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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Sam Agars MICKLEY - R9 (2) Looks to be finally hitting his straps and can cash in down in grade Jay Rooney CHANCHENG GLORY - R8 (2) Can dictate in a race lacking pace and prove hard to catch Trackwork Spy STAR BROSE - R5 (10) Steadily improving and with a strong pace to chase, he can collar them late on Phillip Woo SOUTH STAR - R11 (4) Unlucky last start and can end a sterling first campaign with another win Shannon (Vincent Wong) CALIFORNIA MOXIE - R5 (7) Ran well at Happy Valley...View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
HOKKAIDO, Japan — At Northern Horse Park, one of the great tourist attractions of Hokkaido, the next few days will be all business. Japan's most prestigious bloodstock auction, the JRHA Select Sale, springs back to action with a session of yearlings on Monday, but what many observers will be waiting to see is the reception given to the first foals of world champion Equinox. Twenty-five of his debut crop are set to sell on Tuesday, including a colt from American champion dirt mare Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute). His reserve, which is published beforehand along with those for all horses in the sale bar the first and last lot in the ring each day, is the highest of the foal session at ¥100m (€580,000). The Select Sale's early date in the calendar means that most of these foals, though well grown, are not yet weaned. This prompts a carnival of sorts on Tuesday morning, when the youngsters are brought with their dams to the shade of the woods alongside the sales arena to stand patiently while final inspections are made in the hours before the day's trade begins. But as much as this is about assessing the foals, where else would one have the chance to see such a stellar line-up of broodmares all in one place? Grade 1 winner follows Group 1 winner follows Grade 1 winner – a reminder of the Japanese breeders' exhaustive hunt for top-class bloodstock from all corners of the world. It is a spectacle like no other, but then, this is a sale like no other. Over the last decade, the growth in turnover has more than doubled, with the combined aggregate of 2015 of ¥13.1bn (€76.4m) increasing year on year to the 2024 record of ¥28.9bn (€167.8m). The difference in the number sold in those two years? Only two: 470 in 2015 and 472 last year. Demand for high-end bloodstock is not of course exclusive to Japan – corresponding elite sales in Europe and America have seen similar growth, often masking concerns lower down the order – but one key difference here is that neither the size of the foal crop nor the the crowds at the races are diminishing in the way they are in most other parts of the world. On Saturday morning, Teruya Yoshida welcomed a group of visitors to his Shadai Farm and sounded a brief note of caution regarding the wider economic picture on the back of trade tariffs imposed on Japan. “I can't say there is a lot of confidence [in the market] because of President Trump,” he said. “We export a lot of automobiles to America and that trade has been damaged. “But we have many people here for the sale – there are more lookers than last year – so I think we will be okay.” Yoshida continued, “But in Japan Racing Association the betting has grown five per cent on last year, and in NAR [the National Association of Racing circuit, mainly on the dirt] it is up 10 per cent. Racing is so popular here. That means more people may come into ownership – the racing clubs [syndicates] are almost sold out.” The racing clubs in Japan offer not just a way into ownership but also a chance to be at the heart of the action with some top-class runners. In recent years such names as Almond Eye, Gentildonna, Lys Gracieux, Daring Tact, Loves Only You, Epiphaneia, Efforia, Buena Vista, and of course Equinox, have been owned by clubs. The first Equinox foal in the ring is the colt out of Camprock | Emma Berry Despite the unpredictability of the goings-on in the White House, it is fair to say that expectations are high in Hokkaido. For a start, it never hurts to have a world champion to showcase. In 2023, Auguste Rodin, from the small final crop of Deep Impact, gave a global reminder of the talents of the former Japanese champion sire with his victories in the Derby, Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf. But these exploits were not enough to match the superiority of Equinox, who strolled through the Dubai Sheema Classic, bloodlessly dispatching such classy challengers as Westover, Mostahdaf and Rebel's Romance, before retuning to his home nation to win the Takarazuka Kinen and Tenno Sho en route to a hero's farewell in the Japan Cup. The latter was named the Longines World's Best Horse Race of that year, just as its winner towered over all Thoroughbreds on rankings. Equinox, a grandson of Deep Impact's full-brother Black Tide, was himself a member of the first crop of Kitasan Black. He now stands alongside his father at Shadai Stallion Station, the pair commanding equal fees of ¥20m (€116,000) in 2024 and 2025 – the highest of any stallion in Japan. The 'Book Full' sign was hung outside Equinox's stable just as soon as that record fee for a freshman had been announced, and he ended up covering 203 mares in his first year. A number of those heading to Tuesday's sale were available for viewing on Saturday at Shadai, Northern and Oiwake Farms – the studs respectively owned by the Yoshida brothers Teruya, Katsumi and Haruya. Teruya Yoshida has been in the game for too long to get carried away at this early stage by thoughts of what Equinox may or may not achieve in his secondary career. Wisely, he focuses instead of the achievements of his sire, whose fee has quadrupled since he first took up residence at the Shadai Stallion Station. “Of course Equinox is remarkable but the father of Equinox, Kitasan Black, also produced this year's Derby winner [Croix Du Nord], so I have more confidence in him. [Equinox] is just a beginner as a stallion,” he said. “The standard of Japanese horses is now very high so we will be very proud to present all these horses at the sale.” That the Japanese breeders are reaping rewards on the track and at the sales is as a result of concerted investment in the best race mares and stallion prospects available – from North and South America and across Europe and Australia. Yoshida's latest in-training purchase was Klaynn (Make Believe), just five days before she won the G2 Oaks d'Italia by seven lengths. The owner may have been associated with reams of good horses over the decades but such was his desire that the Endo Botti-trained filly wear his silks in the Italian Classic that he had jockey Cristian Demuro take a set with him from France to Milan. “For 20 years we have been buying many good mares from all over the world and that is now returning to the quality of the horses here,” Yoshida said. “We've invested in quite expensive mares and that has seen some changes. But from my experience, good horses can also come from so-so mares, not always the expensive mares.” Foal inspections underway at Oiwake Farm | Emma Berry Yoshida is in good heart this Saturday morning as the bloodstock world prepares to turn its attention to the sale he runs with his brother Katsumi. Together, their Shadai and Northern Farm operations account for around 1,600 broodmares – almost double the amount of active mares across all of Germany. He reminisces about the purchase of Northern Taste, some 50 years ago, in the early days of the Shadai Corporation. “Before I bought Northern Taste, Lyphard was sold and he was a small horse but he became such a good stallion. Because I saw Lyphard the year before I had good confidence to buy Northern Taste,” said Yoshida. “When I went to America I expected the American horses to be big. Northern Dancer [sire of Lyphard and Northern Taste] was not big but he had a strong temper. I tried to have a photo taken with him at Maryland but he bit me, so I can't forget him. My father always liked to go to see good horses anywhere in the world. Now we have many foreign visitors here, so I am happy.” Those foreign visitors are undoubtedly happy to be here. In years gone by, the Yoshida clan set about learning all they could from some of the more established Thoroughbred breeding nations. Now, they are the ones teaching the lesson. The post JRHA Prepares for Equinox in High Summer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
New Zealand-bred three-year-old Arcadia Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) passed his first black-type test with flying colours in the A$125,000 Listed Aquanita Stakes (2019m) at Bunbury on Saturday. The Michael Grantham-trained gelding went into the race with two wins and three placings to his name from eight career starts, most recently a smart last-start success over 1600m at Pinjarra on June 28. The Aquanita was a step up in class and distance, but Arcadia Park was well and truly up to the task. Arcadia Park was ridden by Clint Johnson-Porter and settled in second place as the six-horse field made their way around the Bunbury circuit at a sedate pace. Johnson-Porter allowed his mount to stride up alongside the leader coming up to the turn, and Arcadia Park hit the front as he straightened for home. Arcadia Park got his head to the side in the straight and drifted across the track in both directions, but he dug deep when challenged by the favourite Our Paladin Al (A Lot) and kicked back strongly to win by a neck. “He was left by himself in the straight and was looking around a little bit,” Johnson-Porter said. “He initially shied at the barriers and ran away from them a little bit, and then he went to duck into the mounting yard as we approached the line. So he’s still new, and it was an impressive win by him today.” Arcadia Park’s nine-start career has now produced three wins, three placings and A$242,500 in stakes. Bred and raced by Peters Investments Ltd, Arcadia Park is the latest in a long line of stakes winners to carry Bob Peters’ distinctive cerise and white colours. Arcadia Park became the 23rd individual stakes winner for Waikato Stud stallion Ocean Park. His dam is the Domesday mare Arcadia Dream, whose five wins included the Aquanita Stakes as well as the Gr.2 Western Australian Derby (2400m). Arcadia Dream is a half-sister to Peters’ triple Group One winner Arcadia Queen (Pierro), along with fellow black-type winners Arcadia Prince (Pierro) and Arcadia Rose (Khelefy). “This horse seemed to be all over the place, didn’t he, but he won well,” Peters said. “I was quietly confident coming into the race. I knew that the Domesdays handle the wet and the Ocean Parks handle the wet, so I thought he might be able to run a good race. He’s still got to learn how to go straight, but it was nice to see him get up.” View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Stakes-winning New Zealand import Aberlour recorded her first win on Australian soil with a strong front-running performance in the A$160,000 Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday. Sent out as a $15 chance in the hands of expat Kiwi jockey Alysha Collett, Aberlour broke well from the starting gates and slid forward to take the lead within the first 100m. That was where she stayed, bowling along in front with a two-length margin up until the home turn. Aberlour was able to kick again soon after entering the straight, and despite beginning to tire in the final 100m, she held on gamely to win by a neck. Now trained by Joe Pride, Aberlour has had 15 starts for four wins, three placings and A$229,430 in prize-money. Aberlour was bred by Av Todd and is one of six individual winners for Group Two-winning stallion Mongolian Falcon, who stands at Hau Ora Farm for a service fee of $2,500. Aberlour is out of the winning Postponed mare Sophie Louise, who is also the dam of black-type performer Tobilicious. Todd initially raced Aberlour with son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Emma Tyler, along with Kelvin Tyler and his wife Vanessa, and they have all retained a share in the ownership following her sale to Australia last year. Kelvin Tyler trained Aberlour in her six-start New Zealand career, which produced three wins and two placings, including victories in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Southland Guineas (1600m). “Aberlour made the most of a soft lead over a nice distance today and did us proud,” Tyler said on Saturday. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Captain Fred Barker, owner of the picturesque King Edward's Place Stud on the edge of the Downs near the Ridgeway, died recently at the age of 88. Born into a world where hunting, racing and breeding were a way of life, horses were always at the core of Fred's being. He did just enough to survive his five years at Harrow and then spent several very happy years in the 11th Hussars, before taking over the running of King Edward's Place, which was once a discreet country retreat of Edward VII, as the name suggests, from his parents, 'Gar' and Nancy Barker in 1962, while in his mid 20s. Ever the perfectionist, Fred worked hard to maintain the stud and with the help of his fellow former 11th Hussar, great friend and bloodstock agent, Johnnie Lewis, he spent a considerable amount of money on stallions, which he hoped would reinvigorate the stud and bring it the recognition it deserved. Stallions like Klairon, Soleil, Manacle, Calpurnius, Prince De Gaulles, Quiet Fling and latterly Anfield, passed through the stallion yard at King Edward's Place. Manacle was the stud's most successful stallion. He sired Moorestyle – British Horse of the Year, European Horse of the Year and champion sprinter in 1980 – and was later sold to Australia. Nick Angus Smith, a manager at King Edward's Place “a very long time ago”, remembers that Calpurnius was a particularly dangerous horse and tried to savage his lad many times. Johnnie Lewis swiftly had him sold to the West Indies, where he went on to be champion sire. Quiet Fling sired Old Country, winner of six races, including the G1 Derby Italiano, G1 Premio Roma and G1 Prix Royal-Oak. He was out of a daughter of Klairon. The last stallion to stand at the stud was Anfield, a three-time Group 3 winner in Ireland by Be My Guest and a half-brother to Group 1 winner North Stoke. His best horse was the very good German colt, Turfkonig, who won the G1 Grosser Mercedes-Benz Preis. Sadly however, none of the stallions Fred stood at King Edward's Place proved a huge success, or provided the necessary financial return. By the late 1980s, disillusioned with the racing industry and facing increasing head winds, as bloodstock became more expensive and it became ever harder to acquire commercial stallion prospects, Fred made the difficult decision to sell King Edward's Place. Sold to Allied Dunbar, it sadly disappeared off the map as a stud farm. “I was born in the house, so it was a very difficult decision to sell,” he said at the time. It would be fair to say that to the wider equine community, Fred Barker was probably more renowned for his mastership of the Quorn and VWH hunts. His two stints as senior master of the Quorn were one of the longest in the hunt's history since the war. Always beautifully mounted and impeccably turned out, Fred was meticulous in planning his days, enjoyed excellent relations with his farmers and even had the respect of the anti-hunting brigade. Fred and his second wife Penny subsequently went on to become successful masters of the VWH hunt, before in recent years switching their interest to three-day eventing. After initially having horses with Australian rider Paul Tapner, they more recently kept them with Tom McEwan, which notably resulted in team gold and individual silver at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics with their horse Toledo de Kerser. Away from horses, Fred owned and operated the BEAS Helicopters company through the 1970s and loved his farming estate at Lushill, near Hannington, Wiltshire. Always one for an adventure, Fred memorably teamed up with Johnnie Lewis and another great friend and fellow 11th Hussar, David Dollar, to compete in the 1968 London to Sydney car rally, where despite not processing one iota of rally driving experience between them, they managed to win the amateur class and finish 18th of the 100 entries overall. His eldest son Grant succinctly summed up his father at his recent funeral. He said, “Fred was prompt, precise and passionate. He also loved polo, power boats and parties, but most of all he loved beautiful things…and married two of them.” Fred Barker died peacefully at his home near Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, surrounded by his wife Penny, children and his dog, Charlie. His was the epitome of a life well lived. The post Remembering Captain Fred Barker: A Life Well Lived appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
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