Golden Sixty officially retired
After months of rumours, the news was confirmed on Friday that the world’s highest earning horse, Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) was officially retired.
Golden Sixty retires with a world record HK$167,170,600 (AU$32 million) in earnings after winning 26 of his 31 starts. The three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year won 10 Group 1 races including three G1 Hong Kong Miles, three G1 Champions Miles, the G1 Stewards’ Cup twice and the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup twice.
Golden Sixty | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Trained by Francis Lui for owner Stanley Chan, Golden Sixty was bred by Asco International. He was sold by Element Hill at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $120,000 to Riversley Park who pinhooked him at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale for NZ$300,000 to trainer Francis Lui.
A trial winner in New Zealand in August 2018, Golden Sixty was sent to Hong Kong, where he won his first three in succession. He had a rare miss in his fourth start, then strung together 16 wins in a row. His final start came in April 2024 when fourth in the G1 Champions Mile.
City Of Troy up to #2
After setting a new course record in the G1 International S., City Of Troy (USA) (Justify {USA}) is now the second-highest rated horse in the world on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, which were released on Thursday. He improved from 123 to 127 with his victory. The G1 Eclipse S. and G1 Derby winner is behind only G1 Dubai World Cup hero Laurel River (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}), who holds a mark of 128.
Second behind City Of Troy at York is G2 King Edward VII S. hero Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), who is rated 125, the equal of G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. scorer Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). G1 Travers S. hero Fierceness (USA) (City Of Light {USA}) has moved into the top five, shared with multiple Group 1 winner Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), at 123.
Vale Dr. Alistair MacLean
Living Legends have announced the death of legendary equine vet Dr. Alistair MacLean. “A pioneering clinician and surgeon, he not only excelled in his profession but also shared his passion for horses through teaching and hands-on care. A gifted horseman Alistair was equally happy whether jogging young trotters or providing expert treatment to racing icons like Better Loosen Up and Popular Alm, he left an indelible mark on the world of horse racing.
“Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. MacLean was a devoted family man and cherished grandfather who will be profoundly missed by everyone fortunate enough to know him. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the MacLean family during this difficult time.”
Everest potential for Growing Empire
Yulong’s exciting 3-year-old colt Growing Empire (Zoustar) could head to The Everest if he runs well in Saturday’s Listed Poseidon S. “He won in spectacular fashion first time out (McNeil) and ran a huge figure of 100 (rating) … that puts him up there with the best of his crop,” Ciaron Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told racenet.com.au.
Growing Empire | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“If he can improve and handle the straight it opens up options for a Coolmore, he's a potential to go to The Everest, if Yulong was to give him a slot, or anyone. If he was to win there's a possibility he could go to The Everest… pie in the sky stuff but a son of Zoustar, expensive yearling, owned by Yulong, ticks a lot of boxes.” Growing Empire has won three of his four starts.
Jamie Kah hearing date set
Jockey Jamie Kah will front the Victorian Racing Tribunal on Thursday, September 19, for a hearing into her ride on Let’sfacethemusic (I Am Invincible) on Memsie S. Day. Kah will answer one charge for allegedly failing to give Let’sfacethemusic every opportunity to obtain the best finishing position possible in the McNeil Stakes. She was charged under AR129(2) following two stewards' hearings into the ride. Judge Kathryn Kings (Deputy Chairperson), Mr Des Gleeson and Dr June Smith will be on the panel.
Kah plans to plead not guilty. “The horse in question is somewhat of an equine retch. There's no doubt about its ability, but it locks its jaw,” Kah's legal representative Barrister Matthew Sterling said at a direction’s hearing. “What that means is the jockey can steer one way and the horse will go the other way. You can see that this exact thing happens in this race footage on the stewards' footage at the 900-metre mark. The horse veers in when Ms Kah is going the other way.
“On this day the conditions were extremely windy. The two horses in front were shifting ground continually. Ms Kah's horse was also shifting ground. She was unwell and low on confidence. In all of those circumstances, her instincts told her not to take the run; it wasn't safe to take the run. In retrospect, because we now know, but only in retrospect, that there were a couple of stages where the horses in front remained true on their line and Ms Kah's (horse) remained true on its line. It might have been an error, but that's not what the rule is about.
“The rule requires serious culpability. And even in this case if they can establish an error of judgment, it's not enough to make out the charge. Our position is the stewards can't have it both ways. They can't be dictating the paramountcy of safety, but then on the other hand when a rider shows caution as she did here, charge the rider under a rule.”
Aussie heads to NZ for Group 1 duo
Warrnambool raider Rolls (Anacheeva) has travelled to NZ to contest the final two legs of the Hastings triple crown. “My partner, Patrick Bell, who is travelling over with him, is originally from New Zealand and he is really looking forward to getting back home with one of our team,” trainer Maddie Raymond told Loveracing.nz.
“We are coming into a spring carnival over here where our tracks tend to dry out a bit and the quality of racing gets really strong. I think the horse is going absolutely super. He is not an easy horse to place over here. Paddy has always followed New Zealand racing and always wanted to take a horse over there, and this horse fits the profile really well.”
Bustling to resume in Run To The Rose
Jockey Chad Schofield will ride Bustling (Frosted {USA}) in G2 Run To The Rose at Rosehill on Saturday. “I knew the horse’s form and the quick times he was running over in Perth but I didn’t really know what to expect,” Schofield told racingnsw.com.au.
Bustling | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“He’s not an overly big horse but when you ride him he gives the most beautiful feel. He’s very exciting and I can’t wait to see what he’s got under the bonnet on Saturday. My dad found a pretty good sprinter from Perth in Hay List, hopefully Bustling’s mine.” Bustling won four of his five starts at two.
Around The Nation: 3-year-old winners
On Friday, at Goulburn, Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald trained gelding Dashing Rupert (Winning Rupert) won on debut, while in race four Danny Williams trained Highway Strip (Nicconi) took his record to two wins from three starts with a smashing 3.8l victory.
Maggie Sparkles (Divine Prophet) won the only race at Tuncurry before the meeting was abandoned.
Geelong’s Friday meeting saw Chewing Gum (Brazen Beau) win on debut for Lindsay Park, while in Queensland Stephen Massingham trained filly Miss Rambler (Capitalist) won for jockey Ryan Wiggins, who also won the first on the card with 7-year-old gelding Stats (Cluster) for the same trainer.
NZ’s Riccarton to host singular 2-year-old trial on Saturday
A trial for 2-year-olds will be held at Riccarton on Saturday morning, 11.45am NZ time (9.45am AEST). To be held over 800 metres, a field of eight juveniles has been assembled with several first season sires involved. Te Akau Racing will have Tagalomu (Tagaloa) who is the first foal of G1 NZ Oaks winner Sentimental Miss (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), a $470,000 purchase by Written Tycoon Syndicate at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Tagalomu was passed in as a yearling. David Walsh trained Zelia (Fierce Impact {Jpn}) is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Bonham (Per Incanto {USA}), and Zelia was an $11,000 weanling purchase at the 2023 Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale by J Corcoran of Grangewilliam Stud.
Victor The Winner wins trial in Japan preparation
Danny Shum’s speedster Victor The Winner (Toronado {Ire}) won a trial on Thursday morning in preparation for the G1 Sprinter’s S. in Japan. “He needed that trial,” Shum told scmp.com. “He’s not 100 per cent yet but he’ll have one more turf gallop in Japan and he’ll be spot on.”
He will be ridden by Joao Moreira in Japan. “Moreira knows the track, he knows Japan racing and he knows the horses. And, of course, he’s very good.” Fellow Japan contender Mugen (Deep Field) ran second in the trial.
Little hoping for Jericho slot
Kylie Little is hoping in-form stayer Irrigate (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) can take the Kiwi spot in the iconic Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool by winning Saturday’s NZB Airfreight Road To The Jericho (3210m) at New Plymouth. “We won this race a few years ago with a horse called Red Sunset, and the year after, they brought the trip in,” Little told Loveracing.nz.
“We definitely would’ve gone with her, so we would take the opportunity if she (Irrigate) can win. The boys bought her off Gavelhouse at the end of last winter and we gave her a couple of runs, we liked what we saw so we put her aside. She’s come up really well this year and she’s dead easy to have in the stable, she’s just a little pit pony. There’s not a lot of her, but she’s a real sweetheart. She holds a nomination for the New Zealand Cup, so if we won on Saturday, obviously she would be pulled out of there but that’s an option.”
First stakes winner for Hello Youmzain
Mario Baratti trained 2-year-old colt Misunderstood (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) made all to shed maiden status on debut at Deauville in July and repeated the dose in Thursday's G3 Prix des Chenes at ParisLongchamp to become the first black-type winner for his freshman sire (by Kodiac {GB}).
“He has a tendency to be keen and we don't have much choice but to let him bowl along in front at a good pace,” Baratti explained. “This is also why he carries a hood. He kept finding and drew away nicely, proving that he is probably a very good horse. [Jockey] Alexis [Pouchin] has suggested running him over seven furlongs. The [G1 Prix Jean-Luc] Lagardere is a possibility, but I first want to discuss it with the owners. Personally, I would like to wait for next year as he gives a lot in his races and I don't want to give him one race too many [this year].”
Misunderstood is the ninth of 11 foals and one of seven scorers out of G2 Diana-Trial second Waldjagd (GB) (Observatory {USA}), herself a daughter of multiple Group-winning G1 Deutschland-Preis second Wurftaube (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}). Wurftaube's quartet of black-type performers is headed by G1 Deutsches Derby hero Waldpark (Ger) (Dubawi {Ire}) and her descendants include G1 St Leger victor Masked Marvel (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) and multiple Group 1-winning Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). The February-foaled bay is a half-brother to G2 T von Zastrow Stutenpreis victrix Waldbiene (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) and Listed Prix du Pont Neuf winner Urwald (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}).
Group 3 winner for Siyouni
The Aga Khan's 2-year-old filly Zarigana (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), a granddaughter of the storied Zarkava, delivered a first black-type triumph with a display reminiscent of the owner's star distaffer in Thursday's G3 Prix d'Aumale at ParisLongchamp.
“I loved how she travelled on that [soft] ground and, when Mickael [Barzalona] switched her out, she did it all on her own,” reflected trainer Francis Graffard. “It was really nice to watch, she is a lovely looking filly with a great temperament and the only question is would she have another gear if asked for more. Of course, if she comes out of this race well, she will come back in the [G1 Prix] Marcel Boussac. She is all class and, hopefully, we will have a nice Classic prospect for next year.”
Zarigana is the second foal and scorer produced by Listed Prix Thiberville victrix and G1 Prix Vermeille third Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), herself kin to Group 1-winning sire Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), Listed Prix Charles Laffitte victrix Zaykava (Fr) and to the dam of dual Group 3 winner Zeyrek (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The January-foaled bay's second dam went unbeaten through a seven-race career, annexing the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe along the way.
Record wagering at Kentucky Downs meeting
The seven-day Kentucky Downs meet set another record for wagering, totaling US$90,181,408 (AU$134million) and up eight percent over last year, according to a press release from the track late Wednesday. That included a single-day record of US$21,184,941 (AU$31million)on the Saturday, Sept. 7 card featuring six graded stakes worth $2 million for Kentucky-breds ($1 million for others).
Stakes placed juvenile filly added to Inglis Digital USA Sale
Bellavinino (USA) (Get Stormy {USA}), a juvenile who recently finished second in a stakes race at Kentucky Downs, will be offered in the Inglis Digital USA September Sale which is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 25, according to a press release from the sales company on Thursday.
“This filly offers a great opportunity for someone looking for a ready-made racehorse,” said Kyle Wilson, Inglis Digital USA's Sr. Director of Sales and Recruitment. “She was looking for more distance and showed tremendous ability to overcome a difficult trip in her stakes debut. She offers a new owner exciting opportunities leading into the fall racing season.”
Fired vet alleges welfare issues at Illinois
Christine Tuma, who formerly worked as an association veterinarian jointly employed by Hawthorne Race Course and the Illinois Racing Board (IRB), on Thursday filed a federal lawsuit against those two entities claiming her efforts to scratch over 80 lame or injured Thoroughbreds during the 2022 and 2023 race meets were met with an alleged conspiracy to overturn her actions so the unsound horses could be entered in races.
The lawsuit further contended that when Tuma reported this alleged conspiracy to state and federal government regulators, she was fired “in retaliation for blowing the whistle on the illegal activities.” That termination came just 48 hours before a scheduled visit to the track by Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Authority regulators, the suit alleged.
Tara Stud for sale
Tara Stud, which has been in the same family for over 80 years, has been put up for sale, according to the stud's Derek Iceton. The bloodstock operation will move to Skryne Castle Farm. Goffs and Raymond Potterton and Co. will handle the sale as joint agents.
Tara Stud | Image courtesy of Tara Stud
“A number of factors have come together to make this decision” said Iceton. We are not going to stand stallions anymore and, though I am by no means going to retire, I do want to reduce the agricultural side of the business. We sell well over 1,000 cattle from here each year, up to 1,000 sheep, and 1,000 tonnes of grain from the arable side of the business, so the time has come to reduce this side of the business. There is no one here to succeed me, so we have all decided to sell the Tara farm. This still leaves us over 350 acres on which to facilitate our own mares and those of our clients. The land and facilities we have been developing considerably over the last few years, and we will continue selling stock as before, under the “Skryne Castle” name.”
Hanlon suspension to begin December 1
Trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon's 10-month suspension from training will begin on Dec. 1, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) Referrals Committee ruled on Thursday. The trainer of G1 King George VI Chase winner Hewick (Ire) (Virtual {GB}), Hanlon had appealed the IHRB decision with a potential deferral of the suspension until Apr. 1, but this request was denied.
The trainer was found to have acted in a manner that “caused significant prejudice to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of the sport of racing” in the removal of a dead horse from his yard earlier this year. A member of the public videoed the incident and it was widely circulated on social media, which attracted further media attention and led to the IHRB bringing charges against Hanlon, saying the conduct “attracted significant public opprobrium and adverse comment” both for the trainer personally and racing in general.
“The Committee decided that it saw nothing in the material submitted to justify deviation from the initial suggestion that the effective date of the sanctions should be December 1, 2024,” a statement released by the IHRB Committee read.
