Ellerton suffers stroke in Bali
Flemington-based trainer Mathew Ellerton will undergo more surgery in Bali after suffering a stroke on the holiday island last week. A Go-Fund Me page was launched on Friday to support him. “Bound for Australia tomorrow, we have had the heartbreaking news that another blood clot has formed in his brain this evening, delaying his trip home,” the GoFundMe started by Melissa Kennewell read.
“He has travel insurance which his family anticipate will come through at some stage, however, they have already had to find over $50k for his stay so far. With this additional setback, they now need to find another large sum to pay his next course of treatment.
Mathew Ellerton | Image courtesy of Ellerton Racing
“We would love to allow Mathew's family to concentrate on Mathew and his recovery and ultimate trip home, please help us allow his family to focus on what is important in getting the treatment and care he needs right now without having to stress about the financials.”
Racing.com received permission from Ellerton's partner Leah, who is in Bali, to share details of his health fight, and understands the Australian Trainers' Association is working with Racing Victoria to help get urgent funds to the Ellerton family to help with his treatment and transport home.
Stradbroke relative in foal to Proisir headlines Inglis Digital
The catalogue for the Inglis Digitial July (Early) has 332 lots including 149 racehorses (81 race fillies), 126 broodmares, 37 racehorse shares, 10 yearlings, 9 weanlings and 1 unraced stock.
Headlining is Fast Summer Rock (Fastnet Rock) a winning half-sister to recent G1 Stradbroke Hcp winner Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) and a daughter of former Stradbroke Hcp winner Mid Summer Music (Oamaru Force). Fast Summer Rock is in foal to Proisir.
In foal to Too Darn Hot (GB) is Group 3 winner Vain Queen (Artie Schiller {USA}), while stakes winner Harmony Rose (Glass Harmonium {Ire}) is in foal to Anamoe.
Waterhouse/Bott trained 3-year-old filly Summer Loving (Exceed and Excel) also features. “Make no mistake, Summer Loving was one of the most naturally talented 2YOs in our stable last season," Bott said. "She should have won the Golden Gift on debut but inexperience got the better of her and she finished full of running in the Magic Millions, which she would have gone very close to winning too had she had better luck through the race."
Ancient Spirit headline White Robe Lodge stallions for 2024
Famed New Zealand farm White Robe Lodge has announced the service fees for their roster of four stallions, which features emerging young stallion Ancient Spirit (Ger) at NZ$7000 (plus GST) along with the proven trio of Ghibellines at NZ$7000 (plus GST), Raise The Flag (USA) at NZ$4000 (plus GST) and Gallant Guru at NZ$2000 (plus GST).
Ancient Spirit | Standing at White Robe Lodge
“It was pleasing to see them so well received,” Brian Anderton’s grandson Jack Stewart told Loveracing.nz about Ancient Spirit’s first yearlings. “To stand at $7000 and average at $92,500 is a pretty good return on investment for breeders. It wasn’t just what they made, it was the word on them leading into Karaka based on type. It was very satisfying to see them sell accordingly.”
“(Granddad) might be 87, but he has still got a good eye. Invariably he’ll pick one out of the paddock and it will be an Ancient Spirit and you can tell the fire still burns — he gets that twinkle in his eye and you know that he is getting excited — and so are we coming into the season to see them trialling and up and going.”
Two more years for Weir
Disgraced former trainer Darren Weir has been given a further two year ban for animal cruelty and dishonest conduct by the Racing Victoria tribunal hearing on Friday. “Mr Weir, a most experienced trainer of a huge number of horses, was not only the person in charge of the operation he was the person who actually committed the act of cruelty,” Judge Bowman said.
Darren Weir
“He was the person in charge of the horse… he was the boss, he was the hands on person who actually committed these offences. He was in charge of and the administration of a procedure that is abhorrent and deserved of condemnation.” A start date for the new ban is yet to be determined and his pre-training operation would have to stop once a date is decided. Weir's original four-year disqualification for possession of jiggers expired in February 2023.
New Racing Victoria chair blasts Weir
New Racing Victoria Chairman Tim Eddy has blasted the conduct of disgraced trainer Darren Weir after the former leading horseman was handed a further two-year disqualification for animal cruelty.
“Darren Weir, Jarrod McLean and Tyson Kermond’s conduct struck at the heart of the two pillars upon which the horse racing industry stands – animal welfare and integrity,” Eddy told Racing.com.
“The industry’s social licence depends upon the reality and the perception that racehorses are not mistreated, and that races are conducted on an even playing field without contraventions of the Rules of Racing. The actions of the individuals in this case not only severely damaged racing’s reputation, but also tarnished the image of hard-working, rule-abiding individuals in our industry who devote their lives to the horses and act for the betterment of the sport.”
Baker backing up two into Winter S.
Trainer Bjorn Baker is backing up both Iknowastar (Star Witness) and Highlights (Your Song) into Saturday’s Listed Winter S. at Randwick. “Iknowastar has to come back from 1600 metres to 1400 metres, he's on a heavy track and had an interstate trip during the week so it won't be easy,” Baker told Racenet.com.au.
Bjorn Baker
“But he's so consistent and tries very hard in his races, he is still going to be hard to beat. Highlights was very good at Rosehill last Saturday, he's never been going better so it is worth a throw at the stumps.”
Vale Graeme Hicks
Trainer Graeme Hicks died last Wednesday with Andrew Bobbin paying his respects at Ballarat on Friday. “The things he loved most were racing, drinking, punting, seafood, probably telling a few stories here and there,” Bobbin told Racing.com.
“He was a pretty prominent figure here at Ballarat. I think he held a trainer’s licence for about 50 years across South Australia and then here in Victoria. He was a likeable rouge and a sharp wit and a pretty direct delivery which probably didn’t suit everybody.”
Vale Neville Atkins
Memories of Neville Atkins and his wide range of achievements have been revived this week following his death after a long illness in Queensland last Sunday aged 83. “I was just kicking off and Wally Hooton, the Auckland apprentice school riding master, put my name forward to ride Neville’s horse Persian King in an invitation apprentices’ race at Ellerslie,” Nigel Tiley told Loveracing.nz on Thursday.
“I had ridden only three winners but Nev agreed to put me on and we won the race. That was the start of a very successful trainer-jockey relationship, but just as importantly also the start of a wonderful friendship.
“Nev was a horseman first and foremost, but he could do anything – shoe them, do their teeth – you name it, there wasn’t much he couldn’t do.”
South Australian jockeys premiership to the wire
Jake Toeroek can hit the ground running when he returns to race riding at Gawler on Saturday with five rides and a two win advantage over Todd Pannell in the Metropolitan Jockey Premiership and a six-win lead over Rochelle Milnes in the South Australian Jockey Premiership.
“Klabel obviously looks well placed, you never know one these tracks this time of year, sometimes one can put their hand-up,” Toeroek told Racingsa.com.au. His five rides are Klabel (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}), Solar Blast (Palentino), Hard Prince (All Too Hard), Pointless Praise (Pariah) and Six Stars (Impending).
Belmont Guineas winner ready for Oaks
Michael Grantham-trained Luvnwar (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) is confidence leading into Saturday’s Listed Belmont Oaks. “She has come through the Belmont Guineas run really well and hasn’t put a foot wrong,” Grantham said on Tabradio.
Luvnwar (NZ) | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“Her last workout yesterday I gave her a good dig and her heart rate just keeps getting lower and lower. It was pretty good work and I’m happy where I’ve got her.”
Shalaa juvenile wins at Ipswich
Trainer Annabel Neasham’s 2-year-old gelding Sibelius (Shalaa {Ire}) won at Ipswich on Friday to take his record to a win and two placings from four starts.
Jockey Van Der Hoven injured at Goulburn
Racing NSW stewards reported that “Jockey Heavelon Van Der Hoven was dislodged following the running of Race 2 at Goulburn. He was subsequently trodden on by his mount after the fall.” He was taken to hospital for further examination.
Unrelated to the fall, the track deteriorated during the day and the meeting was abandoned after race six. “Goulburn: following a further track inspection, the meeting has been postponed due to the state of the track.”
Four for Latta on Friday
Trainer Lisa Latta trained four winners at Awapuni on Friday, led by the Ashurst-Pohangina Cup with 4-year-old gelding Sir Mikki (Mikki Isle {Jpn}). “It was really good to take out the Cup with Sir Mikki. He has had to lug the 60 kilos, but he is tough,” stable representative Josh Herd told Loveracing.nz.
Latta’s other winners were Final Chapter (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), Bee Enchanted (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), and Lincoln Towers (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}).
Solidify aimed at spring Group 1s
Team Rogerson will aim 3-year-old gelding Solidify (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) at the spring Group 1 races in New Zealand after he runs at Te Rapa on Saturday. “I think he’s on the cusp of being a really nice staying horse,” his co-trainer told Loveracing.nz.
Solidify (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images)
“His performance this weekend will tell us where he should head. If he runs well again, he may go to the Taumarunui Gold Cup at Te Rapa later in the month (July 27). The G1 Livamol Classic could be a nice target to work towards with him if we continue to be happy with his progress.”
A stakes winner as a 2-year-old, Solidify has mixed his form this year at three being a last start winner and placing in the G3 Auckland Championship S. from 13 starts this season. All up, he has five wins from 18 starts.
Whyte brings up double century with double in Hong Kong
Trainer Douglas Whyte earned his 200th career victory as Majestic Knight (Redoute’s Choice) and Zoom Boom (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) won at Happy Valley on Thursday night. “He’s really come a long way from a horse that had an injury and looked in trouble, to the most consistent horse for my stable this season,” Whyte told scmp.com about Zoom Boom.
Juvenile stakes winner Gabaldon added to USA Inglis Digital
Gabaldon (USA) (Gone Astray {USA}), most recently runner-up in the Listed Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot, has been added to the catalogue for the inaugural Inglis Digital USA July Sale. Trained by Jose D'Angelo on behalf of Soldi Stable, the juvenile earned a trip to Royal Ascot with a win in the Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes at Gulfstream Park in his racetrack debut on May 11.
“Gabaldon is everything you look for in a racehorse,” D'Angelo said. “He is fast, classy, and loves his job. His precocity and mindset make him one of the best 2-year-olds I have ever had in training. We are excited to see what the future holds for Gabaldon.”
New group winner for More Than Ready
Stonestreet Stables' Emery (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}) earned her first graded victory in the G3 Victory Ride S. at Aqueduct Thursday and may go to the G1 Test S. on August 3 next. “She has a great mind and she broke her maiden at Saratoga last year first time out and had never breezed at Saratoga,” trainer Brad Cox said.
“She handled all of that well. I really liked her a lot, and the Frizette last year just wasn't her day. She came out of it and had a break afterwards. We've always thought a lot of her and Stonestreet always allows you to do the right thing by the horse. Patience paid off today and we're very proud of what she's accomplished. We're looking forward to hopefully going on to bigger and better things.”
Auguste Rodin aimed at Japan Cup
The G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday, November 24 has been identified as a potential end-of-season target for Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) after he got his four-year-old campaign back on track with victory in the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot.
“He has won at the Breeders' Cup already and maybe the lads might do that and maybe City Of Troy could be a horse for the (Breeders’ Cup) Classic. They like to play all their cards differently to suit their horses and at the same time they love watching racing and going racing, so they try to spread them out,” said Aidan O’Brien.
Khadeem’s sister tops online sale
The first American-based horse to sell on the Tattersalls Online platform, Moqadama (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) (Lot 101) duly topped the July Sale, when ended on Thursday. Andrea Brereton of Fortune Bloodstock, bidding online, secured the 6-year-old mare for 160,000gns post-sale from the consignment of Castleton Lyons for an unnamed client. In foal to 2015 American Triple Crown hero American Pharoah (USA), the bay is a full sister to dual G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes hero Khaadem (Ire) and stakes winner Log Out Island (Ire).
“Obviously the Khaadem update was a huge positive for the family,” said Brereton, who was bidding from home. “My client really loves American Pharoah and the opportunity to breed something by him also attracted us. The depth of the mare's pedigree caught our eye with a predominantly turf pedigree and the plan is to bring her back to the UK to breed from.”
Arqana sale passes €10million
For the third consecutive year, Arqana's Summer Sale broke the €10-million barrier by gross, with 326 lots (67%) marked as sold from 488 offered in Deauville.
Buyers, more selective than in 2023 when the sale boasted an 83% clearance rate, paid €10,711,000 across the three day stand. However, the 2024 catalogue was bolstered by an additional 113 horses compared to the 2023 version. The average closely tracked last year's edition as well at €32,856 (-3%), while the median dropped 19% to €16,000. Thursday's session, which featured breeding stock, added €1,142,500 to the overall aggregate, with 61 lots marked as sold from 89 through the ring (68%).
Bahrain extension
An expansion of the Turf Series was announced by the Bahrain Turf Club on Thursday, as well as the installation of floodlights ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The Bahrain Turf Series, which was launched in 2021, will now comprise of 12 races worth a total of $1 million, with a further $80,000 available in bonuses. The programme will start on the later date of December 20 and run until March 7, with an additional two handicaps, each worth $100,000, set to be run at the season's finale, where the feature event is the King's Cup.
His Highness Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, chairman of the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club, said, “I am pleased to announce both an expansion of the Bahrain Turf Series and the introduction of floodlit racing, a bold initiative that will elevate the spectacle of racing in Bahrain to a new level and enable our season to continue to flourish.”
