The Audemars Piguet QE II Cup and the Champions Mile to be run at Sha Tin on Sunday 29 April 2007 will be beamed around the world. A total of 16 organisations outside Hong Kong will show live or delay broadcast the two events to around 20 million viewers from all over the world, with eight countries and regions accepting bets on all or some of the races on that day's programme.

(The Hong Kong Jockey Club)

Hong Kong's champion jockey Douglas Whyte this morning had a 'getting-to-know you' session with his Champions Mile ride Casino Prince - partnering the Anthony Cummings-trained three-year-old in a 1200m spin on the turf, with the last 400m completed in 22.7s. The six times Hong Kong premiership winner commented: "He gave me a lovely feel. He's a nice mover and a very athletic horse. And on the formlines with Miss Finland (short-head conqueror of Casino Prince in the Australian Guineas) we have a shout on Sunday." Cummings too was pleased. "I'm very happy with his work this morning and he did it well within himself. He's fit and ready to go on Sunday.' Cummings dismissed rumours that the horse was not well after arriving. "Look, he had a little scrape at the front of one joint but it was of no real significance and he hasn't missed any work. He's in good order.' Casino Prince is proven on the Strathayr surface having won on same at Moonee Valley in Melbourne (the Gr. 2 Alister Clark Stakes) and is at home racing right or left handed. "Interestingly, Douglas (Whyte) said this morning that the horse was very comfortable on the ground. I really think he'll run well. Obviously it's hard to line up the international form but we're certainly here with a competitive chance,' Cummings said. South African trainer Herman Brown watched contentedly as his two horses - Linngari and Sushisan - worked strongly on the grass. "Both good. Very happy. Both horses had a really good stretch out and came through it well,' Brown said. Champions Mile contender Linngari worked over 800 metres - running his last 400m in 23.4. He's the head-line act of the Brown contenders but there is a growing groundswell of enthusiasm with his stablemate Sushisan who contests the AP QEII Cup. "The other horse (Sushisan) worked really well,' Brown said after commenting on Linngari. And those comments were no surprise as Sushisan sizzled home his last 400m in 21.9. Both horses were partnered by raceday jockey Kevin Shea. "All looks to be going to plan,' Shea said. Mark Player, the HKJC Manager, International Races, Sale and Development, has also been impressed with Sushisan. "He is definitely one horse who looks to have thrived in the time he's been here,' Player said. Player described Sunday's AP QEII Cup as a 'promoter's dream' with the clash of Vengeance Of Rain and Admire Moon. "We've got the battle of the two horses who won the two richest turf races in the world in Dubai and there's plenty of further depth in the race. "We have our past three Hong Kong Derby winners in the field and I have no doubt that Vital King and Viva Macau are really on the improve. They might surprise some people with how well they perform,' Player said. Player said that Linngari 'should be favourite' for Champions Mile but noted that the locals will attract strong support. "They will rally behind Good Ba Ba, Joyful Winner and The Duke. There's plenty of chances in the Mile including Casino Prince. I concede him a definite chance. He looks wonderful,' he said. Player also pointed out that the Champions Mile has now been linked with the Breeders' Cup. "Win and you're in. That's how it works now. Win in Hong Kong and you are guaranteed a place in the Breeders' Cup Mile and that's great for Hong Kong racing,' he said. Top Japanese galloper Admire Moon, runner-up to Pride in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup earlier in the season, was given a fast workout on the dirt this morning - covering his final 400m in 22.6 - under regular work rider Masanobu Baba. "I am happy with him, ' Baba said, "He performed sharply today. He is a really nice and gentle horse and easy to handle and that is a good thing at my age (Baba conceding that he is in his fifties). "He is a horse who always responds well for me and I just care about getting him to go straight - not to hang in or hang out and he was good this morning. He has settled in nicely here by himself which is good. Sometimes, at home, he can shy and be a bit nervous with other horses prancing around him,' he said. Trainer Hiroyoshi Matsuda watched the workout and was satisfied. "We knew after his second here (HK) last December he was a world horse and then he went to Dubai and won strongly. I have a lot of confidence that he has gone from strength to strength,' Matsuda said. Another big race jockey to put his mount through his paces was Weichong Marwing who was aboard Oracle West, South African challenger in the AP QEII Cup. Marwing had a big smile on his face as he dismounted Oracle West after some easy exercise on the all-weather. "I could not be happier with him," said the rider about the classy five-year-old, whose trainer Mike De Kock arrives in town today.

(The Hong Kong Jockey Club)

  Hong Kong Update

Caspar Fownes maintains his lead in the Trainer’s rankings having recorded 49 wins, 47 second placings, 39 third placings, 38 fourth placings and 43 fifth placings from 445 starters. David Hall is in 5^th position with 30 winners, 24 second placings, 19 third placings, 21 fourth placings and 13 fifth placings from his 266 starters. John Moore is in 9^th position with 25 winners, 23 second placings, 31 third placings, 31 fourth placings and 43 fifth placings from 402 starters. John Size is in 10^th position with 24 winners, 25 second placings, 22 third placings, 28 fourth placings and 27 fifth placings from his 302 starters.

Douglas Whyte has extended his lead in the Jockey’s rankings and now holds a 6 win advantage having recorded 65 wins, 67 second placings, 49 third placings, 54 fourth placings and 38 fifth placings from 472 rides. Brett Prebble is in 3^rd position with 59 winners, 40 second placings, 26 third placings, 28 fourth placings and 29 fifth placings from his 359 rides. Danny Nikolic is in 11^th position with 21 winners, 18 second placings, 23 third placings, 23 fourth placings and 31 fifth placings from his 315 rides. Shane Dye is in 13^th position with 18 winners, 14 second placings, 17 third placings, 14 fourth placings and 23 fifth placings from his 255 rides.

Current to 25 April 2007.

  Tattersalls Breeze Up Graduates Shine

With less than two weeks to go until the inaugural Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale (May 3rd - 4th), graduates of previous Tattersalls Breeze Ups served up a number of timely reminders over the weekend for buyers looking for affordable quality. Leading the way was the Brian Meehan trained DIAMOND TYCOON whose effortless 6 length win in a mile maiden at Newbury had observers struggling for superlatives and bookmakers rapidly readjusting quotes for the 2000 Guineas. Consigned from Trickledown Stud and knocked down to Blandford Bloodstock for 35,000 guineas at last year's Tattersalls Breeze Up Sale, the son of JOHANNESBURG out of the Listed winning mare PALACOONA is now as low as 12-1 for the first British Classic of the year and looks to be yet another outstanding prospect by his young sire. Further afield the six-year-old son of INCHINOR, ON THE ACORN, landed the Grade 2 San Juan Capistrano Handicap at Santa Anita. Trained by Mike Mitchell in California, ON THE ACORN was purchased for 16,000 guineas at the 2003 Tattersalls Breeze Up Sale by agent Gordian Troeller and his win in the $250,000 contest takes his career earnings past the $400,000 mark. The British bred gelding was consigned by agent Jamie Railton who has eight two-year-olds for the forthcoming Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up. Closer to home, the Francis Ennis trained three-year-old FERNELEY paid another handsome compliment to the Tattersalls Breeze Up Sales when a gallant second in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown behind Derby prospect MORES WELLS. Only collared close home after a bold front-running performance the son of ISHIGURU, owned by Plantation Stud, was purchased for 50,000 guineas at last year's Tattersalls Breeze Up by Peter Doyle. He was consigned from Bansha House Stables, which has eight two-year-olds catalogued for the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up. The Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale takes place on May 3-4 with the 'breeze', which takes place on the Rowley Mile Racecourse from 9am on Thursday, May 3 also being broadcast live on Racing UK. All lots will then be offered for sale the following day, from midday, Friday May 4. Catalogues are online at www.tattersalls.com and available from Tattersalls now.

(Tattersalls Media Release)

  Group Two Next For Laird’s Million Dollar Rock Colt

One of the top priced yearlings from the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale will go straight into one of South Africa's biggest juvenile races after a brilliant debut win at Vaal last week. Seventh Rock#, the Rock of Gibraltar colt from Group One winner Ruby Clipper purchased by Charles Laird for $1.025 million, thumped his rivals on debut and will head to the RM500,000 Group Two The Nursery (1200m). A highly admired youngster, Seventh Rock couldn't have been more impressive according to Laird and he will throw him straight into the "deep end" in one of the country's top races for two-year-olds. On debut the colt swept past the leader Lone Wolf near the 400 metre mark and strode clear of his rivals in an outstanding performance. He cruised to the line two and a half lengths clear of second favourite Gathering Stars in great time. Seventh Rock's dam Ruby Clipper, a daughter of Rubiton, won ten races in South Africa including the Group One Allan Robertson Fillies Championship Stakes at Scottsville. Laird reported that Rock of Gibraltar filly Uber Rock (ex Uberfrau - $825,000 MM purchase) would run in the RM350,000 The Fillies Nursery at Group Two level. After scoring an impressive debut win at Vaal in January she was freshened before returning with an excellent second placing in the Group Three Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket on April 8. And unbeaten Choisir filly Lady Bonzer (ex Lady Durelle - $90,000 MM purchase) will also run in the fillies feature. The RM500,000 The Nursery and RM350,000 The Fillies Nursery, both run over 1200 metres, will be contested at Turffontein on May 5. Meanwhile, the top South African trainer said another of his young stars, the three-year-old Our Giant (Giant's Causeway-Macrosa) was recently gelded. "Expect a big season from him," Laird said. "The rest (of my Magic Millions graduates) are doing well and I have some strong unraced two-year-olds racing soon," he added.

# (Footnote: Seventh Rock was bred by TBNSW member Strawberry Hill Stud)

(Magic Millions Media Release)

  Aqua D'Amore withdraws from Champions Mile

Aqua D'Amore has withdrawn from the HK$8 million Champions Mile field on April 29. Aqua D'Amore did not pass a second barrier test at Randwick in Sydney this morning (Friday) and the ban imposed after her run in the Doncaster Handicap on April 9 remains in place.

(The Hong Kong Jockey Club)

Several of world's best milers and middle-distance thoroughbreds are among the selections for the HK$14 million Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (Gr.1-2000m) and HK$8 million Champions Mile (Gr.1-1600m) in a terrific international double-bill set for Sha Tin on April 29. "Judged by the quality and depth of these selections, our decision to stage the Audemars Piguet QEII and Champions Mile during one world class meeting has reaped its rewards," said Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. "We are especially pleased to have two proven international stars Admire Moon and Vengeance Of Rain, both of whom were so impressive at the Dubai World Cup meeting, going head-to-head in Audemars Piguet QEII Cup, now supported for the ninth year by our partners Audemars Piguet, the master Swiss watchmakers. "Another exceptional line-up awaits in the Champions Mile where we are privileged to be the first overseas race to join the Breeders' Cup Challenge where the winner will be exempt from the ballot for the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile later in the year. "For now we have just one guarantee: a unique day of world class racing entertainment on Sunday, April 29 at Sha Tin." A total of six individual Gr.1 winners feature in two of Hong Kong's most famed races, this season featuring horses trained in six turf authorities.

• Admire Moon - the highest rated turf performer in the world on form shown in 2007 following his success in the Dubai Duty Free. He is back to try and rectify his short head 2nd in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup last December.

• Vengeance Of Rain - took this race in 2005, one of three successes at the highest level internationally. His emphatic recent victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic confirmed he is back to the form that made him a world champion.

• Bullish Luck - Hong Kong's Horse of the Year, successful in the last two Champions Miles and now bidding for a third.

• Aqua D'Amore - winner of the Futurity Stakes, the first leg of the Asian Mile Challenge, in Melbourne last month.

• Linngari- rated a career highest 122 internationally after an excellent 2nd in the Dubai Duty Free.

• Mullins Bay - travels on from Dubai where he ran 3rd in the Godolphin Mile; trainer Mike de Kock runs him in preference to last year's winner Irridescence.

• Vital King and Viva Pataca will join Vengeance Of Rain to create unique clash between the three most recent winners of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby.

• The Duke - successful in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile last December.

• Floral Pegasus - Hong Kong's leading four-year-old, the winner of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile.

Japanese star Admire Moon and Vengeance Of Rain from Hong Kong earned their connections a massive US$3 million each when successful in the Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Sheema Classic, the world's richest turf races, on March 31.

Admire Moon turned in the best turf performance of the year to date in defeating no fewer than nine previous Gr.1 winners in the Dubai Duty Free. The four-year-old shipped to Hong Kong immediately after his convincing win in Dubai to prepare for a second start at Sha Tin where a win would help erase the pain of his short-head defeat to Pride in Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup last December. Admire Moon will be the lone Japanese runner on the day and the iconic Yutaka Take will again be in the saddle. Vengeance Of Rain became the greatest ever stakes earner in Hong Kong history - and broke into the Top 10 in the all-time list - by virtue of a decisive Sheema Classic triumph when he left Breeders' Cup Turf winner Red Rocks and Epsom Derby hero Sir Percy trailing in his wake. Vengeance Of Rain seeks to regain the crown he won in 2005 and he has won six of his seven starts at this course and distance. Three further international contenders will travel on from Dubai. Highest rated of the trio is Sushisan who last year ran 2nd in South Africa's most prestigious race, the Durban July. He emerged with credit from the Sheema Classic to finish 5th to Vengeance Of Rain having met with severe interference at the start. Seihali has travelled to Hong Kong before. Last year he finished 6th in the Champions Mile and has run 3rd and 4th in the last two editions of the Dubai Duty Free. Now connections believe he is crying out for a step-up to 2000m. Trainer Mike de Kock lifted this prize last year with Irridescence but this season he prefers to field Mullins Bay, recently placed in the Godolphin Mile at Nad Al Sheba. One of the most intriguing aspects of the Hong Kong challenge is the presence of the last three Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby winners in Vital King (2007), Viva Pataca (2006) and Vengeance Of Rain (2005). Any race with such a distinguished presence of Classic heroes is surely out of the ordinary. Vital King arrived in HK with Gr.1 form in New Zealand and defeated Champions Mile contender Floral Pegasus by a nose in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby last month. Viva Pataca was Hong Kong's Champion Stayer last season and hails from the in-form John Moore stable and lost out by only a neck to Vengeance Of Rain in the Hong Kong Gold Cup at this distance on March 4. Champions Gallery ran 3rd in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby, ahead of Viva Macau, previously runner-up in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile and Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial. Viva Macau was also Gr.1 placed and a Gr.3 winner in France last year when raced by the Aga Khan as Dilek. Front-running Sir Ernesto enters this race in career-best form having collected the Gr.3 HSBC Premier Plate on April 9, while Supreme Gains reached his peak in the ratings by finishing 5th in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby.

First place prize-money of HK$4.5 million is just one attraction in the third leg of the Asian Mile Challenge. The winner of the Champions Mile will also be exempt from the ballot for the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile late in October at Monmouth Park, New Jersey. The Champions Mile has the distinction of being the first race outside the United States to form a part of the "Win And You're In" qualifying races for the Breeders' Cup Challenge. In turn, the winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile will collect a bonus of US$1 million if successful in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile in December. This fascinating race pits Hong Kong's star milers against two of the best from each of Australia, South Africa and France. However, it's appropriate to start with Bullish Luck, Hong Kong's Horse of the Year as no horse has done more to advertise the rewards of the Asian Mile Challenge. This will be his sixth appearance in nine AMC legs since its inception. In 2005 he won the Champions Mile and ran 4th in the Yasuda Kinen. Last year he ran 5th in the Dubai Duty Free, won a second Champions Mile and collected a US$1 million bonus for adding the Yasuda Kinen to his haul. Tony Cruz's amazing eight-year-old excels at this time of the season and backs up after his excellent 3rd on his first dirt run in the Dubai World Cup, the richest race on the planet. Highest-rated of the field is Linngari back to Sha Tin having raced well in 5th in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile in December. South African trainer Herman Brown's charge has since improved to win a Gr.2 in Dubai and he got within half a length of Admire Moon in the Dubai Duty Free. Aqua D'Amore, one of the best and most consistent horses in Australia, won the first leg of the 2007 Asian Mile Challenge, the Futurity Stakes in Melbourne in March. Gai Waterhouse's mare will arrive in Hong Kong in peak condition having finished strongly for 4th in the Doncaster Handicap, a race in which fellow Aussie selection Casino Prince endured a difficult passage. Casino Prince is nevertheless one of the best three-year-olds of his generation and only lost out by a short-head to five-time Gr.1 winner Miss Finland in the Cadbury Guineas last month. France sends two representatives in the form of Turtle Bowl, victorious in the Gr.1 Prix Jean Prat in 2005, and the in-form Racinger, an all-the-way winner of a Gr.3 in France at the start of April. Horses from four continents are present in the Champions Mile and Kapil (*2), another South African raider, is also highly rated having won a Gr.2 and placed at the highest level in his homeland. He, too, has since performed well in Dubai. Predictably, the Hong Kong challenge is potent to say the least. The Duke, seeking a second international Gr.1 of the season after his terrific win in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile, has prepped well for this race by running 2nd in the Queens' Silver Jubilee Cup on April 9 when rival Joyful Winner came out on top for a second year. The latter is clearly now back in top form and ran 3rd in both this event and the Yasuda Kinen last term. Not content with the armoury of Bullish Luck, trainer Tony Cruz believes Floral Pegasus may one day match the achievements of his vaunted stable companion. Floral Pegasus is ranked Hong Kong's best four-year-old. Although he was nosed out of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby glory, he previously defeated the best of his generation in the Classic Mile and Derby Trial. Like The Duke, Good Ba Ba is also a graduate of the Hong Kong International Sale and he has a perfect three-from-three record since joining the Andreas Schutz stable. He defeated Armada, the joint-highest-rated horse in Hong Kong, at Gr.2 level at this distance on last start and another big run here could spur a trip to Tokyo for the Yasuda Kinen. Courageous and classy front-runner Down Town has been one of the stories of the season in Hong Kong. Consistent at the highest level, he became the first ever to contest the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint and Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby in the same campaign and will be suited by this mile distance. Green Treasure, conqueror of The Duke in a career-best performance on his last start, and Able One, fourth in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby, complete the line-up.

(The Hong Kong Jockey Club)

The 2007 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale concluded 51 lots sold for a total of 3,657,000 guineas at an average of 71,706 guineas and a median of 56,000 guineas, taking the two day total to 120 two-year-olds sold for 8,795,000 guineas at an average price of 73,292 guineas and a median of 55,000 guineas. The top price on day two of the Sale was the 320,000 guineas paid for lot 145, the HARLAN'S HOLIDAY colt out of FLIRTED, the RELAUNCH half-sister to Champion sprinter COMMITTED. The striking bay colt, from the first crop of the multiple Grade 1 winner who stands at Airdie Stud in Kentucky, had caught many an eye with his breeze and very much proved the old adage 'breeze well, sell well.' Consigned from last year's sale-topping consignor Willie Browne's Mocklershill Stables, the colt was knocked down to Darley's John Ferguson who saw off a determined challenge from locally based bloodstock agent Anthony Stroud accompanied by trainer Jeremy Noseda and new BHB Chairman Paul Roy. Ferguson also landed the top priced filly of the day when seeing off allcomers for a particularly attractive daughter of DIXIELAND BAND again consigned from Browne's Mocklershill Stables. Like QUIET AMERICAN, sire of the record breaking filly on day one, DIXIELAND BAND is widely regarded as one of the most influential broodmare sires in North America, and the filly out of the Stakes winning ALLEGED mare DANCING MIRAGE attracted bids from agents David Redvers, Penny Barnes and Hugo Merry before it developed into a duel between Blandford Bloodstock's Richard Brown and Ferguson. Ferguson's final bid of 260,000 guineas represented a significant increase on the $125,000 paid for the filly as a yearling. It was Ferguson again who triumphed for the second highest priced colt of the day when he paid 170,000 guineas for lot 132, a handsome and long striding son of RAHY out of the Argentinian bred mare EXPRESS WAY. The chesnut half-brother to four winners including Argentinian Group 1 winner EL EXPRESIVO, realised a handsome return on his yearling price of $75,000 for Con Marnane's Bansha House Stables, and Ferguson had to fight off agents Oliver St Lawrence and Peter Doyle to secure the colt on behalf of his patron Sheikh Mohammed. At the conclusion of the sale Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented "The 2006 Tattersalls Breeze Up was a remarkable sale which completely rewrote the European breeze up record books, but this week's Craven Breeze Up has struggled to match those spectacular figures which rose nearly 50% on the previous record levels. "The catalogue was outstanding and the vendors brought some very smart two-year-olds to the sale but despite breaking the European breeze up record for a filly on the first day, the overall market has been highly selective. The top of the market held up well with keen competition for the two-year-olds who combined good solid breezes with smart pedigrees, but the middle market did not mirror the amazing strength and depth we experienced at last year's sale. "The strong Japanese contingent who made such an impact in 2006 was much depleted this week but to an extent the greater participation from the bigger European buyers compensated at the higher level. The domestic demand, however, has fallen some way short of last year and that is reflected in the figures. This sale has totally transformed in recent years and the turnover from the last two days is second only to 2006 while the average price, well in excess of 70,000 guineas, is only marginally short of last year's record. This however does not disguise the fact that we would like to have seen many more horses sold and greater returns for the pinhookers."
(Tattersalls Media Release)

1. Floydeboy (NZ) (Mellifont (USA)–Fleche d’Or (NZ))

2. Dezigna (NZ) (Volksraad (GB)– Label Basher (NZ))

3. Polish Princess (GB) (Polish Precedent (USA)–Repeat Warning (GB))

The Group 1 New Zealand Bloodstock Breeders Stakes 1600 metres

1. Captivate (NZ) (Stravinsky (USA)–Cappie (NZ))

2. Irlanda (NZ) (O’Reilly (NZ)– Cenphic (NZ))

3. Sarajay (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS)– Sriwijaya (AUS))

Caspar Fownes maintains his lead in the Trainer’s rankings having recorded 49 wins, 45 second placings, 38 third placings, 37 fourth placings and 42 fifth placings from 430 starters. David Hall is in 5^th position with 29 winners, 23 second placings, 18 third placings, 21 fourth placings and 13 fifth placings from his 255 starters. John Moore is in 9^th position with 24 winners, 21 second placings, 29 third placings, 30 fourth placings and 41 fifth placings from 388 starters. John Size is in 10^th position with 23 winners, 24 second placings, 21 third placings, 27 fourth placings and 26 fifth placings from his 295 starters.

Douglas Whyte’s continues to lead in the Jockey’s rankings with a 4 win advantage having recorded 63 wins, 66 second placings, 47 third placings, 51 fourth placings and 35 fifth placings from 456 rides. Brett Prebble is in 3^rd position with 59 winners, 40 second placings, 26 third placings, 28 fourth placings and 29 fifth placings from his 359 rides. Danny Nikolic is in 9^th position with 21 winners, 18 second placings, 23 third placings, 23 fourth placings and 31 fifth placings from his 315 rides. Shane Dye is in 13^th position with 18 winners, 13 second placings, 17 third placings, 11 fourth placings and 22 fifth placings from his 244 rides.

Current to 18 April 2007.

Following the massive rises at the 2006 Tattersalls Breeze Up Sale the 2007 renewal has a hard act to follow but day one of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up saw a solid start with 16 six figure lots and a total of 69 two-year-olds selling for 5,138,000 guineas at an average of 74,464 guineas and a median of 52,000 guineas. Top price of the day, and a new European Breeze Up record for a filly was the 370,000 guineas paid for lot 91, a gorgeous daughter of the outstanding broodmare sire QUIET AMERICAN out of the winning NUREYEV mare LAIYL whose first three foals are all winners including the dual Group 3 winner LAYMAN. The grey filly was presented by USA based consignor Kip Elser, a regular vendor at the Tattersalls Breeze Ups under his Kirkwood Stables banner, and her yearling price of $140,000 was quickly passed with the early exchanges involving trainer Paul Webber, and agents David Redvers, Richard Brown, and James Delahooke, but it was agent Gill Richardson and Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's Racing Manager Angus Gold who took the filly into record breaking territory. Despite the filly being from the direct family of Sheikh Hamdan's outstanding fillies DESIRABLE and SHADAYID it was Richardson who eventually triumphed. Kirkwood Stables enjoyed a hugely successful evening with two more of their five first day lots breaking the six figure barrier including Lot 51, a handsome chesnut STREET CRY colt out of the ALLEGED mare QUIET RUMOUR who sold for 160,000 guineas. The American bred colt from the second crop of the Dubai World Cup winner who has made a spectacular start to his stud career, was knocked down to Angus Gold on behalf of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's Shadwell Estates. Gold outlasted Dubai-based trainer Christian Wroe and ultimately locally based bloodstock agent Oliver St Lawrence to secure the colt who is a half-brother to three winners including the Stakes winning filly BEEBE LAKE. The third Kirkwood six figure sale was lot 17, the EMPIRE MAKER filly out of the Stakes winning mare SUNLIT SILENCE. Top price colt of the day was lot 71, an outstanding colt from the second crop of JOHANNESBURG out of the winning THEATRICAL mare AWESOME STRIKE. The colt, who was purchased for ?130,000 as a yearling, was consigned from Con Marnane's Bansha House Stables and after a protracted bidding duel with four protagonists in beyond 200,000 guineas the colt was knocked down to London based bloodstock agent Jamie McCalmont for 310,000 guineas. McCalmont outlasted bloodstock agents Amanda Skiffington and Peter Doyle but it was Kuwaiti businessmen Saleh Al Homaizi, joint owner of last year's Irish 2000 Guineas winner ARAAFA, accompanied by his bloodstock advisor Tony Nerses, who bid 300,000 guineas before finally accepting defeat. McCalmont indicated that the colt had been purchased on behalf of an American client and will join trainer Jeremy Noseda at his Shalfleet Stables in Newmarket. Marnane struck gold again later in the evening when his DYNAFORMER colt out of the Stakes placed mare GYPSY, lot 104, was knocked down to busy agent Amanda Skiffington for 230,000 guineas. Skiffington saw off agent Stephen Hillen, who was accompanied by Yorkshire based trainer Kevin Ryan. McCalmont was another agent consistently active at the higher end of the market and he struck again when purchasing lot 79, a colt from the first crop of HAWK WING consigned by Seven Springs Stables, for 190,000 guineas. The colt represented a major pinhooking triumph for locally based consignor Emma O'Gorman who purchased the colt at Part 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 40,000 guineas. Out of the CAERLEON mare CHAMPAKA, the colt had also attracted interest from bloodstock agents Amanda Skiffington, Angie Sykes and Stephen Hillen, but again it was McCalmont who was not to be denied. Another notable pinhooking success was lot 48, the OASIS DREAM colt out of the MARK OF ESTEEM mare KITE MARK, consigned by previous sale-topping consignor Malcolm Bastard. Purchased as a yearling for 40,000 guineas at Part 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the colt from the first crop of the Juddmonte based sire had no shortage of admirers after an eyecatching breeze the day before. Newmarket based trainer William Haggas and Pam Sly, trainer of last year's 1,000 Guineas winner SPECIOSA, were both keen to land the bay colt, but neither could match the final bid of 140,000 guineas from Darley's John Ferguson.

(Tattersalls Media Release)

  First Four Home in Grand National All Tattersalls Ireland Graduates

SILVER BIRCH, MCELVEY, SLIM PICKINGS and PHILSON RUN, the first four home in the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree were all bought at sales at Tattersalls Ireland. Tattersalls Ireland graduates have an outstanding record in the Grand National, this being the sixth year in a row that the race has been won by one of our graduates, following on from Numbersixvalverde, Hedgehunter, Amberleigh House, Monty’s Pass and Bindaree. SILVER BIRCH could have been bought as a yearling for 2,800 IRgns at the November Sale while MCELVEY, earner of nearly £250,000 was bought at the Derby Sale for €135,000 in 2003. The Derby Sale was also responsible for the fourth horse, PHILSON RUN who was an inexpensive purchase at 5,200 IRgns. Third home, Tom Taaffe’s SLIM PICKINGS, was another November bargain at 2,000 IRgns. The Grand National rounded off perfectly what was a magnificent Aintree for Tattersalls Ireland. On Grand National Day 6yo ALBERTAS RUN bought by Highflyer Bloodstock at the 2004 Derby Sale for €20,000 won the Listed Handicap Hurdle. TIDAL BAY, a November Sale graduate, was the first to get the ball rolling with his win in the Grade 2 Novices Hurdle on Thursday. Friday saw a treble of wins –led by MONET’S GARDEN (IR£35,000 Derby Sale, bought by Nicky Richards) in the Grade 1 Melling Chase, and CHIEF DAN GEORGE in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle. CHIEF DAN GEORGE went through the ring twice at Tattersalls Ireland costing 12,000 IRgns as a foal and IR£17,000 as a yearling. ACES FOUR (€39,000 Derby Sale) completed the day’s treble with his eight length win in the Grade 2 Mildmay Novices’ Chase.

(Tattersalls Media Release

Vengeance of Rain, a Zabeel gelding from the Danehill mare Danelagh bred and raised in New Zealand for Western Australians, including Keith Biggs and Ron Russell, the owners earlier of Doriemus, winner in 1995 of the Caulfield - Melbourne Cups double and runner up in these two races in 1997, captured one of the world's richest races in the $5million Group 1 Sheema Classic (2400m) on the Dubai Cup program. It was the six-year-old geldings tenth win in 22 starts and took his career earnings to over $10million, nearly all the earlier collect being from raciing in Hong Kong, where his efforts have included successes in the Hong Kong Derby and Hong Kong Gold Cup. Purchased by Graeme Rogerson at New Zealand yearling sales and initially raced in Melbourne under the name of Subscribe by Mr and Mrs Lloyd Williams, he had three starts here at two before export to Hong Kong, winning the Veuve Clicquot Stakes-LR and finishing third in the VRC Talindert Stakes. Vengeance of Rain is the first foal of Danelagh and is a brother to Dizelle, a year younger filly who has been first class in Australia with her performances including wins in the AJC Oaks-Gr.1, MVRC Woodstock Mile-Gr.2 and STC Canterbury Cup-Gr.3. Danelagh, a mare now owned by Darley, won the Blue Diamond Stakes and finished second in the Caulfield Thousand Guineas-Gr.1. She is from Palatious, a versatile performer who won from 1200 to 3200m, her efforts highlighted by wins in the west in the Perth Cup-Gr.2 and C. B. Cox Stakes-Gr.2 and a second in the West Australian Oaks-Gr.2. Now in Gerry Harvey's huge band of mares at his Baramul Stud in the Widden Valley, Palatious was bred in Queensland on cross of two sires used at the McAlpine's Eureka Stud, being by Semipalatinsk and from the Rascolnik mare Delicious Blue. A big thrill, no doubt for his Excellency Nasser Hussain Lootah, the Dubai based owner of the Emirates Park studs at Murrurundi in the Hunter Valley and Diggers Rest in Victoria, was the third placing of Salaam Dubai in the $2million Group1 Golden Shaheen over 1200m. Earlier a winner in Australia, Salaam Dubai is a brother Dash for Cash, the MRC Futurity Stakes-Gr.1 and VRC Australian Guineas winner who is one of the best current first season sires from his use at the Sangster's Swettenham Stud at Nagambie, Victoria. They are both by Emirates Park's imported AJC Doncaster Handicap-Gr.1 winner Secret Savings and from the Rubiton mare Gulistan. Two big hopes for Australian breeding, Sushisan (owned in South Africa; fifth in the Sheema Classic won by Vengeance of Rain) and Pompeii Ruler (Australian visitor; 8th of 16 in the $5million Dubai Duty Free) were unplaced. The Duty Free was won by the Japanese entry Admire the Moon, a son of a former Hunter Valley visitor End Sweep and a Sunday Silence mare. The biggest race on the $22million program, the $6million Dubai World Cup over 2000m, a race whose prize money is booked to be lifted to $10million, was taken out by what is arguably the best horse in the world at this time, Invasor. Head of the world rankings for 2006 and now winner of Group1 races in the land of his birth, Argentina, America and Dubai, Invasor is a son of the deceased Blushing Groom sire Candy Stripes. Three of the winners on the Dubai program, Invasor, Vengeance of Rain and Asiatic Boy (won the UAE Derby-Gr.2 over 1800m) are southern hemisphere bred. Asiatic Boy was also bred in Argentina, but has done his racing first in France and then Dubai, winning four races in the latter country, including the classic double of Two Thousand Guineas and Derby.

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

1. Invasor (ARG) (Candy Stripes-Quendom)

2. Premium Tap (USA) (Pleasant Tap-Premium Red)

3. Bullish Luck (USA) (Royal Academy(USA)-Wild Vintage)

The Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic 2400 metres

1. Vengeance of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel(NZ)-Danelagh)

2. Oracle West (SAF) (Western Winter-Noble Prophet)

3. Youmzain (IRE) (Sinndar-Sadina)

The Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen 1200 metres

a third placing for TBNSW members

1. Kelly’s Landing (USA) (Patton-Best Game)

2. Friendly Island (USA) (Crafty Friend-Island Queen)

3. Salaam Dubai (AUS) (Secret Savings(USA)-Gulistan) bred by Emirates Park Pty Limited

The Group 1 Dubai Duty Free 1777 metres

1. Admire Moon (JPN) (End Sweep-My Katies)

2. Linngari (IRE) (Indian Ridge-Lidakiya)

3. Daiwa Major (JPN) (Sunday Silence-Scarlet Bouquet)

The powerful South African stable of Charles Laird featured in the winners list at Clairwood in South Africa on Sunday when the juvenile fillies maiden was won by Jozi’s Jewel, a Johannesburg (USA) filly purchased from the draft of Southern Cross Breeders at the 2006 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Drawn in barrier four, Jozi’s Jewel proved too good on debut over the 1000 metres and looks a value purchase for big spending Charles Laird at just $125,000. Bred by Byerley Stud and offered for sale under the Southern Cross Breeders banner, Jozi’s Jewel is the second foal of the Flying Spur mare Jewel Purpose, a three-quarter sister to stakes-placed Brilliant Jewel, from the family of stakes-winners Vionnet, Fashion News, Cheverny, Academe and Vionetto. The current yearling from Jewel Purpose, a filly by Dubai Destination (USA) was snapped up by astute agent Dermot Farrington for $55,000 at Magic Millions earlier this year. Southern Cross Breeders are presenting an outstanding draft of 10 yearlings at the 2007 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale starting next Tuesday with a chestnut colt by Jozi’s Jewel’s sire Johannesburg (USA) to be offered as Lot 549 (pictured below). The third foal of the Danzero mare Top of the Market, he is closely related to dual Group One winner Mnemosyne from the family of outstanding performers Better Draw, Full On Aces and Drawn. Former world champion two year-old Johannesburg (USA) has made a promising start to his Australian stud career with five individual winners so far and in America looks to have a leading Kentucky Derby contender in Scat Daddy who won the Group One Florida Derby at the weekend.

(This article courtesy of Tara Madgwick – www.breednet.com.au)

  Hong Kong Update

Caspar Fownes maintains his lead in the Trainer’s rankings having recorded 47 wins, 39 second placings, 36 third placings, 35 fourth placings and 40 fifth placings from 408 starters. David Hall is in 5^th position with 29 winners, 22 second placings, 18 third placings, 20 fourth placings and 13 fifth placings from his 243 starters. John Size is in 9^th position with 23 winners, 23 second placings, 20 third placings, 27 fourth placings and 25 fifth placings from his 286 starters. John Moore is in 10^th position with 21 winners, 21 second placings, 28 third placings, 29 fourth placings and 36 fifth placings from 368 starters.

Douglas Whyte’s has increased his lead in the Jockey’s rankings and he now holds a 5 win advantage having recorded 62 wins, 64 second placings, 43 third placings, 48 fourth placings and 35 fifth placings from 431 rides. Brett Prebble is in second position with 57 winners, 37 second placings, 25 third placings, 26 fourth placings and 27 fifth placings from his 335 rides. Danny Nikolic is in 9^th position with 19 winners, 16 second placings, 23 third placings, 23 fourth placings and 29 fifth placings from his 297 rides. Shane Dye is in 13^th position with 16 winners, 12 second placings, 16 third placings, 11 fourth placings and 21 fifth placings from his 231 rides.

Current to 4 April 2007.

1. Nightlign (NZ) (Align (AUS)–Indian Squaw (NZ))

2. Fleur de’Here (NZ) (Dehere (USA)– Fleur de Chine (NZ))

3. Alamosa (NZ) (O’Reilly (NZ)– Lodore Mystic (NZ))

She may have only been winning a maiden, but STRAVINSKY'S IMAGE looks a horse with a future following her 6 length romp in the Strike Sparks Maiden Handicap at Eagle Farm on Wednesday. The northern-hemisphere bred three-year-old won in a slick 58.03 seconds over the 1000m course coming home her last 600m in 34.24 seconds for trainer Bevan Laming and a bright future looks assured given her relative immaturity against her locally bred rivals. By STRAVINSKY, out of the THEATRICAL mare OFF STAGE, STRAVINSKY'S IMAGE was purchased by the Newmarket-based New Zealander Larry Stratton on behalf of owner Dr Denis O'Brien at the 2006 Tattersalls Breeze Up Sale for 46,000 guineas, having been consigned to the sale by agent Jamie Railton. Australasian buyers have two breeze up sales to choose from at Tattersalls this year with the the Craven Breeze Up Sale, Europe's premier breeze up sale, taking place from April 17-19, whilst the inaugural Guineas Breeze Up Sale takes place on May 3-4. STRAVINSKY is represented by one colt at the Craven Breeze Up Sale and a colt and a filly at the Guineas Breeze Up Sale, with the Craven offering of particular interest to southern hemisphere buyers as a half-brother to the dam of last year's Melbourne Cup winner DELTA BLUES. All purchasers are eligible for inward buyers assistance. Catalogues are online now at www.tattersalls.com and available from Tattersalls' Australian representative Jenny McAlpine (03-9376 9736 or j.mcalpine@tattersalls.com) and Tattersalls' New Zealand representative Ric Wylie (07-8884103 or r.wylie@tattersalls.com).

(Tattersalls Media Release)

  Inaugural Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Catalogue Out Now

The first ever 'Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up' catalogue is out now and can also be viewed online at www.tattersalls.com. The sale, which numbers 164 two-year-olds in training, will take place on Friday 4th May, with all of the two-year-olds breezing at Newmarket's Rowley Mile Racecourse on Thursday 3rd May starting at 9.00am. Commenting on the inaugural Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said; "With the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up firmly established as the premier two-year-olds in training sale in Europe we felt the time was right to introduce a new sale and we are delighted at the response from the vendors. From the moment we announced the new 'Guineas Breeze Up' the reaction has been nothing but positive and this is very much reflected in the quality of the catalogue. All of the leading established British and Irish Breeze Up consignors are well represented with previous Craven Breeze Up sale toppers Mocklershill Stables, Bansha House Stables, Malcolm Bastard and Jamie Railton sending consignments of 17, 8, 7 and 8 respectively. The sires' index makes equally impressive reading with no less than 58 of the sires already with Classic or Group 1 winners to their names including ANABAA, BAHAMIAN BOUNTY, BARATHEA, CADEAUX GENEREUX, CAPE CROSS, DANEHILL DANCER, DANSILI, GALILEO, KING'S BEST, MEDICEAN, MONTJEU, RED RANSOM, ROYAL APPLAUSE, SELKIRK, SINGSPIEL, and XAAR. Record breaking 2006 Champion first crop sire INVINCIBLE SPIRIT is also well represented as are exciting 2007 first crop sires ACCLAMATION, CAPTAIN RIO, CHOISIR, DUBAI DESTINATION, HAWK WING, HIGH CHAPARRAL, NAYEF, OASIS DREAM and STORMING HOME, while top USA based sires also feature prominently. Amongst the proven USA based sires with two-year-olds catalogued are COZZENE, DEPUTY MINISTER, DIXIE UNION, DIXIELAND BAND, GIANT'S CAUSEWAY, GRAND SLAM, HENNESSY, MORE THAN READY, MR GREELEY, ORIENTATE, PULPIT, STREET CRY, THEATRICAL and THUNDER GULCH. The sale will commence at 12.00 noon on Friday 4th May with Newmarket's two day Guineas Meeting beginning the following day. As with the 'Craven Breeze Up' the breeze will be shown live on 'Racing UK' and each individual breeze will be posted on the Tattersalls website shortly after the conclusion of the breeze. Catalogues are available directly from Tattersalls and from all Tattersalls overseas representatives.

(Tattersalls Media Release)

2006 - 2007 Overseas News Archives

2005 - 2006 Overseas News Archives

2004 - 2005 Overseas News Archives