NEWS UPDATES Cox Plate Star El Segundo Returns In Cranbourne Trial Aust 2YO Champ Sebring Returns In Friday Trial Gr3-Winning Filly Stripper Retired South Aust Breeder Jim O'Connor Dies Aged 80 Vic Jockey Ben Smith 6-Months Ban For Facial Attack Vic Jocks Sam Hyland & Dale Smith Also Banned After Clash Racing Vic Extends Deadline For Directions Paper Feedback NZ Gr1 Star Princess Coup Retired NZ Shuttler Elusive City 1st-Season Champ In Europe Darley Sire Librettist Moves To Logis In France (more>>) Take a minute to visit our new Luxury Leisure & Lifestyle portal, the complete guide to all things luxury. INDUSTRY NEWS — FEBRUARY 2005 Silent Witness Wins HK Gr1 Centenary Sprint Cup Undefeated Australian-bred 5YO gelding Silent Witness (El Moxie-Jade Tiara, by Bureaucracy) yesterday made it 15-in-a-row with a 2-length victory in the HK$4.5 million (A$750,000) Gr1 HK Centenary Sprint Cup (1000m) on a rain-affected track at Sha Tin. Silent Witness (ridden by Felix Coetzee for trainer Tony Cruz) defeated Australian-bred 4YO gelded stable-mate Country Music (Danzero-Paris Nights, by Le Grand Seigneur) & 6YO Multidandy (Danehill-New Acquaintance, by Kings Island). The Centenary Sprint is the 2nd leg of the Champion Sprint Series (Silent Witness won the 1st leg Gr1 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy over 1000m at Sha Tin on January 23) & will now target the 3rd leg Gr1 Chairman's Sprint Prize on April 3. Silent Witness (a $55,000 buy at the 2001 Inglis Classic Sale) also won the HK$10 million (A$1.7m) Gr1 HK International Sprint (1000m) at Sha Tin in December & has now notched 7 Gr1 victories & amassed HK$42.5 million (A$7.1m) prize-money. His sire El Moxie (Conquistador Cielo-Raise The Standard, by Hoist The Flag) stands at Victoria’s Emirates Park Stud. (Feb 28) Witness Chases Citation-Cigar Record After the race, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s official report declared: “No horse has ever impacted on Hong Kong racing like this powerful 5YO bay Australian-bred gelding; in December last, Time Magazine listed him alongside world leaders in politics, sport & business as one of the People Of The Year; this week a tribute website www.silentwitness.com.hk was launched by the HKJC & his trainer Tony Cruz has reportedly called for the HKJC to erect a statue in his honour at Sha Tin”. The HKJC report summed up: “Every time he steps on the racecourse, his name becomes engraved that bit deeper into HK racing folklore. . . . The world's top ranked turf sprinter maintained his perfect career record in his customary eased-down manner & is now set fair to equal Citation & Cigar's North American record of 16 consecutive victories when he next starts in the Chairman's Sprint Prize (final leg of the Champion Sprint Series) on April 3.” (Feb 28) Witness Targets Japan Not Ascot Meanwhile, Silent Witness’s owner Archie da Silva confirmed his champion would step up in distance for his initial attempt at 1400m in HK’s Gr2 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup on April 24, before venturing internationally for the 1st time: "If Tony (Cruz) & Felix (Coetzee) think he can stay a mile, then we will aim for Japan’s Yasuda Kinen in June. If not we will go for the Sprinters' Stakes at Nakayama later in the year. We won't be going to Royal Ascot with him, though." (Feb 28) Undoubtedly Wins Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes In Australia, Arrowfield Stud's boom stallion Redoute’s Choice (Danehill-Shantha’s Choice, by Canny Lad) became the 1st Blue Diamond winner to sire a subsequent winner when his juvenile colt Undoubtedly (Redoute's Choice-Kiss A Halo, by Don't Say Halo) took the $1 million Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) for 2YOs at Caulfield in Melbourne. Undoubtedly (ridden by Dwayne Dunn for trainer Mark Kavanagh) defeated fellow colts Seidnazar (Rory's Jester-Dangerous Seam, by Straight Strike) & Perfectly Ready (More Than Ready-Elle Duccio, by Danehill). Undoubtedly (a $190,000 yearling at the 2004 Magic Millions Adelaide Sale) now has 2 wins in 3 starts (also including the Listed Queen Adelaide Stakes over 1000m at Victoria Park) for $692,200 prize-money. His dam Kiss A Halo has also produced Group winners Toorak Thunder & Regal Kiss (herself served last spring by Redoute's Choice), while Undoubtedly is the 2nd Gr1 winner for Redoute’s Choice (following in the footsteps of unbeaten filly Lotteria). (Feb 28) Jymcarew Wins Gr1 Canterbury Guineas Fellow Arrowfield Stud stallion Danzero (Danehill-Confidentially, by Kaoru Star) added another Gr1 winner when his gelded son Jymcarew (Danzero-Aperto, by Grosvenor) was slow to begin & tailed the field to the home turn, before unleashing a powerful finish to score a half-neck victory in the $400,000 Gr1 Canterbury Guineas (1900m) for 3YOs at Canterbury Park in Sydney. Jymcarew (ridden by Glen Boss for trainer Bob Thomsen) defeated fellow gelding Eremein (Timber Country-Marrego, by Marscay) & visiting Kiwi colt Cheval De Troy (Zabeel-Better Succeed, by Success Express). Jymcarew (a $50,000 yearling at the 2003 Inglis Classic Sale) won the Listed Gosford Guineas (1600m) at his last start on February 10; overall he now has 5 wins & 4 placings in 13 starts for $409,500 prize-money. (Feb 28) Fastnet Rock Wins Gr1 Oakleigh Plate Top 3YO sprinter Fastnet Rock (Danehill-Piccadilly Circus, by Royal Academy) maintained his winning streak in a thrilling 3-way photo-finish to the $350,000 Gr1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield. Fastnet Rock (ridden by Glen Boss for trainer Paul Perry) prevailed by a long-neck over 3YO filly Segments (Mossman-Madam Curie, by Bletchingly) with a further neck to 4YO mare Legally Bay (Snippets-Decidity, by Last Tycoon). At his previouis start on February 5, Fastnet Rock won the $500,000 weight-for-age Gr1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington (1st leg of the inaugural 6-race Global Sprint Challenge being conducted by Racing Victoria, England’s Ascot Racecourse & the Japan Racing Association). Overall Fastnet Rock (passed-in for $290,000 as a yearling at the 2003 Inglis Easter Sale) now has 6 wins & 7 placings in 17 starts for $1,383,700 prize-money. (Feb 28) Elvstroem Wins St George Stakes Multiple Gr1-winning 4YO entire Elvstroem (Danehill-Circles Of Gold, by Marscay) added to his impressive record when he prevailed by a short-head in a photo-finish to the $200,000 weight-for-age Gr2 St George Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield. Elvstroem (ridden by Nash Rawiller for trainer Tony Vasil) just pipped dual Gr1 Melbourne Cup-winning 6YO mare Makybe Diva (Desert King-Tugela, by Riverman) & 4YO gelding Casual Pass (Snippets-Raami’s Magic, by Raami). Elvstroem (a $330,000 yearling at the 2002 Inglis Easter Sale) now has 9 wins (including the Gr1 Caulfield Cup last October & Gr1 Orr Stakes last start on February 12) & 7 placings in 25 starts for $3,875,600 prize-money. (Feb 28) Al Samer Wins Black Opal Stakes Arrowfield Stud stallion Redoute’s Choice (Danehill-Shantha’s Choice, by Canny Lad) added another major juvenile victory when his colt Al Samer (Redoute’s Choice-My Lady’s Key, by Key To The Mint) recorded a decisive 3-length win in the $200,000 Gr3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) for 2YOs at Canberra. Al Samer (ridden by Hugh Bowman for trainer Tim Martin) defeated the filly Another Time (Gilded Time-Centaine’s Gift) & fellow colt Jet Spur (Flying Spur-Verocative). Last start Al Samer (a $290,000 yearling at the 2004 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale) finished 3rd in the $1 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 8; overall he now has 1 win & 3 placings in 4 starts for $213,250 prize-money. (Feb 28) Carry On Cutie Wins Sweet Embrace Stakes Vinery shuttler More Than Ready (Southern Halo-Woodman’s Girl, by Woodman) recorded a juvenile group winner when his daughter Carry On Cutie (More Than Ready-Rose Of Latakia, by Conquistarose) made it 2 wins from 2 starts with a long-head victory in the $140,000 Gr3 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) for 2YO fillies at Canterbury. Carry On Cutie (ridden by Jim Cassidy for trainer Graeme Rogerson) defeated Media (Gilded Time-Valourina, by Snippets) & Flion Fenena (Lion Hunter-Fenena, by Crested Wave). Carry On Cutie (passed-in as a yearling for $40,000 at the 2004 Inglis Classic Sale) now has $105,300 prize-money. (Feb 28) Snitzel Wins Skyline Stakes Arrowfield Stud stallion Redoute’s Choice (Danehill-Shantha’s Choice, by Canny Lad) claimed his 3rd major juvenile victory of the day when brilliant colt Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice-Snippets’ Lass, by Snippets) won the $140,000 Gr3 Skyline Stakes (1200m) for 2YO colts & geldings at Canterbury. Snitzel (ridden by Glen Boss for trainer Gerald Ryan) defeated fellow colts Stratum (Redoute’s Choice-Bourgeois, by Luskin Star) & Paratroopers (Commands-Crew, by Sanction). Snitzel (a $260,000 yearling at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale) now has 4 wins & a placing in 5 starts for $357,450 prize-money. (Feb 28) Lyrical Bid Wins Mannerism Stakes Coolmore shuttler Spinning World (Nureyev-Imperfect Circle, by Riverman) added a group winner when 4YO mare Lyrical Bid (Spinning World-Oh Pretty Woman, by Jevington) made it 4-in-a-row this campaign with victory in the $125,000 Gr3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) for mares 4YO & up at Caulfield. Lyrical Bid (ridden by Nicholas Ryan for trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith) defeated fellow 4YO mare Uprize (Prized-Impossible Dream, by Imposing) & 5YO mare Infinite Grace (Prince Of Birds-Infinite Charm, by Tristino). Lyrical Bid now has 5 wins & 1 runner-up in 9 starts for $128,625 prize-money. (Feb 28) Shinzig Wins Schweppervescence Cup The colt Shinzig (Danehill-Shindig, by Straight Strike) won the $100,000 Gr3 Schweppervescence Cup (1400m) for 3YOs at Caulfield. Shinzig (ridden by Steven King for trainer Chris Waller) defeated fellow colts Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice-Singles Bar, by Rory’s Jester) & Danehill Express (Danehill-Savana City, by New Regent). Shinzig (a $400,000 yearling at the 2003 Inglis Easter Sale) now has 3 wins & 1 runner-up in 7 starts for $129,750 prize-money. (Feb 28) Winning Belle Wins Canterbury Cup The 4YO mare Winning Belle (Zabeel-Kirin Belle, by McGinty) won the $100,000 Gr3 Canterbury Cup (1900m) at Canterbury Park. Winning Belle (ridden by Chris Munce for trainer Gai Waterhouse) defeated 5YO gelding Mahtoum (Suave Dancer-Egyptian Secret, by Sir Tristram) & 6YO gelding Saturday Fever (Groom Dancer-Not On Friday, by At Talaq). Winning Belle (a NZ$280,000 yearling at the 2002 NZ Bloodstock Premier Sale) now has 5 wins & 4 placings in 15 starts for $428,950 prize-money. (Feb 28) Snippetson Wins Eskimo Prince Stakes The colt Snippetson (Snippets-Snowdrift, by Polish Precedent) scored a short-neck victory in the $80,000 Listed Eskimo Prince Stakes (1100m) for 3YOs at Canterbury. Snippetson (ridden by Glen Boss for trainer Guy Walter) defeated the gelding Conrod Straight (Danzero-Artheena, by Marscay) & fellow colt Picket Fence (Commands-Mopani, by Jon George). Snippetson (a $550,000 yearling at the 2003 Magic Millions Gold Coast Premier Sale) now has 2 wins & 2 runner-ups in 4 starts for $72,300 prize-money. (Feb 28) Serkelt Wins Holiday Inn Quality The 5YO gelding Serkelt (Keltrice-Sergbi) made it 3 wins from his last 4 starts with a neck victory in the $80,000 Listed Holiday Inn National Quality (1400m) at Canberra. Serkelt (ridden by Kevin Sweeney for trainer Keith Dryden) defeated 6YO gelding Fire At Will (Bite The Bullet-Nile Gardenia) & 3YO gelding Kiss My Fuji (Fuji Kiseki- Tranquil Life). Serkelt (a $19,000 yearling at the 2001 Inglis Sires Produce Sale) now has 11 wins & 8 placings in 31 starts for $166,650 prize-money. (Feb 28) Master Minx Wins Aquanita Stakes The gelding Master Minx (Surtee-Miss Firecracker) won the $45,000 Listed Aquanita Stakes (1650m) for 3YOs at Belmont Park in Perth. Master minx (ridden by Pat Carbery for trainer Bob McPherson) defeated fellow geldings King’s Carnival (Don’t Say Halo-Partner Me) & Stringmaster (Stravinsky-Queen Mab). Master Minx now has 3 wins & 4 placings in 12 starts for $57,690 prize-money. (Feb 28) Cayambe Wins Balcrest Stakes Juvenile filly Cayambe (Danehill-Laurel Grove) won the $40,000 Listed Testa Rossa-Balcrest Stakes (1050m) for 2YOs at Morphettville in Adelaide. Cayambe (ridden by Michael Hoppo for trainer Tony McEvoy) defeated debutant colt Gallant Guru (Montjeu-Proud Halo) & gelding Tarzi (Desert Prince-Majestic). Cayambe now has 1 win & 1 placing in 3 starts for $35,800 prize-money. (Feb 28) Inglis Summer: $3,932 Average Meanwhile at the Inglis Summer Thoroughbred Sale in Sydney, 128 lots sold for $503,350 at an average $3,932 & a median $2,375. (Feb 28) Inglis Summer: Top Lots $28,000 gelding Sunrise Song (G.Taylor) $20,000 mare Volkaspray (G.Fraser) $19,000 gelding Live In Fear (T.Rosolini) $18,000gelding Billy Whiz (S.Hong) $17,500 gelding Subreilly (K.Hewitt) $17,000 filly Regal Arena (Inglis as agent) $16,000 mare Miss Emmyo (B.Sutton) $16,000 mare Especially (B.Benson) $16,000 filly Peppercorns (Palmaday Stud) $13,000 gelding Interjo (T.Rosolini) $12,000 gelding Dane Legacy (B.Benson) $10,500 gelding Catch Me Mate (D.Flack) $10,000 gelding Random Encounter (Inglis as agent) (Feb 28) Defier Dam Lilande Euthanased Prominent broodmare Lilande (Marscay-Ladyeri, by Salieri) has been euthanased “as a result of injuries sustained in a paddock accident at Arrowfield Stud,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Arrowfield chairman John Messara confirmed Lilande (dam of triple Gr1 winner Defier) “was in foal to Redoute’s Choice when she fractured a leg in her paddock”. Defier was the 1st of her 5 named foals. (Feb 28) Supervisor Raised Bookie Price-Fixing At the Queensland Racing Inquiry, “a betting supervisor who called for questioning of bookies suspected of price-fixing, said he was told by a senior steward not to bother because it was the bookmakers’ business & they could set whatever prices they liked,” reported The Australian newspaper. Reg O’Toole (a former Victorian policeman) told the Inquiry “he was given this advice by Allan Reardon, one of several senior stewards sacked by Queensland Racing over the past 2 years”. (Reardon “declined to comment” to the newspaper.) O’Toole said he had “received many complaints over the past few years from bookies & punters at the Gold Coast racecourse that some bookmakers in Brisbane were deliberately inflating prices”. (Feb 28) Zvezda Wins NZ Gr1 Family Hotel WFA In New Zealand, 6YO gelding Zvezda (His Royal Highness-Carnival Girl, by Roughcast) finished powerfully on a rain-affected track for a long-neck victory in the NZ$100,000 Gr1 Family Hotel Weight-For-Age (1400m) at Otaki. Zvezda (ridden by Bruce Herd for trainer Kay Lane) defeated 3YO gelding Shastri (Stravinsky-Vedodara, by Kreisler) & evergreen 8YO gelding Travellin' Man (Blues Traveller-Peat, by Beaufort Sea). Zvezda now has 12 wins (also including NZ’s 2003 Gr1 Thorndon Mile) from 39 starts. (Feb 28) Barcelona Wins Tauranga Classic The 5YO mare Barcelona (Desert Sun- Opulent Lady) won the NZ$40,000 weight-for-age Listed Racing Tauranga Classic (1400m) for fillies & mares at Tauranga. Barcelona (ridden by Cameron Lammas for trainer Harvey Wilson) defeated 6YO mare The Island Storm (Hennessy-India’s Dream) & 4YO mare Sarajay (Danasinga-Sriwijaya). Barcelona (a NZ$11,000 yearling at the 2001 NZ Bloodstock Select Fillies Sale) now has 4 wins (plus a placing in last year’s Gr2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes). (Feb 28) Our Shiraz Wins Invercargill Gold Cup The 7YO mare Our Shiraz (Nediym-Kotobuki) scored a long-neck victory in the NZ$30,000 Listed Invercargill Gold Cup (2200m) at Ascot Park. Our Shiraz (ridden by Tracey Newton for trainer Michael Pitman) defeated 5YO gelding Hapuka Hero (Oregon-Miss MacGonagle) & 8YO gelding Cut ‘N’ Dry (Sir Godfrey-Bright Rosana). (Feb 28) Fiscal Madness Wins Southland Guineas Classy gelding Fiscal Madness (Volksraad-Belle Nuite) blitzed his rivals by 4.75-lengths in the NZ$30,000 Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) for 3YOs at Ascot Park. Fiscal Madness (ridden by Jamie Bullard for trainers Peter & Dawn Williams) defeated fellow gelding Bus Us (Justice Prevails-Broke N’ Us) & filly Vital Satin (Yamanin Vital-Pure Satin). Fiscal Madness was passed-in for NZ$12,000 as a yearling at the 2003 NZ Bloodstock Select Colts Sale. (Feb 28) Irish Gr1 Star To NZ Stud Meanwhile NZ’s The Oaks Stud in Cambridge has secured the southern hemisphere breeding rights to Irish Gr1 2000 Guineas winner Bachelor Duke (Miswaki-Gossamer, by Seattle Slew). General manager Rick Williams told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing: "In keeping with The Oaks Stud's policy of having an equity in the stallions which we stand, we have purchased a significant interest in Bachelor Duke which has insured we have the southern hemisphere breeding rights to the horse. This will ensure Bachelor Duke will continue to be available to breeders in NZ for as long as the demand is there." Williams added: "He was a top class 2YO & classic-winning 3YO. The way he swept past his rivals to win the Irish 2000 Guineas over a mile on a lightning fast track was a performance of exceptional quality & the form to come out of this race was testimony to the class of the field he beat." Bachelor Duke (bred by Airlie Stud & trained by James Toller) won the 2004 Gr1 Irish 2000 Guineas ahead of subsequent Gr1 winners Grey Swallow & Azamour; at his next start Grey Swallow won the Gr1 Irish Derby at The Curragh, while Azamour immediately went on to win England’s Gr1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Injury forced his retirement to stud as a 4YO, where he is currently covering his 1st book of well-credentialled mares at Ireland’s Ballylinch Stud. Bachelor Duke will stand for NZ$15,000+gst at The Oaks Stud alongside Traditionally & Spartacus. (Feb 28) Moon Dazzle Wins Dubai Balanchine Stakes In Dubai, South African trainer Mike de Kock continued his winning run when 4YO mare Moon Dazzle (Kingmambo-June Moon, by Sadler’s Wells) prevailed by a short-head in the final stride to win the feature US$150,000 Balanchine Stakes (1777m) for fillies & mares at Nad Al Sheba, during the 8th meeting of the 2005 Dubai International Racing Carnival. Moon Dazzle (ridden by Johnny Geroudis) defeated Turkey’s 6YO mare Ribella (Revoque-Tajarib, by Last Tycoon) & UK-bred fellow 4YO mare Majestic Desert (Fraam-Calcutta Queen, by Night Shift). Pondering Moon Dazzle’s future, de Kock noted: “I will have to talk to the owner, but my gut instinct is she will retire to stud.” (Feb 28) Fallon Stable Rider At Ballydoyle In Ireland, 6-time English champion jockey Kieren Fallon has accepted the job as Number 1 rider (replacing Jamie Spencer) for Aidan O’Brien’s powerful Coolmore-backed Ballydoyle stable. An official announcement noted: “Owners John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith are delighted to announce that Kieren Fallon will be the retained jockey for their horses at Ballydoyle & elsewhere for the 2005 season.” (Feb 28) UK Court Orders Marchise To Pay Agent In England, veteran Italian breeder Marchise Giacinto Guglielmi was ordered to pay bloodstock agent Paolo Benedetti a £38,000 disputed commission fee, reported racingpost.co.uk. Benedetti (who trades as Derby Bloodstock across Europe) took the landmark case to Cambridge County Court after the 82-year-old Marchise “refused to acknowledge Benedetti’s role in the purchase of a broodmare at Tattersalls in Newmarket in 2003”. Benedetti told the court “he believed he was acting for the Marchise when Second Burst (a sister to Gr1 Racing Post Trophy winner Commander Collins) was knocked down to his company, & that he was entitled to 5% of the purchase price for giving his expert advice”; Benedetti noted he had “spent the whole day with the Marchise, sourced an insurance quote & arranged for the mare to be shipped to the Marchise’s San Agostino E Vulci stud in Italy”. The Marchise “claimed he had not employed Benedetti at the sale”. After taking evidence from both sides (which included a video taken by the auction house that showed the Marchise doing the bidding, but Benedetti signing the purchase form), Judge John Sennitt found in favour of Benedetti’s version of events. (Feb 28) Fusaichi Pegasus Adds US Stakes In the US, Coolmore shuttler Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr Prospector-Angel Fever, by Danzig) added a stakes-winner when 3YO colt Andromeda’s Hero (Fusaichi Pegasus-Marozia, by Storm Bird) “was bumped soundly after breaking from the outside post” & forced to “race near the back of the 12-horse pack in the backstretch, then made an athletic move to reach contention turning for home & surged past his rivals in the stretch” to win the US$100,000 Sam Davis Stakes (8.5 furlongs) for 3YOs by 2.5-lengths at Tampa Bay Downs, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Andromeda’s Hero (ridden by Rafael Bejarano for trainer Nick Zito) defeated Summer Legacy & Captain Lindsay. Andromeda’s Hero now has 2 wins in 4 starts. (Feb 28) Kingmambo Removed From Duty Star US sire Kingmambo (2nd to Elusive Quality on the 2004 US General Sire List & standing at Kentucky’s Lane’s End Farm for an advertised fee of US$300,000) “is expected to miss a few days of stud duty while he recovers from a minor leg injury,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Lane’s End owner William Farish confirmed 15-year-old Kingmambo (Mr Prospector-Miesque, by Nureyev) sustained a cut on the back of a knee while in the breeding shed, which “makes it difficult for them to breed. The swelling has gone down 40% in 2 days, so he’ll be fine shortly. It’s not a major thing. He’s serviced 8 mares already (in 2005) & we’re just taking precautions." Kingmambo won France’s 1993 Gr1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas); his progeny earned US$10,701,986 in 2004. (Feb 28) US Horse-Of-Year All Along Dies French-bred All Along (the 1st foreign-based horse to win the US Eclipse Award for Horse-Of-The-Year) was euthanased “due to the infirmities of old age” at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky aged 26, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. All Along (Targowice-Angujita, by Vieux Manoir) had been pensioned prior to the 2004 season. All Along won 4 major races in 3 countries in just 41 days in 1983 (for trainer Patrick Biancone & owner-breeder Daniel Wildenstein), defeating males in the: France’s Gr1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp; Canada’s Gr1 Rothmans International Stakes at Woodbine; the US Gr1 Turf Classic at Aqueduct; & Gr1 Washington International at Laurel Park. She was subsequently honored as champion older horse in France & both Horse-Of-The-Year & champion grass mare in the US. The following year (as a 5YO in 1984) All Along finished 3rd to stable-mate Sagace in the Gr1 Arc & was the runner-up to Lashkari in the inaugural Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Hollywood Park. She retired as all-time leading female earner with US$2,125,828 (9 wins in 21 starts) & was inducted into the US Racing-Hall-Of-Fame in 1990. From 13 foals, All Along produced 11 starters (4 winners, including Gr2 winner & sire Along All). (Feb 28) Champion Estrapade Dies Meanwhile US 1986 champion turf female Estrapade (Vaguely Noble-Klepto, by No Robbery died aged 25 “after suffering an apparent heart attack” at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Bred by Nelson Bunker Hunt, Estrapade won 12 of 30 starts in France & the US (including being the only female to win the US Gr1 Arlington Million) & earned US$1,937,142. Allen Paulson purchased Estrapade as a 5YO at the 1985 Keeneland November breeding stock sale for US$4.5 million immediately after she won the Gr1 Yellow Ribbon Invitational Handicap at Santa Anita Park. Estrapade returned to the track as a 6YO & defeated the males in the Gr1 Arlington Million & Gr1 Oak Tree Invitational Stakes; she also won the Gr2 Beverly Hills Handicap that year & finished 3rd in the Gr Breeders’ Cup Turf. Her Gr2-winning dam Klepto also produced 1990 Horse-Of-The-Year Criminal Type & Italian high-weight Isopach. (Feb 28) Arrowfield Buys All Vinery Weanlings In an industry-stunning deal overnight, Arrowfield Stud & a silent partner have agreed to purchase all Vinery's 50 Australian weanlings for approximately $4.5 million. The package represents the biggest & most expensive independent weanling sale ever conducted in Australia & Vinery general manager Peter Orton confirmed: "From our perspective, we are more than happy with the arrangement & the price." Listed among the pedigrees are foals by Red Ransom, More Than Ready, Fusaichi Pegasus, Mossman, Way Of Light & Brahms. Arrowfield supremo John Messara added: "We will be moving all 50 weanlings to Arrowfield this week. We paid market price for them & at this stage will just let them all grow out, before deciding what we do with them. Some we will keep, many we will sell as yearlings." Messara noted the 50 additions will bring to well over 200 the number of weanlings at Arrowfield’s Scone-based farm, observing: "Obviously we will need to have a reduction of some stock in the not too distant future." (Feb 25) Magic Millions Adelaide Day-3: $150,000 Encosta De Lago Colt Global Thoroughbred Syndicate paid the Day-3 equal top price of $150,000 for a colt by Coolmore stallion Encosta de Lago at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale. The colt (consigned by Fulmen Park as agent) is the 1st foal of winning Zabeel mare Trapeze, whose dam is a half-sister to dual Gr1 winner Lycra (dam of Gr3 winner The Man). (Feb 25) Magic Millions Adelaide Day-3: $150,000 Belong To Me Filly And Darrell Ible Bloodstock also paid $150,000 for a filly by Widden Stud stallion Belong To Me at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale. The filly (consigned by Attunga Stud as agent) is the 3rd foal of city-placed At Talaq mare At The Bay (a half-sister to Listed winner Fluoro). (Feb 25) Magic Millions Adelaide Day-3: Top Lots $150,000 Encosta de Lago-Trapeze colt (GTS) $150,000 Belong To Me-At The Bay filly (D.Ible) $145,000 Royal Academy-Truffle Pig filly (A.Russell-Price) $130,000 More Than Ready-Away With Fairies colt (M.Kavangh) $115,000 Commands-True Blue Spirit colt (R.Worthington) $115,000 Grand Lodge-Vestry colt (D.Roberts) $107,500 Catbird-Whitta Brinna filly (P.Jolly) (Feb 25) Magic Millions Adelaide Summary: Gross Up 9% Overall after 3 sessions at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, 384 lots have sold for $15,365,500 (up 9% on last year’s 355 sold for $14,096,000) at an average $40,014 (up 0.08% on last year’s $39,707) & a 78.53% clearance rate. (Feb 25) Magic Millions Adelaide Summary: Fusaichi Pegasus Top Sire Among the sires with 3 or more sold at the Magic Millions Adelaide Sale, Coolmore’s Fusaichi Pegasus had 4 yearlings sell for an average $137,250. His Coolmore stable-mate Encosta de Lago had 9 yearlings sell for an average $121,667. (Feb 25) Grand Armee & Elvstroem HK Clash Multiple Australian Gr1-winners Grand Armee & Elvstroem “could have a surprise Hong Kong showdown” in the $3 million Gr1 QEII Cup (2000m) on April 24, reported The Daily Telegraph. Trainer Gai Waterhouse “revealed Grand Armee had been inoculated for HK & was likely to have 2 more runs in Australia before heading” to Asia; however Waterhouse also noted “the 6YO’s international campaign would be limited to just the 1 race”. (Feb 25) Steward Sacked For Exposing Scam In the latest headlines generated at the Queensland Racing Inquiry, “the former betting steward who blew the whistle on alleged price-fixing in Queensland races yesterday accused his immediate boss of hounding him out of his job after he raised the allegations,” reported The Australian newspaper. Luke Bailey (who was sacked 4 months after he raised his concerns in a memo) said Queensland Racing’s integrity services manager Bob Mason “had an agenda to oust him”. Bailey said: “I was getting 3 warning letters in 1 day.” The Inquiry has been told Bailey sent a memo to Mason in September 2003 “saying he believed some bookmakers were artificially inflating prices”. Bailey revealed he “requested a meeting with Mason to discuss his concerns, but no such meeting took place & the allegations were not investigated”. Bailey declared yesterday: “His (Mason’s) agenda was that I was to go. My belief is that because of the issue with those prices I was going to be ousted. It just seems strange to me that all of a sudden I was starting to get warning letters. . . . There was no effort to sit down & talk about the prices issue.” (Feb 25) Griffith $10,000 Drug Fine Racing NSW stewards yesterday fined Scone trainer Luke Griffith $10,000 following a positive swab returned by Passion Palace at Canterbury Park in Sydney last month. The pre-race blood test revealed traces of phenylbutazone. Stewards told Griffith he must improve the record keeping in his stables & exercise greater control over the security & administration of substances to his horses, noting therapeutic drugs can be administered to horses out of competition but they must be presented drug-free on raceday. (Feb 25) Colt To Go The Distance At Easter Despite Australia’s infatuation with juvenile speed, the lure of owning a Derby winner still has significant clout at yearling sales, & connoisseurs of Sir Tristram’s impeccable sire-son Zabeel will find it hard to go past Lot 113 at the Inglis Easter Sale. The colt is a half-brother to Gr1 VRC Derby winner Amalfi, yet it is their lower profile half-sister Bruges who may convince buyers to dig deep. The 7-time winner possesses a paralysing finish such that she has been tipped as a potential Melbourne Cup winner. Out of a mare by celebrated broodmare sire Centaine, & from the immediate family of Gr1 winners Steely Dan & Popsy, New Zealand’s Trelawney Stud will offer the colt on Day-1 of the Inglis Sale. (Feb 25) TBA Exhib At Asian Conference Thoroughbred Breeders Australia will be exhibiting at the 30th Asian Racing Conference in Seoul in South Korea from May 20-27. The ARC is attended by over 1,000 delegates from Asia, the Pacific, Africa, Middle East, UK & US. (Feb 25) Wolf Whistle Wins Dubai Rashidiya In Dubai overnight, South Africa’s Mike de Kock trained his 2nd successive winner of the US$200,000 Gr3 Al Rashidiya when 6YO gelding Wolf Whistle (Badger Land-Certainly, by Foveros) triumphed by a short-head over 1777m on the turf at Nad Al Sheba, during the 7th meeting of the 2005 Dubai International Racing Carnival. Wolf Whistle (ridden by Weichong Marwing) defeated 5YO entires Shakis (Machiavellian-Tawaaded, by Nashwan) & Membership (Belong To Me-Shamisen, by Diesis). Wolf Whistle (who is being aimed at the Gr1 Dubai Duty Free on next month’s World Cup program) had already notched an International Carnival win on January 27. (Feb 25) Aust-Bred Wins In Dubai Meanwhile Blue Gum Farm stallion Umatilla (Miswaki-Dancing Show, by Nijinsky) recorded an international winner when his Australian-bred 6YO Macau-based gelding Change The Grange (Umatilla-Je Reviens, by The Challenge) led most of the way to win Dubai’s US$90,000 Maisons-Laffitte International Stakes (1770m) by 2.75-lengths at Nad Al Sheba. Change The Grange (also ridden by Weichong Marwing for trainer M.C.Tam) defeated 7YO entire Dubai Vision (Machiavellian-Colorado Dancer, by Shareef Dancer) & 4YO horse Gold History (Seeking The Gold-Battle Hymm, by Danzing). Change The Grange was a $25,000 yearling at the 2000 Inglis Autumn Sale in Melbourne. (Feb 25) UK Insurance Covers Early Foals In the UK, for the first time “breeders can buy an insurance policy protecting them against a foal being born before January 1,” reported racingpost.co.uk. The policy comes in the wake of last year’s Endless Summer case. Hamilton & Partners (a broker with branches in London, Newmarket, Cirencester & County Kildare) & Amlin Plus (a Lloyds underwriter) “are offering a policy that will pay the value of the nomination fee for a viable foal that is born before January 1”; the policy notes the mare “must not have been covered before February 10” & any foal for which a claim is made “must be registered with Weatherbys”. (Feb 25) Kentucky Adopts Model Drug Rules In the US, “after contentious debate from 50-60 horsemen representing the Kentucky chapter of the Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority unanimously approved the Kentucky Equine Drug Council’s recommendation that the state adopt the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium’s model rules drug policy,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The policy “allows Salix & 1 adjunct bleeder medication on race day, plus 1 of 3 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 24-hours before a race”. (Feb 25) Fantastic Light Full Sister Born At Gainsborough The 16-year-old Virginia-bred broodmare Jood (Nijinsky II-Kamar, by Key To The Mint) has produced a full sister to 2000 champion turf male Fantastic Light at Gainsborough Farm in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The filly (a daughter of Rahy) is Jood’s 10th foal. Darley shuttler Fantastic Light (the 9YO stallion who stands at England’s Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket) won the 2000 Gr1 Hong Kong Cup & US Gr1 Man o’ War Stakes, plus England’s 2001 Gr1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Gr1 Irish Champion Stakes, Irish Gr1 Tattersalls Gold Cup & US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Turf. (Feb 25) US Sire Distinctive Pro Euthanased Pensioned US sire Distinctive Pro (annually among the leading stallions in New York & sire of 44 stakes-winners) has been euthanased “after suffering the effects of laminitis” at Sugar Maple Farm in New York, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 26-year-old son of Mr Prospector was pensioned after the 2004 season “due to an arthritic condition in his ankles that prevented him from covering mares”. Distinctive Pro stood from 1991-2004 at Sugar Maple after starting his stud career in Florida. His leading progeny include: 1990 Gr1 Ruffian Handicap & Gr1 John Morris Handicap winner Quick Mischief; 1989 Gr2 Molly Pitcher Handicap winner Bodacious Tatas; & 1993 Belgian Horse-Of-The-Year Yakousa. Overall Distinctive Pro off-spring have earned US$35,807,831. On the track himself, Distinctive Pro won 8 of 13 career starts (including the 1982 Gr3 Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park) & earned US$179,187. (Feb 25) Sugar Maple Buys Freshman Performing Magic Meanwhile New York’s Sugar Maple Farm has purchased freshman sire Performing Magic (a Gr2 winner who had stood at the farm as the property of The Thoroughbred Corp since entering stud in 2002), reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The 8YO son of Gone West (out of Irish classic-placed winner Performing Arts, by The Minstrel) won 5 of 18 career starts (including the 2000 Gr2 Illinois Derby, Gr3 Remington Park Derby & Gr3 Derby Trial Stakes) & earned US$723,170. He is a half-brother to Gr3 winner Woodborough & stakes-winner Dance Trick. (Feb 25) Magic Millions Adelaide Day-2: $330,000 Fusaichi Pegasus Colt The new record price for a yearling sold at the Magic Millions Adelaide Sale, set only 24 hours earlier on Day-1, was broken again yesterday when Melbourne-based bloodstock agent Tony Cavanagh (bidding for client Rod Menzies, who raced Gr1-winning sire Half Hennessy) out-bid Adelaide trainer Mark Kavanagh & paid the Day-2 top price of $330,000 for a Fusaichi Pegasus colt. Cavanagh said the colt (offered by Erinvale Thoroughbreds as agent for the South Australian-based breeders) was on the "must buy" list, after he became the under-bidder on the colt by Encosta de Lago who sold on Day-1 for $300,000. The colt (a 2nd crop member from Mr Prospector's Gr1 Kentucky Derby-winning son Fusaichi Pegasus) is the 1st live foal from former outstanding filly So Gorgeous (winner of 6 races, including the Gr2 Ascot Vale Stakes, Gr2 Edward Manifold Stakes & Gr3 Tranquil Star Stakes). Cavanagh summed up: "I had to go a little higher than I expected. I thought originally he would sell around the quarter of a million mark." (Feb 24) Magic Millions Adelaide Day-2: $240,000 Scenic Colt Local agent David Goldfinch out-bid Victorian-based Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm & paid $240,000 for a Scenic colt (the 1st foal of an unraced Rubiton sister to Melbourne Group winner Great Condor) on Day-2 at the the Magic Millions Adelaide Sale. Goldfinch commented: "He's a magnificent colt. He's very powerful & although he may not have the best pedigree in the catalogue, he's a great looker." The SuperVobis-qualified youngster comes from the family of former champion juvenile Rancher. (Feb 24) Magic Millions Adelaide Day-2: Top Lots $330,000 Fusaichi Pegasus-So Gorgeous colt (Tony Cavanagh) $240,000 Scenic-Scarlet Bird colt (David Goldfinch) $190,000 Danehill-Star Of Juniper colt (Wadham Park) $180,000 Zabeel-Rising Eagle filly (Strawberry Hill Stud) $160,000 Xaar-Shavano Miss colt (Mark Minervini) $130,000 Twining-Prime Ville colt (Rick Hore-Lacy) $125,000 Stravinsky-Princess Michelle colt (Slade Bloodstock) $110,000 Danzero-Silver Court filly (Aquanita Racing) $100,000 Fusaichi Pegasus-Soul Queen colt (Colm Santry) (Feb 24) Magic Millions Adelaide Day-2: Average $43,184 Overall during yesterday’s Day-2 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Sale, 247 lots sold for $10,666,500 at an average $43,184 & a 76.23% clearance rate. (Feb 24) Alinghi Wins Gr1 Sangster Stakes On the track, multiple Gr1-winning 3YO filly Alinghi (Encosta De Lago-Oceanfast, by Monde Bleu) added another win at the highest level with an effortless victory in yesterday’s $300,000 Gr1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) for fillies & mares at Morphettville in Adelaide. Alinghi (ridden by Damien Oliver for trainer Lee Freedman) defeated 4YO mares Glamour Puss (Tale of The Cat-Centenaire, by Centaine) & Solar Antiquity (Desert Sun-Pompeii Glory, by Pompeii Court). Alinghi (an $80,000 yearling at the 2003 Inglis Premier Sale) now has 9 wins & 5 placings in 14 starts for $2,789,825 prize-money. (Feb 24) Ferocity Wins Magic Millions Adelaide Classic Ill-fated Oaklands Stud stallion Lion Hunter (Danehill-Pure Of Heart, by Godswalk) added a major juvenile winner when his grey colt Ferocity (Lion Hunter-Chiara, by Last Tycoon) won yesterday’s $400,000 Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic (1200m) at Morphettville. Ferocity (ridden by Steven Arnold for trainer Danny O’Brien) defeated fast-finishing Hillfa (Danehill-Fayfa, by Slip Anchor) & Acceleration (Encosta de Lago-Tre Faccia, by Lure). Ferocity (passed-in for $75,000 at the 2004 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale) now has 2 wins & a placing in 4 starts for $277,500 prize-money. (Feb 24) Dakasha Wins Launceston Cup Arrowfield Stud stallion Flying Spur (Danehill-Rolls, by Mr Prospector) notched another group winner when 4YO mare Dakasha (Flying Spur-Going Raja, by Well Decorated) won yesterday’s $190,000 Gr3 Launceston Cup (2400m) at Mowbray in Tasmania. Dakasha (ridden by Clare Lindop for trainer Leon Macdonald) defeated top-weighted Tony Vasil-trained stable-mates 5YO gelding Bondy (Entrepreneur-Inquisit, by Imposing) & 4YO gelding Under The Bridge (Blevic-Wine Cask). Dakasha (passed-in for $45,000 as a yearling at the 2002 Magic Millions Adelaide Sale) now has 5 wins (also including the Listed Tasmanian St Leger over 2100m at Mowbray on February 6) & 9 placings in 25 starts for $230,035 prize-money. (Feb 24) Kounthekash Wins Mornington Cup The 4YO gelding Kounthekash (Kashani-Whanadance, by Palace Music) made it 3 successive victories in winning yesterday’s $170,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2000m) in race record time (2min 3.07sec) at Mornington. Kounthekash (ridden by Nicholas Ryan for trainer Lee Freedman) defeated 6YO gelding Fonome (Archway-Dialled) & 5YO gelding Cool Trent (Nediym-Canny Queen). Kounthekash (passed-in at NZ$40,000 as a yearling at the 2002 NZ Bloodstock Horses-In-Training Sale) now has 6 wins & 4 placings in 15 starts for $198,564 prize-money. (Feb 24) Romantic Lover Wins Hareeba Stakes The 6YO gelding Romantic Lover (Picnicker-Love And Run) prevailed in a 3-way photo-finish to yesterday’s $100,000 Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington. Romantic Lover (ridden by Mark Pegus for trainer John Ledger) defeated 4YO gelding General Bayton (General Nediym-Imperial Chariot) by a long-head, with a further long-neck to 7YO gelding Marwin Gold (Marwina-Princess Marigold). Romantic Lover now has 9 wins & 14 placings in 45 starts for $203,250 prize-money. (Feb 24) Petite Oiseau Wins Tasmanian Oaks Petite Oiseau (Ladoni-Very Private, by Relay Race) made it 4 wins from her last 5 starts with victory in yesterday’s $97,000 Listed Tasmanian Oaks (2100m) for 3YO fillies at Mowbray. Petite Oiseau (ridden by Hugh Bowman for trainer Mark Ganderton) defeated Oceano (Portland Pirate-Kidada) & Cunamulla Lass (Danske-Icy Slice). Petite Oiseau now has 4 wins (also including the Wrest Point 1000 Guineas over 1600m at Elwick in Hobart on January 30) & 3 placings in 10 starts for $116,745 prize-money. (Feb 24) Darcenell Wins Gold Sovereign Stakes Emerald Park-based stallion Tailings (Forty Niner-Broom Dance, by Dance Spell) recorded his 1st stakes-winner when juvenile filly Darcenell (Tailings-Repatriation) scored by a head in yesterday’s $97,000 Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes (1200m) for 2YOs at Mowbray. Darcenell (ridden by Marc Ball for trainer David Miller) defeated fellow fillies Santorini Sky (Weasel Clause-Over The Sea) & Grinful (Happy Giggle-Robelee). Darcenell (a $5,000 yearling at the 2003 Inglis Autumn Sale) now has 2 wins & 2 placings in 5 starts for $80,065 prize-money. Tailings is “a full brother to the world record breaking 2YO sire End Sweep,” noted racenet.com.au. (Feb 24) Ilala Stud Stands 3 Sires In 2005 George & Felicity Fraser have opened Ilala Stud as a dual-purpose breeding & agistment/pre-training farm on the southern fringe of Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley, reported racenet.com.au. The site was previously George’s great uncle Norman Smith’s 900-acre St Aubin’s Without (originally part of St Aubins Stud, home to noted pre-World War II sires Beau Pere & Ajax). Ilala Stud will offer 3 sires for the 2005 season: Techrico (Zabeel-Vaindarra, by Vain); Eagle Rise (Danehill-Born Western, by Western Symphony); & Arrowfield Stud star Dehere’s younger brother Vice Admiral (Deputy Minister-Sister Dot, by Secretariat). (Feb 24) Brisbane Bookies Synchronised Prices Observing Brisbane bookmakers “working together to artificially inflate prices was like watching synchronised swimming, the steward who blew the whistle on the alleged scam told the Queensland Racing Inquiry yesterday,” reported The Australian newspaper. Luke Bailey (former licensing & wagering manager with Queensland Racing) “also told the Inquiry he suspected the scam involved criminal activity akin to money laundering & should have been investigated by police”. Bailey said he “raised his concerns in a memo to Queensland Racing’s integrity services manager Bob Mason in September 2003, but no action was taken to investigate the alleged price-fixing scheme”. Bailey was sacked from Queensland Racing 4 months after he sent the memo. Bailey said “as many as 4 times at a single meeting, prominent Brisbane bookmaker Lindsay Gallagher (the alleged ring-leader of the scam) & his colleague Hadyn Flynn were leading the charge by raising prices to inflated heights & then bringing them back to their correct levels just before a race started”. Bailey added he “regularly saw punters in the betting ring he suspected were agents in the scam”. He explained; “I observed people going up to Gallagher’s stand, talking to him & then going away & talking on their phones. They looked like they were putting bets on.” Several witnesses have told the Inquiry Galllagher “had an elabortae network of punters & commissions agents who placed bets for him with interstate bookmakers & Darwin-based betting company Sportingbet, but kept no records of their transactions”. (Feb 24) Didham Refused Macau Riding Extension In southeast Asia, Australian jockey John Didham has been refused an extension of his stable jockey contract beyond February by the Macau Jockey Club. (Feb 24) French Deputy Adds Japan Stakes In Japan, Arrowfield Stud stallion French Deputy (Deputy Minister-Mitterand, by Hold Your Peace) sired his 28th stakes-winner when his Japanese-bred 3YO daughter Lailaps (Frennch Deputy-Fusaichi Airedale, by Saunday Silence) won the Gr3 Queen Cup (1600m). Lailaps (from French Deputy’s 1st Japanese-bred crop) now has 2 wins in 6 starts (plus a 2YO runner-up in last season’s Gr2 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes). From his initial 6 crops bred in America, French Deputy boasts 186 winners from 247 runners (75.3% winners-to-runners) & 10.5% stakeswinners-to-runners; he has 2 champions among 6 individual Gr1 winners (World Champion Miler Kurofune & US Eclipse Award winner & triple Gr1 winner Left Bank). As a result of his North American success, French Deputy was purchased by Japan’s Shadai Stallion Station & became an immediate success, capturing the title of Champion 1st Season Sire in 2004 (& 2nd only to perennial champion Sunday Silence as Leading 2YO Sire). French Deputy’s 1st Australian-bred foals hit the sales ring as yearlings in 2006. (Feb 24) South Africa Allows Jockey Ads In South Africa, owners’ body the Racing Association announced “owners will be allowed to sell advertising on their runners silks,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Three sites have been approved for branding: the collar, back & chest areas. However the agreement notes: “If for any reason the National Horseracing Authority are of the view the sponsorship material impinges on their ability to identify the silks, then the owner would be instructed to remove the advertising. If this is not possible by the time of the race, then the owner would need to substitute the silks with a clean set or Club Colours will be used.” (Feb 24) Top Mare Elle Seule Dies In Kentucky In the US, top-producing 22-year-old broodmare Elle Seule (daughter of 1994 US Broodmare-Of-The-Year Fall Aspen & dam of 1994 Gr1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Mehthaaf) has died “from a ruptured aneurysm” at Shadwell Farm in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Elle Seule (by Exclusive Native) won the French 1986 Gr2 Prix d’Astarte & is 1 of 8 stakes-winners out of Gr1-winning Pretense mare Fall Aspen; her half-siblings include 1994 US champion 2YO male & 1995 Gr1 Preakness Stakes winner Timber Country, Irish high-weight Bianconi, Gr1 winner Northern Aspen, Gr1 winner Hamas & Gr2 winner Colorado Dancer (dam of 2000 Gr1 Dubai World Cup winner Dubai Millennium). Elle Seule’s 3rd foal Mehthaaf won both Ireland’s 1994 Gr1 1000 Guineas & England’s Gr2 Celebration Mile Stakes; & her 6th foal Elnadim won England’s 1998 Gr1 Darley July Cup (by Danzig, he now stands at Ireland’s Derrinstown Stud in County Kildare). Elle Soule also produced Gr3 winner Khulood & stakes-winner Ashraakat from her 12 foals (8 winners). (Feb 24) 1st Mare In Foal To Smarty Jones Last season’s US champion 3YO male Smarty Jones “experienced his 1st success as a new stallion when Robert & Blythe Clay’s Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky reported the 1st mare in foal to the 4YO son of Elusive Quality,” noted thoroughbredtimes.com. Smarty Jones entered stud this year at Three Chimneys for US$100,000 after winning the 2004 Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Preakness Stakes. Stonerside Stable reported its Forest Heiress (a dual Gr3 winner who delivered a Mineshaft colt on January 28) as in-foal to Smarty Jones (who began breeding on February 9, with Forest Heiress visiting the new stallion the next day); his initial book includes 111 mares. Smarty Jones won 8 of 9 starts & earned US$7,613,155. (Feb 24) US Sire Smokester Dies In California California stallion Smokester (sire of multiple Gr1 winner Free House & 2 other graded stakes-winners) died “while breeding” at Cardiff Stud Farms, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Smokester (a 17-year-old son of Never Tabled) sired 9 stakes-winners from 360 foals in his initial 9 crops; in addition to Free House (winner of the 1997 Gr1 Santa Anita Derby, 1998 Gr1 Pacific Classic Stakes & 1999 Gr1 Santa Anita Handicap, plus runner-up in the 1997 Gr1 Preakness Stakes & 3rd in both the Gr1 Kentucky Derby & Gr1 Belmont Stakes), Smokester’s progeny include Gr2 winner Ninebanks, Gr3 winner Areyoutalkintome & multiple stakes-winners Bagshot, Channing Way & Only the Best for US$13,609,283 earnings. Smokester won 2 of 4 career starts & stood his entire career at Cardiff Stud Farms. (Feb 24) Valid Trefaire Moves From Canada To Nebraska US stakes-winner Valid Trefaire (a 9YO son of Valid Appeal, out of stakes-winning Sham mare Contrefaire) will stand the 2005 season at Two Weeks Away in Nebraska “after standing the past 3 seasons in Canada”, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Valid Trefaire won 6 of 26 starts (including the 1999 Gallant Bob Handicap at Philadelphia Park) & earned US$199,710. (Feb 24) Rubiyat Moves To Blue Moon US 3rd-crop sire Rubiyat (a 10-year-old son of Rubiano, out of unraced Blushing Groom mare Blushing Madame) will stand this season at Blue Moon Equestrian in Pennsylvania, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Rubiyat stood his initial 4 seasons in Maryland & the 2004 season in Virginia. Kentucky-bred Rubiyat won 2 of 6 starts (plus runner-ups in both the 1998 Gr2 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct & Gr2 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park). (Feb 24) American Patriot To Stand At Hurstland Farm Kentucky’s Hurstland Farm has acquired American Patriot (a 5YO from the last crop sired by Mr Prospector, out of Gr2-winning Red Ransom mare Wandering Star) to stand in 2005, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. American Patriot raced in France, finishing 2nd in his career debut before sustaining a career-ending injury in his next start. (Feb 24) Jockey’s 1st Win For 25 Years Thursday Odd Spot: US jockey Jose Amy notched his 1st win in nearly 25 years when he rode 3YO gelding Mon Over Miami (by Maria’s Mon) to victory over 8.5 furlongs at Aqueduct, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Amy was suspended from 1980-2004 “for holding back horses in the 1970s” & Mon Over Miami was Amy’s 10th mount since being reinstated by the New York State Racing & Wagering Board in September; he had not won since March 1980. Amy declared after the race: "The main thing is, I’m back. Anyone in my shoes recognises my feeling right now. I am a hard-working guy & I’m going to keep working hard to ride more winners." (Feb 24) Magic Millions Adelaide Day-1: $300,000 Encosta Colt Coolmore Stud's Michael Kirwan (bidding on behalf of leading Newcastle trainer Paul Perry) paid the Day-1 top price (& new sale record) $300,000 for an Encosta de Lago colt at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale at Morphettville yesterday. The colt (out of Melbourne metropolitan-winning Old Crony mare Lady Voilet) was offered by Trevenson Park Stud & is a half-brother to former Gr1 galloper Notoire. Kirwan summed up: "He's a beautiful colt. He's big & strong & has an impressive pedigree to back up his good looks. You have to expect to pay big money for these sorts of horses. After all, he is a half-brother to a Gr1 winner." Perry prepared Notoire during a career that netted 8 wins (including the Gr1 Salinger Stakes at Flemington) & over $800,000 prize-money. The colt’s dam Lady Voilet is responsible for another 5 winners (including multiple Sydney stakes-winner Well Known). (The previous MM Adelaide Yearling Sale record was $255,000 for a Zabeel half-brother to Happy Giggle last year.) (Feb 23) Magic Millions Adelaide Day-1: Top 10 $300,000 Encosta de Lago-Lady Voilet colt (P.Perry) $230,000 Gilded Time-My Madonna colt (L.Macdonald) $210,000 Encosta de Lago-Fair Contessa colt (C.Santry) $140,000 High Rolling-Dance The Limbo colt (Heinrich Constructions) $140,000 Flying Spur-Lady Capel colt (A.Cummings) $115,000 Testa Rossa-No Flirting colt (P.Morgan) $110,000 Perugino-Lin o'Dee filly (Aquanita Racing) $105,000 General Nediym-Our Mistique colt (B.Elkington) $100,000 Encosta de Lago-Jozani filly (MM as agent) $100,000 Dehere-My Amapola filly (G.Rogerson) (Feb 23) Magic Millions Adelaide Day-1: Average Up 8.8% Overall at yesterday’s Day-1 of the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, 164 lots sold for $6,800,000 (up 23.9% on last year’s $5,486,500). The $41,463 average was up 8.8% (last year $38,101) & the clearance rate was 75%. (Feb 23) Magic Millions Adelaide Day-1: Top Buyers $555,000: Slade Bloodstock (9 lots) $303,000: Leon Macdonald (3 lots) $300,000: Paul Perry (1 lot) $225,000: Colm Santry Bloodstock (2 lots) $202,000: McLachlan Place Racing (5 lots) $200,000: Anthony Cummings (2 lots) $172,000: Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm (3 lots) $168,500: Lee Curtis (3 lots) $160,000: Aquanita Racing (2 lots) $140,000: Heinrich Constructions (1 lot) $134,000: John Chalmers Bloodstock (4 lots) $131,000: Commercial Bloodstock (3 lots) $118,000: Magic Millions as agent (2 lots) $115,000: Peter Morgan (1 lot) $105,000: Bruce Elkington (1 lot) $104,000: Kennewell Racing (2 lots) $101,000: Bede Murray Livestock (3 lots) $100,000: Graeme Rogerson (1 lot) (Feb 23) Inglis Easter Catalogue Launch In Sydney yesterday, managing director Reg Inglis officially launched the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale catalogue, with 598 yearlings (101 more than last year) including youngsters by Encosta de Lago (39), Redoute’s Choice (39), Fusaichi Pegasus (43) & Zabeel (22). The Inglis Easter Sale runs from March 29-31, followed by the Inglis Australian Select Broodmare Sale (April 3-5), highlighted this year by the Vinery & Inverness dispersals. (Feb 23) Ingls Melb March Sale Catalogue Meanwhile catalogues are now available for the Inglis March Thoroughbred Sale (March 4 at Oaklands in Melbourne) featuring 285 mixed lots: 135 broodmares, 1 weanling, 19 yearlings, 7 unbroken stock, 2 stallions & 121 tried racehorses. The broodmare section includes mares covered or with foals at foot by Arazi, Beckett, Bel Esprit, Bianconi, Canny Lad, Century City, Clangalang, Dangerous, Dash For Cash, Delago Brom, Distant Music, Hold That Tiger, King Charlemagne, Over, Planchet, Statue Of Liberty, Strategic, Success Express, Testa Rossa & Untouchable. A highlight is top producer Couldn’t Miss, dam of champion 3YO filly Northwood Plume (winner of 9 races including the Gr1 VRC Oaks & $904,615 prize-money); Couldn’t Miss will be offered with a positive test to Encosta de Lago’s Gr1-winning son Delago Brom. Other broodmares include: Divine Express (half-sister by Success Express to Gr2 winner Zariz & sister to Gr3 winner Electrifying) served by Bel Esprit; Hurimar (half-sister by Marscay to stakes-winners Ebony Night & Hurry Upel) served by Bel Esprit; & stakes-winning mare My Judy, served by Bianconi. The 2 stallions Genereux & Lord Jim are both superbly bred Gr1 winners from Argentina: Genereux is by international sire French Deputy (who has shuttled to Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley for the last 2 seasons) & is a half-brother to 3 other Group winners from a family steeped in Black Type performers; Lord Jim (by Mr Prospector horse Lode) was Argentina’s 1999 Champion 2YO Colt & is a half-brother to a Gr1 winner from a Gr1-winning mare. Tried racehorses include stakes-placed Generalissimo, I Wrote To A King & Tarcoola Midnight, plus metropolitan winners Andiamo, Costalette, Craigmoor, Fairweather, Heist, Honour The Lady, Power And Faith, Shady Brady, That’s A Rap & Future Perfect (who won at Moonee Valley last Saturday). (Feb 23) TVN Starts Sydney Broadcasts The ThoroughVisioN thoroughbred-only TV channel begins broadcasting into 2,200 venues (pubs, clubs, TAB agencies & racecourses in Victoria, Tasmania & ACT, plus pubs & clubs in NSW) from 12 noon today with live coverage of the Sydney Turf Club’s meeting at Rosehill Gardens. TVN coverage for private viewers will be available via the Foxtel digital platform from Saturday. Bigpond broadband customers can also access TVN at horseracing.bigpond.com. TVN chairman Harold Mitchell noted “the full TVN service of Sydney metropolitan & all Victorian thoroughbred racing will be available from May 4”. (Feb 23) Gr1 Golden Slipper: Latest Market As the 2YOs enter the final few weeks leading up to the climax of the juveniule season, the Gr1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney, Mark Morissey at Colin Tidy’s horsebet.com.au commented: "The early Slipper betting has been the best I've seen in the 13 years I've been working on the pre-post. The biggest bet takeout-wise is the $660,000-$20,000 we laid about Come Undone a few weeks ago. You'd have to say we're looking pretty safe with that one after Saturday’s performance by that horse. The biggest bet from a stake point of view is the $50,000 bet owner Damian Flower had on Snitzel this week. It's unfortunate that most of the bigger bets we write we can't reveal, because the clients don't want us to disclose them. But Damian is obviously very proud of his horse & doesn't mind putting his money where his mouth is. The next best backed horse would probably be NZ-visitor Dr Green. We laid $400,000-$8,000 & $165,000-$5,000 before its 1st Australian start. It didn't look like a Slipper type to me judging from that run; it's a little too speedy, but it's still very popular with the punters". Tidy’s latest Golden Slipper market is: Snitzel $4; Mnemosyne $4.50; Flying Pegasus $8; Fashions Afield $11; Domesday $13; Perfectly Ready $13; Opportunity $15; The Rhine $15; Written Tycoon $15; Al Samer $21; Bradbury's Luck $21; Carry On Cutie $21; Langness $26; Queen Of The Hill $26; Assertive Choice $34; Blizzardly $34; Dr Green $34; Doubting $41; Jet Spur $41; Manton $41; Media $41; Power Of Destiny $41. (Feb 23) Gr1 Doncaster Handicap; Latest Market Meanwhile with this week’s confirmation of 1st acceptors for Easter’s Gr1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick in Sydney, Mark Morissey at Colin Tidy’s horsebet.com.au commented: "I don't think we lost a horse under 50-1 when the Doncaster acceptors came through. It seems that, in recent years, there are less & less shock scratchings at acceptance time. I ended up putting Lotteria at the top of the betting after Saturday's win. I believe connections are still contemplating an Oaks start with her, but she's been the best backed horse in the Doncaster so far; so I was left with no option other than to make her favourite. The market is actually in a fairly precarious position at the moment, considering both Alinghi's & Grand Armee's preparations are also still up in the air. I'm tipping Toulouse Lautrec will be the best backed runner in the next few weeks & might even challenge for favouritism; his run in the Liverpool City Cup had Doncaster written all over it." Tidy’s latest Doncaster market is: Lotteria $6; Alinghi $8; Grand Armee $8; Desert War $9; Toulouse Lautrec $9; Binding $11; Ike's Dream $11; Savabeel $13; Winning Belle $13; Court's In Session $15; Dance Hero $15; Lad Of The Manor $15; Mr Celebrity $21; Utzon $21; Falkirk $26; Sam Sung A Song $26; Al Maher $34; Danehill Express $34; King's Chapel $34; Our Egyptian Raine $34; Outback Prince $34; Delzao $41; Econsul $41; Foreplay $41; Great Is Great $41; Modem $41; Regal Roller $41. (Feb 23) Danehill Leads Zabeel On Aust Sires Table Meanwhile Danehill continues to shade Zabeel at the top of Australia’s Leading Sires list (to February 21), according to inglis.com.au: 1: Danehill (Danzig-Razyana, by His Majesty) $6,348,390 2: Zabeel (Sir Tristram-Lady Giselle, by Nureyev) $6,259,455 3: Desert King (Danehill-Sabaah, by Nureyev) $4,369,590 4: Encosta de Lago (Fairy King-Shoal Creek, by Star Way) $3,448,296 5: Flying Spur (Danehill-Rolls, by Mr Prospector) $2,969,970 6: Redoute’s Choice (Danehill-Shantha’s Choice, by Canny Lad) $2,810,338 7: Hennessy (Storm Cat-Island Kitty, by Hawaii) $2,400,939 8: Snippets (Lunchtime-Easy Date, by Grand Chaudiere) $1,964,979 9: Rubiton (Century-Ruby, by Seventh Hussar) $1,851,618 10: Red Ransom (Roberto-Arabia, by Damascus) $1,807,803 (Feb 23) NZ Trainer Andrew Scott Disqualified In New Zealand yesterday, Matamata trainer Andrew Scott was disqualified from racing until the end of the current 2004-05 racing season “following a Judicial Control Authority inquiry in Hamilton”, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Scott pleaded guilty to 3 charges: 2 were “laid under the serious racing offences section of the NZ Rules Of Racing” & “related to the creation of a false document to cover-up incorrect information about a horse's gear in the NZ Bloodstock Classique at Te Rapa on February 5”. The disqualification takes effect from today & will be completed on July 31. Scott (who trained in partnership with Mike Moroney) had already handed in his trainer’s licence. (Feb 23) 1st 6-Figure Prize At Cambridge Meanwhile NZ’s Cambridge Jockey Club “will stage its 1st-ever NZ$100,000 race at its April 30 premier race-meeting,” reported thoroughbrednews.co.nz. The NZ$100,000 weight-for-age Gr2 Travis Stakes (1600m) for fillies & mares “has increased by NZ$20,000 on its purse last year” when won by Bridie Belle; other previous winners include Bound To Honour, Pride Of Rosewood, Cariere, Silver Row, Tidal Light, Horlicks, Fun On The Run, Waikiki, Kiss, Aimee Jay (twice), Integrate, Cinder Bella & Conquistar. (Feb 23) New Export Wins Brazil Gr1 Estado In South America, New Export (a son of deceased Exclusive Native stallion Exile King) scored a decisive 3.25-lengths victory in Brazil’s Gr1 Grande Premio Estado do Rio de Janeiro (1st leg of Rio de Janeiro’s 3YO Triple Crown) over 1600m at Hipodromo La Gavea in Rio de Janeiro, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. New Export (ridden by Rodrigo Salgado for trainer Marcos Ferreira) defeated Murtinho (a Gr2-winning son of Argentine stallion Punk) & long-shot Pototo. New Export now has 2 wins in 7 starts (plus 3rd in the Gr3 Frederico Lundgren at Gavea on December 5). (Feb 23) Hard Buck Shuttles to Brazil Meanwhile Brazilian-bred multiple Gr1 winner Hard Buck (currently standing his 1st Northern Hemisphere season at Clover Leaf Farms II in Florida) “will return to Brazil in August when he shuttles to Haras Old Friends in Rio de Janeiro for the 2005 Southern Hemisphere season,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Hard Buck (a 6YO son of Spend A Buck) won 3 stakes in Brazil (including a Gr1 event) before being shipped to the US where (trained by part-owner Ken McPeek) he won last year’s Gr1 Gulfstream Park Breeders’ Cup Handicap; & in an “international campaign last year, he finished 2nd to Polish Summer in the Gr1 Dubai Sheema Classic & 2nd to Doyen in England’s Gr1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes”. Overall Hard Buck won 9 of 19 career starts & earned US$1,073,674. Hard Buck’s sire Spend A Buck also stood in Brazil, “where he sired Brazilian champion sprinter Pico Central (an US Eclipse Award finalist for 2004 champion sprinter) & 2001 Brazilian champion juvenile Investor’s Dream”. (Feb 23) Kentucky Passes Breed Incentives In the US, proposals to “create breed development programs & modify a tax on the sale of yearlings & 2YOs remained intact when the Kentucky House Of Representatives approved Governor Ernie Fletcher's tax modernisation plan,” reported bloodhorse.com. Senator Damon Thayer (an executive with both the National Thoroughbred Racing Association & Breeders' Cup, who pushed to have the horse-specific incentives included in the tax package) declared the vote was “a major victory”. (Feb 23) 1st Foal To US Champ Golden Apples The 1st foal from 7YO former Champion Golden Apples (Pivotal-Loon, by Kaldoun) is a Storm Cat filly born at Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell Farm in Kentucky, reported bloodhorse.com. Golden Apples (who is booked back to Storm Cat) was 2002 US champion grass female after winning the Gr1 Beverly D Stakes, Gr1 Yellow Ribbon Stakes & Gr2 Santa Ana Handicap. A Gr1 turf winner in 2001 as well, she retired with US$1.6 million earnings. (Feb 23) 1st Foal To Dual Gr1 Winner Starrer US dual Gr1 winner Starrer delivered her 1st foal (a Danzig filly) at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Kentucky, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Starrer (a 7YO daughter of Dynaformer out of To The Hunt, by Relaunch) won 6 of 20 career starts (with 5 graded stakes victories, including the 2003 Gr1 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap & Gr1 Santa Maria Handicap) & earned US$1,043,033. Starrer is a half-sister to dual Gr1 winner Stellar Jayne & “will be bred back to A.P.Indy this season”. (Feb 23) 1st Foal By Ommadon And the 1st foal sired by US graded stakes-winner Ommadon (Grindstone-Missymooiloveyou, by Turkoman) is a filly (out of Known Fact mare Frenetic) born at Dutchess Views Farm in New York, reported bloodhorse.com. Ommadon won the Gr3 Nashua Stakes & was runner-up in the Gr2 Remsen Stakes. He stands at Metropolitan Stud in New York. (Feb 23) 1,000 Wins To US Trainer Wolfendale Maryland-based trainer Howard Wolfendale, 48, recorded his 1,000th career win when Warison won by 6.25-lengths over 6 furlongs at Laurel Park, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. (Feb 23) Irish Jockey Drug Tests All-Clear In Europe, the Irish Turf Club has revealed its jockeys “were drug-tested on 75 occasions last year & all tests were negative,” reported racingpost.co.uk. ITC chief executive Denis Egan also noted: "I am delighted that all samples taken from the 140 riders sampled since testing commenced in May 2003 were negative. This is a great achievement, bearing in mind the ITC has adapted the full World Anti-Doping Agency list of prohibited substances & methods.” The ITC also revealed 3,120 samples were taken from racehorses for analysis last year & 12 tests were positive. (Feb 23) More UK Race-Fix Arrests More arrests will be made “in a matter of days rather than weeks" in the headline-hogging UK police investigation into race-fixing, reported racingpost.co.uk. City Of London Police media liaison officer Sergeant Julian Goodchild confirmed the imminent arrests "may include more jockeys". So far 5 jockeys (Kieren Fallon, Fergal Lynch, Darren Williams, Paul Bradley & Robert Winston) are among the 26 racing identities (also including trainers Karl Burke & Alan Berry, farrier Steve O'Sullivan & owner Miles Rodgers) to have been arrested in the on-going investigation. Goodchild noted: "We have received feedback from Australia, where an expert (NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy) has been analysing the video tapes we sent him of possibly suspicious races in Britain, & we are working with him on these. . . . . After this next wave of arrests are made, we will re-evaluate where we are with the investigation." (Feb 22) Qld Inquiry Extended Until June In Australia yesterday, the Queensland Government extended its current headline-generating inquiry into alleged corruption in the racing industry. Premier Peter Beattie declared: "This inquiry will go until the first days of June. I am sick of all the whingers out there who complain about what is happening in the racing industry. Now they have got to put up or shut up." (Feb 22) Elvstroem Fee $30,000 At Blue Gum Multiple Gr1-winning 4YO stallion Elvstroem (Danehill-Circles Of Gold, by Marscay) will stand for a $30,000 service fee “when he covers his 1st book of mares at Blue Gum Farm in Euroa,” reported thoroughbredinternet.com. “This will make the 4-time Gr1 winner the most expensive stallion in Victoria.” Elvstroem (a $330,000 yearling at the 2002 Inglis Easter Sale) resumed from a spell on February 12 with victory in the $300,000 weight-for-age Gr1 C.F.Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield; overall he has 8 wins (also including last October’s Gr1 Caulfield Cup) & 7 placings in 24 starts for $3,743,600 prize-money. (Feb 22) Larneuk Stud Reduction Sale Larneuk Stud at Euroa, home to Lacryma Cristi (Green Desert-L'Anno D'Oro, by Habitat) & Saithor (Storm Bird-Weekend Surprise, by Secretariat), is having a reduction sale with 10 fillies & mares on offer. A highlight is a 2YO unbroken filly by Danetrice out of Palace Music’s triple-winning mare Dance With The Royalty (who died in late 2003). This filly is her last born daughter & a half-sister to 7-time winning racemare Sound Action (including both the Gr1 Australasian Oaks & Gr1 Ranvet Stakes for almost $750,000 earnings). In addition, breeding prospects include: Starring Role (Prince True-Pop Artist, by Top Role): in foal to Lacryma Cristi. Medium's Joy (Scenic-Medium, by Seattle Dancer): in foal to Saithor. Misremember (Don't Forget Me-Miss Jubilee, by Sovereign Prince): is in foal to Lacryma Cristi. La Cadeau (Seventh Hussar-Vainlee, by Vain): in foal to Saithor. Mercurial (Twig Moss-Golden Deed, by Jevington). Soltrice (Keltrice-Tot's Pride, by True Statement): with a filly at foot by Archway. Roman Rhythm (Voodoo Rhythm-Ermelo, by Century): with an Archway filly at foot & in foal to Saithor. Coral Key (Dolphin Street-Singalong Soo, by Hunka Papa): with an Archway filly at foot & in foal to Saithor. Taryn (Paris Prince-Showood, by Greenwood): with an Archway colt at foot. (Feb 22) Magic Millions Adelaide Starts Today The 3-day Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling sale begins at the Morphettville sales complex today. Sires featured include Danehill (1 lot), Redoute’s Choice (1), Zabeel (1), Encosta de Lago (11), General Nediym (11), Danzero (7), Secret Savings (14), Rubiton (13), Carnegie (8), Jeune (7), Octagonal (6), Danehill Dancer (5), Blevic (6), Perugino (17), Canny Lad (4), Bellotto (15), Strategic (12), Umatilla (5), Success Express (5), Belong To Me (8), Archway(7), Keltrice (12), Brief Truce (9), Catbird (9), Bianconi (7), Commands (9), More Than Ready (6), Happy Giggle (11), Testa Rossa (6) & Fasliyev (6); 1st crop sires include Giant’s Causeway (3), Aristotle (5), Black Hawk (9), Brahms (5), Distant Music (4), Fantastic Light (5), Galileo (5), Hemingway (3), Honours List (7), Indian Danehill (29), King Charlemagne (8), King Cugat (6), Magic Albert (5), Mull Of Kintyre (3), Ne Coupez Pas (4), Primo Valentino (5), Show A Heart (8), Special Bond (3), Tabkir (3), Twining (5), Val Royal (10), Viscount (4) & Zariz (5). (Feb 22) Strong Supplementary For Inglis Summer Sale Meanwhile Friday’s Inglis Summer Thoroughbred Sale at Newmarket in Sydney now includes a supplementary catalogue of around 40 entries. Of particular interest is the smart 2YO filly Genuinely (a winner at Scone & Muswellbrook at her only 2 starts last spring). With $11,350 in prize-money the filly is 2nd on the order-of-entry for the $200,000 Inglis Scone Challenge (a restricted race for graduates of the Scone & Sires’ Produce Yearling Sales to be run at Scone on Friday 20 May). (Feb 22) Danzero’s 4 City Winners Arrowfield Stud stallion Danzero (Danehill-Confidentially, by Kaoru Star) is certainly on a winning streak: The win by 4YO mare Danni Martine (Danzero-Best Percentage, by Gold And Ivory) in the $75,000 Listed Wiggle Quality (1400m) at Warwick Farm was his 4th stakes-winner in 3 weeks: following last season’s multiple Gr1-winning gelding & Australian champion juvenile Dance Hero (Danzero-Gypsy Dancer, by Dance Floor) returning from a 23-week spell to win the $150,000 Gr2 Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) for 3YO colts & geldings at Randwick; 3YO gelding Jymcarew (Danzero-Aperto, by Grosvenor) winning the $100,000 Listed Gosford Guineas (1600m); & fellow 3YO gelding Niconero (Danzero-Nicola Lass, by Scenic) winning the $75,000 Listed Wellington RC Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. And Danni Martine’s Warwick Farm victory was also 1 of 4 Danzero winners in NSW & Victoria last Saturday: along with 3YO gelding Vionneto (Danzero-Vionnet) in the Fairfield Advance Handicap (1300m) at Warwick Farm; 3YO filly Paris Zero (Danzero-Spirit Of Paris, by Bellotto) in the Swift Signs Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley; & 4YO mare Dan’s Princess (Danzero-Princess Matilda) in the Jayco Handicap (1200m) at Cranbourne. (Feb 22) Danasinga NZ Treble & Singapore Win In New Zealand, Waikato Stud-based sire Danasinga (Danehill-Princess Tracy, by Ahonoora) recorded 3 winners at the Matamata meeting: That's Tops, Brave Mariner & Puccini's Opera. In addition, Danasinga’s son Sekitobe won at Kranji in Singapore, noted NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. (Feb 22) Singapore Double To Pentire Meanwhile NZ’s Rich Hill Stud stallion Pentire (Be My Guest-Gull Nook, by Mill Reef) recorded a winning double at Singapore's Kranji track with gelded sons Imperial Lad (over 1800m) & Pandora (over 1400m); both were trained by Charles Leck & ridden by stable apprentice Sheryl Cheam, noted NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. (Feb 22) HK Success For Inglis Graduates In Hong Kong, Inglis Sale graduates continued their success at Sha Tin with 2 beautifully-bred 1st time winners, plus both place-getters in an Australian-bred trifecta in the Gr1 HK Gold Cup: Impressive 1st starter Lucky Unicorn (a $300,000 yearling at the 2004 Inglis Easter Sale) took out the 1st griffin race of the season; the 2YO colt by boom Arrowfield Stud stallion Redoute’s Choice (from Last Tycoon mare La Bamba) is a full brother to stakes-winner Provence; & at this year’s Easter Sale, Arrowfield will offer a colt by Flying Spur from La Bamba. 3YO Zabeel colt Victory Treasure (a $210,000 yearling at the 2003 Inglis Easter Sale) won over 1800m; his stakes-placed dam Attempting has produced 8 winners (including NZ stakes-winners Zaza & Able Attempt). And Woodlands Stud home-bred 5YO gelding Perfect Partner (Quest For Fame-Stockings, by Whiskey Road) scored a front-running victory in the HK$8 million (A$1.33m) Gr1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), defeating 5YO Floral Dynamite (Danehill-Caraniya, by Darshaan) & top 6YO mare Elegant Fashion (Danewin-Wily Trick, by Clever Trick). Perfect Partner raced in Australia as Masked (trained by John Hawkes) & won 6 of 8 starts (including the Listed Winter Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill Gardens); Floral Dynamite was a $650,000 yearling at the 2001 Inglis Easter Sale & Elegant Fashion was a $95,000 yearling at the 2000 Inglis Easter Sale. (Feb 22) Meisho Bowler Wins Japan Gr1 February Stakes In Japan, front-running 4YO favourite Meisho Bowler (Taiki Shuttle-Nice Raise, by Storm Cat) set a track record 1min 34.7sec in winning the Gr1 February Stakes (1600m) at Tokyo racecourse, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Meisho Bowler (ridden by Yuichi Fukunaga for trainer Toshiaki Shirai) defeated fellow 4YO entire Seeking The Dia (by Storm Cat) & 5YO Hishi Atlas (by Timber Country). Meisho Bowler now has 7 wins & 5 placings in 15 starts. Meisho Bowler is 1 of 3 winners out of winning mare Nice Raise (a half-sister to American stakes-winners Nice Serve & Raise A Tradition). (Feb 22) Agent Sues Marchise Over Disputed Fee In the UK, well-known bloodstock agent Paolo Benedetti (who trades as Derby Bloodstock) is taking action in Cambridge County Court this week “alleging he is owed £38,888 in unpaid commission by veteran Italian breeder the Marchise Giacino Guglielmi & his San Agostino E Vulci stud,” reported racingpost.co.uk. The dispute, “set to be closely monitored in the bloodstock world”, centres on the broodmare Second Burst (a sister to Gr1 Racing Post Trophy winner Commander Collins & 3/4 sister to US Gr1 Breeders’ Cup winner Lit de Justice) who was in foal to Machiavellian when bought for 725,000 guineas (A$1.885m) by the Marchise at the UK Tattersalls December Sales in Newmarket in 2003. While the Marchise (sitting opposite the rostrum) did the bidding, “waving his black-rimmed glasses with a flourish each time”, seated next to him was Benedetti (who had acted on his behalf in each of the 2 previous years & claims to have flown in for the sale from Pisa “having been asked to represent him again”). After Second Burst was knocked down to Derby Bloodstock, Benedetti (who both signed for her & made the shipping arrangements to Italy) told the Racing Post: “I buy 1 or 2 every year for the Marchise, but as he is here we have spent a bit more money this time.” However, when Benedetti submitted his invoice for 5% of the sale price, the Marchise “refused to pay, maintaining Benedetti had not been acting as his agent”. Last week Benedetti obtained a court order for the disclosure of the Marchise’s telephone records, aiming “to use them to prove his claim he received a call from the Marchise asking him to attend the sale”. (Feb 22) Betfair Hits Back At UK Bookies Meanwhile Association Of British Bookmakers chief executive Tom Kelly has been accused of "wanting things both ways" after he chided Betfair for its contributions to the UK Treasury & racing at the ABB annual meeting, reported racingpost.co.uk. Kelly said Betfair (which paid a levy of almost £4 million from commission income of nearly £68m in 2004) was "paying less than a quarter of the duty & levy that would be due if the playing field were level" with other bookmakers. However Betfair development director Mark Davies countered: "Tom is muddying the waters, though I suppose that's what we've come to expect." Davies pointed to the example of the biggest UK bookmaker Ladbrokes, “saying on post-tax profits of around £300m last year, he estimated its direct contribution to racing to be about £30m”. Davies said: "That equates to 10% of Ladbrokes' overall operating profit going to racing. Betfair's post-tax profit was £12m, of which we paid nearly £4m to racing, which works out at one-third. So, on that basis we're paying 3 times as much to racing from our profits as Ladbrokes: a very different story. Betfair is actually one of the most significant payers of horseracing levy, because we maximise business on the sport as best we can. Tom Kelly is talking about our overall business. If Ladbrokes want to hand over 10% of all their business, including FOBTs & virtual racing, that would be fine. But he can't have it both ways." (Feb 22) Scribano Moves To Coolagown Stud In Ireland, stallion Scribano (a former high-class middle-distance horse in Italy) has relocated to stand at Coolagown Stud in County Cork, reported racingpost.co.uk. The French-bred 15-year-old son of Pharly (from Riverman mare Biograph) was purchased from Garryrichard Stud; on the track he won 3 Listed races in Italy, plus finishing 3rd on the Gr1 Premio Roma (2000m) as a 4YO. (Feb 22) New Push On US Jockey Weights In the US, the California Horse Racing Board (for the 2nd time in less than 9 months) “approved a 45-day public comment period for a series of rule changes that would replace the scale of weights assigned to horses starting at the state's racetracks,” reported bloodhorse.com. The change would establish the minimum weight assigned in most thoroughbred races at 116 pounds; with 10 pounds of riding equipment, the new standard would be 126 pounds. The matter “could be considered for approval at the earliest at the CHRB meeting at Hollywood Park on April 28”. Commissioner Richard Shapiro summed up: "I want a healthy guy on top of my horse & I don't give a damn about a couple of pounds." In addition to the relaxed weight standard, the rule changes also require that “jockeys maintain a minimum body weight of 5% to ensure their health”, as well as "bring some honesty to the weights that are reported to the public by stating exactly what the jockey weighs without equipment”. (Feb 22) 1st Winner For US Sire Light Years Ahead Florida-based sire Light Years Ahead recorded his 1st winner when his 2YO son Lightning Power won over 1 mile at Tampa Bay Downs, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Light Years Ahead (a 9YO son of Majestic Light) stands at Andros Farms in Florida. (Feb 22) Saint Marden To Stud At Colonial Farms US Gr3 winner Saint Marden will enter stud this season at Colonial Farms in New Jersey, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The Florida-bred 5YO son of Saint Ballado (out of The Administrator, by Afleet) won 4 of 8 career starts (including the 2002 Gr3 Discovery Handicap over 9 furlongs at Aqueduct) & is a half-brother to Sunshine Millions Distaff Stakes winner Sweet Lips. (Feb 22) Narvick Buys Chile Gr1 Star Sam Forli In South America, California-based Narvick International (operated by Emmanuel de Seroux) has purchased 3YO Chilean Gr1 winner Sam Forli (Sam M-Eastern Forli, by Forlitano) reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Sam Forli was Chile’s champion 2YO colt on the turf for 2004 & overall has won 6 of 11 starts (including last year’s Gr1 Clasico Alberto Vial Infante at Club Hipico de Santiago). Sam Forli “is expected to resume his racing career in Southern California under the care of trainer Laura de Seroux”. (Feb 22) Gold Dollar To Stand In Venezuela And in the Caribbean, dual US stakes-winner Gold Dollar (by Seattle Slew) “has been retired from training & will begin stud duty at Haras Vista Hermosa in Venezuela,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Overbrook Farm-bred Gold Dollar won 6 of 45 starts (including the 2004 Fappie's Notebook Stakes & Groomstick Handicap at Calder, plus runner-up in the 2002 Gr2 Jim Dandy Stakes) & earned US$425,380. (Feb 22) Prairie Meadows Seeks More Table Games We-Have-Seen-The-Future Update: Prairie Meadows table games “have been so popular that the track wants to add more,” reported bloodhorse.com. The Racing Association Of Central Iowa (which operates Prairie Meadows) has therefore “voted to add 11 table games to the 33 put in operation in December”. RACI member Terry Davis summed up: "It's because of demand. People are standing in line, waiting for a table. We're trying to capitalise on what's coming in." New revenue is estimated at US$1,337,000 in 2005 & US$2,183,000 in 2006: 2 poker tables will be added to the clubhouse card room & the grandstand table game area will be enlarged to include 6 tables for blackjack & 1 each for roulette, pai gow poker & mini-baccarat. In addition, a 2-year, US$60 million expansion at Prairie Meadows “will add 65 games, 500 slot machines, a buffet, a steak house & a concert center”. In January 2005 (the first full month its table games were in operation) US$7.4 million was wagered on table games at Prairie Meadows, with net income for the month at US$13.8 million (up US$2 million from January 2004). (Feb 22) Cape Of Good Hope Wins Gr1 Australia Stakes Hong Kong 7YO gelding Cape Of Good Hope (Inchinor-Cape Merino, by Clantime) took the lead in the inaugural Global Sprint Challenge (2 races each in Australia, the UK & Japan) when he followed-up his 3rd-placing in the 1st leg (the Gr1 Lightning Stakes over 1000m at Flemington on February 5) with victory in the 2nd leg $350,000 weight-for-age Gr1 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in Melbourne. Cape Of Good Hope (ridden by Brett Prebble for trainer David Oughton) defeated fellow 7YO gelding Super Elegant (Mister C-Ever Elegant, by Steel Pulse) & 4YO gelding Spark Of Life (Nine Carat-Sparkling Bounty, by Celestial Bounty). Cape Of Good Hope now has 6 wins & 13 placings in 35 starts for $3,216,497 prize-money. He is the 3rd Gr1 winner (”after last year’s French Gr1 Prix du Diane winner Latice & UK Gr1 QE II winner Summoner” noted thoroughbredinternet.com) for the late Inchinor (Ahonoora- Inchmurrin), who stood at Stanley House Stud in Newmarket until his death in September 2003. (Feb 21) Grand Armee Wins Gr1 Chipping Norton Stakes Multiple Gr1-winning 6YO gelding Grand Armee (Hennessy-Tambour, by Marauding) added another top-level success with a grinding long-neck victory in the $250,000 weight-for-age Gr1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm in Sydney. Grand Armee (ridden by Danny Beasley for trainer Gai Waterhouse) defeated 5YO gelding Court’s In Session (Bureaucracy-Markatie Court, by Seventh Hussar) & 4YO mare Winning Belle (Zabeel-Kirin Belle, by McGinty). Grand Armee (a $150,000 yearling at the 2000 Inglis Easter Sale) now has 11 wins (5 Gr1 triumphs) & 12 placings in 27 starts for $4,170,890 prize-money; a week earlier he ran a course record in winning the Gr2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick. (Feb 21) Dizelle Wins Woodstock Mile Cambridge Stud’s champion sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram-Lady Giselle, by Nureyev) added a group winner when Dizelle (Zabeel-Danelagh, by Danehill) came from last to snatch victory in the $250,000 Gr2 Woodstock Mile (1600m) for 3YO fillies at Moonee Valley. Dizelle (ridden by Darren Gauci for trainer John Hawkes) defeated Gr1 VRC Oaks winner Hollow Bullet (Tayasu Tsuyoshi-Beat The Bullet, by Bite The Bullet) & Truly Wicked (Rubiton-Dizzy Lass, by At Talaq). Dizelle now has 3 wins & a placing in 4 starts for $186,580 prize-money; her dam Danelagh won the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes in 1998. (Feb 21) Lieutenant Wins Alister Clark Stakes Coolmore shuttler Danehill Dancer (Danehill-Mira Adonde, by Sharpen Up) added a group winner when his gelded son Lieutenant (Danehill Dancer-Sovereign Countess, by Sovereign Red) won the $150,000 Gr2 Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) for 3YO colts & geldings at Moonee Valley. Lieutenant (ridden by Darren Gauci for trainer John Hawkes) defeated the colt Volitant (Flying Spur-Sibon, by Bletchingly) & gelding Renewable (Zabeel-Carmel Valley, by Last Tycoon). Lieutenant (a $62,000 yearling at the 2003 Inglis Classic Sale) now has 3 wins (also including the Gr3 The Debonair over 1400m at Flemington on February 5) & 4 placings in 8 starts for $374,250 prize-money. (Feb 21) Lotteria Wins Surround Stakes Arrowfield Stud stallion Redoute’s Choice (Danehill-Shantha’s Choice, by Canny Lad) recorded another group triumph when his unbeaten daughter Lotteria (Redoute’s Choice-Rose Reward, by Sir Tristram) returned from a 20-week spell to win the $150,000 Gr2 Surround Stakes (1600m) for 3YO fillies at Warwick Farm. Lotteria (ridden by Chris Munce for trainer Gai Waterhouse) defeated Shania Dane (Danehill-Subterfuge, by Machiavellian) & Johan’s Toy (Johan Cruyff-Extra Bubbly, by Bellotto). Lotteria (a $260,000 yearling at the 2003 Magic Millions Gold Coast Premier Sale) now has 5 successive wins (also including the Gr1 Flight Stakes over 1600m at Randwick) for $431,750 prize-money. (Feb 21) Beautiful Gem Wins Sunline Stakes Coolmoree shuttler Peintre Celebre (Nureyev-Peinture Bleue, by Alydar) added a group victory when 4YO mare Beautiful Gem (Peintre Celebre-Just Blooming, by Yeats) scored by a head in the $150,000 weight-for-age Gr2 Sunline Stakes (1500m) for fillies & mares at Moonee Valley. Beautiful Gem (ridden by Damien Oliver for trainer Lee Freedman) defeated 5YO mares Umber (Umatilla-Estupenda, by Balmerino) & Charmed Lady (Jugah-El Qahira Magic, by El Qahira). Beautiful Gem now has 6 wins (also including the Listed Let’s Elope Stakes) & 11 placings in 21 starts for $394,650 prize-money. (Feb 21) Sam Sung A Song Wins Liverpool City Cup The 4YO gelding Sam Sung A Song (Timber Country-Centollua, by Century) won the $100,000 Gr3 Liverpool City Cup (1200m) at Warwick Farm. Sam Sung A Song (ridden by Scott Seamer for trainer Gerald Ryan) defeated 4YO entire Falkirk (Tale Of The Cat-Madam Valeta, by Palace Music) & 6YO gelding Patezza (Rubiton-Stars Above, by Star Shower). Sam Sung A Song now has 7 wins & 5 placings in 21 starts for $277,100 prize-money. (Feb 21) Flying Pegasus Wins Kindergarten Stakes Coolmore stallion Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr Prospector-Angel Fever, by Danzig) added another black type juvenile victory when his colt Flying Pegasus (Fusaichi Pegasus-Cashier, by Danehill) won the $100,000 Gr3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) for 2YOs at Warwick Farm. Flying Pegasus (ridden by Corey Brown for trainer David Payne) defeated previously unbeaten filly Mnemosyne (Encosta de Lago-My Juliet) & last year’s sale-topping $1.3 million Inglis Easter Yearling colt Assertive Choice (Redoute’s Choice-Assertive Lass). Flying Pegasus (a $250,000 yearling at the same Inglis Easter Sale) now has 2 wins & a runner-up (by a short-neck, after starting awkwardly, in the Gr2 Silver Slipper Stakes over 1100m at Rosehill Gardens on February 5) from 3 starts for $140,750 prize-money. (Feb 21) Sure Bet Wins Tokyo City Cup Blue Gum Farm stallion Umatilla (Miswaki-Dancing Show, by Nijinsky) recorded a group winner when 6YO gelding Sure Bet (Umatilla-Main Artery) scored a decisive 2.75-lengths victory in the $75,000 Gr3 Tokyo City Cup (1600m) at Morphettville in Adelaide. Sure Bet (ridden by Paul Gatt for trainer Mark Minervini) defeated fellow 6YO gelding Pure Velocity (Jeune-Swift Falcon) & 4YO mare Rather Grand (Grand Lodge-Rather droll). Sure Bet (passed-in for $37,500 as a yearling at the 2000 Magic Millions Perth Premier Sale) now has 10 wins & 10 placings in 43 starts for $221,200 prize-money. (Feb 21) Tszyu Wins Kilmore Cup Coolmore stallion Encosta de Lago (Fairy King-Shoal Creek, by Star Way) also added another black type victory when 4YO gelding Tszyu (Encosta de Lago-Valentine’s Gift) won yesterday’s $123,000 Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m) in Victoria. Tszyu (ridden by Stephen Baster for trainer Leon Corstens) defeated 6YO gelding Air Cooled (Volksraad-Winter White) & fellow 4YO gelding Noble Red (Red Ransom-Nobellotto). Tszyu (a $30,000 yearling at the 2002 Adelaide Magic Millions Sale) now has 7 wins & 3 placings in 19 starts for $133,275 prize-money. (Feb 21) Opportunity Wins Schweppervescence Plate Arrowfield Stud stallion Redoute’s Choice (Danehill-Shantha’s Choice, by Canny Lad) continued his current hot streak when his undefeated juvenile daughter Opportunity (Redoute’s Choice-Te Akau Bird, by Bluebird) scored a decisive 3.5-lengths victory in the $100,000 Listed Schweppervescence Plate (1200m) for 2YOs at Moonee Valley. Opportunity (ridden by Nicholas Ryan for trainer Tony Vasil) defeated the colts Under The Floor (Secret Savings-Courteous, by Affirmed) & Conestoga (Stravinsky-Centuria, by Centaine). Opportunity (a $175,000 yearling at the 2004 Magic Millions Gold Coast Premier Sale) now has 2 wins from 2 starts for $72,150 prize-money. (Feb 21) Danni Martine Wins Wiggle Quality Fellow Arrowfield Stud stallion Danzero (Danehill-Confidentially, by Kaoru Star) also added a black type success when 4YO mare Danni Martine (Danzero-Best Percentage, by Gold And Ivory) won the $75,000 Listed Wiggle Quality (1400m) for mares 4YO & up at Warwick Farm. Danni Martine (ridden by Glen Boss for trainer Guy Walter) defeated fellow 4YO mare Golden Weekend (Nine Carat-Opera Weekend, by Paris Opera) & 6YO mare Hec Of A Party (Hector Protector-Party Dancer, by Party Leader). Danni Martine now has 3 wins & a runner-up in 7 starts for $86,750 prize-money. (Feb 21) Stuyvesant Wins Adams Plate The 3YO gelding Stuyvesant (Blazing Reality-Soft Lady) prevailed by a head in a photo-finish (& then survived a double protest from the 2nd & 5th place-getters) to win yesterday's $68,000 weight-for-age Listed Tattersalls George Adams Plate (1600m) at Mowbray in Launceston. Stuyvesant (ridden by Corey Kingston for trainer Gary White) defeated 4YO gelding A Dreamer (El Moxie-Dream River) & 5YO gelding Speechmaker (Imposing Bull-Darling Dominique). Stuyvesant (a $27,000 yearling at the 2003 Thoroughbred Breeders Tasmania Sale ) now has 4 wins & 7 placings in 15 starts for $148,660 prize-money; yesterday’s victory followed his runner-up effort in last week’s $144,000 Gr3 Tasmanian Derby (2100m) at Elwick in Hobart. (Feb 21) Salisbury Street Wins Gwynne Stakes Kambula Stud stallion Blevic (Scenic-Blooms, by Biscay) recorded a black type victory when his daughter Salisbury Street (Blevic-Degrade) prevailed by a neck in a thrilling 3-way photo-finish to the $45,000 Listed Sheila Gwynne Stakes (1650m) for 3YO fillies at Belmont Park in Perth. Salisbury Street (ridden by D.O’Heara for trainer D.Harrison) defeated Lust For Dust (Made Of Gold-Australia Wealth), with a further short-neck to Alee’s Taxi (Ron Bon-Recall Leanne). Salisbury Street now has 3 wins & 2 placings in 9 starts for $58,432 prize-money. (Feb 21) 1st Winner For Sire Ghataas Meanwhile T.J.Stud-based stallion Ghataas (Sadler’s Wells-Harmless Albatross, by Pas de Seul) recorded his 1st winner when 3YO gelding The Motley Lot (trained by Darren Smith) led all-the-way in his track debut over 1100m at Port Macquarie, reported racenet.com.au. After a career which began in France, followed by races in the UK & Dubai, Ghataas (a home-bred for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Shadwell Estates) finished his racing in Australia (including victories at Randwick & Gosford) & now stands at T.J.Stud at Dunkenfield in NSW; he is a half-brother to 3 stakes-winners (including Gr2 winner & Gr1 placed Volochine). (Feb 21) Mi Jubilee Wins NZ Matamata Breeders’ Stakes In New Zealand, Fairdale Stud’s 1st season sire Howbaddouwantit (Rahy-Fair To The Wind, by Nijinsky) added to his growing reputation when juvenile daughter Mi Jubilee (Howbaddouwantit-Mi Steel, by Mi Preferido) blitzed her rivals by 4.75-lengths in the NZ$100,000 Gr2 Robin, Duke Of Bedford Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) for 2YO fillies at Matamata. Mi Jubilee (ridden by David Walker for trainer Stephen Crutchley) defeated Pulcinella (Stravinsky-Shall We Dance) & Missy Elliott (Magic Of Sydney-Fiorino). (Feb 21) Jack Be Nimble Wins White Robe Lodge Handicap The 6YO gelding Jack Be Nimble (Exploding Prospect-Picea) scored an exciting victory in a 5-way photo-finish to the NZ$35,000 Gr3 White Robe Lodge Handicap (1600m) at Wingatui. Jack Be Nimble (ridden by Jamie Bullard for trainer Joanne Hills) won by a neck from 9YO gelding Regal Night (Star Way-Grove Dale), with a long-neck to 3rd-placed 4YO mare Personal Column (Personal Escort-Noble Light); there was only another head to 4th-placed Mr Toff & a further head to 5th-placed Lord Asterix. (Feb 21) Darci Brahma Wins Matamata Slipper Last year’s NZ$1.1 million top-priced NZ Bloodstock Karaka Sales yearling colt Darci Brahma (Danehill-Grand Echezeaux, by Zabeel) followed his emphatic debut victory over 1200m at Avondale on January 31, with an equally impressive 3.5-lengths follow-up win in the NZ$35,000 Listed Fairview Ford Slipper (1200m) for 2YO colts & geldings at Matamata. Darci Brahma (ridden by Hayden Tinsley for trainer Mark Walker) defeated the gelding Skyward (Volksraad-Wildn’sensuous) & fellow colt Master Regent (Deputy Governor-La Marmalade). Darci Brahma was bought at last year's Karaka Sale by David Ellis of Te Akau Stud (from the draft of Pencarrow Stud); his dam Grand Echezeaux won the Gr1 Australasian Oaks in 2000. (Feb 21) Heureka Wins NZ Dunedin Gold Cup The 5YO mare Heureka (Yamanin Vital-Dalgety Bay) won the NZ$30,000 Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2200m) at Wingatui. Heureka (ridden by Kylie Williams for trainers Hec & Steve Anderton) defeated 6YO gelding Artax (Zabeel-Aulyn) & 4YO mare Happyaboutthat (Forensic Evidence-Dreams Of Change). (Feb 21) Bearable Wins NZ Ford Champagne Stakes Juvenile colt Bearable (Chief Bearhart-Bold Vision) scored by a head in the NZ$30,000 Listed Ford Champagne Stakes (1000m) for 2YOs at Wingatui. Bearable (ridden by Jamie Bullard for trainer Paul Harris) defeated fellow colt The Hurricane (My Halo-Celluloid) & gelding Final Reality (Howbaddouwantit-Virtual Reality). Bearable was a NZ$32,000 yearling at the 2004 NZ Bloodstock Select Sale. (Feb 21) Rogerson Opens Extra NZ Stable Meanwhile trans-Tasman trainer Graeme Rogerson & his Hamilton-based partner Stephen Autridge (who currently lead this season’s NZ trainers' premiership) “will open a satellite stable” in NZ’s Central Districts this week, reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. The new base will be located at Awapuni racecourse, where successful trainer Roydon Bergerson will be in charge of the day-to-day running of the operation. Rogerson confirmed: "We have always raced a lot of horses in the lower North Island, so it makes sense to have a base there." Bergerson, 42, has more than 20 years experience as a trainer, originally starting off in partnership with his father Herb before branching out on his own. (Feb 21) Last Start For Gr1-Winning Mare Lashed Multiple Gr1-winning 5YO mare Lashed (Encosta De Lago-Traffic Watch, by Salieri) will have 1 more race before being retired to stud, reported NZ Thoroughbred Marketing. The Cambridge Stud-owned mare finished 3rd in the NZ$100,000 weight-for-age Gr1 Whakanui Stud International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 12 & “has subsequently been confirmed in foal to champion Cambridge Stud sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram-Lady Giselle, by Nureyev)”. Co-trainer Stephen Autridge confirmed Lashed (a $40,000 yearling at the 2001 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale) will have a final start in the NZ$100,000 Gr1 Darley Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on March 5, noting: "Sir Patrick Hogan has done all of the check-ups with dates & the history of other in-foal mares racing & he's happy to give her 1 more start. She will come back to the stable to be prepared for the Darley but, if I'm not happy about anything, then she goes straight back to Cambridge Stud." Lashed won the Darley (formerly NZ) Stakes last year to complete a treble of Gr1 wins; overall she has 7 wins in 37 starts for more than NZ$1.1 million prize-money. (Feb 21) Perfect Partner Wins Gr1 HK Gold Cup In Hong Kong yesterday, Woodlands Stud stallion Quest For Fame (Rainbow Quest-Aryenne, by Green Dancer) notched an international Gr1 winner when Australian-bred 5YO gelding Perfect Partner (Quest For Fame-Stockings, by Whiskey Road) scored a front-running victory in the HK$8 million (A$1.33m) Gr1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin. Perfect Partner raced in Australia as Masked (trained by John Hawkes) & won 6 of his 8 starts (including the Listed Winter Stakes over 1400m at Rosehill Gardens). Yesterday’s race was also the 2nd leg of this season’s HK Triple Crown Series, with Perfect Partner (ridden by Christophe Soumillon for trainer Tony Cruz) defeating stable-mate Floral Dynamite (Danehill-Caraniya, by Darshaan) & Elegant Fashion (Danewin-Wily Trick, by Clever Trick). Perfect Partner had finished 2nd to Firebreak in the Gr1 Hong Kong Mile at the International meeting in December. His sire Quest For Fame won England’s 1990 Gr1 Epsom Derby & Perfect Partner “is his 6th Gr1 winner, following Viscount, Unworldly, Dracula & Tributes in Australia, & US Gr1 Del Mar Oaks winner Famous Digger in North America,” noted thoroughbredinternet.com. (Feb 21) Narita Century Wins Japan Gr1 Kyoto Kinen In Japan, 6YO Narita Century (Tony Bin-Princess Liebe, by Northern Taste) won the Gr1 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) on soft turf, reported thoroughbredinternet.com. Narita Century defeated Tosho Knight (by Timber Country) & Hishi Miracle (by Soccer Boy). He now has 8 wins in 21 starts for ¥270,090,000 (A$3.5m) earnings. (Feb 21) Desert Prince Adds Dubai Winner In Dubai, Woodlands Stud stallion Desert Prince (Green Desert-Flying Fairy, by Bustino) added an international winner when 5YO gelding Dawn Piper (Desert Prince-June Moon, by Sadler’s Wells) won the Shadwell Handicap (1950m) at Jebel Ali. Dawn Piper (ridden by Patrick Dobbs for trainer Doug Watson) defeated stable-mate Potro Celoso (Potrillon-Don’t Be Jealous, by Green Dancer) & Ibtecar (Seeking The Gold-Balanchine, by Storm Bird). (Feb 21) Hussonet’s 5th Chile Sires Title In South America, Arrowfield Stud stallion Hussonet (Mr Prospector-Sacahuista, by Raja Baba) “finished atop of Chile’s general sire list by earnings for the 5th consecutive season,” reported thoroughbredtimes.com. According to Chilean Stud Book statistics, “Hussonet’s progeny recorded 108 victories from 144 starters, accumulating approximately US$1,067,670, in purse ea