Silent Impact & this season’s exciting group winning 3YO Silky Red Boxer. (May 13) Flying Spur Winners Across Aust Arena Valadora became Flying Spur’s 11th stakes-winning colt & 23rd stakes-winner overall with his first-up win in the Listed VRC Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington on the weekend. In addition, Flying Spur 2YOs Tornado Alley & Our Spur became new black type performers for their sire on the weekend: Tornado Alley narrowly missed winning the Listed Ken Russell Memorial & Our Spur also finished a solid 2nd in the Listed VRC Gibson Carmichael Stakes. Flying Spur is now the sire of 2 stakes-winners 4 stakes-placed 2YOs this season & his juveniles have earned over $1 million in prize-money. In a big weekend, Flying Spur’s 5YO gelding Gold Class (ex Shavanno Miss) also won impressively over 1400m at the Gold Coast. Flying Spur will stand at Arrowfield Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley this coming season at $44,000 (inc GST). (May 13) Skilful Star Keeps Producing Winners Marscay sire Skilful Star gained his 2nd Guineas winner when 3YO gelding Tahitian Star (6 wins in 11 starts) won the Gold Coast Guineas on the weekend, noted racenet.com.au. Skilful Star’s oldest runners are now 6YOs & include Jade Prince (9 wins including the Gosford Guineas, Tamworth Prime Television Stakes & races in Sydney & Brisbane) & Silver Duke (5 wins & a Gosford Guineas 2nd). Skilful Star has also sired 4 winners in track record times, including Jade Prince (1400m at Tamworth) & Zepplin (equaled the Australian 1300m record at Eagle Farm). Like Jade Prince & Zepplin, Tahitian Star was bred by NSW Central Coast -Hunter Valley businessman Noel Mitchell, who also bred, raced & still owns Skilful Star (winner of 7 Sydney races in 20 starts). Skilful Star stands by arrangement with Mitchell at Stephen & Cheryl Miller’s Erin Park Stud near Tamworth for $3,300, alongside Youthful Legs (fee $3,000) & Lawyer ($5,500). (May 13) Le Zagaletta Passes $1 Million Prize-Money Last Tycoon’s 7YO son Le Zagaletta (a $230,000 buy at the 1997 Inglis Easter Sale) passed $1 million in prize-money with his win at Moonee Valley on the weekend. The snow white gelding has now won 11 races & added 17 placings for the Lee Freedman stable. Co-incidentally rookie apprentice jockey Michael Connick passed his own milestone aboard Le Zagaletta by landing his 1st metropolitan winner. (May 13) Weekend Winners Prove Bargain Investments Among other major sales company weekend winners across Australia were several bargain investments: 3YO Half Hennessy’s win in the Gr2 QTC Grand Prix meant NSW trainer Bede Murray’s $65,000 buy at the 2001 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale has won more than $500,000 from 20 starts. Prominent owner Nick Moraitis purchased now 6YO gelding Le Destina (Waajib-Double Your Bet) for $80,000 at the 1998 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale; his weekend victory in the Gr3 SAJC Carlton Draught Stakes at Morphettville in Adelaide for trainer Robert Smerdon means he has now won 3-in-a-row & returned $363,685 to date. Palladium Star (a $60,000 buy at the 1997 Inglis Easter Sale) finally notched his first stakes win in the Listed STC Civic Stakes at Rosehill to take his prize-money total to $350,470. Brilliant 3YO Mummify (Jeune-Cleopatra’s Girl), a $41,000 purchase by trainer Lee Freedman at the 2001 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, won the Gr1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville to take his tally to 3 wins & 9 placings in 16 starts for $594,700 prize-money. On Focus (Keltrice-Candid Camera), trainer Craig Curtis’s $8,000 bargain buy at last year’s Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale, notched her 4th stakes win at Morphettville in the Listed SA Stakes (1050m) to take her prize-money to $125,540. And when Oxford Dollar (Real Cash-Lady Morella) finished 3rd at Morphettville in the Gr3 Carlton Draught Stakes, the 7YO gelding who was passed-in for just $7,000 at the 1997 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale took his career earnings to $319,650. (May 13) Different Hemisphere ‘Shuttle Fees’ Highlighted Comparison of 2003 stud fees between the northern & southern hemispheres “reflects not only the generally lower level of the Australasian bloodstock market, but also the slightly different fashions of the regions,” summed up racingpost.co.uk in an analysis of the international market for shuttle sires. “Sires noted for speed & precocity have a buoyant Australian fee compared with their northern level, while stouter, ‘Classic’ sires take a greater fee drop on their travels.” Cited as “the most notable example of this” is Coolmore Australia’s Thunder Gulch, whose $22,000 Australian fee this southern spring is just 21.6% of his price at Ashford Stud In the US. It can also work the other way, “as Darley Australia’s fees for the shuttling stallions at its base at the former Kelvinside Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley demonstrate: Elusive Quality, sire of high-class 2YOs on both sides of the Atlantic in his 1st crop & rattling up the stakes performances again this time, has an Australian fee way in excess of his 2003 figure at Gainsborough in Kentucky.” It partly reflects the stallion’s good US results in the early months of this year, & also the fact that he has 4 stakes winners out of mares by Danzig-line stallions. “But basically his profile – precocity & speed, with a strong pedigree – has great appeal in Australasia,” noted racingpost.co.uk; his dam is a half-sister to Gold And Ivory, who stood in NZ. Of the 16 Coolmore stallions standing in Australia this season, 7 come from Ashford in the US, 8 from Coolmore Ireland & King Of Kings is at East Stud in Japan. Darley’s team also includes Japanese resident Carnegie. Both Coolmore & Darley are also sending stallions to NZ. Coolmore is yet to finalise its NZ list, but it is likely to include 2003 newcomer Golan. Darley is sending Bertolini & Cape Cross. (May 13) Vagabunda Wins Argentina Gr1 Gran Premio Jorge De Atucha Haras La Biznaga homebred 3YO filly South Vagabunda (Southern Halo-Vaga Toss, by Egg Toss) maintained her unbeaten record with a comfortable win in the Gr1 Gran Premio Jorge de Atucha (1500m) at Palermo reported thoroughbredinternet.com. South Vagabunda defeated Halo Ola (by Southern Halo) & Express Plus (by Alpha Plus). South Vagabunda has now won all 4 of her starts (3 at group level). She is a sister to Listed Clasico Leteo winner South Vagancia, & their dam Vaga Toss is a Group winner in Argentina. South Vagabunda's 3rd dam Vacacion won several stakes in Argentina including the Clasico General Franciso Bosch. (May 13) Diacasa Wins German Gr1 Henkel-Rennen Andreas Suborics rode Diacasa to a comfortable win over Shite Rose & Finora in Germany’s Gr1 Henkel-Rennen (German 1000 Guineas) at Dusseldorf reported aapracingandsports.com.au. (May 13) Another Group Winner For Chief Bearhart NZ’s Glenmorgan Farm champion stallion Chief Bearhart recorded a Gr2 victory in Japan when Marble Chief won the Kyoto Shimbun Hai over 2200m at Kyoto reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Chief Bearhart (the 6-time Gr1-winning US Breeders’ Cup Champion) has his 1st Southern Hemisphere crop currently appearing as weanlings. (May 13) William Inglis & Magic Millions Continue HK Winners Both major Australian thoroughbred sales companies William Inglis & Magic Millions continue to rack-up a production line of weekly winners in Hong Kong. In the last week: Inglis Graduates scored a treble at Sha Tin on the weekend, with victories by: 3YO Bowin (a $45,000 buy at the 2001 Inglis Premier Sale), whose Widden Stud-based shuttle sire Belong To Me has had considerable success in HK this season (with Amazing Victory, Grandway Shuttle, Czar of Prussia & Bowin, all Southern Hemisphere bred 3YOs); 6YO Royal Academy horse Lead To Win (a $55,000 purchase at the 1998 Inglis Breeze-Up Sale); & ever-green 7YO gelding Love On Earth (Cossack Warrior-Small Timer), an $85,000 buy at the 1997 Inglis Easter Sale, recorded his 6th win to take his prize-money past $470,000. Inglis graduates also scored a double at Happy Valley, with victories by: smart Thunder Gulch 3YO colt Thunder Man (a $135,000 buy at the 2001 Inglis Breeze-Up Sale), who has now won 3 of his last 4 starts, earning prize-money of $246,004; & 4YO gelding Top Of The Crown (Brocco-Enchantor, by Bletchingly), who was a $25,000 bargain purchase at the 2000 Inglis Premier Sale. Meanwhile Magic Millions graduates notched a treble under the lights at Happy Valley with impressive wins by: bloodstock agent Bryan Muschialli’s 1998 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $25,000 purchase Ace of Pace (a son of Emirates’ Victorian sire Snaadee); 2YO Noble Hero (Snippets-Fidelia, by Biscay), a $62,500 buy at the MM Gold Coast Horses-In-Training sale; & $90,000 2001 Adelaide MM Yearling Sale purchase Thunder Man (Thunder Gulch-Poetique) ridden by expatriate SA jockey Dwayne Dunn. And Magic Millions graduates also recorded a winning double at Sha Tin with former smart Australian gallopers Prime Witness & Crocker both successful in HK$1.6 million (A$318,000) races for expatriate South Australian trainer David Hayes: Prime Witness (evergreen son of former outstanding sprinter Euclase & a $57,500 purchase for leading Queensland-based bloodstock agent John Foote at the 1998 MM Adelaide Yearling Sale) won over 1400m for Dwayne Dunn to take his prize-money total to HK$3 million (A$600,000); & the former Bill Mitchell-trained gelding Crocker (Darbonne-Noble Prowess), who was originally purchased by Mitchell for just $17,000 at the 2000 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale, won over 1650 metres to take his prize-money total to HK$3.4 million (A$680,000). (May 13) NZ Jockey Michael Walker Seeks HK Extension Top NZ apprentice Michael Walker has applied for a 12-month extension to his riding licence in Hong Kong, reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. Walker originally went to HK on a 3-month contract. He will find out next week whether or not his application for an extension has been granted by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. (May 13) US Jockey Perry Compton Lands 3,000th Winner US jockey Perry Compton, a 34-year veteran in the irons, landed his 3,000th career win at Prairie Meadows Racetrack when he piloted 3YO filly Perfect Moment to victory. He told thoroughbredtimes.com: "You don’t worry about numbers. You get them one at a time." Compton, 50, is the 109th jockey to reach the 3,000-win mark. He was born in South Dakota & began his riding career in 1969. He is currently 15th on the US 2003 jockeys table & boasts a winning percentage of 31% (2nd only to Russell Baze, who is currently winning at 32%). (May 13) US Jockey Roberto Gonzalez Notches 3,500th Win And fellow US jockey Roberto Gonzalez posted his 3,500th career victory when 5YO gelding Tiger Slew won at Bay Meadows Race Course. The 48-year-old Gonzalez has been riding for 28 years, mostly in North Carolina, & told thoroughbredtimes.com: "Many times I didn't think I could go this far. I was happy when I hit 3,000. But then I got hurt a couple of times. Last year I never felt comfortable riding, but now I feel good. I’m winning races & getting better horses." (May 13) Equine Abortion Rate Continues To Decline In Kentucky The equine abortion rate in Kentucky continued its downward trend, based on figures released yesterday by the University of Kentucky's Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center reported bloodhorse.com. Through the first week of May, the LDDC had received 406 aborted fetuses for evaluation compared to 697 in 2002. For the 1st week of May alone, the number was only 12 this year compared to 93 last year. The University is tracking & releasing abortion figures because of on-going concerns about Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome. (May 13) NZ Jockey Trudy Thornton Returns To Saddle 1 Month After Child Birth Tuesday Devotion-To-Duty Award: Just a month after giving birth to her 3rd child, NZ jockey Trudy Thornton is planning her return to race riding reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Thornton has been back riding trackwork for over a week, after making a rapid recovery from the caesarean birth of her son Benjamin. She expects to ride at next week's Avondale trials & make a race-day return about a week after that. (May 13) Belle Du Jour’s UK Ascot Campaign ‘Under Review’ Australian multiple Gr1 sprint star Belle Du Jour's participation at England’s Royal Ascot “is under review as our negotiations with Royal Ascot have been most disappointing,” confirmed part-owner John Singleton’s Australian manager Garry Charny this morning. “Since last November they have been encouraging & cajoling us to race Belle Du Jour in the Gr1 Golden Jubilee Stakes. Nick Cheyne from Royal Ascot even flew to Australia to try & get Australian horses over to Ascot for their carnival. All the usual inducements were offered. Far be it for us to cry poor, but racing horses overseas is incredibly expensive & we are trying to run a commercial racing & breeding venture. Having made the decision to race at Ascot, we decided to give the horse a realistic chance. So we sent her to Dermot Weld to train & plan a proper campaign. It would have been impossible for Clarrie Conners (Belle Du Jour’s Australian trainer) to take 4 months off & supervise her in the UK. We were then informed by Ascot that if Belle was trained by Dermot, she was no longer considered an Australian horse! Further, they would only help with the costs for hit-&-run visits. Can you imagine the Golden Slipper winner, owned by John Singleton, not being an Australian horse?” In relation to the hit-&-run visit, Charny has written the following note to Ascot officialdom: "It is paradoxical that you wish to encourage the best horses in the world to race at your meetings, but you do not wish to give them the best chance of success. We have learnt through bitter experiences that hit-&-run missions rarely pay dividends. It appears that you would like us to travel half-way around the world, compete & do well, but not too well. That is most unfortunate. As I have said before, both Dubai & Melbourne are happy to allow other subsidised horses to have multiple starts in order to give them the greatest chance of success". Charny summed up: “The whole experience has left a bitter taste in the mouth. Maybe they haven't forgiven us for the Ashes. We'll probably run & hopefully Belle will cover herself in glory. If she does, I can hardly wait for the post-race interview!” (May 12) Uproar Follows Mystery Photo Of Winning Kentucky Derby Jockey For 24 hours over the weekend the US racing industry was abuzz with potentially its biggest scandal in decades: it was announced that Jose Santos, who rode Funny Cide to victory in last week’s Gr1 Kentucky Derby, was being investigated after a newspaper photograph apparently showed something besides his whip in his hand as he crossed the finish line. Stewards at Churchill Downs confirmed they had begun an investigation after the photograph was published in The Miami Herald. The photo appeared to depict a dark area in the space between Santos' hand & whip, & (amid hints of a potential battery scandal) the newspaper reported that Santos explained he was carrying a “cue ring to call the outriders." However Santos yesterday told the US Daily Racing Form that The Miami Herald misunderstood him (Santos is from Chile & speaks English with a heavy accent) & that the object was a "Q-ray" bracelet he wears for arthritis. Funny Cide's angry trainer Barclay Tagg declared the whole controversy "absurd" & told thoroughbredtimes.com that New York Racing Association president Terry Meyocks had blown the picture up & "it is clear as day. You can see right through his whole hand. You can see the colours & horse's ear. I don't know what they're talking about. They're nuts." (May 12) Damien Oliver Wins Stakes Race In Japan Australian jockey Damien Oliver had a successful weekend in Japan with a winner (Try One's Luck) on Saturday, followed by victory in his first Japanese stakes race (on 12-1 shot Hishi Fair Lady) in the Listed Wakaayu Sho over 1400m on Sunday, reported racenet.com.au. (May 12) Mummify Wins Gr1 South Australian Derby The Lee Freedman trained 3YO gelding Mummify (Jeune-Cleopatra's Girl, by At Talaq), ridden by Danny Nikolic, won the $300,000 Gr1 South Australia Derby (2500m) at Morphettville in Adelaide from Vicksburg (by Thunder Gulch) & Lord Woburn (by Groom Dancer). Freedman bought Mummify for just $41,000 at the 2001 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Mummify’s sire Jeune (who stands at Lindsay Park Stud in South Australia) won the 1994 Melbourne Cup (3200m) & At Talaq won the 1986 Melbourne Cup. In recent weeks Mummify had run: 2nd in the Gr1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m); 3rd in the Gr1 AJC Derby (2400m) at Randwick; & most recently won the Listed Veuve Clicquot-Chairman's Stakes (2025m) at Morphetville last weekend. “Mummify traces directly to Cinna, inbred 3x3 to Quiver & the dam of NZ stallions Balloch, Beau Pere, Dink & Mr Standfast,” noted thoroughbredinternet.com. (May 8) Toast Of The Coast Gr2 Win Boosts Broodmare Value Top class filly Toast Of The Coast sent her broodmare value soaring when she won the Gr2 Yallambee Classic (1200m) at Morphettville in Adelaide. The daughter of champion Victorian sire Rory’s Jester was a $260,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling purchase in 2001; she has now totalled 4 wins & six placings from 15 race starts for $351,680 prize-money. Trainer Tony Vasil declared: “I guess she has turned out to be a real investment. I was lucky the owners gave me an open cheque book & I was able to choose them the best filly in the sale. Now she has added a Group win to her recent Sydney stakes win, she is probably worth at least $400,000 as a broodmare.” (May 12) $8,000 Bargain Wins 4th Stakes Race Meanwhile On Focus, the $8,000 bargain buy of last year’s Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale, notched her 4th stakes win at Morphettville when she took the SA Stakes (1050m). The filly, who has now earned $125,540, is trained at Morphettville by little known horseman Craig Curtis, who when not training horses works for Australia Post. The chestnut daughter of Keltrice was bred & sold in Adelaide by Magic Millions proprietor Rob Ferguson as part of the Torryburn Stud draft. (May 12) Palace Music’s 30th Stakes Winner Palace Music’s 5YO daughter Laurinel Argie became his 30th Stakes winner when she won the $301,000 Gr2 Prime Minister’s Cup (2400m) at the Gold Coast reported racenet.com.au. Palace Music was initially a shuttle sire at Segenhoe Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley, then in NZ & more recently has resided full-time at Eric Buttler’s Rangal Park Stud at Euroa in Victoria. The PM’s Cup victory was Laurinel Argie’s 11th win from 37 starts outings for over $400,000 prize-money & a massive return on the $12,500 originally paid for her at the Brisbane yearling sales. World-wide Palace Music has sired over 300 winners of more than $42 million; his 2 best progeny have been Cigar (US Horse-Of-The-Year with 19 wins, including 16 straight, & a then world-record prize-money just under US$10 million) & Naturalism (12 wins including the Gr1 AJC Derby & Gr1 Rosehill Guineas, plus a 2nd in the Gr1 Japan Cup). Besides Laurinel Argie, Palace Music was also represented on the weekend by Palladium Star, winner of the Listed Civic Stakes at Rosehill Gardens. (May 12) Flying Spur Winners From 1200m To 2400m Flying Spur “is certainly proving a very versatile stallion,” noted racenet.com.au. A week after his 3YO son Wool Zone won the Listed WA St Leger (2400m) at Ascot in Perth, the David Hall-trained Arena Valadora took the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington in Melbourne. The 4YO gelding Arena Valadora (Flying Spur-Palm Beach, by Logical) notched his 6th win in 12 starts. He is the 3rd foal & 2nd winner of imported Argentinean mare Palm Beach, a Gr1 placegetter in her homeland before her importation, where she added the Listed SAJC City Of Adelaide Handicap & Listed Morphetville Sprint Stakes to her record of 5 wins. Her sire Logical was a stakes winner of 9 races in the US. The 16-year old Palm Beach has been through the sale ring 3 times in the last 5 years: most recently at the 2002 Easter Broodmare Sale where she was purchased by G & J.Hayes for $20,000 in foal to Sadler’s Wells stallion King Of Kings. She has since produced a filly & was served last season by Barathea’s Gr1-winning son Easy Rocking. (May 12) First Aust Stakes Winner For Victory Note’s $4,500 Bargain Victory Note, which shuttled to Queensland’s Willowbend Stud from Coolmore’s Kilsheelan Stud in Ireland for 3 seasons (1999-2001), sired his 1st Australian stakes winner when 2YO filly Victory Grove (Victory Note-Eden Grove, by Kala Dancer) won the Listed Ken Russell Memorial Classic at the Gold Coast, reported racenet.com.au. A bargain $4,500 purchase by trainer & part-owner Jim Herriot at the 2002 QBBS Classic Yearling Sale, Victory Grove is the 6th foal & 4th winner from Eden Grove, a daughter of 1982 Gr3 VATC Debutante Stakes winner Fairy Ribbons (by Le Cordonnier). Victory Note was Europe’s leading 1st crop sire in 2002, where his 16 winners included Gr3 Cornwallis Stakes victor Peace Offering. A son of Fairy King, on the track Victory Note started 9-times in 2 seasons of European racing for victories in the 1998 French Gr1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp, & Gr3 Greenham Stakes & Listed Rose Bowl Stakes both at Newbury in England. Victory Note (Fairy King-Three Piece, by Jaazeiro) now stands alongside former Arrowfield Stud stallion Kendor (Kenmare-Belle Mecene, by Gay Mecene) at Haras de la Reboursière et de Montaigu in France. (May 12) 3 Gr2 Wins In a Week For Independent Stallion Station When Gooree Pastoral Company’s 5YO gelding Bush Padre won the weight-for-age Gr2 Norco-A.D.Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast, he became the 3rd Gr2 winner in 7 days sired by stallions standing at Victoria’s Independent Stallion Station reported racenet.com.au. Bush Padre (Redding-Candy Bird, by Slant) now has 11 wins, 5 2nds & 1 3rd from 34 starts with $717,700 prize-money. Bush Padre comes from the 2nd crop of 1992 Victorian Derby winner Redding (by Nassipour), who has sired 52 winners with earnings of $2.5 million: as well as Bush Padre, they also include Flushed (Gr2 Sunline Stakes, Listed VRC Matriarch Stakes & Listed Let's Elope Stakes) & Bellonic (Listed SAJC St. Leger). Redding stands for $3,300 at the Independent Sallion Station, alongside Brief Truce (sire of the previous weekend’s Gr2 Queensland Guineas winner True Glo) & Dolphin Street (sire of outstanding sprinting mare Spinning Hill, who took her earnings past $2 million when winning the Gr2 T.J.Smith Stakes at Randwick). (May 12) Musical Chimes Wins French Gr1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches Owner-breeder Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum & Gainsborough Stud’s homebred 3YO filly Musical Chimes (In Excess-Note Musicale, by Sadler's Wells) won the French Gr1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) over 1600m at Longchamp ahead of Maiden Tower (Groom Dancer-Sawara, by Danzig) & Etoile Montante (Miswaki-Willstar, by Nureyev). “Musical Chimes is the 1st foal of her dam, a half-sister to Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte winner Bitooh & Listed winners Monaassabat & Air Dancer,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. “Musical Chimes' granddam It's In The Air won 5 Gr1 races & is the granddam of last year's Champion Stakes winner Storming Home. This is the immediate family of Oaks winner Balanchine.” Musical Chimes is the 2nd Classic winner for multiple Gr1-winner In Excess (by Siberian Express). (May 12) Danehill Scores Quinella In French Gr1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains Super sire Danehill notched the quinella when his 3YO colt Clodovil (Danehill-Clodora, by Linamix) won the Gr1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousands Guineas) over 1600m at Longchamp for his recently deceased owner-breeder Jean-Luc Lagardere. Clodovil defeated the fast-finishing Catcher In The Rye (Danehill-Truly A Dream, by Darshaan) & Krataios (Sabrehill-Loxandra, by Last Tycoon). Clodovil is unbeaten in 5 starts to date & follows Landseer last year as another winner of this Classic for Danehill. “Clodovil's dam Clodora was trained, like her son, by Andre Fabre to win the Gr2 Prix de l'Opera & she is by Lagardere's outstanding miler Linamix,” noted thoroughbredinternet.com. Multiple Champion sire Danehill (by Danzig) stands at Coolmore in Ireland. (May 12) Dalakhani Wins French Gr1 Prix Lupin The Aga Khan's homebred 3YO colt Dalakhani (Darshaan-Daltawa, by Miswaki) maintained his unbeaten record in yesterday’s Gr1 Prix Lupin (2100m) at Longchamp ahead of Super Celebre (by Peintre Celebre) & Alberto Giacometti (by Sadler's Wells). “Dalakhani is from the 2nd last crop of Prix du Jockey-Club winner Darshaan & is a half-brother to both Champion & multiple Gr1 winner Daylami & Daymarti,” noted thoroughbredinternet.com. (May 12) Belgian Jockey Soumillon Wins All 3 Gr1 Races At Longchamp Belgian jockey Christophe Soumillon emulated Britain’s John Murtagh’s hat trick at the 2000 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting by piloting the winners of all 3 Gr1 races on yesterday’s Longchamp card, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. And trainer Andre Fabre pulled off a French Guineas double with the Musical Chimes-Clodovil twin victories. (May 12) Rakti Wins Italian Gr1 Premio Presidente della Repubblica Last year's Gr1 Derby Italiano winner Rakti (Polish Precedent-Ragera, by Rainbow Quest) won the Gr1 Premio Presidente Della Repubblica (2000m) first-up at the Capannelle in Rome, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Rakti defeated Tigertail (by Priolo) & Altieri (by Selkirk). Now owned by Gary Tanaka, Rakti's granddam, the multiple stakeswinner Smageta, was placed in the Oaks d'Italia & Premio Lydia Tesio & is a half-sister to dual Italian Gr1 winner Svelt. Rakti is bred on the same cross as Gr2 winner Ryadian, both by multiple Gr1 winner Polish Precedent (by Danzig) who stands at Dalham Hall Stud at Newmarket in England. (May 12) Win Kruger Takes Japan Gr1NHK Mile Japan’s Gr1 NHK Mile was won by Win Kruger, giving the Devil’s Bag stallion Taiki Shuttle his first Gr1 success reported racenet.com.au. Burghclere (granddam of Win Kruger) is a full-sister to Height Of Fashion, the dam of Nashwan, Unfuwain & Nayef & a half-sister to Wily Trick, dam of recent Hong Derby winner Elegant Fashion (by Danewin). (May 12) Winner With 1st Starter For Strawberry Road’s Champion Daughter Ajina Strawberry Road’s champion daughter Ajina (1997 US champion 3YO filly & Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner), notched her 1st winner when her 1st foal 3YO colt Manchurian (by Deputy Minister) made a winning debut over 7 furlongs at Hollywood Park reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 9YO daughter of Strawberry Road has also produced an unraced 2YO Storm Cat filly named Ajina Cat & an unnamed 2003 filly by A.P.Indy. Bred by the late Allen Paulson, Eclipse Award winner Ajina earned US$1,327,915 with 7 wins, 3 2nds & 2 3rds in 17 starts; her victories included the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Distaff, Gr1 Mother Goose Stakes & Gr1 Coaching Club American Oaks, plus placings in the Gr1 Alabama Stakes, Gr1 Acorn Stakes & Gr1 Beldame Stakes. (May 12) US Gr2 Success For Arrowfield’s French Deputy And 3YO filly House Party, a daughter of Arrowfield Stud’s Deputy Minister stallion French Deputy, won the Gr2 US$200,000 Nassau County Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Belmont Park. House Party has started 9 times for 4 wins, 2 2nds & 2 3rds, with previous wins in the Listed Old Hat Stakes & Listed Legal Light Stakes. (May 12) 80% Clearance Rate But Low Prices At NZ Weanling Sale New Zealand Bloodstock’s 3-day National Weanling & Broodmare Sale began at Karaka yesterday with an 80% clearance rate among the 234 weanlings offered during the opening session. The top price was NZ$105,000 for a Zabeel-Lake Louise colt, with an aggregate NZ$830,300 (last year NZ$1,405,450) & an average NZ$5,125 (last year NZ$7,516). Leading buyer by aggregate was NZ Bloodstock as agent (8 purchased for NZ$163,400). Leading sire by average (3 or more sold) was Danasinga (3 sold for average NZ$15,667) & leading 1st crop sire (3 or more sold) was Almutawakel (3 Sold for average NZ$8,917). “Of great concern was the number of weanlings selling for NZ$100 & NZ$200,” reported racenet.com.au, “& the vast majority of 234 weanlings offered on the opening day made nowhere near their sires service fees let alone the production costs.” The 2nd weanling session continues today, followed immediately by the start of the 360-lot broodmare offering. (May 12) NZ$150,000 Volksraad Gelding Tops NZ 2YO Breeze-Up Sale NZ Bloodstock’s new Autumn Yearling & 2YO Sale began last Friday at Karaka. Highlight of the day was the 2YO Breeze-Up Session, where the average was just over NZ$30,000 with a clearance rate at 87%. (The bulk of this Breeze-Up session comprised the 18 2YOs originally destined for NZ Bloodstock’s Singapore Ready-To-Run Sale, usually held in early May but cancelled this year.) The top price of NZ$150,000 was paid by leading Australian bloodstock agent John Foote on behalf of a HK client for a Volksraad-Titania (by Grosvenor) gelding, who is a half-brother to Gr1 NZ Oaks placed filly Lady Annaliese (by Groom Dancer) & to stakes-placed 5-time winner Taitanium (by Kingdom Bay). Second top price was NZ$90,000 from Melbourne-based bloodstock agent Henry Plumptre, also on behalf of a HK client, for an O’Reilly-Petite Reason (by Sound Reason) gelding. As well as HK, buyers from Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Macau, Australia & NZ all purchased 2YOs. NZ Bloodstock’s Julia Naismith noted: “We were delighted to welcome some Korean clients who proved strong bidders on several of the 2YOs & ended up securing 4 horses.” The overall average was NZ$10,859 & aggregate NZ$1,324,800 from 122 lots sold at a 67% clearance rate. (May 12) Kentucky Derby Pointer For Adelaide Sale The last Australian yearling offering by champion former shuttle sire Distorted Humor looks set to attract attention at next Sunday’s (May 18) Magic Millions Adelaide Autumn Yearling & Thoroughbred Sale following the reigning American Champion Freshman sire winning last week’s Gr1 Kentucky Derby courtesy of Funny Cide. The Adelaide Sale offering is a chestnut filly half-sister to city winners Critical Road (Olympic Flag in Malaysia), Malpaso Man & proven city speedster Miss Vodka. From an internationally proven black type family, the Lakewood Stud yearling is also Super Vobis qualified. (May 12) AJC 2YO Race Changes The Australian Jockey Club has altered the structure of the 4 2YO races held during its spring carnival. AJC racing manager Colin Tuck explained: “These changes have been made in recognition of the changing nature of 2YO racing, whereby owners & trainers are tending to delay starting their horses in competition. We believe these changes will be beneficial to the industry overall & to owners & trainers preparing horses for the Magic Millions & Inglis Classic races.” The races affected are: Breeders Plate: was held on George Main Stakes Day, transferred to Epsom Day (October 4) & remains a race for colts; Gimcrack Stakes: was held on George Main Stakes Day, transferred to Metropolitan Day (October 6) & remains a race for fillies; Canonbury Stakes: was held on Epsom Day, transferred to Villiers Stakes Day (December 20), was for colts & is now open to both sexes; Widden Stakes: was held on Metropolitan Day, transferred to New Year’s Day, was for fillies & is now open to both sexes. (May 12) Victorian Jockeys To Benefit From New Super Scheme Racing Victoria, in conjunction with the Victorian Jockey’s Association & the Superannuation Trust of Australia, has announced the Jockey Retirement Fund Package – the first of a number of recommendations to be implemented under the Jockey Welfare ‘Riding for the Future’ program. Racing Victoria chairman Graham Duff said: “This package is the product of extensive research & analysis, & is a positive step in improving the welfare of all Victorian jockeys. The Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry is proud to be behind an increased effort to provide what will ultimately be a full package of assistance to the jockey profession. This is the first of a number of long overdue reforms.” The Jockey Retirement Fund Package consists of 2 investment funds which have been established to meet the retirement needs of jockeys: the Jockeys Super Benefit Scheme & the Jockeys Career Benefit Scheme. (May 12) Waikato Stud Fees For 2003 Waikato Stud has announced its stallion fees for the 2003 breeding season: O’Reilly NZ$22,000: On the strength of a growing list of high class performers, O’Reilly’s fee has climbed from NZ$7,500 in 2001 to NZ$15,000 last year & a further NZ$7,000 rise this season. His progeny record now includes Gr1 winners Final Destination & The Jewel, as well as NZ Derby runner-up Kajema, stakes-winners The Big Chill & Rare Insight, & others such as Black Muscat & Charlie Bub. Danasinga NZ$15,000: He has had another very successful season with 7 individual stakes winners. Pins NZ$9,000: His 1st crop yearlings sold up to NZ$140,000. Sudurka NZ$5,000: This is his 2nd season. Centaine: Waikato Stud’s rising 23-year-old stallion now has 57 stakes-winners (including 12 at Gr1 level) & will have a strictly limited book, with fee available on application. (May 12) Te Akau Trio Back in Work With Aust Plans The NZ Te Akau Stables star trio Maroofity (by Maroof), King’s Chapel (by King Of Kings) & Distinctly Secret (by Distinctly North) “have resumed work in preparation for spring racing” with the major Australian events firmly in their sights, reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: Maroofity, this season’s champion NZ 2YO after winning the Gr1 Ford Ellerslie & Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, will race in the early spring Hastings weight-for-age features before embarking on an Australian campaign; the Gr1 AJC Spring Champion Stakes & Gr1 VRC Derby are firmly on his agenda. King’s Chapel will remain in NZ for the Gr1 double NZ Two Thousand Guineas & Bayer Classic, before confirming possible Australian targets. And star stayer Distinctly Secret will again use the Gr1 Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings in late September as his main lead-up to a 2nd Melbourne Cup campaign. (May 12) Repent To Stand At Cloverleaf Farms In Florida Millionaire multiple Gr2 winning 4YO Repent (Louis Quatorze-Baby Grace, by Cipayo) has been sold by Jerry & Feye Bach’s Select Stable & will stand his first season in 2004 at Cloverleaf Farms in Florida, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Purchased for US$230,000 at the 2000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July selected yearling sale & trained by Ken McPeek, last year’s early favourite for the Gr1 Kentucky Derby strained a tendon in the Gr1 Jockey Club Cup at Belmont Park & retires with 5 wins & 4 placings from 10 starts (including victories in the Gr2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs, Gr2 Louisiana Derby & Gr3 Risen Star Stakes) & US$1,255,660 prize-money. (May 12) Former Florida Sire Jules Dies In Brazil Shuttle stallion Jules (Forty Niner-Bonita Francita, by Devil's Bag), who previously stood in Florida & is the sire of last week’s Gr1 Kentucky Derby 3rd-placed Peace Rules, has died at Haras Santa Maria de Araras in Brazil “after battling acute colic & laminitis in both front feet,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 9YO son of Forty Niner sired 11 stakes winners (including recent Brazilian Gr1 winner Must Be Flying) from 138 starters in his first 3 crops of racing age born in both the Northern & Southern Hemisphere. “Jules was a half-brother to French Gr1 Prix Morny winner Orpen & to the dam of Bluemamba (by Kingmambo), winner of the Gr1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr 1),” noted thoroughbredinternet.com. (May 12) US Gr1 Winner Pompeii Dies In Foal To A.P.Indy WinStar Farm’s Pompeii, winner of the 2001 Gr1 Personal Ensign Handicap at Saratoga Race Course, has been euthanised after breaking her shoulder in a paddock accident, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 6YO daughter of Broad Brush was in foal to A.P.Indy. (May 12) First Win For US Freshman Sire Alamocitos Oklahoma sire Alamocitos recorded his first winner when 2YO gelding Dashboard Drummer scored at Prairie Meadows reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Alamocitos, a 9YO son of Private Account, won two of 12 starts & is out of the unraced Hoist The Flag mare Raclette; he is a half-brother to Gr3 winner Tong Po & stakes winner Willamae. (May 12) First Stakes Win For US Sire Western Fame Fame Ina Minute won the Charlie Iles Derby at The Downs at Albuquerque on the weekend to earn the first stakes victory for his sire Western Fame, an 11-year-old son of Gone West, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. A winner of 8 races in 30 starts, Saud bin Khaled’s Western Fame stands at Applebite Farms in California. Out of the stakes-winning Topsider mare Fariedah, Western Fame has sired 95 foals of racing age, for 22 starters, 12 winners & 5 stakes-placers. (May 12) Sunday Joy Invited To Race In US John Singleton’s 3YO filly Sunday Joy (winner of the recent Gr1 AJC Oaks at Randwick) has been invited to run in the US$750,000 (A$1.18 million) American Oaks (2000m on turf) at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles on July 5. Singleton’s Australian manager Garry Charny told The Daily Telegraph: “Singo loves the challenge of international racing & he’ll give this American offer a lot of thought.” US officials are keen to develop the race into an international championship, with contenders from around the globe; already the connections of NZ filly Penny Gem (5th in the Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm last weekend) have expressed interest in the race if she is invited. (May 9) NZ Gr1 Mare Final Destination Retired Following US Injury Meanwhile dual NZ Gr1 winner Final Destination has been retired after suffering an injury in the US Gr3 Wilshire Handicap at Hollywood Park on April 27, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 5YO daughter of Last Tycoon stallion O’Reilly was knocked into the fence during the 1-mile Wilshire, but recovered & finished a gutsy 3rd; it was her 3rd start since arriving in the US from NZ & joining leading trainer Bobby Frankel’s barn. Final Destination has been sent to Lexington in Kentucky to be bred to Mill Ridge Farm stallion Gone West. Final Destination won 3 of 9 starts in NZ (including the Gr1 Bayer Classic & Gr1 NZ One Thousand Guineas), before being purchased by Edmund Gann & transferred to Frankel last year. She duly won an 8.5 furlong race at Hollywood Park in December & followed with a 11.5-length triumph in the 1-mile Gr2 Buena Vista Handicap at Santa Anita Park in February 17. Final Destination is the only foal to race from 2 foals of the unraced Sound Reason mare Logical Lady (a half-sister to Gr2 winner Society Beau). (May 9) Ustinov To Stand At NZ’s Brighthill Farm Victoria-based owner-breeders Dennis & Margaret Marks announced Ustinov (Seeking The Gold-Let’s Elope) will stand at Brighthill Farm stud in NZ’s Waikato region this spring. Dennis Marks told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: "We chose Brighthill Farm because of the enthusiasm & confidence which Nick & Anne-Marie King have shown in Ustinov.” The Marks will support Ustinov in his 1st season with a number of their own mares, including Gem's Box, Amyride, Saving, Took A Chance, Via Roma, Mrs Tendulkar & Golden Sand; last year these mares visited stallions of the quality of Encosta De Lago, Royal Academy, Canny Lad & Scenic. Ustinov’s regal breeding came after the Marks sent their outstanding racemare Let's Elope (winner of the 1991 Gr1 Caulfield & Gr1 Melbourne Cups, plus Gr1 Mackinnon Stakes & Gr1 Australian Cup & 1992 Australian Horse-Of-The-Year) to the US, where she performed with distinction with 3rd placings in the Gr1 Arlington Beverley D Stakes (she won this race but was relegated behind 2-time US Horse-Of-The-Year Flawlessly), Santa Anita Oak Tree Invitational Handicap & Del Mar Ramona Handicap. Let's Elope's first mating at stud in the US was with Danzig, followed by Storm Cat & then Seeking The Gold. Dennis Markes explained: "We got special permission from Seeking The Gold's owner Seth Hancock of Claiborne Farm to breed Let's Elope to Southern Hemisphere time. When Ustinov was born in Australia at Coolmore Stud it was the culmination of a dream for us." Ustinov's sire Seeking The Gold is one of the best sons at stud by legendary sire Mr Prospector; Seeking The Gold won 8 races during his career on the track (including the Gr1 Dwyer Stakes) & as a sire has produced 5 champions, 6 millionaires, 50 stakes winners, 35 Group winners, 83 stakes horses & the earners of US$52 million from 10 crops to race. Seeking The Gold is the sire of World Horse-Of-The-Year Dubai Millennium (9 wins & US$7.3 million) as well as Secret Savings, Eclipse Award winners Flanders & Heavenly Prize, as well as Seeking The Pearl. With 10% stakes winners from foals, Seeking The Gold is one of the Top 10 active sires in the world by life-time % of stakes-winners; his service fee at Claiborne Farm last year was US$250,000. Ustinov won the Gr2 AAMI Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley & finished 2nd or 3rd in 6 other group races as a 3YO at distances from 1200-2400m (including runner-up in both the Gr1 Caulfield Guineas & Champagne Stakes). Nick King summed up: "The arrival of Ustinov at stud marks the dawn of a new era in stallions in our part of the world - a horse conceived in the US with international pedigree & proven performance under Australasian conditions." Ustinov's fee for 2003 will be NZ$8,000 plus gst. (May 9) Savannah City Dies At Tyreel Savannah City, dam of HK trainer Ivan Allan’s $1 million Danehill colt purchase at the recent Inglis Sydney Easter sale, “has been put down because of a twisted bowel” reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Tyreel Stud manager John Vincent confirmed the mare could not be saved & noted: “We decided for the first time in Tyreel Stud’s history to bury the mare on the farm & we have arranged for a plaque to be installed in the garden patch over her grave.” Savannah City produced HK champion & $2.5 million prize-money winner Mr Vitality (through a mating with Snippets), as well as Rose Of War, Gunnamatta & Chui Chow Kid (winner of 10 HK races). (May 9) Latest Aust & NZ Handicapper Rankings Australian & NZ handicappers have released their latest rankings, reported The Sydney Morning Herald. 2YOs: Hasna 103; Maroofity 102; Polar Success 101; Roedean 101; Katana 99. 3YOs: Yell 113; Bel Esprit 112; Choisir 112; Helenus 112; Snowland 110; Clangalang 108; Bollinger 107. 4YOs & up: Northerly 124; Defier 120; Lonhro 117; Rubitano 116; Sunline 116; Freemason 115; Republic Lass 115; Grand Armee 111. (May 9) NSW TAB Calls On Racing Industry To Combine Against Bet Exchanges NSW TAB has called on the Australian racing industry to “throw its weight behind a bid to ban betting exchanges, which it says threaten the future viability of the industry,” reported The Australian Financial Review. In a letter from managing director Warren Wilson to Andrew Harding, chief executive of the Australian Racing Board, TAB called for support in lobbying government for a ban, noting: “We would have preferred not to be leading this debate, as many will see our position as ‘compromised’ as a competitor to Betfair & others in the marketplace. But as few others have stepped forward to voice a firm view, we have no choice.” It added betting exchanges are “a clever new bet mechanism, but with devastating effects on the funding of racing.” (May 9) Mark Read Joins Bidders For Centrebet Meanwhile Mark Read’s Darwin-based International All Sports “has joined the list of bidders for sports betting operator Centrebet, confirming that is was reviewing the information memorandum sent out by parent Jupiters,” reported The Australian Financial Review. “It is also understood a number of UK operators have expressed an interest in Centrebet, including Coral & Eurobet.” Centrebet, which derives much of its revenue from Europe, holds a UK licence. (May 9) 2003 Queensland Thoroughbred Stallion Expo At Magic Millions The Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale Complex at Bundall will be the official venue for the 2003 Queensland Thoroughbred Stallion Expo, conducted by the Queensland Owners & Breeders on Sunday July 20. Sponsored by the Queensland Thoroughbred Investment Scheme, the Expo will showcase Queensland stallions & include trade displays & industry seminars on horse reproduction, stallion selection, sale preparation & buying a yearling. (May 9) Waterhouse & Hawkes Aiming For Smith’s Sydney Record Trainers Gai Waterhouse & John Hawkes “only have to maintain their winning strike-rate at each metropolitan meeting for the rest of this season to shatter Tommy Smith’s Sydney record of 156 wins set in 1975-76,” reported The Daily Telegraph. Waterhouse currently leads the Sydney trainers’ premiership with 134 wins from Hawkes on 122.5 wins. And Sydney jockey Darren Beadman is also on record-breaking pace: he has ridden 114 winners & if he maintains his current strike-rate-per-meeting will finish on 145, breaking Larry Cassidy’s 1997-98 record of 139.5 wins. (May 9) Brown Confirms Asian Money Main Attraction To Aust Jockeys Meanwhile last year’s Sydney jockey premiership winner Corey Brown was asked why so many Australian jockeys are relocating overseas, particularly to the Asian racing regions? He told The Daily Telegraph: “ It’s simply a money factor. The prize-money is so good in places like Hong Kong. When you are riding in HK, you can earn 3 times as much as you do in Sydney & the tax rate is only 15%. That’s a massive incentive to go over there.” (May 9) Don Eduardo Arrives At Fayette Park Australasia's most expensive yearling Don Eduardo (the NZ$3.6 million yearling who went on to win the Gr1 AJC Derby at Randwick) received an official home-coming at NZ’s Fayette Park yesterday. Studmaster David Benjamin, appreciative of the decision by NSW’s Gooree Stud to allow Don Eduardo to stand at Fayette Park, told thoroughbrednews.co.nz: "It's great to have him back in NZ where he was bred at Cambridge Stud. Sir Patrick Hogan (Cambridge boss) said he was the 1 foal of all those he bred who most resembled his dad Zabeel." Benjamin added Don Eduardo would help to fill the huge gap left by the death of Fayette Park's champion sire Grosvenor (by Sir Tristram), who was put down in 2001 after a very successful career at stud. Andrew Baddock, representing Gooree Stud which bought Don Eduardo at the 2000 Karaka sales, said Gooree would be sending 20 mares across the Tasman to Don Eduardo in his 1st season & noted: "Mr Cojuangco (Gooree Park owner) will be getting right behind the horse to ensure he is successful at stud." (May 9) Hogan Sends Letter To Auckland Members Meanwhile leading NZ thoroughbred industry figure Sir Patrick Hogan has written a personal letter to members of the Auckland Racing Club, on the subject of the on-going Prices Road training track controversy & yesterday’s aborted special meeting of ARC members. Hogan’s letter is written “on behalf of the requisitioning members to express serious concern at the Notice of Meeting circulated for the now aborted 8 May meeting,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. This saga is generating plenty of angst within NZ north island racing circles. (May 9) Najran Equals North American Mile Record Buckram Oak Farm’s speedy Najran equalled a record that has stood for 35 years won he ran 1 mile on dirt in 1min 32.24 sec to win the US$109,700 Gr3 Westchester Handicap at Belmont Park. The 4YO son of Runaway Groom romped home by 4.5 lengths & equalled the time set by Dr Fager on 24 August 1968 in the Washington Park Handicap at Arlington Park. Trainer Nick Zito told thoroughbredtimes.com: "I knew he was going to run big, but I never dreamed he would run this big. It is unbelievable to have the record. I’m going to take him to Saratoga next &, if he is okay, then we’ll run him in the Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park (on May 26)." And jockey Edgar Prado insisted that, had he asked for it, Najran could have claimed the spot in history all to himself: "He was just galloping on the front end. He was going so easy. I was surprised at how fast he ran." Bred in Kentucky, Najran has won 6 of his 11 starts. He was purchased for US$100,000 by Buckram Oak Farm at the 2000 Keeneland September yearling sale. Najran is the only foal to race out of the unraced Capote mare Line Command, who is out of stakes winner Circle Command (by Conquistador Cielo) & is a half-sister to stakes winner Hypnotist. (May 9) Boom US Apprentice Ryan Fogelsonger Notches 400th Win Meanwhile US apprentice sensation Ryan Fogelsonger has ridden his 400th career winner in barely 2 years. He told bloodhorse.com: "It was a goal of mine at the beginning of the year to reach 400 before I lost the bug (allowance)." Fogelsonger, 21, won 267 races a year ago & captured the Eclipse Award for top 1st year rider. He loses his weight allowance on May 24. Fogelsonger is currently 2nd leading rider in America. (May 9) Record 2YO Catalogue For Barretts California Sale A record 414 horses are cataloged for the Barretts Equine 2-day May 2YOs-In-Training sale, set to begin on Monday (May 12) in California, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Stallions with offspring to be offered include: Bertrando, Boston Harbor, Charismatic, Deputy Commander, Distorted Humor, Elusive Quality, Forestry, Favorite Trick Maria’s Mon, Real Quiet, Tale of the Cat, Touch Gold & Victory Gallop. (May 9) Lane’s End Keen To Stand Toccet US owner Dan Borislow “is close to reaching a deal” with William Farish’s Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky to stand his homebred multiple Gr1 winner Toccet. Borislow told thoroughbredtimes: "I think Lane’s End would do the best job of getting quality mares to Toccet. I have 35-45 broodmares myself & I would want to send them to Toccet. Having him at Lane’s End would allow me to retain majority interest, while putting him in the hands of one of the best farms around." He added the combination of Toccet’s race record & pedigree make him a very inviting stallion prospect, & the fact Lane’s End is interested only further enhances the horse’s reputation, noting: "The Farishes have a very good track record of identifying solid prospects. To put Toccet in the company of A.P.Indy, Kingmambo & Came Home says a lot about the horse. I would consider other farms, but it would take a significant cash offering because if it were any other farm except for one, then I would want to sell my majority interest in the horse." Borislow purchased Toccet’s mare Cozzene’s Angel while she was carrying the colt in utero for US$200,000 at the 1999 Adena Springs broodmare sale at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky. Toccet is from the 1st crop of Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again & has won 6 of 8 starts, earning US$755,610; he finished 2nd to Vindication in the voting for US champion 2YO male honors last year. The horse has been away from the track injured for his 3YO season so far. Borislow summed up: "Right now, I’d say we could stand him for between US$20-25,000. He’s from the Deputy Minister line, which is very fashionable, & his race record speaks for itself. I’d like to race him again, though, because if he wins another big race, then we could stand him for as high as maybe US$50,000. If he comes back at 3YO & does well, then he’ll race at 4YO. As a stallion, he’ll make guaranteed money his first 3 years at stud, so we want him to race well & add to his value." (May 9) US Champion Mare Xtra Heat Booked To Gone West Champion US mare Xtra Heat has been booked to Kentucky stallion Gone West, ranked 3rd among America’s leading sires in 1995. Nick Plummer, thoroughbred manager for ClassicStar (the Utah-based partnership which bought Xtra Heat last year) told thoroughbredtimes.com: "She will probably be bred on Saturday (May 10). We’re running out of time for this season." ClassicStar did not decide until mid-April to take Xtra Heat out of training & breed her this northern spring; if Xtra Heat does not get into foal, she may resume her racing career under trainer John Salzman. ClassicStar initially hoped to breed Xtra Heat to leading sire Storm Cat, but his book was full for the season; Plummer confirmed she has already been booked to Storm Cat for 2004. The 5YO daughter of Dixieland Heat (out of the Hatchet Man mare Begin) set a North American record when she reached 25 stakes wins earlier this year; her earnings are now US$2,389,635. Gone West, a 19-year-old son of Mr Prospector out of the Secretariat mare Secrettame, stands for US$125,000 at Mill Ridge Farm in Kentucky. (May 9) Lido Palace Retired To Stud Dual Chilean champion Lido Palace (by Rich Man's Gold) has been retired due to a joint injury, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. A G1 winner either in Chile or the US each year that he raced, Lido Palace became the only horse to win the Chilean Triple Crown when he took the 2000 Gr1 Gran Criterium, Gr1 Clasico Dos Mil Guineas & Gr1 St Leger; he was named Champion 2YO Colt & Champion 3YO Colt in Chile & 2001 Horse-Of-The-Year. Purchased by John & Jerry Amerman, in North America Lido Palace then won the 2001 Gr1 Whitney Handicap & both 2001 & 2002 Gr1 Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park for California trainer Bobby Frankel & retires with 11 wins & 9 placings from 23 starts for earnings of US$2.7 million. No stud plans have yet been confirmed for the 6YO. Bred in Chile by Haras Figuron, Lido Palace is 1 of 6 winners out of the winning Quick Decision mare Sonada (a 3-time Broodmare-Of-the-Year in Chile); he is a half-brother to Chilean Horse-Of-The-Year Cremcaramel. (May 9) US$46,000 For La Madama Tops Argentine Broodmare Sale Trainer Enrique Martín Ferro paid US$46,000 on behalf of Haras Clausan for La Madama (a daughter of Green Dancer & in foal to Southern Halo) to top the Haras La Quebrada broodmare dispersal sale at the Tattersalls sales ring at Hipodromo San Isidro in Buenos Aires, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. La Madama won her only start at Palermo & is a half-sister to Argentine champion miler El Compinche. It has been 10 years since Haras La Quebrada offered any of its outstanding broodmare band at auction & the sale therefore attracted many buyers from Chile, Uruguay & Brazil. Haras La Quebrada owner Hernan Ceriani Cernadas explained: "We need to sell some of our broodmares to invest in buying a stallion. We’re searching for one in the US & currently have 3 different prospects: a son of A.P.Indy, a Danzig or a Storm Cat. We shall see which one we keep." Haras La Quebrada, home of multiple Argentine leading sire Southern Halo, sold 59 broodmares for US$487,455 (1,340,500 pesos) at an average US$8,262. (May 9) US Sire Accelerator Dies In Turkey US Gr3 winner & former Kentucky stallion Accelerator has been euthanised after suffering from laminitis at the Turkish Jockey Club’s Izmit Pension Stud southeast of Istanbul, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 9YO son of A.P.Indy (out of Get Lucky, by Mr Prospector) was purchased privately by the Turkish Jockey Club last year. Accelerator (who started his stud career at John Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in Kentucky) covered 38 mares in 2002 in Turkey & 36 have been checked in foal. Accelerator already has 12 foals on the ground from his 2002 crop & is represented by 77 2YOs & 38 yearlings. Bred in Kentucky by Ogden Mills Phipps, Accelerator won 4 of 24 career starts (including the Gr3 1996 Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont Park, plus a 2nd in the 1997 Gr2 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct & 3rds in the Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap, Gr3 Excelsior Breeders’ Cup Handicap & Gr3 Stuyvesant Handicap). (May 9) Salford Express Retired To Coolagown Stud Salford Express, winner of the 1999 Gr2 Dante Stakes (defeating Golden Snake), has been retired to Ireland’s Coolagown Stud in County Cork & is covering his first mares reported racingpost.co.uk. The Be My Guest half-brother to Definite Article (sire of last year’s Melbourne Cup 4th place-getter Vinnie Roe) joins Humble, Jolly Jake & Ridgewood Ben at Coolagown. (May 9) La Bella Dama Sold For $625,000 Macau-based Debra Ho purchased Gr1 winning mare La Bella Dama (in foal to Giant’s Causeway) for $625,000 from part-owner/trainer Graeme Rogerson at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast. The Gr1 Mackinnon Stakes winner & daughter of Desert Sun had originally been passed-in at $600,000 when offered through the ring during Tuesday’s session; however Rogerson struck a deal on behalf of connections early yesterday for the brilliant mare to be sold to Ho earlier on Wednesday. MM managing director David Chester commented: “La Bella Dama’s sale further enhances a magnificent week of selling on the Gold Coast. Her sale now gives her the honour of becoming the new record-breaking sale at the National Broodmare Sale.” (May 8) MM Broodmare Sale Day 2: Top Lots Top price yesterday was $36,000 paid by Victorian-based breeding operation Tara Farm for the Royal Academy mare Paradise Walk (in foal to Desert King) offered by Turangga Farm’s new owner Stuart Ramsey; Paradise Walk is from the wonderful Denise’s Joy family. Leading buyer for the day was Les Young’s Doncaster Bloodstock Services, which snapped up 10 mares for a total $72,400. Other major sales yesterday included: $32,000 for Strategical (not served) sold to Victoria’s Eliza Park. $25,000 for Miss Knockout (not served) sold to WA’s Mungrup Stud. $25,000 for Ena’s Treasure (not served) sold to Queensland’s Wattle Brae Stud as agent. $24,000 for Lady Knightlight (in foal to Clang) sold to Queensland’s Gainsborough Lodge. (May 8) MM Broodmare Sale Day 2: Summary Meanwhile the Magic Millions 4-day National Sales Series concluded yesterday, with 150 lots sold in the final session of the National Broodmare Sale for a gross $620,350 & a healthy 78.95% clearance rate. MM managing director David Chester summed up: “The past 4 days have proven a great success. We’ve had a swag of great results & records fall over the sale & the clearance rate today was brilliant.” (May 8) Gr1 Winner Arlington Road Retired The Gai Waterhouse trained 4YO Arlington Road (Danehill-Joie De Vivre) has been retired following his win in the Gr1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick a fortnight ago. Waterhouse told racenet.com.au: "He always showed promise, even as a younger horse. He won the Gr2 Phar Lap Stakes & then the Gr3 Frank Packer Plate, & it was lovely that he won the Gr1 All Aged Stakes. He's gone out on a high & will now enjoy a life away from racing.” (May 8) Payne Out Of Saddle For 3 Months Top Victorian jockey Patrick Payne will not ride again until the new season “due to a wrist injury,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Payne injured the wrist when Spinning Hill slipped on the Randwick turf while leaving the mounting yard for the Gr3 Sapphire Stakes on Easter Saturday; Spinning Hill dislodged Payne & galloped the straight twice before being scratched. Payne subsequently missed the winning ride on Spinning Hill in last weekend’s Gr2 T.J.Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. Payne will take a break from riding to allow the wrist to heal in time for the new season & spring racing. (May 8) Hawkes Suggests Points System For Horse-Of-The-Year Leading trainer John Hawkes has suggested a points system should be devised for determining the Australia Horse-Of-The-Year award, amid current debate over whether Fred Kersley’s Northerly or Hawkes’ Lonhro should win this year’s title. Hawes told The Daily Telegraph the present system didn’t give the award the weight it deserved, noting: “Personally I don’t think there is much between Lonhro & Northerly. It could go either way. If you made it a points system, there could be little argument.” More than 250 officials, stewards, handicappers & media currently vote at the end of the season, & Victoria has the biggest media representation. (May 8) Kenny’s Best Pal Relocates To Meringo Stud Kenny’s Best Pal, a Gr1 winner & among Australia’s best-bred Star Kingdom-line sires, has relocated from Victoria to Meringo Stud on the NSW south coast for the coming breeding season. Kenny’s Best Pal won from 1400-2040m, including the Gr1 VRC Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. Like Canny Lad, Kenny’s Best Pal is a son of Bletchingly (sire of 63 stakes-winners, 3-time champion Australian sire & also champion broodmare sire). His dam is the Group-winning Sir Tristram mare Eau D’Etoile: dam of champion Australia 2YO Bint Marscay (herself dam of Group-winners Bollinger, Mannington & Sheraton), Gr1-winner & sire Filante, stakes-winner Eau D’Scay & stakes-placed Temple Fire (dam of Gr1 winner Stella Cadente). To date Kenny’s Best Pal progeny have earned over $4 million; his 4 stakes-winners are Astralita, Mardi’s Magic, Prizefighter & Firenza. He will stand at Meringo for $4,400 including GST. (May 8) Another 2YO Speedster By Blu Tusmani Glenlogan Park stallion Blu Tusmani (Afleet-Edelene) has another boom 2YO set to attract attention during the Queensland Winter Carnival. Blu Sky Mining has been part-purchased by Glenlogan & stud spokesman Steve Morley declared: "He's potentially a freak!" Blue Tusmani grabbed nation-wide headlines earlier this year when his speedy son Murphy's Blu Boy (from his debut crop) recorded a string of big wins (including the Gr3 Blue Diamond Preview) in super fast times before going shin-sore. In the meantime, Blu Sky Mining won impressively in NZ recently & has now been shipped across the Tasman; he is trained by Katrina Alexander, who won the Gr1 Sydney Cup last weekend with Honor Babe. Blu Tusmani will stand for just $3,850 this year. (May 8) Melb Cup Winners Attract Rare Breeding Attention With 3YO gelding Mummify current favourite for both this Saturday’s $300,000 Gr1 Malaysia Airlines SA Derby (2500m) at Morphettville & the $400,000 Gr1 Adelaide Cup (3200m) 9 days later, breeding attention has turned to the Melbourne Cup connection. “Breeding a daughter of a Melbourne Cup winner to a Melbourne Cup winner is not normally regarded as a recipe for success,” noted racenet.com.au. “However it is proving a winning formula for Lindsay Park Stud’s Jeune, who is forming a successful union with daughters of another former Lindsay Park resident At Talaq.” (Jeune won the Melbourne Cup in 1994 & At Talaq was successful back in 1986.) In recent weeks Mummify (Jeune-Cleopatra's Girl, by At Talaq) has run: 2nd in the Gr1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m); 3rd in the Gr1 AJC Derby (2400m) at Randwick; & most recently won the Listed Veuve Clicquot-Chairman's Stakes (2025m) at Morphetville last weekend. Mummify is, in fact, the 3rd stakes-winner bred on the Jeune-At Talaq cross in recent months: Jeune’s Mark (ex Nadirmarco by At Talaq) won the Gr3 Hobart Cup (2400m) in February; & Jameela (ex Nadirmarco by At Talaq) won the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) at Cheltenham in April. (May 8) Russian Rhythm’s 1,000 Guineas Rating Best In 5 Years Russian Rhythm has been allotted a provisional rating of 120 (the best since 1998) for winning the UK Gr1 1,000 Guineas (1 mile) at Newmarket last weekend. Dominic Gardiner-Hill, official in charge of assessing Classic milers for the British Horseracing Board, told racingpost.co.uk: "Our revised figures put Russian Rhythm on 120, the same mark Cape Verdi recorded in winning the 1998 Guineas. That compares with 113 for Kazzia last year & 117 for Ameerat in 2001. So I think it's fair to say we rate Sunday's race as a very good one." In comparison, Refuse To Bend was officially rated 119 after his victory against the colts in their weekend-alternate Gr1 2,000 Guineas (1 mile) - so BHB figures suggest Russian Rhythm would have beaten the colts in their race. (May 8) McPeek Blames Trainer Percentages For Fewer US Starters Australian punters take publication of jockey & trainer ‘winning ratios’ for granted. But in the US, prominent trainer Ken McPeek has triggered significant controversy by declaring that he has watched the number of starts for racehorses in a given year drop & he traces that drop, in large part, to the publication of trainer percentages. McPeek told thoroughbredtimes.com: "We have to encourage owners not to use only those statistics in choosing a trainer." McPeek said he has maintained a solid 16% rate for 10 years while running his horses, but has lost potential owners who were looking for 20% wins. McPeek noted starts-per-horse declined when trainer percentages began to be published, because “many owners look for trainers based on percentages, & trainers, in turn, feel pressured to keep their percentages up. As a result, trainers will work a horse more times rather than give him a race, so that the horse will win first time out. Other times, horses often are kept in the barn when ready to race until an easier spot comes up.” (May 8) Call To Soften US Tracks Ken McPeek was key speaker at the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club meeting in Lexington this week, & also offered provocative thoughts on a number of other subjects: Breeders are not the main cause of starter decline: "The horses you all are breeding & raising are as solid as ever. But you could make a case for it coming from the Phalaris line. Two of the most influential sires of the last decade or more were Mr Prospector & Danzig, both of whom were lightly raced, & they continue to have an impact." Uniform medication rules are necessary “to put everyone on the same page. It is difficult for horsemen to run in different jurisdictions because of the different rules. Everyone talks about it & nothing happens. Right now, the state of Kentucky is the biggest problem. If it means we have to pull back on race day Banamine, or reduce our levels of Bute, then I support it for the good of the industry. We have to find out what is reasonable & what will hurt us & what will help us." Cortisone injections were “beneficial for horses & have their place, but could have long-term effects that shorten the horse’s career.” US tracks are “too hard & the management is often unresponsive to the horsemen. . . . Individuals are often brushed off as complainers. . . . Who cares if it’s slower, if the track is safer? I believe tracks should be 2-3 seconds slower. The horse has to be fit & well-prepared for it, but then you get the best horse winning the race & the best trainer wins as well. When a trainer says a horse lost because he was tired, that’s a bad excuse. If claimers are running two-fifths off the track record, something’s wrong. A track that is too hard, as Churchill has been this past week, causes the kinds of problems we’ve seen." (May 8) Jules Progeny Star In US & Brazil A Sire To Watch: Jules, whose 3YO colt Peace Rules finished 3rd in the Gr1 Kentucky Derby last weekend (following recent wins in both the Gr1 Blue Grass Stakes & Gr2 Louisiana Derby) also sired the first 2 finishers in Brazil’s Gr2 Grande Premio Conde de Herzberg (7.5 furlongs) at Rio de Janeiro’s Hipodromo Gavea turf course on the same day. In the field of 11 runners, the Jules 2YO colt Northhorse defeated Notificado, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Both the winner & runner-up were bred by Brazilian-based Haras Santa Maria de Araras, where Jules is currently recovering from laminitis. A 9YO son of Forty Niner (out of the Devil’s Bag mare Bonita Francita), Jules has sired 10 stakes winners (including 5 group or graded winners) in his 1st 3 crops of racing age in the US & Brazil. (May 8) First Winner For Freshman Sire Parade Ground Multiple graded stakes-winning freshman sire Parade Ground recorded his 1st winner when 2YO colt Divac won a 5-furlong race at El Comandante in Puerto Rico, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Parade Ground (a son of Kingmambo) totalled 7 wins in 21 starts (including the 1998 Gr2 National Museum Of Racing Hall Of Fame Handicap at Saratoga Race Course; 1998 Gr3 Lexington Stakes & Gr3 Lawrence Realization Handicap, both at Belmont Park; 1999 Gr3 Bougainvillea Handicap at Hialeah Park; & 1998 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs) & earned US$794,995. Parade Ground, who stands at Lane’s End in Kentucky, is one of 15 winners from 17 starters out of the stakes-placed winning His Majesty mare Battle Creek Girl. Parade Ground is a full-brother to Gr2 winner Parade Leader & a half-brother to 1989 Canadian champion 2YO filly Wavering Girl, multiple Gr2 winner Tricky Creek, Gr2 winner Speed Dialer & stakes winner Everhope. Parade Ground has had 3 starters to date; he is the sire of 45 2YOs & 41 yearlings. (May 8) Close Shave For Japanese Trainer Thursday Odd Spot: This year's Japanese Spring Tenno Sho (Emperor's Cup) has gone to Hishi Miracle. The favourite for the 3200m classic Daitaku Bertram was unable to find a run rounding the last bend & finished 3rd. “Hishi Miracle's win was not entirely a surprise: he won the Japanese St Leger last year,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. “But it was certainly a great relief to his trainer Masaru Sayama, who had threatened to shave his head if his horse didn't finish in the first 3! Come to think of it, this was probably a great relief to Mrs Sayama too.” (May 8) $500,000 Ateates Tops Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale Ken Turner of Almavale Bloodstock paid $500,000 for former outstanding 4-time Gr2 winner Ateates (in foal to Carnegie) to top the first day of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast. A full-sister to the former outstanding Gr1 winner Ruffles, Ateates is a daughter of Zeditave. In other major sales: Current sprinting star Fair Embrace (a daughter of Strategic) failed to sell during her time in the ring, but was sold moments later to Baramul Stud for $400,000. Fair Embrace’s stablemate Gold Lottey (a daughter of Encosta de Lago) was sold to Queensland-based agent Neil Jenkinson for $390,000. Beautifully bred Brocco mare Coat (in foal to Carnegie) was knocked down to NZ-based Springfield Stud for $350,000. Silken Whisper & Sorb Apple, both in foal to Danehill (offered by Collingrove Stud) were sold for $220,000 & $280,000 respectively to Strawberry Hill Stud; the resultant yearlings will be re-offered at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. $260,000 for Crixia (in foal to Galileo) paid by Victoria’s Contract Racing. $240,000 for Ginny Girl (in foal to Zabeel) paid by NSW’s Freyer Bloodstock. $210,000 for Crazy Fling (in foal to Giant’s Causeway) paid by Motto Park Stud Farm. $210,000 for Back Pass (in foal to Redoute’s Choice) paid by Magic Millions as agent. (May 7) MM Broodmare Sale: La Bella Dama & Procrastinate Passed-In One of the expected MM Broodmare Sale toppers La Bella Dama failed to reach her reserve of $650,000. A final offering of $600,000 was rejected by her owners; the Gr1-winning daughter of Desert Sun was presented in foal to champion Giant’s Causeway. Another mare passed-in at a high price was proven Gr1-producer Procrastinate; offered by Edinglassie Stud as agent, the daughter of Jade Hunter was passed-in for $500,000 ($50,000 short of her reserve). (May 7) MM Broodmare Sale: Average Up 82% & Gross Up 45% Overall 162 mares were sold (last year 161) for an average price of $54,866 (up 82% on last year’s $30,179). Total receipts for the day were $8,888,250 (up 45% on last year’s $4,858,750). The unreserved dispersal of mares from Turannga Farm was also well received by buyers, with all 40 Turannga mares sold for a gross $556,300. Magic Millions managing director David Chester summed up: “It’s been a strong day of selling. There were some quality mares offered & sold, & the strong results clearly show the National Broodmare Sale is a great place to sell & buy the best mares.” (May 7) Octagonal Filly Makes Winning Debut In Ireland Octagonal’s 3YO filly Dossier made a stunning debut in Ireland on Monday when she “powered home to win the European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden (1 mile) by 4-lengths at Naas racecourse,” reported racingpost.co.uk. A homebred for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dossier (trained by John Oxx) is out of high class racemare Papering, among the best performed mares to visit Octagonal in his 4 seasons at Alec Head’s Haras du Quesnay. (May 7) Gooree Denies Cojuangco ‘Winding Down’ In Aust Filipino brewing magnate Eduardo Cojuangco’s Australian racing manager “has hosed down speculation that his boss is about to wind down his racing interests in this country,” reported The Australian newspaper. Talk of Cojuangco’s brewery San Miguel scaling back sponsorship of Sydney racing & his inactivity at the recent Sydney Easter yearling sale “sparked rumours of him easing out of his extensive racing & breeding interests.” But Andrew Baddock, who manages Cojuangco’s thoroughbred involvement (under the Gooree Pastoral Company Syndicate banner) said yesterday the racing & breeding arm was merely undergoing a “consolidation” phase. Gooree, based at Mudgee in NSW, has more than 400 horses (broodmares, racing stock, yearlings & weanlings.) Baddock summed up: “Mr Cojuangco left for the Philippines after the Randwick races last Saturday & was very happy. We have booked 120 broodmares into 30-odd stallions, so we’re not slowing down. This talk has probably stemmed from Mr Cojuangco not buying at Easter. There is nothing untoward; he is just looking to consolidate his interests after a successful carnival. He didn’t go to the Easter sales because he wanted to prevent a rush of blood. If he’d gone, he would have seen something he liked & started bidding.” (May 7) HKJC To Donate $100 Million To SARS & Disease Project Hong Kong Jockey Club chairman Ronald Arculli announced it has approved a donation of HK$500 million (A$102 million) to set up a Centre for the Prevention & Control Of Infectious Diseases & “will work with the Government to agree on the scope & parameters of the Club's donation.” While the initial focus of the Centre will be to address SARS, the HKJC Charities Trust's grant will also address other infectious diseases should the needs arise. The Club has stipulated the funds will not be for research only, but for training & public education programs, for planning & good communication systems to sound timely warnings of new viruses, & for an efficient & up-dated information system. (May 7) Widden & Coolmore Join NSW BOBS The NSW TRB announced major studs Widden & Coolmore have added their weight to its Breeders & Owners Bonus Scheme by nominating 6 stallions, bringing the total number of sires to 87. Widden paid for Shovhog, Filante, Intergaze & new recruit Snowland, while Coolmore has nominated Danehill Dancer & Orpen. The complete NSW BOBS stallion list is: Acecay, Action Star, Adam, Adventurous,Air de France, Al Awir, Al Jaasi, Arena, Armidale, Azzaam, Beautiful Crown, Bemboka Spirit, Bite the Bullet, Bold Expectation, Bureaucracy, Canasta, Canny Lad, Catbird, Commands, Dancing Sun, Danehill Dancer, Danewin, Darbonne, Desert Prince, Dexter, Dracula, Dyslexia, Eire, Filante,Forest Glow, Frisco View, Fubu, Full And By, Ghataas, Grand Lodge, High Rolling, Honours List, Integra, Intergaze, Ishiguru, Jan Murray, Kenny's Best Pal, Kirchtorte, Kutta, Langfuhr, Lawyer,Lochrae, Loup Sauvage, Magic Albert, Marcede, Marwina, Mind Games, Mister C, Mithrandir, Moville Dancer, Mr Henrysee, Naturalism, Nothin' Leica Dane, Nuclear Freeze, Octagonal, Orpen, Over, Peace Command, Quest For Fame, Real Cash, Rhythm, Sakana, Secret Savings, Sedaka, Shovhog, Shrewdy, Sir Debonaire, Sir Laurence, Skilful Star, Snippet's Magic, Snowland, Song Of Tara, Sports Works, Strands, Strategic, Switch In Time, Under A Spell, Victory Prince, Viscount, Way Of Light, Youthful Legs, Zariz. (May 7) Danzero Strikes Again In Europe Arrowfield Stud's reverse-shuttle stallion Danzero has struck again with his 1st crop runners in Europe, when his 2YO daughter Milly Waters won over 5 furlongs at Warwick in England. Danzero's 1st European-bred runner La Puce (out of Verbena by Don't Forget Me) provided her sire with a winner from his 1st runner in late March. Danzero shuttled from Arrowfield to leading Newmarket-based Cheveley Park Stud in England for 2 seasons. Danzero will stand this coming season at Arrowfield for $26,400 (inc GST). (May 7) Shower of Roses Crowned ‘Queen Of The Autumn’ Gai Waterhouse’s 3YO filly Shower Of Roses (owned by Gooree Pastoral Company) has been crowned 2003 “Queen Of The Autumn” with the conclusion of the Sydney Autumn Carnival. Her performances in winning the Gr1 Arrowfield Stud Stakes & finishing 2nd in the Gr1 Emirates AJC Australian Oaks earned her enough points to win the inaugural series (conducted over 17 Black type races) for fillies & mares. The Top 10 point scorers were: Shower Of Roses 29; Bollinger 26; Bramble Rose 24; Sunday Joy 22; Faith Hill 16; Bumptious 14; Lovely Jubly 13; Hosannah 12; Galapagos Girl 11; Raspberry Ripple 11. (May 7) Danehill Closes In On Serheed For Aust Sires Title Following the weekend’s racing, Danehill has moved significantly closer to Northerly’s father Serheed in the race for this season’s overall Leading Australia Sire title. The current Top 25 (to May 5) are: 1: Serheed $6,268,722 2: Danehill $5,959,964 3: Dehere $5,244,900 4: Octagonal $4,088,046 5: Snippets $4,032,830 6: Zabeel $3,496,961 7: Success Express $3,487,774 8: Encosta de Lago $3,412,865 9: Rubiton $3,172,993 10: Grand Lodge $3,169,353 11: Hennessy $3,126,857 12: Theatrical $2,565,000 13: Royal Academy $2,518,659 14: Flying Spur $2,440,201 15: Secret Savings $2,325,375 16: Quest For Fame $2,281,437 17: Canny Lad $2,265,594 18: Helissio $2,208,730 19: Rory's Jester $2,188,691 20: Geiger Counter $2,104,628 21: Clang $2,056,774 22: Umatilla $2,047,409 23: Anabaa $1,880,290 24: Jeune $1,848,512 25: Last Tycoon $1,834,362 (May 7) Volksraad Leads Zabeel For NZ Sires Title Meanwhile defending NZ champion sire Volksraad holds a slender advantage over arch-rival Zabeel as the 2002-03 NZ general sires’ premiership enters its final phase. Volksraad’s progeny earnings stand at NZ$1,148,388 while Zabeel totals $1,056,675. Volksraad has been represented by the winners of 10 NZ stakes race this season – the highest for any stallion in the country. Zabeel’s progeny have won 7 NZ stakes races in the same period. (May 7) Overseas On-Line Betting Operators Under Fire On-line sports betting operators who do not hold a licence in Australia “could be banned from offering their services to Australians, if recommendations from major local players are implemented,” reported The Australian Financial Review. A number of submissions to the Federal Government’s review of the Interactive Gaming Act request the 2001 legislation be amended to limit the provision of wagering services to Australians from Australian-licensed operators only. “This would mean UK & European operators like Ladbrokes, Betfair, expekt.com, William Hill & Paddy Power – all popular with Australian punters – would not be allowed to offer their services here. Popular Asian providers, such as the Hong Kong Jockey Club & the Singapore Jockey Club, would also be banned.” Australian-based & licensed operators including TAB, Centrebet & SportOdds argue prohibiting offshore sports betting operators would better protect Australians from unregulated sites & protect an important source of taxation revenue for the Australian government. (May 7) NZ Mare Critic Heading To Stud Top NZ mare Critic lines up for “her last race for the season & probably her career” in the Listed Gould Photographics Rotorua Stakes this weekend, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The Centaine mare (who won the Gr1 Family Hotels Weight-For-Age Stakes at Otaki in February) will return to her birthplace at Waikato Stud after Saturday's race. Critic's owner Garry Chittick summed up: "I'm definitely leaning towards retiring her. She has done enough & the broodmare paddock is the logical place for her after Saturday." (May 7) Pentire Repays Buyers’ Patience When Victorian trainer Robbie Laing went to NZ’s Karaka Sale in 2000 there was one stallion whose 1st-crop progeny he was especially keen to see: Pentire. The reason? He admired both Pentire’s damsire (champion UK racehorse & sire Mill Reef) & Pentire’s own outstanding race record in Europe (including the UK Gr1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes & a Timeform rating of 132 as both a 3YO & 4YO). Laing duly purchased the Pike family’s colt out of Dewamar for NZ$52,500 that year, & returned in 2001 to purchase Malcolm McHoull's’s colt from the Sir Tristram mare Privilege for NZ$61,000. “Robbie’s faith in his own judgement has been fully justified by the performances of these 2 horses, named Pantani (Gr1 SAJC South Australian Derby) & Sir Pentire (last week’s Gr3 VRC St Leger G3),” noted thoroughbrednews.co.nz. But, as the man says, that’s not all. Laing had already returned to NZ in 2002 & grabbed another 2 Pentire colts, from Annifrid (for NZ$32,000) & Another Sound (for NZ$20,000) - prices that look modest beside the A$64,000 paid at the recent Inglis Sires’ Produce Sale in Sydney for John & Jacqui Todd’s Pentire-Chorus Star yearling colt. Other recent Pentire winners around Australia & NZ include: Pentastic (Listed AJC Japan Racing Association Plate at Randwick); Corisande (Kembla Grange); Roseario (Te Aroha); & Penny Gem (Ellerslie). And Pentire has strong entries in up-coming Australian Group races including Sir Pentire (South Australian Derby & Adelaide Cup), Penny Gem (Queensland Guineas) & Botero (South Australian Sires’ Produce Stakes). Pentire stands at Rich Hill Stud; his 1st 3 crops totalled 158 foals, but he has only 39 yearlings & a tiny 5th crop of 11 2002 foals. (May 7) Tale Of The Cat’s Latest Star NZ’s champion jockey Lance O’Sullivan had one word to describe the finishing burst of 2YO filly Hulachine in her last-stride win at Te Rapa last weekend: “amazing”. O’Sullivan declared: “She was last on the home turn & at that point I gave her no hope of winning. But she kept coming with an amazing run & finished so quickly I’m sure I got wind burn!” Hulachine (trained by Paul O’Sullivan at Matamata) is a daughter of exciting sire prospect Tale Of The Cat. The filly is owned by NZ’s Gary Plowman, who lives in Hong Kong & has extensive racing & breeding interests; he bred last year’s Gr1 Australasian Oaks winner Tully Thunder, as well as this season’s stakes winning Volksraad filly Volksini. Plowman sold a Zabeel-Fleur de Chine filly at this year’s Karaka yearling sales for NZ$375,000 (purchased by Sydney-based racing manager Tim Boland on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum). Meanwhile Tale Of The Cat is leading NZ freshman sire in the 2002-03 season; his progeny have won 6 races (the star performer is Gr3 & Listed winner Ubiquitous, with other winners Purrfection, Catscan, Tee Cee & Our Kitty). In Australia he has been represented by stakes winner Scaredee Cat & Group-placed Al Jameel, Cats Tango & Interbird. Tale Of The Cat was also leading US freshman sire for winners last year. Tale Of The Cat stood one season in NZ at Windsor Park Stud & returns to the southern hemisphere this year at Coolmore in Australia. (May 7) Sadler’s Wells Son Returns To Windsor Park Refuse To Bend’s win in the Gr1 2000 Guineas in England at the weekend provided his sire Sadler’s Wells with his 3rd success in the famous Newmarket classic (following in the footsteps of Entrepreneur & King Of Kings). Sadler’s Wells (champion UK sire for the past 12 seasons) is now the sire of 59 Gr1 winners. The good news for Australasian breeders is that Sadler’s Wells’ best-performed son on the racetrack, 6-time Gr1 winner Montjeu (head of the 1999 International Classifications & European champion 3YO), will be returning to NZ this spring to stand at Windsor Park Stud. Montjeu’s 1st-crop foals have created a big impression around the globe. (May 7) Star Way & Casual Lies Build Winning Records Also standing this season at NZ’s Windsor Park Stud are Star Way & Casual Lies. Star Way (who commenced duties at Windsor Park in 1981 & is approaching his 22nd season) is the elder statesman of NZ stallion ranks; he recently sired his 59th individual stakes winner (including 18 Gr1 winners) when his daughter Star Affair captured the Gr2 Travis Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa. At the same Cambridge Jockey Club meeting Star Way appeared as the broodmare sire of Gr3 Sunline Stakes (1200m) winner Silky Red Boxer. And Silky Red Boxer is by Casual Lies, who stands alongside Star Way at Windsor Park & has now recorded 10 individual stakes-winners. (May 7) Latest Winner For NZ Shuttler Daggers Drawn The 1st crop of NZ Curraghmore Stud’s shuttle sire Daggers Drawn (Diesis-Sun And Shade) have continued their exciting start in Europe, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. Lord Links became the 4th individual winner by Daggers Drawn when he took the European Maiden Stakes (1000m) at Newmarket in England last weekend. Daggers Drawn’s progeny have now won 6 races in Europe this year (including other wins by Lady Killer, Marcus Eile & Mac The Knife). His 1st crop also made a promising start in NZ this season, especially the performances of Navaja & Velvet Coup. (May 7) 4-Day Action At NZB’s National Weanling & Broodmare Sale It’s all action at Auckland’s Karaka sales ring over the next week with NZ Bloodstock’s National Weanling & Broodmare Sale. The new Autumn Yearling & 2YO Sale begins this Friday (May 9); The Weanling Sale follows on Sunday & Monday (May 11-12); The Broodmare session, offering of over 360 lots, takes place on Monday & Tuesday (May 12-13). (May 7) Broodmare Bonanza At Karaka NZ Bloodstock’s National Broodmare Sale “really does have something for everyone, with a good number of Premier quality mares, together with middle market & some likely bargain buys to suit all buyers’ investment goals & budgets,” declared NZB’s Julia Naismith. “There is no doubt the prospect of securing a nice mare, carrying a service to a top notch or exciting new sire, is virtually guaranteed to fire the spirit & enthusiasm of all those involved in the breeding game.” The list of first year covering sires includes: Bertolini, Black Minnaloushe, Fantastic Light, Keeper, Minardi, Postponed, Rossini, San Luis, Spectatorial, Sudurka & Traditionally. Proven top sires & exciting up-&-comers on the covering sires list include: Align, Cape Cross, Centaine, Chief Bearhart, City On A Hill, Clang, Dagger Drawn, Danasinga, Elnadim, Faltaat, Flying Spur, Montjeu, O’Reilly, Orpen, Pentire, Pins, Sandtrap, Shinko King, Stravinsky, Volksraad & Zabeel. (May 7) Broodmare Investment Opportunities Among the broodmare investment opportunities for buyers at Karaka next week are: Centaloof (Centaine-Miss Coventry) believed in foal to first season sire Sudurka. Chambole Belle (Maroof-Musigny Belle) believed in foal to Danasinga. Cladagh (Sir Tristram-A Little Love) believed in foal to Cambridge 1st season sire Keeper. Colwyn Bay (Kingdom Bay-Decoy Girl) believed in foal to Magic Ring. Comely Girl (Marscay x Final Pick) believed in foal to Postponed. Dopff (Tights-On The Rise) believed in foal to Fantastic Light. Easter Joy (Sir Tristram-Joyfulness) believed in foal to Cape Cross. Fashionista (Centaine-Sound Gold) believed in foal to Minardi. Fleur Des Champs (Danehill-Atyaaf) believed in foal to Montjeu. Garden Walk (Grosvenor-Special Walk) believed in foal to Fuji Kiseki. Goodwood Girl (Honour Grades-Heavenly Belle) believed in foal to O’Reilly. Go Zoff (Zoffany-Delagoa) believed in foal to Black Minnaloushe. Jillzao (Alzao-Nuwirah) believed in foal to Elnadim. Kathleen (Zabeel-Loreef) believed in foal to Stravinsky. Little Gem (Night Shift-Um Lardaff) believed in foal to Montjeu. Los Angeles (Double Schwartz-Cathedra) believed in foal to Black Minnaloushe. Marscade (St Hilarion-Elder Time) believed in foal to Stravinsky. Mer Du Sud (Bluebird-Make Plans) believed in foal to Montjeu. Quintilla (Danehill-Quinsigimond) believed in foal to Zabeel. Red Pacaya (Red Tempo-Lady Pacaya) believed in foal to Postponed. Repetition (Kingdom Bay-Crackle) believed in foal to Stravinsky. Rose Adagio (Sadler’s Wells-Rose Noble) believed in foal to Pins. Slightly Conceited (Centaine-Lady Aloof) believed in foal to Danasinga. Storm Surge (Naturalism-All Stormy) believed in foal to Orpen. Sustound (Kreisler-Sequel Sound) believed in foal to Pentire. Tristahula (Sir Tristram-She Might Hula) believed in foal to Keeper. Twiggy Kima (Twig Moss-Fixed Star) believed in foal to Black Minnaloushe. Woodland Nymph (Woodborough-Operating Cost) believed in foal to San Luis. Alohilani (Hula Town-Banda Bird) believed in foal to Faltaat. Bandwidth (Spectrum-Raffett) believed in foal to Flying Spur. (May 7) Werner & Brereton Win In Malaysia Australian jockey Brian Werner has started his Malaysian stint with an early win, reported racenet.com.au. On only his 2nd day he partnered the Danny Williams-trained Celestial Empire to win over 1200m. Along with Werner, Danny Brereton (who recently moved across to Malaysia from HK) rode the 2nd winner of his stint on Danehill gelding Anak Gagah in a 1400m event; Brereton also landed 2 3rds. (May 7) First Winner With First Starter For US Freshman Sire Chanate US freshman sire Chanate (an unraced son of Storm Cat) recorded his 1st winner with his very 1st starter when Crux won on debut at Turf Paradise, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Chanate stands for a private fee at Triple AAA Ranch in Arizona. He is out of winning mare Turk O Witz (by Stop The Music) & is a half-brother to Gr1 winners Mr Purple & Queens Court Queen, & stakes winners Turkaro & Sister Queen. Bred in Kentucky, Chanate has 2 crops of foals including 19 of racing age. (May 7) Florida Stallion Proud Birdie Dead Pensioned Florida stallion Proud Birdie, who won the 1977 Gr1 Marlboro Cup Handicap & sired 33 stakes winners, has been euthanised “because of complications from the infirmities of old age,” reported bloodhorse.com. Proud Birdie, 30, was buried at Douglas Henderson's Marablue Farm in Florida, where he stood his entire stallion career. A son of 1967 Gr1 Kentucky Derby winner Proud Clarion (out of Bolero mare Bernie Bird), Proud Birdie’s progeny totalled US$21 million in prize-money (from 20 crops & 507 foals); his top runners include Gr1-winning sprinter Birdonthewire & stakes winners Birdie Belle, Proud Nova, Dirty Birdie, Birdie's Legend, Georgia Bird Dog, Sweet Proud Polly, Swedaus, Perfectly Proud, Hidden Tomahawk, Pride Prevails, Proud Shot, Acting Proud, Score A Birdie, V Formation & Star's Proud Penny, plus Mexican champion Huizcazda. (May 7) Argentine Champ Peasant Dies Meanwhile 4YO dual Argentine Classic winner Peasant (by Equalize), who finished unplaced in the United Arab Emirates Derby on Dubai World Cup Day in March, has been euthanised due to the effects of laminitis. Peasant contracted pneumonia in Dubai after the UAE Derby & was being treated for it when he succumbed to laminitis. Peasant's wins included the 2002 Gr1 Polla de Potrillos (Argentine 2000 Guineas) & Gr Gran Premio Jockey Club. (May 7) $110,000 For Redoute’s Choice Filly At Magic Millions Weanling Sale Toowoomba based Geoff Warfield paid $110,000 for a Redoute’s Choice-Pine Baby filly (consigned by Pine Lodge Thoroughbreds as agent) to top yesterday’s Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast. Redoute’s Choice is the former brilliant galloping son of Danehill who won 4 Gr1 races & earned over $1.5 million. A half-sister to Sydney stakes winner Poppett, the filly is from the family of proven Gr1 stars All Our Mob, All Time High, Group winner All Archie & stakes performers All Sold, All Stormy & All Mighty Prince. The other top prices were: $75,000 for a Danehill-La Viene colt sold to Dale Sutton; $57,500 for a Fasliyev-Sayonara colt sold to Magic Millions as agent; $55,000 for a Woodman-Reigntaine filly sold to Kieran Moore Bloodstock; $53,000 for a High Yield-Stapleton Lass filly sold to Vin Cox Bloodstock; $50,000 for a High Yield-Queen Kariette filly sold to Magic Millions as agent; $50,000 for a Fasliyev-Rory’s Song colt sold to Magic Millions as agent; $50,000 for a King’s Best-Royal Scam filly sold to Lakewood Stud; $50,000 for a High Yield-Teneriffe colt sold to Washpool Thoroughbreds; $50,000 for a Snippets-Varique filly sold to Greendale Pastoral Company. (May 6) Magic Millions National Weanling Sale Summary A new record gross for the Magic Millions Weanling Sale was achieved when 181 youngsters sold for $2,025,450 (last year $1,755,900) at an average $11,190. The selling rate was a high 86.19%. MM managing director David Chester summed up: “Vendors & buyers should both be congratulated on a really strong sale today. The clearance rate was brilliant. The quality weanlings sold extremely well. Buyers had the ability to take their pick from a wide range of youngsters on offer.” (May 6) Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale: Day 1 Preview The Magic Millions 4-Day Gold Coast Winter Sale continues with the 2-day National Broodmare Sale commencing this morning. MM managing director David Chester said the sale has been strongly supported by the country’s leading vendors & a quality catalogue has been assembled: “We have some magnificent mares going under the hammer & breeders will get the opportunity to buy the broodmare of their dreams over the sale.” Today’s broodmare offerings include: Ateates, La Bella Dama, Plot, Lilting, Hanky Panky, Gold Lottey, Regal Sea, Presumed Innocent, Patterns, Love to Dance, Kiss 'n a Shilling, Sister Theresa, Zexzabeel, Suzy Grey, Fair Embrace, Procrastinate, Settlers Cove, Spice Girl & Bridie Jo. There are broodmares by sires including: Danehill, Biscay, Twig Moss, Zabeel, Kenmare, Sadler's Wells, Diesis, At Talaq, Rory's Jester, Century, Zamazaan, Centaine, Semipalatinsk, Miswaki, Marscay, Snippets, Star Way, Palace Music, Nassipour, Western Symphony, Zafonic & Rahy. And the covering sires include: Danehill, Giant's Causeway, Fusaichi Pegasus, Rory's Jester, Zabeel, Thunder Gulch, Dehere, Octagonal, Peintre Celebre, Danehill Dancer, Commands, Flying Spur, Red Ransom, Carnegie, General Nediym, Encosta de Lago, Strategic, Fantastic Light, Xaar, Jeune, Lion Hunter, Lujain, Redoute's Choice, Perugino, Last Tycoon, Royal Academy, Testa Rossa & Viscount. The broodmares also include the dams of: Excellerator, Laisserfaire, Palace Line, Senator, Kenfair, Consolidator, Kidman's Cove, Niagara, Fraud, So Gorgeous, Barawana, Scarlet Runner, And Shintaro, Iguassu, Triumphant Feeling, Sea Rhythm, Tenuous, Ms Bowie, Kirkberg, Poppett, Jar Jar Binks, Annihilate, Feelers, Honour the Name, Lord Matthew, Deianira & Amoroso. (May 6) Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale: Day 2 Preview The Magic Millions 2-day National Broodmare Sale continues tomorrow: Day 2 broodmare offerings include: Stapleton Lass, Sha Alma, Alhayat, Planet Zam, North Star Lady, Truly Brave, Snow Chariot, Joaquinha, Jazz Heaven, Glorious Way, Give to Thee, Ena's Treasure, Deegem, Dancer's Secret, Camilla, Blushing Bijou, Boston & Bonjour Vienna. There are broodmares by sires including: Rory's Jester, Celestial Dancer, Grosvenor, Don't Say Halo, Crested Wave, Without Fear, Yeats, Sir Tristram, Salieri, Mustin Lake, Success Express, Nediym, Marscay, Luskin Star, Nassipour, Palace Music & Semipalatinsk. The covering sires include: Greenlander, Way of Light, Langfuhr, Magic Albert, Mull of Kintyre, Easy Rocking, Desert King, Raise a Grand, Snaadee, Shagny, Show a Heart, Aristotle, Iglesia, Irgun, Mr Innocent, Nothin' Leica Dane, Shinko Forest, Clang, Brahms, Avispon, Shovhog, Telesto, Mossman, Our Maizcay & Dodge. The broodmares also include the dams of: Never off the Bit, Cloth of Gold, Turtle Bay, Decoy Buoy, Miss Denmark, Money Spider, Judge Connelly, Time Signal, Funny Tale, Provarci, Princess Fury, Aqua Leone, Devlin's Bridge & Night To Remember. (May 6) Danny Beasley Accepts Offer To Ride In Hong Kong Sydney jockey Danny Beasley (recent winner of the Gr1 Golden Slipper on Polar Success & Gr1 Doncaster Handicap on Grand Armee & currently 4th on the Sydney premiership with 48 wins) “has secured a lucrative 7-week contract to ride in Hong Kong,” reported The Daily Telegraph. The stint begins immediately “with the rider expected to fly out today to prepare for Saturday night’s Sha Tin meeting.” Beasley explained: “The Hong Kong Jockey Club rang me last Saturday & asked if I was interested in going over to ride there for the rest of the season. I said ‘of course’. When they asked me to come over for the last 7 weeks of the season, I jumped at the chance. It has always been an ambition of mine to ride in HK & you never know what something like this could lead to. . . . I’m very determined to do well over there & if they ask me to come back, then most definitely I would go.” (May 6) Daryl McLellan Heading To Macau Meanwhile Daryl McLellan, who has secured a 3-month contract in Macau, leaves on May 25 to link with former Randwick trainer Gary Moore. (May 6) Fantastic Light’s Sister Wins UK Stakes Hi Dubai (Rahy-Jood, by Nijinsky II), a full-sister to Darley Stud’s Fantastic Light, provided Godolphin with its 1st European success of the 2003 season when she won the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes (a traditional lead-up to the Gr1 Epsom Oaks) over 10 furlongs at Newmarket in England, reported racenet.com.au. The dual World Champion, Breeders’ Cup Turf winner & 6-time Gr1 winner Fantastic Light will stand his 2nd southern hemisphere season this year at Darley Stud at Aberdeen in the NSW Hunter Valley. (May 6) Tuscanos To Stand At Hollylodge Victoria's champion stallion & mare attracter (203 last year!) Encosta de Lago is standing this year at Blue Gum Farm for $38,500. And his Gr1-winning son Delago Brom has been retired to Victoria’s Eliza Park Stud at $8,800. Meanwhile mid-range breeders will be interested to know Encosta de Lago’s Gr1-placed son Tuscanos will stand at Hollylodge Thoroughbred Farm at Avenal in Victoria for just $3,300. Tuscanos retired with a bowed tendon after only 15 starts (including the Gr1 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes placing) & $235,900 prize-money. Tuscanos is the image of his dam sire Palace Music, including the big bull neck & white markings. Hollylodge is also home to former top racehorse turned sire Durbridge. (May 6) Gr1 Double For The Pines Stud What a weekend for the tiny Pines Stud on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula: “It doesn’t get much better in the breeding game than 2 Gr1 winners on the same day,” declared Pines director Emma Boling. In Sydney, The Pines Stud’s star 2YO filly Hasna (Snippets-They Say, by Thirty Six Red) won her 2nd Gr1 in the AJC Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, to go with wins in the Gr1 Sires Produce & Silver Slipper Stakes, plus placings in the Gr1 Golden Slipper & Gr2 Riesling Slipper Trial. (Overall she has notched 6 wins & 3 placings in 10 starts for $1,157,835 prize-money.) Emma Boling summed up: “We are hoping she will win the coveted 2YO-Of-The-Year award. She has been so consistent all the way through her 2YO season, I believe she deserves the honour.” And in Adelaide 3YO filly Sound Action (Vettori-Dance With Royalty, by Palace Music) won the Gr1 Schweppes Australasian Oaks (2025m) at Morphettville. Emma Boling noted: “Sound Action definitely looks like the 2500m of the South Australian Oaks will suit her beautifully. And we’re so proud of both horses’ consistency. We breed them tough on the Mornington Peninsula!” (May 6) Gr1 Oaks Trifecta For Inglis Graduates And Sound Action’s victory in the Gr1 Schweppes Australasian Oaks at Morphettville also highlighted good news for the Wiliam Inglis sale company: the first 3 fillies across the line were all Inglis Sale graduates. Sound Action (almost the bargain of the year) was purchased for just $2,500 at the Inglis 2001 December Thoroughbred Sale. In 2nd place was Milanova, a $700,000 purchase at the Inglis 2001 Easter Yearling Sale. And 3rd was Great Anna, a $110,000 buy also at the Inglis 2001 Easter Yearling Sale. (May 6) Blevic Records 3 Wins & Stakes Double In Adelaide Meanwhile Kambula Stud-based sire Blevic scored 3 successive winners & 2 stakes victories at Adelaide’s Morphettville meeting on the weekend: Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale graduate Exalted Lad (Blevic-Alleged Lady) won the Listed Widden Stud Stakes (1522m); the 5YO gelding was passed-in at the MM 1999 Adelaide Yearling Sale for just $37,500 & has now earned $233,300. Under the Bridge (Blevic-Wine Cash) won the Listed SAJC Alcohol Go-Easy Stakes (1522m); the 2YO had been passed-in for $47,500 at the MM 2002 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale. And 3YO filly Debben (Blevic-Sparkling Halo) won the Royal Flying Doctor Service Handicap (1600m). (May 6) Milluna Stud’s Unreserved Dispersal Sale William Inglis will conduct the Milluna Stud Dispersal (featuring 125 broodmares, weanlings & racehorses) on site at Milluna Stud at One Tree Hill in South Australia on May 20. Milluna Stud was established by Jim O’Connor, who at age 75 has reluctantly decided it’s time to retire from running a commercial stud operation. Milluna enjoyed great success over the years with stallions such as Red Rumour, Exalt & Twig Moss (Australia’s leading stallion twice during the 1980s). The dispersal features 9 weanlings by exciting young sire Made Of Gold, as well as half a dozen broodmares by him. Weanlings on offer include: a half-brother to Gr3 winner Mint Of Gold, by 1st season horse King’s Best; a full-sister to brilliant mare Cosmic Strike, winner of the Gr3 VRC Gilgai Stakes & 3rd in last year’s Gr1 VRC Salinger Stakes; half-brothers to Gr2 winner Pennyweight Point & Gr3 winner Gold Crystal by Saratoga Springs; a General Monash colt from stakes-winner Angel’s Jewel; & a filly by Gilded Time from stakes-winner It’s a Miracle. Highlights among the broodmares include: the dams of stakes-winners Pennyweight Point, Gold Crystal, Angel’s Jewel, Cosmic Strike, Mint Of Gold; also stakes-winners Angel’s Jewel & It’s a Miracle. Other well related mares include: Champagne Mist, a sister to stakes-winner In The Mist & Southern Sprinter, dam of this season’s stakes-winning juvenile Fragmentation; Gourmet Star, a half-sister to Shirazamatazz, recent winner of the Gr1 WATC Derby; also 2 mares in foal to champion racehorse Testa Rossa: Landgold, a half-sister to Gr1 winner Minegold & Peaceful, a half-sister to European stakes-winners Bezelle & Iftiraas. (May 6) Catalogue For HTBA Scone Yearling Sale Meanwhile catalogues are now available for the 2003 HTBA Scone Yearling Sale (the major yearling sale in country NSW) at White Park on May 18. Sires represented this year include: Arena, Beautiful Crown, Canny Lad, Catbird, Commands, Desert Prince, Encosta de Lago, Flying Spur, Lion Hunter, Quest For Fame, Real Quiet, Red Ransom, Secret Savings, Snippets, Strategic, Success Express & Xaar. Well related youngsters include: a half-brother to recent Gr3 winning filly Yvonne, by Spectrum; a half-brother to slick sprinter Feel The Noise by 1st crop sire Marquetry; a half-sister to smart WA stakes-winner Zoometric, by Danzero; a half-sister to stakes-winners Moongara & Our Lance by Loup Sauvage from the grand producer Lion’s Gold; a three-quarter brother-in-blood to stakes-winner Seto Stayer, by Bellotto from Ranch Queen; a half-brother to speedster Blazing Reality by Catbird; & a half-brother to Malaysian stakes-winner Fire Phoenix II, by Fuji Kiseki from prolific producer Siloel. Other pedigree highlights include: a Spectrum colt from former champion NZ filly Burletta; a Redoute’s Choice colt from Gr3 winner Regal Sea; & a Bubble Gum Fellow filly from stakes-winner Adagietto. A draft of 9 yearlings by Beautiful Crown are likely to find favour with buyers. The Alanbridge Stud-based stallion has been on fire in recent weeks, represented by metropolitan winners Live In Fear & Bella Coureuse, as well as outstanding juvenile Bella Corona (winner of the Listed AJC Keith Mackay Stakes at Royal Randwick). Another young stallion is Nothin’ Leica Dane, who has half a dozen yearlings on offer. The Victoria Derby hero is beginning to come of age as a sire, with his oldest progeny now reaching maturity as 3YOs & being given their chance over the longer journeys. His exciting daughter Ain’t Seen Nothin’ put together a remarkable sequence of wins this autumn, before running bravely for 4th in the Gr1 AJC Australian Oaks. On the opposite side of the country, he has been represented by top filly Superior Star (winner of 4 races including the Gr2 WATC Oaks). (May 6) Denmark Move Threatens Centrebet Sale The proposed sale of sports betting outfit Centrebet “may be in jeopardy because the Danish government has requested that its citizens be protected from Australian companies offering on-line gaming services,” reported The Australian Financial Review.” Centrebet (owned by Queensland casino group Jupiters) derives “more than half of its revenue from Nordic countries, including Denmark.” Jupiters is keen to off-load Centrebet as part of its merger with Victoria’s Tabcorp. The Danish Minister of Taxation has written to federal Communications & Information Technology Minister Senator Richard Alston “requesting Denmark receive designated country status as provided under section 9A of the Interactive Gaming Act 2001. That section gives the government the power to prohibit local on-line operators from accepting bids from citizens in countries where on-line gaming has been banned.” (May 6) Big Plans For Macau Derby Hero Macau Derby hero Analyst has continued his winning sequence at Macau’s Taipa track, beating older horses to score an easy win in the Gr2 Chairmans Challenge Cup. Greg Zarra of the Australasian Bloodstock Agency purchased Analyst at the Inglis 2000 Autumn Yearling Sale for just $10,000 & reports that the horse’s owners are “over the moon”. No wonder: Analyst has now won 7 races (& notched a further 7 placings) from just 15 starts, amassing prize-money in excess of $550,000. He will now be aimed at the big International meeting at Sha Tin later this year. (May 6) Aust Jockey Boots Home 4 Winners In HK Meanwhile Australian jockey Craig Williams landed 4 winners at Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting in Hong Kong, reported appracingandsports.com.au. The wins came on Super Charge (for expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes), Capital Gain, Global Fortune & Sensible Way. A delighted Williams quipped: "I've won a treble here before & even won 5 on a day at a track outside Melbourne once. But I reckon 4 at Sha Tin beats 5 at Sale!" (May 6) Former Aust-NZ Sprinter Wins In HK And smart sprinter Joy Fay Fay (who raced with success in Australia & NZ under the name Oronoko) scored his first HK win over the straight 1000m course at Sha Tin for the Derek Cruz stable. The 3YO gelding by Umatilla (from the Danehill mare Sandbagger) was purchased at the Inglis 2001 Premier Yearling Sale for $57,500 by NZ bloodstock agent Paul Beamish. He showed immediate ability, winning on debut in NZ before heading to Melbourne where he ran 3rd in the $500,000 Inglis Premier Race. Oronoko raced in Australia on 2 more occasions, filling placings in Listed company, before being sold to HK interests. (May 6) Kenwood Melody Half-Brother Also Wins In HK Also at Sha Tin, a half-brother to Gr1 Caulfield Guineas winner Kenwood Melody won his 1st race. Capital Gain, a 3YO gelding by Ascot Knight, was purchased for $65,000 at the Inglis 2000 June Weanling Sale & had previously filled several minor placings prior to the breakthrough win. (May 6) Singapore Cancellation Leaves Word Series Contenders Waiting Meanwhile the abandonment of this year’s S$3 million (A$2.7 million) Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji “has left connections of a number of World Series horses wondering exactly what to do next,” reported aapracingandsports.com.au. “In the wake of a truly memorable running of the HK$14 million (A$2.85 million) Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin, connections of the first 3 horses past the post expressed disappointment at the demise of the Singapore race for 2003.” Toyomitsu Hirai, owner of QEII Cup winner Eishin Preston, said his horse’s crushing victory in the opening round of the 2003 World Racing Series meant he wants to actively pursue an international campaign in the hope of giving Japan its 1st world champion; hence it was a great shame Singapore’s race (the scheduled 2nd leg of the 2003 World Racing Series) had been abandoned because he & trainer Shuji Kitahashi had been keen to make the trip. And expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes said SARS fears would not have stopped him having his HK Derby heroine & QEII Cup runner-up Elegant Fashion at Kranji. Similarly German trainer Andreas Wohler, whose globe-trotting iron horse Paolini finished 3rd in the QEII Cup, said one of the attractions in coming to the region was the chance to compete in 2 top races, perfectly placed at 3 weeks apart & within an easy 3.5 hour flight of each other; Paolini ran 2nd to Godolphin’s World Series champion Grandera in the Singapore International Cup last year. (May 6) Argentine Sire Laramie Dies At Hara Campestre Argentine Gr2 winner Laramie, sire of Gr1 winner Miss Kin (one of the best older mares currently in training in Brazil), has died at Brazilian-based Haras Campestre reported thoroughbredtimes.com. From 38 winners in 6 crops of racing age, Laramie’s most accomplished offspring Miss Kin has won 8 races in Brazil (including the Gr1 Grande Premio Roberto e Nelson Grimaldi Seabra). As one of the top Argentine juveniles of 1992, Laramie’s most important victory came in the Gr2 Clasico Provincia de Buenos Aires at San Isidro. A 14-year-old son of Southern Halo, Laramie is out of the unraced Right Of Way mare La Endiablada (Argentina’s1987 Broodmare-Of-The-Year). He was a half-brother to 1987 Argentine Horse-Of-The-Year Larabee, champion La Francesa & multiple group winner La Divertinda. (May 6) Argentine Sprinter Fire Toss To Stand At Haras Ni Manor Fire Toss, a multiple Gr2 winner & one of the top sprinters in Argentina during the last 4 seasons, has been retired & will stand at Haras Ni Manor, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The son of Fine Toss recorded 9 wins in 47 starts (including the 2000 Gr2 Clasico Pippermint & both 2000 & 2002 Gr2 Clasico Cyllene. Fire Toss is out the winning Bold Second mare Fire Side (dam of 2 other winners). (May 6) Freshman Sire Gold Regent Records First Stakes Winner US freshman sire Gold Regent recorded his 1st stakes winner when 2YO filly Marquee won the Manor Downs Thoroughbred Futurity Finals Stakes at Manor Downs, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Gold Regent, a 7YO son of Mr Prospector, is 1 of 10 foals to start (7 winners) out of stakes-placed winning Vice Regent mare Regent’s Walk; he is a half-brother to multiple Gr1-winning millionaire Marquetry & multiple group stakes winner Spain Lane. Gold Regent is from the family of multiple graded stakes winner Five Star Day & multiple Canadian stakes winner Torrid Affair. (May 6) First Stakes Winner For US Sire Daufuskie Pirate The 4YO filly Drop Of Rain won at Indiana Downs in the US to notch the first stakes win for her sire Daufuskie Pirate reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 10-year-old son of Marshua’s Dancer has 6 foals of racing age & 2 are winners (Drop Of Rain & Darbie D). Daufuskie Pirate stands at Brandywine Stables in Indiana. Bred in California, Daufuskie Pirate is out of the winning Pirate’s Bounty mare Pirate’s Coquette & is from the family of multiple stakes winner Desert Pirate. (May 6) Leading European Owner Etti Plesch Dies Aged 89 Etti Plesch, the 6-times-married Austrian socialite who owned 2 English Derby winners (Psidium & Henbit) as well as Sassafras (the horse who ended Nijinsky's brilliant unbeaten record), has died in Monte Carlo aged 89, reported racingpost.co.uk. First with her husband Arpad & then on her own, she raced a string of top-class Eurpoean winners over the last 50 years. Born Countess Maria Wurmbrand-Stuppach in 1918, Plesch took her surname from her 6th husband & multimillionaire businessman Arpad Plesch. Among many top-class performers, she raced: Nagami (1959 Coronation Cup winner for Lester Piggott); Discorea (1959 Irish Oaks winner for Manny Mercer); Thymus (1959 Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner); Psidium (1961 English Derby winner); Waldmeister (1965 Prix du Cadran); Tapalqué (1968 Prix du Jockey-Club); Saraca (1969 Prix Vermeille); Amber Rama (1969 Prix Robert Papin, Prix Morny & Prix de la Salamandre, & 1970 King’s Stand Stakes); Brassia (1964 Queen Mary Stakes); Sassafras (1970 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when he became the first horse to beat Britain’s Triple Crown hero Nijinsky, plus the Prix du Jockey-Club & Royal-Oak); Busaca (1977 Lancashire & Yorkshire Oaks); Henbit (1980 English Derby); Miswaki (1980 Prix de la Salamandre); & Squill (1988 Prix Dollar). (May 6) Buffy The Punters’ Pin-Up Tuesday Odd Spot: Buffy Tyler was on hand to see her 3YO filly namesake Buffythecenterfold (Capote-Augusta Springs, by Nijinsky) win the Gr3 Railbird Stakes at Hollywood Park in the US reported thoroughbredinternet.com. For those unfamiliar with Miss Tyler, she was Playboy magazine's Miss November 2000. (May 6) NY-Bred Gelding Funny Cide Wins US Gr1 Kentucky Derby Funny Cide became “the first New York-bred to ever win the Derby & the first gelding to take the roses since 1929” when he edged out hot favourite Empire Maker in the US$1 million Gr1 Kentucky Derby (10 furlongs) at Churchill Downs, reported bloodhorse.com. Funny Cide had previously been beaten by just a half-length by Empire Maker (owned by Saudi Arabian Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms) in the Gr1 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct last month. Owned by the Sackatoga Stable of Jackson Knowlton & partners (a group of 6 high school friends who have only 3 horses in training), Funny Cide is trained by Barclay Tagg & was ridden by Jose Santos. Favorite Empire Maker (Unbridled- Toussaud, by El Gran Senor) finished 2nd & his stablemate Peace Rules (Jules- Hold To Fashion, by Hold Your Peace) 3rd. Funny Cide (Distorted Humor-Belle’s Good Cide, by Slewacide) was bred in New York by WinStar Farm & and is from sire Distorted Humor's 1st crop to race. Funny Cide now has 4 wins & 2 2nds in his 7 career starts. He was sold as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling sale in August 2001 for just US$22,000. The complete finishing order was: Funny Cide, Empire Maker, Peace Rules, Atswhatimtalknbout, Eye Of The Tiger, Buddy Gil, Outta Here, Ten Cents A Shine, Ten Most Wanted, Domestic Dispute, Scrimshaw, Offlee Wild, Supah Blitz, Indian Express, Lone Star Sky & Brancusi. (May 5) Kentucky Derby Draws 148,000 Crowd The 129th Kentucky Derby race was run before an on-track crowd of 148,530, 5th largest in history. And “fueled by large increases in out-of-state simulcasting, wagering on both the Kentucky Derby & the entire Derby Day card from Churchill Downs in Louisville rose by double-digit figures,” reported bloodhorse.com. A total US$87,663,663 was bet on the Derby (a 10.83% gain over 2002) & US$140,250,590 was bet on the entire card (up 13.8% over last year). On-track attendance was up 2.5% & on-track wagering increased 5.21% US$9,079,841 on the Derby & 6.09% to US$20,583,143 for all 12 races. (May 5) Shuttle Stallion Sires Kentucky Derby Winner The Kentucky Derby proved a triumph for the Mr Prospector sireline, which provided the 1st 3 horses over the line. Funny Cide is a son of 2-season shuttle stallion Distorted Humor, who “covered 79 mares in Australia in 1999 & 81 mares in 2000,” reported racenet.com.au. Distorted Humor was a multiple Gr2 winner of 8 races before he retired to WinStar Farm Kentucky & Grand Lodge Thoroughbreds in Victoria in 1999. Funny Cide comes from his 1st WinStar crop. A son of Forty Niner (from the Danzig mare Danzig’s Beauty), Distorted Humor was champion 1st crop sire in the US last year. With his 1st Australian conceived crop racing this season, Distorted Humor is currently 5th on the 1st season sires table with 2 winners from 8 runners (including Rinky Dink, winner of the Listed Subaru Stakes at Flemington & runner-up in Gr3 Blue Diamond Prelude, Listed Debutante Stakes & Listed Cinderella Stakes). (May 5) Lakewood Stud Has 2 Distorted Humor Yearlings For Sale Though owner WinStar Farm has decided Distorted Humor will not be returning to Australia, racenet.com.au noted: “Lakewood Stud currently has 2 rising 2YOs by Distorted Humor for sale, both Super VOBIS qualified: one is a half-sister to 5 winners including Critical Road & Miss Vodka; another is from a winning mare who has produced.” (May 5) Bird Town Takes US Gr1 Kentucky Oaks Meanwhile, a day earlier Marylou Whitney’s homebred 3YO filly Bird Town (Cape Town-Dear Birdie, by Storm Bird) finished with a spectacular sprint to win the US$570,000 Gr1 Kentucky Oaks (9 furlongs) by 3 lengths at Churchill Downs for trainer Nick Zito & jockey Edgar Prado in a stakes-record time of 1min 48.64sec. “In a race of incidents that saw the 2nd favourite Elloluv stumble out of the gates & the favourite Lady Tak suffer scrimmaging on the 1st & last turn, it was left to Bird Town to finish better than anything else,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Bird Town won from Santa Catarina (by Unbridled) & Yell (by A P Indy). A winner of 3 races (& placed in the other 5 of her & starts), Bird Town is from the 1st crop of (& is the 1st Gr1 winner for) Gr1 Florida Derby winner Cape Town (by Seeking The Gold) who stands at Overbrook Farm in Kentucky. (Whitney’s late husband C.V.Whitney won the Kentucky Oaks 4 times: with Two Bob in 1936, Bug Brush in 1958, Bag of Tunes in 1973 & Sun And Snow in 1975, noted thououghbredtimes.com.) (May 5) Kentucky Oaks Draws 100,000 Crowd The crowd of 100,523 at Churchill Downs was the “5th largest crowd in history for the day & marked the 5th straight year that attendance had topped the 100,000 mark,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. (The record for Kentucky Oaks attendance was 106,156 in 2000.) On-track wagering on the 11-race Oaks card totaled US$11,251,063, an increase of 2.9% from last year. Total wagering on the day's races soared to US$30,895,718, up 8.16%. (May 5) Honor In War Takes US Gr1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes In other US Gr1 weekend news, jockey David Flores & trainer Paul McGee combined to win the US$400,000 Gr1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes (9 furlongs on turf) at Churchill Downs with outsider Honor In War. The 4YO son of Argentinian sire Lord At War (who now has 6 wins in 13 career starts & notched his 1st stakes win with the victory) defeated Requete & Patrol reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Bred in Kentucky by Mill Ridge Farm, Honor In War is the only foal to race out of the winning Diesis mare Catumbella. (May 5) Sightseek Wins US Gr1 Humana Distaff Handicap And Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms 4YO homebred Sightseek romped home by 4.5 lengths in the US$220,000 Gr1 Humana Distaff Handicap (7 furlongs) at Churchill Downs for the jockey Jerry Bailey-trainer Bobby Frankel combination. The victory followed 3 successive runner-up results (in the Gr1 Santa Monica Handicap, Gr2 La Canada Stakes & Gr1 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap) reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Sightseel defeated Gold Mover (who also ran 2nd last year) & Miss Lodi. Bred in Kentucky, Sightseek (a daughter of Distant View) now has 5 wins & 4 2nds in 9 starts. She is 1 of 3 winners from 4 foals to race out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Viviana (by Nureyev) & is a half-sister to multiple Gr2 winner Tates Creek. (May 5) Media Puzzle’s Half-Brother Wins UK Gr1 2000 Guineas For Weld Meanwhile across the Atlantic, Walter Haefner’s Moyglare Stud homebred Refuse To Bend (Sadler's Wells-Market Slide, by Gulch) maintained his 4-start unbeaten record with a decisive win in the Gr1 2000 Guineas (1 mile) at Newmarket in England, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Ridden by Pat Smullen for Irish trainer Dermot Weld, Refuse To Bend held off challenges by Zafeen (Zafonic-Shy Lady, by Kaldoun) & Norse Dancer (Halling-River Patrol, by Rousillon). A half-brother to last year's Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle (by Theatrical), Refuse To Bend's dam is a half-sister to Gr1 winner & US$2 million-earning sire Twilight Agenda (by Devil’s Bag), as well as Irish Edition (dam of Go And Go, winner of the US Gr1 Belmont Stakes for Moyglare). Refuse To Bend is the 20th Classic winner sired by Sadler's Wells (by Northern Dancer). Trainer Dermot Weld, who last won a British classic 22 years ago (when Blue Wind won the 1981 Gr1 Epsom Oaks), told The Racing Post: "This is a special day because nowadays, with the strength of Godolphin & Ballydoyle, my team by some standards is very small compared with theirs." (May 5) 3rd 2000 Guineas Winner For Sadler's Wells Unbeaten colt Refuse To Bend gave Sadler's Wells his 3rd winner of the 2000 Guineas, following King Of Kings in 1997 & Entrepreneur in 1998, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. It was also the 20th European Classic winner sired by Sadler's Wells. (Another Moyglare hombred Sadler's Wells Classic winner is Irish Oaks winner Dance Design.) The 12 times Champion Sire Sadler's Wells is currently the World's leading Sire of Stakes-winners, although he is being closely pressed by his Coolmore stablemate Danehill. (May 5) Russian Rhythm Wins UK Gr1 1000 Guineas Kieren Fallon rode the Cheveley Park Stud owned & Sir Michael Stoute-trained 3YO filly Russian Rhythm (Kingmambo-Balistroika, by Nijinsky) to victory in the UK Gr1 1000 Guineas (1 mile) at Newmarket. In a roughly-run race, the favourite & last year's champion French 2YO filly Six Perfections (Celtic Swing-Yogya Riverman) “had no luck at all & was finishing best of all to go down by a length & a half, with the other French visitor Intercontinental (Danehill-Hasili, by Kayhasi) close up 3rd,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. (Intercontinental is a full-sister to top-class mare Banks Hill & champion miler Dansili.) “Post-race accolades for the winner were overshadowed by debate about Thierry Thulliez’s ride on hot favorite Six Perfections, trained in France by Pascal Bary. Her route to the winning post was more circuitous than the map of the Tour de France,” declared thoroughbredtimes.com. In an ironic twist, the winner is by Kingmambo, who was bred & raced by the Niarchos Family, as is Six Perfections. A 440,000 guineas Tattersalls Houghton Sale yearling, Russian Rhythm is a half-sister to Graded-placed Ive Gota Bad Liver. Their dam is a half-sister to Gr1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Desirable (dam of Shadayid who won the 1991 1000 Guineas). This is the immediate family of Gr1 winners Diktat, Alydaress & Cape Cross. Classic winner Kingmambo by (Mr Prospector) stands at Lane's End Farm in Kentucky. (May 5) Warrsan Continues Winning Path Toward Possible Melbourne Cup Tilt Also in the UK, Saeed Manana's 5YO homebred Warrsan (Caerleon-Lucayan Princess, by High Line) continued his winning sequence with victory in the UK Gr2 Jockey Club Stakes (12 furlongs) at Newmarket. Warrsan was too strong for St Leger winner Millenary (by Rainbow Quest) & Highest (by Selkirk). “Winning trainer Clive Brittain has made no secret of the fact that he would relish the challenge of taking Warrsan to Australia for a tilt at the Melbourne Cup in November & he would appear to be ideally suited for that,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. (May 5) Honor Babe Wins Gr1 Sydney Cup And back in Australia on the weekend, NZ 4YO mare Honor Babe took her record to 6 wins & 5 placings from 16 starts when Kerrin McEvoy piloted her to victory in the $750,000 Gr1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick. Trainer Katrina Alexander declared the winner will “definitely have a Melbourne Cup campaign”. Honor Babe (Honor Grades-Repremand, by Kreisler) defeated last year’s Queensland Derby winner County Tyrone (Danewin-Nice Choice, by Touching Wood) & Victorian stayer Grey Song (Unbridled’s Song-Tonzazip-, by Kaapstad). “Honor Babe was bought out of a paddock as a weanling & failed to fetch a $5,000 reserve when sent back to the sales as a yearling,” noted The Sun-Herald. (May 5) Lonhro Adds Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Sydney’s current weight-for-age champion Lonhro (ridden by Darren Beadman & trained by John Hawkes) continued his autumn success with victory in the $710,000 Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick. It was the 4YO’s 3rd Gr1 win this preparation & 6th Gr1 of his career – taking his overall record to 18 wins & 3 placings in 25 starts & $3,421,420 prize-money. Lonhro (Octagonal-Shadea, by Straight Strike) defeated Pentastic (Pentire-Miss Minden, by Bellotto) & Republic Lass (Canny Lad-Swift Seasons, by Cox’s Ridge). Multiple Gr1 winner Octagonal (by Zabeel) stands at Lonhro’s owner Jack Ingham’s Woodlands Stud & shuttled to Haras le Quesnay in Normandy for 2 seasons. (May 5) Hawkes Vetoes Freemason’s $3.5 Million Japanese Lure Lonhro’s stable-mate Freemason (who defeated Northerly in The BMW ‘2-horse-war’ at Rosehill last month & finished 4th behind Lonhro in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on the weekend) has been invited to race for a potential $3.5 million in Japan’s Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) on June 29. But trainer John Hawkes told The Daily Telegraph: “I’m keen to take a horse overseas one day, but he’s not the right one. At this stage, Freemason is going to Brisbane for races like the Doomben Cup. He’ll be coming to the end of his preparation by the time the Japan race comes around. He’ll be looking for a spell.” (May 5) Hasna Takes Gr1 Champagne Stakes Meanwhile trainer Gai Waterhouse & jockey Len Beasley combined to take the $475,000 Gr1 AJC Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick with 2YO filly Hasna. The youngster has notched 6 wins & 3 placings in her 10 starts & took her prize-money to $1,157,835. Hasna (Snippets-They Say, by Thirty Six Red) won from Aim For Gold (End Sweep-Young Vic, by Old Vic) & Bushland (Quest for Fame-Terrain, by Scenic). (May 5) Danehill’s Randwick Treble Helps Chase For Sires Title It was also a good day at Randwick for Danehill in his pursuit of Serheed for the Australian sires championship. Danehill sired 3 winners at Randwick: Darley Australia’s 2YO colt Untouchable in the San Miguel Handicap (1200m); 4YO mare Faith Hill in the Gr2 Emancipation Stakes (1600m); & 4YO gelding Britt’s Best in the Jack Ingham Transitional Plate (1400m). (May 5) Sound Action Victorious In Gr1 Australasian Oaks Meanwhile at Morphettville in Adelaide, jockey Wayne Hokai rode 3YO filly Sound Action (Vettori-Dance With Royalty, by Palace Music) to an easy victory over Milanova (by Danehill) & Great Anna (by Anabaa) in the $250,000 Gr1 Schweppes Australasian Oaks (2025m). Sound Action cost just $2,500 at an Inglis Mixed Sale & has now won 6 times (plus a 2nd) in 7 starts for Colac trainer Roberta Maguire, who has just 2 horses in her stable. “Her third dam Peg's Pride won the 1973 Wellington Derby & her fourth dam Winnipeg II won the Queensland Oaks in 1961,” noted thoroughbredinternet.com. It was also the 1st Gr1 victory for Classic winner Vettori (by Machiavellian), who stands at New England Stud at Newmarket in the UK. (May 5) Mr Prospector’s 3-Continent Weekend Triumphs The weekend's Classics proved a triumph for Mr Prospector: his son Kingmambo sired UK 1000 Guineas winner Russian Rhythm; his grandson Distorted Humour sired the US Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide; & another grandson Vettori sired his first Gr1 winner when his shuttle-sired daughter Sound Action won the Australasian Oaks. Russian Rhythm is the 3rd Classic winner sired by Kingmambo (following King's Best & Bluemamba). (May 5) $300,000 For Danehill Colt At Magic Millions Yearling Sale A Danehill-Gibraltar Heights colt (offered by Oaklands Stud as agent) topped the opening Yearling Session at the 4-day Magic Millions National Sale on the Gold Coast yesterday. The colt was initially passed-in for $250,000 at auction, but later purchased for its $300,000 reserve by NSW trainer Paul Sutherland; the youngster is closely related to Barathea (winner of the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Mile & Gr1 Irish Two Thousand Guineas), Gossamer (Gr1 Irish One Thousand Guineas) & Desert Style (Irish Gr3 Curragh Tetrarch Stakes). And trainer Gerald Ryan paid $200,000 for a Danehill-Jeanetta Cochrane (by Sadler’s Wells) colt, closely related to Kalanisi (2000 Champion US Turf Colt, whose 6 wins include the Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf & Gr1 Newmarket Dubai Champion Stakes). Other top lots were: $100,000 paid by Doncaster Bloodstock for a Zabeel-Let’s Rock Again colt, consigned by Strawberry Hill Stud. $60,000 paid by Prime Thoroughbreds for an Octagonal-Here Comes De Hit filly, consigned by Bahram Stud Farm as agent. $55,000 paid by trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson for a Marauding-County Royale colt, consigned by Oakwood Farm as agent. $50,000 paid by Magic Millions as agent for a Carnegie-Classy Liz filly, consigned by Torryburn Stud. $50,000 paid by Graeme Rogerson for a Nuclear Freeze-Ranein filly, consigned by Inverness Stud. $40,000 paid by South Africa’s World Wide Bloodstock for a Lion Hunter-Belle Angelo colt, consigned by Oaklands Stud. (May 5) Magic Millions Day 1: Gross Up 46% Overall the Day 1 yearling session of the Magic Millions Nation Sale realised a 46% increase in gross aggregate (from $1,807,250 in 2002 to a record $2,640,450 in 2003), with 188 lots sold at an average $14,045 & a 70.15% clearance rate. The most active individual buyers were: Doncaster Bloodstock (2 for $107,000); Darryl Collan (4 for $35,000); Bill Grace (6 for $29,500); John Harvey (5 for $19,000); Heinrich Bloodstock (3 for $72,000); Lee Hope (4 for $48,000); Washpool Thoroughbreds (4 for $76,000); Phillip Ernest Lloyd (5 for $12,450); Graeme Rogerson Bloodstock (8 for $230,000); Gerald Ryan (2 for $220,000); Peter Strong (4 for $41,000); Paul Sutherland (2 for $330,000); & Dale Sutton (8 for $54,250). MM managing director David Chester commented: “This sale has come of age & the success of graduates from this sale has contributed greatly to this record result for an early May sale.” (May 5) Foxabeel In Magic Millions Broodmare Sale Tomorrow’s opening session of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast received a major boost over the weekend when the Zabeel mare Foxabeel won over 1600m at Eagle Farm in Brisbane. Foxabeel (a previous dual winner in NSW) was having her final start before she is offered at the MM Sale. A daughter of the champion NZ sire Zabeel, Foxabeel is from the stakes-winning Veloso mare Melody Fox (from the family of top Kiwi Ripon By). (May 5) NZ Bloodstock’s New Autumn Yearling Sale Meanwhile NZ Bloodstock’s Autumn Yearling Sale will make its debut this Friday (May 9) at Auckland’s Karaka Sales Complex. Joint general manager Julia Naismith commented: “The Autumn Yearling Sale provides an excellent opportunity for later maturing types, later foals, or those that missed the January sales for other reasons, to be presented to the market at a later sale, while still enjoying the benefits of NZ Bloodstock’s extensive marketing & world class selling venue at Karaka. We are delighted the sale has attracted a catalogue of over 100 yearlings, including many with Premier & Select Sale pedigrees.” Among them are: Fasliyev-Close Your Eyes (by Geiger Counter) filly. Sandtrap-Ever True (by Sir Tristram) colt. Anziyan-Janford (by Sackford) filly. Daggers Drawn-Kitty Ping (by Nassipour) colt. Grosvenor-Lady Diva (by Lord Waverley) filly. Cape Cross-Maiden Over (by Centro) colt. Grand Lodge-Mrs Bond (by Last Tycoon) filly. Cape Cross-Naadirah (by Famous Star) filly. Pins-Sansong (by Rangong) colt. Volksraad-Superior Miss (by Bassenthwaite) filly. Shinko King-Torque Sense (by Sound Reason) filly. (May 5) Coolmore’s Fasliyev & Orpen Both Notch First 2 Wins Further to last Friday’s item re ‘First Winner For Freshman Sire Fasliyev’: Coolmore Stud stallions Fasliyev (by Nureyev) & Orpen (by Lure) have both “opened their winning accounts with 2 winners apiece” in the last few days, reported racenet.com.au. Orpen’s winners came in the space of 10 minutes in England & Italy: Obe Bold recorded a win at Redcar & just minutes later Enrika's Gift won by 3 lengths on debut in Rome. (Orpen's stakes winning half-brother Jules was also in the news as his 1st crop son Peace Rules finished 3rd in the Kentucky Derby.) Fasliyev got off the mark when Russian Valour cruised home by 3.5 lengths at Pontefract. Then Needles And Pins won by 3 lengths at Haydock on Saturday. (May 5) Hussonet Keeps Producing Stakes Winners Meanwhile Mr Prospector sire son Hussonet continues to generate good news for Arrowfield Stud. Petit Paris became Hussonet’s 43rd stakes winner overall & 4th 2YO stakes winner this season when the colt won Chile’s Gr2 El Estreno-Nicanor Senoret Stakes by 3.5 lengths in a new race record time at Valpariso Sporting Club. And Hussonet added another feather to his “dominant sire” cap when his very first runner as a broodmare sire, 2YO filly La Minuta (by Winged Victory), won the Gr3 Cotejo de Potrancas at Santiago; Hussonet's 1st appearance as a broodmare sire of a stakes winner is the product of one of only 4 unraced horses from his 1st crop bred in 1995. Hussonet, sire of 24% stakes-winners-to-runners, is now at Arrowfield Stud & will stand this coming season at $24,750 (inc GST). (May 5) Tasmanian Stallion Weasel Clause Dies The successful Tasmanian Sire Weasel Clause (sire of the winners of over $4.5million, including multiple Gr2 winners Weasel Will & My Sienna) has been euthanised due to complications with laminitis. Weasel Clause stood at Armidale Stud on the Apple Isle. (May 5) Damien Oliver Wins In Japan Champion Australian jockey Damien Oliver broke through for his first win in Japan yesterday, reported racenet.com.au. He had 9 rides on the 12-race card & registered 1 win, 3 2nds, 1 3rd & 3 4ths. (May 5) Best Golden Slipper Festival Ever Sydney Turf Club chief executive Michael Kenny described his club’s recent 4-Saturday Golden Slipper Festival as “the best ever” & declared: “To see over 30,000 people on AAMI Golden Slipper Day (the Rosehill Gardens capacity is officially 30,000) has proven that Sydney racing is experiencing a huge resurgence of interest among our target market.” He also noted the STC’s “absolute delight” at the major sponsorship arrangements now in place with 4 leading studs, via the Gr1 Kia Ora Stud Canterbury Guineas, Gr1 Darley Stakes, Gr1 Arrowfield Stud Stakes & Gr1 Coolmore Classic. Among the STC’s success indicators: 69,398 fans attended the 4 meetings, an increase of 18.3% on last year; On-course tote betting turn-over was $9.38 million, an increase of 30%; On-course bookmakers’ betting turn-over was $29 million, a rise of 33%. (May 5) Golden Slipper Fillies To Keep 3kg Weight Advantage Meanwhile the Sydney Turf Club’s Board of Directors has rejected a push to reduce the 3kg weight advantage for fillies for next year’s Golden Slipper. STC chief executive Michael Kenny told The Daily Telegraph: “The Board considered all the facts, but decided not to alter the weight scale. After all, the colts have won more Slippers overall.” Since the first Golden Slipper in 1957, 27 colts have won & 20 fillies; however fillies have won the last 4 (Polar Success 2003, Calaway Gal 2002, Ha Ha 2001 & Belle Du Jour 2000) & also filled the trifecta in both the last 2 Slippers & the first 6 placings this year. Kenny added: "Admittedly the fillies have been dominant in recent years, but that might just be a generational thing. It will change & who knows, a colt may win the race next year.” (May 5) STC Chases Overseas Runners For $2 Million BMW Sydney Turf Club chief executive Michael Kenny also told The Daily Telegraph: The STC has decided against altering its Autumn Carnival programming, resisting calls to “combine some of the Slipper lead-up races.” A decision on whether to increase prize-money for the Todman Stakes (to bring it into line with the Reisling Stakes) has been delayed “until the club’s budget review is completed. However the Board is sympathetic about putting the prize-money for the colts’ race up to the level of the fillies.” There will be no change to prize-money levels for the club’s Gr1 races next season (the Golden Slipper will remain at $3 million & The BMW at $2 million). The club is introducing changes to nomination conditions for The BMW, involving “a call for early nominations” & “a late entry clause”. Kenny explained “the Club is keen to chase international competition for the race next year” & these changes “will enable some pre-post betting in the weeks leading up to the race.” STC racing manager John Nicholson will soon head overseas “to drum up support” from northern hemisphere owners & trainers for the Slipper carnival & The BMW in particular. Kenny noted: “We think The BMW, being a weight-for-age race over 2400m, is the right vehicle. The Japanese seem quite interested & I think there is a good chance we can attract some of their horses to Sydney next year.” He noted Nicholson will also travel to Europe “to talk to trainers about the possibility of bringing their horses to Sydney for the Autumn.” (May 5) AJC Will Consider Adjustments To Randwick Programming And as the Australian Jockey Club’s 3-week Sydney Autumn Carnival concluded at Randwick over the weekend, its chief executive Tony King told The Daily Telegraph: “If there is to be a Group race which has a prize-money increase next season, then it is my view that the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (currently $710,000) should be a priority.” “We should consider reintroducing the St Leger. It’s such a traditional race that a spot should be found for it. . . . I think you will find the St Leger will be like Lazarus – it will rise again.” “Although the $8 million Derby-Doncaster Day meeting (which drew 44,000 patrons in extremely wet weather) will stay as it is, we can work on changes on the other 3 days of the carnival.” (May 5) AJC To Consider 4-Days-In-a-Week Autumn Revamp Leading turf columnist Max Presnell revealed in The Sydney Morning Herald this morning: “Despite a successful autumn . . . . the Australian Jockey Club will consider a proposal to contain the carnival to 4 days in a week, similar to the Melbourne Cup carnival.” (May 5) Warwick Farm Drug Tests Negative Racing NSW chairman of stewards Ray Murrihy has confirmed that drug tests carried out at 30 Warwick Farm training stables last week (by officials conducting 'out-of-competition' testing involving Sydney Autumn Carnival horses) have returned negative results upon analysis at the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory. Out-of-competition was introduced to Australian racing last October. (May 5) Trainer Fined $1,000 For Race-Day Drug Breach However Racing NSW stewards fined trainer Gary Portelli $1,000 after an analyst's report found ranitidine in the urine sample taken from Octennial at Rosehill on March 10. Portelli pleaded guilty to the charge of having administered ranitidine in the form of an on-going ulcer treatment to Octennial on the morning of March 10 in breach of AR189A, which prohibits any person administering any medication to a horse on race-day. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account Portelli's “previous good record & honesty of his evidence.” They accepted his explanation that, when ranitidine was removed from the prohibited substances schedule on February 3, he mistakenly believed the substance could be administered on race-day & was unaware that AR189A(1), which was also introduced on February 3, prohibited the administration of any medication to a horse on race-day. "It was an honest mistake. The horse had been suffering from ulcers & the Ulcerguard had been given to him 3-times-a-day," Portelli admitted. "It is normal procedure for the horse & I just didn't think to stop the treatment on race morning. I suppose I should also be spending more time reading the Racing NSW calendar." In announcing the $1,000 penalty, Racing NSW chairman of stewards Ray Murrihy said: "We have got to seriously enforce this new rule - it is there for a reason. All trainers must take notice & not administer medications on race-day. The substances removed from the prohibited substances list were done so for welfare reasons. Trainers must especially be careful of administering antibiotics & antiparasitics on race-day." (May 5) Queensland Govt Grants For Country Race Meetings Queensland Racing Minister Merri Rose has urged eligible country race clubs to “apply to the Queensland Community Racing Scheme to ensure important social events & history are not lost.” Rose said Queensland Events Corporation had distributed information & application kits to all eligible clubs. Rose said: “No other Government provides assistance for the running of race meetings, but the Queensland Government has recognised the important social function race meetings play in the bush. Obviously many clubs are disappointed with the result of the changes to the racing calendar made by Queensland Racing, but this gives them the opportunity to still hold a race meeting.” The $200,000 Queensland Community Racing Scheme will provide up to $5,000 in grant funding for communities to hold annual race meetings. (May 5) Special Auckland Racing Club Meeting Called Off The special general meeting called by the Auckland Racing Club on the controversial “Prices Road development issue” has been cancelled, reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. ARC chairman Colin Devine, in a letter to members, said that on the advice of the club's solicitor Ian Haynes it had been decided to cancel the special general meeting set down for May 8. Devine explained: "If the meeting had gone ahead its outcome would have been open to challenge," Devine said. "It will appear obvious to members that there is deep division in the Board, but this letter from me is not the appropriate place to go into details. I will now propose to the Board that, at its scheduled meeting next Tuesday (May 6) , it settle the date of a new special general meeting to discuss Prices Road." (May 5) NZTM: Korean Market Offers ‘Immense Opportunities’ New Zealand is “well positioned to take advantage of a massive upsurge in racing in Korea,” according to NZ Thoroughbred Marketing chief executive Joe Walls following his recent study tour of the south-east Asian country. Among the key developments in Korean racing are: Korean betting turnovers have increased dramatically, to US$6.37 billion in 2002 compared to US$2.39 billion just 4 years earlier. A new racetrack is being built at Busan, the country’s second largest city. There have been major betting shop developments, especially in the capital Seoul. Race stakes have increased significantly, from US$43 million in 1999 to US$62 million this year; & average race stakes have increased from US$33,000 to US$44,000 per race. Racehorse ownership has undergone an important change, with the Korean Racing Association now allowing private ownership after having held total jurisdiction. Until last year the Seoul Racehorse Owners’ Association was licensed for all importations, but now individuals can import their own horses. (May 5) Arc Winner Sagamix To Stand In Brazil Sagamix, winner of the 1998 Gr1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, will stand the coming Southern Hemisphere season in Brazil “under an agreement brokered by a partnership that includes Brazilian-based Haras Fazenda Modesir, Haras Calunga & Haras Belair,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. “The 8YO grey son of Linamix is thought to be the 1st stallion owned by the Maktoum family to stand in South America.” He currently is standing the Northern Hemisphere season for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Darley breeding organization at Haras du Logis in France. Sagamix won 4 of 9 career starts for his owner-breeder, the late Jean-Luc Largardere. Acquired by the Maktoums’ Godolphin Racing stable before the 2000 racing season, he finished 3rd in that year’s Gr1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud before retiring. Produced by the Sagace mare Saganeca, Sagamix is a half-brother to Gr1 winner & 2001 French high-weight Sagacity & to Gr2 winner Sage et Jolie. Sagamix has 43 yearlings in his 1st crop & covered 87 mares in 2002. He will be bred to a maximum of 88 mares at Haras Calunga, according to a contract signed by the parties. (May 5) Half-Sister To US Star Congaree Born At Stonerside Mari’s Sheba, the stakes-placed winning dam of multiple US Gr1 winner Congaree, has given birth to a Thunder Gulch filly at Stonerside Stable in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Mari’s Sheba won 3 races in 14 starts & placed 3rd in 2 stakes events (the 1995 Gr1 Santa Anita Oaks & 1996 Lazer Show Stakes at Arlington Park). The new filly is the 3rd produced by Mari’s Sheba. Her 1st was Congaree (a son of Arazi): the 5YO has 3 Gr1 victories among his 8 stakes wins, including the 2001 Swaps Stakes, 2002 Cigar Mile & 2003 Carter Handicap; he also ran 3rd in the 2001 Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Preakness Stakes. Mari’s Sheba will be bred back to Seeking The Gold. (May 5) US$3.1 million Yearling 4th On Debut One Cool Cat, a Storm Cat colt purchased by Demi O’Byrne for US $3.1 million at the 2002 Keeneland July selected yearling sale, finished 4th in his career debut at the Curragh in Ireland, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Aiden O’Brien trains the colt, out of the winning Mr Prospector mare Tacha, for Susan Magnier. Tacha is a daughter of stakes winner Savannah Dancer (by Northern Dancer) & has only 1 other foal to race, winner Seattle Tac (a 3YO Seattle Slew filly). (May 5) First Winner For Kentucky Sire Mazel Trick Juventus won on debut to record the 1st winner for his sire Mazel Trick who stands at Airdrie Stud in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Mazel Trick had 6 wins from 10 starts (including the 1999 Gr2 Triple Bend Breeders’ Cup Invitational Handicap at Hollywood Park). The son of Phone Trick is out of the Gr3-winning mare Mazatleca & is a half-brother to Gr1 winner Wild Escapade. Mazel Trick has 86 foals in 1 crop of racing age. (May 5) First Winner For Maryland Sire Crypto Star Nagem Nagem Nagem won on debut at Pimlico in the US to notch the 1st winner for her sire Crypto Star reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Bred in Kentucky, Crypto Star finished 5th in the 1997 Gr1 Kentucky Derby & 4th in the Gr1 Belmont Stakes following victories in the Gr3 Louisiana Derby & Gr2 Arkansas Derby. The son of Cryptoclearance had 5 wins & 4 placings in 14 career starts. Crypto Star, who currently stands at Murmur Farm in Maryland, is out of the winning Sir Ivor mare One I Love & is a half-brother to stakes winners Arnold S. & Incurable Romantic. Crypto Star has 2 crops, including 41 foals of racing age. (May 5) Italian Police Launch Race-Fixing Investigation Italian police have visited the houses of 25 leading owners, trainers, vets & jockeys’ agents in & around Rome “looking for evidence in an investigation into betting with illegal bookmakers, race-fixing & doping which has been under way for 4 months,” reported racingpost.co.uk. “This is not the first investigation conducted by the Guardia di Finanza (Fraud Squad), but each public announcement shows that they are getting ever closer to the heart of the problems in the sport.” (May 5) Leading Italian Racing Figure Mezzanotte Dies Meanwhile Paolo Mezzanotte, “one of Italian racing’s leading figures of the second part of the 20th century”, died in Milan aged 91 reported racingpost.co.uk. Mezzanotte was president of the Italian Jockey Club from 1958-1976 & held similar positions at UNIRE (the Italian Levy Board) & San Siro racecourse in Milan. He was also a successful owner & breeder, with his best horse Toupet winning the 1968 Grand Criterium in Milan. (May 5) Race Announcer Holds Off Drunken Press Box Invader Mid-Call Monday Odd Spot: British race caller John Hickman never missed a beat in spite of an intoxicated man twice breaking into the press box while Hickman was calling a race at Uttoxeter racecourse on the weekend. Hickman told the UK Racing Post: "The man crashed into the commentary box in the middle of the intermediate steeplechase, looked lost & said to me: What’s going on in here?" The commentator could smell alcohol on the man’s breath & gestured for the intruder to leave. Despite the man’s resistance, the unflustered Hickman coolly continued his call while opening the door to the press box & the man eventually left. On-track patrons hearing the call did not detect the behind-the scenes incident. However, Hickman added: "About 30 seconds later he was back with a mate & made his way over to the monitor & all the switches & I had to push him away. I suspect he & his friend were crashing the hospitality boxes in search of free booze &, when they couldn’t see any drink (in the press box), they left. That was the last I saw of them." (May 5) Inglis Aust Broodmare Sale: 465 Sold At $40,169 Average The 3-day Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale concluded in Sydney yesterday, with a total 465 lots sold for gross receipts of $18,678,650 & an average $40,169. Managing director Reg Inglis summed up: “Quality lots at the sale were highly sought after & vendors with better class mares were very well rewarded. Buyers from all states of Australia, New Zealand, England, France, America, Hong Kong & Thailand were all in attendance.” Inglis executive director Jonathan D’Arcy added: “Fourteen separate buyers purchased mares above $200,000, reflecting a good spread of investment at the top end of the market.” (May 2) Inglis Aust Broodmare Sale: Top 15 Lots The top 15 lots during the Inglis Broodmare Sale were: $725,000 paid by Nemeris Lodge for multiple stakes winning Danehill daughter Dandify (not in foal), consigned by Invermien. $360,000 paid by Jon Freyer Bloodstock for Pontal Lass (not in foal), consigned by Newhaven Park Stud. $330,000 paid by Belmont Bloodstock for Beam (served by Fasliyev), consigned by Newhaven Park Stud. $325,000 paid by Arrowfield Stud for Lilande (not in foal), consigned by Invermien. $310,000 paid by DGR Thoroughbreds for Dewamar (served by Carnegie), consigned by Dalmore. $290,000 paid by P.Ward for Confer (served by Quest For Fame), consigned by Newhaven Park Stud. $290,000 paid by Queensland’s Gaden Park Stud for a Zabeel mare Satin 'N' Silk (served by Carnegie), consigned by Philippa Duncan Bloodstock as agent. $250,000 paid by NSW’s Bruce Reid for Sadler’s Wells daughter Incommunicado (served by Giant’s Causeway), consigned by NZ’s Chatham Lodge Thoroughbreds. $250,000 paid by William Inglis as agent for Haywire (served by Danzero), consigned by Newhaven Park Stud. $250,000 paid by Letmar Investments for Forest Girl (served by Redoute’s Choice), consigned by Arrowfield Stud as agent. $250,000 paid by Vin Cox Bloodstock for Bassing Hope (served by Danehill), consigned by Swettenham Stud. $220,000 paid by Reavill Farm for Volte (served by Danzero), consigned by Newhaven Park Stud. $220,000 paid by NSW buyer Tony Bott for South Sea Storm (served by Giant’s Causeway), consigned by Philippa Duncan Bloodstock as agent for Victoria’s The Pines Stud. $200,000 paid by Jon Freyer for Close Your Eyes (served by Galileo), consigned by NZ’s Chatham Lodge Thoroughbreds. $200,000 paid by Victoria’s Limerick Lane for Virage (served by Carnegie), consigned by Segenhoe Stud as agent. (May 2) Aust Entries For UK Gr1 Prince Of Wales Stakes Godolphin’s Dubai World Cup winner Moon Ballad heads an international field of 53 entries from South Africa, Australia, America & Hong Kong for the £350,000 (A$900,000) Gr1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes (1m 2furlongs) at Royal Ascot on June 18. On the same day the Gr1 Golden Jubilee Stakes over 6 furlongs will be run. “Of particular interest is Dermot Weld's new globe-trotting acquisition Belle du Jour, a Gr1 winner in Australia before finishing 4th in the Dubai Golden Shaheen,” reported racingpost.co.uk. Also entered is Paul Perry’s sprinter Choisir “a Gr1 winner in his native Australia, where he won the Silver Arrow Series over 4 races to prove himself Melbourne's best.” And HK-based expatriate Australian trainer David Hayes has entered his Emirates Park-bred star mare Elegant Fashion (recent winner of the HK Derby & 2nd in last weekend’s HK Gr1 QEII Cup) in the Prince Of Wales', “a former top filly in Australia before being shipped to HK." Hayes has also entered her stablemate All Thrills Too (bred at Victoria’s Collingrove Stud) for the 6 furlong race. Among the other leading international entries for the Prince Of Wales' are: Godolphin’s Sulamani (among 16 stable possibles); Aidan O'Brien’s dual English Derby & US Breeders' Cup Turf winner High Chaparral & Coral Eclipse winner Hawk Wing (among 5 stable possibles); South Africa’s Mike De Kock-trained UAE Derby winner Victory Moon; fellow South African trainer Geoff Woodruff’s Eventuail; David Oughton's HK Cup winner Precision; Andreas Wohler's German-trained Paolini; Ivan Allan's HK-trained Firebolt; Morluc from US trainer Randy Morse; & top Europeans Continent (David Nicholls' a dual Gr1 winner last season) & Malhub (John Gosden's Golden Jubilee Stakes winner). (May 2) Weld Confirms Media Puzzle’s 2003 Melb Cup Campaign Meanwhile last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle has been confirmed as again targetting this year’s ‘first Tuesday in November’ by Irish trainer Dermot Weld. The 6YO gelding was one of 42 entries this week (along with top stablemate & 2002 4th-placed Vinnie Roe) for the Ascot Gold Cup, Europe's unofficial staying championship worth £250,000 (A$640,000). However Weld told racingpost.co.uk that Media Puzzle will miss the Gold Cup & instead return to the track in Ireland’s Curragh Cup on June 28 as part of his return Melbourne Cup campaign. Weld explained the change of plan followed the tendon scare Media Puzzle suffered in Dubai in March: "It was a warning to us to be careful & we have decided to take heed of it, even though there is no damage to the tendon. However, I am not now going to train him for the Ascot Gold Cup & his main program after the Curragh Cup will be the Irish St Leger & the Melbourne Cup. There will also be other races in between, possibly the Grand Prix de Deauville.” (May 2) Danehill Close To Sadler’s Wells Record The race for the claim to the world's leading sire of stakes-winners “is hotting up, with Danehill getting closer to Sadler's Wells,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. From 11 crops of racing age in 2 hemispheres, Danehill's total of stakes-winners is now 211, just 2 behind Sadler's Wells on 213 (generated from 16 crops, but 366 less foals of racing age). Danehill has sired 132 individual Group or Graded winners, the latest being Arlington Road in the Gr1 All-Aged Stakes at Randwick last weekend. (May 2) Handicapper Declares Northerly Horse-Of-The-Year Will victory in tomorrow's $750,000 Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick - which would give Lonhro his 5th Gr1 win for the season - be enough to earn Horse-Of-The-Year honours? Racing NSW chief handicapper Mark Webbey told aapracingandsports.com.au bluntly: "No hope in the world. To be honest I can't even rate him above Defier. On dealing with the merits of race performances on a weekly basis, Northerly is by far & away the best-performed horse this season. Lonhro is a very good horse, no doubt. John Hawkes has placed him very well. But even if Lonhro won on Saturday & went on to win the Doomben Cup, I still couldn't have him overtaking Northerly. Northerly hasn't done too much wrong. His form in the spring was outstanding, he won the Australian Cup & was 2nd in a Gr1 in Sydney. And don't forget he beat Lonhro by about 25 lengths in the Cox Plate. Even Defier has beaten Lonhro 3 times. Defier is still a superior animal." Northerly has won 4 Gr1s this season: the Underwood, Cox Plate & Caulfield Cup last spring & Australian Cup this autumn. Lonhro won the Caulfield Stakes & Mackinnon Stakes last spring & Chipping Norton & George Ryder this autumn. Webbey summed up: "Northerly has got the runs on the board, albeit being beaten this autumn. His performances are still substantial enough to warrant being Horse-Of-The-Year. He rates 124 compared to Defier at 120 & Lonhro's peak rating of 117." (May 2) 76 Stallions Nominated For NSW BOBS Racing NSW chairman Tony Hartnell announced yesterday that 76 stallions have been nominated for the Breeders Owners Bonus Scheme. Hartnell said: “I would like to thank the owners of all stallions that have paid a sire contribution to BOBS. The stallion roster contains a good mix of stallions & geographic spread. The committee understands the enormous commitment required from stallion owners to participate in the scheme. The leadership displayed by people including the Woodlands organisation is especially appreciated.” Hartnell noted: “A response from Aushorse, suggesting changes to the scheme, has not yet been received. We look forward to resolving solutions with them that will ensure their participation in the scheme.” As a result, nominations have been extended until next Monday (May 5) “to enable those not yet nominated to give the matter final consideration.” Nominations for rising 2YOs & 3YOs will be opened next week. (May 2) Aust Jockeys Form New National Body Jockeys held the inaugural meeting, at Sydney's Randwick Racecourse, of their new national body “designed to push for better racetrack safety standards & improve financial protection for injured colleagues,” reported appracingandsports.com.au. The Australian Jockeys' Association hoped to “negotiate Australia-wide protection for all jockeys, including insurance, superannuation, a pension fund & a benevolent trust fund.” Following recent serious racetrack accidents, the AJA also wanted co-ordinated action to improve safety standards for its members. AJA chairman Paul Innes said: "Uniform safety standards are essential to provide a consistent & safe working environment." Between 25-40% of all jockeys were injured in the past 12 months, he noted. The national unification of jockey organisations followed action taken last year to address the public liability crisis sparked by the collapse of HIH Insurance. Innes added the AJA “would be represented in industrial negotiations by the Australian Workers' Union.” (May 2) Turf Legends Display Opens In Adelaide Turf Legends, an exhibition honouring the inductees to the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame, opened this week at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide. The display coincides with both the Adelaide Cup Carnival & Australian Racing Hall Of Fame Dinner (which Adelaide hosts for the first time on Thursday May 15). The exhibition celebrates the inductees’ “amazing triumphs & ground-breaking records”; many rare & personal items from the greats of racing are on display: for example, original ‘tools of the trade’ such as race-caller Bill Collins’ tape recorder & microphone, trainer Jack Holt’s pocket watch presented to him after Eurythmic’s great win in the 1921 Sydney Cup, & the bridle worn by the immortal Phar Lap in his amazing final win in the 1932 Aqua Caliente Handicap in North America. (May 2) Townsville Boasts Richest Ever North Queensland Meeting This year's $100,000 Jupiters Townsville Cup (2100m) on Saturday July 26 will be the feature event on the richest day of racing ever held in North Queensland. Townsville Turf Club chief executive James Heddo told racenet.com.au: "It is a major step for the Club & will put the Townsville Cup on the racing map." The TTC is working towards a race day offering over $250,000 in total prize-money to build on what has already become the biggest social & racing event on the Northern calendar. (May 2) First Winner For Freshman Sire Fasliyev Russian Valour cruised to a 3-length win at Pontefract in his 2nd career start to record the 1st victory for his freshman sire Fasliyev, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. In his only year of racing Fasliyev (an undefeated son of Nureyev) won France’s 1999 Gr1 Prix Morny; bred in Kentucky by Harold Harrison, Fasliyev won all 5 of his career starts for owners Michael Tabor & Susan Magnier. Fasliyev currently stands for a private fee at Coolmore Stud in Ireland’s County Tipperary. He is out of the unraced Mr Prospector mare Mr P’s Princess & is a full brother to Gr3-placed winner Maderno. Fasliyev is the sire of 6 starters & 112 foals of racing age and will shuttle to Coolmore Australia this season. (May 2) French Dud-At-Stud Returns To Track A Winner Meanwhile dual Gr1 winner Vahorimix (by Linamix), who returned to the French stable of Andre Fabre after proving infertile at stud, celebrated a winning come-back at Compiegne with an effortless 6-length win in the Prix Eulalie (1600m). It was the popular grey's first appearance on the track since his 5th in the 2001 Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. “The Gr1 Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp on May 18 could be his next assignment,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. (May 2) Kentucky Abortion Numbers Continue To Fall The University of Kentucky's Livestock Disease & Diagnostic Center announced “the cumulative number of equine abortions continues its downward trend in Central Kentucky, as 381 abortions were reported through week 17 compared with 524 this time a year ago,” noted thoroughbredtimes.com. It marked the 7th straight week that the ‘year-to-date total’ has declined, following last year’s Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome controversy. (May 2) Pincay Considers Lawsuit Against Santa Anita Medical Staff A day after announcing his retirement, America’s all-time greatest winning jockey Laffit Pincay junior & his attorney Neil Papiano “are looking into filing a lawsuit against the Santa Anita Park medical staff on the grounds that the staff was negligent in treating the rider following his accident on March 1, which led to his retirement,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. According to Papiano, there was no physician on duty when Pincay was taken to the first-aid station after he was thrown from his mount. Pincay was later found to have suffered 2 fractures in the same bone in his neck. Papiano announced: "One of the major problems is there was no physician on duty, just an assistant physician when he was brought in. That assistant physician told Laffit to take a couple of painkillers, go home & that he’d be okay. It wasn’t until 3 days later, when Laffit tried to ride & couldn’t get up on the horse, that someone told him he should get checked out again. So, he went across the street to Arcadia Methodist Hospital where they X-rayed him & found that his neck was hanging by a virtual thread. If it had slipped an 8th of an inch one way or the other in those 3 days, he would have died." Papiano revealed he sent a request to Santa Anita 10 days ago seeking more information on the matter, but has yet to hear back from anyone associated with the track. He noted: "When we get all of the facts together, then we’ll decide whether or not we’ll go ahead with the lawsuit." (May 2) US Top Race Grades Will Be Tied To Drug-Testing The American Graded Stakes Committee “will begin implementing a drug-testing plan for horses participating in its designated races beginning at Keeneland & Belmont Park this fall,” reported bloodhorse.com. It expects to have the testing protocol fully in place by the end of 2004. Andy Schweigardt, director of industry relations & development for the US Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association, made the announcement during the Association Of Racing Commissioners International convention. He told racing commissioners "performing the tests will be a requirement of grade eligibility" & emphasised races from all 3 Grade designations would be included in the program. Each racing jurisdiction would need to adopt the testing plan for its respective Graded stakes. The committee has been classifying major races in the US since 1974 & became the recognised authority a few years later. Schweigardt said the "drug testing protocol" is a risk the Graded Stakes Committee believes is necessary to protect the classification system: "The trustees have an extreme desire to maintain the breed's integrity. This issue has been the subject of many impassioned speeches. We think it will ensure the integrity of our Graded stakes." (May 2) US Stallion Secret Firm Dead Secret Firm, who was standing at Elberton Hill Farm in Maryland, has died from “an apparent heart attack after covering a mare that morning,” reported bloodhorse.com. The 8YO son of Secret Hello (from the Affirmed mare Firm Mist) had stood his 1st 2 seasons (2001 & 2002) at Maryland’s Green Willows Farm. Back in 1998, Secret Firm won 2 consecutive Graded stakes at Saratoga (Gr3 Amsterdam Stakes & Gr2 King's Bishop Stakes) & equaled a track record of 1min 21.57sec for 7 furlongs at Laurel; overall he won 7 of his 10 starts. (May 2) First Winner For US Sire Cat In Town Multiple US stakes winner Cat In Town, a 2nd-crop stallion at Dickinson Farms in Michigan, sired his 1st winner when 3YO Chase’n The Cat won at Great Lakes Downs, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Cat In Town was undefeated as a 2YO, winning 3 stakes (including the 1997 Michigan Futurity at Detroit Race Course); he eventually retired with 5 wins from 9 starts. Cat In Town is now an 8YO, by Storm Bird out of multiple stakes-winning Mt Livermore mare Circus Media (a half-sister to multiple stakes winners Grand Circus Park & Circus Toons). He is a half-brother to stakes-placed winner Circus Hype & notable family members include German Gr3 winner Love Regardless. From 21 foals of racing age, Cat In Town has sired 3 starters, all of whom have run places. (May 2) Chilean Horse-Of-The-Year Ballistic Wins 10th Consecutive Race Punters’ Pal Of The Year: Ballistic, 2002 Chilean Horse-Of-The-Year & champion grass male, scored his 10th consecutive victory this week in the Gr2 Clasico Otoño-Pedro Garcia de la Huerta Stakes at Club Hipico de Santiago reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 6YO Barkerville gelding (bred in Chile by Haras Carioca & owned by Stud El Cedro) registered his 19th victory in 23 career starts & remains undefeated since capturing the same Chilean feature event last year. Trainer Juan Cavieres is now aiming him at South America’s most prestigious race, Argentina’s Gr1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini in December. Ballistic is out of the Gr3-placed In Reality mare Balladry; during his championship season, he won 7 of 8 starts, including the Gr1 Clasico Club Hipico de Santiago. (May 2) ‘First 4’ Foals Dominate Group Winners Analysis of last season’s Australian Group races reveals the vast majority of feature race winners come from a broodmare’s ‘First 4’ foals. An exclusive report in the May Issue of Australian Breeding&Racing Magazine (published today) found “72% of Australia’s Group winners & 77% of Gr1 winners last season came from a broodmare’s first 4 foals.” The analysis confirms a finding by The Blood-Horse magazine that 63.6% of US 2002 Graded events were won by ‘First 4’ foals. (May 1) Zabeel Mare Tops Day 2 At Inglis Sydney Broodmare Sale