Daily News Wrap

Macedon Lodge for sale, expected price over $30million

Australia’s most successful thoroughbred training facility, Macedon Lodge, is being presented to the market in an international Expressions of Interest campaign led by Elders. The 299-acre equine centre is located in the heart of the Macedon Ranges. “It is one of the best horse properties in the world,” Macedon Lodge Executive Chairman Mark Player said.

“The enhancements we are delivering will enable us to meet demand from the industry and transition the facility from private to semi-private and create a significant return on investment. The property is still producing and delivering Group 1 winners which is what it’s here to do.

“The biggest change has been gaining the regularity approvals to increase capacity to up to 225 horses and delivering the facilities, barns and stables that comes with that. The property maintains several state-of-the-art tracks including a 1,500 metre Uphill Martin Collins Polytrack, a 1,000 metre Round Fibresand track, a Deep Sand Bullring, and numerous beautiful trails meandering through the property.

“Horses have access to a straight 80-metre swimming pool, treadmills, a water walker, horse spas, horse solarium, dry walkers, leading vets and blacksmiths, and numerous day yards as well as small, medium and large paddocks.”

“Macedon Lodge offers a unique opportunity to be a part of Australian racing history,” Nick Myer of Elders said. “Based on the significant level of investment already committed, in addition to the growing industry demand for the facility and projected revenue, we’re expecting to receive interest in excess of $30 million.”

Five Hong Kong jockeys riding in Australia on Saturday

Jockey Andrea Atzeni is one of five Hong Kong jockeys riding in Australian on Saturday, and he rides Zardozi (Kingman {GB}) in Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Cup. Atzeni won the G1 Sydney Cup on Circle Of Fire (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) at his last visit to Australia. “She ran a brilliant race and just got touched off by Land Legend,” Atzeni told scmp.com about Zardozi’s last start second in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap.

“There wasn’t much between the two. She’s a good mare. It took her a couple of runs to get to her top. There’s a chance there might be a bit of rain around which she will like, too, so it’s a good ride to get.”

Zac Purton will ride Land Legend (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}), Ben Thompson on Sayedaty Sadaty (Ire) (Anodin {Ire}) and Karis Teetan is on Coco Sun (The Autumn Sun) in the Caulfield Cup, while Brenton Avdulla rides Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) in The Everest.

Private Eye is the forgotten horse of The Everest

Jockey Jay Ford thinks Private Eye (Al Maher) is the forgotten horse of The Everest. “That’s the way I’m looking at it,” Ford told racingnsw.com.au.

“He’s a strong hope and just knowing him and the way he goes about his business I feel he’s a real competitive chance. His runs have been enormous, I feel he is going as well as he’s ever gone. He’s up to that mark still.” He comes into the race off a sixth placing in the G2 Shorts.

Maher rapt to be in with three chances for his first Everest

Trainer Ciaron Maher hasn’t had a runner in The Everest until this year, and now has three. “I’m rapt to be involved this year,” Maher told racingnsw.com.au.

“The three horses all seem to be in really good form, it’s been their plan for a very long time so I’m glad to get them in the race and they’re in a good spot. There’s no real standout so it’s going to be a thrilling race.”

Of Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai), he said, “She’s a red-headed girl who has been racing for a lot of years. She trains on the beach most of the time. It’s not like you’re in a routine, the beach changes every day and I think that’s the key to her soundness and her mental longevity.”

Bridge pays compliment to Pride Of Jenni ahead of Group 1

Trainer Les Bridge paid a compliment to Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) ahead of his galloper Celestial Legend (Dundeel {NZ}) taking her on in Saturday’s G1 King Charles III S. “I've seen three great frontrunning horses in my time – Vo Rogue, Might And Power and now Pride Of Jenni,” Bridge told racenet.com.au.

“The terrifying part is there is not much you can do against her. If you are trying to go with her, then you are not doing your horse any favours. I can tell you, I know from 60 years of experience, if you ride the majority of horses out of their comfort zone then they can't win.” Celestial Legend has the blinkers added for Saturday and comes off a last start sixth in the G2 Shannon S.

Positivity scratched from Caulfield Cup

G3 Naturalism Stakes winner Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) is out of the Caulfield Cup, while fellow mare Deny Knowledge (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) faces a final veterinary examination on Saturday morning. “The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Deny Knowledge was re-inspected today due to a change in the horse's gait and will be required to undergo another inspection prior to scratching time tomorrow to determine the horse's suitability to race,” Racing Victoria stewards said in a statement.

Circle Of Fire getting up to best distance for Cup

Jockey John Allen thinks Circle Of Fire (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) can return to form in the G1 Caulfield Cup. “He was disappointing first-up but his run the other day was solid. He's getting out to a more-suitable trip and he should be more competitive again,” Allen told racing.com.

“The Melbourne Cup and 3200 metres is what he really wants. He's a dead-set stayer. He likes to roll forward and he likes a bit of room as he's a big-striding horse. That barrier draw is ideal and if he gets a good speed and it's a good staying test, he will run a big race.” Circle Of Fire won the G1 Sydney Cup over two miles.

Kimochi ready for Silver Eagle challenge

Trainer Gary Portelli’s Kimochi (Brave Smash {Jpn}) missed a start in The Everest but is ready for Saturday’s Silver Eagle instead. “It’s going to be another level again on what we will meet so we’re going to need to be competitive if we’re going to the Golden Eagle,” Portelli told racingnsw.com.au.

“We need that confidence builder, there’s no reason why she can’t. She’s very consistent and she looks absolutely amazing, she’s ready to rock and roll. If we were expecting her to be an Everest chance we’d be confident this is a drop back in grade.” She comes into the race off a last start fourth in the G1 Manikato S.

Latest Inglis Digital sale now open for bidding

A catalogue of 254 for the Inglis Digital October (Late) Online Sale is led by Newgate Farm mare Group placed 2-year-old Ariaz (Charge Forward) who has already proven herself as an effective producer with winning daughter Tragara (Written Tycoon). Ariaz is being offered in foal on a rare cover to leading stallion Extreme Choice.

Last start winner How Rude (Snitzel) – bred and offered by Go Bloodstock - is out of the Group 1-winning mare Ruud Awakening (Bernardini {USA}), making her a half sister to the Group 3-winning juvenile Rise of the Masses (Russian Revolution). The catalogue of 254 consists of 150 racehorses (68 race fillies) including two 2YOs, 26 broodmares, 59 racehorse shares, 15 yearlings, one stallion, and one unbroken stock.

NZB Breeze-ups next week

Breeze ups for the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale are set to take place next week on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 October at Te Rapa Racecourse. The NZB Ready to Run Sale’s class of 2023 has wasted little time in delivering returns to buyers with several having already won races, including $825,000 sale-topper Megastar Heart (Star Turn), $725,000 purchase Mayne (Written Tycoon) and $700,000 filly Rapid Cheval (NZ) (Super Seth).

Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), who was bought by McKeever Bloodstock and Sutton Racing for $160,000 from Kilgravin Lodge’s draft, has won twice in his six-start career, and was recently runner up in the G1 Caulfield Guineas, with a total earnings so far of $667,625.

Around The Nation: Friday’s highlights

With night meetings at Launceston and Pakenham, Friday’s daytime racing included meetings at Canberra, Ipswich, Moe, and Taree.

Yulong’s 3-year-old filly Flame Of Hestia (Too Darn Hot {GB}) resumed at three with a win at Taree for trainer Kris Lees. At Moe, 3-year-old filly She Nailed It (De Gaulle) gave her sire his 10th winner, while 3-year-old filly Point Be (Blue Point {Ire}) won at just her second start.

Our Benefactor (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}), the half-brother to Hong Kong Group 1 winner Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) won at Ipswich at his third start. The 3-year-old colt is trained by Bevan Laming.

In Canberra, Pat Murphy trained 3-year-old filly Rileycat (Unite And Conquer) won at her fourth start, having placed twice prior, and is the fourth winner for her sire.

Tattersalls strength continues in Book 3

The action at Tattersalls continued apace on Thursday as Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale kicked off with a Whitsbury Manor Stud-offered Havana Grey (GB) filly fetching 200,000gns (AU$408,000) to Alex Elliott on behalf of Amo Racing.

That result matched the record price at Book 3 and became the most expensive filly ever sold at the sale. Overall, trade was good with the 6,451,000gns (AU$13.2 million) turnover down just 1 per cent on last year. The average rose by 7 per cent to 26,331gns (AU$53,100), the median fell by 5 per cent to 20,000 (AU$40,860) and the clearance rate was up by 1 per cent to 88 per cent.

Claiborne Farm announce 2025 fees

Claiborne Farm has announced the advertised fees for its 2025 stallion roster, led once again by the venerable War Front (USA). War Front, a son of the mighty Danzig (USA), will stand for an advertised fee of US$75,000 (AU$111,000). He is North America's leading sire by lifetime percentage of stakes winners and graded stakes winners.

New to the Claiborne Farm roster for 2025 are Prince of Monaco (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) and Bright Future (USA) (Curlin {USA}).

Taylor Made announce 2025 fees

Taylor Made Stallions has set its 2025 stallion roster and fees for the upcoming breeding season, headed by Not This Time (USA), who will stand for US$175,000 S&N (AU$260,000).

Murphy wins fourth British flat jockeys championship

Oisin Murphy will officially be named champion Flat jockey in Britain for the fourth time in his career on Saturday. This year the jockeys' championship began on Saturday, May 4 and ends with QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot where Murphy will receive his prize.

Before racing at Chelmsford on Thursday, Murphy had ridden 162 winners and held an unassailable lead over his closest pursuers, Rossa Ryan (108) and Tom Marquand (103). The 29-year-old succeeds dual champion jockey William Buick, adding to his three consecutive championship wins in 2019, 2020 and 2021. He also becomes the first Flat jockey since Kieren Fallon, who won the last of his six titles in 2003, to be crowned champion in Britain more than three times.

Aga Khan Studs announces new sponsorship deal

In a new partnership between the Aga Khan Studs and France Galop, it was announced on Thursday that the racing and breeding operation of His Highness the Aga Khan has committed to an across-the-card sponsorship of Prix Jacques le Marois day at Deauville from 2025.

For nearly 40 years the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, which boasts prize-money of €1 million (AU$1.6 million), was sponsored by the Niarchos family whose long association with the race included nine victories in their familiar silks.