Godolphin fails in High Court bid
The High Court ruled on Wednesday that Godolphin could not claim a land use tax exemption designed for farmers. “The court upheld a ruling in the NSW Court of Appeal that the “dominant use” of Godolphin’s properties in the Hunter Valley was for its horseracing activities, and it was not “primary production land,” wrote Financial Review’s legal editor Michael Pelly.
Essentially the court determined that because Godolphin race most of the horses they breed, rather than sell them, the land wasn’t being farmed. “A significant use of the land was for breeding horses ... [Godolphin] fell short of demonstrating that the ‘dominant use’ of the land was for the purpose of selling them or their natural increase or bodily produce,” the court said.
Godolphin, Hunter Valley | Image courtesy of Godolphin
A 2015 ruling by Revenue NSW found that the primary production exemption applied to land use for maintaining and selling horses, but not if they were kept solely for racing or recreational riding.
Godolphin challenged tax assessments for 2014 to 2019. It argued it ran an integrated business, which invloved racing and selling horses.
Tax lawyer Matthew Cridland, of K&L Gates, told Pelly that the case might have significant flow on effects for Thoroughbred studs that had combined breeding and racing operations.
“Any additional land tax impost will likely flow through to the cost of thoroughbred horses and stud services,” Cridland said.
Strong additions to the Inglis Great Southern Sale
Weanlings by sires such as Snitzel, Written Tycoon, The Autumn Sun and Home Affairs – as well as a G1 broodmare - headline a strong group of supplementary entries for the Great Southern Sale.
The additional weanlings join a catalogue which already features weanlings by a long list of outstanding stallions including Frankel, I Am Invincible, Zoustar, Lord Kanaloa, Wootton Bassett, Toronado etc.
Among the broodmare additions are Naiconi (Nicconi) – a three-time winner from just nine starts and finished 2nd to Vienna Princess in the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes – and Reo (Rubick), also a three-time winner and G1 placed in last year’s Queensland Oaks behind Amokura.
The supplementary Snitzel weanling – a colt ex Members Joy and to be offered by Bell River Thoroughbreds – is a half brother to multiple Group 2 winner Pure Elation.
They join an already strong group of broodmares catalogued for the sale, many on enticing covers to stallions such as Alabama Express, Blue Point, Grunt, Harry Angel, Jacquinot, Ole Kirk, Pierata, Pierro, Pinatubo, Royal Meeting, Shamus Award, Spirit Of Boom, Tassort, The Autumn Sun, Toronado, Wootton Bassett, Zousain etc.
The Great Southern Sale will be held at Oaklands in Melbourne next Thursday and Friday, June 13 and 14.
Vale Fr Brendan Dillon
The Victorian racing community was in mourning on Thursday with the news of the death of Fr Brendan Dillon. “He loved his racing and his 22 years as racing chaplain,” former Melbourne Racing Club chairman Peter Le Grand wrote on his social media.
“He was awarded life membership of all three metropolitan clubs, such was the respect for him. Bren died this morning with his TV on the racing channel. RIP to a wonderful priest and great friend to us all. It was an honour to know and love Brendan. He is now in seat 1A in heaven.”
Guineas for Broadsiding next spring
Godolphin trainer James Cummings outlined the spring plan for two of his rising 3-year-old colts Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}) and Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}). “We're targeting Traffic Warden for the Golden Rose, so whether we give Traffic Warden the stage there, and give Broadsiding a look around Caulfield (before a possible Guineas tilt),” Cummings told Racing.com.
“In my opinion, (Broadsiding)'s earned himself a nomination in the Cox Plate at this stage … we've got some very interesting targets for the spring. But for the time being, Broadsiding is in the J.J. Atkins next week and then he'll go and have a well-deserved rest.”
Foxy chance at double before stud
The Magic Millions National Classic could be the final race for Foxy Frida (Foxwedge) before she heads to the breeding barn, and she will aim to win the race again after winning in 2023. “I’m really not sure what her new owners have planned for her and whether she’ll retire after this race or have one more run in the Tatt’s Tiara,” trainer Andrew Noblet told Racingqueensland.com.au.
Foxy Frida | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Foxy Frida has won ten of her 35 starts including the G3 RA Lee S.
New Muswellbrook Racing Club CEO announced
The Muswellbrook Race Club board is pleased to announce the appointment of highly experienced racing administrator Christine Williams as its General Manager.
Ms Williams was Chief Executive of the Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) in Wagga Wagga for 12 years and for the past four has worked for RacingNSW on race days in the Southern Districts and Northern Rivers region.
“We are delighted to have Christine join the Muswellbrook Race Club, she brings a wealth of racing administration experience,” MRC Chair John Sunderland told Racingnsw.com.au.
Oodnadatta wins at Geelong
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr unveiled an exciting debutant winner on Thursday with 2-year-old colt Oodnadatta (Too Darn Hot {GB}). He won by a length over 2-year-old filly Treasurethe moment (Alabama Express) and 2-year-old filly Dreamwriter (Written By).
Purchased by Dynamic Syndications, Dean Watt Bloodstock and Mick Price at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Mill Park Stud for $195,000, Oodnadatta is out of a winning half-sister to Group 1 winner Go Indy Go (Bernadini {USA}) and Group 3 winners Air Assault (Justify {USA}) and Easy Raider (Bernadini {USA}).
Debut winner for Better Than Ready
2-year-old filly Mahia (Better Than Ready) won on debut at Mackay on Thursday for trainer Graeme Green. Green Racing purchased her from Lyndhurst Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $90,000.
Lightly raced Gelatin ready for Saturday
Jockey Rory Hutchings has ridden Gelatin (Snitzel) in all bar one of his nine starts including two wins and will be aboard again on Saturday. “He needs to do something this run, he’s up to the mile,” Hutchings told Racingnsw.com.au.
“He always showed a lot of ability, which is why he stayed a colt for so long, I’d just like to see him have a better winning record than he’s produced so far.”
Hopkins recovers from floods
Cowra trainer Maree Hopkins has recovered from floods which devastated the town and her small stable is producing winners. She brings three of her team of six horses to Albury on Friday with two of them being last start winners. “It’s nice to get a few wins because it has taken a while to rebuild after I retired a few handy horses I had and the floods also impacted me in a big way,” Hopkins told Racingnsw.com.au.
Her runners at Albury are Flying Dubawi (Dubawi Dream), Mystic Flame (Divine Prophet), and Love Rat (Love Conquers All). “Mystic Flame is a tough mare who gives it everything she has got each start.”
Tasmanian champion jockey returns to races
Tasmania’s premiership-winning jockey David Pires is set to make his return in Hobart on Sunday after a three month injury break. “I broke five ribs, ribs eight through to twelve on the left-hand side,” Pires told tasracing.com.au.
David Pires
“Naval Anthem just shied at one of the puddles on the beach, and I went over the top, and the horse just got me on the back of the ribs where there isn’t the protection from the safety vest.” He will ride Furneaux (Palentino) on Sunday.
Cole runners might recoup Gold Coast spend
Steven Cole will be out to recoup a measure of money spent on the Gold Coast this week with several runners at Ruakaka on Saturday. “I didn’t go over and we had a good look over the Internet and sent Bevan (Smith) some numbers that we liked,” Cole told Loveracing.nz of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale purchases of a Tarzino (NZ) colt for $110,000 and a Dundeel (NZ) colt $75,000.
“He did all the leg work for us, which was quite good, and we got a couple, so it was a good result. We were lucky this time and only had three horses vetted and two passed and we got them, it doesn’t normally happen that way.” In Saturday’s 2-year-old race, Cole will have debutant Hewillrocyou (NZ) (El Roca) while stablemate Hard Attack (NZ) (All Too Hard) is doubtful due to a wide draw. His other runners for the meeting are Mega Mogul (Written Tycoon), Mighty Bright (Power {GB}) and Wye Valley (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
Can Copartner Prance his way to five in succession?
Trainer Francis Lui thinks Copartner Prance (Epaulette) can win his fifth consecutive race at Sha Tin on Saturday. “I think he’ll be OK [at Sha Tin], he’s been racing there before,” Lui told scmp.com.
“If I wait for Happy Valley to race him it’s too long. I think he can win at both tracks.” Lui has eight runners for Sha Tin and is currently one win behind Pierre Ng on the trainer’s championship.
Shum keeps on winning
Fresh from a stunning victory with Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in Japan, Danny Shum added a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night with Packing Power (Toronado {Ire}) and Helene Warrior (Ire) (Starspangledbanner). “He’s still very green and he can improve a bit more,” Shum told scmp.com about Packing Power who was on debut.
Danny Shum | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“He’s not a superstar, but he’s got some talent. Hopefully he will improve next season. He might have a break now, but I’ll just talk to the owners.” Shum has 30 wins at Happy Valley this season and 14 at Sha Tin.
International plans for Japan Dirt Derby winner Ramjet
Ramjet (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior {USA}) made it four wins in succession when winning Wednesday’s Listed Ohi Tokyo Derby (Japan Dirt Derby) by 6l. “He will run in the Japan Dirt Classic after a summer break, and I want him to match with Forever Young,” trainer Shozo Sasaki told Bloodhorse.com.
“If possible, next year we will be able to see him challenge the overseas big races as well. ... He has not raced seriously yet.” Ramjet has now won five of his seven starts.
Wathnan Racing goes on spending spree
Wathnan Racing’s agent Richard Brown revealed on Wednesday on the Nick Luck Daily podcast that he has purchased the Richard Hannon-trained Group 1 placed 3-year-old colt Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), and the Irish Oaks prospect Lope De Lilas (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). Further recent purchases include the 111-rated sprinter Shartash (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and the Bronte Collection's smart juvenile Shadow Army (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who are both bound for Ascot.
Listed winner and Classic prospect Fast Tracker (GB) (Churchill {Ire}) was also a recent purchase, while a quartet who cost £1.07 million (AU$2.06million) at the Goffs UK Breeze-up Sale recently have all won in the last fortnight, being Aesterius (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Columnist (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Catalyse (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) and Electrolyte (Ire) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}).
Crimson Advocate heads back for more Ascot glory
American 3-year-old filly Crimson Advocate (USA) (Nyquist {USA}), who won last year’s G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot, will be back in England to contest the five-furlong G1 King Charles III S. (formerly the Kings Stand S.) at Ascot on June 19. She will be saddled by John and Thady Gosden and stay on at their Clarehaven Stables for a European campaign.
Crimson Advocate (USA) | Image courtesy of Ryan Thompson
“Crimson Advocate is all about speed and we're very hopeful she can give Wathnan lots of fun in the big European sprints. George and his team have done a fantastic job training her for a second crack at a big Royal Ascot prize, and we are really looking forward to seeing her in action in England this summer,” Case Clay, Wathnan Racing's America representative, said.
UK Jockey Club CEO resigns
Nevin Truesdale is expected to step down from his role as group chief executive at The Jockey Club at the end of 2024, having asked the board of stewards to start the process of finding his successor.
Truesdale joined The Jockey Club in 2013 and was appointed as the organisation's permanent group chief executive from the start of 2021, having served in an acting capacity since Delia Bushell resigned the previous August.
“The Jockey Club has a unique role; being run solely to invest the money it makes back into our sport,” said Truesdale. “It has been a true privilege and my career highlight to work for and then lead this organisation over the past 11 years. Together we have laid strong foundations for the future which will enable my successor to continue to grow The Jockey Club and ensure it continues to invest for the benefit of our sport and the communities it serves.”
Listed winner added to Arqana Sale
Listed winning 3-year-old colt Zweig (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) (lot 512) has been added as a wildcard to the Arqana Summer Sale, which is due to take place from July 1-4.
Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, Zweig will be sold with an entry in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on Saturday, July 13, having completed a hat-trick when winning the Listed Derby du Languedoc by a neck at Toulouse last month.
Travel incentive for German Group 1
A generous travel incentive is on offer for any international participants in the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen, which will be run at Munich Racecourse on Sunday, July 28.
Each starter from Britain and Ireland will receive €2,000 (AU$3,270), while starters from all other countries will receive €1,500 (AU$2,452). The winner of the race will not be eligible for the travel incentive.
