Listed Boulder Cup highlights Pike five!
Western Australia’s focus headed inland to Kalgoorlie on Sunday for the Listed Boulder Cup, but it was jockey William Pike who stole the show with five winners including the Cup itself.
Grant and Alana Williams trained 5-year-old gelding Starry Heights (Star Turn) was sent out as a $2.40 favourite by punters thanks to a last start second in the Coolgardie Cup and he delivered with a straight forward win. Pike sat three deep rounding the turn, and Starry Heights sprinted clear to win by 3.89l over Simon Miller trained Iowa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})) and Jason Miller trained Admiration Express (My Admiration).
The win was Starry Heights’ first at black type level, and he became the ninth stakes winner for Star Turn, and took his record to eight wins and a second from 18 starts with earnings over $380,000. Between July 2023 and December 2023, Starry Heights won six in succession and this was his first win since then.
Sold by Geraldton based Ruby Racing and Breeding, he becomes the third stakes horse they have sold from their first three drafts at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale. He was purchased by his trainers for $35,000 in 2021 in the same draft as Group 1 winner Bustler (Playing God). They also sold Group 2 placed Earthstorm (Calyx {GB}) in their 2023 draft.
Starry Heights is the first foal of unraced mare Highly Illustrious (High Chaparral {Ire}) who is from the Joie Denise family of Sunday Joy (Sunday Silence {USA}), More Joyous (More Than Ready {USA}), etc.
Pike’s other winners were Kratesis (Deep Field), Date With The Devil (Playing God), Colossus (Snitzel) and Secret Attraction (NZ) (Savabeel).
Keeneland concludes with record gross
The Keeneland September Yearling Sale, which surpassed its record gross Thursday with two sessions still to go, concluded its blockbuster 12-day run Saturday in Lexington with increases across the board over its 2023 renewal. In addition to its record gross, the sale produced its highest-ever average and a tied its record median.
“The energy here was at times reminiscent of another era,” said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. “When we were on inspections earlier this year, we saw quality and consistency among the crop, and it gave us a lot of excitement. And when the horses showed up at the sale, it verified our expectations. The market was very broad based. We saw new faces and welcomed back people we haven't seen in years from all over the world who returned because of their confidence in the U.S. industry and Keeneland being a global marketplace.”
Tony Lacy | Image courtesy of Keeneland
During the 12-day auction, 2,735 horses sold for a total of US$411,749,500 (AU$603.7million). The average of US$150,548 (AU$220,000) was up 5.20% from a year ago and the median of US$70,000 (AU$103,000) was up 4.48%.
A total of 36 yearlings–led by a US$5-million (AU$7.3million) son of Curlin (USA)–sold for a million or more during the auction, up from 30 a year ago and second-most ever at the auction behind only 2005. The sale topper was the highest-priced colt sold at September since 2006. There were 185 horses who sold for US$500,000 (AU$734,000) or more at the September sale this year, versus 168 in 2023.
“We rely, first and foremast, on the support of the breeders and consignors that bring the horses here. And then it's incumbent on us to reinforce the strength of the sale year on year and attract more and more buyers from around the world, as well as domestically. So we are very pleased with how this sale has gone. Not everyone has had an outstanding sale, but overall, this has been an extremely strong and a record September sale,” said Keeneland Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach.
During Saturday's final session, 203 yearlings grossed US$2,662,000 (AU$3.8million) for an average of US$13,113 (AU$19,100) and a median of US$10,000 (AU$14,700). The average dipped 5.08% from the final session of last year's sale, while the median rose 11.11%.
Queensland Horse of The Year is Antino
Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) has been crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 TAB Queensland Thoroughbred Awards on Saturday night. Trained by Tony Gollan, he was also named Queensland 4YO and Older Horse of the Year.
Gollan extended his reign as the state’s premier trainer, claiming the Jim Atkins Trainer of the Year Award for the 11th straight season with 186 wins during the season. He also won the Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership with record 147 victories.
James Orman was rewarded for another exceptional season in the saddle with his third straight George Moore Queensland Jockey of the Year crown, adding to his Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership with 107.5 winners. Cejay Graham was named the Ipswich Turf Club Ken Russell Queensland Apprentice of the Year with 76 wins.
Antino (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
Lawrie Mayfield-Smith-trained Zouna (Zousain) was crowned the 2YO Horse Of The Year, while Rob Heathcote-trained Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner Abounding (Rich Enuff) was 3YO Horse Of The Year and QTIS Horse of the Year.
The breeding awards were awarded as follows; Queensland Stallion of the Year was Better Than Ready, TBQA Champion First Season Stallion was Sun City, TBQA Champion 2YO Stallion was Kobayashi and TBQA Broodmare of the Year was Ready To Rule (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}), the dam of Southport Tycoon (Written Tycoon).
Oaks Preview won by Hurry Curry
Danny O’Brien may have a serious G1 Victoria Oaks contender on his hands with Hurry Curry (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), who won the 1800-metre Oaks Preview comfortably at Flemington on Sunday. “She’s a lovely filly, from a family of the Chick’s (owner Mark Chittick) that we’ve had some good success with over the years,” O’Brien told racing.com.
“And she’s by Ocean Park, who can get a really good middle-distance horse… she’s only been to the races before twice, and her first time was over 1200m, very much for education. Her second start at Bairnsdale she won quite convincingly, and it’s only her third start today, and she’s probably won quite softly again.
As long as she physically does well over the next few weeks, she probably won’t run now for four weeks. She’ll go to the fillies’ race they have on Caulfield Cup Day, and then, obviously, it’s on from there to the Wakeful and the Oaks, if everything’s going well.”
Secret to winning Derby is toughness
Trainer Mick Nolan whose Stylish Secret (NZ) (Sweet Orange {USA}) won the Victoria Derby Preview on Sunday at Flemington hass the accolade of being the toughest horse he’s ever been involved with. Nolan pointed out that former Richmond captain and former Fitzroy player Jeff Hogg was one of part-owners of Stylish Secret.
“I told him early days that he reminded me of Tom Hafey as he was so tough. He’s 15.2 hands and 420 kilos. He’s not the best horse in Australia, but he’s the toughest,” Nolan told racing.com. “I was going to spell him after The Valley, but he nearly kicked my head off in the paddock.” He hasn’t decided if he’ll press on to the G1 Victoria Derby as Stylish Secret has already had five starts this campaign for two wins.
Swiftfalcon impressive winner for Exceedance at headquarters
Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes is keeping all options open in the spring for Swiftfalcon (Exceedance) after the 3-year-old gelding rounded up his rivals to win the Living Legends Trophy at Flemington on Sunday. “He’s only been with me in Melbourne three days, so John and Michael have made me look good again,” Hawkes told racing.com.
Swiftfalcon as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“We’ll just poke along with him. It’s only his second preparation but he’s got a real will to win.” Swiftfalcon was a winner at the end of his three start juvenile campaign and Sunday’s win was his first run at three, taking his record to two wins from four starts.
Four wins for apprentice Fitzgerald at Armidale
Apprentice jockey Mollie Fitzgerald won four of the seven races at Armidale on Sunday, winning aboard Dipierdominco (Not A Single Doubt), Eastowin (Red Element), Swanbrook Gem (Dissident) and Turbo Charged (Deep Field).
Treble for Hefel at Bainsdale
Jockey Carleen Hefel rode a treble at Victoria’s Bairnsdale meeting on Sunday aboard Hot Chilli Mama (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}), Distorted (Jimmy Creed {USA}), and Laugh With Me (Harry Angel {Ire}).
Katherine Coleman and Carleen Hefel
Around The Nation: 3-year-old winners
With the three 3-year-old winners at Flemington on Sunday all already mentioned in the Wrap, there were several others around the nation at other meetings.
At Armidale, Brett Cavanough trained colt Point Loma (Dubious) won over 1300 metres. Bairnsdale's meeting saw filly Mem’s Choice (I Am Invincible) win on debut, as did filly Duchess Of Argyll (Pariah).
Mishani Devine (Jungle Cat {Ire}) won at Queensland’s Warwick meeting. At Mount Gambier, filly In Your Words (Blue Point {Ire}) won at her second start. At Tasmania’s Devonport meeting, It’s Jagger Time (Holler) and Corsa Veloce (Needs Further) both won.
Only five qualifier races left for the Big Dance
Time is rapidly running out for horses to gain qualification into this year’s Big Dance with just a handful of races remaining before the $3 million feature is run at Royal Randwick in a little over six weeks. Racing NSW reports that only Friday’s Lismore Cup, the Dubbo Cup (next Sunday), Port Macquarie Cup (11 October), Coonamble Cup (13 October) and the Big Dance Wild Card (Randwick 26 October) are left as chances for trainers to qualify horses.
Dee sent for wrist scan after fall at Flemington
Jockey Michael Dee has been sent for scans on a suspected wrist injury, after he was dislodged from his mount Greta Moon (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) at Flemington on Sunday. Greta Moon was attended to by on-course vets but was euthanised on humane grounds. TTR sends our thoughts to all connections.
Queensland summer carnival changes
Queensland's summer carnival has had more changes with the Listed Calaway Gal S. for 2-year-old fillies moved from summer to winter, while opening up the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes to both colts and fillies in order to improve the field size. The race saw only four runners last summer and will be run three weeks prior to the G3 BJ McLachlan Stakes, which has produced two of the last three Magic Millions 2YO Classic winners in 2022 Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) and in 2024 Storm Boy (Justify {USA}).
The Gateway, which is a ‘win and you're in' race for the G1 Stradbroke Handicap in the winter, has also been opened up to 3-year-olds, after previously being restricted to only 4-year-olds in the past.
Japanese 2-year-old breaks record, heads to Breeders’ Cup
Ecoro Sieg (USA) (Twirling Candy {USA}), a smashing five-length debut winner when unveiled over 1200 meters at Niigata Aug. 17, remained perfect in two starts with a 2.5length success at Nakayama on Saturday, stopping the clock in 1:07.2. The final time shaved 0.6 seconds off the 2-year-old track record and was 0.3 faster than the Japanese record time for a 2-year-old at the distance.
He was a bit slow to begin, but he was amazing after that,” the winning trainer, Hideyuki Mori, told the Japanese publication Chunichi.co.jp. “It was a bit fast! … For now I will consult with the owner and I would like to consider the [GI] Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint [at Del Mar Nov. 1].”
Irish 2025 program announced
The 2025 Irish fixture list was published by Horse Racing Ireland on Friday. The number of fixtures is unchanged from 2024 at 395 after the Board of HRI approved the list in their meeting earlier this week.
Jonathan Mullin, HRI's Director of Racing, said, “The number of horses in training in Ireland this year remain at similar levels to 2023 and therefore it was felt prudent not to increase the number of fixtures for 2025. The fixture list process for 2025 involved consultation with a wide variety of industry stakeholders and we acknowledge their strong engagement throughout. In particular, given the need to produce a 'shadow' 2025 fixture list to accommodate the planned development of an All-Weather Track at Tipperary, we thank the racecourses for their considerable contributions.”
Norton rides treble on last day before retirement
Veteran rider Franny Norton, who announced his retirement earlier this week, rode a trio of winners at Chester to end his career on a high. Norton enjoyed seven rides on Saturday, prevailing with 1-3 favourite Raneenn (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the EBF “Confined” Fillies' Novice Stakes for trainer William Haggas and owner Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum in the day's third race.
Haggas said, “It was lovely to give him a winner on his last day. He rode the most brilliant race for us a few years ago (2017) on a horse called Fastnet Tempest (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) at Chester, when he came from last to first in a big-field handicap. I'm delighted for him that he's ridden a winner on his last day, he deserves it.”
His other winners for the day were Small Fry (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}) and Qitaal (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}).
