Racing NSW given five days to produce documents
On Thursday, the Legislative Council passed Hon. Mark Latham’s motion compelling Racing NSW to produce documents related to staff surveillance, financial practices, and other areas of concern under Standing Order 52.
Racing NSW asserted that previous documents have been provided "voluntarily", stating that "Racing NSW does not form part of the executive government and is not subject to its direction or control." However, this was rejected by the House and motion passed with a majority of 21 votes to 14, and Racing NSW is required to provide documents within five days.
Mark Latham
Additionally, Latham pressed the Government to investigate claims from a whistleblower alleging fraud and surveillance breaches by Racing NSW. Acting Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon. John Graham, acknowledged the concerns and that the Government would respond.
TTR AusNZ has reached out Racing NSW for comment on the accusations made by Latham under parlimentary privilege.
Aeliana reminds Star Thoroughbreds of relative
With last start Group 3 winner Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) favourite for Saturday’s G1 Thousand Guineas, Star Thoroughbreds’ Denise Martin reflected on her purchase. “Chris works with renowned yearling selector Guy Mulcaster and Chris phoned me to say that Guy had recommended this filly to the stable,” Martin told racing.com. Star Thoroughbreds purchased her for NZ$180,000 from Rich Hill Stud at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
“He said she was a close relation to Invincibella and I just said ‘yes please’. Once I had a look at the catalogue and saw who she was, I was very keen to buy her. She (Invincibella) was one of our great banner mares who did a great job for Star Thoroughbreds over several seasons. Invincibella was quite a tall filly and developed throughout her 3-year-old year and into the autumn as an imposing individual.
Aeliana (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“This filly wont eventually be that big but she certainly seems to have a very similar motor. I would say Aliana, although still a bit physically immature she seems to be able to handle the pressure mentally and she has progressed to this level at a quicker pace than what Invincibella did.
“In the 32 years I’ve had my business I’ve never thought that a win was a fait accompli but there are a lot of reasons to think that Aeliana can go to Caulfield and run very well.”
Latta keen for her second Guineas
Trainer Lisa Latta won the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas with Platinum Witness (California Dane) a decade ago and has Connello (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) running on Saturday. “I’m looking forward to getting her up over a mile, I think she’ll definitely see it out and is looking for it at this stage,” Latta told Loveracing.nz.
Lisa Latta
“She’s a very easy filly, very tractable and can jump and put herself anywhere. If the showers come in, that won’t worry her either. I think when they’ve had a couple of starts as a 2-year-old, they are a bit more advanced than other horses, it makes it a bit easier to be ready for a race like this. She’s also had a trip down there already, which is quite important.” Connello has won her last two in succession.
OTI purchases NZ Guineas runner
OTI have purchased a majority share in 3-year-old filly Costae (NZ) (Ribchester {Ire}) who runs in Saturday’s G1 NZ 1000 Guineas. “She was purchased by OTI Racing earlier this week after she came on (agent) Phill Cataldo’s radar after her win at Palmerston North and then at Ellerslie,” co-trainer Shaune Ritchie told Loveracing.nz.
“She will run in OTI’s colours, and it will come down to her performance whether she stays for the Karaka Millions (Listed, 1600 metres) or transfers to an Australian trainer. The original owners, including myself, have kept small shares in her.”
Costae (NZ) | Image courtersy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
Winner of two of her four starts, she’s done most of her racing on all-weather surfaces. “It’s unusual form for a Group 1, apart from her last start, and to be honest I think both Guineas fields may have suffered through wet tracks through the spring. We weren’t comfortable running her on heavy tracks and we’ve got a poly track in our back yard, so it was easier to run her there.
“The Pearl Series bonus was why she went to Manawatu, and she was quite dominant in that race. We didn’t think she was just a poly horse, the way the bonuses set up it was financially more favourable to run her in those races.”
McEvoy pair look the goods for G3 Blue Sapphire
Tony and Calvin McEvoy will have two of the eight runners in Saturday’s G3 Blue Sapphire being Rue De Royale (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) and Cavity Bay (Cable Bay {Ire}). “(Rue De Royale) has freshened up well and he is a pretty good horse, he has got us to a Blue Diamond, Golden Slipper and a Guineas. He didn't run the mile in the Guineas, he ran ok in the Stutt, which invited us to run, but he got to the 200 metres and didn't finish it off,” Tony McEvoy told racing.com.
Tony McEvoy | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Tony (Santic) said he'd love to run (Cavity Bay) in the Blue Sapphire. I was going to turn her out and he said 'It's your call but if she is fine I'd love to have a runner in the race' and she has seemed bright as a button. She has just been leading off the pony, kept nice and sharp and eating her head off and looks fabulous, so I have no problems going into the race.”
Bad draw for Easy in Hunter
Trainer David McColm is rueing his fortunes after Far Too Easy (All Too Hard) drew out wide for Saturday’s The Hunter. “I just believe weight wise, the alley could have been a bit better, and with the track with a bit of give that’s ideal conditions and he’ll be rattling at the end,” McColm told racingnsw.com.au.
“I really think he’s up to the mark, he’s going to run a really good race. I’d love to see a bit of sting out of the ground and if we get that he’ll be super. He has drawn badly previously and always run a good race but he’s drawn badly and it’s been on hard tracks. It just needs to be so it’s not rock hard.” Far Too Easy won The Kosciuszko last start.
Jumps to wake up sooky Private Eye
Trainer Joe Pride has resorted to sending Private Eye (Al Maher) over a few jumps in training to see if he can reverse his winless spring. “I’ve popped him over the jumps, we have a little jumps set up in the middle of the track at Warwick Farm,” Pride told racingnsw.com.au.
Joe Pride | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I did it with Stockman going into his last run and to compare the two would be unfair, Stockman is a natural jumper. You’ve got to be a bit fearless to be jumpers and he’s a bit of a sook, Private Eye, but it’s waking him up. You like to stimulate them mentally and it’s doing that but he’s not naturally talented at jumping.” Private Eye runs in The Hunter on Saturday at Newcastle.
Sans Doute to turn around spring fortunes
After putting together four in succession last autumn, this spring has been frustrating for 5-year-old mare Sans Doute (Not A Single Doubt) but she runs in Saturday’s G3 How Now S. at Caulfield looking for a change of fortunes. “She's had a pretty stiff preparation. She's found wet tracks and no luck in running,” Te Akau Racing's Melbourne representative Ben Gleeson told racenet.com.au.
“She's probably not a horse that loves to go through gaps. All her wins have been when she has been able to get out and run home. We're just hoping to draw a good get and get her out into the clear and I think you'll see the real Sans Doute.”
Change in barrier fortune for Alabama State
Trainer Jack Pilkington is glad for a better barrier draw for 3-year-old colt Alabama State (Alabama Express) at Newcastle on Saturday in the G3 Spring S. “He did have a hard run, I thought he looked a touch light after, but this race has been the plan for some time,” Pilkington told racingnsw.com.au.
Jack Pilkington | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“You just do everything right by him. I did one gallop on the course proper Tuesday morning and that was basically it. You can’t get the horse any fitter. We’ve got to trust there’s one more there. I think his pet distance is going to be shorter than a mile but if he’s a touch dour it might help him see out the trip.” Fourth in the Four Pillars last start, Alabama State has won three of his 10 starts.
Somewhere comes from nowhere
Limerick Farm homebred 3-year-old gelding Somewhere (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) won on debut at Ballarat on Thursday for trainer Archie Alexander. “Watching it live, you thought, 'Oh, he's going to run a nice race, might get a third or a fourth and be a horse with a nice future'. And then to really put them away like that in the last 200 metres, I think is the sign of a very smart horse,” Alexander told racing.com.
“We've always liked him. About six months ago, he had a couple of gallops and sort of half took off with the riders, they said he was in charge and he had the ability. Both myself and Johnny (Allen) have liked him in his trials, but we've just brought him along quietly. Just thrilled for Gerry Ryan and Tony (Merrifield) up at the farm, who does a lot of work with the homebreds.”
Around The Nation: Thursday’s highlights
With five meetings around Australia on Thursday, Ballarat saw recent Group 1 winner Atishu (NZ)’s full sister 4-year-old mare Dream All Day (NZ) (Savabeel) break her maiden status at her fourth start. Port Macquarie saw trainer Glen Milligan’s 3-year-old filly Kaiyu (Super One) win her third race in succession at the track.
Happy Valley abandoned due to cyclone
The last three races at Happy Valley were abandoned due to the weather on Wednesday night, but not before Jamie Richards picked up another winner with Lucky Touch (NZ) (Sweynesse). “It’s been a bit of a slow start for the stable, the horses have been running well without winning but the team is working hard and hopefully we can go on with it from here,” Richards told racingnews.hkjc.com.
“Zac gave him a beautiful ride and he was able to get across and get into a nice position. He’s a horse that hasn’t had a lot of luck through his career so far, but hopefully he can get a bit of confidence from tonight and keep going on. He just hadn’t been having a lot of luck at Sha Tin and last season he trialled very well here, so we thought it was worth trying something different with him. Thankfully it worked. I’m hopeful the horse can keep improving.” The win was only the second for Richards this season, but he’s had 15 placings.
The HKJC reported that “the Hong Kong Observatory announced it would issue Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 at 11.10pm. Acting to ensure the safety of trainers, jockeys, stable staff, Members, racecourse staff and attendees and Off-Course Betting Branch staff and customers, officials stopped the meeting after the running of race six.”
McDonald to reunite with Cox Plate winner Romantic Warrior
James McDonald will travel to Hong Kong to ride Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in Sunday’s G2 Jockey Club Cup over 2000 metres. “It's always exciting to ride Romantic Warrior,” McDonald told racingnews.hkjc.com.
James McDonald | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I can't wait to see Romantic Warrior. He looks to be working well and trialling well. It's always exciting when his name is mentioned.” Romantic Warrior hasn’t raced since winning the G1 Yasuda Kinen in June.
Maharba on song for Winterbottom
Trainer Grahame Begg has set last start G3 Rising Fast S. winner Maharba (Pride Of Dubai) for the G1 Winterbottom S. “You want horses on the way up heading into a carnival,” Begg told racingwa.com.au.
“I don’t think you want to be taking horses as afterthoughts. This horse has had two runs under his belt and gets a three-week buffer going from Derby Day to the Winterbottom S. It looks a nice transition for him and obviously he gets plenty of time to settle in in his new environment.
Grahame Begg
“It sets him up nicely for the race and he has come up really well this preparation. He’s only entered for the one race and will then come home and get ready for some of the autumn races.”
Vauban purchase explained
After announcing on Wednesday that 7-year-old gelding Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) had been purchased by Australian Bloodstock in partnership with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for a deal reported to be around $2 million, Australian Bloodstock's Jamie Lovett explained on Thursday the logic behind the deal. “We heard that Gai and Adrian were interested in Vauban, as we were, but we didn't want to get into a bidding war with them,” Lovett told racenet.com.au.
Vauban | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“So, we will race Vauban together and I'm genuinely excited by what this horse could achieve here. The beauty of Australian racing is you can win it (purchase price) back in one hit.”
Galaxy Patch chasing four in succession
Trainer Pierre Ng thinks Galaxy Patch (Wandjina) will continue to improve as he chases his fourth win in succession in Sunday’s G2 Jockey Club Mile. “He’s definitely improved since his last run, but we still have to time it right (for the Hong Kong Mile),” Ng told scmp.com.
“We’ll just keep bringing him along gradually and hopefully we’ll time it right. We haven’t seen the best of him yet.”
Hong Kong releases China plans
The Hong Kong Jockey released their National Equine Industry Development Plan (2020-2025) with a view to increasing their involvement in China. “When you look carefully in the National Equine Industry Development Plan, there is one passage which says there could be, maybe in a pilot zone, a horse race sports lottery,” CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges told scmp.com.
“But one of the key elements of the sport is you have to demonstrate you have the highest integrity, because this is one of the biggest concerns – that you have a sport, who could be maybe linked to a sports lottery, who has integrity issues.
“There will be a racing and breeding industry in China, (whether in) five years, 10 years (or) 15 years. Hong Kong is positioned as a global centre of excellence, so we help other organisers to improve systems, integrity and technical issues.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“We had visits from very senior people who looked at how we manage integrity. How we are able to manage what happens in illegal markets on our races and how we have integrity as a key value proposition in our apprentice training.
“People were impressed and at the moment we’re working with the sports administration (around) training programmes we have for integrity in sports (and) how we can help to train people in mainland China.
“(Conghua) is not only designed for four, five or six race meetings (a season). You will have every weekend equestrian programmes and we have some other ideas besides the world-class racing. We have other attractions which we will announce, because we have to have something every weekend. It’s a destination.
“We (will) create a visitor centre which will be absolutely unique regarding technology, where we leverage technology in China to tell the story about horse racing. We have to become part of an ecosystem and generate positive benefits for the economy in Conghua.”
Keeneland Breeding Sale concludes with record median
The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale concluded its nine-day run in Lexington Wednesday with vibrant trade from a diverse buying bench leading to across-the-board increases where were highlighted by a new sales record median.
“Overall, this was a very strong, fair market from start to finish,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Book 1 gross jumped nearly 15 per cent from last year with a much improved clearance rate and that momentum powered the sale through the final days.”
Tony Lacy | Image courtesy of Keeneland
For the nine days, 2,158 horses sold for US$196,442,900 (AU$303 million). The average of US$91,030 (AU$141,000) was up 7.03 per cent from a year ago, while the median of US$40,000 (AU$62,000) was up 25 per cent and broke the auction's previous record of US$37,000 (AU$57,000) set in 2021. The buy-back rate was 16.49 per cent.
Fasig-Tipton schedules 2025 digital sales
Fasig-Tipton Digital has scheduled 10 digital sales in 2025, running one per month with the exception of the months of September and November, according to a press release from the company Wednesday.
“Fasig-Tipton Digital has quickly established itself as the market leader in online Thoroughbred auctions in North America–and the sky's the limit as we look ahead to 2025,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton director of digital sales. “We have sold more than 1000 horses for over $35,500,000 (AU$54.9 milion) so far this year, and we still have our December Digital Sale to go.”
Reduced book size for Lope De Vega, fee set at €175,000
Ballylinch Stud has released the fees for its five stallions, with its flagship sire Lope De Vega (Ire) receiving an increase in price to €175,000 (AU$285,000), though he is set to cover a smaller number of mares in 2025.
Lope De Vega (Ire) | Standing at Ballylinch Stud, Ireland
“Lope De Vega continues to prove himself as a global sire sensation,” said Ballylinch Stud's managing director John O'Connor. “He has again proven his effectiveness at the very highest level with the most Group 1 winners, European Classic winners, and black-type horses of any stallion worldwide this season. His ongoing success is underscored by his international appeal in the sales ring and the consistent results his progeny achieve on the global stage. His fee increase will coincide with a reduced book size for 2025.”
Lord Allen appointed Chair of BHA
One of the two major vacancies at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has been filled with the announcement that Lord Charles Allen will succeed Joe Saumarez Smith as chair from June 1 next year. The search is still on for a chief executive to replace Julie Harrington, who will leave her position at the end of 2024.
Appointed from outside racing, Allen is currently chairman and trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation and was chairman of the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2000-2003, for which he was awarded a CBE. He also oversaw London's bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games and was board director on the organising committee, for which he received a knighthood.
Classic winner added to Arqana
This year's Oaks d'Italia winner Tomiko (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) has been added to Arqana's December Breeding Stock Sale and will be offered by Baroda Stud as Lot 170 during the opening day of the sale on Saturday, December 7.
Tomiko was one of five additions to the sale announced on Wednesday. The others include the Listed winners Noir (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) (Lot 160) and La Guapisima (Fr) (City Light {Fr}) (Lot 175), as well as the G3 Prix Thomas Bryon runner-up Iowa City (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) (Lot 165) and Listed-placed 2-year-old Griselda (Fr) (City Light {Fr}) (Lot 150).
Eclipse Awards to be sponsored by Resolute Racing
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) named John Stewart's Resolute Racing as a title sponsor of the 54th Annual Eclipse Awards, which will be held on Thursday, January 23, at The Breakers Palm Beach, the organization said in a press release on Wednesday morning.
The multi-year partnership between the NTRA and Resolute will include not only the title sponsorship of the awards ceremony, but also the event's after party.
“I love this sport because it demands excellence,” said John Stewart, president and CEO of Resolute Racing. “As we at Resolute Racing relentlessly chase perfection, it is thrilling to be a title sponsor of the Eclipse Awards that has celebrated the cream of the crop in Thoroughbred racing for decades, while continuing to raise the bar.”
