$230k Pentire Colt Tops Successful 2012 Select Sale

New Zealand Bloodstock's 2012 Select Sale concluded today at Karaka, with the Pentire colt at Lot 1096 providing a late highlight of the successful three-day Sale.
Out of the Zabeel mare Sunshine Gold, the colt from Haunui Farm was secured by Hawkes Racing, adding to the stable's total haul of seven yearlings bought from Karaka this week for $1.4 million.
Commenting on their sale-topper, Wayne Hawkes says they were initially attracted to the pedigree by a close relative that they had previously purchased at Karaka.
"We bought Luck of Smiling - the half-brother by Elusive City - for $40,000 as a yearling and he went up to Macau and he's about the fourth best horse up there.

Pentire colt Lot 1096 sold for $230,000

"Dad took one look at this colt and said we had to have him. He's a better sort than Luck of Smiling and he's by a proven sire in Pentire so we were sold.
"We like the Pentires - we bought the highest priced Pentire in New Zealand last year for $520,000, out of Platinum Blonde, and we really like the way he is coming along.
"We always love coming to New Zealand and buying those kiwi staying horses and are really happy with what was there this year."
Hawkes Racing, represented at Karaka by John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes, paid a top price of $420,000 for the Zabeel colt at Lot 152 of the Premier Sale. This contributed to the team ending up in the top five leading buyers for the week.
Pentire has provided three of the top five prices of the Select Sale. The other two were the $170,000 filly purchased by John White Bloodstock for his Australian client at Lot 724, and the $170,000 colt bought by Cranbourne trainer Robbie Laing at Lot 1120.
Currently third on the NZ Sires Premiership, the Rich Hill Stud resident sire was represented most recently by the Group 1 Thorndon Mile winner Say No More last Saturday, in addition to multiple Group 1 successes by former NZ Horse of the Year Mufhasa. Pentire completes the Select Sale as the third leading sire by average with 16 sold for an average of $79,219, behind Dubawi's average of $88,333 with just three lots in the Sale, and High Chaparral's eight at $87,750.
With 620 lots catalogued for the 2012 Select Sale across the past three days, the results have held up strongly to end up just ahead of last year's Sale. A total of 415 horses have sold for $19,114,500 (up from $19,107,000 for 418 sold in 2011) at an average of $46,059 (up from $45,711 in 2011) and a clearance of 74% (up from 73% in 2011).
New Zealand Bloodstock Co-Managing Director Petrea Vela is pleased with how figures have held up against last year.
"After a particularly strong session yesterday (Thursday) we were prepared for today to be a quieter day but to have exceeded last year's aggregate and average while maintaining a stronger clearance rate is a great result. Selling felt solid right throughout the three days with a good number of international buyers staying on to compete with the locals.
"Overall I think we can be very satisfied with how the week has gone given the current climate. I hope we can carry some of that momentum into our final day on Sunday."
The leading buyer for the Select Sale is John Chalmers Bloodstock from Western Australia with eight purchases for $570,500, including his sole purchase today of Lot 1034, the Falkirk colt bought for $35,000. Chalmers also purchased 13 yearlings from the Premier Sale earlier in the week to bring his tally to 21 yearlings for $2,930,500 at an average of $139,584 including a top price of $400,000 paid for the High Chaparral colt at Lot 69.
Just behind him on the buyers list was New Zealand trainer Trent Busuttin who is enjoying a surge in support following his successful season with Group 1 VRC Derby winner Sangster. He purchased a total of 11 yearlings at this session for $550,000 at an average of $50,000, including a top price of $115,000 paid for the colt by Thorn Park at Lot 543.
Rich Hill Stud's freshman sire, Sir Percy (Mark of Esteem), is the leading first season sire of the Select Sale with eight entries sold for an average of $49,625. At $120,000 today's Lot 963 was the top price of the Sale for the Group 1 English Derby winner. Queensland agent John Foote paid the top price of the week for Sir Percy's progeny when Lot 458 of the Premier Sale was knocked down to him for $150,000.
Heading the vendor tables by average for the Select Sale has been Mark & Shelley Treweek's Lyndhurst Farm who sold yesterday's $200,000 Dubawi colt at Lot 912. In total the stud has sold nine entries for an average of $79,056.
With 25 horses sold, including the top lot, Haunui Farm is the leading vendor by aggregate at this session with turnover of $1,477,000 at an average of $59,080.
Selling will resume at Karaka on Sunday (at 10am) with the one-day Festival Sale, the sixth and final day of the 2012 National Yearling Sales Series.

2012 Select Yearling Sale Statistics

Top Lots

Leading Purchasers by Aggregate

Leading Vendors by Aggregate

Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold)

Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold)

Leading First Season Sires by Average (two or more sold)

Henny Hughes moves into gear

Lil Red Corvette becomes the second Australian winner for her record-breaking sire

Henny Hughes two-year-old filly Lil Red Corvette returned to racing to claim the Swift Signs Handicap under the lights at Moonee Valley over 1000m on 3 February.

Lil Red Corvette was Stakes-placed at her first start in the spring and now joins fellow winner, colt Bertie's Bell, as the flag bearers for their sire.

Bred by Contract Racing and out of the Testa Rossa mare Speedy Rossa, the speedy filly was made to work all the way to the line winning by the barest of margins but looks to have a bright future ahead of her.

G1 winning sprinter Henny Hughes is the sire of nine Stakes horses from his first two crops of runners in the northern hemisphere which includes the three-year-olds such as the G3 winner Henny Hound and Stakes winner Fort Hughes and Midnight Visit, while his two-year-old crop include G3 winner She Digs Me and Stakes horses My Due Process, Swift Artist and Play Eighteen.

Henny Hughes has five yearlings entered for the upcoming Inglis Premier sale of which will no doubt create a lot of interest when they go through the ring off the back of his latest success. Bertie’s Bell runs in the Listed Elwick Stakes for two-year-olds on Sunday 5 February.

3/2/2012 Roaming Gloaming heads Victorian sale trifecta
Story by Brian Russell

Accepting that Black Caviar, now unbeaten in her seventeen outings following her success at Moonee Valley last Friday night, is qualified and is heading in due course for listing in the Hall of Fame, she is the third leg of a trifecta of giants of Australian racing who were bred in Victoria and offered at their yearling sales.

The earlier two legs were provided by the roaming Gloaming, a1915 born foal produced on a cross of two imports, the Flying Fox sire The Welkin and the Eager mare Light, who challenges as the greatest ever bred Australian racehorse, and the Tommy Smith trained hero of the 1980s, Kingston Town. Both have niches in the Hall of Fame.

Bred by E.E.D. Clarke at his Melton Stud at Melton, a short distance west of Melbourne, sold to New Zealand for 230 guineas ($483) at the Melbourne sales and raced in both countries, Gloaming was eulogised 70 years ago by the Keeper of The Stud Book W.J. McFadden in his book The Australasian Racehorse as undoubtedly one of the greatest racehorses up to a mile and a quarter ever foaled, ‘and his incomparable record has earned for him and undying place in the traditions of the sport,’ he wrote.

Shipped fifteen times across the Tasman and raced from three to nine years, the gelded Gloaming finished only twice out of the first two in his 67 starts, the lapses being a third and when he fell at the start of his sixteenth and final appearance at three. It was a year in which he won 13 races, including the Chelmsford at Randwick on debut, the AJC and New Zealand Derby’s, and twice defeated New Zealand wonder galloper Desert Gold.

All told Gloaming won a massive 57 races (nine in Australia) at high level, ranging from four furlongs – once in Australasian record time – to a mile and a half, and strung together a sequence of 19 wins (one in Australia). If it had not been for the fall and two seconds, he would have succeeded in 34 in succession.

As it is, his 19 successive wins is a shared standing Australasian record for first class racing. The co-holder is one of his early rivals, three years older Desert Gold. A mare by the New Zealand importation All Black and from one got at the Widden stud by one of their early great sires, Maltster, Desert Gold strung together her successive 19 wins from two to four. She went on to win 36 of 59 starts, including important weight-for-age races in New Zealand and Australia.

Widden Stud also had an input into the breeding of Kingston Town as he was by another of their champion sires, Bletchingly. Also a gelding, Kingston Town was bred by Melbourne businessman David Hains using a mare he picked up in Italy.

 Fortuitously, Hains could not get $8,000 for the horse who was to become the superstar Kingston Town when he presented him at the Melbourne sales, so he raced him, kicking off a golden era of his involvement in breeding and racing. 

Kingston Town’s best winning sequence was11, but during his 41 start career, he won 30 races, placed in seven others and became the first in Australia to earn a million dollars. He won at Group1 level on 14 occasions, including three Cox Plates, two each George Main Stakes and Caulfield Stakes and appearances in the AJC Derby, Queensland Derby and Sydney Cup. He was beaten a neck when second in the 1982 Melbourne Cup.

Coincidentally, the Widden stud sires also have had an input into the breeding of Black Caviar, the newest of the trifecta of superstars. A 4-year-old daughter of Bel Esprit, a Royal Academy leading 2-year-old and a champion at three located at Eliza Park, Kerrie, Victoria, her pedigree includes a double of Victorian bred Vain, a champion Widden sire, and her grand dam is by Snippets. He was by another Widden sire in the imported Lunchtime.

Also, Black Caviar’s grand dam Song of Norway was another horse bred by David Hains.

Now with 17 wins on the board, all at 1200m or less and comprised by 14 outings in Melbourne, two in Brisbane, one in Sydney and seven Group1s and earner of $4,459,050, Black Caviar is the first unbeaten winner at first grade of that many races in Australian history.

If she wins her next two starts, as confidently expected, she will knock another icon off his perch as the holder of the longest sequence of wins in Australian racing.  Always a star but suffering defeats at two and three, the Widden stud produced Ajax (by Australian champion Heroic) was going for his 19th successive win when he got rolled at 40-1 on in a three horse race at Rosehill. Through his 46-start career, he won 36 races (about a dozen Group1s) and was runner up on seven occasions.

Three Victorians studs get joy out of the glory of Black Caviar, namely Eliza Park, the home of Bel Esprit and the breeder of Black Caviar’s dam; Rick Jamieson, the mare’s breeder and owner of Gilgai Farm, Nagambie, Victoria; and Adam Sangster’s Swettenham stud, also at Nagambie. Swettenham sold Black Caviar at the Inglis Melbourne yearling sales in 2008 for $210,000 to Moody Racing. Peter Moody trains her at Caulfield for eight thrilled owners.

 Eliza Park has a massive 64 yearlings, including a selection by Bel Esprit and their young sire Magnus, a close relation by Flying Spur to Black Caviar, in the 790 lot catalogue for the 2012 Melbourne yearling sale February 27 to March 1. Swettenham will also be strongly represented, listing 29 lots, including representatives of their resident Group1 imports Soldier’s Tale and Host and several by Bel Esprit, and Gilgai supplies 13 of the 28 lots representing Tony Santic’s Victorian located Makybe Stud farm.

3/2/2012 $200,000 Pair Top Strong Second Day of Select Sale

A solid pace continued on day two of New Zealand Bloodstock's Select Sale today at Karaka, with figures holding up strongly against last year's successful edition.
The highlight of the day came with two yearlings being secured for $200,000 apiece.
The first came when the No Excuse Needed filly at Lot 901was purchased by in-form Palmerston North trainer Lisa Latta. From the five-time winning O'Reilly mare Miracle Miss, the filly was offered by Waikato Stud, home of both No Excuse Needed and O'Reilly.

Lot 901 with Lisa Latta, Naude Adeleine, Brent Taylor & Mark Chittick

"I loved her right from the first minute," commented a delighted Latta. "I looked at both Premier and Select and while we did miss out on a few fillies in the Premier Sale I thought she was the pick of the Select fillies and am very happy to have got her.
"I have nominated her for the Karaka Million, however she was selected on pedigree and residual value so that is not a priority.
"The nice horses are reaching their value but I am happy with the way the Sale has gone for me so far and I will be back again tomorrow."
A short while later the top price was matched by the sole Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) colt in the Select Sale, from the Danasinga mare Mlada offered by Lyndhurst Farm and bought by Willie Leung's Magus Equine (Hong Kong).
"Dubawi is doing so well in Hong Kong, Europe and the southern hemisphere which is why we wanted to get one," commented Leung.
"This is probably the last Dubawi crop in the southern hemisphere and this colt looks good, strong and athletic and is from a good family so we were prepared to pay a bit more.
"This year we looked for quality horses which is why I have purchased the horses I have so far. We will be back here tomorrow as there are a few more that we want."
The second top price of the day was hit three times, with two colts and a filly fetching $160,000 each.
The early highlight came at Lot 785 with the O'Reilly filly from Stravinsky mare Holiday in Goa being knocked down to New Zealand trainer Roger James.
Currently sitting second on the NZ Sires Table, O'Reilly's most recent black type success came with a sizzling win by two-year-old Pussy Willow in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes less than a fortnight ago. Prior to that was a similar dazzling display by Roger James' exciting filly Silent Achiever in the Group 2 Championship Stakes on New Year's Day. Silent Achiever - who lines up in the Group 3 Waikato Guineas on Saturday - is raced by Kevin Hickman of Valachi Downs, who will be adding this new filly to his racing string.

Dubawi colt Lot 912 sold for $200,000

"Roger found the filly and he thought she was a stunning type so we went for her," commented Hickman after their purchase.
Later in the Sale the price was matched by the Darci Brahma colt at Lot 840. Offered by Phoenix Park, the colt from six-time winning Stravinsky mare Lady Classique was secured by Andy Williams' Worldwide Bloodstock.
The third came at Lot 910 with The Oaks Stud's colt by their first season sire Sakhee's Secret bought by Aquanita Racing, Victoria. This sale contributed to Dick Karreman's The Oaks Stud ending the day as the leading Select Sale vendor thus far, with 18 entries sold for $922,000 at an average of $51,222.
With the average price $44,690 after two days of the three-day Select session, at a clearance rate of 77%, the figures are stacking up well against last year which saw a final Select Sale average of $45,711 and a clearance rate of 73%. The aggregate is currently $13,049,500 with 206 lots remaining to be offered tomorrow.
The leading buyer for the day has been Paul Moroney Bloodstock with seven purchases, including a top price of $80,000 paid for the Don Eduardo colt at Lot 813. Moroney has made eight purchases in total at the Select Sale so far in addition to four purchases at the Premier Sale earlier in the week.
The leading buyer over the past two days is John Chalmers Bloodstock of Western Australia, with seven purchases for $535,500 including yesterday's $160,000 Any Suggestion colt at Lot 576. Chalmers also bought 12 yearlings at the Premier Sale.
With one of the top prices of the Sale, Dubawi heads the sires table by average with his three entries all sold for an average of $88,333.
Selling continues tomorrow on the third and final day of the 2012 Karaka Select Sale, starting with Lot 931 at 11am. With a break from selling on Saturday, the Sales Series will resume at Karaka on Sunday with the one-day Festival Sale from 10am.

2012 Select Yearling Sale Day 1 & 2 Statistics

Top Lots

Leading Purchasers by Aggregate

Leading Vendors by Aggregate

Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold)

Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold)

3/2/2012 110,000 Guineas Top Price At Tattersalls February Sale The Tattersalls February Sale saw an increase in turnover as the Sir Mark Prescott trained APPEAL topped proceeding’s at 110,000 guineas. A total of 179 lots were sold for 1,641,100 guineas, at an average of 9,168 guineas and a median of 3,500 guineas. The top lot for the day was the four-year-old SELKIRK filly APPEAL who was consigned from Sir Mark Prescott’s Heath House Stables on behalf of Prince Faisal Salman’s Denford Stud. The daughter of the LINAMIX mare AMENIXA is a half-sister to the Group 2 winner ZINZIBERINE and attracted a plethora of interested bidders which included Richard Kent, Tom Goff, Michael Donohoe and Anthony Stroud but it was Charlie Gordon-Watson who eventually secured her at the expense of Paddy Twomey. "She's been bought for an existing client, but for a new partnership," said Gordon-Watson. "She's going back to Sir Mark, and as she is currently in such good form we might as well take advantage of that and try for a bit of black-type. She will be covered later this spring." "I am pleased she is coming back to me, and pleased with the price!" added Sir Mark whose Heath House Stables offered the filly. Lot 167: Appeal (IRE)   Earlier in the day Ed Dunlop secured the SHIROCCO filly TAMEEN for 80,000 guineas after he saw off the efforts of Tweenhills’ David Redvers. The daughter of the NASHWAN mare NAJAH, a champion three-year-old filly in Italy, was rated 100 on the Flat, and is the winner of three races when under the care of John Dunlop. "I obviously know the family well through my father," said Dunlop. "She was fourth in a Listed race last year and she will come into training with me. If she progresses from three to four, she has chances of picking up some proper black-type." That family, trained by Dunlop snr, includes TAMEEN's grand-dam MEHTHAAF, the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner and champion three-year-old filly of 1994, while under the third dam is the champion sprinter and sire, ELNADIM. Lot 67: Tameen (GB) Any draft from Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms’ attracts plenty of interest and it was no different with the 22 strong consignment here which grossed 305,100 guineas. The top lot was the winning four-year-old KING’S BEST filly TUSCANIA who was knocked down to Justin Wadham on behalf of Victoria and Anthony Pakenham, owners of the Derby winner SIR PERCY. The daughter of the DANZIG mare CONTIGUOUS is a half-sister to the Group winner CONFRONT and hails from the family of ELMAAMUL, REAMS OF VERSE, ZACINTO and MIDDAY and she looks destined to visit the Derby winner at his Lanwades Stud base. "TUSCANIA will race again," said Lucy Wadham, "and she might be covered this spring, it is an option, but I suspect she will not be covered until 2013. SIR PERCY is busy enough already this year!" Lot 186: Tuscania (GB) At the conclusion of the 2012 Tattersalls February Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented; “The Tattersalls February Sale has been a popular fixture since its inception in 2000 and this year’s renewal has, as ever, attracted an international cast of buyers with a myriad of different requirements. It may not have been a vintage February catalogue but the feature of today’s sale has been the demand for the better quality lots, in particular those from the major owner/breeders who continue to support this and other mixed sales at Tattersalls with high class commercial consignments. “While the clearance rate has not matched the record levels of last year’s February Sale it is the second highest since 2007 and the key indicators of average, median and turnover have all held up well. In addition, we have sold horses to countries as diverse as Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Kuwait, Libya and Qatar as well as all the traditional European markets, which is a tribute to the continued high regard in which mixed sales at Tattersalls are held.” Click here to go to the Tattersalls website

2/2/2012 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale Catalogue Online

The 96th annual Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale catalogue, featuring 579 of Australasia’s finest bred and conformed yearlings entered for sale, is now available online at www.inglis.com.au
The 2012 Easter Sale will be held at Inglis’ Newmarket Complex in Sydney from April 10 to 12, between the Australian Turf Club’s Golden Slipper and Derby weekends.
Representing the cream of the thoroughbred yearling crop from Australia and New Zealand’s leading breeders, the depth of pedigree and strictness of conformation selection criteria is unsurpassed at any other southern hemisphere sale.
Yearlings purchased at Easter set the benchmark on the track and at stud.
Leading sires Fastnet Rock, Encosta de Lago, Flying Spur and Exceed And Excel all went through Easter, as did recent well-performed blue-blooded retirees Wanted, Von Costa de Hero, Beneteau and Onemorenomore plus current star racetrack entires Musir and Foxwedge.
Absolutely and Mosheen are prime examples of the quality fillies offered at Easter, winning the ATC Australian Oaks and VRC Oaks respectively last year. Easter fillies have won six of the last eight runnings of the VRC Oaks at Flemington.
Easter also has a strong affinity with Group One juvenile events, something recent city winners Raceway, De Shamekh and Jade Marauder will be hoping to add to later this season.
“Easter is the benchmark sale for this part of the world and again our bloodstock staff have worked tirelessly for the last four months pulling together a spectacular selection of yearlings for this year’s renewal”, said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.
The 2012 Easter catalogue features 45 yearlings who are siblings to Group One winners, including the three highest ever internationally rated Australian trained gallopers in Black Caviar, So You Think and Makybe Diva.
There are also 39 lots from Group One winning dams including Miss Finland, Tuesday Joy, Sun Classique and Gold Edition.
Australia’s current leading sire Fastnet Rock is the most represented in the showcase sale, with 50 yearlings catalogued, including full siblings to Foxwedge and Irish Lights.
Coolmore Stud barnmate Encosta de Lago will be represented by 47 yearlings at Easter, including a filly from Gai Waterhouse’s exciting juvenile Amelia’s Dream, a colt from Private Steer, a half-brother to Sebring and full-brother to Racing To Win.
Redoute’s Choice has 43 yearlings entered, including siblings to Black Caviar, Starspangledbanner, Virage de Fortune and Samantha Miss. The dual Champion Sire is also represented by progeny of Group One winners Carry On Cutie, Ike's Dream, Ellicorsam and Star Satire.
More Than Ready has 30 yearlings catalogued, while Champion Sires Lonhro and Flying Spur have 30 and 20 respectively.
Other stallions with double figure drafts include Bernardini, High Chaparral, Street Cry, Exceed And Excel, Choisir, Street Sense, Charge Forward, Red Ransom, Stratum, Tale Of The Cat and Zabeel.
Widden Stud residents Sebring and Northern Meteor head the first season sires list with 39 and 20 yearlings catalogued respectively.
“Again session one is without peer and session two will no doubt unearth more bargain Easter buys like dual Group One winner Response”, Inglis Director Jonathan D’Arcy said.
“From $50,000 upwards you can buy a beautifully bred yearling at this year’s Easter sale with outstanding credentials to make it on the racetrack”, D’Arcy added.
The 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale catalogue is now available online HERE . Printed catalogues will be mailed next week.

2/2/2012 Pentire Filly Lights Up Select Sale Opening Session

It was a solid day's trade at the opening session of New Zealand Bloodstock's three-day Select Sale today at Karaka, highlighted by the $170,000 Pentire filly presented as the second to last lot of the day.
Offered by Mark & Denny Baker's Hallmark Stud, the filly from Redoute's Choice mare Eyes Light Up at Lot 724 was secured by John White Bloodstock.

"She was just a real smart filly, purchased for Bevan Laming in Queensland. He bought two fillies in the Sale, the one earlier in the day was Lot 526.
"He'll think about it over the next few days whether he sends them to his Brisbane or Melbourne stable."
Before the Pentire filly's late run for top spot, the top price for most of the day was $160,000 paid for Lots 576 and 665.
The first came at Lot 576, when the colt by freshman sire Any Suggestion (Lion Hunter) was knocked down to the bid of Western Australia trainer Wally Mitchell. With Any Suggestion claiming Sunday night's Karaka Million winner, Ockham's Razor, Mitchell identified this colt as an ideal prospect for next year's $1 million incentive race.
"We bought him mainly for the Karaka Million and we will be aiming for that. He will stay with Murray Baker in preparation for the big race. We nearly made the field this year with Testimonial Mac and we are keen to have another go at it.
"He had a strength that drew me to him, I owned Placid Ark who was Horse of the Year and he reminded me a lot of him with a similar build through the shoulder.
"We were also the under-bidder on the three-quarter brother to So You Think and we were disappointed to not get him as we got to $775,000. We ended up purchasing Lot 69 by High Chaparral, the three-quarter brother to Monaco Consul (Lot 69), and overall we are very happy with what we've got at Karaka."
Later in the Sale Lot 665 shared the top spot when knocked down to South African agent Andy Williams' Worldwide Bloodstock. The colt by Towkay, offered by Little Avondale Stud, is from the Dance Floor mare Dancing Daze.
With the first of the 164 Select Sale entries being presented for sale today, 146 have sold for $6,684,750 at an average of $45,786, at a clearance rate of 76%.
New Zealand Bloodstock Co-Managing Director Petrea Vela is very pleased with how the session has started.
"It's been a good strong start to the Select Sale with lots of Australian and Asian buyers still here from the Premier Sale and a few more that have arrived particularly for this session. Also the local buyers are out there competing which is encouraging for the few days ahead. Our clearance rate is holding up very well which is pleasing and our figures are in line with last year so if we could maintain that momentum for the next two days it will be a good result."
With Lot 576 reflected in the buyers sheets under the John Chalmers Bloodstock banner, it is Chalmers who is currently the leading Select Sale buyer with four bought for $347,500 at an average of $86,875. Chalmers also secured 11 yearlings at the Premier Sale.
Also with four purchases so far is local buyer Trent Busuttin, the trainer of VRC Derby winner Sangster and recent Group 2 winner Six O'Clock News. Today he paid a top price of $115,000 for the Thorn Park colt at Lot 543.
"This is the first year I've walked on to Karaka with buying orders from owners and it has meant a lot of hard work from all our staff," commented Busuttin earlier in the week.
"I believe the biggest risk you can take as a trainer is taking no risk and that's the reason why I'm taking so much time to inspect a lot of yearlings as I want to buy quality horses to strengthen the depth of our stable."
Standing both Pentire and Any Suggestion, John & Colleen Thompson's Rich Hill Stud is having a strong hand at the Select Sale so far, with Pentire the leading sire of the session and the stud currently the leading vendor by aggregate.
Sam & Catriona Williams' Little Avondale Stud is heading the vendors list by average with five sold for $372,000 at an average of $74,400. Both Studs have a number of entries still to be offered tomorrow and Friday.
Selling will resume tomorrow from 11am, with Lots 726 to 930. The final day of the Select Sale will continue on Friday with Lots 931 to 1136.

2012 Select Sale Day One Statistics

Top Lots

Leading Purchasers by Aggregate

Leading Vendors by Aggregate

Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold)

Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold)

1/2/2012 Melbourne Select Racehorse Sale catalogue online

The catalogue for the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Select Racehorse Sale to be held on Friday March 2 at Oaklands is now online.
Following on from the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, the Select Racehorse Sale features 110 gallopers including the annual reduction for Hudson Conway Racing plus drafts from Darley, Wadham Park, Contract Racing, Makybe and Eales Racing.
Click HERE to view the online catalogue.
Proven gallopers set to be offered include stakes winners C’Est La Guerre, Muir, Niblick and Vesper, stakes placed Base, Boland and Stillman, plus multiple city performers and a number of young unraced prospects by top sires such as Zabeel and Encosta de Lago.
“The Melbourne Select Racehorse Sale is an excellent opportunity for buyers to acquire ready-made racehorses at an ideal time of the year”, Inglis Director Peter Heagney said.
The Inglis Melbourne Select Racehorse Sale will be broadcast on Inglis Sale Day live, with selling to commence at 1pm on Friday March 2.
Online Bidding and Make-An-Offer services are available for those buyers unable to attend the select sale at the Oaklands complex.

1/2/2012 $1.75m Colt Rocks Karaka Premier Sale

It was a new day in every way on the second day of New Zealand Bloodstock's Karaka Premier Sale today, with a renewed vigour ringside as the broad buying international bench stepped up a gear to compete for the remaining Premier Sale lots on offer.
The headline act came early in the afternoon, when the highly-anticipated colt by Fastnet Rock from Nureyev's Girl (Nureyev) at Lot 353, a half-brother to Group 1 winner King's Rose (Redoute's Choice), was knocked down to David Ellis for $1,750,000.
With vendor Sir Patrick Hogan tipping this colt to be the star of the show before selling started at Karaka this week, there were high expectations for his salering appearance, and spectators weren't disappointed, with a heated bidding duel between underbidders Coolmore Stud and leading New Zealand buyer, David Ellis of Te Akau Stud.

The sixth seven-figure yearling ever bought by Ellis at Karaka, he admits he paid more than he expected he would.
"I did expect a high price for this colt, and I thought I would get him for about $1.5 million, but the others went beyond that.
"I wanted to secure him for the New Zealand racing and breeding industry, it is essential that we retain horses like this in New Zealand. He is an outstanding individual and the fact that he's by such a great sire out of a Nureyev mare gives him the potential to win Group 1 races.
"He is already 90% sold with the remaining 10% to be sold this week and I don't anticipate that will be very difficult to do.
"He will be trained by Jason Bridgman with a racing campaign intended to maximise his stud potential. If he's as good as his sister we will be very happy."
David Ellis becomes the leading buyer of the Premier Sale with 27 yearlings bought for $6,262,500 at an average of $231,944. The leading New Zealand buyer at Karaka for the last seven years, Ellis increased his spend significantly on last year where he bought 25 Premier Sale yearlings for $4,433,500.
"I think it has been a very successful Sale with terrific competition on the real athletes. We found it difficult to buy the good horses and think it has been a very successful two days," commented Ellis.
"To achieve that in a recession reflects very highly on the New Zealand industry. New Zealand Bloodstock, in my opinion, can take great heart that even in very difficult economic times horses have still sold well to a huge international buying bench."
The Hong Kong Jockey Club - represented at Karaka by Mark Richards - was once again very active, buying 12 yearlings for $2,655,000 to become the second leading buyer of the Sale. The HKJC paid a top price of $350,000 for two colts, one by Encosta de Lago (Lot 66) and one by Thorn Park (Lot 432). Their purchases are destined for the Club's International Sales next season.
Particularly active was the vast Australian buying bench, with the likes of Gai Waterhouse & James Harron, John Chalmers, Bart Cummings, Duncan Ramage, Hawkes Racing and John O'Shea all filling spots on the top 10 leading buyers' list. Not far away were fellow Australians Mark Kavanagh and Segenhoe Thoroughbreds, adding to a total spend by the Australian buyers of $26.6m so far.
New Zealand agents Mulcaster Bloodstock, buying for Australian clients, and Michael Wallace, buying with Michael Freedman for Singapore, were amongst the few active local buyers in the top 20, and contributed to a total domestic spend of $13.6m.
With a much stronger day's trade, at the conclusion of the two-day Premier Sale 350 yearlings have sold for $54,137,000 at an average of $154,677 and clearance of 74%. The median for the two-day session is $120,000.
New Zealand Bloodstock Co-Managing Director Petrea Vela said there were some heartening results from the day.
"We were very pleased to see the market strengthen from yesterday, with a number of the better pedigreed horses coming through the ring today. We have been thrilled with the buyer turnout at Karaka and there was plenty of good competition on the appealing lots.
"It's disappointing not to have been able to get the clearance rate up a bit higher but hopefully over the course of the next couple of days there'll be more sales completed from this session."
With a $1.75m colt it is no surprise that Fastnet Rock tops the sires table for the Premier Sale with eight sold for an average of $422,500.
The leading New Zealand-based sire was Zabeel with 21 sold for an average of $233,810 and a top price of $600,000 paid by Ger Beemsterboer of The Netherlands for the filly from La Quinta Gold at Lot 281. Beemsterboer has already enjoyed success in New Zealand with his Group 1 winning Fastnet Rock filly Planet Rock.
With a host of freshman sires making their yearling sale debut this season, the leading first season sire is Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Sebring, with six yearlings sold at an average of $155,000. This included a top price of $260,000 for Lot 290 bought by Hawkes Racing.
For the 31st year in a row Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud becomes the leading vendor by aggregate, with 43 yearlings sold for $10,820,000 at an average of $251, 628.
Mark and Shelley Treweek's Lyndhurst Farm, with 12 entries in the Premier Sale, was the leading vendor by average with nine sold for $2,385,000 at an average of $265,000. That included a top price of $650,000 paid yesterday by Willie Leung for the High Chaparral colt at Lot 130.
The second top price of the day was $800,000 paid early in proceedings for the High Chaparral colt from La Souvenir at Lot 284, the three-quarter brother to So You Think. It was also snapped up by leading Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung, for his Hong Kong client Mr P So.
"I had two clients looking for top stayers and I think this lot and yesterday's High Chaparral that I bought were the best High Chaparrals in the Sale.
"I am very lucky to have two clients looking for that type of horse and that I was able to get them what they wanted.
"Overall the quality of the Sale was good and this year there were more horses suitable for Hong Kong which is why there are more Hong Kong buyers here at the Sale this year."
Selling continues tomorrow at Karaka with the first day of the three-day Select Sale - Lots 517 to 725 - commencing at 11am. The session will be streamed live online at http://www.nzb.co.nz/. For passed lots from the Karaka Premier Sale click here.

2012 Premier Yearling Sale Statistics

Top Lots

Leading Purchasers by Aggregate

Leading Vendors by Aggregate

Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold)

Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold)

Leading First Season Sires by Average (three or more sold)

31/1/2012 Stravinsky Filly Stars on Day One at Karaka

A mixed day's trade at the opening session of New Zealand Bloodstock's 86th National Yearling Sales Series today was highlighted by the fourth to last lot of the day - the $740,000 Stravinsky filly bought by leading New Zealand buyer David Ellis of Te Akau Stud at Lot 256.
The filly from Cambridge Stud was out of Magic of Sydney mare Jesmond's Gift, an unraced half-sister to Canny Lad and Canny Lass.
"She is a beautiful filly with a lovely outlook and a lot of class and we are thrilled to be training her," commented Ellis on his purchase. "You have got to be prepared to pay for the best fillies and we were prepared to do that today.

Stravinsky filly Lot 256 topped Day 1 of NZB's Premier Sale

"She was a bought for a very good client who has had many fillies with Te Akau over the past 20 years.
"Stravinsky is a very good international sire of fillies and we are going to aim her for the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series, which Te Akau has a great record with having won four of the last six titles."
David Ellis was the leading buyer of the day with 14 purchased for $2,402,500 at an average of $171,607. His second top price was $200,000 paid for Lot 46, the Danehill Dancer colt from Thunder Gulch mare Anatomy - a half-sister to Saturday's Group 2 Wellington Cup winner Six O'Clock News (Zabeel) - offered by Pencarrow Stud.
Cambridge Stud sire Stravinsky - the sire of 8 Group 1 winners worldwide, 5 in Australasia - sits in second place on the leading sires table for the day, with six yearlings sold for an average of $252,500. Heading him off for the top spot was Coolmore Stud sire Encosta de Lago, with three sold at an average of $280,000, with a top price of $350,000 paid for Lot 66.
For much of the day it was a pair of yearlings by High Chaparral that were sharing the limelight, with the colt and filly fetching $650,000 apiece.
The first came at Lot 130, when the Lyndhurst Park colt from Creil (Frenchpark) was knocked down to the bid of Hong Kong agent Willie Leung for Hong Kong owner Mr WK Lee.
"We thought he was the best High Chaparral in the Sale and we were very keen to get him. Mr Lee wants a tough stayer and has been looking for a long time for a horse like this," commented Leung.
"We paid a premium to get him but in order to get such a quality horse that is sometimes necessary.
"The horse will remain in New Zealand for at least 18 months for training and we will race him here in New Zealand before deciding whether he is good enough to send to Hong Kong."
Less than an hour later the filly from the five-time winning Danehill mare Diamond Like was snapped up by Gai Waterhouse & James Harron Bloodstock shortly after the filly was passed through the ring.
A half-sister to the $2 million 2010 Karaka sale-topper, the filly was offered by Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud.
High Chaparral is the most represented of any sire at the 2012 Premier Sale, with 35 yearlings entered from his last New Zealand conceived crop. So far today 25 have sold for an average of $200,800.
With a huge international buying bench turned out at Karaka, competition was tough on selected lots, but in a similar trend to many sales of late, buyers were being selective. By the close of play, 170 lots had sold for $24,817,500, at an average of $145,985 and clearance of 70%.
New Zealand Bloodstock Co-Managing Director Andrew Seabrook says while the market has taken its time to heat up today, NZB anticipates a stronger day tomorrow.
"There is no lack of firepower to the buying bench with good horses attracting plenty of competition, but the market is taking a bit of time to settle into a steady pace. Many buyers are taking a wait and see approach, and from what I'm told, several leading buyers have their favourite horses in tomorrow. Like Magic Millions, which picked up significantly on the second day, we would expect to see improvement here tomorrow."
With two of the day's top prices, the leading vendor by aggregate was Sir Patrick Hogan's Cambridge Stud with 19 yearlings sold for $4,517,500 at an average of $237,763. The leading vendor by average so far is Mark & Shelley Treweek's Lyndhurst Farm with four yearlings sold for an average of $377,500.
The Premier Sale continues tomorrow at Karaka with Lots 217 to 516 from 10am. This will be followed by the three-day Select Sale from Wednesday at 11am. All days will be streamed live online at http://www.nzb.co.nz/.
For a list of today's Passed Lots click here.

2012 Premier Sale Day Statistics Day 1

2012 Premier Sale Day 1 Top Lots

Leading Purchasers by Aggregate

Leading Vendors by Aggregate

Leading Vendors by Average (three or more sold)

Leading Sires by Average (three or more sold)

30/1/2012 Danerich's start to front up

After a slow start as 2 year olds, Danerich’s first crop, now approaching autumn 3 year olds, are starting to live up to their promise.

In the past week, no less than 4 winners have greeted the judge.

Elwick Jack winning his first start at Mornington.  Heaven’s Riches soft win over 1750 metres at Sale.  Californian Girl’s win over 1100 metres in Singapore, and Great Dame’s runaway win at Sandown in class record time.

Placings during the week to first starter Flying Skipper, also Rich Pride, She’s Precious, Peninsula Dane and Bold Bid.

Great Dame, who recorded her 2nd win from 3 starts showed it was no fluke, when winning by 8 lengths at Stony Creek. 

She then followed up with a 3.3 length win at Sandown running the opposition of their feet to win in class record time.

Heaven’s Riches soft win at Sale points that the South Australian Derby could be a likely target.

Soon to grace the track is the undefeated hat trick winner in Didntcostalot, who is ready to resume shortly.

30/1/2012 Bels 8 in 5

For all the copy generated by Black Caviar’s romp at Moonee Valley on Friday night – and doesn’t she deserve every bit! – it’s worth pointing out that she is just one of eight winners by Bel Esprit in the past 5 days. Kicking off with a win at Geelong last Wednesday, Victoria’s Champion Sire produced a double on Thursday, another double on Friday (almost a Moonee Valley treble), a winner on Saturday and yet another double yesterday. For the record …

• Hinchley Wood (ex. Sheeza Classic by Redoute’s Choice): unbeaten in 2 starts this time in.
• Twilight Reef (ex. Bold Reef by Kingston Mill) won over 1400m at Murray Bridge on Australia Day, while 3YO filly Unruly Princess (ex. Nas Princess by Our Poetic Prince) has won two on the trot and boasts 2 from 4 (plus a third).
• Black Caviar’s win in the Australia Stakes-G2 was complemented by Oregon Spirit (ex. Oregon Seal by Oregon) who notched up his third win in 19 days over 1600m at the Valley, having earlier won at Kyneton (8 Jan) and Cranbourne (20 Jan). He too is trained by Peter Moody. Actually Strike The Tiger, one of Bel Esprit’s 12 stakes winners, went close to making it a Valley treble when second over 1000m after having to shift out in the final 50m.
• Nifty 3YO Arturo (ex. Classy Darcy by Blazing Reality) was making his debut over 1200m at Donald on Saturday and now has one for one after a thrilling finish over 1200m. According to “Mr Everything-You-Need-To-Know-About-Bel Esprit-But-Were-Afraid-To-Ask” Brian Donohoe, Arturo notched up the 100th win in Australia for Bel Esprit progeny this season.
• Yesterday it was the turn of Ted Huglin’s home bred, Belahi (ex. Manihi Miss by Ark Regal) who won the opening race at Werribee, followed by Strawberry Beau (ex. Danish by Danehill) who showed plenty of dash to win over 1400m at Pinjarra.

30/1/2012 Busy young sire adds to appeal of Dubbo yearling sale

  FIRST CROP offspring by Bon Hoffa, a former fleetfooted Melbourne sprinter by the shuttled Belong to Me, a son of Danehill’s sire Danzig, adds to the appeal of the 2012 Dubbo Yearling Sale scheduled to be conducted for fortieth successive year on Sunday February 12.
   One Australia’s busiest sires from his use at John North’s burgeoning Bowness stud near Young in central western New South Wales, looking after 160 mares in 2010 and 198 last season, Bon Hoffa is the winner of nine races in 23 starts. He was successful in five of his first six appearances and later won three in succession, including the Rupert Clarke-Gr.1 at Caulfield and the Bobbie Lewis-Gr.3 at Flemington. He ran a head second in another crack at the Rupert Clark and a close fourth in the Toorak-Gr.1 at Caulfield. 
  His sire Belong to Me, a dashing winner in America of seven of 16 starts, has been one of Danzig’s most prolific sires of tough, durable winners. World wide, he has supplied 725 winners of over 2400 races (157 stakes) and earners of $82million.
  The four lots by Bon Hoffa in the Dubbo catalogue, one now available from Peter Milling & Company, 105-107 Macquarie Street, Dubbo, 2830, phone (02) 6882 3544, fax (02) 6884 7009, web www.petermilling.com, all read well maternally.
  All fillies, who like their sire are chestnut, they are Lot 21, born October 23, from Deal Or No Deal, a Melbourne 2-year-old winning sister by Encosta de Lago to multiple stakes winner Brockman’s Lass; lot 22, August 19, from Dear Awakens, a half-sister by Dehere (USA) to stakes winner Restive (18 sprint wins); lot 41, September 7, from Naniwano Onna (JPN), a daughter of Last Tycoon (IRE) and a Nureyev stakes winner; and lot 43, September 19, a half-sister to a Macau winner from Opening Night, a Canny Lad winner related to crack sprinter Hay List.     
  The Bon Hoffa out of Opening Night is one of seven yearlings available from Bowness, a long time good supporter of the Dubbo sale. Two others are colts from the first crop of Musket¸ a half-brother by Redoute’s Choice to Makybe Diva, and another is a filly by the promising Flying Spur sire Shaft and from the Bellotto (USA) Sydney winner Tinsley. This filly is inbred 4x3 to Mr. Prospector.
  Also supplying a filly from Marchioness, a good Sydney winner and stakes placed daughter of Snippets, Shaft is one of the roster of sires at Darley, another regular vendor at Dubbo. Darley has a consignment of nine this year and all are by their sires Street Cry (USA) (three lots), Commands (three), Strategic (two) and Lonhro.
  One of their representatives by Street Cry, the sire of Whobegotyou and Shocking, is a filly from the Commands
Sydney winner Celtic Lore, while the others are a filly from Momentous (USA), a well bred American winner, and a colt from Slovakia (USA), a sister to Librettist and a half-sister to Dubai Destination, Group1 winners shuttled by Darley.
  Seven of the Darley yearlings are from imported mares by prominent sires and from good families, quality that makes the three fillies in the draft worth considering by breeders.
  Darley is one of two Dubai owned major Hunter valley studs supporting the Dubbo sale.The other is Emirates Park and they have the biggest draft, ten lots, six by their new sire Eavesdropper (USA), three by another newcomer, the Redoute’s Choice sprinter Mutawaajid, and one by their good Danehill sire Al Maher.
  Eavesdropper, an American winner at sprint distances, including a Listed event, is one of the most powerfully bred of sires with first crop yearlings in Australia this year. He is a half-brother by Kingmambo to three stakes winners including American Horse of the Year and champion sire A.P. Indy.
  Another Eavesdropper in the sale, a bay colt, is from the Celestial Dancer (IRE) Brisbane 2-year-old winner Cunning Kick, producer of four winners. It is one of two yearlings on account of Little Wych, the Bathurst located stud which sold a Magic Albert colt for $110,000 at the Classic sale.
  Among other sires represented in the Dubbo catalogue who have supplied quality performers are Lucky Owners (4 lots), Al Maher, Benicio, Bite the Bullet (USA), Dane Shadow, Excites, Henny Hughes (USA), Intergaze, Lion Heart (USA), Marwina, Snippetson, Southern Image (USA), Volcanic Prince and Youthful Legs (USA).
  Another sire represented is Enemy of Average (6 lots), a half-brother by the Mr. Prospector Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) to Exceed and Excel, the Danehill champion Australian sprinter doing very well for Darley as a sire in both hemispheres.
  All but five of the 69 yearlings in the Dubbo catalogue are eligible for Bobs bonuses and buyers can use BOBS credits for part or whole of purchases.To benefit from the latter, buyers must supply written proof from BOBS on sale day as to the amount of credit available.
  Following the completion of the yearling section, one which commences at the Dubbo Showgrounds indoor sale auditorium at noon on the Sunday, Millings will offer nine broodmares, comprised by one each by Danehill (USA), Danzero, Encosta de Lago, Galileo (IRE), Numerous (USA), Palace Music (USA), Strategic, Success Express (USA) and Thunder Gulch (USA).        

Dubbo Snippetson colt’s top level stakes background

  RENOWNED ARTIST, the dam of the only Snippetson youngster available at the annual Dubbo yearling sale on Sunday February 12, is from Renowned Artist, a mare by record breaking Nureyev Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Peintre Celebre who is nearly a three-quarter sister to three stakes performers.
  They are Knowledge (a Last Tycoon Blue Diamond winner), Maslin’s Beach (Flying Spur Moonee Valley Tesio Stakes winner) and Multidandy (Danehill Hong Kong Group1 placegetter) and, like Renowned Artist, they are all from the Northern Dancer male line and out of the same dam, the talented New Acquaintance. She won three races in Sydney, including the Carbine Club Stakes, placed in the Frank Packer and Roman Consul and down in Melbourne came home in fourth place in the Caulfield Thousand Guineas.
  Presented as a lot 50 by his breeders, the Stratheden stud, Tamworth, the Dubbo yearling, a chestnut colt born September 22, is a half-brother to Tutor, a NSW country winner by ten lengths and a placegetter at Albury and Queanbeyan.
  Also bred by Stratheden, the yearlings sire, the smart Snippets product Snippetson, is a very popular winner getter at the Widden stud. In 2010-11, a year his oldest were three and in which he was represented by 50 winners (13 2yos) and 27 others placed.
  He has followed last year’s success in 2011-12 by through to late January rattling up 45 individual winners (3 2yos).
There have been two Snippetson stakes winners, headed by the Gai Waterhouse trained Fast Clip (15 starts, 5 wins, 4 seconds; won Tulloch Stakes over 2000m by 1.8 lengths), and four others stakes placed.       

30/1/2012 Dubleo a worthy alternative to More Than Ready

  WINNERS at Moonee Valley on Friday night and Canterbury on Saturday, Koonoomoo and Skateboard, were further suggestions to breeders that if they find the shuttling More Than Ready (2011 fee $99,000) beyond their budgets, one of his associates at the Vinery stud in the Hunter Valley offers a lot of the same genes at far more modest cost.
A good class American racehorse who is a resident at Vinery and who stood 2011 on $6,600, he is Dubleo and he is not only by the same sire as More Than Ready, but they are similar physically and both were good class performers from the equivalent of 1000m to 1600m.
  Dubleo went to the post in America on 13 occasions for seven wins, six of them at two, including five stakes to Group 2, and one at three over 1000m by a spectacular eight lengths.
  He is from Secret Red, a half-sister by the mighty Secretariat to champion American sprinter and good sire Rubiano and to the dam of another Group1 star in Tapit, one of the most expensive sires in America on his 2012 fee of $125,000.
  Five years younger than More Than Ready, Dubleo has only been used in Australia and has had not had much benefit from high quality mares and leading stable exposure, but, with his oldest current 5-year-olds, has had 59 winners and 17 other placegetters from 93 starters.
  Besides Koonoomoo and Skateboard, they include Dubleanny, a winner nine sprints, including two Listed stakes at Flemington; second Group 2 Caulfield Sprint, and Queenian, a colt who followed a win at Rosehill and a nose second in the Kindergarten Stakes-Gr.3 at two last year with two stakes places, the Rosebud at Randwick and the Up and Coming at Warwick Farm at his only two outings at three to date.
  Represented by winners Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Singapore, Malaysia and Macau, Dubleo could cut a bigger swathe in racing in the future through the foals resulting from the 124 mares, easily his biggest book, he served in 2010. The progeny will be two in 2013-14.
  In the meantime he looks to have a serious stakes candidate in the giant 5-year-old gelding Skateboard, a 2.3 lengths winner at Canterbury on Saturday. Bred by Dartbrook Downs, Aberdeen, Hunter Valley and sold at the Gold Coast for $42,500 and in the Chris Waller stables, he has won six of 16 starts.
   Skateboard is from an unraced mare by Flying Spur, sire also of the dam of the Widden stud based More Than Ready champion Australian 2-year-old Sebring. Daughters of other maternal sires who have done well with More Than Ready could be a good pattern to adopt with Dubleo.

30/1/2012 Winning Quota for Testa Rossa

Over Quota maintained his winning run through the Swettenham Stud Summer Championship series to land the $100,000 Final at Sandown on Saturday.

Over Quota (6g Testa Rossa – Jazz Baby by Zabeel) won Heats 1 and 9 leading into the decider and completed the hat-trick with a gutsy effort to defeat Agrippa by a neck.

The resilient son of Testa Rossa started at $15 in Heat 1 and then caused a $61 upset in Heat 9 before rewarding supporters with another $15 result in the Final.

"He’s a horse you don't have to over work, I just let him find his own feet," trainer Mark Webb revealed.  "He has done a wonderful job but even I didn’t think he would be so successful.

“The Swettenham Stud Championship is a fantastic concept.  It suited us because the horse is so tough.  We will stretch him out to 2000 metres now.”

Over Quota is raced by Bairnsdale based Arno Blank and Judy Bourke who bought him for $28,000 at the 2007 Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling sale.  Apart from the prizemoney, the owners also receive a free service to Swettenham Stud shuttler Equiano.

Fastnet Filly Aiming at Slipper
(28th January 2012)

Considered unlucky when charging home for third in the Listed ATC Gimcrack Stakes back in the spring, Jade Marauder (2f Fastnet Rock x Jade Diva, by Jade Robbery) confirmed that potential when she stormed home to win at Canterbury on Saturday.

The Chris Waller trained filly was resuming from a spell and was sent out favourite for the open juvenile event over 1200 metres, but favourite backers had to endure a few anxious moments before Jade Marauder hit top gear.

She jumped well enough, but settled near the rear of the pack for Glyn Schofield, before charging around the field out wide to loom into contention.

Despite charting a wide passage, Jade Marauder found the line with enthusiasm to beat talented colt Almighty Charge by a length in an eye-catching win.

“She’ll press forward now to the main two year old lead up races for the Golden Slipper,” said Chris Waller.

Winning rider Glyn Schofield was impressed with Jade Marauder, although thinks the best of her will be seen next season.

“She has three year-old written all over her, although she has such good ability that she’ll no doubt go for the better two year-old races,” said Schofield.

“I do feel though that she’ll be more effective as an older horse.”

A $500,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Ingham Racing from the Yarraman Park draft, Jade Marauder is the second winner for stakes-winner Jade Diva and is a three-quarter sister to top class filly Bliss Street, a Group III winner in WA at two and again Melbourne in the spring.

27/1/2012 Group One aspiration’s for Mick Price pair

Caulfield trainer Mick Price has his eyes on Group One glory in the coming months with Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale purchases Malasun and Instiniction after the pair completed a race-to-race stakes double on Australian Day in Melbourne.
Malasun ($80,000 2011 Premier, 2f Red Ransom-Malapert) was on debut in the Listed MRC Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for two-year-old fillies and after settling behind the odds-on favourite Sweet Little Lies the daughter of Red Ransom peeled out at the top of the straight and outgunned Member’s Joy in a strong display.
Bred by Echo Beach Bloodstock and sold from the draft of Vinery Stud at last year’s Melbourne Premier Sale to BC3 Thoroughbreds for $80,000, Malasun has stamped herself as a serious challenger towards the $1million Group One MRC Blue Diamond Stakes back at Caulfield on February 25.
Inglis graduates have a great record in the Group One MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, with seven of the last nine winners of the Victorian juvenile feature that were offered at auction having been sold by Inglis including champion filly Alinghi who like Malasun was purchased in Melbourne for exactly $80,000.
Instinction ($300,000 2010 Premier, 3c Exceed And Excel-De Lago Mist) then made it two stakes races in a row for Mick Price when the impressive grey took out the Listed MRC Zeditave Stakes (1200m) over Specter and Petman.
Offered by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds as agent for breeder Peter Katelanis the son of Exceed And Excel was the highest priced lot on Day One of the 2010 Melbourne Premier Sale when sold to Blue Sky Thoroughbreds and Mick Price, and connections have their sights on the Group One VRC Australian Guineas on March 3 after today’s strong performance.
Price knows what it takes to win the Australian Guineas having won the race with Light Fantastic and Heart Of Dreams in 2008 and 2009.
Buyer’s next chance to secure a top class yearling is at the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale where 790 lots will be offered over four days from Monday February 27 to Thursday March 1.

25/1/2012 Hussonet colt stars on final day of Classic

The 2012 Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale came to a close at Newmarket today, with a colt by Hussonet stealing the show on a day when $3.9 million was added to the overall turnover of $12.8 million for the sale.
136 yearlings were sold today taking the final average price for the sale to $30,200 for the 424 lots sold.
“Online bidding has been well utilised by shrewd buyers purchasing up to $50,000 and it has been great to see so many people using our Make An Offer Service, leading to a notable increase in the clearance rates from Days One and Two as the sale progressed today”, said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.
Arrowfield Stud’s Hussonet-Monte Rosa colt (Lot 560) had plenty of admirers during inspections in Sydney over the last week and after some spirited bidding was knocked down to Mauro Poletti for $140,000, the top price for the 2012 Classic Sale.
Trainers and owners who had previously purchased top class gallopers from the Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale certainly made their presence felt on the third and final day of this year's sale.
Matthew Smith selected this seasons G1 VRC Myer Classic winner Hurtle Myrtle from the first crop of Dane Shadow at the 2009 Classic Sale for just $55,000 and the Warwick Farm trainer was back at Newmarket today purchasing fillies from the first crop of Astronomer Royal (Lot 471) and Myboycharlie (Lot 525) for $65,000 and $56,000 respectively.
Anthony Cummings has had much success buying from Classic, such as Inglis Banner & Inglis Nursery winner Diamond Earth, and the Randwick conditioner picked up her close relation from the draft of Golden Grove for $62,000 today a colt by Danehill Dancer from La Madeline (Lot 485) .
Local trainers had plenty of competition from interstate and overseas throughout the sale with 8 yearlings heading to Korea, 13 to New Zealand, 70 to Victoria and 21 to Western Australia.
Horses passed in during the last three days are available for sale via the Inglis Make-An-Offer Service.
Focus now moves south to the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale , the sales source of undefeated superstar Black Caviar, which will be conducted over four days from February 27 to March 1 this year.
Classic Sale Statistics
(2011 in brackets)
Lots Catalogued: 572 (575)
Gross: $12,804,727 ($14,342,000)
Average Price: $30,200 ($33,509)
Median Price: $25,000 ($26,000)
Top Price: $140,000 ($170,000)
Lots Sold: 424 (428)
Lots Withdrawn: 48 (56)
Lots Passed In: 100 (91)
Sold %: 81 (82)
Leading Buyers
Aquanita Racing – 11 lots for $515,000
Darby Bloodstock – 5 lots for $276,000
Star Thoroughbreds – 3 lots for $235,000
BC3 Thoroughbreds – 3 lots for $232,000
Anthony Cummings – 4 lots for $190,000

24/1/2012 Strong trade continues through Day Two of Sydney Classic Sale

Trade through Day Two of the 2012 Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale continued to be buoyant with 154 yearlings sold for $4.94 million on Monday.
74% of the yearlings offered today found new homes, while the clearance rate for Day One of the sale has risen to 85% thanks to Inglis’ Make An Offer Service on horses that passed-in through the ring.
Well grown athletic types are always on high demand at Classic and competition on the better class yearlings remained strong today with five lots making $100,000 or more.
“Classic has a great record of producing top class gallopers by young sires and it was very pleasing to see the progeny of first season sires such as Ready’s Image and Henrythenavigator being so sought after alongside the proven sires today”, said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.
BC3 Thoroughbreds was extended to $100,000 to secure Lincoln Farm’s Ready’s Image-Topsinga colt (Lot 177) and Brett Howard’s Randwick Bloodstock saw off all the competition to purchase the Henrythenavigator-Coffee Shop filly (Lot 315) for $90,000 from Amarina Farm.
The overall top price of the day fell to Crowning Stone’s Tale Of The Cat filly from Zakuro (Lot 211) which was knocked down to Les Bridge and Kim Harding for $120,000.
Leading stallion Choisir was selected from Classic as a yearling for just $55,000 before going onto Group One success at Flemington and Royal Ascot, and his progeny have again been popular at this year’s sale with 17 sold, led by Berkeley Park Stud’s filly from Tagine (Lot 157) which was picked up by Lockyer Thoroughbreds for $110,000.
Geoff Coady, the major owner of Inglis Banner and Inglis Nursery winner Diamond Earth, was back purchasing again today adding another four yearlings to the two purchased yesterday including Lot 267 a chestnut filly by Diamond Earth’s sire Choisir for $68,000.
Stephen Farley will be hoping that lightning strikes twice after securing a yearling at today’s sale for just $8,000, the same price he paid for multiple Group One winner Sincero at this sale in 2009.
“Vendors have done a fantastic job presenting their yearlings in brilliant fashion and with the knowledge that Group One winners have been purchased at all different levels at Classic it has been great to see so many loyal buyers from around the region back buying at the sale”, said Inglis Auctioneer Jonathan D’Arcy
With 89% of the catalogued yearlings being BOBS and BOBS Extra eligible New South Wales buyers have led the sale, but there has been good competition from all across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Horses passed in during today’s session are available for sale via the Inglis Make-An-Offer Service.
The Classic Sale continues from 11am tomorrow, with Sale Day Live and Online Bidding again available for those not able to make it to Newmarket.
Photos of today’s top lots can be viewed on Inglis’ Facebook page InglisBloodstock
Classic Sale Statistics
(2011 in brackets)

24/1/2012 Karuta Queen’s half-brother another brave heart

  KARUTA QUEEN, the Neville Layt (Queanbeyan) trained Turangga stud bred Not a Single Doubt filly who has turned in some dazzling front running displays in recording six wins, including appearances in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast (Magic Millions 2YO Classic), and who was runner up to Black Caviar in the Schillaci at Caulfield last spring, looks set to rocket to more glory in the autumn.
  The 3-year-old, one bought at the Gold Coast yearling sales for $30,000, looks poised for more success when she returns to racing in Sydney, following a trial win by a spectacular 17.5 lengths at the Canberra meeting on January 17. The company was modest, but she covered the 900m in 0:50.64 and the 600m in 33.33.
  Her effort came 24 hours after her yet to be raced juvenile half-brother Brave Prince suggested he could be another brave hearted performer for champion Queensland sire Show a Heart (Glenlogan Park) with a1000m trial win at Perth’s Belmont Park. In the all conquering Peters Investment ownership and trained by Grant Willliams, Brave Heart was purchased for $230,000 at last year’s Perth Magic Millions yearling sale.
  Sold for $55,000 carrying the foal that was to become Brave Heart at the Magic Millions National mare sale in 2009, the dam Card Queen is now owned by the Durham Lodge stud at Muchea in Western Australia. She has been to their resident Danehill sire Blackfriars in each of the last three seasons, producing a filly in 2010 and a colt late last August.
  A very fast filly who won five metropolitan races up to 1200m, including a Blue Diamond Prelude, and third placed in four Listed stakes, Card Queen is by one of the fastest horses produced in Australia, Final Card. In winning six sprint races, he included what is now known as the Patinack Farms Classic at Flemington in equal course record time for 1200m.
  Deceased in 2006, Final Card was a half-brother to Gold Ace (set new record time for the Flemington1200m) and by Elounda Bay, an Australasian Champion Sprinter who won the VRC Newmarket over 1200m at Flemington in a new track best. Elounda Bay’s sire Zephyr Bay and his sire Biscay were two of them most scintillating speedsters to grace Australian racing.
  The value of having Final Card in pedigrees was shown again on Saturday when the Mark Kavanagh trained Happy Angel lowered the1000m track record to 0:56.72 in winning at Morphettville. Now winner of five races, all short of 1200m, she is bred for speed, being by the Swettenham stud bred Rory’s Jester sire Happy Giggle and from Angel’s Wings, a daughter of one of Danzig’s best sprinters, Anabaa, and the Final Card stakes placed Happy Card.
  A winner of four stakes in Melbourne in his six starts at two, Happy Giggle started his stud career in South Australia, but is now at Mornmoot, Whittlesea,Victoria on $4,400 (2011 fee). Also represented by a winner last week in Singapore, Happy Giggle’s 145 winners include progeny successful Flemington, Caulfield, Moonee Valley, Sandown, Rosehill, Morphettville, Cheltenham, Launceston, Hobart, Macau, Singapore and Malaysia.
   Happy Angel is a sister to Giggling Angel (ten starts, won by 6.5 lengths Murray Bridge 900m, second Moonee Valley, third Morphettville) and a half-sister to lot 313 in the catalogue for the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling sale on March 13-14. She is by Mugharreb (USA), a stakes winning son of the Mr. Prospector sire Gone West.

24/1/2012 NZ sprint win recalls American mating of exported Aussies

  BRIGAND, a handy middle distance stakes performer in France and America who, from his use at the Waikato stud in New Zealand, supplied champion Australian sprinter River Rough and Caulfield Cup winner Cole Diesel, has a close connection in blood with the maternal breeding of Avant, the grandam of Guiseppina, the 5-year-old Johar (USA) (by Gone West) mare who came with a barnstorming finish to take the Group1 Telegraph Handicap (1200m) at Trentham, Wellington, New Zealand on Saturday.
  Brigand had the unusual qualities of being bred in America using two exported Australian champions. He was by the Star Kingdom Australian Horse of the Year Noholme, a brother to Todman, and from Lady Sybil (by Count Rendered), a New Zealand bred leading 3-year-old whose exploits included wins in the Victoria Oaks, Caulfield Guineas, Sandown Guineas and Moonee Valley Stakes.
  The most illustrious of four winners produced in America by Lady Sybil was near champion Amerigo Lady, a winner of 13 races, including among eight majors the Hollywood Oaks. She produced Pass The Glass, a multiple Group winner and sire of the dam of Beautiful Crown (USA) (Patinack Farm, Hunter Valley), and also Virginia, dam of Virginia Rapids (a winner at Group1, 2 and 3 level).
  The breeding association of Avant, Guiseppina’s grandam, is derived from her being a New Zealand product of the mating of the Todman sire Imposing with Devante, a Sobig New Zealand Oaks winner out Skylit, a half-sister by Wilkes (FR) to Lady Sybil.
  Never before successful above Listed and a failure in two tries in1600m events at Group1 level, Saturday’s Telegraph Handicap winner Guiseppina now has six wins (two Listed) from12 outings to her credit.
  Bred and raced by eminent New Zealand identities Peter and Philip Vela, principals of New Zealand Bloodstock, she is from Battocchi, a winner of the VRC Matriarch Stakes and Ballarat Cup who was from one of the two crops supplied by Success Express (USA) from use in New Zealand. Imported by Robert Holmes a Court, American Breeders’ Cup juvenile winner Success Express started his stud career in Victoria, moved to New Zealand, had two stints in New South Wales, Widden and Vinery studs, and one in Queensland.
  Guiseppina’s sire Johar visited Highview stud, Hamilton, New Zealand from America in 2005 and 2006 and has had 50 winners and 12 others placed from 83 starters.Three others to succeed in stakes have been Folding Gear (won Caulfield Autumn Classic-Gr.2), Fazzle (Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes-Gr.2) and Veronica Franco (Manawatui Eulogy Stakes-Gr.3).
  The sire of 87 winners from American use, headed by Keertana (five Group 3 wins, third Breeder’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf-Gr.1), Johar stands the 2012 season at Mill Ridge Farm, Kentucky, on $2,500. He was a top class racehorse, winning six races to a mile a half, including two Group1s, the Hollywood Derby and Breeders Cup Turf.

24/1/2012 Flemington double shows Bianconi one of best value sires

  ONE of the best value sires by world giant speed influence Danzig appears to be consistent top grade Victorian located winner getter Bianconi (USA), the source of a double, Royal Mail (won over 2000m) and Flyingconi (1400m), at Flemington on Saturday and of Glisson, a three lengths winner at 1200m on the Hobart Guineas program on Sunday.
  Their successes have pushed the Swettenham stud based Bianconi, a former prominent European 3-year-old sprinter and Irish Two Thousand Guineas fourth got by Danzig from the wonderful matriarch Fall Aspen, further up the list of leading sires numerically for 2011-12. At this week he is estimated to have 57 winners of 82 races and over $1.5million for the year, placing him second in Victoria to Black Caviar’s sire Bel Esprit (Eliza Park, Kerrie) by money and numbers.
  They finished in the same order in 2010-11, but Bianconi ruled for the Victorian based sires in the numerical department in 2009-10, a year in which his national statistics read 104 winners of 162 races and $3,250,333. Bel Esprit’s earnings were $3,593,953.
  Taking in the contributions from Australian sired overseas performers, Bianconi’s statistics for the last three completed years have been: 2008-09, 95 winners,129 wins, $2,666,119; 2009-10,114 winners, 180 wins, $3,985,449; and 2010-11,117 winners, 180 wins, $3,244,085.
  So far his Australian sired progeny have totalled 323 winners (12 SWs,14 SPs) of 870 races and $19,300,000. With the addition of results achieved from four seasons,1999-2003, in America, his two hemisphere figures amount to 440 winners, 98 placegetters,1200 wins and $25,800,000. His offspring have won in 12 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, Great Britain, France, the United States and Canada, and have been strong performers from 1000m to 2400m.
  Heading his Australian performers have been Nicconi (6 wins, $1,026,178, won AJC The Galaxy, VRC Lightning Stakes; third MVRC Manikato Stakes; fourth Royal Ascot King’s Stand Stakes), Above Deck (10 wins, $934,450, won Doomben Cup, Gold Coast A.D. Hollindale Cup), Mr Martini (3 wins $300,750, MVRC Bill Stutt Stakes, STC Kingston Town Stakes; second MVRC Moonee Valley Vase), Schilling (3 wins, $386,520, Sandown Guineas; second VRC Carbine Club Stakes, The Debonaire Stakes), Fillydelphia (8 wins, $369,300, Doomben Rough Habit Plate, Brisbane Handicap), Streetfighter (8 wins, $342,715, Newcastle Gold Cup) and Taken At The Flood (9 wins, $350,777, STC W.J.McKell Cup, Christmas Cup; third AJC Summer Cup).
  He should have a stack more good performers in the future, benefiting from the new vitality at the Swettenham stud following its acquisition from his late father’s company by Adam Sangster. Bianconi had 113 mares in 2009 (90.7% fertility) and 118 in 2010. He has yearlings listed for the Melbourne and Adelaide sales.
  Bianconi’s son Nicconi has the opportunity to provide him with a top sire son. Retired to the Widden stud in 2010, he has had books of 156 and then 144 and his early progeny are certain to have exposure in leading stables
  One of an impressive line up of eight sires currently at Swettenham, Bianconi stood the 2011 season on $10,000, but many clients took the advantage of the discounts available through the stud’s Early Bird Deals.

24/1/2012 Cavalry Rose has a Golden Slipper heritage

  CAVALRY ROSE, the winner on debut at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday for a Triple Crown Syndicate and the Gerald Ryan stables of the $250,000 Inglis Classic for 2-year-olds who graduated from their Classic sale, in doing so showed all the courage and ability that saw her sire Charge Forward and paternal ‘half-brother’ Headland each exhibit in finishing second in the Golden Slipper.
  Now a prominent Arrowfield stud sire who went on to win the San Domenico and The Galaxy before retirement after the autumn at three, the Red Ransom product Charge Forward went within a short head of Slipper glory when it was won in new race record time by Dance Hero in 2004.
  He went close to attoning for this loss when his first crop daughter Headway finished second to the More Than Ready gelding Phelan Ready in 2009. Headway had earlier won the Sweet Embrace and later as an early 3-year-old was successful in the Group1 Ascot Vale.
  Now owned by the young Victorian powerhouse Makybe (Tony Santic), Headway delivered a colt on August 14 last season by Redoute’s Choice and went to Fastnet Rock on September 11.
  Headway (dam by Flying Spur) is bred on similar lines to Cavalry Rose, both of them being from mares by Danehill sires. Danehill is also the sire of the dam of Solar Charged, the Charge Forward filly who finished sixth in the 2010 Slipper after taking the AJC Kindergarten. At three she won the Group 3 MRC Thoroughbred Club Stakes and in Sydney finished second in the San Domenico and Silver Shadow and third in the Challenge Stakes.
  Although Cavalry Rose, a filly bred by G. Briscoe and sold through the Widden Stud at the Classic sale for $85,000, is a mid August foal and went into the race with a four lengths January 6 trial win, she showed a lot of immaturity on Saturday and looked to have lost her chance in the last 100m. She picked herself up, however, and surged to victory.
  Cavalry Rose is the result of the mating of Charge Forward with Alberton Rose (deceased last September), a handy sprinter in New Zealand by the Patrick Hogan bred Danehilll sire Danske, a winner of the New Zealand 2000 Guineas and Auckland Guineas, and from the Straussbrook Listed 2-year-old winner who stood in New Zealand.
  A son of the Bletchingly sprinter Opera Prince, Straussbrook won the STC Pago Stakes, STC George Ryder Stakes and Canterbury Stakes, finished second in the AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes, third in the STC Todman Slipper Trial and AJC All-Aged Stakes and fifth in the Golden Slipper.

24/1/2012 Victoria Derby winner to upgrade Packer’s polo ponies

  AMALFI, the 2001 Victoria Derby winner who was represented by three winners over four days, January 19-22, has embarked on a new career as a sire, and that is supplying outcross vigor in breeding the Packer’s polo ponies at Ellerston on the mountain slopes east of Scone.
  A nuggety,15.2 hands bay, the now 13-year-old Amalfi as a racehorse showed a fine turn of foot as well as the classic stamina expected in a son of Carnegie, a Sadler’s Wells Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner.
  In his first six of his eleven start career, Amalfi won at Eagle Farm (1200m at his only outing at two), Doomben (1350m, by 1.8 lengths), finished a neck second at Moonee Valley (1600m), third in the Group 2 Bill Stutt (also1600m) on the same track and then won two majors in succession, the Group 2 Norman Robinson (2000m) and then the Victoria Derby (2500m).
   Prior to moving to Ellerston after the 2010 season, one which resulted in only nine mares, all of whom produced foals, returned to the Stud Book, Amalfi had restricted patronage over six seasons at George and Felicity Fraser’s Ilala stud down the road at Scone.
  So far that use has resulted in 20 winners of 45 races and six others placed from 34 starters.They have included Executive Officer (won Eagle Farm, Gold Coast), Fleur de Baie (Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton), Boulders (Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich), Ashwahgandha (Kembla Grange), Our Lucca (Warrnambool), Heatwaves (Ipswich), My Fallacy (seven wins North Queensland), My Amalfi (Tamworth) and last week’s trio Aslanyon (won by three lengths on the Hobart Guineas program), Lil Tricky (Grafton) and Fort Sumter (impressive winner for the Pat Farrell stable at Muswellbrook).
  Lil Tricky, Fort Sumter, Executive Officer, Fleur de Baie, Boulders, Heatwaves and My Fallacy were all bred by Ilala stud, the breeders also of 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking.
  Ilala is presenting two fillies by Amalfi, lots 3 and 4, at the Dubbo yearling sale on Sunday February 12 whose breeding suggests they could by developed into classic performers.The first of them is from A Real Deal, a daughter of Rahy, also sire of Fantastic Light (World Horse of the Year) and Noverre (European Champion 3YO Miler) and of the dam of Giant’s Causeway (European Champion and one of world’s leading sires).
  The other filly is from Black Powder, a 2-year-old winning three-quarter sister by the Danzig sire Mister C to stakes placed Lucyrowe (won Melbourne, Sydney) and Shoeshine Henry (successes included the STC Inglis Classic). Representing one of the families that brought much success for Fred Peisah’s Lomar Park stud, Black Powder is a grandaughter of a half-sister to Lomar bred and raced AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes, Breeders’ Plate and STC Silver Slipper winner Sovereign Slipper.
  There three yearlings by Amalfi in the Dubbo catalogue with the other being a colt, lot 42, on account of Ambergate Farm, Scone as agent. A brother to Gelato, winner of four sprints in North Queensland, it is from Nice Surprise, a Sydney winner and stakes placed daughter of the Nureyev world class miler Spinning World.   

23/1/2012 Shinzig lands his first winner

Eliza Park resident has landed his first winner with his first runner after Psychic Mick won at Morphettville on Saturday.

Sitting just behind the early speed Psychic Mick hit the front and held off the late challengers to score an impressive win.

A bargain $10,000 purchase by part-owner Michael Duffield at last year's Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling sale, Physic Mick is the second foal of the Melbourne winning Bianconi (USA) mare Super Fund.

Eliza Park Stud will offer a half-sister to Physic Mick by Bel Esprit at the upcoming Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling sale.

Unfortunately buyers won't see many of his progeny at the upcoming Inglis Premier Sale, with only one on offer, with a further four at the MM Adelaide Sale in mid March.

23/1/2012 Elvstroem’s impressive start to 2012 continues

(Hardbreak Hotel - pictured above)

Like a production line, Elvstroem keeps delivering winners. Last weekend it was Flemington, this weekend it was Rosehill on Saturday and a promising 3YO in Daybreak saluting at Ballarat on the Sunday.

On Saturday at Rosehill it was Guy Walter's honest performer in Hardbreak Hotel registering career win number four with an authoritive win in the Summer Super Saver Ticket BM80 Handicap over 1500m. The 5YO son on Elvstroem has continually improved throughout his career and seems destined for a profitable summer campaign after racing away for Rodney Quinn to win by three lengths. Having settled him just in behind the speed, Quinn angled out at the top of the straight and once unleashed by Quinn, he quickly put pay to his six rivals.

Hardbreak Hotel is proving a sound investment for his owners having won four of his twenty starts and placing on another eight occassions for earnings now approaching $120,000.

Shifting to Victoria on Sunday and it was Robbie Griffiths' promising 3YO in Daybreak who made it two impressive victories from only three starts when saluting in the Acute Health 0-68 Handicap over 1200m at Ballarat. Brad Rawiller gave the promising son of Elvstroem a lovely run in transit, settling just behind the speed before producing a strong finish to score over some highly touted 3YO's from the stables of Snowden, Kavanagh and Weir.

To view Hardbreak Hotel's Rosehill victory click here

To view Daybreak's Ballarat victory click here

23/1/2012 Solid start to Sydney Classic Sale

The 2012 Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale got off to a solid start at Newmarket today, with just under $3.5million traded on 110 lots sold.
The sales source of six Group One winners across Australia in the last 12 months, Classic is renowned for unearthing top class horses at bargain prices and there was again some great buying on Day One of this year’s sale.
79% of the yearlings offered were sold at an average of $31,770 and median of $27,500.
“Today’s figures are slightly down on those recorded for this session twelve months ago, but I do congratulate our vendors for meeting the current market”, said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.
“Classic has produced 25 Group One winners in the last ten years, an amazing feat for a sale that averages just $30,000, and we expect more again from this year’s selection”, Webster added.
The top price $100,000 was reached twice in just five lots this afternoon, firstly by Middlebrook Valley Lodge’s Fastnet Rock filly from Polite and then Bowness Stud’s Beautiful Crown colt from Pretty Special.
Fastnet Rock-Polite filly (Lot 43) will head into the stables of Secret Admirer’s trainer Grahame Begg after being knocked down to Topline Thoroughbreds.
Beautiful Crown-Pretty Special colt (Lot 47) received a timely update just a few weeks ago when his half-brother Kontiki Park scored in the Listed BRC Bernborough Handicap, this colt will also be trained by Gai Waterhouse after being sold to Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds.
Photos of today’s top lots can be viewed on Inglis’ Facebook page InglisBloodstock
85 individual buyers featured on today’s buyers list, which was led by NSW trainer Todd Howlett who secured three lots for $115,000.
Widden Stud, who sold $250,000 Inglis Classic winner Cavalry Rose at this sale last year, led the vendors list for today’s session, having sold seven yearlings for an aggregate of $279,500.
“There are 422 yearlings still to be offered over the next two days, including many precocious physical types that will grow into tough sprinter-milers that suit local conditions, a hallmark of the type of youngster selected for Classic”, noted Inglis Auctioneer Jonathan D’Arcy.
Horses passed in during today’s session are available for sale via the Inglis Make-An-Offer Service.
The Classic Sale continues from 11am tomorrow, with Sale Day Live and Online Bidding again available for those not able to make it to Newmarket.
Day One Statistics
(2011 in brackets)

January 22, 2012 Hussonet's star keeps rising

Although Hussonet now stands at South Australia's Cornerstone Stud, Arrowfield remains immensely proud of him, and is delighted to be selling several of his yearlings in 2012, among them a pair of colts in Tuesday's session of the Sydney Classic Sale.

Pictured: Hussonet at Arrowfield where he stood from 2003 to 2010. (PHOTO: Sportpix)

The champion sire is enjoying a high-profile season in Australia with 60 winners of 80 races already on the board. They include last weekend's stakeswinner At The Heads, and debut 2YO winners Tatra in Sydney and Arrowfield graduate Members Joy in Melbourne.

Husson, Husson Lightning and Host are busy building Hussonet's record as a sire of sires, and have already recorded six winners including the stakeswinner Hussousa (by Husson from a Redoute's Choice mare).

Hussonet himself is having a particular impact on the 3YO Sires' list where he is in 11th position, thanks to the likes of Happy Hussy, Colorado Claire, Angel of Mercy, Roses in the Glen and today's eye-catching Adelaide winner Rifleman.

Rifleman (from the 2YO stakeswinner Opportunity by Redoute's Choice) blazed over 1000 metres at Morphettville in near course-record time of 56.99 seconds and looks a strong prospect for black type success this season. Bred by the partnership which raced Miss Finland, the colt is co-owned by Arrowfield and trained by David Hayes.

In Hong Kong, Hussonet's 4YO son Glorious Days (ex San Century by Centaine) is unbeaten in four starts and a likely favourite for the Hong Kong Classic Mile HK-G1 on 25 January.

However, Glorious Days' year-younger brother Bangalore Bullet beat him to black-type status when he took out yesterday's Gore Guineas LR in New Zealand, and became Hussonet's 78th stakeswinner.

Bangalore Bullet was bred by Mark Treweek and purchased for $50,000 from the Lyndhurst Farm draft at the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He is raced by Nearco Stud Ltd, Louis Vieceli and Shane Kennedy, who also trains the chestnut colt.

San Century, who died two years ago, was an unraced relative of Group 1 winners Black Mamba, Roman Emperor and Tully Thunder - and of Hussonet's Group 2-winning son Rios. San Century's first foal was the Group 1-placed stakeswinner Spurcent (by Flying Spur).

Arrowfield is offering two colts by Hussonet at the 2012 Inglis Classic Sale which starts today in Sydney.

Lot 463 is out of Jemison (by Commands), from the family of champion Australasian 2YO Align and Group 2 winner Fritz's Princess. Lot 560, from Monte Rosa (by Fraar) is a brother to stakes-placed 2YO winner Red Dress Marley, and a half-brother to Snitzerland, stakes-placed on debut at Flemington in November.

Impressive Win for Single and High Chaparral
(21st January 2012)

Former jockey and now astute trainer Craig Carmody has a bit to look forward to with his promising stayer Single (4g High Chaparral x Myself, by Nashwan) , who scored a stylish victory at Rosehill on Saturday.

The four year-old son of High Chaparral (IRE) enjoyed the run of the race for Nathan Berry before forging clear from the race favourite Rolling Pin to win the 1800 metre Benchmark 85 event by a length and a half.

“He’s very classy and has some Black Type races in store for him,” said Nathan Berry.

“He won pretty impressively... he really exploded today.”

A modest $25,000 purchase from the Kia Ora Stud draft at the 2009 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale from Session II, Single runs for a partnership including popular Sydney owner Geoff Grimish in whose colours he runs.

Single has won four of eight starts earning $142,400 and is a half-brother to three Northern Hemisphere bred winners including stakes-placed Ghayth and Ego being from the imported Nashwan stakes-winner Myself (GB).

High Chaparral is set to play a major role at the 2012 NZB Premier Yearling Sale which will feature his last New Zealand bred crop of yearlings.