Wandering Eyes

While all the clamour at last week's Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale was for the offspring of Walk In The Park (Ire) and Blue Bresil (Fr), at Arqana's Autumn Sale the dominant sire for young stores and National Hunt yearlings was Doctor Dino (Fr). The Haras du Mesnil resident accounted for five of the nine six-figure lots, including the top lots on the last two days of the sale. Wednesday's concluding session saw Frederic Sauque bid €265,000 for Haras de l'Hotellerie's Doctor Dino yearling half-brother to Flat Listed winner Joplin (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). The colt's four-year-old full-brother Meatloaf (Fr) was placed in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham and won over hurdles at Wincanton for Paul Nicholls earlier this month. Sauque confirmed that the colt was bought on behalf of the same team of owners who were behind recent Grade 1-winning hurdler Jigme (Ire) (Motivator {GB}), who has been retired to Haras du Hoguenet for the 2024 season. He too was bred and raised at Hotellerie for Classic and Breeders' Cup-winning breeder Yeguada Centurion. “Buying as a yearling, it's a gamble on the future, but we have been very lucky with the horses from Haras de l'Hotellerie,” he said. As the sire of Epatante (Fr) and Allaho (Fr), Haras de Montaigu's No Risk At All (Fr) is another National Hunt sire very much in favour and two of his yearling colts were sold on Wednesday for €150,000 and €140,000 respectively. Thomas Saudet signed for Lot 707, from Haras des Sablonnets, who is a half-brother to the Network (Fr) siblings Thrilling (Fr) and Placenet (Fr), both of whom are Listed chase winners at Auteuil. Karwin Stud and Trotting Bloodstock were also among the raiders of the Hotellerie draft when buying Lot 722, the son of No Risk At All out of Molly Has (Fr) (Coastal Path {GB}). He too is a half-brother to a Listed-winning jumper in Mombasa (Fr) (Martaline {GB}), while his dam is a half-sister to the Grade 1-wining hurdler Moises Has (Fr) (Martaline {GB}), who is another top jumper now standing at Haras de Hoguenet. Like the previous day's catalogue, this session had also been trimmed from last year. With 87 sold from 115 offered, the clearance rate improved significantly to 75%, and the turnover of €3,222,000 was up by 22%. For the Arqana Autumn Sale as a whole, the clearance rate held steady at 79%. Turnover was up by 8% to €12,413,000 for 341 horses sold at an average of €36,240 (+15%). The action continues in Deauville on Thursday with the one-day National Hunt Breeding Stock Sale. The post Arqana’s Autumn Sale Finishes on a High appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

James Garfield (Ire) has been purchased by polo player Colonel Kuldeep Garcha and will stand at Gee Stud Farm in India next year. A fee will be announced later. The news was first reported by the Racing Pulse. The son of Exceed And Excel (Aus) was bred by Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs, and claimed both the G2 Mill Reef S. and G3 Greenham S., as well as a second-place finish in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest. Out of stakes winner Whazzat (GB) (Daylami {Ire}), the 8-year-old spent five seasons at Rathbarry Stud in Ireland. Of his 71 foals of racing age, 53 are runners with 27 winners among them. His two stakes winners are Maria Branwell (Ire), and Man With The Plan (Ire), while Littlejames (Ire) was also third in the G3 Premio Primi Passi. James Garfield is from the family of the blue hen Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}). The post James Garfield On The Move To India appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

South African tackles the prestigious competition for the third time after doing just enough at Happy Valley on Wednesday nightView the full article

A nomination in brilliant four-time Group 1 winner Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) will be auctioned to raise funds on behalf of severely injured jockey Graham Lee during the first day of the Tattersalls December Mare Sale on Monday, Dec. 4, Coolmore announced on Wednesday. The lot will be up for bid immediately prior to the first 'Sceptre' lot (1527) during the Dec. 4 session. Lee was injured in a fall as the horses left the gates at Newcastle earlier this month and sustained neck and spinal injuries. “Our partners Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, George Von Opel and Peter Brant along with everyone here at Coolmore and Ballydoyle wish Graham and his family all the very best,” said Coolmore's MV Magnier. Paddington's 2024 fee is €55,000 at Coolmore Stud next year. The post Nomination To Paddington To Be Auctioned At Tattersalls December For Graham Lee appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America has honored Dan Fick with its RTCA Community Service Award and David Pope with its RTCA White Horse Award. Fick has served in leadership positions with numerous organizations, including The Jockey Club, American Quarter Horse Association, various state racing commissions, Winners Federation, Groom Elite, Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, and many others. He was instrumental in establishing the Racing Officials Accreditation Program. With decades of service to the chaplaincy, Fick has helped to craft the organization. He served on the RTCA National Board as President and now has reached Director Emeritus status with the organization. Most recently, he served as the Council President for the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy. David Pope was honored with the chaplaincy's White Horse Award, which recognizes heroes in the horse racing industry. Pope responded to a Facebook post from Shawhan Place Farm manager Matt Koch, who had learned that a friend and fellow marine he had served with, Chris Kilpatrick, was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. After attending a church service where the message was about “meaningful giving,” Pope took the initial step to see if he might be a match. At each stage of testing, it was confirmed that Pope was indeed a perfect match. So, in the fall of 2022, he made the decision to donate his kidney to a total stranger. It was a successful operation, and both men are doing well today. The post Dan Fick, David Pope Honored by RTCA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Triple Group 1 winner Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}–Luminous Parade {Jpn}, by Symboli Kris S), and Group 1 winner Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}–Serienholde {Ger}, by Soldier Hollow {GB}) have both been retired, Sunday Racing announced on Wednesday. A Northern Farm-bred, the Toru Hayashi trainee won once in two starts at two, and added the Listed Kobai S. in January of her 3-year-old year. She was only a nose behind Schnell Meister in the G1 NHK Mile Cup in 2021, placed in the G3 Sekiya Kinen, and claimed the G2 Fuji S. as her first group victory in October of 2021. Last year, the G3 1351 Turf Sprint went her way in Saudi Arabia, and she defeated Schnell Meister later that season in the G1 Yasuda Kinen. At five, Songline added the G1 Victoria Mile and Yasuda Kinen, to bring up her third top-level victory, and was second in the G2 Mainichi Okan. Fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile in her career finale, the 5-year-old emerged lame from that effort. She has earned $6,273,096 with a mark of 17-7-3-1. Like Schnell Meister, Songline is the first foal of her dam. Her second dam, Luminous Point (Jpn) (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}), is a half-sister to Japanese group winners Renforcer (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) and a full to Northern River (Jpn) (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}). Songline is also kin to G1 Nassau S. and G1 Shuka Sho winner Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}). Kingman Miler Bound For Stud Duty Bred by Northern Farm in Germany after buying his G1 Henkel-Preis der Diana-winning dam Serienholde after her racing career, Schnell Meister excelled over 1600 metres. A winner of his first two starts at two, he was second in the G2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho at three prior to narrowly taking the NHK Mile Cup in May of 2021. After running second in the Yasuda Kinen that year, he added the G2 Mainichi Okan to his haul that October and signed off his 3-year-old year with a second in the G1 Mile Championship at Hanshin. Winless at four, he did run second in the Yasuda Kinen, once again. This term, he took the G2 Yomiuri Miler Cup, ran third in the Yasuda Kinen–to Songline–and was third in the Mainichi Okan in five starts. His record stands at 17-5-3-3, and $4,446,225 in earnings. His third dam is the influential matron Salde (Ger) (Alkalde {Ger}), a listed winner and responsible for 10 winners including the group winners Saldenschwinge (Ger) (In The Wings {GB}) and Saldentigerin (Ger) (Tiger Hill {Ire}), the latter second in the G1 Preis von Europa. Another German Oaks victress, Salomina (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}), is also a descendant of Salde, and she has produced Japanese Group 1 winner Salios (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and two other stakes winners in Japan. Stud plans are pending for the 5-year-old. The post Sunday Racing’s Songline And Schnell Meister Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After wrapping up the annual whirlwind doubleheader between the Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland November breeding stock sales, Mark Taylor has a lot to be grateful for as he reflects on another successful year for the Taylor Made Sales consignment. Taylor Made was the leading consignor at both auctions, with 35 horses sold at Fasig-Tipton for $22.965 million and 262 sold for over $22.8 million at Keeneland. While the Lane's End consignment beat Taylor Made out for the title last year at Keeneland by a little under $500,000, Taylor Made was back on top this year for the 26th time since 1987. “Our market share at Fasig-Tipton was 22.8%, which is pretty healthy for us, and our market share at Keeneland was 12.5%,” said Taylor, the President and CEO of the eminent leading sales consignment. “It's really a testament to our great team. I think the Taylors have surrounded themselves with really talented people, many of whom could have their own consignments if they wanted to but they prefer to stay on our team under our umbrella. Then we have awesome customers who have been with us in many cases for decades. It's not about Taylor Made or our horses or anything like that, it's about the customers and you've got to help them find success to continue to receive their support.” At Fasig-Tipton, Taylor Made's highlights included the $3.2 million sale of champion Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief), selling three Grade I producers for seven figures, and offering two of the top three highest-selling weanlings. At Keeneland, the consignment sold the top-selling foal, a $750,000 Gun Runner colt that went to Shadwell Racing. Of course, not everything was rosy as numbers were markedly down in many segments of the market. The polarization that has been a common narrative in recent years was once again a salient theme as the last major sales of 2023 came to a close. “It's been going on for a long time, but I do think that it was more evident and that there was some correction this year as we got into the breeding stock sales,” said Taylor. “There were definitely a lot more mares going through pregnant to popular first-year or second-year stallions or popular proven stallions that you could buy for the stud fee. I was shocked. One of our customers reacted quickly and went in there and bought six mares all in foal to nice horses roughly for their stud fees. If they're good-looking foals, these foals could be bring $150,000 a piece and they were buying the mares for $30,000 or $40,000.” Wonder Wheel sells for $3.2 million at Fasig-Tipton | Fasig-Tipton In a buyer's market, any extra help that a consignor could provide for their clients might go a long way. Taylor said he was proud of how his team responded to the added challenge. “We've got all the Taylor brothers, plus we've got eight Thoroughbred advisors that are all working synergistically to help each other get our horses sold,” he explained. “We were actually up 23.3% versus last year at Keeneland and 5% at Fasig. I think that in a little bit of a tricky market, that's where we really shine because we have a lot of people to hustle horses. The market is adjusting and we can help adjust reserves too. I think that's where our size can be a real asset in a lot of situations.” With a buy-back rate of 24.9% at Fasig-Tipton and 21.99% at Keeneland, sellers were judicious as they set reserves, but there was still plenty of demand as the RNAs-to-sales activity doubled at Keeneland compared to last year. Taylor said that their team has been busy selling horses long after the last offering went through the ring. “There was a mare from Fasig-Tipton that we sold just this week for $275,000,” he reported. “Sometimes the word RNA is like a dirty word. Nobody wants to talk about it. But within Taylor Made, we're okay with it. Sometimes the horse was just in the wrong part of the sale and it got overlooked and then two days later, it looks like a star.” Like several consignors have noted, Taylor said that many of their clients that normally sell their foals as weanlings held onto their higher-end offerings to sell next year. “We sell for Fred Hertrich's Watercress Farm and they're some of the best breeders in America. For decades, a staple of their program was selling a large percentage of their best offspring as weanlings. They still sold some very good ones this year–they had one sell for $750,000 at Keeneland–but in general, those ones that maybe were going to go for $150,000 or $250,000 as weanlings, they said, 'With the way the market is going, the best way for us to maximize our sales crop is to hold onto those.'” “Let's say you're a relatively small breeder,” he continued. “You breed six to eight foals a year and you've got one that is the star of the show. That's your home run potential that could pay for all the others. The other ones are going to pay the bills, but your profit is going to be what that one horse brings. Even if you have a great sale for a weanling and it brings $300,000, if somebody turns around and gets $750,000 for it the next year, for some of these breeders that's just money they can't afford to loose.” Taylor predicted that the pinhookers who jumped at opportunities at Fasig-Tipton or early on at Keeneland will be rewarded. “I don't think that the pinhookers really understood that they were going to run out of quality sooner than they typically do,” he said. “I thought that there were some horses in Book 1 that people made good buys on. They seemed like they paid a lot at the time, but if that same horse would have been in Book 3, it probably would have brought more because there just weren't that many weanlings with pedigrees left. It was an interesting dynamic. I think that the pinhookers will adjust next year and maybe be a little bit more aggressive at Fasig. There were probably some pretty decent buys in there in hindsight.” Taylor Made sold the top-selling weanling of the Keeneland November Sale | Keeneland Taylor pointed out two evolving trends that he believes will impact any market correction and might diminish breeders' profitability going forward. He started with the increase in stallions' book sizes. Taylor is quick to note that Taylor Made's own Not This Time bred 200 mares this year and said he does not disparage the stallion farms, but rather considered the significance of the market's reaction to an uptick in the number of horses sired by the same stallion presented at the sales. “In my dad's era, it used to be 40 mares,” he said. “Then it crept up and I remember when 100 or 150 was a lot. Now it's like we're bumping up against 300. What this does for a lot of smaller breeders is they feel like they've got the golden ticket because they're getting into this horse that they really like. They used to not be able to get into this horse when he could only breed 120 because none of their mares were good enough. Now that they can get in, it's actually backfiring.” Heightened scrutinization from buyers when it comes to X-rays, he continued, is another factor that has increased costs for breeders. “Thirty years ago, nobody did spring X-rays,” he explained. “Now you do spring x-rays, which are $600 a pop. Then a ton of these horses have little P1 chips. In my opinion it would be great for the breed if everybody would sign a document and say, 'I'm not going to discount a yearling at the sales because of P1 chips that are not clinical.' Now not only do you take the two sets of X-rays and multiple scopes, but you add in the surgery costs. You're taking an equine athlete during the prime time their skeletons are supposed to be developing and putting them in a stall for 45 or 60 days. If you told me that all you want to do is race, I would much rather buy a horse with a little P1 chip that had never been put up in a stall.” “These breeders are facing rising costs and unless you have a mare that can produce a six-figure foal consistently, it's hard to make money,” he admitted. And so, Taylor said, he is proud that their sales team was just as active recruiting buyers during the ninth and final day of Keeneland as they were during the opening session. “We realize that for the people selling the $40,000 foal, in some case that money means more to them that any of these horses we sold in Book 1 at Keeneland or at Fasig-Tipton. That foal bringing $50,000 instead of $30,000 can really help someone's cashflow, so even though that's not the part of the market that we're focusing on and that we're actively recruiting in, if somebody gives us their horse to sell, they're going to get our best effort all the way through the end.” The post Mark Taylor Reflects on Close of Another November Sales Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Maryland Horse Foundation will host an online stallion season auction from Jan. 3-7. The auction will feature no-guarantee seasons from 16 Maryland-based stallions: Barbados, Blofeld, Bourbon Courage, Cupid, Divining Rod, Friesan Fire, Galawi (Ire), Golden Lad, Holy Boss, Hoppertunity, Kobe's Back, Long On Value, Long River, Madefromlucky, Mosler, and Uncle Lino. For more information, visit marylandhorse.com or contact Jeanne Schnell at jeanne@marylandthoroughbred.com or (410) 252-2100 ext. 113. The Maryland Horse Foundation (MHF) was chartered in 1988 by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association to serve various education and charitable needs of the Maryland Horse Industry. The post Maryland Stallion Season Auction Set for Jan. 3-7 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Faversham (Lucky Pulpit–Love the Chase, by Not For Love), a full-brother to champion California Chrome, will relocate to Clear Creek Stud in Louisiana for the 2024 breeding season. Faversham's introductory fee for Louisiana is $3,000 payable when foal stands and nurses or $2,000 payable by Sept. 1, 2024; both options offer a live foal guarantee. The 8-year-old stallion is Breeders' Cup nominated. Racing for co-breeder Perry Martin, Faversham won twice–on turf and synthetic–from 19 starts. He stood at Daehling Ranch from mid-2020 through 2023 and will be represented by his first full crop of 2-year-olds in 2024. “Faversham is a tailor-made fit for Louisiana,” said Martin. “I believe breeders in this state will appreciate his championship pedigree, his very reasonable stud fee and his ability to win on two different racing surfaces, a skill that should equip his Louisiana-bred foals to compete throughout the state's racing circuit in the future.” The post Faversham Relocates to Louisiana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NT star Savatoxl is poised to make his WA debut in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot on December 2. Alice Springs trainer Will Savage is seeking further interstate success with his star performer Savatoxl having arrived in Western Australia. Savage has based himself in Bunbury — 170km south of Perth — as he prepares his highly successful eight-year-old gelding for the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on December 2 and the Group 3 Damien Oliver–Gold Rush (1400m) on December 16. It took Savage and wife Cindy, along with Savatoxl, five days to travel the 4230km from the Red Centre to Bunbury via Port Augusta. “We left on the Tuesday of last week and arrived on Saturday afternoon,” Savage said on Wednesday. “I have flown to Perth for a sale, but I haven’t spent time here. “It’s the first time I’ve brought a horse here. “The appeal about coming to Perth is that there’s a couple of races that suit him. “There’s a few good ones from Melbourne who have nominated for the Winterbottom and Gold Rush. “We’ll have to wait and see if they come across. I was hoping to dodge them — don’t know if I will or not. “Perth jockey Holly Watson will ride Savatoxl.” Savatoxl, arguably the best horse to emanate from the Northern Territory, has already tasted interstate success. The son of Kuroshio won the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville in 2021 and also won the Group 3 DC McKay Stakes (1100m) in Adelaide in 2021 and 2023. DC McKay Stakes 2023 replay – Savatoxl – T: Will Savage Savatoxl has won five races across both Morphettville tracks, and in August he finished second in the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes (1200m) and third in the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) at weight-for-age. His other win outside the NT was at Caulfield in October 2021, when he saluted in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at weight-for-age. With a rating of 105, Savage seeks out weight-for-age races — regardless of the location — to ensure that Savatoxl avoids the prohibitive tariffs that come with open handicaps. He has raced in South Australia, Victoria and Queensland on 24 occasions since May 2019 and has racked up 19 wins — 13 in the NT — from 44 career starts. With his WA debut imminent, Savatoxl has yet to race in NSW, Tasmania or the ACT, and the only other tracks where he has raced are Flemington, Moonee Valley, Eagle Farm, Sale and Balaklava. “I’ve taken him to Brisbane and he didn’t seem to handle that way of going,” Savage said. “I thought, ‘Well, there’s no point going back that way if he doesn’t handle it going clockwise.’” Savatoxl finished 16th in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm two years ago. Despite the long trip to WA, Savage confirmed that the gelding — with career earnings of $1.07 million — had settled in well at Bunbury. “He’s used to travelling now — that part is no worries,” Savage said. “He had Sunday off, I took him to the track on Monday, Tuesday and today. “He was a little bit nervous the first time, but he’s eating up and improving every day. “The girl that rides him in work said he feels beautiful, he worked well this morning. “He will probably have a hitout on Friday and then I’ll be able to back him off again. “We actually thought about coming last year, but it didn’t happen. “This time, we thought, ‘Well, he’s had a bit of a let up again since his stint in Adelaide and Melbourne.’ “He’s ready for it.” Savatoxl ran 11th last start in the Group 3 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley at weight-for-age on September 9, but Savage was far from disappointed. “Unfortunately, he drew the outside gate (13), but he crossed over very easy to lead and travelled very well before he was taken on at the 1000m by Deny Knowledge,” he said. “Savatoxl was taken on too far from home, both of them fell in a hole.” Savatoxl was purchased by Savage at the Inglis Yearling Sale during the 2017 Alice Springs Cup Carnival and won nine of his first 10 career starts at Pioneer Park. More horse racing news View the full article

New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2023 Ready to Run Sale saw an incredible Day One of selling that defied market conditions and expectations, with a record-breaking aggregate and not one, but two lots making history. At the close of selling, the aggregate reached a record $16.1 million, up by $4.7 million (42%) on the previous year. Key record statistics continued to tumble with the average reaching $159,421 and a top price of $800,000. International presence was a key factor in the results, creating tough competition for quality lots, with Hong Kong buyers responsible for $6.55 million in purchases and Australian buyers just as active, spending a total of $4.63 million. Leading bloodstock agent Andrew Williams co-purchased two of the record-breaking top lots of the day, securing Lot 143 alongside Paul Chow’s Tartan Meadow Bloodstock, a Harry Angel colt out of Monrecour for $800,000 from Kilgravin Lodge’s draft. In association with UK-based Blandford Bloodstock, Williams also purchased Lot 45, a striking son of Written Tycoon out of Fromparis Withlove, for $725,000 also from the Kilgravin Lodge draft. “It sounded like the training barns at Sha Tin were empty and they were all on the complex at Karaka, which is great not just for the New Zealand industry but the industry in general,” commented Williams from afar as he awaits the arrival of his first child. “The buying bench is very strong, and tomorrow afternoon looks like a red-hot sale coming up too. “We tried to get in today because we know what is going to happen tomorrow.” An emotional Eion Kemp from Kilgravin Lodge was awestruck by the results from the day, selling two record-breaking lots. “I knew they were popular, but I wasn’t expecting that,” commented Kemp. “We’ve had an incredible day, it’s a testament to my staff and the draft we brought. “A lot of this is because of the agents that help me out, Johnny McKeever and Bryce Tankard play a big part,” he added. Of the 11 lots that secured $400,000 or more on a fast-paced day, Auckland-based N & P Balia Family Trust secured Lot 107, a colt by I am Invincible out of Lope de Lope for $580,000 from Ohukia Lodge. Lot 114, a Capitalist x Madame Veuve colt also on account of Ohukia Lodge was knocked down to Mr Wing Keung So for $550,000. The much-anticipated half-brother to Lucky Sweynesse in Lot 116 (Contributer x Madonna Mia) from Woburn Farm’s draft, was purchased by Richard Laming and John White Bloodstock for $550,000. Regarding the final price tag as ‘good value’, the colt will head to Australia to race for Laming before the potential move to Hong Kong. “I did think we’d be up against someone like that [Manfred Man], and I thought they’d have a few more bullets to fire, so it’s very good to secure him for that price,” Laming commented. “He’s a standout himself, we’ll take him home to Australia and if he wins a race or two, I’m sure the Hong Kong buyers will come,” he added. NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook blown away with today’s outcome. “Today has been an extraordinary day of selling to say the least.” “Just to illustrate the success of today, the average achieved has exceeded that of Book One from Karaka earlier this year. “It is a credit to the vendors, who consistently produce quality two-year-olds year in and year out, that then go on to perform on racetracks around the world as the ultimate flagbearers for the Sale,” he added. “The depth and breadth of the buying bench is also a credit to our team here who have worked tirelessly to ensure we assembled a powerful buying bench. “I don’t think in my time I’ve seen more international buyers present at a Ready to Run Sale, it has far exceeded expectations.” Selling on Day Two commences at 11AM (NZT) on Thursday 17 November, with sale broadcast coverage beginning from 10:30AM (NZT). The sale will continue to be streamed on Freeview Channel 200 in New Zealand, plus the usual feed to NZB’s website and Facebook page. To make enquiries about any Passed Lots 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. Catch all the Ready to Run Sale highlights on NZB’s Sale TV channel here. 2023 Ready to Run Sale Statistics – Day One (at end of selling) 2023 Ready to Run Sale – Day One 2022 Ready to Run Sale – Day One 2021 Ready to Run Sale – Day One (Virtual) 2020 Ready to Run Sale – Day One Aggregate $16,101,500 $11,329,500 $10,344,000 $7,615,500 Average $159,421 $124,500 $129,300 $92,872 Median $100,000 $80,000 $100,000 $51,250 Clearance 67% 65% 65% 69% Catalogued 190 170 160 160 Offered 151 139 124 119 Sold 101 91 80 82 Top Lot Lot 143 $800,000 Harry Angel – Monrecour (B.C) Lot 166 $575,000 Savabeel – Maxmara (Br.C) Lot 107 $640,000 Savabeel – Etiquette (Br.C) Lot 54 $525,000 Sacred Falls – Savabeel Star (Br.C) 2023 Ready to Run Sale – Top Lots Day One Lot Sire Dam Sex Vendor Purchaser Price 143 Harry Angel Monrecour Colt Kilgravin Lodge Tartan Meadow Bloodstock/Andrew Williams Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $ 800,000 45 Written Tycoon Fromparis Withlove Colt Kilgravin Lodge Blandford Bloodstock / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (UK) $ 725,000 107 I Am Invincible Lope de Lope Colt Ohukia Lodge N & P Balia Family Trust (Auckland) $ 580,000 114 Capitalist Madame Veuve Colt Ohukia Lodge Mr. Wing Keung So (Hong Kong) $ 550,000 116 Contributer Madonna Mia Colt Woburn Farm Laming Racing & John White Bloodstock (Queensland) $ 550,000 175 Super Seth Perfect Fit Filly Lilywhites Lodge Shailer Racing Pty Ltd/Hughes Bloodstock (Queensland) $ 525,000 106 Zoustar Lombardia Colt Phoenix Park Waikato Bloodstock (Waikato) $ 500,000 146 Hellbent My Dear Friend Gelding Kilgravin Lodge Mark Newnham Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Hong Kong) $ 425,000 1 El Roca Daly River Colt Westbury Stud HY Investments (Auckland) $ 400,000 80 Savabeel Joyous Thunder Colt Kiltannon Stables Ltd Busuttin Racing Pty Ltd / Group One Bloodstock (Victoria) $ 400,000 190 Zoustar Princess of Queens Gelding Riversley Park Ltd Jamie Richards Racing / Andrew Williams Bloodstock (Hong Kong) $ 400,000 View the full article

Golden Sixty is 25-time winner from 29 starts. A stellar cast of world-class horses headed by Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, Highfield Princess, Luxembourg and Lucky Sweynesse feature among 49 gallopers from Hong Kong, Japan, France, Ireland, Great Britain, Singapore and the United States of America selected for the HK$118 million Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) at Sha Tin on Sunday, December 10. 16 individual Group 1 winners will bid for a share of the combined record purse on offer across the HK$36 million Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$32 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$26 million Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$24 million Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m). Demonstrating significant international support for Hong Kong’s showpiece meeting, 25 of the selected runners are from overseas as Golden Sixty makes his long-anticipated competitive return when Hong Kong’s equine idol attempts to join Good Ba Ba as a three-time winner of the Hong Kong Mile. Winner of a Hong Kong record nine Group 1s, Golden Sixty’s pursuit of history will be challenged by Japan’s Namur, who claimed her first Group 1 with success in the Group 1 Mile Championship (1600m) at Kyoto on Sunday (November 19), and Serifos, who won the 2022 Mile Championship and was runner-up in this year’s Group 1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) behind Songline at Tokyo. France’s Tribalist, trained by Andre Fabre, is also a high-class contender. Outstanding English sprinter Highfield Princess, already a four-time Group 1 winner in three different countries, will bid to become the first visitor to land the Hong Kong Sprint since Japanese star Danon Smash won the blue riband speed test in 2020. John Quinn’s mare will face a formidable Hong Kong defence led by the world’s top-ranked sprinter Lucky Sweynesse, who won the G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (19 November) and last year’s LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint winner Wellington. Champion Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien returns in quest of a fourth LONGINES HKIR triumph, and his first victory in the Hong Kong Cup, having previously celebrated a trio of Hong Kong Vase successes with Highland Reel (twice) and Mogul. The master horseman will be represented by 2023 Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (2100m) winner Luxembourg, who was runner-up at his last start to his outstanding stablemate Auguste Rodin in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m). In what shapes as a highlight of the glittering meeting, Hong Kong will be led by last season’s Hong Kong Cup winner and recent Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) champion Romantic Warrior, while the presence of France’s Horizon Dore and Japan’s Prognosis, Rousham Park and Hishi Iguazu adds further intrigue. With eight victories from the past 10 runnings of the Hong Kong Vase, the visiting contingent again shapes strongly with the presence of Japanese globe-trotter Shahryar, whose credits include wins in the 2021 Group 1 Japanese Derby (2400m) and 2022 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m). Imperiously-bred Geraldina returns from Japan, along with Andre Fabre’s Junko and Aidan O’Brien’s Warm Heart, a dual Group 1 winner this year with triumphs in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks (2371m) and the Group 1 Prix Vermeille (2400m) at Longchamp. Hong Kong’s quest for its first Vase victory since Exultant in 2018 will be spearheaded by reigning Hong Kong Champion Stayer Russian Emperor, Senor Toba and Five G Patch, while US-based trainer Christophe Clement will be represented by Soldier Rising. Underlining HKIR’s global appeal, Singapore’s top horse Lim’s Kosciuszko returns for Dan Meagher in the Hong Kong Mile. Mr Andrew Harding, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director, Racing, said: “The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races stand as one of the most important racing events on the global calendar and this year we look forward to hosting a decorated line-up from Japan, France, Ireland, Singapore, the United States and Great Britain. “We are excited by the quality of selected runners for this year’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races and the presence of so many global stars is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence. This is particularly highlighted with Japan, Europe and Ireland’s contingent as they prepare to compete against Hong Kong champions Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and Lucky Sweynesse. “Golden Sixty remains Hong Kong horse racing’s idol and he will be strongly supported by his legions of fans at Sha Tin as he chases a record-extending 10th Group 1 and a record-equalling third LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. With four Group 1 victories to his name, including his historic success in the W.S. Cox Plate, Romantic Warrior is a genuine international star and we look forward to his defence of the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup. “Last season’s staging of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races was an amazing success with the return of owners, media and fans from around the world to urge on champion horses and jockeys and we look forward to once more welcoming our overseas friends back. “With the selection of 49 elite horses, the stage is now set for the 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races and a wonderful afternoon of sport on Sunday, 10 December at Sha Tin.” More horse racing news View the full article

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) stewards today concluded an inquiry into allegations concerning licensed thoroughbred trainer, Mr Christopher Munce. The stewards’ inquiry considered allegations in connection with CCTV footage obtained from the Eagle Farm stable complex of Mr Munce on October 2, 2020. The Racing Integrity Act 2016 requires QRIC to maintain public confidence in the racing of animals in Queensland and to ensure the integrity of all those involved with racing. Chief Thoroughbred Steward Josh Adams said under the Australian Rules of Racing, stewards have a responsibility to investigate, inquire into, hear and determine matters relating to the conduct of licensed individuals. “The stewards have thoroughly evaluated the strength of the evidence in relation to this matter,” he said. It was acknowledged, with the passage of time, that the recollection of stable staff about matters pertinent to the allegations was now limited. Mr Adams said having given careful and thorough consideration to all relevant evidence, submissions and other matters raised by Mr Munce throughout the investigation and the inquiry, the stewards have subsequently determined to conclude this matter and will not pursue the allegations further. More horse racing news View the full article

Six-year-old mare headlines overseas contingent hoping to take down the world’s top-rated sprinter in next month’s Hong Kong SprintView the full article

Stormy Liberal, 11th behind Mr Stunning in the 2017 Sprint, is the most recent runner at Sha Tin’s marquee meeting from the United StatesView the full article

What Moonee Valley Races Where Moonee Valley Racecourse – 1 McPherson St, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 When Friday, November 24, 2023 First Race 6:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Another night of racing awaits at Moonee Valley on Friday evening, with an eight-race card kicking off at 6:15pm local time. Showers are forecast for Friday afternoon and are expected to hang around for the meeting, so it would not surprise if we are racing on a deteriorating track through the quaddie legs. The rail returns to the true position, so it may pay to be up on speed throughout the night — especially if the rain hits harder than expected. Best Bet at Moonee Valley: Celui Celui should relish the step back in trip and grade after a disappointing performance in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m). Brent Stanley’s colt was an impressive track-and-trip winner two runs back and boasts a record of three wins and a second at the 1000m scamper. He looks to be a genuine short-course sprinter, and Moonee Valley seems to suit his racing pattern. Wiremu Pinn will use his 2kg claim to his advantage and take the son of Toronado to the front of the field, where he can control the race from barrier to box. Best Bet Race 3 – #1 Celui (5) 3yo Colt | T: Brent Stanley | J: Wiremu Pinn (a2) (62kg) +250 with Betfair Next Best at Moonee Valley: Precious Charm Precious Charm was a determined Flemington winner last time out and gets here chance to bring up a third-straight win. The Per Incanto mare clearly has the will to win, and she displayed those qualities when challenged down the Flemington straight in a ding-dong battle with Fancify. The Simon Wilde-trained runner makes her own luck up on speed, and under Jordan Childs from barrier seven, she will look to cross the field from the tricky draw and control proceedings. Next Best Race 2 – #2 Precious Charm (7) 4yo Mare | T: Symon Wilde | J: Jordan Childs (61kg) +250 with Dabble Next Best Again at Moonee Valley: Miss Moonshine Cindy Alderson’s Miss Moonshine was a smart winner over the Moonee Valley 1600m when third-up on November 3. The five-year-old mare steps up to the 2040m for the first time, but everything she has shown so far suggests she will eat up the trip. She will be given every chance to see out the trip from barrier one, and with Carleen Hefel claiming 1.5kg to get the weight down to 58kg, Miss Moonshine should prove too hard to hold out. Next Best Again Race 6 – #5 Miss Moonshine (1) 5yo Mare | T: Cindy Alderson | J: Carleen Hefel (a1.5) (59.5kg) +350 with Bet365 Friday quaddie tips for Moonee Valley races Moonee Valley quadrella selections Friday, November 24, 2023 1-5-6-10 1-2-3-5-7 2-3-4-7 1-3-5-6-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Eight overseas gallopers, including three Group One winners from Japan, feature among the 14 runners in this year’s HK$32 million showpieceView the full article

Irish master eyes reigning champion Romantic Warrior with Luxembourg, the highest-rated galloper he has brought to the city since Highland ReelView the full article

A respected vendor at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale throughout the last two decades, Kilgravin Lodge broke new ground at Karaka on Wednesday with the two highest prices in their history. Coming into the 2023 edition of the Ready to Run Sale, the Matamata operation’s all-time record price was $550,000 for a Hellbent colt at last year’s sale. But that was blown out of the water on Wednesday by the two highest prices on the opening day of the sale – $800,000 and $725,000. “We sold a Hellbent for more than $500,000 last year, but this far surpasses that,” Eion Kemp said. “They’re the highest prices we’ve ever had. It comes down to a team effort between our agents, vets, farriers and staff at home. It’s just a big team effort across the board.” Eion Kemp of Kilgravin Lodge Photo: Trish Dunell The first of Wednesday’s landmark lots was Lot 45, a Written Tycoon colt that was knocked down to Blandford Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $725,000. Kilgravin paid A$90,000 to buy the colt as a yearling, teaming up with McKeever Bloodstock to secure him in Melbourne in March of this year. “Turning $90,000 into that sort of price is very hard to do, and we’re just stoked,” Kemp said. “It’s a huge relief and we’re really excited about what we got for the horse. “We started working with Johnny McKeever through COVID and had some good results buying weanlings with him. We’ve developed that relationship into a little bit more buying of Ready to Run horses too, and it’s worked out really well.” Breeze-up sales have been a proven source of racetrack success for Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman, who bought multiple Group One winner and A$10 million earner Zaaki from a horses-in-training sale in the UK in 2020. Zaaki was bought for clients of trainer Annabel Neasham, who will also train Wednesday’s new recruit. “Obviously I am very strongly connected to Annabel, and this colt is going to be trained by her too,” Boman said. “We’re excited about him joining her stable. We’ve had great success together and it’s a team and a system that I know very well. Lot 45, a colt by Written Tycoon was sold for $750,000 Photo: Trish Dunell “I just messaged her saying we’ve bought the horse. I’ve booked (the horse) a flight to Australia and asked if she wants the horse to go straight into work, so we’ll find out. “We can feel with this horse, from the descriptions from Andy (Wiliams) and our observations, and as a lot of the Written Tycoons can be, he’s probably going to be more of a three-year-old type, but we’d be hopeful he’d be up and running in the autumn. “It’s a cringeworthy thing, but one of the factors for stretching on the horse like we did was that if this horse does go all right, we could have a stallion on our hands. “The confidence we’ve got in the processes we’ve got, we felt it was justified. Like everything else, when you’re buying a horse, you’re backing your judgment and the risk-reward, the pay-off is potentially very big, so it’s worth taking the risk.” Just a couple of hours later, Kilgravin’s record was broken again when a Harry Angel colt went through the ring as Lot 143. He was bought for $800,000 by Tartan Meadow Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock. Tartan Meadow Bloodstock’s Paul Chow Photo: Trish Dunell “I bought him for a prominent Hong Kong owner who’s bought some expensive horses here in the past, but probably more yearling sales rather than breeze-up,” Tartan Meadow Bloodstock’s Paul Chow said. “My client liked this horse a lot and really wanted to get him. I was on the phone with him. We knew it wasn’t going to be cheap at all, and we just decided as we went along. “I think this horse is very well put together, well balanced and correct. He’s athletic enough as well, so there wasn’t much to fault him. His breeze-up was good and he vetted well. “He’s got size and weight, which is important too, and he’s from the family that produced Fifty Fifty – a proven family in Hong Kong. “He’ll stay in New Zealand to finish his education. He can mature and grow, strengthen a little bit, and then he will more than likely end up in Hong Kong if he measures up.” The Harry Angel colt headlined a remarkably strong opening day of the Ready to Run Sale, which saw no fewer than seven horses break the $500,000 barrier. “The market has been strong,” Chow said. “A lot of buyers have come from Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association organised a group to come out here. More buyers means more competition, and the top end in particular has been very competitive. “Part of the attraction is the success that horses from this sale have had in Hong Kong.” View the full article

Champion trainer Peter Moody has confirmed that stable star I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) will be targeted towards the 2024 Everest. After a somewhat luckless runners-up run in the race in October, Moody and his co-trainer Kath Coleman will be chasing redemption in the spring of next year. Outlining his plans on SENTrack’s Giddy Up, Moody says they’ll bypass the All-Star Mile in the autumn to ensure he’s had enough work put into him at the shorter trips for the $20m Everest on October 12. “He’s in good order and is just about ready to return to training for an autumn campaign that will ultimately be aimed towards the 2024 Everest again,” Moody said. “He’s a horse that doesn’t have leg issues as such but his physical makeup probably doesn’t allow himself to a lot of hard and tough racing so we’re mindful of that and we want to look after him and make sure we’ve got him for a few years. “Patience is the least used commodity in this industry but fortunate enough where Mark Chittick and I own and train this horse together so we can listen to our own advice and no one else’s. “He won’t be ready for the All-Star Mile so he’ll go down the sprinting path again.” View the full article

Luck has never seemed be on the side of talented mare Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy), but co-trainer Graham Richardson is hoping her time in the spotlight nears after a standout performance at the Taupo trials on Wednesday. The lightly-raced five-year-old showed promise early in claiming her first Group victory as a juvenile, however, she has appeared just 15 times on raceday after a raft of incidents hindered her preparations, particularly over the past 12 months. “She’s had a lot of mishaps and bad luck over the last year, it’s incredible how much bad luck she’s had,” Richardson said. “She got hurt on the truck with her foot on the way to Te Rapa for the Railway (Gr.1, 1200m) last year and had to be late scratched. “Then, the next time she went to the races she stood on her plate around at the barriers which was nothing to do with her first issue, and was a late scratching there as well.” Bonny Lass completed a muddled campaign last season finishing midfield in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) but resumed smartly in September when flashing home late under the 60.5kg topweight behind Johny Johny (NZ) (Charm Spirit). Looking an ominous chance to defend her title in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m), the daughter of Super Easy sustained an untimely injury derailing those plans. “About six weeks ago she had to get nine stitches in her leg after injuring herself in the box and we have no idea how,” Richardson said. “She’s the quietest thing in the world, we’ve just had no luck with her.” Accompanied by Richardson’s training partner Rogan Norvall, Bonny Lass travelled to Taupo to contest an Open 1000m trial, in favour of Saturday’s Gr.3 Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe. Leading from the outset under Ace Lawson-Carroll, the mare was never placed under pressure and travelled strongly to the line to score a dominant 2-3/4 length victory. “It was very impressive,” Richardson said. “I’ve spoken to Rogan as I’m at the sales, and she’s pulled up really well, she’s had a good blow and she’ll improve so much more from that. “We sent her to the trials today because she was on the back foot a bit fitness wise, hence why she’s not in on Saturday (at Pukekohe). She’s just not quite ready to go to the races and she would get a lot of weight.” The Matamata horseman is looking forward to getting the mare back on course, targeting the Open Handicap 1200m at Pukekohe on December 9, before looking to resolve unfinished business in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) on New Year’s Day. “I put Ace on her at the trials looking towards him probably riding her on the 9th of December, then hopefully Craig Grylls will ride her in the Railway,” he said. In-form four-year-old Channel Surfer (NZ) (Derryn) will represent the stable at Pukekohe on Saturday, hoping to claim a third win from four starts this season in the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Qualifier (1400m). The son of Derryn recorded back-to-back victories in maiden and MAAT company early in his campaign, before a sharp third placing behind Adam I Am (NZ) (Almanzor) at Hastings with Joe Doyle on board, who retains the ride. “He’s drawn 10 which is okay, he’s a pretty handy horse,” Richardson said. “He’ll be nominated for the Karaka 4YO race ($1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic, 1600m) which is the direction we’re taking, and we might throw in a nomination for the Thorndon Mile (Gr.1, 1600m).” Prior to the weekend’s action, Richardson attended the Wednesday session of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale at Karaka, where he and Graham Wiggins were pleased to secure Lot 38, a Super Seth filly. A close relation to Group Two-winning sprinter Packing Rockstar (Fastnet Rock), the pair went to $65,000 to purchase the filly out of Lilywhites Lodge’s draft. “Graham Wiggins and I will be syndicating her. She’s a very athletic filly,” Richardson said. View the full article

Lance Noble’s Karaka stable has made a fast start to the season and the momentum promises to roll on to Pukekohe on Saturday with an in-form team of five to do battle. The private trainer for Cambridge Stud has sent out eight winners this term with 19 in 2022/23 his highest tally, which included a best haul of four stakes successes, since joining Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s operation. He has posted a black-type brace this season and has prospects to advance that record at the weekend with Aquacade (NZ) (Dundeel) in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) and Flamebird (NZ) (Shooting To Win) in the Gr.2 Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). Noble was a Group One-winning trainer in his own right before he moved from Matamata to take up his current role and he’s never had cause to regret that decision. “There’s very few jobs like this, if any, in New Zealand and I’m very fortunate to have Brendan and Jo and Cambridge Stud’s support,” he said. “I can concentrate on training and the facilities are fantastic and I haven’t got the added pressures of running the business. “I am very, very grateful and aware of how fortunate I am. It’s coming up to seven years here now and time flies, my oldest son hadn’t started college then and now he’s in his second year at university.” Quality Dundeel mare Aquacade and rider Warren Kennedy promise to be a formidable combination in the Cup following their last-start success in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2050m) on the track earlier this month. Trainer Lance Noble. Photo: Trish Dunell “I know Aquacade has got topweight and she’s a pretty good mare. I know it’s back to a handicap and she’s got 59kg, but she is really well,” Noble said. “She is a big mare too so I think she can carry the weight and you always worry about those lighter-weighted horses might get the advantage on you, but I’m going in with a really well and fit horse.” Flamebird was a course and distance winner at her most recent appearance to earn the daughter of Shooting To Win a crack at the Breeders’ Stakes in the hands of Kennedy. “There was a Rating 74 race over 1400m as well for her, but she’s in good form and we’re a stud so black type in hugely important,” Noble said. “It may be a little soon for her, but she’s in good form and it’s just down the road. If we can get a few breaks and sneak a bit of black type we would be thrilled.” On the undercard, Dazzled (NZ) (Pierro) will step out in the Franklin Long Roofing (1200m) with Iffin Doubt Dance (NZ) (Iffraaj) in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers’ Championship (2100m) and Polygon (NZ) (Highly Recommended) to tackle the Ellerslie Events Handicap (1600m). “I think a case could be made that Dazzled should have nearly won last start,” Noble said. “She’s flying at the moment and she’s a really good hope.” The Pierro four-year-old was a first-up winner at Tauranga before she finished runner-up at Pukekohe after an interrupted run and will be partnered by Kennedy, as will Iffin Doubt Dance. She was at double figure odds when she successfully resumed and the Iffraaj mare followed up with a fifth placing over 1600m. “She didn’t cope with the wet track last time, she was good fresh-up when she won and then it got pretty wet at Te Aroha,” Noble said. “She was in the wrong part of the track and stepping up to 21oom will suit her and I think she’ll go well.” Dual Group winner Polygon, the mount of Vinnie Colgan, made late ground to finish seventh when resuming and is expected to continue to improve as she is stepped up in distance. “She was okay last time and probably came to the end of it,” Noble said. “I wasn’t initially going to go to Pukekohe, but she dropped a few rating points and I expect her go better again and then she’ll be ready to step up to 2000m.” View the full article

Christmas at the Races will head to Wanganui on Saturday and Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan is hoping some of the festive spirit comes his way when his in-form gelding Semper Magico (NZ) (Per Incanto) lines-up in the John Turkington Forestry/Waipine Logging Bulls Country Cup 2040. The son of Per Incanto has been in stellar form this preparation, winning four and placing in three of his seven starts this season. He placed in his last two starts at Trentham in the Staphanos Classic (2100m) and Felding Gold Cup (2100m) and Oulaghan is hopeful of an improved result this weekend. “He seems to have done things pretty right. His runs at Wellington were reasonably good so hopefully if he can hold that form he should be a show on Saturday,” Oulaghan said. “It is not an overly big field so it doesn’t really matter where he races but hopefully he will be handy and not too far off them and settled in behind somewhere.” Oulaghan has secured the services of three-kilogram claiming apprentice Jessica Allen, which will give Semper Magico some weight relief from his 60kg impost. While the eight-year-old has been up for some time, Oulaghan believes he deserves a tilt at stakes level and he may get that chance in the Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m) seven days later. “We will just see what the track looks like for the following week, he could back up in the Wanganui Cup, but we will just get through Saturday and go from there,” he said. Meanwhile, Oulaghan’s jumping team are nearing a return to work and he is particularly looking forward to having his Champion Jumper West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) back in his barn. “They will come back in January and get pre-trained for five or six weeks and do a bit of hill work. They will then come back to the stable at the end of February,” he said. “It hasn’t been finalised, but West Coast will probably following a similar path to what he did this year.” View the full article

What Canterbury Races Where Canterbury Park Racecourse – King St, Canterbury NSW 2193 When Friday, November 24, 2023 First Race 6pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Canterbury summer series of racing continues this Friday night with another competitive eight-race program set for decision. The rail moves out +2m the entire circuit, and with scattered showers expected in the lead-up, we could be racing on a surface in the Soft range. The opening race is scheduled to get underway at 6pm local time. Best Bet: Sensory Sensory had no luck at Rosehill on November 15 and should be rid of her maiden tag. The daughter of I Am Invincible was dragged back to near-last before attempting to cut the corner turning for home, but she had nowhere to go. James McDonald takes the reins for the first time, and with even running from barrier four, Sensory should make amends in this 1550m affair. Best Bet Race 2 – #9 Sensory (5) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (55kg) Bet with Betfair Next Best: Tulle Tulle blundered the start badly in her debut on the Kensington circuit at Randwick on November 1 and was never in contention. She was unable to make any inroads late on a day when it was preferential to be ridden on speed. Her class got her third place, and although this maiden has plenty of depth, we like the setup for this James Cummings-trained mare. Look for her to ping the lids to hold a prominent position from barrier five and prove hard to hold out. Next Best Race 3 – #6 Tulle (5) 4yo Mare | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (57kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best Again: Dynamic Impact Dynamic Impact is testing the patience of followers after four starts and only two minor placings this campaign, but the son of Real Impact now gets back to his favoured circuit. He’s had four starts at this track and trip, all resulting in victory, and it sets the scene for the six-year-old to bounce back after a poor effort at Randwick on November 7. He’ll get back from barrier six, but watch for Dynamic Impact to be bounding down the centre course in the penultimate. Next Best Again Race 7 – #1 Dynamic Impact (6) 6yo Gelding | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Jett Stanley (a2kg) (61.5kg) Bet with Neds Canterbury Friday quaddie tips – 24/11/2023 Canterbury Park quadrella selections Friday, November 24, 2023 3-4-7-8 1-4-5-6 1-4-5 1-2-3-4-5 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What 2023 Railway Stakes Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, November 25, 2023 Prizemoney $1,500,000 Distance 1600m Conditions Handicap 2022 winner Trix Of The Trade (6) | T: Colin Webster | J: Troy Turner (53kg) Visit Dabble The 137th edition of the Railway Stakes will headline the meeting at Ascot Racecourse this Saturday afternoon, with a full field of 16 runners expected to take their place in the $1.5 million contest over 1600m. As there are only two Group 1 winners in the field, it is more than likely one of the runners will break through for their maiden Group 1 success on Saturday. Trix Of The Trade will be seeking to become only the second horse to win back-to-back Railways and the third horse to win multiple editions of the race. Meanwhile, Tuvalu will be seeking his second Group 1 victory, coming off the back of a very consistent Victorian Spring Racing Carnival. 2023 Railway Stakes odds Roots from the Chris Waller yard holds favouritism at +300 after a dominant win in the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes last start. Alsephina sits on the second line of betting at +350 after consecutive runner-up finishes in Group 3 company. Rounding out the runners in single figures is the Lindsey Smith-trained Tuvalu at +400. Bustler (+1000), Forgot You (+1200) and Karlis Karma (+1300) all represent great value as lightweight chances. Railway Stakes 2023 speed map The form may be hard to match up in the 2023 Railway Stakes, but the speed map is a lot clearer, as the likes of Tuvalu, Marocchino, Massimo and Comfort Me appear to be the likely top four upon settling. From inside barriers, Bustler and Searchin’ Roc’s can settle much closer to the leading quarter, while Roots, Trix Of The Trade, Forgot You and Alsephina are likely to settle toward the rear of the field from middle to outside gates. With the rail in the +6m position, we expect the track to play favourably to on-speed runners, which should make it very hard for backmarkers to make up ground around the home turn and into the straight. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Railway Stakes. 2023 Railway Stakes preview & form Out of the last 64 editions of the Railway Stakes, 27 have been won by four-year-old horses, so with that in mind, we have Bustler on top. The Neville Parnham-trained gelding has been good without being outstanding this preparation, finishing seventh in the Group 3 Eurythmic Stakes and fifth in the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes. This son of Playing God will drop 6kg for this start and will be seeking to keep his undefeated third-up record intact (2:2-0-0). From barrier two, Steven Parnham can settle behind the speed and get all the favours in the running, and with clear air, he will prove very hard to hold out. Although Comfort Me is yet to claim a Group 1, the Rhys Radford-trained galloper has been very consistent when stepping up to the top level, and his form in the Railway Stakes is as good as any. The son of Playing God has finished second in each of his previous two starts in this race, both after pushing forward from a wide barrier. Again, the barrier draw has not been kind to this gelding, as gate 18 means he will have to go forward once more. However, if the race does suit on-speed runners and he can settle in the one-one position, he could be be massive overs with online bookmakers. Tuvalu is one of the two Group 1 winners in the field, and with his jump-and-run tactics, he can put himself right into contention from a very nice draw in gate four. After finishing in the placings in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes, Group 1 Underwood Stakes and Group 2 Crystal Mile, there is no doubt this son of Kermadec brings the best form into the race. However, he would have to rewrite history to win with 59kg, as Luckygray holds the record after carrying 58kg to victory in 2013. Alsephina was the favourite for the Railway Stakes before the barrier draw but has since drifted after landing in gate seven. In her two starts this preparation, the daughter of Star Turn has recorded consecutive second-place finishes in Group 3 company, going down as the race favourite both times. The main worry for this talented mare is that she will most likely settle worse than midfield and will have to run down rivals that settle ahead of her. 2023 Railway Stakes selections & best bets Selections: 8 BUSTLER 3 COMFORT ME 1 TUVALU 7 ALSEPHINA $100 betting strategy $60 win Bustler (#8) @ +1000 with Betfair $20 each way Comfort Me (#3) @ +2000 & +500 with Dabble More horse racing tips View the full article