Racing NSW stewards fine Maher $7500
Trainer Ciaron Maher has been fined $7500 by Racing NSW stewards for not informing them of I Am Me (I Am Invincible)’s bleeding incident soon enough. “Having regard to the seriousness of the matter, given that I AM ME is a selected runner in The TAB Everest and the occurrence was not able to be publicly released for in excess of 48 hours, Stewards considered a starting penalty should be a fine of $10,000,” said the stewards report.
Ciaron Maher | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“However, taking into account Mr Maher’s guilty plea and other relevant considerations, the fine was reduced to $7500.” I Am Me must gallop for stewards before being passed fit to race in The Everest.
Freedmans move to Cranbourne
Leading trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman will close their Flemington stable and move to Cranbourne. “Being within close proximity to our main base at Pinecliff (25 minutes), it will provide us with the best of both worlds and a dynamic training environment to help each horse achieve its peak performance,” a statement to owners read.
“There are many different surfaces for horses to work on including multiple grass, synthetic and sand tracks offering a wide variety of training options. As well as the main training circuits, there are sand-dune tracks which provide a relaxed work environment for the horses to keep them mentally fresh and engaged. This transition will not interfere with our training operations and horse’s preparations will continue uninterrupted.”
Public Attention ready for Guineas
Public Attention (NZ) (Written Tycoon)’s co-trainer Mick Price thinks favourite Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}) is beatable in Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Guineas. “Broadsiding is second-up and he's got to go interstate and there have been a few go by the wayside in recent weeks,” Price told racing.com.
Public Attention (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing pHotos
“John O’Shea's horse (Linebacker) has been gelded and he's out and Storm Boy is going back to sprinting, so from a month ago to what it is now, it is a little bit more open bar one. He's not had a lot of luck in his races and his form is OK. He ran super the other day behind Clinton's horse (Angel Capital). He stuck on good twice with no cover. There was his first start and then the other day, so he's shown some stamina to tough it out. He's ready to go, I can't do any more with him, he's spot on. He doesn't have much luck in races that horse and I did say to Ethan Brown, I said, 'Boy, you're due, you're due to give me a good ride'. It's a Caulfield Guineas and if we just get the nice run in the race, he'll be in the finish.”
Benedetta and Fawkner Park out
Connections of both Benedetta (Hellbent) and Fawkner Park (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) announced on Wednesday that they’d miss some of their spring targets. “I felt we've missed our target races due to a setback and it wasn't worth training her up again and risk reinjuring,” Benedetta’s trainer Jason Warren told racing.com. She will target the G1 Lightning S. in the autumn.
Meanwhile Fawkner Park will miss the G1 Caulfield Cup, with co-trainer Annabel Neasham saying, “He had a slightly muscle – not even a tear – but he slightly pulled a muscle in his pec, which he can do as he always a horse that you have to keep on top of.” His future plans will be announced after a vet check on Friday.
Royal Patronage to step up in distance for Saturday
On the back of a gallant third in the G1 Epsom, Adrian Bott is excited to see import Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) step up in distance at Rosehill on Saturday. “He’s come through the run very well so we’re keen to see him back up and importantly we’re starting to get out to an ideal trip now for him,” Bott told racingnsw.com.au.
Royal Patronage (Fr) | Image courtesy of Sporptix
“We tried to keep him as sharp as we could over the mile. The draw and the weight made things a little bit difficult for him in the Epsom but I thought he was very brave the way he stuck on. This should be a nice, natural, step for him and I think the back up should suit him at this stage of the preparation.”
Uncertain path for Tenbury Wells
Trainer Brad Widdup faces a conundrum if promising stayer Tenbury Wells (Fastnet Rock) runs well in Saturday’s G3 Gloaming S. at Rosehill. “He’s done nothing wrong this time in. He’s always shown a bit and he’s been terrific since he’s come back, he’s really grown up mentally,” Widdup told racingnsw.com.au.
“I think he’s a nice horse, he’s mature for his age and he’s going really well. This time of year it’s not always the superstars, the ones that are mentally and physically mature can have the wood on them. I can’t fault him, he’s had a good preparation leading into this.”
Trial Winner for North Pacific
North Pacific had a strong on Wednesday when his daughter Pacific Glamour, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, beat stablemate Prestar (Zoustar) by a nose in the juvenile heat at Murtoa. Purchased for $130,000 from the draft of Riversdale Farm by Mcevoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock Agency at this year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, her dam Glamarama (Zoustar) is a granddaughter of G2 Maribyrnong Plate victress Tennessee Morn (Bletchingly), dam of dual-Group 1 winner Malaguerra (Magnus). Winner of the G3 Up And Coming S., North Pacific stands his fourth season at Newgate Farm at a fee of $16500.
Trial winner for Tagaloa
Tagaloa colt Kanmuru, out of Bridal Falls (Vancouver), put on a professional display in his Mornington jump out on Wednesday. Trained by Rob Blacker, the colt found the rail early and let down beautifully on the home straight, extending his lead as he hit the line. Originally withdrawn from last year’s Inglis Great Southern Sale, he was offered by Longwood Thoroughbred Farm at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale in April, where Mark Strachan paid $20,000 for him. An unraced half-sister to 11-time winner Springthorpe (All Too Hard), Bridal Falls foaled a full sister to Kanmuru last spring and a half-sister by Sejardan last month.
Delta Blues dies
The first Japanese horse to win the Melbourne Cup, Delta Blues (Jpn) (Dance In The Dark {Jpn}) in 2006, has died. Trained by Katsuhiko Sumii and ridden by Yasunari Iwata, Delta Blues was 24 years old when he passed away on Tuesday following complications from laminitis.
“We are saddened to announce that Delta Blues passed away on October 8, 2024 due to complications from laminitis,” a statement read.
“He made history in 2006 as the first and only Japanese horse to win the Melbourne Cup and continued to be cherished long after his retirement. Rest in peace, Delta.”
Inglis October (Early) Digital closes
The latest Inglis October digital sale ended on Wednesday with 206 lots sold for $1.84 million at an average of $8956 and a median of $4000. The top lot was 5-year-old gelding The Englishman (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) who sold for $115,000.
He was purchased by Victorian-based Mount Ararat Plumbing. “It’s always nice to top a sale,” Think Big Stud’s Managing Director Duncan Ramage said. “Peter [Snowden] said he had a lot of interest and we thought the horse would sell reasonably well, as he a good prospect with lots of upside for buyers. “He was a $200,000 yearling, but from our perspective he won $80,000 this preparation and has sold for $115,000 so that amounts to a $200,000 prep."
“For the owners he won just shy of $200,000 so it’s nice to get close to a break square, which is not always achieved in racing."
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing announced Cup entry races
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing announced on Wednesday that winner of the G2 Auckland Cup will have ballot exemptions for both the Roy Higgins in late March and the Andrew Ramsden in May, and since both these races have ballot exemptions for the G1 Melbourne Cup, this provides a new pathway for New Zealand stayers to Australia's richest staying race.
“This partnership with the Victoria Racing Club is a milestone for New Zealand racing. Offering the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup winner a pathway to the Lexus Melbourne Cup through the Lexus Roy Higgins and Lexus Andrew Ramsden races opens up a world of opportunities for our participants,” said Craig Baker, ATR’s Executive General Manager of Racing & Operations.
“It also strengthens the bond between our two racing nations and showcases the calibre of talent that New Zealand racing has to offer.”
Global traveller contests G1 Livamol
Evergreen galloper Green Luck (Street Cry {Ire}) will try to continue to belie his age when he heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the G1 Livamol Classic. Previously raced in both Australia and Hong Kong, the 10-year-old is having his second crack at this race. “He arrived at Pam Gerard’s (in Matamata) at lunchtime yesterday (Tuesday),” trainer Stephanie Faulkner told Loveracing.nz.
Green Luck | Image courtesy of Race Images South
“My husband, Pete, went with him. It is his first trip away with a horse, so it is an experience for him. He travelled like a charm – he has eaten up and drunk well. We are pleased with him at the moment.” He is the winner of 11 of his 64 starts.
Trio of runners for Pike in Saturday’s stakes races
Trainer Tony Pike will run Rudyard (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) and Witz End (NZ) (Savabeel) in the G3 Valley D’Vine Restaurant Spring Sprint at Te Rapa and Raziah (NZ) (Niagra) in the G3 Barneswood Farm S at Ashburton. Meanwhile, stablemate Val Di Zoldo (NZ) (War Decree {USA}) will require scratchings to get off the ballot for a run in the G1 Livamol Classic. “She is one of the unluckiest mares going around and should have won the Travis Stakes last season,” Pike told Loveracing.nz.
“Wiremu (Pinn) lost his iron that day and she got beaten a couple of half-heads and she probably should have won last Saturday.”
Flightline share for sale
A stallion share in Horse of the Year and sire Flightline (USA) whose first foals are weanlings of 2024, has been catalogued for the inaugural Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held the evening of Wednesday, October 30 in the Paddock at Del Mar, site of the 2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships on November 1-2.
Flightline (USA) | Standing at Lane's End
The share is offered by an original owner of Flightline who retains multiple shares in the stallion.
Shouldvebeenaring to stand at Irish National Stud
Middleham Park Racing's Shouldvebeenaring (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) will take up a stallion career at the Irish National Stud next year, Middleham Park Racing's Tom Palin confirmed on Tuesday.
Entered in the G2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket on Friday, the colt is eyeing the G1 QIPCO Champions Sprint Stakes as a likely finale. The French Group 3 winner was second in the 2023 G1 Sprint Cup Stakes and third in the G1 Prix de la Foret last year. He's also placed third in both the G2 City Of York Stakes and G2 Park Stakes in August and September, respectively.
“I think we will probably role the dice in the Champions Sprint,” said Middleham Park Racing's Tom Palin to At The Races. “It's a not so secret, secret, that he is going to stand at the Irish National Stud and after speaking to them, we are more than likely going to try to get that Group 1 that he more than deserves. I don't think he's got a Breeders' Cup in him. It would either be a two-turn mile or the sprint would have him stood on his head, so Ascot will likely be his last day.
“He more than deserves his swansong and has been a joy of a horse who gives his all. He will probably not get his ground there and it might be miraculous if he was to, but it's a great game and strange things can happen.”
Charyn announced for France
Multiple Group 1-winning miler Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) will retire at the end of the year and stand his first season for Sumbe at Haras de Montfort et Preaux in 2025. A fee for the Roger Varian trainee will be announced later.
“I am delighted to announce that Charyn, the leading miler in Europe and impressive winner of this year's G1 Queen Anne Stakes and G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois, will retire at the end of the racing season to become the fifth Group 1 winner on Sumbe's stallion roster,” said Sumbe's Nurlan Bizakov. “A powerful individual with a textbook conformation, Charyn looks set to suit the demands of an increasingly selective market.”
Engelbrecht-Bresges reelected as Chair of IFHA
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges was re-elected as chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) by the IFHA Executive Council during the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities in Paris, France.
Jim Gagliano, Masayuki Goto and Horacio Esposito were also re-elected as vice-chairs, with Henri Pouret a new vice-chair. He fills a vacancy created when Brian Kavanagh stepped down.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Engelbrecht-Bresges, who has served as chair of the IFHA since 2021, said, “I look forward to continue working with my valued colleagues and members of the IFHA to further enhance our sport at an international level. I would like to thank the Executive Council which has entrusted me to continue to lead the Federation into what is an exciting, but challenging, time for racing globally.”
Two six-figure yearlings for Ocala
The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's October Yearling Sale concluded with average and median in line with 2023 figures despite a frenzied rescheduling of the two-day auction as Hurricane Milton closed in on Central Florida Tuesday. Through two sessions, 289 yearlings sold for US$5,779,100 (AU$8.5million). The average of US$19,997 (AU$29,600) was nearly identical to the 2023 figure of $19,928, while the median of US$12,000 (AU$17,800) dipped slightly from last year's figure of $12,500.
Two small Florida breeders, with some 13 mares between them, were represented by the top filly and colt at the October sale. A filly by Complexity (USA), consigned by Thoroughstock on behalf of breeders Norman Dellheim and Katie Liebe, brought top price of US$150,000 (AU$223,000) from Top Line Sales, while a son of Win Win Win (USA), consigned by Kaizen Sales on behalf of Ashley Godwin's Rivermont Farm, was the second-highest priced offering when selling for US$135,000 (AU$200,000) to No Money No Honey, agent. The pair were two of seven yearlings to bring six figures at the auction, matching the number from a year ago.
