AJC Prizemoney Slashed 1: Gr1 Races Bare The Brunt
Just a day after an informal meeting of influential industry participants at Racing NSW's Sydney office to discuss "revenue leaking from NSW to the corporate bookmakers in the territories", the Australian Jockey Club has announced massive cuts to prizemoney for next season (which starts on August 1) to the tune of $4 million. According to The Daily Telegraph, a total of "$8.5 million in budget cuts and staff redundancies (were implemented) to balance the club's financial books." Major races effected by the cuts include the Gr1 Doncaster Handicap (down $500,000 from $2 million) & the Gr1 AJC Derby (down $300,000 from $1.6 million), although every Gr1 race conducted by the Club has been trimmed. Another 7 staff also lost their positions, bringing the total redundancies to 19. AJC chairman Ron Finemore stated: "Racing in NSW is under siege from corporate bookmakers and Betfair who are undermining the core wagering revenue stream. It is not possible for the AJC to continue to protect prizemoney in the face of corporate bookmakers assault on critical wagering revenues. There was no other option but to reduce the level of prizemoney on feature races to achieve a break-even budget for 2010." Meanwhile The Daily Telegraph reports Racing NSW CEO Peter V'Landys noting he had been "predicting this prizemoney crisis for a couple of years and unfortunately it has come to fruition. If people keep taking the product and not paying for it, naturally there is going to be reductions in prizemoney. These corporate bookies and Betfair have made themselves wealthy out of the efforts of the 50,000 participants but they don't want to pay for the privilege. I feel sorry for the clubs because Victoria receives $50 million a year more than NSW in funding but the Sydney clubs have been able to keep up with Victorian prizemoney."
(Jul 3)
AJC Prizemoney Slashed 2: Corporates Refute "Leakage" Allegation
In contrast to the comments made by AJC Chairman Ron Finemore & Racing NSW CEO Peter V'Landys regarding "revenue leakage from NSW", Betfair CEO Andrew Twaites observed: "Race fields fees represent new money to the NSW racing industry, so I'm not sure how a decision by Racing NSW not to distribute those fees to the clubs can be used to justify a cut in prizemoney." This stance was echoed by CEO Mark Morrissey who told The Daily Telegraph that if the corporate bookmakers were the cause of the problem, "Why is it only NSW that is experiencing negative growth? All anyone has to do is look up the TAB revenue figures in the ARB fact book and they will see that if you remove NSW from the numbers Australian TABs are absolutely flying since the corporates opened shop."
(Jul 3)
Victorian Breeders Introduce Leasing Scheme
Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV) has announced the launch of a new system called 'Lease Match' which will attempt to identify "well bred, well conformed horses that have been retained by the breeder but for whatever reason cannot race the horse outright themselves and would like to have them in a reputable stable under a lease agreement." According to TBV executive Richard Andrews, "Not all breeders have the resources to prepare their yearlings for the public auction system and as many are late maturers the yearling auction system isn't suitable, so TBV decided that in order to assist our members in finding a good home for their stock a 'speed dating' service would be worth investigating." With the scheme enjoying support of key industry groups, including Racing Victoria Limited, Country Racing Victoria & the Australian Trainers Association, Andrews added: "TBV are simply acting as an introductory service with all inspections and negotiations to take place between the owner of the horse and the prospective lessee. It is essential for the viability of the Victorian racing industry that horse numbers continue to grow so field sizes and in turn betting turnover continues to increase; having well bred sound horses sitting in paddocks is no good for anyone." For fees and how the scheme works go to www.tbv.com.au.
(Jul 3)
Nominations For Inglis $100K Bonus Close On Monday
Victorian stud farm Makybe will embark on their first official race sponsorship in Saturday week's $100,000 Race Series 2YO event in Melbourne. The race will be known as the MVRC Purrealist Inglis Bonus, and will be run over 1200m on July 11. The meeting was originally set down for Moonee Valley, however the MVRC meeting will now be conducted on the Sandown Lakeside course. Nominations for the race, which carries a $100,000 Inglis bonus for eligible graduates on top of the base prizemoney of $70,000 and Super Vobis, close next Monday, July 6.
(Jul 3)
Eagle Park Stud Appoints Marketing Manager
NSW Orange-based Eagle Park Stud has announced the appointment of Michael Glenn as marketing and nominations manager, according to Australian Thoroughbred. Glenn, who has been involved in bloodstock insurance, sales and marketing with a large equestrian wholesale company, is a graduate of Equine Business Management at the Orange campus of the University of NSW. Owned by Peter & Jan Ward, Eagle Park is standing two stallions in 2009: Byblos $11,000), a Chilean Gr1 winner by champion Mr. Prospector sire Hussonet, & debutant Barbajuan ($6,600), a leading European 2YO by internationally successful sire Danehill Dancer. Both Byblos (who served over 100 mares in 2008) & Barbajuan will be paraded at an open day to be conducted at Eagle Park on August 23.
(Jul 3)
Encosta Leads Redoute's & Scenic On Aust Sires Table
Entering the final 4 weeks of the season, last year's Coolmore-based Australian champion sire Encosta de Lago leads flagship stallion & former champion Australian sire Redoute's Choice & ill-fated former Durham Lodge stallion Scenic on the 2008-09 Australian General Sires Table (to July 2) according to arion.co.nz. The current Top 20 (by prize-money) are:
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Encosta de Lago (Fairy King-Shoal Creek, by Star Way) $9,565,810
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Redoute's Choice (Danehill-Shantha's Choice, by Canny Lad) $9,164,335
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Scenic (Sadler's Wells-Idyllic, by Foolish Pleasure) $8,969,832
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Zabeel (Sir Tristram-Lady Giselle, by Nureyev) $7,430,240
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More Than Ready (Southern Halo-Woodman's Girl, by Woodman) $7,062,447
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Commands (Danehill-Cotehele House, by My Swanee) $6,174,478
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Danehill Dancer (Danehill-Mira Adonde, by Sharpen Up) $6,094,505
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Red Ransom (Roberto-Arabia, by Damascus) $5,117,954
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Testa Rossa (Perugino-Bo Dapper, by Sir Dapper) $4,872,137
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Choisir (Danehill Dancer-Great Selection, by Lunchtime) $4,266,737
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Danewin (Danehill-Cotehele House, by My Swanee) $4,147,321
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Flying Spur (Danehill-Rolls, by Mr Prospector) $4,016,013
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Montjeu (Sadler's Wells-Floripedes, by Top Ville) $3,991,756
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Danzero (Danehill-Confidentially, by Kaoru Star) $3,893,056
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O'Reilly (Last Tycoon-Courtza, by Pompeii Court) $3,654,581
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Hussonet (Mr Prospector-Sacahuista, by Raja Baba) $3,626,470
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Street Cry (Machiavellian-Helen Street, by Troy) $3,548,794
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Carnegie (Sadler's Wells-Detroit, by Riverman) $3,451,168
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General Nediym (Nediym-Military Belle, by Without Fear) $3,367,912
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Show A Heart (Brave Warrior-Miss Sandman, by Regal Advice) $3,348,980
(Jul 3)
Volksraad Leads Pentire & Pins On NZ Sires Table
Across the Tasman, Windsor Park Stud's 6-time champion NZ sire Volksraad leads Rich Hill Stud stallion Pentire & Waikato Stud stallion Pins into the final 4 weeks of the season on the New Zealand General Sires Table (to July 2) according to arion.co.nz. The current Top 20 (by prize-money) are:
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Volksraad (Green Desert-Celtic Assembly, by Secretariat) NZ$2,071,055
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Pentire (Be My Guest-Gull Nook, by Mill Reef) NZ$1,538,516
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Pins (Snippets-No Finer, by Kaoru Star) NZ$1,516,501
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Encosta de Lago (Fairy King-Shoal Creek, by Star Way) NZ$1,423,361
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Scenic (Sadler's Wells-Idyllic, by Foolish Pleasure) NZ$1,411,125
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O'Reilly (Last Tycoon-Courtza, by Pompeii Court) NZ$1,289,528
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Montjeu (Sadler's Wells-Floripedes, by Top Ville) NZ$1,170,614
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Tale Of The Cat (Storm Cat-Yarn, by Mr Prospector) NZ$1,063,007
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Van Nistelrooy (Storm Cat-Halory, by Halo) NZ$986,623
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Golan (Spectrum-Highland Gift, by Generous) NZ$838,617
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Keeper (Danehill-Nuwirah, by Pleasant Colony) NZ$820,609
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Stravinsky (Nureyev-Fire The Groom, by Blushing Groom) NZ$792,783
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Danske (Danehill-Our Tristalight, by Sir Tristram) NZ$771,690
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Generous (Caerleon-Doff The Derby, by Master Derby) NZ$770,706
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Cape Cross (Green Desert-Park Appeal, by Ahonoora) NZ$767,197
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Istidaad (Chief's Crown-Mazzei Mood, by Roberto) NZ$766,479
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Zabeel (Sir Tristram-Lady Giselle, by Nureyev) NZ$759,380
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Lord Ballina (Bletchingly-Sunset Girl, by Star Affair) NZ$758,485
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Bertolini (Danzig-Aquilegia, by Alydar) NZ$755,317
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Al Akbar (Success Express-Gala Night, by Blakeny) NZ$739,350
(Jul 3)
Aust-Bred More Than Ready Daughter Wins In New Zealand
In New Zealand yesterday Australian-bred 3YO filly Optimus (More Than Ready-Dapper's Pride, by Scenic) won over 1200m at Taranaki for trainer Grant Searle.
(Jul 3)
Little Avondale Stud Stallion Parade On July 12
NZ-Little Avondale Stud will hold its annual stallion parade on Sunday, July 12 at 11am. Also incorporating a "foal walk", the day will feature a draw (for owners who have nominated a mare or do on the day) for a 50% discount to Towkay (Last Tycoon-Princess Tracy, by Ahonoora) or a free nomination to Zed (Zabeel-Emerald Dream, by Danehill). The draw is only eligible for breeders present on the day. Towkay's 2009 fee is NZ$6,500 + GST & Zed stands for NZ$1,000 + GST.
(Jul 3)
HKJC Chief Appeals For Government Flexibility
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has "appealed to the Government to consider giving the Club more flexibility, so as to assist it in keeping its competitiveness against offshore and illegal operators." This follows an estimation by the Club that its race betting turnover for the just completed season of HK$66.82 billion (from 78 race meetings), declined HK$865 million. That led to estimated betting duty paid to the HK government slipping "two percent to HK$8.119 billion." Although "pleased with the season's turnover figure in the light of the economic downturn," Engelbrecht-Bresges noted: "The current tax rate of at least 72.5 percent on gross margin is five times higher than in Britain. Having such a high betting tax rate has made our task very difficult in the light of maintaining competitiveness, thereby weakening our ability to vie with illegal bookmakers and operators."
(Jul 3)
HKJC Proposes 5 Additional Race Days
Meanwhile the HKJC's CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has flagged additional race days for next season (due to start on September 13) in Hong Kong, saying he "hoped the Club's proposal for adding five racedays and 20 overseas simulcast days could soon be approved by the Government and legislature," and commenting, "These extra racedays and simulcasts will not only bring extra tax revenues to the public coffers, but can also create thousands of new jobs as well as protecting existing jobs and benefit more needy people through the Club's charitable projects."
(Jul 3)
European Breeding Stats Show Reduced Breeder Participation
In Europe, where the impact of the recession has been more obvious than in Australia, breeders have reduced their participation back markedly, according to racingpost.com. At the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association business seminar at Tattersalls in Newmarket, Weatherbys Thoroughbred director Paul Greeves released figures which illustrated that during the first five months of 2009 "new mare registrations with Weatherbys declined 25% in Britain and were 31% lower in Ireland, while changes of ownership of mares fell by 30% and 49% in the two countries, respectively." Meanwhile, the report also highlighted that for the same period "exports from Britain were down by 20%, and from Ireland by 43%, while imports dropped by 16% and 57%, respectively." Greeves suggested the numbers are "the most significant in my 30 years' experience," and declared "the foal crop in Britain could fall from 5,920 last year to 5,650 in 2009, and to 5,200 in 2011." Ireland is expected to follow a similar pattern.
(Jul 3)
Heatwave Forces UK Race Meeting Cancellation
A heatwave in England has seen the meeting abandoned "after just one race at Worcester on Wednesday, with the hot weather taking its toll as the track ran short of water for the horses," according to racingpost.com. The unusual decision followed 1st race contestant Highland Laddie requiring "2,700 to 3,600 litres (of water) to revive him," which left the racecourse's water stocks bare. The outcome comes after two consecutive summers where flooding stopped the track from racing.
(Jul 3)
Scenic Blast Favourite For July Cup
Meanwhile just over a week until the Gr1 July Cup (6 furlongs) at Newmarket, Scenic Blast (the world's current highest rated sprinter with fellow Australian-bred Hong Kong-based sprinter Sacred Kingdom) has a strangle-hold on betting with betchoice.com.au. Winner last start of the Gr1 King's Stand Stakes (5 furlongs) at Royal Ascot, Scenic Blast is quoted a $2.70 chance, followed next in the market by Paco Boy ($7), Art Connoisseur ($8), Fleeting Spirit & fellow Australian Takeover Target ($9) & JJ The Jet Plane ($10). Scenic Blast & Takeover Target will work on the July course this morning, UK time. (To view the latest market click on the link for updated betting on the July Cup.)
(Jul 3)
Arqana Summer Sale Holds Its Ground
In France, Arqana's Summer Sale has concluded with an overall aggregate of €2,502,000 (A$4,402,255) for 205 horses offered at an average price of €21,757 (A$38,302). The horses in training section finished on a par with last year with turnover of €1,784,000 (A$3,140,661). The average price was €26,235 (A$46,188) for a 70% clearance rate and a €14,000 (A$24,648) median, which was marginally up. Top price was €180,000 (A$316,743) paid on behalf of Nasser Abdullah Al-Attiyah for the Aga Khan's stakes-winning 4YO gelding Sceptre Rouge (Red Ransom-Marque Royale, by Royal Academy). According to Arqana, "The two-year-old section confirmed the current interest in ready-to-run horses. 17 lots found a new home at an average price of €18,000 (A$31,664) against €10,000 (A$17,607) the previous year, up 42.2%."
(Jul 3)
Aust-Bred Tale Of The Cat Son Wins In South Africa
At yesterday's Vaal meeting in South Africa Australian-bred 4YO gelding Zorba's Tale (Tale Of The Cat-Tannakin, by Alleged) won over 1600m for trainer Lucky Houdalakis. Tammakin was a $57,500 weanling consigned by Reavill Farm at the 2005 Winter Sale.
(Jul 3)
South Africa Yearlings 1: $38.4k Kahal Colt
In the South African auction ring on the opening day of the 2-day Sibaya Casino Yearling Sale a Kahal colt consigned by Backworth Stud topped proceedings at R240,000 (A$38,400). Consigned by Backworth Stud, he was purchased by Intercontinental Bloodstock.
(Jul 3)
South Africa Yearlings 1: Top Lots
On day 1 of the 2-day Sibaya Casino Yearling Sale in South Africa, 19 yearlings fetched R100,000 (A$16,000) or more:
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R240,000 (A$38,400) Kahal colt (Intercontinental Bloodstock)
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R220,000 (A$35,200) Var colt (M.Chetty)
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R180,000 (A$28,800) Opera King colt (P.Lafferty)
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R175,000 (A$28,000) Rock Of Gibraltar filly (World Wide Bloodstock)
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R170,000 (A$27,200) Var colt (Loco Torro Civils)
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R150,000 (A$24,000) Silvano colt (A Vladescu)
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R140,000 (A$22,400) Dupont colt (A Vladescu)
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R140,000 (A$22,400) Toreador filly (Tawny Syndicate)
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R135,000 (A$21,600) National Assembly filly (Transcreations KZN)
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R130,000 (A$20,800) Var colt (S.Nair)
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R130,000 (A$20,800) Captain Al filly (P.Peter)
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R120,000 (A$19,200) King Of Kings colt (P.Rhodes)
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R120,000 (A$19,200) Mogok colt (VIP T/breds - Dubai)
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R120,000 (A$19,200) Second Empire colt (R.Hurchund)
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R120,000 (A$19,200) Damascus Gate filly (Mont Venteaux)
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R100,000 (A$16,000) Jet Master colt (M.Arbuckle)
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R100,000 (A$16,000) Right Approach filly (M.Dixon)
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R100,000 (A$16,000) Muhtafal filly (Radetzky Racing)
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R100,000 (A$16,000) Lecture colt (Gavin Smith Racing Stables)
(Jul 3)
Aust-Breds Tackle SAf July Handicap Race Day
Still in South Africa, Australian-bred gallopers will have an opportunity to shine in the 4 Gr1 events which will be held on South Africa's biggest day of racing tomorrow. The meeting at Greyville in Durban is headed by the Gr1 July Handicap (2200m) which includes the Australian pairing of 5YO gelding Our Giant (Giant's Causeway-Macrosa, by McGinty) & 6YO entire Tropical Empire (Second Empire-Tropical Touch, by Pago Pago). Other Australian-bred runners in their respective Gr1 events are:
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Gr1 Mercedes-Benz Golden Slipper (2YO F 1400m): filly Generous Anna (General Nediym-Ends Meet, by Anabaa)
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Gr1 Golden Horseshoe (2yo 1400m): colts Exclaim'N'exclude (Exceed And Excel-Punchess, by Two Punch), Musir (Redoute's Choice-Dizzy De Lago, by Encosta De Lago) & Solid Choice (Redoute's Choice-Venetian Pride, by Gone West)
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Gr1 Garden Province Stakes (F&M 1600m): Merlene De Lago (Encosta De Lago-Merlene, by Danehill)
(Jul 3)
Leading Sire Rahy Pensioned In US
In the US, leading US stallion Rahy "has been pensioned from stallion duty due to declining fertility. The 24-year-old stallion will stay at Three Chimneys throughout his retirement," reports bloodhorse.com. A US$2 million yearling purchased by Sheikh Maktoum, Rahy was trained in Europe by Sir Michael Stout where he was "named champion 2-year-old in France in 1987, and champion 3-year-old colt in France and England in 1988." A graded stakes-winner in the US as a 4YO when trained by Neil Drysdale, Rahy has sired 84 individual stakes winners including champions Fantastic Light & Noverre, Serena's Song, Dreaming of Anna & Dancing Forever.
(Jul 3)
Fasig-Tipton Select Catalogue Numbers Up 21%
US sales company Fasig-Tipton has launched the catalogue for its prestigious Saratoga Selected Sale with a 21% increase in numbers catalogued over the same sale in 2008. The sale, which will be held on August 10 & 11, includes 235 yearlings. Among their numbers, according to racingpost.com, are "siblings to Group/Grade 1 winners Elusive Quality, Invasor, Stardom Bound, Whipper and Divine Proportions, Maids Causeway, Visionaire, Spain, Roman Ruler and El Corredor, Sugar Shake, Sky Diva, Octave, Lost In The Fog, My Trusty Cat, In Summation, Honey Ryder, Stevie Wonderboy, Tough Tiz's Sis, I Want Revenge, Tout Charmant and Aragorn." Fasig-Tipton's president Boyd Browning commented: "We have beaten down doors in recruiting for Saratoga this year, resulting in a catalogue which is 21 per cent bigger than 2008 and the highest number catalogued in more than a decade," however he also observed: "But more important than bigger is better, and this is an outstanding group of yearlings. Our traditional consignors have supported us strongly."
(Jul 3)
2000 Wins For Canadian Jockey
Canadian jockey Robert Landry celebrated his 2,000th win on at Woodbine in Canada. The occasion happened on Canada Day. According to bloodhorse.com, Landry is a "two-time Sovereign Award winner as Canada's top jockey in 1993 and 1994." He rode his 1st winner on June 21, 1981, aboard Hammy Hubert.
(Jul 3)
Something For Everyone In August B&R
In addition to serious breeding analysis, Breeding&Racing's August edition will also include a number of bumper features EACH OF WHICH WILL BE LIVE-LINKED ON THE DAILY NEWS HOME PAGE FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS. For more information on how to reach our 30,000 daily readers call Merissa Borg on (02) 9281 7523:
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2009 Gr1 Review: Highlighted by a full page synopsis of each Gr1 race, this historical record provides the perfect opportunity for stud farms to associate their stallions with success at the highest level & for vendors of the winners to maximise their premium positioning by advertising next to the respective Gr1 events.
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2009 Sires $10,000 & Under: More than ever breeders are searching for value and are likely to find plenty in the industry's most populous stallion sector.
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2009 Freshman Sires: With a flight to proven sires, this year's new kids on the block face a bigger challenge than normal to create cut-through with breeders who will nonetheless be on the lookout for emerging talent.
(Jul 3)
2009 Digital Sires Annual Online
Meanwhile the digital version of Breeding&Racing's 2009 Sires Annual is now online. This fully searchable (which can be accessed by clicking on the link in this item) is a valuable resource which can be interrogated by breeders to create their own unique Sires Annual by nominating their preferred combination of criteria. There are 5 important additions to this year's digital version's stallion spreads, each designed to assist breeders in their decision-making process:
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Click-throughs to video footage of participating -featured sires
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Tables featuring relevant statistical progeny performance
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An nick/crosses click-through for sires with progeny
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Hot button access to a list of broodmare agistment properties
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A hot button to major industry insurance companies
(Jul 3)
Sires Annual Still Open
Even though the hard copy of the 2009 Sires Annual has been printed, stud farms still have a narrow window of opportunity to include their stallions in the sophisticated online dynamic 2009 Sires Annual. Hard copy spreads of stallions which are entered at this late stage will appear at the front of Breeding&Racing's bumper Gr1 August edition. To be part of this revolutionary technology (which includes your own online brochure containing just your stallions) call editor Gary Knowles on (02) 9281 7523.
(Jul 3)
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July 4th, 2009
