1. Vital King (NZ) ( (Almutawakel-Wauwinet)

2. Floral Pegasus (AUS) (Fusaichi Pegasus(USA)-Crown Crest(GB)) bred in NSW

3. Champions Gallery (GB) (Dansili-Pure)

The Group 1 Chairman’s Trophy 1600 metres

1. Good Ba Ba (USA) (Lear Fan-Elle Meme)

2. Armada (NZ) (Towkay-Dance In Time)

3. Joyful Winner (AUS) (El Moxie(USA)-Northern Tycoon) bred in NSW

  Vital King noses Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby thriller

In the most enthralling Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby of recent years, Vital King nosed out odds-on favourite Floral Pegasus to present Paul O' Sullivan with the proudest moment of his Hong Kong training career. Winner of 11 New Zealand Trainers' Premierships and four Derbies in both his homeland and Australia, O'Sullivan is challenging for a first Hong Kong title since arriving in 2004 - but until today victories in the majors had eluded him. "The biggest result the stable had before now was finishing third in the soccer competition," he laughed. "This win kind of shades that now - what a thrill. It all seems like a bit of a blur." Vital King, a New Zealand-bred produced from off a steady pace by jockey Brett Prebble, led on the line to tip out Floral Pegasus, backed as though unbeatable to odds of 1-2. Champions Gallery finished third. "We had a lead-up that was free of interruptions and it was helped by a brilliant ride from Brett. We just had the momentum to get up in the final stride," O'Sullivan said. "I told his owner [Chong Man-lung] before the race that win, lose or draw we still had a great horse for the future. He's a rangy type and he's still a little bit unfurnished. His best years are definitely ahead of him." The Audemars Piguet QEII Cup on April 29 is next on the agenda for the son of Almutawakel and O'Sullivan added: "We won't tax him too much between now and the end of the season and I think he will be even better in the international races in December." Hong Kong racing has strengthened its partnership with Mercedes-Benz by extending its sponsorship of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby for another three years until 2009. The agreement incorporates the three races set aside for the Classic generation in Hong Kong: the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile, the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial and the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby itself.

(The Hong Kong Jockey Club Media Release)

  Hong Kong Update

Caspar Fownes continues to lead in the Trainer’s rankings having recorded 46 wins, 37 second placings, 36 third placings, 34 fourth placings and 39 fifth placings from 387 starters. David Hall is in 6^th position with 27 winners, 20 second placings, 16 third placings, 19 fourth placings and 11 fifth placings from his 229 starters. John Size is in 7^th position with 23 winners, 23 second placings, 20 third placings, 26 fourth placings and 24 fifth placings from his 276 starters. John Moore is in 10^th position with 19 winners, 19 second placings, 24 third placings, 28 fourth placings and 32 fifth placings from 345 starters.

Douglas Whyte’s advantage in the Jockey’s rankings has been reduced again and he now holds a 3 win lead having recorded 60 wins, 61 second placings, 39 third placings, 44 fourth placings and 31 fifth placings from 405 rides. Brett Prebble is in second position with 57 winners, 37 second placings, 25 third placings, 25 fourth placings and 27 fifth placings from his 331 rides. Danny Nikolic is in 12^th position with 16 winners, 14 second placings, 20 third placings, 21 fourth placings and 28 fifth placings from his 273 rides. Shane Dye is in 13^th position with 14 winners, 11 second placings, 16 third placings, 11 fourth placings and 21 fifth placings from his 218 rides.

Current to 21 March 2007.

  Aussie horses narrowly miss overseas classic double

It was hard to separate the first two across the line in the rich Hong Kong Derby run on Sunday, the margin appearing closer than the official nose. It was a nose that cost the Australian breed victory as the runner up was the Widden Stud reared Fusaichi Pegasus colt Floral Pegasus, the favourite following victory the last time out in the Group1 Hong Kong Mile. Grabbing the glory on the outside at the finish was the New Zealand bred Vital King, a son of the England bred Machiavellian Dubai World Cup winner Almutawakel and Wauwinet, a minor winning daughter of the Bassenthwaite and the Sir Tristram minor winner Nantucket Sound. The success of Vital King in the Hong Kong Derby, a race in which all the runners were four-year-olds, was solace to New Zealand for the fact that their premier classic double, the Derby and the Oaks, fell to Australian bred horses. The New Zealand Derby had been captured on March 3 by Redoute's Dancer, a Redoute's Choice colt not only bred in Australia but owned and trained here. On the same day that Redoute's Dancer won the Derby at Ellerslie, the Australian bred Encosta de Lago filly Princess Coup recorded a very good win in the Lowland Stakes over 2100m at Trentham. It was an effort which she followed up with a spectacular win by 4.5 lengths in the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) on Saturday. Her success and the second by Floral Pegasus in the Hong Kong Derby meant that Australian bred horses went with a nose at the weekend of an overseas Classic double. Now winner of eight of 16 starts and earner of $1million, Princess Coup was bred by Ingenue Breeding Syndicate and Mr B.E. Wise, South Australia and sold through one of Victoria's leading marketing operations, Erinvale Thoroughbreds, Nagambie for $260,000 at the Magic Millions Winter yearling sale at the Gold Coast. Earlier in the year the colt that was to become the New Zealand Derby winning Redoute's Dancer was sold at the Gold Coast January yearling sale by John Muir's Milburn Creek Thoroughbreds, Hawkesbury Valley, NSW for $230,000. Both the 2007 New Zealand Derby winner Redoute's Dancer (from a mare by Irish Derby winner El Gran Senor) and Oaks winning Princess Coup are the result of putting mares to their respective sires, Redoute's Choice and Encosta de Lago, by classic performed sires. A triple Listed winner in Sydney, Princess Coup's dam Stonyfell Road did not win beyond 1400m, but she was by Sovereign Red, a Sir Tristram champion whose performances included wins in the Victoria Derby and WATC Australian Derby. Princess Coup, however, does not have the reserves of stamina close up possessed by the Derby winner. Her grandam Arch Duchess was an Arch Sculptor speedster and her mother Rocky Profit was by the Nasrullah sire Rocky Thumb. The family is the same one which produced two of Australia's greatest sires, Heroic and the imported Magpie. Book Debt, the sixth dam of Princess Coup, was a sister to English St Leger winner Book Law and from Popingaol, a sister to Magpie and a half-sister to the dam of Heroic. The overseas success story of Australian bred horses has good prospects of being added to at the Dubai World Cup carnival at the end of the month. Two likely representatives are Pompeii Ruler, the winner of the Australian Cup at Caulfield on Match10, and the South African trained Sushisan. A Group1 performer in South Africa and successful earlier this month in Dubai, Sushisan is by Fuji Kiseki a son of Sunday Silence, grandsire through the shuttled Genuine also of Pompeii Ruler. Bred by the Brown family, owners of the quality Kitchwin Hills Stud along the Pages River near Scone, Sushisan was sold by them to South Africa as a weanling. About the same time they sold his dam Meine Tochter and she is now owned by Hawkesbury Valley breeder Mike Van Gestel.

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

1. Princess Coup (AUS) (Encosta de Lago (AUS)–Stoneyfell Road (AUS))

2. Overkaast (NZ) (Kaapstad (NZ)– Daytime (NZ))

3. Veloce Bella (NZ) (Volksraad (GB)– Wave to Lottie (NZ))

  Tattersall’s to hold Britain’s Richest Ever Two-Year-Old Races at Newmarket

Three brand new Tattersalls sponsored Sales Races, restricted to graduates of the 2007 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book One) and carrying a combined minimum total prize fund of £2.2 million, are to be staged at Newmarket starting in 2008/2009. The three new races will be known collectively as the 'Tattersalls Millions' and look set to be the most valuable sales race series in the world. Top billing goes to a £1 million race for two-year-old colts, geldings and fillies over 7 furlongs, closely followed by an £800,000 race for two-year-old fillies only, also over 7 furlongs. Both will be run for the first time at the Cambridgeshire Meeting in October of next year, each with a maximum field of 30 horses. The £1 million race will be named the 'Tattersalls Million' and the fillies' race the 'Tattersalls Fillies' 800'. The third race is no less interesting - it will be the first Sales Race ever run in Britain for three-year-olds. Worth £400,000 and run over 10 furlongs, the 'Tattersalls £400,000 3YO Classic' will be staged for the first time at the Craven Meeting in April 2009 and will be the richest three-year-old race in Britain outside the Classics. Any horse left in the two-year-old races after the first forfeit will be automatically eligible to run in the three-year-old race the following year at no additional cost. Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said: "Tattersalls has staged Sales Races at Newmarket since 1990 but these three new races - the 'Tattersalls Millions' - will raise the bar to unprecedented heights. Prize money is the life blood of racing and in association with Newmarket Racecourses, our October Yearling Sale vendors and of course the owners, we are delighted to be staging the two most valuable two-year-old races ever run in Britain, as well as breaking new ground with the unique 'Tattersalls £400,000 3YO Classic'. "Never before will a European yearling sale have offered buyers so many opportunities for such spectacular rewards with 80 colts and fillies from Book 1 of the 2007 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale competing in three races worth £2,200,000 in prize money." Michael Prosser, Newmarket Racecourses' Director of Racing, said: "This is fantastic news for Newmarket and will take the overall value of next year's Cambridgeshire Meeting to nigh on £3 million. If we run both races on the same day it will create the richest day's racing in Europe. "With three Group 1 races at this meeting - the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes, the Cheveley Park Stakes and the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes - plus the totesport Cambridgeshire Handicap, the addition of these two new races in 2008 will make it a sensational three days and even more of a 'must' for flat racing enthusiasts. "The three-year-old race will be a fascinating addition to the Craven Meeting and to Britain's spring flat racing programme as a whole, offering a hugely valuable early-season prize for Tattersalls October Yearling Sale graduates in their classic year." Newmarket based trainer William Haggas said: "£2.2 million of new prize money spread over three races is great news for owners and I would like to congratulate both Tattersalls and Newmarket Racecourses on this new initiative. I am already looking forward to the 2007 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale." Highclere Thoroughbred Racing supremo Harry Herbert said: "Sales Races have always been a major attraction when we are looking to find new owners for the Highclere syndicates and the 'Tattersalls Millions' will without doubt prove to be a huge selling point. We had a fantastic day when TAMARISK won the 1997 Tattersalls Houghton Sales Stakes and, with three races to aim at in the 'Tattersalls Millions', we will have an even better chance of repeating that success." Leading yearling consignor Simon Marsh of Watership Down Stud commented: "The 'Tattersalls Millions' will provide wonderful incentives for owners at all levels of the market and the 'Tattersalls £400,000 3YO Classic' is a particularly exciting innovation. It adds a new dimension to the Sales Race concept allowing the later maturing horses to have a shot at the massive prize money as well as the more precocious types." Book 1 of the 2007 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale will take place Tuesday, 9th October - Friday, 12th October and is expected to number approximately 750 yearlings. Full details of the 2008 Cambridgeshire Meeting race programme will be announced later this year.

(Tattersalls Media Release)

a second placing for TBNSW members

1. Alamosa (O’Reilly(NZ)-Lodore Mystic(NZ))

2. El Cuento (AUS) (Tale of the Cat(USA)-Royal Celebrity) bred by Gooree Park Stud

3. Satinka (Stravinsky(USA)-Miss Saigon(NZ))

The Group 1 Starcraft NZ Stakes 2000 metres

1. Gaze (Cape Cross(IRE)-Eye Full(NZ))

2. Sir Slick (Volksraad(GB)-Miss Opera(NZ))

3. Dezigna (Volksraad(GB)-Label Basher(NZ))

Although Hong Kong's favourite racing hero Silent Witness has now made his last public appearance before taking a well-earned retirement in Australia, his legendary character and spirit will live on, thanks to a new exhibition opened by The Hong Kong Jockey Club on 9 March 2007. Entitled Silent Witness - A Racing Legend, the exhibition will run from now until the end of this racing season at the Hong Kong Racing Museum, adjacent to Happy Valley Racecourse. In addition to recalling the well known racing achievements of this remarkable champion, the exhibition aims to show visitors some lesser known details about the horse himself - his sire and dam, his birthplace, his everyday life and his new retirement home. Among the exhibits are many fascinating items of personal memorabilia loaned by the Owners of Silent Witness, Arthur Antonio and Betty Da Silva, among them the gelding's "horse passport", issued under his original name of Eltira. Other interesting souvenirs include the brochure of his yearling sale, his stable nameplate, a horseshoe that fell off during his debut race, a number cloth worn in Japan, items of his riding tack and grooming gear, and two welcome letters from his new home in Australia. There is also a copy of the Time magazine feature that named Silent Witness among the "people who mattered" around the world in 2004 - an extraordinary achievement for a racehorse. Visitors can enjoy a specially-produced video of Hong Kong¡¦s legendary racing hero in the Museum's theatre. Joining the da Silvas at the opening ceremony, Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges remarked that although the Racing Museum staged regular thematic exhibitions, this was the first time one had been mounted to honour a single horse. "I don't think anyone could argue, though, that it is not richly deserved," he said. "Silent Witness is not just the most successful horse in our racing history, he has become an icon of Hong Kong. I have never seen a horse capture the public's hearts so completely. "We hope this exhibition will illustrate the wonderful personality and fighting spirit of Silent Witness, qualities which so endeared him to the public and led him to become the symbol of Hong Kong's own 'can do' spirit," Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges added. Responding, Mr da Silva noted that although Silent Witness would be retiring happily back to Australia, he was sure Hong Kong people and all the horse's fans worldwide would not forget him. "We will all remember him forever as the 'Spirit of Hong Kong'," he said. Besides the special Silent Witness exhibition, The Hong Kong Racing Museum offers visitors many fascinating insights into the history of horse racing in Hong Kong and the Club's long-standing role as a community benefactor. It also stages other thematic exhibitions on a regular basis. The Museum is located at 2/F, Happy Valley Stand, Wong Nai Chung Road (opposite the end of Queen's Road East), Tel: 2966 8065. It is open on Tuesdays to Sundays and most Public Holidays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. During day race meetings at Happy Valley, it opens from 10:00 am until 12:30 pm only.

(The Hong Kong Jockey Club Media Release)

  Hong Kong Update

Caspar Fownes continues to lead in the Trainer’s rankings having recorded 43 wins, 35 second placings, 35 third placings, 33 fourth placings and 37 fifth placings from 368 starters. David Hall is in 6^th position with 26 winners, 20 second placings, 16 third placings, 18 fourth placings and 10 fifth placings from his 220 starters. John Size is in 7^th position with 23 winners, 21 second placings, 17 third placings, 24 fourth placings and 24 fifth placings from his 260 starters. John Moore is in 11^th position with 18 winners, 17 second placings, 23 third placings, 26 fourth placings and 29 fifth placings from 329 starters.

Douglas Whyte’s advantage in the Jockey’s rankings has been reduced to 4 having recorded 59 wins, 60 second placings, 36 third placings, 41 fourth placings and 29 fifth placings from 389 rides. Brett Prebble is in second position with 55 winners, 37 second placings, 25 third placings, 25 fourth placings and 26 fifth placings from his 324 rides. Danny Nikolic is in 12^th position with 15 winners, 14 second placings, 20 third placings, 19 fourth placings and 28 fifth placings from his 261 rides. Shane Dye is in 13^th position with 13 winners, 11 second placings, 15 third placings, 11 fourth placings and 21 fifth placings from his 212 rides.

Current to 14 March 2007.

When Redoute’s Dancer scored in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie racecourse in New Zealand on 3 March 2007 he gave his breeder TBNSW member Mr John Muir of Milburn Creek Thoroughbreds his first Group 1 success as a breeder. Congratulations to Mr Muir. Redoute’s Dancer also made history in winning as he is the first ever Australian trained winner of the Group 1 New Zealand Derby. Redoute’s Dancer (Redoute’s Choice-Condescendance(USA)) finished too strongly for Mettre En Jeun (NZ) (Montjeu(IRE)-Delgatie Queen (NZ)) with Uberalles (NZ) (Giant’s Causeway (USA)–Ethereal (NZ)) third. Redoute’s Dancer takes his record to 4 wins (two at group level) and two second placings from his 7 career starts with $479,904 in prizemoney to date.

  Major Race Results – New Zealand

a winner for TBNSW members

1. Redoute’s Dancer (AUS) (Redoute’s Choice (AUS)–Condescendance (USA)) bred by Milburn Creek Thoroughbred Stud

2. Mettre En Jeu (NZ) (Montjeu (IRE)–Delgatie Queen (NZ))

3. Uberalles (NZ) (Giant’s Causeway (USA) – Ethereal (NZ))

The Group 1 Auckland Cup 3200 metres

1. Prize Lady (NZ) (Prized (USA) – Pen Bal Lady (GB))

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

3. Luckshan (NZ) (Spectacular Love (USA) – Norfolk Shan (NZ))

Absolute Champion recorded the second Group 1 win of his career when he scored in the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong on 4 March 2007. Congratulations to his breeder TBNSW member J W Kelly Suffolk Vale & Co. Absolute Champion (Marauding(NZ)-Beauty Belle) was too good for Planet Ruler (AUS) (Danehill(USA)- Sequenza(IRE)) with Regency Horse (NZ) (Stravinsky(USA)-Rivertaine(NZ)) in third place. Absolute Champion has now recorded 5 wins (three at Group level), 2 second placings and a third placing from his 18 Hong Kong race starts for $2,394,594 in prizemoney bringing his career totals to 6 wins (four at Group level), 3 second placings and 3 third placings from 26 starts and $2,525,764 in prizemoney. Absolute Champion formally raced in Australia as Genius and Evil.

a winner for TBNSW members

1. Absolute Champion (AUS) (Marauding(NZ)-Beauty Belle) bred by J W Kelly Suffolk Vale & Co Pty Limited

2. Planet Ruler (AUS) (Danehill(USA)-Sequenze(IRE))

3. Regency Horse (NZ) (Stravinsky(USA)-Rivertaine(NZ))

The Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup 2000 metres

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

2. Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju(IRE)-Comic)

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

  Absolute Champion, Vengeance Of Rain deliver the Gr.1 goods

Two of Hong Kong's international stars, Absolute Champion and Vengeance Of Rain, held sway in the Gr.1 double bill at Sha Tin on 4 March 2007. First the world's top ranked sprinter, Absolute Champion needed a short-head verdict to succeed in a thrilling Chairman's Sprint Prize from Planet Ruler; half an hour later Vengeance Of Rain prevailed from Viva Pataca in the Hong Kong Gold Cup. This was Vengeance Of Rain's first win since taking out the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup in December 2005 shortly after which he was spelled in New Zealand for six months. A select Gold Cup field of just eight runners was always going to elicit a battle of tactics, particularly in the absence of any real pace in the race. The field jogged through early sectionals of 26.7, 26.6 and 25.9 seconds with second favourite Vengeance Of Rain holding second place under jockey Anthony Delpech. The South African rider got first run on his rivals from the top of homestretch and, finishing in a time of 21.6 seconds, they clung on by a fast diminishing neck. "It was a tremendous win, one full of merit and I honestly think there is still some room for improvement in him. His bodyweight is still at 1200lbs and I can't get it off him - I think it's a legacy from his time in New Zealand last year. That break he had in Cambridge Stud was so important for him and I want to thank everybody there for their help," trainer David Ferraris. Vengeance Of Rain is engaged in the US$5million Dubai Sheema Classic on March 31 and Ferraris will make a final decision on the gelding's participation "within the next 48 hours." Similar plans for Bullish Luck (Dubai World Cup) and Viva Pataca (Sheema Classic) will also become apparent in the coming days. No such trip overseas awaits Absolute Champion but trainer David Hall and jockey Brett Prebble are looking forward to stepping the five-year-old up to 1400m in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, the third leg of the Champion Sprint Series, next month. Following his track record-breaking success in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint last December, Absolute Champion was backed into 1/3 favourite for a repeat performance at the same 1200m distance - win he did, but it was a mighty close call. Absolute Champion settled in seventh behind another scorching pace until halfway before Prebble - who rode an amazing five winners from eight rides - produced him to lead with under a furlong to race. However, the pair could not shake off the attentions of Planet Ruler and Andrasch Starke and only just survived in a head-bobbing climax. "It was a bit hearts-in-mouths, that's for sure, but somehow the good horses always know how to win," Hall said. "He's looking for 1400 metres now, even a mile would suit. When I first got him late last season I felt that he would be best suited to 1400m and I haven't changed that opinion. He has had some tough runs at the top level and he still needs to have his races stretched out, but I think is more vulnerable at sprint trips nowadays."

(The Hong Kong Jockey Club Media Release)

  Hong Kong Update

Caspar Fownes continues to lead in the Trainer’s rankings having recorded 42 wins, 34 second placings, 34 third placings, 31 fourth placings and 35 fifth placings from 355 starters. David Hall is in 6^th position with 25 winners, 20 second placings, 16 third placings, 18 fourth placings and 10 fifth placings from his 214 starters. John Size is in 7^th position with 22 winners, 19 second placings, 17 third placings, 23 fourth placings and 23 fifth placings from his 252 starters. John Moore is in 12^th position with 16 winners, 17 second placings, 21 third placings, 25 fourth placings and 29 fifth placings from 321 starters.

Douglas Whyte’s advantage in the Jockey’s rankings has been reduced to 5 having recorded 56 wins, 56 second placings, 33 third placings, 40 fourth placings and 27 fifth placings from 371 rides. Brett Prebble is in second position with 51 winners, 36 second placings, 25 third placings, 23 fourth placings and 26 fifth placings from his 309 rides. Danny Nikolic is in 12^th position with 14 winners, 14 second placings, 20 third placings, 19 fourth placings and 27 fifth placings from his 250 rides. Shane Dye is in 13^th position with 13 winners, 9 second placings, 15 third placings, 9 fourth placings and 20 fifth placings from his 201 rides.

Current to 7 March 2007.

  Rail Link Named French Horse of the Year

Last year’s Group 1 Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe winner Rail Link (Dansili-Docklands) has been named French Horse of the Year and Champion 3YO colt. Other French award winners included Mandesha (Champion 3YO Filly), Holy Roman Emperor (Champion 2YO) and Pride (Champion Older Horse).

It resembled some of the 17 Sha Tin victories that made him the most iconic horse in the history of Hong Kong racing - Silent Witness cantering past the post in isolation with thousands of fans, many bedecked in his black and green silks, roaring their approval. This, though, was the last time. In specially convened and emotional farewell, jockey Felix Coetzee rode the recently retired record-breaker for one final stretch on the turf that made him so famous. A crowd of 35,000 cheered and clicked cameras for a parting shot. Owners Archie and Betty da Silva fought back the tears. Trainer Tony Cruz looked on with pride. Coetzee dismounted and gave the gleaming seven-year-old a goodbye kiss. Silent Witness, the fastest horse in the world from 2003 to 2005, will enter quarantine in March before shipping to Melbourne where he will enter the Living Legends home for retired champion thoroughbreds. "I just wanted to say goodbye to him," Mr da Silva said. "I just hope that he is happy and healthy and I'm looking forward to paying him a visit in Australia." Later Mr Da Silva presented one of the champion's racing shoes to Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, on behalf of the Hong Kong Racing Museum. In return, Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges presented a book chronicling Silent Witness' 18 victories to the Da Silvas. "He was the flag-bearer for Hong Kong racing and the level of attention Silent Witness received was unprecedented - it still is, judging by the send-off he is receiving. We all wish him a happy retirement," Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

(The Hong Kong Jockey Club Media Release)

Hong Kong Update

Caspar Fownes continues to lead in the Trainer’s rankings having recorded 40 wins, 34 second placings, 34 third placings, 30 fourth placings and 30 fifth placings from 340 starters. David Hall is in 6^th position with 22 winners, 19 second placings, 15 third placings, 18 fourth placings and 9 fifth placings from his 201 starters. John Size is in 8^th position with 21 winners, 19 second placings, 16 third placings, 23 fourth placings and 22 fifth placings from his 246 starters. John Moore is in 11^th position with 16 winners, 16 second placings, 19 third placings, 22 fourth placings and 28 fifth placings from 304 starters.

Douglas Whyte holds a twelve win advantage in the Jockey’s rankings having recorded 56 wins, 56 second placings, 33 third placings, 40 fourth placings and 27 fifth placings from 371 rides. Brett Prebble is in third position with 45 winners, 35 second placings, 24 third placings, 21 fourth placings and 25 fifth placings from his 295 rides. Danny Nikolic is in 11^th position with 14 winners, 14 second placings, 17 third placings, 18 fourth placings and 27 fifth placings from his 237 rides. Shane Dye is in 13^th position with 13 winners, 9 second placings, 15 third placings, 8 fourth placings and 19 fifth placings from his 195 rides.

Current to 28 February 2007.

  Breeder’s Cup & Hong Kong Jockey Club Announce Marketing Partnership

The Group I Hong Kong Jockey Club Champions Mile will become the first race held outside the United States in the new Breeders' Cup Challenge, a series of official qualifying races for the Breeders' Cup World Championships, officials of Breeders' Cup Limited announced in conjunction with the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Both the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Breeders' Cup Limited also announced that, for the first time, racing fans in Hong Kong will be able to wager on this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships races. In addition to hosting the first non-U.S. Breeders' Cup Challenge race, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will be further linked to the Breeders' Cup by way of a $1 million (U.S.) bonus to any horse that wins the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile (Grade I) and another of the Hong Kong Jockey Club's premier events, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile (Group I), which is traditionally held in early December at Sha Tin Racecourse, in the same year. The two parties will co-fund the bonus. In 2006, Breeders' Cup Limited introduced the Breeders' Cup Challenge and its "Win and You're In" designation, a series of 24 officially sanctioned races whose winners qualify automatically for their respective divisional races for the $23 million, 11-race Breeders' Cup World Championships (provided they are nominated and otherwise eligible for the Breeders' Cup) which will be held October 26 and 27 at Monmouth Park in New Jersey. Scheduled for April 29 and carrying a purse of just over $1 million U.S., the 2007 Champions Mile will be the first in a proposed international expansion of the Breeders' Cup Challenge, Breeders' Cup officials said. The Champions Mile was inaugurated in 2001 and was won for the last two years by Bullish Luck, first upsetting the previously unbeaten Silent Witness in 2005 and last year netting a US$1m bonus for adding a second victory in the four-legged Asian Mile Challenge in the Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo. "The Breeders' Cup World Championships attracts the very best Thoroughbreds from around the world," said Bill Farish, Breeders' Cup Chairman. "Extending the Breeders' Cup Challenge to some of the top international races is a natural development of the Breeders' Cup Challenge. We are excited to welcome the Hong Kong Jockey Club Champions Mile the first international race under the Breeders' Cup Challenge banner in 2007." Mr John C C Chan, Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, welcomed the news saying: "It is one of the greatest compliments yet paid to the continued rising quality of Hong Kong racing that two of our signature international races are to tie in with the Breeders' Cup. We are very proud and delighted to have reached a strategic partnership that also strengthens Hong Kong's position at the cutting edge of international racing." Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the HKJC's Chief Executive Officer, added: "Racing's future lies in its globalisation and it is vital that we promote it as a sport that transcends local borders. "This landmark agreement link between the Club and Breeders' Cup Limited will have two immediate and very positive benefits: it will enhance international competition on the racetrack and deepen commingled betting pools off it. "It is also very important to establish links with million-dollar prize-money incentives between some of the world's greatest Mile races, two of which are highlights at the end of season world championships in North America and Hong Kong," he added. The Champions Mile is likely to be the only non-U.S. race in the Breeders' Cup Challenge in 2007 but the program is expected to expand beyond that in 2008 to include eight to ten premier international races, Breeders' Cup officials indicated. As part of the agreement, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will accept wagering on the Breeders' Cup World Championships and advertise and promote the event to its account holders. "One of the primary areas of future growth for the Breeders' Cup is the international wagering market and Hong Kong is a lynchpin of that growth," said Greg Avioli, Breeders' Cup President. "We look forward to marketing the Breeders' Cup World Championships to the enthusiastic racing fans in Hong Kong, in particular, and to other markets in Asia." The two parties will also conduct joint marketing and cross-promotional programs to be developed in the coming months. Breeders' Cup Limited administers the Breeders' Cup World Championships; Thoroughbred racing's year-end Championships consisting of 11 races and $23 million in purses. The organization also administers the Breeders' Cup Challenge qualifying series, and the Breeders' Cup Stakes Program. Breeders' Cup Ltd. is located in Lexington, Ky. Breeders' Cup press releases appear on the NTRA Web site, ntra.com, and at the Web site for the Breeders' Cup World Championships, breederscup.com. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is Hong Kong's only authorised operator of horse racing. This is realised through a unique not-for-profit business model whereby surpluses go to charitable and community projects. The Club's vision is to be a world leader in the provision of horse racing, sporting and betting entertainment, and Hong Kong's premier charity and community benefactor. Free Nominations for the Champions Mile close on March 9, 2007. Nominations can be made online at www.hkjc.com/english

(The Hong Kong Jockey Club Media Release)

a third placing for TBNSW members

1. Sir Slick (NZ) (Volksraad (GB)–Miss Opera (NZ))

2. Jokers Wild (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe (USA)-Miss Rory (AUS))

3. Shinzig (AUS) (Danehill (USA)– Shindig (NZ)) bred by TBNSW member Mrs S Suduk

  Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Catalogue Out Now

The 2007 Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up catalogue is out now and can also be viewed online at www.tattersalls.com. Numbering 213 lots, the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up, which takes place from Tuesday April 17th - 19th, is firmly established as Europe's premier two-year-olds in training sale and the 2007 catalogue looks to be outstanding following on from the record breaking 2006 sale. In total the catalogue features own or half-brothers and sisters to a massive 71 Group/Listed winners including 9 Classic and Group 1 winners and a further 12 Group 2 winners and 19 Group 3 winners. Amongst the half-brothers to Classic and Group 1 winners are the GIANTS CAUSEWAY half-brother to dual Oaks heroine BALANCHINE, the GREEN DESERT half-brother to Group 1 Fillies Mile winner CRYSTAL MUSIC, the OASIS DREAM half-brother to 2006 Group 1 Premio Presidente della Repubblica winner DISTANT WAY, the ROCK OF GIBRALTAR half-brother to the French 1000 Guineas winner VALENTINE WALTZ and Grade 1 Matron Stakes winner SENSE OF STYLE and the SADLER'S WELLS half-brother to Classic sire and Group 1 Prix Morny winner ORPEN. With 104 sires represented, no less than 69 of them have already produced Classic/Group 1 winners including CAPE CROSS, DANEHILL DANCER, GALILEO, GREEN DESERT, MEDICEAN, MONTJEU, PIVOTAL, RED RANSOM, ROCK OF GIBRALTAR, SINGSPIEL and the 14 time legendary Champion Sire SADLER'S WELLS. Top USA based sires are also well represented including the proven Group 1 sires APTITUDE, ARCH, DANZIG, DYNAFORMER, ELUSIVE QUALITY, FORESTRY, FUSAICHI PEGASUS, GIANT'S CAUSEWAY, JOHANNESBURG, KINGMAMBO, MR GREELEY, QUIET AMERICAN, RAHY, SEEKING THE GOLD, SMART STRIKE, STREET CRY, THEATRICAL, UNBRIDLED'S SONG and the outstanding STORM CAT whose daughter out of REACH FOR THE MOON is the first by the sire ever to be sold at a European breeze up sale. Exciting first crop sires with two-year-olds catalogued include the Classic/Group 1 winners ALDEBARAN, CLODOVIL, DOMEDRIVER, DUBAI DESTINATION, EMPIRE MAKER, HARLAN'S HOLIDAY, HAWK WING, HIGH CHAPARRAL, HOLD THAT TIGER, NAYEF, OASIS DREAM, OKAWANGO, SPARTACUS and VINDICATION. The largest consignment comes from previous sale topping consignor Con Marnane who has 27 two-year-olds coming from his Tipperary based Bansha House Stables while last year's sale topping consignor Willie Browne has 25 lots coming from his Mocklershill Stables. The largest British based consignments are also from previous sale toppers, with Malcolm Bastard presenting a team of 15 and Jamie Railton one less with 14. Commenting on the catalogue, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said; "Last year's Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up was outstanding in every way and this year's catalogue very much reflects that success. Without doubt the 2007 Craven Breeze Up is the strongest catalogue ever assembled for a European two-year-olds in training sale and by some margin. The 2006 catalogue was deemed to have broken new ground and had own or half-brothers and sisters to 31 Group and Listed winners. This year's catalogue has 71. When you add the equally impressive 23 individual 2006 Group and Listed Tattersalls Breeze Up performers to the mix it would strongly suggest that we have all the ingredients to appeal to a global audience in search of quality two-year-olds. As ever all the two-year-olds will breeze on the beautifully maintained strip of ground at the Rowley Mile commencing at 9.00am on Tuesday 17th April and as last year the full 'breeze' will be broadcast live on Racing UK who will also be broadcasting the first day of the two day sale on Wednesday 18th April. Each individual 'breeze' will also be available for viewing online at www.tattersalls.com and catalogues are available from Tattersalls and all Tattersalls overseas representatives." The catalogue for the inaugural Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up (May 3rd - 4th) will be published on March 19th.

(Tattersalls Media Release)

  April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale Catalog On-Line

Keeneland's 2007 April Sale catalog is now available on-line. The sale will be held Tuesday, April 17, beginning at 1:30 p.m. "This catalog has strong domestic and international appeal, and it has been well supported by our consignors," said Keeneland's Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell. Last year's Del Mar Debutante (G1) winner and Eclipse Award finalist Point Ashley, as well as Nashua Stakes (G3) winner Day Pass, now a contender for the 2007 Triple Crown, are both graduates of the 2006 April Sale. Other 2006 stakes winning alumni include Seek Gold, winner of the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap; Strong Contender, winner of the Dwyer (G2) and Super Derby (G2); and Anew, winner of the True North Handicap (G2). The April Sale will be the first juvenile auction in North America to utilize a Polytrack surface for its under tack shows. The juveniles will breeze during two "Preview Days," held Monday, April 9 and Monday, April 16.

(Keeneland Media Release)

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