Jimmy could be a Star?
Ciaron Maher’s progressive galloper Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) overcame missing the start to record a dominant victory in the final event on Saturday at Caulfield. Blake Shinn partnered the exciting 4-year-old gelding in the BM84 race where he defeated Who Dares (Deep Field) and Forbidden City (I Am Invincible).
Immediately, after the success, the MRC awarded Maher with a wildcard to contest The All-Star Mile with Jimmysstar.
Bigger targets on the horizon for smart filly?
Justaboom (Justify {USA}) could target better races after an impressive victory at Caulfield on Saturday in BM70 company. The Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock-trained filly defeated Our Couver (Vancouver) and Dunbelievin’ (Dundeel {NZ}), with Jamie Mott in the saddle.
Justaboom is the third foal from Kononkop (Arg) (Pure Prize {USA}), who was crowned the Champion 2-Year-Old Filly in Argentina. Kononkop has a filly by I Am Invincible and was foaled a colt by Home Affairs in August and was served by Coolmore Stud-based sire again.
Justaboom was a $150,000 purchase by Griffiths DeKock Racing, MDK International, Peter Ford Thoroughbreds (FBAA) and Vermaak Equine from the draft of Coolmore Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
McDonald stood down at Rosehill
Champion Jockey James McDonald was stood down by Rosehill’s club doctor on Saturday, after his mount Celerity (Exceed And Excel) was a late scratching at the barriers of Race 5 the G3 Widden S.
McDonald has sustained an injury to his left foot reportedly behind the gates during the process of loading runners.
McDonald is set to ride at Sha Tin in Hong Kong on Sunday evening, including the John Size-trained Howdeepisyourlove (Deep Field) in the Hong Kong Classic Mile. Currently, there has been no confirmation if McDonald can fulfill those obligations.
Diamond Decorator too tough at Caulfield
The Pat Carey and Harris Walker-trained Diamond Decorator (Toronado {Ire}) ran her rivals into the ground at Caulfield on Saturday, with a well-executed ride by Beau Mertens. Diamond Decorator defeated Lost (Exceed And Excel) and Barby’s Doll (Fighting Sun).
The 3-year-old filly is the first foal from the Hinchinbrook mare Tuskar Brook, who won four races. Diamond Decorator was bred by P King.
Royal blue salutes at Kyneton
The royal blue silks of Godolphin were successful at Kyneton in country Victoria on Saturday. Godolphin’s Head Trainer, James Cummings, sent Rhapzodise (Ribchester {Ire}) to the venue for start three. The 3-year-old filly had been unplaced in two career starts to date, before heading for a spell. First-up at Kyneton, ridden by Teodore Nugent, she defeated Dougie’s Dream (Odyssey Moon) and Tyzel (Written Tycoon).
Rhapzodise descends from a deep black-type family. She is the fifth foal from Metastasio (Steet Cry {Ire}), who won the Listed Chairman’s S. and is the dam of the Listed winner Gravina (Sebring). Further down on the page is the G1 The Oaks at Epsom Downs victress Soul Sister (Ire) (Frankel {Ire}) and Wellington (All Too Hard), who was crowned the Champion Sprinter in Hong Kong in 2021/22.
Childs suspended for eight meetings
Victorian-based apprentice jockey, Tayla Childs, fell foul of Racing Victoria stewards on Saturday at Caulfield. Childs was found guilty of careless riding in the last race when riding the John Moloney-trained Imperial Lad (All Too Hard). Childs plead guilty to the assessment she shifted in when improperly clear of Elkington Road (All Too Hard), Magnaspin (Magnus) and Forbidden City (I Am Invincible), who all sustained interference.
Tayla Childs | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Child’s eight meeting suspension will begin at the conclusion of her current 10-meeting ban received on Wednesday at Sandown-Lakeside. Childs ban will expire on Friday, February 23.
Minnesota Ready tops Lothenbach dispersal on Fasig-Tipton Digital
The Lothenbach dispersal of Horses of Racing Age on Fasig-Tipton Digital, run from January 29 to February 2, closed with 66 horses selling for US$4,840,000 (AU$7,422,200), with Minnesota Ready (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}) leading all lots at a final price of US$380,000 (AU$582,700), changing hands to Richard Colton Jr.
Minnesota Ready (USA) | Image courtesy of Thorostride/Fasig-Tipton Digital
The average across the sale was US$73,333 (AU$118,600) while the median was US$41,000 (AU$62,900) with 16 horses selling for US$100,000 ($153,400) or more with Taylor Made Sales consigning. A total of 741 potential buyers from 46 states and seven countries registered to bid, raising their hands a total of 3047 times, and averaging 46 bids per offering.
“All I can say is, ‘Wow,’” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton's director of digital sales. “We have to thank the estate of Mr Lothenbach for trusting us with this dispersal of racing stock. This is exactly what the digital platform was built for: horses and buyers from all over the country. These are phenomenal results.”
Vale Captain Britain
The Lindsey Smith-trained Captain Britain (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) was humanely euthanised on Saturday at Caulfield. The 5-year-old gelding, ridden by Beau Mertens, was slow to begin in Race 7 the Sportsbet The Feed H. over 1800 metres. He was eased down near the 600-metre mark, when Mertens felt discomfort within the gelding’s action.
Captain Britain was found to have sustained a serious injury to his near foreleg and was humanely euthanised on the advice of Racing Victoria vets. Racing Victoria reported that the incident will be referred to the RV Veterinary Department and an autopsy of Captain Britain will be undertaken.
Woodend Cup goes to Station One
The Liam Howley-trained Station One (Toronado {Ire}) held off a fast-finishing The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) to claim Saturday’s Woodend Cup at Kyneton.
Station One, ridden by Danica Munro, had finished third in the Great Western Cup and Woodford Cup at Warrnambool after winning the Traralgon Cup in December.
The 5-year-old gelding is the first foal from the Onemorenomore mare Alittleloose, who is a half-sister to the Listed winner Kiki Express (Sepoy).
Alittleloose has an unnamed full sister to Station One, and foaled a colt by Darley’s Blue Point (Ire) before she was served by Rubick.
Station One was a $80,000 purchase by 3 Point Bloodstock from the draft of Collingrove Stud at the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Nugent’s Kyneton treble
Victorian-based jockey Teodore Nugent was well-rewarded for travelling to Kyneton on Saturday. Nugent partnered the James Cummings-trained Rhapzodise (Ribchester {Ire}) in the opening event, and then put the royal blue on again to score on Dios (Lonhro) in Race 4.
Dios is the first foal from Deity (Exceed And Excel), who is daughter of the four-time Group 1 winner Divine Madonna (Hurricane Sky). Deity foaled a filly by Blue Point (Ire) and was served by Darley’s freshman Paulele.
To round out the day, Nugent partnered the Joseph Waldron-trained Carisbrook (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) in the final event at Kyneton.
Ms Tasmania looking to claim Magic Millions crown
The Launceston Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Sunday provides an ideal opportunity for dual-license holder Sigrid Carr to claim a major success, when her all-female owned horse Ms Tasmania (Magnus) steps onto the track.
“The barrier (six) suits if she is content to race like she did last start,” Carr told Tasracing.
“I need her to settle again and use her exceptional turn of foot.
“She has been good since last start; she has had a couple of nice grass gallops in Hobart to keep her ticking over.
“She is happy and well, and I look forward to Sunday even though I still know she’s a young horse with plenty of improvement to come.”
Ms Tasmania is rated a $1.80 hope to take out the $85,000 feature.
Balaklava postponed
Sunday’s intended Balaklava meeting in South Australia has been postponed until Monday. Racing SA shared the decision on Saturday evening with mercury set to hit 41 on Sunday during the meeting, where a much more comfortable 25 degrees is predicted on Monday.
“Racing SA advises that due to the extreme weather conditions the meeting scheduled at Balaklava on Sunday, February 4 has been transferred to Monday, February 5,” the statement from Racing SA read.
Godolphin’s staggering Dubai Millennium record continues
You’d be hard-pressed to find a set of colours more dominant in a specific race than the royal blue of Godolphin in the G3 Dubai Millennium S., but the powerful global operation was back at it again in 2024, winning with 5-year-old gelding Warren Point (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Despite being made to earn it by the Jamie Osborne-trained duo Sean (Ger) (Excelebration {Ire}) and Solid Stone (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}), the talented gelding was able to tough out the win, with stablemate New London (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) back in fourth.
The race, which is named in honour of one of Godolphin’s most beloved horses, have been won by the blue army on 10 of the last 11 occasions.
Vale Papineau
The ambassador for the Godolphin Lifetime Care Program, Papineau (GB) (Singspiel {GB}) has passed away aged 24.
One of the finest stayers of his time, winning the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, Papineau enjoyed a career in dressage following his retirement from racing, before finding his calling as an ambassador for racing as part of the Godolphin operation.
“Papineau was a pleasure to train, and his Gold Cup win at Ascot was a very special day indeed. His achievements after his racing career are something that the whole team should be incredibly proud of,” former trainer Saeed bin Suroor said in a tribute to his former star.
Chile’s star back for 2024
Only one horse could rival Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) for Group 1 wins in 2023, and it was perhaps one that those outside of South America would be unfamiliar with.
Kay Army (Chi) (Katmai {Chi}) returns to racing on Sunday for the G1 Clasico El Derby, the 22nd race on the program at Valparaiso.
The South American sensation has to date won nine races, including five at Group 1 level.
One In Vermillion succumbs to laminitis
Group 1 winner One In Vermillion (USA) (Army Mule {USA}) was euthanised Friday at a clinic in Phoenix due to the effects of laminitis, according to his owner Jonathan Kalman, in a story posted by the DRF.
According to that story, the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. victor had been preparing for a trip to Kentucky for the Keeneland January sale, where he was slated to go through the ring as a stallion prospect, when a farrier noticed the colt was foundering in his opposite foreleg of the injured fetlock sustained during a workout at Zia Park in November.
One In Vermillion (USA) after the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. | Image courtesy of Sarah Andrew
“We called the vet immediately,” Kalman told DRF's Steve Anderson Friday. “He'd been with the vet since December 27.”
Hailing from humble beginnings, One In Vermillion also hit the board in the G3 West Virginia Derby in the lead up to his Group 1 success.
Tenacious performance from Comparative
The Brad Cox-trained Comparative (USA) (Street Sense {USA}) was headed only once in the G2 Bayakoa S., but put that rival away in the lane to hold off all comers in a gutsy performance to pick up her first stakes win at Oaklawn.
Comparative is from the unraced Bernardini (USA) mare Collective (USA), who is the dam of the multiple Group 3 winner Shared Sense (USA) (Street Sense {USA}).
Legend Of Time dominant in Jumeirah Guineas
The Charlie Appleby-trained Legend Of Time (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was a dominant 2l winner of the Jumeirah Guineas over 1600 metres at Meydan. Legend Of Time was one of four winners for Godolphin and one of three winners for jockey, William Buick.
Legend Of Time is from the Listed winner Kissable (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). She was placed in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. and has produced the Group 1 placegetters Loving Dream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Amandine (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}).
Cinderella’s Dream extends winning run
Cinderella’s Dream (GB), a daughter of the late Shamardal (USA), took her winning run to three with a fine performance in the Jumeirah Fillies’ Classic at Meydan.
Jockey, William Buick, was impressed with the Godolphin filly’s performance, “She’s still learning on the job as she’d only had two previous starts. It was a good performance from a filly who I think is progressive. Mawj won this race last year and went on to win the G1 1000 Guineas, so she’s in good company and I wouldn’t want to rule anything out.”
Cinderella’s Dream is from the Dubawi (Ire) mare Espadrille (GB), who was fourth in the Listed Pretty Polly S. and is a daughter of the Group 1-placed High Heeled (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
