Keeneland sale outcomes seen as “pragmatic”
The nine-day Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale has drawn to a close, with key metrics down on previous years.
These numbers didn’t come as a surprise to Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy, who told TDN America, “Demand for quality is extremely strong, probably as strong as ever, and that's very encouraging. There's a lot of stability in the market.
“With a slight correction, we're down just 15 per cent on most metrics, and that's within expected parameters considering we're dealing with increasing interest rates and a strong US dollar.”
During the sales event, 2128 horses were transacted for a sum of US$176,571,000 (AU$272,994,000). The average of US$82,975 ($127,638) was down 16.94% from a year ago, while the median of US$32,000 ($49,224) was down 20%.
With 600 horses reported not sold during the nine-day auction, the buy-back rate of 21.99% was just a tick lower than last year's figure of 22.04%.
2014 Melbourne Cup hero Protectionist passes away
Dual-hemisphere Group 1 winner Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) has passed away overnight, aged 13. The stallion, who won the 2014 G1 Melbourne Cup for trainer Andreas Wohler, raced in three continents, picking up eight wins from his 2022 starts.
Protectionist (Ger) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Syndicators Australian Bloodstock, who raced Protectionist, said via X this morning: “Sad to hear of the passing of 'our champ' Protectionist. A remarkable horse with such a strong character who meant a lot to so many people. #Lifechanger.”
From four crops, he has sired 43 winners, including Group 2 winner Amazing Grace (Ger) and Group 3 winner Lambo (Ger).
Wishing for a winter win
Leading trainer Peter Moody is plotting a return to his native Queensland with stable star I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) for the Brisbane Winter Carnival.
RadioTAB reports Moody, who trains in partnership with Katherine Coleman, is considering a raid north, with the G1 Doomben 10,000 being thrown up as a possible target. Brisbane has been a reliable target for top-class sprinters rolling out of the autumn, with Mazu (Maurice {Jpn}) and Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) striking success at the end of their preparations.
O’Hara faces extended layoff
Another jockey has announced they won’t be race riding until the new year, with popular rider Kathy O’Hara confirming via X she has sustained fractures in her foot and will require an extended layoff.
Kathy O'Hara | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
O’Hara, a Group 1-winning rider, will need six weeks away from riding in order to recuperate, but has avoided surgery, she told her followers.
Strong debut for well-related colt
The opening race at Seymour on Friday delivered a nice result for Grahame Begg, with De Bergerac (Zoustar) successfully negotiating a wide barrier to claim victory at his first start.
The 3-year-old colt is a full brother to Group 1-placegetter C’Est Magique (Zoustar), and a half-brother to promising stallion Written By.
Jordan Childs piloted the colt for his first racetrack appearance, with the pair recording a 1l victory. Post race, Childs said, “Obviously a horse with a lot of ability and class.
“We drew wide today but we weren’t really that panicked, sometimes with a horse like him having his first start that you know has got ability you’d rather be able to travel and make your own luck.”
Pearce brothers fantasise of a Railway start
Daniel and Ben Pearce hope their comeback gelding Black Fantasy (Blackfriars) or ultra-consistent competitor Let’s Galahvant (Galah) can earn their place in the field for next Saturday’s G1 Railway S.
Both horses will need to win this Saturday in the G3 RJ Peters S. to guarantee a start, as neither are high enough in the order of entry to be assured their place.
Co-trainer Ben Pearce told The West Australian, “We’re a bit stiff running into the Railway favourite (Alsephina).
“Most years in the Peters, you wouldn’t be up against the Railway favourite. If either of ours win, they’ll run in the Railway.”
No Hunter for Far Too Easy
David McColm’s star galloper Far Too Easy (All Too Hard) has been scratched from the running of The Hunter tomorrow, after an accident in the horse walker.
According to official communications from Racing New South Wales, the gelding, “sustained a laceration to its forehead while exercising on the horse walker.
Far Too Easy | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“Having been assessed by a veterinarian it has been decided that it is necessary to medicate the horse to treat the head wound.”
The Murwillumbah-based horseman McColm, who has had just the four starters in season 2023/24 to date, was eager to see his horse compete for the $1 million in prizemoney, previously telling Newscorp, “I think the track will be a bit softer which will suit him and weight wise, he hasn't had less than 56kg most of his career, so I think that will help him.”
Well travelled Munahamek has plenty of options
The opportunity to compete in the $1.5 million G3 Gold Rush has caught the attention of trainer Nick Ryan for his star galloper Munhamek (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), but not before he attempts to win the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. on Saturday.
Speaking to Racing.com, Ryan said, “The horse, he’s in top form. First-up in The Damien Oliver, he ran a blinder. He’s been set for this race and I couldn’t be happier with him.”
But Ryan has hatched a plan to find some summer riches, explaining, “All going well, he runs well (on Saturday) and comes through the run well, he’ll head over to Perth for The Gold Rush.”
Vale Dash For Cash
Western Australian stallion Dash For Cash passed away on Friday, aged 25, after a colic attack. The striking grey, who was bred by Emirates Park, was a formidable competitor on the racetrack, winning the G1 Australian Guineas and G1 Futurity S. in 2002 as a 3-year-old, claiming almost $2 million in total prizemoney before retiring in 2003.
Dash For Cash | Image courtesy of Sportpix
He enjoyed success at stud, siring 10 stakes-winners, most notably Arinosa and Chase The Rainbow. Overall, he sired 412 winners from 628 runners.
In a Facebook post confirming his death, Scenic Lodge Thoroughbred Stud said in tribute to Dash For Cash, “He was a real character - loved to cover a mare, loved his carrots and did not have a bad bone in his body.”
Professional Jambalaya puts best hoof forward at Moonee Valley
The Godolphin operation couldn’t have asked for a better start to the career of 3-year-old gelding Jambalaya (Shooting To Win), who won the opening race at Moonee Valley in impressive fashion under Jamie Kah.
Stepping clear of his rivals with superior gate speed, he made every post a winner, with the 1.5l margin coming without much encouragement from Kah.
It was a quinella for Shooting To Win, with filly She’s Bulletproof running into second on her first racetrack appearance.
Friday night delight for Waterhouse and Bott
Night racing returned to Canterbury Park, with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott quickly stamping their authority with consecutive wins by progressive horses.
Race two on the program was a Justify (USA) quinella, with Jagjit, narrowly securing victory from Sara Ryan-trained New Forest.
Power Ballard (Exceed And Excel) won the third under Nash Rawiller, with stablemate Zouphoria (Zoustar) running second.
The Waterhouse and Bott yard are well-represented at Newcastle on Saturday, with Market Magic (Capatilist) in the Max Lees Classic, and Dajraan (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in The Hunter.
Dawson decides not to strike
Owner Rick Dawson has elected to keep his 2022 G1 Kentucky Derby hero Rich Strike (USA) (Keen Ice {USA}) in light work, reversing a decision last week to retire and sell his star.
Rich Strike shocked the world last May, when under the guidance of jockey Sonny Leon, he navigated an improbable path to nail Epicenter (USA) (Not This Time {USA}) in the shadows of the Churchill Downs winning post.
He had originally been scheduled to go through the ring in the Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale.
Geraldina eyes off vase
High-class mare Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) will return to Hong Kong for the second time this year, in an attempt to claim victory in the G1 Hong Kong Vase.
Geraldina (Jpn) | Image courtesy of the Japan Racing Association
The G1 Hanshin Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner and G1 Arima Kinen placegetter of 2022 finished sixth of seven in the G1 HKJC Queen Elizabeth Cup in April this year, beaten 5.1l by subsequent WS Cox Plate winner Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}).
