One can’t help but be impressed with the exceptional splendor of the Dubai World Cup and the 2006 event did not disappoint. On the 25th March 2006 Nad Al Sheba racecourse played host to Dubai’s racegoers through a multitude of refined hospitality options and entertainment while the most supreme equine athletes competed for the richest purse in the world. Deemed as THE social and sporting event of the year, the 2006 Dubai World Cup certainly earned the title, it is easy to see how this has become one of the main highlights of Dubai’s calendar. Gates were opened to eager racing patrons at 2pm and for many the Style Arena was the first stop. Registrations for the renowned BurJuman Style Stakes took place between 2pm and 4pm. Judges had the tough task at 5.45pm of announcing the winner and runner up of the competitions from a record number of over 300 entries! Crowned as Best Dressed Lady was Teresa Charvatova and runner up was Diana Conway. Teresa won a US$5000 gift certificate for BurJuman and Diana won a US$ 3000 gift certificate from BurJuman. Best Dressed Couple was the beautifully coordinated Paul Marks and Linda Bielkova. The happy couple won a US$ 4000 gift certificate from BurJuman. And finally the Milliner’s Award for Best Hat went to Laura Gleich who won a US$ 3000 gift certificate from BurJuman. With so much racewear fashion and millinery, the Style Arena was clearly the Style Central for the 2006 Dubai World Cup! The first race at 5pm kicked off the racing excitement and as expected Madjani raced to the post to win the Dubai Kahayla Classic (group.1) sponsored by Emaar. An incredibly moving Opening Ceremony after the running of the Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News emulated the passion and depth of the sport with mesmerizing fire displays and striking dance performances. Racegoers were treated to an awesome Dubai World Cup Opening Ceremony. The Dubai World Cup Finest Surprise Draw courtesy of Dubai Duty Free took place at 7.50pm on the Presentation Stage in the Style Arena and the lucky winner Don Fernandez was delighted to accept the keys to his very own dream car, a Rolls Royce Phantom. This was followed by the coveted Thanks a Million Draw at 8.50pm on the Presentation Stage in the Style Arena where Titiana Ferderco won one million Skywards Miles courtesy of Emirates Airline. However, the eyes of world were on Nad Al Sheba as the 11 contenders for the final race of the meeting, the Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline, made their way to the starting gate. The Dubai World Cup took place at 9.20pm and emotions were running high as Godolphin’s magnificent Electrocutionist thundered home to win the US$6,000,000 Group One race in a time of 2:01:32 mins bringing the whole event to an incredible crescendo. Second after an admirable battle was Brass Hat and Wilko came third. The first running of the Dubai World Cup took place a short ten years ago in 1996. The event has grown into an internationally renowned phenomenon. Over 90 horses represented 14 countries on the 25th March 2006 at Nad Al Sheba while approximately 60,000 racegoers soaked up an electric atmosphere like no other.

(Dubai World Cup Media Release)

  Major Race Results – Dubai

The Group 1 Dubai World Cup 2000 metres

1. Electrocutionist (USA) (Red Ransom-Elbaaha)

2. Brass Hat (USA) (Prized-Brassy)

3. Wilko (USA) (Awesome Again-Native Roots)

The Group 1 Dubai Duty Free 1777 metres

1. David Junior (USA) (Pleasant Tap-Paradise River)

2. The Tin Man (USA) (Affirmed-Lizzie Rolfe)

3. Seihali (IRE) (Alzao-Edwina)

The Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic 2400 metres

1. Heart’s Cry (JPN) (Sunday Silence-Irish Dance)

2. Collier Hill (GB) (Dr Devious-Polar Queen)

3. Falstaff (IRE) (Montjeu-Dance of Love)

The Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen 1200 metres

1. Proud Tower (USA) (Proud Irish-Dora’s Tower)

2. Thor’s Echo (USA) (Swiss Yonder-Helen of Troy)

3. Jet West (USA) (Western Fame-Jetinwith Kennedy)

  Dubai World Cup winner bred on cross of Australian shuttle sires

The astuteness of the Maktoum brothers, the rulers of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, was demonstrated again at the weekend when a proven Group1 winner they acquired in a private deal last November took out the world's richest races, the Aust$8.4million Dubai World Cup over 2000 metres. He is Electrocutionist and he is a stallion who it would be no surprise to see become a shuttler to the Darley operation in the Hunter Valley in due course as, besides challenging as one of the best middle distance performers in the world at this time, he is bred on a cross of sires in use in Australia. Now winner of seven of his 10 starts including Group1 successes in 2005 in the York International Stakes (2100m) and Italy's Gran Premio di Milano (2400m), he is by the very popular Vinery Stud, Segenhoe Valley, Scone visitor from Kentucky, Red Ransom, but appears to have gained his appearance from his maternal grandsire Arazi. Probably the best two-year-old in the world in1991, a year he won seven of eight starts including four Group 1 victories, three in France and the other the American Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Arazi is a Blushing Groom sire now based at Independent Stallions Stud, Euroa, Victoria. He has three of his first Australian crop yearlings available at the William Inglis Victorian Autumn yearling sale to be held on Monday and Tuesday, April 3 and 4 including fillies out of well related mares by Danzero and Noalcoholic which could be good investments for breeding purposes as well as for their racing potential. The dam Elbaaha won over 2300m in England and was from Gesedeh, a daughter of Ascot King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes winner Ela-Mana-Mou and Le Melody, a three-quarter sister-in-blood to Mona Curragh, the dam Castletown, a grand New Zealand bred stayer. He won the New Zealand Derby, the Auckland Cup and three runnings of the Wellington Cup and was successful in Australia in the Caulfield Stakes and AJC St Leger and second in the Sydney Cup. The success of Electrocutionist in the Dubai World Cap is another feather in the Red Ransom cap. This son of Roberto and the Damascus mare Arabia has now had Group1 winners in Dubai, America, England, Germany, Italy and Australia. The World Cup was the grand finale to a spectacular day's racing at Dubai, a program which also saw Japanese racing and breeding come of age internationally. They were successful with two Japan bred and trained horses, succeeding in the Sheema Classic (2400m) on grass with Heart's Cry (a nose second in October in the Japan Cup) and in the Godolphin Mile on dirt with the Forty Niner stallion Utopia. Heart's Cry, another of the huge list of top performers by the now deceased king of Japanese breeding Sunday Silence, is from Irish Dance, a mare by Tony Bin. A Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, Tony Bin was by Kampala, a sire who stood in England, New Zealand, Australia and finally Japan. He had five seasons in the Hunter Valley during which he was used at three different studs.

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

  Major Race Results – Hong Kong

The Group 1 Hong Kong Derby 2000 metres

1. Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju-Comic)

2. Hail the Storm (AUS) (Metal Storm(FR)-Sound Willie(NZ))

3. Silver Sun (AUS) (Scenic(IRE)-Timeless Tenby)

The Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint 1200 metres

a third placing for TBNSW members

1. Billet Express (AUS) (Keltrice-Pazzihi)

2. Scintillation (AUS) (Danehill(USA)-Subterfuge(GB)) bred in NSW

3. Silent Witness (AUS) (El Moxie(USA)-Jade Tiara) bred by TBNSW members Mr I K Smith

  Hong Kong Update

Douglas Whyte has increased his lead yet again in the Jockey’s ranking and now holds a thirty two win advantage. Whyte has recorded 76 winners, 66 second placings, 50 third placings, 54 fourth placings and 31 fifth placings from his 460 rides. Brett Prebble is in second position with 44 winners, 34 second placings, 33 third placings, 23 fourth placings and 24 fifth placings from 323 rides. Chris Munce is in fifth position with 34 winners, 23 second placings, 21 third placings, 24 fourth placings and 20 fifth placings from 296 rides. Shane Dye is in sixth position with 32 winners, 33 second placings, 40 third placings, 22 fourth placings and 26 fifth placings from 354 rides.

The Australians continue to lead in the Trainer’s ranking but have changed their positions. John Moore is now on the top having recorded 55 winners, 38 second placings, 39 third placings, 24 fourth placings and 31 fifth placings from 350 runners. John Size is in second position with 53 winners, 40 second placings, 30 third placings, 51 fourth placings and 29 fifth placings from 391 runners. David Hall is in tenth position with 20 wins, 23 second placings, 32 third placings, 16 fourth placings and 17 fifth placings from his 214 runners.

All statistics current to 29 March 2006.

  Tattersalls Yearling Graduate Viva Pataca Lands Hong Kong Derby

VIVA PATACA, sold for 26,000 guineas at Part 1 of the 2003 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, lived up to his massive pre-race reputation by landing the Hong Kong Derby in impressive fashion for trainer John Moore. Sent off as a warm favourite for the HK$14,000,000 Hong Kong Group 1 contest, the British bred son of MARJU took his lifetime record to eight wins from eleven starts with a comfortable victory for owner Stanley Ho who purchased VIVA PATACA (formerly COMIC STRIP) through Kern Lillingston's Alastair Donald. Bred by the Dukes of Devonshire and Roxburghe, VIVA PATACA is the second foal out of the winning BE MY CHIEF mare COMIC, herself a half-sister to the high class multiple Grade 2 winner BRAVE ACT and Listed winner JELLABY ASKHIR. COMIC has a yearling colt by VETTORI, which was sold for 26,000 guineas to Ian Semple's Belstane Racing Stables at last year's Tattersalls December Foal Sale, has recently foaled an own sister to VIVA PATACA, and now visits 2005 Derby winner MOTIVATOR at the Royal Studs. MARJU, whose other top class performers in Hong Kong have included the multiple Group 1 winner INDIGENOUS, has three colts catalogued for the forthcoming Tattersalls Breeze Up Sale (April 18th - 20th), including the colt out of DUBIOUS, a DARSHAAN half-sister to the Hong Kong owned Group 1 winner SHADY HEIGHTS, from Torard House Stud, the colt out of INCHOATE, a MACHIAVELLIAN half-sister to Group 1 stallion INCHINOR out of the top mare INCHMURRIN, from Jamie Railton and the three parts brother in blood to the aforementioned Hong Kong superstar INDIGENOUS, from Bansha House Stables. The Breeze Up catalogue is out now and available directly from Tattersalls or all Tattersalls overseas agents, and can also be viewed online at www.tattersalls.com.

(Tattersalls Media Release)

  Major Race Result – Japan

The Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen 1200 metres

1. Orewa Matteruze (Sunday Silence-Curly Angel)

2. Rhein Kraft (End Sweep-Must be Loved)

3. She Is Tosho (Sakura Bakushin O-Jane Tosho)

A field of 11 from five different countries will line up at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on 25 March 2006 in the world’s richest race, the US$6,000,000 Dubai World Cup (Gr.1), sponsored by Emirates. Brass Hat, winner of the Donn Handicap (Gr.1), was drawn in stall number 7 for the 2,000 metre race, the stall that Pleasantly Perfect came out of before his win in the 2004 Dubai World Cup (Gr.1). Trainer William ‘Buff’ Bradley said after the post position draw ceremony which took place at the opulent Madinat Theatre in Dubai on Wednesday said, ""7 is a good number. It does not matter much to me number 1 to 11. It does not matter with the kick back as he’s come through everything before. He comes back dirty whenever he runs." Willie Martinez, the jockey who will be aboard Brass Hat in the Dubai World Cup (Gr.1), said, "I think he’s going to get a chance to show the world how good he is." Magna Graduate, trained by Todd Pletcher, will come out of stall number 8, the same stall that was drawn for the great Cigar in the inaugural Dubai World Cup. Elizabeth Alexander, owner of Magna Graduate said, "We are happy and every hopeful." Emily Votruba, daughter of Mrs. Alexander, said, "Over dinner last night we discussed the draw with the trainer and we agreed that we would be happy with any draw 5 to 8, so we got what we wanted." Jeff Mullins, trainer of Choctaw Nation, who drew stall number 4, said, "I am happy with it, anything from 1 to 5 is just fine. We will probably race in last as always and make one run." Vladimir Cerin, trainer of Super Frolic, who will come out of stall 11, was grinning after the draw and said, "Perfect. We don’t have to rush in the race. We will wait and adjust the pace with those inside of us. The post position does not matter; my horse can run off the pace or on the lead. We’re excited." Electrocutionist, the mount of Frankie Dettori, was drawn in stall 1.

(Dubai World Cup Media Release)

Douglas Whyte has increased his lead again in the Jockey’s ranking and now holds a twenty nine win advantage. Whyte has recorded 72 winners, 64 second placings, 47 third placings, 53 fourth placings and 30 fifth placings from his 445 rides. Brett Prebble is in second position with 43 winners, 34 second placings, 30 third placings, 22 fourth placings and 23 fifth placings from 308 rides. Chris Munce is in third position with 34 winners, 23 second placings, 21 third placings, 24 fourth placings and 20 fifth placings from 296 rides. Shane Dye is in fifth position with 31 winners, 32 second placings, 39 third placings, 21 fourth placings and 26 fifth placings from 341 rides.

The Australian contingent continue to lead in the Trainer’s ranking with John Size on the top having recorded 52 winners, 38 second placings, 29 third placings, 49 fourth placings and 28 fifth placings from 381 runners. John Moore is in second position with 51 winners, 38 second placings, 38 third placings, 22 fourth placings and 29 fifth placings from 333 runners. David Hall is in tenth position with 19 wins, 23 second placings, 29 third placings, 15 fourth placings and 17 fifth placings from his 202 runners.

All statistics current to 22 March 2006.

1. Legs (NZ) (Pins (AUS)–River Century (NZ))

2. Out of Align (NZ) (Align (AUS)–Limerick Lea (NZ))

3. Falsetto (NZ)(Zabeel (NZ)–Attempting (IRE))

The defence of Australia’s Dubai Duty Free crown intensified with the arrival of the David Hayes-trained Fields of Omagh and Perfect Promise, trained by Lee Freedman on 16 March 2006. Elvstroem became the first Australian horse to win at the Dubai World Cup meeting when leading throughout to secure last year’s Dubai Duty Free and Fields of Omagh and Perfect Promise arrive with strong credentials to mount a powerful defence for the country. The US$5,000,000 Dubai Duty Free (Gr.1), sponsored by Dubai Duty Free will be a special race for both horses, being the second leg of the 2006 Asian Mile Challenge it means Fields Of Omagh races for an Australian record purse. After winning the first leg, the Futurity Stakes (Gr.1), on March 4th at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne, Fields of Omagh races for a US$1,000,000 bonus in the Dubai Duty Free making a possible US$4,000,000 pay day for the horse’s connections. And for the South African-bred Perfect Promise, the Dubai Duty Free will see her line up against her younger sister, the Mike de Kock-trained Irridescence. Both Perfect Promise and Fields of Omagh are dual Group 1 winners and are among a group of 11 horses in the Dubai Duty Free to have won at the highest level. The Dubai Duty Free has attracted a full field of 16 runners from eight countries; aside from the Australian pair there are three each from the United States and South Africa, two from Hong Kong, Japan and the UAE and one each from France and England. Australia’s third raider, Perfectly Ready*, trained by Mick Price, is due to arrive in Dubai on Saturday, 18th March and will be flying the flag for Australia in the US$2,000,000 Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1), sponsored by Gulf News.

(Dubai World Cup Media Release)

"The most significant development for the New Zealand thoroughbred racing and breeding industry in two decades." That’s how New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association chief executive Michael Martin describes Friday’s announcement of racing taxation and bloodstock depreciation and GST changes by the Minister for Racing, Rt. Hon. Winston Peters. The news was the culmination of many years’ effort by sector and other groups, the Racing Board and individuals to win political support for the legislation necessary to restore the industry’s domestic and international competitiveness. Racing has been severely disadvantaged by paying a higher tax rate than other forms of gambling, while the breeding industry has found it increasingly difficult to maintain and attract investment without fair recognition of the high risks involved in the ownership of stallions and broodmares. Michael says, "Mr Peters recognises how much we already contribute to the New Zealand economy, and how much more we can contribute by way of jobs, investment, exports and taxation if we’re given an opportunity to grow. This is not a handout, it’s a long-awaited, desperately needed opportunity, and we now have to make sure we don’t waste it." Michael warned, "Our competitors have got a long way in front of us – the Australians have made quantum leaps in breeding investment in the last six or seven years while we’ve been on the downward track. Alarmingly, the number of thoroughbred foals born in New Zealand had fallen by about 600 over three years. "Only 4485 foals are being weaned this autumn. That must be worrying our administrators, who say we need 12 horses in every race. We’re definitely going into an era of fewer New Zealand-bred horses on the track." However, the depreciation changes will help to reverse this trend. Michael says, "I’m absolutely confident we’ll get New Zealanders owning more stallions and broodmares now." He congratulated Mr Peters at Friday’s media conference on behalf of owners and breeders who comprise the industry’s core investment base. He also congratulated everyone at grass roots level who had persevered with the taxation fight, keeping the issues in front of successive governments. "We have 18,500 employees in the racing industry whose livelihoods rely on this and that’s where the momentum has come from. The money must flow to those people who have kept horses on the track during a very difficult and testing period."

(New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association)

  NZ Racing Finally Gets a Fair Deal

The 2006 Budget will contain a long awaited fair deal for the racing industry with a reduction in gaming duty for racing and an accelerated write-down regime for bloodstock, says Racing Minister Winston Peters. Mr Peters made the announcement at the conclusion of Auckland's Racing Carnival Week. "2006 will be a watershed year for the New Zealand racing industry, and will mark the end of years of unfair treatment. "These changes meet the commitments made in the Government's Supply and Confidence agreement with New Zealand First and will be part of Budget 2006. They come into effect with the new racing season on 1 August 2006," said Mr Peters. The key changes will be:

• A reduction in totalisator duty to 4% of gambling profits (amounts bet less amounts paid out);

• A decrease in the write-down period for stallions from 4 years to 2 years;

• A decrease in the maximum write-down period for broodmares from 8 years to 5 years (or 6 years for those few broodmares that commence breeding at age 2). Broodmares that commence breeding at age 8 and over will be written-off in full in the first year of breeding.

"Reducing totalisator duty to 4% will align racing's gaming duty with that of casinos – the fairest outcome – and accelerated depreciation on bloodstock will make the purchase of bloodstock more attractive. Both will significantly improve the economic potential of the racing industry. "Currently the racing industry directly contributes $424m to GDP and sustains 9,248 full-time equivalent jobs while generating more than $130m in export sales. "With the government now providing a level playing field, the racing industry now has the chance to build on the New Zealand Racing Board's plan to bolster the industry's economic contribution. "We are hopeful that those parties who during the election campaign recognised the unfair regime racing was operating under will now make good on their campaign promises and back these changes and the associated legislation. "Racing has been waiting for a fair go for decades, and it is pleasing to finally be able to deliver it," said Mr Peters. The Bill is titled 'Taxation (Depreciation, Payment Dates and Alignment, FBT, and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

(Media Release – Office of Rt Hon Winston Peters)

1. Jokers Wild (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA)–Miss Rory (AUS))

2. Chant (NZ) (Traditionally (USA)–Chantenay (GB))

3. Italia (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA)–Capote Crossing (USA))

The Group 1 Second Century Stakes 2000 metres

1. Kristov (NZ)(Slavic (USA)–Santa Barbra (NZ))

2. Hurrah (NZ)(Bahhare (USA)–Shock Attack (NZ))

3. Shikoba (NZ) (Chief Bearhart (CAN)–Summary (AUS))

Douglas Whyte has increased his lead yet again in the Jockey’s ranking and now holds a twenty seven win advantage. Whyte has recorded 68 winners, 61 second placings, 47 third placings, 52 fourth placings and 29 fifth placings from his 428 rides. Brett Prebble is in second position with 41 winners, 31 second placings, 30 third placings, 21 fourth placings and 22 fifth placings from 290 rides. Chris Munce is in third position with 34 winners, 23 second placings, 21 third placings, 24 fourth placings and 20 fifth placings from 296 rides. Shane Dye is in fifth position with 30 winners, 31 second placings, 37 third placings, 21 fourth placings and 24 fifth placings from 329 rides.

The Australian contingent continue their dominance at the top of the Trainer’s ranking with John Size in the lead having recorded 51 winners, 36 second placings, 28 third placings, 49 fourth placings and 27 fifth placings from 366 runners. John Moore is in second position with 47 winners, 36 second placings, 38 third placings, 21 fourth placings and 27 fifth placings from 320 runners. David Hall is in tenth position with 18 wins, 22 second placings, 29 third placings, 14 fourth placings and 16 fifth placings from his 193 runners.

All statistics current to 15 March 2006.

The annual Malaysian Racing Association Awards (which covers both Malaysian and Singapore racing in 2005) were held at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Singapore on 10 March 2006. The award winners were:

The winner of the 2005 Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Group 1 Irish Derby, Hurricane Run, has been named the Horse of the Year in France. Hurricane Run (Montjeu-Hold On) was last year’s Champion 3YO. Westerner (Danehill-Walensee), the winner of the UK Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup was named Older Horse of the Year and Carlotamix (Linamix-Carlitta), the winner of the French Group 1 Criterium International, was named Champion 2YO.

Douglas Whyte has increased his lead again in the Jockey’s ranking holding a twenty six win advantage. Whyte has recorded 66 winners, 59 second placings, 46 third placings, 51 fourth placings and 28 fifth placings from his 412 rides. Brett Prebble is in second position with 40 winners, 27 second placings, 27 third placings, 20 fourth placings and 19 fifth placings from 273 rides. Chris Munce is in third position with 34 winners, 23 second placings, 21 third placings, 24 fourth placings and 20 fifth placings from 296 rides. Shane Dye is in fourth position with 30 winners, 31 second placings, 35 third placings, 21 fourth placings and 24 fifth placings from 316 rides.

The Australian contingent continue their dominance at the top of the Trainer’s ranking with John Size in the lead having recorded 50 winners, 35 second placings, 28 third placings, 45 fourth placings and 26 fifth placings from 349 runners. John Moore is in second position with 47 winners, 32 second placings, 36 third placings, 20 fourth placings and 27 fifth placings from 308 runners. David Hall is in tenth position with 17 wins, 21 second placings, 26 third placings, 13 fourth placings and 14 fifth placings from his 182 runners.

All statistics current to 4 March 2006.

  Major Race Result – Macau

The Group 1 Macau Hong Kong Trophy 1500

1. Redwood Falls (AUS) (Woodman(USA)-Only A Lady) bred in NSW

2. Good Profit (NZ) (Haayil-Saving Grace(NZ))
3. Lightning Star (AUS) (Grand Lodge(USA)-Emergency) bred by TBNSW member Woodlands 

     Stud

1. Hunting Tower (SAF) (Fort Wood-Stirrup Cup)

2. Elusive Fort (SAF) (Fort Wood-Ever Seeking)
3. Wise Son (AUS) (Montjeu(IRE)-Wise Lass(NZ)) bred in NSW

The Group 1 SAF Fillies Classic 1800 metres

1. Zaitoon (SAF) (Count Dubois-Dolces Suenios)

2. Candy Critic (ARG) (Candy Stripes-Tough Dancer)
3. Rememberance (SAF) (Fort Wood-Special Day)

1. Wahid (NZ) (Almutawakel (GB)–Rory’s Helen (NZ))

2. Roman Chariot (NZ) (Faltaat (USA)–Fairy Lights (IRE))

3. Charliehorse (NZ) (Bahhare (USA)–Rebus (NZ))

The Group 1 Auckland Cup 3200 metres

1. Pentane (NZ) (Pentire (GB)–Tuff One (NZ))

2. Zabeat (NZ) (Rhythm (USA)–Zabest (NZ))

3. Zarius (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ)–Sadlers Home (IRE))

  Major Race Results – United States

The Group 1 Santa Anita Handicap 10 Furlongs

1. Lava Man(USA) (Slew City Slow-Li’l Ms Leonard)

2. Magnum (ARG) (El Compinche-Merrymaker)
3. Wilka (USA) (Awesome Again-Native Roots)

The Group 1 Frank Kilroe Mile 8 Furlongs

1. Milk It Mick (GB) (Milkom-Lunor Music)

2. Aragon (IRE) (Giant’s Causeway(USA)-Onaga)
3. Chinese Dragon (USA) (Stravinsky(USA)-Fabulous Fairy)

Gloaming, a historic Australasian galloper foaled at the Melton Stud in Victoria in 1915, is one of the four racing heroes inducted last week into the inaugural New Zealand Hall of Fame. Two of the others, like him icons of southern hemisphere racing, are Carbine (foaled 1885) and Phar Lap (1926), while the other is Kindergarten (1937), a horse who was undoubtedly up with them in ability but who had little exposure in Australia. Gloaming, a son of imported The Welkin, a good English handicapper who from use in Victoria headed the Australian sires list three times, was acquired for New Zealand as a yearling. He went on to race 67 times for 57 wins, including 19 in succession, and nine seconds and to miss the first two only once and that was when he fell at the outset. It was at his final start at three, a year he won13 races including the AJC, New Zealand and Great Northern Derbys and NSW Tattersall's Chelmsford Stakes. In his racing career, one which continued until he was nine-years-old, he crossed the Tasman sea separating Australia and New Zealand 15 times. Very versatile, he set new Australasian time for 800metres and was successful six times at 2400m. record Carbine, an automatic selection for any hall of fame, followed up being unbeaten champion two-year-old in New Zealand by then cutting a swathe through Australian racing. All told he started 43 times and was only once unplaced. His 33 wins included appearances in Melbourne Cup (carried just under 66.0 kgs and won in record time), Sydney Cup - twice, Victorian Champion Stakes (4800m) twice, VRC All-Aged Stakes, AJC Spring Stakes and All-Aged Stakes. A second placegetter in his first attempt at the Melbourne Cup, this son of Musket an unwanted sire in England and mated initially in New Zealand with many halfbred mares, sired some very good horses from restricted use in Australia and was then sold to England. Here he stood alongside the immortal St Simon and got Spearmint, the English Derby winner whose daughter Catnip was the grandam of Nearco. Phar Lap, the most adored horse in Australian racing history, was a champion over all distances from 1400 to 3600m and the winner all told of 36 of 50 Australian starts including the AJC Derby and VRC Derby, Melbourne Cup, AJC and VRC St Legers and two renewals of the Moonee Valley Cox Plate. As a five-year-old this son of Night Raid (GB) had one run in Mexico for an awesome victory in course record time in the Agua Caliente Handicap. It was an effort which saw him hailed as world champion but one which was followed by his death, possibly from eating grasses which had been sprayed with poison, shortly afterwards. Kindergarten, the other great galloper inducted into New Zealand's new Hall of Fame, only had a couple of runs in Australia owing to War years movement restrictions but demonstrated so much class at home he was given top weight three times for the Melbourne Cup including 66.0 kgs in 1943. However, he never made the trip for these Cups. A son of the England bred Kincardine, Kindergarten ran 35 times for 25 wins (10 of 13 starts at three), three seconds and three thirds. He was successful in the Auckland Great Northern Derby and St Leger, Auckland Cup - by five lengths in record time carrying 64.5 kgs, Easter Handicap - twice, New Zealand St Leger, Wellington Cup and North Island Challenge Stakes - three times. Personalities installed in the Hall of Fame included the great horse breeder Sir Patrick Hogan (stood Sir Tristram and Zabeel), Richard 'Dick' John Mason (outstanding trainer 1880-1932 - prepared a possible world record 30 Derby winners) and Sir George Clifford (led New Zealand racing for over 30 years early last century and won more than 116 classics as an owner).

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

Demi O’Byrne, acting on behalf of Michael Tabor and John Magnier, has paid a world record price for a horse at public auction. O’Byrne paid US$16 million for a Forestry-Magical Masquerade colt at the Fasig-Tipton Select Sale of 2YOs-in-Training Sale at Miami’s Calder Race Course in Florida. The Fasig-Tipton sale has concluded with 154 lots being sold for a record US$62,187,000 (an increase of 24% on last year’s sale). The average price of US$403,812 was also an increase on last year’s figures, up 18.4%, whilst the median price remained steady on US$200,000.

  Hong Kong Update

Douglas Whyte continues to lead in the Jockey’s ranking holding a twenty four win advantage. Whyte has recorded 63 winners, 59 second placings, 43 third placings, 49 fourth placings and 28 fifth placings from his 401 rides. Brett Prebble is in second position with 39 winners, 24 second placings, 26 third placings, 18 fourth placings and 19 fifth placings from 262 rides. Chris Munce is in third position with 34 winners, 23 second placings, 21 third placings, 24 fourth placings and 20 fifth placings from 296 rides. Shane Dye is in fourth position with 30 winners, 30 second placings, 34 third placings, 20 fourth placings and 24 fifth placings from 308 rides.

The Australian contingent continue their dominance at the top of the Trainer’s ranking with John Size in the lead having recorded 49 winners, 35 second placings, 27 third placings, 45 fourth placings and 26 fifth placings from 340 runners. John Moore is in second position with 46 winners, 31 second placings, 34 third placings, 20 fourth placings and 26 fifth placings from 299 runners. David Hall is in tenth position with 17 wins, 18 second placings, 26 third placings, 13 fourth placings and 14 fifth placings from his 177 runners.

All statistics current to 1 March 2006.

1. Scintillation (AUS) (Danehill-Subterfuge) bred in NSW

2. Natural Blitz (AUS) (Maroof-Miiharo)
3. Planet Ruler (AUS) (Danehill-Sequenza) bred in NSW

The Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup 2000 metres

1. Super Kid (NZ) (Gaius-Pompeii Pride)

2. Bullish Luck (USA) (Royal Academy-Wild Vintage)
3. Bowman’s Crossing (IRE) (Dolphin Street-Biraya)

  Major Race Result – New Zealand

1. Darci Brahma (NZ) (Danehill (USA)–Grand Echezeaux (NZ))

2. Kristov (NZ) (Slavic (USA)–Santa Barbra (NZ))

3. Penitentiary (NZ) (Pentire (GB)–Strangeways (NZ))

  Tattersalls Catalogues 206 Lots for Breeze Up Sale

Tattersalls has catalogued 206 lots for the 2006 Breeze Up Sale which takes place in Newmarket April 18th - 20th. The catalogue can be viewed online at www.tattersalls.com will be published on Friday March 3rd. Graduates of the 2005 Tattersalls Breeze Up include the Group 1 winning duo AMADEUS WOLF and PALACE EPISODE, and the total of seven Group 1 Tattersalls Breeze Up performers in 2005 including Derby runner up WALK IN THE PARK and Prix de Diane third PAITA, herself a Group 1 winner in 2004, illustrate the quality buyers have come to expect from Europe's premier two-year-olds in training sale. The 2006 catalogue looks to be the strongest ever assembled for a European Breeze Up with the leading British and Irish consignors also joined by consignors from throughout Europe and North America. All of the 2005 top ten leading sires in Britain and Ireland are represented, including DANEHILL, MONTJEU, SADLER'S WELLS, HALLING, PIVOTAL, MACHIAVELLIAN, GIANT'S CAUSEWAY and INDIAN RIDGE, while top USA based sires include A P INDY, DYNAFORMER, EL PRADO, GONE WEST, GRAND SLAM, KINGMAMBO, MR GREELEY, SILVER HAWK, SWAIN, TALE OF THE CAT and TIZNOW. In total no less than 60 of the sires represented have produced Group 1/Classic winners including CADEAUX GENEREUX, CAPE CROSS, DANEHILL DANCER, GREEN DESERT, GULCH, HENNESSY, KING'S BEST, LEAR FAN, MARJU, MORE THAN READY, RED RANSOM, ROYAL APPLAUSE, SINGSPIEL, and TIGER HILL, while the first crop sires are equally eyecatching with two-year-olds by the Group 1 winners CAME HOME, JOHANNESBURG, KYLLACHY, NOVERRE, and ROCK OF GIBRALTAR, all likely to attract plenty of interest. Commenting on the catalogue, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said; "Buyers will be enormously encouraged by the two Group 1 winners, AMADEUS WOLF and PALACE EPISODE, from last year's sale, and the vendors have responded to the 2005 record breaking sale by sending us some top class two-year-olds in the making. There is enormous strength in depth to the catalogue with half-brothers to Classic and Group 1 winners, colts out of Group 1 winning mares, and some beautifully bred fillies out of high class Group winning mares by many of the world's top stallions. The quality of recent graduates of the Tattersalls Breeze Up has continued to enhance the reputation of the sale and the Group 1 winning two-year-olds and Classic performers show that this is a sale which not only offers the very highest quality but also spectacular value for money." All lots will breeze on Newmarket's Rowley Mile Racecourse starting at 9.00am on Tuesday 18th April and the sale will take place on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th April beginning at 5.00pm on both days. Potential buyers will also be able to view the 'breezes' online at www.tattersalls.com

(Tattersalls Media Release)

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