League

A little over an hour into Tuesday's opening session of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Godolphin struck the first major blow of Book 1 when stretching to 1.8 million gns for a Frankel colt from Hillwood Stud. Amo Racing's Kia Joorabchian filled the role of underbidder. Lot 27 is the first foal out of the Listed Cecil Frail Stakes winner and G1 Flying Five Stakes runner-up Get Ahead (Showcasing), a full-sister to the G2 Mill Reef Stakes-winning sire Alkumait and a half to the 2,000 Guineas-winning sire Chaldean, also by Frankel. Get Ahead had previously made headlines at Park Paddocks when selling to First Bloodstock for 2.5 million gns at the 2023 December Mares Sale. “This is the stuff of dreams,” said Hillwood Stud's Charlie Vigors. “He's always been an exceptional horse. “It was the thing to do [send the mare to Frankel] with Chaldean being on the page. We'd seen what Frankels make in the ring and that figure is probably in the ballpark of what we expected him to make. “Huge thanks obviously go to Sheikh Mohammed, Anthony Stroud and the entire Godolphin team, as well as the underbidders, of which there were plenty. He has been very busy all week – never put a foot wrong – and I'm just delighted for the whole team at home.” Stroud, who conducted the bidding from outside the ring in the company of Godolphin principal Sheikh Mohammed, said, “Showcasing is a good broodmare sire, Frankel is just a fantastic stallion and this colt was a great mover and just a beautiful horse. “It's great and fantastic that [Sheikh Mohammed] is here. I think that's testament to his involvement in the sport and his support for British and Irish racing and breeding.” The post ‘This Is The Stuff Of Dreams’ – Hillwood Stud’s Frankel Colt Ignites Tattersalls Book 1 at 1,800,000gns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Douglas Whyte is adamant Live Wire will handle the rise to Class Three when the progressive sprinter chases a third consecutive win at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. After returning with a dominant all-the-way success last month, the Tassort four-year-old will make the leap from Class Four in the first section of the Yip Fat Handicap (1,200m). Live Wire has always shown potential and delivered on that at his seventh career start, scoring narrowly at the city circuit at the end of last...View the full article

David Hayes was happy to give Ka Ying Rising a “pass mark” after his “ambling” barrier trial at Randwick on Tuesday morning ahead of his defence of his Group One The Everest (1,200m) crown on October 17. The world’s highest-rated galloper drew a legion of supporters to the Sydney track for the 1,000m hit out and he was given an easy time of things to finish second behind Ninja in a time of 59.46 seconds. Zac Purton always had a double fistful on the David Hayes-trained star sprinter and never...View the full article

New Zealand-bred sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) pleased connections with his final serious hit-out ahead of the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 17. The son of Shamexpress finished second in a 1000m trial at Randwick on Tuesday morning, edged out late by Gr.2 Missile Stakes (1200m) winner Ninja on a Soft 7 surface. With regular rider Zac Purton aboard, Ka Ying Rising began cleanly and rolled forward to lead, travelling comfortably before Ninja moved alongside late. The trial was completed in 59.46 seconds and trainer David Hayes was pleased with what he saw, particularly given the six-year-old’s preference for firmer footing. “He got into a nice rhythm and had a really good look around as he did last year,” Hayes said. “I think the longer grass and the softer surface was not ideal. “I was happier this year than last year.” There was a familiar feel to the performance, with Ka Ying Rising also beaten in his final trial before last year’s Everest. On that occasion, he finished third before returning to Randwick less than two weeks later and producing a dominant performance in The Everest. Ka Ying Rising will head into this year’s edition riding a remarkable 21-race winning streak and is a dominant $1.30 favourite to successfully defend his crown. Purton was similarly satisfied with Tuesday’s hit-out and believes the softer conditions were responsible for Ka Ying Rising not showing his customary brilliance. “He got through it OK and there was a bit more there, but he certainly appreciates it when it’s a hard deck,” Purton said. “I think he’s just feeling the ground for where he’s at. “I think he handled himself better in the trial this morning. He got around with a little bit more purpose. I liked when the other horse came to him and he wanted to fight.” The prospect of rain in Sydney leading into The Everest will be closely watched, with Ka Ying Rising having had limited exposure to rain-affected tracks during his 24-start career. The New Zealand-bred son of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress arrived in Australia as the world’s highest-rated racehorse following another extraordinary performance in Hong Kong. Ka Ying Rising clocked 1:06.11 for 1200m at his most recent start at Sha Tin, a performance which earned him an international rating of 135 and reinforced his standing as the world’s premier sprinter. Tuesday’s trial completes another important step in his preparation, with Hayes confident his stable star is where he needs to be as he closes in on his Everest defence. View the full article

OK. Must be my dementia. I'll check with the doc next week. No clue what Hesi's comment has to do with either WW or any mate of mine.