Ultra Thoroughbred’s at centre of investigation
Racing Victoria stewards are investigating allegations made against the Sean Buckley-owned Ultra Thoroughbreds.
The claims, first made public by the Herald Sun on Tuesday, reported the use of embryo transplantation and surrogate mares by a major breeding operation.
It has since been reported by The Age that a filly by former Champion mare Miss Andretti (Ihtiram {Ire}) and a colt by Nature Strip’s (Nicconi) dam Strikeline (Desert Sun {GB}), which were sired by Ultra Thoroughbreds’ stallion Addictive Nature in late 2019 are at the centre of the allegations.
Neither foal has had paperwork lodged with the Australian Stud Book.
Racing Victoria has commenced a probe into the allegations.
"The stewards are in the formative stages of an investigation that relates to thoroughbred breeding," Racing Victoria spokesperson Shaun Kelly told The Age.
"We don't intend to comment on the specifics of that investigation at this time."
Buckley, the multi-millionaire founder of Ultra Tune, told The Age that he will co-operate with any investigation.
“I have bred over 700 foals in 17 years of breeding. I am well aware of the Australian Stud Book rules. I have always rigorously sought to comply with them,” Buckley told The Age.
“I am aware that a disgruntled employee, against whom I have already commenced Supreme Court action, has made various allegations. The details of those allegations I am at this stage unaware of.”
Peltzer thriving
Peltzer (So You Think {NZ}) has come through his winning first-up run in fine style and ready for another bold showing in this weekend’s G2 Hobartville S. at Rosehill.
“He’s progressing really well and worked nicely on Saturday morning. The 1400 metres and a bit of moisture around will help him as well,” co-trainer Gerald Ryan said.
Peltzer (red cap)
Peltzer also has to prove himself at Rosehill as he has yet to win in three attempts on his home track with five of his six wins recorded at Randwick, but Ryan remains bullish about the colt’s prospects.
Beasley returns to the saddle
Former Australian-based jockey Danny Beasley has announced his return to race riding in Singapore, after spending four years working in various roles alongside leading local trainer, Daniel Meagher.
The 14-time Australian Group 1 winner best known for his association with Gai Waterhouse, has since been approved to return by the Singapore Jockey Club, after having had his initial relicensing request rejected.
Danny Beasley
"I was a bit disappointed that I was knocked back the first time around, but I didn't give up hope. I fully understood the club's position while remaining positive and not feeling discouraged,” Beasley told the Singapore Jockey Club.
"I told myself it would be nice if it happened, and I'm really glad and appreciative it has. I'm more than happy to start all over again and I thank the club for the opportunity."
Cassidy considers new venture
Hall of Fame hoop Jim Cassidy is considering taking out his training license, after spending the last three and a-half months working alongside Randwick-based trainers Jim and Greg Lee.
Jim Cassidy
The 58-year-old, who retired from race riding in 2015, said that it would be “a dream” to train a G1 Blue Diamond S. winner and that the Lee brothers have suggested he joins a training partnership.
"I had it pretty easy in my time, you get on and get off and you go home but when you are training it is 24/7 looking after them,” Cassidy told Racing.com on Tuesdays with Terry. "It would be a great feat, but it would also be a challenge."
Marquand booked
Co-trainer Sam Freedman has confirmed that star British hoop Tom Marquand will ride talented filly La Mexicana (I Am Invincible) in next Saturday’s G1 Surround S., at Randwick.
Freedman believes that the last-start winner deserves to compete at the highest level and is confident of a bold showing.
La Mexicana
“She is in great order, she worked this morning at Pinecliff, worked strongly, this looks the perfect race for her,” Freedman told Racing.com.
“She is a filly on the rise and keeps thriving. She deserves her chance now. She has done her yards to get to this sort of level, so hopefully it can all come to fruition.”
Catalyst back for spring
A spring resumption is likely for talented galloper Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
"He has been on the water treadmill for a month and he is back at The Oaks spelling again,” trainer Clayton Chipperfield said. "He is going to do another month on the water walker at the end of next month and then he is back in with us.
Catalyst (NZ)
“He did a lot of racing on hard ground in his 3-year-old prep and I just think that it's started to tell on his joints. It happens with the odd horse, and they need more time, and he was one.
“It’s nothing too serious or too stressful to worry about. It was just time and he looks amazing at the moment, so I am certainly looking forward to getting him back.”
Camelot to bypass Futurity
Trainer Danny O’Brien has confirmed that stable star Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) will bypass Saturday’s G1 Futurity S., in preference for a first-up tilt at next month's The All-Star Mile.
O’Brien and connections have opted for a light carnival, deciding on the $5 million feature and the time-honoured G1 Queen Elizabeth S., as the exciting entire's only autumn contests.
Russian Camelot (Ire)
"He had a big spring and really the only races we are missing are the two 1400-metre races, which would not have really suited him anyway," O’Brien told Racing.com.
"We are conscious of the fact the horse was pretty busy in the spring and we don't want to tax him too much.”
Keen to make history
The significance of riding 1000 New Zealand winners is dawning on Cambridge jockey Danielle Johnson.
She sits on 999 wins in New Zealand and has a gilt-edged opportunity to become the 34th jockey to achieve the feat with a book of nine rides at Te Aroha on Wednesday.
Danielle Johnson
"I hope that monkey doesn't just sit there. I want it off my back as quickly as I can," Johnson said. "It's just a number to me at the moment, but once I get to 1000 I'll appreciate it that much more.
“What people are saying to me makes me realise what a big achievement it is. Even just saying 1000 wins - wow, that's a lot of winners. It's a pretty big deal the more I think about it."
Encouraging opening day
Arqana has an advantage over its counterparts in Britain and Ireland so far as the company is able to stage a live sale in Deauville this week, with some encouraging returns posted from the first of two sessions of the February Sale on Monday.
Two six-figure lots were at the head of the action, and trade was fairly lively throughout, with the average being boosted by 22 per cent to €13,669 (AU$26,2600) while turnover was also up, by 23 per cent at €1,654,000 (AU$3.18 million) thanks to a much-improved clearance rate of 77.5 per cent.
From a smaller offering of 156 for the day, 121 horses were sold at a median price of €6500 (AU$12,490) up from €5000 (AU$9600) last year.
Flat and hurdles winner Hardi Du Mesnil (Fr) (Masterstroke {USA}) was the top lot when he sold for €250,000 (AU$480,375) to David Powell on behalf of Robert Waley-Cohen.
