EXCLUSIVE 1: How Dam-Line DNA Affects Stamina
UK scientists have uncovered how the genes carried on mitochondrial DNA, inherited only down the dam line, "have a role in determining the stamina potential of a horse". In the latest issue of Breeding&Racing Magazine (out next week) internationally-renowned researcher Dr Steve Harrison, director of Thoroughbred Genetics Ltd (UK), reveals some of the revolutionary "selection-enhancing" technologies now available to the modern breeder. (For a preview of the exclusive report "Playing God" click on the direct link to the story on the left-hand-side of this page.)
(Mar 10)
EXCLUSIVE 2: Why Champs Face Greater Injury Risks
Many trainers attest that "it's always the fast ones that breakdown". But is modern science revealing champion racehorses are indeed "the unlikely victims of their own strength"? Are champions "prone to their own unique conformation & galloping traits which produce supreme speed & power, but are ultimately flawed"? In the latest issue of Breeding&Racing Magazine (out next week) conformation expert Ross Brunt of Racehorse Conformation Scientific Research explains how "champion racehorses expose themselves to greater risk of breakdown than average gallopers". (For a preview of the exclusive report "Why Champions Break Down" click on the direct link to the story on the left-hand-side of this page.)
(Mar 10)
EXCLUSIVE 3: Statistics Debunk Unsoundness Myth
The 1980s were "a milestone period for dramatic changes in the type of person involved in thoroughbred breeding & racing, away from stockmen towards investors looking for a return for their dollar". The latest issue of Breeding&Racing Magazine (out next week) includes a major report from leading equine researcher Renee Geelen which explains: "This change in investment strategy has led to a change in the way racing statistics are distributed by class." Importantly Geelen also explains how "commercial imperatives lie behind the false perception that modern horses are lacking soundness". (For a preview of the exclusive report "Statistics Debunk The Unsoundness Myth" click on the direct link to the story on the left-hand-side of this page.)
(Mar 10)
EXCLUSIVE 4: Why "Lightness Of The Forehand" Matters
In assessing & predicting soundness from a conformation perspective, global expert Judy Wardrope of internationally-acclaimed JW Equine explains the vital importance of "lightness of the forehand in lessening the concussive effects on the forelegs at racing speed" in the latest issue of Breeding&Racing Magazine (out next week). Wardrope analyses "the pillar of support" & how speed & weight impact the forelegs. (For a preview of the exclusive report "Assessing & Predicting Soundness" click on the direct link to the story on the left-hand-side of this page.)
(Mar 10)
Magic Millions Adelaide Day-1: $150,000 Stratum Filly
Morphettville trainer Lloyd Kennewell paid top price of $150,000 for a Stratum filly from Baramul Stud during yesterday's opening session at the 2-day Adelaide Yearling Sale at the Morphettville sales complex. Lot 131. Standing with his father, and fellow trainer, Gary, Kennewell said the Stratum-Show No Restraint filly (consigned by Baramul Stud) "was his 'must-buy' of the sale," adding, "I thought she was the sale topper and knew she would be popular. She's a good mover. I thought she was a super athlete - she has plenty going for her."
(Mar 10)
Magic Millions Adelaide Day-1: $100,000 Bel Esprit Colt
Earlier in the day Adelaide locals Peter and Cheryl Sutcliffe purchased Lot 16 (Bel Esprit-Concluding, by Kenny's Best Pal) for $100,000. The colt is a half-brother to Gr1-placed multiple stakes-winner Moment In Time, and was consigned by South Australia's Inman Valley Stud.
(Mar 10)
Magic Millions Adelaide Day-1: $100,000 Choisir Colt
One lot later Jamie Walter (buying under the Proven Thoroughbreds banner) paid $100,000 for Lot 17 (Choisir-Cubicle, by Scenic). Consigned by South Australia's Balcrest Stud, the colt is a half-brother to multiple stakes-winner Go Cart from the family of leading Stud stallion Testa Rossa.
(Mar 10)
Magic Millions Adelaide Day-1: Top Lots
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$150,000 Stratum-Show No Restraint filly (Lloyd Kennewell)
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$100,000 Bel Esprit-Concluding colt (Peter & Cheryl Sutcliffe)
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$100,000 Choisir-Cubicle filly (Proven Thoroughbreds)
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$95,000 Niello-Autumn Belle colt (Leon Macdonald)
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$90,000 Blevic-Lin O' Dee colt (Lloyd Kennewell)
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$65,000 Bel Esprit-Cadillac colt (Paul Wickman)
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$65,000 General Nediym-Gypsy Jewels filly (Corra Enterprises)
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$62,000 Bel Esprit-Reliability colt (Terry Kerin)
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$62,000 Snitzel-Stella Lass colt (Kim Harrison & Jon O'connor)
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$60,000 Bianconi-Cica Cica colt (Byron Cozamanis)
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$60,000 Rock Of Gibraltar-Southern Spain colt ( As Agent)
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$60,000 Bel Esprit-Archie's Magic filly (Jason Petch)
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$52,500 Keep The Faith-Royal Jama colt (Kenneth Fowler)
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$50,000 Bel Esprit-Danera filly (Nolen Racing)
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$50,000 Red Dazzler-Floodtide colt (Magic Millions As Agent)
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$50,000 Barely A Moment-Princess Delight colt (Caragona Pty Ltd)
(Mar 10)
Magic Millions Adelaide Day-1: Average Up 36%
Following Session 1 of the 2-day Adelaide Yearling Sale, the average price of $27,500 was up 36% over the corresponding session last year. The gross from 131 horses sold was $3.6 million. According to Magic Millions managing director David Chester, "We had some lovely yearlings early in the session and they were well received by buyers, but as a whole the selling got stronger and the clearance rate lifted as the sale got into the swing of things later in the afternoon." Chester was elated with the rise in the average, and equally pleased that the clearance rate held firm from 2009. Session 2 starts at 11am Adelaide time this morning.
(Mar 10)
Inglis Easter Broodmare Catalogue Released
In other sales news, has launched its catalogue for the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale. The catalogue boasts 83 stakes-winners, of which 11 are Gr1 winners. It also includes a significant 446 half or full-relations to stakes-winners, including 121 Gr1 winners. Comprising 948 mares, the sale will be held at Newmarket in Sydney from April 13 to 16.
(Mar 10)
Inglis Broodmare Catalogue Update 1
Following Wednesday's Adelaide Carnival, there are some significant updates to the Easter Broodmare catalogue, including:
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Lot 125 is Tobouggie Woogie, a Tobougg half-sister to Majestic Music (winner of the Gr2 Yallambee Stakes among her 5 stakes victories). Tobouggie Woogie is being sold as a racing and breeding proposition, as part of Toorak Park Stud's unreserved dispersal sale.
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Lot 496 & Lot 848 are half-sisters to Gr2 Adelaide Cup winner Capecover. Lot 496, Gr1 Auckland Cup winner Upsetthym (by Rhythm) is selling in foal to Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Sebring. Lot 848 is the unraced Traditionally mare Miss Dodds, who will be offered in the general session. "The catalogue assembled is quality from start to finish and all breeders will find themselves a suitable broodmare prospect for their budget at this year's sale," said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.
(Mar 10)
Inglis Broodmare Catalogue Update 2
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Last Saturday's Gr1 Newmarket Handicap victory by 3YO colt Wanted (Fastnet Rock-Fragmentation, by Snippets) provided his Coolmore sire Fastnet Rock with his first Gr1 win as a stallion. Fastnet Rock will be represented by 18 mares in foal at the Easter Broodmare Sale, and Lot 37 (Irish-bred Indian Ridge mare Indian Dream) sells with a bay colt at foot by Fastnet Rock.
(Mar 10)
Inglis Broodmare Catalogue Update 3
Charge Forward filly Solar Charged's facile win in the Gr3 Kindergarten Stakes at Warwick Farm last Saturday has seen her installed a clear favourite for the Gr1 Golden Slipper Stakes. This impacts three mares in the Easter catalogues:
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Lot 446: Solar Charged's dam, Soul Singer (Danehill) mare to be offered by Stud. Soul Singer is in foal to Charge Forward, thus carrying a full-relation to the current Slipper favourite.
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Lot 447 is Soulful, an Octagonal half-sister to Soul Singer, to be offered by Amarina Farm in foal to young Coolmore stallion Aussie Rules.
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Lot 590 is Causeway Queen, a Giant's Causeway dual stakes-winning half-sister to Solar Charged.
(Mar 10)
Solar Charged Favourite For Gr1 Golden Slipper
Meanwhile, Solar Charged is the $4.50 favourite with betchoice.com.au for next month's Gr1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) to be run at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney. Unlucky Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes place-getter Beneteau is 2nd elect at $7, followed by his conqueror Star Witness ($8), Classic & Silver Slipper winner Chance Bye ($9) & undefeated 2YO Classic heroine General Rose. The balance of the field is at $12 or better. (To view the latest market click on the link for updated betting on the Golden Slipper Stakes.)
(Mar 10)
Free Entry At Flemington On Saturday
Following one of the worst storms ever witnessed in Melbourne last Saturday (which led to the cancellation of the last 3 races on the card) the Victoria Racing Club has decided to provide entry for all patrons attending next Saturday's Super Family Day race meeting. The day will feature the two postponed Gr1 races from last Saturday (Crown Guineas & Darley Australian Cup) which will be augmented by the Gr2 Blamey Stakes plus the Gr3 National Jockeys Celebration Day Victoria Plate & Gr3 Volunteers' Matron Stakes. Super Family Day will also highlight two special causes, commemorating National Jockey Celebration Day with the Gr3 Fillies & Mares 1400m event named in tribute. The Flemington track will receive a special blessing by Father Brendan Dillon and a minute's silence will be held to honour fallen jockeys. Meanwhile, the VRC will also dedicate the Gr3 Volunteers Matron Stakes to thanking emergency service volunteers for their work in protecting our state from fire and other natural disasters.
(Mar 10)
Quarantine Hurdle May Thwart Japan Cup Bid
This year's 150th Anniversary of the Gr1 Melbourne Cup may be without the first Japanese runners since Delta Blue and Pop Rock captured the quinella in 2006. Melbourne's The Age reports, "The Japanese may have to wait until 2011 to make another bid for the Melbourne Cup, with further quarantine issues clouding their return this spring". The report quotes Racing Victoria Limited CEO Rob Hines stating "protocols to approve quarantine facilities in Japan were far from finalised to enable a Japanese horse to arrive in Melbourne in August" in order for them to have time, "to prepare for the 150th running of the Cup in November".
(Mar 10)
Mekong Miss Wins Bunbury Stakes
WA sire Ihtiram (Royal Academy-Welsh Love, by Ela Mana Mou) added a black-type success when 5YO mare Mekong Miss (Ihtiram-Balmerigia, by Balmerino) won yesterday's $120,000 Listed Bunbury Stakes (1400m) in Western Australia. Mekong Miss (ridden by Takahide Ikenushi for trainer D. Harrison) made it 5 wins from her last 6 starts when defeating favoured 5YO gelding Tudor Lad (Canny Lad-Gay Tudor, by Polish Patriot) & 4YO gelding Spitfire Ace (Bletchley Park-Air Pocket, by Key Business). Mekong Miss (a $22,000 weanling at the 2007 WA July Sale in Perth) took her record to 10 wins & 4 placings from 22 starts for $281,950 earnings. (Click on the link for full race details from Group Race Results at AAP Racing.)
(Mar 10)
HK Gr1-Winner Eagle Mountain Retired To Stud
In Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Maktoum's 6YO entire Eagle Mountain (Rock Of Gibraltar-Masskana, by Darshaan) who won the 2008 Gr1 Hong Kong International Cup & "was campaigned around the world by trainer Mike De Kock, has been retired after his latest injury setback," reported racingpost.com. Eagle Mountain "will be retired to stud after injuring a tendon in training"; he finished 2nd in his final start at Meydan last month. De Kock confirmed: "This is his 3rd career-threatening injury & enough is enough. Eagle Mountain's future as a stallion is being discussed & we will entertain offers for him." Eagle Mountain was a 220,000 guineas (A$396,000) yearling at the UK Tattersalls Sale & recorded 5 wins (including 2008's Gr1 HK International Cup over 2000m at Sha Tin & a track record in the UK Gr3 Joel Stakes over 8 furlongs at Newmarket, plus 2007's Irish Gr2 Royal Whip Stakes over 10 furlongs at The Curragh & 2006's Irish Gr2 Beresford Stakes over 8 furlongs at The Curragh) & 8 placings (including 2008's US Gr1 Breeders' Cup Turf over 12 furlongs at Santa Anita, plus 2007's UK Gr1 English Derby over 12 furlongs at Epsom Downs, Gr1 Irish Derby over 12 furlongs at The Curragh, UK Gr1 Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs at Newmarket & UK Gr2 York Stakes over 10 furlongs at York, as well as 2006's Irish Gr2 Futurity Stakes over 7 furlongs at The Curragh & UK Gr2 Champagne Stakes over 7 furlongs at York) from 19 starts for over £2 million (A$3.4m) earnings.
(Mar 10)
First Foal For Gr1 Pretty Polly Winner
In the US, Khalid Abdullah's UK Juddmonte home-bred Promising Lead (Danehill-Arrive, by Kahyasi), winner of Ireland's Gr1 Pretty Polly Stakes (10 furlongs at The Curragh) has give birth to her 1st foal at Juddmonte Farms in Kentucky. According to racingpost.com, Promising Lead (who won 4 of her 7 starts) produced a colt by US sire Empire Maker (Unbridled-Toussaud, by El Gran Senor), and will be served by him again in 2010. Promising Lead "hails from one of Juddmonte's deepest families as a close relation to Dansili, Banks Hill, Cacique and Intercontinental".
(Mar 10)
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SALES VENDORS
March 11th, 2010
