Last 3 Storm Cat Foals In US Sale Rings
Pensioned US stallion Storm Cat (who carried the world's highest stud fee at US$500,000 from 2002-07 prior to being pensioned at Kentucky's Overbrook Farm in 2008) has only 3 offspring in his final crop & one is scheduled to be auctioned on Tuesday at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale in New York. The filly (already named The Last Meow) is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, whose vice president for public sales Mark Taylor told bloodhorse.com: “She’s got the Storm Cat body, which has a very chiseled kind of muscle pattern. But she’s probably got a little bit more leg than some of the Storm Cat fillies that I’ve seen over the years, so she doesn’t look just like a little one-dimensional speedball; she looks like she can run 2 turns. She has a beautiful expression & a soft, classy eye. She’s just a sweet filly.” The Last Meow earned her name “because her March 5 foaling date made her the last of the 3 Storm Cat offspring that were born in 2009”. She is the 1st foal out of Gr3-winning 6YO Successful Appeal mare Richwoman. The 2 other foals in the final trio from Storm Cat (Storm Bird-Terlingua, by Secretariat) are scheduled for auction at the Keeneland September yearling sale: Denali Stud will consign a filly out of stakes-placed winner Western Princess; & Hill 'n' Dale will consign a colt out of Gr1-winner Halo America.
(Jul 30)
4,857 Yearlings At Keeneland September Sale
Meanwhile Keeneland announced it has catalogued 4,857 horses (2,562 colts, 3 geldings & 2,292 fillies) for its September yearling sale in Kentucky (September 12-26). The number “is down 6.4% from 2009’s total of 5,189 & represents a 12.6% decline from 2008’s sale record total of 5,555” noted bloodhorse.com.
(Jul 30)
Coolmore Melb Cup Hope Breaks Down In UK
In the UK overnight, the racing career of Coolmore’s Irish-bred & Ballydoyle-trained 4YO entire Age Of Aquarius (Galileo-Clara Bow, by Top Ville) “could be over” after Aidan O’Brien’s star stayer & early Melbourne Cup hope broke down “with half a mile to run” while leading the Gr2 Goodwood Cup & “was quickly loaded onto the horse ambulance & taken to the Arundel Equine Hospital where it was revealed he had ruptured ligaments below his off-fore (front right) fetlock” reported racingpost.com. Dr Paul Dupreez (senior partner of the Arundel Equine Hospital) stated the injury was “not catastrophic” & Age Of Aquarius was “returning home with his leg supported by a splint”; however Dupreez “also expressed doubt over the horse's future on the racecourse”. And O'Brien confirmed: “He appears to have quite a lot of ligament damage to one of his forelegs. The vets did a very good job with him & have put a cast on it & he’s on his way home. We should know more in a few days.” Age Of Aquarius was a sale-topping €1.4 million (A$2.016m) yearling at the 2007 Deauville August Sale. Previously this year, he finished 2nd by a neck (in track record time, after a 2-horse duel down the straight with Dermot Weld’s current Melbourne Cup favourite Rite Of Passage, with 6-lengths back to the rest of the field) in June’s Gr1 Ascot Gold Cup (2.5 miles) & also finished 2nd in May’s Listed Saval Beg Stakes (14 furlongs) at Leopardstown in Ireland (a half-length behind Weld’s other leading Melbourne Cup contender Profound Beauty); overall Age Of Aquarius had recorded 2 wins (including 2009’s UK Gr3 Derby Trial Stakes over 11.5 furlongs at Lingfield Park) & 4 runners up (also including 2009’s Gr1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris over 2400m on turf at Longchamp.) from 8 starts prior to last night’s injury.
(Jul 30)
Purple Moon 3rd In UK Gr2 Goodwood Cup
Meanwhile trainer Luca Cumani’s Irish-bred 7YO entire & 2007 Gr1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Purple Moon (Galileo-Vanishing Prairie, by Alysheba) finished 3rd in last night’s UK Gr2 Goodwood Cup (2 miles) behind 7YO entire Illustrious Blue (Dansili-Gipsy Moth, by Efisio) & 5YO entire Electrolyser (Daylami-Iviza, by Sadler's Wells). After Purple Moon finished 3rd in June’s Gr1 Ascot Gold Cup, Cumani had confirmed he “will be a likely visitor to Melbourne this spring”.
(Jul 30)
Melb Cup “Considered” For Goodwood Cup Winner
After the victory of his 7YO entire Illustrious Blue (Dansili-Gipsy Moth, by Efisio) in last night’s UK Gr2 Goodwood Cup (2 miles), trainer William Knight told racingpost.com: “He's shown he's one of the best stayers around at the moment. I hope Age Of Aquarius is okay, but without being arrogant I think he (Illustrious Blue) was going to win 4 or 5 furlongs out. There are races like the Lonsdale & Doncaster Cups, and Melbourne, to consider when we get home.” Overall seasoned stayer Illustrious Blue now has 10 wins (also including April’s Gr3 Sagaro Stakes over 16 furlongs at Ascot, plus 2009’s Gr3 Glorious Stakes over 12 furlongs at Goodwood & 2007’s Listed Festival Stakes over 10 furlongs at Goodwood) & 17 placings (including last start’s Listed Esher Stakes over 16.5 furlongs at Sandown Park on July 3, plus 2009’s Listed Tapster Stakes over 12 furlongs at Goodwood & both 2008’s Gr3 September Stakes over 12 furlongs at Kempton & Listed Magnolia Stakes over 10 furlongs at Kempton, as well as each of 2007’s Gr3 Winter Derby over 10 furlongs at Lingfield Park, Listed Floodlit Stakes over 12 furlongs at Kempton & Listed Paradise Stakes over 8 furlongs at Ascot) from 53 starts.
(Jul 30)
1st Foal For Emirates Park Sire Mutawaajid
In Australia, the 1st foal by dual Gr2-winning 6YO Emirates Park Stud stallion Mutawaajid (Redoute's Choice-Elated Lady, by Vain) has been born at the Murrurundi-based farm in the NSW Upper Hunter Valley: a colt out of lightly-raced Halo-line mare Arrays (Reassure-Letsdancetilldawn) whose prominent US female family boasts 4 Gr1 winners in its 1st few removes (including UK Gr1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas winner Pennekamp & Irish Gr1 Curragh 2000 Guineas winner Black Minnaloushe). Mutawaajid covered almost 100 mares in his initial stud season, including the dams of Gr1-winners Elegant Fashion, Dash For Cash & Mnemosyne, as well as half-sisters to Gr1-winners Sports, Bel Esprit, Clangalang & Aerosmith. He is set to stand the 2010 breeding season at $7,700.
(Jul 30)
1st Winner For Freshman Sire Floral Dynamite
Tareena Bloodstock’s 10-year-old freshman stallion Floral Dynamite (Danehill-Caraniya, by Darshaan) recorded his 1st winner when 2YO gelding Floral Insight (Floral Dynamite-Please Believe, by Palace Music) scored over 1007m at Taree in NSW for trainer Jim Delaney. Former Hong Kong galloper Floral Dynamite (who stands at Tareena for $3,000) served only 8 mares in his initial season & Floral Insight is his 2nd starter. On the HK track, he recorded 6 wins (from 1400-1800m) & 10 placings (including runner-up in both the Gr1 HK Jockey Club Gold Cup over 2000m & Gr2 HKJC Centenary Vase over 2000m) from 35 starts for HK$7.5 million (A$1.103m) earnings.
(Jul 30)
Makybe Diva To Visit Lonhro This Season
Dual Australian Horse-Of-The-Year & triple Gr1 Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva (Desert King-Tugela, by Riverman) will be covered this season by former Woodlands & now Darley Stud's 11-time Gr1-winning World Champion Miler & Australian Horse-Of-The-Year Lonhro (Octagonal-Shadea, by Straight Strike). Makybe Diva recorded 15 wins from 1400-3200m (including 7 Gr1s & 3 Gr2s) for $14,526,685 earnings; her progeny already include an unraced $1.5 million 2YO colt named Rockstardom (currently preparing for a Spring campaign) & a $1.2 million filly purchased by trainer Mark Kavanagh. Lonhro has already sired 15 stakes-winners (including Gr1-winner & new Darley stallion Denman) & is about to be crowned Australian Champion 3rd-Season Sire (when the season ends tomorrow) with his runners amassing over $7.335 million prize-money.
(Jul 30)
3 On Victorian Wagering Licence Shortlist
The Victorian Government yesterday announced that “invitations to apply” for the state’s post-2012 wagering licence have been issued to a “shortlist” of 3 wagering service providers: Tabcorp Holdings; Tatts Group; & UK company Ladbrokes. The government also announced its intention to “work towards awarding the licence before the end of the year”. The 12-year wagering & betting licence will provide:
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the right to offer both pari-mutuel & fixed odds betting on racing, sports & other events, including the only authority to conduct wagering & betting via an off-course retail network;
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the right to establish & operate the only betting exchange based in Victoria; &
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the right to offer approved simulated racing games.
(Jul 30)
Strangles Case Confirmed In South Australia
South Australian stewards yesterday advised tests taken from a thoroughbred horse located on Grayview Stud at Port Lincoln (operated by trainer Annette Morrison) “have confirmed Strangles infection”. TRSA stewards “ordered the property on which the infected horse is located be quarantined” & alerted trainers that “Strangles is a notifiable disease & to remain alert to horses showing the typical symptoms being high temperature, loss of appetite, discharge from the nostrils, enlarged glands, coughing & difficulty in swallowing”.
(Jul 30)
Mornington To Host $250k Inglis Premier Race
The 2011 Mornington Cup Day programme (on February 16) will include the $250,000 Premier race for 2YOs (previously run at Caulfield on Futurity Stakes Day). The Inglis Premier is the flagship race for graduates from the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale & its new date will now see it run 10 days prior to the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes.
(Jul 30)
Redoute’s Wins Aust Sires Title From Encosta & Lonhro
With tomorrow the final day of the 2009-10 Australian season, flagship stallion & former Australian Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice has wrapped up the General Sires Title (by prize-money) from Coolmore-based stallion & Australian Champion Sire of the last 2 seasons Encosta de Lago, followed by former Woodlands & now Darley Stud's 11-time Gr1-winning World Champion Miler & Australian Horse-Of-The-Year Lonhro, according to arion.co.nz (figures to July 29):
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Redoute's Choice (Danehill-Shantha's Choice, by Canny Lad) $8,976,492
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Encosta de Lago (Fairy King-Shoal Creek, by Star Way) $8,550,345
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Lonhro (Octagonal-Shadea, by Straight Strike) $7,335,956
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Street Cry (Machiavellian-Helen Street, by Troy) $7,246,560
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Commands (Danehill-Cotehele House, by My Swanee) $6,250,750
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Testa Rossa (Perugino-Bo Dapper, by Sir Dapper) $5,960,942
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More Than Ready (Southern Halo-Woodman's Girl, by Woodman) $5,825,126
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Zabeel (Sir Tristram-Lady Giselle, by Nureyev) $5,658,505
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Fastnet Rock (Danehill-Piccadilly Circus, by Royal Academy) $5,610,642
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High Chaparral (Sadler's Wells-Kasora, by Darshaan) $5,260,612
-
Choisir (Danehill Dancer-Great Selection, by Lunchtime) $5,221,948
-
Scenic (Sadler's Wells-Idyllic, by Foolish Pleasure) $5,068,431
-
General Nediym (Nediym-Military Belle, by Without Fear) $4,968,190
-
Flying Spur (Danehill-Rolls, by Mr Prospector) $4,741,076
-
Hussonet (Mr Prospector-Sacahuista, by Raja Baba) $4,400,685
-
Show A Heart (Brave Warrior-Miss Sandman, by Regal Advice) $4,236,216
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Red Ransom (Roberto-Arabia, by Damascus) $4,129,252
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Shamardal (Giant's Causeway-Helsinki, by Machiavellian) $3,956,278
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Pentire (Be My Guest-Gull Nook, by Mill Reef) $3,907,859
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Danehill Dancer (Danehill-Mira Adonde, by Sharpen Up) $3,877,500
(Jul 30)
Volksraad Wins NZ Sires Title From Pins & Zabeel
Meanwhile across the Tasman, Windsor Park Stud’s multiple champion sire Volksraad (Green Desert-Celtic Assembly, by Secretariat) has cemented his 8th New Zealand General Sires Title (by prize-money) ahead of Waikato Stud's Australian-bred stallion Pins, followed by Cambridge Stud’s multiple champion sire Zabeel, according to arion.co.nz (figures to July 29):
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Volksraad (Green Desert-Celtic Assembly, by Secretariat) NZ$2,885,894
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Pins (Snippets-No Finer, by Kaoru Star) NZ$2,340,465
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Zabeel (Sir Tristram-Lady Giselle, by Nureyev) NZ$1,590,338
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Pentire (Be My Guest-Gull Nook, by Mill Reef) NZ$1,326,970
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Montjeu (Sadler's Wells-Floripedes, by Top Ville) NZ$1,300,653
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Keeper (Danehill-Nuwirah, by Pleasant Colony) NZ$1,183,046
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Electronic Zone (Rahy-La Griffe, by Prince John) NZ$1,172,501
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Stravinsky (Nureyev-Fire The Groom, by Blushing Groom) NZ$1,114,689
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Ustinov (Seeking The Gold-Let's Elope, by Nassipour) NZ$916,638
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O'Reilly (Last Tycoon-Courtza, by Pompeii Court) NZ$804,067
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Shinko King (Fairy King-Rose Of Jericho, by Alleged) NZ$728,431
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General Nediym (Nediym-Military Belle, by Without Fear) NZ$711,560
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Istidaad (Chief's Crown-Mazzei Mood, by Roberto) NZ$693,348
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No Excuse Needed (Machiavellian-Nawaiet, by Zilzal) NZ$650,299
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Viking Ruler (Danehill-Tristalove, by Sir Tristram) NZ$645,310
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Thorn Park (Spinning World-Joy, by Bluebird) NZ$643,945
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Al Akbar (Success Express-Gala Night, by Blakeny) NZ$643,018
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Golan (Spectrum-Highland Gift, by Generous) NZ$639,672
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Bertolini (Danzig-Aquilegia, by Alydar) NZ$632,077
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Van Nistelrooy (Storm Cat-Halory, by Halo) NZ$591,495
(Jul 30)
Fastnet Rock Colt At NZB South Island Sale
Ranganui Farm is set to offer a colt by about-to-be-crowned Australian Champion 2nd-Season Sire (when the season ends tomorrow) & multiple Gr1-winning Australian-bred Coolmore stallion Fastnet Rock (Danehill-Piccadilly Circus, by Royal Academy) at next week’s South Island Sale of 2YOs & Mixed Bloodstock (at Canterbury Agricultural Park on Friday 6 August). The colt is the 1st foal of Stravinsky mare Moonstrummer. Fastnet Rock (standing at Coolmore Australia this season for $137,500) has already sired 3 Gr1-winners (Wanted, Irish Lights & Rock Classic) from his initial 2 crops.
(Jul 30)
NZB Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale This Sunday
Meanwhile the 126-lots Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale takes place this Sunday (August 1) at Karaka in Auckland.
(Jul 30)
Alverta “At Her Best” For French Gr1 Bid
In Europe, Australian-bred Gr1-winning 6YO mare Alverta (Flying Spur-Grilse, by Rahy) who finished 3rd in the UK Gr1 July Cup (6 furlongs) at Newmarket on July 9, is due to make her next start in France's Gr1 Prix De Gheest (1300m) at Deauville on Sunday week (August 8) & trainer Paul Messara told Sky Sports Radio yesterday: “She ran really well there (in the July Cup) & we expected that. The race was always going to suit her; it was a pretty stiff 6 furlongs. She came through the July Cup really well & I'm expecting her to be at her best at Deauville on Sunday week.”
(Jul 30)
Testa Rossa Adds US Black-Type
In the US, Stud's 6-time Gr1-winning Australian-bred stallion Testa Rossa (Perugino-Bo Dapper, by Sir Dapper) added a black-type success when French-bred 5YO gelding Blue Chagall (Testa Rossa-Eloisey, by Pitskelly) scored a 1.25-lengths victory in the US$80,000 Listed Wickerr Stakes (8 furlongs on turf) at Del Mar in California. Blue Chagall (ridden by David Flores for trainer Julio Canani) defeated front-running fellow 5YO gelding Aggie Engineer (E Dubai-Papalma, by Dixieland Band) & 4YO entire Gallant Son (Malabar Gold-Explicitly, by Exploit). Blue Chagall took his record to 5 wins (also including 2009’s Listed Lure Stakes over 8 furlongs at Santa Anita & 2007's French Gr3 Prix Des Chenes over 1600m at Longchamp) & 3 placings (including 2007's French Listed Criterium Du Fonds Europeen De L'Elevage over 1600m at Deauville) from 22 starts for US$278,540 earnings.
(Jul 30)
6th Winner For US Freshman Sire Silver Train
US dual Gr1-winning 8YO freshman stallion Silver Train (Old Trieste-Ridden Inthe Stars, by Cormorant) recorded his 6th 1st-crop winner when 2YO colt Silver Slugger (Silver Train-Sweet Politics, by Political Folly) scored over 6.5 furlongs at Charles Town in West Virginia. Silver Slugger was a US$52,000 yearling at the 2009 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Sale & subsequently a US$80,000 2YO at this year’s Fasig-Tipton Florida February Sale.
(Jul 30)
Harrah's Completes Purchase of Thistledown
Also in the US overnight, Harrah’s Entertainment announced it “has completed its purchase of Thistledown racetrack near Cleveland in Ohio from MI Developments” reported bloodhorse.com. Harrah’s (which has other racetrack holdings in the US) purchased Thistledown for about US$43 million at auction in May. Harrah’s “is expected to be involved in operation of at least one full-scale casino in Ohio”; 4 casinos were authorised in a 2009 state referendum. Thistledown is the 2nd Ohio track to be sold this year: Penn National Gaming (which plans to build casinos in Columbus & Toledo in Ohio) purchased Beulah Park.
(Jul 30)
US Judge Rejects Aqueduct Casino Bid Challenge
Meanwhile in New York overnight, a “legal challenge to stop the current Aqueduct casino bidding process & award the contract to a previous bidder was tossed out by Supreme Court Judge Barry Kramer,” reported bloodhorse.com. Kramer had issued a temporary restraining order banning the state from making a new selection “until he considered a case brought by Aqueduct Entertainment Co” (which won & then lost the contract earlier this year). The judge’s ruling “paves the way for the state to officially recommend the winning bidder (there is only one bidder left in the current round) of the long-stalled casino contract as soon as next week”.
(Jul 30)
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July 30th, 2010
