Following their recent maiden partnership Group 1 success with Sunshine in Paris (Invader) in Flemington's Gr1 Champions Sprint, Sydney trainers Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald celebrated another elite triumph as Port Lockroy (More Than Ready) delivered local jockey Clint Johnston-Porter his maiden elite victory in the $1.5 million Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday. Sent out at $9, Port Lockroy surged ahead on straightening after a perfect ride from Johnston-Porter, securing a three-quarter-length win over now three-time Gr1 Railway Stakes runner-up Comfort Me (Playing God). Former WA juvenile champion Super Smink (Super One) stormed home for third, just a breath behind. "I'm just so excited for the owners in this horse," Archibald said. "He's been so unlucky in his career, but today CJP executed the perfect race. Full credit to him." Archibald praised the owners for their bravery in targeting the race, calling the result "a great reward." He added, "Annabel has always had so much confidence in this horse. It's a huge thrill to see him deliver on the big stage." Johnston-Porter, who narrowly missed a Group 1 win last year, was thrilled to break through. "This will take a couple of weeks to sink in," he said. "To win the Railway, our iconic race, is fantastic." Reflecting on his preparation, he noted, "I was banking on his run in the Golden Eagle. When I worked him, I tried not to get too excited." Port Lockroy was a $300,000 purchase by Neasham at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Yearling Sale from the draft of Yarramalong Park.
Port Lockroy Creates Win Win Win Scenario
Weekend, 25th November 2024
In winning the Gr1 Railway Stakes at Ascot in Perth, Port Lockroy became the second Group 1 winner for Lyndhurst Stud Farm's resident sire star Better Than Ready More (More Than Ready) He is one of five winners produced by the Black Type performer Freezethemillions. A daughter of Snowland's half-brother Freeze, Freezethemillions was a winner at two and second in the Listed Lancaster Stakes, third in the Listed Hampden Stakes and fourth in the Gr2 Sires' BRC Produce Stakes. Port Lockroy is a full-brother to the Gr3 BJ McLachlan Stakes, Listed Phelan Ready Stakes and $1 million Magic Millions QTIS winner Alpine Edge. An earner of over $1.88 million, Alpine Edge now stands at the Frapell family’s Clear Mountain Fairview where he is making his stud debut this season. The result also provided another feather in the cap of breeder Richard Foster whose Yarramalong Park bred and consigned Port Lockroy who fetched a handsome sum of $300,000 at the Gold Coast. Meanwhile, an outstanding line up of 28 youngsters by Better Than Ready are catalogued for January's 2025 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. More stock by the star sire will feature at the 2025 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale and other auctions to be conducted by Magic Millions over the coming sales season.
$1.3m Snitzel Colt Dominates Challenge Stakes
Weekend, 25th November 2024
Return To Conquer lived up to his million-dollar price tag with a scintillating debut in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe, reports loveracing.nz. The colt, purchased for $1.3 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Te Akau Racing's David Ellis, is by champion sire Snitzel and out of Vaujany, a Lonhro mare from a proven black-type family. Unbeaten in three trial outings this spring, Return To Conquer carried lofty expectations into Saturday's race and did not disappoint. Sent off as the $1.20 favourite, the striking juvenile broke smartly from the inside gate under jockey Wiremu Pinn and dictated terms throughout. Cruising around the Pukekohe track, he surged clear 200m out with ears pricked, coasting to an effortless two-and-a-half-length victory over Sierra Leone (Sun City) and Vega For Luck (Lucky Vega). "He's an absolute machine," Pinn said. "I've ridden some pretty good horses, and he's right up there. To be honest, he hasn't even really tried today." Trainer Mark Walker confirmed a short spell for the promising colt before deciding on targets, which may include the Gr1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) in March or an Australian campaign. Saturday's win made Return To Conquer the 153rd stakes winner for Snitzel, whose progeny boasts an enviable record in New Zealand, including Group 1 stars Sword Of State and Summer Passage. Ellis was delighted with his purchase, saying, "We thought he was the best Snitzel colt in the sale. It's a pleasure to bring a horse like this to a fantastic track at Pukekohe for his first start."
Return to Conquer was in a race pf his own (pic: Kenton Wright Race Images)
Happy Valley a Forerunner for HKJC High Tech
Weekend, 25th November 2024
The Hong Kong Jockey Club is redefining the horse-racing experience at Happy Valley with the launch of two innovative venues, The Beat and Vantage. According to scmp, these spaces aim to blend technology, entertainment, and hospitality to appeal to a younger generation of racegoers. Located on the second and third floors of the Pavilion Stand, the venues offer features like an AI parade ring and interactive race cards. Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges believes these modern amenities will attract new fans, stating, "To sustain our world-class racing as an international brand for Hong Kong, we must stay close to the fast-changing aspirations of our customers in the digital age." The Beat and Vantage are key to evolving the Club's popular Happy Wednesday brand, which combines sporting action with vibrant social experiences. Engelbrecht-Bresges noted, "These venues pioneer a new digital racecourse concept that will strengthen our Happy Wednesday brand, well-loved by locals and tourists alike." Designed more for casual entertainment than traditional racing enthusiasts, Vantage provides a refined dining experience with options for private booths. Meanwhile, The Beat serves as a lively social hub, featuring live music and a communal atmosphere. Together, these additions aim to broaden the appeal of Happy Valley, transforming it into a destination that balances the thrill of racing with social engagement. These efforts align with larger developments at Sha Tin racecourse, which are part of the Club's plan to enhance Hong Kong's reputation as a global horse-racing destination. "We will implement a holistic digital transformation of the customer journey," explained Dennis Hau, the Club's executive director for customer strategy. This initiative includes Instagram-worthy spaces and interactive digital elements, all set to debut during the 2025-26 season, making horse racing more accessible and appealing for the next generation.
La Crique Lands Last-Gasp Breeders' Stakes Win
Weekend, 25th November 2024
In New Zealand's feature race of the day, La Crique produced a sensational finish to claim Saturday's Gr.2 Dunstan Horsefeeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe, prevailing by a head in a dramatic photo finish. The dual Group 1-winning Vadamos mare, boasting eight wins and over $1.3 million in stakes, returned to New Zealand after securing the $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic in June. According to NZ Racing Desk, a strong runner-up effort under 60.5kg at Tauranga earlier this month set the stage for her latest heroics. Sent out as the $2.20 favourite, the six-year-old seemed well-suited to the switch to weight-for-age conditions. But after settling near the tail of the 12-horse field and being forced wide in the straight, her chances looked slim with 200m to go. Surging late under first-time rider Michael McNab, La Crique clawed back six lengths to edge out Lux Libertas (Almanzor) in the dying strides. Marotiri Molly (Per Incanto) and Hi Yo Sass Bomb (Complacent) rounded out the top four. "She just got a bit flat-footed at the top of the straight," McNab said. "At the 150m, she really started to rip, but I wasn't sure she'd get there. I'm rapt to ride her – she's brilliant." Trainer Katrina Alexander praised her mare's determination. "She got further back than I hoped, but she just keeps coming. It was a gutsy run." La Crique now targets the Gr1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham on December 7 and the Gr1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
La Crique (white cap) just got there (pic: Kenton Wright Race Images)
Nadal Aces His Cranbourne Meteorite Mission
Weekend, 25th November 2024
Progressive sprinter Nadal (Xtravagant) unleashed a blistering turn of foot to storm from near last to capture the $1m Ladbrokes Meteorite at Cranbourne on Saturday. The Ciaron Maher-trained 4YO, coming off a luckless run at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week, redeemed himself with a dominant near three-length victory over Rey Magnerio. Caught in traffic rounding the home turn on Cranbourne's short straight, Nadal looked set for another frustrating finish until jockey Ethan Brown found clear running. From there, the gelding surged past his rivals, showcasing the electric sprint that has earned him three wins from just ten starts. This victory also marks the 106th open $1m+ race win by an Inglis graduate since 2019. Racing in the renowned colors of Ozzie Kheir, Nadal's success is part of a fruitful week for Kheir and his partners, who earlier purchased Inglis graduate Bold Bastille for $810,000 in a digital auction. Nadal himself was a $250,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase from breeders Newhaven Park. "That was impressive – his turn of foot was something else," said Maher, who plans to target top-class sprints next year. "He's matured as a 4YO, and we're seeing what we've always believed in him. He's got a dynamic sprint, as we saw today." John Kelly of Newhaven Park, who bred Nadal, was equally thrilled. "This result reflects Xtravagant's potential as a sire. Nadal embodies the type of racehorse he can produce," Kelly said. Newhaven will present a 37-strong draft at the Classic Yearling Sale on February 9-11, promising offerings to suit every buyer.
Frankel Record Emulated by City of Troy
Weekend, 25th November 2024
City Of Troy, the four-time Group 1 champion by Justify, claimed the coveted Cartier Horse of the Year title at the 34th Cartier Racing Awards in London. According to a report by TDN, this comes on the heels of his recognition as last year’s Cartier 2YO Colt, making him the first horse since Frankel to achieve both titles consecutively. Trained by Aidan O’Brien for Coolmore partners Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, City Of Troy dazzled with wins in the Derby, Coral-Eclipse, and Juddmonte International. He surpassed stablemate Kyprios (Galileo), top miler Charyn (Dark Angel), and Arc winner Bluestocking (Camelot) for Horse of the Year. He also claimed the Cartier 3YO Colt award, besting Notable Speech (Dubawi), Rosallion (Blue Point), and Calandagan (Gleneagles). See all 8 starts by City of Troy below. Dark Angel's Charyn, trained by Roger Varian, earned the Cartier Older Horse award after victories in the Queen Anne Stakes, Prix Jacques Le Marois, and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Bluestocking, Goliath (Adlerflug), and Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi) were other nominees. Kyprios, jointly owned by Moyglare Stud and Coolmore, secured his second Cartier Stayer award, with triumphs in the Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, Irish St Leger, and Prix du Cadran. The Cartier 3YO Filly award went to Porta Fortuna (Caravaggio), a triple Group 1 winner in the Coronation, Falmouth, and Matron Stakes. She beat Tamfana (Soldier Hollow), Ramatuelle (Justify), and Kalpana (Study Of Man). Bradsell (Tasleet) earned the Cartier Sprinter award with Nunthorpe Stakes and Flying Five victories. In juvenile categories, Shadow Of Light (Lope De Vega) won Cartier 2YO Colt after his Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes wins. Lake Victoria (Frankel), unbeaten this season, clinched Cartier 2YO Filly with Cheveley Park and Breeders’ Cup wins.
Gr1 Stars’ Shares Highlight Inglis Halo Reduction
Weekend, 25th November 2024
Shares in Gr1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, Gr1 Toorak Handicap winner Attrition, and Saturday’s Gr1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline the Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale. These three Spring stars are part of an unreserved Halo Racing reduction, offered on behalf of the late Colin McKenna, who passed away last month. The Halo Racing draft comprises 41 entries, including 5% shares in the aforementioned trio. Other standouts include shares in Federer (10%), Chorlton Lane (17.5%), Future History (5%), Interpretation (5%), Makram (30%), and Sunshineinmypocket (10%). Additionally, the offering features full ownership of the undefeated Perfect Excuse and dual winner Half Yours, who claimed his penultimate start by 6-lengths. “Colin McKenna, along with his wife Janice, was an extraordinary patron of racing. The blue and green silks of Halo Racing are synonymous with elite performers like Jameka, Gregers, Another Wil, and Attrition,” Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch said. “Halo Racing has been a major force in racing, and this reduction sale, following Colin’s sad passing, is a pragmatic approach to managing stock numbers. The catalogue contains several highly desirable lots, which are sure to attract significant interest from buyers.” The November (Late) catalogue also features exceptional breeding prospects. Our Belisa, the dam of this month’s $1m Inglis Golden Gift winner North England, is offered in foal to Stay Inside. Snitzel Blitz, the dam of Gr1 Memsie Stakes winner Pinstriped, is offered in foal to Tassort. Other highlights include Mungara with a Too Darn Hot colt at foot and Luluoru, dam of Group-placed 2YO Yes Lulu, in foal to Tassort. The 393-lot catalogue comprises 234 racehorses, 68 racehorse shares, 50 broodmares, 36 yearlings, and five unbroken stock.
World Pool to Include all 12 HK Group 1s
Weekend, 25th November 2024
The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), operator of the World Pool, has announced that all 12 Group 1 races in Hong Kong's 2024/25 season will now feature under the World Pool brand. This includes December’s Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), marking the first time Hong Kong races will officially be part of the World Pool framework, reports racenet.com.au. Although the World Pool debuted in 2019 at Royal Ascot, its races were exclusively held outside Hong Kong. Now, the HKJC has decided to integrate its elite races – recognized among the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities’ (IFHA) LONGINES World's Top 100 Group 1 events – under this global banner. While Hong Kong races have featured in HKJC-hosted commingled pools since the 2013/14 season, this is their inaugural inclusion in the official World Pool calendar. With this move, Hong Kong becomes the ninth jurisdiction to host World Pool events, joining regions like the UK, Ireland, Germany, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Australia, and Argentina. Across over 25 jurisdictions and 70 betting partners, 84 of the IFHA Top 100 Group 1 races will be included in the World Pool for 2024/25. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the HKJC CEO, emphasised World Pool’s role in enhancing horse racing: "World Pool has brought numerous benefits, including deep parimutuel markets, better odds certainty, and stronger returns. It combats illegal gambling while supporting increased prizemoney and the sustainability of horse racing." Highlighting its global appeal, he added, "Including Hong Kong’s leading races strengthens the brand’s alignment with the world’s best racing." Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director of Wagering Products, highlighted the strategic value: "By branding Hong Kong’s top races as World Pool, we attract a wider audience and showcase premium racing globally. With World Pool’s growth, we’re contributing significantly to the industry ecosystem." World Pool, already popular in the UK and Ireland, has generated over HK$500 million for racecourses there, underlining its potential to deliver increased returns as it expands globally.
SH Tatts/Inglis Online Dec Session Published
Weekend, 25th November 2024
The catalogue for the Southern Hemisphere Session, a collaboration between Tattersalls Online and Inglis Digital, is now available on the Tattersalls Online website. As the feature of the Tattersalls Online December Sale on 11-12 December, this session offers breeders a rare opportunity to acquire mares in foal on Southern Hemisphere covers. Eight mares will headline the session, including five recent additions. Among them are mares in foal to Too Darn Hot, Darley’s exceptional young sire and Champion First Season Sire in both hemispheres, who is not shuttling to Australia this year. The South African Champion 2YO Filly and Group 1 winner Cloth Of Cloud will also star in the session, consigned by Moulton Stud. A half-sister to Group 1 filly Silver Mountain, Cloth Of Cloud boasts a pedigree featuring Captain Al and Fusaichi Pegasus mare Our Table Mountain, herself a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller. Her colt foal by Wooton Bassett will be offered in the Tattersalls December Foal Sale as Lot 917. Belle Isle, another standout from the Moulton Stud draft, will be presented with her filly foal by No Nay Never, foaled to Southern Hemisphere time. The dam of Group performers Abel Handy and Woody Creek, Belle Isle brings notable Black Type appeal. New England Stud will offer an impressive trio of mares: Believeinmiracles, a Frankel daughter from the Niarchos family of Shiva; Good Liza, a Kingman mare linked to Grocer Jack and Legatissimo; and Crimson Coronet, already announced. Other highlights include Know Thyself, a Galileo mare consigned by Hazelwood Bloodstock, and Savabeel’s Group 2-placed daughter Sedaka, from Watership Down Stud.
There are several mares in foal to Too Darn Hot to SH time (pic: tattersalls.com)
Sixteen 2YOs to Consider for Group 1s
Weekend, 25th November 2024
If it's true that the Golden Slipper winner has invaribaly been seen before Christmas, then there is a good chance that amongst the sixteen 2YOs to have won or placed in Black Type races this season, he or she has already been unmasked. What brought that into focus on Wednesday was when Spirit of Boom's juvenile colt Shining Smile won the opening event at Caulfield's Heath circuit to break his duck as one of just two 2YOs to be able to boast more than one stakes performance in 2024. Currently fifth on the 2024-25 Black Type 2YO Premiership table after in-the-frame finishes for Lindsay Park in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Plate, his opening quote of $3.70 was deservedly snapped up before he delivered on his promise at $2.05. The other 2YO with more than one stakes race 'show' is category leader North England, a son of Kia Ora Stud's first season sire Farnan, himself winner of the Golden Slipper. He brought his Gr3 Arrowfield Breeders' Plate form to the Gr3 Inglis Golden Gift, which he won handsomely. Of note for those monitoring the 2YO feature race scene, as embryonic as it may still be, is that four of the 16 juveniles, or 25 percent, on the table have emerged from the Ben, Will and JD Hayes stable. Albeit with a slightly different mix of family members, it's a stable that can point to Personal, third in the 2020 Blue Diamond Stakes and Little Brose and Arkansaw Kid, first and third, respectively, in the 2023 Blue Diamond. Furthermore, racing.com points out that the stable's 2YOs are currently striking at a 22.2% win rate, and 66.66% place rate.
North England is the current Black Type 2YO Premiership leader (pic: Steve Hart)
Winning Sire: Per Incanto (Street Cry-Pappa Reale, by Indian Ridge)
Stud Farm: Little Avondale Stud
Trainer: C Maher
Jockey: Tommy Berry
Race record: 9 wins and 7 placings from 17 starts for $3,061,300 in earnings
Sales Info: $100,000 yearling consigned by Archer Park at the 2021 NZB NYSS and then a pass-in consigned by Kilmore Farm at the 2021 NZB Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs
