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SEPTEMBER SPECIAL: If you own either a broodmare or a racehorse, then the next 5 editions of Breeding&Racing Magazine are available FREE: including the 2010 Gr1 Annual (out this week); 2011 Website & Industry Directory; Summer Yearling Sales Special (Magic Millions Gold Coast & NZ Bloodstock Karaka); & Autumn Inglis Easter Special. To take advantage of this offer, pay just $49.95 for next year's 2011 Sires Annual, and in the meantime THE NEXT 5 EDITIONS published before June next year ARE FREE (including postage & delivery). The offer is available to Australian-based owners only by either calling 1300 MAGRACING (1300 624 722) or emailing breeding&racing@subscribenow.com.au & quoting subscription order 6001. (Sep 3)

World's Top Horse Harbinger Sold To Japan Stud
Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's boom UK 4YO entire Harbinger (rated the world's best galloper following his extraordinary 11-lengths victory, while lowering the track record, in July's Gr1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes over 12 furlongs at Ascot, but then tragically retired after suffering a condylar fracture of his near-fore cannonbone during trackwork just days later) "has been sold to take up stud duties in Japan next year" reported racingpost.com overnight. Highclere's website noted the multi-million dollar deal is "one of the highest transactions in recent times" & Highclere's John Warren confirmed: "There were a number of top stud farms from both home & abroad involved in the negotiations & there was a very strong bid to keep the horse in England. Unfortunately for the British bloodstock industry, the final bid from the famous (Yoshida family's) Shadai Group, where Sunday Silence stood, was far too strong to be able to compete." Harbinger (Dansili-Penang Pearl, by Bering) was a 180,000 guineas (A$324,000) yearling at the 2007 Tattersalls October Sale. Overall he recorded 6 wins (also including June's Gr2 Hardwicke Stakes over 12 furlongs at Royal Ascot, May's Gr3 Ormonde Stakes over 13.5 furlongs at Chester & April's Gr3 John Porter Stakes over 12 furlongs at Newbury, plus 2009's Gr3 Gordon Stakes over 12 furlongs at Goodwood) & 2 placings (including 2009's Gr3 St Simon Stakes over 12 furlongs at Newbury) from 9 starts for £773,931 (A$1.354m) earnings. (Sep 3)

Qatari Backers Behind Makfi Sale To UK Tweenhills Stud
Meanwhile racingpost.com also revealed overnight that dual Gr1-winning UK-bred & French-trained boom 3YO colt Makfi (who scored an upset victory over 10-time Gr1-winning mare Goldikova & his other older rivals in last month's French Gr1 Jacques Le Marois over 1600m at Deauville) "will stand at Tweenhills Stud in Gloucestershire next year as part of a deal that signals a major wave of investment from Qatar". And thoroughbredtimes.com named the investors as "the al Thani family of Qatar" & noted: "The transaction will take effect after Makfi competes in the US Gr1 Breeders' Cup Mile." Tweenhills boss David Redvers described the deal as "a massive boost for British breeding. I'm still pinching myself." Makfi (Dubawi-Dhelaal, by Green Desert) was a 26,000 guineas (A$47,000) 2YO at the 2009 UK Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale; overall he boasts 4 wins (also including May's UK Gr1 2000 Guineas over 8 furlongs at Newmarket & April's French Gr3 Prix Djebel over 1400m at Maisons-Laffitte in April 8) from 5 starts for £577,527 (A$1.011m) earnings. (Sep 3)

Bauer Distant Last In Return To UK Track
On the UK track overnight, trainer Luca Cumani's 2008 Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer (making his 1st start in 667 days since his Melbourne appearance) finished a distant last (in a field of 5 runners) in the Persian Punch Stakes (14 furlongs) at Salisbury. (Sep 3)

Weld's Melb Cup Plans "Hinge On Irish St Leger Meet"
Meanwhile Irish trainer Dermot Weld confirmed the Irish St Leger meeting at The Curragh on Saturday week "would prove telling for his 4 Melbourne Cup contenders," reported The Herald-Sun. Weld plans to run Rite Of Passage & Profound Beauty in the Gr1 St Leger, plus Majestic Concorde & Natural High in a supporting race. Weld said "plans for all 4 would be assessed after the meeting" & noted: "I've had a quick look at the Cup weights, but won't be making any firm plans until after the St Leger." (The Jeremy Noseda-trained Sans Frontieres, another likely Melbourne spring visitor, will also run in the Irish St Leger.) (Sep 3)

Godolphin's Mastery "Extremely Doubtful" For Melb Cup
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford confirmed Mastery (English St Leger winner) & Claremont (sole entry from its No 2 trainer Mahmood al Zarooni) "could be classified as extremely doubtful" for the Melbourne Cup, reported The Herald-Sun. Crisford explained they had "run out of time with Mastery" (who has not started since his 5th in the Gr1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan in late March). Many of the remaining 8 Godolphin entries "will race over the weekend, giving greater insight as to which will head to Melbourne". Holdberg (who won June's Listed Tapster Stakes over 2400m at Goodwood, defeating Luca Cumani's Cup entry Manighar by 6-lengths) & Once More Dubai have been entered for the Gr3 September Stakes (2400m) at Kempton; Holdberg hasn't started since finishing 5th (behind Sans Frontieres) in the Gr2 Princess Of Wales Stakes (2400m) at Newmarket on July 8. And Campanologist (winner of Gr1s in Cologne & Hamburg at his past 2 starts) is entered for the Gr1 Grosser Preis von Baden (2400m) at Baden-Baden on Sunday night along with Cavalryman. Crisford commented: "We'll have a better idea what direction we'll be taking after the weekend." (Sep 3)

AQIS Approval For Werribee International Centre
The Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service yesterday approved the Werribee International Horse Centre as a quarantine facility "paving the way for international horses to enter the facility & compete during the 2010 Spring Racing Carnival". Victorian Minister For Racing Rob Hulls will officially open the Centre & the 1st of 2 stabling compounds today, ahead of the arrival of the 1st horse Imposing from the UK on Saturday morning. Racing Victoria chief executive Rob Hines noted: "We wish to extend our thanks to AQIS for their efforts in resolving the initial delay in a timely manner & for committing additional resources to achieve this positive outcome. With the connections of horses from the UK, France, Ireland, UAE, Macau, Japan, Hong Kong & France eager to compete at this year's carnival, it was critical that approval was granted this week." Following Imposing, the 1st horses from Macau to compete in Australia (Luen Yat Forever & Good Control) are scheduled to arrive on Tuesday 14 September. The 3 major shipments of European & Asian horses are then scheduled to arrive on 20 & 25 September & 9 October. (Sep 3)

Kutchinsky Out Of Caulfield-Melbourne Cups
Racing Victoria announced that trainer Tony Noonan has officially advised 4YO gelding Kutchinsky (Anabaa-My First Zabeel, by Zabeel) is recovering from a virus & "will not be an acceptor when 1st declarations are taken next Tuesday" (September 7) for the Gr1 Melbourne Cup, Gr1 Caulfield Cup & Gr1 Cox Plate. Kutchinsky won May's Gr3 Grand Prix Stakes over 2200m at Doomben. (Sep 3)

Predatory Pricer Out Of Racing Until 2011
Meanwhile Caulfield trainer Mick Price confirmed Gr2-winning & multiple Gr1-placed 5YO entire Predatory Pricer (Street Cry-Shady Stream, by Archregent) is out-of-action for the rest of the Spring Carnival, after a "staph infection around his hock area" required "a fairly strong course of penicillin" which "means it's 28 days before we can do anything with him, so the Spring is gone." Price added philosophically: "Thankfully, we still have a horse. He's only a 5YO & he'll be back in the Autumn." (Sep 3)

Trainers Brand Ortensia Disqualification A "Disgrace"
The Australian Trainers' Association has described the blanket rule (confirmed this week) that stripped Ortensia of victory in the Gr1 Galaxy Stakes (1100m) at Royal Randwick in Sydney on April 17 a "disgrace" & will lobby the Australian Racing Board for it to be changed, reported The Herald-Sun. Ortensia was stripped of her win after she returned a positive swab to a substance used in pig feed & her trainer Tony Noonan has appealed against the decision, declaring the rule that states a horse who returns a positive swab must be stripped of its win "defied any sense of fair play". The substance (which is non-performance enhancing) "is believed to have appeared in Ortensia's system via contaminated feed. In 2001 the Australian Racing Board "amended the rule that had allowed for discretion to be used over positive swabs"; 15 horses have since been stripped of wins under the rule (which was introduced after the Tierce case, in which the colt tested positive to a banned substance after winning the Gr1 Golden Slipper Stakes, but kept the race at the then discretion of authorities). Fellow trainer Mick Price yesterday joined Noonan in condemning the "must lose" rule & declared: "It allows no one - stewards, trainers, anyone - any room to move. They cast the shark net wide & catch innocents like Tony Noonan, yet the real cheats rarely get caught. What we have now is a kangaroo court!" ATA chief executive John Alducci confirmed his body will "meet its lawyers next week" & then "approach the ARB to change the rule". He added: "The rule is an injustice, simple as that. Tony Noonan has an unblemished record & has effectively been fined $19,000 (his Galaxy win percentage)." (Sep 3)

Racing Vic & Sportsbet Reach Fee Agreement
Darwin-based corporate bookmaker Sportsbet has withdrawn Federal Court proceedings against Racing Victoria & the state of Victoria, after reaching "a formal settlement with Racing Victoria on a gross profit product fee structure" reported The Herald-Sun. Sportsbet will pay RV 10% of gross revenue on Victorian thoroughbred racing for 2 years (from August 1 this year) rising to a Spring Racing Carnival premium of 15% during October & November each year. The agreement also sees Sportsbet making "a significant contribution in funding to the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry retrospectively from 1 September 2006 to July 31 this year". Sportsbet chief executive Matthew Tripp said the settlement of litigation against RV "provided certainty over the future Victorian thoroughbred racing product fee structure" & declared: "This agreement is a win for the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry & I call upon all other controlling bodies around Australia to adopt this landmark product fee structure. We have always said we are happy to pay our way to racing authorities & we're delighted to agree with RV on a fair & reasonable structure." (Sep 3)

Racing Vic Confirms 3-Years Hurdle Program
The Racing Victoria Board yesterday reviewed the performance of hurdle & steeplechase racing throughout the 2010 season "taking into consideration a number of reports & submissions". The Board determined there would be a "3-year program of hurdle racing subject to the program meeting a Key Performance Indicator relating to fatalities". The KPI of "not more than 0.65% of fatalities-per-starters will be measured as a rolling 3-year average (including the 2010 season) at the end of the 2012 & 2013 seasons". (The hurdle racing fatality rate in 2010 was 0.41% & the steeplechase racing fatality rate was 0.58%). The Board "deferred a decision on the future of steeplechase racing to its next meeting, pending further analysis of the performance of the 2010 program & the identification of any necessary measures to improve the program's safety". Racing Victoria chief executive Rob Hines noted: "There has been a substantial improvement in the safety & performance of jumps racing for the 2010 season with the fall & fatality rates dropping significantly from the year prior. The performance in hurdle races was particularly good, with a dramatic improvement achieved due to a changed obstacle, revised conditions & a strong commitment to safety by jockeys & trainers. The Board considered the dramatic improvement achieved in hurdle racing justified a longer term commitment to provide certainty to owners investing in horses & for jockeys, trainers & workers who earn their livelihood from the sport. However the performance of steeplechase racing has not been as satisfactory, with a higher rate of incidents in these races. As a result the Board has requested further analysis of the 2010 steeplechase program & the identification of any necessary measures to improve the program's safety before giving further consideration to its future." (Sep 3)

"Venomous Response" From Jumps Association
However Racing Victoria's board decision not to endorse the future of steeplechases "drew a venomous response from the Australian Jumping Racing Association" reported The Herald-Sun. AJRA chairman Rodney Rae called for RV chairman Michael Duffy & chief executive Rob Hines "to resign after the board deferred until next month a decision on any extension for steeplechase racing". Rae declared a further delay for approving steeplechases was "totally unsatisfactory" & said it was "incumbent on the board to remove the cloud of uncertainty hanging over jumps racing & restore confidence to the sport". Rae emphasised last night: "RV has broken its word. We were given an undertaking that the jumping issue would be resolved & it hasn't been. It's the final straw for us. We believe Michael Duffy & Rob Hines have just got to go. We want them both gone. There is a (board) election later in the year & really Duffy should be a dead duck. He should resign to avoid the embarrassment. The industry needs leadership, it needs management & the RV executive & board don't provide it." (Sep 3)

Shoot Out Half-Sister At Magic Millions January
The yearling half-sister to multiple Gr1-winning boom 4YO gelding Shoot Out (High Chaparral-Pentamerous, by Pentire) will be auctioned at January's Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale: a filly by Oaklands Stud stallion Ferocity (already the sire of 7 1st-crop winners) being prepared by Robyn Wise. Shoot Out (last weekend named Queensland Horse-Of-The-Year for the recently-completed 2009-2010 season) is 1 of 2 Classic winners produced (from 2 to race) by Pentamerous (also dam of Gr3 Western Australian Oaks winner Cassandara Shadow). Shoot Out (a $15,000 yearling consigned from Oaklands Stud at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale) currently boasts 7 wins (including August's Gr2 Liston Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield, July's Gr3 Bletchingly Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield, April's Gr1 AJC Australian Derby over 2400m at Royal Randwick, March's Gr1 Randwick Guineas over 1600m at Randwick & February's Gr2 Royal Sovereign Stakes over 1200m at Randwick, plus 2009's Gr2 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes over 1400m at Eagle Farm) & 3 placings (including last weekend's Gr2 NZ Bloodstock Memsie Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield, plus February's Gr2 Hobartville Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill) from 14 starts for $1,578,950 earnings. (Sep 3)

1st Foal For Unbeaten Amelia's Dream
Unbeaten former boom juvenile filly Amelia's Dream (Redoute's Choice-Shalt Not, by St Covet) is now "one of Australia's most valuable broodmares & gave birth to her 1st foal on Tuesday morning in the NSW Hunter Valley: a filly by Coolmore-based stallion & dual Australian Champion Sire Encosta de Lago" reported The Sydney Morning Herald. Amelia's Dream (a $250,000 yearling at the 2007 Magic Millions Premier Sale on the Gold Coast) won her February 2008 debut at Canterbury Park in Sydney by 10-lengths & then March's Gr2 Silver Slipper Stakes over 1100m at Rosehill Gardens by 6.25-lengths, before a serious sesamoid injury ended the remainder of her juvenile campaign when hot favourite for that year's Gr1 Golden Slipper. (Sep 3)

Sydney Clubs Lobby For Numbers On Merged Board
Sydney's 2 race clubs "are pressing for increased representation on the board if the proposed merger proceeds," reported The Daily Telegraph. The present composition of the new super club board has 2 representatives each from the Australian Jockey Club (Royal Randwick & Warwick Farm) & Sydney Turf Club (Rosehill Gardens & Canterbury Park) plus 3 independent appointments. But the newspaper "understands the STC wants 3 nominations from both clubs, while sources indicated the AJC is continuing negotiations to determine the right balance" for the new board. (Sep 3)

Brereton Awaits News On Leg Paralysis
Jockey Danny Brereton's "broken collarbone & smashed ribs will heal, but doctors were no more certain last night than they were 13 days ago about whether paralysis to Bereton's legs are permanent," reported The Daily Telegraph. Brereton, 45, confirmed: "I don't know what's ahead, no one does. But I'm ready to get in to rehab & I have a great team who are going to help me every step of the way. What will be will be". Brereton was injured when his mount Marquee Player fell in the Mitchell McKenzie Stakes on August 21. Doctors "successfully operated on a splinter that punctured a lung & put a stint into his aorta, which was grazed by another splinter from one of 2 fractured ribs. He was also concussed & broke his collarbone." But the lingering concern is the paralysis to both legs & only time - up to 6 weeks - "will tell if Brereton will one day walk out of hospital". He will be visited a 2nd time this morning by the surgeon who conducted the initial operation "but does not expect enlightening news". (Sep 3)

Mosayter Move To Argyle Thoroughbreds
Former WA-based sire Mosayter (Storm Cat-Bashayer, by Mr Prospector) is standing the 2010 breeding season at NSW Central West-based Argyle Thoroughbreds for $4,400. There are also a number of mare leasing opportunities available, including specifically selected mares by Royal Academy, Choisir, Dehere & Luskin Star in-foal to Mosayter. Mosayter has already sired a multiple stakes-performer Shajezar (Mosayter-Leuritron, by Jevington) from his 1st-crop & now boasts 9 winners & 8 place-getters from only 35 runners. His stakes-placed winning dam produced 5 winners & is a daughter of champion European 2YO Height Of Fashion (Bustino-Highclere, by Queen's Hussar) who produced 4-time Gr1-winners Naswan & Nayef, plus multiple Group-winners Unfuwain & Alwasmi, as well as stakes-winners Mukddaam & Sarayir (dam of dual Gr1-winner Ghanaati). (Sep 3)

AJC Chairman Finemore Surgery After Heart Attack
Australian Jockey Club chairman Ron Finemore "suffered a heart attack earlier this week & has undergone surgery," reported racenet.com.au. Doctors "put an angiogram & a stent in his right coronary artery" & Finemore "is recovering well, but will be recuperating at home until further notice". (Sep 3)

Parables Favourite For Furious Stakes
Last-start winner Parables is $2.25 favourite to land tomorrow's Gr2 Furious Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick in Sydney. More Strawberries is the $3.40 2nd elect, with Amber's Waltz a $6.50 chance. (To view the latest market click on the link for updated betting on the Furious Stakes.) (Sep 3)

Metal Bender Favourite For Chelmsford Stakes
Also at Randwick, Metal Bender tops the boards with betchoice.com.au at $2.50 for tomorrow's Gr2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m). Evergreen Theseo is at $3.50, with Metal Bender's stablemate Triple Honour a $4.80 quote. (To view the latest market click on the link for updated betting on the Chelmsford Stakes.) (Sep 3)

Aushorse Launches Hong Kong Awards
Aushorse Marketing announced a new award for the "highest performing Australian-bred thoroughbred in Hong Kong" to be announced on September 11 at an event held in conjunction with the Victoria Racing Club's 150th Anniversary celebration of the Melbourne Cup. The final contenders for the inaugural HK award are Sacred Kingdom (Encosta de Lago-Courtroom Sweetie, by Zeditave), Happy Zero (Danzero-Have Love, by Canny Lad) & One World (Danehill Dancer-River Serenade, by Hurricane Sky). More than 40% of the horses currently racing in HK are bred in Australia & Aushorse Marketing chairman Antony Thompson noted: "Australian-bred horses have such an imposing record in HK that we believe it is important to recognise these feats & the people behind such great horses." (Sep 3)

Aust-Bred Elusive Quality Filly Wins In South Africa
In South Africa overnight, Australian-bred 3YO filly Worood (Elusive Quality-Elnayrah, by Danzig) won over 1000m at Vaal for trainer Mike De Kock. (Sep 3)

Street Cry Adds UK Black-Type
In the UK overnight, Darley shuttler & Gr1 Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry (Machiavellian-Helen Street, by Troy) added a juvenile black-type success when US-bred daughter Brevity (Street Cry-Cut Short, by Diesis) gained the judge's decision in a 3-way photo-finish to the £30,000 (A$53,000) Listed Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (6 furlongs) for 2YO fillies at Salisbury. Brevity (ridden by Martin Dwyer for trainer Brian Meehan) scored by a nose from Rimth (Oasis Dream-Dorelia, by Efisio) with a further neck to Irish-bred favourite Margot Did (Exceed And Excel-Special Dancer, by Shareef Dancer). Brevity now has 2 wins from 3 starts. (Sep 3)

8th Winner For US Freshman Sire Sharp Humor
US Gr2-winning 7YO freshman stallion Sharp Humor (Distorted Humor-Bellona, by Hansel) recorded his 8th 1st-crop winner when 2YO colt Glint (Sharp Humor-Glimmer, by Deputy Minister) led all-the-way to score by 9.25-lengths on debut over 6 furlongs at Hoosier Park in Indiana for trainer Kellyn Gorder. (Sep 3)

US Philadelphia Park Name Changed To Parx Racing
Pennsylvania's Bensalem-based Philadelphia Park has changed its name to Parx Racing. The track has been called Philadelphia Park since 1984 (when it was acquired by ITB Inc); prior to that it was named Keystone Racetrack. (Sep 3)

Stacie Roberts New Jockey Club Of Canada Exec Director
The Jockey Club Of Canada named Stacie Roberts as its new executive director. Roberts (former publisher of The Game Thoroughbred newspaper) has been involved in the thoroughbred industry in Ontario with her family for more than 25 years. (Sep 3)

B&R's Galloping Horse Never Sleeps
Breeding&Racing's Instant Archive continues to provide the only search engine you'll need to stay abreast of all the latest breeding news. Just click your mouse inside the Archive Search Box (immediately below the Galloping Horse on the right-hand side of this page) & type in either one or several key words. It's the most extensive at-your-fingertips database in the breeding & racing industry; it's free; & it's there for you to search to your heart's content. (Sep 3)

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