On 8 December at Sha Tin, Australian-trained gallopers will feature prominently in the prestigious Hong Kong International Races, with the finalised fields revealed on Wednesday evening. According to racing.com, the 2023 Caulfield and Melbourne Cup champion Without A Fight, a Horse of the Year finalist, will compete in the Hong Kong Vase over 2400m. The race boasts a world-class lineup, including Dubai Honour (well known to Australian fans), winner of this year’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Luxembourg from Aidan O’Brien’s stable, who narrowly missed victory against Romantic Warrior in the 2022 Hong Kong Cup. Queensland’s Antino is set to contest the Hong Kong Mile, a race bolstered by strong Australian connections. Among the notable contenders are Lazzat, the French runner-up in the Golden Eagle, and Docklands from OTI Racing, who has contested top events like the Cox Plate and Champions Stakes. Trainer Ciaron Maher will mark his Hong Kong debut with multiple stakes winner Recommendation in the Hong Kong Sprint. This sprinter will face five other international competitors as they challenge rising local star Ka Ying Rising, trained by David Hayes. Meanwhile, in addition to the likes of Zac Purton, James McDonald (on a short contract), Hugh Bowman, Brenton Avdulla and Ben Thompson, already based in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed that Australian jockeys Damian Lane, Blake Shinn, and Mark Zahra will participate in Sha Tin’s flagship meeting, further highlighting the event's international flavour. "The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races are a cornerstone of the global racing calendar, and this year we’re thrilled to host such a prestigious lineup from across the world," said Andrew Harding, the HKJC’s Executive Director of Racing of the 26 Group 1 winners engaged. "The quality of runners and presence of top stars reflect our enduring commitment to excellence in the sport."
Horse of the Year finalist Without A Fight (pic: Mark Gatt)
NEWHISA Announces Funding for Equine Research
Thursday, 21st November 2024
In the USA, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has announced funding for two studies with regards to Exercise-Associated Sudden Death as part of their working group on the issue, reports bloodhorse.com. "The EASD Working Group is working diligently to address the incidence of sudden deaths, which continue to account for a significant portion of racing fatalities," said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. "This ongoing challenge requires increased attention, which is exactly why HISA exists. We are optimistic that this group's research will enhance our understanding and help inform policy changes that will reduce sudden fatalities and safeguard our horses." Dr. Sian Durward-Akhurst of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, is working a biometric markers to analyse the difference between sound horses and those who break down, while Dr. Cris Navas of New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Durward-Akhurst of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Minnesota, have begun an Exercise-Associated Sudden Death monitoring pilot program. The program includes 93 Thoroughbred racehorses across racetracks in Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, and Minnesota, monitoring them during training with recording devices looking at ECG, heart rate, stride characteristics (rate, length, symmetry [for trot] and regularity), speed, distance, duration, and the relationships and progression of these variables are measured.
It’s Okay, You’re Not Seeing Double
Thursday, 21st November 2024
Scrolling through the Australian Black Type Stallion Premiership page, it’s quite easy to deduce that, somehow, you’ve ended up on the page from an earlier season or the website is just a copy and paste job. When it comes to consistency across the past three seasons, there are four stallions, in particular, that are omnipresent. As regular as clockwork, this quartet turns up in the stakes race landscape. We’re talking about, alphabetically, I Am Invincible, Pride of Dubai, Snitzel and Zoustar. What’s a little different this year is a powerful return to the table by Fastnet Rock who is sandwiched in third position by the awesome foursome. Ironically for the former Champion Australian General Sire, the bulk of his points this season have come courtesy of northern hemisphere-bred double-act Via Sistina and Buckaroo, neither of whom requires any further introduction. Displaying how dollars versus Black Type performance yardsticks create different outcomes on an overlaid statistical graph, Pride of Dubai has a healthy lead on the 2024-25 Australian General Sires table – he has passed $14 million in progeny earnings – which is not replicated on the Black Type Stallion table. There, Zoustar (167 points) leads the way from Snitzel (147), Fastnet Rock (136), Pride of Dubai (127), I Am Invincible (117) and Written Tycoon (107). Notably, although in different batting order, that half dozen also occupies the top six spots on the prizemoney table.
Zoustar has a 20 point lead four months into the season (pic: widden.com)
Record Opening Day at NZB Ready to Run Sale
Thursday, 21st November 2024
Day 1 of NZB's 2024 Ready to Run Sale delivered exceptional results, including an Australasian record for a 2YO at auction. The aggregate reached $18,467,000, a 14% increase compared to last year's opening day, with the average rising to $174,000 (+11%) and the median climbing to $95,000 (+6%). The top two lots were both progeny of Champion sire I Am Invincible, with Lot 174 (ex Shillelagh) setting a Southern Hemisphere record when selling for $1,650,000 to Te Akau Racing. David Ellis expressed his excitement about securing the fast-breezing colt, while Sam Fairgray of Yulong was delighted to secure the second-highest priced lot, Lot 32 (ex La Luna Rossa), saying, "He put his head down and paraded well, and I really liked his breeze-up. He'll head back to Australia, take it easy, and will be trained by Chris Waller." NZB's Head Auctioneer, Mike Kneebone, praised the day's results, noting, "It's a remarkable Sale. It keeps pushing the boundaries." He also commented on the strength of the buying bench, saying, "Yesterday at the welcome drinks, I looked around and thought the buying bench was as good and as strong as I've ever seen, and the results are starting to show for that." Kneebone also highlighted the strong Australian interest, noting, "I've been amazed by the Australian spend. They don't normally buy 2YOs, so to see them hunting up behind Hong Kong – only a few million behind – is remarkable. But with results on the racetrack, like Ceolwulf, Mr Brightside, Antino, and Warmonger, it's no surprise they've come to play." Day 2 of the sale begins at 11am (NZT) on Thursday, 21 November, with broadcast coverage starting at 10:30am (NZT).
Vinnie Colt Obliterates 2YO Ready to Run Record
Thursday, 21st November 2024
New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale’s previous record price of $825,000 was shattered at Karaka on Wednesday when Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis secured an I Am Invincible colt for an unprecedented $1,650,000. The colt, offered by Kiltannon Stables as Lot 174, became the highest-priced 2YO ever sold at public auction in the southern hemisphere. Out of Savabeel mare Shillelagh, the colt boasts a strong connection to Te Akau Racing. Shillelagh, trained by Te Akau’s former trainer Jamie Richards, won four of her six New Zealand starts for owner-breeders Christopher and Susanna Grace. She later joined Chris Waller’s stable, claiming the Gr1 Cantala Stakes and Gr1 Empire Rose Stakes over 1600m. At stud, Shillelagh has already made an impact. Her first foal to race, Irish Legacy, placed in the Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes earlier this year. The colt in question had previously failed to meet his $420,000 reserve at a Sydney yearling sale in April but was a different prospect at Karaka, where he drew a crowd and intense bidding, eventually won by Ellis who refused to be beaten. “The fact that we trained Shillelagh for Christopher and Susanna Grace makes this special for Te Akau,” Ellis said. “But I thought he was easily the nicest colt I’ve ever seen at this sale. My wife Karyn told me, ‘If you really like him, don’t be beaten,’ which gave me the confidence to make those last bids.” Ellis’s regard for I Am Invincible, who sired Te Akau stars Imperatriz and Move To Strike, further fuelled his determination. The colt impressed further during Te Rapa breeze-ups, clocking a standout time of 9.97 seconds. “Mark Walker said he hasn’t seen a 2YO work like that for a long time,” Ellis noted, also revealing, “Harry and Bill Mitchell, who stand I Am Invincible at Yarraman Park, said to me that this is as nice an I Am Invincible colt as they’ve seen, and they’re going to be taking a share.” The much-admired colt will enter Te Akau’s New Zealand system, potentially targeting the Gr1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes before a possible future in Australia. Meanwhile, another 2YO by I Am Invincible, Lot 32 out of the Written Tycoon mare Luna Rosa, fetched $675,000 when purchased by Yulong earlier on the day.
Lot 174 set a new record (pic: Trish Dunell)
Quality Proisir 2YO Purchased for Hong Kong Interests
Thursday, 21st November 2024
Bloodstock agent Andrew Williams secured a well-related Proisir gelding for $650,000 on the opening day of the NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka. Offered by Riversley Park as Lot 79, the gelding is out of unraced Carlton House mare Miss Vegas, making him a full sibling to Gr3 Northland Breeders' Stakes fourth placegetter Vegas Queen. Miss Vegas is also a half-sister to the dam of Australian rising star Gringotts, a Ciaron Maher-trained gelding with eight wins, including the $3 million The Big Dance at Randwick. Further down the pedigree lies the legendary Winx, a family connection that adds to the gelding's appeal. However, Williams, who bought the juvenile in partnership with Hong Kong Bloodstock, emphasised the gelding's physical attributes. "Obviously Proisir is a very good sire, and there's a very special horse in the family in Winx," Williams said. "Gringotts has delivered some big results lately too, so there's good horses throughout the family. But he's just a beautiful individual. He's been one of the standouts from when we started inspecting here on Sunday." Williams noted the Riversley Park gelding's breeze-up performance as another factor in his decision. "He breezed up beautifully, running a good time by himself, and he obviously vetted very cleanly," he added. "To me, he really stood out on the sale grounds." The gelding will initially head to Cambridge for a break. "He may start his career in New Zealand or Australia," Williams said. "His ultimate destination is Hong Kong, but he could make a Karaka Millions or NZB Kiwi (1500m) horse beforehand."
Town Cryer Heads Towards Gr1 Telegraph
Thursday, 21st November 2024
Kiwi mare Town Cryer (Tavistock-The Speaker, by Volksraad) trialled on Tuesday in preparation for the Gr1 Mufhasa Classic, reports racingnews.co.nz. "She did exactly what we thought she'd do, she likes to do her own thing and Lisa said she travelled very keenly to the line," trainer Roydon Bergerson said. "It was a tick over as there has been a long time between runs for her, from her last start at Wellington to the Group 1 in a few weeks' time. We thought we would take her there for a good gallop on the grass, I'm very happy with her and she's pulled up super." Winner of the Gr3 Thompson Handicap at her most recent start, she has 8 wins from 35 starts. "She doesn't take a lot of work once she's up and racing, but it's quite a long way when you're going six weeks into a Group 1, and it's looking to be a top-class field, as you would expect," Bergerson said. "We try to keep her fresh, we haven't got a grass (track) to gallop on at Awapuni at the moment so we've got to utilise a grass when we can get one. She'll probably go to Wanganui on Cup Day (November 30) for one more gallop there in between races, and she should be cherry ripe for Wellington."
Town Cryer (pic: Race Images Peter Rubery)
Steparty Chasing Best Form in The Gong
Thursday, 21st November 2024
Trainer Paul Preusker will take his enigmatic galloper Steparty (Artie Schiller-Watch Your Step, by Sepoy) to The Gong on Saturday, according to racingnsw.com.au. "We had a few different ways we could go, the Cranbourne Cup or into the west, but it's not all that far to drive and I'm not putting him on a plane and it's good money," he said. "It's not really in my style to back them up but he's putting his hand up and he's bouncing. When he's ready to go you get behind him and give him a go. A little bit more ground is going to help him. This isn't going to be an easy job by any stretch of the imagination but he's on the way back I reckon." Third in the Gr1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last start, Steparty won his first five in a row but hasn't won since. "He was really game, he just had to go back a little bit more than we wanted. It was going to get messy. He was strong late and I was rapt with him, but more importantly on Monday morning he was spot on so hopefully I'm making the right move."
Apprentices Pinged for Poor Judgement
Thursday, 21st November 2024
Odd-Spot: In Pride of Jenni fashion in the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Sydney, Certain Style, an unheralded $31 outsider, shocked onlookers by dominating the opening race at Lingfield in Ireland on Tuesday. The mare, ridden by Tyrese Cameron, raced away to a staggering 22-length victory (see below) in the two-mile handicap, leaving the four other jockeys scrambling to justify their tactics. According to punters.com.au, apprentices Kyle McHugh, Mason Paetel, Warren Fentiman, and Chloe Lyons faced criticism for allowing Cameron to build an unassailable lead of at least 30 lengths early on. Despite all other runners starting between $2.30 and $7, the quartet made no significant attempt to challenge until it was far too late. Racing stewards swiftly handed each a 10-day suspension, citing their failure to take all reasonable measures to win. Racing official Fergus Sweeney, a former jockey, explained the reasoning behind the penalties on Sky Sports Racing. “They misjudged the race,” he said, highlighting their inexperience in what was aptly named the Stay In Control 'Hands And Heels' Apprentice Handicap. Jockey coach George Baker revealed the toll the incident had taken on the suspended riders. “They’re absolutely gutted,” he remarked. “They feel they’ve let connections down and made a serious error in allowing Cameron a free run. When you examine the sectionals, it’s clear he was going at a modest pace.” Baker advised the jockeys to apologise to their respective stables for their oversight. Meanwhile, Certain Style, with only two minor placings in her previous 16 starts, delivered a career-defining performance that will ensure she is always remembered.
Wild Night Primed for Australian Debut
Thursday, 21st November 2024
Te Akau Racing is optimistic that Group 2 winner Wild Night (Vanbrugh) can kick off his Australian campaign strongly in Saturday’s Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m), reports racingnews.co.nz. The ‘cool, calm and collected’ gelding has reportedly ‘settled in beautifully’ at Cranbourne, according to assistant trainer Ben Gleeson, who works alongside Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. “He arrived last Wednesday,” Gleeson said. “They often arrive a week-and-a-half before their run; it gives them time to settle in. He’s got a really good attitude.” Wild Night had his first and only local gallop at Southside Racing’s facilities to familiarise himself with his surroundings. “It was just a leisurely look around, nothing strenuous. He handled it brilliantly and took it all in his stride,” Gleeson added. “We couldn’t be happier heading into Saturday.” The 5YO has already secured two wins over 1300m this preparation in New Zealand. As a 3YO, he strung together five consecutive victories, but limited racing last year slowed his momentum. “He’s run behind horses like Prowess, so his form is solid,” Gleeson noted. “He’s always been on our radar, and now he’s sound and in fine fettle.” Rising in trip for the Cranbourne Cup, Wild Night could confirm his potential as an autumn prospect. “If he can run a top-three race, he’s on track for Listed and better targets,” Gleeson said. “There’s a great program between Melbourne and Sydney, and we’re excited to see him develop into a really nice horse.”
Wild Night will make his Australian debut at Cranbourne (pic: Trish Dunell)
JMac Could Derail Other Jockeys’ Ascot Hopes
Thursday, 21st November 2024
Star jockey James McDonald is set for another shot at Group 1 glory in Perth's MCA Polytrack-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on Saturday week at Ascot. Fresh off clinching two Group 2 victories in Hong Kong on Sunday, racingwa.com.au/news reports that McDonald has been booked to ride Lady Laguna, trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, in the $1.5 million race. McDonald and Lady Laguna already share a winning partnership, with earlier triumphs this year on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast and in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill. The OTI Racing-owned mare went on to cap her autumn campaign with a Group 1 victory in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m). OTI Racing CEO Terry Henderson expressed confidence in securing McDonald for the Weight-For-Age feature. "We are very grateful to have James on," Henderson told Racing WA Thoroughbreds. "He rode a winner for us over the carnival, and he rides regularly for Annabel and Rob." Henderson acknowledged Lady Laguna’s preference for right-handed tracks, saying, “If Lady Laguna has an achilles heel, it’s that she’s better going right-handed. We don’t think it’s as big an issue as it was when she was a younger horse. If there’s anyone who can get her going left-handed, it’ll be James.” Henderson highlighted the Winterbottom Stakes as an ideal chance for Lady Laguna, a daughter of Widden Stud stallion Overshare, to add another elite-level win. Depending on her performance, she could remain in Perth for the Gold Rush (1400m). Henderson’s history of Group 1 success in Perth includes Send Me An Angel’s WA Oaks victory in 1986 and Gailo Chop’s runner-up finish in the 2019 Kingston Town Classic (1800m).
Irish Hoop Keane as Mustard to Ride in IJC
Thursday, 21st November 2024
Meanwhile, in other leading jockey news, Colin Keane, long established as a top-tier jockey, returns to Hong Kong for the 2024 LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at the peak of his career. Despite debuting in the event six years ago, when he finished runner-up to Silvestre de Sousa in 2018, Keane’s star has risen further, according to racingnews.hkjc.com. The 30-year-old has also twice visited Happy Valley’s winner’s enclosure during his previous IJC appearances. Keane, now a six-time Irish Champion Jockey, including five consecutive titles, continues to rewrite the record books. His 141-winner haul in 2021 remains unmatched in Ireland, where racing opportunities are fewer than in countries like Britain or France. This year, Keane capped his remarkable season with major Group 1 triumphs, starting with White Birch’s victory in May’s G11 Tattersalls Gold Cup (2100m) in Ireland. He then guided Juddmonte’s Babouche to Gr1 Phoenix Stakes (1200m) glory at the Curragh and piloted Magnum Force to win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (1000m) at Del Mar. Keane’s precision and poise have also seen him gain rides for trainers beyond Ireland, including Ralph Beckett and David Menuisier, for whom he delivered notable victories in the Gr1 Irish Derby and Gr1 Sun Chariot Stakes. “I’m delighted to get the invitation to go back again for the international jockeys’ challenge after riding in it twice before Covid,” Keane shared. “It would cap what has been a brilliant year if I could win it this time – I’ll be hoping I get the luck of the draw with the horses I get in the four races.”
Colin Keane has been in red hot form (pic: hkjc.com)
