Wandering Eyes

The stakes schedule for the 2024 Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet, which will open Thursday, May 2, will include 32 stakes worth more than $6.6 million in total purses, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced. As announced in December, the ongoing construction of a new and re-imagined Belmont Park will require significant adjustments to the customary NYRA schedule. Most notably, the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be held at Saratoga Race Course from June 6-9. In addition, the spring/summer and fall meets traditionally held at Belmont will take place at Aqueduct Racetrack in 2024. Differences between the circumference of Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack will require slight distance changes to a number of races to be contested during the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet. On the turf, five races previously run at seven-furlongs [Elusive Quality, Soaring Softly, Paradise Creek, NYSSS Cupecoy's Joy, NYSSS Spectacular Bid] will be contested at six-furlongs. In addition, both the GI Belmont Derby Invitational and GI Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational will be contested at 1 3/16-miles on turf rather than the customary 1 1/4-miles. On the main track, the GII Brooklyn will be run at 11 furlongs rather than the traditional 12 furlongs. A stakes-laden program on Saturday, July 6 will feature four graded events led by a pair of Grade 1s on the turf in the $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational for sophomores and the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational for sophomore fillies. These prestigious contests will be supported by the Grade 2, $200,000 John A. Nerud for older horses sprinting seven furlongs and the Grade 3, $200,000 Dwyer for sophomores going one mile. For the full Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet stakes schedule, visit https://nyra.com/spring-summer. The post Stakes Schedule for Belmont at the Big A Spring/Summer Meet Set appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno–Ponche de Leona, by Ponche), winner of the 2013 GI Breeders' Cup Classic, will stand the 2024 breeding season at Adena Springs in Ontario, Canada. The 16-year-old stallion is the sire of GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. winner Mucho Gusto, as well as graded winners City Man and Mucho Unusual. He will stand for C$4,500 LF/S&N. The post Mucho Macho Man to Stand at Adena Springs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Longines World Racing Awards were held in London last week, but it could just as easily have been in Tokyo, such was the level of support from visitors from Japan. It is easy to understand why. For as well as this event being in part a coronation for Equinox (Jpn), the best horse in the world in 2023, it was also the first time in the 43-year history of the G1 Japan Cup that it was awarded the accolade of the Longines World's Best Horse Race. The line-up for the Japan Cup in November had a depth that would have been the envy of organisers of other major races around the world. While it contained only one international challenger – France's versatile dual Group 1 winner Iresine (Fr) – the first five horses home read like a who's who of the Japanese turf. Equinox – who else? – led home Fillies' Triple Crown winner Liberty Island (Jpn), the previous year's Japanese Oaks winner Stars On Earth (Jpn), the 2022 Japanese Derby winner Do Deuce (Jpn) and Titleholder (Jpn), the Japanese St Leger winner of 2021 who had subsequently won another two Group 1 races at four. In short, it was a proper race. The recognition of this, and in Equinox becoming the second Japanese horse after Just A Way (Jpn) to top the world rankings, comes as the Japan Racing Association (JRA) celebrates its 70th anniversary. The inauguration of the Japan Cup in 1981 provided a vehicle with which the country could set about promoting its racing industry worldwide. This in turn led to the establishment of five international JRA offices in key racing nations, a situation which underlines the global ambition not just of Japan's trainers but of its racing administrators. And it is this joined-up approach, from the breeding farms, through to the personalities and the sport's governance, which has surely played its part in the racing supremacy of Japan. Kanichi Kusano, the general manager of the JRA office in London, says, “We wanted to promote international racing. That's the reason why we started the Japan Cup. The objective of horse racing is to promote the pedigree. So if you don't have a strong horse competing in a race it is difficult to upgrade the pedigree, and that's another reason that we started the Japan Cup. “To promote the Japan Cup, we need people promoting it on the ground. The London office was the first office created, 32 years ago, and that was followed by New York, and then we gradually expanded to Hong Kong, Sydney and Paris. So we have five international offices now and still we have to keep working to find the runners for the Japan Cup. That's the main purposes of these offices, to promote the Japan Cup and Japanese racing.” The early years of the Japan Cup were liberally sprinkled with overseas winners from America, Ireland, Britain, France, New Zealand, Australia, and Germany. Among the visitors, Sir Michael Stoute is the only trainer to have won it twice, with Singspiel (Ire) and Pilsudski (Ire) in 1996 and 1997. The last international winner came almost 20 years ago, when Luca Cumani saddled Alkaased for Michael Charlton. The following year came the turn of Deep Impact (Jpn) and since then it has been a solely Japanese success story, despite attempts from the likes of Oaks winner Dancing Rain (Ire), Arc winner Solemia (Ire), Irish Derby winner Trading Leather (Ire), and Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden (Fr). In 2022, Onesto (Ire), Tunnes (Ger) and Simca Mille (Ire) all took their chance but came home empty-handed. Well, not quite, for, as well as significant bonuses on offer for winners of major races around the world if they can win the Japan Cup, there is also a generous allowance simply for showing up. “The Japan Cup is invitational and we support all the transportation fees for the horses and the connections, including the jockeys,” Kusano explains. “And we also have appearance money. So for runners coming to the Japan Cup, without spending any money their owners will get at least £100,000 as appearance money. It's a great opportunity, but it is still not that easy to find runners. “It's run in late November so obviously the trainer has to plan it, and there are lots of competitive races at the end of the season like the Arc, the Breeders' Cup and the Hong Kong International races, so that's what we are competing against. And because we have very quick ground, not all the European horses can compete equally in those conditions, so that limits our selection as well.” He adds, “Winning is important, of course, but just by visiting Japan and understanding the beauty of Japanese racing, that is something that we want those owners to explore, to experience another country that is staging racing.” Last year there were 24 races around the world for which the winner was in line for a $3-million bonus if he or she went on to win the Japan Cup. In 2024, the Coronation Cup at Epsom has been added to that list, with the Derby, Prince of Wales's S., Eclipse S., King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S., Juddmonte International and Champion S. also eligible in Britain. In France, the Prix du Jockey Club, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Grand Prix de Paris and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe are all qualifying races, while in Ireland the Irish Derby and Irish Champion S. also make the list. It is also worth noting that it is not only the Japan Cup that accepts overseas horses. It was the country's first, but since 2007 all graded races in Japan, which number more than 120, were opened up to outside runners, including some jump races. The tide flows both ways, of course, and since 1958, when Hakuchikara (Jpn) became the first Japanese horse to compete abroad, in the USA, the floodgates have gradually been forced open. The following year Hakuchikara won the Washington Birthday Handicap S. Seeking The Pearl, Taiki Shuttle, El Condor Pasa and Agnes World all won Group 1 races in France in 1998 and 1999, while the latter won the July Cup of 2000, making him this first Japanese-trained winner of a Group 1 race in Britain. Cesario (Jpn), later the dam of stallions Epiphaneia (Jpn), Leontes (Jpn) and Saturnalia (Jpn), laid down another important landmark in 2005 when becoming the first winner of the American Oaks and Japanese Oaks, while the following year's Melbourne Cup saw a 1-2 for Japan with Delta Blues (Jpn) and Pop Rock (Jpn). The list goes on, with the highlights including success in Dubai for dual Horse of the Year Gentildonna (Jpn), later followed by another queen of the Japanese turf, Almond Eye (Jpn), through to last year's Sheema Classic romp for Equinox and Dubai World Cup victory for Ushba Tesoro (Jpn). And let's not forget the first two Japanese-trained winners at the Breeders' Cup of 2021, Marche Loraine (Jpn) and Loves Only You (Jpn). The Arc still eludes Japan, but that omission will surely be rectified before too long. “In Hong Kong, or in the Middle East, due to the difference of racing surface, Japanese horses have been really strong, but we have not been that strong in Europe, though we still want to reach out there as well,” says Kusano. The nominations for the Dubai World Cup were announced this week with an ominous list of 200 entries from Japan, including the co-top-rated filly in the world, Liberty Island, and defending World Cup hero Ushba Tesoro. “I would say we will have 20-plus runners in the end,” he adds. “The system in Saudi, Dubai and Qatar is very simple and it makes it easy to plan for the Japanese horsemen, and these big races in February and March work well for the connections.” As for Japan's own showcase race, the Japan Cup was broadcast live in Britain for the first time last year and there are plans in place to expand that commitment to show more Japanese races to European audiences. Anyone who has seen clips of Japanese racing fans on social media or elsewhere will understand the level of support racing enjoys in the country, and without the need of extra-curricular enticements such as post-racing concerts. Though, like many other racing nations, attendance figures have dropped, there were still almost 86,000 people on course for Equinox's swansong. That, however, is a long way short of the record crowd figure set at Tokyo in 1990 of 196,517. “Luckily racing is still very much accepted in Japan,” Kusano says. “The largest difference between racing in Japan and other countries is that we are purely fan-engaged. We truly race for the fans, while working closely with the [horses'] connections. If you don't value the fans you will lose the interest in the sport. So that's our main focus, and I think it is one thing we have been successful in doing. “People in Japan purely come to watch the races, and to see the horses and the jockeys.” They also have the chance to say goodbye to their equine heroes, with on-course retirement ceremonies for the star names a regular feature. Equinox was given his own grand send-off at Nakayama three weeks after his final triumph in the Japan Cup. “That's another important thing, for us to educate fans that it is the cycle of the pedigree,” Kusano says. “It's sad when one great horse retires, however, that blood will continue and be passed on to the next generation, and that's really the beauty of horse racing. It's a basic thing but it's really important to keep getting that simple information and image across to the fans.” Kusano has spent the last two years based in Britain and is now a familiar face at racecourses around Europe. While many in this part of world look on with envy at the strength of the racing and breeding industry in Japan, he has learnt to appreciate elements of British racing. He says, “The beauty of it is that you have a lot of opportunities for every horse that's bred. You have 59 racecourses and a lot of handicap racing. If you look at it from the other side, as an owner, not all owners have great horses. But if you have a horse you are excited about it, whatever the horse's rating, and there is always a place for him to compete. So for that reason, I think the UK is an excellent place for giving lots of different horses and owners a chance to compete and be involved in the racing industry. That's what I have found fascinating, and it's what we do not have in Japanese racing.” Kusano adds, “The culture, the history and the equality for racehorses and owners, that's what has interested me.” Of the two tiers of racing in Japan, the elite JRA circuit is staged across 10 racecourses and incorporating all the major Group 1 contests. The JRA also operates the two training centres, Miho in the east of Japan, and Ritto in the west. Each has stabling for around 2,200 horses in training. The second tier of more regional racing is the National Association of Racing (NAR), which is operated under the control of local governments in 14 areas and staged on dirt. While obtaining an owner's licence for the JRA is subject to wealth and suitability checks, the rise of racing clubs has enabled a greater number of people to feel closer to the action. Silk Racing, which owns Equinox, Almond Eye and the dual G1 Hong Kong Vase winner Glory Vase (Jpn) among many others, has several hundred members involved in each horse. “The racing clubs have certainly helped to make more people interested in racing,” says Kusano. “In Equinox there were 500 syndicate members and they shared the cost. The syndicate system is very different in Japan as the syndicate members are not regarded as racehorse owners, they are regarded as investors. “But just visiting a yard, or being involved in a horse race, gives great joy to people. And that's the great advantage of horse racing. I think we need to all spend more effort promoting that special environment.” The post Japan Rules as the JRA Turns 70 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 999th Great British Bonus was paid to the connections of Miss Bielsa (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) after she won on debut in a maiden fillies' race on Jan. 26. A £50,000gns Tattersalls Book 2 alum, the Alan Byrne-owned Miss Bielsa picked up a £20,000 bonus at Wolverhampton. The Simon and Ed Crisford trainee is a half-sister to the very first GBB winner, Pelekai (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), who won £10,000 on debut, and to Golden Mayflower (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), who earned £20,000, also in her first appearance. The trio are out of Pelerin (Ire) (Shamardal), a multiple listed winner. The chestnut is the 763rd filly to have secured at least one GBB bonus, with 166 multiple GBB bonus winners. Byrne is one of 562 owners who have seen success with GBB, while her breeder, Newsells Park Stud, is one of 454 who have bred a winning filly. Philip Newton, the Chairman of the TBA, which runs the scheme, said, “At a superficial level, GBB is supporting the entire industry with immediate financial rewards, but it's doing so much more than that: it's encouraging racing in Britain; it's encouraging more fillies to be tested on the track; it's incentivising the use of British-based stallions; it's creating a demand and increasing the value of British-bred fillies at the sales; it's doing so much and exceeding expectations. It is showing that well thought out and carefully managed incentives can–and do–work.” Since the scheme's launch, the value of British-bred fillies at sales has increased 16.3%; 13.4% for Flat fillies and 26.5% for NH fillies, according to a study by PWC. He added, “We're truly grateful to the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) for its unwavering support of the Great British Bonus. The HBLB not only provides £3.5 million in annual funding to the programme, but also plays a vital role in its management through its representatives on the GBB Management Group. Its continued partnership is instrumental in ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of the scheme.” The deadline to register 2022 Flat-bred fillies for stage 3 is Feb. 28, 2024. For more information on the programme and to register a filly, please visit the GBB website. The post Great British Bonus Scheme Reaches £13.5 Million Mark As 999th Bonus Paid appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The gold trophy that will go to the winner of the upcoming 150th GI Kentucky Derby was unveiled to the public Tuesday at Churchill Downs. The special Kentucky Derby trophy was handcrafted by silversmiths of S.R. Blackinton in Smithfield, R.I. from 14-karat solid yellow gold and green gold over a period of more than six months. As always, the front of the trophy is adorned by a 14-karat gold horseshoe pointed upward, the top features a 14-karat gold horse and rider, and the sides showcase a pair of horseshoe-shaped wreath handles. The trophy stands 22 inches tall and weighs just under 68 ounces, excluding its jade base and unique gems added to this year's milestone trophy. As was the case with previous special anniversaries–1949 (75th), 1974 (100th) and 1999 (125th)–this year's trophy has unique jeweled embellishments to commemorate the special 150th anniversary. A distinctive garland of roses outfitted with 196 rubies, 96 marquise emeralds and 36 round emeralds is draped across the withers of the horse atop the 2024 trophy. Additionally, there are 12 diamonds on the cover cape beneath the horse, 38 rubies on the circular braid atop the gold cup, and eight diamonds within the horseshoe on the front of the trophy. Three smaller sterling silver replica trophies are awarded to the winning jockey, trainer and breeder of the Kentucky Derby. The post 2024 Kentucky Derby Trophy Unveiled appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Newly-crowned champion 2-year-old male Fierceness will make his anticipated sophomore debut in the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Feb. 3 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Adam Ryan, who assists his father Kevin at their Hambleton Lodge yard in Thirsk, has high hopes for Shamardal colt Inisherin and a rising star on the pony racing circuit. Proudest moment of 2023? Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) winning the Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot. He was a horse who we'd always held in the highest regard and it was a proud achievement to not only achieve a Group 1 win but to do it on the biggest stage. He also went straight there without a run and I believe that did elevate that performance. What is your biggest ambition for the new year? Setting goals is quite difficult but to continue our success is probably the most important thing. All winners are important but to be competitive on the biggest stage is what everyone is trying to achieve. It's always a goal to find that Group 1 winner which is so important. Give us one horse to follow and why? Our horse to follow would be Inisherin (GB). He has a wonderful pedigree, being by the late Shamardal and out of a Group 1-winning dam. He ran very well on his debut at Newmarket where the front two pulled a long way clear and always looked the type to progress into a nice three-year-old. And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on… A young lad called Mason Paetel. He isn't actually in the industry just yet, but we saw him win a pony race at York last season and met him and his family afterwards. He looks like he could be a bright star in the future. Who do you think will be champion first-season sire this year? This is always a difficult one and it looks to be a very good crop this year. Obviously, Pinatubo (Ire) would be very hard to look past, a wonderful racehorse with the pedigree to match. Hello Youmzain (Fr) has also produced some good-looking stock. He was a very good sprinter and also had a great mind. I'm sure he can make a very positive start to his stallion career if passing that on to his progeny. And the best value stallion in Europe? We've had a lot of luck with Kodi Bear (Ire) and last season Room Service (Ire) proved to be a cracking two-year-old, winning the valuable sales race at Doncaster. We are hopeful he could continue his progression this year and potentially take the step into pattern company. What's the one horse you wish you'd bought in 2023? I think Vandeek (GB) was very impressive in a short space of time. It will be interesting to see what route he goes down this year, but he could potentially be a sprinting superstar. Biggest regret? I don't really believe in having regrets, but I would say one of the biggest disappointments was The Grey Gatsby (Ire) just getting touched off in the Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot in 2015. It was agonisingly close and he was a star for us throughout his career, but if he was to lose then there was no better man to beat us than Pat Smullen. Biggest influence on your career? Obviously, my father and being able to witness first-hand all the intricacies of the sport and business. To work as part of a team alongside him is very special. Stephen Hillen would be a big influence, too. He works alongside my father at the sales. It has been invaluable experience to shadow him and see what it takes to source the right horse. If you could sit down for dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be and why? I would probably say some absent friends and family. To have one more evening with them would be the most important dinner to me. The post In The Hot Seat: Adam Ryan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Happy Saver (Super Saver–Happy Week, by Distorted Humor), winner of the 2020 GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S., was represented by his first foal when Planeta (Giant's Causeway) produced a filly last week. The filly was born at Hagyard Farm, which was also the birthplace of Happy Saver and home of the Kentucky nursery of his breeder, Wertheimer and Frere. The foal was bred by Hagyard Farm assistant manager Jose Sarinana, who also helped raise her sire. “Happy Saver was our best foal, best yearling and went on to be our best racehorse in my time here at Hagyard Farm,” Sarinana said. “I wouldn't expect any less from his foals and having this well-balanced filly carrying Happy Saver's traits makes me very happy.” Carrying the Wertheimers' colors, Happy Saver hit the board in 11 of 13 starts, with five wins and earnings of $1,258,100. In addition to his Gold Cup win, he also won the 2020 Federico Tesio S. and was second in the 2021 Gold Cup and GI Clark S., as well as the 2022 GI Metropolitan H. and GI Whitney S. The Wertheimers partnered with Airdrie Stud for Happy Saver's stallion career following his retirement from racing. Happy Saver will stand the 2024 breeding season at Airdrie for a fee of $10,000. The post First Foal for Happy Saver appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.View the full article

Amr Zedan, who owns several top 3-year-old colts, has informed TDN that his horses are staying with trainer Bob Baffert, which means they will be ineligible to run in the GI Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs set Monday as a deadline for owners to take their horses away from Baffert. Any horse remaining in his barn after the deadline will not be permitted to race at Churchill Downs. “No move,” Zedan said in a text message. “Mr. Baffert our man.” Zedan has several top 3-year-old colts. The best may be Muth (Good Magic), the winner of the GI American Pharoah S. and the GII San Vicente S. He also has 'TDN Rising Star' Maymun (Frosted), a very impressive winner of his Jan. 20 debut, and Coach Prime (Quality Road), who was third in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity. On Monday, the TDN reached out to a number of Baffert owners and could not find one who had decided to take their horses away from Baffert in order for them to run in the Derby. Zedan joins a list that includes Mike Pegram, Jack Liebau and Dr. Edward Allred, Baoma Corp and the partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables. In 2022 and 2023, years in which Baffert was also banned, several owners turned their horses over to former Baffert assistant Tim Yakteen, which made them eligible to contest the Derby. The post Zedan Joins List of Owners Sticking with Baffert Despite Derby Ban appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wednesday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

Tom Brady's TB12 and Brady Brand–a line of fitness supplements and athletic apparel–will merge with Mike Repole's NOBULL footwear and apparel brand, creating one company operating under the NOBULL brand, according to new posted on the NOBULL website Tuesday morning. The company will offer footwear, apparel, and nutrition products, and Brady will become NOBULL's second-largest shareholder, according to CNBC. “TB12 and NOBULL Footwear & Apparel have merged to create one company dedicated to help you improve mentally, emotionally, and physically,” according to the statement on the website. “Tom Brady is no stranger to the NOBULL mentality; on and off the field he has always been focused on making himself better every day. The two brands have come together to provide the right tools to help everyone reach their full potential. Exceptional training footwear and apparel, uncompromising nutrition, and a healthy obsession with getting better every day-that's what TB12 and NOBULL's all about.” Repole and Brady, widely regarded as the best NFL quarterback of all time, reportedly met at the Kentucky Derby several years ago, where Repole is expected to be represented in 2024 by his Champion Two-Year-Old Fierceness (City of Light). Repole, one of the sport's largest owners and a veteran in the beverage business, bought a majority stake in NOBULL in July, 2023. “We both have enough humility to understand that this is tough and will be a big challenge,” Brady said in a video interview with Sportico Tuesday morning. “But we have some tremendous teams that are already in place that are excited for the challenge. Neither of us have backed down from a challenge a day in our life, and we don't plan on it anytime soon.” “This is going to be incredibly fun but also an emotional opportunity for us to give back,” Repole said in the same interview. “We have some great teams. I didn't do what I did alone, and neither did Tom. Now we're making it a NoBull family. We're going to influence as many people as we can.” The post Brady to Partner With Repole In NOBULL appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three British-trained runners, plus two in the Godolphin blue, feature in a nine-strong field for the Listed Crown Prince's Cup (Sponsored by Cebarco) at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club on Friday, February 2. Charlie Appleby, who won the race in 2023 with Warren Point (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), saddles a leading contender again this year in the shape of the four-year-old Local Dynasty (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was last seen running out an emphatic winner of a handicap at Meydan. His vanquished rivals on that occasion included the same owner's Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), who will be back in familiar surroundings in Bahrain as he tries to reverse the form in the Crown Prince's Cup. Trained by Saeed Bin Suroor, Passion And Glory was second in the G3 Bahrain International Trophy in 2022 before winning the Listed His Majesty The King's Cup the following year. The British challenge is made up of three horses who will also be familiar to local racegoers having taken part in the Bahrain Turf Series during the winter. The Ian Williams-trained Duc De Kent (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}) has been beaten in his two starts, but Isle Of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Lucander (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) have both been among the winners for George Scott and George Baker respectively. Lucander came out on top by a short head when the pair met most recently, but Isle Of Jura is better off at the weights in the Crown Prince's Cup, leaving Scott optimistic of another bold showing in the familiar colours of His Highness Shaikh Nasser's Victorious Racing. “Isle Of Jura has not surprised me in terms of how well he has done in Bahrain,” said Scott. “He has really thrived in the conditions and the lovely fast ground was always going to suit him. “The plan was always to progress from the Bahrain Turf Series to the Cup races and this [2000m] is his distance, so I am very hopeful of a big run. It would mean a great deal to His Highness Shaikh Nasser to win a race as prestigious as the Crown Prince's Cup.” Rollajam (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) will also sport the silks of Victorious Racing and is one of two runners for leading local trainer Fawzi Nass along with Bahrain Turf Series winner Zagato (GB) (Frankel {GB}). The home defence is completed by Alan Smith's American Flag (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and the Jaber Ramadhan-trained Sovereign Spirit (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) on another significant day in the Bahrain racing calendar, with two Bahrain Turf Series races and the Bahrain Derby and Bahrain Oaks also featuring on the card. The declared runners for the 2024 Crown Prince's Cup can be found here. The post Nine Runners Declared For Crown Prince’s Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Day Three of NZB’s National Yearling Sales Series concluded on Tuesday, closing the curtain on a record-breaking Book 1 session for the 2024 edition. At the close of selling, the Book 1 aggregate reached just shy of $80 million, a 14% increase on last year, while the average rounded out at $168,257, an 11% increase. NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook was highly impressed following the blockbuster session. “At the start of the week, I said if we could match last year’s results we’d be very satisfied, but to increase the turnover by $9.5 million is a great result to go back into the pockets of our vendors,” he stated. “Seventeen yearlings sold for $500,000 or more, in comparison to six during last year’s sale, which just shows the strength of the top end. “The Australian spend was up $7 million, while the domestic bench was up $2 million on last year. “There are some quality horses still to come in Book 2, where we hope to see the Kiwis out in force especially with the new Karaka Millions bonuses on offer,” he added. Lot 513 was knocked down for $800,000. The top lot of Day Three came at Lot 513, a filly by the young sire Wotton Bassett out of Via Napoli who was knocked down to Belmont Bloodstock Agency and Cheung Shun Ching for $800,000 from Curraghmore’s draft. “She’s a standout on type, and I was initially attracted to the depth of her pedigree,” commented bloodstock agent Damon Gabbedy. “She’s equal to the best ones I’ve seen in Europe, so that gave me all the confidence to have a go at her.” Looking to secure his leading buyer title for the nineteenth consecutive year, Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis purchased 28 yearlings over the last three days for a total spend of $6,045,000. “I think we’ve bought the best lot of yearlings that we’ve ever bought at a yearling sale,” commented Ellis. “It is really exciting to have this quality of horse coming into our stables. “To see the delight on Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s faces makes it all worthwhile knowing how pleased they are with the horses they will be training.” Waikato Stud retained the leading vendor by aggregate title at the end of Book 1, selling 59 yearlings for a total turnover of $8,730,000. “The people are here, and they were active, that was very evident across the board,” commented Waikato Stud Principal Mark Chittick. “We were just short of 10,000 individual parades, since Monday a week ago. “The Australians were very busy, but the domestic buying bench were big supporters of ours this year. Those guys are gearing up for all that positivity that’s to come.” Lot 21 sold for $1.6 million to Peter Moody. The results of Karaka 2024’s Book 1 Sale will be etched in the history books, highlighted by the highest priced filly to be sold at Karaka. Peter Moody went to $1.6 million for Lot 21, the full-sister to Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) on the opening day. Bred and offered by Hallmark Stud, it made for a memorable session for the Te Kauwhata-based nursery who also claimed the leading vendor by average title, averaging $294,091 across 11 lots. Snitzel claimed the leading sire by average title for Book 1 at an average of $475,000, headed by David Ellis’ purchase of Lot 360 on Day Two, the colt out of Rondinella on account of Haunui Farm for $825,000. Attention now turns to Book 2 on Wednesday where the selling of lots 683 to 800 will get underway from 11am (NZT) at Karaka. Yearlings purchased at the Book 2 Sale are eligible for the $200,000 Book 2 Bonus, to be won by the first horse across the finish line in the 2026 $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO race. Book 2 has been a happy hunting ground for Karaka Millions contenders over the years, highlighted by this year’s TAB Karaka Millions 3YO runner up Pendragon (NZ) (U S Navy Flag), who was a $110,000 purchase by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables at Karaka 2022. All yearlings purchased at Karaka 2024 are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series, featuring the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO, $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO and two new $200,000 bonuses. To nominate your yearling, contact finance@nzb.co.nz or call +64 9 298 0055. Entries close Monday 4 March 2024. To enquire about Passed Lots from Book 1 contact Patrick Cunningham on +64 21 181 5898 or email Patrick.Cunningham@nzb.co.nz, or Andrew Buick on +64 27 555 0640 or email Andrew.Buick@nzb.co.nz. View the full Book 1 results here. Catch the highlights and Lot-by-Lot footage from Book 1 online. Karaka 2024: Book 1 Statistics (at end of selling) 2024 BOOK 1 TOTAL 2023 BOOK 1 TOTAL 2022 BOOK 1 TOTAL 2021 BOOK 1 TOTAL AGGREGATE $79,585,500 $70,063,000 $63,127,500 $50,778,000 AVERAGE $168,257 $151,980 $146,808 $123,248 MEDIAN $120,000 $130,000 $100,000 $95,000 CLEARANCE 78% 79% 77% 81% CATALOGUED 682 644 636 579 SOLD 473 461 430 412 TOP LOT Lot 21 Proisir – Donna Marie (Ch.F) $1,600,000 Lot 586 Fastnet Rock – Test the World (B.F) $1,000,000 Lot 161 Savabeel – Chandelier (B.C) $1,000,000 Lot 94 Zoustar – Scintillula (B.F) $800,000 Karaka 2024: Book 1, Day Three Top Lots LOT SIRE DAM SEX VENDOR PURCHASER PRICE 0513 Wootton Bassett Via Napoli Filly Curraghmore Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) / Cheung Shun Ching (Hong Kong) $800,000 0562 Savabeel Alam Mo Na Colt Little Avondale Stud Bjorn Baker Racing / Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) (New South Wales) $525,000 0630 Deep Field Californiasurprise Colt Kaha Nui Farm Jamie Richards / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $500,000 0482 Proisir The Pearler Filly Phoenix Park China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd (Singaopore) $460,000 0661 Satono Aladdin Cold Shoulder Colt Landsdowne Park Ballymore Stables / Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Catheryne Bruggeman (Waikato) $460,000 0601 Almanzor Bavella Filly Cambridge Stud Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau) $400,000 0489 Savabeel Tinnelly Filly Haunui Farm Michael Otto Bloodstock (BAFNZ) (Auckland) $375,000 0540 Savabeel Za Za Gabor Colt Hallmark Stud Patella Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $375,000 0538 Cosmic Force Zadancer Filly Curraghmore DGR Thoroughbred Services Pty Ltd (FBAA) (New South Wales) $340,000 0554 Proisir Affrettando Colt Wainui Ltd Rob Hickmott Racing Pty Ltd (Victoria) $340,000 0610 Savabeel Bingo Colt Waikato Stud Ltd Flag Bloodstock (Auckland) $340,000 0662 Super Seth Collay Colt Elsdon Park R Yiu (Hong Kong) $340,000 Karaka 2024: Book 1 Overall Top Lots LOT SIRE DAM SEX VENDOR PURCHASER PRICE 0021 Proisir Donna Marie Filly Hallmark Stud Moody Racing (Victoria) $1,600,000 0144 Satono Aladdin Inthespotlight Filly Rich Hill Stud Chris Waller / Mulcaster Bloodstock (New South Wales) $900,000 0360 Snitzel Rondinella Colt Haunui Farm Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) (Te Akau) $825,000 0513 Wootton Bassett Via Napoli Filly Curraghmore Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) / Cheung Shun Ching (Hong Kong) $800,000 0055 Zoustar Evalina Colt Elsdon Park Jamie Richards / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $725,000 0146 Super Seth Irion Colt Pencarrow Stud Patella Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $700,000 0210 Kingman Marsden Cross Colt Pencarrow Stud The Hong Kong Jockey Club (Hong Kong) $650,000 0442 Savabeel Stolen Gem Filly Haunui Farm Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (Victoria) $650,000 0409 Savabeel Simply You Colt Waikato Stud The Hong Kong Jockey Club (Hong Kong) $620,000 0479 Savabeel Thee Auld Floozie Filly Jamieson Park Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) (Wellington) $620,000 Karaka 2024: Book 1 Leading Purchasers by Aggregate PURCHASER AGGREGATE BOUGHT TOP PRICE TOP LOT Mr DC Ellis CNZM (BAFNZ) $6,045,000 28 $825,000 360 Chris Waller / Mulcaster Bloodstock $4,300,000 13 $900,000 144 The Hong Kong Jockey Club $2,700,000 8 $650,000 210 Moody Racing $2,460,000 4 $1,600,000 21 Jamie Richards / Andrew Williams Bloodstock $2,370,000 6 $725,000 55 KPW Bloodstock $2,120,000 12 $360,000 308 Wexford Stables $1,890,000 10 $280,000 285 Go Racing Ltd / Blandford Bloodstock $1,585,000 10 $300,000 295 Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) $1,520,000 5 $620,000 479 Stephen Marsh Racing / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock $1,305,000 6 $425,000 218 Pike Racing $1,300,000 7 $400,000 138 Karaka 2024: Book 1 Leading Vendors by Aggregate VENDOR OFFERED SOLD AGGREGATE AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT Waikato Stud 74 59 $8,730,000 $147,966 $620,000 409 Cambridge Stud 35 35 $5,580,000 $159,429 $425,000 438 Haunui Farm 27 24 $5,045,000 $210,208 $825,000 360 Pencarrow Stud 22 19 $4,300,000 $226,316 $700,000 146 Curraghmore 25 23 $4,150,000 $180,435 $800,000 513 Rich Hill Stud 24 19 $3,985,000 $209,737 $900,000 144 Elsdon Park 15 14 $3,800,000 $271,429 $725,000 55 Windsor Park Stud 40 27 $3,445,000 $127,593 $300,000 269 Hallmark Stud 13 11 $3,235,000 $294,091 $1,600,000 21 Wentwood Grange 30 26 $2,953,000 $113,577 $260,000 280 Karaka 2024: Book 1 Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold) VENDOR OFFERED SOLD AVERAGE TOP LOT TOP PRICE Hallmark Stud 13 11 $294,091 21 $1,600,000 Elsdon Park 15 14 $271,429 55 $725,000 Highline Thoroughbreds 6 4 $252,500 224 $510,000 Jamieson Park 12 7 $252,143 479 $620,000 Kaha Nui Farm 7 6 $228,333 630 $500,000 Pencarrow Stud 22 19 $226,316 146 $700,000 Riversley Park 13 13 $221,923 397 $500,000 Kilgravin Lodge 12 10 $210,500 480 $600,000 Haunui Farm 27 24 $210,208 360 $825,000 Rich Hill Stud 24 19 $209,737 144 $900,000 Karaka 2024: Book 1 Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold) SIRE OFFERED SOLD AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT Snitzel 3 3 $475,000 $825,000 360 Justify 5 3 $373,333 $373,333 62 Wootton Bassett* 9 7 $328,571 $328,571 513 Proisir 32 27 $274,444 $274,444 21 Savabeel 49 41 $261,463 $261,463 442 Satono Aladdin 15 14 $234,643 $234,643 144 So You Think 7 6 $219,167 $219,167 94 Capitalist 3 3 $196,667 $196,667 309 Written Tycoon 3 3 $196,667 $196,667 553 Ardrossan 10 8 $182,500 $182,500 275 *First Season Sire Karaka 2024: Book 1 Leading First Season Sires by Average (three or more sold) SIRE OFFERED SOLD AVERAGE TOP PRICE TOP LOT Wootton Bassett* 9 7 $328,571 $800,000 513 Hello Youmzain 38 34 $171,324 $425,000 438 King’s Legacy 8 8 $134,063 $260,000 74 Circus Maximus 32 20 $92,900 $200,000 399 Bivouac 9 7 $89,286 $130,000 307 *First Southern Hemisphere crop View the full article

The legacy of the late I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) lived on at Benalla on Tuesday when his half-brother Primal Spirit (NZ) (Charm Spirit) saluted on debut for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. Primal Spirit, who jumped $2.70 favourite, lifted from a seemingly unwinnable position at the top of the straight to run over the top of $101 outsider Grisbi’s Pal (Palentino) by the barest of margins. The son of Charm Spirit cost connections Ace Bloodstock A$240,000 when purchased as a yearling on the Gold Coast. “I wasn’t expecting him to finish so strongly,” jockey Tom Stockdale said. “It’s good to see him put a win up on the board and once he learns his caper, he is going to be an even better horse. “When they went to steady, he was a bit reactive, but I think that’s going to come with experience.” The Price and Kent Jnr stable also trained I’m Thunderstuck’s full brother Struck Twice (NZ) – who broke his maiden at Wodonga last year – for OTI Racing. I’m Thunderstruck passed away in March last year after amassing more than A$8.3 million in prizemoney. OTI Racing also owns a two-year-old colt from the mare by Ocean Park named Oceanside (NZ), who is trained by Chris Waller. Another son of Ocean Park from Primadonna Girl (NZ) (Edenwold) will be offered at the yearling sales in Melbourne in March. View the full article

Mike Moroney has his sights set on a first Australian Guineas success after confirming his New Zealand-based gelding Pendragon (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) is poised to make the trip to Melbourne this autumn. Pendragon almost fell after slipping on the home turn during last Saturday’s Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie, but after recovering to finish second, Moroney said he feels he is the right horse to aim up at the $1 million Group One over 1600m at Flemington on March 2. “He was like many that lost his footing,” Moroney said on Tuesday from the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka. “If you watch the replay turning for home, he almost fell and Mark (Zahra) thought he was going to drop right out when it happened, but he picked himself right up and fought on bravely. “He was beaten by pretty good filly (Orchestral) and I wouldn’t be surprised if Roger (James) didn’t bring her to Australia from what we’ve seen. “I think he’s better left-handed. Mark said he was a little bit on the one rein going right-handed, although he’s already won right-handed before. But he’s just more tractable left-handed.” Sportsbet has Pendragon marked a $17 chance for the Group One classic at Flemington on March 2 in a market where fellow New Zealand three-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) is the early favourite after stringing together seven wins in a row at home to start his career. Moroney said it was obvious from an early age that Pendragon was good enough to chase such a race as the Australian Guineas. “He’s a pretty talented horse,” he said. “We liked him enough as a two-year-old to throw him in the deep end in a Stakes race early in his career when we knew he wasn’t really a two-year-old type. “He’s always shown any amount of talent and now he’s gotten stronger and learned the craft, I am sure he’s going to be up to it.” Moroney said the Australian Guineas will not necessarily be his final run as a three-year-old. “I’d like to think that we could get a bit more racing out of him at three but keeping in mind he’s got a trip over there (Australia) and that might be it,” Moroney said. “But we will see. He’s a nice, strong horse and he looked in great order the other afternoon.” View the full article

The Satono Aladdin half-brother to Group One winner On The Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa) and a filly with similar traits to Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) were among a small but select group of purchases for champion trainer Mike Moroney during Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka. The Melbourne Cup-winning trainer and his bloodstock agent brother Paul made five purchases together between Sunday and Tuesday and indicated that several of the higher-priced lots are headed to his Flemington stable. Moroney paid NZ$460,000 for Lot 661, a son of Japanese shuttler Satono Aladdin out of Cold Shoulder (NZ) (Volksraad), who is a half-sister to brilliant stayer Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel). The mare has already produced Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes winner On The Rocks. On Sunday, he parted with NZ$240,000 to secure Lot 69, a Proisir filly from Rich Hill Stud’s draft. He said the filly boasts similar physical attributes to current stable star Coeur Volante, who won multiple Stakes races during the spring before running fourth in the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas. “She’s very much like Coeur Volante, expect she was an earlier foal,” Moroney said. “She’s got a bit of growing to do but I think she’ll do it now, whereas Coeur Volante did it a bit later because she’s a later foal. “She looks like a real runner to me and Proisir fillies have a great record. “She’ll probably stay here and have a go at the two-year-old race (Karaka Millions) and as long as she’s coming up quick enough, we’ll leave her here for that race and then go to Australia.” Moroney said he and his brother will be active during Book 2 of the sale, which begins on Wednesday. View the full article

Helene Feeling salutes under Zac Purton last season. Zac Purton has won every big race available in Hong Kong – nearly. The HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) is the only major Hong Kong contest to elude Purton and this Sunday at Sha Tin he rides Helene Feeling in a bid to complete the set. “I’ve always focused on trying to win the Derby and put more importance on a horse that has a little bit more stamina who would be able to peak on the big day and overlooked the Classic Mile,” Purton said. Purton has won 33 out of Hong Kong’s 34 principal feature races. 31 of these carry Group status, while the remaining three comprise the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which kicks off with the Hong Kong Classic Mile before the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on March 3 and HK$26 million 147th Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 24. Helene Feeling is trained by Danny Shum and is a two-time Class 2 winner. The Irish-bred placed in the HK$4.2 million Group 3 January Cup Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley last start. “The race has fallen away a little bit. There’s a few horses in there with quite low ratings and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of depth to it. The horses that stand out are going to be pretty hard to hold out – Helene Feeling has been racing fairly consistently,” Purton said. Purton won twice aboard Helene Feeling last season, closing that term with a success over this weekend’s course and distance. “He seems healthy, so we’ll see what we get and where he is at,” Purton said. “His better form is probably at Happy Valley compared to Sha Tin. Although, he has managed to win at Sha Tin as well, I rode him. He’s capable but the weekend will show us where he is at.” Purton’s closest result in the Hong Kong Classic Mile came aboard Garlic Boy in 2013, who finished second to Gold-Fun by a neck. The Australian has placed third three times in the race aboard Dibayani (2014), Beauty Generation (2017) and Packing Treadmill (2023). Moving to 61 wins this season with a six-timer last Sunday (28 January), Purton holds a 21-win lead over the second placed Karis Teetan (40) in the 2023/24 jockeys’ standings. More horse racing news View the full article

After winning his first Group One in last year’s Oakleigh Plate, the 26-year-old earns a short-term Jockey Club contractView the full article

Australian rider withdraws appeal and faces another lengthy stint on the sidelines, while Golden Sixty is ‘nearly back to normal’ after scan reveals infectionView the full article

Trainer Matt Williams is banking on the fresh ability of his class mare Wrote To Arataki (NZ) (Wrote) to take her to victory for the second year in a row in Saturday’s Gr.3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. Wrote To Arataki takes a major ratings advantage into Saturday’s defence of her first Stakes victory, but Williams said from the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale on Tuesday that a late end to her 2023 campaign means she has been taken along slowly this time in. “She’s just had the one trial so there should be a bit of improvement to come,” Williams said. “She’s coming off that short break where she went pretty deep into the spring, so there’s not a lot of turnaround time there, so there’s a bit of natural fitness still under her belt. “Last week she had a little jumpout at Warrnambool and came through that well and she had a gallop on the grass this morning and all reports (are) she came through that well, so she should be there to take her spot.” Wrote To Arataki carries a 102 rating off the back of her G2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) success at Caulfield in the spring, meaning she enjoys a break of 15 ratings points over her highest-weighted rivals, Diamond Dealer and Sneaky Paige (87). Wiliams said Wrote To Arataki enjoyed her short break and was not screwed down for her first outing for 2024. “We were able to get on about 15 kilograms on her out in the paddock and she’s had a pretty soft preparation going into Saturday, so we are sort of using it as a run to bring her on and get her out to seven furlongs (1400m), which is probably more her trip,” he said. “But she does always run really well fresh, so if she is ridden off the speed and gets a bit of luck in running, I can see her diving through and being in the finish there somewhere. “She has improved each preparation we’ve brought her back from a break. She’s just gone a length or two better again, so you probably don’t know when they are going to tap out. “She’s up in a higher grade now. We’re hopeful that if we give her a light autumn – she might only have three runs – and then we’ve got the opportunity to give her a nice six-week break and then in the spring get into one of those good races like the Rupert Clark (Stakes) where she gets right down in the weights and give her another crack at a Group 1. “We need to go to the (Frances) Tressady or Mannerism (Stakes) second-up and possibly the Sunline Stakes will be her prep this time in. “She’s not the sort of mare that we will travel away too much as she’s got her quirks and probably in the spring, there are more options for her to go in different ways.” View the full article

Ayrton’s (NZ) (Iffraaj) love affair with Caulfield is set to be pushed to the limit, with Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr set to nominate the John Dillon Stakes winner for the A$750,000 Gr.1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) next Saturday (February 10). Ayrton has won six of his seven starts at Caulfield, five of them over 1400m and four with Jamie Kah aboard, with his only defeat at the track having come at the top level when sixth in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last November. Mr Brightside dominates betting for the race at $2 following the news Alligator Blood won’t be taking his place, with Ayrton rated $26. “He just loves Caulfield, I don’t know what it is, Caulfield, Ayrton and Jamie Kah is a good recipe,” Kent Jnr said. “We had him a bit fresh to be fair and wasn’t totally wound up, so there’s improvement to come off that break in Perth. “We are going to nominate him for the C.F. Orr, he’s not as good as Mr Brightside or Alligator Blood of course but why wouldn’t you have a look at that race, he loves that course and distance.” View the full article

There are limited chances left to secure progeny of dominant Hong Kong stallion Deep Field, and Jamie Richards jumped at the opportunity to buy a well-credentialled colt for $500,000 at Karaka on Tuesday. Deep Field has topped the Hong Kong sires’ premiership in both of the last two seasons, and he again holds a runaway lead in the current term with total progeny earnings of HK$46.7 million – well clear of the second-placed Starspangledbanner with HK$27 million. The outstanding Northern Meteor stallion has sired a total of 39 winners from 78 runners in Hong Kong, headed by Group One winners Voyage Bubble and Sky Field. The latter was a $175,000 purchase from the Karaka sale ring in 2018. Fertility issues brought a premature end to Deep Field’s career at Newgate Farm, finishing up with crops of 64 and 37 foals respectively in his final two seasons. His last crop will be yearlings next season. Two colts by Deep Field were catalogued in Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale this week, and Richards was determined to add the first of them to his Hong Kong stable. Offered by Kaha Nui Farm, the colt went through the ring as Lot 630 and is out of the winning I Am Invincible mare Californiasurprise. “Deep Field has a real affinity with Hong Kong, and they’re not making any more of them,” Richards said. “But first and foremost, he’s a beautiful colt – great colour, lot of quality to him. I saw him here when I got here on Friday morning, and it’s been a long time waiting for him. “He’s going to end up being a medium-sized horse, but he’s very athletic. I’m not sure when he’ll go up, but he’ll just go back to the farm and we’ll get him broken in and get him educated. We’re looking forward to him arriving into Hong Kong at some stage. He’s a beautiful horse. Thrilled to get him.” Richards won four trainers’ premierships in New Zealand before relocating to Hong Kong, where he has already racked up more than 50 wins. “Speed is what they need up there – they’ve got to be fast,” he said. “This colt’s sire obviously does very well up there, which is important, and we just loved him as a physical, so very happy to get him.” View the full article

Little Avondale Stud’s yearling drafts have yielded plenty of success for Bjorn Baker, and the expat New Zealand trainer returned to the same formula with his purchase of another Savabeel colt at Karaka on Tuesday. Baker has trained several winners with the distinctive ‘LA’ brand, including Addictive Nature, who was bought for $775,000 from the Karaka sale ring in 2016. That son of Savabeel won the Gr.3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) and placed in the Gr.2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) and Gr.2 Expressway Stakes (1200m). On Tuesday, Baker went to $525,000 to secure Lot 562 from Little Avondale’s 2024 draft. The colt is out of the twice-winning High Chaparral mare Alam Mo Na, who is a half-sister to the stakes performer Explosive Mischief. Their dam, the Danehill mare Queen Of The Hill, was a dual Group Three winner in Melbourne. “Thrilled to get him,” Baker said. “Obviously I’ve had a bit of luck with the Little Avondale graduates over the years. “We really liked this colt. He was the colt that we came here and wanted. We had to wait a bit longer – I like to strike on the first day – but he’s a lovely-looking colt and he looks like he’s a chance to get up and go early.” Baker’s purchase of Lot 562 took Savabeel’s aggregate for the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale through the $10 million barrier. The Waikato Stud kingpin has an average price of more than $270,000. “Savabeel’s one of the great stallions and he’s had a strong sale again,” Baker said. “They’re great horses and they win races. The more Savabeels I get, the more I’ll be able to stay competitive in Sydney, and that’s what it’s about. “I was lucky enough to get a good Savabeel off Little Avondale a few years back, called Addictive Nature, and this guy reminded me a lot of him. He’s a good-looking horse, plenty of quality, and I can’t wait to get him into the stable.” The recent innovations and prize-money increases in New Zealand racing have not escaped the notice of Baker, who will consider bringing his new purchase back to this side of the Tasman. “We’ll try and get him underway relatively quickly, and we’ll definitely sign up for the Karaka Millions,” he said. “If not that, maybe we can get him back here for The Kiwi (1500m) when it’s a $4.5 million race. “There’s a lot of good opportunities here in New Zealand now. I’m just hoping one or two of the good Kiwi trainers in Aussie move home!” View the full article

The first Wootton Bassett yearlings to be sold in New Zealand have made a big impression at Karaka this week, headed by a well-related filly that fetched $800,000 on Tuesday morning. Best known in our part of the world as the sire of multiple Group One winner and star Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Almanzor, Wootton Bassett is by the former Haunui Farm shuttler Iffraaj and was champion two-year-old in France in 2010. He started his stud career in France in 2012, but only began shuttling to the southern hemisphere when Coolmore added him to their roster in 2021. Wootton Bassett’s nine crops in the northern hemisphere have produced 265 winners from 464 runners, with 40 individual stakes winners headed by Almanzor and eight other Group One winners. Nine members of Wootton Bassett’s first southern hemisphere crop are being offered in Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales this week. Across the first two days of the Book 1 session on Sunday and Monday, five of his yearlings sold for a total of $1.4 million and an average price of $280,000. But those figures were blown out of the water on Tuesday morning when Belmont Bloodstock’s Damon Gabbedy went to $800,000 to secure Lot 513. The filly was offered by Curraghmore on behalf of breeders Fairway Thoroughbreds and is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Via Napoli. Herself a three-time winner on the racetrack, Via Napoli’s only foal to race is the highly talented Petrucci, who has won four races and collected her second Group Three placing with a runner-up finish in Saturday’s Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie. Via Napoli is a full-sister to Listed winner California Turbo and half-sister to Group One winner Gathering and the Group Three-winning Florentina. The latter is the dam of exceptional mare In Italian, who has won four times at Grade One level in the United States. Gabbedy has been the Australian and New Zealand representative for French auction company Arqana since 2008, so he has become familiar with the progeny of Wootton Bassett. “There was a lot of competition for this filly,” he said. “She’s a beautiful filly from a proper pedigree. I go to France every year with my role with Arqana, so I’ve seen a lot of good Wootton Bassetts, and this is one of the most outstanding types I’ve seen. “And I think the pedigree speaks for itself. She’s closely related to a champion, In Italian, and from a proper pedigree with good depth. She’s from a great breeder, John Camilleri, and raised at Segenhoe, so hopefully we’ll have a bit of luck with her. “Wootton Bassett is a proven stallion already, so I think he’s a no-brainer. He’s a champion stallion, and I reckon he’ll do the same down here as he’s done in the northern hemisphere, for sure. “I bought her for a new client from Hong Kong, so that’s good. We don’t know who the trainer is yet, so we’ll just leave her here for a little while and figure that out in the next month or two.” View the full article