New Zealand Bloodstock's annual National Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale concluded with mixed results, with some great value buying opportunities to be had at Karaka. The highlight of the Sale came late in the day with Hennessy mare The Island Storm at Lot 280 bought for $275,000 in foal to Zabeel. The stakes performer out of G.1 West Australian Oaks winner India's Dream (Western Symphony) was consigned by Rich Hill Stud and purchased by local bloodstock agent Michael Wallace on behalf of Australian buyer, Paul Makin, to go to Starcraft. Wallace confirmed that The Island Storm is likely to be mated to Northern Hemisphere time. Makin also bought Group 1 winner Zola at the Bloomsbury Stud NZ Dispersal Sale in May as part of his strategy to restock his broodmare band following the sale of all his mares in foal to Starcraft earlier this year. The bitterly cold winter morning deterred a few to the Sale and after a slow start to day the 298 lots catalogued generated total takings of $1,731,200 for 180 lots sold, down from last year's aggregate of $2,946,150 for 257 lots sold. The overall sale average was $9,618, down 16% on last year's overall average of $11,464. Making up the bulk of the one-day Sale were the 234 broodmare entries, with 138 sold for $1,482,550 at an average price of $10,743. This was down on last year's broodmare aggregate of $2,507,750 for 194 lots sold, and down 15% on last year's average of $12,927 which had recorded a 47% increase from $8,794 the previous year. Both the broodmare session median and overall sale median finished up at $3,000. The top price of the morning's mixed bloodstock offering and second highest price of the day came in the last lot of the Racehorse session when Volksraad mare Volk Dancer sold for $80,000. Trained this season by Roger James, the three-time race winner and stakes performer was purchased from Trelawney Stud by bloodstock consultant Steve Brem for Cathy Hains of Kingston Park Stud in Victoria. Steve Brem also purchased the second highest priced broodmare of the Sale, the Flying Spur mare Miss Paris bought for $50,000 in foal to Johar. Both Miss Paris and Volk Dancer are booked to be served by Waikato Stud sire, O'Reilly, this coming season before heading to their new homes in Australia. Marketing Manager Petrea Vela commented on the day's proceedings, "Overall it has been a quieter day than expected with results largely flowing in the buyers' favour. While some mares sold very well and mostly the results were in line with the quality on offer, demand was patchy and buyers have been treated to some great value throughout the day." The statistics for the sale were as follows:

 

	2007	2006
Catalogued	234	300
Sold	138	194
Aggregate	NZ$1,482,550	NZ$2,507,750
Average	NZ$10,743	NZ$12,927
Median	NZ$3,000	NZ$5,350
Clearance	66%	70%

The top five lots from the Broodmare sale were:

(New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing Ltd)

1. Schiaparelli (GER) (Monsun(GER)-Sacarina(GB))

2. Conillon (GER) (Acatenango(GER)-Castilla(IRE))

3. First Stream (GER) (Lomitas(GB)-First Class(GER))

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and Tattersalls Ltd have announced that Tattersalls, Europe's largest bloodstock auctioneers, are to be the new sponsors of the Irish Champion Stakes, initially for a three-year period covering 2007, 2008 and 2009. The Group One race, to be known as the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes will be run at Leopardstown on Saturday 8th September this year, with a total prize fund of ?1,000,000. Carrying the branding of the Tattersalls sponsored £2,200,000 Tattersalls Millions, the most valuable sales race series in the world, the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes looks set yet again to be one of the highlights of the European racing calendar. The Irish Champion Stakes has consistently rated among the top three flat races in the world in recent years. At the second entry stage last Wednesday, 18th July, connections paid ?28,000 each to enter brilliant Epsom Derby winner Authorized, who is the third consecutive Derby winner from new sponsors Tattersalls' October Yearling Sale, French Derby winner, Lawman and the Andre Fabre trained Group 1 Prince of Wales Stakes winner, Manduro. This trio join a top-class entry of 54, with last year's winner Dylan Thomas still engaged. Other notable entries to stand their ground are Jim Bolger's Irish and English 1000 Guineas heroine, Finsceal Beo; recent Darley Irish Oaks winner, Peeping Fawn; last season's Tattersalls sold Triple Oaks winner, Alexandrova and runaway Budweiser Irish Derby victor, Soldier of Fortune. Overseas entries include the recent Eclipse Stakes winner, Notnowcato, the Princess of Wales Stakes winner, Papal Bull, last year's Breeders Cup hero, Red Rocks, the Hardwicke Stakes winner, Maraahel and the Grand Prix de St Cloud winner, Mountain High. Tattersalls Chairman, Edmond Mahony said: "The Irish Champion Stakes has the perfect profile for Tattersalls. The timing is ideal in the lead up to the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and a race of such outstanding quality provides a wonderful platform for promoting the £2,200,000 Tattersalls Millions, not only in Ireland, but also to an international audience. The calibre of entries for this year's race suggests that the first running of the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes will produce yet another winner worthy of one of the world's great races". Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of HRI said: "Tattersalls and the Irish Champion Stakes are a perfect fit, each being associated with excellence and achievement at the highest international level. The list of winners of this race over the past twenty years reads like a parade of world champions, many having been sold as yearlings by Tattersalls. Tattersalls have been committed supporters of Irish racing for many years and we look forward to the further growth and development which this partnership will bring to the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes".

(Tattersalls Media Release)

  New Zealand Bloodhorse Magazine Now On Line

The Internet was a long way in the future when the magazine New Zealand Bloodhorse was launched 30 years ago. Now, New Zealand's oldest surviving thoroughbred publication, which has itself progressed steadily from a relatively skimpy magazine with black and white pictures to a glossy, full-colour production of more than 100 perfect-bound pages, has "embraced the Net" and is available on line. Managing Director Saskia Struyck concedes that making the latest, and previous recent issues, of New Zealand Bloodhorse available on line in their entirety is a balancing act. "On one hand, it could impact on the circulation figures of the hard-copy magazine. On the other hand, though, if eight thousand, ten thousand or twelve thousand people are visiting the magazine on line, it has huge benefits for our advertisers, and in bringing Bloodhorse to a wider audience. In fact that could even have the positive effect of increasing hard copy circulation". "Personally, I believe our regular readers will always want the hard-copy magazine. There's a limit to how much you can or would want to read on screen in one sitting; it will always be easier to read the type-set page. And Bloodhorse is a magazine with a long shelf life compared to many publications; we know anecdotally that our readers often refer back to earlier issues for information, or to re-visit particular stories. "But there is no doubt the Internet is the way of the future; the way not just our racing industry but the world is moving. At Bloodhorse, we want to be at the forefront in bringing our industry to the world. We think having New Zealand Bloodhorse on-line is an exciting and significant development in the magazine's history. The Internet has such a huge and expanding reach that the pros must well and truly outweigh any cons." Initially, at least, New Zealand Bloodhorse can be accessed on line free. The magazine's website is http://nzbloodhorse.co.nz

(New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Inc)

1. Sakhee’s Secret (GB) (Sakhee(USA)-Palace Street(USA))

2. Dutch Art (GB) (Medicean(GB)-Halland Park Lass(IRE))

3. Red Clubs (IRE) (Red Ransom(USA)-Two Clubs(GB))

The Group 1 Falmouth Stakes 8 Furlongs

1. Simply Perfect (Danehill-Hotelgenie Dot Com)

2. Irridescence (Caesour-Meretricious)

3. Arch Swing (Arch-Gold Pattern)

  Positive Message at Conclusion of the 2007 Tattersalls July Sale

The Tattersalls July Sale concluded with 64 lots sold for 553,500 guineas at an average of 8,648 guineas and a median of 4,500 guineas. This took the four day total to 593 lots sold for 10,951,300 guineas at an average of 18,468 guineas and a median of 11,000 guineas. BBA Ireland finished as the leading purchaser with 16 lots for 577,000 guineas, ahead of Bobby O'Ryan with 11 lots for 538,500 guineas. The leading vendor was Darley whose 47 lots sold realised 1,391,800 guineas from Juddmonte Farms whose 33 lots realised 871,000 guineas. As is usual at horses in training sales at Tattersalls, the buying bench was very cosmopolitan with significant numbers set to head to Scandinavia, Greece and Qatar. At the conclusion of the 2007 Tattersalls July Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented; "This has been a very strong July Sale with returns second only to last year's and turnover breaking the 10,000,000 guineas mark for only the second time. Year after year the Tattersalls July Sale attracts buyers from throughout the world and the varied nature of the catalogue is the key. The sale genuinely has something for just about every sector of the market and the demand across the board this week has demonstrated the global appeal of the July Sale very clearly. "On a different note there has been another issue which has consistently been drawn to our attention this week and which is evidently causing some concern at all levels of the industry on both sides of the Irish Sea. The recent merger of Goffs and Doncaster Bloodstock Sales has coincided with news that from the beginning of 2008 Tattersalls will be charging a full 50% less for the service we provide than any other firm of bloodstock auctioneers in Britain and Ireland. While we will continue to charge only 5% commission the standard commission elsewhere will be 7.5% and in one case 10%. "Understandably the nature of the concerns expressed to us has been regarding our intentions while also questioning a 50% rise in commission rates at a time when prize money in Britain is declining, owners' direct costs are rising and the four leading British and Irish bloodstock sales companies achieved record turnover in 2006. We respect the fact that any sales company can and should charge as much or as little as it deems appropriate to the market, but we also recognise that these are legitimate concerns for the industry. We can only say that at this stage we remain committed to the same levels of service to which we have always aspired as Europe's leading bloodstock auctioneers while continuing to charge our clients 50% less than elsewhere. We will continue to invest seven figure sums in the business on an annual basis, we will continue to commit a minimum of almost £300,000 of our own money to the £2,200,000 Tattersalls Millions and we will not be keeping any surplus raised from owners' entry fees, we will continue to sponsor races in Britain and Ireland from Group 1 level down to Point to Points, we will continue to allocate approaching £200,000 a year to the BHB/TBA Inward Buyers Initiative and we will continue our annual commitment, again well into six figures, to Racehorse Sponsorship crucially satisfying the VAT requirements of racehorse owners. We will not cut corners but such commitment has to be reciprocated in order for it to be maintained. "On an equally positive note we are looking forward hugely to the £2,200,000 Tattersalls Millions which will offer unprecedented opportunities for buyers at all levels of the market at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. The Tattersalls Millions will be the most valuable sales race series in the world, will uniquely cater for both two and three year olds, and is a clear indication of our abiding commitment to the industry."

(Tattersalls Media Release)

1. Peeping Fawn (USA) (Danehill(USA)-Maryinsky(IRE))

2. Light Shift (USA) (Kingmambo(USA)-Lingerie(GB))

3. All My Loving (IRE) (Sadler’s Wells(USA)-Jude(GB))

The Tattersalls July Sale continued in bouyant fashion on Wednesday with 166 lots sold for 2,613,700 guineas at an average of 15,745 guineas and a median of 9,000 guineas. Demand was strong across the boards with the clearance rate an almost unheard of 95%. The top lot for the day was lot 731, the three-year-old colt EL DECECY who was consigned from John Dunlop's Castle Stables in Arundel on behalf of Shadwell Estates who realised 125,000 guineas. Rated 84 by 'Timeform' the winning son of SEEKING THE GOLD out of the DANZIG mare ASHRAAKAT is bred in the purple and amongst those interested in the colt was McKeever St Lawrence's Oliver Gaisford-St. Lawrence who made much of the running but was unable to match the efforts of owner Willie McKay who was stood alongside jockey John Egan. McKay indicated that the horse would return to his Martin Grange Stables in South Yorkshire where former Singapore trainer Danny Murphy looks set to take over. The second highest price for the day was 85,000 guineas for lot 762, the three-year-old colt SHABAHAR consigned from John Oxx's Currabeg Stables in Ireland. The son of HERNANDO out of the KAHYASI mare SHARA hails from the family of the infamous Debry winner SHERGAR and carried a 'Timeform' rating of 91 following his maiden win at Thurles. Sussex based agent Paul Naughton secured the colt on behalf of owner Pat Gallagher and indicated that the colt was set to go jumping. Moments earlier Richard Frisby went to 80,000 guineas to secure lot 750, the three-year-old GREEN DESERT filly TOBERMORY. Consigned from Michael Jarvis' Kremlin House Stables, the daughter of the Group 3 Cherry Hinton Stakes winning DIESIS mare KERRERA, is a half-sister to the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches second FIRTH OF LORNE and having won her maiden at Nottingham, is rated 83 by 'Timeform'. Frisby secured the filly after seeing off the efforts of Anthony Stroud Bloodstock's Matt Coleman and David Redvers and indicated that she was purchased on behalf of an English breeder. Well bred fillies have certainly been popular during the July Sale and two lots before TOBERMORY sold for 80,000 guineas, the three-year-old filly OCHRE (lot 748) sold for 75,000 guineas to the bid of Emerald Bloodstock's Brendan Gallagher. The daughter of DIKTAT out of COX ORANGE, the Group 3 winning TREMPOLINO mare and half-sister to Group 1 winner AMONITA, is an own sister to the Listed winner VISTA BELLA who was also third in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket two years ago. Gallagher secured the filly after seeing off the determined efforts of local trainer Willie Musson and Matt Coleman and indicated that she was purchased on behalf of an Irish breeder. The Tattersalls July Sale continues with the final session commencing at 9.30am on Friday, June 13.

(Tattersalls Media Release)

1. War Artist (AUS) (Orpen(USA)-Royal Solitaire)

2. Rebel King (National Emblem-Cousin Linda)

3. Mythical Flight (Jet Master-Mythical Bird)

1. Lim’s Prestige (NZ) (Pins-Stirling Jo)

2. World Delight (NZ) (Mellifont-Lady Anne)

3. Jade (JPN) (Arazi-Nakaham Ryuko)

1. Zambezi Sun (Dansili-Imbabala)

2. Axxos (Monsun-Acerbis)

3. Sagara (Sadler’s Wells-Rangoon Ruby)

A carnival atmosphere reigned at Sha Tin Racecourse on 2 July 2007 as the 2006/07 racing campaign climaxed before over 76,000 patrons on the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong SAR's reunification with the mainland, while the Champion Awards officially honoured this record-breaking season's outstanding thoroughbreds and personalities. Betting turnover on racing for the season amounted to HK$64 billion, up by 6.6 per cent on the previous year. The total attendance also rose against the tally reached 12 months earlier by 2 per cent to 1,925,000. Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, welcomed the positive results but also appealed for further Hong Kong SAR government support if the Club is to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving business environment and also to maintain its contributions to charities. "The regulatory reforms, including taxation, introduced last year have helped arrest a decade-long decline in betting turnover. However, we could have done even better had we been granted the full package of reforms we originally asked for, including the addition of five more race meetings to the racing season and the leeway to simulcast more races from overseas. This season we have to top up HK$118 million from our reserves to meet our HK$8 billion tax guarantee," he said. "We are on the right track with the Betting Duty reform but we need the government to support us by relaxing the regulatory framework. We have a world-class racing product that we want to export by offering commingled betting pools. This is a global trend and as a worldwide industry leader we cannot afford to be left behind," he added. "Many people wrongly perceive that the various initiatives we take are solely aimed at making a profit. This is not the case. The Club is a not-for-profit organisation." Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges is scheduled to elaborate further on the Club's overall turnover at a press conference on July 12. On the track achievements reached an all-time high during the season and Vengeance Of Rain short-headed his arch rival Viva Pataca to take the coveted Horse of the Year title. Both ended the season with two Gr.1 wins and one apiece at international Gr.1 level; it was a mighty close call. During a remarkable four-week spell in March, Vengeance Of Rain won the Hong Kong Gold Cup (from Viva Pataca) and, famously, the Dubai Sheema Classic, the joint-richest turf race in racing history. First prize of US$3 million propelled the David Ferraris-trained six-year-old into the all-time top ten of stakes earners worldwide. This performance, in which he comprehensively defeated a top class international field including the winners of the Epsom Derby and Breeders' Cup Turf, also earned Vengeance Of Rain a second Champion Stayer crown in three years and the Most Popular Horse of the Year as voted by the public. Viva Pataca may have delivered telling late-season blows to Vengeance Of Rain by winning both the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup and the Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup - but it was not enough to sway the judges. However, his success in the international Gr.1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup did earn him the prize as Champion Middle Distance performer. Hong Kong thoroughbreds carried off a record five international Gr.1 prizes during the campaign and also ended the season with an unprecedented four horses with an international rating of 120 or higher, according to the rankings published by International Federation of Horseracing Authorities on June 10, 2007. His wide margin Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint success positions Champion Sprinter Absolute Champion (AUS)* as the world's leading sprinter on an international rating of 121, just one point below Viva Pataca and Vengeance Of Rain. Meanwhile, Armada's success in the Stewards' Cup carried an international rating of 120 - the best of the season by a miler in Hong Kong and it was deemed good enough to win the Champion Miler category. The HKSAR 10th anniversary raceday featured a variety of on-course programs to give race fans a fitting sendoff at the season end. Members of the South China Athletic Association football team were on hand to interact with the crowd and show off their ball skills. Later on, the popular entertainer George Lam added to the party spirit with some of his most famous songs. The 2007/08 season will commence on September 9 at Sha Tin.

(The Hong Kong Jockey Club Media Release)

Footnotes:

* Absolute Champion (AUS) was bred by TBNSW member J W Kelly Suffolk Vale & Co

1. Hunting Tower (Fort Wood-Stirrup Cup)

2. Buy and Sell (National Emblem-Trade Enquiry)

3. Jaggered Ice (Western Winter-Annie)

The Group 1 Garden Province Stakes 1600 metres

1. Bold Ellinore (Kahal-Ellinore)

2. Angel Flight (Fahal-Flying Mary)

3. Silver Empire (AUS) (Second Empire-Vintage Silver) bred in WA

The Group 1 Golden Horseshoe 1400 metres

1. Argonaut (Western Winter-Aquasarto)

2. Profit Report (AUS) (Noverre-Seattle Rhyme) bred in NSW

3. Field Event (Western Winter-Field Princess)

The Group 1 Golden Slipper 1400 metres

1. Gilded Minaret (Al Mufti-Chasing Gold)

2. State Factor (National Assembly-Corn Factor)

3. Kiss for Kate (Jallad-Kissational)

  Strong Trade Continues at Tattersalls July Sale

The Tattersalls July Sale continued in strong fashion on the second day with 163 lots sold for 3,175,900 guineas at an average of 19,484 guineas and a median of 13,000 guineas. The top price during the morning session on the second day was 100,000 guineas for the three-year-old GRAND LODGE filly FINISHING SCHOOL. The daughter of the ZILZAL mare BRIGHT FINISH is a half-sister to the Listed winning Group placed colt SINGING POET and the Australian Group 2 placed colt GOLDTOWN. The Darley consigned filly saw interest from Blandford Bloodstock's Tom Goff and Badgers Bloodstock's Grant Pritchard-Gordon, but neither could withstand the effort of locally based agent Richard Frisby. Frisby indicated that FINISHING SCHOOL was purchased on behalf of Ptarmigan Bloodstock, the company set up by Frisby and former trainer David Loder as part of the Enterprise Investment Scheme, and would be mated to southern hemisphere time before being sent to Australia. The evening session at Park Paddocks continued following the racing at Newmarket's July Racecourse and the large crowd that was present from start to finish ensured keen competition across all levels of the market. The four-year-old MONTJEU colt TOPJEU topped proceeding's for the day when knocked down to Newmarket based agent Stephen Hillen for 160,000 guineas. Interest in the colt was keen from the start with agent Gerry Hogan, stood alongside BEST MATE's former jockey Jim Culloty, providing the greatest resistance, but still falling short of Hillen's bid. TOPJEU was one of four lots to breach the six figure barrier during the evening session with the three-year-old filly PINKABOUT the first of these when knocked down to Kilkenny based breeder Seamus Kennedy for 105,000 guineas. The DESERT STYLE half-sister to the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner CARRY ON KATIE was consigned from John Gosden's Clarehaven Stables and initial interest came from Brook Stud's Dwayne Woods and agent Geoffrey Howson, but neither could match Kennedy who indicated that the filly would join trainer Stan Moore at his Uplands Stables base in Lambourn. Juddmonte Farms' draft of horses in training are always in high demand and agent Gordion Troeller had to go to 100,000 guineas to secure the three-year-old gelding MONZANTE who had an all weather 'Timeform' rating of 107. Troeller, working with Californian based agent Jamie Lloyd, purchased the son of MARIA'S MON on behalf of Californian based owner Jay Manoogian and indicated that the gelding would go into training with West Coast trainer Mike Mitchell. Another Juddmonte offering was the five-year-old KING'S BEST horse RUNAWAY who was knocked down to DeBurgh Farrington's Dermot Farrington for 110,000 guineas on behalf of French-based trainer Rupert Pritchard-Gordon. Agent Stephen Mahon was also keen on the Listed winner who had been placed in the Group 2 Prix Neil but was unable to improve on Farrington's 110,000 guineas bid. The Tattersalls July Sale continues at 9.30am on Thursday, June 12.

(Tattersalls Media Release)

1. Panty Raid (Include-Adventurous Di)

2. Valbenny (Val Royal-Dark Indian)

3. Anamato (AUS) (Redoute’s Choice-Voltage) bred in VIC

  American Oaks rule change benefits Australia

Anamato, the David Hayes Australian trained Redoute's Choice filly who was a luckless third in the $750,000 Group 1 American Oaks Invitational staged over the equivalent of 2000m on the turf circuit on California's Hollywood Park at the weekend, was only able to contest the event through a rule change made this year. Prior to this year the event had been open only to three-year-old fillies, but for 2007 it became a set weight race for females of this age and upwards, an amendment that threw it open to southern hemisphere bred horses. Although Anamato is an Australian 3Y0 of 2006-07, a year her efforts included wins in the South Australian Oaks and Moonee Valley Oaks and thirds in the Victoria Oaks and Wakeful Stakes, she was treated as a four-year-old for her appearance in the American Oaks and asked to carry three pounds (1.5 kgs) more than the other seven contestants. They were all northern hemisphere bred and besides American trained performers included products of Ireland, England and France. Flown to California for the race only three weeks earlier, Anamato was foaled on August 22, 2003, while the two that finished in front of her in the American Oaks, Panty Raid, the winner, and runner up Valbenny, were produced on March 8 and April 12, 2004 respectively. The winner of the Group 2 Black Eyed Susan Stakes on Pimlico, Maryland in mid May, Party Raid is in the first crop of the Broad Brush $1.6million earner Include. He is inbred 4x5 to Hidden Talent, a daughter of Dark Star, a Kentucky Derby winner - beat Native Dancer - by Victorian bred exported Caulfield Cup winner Royal Gem. Valbenny, the runner up in the American Oaks after being bumped mid stretch and winner earlier in the year of Group 2 and 3 events at Hollywood Park, is by Val Royal, an American Breeders' Cup Mile winner. Val Royal is a half-brother by one of the best shuttle sires, Coolmore's Royal Academy, to Valixir, a world class middle distance performer who is tipped to be another top sire for Fred Peisah's Lomar Park Stud at Werombi near Sydney. He looks set to have strong support in his first season this year. Anamato, the Australian contender in the American Oaks, a race she went into under a health cloud and in which she was equal second favourite, ran gamely. The race review said she chased outside a rival, went between foes into the second turn, came out leaving that turn and was fanned four wide into the stretch, was bumped in midstretch and continued willingly. Bred and raced by Mr and Mrs Royce Ritchie of Victoria but reared on the Coolmore Stud in the Hunter Valley and carrying their brand, Anamato is one of four Group1 performers from the good Whiskey Road race filly Voltage, sharing this distinction with Drum (by Marauding; won the MRC Oakleigh Plate-Gr.1), Port Watch (by Star Watch; second in the Caulfield Guineas-Gr.1) and Tambour (also by Marauding; second QTC Castlemaine Classic-Gr.1). Tambour is the dam of the Hennessy multiple Group 1 winner and $5.3million earner Grand Armee. Now a very valuable broodmare prospect, Anamato is inbred 4x3 to Nijinsky and 4x4 to Northern Dancer.

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

  Like Father Like Son

Racegoers at the famed Belmont racecourse would have felt a case of de ja vue when Ready Image trounced his rivals in the Listed Tremont Stakes. The two-year-old colt turned in a dazzling performance reminiscent of his sire More Than Ready at the same age and in the same race. Ready’s Image dashed out of the gates and set impressive fractions for the first part of the 1100m contest, clearing out in the stretch to go out a winner by almost 8 lengths in a final time of 1:02.86. More Than Ready won his Tremont Stakes in 1999 by 4 ½ lengths in 1:02.56 in 1999 for owner James Scatuorchio and trainer Todd Pletcher, the connections as his rising young star. "It’s scary how much he reminds us of More Than Ready and that’s why we bought him and named him Ready ’s Image." Pletcher said. The trainer plans to run Ready ’s Image next in the Group 2 Saratoga Sanford Stakes on July 26th, a race his sire also won. Ready ’s Image became his sire ’s 34th individual stakes winner. More Than Ready has just covered two outstanding books over the last two Australian seasons. These books have included 16 Group 1 winners or dams of Group 1 winners as well as 59 individual stakes winning mares. His suitability to mares from the Danehill sire line has already been recognized through the deeds of Group 1 winners Benicio and Perfectly Ready, in the last two seasons he has covered 86 mares by either Danehill or his sire sons which is something he is sure to benefit from.

(Vinery Stud Media Release)

  Major Race Result – Britain

1. Notnowcato (GB) (Inchinor (GB)-Rambling Rose (GB))

2. Authorized (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE)-Funsie (FR))

3. George Washington (IRE) (Danehill (USA)-Bordighera (USA))

Brilliant sunshine and a festive atmosphere set the tone for the opening day of the Tattersalls July Sale at Park Paddocks with robust trade and a new record for filly in training at the July Sale of 250,000 guineas. A total of 200 lots were sold for a total of 4,608,200 guineas, at an average of 23,041 guineas and a median of 15,500 guineas. The three-year-old filly EASY TO THRILL set a July Sale record for a filly in training when knocked down to Irish agent Bobby O'Ryan for 250,000 guineas late in the day. The daughter of SOVIET STAR out of the Group 2 winning AFFIRMED mare EASY TO COPY was purchased by O'Ryan on behalf of a Dublin based businessman after he saw off the efforts of the BBA Ireland's Eamonn Reilly, who was stood alongside Irish owner/breeder Joseph Joyce. EASY TO THRILL is a half-sister to the Group 3 winner TWO-TWENTY-TWO and the Listed winners EASY DEFINITION and DESERT EASE as well as to TWICE THE EASE, dam of the promising DANEHILL DANCER two-year-old ACHILLES OF TROY. The sale represented a massive result for her owners who had purchased her only 18 months earlier at the 2005 Tattersalls December Yearling Sale for 26,000 guineas. The second highest priced lot for the day at 170,000 guineas was the DANSILI four-year-old WATER FEATURE who was offered in foal to MONTJEU's four-time Group 1 winning son HURRICANE RUN. Consigned by Voute Sales, the mare out of the KALAGLOW mare SHINING WATER is a half-sister to the Group 1 Grand Criterium winner TENBY and the Group placed listed winner BRISTOL CHANNEL. Interest in the mare came thick and fast with Blandford Bloodstock's Richard Brown and agent Gordion Troeller both active early before Irish agent Seamus Kennedy entered the fray. He was joined soon after by Glenview House Stud's Steven Harris but neither could withstand the efforts of the BBA Ireland's Eamonn Reilly who landed the mare on behalf of Laundry Cottage Stud's Colin and Melba Bryce. Badgers Bloodstock's Grant Pritchard-Gordon was active on the opening day of the sale, signing for the third and fifth highest priced lots of the day. The first of these was the four-year-old mare OPERA COMICA who he purchased for 85,000 guineas. The daughter of DR FONG was consigned from Caroline Green's Templeton Stud and was offered in foal to Derrinstown Stud's MARJU, sire of OPERA COMICA's half-sister VIVA PATACA who has taken Hong Kong racing by storm during the last 18 months. A 26,000 guineas graduate of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, VIVA PATACA, who raced in England as COMIC STRIP, has won eleven races and almost £2,000,000 in prizemoney and his emphatic victory over dual Dubai Group 1 winners VENGEANCE OF RAIN and ADMIRE MOON in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Cup at Sha Tin in April broadcast his world class ability to anyone watching. Pritchard-Gordon indicated that OPERA COMICA was purchased on behalf of owner Paul Makin, and would visit STARCRAFT in Australia where she will be covered to northern hemisphere time following the injury to that stallion that will prevent his travel to Europe next year. Pritchard-Gordon later saw off the efforts of London based agent Charlie Gordon-Watson and French agent Marc-Antoine Bergracht to secure the three-year-old SADLER'S WELLS filly JIG TIME for 140,000 guineas. The filly comes from one of Juddmonte's classic families, something Pritchard-Gordon is very familiar with having spent 17 years there as Prince Khalid Abdullah's racing manager. Her dam, the GONE WEST mare WESTERN APPEAL, is an own-sister to the 2000 Guineas winner and champion sire ZAFONIC as well as to his brother ZAMINDAR who is quickly making a mark for himself at stud at Abdullah's Banstead Manor near Newmarket. JIG TIME was also purchased on behalf of Paul Makin, and whilst plans are not fluid for her, a visit to STARCRAFT in Australia remains a possibility. Late in the evening Italian agent Federico Barberini had to go to 105,000 guineas to purchase MAIL EXPRESS, the CAPE CROSS half-sister to Group 1 winner LE VIE DEI COLORI, who was offered in foal to KING'S BEST by Luca and Sara Cumani's Fittocks Stud. Barberini purchased the four-year-old mare on behalf of Italian breeders Paolo and Emma Agostini, who bred LE VIE DEI COLORI and MAIL EXPRESS, having sold the latter as a foal at the 2003 Tattersalls December Foal Sale for 130,000 guineas. Barberini, who saw off the efforts of underbidder Tom Goff of Blandford Bloodstock, indicated that the mare would go to Ireland but no mating plans had been made as yet. The Tattersalls July Sale continues at 9.30am on Wednesday, July 11.

(Tattersalls Media Release)

1. Lawman (FR) (Invincible Spirit (IRE)-Laramie (USA))

2. Stoneside (IRE) (Marchand de Sable (USA)-Greenstone (IRE))

3. Golden Titus (IRE) (Titus Livius (FR)-Oraplata (USA))

Congratulations to TBNSW members J W Kelly Suffolk Vale & Co and Mr I K Smith of Edinburgh Park Stud on the success of Absolute Champion and Silent Witness at the Hong Kong Jockey Club 2006/2007 Champion Awards on 2 July 2007.

Absolute Champion (Marauding(NZ)-Beauty Belle) (who formally raced in Australia as Genius and Evil) and was bred by J W Kelly Suffolk Vale & Co won the Champion Sprinter Award.

Silent Witness (El Moxie(USA)-Jade Tiara) bred by Mr I K Smith of Edinburgh Park Stud was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his great contribution to Hong Kong racing. Silent Witness was the Horse of the Year in Hong Kong in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Champion Awards presentation ceremony was held on 2 July 2007 at the season-end ''HKSAR 10th Anniversary Raceday'' and Vengeance Of Rain was crowned Horse of the Year as well as the Champion Stayer and Most Popular Horse of the Year. Trainer Caspar Fownes and Jockey Douglas Whyte were honoured as the Champion Trainer and Champion Jockey respectively. Never before had such a difficult task faced the Champions Awards Judging Panel in electing a Horse of the Year. It boiled down to a choice between Vengeance Of Rain and Viva Pataca who won four Gr.1 races between them, one apiece at international Gr.1 level. Vengeance Of Rain won the Hong Kong Gold Cup (from Viva Pataca) and the Dubai Sheema Classic, the joint-richest race in the world on turf, in March. The latter accomplishment, his sixth Gr.1 success, came from a top class international field and propelled him into the all-time top ten of stakes earners worldwide. The 2006/07 Champion Awards winners in the categories as follows:

The Panel also decided to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Silent Witness, Horse of the Year in 2003/04 and 2004/05, in recognition of his great contribution to Hong Kong racing. Silent Witness achieved 17 consecutive race successes, including the two triumphs in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint, two clean sweeps of the Champion Sprint Series and a victory in the Sprinters Stakes. Time Magazine voted him as one of the "people" who mattered most in the world in 2004. Regarding the Most Popular Horse and Most Popular Jockey of the Year, a total of 236,502 votes have been received in this year's voting and the Hong Kong Jockey Club greatly appreciated the response from the public. Vengeance Of Rain was voted as the Most Popular Horse of the Year (52,962 votes) while Brett Prebble became the Most Popular Jockey of the Year (52,425 votes). The total number of votes and the three horses and jockeys with the highest number of votes were as follows: