Thousands attend Col McKenna’s funeral
Thousands of family, friends, business associates and racing figures attended the McKenna family's Union Station property in Woolsthorpe to farewell Col McKenna, who died last month after a short battle with illness. Jamie Kah and Michelle Payne led a horseback procession and McKenna’s son Dean spoke, as did trainer Ciaron Maher.
“It's been a pretty tough few weeks for a lot of people, particularly his close friends and family,” close friend Tim Auld, a journalist at the Warrnambool Standard, told racing.com.
“Colin helped so many people and it's only been since his passing that a lot of people have realised because he was low profile, he didn't seek anything. If you were in the pub on a Saturday afternoon -we'd go watch the races and have a beer at his pub the Union Station Hotel in Woolsthorpe - people wouldn't have known that he had money. He got a lot out of racing.”
Zoustar son represents Te Akau in Guineas
Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have one runner in Saturday’s G1 NZ 2000 Guineas with When Stars Align (NZ) (Zoustar). The winner on debut comes into the race as an underdog, having run seventh last start in the G3 War Decree S. “We had to run him last start, we couldn’t afford to miss a run,” Te Akau’s Riccarton stable foreman Hunter Durrant told Loveracing.nz.
When Stars Align (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
“He didn’t like the wet track. He has been bright ever since, his work has been second to none, and I couldn’t be any happier with him. The market is not picking him and there are a couple of handy ones in there, but I think he will be in it for a while. Te Akau has had a strong record in this race, especially with our colts, so it would be nice to get another one.”
Via Sistina thrives on work
Jockey James McDonald says G1 Cox Plate Champion Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) has thrived since her win. “I've ridden some pretty good horses that competed in a Cox Plate and tried to back up and some of them haven't done it,” McDonald told racenet.com.au.
“Even an Anamoe, who was some horse, and he ran in this race and I think he ran (fourth) – we're under no illusions it's going to be a tough ask for her but she seems to be very well. She thrives on work and really enjoys it, she hasn't taken a backward step.”
Giga Kick ready for G1 Champions Sprint
Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) is a strong change in Saturday’s G1 Champions Sprint. “I'm looking forward to showing him off in Melbourne and hopefully he can win his first Group 1 win here (Melbourne). He's been doing most of his racing in Sydney,” trainer Clayton Douglas told racing.com.
Giga Kick | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He loomed (in The Everest) but Bella (Nipotina) is so tough. She's had the measure twice this preparation in the Premiere and The Everest. We're still coming on and improving and hoping to get some revenge.” Giga Kick won his first five in succession including the 2022 The Everest. He won the G1 All-Aged S. in Sydney in 2023, and the G1 Doomben 10,000 at his next start that autumn/winter. Now the winner of seven of his 14 starts, he ran second in the G1 The Everest last start.
Mr Brightside on song for Champions Mile
Craig Williams has declared Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) in career best shape for the G1 Champions Mile at Flemington on Saturday. “I'd say this is the best he's been coming into the Champions Day,” Williams told racenet.com.au.
“I feel we've still got more in the tank, no doubt, and I'm always guided by the Hayes boys and if they bring him here, well then it's good enough for me. Everyone deserves a big race but at this level but you don't get it because you deserve it, he gets it because he's faster, tougher and angrier. Having a bit of give in the track seems to be to his liking at the moment, subject to how the track is prepared, presented and the weather on the day. He's still a phenomenal horse and he leaves nothing out there. I just love to get to get to ride him in these big races.”
Queensland raider for Hot Danish Stakes has impressive record
Winner of four of her five starts, Chris and Corey Munce trained 4-year-old mare Navyonthehighway (Merchant Navy) will make her first attempt at stakes grade in Saturday’s G2 Hot Danish S. “We want to see where we are at with her but the real goal is the (G1) Stradbroke Handicap next year,” Corey Munce told racenet.com.au.
Navyonthehighway | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“She has to still get a higher rating and a bit more prizemoney to get into the race but that's the main goal for her. This is a nice race for her, it's just for mares and the 1400m should suit her. She has done nothing wrong and won four from five starts. The day she ran second they ran a track record or something so it was certainly a good race the day she ran second.
“You could have argued she could have finished a little closer but it was one of those days and she raced well, went to the paddock and came back and improved off the spell.”
Sherry has the filly for the Golden Gift
Jockey Tom Sherry will ride Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald trained 2-year-old filly Tupakara (Trapeze Artist) in Saturday’s Golden Gift. “She is a lovely filly. She had a nice little break in the paddock after the Gimcrack and her trial the other day was very pleasing. It was very professional. She had come on a lot more and is more professional and switched on,” Sherry told racenet.com.au.
“I think from the good gate on Saturday she should end up in the right position and run a race. The other day was obviously her first start but there were plenty of green horses and she did cop a bump towards the bend. She had to go through a tight gap so she showed good grittiness and a will to win. I thought she hit the line really strong and the 100m more on Saturday will definitely suit her.” Tupakara ran fourth in the G3 Gimcrack S. on debut.
Belclare’s blinker change has made her sharper
After her runaway win in The Invitation two weeks ago, in near track record time, Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) will keep the blinkers off for Saturday’s G2 Hot Danish S. at Rosehill. “She didn’t just get it handed to her, I know she got the lead and they didn’t attack her as such, but she went a good gallop and she sustained it,” jockey Tyler Schiller told racingnsw.com.au.
Belclare (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“The last bit she kept fighting, it never looked like she was going to get beaten from the 200m. Bjorn (Baker) just took the blinkers off and allowed her to do what she does best which is roll to the front and tough it out.
“If she can get there and dictate again that seems to be her most comfortable role. Even if she can’t dictate, and gets to sit off something, I wouldn’t be surprised if she puts in just as good as that performance. Without the blinkers I think she’s a different horse, she relaxes better and she can use that in her finish instead of midway through the race.”
Apprentice Owen coherent after fall
Apprentice jockey Madeline Owen was dislodged when her mount, 3-year-old filly All In Writing (Written By), fell after finishing second in Race 1 at Kempsey on Friday. “Madeline made heavy contact with the ground but is conscious and coherent,” reported Racing NSW stewards. All In Writing had to be euthanised. Our thoughts are with connections.
Around The Nation: Friday’s highlights
With four day meetings on Friday, and Pakenham in the evening, Rockhampton saw 2-year-old filly Don’tdoubtthelady (Dubious) win on debut for trainer Clinton Taylor, beating 2-year-old filly Tinkerbella (Invader) by 1.1l with 2-year-old filly Bolla Bolla Babe (Sensei) in third. Dubious sired the winner of the next on the card with 3-year-old filly Dubious Love for trainer Jamie McConachy.
At Albury, three jockeys won all eight races with jockey Josh Richards rode a treble on 3-year-old filly Pussyfoot (Shamus Award), Apple Cider (Russian Revolution), and Future Fund (Flying Artie). Jockey John Kissick won on Rollo (Astern), Outback Angel (Super One), and Dynamic One (Super One). The other two races were won by jockey Quayde Krogh.
Jockey Aaron Bullock rode a treble at Kempsey on Whispering Cate (Star Turn), Nay Pee Cee (No Nay Never {USA}), and 3-year-old gelding Powerful Dragon (Shooting To Win).
Trainer Lindsey Smith won three races at Hamilton in Victoria on Friday with 3-year-old filly Jenni Castelforte (Castelvecchio), Diwali (Tavistock {NZ}) and It’s Lit (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}).
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr opened proceedings at Pakenham with debutant winner 3-year-old filly Bronte Beach (Justify {USA}).
Lloyd to end apprenticeship on a Diamond
Jockey Zac Lloyd’s apprenticeship finishes in less than three weeks, and he rides Territory Express (Territories {Ire}) for trainer Paul Niceforo and his partner Maryanne Cram in the $2 million Five Diamonds on Saturday at Rosehill. “It’d be life changing for them if he can win, I’ll be doing everything I can to make it happen,” Lloyd told racingnsw.com.au.
Zac Lloyd | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I do enjoy riding for them, they are lovely people and it’s good to share a win people like that if you do win. It’s special every time I can ride him, I’ve been pretty close on him just about every start. When he does win you know it means so much to them and that gives you a kick and makes you proud when you get the job done.” Territory Express ran second last start at Randwick.
Pair of interesting juvenile trial winners on Friday
Bjorn Baker’s Hayek (Capitalist) lived up to his dam’s name on Friday when he won a 818-metre juvenile trial at Warwick Farm by a showstopping 14.24l. The son of Purely Spectacular (NZ) (Pins) was having his second outing, having won his debut trial a week ago by a much more conservative 0.94l over Extractor (Spirit Of Boom). He posted the first time of the juvenile heats, over a second faster than either of the other two at 47.70s, as well as beating the times for all the ensuing trials that were run at 815 metres.
A $300,000 purchase at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for Bjorn Baker and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA), Hayek is a half-brother to the sires Stratum Star and Prague. Hayek was bred by Johnathan Munz’s GSA Bloodstock and was presented at sale by Bhima Thoroughbreds. His half-sister by Star Witness, Red Velvet Swing, is the dam of last month’s G2 Edward Manifold S. runner-up Declichy Boulevard (Snitzel).
I Am Invincible filly Life After Love was on debut for Ciaron Maher at the Warwick Farm trials on Friday morning and scored a decisive victory in the fillies juvenile heat by 0.93l over Sunrise Ridge (Star Turn). The 2-year-old filly improved to the outside of the pack once into the home straight, skipping away with the win just ahead of the line.
The daughter of juvenile winner Lady Loire was a $825,000 purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January from the draft of Sledmere Stud. She was offered on behalf of breeder Rifa Mustang, who remain in the ownership.
King Of The Mountain timing changed
The $750,000 Queensland slot race, the King of the Mountain will move to Friday, March 28, coinciding with the Toowoomba Royal Agricultural Show holiday. As a result, the slot race will serve as the ideal lead up to the Queensland Racing Carnival’s feature sprint races, commencing with the G2 Victory S. on May 3.
“After only two years, the King of the Mountain has established itself as one of the state’s headline feature races,” Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott told racingqueensland.com.au. “Any honour board that features Yellow Brick and Rothfire underpins the strength of the race, with both past winners solidifying their status as two of the state’s top thoroughbreds in recent years. By making the race open to all comers, we’re confident that the race will attract its strongest ever field as we build towards another epic Queensland Racing Carnival.”
Lee-Steere Stakes as form guide for G1 Railway
Trainer Stephen Miller believes Magnificent Andy (Magnus) can stamp his G1 Railway S. credentials when he tackles the G2 Lee Steere S. at Ascot on Saturday. “He’s done pretty well and is probably a bit fitter,” Miller said on Tabradio.
Magnificent Andy | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“I think his last run he was sort of back to it and I’m looking forward to it. I thought he would run well and he did and he’s come through it pretty good. We are heading in the right direction, I think.”
Dark Angel unchanged at €60,000
Yeomanstown Stud has released its stud fees for next season, with champion sire-elect Dark Angel (Ire) unchanged at €60,000 (AU$97,000) and this year's G1 July Cup winner Mill Stream (Ire) introduced at €12,500 (AU$20,000).
It will be the fifth consecutive year that Dark Angel has stood for €60,000 and it follows a stellar season on the racecourse with the likes of Charyn (Ire), who registered three Group 1 successes in the Queen Anne Stakes, Prix Jacques le Marois and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Now 19, Dark Angel covered 134 mares earlier this year and is set to end it as Britain and Ireland's champion sire for the first time, with a margin of roughly £365,000 (AU$712,000) currently separating him from his closest pursuer, Dubawi (Ire).
King Of Steel to stand for €20,000 at Tally-Ho
Group 1 winner King Of Steel (USA) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) will stand for €20,000 (AU$32,000) at Tally-Ho Stud in 2025, Amo Racing announced via Instagram late on Thursday evening. The grey, a winner of the G1 Champion S. in 2023, was second in the Derby earlier that year. He also soared at Royal Ascot with a victory in the G2 King Edward VII S.
King Of Steel (USA) | Standing at Tally-Ho Stud, image courtesy of Megan Ridgwell
Joining King Of Steel at Tally-Ho is the Group 1-winning juvenile Bucanero Fuerte (GB), another son of Wootton Bassett. The G1 Phoenix Stakes/G2 Railway Stakes hero will command €12,500 (AU$20,000) in his first season.
Study Of Man fee increased to £25,000
Classic winner Study Of Man (Ire), whose breakthrough season included a Group 1 victory for Kalpana (GB) on Qipco British Champions Day, will stand at the increased fee of £25,000 (AU$49,000) next season at Lanwades Stud.
The son of Deep Impact (Jpn) covered his biggest book of 123 mares in 2024 – the first time it stretched into three figures – following the encouraging results of his first crop of two-year-olds. His five black-type winners include the Group 2 winners Birthe (Ire) and Deepone (GB).
Coolmore’s Sierra Leone to train on at four
Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brook T. Smith's Sierra Leone (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}), a US$2.3 million (AU$3.5 million) Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale topper turned GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner, will return to the races for a 4-year-old campaign, according to a post on X by Coolmore America Thursday afternoon. Sierra Leone arrived at Coolmore's Ashford Stud near Versailles, Kentucky from Del Mar–site of the 2024 Breeders' Cup last weekend–on Monday and will be freshened for 2025.
Sierra Leone (USA) | Image courtesy of Del Mar Racetrack
Yulong’s Moira may stay in training
Yulong Stud's General Manager Vin Cox told the TDN that the farm has yet to decide the next step for US$4.3 million (AU$6.5 million) purchase GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare winner Moira (USA) (Ghostzapper {USA}).
“We haven't made any decisions. We've only had the mare for 48 hours or so. We'll get her back to the farm and have a look at her. We're considering all our options, including retirement and going to stud, racing in North America or potentially racing here in Australia. No decisions have made yet,” said Vin Cox.
“We're considering all the logistics, including whether we should keep her racing in North America. She was a Horse of Year in Canada and is a Breeders' Cup winner. She's the sort of horse we like to add to our breeding band. We are putting together a very good broodmare band and she'll fit right in.”
Tweenhills boss speaks against farm inheritance tax
Tweenhills owner David Redvers has applauded Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony for speaking out against the government's budget announcement that farms will be included in inheritance tax, with 40% paid up to £1m, and 20% above that.
“Nothing has upset me and my apple cart more than this announcement in the budget. My entire life's work has revolved around keeping a family farm-which has been in the family for generations-going. Apart from Hartpury College, which obviously has over 4,000 students, we are the biggest employers in our area. All of the smaller dairy farms have had to sell up because they weren't viable at 150 acres,” Redvers said.
“I am very conscious that I am only a custodian of the place. That has been the driving force for me in business. I have three children, some of whom want to keep the business on and keep the link with the land that we have had for years. This announcement will undoubtedly change the look of the countryside and it's an attack on the rural community. The thing that makes it particularly galling is that the Prime Minister is on the record in saying that this wasn't going to happen before the election. The sense of anger that is building within the countryside is something that he will deeply regret causing.
“All you have to do is look at the number of British breeders, which is in steep decline, to realise that the future of the industry is in a perilous situation. I can think of a lot of British breeders in this industry who are close to going out of business. That's against a backdrop of a declining economy where people have less spare cash than they used to. I had conversations with two top-notch British breeders in recent days and they explained to me that they are down 20 mares and are barely breaking even. That's not even scratching the surface on the situation. This is a cataclysmic situation here.”
International buyers strong at Goffs
Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby hailed a “truly international buying bench” at the conclusion of the Autumn Yearling Sale on Thursday. Turnover climbed by 15 per cent to €3,735,200 (AU$6 million) while average was up by 4 per cent to €8748 (AU$14,200). The median matched last year's figure of €5000 (AU$8110) while the clearance rate was up marginally (1 per cent) to 77 per cent.
Beeby commented, “All corners of the globe. 2025 will see Goffs Autumn graduates race all over the world following the last three days. Our job as Ireland's premier auction house since 1866 is to work in the best interests of Irish breeders and, for this week especially, that means driving the greatest number of buyers to Kildare Paddocks. In our endeavours we are lucky to have the team at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing to assist the work of the Goffs Purchaser Attraction Team as well as our network of overseas agents. It is clear that they have worked tirelessly with great success as we have welcomed a truly international buying bench that is the measure of any sale with horses heading to China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, UAE and, of course, the UK.”
