Southern Speed Wins John Dillon Stakes Also on the track during yesterday’s Australia Day holiday, former Widden Stud stallion Southern Image (Halo's Image-Pleasant Dixie, by Dixieland Band) added a black-type success when top-weighted 4YO mare Southern Speed (Southern Image-Golden Eagle, by Zabeel) returned from a 3-months spell to score a 0.75-length victory in the $100,000 Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in Melbourne. Southern Speed (ridden by Craig Williams for trainers Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas) defeated 6YO gelding Shout Out Loud (Ne Coupez Pas-Hit Your Kick, by Serheed) & 8YO gelding Danzylum (Danzero-Political Asylum, by Plush). Southern Speed now has 5 wins (also including 2011’s Gr1 Caulfield Cup over 2400m at Caulfield & Gr3 The Vanity over 1400m at Flemington) & 3 placings (including 2011’s Gr1 Underwood Stakes over 1800m at Caulfield, Gr1 Schweppes Oaks over 2008m at Morphettville & Gr3 Schweppervescence Stakes over 1800m at Morphettville) from 14 starts for $2,111,850 earnings. (Click on the link for full race details from Group Race Results at AAP Racing.) (Jan 27)
Instinction Wins Zeditave Stakes Former Australian champion 1st-season sire Exceed And Excel (Danehill-Patrona, by Lomond) added a black-type success when his colt Instinction (Exceed And Excel-De Lago Mist, by Encosta De Lago) made it 3 successive wins with a 1.75-lengths victory in yesterday’s $100,000 Listed Zeditave Stakes (1200m) for 3YO colts & geldings at Caulfield. Instinction (ridden by Craig Newitt for trainer Mick Price) defeated fellow colts Specter (Nadeem-Woman In White, by Daylami) & Petman (Lonhro-Gift Bouquet, by King's High). Instinction (a $300,000 yearling consigned by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds at the 2010 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale) now has 3 wins (also including 2011’s Listed Hilton Hotel Stakes over 1400m at Flemington) & a runner-up from 7 starts for $166,775 earnings. (Click on the link for full race details from Group Race Results at AAP Racing.) (Jan 27)
The Travelling Man Wins Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) Gr1-winning & 4-times Gr1-placed Vinery Stud stallion Mossman (Success Express-Lichen Lady, by Twig Moss) added a juvenile black-type success (& 18th individual stakes-winner) when front-running colt The Travelling Man (Mossman-Gypsy Jewels, by Jade Robbery) scored a 1.25-lengths victory in yesterday’s $100,000 Listed Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for 2YO colts & geldings at Caulfield. The Travelling Man (ridden by Ben Melham for trainer Matthew Laurie) defeated fellow colt No Smoken (Snitzel-Bee And Bee, by Grand Lodge) & the gelding Timely Truce (Brief Truce-Gal Express, by Success Express). The Travelling Man (a NZ$80,000 yearling consigned by Westbury Stud at the 2011 NZ Bloodstock Select Sale at Karaka) took his record to 1 win from 2 starts for $65,000 earnings. (Click on the link for full race details from Group Race Results at AAP Racing.) (Jan 27)
Malasun Wins Blue Diamond Preview (F) Deceased former Vinery Stud shuttler & in recent years permanently Australian-based stallion Red Ransom (Roberto-Arabia, by Damascus) added a juvenile black-type success (& 104th individual stakes-winner world-wide) when debutante daughter Malasun (Red Ransom-Malapert, by Encosta De Lago) scored a 1.25-lengths victory in yesterday’s $100,000 Listed Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for 2YO fillies at Caulfield. Malasun (ridden by Damien Oliver for trainer Mick Price) defeated Members Joy (Hussonet-Rosa's Spur, by Flying Spur) & Sabie (Exceed And Excel-Rondavel, by Snippets). Malasun (an $80,000 yearling consigned by Vinery at the 2011 Inglis premier Sale in Melbourne) earned 60,500 for victory at her 1st start. (Click on the link for full race details from Group Race Results at AAP Racing.) (Jan 27)
Wazn Wins Australia Day Cup France’s Haras Du Mezeray-based triple Gr1-winning stallion & 2009 French champion 1st-season sire Whipper (Miesque's Son-Myth To Reality, by Sadler's Wells) added a black-type success (& 9th individual stakes-winner world-wide) when 5YO entire & equal-favourite Wazn (Whipper-New Story, by Dynaformer) scored a 0.75-length victory in yesterday’s $100,000 Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Warwick Farm in Sydney. Wazn (ridden by Glyn Schofield for trainer Chris Waller) defeated 4YO gelding Yulalona (Dubai Destination-Klamath Falls, by Storm Cat) & 6YO gelded equal-favourite Legsman (Pins-Snobbish, by Centaine). Wazn was a 36,000 guineas (A$56,000) older horse consigned by Shadwell Stud at the 2010 UK Tattersalls Autumn Sale; he took his overall record to 6 wins & 7 placings (including last start’s Listed Gosford Gold Cup over 2100m on January 12) from 18 starts for $303,376 earnings. (Click on the link for full race details from Group Race Results at AAP Racing.) (Jan 27)
2nd Winner For Freshman Sire Casino Prince Gr1-winning & 5-times Gr1-placed Patinack Farm freshman stallion Casino Prince (Flying Spur-Lady Capel, by Last Tycoon) recorded his 2nd 1st-crop winner when 2YO filly Princess Royale (Casino Prince-Charybdis, by Royal Academy) scored by 3-lengths on debut over 900m at Murray Bridge in South Australia yesterday for trainer Tony McEvoy. Princess Royale (a half-sister to Australian-bred Singapore Gr1-winner Why Be) was an $85,000 yearling consigned by Widden Stud at the 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale. (Jan 27)
Japan’s Yoshida Buys 50% In Crown Oaks Winner Mosheen Japanese “breeding giant Katsumi Yoshida has purchased a 50% stake in Gr1 Crown Oaks winner Mosheen (Fastnet Rock-Sumehra, by Stravinsky)” reported The Herald-Sun. Yoshida “reached an undisclosed 7-figure deal with managing owner Phil Sly to race the filly through her racing career & then her breeding campaign in Japan”. Sly “who is on the verge of gaining a licence to race horses in Japan & purchased a filly in Japan from Katsumi last year” said he would not reveal the purchase price, but added “the figure would blow you away”. Katsumi raced Delta Blues (who became the 1st Japanese-trained horse to win the Melbourne Cup in 2006) & Sly confirmed: “I got a call on Tuesday night from Katsumi's son Shunsuke & he simply said 'How much do you want for the horse?' It just went from there. He came back with a number of different offers & after speaking to Robert (trainer Robert Smerdon) I agreed to sell half the horse. It wasn't the money, but as a breeder I'm a mug. Katsumi is the number one breeder in the world, others don’t hold a candle to him. He owns Deep Impact. Can you imagine what a yearling by Deep Impact out of Mosheen would be worth?” Mosheen (who will remain with Smerdon) will open her summer/autumn campaign in a 3YO fillies race at Caulfield on Saturday week. Mosheen (originally $250,000 yearling consigned by Bylong Park at 2010 Inglis Easter Sale in Sydney) currently boasts 3 wins (including 2011’s Gr1 Crown Oaks over 2500m at Flemington by 9-lengths & Gr2 Edward Manifold Stakes over 1600m at Flemington) & 4 placings (in 2011’s Gr1 Golden Slipper Stakes over 1200m at Rosehill, Gr1 Thousand Guineas over 1600m at Caulfield, Gr3 1000 Guineas Prelude over 1400m at Caulfield & Listed Quezette Stakes over 1100m at Caulfield) from 9 starts for $1,546,200 earnings. (Jan 27)
German-Bred Mawingo In Aust To Chase Cups Australian Bloodstock's latest German-bred stayer, lightly-raced 4YO entire Mawingo (Tertullian-Montfleur, by Sadler's Wells), has arrived in Australia to join fellow German-bred Lucas Cranach on the path toward the 2012 Gr1 Caulfield & Gr1 Melbourne Cups. Australian Bloodstock co-founder Luke Murrell (whose group brought Lucas Cranach to Victoria to finish 3rd in last year’s Melbourne Cup) confirmed Mawingo has begun a fortnight’s quarantine at Eastern Creek outside Sydney, before joining Lucas Cranach’s trainer Anthony Freedman in Victoria. Mawingo (whose 5 starts include victory in Germany’s Gr3 Bavarian Classic over 2000m & 4th in the Gr1 Deutsches Derby over 2400m) will undertake a Queensland winter campaign aimed at ensuring qualification for this year's Caulfield-Melbourne Cups. (Jan 27)
Tabcorp Plans 30% More Vic Kiosks Tabcorp chief executive David Attenborough “plans to lift the number of TAB kiosks across retail sites in Victoria by a third in the next year as it battles increasing competition from corporate bookmakers” reported The Australian Financial Review. Tabcorp plans to open “up to 200 new kiosks in Victoria, where it has 627 outlets in Victorian hotels, clubs & sites such as newsagents; a small number of new kiosks is also slated for NSW, where it has 2,000 outlets.” The company generates 2/3 of its $1.6 billion wagering turnover from retail operations. Last August, the Federal Court ruled corporate bookmaker Sportsbet “could set up internet-based betting in Victorian pubs, eroding Tabcorp’s monopoly; Tabcorp has appealed to the full bench of the Federal Court against the decision.” Meanwhile Attenborough said the new 12-year wagering licence Tabcorp signed with the Victorian Government just before Christmas would allow it to increase its retail footprint & noted: “This enables us to expand the Victorian retail network through the roll-out of TAB kiosks, primarily to smaller hotels & clubs. It’s a show of faith in our growing retail business, which is significant across hotels, clubs & agencies. Customers enjoy the entertainment experience that a wagering service in a social retail environment offers.” (Jan 27)
NSW Trainer Brian Gentle $1k Drug Fine Racing NSW stewards yesterday fined trainer $1,000 after the gelding Chevalion tested positive to prohibited substances phenylbutazone & oxyphenbutazone in a urine sample taken during official barrier trials at Warwick Farm on December 15. (Jan 27)
Qld Jockey Patrick Keane 1-Month “Underweight” Ban Racing Queensland stewards yesterday suspended apprentice jockey Patrick Keane for 1-month, following the disqualification of his mount Gold Rating as the winner of a race at Eagle Farm in Brisbane last weekend because Keane “weighed-in light” following the race. Keane weighed-out at 55.6kg but when he returned after the race he weighed 54.76kg. (Under the rules, riders are allowed a half-kilo discretion.) (Jan 27)
Dale Spriggs Cleared To Resume Riding Jockey agent Wayne Harris confirmed Dale Spriggs (injured en route to the barriers at Gosford in November) “has received his clearance from the specialist to resume riding. He started back at trackwork over the past few days & things seem to be going well. Dale has pencilled in his race riding return for Friday 3 February at Tamworth at this point.” (Jan 27)
Tony Santic In Hospital With “Chest Pains” Makybe Diva’s high-profile owner-breeder Tony Santic “has been hospitalised with chest pains” reported The Advertiser in Adelaide. Santic was admitted to Adelaide's Calvary Wakefield Hospital on Wednesday. (Jan 27)
Fastnet Rock Leads Redoute’s & Nicobar On Aust Sires Table After almost 7 months of the 2011-2012 season, former Australian Champion 2nd-Season Sire & multiple Gr1-winning Australian-bred stallion Fastnet Rock leads flagship Arrowfield Stud stallion & former Australian Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice, followed by French-based stallion Nicobar (thanks to the Gr1 Melbourne Cup victory by his sole Australian runner Dunaden) on the Australian General Sires table (by prize-money) according to arion.co.nz (figures to Jan 26):
Fastnet Rock (Danehill-Piccadilly Circus, by Royal Academy) $5,862,619
Redoute's Choice (Danehill-Shantha's Choice, by Canny Lad) $5,161,350
Nicobar (Indian Ridge-Duchess Of Alba, by Belmez) $3,950,000
Reset (Zabeel-Assertive Lass, by Zeditave) $3,540,211
Commands (Danehill-Cotehele House, by My Swanee) $3,406,333
Testa Rossa (Perugino-Bo Dapper, by Sir Dapper) $3,122,432
Exceed and Excel (Danehill-Patrona, by Lomond) $3,018,227
Lonhro (Octagonal-Shadea, by Straight Strike) $2,895,898
Bel Esprit (Royal Academy-Bespoken, by Vain) $2,855,337
Encosta de Lago (Fairy King-Shoal Creek, by Star Way) $2,796,729
Magic Albert (Zeditave-Sally Lou, by Salieri) $2,793,076
Elusive Quality (Gone West-Touch Of Greatness, by Hero's Honor) $2,765,123
Stratum (Redoute’s Choice-Bourgeois, by Luskin Star) $2,520,296
Galileo (Sadler’s Wells-Urban Sea, by Miswaki) $2,479,020
Mossman (Success Express-Lichen Lady, by Twig Moss) $2,407,633
Savabeel (Zabeel-Savannah Success, by Success Express) $2,392,587
Choisir (Danehill Dancer-Great Selection, by Lunchtime) $2,186,777
More Than Ready (Southern Halo-Woodman's Girl, by Woodman) $2,179,064
Blackfriars (Danehill-Kensington Gardens, by Grosvenor) $2,135,434
Flying Spur (Danehill-Rolls, by Mr Prospector) $2,085,871
(Jan 27)
O’Reilly Leads Thorn Park & Pins On NZ Sires Table Across the Tasman, Waikato Stud stallion & former champion NZ sire O’Reilly leads Windsor Park Stud’s Gr1-winning Australian-bred sire Thorn Park, followed by Waikato Stud's Australian-bred stallion Pins, on the New Zealand General Sires table (by prize-money) according to arion.co.nz (figures to Jan 26):
O’Reilly (Last Tycoon-Courtza, by Pompeii Court) NZ$724,718
Thorn Park (Spinning World-Joy, by Bluebird) NZ$709,675
Pins (Snippets-No Finer, by Karou Star) NZ$618,472
Pentire (Be My Guest-Gull Nook, by Mill Reef) NZ$585,760
Keeper (Danehill-Nuwirah, by Pleasant Colony) NZ$558,657
Fastnet Rock (Danehill-Piccadilly Circus, by Royal Academy) NZ$547,800
Captain Rio (Pivotal-Beloved Visitor, by Miswaki) NZ$500,477
Volksraad (Green Desert-Celtic Assembly, by Secretariat) NZ$481,585
Bachelor Duke (Miswaki-Gossamer, by Seatle Slew) NZ$439,877
Stravinsky (Nureyev-Fire The Groom, by Blushing Groom) NZ$425,147
(Jan 27)
Des Friedrich Appointed To NZTR Board Veteran racing administrator Des Friedrich has been appointed to the NZ Thoroughbred Racing Board to fill the vacancy following the resignation of Dean McKenzie late last year. Friedrich previously served 7 years on the Australian Racing Board while chief executive of Northern Territory racing & was the chief executive of NZ’s Hawke's Bay Racing from 1988-1996. (Jan 27)
Sweet Orange Wins HK Gr1 Classic Mile In Hong Kong, US-bred 4YO entire Sweet Orange (War Front-Good Vibes, by Unbridled’s Song) scored by a nose before a Chinese New Year crowd of 78,136 fans in the HK$6 million (A$750,000) Gr1 Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin. Sweet Orange (ridden by Weichong Marwing for trainer David Ferraris) defeated favoured 4YO gelding Fay Fay (Falkirk-Glamaine, by Centaine) & Australian-bred 4YO entire Admiration (Encosta de Lago-Provence, by Redoute’s Choice). Sweet Orange took his record to 2 wins & 3 placings from 8 starts for HK$5,171,500 (A$646,000) earnings. (Jan 27)
Aust-Bred Hussonet Son Wins In Hong Kong Also in Hong Kong, unbeaten Australian-bred 4YO gelding Glorious Days (Hussonet-San Century, by Centaine) won over 1400m at Sha Tin for Australian trainer John Size. Glorious Days (passed-in for NZ$75,000 as a 2YO at the 2009 NZ Bloodstock Ready-To-Run Sale) now boasts 4 wins from 4 starts for HK$2,736,000 (A$342,000) earnings. (Jan 27)
Aust-Bred Mighty Triple Ace Wins Malaysia Gr1 Tunku In Malaysia, Vinery Stud's 6-time Gr1-winning stallion Testa Rossa (Perugino-Bo Dapper, by Sir Dapper) added a Gr1 triumph when Australian-bred 7YO gelding Mighty Triple Ace (Testa Rossa-Brave Scene, by Scenic) led in an Australian-bred trifecta with a 0.3-length victory in the RM$300,000 (A$90,000) Gr1 Tunku Gold Cup (1200m) at Selangor. Mighty Triple Ace (ridden by Khalid Eirwan for trainer Katherine Hughes) defeated Australian-bred 5YO geldings Good Judgement (Lonhro-Agile, by Canny Lad) & Mudhish (Redoute’s Choice-Alzahra, by Sir Cat). Mighty Triple Ace (passed-in as a yearling for $47,500 at the 2006 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale) took his record to 9 wins & 9 placings from 37 starts for RM$720,000 (A$216,000) earnings. (Jan 27)
7 Aust-Bred Winners In Malaysia Also in Malaysia, 6 other Australian-bred horses (in addition to Mighty Triple Ace) scored at Selangor:
5YO gelding Ballarat (Bianconi-Eureka Sunday, by Brave Wrrior) won over 1600m for trainer James Brogan. Ballarat was passed-in for $20,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Summer Sale & subsequently purchased for $30,000 at the 2009 Queensland Horses-In-Training Sale.
4YO gelding Sagar’s Express (Snippetson-Princess Diamond) won over 1400m for trainer Lim Boon Thong.
5YO gelding Carey Island (Arazi-Nice, by Last Tycoon) won over 1200m for trainer Osman Bin Sidek.
6YO gelding The Hawk (Black Hawk-Eliza Park, by Scenic) won over 1600m for trainer James Brogan. The Hawk was passed-in for $29,000 as a yearling at the 2007 Magic Millions Adelaide Sale.
6YO mare Mighty Diva (Hemingway-Bobby Pin, by Brackenbury) won over 1200m for trainer Tan Soo Beng.
3YO gelding Colin The Firth (All Bar One-Orchis, by Octagonal) won over 1200m for trainer John Brink. Colin The Firth was a $13,000 yearling at the 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale & subsequently a $12,500 2YO at the 2010 Magic Millions Queensland Horses-In-Training Sale.
(Jan 27)
Aust-Bred Redoute's Choice Son Wins Dubai Gr2 In the United Arab Emirates overnight, flagship Arrowfield Stud stallion & former Australian Champion Sire Redoute's Choice (Danehill-Shantha's Choice, by Canny Lad) added a group success when Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum's globe-trotting Australian-bred 5YO entire Musir (Redoute's Choice-Dizzy De Lago, by Encosta De Lago) scored a 1-length victory in the US$200,000 Gr2 Al Rashidiya (1800m on turf) at Meydan in Dubai. Musir (ridden by Christophe Soumillon for South African trainer Mike de Kock) defeated US-bred 6YO gelding City Style (City Zip-Brattothecore, by Katahaula County) & Italian-bred fellow 5YO entire Marcret (Martino Alonso-Love Secret, by Secreto). Musir (passed-in for $900,000 as a yearling at the 2008 Inglis Easter Sale in Sydney) was named South Africa's Champion 2YO Colt for the 2008-09 season; overall he now boasts 8 wins (also including last start’s UAE Gr3 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 over 1600m at Meydan on January 12, plus 2011's Turkish Gr2 Topkapi Trophy over 1600m at Veliefendi, as well as both 2010's Gr2 UAE Derby over 1800m at Meydan & Gr3 UAE 2000 Guineas over 1600m at Meydan, in addition to 2009's South African Gr1 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m at Greyville) & 5 placings (including 2011's UK Gr2 Hungerford Stakes over 7 furlongs at Newbury, Hong Kong Gr1 Champions Mile over 1600m at Sha Tin, UAE Gr2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 over 2000m at Meydan & UAE Listed Firebreak Stakes over 1600m at Meydan) from 14 starts. (Jan 27)
Aust-Bred Stratum Colt Wins In Dubai Also in Dubai overnight, Australian-bred 3YO colt Dark Matter (Stratum-Loving New, by Choctaw Ridge) notched his 2nd successive win at Meydan in a fortnight with victory by a short-head in the US$50,000 Duty Free Handicap (1400m) for Singapore-based Australian trainer Steven Burridge. Dark Matter (a $140,000 yearling consigned by Widden Stud as agent at the 2010 Magic Millions Premier Sale on the Gold Coast) notched 4 wins & 3 placings from 8 starts in Singapore during 2011. (Jan 27)
2 Aust-Bred Winners in South Africa In South Africa, 2 Australian-bred horses scored at Arlington:
7YO gelding Forenzic (Secret Savings-Late Watch, by Night Shift) won over 1300m for trainer Yvette Bremner. Forenzic was a $60,000 yearling at the 2006 Magic Millions January Gold Coast Sale.
4YO gelding Go Diego Go (Rock Of Gibraltar-Grandly, by Grand Lodge) won over 1600m for trainer George Uren. Go Diego Go was a $31,000 weanling at the 2008 Magic Millions National Sale & subsequently a $40,000 yearling at the 2009 Magic Millions Premier Sale on the Gold Coast.
(Jan 27)
Winning UK Debut By Vengeance Of Rain Half-Sister In the UK, the half-sister to 6-time Gr1-winner & 2006-07 Hong Kong Horse-Of-The-Year Vengeance Of Rain (Zabeel-Danelagh, by Danehill) scored on debut when Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s US-bred 4YO mare Queen Of Denmark (Kingmambo-Danelagh, by Danehill) won over 11 furlongs on all-weather at Kempton Park for trainer Mark Johnston. Vengeance Of Rain (who raced in Australia as Subscribe for Melbourne owner Lloyd Williams before being sold to HK) was a NZ$300,000 yearling at the 2002 NZ Bloodstock Premier Sale at Karaka. Vengeance Of Rain recorded 10 wins (including 2007's Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic & 2006's Gr1 HK Gold Cup, plus 2005's HK Gr1 QEII Cup, Gr1 HK Derby, Gr1 HK Champions & Chater Cup, Gr1 HK International Cup & Gr2 HK International Cup Trial) & 7 placings (including 2007's Gr1 HK QEII Cup & Gr1 HK Champions & Chater Cup, plus 2006's GI HK International Cup) from 27 starts for HK$75.4 million (A$10m) prize-money, making him the highest stakes-earner in HK racing history. (Jan 27)
1st UK Foal For Aust Gr1 Star Starspangledabanner The 1st foal by multiple Gr1-winning Australian & European Champion sprinter Starspangledbanner (Choisir-Gold Anthem, by Made Of Gold) was born at Tweenhills Stud in Gloucestershire: a filly out of Eliza Doolittle (a winning half-sister to 3 Group-winning sprinters) reported racingpost.com. Australian-bred Starspangledbanner covered 64 mares during his 1st season at Ireland’s Coolmore Stud last year & is standing the 2012 season at €10,000 (A$12,300). On the track Starspangledbanner (a $120,000 yearling at the 2008 Inglis Premier Sale in Melbourne) recorded 8 wins (including the UK Gr1 July Cup over 6 furlongs at Newmarket, UK Gr1 Golden Jubilee Stakes over 6 furlongs at Royal Ascot, Gr1 Oakleigh Plate over 1100m at Caulfield, Gr1 Caulfield Guineas over 1600m, Gr3 McNeil Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield, Listed Vain Stakes over 1100m at Caulfield & Inglis Juvenile over 1000m at Moonee Valley) & 4 placings (including the UK Gr1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes over 5 furlongs at York, Gr1 Newmarket Handicap over 1200m at Flemington & Gr3 Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Prelude over 1100m at Caulfield) from 17 starts. (Jan 27)
1st UK Foal For Gr2-Winning Shuttler Showcasing Also in the UK, the 1st foal by Gr2-winning & Gr1-placed 5YO Irish-bred shuttler Showcasing (Oasis Dream-Arabesque, by Zafonic) was born at Whitsbury Manor Stud in Hampshire: a colt out of winning Ezzoud mare Miss Rimex (dam of 4 winners, including HK stakes-winner Warden Complex) reported racingpost.com. Showcasing (who shuttles to Haunui Farm in New Zealand, where he covered 118 mares in 2011) also covered 117 mares last year in the UK & “has 100 mares booked so far this year” at Whitsbury Manor at a fee of £4,500 (A$9,000). On the track, Showcasing won the UK Gr2 Gimcrack Stakes & placed in both the UK Gr1 Middle Park Stakes & UK Gr2 Duke Of York Stakes. (Jan 27)
1st Foal For France-Based Sire Air Chief Marshal In France, the 1st foal by Gr3-winning & Gr1-placed 5YO Irish-bred stallion Air Chief Marshal (Danehill Dancer-Hawala, by Warning) is a filly out of Desert King mare Kointreau, reported racingpost.com. Air Chief Marshal (the busiest 1st-season sire in France last year with a book of 120 mares) is a full-brother to European Free Handicap topper & sire Misu Bond; he stands at Haras De La Cauviniere in Normandy for €3,000 (A$3,700). On the track, Air Chief Marshal recorded 3 wins (including Ireland’s Gr3 Minstrel Stakes) & 5 placings (including runner-up in Ireland’s Gr1 Phoenix Stakes) from 20 starts for £165,861 (A$249,000) earnings. (Jan 27)
1st Foal For US Gr2-Winner Cool Coal Man The 1st foal by US Gr2-winning & Gr1-placed 7YO stallion Cool Coal Man (Mineshaft-Coral Sea, by Rubiano) is a colt out of Bahri mare Lady Bahrina born in Florida, reported bloodhorse.com. Cool Coal Man (who stands at Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds in Florida for US$5,000) recorded 10 wins (including the Gr2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes, Listed Skipaway Stakes, Listed Albert The Great Stakes, Listed Lord Of The Night Stakes & Listed Spend A Buck Stakes) & 8 placings (including the Gr1 Haskell Invitational Handicap, Gr2 Gulfstream Park Handicap, Gr3 Excelsior Handicap, Gr3 Kelso Handicap, Gr3 Alysheba Stakes & Listed Majestic Light Stakes) from 30 starts for US$929,728 earnings. (Jan 27)
New York Racing “Is Masking Financial Troubles” New York’s State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli (the state’s chief fiscal watchdog) declared the NY Racing Association “is masking financial troubles & is not taking steps state auditors have urged in the past to right its fiscal condition” reported bloodhorse.com. DiNapoli criticised NYRA for “not controlling staff & outside consultant costs, and said any financial breaks NYRA will catch this year from revenue from video lottery terminals at Aqueduct will only serve to cover up its structural budget problems”. DiNapoli emphasised: “More than a year after my office’s last audit & real-time financial monitoring of NYRA, the organisation still has much work to do to carry out the reforms we recommended.” He said the NYRA is poised to “squander” VLT revenue, in part because the racing corporation has failed to conduct his idea of a “top-to-bottom” review of its operations, noting the NYRA “has not fully carried through on 9 recommendations previously identified as areas for NYRA to improve”. DiNaopli revealed the NYRA “is expecting to lose US$19.7 million on its racing operations in 2012” despite the fact its “overall net revenue is expected to increase by US$48 million as a result of VLT funding from the Aqueduct casino that opened last year”. In response DiNapoli’s findings, the NYRA issued a statement emphasising: “NYRA has & will continue to maintain financial discipline. To implement all of the recommendations made in the 2010 audit reports inside of a year would have required more money & resources than NYRA could prudently spend at that time, but we fully understand the importance of this process & remain committed to completing it.” (Jan 27)
B&R’s Galloping Horse Never Sleeps Meanwhile Breeding&Racing Magazine’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. (Jan 27)
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