16/5/08 Kosi Bay a star supplementary lot in National sale

Last start Group Two winner Kosi Bay will go under the hammer at the upcoming Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast.

The star mare is yet another highlight entry for the sale which will be held from June 1, following the four day Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

A daughter of Nureyev's leading international sire son Spinning World, Kosi Bay is a sensationally bred mare who will attract the attention of leading breeders across Australia and overseas.

Trained by Hall of Fame horseman Bart Cummings, Kosi Bay scored a fast finishing win in the Group Two Emancipation Stakes when she faced the starter at her most recent start on May 3.

That brought her racetrack record to four wins - two at stakes level - and ten minor placings from 30 starts and stakes earnings of $334,950.

As well as being a top class racetrack performer in the her own right, Kosi Bay has a black type packed pedigree.

Being from winning Varick mare Calvinia, Kosi Bay is a half sister to the Group One winning New Zealand based star Calveen.

A winner of 10 races from 1400 to 1600 metres, Calveen was the Champion Sprinter/Miler of New Zealand in 2005. In all she won six group events.

Kosi Bay and Calveen's dam Calvinia is a half sister to six winners including the Group One Derby winner English Wonder.

English Wonder in turn is the dam of two Group One winners - Dr Grace (four Group One wins) and Asia (SA Oaks).

16/5/08 Fastnet Colt Highlights Inglis Great Southern Opening

The brilliant run of sales success being enjoyed by Coolmore’s Fastnet Rock continued at Oaklands today when a colt made $225,000 at the opening weanling session of the Inglis Great Southern Sale.

The colt, from the US winning Alysheba mare Crazy Fling, who in turn is a daughter of the dual Grade 1 winner Some Romance (Fappiano), was offered by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds and purchased by Victoria’s DHK Investments.

The Fastnet Rock colt was the highlight on a solid opening day, where 130 weanlings changed hands for a gross of $1,550,000 at an average of $11,923.

Blue Gum Farm’s Elvstroem was also in demand, providing three of the top five lots, including Little Plains Stud’s bay filly from the Hurricane Sky mare Crystal Sprite, which sold to Tim Stewart & Associates (NSW) for $80,000.

Stewart who took a real shine to the Elvstroem weanlings, also paid $50,000 for two other fillies by Danehill’s globetrotting multiple Group 1 winner.

The session also saw the first weanlings by Redoute’s Choice’s stunning Caulfield Guineas winner God’s Own offered for sale, with a bay colt from the Zabeel mare Zadonna making $60,000, also to the bid of DHK Investments.

The sale continues tomorrow from 11am with the second and final session of weanlings, before the Broodmare section begins on Sunday.

Lot Col Sex Sire Dam Purchaser Price
165 B C Fastnet Rock Crazy Fling (USA) DHK Investments Pty Ltd VIC $225,000
170 B F Elvstroem Crystal Sprite Tim Stewart & Associates Pty Ltd NSW $80,000
75 B C God's Own Zadonna DHK Investments Pty Ltd VIC $60,000
68 B F Elvstroem Wellington Dreamer Tim Stewart & Associates Pty Ltd NSW $50,000
113 B F Elvstroem Belle Ball (NZ) Tim Stewart & Associates Pty Ltd NSW $50,000

Statistics - Lots 1 to 200

Lots Catalogued
200

Gross Value
$1,550,000

Lots Sold
130

Top Price - Lot 165
$225,000

Lots Passed In
41

Average Price
$11,923

Lots Withdrawn
29

15/5/08 Sebring to Widden

Widden Stud is delighted to announce that Sebring – winner of the Golden Slipper, Sires Produce Stakes and Champion Two Year Old elect – will join the roster at Widden at the conclusion of his three year-old season, ending weeks of intense speculation as to his future stud plans.

“He is the most sought after stallion prospect to emerge in a very long time and we are thrilled that his owners have chosen Widden as the farm to give their horse the best possible home and opportunity of succeeding at stud,” said Antony Thompson.

“Sebring will be the fifth Golden Slipper winner, Australia’s Sire making race, to stand at Widden, following in the illustrious footsteps of Todman, Vain and Marscay – all champion sires in their own right - as well as the 2005 winner Stratum, whose oldest progeny are now impressive weanlings.”

A son of outstanding Halo line sire More Than Ready (USA), Sebring is the dominant juvenile this season winning five of six starts and in excess $2.5 million in prizemoney since his racing debut in January 2008, highlighted by his memorable victory in the Group One STC Golden Slipper Stakes.

Sebring magnificently overcame well-documented obstacles in the lead up to the race and a skirmish at the top of the straight to take Australia’s greatest juvenile event in a scintillating performance.

“He lost his footing at the top of the straight but then all of a sudden he balanced himself and exploded up the straight,” said trainer Gai Waterhouse in her post race comments.

“It was the most exciting race I’ve seen in years. This stamps him as Australia’s leading two-year-old and he can go anywhere in the world and stand at stud,” she added.

The battle to secure Sebring as a stallion prospect has attracted much comment and conjecture, the syndicate of Star Thoroughbreds owners electing to wait and measure all the options, rather than acting in haste.

“We received offers from any number of major studs, but after considering all the many and varied alternatives it was agreed that Widden offered us the best opportunity to pursue our goals with Sebring on the racetrack and at the same time ensure his future at stud,” said part-owner James Hazzisevastos.

For further information Antony Thompson 0427 470 507, Derek Field 0408 492 495 on tel: 02 6549 9999 fax: 02 6549 9900 email: info@widden.com

Sebring Photo by Lisa Grimm www.lisagrimmphotography.com

14/5/08 Successful Broodmare Session Concludes 2008 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale
A successful conclusion to the New Zealand Bloodstock's three-day National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale has seen the remaining broodmares on offer met with solid demand to record increases across the board.

A positive atmosphere around the sale grounds translated into good results for the newly united broodmare and weanling sessions, one of the most pleasing of which was the 78% clearance rate for the broodmare offering, up significantly from 66% last year.

With 312 broodmares catalogued it was the biggest broodmare selection at Karaka since 2004, with 222 sold for $2,681,150, up 81% from $1,482,550 for 138 sold last year.

Showing the strength of the middle market the median price for the broodmares climbed 33% to $4,000 (from $3,000 in 2007), with the average following suit to finish at $12,077, up 12% from $10,743 in 2007.

The highlight of the broodmare offering was the $250,000 Fusaichi Pegasus mare, Glitter Woman, at Lot 561. She was purchased by Margaret and Murray Hardy's Camray Trust carrying a positive test to NZ champion sire Zabeel.

The second highest price of the Sale came at Lot 617, with unraced Sadler's Wells mare Make Me Dream purchased by the Hong Kong Breeders Club for $210,000 in foal to Pins.

This contributed to the Hong Kong Breeders Club being leading broodmare buyer of the Sale with five purchased for $262,100.

It was John O'Flaherty's Oughterard Farm in Te Aroha that lead the broodmare vendors by average with three sold for an average of $36,000, with Rachel Spriggins' Walnut Hill Farms in Matamata the leading vendor by aggregate with 17 mares sold for $334,800.

In the final analysis, total turnover for the three-day Sale was $7,376,550 for 588 horses sold from the 777 catalogued. This represents an overall Sale average of $12,545, with a median of $5,000, and a very healthy clearance rate across all three days of 84%.

Broodmare Session Statistics 2008 2007
Catalogued 312 234

Sold 222 138

Clearance 78% 66%

Aggregate $2,681,150 $1,482,550

Average $12,077 $10,743

Median $4,000 $3,000

Top Ten Broodmare Lots Lot Name Breeding Covering Sire Vendor Purchaser Price
561 Glitter Woman Fusaichi Pegasus / Precious Glitter Zabeel CURRAGHMORE STUD CAMRAY TRUST $250,000
617 Make Me Dream Sadler's Wells / Heavenly Calm Pins SEATON PARK HONG KONG BREEDERS CLUB $210,000
557 Full Noise Kaapstad / War Cry O'Reilly LITTLE AVONDALE STUD MR DJ TREVETHAN $102,500
520 Danvers Danzero / Vreeland One Cool Cat WALNUT HILL FARMS MR GM HACKETT $90,000
513 Cycee Nugget Volksraad / Gold Ingot One Cool Cat RODMOR STUD ESKER LODGE LTD $85,000
602 Leilah Zerpour / Yuleda O'Reilly WAIKATO STUD KEVIN DAGG BLOODSTOCK $80,000
541 Ever Revie Hamas / Lucy Limelight Pins BLANDFORD LODGE NZB as agent $60,000
502 Clavarias Candy Stripes / Shiitake One Cool Cat TRELAWNEY STUD OVERTON FARM $60,000
605 Lightning Tree Blazing Keel / Treepop O'Reilly OUGHTERARD FARM MICHAEL WALLACE BLOODSTOCK $56,000
662 Penticton Pentire / Ballermoss Darci Brahma THE OAKS STUD MR SA MILLS $55,000

Leading Purchasers by Aggregate Purchaser Bought Aggregate Average Top Price
HONG KONG BREEDERS CLUB 5 $262,100 $52,420 $210,000
NZB as agent 23 $252,100 $10,961 $60,000
CAMRAY TRUST 1 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000
ESKER LODGE 2 $123,000 $61,500 $85,000
MR DJ TREVETHAN 1 $102,500 $102,500 $102,500
MR TO HARRISON 3 $91,000 $30,333 $42,000
MR GM HACKETT 1 $90,000 $90,000 $90,000
GRANGEWILLIAM STUD 8 $86,500 $10,813 $22,000
BERKLEY STUD 20 $81,200 $4,060 $12,500
KEVIN DAGG BLOODSTOCK 1 $80,000 $80,000 $80,000

Leading Broodmare Sires by Average Sire Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
Kaapstad 4 $29,050 $116,200 $102,500
Zabeel 3 $29,000 $87,000 $40,000
Volksraad 4 $26,000 $104,000 $85,000
Maroof 3 $25,417 $76,250 $40,000
Pentire 3 $20,333 $61,000 $55,000
Cape Cross 4 $16,825 $67,300 $32,500
Danasinga 4 $15,625 $62,500 $42,000
Centaine 12 $14,783 $177,400 $42,000
Nassipour 3 $12,867 $38,600 $38,000
Stravinsky 3 $12,833 $38,500 $17,000

Leading Vendors by Aggregate Vendor Sold Aggregate Average Top Price
WALNUT HILL FARMS 17 $334,800 $19,694 $90,000
WAIKATO STUD 25 $288,400 $11,536 $80,000
SEATON PARK 8 $262,950 $32,869 $210,000
CURRAGHMORE STUD 2 $251,250 $125,625 $250,000
BLANDFORD LODGE 6 $184,000 $30,667 $60,000
LITTLE AVONDALE STUD 9 $144,100 $16,011 $102,500
RODMOR STUD 6 $141,800 $23,633 $85,000
TRELAWNEY STUD 8 $132,600 $16,575 $60,000
THE OAKS STUD 7 $124,500 $17,786 $55,000
OUGHTERARD FARM 3 $108,000 $36,000 $56,000
WINDSOR PARK STUD 11 $72,500 $6,591 $31,000

Leading Vendors by Average Vendor Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
OUGHTERARD FARM 3 $36,000 $108,000 $56,000
SEATON PARK 8 $32,869 $262,950 $210,000
BLANDFORD LODGE 6 $30,667 $184,000 $60,000
RODMOR STUD 6 $23,633 $141,800 $85,000
WALNUT HILL FARMS 17 $19,694 $334,800 $90,000
THE OAKS STUD 7 $17,786 $124,500 $55,000
MR GR & MRS J HINES 3 $17,000 $51,000 $42,000
TRELAWNEY STUD 8 $16,575 $132,600 $60,000
LITTLE AVONDALE STUD 9 $16,011 $144,100 $102,500
HALLMARK STUD 3 $14,567 $43,700 $40,000

Overall Sale Summary
2008
Catalogued 777
Sold 588
Clearance 84%
Aggregate $7,376,550
Average $12,545
Median $5,000

* includes weanlings, yearlings, two-year-olds, unraced stock, racehorses, broodmares, stallion shares and supplementary entries.

13/5/08 North Queensland Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Bonus Series
The Chairman of Queensland Racing Limited (QRL), Mr Bob Bentley, announced in February last year increases to four key races leading into the $100,000 Parry Nissan Two-Year-Old Classic. Due to Equine Influenza (EI) and the affects it had on the two-year-old populations in North Queensland the first two races of this series were not programmed.
QRL and Magic Millions have taken the decision to re-allocate the additional races as per the schedule below, the series will commence this weekend in Cairns with the running of a $20,000 two-year-old Handicap to be conducted over 1000m.

Date Club Race Prize QTIS Total

17/05/08 Cairns 2yo Hcp 1000m $20,000 $7,000 $27,000
29/05/08 Townsville 2yo Hcp 1000m $20,000 $7,000 $27,000
09/06/08 Townsville Parry Nissan 1200m $100,000 $100,000
12/07/08 Cairns 2yo Hcp 1250m $20,000 $7,000 $27,000
24/07/08 Townsville 2yo Hcp 1200m $20,000 $7,000 $27,000

As highlighted above, the two races scheduled for October and November 2007 have been repositioned to July 2008. This movement will ensure stakeholders have the opportunity to participate in this feature race bonus series.
Taking into account QTIS Added Stakes these races are worth a combined total of $208,000. In addition to the prizemoney and QTIS Added Stakes on offer, Magic Millions have announced a $50,000 Bonus, which will be conducted across the five feature races.
To be eligible for the bonus, the series winner must be paid up for the Magic Millions Race Series.
Should the series winner/s be paid up for the Magic Millions Race Series they will receive a $50,000 bonus from Magic Millions Pty Ltd.

In the event that the series is tied and two or more of the tied horses are eligible for the $50,000 bonus, it will be divided equally between the eligible winners.

Points to be allocated as follows:

1st 10
2nd 7
3rd 5
4th 3
All other starters 1

13/5/08 Darley's Purchase Of Woodlands Approved

Darley and Inghams Enterprises announced today that the Foreign Investment Review Board has approved Darley's purchase of Woodlands.

Consequently, the sale will be completed by this Friday (16th May 2008).

Horses previously running in the cerise colours of the Woodlands Stud Syndicate will from that time on race in Sheikh Mohammed's ownership and racing colours, which are maroon and white.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: "I am delighted to be making this commitment to Australian racing, to people who share my passion for thoroughbreds. I welcome the team from Woodlands and look forward to developing the champions of the future."

The outgoing owner of Woodlands, Bob Ingham, said: "It has been a pleasure working with the dedicated people at Woodlands Stud and Crown Lodge. I thank them dearly for the wonderful job they have done over many years and I wish Sheikh Mohammed every success in the future."

13/5/08 All Time Record Clearance Highlights NZB Weanling Session
Following a strong opening session at Karaka yesterday, the demand for weanlings intensified today with the remaining 141 lots catalogued boosting yesterday's figures, highlighted by a new all time record clearance rate.

At the close of the weanling session earlier today, a total of 316 weanlings have sold from the 396 on offer, representing a staggering 89% clearance. This is the highest clearance rate ever seen at a New Zealand Bloodstock reserved auction sale.

With this morning's selection averaging a very strong $16,203, the total weanling offering has also posted a new record average of $13,757, up 11% from $12,421 in 2007, with a median that held steady from yesterday at $6,000. Total takings for the weanlings are $4,339,600, up 88% from $2,304,000 last year with 188 sold at that Sale.

Day two's highest priced weanling - Lot 360 by Pins from Winds of Conquest

Today's top price was a shade off the $130,000 fetched by the Stravinsky filly from Full Noise (Kaapstad) at Lot 109 yesterday, with Lot 360 bought by GTS Bloodstock for $125,000. The colt by Pins from Winds of Conquest (Quest for Fame) is a half-brother to dual Group 3 winner Coup Bloomsbury (Centaine).

GTS Bloodstock principal Janine Dunlop confirmed that she has pinhooked the colt for her Phoenix Park draft at the Karaka Premier Sale in January. "He stood out to me as one of the best colts in the Sale and being by a top performing sire like Pins, from a current family, he had the pedigree to match. Ancroft Stud has done a great job preparing the colt and he's guaranteed to develop into a lovely yearling."

GTS Bloodstock was the leading individual buyer of this session with five weanlings purchased for an aggregate of $339,500.

Garry and Mark Chittick's Waikato Stud has reaped the benefit of offering all their weanlings unreserved, topping the leading vendors tables with 28 sold for an average of $18,061. Their top priced weanling came early in the Sale, with Lot 8 selling for $60,000. The colt by O'Reilly from Barzar Babe (Danasinga) was bought by Noble Bloodstock.

Waikato Stud's stallions have also dominated the leading sires list, with their resident sires Pins, Savabeel and O'Reilly the top three sires by average with three weanlings or more sold at this Sale.

Mark Chittick confirmed that all Waikato Stud owned broodmares catalogued today and tomorrow will now also be offered on an unreserved basis. "Buyers knew exactly where they stood with our weanling offering and that has definitely paid dividends for us. It makes sense for us to offer the broodmares on the same basis."

Marketing Manager Petrea Vela summed up the success of the weanling sessions. "We have been incredibly heartened by the market strength seen over the past couple of days. The activity of the local buyers shows just how successful the tax and depreciation changes made nearly two years ago have been for the industry, and we are very encouraged by the confidence that those buyers are showing in their domestic market."

"It's clear to us that the weanling sale concept is gaining traction in New Zealand and vendors like Waikato Stud and Curraghmore Stud are proving it to be a viable trading option for them. We are certain there's a good foundation here for us to develop this market even more into the future."

With the first part of the day at Karaka dedicated to last of the weanlings, the afternoon saw yearlings, two-year-olds, unraced horses, racehorses and the first of the 300 broodmares offered for sale.

The mixed bloodstock sessions combined to record a clearance rate of 84%, with 47 lots sold for $350,200 at a combined average of $7,626.

The highlight of the mixed sessions was the Pins filly at Lot 453, Lasting Legacy, a half-sister to Group 1 South Australian Oaks winner, Dowry (Bahhare). Being sold as a racing or breeding proposition, she was purchased by Queensland's Blue Sky Thoroughbreds for $100,000 from Rodmor Stud.

The first 52 of the 303 broodmares catalogued concluded selling for today, with the highlight so far the Bassenthwaite mare, Candescent, a $40,000 purchase from The Oaks Stud. The dam of Group 1 Easter Handicap winner, Rags to Riches, she is carrying a positive test to first season covering sire, Darci Brahma.

The Broodmare session will continue from 10am tomorrow (Tuesday) at Karaka.

Weanling Session Results Summary
2008 2007
Catalogued 396 252
Sold 316 188
Clearance 89% 85%
Average $13,733 $12,421

Median $6,000 $7,000

Aggregate $4,339,600 $2,335,150

Top Price $130,000 $115,000

Top Lots Lot Type Breeding Vendor Purchaser Price
109 B.F Stravinsky / Full Noise LITTLE AVONDALE STUD MARCUS CORBAN BLOODSTOCK $130,000
360 C.C Pins / Winds of Conquest ANCROFT STUD GTS BLOODSTOCK $125,000
138 BR.C O'Reilly / Honor Rush ESKER LODGE MR J SEE $105,000
117 B.F Savabeel / Glittering Girl CURRAGHMORE STUD GTS BLOODSTOCK $100,000
295 C.C Rock of Gibraltar / Sheez Zocay WELLFIELD LODGE NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK as agent $75,000
118 B.F Savabeel / Glitter Woman CURRAGHMORE STUD MR J SEE $70,000
330 B.C Benicio / Tears We Cry BRIGHTHILL FARM GTS BLOODSTOCK $62,500
8 B.C O'Reilly / Barzar Babe WAIKATO STUD NOBLE BLOODSTOCK $60,000
91 B.C Savabeel / Energetic Dancer BRIGHTHILL FARM LJ & MR ANDERSON $60,000
296 BR.C One Cool Cat / She's Heaven Cent CURRAGHMORE STUD GALAXY RACING $60,000
361 C.C Pins / Worship BRIGHTHILL FARM MR SA MILLS $60,000

Leading Buyers by Aggregate Purchaser Bought Aggregate Average Top Price
NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK as agent 30 $409,000 $13,633 $75,000
GTS BLOODSTOCK 5 $339,500 $67,900 $125,000
MR J SEE 4 $233,000 $58,250 $105,000
NOBLE BLOODSTOCK 4 $146,000 $36,500 $60,000
GALAXY RACING 8 $134,250 $16,781 $60,000
MARCUS CORBAN BLOODSTOCK LTD 1 $130,000 $130,000 $130,000
NICHOLSON O'ROURKE 5 $120,000 $24,000 $55,000
MR SA MILLS 3 $114,000 $38,000 $60,000
SIR JAMES LODGE 8 $92,500 $11,563 $27,000
MR MW HAMILTON 4 $90,000 $22,500 $30,000

Leading Sires by Average (3 or more sold) Sire Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
Pins 4 $61,750 $247,000 $125,000
Savabeel 8 $49,063 $392,500 $100,000
O'Reilly 8 $44,500 $356,000 $105,000
Van Nistelrooy 5 $27,100 $135,500 $42,500
Handsome Ransom 7 $24,786 $173,500 $47,500
Align 3 $24,167 $72,500 $32,500
Mossman 3 $23,000 $69,000 $38,000
Chianti 3 $22,467 $67,400 $44,000
Falkirk 3 $20,000 $60,000 $38,000
High Chaparral 4 $19,875 $79,500 $42,500

Leading First Season Sires by Average (3 or more sold) Sire Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
Falkirk 3 $20,000 $60,000 $38,000
Zenno Rob Roy 3 $14,000 $42,000 $22,000
Keeninsky 4 $11,625 $46,500 $22,500
Castledale 5 $8,410 $42,050 $16,000
Duelled 3 $5,867 $17,600 $12,000
Mr. Nancho 4 $5,500 $22,000 $15,000

Leading Vendors by Aggregate Vendor Sold Aggregate Average Top Price
WAIKATO STUD 20 $341,200 $17,060 $60,000
CURRAGHMORE STUD 12 $319,250 $26,604 $100,000
BRIGHTHILL FARM 10 $230,000 $23,000 $60,000
LITTLE AVONDALE STUD 9 $210,600 $23,400 $130,000
WALNUT HILL FARMS 11 $177,500 $16,136 $55,000
ESKER LODGE 5 $160,000 $32,000 $105,000
TWIN PINE THOROUGHBREDS 11 $123,300 $11,209 $46,000
TE RUNGA STUD 10 $111,950 $11,195 $47,500
WINDSOR PARK STUD 9 $108,850 $12,094 $50,000
HAUNUI FARM 9 $100,900 $11,211 $42,500

Leading Vendors by Average (3 or more sold) Vendor Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
ESKER LODGE 5 $32,000 $160,000 $105,000
CURRAGHMORE STUD 12 $26,604 $319,250 $100,000
WOODBINE FARM PARTNERSHIP 3 $24,333 $73,000 $31,000
LITTLE AVONDALE STUD 9 $23,400 $210,600 $130,000
BRIGHTHILL FARM 10 $23,000 $230,000 $60,000
BLANDFORD LODGE 4 $23,000 $92,000 $45,000
BLUE GABLES FARM 5 $18,800 $94,000 $26,000
HENLEY PARK 3 $18,000 $54,000 $24,000
WAIKATO STUD 20 $17,060 $341,200 $60,000
WALNUT HILL FARMS 11 $16,136 $177,500 $55,000

Mixed Bloodstock Results Summary
Sold Clearance Aggregate Average Top Price
Yearlings (18) 14 100% $72,500 $5,179 $20,000 (Lot 402)
Two-Year-Old (11) 4 50% $26,800 $6,700 $17,000 (Lot 416)
Unraced Stock (19) 16 84% $46,750 $2,922 $8,250 (Lot 441)
Racehorses (18) 13 87% $204,150 $15,704 $100,000 (Lot 453)
Total 47 84% $350,200 $7,626 $100,000 (Lot 453)

Top Broodmare Lots (First Session)

Lot Type Name Breeding Covering Sire Vendor Purchaser Price
479 B.M+ Candescent Bassenthwaite / Candelila Darci Brahma THE OAKS STUD NZ BLOODSTOCK (as agent) $40,000
482 B.M+ Car Key Carnegie / Key of Future One Cool Cat CHESTERFIELDS PERFECTLY READY SYNDICATE $32,000
494 BR.M Cent to Win Centro / Lady Nairne LITTLE AVONDALE STUD BLUE GABLES FARM $18,000
490 C.F+ Celtic Symphony Traditionally / Maggie Keeper WALNUT HILL FARMS MR MJ CORCORAN $13,500
491 B.M+ Centakin Centaine / Luskin Lady Fast 'n' Famous WAIKATO STUD KINNOUL INVESTMENTS $11,000

12/5/08 Autumn Concludes as Spotlight Turns to Great Southern Sale

The William Inglis Autumn Yearling Sale concluded at Oaklands today, with almost $2million traded across the two days.

Colts by Lindsay Park's Face Value and Blue Gum Farm's Elvstroem topped today's session at $40,000.

Three Bridges Thoroughbreds' Face Value-Classy Gift (With Class) colt was knocked down to the First Tuesday syndicate, while Blue Gum's Elvstroem-Golden Prayer (Amen Brother) colt was sold to Victorian trainer Chris Parry.

The overall sale topper was the Dash For Cash-Mother To Be (Dance Floor) colt, which sold yesterday to Mick Price for $42,500.

In all, 224 yearlings were sold at a gross of $1,970,500 and average of $8797.

The buying bench, which assembled from every state in Australia, also included a number of on-line bidders, with six horses sold on-line during the sale.

Buyers who secured progeny at this sale now have the chance to enter those yearlings in next year's $2.5million Inglis Race Series, which includes the $100,000 Inglis Plate, restricted to Autumn Yearling Sale graduates only.

Attention now turns to the Great Southern Sale, which begins with the Weanling section from 11am this Thursday, May 15.

“We have some lovely weanlings for sale here later in the week and they will be available for inspection from Tuesday afternoon,” Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.

“This sale really does showcase some of the best weanlings Victoria has to offer and includes the first chance buyers have to secure progeny by a number of exciting first season stallions.”

The Great Southern Sale, which also includes Broodmares and other mixed breeding stock, runs over four sessions on May 15, 16, 18 and 19.

Sale Statistics - Lots 1 to 360

Lots Catalogued
360
Gross Value
$1,981,000

Lots Sold
227
Top Price - Lot 26
$42,500

Lots Passed In
82
Average Price
$8,727

Lots Withdrawn
51
Median Price
$5,000

Top Lots

Lot
Col
Sex
Sire
Dam
Purchaser
Price

26
G
C
Dash for Cash
Mother to Be (NZ)
M G Price Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd VIC
$42,500

232
B
C
Face Value
Classy Gift
First Tuesday VIC
$40,000

294
B
C
Elvstroem
Golden Prayer
C Parry VIC
$40,000

163
B
F
Good Journey (USA)
Volkiss (NZ)
Edwards Elkington Racing VIC
$35,000

314
Ch
C
Denon (USA)
Into the Mystic
J Cox VIC
$34,000

12/5/08 Dash For Cash Colt Tops Autumn Day 1

A colt by Australian Guineas winner Dash For Cash topped the opening session of the William Inglis Autumn Sale when he was sold to leading trainer Mick Price for $42,500 today.

The colt was offered by Phoenix Broodmare Farm and is from the Dance Floor mare Mother To Be.

A strong Victorian buying bench assembled at the sale, along with other buyers from South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Today’s average of $9,204 fell just short of last year’s record average figure and overall, $1.05million was traded.

“We are very happy with the result,” Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.

“Although the average is slightly down on last year’s record figure, it’s more a reflection of the revised format this year, as an additional 200 horses were previously sold in March at Melbourne Premier.”

“There was strong competition on a good number of the horses sold today and the buying bench, which included a number of on-line bidders, was spread across most part of Australia.”

Good Journey, sire of this season’s stakes winners Sound Journey and Grand Journey (the latter a G1 winning $6500 graduate of this sale herself), was the leading sire of the session, with four lots selling for $92,000, including a filly from the stakes placed Volksraad mare Volkiss to Edwards/Elkington Racing (Vic) for $35,000.

The Sale continues from 11am tomorrow.

Statistics Day 1 - Lots 1 to 180

Lots Catalogued
180

Gross Value
$1,049,250

Lots Sold
114
Top Price - Lot 26
$42,500

Lots Passed In
44
Average Price
$9,204

Lots Withdrawn
22
Median Price
$6,000

Strong Selling At Opening Session of NZB National Weanling & Broodmare Sale
It was a very strong day's trade at the first weanling session of New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling & Broodmare Sale today at Karaka, highlighted by increases in turnover, average and clearance from last year.

Of the 255 weanlings catalogued for sale today, 202 were sold for an aggregate of $2,531,950, representing a current average of $12,534 and a very strong clearance rate of 87.4%. With 188 of the total 252 weanlings catalogued last year selling for $2,335,150, turnover is already up 8% with 143 weanlings still to come.

New Zealand Bloodstock Marketing Manager Petrea Vela was confident that today's results signalled the growing strength of New Zealand's local market.

"In a weanling catalogue that was dominated by fillies, it was a clear sign of the strength of New Zealand domestic racing and breeding that we can generate such a healthy average and aggregate for the day and still record an 87% clearance rate. Traditionally the pinhookers underpin this Sale but today, not only were the pinhookers very active, but they also faced stiff competition from a raft of local buyers looking for weanlings to retain, which is a great boost for the industry."

Day one highlight - Lot 109 by Stravinsky from Full Noise sold by Little Avondale Stud.

The highlight of the day was a filly by Cambridge Stud shuttle sire Stravinsky at Lot 109, from the Group 1 performed Kaapstad mare Full Noise, purchased for $130,000 by Marcus Corban Bloodstock.

Cambridge Stud General Manager, Marcus Corban, secured the filly on behalf of a local client. "We picked her out as a lovely walking Stravinsky filly that will be well suited to putting through the Karaka Yearling Sale in January."

A handful of lots later, the second of three young horses to make six figures today was another filly, this by Savabeel from Marscay mare Glittering Girl. She was bought by Janine Dunlop's GTS Bloodstock Ltd for $100,000 from Curraghmore Stud.

Today's leading buyer was Singapore owner Jayven See, who purchased three weanlings, including a top price of $105,000 for Lot 138, a colt by O'Reilly from Honor Rush (Honor Grades) offered by Esker Lodge.

Waikato Stud's decision to offer all their weanlings on an unreserved basis is paying dividends for the Stud, with the progeny of their sires O'Reilly and Savabeel featuring prominently in the results, and Waikato Stud currently heading the leading vendor tables with 16 sold for an aggregate of $300,900 at an average of $18,806.

Savabeel's four fillies and one colt catalogued so far were in high demand to make him the leading sire by average with all five entries sold for an average of $61,400, followed by stable mate O'Reilly in second, with both colts and fillies featuring in the top ten lots, with a total of six sold for an average of $53,500.

Waikato Stud has a further 14 weanlings catalogued for tomorrow.

The remaining 143 weanlings (including two supplementary entries) will go under the hammer from 10am at Karaka tomorrow, followed by yearlings, two-year-olds, unraced stock, racehorses, and the first of the 300 broodmares on offer. The remaining broodmares will be offered on Tuesday from 10am.

2008 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale Day 1 Statistics 2008 (Day 1) 2007
Catalogued 255 252
Sold 202 188
Clearance 87.4% 85%
Average $12,534
$12,421

Median $6,000
$7,000

Aggregate $2,531,950
$2,335,150

Top Price $130,000
$115,000

Top Ten Lots Lot Type Breeding Vendor Purchaser Price
109 B.F Stravinsky / Full Noise LITTLE AVONDALE STUD MARCUS CORBAN BLOODSTOCK $130,000
138 BR.C O'Reilly / Honor Rush ESKER LODGE MR J SEE $105,000
117 B.F Savabeel / Glittering Girl CURRAGHMORE STUD GTS BLOODSTOCK $100,000
118 B.F Savabeel / Glitter Woman CURRAGHMORE STUD MR J SEE $70,000
8 B.C O'Reilly / Barzar Babe WAIKATO STUD NOBLE BLOODSTOCK $60,000
91 B.C Savabeel / Energetic Dancer BRIGHTHILL FARM LJ & MR ANDERSON $60,000
165 B.F O'Reilly / La Charea WALNUT HILL FARMS NICHOLSON O'ROURKE $55,000
47 B.F Savabeel / Chiming WINDSOR PARK STUD TARMILL PTY LTD $50,000
60 C.C Handsome Ransom / Creve Coeur TE RUNGA STUD MR CP BISHOP $47,500
175 BR.F Ekraar / Leontyne TWIN PINE THOROUGHBREDS SEDGEMERE FARM $46,000

Leading Purchasers by Aggregate Purchaser Bought Aggregate Average Top Price
NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK (as agent) 20 $241,800 $12,090 $39,000
MR J SEE 3 $189,000 $63,000 $105,000
GTS BLOODSTOCK 2 $135,000 $67,500 $100,000
MARCUS CORBAN BLOODSTOCK 1 $130,000 $130,000 $130,000
NOBLE BLOODSTOCK 3 $103,500 $34,500 $60,000

Leading Sires by Average (3 or more sold) Sire Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
Savabeel 5 $61,400 $307,000 $100,000
O'Reilly 6 $53,500 $321,000 $105,000
Van Nistelrooy 3 $27,833 $83,500 $42,500
Handsome Ransom 7 $24,786 $173,500 $47,500
Align 3 $24,167 $72,500 $32,500

Leading Vendors by Aggregate Vendor Sold Aggregate Average Top Price
WAIKATO STUD 16 $300,900 $18,806 $60,000
CURRAGHMORE STUD 9 $218,250 $24,250 $100,000
BRIGHTHILL FARM 8 $201,000 $25,125 $60,000
LITTLE AVONDALE STUD 6 $183,000 $30,500 $130,000
ESKER LODGE 5 $160,000 $32,000 $105,000

Leading Vendors by Average (3 or more sold) Vendor Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
ESKER LODGE 5 $32,000 $160,000 $105,000
LITTLE AVONDALE STUD 6 $30,500 $183,000 $130,000
BRIGHTHILL FARM 8 $25,125 $201,000 $60,000
WOODBINE FARM PARTNERSHIP 3 $24,333 $73,000 $31,000
CURRAGHMORE STUD 9 $24,250 $218,250 $100,000

11/5/08 Inglis Autumn Yearling Sale offers Genuine Value

Tough gelding Not A Copy delivered a timely reminder of the value to be had at the William Inglis Autumn Yearling Sale with a determined win at Caulfield on the eve of this year's sale.

NOT A COPY ($12,000 2004 Autumn, 5g Genuine-Manilla Mistress) landed his sixth career win – and second metropolitan success in his past three starts – when taking his earnings beyond the $160,000 mark in the Winning Edge Presentations Plate (1100m).

“It once again goes to show you don't have to spend a fortune to secure a good racehorse and the Autumn Yearling Sale continues to be a terrific source of good horses for very little money,” Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.Not A Copy is by Genuine, also the sire of the Autumn Yearling Sale's pin up graduate from the past few seasons, Pompeii Ruler. The 2008 Autumn Sale begins at Oaklands tomorrow at 11am and a catalogue of 360 yearlings will be sold over the next two days.

Meanwhile, Inglis Easter graduates Fravashi and Royal Discretion continued their rise through the ranks with decisive wins at Hawkesbury today.

FRAVASHI ($550,000 2007 Easter, 2c Falbrav-Angelic Smile), a graduate of Ron Gilbert's Highgrove Stud, made it two wins from as many starts when taking out the Windsor RSL 2YO Handicap (1200m) and trainer Peter Snowden indicated the colt would now head to Brisbane for the G2 QTC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m).

A Redoute's Choice half-brother to Fravashi sold for $1.1million at last month's William Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

ROYAL DISCRETION ($180,000 2006 Easter, 3g Royal Academy-Discretion) made it back-to-back stakes wins this preparation when taking out the Listed Hawkesbury Guineas from fellow Inglis graduate TURFFONTEIN ($70,000 2006 Premier, 3c Johannesburg-Spirit Of Grace) in a repeat of the G3 South Pacific Classic quinella last month at Randwick.Royal Discretion, who was prepared for sale by Attunga Stud, was also a winner on this day last year, taking out the juvenile event, which was won by Fravashi today.

DON'T TELL PAT ($75,000 2005 Classic, 4g Monashee Mountain-What A Twister) rounded out a good day for Inglis graduates at Hawkesbury when sending favourite backers home on a winning note in taking out the final event on the program.

The lightly raced gelding has now won 5 of his 10 career starts

Guineas Win for Royal Discretion and Royal Academy
11th May 2008

Classy three year-old Royal Discretion (3g Royal Academy x Discretion, by Canny Lad) backed up from a brilliant win at Randwick on April 30 to add another feature race success to his resume at Hawkesbury on Saturday.

The talented bay skipped along just off the lead and then kicked away in the straight to win the Listed Hawkesbury Guineas over 1400 metres by more than a length over the fast finishing Turffontein (3c Johannesburg x Spirit of Grace, by Dr Grace) to give Coolmore sires the quinella.

The Gai Waterhouse trained son of Royal Academy has now won five of 12 starts earning $300,575 and will head to Brisbane for a crack at the Group Two QTC Queendland Guineas on June 9.

“I think he’ll run the mile easily because he relaxes so well,” said Gai Waterhouse.

Raced by the Bott family’s E Thoroughbred and their South African based partners, Royal Discretion was purchased by Tony Bott for $180,000 at the 2006 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Attunga Stud.

A half-brother to Group Three placed mare Tactfully, Royal Discretion is the third foal of stakes-placed Canny Lad mare Discretion, a half-sister to South African stakes-winner Sunrise Silence.

Rowley Mile Success for Rabbuka and Giant's Causeway
11th May 2008

Lightly raced four year-old Rabbuka (4g Giant's Causeway x Explosive, by Fappiano) added to his impressive tally when scoring a powerful win over stablemate Party Crasher in the $100,000 Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury on Saturday.

He camped just off the pace and finished off doggedly in a performance that will have connections raising their sights to better quality assignments during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

“He’s got the makings of a middle distance superstar,” said winning trainer Gai Waterhouse.

“He’s got an enormous future and is definitely Brisbane bound now.”

A homebred for Gooree Stud, Rabbuka is a half-brother to smart Group Three winner Queen of the Hill being by Giant’s Causeway from the Fappiano mare Explosive, who descends from the family of champion sires Sadler’s wells and Nureyev.

Rabbuka has won four races from seven starts and placed twice, earning $108,950 in prizemoney and like so many of the Giant’s Causeway stock in Australia seems to be finding top form with patience and maturity.

New Group Three Winner for Montjeu
11th May 2008

Fresh from siring the winner of the Group One AJC Australian Derby in Nom du Jeu, Montjeu has continued his good Australian form with another smart stakes-winner in Fulmonti (5g Montjeu x Grosvenor's Pride, by Grosvenor) .

The Chris Jordan trained five year-old took out the Group Three BTC Chairman’s Handicap over 2020 metres at Doomben on Saturday, proving too strong at the post to defeat Diamondsondinside by half a length .

An improving stayer with seven wins and 12 placings from 33 starts and prizemoney of $305,100, Fulmonti should be well placed in the long distance events in Brisbane over the next few months.

A $100,000 purchase from the 2004 NZB Premier Yearling Sale from the draft of Mapperley Stud, Fulmonti is a half-brother to Group Three winner Pride of the Class being from the Grosvenor mare Grosvenor’s Pride, a half-sister to the dam of former brilliant sprinter Pembleton.

A leading sire in Europe, Montjeu shuttled to Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand for a number of seasons, his last crop of Kiwi bred youngsters now two year-olds.

9/5/08 Zabeel Achieves Gr.1 Damsire Double at Randwick
Cambridge Stud’s magnificent sire Zabeel (NZ) (Sir Tristram) achieved a notable Gr.1 damsire double at Randwick last weekend.

Already the sire of 37 individual Gr.1 winners, Zabeel (NZ) took his Gr.1 record as a damsire to nine (see table) last Saturday after superlative wins by Samantha Miss (Redoute’s Choice) in the AJC Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) and by Sarrera (Quest For Fame) in the AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

Cambridge Stud's champion sire Zabeel (NZ)
As a result the Sir Tristram sire is currently posted 6th on the Australian Broodmare Sires’ Premiership, a position that sees him feature alongside the former Waikato Stud stallions Defensive Play in second, and Centaine in third.

In total, Zabeel has achieved 38 stakes winners as a damsire and is strongly represented on the winners-to-runners side of things with a 63.2% strike rate.

Looking to the stallions who his daughters have so far clicked best with on a stakes level, Stravinsky (USA) takes poll position with five, followed by Redoute’s Choice, Danehill and Quest For Fame in second with three stakes winners each.

Remarkably another sire who once adorned Cambridge Stud's stallion roster features as the leading sire of winners-to-runners. Now deceased, Rhythm features foremost with the five winners from six runners and is also responsible for the two Gr.1 winners Zabeat (NZ) and Upsetthym (NZ).

Zabeel (NZ) will be represented by three broodmares at this weekend’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale. The Sale will also provide the opportunity to access a Zabeel (NZ) weanling, an unraced three-year-old gelding and to a twice raced four-year-old gelding (click here to view progeny on offer). Gr.1 Damsire Success

Headturner (Anabaa)

Darci Brahma (Danehill)

Samantha Miss (Redoute’s Choice)

Apercu (Encosta de Lago)

Sarrera (Quest For Fame)

Zabeat (Rhythm)

Upsetthym (Rhythm)

Cats Fun (Catbird)

Art Success (Pentire)

Two-Year-Old Quinella for Danroad (AUS)
Promising Highview Stud-based sire Danroad (AUS) (Danehill x Strawberry Girl by Strawberry Road) provided the quinella in the two-year-old event at Wednesday’s Dargaville meeting.

The Leanne Bertling-trained debutant Kerilla (NZ) (Danroad x Love Dust) scored by one-and-a-half lengths over Outtalimitz (NZ) (Danroad x Peripherique) in the 1200m juvenile race and both are now headed for black type races at their next outings.

Danroad (NZ) heads the first season sire table by Winners
Completing a trifecta for Highview Stud-based sires in the race was Onesong (NZ) (Align x Renanaisance Girl) who went a very useful race on debut for third.

Kerilla (NZ) was bred by Peter Yip of Hong Kong, in partnership with Westbury Stud, Auckland. She represented the third individual winner (from six starters) posted by Danroad (AUS) making him the leading first-season sire in New Zealand this season by individual winners.

Bertling said she will now aim Kerilla (NZ) for the Listed $55,000 Castletown Stakes at the Foxton meeting on June 2.

“She’s up to black type company,” Bertling said. “She still has quite a bit to learn but once she is more street wise, there will be a lot more improvement in her.”

Alternatively, the Logan and Gibbs-trained Outtalimitz (NZ) is being set for the Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie later this month.

Highview Stud’s Brent Gillovic is delighted with the promising start made by Danroad’s progeny.

“Time was always going to be their ally" said Gillovic.

“Danroad is a big horse and over New Zealand mares, he has thrown big, strong, but well balanced types and they are really beginning to hit their straps.

“As a very fast son of the incomparable Danehill, I have always believed he is a very exciting stallion prospect and I am sure this is just the beginning for him in his stud career,” he said.

Danroad (AUS) will be represented at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale by three Weanlings and two Yearlings. To view click here.

Captain Rio Registers NH Gr.3 Success
Following on from the Gr.1 success registered by Il Quello Veloce (NZ) in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes in New Zealand, Westbury Stud’s shuttle sire Captain Rio (GB) (Pivotal) has asserted his Northern Hemisphere presence with a recent Gr.3 winner in Ireland.

Westbury Stud's exciting shuttle sire, Captain Rio (GB)

Displaying a barnstorming finish not unlike that of his Gr.1 southern hemisphere counterpart, Capt Chaos (IRE) dented some tall reputations on Monday, after a last to first win effort in the Gr.3 Tetrarch Stakes (3YO, 1400m) at the Curragh.

Winning by a length and three-quarters, Capt Chaos (IRE) is the second stakes winner in the Northern Hemisphere for the Pivotal sire, with the other horse in question being the Gr.3 Kempton Sirenia Stakes (1200m) winner, Philario (IRE).

Captain Rio (GB) is represented by eight weanlings (click here) and one broodmare (click here) at the National Weanling and Bloodstock Sale at Karaka starting this Sunday, a venue which is just minutes away from his Westbury Stud base, where he will stand for NZ$12,500 plus GST this season.

One Cool Cat (USA) Running Hot
The Cambridge Stud shuttle sire One Cool Cat (USA) (Storm Cat) continued the flying start he has made in Europe this season, with his seventh individual winner landing in Rome, Italy last Sunday.

Reiterating the success that has put One Cool Cat (USA) as the leading European sire of two-year-olds in Great Britain and Ireland, the promising Diglett (ex Rich Gift, by Cadeaux Genereux) showed his class with a comfortable one length win.

Cambridge Stud's hot shuttle sire One Coot Cat (USA)
One Cool Cat's (USA) additional five winners to date have been Cool Tarifa, Baycat, Smokey Storm, Icesolator and Mister Ghiaccio.

Trained by James Burns, Cool Tarifa (ex Tarafiya by Trempolino), was successful in the very first Irish two-year-old race of the season at the Curragh on March 30, and has Royal Ascot in June amongst her future plans, following a tilt at the G3 Swordlestown Sprint at Naas.

"She's got everything you'd expect from a One Cool Cat - she's tough, she's fast and has a bit of class," said Burns. "Hopefully she's an Ascot two-year-old but she'll have to progress and we'll look at the Swordlestown in Naas next."

A $3.1 million Keeneland yearling, One Cool Cat (USA) was a dual Gr.1 winning juvenile and was the Champion European 3YO Sprinter.

One Cool Cat (USA) was one of the best two-year-olds seen in Europe in 2003, and continued his outstanding form as a three-year-old, scoring an impressive win in the Gr. 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh over 1200m, and finished a fine third in the Gr. 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Commencing stud duties in New Zealand in 2005, One Cool Cat's (USA) first Southern Hemisphere crop made a big impression at the National Sale at Karaka earlier this year.

One Cool Cat (USA) was the leading New Zealand-based first season sire during the Premier session with 24 lots selling for $4,625,000 at an average of $192,708.

One Cool Cat's (USA) leading light was a filly out of the Gr.3 winning Sir Tristram mare Diamond Cashel, who realised $925,000 - the second-top price of the sale.

The youngster is a half-sister to Royal Asscher (NZ) (Gr III CS Hayes Stakes, Listed William Crockett, Ottawa Stakes), and was purchased by the free-spending Queenslander Nathan Tinkler, whose Patinack Farm also purchased a One Cool Cat half-sister to the Gr.2 Winter Stakes winner La Sizeranne for $640,000.

One Cool Cat (USA) will stand again at Cambridge Stud in 2008 at a service fee of NZ$15,000 + gst.

One Cool Cat (USA) is represented by three weanlings at the NZB National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale.

Golan Adds NH Gr.3 Win
Golan (IRE) (Spectrum), sire of the 2007 Gr.1 VRC Derby hero Kibbutz (NZ), added to his stallion record with a notable Gr.3 success in the Northern Hemisphere on Monday.

After a thrilling tussle, his four-year-old colt Regime (IRE) was able to seal the Irish black-type success by a critical head margin after pulling out all the stops in the Gr.3 Mooresbridge Stakes (2000m) at the Curragh.

Windsor Park Stud's Gr.1 Sire Golan (IRE)
The win represented Regime’s second victory at this level for his trainer Michael Bell, with earlier success coming in the Gr.3 Sandown Classic Trial Stakes (2000m) last season.

Having commenced stud duties in 2003, Golan (IRE) has so far achieved the following stakes winners:

Kibbutz (NZ): Victor of the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) and of the Listed Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) last season.
Regime (IRE): The aforementioned dual Gr.3 winner.
Lady Alberton (NZ): Winner of the Gr.3 ARC Eclipse Stakes (1200m)
Distinguished with a Timeform rating of 129, Golan (IRE) was a first class racehorse who attained significant racing kudos as the equal highest rated 4yo in the world in 2002.

Successful at his only start as a juvenile, Golan (IRE) stamped his formidable presence as a three-year-old with wins in the Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) and the Group 2 Longchamp Prix Niel (2400m).

The Spectrum sire then followed this success in his four-year-old campaign with an additional Gr.1 win in the Ascot King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (2400m).

Interestingly, a number of notable placings dot the bay stallion’s race record, with the foremost of these coming at three when second in the Group 1 Epsom Derby (2400m), when third in the Group 1 Irish Derby (2400m), and when fourth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m).

Golan (IRE) will be represented by 14 weanlings at the NZB National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale this Sunday, with additional representation coming later in the three day sale thanks to the presence of an unraced three-year-old and from two broodmare prospects (click here to view progeny on offer).

Golan (IRE) commenced southern hemisphere stud duties at Windsor Park Stud at Cambridge, NZ in 2003 and will stand for NZ$12,000 plus GST in 2008.

2008 Service Fee Announced for Ishiguru (USA)
Due to popular demand Chequers Stud have announced a service fee of $10,000 (plus GST) for their resident Danzig sire Ishiguru (USA) this season.

Ishiguru (USA) will stand for $10,000 plus GST in 2008.

Ishiguru (USA), who has enjoyed full books in the last two years, commenced stud duties in New Zealand in 2004 and has so far been well represented with three winners from the 4 two-year-old’s to have hit the tracks locally this season.

Of these three winners, Ishiguru’s case has been best advanced by the Gr.3 placegetter I Robot (NZ) and the Listed level placegetter, Ishibabe (NZ).

Shuttling to Tween Hills Farm in the United Kingdom, Ishiguru (USA) counts the Gr.2 winner Hellvelyn and the Gr.3 winner She’s Our Mark as his leading northern hemisphere propositions.

Ishiguru was Danzig's most expensive yearling of 1999 when he was knocked down to leading bloodstock buyer Demi O'Byrne for $US1.15 million at the prestigious Keenland July sales.

Progeny by the Cambridge based sire have been well received in the sales arena, with offspring here selling for up to NZ$210,000 and averaging $84,600 (a figure nearly 17 times his initial service fee) at the recent Karaka yearling sales series.

To date, a half brother to the 2007 Hong Derby winner Vital King (NZ) has featured foremost of those yearlings sold, with the successful bidder on this occasion being the powerful Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Ishiguru fans will be afforded the opportunity to purchase 10 of his weanlings at this Sunday's New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock Sale (click here to view).

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Ishiguru (USA) was a top class sprinter, who made the best possible start to his career when debuting as a two-year-old for an 11 length win.

Ishiguru (USA) subsequently earned a form rating of 114 for this and went on to score Gr.3 success in the Miller Flying Stakes at Leopardstown as a three-year-old.

Johar Distinguished with Top Selling Colt at Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale
The former Highview Stud shuttle sire Johar (USA) (Gone West) was distinguished with the top selling colt at the recent Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale in England.

Presented by Willie Browne’s Mocklershill Stable, the striking colt achieved the second top billing at the sale, with the hammer falling at the hands of a 370,000 guineas (approx. NZ$937,202.60) bid from bloodstock agent Dick O’Gorman.

To obtain the colt O’Gorman, who also purchased the top selling Exceed and Excel filly for 470, 000 guineas (approx. NZ$1,190,501), had to see off the challengers of agent Jamie McCalmont, the Coolmore team of Michael Tabor and Paul Shanahan as well as Charlie Gordon-Watson, who had also been taken by the Johar colt.

Johar was a multiple Grade 1 winner who made history when winning the 2003 Breeders' Cup Turf in a deadheat with High Chaparral.

The handsome Gone West sire made 16 starts over his two year career in both the US and Japan, recording earnings of US$1,494,496 and equalling the international classification of 127 achieved by both Mineshaft and Falbrav.

He set two track records with his victories in the G.2 San Marcos H. and the G.2 Oak Tree Derby and was an Eclipse Award finalist in 2003. Johar is represented by four weanlings at the New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling, Broodmare and Mixed Bloodstock sale commencing this Sunday (click here to view progeny).

Thano (ARG) Joins Grangewilliam Stud
The Gr. 1 winning son of Southern Halo, Thano (ARG) (ex Di Machine by Digression) will take up stud duties at Grangewilliam Stud, in Wanganui, this season.

A Gr.1 winner at three, Thano (ARG) entered his name among Argentina's best middle distance horses by defeating a talented field in the Gr1 Gran Premio General San Martin (1800m) at Hipodromo Argentino de Palermo in Buenos Aires.

He was Gr.1 placed when third in the San Isidro Clasico Capital, fifth in the Gr.1 Palermo Estrellas Classic, and third in the Gr.2 Palermo Clasico Peru.

From the unraced Digression mare Di Machine, a three-quarter sister to Di Escorpion, a three-time Gr 1 winner in Argentina, Thano (ARG) is from the family of world champion galloper Invasor, who won 11 of his 12 starts, including six consecutive Gr I races, and over $US7.8 million.

Thano (ARG) will stand at Grangewilliam Stud at a fee of $5000 plus GST, alongside Brilliance (USA) (Thunder Gulch).

9/5/08 Supplementary Entries For Great Southern Sale
Next week's William Inglis Great Southern Sale has been boosted by the addition of three very attractive supplementary broodmare entries.

The stakes placed mares LEZAYRE (by Keltrice) and FOREST NATIVE (by Forest Wildcat) are both being offered in foal to Fastnet Rock, while the regally-related DANEHILL LASS (Danehill) is in foal to More Than Ready.

They are being offered by Luskin Park and will be sold on Monday, May 19 immediately after Lot 823.

Lezayre was multiple stakes placed and won 10 races. She is already proving a success at stud, with two winners already, including the multiple Hong Kong winner Plezayre.

Forest Native, a Listed runner-up at Santa Anita, is a grand-daughter of the great Storm Cat and is from the stakes winning Water Bank mare Miss Timebank.

Danehill Lass, a Sydney winner for Gai Waterhouse, is from the stakes placed Gone West mare Western Hour.

Her third dam is the wonderful producer Fanfreluche (by Northern Dancer), whose countless black type descendants include Australia's Champion Sires Flying Spur and Encosta De Lago.

Being by Danehill and in foal to More Than Ready, her foal will be bred on the same cross as More Than Ready's Group One winners Perfectly Ready and Benicio and along similar lines to this season's Champion two-year-old Sebring, who is from a grand daughter of Danehill, being out of a Flying Spur mare.

9/5/08 Castledale Weanlings Hold Extra Appeal at Karaka
New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling & Broodmare Sale this Sunday will see the launch of Te Runga Stud's "Castledale Challenge", an exciting competition where the owners of a first crop Castledale filly can battle for lucrative rewards.

The new initiative established by Te Runga Stud principal, Wayne Larsen, offers a valuable incentive to buy and race a Castledale filly, with the winner of the Castledale Challenge taking home a new Ford Car valued in excess of $34,000.

"The Castledale Challenge is a simple concept that adds real financial benefits to purchasing and racing a Castledale filly," said Te Runga studmaster Wayne Larsen. "They will be buying a daughter of a genuinely world class racehorse, and the buyer only has to select the best one to win a new Ford for the filly's owners."

The Castledale Challenge is held over the 2009/10 and 2010/11 racing seasons and points are awarded on a 10, 5, 3 and 1 basis for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and unplaced respectively, for every race in New Zealand and Australia. The filly that wins the most points by the end of her three-year-old racing season shall be declared the winner.

Qualification for the Castledale Challenge is simple: the Castledale filly is registered for the competition by her breeder and then must be sold through the ring at a New Zealand Bloodstock Sale. By selling, the Castledale filly is now fully qualified for the Castledale Challenge and at no cost to her new owners is fully eligible to win the Ford Car and other rewards.

In addition to the Ford car the new owners will receive free transport in New Zealand to the races courtesy of Majestic Horsefloats.

The Castledale Challenge also offers prizes of Dunstan Feed to the breeder and New Zealand based trainer every three months of the filly that collects the most points in that period, and the New Zealand trainer who collects the most points at the end of the Castledale Challenge will receive a substantial prize of Dunstan Feed. The breeder of the winning filly will also win a substantial travel package.

Castledale (IRE) was a highclass Group winner at two, a Group One Derby winner at three and a Group One winning miler at four. A son of Peintre Celebre, by the time of a career ending injury Castledale was ranked third by an international thoroughbred panel for the Breeder's Cup Turf Mile behind eventual 2005 Breeders Cup winner Artie Schiller.

The first four fillies who have been registered for the Castledale Challenge sell at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale this weekend:

Lot 50 Castledale-Classic Question
Lot 104 Castledale-Flounce
Lot 204 Castledale-Mirror Lake
Lot 382 Castledale-Amaretti
"The financial viability of racing a filly in New Zealand has never been better for at least thirty years in real terms," commented Larsen.

"The New Zealand Government introduced taxation adjustments two years ago and the Thoroughbred Code Body NZTR is really focused on returns to owners, so much so that in the last three years the net return to owners has increased a massive 82%. Te Runga Stud is now adding to that economic viability with the Castledale Challenge."

For further information visit www.terunga.co.nz

9/5/08 Ustinov to Millford Thoroughbreds

In a major coup for Victorian breeding, immaculately bred USTINOV will re-locate to Millford Thoroughbreds, Avenel,Victoria in 2008.

Standing in New Zealand since retiring from racing in 2003, Ustinov’s oldest runners are 3YOs and his return to Australia couldn’t be more timely.

With just 30 runners to raise the flag, Ustinov’s high flyers include the outstanding sprinter/miler, Antarctic Miss and Kiwi speedster Anna Bek, along with winners in Victoria, Queensland, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia.

Antarctic Miss rose to prominence at last year’s spring carnival with a victory in the MVRC Champagne Stakes-G3 (1200m) at Moonee Valley and followed up with a resounding third behind Serious Speed in the MRC Thousand Guineas-G1 at Caulfield.

The Anthony Cummings-trained and Patinack Farm-owned, Anna Bek, went close to adding some black type with Damien Oliver on board in the VRC PFD Stakes-LR (1100m) at Flemington in March and is a 3-time winner in New Zealand.

With the considerable potential his stock have shown on this side of the Tasman, owner Denis Marks determined to bring Ustinov to Australia and has entrusted his prize stallion with Millford Thoroughbreds.

It’s been a big fortnight for Millford! Principals Richard Kerry and Jarrod Byers have only just announced the formation of Millford Thoroughbreds, bringing to the operation a wealth of industry experience and a reputation for the highest level of professionalism.

“Securing Ustinov as Millford Thoroughbreds’ foundation stallion is a dream come true,” Richard Kerry enthused. “His 3YOs have really taken off and I reckon the crops coming through will follow suit.

“It’s not hard to see why Ustinov’s getting such good performers. A lot of people recall his victory in the AAMI Vase-G2 over 2040m at Moonee Valley (defeating Viking Ruler) but it should also be noted that this horse won over 1200m as a 2YO and ran second to Champion 2YO Viscount in the AJC Champagne Stakes-G1.
“At three he ran second in the Ascot Vale-G2 (now Group One), second in the Caulfield Guineas-G1 (behind Lonhro), won the AAMI, ran fourth in the VRC Derby-G1 and resumed in the autumn with a third behind Dash For Cash in the Cadbury Guineas-G1.

“Then, as an older horse he ran third behind Lonhro and Sunline in the Yalumba-G1. Ustinov had that wonderful early speed before furnishing into a magnificent type who could compete with the elite from a mile to a mile and a half.

“That’s a highly desirable attribute for a future stallion and he certainly has the breeding …”

A son of the Champion USA sire, Seeking The Gold, Ustinov is out of Let’s Elope, one of the finest mares to grace our racetracks in the past two decades. Seeking the Gold, a son of Mr Prospector, has enjoyed considerable success in this part of the world with Group One winner/Group One sire Secret Savings and has also produced 82 stakeswinners world wide.
As for Let’s Elope, she is best remembered as winner of the 1991 Melbourne Cup, but she also won 10 other races from 1400m to 2400m including the Caulfield Cup-G1, Australian Cup-G1 and Mackinnon Stakes-G1.USTINOV will stand this season at Millford Thoroughbreds at a fee of $8,800 inc. GST. Live foal guarantee.

For further information, phone Richard Kerry on 0458 962 350 or Jarrod Byers on 0458 962 351.

8/5/08 Inglis Autumn Yearling Sale Begins Sunday
The William Inglis Autumn Yearling Sale, the source of some of Australia's best value Group 1 winners in recent times, has a quality catalogue of 360 yearlings to be sold over two days, beginning this Sunday, May 11.

Pompeii Ruler, Lazer Sharp and Grand Journey – all Group 1 winners – have earned a combined $2.8million between them over the past few seasons, but each could have been purchased from the Autumn Yearling Sale for less than $20,000.

“Year after year this sale produces quality gallopers that were purchased well within the budgets of most owners,” Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.

“I have no doubt that will also ring true for graduates of this year's Autumn Yearling Sale.”

There is also extra incentive for buyers this year.

All graduates of this year's sale are eligible for a $100,000 2YO race to be run in Melbourne's autumn next year, restricted to graduates of this sale.

Furthermore, those paid up to run in that race are also eligible for William Inglis' $2.5million race series of Graduate only races and metropolitan, provincial and country bonuses throughout Victoria, ACT and NSW.

This year's catalogue features progeny by a good number of Australia's leading sires, including progeny of first season stallions like Danbird (7), Delzao (6), Denon (7), Elvstroem (3), Kempinsky (3) and Refuse To Bend (4).

The opening session begins on Sunday from 11am, with the second and concluding session beginning at the same time on Monday. The Great Southern Sale will follow on Thursday commencing with weanlings (May 15 & 16) and concluding with General Bloodstock on May 18 and 19.

8/5/08 Jealous Guy, New Winner for Rock

Rock of Gibraltar featured at Canterbury on Wednesday when his two year-old son Jealous Guy (2c Rock of Gibraltar x Broken Promise, by Brief Truce) took out the restricted juvenile event over 1100 metres at his second race start.

Improving off a first up sixth to Fravashi on a heavy track, a race that is looking to have very strong formlines, Jealous Guy travelled handy throughout and fought on tenaciously to win by a head for the Tim Martin stable.

Raced by a large group of owners, Jealous Guy was bought by Tim Martin for $260,000 from the Coolmore draft at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

He is the fifth foal of the imported Brief Truce mare Broken Promise, who comes from the