Tuesday, 19th March 2024
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  • Laurel Oak Buys $360k Extreme Choice Colt

    Wednesday, 20th March 2024
    A colt by leading Hunter Valley based Newgate Farm sire Extreme Choice topped the second and final day of the 2024 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale at Morphettville on Tuesday. Offered as part of a quality packed draft from Rushton Park, the colt was presented as Lot 262 and was the subject of intense bidding before the gavel fell at $360,000 to the bid of Laurel Oak Bloodstock. "We are very happy," Laurel Oak's Louis Mihalyka said. "I haven't been to Adelaide for many years, but I went through the catalogue and there were a couple of horses I fancied and they were both on the Tuesday so I flew in last night. I thought we were going to get him for a bit less. I'm a bit annoyed at Tony (McEvoy, underbidder)," he added with a laugh. "He did come over and offer to train him but we agreed with Hayes' that we wouldn't bid against them, so the colt is going to the Hayes brothers." Mihalyka noted, "It's a good mating. He's a great match for the mare. I like the stallion obviously - especially his strike rate of group horses to runners." Meanwhile, the demand for stock by international sire sensation Justify continued on Tuesday when his colt from Full of Beans (Lot 437) sold for $250,000. Offered by leading southern NSW nursery Bowness Stud, the colt was purchased by in form syndication outfit Bennett Racing in conjunction with leading trainer Ciaron Maher. "He was a lovely colt by a stallion that's really going well," Nathan Bennett said. "Ciaron knows a lot about the family and he will head there to be trained."

    Extreme Choice-Tiara Star

    Rushton Park consigned the Extreme Choice-Tiara Star colt (pic: magicmillions.com.au)
  • Magic Millions Adelaide Figures Hold Up

    Wednesday, 20th March 2024
    Across the two days of the 2024 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale over $15.37 million was grossed on 306 lots sold at an average price of $50,259 and clearance rate of over 79 per cent. "At the end of the day, if we got within ten per cent of last year's result, we would have been delighted," Magic Millions SA Bloodstock Consultant Adrian Hancock noted. "Heavy scratchings have impacted on the gross, no doubt, but the clearance rate getting up over 79 per cent and climbing as we speak, that's got to be satisfactory in this market. Hancock observed, "There's no denying that the bottom end of the market is virtually non-existent. The market just doesn't support it and, even in the middle market, you have to have a horse by the right stallion at the time and go through all the x-ray and scoping tests to be in demand. To get through all that and finish up with a gross of $15 million, a $40,000 median and over a $50,000 average, you've got to be pleased." He added, "Overall it's been a good couple of days of selling at the Adelaide Yearling Sale and we look forward to selling at Morphettville for many years to come. To view the results of the Adelaide Yearling Sale or to make an offer on a passed in lot click here. Below are the 2024 sales figures compared (in brackets) to the 2023 figures:
    • Lots Catalogued: 452 (454)
    • Lots Sold: 306 (341)
    • Lots Passed In: 81 (74)
    • Lots Withdrawn: 65 (53)
    • Sale Gross: $15,379,500 ($16,894,000)
    • Average Price: $50,259 ($49,543)
    • Top Price: $400,000 ($230,000)
    • Median Price: $40,000 ($40,000)
    • Sold %: 79 (82)
  • Te Akau Primed for Big Day At The Valley

    Wednesday, 20th March 2024
    Led by their super sprinter Imperatriz (I Am Invincible-Berimbau, by Shamardal) defending her Gr1 William Reid title, Te Akau Racing have a strong team for Saturday's meeting at Moonee Valley. "Imperatriz was very tough running second in the Newmarket Handicap last time, is unbeaten in four starts at Moonee Valley, and hopefully she is able to go back-to-back in the William Reid," Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis said in a press release. The stable will also have Skew Wiff (Savabeel-Starvoia, by Starcraft) in the same race, while Campionessa (Contributer-Bella Carolina, by O'Reilly) runs in the Gr2 Sunline Stakes, Quintessa (Shamus Award-Chaquinta, by High Chaparral) in the Gr2 Alister Clark Stakes, Certainly (Savabeel-Frankly, by Pins) in the Gr3 Alexandra Stakes, and stablemates Mehzebeen (Almanzor-Salkantay, by Zabeel) and Prismatic (Savabeel-Kaleidoscope, by Pins) on the undercard. "Quintessa ran a great race for fourth in the Australian Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) last start and I think she'll appreciate getting up in trip," Ellis said. "The two Waikato Stud fillies (Certainly and Skew Wiff) are both of the highest quality, and Campionessa is one of the gamest mares we've got in the stable, so we're looking forward to seeing how it unfolds on Saturday."

    Imperatriz

    Imperatriz will be the lamplighter for Te Akau (pic: Mark Gatt)
  • Duric Celebrates 700th Win with Pacific Spirit

    Wednesday, 20th March 2024
    In Singapore, Pacific Spirit (Rip Van Winkle-Tickled Pink, by Fastnet Rock) gave popular jockey Vlad Duric his 700th win in the $30,000 Class 5 Division 2 race (1600m) at Kranji on Sunday, reports racingnews.co.nz. With a strong pace early in a very spread-out field, Duric had to make an early move at the 650m on the 3YO, with the whip pulled to keep in touch at the final bend. Upon turning for home, Pacific Spirit looked to have plenty of momentum and although he still spotted Sky Eight (Cotai Glory) a few lengths at the 350m, he made a serious challenge at the furlong post, albeit with Khao Manee (Remind) for company. Those cheering for Duric would have gone hoarse when Pacific Spirit hit the front at the 100m and, although Khao Manee kept him honest to the wire, the David Kok-trained gelding won comfortably by three-quarters-of-a-length in the end. The winning time was 1 min 40.24secs for the 1600m on the Polytrack for what was Pacific Spirit's first win in 12 starts. "I've been here (Singapore) for a long time, so to get the treble today and reach that milestone was very satisfying," reflected Duric. "It's (Singapore racing) ending soon, so we have to move on, but this place is special and I'm thankful to have been involved."
  • Espionage Narrowly Misses Golden Slipper Cut

    Wednesday, 20th March 2024
    A week is a long time in racing and the connections of Espionage (Zoustar-In Times of War, by Street Cry) will be hoping something changes before Saturday as their 2YO colt was declared first emergency on the ballot for the Gr1 Golden Slipper, reports punters.com.au. Winner of the Gr3 Breeders' Plate on debut, Espionage ran fifth in the Gr2 Todman last start. Even with Espionage missing out, the Waterhouse/Bott team have seven runners in the field led by favourite Storm Boy (Justify-Pelican, by Fastnet Rock) who has the services of last year's winning jockey Ryan Moore and drew barrier two."We wanted to be in the middle of the field with Storm Boy because he can be slightly slowly away, so Ryan [Moore] could make his own luck," Coolmore boss Tom Magnier told smh.com.au. "You can't be unhappy with the two barriers we got and the other colt [Snitzel's son Switzerland] has drawn really well in gate seven. In a perfect world, I would probably like to swap the draws. But I have spoken to Gai Waterhouse and Chris Waller about the barriers, and they are both delighted, so we'll see who is the best horse on Saturday."

    Espionage

    Espionage (centre) is first emergency for the Golden Slipper (pic: Steve Hart)
  • Empirical Data Sheds Light on Brightside Run

    Wednesday, 20th March 2024
    Amidst all the cacophony surrounding Craig Williams’ ride on Mr Brightside in Saturday’s All-Star Mile, WFA Ratings expert Dan O’Sullivan has reduced the debate to empirical data, and there are several unequivocal facts that emerge from a racing.com report. Amongst them is that, in finishing second, Mr Brightside equalled his rating from his victory in the then $5 million All Star Mile in 2023, of 103.8. Even if he had equalled his highest ever rating – he recorded a 104.9 when winning the Cox Plate last year – it still wouldn’t have been anywhere near enough to have matched motors with Pride of Jenni whose 107.2 winning mark is easily the best to come out of the All-Star Mile in its short history. The others were Zaaki (104), Mugatoo (104.2), Regal Power (102.5) and Mystic Journey (105.5). In rejecting the notion that it was tactical error that cost the runner-up the race, O’Sullivan points to the crushing tempo set by Pride of Jenni, one which saw Mr Brightside record his fastest speed figures to the 600m in all of his career to date. O’Sullivan stated, “It defies logic developed by analysing hundreds of thousands of past horse performances in the context of early speed, late speed and position in the running to suggest that if he settled closer to that brutal speed, he would have run two lengths faster overall.” Fortunately, sanity has prevailed, and Williams has retained the mount on Mr Brightside for the Gr1 Australian Cup following an owner vote.
  • Never Look a Gift Mare in the Mouth

    Wednesday, 20th March 2024
    In the nineties, champion New Zealand mare Sunline (Desert Sun) often provided her rivals with two stark choices: leave me alone up front and you might run a place; take me on up front and I’ll break your heart so you finish amongst the also rans. What might originally have started out as an experiment for last Saturday’s All-Star Mile heroine Pride of Jenni (Pride of Dubai) is quickly turning into a significant problem for opposition stables. Up until the end of 2022, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained 6YO was a good stakes quality mare. When she returned after a four-month break in 2023’s Mannerism Stakes (1400m), a 1.6-length third to Espiona (Extreme Choice) provided a hint she’d turned a corner, a suspicion backed up by a brilliant runner-up in the Gr1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) where she was beaten a lip behind Espiona. That was followed by some indifferent performances before she returned in the spring with a promising run in the Gr2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) won by Siyouni mare Amelia’s Jewel (1400m) behind whom she then finished second, less than a length behind Amelia’s Jewel in the weight-for-age Gr2 Stock’s Stakes over a mile at Moonee Valley (see below). Hard-ridden to find the lead in the Gr1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), Pride of Jenni led to the 150m mark before fading. Fourth-up in the Gr1 Empire Rose (1600m), where she was back to weight-for-age, the Ottebre-family raced mare won convincingly at $16, repeating the dose in the Gr1 Cantala (1600m), also at Flemington, just a week later at $14. Disrespected in the Gr1 C.F. Orr (1400m) in her summer return – she started at $9 – Pride of Jenni missed by a short head. Then came the WFA All-Star Mile where plenty of $4 was to be had. Punters who followed her in the four runs from the Empire Rose have made a motza. And, so to the inevitable discussions about the Cox Plate where she is a staggering $15 quote (money back if not nominated). A granddaughter of multiple Group 1-performed staying Zabeel mare Vouvray, out of an O’Reilly mare that won to 2200m, there is nothing to suggest the 2040m is beyond Pride of Jenni. Never look a gift mare in the mouth.

  • Suspended Hewitson Pumped Ahead of Return

    Wednesday, 20th March 2024
    South African jockey Lyle Hewitson is poised for a triumphant comeback as he prepares to resume racing activities at Happy Valley this Wednesday night and take the reins of Speed Dragon in Sunday's BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), reports scmp.com. He was penalised with a temporary five-meeting suspension on February 25 when attempting to force a run between Super Hornet and Copartner Era. The latter lost balance between the 500m and 300m marks which resulted in a charge by the stewards. Hewitson is eager to make a resounding impact upon his return to the track. "The time actually passed pretty quick. It gave me the opportunity to go back home [to South Africa] but it's also reinvigorated me for coming back, so I'm looking forward to it," said Hewitson. With a balanced set of five rides lined up at Happy Valley, Hewitson is particularly enthusiastic about his prospects at Sha Tin on Sunday. His primary aspiration lies in clinching an unexpected triumph at the Derby with Speed Dragon (Darci Brahma), although he is also optomistic about his mounts on the Derby undercard. Of note are Packing Treadmill and the debut sensation Call Me Glorious. Currently standing sixth in the jockeys' premiership with 24 wins this season, Hewitson aims to kickstart his return on a winning note at Happy Valley when partnered with Falcon Court, Gorgeous Vitality, Win Win Fighter, Grateful Heart and Golden Empire.
  • Manikato Moved to AFL Grand Final Eve

    Wednesday, 20th March 2024
    The Major Spring Carnival races at Moonee Valley are undergoing significant changes, with the highlight being the Group 1 Manikato Stakes moving to AFL Grand Final Eve, according to racing.com. Additionally, the Gr2 Feehan Stakes will shift to September 27, solidifying its role as a crucial lead-up event to the Cox Plate, according to the Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC). This move marks the Manikato's return to Grand Final Eve for the first time since 2011, a decision influenced by the rise of The Everest in NSW. By scheduling the Manikato three weeks before The Everest, organizers aim to bolster both races. The rescheduling of the Manikato potentially creates a prime racing program for Australia's top sprinters, with key events spaced three weeks apart: Moir Stakes on September 7, Manikato Stakes on September 27, The Everest on October 19, and the Champions Sprint on November 9. MVRC CEO Michael Browell emphasized the strategic benefits of moving the Moir and Manikato Stakes earlier in the spring to maximize opportunities for top sprinters. The decision to shift the Manikato to Grand Final Eve follows a successful Friday race night in 2023, which drew a crowd of 7,000 due to favorable weather and limited sporting events in Melbourne. Racing Victoria's general manager of racing, Matthew Welsh, sees substantial growth potential in the AFL Grand Final Eve meeting at The Valley, especially given the convergence of thousands of visitors on Melbourne for the public holiday. Other notable program changes at The Vally include the Gr2 McEwen Stakes being pushed back to Cox Plate Day, more than a month later, and the Gr2 Stocks Stakes staying on Grand Final Eve but undergoing changes in distance and race format to differentiate it from the Feehan Stakes held the same evening.

  • Amelia’s Jewel Aims at Quokka Glory After Trial

    Wednesday, 20th March 2024
    Glamour Perth mare Amelia’s Jewel took the first step towards the $5 million Quokka (1200m) when finishing a close second in a Belmont trial on Monday, reports rwwa.com.au. Restrained to last in a four-horse trial by jockey Pat Carbery, Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni-Bumbasina, by Canford Cliffs) closed off her 1000m heat strongly when chasing down pacesetter, Bopping Blue (Magnus). The Simon Miller-trained 4YO stood Bopping Blue a big margin entering the home straight, as much as six lengths, and was doing her best work late in an encouraging hit out. This was her first official public appearance since last year’s Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill when finishing downfield. Owner-breeder Peter Walsh said it was the perfect hit out for Amelia’s Jewel with Perth’s richest race, The Quokka, still a month away. “Patrick (Carbery) reported she felt absolutely excellent. He just allowed her to find her feet and hit the line… she’s got a bit to go yet and her grand final is still four weeks away,” Walsh told The Races WA. Carbery will partner Amelia’s Jewel when first up in the Roma Cup while Damian Lane will take over for The Quokka on April 20. Tabtouch has Amelia’s Jewel currently rated the $4 Quokka favourite, ahead of last year’s champion, Overpass Vancouver) who himself trialled in gallant fashion on Monday in Sydney.
  • Karrakatta Plate Hero Reverses Form Slump

    Wednesday, 20th March 2024
    Gingerbread Man gelding Ima Single Man has broken a run of outs in Hong Kong with a resounding all-the-way victory in the Heung Yee Kuk Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin, reports tbwa.net.au. Saturday's success was his first since January 2023 and it came about after trainer Tony Cruz decided to make a couple of gear alterations following two disappointing performances last month. "I sent him to our Conghua stable and removed the hood and blinkers," Cruz explained to stewards. "I added a visor for a Conghua trial last week and he performed well after leading. I told Angus (Chung) to lead again today and I can't believe it.  He's a very laidback, switched off type of horse but once I took the hood off, he's completely different." Ima Single Man (6g Gingerbread Man–Single Spice by Not A Single Doubt) was bred and sold by Yarradale Stud and won the G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) wearing winkers in 2020. He was sent offshore after being sold to Fion Luk Sin Fong and has now earned AUD2.13 million. Yarradale topped the 2023 Perth Magic Millions when the Blue Point filly from Single Spice made $350,000. She's been named Blue Pepper and was placed in a Lark Hill 2YO trial for trainers Grant & Alana Williams last month. Meanwhile, Single Spice has a yearling filly by Swettenham Stud's Toronado (Ire) and last year was bred back to Champion WA stallion Playing God who was responsible for the quinella in last Saturday's Listed J.C. Roberts Stakes at Ascot with Lord Vampi and Alaskan.

  • Ballydoyle Blueblood Could Miss 1,000 Guineas

    Wednesday, 20th March 2024
    In the past few days, Ireland's Gr3 Park Express Stakes was run at The Curragh, whilst France's Listed Prix Ronde de Nuit was stged at Chantilly near Paris. The two features heralded the beginning of Europe's flat racing feature season, one which may see one of the favoured 3YO fillies for the Classics briefly sidelined. According to TDN, Opera Singer, victorious in the Gr1 Prix Marcel Boussac and a leading contender for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas, could potentially miss the inaugural Classic of the season due to encountering a setback during training. Aidan O'Brien, her trainer, disclosed this development in an interview on Racing TV, stating, "Opera Singer is lagging behind. She experienced a minor setback, necessitating two weeks of light training, and she might not be ready for the English Guineas. It's probable that she'll debut in the Irish Guineas instead, as we prefer not to rush her." Bred by the late Evie Stockwell, Opera Singer is a half-sibling to Brave Anna and Hit It A Bomb, both high profile Group/Grade 1 winners sired by War Front. The daughter of Liscanna (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) clinched victory in three out of five starts as a 2YO, culminating in her prestigious triumph at the Arc meeting in Paris. Prior to that, she outpaced Brilliant (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), winner of Monday's Gr3 Park Express Stakes alluded to above, in the Gr3 Newtown Anner Stud Irish EBF S. at the Curragh. As a consequence of Opera Singer's potential absence, her stable companion Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}), winner of the Gr1 Fillies' Mile, has now ascended to the forefront of betting for the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, May 5th.

2023 BTR Stud Stallions

BTP STUD STALLIONS

Sire
A Lot Established
Aclaim Established
Adelaide Established
Admire Mars 1st crop 2YOs
Akeed Mofeed Established
Al Maher Established
All American Established
All Too Hard Established
Alpine Eagle Established
Anacheeva Established
Anamoe 2nd Season
Artie Schiller Established
Astern Established
Awesome Rock Established
Barbados Established
Barbaric 3rd Season
Better Than Ready Established
Bivouac 1st crop 2YOs
Blue Point Established
Brave Smash Established
Brazen Beau Established
Bull Point Established
Bullbars Established
Cape Of Good Hope 2nd Season
Capitalist Established
Captivant 3rd Season
Casino Prince Established
Castelvecchio Established
Churchill Established
Cool Aza Beel 1st crop 2YOs
Danbird Established
Dandino Established
Danerich Established
Dash For Cash Established
De Gaulle Established
Delaware 3rd Season
Denman Established
Dissident Established
Dubious Established
Due Sasso Established
Dundeel Established
Earthlight 1st crop 2YOs
Encryption Established
Exceed And Excel Established
Exceedance Established
Exosphere Established
Extreme Choice Established
Falvelon Established
Farnan 1st crop 2YOs
Fastnet Rock Established
Flying Artie Established
Foxwedge Established
Frankel My Dear Established
Ghaiyyath 1st crop 2YOs
Gingerbread Man Established
Gold Standard Established
Good Journey Established
Graff 1st crop 2YOs
Grunt Established
Hallowed Crown Established
Harry Angel Established
Headwater Established
Hellbent Established
Hitotsu 2nd Season
I Am Immortal 1st crop 2YOs
I Am Invincible Established
Ilovethiscity Established
Impending Established
Invader Established
Jet Spur Established
Jimmy Choux Established
Justify Established
Kermadec Established
Lord Of The Sky Established
Love Conquers All Established
Magnus Established
Manhattan Rain Established
Maschino Established
Master Of Design Established
Maurice Established
Merchant Navy Established
Microphone Established
Murtajill Established
My Admiration Established
Needs Further Established
Nicconi Established
Nostradamus Established
Ole Kirk 1st crop 2YOs
Overshare Established
Pariah Established
Patronize Established
Paulele 2nd Season
Pierro Established
Pinatubo 3rd Season
Playing God Established
Power Established
Prague 1st crop 2YOs
Pride Of Dubai Established
Puissance De Lune Established
Rebel Dane Established
Rich Enuff Established
Rommel Established
Rothesay Established
Rubick Established
Russian Revolution Established
Safeguard Established
Sandbar 1st crop 2YOs
Sessions Established
Shaft Established
Shalaa Established
Shamoline Warrior Established
Shamus Award Established
Shooting To Win Established
Showtime Established
Sidestep Established
Sir Prancealot Established
Sizzling Established
Skilled Established
Smart Missile Established
Snitzel Established
So Secret Established
So You Think Established
Sooboog Established
Spirit Of Boom Established
Squamosa Established
Star Turn Established
Star Witness Established
Starspangledbanner Established
Street Boss Established
Super One Established
Supido Established
Swear Established
The Autumn Sun Established
The Brothers War Established
Time To Reign 1st crop 2YOs
Too Darn Hot Established
Toorak Toff Established
Top Echelon Established
Toronado Established
Trapeze Artist Established
Turffontein Established
Unite And Conquer Established
Universal Ruler Established
Vancouver Established
Victor Ludorum 3rd Season
Von Costa De Hero Established
Wandjina Established
War Chant Established
Winning Rupert Established
Wooded 3rd Season
Wootton Bassett Established
Worthy Cause Established
Written By Established
Written Tycoon Established
Xtravagant Established
Your Song Established
Zoustar Established