Southern Hemisphere Siyouni
Perennial French Champion sire and current third in the European standings, Siyouni (Fr) will be made available at the Haras de Bonneval during the second semester of 2021, to cover mares on a Southern Hemisphere schedule at a fee of €100,000 (AU$158,111).
Siyouni has made a promising debut at stud with from only six Southern Hemisphere runners to date, he counts four black-type performers, including the Listed-winning juvenile See You In Spring.
His progeny have proved popular in the sales ring here in Australia, with his yearlings selling for up to $550,000.
Four mares killed
Four broodmares were tragically killed in a truck crash in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales just before 6.30am Saturday morning.
NSW Police confirmed the deaths of the mares, who were purchased at the recent Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale.
Police said two men aged 62 and 59 were being treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries following the crash near Jerry’s Plains.
The mares were believed to be in transit to one of the major studs situated in the region.
Hawkes stable locked down
The Hawkes Racing stables at Flemington was placed into lockdown on Saturday morning by Racing Victoria due to COVID-19 protocols.
Hawkes Racing posted a tweet early Saturday morning to confirm it had scratched 2-year-old Tonneofgrit (Winning Rupert) from the opening event at Caulfield, after being informed that a staff member was deemed a close contact of a COVID case and happened to be awaiting test results.
Group 1 touted for Exhilarates
After a win in the Listed Magic Millions Helen Coughlan S. for Exhilarates (Snitzel) at Eagle Farm, Godolphin have indicated she may be given the opportunity to tackle a Group 1 assignment.
"This will be her last preparation before she goes to stud," said trainer James Cummings. "That might just entice us to think about the Winter S. or perhaps even the Stradbroke."
The win was another feather in the cap for the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner, who was purchased by Godolphin for $600,000.
She defeated the fast-finishing Sweet Deal (Casino Prince) who was recently sold for $850,000 to Lustre Lodge.
Kah rewrites records
Victorian Jockey’s Premiership leader Jamie Kah broke the record for the most Group 1 wins by a female rider in Australian history. Saluting aboard the Tony Gollan-trained Vega One (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday, Kah recorded her sixth Group 1 victory.
“This year has been unbelievable for me, I have been trying to stay in Melbourne as much as possible, but this was a great opportunity,” Kah told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
Jamie Kah
Ayrton beaten
Boom gelding Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) suffered his first defeat on Saturday in the G3 Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm.
The highly touted Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper was a leading contender for next month’s G1 Stradbroke H. but will now miss the field after being narrowly denied by the Desleigh Forster-trained Apache Chase (Better Than Ready).
"He (Ayrton) was a bit disappointing today let off the bit, he wasn't as professional as he's been, but I'm still happy with him," jockey Jamie Kah told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
Park Avenue strong again
Fastnet Rock 2-year-old Park Avenue made it two for two with a fast-finishing win at Randwick on Saturday.
He made his run down the centre of the track, keeping up a strong gallop to defeat the filly Winning Verse (Winning Rupert) by a half-head. Favourite Sacred Field (Deep Field) finished third at his career debut.
The Michael and Richard Freedman-trained colt made a successful career debut at Wyong earlier this month. He was a $220,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by his trainers out of the Segenhoe Stud draft.
Boss banned
Star hoop Glen Boss is set to launch an internal review so he is free to ride gelding The Harrovian (Fastnet Rock) in next month’s G1 Stradbroke H. at Eagle Farm.
Boss received an eight-day careless riding ban, which will start after G1 Queensland Oaks day next Saturday, after causing interference on pick-up ride Love Struck (Love Conquers All) in Race 2 at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Boss has deferred his ban to start after next Saturday and, as it stands, he will miss Stradbroke Day on June 12.
Glen Boss
Riot rolls in
Leading hoop Damien Oliver believes that impressive Caulfield winner Riot And Rose (NZ) (Pins) has a “bright future” ahead of him after romping in by 2.3l on Saturday.
Oliver said the undefeated 3-year-old is still quite immature and will improve with more racing under his belt.
"I think Moods (Peter Moody, trainer) is going to have a nice horse on his hands. He’s a really nice horse, he was on and off the bit at different times, but he joined in nicely and then when he got to the front, he pricked the ears and had a bit of a wait," Oliver told Racing.com.
Medag on top at Arqana
In a close replay of last year, Arqana upped sticks and moved to Goffs UK in Doncaster, and once again provided the most expensive breezer of the European season, in Lot 90, the son of Darley America stallion Medaglia D'Oro (USA), who brought the day's high price of £675,000 (AU$1,242,095) purchased by Godolphin.
Blandford Bloodstock purchased a Ribchester (Ire) filly, Lot 147, for £590,000 (AU$1,085,683). “I'm a massive fan of Ribchester–there's a huge word about him. This was more than I thought I would have to give but time will tell if we're right or not. I can't say who her new owner is but they agreed with me,” said Blandford’s Richard Brown.
Lot 90 - Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Shelbysmile (USA) (colt) | Image courtesy of Steve Davies
As the Sale was held in England, trade was conducted in sterling, but the figures have already been converted to euros on the Arqana website which shows, incredibly, that in the midst of a lengthy world health crisis Arqana has set new records for both aggregate (€15,219,820/£13,052,500) and median (€98,600/£85,000). The clearance rate settled at 88.6 per cent for 109 horses sold from 123 offered at an average price of (€139,631/£119,748).
Reflecting on the day's action, Arqana's executive director Freddy Powell said, “It shows that the catalogue was so strong, that it has been appreciated worldwide. We've had people bidding from all over.”
