Williamsburg tops Inglis Digital September (early) sale, heads to Big Dance
Offered by Tony Fung Investments 5-year-old entire Williamsburg (Snitzel) sold for $455,000 in Wednesday’s Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale and was purchased by Scone trainer Brett Cavanough who will attempt to qualify Williamsburg for the $3m The Big Dance to be run at Randwick on the first Tuesday in November.
“He’s a good horse, he’s already proved that plenty of times so I can’t wait to get him into the stables and see what we can achieve with him,” Cavanough told inglis.com.au. “A couple of private clients wanted a good horse and I think this is the perfect horse to target a race like the Big Dance with and even possibly the Melbourne Spring Carnival and then the Perth carnival.
“The Big Dance, a mile at Randwick, $3m, it ticks plenty of boxes for him, it’s just a matter of how we get him there and whether we end up there or not, I’m excited to have him and I’m confident we can have a lot of fun with him.” Winner of five of his 31 starts and over $1million, Williamsburg won a Group 3 race at two, and more recently was a winner two starts ago before placing in the Listed Rowley Mile last start.
A breeding right in exciting young stallion Pierata was the second top lot, purchased by STBT Bloodstock for $220,000, while stakes placed mare Celestial Storm (Zoustar) sold to the WA-based entity Stipe for $170,000. Ingham Racing sold 5-year-old gelding Robusto (Churchill {Ire}) to Darby Racing for $160,000, and he is a Group 3 placed winner of six races and over $655,000.
“He’ll be transferred to Bjorn Baker, as Caballus was, we’ll put him out to our loyal clients and aim him up next week in either the [G3] Cameron [Handicap] at Newcastle or the [G3] Bill Ritchie at Randwick the following day,” Scott Darby told Inglis referring to their Inglis Digital purchase of Caballus (I Am Invincible) who won the G3 Eskimo Prince S. for them after his purchase. “We were also very heavily on Williamsburg and to be honest I don’t think there’s much between them on form, we just got this bloke for less!”
In total, six lots realised $100,000 or more in the September (Early) Sale, taking to 84 the number of seven-figure lots sold through the platform this year.
Pride Of Jenni to enjoy longer trip in G1 Makybe Diva S.
Ciaron Maher Racing belives that a rise in distance will help Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) return to her best in Saturday's G1 Makybe Diva S. “There's no doubt that she underperformed,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told racing.com with regards to her first-up run when fifth in the G1 Memsie S.
Pride Of Jenni | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
"She was beaten five lengths, but she's got an average first-up record, we know the more she races, the better she gets. Being an older mare now, maybe the mile is her bottom trip and she may be looking for that plus further distance in the future. It wasn't so much of a head scratcher, but it was a disappointing run. Physically, we can't fault her from what we've seen at home.”
Riff Rocket out for the year after colic
Dual Group 1 winner Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}) has undergone emergency surgery for colic on Tuesday night and will miss the remainder of this year. “Early signs are promising but the next few days will obviously be very important for his ongoing health and survival which is our main concern,” a press release from the Chris Waller stable said.
“He is at the South Eastern Equine Hospital who have done a fantastic job working through the night. They found the impaction in his large colon which has been relieved, so our thanks go out to them as well as our stable vet and staff who picked up the issue early. Our thoughts are with the horse and his connections at this time and hopefully he will make a full racing return in 2025.”
Connections devastated by loss of Cepheus
OTI racing and trainer Matt Dunn’s star galloper Cepheus (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) was put down after sustaining an injury at trackwork on Wednesday morning. The last start Listed Rowley Mile winner won nine of his 36 starts and over $2.3million.
“We're saddened to confirm the loss of Cepheus,” OTI Racing said. “We feel for all connected with this special horse, our co-owners and in particular Matt Dunn and the whole team at Matt Dunn Racing. We will miss seeing him in action with Nash Rawiller on board and will remember him as the true warhorse that he was.”
Sunshine In Paris targeting The Everest
Sunshine In Paris (Invader) kicks off her spring at Rosehill on Saturday in the G2 Sheraco S. and is aiming for The Everest. “We’re tying to keep the formula relatively similar to 12 months ago because it seemed to work for the Sheraco,” co-trainer Annabel Neasham told racingnsw.com.au.
Sunshine In Paris | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“She had two trials and an exhibition gallop so I’m really happy with her and Tommy (Berry) said she feels great. We’ll get through this and then whether we give her another before the Everest or whether we go straight there we’ll see because she does go very well fresh.” Sunshine In Paris won the G2 Sheraco S. last year, then didn’t run again until the autumn where she placed in the G1 Galaxy Handicap.
Run To The Rose headlines big day at Rosehill
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s boom 3-year-old colt Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) headlines the G2 Run To The Rose on a strong card at Rosehill on Saturday.
“The James Squire Run To The Rose each year provides amongst the best early Spring three-year-olds and is a pivotal pathway to Group 1 and feature races deeper into Spring," Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani said.
“The depth and quality of the Group races this Saturday provides a strong lead into the start next week of the ten-week Sydney Everest Carnival. Horses such as Storm Boy, Joliestar and Celestial Legend take on some very strong fields, making trackside such an important and exciting place to see them up close.’’
After race one, an exhibition gallop by James Cummings trained dual Group 1 winner Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}) will take place, followed by Angela Davies trained Our Kobison (Kobayashi).
Waller’s pair to resume in Run To The Rose
Chris Waller’s 3-year-old colts Switzerland (Snitzel) and unbeaten Emirate (Extreme Choice) will resume in the G2 Run To The Rose on Saturday. “I’m really happy with how he looks,” Waller told racingnsw.com.au of Switzerland.
“He is about a 20kg heavier animal, strengthened up all round and grown taller, too. It’s exciting to have him back. His only defeat was the Golden Slipper where he pulled up with a niggle but we have got that sorted now and he has come back well. He has had two trials and an exhibition gallop.” Both will be aimed at the G1 Golden Rose.
Aardvark to resume in Poisedon S.
Malua Racing co-trainer Will Larkin is wary of the strength of Saturday's Listed Poseidon S for the resuming 3-year-old colt Aardvark (Capitalist). “He's had a very good build-up, he's had the four trials leading in,” Larkin told racing.com.
Aardvark | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“There were three good jumpouts out of the four, the only failure was on a wet track, so we'll probably be steering clear from them, which this time of year helps. He had a really good break in Queensland of about eight weeks, so we've really prepped him up, making sure he's rock-hard fit, ready to go against what looks a very quality field.
“The 3-year-old colts this year look a step above compared to some other years … you can't hide this time of year. So, he needs to be forward and ready to run a race and he'll be there to do that.”
Dublin Down heads to Poseidon first-up
Group 3 winning juvenile Dublin Down (Exceedance) joins a crack field for Saturday’s Listed Poseidon S. when he makes his 3-year-old debut. “He's done everything really well and I'm looking forward to getting him back to the track,” co-trainer Tony McEvoy told racing.com.
“This is a perfect race to kick off these sprinting 3-year-olds and we think he's a sprinter at this stage. It just fits in so nicely to the Danehill Stakes and then onwards and upwards if they are good enough.”
Celestial Legend heading to Golden Eagle
Trainer Les Bridge is chasing the money with dual Group 1 winner Celestial Legend (Dundeel {NZ}) as he resumes on Saturday with a longer term target being the $10million Golden Eagle.
Celestial Legend | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I want to try and get to the Golden Eagle with him. There’s so many races on the path to it so I’ll take it one run at a time,” Bridge said on Sky Sports Radio. “I think in time he will run 2000m but he’s a classy horse. He’s run 1400m at Rosehill and won easily too, and $10 million is a lot of dough. The horse is coming along good, first-up I’m probably not going into the race as confident as I was going into the Doncaster but I’m sure the horse will run well.”
Kosciuszko ticket holders revealed
The draw for the The Kosciuszko was held on Wednesday morning with fourteen people winning the chance to pick a horse to run for them. Trainer Matthew Dale’s dual The Kosciuszko winner Front Page (Magnus) was snapped up by Bulahdelah ticket holder Allan Robards and friends as he attempts to complete a remarkable Kosciuszko hat-trick.
Unsurprisingly, the first five tickets holders picked the top five in Kosciuszko betting with Front Page joined by Far Too Easy (All Too Hard), Compelling Truth (I Am Invincible), Boom Torque (Spirit Of Boom) and At Witz End (Epaulette).
Sir Michael Stoute announces retirement
Sir Michael Stoute, the ten-time champion trainer in Britain, has announced his intention to retire from the training ranks at the end of this season. Now 78, Stoute is one of the longest-serving trainers in Newmarket, where he has been based since 1972.
With more than 4,000 winners to his credit, he has been responsible for six Derby winners among his 16 British Classic triumphs, beginning with Shergar (GB) (Great Nephew {GB}) in 1981 and, most recently, the 2022 winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}).
“I would like to thank all my owners and staff for the support they have given me over the years,” he said in a statement issued through the Press Association on Tuesday morning. “It has been a great and enjoyable journey.”
Cheveley Park Stud, Ballymacoll Stud, Juddmonte, the Niarchos family, Sheikhs Maktoum, Hamdan and Mohammed Al Maktoum, Meon Valley Stud and the Rothschild family feature on a glittering list of owner-breeders who kept Stoute's Freemason Lodge stocked with well-bred individuals.
“He's a good pal, number one, but he is also without question the greatest trainer of my lifetime,” said William Haggas. “They all compare him to Henry Cecil, but Henry, as good as he was, rather fell into training in that he took over from his father-in-law, whereas Michael started with absolutely nothing. He came over to Pat Rohan in the 60s. He won the Stewards' Cup and the Ayr Gold Cup in his second year training with two different horses – Alphadamus and Blue Cashmere – and he has been at the top of his game for an enormous amount of time. And while Henry preferred to race his horses at home, Michael for so long competed his horses abroad. He had a great desire to run his horses all over the world.”
Ellerslie given the green light for racing
The troubled NZ$50million installation of a StrathAyr track at Ellerslie was again given the go-ahead for racing after passing the test of a trials meeting earlier in the week, and now the first meeting will be held on Saturday week.
Ellerslie
“The money is irrelevant, it is making sure we have got a surface that can perform on raceday,” Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) chief executive Paul Wilcox told Loveracing.nz. “We had a slip, and that wasn’t good enough, so it was making sure that we can get the surface that gives the confidence to the jockeys and horses that are going around.
“There has been an element of negativity, but that is to be expected in the industry that we are in. All-in-all the trainers that have been supportive of us are wanting it to go well because they are wanting to have the ability to race at Ellerslie. We have been getting some really good support.”
“We have got the new Champions Day in March, and we are looking forward to that, but I will be a happier man when we get that 21st (of September) meeting out of the way, which is what we are focussing on.”
NZTR provide jumps racing update
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) would like to provide an update on the next steps of the Future of NZ Jumps Racing consultation process after 240 submissions were received with representation across all areas of the racing industry.
“The volume of submissions that we received is testament to the passion of those involved in the racing industry and is further proof of the need for immediate action,” NZTR chief executive Bruce Sharrock told Loveracing.nz. “Today, a recommendation panel has been announced that will be responsible in reviewing the current state and putting forward a recommendation to the NZTR Board in October aligned to a decision-making framework.”
The independent panel is comprised of those with broad industry knowledge and experience. NZTR chief operating officer Darin Balcombe has been appointed Chair, and will be supported by Mark Chitty, Jessica Brosnan, Regan Donnison, Brad Taylor and Tim Mills. To ensure integrity and robustness of the process Alan Galbraith KC will provide legal overview and endorsement of the decision-making framework.
Derby winner headlines Arqana Arc Sale
The Arqana Arc Sale will provide the rare opportunity to buy a Classic-winning colt at public auction after it was announced on Tuesday that Deutsches Derby hero Palladium (Ger) (Gleneagles {Ire}) is one of 38 lots catalogued to sell at Saint-Cloud Racecourse on Saturday, October 5. The sale takes place during the weekend of the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Stakes winning mare heads to next Inglis Digital USA sale
My Shea D Lady (USA) (Solomini {USA}), a multiple New York-bred stakes winner, will be offered during the upcoming Inglis Digital USA September Sale, set to take place Wednesday, Sept. 25.
“We are excited to bring this precocious filly to the market,” said Josh Kerin from Vinery Sales. “There is no doubt she is a runner, having been in the money in six of nine starts. She fits a wide list of buyers as she has plenty of run left in her, but she has also already boosted her own residual value. A very exciting opportunity for someone to invest in.”
Entries close for the Inglis Digital USA September Sale on Monday, September 16. The catalogue will be released Friday, September 20, and the horses will sell Wednesday, September 25.
World Tote Association Board members elected
The World Tote Association (WoTA) members have elected its Board for the next two years, it was announced on Tuesday, with the Jockey Club of Turkey and Zeturf Group also being welcomed as full members.
Fundi Sithebe, CEO of 4Racing in South Africa, and Keith Johnson, president of 1/ST Technology Group/AmTote have accepted nominations to co-chair WoTA. Riko Luiking, general manager of the German Tote, has likewise accepted the role of treasurer. Sithebe and Johnson take over from Alex Frost, CEO of the UK Tote Group, and Hans Lord Skarploth, CEO of ATG in Sweden.
Sithebe and Johnson said in a joint statement, “We are delighted to be taking over as co-chairs of the World Tote Association. Over the last five years WoTA has made significant progress in developing the relationship between members and increasing understanding of the role pool betting plays in supporting horseracing around the globe. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to further our collective ambitions for the good of horseracing and society as a whole.”
