In winning the G3 Maribyrnong Plate on Melbourne Cup Day, Tycoon Star (Written Tycoon) gifted his dam with something quite special: a stakes winner as her maiden foal. We spoke with Suman Hedge, who purchased the mare as a maiden for long-time client Sheriff Iskander, to chart how we reached Tuesday's victory, and heard about the colt’s future plans from Ben Hayes.
November 7th 2024
Punters in Rosemont Stud's ownership group shared some laughs after Catoggio (Written Tycoon) won the Listed Amanda Elliott with $41 odds in fine fashion on Melbourne Cup Day. But there is no doubting that he is a serious prospect, along with fellow Rosemont Stud runner and second-placegetter, Bosustow (Blue Point {Ire}).
November 7th 2024
Described as a vibrant marketplace, the opening day of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale saw nine seven-figure broodmares sell, but the average and median were slightly down on 2023.
November 7th 2024
Extreme Choice made history in the 2024 Melbourne Cup by siring the longshot Knight’s Choice, who stunned as Australia’s top stayer. For Sheila Laxon, the first official female trainer to win a Melbourne Cup with Ethereal in 2001, this victory marked a triumphant return to Flemington with her husband, John Symons. Owners Cameron Bain, Richard and Kaye Waldron watched their $85,000 purchase become a $5.8 million champion, realising breeder Norm Bazeley’s vision, who originally acquired Knight's Choice’s dam, Midnight Pearl (More Than Ready {USA}), for just $1000.
November 6th 2024
The 2024 Fasig-Tipton November Sale saw Jon Freyer among the active players securing stakes-winning mares Downtown Mischief (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) and Evvie Jets (USA) (Twirling Candy {USA}). Topping the sale was McKulick (GB), the Grade 1-winning daughter of Frankel (GB), selling for US$6 million (AU$9.12 million). M.V. Magnier’s acquisition of French star Ramatuelle (USA) (Justify {USA}) and Katsumi Yoshida’s bid for Adare Manor (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}) underscored the event’s international draw, as 25 elite mares surpassed the million-dollar mark.
November 6th 2024
There is no bigger sport than racing in regards to women and men competing on level footing. It has of course not always been that way, the battle to get where we are now well documented. On Tuesday the G1 Melbourne Cup sees a record number (four) of female jockeys with rides, it sees two female Cup-winning trainers return and it is being overseen by the VRC's first female CEO. Timely then to have a look at women and The Cup.
November 5th 2024
Big Swinger (Trapeze Artist), described by champion jockey Craig Williams as a ‘weapon’ after effortless back-to-back wins, will look to keep his undefeated record intact when lining up in the Listed Amanda Elliott (1400 metres) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
November 5th 2024
It was another big day for Australian-bred horses at Sha Tin on Sunday, a meeting highlighted by the running of a Group 3 contest and one which also saw success for Australian trainers.
November 5th 2024