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    • The first reported foal by Claiborne Farm's GISW Prince of Monaco (by Speightstown)–a healthy filly out of the Justify mare Itgetsgreaterlater–was born at Serendipity Springs in Lexington, Kentucky Jan. 12, according to a press release from the sire's home base on Friday morning. This is the third foal out of Itgetsgreaterlater, whose second foal by Gunite brought $160,000 at last year's Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, topping the session among that day's weanlings. The Kuegler family's Wasabi Ventures Stables bought Itgetsgreaterlater for $80,000 at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale. The extended family includes GISW Cupid (by Tapit) and MGSW Hostess (Chester House). “She's a beast of a filly,” said George Adams, director of stallions and breeding for Wasabi Ventures Stables. “She has tons of substance, and is very correct. The stallion really stamped her. If they all look like her, Prince of Monaco is going to be a star.” Prince of Monaco filly | courtesy of Caliborne Farm A $950,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select yearling, Prince of Monaco won on debut as a 2-year-old by eight lengths at Los Alamitos, which garnered him a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. The Bob Baffert trainee took the GIII Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar where he earned a 103 Beyer. From there, Prince of Monaco earned his first top level score in the GI Del Mar Futurity. As a 3-year-old, Prince of Monaco ran a half-length short of MGISW Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in the GI Woody Stephens Stakes before finishing as the runner-up in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes–both at Saratoga. Bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, the young Claiborne stallion is out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare Rainier, from the family of Grade I winner Adieu (El Corredor). Covering 176 mares during his inaugural season with 25% who claimed black-type on their sheets, Prince of Monaco will stand for an advertised fee of $30,000 for 2026. The post Claiborne Farm’s Prince Of Monaco Claims First Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • Well done reefton, good turnover for very small fields and a week day,any idea of off course turnover, may have been a 5$ entry, time to spread those stakes around a bit more, I'm sure some smaller clubs with better turnover be grateful.
    • By Dane McLeod/TTR  Award-winning broadcaster Nick Luck brought new meaning to the term big Down Under by purchasing two fillies alongside trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on behalf of a newly-formed syndicate.  The first filly was Lot 840, a Russian Revolution filly purchased for $240,000. Beautifully bred, she is out of the three-time Group-winning and Group 1-placed mare Spanish Reef (Lope De Vega {Ire}), and was offered by Rosemont Stud. “It's my first involvement with a horse in Australia, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it, and also delighted to be teaming up with Gai and Adrian,” Luck said. “I've known Emma Coleman for a while, and quite often said I wouldn't mind a small share, just to dip my toe in the water here. And this escalated last night over dinner. Nothing was planned until close to midnight, when I said to Emma, 'Come on, have you got a 5% in a filly for me?'” That's when things took a very Australian turn. “Then she said, 'I've got a better idea. Why don't you start a syndicate down here?' So, we didn't waste any time. The grass doesn't grow under anybody's feet here in Australia.” And waste no time they did. “Then this morning we went out, looked at a few fillies with Gai this morning, and it happened really quickly. We thought this filly was the nicest of all the ones we saw. Obviously, a filly with a great pedigree, out of a really good mare. “She comes from a wonderful farm, and it sounds like the mare's 2-year-old shows some promise as well, so hopefully we get a quick update to the pedigree. “There's going to be residual value in there. She's out of a multiple stakes-winning mare who was capable of running in Group Ones. So, yeah, that's really why I wanted a filly. Gai's had a lot of luck with the progeny of Russian Revolution. They're tough and hardy, and take their training well.” Later in the session, Lot 952 – A Toronado (Ire) filly out of Viennoiserie (I Am Invincible) was purchase from the Westbury Stud draft for $230,000. “We were oversubscribed for the Russian Revolution filly and we absolutely adored the Toronado filly. If she'd come in first, you know, we'd have definitely taken her and probably been very happy with our work.” Luck said “But because there was so much interest, all of a sudden we went again, and I'm thrilled. She's got a bit of charisma about her. Luke McDonald was pretty convinced that she was the best filly in their draft, and he's such a good judge that it was pretty difficult to walk away. I mean, why have one when you can have two?” As for the make-up of the Lucky Down Under Syndicate, Luck has been blown away with the interest – from both sides of the world, therefore the decision to double up, and buy two fillies. “I think it's going to be a good blend of Aussies and UK owners. And obviously, to get a couple of fillies and to have them with Gai and Adrian, it's a great thing as well. You tend to watch Australian racing and think, 'Wow.' Having Gai train it is the closest you can get to greatness, isn't it? I'm thrilled.” The post “I’m Thrilled” – Nick Luck Makes A Splash At Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • by Tom Baddock/TTR AusNZ Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock dominated the spotlight on Day 4 of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, securing some of the most coveted lots of the session, including a A$1.5-million Snitzel colt out of Group 2 winner Vangelic and a A$1.25-million I Am Invincible filly from South Australian Derby winner Qafila. The session also highlighted the air of expectation surrounding first-season sire Anamoe, with a A$1.1 million colt out of stakes winner Secret Trail (Denman) drawing strong interest, while I Am Invincible and Zoustar continued to supply highly sought-after yearlings, keeping bidding at the top end fiercely competitive. At A Glance The day's sale topper was lot 942, a Snitzel colt purchased by Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock for A$1.5 million from Coolmore Stud.   Three seven-figure yearlings on the final day, up from two who featured on Day 4 last year. This brings the total number of seven-figure yearlings for Book 1 in 2026 to 15.   The average held steady on Day 4 at A$274,508, up on 2025's end of Book 1 average of A$272,507. The median for 2026 stayed static for the sale on Day 4 at A$200,000, the same as 2025's Book 1 median of A$200,000.   The current gross at the conclusion of Day 4 sits at A$202,312,500 with 737 yearlings sold, a slight decrease when compared with the end of Book 1 2025 figure of A$205,470,000 for 745 yearlings sold, largely due to a smaller book and an increase in withdrawals.   Clearance rate of 86.19% is well up from 81.43% at the corresponding juncture last year, and likely to rise in the coming days.   Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock concluded Book 1 with 14 purchases to sit at the top of the buyers' charts, spending a total gross of A$8.7 million at the conclusion of four days of selling. Yulong lead the buyers by average (two or more sold) buying two yearlings at an average of A$1.23 million each.   Arrowfield remains the leading vendor after Day 4 with 47 yearlings sold, and only five passed, for A$15.19 million, while Coolmore's 38 sales have grossed A$13.7 million. The Chase lead by averages with six yearlings sold, at 100% clearance, for an average of A$538,333.   Snitzel concluded Book 1 as the leading sire by gross standings with 29 yearlings selling for A$19.9 million at an average of A$688,968. Leading by average is Extreme Choice, whose eight yearlings have averaged A$822,500, with Snitzel in second by average. Lot 942: Snitzel x Vangelic (Vancouver), colt – A$1,500,000 Late in the final session of Book 1, Guy Mulcaster, in partnership with Chris Waller Racing, pulled off one of the standout buys of the sale, securing lot 942 for A$1.5 million by champion sire Snitzel and out of Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed mare Vangelic (Vancouver). Mulcaster was immediately taken by the colt's athleticism and presence and said, “He looked really sharp and did beautifully through the prep. He moves like a dream and looks an early runner.” On the price, Mulcaster didn't flinch, knowing that the returns could be tenfold should the colt reach the breeding barn. “It's a lot of money, but that's what these colts cost. When you get a horse that's going to go on to stud, it looks cheap. He's a sharp, beautiful horse.” The pedigree added extra appeal. “The mare ran in plenty of stakes races and acquitted herself very well. It all crosses over and it's looking very strong,” Mulcaster added. Trained throughout her career by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the Vancouver mare was a precocious 2-year-old, winning on debut and finishing runner-up to Away Game (Snitzel) in the G2 Percy Sykes Stakes. She matured into a consistent Group 1 performer, claiming the G2 Golden Pendant and amassing over A$1.4 million in prize-money. Vangelic was sold off the track by Newgate as agent for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for A$1.5 million to Coolmore's Tom Magnier and was exported to the United States in May 2025. This colt is the sixth Snitzel yearling to smash the seven-figure barrier at this year's sale, underscoring the unsatiable demand for progeny from Arrowfield's former champion sire. Lot 708: I Am Invincible x Qafila (Not A Single Doubt), filly – A$1,250,000 Waller Racing, in partnership with Mulcaster Bloodstock, secured one of the most intriguing fillies of the sale when purchasing lot 708 for A$1.25 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Offered by Coolmore Stud, the bay filly is by champion sire I Am Invincible and out of the remarkably versatile G1 South Australian Derby winner Qafila (Not A Single Doubt), a mare whose race record spans elite juvenile speed through to Classic stamina. Mulcaster said it was Qafila's rare versatility that first drew the team to the filly, providing confidence in both her athletic scope and long-term upside. “I think the thing that really got our attention was the fact she was so versatile,” Mulcaster said. “I think she ran in the first 2-year-old race and ended up winning an Oaks, so we've got a few different paths we can take with her. “We always thought she was just an athlete, she's beautiful and has come off a great farm.” Despite strong interest, Mulcaster admitted the team were pleasantly surprised to come away with the filly. “We actually really thought we were going to struggle to buy her but it's ended up all right for us,” he said. “It's a lot of money… but I'm sure he's going to be rapt when he sees her.” In terms of her racing future, patience will be key. “I don't think we'll bustle her too much, we'll let her do the talking and see what transpires,” Mulcaster said. Qafila was a standout race mare, winning three races from 1000 metres to 2500 metres, including the Listed Debutant Stakes on debut as a 2-year-old before stretching out to claim the G1 South Australian Derby at three. She has already made a promising start as a producer, with two winners from two runners, including Angel Eyes (Wootton Bassett), a debut winner over 1000 metres at Ballarat, and Filadeel (Dundeel), a winner over 2200 metres for Ciaron Maher. Qafila has an unraced 2-year-old with Tony and Calvin McEvoy named Full Confidence (I Am Invincible) a colt at foot by Zoustar and has subsequently revisited I Am Invincible. Lot 781: Anamoe x Secret Trail (Denman), colt – A$1,100,000 Ciaron Maher Bloodstock added one of the most anticipated first-season yearlings to their Magic Millions haul when securing lot 781 for A$1.1 million, continuing the strong demand for the progeny of champion racehorse Anamoe. Offered by Widden Stud, the bay or brown colt is out of stakes-winning mare Secret Trail and is a half-brother to multiple stakes performer Spywire (Trapeze Artist), the winner of last Saturday's A$1-million The Syndicate at Magic Millions who is also trained by Maher. Maher's bloodstock manager Will Bourne revealed the colt had made a lasting impression from the very first inspection at the farm. “When Ciaron and I first saw him at the farm at yearling inspections at Widden, he was the last one out there and they usually leave their best for last and he was their prized icon,” Bourne said. While the pedigree stood out on paper, Bourne stressed it was the colt's physical presence that ultimately sealed the decision. “On paper it was obvious, but just on face value, it was the horse in front of you that really took Ciaron's eye and made Ciaron want to buy him,” he said. “Obviously that Spywire factor is there, but it was just a big, imposing, strong colt in front of you that was the main reason. He wasn't missed by anyone.” Bourne also noted the similarities between the colt and his champion sire, following recent inspections of Anamoe himself. “We've seen a lot of Anamoes that we liked and there were a few traits that Ciaron was querying,” he said. “Myself, Ciaron, and Andy Makiv went and checked out Anamoe in the Hunter Valley and, I tell you what, there are a lot of similarities.” Bourne believes the colt has all the hallmarks of elite weight-for-age performer. “He is a heavy horse. If you're being critical, that's the one negative – how big and strong he is,” Bourne said. “But when he moves, his athleticism really makes up for it. He doesn't move sloppy, he doesn't move heavy, he keeps it upright. “Those proper weight-for-age Group 1 horses, they have that strength, they have that imposing muscle, and I'm hoping he's just that.” Lot 781 is among the first yearlings by Anamoe to be offered at auction, with enormous anticipation surrounding his progeny after a racetrack career that yielded nine Group 1 victories across two, three and four-year-old seasons and more than A$11 million in prize-money. Standing at Darley's Kelvinside property at an introductory fee of A$121,000 (inc GST), Anamoe has attracted top-class mares, and early results in the sale ring have reflected that confidence. Secret Trail has already proven herself as a producer, with four foals to race for three winners, including Spywire. He has now won five races from 15 starts, earned close to A$1.4 million in prize-money, and was placed behind Storm Boy in the 2024 R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, adding further appeal to this high-profile colt. Secret Trail failed to produce a foal last season, but visited Widden's Champion Sire Zoustar. Lot 911: Anamoe x Time Check (Shamardal {USA}), colt – A$950,000 Lot 911, an Anamoe colt out of Time Check (Shamardal) and hailing from one of Godolphin's most celebrated female families, was also secured by Ciaron Maher in partnership with TFI for A$950,000. The family has produced Group 1 stars Alizee (Sepoy) and Astern, as well as promising young sire Tassort, making him a highly coveted prospect. Will Bourne said the colt's minor imperfections were easily forgiven given his overall quality. “He had a few small flaws looking straight on, but side on, the way he moved, he was just a great colt. If you're nitpicking, he wasn't perfect in front, but we see so often how many horses go to the winners' stall on Saturdays and there's no perfect horse front on. That was the only negative, but there were a lot more positives,” Bourne explained. Bourne said paying top dollar was easy to justify with Anamoe as the sire. “If we're going to pay that sort of sum, it might as well be on him. He was a good-looking racehorse, and hopefully he passes that on to his progeny.” Anamoe's progeny have made a strong impression at auction, with 29 yearlings selling so far for a combined A$14.44 million, averaging just under a$500,000 each. Time Check does not have a foal on the ground after missing to Snitzel but visited The Autumn Sun last spring. Lot 887: Zoustar x Tallow (Street Cry {Ire}), filly – A$900,000 An elite 2-year-old family once again caught the eye of buyers, with Matt Laurie Racing and Willannah Park Bloodstock securing lot 887 for A$900,000. The filly is by champion sire Zoustar and out of extraordinary broodmare Tallow (Street Cry {Ire}), who has already produced G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner and sire Farnan, as well as the speedy young stallion Sandbar. “I just fell in love with her. She's a real athlete,” Laurie said. “A very clean-bodied filly and a very stylish horse. She's got a strong page behind her and we want to add to her on the racetrack, but she's always going to have that pedigree.” Laurie said he had expected the filly to sell somewhere between A$600,000 and A$1 million and was pleased with the outcome. “We'll have probably 25% to fill, and there will be some shares available, but I don't think that will be too much of an issue finding someone to go into her,” he added. Tallow, now 20 years old, has produced 10 foals – five to race for five winners – including Bjorn Baker's promising filly Beside The Ocean (Zoustar) who has already won two races from four starts. Tallow has a Shinzo colt at foot and visited Ole Kirk last spring. The post A$1.5m Snitzel Colt Pushes Seven-Figure Tally To 15 At Magics appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • Tom Cleary has said that he would be the first man to raise a glass to the connections of Oh My Word at Cheltenham after confirming that owner Seamus Ross has moved the leading fancy for the Champion Bumper to his old ally Tony Martin.  Cleary enjoyed his greatest day as a trainer when Oh My Word produced a spellbinding performance to win the Listed Future Champions Bumper at Navan under Derek O'Connor last month.  In doing so, Oh My Word landed back-to-back bumper wins at the track and joined an illustrious roll of honour that features Don Cossack, Samcro and Envoi Allen to have won that Listed event.  It was a win that left the bookmakers suitably impressed with Oh My Word, who Cleary believes is “definitely a Grade 1 horse,” now as short as 12-1 with most firms for Champion Bumper glory. And while some of the narrative surrounding that success leaned towards David and Goliath stories from bygone years – think Tom Foley and Danoli or even Peter Casey and Flemenstar – the 69-year-old Westmeath-based trainer revealed “it was always the plan” that Oh My Word would eventually join Martin, who has trained the lion's share of Ross's horses down through the years.  “We hope he goes all the way for Mr Ross and sure we were only privileged to have had him in our yard,” a magnanimous Cleary told TDN Europe on Friday. “We knew all along that the horse would be going to Tony Martin because he trains all of Mr Ross's horses. He's the best horse that ever walked into my yard – he's definitely a Grade 1 horse and I think he could go all the way.” He added, “We were expecting a good run when he ran at Navan on debut and he duly won. We didn't think that we'd have him for his second run but, he was in such good form, we entered him for the Listed Future Champions Bumper and fair play to the owner, he gave us the go ahead to run again. We expected a huge run that day and, sure enough, he didn't let us down.” Oh My Word: as short as 12-1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham | Racingfotos.com That was the biggest success that Cleary has enjoyed to date and, according to the handler, it was made extra special for the input his sons, Classic-winning rider Rory and former jockey Paul, put into the horse during the early stages of his career. “I'm only at this [training] in a small way,” he said. “I'd only have five or six horses in the yard at any stage but I've been lucky to have had a few nice horses down through the years. This horse is definitely the best horse we've ever had anything to do with. I'm 69 years of age now and, to be honest, it never entered my head or bothered me whether I'd have a Listed winner or not. Having said that, it was very nice to get it.” He concluded, “Rory is a huge help and I have my other son Paul and his son James at home. The whole family is a huge help to me and I even ride out the odd time myself. Rory pre-trained Oh My Word so it was a big family effort, which made the whole thing extra special. We were just delighted to get the opportunity and look forward to working the same way in the future with Mr Ross and his farm manager Eoin Fenton. And you'd never know, if he goes to Cheltenham, I might have to go over and cheer him on.” The post Change Of Trainer For Leading Champion Bumper Fancy Oh My Word 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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