At Doomben racecourse in Queensland, Woodside Park's Gr2-winning stallion Written Tycoon (Iglesias-Party Miss, by Kenmare) celebrated an elite race success when 6YO bay mare Tycoon Tara (Written Tycoon-Mosstara, by Encores) bounced back to her brilliant best with a dashing front-running victory in the $500,000 Gr1 Tattersall's Tiara (1350m) for fillies & mares, defeating the late-closing Prompt Response & In Her Time. Tycoon Tara, who hails from the family of Gr1 King's Stand Stakes winner and successful sire Godswalk (USA), improved her record to 10 wins (including the Gr2 Golden Pendant, Gr2 Missile Stakes, Gr3 Show County Quality, Gr3 MRC Mannerism Stakes & Gr3 Bellmaine Stakes) and 5 placings from 32 starts for $1,173,370 in earnings. "She was going well last preparation when she won a couple of Black-Type races," Snowden said. "She's always had the ability to win a race like this at set weights. I was a bit disappointed with her performance last run and was ready to pull the pin until I saw her last week." Snowden said he was unsure about Tycoon Tara's future. "I'm not sure about her future. She's a rising seven-year-old and winning a Group 1 is a nice way to hang your hat on," he said.
Tycoon Tara won her maiden Gr1 (pic: Steve Hart)
Fell Swoop to Represent Inglis in Everest
Monday, 26th June 2017
Everest slot-holder Inglis has announced that brilliant Canberra sprinter Fell Swoop will be its representative in the inaugural $10 million The Everest (1200m) to be run at Royal Randwick on 14 October. Trained by Matthew Dale, Fell Swoop (Not a Single Doubt-Touched in Flight, by Fasliyev) has won 9 of his 23 starts and has been placed five times at Gr1 level, namely in the Darley Classic, Manikato Stakes, TJ Smith Stakes (twice behind Chautauqua), and the Oakleigh Plate. There are now four confirmed runners in The Everest, three of which are Inglis graduates – Fell Swoop, Chautauqua and She Will Reign. Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster was thrilled to have Fell Swoop as the company's 2017 slot runner. "We opened up expressions of interest for the Inglis slot back in March and received significant feedback from prospective owners, so this certainly wasn't an easy decision,'' Webster said. "In Fell Swoop we believe we have a genuine winning chance trained by one of Australia's best young trainers in Matt Dale and a horse who is proven as a legitimate Group 1 performer. Dale commented: "It's a very exciting concept and it's unbelievable to be a part of it in year one with a horse like Fell Swoop,'' he said. "We're privileged to join forces with Inglis to secure an Everest slot in the inaugural running of the race. He'll come back into the stables in a couple of weeks and then it's all systems go toward the Everest.''
Second Consecutive Century For Casino Prince
Monday, 26th June 2017
Vinery stallion Casino Prince (Flying Spur-Lady Capel, by Last Tycoon) passed another milestone when his consistent galloper Casino Belle scored a front-running victory on Sunday. The WA gelding is the 100th individual winner by Casino Prince in Australia this season and they have won a total of 162 races. He has also been represented by a further 14 individual winners overseas. It puts Casino Prince on track to beat last season’s career-best figures of 104 winners of 173 races. Sire this season of three stakes-performed 2YOs, in addition to his $180,000 sale-topping colt at the NZB Select Yearling Sale, he stands for $11,000 in the Hunter Valley in 2017.
Spendthrift's Gr1-winning freshman sire Jimmy Creed (Distorted Humor) has sired his third winner with 2YO filly Spectator posting a most impressive debut victory at Santa Anita on Saturday. Trained by Philip D'Amato, Spectator (Jimmy Creed–Diva's Tribute, by Henny Hughes) drew clear at the top of the stretch to score an emphatic 5.25 length win over Tequila Sunrise in a 5-furlong maiden in time of 58.46 seconds. Jimmy Creed will return to Spendthrift Australia for the Southern Hemisphere season where he will stand alongside freshman sire Swear, Warrior's Reward and Hampton Court.
Dark Alert Tops MM Perth Winter Sale
Monday, 26th June 2017
Pinjarra Cup winner Dark Alert topped Sunday’s Magic Millions Perth Winter Sales held at the Belmont Racecourse. A member of a select draft of racehorses from Peters Investments, Dark Alert was sold for $70,000 to the bid of Benjamin Miller. The gelded son of Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Testa Rossa boasts eight wins and six placings and earnings of over $490,000. Two runs back the son of Group winner Storm Alert won the listed Pinjarra Cup in April. The top ten priced lots in the racehorse section of yesterday’s sale were offered by Peters Investments with the Gr3 Roma Cup winner Battle Hero selling to Black Type Bloodstock for $60,000. A daughter of exciting young Hunter Valley freshman sire Deep Field topped the weanling section of the auction when she sold for $40,000. Earlier in the day a colt by Widden Stud's top performing first season sire Your Song topped the Winter Yearling Sale when selling for $35,000. The Magic Millions focus now switches to the 2017 Gold Coast 2YOs in Training Sale with entries for the breeze up style auction closing on July 28. The sale will be held on October 10 and 11 and will be preceded by four breeze up sessions, in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Inglis June Online Auction Now Open
Monday, 26th June 2017
A Stakes-placed 3YO, a full sister to a recent Group 1 winner and a mare from the same family as Winx headline a strong catalogue for Inglis Digital's June online auction. More than 100 horses have been catalogued for the sale, which is now open for bidding. Highlights of the catalogue include:
5YO mare Chase The Rose, a full sister to QLD Derby winner Ruthven;
Antalaga, an unraced 4YO mare out of a half-sister to Vegas Showgirl, the dam of Winx;
Mediterranean, a 3YO son of Smart Missile who finished second in the Listed The Rosebud;
Broodmare Le Havre, a close relation to the likes of Ulmann, Candika and Mahisara;
Bidding for the June sale opened at 3pm today and continues until the 'final countdown' at 5pm next Wednesday, June 28. Click here to view the catalogue.
Jimmy Unwala Joins Aquis Farm
Monday, 26th June 2017
Aquis Farm has announced the appointment of long-term Darley employee Jimmy Unwala to the position of Head of Nominations – NSW, based at Aquis Emirates Park in the Hunter Valley. Mr Unwala holds a B.Sc. Animal Science (Equine Module) from The University of Kentucky and is a graduate of the Darley Flying Start course (2008-2010). He has been working with Darley since completion of the course, most recently as a Nominations Sales Consultant. "The vision and passion of the Fung family to make Aquis a leading player in the industry and to see firsthand the giant strides they have taken in such a short time has truly inspired me, I am excited to be joining such a progressive organisation," a delighted Mr Unwala said. Aquis Farm Deputy CEO Shane McGrath said: "We were very happy to secure Jimmy's services at Aquis Emirates Park. We are gearing up for a very busy season both in Queensland and Hunter Valley and Jimmy will play an important role in that."
RQ Announces Prize Money Boost
Monday, 26th June 2017
Racing Queensland (RQ) will enhance returns to racing industry participants in 2017/18 by increasing prize money. CEO Dr Eliot Forbes said commercial decisions made by the new RQ Board have led to better than forecast financial results allowing for the budget increase next year. "The Board has approved a $3.2 million increase to prize money in the budget for 2017/18. While there is still some way to go to returning RQ to profitability, the Board understands the importance of enhancing participant returns," Dr Forbes said. The budgeted prize money increase of $3.2 million will be delivered across all three codes with Greyhound receiving $415k, Harness $505k and Thoroughbred $2.28m.
At Doomben racecourse in Queensland, Eureka Stud's Gr1-winning stallion Red Dazzler (Red Ransom-Vain Hill, by Danehill) added a Group success when 6YO bay gelding Rudy (Red Dazzler-Go on Now Go, by Success Express) joined the millionaires club when scoring a well-deserved win in the $200,000 Gr3 Tattersall's Cup (2200m) for 3YO+, defeating More Energy & War Baby. Rudy improved his record to 9 wins (including the Gr2 Villiers Stakes, Listed Tattersall's Recognition Stakes & BRC Members' Handicap) and 13 placings (including the Gr1 Doomben Cup, Gr2 PJ O'Shea Stakes, Gr3 BRC Grand Prix Stakes & Gr3 BRC Gunsynd Classic) from 49 starts for $1,018,825 in earnings. Rudy's victory under his big weight of 59.5 kilograms places him among some of the all-time greats with only three horses carrying more weight since WWII, reports Racing Queensland Webnews. Trainer Helen Page said Rudy will now be spelled before targeting the Sydney and Melbourne spring carnivals.
At Doomben racecourse in Queensland, Widden Stud's ill-fated Gr1-winning sire Northern Meteor (Encosta de Lago-Explosive, by Fappiano) added a Group success when 5YO brown gelding Burning Passion (Northern Meteor-Dearness, by Snippets) opened his stakes account when winning the $500,000 Gr3 W.J. Healy Stakes (1200m) for 3YO+, defeating Irish Constabulary & Too Good To Refuse. Purchased by Darby Racing for $24,000 at the 2016 Inglis Sydney Autumn Thoroughbred Sale from the draft of Gooree Stud, Burning Passion improved his record to 6 wins and 7 placings from 21 starts for $421,430 in earnings. Burning Passion is a half-brother to Gr1 JJ Atkins winner Romantic Touch from the Snippets mare Dearness, herself a half-sister to 6-time Gr1 winner Desert War and Gr1 Rosehill Guineas winner Laser Hawk. Burning Passion was possible James Cummings' final winner in his own right before he takes over as head trainer for Godolphin.
At Doomben racecourse in Queensland, multiple Gr1-winning shuttler & former star Australian sprinter Choisir (Danehill Dancer-Great Selection, by Lunchtime) added a black-type success when 6YO chestnut gelding Religify (Choisir-Sacred Witness, by El Moxie) ran his rivals off their feet with yet another impressive front-running victory in the $100,000 Listed G.H. Mumm Open Quality (1615m) for 3YO+, defeating Payroll & Man Of His Word. Religify, who hails from the same female family as champion Hong Kong sprinter Silent Witness, improved his record to 13 wins (including the Listed The Wayne Wilson & Listed Prime Minister's Cup) and 7 placings (including the Gr3 BRC Sprint Handicap) from 30 starts for $804,510 in earnings. Religify was a $135,000 purchase at the 2012 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Coolmore Stud.
At Doomben racecourse in Queensland, Vinery Stud's 4-time Gr1 winning stallion & half-brother to champion Black Caviar All Too Hard (Casino Prince-Helsinge, by Desert Sun) sired his first stakes winner when 2YO chestnut gelding Curdled (All Too Hard-Custard, by Lonhro) scored a determined win in the $100,000 Listed Winning Edge Stakes (1350m) for 2YOs, defeating Marseille En Fleur & Guissola. Owned by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds but purchased by Shadwell for $300,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Segenhoe, Curdled improved his record to 1 win and 4 placings from 6 starts for $88,850 in earnings. From the stakes-winning mare Custard, Curdled is a half-brother to Gr3 MRC Thoroughbred Club Stakes winner Serene Majesty (Fastnet Rock) and hails from the family of Gr1 Fillies' Mile winner Icing, dual Gr1-winning stallion Al Hareb, Gr1 sprinter and sire Snowland, and Vinery's Champion European 2YO and subsequent high-class sire Myboycharlie.
At Belmont racecourse in Perth, West Australia, Yarradale Stud shuttler War Chant (War Chant (Danzig-Hollywood Wildcat, by Kris S) added a black-type success when 3YO bay gelding Variation (War Chant-Fleeting Angel, by Don't Say Halo) showed his class when scoring a comfortable win in the $100,000 Listed Belmont Guineas (1600m) for 3YOs, defeating Gatting & Western Temple. A $32,000 purchase at the 2015 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale from the draft of Mungrup Stud, Variation improved his record to 6 wins (including the Gr2 W.A. Guineas & Listed Raconteur Stakes) and 5 placings from 12 starts for $576,650 in earnings. Variation also entered the record books by becoming the first horse to win the Gr2 WA Guineas & Belmont Guineas double in its 37-year history. "Credit to the horse…he's just an unbelievable little horse," trainer Stephen Miller told Sky Racing. Variation will have his next start in the Listed Aquanita Stakes (2000m) in a fortnight with his long-term aim being the $1 million Gr1 Railway Stakes (1600m) in November. "It's obviously another level again the Railway, but I think he's capable of putting his best foot forward and running a good race in that," jockey Brad Parnham said.
At Tauranga in New Zealand, 5YO bay mare Underthemoonlight (El Herman-Midnight Dip, by O'Reilly) posted her second career stakes victory when winning the $50,000 Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) for fillies & mares, defeating New York Minute & Meursault. Underthemoonlight improved her record to 4 wins (including the Gr3 Taranaki Breeders Stakes) and 11 placings (including the Gr3 Rotorua Stakes) from 21 starts for NZ$187,550 in earnings. A half-sister to the Group performer Storming The Tower, Underthemoonlight got the better of the pacemaker and favourite New York Minute and scooted clear to score by three and a half lengths, reports NZ Racing Desk. "She's going for a break now and she'll miss those early races next season at Hastings, but I truly believe she is a Group One horse as long as she can get her toe into the ground," said part-owner and co-breeder Hamish McQuade, whose wife Karyn trains the mare.
Rare White Filly Wins Maiden
Monday, 26th June 2017
New Zealand-bred filly Casta Diva, the first foal to race of snow white mare The Opera House, has won at her fourth start over 2600m at Hakodate in Japan, reports NZ Racing Desk. Casta Diva (High Chaparral), whose dam The Opera House (Zabeel) is a three-quarter sister to former two-time Australian Horse of the Year Might And Power, was a NZ$450,000 purchase by the Dearest Club of Japan at the 2016 NZ Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale at Karaka. Her half-brother by Shamexpress sold for NZ$510,000 at this year's NZ Bloodstock Premier Sale when jointly purchased by the China Horse Club and top Victorian trainer Ciaron Maher.
Satono Crown Wins Gr1 Takarazuka Kinen
Monday, 26th June 2017
At Hanshin Racecourse in Japan on Sunday, 5YO entire Satono Crown (Marju-Jioconda, by Rossini) claimed his second top-flight success, and the first in his native Japan, when scoring by 0.75 length in the Gr1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) for 3YO+, defeating Gold Actor (Screen Hero) & Mikki Queen (Deep Impact). Trained by Noriyuki Hori, Satono Crown improved his record to 7 wins (including the Gr1 Hong Kong Vase) and 1 placing (the Gr1 Japanese Derby) from 14 starts for ¥ 571,011,100 in earnings. Jockey Mirco Demuro commented: "We were able to race well while eyeing the strong Kitasan Black. He felt really good turning the fourth corner and exerted a remarkable kick in the straight. He's really a G1 horse. I think this type of ground suits him. I always had confidence in him," he said.
Caravaggio Wins Gr1 Commonwealth Cup
Monday, 26th June 2017
On the fourth day of the famous Royal Ascot carnival in the UK, outstanding 3YO US-bred colt Caravaggio (Scat Daddy-Mekko Hokte, by Holy Bull) maintained his blemish free record when scorching to a brilliant 0.75-length win for trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore in the Gr1 Commonwealth Cup (1200m) for 3YOs, defeating Harry Angel (Dark Angel) & Blue Point (Shamardal). Caravaggio extended his unbeaten record to 6 wins (including the Gr1 Phoenix Stakes & Gr2 Coventry Stakes) from 6 starts for £500,430 in earnings. Master trainer Aidan O'Brien restated his previous statement that Caravaggio was the fastest horse ever to pass through the famous Ballydoyle yard. "He had plenty to do at halfway behind two good horses and he raced for only two and a half furlongs," O'Brien said. "I would be happier at two furlongs than six furlongs with him. He is the fastest horse we have ever had." O'Brien added: "Because it was his second run back, we were afraid to do too much because we didn't want to lose that brilliance that he has. He is just an unbelievably quick horse." O'Brien said Caravaggio's connections were considering aiming the colt at the inaugural $10 million The Everest (1200m) to be run at Royal Randwick in Sydney on 14 October. "They have a plan in their mind that he might go to Australia for the Everest, so we have to be very conscious now if we want him to last for the autumn," he said.
Winter Wins Gr1 Coronation Stakes
Monday, 26th June 2017
On the fourth day of the famous Royal Ascot carnival in the UK, former Coolmore shuttler and triple Gr1-winning champion European sire Galileo (Sadler's Wells-Urban Sea, by Miswaki) celebrated an elite race success when 3YO filly Winter (Galileo-Laddies Poker Two, by Choisir) confirmed her status as the best filly in all of Europe with a resounding 2.25 length win for trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore in the £430,000 Gr1 Coronation Stakes (1600m) 3YO fillies, defeating stable-mates Roly Poly (War Front) & Hydrangea (Galileo). Owned by Coolmore's Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier, Winter improved her record to 4 wins (including the Gr1 English 1,000 Guineas & Gr1 Irish 1,000 Guineas) and 3 placings from 7 starts for £697,003 in earnings. O'Brien said Winter's long term target is the Breeders' Cup World Championships later in the year. "She's a filly who is thriving from race-to-race, she travelled well, Ryan had her in a lovely position and she's won very well," O'Brien told Sky Sports. "She gets the trip very well, she's very classy and is a great traveller. When you ask her she gallops out strong." He added: "All roads lead to Del Mar (Breeders' Cup), but first there's a race in three weeks' time, the Falmouth [Gr1], so we'll see how she is and how her training keeps going."
The Tin Man Wins Gr1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes
Monday, 26th June 2017
On the final day of the famous Royal Ascot carnival in the UK, Swettenham's dual Gr1 Kings Stand Stakes winning shuttler Equiano (Acclamation-Entente Cordiale, by Ela-Mana-Mou) celebrated an elite race success when 5YO UK-bred gelding The Tin Man (Equiano-Persario, by Bishop of Cashel) returned to his brilliant best when scoring by a neck for trainer James Fanshawe in the 600,000 Gr1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) for 3YO+, defeating Tasleet (Showcasing) & Limato (Tagula). The Tin Man improved his record to 7 wins (including the Gr1 British Champion Sprint Stakes) and 1 placing (the Gr1 Haydock Sprint Cup) from 13 starts for £860,560 in earnings. Trainer James Fanshawe said The Tin Man could potentially clash with star colt Caravaggio in next month's Gr1 July Cup at Newmarket. "It's great for the yard and the horse loves Ascot. It suits his style as he comes from off the pace, and his acceleration can come to the fore. We'll see how he is but the July Cup is the obvious target," he told Racing Post.
Idaho Wins Gr2 Hardwicke Stakes
Monday, 26th June 2017
On the final day of the famous Royal Ascot carnival in the UK, Coolmore shuttler and triple Gr1-winning champion European sire Galileo (Sadler's Wells-Urban Sea, by Miswaki) added a Group success when 4YO Irish-bred entire Idaho (Galileo-Hveger, by Danehill) scored by 0.5 length for trainer Aidan O'Brien in the £225,000 Gr2 Hardwicke Stakes (2400m) 4YO+, defeating Barsanti (Champs Elysees) & Chemical Charge (Sea The Stars). Idaho, who is a full brother to the remarkable globe-trotting star Highland Reel, advanced his record to 3 wins (including the Gr2 Great Voltigeur Stakes) and 4 placings (including the Gr1 English Derby & Gr1 Irish Derby) from 11 starts for £661,455 in earnings. Like Highland Reel, Idaho is out of the Gr1-placed Australian mare Hveger (Danehill), a full-sister to multiple Gr1 winner Elvstroem and a half-sister to fellow multiple Gr1 scorer Haradasun from Australian Oaks heroine Circles Of Gold. This is also the family of brilliant young sire Starspangledbanner and Golden Slipper winner Polar Success. Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O'Brien said Idaho could join his brother Highland Reel in next month's Gr1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. "We're delighted. He's a full-brother to Highland Reel and we always loved him," O'Brien told rte.ie. "He's by Galileo and they don't know when to stop improving or stop trying. It's very possible he'll progress, there's plenty of races for him." He added: "It (King George) is a possibility for him, the lads will decide what they want to do in a week or 10 days, but it's a very strong possibility."
Pakistan Star Refuses to Race
Monday, 26th June 2017
One of the most extraordinary incidents witnessed on a racecourse in recent memory occurred during the running of the Gr3 The Premier Plate (1800m) at Sha Tin in Hong Kong yesterday. It involved Hong Kong racing’s cult hero Pakistan Star, the German bred galloper blessed with an abundance of natural ability but unfortunately, for his owners and supporters at least, a mind all of his own. Sent out at prohibitive odds ($1.20) befitting that of a Hong Kong Derby and QEII runner-up, Pakistan Star jumped the gates and travelled a mere 200 metres before raising his white blinkered head, shortening stride, and planting his feet in the Sha Tin turf. Even the urgings of Joao “the Magic Man” Moreira, widely considered the finest reinsman in the world, could not cajole the 4YO to change his mind, so he simply stood still and watched as the remaining four runners galloped on without him, with Horse of Fortune eventually prevailing by 1.25 lengths over Romantic Touch and Harbour Master in a thrilling finish. Moreira said of Pakistan Star after dismounting: “He wanted to stop. I urged him and tried hard to get him running but he just didn't want to go!” Before he can race again, the Stewards will require the gelding to pass two consecutive satisfactory barrier trials, one of which must be contested over 1600m at Sha Tin.
