Jockeys airlifted to hospital after fall at Moruya
Racing NSW stewards reported on Friday afternoon, “Jockeys Beany Panya and Blake Spriggs were dislodged from their mounts when they fell rounding the home turn in Race 6 at Moruya on Friday (17th January). Beany is being airlifted to hospital along with Blake who has head, chest and abdominal injuries.”
Beany Panya and Blake Spriggs
At the 400 metre mark, Spriggs’ horse Blesstas (The Autumn Sun) appeared to clip the heels of the leader and fell, which caused Panya’s mount The Boomerang (Sebring), who was outside Blesstas, to also fall. Sky Racing reported that both horses were uninjured. “Both horses we can report did come back to scale amazingly unscathed,” Kayla Nisbet reported on air.
In the same race, Rockathon (Pierro) was noted by the Stewards as “left at the post”, aka failing to jump with the field. The last two races on the card were abandoned.
Encoder ice cold in narrow Subzero victory
Encoder (Encryption) captured the biggest win of his career on Friday night, when the 4-year-old gelding defeated race favourite Belvedere Boys (Maurice {Jpn}) and Miss Joelene (Russian Revolution), last start winner of $500,000 Magic Millions The Wave, in the $1 million Magic Millions Subzero. The Lee Freedman-trained gelding hadn’t recorded a win since the G3 Grand Prix S. over a year ago, but ran a close second in the Wave two weeks ago.
Bred by Heinrich Bloodstock Syndicate, Encoder was a $40,000 purchase from Lucas Bloodstock’s draft at the Gold Coast March Yearling Sale for Dream Thoroughbreds and his trainer. In July of last year, a 2.5 per cent share was purchased via the Inglis Digital auction platform for $4,000 by Thoroughbred Solutions. He is the second foal from five-time winner Eight Below (Sebring), a granddaughter of G2 South African Oaks winner Stormy Hill (Danehill {USA}). Encoder is one of two stakes winners for Eureka Stud’s Encryption, along with dual Group 2-winning Cifrado.
Williams has big 48 hours this weekend
After the Gold Coast on Friday night, jockey Craig Williams will ride in Melbourne on Saturday then Hong Kong on Sunday. “They've got planes, so I don't have to swim it,” Williams told racingqueensland.com.au.
“It's exciting. I spent three years in Hong Kong and it is nice to go back especially as I've got eight rides.” And on riding against the current star sprinter, “If you're winning the international races up there and you're coming back to the domestic horses, it is going to be very easy for Ka Ying Rising.”
Craig Williams | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Eulogy winner ready for Desert Gold
Last start G3 Eulogy S. winner Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) is ready for Saturday’s G3 Desert Gold S. “She had a quiet week after the Eulogy and has just been ticking over, she’s pretty straightforward,” trainer Robbie Patterson told Loveracing.nz.
“She’s had some good gallops lately and I’m very happy with her. She’s probably done fractionally well since her race, she’s put on some weight and is going into it a very happy horse. Going off her last run, I think she’s improved, so I’d hope that she’s winning on Saturday.
“From there, it gets a bit tricky, either I’ve got to start two weeks later in the Oaks Prelude, and then a month to the Lowland, and three weeks to the Oaks. But I don’t want to overtax her, she could end up in Aussie in the autumn as well. We’ll just get through Saturday and go from there.”
Hayes juvenile debuts at Flemington
Trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes had accepted to run 2-year-old filly Ethereum Girl (Maurice {Jpn}) at Seymour on Thursday but after the filly drew poorly they elected to head to Flemington instead. “It's a low-percentage play running from barrier 11 when you have barrier one down the straight and the Flemington race is worth a lot more prizemoney against her own sex,” JD Hayes told racenet.com.au.
Ethereum Girl as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She's never seen the straight before but she's showing us above average ability. She did trial very well, albeit on a synthetic track, but she was against older horses and there has already been a winner out of that trial. I think she's going to run well but it's just a matter of whether she handles the straight.”
Bargain buy takes on Rosehill on debut
Trainer Rod Northam will debut his bargain 2-year-old colt Splash Of Steel (Winning Rupert) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. “That's the thing about racing, you have to be able to buy the cheap ones to take on the expensive ones and you just never know what's going to happen,” Northam told racenet.com.au.
“I hung around all day to get him but I quite liked him. He is just average size, maybe a little bit on the small side by quite strong and has a good attitude, that's why he is still a colt. He has done everything we've asked him to do. It's obviously a big step up taking on the city horses on Saturday but he trialled well and if he can reproduce his trial or improve a few lengths, which I think he has, then he should run well.”
Purchased from Holbrook Thoroughbreds at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $18,000, Splash Of Steel is the fourth foal of Filly Of Steel (Charge Forward) who has had one runner to date. Filly Of Steel is an unplaced full sister to Group 3 placed winners Bradman and Zaragoza.
Roughie could be better than odds
Trainer Yoshi Shima expects his 2-year-old filly Brave Charm (Harry Angel {ire}) to run far better than the $101 odds suggested for her debut at Flemington on Saturday. “Already she's very strong and has that precocious pedigree,” Shima told racing.com.
“When she turns three, four, five years old, the other horses might catch up to her, but as a summer 2-year-old, I think she will have an advantage. Most horses are not ready yet, but she is definitely ready to race.”
Brave Charm as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“It's her first start, of course and it's a Saturday at Flemington, so it will be quite a hard race. But we dream big, we bought her at the Premier Sale last year, she has a precocious pedigree. She's by Harry Angel and out of an Exceed And Excel mare. She was a little bit temperamental, which has been the only thing we've had to look after, but the breakers and pre-trainers have done a very, very good job.”
Positivity aims for Group 1s in autumn
If Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) can run well in the opening event at Flemington on Saturday, trainer Andrew Forsman will set her for a long term G1 Australian Cup plan. “There's not a lot for her in terms of black-type races here for the next six-to-eight weeks and there are some options in New Zealand,” Forsman told racing.com, referring to the G1 Herbie Dyke S. and G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand S.
“If she ran well in those races, that's the right sort of form to bring her back here for the Australian Cup.”
Mr Brightside returns in jumpout
Multiple Group 1 winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) returned with a solid effort at Werribee on Friday in a jump out. “He was fantastic, for a first jumpout I thought it was very good for him,” Ben Hayes, who trains in partnership with his brothers JD and Will, told racing.com.
Mr Brightside (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“If you go back and look at his first jumpout in other preps, this one was probably his best one he's had. He jumped well, he travelled nicely and he hit the line, so that's all we're looking for, he's ticking all the boxes at this stage. Exactly what we were looking for, we're thrilled with the way he's going. We know him well, it's all about just building fitness.”
Around the Nation: Friday’s highlights
With seven meetings supporting the Gold Coast’s Magic Millions raceday, it was Chris Waller trained 3-year-old Gatekeeper (Justify {USA}) who won on debut at Canterbury. A $700,000 purchase by his trainer and Guy Mulcaster from Coolmore Stud at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Gatekeeper is the first foal of Group 1 winner Nakeeta Jane (So You Think {NZ}). Waller won three of the first four races at Canterbury, the other two with 3-year-old colt Pretty Powerful (Yes Yes Yes) and Sting In The Tail (NZ) (Savabeel).
At Dalby, 3-year-old gelding Cole’s Best (Power {GB}) remained unbeaten in his second start and he was part of a quartet of wins for jockey Justin Huxtable, whose other winners were Wirewalker (Trapeze Artist), Unleash (Capitalist), and Russian Mint (Russian Revolution). Apprentice jockey Jasper Franklin rode a treble at the Sunshine Coast on Medical Autocrat (Dundeel {NZ}), Just Flying (Star Turn), and Kilna (NZ) (Tarzino {NZ}). At Penola in South Australia, jockey Jacob Opperman rode a treble on Dad’s Dream (Akeed Mofeed {GB}), Prancing Countess (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), and Farooq (Frankel {GB}).
Karaka Millions 3YO for unbeaten Dealt With
Unbeaten 3-year-old gelding Dealt With (NZ) (Ace High) runs on Saturday at Ellerslie hoping to qualify for the R-Listed Karaka Millions 3YO. “There’s a couple of big 3-year-old races coming up that we’d love to see him running in, and the first of those is the Karaka Millions,” Robert Wellwood, who trains in partnership with Roger James, told Loveracing.nz.
Dealt With (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“That’s only six days after this race at Pukekohe on Sunday, so it’s a bit ‘pie in the sky’ at this stage. We’re keeping the option open, but absolutely everything would have to go 100 percent right for us to carry on along that path. The other option is to give him another run in between times and then hope to secure him a slot for the Kiwi in March.
“We always knew that he was a horse with very good speed and ability. We just had to be a bit patient with him early on, but it was very pleasing to get him to the races at Te Aroha this month and see him produce such an impressive performance on debut.”
Racing South Australia acquires land
Racing SA is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to purchase an approximately 11-hectare parcel of land on the southern boundary of the Strathalbyn Racecourse.
“For some time the board and management of Racing SA have been looking at where the best opportunities are to grow and improve both our race track offering, and training facilities. The ability to expand on the existing facilities at Strathalbyn is, we believe, the best option for the industry. It is in an ideal location in terms of proximity to Adelaide and is located in traditional horse country with many people in the area working in the industry,” Rob Rorrison, the Chairman of Racing SA told racingsa.com.au.
“The longer-term vision is to have a better quality and expanded race track available for racing on 12 months of the year, complemented by high quality training facilities including both inner grass and fibre tracks as well as the potential for ‘uphill gallops’.
“The land to be purchased will extend through to Michelmore Road providing the potential for on course stabling/training facilities over time and thus sits well with the futureproofing of the industry as we seek further expansion in horse numbers as part of our strategic plan. Racing SA is looking forward to continuing to work with stakeholders including the Alexandrina Council to enhance this important regional development.”
Purton wary of wide gate on Ka Ying Rising
Hong Kong’s newest exciting sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) will have to jump from a wide gate in Sunday’s G1 Centenary Sprint Cup. “It’s always tricky in small fields, especially when you draw outside,” jockey Zac Purton told scmp.com.
“The others generally try to ride their horses a little bit out of position and it can become a little bit tricky, so he needs a bit of luck from out there. With the small number of runners, sometimes there can be less pressure, so that can complicate things. I’ve just got to try work that out as the gates open and see what’s happening in the first furlong.
Ka Ying Rising (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“When he’s watching the gate, he can jump quick. When he takes his eyes off the gate, it gets him on the back foot a bit but he’s pretty straightforward. It’s just a matter of getting the right spot.”
Resolute Racing's Stewart and his private equity firm sued for alleged 'bad faith' refusal to pay $22 million
The Kentucky-based private-equity firm founder and manager John Stewart, whose aggressive spending and outspoken attitude have made a big splash in the global bloodstock and racing worlds since he entered the Thoroughbred business from scratch a little more than a year ago, is being sued in a New York court by an investment firm that provided initial funding for Stewart's MiddleGround Capital. That plaintiff, Archean Capital Partners, is now alleging that Stewart and other MiddleGround defendants are acting in “bad faith” for purportedly falling behind and refusing to pay US$22 million (AU$35.5 million) in contractually due revenue shares.
“Without Archean's approval, Stewart directed his time and attention away from management of the MiddleGround Funds to support his outside ventures,” the lawsuit stated. “By way of example, Stewart began to heavily invest in '(horse) racing and bloodstock,' including spending over $25 million at a public auction in 2023 and eventually acquiring Shadayid Stud from Shadwell Farm, (now) renamed Resolute Farm.
“Stewart's newfound interest in buying, selling, and raising Thoroughbred horses has diverted his attention from growing and managing the MiddleGround Funds and, on information and belief, has caused him to spend less than the 'substantial' amount of time he is required to devote to the management of the Funds,” the lawsuit stated.
Reached Thursday evening by TDN, Stewart issued the following statement when asked for his side of the story: “We can't comment on ongoing litigation. Unfortunately in private equity this happens from time to time. This is the first time MiddleGround has ever been involved in any litigation and we are confident that our position is justified. We trust the legal process and we look forward to our opportunity to tell our side of the story.”
Tonge appointed manager at Haydock
Simon Tonge will be the new general manager of Haydock Park Racecourse, The Jockey Club announced on Thursday. He will begin his new role in April of 2025 and succeeds Molly Day, who has left Haydock for a new opportunity in the U.S. Tonge has served as executive director of Bath Racecourse since 2022.
Dickon White, regional director at The Jockey Club, said, “We are delighted to welcome Simon to the team at Haydock Park. His leadership and experience make him the ideal person for this role. April is the perfect time for Simon to join us, as it allows him to settle in just ahead of our busy summer season. We're confident that he will make a significant contribution to the racecourse's ongoing success.
Simon Tonge | Image courtesy of The Jockey Club
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Molly for her dedication and hard work over the years, in her roles at both Haydock Park and Carlisle Racecourses. She has been an integral part of the team, and we wish her every success in her future endeavours.”
Two additions to International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses
The International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) has revealed leadership changes that sees Tanguy Courtois and Kristin Werner joining the Steering Committee.
Courtois is the head of Public Affairs for the Fédération Nationale des Courses Hippiques and Werner is the deputy general counsel and director of industry initiatives for The Jockey Club in the United States. Werner, who has been an active part of the IFAR Conference Committee for several years, is taking the place of Jim Gagliano, the president and COO of The Jockey Club, who has served on the Steering Committee during a long and dedicated tenure.
IFAR chair Dr Eliot Forbes, who is the also the CEO of the Racing Integrity Board in New Zealand, will continue to serve on the Steering Committee, along with Andrew Chesser, the director of business development for The Jockey Club (U.S.) and director of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA); Diana Cooper, director of charities, Godolphin; and Dr Paull Khan, secretary-general of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) and a member of the Executive Council of the IFHA.
