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Successful Conclusion to the 2008 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka
Dane Shadow Colt Fetches $72,500 at NZB RTR

Scenic viewed at four different Australian studs

Olympus qualified to scale the thoroughbred heights
Viewed’s cousin plundering NSW country Cups
Scone racing identity’s pious regard for Brisbane winner
Manner Hill puts Tamworth owner breeder on a new high
Stylish Win for Encosta Filly

$400,000 Red Ransom Colt Tops RTR Day One

NZ RTR Sale Live Online

New sale joins Magic Millions' January carnival

First Winner for Antonius Pius

scroll down for more horse breeding news




19/11/08 Successful Conclusion to the 2008 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka

New Zealand Bloodstock's 2008 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs has withstood the economic pressures facing auctions sales around the world in recent months, by concluding with solid results from the past two days of selling at Karaka.

Both the sale median and average were only a shade off last year's figures, with final average $60,366 (down just 1% from a record $61,134 in 2007) and $33,000 (down 8% from $36,000 in 2007).

The clearance rate climbed steadily throughout the day to finish at 67%, down from last year's 70%, with 247 horses sold for $14,910, 500 compared with $15,100,000 for the same number sold last year.

The top price of $400,000 achieved yesterday for the Red Ransom colt from Lady Circles (Lot 62) was not surpassed, with today's top Lot knocked down for $360,000. The Zabeel colt from Group 1 winner Surprize Surprize (Prized) at Lot 243 was purchased by Queensland bloodstock agent John Foote from Mark & Shelley Treweek's Lyndhurst Farm.

Foote commented, "I've bought him for a Hong Kong client and as yet we haven't decided whether he'll race in Australia first or go straight to Hong Kong.

"He's a well-bred colt, a lovely type and breezed up with a good action. We're hoping he'll be as good as his mother and father."

The Zabeel colt breezed up the 200m straight at Te Rapa racecourse on 20 October in a time of 11.72 seconds.

Of the 247 horses sold, 17 fetched $200,000 or more compared with 14 last year, showing the relative strength at the top of the market.

Managing Director Sales & Marketing Petrea Vela was very pleased with the results of the past two days.

"In view of the challenges facing everyone in the current market conditions, the results of the past two days have really been well in excess of our expectations. Heading into this sale we were certain that results would be down on last year, but to see such strength from the market here has been a fantastic result.

"One of the most pleasing aspects of today was the strengthening clearance rate which was 69% for the day and brings the overall clearance to 67%.

"Particular credit must be paid to the great number of both international and local buyers that came to Karaka this week. We're very grateful for their efforts to be here and their support of the sale with their purchases, and hope that they are justly rewarded on the racetrack."

Leading the buyers was Graeme Rogerson with eight horses purchased for $1,625,000. Amongst his purchases were three two-year-olds by New Zealand champion sire Zabeel, including a top price of $320,000 for the colt from multiple stakes winner Flushed (Redding) offered by Curraghmore Stud.

Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Korea were all well-represented by buyers at Karaka over the past two days. From Australia, in addition to John Foote, John Morrisey was active again following the Group 1 success of Rockdale from this Sale last year, buying another six young horses, plus Patrick Payne, Surf Coast Racing and Lee Hope accounted for some of the 32 horses purchased for Australia.

A total of 49 horses are destined for Singapore, including purchases by Laurie Laxon, Michael Freedman, Stephen Gray and Soon Hock Lee, with another 18 bought for Hong Kong, 14 headed to Malaysia and five to Macau. The Seoul Racehorse Owners Association bought another six today to bring their total to 16 horses for Korea.

The leading vendor at this sale for the second year in a row was Mark & Shelley Treweek's Lyndhurst Farm, with 11 of their 15 entries sold for $1,706,000 at an average of $155,091.

For further information on any passed lot, contact New Zealand Bloodstock.

2008 Ready to Run Sale Statistics
2008 2007
AVERAGE $60,366 $61,134
MEDIAN $33,000 $36,000
CLEARANCE 67% 70%
AGGREGATE $14,910,500 (247 Lots Sold) $15,100,000 (247 Lots Sold)
TOP LOT $400,000 (B.C Red Ransom x Lady Circles) $500,000 (B.C Rock of Gibraltar x Run and Hide)

Top Ten Lots Lot Type Breeding Vendor Purchaser Price
62 BR.C Red Ransom / Lady Circles ESKER LODGE MR S GRAY (Singapore) $400,000
243 B.C Zabeel / Surprize Surprize LYNDHURST FARM JOHN FOOTE BLOODSTOCK (QLD) $360,000
93 B.G Zabeel / Macanudo PHOENIX PARK ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK (Hamilton) $320,000
39 B.C Keeper / Jazzmatazz PHOENIX PARK MR C MCANULTY (QLD) $300,000
363 B.C Zabeel / Cornwall Queen MANA PARK SURF COAST RACING (VIC) $300,000
419 B.C Zabeel / Flushed CURRAGHMORE STUD ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK (Hamilton) $300,000
143 G.C Galileo / Our Heather LYNDHURST FARM ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK (Hamilton) $275,000
29 B.C Zabeel / I'm in Heaven MANA PARK ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK (Hamilton) $260,000
74 B.C Encosta de Lago / La Veine REGAL FARM JOHN FOOTE BLOODSTOCK (QLD) $260,000
107 B.C Dehere / Miss Candy PHOENIX PARK MR C MCANULTY (QLD) $250,000

Leading Purchasers by Aggregate Purchaser Bought Aggregate Average Top Price
ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK 8 $1,625,000 $203,125 $320,000
NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK (as agent) 32 $1,599,500 $49,984 $200,000
JOHN FOOTE BLOODSTOCK 5 $922,500 $184,500 $360,000
MR S GRAY 5 $763,000 $152,600 $400,000
MR C MCANULTY 3 $700,000 $233,333 $300,000
MAGUS EQUINE 6 $670,000 $111,667 $180,000
MR J MORRISEY 6 $436,000 $72,667 $120,000
MR CP BEH 3 $385,000 $128,333 $185,000
MR LK LAXON 4 $363,000 $90,750 $220,000
MR ONG TIONG SENG 2 $330,000 $165,000 $180,000

Leading Sires by Average (3 or more sold) Sire Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
Zabeel 5 $308,000 $1,540,000 $360,000
Cape Cross 3 $143,333 $430,000 $190,000
Pins 8 $129,250 $1,034,000 $220,000
Keeper 9 $105,556 $950,000 $300,000
Volksraad 5 $97,500 $487,500 $180,000
Pentire 5 $84,500 $422,500 $230,000
Viking Ruler 4 $77,250 $309,000 $170,000
Golan 4 $66,875 $267,500 $110,000
One Cool Cat 11 $59,273 $652,000 $150,000
High Chaparral 4 $52,750 $211,000 $90,000

Leading Vendor by Average (3 or more sold) Vendor Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
LYNDHURST FARM 11 $155,091 $1,706,000 $360,000
PHOENIX PARK 12 $124,042 $1,488,500 $320,000
ESKER LODGE 9 $122,500 $1,102,500 $400,000
CURRAGHMORE STUD 4 $110,625 $442,500 $300,000
ANZAC LODGE 6 $104,000 $624,000 $200,000
MANA PARK 14 $97,964 $1,371,500 $300,000
ASCOT FARM 6 $93,917 $563,500 $230,000
REGAL FARM 5 $90,200 $451,000 $260,000
SUMMERVELD STABLES 3 $85,000 $255,000 $100,000
CHEQUERS STUD 8 $72,500 $580,000 $170,000

Leading Vendors by Aggregate Vendor Sold Aggregate Average Top Price
LYNDHURST FARM 11 $1,706,000 $155,091 $360,000
PHOENIX PARK 12 $1,488,500 $124,042 $320,000
MANA PARK 14 $1,371,500 $97,964 $300,000
ESKER LODGE 9 $1,102,500 $122,500 $400,000
CHESTERFIELDS 14 $638,500 $45,607 $105,000
ANZAC LODGE 6 $624,000 $104,000 $200,000
CHEQUERS STUD 8 $580,000 $72,500 $170,000
ASCOT FARM 6 $563,500 $93,917 $230,000
VENTURE THOROUGHBREDS 9 $481,500 $53,500 $180,000
HAUNUI FARM 11 $454,000 $41,273 $175,000


19/11/08 Dane Shadow Colt Fetches $72,500 at NZB RTR

Despite the gloomy economic climate, promising young sire Dane Shadow achieved a good result during the first session of the NZB Ready to Run Sale on Tuesday when his colt from Lady Guest fetched $72,500.

Consigned by Venture Thoroughbreds, the athletic brown colt breezed comfortably in 11.29 seconds and was knocked down to New Zealand Bloodstock on behalf of a Singapore based client.

Bred and offered for sale as a weanling by Kitchwin Hills, the colt made $32,000 at the 2007 Inglis Australian Select Weanling Sale, so has been an appealing horse from day one.

“We all know how tough things are at present given the financial situation worldwide, so it was reassuring to see this Dane Shadow sell well and fetch close to ten times service fee,” said Mick Malone of Kitchwin Hills.

Chris Waller’s Dane Shadow colt Shellscrape impressed onlookers with a stylish barrier trial win in fast time at Rosehill on November 11 and is set to make his debut at Randwick this Saturday.

The colt will be well educated having trialled twice, the first time when second to the Gai Waterhouse trained colt Turf Express who made a winning debut at Rosehill last Saturday.

It should be noted, all two year-olds by Dane Shadow are eligible for the Dane Shadow Breeders Bonus Incentive Scheme, which is offered to horses from the first crop of foals sired by Dane Shadow.

A special $500,000 bonus is available for the connections of any Dane Shadow two year-old this season that can win Group One STC Golden Slipper Stakes, 4th April, 2009 Rosehill.

The bonus payment is to be split evenly between trainer, owner and breeder, so there is every incentive for precocious youngsters by Dane Shadow to be out and running.

For more information contact Mick Malone (02) 6545 8065 or 0428 458 065 or visit www.kitchwin.com.au


19/11/08 Scenic viewed at four different Australian studs

SCENIC, the now deceased Sadler’s Wells Ireland bred sire whose recent runners have included 2008 Melbourne Cup winner Viewed, the illfated Sunburnt Land (in recent weeks winner of the Caulfield Sprint-Gr.2 and third in the VRC Salinger Stakes-Gr.2 and Patinack Farm Classic-Gr.1, he was killed when struck by lightning in a spelling paddock last week) and Coniston Bluebird (successful at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, has called four different Australian studs home.

Initially a shuttle sire, he started off at Collingrove, a stud at Sandy Hollow in the Hunter Valley for a time owned by a partnership of the Hayes family of Lindsay Park, South Australia and leading international breeder and racehorse owner Robert Sangster’s Swettenham Stud.They also had Collingrove Stud at Nagambie in Victoria,.

Commencing in1989, he shuttled between Coolmore in Ireland and the Hunter Valley through to1996 and then became a resident at Lindsay Park. He was sold off to the Durham Lodge Stud at Muchea in Western Australia eight years ago, but came back across the Nullabor to be used in the 2002 season at the Nagambie located Collingrove.

That stud is now named Swettenham and is in the sole ownership of the deceased Robert Sangster’s Australian domiciled son Adam. He has developed it into one of Australia’s major stallion stations, one which has seven sires on offer in the 2008 season and which is to be home next year for a newcomer in the high class Danzero juvenile and sprinter Kaphero.

The Sangsters played a big role in establishing Scenic as a quality sire, in particular being the breeders with the late Colin Hayes of the three-quarter brother million dollar earners Blevic (efforts included wins at Flemington in the Victoria Derby and Sires’ Produce Stakes and a third in the AJC Derby) and Universal Prince (won the AJC Derby, Spring Champion Stakes, STC Rawson Stakes and Canterbury Guineas; second Victoria Derby).

Standing at the Toole’s long established Kambula Stud at Kadina, Blevic is one of the best sires in South Australia, while Universal Prince, a brother to SAJC Robert Sangster Stakes-Gr.1 winner Universal Queen, has replaced Scenic at Durham Lodge after starting off at stud in NSW. His oldest are 4-year-olds.

Blevic, Universal Prince and Universal Queen are among 520 winners, including100 who have won or stakes placed, of a massive 2,000 plus races and over $63million supplied by Scenic from his Australian use. The others include Viewed (besides the Melbourne Cup, won the Brisbane Cup), Shame (Caulfield Thousand Guineas, QTC Sires Produce Stakes; second in four Group1s), Episode (SAJC Australasian Oaks, South Australian Oaks; second Queensland Oaks), Lord Essex (STC George Ryder Stakes; placed AJC All-Aged Stakes, QTC Doomben 10000 Piavonic (MVRC Manikato Stakes and Norman Carlyon Stakes) and Western Australian star Marasco (Group 2s in Melbourne and Perth; second at Caulfield in the Australian Cup and C.F. Orr Stakes), to mention a few.

Scenic has had good performers from1000m to 3200m and 29 offspring who have each won ten or more races.

He supplied nearly 1000 foals from his Australian use and in consequence has left a huge pool of females who should be much prized as broodmares.They have already produced over 350 winners, including among successful stakes performers Niconero (by Danzero), Lazer Sharp (Zariz), Van Costa de Hero (Encosta de Lago), Book of Kells (Rock of Gibraltar) and Almost Never (Akhadan).

Got at Coolmore in Ireland in the first crop of the Robert Sangster bred and raced Sadler’s Wells from Idyllic, an unraced daughter of American champion juvenile and Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure, Scenic was purchased as a yearling by Sheikh Mohammed, subsequent founder of the Darley conglomerate. He was raced 11 times over three years for four wins, three of them, including a dead heat victory with another Sadler’s Wells product, Prince of Dance, in the Newmarket Dewhurst Stakes-Gr.1. Scenic’s effort was a shock as he was unwanted in the betting at 33-1in the six runner field.

At the end of his juvenile year, Scenic was rated equal best 2-year-old with Prince of Dance in the Timeform assessments with a high128 and weighted equal third best in the European Free Handicap.

Scenic suffered from illhealth at three, a year he had his other win, appearance in Scotland’s only Group class event at that time, the Group 3 Scottish Classic. Four Group1 efforts at this age were a well beaten third in the St James’s Palace Stakes (1600m) at Ascot, fourth in the Newmarket Champion Stakes (2000m) and near last displays in the Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) and American Breeders’ Cup Turf (2400m).Three outings at four included a Group 3 second and a last of eight in the Group 2 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot.

Olympus qualified to scale the thoroughbred heights

MOUNT OLYMPUS, the highest mountain in Greece, lends its name to a thoroughbred sire located at Tamworth in north western NSW who at this time through limited early opportunity will have difficulty in the formative years of his career reaching such lofty heights in his field. Yet, he has the credentials that suggests he could be quite capable of scaling them.

He is a powerfully bred son of Danehill stallion Olympus and he showed last week that he can live up to this prognosis by having the only runner to date from his first crop, current juveniles, record a dashing win by 3.0 lengths and 3.5 lengths in a 900m event for the age group at Scone in the Hunter Valley.
Named Sutton Princess, she had been beaten just over half a length when fourth at Taree on debut, but had previously showed exciting potential with a six lengths trial win at Scone. Her name is derived from her breeder and owner Russ Lazarus’s Sutton Farm stud along the road bordering the far side of the Scone racecourse.

Since he was one of the owners the1987 Melbourne Cup winner Kensei, Russ has made a big contribution to racing as a breeder, owner and as an administrator. He was driving force for a number of years on the committee of the NSW Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

The Mack Griffifth, Muswellbrook trained Sutton Princess is from Sutton Miss, a winner of six races, including one at Randwick, that he also raced for Russ Lazarus. He also prepared for the same breeder Sutton Miss’s accomplished brother Sutton Review, winner of the Listed Gainsborough 3YO Stakes at Tamworth, and also successful Randwick.

They are both by Danehill’s American bred relation Youthful Legs and from Miss Regal Mine, an imported Canadian mare by the Vaguely Noble sire Regal and from a daughter of Mr. Prospector.The latter appears twice at the fourth generation of Sutton Princess, a distinction he shares with Spring Adieu, the second dam of both Youthful Legs and Danehill.

Olympus is the third sire in which Russ Lazarus has been a prominent owner, being preceded by Youthful Legs and the very popular importation Beautiful Crown.The latter stands at the Patinack Farm stud near Scone by arrangement with his Andrew Bowcock headed syndicate owners, while Youthful Legs is with Olympus at Stepen Miller’s Erin Park Stud along the Peel river on the western fringe of Tamworth.

Erin Park, phones 0414 345 685 or (02) 6760 821, is the biggest breeding operation seen in north western NSW in the last 40 years.They offer the use of Olympus at $3,300 and Youthful Legs at $4,000.

Purchased at the Sydney Easter yearling sales at a cost of $235,000 by a syndicate including Lazarus, Bowcock and one of the most respected judges of thoroughbred quality, Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Conners, Olympus showed up as a very good racing prospect but suffered problems that restricted his ability to live up to his obvious ability.

At two he sparked contemplation of Golden Slipper glory with a commanding all the way win over1100m at Rosehill Gardens, scoring by four lengths, a 1.4 lengths fourth in the Group 3 Skyline Stakes at Canterbury and then a third in the Illawarra 2YO Classic.

Subsequently a winner by a length of a1600m event at Warwick Farm, Olympus was got by Danehill from Metal of Honour, a daughter of the Mr. Prospector sire Conquistador Cielo (sire of winners of over 2,200 races) and Badge of Courage, a half-sister to Group1 winners and sires Tentam and Known Fact and also to the dam of one of the noted Mr. Prospector sire Gone West.

Viewed’s cousin plundering NSW country Cups

ON TUESDAY November 4 two cousins went within a few centimeters of taking out two Cups, Viewed stopping the world in winning the great ‘two miler’ at Flemington by a nose, the equal shortest margin in the races long history, and Phantom Thief failing by a long neck when runner up later in the afternoon in the $40,000 Muswellbrook Cup, one of the big annual sporting attractions in Hunter Valley horse country.

Phantom Thief, a former inmate of the Lee Freedman’s stables in Victoria who had won the Tasmanian Derby and also been successful in Melbourne and Hong Kong, attoned for that loss by taking out the $45,000 Dubbo Gold Cup on Sunday.

The now 7-year-old gelding is a half-brother by the shuttled Mr. Prospector sire Jade Robbery to STC N.E. Manion Cup winner Saturday Fever and nearly a three-quarter brother to Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler. He is by another Mr. Prospector sire, Hussonet, and from Weekend Beauty, a half-sister to Phantom Thief.

Not On Friday, the dam of Phantom Thief and grandam of Weekend Hussler, won the Group 3 MRC Angus Armasco Stakes, finished second in the VRC Wakeful Stakes, third in the Caulfield Thousand Guineas and South Australian Oaks. She is another good winner producer by the imported Melbourne Cup winner At Talaq and is from Market Heights, a daughter of one of Sir Tristram’s best racing and sire sons, Grosvenor, and from a granddaughter of the famous broodmare Wuthering Heights

Phantom Thief’s kinship with Viewed flows from the Melbourne Cup winner’s grandam being by Sir Tristram and from Mountain Heights, a daughter of Wuthering Heights.

Phantom Thief is raced by a partnership of three, including his trainer Marcus Wilson, one who has some 15 horses at his stables adjacent Muswellbrook’s Skellatar racecourse, one recognised as one of the best country racing and training complexes in NSW. Along with neighbouring Scone, Muswellbrook provides a formidable training and racing region.

The quinella in the Muswellbrook Cup on November 4 showed what good horsemen can do with horses that have been culled. Besides Marcus Wilson’s acquisition of the former Freedman trained Phantom Thief, the winner of the Muswellbrook Cup, With A Chance, was a second hand buy, coming out of a Sydney mixed sale as a mid 3-year-old at $3,000. Trained at Scone by Luke Griffith for a local syndicate, this son of Commands and the unraced Snippets mare Career Collection has won16 races, including nine in Sydney, and earned nearly $500,000.

Another astute horseman who is confident he is going to do well with a cast off is Gosford trainer Terry Evans. He won a race at the popular Bong Bong picnic race meeting near Bowral last week with recently acquired Galileo 4-year-old gelding Cee Dubai.

Originally knocked down to Gai Waterhouse at the 2006 Sydney Easter yearling sales for $160,000, Cee Dubai was secured by Terry unraced for $1,700 at the Inglis Sydney winter mixed sale in July. Terry is racing the gelding in partnerships with some new clients. “They are over the moon with this horse for such a small outlay and to be competitive.The new owners are having a ball,” Terry reports.

Cee Dubai was got by Galileo, a Sadler’s Wells sire who is now one of the best in Europe, from Azzurro, a Bluebird mare who won seven races including the Caulfield Thousand Guineas and VRC Edward Manifold Stakes.

Scone racing identity’s pious regard for Brisbane winner

BILL ROSE, a longtime racing and breeding industry leader based at Scone, more than likely got pleasure from the early breakthrough as a sire of the Coolmore, Hunter Valley visitor Antonius Pius, the source in his first crop of Big Tony, the impressive1.5 lengths winner of the juvenile event which opened the program at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Before Antonius Pius, a talented American bred European performer named after a Roman Emperor of 2000 years ago, was born, Rose purchased in England Isle of Pines, a winning half-sister to the mare who was to become his dam, Catchascathcan, and brought her to Australia.

A daughter of the very respected sire Kris, Isle of Pines has produced seven foals for him, including stakes winners Tall Timbers (by Anabaa) and Taken (Gilded Time), stakes placed Anapine (Anabaa) and on October 14 of this year a colt by the Widden Stud based Redoute’s Choice Golden Slipper winner Stratum.

Raced by Bill Rose, Tall Timbers won seven races, including two Group 3 events, the MRC Easter Cup in Melbourne and the Newmarket at Newcastle, but gave him his biggest thrill when beaten a couple of centimetres when second in the 2005 Scone Cup.

Represented by only two runners to date, but possessing about 50 first crop foals, the Coolmore shuttled Antonius Pius appears one of the best value sires in Australia on his current fee of $8,800. Like one of Coolmore’s now prominent visiting sires, the Danehill Ireland bred Danehill Dancer, he has the credentials to rise up to be a prominent sire in both hemispheres.

He is by the awesomely speed prepotent Danzig, sire also of course of Danehill, and on top of this his dam, Isle of Pines’ half-sister Cathascatchcan, is a Yorkshire Oaks and Lancashire Oaks winner. She is by Pursuit of Love, a champion European 3-year-old sprinter and a grandson world breeding influence Blushing Groom.

An illustrious relation of Blushing Groom is Mill Reef, the sire of Catawa, grandam of Antonius Pius and herself a grandaughter of a half-sister to a champion Australasian sire, Oncidium..

Antonius Pius only won two of his 14 starts, both successes coming at two and including the prestigious Group 2 Railway Stakes at Curragh in Ireland, but he showed up as a leading miler at three. In was a year in which he beat the third placegetter Six Perfections by 1.5 lengths when a close second in the American Breeders’ Cup Mile and finished third in two of Europe’s eminent Group1 events at a mile, the Longchamp Prix du Moulin and Ascot St James’s Palace Stakes, and a 1.5 lengths fifth in the French Two Thousand Guineas.

Big Tony, the youngster who opened the Antonius Pius account at Eagle Farm on Saturday, was bred by Bylong Thoroughbreds, a breeding operation located in the historic Bylong Valley on the western fringe of the Hunter Valley which was formerly the Clearvale Stud. It was initially the home for Frisco View, the imported Blushing Groom grandson who now stands at the Craiglea Stud in Queensland and who supplied Craiglea Scorcher, the runner up to Big Tony on Saturday.

Sold at the Magic Millions yearling sale at the Gold Coast for $40,000, the Trevor Miller, Sunshine Coast trained Big Tony is inbred 2x4 to Danzig, being from unraced Miss Conception, a daughter of Danehill Golden Slipper winner Danzero and from Prefer An Angel, a winner of five races, including the Group 2 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Manner Hill puts Tamworth owner breeder on a new high

TAMWORTH north-western NSW breeder and owner Bob Shelton appears to be on track to be on a high again from his wisdom in mating his unraced High Regard mare High Wisdom again with a sire who was then available at the local Stratheden Stud owned by the Marheine family.

On the first occasion a mating with the Star Watch STC Todman Slipper Trial winner Pauillac resulted in a performer named On A High who became a winner for him of nine races, including the Group 2 Villiers Stakes at Randwick.

Six years after Shelton bred On A High, the 2003 season, he sent High Wisdom to the powerfully bred, versatile Danehill Sydney performer Manner Hill, then fresh out of work and looking after a small book of mares at Stratheden.

This mating produced Manahi, a bay gelding currently emerging as a good class runner at Tamworth in the ownership of Mr and Mrs Shelton and friends and in the local stables of Paul St Vincent. Now a 4-year-old, Manahi has won his last two races, scoring by 1.8 lengths at nearby Quirindi on October 24 and then at Tamworth on November 17.

He is one of nine money earners that Manner Hill has had from 14 runners out of mares of modest quality from two very light seasons in NSW. The others have included Feisty Manner (a winner at Brisbane and Seymour), Charming Manners (won Darwin), Pub Torque (won Dubbo, Tamworth) and Convent Hill (Cessnock).

The performances of the progeny of Manner Hill from his very restricted use in NSW has been very pleasing for prominent Victorian racing and breeding identity Danny Rose as he was able to secure this16.1 hands bay son of Danehill and the great racemare Mannerism for his young Cherokee Rose Stud near Lancefield in Victoria.

Breeders responded to the commercial opportunity provided Manner Hill at Cherokee Rose by supplying him with 93 mares in his first season, 2005, and following up with 82 in 2006 and 96 in 2007. In the latter year he had over 100 booked in, but a number were unable to travel from interstate owing to the equine influenza epidemic.

The first of the Manner Hills got at Cherokee Rose are now 2-year-olds and include offspring of mares by Canny Lad, Zephyr Bay, Bluebird (USA), Perugino (USA), Tabasco Cat (USA), Bletchingly, Fairy King, Desert Sun (GB), Centaine, Dehere (USA), Yeats (USAO, Flying Spur, Arena, Umatilla, Catrail (USA), Noalcoholic (FR), Spectrum (IRE), Raami (GB), Zeditave, Thunder Gulch (USA) and Fasliyev (USA).

Raced by a syndicate including the Marheines of the Stratheden Stud, Manner Hill won six races from 1100m to 2400m, including two stakes and appearances at Randwick, Rosehill Gardens, Canterbury and Flemington. In addition he was runner up in seven races and fourth in the Group1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.

Manner Hill is one of two proven Danehill sires standing at the up and coming Cherokee Rose Stud. Initially used in Queensland and sire of 72 winners, he is Legal Opinion, a half-brother to Zeditave and Falvelon’s sire Alannon. His first crop got at Cherokee Rose are yearlings.


19/11/08 Stylish Win for Encosta Filly

Promising filly Rapala (3f Encosta de Lago x Kahuna's Girl, by King of Kings) made a swift transition from a maiden win at Goulburn to a metropolitan success when she charged home to win over 1300 metres at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.

The Guy Walter trained filly was eased back from a wide gate and made a sustained run four and five wide to win her second race from four starts by more then a length.

“She had to make a long and sustained run and was very impressive,” Walter said.

“I would think on that run she’d win better races.

“She could possibly even be a filly for the autumn.”

Passed in shy of her $150,000 reserve at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Rapala was retained to race by Sebring’s breeders Corumbene Stud and is the second foal of unraced Kahuna’s Girl, a grand-daughter of US Group Three winner Duty Dance.

Rapala brought up the second leg of a winning double for Guy Walter, who took out the first race on the program with improving gelding I’ve Got Talent (4g Danehill Dancer x Swing Again, by Take Your Partner), who won the Ratings 75 event over 1600 metres.

Coolmore based sires posted a third winner on the program when the Gai Waterhouse trained Fusakeo (3g Fusaichi Pegasus x Miss Jakeo, by Unbridled's Song) took his record to two wins and a second from three starts when taking out the restricted event for three year-old colts and geldings over 1300 metres.

A son of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, Fusakeo overcame a wide drawn to lead throughout, kicking on strongly to score by half a neck.

Yet another winner for Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds, Fusakeo was a $140,000 Magic Millions purchase from the draft of Baramul Stud and is a half-brother to Group Three winner Miss Judgement being from Miss Jakeo, a daughter of dual Group One winner Lady Jakeo.


18/11/08 $400,000 Red Ransom Colt Tops RTR Day One
The first day of New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale of two-year-olds has showed resilience to recent economic pressures with results holding up well against those posted at last year's record Sale.

With 212 lots catalogued for Day One of the two-day Sale the average was $61,128 ($61,134 in 2007) by the close of play, with a $32,500 median ($36,000 in 2007) and 61% clearance rate (70% in 2007). Turnover is currently $6,907,500 for the 113 horses sold today.


Today's sale-topper Lot 62 breezing up at Te Rapa on 25 October.

The top lot of the day came at Lot 62, a Red Ransom colt purchased by Singapore-based trainer Stephen Gray for $400,000. From Lady Circles (Ascot Knight), a half-sister to Elvstroem and Haradasun, the colt consigned by Esker Lodge breezed up in a speedy 10.66 seconds.

Ex-pat Kiwi Gray was delighted with his purchase, "He's a good looking colt with a strong stallion pedigree and was great value at the price.

"We'll send him down to my parents place (in Palmerston North) to mature and will race him in New Zealand before we look at taking him to Singapore. We're in no hurry with him and will look to start him as a late two-year-old/early three-year-old."


The second highest price of the day came at Lot 93 with the Zabeel colt from Macanudo (Kingdom Bay) bought by Graeme Rogerson for $320,000. From a half-sister to the dam of Queensland Oaks winner Vouvray, the colt offered by Phoenix Park did not breeze up.

Rogerson was also the leading buyer of the day with four horses bought for $965,000.

New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Sales & Marketing Petrea Vela said the sale company was pleased with the results posted at Karaka today.

"This is our first sale since world financial pressures have come to bear and we are very pleased by how well the market here is holding up. We are by no means immune but certainly today's results are heartening under the current circumstances.

"There is clear strength at the top of the market but as we anticipated buyers are selective in their purchasing and the clearance rate reflects this. We've seen good competition on the sought after lots but it's a buyers' market and there is still plenty of opportunity to acquire some good quality young stock over the course of tomorrow."

Today's Sale received a notable boost from the large turnout of international buyers active ringside at Karaka, in particular from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Korea. The Seoul Racehorse Owners Association has been amongst the most prolific international buyers with ten two-year-olds purchased so far.

2008 Ready to Run Sale Day 1 Statistics 2008 Day 1 2007 Final
AVERAGE $61,128 $61,134
MEDIAN $32,500 $36,000
CLEARANCE 61% 70%
AGGREGATE $6,907,500 (113 Lots Sold) $15,100,000 (247 Lots Sold)
TOP LOT $400,000 (B.C. Red Ransom x Lady Circles) $500,000 (B.C Rock of Gibraltar x Run and Hide)

Top Ten Lots Lot Type Breeding Vendor Purchaser Price
62 BR.C Red Ransom / Lady Circles ESKER LODGE MR S GRAY (Singapore) $400,000
93 B.G Zabeel / Macanudo PHOENIX PARK ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK (Hamilton) $320,000
39 B.C Keeper / Jazzmatazz PHOENIX PARK MR C MCANULTY (QLD) $300,000
143 G.C Galileo / Our Heather LYNDHURST FARM ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK (Hamilton) $275,000
29 B.C Zabeel / I'm in Heaven MANA PARK ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK (Hamilton) $260,000
74 B.C Encosta de Lago / La Veine REGAL FARM JOHN FOOTE BLOODSTOCK (QLD) $260,000
107 B.C Dehere / Miss Candy PHOENIX PARK MR C MCANULTY (QLD) $250,000
212 B.G Gold Mine / Shaayil BREMNER BLOODSTOCK MR CP BEH (Malaysia) $185,000
204 B.C More Than Ready / Sapphire Girl ESKER LODGE MR ONG TIONG SENG (Singapore) $180,000
156 B.C Viking Ruler / Pastel CHEQUERS STUD WAIKATO BLOODSTOCK (Hong Kong) $170,000

Leading Buyers by Aggregate Purchaser Sold Aggregate Average Top Price
ROGERSON BLOODSTOCK 4 $965,000 $241,250 $320,000
NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK 15 $717,500 $47,833 $100,000
MR C MCANULTY 2 $550,000 $275,000 $300,000
MR S GRAY 2 $485,000 $242,500 $400,000
MR CP BEH 3 $385,000 $128,333 $185,000

Leading Sires by Average (3 or more sold) Sire Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
Keeper 4 $121,500 $486,000 $300,000
Pins 4 $81,000 $324,000 $105,000
Volksraad 3 $65,833 $197,500 $82,500
Golan 3 $62,500 $187,500 $110,000
Handsome Ransom 4 $61,250 $245,000 $100,000

Leading Vendors by Average (3 or more sold) Vendor Sold Average Aggregate Top Price
REGAL FARM 2 $145,000 $290,000 $260,000
PHOENIX PARK 10 $141,150 $1,411,500 $320,000
ESKER LODGE LTD 6 $140,417 $842,500 $400,000
ANZAC LODGE 1 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000
BREMNER BLOODSTOCK 2 $98,750 $197,500 $185,000

Leading Vendors by Aggregate Vendor Sold Aggregate Average Top Price
PHOENIX PARK 10 $1,411,500 $141,150 $320,000
ESKER LODGE LTD 6 $842,500 $140,417 $400,000
LYNDHURST FARM 6 $566,000 $94,333 $275,000
MANA PARK 7 $555,000 $79,286 $260,000
CHEQUERS STUD 3 $295,000 $98,333 $170,000

A list of the day's Passed Lots can be viewed online. For further information on any Passed Lot contact New Zealand Bloodstock.
A further 212 two-year-olds are catalogued for sale from 11am tomorrow at Karaka. The Sale will also be streamed live online at http://www.nzb.co.nz./


18/11/08 NZ RTR Sale Live Online Today

New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale of two-year-olds kicks off today at Karaka, with the Sale also being streamed live on the New Zealand Bloodstock website.

Lots 1 to 212 are scheduled to go under the hammer today (Tuesday 18 November), with the remaining Lots 213 to 424 on Wednesday 19 November. Selling commences each day at 11am.

Video clips of the horses breezing over 200m of the Te Rapa racecourse are available online and can also be viewed in New Zealand Bloodstock's 'cyber-cafe' set up at Karaka.


18/11/08 New sale joins Magic Millions' January carnival

January's Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Sales and Racing Carnival in January has got bigger and better with a new one day thoroughbred sale announced.

The new Magic Millions Summer Carnival Thoroughbred Sale will be held following the conclusion of the tradition Yearling Sale on January 18.

And already some high profile lots have been received for the auction.

Lonhro's multiple stakes winning daughter Black Minx is set to go under the hammer at the sale.

A winner of the McDougall Stakes and Sir Douglas Wadley Stakes among five wins last season at two, Black Minx showed she was on track for a successful return to the track with a dazzling barrier trial win last week.

Current trainer Mark Webb is aiming the filly at the $1 million Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 3YO Trophy. Following that race she will highlight the new Summer Carnival Sale.

Also among the entries are two outstanding racetrack prospects - both being exceptionally bred two-year-old fillies.

Broken-in but unraced the fillies are by Redoute's Choice (ex Victory Vein - Champion Australian 2YO of 2001/02) and Encosta de Lago (ex Fayfa - making the filly a half sister to Hillfa and Love Jeddah).

Magic Millions managing director David Chester said the sale would just be another highlight of what would be a magnificent thoroughbred event.

"A number of clients have expressed interest in a sale of this kind for January," Chester said. "The world's thoroughbred focus is on the Gold Coast at this time."

"Already we've got some big name entries and I'm sure plenty more will come in over the next few weeks."

Anyone interested in nominating a thoroughbred for the sale should contact the bloodstock department of Magic Millions on 1300 MILLIONS. An entry form is available for download on the homepage of the Magic Millions website.

Entries for the sale close on December 19.


17/11/08 Tell a Tale and Il Quello Veloce Siblings for Karaka
The emphatic performance by both Tell a Tale and Il Quello Veloce in the $1,000,000 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) provided an early spotlight on the yearlings to be presented at the 2009 National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.

Tell A Tale, in the hands of Troy Harris, took home the first $1 million race to be run in the South Island beating favourite Il Quello Veloce, ridden by Noel Harris, Troy's father. Il Quello Veloce seemed to have the race in her safe keeping, but a final burst of speed from Tell A Tale proved otherwise.

The chestnut son of Tale of the Cat is out of the Sir Tristram mare, Cheeky Veronika and was bred by Davilora Lodge. A half-brother to Tell A Tale by Snippetson (Snippets) will be available at the 2009 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale in the Ainsley Downs draft.

Following Tell A Tale's victory on Saturday, Courtney Howells of Ainsley Downs said, "It took me a while to stop shaking. Like everyone else, I didn't think he could get clear in the straight, never mind get up and win. He was almost the forgotten horse, and he has kept on delivering. The way that he is finishing his races, you would think he may go even further."

Courtney described his Snippetson-Cheeky Veronica colt as, "A colt with real presence about him, he is an impressive, athletic colt, with a great head and a good length of rein."

To add another string to the bow of the Karaka Yearling Sales Series in 2009, Westbury Stud has a full brother to Il Quello Veloce (Captain Rio - Nishaani, by Gold Brose) in the Premier Sale. The filly put in a monumental effort to run second in the NZ 2000 Guineas against the best of New Zealand's colts, a performance that compliments her Group 1 victory at two, with lots more in store for the future on current form.

Russell Warwick of Westbury Stud describes their colt as "a lovely, lovely colt, well grown, very forward and a quality individual in his own right". Warwick expects a lot of interest in the colt who " is in the similar mould to his sister, a filly who was outstanding at two and has carried that on into her three-year-old year".

It was a great week for Captain Rio (Pivotal) with two-year-old Brazilian Princess (Saigon Princess, by Rhythm) winning by six lengths at the Gold Coast on Wednesday, and Alegrio (ex Eledance, by Dancing Spree) winning in a strong three-year-old Handicap at Tauranga on Saturday for trainer Richard Collett. Both are Karaka graduates and both were sold by Raffles Farm.

The 2009 Karaka National Yearling Sales Series is set to begin on 26 January, with catalogues available from 1 December 2008.


17/11/08 No Excuse Needed (GB) Back in the Black-type Spotlight

Hot on the heels of registering his landmark first Gr.1 winner last Saturday, Waikato Stud’s resident stallion No Excuse Needed (GB) (Machiavellian) has returned to the black-type spotlight.

Anchored into Gr.1 sire status by his 3YO daughter Daffodil (NZ) in last weekend’s NZ 1000 Guineas (1600m), the young Machiavellian stallion returned to Riccarton racetrack’s limelight on Saturday after filly Lesley Brook (NZ) took out the Listed Ford Welcome Stakes (1000m) for two-year-olds.

Bred by JS Otway, Lesley Brook (NZ) was purchased by her trainer Terry Kennedy at the 2008 South Island Sale of 2YO’s & Mixed Bloodstock for $28,000. Remarkably she has already recouped this price for owners, the FA King Family Trust, after just one outing.

No Excuse Needed (GB) added to his recent landmark Gr.1 win on Saturday.

According to Mark Chittick of Waikato Stud, however, Lesley Brook’s win was not the only impressive debut performance for No Excuse Needed (GB) on the day.

“Not only did Lesley Brook win but he had Take The Rap finish second at his first ever start for Danny O'Brien in the Listed Triple M Rocking Horse Stakes at Sandown,” Chittick told NZTM of the multiple English group winning miler.

“He’s leaving good looking horses that can run and are easy to breed to.

“Another thing about No Excuse Needed is that if a mare has conformational faults, he’s the one we recommend they be put to, to tidy things up. Particularly, he benefits from those mares with strength. He just seems to fine them down and to put athleticism into them.

“Its been an amazing 6 week period of winners for him, so it’s certainly making it hard to know where to go with our own mares this season!” said Chittick.

Standing at Waikato Stud for NZ$12,000 plus GST, No Excuse Needed (GB) was the Champion New Zealand 2YO Sire for 2007/08, best remembered that season by son Vincent Mangano (NZ), winner of the inaugural Karaka Million.

Sibling success prompts recollections of Xcellent and Vengeance of Rain
Nov 17, 2008

Fans of the now retired New Zealand-bred champions Xcellent (NZ) and Vengeance of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel) were prompted to recall their earlier brilliance on Saturday, after half-siblings to each struck at Sandown in Australia.

Xcellent (NZ) (Pentire), a $45,000 graduate of the Premier Yearling Sale, was a four time Gr.1 winner and dual winner of New Zealand’s ‘Horse of the Year’ for trainer Mike and Paul Moroney and breeder Garry Gimblet.

On Saturday, Instructor (NZ), Xcellent’s 5YO half brother by Pins (AUS) put his best foot forward in the AU$60,000 Sofrana Hcp (1700m).

Purchased by Rogerson Bloodstock for $115,000 at the 2005 Premier Yearling Sale, Instructor (NZ) has to date won six of his 14 starts for trainer, John Sadler.
Xcellent has two younger brothers yet to hit the track.

To the future, the next chapter for dam, Excelo, will be achieved with Excel King (NZ), an unraced 3YO brother to Xcellent who will step from the Melbourne stable of Danny O’Brien.

Excelo successfully returned to Pentire for a colt foal in 2006, and has subsequently produced her first filly in 2007 following a mating with Zabeel – to whom she returned this year.

Keen followers of the NZ-bred Hong Kong hero Vengeance of Rain (NZ) had to wait until the last on the Sandown card before witnessing the sibling success, but were rewarded for doing so when his Elusive Quality half-sister Bernicia achieved her second Listed level win in the $100,500 TBV Summoned Stakes (1500m).

In all, the Guy Walter-trained four-year-old has attained a record of 9:4,0,1.

Out of the Australian-bred Danehill mare, Danelagh, Bernicia is not only a half sister to the six time Gr.1 winning Hong Kong star, but to the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) winning Zabeel mare Dizelle (NZ) also.

Interestingly, Sandown was not the only Australian venue where siblings of NZ Bred Gr.1 heroes would shine.

At Rosehill in Sydney, an O’Reilly half to the 2004 Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas hero Econsul (NZ) named Jedburgh (NZ) was to the fore, winning the $70,000 TAB MOBI Hcp (1400m) for trainer David Hayes.


16/11/08 First Winner for Antonius Pius

Young Danzig stallion Antonius Pius featured at Eagle Farm on Saturday posting his first winner when the Trevor Miller trained Big Tony (2c Antonius Pius x Miss Conception, by Danzero) saluted in the open juvenile event over 1000 metres.

Fourth on debut at Doomben on November 1 when he made a mess of the start, Big Tony made no such mistakes this time jumping well from barrier two to lead throughout, then kicking away to win by a length and a half.

A $40,000 purchase from the draft of Bylong Park Thoroughbreds at the 2008 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Big Tony is from the Danzero mare Miss Conception. He is the first foal of his dam who is an unraced daughter of Group Two winner Prefer an Angel.

Antonius Pius was a brilliant juvenile himself winning the Group Two Railway Stakes at the Curragh and training on at three to place in the Group One Breeders Cup Mile an the St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

A $1.5 million yearling purchase, Antonius Pius is also a magnificent individual and has the matching pedigree being from unbeaten Group One winner Catchascatchcan, who comes from the family of former champion sire Oncidium.

Antonius Pius is standing his fourth season in Australia at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $8,800.


14/11/08 Latest news from Glenlogan park stud
SHOW A HEART’S very promising 4YO gelding Rightfully Yours booked a plane ticket to Perth and a shot at G1 glory after
proving far too classy for his rivals in the $100,000 Emirates Airline Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last Saturday.
Rightfully Yours is unbeaten as a 4YO, having managed to string together 6 wins from his last 7 starts, and appears to be a
real star on the rise.
The emerging galloper arrived in Perth on Tuesday after a long 9 hour flight where he has been installed the equal favourite (with
Marasco) for the G1 $1 million Railway Stakes (1600m) to be run at Ascot on November 22nd.
“He is a promising horse, a good strong gelding and is ready to go,” trainer Mick Price said after the race.
“He hadn’t had a start for 6 weeks and I feared he may have been a little vulnerable today over the final 100m but his class shone
through and he was still very strong to the line.
“He will take plenty of benefit out of that race and if things fall into place over in Perth then I am sure he will prove very competitive.”
Jockey Craig Newitt felt he got to the front too early last weekend but circumstances dictated that he had no choice.
“When another runner came around us at the 700m he grabbed hold of the bridle and pulled himself up 3 wide as they rounded the
turn,” Newitt said. “We then hit the lead way too early and left ourselves as sitting shots but he was just classes above them.
“He is a genuine G1 horse this fellow and we rated him the best of the 3YOs from the stable (Price yard) last year.
“Unfortunately things just didn’t go his way and he needed gelding and maturing but now that is done we are starting to see what he
can really do.”
SHOW A HEART’S offspring and trainer Mick Price have forged an outstanding partnership over the last few years and last weekend’s victory by Rightfully Yours took the tally to an amazing “19 wins from 49 times to the races” for the combination.
Mick is hoping to make that an even 40% (20 from 50) when his dual G3 winning 5YO Gotta Have Heart lines up in the Listed
$100,000 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m) at Sandown tomorrow but warns that there will need to be stacks of luck fall his way if
that is to occur.
“He has given the owners plenty of great times this horse and he has now won well over $300,000,” Mick said. “But he has just
got a few niggling problems that will make it a little tough for him from here on in.
“He has unquestionably got the raw ability to take this race out on Saturday but he is finding it hard to hit the line with the same
force as he did this time last year.
“We will just let him bowl along at his leisure in the lead and it will be a matter of crossing our fingers and hoping things go our way.”
SHOW A HEART and Mick Price have plenty to look forward to in the autumn as well with the stakes winning 3YO Heart Of
Dreams’ victory last month proving to be one of the form races of the carnival.
Despite Mick openly stating that Heart Of Dreams had come to the end of his preparation and was certainly not at his peak, the
Show A Heart gelding easily saluted in the Listed Winning Edge Presentation Cup four weeks ago, back on October 18.
And whilst Mick sent his charge to the paddock with an eye on the G1 Cadbury Guineas in the autumn, there have been plenty of horses who finished well beaten behind Heart Of Dreams that have come out and franked the form time and time again.
The first to do this was Dr Doute’s, who could only manage 4th to Heart Of Dreams, when he came out at his next start on
November 1st and easily won the $260,000 G3 Carbine Club Stakes.
The second cab off the rank was Stokehouse, who finished 8th to Heart Of Dreams, before literally smashing his rivals
on Oaks Day at Flemington in the $150,000 Listed Fashion Stakes.
And then last week we saw Drumbeats, who finished an easily beaten runner up to Heart Of Dreams, come out and stroll away
with the $150,000 Listed Hilton International Stakes at Flemington.
Obviously, taking into account the subsequent results, there is no questioning the strength of the Heart Of Dreams form-line
from that day. And considering he was far from his top in that stakes victory then there is little doubt that he is one serious racehorse
of the future.
We would think that anything Price sets this youngster for is going to be well within his reach and, should things go smoothly in the
lead up to March, he is sure to present a huge obstacle to all challengers come G1 Guineas time.
FALVELON kept an incredible run of Saturday Brisbane city winners rolling along when his only runner on the Doomben card
last weekend, Borsha’s Mark, saluted to make it 4 winners from 4 races within the last fortnight.
Borsha’s Mark was asked to jump from the extreme outside alley of 16 but mustered speed quickly to cross the big field and then
set a solid tempo as he bowled along in front.
The Falvelon 4YO had put the writing on the wall 2 weeks previously, after being narrowly beaten into third placing, and he looked
ready to produce his best last Saturday.
The win took the Les Kelly trained youngster’s prizemoney to within an inch of one quarter of a million dollars ($247,450) and
he has been a wonderful money earner for his owner/breeders.
Borsha’s Mark’s victory was full of merit but Kelly considers he is just starting to return to his best after really suffering from
the EI injections and expects we will see an even more improved horse next time out.
The unlucky runner in the race was unquestionably the Show A Heart gelding Main Vein.
Main Vein finished a rapidly closing 3rd after failing to secure a run for most of the straight and, if he had of got clear galloping
room earlier, there is no doubt he would have made the finish very exciting indeed.
However, return bouts for the pair will not be far away as the two quality sprinters will have a chance to square off against each other a
number of times in the next month or so as they both target the lucrative summer sprint series here in Brisbane.
This series kicks off on November 22 with the $100,000 Keith Noud Quality Hcp (1200m) at Eagle Farm, before moving on to
the $200,000 G3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 6 and then culminating in the $200,000 Listed City
Pacific Doomben Stakes (1350m) on December 20.
SHOW A HEART’S glamour mare Mimi Lebrock signed off a very successful Spring Carnival campaign with a typically tough and
courageous placing in the G1 Emirates Stakes at Flemington last weekend.
The former Magic Millions winner claimed a G2 victory (the Tristarc Stakes), a G3 victory (the Let’s Elope Stakes) and two G1
placings (in the Myer Classic and the Emirates Stakes) over the last few months to cement her reputation as one of the best of
her sex in the land.
In addition she watched her prize-money earnings soar well over the $1 million barrier to land at $1,149,595.
FALVELON has a few very real and genuine chances at Eagle Farm tomorrow to keep his amazing strike rate ticking along.
In Race 2 on the card the desperately unlucky Kryptelon will line up over 1200m for jockey Jim Byrne in what appears to be a
very competitive race for fillies and mares.
The David Kelly trained 4YO finished strongly to just miss out a nose 2nd back on October 4th to Dance Girl Dance at Doomben
over 1200m and then was finishing better than anything else when a very fast closing 7th (beaten less than a length) to Desdemona over the same course and distance on October 25.
She has not had clear running when she has needed it most at her last two outings and is much better suited to the wider spaces
of Eagle Farm than the tighter turning track of Doomben.
Kryptelon’s last run just couldn’t have been missed by smart form students and if she gets a clear crack at them in the straight
tomorrow then she will certainly take some holding out.
ONE MARE hoping to do just that is the Helen Page trained Show A Heart 5YO Satsang who resumes off a 5 month break in
the same event.
“She has been working really well and has done everything right this time in,” Helen said earlier this week. “We gave her a jump-out to
fit her up and were very pleased with how she performed and came through.
“The 1200m is probably a little short of her ideal distance but she is such a good fresh horse that she certainly can’t be discarded.
“She can absolutely fly at the end of her races if the luck runs with her and she gets an uninterrupted passage but she has a few
little idiosyncrasies that can sometimes go against her.
“She has plenty of class and we are anticipating that she will be in for a good campaign.
Tomorrow should see her hitting the line hard and she is a great each way hope.”
Satsang last stepped out in the G1 Winter Stakes against Absolut Glam and co. in June earlier this year, but found the footing way too
wet for her liking.
She has a lethal first up record having won 2 and being placed once from 4 attempts and if the pace is on will give this a real shake.
FALVELON will have the impressive last start winner Geebeetee representing him in Race 5 at Eagle Farm after the McLachlan
stable elected to scratch him from a midweek event that was far easier.
The 4YO gelding will be going into tomorrow’s assignment 3rd up from a spell and off the back of a strong 1.25 length victory over
1200m at the Sunshine Coast on November 2.
He will be meeting far tougher opposition here but drops 4.5kg and is a very consistent galloper having won, or placed, in 9 of his 17
career starts.
Both Another Target and Firedrake look big obstacles to overcome but Geebeetee will be at great odds and will be strong at the finish if
he can gain a good run in transit.
SHOW A HEART will have the well-performed Showify representing the Glenlogan Park sire roster in Race 6 at Eagle Farm and he should be right amongst the action again this week.
Gold Coast trainer Stephen Lowe believes Showify has his hoof right on the till and will give a great sight in the $75,000 Listed
Brisbane Handicap (1600m).
Showify has been threatening to win at his past 4 starts, including his last 2 outings when an unlucky 4th to Prosecution in a
1500-metre Open at Eagle Farm on October 18 and a last-start 2nd to Hard To Catch in a 1615-metre Open at Doomben.
“He's been a bit unlucky lately and could easily have won his last two starts," Lowe said. “He had the outside barrier last start
and got too far back then got held up for 50m approaching the home turn.
"The day he ran 4th at Eagle Farm he was held up again and only got into the clear 250m out."
Showify produced an eye-catching performance in the Magic Millions Stayers Cup (1800m) in March when he flashed home for
a desperately unlucky 3rd after drawing the outside barrier and most think he should have won it easily.
"I'm planning to run him in the Stayers Cup again and if he goes well I'll aim him for the winter carnival races next year," Lowe said.
SHOW A HEART will have his 4YO grey gelding Heart Of The Citi looking to break back into the winners circle in Race 7 and,
despite the tricky alley, he looks a great chance of achieving that.
Trainer Pat Duff usually lets his talented galloper race his way back into fitness and Heart Of The Citi tackles tomorrow’s field at his 3rd
run back from a spell and appearing ready to peak.
The Magic Millions winning gelding didn’t get much room in the final stages when resuming for a close up 4th over 1000m at
Eagle Farm back on October 18 and then was caught 3 wide without cover over 1200m two weeks later when doing a big job to keep
finding the line right to the finish and landing 3rd placing.
He looks really ready to go on with it tomorrow and can give this a big shake regardless of the bad barrier.
GLENLOGAN PARK supporters won’t know which way to look in the last race at Eagle Farm on Saturday with 3 very exciting youngsters
set to do battle.
Falvelon will have two entries with the Helen Page trained Power Of George looking to make it 4 Falvelon winners for the Page stable in
the space of just 15 days.
Page has saddled up Powerful Light, Falontime and Vulcania all to success within the last fortnight and expects “George” to give backers
a great sight tomorrow.
Robert Heathcote may also have a Falvelon runner in the race if he elects to go to the post with the very well thought of debutant Gundy Son.
Gundy Son has trialed in sensational fashion but Heathcote is wary of throwing him in the deep end at his first day out.
“He only has to make one mistake at the 1000m distance and he is gone,” Rob said. “He has been a little slow from the jump in his trials but if he did bounce cleanly he would be really competitive for sure.
“However it would be a big plus to start him out on his home track, and with a fair barrier, and I suppose there aren’t too many longterm
negatives if things don’t go our way and we get rolled.
“In the end, I will leave it up to the owners and they probably won’t decide until Saturday morning.”
Heathcote will also saddle up Show A Heart’s very talented 3YO Woorim.
“He hasn’t trialed and will be using this as his first really serious hit-out this campaign,”
Rob added. “The distance may be a bit too short for him but the horse has come back in sensational order and I think he is going to be
in for a big preparation.
“If they go absolutely crazy up front he is definitely capable of swamping them at the finish - but it will be the next few runs that I
am really looking forward to from this bloke.”

14/11/08 Tattersalls the World's International thoroughbred sale

Widely regarded as the most influential thoroughbred sale in the world, the Tattersalls December Sale has long been the source of legends. The outstanding VAGUELY NOBLE, who was the winner of the Group 1 Observer Gold Cup at the time, was offered at the 1967 December Sales, selling for a record price before going on to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the following year. The legendary French 2,000 Guineas winner and successful sire BLUSHING GROOM was sold as a foal at the 1974 December Sales for only 16,500 guineas and perhaps most famously of all, LADY ANGELA, the dam of the breed-shaping NEARCTIC, sire of arguably the greatest stallion of all time, NORTHERN DANCER, was sold at the 1952 December Sales for the sale topping price of 10,500 guineas.

Buyers from more than 50 countries have been coming to the Tattersalls December Sale for more than 100 years, searching for the filly or mare to form the foundation for future generations of success as well as the chance to catch up with old friends and to make new acquaintances. In recent years the number of Australians heading to Tattersalls for the December Sale has grown as buyers sought new bloodlines and quality in a market that no longer comes at a premium.

The horse that has commanded most of the headlines in recent years is the triple Group 1 Melbourne Cup winner MAKYBE DIVA. MAKYBE DIVA is a product of the Tattersalls December Sales, her dam TUGELA having been purchased at the 1998 December Mare Sale by agent John Foote for 60,000 guineas carrying MAKYBE DIVA in utero. Purchasers who missed that opportunity to buy her were given another bite of the cherry the following year when the resulting DESERT KING foal was offered at the December Foal Sale, but the chance went begging and after being led out unsold at 19,000 guineas, the filly who was to rewrite history was sent to Australia. The remarkable TUGELA has also been represented by the recent Group 2 Shannon Stakes winner MUSKET and Group 3 winner VALKYRIE DIVA.

In fact John Foote has enjoyed great success buying at the December Sale, having also purchased HAPPY HEART for 50,000 guineas the year after he bought TUGELA. Her DANEHILL DANCER filly ARAPAHO MISS won the Group 1 Victoria Oaks 12 months ago.

Buyers do not need to look back too far in Australian and New Zealand racing folklore to uncover other Tattersalls graduates who have helped shape the Australasian breed. At the 1979 Tattersalls December Sales a mare called EIGHT CARAT was knocked down for 9,400 guineas. Subsequently sold to Sir Patrick Hogan and repatriated to New Zealand, she went on to prove one of the most influential mares in Australasian racing and breeding as the dam of five Group 1 winners in OCTAGONAL, MOUAWAD, DIAMOND LOVER, KAAPSTAD and (OUR) MARQUISE and grand dam or great grand dam of a further seven Group 1 winners.

Other mares whose progeny have excelled on the racecourse include BENEDICTION, who was purchased at the 1989 December Mare Sale for only 17,000 guineas and is the dam of 1997 Melbourne Cup winner and dual Australian Horse of the Year MIGHT AND POWER.

The key to any sale is the success of its graduates and the December Sale certainly measures up on all fronts. So far in 2008 the progeny of graduates of the Tattersalls December Sale have won no less that 26 Group 1 races across all parts of the globe including England, Ireland, France, USA, Hong Kong, South Africa, Canada, Brazil, India and Australia. They include the Irish Derby and Oaks winners FROZEN FIRE and MOONSTONE, the Group 1 juvenile winners BUSHRANGER, FAME AND GLORY and AGAIN, the remarkable YEATS, winner of the Gold Cup three times, and NAAQOOS, impressive winner of the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day and favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas with many bookmakers. The Tattersalls flag was flown in Australia during the last 12 months by Stradbroke winner MR BARITONE whose dam TUNISIA cost a mere 16,000 guineas, PORTILLO, whose dam SNOWDRIFT was purchased for 10,000 guineas by agent Kieran Moore and the aforementioned ARAPAHO MISS.

One thing few Australians will have missed during the last couple of months has been the fall in the Australian Dollar. What is worth noting though is that the Pound has been falling just as quickly and so buying at Tattersalls will cost Australian buyers no more than it did 12 months ago.

The Tattersalls December Sales run from November 24th – December 4th and comprises one day of yearlings, five days of foals and a further four days of broodmares and fillies in training. All of the top European owner/breeders have significant consignments and catalogues are available now from Tattersalls and Tattersalls representatives and online now at www.tattersalls.com.

Countdown on for NZ Ready to Run Sale
The countdown is on with over 400 well educated two year olds set to go under the hammer in New Zealand Bloodstock's Ready to Run Sale next Tuesday 18 November and Wednesday 19 November from 11am each day.

The success of Kiwi breds over the Melbourne Spring Carnival bodes well for the Sale with the versatile breed carrying the NZ suffix to four Group 1 victories over 1200m (Swick), 1400m (Orange County), 1600m (Alamosa), and 2000m (Maldivian). The highlight was of course Maldivian's (Zabeel) victory in Australasia's feature weight for age event the $3,000,000 Group 1 Cox Plate while the Group 1 success was backed up with five winners at Group 2 level, three winners at Group 3 level, and four at Listed level.

The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale has provided some great success for buyers with six Group 1 winners in the past two seasons being purchased from the unique two-year-old sale. From last year alone the Sale has produced 36 winners, remarkable considering they are only spring three-year-olds. Rockdale (Danroad - Komplete Kaos, by Desert Sun) has been the real headline act for last year's sale with his impressive victory in the Group 1 TJ Smith Classic (1600) for trainer John Morrissey who purchased the colt from last year's sale for $135,000 from the draft of Phoenix Park.

Joining Rockdale as one of four stakes winners to emerge from the 2007 Ready to Run Sale to date is Kildonan (Invincible Spirit - Game Lady, by Lord Seymour) who won the Listed Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) in September. Just 12 months after being purchased for $56,000 by Michael Wallace Bloodstock from Anzac Lodge, Kildonan will line up tomorrow in the $1,000,000 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.

The 2008 Karaka Ready to Run Sale offers a great opportunity for buyers to buy the progeny of Australasia's very best stallions with Group 1 sires like Al Akbar, Align, Anabaa, Black Minnaloushe, Cape Cross, Captain Rio, Daggers Drawn, Danasinga, Danroad, Danske, Danzero, Dehere, Deputy Governor, Dubai Destination, El Moxie, Encosta De Lago, Faltaat, Fantastic Light, Flying Spur, French Deputy, Galileo, General Nediym, Giant's Causeway, Golan, His Royal Highness, Honours List, Howbaddouwantit, Hussonet, Istidaad, Jungle Pocket, Kaapstad, Kashani, Keeper, Magic Albert, More Than Ready, No Excuse Needed, Octagonal, O'Reilly, Pentire, Pins, Postponed, Quest For Fame, Red Ransom, Rock of Gibraltar, Sandtrap, Secret Savings, Sequalo, Shinko King, Spinning World, Star Way, Storm Creek, Strategic, Stravinsky, Street Cry, Towkay, Van Nistelrooy, Volksraad, and Zabeel represented.

As well as the impressive six-length win by Sousa (Galileo) in the Group 1 AJC Spring Champion Stakes boosting the pedigree of his three-quarter-brother by High Chaparral at Lot 81, there are a number of updates to the pedigrees on offer at this year's Sale including:

· Lot 193 - B.F. Pins - Roaring Meg (Centaine): This filly's sister Bella Valentina is now a stakes winner after capturing the Listed SAJC's Durbridge Stakes on 18 October.

· Lot 212, a bay colt by Gold Mine, further boosted his credentials by winning a Cambridge trial by five lengths on 23 September. He's eligible for the Karaka Million and will be offered on account of Bremner Bloodstock. · Lot 254 - C.G. Howbaddouwantit -The Candidate (Deputy Governor): This colt's dam is a half-sister to Group 1 Kelt Capital Stakes winner Prized Gem, who herself has left last season's Group 1 AJC Derby winner Nom De Jeu (Montjeu). Trained by Murray and Bjorn Baker, he has recently placed in both the Group 1 Kelt Capital Stakes and the Group 1 Caulfield Cup.

· Lot 305 - a chestnut colt by Bertolini beat eight rivals by one length in a trial on 24 October. His two year old form really represents what he was bred to do being by speedster Bertolini from a half sister to stakes winning juvenile Chuckle (Danehill). GCTC 2YO Classic winner Catnipped (Rory's Jester) is also present further down the page. Lot 305 will be offered by Charisse Lodge.

· Lot 369 - B.C. One Cool Cat - Crimson (Zabeel): The Stravinsky filly Miss Scarlatti has provided three valuable updates to her half-brother's pedigree with her win in the Listed VRC Super Impose Stakes and second placing in the Group 1 VRC Oaks, Group 2 Wakeful Stakes, and earlier in the Group 3 MRC Norman Robinson Stakes.

To view a full list of pedigree updates visit www.nzb.co.nz

The Breeze Up Clip Cyber Café will also be up and running at the Karaka complex, making it quick and easy for buyers to judge the galloping action of the two year olds on offer.

The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale is also your last chance to secure a horse to run for the 2009 Karaka Million on the 25th of January. There are 40 lots entered in the Sale eligible to vie for a spot in the feature one million dollar race.

There are also 15 horses eligible for the Carnival Sale Bonus of $100,000, which goes to the first 2008 Carnival Sale graduate past the post in the 2YO Carnival Sale Bonus Race at Ellerslie on Derby Day 2009.

The 2008 Ready to Run Sale will be conducted at Karaka on 18 & 19 November from 11am each day.


13/11/08
Inglis TV Announced at Asian Racing Conference

Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster addressed the Asian Racing Conference in Tokyo today on technology innovations in the business of thoroughbred auctioneer houses. During the presentation he appropriately announced the newest innovation, that being the launch of Inglis TV which will be up and running by December.

Inglis TV aims to inform and entertain industry participants. It will provide worldwide access to live, recent and archived video content on a wide range of web based channels.

Inglis TV will not only host the popular live TVN coverage of Inglis sales, but will also be a medium for coverage of topics relative to the thoroughbred industry, including informative information relating to sales, breeding and racing. There will be a channel dedicated to user generated or 'home' video submissions and provide access to a wide range of Sirecam content.

“I was delighted to be asked to address the Asian Racing Conference on the many innovations Inglis has introduced in the past year and it was timely that this latest project we have been working on - which is a world first for sales companies - could be announced here,” Webster said.

“The advertainment channel should provide viewers with some light hearted laughs, featured are some very clever ads for Three Chimney’s Farm in Kentucky,” he added.

Inglis TV joins a growing list of internet innovations to be introduced by Inglis in the past year, including an online X-ray repository, internet bidding and eCommerce. For a preview on what’s to come on Inglis TV, go to www.inglis.tv.


13/11/08 Latest news from Chatswood stud

Our 3 young stallions Rakti, Primus and Niello have been frequent visitors to the serving barn this season, with each attracting over 100 mare bookings. Rakti is leading the race at the moment with 140 mares however Niello and Primus are coming home with well timed late runs.
This is particularly pleasing in a year where financial and drought conditions are generally causing decreases in the number of mares bred. Chatswood wishes to thank our loyal band of supporters, and new clients for supporting our stallions in 2008
Leading Sydney Trainer and part owner of Primus, John O’Shea visited Chatswood during October to congratulate his multiple Group 1 performed Stallion during another successful year at Stud.
Joined by Wassim Gazal of Gazal Thoroughbreds, they expressed their joy over the popularity of this magnificent son of Champion Sire Flying Spur. The foals speak for themselves”, commented John. “They are great types” and with over 100 Mares flocking back to Primus this season for more of a good thing the forecast for this Sire is excellent.
Wassim who was owner/racer and is now owner/ breeder of Primus also couldn’t be happier with the result.
“ With mare numbers down in general this season, Primus is certainly stamping breeder confidence from his first crop of outstanding foals, and this is translating to his impressive book of Mares in 2008&#