Wandering Eyes

Runaway winner Andado seals perfect score for KS Tan View the full article

EW Barker in Tesoro Privado's sights after easy win View the full article

Rodd deflects credit to Kellady for Dusseldorf win View the full article

Siam Vipasiri gets off the mark in style View the full article

Horses' body weights October 12 View the full article

Track conditions and course scratchings October 12 View the full article

School's in for Kranji apprentice jockeys View the full article

Debt ready to get the money in QEII Cup View the full article

Tannhauser back in racing action next Friday View the full article

A colt by the late City Zip brought $95,000 from owner Tracy Farmer to lead returns at Thursday’s second and final Open session of the OBS October Yearling Sale. For the session, 142 yearlings sold for a total of $1,845,400, averaging $12,996 with a $7,500 median. The buyback percentage was 25.6%. For the two Open sessions, 294 horses sold for a total of $3,870,250. The average was $13,164 and the median was $7,000. The buyback percentage was 24%. The Open portion of last year’s October Yearling Sale, conducted over just one session, saw 291 horses sold for a gross of $3,126,100, good for an average of $10,743 and a median of $5,000. The buyback percentage was 23.4% in 2017. Thursday’s session topper, a half-brother to the talented female sprinter Pomeroys Pistol (Pomeroy), MGSW & MGISP, $574,678, was consigned by Summerfield (Francis & Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent XLI, as Hip 677. He is out of the unraced Point Given mare Prettyatthetable, who has also produced stakes-placed runners D’ cats Meow (D’wildcat) and Wildcat Creek (Wildcat Heir). Summerfield led all consignors through the two Open sessions with 54 yearlings sold for a total of $983,400 while Farmer led all buyers with three yearlings purchased for a total of $197,000. A $340,000 son of Cairo Prince sold to John Oxley for an OBS Yearling Sale record at the Select portion of the Sale on Tuesday (TDN Coverage). At Tuesday’s Selected session, 139 horses sold for a total of $5,698,000 compared with 115 yearlings bringing $4,959,400 at the 2017 Selected Sale. The average price was $40,993, compared with $43,125 last year, while the median was $28,000 compared with $30,000 last year. The buyback percentage was 25.3%; it was 33.9% a year ago. Nine horses sold for $100,000 or more compared with six a year ago. For full results visit www.obssales.com. View the full article

4th-KEE, $67K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, post time: 2:45 p.m. EDT Town and Country Racing homebred VOMBA (Candy Ride {Arg}) is out of a full-sister to SW & MGSP Great War Eagle (Storm Cat), whose dam Cash Run (Seeking the Gold) caused a major upset in defeating Chilukki (Cherokee Run) and Surfside (Seattle Slew) at odds of 32-1 in the 1999 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. The filly’s Grade I-winning third dam Shared Interest (Pleasant Colony) was also responsible for Cash Run’s half-brother Forestry (Storm Cat) and the dam of GSW Golden Spikes (A.P. Indy). TJCIS PPs 6th-BEL, $75K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 4:14 p.m. EDT FORTIN HILL (Mucho Macho Man) has made no fewer than four trips through a variety of sales rings, first when he sold in utero for $10K at KEENOV in 2015 before fetching $12K at KEEJAN in 2017. Knocked down for $170K at KEESEP several months later, he breezed a quarter mile in :20 4/5 and was purchased by OXO Equine’s Larry Best for $575K at this year’s OBSMAR sale. That was just the second most expensive juvenile for this sire this year. Mucho Gusto, a $625K FTMMAY grad, became a ‘TDN Rising Star’ at first asking at Los Alamitos Sept. 20. Mutakaamil (Tapit) is a half-brother to 2016 GIII Gotham S. winner Shagaf (Bernardini) and is out of a stakes-winning daughter of MGISW Habibti (Tabasco Cat). The latter is the dam of MGSW Eldaafer (A.P. Indy). TJCIS PPs View the full article

First things first. Let’s all take a deep breath. There will still be racing at Santa Anita, Gulfstream and Laurel Saturday and The Stronach Group (TSG) isn’t going anywhere. Yes, Frank Stronach, 86, has sued his daughter, Belinda, in an effort to retake control of The Stronach Group. He is alleging that Belinda and TSG Chief Executive Alon Ossip have pulled a power play and have kicked him to the curb. The 73-page lawsuit that was filed by Frank Stronach in a Toronto court and first obtained by the TDN reveals a messy story filled with accusations against Belinda and Ossip claiming there was…”a series of unlawful actions undertaken by Belinda, together with Alon and others associated with them, to appropriate Stronach family assets for their own personal benefits.” What makes this even uglier, and sadder, is that this is a fight between father and daughter. Let’s hope there is a reconciliation and an outcome that is satisfactory to both Stronachs and that they can resume a peaceful business and personal relationship. But for the horse racing industry, that is of secondary importance. The Stronach Group owns six racetracks (Laurel, Pimlico, Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Portland Meadows and Golden Gate Fields), the Xpressbet ADW, AmTote and dozens of other racing related companies. Additionally, TSG is a company that cares about horse racing and is devoted to securing its future. In an age where so many tracks are run by corporations where the casinos come first, that’s no small thing. It’s no exaggeration to say that TSG is the single most important company in the sport and the industry desperately needs a healthy Stronach Group, a healthy Santa Anita, a healthy Gulfstream. Now it is hamstrung by a lawsuit. I don’t think it is going to happen, but if Stronach vs. Stronach causes TSG to implode, well, there’s no need to tell you how bad that would be for the sport. So what does this lawsuit mean for horse racing and the future of TSG? Unfortunately, nobody really knows. That’s what’s so scary about this. We know Frank’s side of the story because it’s all there in a lawsuit, but no one has heard from Belinda. That’s important because we only have one side of the story and, therefore, an incomplete picture of what is really going on behind the scenes of The Stronach Group. So far, though, at least from the outside, it doesn’t appear that much has changed since Frank left for Austria in 2013 to run for public office and handed Belinda the keys to his empire. Though his party was voted in, he did an about-face and returned to the TSG offices in Toronto in 2014 and, according to the lawsuit, believed everything would be back to normal, that he would be in charge. In the lawsuit, he alleges that his daughter and Ossip pulled off a coup, remained in control and stripped Frank of most of his power. If that is indeed the case, then Belinda, and not Frank Stronach, has actually been running the company since 2013. What has changed? From the outside, really, nothing other than the creation of the GI Pegasus World Cup, which most people believe has been a good thing for the industry. No tracks or major assets have been sold. No prominent executives have been fired. The racing at Gulfstream has never been better and they have taken summer racing in South Florida, which was once as dead as it gets, and turned it into a simulcasting juggernaut. That is nothing short of a miracle. Well before the lawsuit surfaced, some believed that once her father passed away, Belinda would shut down and sell some of the company’s tracks, particularly Santa Anita. The land they sit on is extremely valuable, so from a pure business standpoint, selling would be the right call. There was also the fear that she didn’t share her father’s love for the sport, which exacerbated the rumors that she was eager to sell off assets. The most notable difference between Belinda’s running of TSG versus Frank’s is that she has a flair for the extravagant, even more so than her father, which is saying something. For the initial Pegasus World Cup, she hired UFC superstar Conor McGregor to help promote the race. In the past, the entertainment in the Preakness infield was usually someone you never heard of. This year it was another major star, rapper Post Malone. These guys don’t work cheap. None of which means all is rosy within the Stronach world. The allegations in the lawsuit brought to light some problems that are going to hamper the company going forward. According to the lawsuit, TSG is experiencing serious liquidity problems. We don’t know the state of TSG’s financial health, but when Frank Stronach says there is a serious liquidity problem and it would appear that solving that problem would be difficult, well, that is indeed something that could cause chaos. This can’t be an easy time either for TSG’s top executives. Do they take orders from Frank or from Belinda? If Frank tells them to do something and Belinda tells them to do the opposite, what do they do and how do they avoid getting fired? I don’t know Belinda Stronach, have never met her or talked to her. With Frank, I have long ago formed an opinion. This is a man who loves horse racing and is devoted to seeing that it not only survives, but prospers well into the future. He must know that the internal Stronach squabble has the potential to do great damage to the sport. He can’t let that happen. There’s only one solution. Father and daughter need to get together in a room, make nice and not leave until they have reached an amicable compromise that is good not only for TSG but, more importantly, good for horse racing. View the full article

Keeneland will host College Scholarship Day Friday, Oct. 12 where full-time students can register to win one of 10 $1,000 scholarships and two $10,000 Runhappy Scholarships along with prizes from local vendors. One of the Runhappy Scholarships will be reserved for students with a tie to the equine industry. View the full article

Seven horses have been added to the Fasig-Tipton November sale Nov. 4 in a first wave of supplemental entries catalogued as Hips 241-247. Catalogued as Hip 241, the 5-year-old mare Martini Glass (Kitalpha) is a two-time graded winner and placed in a trio of Grade Is for earnings of $898,325. She will be consigned by Taylor Made Sales as a broodmare prospect. Conquest Bandido (Into Mischief) will be offered as broodmare prospect as Hip 242 in the Denali Stud consignment. The 4-year-old won twice with earnings over $100,000. Hip 243 is a Paulita, a 3-year-old daughter of the late Scat Daddy. The two-time stakes winner is consigned by Ashview Farm as a racing/broodmare prospect. Select Sales offers an additional broodmare prospect in the unraced sophomore Whispered Secrets (Congrats). Hip 244 is a half-sister to recent GI Jockey Club Gold Cup victor Discreet Lover (Repent). La Belle Marquet (Marquetry) is the dam of recent GI Rodeo Drive S. victress Vasilika (Skipshot) and will be offered as Hip 245 carrying a full-sibling to the Breeders’ Cup contender. She will be consigned by Considine Farm Inc. Hip 246 is a stakes winning 3-year-old filly by Blame named Flame Mingo. Consigned by Buck Pond Farm as a racing/broodmare prospect, the filly currently has two wins from four starts. The final addition from the first round of supplements is Kosmo’s Buddy (Outflanker), the dam of recent GI Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity S. upsetter Knicks Go (Paynter). The multiple stakes winner is part of the Paramount Sales draft. View the full article

Just less than two years after Belinda Stronach succeeded her father, Frank, at the helm of the privately owned racetrack company The Stronach Group, that transition has unraveled. View the full article

More Than Ready’s stud fee will get a boost from $60,000 to $80,000 for the 2019 breeding season, according WinStar Farm, which released its 2019 stud fees Thursday. It’s been a strong year for the versatile stallion thanks to the exploits of GI Traver S. and GI Belmont Derby hero Catholic Boy, GI Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. victor Roy H, GI United Nations S. winner Funtastic and MGSW Rushing Fall. In addition to GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), whose retirement and $25,000 fee were previously announced, WinStar will have another new addition in 2019 in Good Samaritan (Harlan’s Holiday–Pull Dancer, by Pulpit), who will stand for $12,500. The Bill Mott trainee’s record stands at 15-4-3-2 with earnings of $1,309,450 for a career highlighted by wins in the 2016 GII Summer S., 2017 GII Jim Dandy S. and 2018 GII New Orleans H. and a third in the 2016 GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. The full list of WinStar’s 2019 LFSN fees is as follows: Always Dreaming* $25,000 Bodemeister $25,000 Carpe Diem $25,000 Commissioner $7,500 Congrats $12,500 Constitution $15,000 Daredevil $7,500 Distorted Humor $50,000 Exaggerator $25,000 Fed Biz $10,000 Good Samaritan* $12,500 More Than Ready $80,000 Outwork $15,000 Overanalyze $15,000 Paynter TBD Pioneerof the Nile $110,000 Revolutionary $5,000 Speightster $10,000 Speightstown $80,000 Super Saver $30,000 Tiznow $50,000 Tourist $10,000 *New for 2019 View the full article

The Qatar Racing pair of Sumbal (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}–Alix Road {Fr}, by Linamix {Fr}) and Chemical Charge (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Jakonda, by Kingmambo) will enter stud at Haras de Grandcamp in 2019, according to a story in the Jour de Galop. Chemical Charge, the winner of the G3 September S. at Kempton, was black-type placed in three additional races, including a third in Royal Ascot’s G2 Hardwicke S., and will stand for a fee of €4,000. “Chemical Charge has a page which represents both European and American bloodlines,” Grandcamp’s Eric Lhermite told the JDG. “His family has already produced good stallions like Summer Squall and A.P. Indy. Undefeated in two outings as a 2-year-old, he was injured, and while it is usually very difficult to return to competition after this type of incident, Chemical Charge was tough enough and solid enough to resurface, win a group race and place at the top level at Royal Ascot. Like Sumbal, he was acquired by a group of breeders.” Sumbal, the winner of the G2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud as a 3-year-old, will be offered at €3,000, and will be well-supported by his owners, said Lhermite. “With his exceptional way of moving, his imposing style and his flexibility, he is a horse that can produce flat and jump runners.” View the full article

Over the past eight seasons, five winners of the Pattison Canadian International Stakes (G1T) have counted the 1 1/2-mile race as their North American debut--a trend that morning-line favorite Thundering Blue aims to add to Oct. 13 at Woodbine. View the full article

Equibase has installed a GPS system at Woodbine, Golden Gate, Laurel and Pimlico and has been named the official timer at those venues. “Since the earliest days of the company, Equibase has sought a viable system of collecting data through automated tracking,” said Jason Wilson, president and chief operating officer for Equibase. “We are excited to be making substantial progress in this area and pleased to have partnered with both Woodbine and The Stronach Group.” The benefits of GPS, in addition to timing, include the ability to provide comprehensive data for each runner during the entire running of the race, which can be used to drive on-screen graphics as well as positions and margins for charts. View the full article

Grade III winner Ami’s Flatter (Flatter–Galloping Ami, by Victory Gallop) has been retired to Ocala Stud. He is available for inspection and his fee will be announced at a later date. “We are looking forward to working with Mr. [Ivan] Dalos on standing Ami’s Flatter,” said Ocala Stud’s David O’Farrell. “He is an accomplished racehorse with tremendous sprinter speed and versatility. He possesses sire power, his female family is loaded with runners of the highest quality, and he has a great physical to match.” Bred in Ontario at Dalos’s Tall Oaks Farm and campaigned under his colors, Ami’s Flatter captured the 2016 GIII Commonwealth S. at Keeneland and placed in both the GI Florida Derby and GII Tampa Bay Derby. The Josie Carroll pupil retires with a record of 17-3-3-2 and earnings of $536,931. View the full article

Trainer Martine Bellocq, who was severely burned while trying to save her horses during the wildfires at San Luis Rey, will be awarded the Bill Mooney Award for courage by the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters at their annual awards dinner Oct. 31 in Louisville. Past award winners include Bill Mooney himself and retired jockey and owner Rene Douglas. View the full article

GSW & MG1SP Wind Chimes (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}-Militante {Ire}, by Johannesburg) has been retired to the paddocks after disappointing in the G1 Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket last weekend. Owned by Coolmore, the Andre Fabre-trained €130,000 Arqana August yearling finished third in the French 1000 Guineas earlier in the season and arrived in the UK strongly fancied on the back of her most recent run. That had come in the G1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp against the colts, where she beat all bar Recoletos (Fr) (Whipper). However, after her troubled trip to Newmarket connections have decided to call time on her career. “It was discovered after the race that she had a fibrillating heart so she has been retired,” said Fabre of the G3 Prix de Lieurey and Listed Prix Herod heroine. “It’s a shame, because we never really got to see how good she could be. She showed when she was second in the Moulin that she was high-class.” A half-sister to the SP Golden Fastnet (Fr) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), the Ecurie des Monceaux-bred won three of her eight starts and earned $302,207. Out of the SP Militante, Wind Chimes hails from the extended famliy of Group 1 winners Antheus (Northern Dancer), Poliglote (GB) (Sadler’s Wells), and Indian Danehill (Ire) (Danehill). View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK-Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale drew to a close in Newmarket on Thursday with a record aggregate and a much-improved year-on-year clearance rate, and an average and median that were largely on par with 2017 figures. At the close of three days’ trade, 392 yearlings were traded from 456 offered for 106,503,000gns, up 4% from last year when 349 were sold for 102,290,000gns. The clearance rate was up to 86% from 79%-the highest at this sale in more than a decade. The median climbed slightly (2%) to 167,500gns, while the average dipped 7% to 271,691gns. Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “It is an extraordinary statistic that for seven consecutive years, Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale has produced record turnover climbing from just over 50-million gns in 2011 to this year’s new record of more than 105-million gns. We genuinely believed that last year’s phenomenal October Book 1 would not be matched for a very long time, but yet again Europe’s top Thoroughbred breeders have sent us the most outstanding collection of yearlings and buyers from throughout the world have responded accordingly. Quality is the key and Book 1 of the 2018 October Yearling Sale is the finest showcase for the best yearlings by the truly exceptional roster of stallions currently standing in Europe.” Maktoum Family Support… Unlike at recent sales when Sheikh Mohammed’s buying team has purchased yearlings in the name of Godolphin, the 36 new recruits from Book 1-including the 1.2-million gns joint top lots on Thursday–were all signed for by the sheikh’s long-time ally Anthony Stroud in the name of Stroud Coleman Bloodstock. With the sheikh and his son Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed both present, along with a large number of Godolphin associates, including trainers Saeed Bin Suroor, Charlie Appleby, John Gosden and Simon Crisford, it was clear that Godolphin’s support for Book 1 was as strong as ever, and the 36 yearlings bought raised a tally of 21,075,000gns-20% of the Book 1 gross. Furthermore, Sheikh Hamdan bought 16 yearlings for 5,885,000gns and the brothers’ cousin Sheikh Mohammed Obaid was also active, buying yearlings designated for Kevin Ryan and Henri-Francois Devin through Stephen Hillen, and also through his established trainer Roger Varian. Collectively, the Maktoum family’s contribution to the sale was immense: of the record turnover of 106,503,000gns, it is estimated that just over 30% of that came from the three owner-breeders. Godolphin’s Thursday haul included the top three lots and six of the top 10: Lot 389, a Dubawi (Ire) colt out of Giant’s Play (Giant’s Causeway)–whose third dam is the blue hen producer Magnificient Style-for 1.2-million gns. Lot 431, a Galileo (Ire) half-sister to young Coolmore sire Ivawood (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) for 1.2-million gns. Lot 350, a Sea The Stars (Ire) grandson of Group 1 winner and producer Elle Danzig (Ger) (Roi Danzig) for 900,000gns. Lot 421, a Dubawi (Ire) son of multiple group winner J Wonder (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) for 850,000gns. Lot 451, a Galileo (Ire) filly out of G2 Sandringham H. winner Laugh Out Loud (GB) (Clodovil {Ire}) for 700,000gns. 425, a Sea The Stars (Ire) half-sister to stakes winner Awesometank (GB) (Intense Focus) for 650,000gns. Barronstown Bonanza… David and Diane Nagle may only have brought six horses to Tattersalls but they found their Barronstown Stud in the top five consignors for Book 1, the group raising just shy of 4-million gns at an average price of 662,500gns. In each of the last two days Barronstown received a bid of 1.2- million gns for a Galileo filly–the first a sister to this year’s G1 St Leger and G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris winner Kew Gardens (Ire) (lot 298), while Thursday’s offering is a half-sister to dual Group 2 winner and young Coolmore sire Ivawood (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) (lot 431). The latter’s dam, Keenes Royal (GB) (Red Ransom), a daughter of the G1 Prix de l’Opera winner Kinnaird (Ire) (Dr Devious {Ire}), foaled another Galileo filly this year and is back in foal to the champion sire. The breeders also sold a three-parts brother to Rip Van Winkle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 462) for 850,000gns to Roger Varian. The son of Frankel (GB) will race in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid. “He looks like he can motor. Frankel is still a young sire and doing well, and this horse is a close relation to a Group 1 winner,” said Varian, who has the owner’s Sheikha Reika (Fr) (Shamardal) entered for Saturday’s GI EP Taylor S. at Woodbine. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s cousin Sheikh Hamdan was also among the buyers from the Barronstown draft, and through Angus Gold bid 350,000gns for a half-brother to Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) from the first crop of Shadwell’s Muhaarar (GB). David Nagle bought his dam How’s She Cuttin (Ire) (Shinko Forest {Ire}) just less than two years ago for 260,000gns when carrying this colt. Elle Family Dazzles Again… Within the first handful of lots in the ring on Thursday morning, Sheikh Mohammed’s buying team had struck again, with Anthony Stroud bidding 900,000gns for a Sea The Stars (Ire) grandson of the German champion racecmare and consistent producer Elle Danzig (Ger). Offered by Normandy-based Haras du Mezeray, which in recent years has consigned a select draft of yearlings for sale outside France, lot 350 is the second foal of the 8-year-old Samum (Ger) mare Elle Same (GB), a winner herself at two and three and placed at listed level. Among a list of her half-siblings, which includes 11 winners and six black-type performers, is the dual Group 3 winner Elle Shadow (Ire) (Shamardal). On this day of the sale last year, a Sea The Stars colt out of Elegant Shadow (Ger) (Shamardal), a daughter of another of the mare’s half-sisters Elle Gala (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), was sold from Deerpark Farm for 1-million gns to Phoenix Thoroughbreds Mezeray’s Charles-Henri de Moussac said, “He was certainly one of the best colts from our crop this year and I’m very pleased that he has been bought by Sheikh Mohammed. It’s great for the mare that he will be going to a good trainer.” “We decided to come here as the August Sale [in Deauville] would have been too early for him. He is a strong colt and we wanted to give him some time. He has really blossomed during his preparation.” Shadwell Stays In The Family… Angus Gold went to a joint sale-topping 2.6-million gns at this sale in 2016 for a Dubawi (Ire) colt out of Zee Zee Top (GB) (Zafonic) later named Emaraaty (GB), and Sheikh Hamdan’s racing manager jumped into action late in the sale’s final session on Thursday for that one’s close relative, lot 508. That colt is out of Emaraaty’s unraced half-sister Monzza (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), and Gold had to go to 900,000 to ensure he would carry Shadwell’s blue and white silks. This colt is the third foal out of Monzza, who is not only a sister to the dual winner Emaraaty, but also G1 Pretty Polly S. and G1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Izzi Top (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and the G1 Prix de la Nonette winner Jazzi Top (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The third dam, the G1 Irish Oaks winner Colorspin (Fr), produced the champions Kayf Tara (GB) and Opera House (GB), as well as the dam of G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Necklace (GB). “He’s a very well-bred horse by a very good stallion from a fantastic family,” Gold said. “We had this horse Emaraaty that we paid a lot of money for a few years ago. He has plenty of ability–he’s slightly declined to show it the last couple times but he’s had a nice break and he’s just touched down in America. I think he is a good horse; he has tons of talent. I think he’s going to go to Chad Brown.” Chung Strikes For Glorious Journey’s Brother… Glorious Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) shared top billing at Book 1 two years ago when sold for 2.6-million gns and while his full-brother (lot 362) didn’t quite hit the same heights, his 500,000gns price tag is still significant, and the colt will remain in Newmarket to be trained for Hong Kong-based HK Tang and Daniel Tang Ming Hei. “He’s for a client who is well-established overseas but this is a step up again so we’ve raised expectations,” said Greg Chung, acting on behalf of the buyer. “The pedigree is there of course and he’s a nice individual. The owner is good friends with Frankie Dettori so I think he will have a say in where he is trained. There are some good trainers along the Bury Road.” Newmarket’s Bury Road is where the colt’s dam Fallen For You (GB) (Dansili {GB}) was trained by John Gosden for owner-breeder Philippa Cooper. She won the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot and her second foal, Glorious Journey, is now a dual Group 3 winner for Godolphin. The colt’s grandam, listed winner Fallen Star (GB) (Brief Truce), was purchased as a yearling for 140,000gns and raced in the colours of Cooper’s husband, Nicholas, who is currently president of the Racehorse Owners Association. Fallen Star has since become a stalwart of Cooper’s Normandie Stud operation. Along with Fallen For You, she is the dam of two other black-type performers, Fallen Idol (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Fallen In Love (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), and her 3-year-old son Hareeq (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) won on debut in August. Glorious Sale For Showcasing… With seven lots catalogued for Book 1, Whitsbury Manor Stud’s Showcasing made a good showing indeed, with six sold for an average of 291,166gns. These yearlings were conceived off a £25,000 fee, which rose to £35,000 the following two seasons and may be under the microscope for another hike following the exploits of the sire’s G1 Phoenix S. winner Advertise (GB) this year. Advertise is raced by Phoenix Thoroughbreds, which took home Showcasing’s most expensive yearling at Tattersalls this week, Wednesday’s 650,000 colt from WH Bloodstock. Whitsbury Manor’s Ed Harper was in a good mood on Thursday after Stroud Coleman Bloodstock signed for Showcasing’s lot 394, Coln Valley Stud’s half-brother to the G3 Musidora S. winner Give And Take (GB) (Cityscape {GB}). “What I’ve liked most is that when the nice ones have come into the ring, there have been a lot of people trying to buy them,” Harper said. “It’s not just been two people who have fancied them, it’s been different bidders from 100,000gns all the way up to 650,000gns. I was delighted to see Coolmore having a go at buying the horse yesterday that sold for 650,000gns from WH Bloodstock. Today’s horse that made 600,000gns was a lovely colt, probably more typical of a Showcasing, very close- coupled and powerful. For his average to be just over 290,000gns for this sale is spectacular when you consider they were conceived off a £25,000 nomination.” Showcasing started off at £5,000 and his fee has risen rapidly since his first 2-year-olds hit the track. So too has, of course, the quality of the mares visiting him. “His book has taken big steps up with the support of the real top operations now,” Harper said. “Phoenix Thoroughbreds look to be a real big supporter of him now, certainly in the sales ring they’ve bought a couple big-priced lots after the success they’ve had with Advertise. I wish Phoenix all the best with their horse they’ve bought here. We’re very lucky with the mares people are suggesting now. I thank them a lot when they come to have a chat with me about it.” Harper said he thinks restricting Showcasing’s numbers helped his popularity in the sales ring. “We try to be careful not to go mad on the numbers that we cover,” he said. “We’ve always had a limited-book policy. Now that he no longer shuttles to the Southern Hemisphere he’s under a bit less pressure covering-wise so we might be able to cover a few more, but we’ll still restrict him. I think that’s a big part of our success over the last few years, that people know they’re not going to be part of a huge number in the sale.” For Nicholas Jones’s Coln Valley Stud, the breeder and vendor of Thursday’s 600,000gns Showcasing colt, it was the stud’s best-ever sales ring result with its lone Book 1 offering. “Our previous best was the Havana Gold half-brother who sold last year for 250,000gns to Shadwell,” Jones said. “I have been saying all week that he is a lovely colt and we should keep him. Ian [Emes], my stud manager, kept telling me he wanted a new tractor,” he quipped. Jones bought the second dam, Gryada, in 2006 at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale for 180,000gns. Her Montjeu (Ire) colt also went through the ring at the sale and, after being sold for 190,000gns, went on to become the five-time Group 1 winner Fame and Glory (GB). Gryada’s foal the previous year had been Yummy Mummy (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), the dam of Classic winner Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) as well as a Dubawi (Ire) colt that made 1.2-million gns from Stroud Coleman at this sale on Wednesday. It is also the family of Godolphin’s triple Group 1 winner and young sire Farhh (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). Jones said that, in addition to Grace and Glory, he has two other daughters of Gryada: Grace and Favour (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Great and Small (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Golden Opportunity For Ryan… Kevin Ryan joined the roster of trainers for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid initially through the in-training purchase of G2 Gimcrack S. winner Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal) and he will soon welcome an extremely well-credentialed colt to his Yorkshire stable among an intake of at least 11 horses bought this week, plus a colt by Frankel (GB) bought last week at the Orby Sale. The Dubaian owner didn’t have to stretch as far as he has done when buying yearlings in the past to secure a Galileo (Ire) half-brother to the Derby and Arc winner Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). Offered by breeder Harry McCalmont’s Norelands Stud as lot 371, the strapping chestnut was knocked down to Stephen Hillen for 450,000gns. “I thought we’d have to pay more,” said the agent. “He’s a solid colt but he’s a very nice horse—and of course he’s by Galileo.” McCalmont bought the colt’s dam Fleche d’Or (GB) (Dubai Destination) from breeder Anthony Oppenheimer of Hascombe & Valiant Studs for 62,000gns in the year that Golden Horn was foaled. Last week, Hillen and Ryan went to €400,000 to buy the Frankel colt out of Vital Statistics (GB) (Indian Ridge {GB}), but they did so safe in the knowledge that his 2-year-old sister East (GB), also trained by Ryan and at that stage just a maiden winner, was pretty useful. Three days later, she gave the family an immediate boost when winning the G3 Prix Thomas Bryon at Saint-Cloud. From the purchases at Tattersalls, Ryan will also take charge of a close relative to Kingman (GB) bought for 310,000gns from Oghill House Stud on Tuesday (lot 37). The Invincible Spirit (Ire) colt is out of Kingman’s unraced half-sister Pleasantry (GB) (Johannesburg) and was bred Wansdyke Farms and Joseph Burke. Chantilly-based Henri-Francois Devin is also another new name on the list of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s trainers. Stephen Hillen bought six yearlings at Arqana’s August Sale for the owner to be sent to Devin, and the trainer will also gain another three bought during Book 1, including lot 436, a colt by Fastnet Rock (Aus) out of a winning half-sister to Zoffany (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) and Rostropovich (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). The colt was sold by breeder Denis Brosnan of Croom House Stud for 450,000gns. Klaravich In The News Again… Seth Klaraman’s Klaravich Stables was active at this sale for the first time last year off the back of Classic success with GI Preakness S. winner Cloud Computing (Maclean’s Music), signing for six yearlings. Just one of those has thus far raced but the venture could hardly have gotten off to a better start as that horse is Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who was named a ‘TDN Rising Star’ after winning by 6 3/4 lengths on debut at Saratoga in August before following up by a similar margin in Belmont’s GII Miss Grillo S. on the turf for trainer Chad Brown. At 200,000gns, Newspaperofrecord was the third-most expensive of last year’s group, which ranged from 110,000gns to 400,000gns. Klaravich Stables signed for 10 yearlings at Book 1 this week: Lot 38, Golden Horn (GB) colt for 200,000gns Lot 105, Lope de Vega (Ire) colt for 160,000gns Lot 170, Kingman (GB) colt for 210,000gns Lot 174, Sea The Stars (Ire) filly for 200,000gns Lot 176, Kingman (GB) colt for 300,000gns Lot 225, Australia (GB) filly for 325,000gns Lot 327, Invincible Spirit (Ire) filly for 300,000gns Lot 375, Dansili (GB) filly for 40,000gns Lot 378, Gleneagles (Ire) filly for 200,000gns Lot 503, Lope de Vega (Ire) filly for 200,000gns “They’ll all go to Chad Brown,” said American-based agent Mike Ryan, who was in Newmarket representing Klaravich. “We feel that the best turf horses in the world are here; the best stallions, the best mares. This is the best of the best at the October Book 1 sale. We feel that if you want to be competitive at the high end, these are the horses you need.” Ryan said that while Newspaperofrecord is the only one of Klaravich’s initial Book 1 purchases to have yet started, there are high hopes for others. “She’s the only one that has run so far but there are several that have shown promise,” he said. “Chad is patient and takes his time. We like the first crop and hopefully we’ll continue to be successful.” Dilger’s Star Pinhook… Although an Irish-bred himself, Gerry Dilger could be considered as Kentuckian as they come. The County Clare native has resided in that state for over 30 years, and had his hands on back-to-back GI Kentucky Derby winners in 2016 and 2017 with Nyquist (Uncle Mo), who he pinhooked in partnership, and Always Dreaming (Bodemeister), who he bred in partnership. Dilger’s Dromoland Farm pulled off another spectacular coup at Tattersalls on Wednesday when a Sea The Stars (Ire) colt that Dilger picked up for €330,000 at Goffs November last year was pinhooked for 1-million gns when bought by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock. Dilger, speaking by phone from Kentucky, said he was partners with vendor Longview Stud in the colt (lot 299), who is the first foal out of the unplaced Chicago Dancer (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), a half-sister to French Group 3 winner Skins Game (GB) (Diktat {GB}) and listed winner Epatha (Ire) (Highest Honor {Fr}). It is also the family of G1 Sydney Cup winner Mourayan (Ire) (Alhaarth {Ire}). “It’s very good for the team involved, they were all very happy,” Dilger said, noting that trading in bloodstock in Europe isn’t something he does very often. “I’m based in America so I mostly focus on that,” he said. “I’d love to come back this year and try to do it again; there’s no reason not to. But I have no plans at this point; I’ll see what’s happening here in America first. But I’d love to do it again.” One of Dilger’s partners on both Nyquist and Always Dreaming was Mike Ryan, who was in Newmarket this week buying for the likes of Klaravich Stables and Peter Brant of White Birch Farm. At the conclusion of Book 1 trade on Thursday, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “From start to finish there has been fierce international competition for the cream of the European yearling crop with 14 selling for 1-million guineas or more, an unprecedented 59 breaking the 500,000 guineas mark and the sale producing the world’s highest priced yearling for the seventh year in a row. While the 3.5-million guineas sale topping Dubawi colt out of Dar Re Mi and the 3.4-million gns Galileo colt out of Shastye were the highlights of the past three days, a particular feature of the sale has been the consistent demand in all sectors of the market.” “There is no doubt that the £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus brings owners and trainers to the sale who might otherwise look elsewhere and it is no coincidence that the clearance rate of 86% is the best at October Book 1 for more than a decade. To date there have been 127 winners of more than £3-million in Book 1 Bonuses and it is a great endorsement to see pretty well all of the beneficiaries returning to the sale in search of more Bonus winners. “Books 2, 3 and 4 of the October Yearling Sale start on Monday and we look forward to sustaining the momentum from this week’s record-breaking sale.” View the full article

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Tokyo, Kyoto and Niigata Hakodate Racecourses: Saturday, October 13, 2018 5th-KYO, ¥13,400,000 ($119k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1600mT WIEGENLIED (f, 2, Tiznow–Dream Supreme, by Seeking the Gold), a $400K Keeneland September graduate, is a daughter of Kinsman Farm’s dual Grade I winner Dream Supreme, whose other prominent produce include GISW Majestic Warrior (A.P. Indy), SW & GSP Evolutionist (El Prado {Ire}) and SW Crystal Current (A.P. Indy). Like Dream Supreme, second dam Spinning Round (Dixieland Band) was a winner of the GI Ballerina S. Yutaka Take rides the North Hills runner for his younger brother, former jockey and current trainer Koshiro Take. B-Kinsman Farm (KY) 6th-TOK, ¥14,250,000 ($127k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1600m SWING BEAT (c, 3, Tapit–Backseat Rhythm, by El Corredor) is a son of the Paul Pompa Jr.-owned winner of the 2008 GI Garden City S. and GI QE II Challenge Cup runner-up Backseat Rhythm and won his maiden over this course and distance as the odds-on favorite a little less than a year ago (video, gate 6). He makes his first appearance in five months and gets a positive jockey change to Christophe Lemaire. B-Shadai Farm (KY) 9th-TOK, ¥19,000,000 ($169k), Allowance, 2yo, 1600m CHELSEA LION (c, 2, Malibu Moon–Tashzara {Ire}, by Intikhab) debuted with a midpack seventh going 1200m on turf, but bounced back to graduate over a muddy dirt track at Sapporo Aug. 11 (gate 3). A$180K KEESEP acquisition, the dark bay is out of a half-sister to French champion and treble Group 1 winner Excelebration (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), the newly retired G1SW Lancaster Bomber (War Front) and globetrotting MGSW Mull of Killough (Ire) (Mull of Kintyre). B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY) 11th-NII, ¥28,600,000 ($255k), Allowance, 3yo/up, 1200m A maiden winner at second asking, PERPETUO (f, 3, Pioneerof the Nile–Ribbon Taffy, by Hard Spun) ran with credit in three subsequent tries against winners, including a latest success in the mud at Chukyo July 7 (gate 5). Purchased in utero for $160K at the 2014 KEENOV sale, the dark bay realized $170K as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling and was hammered down to Katsumi Yoshida for $540K as a FTFMAR breezer in 2017. B-Woodford Thoroughbreds (KY) @EquinealTDN View the full article

Confined to six furlongs so far, the Gredleys’ Pretty Pollyanna (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) stretches out at Newmarket on Friday as she bids to re-assert her influence on the juvenile scene in the G1 bet365 Fillies’ Mile. Suffering a potentially momentum-stopping defeat in the G1 Cheveley Park S. here 13 days ago, the homebred who is not bred to be a pure sprinter may find this extra distance the ideal scenario for expressing herself. There was enough in her seven-length success from a solid field in the July 13 G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. on the other track in this town and her battling dismissal of Signora Cabello (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) in the Aug. 19 G1 Prix Morny at Deauville to suggest she will see out this trip. It is only a question of whether her campaigning over six furlongs will have undermined her staying power, but trainer Michael Bell is confident she will adapt to the new challenge. “It’s 440 yards further than she’s been before, but I’m hopeful regarding the trip and we’re looking forward to it,” he said. “We’re very happy with her wellbeing. She’s had a relatively easy time since the Cheveley Park, but Danny [Tudhope] came and sat on her on Saturday during a couple of canters up Warren Hill and he was very happy.” Winner of five editions, with three coming in the last four years, Aidan O’Brien saddles a strong duo in the Sept. 16 G1 Moyglare Stud S. third and fourth Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Zagitova (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), with Donnacha on the former who has since captured the Sept. 30 G3 Weld Park S. at Naas. “Obviously she only ran in Naas the other day, but we’ve been happy with her since,” the Ballydoyle handler said of the latter. “She’s progressing with every run. Zagitova has been in good form since the Moyglare and we were very happy with her run there. She’s a big filly and hopefully she is progressing with every run too.” Trainer Ralph Beckett puts forward Waverley Racing’s unbeaten Antonia de Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who looked as if she was crying out for a mile when getting up late to win Goodwood’s G3 Prestige S. over a furlong shorter Aug. 25. “She’s had no problems since Goodwood. It was always the plan to bring her straight for this race,” he said. “I think the mile will suit her.” Newmarket’s powerhouse stables John Gosden and Sir Michael Stoute have representatives due respect, with Duke of Devonshire and Duke of Roxburghe’s dual winner Shambolic (Ire) (Shamardal) coming from Clarehaven and Shadwell’s Layaleena (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) flying the flag for Freemason Lodge. Despite the latter’s disappointing and surprising defeat when fifth in a novice contest on Lingfield’s Polytrack Sept. 15, it is notable that Stoute opts to take on some ivy-leaguers here. Ballydoyle’s presence in the G3 Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp S. is felt via the grey Frosty (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a full-sister to Winter (Ire) who was so impressive in last year’s G1 1000 Guineas over this terrain. Her debut success over this trip at Dundalk Sept. 28 had plenty of promise, but she may not have been winning the strongest of maidens. “She’s only had the one run and we would have preferred that she had more experience, but we think the experience will do her good and she should come forward again from the run,” Aidan O’Brien commented. William Haggas puts Qatar Racing’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Hidden Message (Scat Daddy) sports a first-time hood despite the manner of her debut success over six furlongs at Yarmouth Sept. 20, while Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited’s $1-million KEESEP graduate Mistress of Love (Scat Daddy) has to prove herself back on grass after a smooth success over this trip on Newcastles Tapeta Sept. 3. “She’s a lovely filly who does have a predominantly dirt pedigree,” trainer Karl Burke said. “She ran terribly on her debut on turf, but we forgave her as we knew she was better than that. We’ll find out if she’s as good on the turf as she is on the all-weather.” Julian Richmond-Watson’s homebred Glance (GB) (Dansili {GB}) beat the re-opposing Sept. 29 course-and-distance winner Sunday Star (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) in a novice contest at Goodwood Sept. 4 and is a relative of the connections’ G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Look Here (GB) (Hernando {Fr}). “We’ve been happy with her since Goodwood and that form has worked out well,” Glance’s trainer Ralph Beckett commented. “She’s in good form and I think this is the right place for her.” The card opens with the G3 Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis S., where True Mason (GB) (Mayson {GB}) reverts to five furlongs having chased home Kessaar (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the G2 Mill Reef S. over a furlong further Sept. 22. Trainer Karl Burke said of Khalifa Dasmal’s colt, who was previously third behind Pretty Pollyanna in the Morny, “I’d just like to see a drop of rain for him, but he’s a worthy favourite. This looked the logical race after Newbury. He does handle quick ground, but being a Mayson he’s happier with a bit of cut.” Aidan O’Brien brings ‘TDN Rising Star’ Sergei Prokofiev (Scat Daddy) back to five after the May 20 Listed Rochestown S. scorer and June 19 G2 Coventry S. third was seventh in the G1 Middle Park S. here 13 days ago. Later in the afternoon, the weather’s perennial hostage to fortune Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) bids for back-to-back renewals of the seven-furlong G2 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards Challenge S. Taken out of Saturday’s G3 Bengough S. after the heavens opened, Paul Jacobs’ star sprinter will have no excuses if he comes up short over what has probably always been his ideal trip. “Henry [Candy] has been at the sales and has looked at the track, it’s fine at the moment,” his owner said. “Although it’s a smaller field than when he won last year, I think it’s a higher calibre of opponent. All we can do is rock up and see. If he doesn’t get to run, the only other option is Champions Day, but it would need to recover from what they had last Saturday and in this country in late October, anything can happen with the weather.” View the full article