Silent Witness returns in style and maintains unbeaten record

Reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Silent Witness who was bred by TBNSW member Mr I K Smith of Edinburgh Park Stud returned to racing last weekend in Hong Kong and, as we have come to expect, he won as he liked.  Congratulations Ian from the TBNSW Committee and all TBNSW members.  Silent Witness (AUS) (El Moxie(USA)-Jade Tiara) having his first run since April scored by a length in the Hong Kong Group 2 Cathay Pacific International Sprint Trial from Able Prince (AUS) (Hurricane Sky-Queen’s Choir) with Scintillation (AUS) (Danehill(USA)-Subterfuge) in third place.  A trifecta to Australian, and more particularly NSW bred horses – what a wonderful result!  Silent Witness who has accumulated some HK$26,891,900 (AUS$4 million) in career prizemoney to date, takes his record to 12 consecutive wins from as many starts and is continually rewriting the Hong Kong record books.  The next assignment for Silent Witness is the Group 1 Hong Kong International Sprint on 12 December 2005 .  It has been a fantastic three seasons of racing for Silent Witness in Hong Kong .  In his first year of racing he was named Hong Kong Champion Griffin and Most Improved Horse in Hong Kong but the best was to come.  In the 2003/2004 season Silent Witness was named Horse of the Year at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Champion Awards as well as Hong Kong Champion Sprinter and Most Popular Horse of the Year.  Whilst it is hard to single out Silent Witness’  best win to date, the highlights would have to include the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint at the International Race Day last December as well as his wins in the Hong Kong Champion Sprint Series.  The Champion Sprint Series is comprised of three Group 1 races, the Bauhinia Sprint Trophy, the Centenary Sprint Cup and the Chairman’s Sprint.  As a matter of interest, the half sister to Silent Witness, by Encosta de Lago, will be one of the prized lots at the William Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale to be held 29-31 March 2005.

  Hong Kong Update

D Whyte has a 10 win advantage in the Jockey’s Ranking.  D Whyte has recorded 32 wins, 27 seconds, 20 thirds, 17 fourths and 11 fifths from 160 rides. Shane Dye is in third position with 18 wins, 14 seconds, 10 thirds, 9 fourths and 14 fifths from 153 rides. D Dunn is in seventh position with 11 wins, 5 seconds, 7 thirds, 12 fourths and 10 fifths from 119 rides. Brett Prebble is in ninth position with 10 wins, 10 seconds, 12 third, 9 fourths and 16 fifths from 122 rides. Craig Williams is in tenth position with 8 wins, 4 seconds, 9 thirds, 9 fourths and 4 fifths from 90 rides.

Tony Cruz now has a 3 win lead in the Trainer’s Ranking.  Tony Cruz has recorded 23 wins, 15 seconds, 13 thirds, 8 fourths and 9 fifths from 120 runners. John Size is in second position with 20 wins, 14 seconds, 14 thirds, 19 fourths and 15 fifths from 154 runners. David Hayes is in fourth position with 14 wins, 9 seconds, 20 thirds, 11 fourths and 12 fifths from 163 runners.  John Moore is in sixth position with 12 wins, 12 seconds, 10 thirds, 9 fourths and 8 fifths from 125 runners.

All statistics current to 24 November 2004 .

  Hong Kong Jockey Club Appoints Magic Millions for International Sale

Leading Australian thoroughbred sales company, Magic Millions, has again been appointed the selling agent for one of the world's great thoroughbred sales.  The Gold Coast based company, which is proven on an international scale, will team up with the Hong Kong Jockey Club for the second straight year to present the Hong Kong International Sale (HKIS).  The sale, which will present a strong local buying bench with a range of young gallopers purchased at many of the world's top yearling sales, will be held at Sha Tin on December 11 - on the eve of the famous International Raceday.  Twenty two lots will go under the hammer at the sale. Among those on offer are five yearlings purchased in Australia - four of them fittingly are graduates of the Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast.  Sires with youngsters in the catalogue include Anabaa, Danehill, King's Best, Stravinsky and Testa Rossa as well as internationally based stallions Gone West, Green Desert , Lear Fan and Miswaki.  The news of Magic Millions once again being chosen as the selling agent for the HKIS in 2004 comes when the Jockey Club unveils their amazing new parade ring - which will host the sale this year for the first time.  "The opening of this redeveloped, covered parade ring, complete with its many splendid facilities, is something for which Hong Kong racing can justifiably be very proud; something that marks Sha Tin as the world's first truly 21st century racecourse," commented HKJC Steward Brian Stevenson, who led the steering committee of the parade ring construction.  Construction on the incredible new facility began in June 2003 and cost HK$400 million (A$70 million). The facility also comprises of a saddling area, an Owners Pavilion, a renovated Racing Centre and expanded viewing balconies across the second to fifth floors of the grandstand. Capacity at the paddock has doubled to 4,700.  The new paddock will host the HKIS on Saturday, December 11 and the club is exciting to be conducting the sale on their "home ground."  "We believe this fantastic, covered Parade Ring will soon develop into a famous Hong Kong landmark and one that the local community can avail of on special occasions," Stevenson added.

(Magic Millions Press Release)

  Vale – Kris

Kris(GB) (Sharpen Up(GB)-Doubly Sure(GB)) has died from suspected heart failure in his paddock at Plantation Stud.  Kris who was retired from stud duties in February 2002 was twenty eight years of age.  Kris had a wonderful race record having been successful 14 times and finishing second twice from only 16 race starts and at three years of age he was named Champion European Miler.  Kris was Champion Sire with his first crop of three-year-olds, which included Fillies’ Triple Crown winner Oh So Sharp and he was also Champion British based sire in 1986 and 1987.

  Bluebird retired from service

Bluebird ( USA ) (Storm Bird(CAN)- Ivory Dawn(USA)) has been retired due to problems with declining fertility.  The sire of 679 winners, 67 of whom were successful at stakes level, Bluebird served his last Australian season in 1999.  Bluebird who was a Group 1 winner himself (Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot), is the sire of southern hemisphere Group 1 winners Flitter (Doomben 10,000, Winfield Classic), Azzurro (1000 Guineas), Blue Murder (SA Derby), Bluebird The Word (Whakanui Stud International), Happiness (Thorndon Mile), Lady Of The Pines (1000 Guineas), Race Master (South African 1600), Singing The Blues (Oakleigh Plate) and The Delegator (South African Guineas).  His northern hemisphere Group 1 winners include Dolphin Street (Prix de la Foret), Aube Indienne (Yellow Ribbon Invitational), Lake Coniston (July Cup) and Fly To The Stars (Lockinge Stakes).

  Cartier Racings Awards

The 2004 Cartier Racing Awards were presented at a glittering ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in London recently.  The award winners were:

  Hong Kong Update

D Whyte has extended his lead to 11 win advantage in the Jockey’s Ranking.  D Whyte has recorded 31 wins, 22 seconds, 17 thirds, 16 fourths and 10 fifths from 142 rides. Shane Dye is in third position with 17 wins, 13 seconds, 10 thirds, 7 fourths and 11 fifths from 135 rides. Brett Prebble is in seventh position with 10 wins, 10 seconds, 12 third, 9 fourths and 16 fifths from 122 rides. D Dunn is in ninth position with 9 wins, 5 seconds, 7 thirds, 12 fourths and 9 fifths from 109 rides. Craig Williams is in tenth position with 8 wins, 4 seconds, 9 thirds, 9 fourths and 4 fifths from 90 rides.

Tony Cruz has a 2 win lead in the Trainer’s Ranking.  Tony Cruz has recorded 21 wins, 12 seconds, 12 thirds, 7 fourths and 9 fifths from 110 runners. John Size is in second position with 19 wins, 12 seconds, 13 thirds, 18 fourths and 15 fifths from 140 runners.  John Moore is in fifth position with 12 wins, 8 seconds, 9 thirds, 8 fourths and 8 fifths from 111 runners.  David Hayes is in sixth position with 11 wins, 7 seconds, 18 thirds, 11fourths and 10 fifths from 148 runners.

All statistics current to 17 November 2004.

  Ain’t Here on track for International Stardom

Former Group One Australian galloper Ain't Here looms as one of the leading local chances for Hong Kong at the world famous International Race Day at Sha Tin in December after his second consecutive Group win on 14 November 2004.  The gelding, a son of Dehere, raced clear of his rivals after racing off the speed to score an easy win in the HK$3 million The Asia's World City Cathay Pacific International Cup Trial (2000m).  The David Hayes prepared five-year-old won by over a length providing a dream result for the Aussies - as Brett Prebble was in the saddle. The minor placings were filled by star performers Bowman's Crossing and Bullish Luck.  The winner stopped the clock just a second outside the Sha Tin track record for the 2000 metre journey.  Ain't Here originally kicked away his racing career in Australia after his former trainer Peter Moody paid just $30,000 for him as a yearling at the 2001 Magic Millions January Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast.  He won two races as a juvenile at Flemington - but is probably best remember at Flemington for his half length third in a thrilling Group One Victoria Derby behind Helenus.  Ain't Here was also placed in his Derby lead ups in the Bill Stutt Stakes and Norman Robinson Stakes.  The five-year-old has now won his past two races in Hong Kong at Group level and he is on track for the International Raceday.  Hayes will use an upcoming trip to New Zealand to decide which of the international races he will target with the stable star. He is an entry for both the International Cup (2000m) and the International Vase (2400m).  "It's looking good for him now. He's definitely one of the better middle distance horses in Hong Kong on that performance," a delighted Hayes said after the win.  Ciaran Kennelly, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Senior Handicapper, agreed with Hayes saying Ain't Here was going to be a major chance at the big raceday next month.  "Ain't Here has shown further improvement this season," Kennelly said. "He has reversed the form of the Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji in May when Bowman's Crossing was third and he was fourth."  "He must have a good chance of faring well in whichever international race he tackles next month," Kennelly added.  Courtesy of his Group Two victory, Ain't Here boosted his career earnings when converted to Australian dollars to over $1.3 million. Not bad for a $30,000 yearling! And we have a feeling that $1.3 million tally is set to grow substantially over the next couple of years!

(Magic Millions Press Release)

FOOTNOTE:  Ain’t Here (Dehere(USA)-Ain’t She a Daisy(USA)) was bred by TBNSW member Twin Palms Stud and his full brother will be offered at the William Inglis 2005 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

  Hong Kong Update

D Whyte now has a 5 win advantage in the Jockey’s Ranking.  D Whyte has recorded 24 wins, 19 seconds, 14 thirds, 16 fourths and 10 fifths from 124 rides. Shane Dye is in third position with 16 wins, 12 seconds, 8 thirds, 5 fourths and 11 fifths from 118 rides. Brett Prebble is in sixth position with 9 wins, 8 seconds, 10 third, 7 fourths and 13 fifths from 106 rides. D Dunn is in ninth position with 8 wins, 5 seconds, 7 thirds, 10 fourths and 8 fifths from 96 rides. Craig Williams is in tenth position with 8 wins, 4 seconds, 9 thirds, 9 fourths and 4 fifths from 90 rides.

Tony Cruz has extended his lead in the Trainer’s Ranking and now has a six win advantage.  Tony Cruz has recorded 21 wins, 11 seconds, 10 thirds, 6 fourths and 8 fifths from 97 runners. John Size is in second position with 15 wins, 11 seconds, 13 thirds, 16 fourths and 15 fifths from 128 runners.  John Moore is in fifth position with 10 wins, 7 seconds, 8 thirds, 8 fourths and 7 fifths from 100 runners.  David Hayes is in seventh position with 8 wins, 7 seconds, 17 thirds, 9 fourths and 9 fifths from 130 runners.

All statistics current to 10 November 2004.

  Coolmore 2005 Stallion Fees

Coolmore have announced the following service fees for their stallions in 2005:

Coolmore Stud

Castlehyde Stud

  Another fantastic result for Last Tycoon's mother

In winning the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2500 metres at Flemington on 6 November 2004 for the Sheikhs Maktoum owned international racing organisation Godolphin, the overseas visitor Fantastic Love added to the fantastic input as a broodmare of the Mill Reef minor French winner Mill Princess.  Acquired for Godolphin as a potential Melbourne Cup candidate after she had won two middle distance races in England including the King George V Stakes at England's Ascot, Fantastic Love is by the Nureyev track record setting 1997 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Peintre Celebre and from Moon Flower, a Sadler's Wells product of Mill Princess.  Moon Flower was only a minor winner, but she is a sister to a Listed winner, Flowerdrum, and a three-quarter sister to three other stakes winners. All by other sons of Northern Dancer and from Mill Princess, they included the celebrated shuttle sire and former world class miler Last Tycoon.  The family has had extensive success with Mill Princess being a half-sister to Irish Ball (won the Irish Derby and third English Derby) and to the dam of Assert (won the Irish and French Derbys) and Bikala (French Derby).  Irish Lass, the third dam of Fantastic Love, was a stakes winning sister to Irish Oaks winner Lynchris, and a grandaughter of Barley Corn, also ancestress of Shantung (third English Derby; a leading sire), Roi Dagobert (champion French two-year-old and prominent sire) and Sassafras (won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, French Derby and St Leger and also a successful sire).  The win of Fantastic Love in the Queen Elizabeth at Flemington had been preceded earlier in the day by success at Warwick Farm of an Australian bred son of Peintre Celebre who is emerging as a likely prospect to uphold the honour of the local product in next year's Melbourne Cup.  In the Gai Waterhouse stables after being acquired at a Sydney Easter yearling sale for $280,000, he is the four-year-old gelding Mr Celebrity and he was maintaining his unbeaten record when at his fourth start he was successful by 5.75 lengths in a 2100 metre event on Saturday.  Mr Celebrity shows the benefits of putting a top middle distance shuttle sire over mares carrying the Star Kingdom influence in their pedigrees. His mother Lamora doubles up Star Kingdom, being by Golden Slipper winner Marscay and from the Caitie's Kingdom, a Planet Kingdom mare.  Unraced, Caitie's Kingdom is another top producer to show that proven excellence on the track is not an essential ingredient in successful breeding. She produced eight winners including four successful in stakes races with the honour board headed by Prince Salieri.  A Coolmore sire who did not make the trip out for the 2004 season, Peintre Celebre is nearly a three-quarter brother to Chateau Royal, an imported sire located at Elizabeth Mastin's Yhi Park Stud near Scone and due to have his first runners this season.  A two-year-old winner and multiple stakes placed performer in Ireland, Chateau Royal is by the Storm Bird Santa Anita Derby winner Personal Hope and from Petroleuse, the Habitat Group 3 winner who is the grandam of Peintre Celebre.

(This article courtesy of Brian’s Russell’s Racing & Breeding News)

  Hong Kong Update

D Whyte continues to lead in the Jockey’s Ranking with a nine win advantage.  D Whyte has recorded 24 wins, 19 seconds, 13 thirds, 17 fourths and 10 fifths from 124 rides. Shane Dye is in third position with 12 wins, 11 seconds, 9 thirds, 4 fourths and 10 fifths from 100 rides. Brett Prebble is in sixth position with 8 wins, 8 seconds, 9 third, 5 fourths and 11 fifths from 90 rides. Craig Williams is in eighth position with 8 wins, 4 seconds, 9 thirds, 9 fourths and 4 fifths from 90 rides.  D Dunn is in ninth position with 8 wins, 4 seconds, 6 thirds, 5 fourths and 9 fifths from 80 rides.  Michael Rodd is in tenth position with 7 wins, 5 seconds, 7 thirds, 5 fourths and 4 fifths from 92 rides.

Tony Cruz has moved to the lead in the Trainer’s Ranking and has a two win advantage.  Tony Cruz has recorded 16 wins, 9 seconds, 10 thirds, 5 fourths and 7 fifths from 85 runners. John Size is in second position with 14 wins, 10 seconds, 13 thirds, 16 fourths and 12 fifths from 115 runners.  John Moore is in fifth position with 9 wins, 7 seconds, 7 thirds, 6 fourths and 7 fifths from 89 runners.  David Hayes is in tenth position with 6 wins, 7 seconds, 14 thirds, 7 fourths and 8 fifths from 114 runners.

All statistics current to 2 November 2004.

  Ashford Stud Announce 2005 Service Fees

Ashford Stud in Kentucky have announced their 2005 Service Fees which are as follows: